Chapter 4 - Talks and Trips

MAINE

The journey to Maine was a long one. What was supposed to be a seven-hour trip turned into a grueling twelve. The cause of said twelve? Well, a classic hero-and-villain chase, of course!

An exciting scene for Leo, but it soon turns horrible when he feels the effects of traffic. Old man Talos wanted to curse colorful words, but with a child nearby, he couldn't. As for Lucy? It was slowly dawning on her that their new home would lack the pillar of their house. And she has no idea how to break it to her son.

Leo was running on the idea that their separation from Atreus was temporary. After all, Leo's image of Atreus was but a mighty Hero. Finding out that he perished in battle would break his heart.

Hence another reason for the trip's hardship, 'Lucy's' complete and utter silence. Only the occasional reply to Leo and Talos to remind them that she is stable with everything that has happened.

While driving towards their new home, Talos asked an important question. "You got an idea of what job you'll be takin'?" His question was out of curiosity, but it caused another impact of thoughts for Lucy.

Before having Leonidas, or officially legal Leo, she was but a quirk trainer. Weird regarding her circumstances of not being able to make her quirk stand out publicly, or else it attracts the Boogey.

"Anything related to training quirks; It was my past job and a necessary job in society, so I'll make do." Her answer satisfied the elder's curiosity. However, she turned the tables.

"Hey," she looked at him, and he nodded in response to continue. "Never knew you were a smuggler. Always thought you were some retired Navy veteran who now fishes for a living."

As she asked, she subconsciously looked at the rear-view mirror to check Leo, and she was sound asleep. "Very well. I know your story; it's only fair to share mine," was all the grizzly man said.

"I was part of the Greek Navy, Underwater Demolition Command, the counterpart of US Navy SEALs." He started while watching the road ahead. "And there, I worked best as reconnaissance since I can be anyone, thing or animal, in my heyday at least."

Hearing this, Lucy asked to steer the topic a bit, "And yet they never knew your abilities at shifting other people?" He laughed at her response, causing Leo to stir in his sleep. "Oops... *Ahem*"

"Presenting all your cards will get you used like a wet rag on a ship," with a slight smirk, "If I showed them that ability, they would have held my ass tighter than an anchor."

"As I said, the Greek government tries to monitor me. Although I did give them the slip years ago, till now, they have yet to find me. HAHA!"

His laughter gave Lucy some much-needed positivity, "Let me guess, Puter helped give your fisherman look an identity too?" Waving at her question, "Hah! No, I simply impersonated so many government workers to create an identity myself. Good times; I tell ya! Now I'm old and can't shift as fast as I used to." grumbling at the end.

*Pat Pat*

Patting his shoulder as a sign of comfort, "at least your running led to our friendship and casual banter for discounts whenever you finish a catch."

"Aye. And because of that, I'm still getting in the thick of action even in my retirement age. God help me," he was at times dramatic as well. "Anyway, how do you plan on telling the little lad about his father?"

His question brought a still to the mood within the rented vehicle. In truth, Lucy was having a hard time with it. She wanted to mourn and grieve, but her responsibility as a mother won't let her.

Taking her silence as an answer of being lost, he gave his two cents on the matter. "As harsh as it is, you gotta give it to the youngin' straight. Lyin' will only get you so far, and if the truth spills out, the damage would be too significant for one parent to handle.

"You have to remember. You're a single parent now. You can't have him blame you for the loss of his father, or else he would go astray."

"And what exactly are you pointing at?" she barked mildly. Sighing, "It simply means to point the blame elsewhere. Children are impressionable and easy to steer, so you best use that." His explanation only brought more options to choose from, or is the stress making it hard to determine which path is correct?

'Blame the Villain, and he becomes a Hero, or worse, an Anti-Hero. Blame our flawed history; he blames Mother and then hates Heroes; worse, he becomes a villain in her hatred. Blame... All Might?'

That last thought was purely a surprise; whatever she was thinking of doing would lay the foundations of his future. And she wanted what was best for her son.

"Luc-"

'Overall, my bloodline is cursed with the Hero vs. Villain shmuck. Or was it my fault for marrying a Hero? No... Atreus didn't make enemies. My Mom's... quirk did. Right... the quirk and All Might's false promise did this. If he didn't stir me away from training my quirk, I could have helped Atreus fend the foes off and still have a complete family today??'

"He-"

Seeing a solid outline unfold within her mind, she couldn't help but smile, a broken one. To keep her family together, she has to blame something and someone for this. However, she hopes her son doesn't seek to blame someone and merely goes into grief and lets time heal the wounds.

"HEY!" Talos' shout got everyone's attention, Leo's too, but he slowly fell back to sleep, too tired to muster his curiosity. "Listen. What I said was merely a negative outcome that I read while browsing the web. For all ya know, none of the stuff happens. For a min' there, yer' head was off in the clouds muttering up a storm!"

"I- I see." was the last thing she said in the final legs of the ride.

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Cousins Island, Yarmouth County, Maine

A car's headlights could be seen dancing through the trees, highlighting a car's approach. The community within the small island was a quiet one, perfect for a hiding family.

The Cousins island community got reputed to be quiet because of its well-off society. Unlike the bustling streets of New York, the attraction of Villains.

As the car passed through the residential area, it slowed when it came near a house by the shoreline. Leo, who woke up from his slumber, marveled at the home, though a bit dusty, "Wow, this the new home that you said, Mama?"

Even Lucy shared Leo's question; she walked to Talos for some straightening. "*Cough* Not to sound rude, but the house seems to be a little on the expensive side," she said as she pulled Talos aside.

"Haha! Well, I can't tell what's expensive or cheap when it's stolen," he looked even proud and smug at his statement. Gasping at the newfound information, "What do you mean stolen!?"

"Relax!" Gesturing to her to calm down with both hands, "A lonely ol' fellow was dying with no next of kin. And so, rather than the government getting it, I took the liberty of posing as him and had 'him' transfer the house to one of my official identities within the State. And now, the house was transferred to you by Puter."

The way he said everything as if it was a natural occurrence astounded Lucy, "I- I don't know what to say. But aren't you being too kind and giving?"

At this point, even 'Lucy' was getting weirded out by Talos's generosity. Seeing her apprehension, he smiled, "Maybe I'm something like that ol' fellow." he muttered.

"What?" Not hearing his answer, Lucy questioned. "I said it was merely a spoil from years ago. I mean, look at it; it accumulated dust." He steered, but his answer eased Luc. 'Sigh... I can't complain or be wary. Anywhere else is better than in the clutches of that Villain.'

"And what's the matter anyway?" he asked with a raised brow, "this is leagues better than being out on the streets or having to be processed through some immigration act."

Waving her hands as an apology, "Sorry, didn't mean to sound rude. Just wary of everything. I have to keep Leo safe, no matter what." Her last part made her look at Leo, walking and looking around.

"Aye, aye. Anyway, how's the pocket?" He asked, just in case, before he left off to do God knows fishing what.

"On that note, we're fine, actually, surprising as that sounds," with those words, Lucy casually showed a UBS Swiss banking card. "Ah. Glad you got that before running. I suppose a person with your past needs Swiss Banking, secrecy laws, and all that." Talos commented and slowly walked back to the car. 'All mine and Atreus' savings are here, including what I inherited from Mother…' Lucy thought while looking at the card with relief.

After a bit chit chat, it was time to say goodbye. "Las, contact me if things get hairy. You know these retired bones are free, after all. And you, lil' lad, everything will be fine as long as you stick to your mother."

With those words, he drove off. And to return the rented car.

"Mama, what does he mean by everything will be fine?" Leo's questions were slowly becoming a ticking bomb.

"We'll be fine, I know this," she smiles and walks to their new house hand in hand with Leo.

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CHEEERS!