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It was sudden, really. He had been feeling crummy all day. He wasn't good enough, healed enough. Nothing anyone said or did managed to crack through the grumpy exterior he wore. It was fine: being injured in all sorts of ways involuntarily warranted that sort of response. Especially for a leader. Especially for him.
Then she made her appearance. She hadn't been at her best, either. After dealing with the clone of her mom, she'd been out of sorts. Not terribly concerning, though, as the others had stopped asking if she was fine. She wasn't. Didn't need to be asked about. Her identity crisis would go on. It was her curse to bear.
Dinner was going on, just as it did every night. There was a loud storm of conversation all around the two. Chores were done. Training was completed.
All he could see was her, and likewise. She was glancing at him, and for some reason, he would see it. Every time. Was it a ninja thing? A leader thing? She didn't know. It didn't make any sense. But her chest bubbled and felt warmer than it had all day.
A notice. A glance.
It was sudden. He excused himself from the table, saying he wanted to check something outside. She volunteered to go with and wouldn't budge. The others were weirded out as they left, almost hand in hand, but their fingers barely missed each other.
The night air was chilly and pristine, just as their growing laughter was while they walked. It was sad laughter, really. Mourning laughter. She was the girl with too much history, too much power. He was the boy with too much responsibility, too much weight on his shoulders. But together, they were just Leo and just April. Just them, together.
It wasn't terribly chilly, but Leo shivered. April joked about offering a jacket like they always do in the movies, and for some reason Leo smiled at her. It was such a tender smile, too, that would have been missed by those who knew not of Leonardo Hamato's true heart. He saved that look for those he cherished. April O'Neil could almost say the same. She matched his smile, finally reaching out her hand.
The two's hands interlocked, satisfied with a hum from the wind. The moon was bright, and seemed to be their only source of light out in the yard. She asked what they were checking. He admitted he just had to get out of there. She giggled at that, pulling slightly on his arm to guide him to the barn's doors. He limped behind her, knowing she would never drag him, but his crutch felt awfully useless as both legs managed to keep up with her.
He would have kept talking, if not for noticing her looking at him. Looking into him, really. Leo sucked in a breath. April eyed the barn door.
It was sudden. Their gazes said more than any small talk could. They got away. It was perfect. She shut the door to the barn, letting it clank closed, before meeting his eyes with an eager but silent request. Despite nodding, he was unsure. She would be his first. The weight wasn't oblivious to her. But the question remained: Can I?
"Yes," he whispered, and immediately reciprocated the oncoming lips to his. Where to move, how to kiss...she broke it and, with an awkward grasp, moved his arms around her waist. Sort of. The touch made them both shiver, lost in a sudden tornado of....literally everything. He lifted his hands out of habit.
April grimaced teasingly, and the both of them laughed. The sound echoed across the wooden surface, and if they were outside perhaps it would have melded with the singsong of birds retiring for the night. "I should have prepared," he joked, hands still hovering. Leo noted her face was the same shade of a sunset, and his eyes glowed with a newfound understanding of why sunsets were so beautiful. She recaptured his attention with her voice, "I think that's my first, too."
"Really? You?" he said, gasping. The shock in his statement made her laugh, her face scrunching with embarrassment while her eyes squinted closed. He leaned forward. Their foreheads bumped together, and suddenly an eclipse formed in that wooden outhouse. She was always captured by the moon, but never expected it to be in front of her. "Can we try again?" she asked, almost yearning for that one syllable.
Leo responded in kind, nodding and whispering "yes". What a lovely song that is to hear. She inhaled and leaned in; her arms found their way around his neck. He was tense, still unsure, but after a couple of seconds the guard he had became a simple reminder of their traumas and not who he was in this moment. No danger. No fight.
She felt the weight of his unguardedness as his hands finally made their way to her waist, and the way he allowed himself to buckle and fall into step with her. She felt her own walls shriveling away under the limelight of the moon. One of her hands made its way to his mask tails, fingers twirling through them like braids. His breath fluttered at the touch.
Leo felt his mask slipping off as the kiss deepened. Her lips were soft and kind. He was reminded of a sun-shower and the drizzle that followed the bright day. How long had this been missing? He desperately hoped he didn't miss any signals. And hoped that he was doing the right thing. His worry forced its way through his nostrils, causing a heated huff to exit him.
April adjusted, blinking open her eyes and looking at the turtle with a quizzical expression. His mask finally slipped off, falling around his neck, and a brief smile flickered on both of their faces. "What is it?" she asked. "We're not...jerks, are we?" he answered, timid but trusting as their lips neared each other once again with little resistance.
"Why would we be jerks?" she amused quietly. Her hand made its way to his cheek, where her thumb brushed the rough but safe skin that surrounded his sea blue eyes. "...What about Donnie?" he corrected, biting his own tongue. He pulled back. The guilt felt like a hangover in the daze that was this moment. April sighed and her expression darkened. "We're not dating. He's not- it's not like that. I don't..."
"I'm not saying you are," Leo corrected, "a-and I'm not saying there's anything. But he's my brother and he really likes you. And...after everything, I can't be the one to..."
The words died in his throat. April wasn't angry, but her expression indicated a form of defeat. They were separate, again. He hated his stupid, stupid mouth. "April, hold on-"
"I'm confused, too, okay?" she confessed. Her hand grabbed onto the sleeve of her overshirt, tugging on it as a matter of keeping her appendages busy. "I'm confused. Everything's confusing. There's Donnie, and I know about Donnie, and then there's Casey- and it drives me nuts, Leo! How do you feel??"
"...Me?" he squeaked. A hand reached for her, and to his surprise, she didn't pull away. He squeezed her shoulder as gently as his body could physically muster. "I don't....I'm not sure. I'm also confused, I think. But I like this." He gestured to her with his other hand. "I liked that."
She huffed, shaking her head with a smile. "I don't wanna hurt them either, y'know. But I'm not good at saying...everything in my head." He nodded. They had that in common, it seemed. "I can help?" he offered. "I'm a good...um....conflict resolver?"
The two snickered a bit, stepping closer to each other. "I'm not perfect," April whispered, as if it was a secret.
"I know," Leo responded, only tilting his head.
"And I'm mean-"
"Never, no way."
"- And I hold grudges."
"Who doesn't?" And after a beat, "are you trying to tell me we shouldn't have...kissed?"
April sighed, looking off to the side. "I liked it, too. I do like it. But what if I'm too much of a mess for you?"
Leo shook his head. This time, he was the one to cup her face. It was as warm as a sunset, too, he noticed, or perhaps it was because of how red her cheeks became at the contact. "You can't be more of a mess than me," he joked, "and I like you no matter what. Friend or..."
The word was unspoken. However, it was obvious, and neither said it out loud, lest it sway their decision. But it seemed to have already been made. "You're not a mess," April argued softly. Her arms raised, and she ignored his flinch as they encircled his body with a gentle touch. "I can barely walk, much less fight. Plus, I got captured by your clone-mom thing and probably still have sludge in my-"
Noting her dejected silence, he quickly shut up and brought her close. "Sorry, sorry, I know you didn't wanna talk about it," he whispered apologetically. She instinctively pulled away, but found that she didn't really want to. She accepted his embrace and made an audible groaning sound against his neck. "Do you ever feel like you have to move on from something just because it's over?" she asked.
Leo paused, slow to put a hand on her back. When he does, the embrace is tight, and he holds his arms around her like a shield. "All of the time, to be honest."
"Oh...Leo, that...sucks."
"Ditto."
April chuckled knowingly. She traced patters on his shell while the two stayed in their embrace, swaying back and forth in a comfortable silence. "How's your leg right now?" she asked, out of habit. Leo grumbled under his breath, sounding annoyed. "Hm?"
"I said it's fine," he forced out, though being conscious of it now made him adjust his weight between the two lower limbs. "The fact you even have to ask..."
"Sorry for being worried about you," she quipped knowingly, smiling against his neck. The two held on for a moment longer before pulling back, though still attached through their tangled limbs. "I have too many headaches from your stupid nightmares."
"What? April, why wouldn't you say-"
"It's not your fault," she assured, huffing. "Not at all."
"I told you I was a mess," he muttered exasperatedly, forcing out a soft laugh. "But I guess I'm not alone in that, right?" April nodded. "I guess not..."
It was sudden. When they met eyes again, it was like the switch had been turned back on, and she was quiet as she whispered for permission before once again colliding lips. They spun around, giggling, feet barely managing to keep out of each other's way. Leo felt his shell press up against the wall and he grunted, startled by the soft collide. April muttered an apology against his tongue as it slid into her mouth.
Still in uncharted territory, they decided to wing it. Story of their life, right? Leo browsed his tongue through her mouth as hers battled it. He knew swordfights quite well, and she was getting better with her tessen every day. However, the battle had no stakes. Just grasp.
He leaned forward, breaking the kiss and inhaling deeply through his nose to regain himself. April searched again, eyes still closed, but she only found his jaw and decided it was good enough. Leo jumped a bit, his grip on her tightening unnecessarily while she trailed small pecks against his skin, a trail back to his awaiting lips. "Ow, Leo," she groaned. He loosened up and whispered a few apologies. He met her halfway as another apology, murmuring slurred words as the two's kiss continued.
His weaker leg buckled as she pressed against him, which signaled her to stop. "Are you okay??" she asked pressingly, trying to see what happened. "I'm fine, April, see? I'm standing just fine," Leo assured, even if his voice strained just the tiniest bit too much. April frowned, looking into his eyes. "Don't worry," he added, timidly.
"I don't know how to help you," she complained, though not at him. Just for him, with him, in general. "Why can't you let me?" As she spoke, Leo reached behind her, tenderly holding the back of her head. His pointer-slash-middle finger found her elastic and meddled with it until it came loose.
"I don't need you to fix me," he breathed, arms loosely slung around her body like a bedsheet. She pushed her weight against his as the two stood against the wall of the barn. So close. Was it too close? "I just...want you to stay." No. Not too close.
"I can stay," she mumbled against his lips. A promise only he could hear. It made a shiver go up his spine. Even his good leg trembled.
"Promise?" he asked, oddly weak. "Promise," she responded, her hand lightly grasping at his wrist as his shell grinded against the wood. "April..."
He exhaled. His breath shook. "You have no idea what that means." She pulled back, grinning. "What kind of promise are you thinking of?"
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "My stupid brain," he dismissed, and this time she allowed it. "Do you think the others are worried?" she asked. Leo shrugged, combing his fingers through her hair. "Who cares?" She enjoyed the touch, reciprocating and leaning back into it. He took the opportunity to switch their spots so he was keeping her against the wall.
The sudden spin shook her around awkwardly, and she giggled as her face reheated. Leo's cheeks seemed to burn the same amount at what he'd just done. "Sorry," he replied to no one in particular, definitely a habit, but April just shook her head and pulled him closer by the plastron to lock lips once again.
It was sudden. The kiss had lasted for a couple more minutes, but to them it was hours. Hours upon hours of feeling him against her, so firm but careful, not because she was fragile, but because he was. She could keep him standing, alive, in this sinking ship, and he would happily man the steering wheel while she hoisted the sails. Each moment of timid passion was a moment of pure distraction, and it's exactly what they'd both needed.
She was fully anchored to the wall, almost sliding down if not for her legs just managing to keep her upright. Leo kept her still, his own body weight pressed against hers in a surprisingly comfortable fashion. Her leg raised to circle his bad one, keeping it in place without stepping on his toes. He was touched by the action, and his hand slid down to her lower back, making her press her waist against his lower plastron.
His finger tingled, brushed just under her shirt. The contact with her skin caused her to shiver with unbridled nerves, and she could barely hold herself together from flustered-ness.
Until someone knocked on the door and interrupted it all entirely. "What the shell're you guys doing in there for so long?!" Raph's voice cut through the wood. Quickly, Leo and April unscrambled away from each other, Leo raising his arms up as he choked and hobbled backwards while April covered her mouth and slid as far away from the blue-clad turtle as possible. Said turtle quickly began to fix his mask just as Raph opened the door and let himself in. "Seriously, it's past nine! We don't need-"
He paused. Leo held his hands in place around the knot he'd just retied. April was red in the face, hair down, and trying desperately to smooth it out again. "...Oh my god, no way."
"Raph!" Leo scolded, grabbing his crutch that he'd set leaning nearby. "Whatever you're thinking, no!"
"I didn't say anything," Raph argued, holding his hands up in defense. He glanced to April. "So Leo, huh?"
"Raph."
"I wasn't saying anything!" the shorter argued, louder this time. He huffed.
"You're not gonna...say anything, are you?" April asked. "Nah, I'm not Mikey. Buuuuttt..."
You better not say anything about the stupid chicken coop, Leo cursed inside his head.
"You could always help me out with a chore or two."
"Blackmail," April muttered, rolling her eyes. "Whatever. I just don't want-"
"Relax, I'm not a monster," Raph assured. He crossed his arms and leaned on the doorframe. "Listen...I was just..." He glanced at his older brother, brows lightening with a slight worry. "Y'know, so he didn't get lost or somethin' out here. And he's been moping all day. So...I'm glad that's, uh, sorted now."
She looked at Leo, then at Raph, before a soft smile crossed her face. "It...it is, yeah. I'm glad, too. I think it was just one of those days, y'know?" The hothead scoffed bitterly. "You have no idea. Or....well, are you....y'know, good?"
Oh. She blinked a couple of times. "I feel better," she answered honestly. "Thanks for asking." Leo glanced at the two before letting out a sigh of relief. No blackmail...
"Don't stay out here for too long, you losers," Raph warned knowingly, giving the two a quick grin before shutting the barn door. "And next time, go somewhere private!"
"Yeah, thanks Raph, like we asked you," Leo yelled back, huffing despite the giggling April tried to hide. "So? Are you ready to head in?" she asked.
Leo paused once more to look at her. The sunset he could stare at for ages. She did the same. The moonlight, glowing and radiant however dark the weather is. If beauty was in the eye of the beholder, they would simply will all before them to see the other's gorgeousness.
"Have I ever mentioned I like your freckles?" he spat out of nowhere. Her face warmed. "Um, no, I don't think so."
"They're like stars," Leo muttered, approaching her. She reached out, taking one of his hands in her own and squeezing it. "You know, I heard that we're all made from stars. So I...I guess you must be a special case," he added, rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand.
"Wh- Leo!" she laughed, cringing but oh so touched by how sweet he was trying to be. "No offense, but you're definitely the biggest dork I've ever met."
He shrugged, as if saying 'none taken' before bravely kissing her cheek. The two buzzed, separating soon after with coughs and grunts as they collected themselves. "Y-Yeah, let's...let's head in," he finally answered, reaching for the door. April nodded and followed him out, shutting the barn door behind him.
He was careful with the ground, but she still insisted on being right next to him and holding his hand. He, deep down, appreciated it; it was harder to use his crutch with uneven ground. The moon, luckily, had risen and began its job of guiding the two back to the farmhouse, where they quietly spoke and laughed about whatever was on their minds.