[Leo can't help it, it's in his nature. But he slowly leans back into some of the padding, then stops and sits back up again because he has to be careful how he sits down, these days. A cushion pushing into his lungs doesn't hurt, but it feels weird.]
I'm surprised you don't have it tricked out with a stereo system and rave lights. [He grins at the silly suggestion - or maybe not so silly, given who he's talking to.]
[It's only inevitable that Donnie has to make a face at that pun, but it's tempered with the inklings of a smile. Things are finally feeling right, and the awful puns are but a part of it.]
A mix of that and mildew, actually- heavy on the mildew.
[He makes himself comfortable, tucking against the padding with a sigh.]
Thought about it, but simple seemed better. And if we're going to be pumping any music and flashy lights, it'd be way more suited for during actual travel, don't you think?
[Donnie laughs, unable to help for a grin at the thought.]
After some of the things we've had to go through? Agreed. This place is just exhausting in these ways I don't expect. I'm behind in so many things I'm trying to get done but...sometimes all I want to do is just curl up somewhere.
[But maybe things will be better, now. He's back, weird as it is to say, but it feels the most accurate. And maybe Leo will be more inclined to hang out up here during their downtimes...]
[It hits Leo in an unexpected way, that his workaholic brother feels too exhausted to work here. It's just another reminder of how this place is wearing them down.
And now he can't help but think about all they things they've gone through recently.]
...Yeah. [He nods in agreement.] I get that.
[He glances around the nest, playing with the hem of his cloak. It's becoming more and more of a habit, like he's making sure it's still there, still covering him up.]
Maybe, uh... I could make a spot to chill up here, too. If you're cool with it. [He rubs the back of his head.] I'd just need it to support my shell right, 'cause... if stuff rubs against my organs it feels weird.
[He's dipping a toe into acknowledging the hole directly.]
[Donnie lifts his head a little then, eyes flicking towards the end of the cloak at Leo's movement. He glances away guiltily.]
You're more than welcome to.
I... Sorry. I should have had that armor finished a long time ago. It's at the top of my list, promise.
[He hasn't had a good look at Leo's shell since... What, when he'd first arrived? But it's gotten so much worse, and he hadn't like those gaps he'd felt beneath the material of Leo's cloak when they'd been hugging earlier.]
N-no, I didn't say that to- You don't have to apologize!
[Ugh. This is why he doesn't say things! Now the mood is totally ruined thanks to his big mouth.]
It's not a big deal. [As though to demonstrate this, he lays back on the cushions - ignoring that it is not particularly comfortable as he is.] See? I'm fine! Comfy cozy!
I know you didn't! But it still doesn't change the fact that I've taken way longer on it than I should have.
[Donnie looks back as Leo settles back, uncertain, but still slightly less concerned. He lets himself lean back a little. Even if he wanted to pull an all-nighter right there and then to bang out more of that battle shell, he knows he wouldn't be able to focus.]
Are you sure..?
[He still can't help but ask. It's no good having this space to share if Leo can't be comfortable. He'd already mentioned that his shell was rubbing on...things, which means it's not offering the support it should. Softer cushioning in the meantime? A lighter, wrap-around brace, maybe? His mind grasps at concepts out of habit.
Pushing himself to sit up, he pulls over a makeshift pillow that more or less resembles a giant piece of candy with the way the ends of the material are bound on either side of the stuffed portion. It most definitely must have been a skirt originally, the material light. He nudges it over with a foot.]
[Leo looks up as the pillow is pushed his direction. He takes it and shifts around, putting it behind himself, up closer to his head. It helps keep him raised a bit off the cushions, so nothing is rubbing. It does feel better...]
Oooh, yeah, it's real soft! [He does his best to keep his voice light as he settles back against the pillow. It helps.] Thanks, hermano!
[With that taken care of, he shakes his head.]
Anyway, seriously, don't worry about it! We barely have materials around here anyway, and we've been busy.
[It feels like it's been ages since he's heard Leo call him brother in any form. It wouldn't have meant anything without Donnie's own acknowledgment, and overall, with Leo's appreciation, it warms him.
Ugh, now he's feeling all sentimental or something. He lets himself flop back against the cushions, hiding behind a wing to rub at his eyes, but there's no hiding the warmth and relief that radiates from his thoughts.]
That's not entirely true. Back at the city, I was able to gather some weird metal that's surprisingly pliable. It'll make shaping plates for a battle shell so much easier. ...but there has been a lot going on since we left there.
[He sighs tiredly, letting his head rest against the cushioning.]
[No need to dip into the details. Somehow, things have righted themselves, and Donnie's not about to take it for granted. He's where he's supposed to be, with his brother, and right now they're together and they're safe.
He closes his eyes, finally giving into his exhaustion, but his tail snakes over closer to Leo, just wanting the reassurance that he's nearby.]
Leo holds out his arm and lets the tail wind around his wrist. It’s cute - he doesn’t think Donnie ever reached out for them like this back home when he’d go to sleep. Maybe in a turtle pile sometimes…
He settles back, closing his own eyes and trying to get some sleep. The nest really is kind of cozy…]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 03:01 am (UTC)[Leo can't help it, it's in his nature. But he slowly leans back into some of the padding, then stops and sits back up again because he has to be careful how he sits down, these days. A cushion pushing into his lungs doesn't hurt, but it feels weird.]
I'm surprised you don't have it tricked out with a stereo system and rave lights. [He grins at the silly suggestion - or maybe not so silly, given who he's talking to.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 03:29 am (UTC)A mix of that and mildew, actually- heavy on the mildew.
[He makes himself comfortable, tucking against the padding with a sigh.]
Thought about it, but simple seemed better. And if we're going to be pumping any music and flashy lights, it'd be way more suited for during actual travel, don't you think?
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 03:44 am (UTC)[He settles forward with his arms wrapped around his knees instead.]
It's good to have a chill place to come back and relax in.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 03:54 am (UTC)[Donnie laughs, unable to help for a grin at the thought.]
After some of the things we've had to go through? Agreed. This place is just exhausting in these ways I don't expect. I'm behind in so many things I'm trying to get done but...sometimes all I want to do is just curl up somewhere.
[But maybe things will be better, now. He's back, weird as it is to say, but it feels the most accurate. And maybe Leo will be more inclined to hang out up here during their downtimes...]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 04:13 am (UTC)And now he can't help but think about all they things they've gone through recently.]
...Yeah. [He nods in agreement.] I get that.
[He glances around the nest, playing with the hem of his cloak. It's becoming more and more of a habit, like he's making sure it's still there, still covering him up.]
Maybe, uh... I could make a spot to chill up here, too. If you're cool with it. [He rubs the back of his head.] I'd just need it to support my shell right, 'cause... if stuff rubs against my organs it feels weird.
[He's dipping a toe into acknowledging the hole directly.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 04:21 am (UTC)You're more than welcome to.
I... Sorry. I should have had that armor finished a long time ago. It's at the top of my list, promise.
[He hasn't had a good look at Leo's shell since... What, when he'd first arrived? But it's gotten so much worse, and he hadn't like those gaps he'd felt beneath the material of Leo's cloak when they'd been hugging earlier.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 04:31 am (UTC)[Ugh. This is why he doesn't say things! Now the mood is totally ruined thanks to his big mouth.]
It's not a big deal. [As though to demonstrate this, he lays back on the cushions - ignoring that it is not particularly comfortable as he is.] See? I'm fine! Comfy cozy!
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 04:50 am (UTC)[Donnie looks back as Leo settles back, uncertain, but still slightly less concerned. He lets himself lean back a little. Even if he wanted to pull an all-nighter right there and then to bang out more of that battle shell, he knows he wouldn't be able to focus.]
Are you sure..?
[He still can't help but ask. It's no good having this space to share if Leo can't be comfortable. He'd already mentioned that his shell was rubbing on...things, which means it's not offering the support it should. Softer cushioning in the meantime? A lighter, wrap-around brace, maybe? His mind grasps at concepts out of habit.
Pushing himself to sit up, he pulls over a makeshift pillow that more or less resembles a giant piece of candy with the way the ends of the material are bound on either side of the stuffed portion. It most definitely must have been a skirt originally, the material light. He nudges it over with a foot.]
This is softer...
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 05:07 am (UTC)Oooh, yeah, it's real soft! [He does his best to keep his voice light as he settles back against the pillow. It helps.] Thanks, hermano!
[With that taken care of, he shakes his head.]
Anyway, seriously, don't worry about it! We barely have materials around here anyway, and we've been busy.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 05:29 am (UTC)Ugh, now he's feeling all sentimental or something. He lets himself flop back against the cushions, hiding behind a wing to rub at his eyes, but there's no hiding the warmth and relief that radiates from his thoughts.]
That's not entirely true. Back at the city, I was able to gather some weird metal that's surprisingly pliable. It'll make shaping plates for a battle shell so much easier. ...but there has been a lot going on since we left there.
[He sighs tiredly, letting his head rest against the cushioning.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 05:45 am (UTC)Yeah, and I'm glad it's all over now.
[He really means that.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-08 05:57 am (UTC)[No need to dip into the details. Somehow, things have righted themselves, and Donnie's not about to take it for granted. He's where he's supposed to be, with his brother, and right now they're together and they're safe.
He closes his eyes, finally giving into his exhaustion, but his tail snakes over closer to Leo, just wanting the reassurance that he's nearby.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-09 02:17 pm (UTC)Leo holds out his arm and lets the tail wind around his wrist. It’s cute - he doesn’t think Donnie ever reached out for them like this back home when he’d go to sleep. Maybe in a turtle pile sometimes…
He settles back, closing his own eyes and trying to get some sleep. The nest really is kind of cozy…]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-09 04:57 pm (UTC)Donnie melts into the cushions a little more, feeling once again secure in this little space of his, now that connections have been reestablished.]