notapancake | Folkmore IC contact

Uh huh, then what the fucking hell was that you just did?! I didn't need the help, and you know it.

[He's not dumb, he saw what Leo did. He knows what Leo did.]

And... He's going to be another Usagi, only worse.

Says the guy who shot himself, but sure.

He's been using magic all damn day, I gave him a boost. [Leonardo argues back, starting to frown back at his twin now. He's not even sure why this has Donnie so riled.]

Shut up. [He says sharply back.] If you're going to be an asshole, don't you bring Usagi up.

It was that or let that thing destroy Casey's work, sorry that I value that over...

[He gestures in the direction Cad went.]

I'm being an asshole? I'm not the one bringing not family into things that don't involve them, and you know this is going to be worse. Because he can go back to his world, without you. In fact he'd probably enjoy that.

What is wrong with you!? [Donnie always seems to know how to press every button so effortlessly. Leonardo can't stop his own reaction, hurt, angry, upset all broiling over at once.

Leonardo has to take a deep breath before he can even speak again. Trying to be calm. Desperately trying to be calm.]

Cut the shit, Donnie. Stop trying to fight me over this.

What's wrong with me?! What the hell is wrong with you?! [He is going to jam a finger at Leo now, to make his point.]

There wouldn't be a fight if you left him out of this, or maybe didn't decide on your own to shove your newest obsession that's going to end badly into our ninpo!

[Leonardo grits his teeth, tension coiling tight in his shoulders. The relief he had been feeling has evaporated. His hands curl into fists in his lap.

Not a damn thing is something he can do right. Nothing. He couldn't save Casey, he can't even apparently help his brother correctly. He had started to come down from his freak-out earlier, thinking he had overreacted.

Maybe he hadn't?]

Are you jealous that I have a friend, Donnie? Is that why you're being so god damn weird about this? [It feels like a fair shot in the dark. Not that it matters. Donnie will keep spinning around this. Digging his heels in. Being stubborn.

Leonardo doesn't even notice his hands are shaking in his lap.]

Is this really what you're focused on? This?

A friend? You're really going to keep lying about it?!

[And now he's just going to get up, ignoring the dizzying rush from the movement he gets. Sure the healing helped, but blood loss is still blood loss.]

And better this than falling apart over something that's not anyone's fault.

[And he is going to start heading out of the lab.]

Go have fun doing... Whatever the fuck that bullshit is, I'm going home.

[Leonardo is stunned for a moment, just staring at his brother. He manages to pull himself up to his own feet.

He can't even process what is happening. Leonardo knows he's moving to follow Donnie.]

You're fixated on this?! [He tries to grab onto Donnie to stop him from just running off.

His voice breaks as he continues. The words feel terrible coming out of his mouth. ] My fucking son died, Donnie. [He hates this, he hates this-] And you're angry about this?

[He clings to his brother's arm, trying to keep him there. I need you, you're my brother, I love you, please don't leave-] This is your priority? Out of everything? Berating me for trying to come help you? Asking for help?

[He's mad and he just wants to leave and now he's being touched and he doesn't want to be touched and Leo's going on about shit he already knows. He's just going to try and jerk his arm out of Leo's grasp.]

I already said I'm not going to break down over this, maybe if you actually listened to me but no. You don't fucking listen, it's always gotta be how Leo wants things. Bringing people into things that don't concern them, and why? Because you want to make googly eyes at him?!

[If he gets his arm free, well. He is trying so damned hard to not cry, he can cry when he's alone about Casey. He doesn't need Leo for that any way.]

Just leave me alone, for once in your stupid life do that much for me.

[He withdraws from his hold on his twin Anger, frustration, and discomfort are sharp on his face.] Do you think that is my priority!? Staring at a guy!? What the fuck, Donnie! I made an informed decision to bring in back up to a situation I only had audio confirmation on.

I didn't want to chance losing you too. I can't- I can't keep losing people. I can't fucking keep doing this. [And he's crying again. Leonardo hates that much, hates the feeling. He just wants his family. He just wants to be happy-]

You lost me two years ago. [The words just come out of him, and to him? It is the truth.

Leo has two years without him, and well. He can't do anything about it, can he?]

[Leonardo physically recoils from Donnie at that. He had done his mourning. The death wasn't new, but there would always be a wound. This doesn't help with the threat of tears.]

Why are you doing this...?

I'm not doing anything, you brought this on yourself. [He spits right back, and since Leo isn't holding onto him anymore?

He's leaving, before he does something he'll regret.]

[Leonardo doesn't try to chase his twin. Just this once, letting Donnie leave. When has chasing Donnie ever fixed anything the last few months?

He always chases, and always gets hurt in the process.

The older man moves to just heavily sit down on a stool loose in the lab. Just covering his face with his hands. He's so tired of crying. So tired of this jagged edge of grief that cuts through him.

A few pitiful tears escape, but Leonardo is mostly... vacant.]

[It isn't long after that Caduceus returns, having missed Donatello's departure through the convenience of timing, and is confused when he finds the other alone.]

Leonardo?

[He found a sled, but... maybe it won't be necessary after all.]

[Leonardo manages to sit up at the firbolg addressing him. Blinking back into focus.

He coughs into his hand, trying to clear his throat.]

Looks like, it's just you and me headed back. Donnie- decided to make his own way back.

...Ah. [Yeah, even someone with less insight and observation skills than Caduceus could probably deduce how things went wrong, here. He'd heard some of the conversation before, and Donatello had made his opinion quite clear once they'd arrived.] He really doesn't like me.

[Leonardo rises from his seat on the stool. The turtle is wrung out emotionally, but trying to shake it off. It is obvious on his face for a moment. Before Leonardo firmly places an emotional mask back in place. Enough of one to function.] He's convinced himself I'm picking you over him. When that wasn't even a question.

I think, he just needs time to cool down. [He's trying to offer his brother a semblance of grace.]

[Caduceus furrows his brows. That... sure is a leap, yeah. His friends have become a part of his family back home, so being forced to choose between would be more difficult than it might've been a long time ago, but that was through many months of life-and-death forging. It's still... his family, those he's grown with and loved his entire life, a hundred years strong. A friend of a handful of months doesn't compare, nor should they.]

Maybe he's trying to distract himself. Being angry at you for something absurd is easier than dealing with what happened.

[A child precious to both of them died. Much, much easier to get angry and latch on to something unreasonable than suffer the grief, at least for some.]

You're probably right, he's not... an emotionally open guy. [That is about the simplest way to put it. He dusts himself off, sniffling a little as he tries to shake off lingering tears.]

I think, I will stay with you. He doesn't want to see me right now.

[Caduceus opens his mouth, shuts it. There's a few things he could say, but he too has siblings, those he's fought with plenty of times. Over stupid things, over serious things. Easy to think about Colton's indifference, so often stone-faced, pretending he's strong even when he might not be. Calliope's confidence in the face of despair. Clarabelle's stubborn bluster, thinking she knows best despite still being such a child. It's hard to know what the best call or the best advice might be.

He exhales softly, giving Leonardo's arm a pat.]

Then give him space. We can take the train back to Gram, maybe it'll soothe your mood some.

[He's found the gentle glide of the train weirdly comforting when he rides it. Nice scenery, good distraction. Better than flying back when they're already exhausted, anyway.]

I hope so. [He rubs at his eyes for a moment, trying to abate the weight that wants to settle down over him. Leonardo doesn't know why his twin is acting like this. He wishes he had a simple answer.

But right now, that isn't within his grasp.

He walks over, closing the distance between them with a few steps.]

The train is always nice to ride on. Be a lot more calming than anything else that's happened today.

We could all use a little calm.

[Especially today, after everything. Once Leonardo reaches him, Caduceus turns, and together they can make their way to the station. There's still plenty to deal with, but... well. They're all due for a rest. Everything else can wait for tomorrow.]

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I don't have an angry enough icon for this...

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