@kyubey-kat here you go (’:
"How is Chito’s training?”
Noctin looked up quickly as Shiron joined him on the roof of the small house, then looked down at the ground as she sat beside him. “I don’t think I’m a very good teacher,” he admitted quietly. “It would be better if he was being trained by a real- by another Desolate.”
He wasn’t trying to beat himself up over it, it was just true. He’d barely been able to get a grasp on the broad aspects of his abilities before he’d had to leave the Desolates. He knew more about how to teach Chito how to physically fight than he did how to use their powers.
And then of course he was simply afraid. Afraid he might hurt someone. Afraid he might tell Chito to do the wrong thing. Afraid he might pass on poison from the Hunters.
Shiron hummed. “He looks up to you.” Noctin risked a glance at her, finding her looking up at the night sky. When he didn’t answer, she chuckled, though it lacked humor. “Honestly it was probably for the better that you turned up on our doorstep. He was ready to leave and find someone to teach him.”
“Is that why you let us stay?” Noctin asked.
“One reason,” she said, making Noctin blink in surprise at the straightforward answer.
“What were the other reasons?” he asked after a moment, testing the waters.
“Mika,” she said flatly. “I don’t know what it is about that kid, but she’s got a knack for people. Can tell who’s got good in their heart and who doesn’t.”
Noctin agreed. There was something about Mika, he knew. Though whether she simply had excellent intuition or it was something more, only time would tell.
“And then there was you and Alé.”
Faint amusement flickered through him upon hearing that. “Us? You wanted us to leave,” he teased lightly.
Shiron flashed him a narrow eyed smile and nudged at him with her elbow. “Yeah, I did. At first I was just thinking of Chito and Mika and how I didn’t want to put them in danger, but while you were healing I realized that sending you both back out would put you in danger too.” She shook her head. “You’re both still little. Maybe not as much as Chito and Mika, but you shouldn’t have to fend for yourselves. Especially not against the Hunters.”
A lump rose in Noctin’s throat. “You risked a lot letting us stay,” he murmured.
Shiron shook her head. “It was the right thing to do. If I could go back I’d do it again and make myself take you in without being an ass about it. Which I’m sorry for, by the way.”
“No it’s okay,” Noctin said firmly. “You were just trying to protect your kids from the Hunters. It’s- it’s exactly what you should have done.”
“Hm,” Shiron said, then reached over to pull him into a one armed hug. “And now I have two more kids to protect.” Tears flooded Noctin’s eyes, seeping into Shiron’s shirt. He stayed silent, not trusting himself to speak.
“It’s safe here for you,” she said. “I’ll make sure of it.”