Leo and Absence walked through the castle, having escaped the confusing labyrinth that is the catacombs. The walk was silent, filled with tension. Leo hugged his chest tighter, feeling uneasy as his anxiety took over. He looked to his father, who had been picking at his fingernails to stimulate himself.
'He's worried. . . That's to be expected. . Leo thought as he tugged on the coils of his hair. Absence noticed this, making him worry and pick at his nails more. "L-Leo, your hair is sensitive, you can't pull at it." He said, startling Leo, "sorry dad. . ." Leo mumbled, looking away.
Looking down, Leo rubbed his arms in shame, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine. He could feel Absence's eyes on him, and he felt his heart racing. Absence sighed, lifting his glasses as he rubbed his face. "I'm sorry, I-I'm just stressed right now. I let you stay here because I knew you needed space, and I thought you would be safe here. However, I find out you were wounded by- I-I don't even know how you got hurt!"
As Absence said this, Leo clenched his fist, growing upset. Even so, Leo remained silent, biting his tongue to stop him from speaking. It was true, Absence let Leo stay in the castle because Cova promised to look after him. If it weren't for this, Leo would still be living in the Gale residence, yelling at his father and older siblings every time they tried to interact with him.
Of course, Leo never meant to yell at his loved ones, but he couldn't help his temper, not with the situation he was in because of their secrecy. He's been trying to fix that, but he needed space to do so. That's why he practically begged Cova to convince his father to let him stay in the castle.
Cova agreed, and made Leo his apprentice to get him into the castle. Although Leo regrets directing his anger at his family, it's understandable when you are arranged to be with a cruel man like Court Leader Celi. A man who owns information that your family doesn't even share with you, and could end your family in prison.
Absence didn't notice Leo's hidden anger, and continued to interrogate Leo about how he was hurt. He didn't mean any harm by it, as he was only worried for his son. However, from Leo's perspective, his father's tone was more hurtful than the wound on his stomach. Leo felt isolated as his father talked, his eyes filled with tears as he looked down and hugged his chest.
Leo felt the overwhelming emotions of anger, sadness, and confusion. He wanted to be comforted, but he couldn't seem to look up. He felt isolated and unable to express his feelings. "You never even talk to your family any more! What is wrong with you!?" Absence asked. He hadn't realized the weight of his question, added with his aggressive tone, was hurtful to Leo, making his unnoticed cries even worse.
As his breath quickened, Leo became more and more frustrated, and finally, he lashed out. Leo looked up at his father, his dark freckled face red in anger. Absence was caught off guard by Leo's rageful expression, but couldn't say anything as Leo cried out. "I got hurt trying to help you guys! I was out trying to find you when the damn stars were falling!"
Eyes wide, Absence gasped at Leo's words. He tried to reach out, hands unsteady, but Leo just took a step back and continued to yell. "And what about you? Why won't you talk to ME!? The secrets you've kept have led me into an abusive relationship with someone I don't even love! A complete stranger even! Yet you won't even tell me those secrets!"
"Why won't you talk to me?" Leo's voice broke with emotion. "Why won't you trust me?" Absence stood there, tears falling as he trembled. He wanted to explain himself, and tell Leo the secrets he'd been hiding. Yet he couldn't, so he remained silent, looking down in shame.
Leo looked at his father, begging him to say anything, but nothing was said. ". . . I'll stay home for the night, just to reassure the family, but after that, I'm leaving. . ." Leo explained, turning away from Absence as he made his way down the hallway. His father's silence spoke volumes. Leo knew that no matter what he said, his father would never understand.
At least not in the way Leo needed. . .