The hospital hallway was empty when Levi and Leon stepped out of Everette’s room. The quiet echoed. Somewhere down the hall, a machine beeped.
Neither of them spoke at first. They just walked side by side, Levi’s shoulders tense, Leon’s hands tucked into his sleeves.
"Let’s go to the rooftop," Leon said finally. "There’s a bench up there."
Levi nodded wordlessly.
They took the elevator up in silence. When the doors slid open, the crisp afternoon air met them. The rooftop was empty, just as Leon promised. A few potted plants lined the walls. The bench sat under a flickering lamp that buzzed quietly overhead.
Leon sat first, arms crossed, eyes on the city skyline. Levi stood beside the bench for a beat longer, then sat too—close, but not touching.
A long pause passed.
"I meant what I said," Levi said eventually. "About not leaving you again."
Leon didn’t respond. The silence settled between them, thick and tight.
