Holding On To Hope

Chapter 23: A Day of Quiet Bonds

The sun was already filtering through the curtains when Lina woke up, feeling an unusual sense of lightness. She lay in the warm cocoon of the blanket Leon had draped over her the night before, the scent of his apartment—familiar and comforting—surrounding her. For a brief moment, the chaos of the last few days felt distant, as if everything could be okay, at least for today.

She sat up, her gaze drifting across the room where she saw Leon still asleep on the couch. His arm was thrown over his eyes, his breathing deep and steady. A small smile tugged at the corners of Lina's mouth. Despite everything, this was what made her feel grounded—being here with her brothers.

Quietly, she stood and tiptoed out of the room, making her way to the kitchen. She wanted to do something for both of them, something that could show them just how much she appreciated their presence in her life. She glanced at the clock. It was still early, and Grayson would be over soon—he had called Leon last night saying he'd come by to check on her.

Lina gathered her ingredients, moving around the kitchen with a quiet focus. She knew both Leon and Grayson's favorites like the back of her hand, and the least she could do was make them breakfast. As she worked, the soft sound of a pan sizzling and the scent of spices filled the room, stirring memories of their shared moments. It felt right, her cooking for them—like a way of giving back a little of the love they'd always showered on her.

As she plated the last dish, she heard the front door creak open. Grayson stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway. He looked a bit disheveled, his hair slightly tousled, but his expression softened the moment he saw her in the kitchen.

"Good morning," Grayson greeted, his voice low but warm, as he walked over and kissed the top of her head. "What are you doing up so early?"

Lina smiled up at him. "I figured you and Leon deserved a treat after everything," she said, motioning to the spread on the table. "So, breakfast's on me today."

Grayson raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the living room where Leon was still fast asleep. "You didn't have to, you know," he said, though the appreciation in his tone was unmistakable.

"I wanted to," Lina insisted, pushing him gently toward the table. "Now, sit. Eat. You both take care of me all the time. Let me pamper you for once."

Grayson chuckled, clearly not used to Lina taking the lead in the kitchen. "Alright, alright. I'm not arguing with free food."

Leon stirred then, hearing the familiar sound of voices. He rubbed his eyes groggily, sitting up just as the scent of the food hit him. "What's going on?" he mumbled, stumbling into the kitchen, still half-asleep.

Lina grinned, setting down another plate in front of him. "Breakfast," she announced proudly, watching as Leon's tired expression softened into a smile.

Leon blinked, looking at the spread. "You made all this?"

Lina shrugged. "I figured I owed you both."

Grayson took a bite, nodding appreciatively. "It's good, Lina. You've outdone yourself."

Leon, still groggy, picked up his fork and joined in. As they ate, the atmosphere lightened, and for the first time in days, laughter filled the room. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories and teasing each other like they always had. It was moments like these that reminded Lina how lucky she was to have them.

At some point, Leon leaned back in his chair, watching as Grayson and Lina bantered. A soft smile lingered on his face. Despite all the struggles, despite the pain of the past few days, this—being here with them—made it all worthwhile.

"By the way," Grayson said, turning to Lina, "you know you're not allowed to go through anything alone anymore, right?"

Lina smiled, but this time it was softer, more thoughtful. "I know," she said quietly, meeting his eyes. "I won't."

Leon, ever the more reserved one, didn't say much. But as he reached over and ruffled Lina's hair, his silent affection spoke volumes. She glanced at him, her eyes soft with gratitude.

"Okay, enough with the mushy stuff," Leon grumbled, though his smile betrayed him. "Let's just enjoy breakfast."

They ate in peaceful companionship, the three of them slipping back into the rhythm they'd known for years. It was easy to forget the weight of the outside world in moments like these, where their bond was the only thing that mattered.

Later, when the dishes were cleared, and they settled into the living room, Leon stretched out lazily on the couch, while Grayson took the armchair. Lina, content and relaxed, sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the couch.

For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right. They didn't need words to communicate the importance of their bond; it was there in the silence, in the comfort of just being together.

As the afternoon wore on, Grayson glanced at his watch. "I should probably head out soon," he said, though his tone suggested he didn't really want to leave. "But I'll be back tomorrow."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Staying the night?"

Grayson smirked. "If Lina keeps cooking like this, maybe."

Lina rolled her eyes playfully. "You wish."

But as Grayson stood to leave, he bent down and gave her a tight hug. "Take care, alright?" he whispered softly. "We'll always have your back."

"I know," Lina whispered back, her heart swelling with love for them both. As she watched Grayson head out the door, she leaned back against the couch, feeling Leon's steady presence beside her.

"Thanks for today," she said quietly, her eyes still on the door.

Leon glanced down at her, his face softening. "Anytime, my child," he murmured, patting her head gently, just like he always did.

And in that moment, everything felt just a little bit brighter.