So Baby Steps (UNDER RECONSTRUCTION)

Chapter 3: Third Step; Approvals

Steven closed the door behind him and sighed, 'I'm glad he didn't remember about last night.' He looks up and walks around for a while trying to find Dr.Estevez. It didn't take very long for she always had dozens on dozens of her copies running around the hospital. He approaches one and tells her that Leo is awake and had eaten something simple when he woke up. They talked for a minute and headed back to the room. Dr.Estevez turned herself into her full adult form, with the help of a few copies. Steven directly behind her. He decided to call the others and let them know Leo was awake. While he was gone the doctor and Leo talked. About his situation. How long he wasn't going to be working. Where he will be staying for a week,etc. Dr.Estevez left to get the paperwork. In about ten minutes all of them were in the room. Asking Leo how he was feeling and if he needed anything. After they left; about fifteen minutes passed and Chain came in with a few bags. Both Leo and Steven were startled.

"I went to your apartment and grabbed all your clothes and toiletries or anything else you would need for about a week. You didn't have much so here it is." She says as she puts the bags next to the bed.

"Thank you, Chain." Leo said.

She nods,"You're welcome, Leo. I also found a locked fireproof box with the label 'IMPORTANT' on it. So I thought you would rather have that with you than alone in your apartment. It's in the bigger bag."

Leo gasped, "You didn't look inside did you?!"

She shook her head."I didn't want to invade your privacy anymore than I already did. I did technically go through all you things when I packed them."

Leo sighed, "Ok, then it's fine." He relaxed a little.

Steven and Chain tilted their heads to the side slightly, curious. Wondering what he could have in the shoe-box-sized-box that would make him react like that. They were extremely curious, but for now, didn't want to pry. They looked at each other and nodded, coming to a silent agreement. Not to mess with the box, at least until Leo was well again. Then they would ask.

Leo was ready to leave, he had everything and Dr.Estevez told him that he could leave when he wanted. All the tubes were out but he was still wearing the hospital gown. So all he needed to do was change...which was going to be a challenge. Earlier he couldn't even walk to the bathroom, and it was like, not even that far away. Seriously, it was FIVE feet away. Steven had to hold him up the whole time. So he had two options. One: He could try to put his own clothes on, get even more tired and take forever while having difficulties. 0r Two: He could ask for help. From someone. Who? He doesn't know. Leo could ask Chain for help, but it would be too humiliating and he would like to keep his dignity as a man. Asking Steven isn't even an option. He would literally die from embarrassment. Not only that but just asking Steven to help him get dressed would make him go red in the face. So now what? He had to get changed somehow. And he doesn't have it in him to do it by himself. So option one is gone. 'Who should I ask?' Leo thought. While deep in his thoughts he doesn't realize that he's been looking back and forth between Chain and Steven. They're both staring at him, trying to figure out why he's doing it. He hasn't said a word. After a few minutes of moving his head back and forth, deep in thought; he sighs.

He gave up,"Would one of you help me get dressed so I can leave?" He blurted, realizing what he said, blushed up to his ears and covered his face with both hands. 'That was so blunt! Think before you speak, Leonardo Watch!'

Chain grinned,"I don't mind helping you get dressed." She came closer to Leo, and whispered in his ear. So low so that Steven couln't hear. "It would be better than having Steven do it, right? Although, you would rather have him take your clothes OFF for another reason." Her grin widens.

Leo turned into a humanized lobster. "C-C-C-Chain!!" He yelled in a low voice.

--------Multiple Flashbacks-------

Leo had confessed his feelings of being in love with Steven to Chain; while they sat in his apartment and had a very long discussion of what to do. Leo said there was now was he could confess and had no chance with the man. Chaim said that she has admired and looked up to Steven for a long time now and knows what he is thinking more than Leo does. That he should confess to the man. Or better yet, just jump on him and kiss him. Leo blushed like crazy at the last part; and decided to ignore it. She's been pushing him to confess. Or to at least get closer to Steven.

K.K. knows of his feelings as well. She's a mom and can tell these things. When she revealed to Leo that she knew she told him,"Scarface is a coldhearted man and you're kindest and most adorable man any of us has ever met. I don't fully approve of him, but he's the one you've chosen to love. So for that I will step back. Hopefully, him being with you will make him change his evil, scheming, and coldhearted ways. But if he ever hurts you, I'll put a bullet through his head so fast he won't know what hit him. Literally." Then she gave him a big hug.

Leo told Zed after a short day of work. Everyone was heading home except for Leo. Zed was in his tank and Leo walked in, nervously. He told him and afterwards Zed put his hands against the glass,"I see. I fully support your love Leo. Good luck." Then he smiled. Leo sighed in relief that their friendship wouldn't be ruined because he was gay. He's seen it happen many times, and experienced it first hand. But he shouldn't have expected anything else from Zed. He was always kind.

And of course, Zapp didn't know. He was to much of an idiot to figure it out. He was too busy with his lady friends. And frankly, Leo thought it was better if the silvered haired man didn't know. He would never let Leo live it down. So he asked Zed, Chain and K.K. not to tell him.

Of course they agreed with him. Immediately.

Gilbert knew. He said he was a wise old man. Leo freaked out and said he wasn't old. Gilbert just chuckled lightly and said, "Then instead, I am as wise as an owl. I have seen many things in my day. And I can tell you have deep feelings for Mister Steven. Do not worry, I will not tell a soul." He said as he put his pointer finger of his right hand over his mouth. And smiled; though it was hard to tell with his usual bandages. But it was definitely a smile.

And poor Klaus.

Klaus had no idea that Leo was in love with Steven. The poor man was so dense to things sometimes that it was ridiculous. And Gilbert promised not to tell anyone; not even his Young Master. But now Leo felt bad for leaving the big man out. So he asked Gilbert to tell him secretly. And Gilbert gladly did; he also felt bad for leaving him out. Klaus looked so confused when Gilbert "secretly" told him while everyone else went out for lunch. Leo stayed behind to see what his boss has to say about him being in love with his best friend. Leo looked up to Klaus. Like he was an older brother, for some reason. Klaus was so noble, elegant, and strong. Yet at the same time he was so gentle. Somehow Klaus reminded Leo of someone, but he can't figure out who, exactly. It's on the tip of his tongue though.

Ever the gentleman,"I see. I understand. I fully support you and Steven. I wish you good luck, Leonardo."

----End of Multiple Flashbacks-----

"I don't mind helping you change, Leo. It would be better if another man helped you, instead of a woman, right?" Steven looked to Chain. "Chain, let Leo keep some of his dignity." He said as he smiled. 'Although, I COMPLETELY have ulterior motives. Now I understand why K.K. calls me evil and scheming. She's totally right.'

"Eh?!", Leo.

"There's no reason to freak out now. We are going to be pretty much alone for the next week. Well, us and sometimes my housemaid. But she's really nice, don't worry, you'll like her. She has kids. You might as well get used to it." Steven smiled.

Chain hummed thoughtfully,"Well, like or not, Leo, but he's right. You're going to have to rely on him for the next week for things like walking, getting dressed," she grinned as she put a third finger up, "and yes, taking a bath or shower among other things. You're gonna have to get used to it. If you don't do it now, it's just going to be even more embarrasing later."She pat her right fist into her left palm. Like a thought or an idea hit her. "Ah-ha." She said quietly.

"Why don't you just think of this as practice!"

She smiled like she thought of the BEST idea in the WORLD.

But Leo knew she was right. So he just nodded. Not able to find words at the moment. And as he did, Steven thought,'I have to remember to thank Chain later.'