Work Text:
CJ was an over-thinker. She would toss and turn in her bed thinking about everything. And sometimes she thought about things that really scared her, her mind could go to a bad place. When that happened her heart beat would speed up, she would have to sit up and turn on a light. It was overwhelming and sometimes truly terrifying. She would think about things that made her want to cry.
Unfortunately that is what was happening to her on this dark night. She needed to get up, she was getting lost in her head. She needed to see someone, anyone. She couldn't be alone anymore. But everyone was sound asleep, the Jolly Rodger was eerily quiet, and that only made it worse. Not a sound, not a soul. CJ's heart rate sped up, she felt like she could cry. She needed to find someone, now.
CJ got up and opened her door, the halls were dark. She brought a small candle with her as she made her way to Harriet's cabin. She was in front of her sister's door when she stopped. She couldn't wake up Harriet, she'd been working. She'd probably barely gone to sleep. Harriet would be mad at her. This wouldn't work.
So, CJ headed towards her brother's room. In front of his door she opened it slightly. It was as dark as the rest of the ship. She was going to go in fully and wake him up but she didn't. She stopped. Because this was stupid. How childish was she? She was going to wake him up because she was overthinking? Stupid, stupid, stupid. She started backing out of the doorway, she was still stressed and anxious but she would just have to try to go to bed.
"What's wrong Callie?" Harry's groggy voice came from the bed
CJ stiffened. She felt bad for waking him but at the same time relief flooded through her.
"Can't sleep" CJ said
"Come here" Harry said sitting up
CJ almost eagerly walked into Harry's room turning on a small light and climbing onto his bed.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked again
CJ could see his tired eyes and messy hair in the dim light. He probably didn't want to be awake right now. She was always a burden wasn't she?
"I'm scared" CJ told him
She sounded so stupid. She wasn't a baby anymore she shouldn't be scared.
"Of?" Harry asked
What was she scared of? Life, death, the isle, their situation, never having proper health, being alone. It was all scary wasn't it.
"Everything" She said, because she couldn't narrow it down
Harry nodded slightly "I understand" He said
"You do?" CJ asked confused
Harry shrugged "how can we not be, we were all dealt the shittiest cards in the deck"
Ain't that the truth.
"I just-" CJ started but didn't finish. She wanted to spew but she didn't have the words.
"Go ahead. I'm listening" Harry encouraged
"It's just hard" CJ said not really sure what exactly she was talking about, but it was true nevertheless
"I know" Harry said placing a hand on her shoulder "come here" he nudged for her to sit closer
She sat in front of him, her back to him. He pulled her into a hug and propped his chin on her head. It was best if she had her back turned to him, he shouldn't be seeing her so weak.
"I just always think about what could happen every day. We're always at risk, tomorrow is never guaranteed. Nothing is guaranteed here. It's scary being so lost, never knowing what's gonna happen next" CJ confessed sounding defeated
Harry hummed in agreement "We'll be okay CJ. Always." He encouraged, because even though he understood her concerns all too well, he needed to be there for his little sister right now. That was his duty in life.
"You don't know that. You can't make a promise like that" CJ said starting to feel panicked again
"Maybe not, but I can promise I will make sure nothing happens to you" Harry said
"And what about you?" CJ asked
"Doesn't matter what happens to me as long as you're safe" Harry said honestly
CJ's breathing picked up suddenly. Okay, so he shouldn't of said that.
"You can't leave me alone" CJ whimpered
"I'm not going anywhere" Harry tried to soothe, becoming a bit panicked himself
"How do you know?" CJ said a bit frantic
"I just know. As long as we have each other we'll be fine" Harry said
"Are you sure?" CJ asked
"Completely certain" Harry assured
"Promise you won't leave me, not ever" CJ said
She didn't really believe in promises, how could she. But still, a part of her needed that security.
"I promise Callie" Harry said softly kissing the top of his sisters head
She nodded, that anxiety that was bottled up inside her was slowly releasing and in made her want to cry. Really bad actually. She was trying to swallow down that lump in her throat but it kept coming back up. CJ sniffled, she knew she was okay, she was safe, and maybe that's why she felt that it was okay to let a few of those tears fall.
"Let it out" Harry said
So she did. CJ let her tears fall, because she knew her brother would catch them. And when she let it all go she stayed right there. She slept in Harry's embrace, his steady breathing soothed her. She knew he was okay. It was all going to be just fine.
I'll never leave you, he'd promised. It was a mutual promise. CJ just never thought that she'd be the one to break it.
She got older, she became a free spirit, and somehow or another she got to Auradon alongside her best friend Freddie. She left them behind, she left her siblings without a word, she left her brother. Well, she was always a burden anyway right?