#bichenovii

She didn’t know what tosay to that. Gauze in hand, first aid kit propped on her knee as she lookedover the cut on her sister’s cheek, Cass worried her lip between her teethbefore she responded.

“I know.”

“Do you, though?” Finchreplied, not quite accusatory but it still stung all the same.

“Yes, of course.”Cassowary sighed, cleaning and covering the cut before she leaned away. “But. Idon’t know.” She seemed reluctant to talk about it, her eyes cast to the medkitthat she quickly closed so she could pick at the metal grooves of her leg. Itwas difficult for her, honestly, and while she didn’t really expect Finch tounderstand it much she still wished there was some way she could make it easyto grasp.

“But what?”

“I’m your older sister.”Cass was picking her words carefully, like walking on thin ice. “And I know Ihaven’t always been there for you but…But I am now. And I worry about you.”

“I’m a big girl, Cass.”Finch retorted, looking away with a sigh. “You can’t keep trying to protect mefrom everything.”

“But I want to! GodFinch,” She ran a hand through her hair, eyes cast anywhere but her sister’sface as she felt the heat rising to her cheeks. “You shouldn’t be involved inany of this it’s...it’s so dangerous. All of this is so dangerous andterrifying and –“

“And you think I can’thandle that?”

“No!” Cass finallylooked at her, her eyes bright and wide with an almost indiscernible look.After a moment Finch realized her sister was on the verge of tears.

“I’m saying I can’thandle that.” The elder finally whispered, swallowing past a lump in her throatas she turned and stood, walking to the other end of the living room.

“Piper –“

“I’m saying I don’t knowwhat I’d do if you ever got injured. Like, really injured. If you ever ended uplike me I..” She couldn’t finish, leaning against the glass door as she staredout into the street.

“I was never a goodsister to you, Shannon.” She finally said, and Finch didn’t have it in her toargue. “I know I wasn’t. So I’m going to try and make it up to you now.”

They fell into silence, then.And it was several minutes before Cass finally turned back to her, a sad smileon her face.

“But you’re right. I don’thave to baby you I’ll..I’ll try to let up, from now on.”