Chapter one:

Boom!

A loud boom of thunder outside makes me, Donnie and Mikey look up.

On the other hand Leo jumps from the noise.

We're currently over at Casey's place since his parents live out of town anyways.

Casey stepped out to go get some stuff allowing us to stay while he's out. He knows we're careful about being seen.

The three of us turn to Leo who is looking at the living room window, that faces the front yard, with wide eyes; we'd been just chilling together in the living room.

Leo is scared of thunderstorms. He has been since we were kids. His fear of them has never slowed or ceased at all throughout the years.

As far as we can tell it's the lightning and thunder that gets to him, as Leo is completely fine when it's only the rain.

As soon as any lightning or thunder happens it becomes a different story.

Mikey moves away from the drawing he was working on in his sketchbook on the table. He brought it along as we decided to spend the peaceful day at Casey's. He goes over to Leo sitting next to him on the couch and hugging him.

Donnie shifts slightly over on the couch to be closer to Leo. He was sitting on the end of the left last cushion on the three cushion couch. He had been resting on the armrest causally playing around in his phone. He has now put his cellphone away to be able to focus on Leo.

I on the other hand am in the armchair beside the couch. I watch as Leo hasn't turned away from the window still with wide eyes. I decide that Leo should be broken out of this fear trance. I get up going over to the window before pulling the curtains closed. I do end up seeing a flash of lightning outside while doing so. My action breaks Leo's, and technically everyone in the living rooms, line of sight with the storm. I turn to head over to join my brothers. I settle myself down on the floor by Leo's feet since the spaces right by Leo, who is on the middle cushion, are taken. I do take notice that with the curtains closed Leos fear trance has been broken.

Leo slightly glances to us now as we all give him gentle and assuring looks. He gives a slight jump as another boom of thunder rings out.

Mikey stays hugging Leo. "It's okay Leo." He tries to assure the other with words. "We're here and we won't let anything happen. The storm can't reach you."

I gently pat Leo's thigh while Donnie puts an arm around our eldest brother. I can't help thinking that thunderstorms are when we truly see Leo scared.

Leo does get scared and worried if one of us gets badly hurt or really sick. He however tries to appear strong to help the rest of us, so he tries to mask it in those times. Though since we know him pretty well his eyes do betray his emotions during those times. So seeing him without covering his fear is a little different.

I suppose that it does help that thunderstorms are very different times.

Leo doesn't have to try to be strong to ensure that the rest of us will be okay.

No one's hurt or sick.

It's just a storm. One that is always dreaded by Leo.

I don't really know why it's thunderstorms that scare Leo like this.

None of us do actually. None of us know why it's a thunderstorm of all things that creates such a reaction.

I suppose it could just be a childhood fear he could never get rid of. I guess in a way I can be thankful that when in the sewers we don't always hear every thunderstorm, usually we catch some of the thunder which does scare Leo still. I along with Donnie keep an eye on any potential storms coming in when we're out. I know we do it to watch for any thunderstorms, so if there is one then we can get Leo in the lair to wait it out. I do tend to feel more comfortable having Leo in the lair during a thunderstorm. I know that since we can't really hear much of it then it helps Leo relax more. I feel my phone vibrate to which I check it seeing it's from Casey. I figured it was probably him so I had checked it in case there was anything wrong. I text back a simple response then put my phone away.

"Who was that?" Donnie whispers to me shifting away from Leo to lean close to me.

"Casey. He says it looks like a really bad one. Severe thunderstorm warning is out. Plus lots of rain is supposed to come down. With potential of hail. The warning also thinks that there could be floods like on the roads because of the rain." I whisper back to Donnie. "He's gonna stay at a mall he was by and wait it out. He also said that we can stay here to wait out the storm. If we want to that is." My eyes flicker to Leo who has turned to Mikey, who talks to him as if to distract him from the storm.

Donnie glances to Leo too who seems to be trying to focus on Mikeys voice not the storm. "We might have to." He whispers to me. "It'd probably be best that we don't potentially get caught in such a bad storm. Plus us openly carrying our weapons around in such a bad storm. Not a good idea as I'd be worried we'd attract lightning."

"Sounds good to me. I'll make sure Splinter knows of the bad storm just in case." I whisper to which Donnie nods. I pull out my phone again as Donnie moves back to return to comforting Leo. I send a message to Splinter telling him that we'll be waiting out in Casey's place, and making sure he knows how bad the storm reportedly is. I do add that we are all here with Leo and that we'll make sure he's okay.

Splinter gets back to me rather quickly. He assures that our plan is fine with him and he'll stay in the lair for the storm. He does add to let us know if we need anything.

I assure him that we will then put my phone away. I turn my full attention back to trying to help Leo.

Despite the curtains being closed traces of a bright flash of lightning can briefly be seen.

I take notice and know that a rather loud rumble of thunder is soon to follow. I look right at Leo and drape my arms across him. "Hey Leo." I speak up watching his face as he turns to me. I'm not sure if he even saw the trace amounts of that bright flash of lightning. I just see the fear of the storm on his face. I try to tell him something only for my voice to get drowned out by the boom of thunder, which is followed by a crackling sound before fading back to just the sounds of rain.

Leo jumps with a squeak of fear when this happens. His body even starts to tremble in his terror.

Donnie gently pets Leo's head making a comforting hushing sound.

Mikey nuzzles Leo's shoulder still embracing him.

I soothingly rub Leo's thighs with my hands. I want to rush Leo to the lair so he doesn't have to hear so much of the storm. I can hear that the rain has begun to fall rather heavily outside. I swear that it's like water is just being dumped onto the land, at least by the sounds of it. I don't want to make any of my siblings walk out in that kind of weather. I push those thoughts away since we already agreed to stay. Ill just have to make sure that we do what we can while here.

Leo takes a shaky breath as he just kind of stares at a spot not far from me for no reason.

I decide that I have to make sure that he's not getting into a worse state. "Leo." I speak watching him to see any reaction. I feel some relief when he turns to me. I do get a good look at his wide terrified eyes when he looks at me. I get an idea on what might be able to distract him. I just hope that the distraction helps. "You think Captain Ryan is gonna get a girlfriend?" I mention Leo's favourite show Space Heroes to pull his mind away.

Leo blinks at me at this and I can see his mind shift. He takes a moment to respond though it does seem to at least momentarily distract him. "T-They might. Shows tend to give characters partners. But it could be a boyfriend." He is still shaking though it has gone down.

I decide to keep going with this since it does seem to be working. I kind of figured as much, even though usually we're in the lair so he doesn't hear as much of the storm compared to here. "Boyfriend. Girlfriend. It doesn't matter. I don't really care about what someone prefers. They can love either sex for all I care. But it'd be interesting to see what they would pick for Captain Ryan right Leo?" I manage to talk over a smaller rumble of thunder. I hope that Leo didn't notice that rumble.

Leo nods softly to this seemingly focused on me so he probably missed that thunder.

Mikey and Donnie look happy that I'm able to help distract him from the storm.

I keep going as it does seem to be working. "Which one do you think he'd go for?" I inquire to him to which he thinks for a moment.

"I'm not sure. They haven't really hinted towards either side yet." Leo admits to me looking at me as we talk.

I notice Donnie takes mental note of how heavy the rainfall is.

Donnie turns to me so I decide to give Leo something to really think about.

"Why don't you think that over and see what one you'd want to see for Captain Ryan? Take your time." I encourage him to which he slightly glances away in thought. I turn my attention to Donnie while Leo's distracted.

"The rain really is coming down pretty hard. We should probably make sure Casey's basement is secure. We wouldn't want it flooding." Donnie points out with a lower level of volume. He is clearly doing it to help in that Leo doesn't have to listen.

"That's a good point." I also lower my voice as I nod. "You and Mikey can go down and make sure everything is good and secure. I'll stay with Leo." I know that this could be a good time to do so. I have Leo distracted by talking about his favourite show. I know that this way the two can be back to help more, while helping to make sure they do what they can so Casey's place doesn't flood.

It wouldn't be nice if we just let the basement flood while staying over for the storm.

Even though Casey knows of Leo's fear so he'd probably understand.

Donnie nods to which he and Mikey, who had been listening to us, get up heading off to do just that.

I climb up to sit beside Leo putting my arms around him. I pull him close feeling him jump when another loud rumble of thunder goes by. I can feel his shaking as I keep him close. "Did you figure out which sex you'd want to see Captain Ryan end up with?" I inquire trying to pull his attention back to me.

"I-I..." Leo begins only to squeak and curl up against me when another loud thunder rolls by.

I hold his trembling form as close to myself as I can. "Hey. Hey Leo. Focus on me." I try wanting to help pull him from his fear. My heart drops in worry when he doesn't really respond. I can hear soft shaky whimpers coming from him. I run my hand down the side of his shell trying to get a reaction. I need to try to pull him out of this fear he's falling deeper into. Before I lose him to it. I move my hand to Leo's cheek, however before I can move Leo to look at me I hear something strange.

"No! No! No! I didn't mean to! Please don't! Go away!" Leo pleads as if he is seeing something in his head. He is trembling so bad in my arms and whimpering. "Get out of my head!" He adds a little louder just before another roar of thunder comes making him jump even closer to me.

"Leo! Talk to me! What are you seeing?" I demand as I can't even begin to think of what it could be. I find that I can't get him to even acknowledge me. My heart races in so much worry knowing that this is bad.

"Please don't make me remember." Leo pleads and his breathing starts to increase.

Shit!

I know that this is bad. I can tell he's going to be going into a panic attack if this keeps going. I put both hands on his cheeks. I have to snap him out of this before I might not be able to. I gently yet firmly get his head to move so he'll look at me. "Leo!" I slightly raise my voice only loud enough to get his attention... Hopefully... I can talk to him about this when he's not in such a state.

Leo stares wide eyed at me in pure terror and I can see the panic start to seep in. He takes a few moments then his gaze shifts to recognition.

I almost sigh in relief knowing that he recognizes me. I think I've snapped him out of it. I do still see fear in his eyes but like his breathing he is calming a bit. "That's it Leo. Focus on me." I hear him whimper at yet another rumble of thunder. "You're safe. I promise." I gently stroke his cheek as I do my best to keep his eyes on me. "I'm here for you. Take deep breaths. Breathe." I encourage him to which I do hear him take breaths. "Keep going. You've got this." I move one hand off of his cheek putting it around him.

Leo breathes for a few more moments, despite pressing hard against me as the storm keeps going, as he tries to calm down.

I can tell after a few moments that he is now as calm as he is going to be for now. "I've got you." I remind him leaning my forehead against his. I keep our eyes locked so he can focus on me.

Leo stays as close to me as he can get and I try to get him talking about Space Heroes.

Just something to keep his mind distracted.

Just a little later Donnie and Mikey rejoin us to try to help Leo.

I'm not really sure what exactly happened. However I'm really thinking that there is more to Leo's fear of storms than we thought. I just wish that I knew what it was. I could have had him tell me, but no way was I going to just leave him in such a state of panic. I push the thoughts of it away to focus on keeping him as calm as possible for now.