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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.
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.]
[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.]
[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.
[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?
[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.]
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.]
[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.
[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.
[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.
Leo... [Peter touches Leo's arm, trying to reassure his spouse as much as keep him grounded here.]
Bringing back the dead with dark magic isn't the answer, Leonardo! [Mikey snaps, some of his own frustration bubbling to the surface as he pulls at his own magic.
Peter can feel hints of it, easing initially until it stings. Like something is repeatedly stabbing him. Peter startles back on the stool, his back connecting with the kitchen island behind him.
He gasps, hand flying to his mouth as he hunches into himself.
He never expected the ninpo to hurt, but it does as it finds him. Peter squeezes his eyes tightly against the feeling.]
I wouldn't have had to if you all had helped him before! [It's an easy thing to yell back, voice raised.
But then Mikey starts working. And his eyes dart to Peter, hands reaching to help ease him to sitting on the stool. He can feel that ninpo hurting, his own on the edges in pain as well.] Peter-
[He wraps arms around him, seeing the tattoos on his arms glowing violently, the designs and lines moving like fighting to stay on his skin in a hurricane.]
[Any argument Mikey has in turn is tempered by his work. His ninpo reaching out to Leo and Peter's to test the boundaries. He pulls at the tainted magic he can feel and see. So much of Leo's own ninpo is stained, twisted by black magic. Peter's own is stained in a different way, what it used to be in life existing beneath the surface.
Peter whines a little, the sound high-pitched and pained. He starts to shake slightly, not fighting against Leo helping him sit back down completely.
Mikey lowers his hands slightly, conflicted given how much of a hold he has on the tainted magic.] I'm just trying to purge the black magic-
[Peter hunches into Leo, starting to tear up from the pain. His hand was still locked over his own mouth.
Blood starts to escape from between his fingers. From droplets to rivulets pouring down.
Mikey drops his hands quickly, cutting the connection. Peter goes slack against Leo, gasping a little. He draws his hand away, cringing at the blood staining his palm. Able to feel it on his mouth, chin and dripping down his neck onto the fabric of his shirt.]
[Leo keeps watching Peter, seeing that blood and -
-Peter, delirious, aching and barely conscious. Blood from his eyes and mouth, just a slow, trickle the longer these two weeks drag on. Leo only got to look at him once in all this time before the tent was sealed up tight and Peter supposedly sequestered to himself alone -
- grabs for the nearest kitchen towel to help clean up some of the blood. Whatever he can.]
I can see that. [Mikey answers, a little snippy before he manages to smooth it over.
Peter coughs, but tries to keep it in the one hand he's stained. The inside of his mouth is just coated in blood. The blood stains the collar of his shirt, dripping down onto the chest.] S-sorry, it's- everywhere...
Sorry, Peter. The dark magic is... [Mikey is kinder to Peter directly, but, struggling to get his thoughts together.] Its all you are. I can't do much.
Am I going to hurt anyone? [Peter questions back, trying to cut to the point.]
[Mikey sighs.] No. I would need to check again to be completely sure that you're fully stable. I was pushing the black magic out, which hurt you.
[Leo's eyes are fixed on Peter for the moment. Helping clean the dripping blood, his hand. He so gingerly places the towel in his hands before getting up to get a glass of water and trash can. Something to rinse out with, anything. Leo carefully hands the glass to him as well-] Here.
[And watches him. It's like Mikey isn't even in the room now for this moment, focusing solely on Peter. The sharp edges he had a moment ago snapping at his brother is gone as he watches his husband.]
What will 'check again' do? What will you have to do for that?
[Peter gently accepts the glass, relieved to clean out his mouth. The coppery aftertaste of blood was never his favorite. He takes a sip of the water, swishing the water in his mouth before spitting it into the trash can.
Mikey sighs a little, giving the two a moment before he speaks.]
Reach out with my ninpo, but, I won't be pushing. I'm not sure how much it would hurt in comparison. I would have to reach out to Peter and hold on for just a little bit longer.
Even feeling your ninpo was... hurting me. [Peter admits quietly.]
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[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.]
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But oh.... He looks at Peter, sad and hopeful all at once.]
Yes.
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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.]
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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.]
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Missed you. Love you.
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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.
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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.
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[Minus the tainted eye and stained black fingertips. Peter is aware of his hands, but yet to really see himself.]
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[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.
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[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.]
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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.
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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?
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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.]
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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What happened was I did what they refused to do when you needed help.
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Bringing back the dead with dark magic isn't the answer, Leonardo! [Mikey snaps, some of his own frustration bubbling to the surface as he pulls at his own magic.
Peter can feel hints of it, easing initially until it stings. Like something is repeatedly stabbing him. Peter startles back on the stool, his back connecting with the kitchen island behind him.
He gasps, hand flying to his mouth as he hunches into himself.
He never expected the ninpo to hurt, but it does as it finds him. Peter squeezes his eyes tightly against the feeling.]
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But then Mikey starts working. And his eyes dart to Peter, hands reaching to help ease him to sitting on the stool. He can feel that ninpo hurting, his own on the edges in pain as well.] Peter-
[He wraps arms around him, seeing the tattoos on his arms glowing violently, the designs and lines moving like fighting to stay on his skin in a hurricane.]
Michelangelo, stop it! You're hurting him!
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Peter whines a little, the sound high-pitched and pained. He starts to shake slightly, not fighting against Leo helping him sit back down completely.
Mikey lowers his hands slightly, conflicted given how much of a hold he has on the tainted magic.] I'm just trying to purge the black magic-
[Peter hunches into Leo, starting to tear up from the pain. His hand was still locked over his own mouth.
Blood starts to escape from between his fingers. From droplets to rivulets pouring down.
Mikey drops his hands quickly, cutting the connection. Peter goes slack against Leo, gasping a little. He draws his hand away, cringing at the blood staining his palm. Able to feel it on his mouth, chin and dripping down his neck onto the fabric of his shirt.]
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-Peter, delirious, aching and barely conscious. Blood from his eyes and mouth, just a slow, trickle the longer these two weeks drag on. Leo only got to look at him once in all this time before the tent was sealed up tight and Peter supposedly sequestered to himself alone -
- grabs for the nearest kitchen towel to help clean up some of the blood. Whatever he can.]
Well, it was hurting him.
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Peter coughs, but tries to keep it in the one hand he's stained. The inside of his mouth is just coated in blood. The blood stains the collar of his shirt, dripping down onto the chest.] S-sorry, it's- everywhere...
Sorry, Peter. The dark magic is... [Mikey is kinder to Peter directly, but, struggling to get his thoughts together.] Its all you are. I can't do much.
Am I going to hurt anyone? [Peter questions back, trying to cut to the point.]
[Mikey sighs.] No. I would need to check again to be completely sure that you're fully stable. I was pushing the black magic out, which hurt you.
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[And watches him. It's like Mikey isn't even in the room now for this moment, focusing solely on Peter. The sharp edges he had a moment ago snapping at his brother is gone as he watches his husband.]
What will 'check again' do? What will you have to do for that?
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Mikey sighs a little, giving the two a moment before he speaks.]
Reach out with my ninpo, but, I won't be pushing. I'm not sure how much it would hurt in comparison. I would have to reach out to Peter and hold on for just a little bit longer.
Even feeling your ninpo was... hurting me. [Peter admits quietly.]
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