The garden was quiet, except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. Mae sat on the stone bench, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared at the sky. The moon hung low, its silver glow casting soft shadows across the building and the flowers. But tonight, none of its beauty could ease the sadness she felt.
Leon was sick and she didn't know if Aaron was sick too after all it was a heavy downpour.
And all because of Sophia—Aaron's birth mom.
"Damn you, Sophia," Mae muttered under her breath, her fingers clenching into fists on her lap. If not for that woman, Aaron wouldn't have been brainwashed. If not for her, Aaron and Leon wouldn't have fought. If not for her, Aaron wouldn't have left the house that night— things wouldn't have ended up like this.
Her jaw tightened.
If not for Sophia, her family wouldn't be falling apart. If that woman wasn't already dead, Mae doubted she'd have spared her.
The sound of slow, steady footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Mae turned just in time to see Levy approaching, the dim light catching the sharp lines of his face as the wind tousled his violet hair. He was holding something. A can of Vodka.
He extended it toward her.
Mae blinked in surprise before looking up at him with a small, amused smile. "Since when did you allow me to drink?" she asked, taking the can from his hand.
Levy smirked as he lowered himself onto the bench beside her. "You're not that little girl anymore," he said, stretching out his legs. "You don't have to sneak around stealing drinks. Sometimes, you just need it to clear your mind." He glanced at her, his voice softer now. "And I can tell you have a lot going on in there."
Mae exhaled, twisting open the ring. "That obvious, huh?"
He didn't answer, just watched as she took a slow sip, letting the alcohol burn its way down her throat. The breeze was cool against her skin, the silence between them heavy but oddly comforting.
After a while, Levy spoke. "So, how have you been?"
Mae let out a quiet laugh. "Good."
She sighed and leaned back. "Work has been stressful, but I've been managing well."
"That's good to hear," Levy said, nodding slightly.
The two of them sat there, listening to the faint rustling of the leaves. It was rare fpt the two of them to just be like this and sge couldn't remember the last time.
After a while, Mae's fingers traced the rim of the can absently. "But I thought you brought an umbrella for them," she said. "Why didn't he use it?"
Levy leaned his head back slightly, eyes on the night sky. "They were in the shelter at first," he explained. "But then Claire decided to go out in the rain and for some reason, Leon followed her." He shook his head. "That's why he got drenched in the rain."
Mae frowned as she sighed "I know. That's very unusual for my brother."
"Yeah, that's true," Levy murmured.
"I know Claire didn't mean wrong, she even kept crying and blaming herself for what happened, it was grandma and I who comforted her, she's nice and I think she cares about Leon, just hope their relationship gets better" Mae uttered as she stares absentmindedly at her drink before gulping down another mouthful.
"Mm" Levy simply replied watching her.
Another stretch of silence. The vodka was settling in her veins now, making everything feel just a little bit lighter.
Eventually, Mae let out a breath and stood up. "I should go inside."
Levi nodded, glancing up at her. "Alright. Take care," he said. Then, as if it was just a passing thought, he added, "I'll be sleeping here tonight. I want to see your brother tomorrow."
Mae paused. "You're staying?"
He didn't answer, just gave her a small nod.
She lingered for a moment before finally turning away. As she walked toward the house, Levy watched her retreating figure.
She wasn't that little girl anymore—the one who used to pester him, who used to follow him around with a huge crush.
No.
She had grown.
She was a woman now.
And Levy found himself wondering when exactly that change had happened and if things could've been different between them.
———
Leon's eyes fluttered open and closed as he tried to adjust his vision to the bright morning light. Getting up and seeing no one in the room, he gently rested his head on the bed's headrest as yesterday's events replayed in his mind.
He was already done with showering and wearing his clothes when his head started spinning and everything became a blur. He faintly remembered Claire's yell when he collapsed and her crying.
The clicking of the door interrupted his thoughts. He saw Levy and the doctor walk in. After checking him and telling him that he was much better now, the doctor left.
"You idiot, this is all your fault. I could've come earl..." Levy started scolding, but Leon cut his words.
"She cried, do you think she's worried about me" Leon cut Levy's words and the latter could only stare at him with a deadpanned look.
"You've been unconscious and that's all you care about, and besides of course she's worried for her to cry or perhaps she just felt guilty, you should talk to her about it, I heard from Mae she was still feeling guilty" Levy informed him
Yesterday he had totally forgotten about his allergy, seeing Claire play in the rain reminded him of those times when she was always joyful whenever it rained that she won't leave until she gets completely socked.
"Big bro come on, the rain is amazing" she used to shout as she pulled him out to play with him.
Old habits die hard, he thought with a smile on his face, he was happy she was finally being herself around him.
"Cancel all my plans and meetings," he ordered.
"Duh like I'll let you go to work, you need to rest and like you want spend time with Claire" Levy murmured rolling his eyes.
After a few discussions, Levy turned to leave. Just as he was about to open the door, Claire walked in.
The two of them bowed slightly at each other, and Claire turned to face Leon with a wide smile, really happy he looked fine now.
"Your dad said you're staying home today," she said cheerfully, Setting a small table on the bed, she placed the food on it.
Leon looked at the dishes—omelets, fruit salad, orange juice, and other varieties were spread out. His brows furrowed, and his ears burned red when Claire picked up a fork, scooped some omelets, and placed it near his mouth.
"Come on, eat," she urged him. "You need to finish the food if you want to get better," she told him, and fortunately, he finally opened his mouth.
"Have you eaten?" he asked, seeing as she was only feeding him.
"I'll eat after you're done," she told him, and a blush crept on her skin when Leon picked up a fork and placed it near her mouth.
"Eat," he insisted gently, and Claire had no choice but to comply.
"Don't you have an audition today" Leon asked as they ate.
"No, the audition is in two days, after the autumn harvest festival which is tomorrow" Claire explained "and even if it was today I won't leave you like this" she told him, her words warming Leon's heart, though he wasn't sure if she truly cared or just felt guilty.
After their meal, Claire hesitated before speaking. "I'm sorry for what happened. I didn't know you were allergic to cold," she explained while looking down at her hands, which she was currently fiddling with.
Leon gently touched her chin, making her face him. "It's okay. It was my mistake. I was glad you were finally being your real self and having fun, and I wanted to let you enjoy it. You've been shy and reserved. I didn't have the heart to stop you," he explained, and Claire stared at him in shock, her heart skipping a beat and her face turning beet red. That couldn't be his only reason, right?!
"T... Then why did you come out?" she asked, still flustered.
"I wanted to get you inside as the rain became heavier, but seeing you smile and laugh made me want to let you experience it a little longer," he told her sincerely, making her melt. She looked into his eyes for any clue he was lying but didn't see any.
"But don't blame yourself. I did it because I wanted to, so don't feel guilty. It's not your fault. You just reminded me so much of...my mother—her smile and attitude around nature. I wanted to see more of it," he coaxed, caressing her chin, and at that moment, Leon looked so cute and vulnerable that Claire felt like her heart was being hit by a fluffy arrow. Subconsciously, she hugged him.
She didn't know what she was doing anymore, but she didn't care. The only thought in her mind was to hug this cute bear in front of her, which she did. For now, she let herself get lost in the moment, her questions forgotten as she held him close.