Chapter 405 - 405. Heart To Heart

The group had split up shortly after they had studied and eaten. Art had left Asher and Cara downstairs to focus on the moves he wanted to use. As much as they could have studied more he was too set on the new joint break down moves he could use against an opponent. He believed that it was the best way for him to be able to beat Asher and Jane in their next sparring match. The harder he worked the closer he would get to the victory he desired. 

"Do you really think he will beat you and Jane? Last I saw Jane was equal to him when using super powers. He already did a lot to catch up to her." As much as Cara wanted to see Art win, she knew that Jane was working just as hard. She had been training with Jane and getting along with her a lot more lately. It was partially because Jane would come around Asher and was not afraid to put Asher on track. But it was also because Jane genuinely worked hard and wanted to help others become better versions of themselves. 

"Well…If it was a few weeks ago I would say no. Art is a lot less experienced. I'm pretty sure he only ever focused on getting stronger when he was younger. That's why he struggled with cardio so much. But Jane just naturally has speed and endurance. Plus her mental strength is pretty high. How else could she resist the anger that comes with her adrenalin and shift in to medusa form?" Asher had furrowed brows while he spoke about this. 

"Yet, Art has wanted to be a hero for much longer than Jane has. He had this goal and pushed through the things he doesn't like. As much as he doesn't like math he studies when no one is looking. He was testing his reflexes the other day when he was cooking. Not that he saw me notice it. The little things he always does to make himself better is much more than anyone else in the group. He even uses his super powers to cook lately. And his food still comes out just as good. Jane doesn't do that. She trains, yes, but she separates things in to the times and focuses on general growth. Art will push beyond her at some point." 

Asgher would be a fool not to notice these things. He had been watching the group grow along with himself. He was very foolish when the world had changed in what seemed like a blink of an eye. He was still foolish now. But his mind had strengthened and cleared as he adapted. With that came the learned skill to watch his surroundings and note what was going on. Seeing the way Art worked not only motivated him to become better but explained a lot of Arts' personality.

"Art may have grown up with plenty of money and the ability to do many things that other people could not. Yet he had fallen back on cooking with his grandmother and walking the garden his grandfather had grown. The things he focused on were not those which money could buy. Hios character was stronger than money. Art may use it for the things that the group needed now that he had access, yet, when the situation arises where Art could abuse his money, he would not. This spoke louder than any words Art or anyone could say. 

"Then Jane will lose if she doesn't take it to heart as much as Art? Huh, I thought you would side with Jane no matter what…"

"Just because I like Jane and want to spend every day with her doesn't mean I can't separate myself from those feelings and look from the outside in. I need to become a real leader of the group. I'm not suited for it right now. You are. But I want to become a leader rather than a lucky charm. I need to be a leader that represents the group that formed around me." Asher was clear on what he desired to be and Cara had nothing to say against it. 

"I don't want to be a leader. I just have a step up on you guys. But with the way you are all catching up, I will be equal with all of you soon. That's the day you will be the undisputed leader of the group. But to be fair, we are all leaders at different times. Take Jackson for example. He is in charge when it comes to survival and rescue. We all take charge when we need to."  The two sat in front of their finished plates thinking about this for a little while. 

Since the conversation had been going well and Asher had been trying to hold it back for some time, he felt that he needed to bring something up. "Cara…I don't mean to be weird but we are close right?" 

The question caught Cara off guard. She wondered why Asher would think anything else. But as she thought more she remembered the times she had avoided speaking about the advanced classes she had been moved in to while she had advanced beyond her own grade when it came to super powers and the pursuit of her career in law enforcement. 

"Yes. and If I ever made you feel we aren't then I'm sorry. I know you might think I'm emotionless sometimes. I don't mean to be." This was exactly what Asher thought before he had come to this version of the world. Although now, he didn't think that at all. His mind was actually on another topic completely. 

"It's not me that I worry about. It's Art…and you." Cara froze in her seat not even blinking. "I know you know that he likes you. But I don't know what's going on in your head. Sometimes you seem like you want him around and will spend time with him. Other times it seems like you could care less. I just want to make sure my sister and my best friend, no, my brother are alright. Like it or not, I love you both. Art was my first real friend and went far beyond what I would have expected. Now he is family no matter who he is actually related to. Being able to get to know you better had been a privilege I never expected." 

Cara's cold look slowly defrosted as her cheeks grew red. This was the most blunt and honest that Asher had ever been. She could clearly see that he was avoiding eye contact because it was hard for him to bring this up. 

She took a deep breath. Cara looked at Asher right in the eyes before she spoke. "I can't answer you properly. I don't know. I know he had a thing for me since I was one of the top students. It was pretty clear since he acted like a fangirl the first time you brought him about. And yes, I heard you and him talking about me before you came in the house. Mom has super hearing but you two talk pretty loudly." Asher didn't realize this and was obviously embarrassed. 

"He became more serious though. I was actually pretty surprised that he was able to keep himself back and learn without acting like some of the other guys at school. He didn't jump down my throat with a bunch of flirting or high and mighty bragging. I thought you had a decent friend. I would say he is a different person now than he was before. And I don't mind learning more about that. But he is your best friend and I am your sister. It would be weird… I think." 

Seeing his sister torn like this was a new experience for Asher. Cara was usually very decisive and easily focused. Seeing that she was unsure of her own feelings really made her more human. It brought her to another light in his eyes. She was not just a two dimensional older sister that he had avoided at times. 

"I don't think I would ever hate him but I would need to be away from everything to really get to the end of it. I think that could be possible one day though. Especially since Jane wants you to take her out on a date since you know, you have been focused on the group and haven't taken her out." The tables had been turned and Asher felt that he had been slapped. 

"Ehm, well…thank you for your input. I'm glad that you are able to help me with related things. And, well, if you do like Art, I won't stop you. But if he and you hate each other one day. You are my sister so I will still give him a good punch. But I won't stop hanging out with him." This was the exact thing Cara expected of Asher.. But she just laughed at his now reddened and worried face since he was trying to come up with a good date idea for him and Jane.