Tea Time┆TMNT: BayLeo x FemReader

ARC 2: 06

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"Now," Master Splinter said, his tone lightening, "would you like some tea while we wait?"

Y/N blinked at him, startled by the unexpected offer. But as the tension in her shoulders eased, she found herself nodding. "Yes please... I'd like that very much actually."

▼▼▼▼

The kitchen was small and dimly lit, the soft hiss of the boiling water on the stove the only sound cutting through the silence. Y/N sat at the worn wooden table, her fingers absently tracing invisible patterns on its surface.

The air smelled faintly of tea leaves, but the stillness made her hyper-aware of every sound: the subtle creak of the chair as she shifted, the faint boiling of water, and the calm, deliberate movements of Master Splinter as he prepared tea.

He moved with a serene rhythm, selecting tea leaves from a delicate container, placing them into the well-worn kettle.

Y/N fidgeted in her chair, her nerves prickling under the weight of the quiet.

She wanted to make a good impression, especially since this was the father of the turtles. The weight of that realization made her sink deeper into her nerves.

She stole glances at him, her gaze darting away whenever he so much as turned in her direction.

This is so awkward.

What do I even say?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Master Splinter's calm, steady voice. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his back still to her as he tended to the tea.

Σ(⊙▽⊙")

Y/N straightened reflexively, her spine snapping into alignment as if she'd been caught slouching in class. "Oh, um—" The words didn't come immediately; her brain, tangled in her own thoughts, took a second too long to catch up.

She glanced down at her hands, the cast on her dominant arm a glaring reminder of her current state. Guilt prickled at the edges of her mind as she wiggled her fingers slightly, testing their mobility. A faint twinge of pain made her wince.

"I-I'm fine!" she finally managed, a slightly forced smile stretching across her face. She lifted her uninjured arm and flexed, showing off an unimpressive lack of muscle.

"See? Strong as ever!"

The absurdity of her gesture hit her almost immediately, and she quickly lowered her arm, her cheeks flushing as she muttered, "I mean... I'm okay."

Master Splinter's whiskers twitched, a soft chuckle escaping him as he carefully placed tea leaves into the kettle.

"It is good to see you so energetic."

When the tea was ready, he poured the steaming liquid into two cups and brought one to the table, setting it in front of her with deliberate care. Y/N nodded quickly in thanks, muttering, "Thank you.." as he took the seat across from her, carrying his own cup.

Master Splinter sat with an effortless grace that made Y/N feel like a bundle of awkward angles.

She adjusted her posture, straightening her back and mimicking his composed demeanor, but her hand clutched the cup tightly as she kept her gaze firmly on the tea. The warmth of the cup seeped into her palm, grounding her slightly, though the silence still pressed down heavily.

She scrambled for something to say, but her mind felt blank. He reminded her so much of Leonardo—the quiet, steady presence, the way he seemed completely unbothered by the silence.