𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Homewarming Tragedies

AN: This is an angsty one with alternate endings since I know some of you love the angst and some prefer a nice ending!

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Y/N'S POV:

Leon and I saved up so much money to buy our dream home, our friends wouldn't hear the end of it as we finally bought the house and begun to restore it to a perfect state. Leon and I spent countless hours working our asses off to fix things and decorate the floors and walls, it took months of hard work and love, but in the end the once decaying house finally looked like a home. It was mine and Leon's pride and joy, it would be the place we'd finally settle down and one day start a family. We'd make memories in this house and spend our lifetime here, we'd host parties and Christmases, we'd hand out candy on Halloween and set off fireworks on the Fourth of July. It was our haven, and we knew we had to celebrate it. 

The night of our housewarming party was full of excitement, our new home is filled with the laughter of our friends and the warmth of unbreakable bonds between us. Though we're a ragtag group, we're all connected by a shared past that feels like a shadow lingering between us. Nonetheless, as we've grown older we've all tried to forget that night and the events that unfolded since. Tonight was about Leon and I, it was about shared joy and the hope that comes with us being the first couple to settle down and prove that even in our line of work we could still cling to normality. Jill and Claire pour more wine into their glasses as I laugh at them and perch on Leon's lap, Chris and Rebecca sit on the carpet, cleaning up after our last board game that ended with Claire and Chris arguing in a sibling-like way over the rules. The soft glow of the candles and lamps create the perfect cosy atmosphere, as I look around I can't help but to feel so damn happy. 

"That's a smile I've never seen before." Leon chuckles into my ear, his arms wrap around me as I nuzzle deeper into him and let out a contented sigh. Our guards are down, and we're all just free to be ourselves. I tilt my head up, relaxing as his thumbs stroke my sides in a soothing manner. I hum, not even sure what he means until he presses his lips to mine in a lingering kiss. "You've got different smiles for every occasion, but this one's already my new favourite. What is it baby? Pride? Nostalgia? Happier than happy?" He teases, nose brushing against my cheek as I laugh and try to pull away from him.

"I'm just happy we're going against the odds. After everything we've been through, I'm glad we're proving to ourselves that we can live and be proud of how far we've come." I softly say, fingers reaching to cup Leon's jaw. His face softens as he nods and kisses me again, but this time we're interrupted by Claire, Jill and Chris getting our attention and pointing to the new board game set out. 

"Come on Kennedy's, we're not waiting for you two all night." Jill muses, huffing a laugh as I snort and climb off of Leon's lap. 

"We're not actually married." I say, a smile tilting my lips as I glance at Leon behind me, he leans forwards and wiggles his eyebrows, making me laugh. 

"Not yet." He retorts, chuckling as he climbs down from the sofa and perches beside me. We all start playing the board game whilst joking around and reminiscing on good times, sharing memories and previous conversations until the doorbell rings. That'll be the pizza I ordered for us all earlier. Everyone continues the game as I untangle myself from Leon's hold, his arms squeeze around me one last time as I try to stand and pull away from his web of love. "Don't be too long, I miss you." Leon murmurs, kissing my hip as I pat his head and step over the board game pieces scattered all over the carpet. 

My lips stay stuck in a smile as I head to the front door and swing it open, expecting to see the delivery person. Instead, a masked man stands there with a black gun aimed at me, my eyes widen in shock seconds before I dive out of the way, time seems to slow down as I barely register his arm moving in my direction, the barrel of the gun following me like as I slam into the wall, unable to escape the bullet. The loud bang is deafening, but it's nothing compared to the immeasurable pain that follows, my breath is knocked from me as I collapse to the ground, my vision blurring as my friends race out of the living room and towards me, their faces pale and full of fear.