2.0 - Edited by: Rellawing, AlliterativeArts, Raleon, Trismegistus Shandy - 8/9/2020

 

Some time after Leo moved into his loving Aunt Goonie and Quinn’s cheery and warm house, Goonie officially adopted him. Despite being an awkward boy who had lost much of his joyous and irrepressible energy, by spending time with his cousin and being nurtured, he gradually showed signs of improvement. Even though he wasn’t quite the same innocent wide-eyed youngster whose brave mother loved most in the world, Leo gradually found his enthusiasm again.

 

Quinn loved her new little brother, but the novelty soon wore off and she started seeking more personal space.

 

One night, Leo crept into Quinn’s bedroom with a serious expression. When his eyes fell upon her, Leo became starry-eyed. The blonde girl was seated on her bed with a strange machine on her lap. Colors flashed on it as though she was playing one of those memory game machines he’d seen, but the lights flashed after she pressed them rather than before. It wasn’t just that either, some weird music came out from it and changed with each press. Leo tilted his head. The distracted Quinn hadn’t heard her little cousin enter because she was so deeply focused on her music. Quinn was totally lost in the music she was playing.

 

Leo tilted his head, listening. Utterly engrossed.

 

Quinn had recently taken, much to Leo’s amazement, dyeing her hair. Leo couldn’t help but wonder how his hair would look if it was pink too. His mouth spread in an enthusiastic grin. She had also started regularly wearing large goggles on her head, but didn’t have them on at that particular moment. The goggles combined with her baggy windbreaker and miniskirt that looked comfortable signaled the eccentric fashionista she was. Because she didn’t have her goggles on, her mid-length hair swung freely as her fingers continued to move on the pad.

 

“WOW! WHAT’S THAT!?” Leo couldn’t contain his incredulity. He came over and plopped next to Quinn who smiled tolerantly. Her beat faltered momentarily but she redoubled her efforts now that she had a captive audience. Leo’s head moved from side to side and the smile on his face shone more genuine than it had for months.

 

So happy to have such a good little brother, Quinn impulsively ran to her mother after she had finished her impromptu concert, talking enthusiastically while Leo followed her like a duckling.

 

“Mama! I love Leo!” Quinn said effusively. Part of her was annoyed that he had barged into her room, but she was full of nothing but goodwill and love for him so she let it slide. “He has to sleep on the sofa… isn’t there something else we can do?”

 

Goonie smiled warmly but her expression soon turned troubled. The house had only two bedrooms and while there was another room that could be converted to a room, it didn’t have a closet because it was just an office that housed the family computer. There was the worry of where to put the computer if that room was converted, but something truly did need to be done.

 

Quinn pursed her lips and eyed Leo who clung to her, she couldn’t help but smile to herself proudly because she was a big sister now.  She’d been happier ever since they’d taken in Leo, but now she was filled with a renewed determination to be a very good one. It had nothing at all to do with him being her first fan. Could she help wanting to dote on him extra? Nope.

 

“Mama! I’m giving Leo my bedroom,” Quinn announced as she hugged Leo who looked into her cousin’s eyes with amazement.

 

“Are you sure?” Goonie was taken aback by how generous her daughter was being. “Aren’t you being impulsive? You won’t have a closet if you move into the office.”

 

Still psyched, Quinn said, “I know… I don’t mind if we put my stuff on the shelf in there or something. I know I’m a little crazy, and I’m just doing whatever pops into my head… but I think this is right! He won’t be a part of the family while he’s crashing on our couch, right?” Quinn looked into her mother’s eyes who laughed and nodded.

 

“You’re so right, Quinn. I-” Laguna’s breath caught. “I can’t believe my child is such an amazing person. You’re my little hero.”

 

Quinn puffed her cheeks and straightened her posture in a show of pride. Her mouth spread into a happy grin and she looked down at Leo who still had no idea what she'd voluntarily given up for his sake.

 

Goonie swept them both up in her arms and held them tightly. “We’ll get started as soon as the work day is over. We’ll hire someone to move your bed, and we’ll see about getting you one, Leo.”

 

“It’s fine, mama. I always loved napping on the couch. The messed up one in the office is good enough for me.” Quinn nodded.

 

“Yo-you’re gonna sleep on a couch?” Leo asked. It had been his bed for the past year, but now that he thought about it, he’d seen his cousin taking naps on it more frequently than he’d slept on it. All the details hadn’t been hashed out, but Leo knew one thing, this was a strange and magical moment.

 

“You’re giving up a really nice bed… are you sure, Quinn?” Goonie asked, thinking back on how she’d spoiled her by splurging on it. The bed had a frame which was made from brass that shone like a mirror after it had been polished.

 

“I’m sure, Mama. But he can’t have my clothes! They wouldn’t fit Leo!” Quinn pinched the little Leo’s cheek after Goonie let them go.

 

Leo pouted and squirmed. “N-no… that hurts!” He glared fiercely. “B-but... Your clothes are so cute, Cousin!”

 

Goonie blinked.

 

“I know! I’m a trendsetter!” Quinn said proudly. “But you’re a little squirt. My clothes wouldn’t fit you… besides you’re a boy. You know… hey, wait, call me sister! I know I’m your cousin, but you’re like my little brother, right?”

 

Leo gulped and chewed his lip and thought it over. After a moment, he tried the word, “S-sister…” A warm feeling spread inside him. He’d always been alone. Leo had always wanted a sibling too, but things he still didn’t understand had happened and he wondered why Mama wasn’t back yet. He wondered why Daddy had turned so mean. And where did he go too?

 

Goonie saw the warring expression of her little nephew as he called Quinn his sister. “Are you okay, Leo? Are you happy with us?”

 

Leo’s eyes focused and he quickly nodded his head. “I am! I’m so happy! It’s so warm and bright and my Auntie Goonie and my… my sister… are so amazing!” His high-pitched voice squealed.

 

Quinn met Goonie’s gaze and giggled as she made a suggestion, “You know, he should call you Mama too.”

 

“No.” Goonie said firmly. “I-I don’t mean that I don’t want to be his mother, but isn’t that disrespectful to my sister, your Aunt?”

 

“Oh crap… that’s right…” Quinn eyed Leo, chewing her lip.

 

They dreaded the moment they’d have to explain to Leo that his mother was gone, or how his abusive father would never show his face before this family ever again.