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[steepwithdead]

"Oh, hey."

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[steepwithdead]

If he won't listen to arguments, you'll only frustrate yourself by fighting. He'll dig his heels in.

[Much as he would love to fight and fight and fight with the people he knew who kept making terrible choices, it only made things worse.]

It's a difficult thing to swallow, I know. Your heart is driven to help him the way you know best, and what you want for him is better than his self-isolation. But pushing him too hard will just push him further away. He isn't ready to be helped.

[grabaslice]

You'd think I'd have learned that by now. [He muses with a shake of his head. It's hardly the first time he and Donnie have circled each other like this, arguing. This just hurts worse, since there isn't anything any of them can do.]

I don't know when he'll ever be ready to hear us out.

[steepwithdead]

He may never. You can keep the door open for him, keep trying. Tell him how you feel, that you miss and support him. And you can hope. But you can't suspend your life for him, either.

[grabaslice]

It feels a lot easier said than done. I thought after everything he'd want to stick around. [This whole situation just... sucks. Leonardo is struggling to not just tell Cad or be frustrated at Donnie.]

Are you sure I can't help? [he's trying to not dwell on all of this by being useful.]

[steepwithdead]

I'm sure you can, but I'd prefer you rest. Stay where you are.

[He sets a pot to boil for noodles, and begins to spice and bread some breasts of meat. (He's making chicken parmesan.)]

He may want to stick around, but only on his terms. Have you asked him what those terms would be? What does he want?

[grabaslice]

Alright, alright, I'm staying seated. [He promises, trying to not fidget from feeling so useless.

He needs... a moment to think about it.]

Same thing he said before, 'it's my health, not yours. It's not your concern'. I... [This isn't saying anything that bad, right? He just covers his face with a hand, physically hunching into himself. He wishes he could still go into his shell.] He and Casey did tests to check if he was still sick, and they had false positives. Donnie just- never told me. He insisted it's fine, but- I don't know anymore.

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus pauses, hearing that, and glances over his shoulder at Leo in concern.]

...Are you certain they're actually false?

[This whole avoidance thing is starting to sound suspiciously more like an active problem versus past trauma.]

this icon makes its GRAND return

[grabaslice]

[Leonardo just looks tired, unfocused.] That's what he kept insisting. He doesn't want help, there is nothing to worry about.

It doesn't feel that way anymore.

permanently tired, this poor man

[steepwithdead]

[That... brings a great deal of context to what Leonardo must be feeling- indeed, what they're all feeling right now. Why Casey's been "too busy", why he hasn't seen the brother in his tree as often, why Leonardo looks so weary and stressed. Caduceus is quiet for a long moment, keeping his hands busy putting the noodles in the water and the meat in a pan to simmer. He washes his hands.

Then he steps over to Leonardo, bending down to be at his level, and his arms spread.]

Hug?

[grabaslice]

[It takes him a second to snap back into himself. The offer softens his expression at the edges. A dam is cracking, and he's trying to keep it together. The denial, the delusion of his brother not being sick again, is starting to break down again. Leonardo isn't sure if he can handle that.]

Please. [His voice warbles on a single word. He would be embarrassed if he wasn't going in for that hug.]

[steepwithdead]

[No hesitation at all. Caduceus' arms go around Leonardo, and while he's quite slender for a firbolg, his limbs are long, and he can easily reach around to the whole shell and give a good, firm hug. He's still mindful of not pressing too roughly on the still-healing plastron, masterfully toeing the line between too light and too hard.

It is a really, really good hug.]

[grabaslice]

[It is very much a really good hug. Enough of one that Caduceus can feel Leonardo go from stiff and uncomfortable from the conversation to relaxing into the hold. Tension fading from his shoulders, dropping away entirely from his stance. He holds onto Cad the best he can with that arm, just breathing shakily out.

Whenever Caduceus breaks away, the turtle is wiping his eyes a little with his one hand. Making a face as he peels his mask off to drop it on the table.]

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus doesn't comment on the tears, but he lingers close for a few moments after, keeping his hand on Leo's shoulder.]

There we go. Deep breaths. You're okay, Leo.

[grabaslice]

[He takes in one breath, then another. Each getting shakier instead of calmer. Tears finally do escape, rolling across the red markings under his eyes.

Being this vulnerable is strange, almost uncomfortable. It would be easier to hide from it.

He just doesn't want to. He can't. He's so tired of trying to crush everything down.]

I'll... I'll be okay soon enough.

[steepwithdead]

Doesn't have to be right now.

[He can take his time with it. Ideally, time is something he has right now.]

Hey. Why don't you come and stay with me?

[grabaslice]

[The offer takes Leonardo off guard, he blinks a little. Sniffling somewhat.] I... are you sure? I'm kind of a mess right now.

[steepwithdead]

I'm not worried about that. [Taking care of messes is sort of his thing. May as well let Leonardo learn it now.] Just for a while, until your brother comes back. You don't have to be alone.

[Honestly Caduceus wouldn't kick him out regardless, he just assumes Leo would go back to his family once the problem is resolved.]

[grabaslice]

[He takes a moment to mull it over, rubbing at one of his eyes. He struggles with himself on the topic. An independent kind of turtle, but aware he isn't meant to live alone.] I... I'd like that. To stay with you.

[steepwithdead]

Alright.

[It's... kind of a quiet relief, truth be told, and Caduceus gives him another gentle pat before returning to the stove so nothing burns. His shoulders relax and his ears dip low. The thought of not being in an empty house, even for a little while, sounds really nice. Being able to help someone, also something he needs right now.]

Whenever you're ready. Come back with me tonight if you'd like, or wait for any time you'd prefer. There's plenty of space.

[grabaslice]

[He sniffles a little, a few more tears escaping. Leonardo tries to stop them, but is losing the battle. He's glad they're in the privacy of the apartment. He has time to quietly cry and get the feeling out.]

I think, going with you tonight might be a good idea. I don't think I can handle being by myself.

I'll text Casey, so he doesn't get worried.

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus isn't especially surprised. Perhaps, at least for a time, they've found within each other a kindred spirit as far as loneliness goes. Maybe the balm of company will heal some of that wound, so it wound sting as badly when the inevitable separation comes.

This is good for now, though. And even when that happens, the same friendship can persist. It's good, truly.]

Tonight, then. You should text him now, may as well. [He pauses, and then more gently,] Tell your brother as well. Don't engage in another argument, but it would be good if he knew where you are, just in case.

[When you need to make amends with someone, knowing where they are is important.]

[grabaslice]

Mmm. [Is as much as he can manage for a moment. He does get up from his seat to find a glass to get himself some water. He needs a drink. He can handle this much at least.]

Donnie will... probably tell me I'll mess our friendship up. He already said as much. [He's going to just drink his water now. Perfect distraction.]

[steepwithdead]

If he tells you that, ignore him. When someone is wrong, it's fine to let them be wrong by themselves.

[It takes a lot to ruin a friendship with Caduceus, things he suspects the man is not capable of. He really can't imagine a world where Donatello might be correct in this instance.]

[grabaslice]

[The advice eases Leonardo somewhat. It doesn't take away the sting Donnie's words left behind, but, it helps.] If it turns into that, I will. I'm hoping that it won't.

[steepwithdead]

I hope it won't, as well. But you're under no obligation to be miserable just because he expects it of you.

[Or maybe because he is, and wants others to be alongside him. He doesn't know this older Donatello well enough to rationalize what he's doing, beyond broad strokes and contextual guesses.]