This story will be lengthy and in-depth. If you're looking for a short, one-shot story this ISN'T the story for you. All participants are 18 years and older.
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Elena shifted with the direction of the Autumn wind, tightening her jacket around her as she waited. Red, orange, and yellow leaves fell from the tall-trees above her to surround her feet; there was a large pile, she'd been waiting a long time.
It'd been four months since her last visit back home. Before she decided upon an out-of-state university, things were beyond hectic. Her relationship with her brother had taken a turn for the worst - him, his over-controlling nature, and penchant for asserting his brotherly dominance over her had driven her away, for good, she'd decided. Until today. Christmas Eve. The worst, yet best day of the year.
Her family came together every year for celebration. It was unconventional, lively, and everything she'd grown to love about the Greene family. Black families were warm, welcoming when they wanted to be. Considering the awkward encounter she was about to endure, she needed them to be just that. Warm and welcoming.
"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Roman shouted from his car, rushing out to help her with her bags. His toffee-colored skin and warm hazel eyes reeked of the familiarity she missed out on in college. He was tall and lanky, perfect for the basketball-related career he was trying to pursue. Much unlike her muscularly built brother, all of whom she hope was anticipating her arrival.
"It's fine, Roman," She laughed, "What, no hug?" Smiling, he engulfed her in a warm, well needed hug. Four months was the longest the two had ever been away from each other since Middle School. To say she missed him would be an understatement.
"How's Malakai?" She questioned, referring to his son. Roman was a teenage father. Had been since a slip-up with his high school girlfriend at sixteen years old. Then, he was scared shitless as anyone his age would be. Now, six years into fatherhood, his relationship with his son had blossomed into everything she'd hoped it be.
"Asking for you, as usual." He feigned jealousy as they sped off down the road, "It's always 'Where's Aunt 'Lena, I miss Aunt 'Lena!' Sometimes, I think he forgets he's my son and not yours. I'm fine with it though. Considering he believe you're where his Christmas gifts are coming from."
"What?" She sputtered, "Why didn't you tell me? I didn't get him anything!" Fear of disappointing her nephew consumed her like no other. He was young and most likely wouldn't mind, but she loved him too much to let him down in the slightest.
"Relax. A few things under the tree have your name written on them. He's none-the-wiser."
Playfully slapping his shoulder, she sank into her seat as her nerves rose within her chest once again in realization. Wherever Eric - her brother - went, his childhood best-friend Hyun would follow. The two were inseparable. It'd been that way since she was two, and they were eight and nine, Eric being a few months older than Hyun was. With them being the only children of non-white demographic in their neighborhood, they stuck to one another like glue. Eric and Hyun especially. Wherever one of them was, the other one wasn't far behind and their relationship had remained just as solid throughout their journey into adulthood. That meant her long-awaited reunion with Hyun wasn't too far behind.
She loved him. In multiple ways she knew she shouldn't, her love for him went beyond platonic. Somehow, both her father, brother, and Hyun himself were clueless to the fact. Her mother, not so much. She'd figured it out at her ninth birthday party, when she refused to so much as touch the cake or blow out the candles until Hyun arrived and was standing by her side. Though she was too young to realize it, she'd been in love with him far longer than she anticipated.
Her mother had no issue with it. In fact, she entertained their one-sided lover's spats. Leaving Hyun hints, that fell on deaf ears, but hints nonetheless. She hated it, but thanked her mother for lightening the thick tension that threatened to consume her whenever she was near him.
He'd went into Military training with her brother for a short-while, before changing his mind and going back to school to become a college professor, English if she recalled correctly. While it was only for a moment, the rigorous training had did him in, both physically and mentally. His voice had gotten substantially deeper with age and he was physically stronger; his large biceps served as proof. To her knowledge, he decided to stay in the gym. She was sure his body would be her undoing.
"Elena?" Startled, her eyes shot to Roman who was staring at her expectantly.
"Yes?"
"We're here." Her eyes went to the house before her, the one she'd once, and still considered home. There were multiple cars parked around Roman's, meaning majority of her family had already arrived. Her heart began to rapidly beat in her chest out of apprehension, excitement, and something else she was unable to name.
Beside her parents and Malakai, there was one person she wasn't afraid to see. One person she knew wouldn't bombard her with questions as to why she hadn't visited or called, he'd just understand and pull her in for a hug and ask her how she's been. Inside the house, she hoped he felt the same.
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The stop of an engine sounded in the driveway, the tires pulling against the snow. He looked up from the deck of cards as Eric shuffled them, eyeing the door. She was here. It had only been four months since their last encounter, but it'd felt like a year since he'd gotten to hold her in his arms, platonically or otherwise. Though they'd never definitely passed the confines of friendship, he remembered how she'd whimpered when his hands unknowingly slipped beneath her cami as they hugged, how he'd inevitably hardened in his pants as he held her for a second too long. She was his best-friend's baby sister. Someone he'd unsuccessfully tried to see as his own. As they grew older, the age-gap seemed smaller, insignificant. He knew Eric wouldn't feel share his sentiments and he would be a fool to believe otherwise.