Leo steps out of the war room, rolling the shoulder that houses his prosthetic arm.
That meeting could’ve gone… better.
But at least that was the last of his duties today as Leader. For the next few hours, he gets to just be good ol’ Leonardo.
When he rounds the corner to the common area, he finds little Casey Jr. standing in the middle of the entry way, eagerly looking up at him.
“Ukul Eeo!” The two year old beams up at him.
Seeing the bright smile on the kids face instantly washes away all the frustration Leo had built up from the day. “What’s up, big man?”
“I learned sumpin’ new today!”
Snickers draw Leo’s attention further into the room. He looks up to see Mikey, Donnie, April, and Cassandra standing together just a few feet away. They are all poorly concealing amusement. His eyes narrow. Suspicious.
Then he feels a small hand tug on the fabric of his pants, and he turns his focus back to Casey Jr. The elder squats down to be at eye level with the excited little boy, smiling to show he’s ready to hear about what he’s learned today.
Casey Jr. grins and points a small chubby finger in the turtle’s face.
Leo’s soul leaves his body.
He is frozen in place, jaw on the floor. All he can do is stare wide eyed in disbelief. He’s just been eviscerated by a toddler.
Howls of laughter snap Leo back, his head jerking up to find the source.
Mikey is floating nearly upside down in the air, clutching his stomach as he hoots, tears forming in his eyes. Donnie has his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath between wheezes. Cassandra is on the ground, snorting and pounding her fist against the floor. Meanwhile April has her forehead pressed to the wall, whole body shaking with silent laughter.
The noise stops abruptly when Leo’s shadow falls across them. They look up at the slider looming over them, traces of fear passing on their faces.
Four fingers shoot out, each accusing a different person.
Before anyone can say anything more, they hear a shriek of joy from behind them.
All eyes turn to see the red clad Hamato entering the room, already scooping up the toddler and placing him on his shoulder.
Raph furrows his brow ridges as he takes in the scene in front of him. “What’s going on here?”
Leo gains his composure first and gestures fervently at the four beside him. “They made Casey Jr. call me a twink!”
“You’re not a twink!” Raph looks at the group incredulously.
“That would imply that you’ve got game,” the older turtle smirks.
The laughter roars back to life with double the force.
“I hate this fucking family,” Leo grumbles, but he can’t help the smile that creeps onto his face.
