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“LEONARDO!”
The shout echoed all throughout the lair, silencing any and all noise. There were a few long seconds of deafening silence before a loud crash was heard, as if something had been thrown across the room.
“NO DAD! I’M SICK AND TIRED OF YOU SITTING AROUND ON YOUR ASS WHILE WE’RE TOPSIDE RISKING OUR LIVES EVERYDAY!” Leo yelled; his fist clenched tight by his side. His head hurt like hell from the yelling and the lights in the lair made it feel like he was staring into the fucking sun, but he ignored it.
He heard his brothers quietly gasp from somewhere behind him, clearly trying to be sneaky and listen to what was only a few moments ago a normal conversation, but now had ended up as a shouting match. Leo did his best to pretend they weren’t there as he stared into his father’s eyes.
“Leonardo that is no way to talk to your father! You will apologize this instant!” Splinter ordered and for a mere second Leo almost does just that, not used to hearing his father so angry and upset.
A small part of him wants to apologize, to say sorry and ask for forgiveness to make his dad happy again, but he holds back. Knowing that if he apologized now, he would never get his point across.
“No pops... I’m done. Okay?” He sighed, why did he feel so tired all of a sudden? All his previous anger just vanished without a trace and was replaced with exhaustion, he felt so sluggish. He motioned towards where his brothers were poorly attempting to hide. “Mikey’s left wrist is sprained... Donald’s battle shell is completely broken- he’s lucky to even… to even be alive. And Raph has serious bruising all along his right side.”
He purposely left out his own injury’s which he had failed to look at and properly take care of yet, so far, he could guess that he had a concussion, and that there was definitely something was wrong with his right shoulder, maybe it was just popped out of place? Leo wasn’t sure, too busy taking care of his brothers while his father sat on the sidelines and watched.
Leo loved his dad, but he wished oh so badly that his farther would try to put in a little effort into being, I don’t know… a fucking parent?! Their farther very rarely showed any concern when they got home injured from missions- not like they were kids or anything.
There was a reason why Leo asked for a medical book for his 10th birthday.
“I made you leader for a reason Blue! It’s your responsibility to get you and your brothers in and out of danger. Not mine, you are not little kids anymore!”
All noise vanished instantly, every little sound jus faded away.
And ohhhhh my god. Leonardo. Saw. Red.
“FINE THEN!” He shouted, turning around sharply as he stalked out of the room, swaying dangerously to the side and almost losing his balance in the process. Definitely the concussion making itself known. “SINCE I’M OBVIOUSLY SUCH A HORRIBLE LEADER! I’LL GO SOMEPLACE WHERE I’M WANTED! I HAVE PLENTY OF FRIENDS TO CRASH WITH FOR THE NIGHT!” That was a lie, he had about two- maybe three at most.
He stomped into the living room pulled one of his Odachi’s off his back with his left arm, getting ready to make a portal. Imagining The Run-Of-The-Mill. He knew that Señor Hueso would allow him to stay for the night, not like it would be the first time he crashed at the older mans restaurant.
To Leo, Señor Hueso was like another father figure. He had been for the past few months.
The two front doors of the restaurant were swiftly opened with a loud *BANG!* startling all the customers as they swerved their heads towards the front door to see a young turtle mutant wearing a blue mask walk straight into the back of the restaurant. Which was specifically reserved for employees only.
Hueso looked down at the stack of papers on his desk, full of bills and building permits. He was tempted to just throw the papers out and pretend they didn’t exist, but he knew it would come back to bite him in the end.
With a heavy sigh he rested his elbows on his desk, collecting his thoughts. After a moment he picked up a few building permits and grabbed one of his pens before-
*BANG!*
Next thing Hueso knew his office was raining building permits and his pen was now lodged halfway into the wall. He quickly looked up at the intruder that had burst into his office, fully prepared to tell them off.
Instead, he froze, his eyes widened at the sight before him.
A young turtle mutant, a red eared slider to be exact. Wearing his original blue mask that was stained with freshly fallen tears. Leo breathing was quick and ragged like he ran across New York. But that wasn’t what Hueso was focused on, no.
Now, this wasn’t the first time Leo had come bursting into his office in tears, no. It had happened many times.
This was the first time the young turtle looked so… broken.
Hueso stared at Leo who stared right back at him, his bloodshot eyes that showed so many emotions at once. Sad, angry, scared, exhausted, confused, conflicted, guilt, shame, regretful, lost, broken, desperate.
He looked so desperate, but the question was, for what?
“…Pepino?”
As if a dam had started to crack, a small, broken sob escaped the young turtle's throat as he wrapped both arms around himself, which made every single one of Hueso’s fatherly alarms go off.
Without missing a beat, he pushed himself off his chair and made his way towards Leonardo. “Pepino? What is wrong? Are you hurt?” There was no response which didn’t ease Huesos nonexistent nerves in the slightest. The boy didn’t look to be injured in any way…
…Physically.
Maybe he just wasn’t asking the right questions.
Quickly ushering the younger boy in, Hueso shut his office door and made sure to lock it before looking back at the turtle that was still staring at him, like he wanted him to do something.
But Hueso still didn’t know what Leonardo wanted him to do.
“Where are your brothers? Do they know you’re here? What about your father?” That last question earned him a small flinch and Hueso was immediately expecting the worst.
“Pepino por favor háblame.” Hueso tried, but Leo only hiccupped and moved his eyes to his feet. As if he was trying to hide the fact that he was crying, perhaps he was.
Hueso sighed, closing the blinds to make sure nobody could see the boy's breakdown before walking around back to his desk and facing the young turtle.
“Leonardo.”
That did it.
“maldita sea- I DON’T KNOW WHY MY DAD HATES ME SEÑOR!” Leo wailed, it seemed because of the use of his first name, the dam had officially been broken.
Oh, Hueso knew what Leonardo wanted now.
He wanted to be comforted, he must’ve gotten into yet another argument with his father and now wanted to be told everything was alright like a child, because that’s what he was.
A child.
A child with a neglectful father who fights crime with his brothers on a daily basis.
Hueso knew for a fact that everyone in his restaurant had heard Leonardo’s cry, but he paid no mind to it, immediately rushing forward and pulling the red eared slider in for a hug, something he noticed he had been starting to do more often than not when the other dropped by.
Hueso didn’t say anything as the teenager hugged him back fiercely and started crying into his shoulder. He simply started rubbing the others shell in what he knew was a soothing gesture, it was now clear to him that this boy needed to be comforted and had come to him for it…
…But the real question was why?
Why go to him? Why bother? Why make the long journey? Why didn’t he go to one of his brothers? Why not one of his friends? Like the red-haired girl Hueso had seen hanging out with the turtle brothers?
Hueso tightened the hug just a little bit when he heard a distressed chirp come from the other. He let out a sigh through his nose of felt Leo tense in his arms, like he expected him to be mad or scold him.
“Lo siento niño…” He began quietly, trying to figure out what would be best to say in this scenario to comfort the crying boy. “I truly wish you father was kinder towards you and your brothers, my door is always open for when you need it…”
Leonardo sniffed and nodded into the other man's shoulder, he could feel himself relax ever so slightly as Señor Hueso spoke. After a few minutes a low purr erupted somewhere from deep within his throat when Hueso unconsciously started rocking them both, the older man whispering small reassurances until he eventually calmed down.
Leo knew that Hueso had a kid, but he had never seen Hueso act so farther-like until that day.
It was if that everything had changed after that, now he could practically walk into Hueso’s restaurant like he owned the place! Hueso just accepted him now.
Not long after Leonardo’s breakdown he started unconsciously calling the other man “Tio Hueso” as long as nobody else was around. In fact, just last week Hues accidentally called him “hijo” while he was doing the dishes.
It was both an incredibly embarrassing and heartwarming 10 minutes for both of them, not that either would outwardly admit it.
Whenever he was troubled and needed to get something off his chest- or even just wanted comfort from an adult that actually cared for him, Hueso is who he went too. It didn’t matter what he needed or wanted, food, water, a smoothie, a med kit, a place to sleep, someone to vent too, a hug, anything. Señor Hueso was almost always there to provide it.
Like a real parent.
As Leo blinked the few months old memory away from his now clouded eyes, he swiftly summoned a portal in front of him and stepped through it. He ignored his brothers calling out to him and quickly closed the portal once he was all the way through so they couldn’t follow him.
Expecting to end up in Señor Hueso’s office Leo was surprised to find that he was not there. In fact, he seemed to be in someone’s living room, it looked strangely familiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.
Leo looked around for a few seconds before finally being able to recognize his surroundings from one of the paintings on the wall, it was Draxums living room.
…
He was in Draxums living room.
What the fuck?!
Leo took a step back to get a better look around but accidentally tripped on a bland brown rug, landing directly onto his right shoulder with a loud *THUD!*. For a split second his vision went black, his left leg which was fine a second ago suddenly felt like it was being dunked in ice water over and over again-
“Ow…” Leo whispered; his voice was horse from yelling. His cheeks felt wet- why were they wet? Was he crying? Gently moving his hand up to his cheek he realized that somewhere within the fight he had started to cry. God that’s embarrassing.
Leo took a deep breath before exhaling shakily, turning around and pushing himself upright onto his knees but not being able to find the energy to stand. He sent a side glance towards his Odachi that had fallen out of his hand and was now resting beside him, curious as to why it had taken him to an entirely different location than where he wanted to go.
His weapons were semi-sentient. Leonardo knew that, the same went for his brothers. Their weapons reacted from their emotions and needs, they wouldn’t work for anyone else which is what made them really special and they would USUALLY listen to him.
Right now, it was not one of those times.
‘Now back to the question at hand’ Leo thought to himself, quietly hissing in pain when he jostled his shoulder. ‘Why the hell did my weapons think it would be a good idea to bring me to Draxum’s lair?’
“Pray tell, what are you doing in my home?” Ah. Hurray. The man of the hour has arrived. As if this day couldn’t possibly get any worse.
Leo lifted his head and blinked slowly as he took in the figure of his creator and second father (could he call him that?) Baron Draxum, who was slowly walking towards him. For reason Leo didn’t want to know the man was wearing his armor. All of it.
He coughed harshly and looked back down, not wanting the other to see his tear-stained face. “Trust me Drax, coming here definitely… definitely was not my intention.”
There were a few awkward seconds of silence from both sides, the only thing filling the silence was Leo’s laboured breathing.
Leonardo stiffened when he felt three small vines wrap around him, a startled hiccup escaping his throat and his breath hitched when he felt one of the vines touch the side of his head. He forced his body to relax, reminding himself that Draxum was a good guy now and that he wasn’t in any danger with him. At least, not anymore.
There were no roofs to be thrown off this time.
As he reluctantly let the vines help him stand up, one of them must’ve touched his shoulder because he flinched back, hissing in pain and backing up only to trip again over the same damn rug-!
Before Leo could blink two large hands grabbed his left arm and pulled him upright so he wouldn’t fall, the vine near his shoulder recoiled as if burned and moved to a different location to help the turtle stand.
The sudden movement from slipping on the stupid rug a second time just made his headache worse. It felt like someone had put their hands on both sides of his head and started pushing. Hard.
“You’re injured.” It sounded like a question, it really did. But Leonardo knew based on Draxums expression that it wasn’t, so he just did a one arm shrug instead. He wondered if it was too late to head to Señor Hueso’s place.
“You…” Leo tried to think of an excuse, a comeback, a pun, an insult, a joke, anything. After a moment he just sighed and looked at the ground. “…you need to get a new rug Drax. This… this one doesn’t match the decor… like, at all.” Leo could tell the pauses in his sentence were from the concussion.
He closed his eyes and heard Draxums annoyed exhale, then the sound of someone’s footsteps slowly getting further and further away. The vines held him upright and slowly started pushing him forward.
“It would be best if you told me what your injuries are before I get started, I was informed by Michelangelo that you were the medic on the team. So, I could only assume you’re somewhat aware of what your injuries are and how long you sustained them.” Draxum said in a bored tone, he had the vines very slowly and carefully disposed the young turtle mutant on his couch as he walked towards one of the drawers near the tv.
Leo felt too tired to muster up a suspicious glare at the other man, but something deep within him told him that Draxum really was just trying to help. He blinked away the blurriness in his vision and decided to listen to his gut.
“Not sure… got a bit ruffed up around half an hour ago… got a concussion, most likely a minor… no, scratch that. A mild one. Mild concussion... Shoulder hurts like hell, think it’s popped… popped out of place? Dislocated… can’t tell.” Leo answered, slowly opening his eyes and looking over himself before stopping when something caught his eye.
“Huh, so that’s why I can’t… can’t fell my right leg…” He whispered quietly to himself, staring at his bleeding leg- why hadn’t he realized it was bleeding before?
“Heeeeey Drax, your couch may… may or may not be stained… with red liquid. Blood. My blood.” Jesus Christ it's not a very large cut but it stung like hell. “Hey Barry, i-is it normal to… to feel my heartbeat in my leg?”
That sentence stopped Draxum in his tracks, in his hand was a large medical kit that he had pulled out of a drawer. Leo felt the others eyes snap onto him but elected to ignore it, why was the room starting to spin?
After a few seconds of silence Draxum quickly began moving again, this time towards him. He stopped when he was directly in front of the couch and crouched down, so they were the now somewhat close to same height, placing the medical kit on the couch before opening it and pulling out many thick bandages and small bottles.
“Do not move, this will sting.” Leo didn’t get any warning aside from that before something wet and sticky and burning hot was pressed against his leg-
“OW! OW! OW! FUCK! STOP! STOP IT!” His voice cracked as he cried out in pain and attempted to jerk his leg away, sucking a deep breath through his clenched teeth as he tried to push Draxums hands away, but it was no use.
Leo squeezed his eyes shut and bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw some blood, after a few seconds the stinging feeling died down enough for him to talk without shouting.
“Can’t give a guy… I dunno? Maybe a few second warning? Jeez…” Leo exhaled shakily, if Raph were here, he would get a very stern lecture about his language.
Draxum scoffed as he began to wrap the cut in bandages. “Do not act like such a Princess. Your youngest brother would not be very happy with me if I decided to let you bleed out in my living room.”
‘Weak’ Something in Leo’s mind snapped at him harshly. ‘You can’t show weakness! You’re the leader now, remember? Dad was right, you’re not a little kid anymore! Stop acting like one!’
Leo winced when he felt the bandages move against the cut and tried to block out the voice, embarrassed with himself for acting like such a baby over a small cut. Even if it did sting like hell at first, that gave him no right to act the way he did.
Like a stupid little kid.
“Why are you here?” Draxum questioned finally, decided to just get to the point. “Why are you not with your brothers and father? Surely they must be worried if you just left injured and unattended.”
‘Uh oh’ Leo thought bitterly to himself, he didn’t even think of how much his brothers were probably worried for him at the moment- plus he didn’t have his phone on him. Having left it on the couch at the lair.
Oh he was totally in for an earful from Raph and Donnie when he got home.
‘They probably want nothing to do with you! After all, you are the reason they got hurt!’ The voice hissed again- and God that was getting annoying fast. His lack of sleep was definitely starting to catch up with him. Stupid insomnia.
Leo continued to ignore the tiny voice as he looked anywhere but Draxum. “Yeah? Well… from what I’m aware of my brother don’t… do not… shouldn’t even know I’m injured. And my fathers a lazy asshole who apparently doesn’t… doesn’t care if his own kids are hurt. S-so I hardly think he’s worried.”
“That…” Draxum paused, he was not mentally or emotionally equipped enough for this type of conversation. “…that does not sound very farther-like if you ask me.”
Leo let out a strangled laugh and nodded, looking at the bandages now wrapped around his leg. “Anywhizzle… sorry for“ he used his head to make a vague motion towards the living room. “dropping in on you like that. Definitely… definitely wasn’t my uh- intention.”
“There is no need for apologies” Draxum gave a slight wave in front of the blue turtle's face, using his other hand to put away some of the extra bandages. “I am honoured that you have spoken to me about your current situation, giving our rather... difficult past.”
After everything was put away Draxum closed the medical kit. “If you do not mind me asking, where were you trying to go? I would hope that you were not going to bandage yourself up giving your current condition.” Ha! He said it was something Leo hadn’t done before.
…Okay maybe that wasn’t a good thing.
Leo made a humming sound, letting his head fall back against the couch. “No of course not, I’m not smart like Donnie but I’m not that stupid. I was heading to The- a friends.” He quickly corrected himself, smiling sheepishly at the look the older man gave him.
“I swear! I was going to go to a friend's place and hang there for the night. That’s all!” Leo said seriously, he didn’t need a lot of things in life but what he especially did not need was for Draxum and Señor Hueso to meet each other.
The mere thought made him shiver.
Draxum didn’t say anything and harshly ripped off the edge of the bandages around Leo’s leg after making sure it was on securely. Admiring his work before moving to examine his shoulder. He looked at Leo, silently asking for permission.
The turtle froze, unsure as to why Draxum was asking for permission to examine his shoulder but grateful for it anyways. He eventually nodded his head and Draxum wasted no time poking and prodding at his shoulder, making him wince.
“Lift up your arm for me.” Draxum ordered, sighing at the look Leo gave him. “Please.” He corrected, sounding absolutely dead inside.
Leo smirked and did what he was told, while his arm moved much slower than he intended it too. He did manage to raise it up almost all the way with only a little bit of pain. His head hurt much worse. ‘Not dislocated then.’ He thought.
“Well, it looks like you’ll live.” Draxum said dryly, motioning for him to put his arm back down. “You obviously have a concussion so bedrest for the next week is highly advised- don’t argue you know I’m correct.” Draxum cut off Leo’s protest before he could even start.
“Now, back to what I was saying. Your leg is fine, the wound will not scar thankfully. It seems that you’ve pulled the muscle connecting your arm to your shoulder which is causing it pain. Leave it be and use it as minimally as you can. Pushing that aside you seem fine and should be back to normal within one to two weeks.” He paused, looking at Leo intently.
Leo closed his eyes and braced himself, fully prepared for the older man to tell him off and send him home now that he was all bandaged up. After all, he did deserve it for practically breaking and entering, even if it was an accident.
Draxum waited for Leo to open his eyes again before speaking. “You are more than welcome to stay the night, there are multiple guest bedrooms for you to choose from.”
And… that was not at all what Leonardo was expecting. What the fuck?
Leo turned his head and studied Draxums expression, there was no signs of him lying or distrust, no signs that this was just a mean trick to get his hopes up. No, he looked…
…He looked genuinely concerned. For him.
“I…” Leo thought about it, his brothers would be fine without him for the rest of the night. Besides he didn’t want to go home and get scolded by his father for a second time today.
Leo sighed through his nose, grateful that Draxum was being patient with him and not pushing for an answer. “…I think… I think I’ll take you up on that offer Drax.”
Leo may or may not have been seeing things, maybe it’s from the concussion but he is fairly sure he heard saw Draxum smile and heard him let out a relived sigh.
“…Thank you, Barry, I uh-“ Leo out his hands in his lap and stared at them, he felt embarrassed. “Just… just thanks.”
Draxum cleared his throat and stood up, he didn’t look uncomfortable or uneasy about the situation. If anything, he looked slightly gracious and relieved.
“Well, it is the least I could do, you are my crea- son, after all.” Draxum quickly corrected himself, a small smile threatening to form when Leo snapped up to look at him in shock. His eyes widened and started sparkling, that was the first time Draxum called him anything besides from his name, turtle, blue one, or his creation.
Draxum looked away and picked up the medical kit from the couch, putting its remaining contents back in it. “I suppose it is getting quite close to dinner time. Have you eaten anything yet?”
Leo opened his mouth to reply but his stomach beat him to it, rumbling loudly. The turtle smiled sheepishly but Draxum just rolled his eyes and turned around, walking into what looked to be a kitchen.
Leo mentally noted how he turned off the lights in the living room before he left, which he was thankful for. The light was beginning to hurt his eyes.
“I will call your father and let him, and your brothers know that you have decided to stay here for the night, get yourself comfortable- AND DO NOT TOUCH THE BANDAGES!!” Draxum quickly whisper-yelled from the other room, stopping Leonardo who was doing just that.
Leo was honestly debating on giving the man a hug for not full-on shouting, he didn’t think his head would be able to take it.
Leo quietly sighed and relaxed into the couch, carful not to move too much and agitate his shoulder. While this wasn’t how he intended his night to go down, he could work with it. Mikey did say he wanted him and his brothers to spend some quality time with Draxum anyways.
The man seemed to have proved himself enough to earn himself a spot in the family, even if that spot was more like a weird uncle than a dad.
Although Draxum technically was his father, Leo still wasn’t that close to the sheep man, and he didn’t plan on calling him dad or father relatively soon.
‘Who knows?’ Leo thought sluggishly as he listened to Draxum who was on the phone, with who he guessed was his dad, he sounded absolutely pissed, which was hilarious. ‘Maybe the next few months really could change things for the better.’