Chapter 250: Tangled Dragons
Micah splashed cold water onto his face, his hands trembling slightly as he leaned over the marble sink. Droplets slid down his cheeks, mixing with the remnants of tears he hadn’t fully wiped away. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror, pale, eyes slightly red and glossy, lips pressed in a tight line. He took a shaky breath and turned off the tap, reaching for a towel.
He patted his face dry, careful not to rub his eyes too hard. The moment with his grandmother had broken something inside him and rebuilt something else. He grabbed his glasses and put them on.
As he stepped out of the building, he spotted Darcy near the archway, standing just beneath the warm lamplight. The younger boy was frowning slightly at his phone, scrolling through something with his thumb. The moment he heard footsteps, Darcy looked up. And the second his eyes landed on Micah, his entire expression changed.
He strode forward in a heartbeat, concern etched into every line of his face. He could see Micah’s red nose, droopy lips, and puffed eyes.
"Micah," he said, his voice soft but urgent. He reached out, almost instinctively, his fingertips brushing lightly against the corner of Micah’s eyes. "What happened?? Why did you cry? Did she scold you? Was it something I did?"
Micah blinked, stunned by the way Darcy’s fingers lingered there, gentle and tentative. He flinched slightly and pushed Darcy’s hand away. Not harshly, just enough to break the contact. He dropped his gaze, and his shoulder sagged. "No... she’s always been sick... and now the doctors are saying she..." His voice cracked, hoarse and barely audible. He let the sentence trail off, let the lie hang in the air between them.
He had prepared those words before stepping out. He had known Darcy would see through him the moment he appeared. This was the most plausible excuse. Safe, untouchable.
Darcy’s expression fell. "I’m sorry..." he said tenderly.
Micah shook his head stiffly. "Let’s get out of here," he said, avoiding Darcy’s eyes.
"Umm," Darcy nodded and followed.