steepwithdead | Folkmore

Raph got a little prickly when we brought him back. Mostly because he was worried we hurt ourselves. [These two are never going to run out weird things to say to each other.] You're right though, people don't really want to stay dead. There is always more living to do.

Did you hurt yourselves?

[That feels like an important detail.]

At worse, there was some strain for Mikey, Donnie and I.

I was recovering from losing my arm still to some extent, but Raph needed us. [The wound wasn't fresh by the time Raph showed up, but the trauma of a lost limb lingers.]

Strain is reasonable. That's different from outright hurt.

[His gaze shifts briefly to the port of his arm.]

That must have been a lot to happen at once, though. Many people would feel overwhelmed.

It wasn't a great time, but I didn't have much time to mourn over it. [In his mind, everything worked out well enough.] We had things to do. Casey lost his mother then too, and I was free, so... things clicked into place.

That's when you adopted him?

[Well, informally, maybe. But Cad's seen enough from both sides to recognize them as a legitimate family.]

Yeah, I... guess so. I started carrying him around all the time in a baby sling. We didn't have the resources for me to get actual surgery for a good while, then Raph stumbled back home half dead.

Mm. Sounds like it to me. [Adoption, at least. He doesn't want to forcefully linger on Raphael's death, if Leo would prefer not to get into it.] It's no wonder he got so attached.

[Given the two are eating a nice lunch together, this is meant to just be a casual hang out. Not another therapy session.] I figured when he started walking on his own and talking, he'd probably find a new favorite. Mikey is- was more fun than I ever was.

Kids are also a handful, I had no idea what I signed up for, but, I wasn't about to leave him alone.

Apparently he didn't find a new favourite after all. Seems you managed just fine.

[Caduceus sounds amused at the assumption. He knows from experience, kids tend to latch quickly to the ones taking care of them, especially if they're lonely and grieving, and young enough to forget. An unfortunate circumstance, but undeniably a happy ending, in at least one way.]

I guess I did. Always wish I could give him more, but, y'know, kind of comes with the territory. [He sips at his tea again, just enjoying the fruity flavor and how it suits the noodles so well.]

Nature of your situation, yeah. I think you did good.

[Kid's obviously healthy, happy, and kind. Traumatized all to heck, that much is obvious, but Leonardo could have done much, much worse. Overall, good work.]

I'll take it. Thank you. [He hides his smile behind his glass.] I'm kind of excited to see him keep growing up. Gotta enjoy it before he finds me embarrassing.

I feel like you're understating your own excitement. You know, since we met, you've only gotten happier when you talk about him.

[He can see the Proud Papa, it's very clear every time.]

I feel like I'm very reasonably excited-? [He questions back. He thought it was about the same level all the time. Then again, he can't quite quantify that shift he had between arrival and settling.]

I'm always happy to talk about him. It's nice finally just... having the title officially, I guess.

[This foolish man. He gets so happy talking about his kid, and surely everyone can see it.]

I suppose the "sensei" title was just symbolic for something that already existed.

Occasionally, we called pops that. So... yeah, I guess so. [Admitting that much to someone feels surreal in a way. He just tries to hide his smile behind his tea again.]

[Caduceus thinks for a moment about Leo's prior words on not wanting to be a parent like his father was. There's plenty of questions and lines of thought he could explore, here.

But he doesn't, because this isn't a counselling session. Just some lunch between friends. (Not that he won't counsel during friendly conversation, but the mood's been kept intentionally light.) So:]

I'm glad you have each other, and had each other in that world.

[If asked, Leonardo would have a decent enough explanation to go with the reasoning why. Here and now though? He's just relaxed and working on what is left of his noodles. At this point, not much. He has more bun left than noodle. Though there is plenty left in the pot on the stove.]

Yeah, me too. I know he probably would have preferred his mom be around, but, we figured it out.

It hardly has to be one or the other.

[This isn't a competition, you dingus of a man.]

Still, kids need their mom. [Not that Leo knows from experience. Mom is such a nebulous concept to him.] Cassandra was a badass who would've been good for Casey.

Kids need a loving parent. "Mom" or "Dad" is the assumed norm, and while it's nice to have as many parents as you can, necessity is care, and love. Not gender.

[Now, Casey wants his mom. Now that he has two. But he was raised with what he needed, as far as family goes. He's talked enough to recognize that.]

Yeah, I... yeah. [He can't argue that point, at all. Not that he could.] I'm going to be a broken record and keep just wanting more for him specifically.

I at least had a childhood, as flawed as it was. He didn't get that in the same way. [He sets his tea back down to pick at his bread.] I miss that, you know? That comfort of home. Knowing people are waiting for you.

...Mm. I understand.

[That's a feeling he knows very well. Caduceus takes a moment to lift his bowl, sipping the remnants of the broth, and finally finishing his bowl. It gives him an extra few seconds to breathe his way past the quiet sorrow of missing his family. For that, at least, he is with good company.]

I know it's not the same, but you at least have the two of them here with you. Family, people waiting for you and appreciating your presence... maybe you should start thinking of ways to make this place "home", even temporarily.

[He's more picking the bread apart than actively eating it at this point, keeping his hand busy.]

That is the plan. For as long as I'm here, I'm going to try and treat it like home. The hardest part I think is focusing on now, instead of what comes after. It's just hard not to worry about the future.

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