jaded
a/n: another mafia turtles fic w leo 🫣🫡 i'm not really active rn but i've had a few tmnt fics in my drafts so here this is anyway :)
hope you enjoy 💙
・.・.・°✭°・.・.・
Your life long goal was to become the CEO of L/N express, your business in which you spend years working and succeeding in. However there was only one thing stopping you, a merger needed to happen. And it was with none other than your rival company, the hamato brothers.
Leonardo, to be precise.
The music was soft, romantic as everyone danced with their partners. The smile on Donatello's face as he picked his partner up by the waist, Raphael teasing his S/O holding them securely by their hips and Michelangelo laughing his heart out with his lover.
Yours, however, sat on the stool sulking as he downed his whiskey.
Initially the vacation had been a good idea, everyone had been ridiculously stressed over the past couple days with the upcoming events. Being so close to the position you busted your ass for, was snatched straight out of your hands before you could even comprehend it. The only way forwards was to merge your business with the Hamato Clan and it had been the very last resort.
At first, Leonardo wasn't all that bad. In fact, you rather enjoyed his company. You came to realise and adore his presence, his humour and the way he spoke with you. But there was so much to learn about him and further you delved into his past, the more you realised there were secrets and hidden information.
The worst part was that in order for both business to be successful, you both had agreed to marry one another in order to please the board. Filled with middle aged old white men who believed a successful woman wasn't able to fulfil that position without the right man or whatever misogynistic bullshit they brewed. You didn't care, once you secured the CEO you'd have the power to get rid of the board altogether. There was no use for them whatsoever.
The decision wasn't an easy one but the more time spent with Leo, the more you got to know him. You could see the true version of himself that was kept hidden from the public eye and you were excited to see what else he hid under his tough exterior. You genuinely looked forward to spending time with him. You thought it would be okay, that the marriage would be a dream. That the two of you would conquer and devour the market, hand in hand.
But right now, however, you weren't so sure about that anymore.
Letting out a breath, you walked over to him nerves twisting in your stomach. He noticed by the corner of his eyes and motioned for the bartender to come by.
"Can I have two more of these?" Leo spoke gruffly to the young man who nodded with a smile and disappeared to make the drinks.
"You didn't have to do that" You whispered and for the first time that night, he looks at you. Those blue eyes a raging thunderstorm filled with every emotion in them. Yet you're not so sure which one is the most dominant.
"I may be angry at you but my respect doesn't waiver. That much should already be clear" He spoke and then turned his head, continuing whatever work he had on his phone.
Maybe this was a bad idea after all
"C'mon lovebirds, the next dance goes out to all the partners here! Hold them close and let the music wash all over you~" The DJ called out and your cheeks burned, awkwardly looking around at the couples. A part of you wanted to run away, to return to bed and forget this horrible night had ever occurred. Yet your partner stood, placing his phone in his blazer pocket and holding his hand out.
"Are you coming?" He answered curtly to which you rolled your eyes but accepted his hand. Surprisingly, he wasn't that bad of a dancer. You knew he was a ninja and therefore relatively light on his feet, but the way he held your body with expertise and his footwork was astonishing. You hadn't taken him for someone that cared for dancing, let alone even try to attempt it.
"I never knew you could waltzed" You tried to meet his eyes but they ignored yours, the obvious pain swirling in them from hours ago. When you had that argument
"You never asked" He replied bluntly, spinning you around with elegance and poise. This attitude was slowly starting to drive you insane, instead of being silent about his feelings he should just speak about them.
There was no way to do business with someone who shut off his emotions like a switch, how could you find common ground with him if you could barely remedy a simple argument?
"Why are you acting like such a.... tyrant?" You hissed while his figure stiffened up, his hands immediately at their side again. The warmth left your body and for a minute you regretted saying those words.
But then that moment ended, he needed to understand that in this partnership one person giving the other the cold shoulder without any necessary reason was completely childish and immature.
"Oh, a tyrant?" He barked, crossing his arms across his chest. His eyes flickered with an emotion but you hadn't the faintest clue what crossed them or what he was thinking. You could hardly understand him these days if you could barely manage past the incessant fighting day in and day out
"What is wrong with you Leonardo? I'm trying my hardest here" You were desperately reaching the end of your tether and while you knew you should control your temper, it wasn't fair for him to act anyway he pleased. Some days it felt like walking on eggshells around him. Other days, he seemed to avoid your presence altogether.
But there were those sweet days, the ones where he traced your body with gentle circles. Whispering the most heart warming promises, delivering a gentle kiss to your body. That was the Leo you loved. Not this one. Though even now that had come far and few between, it all felt like a business transaction to him. Perhaps that's simply what he thought of you
"The issue here is that I keep trying to tell you my side yet it seems you're spinning it in a different narrative, one that paints me out to be the bad guy-"
"I'm not, I just want you to see it in another perspective" You tried to reason but he was having none of it.
"See this is it. I don't care to see this in another light or point of view and as my potential partner, you should be able to respect those boundaries. You don't know the whole story, how could you possibly give information on something you know nothing on?" Leo seethed, stepping back away from. you.
"Hey guys, what's going on here?" Mikey tried to lighten the air but even his jokes couldn't put the foul mood Leo was in away.
"I was just leaving, good night" Leo looked at his youngest brother, turning away from you.
Like he always did.
"Y/N-" Mikey begins but you shake your head. "He doesn't want to listen to anyone. Not to you, not to me, not to his father. How can I be expected to work with such a... cold and distant man?" You scowled, shaking your head angrily at him.
"But if-" "I'm going to bed, don't let this ruin your night" You huffed, sending an apologetic smile to the turtle as you headed out. Knowing full well that nothing could be resolved if Leo didn't trust you enough. Deep down, a part of you didn't think you both could ever reach that point
•••
Tossing and turning, you probably managed to gather a handful of hours of sleep.
His words echoed through your body, leaving you angry and hurt. You couldn't help but recall what those people said to you about him. Everyone said he didn't have any regard for feelings, his mind was solely upon work. He seemed to breathe, eat and live to work. He couldn't go a day without checking in despite people employed for that very job. There wasn't a place of love for you in his life, he was Hamato Leonardo. An ice king at best. You couldn't melt away those steeled walls, you couldn't chip at his resolve. It was impossible.
Even so, somehow you'd manage to capture his attention. You had seen the other side of him, the funny and sweet guy that had somehow wrapped around your heart. The jokes he made, the way he pounced onto you when you teased him, the way he knew just what to say when you were stressed or having a bad day.
He certainly could pass for a poet, those sweet words whispered to you in the early dawn while his arms tightens gently around your waist. Cradling you as though you'd break in a million pieces. Holding you so close to his chest as if to mend all those broken parts of yourself.
That was the Leo you wanted, not this cold hearted beast.
The time read 5am and knowing you weren't going to get anymore sleep, you stood up and walked to the door. The great thing about the beach was that there was no one around, meaning you could enjoy the open land and the beautiful waves all by yourself.
The beach was beautiful undisturbed and untouched, and so was the sunrise with it's golden hues flicking just above sealine. Your eyes kept focus, watching the sky erupt into a volcano of sorts, golden red light bursting through the horizon eliminating the darkness. It was all so magical, the sun rays dancing upon your skin with the air kissing your cheeks. The tides were oddly calm, reflecting their light all about until you catch sight of something. Or rather someone
It seemed you weren't alone. Just above you was the staircase, giving a lovely view of the landscape overall. Debating internally, you wonder if you should cut your losses and run for the hills. No, you had poured far too much time and energy and your heart into this to fail. So you breathe in, composing yourself. Trying to get rid of your shaky nerves, it felt like you were talking to a mean horrible boss. Not your supposedly fiance.
Walking hesitantly up the stairs, you saw him. He didn't even flinch, already knowing whose presence was besides him just by the footsteps.
"Can we talk Leonardo?" You exhaled slowly, standing next to him. The woody cologne he had on smelt absolutely gorgeous, taking you to the night where he performed.... specific activities on you. It was going to be hard to ever get back to that level, if this fight could ever resolve itself.
"I have nothing to say" He replied bluntly, leaning against the banister overlooking the sea.
"Leo please-" "Enough" He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He could feel the anger bubble and rise within his stomach, poisoning his veins as it drifted further up his body.
"If you could just listen, I can help you. I want-" You began but he waved his hand in dismissal, positing towards the exit.
"Y/N please-" "But Leo-"
"Y/N, stop! Look you said it yourself, we're so similar. Controlling, in charge, a leader if you will. But this isn't something you can control. I will not have my personal affairs out for everyone to read, most specifically an issue which I have told you countless times you cannot help," He whirls around, fury ablaze in his eyes.
"This is becoming very improper of you Y/N, I came here to spend some time with you yet you wish to fix issues that are past the point of repairing. If you'll excuse me..." Leonardo glared as he stood to his full towering height, his knuckles pale as he tried to keep his temper in check. Yet it was proving to be a difficult challenge with every minute spent on this damn island. With a scoff, he turned on his heel but you had angrily called out again.
"You think this is about my control and my wish to boss you around?? I wouldn't have to get involved if you hadn't placed me there! Need I remind you Leonardo, it was you who got me wrapped into this mess when we decided on the marriage for our business. I will not work with bickering employees or a partner who refuses to work out their problems! I cannot have this affect my side of the business" You snapped, eyes fierce as they blazed into his skull.
But his demeanor was tougher, angrier and cruel.
"Call it what you will Y/N but my issues are not for you to handle nor get yourself stuck in. Do not question my work ethic or my job, I have never allowed any of my problems interfere with work. And it will continue to remain that way. It was not easy growing up with brothers who refused to follow down this path and with a father that always expected me to be the best. I have tried to steer you away from this conversation but it's completely futile, you are absolutely hellbent on information I'm simply not ready to give" His lips curled in a sneer and you had forgotten how intimidating he looked when he was his full height.
With those eyes as cold as ice, his lips set in a an unmoving frown you remember why people are so afraid of him. Why they say he cannot be helped, why he has no soul
Leo sighs, rubbing the space between his eyes to calm his nerves. For once, his body is filed with regret instead of frustrations.
"Maybe you're right, maybe we are simply too alike. This will never work and I was naive enough to have hope that you'd be different. Once this deal closes off, we are purely in a contract for the benefit of both our business. Nothing more" Leonardo uttered coldly, stepping away as he returned to his own bedroom. The echo of his footsteps left you cold and empty, the distance of the door slamming shook you back in the present time.
Had he just?....
He did
You stood silent, gulping down air but it felt like it never fully reached your lungs.