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When he gets up in the middle of the night to make himself a mug of tea, Splinter finds Leo sitting in the kitchen, trapped in his mind. The Leo that finds himself thrown from his own timeline and roughly slammed into this one. The landing was not a soft one and he’s lucky that April was looking outside at the time to catch his descent from the glowing portal in the sky. Leo is still recovering from his wounds both from that experience and the apocalypse's harsh treatment. Splinter watches the haunted look in his son’s eyes for a moment before making his presence known by quietly asking, "Can't sleep?"
Leo startles badly, cracking the glass he was clutching for dear life. Water slowly oozes from the crack. When he sees Splinter, he blinks out of his thoughts and nods with a sigh. "Brain won't stop trying to think about strategies that I no longer need." He huffs a tired sigh and rubs a hand down his face, clearly exhausted. “Sorry about the glass...again...”
Changing his mind, Splinter puts the kettle down and reaches into the back of a cupboard, pulling out a bottle of sake.
Leo watches him put the bottle in front of him with a silent offer. He looks at his dad curiously before accepting with a small nod.
Splinter smirks at his much older son and simply says, "I am a father of 4 teenage boys," with a shrug.
Leo chuckles and nods in understanding before taking the glass. He lifts it to Splinter in thanks and takes a deep sip, enjoying the burn and warmth settling in his stomach. While he isn’t a stranger to alcohol, he never really had many chances to drink it. Sometimes, if they had a moment of peace, on someone’s birthday or a victory they would celebrate. Leo was always a bit of a lightweight, while Donnie was the opposite. He often was the one putting Leo to bed and sitting with him in the morning for the consequences.
They sit together, content in the quiet hours of the night, comfortable silence between them for a few minutes before Splinter asks, "How are you doing?"
While watching the sake in his glass glisten in the low light, Leo considers his question. He finishes his glass off and sighs, "Good, I think." He pauses for a second before adding, "I miss them."
Splinter refills Leo's glass and tops up his own. "Shall we share a drink in their honour?"
Leo smiles, and lifts his glass.
Splinter joins him. "To their memory, may they rest peacefully."
"You guys can finally rest. We did it. We saved them. Thank you for everything and I love you all so so much." Leo sniffles and downs his glass, tears trail along the lines in his face. He puts the glass down and sighs. Looking up at Splinter, leo smiles sadly. "When I first woke up, I was so angry that I couldn't join them. I thought it was a cruel joke."
Splinter listens, a sad but understanding look on his face.
"I think it's okay, though, now..." Leo watches Splinter refill his glass quietly. "I'll join them when it’s time. They'll wait for me." He looks up at Splinter. "Maybe I’m here for a reason."
Taking his son's large hand and tracing one of the numerous scars he finds there, Splinter says, "I think you could be right." He looks up at Leo and smiles gently. "I am glad you are here, if only for the selfish reason that I get to see you enjoy your brothers' company again."
A warm and relaxed feeling washes over Leo; partially due to the alcohol and partially due to his dad's company. "It’s been a while since I've seen most of you. It’s nice to see carefree smiles and laughter."
Splinter watches Leo's tired face, more relaxed now than when he first walked in. The tension finally fading, a small smile and slight flush replacing the harsh set of his jaw and eyes.
Leo yawns and leans on his elbow, head resting in his hand. "Thank you, dad. For sitting with me."
"Anytime, my son. I will always have time for you." Splinter smiles as he watches Leo start to finally succumb to sleep, eyes drooping and fighting to stay open. "How about we get back to bed? Are you ready to try sleeping again?"
Leo huffs a tired chuckle. "I think you refilled my glass one too many times. I sense alterior motives." A slight slur colours his words.
"What, no, you're imagining things!" Splinter laughs as he puts the bottle away.
"Nothing to do with knowing I haven't slept much the last couple nights, hmm?" Leo raises a tired brow with amusement.
"Must I have a reason to share a drink with my adult son in the middle of the night?" Splinter smirks as he watches Leo stand up with a steadying hand on the table.
"Well, you win. I'm gonna go pass out now." Leo picks up Splinter and makes his way to the temporary bed made up for him on the floor, falling back onto the pillows with a tired huff and trapping his dad under a strong arm. It takes all of a few seconds for the sleepless nights and drinks to catch up with him and he starts snoring almost immediately.
Splinter watches his son's relaxed face for a moment. The wrinkles creasing his face and mixing with the many scars of a hopelessly cruel life of war. "Goodnight, my son. You can finally rest and breathe easy. I am here." He settles into his son's side and places a hand over Leo's heart. "I am here."