One: The New Captain
Warning!: Contains mentions of abuse and homophobia. Read at your own risk!
In a house not far from the Ryder home, Leo stood in his kitchen drinking a mug of coffee. It was early, around six in the morning, and he had had yet another nightmare about his fallen brothers. It had been months and he hoped they would never plague his mind again, but it seemed his memories thought otherwise.
He had contemplated calling Judd, but decided against it, unwilling to wake Grace whom had work that day and the woman needed all the rest she could get, especially after dealing with her husband and himself.
Leo could always call his sire, mentor, and best friend; but he knew the Original was quite busy with searching for everything he needed to break his curse that his mother placed on him centuries ago. He couldn't imagine being forced to live with half of yourself locked away. Esther Mikaelson made living with Giuseppe Salvatore's abuse seem like nothing. Not to mention Mikael.
He shuddered at the thought of the life his second family endured back when they were still human.
It had been so long since he had seen his blood brothers, he often wondered how they were doing. He had known they had gotten caught up with a vampire named Katerina Petrova, doppelganger to Tatia Petrova from when the Mikaelson's were human. She was their sire and so he knew they were still alive. But he couldn't bring himself to look for them after he'd left them behind in the 1860s.
Back then, Leo, Damon and Stefan were the best of friends. They helped each other survive the beatings Giuseppe would deliver every time he was drunk. They were all each other had back then.
Leo had gotten the worst of it when Giuseppe discovered his second oldest son's preference in men than women. The last time he suffered his father's wrath, he was on the brink of death and it was the last straw for his brothers.
After weeks of healing, Damon and Stefan begged Leo to escape while he could in fear of losing him by their father's hand. One night, he finally agreed and bid his brothers farewell before the next sunrise.
That was the last time he ever saw his brothers, and not a day went by where he didn't think about them. He often wondered where he'd be if he had stayed, or at least searched for them when they became vampires. He could only hope they hadn't gotten themselves in any trouble and that they were still alive, or undead. Maybe he'd see them again someday.
Later in the morning, Leo walked to Judd's house and let himself in. He found his brother sat in the living room, watching a show he didn't recognize. Judd glanced up at the sound of his approach.
"Hey, little brother. What brings you by?"
Leo shrugged as he took a seat on the sofa. "I figured I'd grace you with my amazing presence, Juddy." He teased with a grin. Then his expression dropped and he sighed. "Nah, I just wondered if you were about ready to go meet with the new Captain." He emphasized, not sure how he felt calling someone else by that title.
Judd dropped his head back into his chair and looked up at the ceiling before looking at him. "I am. I just don't understand why we have to go in for an interview for a job we already have."
Leo shook his head. "I don't know, brother. But if it gets me back to doing what I love at the place I call home, I'll pretty much do anything. I can't keep sitting around doing nothing. It's not exactly in my DNA."
The older man chuckled humorlessly. "I guess so. Let's just hope this Captain hasn't destroyed the place beyond recognition."
"He's from New York, Juddy." Leo pointed out. "Of course he has."
"Not helping, Leo!"
Leo raised his hands in surrender and they stood to head towards the firehouse.
Upon arriving, Leo could hear chatter inside the firehouse and the sounds of people cleaning the truck inside. There were a total of five heartbeats his supernatural senses picked up on, which meant the Paramedic crew was out on a medical call.
Leo and Judd sat in the truck for a moment, each preparing themselves for the inevitable meeting that was sure not to end in their favor. He glanced at his brother who met his gaze and nodded that he was ready.
Judd exited the truck first, followed shortly by Leo. They entered their home away from home with purpose, not sparing any glances to the team bustling about, the Captain's office the only thing in their sights.
Judd entered first as Leo stood outside the door in case he was needed for any reason. He didn't care at the moment if he had to expose himself, Judd came before himself and his job. Even if he knew his brother wouldn't be too happy with him exposing himself to other humans.
As he waited, he could feel the agitation rolling off of Judd in waves and almost pitied the man sat in the same room as him. Judd had a temper that could rival the Mikaelson's. Only he doubted Judd would go as far as murdering someone. A good ole country beat down, however...
He could hear the shouts inside, though the Captain remained calm. That was a feat in itself that gained an ounce of respect from Leo. Not that he would admit that to anyone.
Not long after, Judd stormed out of the office and past his brother, who followed him, not caring about his own meeting. He should have interfered the first time a voice was raised, but he didn't want his brother thinking he thought he was weak.
Without a word, they hopped back into the truck and headed back to Judd's house.
Come nightfall, Leo was at home getting ready to head to the honky tonk bar they considered their spot. Though he would now be a third wheel, considering he didn't have a significant other. But that wouldn't stop him from dancing with anyone he found attractive.
He took his own car to the bar. He drove a Charcoal Gray '70 Dodge Charger, similar to the one Dom Toretto drove in The Fast and The Fur. It was his baby and had had it since it was first built. He kept it well maintained and it still looked like it did all those decades ago.
When he arrived, he parked beside Judd's truck and met the couple by the entrance, greeting his sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, Gracie. How has your day been?"
"Been just fine, Leo. Heard you missed your meeting with the Captain." She gave him a pointed look. "Want to tell me why."
He shrugged with a small smile. "Judd's more important than any meeting. He needed me, I was there."
Grace smiled fondly at him and hugged him tightly. "You're such a good man, Leo. But you better hope you can still return, mister."
Leo gave her a cheeky grin. "Eh, they'd be lost without us. We're a team, right Juddy?" He asked his brother who patiently waited for them.
Judd nodded. "Right you are, baby brother. Now let's go inside and get us a good seat." He offered his arm to his wife and led her inside, the smell of booze and different colognes and perfumes hitting them. Leo did his best to block out the scents; some of them were rather strong and it had been a while since they've been to the little establishment.
He looked around and was about to head to a table in the back, only to stop when he noticed Judd frozen in place. Leo followed his eyeliner and spotted the Captain and who he guessed were the new crew near the bar.
Judd turned to them. "Come on, let's just go." He tried to walk away, but Leo quickly pulled him back.
He put his hands on his shoulders and looked him sternly in the eyes. "No, brother, forget about them. We aren't here for them, we're here for us. To have a good time, ya hear me?" Judd nodded. "Good. Let's go sit and get us some drinks.
He led them to the table he had scoped out and took a seat. He felt eyes on him and turned his head, meeting the brown eyes of Carlos Reyes. They shared a smile, but Leo quickly turned away after. He'd revisit that situation another time. After all, their last encounter was... indescribable, to say the least.
A bit later, Grace had dragged the two men to the dancefloor and they enjoyed doing the line dance. If his sire could see him now, he would surely be laughing at him, but he knew if given the chance, he'd be able to persuade his best friend in joining him.
The night hadn't started exactly as they imagined, but it ended better than expected.
Leo sat inside the Captain's office for the first time in months. Everything was different. It was more open, and the man sat before him was not the Captain whom had treated him as a son. That didn't treat him as if he was any different from the men he watched grow up.
No, the man before him was Captain Owen Strand. Lone survivor of the 9/11 attacks. The man had a welcoming smile on his face as he leaned forward in his chair. "Welcome, Mr Mikaelson. I'm glad you decided to finally meet with me."
Leo nodded, his expression remaining emotionless. "Well, I would have met with you sooner. However, a family member needed me at the particular time." He leaned back, keeping his blue eyes locked with the Captain's. "Family is important to me, Captain Strand. I'm sure you could understand that."
Owen gave him a knowing look, his smile widening. "I do understand the importance of family. It's something we both possess." He mimicked Leo's posture. "So, onto your return to the 126..."
First official chapter down. How was it?
Thoughts on Leo so far?
Would you like Nik/Klaus to make an appearance soon?
Should Leo seek out his brothers, Damon and Stefan?
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Until Next Time,
Jess
