Chapter seven:
Leo is laying in his nest looking away from his eggs to think about his mate. The underside of his chin resting on the bottom of the nest. He misses the other as it certainly has been much too long. He wants to feel his dearest mates arms wrapped around him in embrace. He reminds himself that it'll be soon that it will happen again finally. His attention is brought away from his thoughts at the sound of a crack. He lifts his head turning to his eggs. He takes notice of a crack having appeared on the egg that is the biggest out of the three. He shifts part of his torso up off the bottom of the nest. He sees the egg wiggle then crack open even further. His heart races in joyous excitement.
The eggs are hatching!
Nile is out dealing with the rest of the group right now. He has his duties after all.
And Usagi has been kept busy with patrols, hunting, and other work to keep him away from Leo.
"You can do it." Leo whispers to his eggs as the other two start to shift.
The one to first crack suddenly has legs that kick out of the bottom. It now has little feet and legs sticking out of it like stick legs. It's cracking gets worse as it shifts a lot. It seems that the baby is trying to burst out. It shatters open as the baby stretches out it's arms and head a little. This one is a boy, Leo can tell as he is a turtle. He blinks as he opens his eyes for the first time. He has dark skin like Raph though blue eyes like Leo. His body is slightly large and strong looking.
The next one to start cracking is the second largest soon followed by the smallest one.
Leo gently picks up the first baby to hatch laying said baby by his torso. He looks to watch the other two hatch. He doesn't want to shift the eggs in case that'll disturb the babies inside. He can feel the first one start to hatch as it wiggles against him. He smiles at the baby who makes soft sounds while being too new to even crawl. He watches as the second biggest egg gets arms that push out, before disappearing back inside. He chuckles warmly as that one knocks more holes into its egg the same way.
The shell falls apart except for a bit on the baby's head.
Leo gently removes the remaining shell to get a good look at the second born.
This one is another male. He has lighter skin that looks like Leo's shade of green. His eyes are mismatched with the left being Leo's blue and the right is Raphs green. He blinks at Leo as if his eyes are adjusting to the light and the world.
Leo picks up the second little male putting him by the first. He does notice that the second one is smaller than the first one. He still loves them both regardless. He looks to the final egg. He sees the cracks continue to form all over the egg. Though he doesn't see any limbs crack out of the egg. He starts to get a little worried something is going wrong with it.
It is the smallest so maybe it didn't develop properly.
Leo watchers for a tense moment when the cracking stops. He really hopes that it is okay. He leans closer to it being careful of his other two children. "Come on. You can do it little one." He encourages and a moment later the top of the egg pops off. He sees two small hands poking out then duck back in.
The egg tips over with the bottom smashing upon impact due to the cracks.
The very clearly littlest of the three is laying on what remains of part of the shell. A high pitched cry comes from the child who cries wiggling their arms out.
Leo carefully reaches into the egg pulling the third closer. He holds this one in his one arm gently and lovingly. He can see that this one is a beautiful little girl.
She may be smaller than her brothers though Leo doesn't care. She has Leo's shade of green skin and Raphs green eyes.
Leo gently shushes her keeping her held close. "It's alright little one." He shushes gently adding a loving nuzzle. "I'm here." He nuzzles her again to which she settles down and looks to him blinking her tearful eyes. He gives her a smile which seems to help as she smiles too before wiggling around a little. "See? Everything's okay." He assures her as she lets out a few baby sounds. He gently places her down by her siblings. He is relieved that all the babies had made it just fine.
The biggest of the three checks out his sister curiously.
The middle sized child huffs before turning away. His action makes Leo chuckle warmly.
Leo lowers his face down to be at the same level as the middle child.
The middle child tries to arch slightly to look more intimidating. He reaches out as if trying to bat Leo away. His little limbs not strong enough to really do much.
Leo giggles finding it rather cute. "Come on now. You're not angry at mommy are you?" He teases gently to which the child's eyes soften. He feels the small hand be placed on his nose. He swears that the cutest coo comes from the child. He can't help grinning at this. "I knew it. I knew you weren't mad at me." He responds warmly to the child. He pauses hearing the front door open then close. He raises his head away from his children. His eyes locked onto the doorway leading into the room. He tenses ready to tackle whoever it is if he has.
Footsteps almost seem to be loud in the hallway this time. They're heading straight towards the bedroom door. They are at a walking pace clearly not really in a rush.
Leo slightly shifts upwards so he's in the perfect position to pounce. He won't let anything to happen to his precious children. He is about to pounce as the other steps into the room. He pauses when his mind processes just who is at his door.
Nile stares at him with a serious look on his face. He stays in the doorway for a few moments waiting to see what Leo will do, probably out of curiosity.
Leo lets himself relax a little and sinks back down into his nest. He watches as Nile approaches the nest looking into it. He turns to look to his children hearing their small sounds as if pleading for him. He leans down nuzzling each of them to try to calm them down. He can see they're also squirming as if wanting to be close to him like before. He uses a hand to gently help them with that to which they finally settle. He glances to Nile seeing the other looking at the three thoughtfully. His heart sinks as he realizes something.
There's no hint of rabbit in any of these babies. Expected since Usagi isn't the father... However Nile doesn't know that.
Leo hopes that Nile won't catch on that Usagi isn't the father. He's sure that the other will demand for him to share who it is. He knows the other would want to know the real father to figure out who put eggs in him.
"Interspecies relations can produce some strange results." Nile mentions slightly surprising Leo at hearing this. "I mean I haven't seen it much. It is possible though mutants tend to go with those of their species. With exceptions obviously." He puts a hand on his chin looking thoughtful. "I don't think that this is really explored. So perhaps there is a really good explanation as to why none look like Usagi."
"I couldn't tell you. I don't control what comes out of the eggs." Leo tells Nile who huffs in response. He starts to worry he might have said the wrong thing.
Nile smiles Leos thoughts off even lowering his hand from his chin. "You are right Leonardo. You cannot control what comes from the eggs. But I just want to make sure." His face turns to that of a serious one. "You didn't go out with anyone else, or had any strange encounters like passing out, when with or around someone else?" His gaze almost feels like it's boring into Leo. His hardened gaze demanding Leo's answer.
Leo feels the urge to be slightly honest with Nile. He holds it back knowing he's only feeling this way because of the look.
The look Nile gives him to get him to tell the truth when he thinks Leo might be lying. He's done it to Leo growing up and still does it sometimes even years after he was a child.
Leo searches his mind for something to say to Nile. He has to hurry up or else Nile will pick up on that something is up. "I didn't pass out around anyone or anything like that. I don't remember anything happening or anything seeming strange. Just suddenly finding out about the eggs."
Nile stares at Leo like this for a little longer making the turtle want to cower back.
Leo stays in place for the sake of his three children. He desperately holds onto the part of his self wanting to give in to Nile. He has to keep himself from falling for Niles old trick. He technically didn't lie to the other. He hasn't had any weird encounters with others or was knocked unconscious around someone. He can also hold onto that to help keep himself from spilling the truth.
Nile finally turns away. "Well alright then." He agrees turning back to the kids. He misses Leo letting out a soundless sigh of relief. He leans slightly close though still keeps a slight distance to not stress Leo out. "They all look pretty healthy. I knew that big one would become a strong one. Look at him. Bigger than his siblings." He chuckles softly. "He'll make an especially fine warrior." He pulls back giving a smile to Leo. "You take care of them. They are your duty now. Though you already knew that." He sees Leo nod which does seem to please him. "Good. Do they have names yet?" He inquires to which Leo shakes his head.
"No not yet." Leo lets Nile know since he was going to figure that out with Raph. He had them wait until the eggs hatched for that to know the genders, or gender depending on how many babies they had. He just keeps quiet about that part. "They just hatched. I've been waiting for this time before deciding on any names. I'll think of some."
"Alright. I'll let you figure that out. I have some other things to attend to. I'll leave you to handle them." Nile gathers what remains of the eggs then leaves.
Leo can't help a small almost silent sigh of relief when Nile is gone. He turns to look to his three children who seem to be settling down potentially for a nap. He knows that young kids tend to nap a lot so he's not surprised. "Rest well. Everything will be alright." He promises to them quietly as they fall asleep. He smiles as the male who is smaller than his brother, though bigger than their sister, is slightly sprawled on his bigger brother. He also sees the only girl curdled up a little by her brothers. He turns away letting them sleep for now. He hopes that Usagi doesn't catch wind that they've hatched. He has no doubts that Usagi will demand to see them. He isn't sure if he really wants to let him after what happened when they were eggs.
Almost as if on cue there is shouting just outside the home.
"No!" Nile shouts at someone as Leo tries to listen in. "Give me one fucking good reason why I should trust you after what happened last time?!" He's so loud that Leo starts to worry he'll wake the three turtle babies.
There is a pleading voice though Leo can't make out what this mutant could be saying.
Leo has a pretty good feeling about who it is.
Nile loudly snarls making even Leo slightly lean back at the anger in it. "You'd better remember your place!" He says something in a softer volume before the front door opens. He can be heard heading to where Leo is. He enters locking eyes with Leo. "Usagi wants to see them. I'm not sure if he should after what he did. Though I suppose it is your choice. If you're not sure then he's staying away." His volume now turned down to a softer one.
Leo isn't sure if it's to not wake or startle the babies or to not raise his voice at Leo himself. He pushes that away as he thinks it over. If he did let Usagi see them then the other might be hurt even further when he leaves.
Usagi probably also wants to see if he can tell who the real father is.
Leo supposes that at least he could give Usagi a last chance to see him. Before he leaves of course. He really does appreciate that despite what's happened Usagi kept his secret. "You can let him in. If he tries anything I'll stop him."
"I'll be in the room." Nile tells Leo. "I told you that your duty is those babies now. You focus on them and let your group members help protect them." He commands to which Leo just nods as he knows Usagi will behave with him there.
Leo wants their last few times of meeting to be pleasant. Plus he is well aware that there is no arguing with Nile on decisions. So he won't even try such a pointless thing.
Nile heads out and a few moments later he returns with Usagi.
Usagi hurries over crouching by Leos nest. He looks to Leo before his eyes fall to the three turtles sleeping against Leos side. He blinks as his face slightly brightens. "Aww! Leo they're so cute!" He mentions looking over each one, without touching them, as if memorizing them.
Out of the corner of Leo's eye he can see Nile standing in a corner by the door.
Nile is watching them, mainly Usagi, with an intense stare. Clearly ready for something to go wrong.
Leo looks to Usagi who smiles to him and he is glad that Nile can't read lips; as Usagi mouths that he wishes he was the father.
"They just look like little turtles." Usagi mentions on the softer side to which Leo nods.
"That's just how they came out of the eggs." Leo mentions seeing no reason to lower his voice for that. He can see in Usagis gaze that the other wants to ask if the real father is a turtle.
Usagi however hesitates either due to Niles intense stare, or perhaps because he had promised Leo he wouldn't pry about the real father. He holds back the question and looks back to the three. "When will you allow me to touch them?" He inquires slightly wincing at a warning growl from Nile.
"Not yet. They're so new out of the eggs." Leo tells Usagi slightly glancing away. "I haven't even named them yet. I'd want to feel more comfortable before I let someone else hold them."
"Be brave Leo. None of us will hurt them. You know that. Plus you'll be right here with them." Usagi points out to which Leo can see Nile stalk towards him. "Just a thought that's all. Something to think about." He tenses clearly sensing Nile looming over him now.
Leo looks to Nile who looks angry.
"Don't you dare try to make your stupid mistake again." Nile growls in warning to Usagi. "He will let others know when he's comfortable letting others hold the babies. Not any sooner. These children are the only chance this group has of getting offspring from Leo. I don't care if you're the father. You know how things are done. Mothers, well those that give birth to the child or children, have a stronger say than any fathers." He leaves out that once the children begin training then Nile gains more say than the mother.
Not like it needs to be said as three all know it.
"I'm just trying to encourage him. I'm not going to make him let me hold them." Usagi tells Nile keeping his head down. He's not one to challenge Nile. So instead he just hopes explaining himself will help. "At some point he's going to have to let others hold them. I just want to help him feel more comfortable with it."
"They just hatched. There will be time for Leo to get more comfortable." Nile tells Usagi who nods softly, as the other shows his teeth in warning. "I think that this is enough for today." He slightly roughly nudges Usagi towards the door to leave.
Usagi looks like he wants to protest before swallowing his words. He gets up giving a glance to Leo. "I'll see you later."
"Only if I'm in the room. You have to regain trust after what you did when they were eggs." Nile reminds Usagi before pushing him towards the door. He seems close to just grabbing the other to toss him out.
Usagi does pick up on this and he leaves walking out himself.
Nile goes to make sure that Usagi does leave. He returns after the rabbit mutant has left. "Don't let him make you feel rushed. They're your children and so you decide when you're ready." He seems satisfied when Leo nods to show he understands. "I've got to go back and make sure things continue to be taken care of. I'll let you be to take care of them." He leaves with that.
Leo decides that he'll stay tonight to make sure that the notes he'll leave will be good. He wants to make sure that they'll understand his departure. If he doesn't leave notes then he worries they'll search for him believing he's been kidnapped. He doesn't want to start potential war between the two groups, especially if Nile thinks that he was kidnapped or forced to go.
That night...
Raph is waiting at the meeting spot. He isn't really sure if it'll be tonight that Leo comes or not. He will keep to his word and he will keep coming back here to wait for Leo. He leans back looking to the night sky. He can't help wondering how many eggs Leo ended up having. He feels his heart almost burst with excitement.
Any day, well night, now their children will be introduced.
Raph pushes those thoughts away for now. He needs to be patient and thinking about it too much will likely make him impatient. He reminds himself that it is only the first night of waiting to see if Leo will come. He waits awhile in the peaceful night until it comes time for him to leave. He gets up knowing that Leo won't be coming tonight. So he heads back home. He gets back to find Donnie is up who turns to him.
"Couldn't sleep so you went out?" Donnie inquires to which Raph nods his head. "You were doing that for awhile then you stopped. Now it's started again. Are you sure everything's okay? Where do you even go?"
Raph understand the other is just concerned though he does find some irritation at the prying. "I'm fine. Nothings bothering me. I swear. And I just go wherever I want." He can explain to Donnie later.
When Leo is with Raph it will make everything clear.
Donnie heads over and looks Raph over to make sure before stepping away. "Well physically you do seem okay."
"I told you I'm fine. I mean you and Mikey get nights where you guys stay up late. For your own reasons. So it's likely just something in the family." Raph points out to which Donnie nods.
"You have a point there. Well you just say something if anything changes."
"I will. I'm gonna try to sleep now. And I'd suggest that you try to do the same. It is late."
"Okay. I'll try. Good night."
"Good night Donnie." Raph goes to his room just glad that he was able to get Donnie off his back. He just needs that to stick for a little longer then he won't have to hide it anymore.
The next night...
Usagi dropped by to check on Leo and the children during the day, he did his best to not mind Nile watching from the corner of the room.
Leo made sure to feed the babies before bed to help keep hunger at bay. He can't nurse since he's a turtle, so he tucked a bag of mushy food securely into his sash around his waist. He brings a blanket just in case they get cold. He holds his sleeping children who are happy to be close to their mother. He stops at Niles room first. He leaves the first note for Nile. He had put in the note that Usagi isn't the father, and was doing him a favour pretending to be the father requesting Nile not blame the rabbit. He also had explained in the note that he's going to be with the real father of his children who isn't a part of the group. He added a few extra things he felt he needed to put in the note for Nile.
It is his personal goodbye to the other as well as the explanation.
Leo heads off going to Usagis place, careful to be quiet when leaving to not wake Nile. He finds an open window and uses it to slip in. He puts the note on Usagis nightstand. He put his gratitude for what Usagi did for him, explaining that he's going to be with the real father of his children, and his personal goodbye to the other. He slips back out then heads off careful to not be seen by anyone. He waits until he is away from the home he grew up in before speaking. "You're going to meet your father. You'll love him. He's a wonderful turtle." He tells his sleeping children quietly. He keeps going. His heart as excited as he is to be able to see Raph again. Plus he can show him the children that they had created together. He stops to crouch behind a bush as he gets to where he can see the border. He peers out happening to notice Eric there.
Eric seems to be hunting by the border while also looking for any signs of intruders.
Leo glances around to try to think of a path to get around without being seen. He doesn't want to sit here in case potential prey leads Eric his way. He is about to move when he sees Eric has picked up on something.
Eric does look away from where Leo is. He snarls in one direction.
Leo takes a closer look that way and notices what looks to be a wobbling mutant, one close to the border. He isn't sure if this mutant drank that liquid the groups don't allow, the outsiders call it alcohol, or if something else is wrong.
Eric charges for that mutant which will take him far enough away. With him distracted it should give enough time for Leo to sneak past.
Leo waits until Eric is far enough away. He slips around the bush and cautiously he keeps alert in the direction that Eric went in. He doesn't want to get Eric's attention by looking right at him. He tries to keep him in the sides of his vision instead. He can hear some of the slight shouting from Eric. He makes a turn heading around a bush that he ducks behind. He peeks out to double check that he wasn't seen. He can't see Eric and the mutant from here at least during the night. He turns away figuring it's safe to assume that he's good. He heads towards the meeting spot still careful just in case. He moves between two bushes causing the leaves to rustle. He sees Raph spin to face him ready just in case. He smiles to his mate as he makes it into their special spot.
Raph relaxes smiling back almost to the point of grinning. He hurries over to Leo gently hugging him. He is clearly being careful knowing that Leo planned to bring the kids. "It's so good to see you after what felt like forever!" His gaze is brought down to the three little ones as one shifts slightly against him. He slightly gawks in awe at them. "Oh Leo. They're beautiful." He moves one hand, still wanting to keep one arm around his mate, to gently stroke the biggest ones head with his finger.
Leo can see that his mate is grinning. Even he finds it adorable when their largest baby leans into his fathers touch in his sleep. He looks to Raph as the other lets out a small churr at this happening. He can't stop smiling himself. He doesn't mind Raph touching any of the three. He actually feels a lot more comfortable with it being Raph, compared to those in Niles group including Nile.
"Let's get settled so we can let them be comfy." Raph suggests to which Leo nods his head in agreement.
The two move to a spot where they can lay down together.
Leo gently uses his arms and the blanket to make a comfy place for the little ones.
Raph looks at them now that they're all settled in a nice spot. He takes in each of the three little ones who continue to manage to sleep peacefully. "They're all amazing." He tells Leo who lays his head on the others shoulder. He tilts his head to lay his head on his mates head. "They look to be healthy which does matter." He just can't seem to get enough of taking in his children. "Hopefully everything was okay while you were stuck at home."
"It wasn't all bad." Leo tells Raph who listens to what he has to say. "A few things came up, however mutants in Niles group tend to be a little pushy. I guess it's just what they pick up from around them."
"What happened? No one hurt you right?" Raph inquires letting the worry seep into his tone of voice.
"No." Leo assures him letting Raph relax. "Nile made sure of that. He wanted children from me and kept going on about them being warriors. How good they'll be. He got rather protective over me and the children. He thought it was the only chance of me having kids. He didn't want to waste it. Potentially it could also have been the bond we share which isn't as close as others, just there. Either way that was tolerable actually. I found I didn't like others touch my eggs or the babies. Usagi volunteered by himself to pretend to be the father. So Nile wouldn't possibly do something in anger that my mate wasn't in the group. Usagi did push me to try to make me let him touch the eggs. I had to tackle him before he could touch them. Nile dragged him away not letting him back in until after they hatched. I left them both a note to explain my absence. All they really know is that I left to live with their real father." His way of saying goodbye when he can't give them a proper verbal goodbye. "When it's you I don't mind if you touch them. It doesn't bother me. I don't feel as protective as I did while living in Niles group. If it's you. So far that I've found that is. It is my first time really out for awhile."
"Wow. You've had quite the time over there." Raph mentions to which Leo hums softly with a shrug.
"It's all a part of being in Niles group. Something tends to seemingly be happening somewhere there all the time. Not sure how Nile doesn't drive himself nuts. Then again he also carries the attitude to be ready to start something. So that probably helps him get through it all."
Raph nods softly and can tell his mate doesn't have more to add. He might as well change the subject so Leo can leave all that in the past. "Did you have any thoughts about names for them?"
"Mainly the only girl. I kind of like the name Zia. I think that it'd be perfect for her. It's cute like she is." Leo tells his mate who nods softly.
"Zia is a beautiful name. I actually like it. Looking at her it suits her." Raph agrees and Leo can tell he isn't lying. "I couldn't come up with any girl names I thought sounded good to me. Yours sounds so perfect."
Leo glances to their two sons. "Have you thought about any boy names that you like?" He inquires wanting Raph to get name ideas in as well.
These are made by both him and Raph so they both should be able to suggest names.
Raph hums softly in thought. "I heard this name once and I actually kind of like it. It's Aidan."
"It is a nice name." Leo agrees as his eyes look at the two boys. "Which one do you think would fit it better?"
Raph looks over the two boys when one awakens.
The smaller boy looks to them with his mismatched eyes. His face slightly scrunches up as if annoyed that he had woken up.
Raph chuckles warmly at seeing this on the little one's face. "Maybe that's a sign that this little is meant to be named Aidan." He moves a finger close to said little one.
"I think so." Leo chuckles at this finding it a little amusing to think about.
Aidan reaches out grabbing onto Raphs finger. He holds onto it before sitting there trying to figure out what to do next. He doesn't seem sure if he wants to show anger in someway, or possibly investigate this finger as well as who it belongs to.
"I'm your daddy Aidan." Raph tells the little one who blinks at him when spoken to. "It's nice to meet you and your siblings."
Aidan opens his mouth letting out a small sound that sounds like a kittens mewl. He shifts his hands around as if testing out different grips on Raphs finger. He seems to be doing alright so the two aren't worried about him.
Leo turns to look to the final and biggest baby left to name. He finds himself stuck on a name for the child. He sees the largest baby gently grip his sister. He doesn't see him hurting her so he knows that it's fine. "What do you think for him?" He nods to the big baby.
Raph stares at the child for a long moment before suggesting a name sounding unsure. "Alexander?"
Leo shakes his head. "No. I think it has a nice ring to it. However it doesn't really feel like it suits him quite right. But it might be close."
"Yeah I see what you mean." Raph agrees with his mate as the two stare at the largest of the three. "When I said it out loud it felt wrong in some way to me as well."
Aidan lets out a mewling cry gaining his parents attention. He stares at them clearly upset. He doesn't make the sound again now that he has their attention.
Raph shifts his hand gently getting Aidan to let go of his finger. "Okay. Sorry we stopped paying attention to you." His voice is gentle and a little sarcastic. He gives off a more playful tone than serious or annoyed. His words and tone get a laugh from Leo. He picks Aidan up to hold him close to his body. "There you go. Now you have daddy right here."
Leo wonders if something close to that name might be close to Alexander. He really does like the ring to it just not really the name as much. He tries Alex in his head only for that to seem worse than Alexander. As he thinks about it he realizes something. He took out the second half but it didn't work out. What if he took out the first half? "Xander." He tries it out loud catching Raphs attention. He finds that he actually likes that name a lot more than Alexander.
"Xander." Raph tries out out for himself before nodding. "That does sound a lot better than Alexander when looking at him."
"We could try a few other names. See if any are better." Leo offers to Raph who thinks it over for a moment.
"The name is kind of growing on me. The more I think about it the more I like it. What are your thoughts?" Raph watches Leo truly wanting his opinion.
"I think and feel like it is and sounds like a really nice name."
Raph makes a sound of confirmation at this. "Great! Then we can stick with Xander. Are we agreed?" He sees Leo nod and now they have all three children named.
Leo just hopes that things will go well when requesting that Splinter let them stay. He doesn't see worry about it in Raph who is awwing over his babies. He tries to push away his own worries about it.
Surely it will end up going fine.
AN:
Yes I only threw Alexander in there because I thought of Alexander Hamilton from the musical. It just evolved into how they came to the name Xander.
For anyone curious here's what my research said the baby names mean. I did pick them for a reason after looking through names until they stuck with me. We'll save for Zia who got her name popped up in my head and I just fell in love with it for her. I also used a quick drawing I did or the three to decide things about them, thus helping in naming them.
Xander means defender of humankind.
Aidan, yes I used the one with the a so no it's not a mistake as I read it still is the same name, means little fire.
Zia means Splendor or light.
I hope you're enjoying so far and will continue to enjoy this story!
KitKat.