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[steepwithdead]

"Oh, hey."

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[steepwithdead]

[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.

[grabaslice]

[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.

[steepwithdead]

It hardly has to be one or the other.

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

[grabaslice]

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.

[steepwithdead]

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.]

[grabaslice]

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.

[steepwithdead]

...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.

[grabaslice]

[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.

[steepwithdead]

The future's going to come, whether you worry about it or not. Consider that as part of your training: less worrying, more living. I believe you'll figure it out.

[grabaslice]

[He is eating pieces of the now shredded bread. He has to be marginally a smartass.] Hmmm, sounds fake, better worry more. I'm good at that.

I'll get there. Just gonna be interesting to get there.

[steepwithdead]

I've always heard that the journey is the most interesting part of any experience.

[grabaslice]

C'mon, I've done so much journey! I've had character development! Why not the good parts? [The melodrama! The silliness- He leans back melodramatically in the chair, throwing a piece of bread in the air and catching it in his mouth.]

[steepwithdead]

Sorry, denied. You must keep walking.

[He has people who care too much about him to surrender, even to drama.]

[grabaslice]

[He chews the bread bit he caught in time to huff at Cad denying him so. Caduceus earns Leo sticking tongue out at him.] Cruel, unusual, criminal.

I guess I can keep walking. More journey for me.

[steepwithdead]

You did just admit it was going to be interesting. You don't strike me as someone who'd want a completely boring life.

[grabaslice]

Okay, you got me there. [He laughs easily enough, letting the melodrama drop away for now.] I'd like something a little more sedate but not plodding.

Manageable adventures, not 'oh god, the world is ending' level.

[steepwithdead]

The world's almost ended only a couple of times here so far, so I think you're in a good place for that goal.

[May or may not be kidding...]

[grabaslice]

[With how peaceful this meal between them feels, the idea of the world ending feels... so far away. They're eating a nice meal in Caduceus home, talking casually, just enjoying some actual peace.

It is more than Leonardo ever expected.]

If it's only a couple of times, I'll take it.

[steepwithdead]

That's good, because at this point we don't have much choice in the matter.

[He doesn't look bummed out like the sentiment might imply, though. It's just how things are, and he's used to it. With a final sip of his broth, he slides his bowl away.]

That was delicious, and very filling. Thanks for the meal.

[grabaslice]

Have we ever had a choice in where life leads us? [He jokes idly back, brightening a few notches at the compliment.]

Hey, I'm happy I got to cook for you. I now know I gotta make you pizza next time. Veggie pizza, your choice of toppings.

[steepwithdead]

[Not missing that sudden perk-up. Hmm.]

There's no rush, but I'm looking forward to that, too.

[grabaslice]

[How to get the turtle; complimenting him genuinely.]

I'm gonna try to find a good dough recipe first. [He polishes off the rest of his noodles and broth with a very uncouth slurp.]

[steepwithdead]

An important step for any bread.

[Caduceus will gather up the dishes. He can fuss over washing them later, but clearing and rinsing shouldn't wait too long.]

Satisfied? I don't have much in the way of dessert, ah... cookies, maybe? Still pretty fresh.

[grabaslice]

I'll never say no to cookies. [He says easily enough, moving to push himself up out of his seat.]

Do you want any help with clean up? [Sure, he cooked, but he likes actually helping. Returning kindness to Caduceus.]

[steepwithdead]

Are you going to manifest another arm for that?

[Teasing, but also, washing and drying sounds really difficult with one arm, honestly.]

Don't worry about it. It'll give me something to do before bed.