Safe Hands

26. Revenge

The weekend arrived, and the house buzzed with the usual Saturday morning chaos. Alex was on the phone, ranting about how bad his client's document was and how difficult it was to try defending them. Grayson strode down the stairs dressed in a black hoodie, the bruise on his cheek slowly fading. He stood beside Alex, who didn't notice him at first.

Grayson cleared his throat hard enough to gain Alex's attention. "Hold on," Alex said into the phone as he glanced at Grayson.

"Hey, Uncle Lex. I would like to go for a walk around the neighborhood. I feel trapped upstairs, and it will be brief," Grayson said, trying to sound casual.

Alex looked up, eyebrows raised. "You don't even know the neighborhood," he said.

Grayson stared straight at him without a word.

Alex sighed in exasperation. "Fine, but take your phone with you, and don't wander too far."

"Got it," Grayson nodded, grabbing his jacket.

"Julian, go with him," Alex called out.

Julian appeared from the living room, looking surprised. "But I was about to—"

"No buts. Stick together," Alex hissed before returning to his call as Julian glared lightly at his back.

Grayson groaned inwardly but didn't argue. He headed out the door, Julian trailing behind him in a red Christmas sweater. They walked in silence for a few minutes until they were past the gate.

"You didn't have to come, you know," Grayson said, not looking back to see Julian's uncomfortable expression.

"Dad made me," Julian replied, matching Grayson's pace.

Grayson rolled his eyes. "You could have just said no," he replied.

Julian paused with an unamused expression. "Yeah, and get grounded? No thanks."

They continued in silence until they reached a quieter part of the neighborhood. Grayson finally stopped and turned to face Julian.

"Why do you let them bully you?" he asked bluntly.

Julian looked taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, bleached face. You're always letting those guys push you around. Why don't you stand up for yourself?" Grayson's voice was harsh, but there was an underlying concern.

Julian sighed, looking down at his shoes. "I don't know. I guess... I'm scared."

"Scared? Of what? Getting hurt?" Grayson scoffed. "You're such a girl. If you don't fight back, they'll keep coming, and it will get worse."

Julian glanced up, uncertainty in his eyes. "It's not that easy. I'm not like you, who looks tough and scary."

"Stop the lame excuse!" Grayson retorted. "I used to be like you, weak and stupid. Till I decided to fight back. I knocked three teeth from my first and last bully," he narrated.

Julian gasped softly before rubbing his neck. "That's mean."

Grayson glared at him sharply. "I didn't ask them to try and pick on me. They did so at their own risk and got served."

Julian sighed. "I'm sorry you got hit on Friday."

Grayson hissed. "Stop with all those apologies. You look like you've lived in a bubble all your life."

Julian shuddered. "Sorry," he muttered.

"How long?" Grayson asked as he slipped his hands into his hoodie.