[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.]
It's just Parker-Hamato luck at work. [Peter jokes quietly back, still stroking his thumb across his husband's cheek.]
One, you're my brother. [Mikey counts off on his fingers with ease. He takes the olive branch, just trying to cut to the point. It isn't Doctor Delicate Touch levels, but its simple.] Two, finally knowing what was behind that defensive wall you've had up for years helps answer questions I had about what was going on with you. Three, Peter. He's going to need the time.
[Peter huffs a little.] The fact this is the second time I died and lost time means I'll need a buffer.
["What was behind that defensive wall", Leo's pretty sure he made it clear at the time how much pain he was in from their choices they made. But this isn't the time to argue. Right now is the time to let his husband know that he's here, and he's willing to give whatever he needs.
Leo takes Peter's hand from his cheek to just hold for now, ignoring how it looks with the corruption.]
Yeah. I'd- April kind of took that away. [Like you guys took everything else, he wants to add. But not now. Not right here.] Th-the time buffer, I mean. I was planning to catch Peter up and introduce him back slow.
Just give us time. I can figure out re-meeting people one at a time as we go. [Peter offers, finding it easier to step in verbally. It is an ingrained habit from before and during the war, being an additional voice to help Leo. His partner in all ways.]
I'll smooth things over. [Mikey says easily enough, intending to leave.] Given what happened, you'll probably want to take it easy anyway.
[Peter laughs weakly, tipping his head back.] I need to rinse out my mouth and maybe just be... laying for a while.
[Leo focuses for now just holding Peter. Making sure he's here, he's alive and breathing. It's fine. Mikey is... going to help how he can, even if he doesn't one hundred percent agree with Leo or what he did, even without knowing what he did.
He's sure if his family ever found out, there'd be hell to pay anyway.
He nods down at Peter.] Yeah. 'course, you need to rest. We'll figure out the rest later.
Yeah, thanks! [He manages to call out. And then his attention is back down to Peter in his arms. Leo sighs heavily before leaning down to rest his forehead to his husband's.]
You'll be okay. You'll get rest, whatever else you need. All right?
[Peter sighs a little, just closing his eyes for the moment.]
Right now, I just- probably need toast or something before I lay back down. I dunno if my metabolism is normal or gonna freak out. [He has no idea how his body is going to even work after the whole dead and now not dead thing.]
I think I can sit up. [He starts shifting to try and do that now, wanting to just... sit on his own volition since he wants to actually have some control over all of this.
He's dizzier than he would like to be, and makes a face. He had to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment to get himself mildly centered.] ...Maybe bed tray would be better.
[Leo nods. He takes in Peter's entire demeanor, how he's moving as he tries to help his husband a little. When he looks like he might go a little green, Leo shifts to tuck his head under Leo's chin.]
Bed tray it is. I'll get you upstairs in a minute. Just lemme know when you're ready.
[Leo's willing to let Peter try - he can feel that Peter wants to, wants to be moving on his own. But he's ready to help too, and as soon as Peter leans back into him, Leo has his arms around his husband.]
All right. Lifting up in three, two... [And he gets arms around Peter's back and under his knees, lifting him up princess carry style.]
[Peter winces a little at the brief rush he gets at the lift. He leans a little heavily into Leo, just holding onto him for some sense of comfort and stability.]
No, no, I'm good on that front for now. I'm probably gonna eat, and absolutely fall asleep after.
[He doesn't move just immediately when he feels that wince. He stands for a second, just holding Peter to get his footing before slowly moving to the stairs and up.
But his voice is quiet, softer than anything Peter's heard since they woke up.]
All right. I'll take care of you, don't worry.
[It's easy, like he's done it a million times, laying Peter down on the bed. And it's hard, the hardest thing he's ever had to do to leave him there to go back to the kitchen. Leo's terrified of leaving him, hand lingering on his shoulder before he finally slowly takes a hesitant step back and really looking at Peter laying on the bed. He's so scared of coming back and finding Peter gone, or worse.
But he does go down. Preps some very very easy simple toast, just has butter on the side in case it's not okay for now. Glass of water and a bed tray all come back with him but he's quiet in case Peter's dropped off asleep.]
I know you will. [And Peter believes him, easily, without a doubt. Even if so much of their life now is in flux, Peter still will always believe in his spouse.
Peter offers Leo an encouraging smile when he realizes just why Leo is lingering. He touches Leo's hand on his shoulder reassuringly before he goes.
The most Peter gets up to in bed is shifting slowly to sit up. By the time Leo returns Peter is seated against the headboard. He's trying to not fall asleep right there.
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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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One, you're my brother. [Mikey counts off on his fingers with ease. He takes the olive branch, just trying to cut to the point. It isn't Doctor Delicate Touch levels, but its simple.] Two, finally knowing what was behind that defensive wall you've had up for years helps answer questions I had about what was going on with you. Three, Peter. He's going to need the time.
[Peter huffs a little.] The fact this is the second time I died and lost time means I'll need a buffer.
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Leo takes Peter's hand from his cheek to just hold for now, ignoring how it looks with the corruption.]
Yeah. I'd- April kind of took that away. [Like you guys took everything else, he wants to add. But not now. Not right here.] Th-the time buffer, I mean. I was planning to catch Peter up and introduce him back slow.
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I'll smooth things over. [Mikey says easily enough, intending to leave.] Given what happened, you'll probably want to take it easy anyway.
[Peter laughs weakly, tipping his head back.] I need to rinse out my mouth and maybe just be... laying for a while.
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He's sure if his family ever found out, there'd be hell to pay anyway.
He nods down at Peter.] Yeah. 'course, you need to rest. We'll figure out the rest later.
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Mikey nods at the pair turning to start making his leave.]
If you need anything, you know how to reach me.
Thank you. [Peter calls back out at Mikey's retreating back, waving a little at him.]
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You'll be okay. You'll get rest, whatever else you need. All right?
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Right now, I just- probably need toast or something before I lay back down. I dunno if my metabolism is normal or gonna freak out. [He has no idea how his body is going to even work after the whole dead and now not dead thing.]
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[He's hesitant to do that.] Could do bed tray and all, if you want? Just some leisurely toast and maybe juice in bed?
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He's dizzier than he would like to be, and makes a face. He had to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment to get himself mildly centered.] ...Maybe bed tray would be better.
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Bed tray it is. I'll get you upstairs in a minute. Just lemme know when you're ready.
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He tries again, and looks immediately sick. He leans back into Leo with a gusty kind of exhale.]
...You're going to have to carry me. I'm getting dizzy when I try to sit up.
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All right. Lifting up in three, two... [And he gets arms around Peter's back and under his knees, lifting him up princess carry style.]
Bathroom pitstop or anything else on the way?
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No, no, I'm good on that front for now. I'm probably gonna eat, and absolutely fall asleep after.
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But his voice is quiet, softer than anything Peter's heard since they woke up.]
All right. I'll take care of you, don't worry.
[It's easy, like he's done it a million times, laying Peter down on the bed. And it's hard, the hardest thing he's ever had to do to leave him there to go back to the kitchen. Leo's terrified of leaving him, hand lingering on his shoulder before he finally slowly takes a hesitant step back and really looking at Peter laying on the bed. He's so scared of coming back and finding Peter gone, or worse.
But he does go down. Preps some very very easy simple toast, just has butter on the side in case it's not okay for now. Glass of water and a bed tray all come back with him but he's quiet in case Peter's dropped off asleep.]
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Peter offers Leo an encouraging smile when he realizes just why Leo is lingering. He touches Leo's hand on his shoulder reassuringly before he goes.
The most Peter gets up to in bed is shifting slowly to sit up. By the time Leo returns Peter is seated against the headboard. He's trying to not fall asleep right there.
He smiles when he sees Leo, brightening up.]
Hey, you.
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