Chapter Text
Next thing I knew, it was July.
The heat of summertime filtered through New York City, even though, for a few days in the recent past, we couldn't even go outside, due to heavy smoke from huge wildfires blowing from Canada.
That early morning, I watched the sun rise in Battery Park, right by Manhattan. The warm breeze blew through the air, and the sky slowly turned from dark to deep orange, signaling the sunlight slowly rising. I could already hear the constant honking of horns and vehicles from the city streets below. The skyscrapers and towers, to me at least, made the sunrise look even more beautiful. The rooftops were the perfect place to watch the sunrise, as well as the sunset, given the right positions and weather. I only learned that from my special New York family.
Speaking of (somewhat), I wasn't alone on this Battery Park rooftop. Sitting beside me was none other than Hamato Leonardo. One of my closest friends in the world, and that's saying something. Right up there with the rest of the Hamato family, as well as family like Tails, Papa Huck, Augie, Mickey, and the entire Mushroom Kingdom and Yoshi Island. Leo's red marks over his eyes almost seemed like they were glowing in this particular sunrise. The blue ninja bandana mask complimented Leo's entire person every time I would see it. He was in a blue tank top over his regular turtle plastron and blue ninja garments. I was in a yellow tank top myself, as well as denim jean shorts and light blue Crocs. By Leo's right side was a classic cassette radio, and it was softly playing some soft music, to further help soak in the shocking amount of serenity, despite New York being one of the loudest cities I've ever known and set foot in. By my left side was a McDonald's bag, containing an egg and cheese McMuffin for Leo, and a sausage and cheese McGriddle for me. We each had a little cup of coffee as well.
“It's really nice out here this morning.” I just said, with little to no thought.
“Yeah. It really is.” Leo agreed, looking out into the world beyond.
“Mm-hm….” I replied with even less thought.
Another moment of silence.
“Say, Em?” Leo then brought up.
I turned to my brother. “What's up?”
“I'm just wondering….do you know how long you're gonna stick around? I know it's already been about a month. I don't mean anything by it, I just--!”
“I know what you meant. I don't technically live here. But if I'm gonna be honest….I think I might stay indefinitely. I mean, you guys have helped me through a lot of the motions I've gone through since I came back. You've all been there for me, and something in me might….depend on people like you all the time to help me through dark times. Even when I don't feel all that strong. All you guys have made me feel like it's okay to not be okay. I don't always get that….” I admitted.
Leo scooted over closer to me, and he casually put an arm over my shoulder, patting my left one gently.
“I know. I was just curious. Sorry if I sounded bad in any way.” Leo said, frowning a little.
“Don't be, Leo. It's okay to ask questions, y'know. How else are you gonna find crap out?” I started a light smile toward him.
He smirked a little. “You really do sound like Donnie lots of the time.”
“Well, excuse me. Jeez, dude….” I laughed a little.
He laughed with me for a little moment.
“But really….are you really gonna stay?”
“We'll see. Why do you ask, besides what you mentioned before?” I asked Leo.
“Well….if I'm gonna be real with you, I just love having you around. Like you say the others and I do for you, you help me feel like I'm not alone, and that it's okay to not be okay. Immean, it's been you who's been pretty much a part of our lives, time and time again, through the years. And….you've been there for me since you came along a year ago. Even though I didn't totally remember you for a while, something in me….always missed you. I'm sorry if it's selfish, but….I just love it when you're here, with us. I feel as though you belong with us.” Leo admitted.
I smiled a little warmer.
“I kinda feel the same way. I fit in better with you than most of my family. That kinda speaks volumes. Then again, that's kinda what happens when you grow up in a mostly ableist family. I felt more alien than human, and when I've been around those who accept me, I'd barely gotten a chance to really see that or acknowledge it, like the years I've spent with Tails and the Sonic Team. But with you, Donnie, and the others, I've gotten to see that….I've never really been alone. I just wish that I spent even more time with people like you. Then, just maybe….I wouldn't be as messed up as I have been for years now.”
“Hey….whatever happens, we can muddle through together. I've promised you since you came back. I'm not going anywhere without my family. That definitely includes you, Em.” Leo reached and held my hand.
I squeezed his hand back, keeping my smile.
“Y'know, Leo….you sure know how to make a sister feel special.” I then said.
“You are a special sister. To the whole family. I'd just be really happy if you stuck around.” Leo smiled back at me.
“Maybe I can….I think I'll see what I can do and think about it some more. But I'll still be going about like I often do, like traveling with Knuckles, all that stuff. But with Eggman seemingly out of the picture, I feel like I have a lot more freedom.”
“It's good for you to make the most of it. Maybe….you can finally live your life. For real this time.”
“Maybe. But….I wanna live it with people I care about the most. Including, and like, you, Leo. Between you and our brothers, I feel as though I'm seeing some reflections of me. And where I came from. Like, even when I didn't always have the best relationships with them growing up, I've remembered more of the simple and fun times I shared with the family I was comfortable with. Like my sisters, my parents, my cousins and their parents….all those people. Not to mention Papa Huck, Augie, Peach, Yoshi….”
“Yeah. You seem to have had a more adventurous childhood than I ever did.” Leo commented.
“Well, you were sheltered in a more literal sense, in the sewers, for years. The only times you'd really come out was to spend time with April, from what you told me. For me, I was sheltered in all these worlds that most people would call me out for. Those worlds, as well as the ones in my head, were the safest places I could be in order to be me. Besides that, I had to change so much for the world's liking. That's what I've been realizing over the last year alone.”
“That doesn't sound real fair to you, though….” Leo frowned.
“It's not. It was never fair to me. I'm the one who had to make so many changes, mask so much, and put on an appropriate character. In some places, like school, I kinda understand. I needed to learn some of these important things, and I've always had challenges to overcome. But the rest of the world, especially my ableist family, has forced it on me and my parents for years. Both my parents have been pissed about it for a long time. My dad's expressed it a lot more, especially since we rekindled our relationship. I had to make so many changes and escape so much….I think it went to the point to where I didn't even know who I was, who I wanted to be, or who I was supposed to be. Especially through high school, it went to that point.”
Leo's eyes grew sadder, and his fingers intertwined with mine, providing comfort.
“I'm sorry….”
“It's okay, Leo. That's what happens when you grow up in an ableist world, especially when your family is that same way. I don't talk to those guys anymore. And….with you, I've remembered more of the old me, and I have reasons to keep going, despite all these weights pulling me under.” I turned my head away, my eyes half closed with sorrow.
“I just….I just wish it never had to be that way. There could've been so much to learn, so many new goals to make, so much support I could've gotten from my own flesh and blood….but when my darkest time came, more people turned their back on me….” I felt tears in my eyes.
Leo came and pulled me into a side hug. “Hey….Tails never turned his back on you. Neither did Sonic or the others. The whole Mushroom Kingdom had your back, too.”
I leaned my head a little into his shoulder, closing my eyes.
“L-Leo….be honest with me. Do you ever feel lonely….even when you're around people?....”
Brief silence.
“More often than you might think….” Leo squeezed a little, and he leaned his head onto mine gently. “We’ve got a lot in common.”
I gave a shaky sigh as I put my arm around Leo’s shell.
“Do you still think about Nick?” Leo then asked.
“A-All the time….he was so important to me….one of the most important people in my life, actually. I'm not sure….if I can ever really move on….” I admitted.
Leo undid his arm and head, making me turn enough to face him directly. His open hand gently caressed my cheek, making my tears start streaming. I could barely even see him through the tears. I felt a lump in my throat at this point. I just wanted to cry. It broke Leo's heart to see his sister in that state. His own glassy eyes showed how heartbroken he had grown. He gently rubbed my cheek a little more.
“Aw, Emily….I'm so sorry.” He pulled me into a tender and warm hug.
I hugged him back, burying my face into his shoulder.
“It's okay….I'm here. And I'll make sure you're never alone again. I love you.” Leo said gently, holding his sister close.
I kept my arms around him, and I hiccuped a few soft cries.
“It's okay, Em. You can cry. It's okay. Leon’s right here.” He comforted me continuously.
I cried. I cried in Leo's arms, even though it slightly discomforted me to do so with him, of all people. I felt Leo gently kiss the top of my head a few times, like any big brother would. And he just held me close.
“I love you, Emily. Always have, always will, okay? I'm here….” Leo continued, gently rubbing my back with one hand, stroking the back of my head and hair with the other.
I soon began to smile, unable to deny the warmth I was getting from the warm hug.
“I-I….I don't feel like the black sheep when I'm with you, Leo….” I then said through my tears.
“Really?....”
“Mm-hm….with you and the others, I really don't feel like that. I love that about you.”
Leo smiled warmly, his own tears welling up a little more, and he kissed my cheek.
“I love you, Em.”
“I love you, too, Leo. And y'know what?” I sniffled, getting past the worst of my tears.
We looked at each other.
“What?” Leo paid attention.
“I realize that it's up to me to see that no trouble comes to you or our family, like how I know it's up to you to make sure I'm always safe. We're here for each other. Right?”
“That's right. Anatawa hitorijanai.” He recited.
I nodded. “Soshite anatawa aisa rete imasu.”
Leo laughed at himself a little. “Sorry, but what's that mean?”
“It translates to: And you are loved.”
Leo then smiled warmer, and he pulled me back into a warm hug.
“You, too.”
I hugged back, closing my eyes and relaxing more. I felt safe. I felt warm. I felt so loved by my best friend.
After some time passed, the hug broke apart, enabling us to eat our McDonald's breakfast sandwiches.