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]

Yeah ...

[ Sorry Leo, it's true. Anyway he steps away to go do that real quick.

At least it's gonna be a real nice dinner overall, right? ]

[neonleon]

[It sure is. Darius even gives him a stylish long sleeve to cover the bandages so no one's as worried about it. Really great outfit. And the food was perfect. Tamales are always good. And he only stuck his foot in his mouth once or twice! Not bad for being out of practice of Normal TM conversations.]

I think that went well.

[pyrighteous]

[ At least Camila is used to teenagers and awkwardness; she's beaming by the end of the night, waving to Leo and Hunter as they start the walk back to the Gravesfield cemetery to take the portal home. Hunter's friends are also all increasingly convinced, as well; even Willow is more quiet than actively jealous for now.

He drifts a little closer to take Leo's hand as they approach the pond. ]

I think so too, yeah. At least - I had a lot of fun? And her food is always so good...

[neonleon]

[Poor Willow. Even Leo feels a little bad.

But then again, Willow hadn't gone through the same things they had. He takes Hunter's hand to squeeze it gently while they walk. It's nice being sort of back home. Familiar skies, even if he'd never really seen the constellations before; all the light pollution in Manhattan. But he still hasn't felt his family's ninpo here. Maybe he'll feel it when they get closer to New York in a few weeks.]

Ohmigosh the food was amaziiiiing, as good as Mikey's. Don't tell him I said that. But we are definitely coming back again, right?

[pyrighteous]

[ The plans are all set for that: Camila will help them take the train once Leo secures an illusion brooch from the Demon Realm. From there they should be able to at least get in the city and figure it out. ]

Of course we are. We have those dinners at least once a month for everyone. And Luz and I usually go once a week.

[neonleon]

Cool. She's a good sister, I'm glad she's around. [He bumps shoulders with Hunter while they walk.]

They're all great.

[pyrighteous]

They ... they really are.

[ He tears up a bit at that bump, and also the sight of the arch coming up? this is the place where he died... ]

I can't believe how many people I have in my life now.

[neonleon]

You have so many, and you deserve everyone. Even the ones in other universes that I know still care about and love you. You're awesome. Who wouldn't wanna be in your life?

[pyrighteous]

I - well - it seemed like a lot when I was the Guard.

[neonleon]

Yeah? And now you have even more.

[Just leaning in to kiss his cheek as they step up to the arch.]

Ready to go back?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter goes red and clings a little harder with his hand. ]

Yeah. Let's go home.

[neonleon]

[It's cute every time he does it. Leo smiles at that and goes for one more kiss before tugging Hunter along.]

I think your friends like me better now too.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter gently heads through the portal then - back to nighttime in the Isles, which generally has more background screaming. ]

I think so too. Though - uh, sorry for all of Gus's questions.

[neonleon]

[Just like New York. Wouldn't trade it. But he smiles as they keep walking.]

Eh, it's fine. He's a human fan, right?

[pyrighteous]

Oh yeah. Has been for a long time. You're kind of less intimidating to ask questions, I think? Since you look like a turtle demon.

[neonleon]

A regular old bridge between the two, that's me.

[He swings their arms between them a couple times while they walk, just thinking.]

They're really cool, all of 'em.

[pyrighteous]

They really are. I don't know how I lucked out like this.

[neonleon]

Sometimes, best not to try and figure it out. Just take what you've been given, y'know?

[pyrighteous]

Y. YEah. I guess - I mean - the alternative is messing it up so ...

[neonleon]

And I think at this point even if you did mess up, they wouldn't be so quick to run from you. They like you a lot.

[pyrighteous]

… It’s still weird. I’m glad but - it’s WEIRD going from what I was to what I am now.

[neonleon]

[Leo shifts from holding his hand to draping the arm around Hunter's shoulders.] Embrace it, Hunts! Don't think too much about it, you'll run yourself around in circles like that.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter bows his head down a bit to lean into that. ]

But what if I WANT to think about it.

[neonleon]

Then I can't really stop you just-

...Give yourself some credit. All right?

[pyrighteous]

… I do. I promise. Okay?