(A/N): Lisbet, Leo, and Jerremyah discuss what Leo said at the end of the last chapter about not knowing who he is, and never really having come to terms with the fact that he has always been half-vampire, even before he found out. Chapter title is lyrics from the song 'You Found Me' by The Fray, and I guess... foreshadowing? Leo outlines his hopes for the future, and if at least one of those things comes partially true, then it counts as foreshadowing... right? Also, I'm going to upload this chapter like, as soon as it's the 30th, in an attempt to make up for that chapter I uploaded at like, 11:58pm a couple of chapters ago. You got one at 11:58pm, and this one at 12:10am. Also also, we're getting real close to 800k words, and slightly less closer but still very close to 500 chapters. Hm, not sure what to do about that...

Trigger Warnings: Brief references to potential (/inevitable) future death. Basically, Leo's like, 'I'm dying one way or another, SOME DAY', and technically one of those ways could be by his own hands, so yeah. Take that as you will, but I don't really think it specifically needs to be tagged us such. If you feel like it does, let me know, and I'll change it.

Lisbet

It hurt to hear. Even if I was proud of him for being so self-aware- and I was, I really was- it still pained me to know he thought that way. That he was still struggling with it, all these years later. He'd told me yesterday that he suspected finding out what he was at such a young age had affected his outlook on life- on death- so I guess it made an inordinate amount of sense that it would affect other aspects of his psyche as well.

"Leo..." I started quietly, since Jerremyah didn't seem to know what to say to that- not that I could blame him, considering he was currently in the middle of somewhat of an identity crisis himself. "As for who you are... I don't think anyone knows that when they're fifteen." His lips curved downward into a frown, and I wasn't sure if it was because I'd actually said the wrong thing, or whether he just didn't like how true that answer was. "I know that probably doesn't make you feel any better, but it's true- and some people never know. All you can do is try to be the best you, you can be- and I think you're nailing it so far, Nounours." His smile was a bit small and reluctant, but it was there. "As for the other stuff..." I hesitated for a second in an attempt to give myself more time to think about what to say, but in the end, it didn't really help. "Is that what scares you, or... something else?"

He was quiet, and I worried I'd said the entirely wrong thing- before I heard him sigh into Jerremyah's neck again. "A lot of things scare me," He said, which could've been another noncommittal answer only meant to placate me, but then he continued. "I'm afraid if I come to terms with that, I'll be forced to give up the person I was. The child I was, and the man I was supposed to grow up to be. I don't even want to be that man- to tell the truth, I never really did, but... if I let that go- by choice or otherwise- then... who am I?" I started to open my mouth to answer him, but Jerremyah beat me to it.

"Who do you want to be?" Leo's eyebrows furrowed, but honestly, I was desperate to hear what his response to this was- as long as it wasn't going to absolutely shatter my heart, that is.

"I-" He said, then paused, as if realising that the answer wasn't as simple as he'd originally thought. "I want to be a good person," He said, which was exactly what I expected. "I want to help people," That, too. "Protect and nurture the people around me; my family, friends, clan, and kin." No surprises so far. "I want..." He went quiet again, and when I looked to Jerremyah for guidance I saw him urging me to be patient, so I waited. It took a minute or two, but eventually, Leo must've sorted his thoughts out, because he picked up right where he left off. "I want to be brave, and honest. I want to inspire people; I want to make a difference- I want to make the world a better place, not just for people like me, but for everyone. I want-" He faltered slightly, here. "I would like to leave something behind for people to remember me by, when I do go." Something told me his hesitation had more to do with our- my reaction, than any uncertainty on his part.

Jerremyah wasn't giving me that look anymore, so I figured I was safe to try to address this- and by 'address this', I mean that I immediately started peppering the crown of his head with as many kisses as possible. Was it an unconventional use of vampire speed? Yes- and I was quite proud of it. "Those are all very admirable goals, mon doux garçon," I told him softly. "And I know it's not what you meant, but... I feel the need to reassure you that you will be remembered either way. By me, and Jerremyah; the rest of the clan, and your friends, and Mia, and Herc, and- the list goes on. We'll remember you because of the love we shared, and because of your extraordinary empathy- anything else is just a bonus to that." He was quiet again, but this time I was pretty sure it was just because he was flustered.

"You- you could live forever," I winced, already knowing where he was going with this. "A thousand years from now, do you really think-" I cut him off, there was no other option. I couldn't let this stand- not him; not this.

"Would you forget me?" I felt him blink in surprise. "If you lived a thousand years, would you forget me?" Regrettably, he pulled back from Jerremyah to be able to meet my eyes, and in his, I recognised pain, confusion, and sorrow.

"Of course not," He said- which was gratifying, even if it was the answer I'd been expecting. "But you're my-" What, exactly? What am I to you? Say it, please, I beg you- because I can't keep it in much longer. "You're an incredibly large part of my life. To you, I'm just a blip-"

Obviously, I didn't react well to that. I cupped the back of his neck with one hand, and pressed his face into my throat now, instead of Jerremyah's. My other hand rested over his heart on his back, and I relished in the feeling of it beating defiantly in his chest. "To me, you are everything. I don't know how many times I have to say it, but I will. No matter how many times it takes- even if it never quite sinks in... I'll keep saying it, and I'll keep meaning it, for as long as you need me to. Longer than that, even." He seemed touched by that, which was the best reaction I could ask for, given the situation.

"I don't think you realise how much this means to us," Jerremyah said softly, and when I met his eyes over Leo's head, I could clearly see the tenderness in them; the fondness. Alongside that was reluctant hope- hope that eventually, Leo would know... and might even accept it. "This isn't... this isn't a casual, everyday occurrence for us. We've never done this with anyone else- only you. Only you." If Leo knew anything about kits, I'm sure that would've been a dead giveaway, but as it was, he only seemed even more touched, and quite a bit confused.

"It means a lot to me, too." He said quietly, then hesitated again; I let him take his time, not just because it was the kind thing to do, but because I knew that typically when Leo hesitated, it meant he had something important- and likely emotional- to say, but was having trouble getting it out. "Most of the people I knew- before, were... they didn't have the opportunity to be themselves. Even if they knew who they were, there were expectations placed upon them- by others, or by themselves- to behave, or even feel, a certain way. I never met someone who was free to be themselves until after I left- and even then... the only person I've ever met who was completely, unapologetically themself, was..." Jerremyah. His eyes lifted to the man in question, but Jerremyah just watched him like he was still waiting for an answer. "Apparently, just as oblivious as I am."

I snorted at that, and Jerremyah's eyebrows furrowed. "He means you, Lover." He blinked- then blinked again, as the term 'Lover' sank in, closely followed by his cheeks turning a very satisfying shade of pink. Not my favorite color I'd ever seen them turn, but it would tide me over for the time being.

"M-me?" He stuttered out, and Leo nodded, flashing him a small, sweet smile as he did so. "But I'm- I know I'm good at faking it, but I-"

Leo cut him off, which was probably a blessing because I had the feeling that whatever Jerremyah was about to say, it was going to be some self-effacing bullshite that made me want to scream. "Something, something, I bet Lisbet got pretty good at faking it, too." My mouth dropped open, but before I had the chance to recover from my shock and scold him, Jerremyah made a choked noise- that quickly turned into a raspy, clearly unfightable snicker.

"Okay, first of all-" He said, then had to stop to let another wave of laughter pass. "-no, she really didn't. Second of all, do you really want to get into that discussion, right now?" Surprisingly, Leo merely shrugged. "You- Don't change the subject." This chastising- if it could even be called that, given how gentle it was- didn't seem to affect Leo in the slightest. Well, it didn't seem to deter him, at least.

"I'll stay on topic when you can hold a conversation where you don't talk shit about yourself the whole time." I made a disapproving noise in the back of my throat, but as it turns out I didn't have to, because a second later, Leo's face morphed into one of incredible dismay. "Oh my God," He practically groaned. "I'm turning into Elaine!"

(A/N): Translations (French):

Nounours = Teddy Bear

Mon doux garçon = My sweet boy