Lily, a spirited 16-year-old with a nurturing smile, sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at her little brother.
Ben, a bright-eyed 10-year-old, sat beside her, his shoulders slightly slumped, a sign of the unease he felt.
"Ben, what's bothering you?" Lily asked gently, wrapping an arm around Ben's shoulders.
"I had a nightmare," Ben admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Lily squeezed him tighter, her presence a comforting anchor.
"Nightmares can't hurt you, Ben," Lily said softly, her hand gently rubbing his back. Ben leaned into her embrace, his tension slowly melting away.
"You're safe here with me. Always," she reassured him, her voice soothing and steady.
Lily pulled back slightly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "And if you keep blushing like that, you'll turn into a tomato," she teased, planting a gentle kiss on Ben's forehead.
Ben giggled, his cheeks a rosy hue, the earlier fear now a distant memory.
Lily shifted to face Ben, her expression serious but kind. "Whenever you're scared, just remember I'm always here for you, okay?"
"Okay, Lily," Ben replied with a nod, feeling a newfound sense of security.
Lily watched as Ben yawned, his eyes drooping with sleepiness. "Time for bed, little bro," she said softly, helping him up.
"Thanks, Lily," Ben murmured, giving her one last hug before heading to his room, leaving the warmth of the living room behind but carrying it in his heart.
