Usagi had been to the city many times, either on business for his grandmother or missions, and even though he'd heard of Run of the Mill, he'd never actually been there. The Hamatos had proved a colorful bunch, but this place seemed to bring out the most lighthearted side of them that Usagi had ever seen. As soon as the group entered, most of the patrons immediately jumped up and rushed to greet them.

Having battled against Krang minions himself during the invasion, Usagi had received his share of admiration. But the turtles, Casey, and April were on a whole other level… the heroes who led the final charge, who defeated the Krang and ended the invasion. Leo in particular was shown a lot of respect, as it was well known by now that he'd been willing to lay down his own life to seal Krang Prime away for good.

The slider never turned from the attention and did clearly appreciate it, but Usagi could tell that it didn't buoy him up as much as he let on. He was sure no one else could see it, though… other than him and Leo's family. Usagi didn't miss the glances they cast his way every so often, the concern well-hidden but there. Even so, the rabbit had never seen Leo so happy and relaxed. It seemed like being able to put his worries aside even just for now lifted a physical burden from him, his shoulders visibly higher and his steps lighter.

The sudden sensation of someone sitting beside him broke into Usagi's thoughts, and he couldn't help but stiffen when that person proceeded to all but flop against him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. A flash of orange in the corner of his eye confirmed what he'd already guessed.

"Ya having fun, Usagi?"

The rabbit turned to meet Mikey's bright smile with one of his own while forcing himself to relax. It was easy to see why the youngest turtle was the apple of his family's eye, even if Usagi was still adjusting to his frequent and very open displays of affection. His grandmother was no less loving, but considerably more reserved.

"Definitely!" the rabbit said. "I've liked having you all here, but we've been doing so much work. It's good to take a break… and I think Leo needed to get out."

His eyes moved to where the slider was currently regaling Hueso Junior with a story; Usagi couldn't hear from here, but from the way Leo was gesticulating with the arm not holding his crutch and how Junior was cheering from his perch on a grinning Raph's shoulders, it was clearly meant to be an exciting one. Usagi couldn't help but grin himself.

"Hueso Junior really seems to like him."

Donnie looked up from his phone and snorted.

"Of course. Right after we met him our dear brother took him portal jumping all over the highest points near this establishment. Senor Hueso was most displeased, but Junior wanted to declare Nardo his blood brother right there."

"Except Junior doesn't have blood, cause he's a skeleton," Mikey chimed in, his grin widening. "So Leo said they could change it to 'bone brother', since they both have bones."

"Naturally, he agreed," Donnie said, his own mouth quirking into a smile. "So, behold…" He swept a hand outward. "Hueso Junior and Hamato Leonardo, the infamous bone brothers."

His voice was flat, as it usually was, but his amusement was still clear.

"And Senor Hueso loves 'em both," Mikey said, grinning. "Even if he pretends Leo's just a pain."

Usagi directed a teasing smirk at Donnie.

"That sounds like someone I know."

The softshell huffed, returning his attention to his phone.

"Scoff! I am hardly pretending that he's a pain."

Raph's cheerful voice broke in.

"Hey, guys!"

The three looked up to the snapper walking up with a beaming Hueso Junior still perched on his shoulders, and Leo following along beside them with a similar grin. He moved to sit on Usagi's other side, moving more carefully while using his crutch for support, but was just as enthusiastic as Mikey had been as he tossed an arm across the rabbit's shoulders. He gave it a small, friendly squeeze that made Usagi's heart skip in that strange way.

"So, how's the night going for ya?"

Usagi immediately returned that irresistibly infectious smile.

"Great! I'm really glad we did this, I don't think I've had this much fun in ages!"

Hueso Junior leaned forward on Raph's shoulders, his face more lit up than Usagi might have thought a skull could.

"I'm glad you came too!" he said happily. "I really wanted to say thank you for helping Leo! He's been talking about how much being with you is making it better!"

There was that skip in his heart again, and when Usagi glanced at Leo he was sure he saw a slight blush on his face. The slider quickly cleared his throat and directed a grin at Junior.

"You bet! Sagi and Himari are miracle workers with this whole situation," he said, giving his hurt leg a small tap with the crutch. "Not sure I'd be on it at all without them."

Now Usagi felt his heart swell, with a strange combination of pride and sadness. Pride that he and his grandmother played such a huge part in helping Leo and his family in the slider's recovery, and sadness that the blue banded turtle was still attributing so little of that progress to himself. Leo had so much strength, so much determination, but it seemed nearly everyone but himself could see that. Almost without thought, he reached up to Leo's unoccupied hand, which was still resting on his shoulder. Taking hold of it, he gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You're selling yourself way too short, Leo," he said in a soft, gentle voice.

Time seemed to catch up to him when the slider looked at him, his eyes wide and face tinged with a slight blush. The rabbit felt his own face heat and released his grip, but before he could give any apology Mikey spoke up.

"He's right, ya know."

"I concur," Donnie replied without looking up, still typing away on his phone.

"Yeah!" Hueso Junior cheered, near hopping on Raph's shoulders. "You'd be on it even without special help… you're awesome, you can do anything!"

Raph chuckled, reaching up to steady the little yokai.

"You got that right, little man."

Usagi saw Leo shift, and though his smile was wide as ever, Usagi could see a shyness in it that he doubted the slider let anyone but his family see. Somehow, the rabbit felt a strong sense of gratitude that Leo was letting him see it now.

"Gracias, hermano hueso," the turtle said. The young yokai all but swelled with pride, straightening up as if he'd been granted a title of the highest honor.

"De nada, hermano hueso!"

A burst of laughter came from Raph and Mikey and Donnie's mouth quirked in a grin as he looked up from his phone, making Leo squirm in a way that was amusingly reminiscent of a nervous little kid, though his smile never faltered. And that made Usagi burst out laughing himself. Unable to resist, he gave Leo a teasing poke in the side… right where he happened to know a rather sensitive spot was.

"They do have point, bone brother," he said, emphasizing 'bone brother'. Leo's blush was more visible this time, and Usagi softened his voice, wanting to ease the slider's embarrassment.

"You're still not giving yourself enough credit. I hope we can change that too."

Leo looked at him again, and there was a softness in his eyes that made Usagi feel a strange warmth in his chest.

"Maybe," the slider said softly.

Usagi returned his smile; it wasn't as much as he might like, but it was a start.

"We can work with that."