Chereads / Euphony Trio: The Missing Piece / Chapter 6 - The Quiet Guardian

Chapter 6 - The Quiet Guardian

The streetlights cast long shadows along the pavement as Axel walked beside Laura, their footsteps echoing softly in the evening quiet. The air was cool, crisp with the promise of autumn, and their walk was as peaceful as it always was. Laura had asked him to stay over at her place tonight, and Axel, ever accommodating, had agreed without hesitation.

Laura had so much on her plate—her meticulous planning, the weight of the band, and her own internal expectations. Axel understood better than anyone that when she called him over, it wasn't for frivolous reasons. She needed quiet. She needed peace. And maybe, she needed someone who would just listen.

For Axel, this was his place. Always in the background, always the steady support. He didn't mind it—or so he told himself. Growing up as an only child in a household where his parents barely acknowledged him, he had learned early on how to keep to himself. They weren't bad parents, not exactly. They provided for him, made sure he had what he needed. But beyond that? They felt like strangers. Detached.

Even as a teenager, coming home late or locking himself in his room for hours didn't provoke any reaction. At first, he thought it was freedom, but as he grew older, it gnawed at him. Why had they even bothered to have him if they didn't seem to care? It wasn't something he dwelled on openly. He had his friends, his chosen family. Laura, Sunny, and even Zane filled the void in ways his parents never could.

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By the time they reached Laura's apartment, the sky had deepened into a velvety blue. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, her movements precise but weary. Axel followed, shrugging off his jacket and glancing around the familiar space. It was tidy, as always, with an air of understated elegance that mirrored Laura herself.

"You want me to make something to eat?" Axel offered, setting his bag by the door.

Laura paused, turning to him with a slight frown. "You don't have to. I can—"

"Sit down," Axel interrupted gently, a rare firmness in his tone. "Just relax for a bit. I've got it."

Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

As she settled onto the couch, Axel moved into the kitchen. Cooking was something he enjoyed, a simple task that let his mind focus while his hands worked. Tonight, he kept it easy—a warm meal that would fill the silence without demanding too much attention.

When the food was ready, he brought it to the small dining table. Laura joined him, her movements measured, and they ate in companionable silence. Axel didn't push. He could tell something was on her mind, but he knew Laura well enough to wait. She would speak when she was ready.

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After they finished eating, Laura set her fork down and leaned back in her chair. Her gaze was distant, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. Axel waited, letting the silence stretch.

"I'm worried about Sunny," Laura admitted finally, her voice quiet but steady.

Axel nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"She's… been different lately. Not in a way most people would notice, but I see it. She's not as… bright. Something's weighing on her. And she's trying so hard to hide it, but it's there."

"Yeah," Axel said softly. "I've noticed it too."

Laura's eyes flicked to him, searching his expression. "What do we do? Do we wait? Or do we push her to talk to us?"

"We wait," Axel replied, his voice calm but sure. "Sunny's not the type to open up unless she's ready. If we push, she'll just retreat more. But she knows we're here. She'll come to us when she's ready."

Laura sighed, her fingers still tracing idle patterns. "I hope you're right. I hate seeing her like this and not knowing how to help."

Axel reached across the table, resting a hand over hers briefly. "You're helping just by being here. She knows you care. That's enough for now."

Laura's lips curved into a faint smile, and she nodded. "Thanks, Axel."

"Anytime," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "That's what I'm here for."

As the evening stretched on, they moved back to the living room, Laura settling into the couch with a book while Axel leaned against the armrest, scrolling through his phone. The silence between them was comfortable, a quiet understanding that spoke louder than words. For now, they would wait. And when Sunny was ready, they would be there.