Chapter Text
You walked through the darker and quieter streets of New York. The cold breeze brushed against your red cheeks. You tightened your arms around your body hopelessly trying to block the cold drafts as you approached a large manhole that was conveniently hidden in the alleyway. Pulling off the cover had become increasingly easier with every visit below. You pulled out your phone from your small black backpack hanging from your shoulder; the numbers 11:23 staring back at you. You groaned not realizing how late your previous endeavor had kept you. Carefully, you slipped down the opening grabbing hold of an old rusty ladder. The dim light from your phone shone down in the darkness below. The light not reaching far reminded you that you had to buy a real flashlight. You started down the ladder one rail at a time careful not to fall. That had already happened once and you couldn’t risk it again, being alone and all.
Once you reached the last rail of the ladder you hopped down making a splash in a small puddle. You shone the light into the large labyrinth and began the usual hike. You turned right, then left, and right again; humming as you strolled past the colorful and familiar graffiti. Up ahead a warm but bright light shone through the holes of a grate. You smiled to yourself, slowly picking up speed until you reached the source of the light. You flipped a small switch and tugged open the grate. Your usual sense of grace wasn’t present as this time you tripped falling head-first onto the cold cement floor.
“Owwww” you grumbled, picking yourself up and quickly dusting off. A familiar blue mask peeked around the corner of the wall.
“I thought I heard the grate opening.” His trademark smile shining at you “I was expecting another cooler human friend but I guess you’ll have to do.”
“How sweet Leo.” You walked over to him and gave him a light punch on his shoulder. “You know, after a week of not visiting I thought you’d at least be a little happier to see me.”
“Of course, I’m happy to see you!” He assured, grabbing you by the shoulders and wrapping his arms around you in a tight hug. Pleasantly surprised you hugged him back glad to finally be back in such a welcoming place. You slowly let go and asked, “Soooo what’s been new around here?”
“Oh you know, the usual, me saving New York and my brothers tagging along.” He grinned while leading you to his very dark and very messy room.
“Rightttt” you replied sarcastically, dragging your feet along the floor.
This night had been exhausting and you just wanted to be somewhere comforting. The lair was easily one of the most comforting places around, so here you were even though you knew Leo would soon start with his interrogation. You sat on the edge of his bed grabbing the nearest pillow and resting your elbows on it.
“I know how much you love talking about me but let me cut to the point. What’s wrong with you!?” Leo threw his hands in the air beginning what you knew would be a very exaggerated conversation. You didn’t have the energy to interrupt as he began pacing the floor. “You haven’t been to the lair in a week and you won’t respond to my late-night texts for hours. I was this close to hunting you down.” He stepped towards you and pinched his fingers together to emphasize his point. You chuckled and pushed his hand away from your face.
“Calm down Leo. I didn’t take you as a worrier, keep that up and you’ll get a Raph chasm” you replied with a smirk flicking his forehead.
Leo’s face softened slightly but his confident stance showed you that he wasn’t backing down. Looking down you sighed and continued speaking. “I have a new job and it's been quite a hectic week. I’m not in any type of trouble, promise.” You looked up, reading his body language, he still wasn’t backing down. You put your hands on his shoulders making him bend down to meet your eyes. “I'm sorry for making my best bud worry it won’t happen again. Are we good?” You could tell that your sincerity and honesty had won over Leo. It was fairly easy to calm him down but you hadn’t seen him this worried in a while.
“Yeah, we’re good.” He replied as he took a hold of your wrists and gently set them back to your sides. “Just give me a heads up before you go all ninja stealthy on me, alright?” He quickly ruffled your hair giving his signature smile. “Will do buddy boy.” You promised with your brightest smile. As he sat down on his bed next to you you tossed the blue fluffy pillow to him.
“What have Mikey and Raph been up to? Besides just tagging along on your missions.” You joked, turning your body around to face him and quickly crossing your legs.
“Uhhhhhh not much,” Leo confessed with a shrug setting the pillow behind his back so he could better adjust himself. “Heroing has not been very heroey lately.”
“So you’ve been on a ninjcation.” You grinned and Leo quickly turned to you. He looked confused but slightly amused.
“Excuse me, a what?!”
“A ninjcation, a ninja vacation,” you explained, still no response.
“I really need to work on my puns.” You sighed admitting defeat. Leo chuckled next to you bringing your spirits back up.
“Don’t worry, you just need to learn from the best, which is -uh- me.” He declared quite proudly dramatically flipping his mask’s ribbons behind his shoulder. You rolled your eyes and kicked his side. He screeched in mock offense and slapped your leg earning quite the laugh from you. It was good to be back.
Your conversation lasted for quite some time as you exchanged silly incidents the both of you experienced throughout the week. After a while, Leo brought up a topic you knew was inevitable.
“We’ve been talking, for what, about 2 hours now, and not once have you asked about my dear younger brother,” Leo remarked.
“What are you talking about? I’ve asked about Mikey.”
“Ah, I mean the other younger one, my twin, my purple companion, my sarcastic sweetums.” He paused for a second. “Do you want me to continue?”
You rolled your eyes and groaned. “He’s not exactly the kindest to me Leo. I’d prefer not to involve myself with all of that.” You slapped your hands on your thighs clearly a bit frustrated. You brought your legs up to your chest and wrapped your arms around them. “I mean I’ve tried to talk to him” you continued, “but it always ends in an argument which usually leads to throwing things or his condescending attitude just gets the best of me.”
Leo spread out his legs over the side of his bed and leaned back on his forearms staring up at the ceiling. “Donnie can be a bit much sometimes,” he admitted, “ but he’s my brother and I really want my brother and my best friend to get along.” His voice sounded tired and you felt a little guilty. You really have tried to get along with Donnie. I mean you get along perfectly fine with everyone else but Donnie was a no-go since day one. You didn’t really know why and didn’t care to ask.
You turned to face Leo who was still looking up. “Leonardo,” you started. The use of his full name quickly caught his attention as he looked back at you.
“I will make a better effort, I promise.” You held out your fist with your pinky finger out, giving your most sincere smile. He sat up swiftly and linked one of his fingers with your own. The both of you now smiling promisingly at each other. Two promises in one night, one slightly more difficult than the other.