pls let's be done with this s**t

[Handsome Whitledge]

27 June, 1887

Sweetie,

I'll admit that I'm rather unsure of how to begin this letter, and I'm not quite sure I'll know how to end it. It's come to my attention that you've been in contact with Darling about our recent skirmish, and I thought it would be best to send you a written apology rather than force you to face me in person.

You must understand that people say things they do not mean when they are angry; the threats I made against you were completely empty, without substance. I have no intention of pulling you from Hogwarts. I now understand your motives for interfering with my friendship with Miss Backus, but I must implore you not to meddle in my personal life again. Just as I have never torn you from your friendships, I wish for you to refrain from tearing me from mine.

I'm not blind, nor deaf; I'm definitively sure that I am your least favorite sibling. I have been rough on you—especially with social matters—and have failed to give you any explanation why. I will not try to make excuses for my brash behavior towards you, I hope you will hear my reasoning as to why I've acted this way.

I'm not sure if you're aware how difficult times have been for me since father died. With mother withdrawing from the house to focus on her career, I have been prematurely forced to act as the head of household. Many men struggle to deal with five children in the middle stages of their lives, let alone at the age of seventeen. I have barely learned to care for myself, and yet I now hold responsibility for five children. I've grown easily frustrated when things do not go as they should—including the actions of my younger siblings.

I do not hate you, nor will I ever hate you. Even if you never wish to speak to me again, I will always await an attempt on your part to reconcile our relationship. I worry that it has been my fault that you've struggled to maintain social grace since the passing of father. It would not be unnatural for a young woman like yourself to rebel when her brother—one a mere two years her elder—is put in control of her. I am not at a point in my life where I have learned to be a strong male figure to you and our siblings. I cannot solve every problem you or the others may have—my lack of experience prevents me from doing so!

Most of my worries in recent months have been directed towards Cupcake. With her debuting in no less than a year, I fear that I will not be able to provide her with everything she needs for a successful debut. It will be hard enough to find one of our aunts willing to help her on the social scene, as they too have daughters ready to debut! This worry has haunted me in the deepest sense, and have undeniably led to my impatience when dealing with mishaps with you.

I will not beg for your forgiveness, but I will ask for it; I will not take any blame for a severed relationship. You must know that I have never taken action against you in malice; I have only intended to push you to bettering your grace and mannerisms.

I love you. I always will. Feel free to come speak with me if you so desire; I will scream at you no longer. My anger has passed, and I hope you will allow yours towards me to as well.

— Handsome —

  

[Sweetie Whitledge]

At first it can be guessed that this is a reply, until opening the letter to see that Handsome's letter has not been opened.

  

[Handsome Whitledge]

  

[Darling Whitledge (Hymn)]

28 June 1887

Dearest Handsome,

I wanted to let you know that I received the letter intended for Sweetie. I am holding onto it, so that she doesn't have the chance to send it back (again). I will hold it for safe keeping until she is in a more open state of mind.

Sincerely,
Darling