The Bravery in his Eyes - A TMNT Leo X Reader Story

Chapter 27 - My New Home

Your POV

The boys went out on patrol during the night, so I‌ stayed in the lair to work on my new room. We had finally finished clearing out all the old stuff inside, and now it was just a blank slate, waiting for me to fill with my personality.

I stood in the middle of the empty room, hands on my hips as I looked at the wide wall on the far side of the room. This could be a painting...

My heart was racing with excitement. I bounded over to the doorway, where I‌ left my luggage and shoulder bag. I pulled out my sketchbook and opened it up, smiling at the drawing of the city with‌ Leo and I looking out at the view. Carefully, I tore it out of the book and put it off to the side. With a pencil in hand, I started working on concept art for the wall.

A cherry tree with the blossoms blowing away in the wind soon filled a page in my sketchbook. The bright sun was shining in the corner, and one of the thick branches held a wooden swing. I contemplated for a moment, then added myself with my back turned on the swing and my hair flowing in the breeze.

The sketch turned out much better than I thought it would, so I hurried to the wall with my pencil and started doing my best to lightly replicate the drawing, sitting on the floor to start at the bottom of the wall.

There was a light knocking on the doorway. "How are you adjusting, Y/N?"

Master Splinter was standing there, studying the wall I was working on.

"Oh, it's wonderful here, Master. I was just drawing an outline of how I‌ want to paint this wall," I explained. "I mean, I hope that's okay."

He waved it off with a hand. "It's wonderful to see you sharing your art with us." His eyes traveled to the floor, where I‌ had left the city sketch. "And this is a very well-drawn piece. Is that Leonardo?"

Heat started flooding my cheeks. "Uh, yeah, I drew that a long time ago."

"You two are very close. He speaks fondly of you during our sessions." Splinter rested both of his hands on his green staff. "You're a very strong-willed young woman in the face of adversity."

I‌ stood up from my spot on the floor and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master, that means a lot coming from you."

He returned my bow. "Do you have all of the materials you need for your wall?"

"No, I need paint. I was going to get some after the boys came back, just to be safe."

He shook his head. "No need. Come with me."

I followed Master Splinter out of my room and into the dojo, where he pulled a thin door to the side to reveal his bedroom. It was peaceful inside, with Japanese writing on open scrolls and calming pastel colors.

Splinter opened a closet, and I gasped. The walls were covered in paintings of all sizes, each depicting a different aspect of nature or Japanese culture. Tons of paints and paintbrushes were neatly organized throughout the room.

"This is my art room," he said.

I walked closer to one of the paintings of a creek with rushing water. It felt like I was standing outside, hearing the sounds of the water hitting the edges. "Master, these are beautiful."

Splinter grinned at me in thanks. "I appreciate your compliment. With so many years spent down here, I‌ busied myself with these paintings to reconnect with the outside world I do not see very often." He gestured to his grand paint collection. "Use these for your wall."

I shook my head. "I can get my own, I don't want to use yours up."

"Leonardo can always get me more. I want to see what the end product will be." He picked up a large bunch of colors and a bucket with a paint roller, holding them out.

I was speechless as I cradled everything in my arms. He chuckled at my lack of words and led us out.

Once I set everything down on the floor, I shook with excitement at the vast amount of art supplies. I went straight to work, using the paint roller to create a thin pastel pink background so I could still see some of the very faint lines of the pencil underneath.

***

Leo's POV

It was late at night by the time we made it home. We spent lots of time watching Karai and her forces plan their meetings with the state government, making notes of their next moves for later. I wanted to learn as much as I could about their plan before striking.

Mikey and Donnie fell onto the couch right when we arrived, exhausted from the day's events. Raph trudged over to his room, mumbling a "good night" that could barely be heard.

I quietly stepped towards Y/N's new room, thinking that she would be sleeping. When I pushed the door open, my jaw dropped.

She had started painting the outline of a huge cherry tree on her wall and was filling in the trunk with a thick brush. Smaller blossoms had been painted off to the side, as if the breeze was taking them somewhere new. This was what she envisioned in her meditation, I‌ realized.

"Y/N?" I asked quietly.

She stopped painting and put her brush down, rushing over to me and reaching up to wrap her arms around my neck. "I'm so glad you're home."

I exhaled slowly, holding her close by her waist, and kissed the top of her head. "Me too. I‌ love what you're working on."

She pulled back to show me that gorgeous smile of hers. "Thank you! Sensei gave me some of his paints to use. When I finish this, I have to paint him something to thank him. And I have to go with you to get more."

I chuckled and rubbed her back.‌ "Aw, you guys were bonding a little?"

"Yeah, I‌ never knew he was an artist! His paintings are incredible!" Y/N blinked a couple times, and I remembered how late it was.

"We should get you to bed, let's put everything away." We walked to the wall and covered all of the paints to prevent them from drying out. By the time we were finished, her eyelids were drooping.

I picked her up and carried her out of the room to keep her from the paint fumes, pulling one of her bags with me to my room. When I sat her down on my bed, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out an oversized T-shirt and pants to use as pajamas. I turned around to give her privacy as I took off my belt, put my swords away, and removed my mask from my face.

Y/N was lying on the pillow, almost completely engulfed in her shirt, and was struggling to pull the covers over her. I brought them to her chin and carefully climbed into the bed so they wouldn't move too much. She cuddled against my chest and started to drift off as I held her close.

I‌ only had one thought as I listened to her slow, even breaths.

I love her so much.