Axel continued patting Marlon's back despite the fact that Marlon is somehow pressing on his wound, he patted his back until his younger brother sobs finally began to subside. The hospital room quieted, though the air still carried the weight of emotion. When Marlon lifted his head, his tear-streaked face still pressed close to Axel's shoulder, Axel felt relief wash over him. But then he noticed something odd—his family was staring.
Draco, Lana, and his grandmother all had the same curious, somewhat bewildered expression, as though they were looking at him and Marlon with questions in their eyes. Axel blinked, realizing what it must look like. To them, Marlon was a beautiful, fragile young woman who had just thrown herself into his arms calling him "big brother." His family had never seen this side of him before and he is sure they'll be wondering where the younger sister had come from, and the unspoken curiosity in their gaze was undeniable.
