Bayverse Leonardo x Fem!Reader
The lair was glowing, alive with the kind of warmth that only came from mismatched furniture, half-working lights, and the presence of people you didn’t have to pretend around.
April’s laugh cut through the air like a song you never wanted to end, mingling with the excited chaos of Mikey’s voice shouting something about “technically legal Uno moves.” Donnie was trying to explain the rules (for the fifth time), and Raph had just thrown down his cards and declared, “This game is dumb anyway.”
You smiled, curled up on the edge of the couch, watching the dysfunction unfold like a well-rehearsed play. And yet, despite the comfort of it all, your mind felt distant, adrift.
You rose quietly, unnoticed in the blur of playful accusations and flying playing cards, and made your way toward the kitchen.
It was dimly lit, washed in soft gold from the overhead lamp. The walls still carried faint traces of past meals and late-night laughter. You reached for a glass in the cabinet, already picturing the taste of cold water, when…
Leonardo stood near the counter, his back to you, the mug in his hand still steaming.
He turned at the sound of your step, slow and instinctive, eyes landing on yours. His expression shifted, subtle, but noticeable. Just enough to catch your breath off-guard.
“Oh,” he said, not startled but definitely surprised. “Didn’t hear you come in.”
You swallowed. “Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips as he turned back to his mug. “You didn’t. I just wasn’t paying attention.”
The air felt different now. Not tense, but… aware. Like even the quiet between you two was watching.
You moved to the sink and filled your glass. From the corner of your eye, you could feel him still there. Unmoving. Present.
“So,” you said, breaking the silence softly, “needed a break from Uno madness?”
He exhaled a breath that might’ve been a laugh. “You have no idea. Mikey and April teamed up, and now it’s not even Uno anymore. It’s some mutant version called ‘Undefeated Mikuno.’”
You snorted into your glass. “I don’t know if I’m impressed or horrified.”
You turned, leaning back against the counter across from him. He mirrored the posture, arms folded casually over his broad chest. His hoodie was slightly too small for him now, tight across his shoulders. You’d seen him train, fight, lead, always with control. But here, in the warm quiet, he seemed… softer. A little more human.
Or maybe it was. Just a second too long.
Something flickered there, between the space of a breath and a blink. It didn’t speak, didn’t demand. It just existed, like a light between two rooms.
It wasn’t intense, wasn’t wild. It was quiet. But it burned. A stillness that made the blood in your neck rush warm and visible under your skin.
The look of love, the rush of blood.
Not love, you told yourself. Not yet. But something.
Something enough to make the world feel a little less steady under your feet.
His gaze was unreadable in that moment, but not cold. If anything, it was too open. Like he forgot to build the walls in time. And you were suddenly aware of just how close he was. How little space separated the tips of your toes from his.
His lips parted, as if to say something, but no words followed. Just another breath. Another moment suspended.
“Yo, Raph! You owe me twenty bucks!”
Mikey’s voice pierced the silence like a stone through glass.
You startled, nearly dropping your glass. Leo flinched too, blinking rapidly and straightening up.
You both turned toward the entrance of the kitchen.
There, in the dim archway, were all of them. Donnie, Mikey, April, and Raph. Peeking around the corner like the world’s least discreet spies.
“We were literally betting on how long y’all would stare at each other,” April whispered, covering her mouth like it would muffle her amusement. “I said four minutes. Donnie said three and a half. Raph said…”
“…that it was weird and I didn’t wanna talk about it,” Raph grunted, arms crossed but unmistakably smug.
“I said nothing!” Donnie protested. “But I did start the stopwatch.”
Leonardo sighed heavily and rubbed a hand down his face. His cheeks were dusted with a deeper shade of green.
“You guys are unbelievable,” he muttered, already stepping toward the doorway.
“Wait!” Mikey grinned, wagging a finger. “We’re just saying-if you’re gonna be all moony-eyed in the kitchen, you could at least give us popcorn!”
“Out. Now,” Leo deadpanned, voice low but firm, ushering them back like a grumpy shepherd.
They scattered with laughter echoing behind them, leaving only faint shadows of teasing behind.
You turned away quickly, letting out a long breath and pressing your cool glass to your cheek. Your heart was pounding and you were very aware of it.
You bit your lip to keep from smiling.
“They’re never gonna let us live this down, huh?” you asked softly.
He shook his head, running a hand along the back of his neck. “Not a chance.”
A pause. Not awkward. Not anymore.
“I’m sorry if that was… weird,” he added after a beat. “Just… didn’t expect…”
“No,” you cut in, then smiled, eyes flicking up to meet his. “Don’t apologize. It wasn’t weird.”
He looked at you for a long second. Then, nodded, slow, thoughtful.
There was a comfort in the silence that followed, like the moment had passed but left something behind. Not a confession. Not even a plan. Just a mutual, quiet understanding that something had happened. And maybe that was enough for now.
You nudged his shoulder gently as you walked past him, glass still in hand.
“I’m heading back before Mikey starts narrating our nonexistent love story to the entire sewer system.”
Leo smirked, following you a step behind. “Too late. He’s probably already drafting the fanfiction.”
You both laughed quietly, and for a moment, the world felt smaller again, just you and him, and a flicker of something waiting beneath the surface.
But maybe something that would become it,
amandla
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
germansingergirl
