rubi

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Note: Hello - this is my first ever tmnt/tmnt leo one-shot. I used to write fan-fiction for another fandom, but it has been sometime since then so I'm a bit rusty. Anyway any feedback or comments about my writing will be greatly appreciated (unless you just hating). This is nothing serious, just something fun!

Also - I wrote this at 2:30-3am, so the end is rushed because I was trying to finish and upload this and go to bed, because a b*tch got work you Mob T-T

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It was around midday when you saw the quaint and adorable florist from across the street. You were walking home from work, enjoying the nice warm weather that greeted New York.

As you crossed the road and made your way to the front of the store, you took in the asortment of bouquets and plants that adorned the store's front. You stepped through the entrance of the florist, taking in the interior of hanging plants and flowers around you, before your eyes found a bonsai tree on display on it's own.

Immediately your thoughts went to a particular individual and you couldn't help but move closer to the tree. You were amazed by how something so small, held so much beauty and bought a calmness over you. Inspecting it closely, the bonsai was in a dark blue clay pot that seemed to have a handcrafted appearance to it.

'Maybe I should get this for Leo,' you thought to yourself as you held the bonsai tree in your hand. The owner of the florist, a small elderly woman, noticed you and waddled over to greet you.

"Intrigued by the bonsai tree darling?"

"Oh, yeah. I've never really seen one in person," you admitted. " I'm going to get this for my friend. I think this could be perfect for him." A small smile formed on your lips remembering your friend Leonardo, who wasn't your average New Yorker.

There was nothing average about Leonardo actually considering he, alongside his three younger brothers, were all six foot something humanoid turtles. Mutant Ninja turtles.

"Hmm, do you know why bonsai trees are special?" The woman asked, gently taking the tree from your hands and wandering to the counter.

"I heard that tending to them can be deeply relaxing, meditative in fact. Which I honestly think would be great for my friend."

"Does your friend take on a lot of burdens? A lot of stresses?" The elderly woman asked.

"He carries a lot," you started. "Not only his own burdens, but sometimes he carries the burdens of others. He's always serious, plays by the rules and takes any form of failure to heart," You felt your chest constrict thinking about Leonardo. In all the years you've known Leonardo and his brothers; Raphael, Donatello and Micheangelo, Leo was the one you felt closes to. You had no idea why you felt drawn to him the most, but you were grateful that you got to know him and grateful he was someone important in your life.

"Sounds like this might be something he needs then," said the elderly woman as she began to package the bonsai for you. "Sounds like he takes on a lot,"

"Yeah, he does," you stand there watching her as your hands anxiously rub against each other. "He's such a hardworker and cares so much for his family and friends. He's loyal and protective, can be cautious but it's because he takes being the eldest seriously. He just cares so much about those he loves, he would really do anything for them." Your voices goes quiet, silently thinking about Leonardo and how incredible of being he really was in your eyes. After a beat your eyes widen, embarrased by what you said about Leo, you let out an awkward cough and rub the back of your neck.

The elderly woman gives you a knowing smile. No judgement.

"Tending to bonsai trees teaches you lessons in patience, as it takes many years to tend and shape them. They also symbolise peace, balance and good fortune as well." She says, handing the bonsai tree to you as you swipe your card to pay. "They're also highly meaningful gifts to give to people. You are lovely for thinking of him and his wellbeing to get him this."

Gently you take bonsai, smiling at it before meeting the elderly woman's eyes. "I hope so,"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

After multiple pep-talks and deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves, you found yourself walking into the Turtle's Lair in the sewers of New York.

Donatello spots you first, a smile appearing on his face. He stops his tinkering, flicking up the goggles he had over his eyes to see you better.

"Hey [Y/N], what brings you here?" You greet Donatello as he wraps a green arm around you into a side hug.

"Hey Donnie! I, um-I have something for Leo," Donnie's eyes raise in interest as he notices what's in your hands.

"Ah," he grins cheekily "of course you're here for Leo."

"I-It's not like whatever y-you're thinking," you grumble averting your eyes from his, feeling warmth heat your cheeks. Donnie's grin grows wider watching your reaction, but he decides not to tease you any further.

"He's meditating in the Dojo I think," he says looking off into the distance of where the dojo was. "If he's not there, he's probably reading in his room."

With a small nod and 'thank you' you wander over to the dojo. Raphael and Michealangelo, Leo and Donnie's brothers, were both asleep in the living space snoring loudly as a old-looking sci-fic movie plays in the background.

Anxiously, you approach the entrance of the dojo and see the person you wanted to see. Kneeling on the mats of the dojo was Leo. He was facing the entrance, eyes closed and body in a meditative position. You stood there watching him for a moment, not wanting to disturb him. An internal conflict happening inside you, as you fought the urge to walk away and come back another day. Or suck it up and give him the gift.

But just as the urge to walk away won and you started to back away, you foot steps funny and you squeak. Leo hears you and opens his eyes to see you cursing yourself and your damn feet. You raise your head to glance back at him, in hopes he didn't hear you.

However judging from the smirk adorning his face and his eyes now open and on you, your hopes died and was replaced by embarassment.

"H-hey," you wave awkwardly.

"Hey you," Leo greets, still kneeling. You exhale and walk through the entrance of the dojo and into the room joining him. He watches you, noticing the bag in your arms with curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

You kneel before him placing the plastic bag you had been carrying on the mat, between yourself and Leo.

"I-um," you didn't understand how Leonardo made you feel so awkward. How he made your heart beat faster and stomach flutter with butterflies. You had an idea, but you always ignored it and never entertained the possibility of your delusions coming to light. "I got you something."

"You got me something?" Leo questions, looking at you and the bag.

"Yeah," you slide the bag closer to him, encouraging him to open it. "I was walking home from work this afternoon," you begin as Leo gently opens the plastic bag. "And there was this florist, and inside there was this really beautiful bonsai tree." Leo's eyes widen in surprise as he gently picks up the bonsai tree and inspects it. "I-I saw it and it reminded me of you." You finished, watching him closely as it held it.

"The owner said that when tending to bonsai trees teacges you patience, because it takes many years to shape them abd stuff," you explain as you think back to what the elderly woman told you. "She also said they symbolise peace, balance and good fortune and I just thought...." your voice trails off as you watch a curious Leo admire the tree. His eyes focused on the shape of the plant and the handcrafted clay pot that it sat in.

"You really got this for me?" He asks.

"Yeah, because, I don't know. You take on so much Leo and I thought maybe this might help you? I don't know, I just thought this could be a calming and positive outlet for you." you say nervously, avoiding his eyes and staring at your hands.

Warmth flushes over Leo as he takes in what you said. He's incredibly touched by the gift and the fact you thought of him enough to even get it for him. There's been an unspoken energy growing between you two, neither of you wanting to cross that imaginary line you've both drawn. But moments like these made him wonder, made him hope that what he felt at times and even how he acted around you, meant something. However, he didn't dare let his mind wander freely. He had to many things to consider and things that came first above all else.

"I-I'm really touched you got this for me [Y/N]," Leo smiles wamrly at you. You raise your head to look at him, catching his eyes in yours and being lost there for a moment. "I'm so grateful." A smile appears on your face at the genuine happiness on his. You both sit there smiling at each other for what feels like awhile, just enjoying each other's company.

"Anything for you Leo. I just want you to know, I'm always thinking of you and your well-being."

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