Splintered

Chapter Eleven: Awkwardness and Answers

"Ahem," Bellona's sharp voice burst the early morning stillness as well as whatever was left of Hazel's drowsiness. Her attention centered like an axe, finding its target on the peacekeeper staring down at them. Bellona's normally warm eyes were overflowing with thinly veiled alarm.

Heat crept into Hazel's face as she tugged on her arm, but Leo's grip only tightened, his thumb tracing slow circles over her wrist. The gesture, however, did little to calm her.

As Hazel pulled again, attempting to loosen his hold, Leo's grey eyes slid open. His stare was bleary as he took in the figure of Bellona. "Morning, Bello." He mumbled so casually that it sounded like he was commenting on the weather.

Bellona's eyes shifted over his face and then again fell to their intertwined hands. "Leonidas."

That seemed to get his attention. He bolted upright, his spine rigid. Hazel gave another pull, and this time, she managed to slip her fingers free.

"Shift change already?" He stumbled over the words as he raked a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Mmhmm," Bellona's tone was light, but worry shadowed her wide brown eyes. "Long night?"

"Something like that," Leo murmured as he holstered his weapon.

"Well, I'm here to take over. You should get some rest." Bellona sighed. "You obviously need it."

"I... ugh. Yeah." Leo fumbled as he pushed himself out of the chair, gathering the used dishes and the pepper shaker from the bedside table. "Thanks, Bello."

"We'll talk later," Bellona said as Leo shuffled toward the door, the dirty dishes balanced in his arms.

"Right." He bent forward in an abrupt nod before he glanced back at Hazel, "Marlowe."

"Drayton." Hazel saluted him as he vanished into the hallway. The awkwardness was almost unbearable as the room grew quiet. Hazel found herself longing for the relative peace of one of her nightmares. The two avoided eye contact for a few seconds, marinating in the uncomfortableness before Hazel finally couldn't stand it any further and flung herself out of bed.

Striding to the closet in the most normal way she could manage, she continued to avoid Bellona's eyes. However, her stomach was twisting with the pressure of Bellona's stare.

Hazel couldn't imagine how she would feel if she had ever walked in on one of her brothers in such a position. She shook her head. This wasn't some normal kind of awkward sibling protectiveness. This situation was much different. It was completely bizarre, abnormal as all hell, and so far removed from normalcy that it felt like it belonged in a different reality. Shoving the thought away, she ripped open the doors to her closet.

"We should talk about it," Bellona began.

"Nothing to talk about." Hazel tried her best to sound nonchalant as she tore out several items.

"From where I am standing... That seems inaccurate." Bellona's tone was imploring as she glanced toward the blue chair.

Hazel met the peacekeeper's concerned eyes. "Leo just had a long day and was about to fall out of that sad chair in the hall."

"What about the food?"

"Just some leftovers." Hazel shrugged.

"And...holding hands?" Bellona sighed.

"He was helping me get some sleep." Hazel shivered, "You know, the nightmares and all that..."

Bellona turned away as Hazel began to change her clothes. "I appreciate that you're looking out for my brother. I really do." She sighed. "But..."