Between Bruises & Blooms

Theo sat still, controller in hand,
building whole worlds with the press of his thumbs.

Behind him,
Izzy found a treasure
no game could ever beat—

a handful of big brother’s hair.

She tugged with tiny fingers,
carefully,
curiously,
as if she were certain
she could braid sunshine
into every strand.

Theo only smiled.

Because some quests
are worth pausing for.

One day,
she’ll stop reaching for his hair
and start running beside him.

But today,
she is still small enough
to fit against his back,

and he is still patient enough
to let her believe
his head belongs
to her little hands.

There are a thousand ways
siblings say,
“I love you.”

Sometimes,
it sounds like laughter.

Sometimes,
it looks like
a boy with a controller,
and a baby
holding on
to the person
she already knows
is safe.