The Rising (final book of The Call series) ~ TMNT Fanfiction

Chapter 25: To Lose

"Warmth!" I cry out, as I collapse onto the couch. I snuggle up into the worn-out piece of furniture in the lair. For a couch that's easily twenty years old, it's really comfortable. I close my eyes and bury my face into the pillow.

A laugh dances above my head. "It can't be that cold outside."

I immediately recognize it as Leo, and I turn to face him, without opening my eyes. I hold out my arms. "Hug. Warmth. Please." He laughs but comes closer and takes me in his arms. I snuggle into his chest. He brings me closer, and I feel immediately warmed. He gently strokes my back, and I feel like I could fall asleep just like that.

"Well sorry to poop on your party," Mikey says. "But we're goin' training topside, and little boy blue is leading us." Hearing that, I pull Leo closer, and he laughs.

"Can't you just go without him?" I groan. "Have Raph lead or something."

"Raph would lead us straight into trouble," Donnie insists.

"I wish I could deny that, but I can't," Raph says, stretching his arms over his head. "I love me some trouble."

"We'll be back soon," Leo promises. "We'll be out for an hour at the most. We'll be back before you know it."

"Yeah," Dad says. "C'mon, talk with Splinter and me. We aren't that bad. Old people have wisdom."

I sit up and smile a bit while I look over at my dad. Splinter sits peacefully on the other side of the couch. It is such a wonderful sight to see and makes me smile every time. Over the last few months, Dad and Splinter have actually started talking with one another. I don't always know what they talk about because they do so quietly, but when they do, I take note of the thoughtful look on Splinter's face as he listens to my dad. It took a while, but I think Splinter has grown to forgive Dad for everything that he did. I don't know how. But I am so glad that he did.

"Hey, yeah." I sit up. "Splinter, maybe you could tell some more stories from your childhood. I loved hearing those."

Splinter smiles at that. "I would love to, Alexandra."

Leo stands up and ruffles my hair. "We'll be back soon."

"Be safe! Try not to get anymore battle scars!"

Mikey shouts, trying to pump his brothers up. "Let's go get those Dark Angels!" He pumps both his fists in the air.

"Hopefully not, Mikey," Donnie mutters. "I'm hoping for a nice calm night, slight breeze, some nice stretching on the rooftops with no conflict whatsoever."

"I'm fine with a little bit of conflict," Raph admits, stretching his arms above the head once more. "Keeps me in shape."

Leo pauses for a second after his brothers open the lair door, heading out. He swivels on his feet, turning around and heading back towards us.

"Forget something?" I ask.

"Yes," Leo replies, and then he leans over and gives me a kiss. He then puts his fingers under my chin and lifts it up a little bit so that I can look right into his eyes. "I love you, Lexi. We'll be back soon, okay?"

I've noticed the last little while, Leo has been a lot more openly affectionate towards me, a lot more like before we broke up. In fact, even more so than before. After we got back together, it did feel very distant when we were around everyone else. The love and passion was there when we were alone, but I feel like we both felt awkward and forgot to demonstrate it in our daily actions. There have been a lot more "I love yous" and kisses goodbye and holding hands and all the in-between in just the daily moments. It has made me feel so much peace. He isn't afraid to love me.