Chapter Text
Leo knew that he shouldn’t be on the surface. It was dangerous and full of people who wanted to hurt him. That wasn’t exactly what Papa had said, but Leo got the message.
He was just too curious for his own good! He saw Lou Jitsu and Jupiter Jim walking around with other humans and it just seemed so cool! Plus, if something did happen to him, someone would surely save him. There’s always a savior in every story!
Leo had been wandering the alleyway’s, always making sure he was safely in the shadows.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been up top, which was probably bad, but it’s fine.
Leo had been so lost in thought, he accidentally kicked a can and it made a loud clatter as it banged against the brick wall.
Leo stiffened instantly, fighting the urge to tuck away in his shell and instead hid behind a garbage bin and a slab of cardboard.
The bin provided a small peep hole where Leo could see perfectly. Thats when he saw her.
A girl, maybe a year or two older than him, cautiously walked near where Leo had been just a few seconds prior. He saw the girl bend down and pick something up something blue.
Leo’s eye blew wide and he felt his head; no bandana.
“Papa’s gonna kill me!” Leo thought.
The girl observed it carefully and looked around, scanning every inch of the alley. “Hello?”
She began searching more and she got closer and closer to Leo’s hiding spot. The five year old turtle covered his beak and held his breath.
Now she was mere inches from his hiding spot.
Leo could see her better now. She had sharp and fierce brown eyes and silky soft jet black hair that fell to her collarbone.
Leo’s heart did something weird that he didn’t recognize quite yet.
Right before she moved the cardboard, someone yelled out.
“Cassandra! What are you doing? It’s dirty in there!” The girl, presumably Cassandra, Turned to the mouth of the alleyway.
“I thought I heard something!” She defended.
“So you go after it?! Just- Nevermind, let’s get home.” The woman’s voice said.
The brown eyed girl took one last glance and ran off, taking Leo’s bandana with her.
“Cassandra?… I like her!” Leo declared.
Something caught his eye on the ground right where his bandana was.
He picked it up and are fully observed it. This wasn’t here before.
It was a pale blue bandana, with white dahlias imprinted, rolled up into a headband.
This must have been Cassandra’s! Should he leave it?
She took his, so fair trade. But maybe she didn’t know it belonged to anyone. But if Leo just left it here, it’d get ruined!
After much internal debate, he quickly tied the bandana around his neck and ran to the manhole cover that he knew led to his home.
Leo carefully navigated his way down and ran as fast as he could.
When he saw the entrance of the lair, he began to tip toe, careful not to make too much noise.
The lights were off, which was a good sign. He breathed a sigh of relief and began to slowly tip toe to his shared room with his beloved twin.
Before he could get three steps from the door, his eyes were assaulted by the sheer brightness of the overhead light.
Standing anxiously, was his papa.
“Blue. Where have you been.” Splinter asked in a voice so calm it scared Leo even more than if he yelled.
“Uh-um…” Leo fidgeted with the pale blue fabric of his new bandana.
“Do. Not. Lie. To. Me.” Splinter gripped his crossed arms even harder.
Leo looked down and shuffled on his feet, guiltily.
“I… went up top.” Leo whispered in shame. His chest grew tight with guilt heavy within.
“Why would you do that? After I gave you very clear rules not to go?” Splinter asked with his voice becoming even more strained.
“I don’t know… I was just curious… I’m sorry Daddy.” Leo’s eyes grew wet.
He never meant to upset his Dad, He was going to come home after 15 mintues max. He just lost track of time.
He heard Splinter release a deep, heavy, and tired sigh.
“Come here, Blue.” Leo shuffled over to Splinter, head still down.
Splinter then hoisted Leo up and carried him to his chair, placing him in his lap s as he sat down. Not once did Leo dare to look at his father.
“Blue?” Leo refused to look, tears still sliding down his cheeks.
He felt his Papa’s furry hand cup his cheek and gently moved Leo to face him.
When Leo finally looked at his father, instead of anger or disappointment, he saw fear, worry, and distress.
“Leonardo, I am not angry. I was merely worried. I understand that you are curious, but you left without telling anyone where you went. I thought something had happened to you.” Splinter wiped Leo’s tears with a brush of his fuzzy thumb.
“That’s why I don’t want you leaving on your own until you are much older. Because if something were to happen to you, or your brothers… I don’t know what I would do.”
Leo sniffled and leaned against his father’s warm body.
“I’m sorry, Papa.” He muttered.
“I know… It’s alright.” The rhythmic rocking of the chair began to lull the tiny turtle to sleep.
“I think it’s time for bed, Baby Blue.” Splinter stood up and walked to the twin’s room, where Donnie, Raph, and Mikey were fast asleep in a tiny turtle pile.
Splinter’s heart swelled as he placed Leo in the middle, right in between Donnie and Mikey.
The two turtles, in turn, shifted in their sleep and each wrapped their arms around Leo, hugging him close. Raph seemed to sense his missing brother and curled himself around his little brothers more.
Splinter smiled at his loving sons, together, all alive and well.
“Good night, my beautiful baby boys.” He kissed each of their foreheads and it was then that he noticed Leo’s bald head on display, he must’ve lost his bandana.
He decided that he would make him a new one in the morning.