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[The very idea leaves Rue laughing softly, brushing Leo's worry away with a wave of their wing.]

You need not worry, my dear. I am quite the expert at seeing what is left unspoken. The, ah, perks of growing up with my former Court. [When you live in a pit of vipers who will smile so charmingly to your face but call you a beast behind your back, you do learn to read between the lines.]

Just tell me what you need. Shall we go to him now? Or would you prefer to take a moment to gather yourself? I could order in food, if you are feeling hungry. Whatever you require.

[That is something they have in common: Leo's the expert in his family at reading people, no scoping their intentions and characters. It's why he doesn't mind bringing this desperation and worry to Rue; Leo could tell pretty quickly they were safe for that.

But it's likely very telling how Leo stalls on answering for the first time in this conversation. Had he eaten? When was the last time he ate since he realized. He rests a hand over his stomach thinking.]

That's probably a good idea. Y-yeah.

[Rue had a feeling as much.]

Please then, have a seat. I'll have Hob pick us up something.

[and until then, Rue will just get the turtle some water and give him a little space, while still being fully available. Just in case he's feeling overwhelmed and needs a moment to himself.]

[Leo nods quietly. Looks around the room before carefully sitting on the couch, knees pulled up and arms wrapped around them. He looks... small. Like he's shrinking into himself, like if he wanted he could retract his limbs and head into that shell of his. He wants to. He wants to disappear and only come back out when his brother has his memories back.

Leo isn't that lucky. Leo has to fix this, he can't just rely on others to do it. Rely on others for help, sure, but his brother is his responsibility. It's what being a leader means: being responsible for your brothers.]

[Rue gives Leo his space for a few moments, slipping into the small kitchenette to text Hob and arrange a little dinner delivery. By the time they emerge, they set a small tray of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows and a few shortbread cookies out for him to enjoy, before settling beside the young turtle on the couch.

He looks positively devastated, and Rue does not blame him. Even knowing the boys as briefly as they have, Rue has known from the beginning of their intensely strong bond and their natural instinct towards protecting one another. To feel that all of that long history is gone, that he himself is so forgettable, Rue can not begin to imagine his pain.]

Leo, my dear, tell me, would you prefer to talk further? Dinner shall be over shortly, but until then, if there's anything you would like to get off of your chest, so to speak, I'm happy to hear it.

[It's weird, how absolutely still and quiet this turtle can be. Whether it's the years of training as a ninja that does it or the fact he is just that devastated, who's to say. But the moment she opens the floor for him to talk again, he explodes a little.]

This whole place SUCKS! I was here, by myself for a month without any explanation except what those humans told me, which I do not believe by the way and you shouldn't either, and then only one of my brothers shows up and like USUAL we immediately start fighting and now that we settled into a groove and we were going to figure stuff out together, this whole stupid dumbdumb place [And just where did he pick up that descriptor? Definitely borrowed, frustration lending itself to one of his brother's favorite turns of phrases - "dumbdumb"] makes him FORGET I EXIST!

It's not- [He sighs a little, the outburst finished and energy for it gone. Leo hugs his knees a little resting his chin on them.] It's not fair. Can't use my powers, can't contact the rest of my family, can't go home, and now the only family I do have doesn't even know who I am.

[To Rue's credit, Leo explodes and their composure is immaculate. They do not flinch or frown or turn a pitying look his way. Rue's expression is only pinched with that same worry they've held for him all afternoon, a tinge of sorrow rimmed around their dark eyes.

His pain is - Rue can not begin to even describe it, how deeply it must be felt, how hopeless this must feel. Rue has been trying to comfort him certainly, but without any true proof that things will right themselves in the end, why shouldn't Leo react in this way?

So they simply listen, they sit beside him on the couch, hot cocoa softly cooling on the table, and let him yell and scream and hurl every single one of his grievances at the wall, for as long as he needs. And once it's over, as the young man curls up on himself once again, chin dropping to his knees, Rue swoops in close and wraps him up in their wings. It's soft and warm and maybe just a touch ticklish with all of those feathers, but Rue is big enough to enclose Leo completely in a hug, to shield him from the pain of the world if only for a moment.]

You do not have to hold it all inside, Leo. Pray, leave part of it here, with me. I shall hold as much of your fury and hurt as I'm able. You deserve none of this.

[He feels their feathers slowly wrap around. And it's not quite the same heaviness of Raph-hugs, but not the same fuzziness as dad-hugs either. It's different and it's enough to jolt Leo out of his stupor. And maybe it's a little childish to lean into that. Accept it and want to be hugged and cry about it. He's only sixteen, after all.

But the reality is he doesn't have that luxury here. His brother needs him, whether Donnie knows it or not. They can cry about it afterward, big ugly anime tears that he knows Donnie will hate and say "ew gross" about but let Leo do it anyway because that's just how they are.

And then...

Then they'll get up and work together. Because that is just how they are. Leo lets himself settle into that soft feathery down for a few breaths, a couple big ugly sniffles before he wipes at his eyes.]

You're right. It's why we've gotta fix it. [He looks down at his hands. He didn't give up on Raph, they didn't give up on Leo. He nods once with a little tired smile, clenching his fists.] Hope is my greatest weapon. So we're definitely going to fix this. I already helped save the universe once, what's getting my brother's memory back compared to that, right?

[Being sixteen is a challenge all on its own, even without all of the extra hardships that have come into Leo's life. Truly, if Rue could wash away the heavy weight that Leo, Donnie and Peter have all had to carry for so long, they would give them all the chance to simply be silly, carefree teenagers. But not even fey magic can truly alter the past, so Rue will just have to be certain that none of them carry their individual burdens alone from here on forward.

It's a quiet, heartfelt moment between them, the owlbear gently tucking Leo into the warmth and safety of their wings, just until they feel that he's found his composure again. But even as Rue finally pulls away, a feathery paw drops to the young man's shoulder, squeezing, a gentle touch of their unwavering support.]

I should very much like to hear about that sometime.

[Another time. When so much less is at stake. When Leo and Donnie are back to teasing one another. When they can finally look back at this mess and just laugh.]

But you're right. I believe in the bond you've both created. To be quite honest, I somehow doubt whoever is responsible for this had any idea just who they were messing with.

Oh, they really didn't.

[His voice is stronger now, full of confidence and determination. They will figure out what happened and fix his brother's memory. And whoever did it? Is going to get their butts kicked.

But he looks to Rue, takes in their expression and how they're holding themself. And after a moment, Leo smiles.]

Thanks for... all of this. Usually I've got my other two brothers and our friend April to soundboard off of until I get my footing a little, but. I appreciate it.

[There. That's the Leo that Rue knows. He looks unshakeable in his determination, ready to do whatever he must to get his brother back.

And they will.

Their eyes smile back, warm and bright and full of tender affection.]

You're most welcome. Now, drink your cocoa before it gets cold. Hob should be here shortly with dinner and then we can make a plan of attack. However you want to do things, I am fully prepared to follow. I know that I am not the brothers or friends you have relied on in the past, but I refuse to let you go about this alone.

[!!! RIGHT hot cocoa!! He'll just pile himself up on the couch cross-legged and sip.]

Thanks, Rue. I- really appreciate it.

[And if Rue just casually drags the blanket against the back of the couch over his shoulders for a little support, well, no one needs to know.

He's going to be just fine.]

Think nothing of it.

[Oh soft. He settles under the blanket, sipping at the cocoa.]

I'm definitely gonna think of it. I'll pay you back.

If that isn't a threat, I don't know what is.

[But Rue is beaming while Leo snuggles beneath his blanket, cocoa in hand, already looking better suited to handle the next fight ahead of them.]

Think nothing of it until we have Donnie back. If you choose to shower me in gifts after, I'll be able to do nothing but graciously accept.

That is exactly right, you won't be able to do anything but accept. We're very affectionate turtles, so get ready.

Well then, I suppose I shall prepare myself for some affectionate turtles.

[please consume them in affection, rue needs it]

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