#rodzini

tags. found family, dani being the sister solani never had

𖢻 solani was roommates with dani & manon when they lived in the katseye house, and shortly shared an apartment with them after they moved.

𖢻 as lani grew up the only girl in her family & her mom worked long hours, she never really learned how to take care of her curls. dani helped her figure out the right routine for her hair, and how to style it; before solani would just shove it all into a bun or ponytail, or just straighten the shit out of it (and miss a ton of pieces bc she never really learned how to do that either)

𖢻 solani was super nervous at the beginning of training as she wasn't very confident with her english abilities yet, but daniela helped her practice and would help translate anything she didn't catch, especially when it came to nikky’s fast-paced shouted corrections.

𖢻 during training dani was the first to treat solani as an equal rather than just the youngest; she didn’t “baby” or condescend, even on accident. she treated solani as competition, like she was just as competent as the rest of the trainees. when a lot of the other older girls learned lani’s age, they gushed or acted surprised, calling her some sort of “prodigy” if she got the staff to bend their age limit rule from 14 to 12. daniela, on the other hand, didn’t make a big deal of it or really say anything at all. she just told solani she was a beat off on the last run-through and helped her correct it.

𖢻 daniela is solani’s biggest style inspiration. when she first came to la for training lani didn’t have much of a style, she mainly just wore leggings & giant hoodies on their off dance and the usual tank top/sports bra with workout shirts or leggings to training. but after getting more comfortable with dani and knowing her more—especially once they started living together in the katseye house—solani pretty much started to copy dani’s style. (dani loves it)

synopsis. solani is invited forced to thirdwheel with dani and her boyfriend.

tags. lani being a thirdwheel, more rodzini tension bc #angst, jonah being obnoxious, i don’t support #him i basically just kept his name, jonah & solani are frenemies but mostly enemies, solani is the biggest hater of all the kats bfs (leon is acceptable), manon is suspicious, lani is paranoid, dani is worried & jonah is oblivious, basically just 2,200 words of solani both ragebaiting & being ragebaited; mature language, purging, eating disorder (bulimia)

m.list | next.

los angeles, september 2025

after the vma awards on sunday, the girls barely had a week to polish any missteps before their preformence at the grammy museum the following saturday. on the morning of, they had a last minute final rehersal on stage, a full-out run through that left every girl heaving for breath and relying on muscle memory. still, the room buzzed with an electric energy—the countdown to tour had officially begun, and everything had to be flawless. 

and everything was, except for one little thing.

solani’s timing lagged by half a beat and her lines collapsed at the edges, and manon noticed every single slip. she couldn't help herself. each time solani missed a cue or faltered in energy, manon's eyes locked on her with a hyper focused worry that solani felt burning through her skin.

and every time manon's gaze cut her way solani’s chest constricted and her thoughts spiraled: does she know i didn't eat this morning? does she know i didn’t bring a lunch? did she see how dizzy i was just then? she pushed harder to keep up, biting the inside of her cheek until she tastes metallic.

"again—from the bridge!" grant shouts, clapping his hands.

the track restarts and solani forces herself to hit the moves harder even though her lungs burn. manon, two places to the left, stumbles slightly out of her own position, distracted by watching the teenager push herself past the point of reason.

"manon, keep your focus!" sohey snaps, catching it instantly. the oldest girl flushes and nods, snapping back into formation.

by the third run through sophia was glancing between the two of them with suspicion, sensing the off-kilter dynamic. megan, ever the perfectionist, grew impatient. "you two need to lock in," she said sharply when the music cut. "this is the grammy museum—no one gives a shit if you're distracted."

solani nods quickly, forcing a neutral expression, but inside her stomach churns. she was already giving everything she had—what more could they possibly want?

break was called not long after and the girls collapse around the edges of the studio, gulping water and toweling off sweat. sophia compared notes with their choreographers at the far end, their voices carrying faintly across the echoing room.

manon sat beside solani on the floor, close enough that their knees touch. solani stiffens, pretending to scroll through her phone. she didn't want another interrogation—especially not here, where anyone could overhear.

"you're pushing too hard.” the older girl murmurs under her breath, low enough that no one else could catch it.

"i'm fine." solani mutters back quickly, eyes locked on her screen.

"you almost fell in that last run through, and—"

solani's head whipped toward her. "then maybe stop staring at me and focus on yourself for once.” she hisses, eyes narrow.

manon recoils, stunned silent for a beat. her lips press into a thin line and she looks away, swallowing down the urge to snap back.

by the end of the day solani’s lungs felt like they were on fire and her legs were nearly jelly, but she forced herself to push through the last sequence. when the music cut for the final time and sohey finally clapped them out, solani grabbed her bag and bolted for the door before anyone could corner her.

but she felt manon's eyes on her the whole way out.

the car ride back to the apartments that evening was suffocating. usually daniela’s mustang was filled with loud laughter and humorous rehearsal debriefs, but today it was unusually silent.

solani pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks of neon; she could feel manon’s eyes burning into her from the backseat. another telltale sign of the obvious tension—manon hadn’t fought to ride shotgun. she’d willingly given it up, which has never once happened before—let alone to the youngest member.

she was almost relieved when manon claimed to not be feeling well and declined all invites to hangout when they got home.

almost, because that relief was quickly squashed when dani took this as an opportunity to invite force solani to third wheel with her and her stupid boyfriend.

it wasn’t that solani disliked jonah, exactly. he was nice enough, and he made dani disgustingly happy. but he was annoying and cocky, and all their pda made lani want to gauge her eyes out with a stick.

and also, she knew they were full of shit. all three of them.

it was obvious, the way dani and manon looked at each other when the former announced her boyfriends arrival. what made it even more clear, though, was when they passed the other four members on their way to the elevator.

solanis stomach dropped into her shoes; manon was going to tell the girls how she caught solani purging last week, and she guessed dani already knew. (she didn’t—lani’s just being paranoid per usual.)

“actually dani, i think i’m coming down with whatever manon has. my stomach hurts a little.” she tries, slowing her pace as they near the elevator. “i think i’ll stay in tonight too.”

“nice try, lani.” dani smiles, grasping the younger girls wrist and gently pulling her into the lift. “it’ll be good to get out and do something that’s not work for once. plus, jonah’s been asking about you.”

solani fought back a scoff. it felt like everyone and their mother had been asking about her these days; ever since the news broke earlier that summer—specifically tmz’s bold headline, “KATSEYE’s solani rodriguez suffers tragic loss: will the pressure be too much?”—the entire world seemed to look at her with an overwhelming amount of pity. “i highly doubt jonas wants me third-wheeling you guys.”

“jonah, lani.” dani corrects with a sigh. “we’ve been together six months and you still don’t know his name?”

“oh, i know it.” solani shrugs. “i just like pissing him off.” she avoids looking at the elevators mirrored walls, the fluorescent lighting only accentuating the sharp edges of her collarbones—lines that had become more apparent in the past few weeks.

if dani notices the teens paling face she doesn’t show it, instead trying and failing to hide her smirk as the elevator doors ding open and they step out into the humid los angeles evening.

jonah is waiting out front, performatively leaning against his parked tesla in such a dramatic way solani can’t help but laugh.

“and you say you’re not a fuckboy.” she quips, looking him up and down with a stone face.

the older boy uncrosses his arms, moving to meet the girls halfway. he throws an arm across dani’s shoulder, looking down at solani. “good to see you too, eeyore.”

the teenager rolls her eyes, brushing past to help herself into the teslas small backseats. “careful not to lean on the hood too hard—might dent your ego.”

“woah okay, didn’t realize you were twelve.” jonah scoffs, a clear teasing undertone in his rebuttal. “got any ice for that burn?”

solani only glares back at him, slamming the door shut.

“seriously?” dani elbows the older boy in the ribs. “eeyore?”

“what?” jonah shrugs. “she’s all mopey and shit.”

“she’s sad.” daniela corrects thoughtfully, voice dropping to the low, protective tone she usually uses in regards to solani. “her mom just died, jonah.”

“woah—hey!” he steps back, hands raised in defense. “that was, like, last year!”

“it wasn’t even three months ago, idiot!” dani pinches the bridge of her nose, exasperated. “also, if you haven’t noticed, she’s fifteen. go easy on her.” she reminds him, stepping toward the passenger door.

“are you calling me insensitive?”

“if the shoe fits.” dani tosses over one shoulder, slipping inside the tesla.

she leaves jonah standing in the parking lot, tossing both hands up dramatically. “but she’s mean!”

he sighs, watching as daniela closes the passenger door before walking around the front of his car and sliding into the driver's seat, wordlessly shifting into drive.

tires squeal against pavement as he pulls forward, the car suddenly bouncing as he knocks into the curb. solani cackles from the backseat, “you do have your license, right?”

ignoring her, jonah exhales tiredly. he throws the car in reverse, backs away from the curb, and successfully pulls out of the parking spot. he glances over at his girlfriend, gesturing pointedly toward the teenager in the backseat. “remind me why she’s here again?”

“because you’re so welcoming and happy to have her along,” daniela smiles, clearly amused. “she hasn’t gone anywhere but rehearsals and home in weeks, so let’s be nice, okay?”

“its fine, dani.” solani presses her lips together. she knew dani was only worried, but she wished everyone would just move on and forget about it already. “he can be a dick, i don’t care.”

she watches jonah exchange a knowing look with his girlfriend and tightens her jaw. she knows the older boy is aware about anabela—at this point, everyone knows. by the end of that first week, not only was it announced in a rolling stones article, but multiple invasive tmz clips had gone viral of solani returning to lax after the fact.

sensing jonah about to get all soft and likely say something that will make solani want to vomit, she tries to beat him to it, tries desperately to deflect the conversation to wherever they’re going instead.

“look, kid,” jonah starts, talking over the teen as he cuts her off. “i know you’re going through it. i’m really sorry about your mom, lani. truly.”

solani stiffens. “don’t call me that. we’re not friends.”

“fine—solani,” jonah catches her eye in the rearview mirror, his expression uncharacteristically serious for a split second before masking it with a smirk. “but seriously, you look like you’ve been living in a basement. you need a burger or some shit.”

the mention of food sends a sharp yet familiar jolt of anxiety through solani’s stomach; she feels bile rise in her throat just from the thought of it. for the past three months, the only thing solani felt any sense of control over was the emptiness inside of her. when she was empty, when she was hungry, there was something else to focus on. some other pain to feel that wasn’t the monster of grief.

“i’m not hungry.” she answered, voice a bit too sharp.

jonah glances at her through the rearview mirror. “trust me kid, you can afford a burger or two.” it’s meant only to be teasing, playful, but solani’s eyes narrow.

“and you can afford to miss a burger or two.”

“okay, relax.” dani reaches over to pull jonah’s free hand into her own. “leave her alone, jo.” she shifts in her seat, gaze softening as she looks at solani. “we’re just going to that place down the street, the one with the milkshakes. jonah’s treat, all right?”

“um, i don’t remember agreeing to—“ jonah starts, quickly cutting himself off as he catches dani’s glare. “yeah sure, whatever you want. you can even get one with a whole ass cake on top, for all i care.”

solani sighs, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest. “fine, as long as you’re paying.” if being a third wheel to this human headache was the price of making dani happy for a night, solani supposed she had to pay it. “hope your credit card is fully charged.”

“deal.” jonah winks, turning into the parking lot of a trendy and neon-lit burger joint.

inside, the lively restaurant was filled with the sounds of clanging silverware and the upbeat tracks of a pop playlist solani was pretty sure included one of katseye’s own songs. jonah slid into the booth beside dani and solani settles across from them, eyes focused on the laminated menu in front of her.

after a moment, daniela nudges solani’s foot from under the table. “i think you’d like the pasta.”

“i told your boyfriend i’m not hungry.”

jonah raises his eyebrow at the avoidance of his name but chooses not to comment, instead busying himself with something on his phone.

“bullshit.” dani scoffs, though her tone is still gentle. “you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“not true,” solani persists. “i had a lot at lunch.”

“you had two oranges, solani.” dani’s voice rises slightly out of irritation.

“what do you want me to say, daniela?” lani snaps, eyes narrowing into slits. “i’m not fucking hungry.”

jonah’s eyes widen. his head snaps up, phone abandoned on the table. “okay, woah. we’re not gonna do that. lani, maybe you should—“

“i really don’t think i should be taking advice from a guy with pubes on his face.” solani interrupted, her voice a flat deadpan. she circled her upper lip with one finger, mocking the ghost of facial hair dusting the older boys face.

the stunned silence that follows is broken by a sudden and violent snort from dani. she tries to cover her mouth, but it’s too late; she doubles over, laughing so hard she nearly chokes on her soda.

“real mature, solani.” jonah’s face turns a shade of red that nearly matches the neon sign in the window. “hilarious, truly. you should be a comedian instead.” he rolls his eyes, leaning back in the booth and crossing his arms.

“facial pubes is not a laughing matter, jonah.” solani retorts, pulling the paper off a plastic straw.

“she always this cheery?” he asks dani with a forced smile, jutting a thumb toward the teen. “i’m getting whiplash.”

their waitress appears just then, a woman in her fifties with a tired smile and a notepad that had clearly seen better days. “ready to order, or do you need another minute with the menu?”

“i’ll think we’re all set,” jonah answers, flashing the woman a polite smile. he lets dani go first before gesturing toward solani. “and she’ll have the—“

“just the garden salad, please.” she cuts him off, passing her menu to the waitress.

miraculously solani managed to make it through the entire meal, choking down lettuce and trying not to look as overwhelmed as she felt. when their milkshakes arrived she dug her spoon into the too-big slice of cake balanced on top, making a show of scooping out every last bit; every time she took a bite, she felt the internal calculator in her brain whirring—counting, weighing, judging. the ache she felt for her mother was a constant throbbing, and it seemed as though the only way to drown it out was to focus on the numbers on each plate in front of her.

“you okay?” dani whispers while jonah is in the restroom, leaning across her own dessert.

“fine,” solani lies, spooning another bite of chocolate into her mouth. “just tired.”

dani forces a small smile, reaching under the table to squeeze the teens knee. “i’m really glad you came, lani. i know it’s been hard to do…anything, lately.”

solani only nods, not trusting her voice; she’s beyond grateful when jonah returns and dani rises to her feet, declaring her own exhaustion.

they move out into the parking lot, dani squeezing solani’s hand in hers until they pile back inside the small car. the return ride is a bit less intense; jonah had run out of ridiculous things to say, and lani was too stuck in her head to bug him about it.

jonah shifts into park as they return to the apartment complex, turning in his seat to face the back. “hey,” he stops solani as she reaches to open the door, voice unusually tender. “i know i’ve been a bit of a dick. but for real…you’re doing good, kid. your mom would be hella proud.”

it’s meant to be kind, but the comment hits solani like a physical blow to the gut. “only a bit?” she teases despite the pit in her stomach. he returns her smirk and she drops her shoulders, forcing a gentle smile. “thanks for the milkshake.”

solani doesn’t wait for daniela—she pushes the car door open and hurries toward the lobby, the cool night air hitting against her burning cheeks. she needed to get upstairs, had to get rid of the guilt, of whatever the hell she just ate.

the lights were dimmed inside their apartment and manon’s bedroom door shut, but a sliver of light shown from underneath. dani followed right behind solani, startling the teen as the door clicked shut behind her.

“shit—“ solani hisses, jumping slightly. she relaxes when she sees it’s only dani.

“sorry,” the older girl drops her keys onto the counter, kicking off her shoes. “you going to bed?”

“yeah,” solani nods, avoiding eye contact as she heads straight down the hallway. “long day tomorrow.”

“okay,” daniela smiles, eyes soft. “goodnight, lanibaby. love you.”

“love you too, dani.”

solani closes her bedroom door and twists the lock, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. she turns into her bathroom and shuts that door as well, turning the lock with a definitive click.

she reaches up to pull her thick curls into a messy bun, fingers trembling. by now solani knew the routine; she’d mastered the art of disappearing, of hiding, of keeping quiet.

she flicks on the shower, allowing the rush of running water to drown out the sounds of her purging her grief. when it was over she switches off the shower, rinses her mouth with cold water, and brushes her teeth until her gums bleed.

once she was sure covered the evidence, solani forces herself to look into the mirror. her reflection was only slightly distorted—eyes bloodshot, skin blotchy—but mostly, she still looked like herself. she felt a strange sense of clarity wash over her: solani looked like she had everything under control.

because she did.

summary: solani’s camera roll using only pictures taken of, with, or by daniela

daniela & solani’s camera roll and more🐛

CAMERA ROLL

solani’s camera roll using only pictures taken of, with, or by dani

BIRTHDAY MESSAGES

TO: dani █ july 1st 2025

happy birthday my latina mamii!!! i'm beyond lucky to know and love you and call you my big sister. i never would’ve survived training if it weren’t for my translator/english teacher🤞🏼thank you for teaching me how to love my curls, be confident in my own skin, and so much more. te amo forever.

FROM: dani █ december 12th 2025

solani!!! how are you sixteen??? i am so proud of the woman you are becoming. you are such a beautiful soul and i’m so happy to call you my baby sister🤍 i love your fire and your heart, never let anyone dim it. mi bebé para siempre, have the best birthday ever!!!