Bent, not broken [cw/tw]

She had chosen to wear the braces around her legs instead of using the chair. Her helper had advised against it, telling her what she knew would inevitably happen: She would get exhausted. Having no actual control over your legs was agonizing, even more because she remembered what it was like to walk properly. With gritted teeth had she sat down in defeat at the park with tears running down her cheeks. The helper had offered to help her but she had ended up snapping at the poor woman.
She knew what would happen now - She would call Ezra and tell them to come and convince her. She felt like a brat refusing to cooperate, but the thought of being carried especially with her braces on was just the cherry on top. Everyone around could see that she stood out. She hated that. In frustrating pulls, she began to pull the braces from it's buckles to free her legs, anything to seem normal. "Ms. Margaret, please stop," the helper begged as she tried to stop the young girl from breaking the equipment.

Ezra was not usually that busy, but these days with spring arriving, they seemed to help more out at their parent's shop. The message ticked in from the helper, and they sighed a bit to themselves, biting their tongue as they explained the situation to their mother in passing.
Reaching the park didn't take long, thankfully the shop wasn't far from it. Seeing Iola they sighed, walking closer they dismissed the helper, mostly because the helper could do little to help the frustrated daemon. Ezra placed a hand on her shoulder, running their hand down to hers, squatting down to look in to her eyes. "What are you doing Io?" they asked softly, looking at some of the ruined equipment. Sighing they shook their head, taking her hand in his. In all of the people around them, Ezra always seemed to have a calmness about them. One that often reflected on to others.

Iola had been ready to scold the helper once again, not because she wanted to be this angry, but she just couldnt handle the frustration she felt from being surrounded by people who didnt need braces and crutches. She still had far to go from dealing with what had happened to her, but she was better than she had been when she was first taken in by the Garth family. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at her sibling, before the question struck her. Always calm in the contagious manner that made Iola stop her reaction from reaching outwards. She looked down in shame and felt her lower lip quiver, thinking of what to answer. "I thought I could go for a walk on my own," she whispered, feeling the tears start to run again. People that walked by were staring and she could feel them stare without even having to look up.

Ezra sighed at her words, frowning as they hated seeing the daemon cry. It was as if there would always be a soft spot in their heart that Iola had all to herself. Looking back at the helper, they dismissed them for today, saying that they would care for their sister. Then they looked at Iola once more, stroking her hand gently as she cried. "You know, walking alone is always very boring to me ... How about we walk together?" they suggested, looking at the crutches and the supporting equipment. Luckily she hadn't broken it completely, just a few things that needed to be popped back in to place. Once that was done, Ezra stood up, reaching their hands out to Iola. They didn't mind being used as a support beam for the daemon. "Don't be afraid to lean on me now, I'm stronger than I look," they said with a smile on their lips.
Supporting her around the waist, they made their way slowly down the park roads. It was tough walking like this, but Ezra just wanted her to be happy. "Sometimes you're too stubborn for your own good," they chuckled softly, adjusting one of her straps so she would feel more comfortable. They were both roughly the same age, and Ezra had bonded rather quickly with Iola when she had come to live with them. "I know you want to walk by yourself, but for now you'll have to accept that you need some help," Ezra said, looking at her with soft eyes.

The helper was dismissed and it was probably for the best. Even though Iola always ended up apologizing the next time she spoke to the worker, it still didnt make her behaviour that less of a mouthful to swallow. She looked up at Ezra with her teary eyes as they made their suggestion. She lifted her other hand and rubbed her eyes. She was only lucky that the issue with her eye had been easy to fix with lenses that she could put on the eye to make herself see, otherwise there had been much more for her to be frustrated about. But the bad thing about crying was how itchy her eye would get.
They offered their hand and Iola grabbed it before she was helped onto her legs again. She felt so tired from walking, but somehow the presence of her sibling always made her want to push herself that extra mile. It was hard for Iola to walk because she did have some sort of movement to control in her hips but it was all limited. Everything below her thighs was numb and it was only by the adjustment of the braces and the crutches that she was allowed to walk. When Ezra called her stubborn, she pinched her lips together and felt a little bad for the helper, "I should have listened to her," she mumbled. She held on tight to her sibling as they walked through the park. She knew how they liked nature or more specifically flowers, so she was some sort of relieved by the fact that at least she wasnt forcing them to spend time with her all on her own. After all, she had been supposed to spend the day accompanied by her helper. "It's just hard when I close my eyes at night and dream, I dream of how I used to walk and run around with ease," she said, knowing it was a broken record by now, but she had to cling onto some sort of hope that she could return to her normal self - Though realistically, she wouldnt ever and the doctor's had told the family to keep it quiet till she started accepting her disability.

Ezra knew she was pushing herself, but they would make sure that she got the aftercare of her legs when they got home. While it was usually the job of the worker, Ezra had been taught, mostly to help when his sister was hurting. Nodding at her mumbled they sighed, giving her hip a small squeeze to adjust her once more. They didn't mind this, far from it actually, as spending time together often was limited when Ezra was busy with studies and work. The mention of her dream made them look at her, smiling softly as he wasn't quite sure how to encourage her. "Is it any comfort that I sometimes hope that I could take away your pain and you could have my functioning legs?" they asked. Ezra knew it was silly, but they wouldn't need legs for the job they were pursuing, and Iola seemed like she needed it more. Breathing out they had to stop for a while, Ezra having to adjust themselves and make sure that the grip they had on her wouldn't fail. "How about we turn around, get you in your chair, and I'll treat you to whatever you want?" they suggested, smiling at her because they could already feel how tired she was becoming.

She chuckled at their question and shook her head. She wouldnt want to steal their legs away, she just wanted her own to work again. "I'd prefer just having my own legs," she answered with a sigh. She could feel how exhausted her body was getting, even if they were helping her by being a support beam and actually supporting her way better than her crutches, it was still hard to lift all the weight of her legs with just the her hips. Their suggestion made her nod but she had to make a change in the suggestion, "I'd rather just go home and relax," she confessed. She had had enough of defeat from her choice in picking the braces, she didnt want to experience how people could seem to stare at her. She didnt look weak or like someone who's legs werent working, so most of the time it seemed that people looked at her in disgust, like she chose to be in the chair for attention.

"We can go home as well, it's fine, but I can't walk with you like this home," they chuckled softly, looking down at the daemon. Ezra was rather tall, towering over even tall men, but his features were almost softer than what people expected from a male born with these genes. They helped Iola back to her chair, making sure that the crutches and support was loose and helping her off of them, putting them in the little compartment bag they had installed at the back of her chair. "You want me to push you, or do you want to yourself?" they asked. While they knew she was tired, sometimes her pride got the best of her, and they didn't want to interfere with her autonomy.
Whatever she chose, they would follow, walking either behind her or beside her, depending on her choice. "The weather is so nice these days ... Maybe we should have some iced tea out in the garden?" they suggested. Ezra was known for their homemade iced tea, as well as their green thumb. While their father was a gardener and mother a florist, they seemed to have their own spin on it. Like all mythical they could feel plant life, but Ezra had always had a genuine interest in botanics. "Please tell me you've tried to make some friends at the Institute," they said, smiling at whom they considered their sister. Putting a hand down their pocket, their fingers traced the small packet of cigarettes, knowing that it wasn't good for anyone, but they simply couldn't stop. Pulling out the packet, they placed the bud against their lips, placing the pack back in their pocket before finding a lighter. Lighting the cigarette, they took a deep inhale, feeling the nicotine spread in their body already, making them sigh in relief. When they were helping at the shop, it wasn't often they took a simple smoke break, mostly because their mother would scold them.

"No, you probably cant," she agreed with them. Though she thought they were tall and strong, it probably was a hassle to support her all the way home. She was placed back in her chair and watched as Ezra helped her loosen the braces. A part of her wished that she could feel the relief of having her legs released from the straps, but she felt nothing to her own dismay. It was like the more she let herself get caught up in her day's defeats, the more she felt like she would end her day with a good cry. So when they offered to push her rather than her having to move herself, she nodded with her eyes planted on her thighs.
She kept looking down as they pushed her forward, folding her hands to just look at them in silence. Ezra probably knew that she was all up in her mind because the suggestion made her smile at the thought. She liked the nice weather despite the fact that she couldnt manage on her own in it. But sitting out in the garden sounded nice. "I'd like that," she said quietly.
She liked it at the Garth family, despite the fact that they were so different in the fact that they were mythicals and she was a daemon, they had taken her in with open arms. She would be forever grateful for the fact that they had accepted her for who she was now, because she had such a hard time to accept it herself. Their hope made her sigh as she closed her eyes for a bit, "Only people that pity me. None genuine yet," she said as she let her mind wander a little. She remembered the daemon that had helped her, how kind he had been. Maybe it was her fault for wanting friends that were just like he had been. She shook her head, "It's like being friends with me is charity for them. If you hang with the disabled girl, you show everyone that you're just so nice," she said in a quiet distaste. She didn know if it was just her thinking that way, but it just felt like that most of the time.

Ezra smiled as they kept pushing her. Usually they weren't all up in her business, but worry sometimes worked in strange ways, and the mythical always wanted what was best for the daemon. Frowning at the words that Iola said, they looked down at her, leaning down to kiss her head softly like they always did when they were trying to comfort her. "I'm sorry to hear that ... Are you sure you don't want me to introduce you to some of my friends?" they suggested. They had asked before, mostly because most of Ezra's friend group was actually rather openminded. "I think you would like Margot, she's a wild one and she's rather funny," Ezra added, smiling at her with a soft gaze in their eyes.
The scenery around them changed slightly, and thankfully they weren't that far from the Garth house. "Maybe you should come with me to one of the hang outs we've been planning? It's nothing big, we just get together and eat some good food and watch a movie or go to Central and look at stores," they said. Ezra didn't see Iola as a burden, far from it. They had always seen the beautiful soul underneath the broken girls facade, and they had always found it their responsibility to help out where they could.

She couldnt help but smile a little at the comforting kiss on the top of her head, it was always working in the regards to comfort her. A silly thought that a simple gesture like that could calm her down, but in all the mess that was her life, she preferred simple things. Their suggestion of her joining their friend circle made her feel a little anxious in a way. Ezra was cool in every way in her eyes and she felt like she would ruin something by not being like everyone else, at least in the physical regard. She fiddled with her fingers as they seemed to warm her up with the idea, she chuckled a little nervously as she thought it through.
But when the hangout was mentioned, it was like that was what convinced her. She shook her head, "I cant walk Ezra," she said before she looked back at Ezra with sad eyes. She placed a hand over theirs before she drew in a trembling breath. "They would think I'm weird," she then said conclusively as she pulled her hand back and placed it back in the fold with her other hand on her lap. She knew that Ezra didnt see her for her disability, but could that be said about their friendgroup too? She didnt want to become a laughing stock.

Ezra sighed at her words, frowning as they knew she was being serious, but all of this just didn't make sense in their head. Shaking their head, Ezra placed a hand on her shoulder, massaging it softly. "They would love you, Io - I don't think you realize what a great person you are," they said softly, wanting to comfort her more, but if she had really made up her mind, there was nothing they could do. Breathing out in a sigh, the mythical turned a corner, leading them down the road to the Garth house. It was just a simple town house with a rather good sized garden in the back. How many hours had they not spent as a family outside and just tending to the plant life that lived there? Their parents had even modified the house, making it easier for Iola to get around, even a small lift that took her from the ground floor to the attic where Ezra had their room.
"I want you to give it a shot - If my friends can't accept you as you are, and see what I see in you, then they aren't worth being friends with," they said in a firm voice. Their parents were still at work, and Ezra had promised to make the dinner for tonight. Rolling her out in to the garden, the coziness hit them right away. "I'll get you your good chair," they said, kissing her forehead once more before going in to the house. The chair she had at home was much lighter and easier to get around the house in. While grabbing it, Ezra managed to get the jar of iced tea as well as a couple of glasses as well.
The sun above was hot and as Ezra came out, they couldn't help but smile as they looked at Iola. Placing the iced tea down, they helped her over in her other chair that was much more comfortable. "Do you want a blanket as well?" they asked in a caring tone. It was no secret that Ezra cared deeply for Iola, there was just something about her that made the mythical need to help her.

She knew they meant well, but she would have to consider it before making any decisions. Iola was always careful with her plans, mostly choosing to spend time with her family or helpers. She just felt like Ezra might have grown bored of spending time with her to make a suggestion like that - Though she deep down knew that they wouldnt be cruel to hint towards boredom like that. It was just her mind winding up in her insecurity.  "I'll think about it," she said before she felt the fresh warm breeze hit her face. She nodded at their words and smiled a little at the kiss on her forehead before she watched them walk off. She looked out on the garden, lifting her hand to cover her eyes from the sun above. The garden always looked nice and she knew how hard they all worked to keep it that way.
She looked at Ezra with a smile on their return and soon she was switched chairs. She liked the smaller chair much more, because it didnt take much to move it around and overall it was just better to navigate around the house on it. "No, I'll be alright, thank you, Ezzy" she assured them before she looked at the jar of iced tea. She felt happy that her tastebuds hadnt changed with her change - She could still taste how great normal food could be, despite the lack of nutritional value. She liked anything that Ezra made, from edible and to inedible. "Would you ever get bored of spending your time with me?" she asked, knowing she spoke from insecurity, but she wasnt that good with keeping things like that hidden. Either way it would seem that her sibling had a way to just spot it if she wasnt going to speak out on it.

Ezra smiled at her, chuckling as she called them by their nickname. It wasn't often these days that she called them Ezzy. Sitting down in a chair across from her, they poured a glass of iced tea for each of them, taking a sip as Iola formed her question. Sighing softly, Ezra smiled and shook their head lightly, looking down in to the glass of tea. "I sometimes wonder if you get bored of me; I mean all I ever talk about is botanic stuff and biology," they chuckled, looking over at the daemon. There was a deep understanding from both of them, or at least that was how they felt when they hung out with her. "You know I don't really identify as one or the other gender," they said, biting their lower lip as their ice blue eyes moved out to look at the garden. "But I don't think I ever told you why, did I?" they said, breathing out in a deep exhale as to gather some courage. It wasn't a secret that Ezra was born a male, and they had no intention of transitioning to the opposite gender.
"I used to feel like I didn't belong anywhere ... Like no matter how hard I tried I wouldn't be one of the guys - But I clearly don't really fit in as one of the girls either," they chuckled, gesturing down their body. They were tall, rather athletic built, and everything about them screamed male. "But it wasn't before I realized that I didn't have to be either that I started to feel a sense of actually belonging everywhere in a sense," they explained, smiling at Iola as a beam of sun hit their eyes, making them close as they took in the sunlight from above. "When I hang out with you, I don't have to worry about being seen for my gender ... I don't have to worry if you think I'm weird or ugly or stupid; Because you just see me for me, not for who I am supposed to be," they said in a heartfelt voice, looking at Iola once more. Reaching forward, they placed a hand on hers, letting his thumb stroke over the back of her hand. "Io, I want you to feel like you belong, and even if it's not with my friends, then we will at least have ruled that out," they said, smiling at her.

She frowned a little as they thought she would grow bored of them. That wasnt the case, not at all. Iola found Ezra to be one of the most interesting beings in her life because they just did whatever they wanted and lived a life they were proud of. So when they started speaking of their reason for the pronouns that they used, Iola's interest was grabbed right away. She found it brave that they mustered picking those small fights, because she herself felt like those small fights had made her world fall apart. Maybe it would have been easier with working legs.
She grabbed her glass of iced tea and took a long sip as she listened intently to the story. She chuckled a little at the gesture down their body, because she thought it was a funny comparison. Watching the sunlight kiss their face like it did made her feel mesmerized, but she was more focused on listening to what they told her rather than how they looked. The hand over hers made her lip tremble a little but she smiled bright.
But then it was like the spotlight was turned back on her and she looked down at her thighs with sad eyes. "I'm fine with just belonging here," she said sincerely, looking up at Ezra. She knew that it would be hard for her to find a spot in this world to claim as her own, if that was even a possibility when she couldnt really manage on her own. She hoped for that some day, but she didnt mind the fact that she knew she always had a warm home to return to.
She looked out on the garden again and pinched her lips together. "I know you mean well for me. But I dont think I could handle a big change like getting into your circle. Spending time with your friends wouldnt be the same as spending time with just you," she then said, shaking her head a little. She felt lost in what she wanted her point to be. "I just like things as they are now," she mumbled, watching the pretty flowers move along the fleeting breezes that came by once in a while.

Ezra knew that she felt like she was fine with just belonging here, but they knew that there was so much more to life than just being in one place. Letting her speak her mind, they leaned back in their seat, looking at her as she spoke, making them sigh softly. "It doesn't have to be all at once, maybe just one or two that you could meet - The girl, Margot, I mentioned earlier has been asking a lot about you," Ezra said in an optimistic voice. The mythical never held back on telling others about their life, and Margot had been a friend for many years. Perhaps that was the best option for now, mostly because Ezra trusted Margot, so perhaps that would make Iola more relaxed. Breathing out they got to their feet, walking over to turn on the radio. Some top 100 list was playing, and Ezra moved his body a bit to the rhythm before they seemed to get an idea. "Dance with me," they said, chuckling a bit, but they were being rather serious.
Walking over, they bowed for Iola, as if she was pure royalty, holding out their hand. "Please, your highness, may I have this dance?" they asked, smiling at her with his ice blue eyes looking at her rather intensely. If she agreed, they would grab a hold of her, placing her feet on their own, and pulling her in at the waist so that they had full control. They hadn't done this since they were both much younger, but they couldn't help but smile as Ezra supported both of them, dancing around the garden in elegant movements. "I know you, Io, I know that you want more in life than just sitting in that chair, but for now I would love if you relaxed more," they whispered, swaying them to a soft part of the song.

"I would like to meet her," she said after some consideration to their words. Maybe it was good to try something new for a change. She frowned a little bit when Ezra asked her to dance with them, ready to object and tell them they were silly for thinking she would be able to dance. But as they bowed and acted all posh and proper, she chuckled and looked at their hand. It was tempting, but she worried about her legs. They werent kids anymore after all. She ended up grabbing their hand in a leap of faith, feeling them pull her to her feet, though she couldnt feel if she was actually standing.
As they started to dance with her on top of their feet, she leaned her head onto their shoulder, closing her eyes as she chuckled in delight. She lifted her head and just seemed to enjoy the moment as Ezra danced around with her. The soft whisper made her swallow as she looked into their eyes, her expression turning a little fond as a soft smile spread on her lips. "I am fully relaxed when I'm with you," she whispered back before she chuckled at how silly and happy they made her feel for dancing with her, feeling like they were younger again.

Dancing with her was always fun, and Ezra never found himself quite as happy as when he was with Iola. Perhaps it was just what it meant to have a sibling. Ezra's parents had tried so many years to have a child, and when they were conceived, the child mortality rate had been against them. Perhaps that was why they had no siblings, but that was when they were grateful to have Iola. "And I want you to feel like that always," Ezra replied to her confession about being relaxed in their arms. Making a small adjustment, Ezra lost some balance, falling backwards, but thankfully landed on the bed of moss that covered most of their lawn. A warm laugh exploding from their chest, hugging Iola close as to not just let her slide helplessly off of them.
"I guess I don't realize how big we've both become ... Sometimes when I'm with you I still feel like that scared little child," they chuckled softly, closing their eyes as they just took in the moment. Looking at her they just felt contempt, moving some of her dark hair behind her ear. "Did you get hurt?" they asked in a more concerned way, frowning as they thought it might've been reckless to just fall down, even if it was by accident. Their parents would probably have scolded Ezra for being so reckless.

She chuckled a little at their want and leaned her head onto their shoulder. She felt the shift in balance as she hugged herself closer to them in fear of getting hurt. However it seemed that neither of them where harmed in any way and she laughed with them as they laid on the mossy ground. She lifted her head from their shoulder to look at them with vulnerable eyes as they spoke of their childhood. Her eyes shifted between theirs as she felt them move some hair from her face. She shook her head at their question and folded her lips to contain a small laugh.
She laid her head back on their chest as she looked at the garden next to them. Carefully she reached out past the moss and touched a little bit of the grass, feeling the soft glossy strands against her fingers. "No matter what, I'll always know that I can be happy in your arms and yours alone," she whispered as she kept her fingers still and watched the wind move the grass around. She looked up at them with adoring eyes, just taking in their beauty in the glistening sunlight from above. "Ms Margaret, Mr. Garth, what happened?" one of Iola's house helpers called as she ran out the balcony door and looked at them rather concerned. Iola's expression changed as she could tell that this one would tell their parents of this.

Ezra sighed with relief when she motioned that she wasn't hurt, mostly because they would never forgive themselves for causing harm when all they wanted to do was do good. Closing their eyes, they just relaxed for a bit, holding her close like they hadn't been able to in a while. Hearing her whisper made them open their eyes, looking at her with their ice blue eyes soft. However peace was soon over, chuckling at the helper, waving apologetically. "I wanted to show Iola some of the new moss that was starting to grow in our garden, but I didn't want her to be cold on the ground," Ezra explained, sending the helper a charming smile. They knew that they would have to answer to their parents later, but for now, they really didn't want to worry about it. What was so wrong with them treating Iola like she was an actual person, and not just a young woman trapped in a chair? Breathing out, they looked at Iola. "We have to move before she comes down here and starts pulling at you," they sighed. However Ezra always liked being this close to the ground, it just felt relaxing, like they could hear the grass grow. Carefully they moved up, reaching down to lift Iola up in their arms, holding her close to their chest.
"How about we finish our iced tea in my room? I have a new record I think you'd like," they suggested, placing her carefully in her chair once more. Ezra had never seen anything weird about her being in a chair, in fact they had always seen it as part of the charm that came with her. However they would never say that, mostly because she would probably be offended by it. Brushing off some of the grass and dirt from their shorts and legs, they simply looked at the daemon with a warm smile on their lips.

The helper couldnt help but blush a little at the charming smile, but she still looked worried for Iola's sake. Iola knew that there were certain things she had to be careful with since her being strapped to a chair meant that she wasnt as healthy as the rest of her kind that got to move their legs every day. But she could only be somewhat thankful that she was a daemon, though she would never really be happy about it. Ezra's warning made her chuckle as she nodded and eyed the worker. Sometimes the helpers really made her feel like she couldnt do anything on her own, but she had somehow accepted that she needed help. She was just happy that they werent clinging around her to help her every need like they had when they first arrived.
Being in her sibling's arms always made her feel so content in a way, but she didnt really think about how it made her feel. Rather she just savoured how safe she felt. "Let's do that," she said with a smile, adjusting her back a little to sit comfortably in the seat. The helper seemed to be happy with Iola being back in her chair and dismissed herself before returning to the house. Iola looked at the mythical for a moment before she smiled a little to herself before she turned the chair and made it roll forward. She always looked so fragile with her thin physique but her arms were actually quite strong from the times she had to push the chair around. With the small chair it was easy enough and she could move around like she would have on her legs, but with the braces and the outdoor chair, it was a completely different story.

Ezra knew that they could rely on their looks, at least to some extend as to not get in to trouble with Iola's helpers. Most of her helpers seemed to be female, and the mythical was not blind as to how they looked at them. Ioal agreed to go to their room, but they would have to not only climb the stairs, but have Ezra carry her the rest of the way up to the attic. This was where Ezra had their room, a rather nice sized space that they had decorated the slanted walls with pictures and posters. They placed Iola down on their bed before getting her chair up as well. The stairs to the attic were narrow, and it had seemed like a stupid idea to spend much money on installing a lift in such a narrow space. So instead Ezra was fine with carrying her once and again.
"Chair or bed?" they asked, knowing that perhaps laying down might be the best way for the daemon to rest her back and body. Either which way the daemon chose, Ezra would abide, and then went to put on the record they had bought recently. Many would call the mythical a hipster type, but they just liked listening to a record from start to end, thinking that skipping a song would be almost sack religious. Laying down on the bed, they took a deep breath, closing their eyes as the sounds from the speakers spread around the room. One of the windows were open, the only sense of anything but this space existing.

She didnt mind being lifted up the stairs by Ezra, because she enjoyed any moment she could spent being close to them. It wasnt feelings that she had thought through and with her predicament, there was much more else to focus on than how her sibling made her feel complete. When they asked what she preferred, she chose to lie down on the bed to spare her hips from the pressure of sitting on her weight all the time. She stretched her back a little as she laid down, closing her eyes for a moment as she made herself comfortable.
She listened as the music started playing, keeping her eyes closed as a small smile spread on her lips, "Did you buy this from the charity store?" she teased as she opened her eyes to look at them with her small smile turning into a teasing one. She liked charity stores, but it was usually too crammed up from the amount of stuff that laid around, that she could barely manage in one.

"Ha ha, you're so funny, aren't ya?" Ezra said, chuckling softly as they shook their head. "No ... Uhm, it's actually Margot and her band - She's the one singing," they confessed, chuckling a bit. Ezra liked Margot, but not in the way that everyone else always seemed to read it as. They liked her because she had been one of their first friends after essentially coming out. And it seemed like the two had a lot in common from the get go. The mythical stretched on their bed, their feet sticking out from the mattress because of their height.
"Is it lame that I'm listening to my friend's music?" they chuckled, turning to their side as they watched Iola's reaction to the music. It was semi punk-indie, a rather relaxing vibe if you thought about. "I can put on something else if you don't like it," they added, moving to sit up, ready to put on another CD if Iola wanted that. For Ezra it all was about putting their sister's priorities first, it was just how they were raised, and nothing had seemed to change that view over the years.

She chuckled with Ezra at their words and bit her lip a little, thinking she was quite funny at times. Obviously she had just been teasing but the music did sound like a hidden gem that had hidden away at some charity store for years. So when Ezra said it was their friend Margot and her band, Iola looked at them rather surprised. Their question made her shake her head as she didnt think it was lame at all, in fact it was something she found rather endearing. It showed how Ezra was always so caring for the people around them. She looked back at the ceiling, closing her eyes as she kept listening. Maybe her reaction hadnt been that good to show how she had liked the music because then Ezra suggested putting on something else. Iola quickly reached out and placed a hand on their arm as she looked at them with soft eyes, "No I really like it, Ezzy" she said in a pleading tone, not wanting them to get up and away from her. "Her voice is unique. Does she sound like that when she speaks normally too?" she asked as she laid back down, wanting to lie on her side but not wanting to go through the hassle of having to place her legs into the right position.