Kyle went to bed earlier than usual, worn out by more emotions than he had sorted through yet.
The house had fallen silent again — the kind of quiet that came only at night, softened by distance, by doors closing, by the slow settling of the building.
He was almost asleep when the door creaked open.
Megan slipped inside without turning on the light, already knowing where everything was. She paused by the bed, watching him for a second, the faint glow from the window catching his face.
She noticed it immediately — the softness in his expression, something lighter than usual.
It was still there, whatever usually weighed on him. Just… easier for now.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle him.
"So," she said quietly, smiling. "What do you think of Darren?"
Kyle shifted onto his side to face her, pulling the blanket up slightly. The fabric brushed his chin; he tucked it there without thinking.
"He's… fine," he said after a moment. "At least he's not completely obsessed with work. He can actually hold a normal conversation."
Megan's smile widened.
"Well then. I guess that means we can invite him to our movie nights."
Kyle groaned softly.
"Not the movie nights. They're sacred," he said, suddenly more awake. "No matter how nice he is, he hasn't earned that privilege yet."
"Huh, yet?" Megan raised an eyebrow.
Kyle didn't answer. He only gave her a slow, sleepy look.
Not denial. Delay.
She laughed under her breath.
"Okay, okay. I get it."
They fell quiet. The house creaked faintly somewhere below.
Kyle watched her, his fingers curling slightly into the blanket.
"Hey, Meg," he said softly. "Thanks. For today."
Megan looked at him, surprised — then her expression softened.
"Seriously," Kyle added, a small smile forming. "What would I do without you?"
She leaned down and pressed a light kiss to his forehead.
"I'm just glad you enjoyed it," she said. "I love you, my little brother."
Kyle closed his eyes, the tension finally draining from his hands.
The room felt steady, anchored — like nothing else was required of him tonight.
He lay still for a moment longer, suspended between sleep and thought, until the feeling softened.
"Goodnight," Megan whispered, already moving toward the door.
"Night," he murmured.
The light stayed off when she left.
For the first time in a long while, the quiet didn't feel empty.