Broken Hands

14. Rosa's Ours

The night was restless, Grayson barely shut his eyes, the storm within his brew brutally and sleep was elusive, slipping away each time his eyes dared to close. Whenever he managed a few seconds of rest, her face was there-the hollow, chilling gaze of Hera, staring him down with a gun aimed at his head. And in his nightmare, she pulled the trigger. He could feel the warm trickle of blood slipping down his forehead, the life ebbing away, and her eyes as empty as the endless night around him.

Hera's words haunted him, they entered an infinite loop that felt like a tornado in his world. Was this the beginning of a new nightmare? A fresh game where he was the pawn? He considered telling someone-Alex, maybe even Julian. But there were too many confessions he wasn't ready to voice.

Stray padded softly into the room, the familiar jingle of her collar breaking the silence. Grayson glanced at her reflection in the mirror where he has been standing for a while. He caught his own gaze in the mirror, raven hair, silvery gray eyes and a face he wished did more than remain blank. He reached up, running his fingers through his hair to cover an old scar along his temple, its faded lines still a stark reminder of wounds that had barely healed. He swallowed, pushing the memory aside, burying it back into the graveyard of his past.

Footsteps sounded from the hallway, a soft rustle, and he quickly dropped his hand, brushing his hair down as Julian peeked into the room. His cousin was dressed casually, a denim jacket hood pulled over his curls, his tee displaying a bold "LOUD AND YOUNG" print.

"Morning, Gray!" Julian chirped, a grin spreading across his face as he took in Grayson's form.

Grayson raised an eyebrow, forcing a smirk. "Hi bleached face."

Julian's lids dropped halfway looking slightly pissed, "Stop, calling me that for more than the billionth time. I thought we were past that." He whined.

"Nope, we barely got started we have 30 more years to go," Grayson added.

Julian huffed, "Whatever, But I'm still eating your beacon and eggs that Rosa made, I know you don't like those anyway."

Grayson stared at him through the mirror, "Then I'll have you for breakfast."

Julian snorted, unfazed. "I have got gallic all over me, Vamp." He slipped past the door, heading downstairs with an easy gait that felt foreign to Grayson, who followed in silence. Stray padded alongside him, a reassuring presence as they descended to the dining area.

The familiar figure of Alex sat at the table, relaxed but with an intensity Grayson recognized. He froze momentarily, knowing this morning wouldn't pass without some kind of reckoning. Russell smirked as he nudged him lightly. "Staring from afar won't make food appear in front of you," he teased, heading to his spot.

Grayson slid into his chair, keeping his gaze away from Alex, hoping that staying quiet might help him escape unscathed, it always worked with Charlie.

Julian broke the silence with a hopeful tone. "So... this weekend? Hanging out? Since plans got canceled..."

Alex nodded thoughtfully, his voice firm. "I wanted you guys to spend time with Raymond, but things came up. Urgent matters. Sorry about that."

Grayson was beginning to relax, thinking maybe this was going to be a normal breakfast after all, until Alex's expression turned somber. "Speaking of family..." he paused, glancing around, "Rosa will be leaving soon."

Julian looked crestfallen, his face falling as he absorbed the news, and Russell simply paused. Before he could stop himself, Grayson spoke up. "Why?" The word was sharper than he'd intended, and he clenched his jaw as Russell joined in with a "Yeah, why?"