[Peter can feel when his muscles tense again, his usual bright blue ninpo now dulled and muddied with the black and angry violet of the dark magic he's been using. It didn't start with just Peter's resurrection, but has been since Leo started experimenting and trying.]
...I did my best to... to make it as easy as I could.
[Peter only draws back to cup Leo's face in his hands. He holds his husband's gaze. The brunette still unaware one of his eyes is corrupted by dark magic in a way it will never be normal again.]
You've been doing this... for nearly two years?
None of it was easy, Leo. None of it was safe. [He brushes his thumb along Leo's cheek.]
I don't know how to feel about this. I'm not... angry with you. I'm worried about you.
[Peter can feel him trembling so minutely trying to keep it under wraps. But Leo is staring at Peter's now mismatched eyes. He thinks maybe after the initial reactions, after the first second responses, maybe Donnie could come up with something to hide it if Peter wants.]
I'm fine. [His voice sounds thick even to his own ears, croaking a little as he swallows down the emotion and leans into Peter's touch.] I-i'm fine. You're back, so I. I'm fine now.
[The feeling of Leo trembling is enough to make Peter's breath catch slightly.
Tears sting at his eyes. The magic tainted eye leaks gold liquid as Peter blinks. It rolls down his cheek. The shock of everything is starting to wear off bit by bit.] Leo...
[Peter draws Leo back into him, just holding him fiercely. They have always been each others rocks. This is no different now.]
Leo, you haven't been fine in a very long time. [He says softly back, unable to stop himself from crying a little as well.] and that's okay.
You don't have to be. Just let go. I'm right here.
[They have always been each other's rocks. This is no different now. Leo trying to keep himself in one piece since Peter just came back, Peter's been gone for two years and needs to readjust, get the lay of the land. Leo can't break just yet.
He buries his face into Peter and clings to him tightly. Starts whispering mumbled into him-] I'm not letting you go again, I'm not letting you go. I'm not doing it again. I can't do it again, I'm not letting you go-
[Repeating. A mantra as Leo readjusts to his world with Peter in it again.]
I'm right here. I'm right here. [Peter offers back quietly, starting to cry a little himself. He can't stop te grief from rolling over him. The grief for Leo, for himself, for what Leo did to bring him back.]
No more missions, no more scouting, no- No more you going out alone. We don't have to anymore, we can be happy. S-so you're not going anywhere dangerous. Okay?
We can be safe and happy, finally. W-we finally have it. I-i finally have you back.
[Peter hiccups again, unable to stop himself from crying.
He never wanted Leo to feel this desperate, this alone- to chase after a ghost. They had so many plans. So many things they wanted. The longer they lay here, ninpos connected again, the more obvious it feels.
Leo had to do horrible things to achieve this.
Peter tightens his grip on Leo, desperate to keep him close.]
N-no more. [He agrees weakly.] It's... it's just going to be us. We'll be safe, safe and happy.
[He did. Many horrible things. Not just the bodies and blood he had to acquire each time he tried, but the other materials and ingredients as well, even so much as what he needed to even read Draxum's books. There were a lot of unsavory things he did that he would never want Peter to know the details of. To himself and to others.
The stronger he feels Peter's ninpo, the more vulnerable he feels. He'd closed himself off for two and a half years, since that day he carried Peter's body back to the med bay. A dam that started to crack the minute he heard Peter's voice again and is breaking even further now like this.]
I'm sorry- I'm sorry, Peter, I'm so sorry. [He can't stop it, thinking about the things he did, the sins he committed that he would have never done otherwise. He would judge his brothers for these things, he never even considered this spell for Raph - and maybe a part of him is guilty there too. That he went through all this for his husband but not his brother.
He buries his face against Peter's front crying openly now, whispering apologies.]
[Peter coaxes a hand across the back of Leo's head, letting it drift to his shell. He sobs openly, just trying to catch his breath. It is a struggle. All he wants is to make both of them feel better.
His voice shakes, heavy with tears and grief, but he wants Leo to hear him. To know he means it.]
I love you. I love you. [The thread of is ninpo curls around Leo's, weaving back into place. Pulsing with magic gaining traction again.] I'll never stop loving you.
[He's openly weeping, between Peter's words, feeling Peter in his arms, and feeling their ninpo curling together as one again. Peter's web threads help sooth the agitated black and purple of his poisoned ninpo in a way Leo couldn't the last two years on his own.]
I love you too. I never stopped. [He never stopped even when his family made the decision to cut Peter's ninpo off from theirs, leaving Leo adrift and Peter alone in quarantine exposure.] I'm not letting you go anywhere alone again.
[The problem is he is getting tired, his words slowly drifting to sleepy mumbles. His hold on his husband starting to loosen as they lay there together.]
[Peter shifts just enough to press a kiss against Leo's forehead, gentle and coaxing.
The shock of everything, the tears and strain of everything else leaves Peter tried. Tired enough the idea of falling asleep is so tempting.] Just stay here with me. Stay with me.
[He settles back against Leo, just enjoying the familiar comforting feeling of his husband's presence, even with what has changed while he was gone.]
[he carefully wraps his arms around him, loose enough that Peter could wiggle out at any time, but hoping he doesn't. He just wants to keep Peter in his arms a little longer, and hopefully he won't disappear by the time Leo wakes up again.]
[Peter manages to stay awake, just a bit longer to be sure Leo drifts off. He stays close to his spouse, just feeling comfortable as he can be.
By the time morning rolls around, Peter is still- Peter. The most drastic change lay the hint of golden lines under the magic stained eye.
He yawns openly, stretching a little and trying to burrow into Leo for comfort. The brunette feels wrung out, and reluctant to actually get up.] M'cold.
Mmm, yeah, that'd be good. [He slurs his words a little sleepily, eyes still closed. He settles more into Leo, actively comfortable and warm. The exhaustion almost pulls him back into a drowse.
For just a moment, he's forgotten his entire world is just this comfortable moment. The reassuring weight of his spouse and the warmth they accumulated overnight.
He startles a little at the sound of a door downstairs slamming open. Voices carrying below. Peter startles from his drowse. Instincts from the war means he's awake instantly. Alert and tense. His ninpo crackles with energy, stretching to grab onto Leo again.
He recognizes April's voice immediately. He can only guess as his brain snaps into awareness that the other voice is Casey's. He sits up a little, staring at the bedroom door before looking to Leo.] Or, we might have to get up...
[He was so happy, pretending a little longer that he'd never lost Peter. He never had to sit outside that tent, their ninpo disconnected and listening to Peter slowly lose his mind as his health deteriorated. The worst two and a half weeks of his life, followed by the longest two years of his life.
April's shouting something about their usual meetup time for breakfast, why wasn't Leo ther- Oh FUCK he forgot about breakfast. Leo groans as he rolls onto his back, rubbing at his eyes with the thick of his palms.]
Do you wanna do this now or wait? If you wanna wait, just... hang out in here a little bit and we can work up to it.
The sooner we rip the bandaid off, the sooner we can figure things out. April will probably have the... least worst reaction? Maybe? [Peter answers back with a frown. He doesn't know the specifics of what Leo did, but Peter knows the reunion isn't going to be easy.]
I can't hide in here for long either, Casey lives with us. He'll figure out something changed pretty fast.
Right... Yeah, I-i meant. More first thing, or ten minutes.
[He definitely thought they could hide Peter for a week or two. But no, Casey living here puts an end to that thought. He's scared, he's clearly scared of what they'll think after he let them think he was dating again (they thought that, they concluded that, he just didn't correct them.]
[Peter is quiet, gladly taking Leo's arm in his own. He tries to smooth his own nerves over by just squeezing onto Leo. It isn't like he can announce himself and make everything okay.
What is it!? Casey's voice carries before April with some amusement hushes him.
Peter manages a small smile at his husband, aiming for something encouraging and reassuring.]
[Peter taking his arm can feel Leo tense, trembling. His eyes are locked on the door and the hallway beyond it. He can do this. He'd worked two years for this, he just never thought about the "after it succeeds" part; maybe he never thought it would and he felt better trying. Like it didn't mean he gave up on Peter.]
Got someone for you to see!
[And then he looks at Peter, brows knit together and a nod to the door. Ready?]
[Peter squeezes Leo's arm again, trying to be a steady presence for him. Wishing he could do more.
Peter nods in turn. He squares his shoulders a little as the door opens and they move out into the hallway together.
He can still hear April and Casey's voices even from the level above the kitchen without the shouting. Snippets of a conversation. Debating idly about a secret boyfriend.
Well.
Peter was definitely secret.
The walk downstairs feels long, but too short at the same time. Peter barely takes in the house as they walk. Any joy at having sunlight is dampened by the discomfort tight in his chest.
The kitchen is soaked in sunlight coming through the windows. Its quaint, yellow walls and homey. What Peter wanted so desperately. April leans against a counter. Casey... Casey a much older boy now is searching through his bag for something. It's surreal how big Casey is now. How much he's grown.
He speaks, his voice quieter than he intends it to be.]
[The conversation of 'secret boyfriend' almost has Leo stop halfway down the stairs. It's clear there are two people coming down, and April's watching the doorway expectantly.
What they don't expect is Peter standing there with his mismatched eyes, or Leo's tattoos to still look so vibrant. Both Casey and April's jaws slack open taking him in, recognition in both their eyes. But then Peter talks, and the recognition shifts to anger and confusion in April's eyes. She carefully starts moving Casey behind her for the moment.]
Leo.... [Her voice a warning. Concerned. Barely contained anger at whatever Leo did.
He holds one hand out plaintiffly.] I-i know how this looks-
It LOOKS like you did some black mystic magic shit to bring your husband back to life.
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...I did my best to... to make it as easy as I could.
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You've been doing this... for nearly two years?
None of it was easy, Leo. None of it was safe. [He brushes his thumb along Leo's cheek.]
I don't know how to feel about this. I'm not... angry with you. I'm worried about you.
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I'm fine. [His voice sounds thick even to his own ears, croaking a little as he swallows down the emotion and leans into Peter's touch.] I-i'm fine. You're back, so I. I'm fine now.
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Tears sting at his eyes. The magic tainted eye leaks gold liquid as Peter blinks. It rolls down his cheek. The shock of everything is starting to wear off bit by bit.] Leo...
[Peter draws Leo back into him, just holding him fiercely. They have always been each others rocks. This is no different now.]
Leo, you haven't been fine in a very long time. [He says softly back, unable to stop himself from crying a little as well.] and that's okay.
You don't have to be. Just let go. I'm right here.
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He buries his face into Peter and clings to him tightly. Starts whispering mumbled into him-] I'm not letting you go again, I'm not letting you go. I'm not doing it again. I can't do it again, I'm not letting you go-
[Repeating. A mantra as Leo readjusts to his world with Peter in it again.]
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I'm not going anywhere. We're both here.
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We can be safe and happy, finally. W-we finally have it. I-i finally have you back.
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He never wanted Leo to feel this desperate, this alone- to chase after a ghost. They had so many plans. So many things they wanted. The longer they lay here, ninpos connected again, the more obvious it feels.
Leo had to do horrible things to achieve this.
Peter tightens his grip on Leo, desperate to keep him close.]
N-no more. [He agrees weakly.] It's... it's just going to be us. We'll be safe, safe and happy.
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The stronger he feels Peter's ninpo, the more vulnerable he feels. He'd closed himself off for two and a half years, since that day he carried Peter's body back to the med bay. A dam that started to crack the minute he heard Peter's voice again and is breaking even further now like this.]
I'm sorry- I'm sorry, Peter, I'm so sorry. [He can't stop it, thinking about the things he did, the sins he committed that he would have never done otherwise. He would judge his brothers for these things, he never even considered this spell for Raph - and maybe a part of him is guilty there too. That he went through all this for his husband but not his brother.
He buries his face against Peter's front crying openly now, whispering apologies.]
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His voice shakes, heavy with tears and grief, but he wants Leo to hear him. To know he means it.]
I love you. I love you. [The thread of is ninpo curls around Leo's, weaving back into place. Pulsing with magic gaining traction again.] I'll never stop loving you.
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[He's openly weeping, between Peter's words, feeling Peter in his arms, and feeling their ninpo curling together as one again. Peter's web threads help sooth the agitated black and purple of his poisoned ninpo in a way Leo couldn't the last two years on his own.]
I love you too. I never stopped. [He never stopped even when his family made the decision to cut Peter's ninpo off from theirs, leaving Leo adrift and Peter alone in quarantine exposure.] I'm not letting you go anywhere alone again.
[The problem is he is getting tired, his words slowly drifting to sleepy mumbles. His hold on his husband starting to loosen as they lay there together.]
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The shock of everything, the tears and strain of everything else leaves Peter tried. Tired enough the idea of falling asleep is so tempting.] Just stay here with me. Stay with me.
[He settles back against Leo, just enjoying the familiar comforting feeling of his husband's presence, even with what has changed while he was gone.]
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[he carefully wraps his arms around him, loose enough that Peter could wiggle out at any time, but hoping he doesn't. He just wants to keep Peter in his arms a little longer, and hopefully he won't disappear by the time Leo wakes up again.]
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By the time morning rolls around, Peter is still- Peter. The most drastic change lay the hint of golden lines under the magic stained eye.
He yawns openly, stretching a little and trying to burrow into Leo for comfort. The brunette feels wrung out, and reluctant to actually get up.] M'cold.
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The motion has his eyes locking onto Peter, searching for whatever may have changed, what may be different-
But at that comment of being cold, he pulls Peter in closer, tugging a heavier blanket from the end of the bed up over them.]
We can stay a little longer.
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For just a moment, he's forgotten his entire world is just this comfortable moment. The reassuring weight of his spouse and the warmth they accumulated overnight.
He startles a little at the sound of a door downstairs slamming open. Voices carrying below. Peter startles from his drowse. Instincts from the war means he's awake instantly. Alert and tense. His ninpo crackles with energy, stretching to grab onto Leo again.
He recognizes April's voice immediately. He can only guess as his brain snaps into awareness that the other voice is Casey's. He sits up a little, staring at the bedroom door before looking to Leo.] Or, we might have to get up...
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April's shouting something about their usual meetup time for breakfast, why wasn't Leo ther- Oh FUCK he forgot about breakfast. Leo groans as he rolls onto his back, rubbing at his eyes with the thick of his palms.]
Do you wanna do this now or wait? If you wanna wait, just... hang out in here a little bit and we can work up to it.
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I can't hide in here for long either, Casey lives with us. He'll figure out something changed pretty fast.
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[He definitely thought they could hide Peter for a week or two. But no, Casey living here puts an end to that thought. He's scared, he's clearly scared of what they'll think after he let them think he was dating again (they thought that, they concluded that, he just didn't correct them.]
Ready?
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[He rolls away, sitting up completely now. He manages to get himself up off the bed, but is still actively unsteady.]
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Leo sighs, offering Peter an arm and calling out.]
I'm coming! Have something to show you guys but you can't yell, all right?
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What is it!? Casey's voice carries before April with some amusement hushes him.
Peter manages a small smile at his husband, aiming for something encouraging and reassuring.]
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Got someone for you to see!
[And then he looks at Peter, brows knit together and a nod to the door. Ready?]
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Peter nods in turn. He squares his shoulders a little as the door opens and they move out into the hallway together.
He can still hear April and Casey's voices even from the level above the kitchen without the shouting. Snippets of a conversation. Debating idly about a secret boyfriend.
Well.
Peter was definitely secret.
The walk downstairs feels long, but too short at the same time. Peter barely takes in the house as they walk. Any joy at having sunlight is dampened by the discomfort tight in his chest.
The kitchen is soaked in sunlight coming through the windows. Its quaint, yellow walls and homey. What Peter wanted so desperately. April leans against a counter. Casey... Casey a much older boy now is searching through his bag for something. It's surreal how big Casey is now. How much he's grown.
He speaks, his voice quieter than he intends it to be.]
Uh- hey.
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What they don't expect is Peter standing there with his mismatched eyes, or Leo's tattoos to still look so vibrant. Both Casey and April's jaws slack open taking him in, recognition in both their eyes. But then Peter talks, and the recognition shifts to anger and confusion in April's eyes. She carefully starts moving Casey behind her for the moment.]
Leo.... [Her voice a warning. Concerned. Barely contained anger at whatever Leo did.
He holds one hand out plaintiffly.] I-i know how this looks-
It LOOKS like you did some black mystic magic shit to bring your husband back to life.
...Okay, so that is how that looks.
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