Thread's unfinished for the moment, but Leo found his walk with Takeru useful, apparently. -------
"Where were you? I thought you were joining Mio and I for Saturday club." Sigma blocked his sibling's way.
"I was walking." Leo didn't mention it was with Shiba Takeru, the man who, under possession, had tortured him. He felt better about himself and his strength, and it was worth a day of not hanging around school and the nexus. He didn't just need the strength of his magic, he needed the strength of not being afraid.
And just walking with Shiba-san had helped. He was hardly going to ask the man for anything material, even if the other man could clearly afford it. Apprentice mages paid their way by working for their teachers. His mother had thought about some money for English lessons, but Leo had resisted.
Just as he'd left when his family started discussing mentors for him. It wasn't like he'd have much input on the subject.
"Leo, you know it's important for you to be on school grounds as much as possible."
"It's just as important for me to do this." Leo looked at his brother. "I had to walk with my fears. If I'm afraid, all the power in the world isn't going to help."
"Some fear is healthy, you know." Sigma put his hand on Leo's shoulder. "Did it really help, Leo? This walk?"
Leo nodded. "It actually did. It will help me to stay on school grounds, Sigma. I feel better about things."
"Then maybe doing that instead of school was a good thing, then." Sigma was nodding. "Then you'll be joining us next Saturday?"
"I will." Leo smiled at his brother. Sigma smiled back.
Leo and Sigma, Leo took a walk
-------
"Where were you? I thought you were joining Mio and I for Saturday club." Sigma blocked his sibling's way.
"I was walking." Leo didn't mention it was with Shiba Takeru, the man who, under possession, had tortured him. He felt better about himself and his strength, and it was worth a day of not hanging around school and the nexus. He didn't just need the strength of his magic, he needed the strength of not being afraid.
And just walking with Shiba-san had helped. He was hardly going to ask the man for anything material, even if the other man could clearly afford it. Apprentice mages paid their way by working for their teachers. His mother had thought about some money for English lessons, but Leo had resisted.
Just as he'd left when his family started discussing mentors for him. It wasn't like he'd have much input on the subject.
"Leo, you know it's important for you to be on school grounds as much as possible."
"It's just as important for me to do this." Leo looked at his brother. "I had to walk with my fears. If I'm afraid, all the power in the world isn't going to help."
"Some fear is healthy, you know." Sigma put his hand on Leo's shoulder. "Did it really help, Leo? This walk?"
Leo nodded. "It actually did. It will help me to stay on school grounds, Sigma. I feel better about things."
"Then maybe doing that instead of school was a good thing, then." Sigma was nodding. "Then you'll be joining us next Saturday?"
"I will." Leo smiled at his brother. Sigma smiled back.
Maybe a walk had been a good idea after all.