Broken Hands

117. Deadline

The sound of dangling keys broke through the silence before the door creaked open, and Nora strolled in, Julian trailing behind her. She slipped off her jacket with ease, the fabric sliding off her slim arms like water.

Julian followed suit, shrugging off his own jacket and neatly placing his shoes by the door. He walked down the hallway, Nora now trailing behind him.

"Do you wanna watch a movie?" she called out as he flopped on the couch, pulling out his phone.

His first instinct was to groan and say no. But then he thought of what Russell had said.

"Yeah, maybe," he replied instead.

He was supposed to be back at the castle today—at least, that's what she'd told his dad. But it was starting to feel like she was stretching their time together, holding onto it like sand slipping through her fingers. Yesterday was the park. Then the zoo. She'd played on his love for animals, and he'd let her. And then there was the carnival. That was actually fun. But still... he would've preferred it if Russell and Grayson had been there.

Now that he thought about it, they hadn't even offered to come. That was weird.

He tapped out a text: "How are you bigheads having fun with Grandfather?"

He waited.

Nothing.

Julian frowned slightly. Maybe they were having so much fun that they forgot about their beloved cousin.

"Here," Nora said, setting down a tray with a glass of pineapple juice.

Julian reached for it, careful not to make eye contact. Now that the carnival, the zoo, and all the distractions were gone, the quiet was settling in again. And with it... the awkwardness.

He sipped his drink slowly.

Nora perched beside him, tucking a leg under herself. She was staring at him.

Julian glanced up. "What?" he mouthed.

She smiled.

He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You've grown so much in such a short time," she murmured, brushing a stray blond curl from his face.

"You've been gone for a long time," Julian countered.

Her smile faltered. A quiet sigh slipped past her lips. "I know. I just... I needed space. Time for my career."

Julian met her eyes again, his voice soft. "Space from me?"

Nora inhaled sharply. "No, sweetheart," she whispered, shaking her head. "It was never about you. I had... a lot going on. The pressure, the stress, the stage—it was all so much."

Julian nodded. He thought of Russell's advice. He didn't need to push. Didn't need her to cry.

"Okay," he said simply.

She hesitated, then asked, "How's your dad? And you?"

Julian shrugged. "Dad's been Dad. Worries too much. Works too hard. Spends all his time trying to fill the gaps. Raising us the best he can, you know?"

"Oh," Nora said quietly.

Then, a small smile. "Your cousins... they're adorable. You could've invited them over. You seem to love them a lot."

Julian grinned. "Yeah. We're like brothers. They're always there for me. Sometimes they're annoying as hell, but yeah."

Nora smiled too, gentle and soft, like a flower petal caught in the wind.