Chapter Text
Organizing group meditation with twenty three children ages six to ten had proved to be just as difficult as it sounded, but somehow Lux had managed it. Ten minutes with nary a peep or whisper, and only minimal fidgeting among the youngest ones. The promise of greater control of their magic went a long way towards inspiring patience.
And now they reaped the reward for their patience. Where some had struggled to produce sparks, now small flames leapt from their fingers. Some of the older ones had to be pulled aside so they'd have more room. The looks on their faces, the way their eyes shone as they cast their spells, it brought a unique warmth to Lux's heart.
Rio reclined on a rooftop overlooking the schoolyard, watching the fireworks. Well, mostly watching Lux if they were being honest. Lux had to pretend not to see her staring though. If any of the kids caught wind that Rio was here, any semblance of order would vanish in an instant.
"Alright, that's enough everyone," Lux said. When only a couple heads turned, she clapped her hands, Clap, clap-clap-clap clap, and the rest of the class responded with, Clap-clap! Hayden's claps boomed with accidental thunderclaps, startling the others into silence.
"Thank you, Hayden," Lux said. "I might have to remember that for later," she added with a wink. Hayden giggled and Lux turned to address the class.
"That's all for today," she said. "Remember, your homework is to meditate on your magic for ten minutes every night before bed." There were none of the usual groans or complaints that came with normal homework assignments. Magic homework was different. The response instead was unanimous eagerness and excitement.
"Class dismissed." Lux still felt weird saying that like she was an actual teacher.
The children gathered their things and bid her variations of "Bye Miss Lux!" She was packing her supplies back into their trunk when Rya broke off from the group and approached her.
"Mom, can I-"
Rya froze when she caught her mistake. The word hit Lux like a hammer to her chest. It was such a common, mundane mistake, but it had utterly stunned Lux. All at once the reality of everything crashed into her. She was suddenly acutely aware of the responsibility she bore to these children.
Rya stuttered and blushed, misunderstanding Lux's reaction. Lux quickly forced a half-hearted chuckle, and said, "Don't worry, happens all the time. What did you need?"
The girl tugged at her shirt and said, "I, uh- Can I do the meditating in the morning instead?"
"Yes, of course. Just as long as you make sure to do it every day." Lux fell back on a warm smile in hopes it would reassure her.
Rya nodded and mumbled an "Okay, thank you" and hastily ran off to rejoin the others. Lux let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and sat down on the trunk, resting her head in her hands. Rio slid down from her perch and crossed the schoolyard to Lux.
"What's up, teach?" she said. "You look off."
Lux raised her head. "What are we doing?"
"You're gonna need to be more specific."
"I mean..." Lux paused to take a breath. "These kids, they rely on me for so much. I'm barely over twenty, I don't know how to take care of kids! And especially not in a half ruined city, hiding from Mageseekers!"
Rio sat down on the trunk next to Lux. "There are worse places to grow up."
"Rya called me mom by accident. Her parents are dead, Rio." Lux hid her head in her hands again. "I can't replace their parents. How do we just... raise them? After everything they've been through?"
Rio sighed and said, "Look. I lost my folks when I was little too. And Zaun wasn't exactly a great place to raise kids either. But we had the community, we looked out for each other." Rio bumped her shoulder against Lux's and nodded towards town. "I mean, that's what it's all for, right?"
Lux sat up and took a deep breath. "Yeah."
"Then it'll be fine," Rio said. "We'll figure it out." Lux nodded and calmed herself.
After a long hesitation, Rio said, "You know, for what it's worth? I think you'd be a great mom."
Lux sat up straight, she was so shocked by Rio's words. "Really?"
"Oh are you kidding? You're great with kids! You're so kind and, and patient!"
Lux blushed a little and brushed her hair behind her ear. "I could say the same about you."
"Me? Nah, I'm a bad influence," Rio said with a dry chuckle. "Honestly I'm surprised you even trust me to babysit them. It's a miracle they've still got all their eyes."
"I mean it," Lux said with earnestness. "I've seen how they gravitate towards you. Maybe I'm their hero, but you're their friend, and I think that's more important."
Rio shakily smiled and waved her hand while making a "Pshh" sound.
"I mean it," Lux repeated. "You help them to be kids, to have fun and get in trouble." She set a hand on Rio's lap and smiled sincerely. "And because of that, they trust you in ways they don't trust other adults."
Rio recoiled slightly from her touch. Lux saw a mix of emotions pass through her eyes, but what won in the end was fear. Lux winced, realizing she had accidentally hit a sore spot.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to -"
"No, it's okay. I'm just... surprised, is all." Rio fidgeted and hunched her shoulders in that way she always did when she felt vulnerable. Lux offered her hand, palm up, and Rio took it.
Rio looked at her searchingly, and Lux answered the question written in her eyes before she had to ask it. "I really do mean it," she said.
Rio still didn't seem sure what to make of that, so Lux just held her hand while they sat there for a while.