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"You're going on solo again?" Yuichi grabbed Leo's shoulder as the turtle glanced up at him. Yuichi had noticed how Leo almost always went solo ever since they started dating. He knew how stubborn his lover was, but he didn't expect him to act like this.
They were on a mission and Leo didn't really have time to talk. They'd already made a plan: they decided to split up into teams. Chizu, Kitsune, and Gen heads east, while Donnie, April, and Mikey goes west, and Raph, Yuichi, and Casey goes south. And Leo? Leo will go solo... heading north.
This had happened many times already, and Yuichi had just had enough. The last few missions hadn't ended well either. Once, Leo went solo and had to sacrifice himself to distract a powerful enemy while Donnie tried to defuse a bomb. And since the bomb was huge, it took time. That ended with Leo getting minor injuries since the others were also fighting enemies in another warehouse.
Leo looked confused at his question, as if he hadn't heard what the other said. "Huh?" was all he managed. Leo looked puzzled as he sheathed his twin katanas. He tilted his head and stared at Yuichi in confusion, as if asking him to repeat what he just said.
Yuichi grabbed both of the turtle's shoulders and slowly opened his mouth. "You've been going solo for almost every mission we do, and those times you always end up getting hurt," Yuichi whined, looking into his eyes. "You know you don't have to do this, right? Don't you at least want to come with one of us... or with me?" he asked with furrowed brows, his face full of concern.
Leo grabbed both of Yuichi's hands that were resting protectively on his shoulders, smiling gently. "Yuichi, don't you trust me—"
"Don't you trust me?" Yuichi interrupted. He pulled his hands off Leo's shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at the turtle with disappointment.
Leo's eyes widened, staring at the rabbit in horror. "What? No— that's not what I meant, Yuichi," he said in a gentle tone, not wanting to raise his voice. The others were still preparing, and Leo had just told them to get ready. He didn't want to delay their mission by arguing because they were in a hurry, but all of that seemed to be forgotten as Leo tried to explain himself to Yuichi.
Yuichi knew damn well Leo loved him, and Leo did too, but right now? Leo needed to stop being stubborn and, for once, listen.
"If that's not it, why do you keep going on solos? Ever since we started dating, you've never paired up with anyone! Not even me. I know you love me, but I feel like you don't trust me at all!" Yuichi yelled. He gritted his teeth as he realized he'd raised his voice. His eyes widened as he looked the turtle in the eyes. Leo's brows were furrowed, looking offended — either way, he was shocked.
Yuichi didn't mean to lose his temper. He'd always been so calm. He just didn't like it whenever one of his loved ones got hurt, or worse. Yuichi gasped for air as he tried to calm himself down. He could see the turtle frown in guilt as he stumbled to apologize.
"Le-Leo, I didn't mean to yell. I... I'm sorry. I just lost control," Yuichi said as he hugged the turtle, apologizing over and over. Leo hadn't moved. He didn't hug back yet; his arms hung at his sides, swaying — still not returning the hug.
Leo could feel Yuichi's breath. He slowly hugged the rabbit back as he tried to find his words. "Yuichi... I didn't mean to— I didn't mean to make you think I don't trust you. I- I just want you to be safe, you know that, right...?"
Yuichi let go of the hug. He gently laid both palms on the turtle's shoulders, his brows furrowed. "No, Leo, it's my fault... I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I was just really worried for you." Yuichi looked at the floor, suddenly finding it interesting.
Leo held the arms resting on his shoulders, smiling sheepishly while looking at the rabbit. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Yuichi." Leo lifted his chin, forcing the rabbit to look him in the eye. "I totally understand that you're worried about me, and I'm really sorry if I made you think I don't trust you. I just really love you. I want you to be safe," he said, trying to comfort the bunny, smiling at him with furrowed brows.
Yuichi smiled back. "I love you too." He returned the hug, closing his eyes as he felt the turtle's heartbeat, finding it comforting. Leo did the same, hugging him back.
They both knew how much they loved each other, but sometimes... things can just get bad. But even if it does, they always find a way to cheer each other up.
After pulling away from the hug, they both stared at each other and chuckled at nothing.
"Feel better?" Leo smirked.
"Only if you pair with me," Yuichi said, closing both eyes before cracking one open, grinning at the other. Leo giggled at that, nodding in approval. Yuichi took the other's hand, smiling at Leo with awe.
"Promise me you'll stop going on solos after this?" he asked in a soft tone, worry still on his face.
"Promise," Leo replied, closing his eyes while smiling at him.
Leo leaned in, as if trying to reach the other's lips. Yuichi noticed this and leaned in too. They slowly — so slowly — locked their lips together as they felt the warmth of each other's mouths. Both felt the other's presence, finding it comforting. Leo held the rabbit's shoulder as Yuichi's hand slowly held his waist, holding him protectively. As if Leo would go solo again and get hurt sacrificing himself. Not anymore. Not ever again.
They were both interrupted by a fake cough. Their eyes widened as they were reminded of the others' presence. They quickly pulled apart and coughed awkwardly, looking at the wall.
Chizu looked at them with confusion, while Gen and Raph stood with their arms crossed. Raph was grinning, and Gen had a disgusted look on his face. And Donnie? Donnie looked natural, as if he'd seen this many times. Mikey, kitsune and April were smiling with furrowed brows, and Casey was just as confused as Chizu.
"Did we interrupted something?" Chizu asked, tilting her head.
Leo and Yuichi flushed in embarrassment. They realized the whole group was staring at them, which made it even more embarrassing.
"N-no! Not at all, w-we were just getting ready..." Leo's voice cracked.
Mikey and April chuckled at that. They knew Leo was lying — he isn't really the best at it. You can easily spot the difference between when the leader is lying or not.
Raph rolled his eyes. "Right... c'mon, I think it's time to go." Raph waved his hand, signaling for them to leave the living room and head for the Shell-Raser.
Yuichi looked at Leo as if asking him to say something. Oh right! Change of plans.
"Oh, and guys, Yuichi and I will pair up... so I at least have some company..." Leo said, rubbing the back of his neck, looking at the floor with a bright red blush spreading across his cheeks. He glanced at the group, and his eyes widened when he realized the whole team was staring at them — at him. Him.
He groaned in annoyance. There was no time for explanations, but it seemed like the whole team was listening.
"The pairing is still the same as earlier, but Raph and Casey will go together this time. And Yuichi and I — we'll head north," Leo glared at them. He took Yuichi's hand, passing all the others, heading to the Shell-Raser first. He didn't even look at them. He just dragged Yuichi along to end this mission. He was so damn tired.