Chapter 7
She stared at the bright screen in the dark, hands shaky.
Layla: are you awake?
Leo: of course, it's the middle of the day.
He glanced at the clock they had placed in their living room. Donnie had set one up with the time in Toyko. He frowned when he noticed the time. He hurriedly texted her again.
Leo: Why are you up at 4 am? Is everything alright?
He drummed his fingers anxiously against the phone.
Layla: I just couldn't sleep. Are you busy? Am I bothering you?
Leo: No of course not, I was just done training. Why couldn't you sleep?
Layla: It's really quite silly…
Leo: Well it can't be that silly if it causes you to be awake at 4 am. What is it?
Layla: I had a nightmare. I tried meditating, reading, listening to music, everything I could think of to help me go back to sleep, and I just can't.
Leo's brow furrowed further, and he quietly excused himself to his room.
"Hello," she whispered, and he noticed immediately that her voice was shaky. Was she crying? His heart leapt into his throat and though worried, he sounded calm.
"Hey," he murmured, keeping quiet to not rouse suspicion. He didn't need his brothers eavesdropping. He cringed to think what they would say if they knew just how much he talked to her on the phone. Of course, for all he knew, they could be doing the same thing. Donnie did tend to keep his lab door closed more often now…
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Sniffle. "Mmhmm." When she heard his voice, a fresh batch of tears streamed down her face. Why? She didn't speak for fear he would hear her crying, although intuitively she knew that he already figured it out. She never cried, especially not in front of somehow she hardly knew. So why did I burst into tears as soon as I heard him?
Leo sighed. He felt angry he couldn't be there, and angry at whatever made her cry. How can you be angry at someone else's nightmare? He was no stranger to dealing with bad dreams. It was often enough as little tots that one brother would have a nightmare, and it was even more often that they found solace by sleeping next to their eldest brother.
But this? This was…different.
Another emotion sprang up. Protectiveness. He rubbed his hand over his face, unsure of what exactly to say. He couldn't stop thinking about how much he wanted to hug her, hold her, dry her tears. To kiss her.
"Well, what would help you most? You can tell me about it if you'd like, or I can just talk to you until you feel better or fall back asleep. Whatever you need, just tell me, ok?"
She smiled. His kindness was one of the first things she noticed about him. She wouldn't admit it, but that was a reason she even messaged him. That and he made her feel safe. I can't tell him that though.
Drying her eyes, she took a shaky breath. "Um, just talk to me? If you don't mind of course. But if you have something to do-"
"No, it's ok. I have time. Hmm let's see…" he trailed off, desperately thinking of something to tell her. I want to talk to her all the time, so why can't I think of anything to say? In truth, it was because he would have rather known why she was so upset, and it was distracting to him. But she needs me to talk to her instead. I can do that. I can be her calm.
"I've had a pretty boring day so far, honestly. I can tell you about training, if you want?"
"I'd like that," she muttered. I always wonder how he fills his time all day. I want to see him train…does he get all sweaty?
She relaxed as she listened to him quietly hum on. She couldn't follow all the technical aspects that he described, if only because she was still preoccupied with her own thoughts to properly follow along.
Even when keeping his voice low, she could hear the passion he had for what he did. She grinned. She liked that about him, how he could get lost in talking about something he was passionate about. How his tone would subtly shift into something more dynamic. Eventually, her tears subsided.
"Is this helping?" he asked, afraid he had gone overboard.
"Very much, thank you Leo. I like hearing you talk about something you're passionate about. And…" she hesitated, embarrassment welling up in her chest. Despite that, he had tried so hard (and succeeded!) in making her feel better, she figured she could compliment him. She wanted to, but it was difficult when one was introverted. "…your voice is soothing."
It's such a trivial thing to say, it shouldn't be so difficult. I want to tell him what I think, so why is it so hard?
He chuckled. He could hear in her voice that she was more relaxed, and he couldn't help but feel proud. I did that.
"Thanks. So, you don't normally tell your sisters if you have nightmares?" He winced, worried about her reaction to the question.
"No. It's not that they wouldn't be comforting, I just – I just couldn't. We all have nightmares, so it's not like we haven't gone to each other before. I didn't want to wake them, and I don't want them to see me upset. They're a little more reactive when I'm upset, and that's not always helpful. But I knew you wouldn't be…" she trailed off.
"They don't see you upset very often, do they?"
"No, I tend to keep that to myself." But not in front of you.
But not in front of me. "I wish I was there," he blurted out. Once he realized what he said, his eyes enlarged. He winced.
"That would have been nice. Maybe next time?"
He chuckled softly. "But you're not allowed to have more nightmares."
"Oh of course, how could I forget?" He was glad to hear the amusement in her voice.
After a beat, she continued. "Leo I – thank you. I know I already said that, but I really appreciate it. I'm sure you'd rather be doing something else."
"Then talking to you?" he scoffed. "No I – I wouldn't be. My brothers always make fun of me for being boring, but I'm glad I was actually able to put it to good use for once."
"Boring? Really? I don't think that!"
"You might be the only one," he laughed at her.
He heard her move on her bed, the sudden soft creak catching his undivided attention. He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably, the all too familiar sensation of an erection pressing against his shell making him antsy.
"I was going to say earlier, that um, you have a really soothing voice too. It's very calming."
"Really? Thanks," she was so thankful he couldn't see her blush.
He could hear the sleepiness in her voice. It had been at least 2 hours that they talked.
"You should try to get a little more sleep this morning ok?"
She yawned. "I will. I'll talk to you later?"
"Mmhmm, and I'll see you very soon," he promised.
"I can't wait," she whispered drowsily as she settled into the bed. He gulped when he heard the bed creak.
They stood nervously in front of the Ancient One's house. Crickets chirped loudly in the night air. Mikey was the first to break.
Splinter shook his head bemusedly at his son's exuberance, and his other sons' nervousness. He almost didn't go on this trip, but the Ancient One requested that Splinter come along if able.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" He rushed to the front door, enthusiastically knocking. "Open up angelcakes!"
"MIKEY!" Nora giggled as she wrapped him in a big hug. The rest of her sisters peered out the doorway, smiling.
Leo envied his youngest brother.
"Splinter-san! Come with me!" the Ancient One hurriedly waddled out of another entrance and ushered Splinter away.
Being able to see Layla in person hit Leo differently. He licked his lips.
"Hey," he said quietly. Do I hug her? He thought to himself nervously. He decided to refrain.
"Hey Leo. Come in," she said softly as she bit her lip. Was he this tall last time? This muscular?
He surveyed their living room. Two couches and a large comfy-looking chair made a square facing a lit fireplace with a tv hung above. There were candles and houseplants peppered throughout, and a large number of pictures hung on the wall. It was extremely clean and extremely well appointed. The couches had several pillows and fuzzy throw blankets. A soft rug covered the hardwood floors. The whole house smelled good, of something akin to sandalwood and a bit woodsy, and a bit flora.
Mikey had already followed Nora into the kitchen, where she was already making him noodles. Mina joined her, and Raph sat next to Mikey at the kitchen island.
"Do you want something to eat? Or some tea?" She rubbed her arm, looking up at him through her dark lashes.
She's nervous.
"Some tea would be kinda nice. I can help you make it." He scratched the back of his head, eye contact lingering for a second too long. They looked away from each other, embarrassed.
"Nonsense, you've traveled a long way, you can sit anywhere you'd like and I'll bring it to you." Nevertheless, he followed her into the kitchen, unconsciously keeping very close to her, brushing up against her accidentally. He kept keenly observing every detail of her house.
Mugs in hand, she offered to show him around. He followed her, becoming aware of how close she stood next to him. How she smelled like jasmine. How tiny her hands were holding that little mug. Fuck. Leo felt embarrassed by how aroused he was by just being in her presence, how easily his thoughts became...sinful. Now that he was with her in person, would he get a chance to touch her? His hand repeatedly clenched and unclenched at the thought.
They had shared so much in their almost non-stop conversations this week, so why am I so awkward and nervous now that I'm around him? She thought to herself as she gave him a tour. Every time she looked at him, she caught herself staring just a little too long at his lips. As she walked, her mind wandered, thinking about what it would be like to kiss him. What would he taste like? Would he be gentle, or a little rough?
"Ah, so here's the place you call me from," he chuckled as he walked around the little conservatory that was brimming with plants.
Again, it hit different seeing it in person. It was like he could see her, all her little touches, in the way the plants were arranged and even how they were growing.
"Wow, is that a Venus fly trap?" He asked incredulously. "It's huge!"
Layla giggled, "Yeah, her name's Nefertiti." Layla sidled up to him, brushing against his arm, noticing very acutely that he smelled like sandalwood. Delicious, fragrant sandalwood. "Don't tell the others, but she's my favorite."
"Your secret's safe with me, Layla." And he gave her one of his famous smirks, as he stood a hair's breadth from her, hands almost touching.
They continued on, and she led him upstairs. "There's a guest room I'll show you. You'll have to share with your brothers, sorry about that. Splinter is staying in sofu's part of the house."
"It's no trouble. It's really nice of you to have us here anyways."
"It was sweet of you to travel all this way," she replied as she opened another door, brushing her hand against his arm as she walked through the doorway. Should I even show him in here?
"Um, this is my room," she said as she brushed her hair back. I wish I still had ears. She had a habit, when she was a child, of tucking her hair behind her ear when she was nervous. Unfortunately, she no longer had ears, but the habit remained.
Leo stepped in cautiously. The walls were painted deep dark teal. There was a large window to the far end with a window seat, cushioned with pillows and a blanket. Her double bed was in the middle of the room, and it was covered in crisp white linens. And more pillows with a throw blanket. How many pillows and blankets do four people need?
It smelled again quite floral. It was something he wasn't used to, but he found he thoroughly enjoyed it. He quickly glanced at the scent. Bergamot rose, and musk.
There was a vanity, and several bookshelves stuffed full of books. He studied the titles, smiling when he recognized some of his favorite haiku. Little knickknacks dotted the surfaces. She had a closet door and a wardrobe. He noticed a black silk nightgown strewn across a chair. A silken robe with a delicate floral design hung from the wardrobe. She wears that to bed? Shit… Leo shifted agitatedly, once more trying desperately to ignore the sensation underneath his shell.
Leo's thoughts wandered. I'd love to rip that off of her. He took a deep breath, and went back to memorizing every detail of her room. I won't be able to get to know her if I'm too busy fantasizing about her. I can't keep doing this while she's right here next to me...
He stepped onto a Persian rug as he inspected her things closer. On the window seat was a square of fabric in a hoop, with a half-finished floral design.
"What's this?" He lifted the project to inspect it closer, admiring the tiny intricate stitches and colors.
She blushed. "Oh um, I embroider things. Just to pass the time, you know?"
"This is amazing! Why didn't you tell me?" Leonardo smiled, pleased that he found yet another interest of hers. He held onto every detail he learned about her.
"I guess I forgot to mention it," her cheeks continued to turn crimson as he complimented her, praising her for how elaborate the design was, how difficult it looked, how patient she must be to do that.
They meandered back to the living room.
"Boys! I am so glad to see you! We have some business to attend to," the Ancient One said as he waddled into the living room.
Leo quirked an eyebrow at the old ninjitsu master as he sat down. "The Ninja Tribunal has summoned me and requested that you come along as well. I am not sure what this is for but since I knew you were visiting soon anyways, I figured it would be ok to do this during your visit, instead of making separate trips. I am sorry to have to steal you away," he looked apologetically at them.
"When would we leave?" Leonardo asked. Layla noticed the shift in his tone to something more serious and business-like. His posture became more rigid. Does he really have to go? They just got here! What if it's something dangerous…
"Two days time, ideally. I am sorry to spring this on you, of course you are not obligated to go."
"S'ok," Raph shrugged.
"Of course we'll go," Donnie added. "Can't really turn the tribunal down, huh."
The rest of the brothers nodded, and that night, whispered quietly to each other about what it could possibly involve. The Shredder had been dead for years. Who could the tribunal possibly be worried about?
The following day the Ancient One and Splinter took the boys out to train. They protested (Mikey in particular), but the elders insisted it would be good for them after a day of relaxing. They also insisted as it would give the boys a chance to release some pent up energy. They bounded from rooftop to rooftop in Tokyo, running through exercise the Ancient One had set up.
The girls decided to cook them dinner while they were out. They enjoyed having the house to themselves to chat, and to discuss their first day having their guests over.
"What should we make them?" Nora asked.
"Well, Splinter would like Japanese food I think, so maybe we should make that?" Talia offered.
"Great idea! I think they probably like to eat a lot of meat, and there's pork in the fridge," Layla added.
"I'll start some dumplings!" Mina made amazing dumplings. The girls divided themselves into various tasks without contest, and poured themselves each a glass of wine. It wasn't long before the teasing began.
Nora was the first to start the gossip. "Ok ok we need to talk about this more. Who do you think is the hottest? Everyone has to go around and say it. I'll go first. I'm into Mikey."
"No surprise there," Mina snorted.
"Well? Mina? You have to say!" Layla retorted.
"Um...well, I think, I think," her voice quieted down and she ducked her head, focusing hard on her dumplings, "I think Raphael is hot. He's got huge muscles!"
"Also he sounds like Batman," laughed Talia. In her best Batman impression, she walked up to Mina's ear, and whispered, "I am...Raphael."
"Stoooopppp," whined Mina.
Once they recovered from laughing, Layla added, "Ok he does have a sexy voice, I'll give you that." The others nodded in agreement.
Nora spoke up, "Ok Layla, your turn."
Layla turned crimson red. "Um, well Leonardo is...well he's very attractive. And, he has an even better voice. "
"KNEW IT!" shouted Nora."It is soooo obvious. You literally blush so hard when he even looks at you."
"Also, you're being so fucking nice. 'Would you like help Leo? Oh don't trouble yourself Leo, I don't want to be a burden, blah blah blah." Mina imitated Layla.
"Shut the fuck up! And I'm not the only one who does that! Miss, oooooo look at Raph's big muscles, he's so manly. I'm gonna go out of my way to watch him work out."
"Well, they do all have great bodies," Nora said. Again they all nodded in agreement.
Talia let them continue teasing each other, hoping they'd forget about her. They did not.
"Talia?" the three sisters asked in unison.
"I think it's probably obvious to all of you."
"Say it," commanded Mina.
"Donnie," she whispered so quietly it was almost inaudible.
"Of course it is, you cute little nerds," said Layla.
"So who's getting laid first?" asked Nora. The rest of them blushed. "NORA!" They chastised her.
Nora sighed, "Well, me probably, since the rest of you guys are too shy to go for it right away."
"I prefer if the man starts flirting and all of that," said Layla.
"Plus we barely know them," added Talia.
"WAIT GUYS," stopped Talia dead in her tracks. "We should look nice! Put on better clothes!"
"YES!" Nora and Talia ran upstairs first, and after several outfit changes (mostly due to Nora's indecision), they took over cooking while Layla and Mina got changed.
Mina heard a knock at her door. "Mina, can I ask you about which jeans?" Layla said as she slid in the room. "Black or just these plain ones?"
"Mmmm plain, they make your waist look really tiny." She said as she finished applying mascara. "Well?" She turned around so her sister could approve her outfit.
"Hot as fuck. You're going to make muscles drool."
"And you might make that calm cool collected guy stammer with those jeans. Seriously. Your ass is fire." They headed downstairs.
They continued to gossip about their new friends while setting the table. They heard the door open as they were finishing up. Splinter walked down the stairs, alone.
"Girls?" He called out. Layla came around the corner to greet him.
"We're in the kitchen Splinter. We made dinner. Would you like some tea while we wait?" She walked with him towards the kitchen.
"Ladies, it smells phenomin-" Splinter stopped when he saw the full Japanese feast laid out before him. His eyes became misty. He looked at them, while they all looked back at him expectantly. They were nervous. "This is wonderful! I have not had a meal this good in a long, long time. My sons have great qualities but cooking like this is not one of them. And look how nice the table looks!" Splinter was truly taken aback at how nice everything looked. Clean, and put together, like in a magazine or on those tv shows he watches. There were little tea lights lit between the dishes, and the plates and napkins coordinated each other. The kitchen was sparkling, even though they had just spent hours cooking a feast. And the food...it smelled incredible.
"Well, you haven't tasted anything so don't start singing any praises yet!" Mina said.
Layla poured Splinter some green tea. "I'm sure it will be delicious! Is that mochi?" His eye strayed towards the kitchen.
"Yes! I made it myself, so I hope it turns out ok!" Nora shouted from the kitchen.
"OOOO my favorite! You did not have to do this," he gestured towards the table, "I am very grateful."
"It really was no trouble," Layla said as she sat down next to him to enjoy tea. "We are really very appreciative that you've journeyed all this way to visit us, and we wanted to say thank you." After a pause she glanced at Splinter shyly. "Do you think they will like it?"
Splinter grinned. "They will love it." He then looked at the udon, and smiled softly this time, "Tang Shen made udon exactly like this."
"That's what the sofu always says," Layla answered.
"You remind me of her."
Layla chuckled softly, "He says that too. She seemed like such a caring person. It's humbling to be compared to her."
Splinter sat back to take it all in. This will be good. They worked so hard. My sons will be so grateful. It doesn't hurt that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Splinter chuckled quietly to himself.
As Splinter and Layla were sipping their tea, four tired, hungry, and sweaty guys burst through the door. The Ancient One decided to stay out and meditate.
"Fuck it smells good in here," they heard Raph say. Mina tried to hide a smile by looking down, but caught Nora's eye. Nora winked at her.
"HOLY SHIT! Sorry Sensei!" Mikey shouted when he saw all the food. He was the first to take in what their new housemates had done.
"We thought you might like dinner after you were out, so we made you some." Nora smiled at Mikey, trying to look confident. Inside she was nervous he wouldn't like it. They all were. Mikey gave her a brief side hug, beaming. He then kept his arm around her as they walked towards the kitchen table.
"This is incredible anglecakes!" He squeezed her shoulder enthusiastically. Mikey had no inhibitions about flirting or touching Nora, but tried his hardest not to be too enthusiastic and touchy while he first got to know her.
The rest of them stopped in their tracks. Leo held his breath for a moment, taking in that sight.
She was sitting there next to Splinter, silky dark hair tumbling down her back. Splinter was telling her how Tang Shen used to feed him little radish slices while she was cooking. Layla turned to look at him, a shy smile forming at her lips. She was wearing a cream silk milkmaid style blouse with buttons down the front, cut in a deep V, her tiny waist exaggerated by her jeans. The shirt sat off her shoulders, giving him an incredible view of her delicate collar bones and neck. Her big blue eyes looked at him nervously through long dark lashes.
And she was having tea with his father. Splinter was smiling at her warmly.
This is a fever dream. He thought to himself.
"Did you make this for...for us?" Leo asked quietly.
"Yes," she started chewing her lip nervously, a blush forming at her cheeks. "We wanted a way to show we really appreciated you coming all this way, and we all like to cook. I hope you like Japanese food."
"Thank you!" He said a little too enthusiastically as he smiled at her. He chastised himself for sounding so corny, but couldn't stop himself from blurting out, "It's great!" As if on instinct, he sat down next to her.
Raph and Donnie sat down wordlessly, each with a small smile on their faces. Mina sat down across from Raph and placed a steaming pot of fresh dumplings in between them.
Raph started salivating at the smell. "Did ya make these?" He asked her.
She shook her head yes and glanced up at him, her long lashes framing her dark doe eyes. "I hope they taste ok."
"I'm sure they're good," he smirked at her, making her duck her head to hide a blush.
She can fucking cook? Of course she can, stupid. Fuck she's hot. Raph stole another glance at her, which was easy as he was pretending to eye the dumplings right in front of her. She was wearing a black blouse similar to Layla's, hers was sitting off her shoulders as well. As she got up to help Talia grab something from the kitchen, Raph gawked at her perky ass. Fuck. How does everything she wears make her ass look so damn good?
As everyone sat down, Leo spoke up before they ate. "I just wanted to say thank you, you didn't have to cook for us, especially something so nice."
"It is nice having this when we come home," Donnie added, "so really, thank you." He casually glanced at Talia, who was smiling at him. He smiled right back at her.
"Yeah we all really really appreciate a good meal after going out. This is so much better than the snacks we usually grab, cause we're too tired to cook." Mikey sounded more serious and sincere now, trying his best to convey how much he really meant it.
"Yeah, uh, thank you." Raph added, to the point as always.
Splinter cut in, "Well I can't stand to look at this food anymore without eating, so let's enjoy!" As soon as he finished all four men dug into everything. Whatever they had been up to in the city clearly left them famished. The girls all stole knowing, proud glances at one another.
"Fuck, these are amazing." Raph looked at Mina after his 10th dumpling. "You sure you made these?" He smirked at her, enjoying the fact he could make her blush so easily.
"If you don't believe me then you don't have to eat any," she said quietly. So she can have a backbone, he thought to himself. She had been so painfully shy, so it was nice for him to see that she was starting to relax.
He snorted at her as he shoveled in more food. "Nah, I'll believe you if it means I can keep eating them."
A comfortable chatter spread amongst them as they ate. The four women thought that they had never seen anyone eat so much in one sitting.
Leo turned to look at Layla as he finished eating his second bowl of udon. "Did you make these? They're so good."
"Mmhmm."
Splinter looked at his eldest, grinning, remembering how Yoshi used to gaze at Tang Shen the same way that Leo is looking now. "They taste exactly like how Tang Shen used to make them," he told his son.
"Really?" He looked at Layla surprised.
"My mom taught me, and I wouldn't be surprised if Tang Shen taught her too."
Later that night the four men huddled together in their guest room, whispering energetically.
"BRO WHAT WAS THAT? SO FUCKING GOOD," Mikey started, voice way too loud.
He was met with a chorus of shushes.
"So good! Do you think they'll cook again for all the time while we're here?" Donnie asked.
"I hope so!" said Leo.
Raph chimed in. "I never ate so many dumplins in my life."
"Well for starters, they were excellent," Mikey replied, "But you only ate an excessive amount of dumplings because Mina made them. And, most importantly, they were not as good as the mochi, obvi." Mikey grinned, elbowing his fiery brother.
"Mikey shut the fuck up. I ate so many because they were my fav. That's it. I will beat your ass if you keep sayin shit."
"Sure, mmhmm," Donnie said sarcastically, rolling his eyes dramatically.
Raph tried to turn the attention away from himself. "Leo ate all the udon. Literally. There wasn't hardly any for the rest of us!"
"That's because he's got a hard on for Layla," Mikey giggled, winking at his eldest brother.
Leo, enraged (and thoroughly embarrassed), tackled his youngest brother. "MIKEY! that is so inappropriate. Don't be disrespectful."
"Yeah Mikey, don't want to disHONOR her!" Donnie laughed, too loudly.
Mikey joined his purple-clad brother in laughter.
"He didn't deny it either!" Raph added.
Leo shushed them. "STOP, I do not. And you two are in no position to talk either. Donnie, you stared at Talia the whole time like a deer caught in headlights, gawking."
Donnie straightened. "It's impolite not to look at someone while you're talking to them."
"At her boobs though?" Mikey teased.
"MIKEY CUT IT OUT. I wasn't!" Donnie smacked Mikey up the head.
"Yeah uh, you were," Raph weighed in.
"At least I wasn't checking her out like Leo was at dinner. It was obvious," Donnie tried to deflect away from himself.
Mikey and Raph joined Donnie in their renewed teasing of Leo.
Leo stiffened. "I was not. And that's rich coming from you clowns."
"Maybe, but it's funnier when it's Leader-boy," Donnie retorted.
Mikey spoke up. "Eh idk. It's only marginally funnier to make fun of Fearless than Mr. Muscly tough guy who literally sweats when Mina walks in the door. Not so tough now, huh?"
Leo took his chance to get back at his brother. "This morning after breakfast he was almost whispering when he talked to her. I walked into the kitchen and he was reaching something on the shelf for her, and then when he handed it to her he said, 'Here you go, Mina. I'd be happy to reach anything for ya, just ask.' I have never, ever, heard him speak so softly to someone."
The three brothers lost it laughing at Raphael, who was getting increasingly irritated.
"Wait wait. Yesterday she called him "Raphie", AND HE LET HER. He didn't even get mad," Donnie wheezed out, still laughing uncontrollably.
"RAPHIE BOY. Aww how sweet," Mikey guffawed.
Raph stood up, and hissed at his brothers. "Mikey, Donnie, Leo, I will get out of bed and come beat all of ya up if ya don't knock it the fuck off. RIGHT NOW. Don't. talk. about. her. like. that. Or me."
The rest kept silently laughing to themselves until they fell asleep one by one.
The small, bizarre creature surveyed the eight turtles through an alien looking device. He grinned maliciously to himself.
"Found you," he tsked.