Leo's morning had started off the same way most of his days did lately—quiet, empty, and predictable. He sat cross-legged on the couch in the sunlit living room, mindlessly flipping through a digital catalog for new art supplies. The silence in the large house was familiar, but not always comforting.
Then came the sound that would change everything.
Ding-dong.
He blinked, dragging his attention toward the door. Probably another delivery. The staff wasn't around today, so he had to answer it himself. With a low sigh, he pushed himself up, walked barefoot across the cool marble floor, and pulled open the heavy wooden door—
—and froze.
His heart slammed against his ribs.
It was him
The man standing there in a brown delivery jacket, holding a small rectangular package, was someone Leo had spent years trying to erase from his memory. And failing.
Jayden.
Six years.
Six damn years since that morning Leo had woken up to find him gone. No message. No explanation. Just... vanished. Like a dream that had never been real.
And now, here he was. Not in a dream, not a hallucination, but standing in front of him. Taller, broader, face older and more worn—but undeniably Jayden.
Leo's breath caught in his throat. He stared—his mind racing, his body frozen in disbelief and rage and confusion. For a second, he thought the universe was playing a cruel joke. He wasn't ready for this. He never wanted this.
Jayden seemed equally stunned. His lips parted, eyes wide and searching, like he had a million words piled behind them waiting to be spoken. He even looked relieved—hopeful, almost—as if seeing Leo again brought him some sort of peace.
He took a step forward.
"Leo—"
SLAM.
The door shut hard, cutting him off before he could even say his name properly.
Leo stood behind the door, shoulders stiff, heart thundering wildly. His hands shook slightly on the handle. His eyes burned with heat he didn't want to admit was there.
Why now?
Why the hell now?
He pressed his back against the door, breathing hard. His mind screamed with everything he should have said—but he didn't want to hear excuses. He didn't want to give Jayden the chance to spin some sympathetic story about why he left without a word. Without goodbye. Without considering how much it would destroy the only person who believed in him.
Through the thick wood, he thought he heard Jayden's voice—soft, low. Calling his name again. Hesitant.
But Leo didn't move. He didn't even blink.
After what felt like forever, he heard footsteps retreating slowly, like a weight being dragged away. Then silence again. Peaceful. Painful.
He didn't look through the peephole. He didn't go after him.
Instead, Leo slid down the back of the door and sat on the floor, arms wrapped tightly around his knees. The package still sat outside.
And inside, the boy who had once worn a crooked bracelet and believed in forever, sat behind a locked door—more confused, more hurt, and more angry than he'd ever been.