Her Lonely Grey Eyes

Chapter 16 - Cecile tucked in bed

𝘾𝙀𝘾𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙓 𝘿𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙒𝙊𝙊𝘿

I sat still while she combed through my hair.

It was... strange.

Not uncomfortable. Just unfamiliar.

Like something soft I didn't know how to react to.

Then she spoke, a little hesitant.

"Okay, I know I'm not supposed to ask this, but—why do you hate your eyes so much?"

Her hands paused for a second in my hair.

She quickly added, "Don't say anything! I didn't dig into anything—Aunt Odessa just gave us a few warnings about you."

That made me let out a small breath.

So that's where it came from.

"It's fine," I said quietly.

There was a short pause.

Then I continued, a little more honest than I meant to be.

"I hate them because... in the foster homes, people used to say I looked like a monster."

My voice stayed steady.

That part didn't hurt to say anymore.

"It sounds stupid now, but back then... they'd look at me like something was wrong with me. Like my eyes made them uncomfortable."

I shrugged slightly.

"So I just stopped liking them too."

She didn't interrupt.

Didn't react dramatically.

She just kept brushing my hair slower this time.

Gentler.

Then she spoke again, softer.

"...You know, our grandpa has grey eyes too."

I blinked slightly.

She continued, like it was normal.

"And he has that same resting face you do. People say he looks intimidating."

A faint pause.

"That's why everyone says he's the most powerful and scary one in the family."

I huffed quietly. "So I inherited 'scary genetics,' got it."

She smiled a little.

"Yeah."

Then she added, more casually, "Oh, and speaking of him—don't call him Augustus in front of him."

I raised a brow. "Why?"

"Just call him Grandpa," she said quickly. "And also... the whole family is coming next week. For a reunion."

That got my attention.

"...All of them?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Some live far, but everyone insisted."

Great.

More people.

More names.

More eyes watching me.

I let out a small yawn before I could stop it.

It was only 9 PM, but my body clearly didn't care.

Mabel noticed immediately. "You're sleepy."

"Maybe a little," I admitted.

She smiled like she'd been waiting for that answer.

"My room is to the left," she said, standing up. "Call me if you need anything."

Before I could respond, she leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.

My brain completely stopped.

"...What," I said blankly.

She just laughed.

"Come on," she said, like this was normal. "Let's tuck the baby in bed."

"I'm not a—"

Too late.

She was already pulling me up.

Gently, but firmly like I had no vote in the matter.

I gave up halfway.

She guided me to the bed, helped me sit, then pulled the blanket over me like she'd done it a hundred times before.

"Good night, CC," she said softly. "My baby twin."

Then she turned off the light.

And left the room.

I stayed still for a few seconds in the dark.

"...What just happened," I muttered to myself.

But my voice didn't sound annoyed.

Not really.

Just confused.

And maybe—

a little bit warm.