The Christmas Confessions
Just a short story for each of our beloved turtles. Christmas is as good a time as any to reveal deeper feelings. So who will confess first? Turtle or reader?
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! ♥️
Turtle x G!Neutral Reader
It was killing him. He had it so bad for you and no way could he tell you. Every time he tried to sleep, his mind went to you. Every text or call from you made his heart rate increase. It was becoming an obsession, and that bothered him. He was the leader, the calm and in control brother, steadfast and focused. But you had invaded him so thoroughly, he even missed a cue from his father during training, thinking about your smile. It was inexcusable, and he tried so hard to banish it. But it was becoming increasingly clear to him that he couldn’t.
What he didn’t realize was that everyone else saw it too. His brothers snickered behind his back, and even his father hid a secret smile over his eldest son’s quandary. What’s more, you were well aware of his crush on you. You frequently felt his eyes on you, and caught on to how often he just happened to brush by you. You knew Leo worked through things at his own pace and on his own terms, so you were content at first to let him do just that. But days stretched into weeks, and weeks stretched into months. You were tired of waiting. It was time for you to step up and show Leo that you could take control and lead him right where you wanted him.
On Christmas Eve, you were invited to join the turtles along with a few other human friends. You put Leo’s gift together and headed down to the sewers. Mikey greeted you with a big hug, picking you up and twirling you around. He immediately took his gift out of your hands to shake it while you fussed. Placing gifts under the tree, you looked around for your man in blue, and found him helping April make hot chocolate in the kitchen. Perfect. You took his gift and started working on your plan while he was occupied. By the time you finished, he was passing out mugs of marshmallow topped cocoa and everyone was settling around the tree. The gift exchange began and it got loud. Crumpled balls of wrapping paper were being launched every few seconds as presents were ripped into. You waited until most of the gifts were opened, before taking an envelope from its hiding place in the branches, and handing it to Leonardo. A warm smile lit his face, and he eagerly opened the envelope and removed the paper inside. He read what it said with a look of concentration before looking up at you.
“Is this like a treasure hunt?” he asked.
You nodded. He read the first clue again, and then got up and headed to the first location, Raph’s weight bench. He looked around for a moment, and then felt around under the bench until he found another envelope taped to the bottom. This one sent him to the dojo and he had to look a little longer in there, until he found the next clue stuck to the back of a practice dummy with one of Raph’s sais. Each one was a little harder than the first, and he was enjoying the game immensely. He had to figure out the clue, then find the next one when he got to where he was going. You followed along at first, but the closer he got to the end, you snuck away to get ready and wait for him at the last card.
Leo finally arrived at the location of the last clue, his bedroom. When you heard the doorknob turning, the butterflies in your tummy went crazy. You were sitting at the foot of his bed, holding his gift in your hands. When he saw you there, his expression was warm but quizzical until he saw the box in your grasp. You took a deep breath, it was now or never.
“Come sit,” you patted the spot beside you. Leo sat down, his knee touching yours. Somehow, that tiny connection gave you the confidence boost you needed to continue.
“Leonardo, I know you have a ton of responsibility on your shoulders, and I don’t want to add to it. So please understand, this is just me needing you to know and getting it off my chest,” you began. You handed him the box, and waited.
He opened it and pulled back the tissue paper to reveal your surprise. He stared silently for a long moment, long enough to make you question if you had misread all the signs. Then he carefully lifted the new arm wrap with its embroidered kanji for ‘love’.
Leo took a shaky breath, “What are you saying?”
“Leo, I-I,” you cleared your throat. It was hard to speak with those intense blue eyes looking into your soul. “I love you.”
“But it’s okay if you don’t want a relation-“
Your sentence was cut short when the cool and collected, stable and staunch, leader of ninjas grabbed you by the shoulders and pulled you to him. His lips crashed onto yours with the passion and ferocity he only displayed in battle. He literally took your breath away as he threw everything he had into the kiss. You were still stunned when he finally pulled away.
Leo looked deeply into your eyes, and gently cupping your cheek, he whispered, “Mine.”
Christmas Eve was definitely more fun with you around. The eggnog, the cookies, listening to you singing Christmas songs with Mikey, it all had him deep in his feels. You were perfect, and god, how he wanted to make you his. Only one problem: you were human and he was a mutant turtle.
What Raph wasn’t aware of, was the fact that this didn’t pose a problem at all for you. The big brute had stolen your heart and truly, the only thing you wanted this Christmas, was to know if he felt the same. You were trying to muster up the courage to confess your feelings when Mikey stepped in and took it out of your hands.
Raph was standing next to you, helping you add a few more handmade ornaments to the tree, when Mikey zipped by your heads on his rocket skateboard. You and Raph looked up simultaneously to berate the youngest turtle for being reckless, when you both saw that he had hung a sprig of mistletoe above your heads. Your heart began to pound and your cheeks pinked as you looked at Raph’s handsome face. A holiday kiss was the perfect segue to talk relationship with him.
You stepped closer and reached a hand towards his plastron, when his expression turned to pure panic. He backed away from you and you jerked your hand back as if you had been burned. He was shaking his head and mumbling “no,” and you felt your heart shatter. Your back stiffened and you took a deep breath.
“Gee, Raph, I didn’t realize I was so disgusting that the thought of kissing me could make you look like you want to throw up,” you accused, turning away and heading to the kitchen for space and a cold drink. You grabbed a soda from the fridge, pressing it’s cool aluminum to your forehead and heated cheeks.
In the living room area, Raph’s brothers were all looking at him like he grew another head. Even their father was shaking his head in disappointment.
“Dude, you fucked up,” Mikey said bluntly. “I set it up for you to get to kiss your crush and you blew it all to hell, man.”
Splinter looked at his son with pity, “While I disagree with the wording, Michelangelo is not wrong. You really, how do you say? Effed up.”
Raph growled, cracking his knuckles and pacing.
“You need to go fix this,” Leo said, catching a glare from his hot headed brother.
“Gee, Fearless, thanks for such sage advice,” he sneered, sarcastically.
Raph forced himself to take a few deep breaths, then squared his shoulders and headed to the kitchen. As soon as he saw you leaning over the counter with a soda can against your face, he almost lost his resolve. He stood behind you, trying to think of something to say, while you looked at his big shadow on the wall before you.
“You know, looming over someone is just rude,” you muttered.
Raph winced. He knew you had taken his reaction the wrong way. He grabbed a chair and sat behind you, to get more on your level. Then he reached for your hand and tugged until you turned around. He stared at your feet as he gathered the words that he needed to say, hoping he could salvage the situation.
“Y/n, I-I neva kissed no one before and I might be bad at it. I’m sorry. I just-,” he stopped to take a steadying breath, “it’s not like I haven’t thought about kissin’ ya. I’ve thought about it a lot. But I know I ain’t exactly human. So…”
You listened to his confession with growing empathy. You understood completely. Stepping closer, you leaned down and captured his plush lips with your own. He jerked in surprise and stared wide eyed as you pressed your mouth firmer against his. Your lips were even softer than he had imagined. Letting his eyes close, he attempted to kiss you back, tentatively at first. His massive hand came up to rest on your hip and he squeezed reflexively. You decided to press your luck a little more, and licked his upper lip. He gasped and opened his mouth, tongue shyly slipping out to brush against yours. You moaned quietly and he felt a rush in his head. He wanted to hear you moan again, knowing it was because of him. His tongue ventured further and you withdrew yours to coax him into exploring your own mouth. The kiss deepened and sparks went down your spine. Raph was totally submerged in the experience, tasting you thoroughly and enjoying every second. When you finally separated, it was mostly for air.
You leaned your forehead against his and smiled, “You don’t need mistletoe to kiss me now, you know. You can kiss me anytime.”
Raph felt his heart soar.
“And hold your hand?” he asked, quietly.
You slipped your arms around his thick neck, whispering, “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”
He could diffuse bombs, disarm alarms, and chemistry was child’s play to him. He could tell you how he felt. Easy peasy. And if you didn’t feel the same, well then, he would be a mature adult about it. It’s not like he would let it ruin his Christmas. Right. So…..how to tell you exactly?
When Donnie finally emerged from his lab, you were singing Christmas songs, purposely off-key, with Mikey, an empty Cool Whip can as your microphone. A goofy smile spread across his face at your antics. You danced around until you got to him, then he found the pseudo-microphone in his face. He shook his head adamantly, but at your pout, he sighed and squeaked out the next line. It was so obviously awful, you couldn’t help your outburst of laughter. And when he looked so surprised at the strangled sound that had come from his mouth, you laughed even harder. Bent at the waist, gasping as you tried to calm your yourself, tears at the corners of your eyes, you didn’t notice that Donnie quickly retreated back to his lab.
He collapsed in his chair, head in his hands, embarrassed beyond belief. He had wanted to share his feelings with you, ask you out, but how could he now? He was humiliated and you had laughed so hard. He laid his glasses on his desk and rubbed at his eyes. How could he go back out and face you?
You finally stood straight, wiping at your eyes, when you noticed Donnie wasn’t there anymore. You whirled around, checking the room. He was nowhere in sight. Then you caught on to his brothers’ stare.
“What? Where’s Donnie?” you asked.
“Um, Donnie is a little more sensitive than he lets on,” Mikey began.
“Yeah,” Raph continued, “I think ya mighta hurt his feelings.”
You looked to Leo, panic in your eyes. You never wanted to hurt Donnie! He meant so much more to you than any of them knew. Leo motioned toward the lab with his head.
“Thanks,” you murmured quietly, “I’ll go talk to him.”
You took a deep breath at the door, then went on in, closing it silently behind you. There was Donnie, looking pitiful and hunched over, hiding his face. Your heart ached at the sight. Donnie was tall and confident, and you never wanted to see him withdrawn like this. You made your way over and squatted down in front of him, gently pulling his hands from his face.
Donnie started at the hands on his skin, he never heard you come in. His eyes were full of shame when he looked at you. Maybe he was taking it too hard, but his emotions were already on edge, wanting to confess how he felt about you. He didn’t say a word, waiting for you to speak first.
“Donnie, I,” you stopped and grimaced, “I am so, so sorry that I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean to. I honestly thought you would laugh with me because we were being silly with the singing.”
Your eyes dropped, but then you forced them back up, trying to show him how sincere you were in your apology. For another awkward minute, he continued to just stare into your eyes. Finally, he sighed and grabbed his glasses, placing them back on his handsome face.
“It’s okay, I shouldn’t have taken it so hard. It’s just that-“ he stopped.
When he didn’t continue, you prompted him, “It’s just that..?”
His expression became guilty, and he swallowed hard.
“There was something I was wanting to talk with you about tonight. I guess I’m just feeling high strung right now.”
You placed your hands on his knees, immediately catching his notice. Your heart was starting to pound. What could Donnie want to talk with you about that would make him so nervous? Could you possibly hope that it was what you had wanted to hear since meeting the adorable nerd?
“What do you need to talk with me about?” you practically whispered, your own nerves on high alert.
Donnie’s eyes shifted from your hands to your face. Then he grabbed a pen from the desk and began to click it and turn it in his hands. He must really be nervous, you thought to yourself.
“So, uh, I, um…..” he stumbled over his words.
You squeezed his knees encouragingly, but he only seemed to grow more fidgety.
“Dammit. I’m a grown man,” he muttered, seemingly to himself. He squared his shoulders, looked you in the eye, and loudly announced in a mad rush, “IlikeyoualotokaymaybeawholelotlikeIcouldpossiblyloveyou.”
You stared, unblinking, as you had to slow down what you just heard and process it. Then your eyes owlishly grew wider and your mouth opened and closed without sound. Did Donnie just say he might love you?
“I fucked up, didn’t I?” he mumbled, resigned.
You had to say something. C’mon, you thought, open your mouth and make words come out!
“I love you too!” you burst out, then slapped your hands over your mouth. Geez, they probably heard you out in the living room area. But the look on Donnie’s face made it worthwhile. A smile was forming and his eyes looked hopeful.
“Yeah?” he widened his stance and pulled you in between his knees. Your cheeks were hot, but nothing else mattered when he took your face in his hands, and leaned forward to kiss you soundly.
Christmas Eve. It was perfect! You never seemed to take his flirting seriously, so now he could give you the perfect gift to show you how he truly felt about you. It was driving him crazy! Mikey asked Donnie to help him find what he was looking for and then he set to work. Something that would show you what was truly in his heart.
You arrived at the lair that night, making sure you looked good, and you knew you had succeeded from the appreciative whistle that met you when you walked in. Of course, it was Michelangelo. You had no idea how to take him. You adored him, but it was hard to take him seriously when he flirted shamelessly with April as well. You gave him your most brilliant smile, and laughed as he took your coat and gloves, spinning you in the process. Ugh, why was he so cute?! Your heart ached.
Throughout the evening, he stayed right by your side. He refilled your drink, offered you snacks, and hung on your every word. You savored his attention, even as it hurt to know he probably didn’t share your feelings. When the time came to exchange gifts, he was practically vibrating with excitement. You knew he loved presents, but this was a whole new level of exuberance, even for Mikey. The gift giving became a frenzy of ripped paper, flying bows, and shouts of joy. You opened each gift finding them thoughtful and useful. Until you opened the one from Mikey.
You stared down into the box in confusion and no small amount of surprise. Inside was a blood red replica of an actual heart. It was macabre and so out of character for Mikey, you just closed the box and set it aside. You reached for the next gift, not realizing that Mikey had been watching for your reaction, and that his hopes were dashed.
When all the unwrapping chaos cleared, you looked around to find the orange banded turtle and saw that he was gone. His gifts still laid on the floor, unopened. Highly unusual. You got up and checked the kitchen, no Mikey. His bedroom was vacant too. Then you noticed that his skateboard was also missing. You knew there was an out of the way alley he frequently visited. It was nearly hidden, so he could use it for a private hangout, and he likes feeding the stray cats there. You leaned over and whispered to Leo where you were going, and grabbed the strange gift and tucked it in your coat pocket.
A light snow had begun to fall as you made your way along the sidewalk. It was a white Christmas after all. You paused when you reached the entrance of the alley. Listening carefully, you relaxed when you heard a ‘meow’ and then Mikey’s sweet voice talking to the cat in a soft tone. You made your way into the alley, and some of the cats scattered, but one rubbed itself against your legs. Mikey glanced up at you, then looked away. He looked defeated, and that just wasn’t right.
“Hey, you didn’t open your gifts,” you called.
Mikey shrugged, “Didn’t feel like it.”
“Why are you out here?” you asked softly.
Mikey retorted, “Why are you out here?”
You stepped closer, and reached into your pocket. You pulled out the strange heart and held it up. Mikey watched you with sad eyes.
“So, I’m not exactly sure what this is.”
He sighed, “Did you open it?”
You raised a brow, then looked closer at the odd organ. Sure enough, there were seams and tiny hinges. You pulled the heart open and stared in awe at the inside. One section was painted with a pair of nunchucks and a Japanese symbol. Another had a skateboard and a spray can. The third had pizza slices and a bottle of hot sauce. He had obviously painted each picture meticulously. The last section was what got you. It was literally a small painting of you. Even using such a tiny space, the detail was awe-inspiring.
“Mikey, this is incredible! You are so creative! What gave you the idea to make this?”
Big blue eyes looked into yours, and very seriously, he replied, “I wanted to give you my heart.”
Your own heart nearly stopped. Then it began to pound. You looked back at the heart in your hands and realized it held all his favorite things inside it. The things he loved. The things he loved.
As it all clicked into place, you had to hold back a sob. All the times you had brushed him off, and he had meant every word. You were holding his heart and you were in it.
He nearly fell from the momentum as you threw yourself into his arms.
You hugged him tight and tried not to cry. When he wrapped his arms around you, you buried your face in his neck and breathed him in. Pulling back just enough to look into his eyes, you were happy to see a smile coming back to his face.
“My heart is yours, too,” you murmured, pressing your lips to his as the snow fell all around.
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