Lea went rigid at that. Like nobody else ever had? Was that a bad thing? He pressed his lips together, rolled his shoulders back, and tucked a stray spike of hair behind his ear.
Honestly, he'd gotten used to being the adult in whatever situation he was in. Roxas and Xion hadn't really known how to do much of anything when they'd first been put in his charge, and from that moment on he'd just never quite managed to take off the mentor hat. It wasn't quite the same with Riku--he had said it himself, that he didn't feel obligated to watch his back so much as he just wanted to. He liked being depended on, he always had. It was why he'd been such a good agent for the Organization. He didn't have to like his assignments, but he knew if he did a good job they would look to him again, and it was validating.
People who needed you missed you when you were gone. People who were missed weren't forgotten.
He half-shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Well, let's be real here, you're pretty lousy at taking care of yourself," he said, avoiding eye contact. "It isn't like I've got your back because I think you're incapable. For that matter, I know a few girls who are more than capable, so even if that were the case, your gender wouldn't have anything to do with it." His eyes searched the ground, then swam back to Riku. "I just like to make sure the people who matter are doing all right, that's all. And that's... not something that's gonna change just 'cuz our friendship has, you know?"
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Honestly, he'd gotten used to being the adult in whatever situation he was in. Roxas and Xion hadn't really known how to do much of anything when they'd first been put in his charge, and from that moment on he'd just never quite managed to take off the mentor hat. It wasn't quite the same with Riku--he had said it himself, that he didn't feel obligated to watch his back so much as he just wanted to. He liked being depended on, he always had. It was why he'd been such a good agent for the Organization. He didn't have to like his assignments, but he knew if he did a good job they would look to him again, and it was validating.
People who needed you missed you when you were gone. People who were missed weren't forgotten.
He half-shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Well, let's be real here, you're pretty lousy at taking care of yourself," he said, avoiding eye contact. "It isn't like I've got your back because I think you're incapable. For that matter, I know a few girls who are more than capable, so even if that were the case, your gender wouldn't have anything to do with it." His eyes searched the ground, then swam back to Riku. "I just like to make sure the people who matter are doing all right, that's all. And that's... not something that's gonna change just 'cuz our friendship has, you know?"