“So what’s it like? Your job as a hero, I mean,” Big Sis asked.

Crochet looked up to her Big Sis, but she wasn’t looking at her, instead she was looking towards Amy, the girl that had helped Big Sis make Remedy, and in a weird way, the one that had sorta helped Crochet survive being shot.

Crochet wasn’t sure what to think about the healer yet. She was very weird, all moody and kinda snippy with Big Sis when Big Sis had never done anything to deserve it.

Amy frowned a little, as if she wasn’t happy with the question Big Sis asked. Which was silly, because all the questions Big Sis asked were important, like the ones about if her sisters had wiped their bums right or if they had taken a shower that week.

“It’s not as fun as people make it out to be,” Amy said. She was talking about her job as a super cool hero. She looked around the road for a bit while Big Sis thought, as if she would rather look up and down the quiet suburban street than look at Big Sis. “Can I touch it?” Amy asked. She gestured at Crochet.

Big Sis frowned in the way she did when things weren’t right. “Crochet isn’t an it,” she said. Her hand tightened around Crochet’s hand, even if Crochet was only holding on to two of her fingers because Big Sis hands were so big.

Amy shrugged. “Okay, sorry.” She looked as sorry as Pop did when she apologized for threatening Cheshire yet another time.

They reached an intersection and waited for a few cars to pass. Pop, who wasn’t so patient, was already on the other side and waiting. Crochet looked up at the little panel with the red hand and waited like a good little sister until it flashed and turned into a cartoon person walking.

Big Sis made sure it was safe and started pulling Crochet across when Pop appeared before them and shoved her back.

“What-“ Big Sis began.

With a loud vroom, a big white truck roared past and thumped against Pop. She exploded across the street.

With a squeal of burnt rubber that only barely drowned out the screaming from Big Sis and Amy and Crochet, the truck wobbled back to the middle of the road and shot away with a rumble and a belch of thick black smoke.

“Oh God,” Big Sis said. She was squeezing Crochet’s hand so hard it hurt a little. That was okay, lots of squeezing meant that Big Sis loved her a lot.

Crochet was about to explain that Pop was probably alright, and that if she wasn’t Crochet could always hug her better, then she heard someone behind her. “Onee-sama, you must look both ways before crossing.”

Big Sis let go of Crochet, spun around, and gasped upon seeing Pop. She swooped down and picked her up in a big hug. “You’re okay. You are okay, right? Oh, thank you.” Big Sis said as she squished Pop.

“I will not be able to avenge Big Sis’s honour if you don’t let go, Onee-sama,” Pop said, but she wasn’t trying to pull out of the hug.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Does that happen a lot?” Amy asked. She was breathing hard and her eyes were really wide.

“No... yes. Last time we went out we were attacked by some guys after a kid who was near us, the time before that it was Oni Lee.” Big Sis let go of Pop who pouted for just a second before she saw Crochet watching and then looked at her all smug.

Crochet narrowed her eyes at her younger sister. She would save Big Sis next time, and then she would be the one getting all the hugs.

“Maybe we should go back?” Amy asked.

“And arrive while the house is still on fire? No thanks. We’re crossing.”

Big Sis patted Pop on the head, then pointed to the other side. Then she grabbed Amy and Crochet by the hands. Crochet leaned forwards to look at Amy who looked kinda confused as Big Sis pulled her along as if she was just another little sister.

“Big Sis,” she asked. “Are you holding hands with her because she’s another little sister now? Or is she going to be your girlfriend from now on?” Amy and Big Sis let go of each other as fast as Crochet would drop the hand of someone who had cooties.

“It’s not like that,” Big Sis said.

“I’m not gay,” Amy said at the same time.

They looked at each other and flushed just like the people in the books under Big Sis’ bed. “I understand,” Crochet said with the same tone she would say ‘I don’t have the last cookie’ to her sisters.

Big Sis humphed. “Grabbing someone’s hand doesn’t mean anything like that, Crochet,” she said. “I just thought Amy was my little sister for a second.” Big Sis was turned away, so she didn’t see the baffled and indignant look Amy gave her.

“I would never tell Onee-Sama that she is wrong,” Pop said, “even if holding hands with someone that is not a little sister is very inappropriate. Onee-sama chose to take her hand, so it must be good. But if someone that is not a little sister takes Onee-sama’s hand, then she must die for the impertinence. As should the driver of that truck. Onee-sama, it is not too late for me to find them.”

“No,” Big Sis said and she patted Pop on the head. That was a very firm no, then. “And people touching my hands isn’t a reason to kill them.”

Amy was looking between Big Sis and Pop, then back again.

Big Sis noticed, cleared her throat, and began walking again. “W-why do you want to touch her?” Taylor asked.

“What?” Amy asked. She looked back down to Crochet and her eyes brightened. “Oh. When I touch someone I can see how their biology works, it allows me to-“

“I know how your power works,” Big Sis said. She flushed a little after that. “Sorry. I mean, Remedy explained already.”

“Right,” Amy said rather curtly. “So, may I?”

Big Sis shrugged one shoulder. “Sure. Just don’t give her cat ears or anything without her permission.”

Amy paused. “What?”