WHAT THEY NEEDED

It was true. He had a massive crush on Lyra, his own sister. Now, he wasn't a hypocrite to think as such, after all he's been screwing around with his two other sisters for a while, but this felt... different. Lyra was his actual full blooded sister, their bond was as thick as their blood. They grew up together, played together, were always there for one another, what he now felt for Lyra was something he had never once felt with either Lacy and Lupa. Lemy was genuinely love sick for her and now he was feeling even more mortified than he was before in having to admit his true feelings. His dilemma failed to be hidden as his half sister looked at him with an annoyance stare, getting the gist of his troubles.

"What the fuck is the problem now?" Lupa spoke up.

Lemy had been spacing out for some time now. Yesterday he was all pumped up and full of conviction in pursuing and winning over Lyra's heart, but right now, all lost and confused.

"...W-what?" He came back to his senses, "Sorry...I was... thinking."

"Thinking that you have no fucking idea how to proceed forward don't you?" Lupa said back.

His troubled eyes indicated much to her. She figured that would happen, her brother was real good at starting something, but always getting absolutely fucking floored at not knowing how to finish it. How was he supposed to win over Lyra's heart when he was so fucking clueless? Lupa was straight up disappointed in him.

"For fucks sake Lemy you getting cold feet and haven't even dipped a single toe into the fucking pool!" She exclaimed.

"I know! I know!" Lemy groaned at his own ineptitude.

Truth was how the hell was he suppose to do this? On paper it's always easy, but when a plan is finally executed it can easily get derailed and absolutely ruined, just ask his dad. Lincoln was always known as the man with the plan, but they always ended up sucking because he never fully thought them out properly. Like father like son he supposed.

How was he meant to show Lyra affection and for her to understand that he wants to be romantically involved with her without coming in strong and pathetic? He wasn't even sure if she still felt the same for him and even if she harbored any feelings back Lyra definitely has them repressed and locked away. He would need to approach this carefully because he doesn't want to lose her again or evermore. Sitting down he began to think, deep in thought he went trying to figure out this risky plan of his. Lupa followed suite and sat down across from him, examining his face. Nothing but sheer determination on that boy of his. She smiled, content to know that he was being absolutely serious about this interesting ordeal and not rushing things like the moron that he usually is.

"Gotta play it slow." Lupa added, "Don't spook her and fucking weird her out. Lyra is still Lyra even if she does have an immoral crush on her cute and big dick waving little brother."

Lemy smirked at her which she returned back. At least she was helping out, he ain't gonna wave her away.

"I...need to apologise to her, but...I know that she's hurting. I hurt her for fearing the unknown." Lemy sadly said.

"Yeah she'll be pissed. Might be real bitchy for a few days at you too." Lupa replied back, "But... she'll forgive you. She's to caring and damn charitable."

Lemy looked at her, "You say that like it's a bad thing?"

"It's not wise to open your heart to any random stranger. You're just leaving yourself open to attacks of all types and directions. Kindness is a rare thing in this world." Lupa sighed.

"Don't rule us out Lu..." Lemy stated.

"You're all family. Of course I trust you fools." Lupa coolly replied back.

Outside...

Lyra only stared at the clouds. Figuring out the shapes and mentally creating the designs. So far she's got a car, a person and a bird, she kept searching for more. It was a great distraction from the obvious issue tormenting her mind. Too much time had passed, too much distance had been established, it was driving her insane and she didn't want their sudden strain to continue any further. Was this her punishment? The consequences of her past actions or the one that is still in existence within her? Had she not suffered enough back there?

"What you up to Lyra?"

She looked away from the clouds and see her father standing above waiting for a response.

"Just... staring." She replied.

Lincoln sat down next to his daughter and looked at the clouds as well, "What have you noticed so far?"

"Just a few here and there." she kept it simple.

Both father and daughter silently gazed at the many clouds above them, picturing as many objects as they could create. It was quite a peaceful moment for them both. For Lincoln as he got to be around his eldest child again after so many years apart and for Lyra feeling the appreciation and warmth welcoming that her father had always given her. Oh how she deeply regretting fleeing those many years back. If only she could make those memories disappear forever, a clean swipe so she can move forward to a brighter future. But right now that future is in danger of collapsing as it almost did four years ago. Her biggest fear was to lose her happiness all over again.

"Is Lemy still avoiding you?" Lyra closed her eyes, her father having gone straight for the jugular with that single question.

Unwilling to respond, he got his answer from her anyway, "I don't fully understand what went wrong, but try to talk to him."

"Easier said than done." Lyra said back.

Lincoln looked across from him to see her face displaying only a look of silent despair and frustration. Yeah it was hurting her without a doubt, but even if he wanted to intervene at the end of the day this was between them both to fix alone.

"I can encourage him, but it has to be you to break through this unexpected barrier of his." Lincoln said.

He's right. She can't just give up and limp around in dejection or wait for him to come to his senses. In the end it was just him and her and one of them has to make the first move and obliterate this unwanted wall of ice separating them and freezing their emotions cold. Getting up from the ground she dusted her pants and kept looking down the street with her arms crossed. If he wasn't going to talk then she was going to force him to open up. It sounds rough and aggressive, but she ain't risking their relationship from crumbling any further.

"Feeling motivated?" Lincoln got up and stood by her side.

"Yeah..." Lyra kept on starring off into the distance, her face neutral of any emotions.

"I'm gonna go knock some sense into that thick skull of his." Lincoln chuckled at her remark. Placing his hand on her shoulder both stood together enjoying each other's company. A feeling she had missed for the longest.

"You're mom is coming soon." Lincoln spoke.

"Get ready for a wild time." He added as Lyra smiled and rolled her eyes, very well aware of her mother's partying spirit. Regardless she's excited to see her again, another person missing from her life.

"I'm glad to be back." She said.

"I'm glad to have you back too." Lincoln added.

Her smile as sweet as ever slowly morphed into a small frown. Her eyes suddenly becoming dead and serious, as if an unpleasant image had invaded her thoughts, consuming any joy she had been having at the moment. Grabbing her left arm with her right hand, she felt vulnerable and uneasy as these unwanted thoughts swam freely in her mind. Closing her eyes, she mentally brushed them all under the rug of her mind. She had her family again. She was home. She had him. She was safe.

Later that day...

Lemy was in his room trying his darn best to work on his speech. Usually he just goes with the flow of his brain, but he really wants to make up for his shit behavior towards Lyra and right now he is rehearsing his ass off for her. So far he continued to stutter or lose focus or forget his lines and he was just imagining her face, he was so fucked if he did it in person. She was down stairs and he just can't exit his room until he was fully certain that he wasn't going to present himself to her as a pathetic, shivering moron with an intense stutter. Fuck he really was acting like a lovesick idiot confronting his crush. Then again that's what he is and was basically going to do.

"Lyra I'm sorry for...for fucki-no, I'm sorry for being a...dickhead? No not like that!" Lemy smacked himself multiple times as the words wouldn't come out right.

Crap. He really sucked at this.

Shit Lupa was right, he has no fucking idea how to approach this issue at all. He likes Lyra, he's certain that she likes him back, but he can't seem to get it together and man up about it. He should have asked Lacy to stay and be a stand in for him to practice with. Right now both girls were off doing their own things around town, they wished him luck and damn did he hoped it came to him.

"Damn it, why is this so fucking hard?" Lemy moaned.

Sitting down on his bed he scratched his head trying to figure out how to calm his nervousness around her. He tried to imagine Lyra and speak to her, but instead he only imagined her in all her natural beauty. Her charming smile, her deep blue eyes, smooth skin and that short hair she now sported. She was absolutely stunning. A beautiful grown woman as opposed to the young teenage beauty she was back then. Fuck he really had fallen hard for her and it made him feel like an even bigger shit for giving her the cold shoulder this whole week.

A loud knock on the door pulled him away from his thoughts.

The banging was louder and harder as whoever's fist struck the door with full strength. Lemy got up and opened the door, wondering who the hell was demanding his presence. Did aunt Lynn break another dinning chair and needed him to run to the store before his dad got home and by a replica...again?

Twisting the knob he opened up and was met with the one woman that had pierced his heart with Cupid's love arrow. Except she looked pissed, very fucking pissed. Her blue eyes were radiating like crazy, if the lights were off they would be glowing in the dark. Not to mention the hard scowl she was giving him too, at that moment he regretting every bad thing he'd ever done in his life. Did Lyra get sick and tired of this undeserved treatment and was here to kick his ass? If yes, then boy did he deserve it and damn would it hurt like a motherfucker.

"Lyra?" That's all that Lemy mustered out before she shoved him back into the center of the room and walked right in without uttering a single word.

Turning her back to him she locked the door and stood leaning against it as she glared at him with an unknown intensity he had never seen from her before. Lemy wasn't gonna lie if asked, he felt a bit uneasy and somewhat scared of his older sister as she continued to silently stare at him. Was it odd for him to feel somewhat aroused by her change in demeanor? Seriously? Not right now as Lyra stood still like a dangerous predator blocking the only exit. He could just jump out the window, risk a broken bone or two from the second floor. Better alternative than whatever bodily harm Lyra intended to do to him at the moment.

"L-Lyra...?" Lemy bravely took a single step forward and Lyra attacked.

"No running from me now you hear!" She grabbed ahold of his shoulders, gripping tight into his shirt.

"It's just you and me Lemy! You and me!" She shouted as she shook Lemy by the collar.

"You need to stop this! I'm not a damn stranger! I don't have a disease or deformation! Why give me the best day of my life and tell me how much you deeply missed me then out of nowhere ditch me like some cheap one night stand! What the hell is that all about?!" Lyra growled at him, bringing him closer to her. Their noses touching as their eyes intensely stared at one another.

After letting it all out she allowed herself to breath again. Only her heavy breathing was heard in that room as Lemy remained shocked as a statue, no noise coming from him under than his faint breathing. Never breaking eye contact both siblings remained on place,unsure of what to do next. Lyra, despite feeling furious at him for his recent behavior was soon starting to calm down with the more she looked at those blue eyes of his. Just like hers, his eyes were bright blue and very beautiful when viewed up close. His eyes spoke the whole story for her. He was confused, scared and lost...just like her.

The proximity of their faces against each other was making her feel a sort of way. A feeling she deeply longed for. Calming down her angry glare mellowed down and her expression changed to a sorrowful one. With both hands she held Lemy's face close to her's, softly feeling his soft jawline as she lowered her eyes from his own.

"Please...Lemy I...I love you." She meant those words with all her heart.

Lemy's body tensed up at hearing those words. His heart jumpstarted like a lighting bolt at hearing the girl he loves say such statement to him. He felt horrible, yet at the same time extremely joyful. He did not expect any of this to occur at all, he was suppose to apologise and make up with her, instead she came right at him with a loaded gun aimed at his chest, figuratively of course.

"I'm so sorry for abandoning you. I...never meant to hurt you, I just couldn't stay...I couldn't...handle it. Those four years away from you...were absolute hell. Every night I dreamed of you. Every morning I mourned for you. All day I only ever thought of you. Being so far away from you...was the biggest mistake of my life!" Lyra fell to her knees, but Lemy caught her and gently sat her down.

"Lyra..." Lemy's heart was hurting for her.

"Please! Please don't abandon me! I don't want to be alone anymore." she broke down crying.

He allowed her to clutch unto his shirt and sob on his chest. Hugging her lightly, he too soon allowed his own tears to exit out. They needed each other, couldn't exist without each other. Their bond so strong and powerful nothing could ever break it, even after so many years apart it refused to break. Lemy held her with a stronger grip and she responded with a tighter one of her own. At this moment both of them felt vulnerable and protected at the same time. She loved him and he loved her. He understood that now.

Reluctantly letting go of her he softly lifting her head up with both hands allowing his thumbs to massage her smooth skin stained by her many tears. Lyra looked up at him, her eyes burning blue with the red blended from all the crying. Even in such state she was still beautiful to him. The most beautiful girl in his life.

"I'm sorry." Lemy gave her a fond smile as his own tears left a trail down his cheeks.

"I...I love you too." Lyra's eyes widened as he continued, "I will always love you back and forever."

Both of them remained on their knees mesmerized by each others eyes and words. Lyra smiled back at him letting out a small meaningful laugh. She grabbed his left hand which was still tenderly grabbing her cheek. With her other hand she returned the kindness and also reached for his own face, stroking his cheek and swiping away any tears with her thumb.

At that moment both felt whole. As if two missing pieces were finally united and welded together at last.