A New Home ( TMNT Leonardo love story)

Quiet of the Evening

Leo's POV

A warm and fuzzy feeling envelopes everyone as Y/n recalls a memory from when she first went out on patrol. I do my best to listen, but I find myself getting lost in the memories that I have stored away. All of them with Y/N at the center. All kinds of times and places flash through my mind, but my brain settles on one set of memories. All of the times that she and I ended up alone. Training, on the rooftops that one snowy night and last night in the glow of the tree. My heart beats faster as I focus on the small details. The sparkle in her eyes, the curve of her lips into that wonderful smile, the gentle tone in her voice when she's sleepy or lost in her surroundings. Her laugh. I can feel my cheeks heating up as I try to pull myself from the memories. My heart aches to hold her close. To have my arms around her and hers around me. I knew a long time ago that I would never be able to ignore my feelings, but now... I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like if I don't tell her, I'm going to burst. But I don't want to ruin anything. But I also want to take the chance at maybe having something more than we do now.

Everyone helps Y/N clean up. She has no idea how wonderful she is. How she cares about everyone, her excitement at the small things, even how she does the chores needing to be done without complaint) I stay behind and help Y/N make sure everything is cleaned up.

"Thank you Y/N" I say as we put away the last mugs

"For what?" She asks

"For teaching us about Christmas" I say "We've been living down here for almost nineteen years and never done anything like this. We wondered about it, but never fully understood what all of this meant."

"You can only get so much from TV" Y/N giggles

"You've got that right" I chuckle

"Barring another alien invasion, we'll be doing it all over again next year" Y/N says

"I look forward to it" I say "But can I make one small change and add one thing?"

"Of course" Y/N says "Making the things you learn about your own is part of this holiday. What are they?"

"We all make the gingerbread scene together next year and that we go back out to the rooftop when there is a good snowfall" I say, hoping that doesn't sound too forward of me

"Sounds perfect" Y/N smiles "Doing that scene together next time was the intent and anytime you'd like to go out on that rooftop again, just tell me. I love it up there and it makes me happy knowing that you like it up there too"

"It's a calming place to be" I say "In the midst of a city that never sleeps, it really is a place to get away for a little bit"

"If you think that is good, we should go camping" Y/N says "Being out in the woods is one of the best things ever. It's quiet and the clear air helps you think"

"I would love to" I smile "Just when it's warmer"

"I may do a lot of things, but winter camping is not one of them" Y/N laughs

"When the summer comes then" I say

"It's a plan" She smiles

We stood there for a minute, just looking into each others eyes. Everything seemed to melt away until it was just me and her in the kitchen. I once again make careful note of everything about her and tuck the memory away. A small voice urges me to say something, to do anything to indicate my ever growing feelings for her. But it's not the time for that. And yet it's also the perfect time for all of it. I fight back that voice, knowing that I need to give her time. It's only been a year since she joined us. She's just finding a new normal and it would be wrong of me to take advantage of her emotional state as it is at the moment. So for now, I will content myself with moments like this. Maybe one day though, we can be something more. I take a step forward and open my arms to offer a hug. Y/N smiles, steps forwards and wraps her arms around my chest.

"Merry Christmas Leo" She whispers

"Merry Christmas Y/N" I smile