In the sterile, dimly lit hospital room, the rhythmic beeping of machines punctuated the tense silence. Ash, with his short dirty blonde curls and big round space blue eyes, leaned against the wall, arms crossed, exuding an air of nonchalance that belied the turmoil within. At 6ft 2, his athletic build seemed almost too large for the small space, yet he felt dwarfed by the weight of his sister's absence, the memories of their childhood swirling in his mind like a storm.

Astrid lay motionless on the hospital bed, her long dirty blonde hair fanned out like a halo, her caramel skin contrasting sharply with the stark white sheets. The peaceful facade of her sleeping form was shattered as a sudden panic attack gripped her. Her ocean blue eyes shot open, wide with fear, the long eyelashes fluttering like frantic wings. She gasped for breath, her body trembling as the memories of her past as an assassin clawed at her mind, the trauma surfacing like a dark tide.

Ash's heart raced as he pushed himself off the wall, his sarcastic exterior cracking under the pressure of his sister's distress. "Astrid, hey, look at me," he commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside him. He moved closer, his protective instincts kicking in, even as he fought against the urge to retreat into his usual dry humor. "You're okay. Just breathe. Focus on me."

Astrid's eyes darted around the room, panic tightening its grip. "I can't... I can't breathe, Ash!" she gasped, her voice laced with desperation. The memories of her past, the darkness of her choices, and the fear of losing him flooded her mind, intertwining with the anxiety that had plagued her for years.

"Yes, you can," he insisted, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to grasp hers, the warmth of his touch anchoring her in the storm. "Remember the last time? Just like that. In and out. You’re safe here with me."

As he spoke, Ash's facade of indifference melted away, revealing the loving brother beneath. He was her "ray of sunshine," the one who would never leave her side, even when the world felt like it was crumbling around them. He could feel her anxiety, the weight of her trauma pressing down on them both, but he refused to let it consume her.

With each breath, Astrid began to find her rhythm, the panic slowly receding as she focused on Ash's voice. "You’re not alone, Astrid. I’m right here. Always."

In that moment, amidst the sterile hospital walls, the bond between them strengthened, a testament to their shared struggles and the love that had endured through the darkest of times.