[Peter can feel it, feel Leo trembling on his back and clinging tighter. The voice that sounds just like him is wailing as it follows them still, trying to find them.]
It was my fault, I flushed her. I broke the teapot. I made them lie.
[All true. All things he did, all things his brothers kind of hate him for. Leo buries his face into the back of Peter's neck, tired and freezing and feeling his body temperature still dropping making him sluggish and slow.]
Even if it was, it's- it's not something to feel bad about. To hate yourself over forever. [It is foolish to argue with whatever this thing is that is broadcasting how they are feeling, but Peter has to.
His voice is fierce and protective. Peter wants to do more, wants to hold Leo and comfort his friend, but they have to keep moving.
He can hear that thing shuffling around under them, wailing and crying.
A flash of relief rolls over him as he finds an old vent system built in the ceiling. He digs his fingers into the old metal. He yanks it off a little more carelessly than he should.
He angles himself so he can let Leo go up first. He gestures at the opening wordlessly, trying to communicate what he's thinking.
He loves Leo, and he wants to help him. The warmth of the feeling is a balm against the heavy guilt weighing him down.
Peter doesn't notice the smoke lessening below them. He's focused on staying still so Leo can do what he wants to.]
[His nerves are on fire, every single sense he has frantic and searching for an exit, anything to get them out-
But Peter found it. He clutches tight when Peter wrenches the cover off. It doesn't take much to get the idea across, soon as he's able to, Leo starts scrambling up into the vent. It's a tight fit with his shell, but he's making it work.
Once he's up in, he holds his arms out for Peter to help get him inside. Trying to ignore the wailing of both his and Peter's voices down below, even if the smoke is getting better... Somehow?]
[Peter doesn't hesitate to follow Leo into the vents. Ignoring the twinge of claustrophobia that hits him as they slide into there for safety. He forces himself to take two large deep breaths, just focusing on Leo. The feeling of Leo's arms around him.
Peter's attention is still locked onto Leo. Love and desperation to keep him safe outweighs the guilt that had been pulling at him.
The vent is tight for both of them, but Peter just tries to stay close to Leo.
The crying below weakens, lessening. Just sniffling and whispering of their voices together. Whatever that thing is, its lurching around, dragging itself against a wall. It leaves a wet black smear against the off white wall. Black smudged hand prints left in its wake as it tries to climb up after them and can't.]
Is... is the smoke less now? [Peter's voice is less of a frantic whisper now, but still quiet.]
[Leo's been scared before. But he's never felt scared and hopeless. No weapons and without his weapons he can't use his mystic powers, he's cut off completely from his family with no way to contact or get out, he has no other way to fight back, he's only fourteen and he's trapped with his best friend that he never wants to see hurt or scared like this ever and wants to protect, that's normal right, that's such a normal feeling to have, to want to keep your best friend that you love seeing smile and the way his dimple picks up to offset his curls and okay he has to stop thinking about that, it's not the time because Peter is asking him something.
Smoke? He's been trying to avoid breathing if he can help it but he shifts the half inch he can move to look and...]
Something changed, I don't know what exactly. [Peter is trying to wrack his brain for anything they could have done.
With both of them somewhere safer, Peter is trying to think about the situation. He's aware of the fact both of them work a little better with something to grasp onto. Even if their loose plans always leaned into 'wanna throw web grenades through a portal?'.] Whatever it is, its... it knows stuff about us? How?
[He's watching now, seeing the thing's movements, the dark greasy stains it leaves behind a mixture of some unknown fluid and ash from the smoke. But it is getting better, so slowly.]
Reyes knew stuff about us before we got here. Probably not too far to figure this thing knows whatever she knows.
Leo. How would she know what I said to Ben when he was dying? [Peter questions very quietly back. Its not often he talks about Ben, much less Ben's death, but its something pressing in the moment.] No one else was there, just me and him. The person who... shot him ran away.
[Leo knows this is important. It's so, so important, Peter almost never talks about Ben, much less Ben's death. He clings a little tighter hearing that.
he thought he had an answer. Some explanation of what's happening but he doesn't. Not yet, but there has to be. Reyes knew stuff about them without ever having seen them, so- So this thing must be tapped into that, whatever it is. And has their voices on some kind of voice changer or something.]
[He keeps a careful hold on Leo, half afraid of losing him. He could catch him if he fell out of the vent, but the thought is enough to make a worried feeling settle over the brunette.]
I dunno, this- has to be something else? Somehow. I dunno. I just-
[He doesn't want to look at that thing too long, too closely. What if it can sense them watching? He scoots back away from the open air vent and into the duct proper. If they're quiet, then maybe they can use this to get around... Once he stops feeling so cold, down to the bones.]
Yeah- yeah. [Peter agrees quietly back, trying to make himself smaller in the vent so he didn't take up so much room. He wants to warm Leo up somehow, but the vent isn't really helping either of them right now.
[And right now, that is leading further into the vent, away from the opening but not out of sight of it. And then he'll cling to Peter, tugging him closer.]
Just - need some rest. Then I can figure out a plan to get us out. [Is it possible to be both panicked and sleepy at the same time? Because that's where he's at.]
[Peter doesn't fight against the hold, just leaning into Leo, invading his space with no hesitation as they move away from the opening. The vent isn't exactly warm, so Peter is just actively worried about trying to sleep here on top of everything else.]
Yeah, rest- rest is a good idea. Are you going to be okay to sleep in here-?
Doesn't matter. [Leo cuts him off.] Better than out there where that thing is. Long as I get an hour or two, I'll be fine and I can figure something out after that. Maybe that thing'll move on by then.
[Peter nods, before realizing its probably too dark to actually see each other that well. He wonders what else they can do but their options are limited right now.] Right. You're right.
Let's... try to get you settled okay? I can stay awake and keep watch.
[He was already starting to drift. He's so rarely this tired and able to drop off so quickly, but this whole situation has worn down every last nerve he has. he tucks himself closer to Peter, curling into him shivering.]
[Peter just wraps his arms around Leo, holding him close as the turtle tries to settle down against him. Peter knows he's going to be the only source of heat between the two of them.
The urge to risk the danger to find a blanket is strong, but he can't leave Leo here.]
[There's a noise in his throat as he starts to drift off. The smoke is still down there, not as horrible as it was. But he can still hear whispers of his own voice, distant and in agony crying about not fast enough, didn't run fast enough, I shouldn't have hesitated- as he falls asleep in Peter's arms.]
[Peter wraps his arms around Leo, trying to offer him some semblance of comfort given the situation is... not great honestly. They are sleeping in a dusty cold vent over a run down asylum with some weird ghost or whatever it is below them. That is on top of the whole kidnapping thing.
All Peter can really do is try to tuck Leo against him, his chin resting atop the turtle's head. His fingers drift idly along his friend's shell, light and gentle.
Thinking about later, about what they would do when they're actually home keeps Peter awake easily. He thinks about finally asking Leo out. About telling him how much he likes him. About the safety of being home and together.
It's a hope he holds onto.
A hope that eventually snuffs out more of the smoke bit by bit.]
[It isn't a good sleep really. Everything hazy still, a lot of stop and starting of Leo drifting. Sleep for five minutes, startle himself into awake for another fifteen. But every time, he's clinging to Peter still, warm and steady.
He doesn't know what time it is when he wakes up after finally sleeping about an hour or two. Leo shifts, tilting his head to look up at Peter.]
Hey. [Peter smiles tiredly down at the other teenager, just running a hand across Leo's shell.
He's managed to stay awake the entire time, just holding onto Leo and trying to make things easier for him. Laying in a dark dusty vent that smells like old metal and dust hasn't been great, but its better than the alternative.
The lack of sleep and the sappier feelings he's been musing on for a good while overpower his common sense as he lay a gentle hand against Leo's cheek, and leans in to kiss his forehead briefly.
Peter doesn't compute the gesture at all somehow.]
How are you feeling? It smells like the smoke is mostly gone now...?
Actually sleep would be nice, but, lemme see... [Peter is both parts reluctant to move and eager to get out of this vent.
He shifts just enough so he can lean towards the opening without completely letting go of Leo. He leaves one hand pressed against the turtle as grounding for himself as he partially sits up. He just manages to avoid bumping his head against the top of the narrow vent.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
It was my fault, I flushed her. I broke the teapot. I made them lie.
[All true. All things he did, all things his brothers kind of hate him for. Leo buries his face into the back of Peter's neck, tired and freezing and feeling his body temperature still dropping making him sluggish and slow.]
no subject
His voice is fierce and protective. Peter wants to do more, wants to hold Leo and comfort his friend, but they have to keep moving.
He can hear that thing shuffling around under them, wailing and crying.
A flash of relief rolls over him as he finds an old vent system built in the ceiling. He digs his fingers into the old metal. He yanks it off a little more carelessly than he should.
He angles himself so he can let Leo go up first. He gestures at the opening wordlessly, trying to communicate what he's thinking.
He loves Leo, and he wants to help him. The warmth of the feeling is a balm against the heavy guilt weighing him down.
Peter doesn't notice the smoke lessening below them. He's focused on staying still so Leo can do what he wants to.]
no subject
But Peter found it. He clutches tight when Peter wrenches the cover off. It doesn't take much to get the idea across, soon as he's able to, Leo starts scrambling up into the vent. It's a tight fit with his shell, but he's making it work.
Once he's up in, he holds his arms out for Peter to help get him inside. Trying to ignore the wailing of both his and Peter's voices down below, even if the smoke is getting better... Somehow?]
no subject
Peter's attention is still locked onto Leo. Love and desperation to keep him safe outweighs the guilt that had been pulling at him.
The vent is tight for both of them, but Peter just tries to stay close to Leo.
The crying below weakens, lessening. Just sniffling and whispering of their voices together. Whatever that thing is, its lurching around, dragging itself against a wall. It leaves a wet black smear against the off white wall. Black smudged hand prints left in its wake as it tries to climb up after them and can't.]
Is... is the smoke less now? [Peter's voice is less of a frantic whisper now, but still quiet.]
no subject
Smoke? He's been trying to avoid breathing if he can help it but he shifts the half inch he can move to look and...]
...I think it is. A little bit.
no subject
With both of them somewhere safer, Peter is trying to think about the situation. He's aware of the fact both of them work a little better with something to grasp onto. Even if their loose plans always leaned into 'wanna throw web grenades through a portal?'.] Whatever it is, its... it knows stuff about us? How?
no subject
Reyes knew stuff about us before we got here. Probably not too far to figure this thing knows whatever she knows.
no subject
no subject
he thought he had an answer. Some explanation of what's happening but he doesn't. Not yet, but there has to be. Reyes knew stuff about them without ever having seen them, so- So this thing must be tapped into that, whatever it is. And has their voices on some kind of voice changer or something.]
I don't know.
no subject
I dunno, this- has to be something else? Somehow. I dunno. I just-
[He glances back down, torn on what to do.]
no subject
[He doesn't want to look at that thing too long, too closely. What if it can sense them watching? He scoots back away from the open air vent and into the duct proper. If they're quiet, then maybe they can use this to get around... Once he stops feeling so cold, down to the bones.]
C'mon.
no subject
Where Leo leads, Peter will follow.]
no subject
Just - need some rest. Then I can figure out a plan to get us out. [Is it possible to be both panicked and sleepy at the same time? Because that's where he's at.]
no subject
Yeah, rest- rest is a good idea. Are you going to be okay to sleep in here-?
no subject
no subject
Let's... try to get you settled okay? I can stay awake and keep watch.
no subject
[He was already starting to drift. He's so rarely this tired and able to drop off so quickly, but this whole situation has worn down every last nerve he has. he tucks himself closer to Peter, curling into him shivering.]
Just wanna kick her ass and get outta here.
no subject
The urge to risk the danger to find a blanket is strong, but he can't leave Leo here.]
We're gonna get there. Just, gotta rest first.
no subject
[There's a noise in his throat as he starts to drift off. The smoke is still down there, not as horrible as it was. But he can still hear whispers of his own voice, distant and in agony crying about not fast enough, didn't run fast enough, I shouldn't have hesitated- as he falls asleep in Peter's arms.]
no subject
All Peter can really do is try to tuck Leo against him, his chin resting atop the turtle's head. His fingers drift idly along his friend's shell, light and gentle.
Thinking about later, about what they would do when they're actually home keeps Peter awake easily. He thinks about finally asking Leo out. About telling him how much he likes him. About the safety of being home and together.
It's a hope he holds onto.
A hope that eventually snuffs out more of the smoke bit by bit.]
no subject
He doesn't know what time it is when he wakes up after finally sleeping about an hour or two. Leo shifts, tilting his head to look up at Peter.]
Hey...
enjoy peter acting without thinking part #8932
He's managed to stay awake the entire time, just holding onto Leo and trying to make things easier for him. Laying in a dark dusty vent that smells like old metal and dust hasn't been great, but its better than the alternative.
The lack of sleep and the sappier feelings he's been musing on for a good while overpower his common sense as he lay a gentle hand against Leo's cheek, and leans in to kiss his forehead briefly.
Peter doesn't compute the gesture at all somehow.]
How are you feeling? It smells like the smoke is mostly gone now...?
no subject
Yeah? Because I could probably use some sleep that wasn't that. You too.
no subject
He shifts just enough so he can lean towards the opening without completely letting go of Leo. He leaves one hand pressed against the turtle as grounding for himself as he partially sits up. He just manages to avoid bumping his head against the top of the narrow vent.]
I don't really hear anything either. Its quiet.
no subject
[His hearing was never great, so he trusts Peter on this. But he's still hesitant to lean closer to the vent opening.]
Think it's safe to get out of here?
(no subject)