The manor was quiet when the knock came. Alex, half-asleep still wrapped in one of Liam's shirts, padded barefoot through the long hallway until he opened the heavy door. Harper stood there, bright-eyed despite everything, and just behind her was Leo — thinner, paler, but standing on his own two feet.
Alex's breath caught. For weeks, Leo had been a ghost in the hospital, and now here he was, alive, smiling faintly, clutching Harper's hand like it was his anchor.
"You—" Alex started, but the words tangled into a laugh. He pulled Harper into a hug, then Leo, careful of his still-healing body.
"You didn't think I'd stay gone forever, did you?" Leo teased, though his voice was softer than usual. "Can't let you guys have all the drama."
Liam appeared behind Alex, his hair damp from a recent shower, shirt clinging to his chest. His green eyes flicked over Leo, assessing, but then he gave a short nod of approval. "You look less like death. That's a start."
