“Mikey.” Leonardo’s stern voice silenced the apartment, the one in question looked at him with a sheepish grin.
“Uh, hah, my bad Emma…” Mikey leaned forward and turned his head to the side to apologize. He set his stack of six slices down on the coffee table before he moved to stand.
“Oh, it’s alright Mikey, it’s just a lamp,” Emma smiled, shrugging, before getting up, subconsciously patting Leo’s thigh before completely standing and going to clean up the shattered lamp.
Leo was frozen as her soft hand patted his exposed thigh. She touched him so freely, not he minded but he couldn’t figure out how this small woman had this power over him. He doesn’t even know her, yet…No. Leo shook his head slightly and averted his gaze until he saw Emma sashay around his long legs. He watched as Emma helped Mikey with the clean up. Leo stayed silent, cursing himself and internally groaning over the fact he was resulted to mush from a single touch.
“I can fix that for you,” the purple brother commented as he entered the small living area, typing away on his tablet.
“I’m sorry Emma…” Mikey whispered as he bent beside her and pushed her back slightly so that she wouldn’t cut herself on the glass. His large, nimble fingers grasped the small pieces and collected them in his palm.
“Don’t sweat it Mikey, things happen…let me go get you a dust pan,” Emma stood to walk towards the closet as Raphael grabbed the small trash can at the side of the kitchen island and walked towards Mikey.
“It’s time to leave—,” Leonardo made an attempt to stand before the largest brother’s voice boomed.
“Oh lay off fearless, it was an accident, he said sorry and she accepted,” Raphael grumbled, sitting back on the barstool, leaning over a plate of pizza and a sprite can that was dwarfed in his large fingers.
“Fearless?” Emma asked, holding the dustpan as Mikey swept up the glass, careful as not to cut either of them on the thin, sharp pieces. Leo glanced over at Emma who was slightly bent over at the waist, one toned arm extended with the dust pan while the other gripped her thigh to keep her balance. Her cute penguin pajama bottoms hung low on her hips, her gray cardigan wrapped around her shoulders, looking as if they were wings.
“Hah yea, honor boy ov’a here,” Raph tossed his head, pointing towards Leo, “is our ‘fearless leader,’ likes to call the shots.”
“Ignore him, he’s just upset about earlier,” said Donatello, nonchalantly, as he picked his head up from the small tablet.
“Shut up Don, ya were too,” Raphael snipped with a heavy eye roll before downing the rest of the Sprite. Crushing the can and tossing it into the trash can beside her.
“Enough Raph,” Leonardo’s stern voice commanded, causing Emma to look up, watching as Leo stood, stoic and arms crossed. His brilliant blue eyes were boring into his brother’s and it became a silent battle until Mikey broke the air.
“Wow, it’s been a whole…what, fifteen minutes since ya’ll had this fight?” Mikey jokes, causing Donnie to snort as he walked up and fist bumped the orange covered brother. His comment seemed to break the older two’s staring contest. Emma could feel the tension dissipate in the air.
“Yo! Is that Mario Kart!?” Michelangelo bounded toward the bookshelves that lined her T.V.
“You have ALL the GOOD ONES! Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, Kingdom Hearts, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2! OH!! You also have Assassins Creed: Valhalla and Borderlands 3! I LOVE yoU!” Emma couldn’t stop giggling over how Mikey was geeking out over all of your video games.
“If you’re not too busy…wanna play?” Emma asked, turning to look at each of the brothers before turning her full attention on the one in blue. He was the leader after all and she wanted to respect his wishes.
With a heavy sigh, Leonardo shook his head yes, giving Mikey a small smile before tossing his head towards the T.V.
“Sure Mike…”
A collective ring of, ‘whoops,’ and hollers could be heard ricocheting off of her tiny apartment walls. All the boys filed into the small living area, picking either the floor or a recliner to reside in as both Emma and Leo had the couch to themselves. Leo never moved from his spot as he was worried his shell would scrape across her delicate skin and hurt her. Any and all small touches were initiated by her and Leo wasn’t going to complain. Something about Miss. Emma Reynolds pulled at him and he wanted, no, needed to figure out exactly what it was about her that held a power over him.
What Emma didn’t understand was what exactly she just invited in and signed up for. The hours flew by, pizza devoured and along were almost all of her snacks (except the oatmeal, Mikey wasn’t a fan.) Before she realized, she felt her head fall forward and her shoulder was jostled. Squeaking, she picked up her head, quickly analyzing her surroundings she realized that she was still in her apartment and she hadn’t dreamt of meeting Leo and his brothers. She gasped, it became apparent that she had fallen asleep on Leo himself.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry!” Emma hid her face behind her sleeves as she tried to brush away at the edges of her lips, praying there was no drool.
“Not a problem, I’m glad to be of service.” Oh…She liked the way that sounded…maybe a little too much.
“What time is it anyway?”
“Just past 4 in the morning. I’m afraid we have overstayed our welcome and have put you out.” They conversed as they stood, his brothers were already cleaning up the small living space.
“Oh please, I can—” Emma didn’t get a chance to finish fussing over them cleaning before Leonardo cut in.
“We’ve taken advantage of your hospitality, the least we can do is clean up after ourselves.” She couldn’t decide if it was because she wasn’t fully awake, or the lack of proper sleep, but she could have sworn his eyes twinkled. Glimmering sapphires that pulled her in.
“I apologize for my brothers and I for putting you in this situation.” Emma heard Leonardo as she watched his brothers leave out of her small window. They tossed their goodbyes, Mikey even gave her a hug before bounding out the small window. Chuckling to herself, she turned but hadn’t expected Leonardo to stand so closely behind her, a quick breath escaped past her pink lips before she righted her footing.
“Hah, no need to apologize Leo, Mikey is a sweetheart and each of them offered their help.” Emma shrugged, stepping to the side, allowing room for him to walk past. As their positions shifted, she felt a sudden pull, the same pull she’s felt all night and wondered if he felt it too. They locked eyes for the first time since his brothers stepped into her apartment to which she felt the pull getting tighter, her heart beat faster. She’d be lying if she hadn’t eyed him all night, seeing him in the dim lighting of her apartment, the light of the tv reflected on his face as he watched his brothers play Mario Kart. He was beautiful, so were his brothers, all in their own way, but something about Blue made her heart jump.
Leo was the first to break eye contact, twisting to straddle the window sill before shucking out onto the fire escape.
“Goodnight Miss. Emma. Thank you for your hospitality.” Leo had only gripped the first ring on the ladder before he felt a whisper of a touch against his forearm. Emma.
“Uh…sorry,” she whispered before letting him go, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable at her sudden touch. He was silent as he watched her, her green eyes shifting and looking anywhere but him. Until a sudden gust of wind blew her blonde hair around her shoulders, causing her jade colored eyes to look up at him again.
“Will I get to see you again Leo? Or is this a goodbye?” He didn’t like how she looked sad, but he knew that her words rang some truth. For her protection, he and his brothers would have to separate themselves from her. No matter how much he didn’t want to…she had plagued his thoughts ever since he saved her that night. But it was for her safety and he felt this pull that screamed that he needed to protect her. He’d be damned if he didn’t put his all into keeping her out of harm’s way.
“I believe this is goodbye…it is for your—,”
“My protection…I understand, I’m sad but I understand.” Wow. That was his only coherent thought, he was not expecting that reaction but by the way she was so blatantly honest made him believe that she truly understood. He let go of the ladder, glancing up at the roof to see three shadows looming over the edge. Leonardo stepped towards the window.
“Please…stay safe Miss Reynol—,”
“Emma…I used you as a pillow, you can use my first name,” Emma giggled as she watched him bend down towards her in a deep bow. He looked up, his mask tails falling over the front of his shoulders. Too tempting.
Emma all but lunged forward, gripping his mask tails, pulling herself to him, pressing her lips against his cheek. She was shocked by the warmth and the subtle feel of his pebbled flesh. She hadn’t anticipated his warm and smooth texture against her lips and she wanted to selfishly take more. But knew, if she took that dive, she’d want more and if this was truly a goodbye, she didn’t want to be heart broken over what could have been.
“Hah…Goodnight Leonardo…stay safe,” she whispered against his cheek before she pulled away, he was frozen for a split second before standing at his full height. He had to at least be over 6’5”, Emma herself was 5’6” and he was towering over her. He gave her a sheepish side smile,
“Stay outta trouble sweetheart,” he gave her a toothy grin and she realized that he had such a beautiful smile. Those were his last words before she watched him disappear into the night, well early morning light. It was around 4:30 in the morning. Emma couldn’t believe that she had stayed up this late but she didn’t regret it one bit. She only hoped, as she made her way to her bedroom that she’d, in fact, ‘catch’em later,’ as Mikey had adorably called to her before he left. She could only pray that it truly wasn’t a final goodbye, she was ready to take on the responsibility and challenges that would no doubt come with knowing the unique brothers.
Emma gave one final sigh before closing her window and shutting off the T.V and lights. As she refolded the blankets on the couch she picked up the one that smelled of jasmine and coconut and a light spice. Leo. Emma knew that she was probably acting crazy but she has never felt this way about anyone in her twenty years of life. Shaking her head, she tucked the green blanket under her arm, flicking off the last lamp she walked to her room. Her mind filled with the one and only blue-banded terrapin and his unique family. Usually not one for praying, but she did that morning, prayed that it wasn’t the last time she’d see him. He was her final thought before exhaustion took over her overactive mind. Dreaming of sapphire gems.
——
Leo twisted and landed back on the rooftop as he waited to be interrogated by his nosy brothers.
“SO Fearless…your girlfriend’s nice,” Raphael smirked at his eldest brother, as he slouched against the roof’s shed, twirling a single sai with his three-pronged hands. Leonardo sighed, he knew this was going to happen but hoped that this entire night had gone differently. Leo wouldn’t admit it to his brother’s but he wished that he had gotten to know Emma a bit more on his own before introducing her to his…unconventional family.
“Leave him alooone Raph! Let Leo have some fun!” Mikey quipped, shimming towards his eldest brother with a wink and a large grin.
“It’s not like that…” Leo groaned, he wasn’t going to entertain the idea of courting her. Not that he wasn’t interested, but because he didn’t want her to be in danger because of him and his family.
“Hey man, I saw the way she kept touching you! She even fell asleep on you!” Mikey exclaimed, sitting on the ledge of the roof cross-legged holding his ankles with a shit eating grin.
“She’s just grateful that I saved her life…”
“I don’t know why you’re makin’ up excuses man! She’s hawt!” All his brothers burst out in laughter at his expense while commenting on how hawt Emma is. It bugged Leo a bit on how they so crassly talked about her after she just extended such care and accepted them for who they are. Leo stood, head down and trying to ignore their onslaught of mocking and distasteful comments until Mikey took it too far.
“Shit man, I’d hit that! She could rub up on me any day!”
“Enough!” Leonardo commanded, he came undone and glared at each of his brothers. Their behavior was unacceptable.
“Emma was nothing but nice to you and you talk about her as if she’s an object.” Leo’s words cut through each of them, they’ve seen him mean business before but this time, it was different. He almost seemed feral.
Leonardo took a deep breath, holding the bridge of his snout as he squeezed his eyes closed.
“We’ll split up for the last thirty-minutes of patrol. Mikey you take the entrance on 4th, Raph takes 17th and Don you’ll take the entrance on 32nd street when going home. I’ll take 53rd and meet you all back at 5am. Break out.” Leonardo was the last to leave from the roof, ignoring the mumbled groans and curses as his brothers departed. Leo wanted to check up on Emma one last time before he bid her goodnight. Seeing his brother’s break out, he descended back down the fire escape and saw that all the lights were off and her window was locked. Leo took a relieved sigh as he moved to see that her blinds were pulled over her bedroom window.
After he had dropped Emma off at her apartment that night, he stayed to scope the area. The man that had attacked her was behind bars because he had a few outstanding warrants but you could never be too careful. Leo was able to lift blueprints for the apartment building after sneaking onto Don’s computer after he had finally passed out on a pile of broken experiments and pop tart wrappers. Leo reached down into one of his utility pouches and grabbed the few sensors he got from Donnie and placed one on each of her windows. These sensors were meant to detect any movement and would alert him if any of the windows would be opened from the outside. Yes, it was a possibility that he was being overprotective but…honestly, he couldn’t even reason why he was doing it. He adored Miss Emma Reynolds and she just pulled him in further with how she handled his brothers tonight. Leo let out a small chuckle before he finished his quarter of patrol before heading back to the lair.
——
Unbeknownst to the small, blonde woman and the clan of mutants was that a certain highly-trained ninja stood watch from the shadows deep within the alley across the street. The feminine assassin watched the encounter between the leader in blue and the small blonde woman. She was curious about exactly the nature of the relationship. Right then, Karai decided she was going to find out who this blonde woman was and see if she could assist with the turtle’s undoing.
We’ll see.
——
It has been a full seven days. A week has past by since Leonardo had last seen or spoke to Emma and he was getting antsy. Leo had her number, but he couldn’t get the courage to text her, worried that he would become an hindrance to her. What if meeting her and her meeting his brothers was a fluke? What if there wasn’t anything there to be expanded on. Even though Leonardo understands that the fewer people that know of their existence, it is for the best but…He sensed that Emma Reynolds was different. Donnie did a scoop on her and it came back crystal clear, not even a parking ticket or late payment. She was exceptionally organized, and dare he say it…beautiful.
Leo checked the clock for the tenth time in five minutes and scolded at the slow moving hand. He had patrol tonight and he was debating whether or not he should stop by and check in on her. Leonardo sighed again before palming the mask above his eye ridge.
“What is the matter, my son?”
“Nothing father,”
“Leonardo,” Leo squeezed his eyes before turning to meet his father.
“I will ask again…What is troubling you?”
“Sensei…I must confess something.” Master Splinter looked calm and collected but his eldest son’s words troubled him. It was unlike Leonardo to keep things from him and unlike him to be this hesitant when professing his truths.
“Alright my son, let us sit. I have made some jasmine oolong tea.” Leonardo nodded, filling his father into the meditation room.
The room was dimly lit, the intricate blue tatami mat sat in the center, floor pillows surrounded the small table that was in the center of the room. The scent of jasmine-oolong tea wafted and mingled in the air with the dull scent of vanilla and warmth. Leonardo immediately felt calmed by the aroma and essence of the room.
“Sit my son,” Master Splinter motioned as he knelt on a tatami floor pillow before pouring the tea for him and his son.
“Sensei…I saved a woman a few weeks back,” Leo said while he knelt down on his knees in front of his father, across the small table. Sensei hummed for his son to continue as he sat the small tea cup in front of him.
“She was attacked and I happened to be in the area…she didn’t scream, she was kind.” Master Splinter looked at Leonardo, seeing the way his son avoided eye contact and how he fidgeted with his fingers. Splinter smiled at the nervousness that his son was portraying, it was so unlike his character and it made him curious on who exactly this young woman was.
“Her n-name is Emma Reynolds, she lives by herself, she’s twenty years old, she’s a manager at a yoga studio and she lives by herself. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, she’s fit, kind, sweet and has dimples when she smiles—.” Leonardo continued to ramble on about this new woman that he has met and it took all that Splinter had not to smile at his son. He could tell that Leo was struggling with the feelings he has for this woman.
Leonardo finished his ramblings and took a deep breath, his eyes widening as he realized that he sounded like a rambling Donnie.
“Is your turmoil because she was kind or that you let yourself be seen?”
“My turmoil is that I allowed her to cloud my judgment and she has met, not only myself, but also my brothers.” He finished, head downcast and ready to be reprimanded by his wise father. Leonardo has been fighting with himself internally ever since that night a week ago.
“I’m under the impression that she holds no threat and that Donatello has vetted her?”
“Yes…she’s clean, no threat…But you cannot be too careful,”
“But her being a threat is not your worry.” Master Splinter stated the truth. Leonardo knew the reasoning and he felt like a fool to admit it.
“You’re worried that she is in danger of being exposed to you and your brothers.”
“Yes.” Leonardo’s stunning blue eyes were deep, shining in the dim lighting of the room and Master Splinter knew that there would be only one answer for Leonardo at this moment.
“Then you need to decide what is best for her. Is it for you and your brothers to disappear from her life? Or…Is it best for you to stay close and protect her at any cost? Are you willing to accept the consequences that will surely follow about either option?”
“I have told her goodbye Sensei…but I have this…need to be close to her. Like a pull—I sound ridiculous.” Leo set down his tea cup a little harder than anticipated and it just frustrated him more. Why was he acting like this?
“Leonardo, my son…You have always struggled with your feelings, don’t hide from them. Meditate and embrace them. It is not a burden to have feelings or share those feelings with others.”
“Thank you Sensei,” Leonardo made to stand still feeling frustrated yet, before he stood fully, he felt a hand at his wrist.
“Go to her Leonardo, ease your mind.” He knew that Sensei was right, and that helped him make up his mind about his earlier dilemma.
After thanking his father, he left the small room and headed back into the den where he saw Donnie reading at the kitchen table, Mikey playing video games and Raphael lifting weights. Leonardo took this opportunity to make his exit, knowing he could leave without anyone noticing his absence.
Once he exited the sewers he was welcomed by the crisp night air. It was getting colder as it crept closer to winter, the air nipped at his pebbled flesh. While on patrol the night was overall pretty quiet, except for a small burglary here and there, an older woman whose cat was stuck on a fire escape. Checking his watch for the millionth time that night, it was 11:30pm. He wondered if he should see if Emma was home, do a quick check before staking out different parts of the city for the remainder of the night. Leo was only a few blocks away and decided to hell with it. He wanted to see her, make sure she was safe.
After about five minutes of jumping across rooftops, Leo could see the warm glow of her apartment light up the night sky. She was home. Landing on the last rooftop across her apartment he felt a sudden flutter in his stomach. He despised the feeling of butterflies in his stomach but he was going to embrace the feeling like Sensei said. To grow in life, you must accept what is hard and push through obstacles. This was an obstacle. She was an obstacle.
With that final thought, Leo made the jump physically and emotionally. A decision that he would grow to respect and appreciate. Leonardo gripped the small rusty ladder and slowly made his way down to her window.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Emma was dancing in the kitchen when she heard a quiet tapping on her window. Wait, could it be? She twisted and slowly leaned to look over the small wall separating the kitchen from the den to see a massive, dark silhouette.
Leonardo?
Leonardo waited outside on the small balcony, worried that he had disturbed her, or frightened her. They did say their brief goodbyes last week…Man was this a bad idea? Leonardo shook his head, clearing out his insecurities as he saw the lithe blonde make her way towards her window. Her short green shorts and taupe colored hoodie that said “bad bitch club,” in tiny font spanned across her chest. He chuckled as he saw her smile at him before lifting the old, wooden window. There was no reason to worry.
“Well hello Leonardo,” she smiled, giving him a small wink before tossing her head for him to come inside. She was in a great mood and now that he’s here, it just became the best night ever.
“Hello Miss—,” he watched her turn slightly, her arms crossed over her chest, eyebrow raised as if challenging him to finish his sentence, “Emma.” Leonardo smirked at the snarky blonde before closing the window behind him and turning off the silent alarm on his phone from the sensors on her window.
“What brings you here, not that I’m mad but…I thought we said our goodbyes.” He knew this conversation was bound to happen.
“Yes, we did and I apologize but with you knowing my brother’s and I exist…I am now obligated to keep you safe.”
“Ah, so you feel as though it is your duty to protect me?”
“Yes,” but the way he said it left her questioning if it was the only reason as to why he showed up tonight.
“I don’t need a guard dog…or turtle really,” Emma said, sounding a bit more clipped than what she initially intended but hoping that her intentions were clear. She was forever grateful for him saving her life, but she didn’t want to be a burden and cause him more inconveniences.
“…It is not the only reason,” Leonardo’s shoulders squared and even though they stood about eight feet apart, she felt as if he was looming over her. Something seemed off and she sensed that he was trying to tell her something but wasn’t sure how.
“Then, enlighten me.” Emma mirrored Leo’s stance, her toned arms across her chest, hip jutted and weight distributed to her right side. She wasn’t going to allow this man to intimidate her.
“I wanted to see you,” Oh, she was not expecting that blunt of an answer, “I wanted to see if you were okay and if, by the off chance, you thought about me too.”
The silence echoed loudly between them as she contemplated his words. He was right, she wanted to see him again the second he left her apartment last week. She wanted to reach out to him but was unsure how. She didn’t want to admit it, but he was on her mind everyday, so was his brother’s but Leonardo was the star in each of her daydreams.
“Yes.” Emma spoke with a finality, being honest with herself and with him.
“I wanted to know if you were safe…I wanted to see you again.” Emma’s pose relaxed and she turned to head back towards her kitchen before she called over his shoulder, asking if he’d like anything to drink. But before she could get the words out, she watched Leonardo tense up before he twisted back towards her window. The deafening sound of shattered glass and a scream she did not recognize as her own.
A body dressed in all black and a red bandana was thrusted into her living room, Leonardo grabbed them by their shoulders before throwing them onto her couch.
“Karai.” Leonardo’s stern voice boomed inside the small apartment as he pinned the small woman to Emma’s couch. His mind was locked onto the foot soldier under him but he was temporarily distracted when he heard Emma scream his name. Karai took that moment to knee him in his hard chest plate, thrusting forward until she moved out from under him.
Leonardo refocused and saw that Karai was staring at Emma and was about to move towards the small blonde. No.
“Karai. Leave her out of this. This is between you and me.” He threatened, moving to stand between her and Emma, slowly watching Karai’s every move. He didn’t trust her and he hated himself for putting Emma in her sights.
“Oh Leonardo is protecting his little girlfriend. She’s too sexy for you baby,” Karai licked her blood red lips, her sharp black winged gaze bored into his. Emma didn’t like to judge upon first impressions but this bitch could go fuck herself. Emma growled and hunkered down, and was ready. For what, she wasn’t sure, but she was running through what she’s learned in the boxing classes that she’s done for the past two weeks.
“Enough Karai. What do you want.” Leonardo’s hands gripped his katanas and was ready to take on the Shredder’s spawn.
“You.” Before Leo could comprehend what was happening, Emma’s apartment was flooded with Foot soldiers. He fought five on one as Karai stalked the outskirts of the fight, her eyes flickering between Leonardo and his small female companion.
“Argh!” Leonardo growled as he felt a katana slice open his shoulder before he felt the plunge of a needle in the softer flesh behind his knee and another at his elbow.
“Kar—ai.” He growled, attempting to stand but was quickly detained by the few remaining Foot ninjas that were not fighting for their lives at his feet.
“Oh sweet Leonardo-san…you. Are. Mine.” The next thing he sees is a wall of black before unconsciousness takes him. Emma’s safety being the last thing on his mind.
As Leonardo’s body slumped and he was hoisted up by three ninjas and tossed back out the window, Emma’s heart ached. This wasn’t over. The woman that Leonardo identified as Karai was standing by the window, staring her down.
“Call his brothers. Let them know I have him then speak of this to no one. Or I will return.”
“I’m counting on it.” Emma knew that there was no way she could intimidate the highly skilled woman in front of her but she’d be damned if she didn’t try.
“Feisty. No wonder he likes you.” Karai whistled before tossing a phone towards Emma.
“Make the call. Or die.” Was the last thing she heard before she heard the shattered glass crunch beneath the soldier’s feet before the woman disappeared out of sight.
Emma’s body decompressed, all the events heavy on her shoulders. She clutched the phone to her chest as she tried to catch her breathing. Do it. Do it for Leo. Emma thumbed the cell before she realized that she couldn’t gain access to the small device.
“Ugh! I just need to call Donnie!” She exclaimed. That must have been the magic phrase because a robotic voice echoed out of the phone.
“Calling Donatello.”
Ring. Ring. rin—
“Hey Leo, wher—,”
“Donnie. It’s Emma.”
“…Em—ma…uh…hi…”
“It’s Leo. He was taken by Karai.”
The silence echoed in the ransacked apartment. Emma could hear the thumping of her heart and the blood flow in her veins. Donatello’s voice finally rang from the other side of the line.
“Uhhhh! Will this day ever end?” Emma whined as she flopped down on the old sofa, her book bag falling with a thud.
“You’re tellin’ me girl. I’m sending my sixteenth email today about an inquiry about an upcoming wedding!” Kiya yelled from over her shoulder.
“That’s amazing, babe!”
“Yeah! I can’t wait to tell Evie! She’s going to be so excited!”
It’s so great to see Kiya so happy as she was all snuggled up in that oversized blue hoodie. Blue. Emma sighed again before laying her head on the back of the couch. Leonardo has been on her mind for the past week. Every time she sees the color blue she’s brought back to him. He’s all but encompassed her every thought. She’s even been thinking about ways to get into trouble on purpose just to get his attention. That was absurd of course but…she wanted to see him again. Get to know him, figure out what his interests are, what makes him laugh…too feel those strong arms around her again.
“Woohoo! Earth to Emma! You in there?” Emma blinked rapidly as Kiya waved her arm vigorously in front of her eyes.
“Huh, yeah I’m here…heh sorry,”
“So…who’s got you smilin’ like that?” Kiya teased as she perched on the armrest of the couch as if she was a cat stalking its prey.
“Huh…oh…no one,” hell even Emma knew that didn’t sound convincing enough.
“Bullhonky!” Kiya called as she lovingly slapped Emma’s knee before getting up and heading towards the kitchen.
“Are you going to give me details or am I going to have to pry them out of you?” Emma turned to see Kiya standing in front of the stove, looking back. Kiya has one half with a coffee mug and the other with their bottle of patron. Kiya was looking at her with a mischievous twinkle in her eye and Emma knew there was no way out of this one.
“Hot chocolate for me babes, I’ll tell you.” Emma admitted defeat, she had to work early tomorrow and there was no way she was going in with a nasty hangover.
Once Kiya made it back to the couch, Emma had stripped off her jacket and got comfortable underneath the sherpa blanket. Blowing over the hot cocoa, Emma tried to silently wait but she was starting to feel burned by the holes Kiya was staring into her.
“Okay…I met someone,” Emma started, not quite sure where to go from there. It wasn’t like she could come outright and tell Kiya about him…she’d ask too many questions and Emma wouldn’t have a single answer ready.
“…and…c’mon Em! Don’t keep me hangin’ this is the first guy in how long? Four years?”
“Heh…yeah…well, um, his name is Leo, uh, Leonardo.” Emma could practically feel Kiya vibrate with excitement beside herself, the whip cream melting over the side of the small coffee mug.
“He saved me the other night when I was leaving the studio…It could’ve been really bad if he hadn’t showed up.” Emma wasn’t sure what else she could or even should say.
“Oh so mystery, “Blue,” has a name and he’s saved your life? So that leaves one question.” Kiya wiggled her eyebrows and Emma chuckled. She couldn’t take Kiya seriously as she had a huge whip cream stash and gave her the best ‘sexy smolder,’ eyes she could.
“I’m afraid to ask but…what question is that?” Emma snuggled deeper into the plush cushions, cradling the hot mug to her chest as she awaited Ki’s answer.
“I’ll be good…when are you going to see him again?” Oh…I wasn’t expecting that.
“That’s the thing…I think it was just a one time thing…y'know?” Taking another sip, Emma sighed again, “But…that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see him again, I really do…but it’s—complicated.” What Emma wasn’t going to tell Kiya was that, ever since that night, she has left her window slightly ajar just in case he stopped by. She wanted to see him, talk to him, she wanted to get to know him. How’d he come to be? Where does he live? Will she ever see him again?
“What could be complicated? This guy saved your life Em!—ah! Please tell me you got his digits!” Kiya began bouncing again, waiting for the answer Emma knew she couldn’t give her.
Sigh, “No…I didn’t get his number…our time was so brief and after everything I didn’t think to ask…” Emma took another deep sigh before finishing off the hot chocolate before leaning to set it onto the coffee table. They continued their small talk before Emma grabbed her stuff to head back to her apartment. It was only about ten o’clock this Friday and Emma needed to get home and sleep.
“Emma!”
Emma turned to look towards the balcony window that her friend was leaning out of and waving like a maniac.
“Call me when you get home! Oh and—LEONARDO! IF you’re out there…COME GET YA GURL!” Kiya squealed out for the whole city to hear.
“KIYA!” Emma bellowed before palming her forehead and shaking it back and forth, giggling away at her crazy friend.
“Love ya! Call me!” Kiya yelled again before she disappeared back into the safety of her apartment.
Shaking her head, Emma started to make her trek home, but not without looking towards the roof tops in wonder. Wondering if he had heard her crazy friend, if he was there or if he was out saving lives. She only wished that he was safe.
——
Only about a block away, the leader in blue was frozen to the spot. He stood atop a local shop waiting for his brothers to meet up when he heard the yell.
“…LEONARDO! IF—…COME GET YA GURL!”
That couldn’t have been a coincidence right? There’s only a handful of humans that know him. Then it dawned on him, there was the woman he saved not too long ago. Miss Emma Reynolds. This was worrisome because that means she had told someone about him and he needed to find out and protect his family. Surveying the area, and checking his phone, Leo knew that he wouldn’t be meeting up with his brother’s for at least another thirty minutes. He peered over the edge of the tall building and realized that he was only a few blocks away from Emma’s place. Leonardo decided that he needed to pay a visit to Miss. Reynolds and make sure she understands that no one can know he exists.
——
Emma finally stood in front of her apartment door, it had been a crazy long day but it felt as if a weight was lifted after talking with Kiya. Emma loved her eccentric friend and how she made situations that involved feelings so easy. Emma went through her nightly routine until she was freshly showered, and snuggled on her couch in her small studio apartment. She was perched in the corner of the couch, novel in hand and watching Nightmare before Christmas. She was in her own world when a sudden tapping startled her. Confused, she glanced around her apartment, not understanding where the sound came from. Chalking it up as nothing, she returned to her book.
Tap tap tap
Hearing it again, she looked around until her eyes fell onto her window. A dark shadow was perched on the railing before she saw a flash of blue.
Leonardo.
Emma rushed, throwing her blanket and book aside, she basically sprinted towards her window. Thrusting the window open, the cool air chills her in her thin pajamas.
“Leo,” Emma greeted, shocked and excited that he was here.
Leonardo was slightly taken aback by her excitement of seeing him there. For a split second he contemplated on how he should go about this type of situation but knew that he needed to set her straight. This wasn’t a game and she could be in danger (and so could his family) if anyone, of importance, knew that she had met him.
“Hello Miss Emma.” He said as he gripped the windowsill so effortlessly. If she hadn’t known better, she would say that he looked stoic and still like a gargoyle. Emma silently motioned with her head for him to come inside. She couldn’t read him by his expression but something told her that this wasn’t entirely a social visit. Maybe it was in the way his eyes followed her, or the way his jaw was set. Either way, she wanted him to feel welcomed, it was the least she could do since he had saved her life.
“Please, just Emma,” she smiled, “you can come inside…if you’d like, it’s a bit chilly out tonight.” Emma couldn’t believe how nervous she felt but an undeniable surge of excitement rolled through her as she watched him move into her small apartment.
“Thank you, but I am good. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to check in…How are you?” That’s a damn lie, Leonardo thought, he overheard some woman yelling a few blocks down about how a ‘Leonardo’ needed to come get his girl. It could’ve been a fluke but the coincidence wasn’t lost on him. If it was about him, that means she told someone about him and he couldn’t have that. Which in turn, was the main reason why he showed up. He wasn’t ready to admit that he had checked in on her a few nights before he’d return home from patrol.
“Yes I am, thank you…uh…I am actually glad to see you again.” When looking at him, a sense of confidence surged through her as their eyes locked. Something about his demeanor, how he looked at her made her feel…powerful.
“I am honored. Apologies for coming unannounced, I was in the neighborhood and thought I should check in.” He stayed standing by the window, his large form and his shell almost completely covered her window. He had his swords sheathed against his shell, padding covered his elbows and knees, cotton wraps covered his forearms and legs. She noticed that he had a few tattoos and wondered how he got those, that was a question for another time. He still had his traditional Japanese sandals, and she noticed a blue silk rope adorning his wrist. Blue.
“Hah you said that…Were you checking on me or going trick-or-treating?” She smiled, seeing as he would fit in at the halloween parade that continued in the streets below. The hoops and hollers of people and music swept through the chilled streets.
“Hah, I don’t particularly join the festivities, that’s more of my brother’s crowd.” The second he said it he wished he could take it back. Shit. Way to not give up your family Leo! *insert internal eye roll and face palm.*
“Brothers?” Emma asked, but the look on her face made her wish she could suck the words back. His expression became guarded, his jaw tightened and his three fingered hand flexed.
There was a sudden silence, the only noise came from the small television and the sound of her dishwasher purring in the background. They stood apart, yet she felt as though he was receding farther and farther away from her.
“Leo…you do not have to tell me. I respect you and your privacy.” Emma said, chancing a step forward as she gently placed her hand atop his folded arm that was now across his chest. She was worried that she would spook him into leaving, which was the very last thing she wanted. As her hand lightly squeezed his arm, she could feel him relax as she watched his knitted brows release behind the confines of his blue mask. He let out a sigh. He wasn’t expecting that type of reaction and he was grateful.
“I appreciate that Emma,” He gave her a small, side smile which she reciprocated by grinning like a goofball looking at him. She was glad his worry had been eased but she could still tell that he was still on edge and even though he was within three feet of her, she sensed that he was lightyears away.
“Alright Blue, I don’t know about you, but I am kinda hungry, want pizza?” He seemed to have perked up at the mention of pizza. I will have to remember that.
“Pizza? What kind of toppings?” He shouldn’t have answered, he hadn’t intended on staying and this was slowly getting out of control to which he was finding it harder and harder to leave her the longer he stayed.
“Only the OG, pepperoni and cheese, extra pepperoni of course!” Emma smiled, turning around as she all but skipped into her kitchen, feeling his eyes on her the entire way. She could hear his deep, throaty chuckle sensing that he was moving into her living room.
“Make yourself comfortable! What toppings do you like?” She was getting plates out of the cupboard, humming to herself when she heard something behind her. Turning to place the plates onto her kitchen island she saw that Leo was back in front of her window, looking out.
“Uh…Is everything okay? Do you need to leave?”
He twisted back towards her, as if she had startled him. She could tell by the way he stood and looked to her that he could command any room that he was in. She sensed him to be a leader and contemplated if he was the oldest considering she now knew he had at least one brother.
“Uh… I’m sorry…I will be right back,” he said but didn’t make a move as his sapphire eyes burned into her to where she could only nod with the intensity of his gaze.
“Okay,” she softly smiled and before she knew it, he was back out onto the ladder, disappearing up towards the roof.
With not being able to do anything else, she decided to go ahead and dial the local pizza parlor down the street. She ended up ordering two pizzas which were delivered within fifteen minutes and still no Leo. She decided to wait on him before diving in, and instead grabbed a can of Sprite from the fridge, popping it open and taking a lite sip.
“DUDE!”
Emma’s head whipped towards the window, and she saw a flash of orange. Orange? Setting the can down, she made her way towards her window. Wondering if she would be able to see Leo close by. Poking her head out, she glanced towards the ladder, looking up towards the rooftop. Squinting she thought she saw two shadows looming over the edge before disappearing.
She knew she shouldn’t, she respected Leo and his privacy but her curiosity got the better of her. She slipped on her house slippers before, wrapping in her gray knit cardigan and making her way out onto the rusty fire escape as quietly as she could. As she was climbing she could hear hushed whispers, she knew one voice was Leo’s. His commanding voices seemed to boom over the others. There were at least two other voices, seeming to argue with him. Was he in trouble? She was almost to the top when she felt her hand slip on the rail, making a god-awful sound. Shit.
Immediately the voices stopped, she couldn’t hear anything. Then she felt a hand grip her arm and hoist her up.
“Ahh!” She was getting tired of people grabbing her. She was tossed to the ground and she felt the cobble stone rough up her palms as she tried to right herself. Without having to look up, she felt the presence of more large creatures.
“Yo Leo! She’s haAwwT!”
“Shut up numb-nuts, she’ll hear you!” A resounding smack could be heard as it echoed across the rooftop.
At that she finally lifted her head and saw three, giant turtles that resembled Leonardo. Each had a different colored mask, different weapons either strapped in a belt or behind their shells, just like Leonardo. Brothers. It wasn’t just one brother from earlier, he had three. Her eyes landed on Leo, he had one arm that laid across his chest, the other covered his face in an evident facepalm, shaking his head. Emma concluded that her hypothesis was that he was the oldest, simply by his stance, mannerisms and overall demeanor.
“Hey fearless, y’gonna introduce us?” The overly large red one said, his thick Brooklyn accent boomed to her right. He was slightly taller than Leo, and built like a tank, his biceps were at least triple the size of her head. He wore red and had large, pointy, three-pronged forks, which were tucked into his belt. He oozed intimidation as he glanced at her before she watched his muscles with a flex of his biceps.
“HeyO! I’m MikeY! I’m the cool, fun brother with a dazzling personality!” A large, orange banded brother was in front of her in a split second, giving jazz hands. Emma chuckled before he gripped and hoisted her up on her feet. He did get one thing right, he was fun. She was beginning to feel more at ease, despite the cold.
“Ease up there, Mike.” Leonardo said from behind him, before placing his hand on Mikey’s shoulder and pushing him aside. Bowing towards her, Leo reached his hand out to gently lay against her shoulder as he rotated them to face his brothers. She stayed by his side, not from fear, but she simply felt comfortable beside him.
“Shell…alright guys.” Leo commanded the attention of the others, that’s when she noticed the third brother who wore purple. He was covered in tech gear of all kinds, he looked like a nerd from a sci-fi comic. Leo tipped his head towards her, motioning to his brothers, “this is Emma Reynolds.” Emma noticed that the minute he said her name, the purple clad brother was typing away on a small tablet that was connected to his belt.
“Emma, these are my brothers.” Leo said, looking at Emma, trying to gauge her reaction. Emma lifted her hand and waved to his brothers. That small gesture left a smile on his face. Even though this was new, he was intrigued with how things were going. Though, if he was honest with himself, he did wish that he got to spend time with her a little more one-on-one before his brothers got involved. As of right now though, it is what it is and he would eventually have to introduce her to Master Splinter. She has been kind and understanding so far. He could only hope.
“This is Donatello, our technical genius,” the purple banded turtle raised his eyes from his tablet, giving Emma a small wave with his three fingered hand.
“You have already met Michelangelo, or who we call, Mikey.” Mikey was practically bouncing in excitement at meeting a new person, the grin on his face was contagious, causing Emma to laugh, as she clutched her sweater tighter around her body as the chilly air swept around them. His energy reminded her of Kiya and she chuckled at the thought of them meeting. Kiya would definitely magnetize to his aura in a heartbeat. There was a slight pause, Leo was looking intently at the large, red, terrapin. An unsure look past between them that Emma couldn’t quite place. He continued.
“This is Raphael…the brute, if that wasn’t evident enough.” Leo said nonchalantly, though his facial expression seemed to convey a slightly different meaning. Emma was curious about the relationship the blue and red banded brothers shared. Raphael was glaring at him, giving a resounding snicker before responding.
“Eh, whateva’ fearless.” An eye roll with hands crossed over his chest, Raphael seemed to have a permanent sneer on his face. A large scar graced his top lip as it was lifted to push his sneer home.
“When were you gonna tell us about her oh fearless leader. What about no keepin’ secrets from ya brotha’s?” Raphael boomed, before pacing back and forth on the rooftop, eyeing Leonardo like a tiger watching its prey.
“When it was time for you to know.” Leo offered. His own arms began to flex as he stepped closer. While Leo and Raph stared each other down, it was evident that this type of thing happened a lot as the other two brothers zoned out. One was on his tablet, while the other snuck his way to stand right beside her.
“So sweetheart, how long have you and Leo been a thing?” Mikey asked, Emma looked up at him and giggled.
“He saved my life… this is only the second time we’ve met.” The cool air chills her to the bone.
“Can head to my apartment, it’s freezing up here.” She said while wrapping the cardigan around her body as best as she could. Her thin pajamas are doing no good against this cool, Halloween night.
“You heard the pretty lady! Let’s go inside guys!” Mikey said, throwing his arm around her shoulder as he walked to the edge of the building, leading to the ladder.
“Mikey,” Leonardo’s stern voice boomed and Michelangelo tossed his head back and offered, “she’s freezing bruh,” before he turned and gave Emma a small wink and an accompanying goofy smile.
The short climb down, crawling back through the window, she was finally welcomed by warmth. Once everyone was inside, closing the window to keep as much heat in her apartment as possible, Mikey spotted the pizzas on the counter.
“Help yourself to anything. I have two boxes of pizza, and a small order of barbecue wings. I also have Sprite, milk and water in the fridge if anyone is thirsty…oh! I can also make you tea!” Emma rambled as she cleared off her coffee table, placing her book back onto the shelf and grabbing more blankets before making herself comfortable in her original spot. The boys filed in, making themselves at home, but she noticed that Leonardo seemed to be on edge. He stood stoic by the window, his arms still remained cross over his chest as he analyzed his brothers. She wanted to know what was going on in his mind. She was sad that she hasn’t had much time alone with him, but now that she knew of his brothers, she felt as if it would be harder for him to detach himself and disappear out of her life. She was selfish. She had a thirst for knowledge and understanding, him and his family were now the focus of her complete attention.
Looking at him like this made her feel uneasy, she wanted to help him. She stood, hearing the rest of the boys in the kitchen, fussing over pizza and wings. Making her way beside Leo, she gently laid her hand on his arm that was crossed over his chest. Staying silent, she looked up and noticed he was looking down at her. She watched as a small smile crept across his features before he rolled his eyes and unclenched his arms.
“Thank you, Emma” He nodded down in acknowledgment before locking their eyes together. At that moment, all she saw was him. The way his eyes crinkled at the edges of his mask, his breath smelling of peppermint wafted over her face. His large, muscled arms, tribal like tattoos wrapped around his bicep. The cloth wrappings covered from his elbows down. She realized that she hasn’t seen him this close since that night. She remembers the power of his arms and body as he lifted her so effortlessly before jumping between rooftops. The simple memory of it all flooded her brain and she could feel her cheeks get hot.
“Come, sit by me and relax a bit.” She whispered, tugging along his elbow, attempting to lead him towards the worn couch in the center of her small apartment.
“We should be headed back out on patrol.” He said, as he glanced back towards his brothers.
“Let them eat first, you should grab some before they eat it all. That’s all I can offer right now.” She knew that she would never be able to repay him for saving her life; but, that wouldn’t stop her from providing pizza, entertainment, and shelter from the elements.
“I couldn’t stop them, even if I tried.” He said before sitting beside her on the couch. He tried to keep some distance between them but that all became futile as Mikey bounded over the edge of the couch. He landed half in Leo’s lap, who attempted to move, only to be pressed against Emma’s side.
For a split second, everything was peaceful and Emma was thoroughly enjoying her time with Leonardo. Sadly it would only last for another fifteen seconds.
Well not only am I asexual but I’m what Japanese call fictosexual too. Means you’re sexually attracted to fictional characters. I ain’t denying it for that is the truth
It was a brisk night in New York City but that did not stop the incessant sound of honking horns, yells and shouts and the persistent murmur of the people. Emma Reynolds made her way through the small yoga studio, shutting lights off before reaching the door. Double checking the alarm system, making sure it was armed, she grabbed her keys and made to face the wind tunnel that waited for her outside.
Once outside, Emma wrapped her thin jacket tightly as she turned to lock up. The cold October air washed over her, the wind picked up suddenly when she dropped her keys.
“Dammit,” she breathed as she bent to retrieve the keys. Righting herself, about to lock the doors to the Yoga studio, she saw a silhouette of a man looming behind her. She froze.
“Eh….excuse…” She didn’t get to finish her words as she was yanked back by her small duffle bag, thrusted against her attacker. Holding her close he whispered in her ear.
“Don’t scream.” His hand covering her mouth, tears struck as her fight or flight instincts kicked in. She bit down on his hand, ripping herself from his grasp. Stumbling along the uneven ground, trying to gain her footing, she ran. She turned left, running as fast as she could towards the busy streets of New York. Heart hammering in her chest. The back alley Yoga studio shared a narrow alley that left nowhere to escape, let alone hide.
Before she knew it, she was slammed against the brick wall of the narrow alley, overgrown by trash and debris.
“Uhn,” she whimpered, her hand cradling her head as her vision blurred, knees buckling under her as she fell to the ground.
“Fuck doll. Shouldn’t run.” The attacker grunted as he picked her up by her forearms, holding her against the brick.
“Hel…” Help dying on her lips as she felt a sudden deep pain against her face. He punched her, forcing her head to crack against the brick for a second time in the matter of seconds.
“I don’t want to hit you” He rasped as he forcefully grabbed her chin, the glint of a gold tooth was all she saw as she shut her eyes.
“Hmm baby look at me.” He grunted. She suddenly felt something rough and wet against her cheek. Wincing as his tongue trailed up the side of her face, lapping up the blood that trickled from a cut on her head. She felt light headed but knew she had to try to fight. Shaking her head vigorously enough that he lost his grip, she tried to scream again.
“AHHH!” Was all she got out before she was thrown to the ground, a swift kick straight to the belly.
“WHORE!” He landed another solid kick, she was cradling her head, her cries muffled by her jacket as he continued his relentless kicks against her abdomen.
She lifted her head to try to get a better look at her attacker, his voice sounding familiar, his gold tooth permanently embedded into her mind. Her vision still blurry, but was able to pick up his darker complexion, but she was distracted by a sudden flash of silver.
A swift sound echoed throughout the alley. A large figure filled the alleyway, the sound of metal against metal, a deep groan and then utter silence. When did silence become so loud? Emma’s cloudy consciousness couldn’t concentrate on anything, she only saw the darkness closing in.
“Ma’am,” a voice, gentle, from a few feet from her, “I am not going to hurt you. I need to check your head…” He. It was a male’s gentle voice that filled the void. Emma laid still, unsure of what to do, trying to regain her breathing, her lungs struggled to expand.
Next thing she knew, she felt a gentle…hand? The nimble fingers felt large and powerful against the crown of her head. The abnormal hand adjusted her head to the side, her eyes fully adjusting in the dark. She didn’t understand what she was seeing. A large…shell? Is that a sword strapped to his back? He kneeled to inspect her head, he was so close. Who was he?WHATwas he? Emma felt her heartbeat pick up again but knew that it wasn’t from fear. Slowly, she lifts her hand, grazing the textured skin that covered his knee. She felt his muscles tense beneath her touch, shifting to look at him. His deep blue eyes locked onto her, his whole demeanor was tense, guarded, yet she felt calm and safe. The blue mask only enhanced the color of his eyes. He brushed along a sensitive spot behind her ear causing her to tense, grabbing ahold of his leg, brushing along the raised texture of his thigh. Emma was enamored by this mass of green skin and armor. Wrappings and padding. Weapons and Stealth.
“Ma’am your head…”
“Emma” She breathed out, feeling as if it took everything she had to be get that out.
“Emma” He repeated, removing his hand from her head to rest along his thigh, a gentle look in his eyes.
“Reynolds” She stated, closing her eyes, sighing as she felt her body relax more along the wall.
“Well Emma Reynolds, you have a decent sized bruise forming behind your right ear. You also have a few scrapes on the right side of your face, a decent gash above your eyebrow.”
“Mm’kay” She tried to nod, wincing as she attempted to sit up.
“I will be calling the police to collect and take care of him. Do you live far?”
“M’hmm, ten minutes away,” Lifting her left arm, pointing inhopefully the correct direction of her place. This…creature had just helped her and she felt like she could trust him. He has done nothing to warrant her worry and something in his eyes led her to believe she could trust him with her life. These thoughts alone worried her because she wasn’t worried. Emma was the worrywart of her friend group and the least likely to trust anyone. But he…he seemed different,feltdifferent.
“I will call your emergency contact to come get you after I call the police. I will then wait until they arrive to make sure that you are taken care of.” He stated as he stood, offering to assist her with his three pronged hand. Cloth wrappings weaved through his fingers as if they were wrapped for boxing.
“Mm, I don’t have an emergency contact.” Emma rolled, as her eyes slid close again before grasping his hand, accepting his offer to help her stand. His fingers, despite the size and number difference felt natural, easy and gentle.
“Is there someone that I can call?” He eased, tensing as he felt her small fingers wrapping around his large ones. So far he was sure that her lack of response was due to being knocked around. He was silently grateful that she had not screamed or shied away from him.
Emma shook her head no as she began to stand, accidentally rocking back on her heels before stumbling into his hard chest. A quiet hiss broke from her lips as her eyes locked onto his midnight blue ones again. His blue mask tails falling over his shoulder, causing Emma’s eyes to droop to follow the thin fabric. Damn he has some nice shoulders. What the hell is wrong with me?
“I live by myself…I probably shouldn’t have told you that…heh.” Emma finished with a slight, dark chuckle. She definitely wasn’t in her right mind.
“You can trust me Miss Reynolds.” His voice was level, calm, commanding while his stance mirrored his expression. Stoic.
“I…uh, can I ask a weird question?”
He simply nodded, looking down at her, their eyes never leaving each other. An invisible bond encompassed the two in that dark, New York alley. Emma never realized that this is how her life would change.
“I know we just met…but…uhn,” She winced as she cocked her head to the side, looking at the man who was still passed out in the alley.
“Could you take me home?” Emma, who is usually not bold with strangers, felt as if she could trust this being with her whole life. There was a calm feeling surrounding the inside of her belly. A flood of comfort washed through her as his eyes seemed to sparkle. His face remained unreadable, but his eyes held all the answers.
Leo was hesitant, it was only him on patrol tonight due to the lack of activity since the invasion of the Kranng a few months ago. The foot had become scarce while a new gang that goes by the Purple Dragons have become more prominent. Leonardo was brought back as the small blonde in front of him hissed again, wincing as she lightly touched the gash above her eyebrow. He couldn’t tell her no because 1.) She was wounded, 2.) said she didn’t have anyone, 3.) Hasn’t screamed bloody murder upon the sight of him. Leo gave a slight shrug before he answered.
“Yes…Can you stand?” He said, before looking to his left where the criminal laid out, cold, on the hard asphalt. Half of himself didn’t believe that he actually agreed to take her home. If only his brother’s could see him now. He hadfeelings.
“I think so.” Emma whispered, feeling her body solidify he gave a gentle push against her arms, yet held her still for a few seconds before completely letting go. Emma instantly felt the cold wind seep into her bones.
“Let me make the call and then we will go…are you okay with heights?” That was a curious question. Emma was thrown off but nodded yes. Giving her a small, side smile before he backed away, pulling out a small shell from his belt and looked to be dialing a number. Is that a shell cell? Giggling to herself, Emma took this chance to analyze her surroundings, and the kind…person that helped her. Who is he? What is he? These questions kept running through her head, her mind unable to focus on just one thing. Her eyes darted across his back, two, long swords strapped to his shell, leather and blue silk adorned the large weapons. A dark colored pair of shorts covered his legs, cloth wrapped around his mid thigh, down past his knees. Japanese-like sandals covered his feet, creating this ancient samurai, warrior vibe. Everything about him was blue, he embodied the color, somehow blue was him. Who was him? At that thought, he turned around to face her again, his expression softened as he caught her
“They are headed this way. He,” pointing towards the attacker that was still knocked out cold against the trash, “won’t be moving for while. Ready?”
“Uh…before we go, um…what do I call you?” She asked, her eyes going wide at her question. Gasp.
“I am so sorry! That was really insensitive of me to assume, I…” She continued to ramble before looking directly at him. A chuckle that sounded like a wooden wind chime rumbled from his chest.
“Apologies Emma, my name is Leonardo, you may call me Leo.” He bowed low, a hand placed above his heart. He was so proper and it could be from her head injury but she found him, dare she think— attractive.
Sirens were heard as the wind shifted, getting closer as the loud streets of New York bustled with life.
“Gotta go. Ready?” He asked, staring down at her, making her feel as though she was a small child.
“Uh, yeah…how…” She shrugged, not quite sure how to phrase her question. The throbbing in her head seemed to be getting thicker the longer she stood. The cool breeze made her feel as though she’d be swept away by one large gust if he wasn’t here.
“The rooftops.” He tossed his thumb towards the fire escape that was only five feet away from where they were standing. Emma never would have thought to travel by rooftop. Interesting.
The loud sirens echoed through the streets, her heart starting to beat faster again, from the unknown and for being overly trusting of this stranger that just saved her life. He knelt down, closer to Emma’s 5’6” frame and held out his hands in an open, almost vulnerable pose. Emma looked at him before stepping into his arms cautiously. Her hands landed at the top of his shoulders, her right hand gripping the leather strap that crossed his chest. Leo wrapped one arm under her knees, the other around her waist as he lifted her up. She was so small. Emma’s arms instantly tightened around Leonardo’s neck and a deep chuckle escaped him.
“Hold on Emma.” He didn’t mean to entertain the idea, but he liked the way her name sounded coming from his lips.
Before she knew it he hoisted them onto the fire escape, making his way to the rooftops. Once on top, he stopped and looked at her.
“Where do you live Ms. Emma Reynolds?” Leonardo asked. As cliche as it sounded in Emma’s head, his eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
“Uh…I guess that would help, heh…I live at 117 Blakeview Hill, Apt. 9G. It’s about ten minutes away.” She smiled, tossing her head back as if to point towards her apartment but instantly regretted the move as it made her feel even more light headed.
“Hold on tight.” A serious look crossed his face as he set out towards her apartment.
“I can walk…”
“It’s faster if I carry you, and you haven’t stopped shivering.” She didn’t realize how cold she was until he mentioned it. He was right, she simply tucked her head and grasped him as tight as she could. The feel of his warm, pebbled, leathery flesh against her cheek caused a calm feeling to wash through her.
“Lighten up there, tiger. Little tight on the neck.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Emma’s eyes went wide, lifting her head to look at him, worried about almost choking her savior. Another throaty chuckle left him, vibrating through his chest as he continued to rush forward jumping between roofs. Emma was so hypnotized by him, she tried not to stare but he was such a mystery. This…man…was an enigma in Emma’s mind. He was large, mysterious, obviously traditionally trained in martial arts, and seemed to be an utmost gentleman.
The silence was welcomed as they continued to leap from rooftop to rooftop. The cool wind whipped along her exposed flesh, keeping goosebumps constantly raised over her skin. Throughout their trek towards her apartment, she would glance at him every now and then. Trying to dissect his expressions, the way he would squint to look around him as if he was looking for something or someone. His mask tails whipping in the wind along with the blue silk that adorned the hilt of his swords that were cradled along his back. She gripped the leather tighter and he glanced down, locking their eyes together once again. She couldn’t get enough of those sapphires.
“Are you doing okay Emma?”
“Yes” She squeaked, instantly wanting to facepalm at her overzealous reaction, afraid that she had been caught staring at him.
“We have two more rooftops, then you are home free.” He looked forward again before his grip tightened around her as he moved to jump to the next roof. After that final jump, he walked a few feet before lightly setting her on the ground. Swaying a little, Emma reached out and grabbed at his arms to steady her. Feeling the thick, convex texture of his skin warmed her again. Leo grasped at her elbows, holding her still. Leonardo gave Emma a small smile before he released her completely, stepping away to absorb his surroundings, gazing down the edge of her building.
“I think my window is the last one on this side.” She joined his side, pulling his gaze to the small fire escape that was tucked in the corner of the alley.
“But…my window is locked so I could just go through the front doors…” Emma trailed, cursing herself for suggesting walking through the front door because that would mean she would have to tell him goodbye.
“No need to worry, I can open your window and help you inside.” He smiled down at her, his small smile reflected in his deep blue eyes.
“I will need to carry you down though. Are you okay with that?” He was so accommodating, nice and considerate. She wanted to know more about him, and she was going to do whatever she could to keep him around as long as she could. She nodded her head, assuming she would be picked up bridal style like earlier. Raising her arms up, feeling like a small child reaching up to be held. That thought alone made a blush stain her cheeks, blaming the cold, she waited for his next move.
Emma was getting used to the sound of his deep chuckle, making her envision a wooden wind chime blowing on a rainy day. He smelled of jasmine, vanilla and a slightly spiced aroma that filled the nostrils the longer she was around him. He bent and before she knew it, he had her off the ground, clutched to his side in one swoop of his arm. Emma’s arms immediately circled his neck as a gasp escaped her.
“I need you to…”
“Hold on tight.” She finished for him, and a small knowing smile graced his features. She has heard that a lot this evening, and to further prove she understood him, her grip tightened as she glanced over the edge of her building.
He started to move, straddling the edge before completely moving his body down the brick, using the pipes along the building as leverage. It was an adventure that ended too soon as he landed on the small balcony platform. Still holding her, he took a small tool from his belt and in less than five seconds she heard a subtle pop and watched as the window opened. He lifted the window sill and gently set her down to sit on the windows ledge.
“Here you are, it was nice to meet you Miss Emma Reynolds.” Nodding his head before adjusting his position on the ladder as if getting ready to leave. No, he can’t leave yet.
“Wait!” Emma lurched forward, grasping the leather across his chest and the belt that laid over the dip in his hips.
“Uhm…” Surprised by her own actions, yet she did not regret them. She watched his cheeks darken as he looked at where her small hands were placed against his body. Emma liked this look of surprise on his peculiar face.
“Please stay Leonardo, let me offer you something to eat or drink as a thank you. I —I don’t want to imagine what would have happened to me if you hadn’t shown up.” Her deep green eyes held his gaze, the only movement was the hand that gripped the belt at his waist moved to grip the bend of his elbow.
“No need for thanks, just doing my part… Thank you for not screaming” He gave a half-hearted huffed laugh before bowing, still perched on the rail.
“Why would I scream when you didn’t hurt me?” Every time their eyes met, Emma could feel something within her that she couldn’t quite explain. She could sense why he thought that she would scream, given his outward appearance yet there was something about him that paused her.
“I am glad that I was able to help.”
“Um…Leonardo, uh Leo…Will I see you again? Or am I going to wake up and this is all a dream?”
“Well Miss, this would be one heck of a dream.” He gleamed as she laughed at his comment, hoping that she’d see him again.
“Have a great night Miss Emma Reynolds. Stay safe.” He gave her one last smile before he leapt from her ladder, disappearing towards the roof and into the night.
“Thank you Leo…stay safe.” Emma said, before climbing into her apartment where she dreamed of the color blue.
{}-{}-{}-{}-{}
Check my page for Something About Blue master list if you’d like to read more.
Yes I should be working on prompts (which I am) but this has been nagging me and I wanna write it out so enjoy. Here are some First Time™️ headcanons and how it might’ve gone down with a few realistic blunders here and there cause yes.
asking raph for literally anything, is SUCH an ego boost for him. Specifically only when *you* ask him to do something, with your long pretty lashes. Looking up at him, “Raph, could you change the light bulb in this room for me?”
It never fails to send a shiver down his spine or give him like, asmr tingles in his brain.
with all of the fuzzy, tingly feelings going on.. he can never resist any request from you. With a half smile and a daze look in his eyes, staring down at you. “Sure sweet stuff. Can’t have you stacking up boxes again. could’ve killed ya’ self.
He gets a little jealous when you ask his brothers for stuff. He wants to be the only one you need, you know?
Anytime you ask ANY of his brothers even for the tiniest thing like “hey can you get that off the shelf?” He ALWAYS gotta say something.
“Why does he need ta’ do it?” Huffing and shit, he’s such a pissy baby.
Shit hits the fan when it’s Vern or Casey. He’s sitting down? Nah, he’s jumping up to do it himself. He’s a few feet away? Man is SPRINTING
I think you would find it funny and adorable. How he just wants to be the one to help you. After you guys get together, he calms down a bit. The jealousy isn’t as high as it was before.
To me, Raph has some issues with feeling insecure. So, when you ask him to do these things, I don’t know it’s like.. it makes him feel wanted.
TW; porn with no plot(?), afab!reader, female pronouns used for reader, male masturbation mentioned, creampie (use protection irl<3), dacryphilia. 18+ ONLY. Minors stay away.
I can totally see Splinter having to literally hide all the binkies from Raph as a kid, because he has such a strong oral fixation, the boy sucked on those things well past toddler hood.
Maybe his aggression came from lack of having his soothing mechanism against insecurities.
Donnie’s girlfriend was killed in crossfire. This is the Aftermath.
For weeks, all Donnie has seen is the blue light of his computer. He’s turned off all of his fairy lights and crawled into the dim of his lab, working on various projects for his racing mind. For too long he’s been unreachable.
Therehad to have been a way to salvage it. There had to have been. He is Donatello, the genius, the innovator.
He hadn’t known such a string of bitter failures until her. Each one after the other, all adding up to converge in one dark, dark timeline—if that idea was true, he thought. That night could have gone one of two ways, and the way that it went will forever be his biggest regret.
His fingers don’t feel so diligent anymore. Not right now, at least. They fumble and drop the delicate tool he’s working with, something that grates on his last nerve.
“No, no, stop—work for me!” he says angrily, looking at his hand. It has never been this bad before.
It’s been hours since he continued his work. He can’t stomach it anymore. He can’t drop another tool, write one more word in his notes illegibly; he has to stop. And that’s only possible with another existing directive for him to focus on. With a sigh, he leaves the counter for the computer instead. There’s always something to be done or looked at there.
“How can there be nothing?” he asks no one, picking through all his feed and reports of the week. No trace of the Foot, the bastard of the city. The coward. Disgusting, vile, it’s vile, his stomach is twisting—
He stands up from his chair. Plants his palms on the edge of the desk. His gaze is lost in the still blue glow of the screen, a deep droning fading into his hearing. Like the sound of a wasp in flight. His ears are ringing; tinnitus he’s developed from being in close range to gunshots, but it’s slowly getting better. They heal where humans can’t.
But it’s driving him crazy.
Not being able to figure out if it’s the silence he can’t stand or the presence of noise, he reaches over and flicks on his stereo, letting the heavy metal play.
That’s better. The rhythmic pounding in his ears and incessant, barely heard ring is thoroughly drowned by the sound.
The sheer exhaustion makes itself known by the heaviness he feels in his eyes, squinting into the darkness as he turns around and leans his back against the desk. He should sleep. But if he lays down, the thoughts will come back.
He looks at the bottle of melatonin April gave him last week. To help him sleep, she said. He needed to sleep.
There is no more to be done here, nothing engrossing enough he can occupy himself with without making himself anxious or mad. So he takes the bottle and dumps out the pills as he needs, popping them into his mouth before washing it down with the stray bottle of Gatorade on the floor. It’s now he realizes just how dehydrated he is and finishes off the entire bottle.
“You know,” he starts in a mutter, wiping liquid from his mouth, but he can’t bring himself to say it audibly.
I never believed in God, he thinks. And I still won’t. I refuse.
In the moment she’d needed a miracle, He was nowhere to be found. Only Donnie had been her failure of a guardian angel that night, escorting her to the long dark himself. Trying to get a word out of her, trying his hardest to do what he could before it was too late. He’d held her small hand. Death isn’t beautiful, he thinks sourly, shaking his head. He hasn’t blinked in minutes. Nothing had been beautiful about that moment. Only surreal.
If gasping and choking for words was gorgeous, then the Foot soldier had been a true artist, he supposes, amused to the lowest degree. Behind him, his hands grip the edge of the desk so hard that his palms are beginning to hurt.
All his life had the background of struggle, the possibility of getting found out and their family torn apart. More recently, the Shredder on their tail, with blood on his mind. The stakes were even higher with the more human connections they gained between April, Casey, and [y/n]. More to bargain with, more to threaten, they’d found Donnie’s weak point: his one and only girlfriend. The one spot he couldn’t always defend, because as much as he wanted her to stay with him in the sewers, safe, she had a life too.
Donnie often felt the weight of it later, but he’d always known the looming threat of it all. Figuratively, The Sword of Damocles could have been seen as a recurring theme in their life, but he’d never wanted to look at it so grimly.
So, that was it. One moment she was there, the next she was gone, and reality was reaching crushing depth, critical mass, on him.
In Donnie’s room, he lay in his bed, staring up at the sprawl of papers, stickers, and random equations on his ceiling. The natural course of action seems to try to move on. But how, when he needs to figure out what he could have done to make things right? He shakes that train of thought away. Leo had told him this was a dangerous way to think for his emotional health, but it just felt too soon to regulate.
For once, his multitude of lights are on, the Christmas string next to him creating an array of colors against his wall. One bulb has gone out; the one he’s neglected to fix because it doesn’t matter, but curiously flickers on in his peripheral vision, eventually coming to stay lit.
The small blue light next to him burns softly, observing Donnie in calm silence as he nods off to sleep. His tense face relaxes. He’d always looked so sweet asleep. She wished she could have seen it more often.
The light escapes the bulb and floats to his bedside where a figure so faint sits at the edge, stroking his hand resting on his chest as he falls into a deep sleep. Her poor Donnie.
Sleep well, love.
A/N: I just kind of hate how death is romanticized sometimes, I took a request once about this but the gif they added depicted a girl dying beautifully so that was the inspiration for that particular point, hope it came off alright
Real quick shoutout to @agatorcat who requested this! Thanks for the opportunity to break down Donnie’s character!
So, a prominent misconception about Bayverse Donatello is that he’s pretty meek, which is okay if you derive comfort from headcanoning him that way.
But canonically, Bay Donnie is quite the opposite: he’s very confident.
Let’s start this with where I think so many people get the ‘Donnie is shy’ idea from, and then we’re going to move into the evidence that proves his confidence.
I also love how you can recognize that situational nervousness is NOT necessarily a permanent fixture of someone’s personality. I mean, he and all his brothers were in a lot of foreign, scary situations, of course he’d be nervous! And everyone shows it in different ways, even Leo was clearly somewhat nervous in the elevator scene.
I never even noticed how he touched her neck??!!?? I wonder what that was supposed to convey on the director’s side, like what they were trying to say if not “Donnie is a bold mf”. It’s actually kind of sweet but weird at the same time
Thank you so much for taking my request, really appreciate the effort especially plugging in clips for points! Great job!
I almost never reblog stuff here but I feel the need to back up my claims of chronic mischaracterization in the Bayverse TMNT fandom using this person’s lovely explanation check out @jazzlemetimbers post for raph too!
:) I know it’s been a lot of time in between each chapter, but I’m glad I saw it through, I think it’s a nice wrap-up to this.
Pacing her apartment, the girl, covered in little bruises still, slapped a palm to her forehead. Stupid, stupid! She’d just let him take off before they could even work anything out, no place, no time—what had she been thinking?
“I am such an idiot,” she moaned into her hands. As Raphael had instructed, she had, in fact, called the police once her strange rescuers fled from the scene, but the procedures that ensued from an assault case had occupied her for a few days. Three, it was; too long for her liking. She racked her brain trying to figure out how to find him again. And if she didn’t, all she could do was hope he was the smarter of the two and would find her.
Raphael. The corners of her mouth dared to smile a bit despite her current issue. That name suited him.
It appeared that he’d lived a rough life in some capacity. There were scars on his face from God knew what, and he carried weapons and tough stride. Though, his colleagues were all a little different in appearance and gestures. Where did they rest their heads, she wondered. Not in a place like hers, clearly. And his clothes…
Yes, Raphael was gruff. But maybe just a little handsome, in a way—she blushed at the thought. You can’t not remember that character. He looked like he could bench a truck.
She’d lately been taking a cab home due to the incident, but there was only one place they could possibly convene: the alley. A dank, kinda dirty, rat-here-and-there kind of place. Or the rooftop, if she could even get up there. Who wouldn’t want to get to know their prince here, she thought sarcastically.
What do people usually do when they’re getting to know their one true love?
On the window sill her phone chimed twice, calling her over. She wandered to her window and gazed out. On the sidewalk below, a couple strode down the concrete, both holding a bag of takeout between them. And suddenly, she had an idea.
Where exactly was that alley again?
He jumped past one, thought it didn’t look familiar and went on to the next. It was about the hour that they’d crossed paths and he felt rushed like he was running out of time, impatient as he was. Until his phone vibrated from his pocket and demanded his attention.
The screen lit, Donnie’s ID. He pursed his scarred lips and picked up.
“Need some help?” asked Don in his cheeky way. Raph could see the smile across the phone.He’d been expecting some kind of nagging or squawking over his departure, but it was just Donnie trying to be helpful as usual. He would have to pay him back for the solid.
“Sure,” answered Raph.
“Sending the location now. It should show up on your GPS. Oh, and don’t worry about you-know-what."
"Say what?”
Studying the address, he opened his mouth to speak, but Donatello was already cutting him off. “Gotta go, bye!”
“Don?” Raph said. The call ended and he stared at the address, puzzled. This was four blocks over and not where he remembered it to be. He wasn’t that unobservant. It was the only real lead he had to go by, though, so he set off toward the new destination.
He flipped over an AC unit and landed on the lip of a roof adjacent to the one that marked the tiny red dot on his phone, skidding to a stop at what he saw.
Little candlelights littered around a blanket with white boxes and a couple of plates, the girl in question scuttling around trying to get things prepared. There was a container of some kind of sweet. Raph watched as she multiple times relit the same candle, only to have the breeze blow it out, followed by her anxious groan. She went back and forth with it until she gave up and fell back onto her rear.
You’re kidding me, Raph thought, scooting to cover. The whole display was a bit pitiful. Now he understood the mysterious address. But how did she know to come up there? Don’t tell me Don contacted her?
A typical dinner date with a mutant, stuck onto the top of a building to accommodate his…conditions. She didn’t really think that was how it could go, right? That they could just sit down and have a meal together like nothing was wrong with that picture? It all seemed so wrong, too casual for what it was, false comfort. All of the candles went out and left her sitting alone in the dark, making her dig through her bag for her phone.
She rubbed her forehead and leaned back onto her hands, looking all around her as if surveying the cityscape for something. Her foot was tapping more and more rapidly. Cracking open one of the boxes of takeout, notably, no steam rose. Raph felt a pang of pity.
It was awkward and he just couldn’t understand the idea of hers, but never had anyone do anything like that for him. Not like I ever had ‘em lined up to take me out to dinner. But after some consideration, for someone like him, he supposed that it was the thought that counted. It didn’t make the approach any easier. He stepped out into sight and whistled curtly, holding up his hands as if to say he wasn’t a threat.
No, this ain’t awkward or weird at all. Couldn’t be, he mused with sarcasm. His long strides had him there a little quicker than he would have liked. He felt lumbering and intrusive.
“You’re not serious, are ya?” he asked from the distance, eyeing the setup skeptically. She closed the gap between them as she fixed up everything and made it neat again. He waited for her to finish, shifting around on his feet.
She responded, “Your…brother told me to meet you up here. I don’t even know how he got my number.”
“He’s got the means. And the fancy little dinner was his idea, too?” he snorted.
Her face fell almost imperceptibly. Back it up, put it in reverse, he sighed to himself. Why was he like this? Why did he always have to say what he was thinking?
“'Cause it just…seems like something…he’d do,” he added reluctantly, wanting to wince. “That’s Donatello for ya.” A few uncomfortable seconds went by. He started to panic when she gave him a questioning look. “But I know he didn’t, I’m just bein’ an ass.”
“You’re not,” she let a breath out, mustering a hesitant smile, “I know it’s kind of stupid. I just thought that…"
He rose a brow.
Sitting herself down on the blanket, she looked up at him, and his heart started to quicken. "You ever had takeout from here?” she asked in a soft tone, forcing a laugh. He knelt down rigidly. The whole thing was uncomfortably small for him. "I don’t know what you guys eat in the sewers, but I figured that this was the least I could do. For us.“
He’d been opening up one of the boxes and inspecting the contents when his eyes went wide. ”'Us’?“ he parroted, dropping the container and spilling some of the noodles.
"No, no, no, not ’us’ us, I meant as in, getting to know us, we—getting us to know each other,” she stammered. “Sorry. No, that’s not what I meant. I just thought it would somehow be less weird.”
“You’re sittin’ across from a mutant turtle freak, don’t you think that’s weird?” he said.
Raph could have let out a sigh of relief, but felt he wasn’t out of the thick of it yet.
He wasn’t expecting the smile, the warm eyes. The “I don’t think you’re weird.” he heard.
Needing something to occupy himself with, he snatched one of the cans of cola and popped it open. Before he started to chug, he replied, “Sure, ya don’t think I’m weird."
"Okay, then I’m weird too,” she said, tilting her head to catch his eye. He glugged the whole can of cola.
“Oh, you’re weird, alright,” he chuffed as he wiped his chin with the back of his hand. “I mean, look at ya. Putting together all this so you can eat cold noodles with a giant turtle ya just met. Is this what you call 'fun’?”
“They’d still be warm if you’d gotten here earlier. And for the record, I am having fun,” she said, dipping into her own food. “Come on, eat, Raphael. Please."
He started to refute it, tried to get his guard back in place again, but his mind couldn’t find the words. How badly he wanted to say "you’re not having fun, you’re just tolerating me,” or “you’re kidding yourself”.
After a moment of squirming and trying to find something to bite back with, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. “Nah,” he finally said. Then mumbled, “No way."
"Way,” she chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. Raph shook his head.
A silence befell them. The self-consciousness was somehow worse when he was only being observed, which he knew by the gaze he could feel on himself past the chopsticks feeding noodles into his mouth. She can’t possibly like what she sees. Get real. I’m gross.
“Can you stop your starin’?” he eventually snapped, narrowly avoiding crushing the takeout box on the concrete beneath them. “Didn’t your mom or whatever ever tell you that’s rude?"
It was pretty dark around them, but between talking and eating, she’d managed to keep a few of the candles lit. The warm glow it casted on her face didn’t miss him, neither did her sheepish expression that held the possibility of a blush. She uttered an apology and averted her eyes. She couldn’t have been looking upon him with any kind of joy. That’s what Raph truly believed, at least. So why did it feel bad?
"I think I just can’t stop looking at you, Raphael, truth be told,” she said. His heart did skip that time. Oh, how he hated yielding.
He narrowed his eyes, “Whaddya mean?"
"You’ve got a lot of scars,” she mumbled, leaning in. Without the disgust he’d imagined she would. “And your eyes are pretty."
"Pretty?” he scoffed. He was getting up, now. She scrambled onto her feet as well and reached out, just missing his arm.
He’d yanked his arm away. She corrected herself, “They’re not like anything I’ve seen!"
Well, you don’t have any business looking at me that close.
”(Y/N).“
Her smile left. He stood square before her as if on display. But his brow ridges were furrowed in, creating the intimidating visage she recognized as the first thing she’d ever seen of him. "What?” she asked.
Motioning to all the stuff at their feet, he questioned, “What’s all this for, really?”
“I–I don’t think I understand."
"You, doin’ all this. Over some silly birthmark?” he pressed. “I can’t figure out what’s goin’ on in your head and it makes me—"
She interrupted him. He went still as she slowly took his hand and balled his shaking hand, cupping it in hers. Lightly trembling, not from anger, not from fear. Those trepidatious shakes he’d felt many times before, but never with another person. Never like that.
"Confused? Mad?” she finished for him. All the words he couldn’t quite find found themselves in the flutter of his stomach. They were caught on his tongue.
She was wrong. That wasn’t it. “No,” he could finally say, his voice low. “I don’t know.”
It took two of her hands to wrap fully around one of his, but she wouldn’t let go. Raph wouldn’t dream of trying to tear away from her delicate grip. “Do you think we can figure it out together, then?” she inquired softly.
“I…I don't—"
Lifting his hefty hand, she planted a light kiss on his knuckle, feeling the rough skin on her lips. Raph was absolutely stunned and could not move.
"I hope this tells you all you need to know,” she stated, drawing away. Her back turned to him. The longest ten seconds of his life passed and he only regained the ability to move once she started to walk back to the stairwell, lunging forward to grab her shoulder before she caught the door. Careful to not hurt her.
Turning her around to him, he swallowed, “We ain’t had dessert yet.”
Raph never wanted to stop seeing her eyes shine like they did.
He prompted them to sit down this time, his hand running down her arm as he leaned back. Even then he was too shocked to smile, or make any other face, for that matter. She simply smiled at him.
“Right. Dessert,” she winked.
In the end, Raph still couldn’t totally shake his tough shell off. But he suddenly had the patience to try, just maybe, a lopsided grin forming as she divided the cake.
“…and two for you, because you’re a big guy…"
He let her continue for a moment before getting closer. "Ya know, think I want to get to know ya without these stupid birthmarks, (Y/N),” said Raph with a smile that he didn’t bother to hide. She glanced up at him, wondering. “So let’s do it over again. I’m Raphael, but it’s Raph to you."
Taking her focus off the cake, she slid his plate to him. "Without the marks?"
"Forget about 'em. We’re strangers."
She laughed sweetly, "Then I’m (Y/N). Nice to meet you, Raph."
After that, they shook on it over dessert, and marked the night that the walls Raphael had put up began to crack.
When you’d first gotten to know the turtles, it had seemed like everyone was on edge. Except for one orange light among all of them, who welcomed you with open arms like he’d known you forever.
When he wasn’t rambunctious, bouncing off the walls or pulling tricks on everyone, in his most content, Mikey was the warmest person. It seemed like he had an abject love of living, and radiated that onto anyone who would receive it. And Mikey was big-hearted. Spending time around him would soften anyone. God knew Raphael wouldn’t be the same if the goofball weren’t there with him.
Despite how his attention seemed like it was being pulled in ten different directions at once, feelings and people were never lost on Mikey. You could come in slightly different and somewhere in the back of his mind, he’s already taken a note by the time you’re through the door.
This day, you trudged into the Lair and Mikey was just…there.
“Hey, Angel!” he chirped, bouncing up from the sofa.
You didn’t want to drag him down with your mood, so you collected yourself and tried a smile. “Hey, I’m late, sorry,” you said. “You’re up early."
"Early bird, ya know,” he replied with a slick shrug. He noticed at your dry chuckle that something was off. Nothing a little shine couldn’t fix, he thought. “What’s with the long face, babe? Bad day getting you down?"
"Long, bad day,” you answered with a sigh.
Normally, he’d combat any gloom with his usual energy, but he knew today was not it. So he just smiled and took your coat for you, letting you get comfortable in their home for the night. “Sit with me, then,” he said simply, taking your forearm and guiding you over to the lounge. He sat you down on the big bean bag, and settled cross-legged on the rug next to. He flicked through the channels on the TV until he found something he knew you liked. You felt his dry hand gently plant on top of yours and give it a squeeze, as if a physical touch could transmit his good feelings straight into you. Looking at you in his peripherals, his thumb rubbed the back of your hand, and he grinned, “You can always stay as long as you want, [y/n].”
A/N: this is so random and pointless but I love this song
