OC relationship loredump #2: Darko and Crystal
TW: alcohol addiction mention, dysfunctional family relationship, manipulation mention
Last time I’ve done Darko’s relationship with his (kinda) rival. So let’s do his relationship with his own sister now, shall we?
(Okay when I was writing this I didn’t expect it to turn this big. So get ready for a lot)
They were growing up in a rather dysfunctional family. When their mother was still alive, it wasn’t as obvious, but the cracks were still visible. Crystal was the „golden child”, being favored by both of their parents, leaving Darko behind, often disregarding and ignoring his feelings. He didn’t really feel loved, and seeing his sister get praised all the time made him resentful towards her. So even though their early childhood was seemingly okay, their bond was starting to break.
This was only fueled further, when their mother died, as the family started becoming even more against each other. Having to constantly put up with their egoistic and often drunk father, who would also antagonize the siblings definitely made both Crystal and Darko feel uncomfortable and insecure. But while it made Crystal bottle up her emotions, Darko became more and more vulnerable, as well as impulsive. What was a similar trait for them both though was avoiding responsibility. During school their ways parted for a few years, as they went to different places. Only after those few years Darko changed schools and lo and behold- they were together again. But… They weren’t the same people anymore.
They’d often argue, due to even small misunderstandings and the fact that even in school Crystal was the „better” sibling. She had everything - friends, even a boyfriend for some time. Darko had no one, and seeing her sister pick a jerk (aka Mark) over him made Darko dislike her even more. Even though they eventually made up, it was only formal. Slowly they understood that what they once had will never come back. They might still be siblings, but… Do they even really know each other at this point? They both changed so much that it’s hard for them to actually bond nowadays. And they unknowingly started mirroring their parents at some point in their life. Crystal became a reflection of their mother’s behavior- constantly excusing the ones she cares about, avoiding conflicts and choosing the conformity of bliss. Never taking responsibility for their actions, even when the truth is right in front of her and might even affect herself. Darko on the other hand, despite all his effort to be a better person - became just like the one they hated the most. A reflection of their father. Neglecting his loved ones, putting his own needs first, refusing to believe his wrongdoings. Even unknowingly manipulating them, sometimes in a more direct and disrespectful way. Only thinking about himself, which not only was hurting him, but the people around him, until it would be too late.
While Crystal eventually could move on with her life, Darko was stuck in the past, desperately seeking love and appreciation from those he cared about, but couldn’t even get that from his own sister. Sure, she didn’t really call him out on his behavior, but she never truly was there for him. She got everything she wanted, while he was left alone and in his most vulnerable moments. Crystal never truly saw just how much Darko’s life experience affected him, it only became visible to her when he snapped. Will they ever be able to work on their relationship? It’s hard to say…
Hey, you got to the end! If you read all that, thanks :3
Extra: here’s how they look (1 is Crystal, 2 is Darko + sketches). They also contrast with their colors, Crystal has mostly warm colors, while Darko has a colder color scheme.
