Ferdinand was already awake when the smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air, wafting from the kitchen. The early morning sunlight crept through the blinds, casting a soft glow over his desk where he sat, flipping through a few notes. Though his mind was on work, his thoughts kept drifting to the quiet of his apartment, the presence of his sister, Elara, lingering in the background.
It wasn't often that they got to spend time like this. Elara was still in university, busy with classes and her social life, while Ferdinand's days were filled with work and responsibilities. This weekend, though, she had decided to visit, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.
He looked over to the small pile of toy cars on his desk—his quiet passion, his escapes into another world—and smiled. Just then, the soft clinking of dishes in the kitchen pulled him back to the present.
He rose from his chair, stretched, and walked to the kitchen. There, Elara was bustling around, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, stirring a pot of risotto on the stove.
"You're spoiling me," Ferdinand teased as he leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms and watching her with a lazy smile.
Elara glanced over her shoulder, her face brightening. "Someone has to. You practically live on takeout," she shot back, waving the spoon playfully. "And anyway, it's been ages since I've cooked for you. Plus, you love my risotto."
"Guilty," Ferdinand said, stepping forward to steal one of the cooling cookies from the counter. "This smells amazing. Cookies and risotto for breakfast. I could get used to this."
Elara rolled her eyes, stirring the pot one last time before turning off the burner. "It's not breakfast, it's brunch. You slept in, remember? I was bored, so I made cookies."
Ferdinand chuckled as he took a bite of the cookie, savoring the sweetness. "Well, it's perfect. What's the plan for today, by the way? Or are you just here to feed me?"
"Feeding you is part of it," Elara grinned, setting the table. "But I figured we could catch up. Maybe go out later. I don't get to see you enough these days."
They sat down together, the risotto steaming in the center of the table, the cookies piled high nearby. Elara dished out the food, and they dug in, their conversation flowing easily as it always did.
"How's uni?" Ferdinand asked, glancing at his sister as he took a bite of the risotto. The flavors exploded in his mouth, reminding him of home.
Elara sighed dramatically, pausing with her fork in the air. "It's... university. Classes are fine, I guess, but everything else is insane. You know Sophie?"
Ferdinand nodded, recalling the name from countless stories. "The one with the drama?"
"Yeah, well, she's at it again. She's got this new guy—total mess, by the way—and now they're in this 'on-again, off-again' situation that's driving everyone nuts."
Ferdinand raised an eyebrow, smirking. "And you're the voice of reason?"
Elara snorted, shaking her head. "Hardly. I'm just trying to avoid getting pulled into the chaos."
They continued to chat, trading stories about their friends and family, filling each other in on the little details that had slipped through the cracks over the last few months. The banter was easy, light, a reminder of how much they enjoyed each other's company.
After a couple of hours, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the apartment. Elara finished cleaning up the dishes, wiping her hands on a towel as she glanced out the window. "Hey, let's go out."
Ferdinand leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Out where?"
"Anywhere! It's a Saturday. We can't just stay cooped up in here all day."
Ferdinand considered it for a moment. He wasn't much for aimless outings, but he could tell Elara was restless. "Alright. Let's go."
They left the apartment and strolled through the city streets, the evening air crisp but comfortable. The shops were bustling with people, the sidewalks crowded, and the occasional street performer added an extra touch of energy to the scene. Ferdinand kept his hands in his pockets, walking beside Elara as she peered into storefronts, commenting on everything from the latest fashion trends to random people passing by.
It was relaxing, in a way. Ferdinand wasn't usually one to wander aimlessly, but with Elara, it felt easy.
They passed by a row of bars and clubs, their neon signs flickering to life as night approached. Elara stopped in front of one, her eyes catching on the flashing lights and the steady thrum of music leaking from inside.
"You know," she began, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, "I've never been to a club."
Ferdinand raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Never?"
Elara shook her head, her grin widening. "Nope. I mean, I've been to parties and stuff, but an actual club? Never had the chance."
Ferdinand looked at her for a moment, then laughed softly. "Neither have I."
Elara's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? You've never been to a club either?"
Ferdinand shrugged, the corner of his mouth tugging up in a smirk. "Not really my thing."
Elara crossed her arms, looking at him incredulously. "You're telling me you've never once set foot in a club? What have you been doing with your life?"
"Working," he said simply, but there was a teasing edge in his voice.
"Well, that's unacceptable," Elara declared, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the entrance of the nearest club. "Tonight, we're going."
Ferdinand hesitated, glancing at the entrance, the line of people waiting to get in. "Elara, I don't know. It's not exactly—"
"Don't even think about backing out," she cut him off, her determination unwavering. "Come on, Ferdy, live a little! It'll be fun. We're here, we've got nothing else to do, and I'm not letting you say no."
He sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, fine. But if I hate it, we're leaving."
"Deal!" Elara beamed, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement.
They joined the line, the steady thrum of the bass growing louder as they approached the entrance. Elara was practically vibrating with energy, her enthusiasm contagious. Ferdinand, though still skeptical, found himself relaxing. It wasn't his usual scene, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
As they made their way inside, the club was exactly as he had imagined—loud music, flashing lights, people dancing, and the air thick with energy. Elara's eyes lit up as she took it all in, her face a mixture of excitement and awe.
"This is amazing!" she shouted over the music, leaning closer to Ferdinand.
He smiled, shaking his head. "If you say so."
Elara nudged him playfully. "Come on, lighten up! You can't be the grumpy older brother all the time."
Ferdinand chuckled, glancing around the room. "I'm not grumpy. Just... reserved."
"Sure, sure," Elara said, rolling her eyes before grabbing his arm. "Let's go get a drink."
As they headed toward the bar, Ferdinand found himself relaxing even more. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Elara was having the time of her life, and that was enough for him.
After all, what were brothers for if not indulging their sisters' wild ideas every once in a while?