I wish I could have chosen, but mine aren't bad. I got healing which is about the most important power to have around.

How does it work?

He lays a finger on the back of Theo's hand. The small bruises, scrapes and aches from earlier start to mend themselves. Like this... Aaand I just realized we haven't properly introduced ourselves. We are Felix and Fenris Bright.

We are adopted. Fenris answers preemptively.

You are... adoptedly called 'Bright'? Or adopted brothers, who aren't actually twins by birth?

It is a mystery! Not even we know! We only know we are adopted.

Do you know who you were adopted by? Or is that a mystery too?

Of course it is a mystery. How would we even know? Just by living with these people since early infancy? That is just ridiculous!

He is probably joking.

We already know you are Theo Hughes.

... Ah. I'm so scared.

Is it possible to tell he's being sarcastic? Why yes, yes it is.

Aw! Don't be scared Theo. Felix pulls Theo into a tight half-hug. Magic is real and you have it! Isn't that great?

Thaaat's... a little bit creepy. He's only just met this guy, and he doesn't feel like they've instantly hit it off as great pals or whatever. He pulls away from the hug.

Uh, yeah. It's... great. Hey, listen, I've got to get going, but I'll talk to you some other time, okay?

He grabs his stuff and gets up.

Oh, sorry. he looks and sounds genuinely upset about it.

He was very excited about finally meeting someone else with magic. And until today his experience was magical people liking his hugs.

"It was nice meeting you." Fenris says this out loud. "Do you mind exchanging contact information?" This form of communication is limited if I don't know you well enough.

"Yeah, you too. Sure," he says, then writes his mobile number on a bit of scrap paper and hands it over.

"Thank you." Fenris hands their own mobile numbers and e-mails. "I hope we stay in touch."

"Sure, that's cool."

He goes back to his house.

A few days later Theo gets an e-mail:

"Hello, Theo. How are things?"

Things are fine. I haven't really... noticed anything different.

What have you tried so far? Also have you told anyone? We told our parents that we met another one but not the specifics.

I've been trying to improve my strength. I think there might have been a change, but I haven't exactly been doing weights training, so I don't really know what I was like before? Anyway, nah, I don't think my dad would really get it. It'd just freak him out, and I don't think he'd be much help.

Not gonna touch the subject of his mother.

It is a good idea to measure how good you are before starting. Our parents are pretty okay with the situation.

Yeah, I know, but if I keep going I can probably see the increase. I'm still doing running, too, so I can see how much I improve in that.

No other incidents with that guy that attacked you?

Thompson has mostly doing his best to pretend that Theo doesn't exist.

There have been a couple of people making snide comments, but no actual attacks, thankfully.

That's good. Theo might not be so forgiving a second time. (Nah, he totally would be.)