Ryslig Inbox

[soft_shelled]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, DONATELLO. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 016.04.154.55 *** Bootyyyshaker9000 has joined 016.04.154.55 <Bootyyyshaker9000> God this tech is old. <Bootyyyshaker9000> ANYWAY, you're conversing with Donatello. Leave a message.

< Bootyyyshaker9000 > - Normal Username
< OthelloVonRyan > - Anon Username
< TartarugaPiùIntelligente > - Second Anon Username Retired
< Ganacci > - Third Anon Username, not used yet

Comments

-> action, the first non-squidlock morning, after Rachel logs off

[detectivision]

[Okay. Right. Time to...go see if one of the other kids under his wing is all right. He probably is not. But, Sherlock reminds himself, the world doesn't come to an end simply because the world came to an end, as the version of him who helped bring that about knew all too well.

He flies through the rain, grateful once again for wings that are suited to this sort of weather, good old storm-petrels, and alights on the second-floor balcony. Pushing it open, Sherlock steps into the living room, shaking out his feathers just outside the door.]

Donnie? ...Leo?

[soft_shelled]

[Perhaps it's good timing, but Donnie is in the kitchen when Sherlock shows up, getting himself a glass of water as well? He's been crying and doing his best to hide it from his brother and Bucky, which means he's been holed up in his bedroom ever since the conversation with Ray he has over the network.

So when the other manticore comes in via the balcony, Donnie pays it no mind that is until Sherlock speaks up asking for himself and Leo. Then he's turning his attention to Sherlock, glass in one hand and very minuscule signs of him being upset on his face.]

If you want Bucky I think he's in his room.

[detectivision]

No --

[Then, on second thought, he lowers his voice. The boy's bloodshot eyes say he has been crying, and he is sensibly hydrating mid-cry.]

No, it was you I wanted to talk to.

[Crying, and...hiding it from the others?]

I know what happened.

[soft_shelled]

[At first Donnie is about to retort with "Don't lie" when Sherlock says that last thing, he'll noticeably flinch and look away before focusing on his drink instead. Just staring at the glass in hand instead of the older manticore.]

Okay, and? I know it was wrong, and I shouldn't have done it. I told her that.

[detectivision]

I -- might be able to help you understand what's happened. If you let me.

And I have advice, for...repairing things, between you.

[He is gunning so hard to get Donatello to listen.

Focusing on this...it's letting the aliens slip into the background.]

[soft_shelled]

I know what happened!

[He snaps, growling at Sherlock before just taking a sip of his water now.]

It can't be fixed, I ruined it, so why bother?

[detectivision]

That's where you're wrong.

[The reply is placid, casual, said as he crosses the room, takes a seat at the bar. Sherlock is prepared for self-sabotage and self-loathing, and cruelty on top of it. He knows how you work, Donnie. Bring it.]

It will take work. It will be hard, and it won't be comfortable. But there is a path to fixing it.

[A beat.]

Unless you'd rather stay apart.

[Which is honestly the healthier option, and you won't catch him arguing.]

[soft_shelled]

I don't want that but...

[Did Ray really tell him everything? He has a feeling she didn't, as he goes to stand across from Sherlock.]

I told her I don't care if she doesn't love me.

[detectivision]

[Gently nudging forward, asking the question openly, without judgment.]

Why?

[He's very sure he knows why, but he's got to lead Donatello to it. He can't just say it, he'll get flat denial.]

[soft_shelled]

Because, because she's...

[Something just kinda snaps, and anything else Donnie was about to say comes out as chirps and squeaks. Everything finally just getting to him. God communicating is way easier with the laptops when this happens, as Donnie freezes when he realizes what's going on with himself mid-chirp rant.

He places his glass on the counter between him and Sherlock, because he'll need both hands for this and starts signing. Thank goodness whatever makes everyone able to understand each other also covers ASL.]

She's already got someone she loves.

[detectivision]

....

As a girlfriend?

[RACHEL H. GARDNER

IF YOU ARE DATING SOMEONE AND PLAYING WITH DONATELLO THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE WORDS]

[soft_shelled]

Maybe? But they're not here, back home.

[He signs, sure of that last part because if the guy Ray spoke so fondly of was here? Donnie is very sure Ray would have never attempted a relationship with him.]

[detectivision]

[...."maybe"?]

Then -- she did not tell you she was in love with them. What has she told you?

[The impending Words he was intent on having are provisionally rescinded.]

[soft_shelled]

[Donnie takes a moment trying to recall what was said to him and for once? Drawing a blank, but he does remember the important thing]

It's not what she said, but how she said it.

[detectivision]

[He leans forward, raises an eyebrow.]

Then you didn't trust what she had to say to you as much as you trusted your own assumptions.

[The next question he has to ask is incredibly loaded. But Sherlock pulls the trigger anyway.]

Do you trust Rachel at all, Donnie?

[soft_shelled]

[WOW. He is offended good sir, as Donnie levels a scowl at Sherlock before picking up his drink and having a sip and then... Trying to speak again, and alas only a squeak escapes him.

Glass down and he signs a little bit aggressively now.]

Of course I trust her!

[detectivision]

[Undaunted:]

But you don't trust her word. If she told you she was not in love with someone else, would you even believe her?

[soft_shelled]

[He grits his teeth, it's so very tempting to tell Sherlock to leave.]

You didn't hear how she spoke of them, if that's not love then I'm an idiot.

[detectivision]

Hm. Very dreamy, and more than a little dramatic?

She talks about cute animals that way too, you know.

It is love, I am sure. But it is not necessarily the kind that implies a romantic rival.

[She's Just Like That.]

[soft_shelled]

No! She gets all moony eyed and it's like in the movies!

[Donnie is resolute in this, you shan't change his mind.]

[detectivision]

You're assuming you know what she's thinking, and not trusting in what she is saying.

That's the sort of behaviour that is very frustrating in a partner. It makes you difficult to trust, as well.

And if you two are going to survive what happened in the labyrinth as a pair, you will need to restore trust. Otherwise, you might as well remain apart.

[soft_shelled]

[Donnie is just getting angry at Sherlock's words that well? He finds his voice.]

If it's such an issue she could tell me this herself!

[detectivision]

[Sherlock gives a dismissive wave of his hand!]

She has tried to tell you a number of things.

You haven't listened to her.

Which brings us to where we are -- the two of you, taking time apart.

[There is probably something infuriating in Sherlock's calm. He's very sure he is the person in the room with all the answers, explaining this the way he might explain how the angle of an injury indicates a knife wound was accidental.]

She wants to come back, Donnie. She doesn't want you to think she's gone forever. But if matters go on the way they have, both of you will get hurt again.

I presume that is not something you want.

[It's not something any of them want. It's why Sherlock is even here, because, against all the odds, he cares about both of them.]

[soft_shelled]

I have listened to her!

If I wasn't then I wouldn't be here, I'd be talking to her instead of you!

[Donnie is not getting any calmer, as he grips the counter between him and Sherlock. Claws digging into it.]

And I am not hurting myself by being with her!

[detectivision]

I said you are both getting hurt.

[He's not opening with a full psychological analysis, to which Donatello can simply say, "nope!" Sherlock is trying for outcomes, first.

But he notes that the idea of Donatello hurting himself is already on his mind.]

You are both hurting now.

As a friend to you and to Rachel, I want to help you understand why, and how to prevent it. But I can't force you.