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"Pearl, I know how to do things on my own-"
His little sister doesn't listen, though, and washes his hair away, slathering his messy sandy blond curls in soap, making it wetter than before. When she was first born, Grian vowed to take care of her, but now it was the other way around, as Pearl had every intent of taking care of and protecting him, especially after everything he had been through. Cuts and bruises littered on his naked form, a reminder of the past- some self-inflicted, some not. It didn't matter, though, because she loves him, scars or no scars. He was her big brother, and she adored him. She would do anything for him.
"I know you do," she responds, continuing to wash his hair. Grian rolled his eyes, ignoring the blush on his cheeks. "So let me do it, then." He said stubbornly, a trait she adored about her big brother. She was his, and he was hers, but most importantly, they belonged to each other.
"Please allow me to take care of you, big brother," Pearl says in a soft tone, continuing to lather his hair in shampoo, washing it delicately and lovingly, letting him know that she doesn't mean him a single ounce of harm, no infantilization in mind. She doesn't want to be condescending, or a cunt about it- she just loves her big brother so much, and he deserves a special treat, after every single ounce of torture he went through with Sam. She doesn't want him to think about him any longer. She just wants her brother to experience the domestic life, especially after everything they've been together individually and together.
He bites his lip, before sighing, allowing her to do whatever she wants with him. "Fine." He says, sitting on the stool as she continues massaging tiny circles into his scalp, baby soft skin reminding him that there really is hope in the world, hope for the both of them. "See, big brother? I adore you like nobody else in the world." She says sweetly, continuing her movements, drowning every inch of his hair in shampoo before he dips his head down, allowing the water to rinse it away, the rain coming down like his tears on so many nights, aching as he remembers what Sam did to him. What he did to Pearl, creating and twisting the knot of unpleasant emotions in his stomach, fuelling his anger- but as he pulls his head up, his hair dripping with wetness, he's reminded that Sam isn't here anymore. Sam can't him anymore, he can't hurt his baby sister either- no longer will he be gripped by selfish hands, rubbing him all over his body and threatening to squeeze, threatening to crush him, but now, he'll be touched by soft, delicate hands, ones dripping from the water as she washes his hair, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Finally, Grian can breathe.
It doesn't feel real- but he knows she is, blushing as she finishes up washing her big brother's hair, and pulls out a fluffy towel as he's still sitting down on the stool, allowing her freedom, because it's his freedom too. She dries off his hair anyway, the towel making contact with his messy sandy blond curls as she rubs it against his scalp, humming softly as she takes care of her older brother, wiping away every ounce of wetness, allowing it to suck into the towel as she dries his scalp, massaging it carefully and thoughtfully. There is no love sweeter and purer than a little sister's love, especially when taken over by the need to care for and protect her big brother.
"I love you, big brother." She says softly, continuing as his face turns a brighter shade of red, as red as the shirts he loves to wear (he doesn't look good in blue, anyway). "I love you so much." Pearl adds, smiling as she looks at him, her touch soft and gentle. "I love you more than anything else in the world." Because neither of them want anybody else, especially not after what happened to them. She wants nothing more than to protect her older brother, to cling onto him and wrap him in her arms, nuzzling up to him. He'll get hurt again if he leaves her, and so, he allows her to do what she wants. They only have each other, and so, will attach themselves to each other. It's only natural for siblings.
"I love you too, Pearlie." And she doesn't want anybody else, because his words are soft and sweet, as she tries off his hair lovingly. Sam was never that gentle with her.