Life in the Apocalypse

[apuckalypse]

Dumping ground for Earth 2044 shenanigans.

Comments

[neonleon]

You just helped clean me up where I wouldn't let anyone else. Pretty great to me.

[apuckalypse]

[That sounds so simple... but if sensei says it's true, then it must be.]

...Then, I'll be so great! One day, I'll be great enough to fight at your side for real. I won't just wash your back, I'll watch it!

[Which is 100% a more useful skill, but he's not there yet.]

[neonleon]

Can't wait. You're going to be amazing.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey just beams and hugs him tighter. He wants that... he wants it so badly. To be amazing and strong and great just like sensei believes he can be. To be helpful, useful. So maybe sensei won't look so tired one day. He can rest better knowing he doesn't have to protect Casey anymore- Casey's gonna protect him.]

[neonleon]

[Leonardo smiles and moves one hand to tussle the boy's hair some. He'll have his breakdown quietly after lights out, it looks like. For now, he dries his hands and fastens Usagi's sword to his belt at his hip. For now. He'll have it placed somewhere in his room later.]

You ready for that food now?

[apuckalypse]

[He nods, ducking a little under the tousle with a soft giggle. His expression sobers when he sees the extra sword, and after a moment he reaches up to take Leo's hand.]

Yeah. Let's get you fed before everyone worries more than they already are.

[Who is looking after who, here?]

[neonleon]

Uh huh. And I'm sure you aren't gonna fill your plate up because you definitely aren't hungry right?

[apuckalypse]

I won't! I don't need a full plate of rat!

[So stubborn. He absolutely will, even if (when) it's rat.]

[neonleon]

Uh huh. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Just starts walking them out and back to the mess hall. Food for the growing boy.]

[apuckalypse]

You'll see then!

[Best believe Casey is not for a second letting go of his hand. They're in this together now, just like he promised. He'll get sensei through this somehow.]

[neonleon]

I definitely will.

[It's easy to walk them down the halls, Leo smiling and giving an occasional wave or bow of his head to those he passes. One wouldn't think he was five seconds away from having a breakdown just a few minutes ago.

He stops a few steps into the mess and turns his head to look at Casey.]

Go grab us a plate huh?

[apuckalypse]

[Casey looks around the hall, then up at Leo with a quick nod.]

Uh-huh. And you grab us a seat!

[He'll scamper off for the dinner basics, not even waiting for an answer. Sensei's an expert at the dinner process by now, and no one would steal a seat from their hero leader.]

[neonleon]

[Haha... Gives him one more little headpat before watching Casey go. But he looks... tired still. Glad Casey's feeling all right despite everything.

He's just gonna find a seat kinda off to the side, talking to a few others here and there when they come by to say something. But he makes sure the seat on his left side stays empty.]

[apuckalypse]

[It takes a little bit, but soon Casey drops a plate onto the table between their seats, sliding it closer as he climbs into his saved seat. The plate of course has two helpings of whatever leafy meaty ration combination the kitchen had come up with today.]

I'm back! [Obviously.] Eat-a-decky-mass!

[Which is not the greatest pronunciation ever, but Master Miyamoto is not here to correct him, and he's doing his best.]

[neonleon]

[Leonardo hears that and chuckles a little to himself.]

Itadakimasu. [He says it a little quieter, more to himself. Miyamoto isn't here anymore to correct him. But he's grateful for Casey bringing the plate over.]

Go ahead.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey wastes no time stuffing some garbage into his mouth, making sure to slide the plate a few inches closer to Leo three bites in. He needs to keep his strength up too.]

[neonleon]

[Leonardo sees that, smiles a little. He at least waits to make sure Casey gets everything he needs from it before tugging the plate closer in front of himself.]

You know you're the future, right? So you better make sure you eat everything you want.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey blinks over at him, mouth full, and swallows through his confusion.]

I'm the future? What does that mean?

[neonleon]

[He can't help but smile a little more at that, reaching over to ruffle his hair some.]

You'll get it when you're a little older. Eat up.

[apuckalypse]

[He makes a face.]

Why can't I get it now?

[neonleon]

Because you just asked me, so you didn't get it already.

'sides, you don't have to get it now.

[apuckalypse]

...Be...cause it's also something for the future?

[He really doesn't get it!]

[neonleon]

That's it. Eat up, much as you want. [He takes another couple bites of his own plate before sliding it back to Casey.]

[apuckalypse]

[Stuffs another mouthful in.]

How much older is a little older?

[neonleon]

Dunno. It's different for everyone, so I couldn't tell ya. Took me until I was seventeen.