Title: Snowfall
Challenge: TMNT-Event-Blog's "Snow Day Play" Bingo Card (Leonardo)
Prompt: Snowfall
Fandom: TMNT 2003
Word Count: 629
Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl
Rating: G/K
Characters: Leonardo
Warning: NA
Summary: Leo sits on a rooftop, watching the snowfall, and reflects on the city that he loves.
Notes:

Snowfall

Leonardo sat on a rooftop. It was cold, and he could feel the cold concrete of the ledge biting into his skin, pulling away at his heat, but he still stayed put, one leg dangling, the other pulled up, foot resting on the ledge, and an arm resting on his knee. It was quiet—well, as quiet at New York City ever got—and he was enjoying the moment.

He'd come out alone, promising that he wouldn't stay out too long, but feeling restless enough that he needed to get out of the lair for a while. No one faulted him for it. Living so close together all these years, everyone understood the need for a break. As much as Leo loved his family, his brothers could be a little overwhelming from time to time. Taking a moment like this? It was just what he needed.

The wind was cold, chilly, with the promise of snow in it, and Leo knew that he couldn't stay out in it for too long. But for a little while, he would be fine. He watched as the city moved under him and around him. Cars in the streets, people walking; laughter, music, talking; the smells of food and car exhaust; the streetlights and the Christmas lights twinkling in the dark of the night. It all painted a beautiful picture, at least to Leo. Life, family, community—it all seemed to be reflected right here, a reminder of what he fought for, why he loved this city. For a second, he closed his eyes, letting his other senses take in what was around him, and just being in the moment.

And then he felt something, and he opened his eyes.

Drifting down in front of him, falling in delicate flakes, was snow. Leo blinked, looked at it, and then looked around. It was, indeed, snowing, and the light snowfall was starting to accumulate on things. Below him he could hear the sounds change, as children grinned and called out to their parents and as people commented on the falling snow.

People looked up at the snow, but Leo wasn't too concerned about being seen. He held still, keeping silent, and most people's gazes just slipped right past him. After a few minutes, people stopped looking up, but the snow didn't stop falling. And Leo didn't stop watching it.

Instead, he sat there, watching as the gentle snowfall decorated the window ledges and canopies, providing a white, reflective blanket for the colored lights that blinked and shone from windows and store fronts. He watched as it dusted men's hats and got caught in women's hair, as foot traffic and car tires carved paths in the white flakes, as it built up, providing something of a hush for the city.

Leonardo watched all of this, and found himself relaxing, taking it all in, and watching as the snowfall just added to the beauty of this city, of his home.

Of course, he couldn't stay up there forever, and eventually he stood, brushing the snow from himself. He knew that once he got home, things would be noisy again. Don would fuss over how cold he was, asking him why he didn't come home earlier. Mikey would pull him towards the couch, to sit down and warm up. Raph would drape a blanket over him, and then sit beside him, to help him get warmer, grumbling all the while. Splinter would fix him a cup of hot tea and bring it to him. Leo would let them fuss, and accept their help, even relax into it, in his own way.

But as he left the rooftop, he couldn't help but give one more look around at the falling snow and appreciate its beauty on his city.