mcu/rise mashup

[neonleon]

for heyunderoos

this au got us bad so fast

Comments

[neonleon]

Yeah. Y-yeah.

[With the nudge, he's easy to get seated at the nearest stool at the counter.

(Once a month, once a month they'd all come over with food and drinks to remind Leo he hadn't lost everything that day, remind Leo he still has his family, so he got stools and chairs that are empty the rest of the month, that he'd stare at and try to picture himself and Peter sitting eating together until it drove him to tears.)

He sniffs, wiping at his eyes again before reaching for Peter's hand again.]

Yeah. Y-yeah, we're. Together.

[heyunderoos]

[The whole situation is... complicated, heavy, uncomfortable. Peter wishes he knew what he could do.

Peter sits down a little more heavily on a stool, still tired. His whole body is new, but feels wrung out from the wild range of emotions.

He readily holds onto Leo's hand. He laces their fingers together.

Peter's voice is quiet, a touch remorseful.]

I'm sorry... if, if I cost you everyone else. [He had no part in bringing himself back, but the guilt is still uncomfortably tight in his chest.]

[neonleon]

You didn't. [Said quickly, firm. He's solid on that. Peter didn't do anything wrong.

If he lost everyone else, then that's squarely on Leo. He'd kept them at a distance since Peter was gone, and if this cuts them off completely? That's his fault. But he at least has Peter back. They can be happy the way they were supposed to before he let the Foot get the Krang door open.]

So don't worry. You didn't do anything. All right?

[heyunderoos]

[Peter frowns at that, just squeezing Leo's hand in his own. He wants to argue, but he has nothing to argue back with. The whole situation is something he's more or less woken up into. He has been out of the picture for two years.]

I... okay. I just, I don't want to be the reason you're alone, Leo.

[neonleon]

I'm not alone, Peter.

[He turns on his seat to face him, taking both hands in his now and squeezing them. He has Peter back, he won't be alone.]

And even if that happens, if they decide to walk away, it isn't because of anything you did. Got that?

[heyunderoos]

Right, we're here, we're together. [Peter exhales softly, just looking at Leo.

In the warm morning light, he can really look at Leo. He can take in what has changed. The replacement arm looks better, less unwieldy on Leo. It fits his frame much better than what he had before.

The prosthetic leg is new. Worrying. Did something else big happen or was this... tied back to why Peter is here again. The magic tattoos seeming to shift on Leo's skin seemingly towards Peter is just as jarring.]

Got it.

[neonleon]

[The tattoos never fully move, not completely. But they shift, the bulk of the linework listing more to Peter's side.

But at that confirmation he nods before leaning forward to rest his head against Peter's shoulder.]

I missed you.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter wraps his arms around Leo the best he can given he's still seated.

He wants to say 'I missed you too', but... he hadn't really experienced the same amount of lost time.]

I love you.

[All he really grasps onto is this distant frantic feeling to find Leo. The longer he's present, the more pieces come back to him.]

[neonleon]

[Oh. Oh, that works too. He matches the motion, hugging Peter tight.]

I love you too, Peter.

I'm sorry, it- I-it's all messed up right now, but. We'll get it sorted out. All right?

[heyunderoos]

Yeah, I know we will. [He isn't sure what the future holds, but he'll stick to his word that it will be them together.]

We'll build our future, we'll get to actually rest now.

[neonleon]

[He just about feels ready to start crying again hearing that.

Rest.

While everyone else was resting, rebuilding, Leo had not stopped. But now he can. He can finally stop and enjoy the life they earned.]

Soon as Mikey gets here to look at you, we'll know for sure. But we'll be okay.

[heyunderoos]

We can finally do everything we wanted to. I can drive you a little crazy with origami animals. [Peter just runs a gentle hand across Leo's side.]

Right. Hopefully, he'll be here soon. To clear things up. Maybe Donnie will be here too, I dunno.

[neonleon]

[There's a distant realization that he should probably glance at his phone. Eventually, probably before Mikey gets here.]

Ha. Yeah, the- Those are cute. I kept some of the last ones you made.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter laughs a little at that, lightening up a bit.] Did you-? Maybe now we can do those stars, make a wish.

[His hand settles against Leo's cheek, just wanting to touch him. Be close to him.] Can I... kiss you?

[It feels odd to ask, but, Peter wants to be sure. It is an old hesitance he hasn't worn in decades. Something similar to their first date.]

[neonleon]

[He leans his head into that touch, about to say the stars didn't make it -

But oh.... He looks at Peter, sad and hopeful all at once.]

Yes.

[heyunderoos]

The first time I asked you that, you were more nervous. [He says softly back, aiming for a tease. A reminder of where they started. April tricking them to go on a date to Hueso's, dancing on the rooftop, laying together talking about not much at all. He strokes his thumb across Leo's cheek.

He shifts so he can lean up and close the distance between them. He brushes his lips against Leo's own. An invitation for something less chaste if Leo wants to take it.]

[neonleon]

[It bubbles up an unexpected laugh from him, something Leo didn't think he was capable of anymore. Not after the years of loss and anger and numbness. He cups Peter's cheeks gently to lean into it. Content to not let him go for the moment. Or a few moments.]

[heyunderoos]

[The kiss is gentle, more carefully exploratory than intense. Peter is relaxed and more at ease as they kiss. He just holds onto Leo, trying to keep him close.

The last time they really kissed... Peter had been saying goodbye before he went to the base. A desperate kiss, an unspoken promise that it wouldn't be the last one either had.]

[neonleon]

[It was. It was, it was, and Leo sobbed that day Peter left. He knew Peter going to that base would be bad, but he hadn't realized until he brought Peter back just how bad. He tucks his fingers into the curls at the back of Peter's head to hold him close in that kiss, breaking away only to rest his forehead against his husband's.]

Missed you. Love you.

[heyunderoos]

I love you too. I'm happy I'm here with you. [His eyes slide shut for the moment as he holds onto Leo.

He's only distracted by the sound of Leo's phone buzzing. Peter just holds onto Leo a little tightly for a moment, before letting his grip loosen.]

I almost don't want to know what that is.

[neonleon]

[He sighs when he hears that buzzing. Leo doesn't want to break away, he doesn't want to look because he can guess at what it is.

And looking only does confirm it. Various iterations of "What did you do" from Don, Mikey, Sunita, Todd (even Todd?? How did he find out so fast?) piling up his messages.]

Everyone found out at the same time. April probably sent a group message.

[heyunderoos]

Well, this is going to make re-introductions a little less awkward. Maybe. [Peter is trying to be hopeful of as much.] It's not like I'm a straight up zombie or anything.

[Minus the tainted eye and stained black fingertips. Peter is aware of his hands, but yet to really see himself.]

[neonleon]

Not really, no.

[Minus the tainted eye and stained black fingertips.]

I mean - A few changes? Not bad, it looks kinda cool actually. But you're not some brainless undead husk or anything. You're you.

[heyunderoos]

[The cool comment earns a soft laugh from Peter.] I feel like me, everything feels intact, just... different I guess? I only really feel your ninpo right now, which feels jarring.

[He sighs a little, trying to relax. He doesn't even want to peek at Leo's messages. Peter's fear of his husband being isolated from his family still was an uncomfortable knot in his stomach.]

[neonleon]

[Oh Peter, he's been isolated from his family since the day they cut you off. He's glancing at the texts, sending off a quick one before putting his phone back away. Focus. Here and now.]

Yeah, it's a little off putting. Sure they'll come around and connect you to the network again once they see they're scared over nothing.