#althar

1. Let them be children

You remember the weight of their arms, the way they’d race toward you like you were the sun and they’d been stuck in shadow all day.

“Come here, you two,” you’d sigh with a tired smile, dropping your bags at the door as little arms wrapped tight around your waist.

Alhaitham never said much, he never needed to. He'd just lean in, face buried against your shoulder, silent as stone but warm like coals. 

Althar, though? He was a chatterbox from the start.

“There was this bird that got stuck in the window at school,” he'd babble into your neck. “And I helped it, and then Haitham told me not to touch it but I did anyway—”

And you? You just held them, burying your face into their hair, exhaustion melting in the comfort of their small, trusting presence.

2. Let them sleep peacefully

It was late. You’d just gotten off your second shift, and the apartment was finally quiet.

You peeked into their room.

“Bedtime,” you murmured.

Alhaitham didn’t even glance up from his book, but you saw the way his thumb paused mid-page. He’d heard you.

Althar rolled onto his back, your old phone falling onto his chest. 

“You know we’re not kids anymore, right?”

You huffed, walking over to smooth down his ridiculous mop of red-streaked hair. 

”You’re seven.”

You tucked them in, fluffing their blankets, brushing hair from their faces.

“Goodnight, you two.”

Alhaitham gave a soft, “Mn,” barely audible.

Althar yawned. 

“Good night sister!” 

You kissed their foreheads. 

Still your boys. 

Always.

What you didn’t know, was when you turned off the lights, the boys would sneakily open the door, and through the cracks, they would see you doing chores, and doing bills.

The twins made an oath then, to make sure that when they grow up, no one can hurt you again.

Even if your parents came back begging.

3. Let them see hope 

You were sitting at the chipped kitchen table, the one you found off a curb three years ago, staring at bills that seemed to multiply like fungus. Your tea has gone cold.

“Two down. One to go,” you muttered, not even noticing the footsteps.

Althar dropped his backpack and came to lean over your chair, resting his chin lightly on your head.

“Sister. You’ve been at this since morning, huh?”

You hummed, leaning back slightly into the comfort.

“Someone’s gotta pay for your endless snack runs.”

He gave your shoulders a soft squeeze, but didn’t joke back.

Alhaitham stood by the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. 

“You shouldn’t be working three jobs.”

“Don't worry about it. As long as it pays bills, a roof over our head and food in the fridge,” you replied, with forced levity.

Althar frowned.

“Not forever. Once we’re older… we’ll take over. You’ve done more than enough.”

You laugh and ruffled their hairs, getting a pouty face from Althar.

“Until then, make sure you do well in school. But let me know if you have any troubles.” 

The twins looked at each other, and then back to you and nodded.

You can only hope that they at least have a stable future. 

They were in middle school now and from what you’ve heard from the teachers? Nothing but praises.

Alhaitham being the top of his class and Althar can compete competitively in school sports. 

You have never been more proud. 

More of a reason for you to keep working and making sure that you three stay afloat. 

4. Let them grow up without any worries 

As they grew into high schoolers, the hugs faded.

Alhaitham stopped reaching for you. Althar replaced embraces with casual jostling and shoulder nudges.

You understood, even if it stung a little.

Then one night, after a brutal sixteen-hour day, you came home and leaned against the counter.

You didn’t even hear him until his arms wrapped around you from behind.

“Take a break already,” Althar whispered, his breath tickling your ear. 

Before you could respond, you felt another weight, a second presence. Alhaitham, standing in front of you, carefully pulling you into his arms.

You felt like a cocoon in their hug.

Even so, you didn’t say anything. Just be. 

“We’ll take care of dinner.” Alhaitham said and then Althar rolled his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll do the dishes.” You chuckle as Althar throws jabs at his twin, but honestly? You’re happy that most of the chores are being done by the twins now.

Alhaitham can cook, but Althar? Althar can’t be trusted near any fire. 

You watched them bicker with a tired smile. You just noticed but...they're getting really tall, and you know they're gonna be way taller than you one day.

You can't wait for that day to come. Maybe then, you can finally relax.

5. Let you breathe

It doesn’t happen often.

But sometimes, on the worst days, when your hands trembled from fatigue and your eyes burned from sleeplessness, you’d feel arms around you.

No words.

Just Alhaitham, anchoring you in his silence.

Then Althar, sliding in on the other side with a warm, grounding presence.

“It’s okay,” Althar would whisper. “We’ve got you now.”

And maybe they did.

They both got part-jobs, and can pitch in money to pay off bills. But you always advise them to save up for university instead, since you can still pay the bills. 

They begrudgingly agree, though, they did buy things that you may have eyed for a bit too long, but couldn’t bring up the courage to buy. 

Those shoes you put back after trying them out, the jacket you always wanted, and the chocolates you always liked.

When you tell them it was unnecessary? 

“You buy things for us. So it’s our turn now.” 

When you saw the twins nod proudly, you knew you couldn’t tell them otherwise. 

“Thank you.” 

You silently wiped a tear away.

6. Let them protect you

It was a Tuesday.

A coworker had been getting bold, comments, lingering touches, that oily grin.

You’d planned to brush it off again. You always did.

Until a shadow fell over the conversation. You looked up and froze.

Alhaitham. Calm. Cold. Dangerous.

“Is there a problem?” he asked, voice low and even. But his eyes? Razor-sharp.

The man faltered, clearly unnerved. Before he could excuse himself, Althar appeared on the other side, smile gone.

“She’s not your business,” Althar said, hand resting lightly on the man’s shoulder. 

The guy left. Fast.

You stood there, stunned.

When did they grow up so fast?

They weren’t boys anymore.

They were men, and they were your brothers. 

You laugh, much to their annoyance. 

“Aw, are you two of my bodyguards now?” 

“Sis! Why didn’t you tell us you had ugly guys after you!” 

You flicked Althar’s forehead while Alhaitham kept looking around as if looking out for the team. 

“Thank you.” 

They hmphed and then stayed by your side the entire time.

Your colleague would later say, your twin brothers were like your guard dogs, and you would laugh, because you knew it was true. 

7. Please stay dear sister!

It started with an innocent suggestion.

"You’ve raised them for so long," your best friend said over coffee during a break. 

"But maybe it’s time you started thinking about yourself. They’re grown men now."

That thought lingered.

Alhaitham and Althar had just graduated university, landed good jobs, and were finally stable. For the first time in over a decade, the future looked different. 

You’d spent your youth keeping your little brothers alive and happy, giving up your education, working yourself into exhaustion, making sure they never felt abandoned again.

Maybe it was time for something of your own.

That night over dinner, you tried to sound casual.

"Now that you both are doing well," you said, picking at your food,

"I’ve been thinking we could maybe live separately. I mean, you’re adults. And I think I want to try living on my own for once."

Silence.

Alhaitham’s fork paused mid-air. Althar, more reactive, snapped his gaze to yours.

"Why?" Althar asked, too quickly. "We’re fine as we are. If you need more space, we can just buy a bigger place."

You blinked. Well, you three did just that and actually managed to afford and move in to a new house. But still, living together.

"There’s no reason to make a drastic change," Alhaitham added. His tone was level, but his voice had that firm edge you rarely heard unless he was serious. 

"You’ve spent your whole life taking care of us. Let us take care of you now."

Your heart squeezed, but you pushed on.

"It’s not about money. Or space. I just... I’ve never done anything for myself before. I want to try this."

Althar’s smile vanished entirely. Alhaitham’s eyes sharpened, steel behind calm. 

"I think we’re fine just the way we are.” Althar nodded furiously. 

“Please~ We can’t live without you!” 

When the twins used their puppy eyes on you, even when their adults, you could only sigh. 

Fine, maybe you're overthinking it, besides, you did like leaving with the twins as they help with chores.

Besides, rent is expensive these days...

You tried to pretend everything was fine. Routine held the household together, at least outwardly. But the shift was there.

They were always around now. One of them, sometimes both, hovering.

Althar’s arm would wrap around your shoulder while you worked, head leaning against yours. 

"You’ve been at it too long. Come relax."

Alhaitham would slide a cup of calming tea onto your desk without a word, a book you once mentioned tucked under it.

The hugs grew more frequent. Tighter. Lingering.

Gifts began to show up. Althar's were flashy and fun: perfume, trinkets, brightly wrapped boxes with "just because" notes. Alhaitham’s were quieter, thoughtful things. A pen engraved with your initials. A silk bookmark.

They competed, in a quiet, implicit way.

Games. Meals. Philosophical debates. Alhaitham cooking with you, Althar pulling you out for a movie.

It wasn’t subtle. They were trying to sway you. To remind you how much they adored you. To make you second guess.

And gods, it was working.

Fine.

Your best friend says you're too soft, but if you ever wanted to go over to her place, she's always open.

You're estatic of course, and your twins? They also were pretty happy with the arrangement, even making sure that when you planned to return home after Girl's Night, that the house was nice and clean.

This...was nice.

8. Stay Away from our Dear Sister!

Then, you received a call out of nowhere.

The number was unfamiliar.

"Hello?"

"Oh my god, is it really you, my daughter?” 

You knew that voice. You hadn’t heard it in over ten years, but your body remembered.

"Yes," you said, slowly.

"What do you want?"

Your mother hesitated. 

"We’ve... heard how well you and the boys are doing and we’re proud of you."

Your stomach turned.

"Why now?"

"We... just wanted to see you again.”

You paused, questions popping into your head. Shutting your eyes and taking a deep breath, you answered.

"Fine," you said, barely recognizing your voice. "Let’s meet."

Then you hung up forcefully, feeling tears threatening to spill.

No. Stay strong. Everything is going to be fine.

Now you just have to convince your twins.

"They need money," Alhaitham said flatly, arms crossed.

"Why else would they call now after so many years?"

Althar slammed his fist against the table. 

"Seriously? Now they show up?"

"I want to meet them," you said. "Not for them, for me. Just once. Then we can be done."

Alhaitham’s gaze pierced into yours. After a long silence, he nodded. 

"One meeting." Althar grumbled. 

"I’m not promising to be nice."

"I’m not asking you to be," you replied. 

"Just be there."

The twins looked at each other before nodding, and instantly, Althar wrapped an arm around your shoulder. 

“Let’s get a wardrobe change!” Suddenly, the boys took you out, and all three of you got some fancy new outfits. 

According to Althar, “we can’t look shabby, can we?” 

“Not in front of them.” Alhaitham responded coldly, before paying for the whole thing with a card swipe. 

You let them be, besides, they look good, as usual. 

When you three posed in front of a mirror, you grinned.

Whatever happens, you know you three can push through it. Together.

The restaurant was too nice. Gilded edges, velvet chairs. A stage.

Your parents were already there, dressed like they’d stepped out of a photoshoot.

"My children!" your mother said, rising with a rehearsed smile, but you saw the initial surprise on her face when she saw the branded outfits.

"It’s so good to see you."

Althar didn’t smile, in fact he said almost sarcastically. Alhaitham gave a nod. You forced one.

The conversation was awkward. Polite small talk masking the tension. Your parents tried to play the role of a long-lost family. They cooed over how tall the twins had gotten, how proud they were.

Then your father finally brought it up.

"So...we’ve hit some hard times. I heard you three are all successful, so if you can just give something small to help us get back on our feet. We really appreciate it."

Silence.

“How much?” Alhaitham crossed his arms, and your father returned a gentle smile. 

“10 thousand dollars.”

Alhaitham looked at you. Althar scowled, and you’re fake smile completely vanished. 

"So you did come for money," Althar said, voice sharp.

Your mother fidgeted. 

"We’ve made mistakes. But we’re still your family."

"No," Alhaitham said quietly. "She is our family."

You breathed out. 

"This was a mistake."

You stood. So did your brothers. 

"Wait! You can't just abandon us!"

How dare they-

"Ha! You abandoned us first!" Althar screamed back.

"What, now we have some money, and you crawl back like some leech?"

"Althar! You can't speak to your parents-"

"Enough." Alhaitham yelled, making everyone stop and look at him.

"Don't embarrass yourself any more." Your parents shuddered when Alhaitham gave them a death glare.

"This will be our last meeting, don't look for us again or we will call the police."

Your parents tried to get you to stay, but you stormed out with your twins behind you.

You didn’t look back.

Later that night, Althar wrapped an arm around your shoulders while Alhaitham passed you a cup of tea. All three of you sat on the couch, processing the dinner and them.

"You did what you had to," Alhaitham said simply.

"They don’t deserve you," Althar muttered.

You leaned into both of them, heart aching but lightened.

“You two deserve better.” Alhaitham and Althar just hugged you and you hugged back.