Emma bit her lip as she stood waiting for her younger brother Charlie at the airport. I can't believe that son of a bitch kicked out my little brother she thought as she fidgeted with her hands a bit nervous about seeing the brother she hadn't seen in 6 year.

When Emma was 15 and Charlie was 9 their parents split up. Their father, Jack, took Emma off to New York where he worked, while Charlie and their mother, Sue, stayed at their childhood home. Emma wasn't very close to her father when she was 15 as she was a bit of a punk and rather rebellious, they just grew further apart when he made them move. She was upset that she wouldn't be able to see Charlie any more. Since the moment he was born Emma loved that kid and promised to take care of him, even if he was a bit of a pain at times. She hated her father even more when he sent her to a fancy boarding school.

Emma had grown up working class and was never a fan of "rich kids" as she refereed to them in her teens. Julie was one of toughs kids. When Emma arrived at the school Julie was the top student in their year and the most popular girl as well, Emma on the other hand was a trouble maker. On her first day of school Emma burned her uniform in an act of rebellion saying it was a feminist protest as she disagreed with the fact that they had to wear skirts, which she did but it was more just about her being insecure about her body and liking to wear more comfy guys cloths. When they first met Julie and Emma barley spoke and when they did it was to fight like cat and dog, however that was partly due to the fact that Emma made Julie feel off. Emma had always been outspoken and open about her views. She was closed off about her feelings and hid behind her humour but if she thought something was wrong she would say so and Julie liked that. Julie and Emma both also couldn't help but think each other were rather pretty.

In their second year of school they ended up having to share a room, which they hated, however it was by doing that they found out how much they liked each other. Emma found out that Julie had some attitude to her as well and wasn't just a spoiled rich kids. Julie found out about Emma's softer side. She never told Emma even to this day but the reason she finally gave in to her feelings was Emma's love for her brother. It was from small things like how she still had his picture in her wallet and then bigger stuff like one of the first nights they shared a room Emma had a nightmare about being separated from him and started talking in her sleep. Julie found this very sweet and calmed her down without waking her.By the time they were both 16 they were dating.

However things were more complicated for the couple now. After school they planed to move in together. However Emma didn't know that meant moving into a big fancy New York apartment Julie's parents got them (well Julie not Emma as Julie's mother hates her though her father is warming up to her). Emma felt like such a moocher staying there. It just got worse when Julie started her own business while Emma studied at college. Julie instead Emma go to college. They had many fights about it. Julie knew Emma really wanted to learn and wanted to go to college. However Emma wanted to help provide for them. The compromise was that Emma goes to college but also has a part time job in a local bar. Besides Emma's hang ups other money there was other issues as well such as the fact that Emma seems unwilling to commit. Any time that Julie talks about marriage or kids she tries to change the subject. Julie thinks this is because she doesn't love her enough but in reality Emma just doesn't think she is good enough for her or any kids they would have. Julie has never seem Emma completely break down she doesn't know what a sensitive soul she is and how she has battled with depression and self esteem issues her whole life.

Their last fight had caused Julie to go off to her parents, which was why Emma looked so tiered. Without Julie Emma hadn't been getting a wink of sleep. She stood in the airport dressed in black skinny jeans, a grey guys shirt with black buttons and a smart black jacket. She rather liked the kinda daper butch look. Her skin was pale and her eyes were bright blue. Her brown hair was cut into a short pixie cut and she was about 5'5 feet in height.

Emmy!" Charlie yelled out as he ran across the airport lounge, bag swaying gently on his back, smacking against it with a gentle thudding sound. Grinning as he spotted her, he ran straight into her arms, his thin and tiny 5 foot exactly frame almost crashing into her. "Emmy.." He mummered again, sniffling as tears ran down his thin face, overjoyed at being with her once again. Dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and blue converse, he looked nowhere near as dapper as his older sister did, but shared the same pale skin, eyes and hair colour, making it easy to figure out they were related in some manner. Breaking away a moment later, he smiled at her. "I missed you." His voice was soft, gentle, melodic in tone. "Ohh.. I got you a gift." He shoved his hands into his jeans pocket, yanking out a homemade friendship bracelet, consisting of pink, red and black beads. Handing her it, he leant back on his heels slightly. looking up as his stomach let out a huge growl. "Oh.. I apologise, I haven't eaten since I left the house." He sighed, then looked back up at the taller girl. "How are you, big sister?"

The last 2 years had been a living hell for Charlie. He'd been battling with his sexuality for a while, not sure what he was. He didn't like girls, but he'd had his first kiss with a female classmate. It'd been the worst thing he'd ever done, but he felt forced to do it to "fit in" and make his.. "stepfather" happy. He hated that man. He knew he was evil from the day they met, from how he treated his mother to forcing him to keep out of touch with Emma. He'd been broken by the lack of contact with the older woman, as she was his.. well, his best friend, his older sister, his comfort blanket and the constant pillar of support in his life, writing letters to her had been his favourite thing, and he loved getting them back, they truly did brighten up his day. He'd locked himself in his room for days, reading and rereading the letters he had from Emma, as if she'd return to him one day. He knew it wouldn't happen, but it was good to dream.. healthy, even. It kept him going, anyway.

The day he was caught looking at the support groups was the worst. He'd been beaten black and blue, though it'd been confined to under his shirt and jeans, as to not raise any form of suspicion. The reading of the bible was certainly.. interesting, and he was thankful the man gave up halfway through, leaving him to treat the cuts and bruises the best he could do. When his mother had told him he was to go and live with Emma, he could hardly believe his luck. He was excited for weeks leading up to It, and the plane journey had dragged on, causing him to start worrying. The longer he was left alone with his own thoughts, the more he thought he'd arrive with no sign of Emma, and not idea where to look. He had her photo to go off, and he was sure he'd pick her out of the crowd anyway, she was his sister! But if she didn't want to see him? No, no, she would..

Emma grinned as she saw her brother run up to her. When he hugged her she quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his small frame. She had missed him so much it hurt she had to hold back tears as she held him. "Hay buddy.I missed you to...so much." She said whispering the last bit.

Emma couldn't help but notice how tiny her brother was. Jeez have they even been feeding him? she thought. When he held out the bracteal to her she grinned. Jeez he is just as sweet as he used to be she though as she took it and slipped it on. "Thank you mate. I love it"She said and ruffled his hair abit.

"Wow sounds like someone's hungry come on we will head home then order in don't say sorry for bring hungry kiddo." She said having no idea Julie was on her way home. Charlie had no Idea she had a girlfriend. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder as they walked out the airport. She was worried about him and wanted to talk about how he was kicked out though didn't want to upset him. She figured she would wait till they get home.

They jumped in a taxi her arm still around him as they sat inside it she had missed him so much.Once they sat down she answered his question "I'm good Charlie how about you?" She asked an element of worry in her voice.

Charlie shrugged, leaning into her warm form, enjoying a few moments cuddling with his older sister. "Tired, hungry, but overall good, I'm with you, so." He smiled at her, resting his head on her shoulder, enjoying the chance to be with his older sister once again. "Yeah, it's nice to be here." He sighed as the rain started. hammering down on the taxi's roof with a drumming,rhythmic and loud. He flinched a little, leaning into Emma's side to relax and rest with her. "We need to catch up on so much." He pouted, snuggling into her even more. "Don't leave me." He whispered, looking up at her. As the taxi arrived, he ran into the apartment complex to wait to be led up to her apartment. As they walked in, the thunder boomed loudly, causing him to try and find cover under the table, shaking and trembling like a trapped animal. Sobbing slightly, he refused to come out on his own. not liking the noise or the bright lightening. Sobbing in fright, he curled up into a tighter ball, recalling the night he was caught...

Charlie leant back as he sat at the computer, notebook at his side. He had a local support group open, and was noting down the phone number and address in case he decided to go and visit. Sighing, he pushed his glasses up his nose, gasping as he heard his bedroom door slam shut, the smell of booze filling the room. Charlie shuddered, knowing he'd been caught. A second later, a fist connected with his shoulder, sending him tumbling out of his chair. A boot connected with his ribs, a crack sounding out. Struggling to his feet, Charlie dragged himself to his bed, his laptop ripped from the power by his stepfather and hurled across the room, smashing on the far wall.

"CHARLIE! WHAT IN THE LORD'S NAME ARE YOU DOIN'?" Phillip roared, advancing upon the trembling Charlie, smacking him across the face. "YOU'RE A DIRTY FUCKING FAG LIKE YER SISTER!" The southerner growled, punching him again, this time in the chest. Charlie fell like a rag doll, winded and weakened.

Emma smiled at his comment "I'm happy your here to." She cooed. She nodded "We have all the time we need to catch up and Charlie I am never leaving you again buddy your stuck with me." Her voice sounding sad that they had been apart at all.

The apartment building was a big fancy one with a door man. As he ran in she frowned. Poor thing still hates storms she thought as she led him up to her...or rather Julie's apart. It had two bed rooms, an office for Julie, a big kitchen, a huge bathroom, an on suite bathroom next to Lily and Julie's room and a nice big livingroom. Emma pointed the way to Charlie's room which she had spent day's decorating wanting to make it perfect.

Charlie's room was light blue with a big queen sized bed, a nice big desk, a walk in closet and a nice comfy chair in the corner next to a big book case he could use with a reading lamp. Lily had always been arty so the room looked very nice.

When he ran into the room she frowned. She ran in after him and knelled down next to him ." Hay hay shh Charlie I'm here your ok." She cooed and pulled him into her arms.

Charlie hid his face in her chest, sobbing as he lay against her, craving protection and affection. He'd been scared of storms for years, from the age of 3. During most storms when Emma still lived with him, he'd crawl under her blankets and sleep next to her, feeling safe and secure by her side. Leaning into Emma, he calmed after a few moments, her breathing calming and soothing him. Closing his eyes, Charlie managed to feel a hell of a lot calmer. "Emma, can I stay near you tonight?" He asked gently, head on her shoulder now. His face was still stained with tears, eyes full of fear at the noise and flashing of lightning. Hiccuping, he looked over as footsteps echoed through the hallway, Julie appearing in the doorway.

The tall, curvy blonde glanced over at the siblings, smiling at them. "Oh? So this is Charlie then, Emma?" She smiled gently, kneeling down next to him, pulling her skirt down a little bit. "Let me tell you something, Charlie. I'm not a fan of storms either, buddy. Should we go to the lounge and put on the t.v? We can turn it up and drown out the noise. You, me and your sister can cuddle and keep eachother protected from the noise." She smiled. She knew that Emma might not have told Charlie, but knew he'd assume she was just a friend of hers. "C'mon dear."

(Sorry it's short)

(It's fine)

"Shh buddy it's ok your staying right here with me hun"She cooed holding him close and wiping his eyes. Emma looked around shocked to see Julie. "J Julie I thought you weren't coming home for a few days?" She said sounding shocked but a smile was appearing on her face she had really missed her.

However when she realised she had still to tell Charlie she had a girlfriend they would be living with she bit her lip. "Um Charlie this is Julie she is my girlfriend this is her...um I mean our apartment"She said knowing Julie hated it when she called it just her apartment, though it really didn't feel like Emma's.

Emma stood up holding Charlie close still. She started leading him to the livingroom.

Charlie walked with Emma, still scared of the storm outside. As Julie led them to the lounge, she shut the curtains to mask the flashes of lightening and booms of thunder, turning on the t.v, making sure it was nice and loud. Smiling, she grabbed the phone off the table, turning to the siblings. "I'm thinking a pizza is in order, what about you two?"

Charlie nodded, still close to Emma's warm form. Breathing in, he smiled and broke away for a moment, headed to use the restroom.

Emma sat on the sofa holding him close and nodded at Julie's question. Once he left she got up and hugged her tightly around the waist. "Hi." She whispered shyly. It was clear she missed her it wasn't like Emma to go right for a hug like this unless Julie seemed to need comfort of some kind.

"Why are you home early?...Not that it's just you said on the phone you wouldn't be home for another week." She said

"Well, I thought I could help you and your brother while he settles in, that's all. Talking of which, is he okay? He seemed more then scared of the storm, he looked terrified.." Julie rose an eyebrow, looking at the young woman. "Anyway, why was he kicked out? You didn't say, exactly why." She frowned lightly, headed into the kitchen area to make hot drinks and some toast. Smiling, she opened the fridge to retrive the milk and butter.

Charlie returned, headed to Emma's side. "Big sister? I neec to talk to you.. About.. Well, privately." He blushed, taking her hand and going to the bathroom. Shutting the door, he blushed. "I'm out of.. Well, you know I have a small bladder, I need more pads."

"I think he is ok he has always hated storms ever since he was little. He was kicked out because his step dad is a homophobic bastard and it turns out Charlie might be gay or bi...actually I haven't talked to him about that yet I probably should he may have questions." Emma said always being good with LGBT advice.

Emma went with him and smiled warmly "It's ok bud I stocked up for you"She said opening the cupboard under the sink showing she had bought him supplies knowing about his issues.

Charlie thanked her, smiling as he took a few into his room to ensure they were there incase he had trouble at night. Shutting the bedroom door, he changed and returned to the kitchen, disposing of his damp underwear and jeans in the washing machine, adding powder and turning it on. Headed back to the living room, he sat on the sofa, feeling much better now he was clean and dry.

Julie smiled at him, then at Emma. "Better? You seemed a bit uncomfortable. If you need anything, from help to a chat, me an' Ella are both here for you." She kissed his head in a warm manner, looking lazily around.