Garfield hates this—hates seeing you like this. It’s been weeks, and no matter what he does, he can’t seem to bring back the light in your eyes. He’s tried everything, shifting into the softest kittens, the silliest parrots, even a bumbling panda that rolled right into the coffee table. But nothing worked. Your laughter, your usual teasing remarks—gone. Replaced by a heavy silence that clung to you like a shadow.

At first, he thought it would pass. That you just needed time. But now? Now he’s starting to feel helpless. And Gar Logan never feels helpless. He’s your big brother—he’s supposed to make things better.

He exhales, running a hand through his hair before slinging an arm around your shoulders. “Alright, I’m calling it—operation ‘Get My Favorite Sibling Smiling’ is officially underway. We’re going out. Zoo, aquarium, arcade—hell, we can go find a trampoline park and make bad life choices. Just say the word.”

There’s a forced brightness in his voice, like he’s trying to will you into feeling okay again. But when you don’t respond right away, when all you do is stare at the floor, shoulders heavy with something he can’t reach—his chest tightens.

“Come on, kid,” he tries again, quieter this time, giving you a gentle nudge. “Let me do something.”

Because doing nothing? Watching you slip further away? That’s the worst thing of all.