The light tinkling of music wafted through the air on soft notes, blanketing the often cold aura within the mansion. Slender fingers danced across the piano keys in motions almost intimate, creating the nameless song from memory and boredom. Raito often found himself drawn to the piano and its black and white keys, indulging in the comfort of creativity and music. It was an improvement on the silence that seemed to haunt the corridors of this old home. Granted, Raito could find solace in quietude as well, but why waste an opportunity to play? His mother normally chased him away from the piano, boring hag that she was. Why did she like Kanato's singing so much, then?

Raito paused suddenly, with his fingertips hovering over the keys. He had heard a rustle behind him, someone else had entered the living room. Much too small and light-footed to be one of the adults or older brothers, and too quiet to be Ayato or Kanato. Raito turned to look over his shoulder with a broad smile for show. "Subaru-kun, you almost sneaked up on me!" Raito opened one eye to look at the younger vampire, who was standing in the entryway of the living room, looking uncertain of whether or not he wanted to come in. Raito cocked his head when he noticed the downcast expression on Subaru's face. "Mh, Subaru-kun? What's the matter?"

Subaru seemed to shrink back a little, embarrassed at being caught. He didn't really spend too much time around the triplets, instead he was usually off on his own. When the youngest Sakamaki had heard the sound of the piano music from upstairs, however, it had prompted him to come down and find who was behind it. Subaru, like most of the other siblings, knew Raito had a knack for making music, much like Kanato enjoyed singing. In fact, Raito sometimes provided music for his triplet to sing to. But, Subaru had never approached Raito while the boy was playing, and it felt almost shameful to have done so. Instead of answering Raito's verbalized concerns, Subaru simply shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't too comfortable with expressing himself through words, not when he was primarily taught to be quiet.

Raito sighed at Subaru's stubborn lack of an answer. Before he could reprimand the boy, however, he stopped himself. Subaru was shivering, and now that he was more under the light in the living room, Raito could see the faint redness of his eyes, like they had been rubbed at. This drew another, more disdainful sigh from Raito. Christa must have said something to the child, again. They all knew she could lose herself at times, especially around Subaru. The boy was already isolated enough without the added help of his mother's open hostility, even if it was only in episodes of anger.

"Come here, Subaru-kun." Raito called, garnering a look of surprise from his younger brother. Despite his obvious suspicion, Subaru approached Raito, albeit with some caution. He took a seat beside Raito on the piano bench. Raito smiled once again, his fingers now reaching to resume their dalliance with the keys of the piano. Subaru watched with avid curiosity, his eyes began to lose their previous dullness and gained a glimmer of excitement that was more appropriate for a child of his age. Raito had to remind himself, his brother was but eight years old, and he himself was nine. They shouldn't have to desperately seek comfort or reprieve in anything at all, especially from their own family.

But, in a home where entropy reigned control, Raito was happy to provide Subaru with sanctuary.


AUTHORESS NOTE:

I've been wanting to write more drabbles, I just never know what to write. Especially considering I hate when I don't know everything about the fandom I'm in; I haven't played the games and I probably never will, but I like the anime. I need to head off and watch the second season, see the Mukami babies.

I hope you liked this, I'm still one hundred and ten percent into "big brother" tropes. Mostly for Shu, but still totally into the others doing it, too. Subaru is an important cinnamon roll to me. I'll probably do a shippy one next. Again, feel free to leave a request in the comments, it just might get done! No promises, but people have been known to leave good ideas in the past~