The Sinner's Saint

VOICELESS

Lev already has his keys in his hand when his mum spots him near the door.

"Where are you going?" he shrugs while opening it because he's already halfway out mentally. She squints like she's trying to decide if it is a good idea or a terrible one for her to let him out Then she points at Alex. "Take Alex with you." Lev glances over.

Alex is mid-conversation with Selin, both of them smiling at something on her phone, relaxed and already familiar with each other, He shrugs again because He genuinely does not care either way.

"Okay." Selin lights up instantly.

"I'm coming too."

"No," Lev says automatically suddenly remembering how his vocal cords work.

"Yes," his mum says without missing a beat. Alex laughs quietly and grabs her bag.

"I have to pick up the kids anyway." Her statement settles everything. Selin and Alex walk out together like it's muscle memory, as if they've known each other for years instead of minutes, Lev follows a step behind unlocking the car as they reach it.

Selin climbs into the back, Alex takes the front and buckles before Lev even starts the engine, he pulls into the bakery and goes in with Alex, it's busy, loud, and then noticeably less loud and People are now staring while muttering amongst each other.

In Lev's case, it's because he's an Armani standing in a normal bakery, in Alex's case it's because people recognise her and don't know what to do with that information whether to take a photo with her or talk to her or what.

He asks Alex what she wants, what his siblings would prefer then orders a ridiculous amount of dessert, Alex reaches for her personal card out of habit but Lev moves fast catching both her wrists gently but firmly and lifting her hands so far out of the way that the sensor doesn't even sense the presence of her card.

"No," he says, flat.

"Lev," she says, annoyed. "You always pay."

"And it'll stay that way." She tries to shimmy her way out. He keeps her hands there, fingers wrapped around her wrists, steady and clearly unbothered. Mind u, Alex is using all her strength and still can't move.

People watch in amusement and Selin who's nearby pretending to read the menu secretly snaps a few picks for herself. Alex glares at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"And you're not paying." She exhales hard and flips him off when he finally lets her hands go.

"Whatever." He takes both dessert bags, Alex reaches for one and he lifts them higher without looking at her, She rolls her eyes but lets it go. Back in the car, Selin immediately reaches for the box with macarons. Lev doesn't even turn his head.

"Don't even." Selin freezes. "Not even a little?"

"No." Selin groans but puts it away. At the school Alex and Selin hop out together, Lev stays in the car, arm on the armrest, eyes scanning the entrance out of habit. He knows it might take a bit so he gets to work, answering emails and rejecting invites he thinks are irrelevant. Alex's music is still playing because her phone's in the car.

They come back louder, Sasha mid-story about something Cassien, one of his best friends did on the court, Aleyna half asleep on Alex's shoulder, Siena trying to get off her feet because she used her crutches to beat up someone's daughter which is definitely gonna be a phone call.

Lev unlocks the doors and starts the car, and everyone buckles in with dessert balanced on their laps like it's precious cargo.

"Can we have some now," Siena asks.