You agreed to go with Leo to see his family and have everything explained to you, but in order for that to happen you had to make a promise to Leo. Like his entire existence and his family, the location of his home must be kept a secret from others. You agreed and promised whole heartedly.
You had expected an abandoned building, maybe on the outskirts of the city - not the sewers. The smell was horrid when you first went down into the tunnels, but after a few moments of walking it became unnoticeable to you. Leo was right beside you the entire way, chatting away about your day and if you had eaten anything; if not, he promised to make you something at home. He'd even pick you up to lift you and go down places that required you to climb. Truth be told you were excited to see him family, following him through every nook and cranny. You practiced in your head what you were going to say, how you were going to introduce yourself. Nerves began to tingle in your body as you got closer, and your speed faltered.
Leo seemed to notice your lack of speed, and he stops completely just before his front door. With his body now facing you, your eyes look up to see him with his head tilted.
"Are you alright?" he asks softly. Honestly, he was worried. Had you changed your mind?
With a sharp exhale, you nod your head slowly.
"Nervous is all," you reply. To try and break the invisible wall of doubt, Leo gives a breathily chuckle and nods in the direction you two were previously headed.
"I know," he begins, walking with you, "but I think you'll change your mind once you see everything."
With that said, you now believed he was telling the truth.
It was like an entire city was built in these tunnels; televisions, lights, a whole kitchen and living area, a couch, chairs, cabinets, shelves, beds - there was a whole mansion down here. Is that a drum set in the corner?
You stare in awe at whatever catches your eye, unable to notice Leo who is staring happily down at you. You don't even hear him laugh under his breath when he walks past you.
You snap out of your daze when you feel a hand on your shoulder.
"Not the best place to live but, it's all we've got."
"You're joking right?" you laugh, "this is. . . it's - it's...."
Another laugh comes from him, and Leo motions you to stay still.
"Wait here a minute."
You did as you were told, trying to stay still as possible and listen to what was around you, to resist the urge to explore. You heard some kind of buzzing behind you, realizing you can softly hear the humming of what seemed to be computers beeping and their fans running just to your side.
Leo returns with his smile still adorning his face. He nods his head further into his home.
"This way."
With your pounding heart nearly shattering your chest as you walked, your eyes never stopped moving as you walked farther in. What was this room? It seemed to have rubber mats all over the floor, strange shelving on the walls, and other odd structures.
Suddenly you are brought to a halt.
"(Y/n), these are my brothers." Leo said.
Three giant figures stood in front of you; all were different in their own unique style of clothing and each seemed to have a different weapon strapped somewhere on their person.
First there was Raphael, the one with the temper. He had two sais for his choice of weaponry, and he was ruggedly built and had a glare that could freeze you; he seemed to be the muscle of the group.
Second was Mikey, the shortest of them. He had a pair of nun chucks strapped to his sides and a grin plastered onto his face. He was clearly happy to meet you.
Then there was Donnie, he was the brains of the three. A bo staff was flung around his shell, adorned by funny looking gadgets on his head and arms, and a pair of glasses were sitting on his nose.
You smiled warmly at them and waved shyly.
"Hello," you say. You earned an awkward smile and wave from Donnie, a big and happy smile from Mikey, and a single nod from Raphael.
Leo sat beside you as you talked with the rest of his brothers. They were easy to get along with, albeit you had a feeling Raph needed a little more getting used to you, but you were having fun nonetheless. Mikey was the funniest; he'd tell jokes and stories that would make you laugh and nearly choke on your own air. Donnie was super smart but awkward, and it was rather cute how he'd stutter every few sentences.
After a good twenty minutes of introductions, they finally decided to go off on their own and Leo immediately offers to show you around. You accept without hesitation.
He guided you through his home and you followed with interest, looking around at all the fascinating architecture. Most of the furniture was made of old crates and somewhat clean cushions they had found over the years; they had to do with what they had. Making way over to Donnie's equipment was a sight to behold as well. He was sitting in his chair when you two wandered over, and he happily gave you a small tour of his set up; cameras were placed all around their home - the tunnels, the main rooms and even above ground to observe if anyone was intruding. Alarms were set as well in multiple locations. You depart after the tour with a smile.
A basketball hoop, an entire drum set, a small skate ring, a dining area, even a lab all fit in this space underneath the city, and you could in no way get over it all. Your eyes are beaming with wonder at it all, and Leo couldn't help but accept the smile that took over his lips as he watched you and answered your questions.
The last place was the dojo, the boys' training area. The walls were painted by beautiful swirls and images that replicated Japanese culture. It was serene and peaceful in there, and your head swirled in circles taking in every detail.
"It's nice in here," You heard Leo say behind you. You turned to look over your shoulder and gave him a smile.
"It's pretty."
A pair of feet can be heard behind you, and you turn to see something or someone you did not expect, or believe for that matter.
"It is an honor to finally meet you," a voice says.
You turned fully to see a tall figure wrapped in robes and a pink tail showing from under the fabrics. Leo came up to you and placed his hand on your shoulder, telling you it was alright.
"This is my father and Mentor, Splinter."
Splinter walked slowly over to you, his hand rubbing his chin. You watched as he came closer.
"My son has told me about you," he begins, "it is good that you have come. I'm sure you have questions of us and this place."
It wasn't long after that you found yourself sitting on a pillow in front of Splinter with the other turtles sitting around you, listening to their father as he explains to you how their story began.
An experiment gone wrong at the Sax corporation - the turtles and Splinter were injected with a substance called mutagen that eventually made them grow and look the way they are now. With the discovery of the truth behind the mutagen, the lab was burned and the turtles and Splinter saved by April. They had found this part of the sewer and made it their home. Splinter trained himself the arts of ninjutsu, and then with his sons.
April didn't talk much of her past, or about her father for that matter.
"This is. . ." you exhale, "a lot."
A hum comes from Splinter, expecting your reaction from the beginning. He rubs his chin once more as he begins to speak.
"It was for April as well," he says, "but we've become just as much as a family to her as you are. That's why I am offering a place of refuge here for you, should you ever wish to visit my sons and I."
Your eyes look up to him.
"Really?"
Splinter nods.
"April is very dear to us. If you are her close friend, then so too are you to us."
His words made your chest swell with warmth; to be shown this new world with new friends, surely your life would be so much more enlightening and eventful with everyone around. And to visit when you'd like? Who wouldn't want to come back down here?
With their story now told, Leo's father and brothers leave you two back in the dojo to return to their doings. Leo makes his way up to you and catches your attention by touching your elbow gently. You crane your neck to him.
"Thank you for coming," he begins softly, "our doors are open to you. I hope you'll come around often."
A breathily chuckle leaves you as you shift in your place, his gaze all of a sudden making you squirm in your spot.
"Oh, don't worry, I will," you say to him, "this has been quite a day. I'm honestly glad you ran into me and scared the crap outta me that night."
It's his turn to laugh.
"Come on. I'll fix us up something in the kitchen."
A door opened - not in the lair, not in the next room. In both of you.