IRIS
Everything around me blurred. The voices turned into a muffled murmur.
The present tore away like a curtain before my eyes, and I saw myself sitting in the rocking chair in my motherâs room again. I could see myself holding a small baby in my arms.
I was still a little child, joyfully and proudly holding my little brother.
âIsnât he beautiful, Iris?â I heard my motherâs voice, who was sitting next to me.
âNow you have to take care of him, and when he grows up then he will protect you,â added my father, who was standing beside her.
Mother and Fatherâs faces were so full of emotion, so much pride and love.
I remembered how we played in the garden and chased through the fields of flowers, while our parents stood and laughed at our playing.
âI love you, my little flower,â Aidan said as he heaved me with his little arms. He looked up at my face, smiling the same smile I had recognized in this man a few moments ago.
Every moment I had forgotten with my brother came back in a second, as if it had been unlocked from my subconscious. I remembered every day spent with him as if I had never forgotten.
Like a movie that was shown in my head at the speed of light. From his birth to the day we were separated, every part came back.
âAidan⦠brother,â I replied, holding my breath.
The flashback hit me with such force that I lost my breath. My knees buckled and I staggered backward, straight into Avaâs arms.
She caught me as if I were a falling leaf in a storm. For a moment, I hung there, trembling, the images of the past like shards of glass in my chest.
But then I pulled myself together.
With a choked sob, I threw myself into my brotherâs arms. He held me tightly, as if he wanted to force all the pain, the years of unsaid words, out of me.
His breath was warm on my temple, his grip unyielding like a silent promise⦠~I will not let you fall. Ever again.~
In this embrace, which smelled of wood fires and childhood, of weeping summers and secret laughter, something inside me broke. Tears ran hot down my face, but I didnât fight them back.
Because, for the first time in years, I didnât feel alone. I was holding my brother. My Aidan.
He picked me up from the floor in his arms and spun me around, shouting, âMy little flower is back⦠My Iris is back⦠My sister is home!â
Thunderous applause was heard, and shouts of encouragement and joy came from all sides.
The happiness and relief I felt could not be described in words. Only the tears I cried were the purest emotions I had that indicated it.
When Aidan put me down, he looked at me through teary eyes and cupped my face in his hands.
âIâve been waiting for this day all my life, my little flower. Iâm happy to have you back,â he said in a shaky voice.
Then he glanced over my shoulder and saw Avery and Ava standing there.
He released me from his arms and approached them, hugging them and thanking them.
âYouâve brought her backâ¦â I heard his shaky voice.
While Ava was hugging my brother, I stood next to Avery and reached for his arm, looking for the comfort he gave me with his hug. It wasnât something I had planned; it was something that felt natural.
And just as naturally as I reached for him, he returned my longing for his touch. Avery pulled me against him, holding me tightly in his arms.
âThank you,â I whispered softly, so softly that only he could hear it.
I could feel his forehead against mine as he leaned in slightly, and I dared to look up into his eyes.
Even though I must have looked terrible from crying, Avery still observed me with such love. The soft purple ring around his pupils widened until they lit up again softly.
âIâd do anything to see you happy,â he replied, whispering just as I did.
My gaze slid over his beautiful face, his soft-looking eyes, the long lashes⦠all the way to his lips. I could see his lips form into a slight smile, and looked into his eyes again.
Only to see that he too was looking at my lips, and then raised his gaze to look into my eyes.
Averyâs thumbs stroked my cheeks tenderly as he cupped my face in his palm. My cheeks were wet with tears, which he gently wiped away.
He pulled me closer, his hands cradling my face with a tender determination that took my breath away.
I closed my eyes as his lips descended onto my forehead⦠a fleeting kiss, barely more than a breath, and yet it suffused me with a warmth that burned into my very being.
It was more than just a touch. It was a silent language, a promise that I had never dared hope for.
My heart beat wildly, as if it had forgotten how to stand still, while his breath brushed against my skin.
So close. Too close. Yet not close enough.
Averyâs fingers slid across my cheeks, hesitant, almost reverent, as if he feared I might break under his touch. Each movement was a confession, gentle yet full of unspoken desire.
I felt my body awaken under his hand, every nerve ending longing for more.
But then he broke away from me, only to graze me with that gaze, dark, piercing, as if he could read my every hidden desire.
His hands wandered slowly through my hair, stroking my shoulders, as if marking a path to retrace later.
âAre you alright?â he asked gently.
His voice was raspy, as if he were fighting against something himself.
I could have lied. Could have said everything was all right.
But my body was an open wound, throbbing with every touch heâd given me.
Instead of an answer, I just squeezed out a nod, too lost in the moment, in this electric tension between us that was growing tighter with every breath.
And then⦠His hand remained on my shoulder. Firmly. Gripping with possession.
As if to say⦠I know what youâre feeling. And I canât wait to drown you in it.
It was as if he healed all my pain and sadness with one hug. Leaving only complete satisfaction behind.
A throat clearing could be heard, which brought me back from my trance.
When I turned to Aidan, he looked from Ava to us. While she nodded proudly, he just smiled at us.
âI see⦠If she canât remember everything⦠You havenât explained it to her yet, I guess?â he asked Avery.
My eyes wandered from Aidan to Avery, who nodded with a smile as he watched my brother.
âHe didnât explain what?â I asked as I looked between them in wonder.
It seemed as if everyone knew⦠Except me.
Even the blue-haired girl, who was now standing by Aidanâs side, giggled mischievously behind her hand. Not out of embarrassment, but with pure anticipation, her eyes shining like twinkling stars.
Ava winked at me and whispered something in my brotherâs ear, which made him laugh. It was a warm, hearty laugh that filled the space.
Then he pulled the blue-haired girl lovingly toward him and looked at her in a way that made my heart melt.
That look⦠I knew it. It was the same one Avery always gave me.
My heart jumped a little when I turned to face him. But he was already watching me, expectantly.
As if heâd studied my every movement, guessed my every fleeting thought.
His smile was tender as he took my hand. His fingers closed firmly around mine.
âI think we owe you an explanation,â he said softly.