mcu/rise mashup

[neonleon]

for heyunderoos

this au got us bad so fast

Comments

[neonleon]

[well. That isn't great. The worry is clear on Mikey's face looking up at Peter.

But he can see the rest there too. How drained Peter is from just that one interaction, knowing Leo is hurting.

(He can feel it, just on the edge of the family ninpo. Mikey aches to help.)

He looks around before carefully touching at Peter's arm to guide him to the nearest meeting room and closes the door for some privacy.]

And how are you?

[heyunderoos]

[Peter falls into step with Mikey, not really having the capacity to push back against being led somewhere quiet.

He still feels a little distant from himself, but he's present enough to at least pretend everything is decent. He can do that much.]

I'm okay. Could be better. [He answers quietly back, loosely cross his arms over his chest.]

[neonleon]

[Michalenglo keeps watching him before gently wrapping arms around Peter's neck.]

Think we all could be, but you don't have to be okay right now if you don't want to.

[heyunderoos]

[The physical contact is enough to loosen Peter up slightly. He closes his eyes for a moment, just trying to take solace from Mikey's comfort.

It doesn't change his want, almost need to just disappear. He doesn't have the right to be so tired, much less cry. Leo is coping with the actual loss.]

I don't have a lot of options but to be okay right now.

[Later, Peter might realize giving so much of his healing factor, of his strength, over to Leo through their ninpo for several hours was additionally why he felt so wrung out.]

[neonleon]

I think you've got the option right now. Nobody's expecting you anywhere so ...Scream. Shout, whateeeeever you gotta do.

[And he means that. He lifts one hand away from Peter just to give it a wave. Orange mystics swirl from his finger like it did for Casey's ears, wrapping them in a decently sized orange ball.]

Nobody here but you, me, and D's recording which when he listens he'll probably wanna cut this off. It'll either be loud or emotional or both.

[heyunderoos]

[He watches the magic with a tired kind of exhale. He is tempted to let go, but he also feels like he can't. He has to hold on, he needs to.]

Mikey, if I let go now, I probably won't have it together when Leo needs me. [If there is one thing the Hamato family discovered was the fact Peter and Leo are both doggedly stubborn about putting everyone else first. The apparent end of the world had only made things worse in many ways.]

[neonleon]

[It certainly did. Mikey just tilts his head watching him in that way that says I know you better than you realize and know what you need versus what you'll say kind of thing.]

You've got a while before you have to be together for him. You can let yourself talk things out or feel whatever you need in the meantime.

[heyunderoos]

I'm just tired, Mikey. There isn't... a lot I can even do about that. [He pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to stay grounded. He needs to get himself focused again.

Years of doing this meant it was second nature at this point to just bury everything he was feeling so everyone else could be okay. If he was scared or upset, it would just make Leo feel worse. His husband didn't need that.]

How I'm feeling, is really not as important right now. So, I need to- just keep everything together.

[neonleon]

[God. All of it is so fucked. Mikey knows this can't last.]

What you're doing isn't sustainable either, Peter. If you're going to support him, you need a strong foundation too. And if you're just bottling all of it up, then.... What happens when you fall apart too?

[heyunderoos]

[Peter laughs a little, the sound is rough and tired. He presses his knuckles against his forehead.]

Mikey, I don't get the option to fall apart. That hasn't been an option in a decade. It won't be an option until the war ends.

[neonleon]

...And how do you think we feel watching you hurting like this?

[heyunderoos]

[He can't even look at Mikey right now, just pressing his fist more tightly against his forehead. The hand shakes where it rests, and he can't quite stop it.

His lips press into a thin unhappy line. He doesn't want to hurt Mikey, he doesn't want to make this any harder on any of them.]

Shitty, like this whole war? [He questions weakly back, trying to just push away from all of this.] I just can't let go. I can't...

[neonleon]

[Mikey carefully touches his hand to Peter's, other hand moving to pull Peter down for a hug. A loose embrace but pulsing his ninpo, warm and gentle wrapping Peter's and shoving reassurance, love through his ninpo.]

Leo isn't going anywhere. He's in the hands of professionals looking after him and you have nowhere else to be until Leo's recovered.

[heyunderoos]

[He has an excuse or two on the tip of his tongue, ready to try and leave.

Then Mikey's careful touch settles against his hand, and he pulls the brunette into a loose but gentle hug. The warmth of Mikey's ninpo curling around him, the reassurance and love, knocks every bit of strategy out of his mind.

His breath shakes as he closes his eyes tightly. Tears threaten to spill over as he hesitantly wraps his arms around Mikey. He's still afraid to let go, afraid of what happens if he can't pull himself back together quickly enough.]

[neonleon]

[Mikey's happy to just hold his brother in law, rubbing his back gently. Encouraging and easy. He doesn't want to force Peter into being emotional, but just firmly let him know the space is there...]

Whatever you need, I got you, bro. And then we can help Leo together when he's ready.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter swallows thickly, just trying to not actively cry. A few tears slip free as he tightens his grip carefully around Mikey.

He lowers his own defenses slightly, his own ninpo easing open between them. He doesn't even quite realize it. Mikey can likely tell Peter has been overextending his own magic for Leo. So much of the webbing stripped away to reinforce Leo's own ninpo.]

I just... I just want to lay down for a while. I'm so tired, Mikey. I'm so tired, I don't know what to do.

[neonleon]

[He can sense it, see it. The way the web stretches so far, taut and frayed threatening to snap if it's pulled much further. He squeezes Peter gently, bolstering Peter's ninpo with his own, molten lava that cools into something solid around the threads of Peter's ninpo. Strengthening the connection there, so Peter know he isn't alone in this, in wanting to help Leo, in being worried about Leo.]

Okay. Okay, we can get you somewhere to lay down. You'll be able to think a little better after some sleep. All right?

[heyunderoos]

[Peter sniffles a little bit. He only draws back to wipe at his eyes. Mikey's magic strengthening his own ninpo brings a little more strength to the sort of mutant.]

Sorry, I- I need to... [He stumbles over an excuse. He can't quite get it out.] If, I go sleep, at least for a bit will you keep an eye on him?

[neonleon]

Yeah! Of course, Peter, what are brothers for? Even in laws?

[He smiles brightly at that, holding Peter's shoulders for now.]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter releases a soft breath, softening a little further. He wipes at his eyes again, trying to compel himself to stop crying.]

Thanks, Mikey. I'm just... [He lets the sentence trail off, struggling to explain.] I'm just overwhelmed right now.

[neonleon]

I know. You can rest and we'll look after everything in the meantime.

[Mikey keeps watching his face, watching for any sign of Peter needing the affection again.]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter hesitates, not out of worry of Mikey's reaction. He knows his brother in law is an affectionate person. Just out of worry of taking up too much time, too much space.

He steps forward again to just carefully hug Mikey again. He feels like a broken record, but he wants to make his gratitude obvious.] Thank you.

[neonleon]

[Mikey smiles before hugging him back. Easier this time, less the need to envelop and shield Peter, and more to just embrace.]

Of course, Peter. Y'know we're here too.

[heyunderoos]

[He holds onto Mikey for a moment longer, taking in the comfort, before he draws back.]

I think, I'll just lay down in my and Leo's room. [He draws back again, exhaling slowly.] If anyone else needs help too, I can get up.

[He just wants to sleep, but he's aware he probably won't get that option for particularly long.]

[neonleon]

[Mikey pats his shoulder, just.... Taking him in.]

We'll let you know if we need your help with anything. 'Kay? But rest first.