[Open Commentlog]

[betterthanraph]

[For what is quite possibly the first time in over a week, Leo isn't actively avoiding every living creature in sight. In fact, he appears to be sitting on the cliffs. With him is a small collection of bottles and a pad of paper and a pencil. He writes on a paper, tears it off, rolls it and places it into the bottle, corks it and then hurls it

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[iwitnessdamsel]

[Hey, Emo-boy. You didn't actually think you could hide from mom for forever, did you?

Cuz she's found you now, and she eats teenage angst for breakfast.

While she'd seen the turtle-like figure from a ways off, the whole chucking motion hadn't made much sense until she came close enough to notice the bottles.]

You putting out an S-O-S for us?

[betterthanraph]

[Well if he wanted to, he would have. 8| Though he's regretting not doing it now, since he knows April will be a lot more heavy-handed than any of his brothers, or even Splinter.]

...sort of.

[iwitnessdamsel]

[It's a gift.

Actually, she's considering how much of a Meanie Face she really should be, considering she has a good idea of what all the turtles have gone through. She'd rather be someone sought out than avoided.]

Mind if I join you?

[betterthanraph]

No, feel free. [He's not going to hope that he'll escape this unscathed, but he's reserving judgment.]

[iwitnessdamsel]

[It's the thought that counts?

April sits, smiling at the teen like she doesn't know he's emo and doesn't know he's afraid of what she could say to him.]

I'm glad I found you--and relaxing of all things.

[betterthanraph]

[...yeah sure, relaxing. That's what he's doing.]

Sorry I haven't been around.

[iwitnessdamsel]

Hmm.

[She nudges him with an elbow.]

You say that like I was expecting you to. C'mon, with things how they were? I think I can understand.

[betterthanraph]

[That kind of hurts.]

Oh.

...okay.

[iwitnessdamsel]

[She rubs his shoulder.]

Sorry. That wasn't meant as an insult.

Things were...getting exciting in...all the wrong ways. That's generally when you guys start getting involved, one way or another.

If you hadn't been out helping your brothers, I would have expected you out there helping anyone else.

[betterthanraph]

[Oh hell in a handbasket, this is even worse than scolding. He clamps his mouth shut and pushes the notepad off of his lap.

Don't be kind, April. Don't think the best of him.]

[iwitnessdamsel]

[This is why she's mom.

April scoots closer and wraps her arm around his shoulders. Then she's Looking at him, trying to judge where they're at. No, she's not letting go no matter what she finds in his expression. She's just looking for what she should say.]

[betterthanraph]

[Leo draws up his legs when she does. Then he ducks his head and rests his forehead against his knees, just to avoid looking at her. He can't.]

[iwitnessdamsel]

[...oh. Oh crap. She honestly hadn't been expecting that.

April tucks her lips between her teeth and hugs him, forehead to his temple. For the moment, she's not certain what to say.]

[betterthanraph]

[Hamato Leonardo does not cry. He might only be eighteen, but he's strong and capable. He's a ninja, and he's killed and saved lives. He's protected his brothers, April, so many people; it takes a lot to really depress him, let alone bring him to tears.

So he's not crying.

But he knows if he doesn't do something soon, he might. So he opens his mouth to tell April that he needs to go, but instead of what he intended to say he begins to talk.

Tells her about what happened with Michelangelo...and what happened with Raphael.]

[iwitnessdamsel]

[She's almost selfishly relieved when Leo starts talking. Starts opening up. Then she just feels guilty for not being around for more of this. It sounds like all the turtles are in need of hugs.

...Yeah, she's definitely gonna go find the rest of them before this little island adventure comes to an end. She knows about basking. She has plenty faith they can fix this little family unit with time and effort. They're leaving this vacation happy, dammit.

April has been rubbing slow circles into the teen's shoulder and shell as he speaks. When he starts to wind down, she tries to find something to say.]

In the end...I think what it comes down to is that they both just missed you, Leo. Having you back now is enough for Mikey...but Raph's stubborn. I hope he'll learn that's not always a good thing. But that'll take time.

The important thing is you're here now.

[This is emphasized with a squeeze.]

[betterthanraph]

[He shakes his head. That's sad, that's upsetting, but worst is that he deserves it. The worst is that they're right. He said those things to Mike, and he betrayed Raphael-

He should have done something else. Should have thought of something else. That's what all that training was for, wasn't it?]