The crack doesn’t hurt, and that’s the weird thing about it. Sometimes, Leo wishes it would, because at least that would conform to his understanding of reality. He’s scared of what it means, that he doesn’t feel it.

But speaking of things that don’t conform…

The voice is one he recognizes easily, even though it hesitates and cracks a bit. It hasn’t been long enough for Leo to start forgetting the faces and sounds of his family, not when he thinks of them every day and every night, pressing on the bruise of his homesickness. He knows who that is.

But it isn’t supposed to be him. He isn’t supposed to be here.

Leo turns slowly, the sigil on his right shoulder, not yet fully formed, pulsing for a moment in the dim light before fading away. He peers owlishly in Donnie’s direction, taking in his crouched form, and the fact that something seems… a little off.

But that’s Donnie. There’s no mistake.

But he’s not supposed to be here! That’s why Leo did it! So that his brothers, so that everyone could get their happy ending!

If Donnie’s here, then… then…

Leo’s brain simply can’t process it. The whole thing feels so surreal and absurd and wrong that a laugh slips from his lips, short and high and manic.

“Oh great,” he says aloud, “now I’m seeing things.”

Then he turns around to leave. Not today, Satan Evil Calzone in the Ground!