Hidden Feelings (Slight Angst/Fluff)
1987!Leonardo x reader
A/N: The lucky wheel said 1987 Leo, so here is some 1987 Leo💙 PS. It’s still cold af in Copenhagen.
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Leonardo is feeling stressed and anxious because of his feelings for you, so his brothers decides to do something about it💙
Warnings: Spelling and stress over feelings.
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Leonardo had always been the calm and collected leader of the ninja turtles. Unless you asked Raphael. He would often sigh and call his oldest brother “such a downer”. But Leo liked to see himself as someone much stronger. His blue bandana, paired with his strong sense of responsibility, set him apart from his brothers. He was known for his patience and mental control. However, there was one thing he couldn't quite control no matter how hard he tried - his growing feelings for you. You, he and his brothers’ long time friend.
You were an inseparable part of their team, joining the turtles in their adventures, sharing laughter and hardship alike. But as the months passed by, Leonardo found himself stealing glances at you when he thought no one was looking, not hearing his brothers giggling or seeing Master Splinter’s small smiles. But Leo tried to push away those feelings, convincing himself that it was wrong to think of you in any other way than friendly. After all, you were like family to him and his brothers, and he couldn't risk jeopardizing the bonds that held the team together. It was selfish to let his feelings get in the way of that, so therefore he kept them hidden, settling for watching you from afar.
But the weight of his hidden emotions began to take a toll on poor Leonardo. Late at night, if he wasn’t lying in his bed and staring at the ceiling thinking of you, he would find himself training tirelessly, the clang of his swords echoing through the sewer lair, all in the hope of creating some distance between you and his thoughts. Leo brothers noticed the change in his behavior, looking at each other with knowing eyes. He couldn’t keep going like this, hiding himself away from you. Something had to be done. They had to do something. Leo was losing sleep, and he was starting to get jumpy. He was always on edge, sitting deep in thought, and quick to lash out if someone walked up on him, catching him off guard. Just the fact that they were able to catch him off guard, was reason to worry for both the turtles and their master.
One day, Leonardo found himself alone in the training room, his katanas flowing through the air. He was so concentrated that he did not notice his brothers urging you to go in there. Slightly confused, you did as they asked, and walked into the room where Leo moved on the mat, while the three turtles hid just by the opening in the wall, watching you and Leo. It took a moment before he noticed you, but when he did, he froze, staring at you. The dim lights accentuated the exhaustion etched on both your faces. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Leo did something you had never experienced before. He jumped in surprise, seeming shocked to see you there, his face burning hot.
"H- hey, (Y/N)", he stammered, his voice cracking, causing his brothers to bite their own hands, making sure they won’t laugh out loud. “W- what are you doing here?”
“You’re brothers said you wanted to talk to me about something important”, you said, concern painted in your eyes. "What's on your mind, Leo?"
For a moment Leo looked fearful, as if the world as he knew it was gone, crumbling before his very eyes. He shook slightly as he put katanas away in the back of his belt, avoiding your eyes.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about”, Leo muttered, looking at the wall just next to your head, biting the inside of his cheek. “What did they tell you? Are you sure they’re not trying to prank you?”
“Leo”, you said softly, stepping closer to him. Leo cursed himself for liking the way you said his name, and hoping you would say it again. Your soft smile made his heart jump in his chest. He wanted to run away. Find his brothers and yell at them, asking them why they brought you to him while he was unprepared. “What’s going on? The others said that you haven’t been yourself recently”.
Snitches! Those airheads ratted him out! Just they wait for training tomorrow morning. Leo would give them the worst!
Leo took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. You waited patiently for him to speak, not pushing him for anything. Why did you have to be so lovely? So nice and so sweet to him. You made it impossible for him not to fall head over heels for you. The poor guy felt like he had no control whenever you were around, leaving him confused and unsure. Control was his thing. How were you able to take it from him so easily? Maybe this would be the way he could gain control back. He could at least try.
"I…”, Leo started. “They are right. I need to tell you something".
Your brows furrowed with curiosity, and you motioned for him to continue.
"I… I have feelings for you, (Y/N)", he admitted, his gaze fixed on the ground. The words lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders, yet he didn’t dare to meet your eyes. “I can’t get you off of my mind, and I feel like I’m going crazy. I feel like a horrible friend for viewing you in such a way, as if I take advantage of you by having such feelings for you. I’ve tried to push it away, or at least tried to make them smaller in some way, but nothing has worked. I’m so sorry, (Y/N)”.
For a moment, the room fell silent. Outside the room, Leo’s brothers stood quiet, waiting for what would happen next. The weight of Leonardo's confession hung in the air, and he feared that he had ruined everything. Surely you would find him disgusting and tell him so, before leaving the lair. That was the last time you would ever talk to him, he was sure of it.
But then you giggled. "Leo”, you said softly, grabbing a hold of his hand. “Had you ever stopped to think that I might be feeling the same?"
Leo’s eyes widened in surprise, and he finally met your gaze. The realization that his feelings were reciprocated washed over him like a wave of relief and shock. He almost did not dare to believe you, fearing it was his mind playing tricks on him. That he finally had gone crazy and was now seeing and hearing things.
“Really?”, he asked, still not sure if he could believe his own senses.
“Yes, really”, you smiled. "I’ve liked you for quite some time Leo, and was sort of just waiting for you to see it. But I’m sorry if it caused you more distress than joy. But the truth is, I do have feelings for you too, Leonardo".
As the truth sank in, Leonardo felt a weight lifting off his shoulders and his chest becoming light. The angst that had plagued him for so long gave way to a newfound sense of happiness and relief. So much relief and happiness, that Leo couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around you and lifting you up into a spinning hug. You laughed and held on to him, bringing your face so close to him, it only seemed natural to press your lips together in a kiss. Leo stopped spinning, still holding you up high, as he happily leaned into the sweet kiss.
Confused by the sudden silence after so much laughter, Leo’s brothers looked into the room, only to find you and Leo in a tight embrace, your feet off the ground, and your lips together.
“Well”, Raphael said, looking at his brothers. “Seems like our job is done here”.
“Finally!”, Michelangelo sighed exhausted. “He has been so tense that I couldn’t sleep! I could literally feel his angst through the walls!”
“Well, hopefully he will relax now”, Donatello said, throwing one last glance at you and Leo smiling at each other.
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