Emily entered the dreamscape more thoughtful than usual.

Her parents had accepted her and the duality of her existence with Daniel, but she still felt overwhelmed. A few days ago, she had advocated the importance of leaning on others, to her and her mother.

However, she realized with a pang of guilt - perhaps she needed to accept her own advice?

The dreamscape, as always, was thankfully a place of comfort and warmth—a sanctuary where she could let her guard down. The cherry blossom tree in the distance and the familiar scent of blooming flowers made her heart feel just a bit lighter.

“Danny! I need to talk!” she called out into the distance.

“You don’t need to shout, Em,” Daniel’s voice emerged, his hands in his pockets, his eyes twinkling mischievously, his hair still a disastrous mop swaying in the wind.

“Just can just think it” he mentioned half gently, half sarcastically.

Emily chuckled softly. “Old habits, I guess.”

She hopped, trying to bat at Daniel’s hair like a cat playing with a thread.

“Why don’t you fix that overgrown bush on your head?” she grunted as Daniel dodged her fervent pawing. “It’s gotta be going into your eyes!”

“Okay ‘mom’” Daniel quipped with an amused chuckle.

The word ‘mom’ brought Emily back to her ‘dreamworld’ reality.

“Danny, I need your help. I need advice about Mom and Dad -” she began softly.

“They’re feeling overwhelmed? I know, I share a mind with you.” Daniel interjected with a wink. “It’s okay, Em. This is a lot for them to absorb and honestly is change ever easy?”

He gestured toward the cherry blossom tree in the distance, its petals gently swaying in the meadow’s breeze. A symbol of their shared world.

“Was it easy for us? We lived together for how long, before we learned how to operate as a team,” he began, his voice kind.

As he spoke, the cherry blossom petals shimmered, mirroring the emotional journey they had endured.

“They aren’t in our heads, so it’ll take them more time to process, to understand, to rationalize.”

Emily sighed and sat down on the velvety grass, her shoulders slumping. “You’re right I guess… I just feel..I don’t know…I’m trying to convince them it will all be okay but will it?”

Daniel sat beside her, lightly scratching her head in a gesture of reassurance. “I know, sis. It’s not easy. Let’s talk it out huh? This is a safe space after all”

The warmth of his words seemed to radiate through the dreamscape, making the colors around them a hair more vibrant.

“Try to remember, they accepted you. They promised to try and understand, to support you. Have they ever reneged on their promises? Ever?”

With a wave of his hand, Daniel conjured memories of Sarah and Thomas listening intently as Emily explained their dual existence.

Emily saw their initial skepticism, their resistance, followed by acceptance and how they came together to support her, to envelop her in a cocoon when she broke down crying. She had to blink away tears as she saw her parents’ commitment to navigate this strange new reality together in vivid detail, all over again.

Sitting beside her, Daniel couldn’t help but smile as he replayed the memory and saw Emily’s reaction from the corner of his eyes.

He waited a moment then softly asked, “Do you know why I consider you a sibling, Emily?”

Emily looked up, surprised by the question.

“I mean,” Daniel continued, “I’m from a different universe. Somehow, I ended up here and was merged with your consciousness.”

Grinning sheepishly, he added, “I hijacked your life for a bit. So sorry about that again—I really didn’t mean to.”

Emily chuckled as she recalled the awkward period where their consciousnesses had not achieved equilibrium. “Yeah, that was confusing. I didn’t know if I was you, if I was me… It was like we were one person, but not.”

“You’re telling me?” Daniel retorted with a laugh.

“I had to learn how to be a girl, wear jumpers and skirts for crying out loud, while also figuring out how to be a quiet little squirt in elementary school all over again!”

“Well, you’re a natural at being a girl, Danny. What can I say?” Emily teased with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Their laughter lightened some of the tension Emily had carried into the dreamscape. The sky above seemed to brighten, reflecting their lighter mood.

—

“Through you, Emily, I’ve learned that family isn’t just about blood,” Daniel began, his expression growing thoughtful. “It’s about connections - the people we trust deeply, and the care we extend to one another.”

He paused momentarily, tilting his head slightly, his gaze drifting into the distance. “You know, someone once told me that friends are the family you choose. In my old life, I didn’t really get it, but now? Now I do.”

“Sure, it doesn’t exactly apply to us,” he said, a small, self-aware smile tugging at his lips. “But the message still holds, don’t you think?”

Daniel glanced at Emily, his tone growing more deliberate.

“Mom…” He coughed, quickly correcting himself. “I mean, your folks—they want to help you feel accepted. They want to understand you—us. And they’re asking for honesty, for you to trust them enough to show them vulnerability. That’s half the battle right there.”

He leaned over, nudging her gently, his voice softening. “Isn’t that what family is, Em? People who have our best interests at heart? People we can be vulnerable with?”

Emily remained silent, her gaze fixed on Daniel as his words sank in. The dreamscape around them seemed to pulse, as if echoing the sincerity of his sentiments.

Sensing the shift in mood, Daniel raised a hand toward the sky, and the dreamscape darkened. Above them, vibrant threads that depicted his and Emily’s connection faded into view.

The bright orange-yellow thread that represented Emily wove seamlessly with Daniel’s lightning-blue strand, the two threads moving in perfect harmony, emanating a glowing green aura where they overlapped.

Emily’s lips curved into a smile as she gazed at the sheer beauty of the threads—celestial-like energy strings that captured the essence of their bond.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, the display momentarily leaving her at a loss for more words.

With a teasing grin, Daniel leaned closer. “Maybe now you understand why I also see you as my rambunctious, sassy little sister?” he joked, giving her another playful, albeit slightly more pointed nudge.

Emily giggled, swatting at his arm. “You’re impossible.”

Daniel’s smile softened, his tone becoming earnest. “But really, Em… I want the best for you. My hope is for you to be happy, to grow up safe and loved.”

Emily turned to him, her smile gentle, her eyes filled with warmth. “If that’s not family,” she said softly, “what is?”

Daniel suddenly sat up, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Oh! While we’re on the topic of strings…” he muttered, adjusting his position and motioning toward the threads above them. “Check this out, I’ve got something to show you. I discovered this recently myself!”

He extended his hands toward the luminous threads, pinching his fingers outward in a quick motion. “They used to call this ‘zoom out’ in my universe,” he explained, executing the gesture with arguably unnecessary flair.

Before Emily could remind him that she shared his knowledge, her breath hitched in surprise.

Two new strands shimmered into view—one golden and radiant, the other a steady crimson, faint but unmistakably connected to the intricate dance of their threads.

“What? Where did those come from? Danny?” she asked, her voice a mixture of wonder and concern. “Are new consciousnesses merging with us? I don’t think my brain can handle that!”

Daniel laughed, ruffling her hair. “Relax. No new tenants moving in—zero real estate left, Shrimp. But you already know the answer,” he teased, leaning closer. “Dig deeper within.”

“Shrimp?” Emily exclaimed, crossing her arms with mock indignation. “You’re the interdimensional squatter taking up space in my head, and now you’re calling me ‘Shrimp’? Really?”

Daniel’s mischievous grin widened. “You’re about half my size in the dreamscape. And how could I call myself your older brother if I didn’t tease my little sister?”

Grumbling about the injustice of undeserved seafood nicknames, Emily huffed but turned her attention back to the glowing threads.

Her irritation melted away as she studied the strands.

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“The golden one—that’s Mom, isn’t it? Her warmth, her compassion, her essence,” she mused aloud, her voice filled with awe and understanding.

“And the red one—that’s Dad, or Thomas,” Daniel confirmed. “Solid, grounding, the anchor that holds everyone together.”

A brief silence fell between them, thick with unspoken respect and understanding as the threads shimmered softly in the dreamscape.

Daniel broke the quiet, his tone reflective. “As our connections deepen, as you reach out and touch more lives, their threads will join ours, weaving a new pattern. Emily, your family is set to grow—just give it time.”

Emily remained silent, absorbing his words, but Daniel wasn’t finished.

“Basically, kid,” he said with a cheeky yet compassionate smile, “I’m trying to tell you to let the process work itself out. Not even the multiverse can break this family apart. Your folks know that when you’re together, you’ll be okay. And you’ll make it because you can lean on each other. Even if their universe just got a lot bigger.”

Daniel paused, his playful demeanor fading as he looked down, frowning slightly. “Maybe, every so often, you’ll just need to remind each other of that…just as I need to remind myself”

—

As the two unconventional, interdimensional siblings sat together, enjoying the rare moment of peace and connection, Daniel suddenly sat up with an excited gleam in his eyes. A chuckle escaped him, and he turned to Emily, his face aglow with anticipation.

"Shrimp," he began, earning another glare from Emily at her newly assigned nickname, "let’s lighten things up a bit. Seriously—not all our time together needs to be so deep and introspective, you know?"

Emily tilted her head, intrigued. She had rarely seen Daniel this bubbly before, and while she was curious, she also felt a tinge of nervousness. His excitement was palpable, almost infectious.

"Okay, what are you thinking?" she asked cautiously, her curiosity outweighing her nerves.

Daniel’s grin widened. "How about a ride? Through my memories?" he offered, his voice tinged with both eagerness and hope. "This is our dreamscape," he said, gesturing around them. "We can do pretty much whatever we want."

Emily paused, considering the idea.

Until now, the meadow had always been their sanctuary—a constant in the chaos of their shared existence. While she and Daniel had reshaped the dreamscape occasionally, Daniel’s enthusiasm suggested he wanted to push the boundaries of what was possible - or perhaps could be dreamt.

"Alright then," Emily relented with a small smile. "Go wild, Danny."

Without warning, the dreamscape flashed and shifted around them, morphing with a blinding, ethereal glow. Emily squealed, covering her eyes. "For the love of—Danny, you could’ve warned me!" she exclaimed indignantly.

When the light faded, Emily opened her eyes—and gasped. Before her lay a rugged coastline, the ocean waves crashing against jagged cliffs. The salty tang of sea spray filled the air, mingling with the scent of damp stone and grass. Overhead, gray clouds rolled across the dramatic sky, occasionally parting to let beams of sunlight through, bathing the landscape.

Emily spun around, taking it all in, and her eyes landed on Daniel, who was leaning casually against a sleek SUV. Its streamlined design stood in sharp contrast to the untamed beauty of the scenery around them.

"Is that a car from your world? Your universe?" Emily asked, drawn to the vehicle as if it were a magnet. The interior, visible through the windows, looked impossibly advanced—plush seats that radiated comfort, and a dashboard glowing with sci-fi like displays and controls.

"Yep!" Daniel said proudly, patting the hood. "Welcome to the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Pretty sure it doesn’t exist in your universe." He gestured at the coastline. "But this? Maine, United States—my universe, 2023. That’s probably here too."

They both stood in silence for a moment, taking in the incredible detail of the dream. It felt tangible—indistinguishable from reality. Emily marveled once again at the power of their joint consciousnesses - their ability to create and modify old memories with new realities.

"Well, Mademoiselle," Daniel said as he opened the passenger door with an exaggerated flourish, "why don’t you climb in? This might be the first time in your life you’ve ever sat in the passenger seat, but hey, it’s our dreamscape—you sit wherever you want."

Emily climbed into the car, settling into the inviting warmth of the seat. She couldn’t help but marvel at the luxury and futuristic design. As Daniel fiddled with the controls, the satnav lit up, its screen displaying a map already preloaded with virtual waypoints.

"Boys and their toys," Emily scoffed , rolling her eyes. "This is our dream. Why do you even need a satnav? You’re just showing off."

"Okay, you caught me," Daniel admitted with a smirk. "But it’s not just for show—I wanted you to see how much more fun cars will get in the future. This one? One of my favorites. Way more fun than that overgrown horse carriage our dad …I mean your dad…drives."

Emily snorted. "Fine, fine, you have your fancy future car. Wait—HEATED SEATS?" She squealed in delight as warmth seeped into her. "They actually exist? This is amazing!"

Daniel laughed, clearly buoyed by Emily’s own excitement. "Buckle up, Shrimp. You’re in for a ride." Without waiting for a reply, he jammed his foot down on the accelerator

–

The car surged forward, the countryside blurring as both Emily and Daniel were pressed back into their seats. Emily's squeals of delight mingled with the roar of the engine as the vehicle accelerated through the rocky Maine terrain. Daniel opened the moonroof and elicited another round of delighted squeals as both their hair guested wildly in the wind, sea spray occasionally punctuating Emily’s exhilarated shrieks.

Danny, feeding off her excitement, drove with reckless abandon—zipping faster, making tighter turns, and occasionally veering off the road to speed along the beach or tear through a field, the rugged terrain just another playground in their dream world.

The rocky cliffs sped past, giving way to misty marshes that seemed to stretch endlessly, the car cutting through the fog. Before Emily knew it, the landscape shifted again—marshes disappearing, forests rising proudly on one side, wildflower-dotted fields on the other stretching seemingly to the horizon, the sea occasionally peeking through. It was a world, a terrain - she had never seen before in the real world: rugged, haunting, yet inexplicably beautiful.

The terrain changed once again - and the car was back racing on the beach. The sand and gravel crunched beneath their tires as the salty spray intensified, seagulls crying out against the roar of the engine. Emily unbuckled her seatbelt and stood through the moonroof, arms outstretched, her laughter carried away by the wind. She closed her eyes, letting the breeze whip through her hair and soul, her heart soaring with a sense of boundless freedom.

Was this safe? Absolutely. In their dreamworld, there were no traffic laws, no rules, no limitations of physics—only the unspoken obligation to live, or dream, as fully as possible.

—

Suddenly, Daniel brought the car to a sharp stop and started fiddling with the dashboard. "Why'd you stop, Danny? NOW what are you up to?" Emily asked, her voice still buzzing with adrenaline. “Still can’t showing off your fancy future car?” she added softly even though her smile was wide in anticipation.

"Oh, just want to take this up a notch," Daniel murmured, his fingers tapping the controls. “Found it” he exclaimed with restrained glee as with a final tap, music flooded the car.

"Of course you'd pick this," she said, shaking her head and laughing as Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" began to blast through the speakers. She secretly appreciated the choice of music although she couldn’t bear to miss an opportunity to tease Daniel.

"Hey, don't knock the classics, Shrimp!" Daniel shot back, as he began singing with the music.

As the drums kicked in, Emily paused momentarily, letting the music wrap her and flow through her. She closed her eyes, tapped her hand in time to the music, thoroughly enjoying the moment, feeling more alive than she had felt in a long time - no cares, no worries, no pretense. Almost as if on cue, she opened her eyes, shining like a cat’s, and joined right in at the riff, her voice harmonizing with his.

Reinvigorated by her enthusiasm, Daniel slammed the car back into drive and hit the accelerator. The landscape resumed its wild dance as both siblings sang at the top of their lungs, carefree and unburdened.

Emily couldn't help but laugh. She didn't entirely know why Daniel had picked this song, but somehow, it worked. The words - the spirit of defiance, of surviving, of making it work despite the odds - it felt like an anthem for them. Two souls inexplicably bonded, navigating a world that didn’t quite know what to do with them or where they fit.

For a moment, they forgot about dual consciousnesses, transitions between universes, parental worries—everything except the sheer joy of being together, singing off-key to a song that, in many ways, symbolized their very existence.

After all, hadn't their lives been, in some sense, a journey of living on a prayer?

—

After what felt like hours and several karaoke songs, Daniel finally stopped the car in their familiar meadow, the dreamscape sun casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape. With a sigh, he put the car into park and gazed at the horizon. "I think morning is almost here," he said with a reflective smile.

Emily sat quietly beside him, reluctant to leave the bubble of peace they had created together. She didn’t want to return to the constraints of her daily life. For a moment longer, she just wanted to be with her big brother—the one who always seemed to know how to protect her.

Sensing her thoughts, Daniel reached over and ruffled her hair. "Shrimp, I’m literally always by your side. I walk, talk and live with you, remember? We can come back anytime if you want another karaoke session."

Emily’s face brightened, her earlier sadness lifting. "I forgot—you are! This isn’t goodbye. You’re literally riding shotgun with me.”

Daniel’s lips twitched as he added “We could even come back during math class…no one would know. Not that we could learn anything from multiplication tables anyway. I know I’m not supposed to say that but oh well.”

Daniel snapped his fingers, and the car vanished, leaving them standing in the meadow. He then unexpectedly scooped Emily into his arms, squeezing her tightly.

"You’re doing good, Shrimp. Really good. Just give it time okay? I know it isn’t easy and if you ever need another karaoke session or walk through the dreamscape something more fancy - I’m just a thought away."

“You know where to find me, you interdimensional squatter,” Emily said as pulled away from the hug and playfully punched Daniel in the arm.

Jokingly, Daniel nursed his arm and fired back, “I may be a squatter, but at least I don’t sing like a cat being strangled…”

Emily feigned outrage and retorted, “I might sing like a strangled cat, but at least I know songs that are actually relevant in my timeline, you '80s music snob.”

Without missing a beat, Daniel replied, “It’s called having musical standards, you teeny bopper gremlin.”

“That term doesn’t even exist in this universe, you grouchy space ghost” Emily replied as made a pseudo rude gesture at Daniel.

“I may be a space ghost, but at least my universe had WiFi!” Danny responded with some equally rude flair.

“That wouldn’t stop you from alphabetizing your CDs by year of release, old man.”

“At least I didn’t learn to dance from video game characters, you pixelated party freak.”

“Well, you’d lose your head if it wasn’t stored in the cloud—oh, I mean my brain—you techno dinosaur.”

—

The banter continued for a few more rounds, leaving both Emily and Daniel rolling in laughter.

“I think… I rather enjoyed that, Em,” Daniel said with a smile, carefully choosing his words to avoid sparking another round of creative name-calling. He turned around to examine their shared strings dancing in the sky once again.

“I get the feeling it won’t be our last, Danny,” Emily muttered softly, and cheerfully.

She paused, all her usual sass absent as she considered her adopted, invisible brother who had come to her in the most unusual way. She realized she truly treasured this rare, precious relationship they had developed.

Emily realized - truly realized - that Daniel would always support her - potentially even to a fault.

There had been a brief moment when she resented him in the past— this presence in her mind, memories crowding and interfering with her own—but now, she couldn’t imagine life without him.

He was her protector, her guide, her brother in every way that mattered. He’d taught her to laugh when things felt hard or impossible, to lean on others even when it was unintuitive. More than anything, he’d shown her what family could be - her family.

The ones who choose to stand by you, no matter what.

She in turn was his anchor, the voice grounding him, the cheerful, sassy sister who showed him that life could be kind, enjoyable, and worth living, who helped him heal, who gave him purpose. It was a role, a vocation she realized that she took far more seriously than she had considered.

“You’ll never be alone again, Danny” she promised herself. “Never again as long as I am here”.

Emily launched herself at Daniel from the back eliciting a surprised squawk from him for the first time. She giggled and squeezed him with all the strength she could muster.

“I know we’re intertwined and share the same consciousness and all that, but… thank you so much. Thank you for looking after me.”

“Anytime, Shrimp, anytime,” Daniel replied, gently patting Emily’s head, his happiness pulsing back through her as the dreamscape slowly dissolved.