LFLS [Unofficial] Sequel

Chapter 6: Finally Some Wholesome Content

Leo wore a dark blue hoodie with a facemask and shades as he crept into the college, S.H.E.L.D.O.N had been given a few upgrades, one of which was to be worn as a backpack. Made him blend in easier at least.. No one even bothered looking at him, this was definitely a school. He wondered around for a bit, not really remembering the times he'd been here before. He just had to find April. 

While walking he tried reading the door signs, fuck.. He knew she was going to be in some kind of art room but where even was that? He forgot to take a note pad to write his questions down too..

Suddenly someone bumped into him, nearly knocking him off his feet- 

Pathetic 

He quickly stood back up, a hand reaching for his Odachi but it wasn't there. Right, no weapons on this mission. The kid caught his balance and looked over at him, "Ah sorry- I-I wasn't looking where I was going are you okay?" Leo stood there, unsure how to respond. It was an older teen, some guy in dark clothes.. Looked to be about Aprils age... He could know where she is, or what room he was looking for at least.

"Dude- Did you hear me? I didn't like hit your head right?" Leo had his hands up trying to think of how to ask, his hands covered by bandages they could at least pass for human hands since they weren't really visible, would he even understand him though? Fuck.. "Oh- Are you..?"

He rolled up his one baggy sleeves and made the sign for 'deaf' Leo knew he shouldn't lie but the chance of him seeing this kid again were very slim. Might as well go for it. He nodded, just signing 'art room?' back hoping he would get it. "Uhh- Yeah its just down that hall and then.. Well... You're probably new right? I haven't seen you around before, I'll just show you the way before class starts- Right, stupid- He's deaf."

'I'll show you, follow me' He signed back, Leo nodded trailing behind him. He started talking again but stopped mid sentence to turn around while they walked, asking him stuff like his name, if he was from around here. Leo spotted April through the open door, she was scribbling in a notebook. He pointed to her and signed 'friend'

"Oh cool, I know her. She's always getting into trouble lately.. But she's a riot in class haha." He signed back that if he needed help finding classes again he was usually around the halls, and to just ask for Liam D. He nodded and hesitantly headed into the room, glad no one really paid attention to him as he tapped Aprils shoulder. She jumped a bit, unaware anyone was behind her and slammed her journal shut. "Uh.. Hi? Can I help you?"

Leo pulled his shades down a but, enough that she should see his face. 'let's talk'

"Woah woah woah Leo?? How did you- When did- Why are you here??"

'talk me now please'

"Ohmigosh Leo you can't just.. Fine, I'll walk you out and well talk there. Just tell me first if this is some kind of emergency so I can go get my bag at least."

_____________________

Leo was sitting on a bench signing with April on the side of the building for a little extra privacy. "Leo I know we haven't exactly talked much lately.. But coming to my school? What if someone saw you? Do your brothers know you're here?"

'no- well Donnie knows. Don't tell my brothers I'm here please'

"Leo that's super sus you know how that sounds right? Raph would have a meltdown if he knew you went across town unsupervised! You went to take the trash out and he had the whole place on lockdown! What in the world made you come all the way here that you couldn't just text me?? I'm not mad or anything- Just really confused, it's way too early for this cryptid mystic bs y'know?" Leo nodded signing to watch closely, he clearly had a lot on his mind.

'I'm sorry for stabbing you' (great start, I know.) April only looked more confused, he continued anyway. 'I'm so so sorry about everything. I know I'm not who I was, and its been a lot for everyone. I caused so much trouble and you got hurt and reprimanded because of me. Everyone is hurting because I was scared and weak. I don't know how you feel about me, but if you're scared too I won't blame you. I deserve it. You've been really nice to my brothers, and you've been really nice to me even after I was horrible to you.'

She pushed his hands down, "Hey nope stop right there- You're going on like you're about to go do something stupid and I'm not dealing with that right now on top of finals you hear me?" She took a deep breath, "You know what. I'm gonna be extra honest here since we're alone. I wanted to hate you, I was in the hospital covered in blood and y'know what. I was angry. But not at you and y'know why?" She gently took Leos hands into hers, "Because I know you. I know the Leo that sacrificed himself for his brothers time and time again, and the Leo that lifts our spirits when we're down, cracking jokes no matter how bad or how poor the timing. I know the Leo that saves and helps people no matter what. I know the Leo the fought so damn hard against the Krang, and the Foot clan, and even helped take down Shredder for fucks sake! I know you didn't hurt me because you just felt like it, I know you were scared buddy. So shut up about all this sad stuff okay? You've been punished enough for all this. And y'know what? When schools over I'm marching over there and we're gonna go to the arcade tonight, yeah! And I'm gonna kick your ass at D.D.E!!" 

She jumped up from the bench pumping her good arm in the air, "Aw yeah! I'm pumped now, I'm gonna breeze though today now that I have something to look forward to!" She looked back, just in time to catch Leo wiping his eyes as he got up giving her a nod. 

'I came to say sorry, and that I understand if you didn't want to be friends anymore. But I'm glad you're you April. Thanks'

She gave him a quick hug, "Yeah yeah, now go get some rest tough guy, I'm not letting none of you sleep tonight! Go tell Donnie he's buying too, I know he's secretly loaded haha" Just then one of the side doors opened, It was Liam again! The both jumped a little looking towards him. "Oh- Hey Leo!" He said with a wave and a wide smile, "What are you guys doing all the way over here class is about to start!" April looked over at Leo, more confused then she ever thought possible. 'You know him?' She signed, Leo just nodded with a shrug. What? He can make friends too.. Sometimes...

"April quick question~" Liam said, he had a small bag of trash, probably why he came out the side door.. Since the old janitor went missing a few months ago he started a club with a few other kids who cleaned up the school for extra credit, he didn't need it, he just liked to help. "Is Leo uh, y'know? Into guys?" She held back a laugh glancing between the two, Leo just kept a straight face, uh-oh.

"Leo? Well... He's definitely queer but I don't think he dates. Why? You think he's cute~?" Liam blushed a little rubbing the back of his neck, "W-Well I mean I can't really see his face too well, not that its important- But he's just.. Tall, and muscular, and he was pretty nice earlier so I just... Wasn't sure.." She was trying real hard to keep it together, "Well Leo?" She asked turning towards him, "You wanna tell him or should I?" Leo thought really hard about what the fuck he just got himself into.

'I read lips' 

He signed after a moment, figuring that was a good way to cover his actually being able to hear. Shit what was the word Donnie used before? Axe.. No, Ache? Ass? Acc? Ac.. ACE YES! That was the no dating word right? 

'I'm also ace' 

Liam's face went dark red realizing the question and confession he previously thought Leo couldn't understand we're perfectly received. "Ah- I'm so sorry if I came off as weird- I totally don't mind just being friends or like, even if you date but don't do the physical stuff y'know my friend Chase is aroace so no judgement!"

'It's fine.' Leo signed, trying to find a good way to let him know he didn't exactly have the looks for a romantic interest either. 

'I was' What's that sign again.. 'In a bad accident so I look' Uhh how's that sign go..? Like a turtle wouldn't exactly be subtle.. 'I'm mangled. So I cover up a lot' 

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that man, but you seem to have a great personality, and I mean if April likes you then you must but a great person to be around! And the outside doesn't matter, all that fades with time anyway so the important thing is who you are inside! April has my number so if you ever wanna hang out.. Or ever need a friend, hit me up. I gotta get back to class but I'll see you guys around okay?"

"Bye Liam" April said waving him off. "Leo~!" He wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "You didn't turn him down~" She teased with a smirk, "Think he's cute? You wanna invite him out with us? Liam's a good guy, might even be into the whole mutant thing~" He gently pushed her away rolling his eyes. "Oh come on it was funny! Did you see how flustered you made him Leo I was trying so hard not to laugh- OH! I didn't even realize- Are you really ace? Did you just come out to me! Ah! I feel like such a supportive sister-"

'I'm going home' He signed, 'And I don't know what a come out is but sure' He said before kicking open the nearest manhole cover. April was going to have a hell of a time trying to keep this event from the others, she was far to excited to keep quiet right now. Leo said Donnie knew where he was, she'd text him about it later, knowing he'd appreciate the gossip.