Pascal went still in Leon's arms. He didn't twitch, didn't struggle, didn't even blink. His silence was so complete it unsettled Racheal.
"Did you break him?" she asked carefully, her brow furrowing.
Leon's jaw tightened. He hadn't meant to… well, not like that. He had only spoken the truth as he saw it. Subtlety wasn't his strength, never had been. But maybe he'd been too blunt this time. Before he could search for an answer, Pascal's small voice broke the quiet.
"So… how do I become strong like you?"
Racheal's lips parted, stunned. 'What a strong-willed child,' she thought. Most boys his age would've burst into tears or shut down completely. But Pascal was already looking forward, already pushing past the sting of Leon's words.
