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

[neonleon]

['Why didn't you check', because he was scared of what he'd find. He knew, deep down that it was wrong. That something was there that shouldn't be, but he didn't want to see it. And that's firmly, squarely his fault.]

It's-

[He deflates a bit, taking his hand back to pet along Lucky's fur. Comforting.]

It's over anyway.

[pyrighteous]

R. Right. It's ...

[ Hunter hunches in on himself. ]

There's nothing left that we could find. We burned the spot where it fell.

[neonleon]

[He nods, focusing on feeling that fur under his fingers.]

Good.

...They wanna keep me for a few days. Then home for bedrest.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter nods weakly. ]

I'll be here the whole time.

[neonleon]

You sure?

[Just... Watching him, reaching his hand out again.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter takes it firmly. ]

Of course. I don't want to go anywhere else.

[ Except for when Darius inevitably kidnaps him for some fresh air, but that doesn't count. ]

[neonleon]

[Darius is smart enough to wait until Leo's asleep to do that. But Leo squeezes his hand again. He's... afraid. Really afraid. He thought the Prison Dimension and what happened at the Temple was the worst any of them had been hurt but. This is worse. This is permanent.]

Cool. Because- I. Would really want you to stay.

[pyrighteous]

[ Leo SURE is missing an arm now. And if it were easy to replace, the healers would have done it already. ]

I-I won't leave for even a minute! I promise!

[neonleon]

[There are options but. They gotta work on it; they managed it for Eda, so it'll just take time.]

Thanks, Hunts. I-

[Don't say 'I'm sorry'.]

I love you.

[pyrighteous]

I - I love you too. So much.

[ He clings to Leo's hand. ]

So hang in there. Okay? I - I can't lose you.

[neonleon]

[That does get a little smile.]

You're not gonna lose me. I'm left here.

[Get it? Do you get it?]

[pyrighteous]

[ FINE, fine. For that? Leo gets a tearful chuckle. ]

Y-yeah. I guess you are.

[neonleon]

Amity's sister and my own healing got it sorted out pretty quick so. Don't go acting like I'm about to die. Okay?

[pyrighteous]

I - okay. I just. You DID almost die so.

[neonleon]

[Really not liking the whole discussing his mortality rate here but Hunter's worried and scared.]

I know. But you and Darius stopped it.

[pyrighteous]

[ Sorry Leo. He's a little stressed. ]

We - we did. Yeah. And my friends are going to keep an eye out for more Krang.

[neonleon]

Okay.

So everyone's on watch, and- this won't happen again. To me or anyone else. [Just gently thumbing along Hunter's knuckles watching him.]

[pyrighteous]

... I hope not. We'll make sure of it.

[ That boiling anger is still there, just quieter now. ]

[neonleon]

Yeah. We will. So for now-

[He looks down at Lucky, then back at Hunter.]

Let's just chillax for a little bit? Huh?

[pyrighteous]

Y. Yeah. I - I can do that.

... Do you want me to join you two?

[ As a palisman, he means. ]

[neonleon]

If you want? I wouldn't say no. Maybe you can tell me some of what he's saying?

[pyrighteous]

Of course. I'm pretty good at palisman, but especially when I AM one.

[ He shifts to bird form and perches on Leo's good shoulder. ]

[neonleon]

[Leo smiles at that, tilting his head to lean gently against Hunter.]

Perfect.

[pyrighteous]

[ He nuzzles up against Leo in turn. ]

Being a bird is pretty convenient.

[neonleon]

It is, not gonna lie. Harder to kiss you though.