[Hearing his name, Leo snaps his head around to look and see Peter there. Peter. He tries to open his mouth to call out to him, but the muzzle is tight. He gets as far as] Peh- [Before the movement is cut short by the restraint.
But with Peter closer, he can see it, the way the restraints and leader of the muzzle are drawn so tight they cut into the skin. Leo's mask is gone, in its place eyes brimming with new tears that will likely fall the same tear-tracks as the ones previous the last two weeks.]
[Peter trusts Leo, immensely, immediately- he reaches out to work on the restraints. His expression tight, sharp.
Peter is so focused on Leo he doesn't notice one of the armed guards walking up behind him.]
It's okay, we're gonna be okay. [It's hard to believe in the moment, but Peter is desperate to hold onto that for both of them. Peter unsurprisingly aims to undo the restraints holding Leo in place on the floor. He can get the muzzle in a second.
His hands shake in exhaustion, finding it hard to actually hold onto anything.
The guard scruffs Peter by the hospital scrub he's wearing roughly hauling him back, forcing him into a seated position just out of reach of Leo.] "It'd be better if you didn't do that."
He doesn't deserve to be treated like this! [Peter snarls at the man.] What the fuck is wrong with all of you!?
[Leo tries to go after Peter when he's taken only to be stopped by the chains. It's such a short reach, like a dog stuck.
One of the scientists, a prim woman with a harsh bob and round lenses steps in, heels clicking on the cement floor.] "It caused our staff injuries when left unrestrained. This is necessary for the safety of our team."
[Leo hears her voice and starts backing away quickly like the room is on fire suddenly. But the woman kneels down next to Peter, keeping her skirt carefully tucked and everything in its place.] "You would probably understand these measures if you accepted that it is an it, and not a 'he'. It's an animal, and we are doing what we can to determine its origin and capabilities and biology."
You kidnapped him and are experimenting on him, why would he not react like that!? Anyone would fight against- even half of the things you're doing! [Peter spits back out at the guard, absolutely boiling over from exhaustion to anger.
The woman's approach makes Peter grit his teeth, trying to stem the anxiety her presence immediately sets under his skin. Her words do a great job of keeping his anger fresh and brittle.
None of them are used to seeing him actively angry. He had folded repeatedly to their demands in the hope it would get him out faster.
Now he couldn't stop the anger even if he wanted to.]
Leo is a he, he's a person! Not- an it! Are you stupid-?
"Watch it." [The guard warns. Peter scowls at him as well.]
No! I'm not going to let you talk about him like that! Period.
[Leo is frozen in the corner, watching the woman. But she seems unfazed by Peter's outburst.
Instead, she gets her tablet and stylus, taking down a few notes.] "You seem to be familiar with it. How familiar would you say you are? Would you be able to answer some questions?"
[She blinks before making a note down on her tablet.] "The implication you make with that statement being that it can speak. What language? Or is it reptile communication?"
[She seems determined to get information out of him one way or the other, and this is as good a way as any. She keeps making a couple notes on her tablet before looking at Peter again, adjusting her glasses.]
"How close would you say you are to it? What sort of relationship would you classify as you having?"
Did... did you just immediately start experimenting on him? Didn't even try talking to him-? [Peter is more than a little thrown off by that sentiment. He spent like ten minutes signing those stupid contracts that were not particularly legally binding stating that he consenting to all of this stupidity.
He just crosses his arms over his chest. Wondering what to even say. What is safe to say without making things worse?]
Why should I tell you anything? You're going to keep hurting him! [He's evading the question since he doesn't want to even explain his and Leo's life to these people.]
"We did try to speak with it, but it was unresponsive. We thought, perhaps, that it wasn't able to understand human speech. I see now that may not be the case and we'll develop some new tests to encourage verbal response."
[She isn't looking at Peter now, engrossed in quickly writing notes into her tablet form now. She still doesn't even look up at Peter.]
"Answering my questions will make our tests run a lot smoother on it."
Again, being kidnapped generally doesn't make anyone feel very talkative. I don't blame him. I only talked with you since you gave me no choice. Maybe don't do tests to force him to talk either? That wouldn't make anything better. [He says with a scrunch of his nose. He hates this. He hates it so much. Some of his anger mildly simmers.
He doesn't like this. He looks at Leo again, just trying to search his face for something that would be okay to say. Peter flexes his ninpo trying to reach out to his boyfriend. He wants to feel Leo.]
He's the only one of his kind. [It's a lie, but Peter makes it the truth in the moment. He believes in it enough that the lie isn't obvious.]
[She makes another few notes on her tablet. Leo watches Peter carefully, feeling that ninpo pulse and wants to reach back so badly. The problem is Leo has an indicator light when his is being used, and he doesn't want to give them any other thing to try and experiment with.
But the safety of his family in Peter's lie is invaluable. His muscles relax just a little feeling the ninpo reaching out to him, and hearing Peter's words. The scientist seems to take that at face value for now.]
"How do you know this? What confirmation do you have, and can you produce it?"
Ma'am, do you see any other giant turtles wandering New York who aren't on their way to a convention? [He questions dryly back.] I looked everywhere I could around the city, even outside of it, I wanted to be sure he wasn't alone, but it's just me and him.
[If he can, he'll do what he can to protect the rest of Leo's family. Hell, the rest of the mutants and yokai under the city. New York is his city, the place he promised he would protect.]
You're gonna be really disappointed, trust me. Its just him. [Peter makes a face at the secondary question.
He hates this so much.]
It's his name. He chose his own name. Yes, his name is Leo. Leonardo. [He avoids the last name very intently. The Hamato family is a little too distinct.
He hopes Leo is okay with this. He can't exactly ask.] Leonardo Parker.
"Yet, it has your last name?"
He and I agreed on it. [In a nebulous 3am conversation where the two were trying to figure out last names if they got married. Parker-Hamato was the winner.]
[She stares at him the same length of time Leo does, but in a very different expression. She is, sadly, unimpressed by this. Leo, though, looks surprised, and in any other situation he'd be crying from joy.
Instead he stays where he's seated, ready to try and (unsuccessfully) bolt if the guards start to approach.
Which they are. The woman looks from Peter up to the guard and nods once before standing up straight.]
"It seems our time here is over. We have to resume our schedule as we allowed a ten minute deviation for this... distraction. We have more tests for it, but you'll be given some options. The guard will explain them to you."
[Peter just scowls at her, the urge to just make her eat the stylus is not a nice one, but it's there.
He twists around when he realizes the guards are moving toward Leo. The tired edge Peter has been feeling this entire time is overridden by adrenaline kicking to the surface. Fear and worry for his boyfriend on the immediate forefront.
He's up on his feet, fast. Fast enough it startles the other lingering scientist by the door to the cell. The scientists haven't had complete luck in suppressing Peter's abilities.
He grabs onto one of the guards arms, yanking the man back.]
Hey! Don't touch him!
"Make it easy on yourself." [The woman warns with no real interest in getting in the way of a scuffle.]
[The guard by Peter tugs him back, away as the other two guards approach Leo. He's trying to shrink into himself more. As soon as they reach for him, he scrambles, trying to get away but is caught on the same damned chains again.
The noise that he makes as two sets of hands reach for him is likely not one Peter's heard before, pained and panicked and scared. Leo thrashes his head around before one guard gets a grip on him, slamming it down to the floor as the other pops the plastic cap off of a prepared syringe. The whine in his throat is definitely a new one to Peter, as Leo strains his body to look at him, beg him with his eyes for help.
The woman walks back to the other scientist once it's clear the guards can get Leo pliable for now. She doesn't need to see his short, scared breaths start to slow and his body go languid. Not asleep, but damn near close enough.]
No-nono- Leo! [Any patience, or calm Peter might have been showing about the situation, about how the scientists treated him fall away completely. He had been trying to just wait this out.
Now he really can't. He elbows the guard behind him hard enough that he knocks the air out of the man. The guard who had been holding him staggers back clutching at his chest.
He darts forward, shoving both guards firmly out of his way with all of his strength. It knocks both men off their feet entirely. They crash onto the tiled floor hard enough it cracks the surface. Any sympathy or regret he could have had about hurting them isn't something he can muster.
His focus is on his boyfriend.
Peter drops onto his knees again, reaching out to just touch Leo's face. The muzzle is shredded with a quick decisive gesture so Peter can press their faces together. His forehead against Leo's own. He draws back to just break the chains holding Leo in place.]
Fuck, fuck- what was in that- [He fumbles to pull Leo into his lap, just curling around him protectively.
The thought of escaping doesn't even hit him, his thoughts are a jumble of panic and fear. The need to protect Leo as much as he can.]
[Leo doesn't respond more than vague, exhausted half-aborted whines in his throat at being maneuvered into Peter's lap. His eyes look up at him, glossy and glass eyed. But he's dead weight in his boyfriend's arms.]
"Fascinating." [Both scientists at the door are taking furious notes at the display. Even when the guards start getting back up. A hand signal to each other and one reaches for another syringe.]
[Peter just holds Leo close as he can, murmuring against his boyfriend's exposed skin.]
I'm sorry, if I knew you were here, if I knew- [He would have just done so many things differently if he knew Leo was here. He wouldn't have put up with all of this up to this point.
The guard he merely jabbed in the chest is trying to approach, intending to give his coworkers some cover. He makes a grab for Peter. Only to find his wrist snapped at by Peter's hand. The teenager doesn't even look at him, he shoves the man back and away. The guard tries again- grabbed for his efforts more forcefully as Peter looks at him. All three guards are more than a little startled by the display. Peter snarls at them, a warning.] Get the fuck away from us!
[Peter's attention is focused on the man he's holding is more than enough for the guard with the syringe to make his own attempt.]
"We were going to give you some options... But you leave us only one right now. We'll discuss the rest when you're ready." [The scientist sighs resigned. The guard Peter misses steps up close. It doesn't take but a second for the trained skill hand to get the syringe's needle into the side of Peter's neck. Leo's own senses and reactions too dulled to stop or even warn him.]
[His spider sense goes off just a bit too late for him to be able to avoid the jab. He sucks in a sharp pained breath. The needle sticks out of his exposed neck at an odd angle.
Whatever is in the syringe is potent enough it makes Peter start to list somewhat to the side. He clings to Leo desperately.]
No-nonono- Leo, Leo- [He's starting to slur a little, sticking to Leo initially before his focus is lost at the needle being yanked out of his neck. The teenager is hauled back by one guard so the other two can grab the mutant turtle.]
[It's a long day. Peter wouldn't know; this is one of the few, if only, days Peter is left in one spot to rest. Medically induced, sure, but still rest.
Nothing and no one disturbs the cell until the mixture finishes cycling through Peter's system. The sound of heavy chains being fastened together, and a separate set of hands tightening the muzzle around the turtle's head is the most disruption the cell has seen all day. But there's more bruising on his green skin. His mouth doesn't sit right, like something's wrong with it. Fresh burn marks line his arms and he's both exhausted and nervous.
But one of the guards nudges Peter with his foot as the other two step back once Leo is secure again.]
[It takes another nudge before Peter blinks his eyes open, seemingly trying to pin point where he even is.
Then reality slides back into place. He jolts up into a seated position. His mind feels all over the place, jumbled thoughts, panic and grogginess all crash together.]
Leo!
"Enough." [The guard says with limited patience back down at Peter, but doesn't stop the teenager from clumsily moving towards Leo. He looked to his other guards.]
"If you try to move it, you'll hurt it. Don't try anything."
[That does stop Peter from trying to pull apart the restraints keeping Leo in place. He stays close, looking up at the guards with a scowl.]
[Once the guard seems satisfied that Peter won't rush to anything drastic, he takes half a step back and pulls out a tablet himself. Thumbs through a few things.]
"Your options are stay in your own bunk, and this turtle will no longer be an issue for you. You can stay in your own bunk and agree to the tests in return for reasonable requests for it. Or you can bunk here with it, agree to the tests in return for reasonable requests for you both."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But with Peter closer, he can see it, the way the restraints and leader of the muzzle are drawn so tight they cut into the skin. Leo's mask is gone, in its place eyes brimming with new tears that will likely fall the same tear-tracks as the ones previous the last two weeks.]
no subject
Peter is so focused on Leo he doesn't notice one of the armed guards walking up behind him.]
It's okay, we're gonna be okay. [It's hard to believe in the moment, but Peter is desperate to hold onto that for both of them. Peter unsurprisingly aims to undo the restraints holding Leo in place on the floor. He can get the muzzle in a second.
His hands shake in exhaustion, finding it hard to actually hold onto anything.
The guard scruffs Peter by the hospital scrub he's wearing roughly hauling him back, forcing him into a seated position just out of reach of Leo.] "It'd be better if you didn't do that."
He doesn't deserve to be treated like this! [Peter snarls at the man.] What the fuck is wrong with all of you!?
no subject
One of the scientists, a prim woman with a harsh bob and round lenses steps in, heels clicking on the cement floor.] "It caused our staff injuries when left unrestrained. This is necessary for the safety of our team."
[Leo hears her voice and starts backing away quickly like the room is on fire suddenly. But the woman kneels down next to Peter, keeping her skirt carefully tucked and everything in its place.] "You would probably understand these measures if you accepted that it is an it, and not a 'he'. It's an animal, and we are doing what we can to determine its origin and capabilities and biology."
no subject
The woman's approach makes Peter grit his teeth, trying to stem the anxiety her presence immediately sets under his skin. Her words do a great job of keeping his anger fresh and brittle.
None of them are used to seeing him actively angry. He had folded repeatedly to their demands in the hope it would get him out faster.
Now he couldn't stop the anger even if he wanted to.]
Leo is a he, he's a person! Not- an it! Are you stupid-?
"Watch it." [The guard warns. Peter scowls at him as well.]
No! I'm not going to let you talk about him like that! Period.
no subject
Instead, she gets her tablet and stylus, taking down a few notes.] "You seem to be familiar with it. How familiar would you say you are? Would you be able to answer some questions?"
no subject
The woman sighs slightly, the sound distantly disappointed.]
"You seem to know so much, it would make things easier if you told us more. It hasn't been cooperative."
Again, the torture doesn't make someone particularly talkative, Ma'am. [Peter steals a glance at Leo, feeling worse when he sees how tense Leo is.]
no subject
[She seems determined to get information out of him one way or the other, and this is as good a way as any. She keeps making a couple notes on her tablet before looking at Peter again, adjusting her glasses.]
"How close would you say you are to it? What sort of relationship would you classify as you having?"
no subject
He just crosses his arms over his chest. Wondering what to even say. What is safe to say without making things worse?]
Why should I tell you anything? You're going to keep hurting him! [He's evading the question since he doesn't want to even explain his and Leo's life to these people.]
no subject
[She isn't looking at Peter now, engrossed in quickly writing notes into her tablet form now. She still doesn't even look up at Peter.]
"Answering my questions will make our tests run a lot smoother on it."
no subject
He doesn't like this. He looks at Leo again, just trying to search his face for something that would be okay to say. Peter flexes his ninpo trying to reach out to his boyfriend. He wants to feel Leo.]
He's the only one of his kind. [It's a lie, but Peter makes it the truth in the moment. He believes in it enough that the lie isn't obvious.]
no subject
[She makes another few notes on her tablet. Leo watches Peter carefully, feeling that ninpo pulse and wants to reach back so badly. The problem is Leo has an indicator light when his is being used, and he doesn't want to give them any other thing to try and experiment with.
But the safety of his family in Peter's lie is invaluable. His muscles relax just a little feeling the ninpo reaching out to him, and hearing Peter's words. The scientist seems to take that at face value for now.]
"How do you know this? What confirmation do you have, and can you produce it?"
no subject
[If he can, he'll do what he can to protect the rest of Leo's family. Hell, the rest of the mutants and yokai under the city. New York is his city, the place he promised he would protect.]
no subject
You called it by a name when you entered. Leo? Was it? Is that the name you gave it?"
no subject
He hates this so much.]
It's his name. He chose his own name. Yes, his name is Leo. Leonardo. [He avoids the last name very intently. The Hamato family is a little too distinct.
He hopes Leo is okay with this. He can't exactly ask.] Leonardo Parker.
"Yet, it has your last name?"
He and I agreed on it. [In a nebulous 3am conversation where the two were trying to figure out last names if they got married. Parker-Hamato was the winner.]
no subject
Instead he stays where he's seated, ready to try and (unsuccessfully) bolt if the guards start to approach.
Which they are. The woman looks from Peter up to the guard and nods once before standing up straight.]
"It seems our time here is over. We have to resume our schedule as we allowed a ten minute deviation for this... distraction. We have more tests for it, but you'll be given some options. The guard will explain them to you."
no subject
He twists around when he realizes the guards are moving toward Leo. The tired edge Peter has been feeling this entire time is overridden by adrenaline kicking to the surface. Fear and worry for his boyfriend on the immediate forefront.
He's up on his feet, fast. Fast enough it startles the other lingering scientist by the door to the cell. The scientists haven't had complete luck in suppressing Peter's abilities.
He grabs onto one of the guards arms, yanking the man back.]
Hey! Don't touch him!
"Make it easy on yourself." [The woman warns with no real interest in getting in the way of a scuffle.]
no subject
The noise that he makes as two sets of hands reach for him is likely not one Peter's heard before, pained and panicked and scared. Leo thrashes his head around before one guard gets a grip on him, slamming it down to the floor as the other pops the plastic cap off of a prepared syringe. The whine in his throat is definitely a new one to Peter, as Leo strains his body to look at him, beg him with his eyes for help.
The woman walks back to the other scientist once it's clear the guards can get Leo pliable for now. She doesn't need to see his short, scared breaths start to slow and his body go languid. Not asleep, but damn near close enough.]
no subject
Now he really can't. He elbows the guard behind him hard enough that he knocks the air out of the man. The guard who had been holding him staggers back clutching at his chest.
He darts forward, shoving both guards firmly out of his way with all of his strength. It knocks both men off their feet entirely. They crash onto the tiled floor hard enough it cracks the surface. Any sympathy or regret he could have had about hurting them isn't something he can muster.
His focus is on his boyfriend.
Peter drops onto his knees again, reaching out to just touch Leo's face. The muzzle is shredded with a quick decisive gesture so Peter can press their faces together. His forehead against Leo's own. He draws back to just break the chains holding Leo in place.]
Fuck, fuck- what was in that- [He fumbles to pull Leo into his lap, just curling around him protectively.
The thought of escaping doesn't even hit him, his thoughts are a jumble of panic and fear. The need to protect Leo as much as he can.]
no subject
"Fascinating." [Both scientists at the door are taking furious notes at the display. Even when the guards start getting back up. A hand signal to each other and one reaches for another syringe.]
"Let it go and step back from it."
no subject
I'm sorry, if I knew you were here, if I knew- [He would have just done so many things differently if he knew Leo was here. He wouldn't have put up with all of this up to this point.
The guard he merely jabbed in the chest is trying to approach, intending to give his coworkers some cover. He makes a grab for Peter. Only to find his wrist snapped at by Peter's hand. The teenager doesn't even look at him, he shoves the man back and away. The guard tries again- grabbed for his efforts more forcefully as Peter looks at him. All three guards are more than a little startled by the display. Peter snarls at them, a warning.] Get the fuck away from us!
[Peter's attention is focused on the man he's holding is more than enough for the guard with the syringe to make his own attempt.]
no subject
"Get the turtle prepped for today's tests."
no subject
Whatever is in the syringe is potent enough it makes Peter start to list somewhat to the side. He clings to Leo desperately.]
No-nonono- Leo, Leo- [He's starting to slur a little, sticking to Leo initially before his focus is lost at the needle being yanked out of his neck. The teenager is hauled back by one guard so the other two can grab the mutant turtle.]
no subject
Nothing and no one disturbs the cell until the mixture finishes cycling through Peter's system. The sound of heavy chains being fastened together, and a separate set of hands tightening the muzzle around the turtle's head is the most disruption the cell has seen all day. But there's more bruising on his green skin. His mouth doesn't sit right, like something's wrong with it. Fresh burn marks line his arms and he's both exhausted and nervous.
But one of the guards nudges Peter with his foot as the other two step back once Leo is secure again.]
"Time to wake up."
no subject
Then reality slides back into place. He jolts up into a seated position. His mind feels all over the place, jumbled thoughts, panic and grogginess all crash together.]
Leo!
"Enough." [The guard says with limited patience back down at Peter, but doesn't stop the teenager from clumsily moving towards Leo. He looked to his other guards.]
"If you try to move it, you'll hurt it. Don't try anything."
[That does stop Peter from trying to pull apart the restraints keeping Leo in place. He stays close, looking up at the guards with a scowl.]
no subject
"Your options are stay in your own bunk, and this turtle will no longer be an issue for you. You can stay in your own bunk and agree to the tests in return for reasonable requests for it. Or you can bunk here with it, agree to the tests in return for reasonable requests for you both."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)