Last Thread of Hope [BXB]

Chapter 36

Cody was tucked into Aaron's chest and had his arms wrapped around him. Max and Cana sprawled out on each other with messy hair and opened mouthed faces. Silver was on his side sleeping towards the wall in a graceful way. Zen and Tara were facing each other and both on their sides. They had fallen asleep talking to each other and got tired telling their stories.

Cody was the first one to wake and slowly crawls out of Aaron's grip. He stands up and quietly walks to the restroom down the hall. Aaron watches him go and readjusts himself to get comfortable. Tara pokes her head up and stretches her arms and back. She nods at Aaron and he nods back with a tired smile.

She gets up and walks to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Aaron finally gets up and walks to the nearest window. It showed the small backyard covered in at least a foot of bright white snow.

"It snows a lot over here during this time." Tara says, "We get storms like this every year."

"Us too." Aaron looks over at her, "Most of the time we can't even open our front doors."

Tara chuckles, "You're gang sounds like a good place. Zen and Silver keep offering me to go with you guys but..."

"But what? We are good people and would take you in." Aaron leans against the wall.

She smiles and turns back to the stove, "How long have you and Cody been together?"

"A few months. He's been living with me since we saved him."

Cody walks back into the living room and Aaron quickly stops talking. Tara looks back and grabs a few plates. A knock comes from the door and she quickly washes her hands.

"It must be my neighbor. She always comes to check on me after a storm." She says and rushes to the door.

Aaron walks up to Cody and kisses his forehead. Silver sits up and yawns.

"I texted Kira to cancel her power on you. She should see the message when she wakes up." He says.

"Good." Cody smiles, "I nearly freaked out when I looked in the mirror and saw my black hair."

Tara unlocks the door and opens it with a smile, "Hell-"

She freezes and stares at the tall man in front of her with an open mouth. He was smirking down at her and leaning on the door with his arm above his head.

"A-Axel? W-what are you doing here?" She questions making everyone's head snap to the door.

Silver and Zen quietly get up and motion for Aaron and Cody to follow. Cody looks at Max and Cana who were still sleeping and slowly walks to them. He gets onto his knees over Cana as Aaron knees down next to Max. Aaron puts his hand over Max's mouth and shakes his shoulder to wake him up. His eyes fly open and he grips onto Aaron's wrists. He tries to keep him quiet but Max pushes him back making him fall and make a loud thud.

"What was that?" Axel tries to look inside.

"Nothing." Tara closes the door even more, "Leave, Axel."

Max hears her and quickly gets up to help Aaron. Cana gets up and grabs Cody's wrist. They all try to get to the hallway but Tara gets pushed back and Axel forces his way in. Cody makes Cana let go of him and quickly forces everyone into the hallway.

"Stay quiet. I can do this." He whispers and runs to Tara.

"Who are you?" Axel gets closer.

"He's my cousin! Stay away from him and get out of my house." Cody helps her up.

"I don't remember you saying anything about a cousin when we were together." Axel grabs Cody's black hair, "What's your power?"

Cody pushes Axel back and fixes his hair, "I don't have one." He says trying to make his voice sound deeper.