Chapter eight:

All of them are gathered in the living room as Donnie has gotten everything installed.

"Okay Leo and Raph these are the buttons for the wind chimes outside." Donnie puts the object into Leo's hand.

Leo gently explored it being careful to not push the button. He can feel that it is a pretty simple device with a rectangle, with rounded corners, and an easy to find big button in the middle.

"You guys can use this when outside. Like if Leo goes for a walk then the sound will help lead the way back. I added a little something to Leo's though. Leo if you are still having trouble getting back then just hold the button for ten extra seconds. It will send an alert to Raph where the small light will light up. Then Leo's location will be sent directly to Raphs phone. This is just a just in case thing. As I do have faith that Leo here can find his way back by following the sound. Plus if something were to happen and he can't get back it'll be great." Donnie pauses and clears his throat as he realizes that he's rambling. "Anyways. That's what they do. I've already gotten Leo to do a little practice with the sound. So he knows what it sounds like." He heads away probably to grab something else.

Leo finds the lanyard the button is attached to. He puts it around his neck. He will only take it to use it if he is outside though for now it can sit there.

Donnies footsteps coming a few steps closer make it sound like he got the next thing. "Okay. So this is a remote that Raph will hold onto just in case. I'll help you learn how to use it. Other than that I have set things up so Leo just has to call for the specific spot to sound. An example." He sounds like he might have turned as he uses light footsteps from what Leo hears. "Kitchen, sound!" He calls and there is a bell sound which Leo catches the direction it's coming from. "Like that. Each of the rooms don't sound the same. So it won't get confusing for Leo." He must be looking at Leo who can feel his gaze. "You'll easily learn each sound. I used different sounds as a just in case. Like just in case something makes two sound at once. Then you can still know where to go."

Leo nods in understanding to this.

"Anything else you made to help?" Raph inquires to Donnie with a slight tease in his tone.

"I'm glad you asked. In fact I made one more thing." Donnie mentions with a perked up tone probably slightly making Raph regret asking. "The last thing that should help is something more for Leo than a shared thing." He walks closer to Leo as he can be heard moving over. "Leo. Here." He puts something in Leo's hand when he offers it out. "This is a specially designed blind walking stick. I upgraded it a little so it's a bit different. It still functions like the walking sticks for blind humans. Just with a little extra added. It will let out a small alarm if it detects a fall ahead. So you'll know to stop so you don't fall off of a ledge. I also added some textured stickers on it. So you can explore those while you're holding it. They are special themed too. I included everything that you like."

Leo runs a hand along its surface feeling the stickers, where he is quickly able to pick out any Space Heroes ones. "It's wonderful Donnie! Thanks!" He confirms and Donnie makes a noise clearly happy that he likes it.

"And now I'm done." Donnie adds making Leo wonder if he got a questioning look from Raph.

"Good! I'll check on dinner! It should almost be done!" Mikey hurries off after that and can be heard in the kitchen.

Donnie and Raph start a small chat about the remote that Raph got earlier.

Splinter can be heard, his cane giving him away, approaching Leo who turns in his direction.

Leo's hand still running up and down the walking cane he was given feeling the stickers.

Splinter gives a soft warm chuckle which gets Leo to blink at where he thinks he is. "That part was a really good idea on Donatellos part it seems." He settles next to where Leo is currently. "Are things holding up well with you?" He questions making sure that this is a conversation only heard by the two of them.

Leo's first response is to say that he is. He does give it a little thought on if he really is okay. He doesn't want to say something and Splinter see right through him. He's gotten away with lies before but it's a fifty fifty chance it'll work on Splinter. He decides on his answer after the briefest moment. "Yeah. Just getting used to some of the changes." His words get a nod from Splinter.

"You take all the time you need. It is a big change so there is plenty to get used to. No one is or will judge you on your getting used to everything. We're here to help you because we're your family and we care about you. Remember that we are here to help you as we want to help you. Not because we have to."

Leo does feel a little more relaxed at hearing this. "Thank you sensei." He can almost swear that he can imagine a smile on Splinters face.

"It is no problem Leonardo." Splinter can be heard heading away after that.

"Hey Leo!" Mikey hops close getting Leo to turn in his general direction. "Wanna go for a walk together?"

"Sure." Leo agrees letting Mikey take his hand and they head outside together. He can tell as a wave of fresh air hits him. He quietly inhales the air silently admitting that it is great. He follows Mikey as they walk along together. He lets himself feel the grass beneath his feet as they walk along. He finds that yeah he can used to this more than he originally thought. He pauses when he feels something land on his nose.

It's little feet lightly tickling the turtles nose.

Mikey giggles at this. "Aw. I think that butterfly likes you." His camera can be heard clicking as he takes a picture of it. "So cute! I am so going to show the others!"

Leo wants to retort that he isn't cute. He can't even cast Mikey a look to say he isn't cute. He tries to remain still instead not wanting to scare the butterfly away just yet. He isn't even sure if Mikey is texting the picture to the others or watching the butterfly. He resigns himself to just letting it slide that Mikey called him cute. He ends up sneezing from the butterfly which makes it fly off of his nose. He tries to listen for any sign of it but it's too quiet to hear. He hears Mikey giggle a little and decides to leave it. He shifts his foot to really feel the grass beneath him. He imagines himself having a nice meditation on this grass. He bets that it would feel really nice. His body senses the slight increase in heat which must mean the sun is out.

"We could ditch the walk and bask in the sun for a bit." Mikey offers. "This spot is really nice for it."

Leo wonders how far they've gotten away from the farmhouse. He hadn't actually paid attention. He finds the area is quiet with no sounds of the others. He decides to not ponder too hard on it. He knows Mikey will help him find his way back this time. "Sure." He agrees to that and Mikey leads him to find the perfect spot. He lays down hearing Mikey lay down next to him. He closes his eyes silently admiring that the sun does feel nice. He smiles softly at the memories of them all basking in the sun together.

Turtle genes really kicking in to help them enjoy doing so.

Mikey churrs softly in happiness bringing Leo to the present again.

Leo finds himself smiling a little more at this. He might have to see if Mikey can tell Raph where this spot is, so the two of them can visit this spot again even when the others aren't here. He could almost swear that the grass feels soft beneath him, and the warmth from the sun makes it even more perfect. He churrs softly as well as he lets any tension fall out of his body. He could swear that he could just sleep in the sun here. He almost thinks he might be starting to doze off when Mikey's voice gets his attention.

"I almost forgot how great basking is out here. Man you and Raph are so lucky. You get to do this whenever you want from now on."

Leo knows that Mikey is right.

They can't properly bask in the sun in the city, especially since it relaxes them to the point that an enemy could really get a jump on them, so Donnie made a whole room to simulate it with a giant light and all.

"Well you two could always visit." Leo points out and Mikey lazily chuckles.

"Yeah! Next time we visit at least you and me are coming back here!" Mikey chirps happily making Leo chuckle. "If the others want to join they can but at least you and me are sun basking again."

"Then it's a deal." Leo agrees to that truly having a great time.

In the farmhouse...

"Hey Raph?" Donnie speaks up causing Raph to turn to him, after they had just finished making sure Raph knew how to operate everything new. "I know it was yours and Leo's idea but I really need to ask."

Raph has a feeling that he knows what this is about.

"Are you really sure that you'll be okay out here? With just Leo? I know about you going out to stop extra crime, with Casey joining you. You'd be giving that up. I just want to be sure that you're really okay with just being out here. If not then me and Mikey could stay with Leo instead. It's alright. I also know you and Leo have arguments the most out of all of us." Donnie is starting to ramble.

"Donnie." Raph interrupts already knowing his answer. Him speaking does cause the genius to stop his worried rambling.

Donnie watches Raphs face as he stays quiet to let Raph answer.