[Muttering just to himself:] Considering what they did, I'm not surprised.
[And then he sighs. He settles for rubbing Peter's back softly before looking back at Mikey. His own eyes are flaring with anger, hurt, resentment. But... Glad that Mikey stopped when he did, when Leo made it clear to stop.
Stop it! Don't do this! his voice filling their ears with desperation and pain. April, Donnie, and anyone else who was in the area who could physically restrain Leo from stopping Mikey as he worked, untangling Peter's ninpo from their own, yanking him from the Hamato family's spirit and leaving Leo screaming for them to stop. His chest an aching, gaping chasm without Peter's there after so, so many years
He looks from Peter, rubbing his back still back to Mikey.]
Only if he agrees to it. And if he says stop, you stop.
Peter takes an actual sip of the water, still leaning into Leo for support. He sets the glass carefully on the kitchen island's countertop. He strengthens his resolve, taking a deep breath as he sits up fully.
Spider-Man, General Parker, not Peter.
He needs to be someone better just for the moment.]
I'll do it. Just so I can know, so everyone can know I won't hurt anyone. I'm not going to endanger anyone.
Well, thats definitely a Peter thing to say. [Mikey jokes weakly in turn, shaking it off as he continues.] It'll be easier if I hold onto you.
[Peter doesn't hesitate to push himself up and off of the stool. He squeezes Leo's hand in his own, drawing strength from his spouse before stepping forward to meet Mikey halfway.
Their hands meet. Peter bites the inside of his cheek, trying to stay resolute.]
[For the briefest moment, Leo holds Peter, pressing his face into his hair to just hold him.
But then Peter is up, Peter is taking his role back as General Parker and not his husband. General Parker... putting himself in danger and pain again for the sake of everyone else.
Leo watches him, no small amount of pain in his eyes. The shapes of his arm tattoo are trembling with the resolution his husband has to do this. Was... Was Leo not enough?
Would he ever be? a small voice whispers in the back of his mind.
Leo hadn't been enough of a reason for Peter to not go into that base.
Leo hadn't been enough to stop his brothers from breaking Peter off from their ninpo.
And now he isn't even enough for Peter to choose him over anyone else.
That's definitely his husband. Through and through, bone to blood. And it hurts. Peter and Leo gave up so much of themselves for that fucking war, for the world and the universe, and he isn't even allowed to have this.
His hand grips the edge of the countertop, trembling with how tight his fist is.]
[Peter glances back once at Leo before they begin.
A mirror of their last goodbye. Peter's eyes locked on Leo's face. A look meant to reassure Leo as much as draw strength for Peter. He turns his attention back to Mikey. He nods his assent to begin.
Mikey waits to be sure before his magic ripples to the surface. Peter is trying to stay loose and relaxed, aware of how it will hurt. He isn't sure if tensing up will make things worse.
When the ninpo connects, Peter hisses quietly at the sting of it. The glow of Mikey's ninpo fills the room. Peter's own slowly brightened up as well. A familiar crackling white of the web ninpo spreads out around them. The air is thick with magic, practically humming at a frequency that makes skin prickle and teeth ache.
Peter shakes wordlessly where he stands, just focusing on his breathing. He never lets go of Mikey, even as his skin throbs from the contact.
His eyes begin watering, black tears escaping and rolling down his cheeks. The staining at his fingertips begins spreading down his arm. As if peeling away the careful magic Leo had woven there.]
Almost.
[Peter sucks in a shaky breath, starting to lose his footing. He lasts another few moments before his voice shakes.] Stop.
[Mikey hesitates just for a moment too long before releasing his hold on Peter. The brunette staggers back in relief as his ninpo disconnects from Mikey's and he turns back towards Leo. He ends up taking a few steps forward before crumpling onto the kitchen floor with a pained exhale.]
[A very selfish part of him wants to turn away. He's - it feels silly to feel hurt by this of all things. After everything they've gone through, after the world and civilization being nearly destroyed, to have his feelings hurt like this feels almost childish.
He does gradually turn his eyes down from Mikey's ninpo; a no insignificant amount of him ashamed for what he's done. But as soon as he hears Peter hissing through his teeth, Leo's eyes are back on them. Watching for any sign of further pain or discomfort or .... Peter's skin at the hands blackening further up his arm.
His breath catches when Peter tells Mikey to stop. And everything holding him on his feet plummet with Peter when he hits the floor. Leo bolts to kneel next to him, gathering his husband up into his arms as if he's glass cracked and almost breaking.]
No no no no no- [He gets Peter's head cradled in the crook of his arm, stroking down his face before looking up at Mikey.]
[Peter presses into Leo, desperate to stay close. He's shivering now, trying to get his bearings again. He tries to make himself smaller in Leo's hold as his ninpo fluctuates unsteadily.
Mikey looks pained, and remorseful, raising his hands up in a sign of surrender as he speaks.]
Our ninpos connected completely, and the tainted magic couldn't really handle it. I thought that much exposure wouldn't be any worse than pushing at the magic earlier. I didn't think it would do that- Peter. I'm sorry.
[Peter swallows thickly, his words a little slurred.] Lets... not do that again.]
[Peter lets his eyes slide shut, only half present in the conversation. He hurts, he can feel his ninpo crackling with too much energy. Leo's presence, his touch is helping Peter feel grounded.
Mikey releases a short breath, frowning back at Leo. ]
I'm sorry. I pushed it farther than I needed to. I know it's Peter now though, he's stable.
[Peter presses his lips together. He finds his voice again. As always, quick to accept an apology.] S'okay.
[Leo lets his gaze linger on Mikey for a moment longer than he ever has since that day... Then turns it down to Peter, quietly shhh-ing him, comforting.
But his voice is... tired, quiet when he speaks again.]
After everything that happened... That's the first apology any of you have said. None of you ever said 'I'm sorry' about any of it.
[Mikey for his part is quiet, just for a moment. He cuts to the point, too tired to make it anything else but what it is.]
We owe you two more than a few of them at this point.
[Peter hums lowly back, drawing out the sound before coughing a little. Even in his current state, Peter feels like there is a distance now, even with Leo softening towards Mikey to some degree.
His death broke Leo apart from the rest of his family.
He fumbles with his further stained hands to sign something clumsily at Leo. A simple, 'I'm Okay.']
[That distance is there, and likely will still be for some time. Leo just watches Mikey another moment to make sure there's nothing else before focusing down at Peter again. Sees those shaky hands and the tears he'd been holding back break loose with a noise in his throat, a wet cough as he just. Sits right there on the floor. Crosses his legs and gently maneuvers Peter into his lap to hold. Protective. Scared.
He looks up at Mikey, tears down his cheeks as he holds his curse-tainted husband in his arms. For the first time in two decades looking more like his brother Leo and not the closed off Commander Leonardo.]
[Peter reaches out to very carefully touch Leo's cheek, trying for reassurance even if he wasn't steady yet himself.]
I know. [Mikey's answer is simple, tired. His own demeanor loosens up, just slightly. The tense terseness of responding to Leo's distance softening.] I could lecture you about how dangerous this all is, but you know. If anyone knows, it's you. It isn't what either of you need right now.
[Soon as he feels Peter moving, Leo's attention is back on him. He lets out a broken half-sob and rests his hand over Peter's to his cheek. Whispering reassurances to his husband while Mikey talks.]
Or ever. [It's the instinctive response. The gut reaction to almost three years of this relationship he developed with his brothers. He shakes his head, one hand in the air moving like shoving what's in front of him aside - clean slate. start over.
He makes sure sure to think about what he's saying. Not so aggressive out the gate, softer.]
Thank you. For checking. I know- I-i know Peter probably feels better about it.
[Peter softly exhales, just stroking Leo's cheek. He manages a thin tired kind of smile. He's relieved in some part he isn't somehow staining Leo's skin on contact.
Mikey seems hopeful, cautiously so, but doesn't push the shift. He offers an olive branch in turn.] I'll be sure to reassure everyone else, so you two have some peace.
[Leo smiles gently at Peter's motions, leaning into his touch before he looks back up to Mikey. Confusion settles in his eyes for a moment. He can't fully trust those words, not after everything.]
[Mikey manages to not outright sigh. Giving his elder brother a tired look.]
April texted everyone in our family group chat, Leo. They know Peter is here. They're a little unsure about him being here given how he came back. Me reassuring them will give you two some space to adjust.
[Peter speaks, finding his voice again.] Just tell them, I'm not dangerous. I wouldn't hurt Leo or- anyone else.
[Leo simply watches Mikey for the moment. Feeling a little better the more steady Peter's voice sounds. Even if Peter can feel Leo tense each time Mikey calls him a nickname instead of his full name. The urge to correct him and make that boundary solid again on the tip of his tongue, but Leo fighting it back. He can see the honest attempt for peace what it is.]
Makes sense.
[But Peter's question... there are other answers he could hypothesize, and he stares hard at Mikey for a second.]
They're the ones who cut you off from everyone before. And now I dunno if I could reconnect you like this.
[Peter strokes his fingers along Leo's cheek, still trying to help him relax. He goes still at that last part, biting the inside of his cheek a little.
Mikey is openly remorseful as much as he's exhausted by the topic.] We had to. At the time we thought it would be the best course of action. The curse was corrupting your ninpo and was trying to spread.
Okay, I... [Peter takes a breath, trying to come to terms with that. Leo can likely feel Peter curl into himself a little before forcing himself to relax.] What is done is done. [Peter says quietly back, trying to just take that in stride.] I... can't go back can I?
[It's a topic they've gone round and round over the years about, yelling and screaming and no resolution, both sides steadfast in knowing they're right. Leo inhales deeply, likely to start yet another round, but Peter's movement and words stop him for now.
Leo looks up at Mikey, then back down to Peter, leaning in a little to lower his voice.]
...Did... you want that? To be connected to everyone else again?
[If he does... then maybe Leo did this wrong. Maybe he fucked up and this isn't what Peter wants. What if Peter didn't want to be back at all-]
I don't know. [Peter is honest about that, his attention settling back on his spouse.
He lets his hand stay against Leo's cheek for a moment before drawing back to lay against his shoulder. Absently just touching the turtle.] I didn't even realize I wasn't connected anymore, or why.
[Everything had just happened so quickly in a way. Peter hadn't had time to really think deeply about everything. Now he was learning more about why things were the way they were.
Mikey for his part hangs back, letting the two talk quietly amongst themselves.]
[With Peter's focus back on him, Peter can likely see that Leo is scared. He's terrified. Could he have done this differently? Could he have done this the "right" way? His family would have likely not agreed no matter what option he found, but...
He leans down to press his forehead to Peter's gently.]
Right. Just... Whatever you want, you get. All right?
[Peter's expression softens considerably at the fear written across his husband's features. His hand finds its previous place on Leo's cheek again, coaxing his thumb across his cheek.
He loves Leo, but he knows his husband has... done horrible things to get here. To bring him back. Peter isn't even sure how he feels about it yet. Later he might be upset, angry- for now, he's trying to keep them both settled.
It feels like they're delicately balanced here in this moment. Just the wrong thing could push them over.
Okay. I...I'm just trying to play catch up. This is a lot.
Y-yeah. Of course. I hadn't... Things weren't supposed to move this fast. I'm sorry.
[His face turns, leaning into his touch again. Blacked, dark hand or not, it's still Peter. And that means everything to him.]
...Why are you being so nice trying to help, M- [Oh the struggle against forced habits of two years is strong.] Michael. [It's.... as much an olive branch as he can give from his side.]
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[And then he sighs. He settles for rubbing Peter's back softly before looking back at Mikey. His own eyes are flaring with anger, hurt, resentment. But... Glad that Mikey stopped when he did, when Leo made it clear to stop.
Stop it! Don't do this! his voice filling their ears with desperation and pain. April, Donnie, and anyone else who was in the area who could physically restrain Leo from stopping Mikey as he worked, untangling Peter's ninpo from their own, yanking him from the Hamato family's spirit and leaving Leo screaming for them to stop. His chest an aching, gaping chasm without Peter's there after so, so many years
He looks from Peter, rubbing his back still back to Mikey.]
Only if he agrees to it. And if he says stop, you stop.
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Peter takes an actual sip of the water, still leaning into Leo for support. He sets the glass carefully on the kitchen island's countertop. He strengthens his resolve, taking a deep breath as he sits up fully.
Spider-Man, General Parker, not Peter.
He needs to be someone better just for the moment.]
I'll do it. Just so I can know, so everyone can know I won't hurt anyone. I'm not going to endanger anyone.
Well, thats definitely a Peter thing to say. [Mikey jokes weakly in turn, shaking it off as he continues.] It'll be easier if I hold onto you.
[Peter doesn't hesitate to push himself up and off of the stool. He squeezes Leo's hand in his own, drawing strength from his spouse before stepping forward to meet Mikey halfway.
Their hands meet. Peter bites the inside of his cheek, trying to stay resolute.]
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But then Peter is up, Peter is taking his role back as General Parker and not his husband. General Parker... putting himself in danger and pain again for the sake of everyone else.
Leo watches him, no small amount of pain in his eyes. The shapes of his arm tattoo are trembling with the resolution his husband has to do this. Was... Was Leo not enough?
Would he ever be? a small voice whispers in the back of his mind.
Leo hadn't been enough of a reason for Peter to not go into that base.
Leo hadn't been enough to stop his brothers from breaking Peter off from their ninpo.
And now he isn't even enough for Peter to choose him over anyone else.
That's definitely his husband. Through and through, bone to blood. And it hurts. Peter and Leo gave up so much of themselves for that fucking war, for the world and the universe, and he isn't even allowed to have this.
His hand grips the edge of the countertop, trembling with how tight his fist is.]
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A mirror of their last goodbye. Peter's eyes locked on Leo's face. A look meant to reassure Leo as much as draw strength for Peter. He turns his attention back to Mikey. He nods his assent to begin.
Mikey waits to be sure before his magic ripples to the surface. Peter is trying to stay loose and relaxed, aware of how it will hurt. He isn't sure if tensing up will make things worse.
When the ninpo connects, Peter hisses quietly at the sting of it. The glow of Mikey's ninpo fills the room. Peter's own slowly brightened up as well. A familiar crackling white of the web ninpo spreads out around them. The air is thick with magic, practically humming at a frequency that makes skin prickle and teeth ache.
Peter shakes wordlessly where he stands, just focusing on his breathing. He never lets go of Mikey, even as his skin throbs from the contact.
His eyes begin watering, black tears escaping and rolling down his cheeks. The staining at his fingertips begins spreading down his arm. As if peeling away the careful magic Leo had woven there.]
Almost.
[Peter sucks in a shaky breath, starting to lose his footing. He lasts another few moments before his voice shakes.] Stop.
[Mikey hesitates just for a moment too long before releasing his hold on Peter. The brunette staggers back in relief as his ninpo disconnects from Mikey's and he turns back towards Leo. He ends up taking a few steps forward before crumpling onto the kitchen floor with a pained exhale.]
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He does gradually turn his eyes down from Mikey's ninpo; a no insignificant amount of him ashamed for what he's done. But as soon as he hears Peter hissing through his teeth, Leo's eyes are back on them. Watching for any sign of further pain or discomfort or .... Peter's skin at the hands blackening further up his arm.
His breath catches when Peter tells Mikey to stop. And everything holding him on his feet plummet with Peter when he hits the floor. Leo bolts to kneel next to him, gathering his husband up into his arms as if he's glass cracked and almost breaking.]
No no no no no- [He gets Peter's head cradled in the crook of his arm, stroking down his face before looking up at Mikey.]
What did you do?!
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Mikey looks pained, and remorseful, raising his hands up in a sign of surrender as he speaks.]
Our ninpos connected completely, and the tainted magic couldn't really handle it. I thought that much exposure wouldn't be any worse than pushing at the magic earlier. I didn't think it would do that- Peter. I'm sorry.
[Peter swallows thickly, his words a little slurred.] Lets... not do that again.]
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He glances back up to Mikey though.]
What was that? What'd you just say?
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Mikey releases a short breath, frowning back at Leo. ]
I'm sorry. I pushed it farther than I needed to. I know it's Peter now though, he's stable.
[Peter presses his lips together. He finds his voice again. As always, quick to accept an apology.] S'okay.
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But his voice is... tired, quiet when he speaks again.]
After everything that happened... That's the first apology any of you have said. None of you ever said 'I'm sorry' about any of it.
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We owe you two more than a few of them at this point.
[Peter hums lowly back, drawing out the sound before coughing a little. Even in his current state, Peter feels like there is a distance now, even with Leo softening towards Mikey to some degree.
His death broke Leo apart from the rest of his family.
He fumbles with his further stained hands to sign something clumsily at Leo. A simple, 'I'm Okay.']
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He looks up at Mikey, tears down his cheeks as he holds his curse-tainted husband in his arms. For the first time in two decades looking more like his brother Leo and not the closed off Commander Leonardo.]
...I.. I just. I needed him back.
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I know. [Mikey's answer is simple, tired. His own demeanor loosens up, just slightly. The tense terseness of responding to Leo's distance softening.] I could lecture you about how dangerous this all is, but you know. If anyone knows, it's you. It isn't what either of you need right now.
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Or ever. [It's the instinctive response. The gut reaction to almost three years of this relationship he developed with his brothers. He shakes his head, one hand in the air moving like shoving what's in front of him aside - clean slate. start over.
He makes sure sure to think about what he's saying. Not so aggressive out the gate, softer.]
Thank you. For checking. I know- I-i know Peter probably feels better about it.
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Mikey seems hopeful, cautiously so, but doesn't push the shift. He offers an olive branch in turn.] I'll be sure to reassure everyone else, so you two have some peace.
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...Why?
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April texted everyone in our family group chat, Leo. They know Peter is here. They're a little unsure about him being here given how he came back. Me reassuring them will give you two some space to adjust.
[Peter speaks, finding his voice again.] Just tell them, I'm not dangerous. I wouldn't hurt Leo or- anyone else.
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[He looks down at Peter in his arms again, thumbing at his cheek gently. He addresses Mikey but keeps his eyes focused on his husband.]
I don't... understand why you'd do that. F-for us.
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I can tell it affected you too. Tied you two together. [Mikey gestures at Leo's tattoos vaguely.]
Tied us together? [Peter questions back, his gaze straying from Leo for the moment.]
Leon's ninpo is tied into yours, and it's about the only magic you can probably touch without getting hurt.
[Peter's brows pinch together.] Is that... why I can't feel anyone else?
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Makes sense.
[But Peter's question... there are other answers he could hypothesize, and he stares hard at Mikey for a second.]
They're the ones who cut you off from everyone before. And now I dunno if I could reconnect you like this.
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Mikey is openly remorseful as much as he's exhausted by the topic.] We had to. At the time we thought it would be the best course of action. The curse was corrupting your ninpo and was trying to spread.
Okay, I... [Peter takes a breath, trying to come to terms with that. Leo can likely feel Peter curl into himself a little before forcing himself to relax.] What is done is done. [Peter says quietly back, trying to just take that in stride.] I... can't go back can I?
With how my ninpo hurt you, no. I don't think so.
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Leo looks up at Mikey, then back down to Peter, leaning in a little to lower his voice.]
...Did... you want that? To be connected to everyone else again?
[If he does... then maybe Leo did this wrong. Maybe he fucked up and this isn't what Peter wants. What if Peter didn't want to be back at all-]
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He lets his hand stay against Leo's cheek for a moment before drawing back to lay against his shoulder. Absently just touching the turtle.] I didn't even realize I wasn't connected anymore, or why.
[Everything had just happened so quickly in a way. Peter hadn't had time to really think deeply about everything. Now he was learning more about why things were the way they were.
Mikey for his part hangs back, letting the two talk quietly amongst themselves.]
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He leans down to press his forehead to Peter's gently.]
Right. Just... Whatever you want, you get. All right?
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He loves Leo, but he knows his husband has... done horrible things to get here. To bring him back. Peter isn't even sure how he feels about it yet. Later he might be upset, angry- for now, he's trying to keep them both settled.
It feels like they're delicately balanced here in this moment. Just the wrong thing could push them over.
Okay. I...I'm just trying to play catch up. This is a lot.
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[His face turns, leaning into his touch again. Blacked, dark hand or not, it's still Peter. And that means everything to him.]
...Why are you being so nice trying to help, M- [Oh the struggle against forced habits of two years is strong.] Michael. [It's.... as much an olive branch as he can give from his side.]
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