[ leo doesn't really need that apology... but he gets where it's coming from, in the face of the lack of control they all have in this situation. it's why he doesn't keep the odd expression he gives ren at that -- it lasts only for a reactionary moment, until what crosses is something more understanding, as if expecting that.

did you know? leo's other way of coping with things -- which is unhealthier and something he's gotten much better about -- is to actually avoid them entirely!

so, he won't get further into it. there's not much to say about that anyway. ren's fine, so that's all there is. leo pulls on the other thing he's been given instead -- takes the melody he's set out and hums what he remembers, replays it on the piano. he'll refrain adding anything to it; it's ren's song, after all. ]

Let's work on this. It's not done yet, right? I wanna see you fumble over it! I wanna hear you refine it, wanna hear you go "ah, darn! This is what I wanna say, I know how to say it, but how the heck do I...?" with all the stuff I crammed in your head!

[ "I WANNA SEE YOU STRUGGLE" - leo tsukinaga ]

I'm here if you get suuuuper stuck, I guess, but let's see how far this little fledgling flies when it's set free. [ for the umpteenth time in his life, it still remains: ] Ah, my favorite part!