Alessia leaned against the doorway, watching Kyra pace back and forth across the living room, her jaw clenched in defiance. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife, and Alessia could feel her own patience wearing thin. Leah was on her way back, and the last thing she needed was a full blown confrontation between the two most important people in her life. It wasn't that she didn't understand Kyra's anger she did but this wasn't the time for it. Not now, not when Leah was coming back from God knows where after days of disappearing without a word.
"Kyra," Alessia began, her voice soft but firm, "you need to go home." She wasn't asking; she was telling. But Kyra was stubborn, always had been, and Alessia knew this wasn't going to be easy.
Kyra stopped pacing, turning to face Alessia, her expression a mixture of frustration and hurt. "I'm not leaving," she said flatly. "Leah fucked off for days, and now we're just supposed to welcome her back like nothing happened?" She crossed her arms, her posture rigid. "I don't care if she's pissed off. She has no right to be. She's the reason Bunny's been crying for her every night."
Alessia sighed, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose, trying to will away the headache that was beginning to form. She loved Kyra, but right now, she needed her to understand that this wasn't about who was right or wrong. It was about avoiding a situation that could spiral out of control. Leah was unpredictable when she was angry Alessia had seen that side of her, and Kyra hadn't.
"Kyra, please," Alessia said, crossing the room and sitting down on Kyra's lap as she slouched in the chair. She wrapped her arms around Kyra's neck, pressing her forehead to Kyra's and whispering softly, "I'm mad at her too. Trust me, I am. But Leah's got feelings too, and as much as I don't want to admit it, she's got reasons to be angry at us too."
Kyra frowned, her jaw tightening again, but Alessia could feel her body start to relax beneath her. She knew Kyra understood deep down, even if she didn't want to admit it. Kyra was part of the reason Leah had disappeared part of the reason Leah had felt like she couldn't come home, like she wasn't wanted anymore. And that was something they all had to face.
"I get it," Kyra muttered after a moment, her arms tightening around Alessia's waist, pulling her closer. "I get why she's pissed. But it's not fair. None of this is fucking fair." She exhaled sharply, her breath hot against Alessia's neck. "But fine, I'll go home. If it makes things easier, I'll leave. But if Leah causes any shit, I'll come back and I won't hesitate to fight her."
Alessia chuckled softly, brushing a hand through Kyra's hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. "I believe you, baby," she murmured, her voice laced with affection. "But I've seen what Leah can do when she's furious. You don't want to be on the receiving end of that."
Kyra laughed a little, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah, maybe she'll kick my ass, but I won't go down without a fight." Her bravado was still there, but Alessia could sense the tension easing between them, even if just a little.
Alessia leaned back slightly, her eyes still locked on Kyra's as she ran her hands down her arms, feeling the warmth of Kyra's skin beneath her fingertips. "I think it's time for you to go home, though," she said gently. "Viv said she'll pick Leah up at one, and Bunny's been too wound up to nap today. She'll need her mom to help settle her down for a nap." Her tone was soft, but there was an underlying urgency to her words Kyra needed to go before Leah walked through that door. Before the situation became even messier than it already was.
Kyra groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes but smiling as she tightened her grip around Alessia's waist. Without warning, she stood up from the chair, lifting Alessia with her as if she weighed nothing. Alessia yelped, instinctively wrapping her arms and legs around Kyra's body, her laughter ringing through the house.
