Life in the Apocalypse

[apuckalypse]

Dumping ground for Earth 2044 shenanigans.

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[apuckalypse]

[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.]

[neonleon]

[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.

[apuckalypse]

[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?

[neonleon]

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

[apuckalypse]

You're not coming?

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

[neonleon]

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

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

[apuckalypse]

[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??]

[neonleon]

[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.]

[apuckalypse]

[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.]

[neonleon]

[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?

[apuckalypse]

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

[neonleon]

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

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

[apuckalypse]

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.]

[neonleon]

[Okay he has to laugh a little at that; it isn't mean spirited, just that natural kind of laugh of a parent whose kid is turning his logic back against him. They come up to the shower area, and he makes a bee-line to the sinks to grab a cloth and soap.]

Don't worry, I plan on eating too. We gotta go quick though so let's go. [Sink wash go!!]

[apuckalypse]

Okay... just wanted to check. You kind of felt like, um.

[Hm. Maybe he shouldn't say it. Sink wash is so go!! He'll do that instead, scrub that shell like a champ.]

[neonleon]

[He piques at that, grabbing another cloth to start scrubbing his arms.]

Felt like what?

[apuckalypse]

[...Mrrrrrrrgh.

Sensei don't get mad, he's gonna call you out.]

You're all stiff. [He's tense as heck. He felt it in the hug, in his posture where he'd perched.] Like you want to run away.

[neonleon]

[well....

He continues scrubbing at his arms.]

You're not wrong. I kinda do wanna run away.

[apuckalypse]

[Hmm. Thought so.]

I'd want to run away, too. [He's done it before. He only got as far as a secret storage room, and it hadn't helped much, but the act of running had felt good. Sensei's very brave for staying.] If you run away, take me with you.

[neonleon]

[He keeps working, making sure to get any mess out from his scales, the nooks and crannies.]

...You got it. But I dunno if anyone would let me actually run away.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's still working hard. Shells can stay dirty more easily since it's a hard-to-reach spot, so he's putting his back into it.]

Do you want to run away for a little while? Or forever?

[neonleon]

[He just keeps scrubbing himself what he can reach easily. Really ponders Casey's question.

Where would he run? Could he keep Casey safe if they ran out? No, of course not. But maybe one of the lower store rooms. The makeshift brig.]

Maybe after I catch up with everyone first and get some food.

[apuckalypse]

Mm... then after we eat, we'll go! Wherever you want. Until you're ready to go back.

[Sensei wouldn't go forever. Uncle Tello and Master Michelangelo are here. But it's okay to vanish for a while; everyone knows what to do already. They can manage without him.]

[neonleon]

Hm.

[It's sweet. Casey's always sweet, which is such a nice turnaround from when Leo had to take over caring for the boy. He lets out a quiet sigh, smiling tiredly as he scrubs at his chest plastron.]

We'll see. Maybe after we eat I won't want to runaway then.

[apuckalypse]

Maybe... [Casey thinks a moment, then lightly knocks his knuckles on Leo's shell. It's so soft, barely an impact with his little hand, but enough to be felt.]

If you go, I go. If you stay, I stay.