Leo let out a flurry of angry chirps, stomping his feet as he stormed through the streets of the Hidden City. It wasn’t fair that Raph had been chosen over him to be Draxum’s heir. He remembered his older brother trying to reason with him as he flew out the door but he had refused to listen, and Draxum’s unbothered acceptance of him running away only fueled his irritation. He just wanted to be somebody, was that so hard to achieve? He always knew he was the least favorite of the two, but still it hurt to see Raph get chosen over him officially.
The little slider kicked a rock along the road, letting out steam through resentful clicks. Maybe… maybe if he was out long enough then Draxum would come looking for him. Maybe he would be forced to show that he cared, even if just a little bit. No way he’d let his precious little Raphael out to look, so Leo was on his own tonight.
A discontent rumble emitted from his stomach and Leo growled at his hunger. No way was he going to go back to the Nexus just because of a little stomachache. Nope! Neon Leon was not a quitter. He was going to be just fine…
Suddenly a heavenly scent wafted past his nostrils and the young slider inhaled it greedily. Oh sweet goodness… that was pizza! Where… there! Leo’s heterochromic eyes fixated on a brick restaurant, warm light radiating from the windows and a cozy scene inside. Leo hesitated, but another growl from his impatient stomach complied him to go in.
Golden warmth washed over Leo the second he opened the doors and he couldn’t help but let out a little churr of pleasure. Goodness, this was so much better then the grimy Hidden City streets. He ambled inside, eyes darting around at all the different booths. What was he supposed to do? He had heard of places like this but had never actually been outside of the Hotel and Battle Nexus. Lucky Raph would be able to go to Draxum’s lab now, but not Leo.
His gaze landed on a table with two hulking figures, a bear and a wolf. They were discussing something in hushed tones, but the wolf seemed to be trying to convince the bear of something. Leo wandered closer, eyes widening and tail letting out a little flick of admiration at the sheer size of the yokai. Not to mention how freaking cool these guys looked! Their eyes were in an even stare, not showing any intimidation or anxiety. The bear had a gold chain around his neck that glinted light every time he moved and an old black jacket that looked worn. The wolf had a crimson tailcoat that was tattered in a couple places, and he slapped a couple dice down on the table.
”I’m tellin’ ya,” he said smoothly. “These babies will always land ya a winning roll.”
”I see.” The bear took the smooth object in his hand and held it up for inspection. “You sure this is tainted? I can’t feel anythin’ wrong with it.”
”That’s the beauty of them.” The wolf smirked. “No stinkin’ stickler will be able to tell that they’re… special.”
”He’s lying.” Leo spoke up simply, and both yokai turned to stare at him with surprise. Leo took a few bold steps closer even though he could barely see over the top of the table. “The wolf. He’s lying. There’s nothing special about those dice.”
”Shut up kid.” The wolf growled, but Leo detected the panicked glint in his eyes. “This is an adult conversation.”
”No no, this kid might be on to something.” The bear leaned back in his booth. “You trying to josh me again, Haus?”
”No! These are tainted, I swear. They’ll make ya more then it’ll take to pay for ‘em, let me tell you.” The wolf slipped back into his cool tone.
”Why not hear the lad out?” The bear leaned down. “What makes ya think he’s foolin’ me, kid?” he murmured, eyes betraying amused curiosity.
”His tail and ears keep twitching.” Leo shrugged. “Not to mention all his muscles are taut and his breathing is carefully relaxed, not naturally relaxed.”
The wolf shot him a glare and the bear whistled. “Not bad kid, not bad.”
The wolf yokai’s eyes widened. “You’re not seriously gonna listen to a little punk like this, are ya?”
”Oh get over yerself. I knew you was lyin’.” The bear rolled his eyes. “You think someone like me can’t feel a difference in dice? But the fact that this kid can too…”
The wolf spluttered. “They’re just well-designed…”
”Oh save the crap, Haus. I was gonna see where ya was getting these scams from but yer lucky this kid is more interestin’ than your ugly snout.” The bear glanced over at the wolf. “You’ve got ten seconds to get outta here before I tell the gang. Ten… nine…”
The wolf shot the bold slider another death-look before snatching his dice and standing up. He straightened his coat stiffly and ducked out the door. The bear sighed.
”Lookie there, forgot that now I’m gonna have to pay for his beer.” The bear glanced back Leo. “How’d ya learn to spot lies like that?”
Leo tilted his head. “I thought it was obvious.”
The bear let out a guffawing laugh. “Obvious? Nah kid, that wolf was a top-notch swindler. I’m used to him but you… how old are you?”
Leo puffed out his chest. “I’m six years old.”
The bear snorted. “Aw, you’re just a baby.”
”Hey! Didn’t you hear me?” Leo’s expression furrowed in defiance as he held up his hands, fingers splayed wide. “Six!”
”Ooh, a feisty baby though.” The bear smirked. “Don’t worry little guy, it’s impressive. Where did you even come from?”
Leo crossed his arms haughtily. “I’m not telling you. You’re a stranger.”
The bear chortled. “Oh geez aren’t you just adorable. Y’know this is a dangerous time of night. What’s a little tortoise like you doin’ out with the big dogs?”
”I’m a turtle.” Leo corrected. “And I can do whatever I want.” He crossed his arms and pouted out his lip as if daring the bear to object. The bear raised his hands in surrender.
”Sure you can kid, sure you can.” He gestured to the seat where the wolf had sat. “But please sit down! Where’re my manners? Call me Jasper. What should I call you?”
”Leo.” Leo quipped, having to stand up on the seat and lean over the table to shake Jasper’s hand.
”Leo. Nice name, kid.” The bear nodded, and Leo tried not to wince at the firm handshake. “And nice manners. Ya know how to shake a man’s hand. Yer pa must be a posh one.”
Leo winced at the reminder of Draxum and Raph being chosen over him. He shook his head and lifted his chin. “Dad’s just got a stick up his butt. And Raphie’s bein’ a puppy after him.”
The bear exploded in laughter. “Where on earth didja hear that from, kid? You’re a mouthy one, aren’t ya? Six years old, I’ll be darned.” He leaned in. “But ya got a little rebellious streak. I like that. Here, have a drink if ya want.” He slid over the wolf’s abandoned mug and Leo glanced doubtfully at the frothy brown liquid inside.
”What’s this stuff?” Leo sniffed it experimentally and his face wrinkled at the smell.
”Just a good, strong gentleman’s beer. Since Haus ain’t drinkin’ his, ya might as well.” The bear shrugged.
Leo hesitated. The stuff stank terribly but he didn’t want to seem weak. he wrapped his hands around the mug and began to lift it up.
”Por amor a... what are you doing, Señor?” Snapped a low voice with a thick accent, and Leo barely had time to register anything before the mug was ripped out of his hands and slammed back on the table. The surprised slider looked up to see a furious skeleton man breathing heavily and glaring at Jasper. “What do you think you are doing? This is very clearly a minor!”
Jasper shrugged. “Easy, Hueso. Just thought I’d offer it since it’s gonna go to waste.”
The bone man muttered a few foreign curses. “That is alcohol! This is a child. Do you have no sense of propriety?”
Jasper raised his hands in surrender. “Easy Bone Man. It’s just a sip.”
”Not in my restaurant!” Hueso snipped, gesturing towards the door. “And that was the last straw. Out. Find somewhere else to take your shenanigans.”
”Come on Hueso…”
”You should be lucky I don’t call the police for offering alcohol to a minor.” Hueso’s gaze was fire. “Out. Now. No need to pay. Just get out of my establishment.”
Jasper raised his hands in surrender. “Geez, fine. I’ll take my leave.” He picked up his fedora from next to him and placed it down on his head, looking down at Leo. “You’ll see me around, kid. Hope we cross paths again.”
”Out!” Hueso growled, and Jasper finally walked out, taking his sweet time and shamelessly eyeing the customers who were counting money for the bill. Once he was gone the skeleton sighed in relief and looked down at Leo. “Little pepino, what are you doing with that man? Where are your parents?”
Leo crossed his arms. “I’m fine.”
Hueso sighed and knelt down so he could look up at the young slider. “I do not mean you any harm, Pepino. I am only concerned for your safety.” Leo’s stomach let out a loud rumble and Hueso sighed. “And for your well-being. I will get you some food.”
”I don’t have money.” Leo snipped, and Hueso shook his head.
”No need to pay. I will cover it.” He looked Leo in the eyes. “But you should learn to not be so rude to people who are only trying to help you.”
Leo stubbornly looked away and the skeleton straightened, calling out to some zebra yokai to bring over a no-show pizza order. The waiter did and Hueso turned back to Leo. “Do you like Hawaiian?”
At this point Leo couldn’t care less as long as it was food. He gratefully took the pizza box in both hands, inhaling the delicious scent greedily. Hueso’s face softened. “Where are your parents, Pepino? Do they feed you okay? What are you doing out so late?”
Leo gave the skeleton a pout. “You’re a stranger.”
Hueso sighed. “At least you have some sense then. But I want to make sure you get home safe. You do have a home to go back to, si?”
Leo nodded, opening the pizza box and taking a slice. The box was too big and tried to slide off his lap but Hueso kneeled down again and held it steady. Leo flushed slightly with embarrassment but still sunk his teeth into the food, letting out a churr of pleasure. He quickly devoured the slice and reached for another. Hueso watched him with slight concern. “You are so thin… have you eaten today, Pepino?”
Leo shrugged. “Yeah, a little.”
”A little?” Hueso prompted. “It is late into the night. What have you eaten?”
”Well Dad was kinda busy today and so was Mama, but Raphie made me a peanut butter sandwich.” Leo’s brow furrowed. “He didn’t eat any though. He can’t have peanut butter. Maybe I should save some of this for him.” Leo still felt mad at his brother, but now guilt was mixing in with it. Raph always was trying to take care of him, and besides it wasn’t his fault that Draxum liked him better. And he must be hungry. Hueso and the zebra waiter shared a look.
”You only had one sandwich? And is… is Raphie your brother?” Hueso asked tentatively and Leo nodded.
”Yeah. He’s my big brother. He’s big an’ strong like this.” Leo tried flexing his tiny arms but only succeeded in almost dropping the pizza box if Hueso hadn’t been holding it. Hueso hesitated.
”And your dad and mama?” he asked. “They were too busy to feed you?”
Leo shrugged. “They’re busy a lot. Raphie feeds me most of the time if he can find something in the fridge.”
”Then does he eat?”
Leo hesitated. “Sometimes. But he always makes me eat first.”
Hueso nodded solemnly. “Pepino, that is not healthy. You need to eat three meals a day. Especially at this age.”
Leo’s eyes widened. “Three whole meals? That’s a lot!” The slider had meant it in innocent admiration, but Hueso still cringed.
”Well, it is what you should be eating. You and your brother both.” His eyes searched Leo’s face. “Would… would you like to bring your brother here sometime? I will feed you both free of charge.”
”Nah, Raphie’s gonna be busy with Dad now.” Leo looked down with a frown. “He’s gonna get extra training and attention and stuff.”
”I see.” Hueso hesitated. “Do you… do you need help?”
”What?”
”Pepino, you need to eat more. It doesn’t sound like your parents are feeding you.” Hueso sighed at Leo’s blank look. “Just… just feel free to come by my restaurant any time. I assure you I will not mind, and you will get fed here.”
Leo smiled slightly. “Really? More pizza?”
Hueso nodded with a fond, bittersweet look. “Yes, Pepino. You will have all the pizza you want. Come back whenever.”
Leo’s tail started wagging as he hopped down from the booth, hugging the pizza box to his chest. “Thank you, sir!”
”Ah, there’s those manners.” Hueso straightened. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Pepino. I hope you will take me up on my offer, and you should be getting home. It is very late.”
”Okay, I will.” Leo looked down at the pizza. “Raphie’s probably worried about me. And he’ll like this pizza.”
”Of course. Pepino. Take care.” Hueso backed up slightly to give Leo space, but his expression betrayed that he was reluctant to let him go. Leo waved and practically skipped out the door, feeling much better now that he had something to eat. But once he was out the door he heard someone clear their throat and turned to see Jasper leaning against the alley wall next to the restaurant.
”Hey Jasper!” Leo chirped, and the bear smiled and kicked off the wall, walking towards the little turtle.
”Hey yourself.” Jasper placed a gentle hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Y’know, I was just wondering if you’d like to meet some of my buddies? I could introduce ya, and maybe you could help me in some… games we all play together. In these games it’s mostly trying to figure out if people are lyin’ or not, and I think you’d be great at that.”
”Oh, I was just headed home…” Leo said slowly, and Jasper nodded.
”Completely understandable, kid. Tell ya what: meet me here tomorrow night, same time and I’ll take ya to my buddies and we can all play some card games together. How does that sound?” Jasper suggested, and Leo nodded enthusiastically.
”Sure. I’ll be here. Bye!” Leo grinned in excitement and balanced the pizza box briefly on a raised knee to wave at the bear, who waved back and watched the young slider disappear into the night with a faint smirk on his lips.
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Whelp, hope you enjoyed that! The inspiration suddenly leapt for this so I decided to start writing out chapters even if I don’t publish the work yet on AO3. I can’t get enough of protective uncle Hueso content, so of course I loved writing that part lol. And honestly I love the idea of Raph taking care of Leo since I doubt Draxum is a very involved parent and Big Mama isn’t their main caretaker even though she does act like a mother figure.
Hey everyone! Yay lol I finally got around to finishing up The Shattered Lineage poster! I tried my best with the designs and I’m really happy with the way the title art turned out. In case you haven’t read it yet The Shattered Lineage is a Rottmnt separated AU where Leo and Raph are raised with Draxum and Big Mama while Donnie and Mikey were raised by Splinter. Links to the fics below!
The red-eared slider glanced down at his cards. A three of diamonds and an eight of clubs.
Shoot.
His heterochromic eyes flicked over to the river that had just been flipped after the flop and the turn, grimacing. Yep, he was doomed. However, if someone just so happened to have an ace and a jack of spades then…
”Your bet, Leo.” Grumbled a wolf yokai sitting across from him, elbows on the table as his tail flicked behind him. Leo smirked and counted out a pile of blue chips, sliding it into the middle. “Forty to you, Travis. You know I love blue so much.”
”Forty?” The snake yokai in question hissed in irritation. “Someone’s getting cocky.”
”No way he has something.” Jasper—the bear yokai next to Leo—spoke up confidently, and Leo was resentfully aware that this was the dealer. He was no fool—he saw Jasper intentionally slip him his sucky hand. They used to be pretty close during Leo’s rise in the gambling world but once the slider realized that he was doing all the work and Jasper was getting all the money…
It had only been a matter of time before the colorful chips pitted the two of them against each other in competition.
But it took two to tango, and he had a couple cards up his sleeve for backup. Travis folded, and Jasper began counting chips. “Call and raise ya another forty.”
”Call.” Leo said immediately, then decided to poke the bear’s buttons a bit. He slid more chips into the pot in the center. “Raise ya another forty.”
There was a discontent murmuring around the table as the other players folded. Jasper glared at Leo. “Seriously? You’re playing with fire here, kid. I thought you knew how to bet.”
”Oh, I do. Best in the business.” Leo chuckled, drumming his fingers against the table in impatience. “That’s forty more to you, good sir.”
The bear grumbled and glanced down at his cards, ear twitching ever so slightly so that the slider knew he didn’t have the best hand. His confidence was purely based in the was he had tried to skirt Leo’s hand, but the slider’s big betting was making him second-guess himself. Leo used the bear’s distraction to seamlessly slip his crappy hand into his left sleeve while two new cards emerged from his right. Heterochromic eyes glanced down to confirm that he had hit the jackpot. He glanced back up at the bear. “Come on. You know you want to.”
“Why not just fold now?” Growled Jasper as he called Leo’s bet, and the slider chuckled. “Whose money are ya betting with? Your daddy’s? Mommy’s? Go run back to them. We all know you’re too young to be here.”
“Eh, who’s gonna know?” He took another swig of his beer. “For all you know I’m twenty-one.”
“Show an ID.” He demanded, and Leo smirked.
“Come on, we both know your too drunk to see straight.” Leo slapped down his cards. “It’s pretty obvious when you just lost to a royal flush.”
“What?!” The bear’s eyes snapped back down to the table, where Leo indeed was holding out a royal flush. His eyes went furious. “You… you cheated! You had a three of diamonds and…”
“How would you know that, hmmm?” Leo’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial hum. “You wanna get us both kicked out?”
“Cough it up, kid!” The bear grabbed Leo by the collar. “I ain’t losin’ this pot to a little punk like you again!”
”Ah, there’s that sweet little word. Again.” Leo smirked. “But seriously Jas, get your grubby loser paws off the jacket. This drip is reserved for winners only.”
”Watch that smart mouth of yours!” Jasper glared at the smug slider. “You’d wouldn’t be here if not for me.”
”If you two’ve got beef then take it outside.” Travis scoffed. “If you want to bet then pay up your ante.”
”Oh I will.” Jasper growled. “As soon as this little cheat gives me back my win.”
”Ooh, you’re one to talk!” Leo squirmed in the bear’s grip. “But it takes one to know one, ‘ey Jas?”
”You little—!” Jasper suddenly slammed Leo’s head down on the table, upsetting the stacks of poker chips and causing several protests to speak up. “Give it up!”
”Make me.” Leo bit back defiantly. Raph always told him his pride would be the end of him, but Leo always preferred the term well-placed confidence. He lifted his legs off the ground so that one end of the table was supporting his full weight along with Jasper’s combined force. The table tipped and sent both Jasper and Leo toppling to the ground in a shower of spanking-new poker chips. The drunk bear tried to scramble back up but Leo was quicker and used Jasper’s shoulders as a leverage for a back handspring.
”Well it’s been real fun but old Neon Leon’s gotta bounce.” Leo smirked and leapt over a table, knocking over a beer mug and dodging a few angry yokai that tried to grab him. He stuck out his tongue at them and began counting up all the chips he had won off the floor, stuffing them in all the hidden pockets of his jacket.
”Get the little cheat!” Shouted Jasper, and in the drunken fog of the yokai’s brains they seemed to gather that the lanky red-eared slider in their midst had done something they were supposed to be mad about. Leo snatched up the remainder of his chips and dove under two yokai that had tried to tackle him from both sides, causing the two to collide and fall in a dizzy heap. At all the commotion the yokai lost track of who they were supposed to be fighting and began throwing punches left and right, determined that everyone was after their money. He began searching for the casino worker who could exchange his chips for cash but he saw the said yokai slamming shut his window, dialing the Hidden City Police to disarm the fight.
Leo sighed and looked around for an exit, not feeling like having Raph bail him out today. Unfortunately Jasper caught sight of him and in an instant Leo was being tackled to the ground by the much-larger bear, grunting as some chips spilled out of his pockets. He rolled his eyes at the livid yokai. “Geez, couldn’t you beat up someone your own size for once? Be a good little teddy and call a truce?”
”Nope.” Glowered Jasper. “That was the biggest pot of the game! And it was mine!”
”Ah, how far we’ve come. You really know how to make an old friend feel appreciated, dontcha?” Leo drawled, and Jasper shook him.
”Oh ho ho, hardy har har! Everything’s a joke to you, isn’t it little pal?” Jasper sneered. “Well you’re playing with fire here, kid. You had your chance to run back to Daddy but you just had to keep pushing, didn’t you?” The bear threw a punch at Leo’s face but the slider popped his head into his shell, causing Jasper’s fist to clunk painfully against the floor instead. “Hold still, you little twerp!”
”I’m running on caffiene and spite and you think I can hold still?” Came the muffled retort, and Jasper growled at him. “Oh, and a couple swigs of your beer while you weren’t looking. Good stuff. Mind if I get the name from ya?”
”You little brat!” Jasper hit Leo’s carapace against the floor a couple times. “You can’t hide in that stupid shell forever, ya know!”
Suddenly the sounds of sirens filled the air and the confused gamblers began to scatter in a panic. Leo smirked, peeking his head out of his shell. “Ah, such a beautiful tune. Seriously it should be the top spot on Spotify. Now how about we let bygones be bygones, yeah?”
”We’re taking this outside!” Jasper hissed, picking Leo up by the lip of his carapace through the fabric of his jacket.
Leo’s head popped fully out and he began to squirm. “Hey, not cool man! I’m not a stupid kitten! Put me down!”
”Unhand the turtle.” Came a gruff voice, and Leo looked up sheepishly to see one of the yokai police officers he was familiar with. He grinned and offered a wave.
”Hey Hank! What’s up?” He chirped, and the police officer gave him a weary look.
”The fact that you know my name proves you’ve met me one too many times.” Henry sighed. “And you’re both coming with me.”
———
Leo swung his legs and blew a bored raspberry. He let his heels bounce off against the cool metal of the chair in his cell and looked up at Jasper next to him. “Bummer we got caught. They bear-ly got us.”
”You shut up. I’m not talking to you.” Jasper growled but then looked at the ground again at a warning look from one of the guards.
”Hey Gary, think you could put some entertainment in here?” The slider whined to the guard at the door. “It’s soooo boring!”
”Then maybe you should stop visiting.” Gary replied coolly. “You know I’d be more than happy to never see your face in a cell again, Leo.”
”Oh you’re too kind.” Leo rolled his eyes. “But can I at least…”
”We already called the Battle Nexus. Raphael should be here any moment to pick you up.” Gary informed him, and Leo sighed.
Of course he is.” Leo huffed. And he’ll probably carry me like a hamburger all the way home so he can yap in my face.”
”Good for him.” Gary crossed his arms. “At least someone’s looking out for you. Though I wish you had a father to come pick you up.”
”Nah, the Draxula never leaves his mysterious quarters underground.” Leo snorted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a vampire at this point.”
”And that’s a problem!” Gary sighed. “What about your uncle?”
”Nah, don’t bother the Bone Man.” Leo leaned back on the seat. “Tio’s restaurant is busy at this time of day.”
Gary raised an eyebrow. “Run of the Mill is closed at this time of night.”
Leo sighed. “Yeah okay fine it is but he’s not my dad or my older brother so I don’t want to bother him. Raph’s already coming.”
Gary watched the slider carefully. “You know, it sounds like old Hueso actually cares about ya. It’d do you well to hang around him a bit more.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “I already work there. We’re cool, but I’d prefer to keep him out of this.”
Gary shook his head in disappointment but fell silent, and Leo kept his eyes on the door. Of course he knew Hueso cared about him, but it wasn’t the skeleton’s job to take care of him.
Not like he needed anyone to take care of him anyway.
Suddenly the door to the hallway swung open and Hank ushered in a large snapping turtle who Leo know all too well. He gave a wave to his irked older brother. “Hey Raph.”
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I keep telling myself that this is a little side project and I’m not going to spend too much time on it but I got three chapters of The Crescent’s Ascent written today and thought I deserved a little break lol! But please enjoy, and if you liked this then you can check out more content at the og post linked in the title! ^^
”Don’t you ‘hey’ me, Leo.” Raph growled. “You’re in big trouble, ya know that?”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Good to see you too, buddy.”
Raph sighed and turned to Gary. “Thanks for lookin’ out for him, Officer, and sorry we gotta keep showin’ up here.”
Gary shrugged. “Hey I don’t wanna see him here anymore than you do. Just try to keep an eye on him, alright? I think he was drinking.”
Raph shot Leo a death glare and the slider scowled at Gary. “Snitches get stitches.”
”Leo!” Raph scolded. “Ya don’t threaten an officer!”
”I wish I could say I wasn’t used to it.” Gary sighed. “Just try to keep him out of trouble, alright?”
Raph nodded. “I will. Leo, get up. You’re coming with Raph.”
”Back to the dungeon.” Leo huffed, and Raph stepped into the cell to slap him upside the head. Jasper was watching them with narrowed eyes, and Raph gave him a warning look.
”Whatcha lookin’ at? I’ve seen ya hanging around the Nexus.” Raph stepped in front of Leo. “You messin’ with Raph’s brother?”
”Raaaaaph!” Leo whined, tugging at his older brother’s arm and face heating up. Jasper watched them with an unamused expression.
”Why not take your little animal back to his doghouse. And chain him up this time.” Jasper sniffed, and Raph’s eyes flashed with anger.
”Watch yer mouth! Yer lucky it’s late and Raph doesn’t feel like bustin’ yer face.” Raph gave one more glower before picking Leo up with both hands gripping either side of his shell and lifted him in front of his face. “We’re havin’ a talk once we get back home.”
”See? Hamburger!” Leo complained to Gary, who only raised an eyebrow as Raph sighed and carried him outside. Once they were out in the Hidden City the snapper tucked his younger brother under an arm and began his journey back to the Nexus Hotel.
Leo huffed as he was carried, hearing Raph let out angry, indistinguishable mutters and chirps as he walked. The slider sighed at the irritation stink and wriggled. “Geez Raph! I can walk.”
“You shut up!” Raph snapped back. “I don’t want to hear another word outta you until we get back to the Nexus.”
“Oh come on!” Leo whined. “I was doing fine!”
“Oh, so you meant to be locked up in the Hidden City Jail for a bar fight at stinkin’ casino?” Raph scoffed. “You were being reckless and foolish. Again. All those guys were drunk silly, Leo! They coulda seriously hurt ya!”
“Please, I could’ve taken them in my sleep.” Leo rolled his eyes.
“Ya gotta stop doing this, Leo.” Raph muttered. “I won’t always be around to bail ya out, y’know.”
“I don’t need you to bail me out! I’m doing fine!” Leo smirked and reached back to pull a couple wads of cash from his pocket that he had swiped from Jasper. “Better than fine.”
“This isn’t a joke, Leo!” Raph snarled. “First off, it’s illegal. Second off, it’s doubly illegal for you as a minor. Thirdly, you could get addicted to any of that crap you were doin’. Fourthly, all those guys are bigger and stronger than ya and could beat you to a pulp. These guys ain’t fooling around, y’know! They’re bad people.”
“At least they don’t carry me like a throw pillow!” Leo writhed in Raph’s grip. “Seriously, put me down!”
“Nope.” Raph hoisted Leo up higher, squeezing him a bit tighter just to make a point. “You’ve lost walking privileges for the night. Raph’s strappin’ you down to your bed if you try to sneak out one more time.”
“Well if you were asleep like you should be then you wouldn’t’ve noticed!”
“Raph was asleep.” Raph grumbled. “My big brother senses were tinglin’.”
“Oh come on, we both know that’s not a thing.” Leo muttered, letting his arms dangle limply.
“Then how do ya explain Raph bein’ awake! I plead my case.” Raph said smugly.
“SERIOUSLY PUT ME DOWN!” Leo growled. “This is humiliating. And did you even wash after training with the Draxula? My shell is literally stuffed into your armpit.”
“Well cope, because Raph ain’t givin’ ya a chance to run again. And don’t call Draxum that. It’s disrespectful.”
“Ew!” Leo whined. “You are so gross!”
“And you smell like smoke, beer and new poker chips.” Raph retorted. “Now shut up.”
Leo scowled but stopped squirming. They travelled in silence for a couple more steps before Raph spoke up again. “Raph just doesn’t get it, Leo. We were raised in the exact same home with a genius warrior alchemist and a rich aristocrat and yet you still act up like this. What do I have to do to get through to ya?”
”I’m not answering that.” Leo muttered.
”Well ya should! How did we end up so different?”
”You tell me, Mr. Favorite.” Leo snipped. “Gee, I wonder why if we were treated the exact same that you spend all your time training with the Draxula while I hang around the Nexus all day, hmmm?”
Raph stopped in the middle of the path. “That’s not fair, Leo.”
”Never said it was. That’s the point.” Leo quipped. “How does it feel to be chasing after the Draxula like a puppy?”
”Raph doesn’t—!” Raph took a deep breath. “I see what you’re doin’. You’re tryin’ to get under Raph’s nerves. Nice try, but the joke’s not funny.”
”What’s funny is that you thought I was joking.” Leo muttered under his breath, and Raph stiffened but didn’t say anything about it.
The rest of the walk back to the Nexus was spent in silence, neither brother feeling up to talking. At the top of the stairs Raph hesitated.
”Look Leo, Raph knows that ya got beef with Draxum, but seriously try to be respectful. He wasn’t in a great mood today, and he’s up waiting for us. Don’t make things worse than they have to be.”
”I’m not the one with a pole up his butt.” Leo snarked. “Old Draxula’s the one with beef.”
”See? That’s the exact kinda smart-talking that I’m asking you not to do.” Raph pleaded. “Seriously Leo. Do you want to get punished again? Is that what you want?”
”Oh right, I put his valuable investment in danger. How inconsiderate of me.” Leo rolled his eyes, and Raph’s jaw clenched.
”You’re not just an investment to him, Leo. He’s your dad.”
”Then maybe he should try acting like it.”
”Why do I even bother?” Raph sighed before the doors slid open and Big Mama hurried out.
”Oh my little turtly-boos!” She flew over to them and cupped Leo’s face in her hands before looking up at Raph. “Are you two okay, sweeties?”
Raph’s eyes softened. “Yeah Ma, we’re fine. Leo here just got a bit banged up is all.”
Big Mama clucked her tongue. “Oh tsk tsk, Little Lee you shouldn’t worry me like this! Draxy is waiting for you and…”
”Have they arrived yet?” Called a deep, irritated voice from inside. “My patience is wearing thin. Raphael bring Leonardo here this instant.”
”…And he’s like that.” Big Mama sighed. “But no matter, I have some chamomile tea brewing and I hope that will calm him down a smidget.”
”Thanks Mama.” Leo offered a grateful nod at the only member in his family that actually seemed to believe in him. “I owe ya one.”
”Oh pish posh sweetie. That’s what mothers do.” She pinched his cheek affectionately before stepping to the side. “Now go get this fizzywinkle sorted out with Draxy. He’s waiting for you in the parlor.”
”Thank you.” Raph nodded gratefully before carrying his brother inside and over to the parlor, where Draxum was standing with his arms crossed. The warrior alchemist looked at them with an unreadable expression as Raph set Leo on his feet.
”Well, Leonardo?” Draxum asked in a low voice. “Care to explain why the police had to wake us up at this hour?”
”Not really.” Leo muttered, but Raph elbowed him in the side and he huffed. “Fine, I got into a fight. It was no big deal, Sir. No one was hurt.”
”A fight?” Draxum pinched the bridge of his nose. “And where, pray tell, was this fight?”
”I think you know the answer to that.” The slider mumbled. He had gotten nabbed by the Hidden City Police for gambling and underage drinking enough times for Draxum to have a good guess. The sheep yokai sighed.
”Yes, Leonardo. I know where I think you were, but I would like for you to say it out loud.” Draxum leaned forward slightly. “Unless, that is, you are too ashamed of your actions to do so. In which case I would like a full explanation of why you chose to repeat such an offense.”
Leo grumbled slightly. “It was at a casino.”
”Which one was it this time?”
”I don’t remember. I just heard of it over a conversation and decided to give it a whirl.”
”That was not your decision to make!” Draxum snapped slightly before composing himself. “You are designed to be a warrior like your brother. You have one mission in life, and that is to train and eradicate the human threat for all yokai kind. Is that understood?”
”Right. An investment.” Leo nudged Raph who stiffened.
”In essence. I simply don’t understand why you can’t act more like Raphael. He trains for hours every day diligently and is not only respectful but also has a clear sight of his mission in life.” Draxum praised. “You I simply can’t understand.”
”Yeah, there’s a lot you don’t understand about me.” Leo shrugged. “But anyways this conversation has been really fun but I’m feeling kinda tired…”
”You do not walk away from speaking with me!” Draxum scolded. “You will show me the respect I deserve as your creator. Understand?”
”Yes, Sir.” Leo offered a sloppy salute.
”Good. Now I’ll have to teach you a lesson, but you’ve proved the task to be difficult.” Draxum rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve already given you extra training, grounding, diminished rations… why can’t you simply take what I teach you and learn from it?”
Leo shrugged. “Sorry, Sir.”
”If you were sorry then you would learn.” Draxum snapped in irritation. “Do you know how much financing was put into a mere drop of mutagen only to have it destroyed? You and your brother are all that is left of my experiment and all of the yokai are counting on you to be everything they need to save them from the human threat. They are depending on you, and you are letting them all down.”
Leo clenched his jaw and refused to respond.
”Very well, perhaps this will help.” Draxum gestured for Leo to follow him. “Right this way, Leonardo.”
Raph started forward as well, concern evident in his Raph-chasm. “Draxum, Sir, may I come too? I just want to…”
”I commend your loyalty to your kin, Raphael. It is the mark of a true leader.” Draxum shook his head. “But I am afraid this doesn’t concern you, so go get some rest. Leonardo will be fine.”
Raph gave a stiff bow in defeat and watched Leo trudge off with Draxum. The sheep yokai led him to the back kitchen and ordered him to sit down. Leo did so, and Draxum nodded. “Wait here.”
”If you insist.” Leo rested his elbows on the table and sat his chin in his hands. Draxum left him for a moment before reemerging from the wine cellar with a tall bottle of vodka. He sat it down in front of Leo and gave the slider an intense stare.
”You think I can’t smell that you were drinking?” Draxum inquired, and Leo gulped. “It’s clearly become an unhealthy pattern for you. You’re lucky that your DNA contains enriched healing efforts.”
”Yeah. Yay.” Leo narrowed his eyes, not liking where this was going.
”And it also means that it takes far more for you to get drunk. But if you insist on defying me in this way then you can go ahead and chug this bottle.”
”Vodka? Gross!” Leo shrank back, eyeing the offending bottle with nervousness tingling his chest. “Um… how many shots is that?”
”Approximately sixteen.” Draxum responded coolly. “With your particular genetic make-up it should be enough to make you feel the harder-end of the effects but not enough to be lethal. Now drink.”
Leo hesitated, beginning to sweat slightly. “Should? Did you just say it SHOULD be? I mean… I don’t think this is necessary…”
”Go on. You should be grateful that I am punishing you in something you supposedly enjoy.” Draxum gestured to the bottle. “I can only hope that after you feel the effects it will dissuade you from drinking again. Now you aren’t leaving this kitchen until that bottle is empty.”
Leo shuddered at the thought of the hard alcohol, eyeing the bottle with dread. But he refused to be seen as weak in front of Draxum, so he popped the cork and began to chug.
(Previous)
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Hey everyone! As some of you may know I finally got around to posting this fic on AO3, so this will likely be the last chapter I’ll post on Tumblr. If you like the story and want to continue reading then you can subscribe to the fic on AO3, now under the name The Shattered Lineage AU! ^^
