Stardust

Look at the wake, from the stardust, pouring from your eyes.

It's no mistake, you are perfect.

You are perfect in my mind,

And you won't fade away.

Stardust - Gemini Syndrome

Helena makes her way into her house after a long day at work. She has been living with her half-sister and girlfriend Kokoro after the younger girl came under her protection.

"Kokoro dear," she calls. "I'm back."

There is no response and Helena becomes confused. Kokoro is usually there to greet her at the door. She removes her shoes and makes her way into the living room.

"Kokoro?" she calls again as she begins to search for her girlfriend. After a few minutes of searching, she comes to the bedroom and walks up to the closed door. She takes a moment to lean her ear on the door and notices the sound of crying. She brings her shaky hand up and gives the door a couple quick knocks.

"Kokoro?" she moves in close to the white wood. "Are you okay? Can I come in?"

"One-sama?" she hears Kokoro respond from the other side.

"Yes," Helena says. "I'm coming in." She turns the knob and peaks her head into the room. She finds Kokoro sitting on their bed with her head in her hands. She opens the door all the way and slowly walks into the room. She turns and flips on the switch, bathing the dark room in light.

Helena feels her heart sink as she turns and finds Kokoro rubbing tears from her cheeks as she stares at the floor. The blonde walks over and takes a seat on the bed next to her.

"What's wrong?" Helena asks. "Why are you crying?"

Kokoro takes a breath and tries to calm herself. "...I'm," she stammers. "I'm fine."

Helena takes Kokoro's chin and turns her face even with her own. "No you are not," she says as she wipes a tear from Kokoro's eye. "Tears don't lie."

The two sit in silence for a couple minutes as Kokoro calms down. "...m a ...take," she finally stammers out.

"What was that dear?" Helena asks with concern in her voice.

"I'm a mistake!" Kokoro practically shouts.

The blonde's concern grows as she listens to Kokoro. "Don't say that. You have people who love you very much." Her expression changes to a small scowl. "Where did you hear something like that."

"A girl named Nico told me," Kokoro answers. "She gave me a picture of us with Fame."

Helena's expression changes again to worry and Kokoro stares her in the eyes as she continues.

"Did he not want me? Did I do something?"

"Your mother was just looking out for your safety," Helena answers. "She wanted to protect you. Just like I do."

"Protect me?" Kokoro asks. "From what? My family?"

"Well..." Helena responds slowly as she tries to find the words. "Your father was working with some shady people. They were dangerous. That is why I went in a different direction." She feels her stomach start to rumble. "And it looks like we both have had a long day. So how about we get some dinner?" She leans in and gives Kokoro a peck on the cheek. "Okay?"

"Okay," Kokoro replies weakley. "I'll be here."

Helena stands up and begins to walk from the room. She stops and looks over her shoulder. "Any requests?"

"Anything is fine."

The blonde begins to figure something out as she heads to the kitchen. She opens a cabinet and runs her hand across the contents. We have some pasta, the blonde thinks and gets an idea. I will make tea. It should help calm her down. She grabs the box and places it on the counter. She starts a pot of water to boil and prepares the tea.

Helena works on boiling the contents of the pot and her mind wanders to Kokoro. "I hope she will be okay," she says to herself. "She seemed pretty down."

The blonde works on preparing dinner and plates up their meals. "Looks good," she says. "I hope Kokoro has an appetite." She turns to find Kokoro watching her from the doorway. "Are you okay now sweetie?"

"I think so," Kokoro replies weakly.

"Well come on then," Helena tells she takes a seat at the table. "Let's eat."

Kokoro walks in and sits across from Helena. She lets out a sigh as she begins to pick at her plate with her fork. After a long moment of silence, she takes a bite and her expression begins to soften.

"There you go," Helena says. "If you like after we are done, we could just relax and watch something together."

Kokoro takes another bite. "That sounds nice," she responds. "I would like that very much."

"Okay then," the blonde responds. "A quiet night with just the two of us."

After they have finished eating, Helena takes their plates and returns them to the kitchen. She returns shortly after with a couple of cookies. She opens her mouth but finds Kokoro gone.

"Kokoro?"

"I am out here." Comes a voice from the couch.

Helena walks to the next room and finds Kokoro with the remote in her hand scanning channels. The blonde takes a seat next to her and holds out a cookie to her sister.

"Sweet for my sweet," she says with a smile.

Kokoro lets out a giggle and takes the chocolate cookie from Helena. "Why thank you," she says before she takes a bite.

"Is it good?" Helena asks.

"Very," Kokoro responds.

After a couple of bites, Helena notices a crumb on the side of Kokoro's mouth. "Hey," she says as she points to her own mouth. "You got a little something there."

"Hmm?"

The blonde points again. "Right there."

Kokoro closes her eyes and puckers her mouth as she leans toward Helena. A smile forms on her mouth and she leans over to take the piece in her own lips. Kokoro lets out a little gasp and leans back as Helena laughs.

"What?" Helena asks. "You wanted me to do it. Didn't you?"

"Well I guess." Kokoro responds as she starts to feel a little embarrassed.

She is so cute, Helena thinks to herself as she watches her sister. She pulls Kokoro close and the two enjoy each other's warmth as they relas for the night.