Chapter Text
Donnie sighed for the hundredth time that day as he trailed ahead of Leo, partly because he wanted to scout ahead but also because he wouldn't have to hear Leos nagging, or boasting, or his awkward attempts at helping when Donnie's leg started acting up again. He did appreciate the offers but it was hard to accept any sort of charity especially from Leo of all people, who was more or less his replacement in Big Mama's adoptive family tree.
It doesn't matter now, anything he had tying himself to her was crushed days ago, in more ways then one. He staggered a bit, tripping over who knows what and landing on his hands and knees, at least this time it was in a softer patch of grass then on the rocky path he'd landed in earlier.. He let out a huff and rolled onto his back looking up at the cloudy sky, internally furious that the bad weather seemed to have followed them..
"D.. Don-"
"Don't say it.."
"I.. I'm sorry..."
"Wait what- Why?"
"I know you don't want help.. But I'm supposed to be looking after you, when I was being a bother you took care of me even as I complained. So.. Please let me do something for you"
"Leo-"
"Please," Leo interrupted, a new sense of urgency in his tone, "I can't stand watching you hurt yourself when you don't have to. Just.. Let me do this for you, then I promise I'll shut up."
Donnie took a deep breath and got himself to sit up with the help of his walking stick, "Fine. But I'm holding you to your promise."
"Not to worry.. I'm nothing like my mother." He let out a dry chuckle as he crouched beside Donnie, a certain hollow sadness in his eyes that was all too familiar to him.. The past few days were a bit more rocky then usual between the two, not knowing what to say to the other in order to break the unbearable tension in the air. They both had so many questions for the other but knew it wasn't the time, though hold back wasn't doing them any favors either.
Leo took a breath and let the blue lights surround his hands, muttering something to himself barely above a whisper till the light looked more like his hands were engulfed in blue flames,
"Leo-"
"Shh, I can't break concentration or it'll hurt us both-"
"I- Leo it's fire!"
Leo swung both of his hands outward extinguishing the flame with an annoyed sigh, "It just looks like that, I wouldn't hurt you, just.. Close your eyes or something, and roll up your pantleg too that might help actually."
Donnie stared at him for a moment, they both had an intense stubborn-ness on this particular day when often one or the other would give in after a moment. Leo slowly gave his signature, arrogant, smirk moving his hands again and summoning transparent blue chains creeping around Donnie's waist and sending him flying back tethering him to the nearest tree. The new expression on Donnie's face would've made Leo curl up and play dead if he wasn't absolutely sure this was for the best.
"Now, don't kick me.."
"yOU COULD'VE DONE THIS AT ANY TIME??"
"I'm not a savage Doniel, but yes, now seriously, stay still unless you want me to start, as you say.. Playing rough"
Leo crouched beside him again, gently taking the fabric of his pants and rolling them upward, glancing between Donnie and his hands to make sure he didn't cause any pain. Despite his mask of snobby apathy he was trying his hardest to be careful and think of more then himself lately. He managed to get the cuffed fabric just past his knee, which was already scraped up when he heard Donnie wince. "Yugh.. Well, you've certainly gotten yourself into a fizzy-winkle with this in- Uh right, words- It looks bad.."
He put his hands back in position muttering to himself, staying a moment longer then before to really try and concentrate before gently placing his hands on either side of Donnie's leg, letting out a sting of deep breaths as the blue light spread along his leg. At first Doniel had his eyes closed but the suspense was building and he had to see for himself was would happen. His eyes widened to see the scrapes the bruises receding? Or fading? Maybe healing..? He watched intently, eyes switching between Leos focused expression to his leg which was starting to feel much better then it had a moment ago.
After a few minutes Leo drew back, the blue light fading and the chains disappearing into thin air. Donnie was speechless for a moment, standing up with no aid from Leo or his walking stick. For the first time in a long time he could stand with no aid or pains.. It was almost enough to make him cry.
"It's not fully healed-" Leo said aloud as he stood up, cutting into Doniel's thoughts. "It's not a cure for whatever messed you up to begin with, but all the minor stuff is fixed and any pain should be kept at bay for a few hours. I can't do this one often so.. I-I didn't do it before because it takes a lot out of me."
"So this spell.."
"I could... Write it down if you'd like to practice it on your own time? Not sure how long we'll be in each others company.. So it might be good to have some healing spells in that big bag of yours."
Donnie smiled softly, looking back down to his leg then back up to Leo, "It's fine, once we get to my hide out I can make a stronger brace for traveling, and maybe find a notebook along the way we could put our spells in.. Something we could kind of... Do a back and forth with? We'll make camp at sundown, and maybe get there tomorrow if we're lucky."
Leos eyes lit up at Donnie finally accepting his help and willing to help him in return as well, "Yes! Yes yes yes! Oh this is splendiferous! I'm just wizzy-rizzed with excitment!" Donnie rolled his eyes and let out a soft chuckle as he fixed his pant leg. "Cmon wizzy-rizz.. We've still got a few hours of daylight left to walk though.. And you promised me silence" Leo nodded and stretched his arms, a bit more worn out now but much more hopeful and glad to spend this time with Doniel.. Maybe it wouldn't be such a drag after all? He was already learning so much!