(For those who have asked, yes, this is a re-write of Reverence with a LOT of changes.)

Mae walked into her fourth-story bedroom with a book fastened tight between her side and arm. With little effort she closed the door behind her and looked around her room with heavy eyes. It hadn't changed since she last seen it.

The room was insignificant compared to the hundreds of other rooms in the household. It had cream colored walls and just enough space to hold one twin size bed and a single nightstand. And even though the room wasn't as substantial as the others, she was content with her domain.

After all-she specifically picked it out.

Moving to the side of her bed, she sloppily kicked her shoes off and shoved them aside with a swift kick. Spreading and stretching her toes with a sigh of relief, she plopped down on the mattress face first. The book that she'd been hanging onto bounced out of her hold and made a home for itself next to her.

The warmth of the blankets started to absorb her into another world. But just when she started to doze off a sudden knock on the bedroom door tugged her back to reality. Frustrated, she muffled a sigh into the blankets and pounded a fist against the mattress. She wished that for once she could have a peaceful moment after one of her six month long missions.

Forcefully rolling over onto her back, she tangled her fingers into her hair and pulled the tresses over her face. "I'm trying to sleep."

"Mae," a small boy with a shaved head cracked the door open and peeked in, "Mae?"

The sound of the boy's sweet voice washed her frustration away instantly. Quick to sit up, she brushed her hair out of her face and tucked it behind both of her ears. "Viske," she smiled, "I'm sorry, I thought you were the pain in the butt."

Viske grinned, showing off the gap between his front teeth. "Nope, it's just me! I've been waiting for you to come home!"

Mae couldn't contain her happiness and the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. Her most favorite part about returning home was seeing Viske. She enjoyed spending every second that she had with him. And she would choose him over a peaceful moment any day of the week.

Stretching over the bed, she took a hold of the book and moved it to the nightstand, clearing a spot for him. "You can come in," she said, patting the mattress.

He closed the door knowing that she hated it when he left it open and then he rushed over to the bed. Jumping onto the mattress, he hugged her immediately. She returned the gesture and lovingly wrapped both of her arms around him.

She kept a tight hold on him for an entire minute. After the minute passed, she pulled back and stared down at him. "Did you behave?"

He smirked. "Do I ever?"

Pressing the palm of her hand against his face, she pushed him back. "You're a brat, you know that?"

He laughed and slapped her hand away. "Did you bring me anything?"

She smirked. "Do I ever?"

Now it was his turn to shove the palm of his hand into her face and push her back. "You're a boob, you know that?"

"I know," she grinned, falling back against the mattress.

Viske mirrored her action and collapsed back. Stretching his arms behind his head, he opened his mouth wide and yawned loud. When he felt her looking at him, he opened one eye and smacked his mouth shut. Feeling self-conscious, he looked at her with a blank stare. "What?"

She smiled at him, but she didn't say a word. Resting her head back, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Her heart swelled with timeless love for her brother. He was the most important person in her life and he was the only reason why she continued to go on missions.

That and she didn't have much of a choice- For certain reasons.

Out of the blue, Viske snorted under his breath. Blinking her eyes open, Mae turned her head to the side and looked at him. She smiled. He was now sleeping soundly next to her with his jaw slacked and drool dripping down his chin.

Turning onto her side with a low groan, ache in her lower back, she tucked an arm under her head and watched him quietly. She wasn't surprised that he was already asleep so early in the day. He had a habit of holding off sleep for two or three days when she was due to come home between a given time frame. She hated that he'd stay awake for so long, but she knew that she couldn't stop him.

He'd never listen.