Usagi approached the doorway with his ears pricked. He was almost tempted to step lightly but felt stupid just thinking it… the turtles were his grandmother's guests, and therefore his, but there was no need to sneak around them. Granted, he knew all of them were dealing with a lot of trauma issues, so there was some care required.

But when he looked in, he could tell it wouldn't have really mattered how loud he was. Leo was resting on the low bed and would have been facing the door if he wasn't utterly focused on his phone. Usagi could hear the distinct sounds of a video game, and though his knowledge on that subject was little to none, he was pretty sure whatever character Leo was playing was just being killed over and over. If that wasn't hint enough that the slider was focused on something completely different, the expression on his face confirmed it.

A small smile tugging at his face, Usagi knocked on the doorway and was unable to suppress a snort of laughter when Leo jumped with a startled yelp. His eyes snapped up to Usagi and he quickly set aside his phone as he smoothed his alarmed look into a relaxed and winning grin.

"Heey, Usagi!"

The thought came to the rabbit that he'd never met someone able to switch expressions so quickly and easily, and it never failed to impress him. It also gave him a twinge of concern… people that good at this sort of thing usually didn't get that way unless they had emotions that they were determined not to let others see. But Usagi kept those thoughts to himself as he walked over, returning Leo's grin.

"Nervous?" he asked. A flash of disappointment crossed Leo's face… disappointment that Usagi had little doubt was directed at himself for being unable to hide it. The slider's smile quickly returned as he reached for his phone again, but it was more subdued.

"Just wanna make sure if my hermanos send a message, I don't miss it."

Usagi gave a soft chuckle as he sat on the bed himself, careful not to jostle Leo's bad leg.

"Don't think that'll be a problem." He met Leo's eyes and felt that unexplained flutter in his chest that he seemed to get every time he did this. But that wasn't something he was ready to puzzle over yet.

"It's okay to admit you're worried, you know," he said gently. The slider lowered his eyes as he fidgeted, turning his phone in his hands. But he didn't brush it off, and Usagi took that as a hopeful sign that he was willing to open up. Finally, the turtle let out a quiet sigh.

"I just hate knowing they're out there with everything that's happening," he murmured, then gestured to his leg. "Especially after… this whole situation."

Usagi gave him a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sure that's not easy. But if they follow your action plan, I don't think there's much chance of them getting in serious trouble. They know the patrol route and all the escape options. You planned out every possible scenario."

Leo's mouth twitched into a small smile, but Usagi didn't miss the barely audible scoff. The rabbit cocked his head, raising a brow.

"What, you don't think the plan was good?"

If Leo was surprised that Usagi asked that, he didn't show it. The slider looked down at his phone again, then lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. Usagi hadn't known Leo that long, but the rabbit knew enough to tell that his self-confidence was struggling, and Usagi suspected it had been for longer than his family's recent battles.

The rabbit shifted, thinking for a moment… he'd need to word this carefully.

"You do trust your brothers, don't you?" he asked finally. Leo looked up, a genuinely startled look on his face.

"What? 'Course I do!"

Usagi nodded.

"And I'm already pretty sure they won't keep things from you. Donnie could've told you everything was fine, but he didn't. He told you the truth, because he knew lying would be worse. So if they thought anything was wrong with your plan, you think they'd keep that from you?"

Leo pressed his lips together.

"No," he murmured. "But… I know they don't want me to feel like a screw up."

Usagi gave a small shrug.

"None of us do. And one thing I know beyond a doubt, the only real way to help someone improve and believe in themselves is to be honest. My grandma always told me, no one can build a strong self on a foundation of lies. And I think your family knows that too."

He watched as Leo sat in silence for a while, unable to quell the nervous pounding of his heart. Usagi had grown up with a deep admiration of his grandmother's ability to seemingly know right away what to say, how to encourage him and anyone else who needed it without resorting to empty cliches. He'd always longed for that ability to help others himself and couldn't help but feel that this moment was a test of sorts. Finally, Leo looked up, and his eyes seemed just a little brighter.

"Y' know, you seem like one of those types who's pretty wise for a kid."

A swell of happiness bringing a smile to his face, Usagi lifted a brow.

"Kid? We're the same age."

The slider nodded, a small, sly grin tugging at his own face.

"Exactly… so usually it's annoying, but somehow, it's not coming from you. You might be about as good a face man as me."

His smirk grew when Usagi gave him a playful glare, then his look grew gentler.

"Thanks," he said softly. "Really."

Usagi returned his smile, feeling that strange flutter again.

"Anytime."

Realizing he was getting close to staring, the rabbit decided it was time to change the subject and lighten the mood. His eyes fell on Leo's phone, and he gestured toward it.

"So, what were you playing on that thing? Because no offense, but it sounded like you were getting creamed."

Leo let out a rueful chuckle.

"Was that easy to tell, huh?"

Usagi grinned.

"Well, the sound was loud enough to hear from the door, and the screams and explosions were kind of a giveaway."

That got another laugh out of the slider, which made Usagi's smile widen.

He really had a great laugh. That thought made the rabbit blink in surprise, wondering where it came from. To be honest, a lot of his thoughts about Leo made him wonder that. But he quickly shrugged it off.

Not the time to figure that out, Yuichi Usagi. Focus.

Leo had brought up the game on his phone and was starting to explain the basics, but then a cheery ringtone broke in. Usagi barely got a glimpse of Raph's caller ID before Leo slammed his thumb on the pickup.

"Eagle One here," he said, clearly trying to sound casual but speaking far too fast. A poorly suppressed chuckle was heard on the other end before Raph answered.

"It's okay, Leo, we're good."

Leo visibly drooped with relief, and Usagi raised a brow.

"'Eagle One'?"

The slider's face visibly reddened, and Raph spoke again.

"Leo's idea."

"Shut up," Leo muttered. "They're just codenames for when we're separated. And Raph, you were supposed to answer with yours."

"Sorry, chief. But don't worry, the patrol went fine. We'll be there in a few; I'll give you the details then."

"Okay," Leo said. When he spoke again, his voice was soft. "Thanks, big bro."

"Anytime, little brother," Raph replied with the same softness. Leo ended the call, then laid his head back as the remaining tension drained from him. The sight eased the tension in Usagi as well, which he'd been careful not to show. After a moment, he broke the silence.

"So, what is Raph's codename?"

He saw Leo's jaw tense as he cringed a little, and his answer was an embarrassed mumble.

"Eagle Two."

Usagi couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"Generous of you."

Leo directed a glare at him, but it was obviously more amusement than irritation. And that was enough to make Usagi laugh even more.