not edited

Third POV

Octavian studied his younger brother with narrowed eyes as he sat back on the chair. He had a million things on his mind, but his siblings' mental and physical health came first.

"Dorian," He started, resting his forearms on the table in front of him and leaning forward, "What is going on?" He asked, patiently awaiting an answer from his younger brother.

"I-I don't know," The younger one replied in a small, broken whisper. Octavian held his silence, knowing Dorian probably wanted to elaborate further. And he was right.

"It's just that everytime I look at her acting all innocent and sweet, I can't help but remember dad," He replied.

"We have gone over this numerous times, Dorian. She was just a kid. She didn't know what she was doing back then," Octavian explained as slowly as he could.

"A kid? An ungrateful kid who dad died for. Not only died but suffered," Dorian said, shouting.

***

Three years ago

Dorian gazed at the frail figure of his father, machines hooked up to him as they helped him live. His face was pale and contorted in pain. He saw the both of them talking in hushed voice as tears spilled out of their father's eyes.

Octavian hung his head with a defeated look as their father landed his hand on Octavian's with immense effort.

After a couple of minutes, Octavian walked out. Both the brothers settled down silently in the seats as Dorian asked, "What was he saying?" He was fearing what his answer would be but he still wanted to know.

"He was us to pull the plug," Octavian replied in a soft silent whisper. Dorian was silent. He didn't want to let go of him. Everyone knew he wasn't going to survive this but he didn't want to intentionally kill him. Just seeing his father he knew he was in too much pain to keep going. The doctors had done everything they could but his pain was still unbearable.

"But he says to do that only after he has talked with Astria for one last time," Octavian finishes.

"She hasn't talked to us in years. How will you do that?" Dorian asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Eleanore will have to accommodate something. Convince Astria somehow. I don't know. I just know that I don't want to see him in any more pain," Octavian replied softly.

***

Present

"Hs held on for three weeks, three fucking weeks only to listen to her shout how much she hates him and wish Eleanore would stop talking to and about him," Dorian said, his voice strained as clear pain, anger and frustration could be heard.

"I know what happened Dorian. But what I don't know, you as well, is what happened in that house. Astria clearly loved dad too much to say those hurtful words. We also know that Eleanore isn't much of a supportive or a mother even for that matter. I don't think Astria would ever say those words to anyone much less dad," Octavian explained slowly.

"I don't know what she has done to you three that now suddenly you don't see what dad went through," Dorian whispered, looking at his shoe clad feet.

"Of course we see and acknowledge what happened. But blaming a kid is not wise either," Octavian said, trying to get through to his little brother, "You've held onto the hate for too long now Dorian, it's hurting you more than anyone else. You need to talk about this with someone. It can be one of us if not your therapist."

"This is not about me," Dorian boomed, "This is about how she ruined everything yet is still spoiled to no ends."

"Keep your volume low and sit down," Octavian said sternly, casting Dorian a sharp glare, "Now," He ordered when he noticed Dorian disobeying him. The younger man let out a small puff of breath before sitting down in front of Octavian.

"Listen. Every coin has two sides. We still haven't heard her story, don't be so quick to judge her. Talk to your therapist about it. Mine and the twins' helped us see reason into this whole situation, your's could help as well," Octavian said.

Dorian just silently gazed at the floor. He had been given this advice a lot, to talk to someone. It just pissed him off because Octavian knew how hard it was for him to open up to someone. But he still wouldn't stop recommending that.

Octavian silently stood up from his seat, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows as he sauntered over to the door. The door opened with a slight click as Octavian set foot outside.

He paused for a moment, peeking in the small office again, "I'm just trying to make this family as normal and as happy as we can be after everything that has happened. And I need your assistance, Dorian. We have all gone through some traumatic stuff and disregarding someone else's side of story will not help. We need to work together."

"I don't expect your behaviour towards Astria to change in a snap. That's quite impossible. But I would appreciate it if you would take up some civil human behaviour towards each other. And maybe after that we can work towards acceptance."

"It's a long road from denial to acceptance and happiness Dorian, and I, we all will be there throughout the journey. And if you're still not ready to give the family finally a chance. Maybe some time alone would be helpful. The penthouses are cleaned regularly."

"I expect you to be on decent behaviour with and around Astria. You know you care for her. It is hidden deep down. You just have to escape from these constraints of insecurities and anger." With that, the sound of the closing doors reached Dorian's ears as Octavian finally left him alone with his thoughts.

The eldest Crawford Sibling briskly walked walked down the halls, his hands stuffed in his pockets as people parted like the red sea to make way for him. He himself was lost in different thoughts as well. Most of them were plagued by his younger brother. This has happened a couple of times before and both time Octavian had tried his best to handle it but clearly, judging by the words that escaped Dorian a few minutes ago, they weren't enough.

It just had Octavian question him. None of his siblings had held on to such negative feeling for this long period. His mind was plagued by self doubt and question to where he went wrong in teaching Dorian to forgive.

In his eyes, if he had payed more attention to the negative feeling of his younger siblings maybe they would be getting along now. These topics that once seemed too small for him to pay attention to, now haunted him. In the past, he had payed more attention in keeping them happy and fulfilled. He had tried his best to make smile after a fight or some kind of disagreement instead of letiing them talk it out.

He often wondered how the people would feel about him once they knew about all the mistakes he had made in raising his siblings. Being the son of a famous businessman came along with the expectations. And he had always stood up to them. Well, at least in the public eye he did. Some mistakes were made away from the public eye. He had made numerous mistakes raising his younger brothers and till this date, he has been trying to make them correct, trying to help his brothers overcome their trauma while his own mental health suffers.

Before Octavian knew it, he was standing in front of Astria's room. He extended his hand to open the door but before he could, someone else did from the other side. Zion emerged from the room with a relieved look on his face as his eyes met Octavian's.

"She woke up," He muttered softly before following Octavian back into the room. Octavian's gaze landed on Astria's from and he noticed her still closed eyes. He looked at Zion, one of his eyebrows raised in question.

"I mean, she woke up for a couple minutes but then she went back to sleep. I called Zane and he said that she should be waking up in about an hour or maybe less. He also told that she will be very tired and will have no energy. She will barely be able to speak, will have chills and cough and of she feels cold, a few heated blankets are in the cabinet. Zane accommodated the blanket and the other warming stuff so that the nurse's won't bother us," Zion listed off as he settled down on the couch on one end of the room.

Octavian nodded in reply and settled down beside Astria's bed in a small chair. After a few moments of silence he spoke up, "When will Zane be available to talk?"

"He should be here when Astria wakes up again or maybe before that, why?"

"I just want to know when she can be discharged at the earliest."

"Uh Zane already said something about keeping her under observation for at least twenty four hours," Zion said.

"We can't wait for that long, the media will have surrounded the hospital by all sides. The faster we get her out of here, the faster the crowd clears and the easier it will be for the staff and everyone else who needs medical attention," Octavian explained, "Can one of you try to go and talk to the media, convince she is not here?"

"Nope. You know what happened with Ezra, so Zane asked the security to find out why the media won't budge and they said thay someone from.inside the hospital is informing them whether Astria is here or not," Zion said, "The hospital security is now working with my team to find out who the person is."

The brothers settled down in silence which was later broken by the soft coughing sound. The sound peaked Octavian's attention as he looked into the brilliant but tired blue eyes of his sister. Instantly, he seemed to have felt better. His spirits lifted and the weight on his chest lessened to see that she was finally awake.

He moved closer to her, landing his large calloused hand on her cheek. She softly snuggled into it, moving the littlest amount. A ghost of a smile presented itself on Octaviam's face as he caressed her cheek. Zion wordlessly slid out of the room, giving his siblings some space.

"You were out?" Astria asked, her voice hoarse and barely above a whisper as she squinted her eyes to get a better look at her brother.

"Just having a little talk with Dorian in a spare office here at the hospital," He replied in a soft voice. If Astria wasn't as out of it because of all the drugs, she would definitely have been shocked at hearing such a soft tone coat Octavian's words.

"What happened?" Astria asked softly, her brows furrowed in question.

"Nothing that concerns you," He replied, a little too quickly but shot her a small smile in order to not soften the blow of his bold words. She gave him a soft nod before closing her eyes softly.

"My hand hurts," She whispered randomly, her eyes still closed as she talked to her brother, "Can we get this out?" She asked, still not looking at him.

"I'm afraid I cannot do anything about that sweetheart," He replied, running his fingers through her now straight hair, "How about you get some more rest, hm? I'll ask Zane if I can do anything about that, okay?" He asked and was rewarded with a subtle nod as she relaxed into the various layers of blankets.

A few minutes later, soft, almost inaudible snores left the young girl's asleep body. Octavian sunk back into the chair, his hand still intertwined with his sister's when the door burst open.

"I'm afraid we've found ourselves in a bit of a pickle," Zane said, panting slightly.

I can't seem to catch a break. Were Octavian thoughts as he dialed up his brothers number and other emergency contacts.

Keeping Astria safe and away from the vicious media and paparazzi seemed more difficult than ever with the trouble a certain Crawford had brewed up.

***

A/N:

So yeah, sorry for the late update lol. Did not realize it's been more than five days since I've published 😅😅.

Also this chapter was shorter. Which I think is going to be the same for the upcoming chapters. But I'm not sure. Like every chapter's word count will range from 2000 to 5000.

I took part in nanowrimo. Which is going shit btw. I'm just hoping to get this book over with by the end of nanowrimo. Pray for me guys!!

Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter. We got more of an insight in Octavian's life and a reason behind Dorian's coldness. Might seem dumb to some but honestly, if my mum or dad was waiting for someone to talk to them before they go and are in immense physical pain and all the person does is give them more mental pain, man, I'd be so pissed at them.

Enough of my rant, I hope you liked it. If you did, please vote and share. Also, comment and tell me about you favourite part of this chapter!!

QOTD: Would you rather drink only water for the rest of your life or drink anything but it has have a drop of pee in it. 😭😭😭 (random, ik. But I just saw To All The Boys I've Loved Before again, so bear with me 😂😂)
AOTD: Water for sho.

SIBLING MEME TIME.

Toodles

~Ash