Leo stayed where he was long after the elevator doors closed.
The hallway had gone quiet again, the soft fluorescent lights washing everything in pale gold and white. Somewhere down the corridor a nurse laughed softly at something another nurse said. A cart rolled past. The city beyond the windows kept moving like nothing in the world had changed.
But something had.
Leo could still feel the warmth of Alex's hand against his own.
Still hear That was always the easy part.
It sat somewhere deep in his chest, heavy and gentle at the same time.
For weeks he'd lived like every part of him was clenched around survival. Get through the surgery. Get through the hospital bills. Get through the nights. Get through the guilt.
Now the world had shifted slightly under his feet and he didn't know what to do with the relief.
He exhaled slowly and pushed himself away from the window.
Then he went back upstairs.
Lila was just stepping out of the room when he reached the oncology floor.
