LFLS [Unofficial] Sequel

Chapter 8: Did You Hear That?

After what felt like the most normal dinner they've had in months, the four brothers and honorary sister April headed to the only major arcade topside that was open to mutants and humans. Despite it not having much business tonight the owner knew them all well enough to stay open. 

As they walked in, Mikey held onto Leos arm. Trying to keep from stimming as he saw all the games. Leo glanced around, trying to remember what he used to do here. April said this morning she wanted to play a game with him, he could start with that. He looked at April, asking what game she mentioned this morning. She perked up and pointed over near one of the back corners, "Over there! Ah we haven't place this in so long it's gonna be so much fun!" He patted Leos back leading him over to the game, "You and Raph have some of the highest scores here!"

Leo stood beside April, faintly remembering the premise of this game. You just copied the dancing thing on the screen, seemed easy enough.. She put the difficulty on normal and chose a pretty easy song to start. Despite wanting to play their respective games all the brothers gathered behind them, wanting to see what would happen. Would he do as well as he had before, would April win against him? Would he even have fun playing anymore? They were on the proverbial edge of their seats.

He game started and he looked a bit stiff at first, but started to get into it as the song progressed. "Go Leo!" Mikey called from behind, wanting to cheer him on. It was actually going well, Leo was starting to feel a little confident. As the song ended they both got fairly okay scores, there was a scene where people in the game applauded for your performance.

The applause 

The cheering

The crowds eyes all focused on him

Finish The Fight

"Leo!"

His eyes flashed back to April, when did he get on the floor? He looked around seeing everyone confused, he must've tripped over something.. Probably trying to back away from the noise of the game. Raph held out his hand, "You okay bro.. Was the game too loud or something-?" Leo took his hand standing up and shook his head. 'the noise reminded me' He signed, not sure how to explain it. 'loud cheering is bad' That was a good way to describe it, he didn't mean to bring the vibes down- 

'Let's play something else'

"Are you sure?" April asked, a little unsure any other game wouldn't be as loud. 

'No'

He smiled a little making everyone much more confused, till he looked tp them and signed again. 

'I'm Leo'

"Did you just.. Make a joke- dID LEO JUST MAKE A JOKE? Mikey, I don't usually like physical contact but just this once you can pinch me because I must be dreaming!" Leo rolled his eyes and pointed to Raph, 'you and me brother' He signed, 'Don't think I forgot how to beat you at air hockey.  We have all night right? I want to play something with everyone. Though I might have to steal Donnie's headphones if the games are gonna be loud'

"That's a good idea.." Donnie said, thinking of a million new ideas already, "Once we get home I'll see what I have laying around to make a better pair for you, maybe one that scans the area too like for police radio chatter when we're fighting crime and filters out specific trigger sounds, and OH! How do you feel about about implants?"

"Donnie!!"

"Right- Right, sorry.  Another time-"

'You're next Donnie' Leo signed, almost making him nervous he was going to sign something concerning, 'I want a rematch on that fighting game'

Donnie gasped, his eyes lighting up, "You don't mean Super Ultimate Ninja Robot Cowboy Fighters 7 and a half?? Ahh that's my favorite game!! 'Nardo you are so on!" Leo's expression wasn't well.. Expressive, but the small smile he did let though was more then enough for his brothers.

"Me next, me next!" Mikey called, "I wanna play ski ball with you after Donnie" He gently pushed back Donnie signing, 'play' like it was a way of stimming. 'You got it' He signed back, its was nice to have everyone excited again..

_______________________________

After maybe two hours or so the night was really setting in. Leo had borrowed the pair of noise canceling headphones Donnie keeps in his battle shell, along with a scarf for his neck since he noticed a few people kept staring and whispering. But he wasn't going to stop now just because of a few whispers, April and his brothers looked so happy.. "It's nearing midnight gang" Donnie said, eyeing his phone. Leo took of his headphones seeing start to talk. "I know April has school tomorrow, so I'm calling curfew at 1am"

Mikey sighed throwing the last of his ski balls, nearly missing as he let out a groan, "Awww fiiiiine. Who wants to play the racing game again? Leo? You down?"

'Im out. Hands starting to hurt again' He signed, very close to calling it a day with how tired he was getting now.

"Leo..?"

Everyone perked up a little at the unfamiliar voice. 'Did everyone hear that or am I going crazy too?" Leo signed.

April turned around, knowing the voice. "Liam?! How do you know about this place??" 

"Oh what like you're the only human with Mutie friends?" He said with a chuckle, "I'm here with my friend Kale!" He said gesturing to a leaf covered plant yokai playing one of the older games with a strong focus. 

"Wait that's the guy you told us about?" Raph said turning to Leo, who once again, had no idea what he was getting himself into. 

"It's nice to see you without all the cover up," He said with a smile, taking a step closer. He signed as he spoke as well remembering this time that was supposed to be deaf. "You look good dude! I guess the thing about school was a lie but it's chill, a little bummed we wont have class together though"

'Right. Sorry about.. Everything'

"If you're really sorry you can always make it up by taking me out sometime? Nothing serious of course just as friends, but if you like there's this ramen bar we can go to, it's open all night! You like spicy stuff?"

Leo hesitated for a moment, everyone trying to watch without being to obvious, clearly interested in whatever the fuck was going on between them. Leo shook his head, 'No hot stuff'

"Aww really? Not even a little?"

Leo took a deep breath and pulled the scarf down showing Liam his neck and quickly covering it up, 'No hot stuff' He signed again. Liam nodded in understanding. "Ohhh gotcha gotcha, you mentioned the accident thing, but I don't know if I'd call that mangled, I mean the rest of you is pretty intact right?" 

'What would you call it?' He asked with a confused look, "I'd say you lost a fight with a lawnmower- Ah-! Shittfuck was that mean I'm so sorry-" 

Everyone froze, waiting to see how Liam was going to try and recover, but quietly they heard something else instead.. Like... Like the wheezing of someone underwater who was also choking on dust and pop rocks? 

Was Leo was laughing?

It was strained and almost sad to hear but he was leaning over clearly trying to keep it together, guess they wouldn't be needing Donnie's patented body bags after all.. 'You know what I can't even be mad at that' He signed after he took a breath, he's throat felt sore again but y'know what, that was totally worth it. 'Let's get drinks instead' He signed, 'You find a place with smoothies or tea and I'm in'

This night was just more and more full of surprises- Leo was enjoying himself, and socializing, he had a new friend and potential date? And he even laughed which was audible! Which now made room for the idea that one day Leo might be able to actually talk again?? Talk about a win.