After a long.. few weeks, I've decided to continue to post this story.
Disclaimer: Another author on this website, whom I have mentioned before, owns the original story to this. I own Heather. Marvel owns the Avengers. Nick owns TMNT.
Heather decided Leo would like to try sitting at the table for a change. She brought a pillow over to one of the chairs and had him sit on it. it cushioned Leo and helped him see over the table's edge better. Heather scooted a chair closer to him so she could help him. Steve had been cooking the whole time, Getting teased by Heather that he had to have lessons to do so.
"I can cook, if you want me to," Leo said from his seat, but his protectors would have none of it. When the noodles were finished, Steve sat down in his chair and Heather taught Leo how to fold his hands and bow his head. And then, she served him some spaghetti, showing him how to wrap the noodles around his fork.
Heather and Steve got into a very detailed discussion about something Leo couldn't grasp. It wasn't about him, it was about.. someone else. Possible places, different sightings, it was too much for him to just sit.
"Um," he says, getting their attention, "Who are you looking for?"
"Um.." Heather looks to Steve, who nods, "We are looking for Steve's best friend. He was lost and.. bad people made him do bad things for a long time."
"Why do you need to look for him?"
"Because he's confused Leo," Steve answers, "He doesn't want to be by people, but he needs someone to help him. I want to find him to do that, help."
"Were these people like Master Splinter?" Heather and Steve again share a look.
"Sort of."
"So, the friend is like me?" Leo pieces together, "and if he's like me, I could help-!"
"Whoa whoa, slow down.. I love your enthusiasm. But first you need to heal Leo. That is what I'm the most concerned about. You are here, safe. Bucky needs to be found still. Steve is working on it, but I'm helping you," Heather explains. Leo nods, a little disappointed. He wanted to help because he thought it could be a way to repay them for their hospitality. A way to earn what he was given.
"..Can I see my brothers now?" He asks timidly. Heather looks at him warmly.
"Is your plate empty?" She teases. Leo looks at the final piece of a meatball Heather cut for him. He stabs and swallows it, barely chewing.
"Done!" Leo proclaims, lifting his arms up for her to carry him. Heather chuckles.
"Next time, don't eat it whole, Leonardo," she says as she picks him up. Using his full name was different, but she likes it. It sounds beautiful.
Heather sets him down at the couch, but he insists going to the bedroom. Heather complies and she makes a quick stop to her room for her laptop. Leo sits on the bed, now very happy. Heather sets up the computer and gets onto Skype. She didn't get a name, but she looks up 'Hamato Donnie.' Sure enough, a certain turtle made his Skype account.
She texts, 'Hello?' and they wait.
'Is this Heather?' comes back.
'Yes, Leo's here too,' Heather replies.
'Splinter isn't here right now, we have time.'
'Then pull up the video,' Heather instructs. The screen is taken over by black and then it fades into color to show Donnie's lab. All three turtles are in view.
"Leo!" Mikey yells, happy to see his older brother.
"Mikey! Are you all okay?" Leo replies, looking them over for possible wounds. He doesn't know what Master Splinter would do if he was gone.
"Yeah, we're fine. Yer the one that got hurt," Raph says, smirking a little. He was only teasing, Heather knows. Donnie was mapping Leo's injuries in his mind the second he could see him.
"How are his vitals? Should he even be up? Check his pupils, he may have a-"
"Donnie," Heather says, "calm down. He's safe. And getting better too."
"I miss you guys!" Leo exclaims.
"We miss you too," Raph, of all turtles, says.
"Do you think you think you can come visit us someday?" Mikey bursts from his question. Leo and Heather share a look, before Leo looks down and away, ashamed to the looks of it.
Heather puts an arm around his shoulder, "Leo still needs to heal, but.. maybe someday.. right Leo?"
"I don't want to see Master Splinter." Heather hugs him.
"It's okay buddy. You never have to see him again."
"What are you all doing!?" Leo tenses up as Splinter's voice echoes through the screen.
"Talking to Leo! Leave us alone!" Mikey declares.
"I want to see him," Splinter demands, stomping closer to being in view.
"No!" Raph goes off screen and grunts from effort to hold Splinter back, "Keep away!"
"Leo," Heather says calmly, "Why don't you look at the pictures of your favorite book," she says, handing him the Ugly Duckling, "I'll take care of this."
"Okay."
"Say goodbye to your brothers."
"Bye guys. Talk to you later." Heather gets up and leaves his room right as Splinter takes over the screen. His face curls up in disgust.
"Miss Heather." Heather sees the aftermath of her kick, the bruise pushing through his fur.
"Nice to see your sons are well," she retorts.
"You dare-"
"I don't know the full extent of what you are capable of, so yes, I do."
"..I want to see the brat."
"No. I promised him that he'd never have to see you again. I'm keeping to that."
"He is my-"
"IF YOU SAY SLAVE, I WILL PERSONALLY WALTZ DOWN THERE AND ARREST YOU MYSELF!" Heather threatens. Leo cringes from his room, hearing her outburst. Steve enters his room and sits next to him, calming him down.
"She cares about you.." he murmurs, "It's okay, I'll talk to her."
"That boy is precious. You were treating him like garbage. He can continue to see his brothers via video. Any problems with that?" Splinter looks at her, Heather is unable to read his face at this point. "Trust me when I tell you, you don't want to know what I am capable of."
"... You'll have no problems from me.."
Heather nods curtly, "Good." Splinter's face fills with threatening rage, directed at Heather.
"If I find him-"
"Good day, Splinter-san." Heather hangs up the call and closes the computer, breathing a sigh of relief. Steve comes up to her. "Yes?" she says, turning to see him.
"You scared Leo," Heather's face falls as Steve explains, "He's scared of Splinter, but when you yelled like that, and with your tone afterwards-"
"He's scared of me," Heather says. She walks slowly to Leo's room. He's on the bed, looking at the book. "L-Leo?" She asks. He looks up. Heather takes tentative steps forward, "Did my outburst scare you?" Leo looks behind her, no doubt at Steve.
"Mhm," he replies, nodding a little. Heather slowly sits on his bed.
"You know I would never, ever speak like that to you. Splinter is mean, he's a bully. You are not. You are sweet and precious." Leo looks down. "Do you know what your name means?"
"Names having meaning?" Leo asks. Heather smiles.
"Yes. My name, Heather, means 'a flowering plant.' And and Steve's," Steve steps into the room, "His name means 'crowned one.'" Leo looks at from Steve to Heather.
"What about my name?" He asks.
"Your name, little one, is Leonardo. And it means 'bold lion.' That means you are strong, brave, and protect those around you. You are like a lion."
Leo nods, "I like that meaning."
"And even better, Leo, a wild lion is never a slave to someone else." Heather kisses his forehead and hugs him, "Just like you."
"... I'm not scared of you Heather."
"Can you forgive me for my outburst?"
"Mhm," Leo nods. Heather smiles and lays her cheek on the top of his head.
FYI, Heather has righteous anger at this point. She had it before, which caused her to help Leo. But now it comes out in (not full, so not full) fury.
Who loves Tot!Leo! I love him! He's so adorable.