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"Where are you going?" April asked Leo, who was heading into the house, worried.
"I'll wait at home. What if Raph comes back? I'm not much use anyway," the team leader replied sadly. He was still without his gear and mask.
O'Neill looked sadly at Leonardo and understood that after the last battle with Shredder, his fighting spirit had been weakened and he thought he'd be useless on the battlefield. Leo's self-confidence had been slightly shaken. Without thinking twice, the redhead decided to stay with Leo in the house. She sensed that the team leader needed to talk to someone and that he, too, needed support and protection no less than Raph. Gently pushing the hockey player's hand off her shoulder, April followed Leonardo into the house.
"Leo, wait! I'll stay with you! The guys can handle this without me!"
"But April..." the turtle in the blue headband began, but was stopped by his friend's serious gaze, which suggested it was best not to argue with her. Sighing quietly, Leo said, "Okay. Come with me."
April put on the kettle to make herself and Leo some soothing mint tea. She was worried about the team leader's mental and physical well-being. She sensed he was holding a lot of things inside. O'Neill wished he'd told her everything honestly, without holding anything back. After all, the turtle in the blue headband could trust her. April wouldn't tell anyone and would support him. After making the mint tea, she set the cups and plates on the table and brought out some cookies for a snack. Noticing how April was tending to him, Leo smiled softly and warmly. He was pleased that his friend hadn't abandoned him and was so caring. Then the girl sat down next to Leonardo and took a small sip from her cup of hot tea.
"Thank you for your concern, April. It means a lot to me," the team leader said kindly, smiling at O'Neill. Then he quickly turned away.
"Leo, I know something's bothering you. Tell me, and I'll try to help. I care about you. I'm really worried about you," April said. Hearing these words, Leo's eyes immediately filled with tears. He lowered his head, clearly upset.
"April, you see, I... I'm a terrible leader! Look at me! The state I'm in now! I'm all beat up, mentally exhausted, even my vocal cords are damaged. Because of me, our enemies won, the Kraang and Shredder took over New York! And my father... We don't know if he's alive, where he is now, what Shredder is doing to him! "We're here, and we don't even know if we'll be able to get back to the city. It's really hard... I'm carrying this inside me, and it's destroying me from the inside. This guilt, this pain..." Leo ranted, not even trying to hide or stop the tears that were streaming from his eyes.
"Oh, Leo... Come here..." April said, hugging the leader tightly. She herself was on the verge of tears at Leo's state. She felt unbearably sorry for him. The girl gently stroked the turtle in the blue headband's shell and shoulders.
"April... Thank you for staying with me and being willing to listen to me. I can't tell my brothers about this. It's very difficult for them too, and placing such responsibility on their shoulders is completely unfair and unjust." Leo began wiping the tear stains from his face and his wet eyes with his fingers. O'Neill touched his face with her hand and gently ran it over it. Leonardo immediately blushed.
"I know this is really hard for you, but don't keep it to yourself. If you need to talk or just need support, know that I'm always here. And we will definitely save the city and find Splinter. I believe he's alive and we'll be reunited with him sooner or later! It couldn't be any other way! And it's not your fault what happened. They deliberately made you tired, and as far as I know, Shredder hit you from behind! It's so unfair!" April was outraged at what they did to her friend.
Leo turned to April, moved closer, and stroked her face with his fingers, looking at her tenderly. She was so sweet, beautiful, gentle, comforting... She stayed with him; she immediately sensed that something was wrong with him and that he was deeply troubled. O'Neill smiled at the leader's actions and stroked his face too. It was such an intimate moment... It was good that they were home alone and no one could interrupt them. Leonardo cupped April's face in his hands and pulled her to his lips, kissing her tenderly. The leader literally melted into the kiss, oblivious to everything around him and forgetting all his worries and problems. The redhead also began to return the leader's kisses and noted how soft the turtle in the blue headband's lips were. She could kiss them forever. She didn't want to break the kiss.
"Leo, you're so sweet and tender. I could kiss you forever. You're everything to me..."
"I'd do anything for you. And thank you for comforting me and finding the right words. You made me feel better."