Breakfast in the Kirkland household was pure and utter chaos, the food making itself as Alana attempted to get ready for work whilst eating toast. Alistair arguing with Arthur through the looking glass on the wall in front of the table, Dylan chirping his opinion every few minutes. Leon felt bewildered by the sight, then he suddenly burst out laughing. Life here was already waaay better than life back home. Breakfast there was eaten in silence, nobody was allowed to speak, children were to be seen and not heard- words the Wang Clan lived by.

The Kirkland Clan however...

They were simply amazing. So far he hadn't been woken at three in the morning for tai-chi or been forced to practice his magic so much his hands felt numb or entertaining any of his mother's guests. They all wanted sex; a service the Wang clan was known for, how hypocritical for his step-mother to call Arthur a whore.

Leon tucked into his pancakes, chuckling at the amount of syrup Arthur poured on his- the Kirkland's all had a sweet tooth, he supposed it was because of the magic they used... He started when Alana hugged him, then proceeded to kiss Arthur on the cheek.

"Bye you two! I need to go to the court, to make the arrangements for Leon's adoption- I already have a hearing. Leon's stomach flipped, out of excitement or anticipation he wasn't sure. Witches are allowed to take custody of fledglings, (Witches who haven't experienced the surge and aren't bound to their house yet)

Alana and Arthur had just accepted him into their household overnight. Sure it had been rushed and a rash decision but something told him that the Kirkland's would accept him completely...

They were nice like that.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Leon nervously followed Arthur into the garden after breakfast. It was a large section of grass, a fountain near the back fence.

" Leon. I've brought you here to teach you magic, you must never reveal what you learn to another soul." said Arthur seriously. Leon blinked, staring at him in surprise.

Kirkland magic was incredibly powerful; they didn't give up their secrets easily.

From all the stories Yao used to tell him, Kirkland's are unpredictable and incredibly powerful. had used them as wild cards during the Witch wars. They were unstoppable, heartless killing machines on the battlefield and many feared them even now. However many of those stories were biased because Yao had fought alongside the enemy.

The Enemy.

Panic rose as he realised exactly who he was with and what his mother would do when she found out- no. Not his step-mother, she was nothing to him now. He forced his panic to recede and Arthur gave his hand a squeeze.

No, he was here. With Arthur, safe.

Arthur was safe.

Arthur had been his rock ever since they met in the Academy and bonded. The bond kept him sane and he dreaded the day when someone else would be added to it- that was how a coven originally functioned but now there was too many members compared to the original thirteen in each.

For now, he'd just enjoy it.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / /

"Are you ready?"

Leon nodded, letting out a shaky breath- not trusting his voice.

"Close your eyes." Arthur ordered softly. He obediently followed his order.

"Picture the sea." Leon frowned at that, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. "The water is the magic, it is controlled by the moon. In this equation you are the moon." Arthur's voice was like silk and he found he could see it all, he could feel the sand beneath his feet and see the vast blue ocean...

It was beautiful.

"Can you feel the energy flowing?"

He could, it was ebbing and flowing, following the tide in and out, in and out. Steady and calming, a perfect constant to keep him grounded. It was alive and everywhere.

"Now, call the energy to you- gather it in any way you see fit." Arthur instructed, his voice almost too quiet to hear.

Leon inhaled sharply, his fist closed as if he was holding something- then he violently hurled it towards the fence. A sizzling sound caused his eyes to snap open, Arthur merely smiled.]

"You're a conjurer, that's quite a rare talent." said Arthur sounding impressed.

"A c-conjurer?" Leon relied wrinkling his nose in confusion, causing Arthur to chuckle softly.

"Yes. You are able to manifest energy out of thin air- eventually you will be able to create solid objects such as furniture or even a clone if you're strong enough." said Arthur and Leon stared at the scorch mark on the fence in awe.

"Woof!" a blonde Labrador trotting into the garden and sat at Arthur's side, licking the blonde's hand his tail wagging fiercely. Leon laughed, he recognised Alfred immediately and the dog sent a smirk his way. Arthur petted him absently deep in thought.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / /

"Hey Arthur, when did you get a dog?"

"He's not mine, he shows up on occasion begging for treats and cuddles. He's too cute to resist" replied Arthur sheepishly.

"I'll bet he does" Leon chuckled, Arthur adored cute things- the puppy dog eyes would always get you what you want from him.

"Oh shut it Leo" replied Arthur bashfully.

"Hey Art, will you tell me what your magic is now?" asked Leon eagerly, noting that Alfred's ears perked up when he said it. He knew using magic would strengthen the desire to serve him.

"I'd rather not" Arthur mumbled, shifting uncomfortably.

"Pleeeeeaaaasseeeeeee" whined Leon, joining the dog in giving him puppy dog eyes.

"Fine" sighed Arthur, snapping his fingers and causing shadows to appear, dancing and changing as he waved his hands.

"Us Kirkland's manifest our emotions using magic, you never know what you're going to get, our magic releases our inner desires. Alana controls fire, she releases her rage constantly, her anger comes from her helplessness and inability to control the situation- fire is unpredictable. Dylan is wind, he's such a worrier, always flittering about and searching for the right path and going wherever he wishes. Alistair is earth, so very very stubborn. I control shadows... The shadows release my inner darkness, my hate for cruelty and desire for a brighter future. I want peace and justice." said Arthur, swallowing hard.

"Then why isn't it light that you control" whispered Leon.

"I lost hope. I no longer believe I am able to achieve peace without power and knowledge... That incident showed me that."

Leon remembered it clear as day, Arthur was kidnapped, whisked away from the Academy grounds in broad daylight, then tortured repeatedly...

"Hope. That's something you've given me" replied Leon quietly and Arthur smiled.

"Good. You deserve it." replied Arthur decisively.

"So do you Arthur."

With that, the dog slipped away; he absolutely had to talk to Matthew about this...