post-snek recoveries

[neonleon]

[You know?

That weird temple wasn't good, but it wasn't the worst. Not by far now that he's back in this dimension. He floats a bit aimlessly, body broken, shell cracked and falling apart, some bones and insides shattered. His head aches in a way that he can't think.

All he can really do is hope Prime doesn't find him immediately right now. The light off his ring catches his eye and he looks at it, not fully registering that it's lit up.

A promise.]

Comments

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter pauses a moment at that reaction. ]

... Is it okay? Does it hurt?

[neonleon]

Not- really any more than it did when we left the university. Just... Enjoying you being close.

[pyrighteous]

O-oh!

[ Hunter abruptly flushes a deep red. ]

That's - that's good!

[neonleon]

[Always cute. He flashes a grin at Hunter.]

I agree, it's great. So we'll let this dry, get my arm wrapped back up. Prep for ...whatever we're doing the rest of the day?

[Even if that's 'sleep for Leo while Hunter does other stuff'. He's already pretty worn out.]

[pyrighteous]

I think you should sleep, Leo. I need to do some work with Dell today anyway.

[neonleon]

Honestly? Love that idea. Wasn't sure if you had anyone else to introduce me to today, but I'd love to sleep some more.

[How you know he's really worn out: actively excited about it.]

[pyrighteous]

[ IT'S KIND OF CONCERNING IN FACT. But Hunter smiles instead and bumps Leo's forehead with his own. ]

You can meet Dell at the end of the day, yeah. I'll wake you up for dinner?

[neonleon]

[He nods, enjoying the closeness.]

Dinner, yeah. I'll try not to mess up the bandages.

[pyrighteous]

If you do, I'll just fix them again anyway.

[ He finishes tying them off! ]

[neonleon]

And waste all these good bandages? Nah.

[He looks down at his arm, clenches and unclenches his fist a couple times before leaning to kiss Hunter's cheek.]

Go on. I'll get settled, wake me up when it's time.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter goes rather red at that. ]

R-right! Totally! I'll be back soon.

[ And he moves to get up and head downstairs. ]

[neonleon]

[He watches Hunter disappear out the door and downstairs; the vibrations are really loud in this treehouse. Good.

Probably not great for his trying to sleep though. He climbs into the huge bed and curls up a bit, careful of his arm. But it's fitful. Dreams of dying, over and over, being ripped apart while he rips others into pieces. Of a thick, cloying tar covering him bit by bit as he keeps doing worse things.

He wakes up and starts every so often, before drifting back to a light sleep. By the time Hunter comes back, he's in a cold sweat trembling with a whimper in his throat.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter, meanwhile, has a great day with Dell. He ends up gushing about his fiancé, about how amazing he is, and he’s so excited to properly introduce Dell tonight. He’s pretty distracted from his chores, but you know what? Dell doesn’t mind. He’s just happy to see his protege happy …

Eventually, Hunter heads back up the stairs to their room. Knocks on the door frame? Peeks his head in. ]

Leo? Dinner’s almost ready -

[ He pauses, seeing that trembling. And rushes over. ]

—- Leo?

[neonleon]

[He tosses a time or two before he jolts awake at hearing his name, eyes wide for a second before calming.]

Hunter? Hey. [He swallows thickly, laying there for a few breaths before he shifts to push himself up.] What time is it?

[pyrighteous]

It’s - it’s evening. Almost dinner time.

[ He sits next to Leo in the bed, hovering. ]

Are you okay?

[neonleon]

[Gods. He can't worry Hunter more than he has to right now.]

Just - you know, rough sleep after a hospital. Always kinda rough.

[pyrighteous]

… Nightmares?

[ too late, he’s worried!! ]

[neonleon]

A few. Was due for some after all that, I guess.

[pyrighteous]

Y. Yeah. That place was …

[ his voice drops to a whisper. ]

I’ve had a few nightmares too.

[neonleon]

[Oh.... He moves a little to wrap an arm around him loose.]

You don't deserve that... I'm sorry.

[pyrighteous]

You don’t deserve it either.

[ hunter leans in. ]

Are they easier if I’m here?

[neonleon]

[Leo shifts back a little to look at Hunter again.]

I think it did help back at the temple, yeah. [He really doesn't know. But he hopes that's the case here.]

[pyrighteous]

Then it’s good I’ll be in the same bed with you tonight.

[ He manages a weak smile. ]

[neonleon]

[He smiles gently at that, bunts his forehead to Hunter's for a second.]

Yeah, it is good. Just gotta do Dell Dinner, right? Lemme- get up.

[he haaates lettering go but he's gotta if he wants to get to his feet.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter offers him a hand. [

Yeah. We can take it easy. Dell will understand.