Blue For You (TMNT Leonardo X Reader)

Chapter 19

"And go," Leo signaled, cueing for me to go ahead. He held out both of his hands as I hit them, each time a different way, finally ending with a spin kick. We had been practicing this same movement for almost two days now since I was struggling to get it down. "Remember, forceful, it's not memorization, you have a goal. Try again," he said, softer.

We backed up, and I went again like he said, letting it go smoother this time. We moved across the dojo floor as I hit all of the targets and went for the spin kick again. I missed and backed up before he even started to correct me. I wanted to get it right, I didn't want to mess up in front of him. 

Leo was the best at all of this, watching him do it so easily made me worry. I worried I couldn't live up to it, I had to prove myself to him. I had to prove myself to everyone to show I was worthy of being with him. I wanted him to be happy teaching me, not feeling like I was a burden. It reminded me of the things I did with my mom as a kid. 

When she wasn't working weird shifts, she'd come home and make me work with her in the basement. Forcing me to perfect basic self-defense like she did in police training. 

I started up again, swinging left and right, going across the floor and kicking; I barely landed it.

"Leo, we've gotta' go!" Raph suddenly yelled from outside the dojo, right as Leonardo opened his mouth to speak. 

"Go, have a good time dear," I said, smiling. I knew he knew I wasn't all that happy though. 

"I love you, don't worry about it, okay?" he pleaded, tugging on my wrists and pulling me close. "This takes time, it's fine." 

I nodded, looking up at him. We both agreed internally, as I got on my tippy toes, and he leaned down for us to kiss. His hand wrapping around my face as we held each other close. It ended as quickly as it started, and I waved him off. 

"I love you too," I smiled.

The lair was empty, and I was left with my thoughts. I turned around and tried doing it again. Imagining his hands in front of me, I spun, and almost fell over. It was rushed, sloppy, and embarrassing. I laughed at myself outload, paranoid of all things, and went again. Again and again, I built up to it and swung harder until sweat climbed down my forehead. It was so close; I could do better. 

I kicked once to the left, then to the right, then spun. Thrusting my hips and turning on a swivel, the force in the air was hard, and meaningful. I thought I had it, but I felt something hit my foot. 

"You seem troubled my dear, what bothers you?" Splinter asked, holding my foot, keeping me steady. 

"Just reviewing what Leo taught me," I said, a little shaken from him. I hadn't noticed he even walked in. 

"Leonardo appreciates you much, do not over work yourself for something that is already present." 

"Thank you, Master Splinter," I gratified. 

"What is on the menu tonight?" he asked, much more jokingly than before. 

"I was just about to run out and get some ingredients, have anything in mind?" 

"Something cheesy," he said with a deep laugh. 

"Sounds good Master, thank you," I replied, starting to leave. 

He nodded, waving me away, and I quickly thought of something I could make. Grabbing a pen and sticky note from my room, I wrote down several ingredients for Lasagna, and headed out. I headed towards the little hidden garage Leo showed me the other day and reunited myself with my bike. I found out Mikey had salvaged it in the fire, Don even tweaking it to make it better. Getting on it reminded me so much of before.