Today's chapter is Chase whump without any actual Chase XD

Only 8 chapters left!

ENJOY!

No 23. Exhaustion (470 words)

There's a lot said about pulling your own weight. Do you part, do it well, always give 110%. Especially when saving the world falls on your shoulders. There's however, Leo thought, not enough talk of the opposite. About letting go, saying enough, not giving a constant 210.

Chase was exhausted. It was as clear as the mirrors in Big D's "room of me". Leo had noticed that for days. Chase was even more snappy than usual, yet more withdrawn and didn't really participate in the siblings' usual banter. He was always slumped over or leaning against something. Despite that he was still the last to bed and the first to rise in the morning – even more so than usual. Frankly, he was starting to look straight up awful too.

And that was all before the math test. Now Leo was beyond worried. Chase got a question wrong on his latest math test in school. As annoying as his brother's perfect score was, it was just that. This score was terrifying evidence that Chase was pushing himself too much.

"You need to talk to Chase!" Leo declared loudly, slamming his hands on Big D's desk.

"Yes, I'll get to it later," Big D mumbled, not even glancing up from the invention he was working on. Leo tried not to get annoyed.

"He got a 99 on his math test."

"Mm-hmm, yeah, sounds great."

"Donald!" Leo shouted in what he thought was an excellent impersonation of his mother. For good measures he also grabbed hold of trinket in Big D's hands. As expected, Big D immediately looked up, startled.

"Leo," he said slowly as he urgently yet carefully grabbed the invention from Leo's grasp – like he expected it to explode by his very touch. Which was completely unfair. The destruction of Big D's stuff said more about them than Leo.

"You're not hearing me," Leo grumbled, arms crossed over his chest.

"What?" Finally, Big D's focused shifted to Leo.

"I said Chase got a 99 on his math test."

"What?"

"He's exhausted."

Big D sighed heavily, rubbing a hand across his face.

"I know," he mumbled. " I thought it would get better."

"It's getting worse." Leo countered. "I know saving the world is important and all, but he's not going to save anybody if runs himself rugged."

Big D nodded seriously, concern coloring his gaze.

"This can't continue," he agreed. "I'll talk to him."

Leo gave him an expectant look, wanting to add NOW – but Big D didn't notice, already busy with putting away the invention – presumably somewhere Leo wouldn't reach – and disappeared off to find his son.

That night, as Chase went to sleep first of them all, Leo couldn't help but think that this was his weight to pull. Keeping an eye out for his family and their health.