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Stegosaurus1412- I'm always glad when people tell me that I manage to keep the turtles somewhat in character. That's one of the things I love most about the 2k12 series, the turtles' personalities, and I love trying to explore the different ways they interact with different situations and with one another. And I'm not sure Leo is ever getting the story of Raph's skills out of him. Raph was, surprisingly, the most natural choice for me when it came to such a task. He is such a gentle angry marshmallow, he would totally be into doing April's hair for her, but he would put on a tough guy show of complaining and grumping about it the entire time, while at the same time making sure it was absolutely PERFECT.
Chapter 3: Properly Freaking Out
The sound of a marker squeaking across the surface of tagboard coming from the lab room was like the call of a siren for nosy brothers. Like a moth drawn to a streetlight, it wasn't long before curious eyes peeked around the corner into the lab, three sets of turtle eyes ranging from sapphire blue, baby blue, and electric green, alongside one set of brown human eyes.
There was Donnie leaning over the table, tongue sticking out slightly in concentration as he used a ruler to guide the permanent marker across the well-covered tag board in straight lines.
The three other turtles and Casey looked at one another, then moved in to look on curiously.
"Another flowchart, eh Donnie?" Raph asked, moving around him to peer down over the genius's shoulder.
"Uh huh." Donnie didn't even look up, shifting the wooden yardstick to make another neat line between two squares drawn on the thick, glossy paper.
"Dude, I haven't seen you do that in a long time." Mikey climbed up on Raph's shell to see better, mesmerized by the marker squeaks.
"What's this one about?" Leo asked, putting his hands on the table and leaning over curiously.
Donnie sat back and looked over his work critically with reddish brown eyes narrowed, tapping his chin with the marker. "April and I still have to talk to Mr O'Neil about getting married, and I want to make sure I'm prepared for every probability." He said absently. He apparently noticed something amiss, and leaned forward to draw another line.
Raph studied the flow chart for a moment, then looked up at Donnie with an eyeridge raised. "You have a contingency plan for if he pulls out a taser on you?"
"Uh huh." Donnie didn't look phased at all. "I have to plan for every possible outcome. I'm a giant mutant turtle asking a father for the hand of the most beautiful, intelligent, amazing woman ever to exist. It is quite possible he might react negatively."
"In that case, how many of your plans involve 'Hide behind April for Protection'?" Casey joked as he leaned down to get a better look.
"That's the plan for eight different scenarios." Donnie admitted, capping the black pen and reaching for a green one, apparently moving to some form of color coding.
"I also see you have 'Escaping out the Upstairs Window' and 'Hiding in the Bathroom' as potential options." Raph observed, studying the flow chart.
"Aw..." April walked in, carrying a cup of coffee. She set it down beside Donnie and planted a kiss on top of his head. "Don't worry, Donnie. I know my father might get a little excitable sometimes, but he likes you! I'm sure it's going to go just fine."
Donnie seemed to melt a little under her kiss, and got a goofy, dreamy grin on his face. Then, snapping out of it, he shook his head and went back to plotting out his courses. "April, this is your dad, my future father-in-law, and the grandfather of our offspring we're talking about. His blessing for our union is extremely important to me. This has to go perfectly!"
His choice of words got Leo to thinking. April had said something along that line yesterday when she had asked his permission. She had wanted some form of tradition and official validation in her attempt to marry his brother. Perhaps, as leader, he could offer it here as well. He looked up. "I could go and speak with April's dad first." he offered. "Soften the blow a little and get him used to the idea before you meet up with him."
"Oh, yeah. That'll leave a good impression." Donnie scoffed, then sat up and put one hand on his hip, holding an imaginary conversation. "'Oh, hey Mr. O'Neil! I want to marry your daughter, but I'm too chicken to ask you myself, so here's my big brother to ask instead'"
Leo punched him in the arm playfully. "I didn't mean it like that." He leaned on the table, explaining himself. "I was thinking more of a diplomatic meeting between myself and the leader of the O'Neil Clan. As the head of the Hamato Clan, it would be following ancient tradition for me to meet with the other clan and discuss a possible alliance through marriage.
April blinked. "But... my dad's not the head of a clan. Much less us being an official 'O'Neil Clan'."
Leo waved his hand. "Oh, I know that. But he is your father and theoretically the head of the family, so that's kind of like being the head of your own small clan. It would perhaps make him feel respected and important, like his opinion really does matter in this."
"Ah, so butter him up through flattery and pretty words." Raph snorted disdainfully, always one to prefer straightforward approaches.
"It's called 'diplomacy', Raph." Leo shot back. "You should give it a try some time." He turned back to Donnie and April. "Anyways, in this case, I wouldn't be actually be asking for April's hand on your behalf. I would just try to convince him that such a union would be worth considering, and inform him that you wish to meet with him at some point to ask him for his permission and blessing. It would be strictly a formal meeting between two clan leaders."
Donnie frowned, tapping the marker on the table as he considered it. "I... suppose that might be a good way to go about this."
Casey nodded sagely. "Well, I think it's a great idea. No offense, April, but your dad's a bit... a bit..." he fished around for an unoffensive term.
"Emotional?" Mikey offered, sitting cross legged on his perch on Raph's shell.
"Yeah!" Casey nodded. "He's going to freak at first. And Donnie, dude, you know as well as I do that if he freaks, you're going to freak. You two will just keep freaking each other more and more, and it'll turn into a vicious, never-ending cycle!"
"It'll be a regular ouroboros of freaking out!" Mikey tossed up his hands dramatically, agreeing whole heartedly.
"Okay, first off, Mikey, how in the world do you even know the word 'ouroboros'?" Donnie demanded.
"It was in the 'Word a Day' calendar Leo got me." Mikey shrugged.
"Dude. You choose the weirdest things to retain." Casey blinked at him.
"Second, I will not 'freak out'!" Donnie glared at them, apparently offended.
"Says the turtle who has a plan in case Mr. O'Neil owns a shotgun." Raph observed, gesturing towards tag board.
"It is a valid concern!" Donnie hissed.
"Mr. O'Neil... owning a gun." Raph raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking about the same scrawny, nerdy psychologist?"
"Raph, be respectful." Leo shot him a stern look.
"With as many times as this city has been under attack, I'm shocked more citizens aren't armed." Donnie grumbled, going back to his markers and tag board.
"Donnie, bro, this is your future father in law we're talking about. You can't mess this up!" Casey looked concerned at the tag board flowchart, and shook his head. "What you need, man, is somebody who doesn't freak to get April's dad through his 'freak out' stage first, so that later, when you do talk to Mr O'Neil yourself, neither of you freak each other out!" Casey threw his arm around Leo's shell, leaning on the shorter turtle. "Leo never freaks, so he's perfect for this!"
"...Well... that was argued... eloquently." Leo looked up at the human leaning on him with an eyeridge raised. "Well done, Casey."
"You know I always got your shells, bro." Casey clicked his tongue and gave Leo a wink.
"I hate to say it, but they do have a point." April frowned, looking over to Donnie. "I love my dad, but sometimes he can get a little... dramatic. He might need a little bit of time to work out some of his emotions. And he might not 'freak out', as they put it, quite so badly if it were Leo breaking the news to him and he didn't feel suddenly put on the spot."
"I suppose treating Mr. O'Neil with all the respect of a head of a clan would perhaps make him more open to the idea." Donnie chewed his lip, looking down at his flow chart, then up at Leo. "It just... it feels like I'm wimping out or something. I don't like the idea of making you deal with all the difficult stages, while I sweep in afterwards to gain all the rewards."
Leo scoffed. "Trust me, Donnie. My job will be easy compared to yours. I'll just acting the part of the messenger. You're the one who's actually going to have to convince him." He grinned wryly. "And actually, you'll be doing me a favor. As your clan leader, it'll make me feel important and a part of this."
"So, Leo can go talk to my dad and give him a day or so to adjust to the idea." April looked between Donnie and Leo. "Meanwhile, you and I can go over what we want to say while we set up a really fancy dinner for him the next day. In fact, there's this Greek restaurant that my dad loves, we can order take out from there, and eat at Dad's apartment. He'll feel more comfortable there, I think."
"I suppose so..." Donnie thought this over, and slowly nodded. "Yes, this might actually work!"
And that was how Leonardo ended up in Kirby O'Neil's dining room at a polished wooden table, sitting somewhat uncomfortably on a rigid, high-backed wooden chair never designed for a turtle to sit on.
He politely took a spoonful from the plain white bowl filled with thin noodles and small cubed vegetables and meat, more then likely heated directly from a can. There was also a bologna and mayo sandwich on white bread, cut neatly into diagonal sections, sitting on a plate next to the bowl. This ensemble was completed by a glass of water with a few ice cubes thrown in.
According to April, her father wasn't big on cooking. As somebody who grew up on algae and worms, Leo couldn't really complain, but he had to admit that he had gotten rather spoiled by Mikey's cooking the last few years. He decided at that moment that they should probably stop by at least once a week and make sure that Mr. O'Neil had a decent homecooked meal once in a while.
"I have to admit, I was rather surprised when you asked to join me for supper, Leonardo." Kirby sat across from him, obviously a little nervous. He wiped his mouth with his napkin, and set it carefully aside next to his plate.
"Thank you for accommodating my request. I do apologize for the short notice." Leonardo nodded. He hoped his nervousness didn't show in any form. Diplomacy had never seemed to be his strong suit. If he were calm, Kirby would be calm. Oh, gods, what if he messed this up for April and Donnie?! "I sincerely hope that I haven't inconvenienced you, but I have some clan business that I wished to discuss with you."
"Clan business?" Kirby looked at him nervously.
Leonardo gave him a calm smile and nod. "Yes. As you're aware, at the death of our father, I took over the duties as Clan Leader for the Hamato clan. Thus, it is my responsibility to meet with the leaders of any of our clan's allies. That includes, among the most trusted and treasured, the O'Neil clan. You are, of course, the head of said clan, and thus I requested for an audience with you."
"Me? Clan O'Neil?" Kirby looked completely taken by surprise.
"But of course." Leo raised an eyeridge at him, acting surprised that Kirby seemed to be surprised. He set his soup spoon aside, privately deciding that he had all he wanted of the bland broth.
"Oh. Well... we're not really a clan, you know." Kirby rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "It's just April and me."
"You are the head of your family, a family that is very near and dear to my own." Leo said firmly. "Thus, you are deserving of respect and honor, Mr. O'Neil." And Leo did mean that sincerely. Despite his natural timidity, Kirby had shown himself willing to do anything to protect his daughter, even at the cost of his own life and safety if needed, and had willingly put himself in harm's way to help out the Hamatos in the past.
"O-oh. Well, thank you, Leonardo. That means... that means a lot to me." Kirby looked touched and sat up a little straighter. Then, as if the thought just occurred to him, he gave an awkward bow. "I am honored, then, to have you in my home."
"The honor is mine, Mr. O'Neil." Leo gracefully and politely returned the bow, and settled back in the rigid chair, his shell scrapping against the back and causing the wood to creak. He took a sip of the ice water, and found himself wishing for a nice comforting cup of tea right now. "Now then, as I mentioned, I asked for this meeting to discuss recent events that affect both of our... families, if that's the term you'd prefer."
"Recent events...?" Kirby looked confused, then bit his lip. "Wait... this has something to do with April, doesn't it?"
Leo nodded. "Yes. You are aware of her relationship with my brother, Donatello?"
"I... I am aware, yes." Kirby looked uncomfortable now.
"Both April and Donatello have expressed interest to me about perhaps continuing their relationship on a deeper level. Thus, I have come before you to see what your thoughts are on a more permanent alliance between our families." Leo chose his words carefully.
"A... a more permanent alliance?! Really?" Kirby grabbed his glass of water and took a nervous drink.
Leo paused from the prepared speech in his brain for a moment, considering the man before him. The human man before him obviously realized where this conversation was heading, and was trying to stave off the welling feelings of panic. Realizing just how he must be feeling, Leo exhaled. Then, coming to a sudden decision, he abandoned the script he had planned on following this evening, and instead looked at him with understanding in his sapphire eyes, giving him a sad smile. His voice grew soft and filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry. This isn't exactly the life you wanted for her, is it?"
Kirby looked startled at the sudden shift in direction, then looked away, ashamed. "I... I'm sorry. You turtles have done so much for April and for me. You've risked your lives to save us, and the world, multiple times. I... I shouldn't..."
"You are her father." Leo said gently. "Of course you should." He leaned forward. "Kirby, you are April's father, and thus a part of our family as well. I do not wish for you to ever feel like an outsider, or that your concerns and feelings are inconsequential. You have reservations about this match, and the future that your daughter has chosen for herself. I will not judge, nor take any offense if you speak your mind openly and honestly."
Kirby was quiet for a moment, then sighed, and looked away. "It's just... it's such a dangerous life... What if she gets hurt? Or worse?"
Leo gently pushed his plate of food off to the side, and rested his elbows on the table, clasping his hands together and considering this. "Why couldn't April be happy staying safe?" he guessed, empathizing with the human father. "What if she had a normal life like other people. One where she had a normal job and a normal husband and normal kids, where she didn't have to deal with wars between ninja clans, alien invasions, and mutants."
"I... wouldn't go quite that far. About the mutants, I mean." Kirby admitted, throwing Leo a look. "Some of them have proven to be good friends."
Leo smiled gratefully, then sighed. "You do know that it would have never turned out like that." he said quietly. "April is partially a mutant herself. Even if she had never met us, she would've always attracted the attention of dangerous foes. She would always have been in danger."
"That was something her mother and I discussed often." Kirby admitted, looking down at his hands."After... after what happened to Elizabeth... April was just little more then a toddler then... I had hoped if we disappeared, moved to the city and just became part of the millions of normal people here... She wouldn't have to..." Kirby trailed off, and seemed to have trouble voicing his thoughts. He took a deep breath, then finally admitted, " If we had never met you turtles, then we would have remained prisoners of the Kraang. You freed her, took her in, and protected her when I could not. I don't even want to think of what they would have done to her. I am extremely grateful to you and your brothers, and I know how much we owe you."
"She is strong, Kirby. Much more then I think even I realize." Leo told him quietly, and then he sighed in agreement. "I wish that I could keep her, and all my brothers, from danger." He admitted. "If I could prevent any of them from ever getting hurt ever again, I would do so in a heartbeat, even if it cost me my life. But, sadly, fate keeps the luxury of a safe and quiet life out of our reach." He looked at Kirby seriously. "Thus, we have instead taught April to control her powers, and given her the knowledge and skill to protect herself, and my brothers and myself will always be there to protect her ourselves if needed. That is what my family offers to your family."
Kirby swallowed hard, and nodded. "Yeah... I know... And... and I'm thankful for that. More then you know."
"She loves Donatello." Leo pressed gently. "And my brother adores her. They wish to talk to you and ask for your blessing."
Kirby let his hand run over his face, and then, after a moment, gave a wry chuckle into his hands. "It's not like I would be able to change her mind. She has always been so strong willed." A wistful look crossed his face. "Just like her mother." He exhaled, then looked up to Leo. "But will it even work out? I mean... they're so different... physically..."
Leo coughed and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, considering the baby, I think they have that part of their relationship figured out sufficiently." he half joked.
Kirby's head snapped up. "Wait, what?! What baby?!"
Leo froze, and looked at Kirby, who now had an odd, dangerous look on his face. Every alarm was going off in his brain. Oh, gods. April had told him that she was pregnant, right? They had discovered it over two weeks ago! She had to have told him by now! "You know... the baby? April is... You... you didn't know?"
Kirby stood up, the full wrath of protective and angry fatherhood darkening his face. "Leonardo... What... did your brother do... to my baby girl?!"
"Uhhhhh..." Leo stuttered, shrinking back in his chair, eyes wide. Oh gods, he had messed this up! He had messed this up so badly! How did he fix this?! "Now, I'm sure that April meant to tell you, but... uh..."
For all his timidity, Kirby O'Neil was still a father, and he could still summon all the rage of a father realizing that somebody had touched his baby girl! Kirby snarled, launching himself over the table at Leo, scattering soup and ice water everywhere.
Author Notes:
I couldn't remember if April's mom's name was ever mentioned in the show. In the ongoing comic series, it's Elizabeth, so I went with that. I was a little worried in writing this that I cast Kirby in a negative light, which isn't what I was going for. I actually like the poor guy, he's just so blandly normal in a world where aliens, mutants, and robots attack on a regular basis. Poor guy always seemed to be in waaaay over his head, and never really seemed sure what exactly what was happening or how to deal with it, but he still soldiers on anyways for the sake of his daughter. Oh, and Ouroboros is the snake/dragon that eats its own tail, a symbol of an eternal cycle.