Anonymous on tumblr asked for Brandon/Stella - reacting to the other crying

"Thought I might find you here," Stella said softly as she slipped into the dark hangar bay of the Red Fountain ship.

Brandon sniffed a little and swiped his wrist over his nose before ducking his head so he didn't have to meet her gaze.

"I'm fine," he said thickly.

Stella didn't point out that she hadn't asked and simply sat beside him, debating whether to take his hand or not. She was still debating when Brandon shifted away a little and crossed his arms over his chest. Stella bit her lip, point taken, but didn't leave.

"It'll be okay, you know," she tried instead.

"My little sister's in the hospital and I'm half a dimension away flying in the opposite direction because some asshole wants to take over the universe. Nothing's okay."

"Then let's go," Stella said fiercely, not knowing what else to say. "The others can deal with all this, let's go right now if that's what you need."

"You really mean that, huh?" Brandon said, looking at her for the first time, and Stella's heart cracked at the sight of his wet cheeks. "You'd really drop all of this to come home with me."

"Yeah," Stella whispered, tugging his hand free so she could hold it tightly. "I would. I would do whatever it took to make you feel better." She bowed her head and pressed a kiss to the back of his hand. "Do you want to go?" she asked when she straightened up, staring deep into his eyes.

"No," he sighed, leaning back against the hangar wall. "I know my sister, she would just get mad that I abandoned my team just so I could visit her. Especially when I know she's going to be alright."

But the image of her, so small and lying in a bed with healers leaning over her, proved to be too much and, despite his words, Stella felt a sob shudder through him. Fresh tears appeared soon after and Stella scooted closer, slipping an arm around his shoulders and shifting him so his head was tucked into the curve of her shoulder.

"Hey," she whispered into his hair as she felt him try to hold back the sobs. "It's okay, let it all out. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere."

Banging out the last couple of these (requests now closed). Thanks for reading!