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]

[ Good. Hunter just leans close after, breathing him in. ]

All right. I know. I - yes.

[neonleon]

[Leo noses at his cheek a little, settling there with a little chirp. Safe. Comfort.]

Just - wanna say it.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter manages a chirp back in return, echoing what Leo is saying. ]

I know that too.

[ He bunts his head up against Leo. ]

I love you.

[neonleon]

I love you too, Hunts.

[He settles like this, shifting under him so Hunter can settle easier on top of him.]

Stay with me for a while?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter nods at that and settles against him. Cooler than a human, but still warm and alive. ]

Yeah. I will.

[neonleon]

[And he wouldn't have it any other way. Though he does shift a little to bring the blankets over them.]

Good. 'Cause I don't wanna be alone right now. [Ever since they left the Temple, everything's been harder in a way he isn't used to. The Temple sucked, for sure, but Krang and then his arm, and then this... It's a lot. And he still doesn't know if his family is even in this version of the universe.

But more than that, he doesn't want Hunter to be alone right now either. He's gone through just as much as Leo has in the last few weeks with no breather.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter burrows under the blankets with him. ]

Me neither. Not - not for a while.

[neonleon]

[Leo settles for rubbing Hunter's back, lazy and slow circles. But after a few minutes, he starts quietly singing. It's a soft, lilting sort of lullaby one would sing a very small child, but it's a relaxing melody.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter lifts his head a little, listening. ]

Where did you learn that from...?

[neonleon]

[By the time Hunter asks, Leo's hand is thumbing along Hunter's side as he keeps watching the ceiling. He can feel Lucky climbing into the bed to curl up against him.]

Dad used to sing it when we were kids.

[pyrighteous]

[ Good. More cuteness for the pile. ]

Yeah? It sounds like something you could sing for that.

[neonleon]

Whhhhaaaa-whadya mean?

[pyrighteous]

Well - uh - just that it's a soothing song! It feels like something a dad would sing to kids.

[neonleon]

Oh.

[Still keeping up that gentle affection.]

Yeah, that's... true. Never thought about it that way.

[pyrighteous]

It's nice.

[ He leans in closer. ]

Belos ... well. He never would have.

[neonleon]

[With Hunter leaning in closer, Leo tucks his head under his own chin to hold him there.]

...No, I guess he wouldn't. 'm sorry.

[pyrighteous]

[ Good. Hunter just curls in close then. ]

I'll just have to meet your dad instead.

[neonleon]

[He smiles a little at that, thumbing along Hunter's side still.]

You will. He'll love you, he's great.

[pyrighteous]

Yeah? I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can make it there soon.

[neonleon]

...I hope so too.

[He hopes they're even there.]

[pyrighteous]

[ He bumps Leo's shoulder. ]

We'll find them. I'll make a portal myself if I have to.

[neonleon]

[He takes a breath through his snout and presses his face against Hunter's hair.]

We will. We have to.

[pyrighteous]

Exactly. And - it's not like I want to take after my uncle at all but -

[ Something goes stern instead of soft in his voice. ]

I can be stubborn too.

[neonleon]

I know this, and I love you for it, it's extremely attractive.

[pyrighteous]

-- Really?