1.03 – After the Move

Despite being an awkward boy post trauma whose boundless energy had been dulled by hardship, Leo slowly began to show signs of recovery thanks to the nurturing care of his new family. The process was anything but easy. His sweaty nightmares, regular bed-wetting, emotionally charged mood swings, and occasional loss of appetite created plenty of challenging moments. But with patience, love, and a willingness to adapt, they found their way through.

Goonie, recognizing her limitations, sought help from a skilled therapist to guide Leo through everything he felt and thought. The therapist, a kind and understanding woman, made strides in helping Leo process his feelings. Despite the progress, Leo dreaded the weekly sessions. None of the other kids at school had to see a therapist, and it left him with the nagging belief that something was fundamentally wrong with him now. Had daddy broken him?

Even so, he gradually began to rediscover enthusiasm for life. While he never quite returned to the carefree boy who had once been the apple of his mother’s eye, small sparks of his irrepressible spirit began to reemerge.

Quinn, his vibrant and unpredictable cousin, embraced her new little brother wholeheartedly—at least at first. Over time, as the novelty wore off, she found herself craving personal space. More often than not, she sought refuge upstairs in her room, shutting the door to carve out a private haven for herself.

One evening, curiosity got the better of Leo. Drawn by the strange sounds emanating from her room, he crept up the stairs and peeked inside. What he saw left him wide-eyed with wonder. Quinn sat cross-legged on her bed, a curious device balanced on her lap. Lights danced across the surface, flashing in response to her touch, creating a mesmerizing interplay of color and sound.

It wasn’t just the machine that captivated him. Quinn, normally a whirlwind of goofy energy, was utterly focused, her expression serious and intense. Her fingers darted over the buttons, conjuring a shifting melody that seemed to pour straight from her soul. For a moment, she wasn’t just his cousin; she was a maestro commanding an orchestra of light and sound.

Leo stared in awe. His cousin’s full name was Quinzel Rosemary Ramses—a name that sounded as elegant as a fairytale princess. But to everyone, including Leo, she was simply Quinn. She had always been just Quinn, and that felt perfect for someone as uniquely dynamic as her.

Quinn was the sort of person who refused to choose between experiences. She did everything that caught her interest, often all at once, as though time itself might run out before she could taste every flavor of life. Whether she was rollerblading with friends, playing basketball or soccer, sketching in art class, performing in drama, or competing in gaming club tournaments, Quinn seemed to exist in a perpetual state of exploration.

Her mother, Goonie, once described her as a budding gourmet sampling life’s buffet. It was an apt metaphor—Quinn treated every new interest like a delicacy, savoring it until something else piqued her curiosity.

To Leo, Quinn was nothing short of extraordinary. She wasn’t just his amazing cousin; she was a phenomenon. In his eyes, she was more remarkable than the superheroes he idolized, like Mistral. Even during his darkest moments, Mistral had remained a beacon of inspiration for Leo, but Quinn felt closer, more real, and perhaps was even more heroic in her own way. Unlike Mistral, Quinn wasn’t born with superpowers, although Mistral hadn’t been either—everything she did came from her own determination and curiosity.

What delighted Leo most was that, despite Quinn’s many talents and wide circle of acquaintances, she didn’t seem to have any super close friends or a single activity that dominated her time. Her ever-changing interests and broad curiosity left space for Leo, and he cherished that space fiercely. It felt like, no matter how many people or pursuits filled her life, Leo was special to her.

And that made all the difference. Quinn was his superhero, his role model, his confidant—and he didn’t have to share her with anyone.

Quinn’s natural talent for music had always been evident, but things started to shift when she began taking after-school music classes. The structured environment wasn’t exactly her style—she preferred a more free-flowing, improvisational approach. Jazzier. Wilder. The kind of thing that made her stand out, even if it didn’t always fit the mold. The rigidity of playing in a group didn’t suit her, and neither did sticking to one instrument.

Over time, she breezed through the recorder, clarinet, guitar, and trumpet, dabbling with each before moving on. She was quick to pick up the basics, but mastery didn’t interest her as much as discovery. And then she found the drums—and shortly after, the keyboard.

The drums were pure, unfiltered fun for Quinn. But the keyboard? That was where she truly came alive. She loved not just the playing but the endless possibilities that came with the school’s electric keyboard. One moment, she’d play a classical piano piece; the next, she’d switch to a somber organ tone. From there, a harpsichord might emerge, followed by strange, experimental tones that sounded more like they belonged in a sci-fi movie. Her creativity was unbounded, and the keyboard gave her the tools to explore every corner of it.

Through a friend in her music class, Quinn discovered a whole world of electronic instruments—keyboards, synths, keytars, and more—and where to find them. Trips to local music shops became a new obsession. She saved every penny she could, running errands for Goonie, walking neighbors’ pets, and watering their plants. Her goal? A shiny, magical-sounding device called a mixing board.

Leo was inevitably pulled into her orbit. He tagged along on her music store outings whenever Goonie allowed it, fascinated by the gadgets and the sparkle in Quinn’s eyes as she explored this world. Sometimes, he thought about how much Quinn muttered about “mixing” and wondered if her mom’s knack for cooking might have played a role in her new passion.

That morning, Quinn had come home with her latest acquisition: a strange, blinking contraption that Leo couldn’t make sense of. The box it came in piqued his interest, but the curious notes drifting from her room later that day sealed the deal. The music intrigued him so much that, while using the bathroom next door, he couldn’t help but creep closer. His curiosity propelled him into her room.

Inside, he found Quinn on her bed, her lap taken up by the mysterious gadget. Lights pulsed across its surface as her fingers flew over the buttons, creating an ever-shifting melody. She hadn’t noticed him yet, lost in her creation.

Leo tilted his head, listening intently, utterly mesmerized. It wasn’t just the music that held him spellbound—it was Quinn herself. Her pink-dyed hair swayed with her movements, a bold statement of her growing individuality. Without her signature goggles perched atop her head, her face was fully visible, her mid-length hair framing her determined expression. She wore her usual mix of baggy windbreaker and comfy miniskirt, an eccentric look that only Quinn could make work.

As he watched her fingers dance over the pad, Leo’s mind wandered. What would his hair look like if it were pink like hers? The thought made him grin wide, the kind of grin that hadn’t come easily in a long time.

“WOW! WHAT’S THAT THING CALLED?!” Leo finally burst out, unable to contain his excitement.

Startled, Quinn glanced up, blinking in surprise. Then she smiled, tolerant and amused. Without answering, she turned back to the device. Her rhythm had faltered for just a moment, but she recovered quickly. Now that she had an audience, her enthusiasm doubled, and she played with even more flair.

Leo’s head began to sway to the beat, his grin widening into something radiant and genuine. For the first time in months, he wasn’t thinking about therapy, nightmares, or the weight of everything he’d endured. He was thinking about the music that she was playing for him. About Quinn, herself. About the magic that she could create.

Once Quinn finished her impromptu performance, the melody still buzzing through her veins, she was riding a high. It was a combination of creative satisfaction and the newfound joy of having shared something special with Leo, who was still grinning from ear to ear. Her heart swelled as she glanced down at her little brother, his wide eyes shimmering with awe. In that moment, any lingering annoyance about him barging into her room dissolved completely.

Overwhelmed with affection, Quinn bolted downstairs, Leo trailing after her like a shadow. She burst into the kitchen, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

“Mama! I love Leo!” she announced, her words a declaration and a celebration all at once.

Laguna—Goonie to everyone but Quinn—looked up from the counter where she was chopping vegetables, her warm smile brightening further at the unexpected outburst. Though the sentiment was welcome, it surprised her; Quinn hadn’t expressed such unguarded love for Leo in some time, not since the novelty of having a younger sibling had worn off.

Quinn caught her breath and glanced down at Leo, who was now clutching her arm like it was a lifeline. His adoration was written all over his face, and for a fleeting moment, her eyes softened with something more than her usual playfulness.

She began to think about Leo's place in their home. To her, it still felt like his presence was too provisional, as if he were a guest rather than family. It wasn’t a feeling she attributed to her mother’s actions—Laguna had gone to extraordinary lengths to save and adopt him. But the fact that he still slept on the living room sofa gnawed at Quinn. It made her worry, irrational or not, that Leo might somehow drift away.

Quinn crossed her arms and gave a determined nod, more to herself than to anyone else. “Leo’s had to sleep on the sofa for too long… isn’t there something else we can do for him?”

Laguna’s smile faltered slightly, replaced with a thoughtful frown. “You know the house only has two bedrooms, sweetheart. There is the office, but…” She trailed off, glancing toward the living room as if the solution might be hiding somewhere in plain sight. “That room doesn’t have a closet. And if we move the computer, where would it go? It’s not as simple as—”

Before she could finish, Quinn interrupted. “Mama!” Her voice was decisive, her energy unwavering. “I’m giving Leo my bedroom.”

Laguna blinked, utterly taken aback. “You’re what?”

Without waiting for a response, Quinn bent down and scooped Leo into her arms, hugging him tightly. His small frame melted into hers, his head resting against her shoulder as his confusion began to give way to clarity. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his wide eyes searching hers for confirmation.

“Are you sure?” Laguna asked, still reeling. “Quinn, that’s your room. You’ve made it your own—don’t you think this is a bit impulsive? Where would you sleep? And the office doesn’t even have a—”

“I know, Mama,” Quinn interrupted again, her tone resolute. “I’ll figure it out. We can put my clothes on the shelf in there or something. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that Leo has a proper room. He won’t feel like part of the family if he’s just crashing on our couch. That’s not a bedroom—it’s a temporary fix, and he’s not temporary.”

Her words hit Laguna like a wave, leaving her momentarily speechless. Finally, she managed a choked laugh, her voice catching as she said, “I can’t believe my child is such an amazing person. You’re my little hero.”

Quinn puffed out her cheeks and stood a little taller, a playful display of pride that made her mother chuckle. But her eyes drifted back to Leo, who was staring up at her in awe.

For a moment, she felt something shift between them. She had always loved him—clung to him even—but this was different. This was the kind of love that came with responsibility, with the realization that being a big sister wasn’t just about having fun or being admired. It was about stepping up, about making sacrifices when it counted.

Leo, still puzzling over the conversation, finally spoke, his small voice breaking through the silence. “I don’t… have to sleep on the sofa anymore?”

“Nope,” Quinn replied, grinning as she ruffled his hair. “From now on, you’ve got a room all your own. And don’t worry—I’ll still barge in to bug you sometimes.”

Leo giggled, a sound so pure and joyful that it warmed both Quinn and Laguna’s hearts.

“You’re the best sister ever,” he declared, his voice filled with reverence.

Quinn beamed, her cheeks pink from both pride and the rush of the moment. “Don’t you forget it, squirt.”

Pulling the both children closer, Goonie held them tightly as though to shield them from the weight of the past and the challenges of the future. “We’ll get started on all of this as soon as I’m off work, alright? We’ll hire someone to move Quinn’s bed and furniture—and we’ll see about getting you a bed of your own, Leo.”

Quinn shook her head with a carefree smile. “It’s fine, Mama. I always loved crashing on that comfy old couch in the office anyway. That’ll be good enough for me.”

Leo blinked up at his cousin—no, his sister—with wide, questioning eyes. “Y-you’re gonna sleep on a couch instead of me now? That’s not fair!”

Quinn scoffed, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I’m a bit tougher than a certain little pipsqueak. Nah… don’t look at me like that—I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s no big deal.” She cleared her throat and straightened her back with exaggerated seriousness. “What I meant to say is, you’re still a growing kiddo. You could use a bit of extra room to stretch out some.”

Leo blinked, then laughed, the sound bubbling up unbidden, while Goonie shook her head with a fond smile.

The sofa in the living room had been his spot ever since he moved in, but now that he thought about it, he had often caught Quinn napping on both the living room and office couches. Somehow, the arrangement felt both surreal and magical to him.

“You’re really giving up that nice brass bed, Quinn?” Goonie asked, a hint of disbelief in her tone, despite her approval. She thought back to the day she had splurged on it, wanting to make Quinn’s room extra special. “Are you sure?”

Quinn gave an exaggerated nod, her ponytail bobbing with the motion. “I’m sure, Mama. But he can’t have my clothes!” She smirked and leaned down to pinch Leo’s cheek teasingly. “They wouldn’t fit him anyway!”

“Ow!” Leo pouted and squirmed, batting her hand away. “B-but—your clothes are so cute, Cousin! And the way you color your hair!”

Goonie blinked in surprise at his earnest declaration.

Quinn puffed her chest out, striking a mock-dramatic pose. “I know! I’m a trendsetter. But you’re still a little squirt, Leo, and my clothes wouldn’t fit you—plus, you’re a boy.”

Leo hesitated, his small hands fidgeting nervously as he flinched at the words, “You’re a boy.”

Noticing how his face crumpled, Quinn tilted her head, puzzled by the sudden sadness clouding his expression. With a reassuring smile, she reached out to pat his head gently. “Okay, fine. You can try on one or two things, I guess.”

Leo’s face lit up immediately, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The thought of wearing some of his sister’s cool clothes sent his imagination into overdrive. He could already picture himself twirling dramatically, acting just like Mistral—only cooler! Was that possible?

Quinn heaved a sigh of relief, then waggled a finger at Leo with a playful grin. “Speaking of, hey! You should stop calling me ‘cousin.’ I’m your sister now, right?”

The word “sister” hovered on the tip of Leo’s tongue as his thoughts swirled. Memories of his old life flickered briefly—the absence of his mother, the sharp cruelty of his father, and the lingering ache of loneliness. But here, in this warm and bright place, with Goonie’s steady presence and Quinn’s playful energy, everything felt different.

Finally, he took a deep breath and tried the word, his voice wobbling with emotion. “S-sister…”

His eyes shimmered with tears, and as the word settled in his heart, something inside him eased—a vacancy that had once seemed endless now felt just a little fuller. A tear slipped free, followed by another, and soon Leo’s small face was wet with a cascade of emotions.

Goonie crouched down, her hands on his shoulders. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asked gently, her voice tinged with concern. “Are you happy here with us?”

Leo’s face lit up as he nodded vigorously, sending tiny droplets of tears flying. “I am! I’m super happy! It’s so warm and bright here with my Auntie Goonie—and my sister—you’re both so amazing!” His words tumbled out in a high-pitched squeal that made Quinn giggle.

Quinn met Goonie’s gaze, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You know, he should call you Mama too,” she suggested, winking at Leo.

But Goonie’s expression grew serious, and she shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “I-I don’t mean I wouldn’t be honored to be his mother. But isn’t that… disrespectful to my sister? To his mom?”

Quinn winced, realizing her misstep. “Oh, crap—that’s right.” She bit her lip, glancing at Leo with a flicker of guilt.

For a moment, the room fell quiet as both women looked at the boy they had come to love so deeply. His bright, tear-streaked face was full of hope and trust, and the sight of it made their hearts ache. They each knew that one day they would have to explain the full truth to him—that his mother was gone, forever out of reach, and that his father would never return—not because they didn’t want him, but because his father had forfeited his place in Leo’s life through his cruelty.

It was a heavy reality that neither Goonie nor Quinn felt ready to share, but for now, they simply basked in the joy of the moment.

Quinn leaned down and pulled Leo into another hug, whispering, “Don’t worry, little bro. You’re stuck with me forever, got it?”

Leo giggled, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her. “Got it, Sister!”