Axel lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He'd been there for hours.

Ever since Sapphire had left, Axel would just lie on his bed and think about her.

He'd wish he'd done things differently, often he'd imagine what it would be like if he hadn't told, maybe they'd run away together. Sometimes he'd pray she was alright, or he'd talk to him in his head.

Mostly though, he'd think about how beautiful she was and all the amazing times they had together.

And he would cry.

Walter was standing at the door watching him, one time.

"I remember doing that when Jinx left," he said with a sigh. "Trust me, Axel, it sucks but if she really loves you, she'll be back one day. And if not, you'll find someone else."

Axel didn't say anything.

"Let me handle this," Jasmine declared.

So Walter went and left Jasmine to it.

She knelt beside Axel's bed. "Axie?" she said. "Missing Sapphire?"

Axel nodded.

"Well, I think you were very brave," Jasmine said. "I never would have been able to do what you did."

Axel sighed. "It wasn't meant to end like this," he said simply.

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't expect Dad to throw Saph out; I thought he'd take her in as one of his own. Like Robin."

"That was different," Jasmine said gently. "Robin's family."

"I let Sapphire down," Axel said sadly.

"No you didn't! You practically saved her life!"

"And then I ruined it."

"No, Axie!"

Axel sighed. He looked away, unable to look his sister in the eye.

"Jas, I loved her, and she left," he said. "I loved Robin and he left. Is everyone I love moving away?"

"No, of course not!" Jasmine said. "You've got Mum and Dad. And you've still got me."

Axel put his arm around Jasmine.

"Yeah, I love you, little sis, and we'll always be together, right?"

"You bet! We'll grow up together, get a flat together, go to work together, and never ever bother about silly boyfriends and girlfriends."

Normally, Axel would have scoffed at the babyishness of the rubbish Jasmine was talking and tell her to stop being so silly.

But now he thought, why not? What was the harm in daydreaming about a non-realistic future if it made you feel happy? And what was so unrealistic about sharing a flat with Jasmine? She had always been there for Axel, whether he wanted her to be or not, and he knew she always would be.

Axel smiled at his little sister.

"I'd like that."

The End. Cuteness overload! I will sorely miss this story now it's gone, but I think I might update Alex the Cheetah later today.