After the first incident of Hill House, things were rough for everyone
Neither of your siblings were able to be even eat properly for weeks
Like Steven, you didn’t experience the events as hard as everyone else did, so you decided it was your job to take care of them to make up for it
With Nellie, you went online and researched ways to help with sleep paralysis
She didn’t believe it was in her head though
So you researched supernatural ways so she’d still feel safe and in control
Sleeping besides her during storms, using crystals like Amethyst and Black Tourmaline, getting her a nightlight, even giving her a stuffed animal as a lucky charm that she carried to adulthood
With Theo, she became heavily distant and dealt with it herself
So you used little ways to help her, often giving her advice indirectly when you noticed she was struggling, and even having personal conversations to create a better bond
Shirley had difficult with separation anxiety
So you hung out with her and practiced with distancing
Which meant creating a little goodbye ritual, always being on schedule when it came to returning home and constantly giving her reassurance that everything was going be okay
It became easier for her to handle, even before you managed to get your aunt to put her in therapy
With Luke, he kept blanking out a lot
You weren’t sure what to do with him, so you just looked out for the important things
As an example, if he was given a chore, you listened for him in case he was distracted again
Steven was a bit more simple, you just had to be a bit more vulnerable with him to make him feel like he’s being a good brother to you
And with everything that came, you were the glue that held everyone together
Always making sure to update each other, constantly calling to check in on your siblings
Being the first one that everyone calls in case there was an emergency, mainly because they knew you would drop everything for them, even if they were the ones who got themselves in trouble
Usually the scolding came after everything would be settled down and you were sure that they were okay
And when Steven published his books, you were a bit alienated
Mainly by Shirley as you didn’t seem bothered at all by Steven
Having a bit of strained relationship with her, though you didn’t fully leave her life since you still checked up only occasionally
Constantly being the one to help fund Luke’s rehab, even after he ran away and everyone gave up
Ending up as Nellie’s bride of honour, yet not knowing about how Luke tried to go into her wedding
Nellie wasn’t the only one they were trying to protect with this little secret
Your relationship began to grow more distant with everyone after the wedding
Especially during the reunion of Hill House when Shirley started showing how much she disliked the way you kept trying to be the family’s “mediator”
Though you would come together after almost losing your brother and losing your sister
You did lay off a bit with Shirley though
Who tried her best to repair any issues she had with you right after
Constantly trying to be there for everyone after Nellie’s death
Which meant putting more work and time with Luke
And constantly trying to reassure Steven that he wasn’t at fault
Even though they were bit of a handful, you still loved them as they loved you the same
