The apartment had gone quieter by the time Lila disappeared into her room.
Their mother had fallen asleep again not long after taking her medication, television murmuring softly in the background until Leo lowered the volume.
Alex stood near the kitchen counter finishing the last of his tea while Leo rinsed dishes at the sink.
"You don't have to wash those now," Alex said.
"If I leave them, Lila will stack more on top and pretend she doesn't know how plates work."
"That sounds believable."
"It's extremely believable."
Alex smiled into his cup.
Leo dried his hands slowly, then glanced toward the narrow staircase at the end of the hallway.
"My room's upstairs," he said.
Alex looked up immediately, careful not to react too quickly.
"Oh?"
"It's small."
"I didn't ask about the size."
Leo rolled his eyes softly. "You want to see it or not?"
Alex set the cup down. "Obviously."
The stairs creaked halfway up.
