The sun had already dipped low when Leonard stepped out of the building, loosening the top button of his shirt as he made his way to the parking lot. Work was over, and for once, he didn’t feel like dragging it ho with him. There was only one thought in his mind—Julio. His nephew, his pride and joy, his tiny dose of chaos wrapped in sunshine.
He drove through the city with the windows slightly down, letting the early evening breeze fill his car. By the ti he pulled into Claudio’s quiet suburban street, the skies had turned soft with dusk, pale purples and lting golds blending on the horizon. The familiar house stood like a warm beacon, its porch light already on. Leonard stepped out and adjusted his jacket before walking up the steps and pressing the doorbell.
The door opened to reveal Paula, his sister-in-law, her curly hair pulled into a loose bun and an apron tied around her waist.
"Leonard! What a nice surprise," she said, her face lighting up. "Claudio’s not ho yet, though. He’s stuck at the eting."
Leonard waved a hand. "That’s alright. I didn’t co here for him. I’m here to see the important one."
Paula laughed, stepping aside to let him in. "I should’ve known. Let go call Julio. He’s been buzzing with energy today, probably waiting for you without even knowing."
Leonard stepped into the warmly lit ho. The scent of sothing savory—rosemary, maybe garlic—drifted from the kitchen. Family photos decorated the hallway walls. His eyes lingered briefly on a candid of Julio with a chocolate-covered mouth, grinning up at the cara.
"That ans you’re important too, Paula," he said, his tone sincere beneath the teasing.
Paula grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? So now I’m important?"
"Of course. You keep this household running, and you raise Julio like a champ. Claudio’d be in a huge ss without you," Leonard said as he slipped off his coat and draped it neatly over the back of a nearby chair.
Paula leaned against the doorfra, crossing her arms with a mock pout. "How cruel of you, Leonard. You’ll include , but not your own brother?"
Leonard gave an exaggerated sigh and rolled his eyes, Paula only chuckled at that.
"Julio!" Paula then called from the base of the stairs. "Co see who’s here!"
Pattering footsteps echoed overhead, then rapidly down the stairs. A second later, a small figure launched himself into view—barefoot, socks slipping, arms spread wide.
"Uncle Leo!"
Leonard dropped to a half-crouch just in ti to catch him, scooping Julio up and spinning him in a gentle circle. Julio laughed, the high-pitched sound infectious.
"Whoa, tiger! You’ve got to be careful or you’ll end up flying straight past ," Leonard said, grinning.
Julio clung to his neck. "I was too excited! I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, bud," Leonard said, smoothing Julio’s wild hair. "But no running, alright? You’ll get hurt."
Julio nodded solemnly, though the sparkle in his eyes said he’d probably forget the warning the next ti he got excited.
They moved into the living room, Julio happily settled in Leonard’s lap as they talked. Leonard let the boy chatter on about his day, nodding and smiling while tracing absent circles on his nephew’s back.
The front door creaked open twenty minutes later.
"I’m ho!" Claudio’s voice rang through the house.
Paula set aside her book and walked over to greet her husband. Leonard heard the low murmur of her voice and then the sound of a kiss.
"Didn’t know we had royalty over," Claudio joked, entering the living room with his work bag still slung over his shoulder. He looked at Leonard with a teasing grin. "Should I have worn a bow tie?"
"Please don’t," Leonard replied dryly.
Claudio chuckled and dropped the bag by the coat rack. "Well, I’m honored you ca all this way for Julio. Should I be jealous?"
"You should always be jealous," Leonard said with mock arrogance, ruffling Julio’s hair. "He’s the only one in this house with decent taste."
Claudio rolled his eyes, but the fondness was evident in his expression. He ca over and kissed Julio’s temple. "How was your day, champ?"
Julio bead. "It was amazing! I made a lot of friends and drew a dinosaur and had pudding at lunch!"
Claudio sat beside them, pulling Julio onto his own lap. "You made a lot of friends? That’s double what I expected. You’re a social butterfly now, huh?"
"Uncle Leo, tell him I’m not a butterfly!" Julio whined.
Leonard smirked. "He’s a fierce lion."
Julio puffed out his chest. "Yeah! A lion!"
Paula ca in just then, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "Leonard, you’re staying for dinner. Don’t argue, I already made enough for an army."
Leonard raised a brow. "You always say that."
"Because it’s always true," she shot back. "Besides, Julio would never forgive if I let you leave without at least one plate."
"Please stay, Uncle Leo," Julio said, tugging at his sleeve. "We’re having spaghetti!"
Leonard smiled, his expression softening. "Alright. But only on one condition."
Julio blinked. "What condition?"
Leonard suddenly pounced, pulling Julio into a hug and tickling his sides. The boy burst into a storm of laughter, kicking his legs and squirming.
"You have to survive the tickle monster!" Leonard declared.
"Nooo!" Julio squealed between giggles. "I surrender! I surrender!"
Even Claudio laughed, watching the scene unfold. He leaned back against the couch and muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Paula to hear, "He’s good with kids."
Paula glanced at Leonard and then back at her husband, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah," she said. "He really is."
In that room filled with the aroma of ho-cooked food and the sounds of joy, Leonard felt a warmth settle into his chest. A quiet kind of joy, one that asked for nothing in return. He wasn’t sure when he’d last felt it this strongly.
And for once, he didn’t try to run from it.
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