Family

THIRTY-NINE

Trust is earned

Present || Leo

My eyes stare off into the distance, all but an empty shell. I'm tired. I don't want to do anything. Even breathing takes so much effort from this tiny, weak body.

"Leo?" 

Calloused hands gently lift my face until I'm staring into a pair of cold, grey eyes, swarming with concern.

"Is it easier to breathe now? You had a panic attack a few minutes ago." Father states softly.

Wordlessly, I nod, not bothering to actively engage in a conversation.

Matteo is gone. He's really really gone. He's never going to come back. 

And it's all your fault, a voice sneers.

And this time I don't bother arguing.

****

The rest of the day passed by in a blur, Father had me stay in his office where he could keep an eye on me. I haven't seen any of my brothers in the last few hours that have passed, but I know they haven't left the house.

Judging from the footsteps and whispers that keep passing outside the office every once in a while, some of them at least, definitely skipped school today.

"Are you bored Leo?" Father asks from his desk, not looking up from the documents in his hand.

I shake my head slightly at his question.

Footsteps walk towards me and Father's intimidating figure crouches down in front of me," Would you like to go somewhere?"

His grey eyes are soft and welcoming, the usual hardened features of his are relaxed," We could go and grab some ice cream? Remember, I always took you out to buy some when you were little." 

He smiles fondly at the memory and waits patiently for a reply from me.

Slowly, I nod my head, causing a small smile to erupt onto Father's face. I don't want to be in this office any longer than I need to, memories of past incidents just begging to be repeated.

"Go and change into something warmer, then meet me by the front door okay?" He walks towards his desk and grabs a set of keys in the side drawer.

My legs move on their own, my mind seemingly detached from the world. 

As the door shuts behind me, three figures look at me wide-eyed. Alonzo is crouched down, leaning against the wall with his head in his hands whilst Alfonzo glares at the floor, not meeting my eyes. Luca just stares at me, not a word leaving his mouth.

Moving forward slowly, Alonzo looks up from his place, concentrated plastered onto his face.

"Did he hurt you Leo?" He asks, standing to his full height and feeling over my face gently.

Again, I shake my head, no words leaving my mouth.

Alonzo frowns, his eyes slightly narrowed as the office door opens and shuts once again, Father's  tall figure coming into view.

He tilts his head at the scene, "Alonzo go with Leo to his room, I'm taking him out."

"We'll go too," Luca interjects, staring at Father with a look I can't seem to describe.

If Father minds he doesn't show it, only making a small gesture to his watch," You have five minutes to be ready and waiting."

Alonzo gently takes hold of my hand and leads me presumably to my room. The walk there is silent and remains to be as my door is softly shut behind me and I look through my closet for another oversized hoodie.