The fluorescent lights in the orphanage bathroom buzzed and flickered, casting jagged shadows across the cracked tiles. Leo leaned over the sink, water dripping from his face, his knuckles white as they gripped the porcelain. The mark burned under his shirt—a lion with an intricate mane curling out in impossible detail, a gun gripped fiercely between its teeth, stamped over his chest like a brand.
He exhaled shakily, pulling his shirt back down. He didn't need anyone noticing. Especially Sterlin.
The thought of Sterlin—his awkward pacing, the way he overanalyzed everything, the way he cared too damn much—made Leo's stomach twist. He couldn't drag him into this. Sterlin didn't need more weight on his shoulders. Leo had already seen him break down under less. No. This was Leo's fight, and he'd handle it. Alone.
But as he glanced at his bruised reflection in the cracked mirror, the weight of his own lie was suffocating. His dual life—the gangs, the jobs, the mark—was spiraling out of control. He had been lucky so far, but luck ran out eventually. And Leo was beginning to think his time was up.
It all came crashing down a few nights later.
Leo had just made it back to the orphanage after another close call. His chest ached where the gang leader's fist had landed earlier, and his shirt was stained with sweat and dirt. He climbed the rickety stairs to his room, trying to stay quiet so no one would see him like this.
He pushed open the door, his body sagging with exhaustion—only to stop dead.
Sterlin was there, sitting on his bed. His hood was pulled up, and his foot was tapping rapidly against the floor. The second he saw Leo, his eyes narrowed, his usual nervous energy replaced with something sharper. Angrier.
"You wanna explain what the hell is going on?" Sterlin demanded, his voice uncharacteristically steady.
Leo froze. "What are you talking about?"
Sterlin stood, his hands shaking slightly as he pointed at Leo's chest. "I saw the mark. The lion. I saw you take that hit earlier and barely flinch. And I know you've been sneaking around. So, what is it, Leo? What's really going on?"
Leo's first instinct was to deflect, to joke, to downplay it all. But the look on Sterlin's face—hurt and betrayal simmering beneath the surface—stopped him cold.
"I didn't want to worry you." Leo admitted, his voice low. "You've got enough to deal with."
Sterlin's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. "Enough to deal with? Are you kidding me? Leo, we're not just friends. We're brothers. You're supposed to tell me stuff like this, even if it makes me anxious! You think I don't worry when I see you come back bruised and lying about where you've been? You think keeping me in the dark is somehow better?"
Leo looked away, guilt pressing heavy on his chest. "I didn't want to put more pressure on you. I thought I could handle it."
Sterlin stepped closer, his voice rising. "Handle it? Look at you! You're barely keeping it together! You don't have to do this alone, Leo. You never did. And the fact that you thought I wouldn't have your back—" He broke off, pacing furiously. "You're not protecting me. You're just shutting me out."
Leo swallowed hard, the weight of Sterlin's words cutting deeper than any punch he'd taken. "I'm sorry." he said quietly. "I didn't know how to tell you."
Sterlin stopped pacing, his breath shaky as he turned to face Leo again. "You tell me everything, even if it sucks. That's how this works. We get through it together."
Leo nodded, the resolve in Sterlin's voice making something in him crack. "Alright. I'll tell you everything."
Sterlin didn't waste any time. The second Leo finished explaining about the mark, the gangs, and everything in between, Sterlin was already on the move.
"Get your shit." he said firmly.
"What?" Leo blinked.
"We're going to my dad." Sterlin said, grabbing his phone. "He'll know what to do."
"Sterlin, wait—"
"No!" Sterlin snapped, his eyes blazing. "You don't get to argue. You're in this mess because you thought you couldn't count on me. Well, guess what? You can. So shut up and trust me."
Leo hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He grabbed his bag, throwing in what little he owned, and followed Sterlin out the door.
The drive to Malcolm Senior's house was tense. Sterlin was muttering under his breath, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. Leo sat in silence, clutching his bag like a lifeline.
When they arrived, Sterlin didn't even knock. He stormed into the house, dragging Leo behind him. Malcolm Senior was in his study, sipping tea and reading a thick, leather-bound book. He looked up, startled by the abrupt entrance.
"Sterlin? What—"
"Leo has a Mark." Sterlin said bluntly, cutting him off. "He's been dealing with gang crap, and he thinks he has to do it alone. Fix it."
Malcolm blinked, setting his tea down. "A Mark?"
Sterlin nodded, his voice shaking slightly. "It's a lion. On his chest. He's been using it to survive, but it's getting worse. He needs to get out of that orphanage and into a safe place."
Malcolm studied them both for a long moment, his sharp gaze taking in Leo's bruises and Sterlin's frantic energy. Then he stood, walking over to Leo and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You should have come to us sooner." he said gently.
Leo looked down, his throat tightening. "I didn't want to be a burden."
Malcolm smiled faintly. "You're not a burden, Leo. You're family. And we take care of our own."
Within hours, Malcolm had set everything in motion. Papers were signed, calls were made, and by the time the sun rose, Leo was officially part of the family.
As they walked into their new shared room, Sterlin flopped onto his bed, exhausted but triumphant. "See? Told you we'd fix it."
Leo stood in the doorway, his bag slung over his shoulder. "I don't know how to thank you."
Sterlin rolled his eyes. "Don't thank me, dumbass. Just don't shut me out again. You're my brother. We're in this together."
Leo smiled, a small, genuine smile that felt like the first in weeks. "Got it."