Chapter ten:
Leo finds his way out of his room and he steps into what he thinks is the main area. He listens though the place is strangely quiet. He glances around in confusion, despite his blindness, wondering where everyone went. He carefully takes each step forward as he tries to investigate; just hoping that he isn't just going in circles... He lightly curses his blindness, as it'd be faster and easier to find the others with his sight. But he doesn't have that option anymore. He slows to a stop as his sharper hearing locates muffled talking. He can just barely hear it and it is hard to even say for sure that it's talking. He turns to that direction heading that way... Only to smack right into what he thinks is the door, based on that it is metal. He stumbles back a little with a groan and a grumble. He reaches forward searching until he finds the handle to which he opens the door heading outside. He can hear it a little more clearly now and it definitely is some kind of talking. He walks extra carefully this time as he follows the sound. Until he finally gets close enough to hear the chatting.
"That looks great!" Raph mentions making Leo wish that he could see what 'that' is. "I think it'll work just right for its purpose." He sounds quite pleased with himself.
"We could even add some science things to help it out." Donnie offers but Raph snorts at the idea.
"Trust me. They'll be better off without your science touching them."
"What will be better off?" Leo inquires and feels eyes on him, as he stands there wondering what he's missing.
"An idea that should help in the long run." Raph explains coming over to place a hand on Leo's right shoulder. "We've planted some plants, which we can either keep for ourselves or sell to make some money." His idea makes Leo smile as that does sound like a really good idea.
"I like it." Leo tells Raph who makes a proud sound causing the blue banded turtle to smile more.
"I'd be willing to help you guys find a way to sell the crops whenever the two of you are ready." Donnie offers and Raph gives him a thanks.
Leo feels like there's more of a purpose for the two of them to be out here now. He is glad that they can still help even while being all the way out here.
"Well with everything planted I'll head inside." Donnie heads off with Casey following calling for Donnie to wait for him.
Leo listens for anyone else out here though it is quiet.
"The others aren't here. They went for a walk to enjoy some nature before they head back tomorrow." Raph explains causing Leo to turn to his direction.
"Ah." Leo nods in understanding. He should have figured that Raph would have figured out what he was doing.
"Leo." Raph begins only to pause with hesitation.
Leo keeps facing the direction that he believes Raph is in based on his voice. He waits letting Raph have all the time he needs to figure out what to say. He slightly wonders if Raph is glad that Leo can't see his face right now.
"I uh... I may have had more than one reason for being the one here with you. More than I've already said." Raph tells him causing Leo to tilt his head curiously. "Leo I..." He pauses again before cursing under his breath.
"Raph. Go ahead and take your time. If you're not ready to share then you can do so later. We'll have plenty of time for it." Leo points out worrying that Raph might be trying to force what he wants to say. He is curious however he does understand that Raph may not know how to say it yet.
Raph is quiet for a few moments which is long enough to hear a twig break.
Leo turns to that direction as there is a quiet curse from Casey.
"Why are you two spying on us!?" Raph dashes off causing Casey to shout for Donnie to go.
Leo chuckles shaking his head as he hears the three run off a good distance away. He turns to follow the sound of the wind chimes as some light wind goes past. He makes it back and heads inside taking a little to find the couch. He sits down once he finds it. He wonders what other reason he doesn't know yet that Raph has for wanting to be here with him. He tries to tell himself that he will find out at one point, however he still can't stop thinking about it. He wonders if Raph was about to admit romantic feelings for him. He blushes a little and tells himself that he shouldn't get his hopes too high yet. He turns hearing the door open then close. He picks up on the sound of Splinters cane. He guesses Splinter, April and Mikey made it back.
"Hey Leo!" Mikey's cheery voice greets as he leaps onto the couch next to Leo who turns to his direction. "How are you doing?"
"I'm alright. Raph got the great idea for us to actually turn this into a farm by planting some stuff. So that was pretty cool."
"Awesome!" Mikey gasps and Leo can imagine his eyes shining. "That really is a wonderful idea! He'll probably even find a way for you to help him out as well."
Leo chuckles warmly. "I'm pretty sure we'll find some way. By the way did you show Raph where that good basking spot is?"
"Oh! I should do that!" Mikey is heard scrambling off in a hurry and Leo lightly shakes his head.
Leo turns away to just let himself relax for now. He has a feeling that everything is going to be okay. Plus he can put on his hoodie after they leave. He isn't ready to show any of them that stuff though Raph might actually like seeing him in it.
The next day...
"We'll come for visits. Promise." April tells Leo as she gives him a goodbye for now hug.
"I know you all will." Leo lets her leave the hug when she moves back.
"We're just one call or text away if either of you need anything at all." Donnie adds. "Of course we'll also be keeping in touch as well."
"Thanks." Leo nods after turning to the direction of Donnies voice.
Everyone gives their goodbyes for now then the others head off with Raph staying next to Leo.
Though Leo can't see he stays there with Raph until the sounds of the others driving away vanish. He turns heading inside with Raph helping him in.
"Where do you want to go?" Raph inquires and leads Leo to his room after the other tells him where.
"Thanks." Leo mentions and Raph makes a sound of assurance.
"I'll go check on how the plants are doing. I won't be long."
"It's fine. You can take your time." Leo assures him then listens to Raph heading off. He searches his room until he finds the box he wants. He pulls it out and feels his way through unfolding his unicorn hoodie. He smiles to himself before pulling it over his head. He ends up squirming around in it until his head manages to find the hole. He works on getting his arms through each armhole next. He gets one finally through after feeling for the hole. He does the other one then with both through he puts up the hood. He smiles to himself as he feels happy in this sweater. He leaves the room and tries to find his way to the living room. He calls for the sound like Donnie showed him, and follows it to that area. He hopes that he'll get better at navigating this place soon enough. He sits on the couch after bumping into it. He lays on his stomach to relax while he waits for Raph.
Raph will be the first to see him in this out of their family.
There must be some sun shining through the living room window. There is a nice warmth that is shining upon where Leo is lying. It makes Leo more sleepy the longer that he lays there for.
Leo finds himself drifting off into sleep as he enjoys the warmth.
...
Raph comes back inside after checking their new crops. He looks around for Leo and just as he is about to call for him he spots him.
Leo is laying on his stomach on the couch, his head turned to the side, right where a sunbeam is visibly shining through and is passed out. He is wearing a blue unicorn hoodie that is slightly on the darker side in color, the blue fabric horse ears sticking out on either side of a gold plush unicorn horn, there is fabric cut in the shape of a purple flowing mane on the back of the hood, and an image of a purple horse tail on the back of the hoodie.
Raph smiles to himself at the sight. He knows that there's an image of a unicorn standing on two hooves proudly on the front. He takes out his phone snapping a few pictures. He is so saving that for later. He sits to watch Leo for a little longer. He is glad that the other is letting him be able to see this previously unknown liking of his. He feels special being allowed to see Leo enjoy what he originally seemed embarrassed about. He reaches over gently brushing his finger against Leo's cheek lovingly. "I love you." He whispers the words he could have said yesterday to him. He decides that he is going to say it. He won't let himself pussy out of it again. He bonks his forehead against Leo's head in affection then heads off to his room. He picks up Spike. "Okay Spike. I'm going to practice my confession with you." He tells the pet turtle who has no choice in this. "Okay here goes. Leo, the other reason I had for being the one to stay here with you is that I love you. As more than a sibling. I just wanted to tell you that. Whether or not you feel the same. If you don't it doesn't have to be awkward. We'll pretend that this conversation never happened. How was that?"
Spike just stares back at him.
Raph sighs and sits on the floor keeping Spike in his hands. "I wish it was that easy to get the words out. I just want to clam up when I try to tell Leo. Annoying right?" He still just gets stared at by Spike. "Okay okay. I'll do it. Just when he wakes up from his nap. He deserves to be able to rest and relax here." He gives Spike some shell scratches in his favourite spot watching his pet arch into it.