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The only thing he could focus on was the feeling of the hilt of his sword upon his palms, the weight of it in his hands.
He steadied himself before swinging down upon the dummy propped up on a stick – an easy target.
Gritting his teeth, the teen let go of the sword, throwing it down to the ground.
“Fuck.” Justice cursed beneath his breath, stumbling down to the ground, sitting next to his fallen sword.
His palms rubbed against his face, the pressure comforting as he sat in silence.
The sound of footsteps came from behind him, but he didn’t bother looking.
“Hey, Mini-Soldier.” A calming voice, and the feeling of a body sitting down next to him. “What’s on your mind?”
Justice took a moment to compose himself before his hands fell down into his lap, opening his eyes to look over at his Aunt Karlach.
“Nothing.” He answered, though the tone in his voice betrayed him.
A snort and nudge of a shoulder against is.
“You really think I’m going to believe that?” She asks. “You’re over here being Mr. Brooding. So, come on, fess up.”
He was silent for a few moments more, contemplating what he could even say.
“It’s all… too much.” Justice finally mumbled out, his hands moving to pull at the grass beside him – plucking up the blades only to let them flutter down. “I’m not sure how else to describe it.”
“Ah, I think I get it.” Karlach hums, nodding as she moves to look up at the sky. “Sometimes life can be a bit much, yeah?” She let’s out a sigh, before nudging his shoulder once more. “But that’s part of what makes it worth living. All these feelings you get to have.”
The teen resisted the urge to roll his eyes, a pout forming upon his lips. Finally, he replied. “Yeah… I guess…”
“Aww, come on now! Here, tell you what,” Karlach started, grunting as she pushed herself upwards before holding out a hand. “Me and you can go to the shooting range, practice a little bow and arrow action? It'll help get your mind off of whatever it is.”
He took a moment, before a smile tugged at the edge of his mouth, clasping his hand against hers as he pulled himself up.
“You know what, Auntie, that sounds great.”