Chapter Two

Leonard

Standing at the door of the restaurant seemed to draw attention from those who were entering the eating establishment. No good attention, I would wager. Seeing a grown man in tears at one of the most popular gathering places in town. I had spoken too much about my inner struggles to Graceona; I would not tell her I wanted her brothers to drop their lives and come back home just to make me feel complete. That would be insensitive of me, and the brothers didn't deserve their success to be rained on, their hopes trampled all because of a man who didn't want to part ways with them. Kadaj and his brothers have been a part of my life for eight years, coming to me seeking aid and seeking someone that they had never had and that was someone they could call father. What father sees their adopted sons succeed in life and not rejoice with them? I felt foolish and selfish. Though I was happy for their new life, I missed having to step into their quarrels; I exhaled a sigh, leaning against the building. The chime of the door showed that someone else had entered the restaurant. With every entrance into the restaurant came a fresh, new wave of delicious odors of the foods that hovered in the air. The laughter and chatter coming from inside the place brought a smile to my lips. As I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes, turning around to see Graceona, who was standing on the other side of the building, looking at her phone. "How long have you been standing there?"

She looked at me. "A while. You didn't think I would let you come out here upset and not come with you, did you? You should know better than that, love." She placed her phone in her pocket. "You ready to go eat now?"

"Yeah."

The two of us walked into the restaurant, got to our table, sitting down. I ate my food silently. "Leonard, what are you thinking? You're blocking your thoughts. Tell me, let me help you."

I looked at her. "Grace, I'm fine. I'm not thinking about anything. There isn't any blocking going on. You always have free rein to my thoughts."

She looked at me with a raised brow. "Leonard, you've lied to me twice today. Why have you resorted to telling lies? This behavior isn't like you. The lies tell me you're trying to hide something. Why can't you just be honest with me?" She leaned back in her seat, laying her fork on the plate of untouched food. "I want the truth, not this half-truth. Honestly, a half-truth isn't even close to what you have tried to feed me today. When did I give you the reason to lie to me? When and what have I done to tarnish your trust? I deserve to know that, at least."

"You have done nothing to make me not trust you, Graceona. I will not tell you about my struggles. It's something stupid. Childish rather, it's something that I have to get over on my own. I can't hold your hand all the time. Sometimes I need to think for myself. I tell you I will not hide behind you, but what have I done to prove that statement when all I do is hide behind you?"

"When have you ever hidden behind me? If you had at least once, I'm unaware of it. Your problem is that you try to tackle everything on your own. You don't need to hide behind me all the time. But you need to rest sometime, and I am more than willing to give you the rest you need. Everyone has their limits. Even you."

I sighed, leaning back into the booth. "Graceona, I'm fine. Can we just eat and let it go? Let's talk about this later."

She looked at me. "Fine, but if I have to keep you up all night I will, and considering that Rufus texted our schedules and we both have to be up bright and early and working late, that will probably be a rough experience for the both of us. So, when we get home, you better be ready to spill whatever is bothering you, because I can't handle this. And you aren't going to be drug down in the dumps, because next time, I won't be leaving so easily."

"Fine, just eat." I picked up my fork with a sigh. Graceona did so as well, as the meal between the two of us was silent.

"Yo, Grace. How have you been, Leonard?" Loz's voice came from a few tables besides ours. Beside him was Kadaj. I looked at our company as they sat down beside the two of us.

"Hey, boys. Are you two getting off work or just taking breaks?"

Kadaj looked at me. "I was going to go home, but Yazoo told me to stop by to see you two. Loz always stops here."

Grace looked at her brothers. "Yazoo seems like we won't be coming back. We're always in town."

"Grace, we've not talked in three weeks. Yazoo is glad to see the two of you. You two are always busy doing Gaia knows what for Vincent. You're never home. We miss you two. We'd like to talk to you sometimes." Kadaj said, placing his hands on the wooden table as Loz leaned back, placing his hands behind his head with a yawn.

"Yeah, you two have been missing for a while. We've stopped by your house several times, only for the two of you to not be home. We had some cool stuff to tell you." Loz frowned as he sighed.

"Well, we're here now. You can tell us now." I looked at the older brother.

"Kadaj is moving out of the house. He's got this apartment he's been renting for a couple of weeks. Yazoo helped him get it. I have the house to myself. I got promoted at the weapons store. Along with working for CID."

"That's great, Loz." I smiled, looking at the older brother. "But where does Yazoo stay if you live by yourself?"

"I had planned to talk to you and Grace about getting my old room back. You need someone to watch Kourtney while the two of you are away. Loz and I had talked about it last night, that Kourtney needs someone to watch her while you two are gone."

I looked, seeing Yazoo leaning against the table between his brothers. "You can have your room back. Grace and I brought the truck. We can help you move whenever you want to pack your things."

Yazoo looked at me, then at Graceona. "Is this alright with you?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Maybe you can perk him up some. The man has been like a rain cloud hovering over the house since the three of you stayed behind."

I looked at Graceona with a sigh. "Oh, Leonard, missing the three of us. That's nice to hear." Kadaj chuckled, leaning back into his seat. "Yazoo, while you're here. Can you get me a burger and fries, with a large coke? I'm starving since I left the two of you, I've lived on sandwiches. I want some actual food."

Yazoo looked at Kadaj, then at Loz. "Yeah, Zoo. I want the same. I'm tired of hot pockets."

Yazoo grinned. "I knew the two of you wouldn't survive without me. I'll bring them to you when they're done." The long-haired brother walked away from the group.

"Why don't the two of you come and stay with us? You will have your rooms." I looked at the brothers, who looked at me.

"I dunno, Leonard." Loz sighed, looking at Graceona's plate. "You gonna eat that?"

Grace shook her head, handing him the plate as he ate.

Kadaj looked at me with a sigh. "I've already moved into my apartment. I've got furniture being delivered tomorrow morning. Tifa said she would bring me food and teach me how to cook. I love you, Leonard. But I want to know what it feels like being on my own."

"Same here, Leonard," Loz stated after swallowing his food.

"I'm happy for you both."

"Dudes, seriously? This man took the three of you in and gave you something that wasn't his to give, and when he needs the same comfort, he gave you. You throw him aside, wow." Grace spat. "Whatever, you two do you."

Before I could say anything, Yazoo walked over to our table carrying two trays of hamburgers and fries, laying them in front of the brothers. "Your soda will be here in a minute, so, Leonard, since I'm going to be moving in with the two of you again, should I take over kitchen duty again? I also just have some clothes and the bedroom suit that I just got. If we don't have the room for that stuff, I can put it somewhere until you two don't need me anymore."

I looked at him. "That's fine. We don't have any beds, just bare rooms. The room should hold all of your things, bring whatever you want. Because we're going to need you for some time, both Graceona and I have work tomorrow. Kourt is going to love seeing you again."

"Vincent keeps the two of you busy, huh?"

I looked at Yazoo. "Not this time. It's going to be Rufus tomorrow. We'll have to stay late."

"No problem. Kourtney is still in bed at nine?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe Loz and I should move back in with the two of you." I looked at Kadaj, who was looking at me.

"I dunno, Kadaj. Don't you want to experience your freedom?" Grace still seemed upset with the two of them.

Yazoo looked at her. "Is something wrong, Graceona? You seemed tense since I came back with the order. Is everything alright?"

Graceona looked at Yazoo. "Yeah, everything's great. We'll help you pack your stuff. Don't worry about it. Can I get a slice of cheesecake and Leonard's tea to go? I wanted to take him shopping. I'll take you if you can close early."

Yazoo looked at her. "Yeah, sure. I'll try to close up in an hour. I could use the vacation. You sure you're alright?" He glared at the other two brothers. "What did you two do now? It's no wonder the two of them avoid us like a rash. You two are intolerable."

Graceona sighed.

"It's nothing. Yazoo, Grace, and I will see you in an hour. We'll get our things when we meet up with you then. Boys, could you let us out? We need to go." Kadaj let me out as Graceona made her way past Loz with ease, leaving her money on the table. "Keep the change." She said through clenched teeth, making her way to the door.

"See you in an hour, Yazoo. Boys, we'll see you next time we're in town."

I followed Graceona as the two of us left.