mcu/rise mashup

[neonleon]

for heyunderoos

this au got us bad so fast

Comments

[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.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter is decidedly unaware, assuming his husband at least stayed close to his family in Peter's absence.]

As long as I don't... poison anything? I don't know what its going to be like- [The sound of the front door opening is enough to derail Peter completely. He clicks his teeth together, sitting up somewhat.] I guess Mikey is here?

[neonleon]

[Leo remembers the aftermath of that curse. How everything Peter touched with his hands was poisoned, blacked and bereft of all life. Leo has no worry about the Peter standing in front of him.

But that was quick, that was too quick. Mikey must have already been on his way when he felt the ninpo changing, the mystic energies Leo used, to get here this fast.]

Guess so. [Leo doesn't sound... thrilled.]

[heyunderoos]

We'll be okay. [Peter offers hope, a common reframe he and Leo held onto desperately during the war. He reaches out to touch Leo's arm, trying to draw him closer again.

His voice is steadier than he actually feels when he calls out.]

We're back here, Mikey!

[The two can hear the door closing. Peter looks to Leo again, managing a thin nervous kind of smile.

Mikey doesn't look...happy to see them. His expression tired, but stern. He actually lands on his own feet to walk into the kitchen instead of floating.

A joke about as much sits in the back of Peter's throat until he really looks at the turtle's expression and clicks his teeth together. Discomfort is tight in his chest at the searching, sharp look on his face when he actually looks at Peter.]

This is what you've been doing, Leo? [The question is tired, a little brittle at the edges. Mikey isn't shocked as much as disappointed.]

[neonleon]

[Leo watches Mikey approach, hand gripped tight to Peter. Protective. A little afraid of whatever Mikey's going to say.]

Leonardo. [He corrects his little brother, voice firm, sharp, and devoid of whatever familiarity Peter might remember between the brothers. Whatever was there before.. it's gone now.]

We didn't ask you to come judge me, just to make sure he's all right.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter blinks a little at the lack of familiarity, glancing between the two worriedly. Peter isn't sure what to make of any of it.

Mikey sighs openly, but doesn't seem surprised. He raises a hand, mystic energy pooling at his fingertips.] We both know this isn't right. It isn't fair to either of you. I can tell from here how tainted both of you are.

[Peter winces a little, bolstering himself somewhat.] Can you... give us a chance at least? I don't know what happened to cause this- well, me, but we can figure it out.

[neonleon]

[Peter speaking up is the only thing that keeps hi from blowing up at Mikey. The audacity, coming into his home after everything they did to look at them and call them 'tainted'. Peter can feel Leo's muscles tightening, his free hand gripping into a fist with barely contained anger.]

What happened was I did what they refused to do when you needed help.