shades of you. (gxg)

Chapter 25 - Leon

Lèon's pov:

We stood near the door after Andre grabbed Ria. I felt Jodie back up in fear, feeling her slightly tug at my shirt causing me to sigh. "Everything is alright my love. I'll protect you okay." I softly told her, caressing her blonde hair. She began to calm down at that, keeping her stuffed animal very close to her. "Are we almost going home?" She quietly asked, grabbing onto my fingers. We stood there for a moment, as the guards watched us intensely. It felt immensely strange being here. The nostalgia that came back to me once I entered.. it was okay.

Ria came out of the room, gesturing the men to leave so with that, we were left alone. Jodie seemed to feel better yet I could tell she was scared just by looking at her face. Ria looked at my girl and then back at me. "What if Scarlet doesn't want to rejoin?" She said, fiddling with her rings. I shook my head, "I'll talk with her.. she has to understand that this would be for the best." I muttered, looking down at Jodie.

Rejoining the community would be for the best.. It would give them protection.

"I never thught you'd go against Scarlet's wishing and bring the girl here." She whispered, a smile crept onto her face. She kept on staring at her as her eyes flickered between purple and their original color. Jodie mumbled a few things I couldn't catch. "I didn't think of coming until these sudden attacks. But also.. our expired ways." I said. "It could happen to anyone and well.. I want.. them to be in a community where everyone protects eachother."

Ria glanced at her, looking a tad nervous. "Before that, I think there's something we should discuss." I mentioned as Jodie leaned against me. She walked into the room Andre was in again, with the both iof us following behind. I watched the elder take a seat as Jodie and I did as well. There was a huge distance between us and I think it's better that way.

"I only came here for my family." I began. "So if Scarlet does say yes, I want you to make a promise to me.." I whispered causing Andre to look at me. "Is it because the thing between Scar and I.. It was-" Before Ria got the chance to finish, I quickly cut her off. "No, It's about Jodie.." I said, looking down at her. I could tell she was exhausted since her eyes were drooping. "I don't want you or any of the elders to cause her harm or do any weird experiments on her because you have an impression of her being something else." I told them as I held her close.

The elder slowly nodded "I don't think Scarlet would agree.. she doesn't seem to like me very much anymore.." She muttered. Andre sighed and came closer towards us. He ignored Ria "Leon, you do understand that.. that if you rejoin, you won't be able to leave." He intervened, crossing arms. "So if Scarlet agrees, you're stuck here.. You all are and we can't guarantee that nothing bad won't happen.." Andre mumbled "But we'll do our best to protect your girl and your family in every way."

I nodded in response. "I understand and I don't plan on leaving if Scarlet agrees.." I stated, closing my eyes for a moment. This was a crucial decision but Scarlet has.. will come around to it. I'm still her husband and I know what is best for all of us. "I don't get it." Ria whispered. "You ledt before.. You left because you decided that we were 'too dangerous' yet you're back looking for protection and necessities."

She stood up again, speaking up. "Don't you remember the last time you were here? You lied to me.. all of us!" Ria raised her voice a bit. "You told me that you were going to stay.. Scarlet told me she was going to stay. You both deceived me.. you deceived all of us." She shook her head, her hands forming into fists. "You left without a word.. Without a trace." Ria mumbled, breathing heavily. Suddenly, she looked at me with her purple eyes. I looked elsewhere, too ashamed to look back.

"I left because my daughter was just born.. Staying here could've been a disaster for all of us." I said feeling my heartbeat race with every. step she took towards me. She knelt down slightly. "What do you mean by that?" Ria sternly asked. I broke the eye contact as my palms grew sweaty.

"A.. All of.. you." I stuttured over my words, feeling anger radiate off of her. She huffed, chuckling quietly. "All of us..? You mean all the other supernaturals here huh." The elder mumbled, grabbing my chin with her sturdy fingers. I was forced to look into he however I pushed her back and stood up. I still made sure Jodie was asleep during this arising altercation.

"I mean the various attacks our own people caused against each other." I began, clenching my fists. "Even the elders couldn't have stopped it! You were all cowardly to do so." I stated. "All of us were too weak to do something.. We couldn't have fought back against them.. So we ran as far as our legs got us to. We did the same many others did."

She stood tall with a serious expression written over her face. "We still stood together. We tried our best and it was resolved at the end of the way. We all protected eachother and stayed together! You were one of the most strongest and oldest hunters there! Yet you decided to still run off into this fairytale." She shook her head, chuckling a bit at that. Andre stood behind her, unable to speak as he stared at both of us. "I didn't want them to be hurt.. I didn't wanna have to turn around to see my wife and child injured!" I exclaimed. "Scarlet and I agreed to run because we thought that it would've been for the best. We thought it would've been best for Jodie.." I mumbled, looking down at her as she slept through everything.

Ria stood silent, staring Jodie who lied against the chair with her eyes shut. Suddenly, the room filled with complete silence. and there was only a ticking noise that came from the clock above the door. I felt like sprinting out of the room at any second with Jodie in my arms.. The tension that had arised was too much to handle, even for me.

"So you really want back.." She mumbled as I slowly nodded. She came closer to me okce again, still keeping her distance. She stared into my eyes, her lips slightly parted. "I'll be seeing you and Scarlet tomorrow by midnight.. By then she should've made up her mind. You'll be here and all the elders will as well." She moved back, her eyes never leaving me. "Oh and.. the girl, leave her out of it tomorrow. I think it'd be best for her to not witness anything for now.." She added, mumbling.

Ria suddenly smiled at me "Just make sure Scarlet comes.. Force her if you have to. I'm really starting to miss my girl." She laughed.