Closed Being Left Behind

[Leonardo Orr]

Leonardo's life had never been particularly easy, at least so far. His grandfather being his sole present parent had not he realised been particularly good. He loved his grandfather, wanted to do well by him, but there was little denying that his grandfather was a strict man, who was often both deliberately and intentionally absent. Not turning up to pick him up from the station wasn't even that surprising to him, it hurt that his grandfather had forgotten about him, but he'd always been a little late, so was it that unbelievable that he just wouldn't turn up. He'd sat in the station for hours until Jordie and his uncle had come, having seemingly some sixth sense for him still being there, but he was thankful. Leonardo hadn't figured out what his next step was going to be before Jordie had turned up and he wasn't sure what he would've done other than remain there. Of course leaving had brought with it the worry that his grandfather would turn up and be worried or annoyed that Leo wasn't where he was supposed to be...but the letter that had been sent would've hopefully explained it.

However, a few days had passed and two things had happened in that time, one was that Leo from spending that time outside, shiving in the cold, had come down with a fairly rough cold. His fever was high, his sinuses blocked. He'd been sick a few times and really he just felt rather miserable. And the other thing was that his grandfather hadn't yet turned up. Leonardo did his best to stay focused and present, trying to help out wherever he could because him being sick was a nuisance and him being there was already probably pretty annoying. It just seemed that Jordie and James did not have the same opinion as his grandfather when it came to being sick. But, in a moment where Leo had been coming back to the room he was sleeping in, he suddenly had his grandfather in front of him. His grandfather was frowning at him, and started asking questions, too many for Leonardo figure out how to reply. He couldn't find the words either his mind too fuzzy, but it didn't matter. James was suddenly speaking and Jordie was taking him back to the room he'd been staying in, overhearing as he lay back down his grandfather's loud booming voice telling James that he'd be back before the end of the break.

Part of Leo couldn't believe how easily it seemed his grandfather had given in, but on the other of course. But Leo was quickly drawn back into sleep, and after a few days of rest he began to feel a little more like himself. He woke up in the early hours and made his way out of the bedroom and wandered into the kitchen where James was already. "Morning sir," he greeted his voice tired, a little rough from disuse. ​

 

[James Michaels]

Over the years, James had learned to trust Jordies gut. And after what had happened with Leo, James was furious. Not with the boys, oh no, he was furious with the grandfather. Who in their right mind would leave a child alone like that? And the way Leo acted, James just knew something was wrong. That boy was not being cared for properly. He'd vented to Colin about it, especially after the Grandfather had shown up.

James had very quickly handled that, not putting up with any sort of argument. His opinion of the man couldn't possibly sink any lower, and he'd even been chatting with Colin about taking custody of Leo. James had money and contacts, he knew he could.

He just wasn't sure if he should yet. He was making breakfast when the boy in question came shuffling out, and he turned immediately, offering him a warm smile. "Please, Leo. It's Uncle James, or James. You're family." He insisted. He set down what he was doing and crossed over to the boy, lowering down to his height. "How are you feeling?" He asked, wanting to check Leo over.

 

[Leonardo Orr]

Leonardo moved to one of the available chairs in the room, wrapped his arms around himself as he glanced about. It was growing more familiar by the day and Leo was always thinking about the differences between this kitchen and the one he had with his grandfather. It was nicer and though he'd not been able to notice or appreciate it as much as he might've wanted to in the last weekend, it was nice that James seemed to make most of the meals. Leonardo was often left to his own devices for breakfast - which made sense - and for lunch. Sometimes it would be dinner but that he knew was just so that he learned how to cook which was a valuable skill.

Leonardo glanced at James, it wasn't the first time the man had reminded him of it, but neither uncle James or James really felt right. "I'm not family sir," he insisted tiredly, he was sure that not unlike him pushing back against Jordie and calling his Jordan that this was something he would eventually lose. But it just felt...impolite. "I'm fine," he replied, as he'd been insisting from the start, but at the very least it seemed today it was perhaps more honest. "Can I help with anything?" he asked, he was supposed to earn his place, and give back whenever he could and given how sick he'd been he just hadn't had the chance yet. ​

 

[James Michaels]

James checked Leo over, and satisfied he was doing better, he returned to making breakfast. He chuckled and shook his head. "Nonsense. You're part of this family, Leo. We've adopted you," He smiled over at him. He smiled as Leo asked how he could help, and he looked over at the boy. "Kiddo, I want you to relax and let yourself get better. We're family, and family takes care of each other." He insisted gently, waving a hand and magically setting the table. "When you are feeling completely better, we'll talk about having you help out, if you're insistent on it, but Leo," James smiled warmly at him. "You don't owe us anything. We're helping you out because we want to, because we care about you. We don't expect you to pay us back somehow, you know."

 

[Leonardo Orr]

Leonardo shook his head lightly at the statement. He didn't know how true it was, surely his grandfather wouldn't just give him up like that...Did his father get a say in it. James was surely not being literal. "You haven't though...right?" he trailed off as he spoke, he didn't know why some random guy who was his friend's dad would ever want someone like him when his own grandfather barely wanted him around. leonardo knew his father didn't love him, but surely he still had a say, would want him or something. Leo hadn't seen him in years but..surely if someone was trying to adopt him then he would fight for him to stay. He just shook his head a little, family didn't take care of each other in his experience, so this was foreign to him. "Of course sir, I want to help," he replied he wanted, needed to contribute and help out. It was only fair and polite of him. "When will my grandfather be back to get me?" Leonardo asked, he knew it was a little impolite to ask so soon after being nursed back to health, but his grandfather was his family and he couldn't impose on these people any longer, no matter how nice it was. ​

 

[James Michaels]

James chuckled at the question. "Not officially, no, but you are always welcome here. We care about you, and consider you family, even if you don't believe it," He finished making breakfast and starting dividing it up into servings. He kept his expression cool for the question. "He said he'd pick you up the last weekend," He offered, his voice a little dry. James didn't care for Leo's grandfather at all. "Are you feeling up for breakfast?" He asked Leo. "If solid food doesn't sound appealing yet, I can whip you up some broth, it'd only take me a moment." He smiled warmly at Leo.

 

[Leonardo Orr]

It was relieving to know that it wasn't official, but it didn't make him feel any better about it. He was sure that his grandfather wouldn't have said the same about any his friends. Wouldn't even extend an ounce of kindness to someone. "Okay," Leo was almost disappointed that he would be, but he had to go home at some point, hopefully though his grandfather would be so frustrated with all of this drama that he would forget to ask about how he did in his classes. "Did he mention if my dad would be there?" Leonardo hadn't heart from his dad in a while, so he was sure that his grandfather wouldn't have. Leo nodded, he looked at his hands, it was odd, James was unlike any adult in his life. His grandfather would've quicker sent him to bed than make anything else after he'd made something. "Breakfast will be fine. I can eat whatever you make," Leonardo replied, he didn't want to make things more difficult, or force James to go more out of his way. ​

 

[James Michaels]

James shook his head, frowning. "No, I'm sorry, he didn't mention your dad." He offered gently. James didn't like this family, this boy acted... well, James was worried. He wanted to keep Leo here, but he knew he didn't have any right to be protective of this child. Despite what Jordie might think. He smiled more genuinely as Leo spoke. James had been expecting that. "Ah, but I already made both," He replied with a cheeky grin. "I appreciate honesty, Leo. Truthfully, how do you feel? You'll be here for longer yet, so please, just be honest with whats going on. How are you feeling?" He persisted, fixing the boy with a firm gaze. James was certainly stubborn when he wanted to be.