Jax was such a jerk. He always picked on you, pestered you every single moment, pranked you- as if being trapped in this digital hell wasn't bad enough. And to make matters worse....

You're his little sibling.

It wasn't always like this; you got along at some point before the circus. Though, the last time you guys hugged or even had a normal conversation was likely when you were younger.

Every passing minute you were inching closer and closer to abstraction; you had no friends here. You were too shy, too scared and anxious. Plus, everyone has someone. Ragatha had Pomni and Kinger, Zooble had Gangle. But you had no one. Except maybe Caine, but he wasn't even human! He was AI!

You were so alone. Jax could see that.

What you didn't know is that he cared.

Cared enough to bully you as a distraction so you wouldn't abstract. Jax himself was a fucking mess. So he couldn't express affection normally. His picking on you was a way to make sure you'd stay sane. Because surely you'd focus on your anger towards him instead of your loneliness.

But he would never admit that.

Currently, Caine had set up another adventure for you guys. Something easy, something much less... intense than the gun fight from previously (where you did get caught by Jax. But he hesitated to hurt you so he could win. You lost to Gangle surprisingly). A day at the beach!

Everyone geared up in their swimwear and headed out to the pool just outside the tent. Everyone paired off: Pomni, Ragatha, and Kinger splashing in the water, Gangle building sandcastles with Zooble, and Jax... was sitting away from everyone under an umbrella. He seemed... off since the gun adventure and awards show. He didn't talk to anyone. Didn't joke. Didn't prank. Didn't bother you. He looked... sad. It was odd. You overheard Pomni say something about an argument between her and Jax to Ragatha earlier.

You debated on approaching him or not; he was an asshole to you 99 percent of the time.... but he was still your brother. And some part of you hoped you could mend the bond. Or maybe try to have a civil conversation for once. You walked nervously to him, your rapid and anxious breathing making your presence known before you could speak. Jax didn't take his eyes off the sky.

"What do you want, you big baby?" He scoffed, though his voice lacked the usual sarcastic edge.