revivalproject | [open] The children yearn for the mines

Entry tags:

[open] The children yearn for the mines

WHO: Leo and YOU
WHERE: inside the mines, and outside the maze doors
WHAT: pre-event open post
WHEN: after everyone is forced into the mines through the forward team entering the maze
WARNINGS: none atm

A: Before the Wanderkin comes

Leo is a cool guy. A cool guy who knows what he's doing and has things under control. Or that's what he'd like to believe, but even he isn't that good of a liar.

Right now he isn't feeling very cool, and nothing has felt under his control for months. It's not really a surprise that the current situation is following trends. When he'd come back from trying to find them food and water just for Donnie to be missing, he'd about had a heart attack.

Turns out his brother was infected. Turns out he was hurt, and sick, and Leo's so dumb he didn't notice. Donnie said he was okay and Leo didn't look into it any further. And now...

He's going to be okay. But Leo can't help but be on edge.

He's sitting against a wall, legs pulled up against his chest and arms curled around them. It's times like this that he wishes he could go into his shell as easily as Mikey, that he had a box hinge that would cover over and block the rest of the world out. But Leo is not lucky in anything, so he doesn't even have that.

At least he has the leather jacket, protecting him against the chill in this part of the mines. (It's Tony's jacket, actually, but he doesn't know that.) He plans to give it back to Donnie, though, as soon as Donnie is back up and on his feet. He's sick, so he needs it more. Leo can deal.

But for now, he sits tight against the wall and stews in his bad thoughts and tries not to be too much of a tripping hazard. Though, in the dark it's a bit hard to see him...

B: Break Time! (on the way to the Warrens)

Walking for a few hours nonstop is not difficult for Leo, with his young legs and his mutant biology. He's been much more worried about Donnie, who was so recently injured on his leg, so for most of the walk he's been hovering by his brother, ready to support if needed.

Now they're taking a break.

Leo wasn't here for the last time they did this, which means he doesn't know that last time there was a snack offered at this point in the journey. Which is probably for the best, because he's actually... really hungry, right now. Turns out sulking instead of eating for the last thirty or so hours was a bad decision! Put another one on the board for Leon.

He's standing a little off from the main group, one foot kicked up against the mine wall, arms folded over his chest. He looks like a classic scowling teenager, mad at the world, but he really just doesn't want anyone to hear his stomach growling. That's so embarrassing...

C: The Warrens (after the forward team has gone in)

So this is what's down here: a dead end. or maybe a not so dead end, since a group of people have gone through some kind of door that locked behind them (spooky!). Leo isn't too worried about that group, except Cayde. He hopes the cool robot guy is safe in there...

But until something on the surface changes or until those guys find something interesting, it seems the rest of them are stuck here. Wow, so fun and exciting. And if he sounded sarcastic there, that's because he is. How long are they going to have to wait before they get any news?

Man, Leo doesn't even have his phone or his comic books. What a drag.

Leo has settled down with the rest of the group to wait, but he can't help but grumble discontentedly under his breath. When someone looks his way, he shrugs.

"I don't guess anyone brought any cards, huh?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The last thing Donnie wants is to be a burden. He hates that he's slowing things down, he hates making Leo wait for him, and especially feels bad about making his brother worry.

Things could have been worse. He knows this, and he's glad that it hadn't gotten worse but he still feels it's his fault. His leg still hurts, but not as badly as it had been, and his fever had broken before they'd begun their venture down, a small relief. But he's still not at one hundred percent and doesn't look forward to the long trek ahead.

The sigh in relief for the break is louder than he'd meant it to be, making Donnie hunch up his shoulders in slight embarrassment. He's too stubborn to admit he's tired and needs to rest, but that may as well have been an open declaration.

Well look at them, the embarrassment brothers.

Leo definitely doesn't miss that sigh; it's no surprise that the trek was far more rough on Donnie than it was on him. He settles against the wall then, nudging Donnie very lightly with his fingers.

"We can sit here."

Even though he actually doesn't feel like sitting down at all. He's too restless - probably from being hungry and full of anxiety and adrenaline. But he knows Donnie needs to sit, so he makes the offer.

Sitting means it'll be a pain getting up again, but Donnie knows he'll probably be better off doing so, and he's grateful for the suggestion even though he's well aware it was probably made for his sake. With a nod he slowly eases himself down along the wall until he can sit on the floor.

"...sorry." An apology long overdue, he feels.

Leo taps his foot a few times, getting out some restless energy, before he sits, too, propping his chin on his knees.

He jerks his head up at the apology, though, looking over at Donnie like he just said something much more shocking than "sorry".

"A Donatello apology? In this economy?" Leo tilts his head. "What are you apologizing for?"

"Ugh, you're going to make me elaborate?" Donnie groans. "I know my track record hasn't been the greatest these past months but come on..."

He tries to hide a wince as he pulls his own knees up, hugging them loosely. "I just... I keep messing up." There, he said it. He was hoping he'd feel better for it but it still feels pretty much the same.

Nope, that didn’t help. Donnie’s favorite thing is elaborating, except now, apparently.

Leo frowns, then gives his head a shake. “You haven’t messed up. If anyone has…”

He grits his teeth, then shakes his head again. “You haven’t messed up,” he repeats. “So there’s nothing to say that for.”

"Isn't there? All I've been doing is making trouble for you. What good is that?"

Donnie looks over at him out of the corner of his eye, giving his own head the faintest of shakes. "You've been doing everything to keep people from bothering me after... all that. And even fighting our way here, you were trying to clear the way for me. So...I'm sorry I'm useless. I got hurt anyway. I keep leaving you alone."

He sighs again, resting his forehead in his arms. "...I'm a terrible brother."

Leo’s heart sinks, his stomach thing itself in knots. At least that’s one way to take care of being hungry…

He pivots around so he’s sitting in front of Donnie again, shaking his head as he does.

“No you aren’t. You wouldn’t even have been out there if I hadn’t been… If I had just stayed in one place.” If he hadn’t been so caught up in the fake Mikey, and tried harder to find his real brother, it wouldn’t have happened.

“You were out there because you were looking for me, right? And even after we met back up, I couldn’t protect you.” Leo grimaces, putting a hand on his chest. “If anyone is a bad brother here, it’s me.”

It hurts to say, but it’s true.

Donnie lifts his head again, the look on his brother's face causing a fresh pang in his chest.

"You wouldn't have to protect me if-" he clamps down on the words, he's already said he's useless once, does he need to repeat it? Just thinking it carves a hollow feeling in his gut.

"It's like back home, except here I can't even use my tech or our fancy ninpō during a storm when things get really dangerous so what good am I? How am I supposed to help you if things keep happening and you're the one ending up having to help me all the time?"

“Why is it so bad if I’m helping you?” Leo asks, voice rising just a little. Donnie doesn’t want to feel weak in a fight, okay, he gets that. But why does it matter if Leo has to help?

Leo isn’t sure he’s excited about any of the potential answers to that question.

“Why are you selling yourself short, Dee? I know you can use your bo like nobody’s business, even when it’s made of wood. And you actually know how to build things! And fix stuff! And grow plants! I don’t know how to do any of that.”

Leo hates saying he can’t do something, so this is a big admission. But his brother just looks so sad…

“We’re a team, right? You can… Don’t you trust me?”

Maybe that’s the problem here.

"Because I just make more trouble for you!" He hadn't meant for his own tone to sharpen and immediately backs down again, head drooping. "I don't want you getting hurt or taking the brunt of things for me, because I know it can't be any easier for you.

"You're...you're supposed to be the outgoing one, the one making friends and chatting it up with people. And Max is right, you don't like being alone. ...I think I've known that but it still took someone else to point it out to me for it to sink in."

But he'd left his brother alone plenty of times, mostly because he was too caught up in his own head, like any amount of walking and distance would solve any of those problems.

Donnie lifts his head just enough to look at Leo again.

"I trust you. Of course I trust you. And I know we're a team. But...I'm the one who's supposed to fix things, right? What good is it if I'm the one that's causing the problems?"

Things here have gotten so much more complicated than broken wifi issues and burnt out toasters and the like. Maybe it's his fault for setting such lofty goals like solving how to get rid of the storms and get everyone home, but solving problems, fixing what needed to be fixed, it's all he's ever hinged himself on because that meant he was useful.

Leo can’t help but wince at the assessment of what he’s supposed to be. Okay, it’s true that he doesn’t really see the hype in being alone, but it’s not like he’s needy about it!

It’s not the point, though. What is the point, apparently, is that Donnie is worried he’s not useful enough and he has to apologize for that. And the thing that sucks is, Leo can remember times he probably gave Donnie that exact impression. He never meant it like this, but maybe it doesn’t matter how he meant it.

“…Well, I’m causing problems for you, too,” he says finally. “Because you feel like you can’t leave me alone and it turns out I suck at making friends.”

It’s more self-deprecating than he meant for it to come out, and he winces again, at himself this time.

“…I can defend you from a million jerks or zombies or anything else. I don’t care. I want to do it. I just hate that… you feel like you have fix everything, and if you can’t you have to say you’re sorry, like…”

He trials off, looking down at the ground.

“…I should be the one saying sorry here.”

The silence seems heavy when it slinks in between their words, their admissions, their faults and failings, their apologies. Things they'd never really think to talk about back home, because things just...worked out?

Maybe it's because they were able to balance things out four ways instead of two. Donnie's not really sure what to think about that, but he knows being apart from the rest of their family hasn't helped. He'd tried so hard to keep himself busy and distracted when he was alone, but Leo's here now, and he feels like he hasn't made it easier for them.

And now here the both of them are, saying they're sorry.

He's...not sure how to fix this. He's not good with this kind of situation, but he knows they're both hurting, and the words aren't helping, aren't solving anything. If anything, it's only further proof of how messed up they are with out their brothers in this place.

His movement pulls a hiss from him, but he tries to ignore it as he pushes himself onto his knees, away from the cold wall, in spite of the stiffness of his limbs and the lingering exhaustion. Leo needs him and he needs his brother, and he's here.

Donnie leans maybe a bit heavier than he'd meant to as he brings his arms around Leo, trying not to completely collapse against his brother. If he's being honest with himself he'd admit he needs this just as much as he thinks Leo might.

Maybe middle brothers were simply never meant to exist without the others. Without their guiding, protective hand in front and their effervescent sunshine behind. Back home, their dynamic was all rivalries and taunting, sharp edges and pushing at each other’s boundaries. Never worrying about it, because they could never do anything that couldn’t be fixed by Raph pulling them apart or Mikey’s silly antics.

Now they only have each other, and Leo doesn’t know how to make up for their missing pieces. He’s tried, he’s tried so hard. Maybe Donnie has been trying too. Maybe they were simply never enough as a pair. They were always destined to be a quartet.

But that doesn’t mean Leo loves Donnie any less. And when Donnie crashes into him, Leo hugs him back. Because there’s nothing on this planet or any other that could stop Leo from hugging one of his brothers when they reach for him.

Even if a pair is not enough, he doesn’t want to give up. He doesn’t want Donnie to be sad. And he doesn’t really want to be sad, either.

Maybe he did need this hug.

Maybe he needed it more than he realized, because tears are trickling down his face and onto the skin of Donnie’s shoulder before he can stop them. He ducks his head because he doesn’t want anyone to see. He hopes Donnie doesn’t notice.

Giving up doesn't seem like it was ever an option, as close as Donnie's felt to doing so. Giving up would have meant never seeing his family again. He feels bad about nearly taking it for granted having Leo here until he did hit such a low, and it had only been Leo who had stuck by him then.

Maybe they're just a pair, but that's all the more reason for them to remember to be there for each other.

Unfortunately the odds of Donnie not noticing Leo's tears is low, but he doesn't say anything despite feeling the warmth on his shoulder. He's not normally clingy but right now he can't really bring himself to pull away. For all the trouble he thinks he's been, it scares him to think that maybe, if something had turned out differently, he might not be here, or Leo, or maybe the both of them... His eyes burn at the thought and he squeezes them shut, his arms tightening just a bit around his brother, achy as they're bound to get.

Hugging on the ground like this is not comfortable at all, but if Donnie isn't stopping than Leo isn't either.

Because it has been hard, even if he doesn't want to say as much right now. Not because of Donnie, no matter what he thinks, but because of everything else. Leo's been on the verge of breaking for ages now, and maybe this was what finally tipped him over.

He hopes it doesn't make Donnie feel like he messed up worse. Because this is certainly helping. Even if he wishes the tears hadn't come with it.

He squeezes back tighter, too, even though the shell on Donnie's back is cold where it bites into his arms. He doesn't care about that right now. They're both alive, and not hurt worse. Cayde had said that was something. Leo will hold onto it.

That's something future!Donnie might regret later whenever they continue their walk down to the Warrens. Right now he'll suffer anything just to make sure Leo's able to smile (and maybe even joke) again.

Hopefully he's not crushing his brother because he's sure he's little by little sagging just a bit more against him, but he's just as greedy for the contact as Leo might be.

They can get through this. They can get through anything.

Of course they can get through this. They'd be a shame to the Hamato name if they gave up now!

Though, as Leo's tears dry up and he starts to feel calmer, his uneasy stomach follows suit by settling down. Now that it's not twisting itself all up in knots, it shouldn't be a surprise that it growls, loud and angry to get his attention.

He was already embarrassed by the crying and now he's embarrassed by this. He presses even closer to Donnie, like his brother is a hole he can crawl inside of.

Even so, he tries to sound lighthearted when he says, quietly, "Uh, so... do you think we're getting close to wherever we're going now?"

Though it comes out kind of scratchy and sniffly. Eugh boy.

The sound is so unexpected and loud that it clearly startles Donnie enough that he jerks his head up. It takes him a moment to work out what the noise had been, a bit easier given Leo's response. He can't quite stop the brief laugh that bubbles up.

It feels good to be able to laugh again, even if it might be just a tiny bit at his brother's expense.

"Wish I knew..." he sighs, trying to estimate how long they've been at it. His sense of time hasn't improved at all. "It took us a pretty long time getting down to the Warrens, and that was without getting over a fever and with an injury."

Wow, laughing at him in his time of vulnerability! So cruel.

If Donnie can laugh at him, though, then he's probably going to be okay. Leo will take it.

Though he can't help but groan at the answer. Guess he's going to be waiting awhile longer.

"I don't guess we'll get lucky and there'll be a pizza place down there," he mutters. He sure wishes he had some kind of snack- oh, wait!

He pulls back enough to dig around in his pouch, pulling out the candy bar Cayde gave him earlier. He still hasn't eaten it, since he'd planned to give it to Donnie, but everything got so chaotic after that he completely forgot about it.

"Uh..." He holds it between them. "I was gonna give it to you," he says, a little lamely.

He can't help it! That was really loud and at an inopportune moment!

Mention of pizza makes him groan in turn. "Man, pizza would be so good right now..." Donnie hadn't had much of an appetite when he'd been sick, but now that they're talking about food, he can't help but feel a little hungry himself. Feeling Leo let go, he lets his own arms finally loosen, wincing as he tries to sit back a bit. ...okay maybe sitting on his bad leg isn't a good idea.

Donnie blinks at the candy bar, brow softening as he smiles a little. "I think you're the one that needs it."

Leo fully sits back, so Donnie can get situated more comfortably. He's a little worried about if Donnie's going to be able to walk on that leg for the rest of the trip, but he tries not to show it. He doesn't want to stress Donnie out, and he can always piggyback carry him if he has to. They'll make it down to... whatever the Warrens are.

He swivels around to be next to Donnie rather than in front of him, close so their shoulders are pressed together. Then he looks at the candy bar in his hand, like he almost wants to insist... But he does want it...

In the end, he splits the wrapper and takes a bite. A very big bite.

It's harder to hide his reactions as he scoots himself back against the wall, but his leg feels a lot better once he's not half-sitting on it. The floor's still cold but it kind of feels good against his bandaged calf.

Donnie relaxes as Leo settles in beside him, looking on, brow arched expectantly as he waits for a rebuttal, somewhat surprised if not at least a little satisfied when Leo actually does open the candy bar to take a bite. There's no refuting that monstrous sound his stomach had made a moment ago, after all.

Leo settles in next to Donnie, switching the candy bar to his opposite hand so he can wiggle an arm over Donnie’s shoulders. If Donnie shrugs him off he’ll move back. But based on the last ten minutes, he thinks Donnie might be fine with it.

“Maybe we can ask the doc if there’s any painkillers for your leg,” he suggests. He noticed Donnie’s wince.

It beats sitting alone and cold, and after all the admissions they've made, Donnie's not about to shove his brother away. He leans a little more against Leo- to make it easier for him to have his arm where it is, he reasons.

"Maybe. It's not too bad, only really hurts if I touch it or something," Donnie says. It still hurts in general since everything's kind of attached that way, but he figures he just has to deal until they get to where they're going.

[open] The children yearn for the mines

B-ish

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)