Page 44 of Kylan

I had no clue what had happened. I’d been so excited for him to visit. Leon was especially looking forward to seeing him; he’d missed his last visit.

He missed him any day we didn’t see him.

As did I.

But he took one look at Leon and his reaction was immediate. It was alarming and concerning.

And heartbreaking.

I’d never seen Leon run so fast. He got to the door the same time as Kylan did. Kylan pulled it open, and Leon reached over Kylan’s head and pushed it shut.

Kylan spun around, afraid. Recoiling in actual fear.He shrank back and Leon collected him in a crushing hug.

While I still stood by the dining table, unable to move, watching in absolute horror.

What the fuck had happened?

What did I miss?

Kylan sobbed and Leon held him. “Shh, baby,” Leon soothed. “I got you. I got you, baby. You’re okay.”

Kylan cried harder, and Leon scooped him up like a child and carried him to the sofa. He sat with Ky in his lap, cradling him tight and letting him cry. Leon’s gaze caught mine and he was as concerned and as clueless as I was.

I sat beside them, my hand on Ky’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, you’re okay. We’re here, darling. You’re safe here.”

And that just made him cry even harder.

This boy, this poor sweet, sweet boy.

Leon kissed his head. “Your daddies are here.”

He fisted Leon’s shirt and we waited for him to cry himself out. I stroked his hair and he closed his eyes. He looked exhausted, and I wondered if he’d fallen asleep in Leon’s arms.

Leon’s eyes asked me all the questions.

What the hell happened?

What’s wrong?

Did someone hurt him?

Did we do something wrong?

All I could do was shake my head.

I don’t know.

“I’m sorry,” Kylan mumbled. “I don’t know why I’m like this.”

Leon squeezed him and I rubbed his back. “It’s okay, darling,” I whispered. “Don’t be sorry.”

“You scared me,” Leon said. It probably wasn’t the best thing to say in that moment, but it was the truth.

He’d scared both of us.

Kylan sat up, alarmed and crying again. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, boy,” Leon replied, softly wiping Ky’s cheek. “But you need to tell us what’s wrong. We can’t help you if you don’t tell us. Did something happen?”

---