Title: Found Family
Day: Whumptober 2023, Day 20
Prompt: "People don't change people, time does," Blanket/Found Family/ "You will regret touching them"
Fandom: TMNT 2003
Word Count: 1868
Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl
Rating: T
Characters: Leatherhead, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter
Warning: NA
Summary: Leatherhead has long thought of the turtles as family, but hasn't dared to cross that line with them. However, when he comes across the family in the midst of an ambush in the sewers, injured, with no way out, Leatherhead takes matters into his own hands to save the family he found.
Notes:

Found Family

"People don't change people, time does," Leatherhead had once heard. He wasn't entirely sure that he agreed with it. There was some merit to the statement. People did need to take time to change. But that change was unlikely to come about if there weren't people involved. Leatherhead felt that he, himself, was proof of that. If it weren't for the Utroms, then he likely would have been at least something of a mindless beast instead of the scientist he was today. If it weren't for the kindness of the turtles and their father, then he likely would have let his anger consume him, or allowed his life to be taken long ago, instead of having the deep friendships and life that he cherished at the moment.

Deep friendships that were very, very important to him. And what was important to him, Leatherhead did not like to see hurt, broken or injured.

And yet, they were hurt.

Leatherhead could see it. They were hurt. Leatherhead had been making his way to the turtle's home, eager to exchange some scientific notes and theories with Donatello. He enjoyed these conversations that he had with his friend, and he knew that the gentle turtle did as well. He was a brilliant mind, and Leatherhead was often astounded by what he was capable of.

At the moment, that gentle soul and brilliant mind was cradled in the arms of his brothers, unconscious. Leatherhead could see the blood from the bleeding head wound coating the side of his head, could see the long gash on his leg that looked deep, could see the clear marks of an explosion on his plastron and side, and the way that his breathing hitched.

Raphael and Michelangelo had him pulled to them. Raphael's teeth were barred, and he had one sai in his grip. His anger, something that he and Leatherhead shared, showed through. Raphael and Leatherhead had often had deep conversations about what it was like to live with anger burning in you. The younger turtle offered Leatherhead a unique perspective, and he liked to think that, likewise, Leatherhead had offered some insights for the passionate turtle.

That passion and protectiveness shone through now. He had one arm around Donatello, clearly protective of him. He also, though, had a dazed look about him, and, as the turtle turned his head, Leatherhead could see a sizable lump forming. He, too, was bleeding, although it seemed to be from smaller cuts mostly, aside from gash on his upper arm. However, injured he was, though, he was not backing down.

Michelangelo was on the other side of Donatello, looking serious and grim. It wasn't an expression that Leatherhead often saw on the jovial turtle. Michelangelo was typically upbeat and positive. He joked around and sometimes didn't pay attention to what he was doing, but Leatherhead appreciated him, nonetheless. The active turtle had an astounding capacity to forgive, as Leatherhead knew firsthand. Even after attacking him, nearly killing him, Michelangelo had instantly forgiven Leatherhead, more worried for him than for himself.

Now Michelangelo was clearly more worried for his family. He shifted, giving more of Donatello's weight to Raphael so he could have both nunchucks at the ready. His breathing was also not quite right, and there were a few small cuts that decorated him. Leatherhead noticed that as he moved, shifting the weight on his ankles, he winced. Leatherhead knew that Michelangelo's ankles were a weak point, after having injured them before. It looked as if at least one of them might be injured now, although he was clearly not about to let it stop him.

Leonardo and Splinter were standing in front of the other three, weapons raised. The look on Leonardo's face was focused, protective. Leatherhead had seen that look on Leonardo's face before, although to a lesser degree. Leonardo had always been protective of his family, and his love for them had always shown through in his determination to protect and care for his family. He and Leatherhead had talked about how important family was to the both of them.

That determination was on full display. Leonardo's swords were held at the ready, his hands and arms steady, even as he breathed heavily. Numerous cuts littered his skin, and he was clearly favoring one knee, but the determination was still strong. He clearly wasn't about to surrender or give up, not with his family at stake.

Splinter, likewise, had a very determined and serious stance. Leatherhead knew that the older rat was a wise individual, and a skilled master. He had watched the rat train his sons and had talked at length with him. Splinter had helped him a great deal when it came to controlling his anger and had imparted much wisdom into Leatherhead's life. He had spoke often of the control that strove to have in his life, something he helped Leatherhead with.

Leatherhead could see that control now. Splinter was armed with a sword, something that Leatherhead had not seen before. However, it was clear that he was well skilled in it, standing just slightly in front of Leonardo, his eyes sharp and his tail lashing. He seemed to have the least wounds on him, but Leatherhead could still see blood matting his fur in places.

All of them were hurt. All of them were hurt badly, and Leatherhead could clearly see the culprits. Foot Ninja. Foot Ninja had clearly ambushed and trapped them in the sewers. Leatherhead didn't know if the Foot Ninja had found the turtle's new home, or if it was just an unlucky encounter in the sewers, but either way, it was clear that the family was in danger.

Leatherhead could not allow that.

Sinking into the sewer water around him, he silently glided further towards the group of Foot Soldiers, letting instincts drive him forward even as the fight continued. He approached the back of the group, only his eyes above the water. The family wasn't likely to survive much more of this, not at this rate, and Leatherhead reached out, pulling two Foot Ninja under the water.

It happened so quickly that the other Foot Ninja didn't register it at first, that much was clear, and so Leatherhead took advantage of that, grabbing and pulling two more of them under as soon as he had taken care of the first two.

At that point the rest of the Foot Ninja were onto him, and at least some of them turned to aim their weapons in the water. Leatherhead had the advantage in the water, though, and he moved, quickly, silently, and pulled yet another under.

He could sense the fear that grabbed onto the Foot, especially as the five bodies floated to the top. With a roar, he burst out of the water, swinging his arms and tail about, knocking Foot Ninja into the walls and biting through weapons that they tried to use against him. He made his way in front of the injured family, roaring again as he turned to face the Foot Ninja, taking the attacks for them.

"You will regret touching them!" he roared out and fell upon the Foot Ninja as his more animalistic side broke through. It was only a matter of minutes before the Foot Ninja were in retreat or dead. Leatherhead growled and then let out another roar, letting it echo after the prey had had let get away.

Once he was sure they were gone, he reigned himself back in, and turned to look at the family, who had closed ranks around Donatello.

"My friends—let me help you," he said.

"Donnie's hurt," Raph said, his words slurring slightly. "He needs help." Raphael wobbled a little, and Leonardo reached out to steady him.

"Of course," Leatherhead said. "If you will permit me, I can carry him. We will go back to my home. I have supplies there, and I do not know if your home is compromised or not."

"We would be most grateful," Splinter said, leaning on the sword he had. Michelangelo was fishing around in the water, and handed Splinter back his walking stick, which Splinter took with a grateful nod, leaning heavily on it.

"Come, my friends." Leatherhead said, gently scooping Donatello up into his arms. "Before more show up." He glanced at the others. "I am strong enough to carry more of you, if needed."

Michelangelo was already picking up Donatello's bo staff and using it to lean on. Leonardo was already coaxing Raphael to lean on him, and he shook his head. "No, we'll be fine. Let's just get out of here."

"As you wish," Leatherhead said, and started walking.

He led the way, carefully cradling the unconscious Donatello in his arms, while the rest leaned on each other and followed behind him. It, fortunately, was a short journey to his home, and in short order Leatherhead had all of the family sitting or laying down as he or they tended to their wounds. It took a bit of time, but eventually everyone was bandaged or treated and resting comfortably.

Donatello had woken up at one point and was now settled in the middle of his brothers, sitting on some cushions on the floor. Raphael sleepily leaned on him, and Michelangelo was on the couch behind them, his ankles propped up. Leonardo had opted for the floor as well, sitting on the other side of Donatello, his knee raised. Splinter had been settled onto the open end of the couch looking over his sons with obvious relief.

Leatherhead retrieved blankets for them, carefully covering each of the turtles, although he noted how, even though he had enough, they ended up sharing anyway. He smiled at them, sensing this was a family moment, and stepped away, only to be stopped at Michelangelo's call.

"Where are you going, big guy?" he asked.

"I had assumed that your family would want a moment together," he said. "I did not wish to intrude."

Michelangelo snorted. "Intrude? Dude, you are family."

Leatherhead blinked at him. "Excuse me?"

"LH, you're family," Donatello said, looking up at him. "You always have been."

"Sit down," Raphael said. "You belong here."

"They're right," Leo said firmly. "You are family."

"Leatherhead," Splinter said. "Tonight, you have saved us and protected us, fought for us in a manner that clearly shows you think of us as family. You have proven to us time and time again that you are family. Tonight was merely another show of it. Come and rest with us—you are family, Leatherhead."

Leatherhead stared at them for a moment, feeling his heart swell. Family? They thought of him as family? He smiled, and made his way over to them, sitting on the floor next to the pile and curling his tail around them.

"Family," he said, and let out a contented sigh.

He could feel the others settling around him, including him in their pile, and he smiled. Leatherhead had thought of himself as a monster once, had often thought that he had lost his family when the Utroms left. But now? Now he knew that he had family once again, and he was glad that he had found it.