LEO - POST MOVIE

[semilethal]

[ nobody asks where april found the van. some mild criminal activity feels irrelevant in light of the day they just had anyway, and they couldn't exactly walk all the way back to the lair.

not with leo like...this. not just leo either; raphael couldn't hardly hold his head up, hunched and clearly wearing his 'i'm the eldest and i won't complain' face as he cradles leo so carefully on their way to the van. mikey's hands and arms won't stop trembling, even when he twists them together and presses them to his plastron. donatello is sore all over and his skin and shell feel raw, like someone rubbed him down with sandpaper.

and leo's quiet. leo's too quiet.

so there they are in the cargo van, raph tucked toward the front with a leg stretched out for mikey to use as a pillow to doze upon. april and casey sit up front, throwing concerned glances over their shoulders as often as is safe while april slowly weaves the vehicle through the half-destroyed streets toward the nearest access point. splinter sits near the doors as their only other capable fighter, though he keeps his tail curled around leo's uninjured ankle.

and donatello, he's stripping off his gloves because he's going to have to touch his brother to get a better idea of his injuries, and his skin doesn't feel like his own and that'll interfere with his judgement. the fewer layers between he and his brother, the more accurate he can be. ]

Alrighty Leon. Look alive, let's...let's diagnose.

Comments

[neonleon]

You have a uranium fund?

[Does dad know you have that.]

[semilethal]

Obviously not anym- were you listening?

[neonleon]

Yes, and might be the morphine, but you said you want me to pay you?

Pay my twin brother for helping save my back so I am not succumb to a lifelong potential disability that would have kept me from doing what we do??

[semilethal]

It must be the morphine because I do recall offering an alternative. [the theft]

[neonleon]

The secret third alternative that is be grateful to my brother for helping save my back from a lifelong disability because it's the right thing to do and because we are brothers who love each other very much? That alternative?

[semilethal]

Well that doesn't sound like it'll get me uranium, soooo...

[neonleon]

Maybe not right this very second, but it may make me more inclined to help get it further down the line.

[Why did he want his brother here again? Oh right, distraction.]

[semilethal]

I don't believe that you will either remember that or will uphold it honorably. You're signing a contract. [ok do u still want him tho]

[neonleon]

Not without a lawyer present. [Unfortunately, yes, this is easier than heartfelt conversations with anyone else.]

[semilethal]

Oh yeah? [TOSSES TABLET BACK DOWN, who cares about monitoring vitals] Call him up, get your counsel on the phone. I'd love to hear the defense's argument.

[neonleon]

I just came out of a major medical procedure and [looks at the iv drip, then back to Donnie.] am currently under an influence so this conversation can't happen.

[semilethal]

Struggling for excuses. [picks it back up with a barely concealed pout] No matter. I can dismantle your case at any time. [because this is small claims court and not just negotiation now, why have mediation when u can have a fight]

[neonleon]

Uh huh, I'll have my lawyer call you. [It's just Mikey. He's calling in Mikey at some point. But for now, he settles in and just watches Don.]

So how long am I still out of commission?

[semilethal]

[gives stink-eye, but acquiesces. don't you dare sic michelangelo on him, you bastard] I mentioned new x-rays. [begrudgingly looks down at the charts with leo's most recent post-op bloodwork.] ...but you're healing up quickly. Various enzyme counts down, introduction of BMPs took well, no sign of infection or inflammation near the surgical site.

If recovery proceeds at this pace, you should be able to start physical therapy in a couple days.

[neonleon]

[Too bad he's going to.

He doesn't exactly look pleased by the idea, but it's better than bedridden.]

I'm sure that'll go well. Be back to kicking your butt on the ramp in no time.

[semilethal]

Mm, latest trends show that even at perfect health, you would struggle with that. [WHO WON THE LAST LAIR GAMES? Who does not care that he had to fill the vent above his bed with insulation and duct tape it closed? This guy.]

[neonleon]

[Maybe Leo just won't tell him this second that Don's win was entirely by design. Instead he just looks mildly put out because oooh noooo Don beat him that one time the infamy, the tragedyyyyy]

Yeah, we'll see. In the meantime, I get to lay back and relax for now.

[semilethal]

You gonna actually do that? [DOUBT. VERY BIG DOUBT]

[neonleon]

[AND HE'S RIGHT TO.]

When would I ever not take the opportunity to chillax?

[semilethal]

I suppose I have nothing to lose if you re-herniate that disc. I could do the procedure again. Practice makes perfect after all.

[neonleon]

Uh.

[Hm. Miscalculation.]

What makes you think I would immediately re-herniate it, I said I am chillaxing.

[semilethal]

Oh I'm just not assuming anything. I am, [pause] releasing myself from the responsibility. [he's going to watch you like a FUC KIN G HAWK. nobody is doing or getting surgery ever again. it is disgusting and traumatizing for everybody involved.] You may chillax. You may not chillax. Do you know who is going to be concerned over which of those things happen?

Not I. I am officially busy.

[neonleon]

Uh huh.

[So Donnie is going to be watching him like a fucking hawk. Surgery was probably disgusting and traumatizing for everyone involved and he doesn't want to do it on anyone ever again.]

I'll remember that while I sit and read comics in bed.

[semilethal]

Excellent! I will be in my laboratory. Shelldon, transport the degenerate over to his comic books if you please.

Righteo Donno! [and off leonardo is carted! must be nice to be bedridden on a bed that listens to someone else, huh]

[neonleon]

[How did Donnie know his favorite thing in the world?

And that it happens to be not that? He grips one hand to the side of the cot as he whizzes by his brother, giving a low glare at him.]

I'll remember this.