--- Solomon comfort 🫂 ---
You had been out in this forest for hours, training like there was no tomorrow. Solomon had been pushing you to try new spells again and again. You didn't even know what time it was but you were sure you had been training for more than six hours by now, your body was reminding you about that with every passing minute. Your legs were barely holding you up, your hands shaking slightly and all in all you felt like you were running a marathon that you didn't train for. It's not like you hadn't asked Solomon for a break but you always received the same answer. "Soon." Solomon spoke, his eyes still concentrated on the objects you were holding up with your magic. What had gotten into him?! By Diavolo, he was pushing you even more today than the had done everyday for the last two weeks! You were so through with this! Everyday he came up with another spell he urged you to try out! Everyday you asked him to have patience with your progress. Afterall you had a few exams coming up and were stressed out with all the stuff you had to learn for that! But no matter how hard you tried, he didn't listen. It had all started after he found this old book in the RAD library. It was some old and dusty thing with ancient spells in it. That alone was cool and all but the training he was putting you through after finding it, was just inhumane!
Today the day had come. You couldn't take it anymore! You could feel your frustration building inside you once again. A feeling you had swallowed so many times during these weeks, but not anymore! This was it! After your magic vanished from your exhaustion and the lack of concentration and the objects fell onto the ground, he said the words that made you loose it.
"Seems like we'll need to try again. Try standing over there this time. Maybe try to stand up more straight so your magic can flow smoothly and-" You threw him a serious glare, your expression making it clear that he had gone too far! "No! No, I will not try this again! Not today, not tomorrow and not the day after that! I'm done with these lessons! So done in fact that I'd rather face Beelzebub's wrath by eating his favorite burger in front of him, than staying outside on this stupid forest any longer!" Silence. The sorcerer turned to face you, his expression one of surprise and slight annoyance. "MC, I told you to keep your emotions in check for this. These spells become unstable if you don't! It's obvious why they didn't work."
Oh, you could rip his head off right now! The audacity! Making you go through this torturing training and not even showing a glimpse of empathy for your exhaustion?! "You know what? Why don't YOU try the spells, huh?! The almighty sorcerer should easily succeed, right?! Go on, do it! But I'm out!" With a quick move, you turned around to leave this stupid magic forest! All you wanted was something to eat and something to rest on. You didn't even care if it was the couch, your bed or Levi's bath tub at this point. You just wanted to rest! Why couldn't he get that through his thick head?!
In your anger you didn't even notice that Solomon was catching up to you after a few minutes. You were too focused of thinking of a course you could put onto him for dragging you out here every single day.
"MC! Wait!" You turned around. Oh, you could feel that anger burning inside you from just his voice alone! "What do you want, Solomon?! I said I'm done! And no, you can not convince me to stay! I'm done with this stupid forest, these stupid spells and first of all WITH YOU!" Your words mixed with your angered expression hit him like a rock. He stopped immediately, all composure drained from his face." What?! Cat got your tounge?! Is that what it takes?! Me, finally snapping?!" His eyes softened as he scanned you over. For a moment neither of you spoke a word until two words left his mouth and cut through the silence. "I'm sorry."
You didn't have any words for that. Your anger was still burning, the exhaustion still pushing you to scream at him, tell him how this simple sentence wouldn't make up for what he did. Oh, how you wanted to just... explode! But no word would leave your mouth. You didn't move, not one muscle as he stepped towards you, closing the distance between the two of you. With a silent sigh, he put his arms around you to pull you into a gentle hug. Even so your mind wanted to push him away, to show him how angry you still were, your body didn't listen. Your exhausted muscles relaxed as you leaned against his chest, burying your face in it as a few tears ran down your cheeks. You felt his strong hands run through your hair so gently that one could think your were made of glass. He didn't speak as your cried into his chest, all the pent up emotions finally breaking through.
None of you broke the embrace for a good amount of time. Only after your breath had evend and your tears had dried, only then did you step back to look at him. His gaze was soft and filled with a mix of care and guilt. He reached out to tug a bit of your messy hair behind your ear. "I'm so sorry MC. I didn't see... No, I didn't WANT to see how far I was pushing you these past weeks. I was too focused on the book and it's spells that I completely forgot about the most important thing. You. I completely understand your anger. I hope I can make it up to you one day. But for now, no more training. Not today, not tomorrow and not the day after that. You earned your rest."
You whipped one last tear off your puffy cheek. "Why did you even push me this hard in the first place? You know how much I have going on with school right now. And even without that factor, you were never this obsessed with any of my trainings!" Your voice still trembled a bit from the emotional overload you had just endured. He looked down at the book in his hands. "... Because I see the potential you hold inside you." His eyes met yours. "After witnessing how much you've grown, how much you've learned in such a short time, I wanted to push you further. When you defeated that monster at RAD last month I knew the lessons I had prepared for you were beneath the strength you already have! I needed a new challenge, something that could help you grow even more!" He gently took your hand and stepped a bit closer. "I'm gonna be honest, MC. I see great potential in you. So much it surprises even me. I have seen so many powerful beings all over the three realms but never have I found a soul so promising, so full with hidden potential! One day you'll outmatch even me, as much as I hate to admit that. And I want to be the one to guide you towards that future and see you succeed as my apprentice! ... but... I see now that I've pushed you too far. Not because I don't think you could manage these spells, but because I didn't notice when it was enough for a day. I was blind to your exhaustion. My behavior towards you was unacceptable, I see that now. Even my powerful and promising apprentice needs rest. And no one deserves it more than you right now."
He gently lifted your hand and pressed a gentle kiss against it. "Let me invite you to dinner at your favorite restaurant and after that we can have a relaxing movie night. If you still want me to be near you, that is." You shook your head. "As lovely as that sounds, I'd prefer some easy food, a warm shower and my bed. That's all I need right now." He nodded, letting go of your hand. "Of course..." You noticed the slight disappointment and regret in his eyes. "... And maybe I'm in the mood for some cuddles." He looked back at you with a gentle smile and nodded. "As long as you want. Let's grab your favorite snacks on the way back. I owe you." A tired smile formed on your face as you wrapped your arms around him once again. "That sounds like a good start..."
In a swift but careful motion, he picked you up bridal style, looking at you with a grin. "Let me carry you home. I wouldn't want your legs to give out halfway." He gently guided your head against his chest and started massaging your head while walking. Your eyes closed immediately as the weight of the last days finally got to you.
