Tender moments are shared when watching an outdated show past midnight.
Living within the sewers didn't seem as bad as she would imagine. Her father had done his best to accommodate her new bedroom, making his sons mop and scrub any residue from the floor and walls, as well as cleaning any speck of dust and eliminating every roach they could spot. While Donatello worked on renovating her own bathroom, Raphael and Michelangelo assembled basic furniture; bookshelves, a desk, and bed frame. Leonardo often stood outside the room, twiddling his thumbs whenever spotting Karai carrying blankets and pillows, appearing flustered before walking away.
However, as the first night approached, the living arrangement left her feel lonesome and restless once more. Removing the heavy bedding away from her, she swung her legs until bare feet touched cold cement floor, instantly causing shivers. Slipping into her lavender slippers, and grabbing a fleece blanket from her bed, she shuffled toward the empty living room, hoping a little television could make her fall asleep quicker. Instead of turning left, a light from a few doors down to her right attracted her. Tiptoeing forward, she quietly pushed the door inward, spotting the eldest turtle atop his bed, laying on his stomach, with a laptop in front of him.
Sensing another's presence, Leonardo paused the screen, before scrambling to sit up.
"Karai?" he yawned, arms stretching up. "Um, hey."
"Hey." Stepping in, she glanced around the room, the bright light from the laptop causing her to squint, before spotting several posters hanging on the grey wall, as well as the various comic books which were spread out before him on the mattress.
Leonardo smiled at Karai, waving her over.
Karai humorously rolled her eyes when he patted the spot next to him.
Sitting beside him and removing the blanket from her shoulders, she managed to look at the screen, seeing the animated characters running around melodramatically.
"Is this a movie?" He shook his head, eyes glued to the screen.
"It's a show." Taking a bite of a crunchy snack, the unmasked turtle pointed to the laptop. "That's Captain Ryan. He's the leader. My role model." Karai snorted, but accepted the dried seaweed when he offered. Her gaze averted from the bright screen to the bedding again, catching glimpses of comic books and two worn out toy figures. She smirked when concluding they have been played with.
"I'm guessing you're a fan?" She chuckled once he blushed. Even from the dimly lit bedroom she could still capture the rosy tint across emerald colored skin.
"Was it that obvious?" Returning his attention back over to Captain Ryan slapping a teammate, left Karai to gloss over the crinkled colorful pages, almost growing curious to what the show was about.
"Space Heroes?" She snatched a copy, flipping the sheets to catch the various scenes of dull dialogue and tamed fight scenes. To her, it seemed like a ridiculous plot. If it even had one. Setting the comic down, Karai went back to the screen, raising a brow when the captain affectionately embraced a glowing green woman.
"Ryan!"
"Celestial! You are the only woman for me!"
"Oh, Ryan!"
Karai looked away in disgust, sneaking a peek at Leo's admiration of the couple, engrossed at the drama. It wasn't exactly her cup of tea of romance. Not at all.
"Let me guess. They're madly in love, and live happily ever after?" Taking another bite of the nori sheet, she audibly swallowed as Leonardo turned to face her.
"No. She's just pretending to love him to get his secret codes. He kills her in another episode."
"Really?" Karai asked, now fascinated.
"But still mourns for her. Captain Ryan really cared for her." The credits rolled, making Leonardo exit the screen, to click on another video. "I've already seen the entire series. But," he shrugged, "I like re-watching it from time to time. Especially the ones I don't have on tapes." Waiting for the video to download, the turtle nervously darted his eyes around, finally realizing they were both completely alone in his bedroom. He felt his cheeks redden as Karai picked up an action figure.
"Are these the only ones you have?" she asked, inspecting the slightly smudged paint job.
"Yeah," he followed by grabbing the other toy, "They aren't the good quality ones. The real collectibles cost a lot. But I'm pretty sure no one's gonna throw them in the sewer." He silently chuckled, moving its joints to form a cliché heroic pose.
Seeing the video not buffer anymore, he clicked play, sitting comfortably by bringing his knees up, arms wrapped around his legs as chin rested on a joint, excitedly waiting. She blinked when listening to Leonardo quietly sing along to the theme song, shoulders bobbing to the corny melody.
Karai quickly covered her mouth to hide her cackle. It was a hilarious moment she would never forget. And potential blackmail. Leonardo hunched forward when hearing the laugh, shifting to face her, face warming as every second passed by.
However, something else caught his interest.
She flinched when he gently held her wrist, pulling it away from her face.
"I've noticed when you laugh, you always cover your face. How come?" Karai wistfully sighed as he let go, pressing her lips together.
"I hate the way I laugh," she murmured. Leonardo narrowed his eyes in thought.
"It doesn't sound bad."
"No," she interrupted, "that's not it." Tensed, her fingers rose to rotate an earring from her nicked ear, looking elsewhere. "There was this kid who pointed out that I shouldn't wrinkle my nose when I laugh. That it was weird. It was when I was a kid, though." Looking back, the kunoichi took notice of Leo's upset and fuming expression. "Of course, I don't care anymore," she continued, arm lowering. "But it stuck as a habit." The loud lasers distracted her, leaving Karai to change the subject by pointing at the screen. "I hope those aliens get what they deserve."
Leonardo remained focused on Karai, massive hand making way to her arm, but withdrew just as she grabbed another sheet of dried seaweed. Azure gaze lowered, and smiled.
"I like your pjs." She looked down, frowning at the comment.
"I didn't pick them out. Your kunoichi in training did. Brightly colored clothing with little kittens aren't exactly my type of wardrobe choice."
"Still. It's different." Leonardo warily scooted closer. "Sometimes different is good." Karai rolled her eyes, playfully nudging his pliable plastron.
"Just shut up and watch the show." She winked, "Captain." The terrapin couldn't help but blush, head slowly tucking into his shell. Ignoring him, the teen girl casually leaned against a muscular shoulder, short ruffled hair tickling his left cheek. "We should make this a tradition," she whispered after immersing herself into the chaotic fight scene.
Sighing in content, Leonardo beamed at the closeness, sensing her warm body pressed alongside his shell. He was glad she finally came back home. Where she belongs.
"That would be…nice."
Right beside him, watching his favorite show.
