faesphere | Life in the Apocalypse

[Casey doesn't let his hand linger. Message sent, and he's intuitive enough even at his age to know what touch may be unwelcome. He can hug sensei, because it's his sensei. Master Miyamoto's sword isn't his, so he won't touch it beyond what he feels he has to. Weapons are special, he knows. Extensions of yourself.

(He'll get one someday, too. He just needs to figure out what his extension should be.)]

Like Master Raph... like my mom.

[Like everyone else who's died and they miss terribly.]

...Yeah. Like Master Raph and your mom.

[Exactly like them. Like everyone else they've lost in this war. He can't cry like this. He can't let go in front of Casey. He'll have to wait until he can do a night patrol while everyone's asleep or something. Hours away. Just hold it together until then.]

You kept an eye on everything while I was gone?

[Casey scrubs at his eyes a bit. If sensei can't cry, maybe he shouldn't, either. ...He can try, at least.]

Uh-huh... kept everybody in line, promise. [Nevermind that people really only humour him. He was very stern about everyone doing their job while sensei was working hard too.] And I helped! We moved stuff to a new med room.

[Casey should absolutely cry. Leo doesn't really see what he's instilling in the boy acting the way he does, but he looks proud if nothing else.]

I know that was a huge task I couldn't figure out when to do, so thanks for seeing that through. That'll be a big help later on.

I hope so... [Casey rests his head against Leo again, taking strength from the familiar toughness of his plastron.] I wish there was more I could do to help you.

[He wishes he was big and strong, as powerful as Master Miyamoto, so he could fight at sensei's side. Protect him. Make sure he comes home safe again.]

[With Casey leaning into him like that, Leo lets out a slow exhale and leans back against the wall. Most everyone is leaving him alone now that he's quieted down and not giving them much attention.]

You're doing plenty. Knowing I come back and you're here safe does wonders, Case.

[Casey lifts his head to look at Leo, wide-eyed.]

Really? Is that enough?

[But there's so much else to do!]

There's a lot of other stuff to do, but that was one of the big tasks to get done. So good job!

Thanks for doing it. [There's a lot of pride in the words and how he says it, and expression of nothing but gratitude. He means it, Casey.]

[Casey watches him for a moment, gauging his expression dubiously. It seems like so little, though... but sensei isn't lying. Tentatively, he smiles back.]

I'll keep learning. And I'll keep getting bigger! So I can do more and more. You'll see.

Oooh, I believe it. I bet you'll grow bigger than me one day.

[Focus on the now, focus on who's with him still. Leo grins, wrapping both arms around Casey to squeeze him more enthusiastically.]

You're gonna be amazing, I know it!

You think? Really, even bigger?

[He's so huge though! Casey doesn't resist the hug at all (might even cling harder, in fact, because this peaceful cuddle time between missions is so rare) but he stretches himself up a little, trying to look taller.]

You're so big though!

And you're still growing. You could easily grow another four, five feet.

[At Casey sitting up to stretch, Leo does the same, hearing a series of pops up his back under his shell.]

Buuut to do that, you gotta eat. So we should see what's up.

[Casey makes a face, but reluctantly crawls up to Leo's shoulder to perch.]

It's just rats, like always.

[Maybe some weird dry salad.]

[Casey really is getting bigger. Much more growing and he won't be able to perch up there anymore. Not the worst thing, but he'll miss it when Casey does eventually get too big.]

Yeah, but maybe there's a weird dry salad, or they found some new interesting way to cook the rats.

[Good luck escaping your fate, Leo. You're a long ways away from that with this scrawny, scrungly child.]

Maybe... a stew? Rat leaf stew?

You never know. Go get a peek while I clean up, all right?

You're not coming?

[Aww, but he perched so neatly and everything.]

[Casey is, and it breaks Leonardo's heart.]

I mean if you wanna go with me to the bathroom to wash up.

[Rat stew... sensei. Rat stew... sensei.

Yeah sorry even if it's a BATH there is no contest here.]

I can wash your shell?

[Sensei used to give him baths so it's not that different right??]

[That-

He smiles a little. He really wanted to be alone, but Casey obviously doesn't want to be. So he'll wait. Put it off until everyone is well and truly asleep. He knows any Krang goop was blasted off before he got inside the base so no worries there. It should be fine.]

Sure, why not. Let's go. [Just gonna get back up to his feet and start moving.]

[Casey hums an agreement, obviously appreciative. Sensei wouldn't want to be alone, right? He just lost someone so special. It would be bad to leave him now. Casey definitely wanted someone with him when other important people died, so he could cry and hug them. Sensei can cry and hug him, too.

He'll lean closer to rest against Leo's head as they go, little fingers twisted up in his mask tails.]

[Oh- that contact feels like enough to wrench open his heart and drag out every tear he has left in him. He keeps Casey balanced and jogs his way to the shower. Anyone in the way is giving him a wide berth so he doesn't have to try and dodge anyone.]

You sure you wanna help with this?

I'm sure! [Casey's voice is determined, hopeful.] I want to help you, sensei. With this, or anything I can.

[KIDDDDDDD ugh his kid. He's too good.]

We'll make it quick, then. I don't want you to miss out on dinner.

You need dinner too.

[As stern a voice as a ten-year-old can take with his parental figure. He just came back from a rough mission, it's important to eat and keep his strength up! Everyone keeps telling him that, at least, so he can use it against other people too.]

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