Page 141 of Family: Posy 4

Goddess, I hope our pups aren't this big!

Finally, we made it to the bedroom, and I pushed open the door with my foot only to blow out an irritated breath when I saw Garnet's eyes gleaming in the darkness.

"You son of a bitch," I groused in a whisper. "How long have you been awake?"

"Haven't been to sleep yet. Told Lark I'd stand watch until you two got home."

"Come get this big bastard."

"No, thanks. Looks like you got it under control." He closed his eyes and rolled over. "Good night."

"Asshole."

"So witty when you're tired and grumpy," he chuckled.

"I love how you state the obvious with such a tone of discovery." Dropping Sid on top of him, I grinned when I heard him groan.

"Listen to you! Trying to fit your entire vocabulary in one sentence," he snarked back as he wrestled out from under Sid.

"Your dick belongs in your pants, not your personality," I muttered half-heartedly.

"Why don't you slip into something more comfortable? Like a coma."

Snorting in appreciation at that one, I plopped down on the side of the bed and let my clasped hands dangle between my knees.

When I didn't respond, he came over and sat next to me.

"That bad of a night, huh?"

"I fucked up a bit," I admitted. "Garnet?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't let me—" Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly. "Will you help me be a better brother?"

"Really bad night, then."

I just nodded.

"You know," he murmured, "that's the bravest thing I've ever heard you say. I'm proud of you, Q."

All at once, it hit me, how damn tired I was inside and out. And I didn't know what to do with all these messy feelings inside me. They were uncomfortable, twisting around inside me like snakes, and I wasn't prepared for any of them.

Which was probably why I did something that shocked us both. I leaned against him and laid my head on his shoulder. He froze for a second, but didn't move or push me away. He just sat there next to me for a few seconds, then his arm came around me in a tight hug.

"Give yourself some grace, Quartz. Leaving your comfort zone to grow is hard, but everything's going to be okay. I promise."

"How can you be so sure?" I whispered.

"Because I won't let it be anything else. I got you, little brother. Forever and always, I got you."

Dammit! Now my eyes were all wet!

The audacity of the little bitches, to betray me like that.