Chasing Darkness (Sequel to Remember Me)

Part Twenty-One

"How do you think Jaya and Shadow are doing?" Leorio asks Izunavi after glancing down at his phone, taking note of the lack of notifications, "We haven't heard anything from them yet and I'm getting worried."

Leorio and Izunavi sit next to each other at a round cafeteria table with Bennett sitting across from them, his cheek resting against the palm of his hand as he seemingly zones out. Izunavi takes a sip from a carton of milk before reassuring Leorio.

"I'm sure they're doing fine. Jaya has never lost in a fight," Izunavi says to him, waving him off, "Quit worrying so much, kid."

"I'm not a kid. I'm an adult," Leorio crosses his arms as he sulks. His eyes fall on Bennett, who remains completely disconnected from their conversation, "Are you okay, Bennett? You've been really quiet."

Bennett perks up at the sound of his name, offering Leorio a half-smile as he nervously scratches the back of his neck, "Yeah, sorry, I'm fine. I was just lost in thought."

"Are you worried about (Y/N)?"

Bennett shakes his head before letting out a defeated sigh and nodding instead, "I know I shouldn't be. (Y/N) is strong, but I don't want anything to happen to her."

"It's normal to worry," Izunavi speaks up, crumpling his empty carton of milk, "Nobody can blame you for it. All we can do is support Cloak and complete our part of the plan."

"Exactly! Izunavi is right. You're already doing everything you can to help her!" Leorio is quick to add to Izunavi's words of reassurance.

Bennett's eyes seem to cloud up as he looks away from both of them, "Everything I can do to help isn't enough."

Leorio furrows his brow, a sad glint noticeable in his eyes, "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing," The curly-haired boy refuses to meet his gaze, "Forget I said anything. We should focus on the plan," He turns to face him finally, "I'm fine. Really."

"O-okay, but if you're not then you should tell us!" Leorio scolds him as Izunavi nods along to this, "Your mental health is just as important as this mission."

The corners of Bennett's lips curve upwards into a smile as he looks down at the table, his cheeks slightly flushed, "Thank you, Leorio. I appreciate it, but I'm okay."

Izunavi seems hesitant to believe this but he shakes his head, deciding to brush off the matter for now, "If you say so, kid."

"Do you think Shadow and Jaya are almost done with their part of the plan?" Bennett asks Izunavi as Leorio watches him with a look of concern evident on his face, "The sooner we can start distracting everyone, the better."

The nomad shrugs, "They haven't messaged us yet. Doubt they're having any issues though."

Leorio watches Bennett and Izunavi continue talking as the tall man's thoughts drift away from the plan at hand, 'Bennett, are you actually okay? You've acted totally different since we got here," He lets out a sigh, 'Bennett has helped me so much since I met him and I wanna do the same for him but he's being so stubborn.'

He finds himself completely lost in his thoughts, Izunavi and Bennett's conversation fading out as he delves deeper into a prior memory of him and his close friend.

"I can help you!"  Bennett exclaims to Leorio, who walks beside him in the hallway of their apartment complex, "I'm not very smart but I can help you study."

"Really?" Leorio questions Bennett with a look of surprise present on his face, "It's a really long exam so I have a lot to study. I might even have to pull an all-nighter for it."