My usual maximum chapter length is four pages on Google Docs. This one is a little over that at five.
I love little Leo. He's so vulnerable and learning new things.
Leo looks at the water then back at Heather. She smiles encouragingly. He looks back at the bath and scoots to the farthest part of the toilet. "Leo, you are safe, okay? I washed you before, but you need a proper cleaning with soap." Leo looks at the tub fearfully. "Can you swim?"
Leo nods, "Master Splinter tossed me in, forcing me to learn."
"I'll be gentle, I promise. And look," she places her finger into the water, covering almost three-fourths of it, "It isn't that deep." She puts her finger on Leo's palm, showing him how warm it is. He relaxes a little and allows Heather to sit him in the tub.
She takes a cup and pours water on his carapace. Leo shivers as water runs behind the lip and down his sides. Heather stops. "That tickled," Leo says, smiling. Heather mimics his smiles and continues to give him a proper bath. She visibly sees him relax and decides, once it is warmer out, to take him to a lake.
The pair had been together all day. When Dr. Cho left, Leo was eager to tell Heather the entire story from the movie he watched. She goes along with it, interacting as though she's never seen it. She answers what questions he has, sometimes needing to tell him to wait until he is older, or using an avoidance phrase because she can't answer it.
Then Heather gave him a tour, showing him the bathroom, laundry room/storage, Steve's room, her room, and the whole thing ends in his room. She had to carry him, since he can't walk on his own yet.
Leo was hesitant about sitting on his bed, but when Heather sat down, she lifted him off her lap and onto the soft covers. They read a fourth book in his room and the Ugly Duckling again per Leo's request. Afterwards, they laid on his bed, looking at his ceiling.
"Heather?" He asked, "Why doesn't Master Splinter love me?" Heather saw his conflicted face and couldn't bring herself to avoid his innocent question.
"I don't know buddy," she said, "I don't know." After a small snack and some cuddle time on the couch watching a new show, Heather brought Leo over for a bath.
Heather gently gives Leo one final rub down with the wash cloth, being careful of the bandages on his leaf green head. "Am I done?" Leo asks when she puts the cup away and wrings out the cloth.
"Yep, all clean." Leo's face falls, "Did you like it?" Leo nods. "You can take another one later."
"Tomorrow?"
"We'll see. You can't exactly get dirty up here. Now let's get you out of the tub. We don't need a wrinkly turtle," Heather jokes. She lifts him over the edge and into a waiting towel on her lap.
Leo yawns, so Heather decides to get him ready for bed. She is surprised that he doesn't know how to use the toilet, or anything in the bathroom. Luckily, Steve comes through the front door.
"Hey Steve?" Heather asks, coming out of the bathroom, "Can you show Leo how to, go?" Steve looks surprised, "Just to use the toilet. You're a guy, he's a guy.."
"Sure Heather." Steve goes into the bathroom, not stomping like before. "Hey Leo, remember me?" He asks when Leo looks up, a tinge of fear on his face. But Leo nods and allows Steve to help him.
"I wasn't allowed to use the bathroom," Heather hears from outside in the hallway. She starts to tear up. She didn't take into account of everything he did as a slave, even the everyday things any species goes through. She is even more thankful that she brought him home.
"Heather," Steve says, shaking her out of her thoughts. She wipes her tears and looks at him, "He's empty." Heather chuckles at how Steve says that so casually. She enters the bathroom and helps Leo with washing his hands and brushing his teeth. Then they go to his room and Leo is sat on the bed. Leo refuses the pj's, but after careful prodding, he accepts only the pants.
"Want me to read you a story?"
Leo nods. "Ugly Duckling!" Heather smiles. She picks out the book and sits next to him. He backs away, even after the whole day they'd been together. Heather understands that she was a little hasty and pats right next to her, saying it's alright. He comes closer, and sits upright to listen.
After the story, Heather puts away the book. "Is that your favorite?" Leo nods. "I'm glad you like it. Under the covers big boy, time to get some sleep." Leo looks under him at the bed. Heather just chuckles and helps him move the large blanket so he can get underneath.
"Wait. Where's my blanket?" Leo asks. Heather goes to the couch and brings it to him. Leo hugs it like his life depended on it. Heather kisses his forehead and turns off the light. "Heather?" Leo stops her, "Can I see my brothers now?"
Heather turns around. "It is very late Leo. They are probably asleep. But we'll call them tomorrow after lunch, okay?" Leo nods and then settles back down to sleep.
Heather wakes up and stretches. Her alarm is going off and she fumbles a little for it. "Heather?" She hears from down the hall. "Heather!?" She turns her alarm off and races to Leo's room. He's curled up on his bed, his beak barely poking out from inside his shell. He has a look of pure terror in his eyes.
"Leo, I'm here." Heather sits on the bed and strokes his carapace, "Heather's here."
"W-What was that?" He asks.
"What was what?"
"Th-That sound. It was awful!" Heather sighs before answering.
"That was my alarm clock Leo. It helps me wake up in the morning."
"..It won't hurt me?" Heather shakes her head.
"Remember the clock next to my bed?" Leo nods after thinking. "Well, that is my alarm clock. It just makes a noise, nothing more." Leo sits up. Heather opens her arms and he climbs into them after a moment of hesitation. "How did you sleep?" She asks. Leo sniffles.
"I had a dweam," he tells her pjs, "It was where Master Spwinter woke me up and I was back home. I don't want to go back! I like it here!" Leo cries into Heather's shoulder. She strokes his carapace, letting him cry.
"It was just a dream Leo. He is going to have to get through me and Steve to get to you. Remember what I said, about Steve being a protector?" Leo looks up at her briefly before nodding into her pjs, "We are your protectors Leo. No one, and I mean no one, will hurt you again." Leo calms down and he lets Heather carry him to the couch. She makes him a little breakfast, listening to what Dr. Cho instructed. When Leo is busy with his food, Heather gets dressed and makes both her bed and Leo's. When she arrives back in the main area, Steve is awake and talking to Leo. The tv is on, the episode almost finished.
"Good morning," Heather says, grabbing a glass of milk for herself. Steve pats Leo on the shoulder lightly before getting up and going to Heather.
"I think Leo's scared of me."
"Splinter was a man, although he was a rat. Just give him time, Leo will see you are different." Steve goes to shower and Heather sits next to Leo. The turtle stares at her drink.
"Is that milk?" He asks in awe. Heather nods.
".. Would you like some?" She asks when he continues to stare at it. He nods, smiling. She get up and takes out a small glass from the cupboard. Filling it with the cool white liquid, she hands it to him, "Be careful not to spill." Leo takes a sip and hums.
"I love milk."
"It's good for you too. It'll help your bones grow strong." Leo watches the muted tv.
"Ooh! It's starting!" He squeals. Heather unmutes the screen to the theme song of the new tv show Leo saw. The title comes on the screen from a single point in the distance. "Heather, what does that say?"
"It says Space Heroes," Heather replies. Leo watches the remaining theme song.
"Space Heroes.." he repeats, in a trance. His eyes are glued to the screen. Heather gets up with his empty bowl and glass. "Can I have more milk?" He asks. She nods and refills it. He watches the show as she cleans the dishes and puts them away. Steve comes back into the room.
"What's that?" He asks Leo. Leo looks at him for a second before turning back.
"Space Heroes. That guy," he points to a man on the screen in a yellow shirt, "is Captain Ryan. He's the leader on the spaceship."
"Ah, I see." Steve backtracks to Heather, who is going over what Dr. Cho gave her. "Captain Ryan?" He asks. Heather looks up at him.
"You don't approve, Captain Rogers?" Heather teases, "I checked it out before going to bed. It's like Star Trek. And it's a kids show. Look how much he likes it." The pair look at Leo, who is completely engrossed by it.
"What's that?" Steve asks. Heather shows him the diagnosis. "Hm. How is he?"
"His head is getting better. He can't walk on his own yet but-"
"That isn't what I mean." Heather looks at him and her face falls. She walks away and Steve follows her to her room. She sits on the edge of her bed and lets the tears fall.
"He had a nightmare about being taken back," she starts, "He wasn't allowed to use the bathroom, he had to sleep outside in the sewer, he was subjected to work all day and got punished when he messed up in anyway. He wasn't allowed on furniture. And he was never given the benefit of the doubt. Steve, he's just a boy and he's traumatized by how he used to live."
Steve sits next to her and hugs her to his side. "It's hard, I know. But he has had something good in his life." Heather looks at him, "He has you. I know you won't give up on him and you will give him all the love and care a little boy could ask for. Those bad things are in the past, let's leave them there." Heather nods and wipes her tears. "I'll watch Leo while you shower."
"Okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, I'll be okay." Heather gets up and goes to the bathroom. Steve walks back to Leo, who is watching the tv still.
"What did I miss?" Steve asks, sitting down. Leo looks at him, then turns back to the tv.
"Captain Ryan just blasted through a rock field in space," Leo answers. Steve watches the corny show until it is finished. Leo looks up to say something, but then looks away.
"What is it Leo?" Steve asks. Leo looks at his cup.
"Uh.. I already had two cups. But.."
"You want a third." Leo nods, shamefully. "It's okay. Here, I'll get it for you."
"But I already had two," Leo defends.
"But milk is good for you. If you want, I'll fill it half way." Leo agrees to this. Steve gives him the milk. "You know, I'm a captain."
"Really Mr. Steve?"
"Yes, I'm Captain Rogers. My team keeps the world safe."
"You are a.. protector?" Steve nods. "Wow Mr. Steve! That's cool! Are you like Captain Ryan?"
"Uh.." Leo looks at him with eyes whose bright light could be put out by a soft wind. "Sure, yep. I'm like Captain Ryan. But I stay on Earth. I uh, don't go in Space."
"That's okay. Earth needs protectors too," Leo assures. He drinks his milk, leaving a mustache on his beak on accident. Steve smiles at this. "What?"
"You have a um," Steve tries to explain. Leo has no clue what he's talking about. Steve just shakes it off. "Nevermind, it's fine." The two sit on the couch awkwardly. Finally, Heather gets out of her quick shower and comes back.
"How was the show?"
Leo turns to tell Heather behind him, "It was great! Captain Ryan fought these.. weird alien things and then the guy with him is a good alien, Dr. .. Mindstrom, I think." Heather sees his beak and chuckles. "What?" Steve joins her, unable to contain it. "What? What's so funny? Why are you laughing."
"Here Leo, let me show you." Heather picks him up and carries him to the bathroom. In the mirror, Leo sees a thick white line on his upper beak. "You have a milk mustache bud."
"Wha-" He licks his beak. It tastes like milk. He smiles and laughs at how the stache now looks lopsided. He licks the rest off and Heather sets him in the living room again.
"Let's check that bump of yours," she says gently. Leo cringes but nods when she strokes his arm with her thumb. Heather carefully unwraps his head.
"Did you know Mr. Steve is a captain?"
"Yes Leo. Try not to move," she says as she directs him to look down again.
"... Did you know he's like Captain Ryan?"
"I think he's a better leader than Captain Ryan."
"Really?" Leo asks. Heather moves his head to look down again.
"Yep. Hold still." She inspects the bump and touches a red ring around it.
"Ouch," Leo whines.
"Sorry. Hmm, Leo," Heather asks as she re-wraps his head, "How do you feel?"
"Um, sore? Aand.. a little dizzy."
"Hm. Well, you should probably get some more sleep. And," Heather adds, seeing a whine develop, "when you get up, we'll have lunch and then use Skype to call your brothers. That sound okay?"
"Yeah.. okay!" Leo holds his arms up for Heather to hold him on the way to his room. She does so, making sure he's comfortable. Leo likes it when she carries him. Master Splinter always made him walk and his brothers couldn't carry him like this. When he was being carried, he was close to Heather, and if his head was on her left side, like it is now, he can lean his head on her shoulder and hear her heartbeat.
Heather tucks him in and draws the shades closed so it was darker. "Get some sleep little buddy."
"C-Can you stay with me?" Leo asks, "I want you to protect me from dreams." Heather comes over and sits on the bed.
"Not all dreams are bad Leo. But sure, I'll protect you." Leo scoots over and Heather lays down next to him, on top of the covers. Leo snuggles into her shoulder, listening to her heartbeat like before. "Where to I, where do I, go when I'm afraid?" Heather sings, "Who is there, who is there, listening when I pray? How can I, how can I, cross the stormy sea? My Heavenly Father, is watching over me."
Leo listens to the song as the chorus repeats and then a new one takes its place. He's lulled to sleep and his grip on Heather arm softens. Heather stays there for awhile, falling asleep herself.
Steve looks in through the crack in the door. 'Heather cares for that boy so much,' he says, 'I hope she can manage the burden when he isn't injured.' He sits in his room and opens up his laptop. With the quiet, he's going to do some more searching.
For the record, Steve is still looking for Bucky. I know I had Dr. Cho in this, but in the Marvel storyline, it hasn't gotten to that movie yet. After Winter, before Ultron.
Aw! Who agrees with me that Tot Leo is adorable! And yes, I had to have it where he watches Space Heroes.