LFLS [Unofficial] Sequel

Chapter 7: Some Semblance Of Sincerity

Leo was only a few steps in the doorway before Raphael blocked his path, Donnie being held by his battle shell with a defeated look. "I was caught-" He said looking down at the floor he was hovering above.

"Leo I.." Raph tried to think of how to even say his thoughts without yelling at him. Leo knew what he had to do.. He leaned in and gave Raph a hug. Pulling back after a moment, looks like he broke Raph. 

'I know' He signed, taking his disguise off mask and all. He didn't look so tired.. 'This was really important to me. Sorry for taking so long to get back, I made a friend'

Even Donnie looked a bit shocked, "I'm sorry you what? When did this happen? I was tracking you the whole way-"

'At the place' He signed, motioning for them to sit down so they could all talk. Raph hesitantly set Donnie down to listen to the story, he was a bit upset sure. But Leo looked a lot.. Just better it was hard to describe. 

Leo told him, in limited detail of course, about his very safe trip to see April to talk to her, and meeting a nice student who was very helpful in directing him to  the right room. That they talked a little and that he and April also had a really good talk. And that she wanted to hang out with everyone tonight too. Raph sat there for a moment, deciding how to feel. "Okay.. Usually I'd be mad that you snuck out but I'm also proud that you did a lot today. And I haven't seen you this excited in a while.. So I'm letting it slide just this once got it? Just let me know next time you wanna go somewhere okay? I worry man"

Leo nodded, Raph was probably right as leaders often were.. 'Will do'

Mikey came into the room, stretching his arms with a yawn. His tired expression suddenly shifting when he saw Leo, "Ay you're back! We were wondering where you went off to!" He jumped down and have Leo a quick hug, "Donnie said you had something important to do, did ya have fun?" Leo nodded, he might've even smiled a little. 'Today was nice' He signed before getting up, 'I'm going to my room for a bit. Can we talk more later?'

"Get some rest 'Nardo" Donnie said, looking back to his wrist watch, giving S.H.E.L.D.O.N the command to to back to his lab and recharge if needed. "We don't have anything planned till tonight except for another TASL lesson and possibly lunch and or dinner if we forget the first one."

Leo gave a little wave before going back to his room, once he was back and able to destress a little better he went up to the small mirror hanging against the wall. He took a few deep breaths as he looked over the bandages around his neck. He took them off slowly, wanting to get a good look since he hadn't been able to. Both not wanting to mess with it and just not being ready to really see the damage done. 

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The day was finally starting to turn to night, they drew straws for who should go wake Leo up and Raph this time was the chosen one. Not that no one wanted to, just that they all hesitated to volunteer long enough that they might as well let fate decide.

Raphael pulled the curtain back, seeing Leo sitting on the edge of his bed looking down at his hands, the wraps that were on this morning were hanging out of the trash can. "You good Leo?" He asked, hesitating another moment before entering the room. 

'Yeah. Just thinking about things' He signed, then patted the spot beside him, it wasn't usual for him to initiate things like that.. Which was good right? Raph sat down, making the bed shift a bit due to his weight. "You.. Wanna talk about it? I mean- You know I'm no good with that kinda stuff but I'm here to listen if you need it"

'Do you want to know?'

"Uhh- I mean, yes and no? Its complicated, of course I wanna hear anything you gotta say, and I'm always gonna be curious about stuff I wasn't around to see. But if it's a bad memory I'm not gonna pry or put any pressure on you to talk about it y'know?"

'You can ask. It's okay'

"If you're sure. Then.. There is one big question that's been on my mind. And you don't have to answer it if you don't want to okay? Seriously no pressure-"

He put a hand on Raph's shoulder, giving him a very 'over it' kind of look before signing again. 'I want to talk. Just say it'

"Alright fine- I was gonna ask.. How your hands got so messed up- Er- That might not be the best word for it- Shoot-"

Leo put his palms facing up for a moment, letting Raph get a good look before he started signing. 'A sword from Battle Nexus broke and I kept using it.' He thought back for a split second, 'The hilt cut my hands over and over, I also used Draxum's collar to conduct shocks into other fighters though it.'

Draxum's collar 

He didn't even associate it with Donatello.. Which was a good thing, Raphael knew Leo wasn't mad at Donnie, he knew that. But just watching him say it was the reassurance he didn't know he wanted. "Oh.. I guess that would make sense. Damn lil bro, you really gave it everything huh? I don't know if I said it before but I'm sorry about freaking out the other day, when we fight we stop when they can't fight back. We capture bad guys, but we don't kill em."

'That's what it was? I see. Sorry about that.'

"It's alright, I know it's been a while since we've been on missions together, you'll get the hang of it again in no time for sure. Lets go get some dinner before we meet up with April okay? Can't go gaming on an empty stomach!"

They both stood up, Raph holding the curtain open for Leo as they walked towards the kitchen together. He really hopped tonight went well, they could all use a break.