"But age detemines when you're an adult, not how much you know..." Yuki stood up and walked over to the bed, sitting on the very edge of it. "You really shouldn't try to rush it..."

"Not all of being grown up is being bigger." Deaken argued. "No matter what age I am, it doesn't mean I can't learn. So I'll do everything I can to learn how to control my power. Besides, I can't just allow whatever happens to happen. I have to try to fix it, don't I?"

Yuki sighed silently to herself. "Yes, of course...what ever you would like to do..." She moved her hand in front of her mouth then laid it back down in her lap.

Deaken glanced between Yuki and the floor, as if trying to see what she was thinking without actually looking at her. Finally, he sighed and leaned up against her. He wanted to be able to stay a kid. He really did - he had enjoyed being a kid before his ability kicked in - but he simply couldn't. Except with this 'nightmare'. So just for now, he allowed himself to sink back into being a vulnerable little kid who just wanted to be comforted and told everything would be okay. Deaken wrapped his arms tentatively around Yuki's waist and snuggled up against her, like she was a giant stuffed animal. Only with a person it felt a thousand times better than any stuffed animal ever could. They were alive, they responded, they were generally warm, and if you were lucky, that affection was returned. "I would like to have a mom again."

Were he a little older, the sentiment might have embarrassed him to say it. But as knowledgeable of the world as Deaken tried to be, he could not read anywhere about the awkwardness of certain concepts. One of which is telling someone you want them to act like a mom for you. All Deaken knew was that he had had a nice mother; she had done whatever she could to please the boy without making him spoiled, and given him plenty of attention and love. But he never really knew her. Never had a chance. And he just wanted that feeling back so badly now that he was constantly in need of that comfort.

Yuki's arms slowly wrapped around Deaken's body and let him snuggle up to her. "I have been a mother to many but I have not always remained with them...but I could be a mother figure towards you, Deaken...if you would like..." Her voice was still soft and comforting. She rested her chin gently on the boy's head and let her eyes drift shut. "I might not be able to do everything a mother does, but I would be here if you need to talk to someone or need someone to cling to..."

"I'd like that..." Deaken admitted, speaking quietly as if in fear he might wake himself from a pleasant dream in a life full of nightmares. But then, it was the other way around, wasn't it? This woman was the nightmare. How odd reality could be sometimes. And never straight forward, it seemed. "So how long can you stay away from Azi for? I mean. There must be some sort of limit, right? Or else you'd be out and around all the time. And I'd have met you earlier."

"There is a limit of 24 hours...I must be back by 7:00 tomorrow night..." Yuki looked down at Deaken. "So I will have some time away from Master Azi to talk with you..."