Leo's POV
*Beep...
Beep...
Beep...*
(This can't be happening... I-It just... Can't be real...) I think as I try to process everything that just happened. It was all so fast that I still can't believe it.
I was on a patrol with my best friend Y/n, who also happens to be the person I have a huge crush on. But then, we were suddenly ambushed by the Foot Clan and ended up being separated. When I managed to fight my way through and got to her, I couldn't believe in what I saw. But there she was, with cuts all over her body as she laid in a pool of her own blood. I panicked and took her to the lair as fast as I could. When I got there, Donnie managed to take care of her, and after around one hour, he showed up with news on her. It was the longest hour of my life, and when he gave me the news, I felt my blood running cold.
*Beep...
Beep...
Beep...*
She's in a coma right now.
He said that if I'd taken any longer, she would've died. He managed to save her by a close call, and now it might take her weeks, months, maybe even years to wake up. When I heard that, I had to gather every ounce of my strength not to break down in front of my family. But once I was alone in the lab, or rather, as soon as I saw her on that homemade bed, I let my tears fall. I guess I never cried so much in my life. I'm glad she's alive, I really am. But I still feel horrible. She's in a coma and it's my fault.
I shouldn't have left her alone. I should've been there for her. Even though we were ambushed, I should've been there to protect her. But I couldn't. Now she may not wake up any time soon. Actually, she might not even wake up at all. And all because I failed her. Just facing that fact and seeing the consequences of it make me tear up all over again. I hold my head as I try to bring myself together, but it only takes me one look at her for me to feel awful. I pretty much hate myself right now. She's my best friend and my crush, and yet... I couldn't do anything.
I look at her again, now holding her hand. She has a cut on her cheek, nose and lip. And her hand is so cold compared to her usual warm touch. I remember it as I also remember our own secret handshake. She just came out with it one day, and it became our thing. She didn't have it with anyone else but me. We used to do it everyday, and she always had a smile whenever we did it, it didn't matter if it was in the beginning of it or in the end. Now we may never be able to do that anymore. I may never be able to see her smile, to hear her voice, to get lost into her beautiful (e/c) eyes again. And it's all my fault.
"*Sniff* Y/n... I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry... I couldn't be there for you when you needed me... I... I f-failed you... As a leader and as a friend... And I know I'm in no position of asking you anything, but please... Please, just stay. Don't leave me. You mean so much to me..." I kiss her forehead as I cup her cheek careful not to hurt her before pulling back and leaning my forehead on hers. "I promise you, I'll never ever leave you again. No matter what. I swear it. So please, just stay. Please."
Timeskip
It's been 6 months since Y/n got into the coma. Some of her wounds have been healing nicely, but she showed no signs of waking up whatsoever. I haven't left her side, unless absolutely necessary, like an emergency or something like that. But even then, I'd do my best to be back to her as soon as possible. I lost the count of how many times I've fallen asleep next to her, just waiting for her to open her (e/c) eyes again.
Right now, I'm coming back from patrol with the others. The Foot Clan again. Just thinking about them and what they did to Y/n makes my blood boil. Anyways, I just want to sit on that chair and see her again, even if she doesn't open her eyes.
"Ah, my sons. I'm happy to know you're all safe." Master Splinter says. We bow to greet him. He does the same a little bit and opens a smile. "Now, I believe I shall leave you. After all, you do have some catching up to do." He says and exits the room. I frown and head to the lab. Could it be?
"You sure you're okay?" I hear April say. And...
"I dunno. Never been in coma before. And I sure don't wanna do that again." A second voice. My heart almost stops as soon as I hear it. I enter the lab after a brief stop and soon enough my eyes meet with the (e/c) ones I missed so much.
"Y-Y/n?" I ask, almost not believing my eyes. But there she is. Awake at last.
"Hey, Fearless. Hope I didn't bother you that much for sleeping over." She says as she smiles. Oh, how I missed her smile. I can't and don't hold myself back as I walk up to her and hug her tightly but also carefully not to hurt her. My heart beats even faster as she hugs me back, and I even blush a little. "I missed you so much, Y/n." She chuckles. "I missed you too, Leo."
Timeskip
Your POV
Everyone's been so much supportive ever since you woke up, which was already around three months ago. Mikey would keep you entertained, Raph would make sure you're still sane in the weirdest and most annoying way, Donnie would do daily check-ups on you and even some physiotherapy exercises so you'd heal faster. He also got you a crutch so you could walk around and not have to stay cooped up in the lab. April would come and take you out somewhere in the lair for some girl time, Casey would do his casual and completely old-like teasing and joking around, Master Splinter would make you teas and other hot beverages, mainly (y/f/h/b), so you felt better, and Leo would be there with you through it all. In fact, if you didn't know him better, you'd say he even gets jealous when Casey gets on flirting mode with you. But anyway, he's been pretty protective, way more than usual. You wonder why. Sure, you don't mind the attention, but he doesn't tell you why he's doing that. You guess you'll just ask him.
With that in mind, you go to the dojo only to see him meditating. But instead of just keep meditating, he instantly opens his eyes and turns to you. "Oh. Hey, Y/n. How are you feeling?"
"Hey, Leo. I'm good, thanks. Anyways, uh... Sorry to interrupt, but I came here 'cause I wanna ask you something."
"What is it?" He asks as he gets up and walks up to me. You take a deep breath and speak up. "Why have you been so protective over me, Leo? I mean, I-I don't mind, it's just... A little weird. Before I got into the coma, you never acted like that. But once I woke up, you've been pretty... Overprotective. I was just wondering why."
He stares at you with wide eyes before letting out a sigh and turn back to you. "Close your eyes."
"What for?"
"Just do it." You shrug and close your eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself being pulled into a tight hug. Your eyes widen only to see Leo's shell, and your cheeks also burn a bit. You've had a crush on him for a good time, so his sudden behavior surprised you. "L-Leo...?" You ask hesitantly. His grasp on you got tighter. "W-What's wrong? Was it something I said?"
"No. Of course not, Y/n. It's just... I guess I'm still afraid of losing you."
"What do you--"
"Back when you got into coma, I thought I might never see you again. That thought alone made me not sleep at all. I was just so afraid you'd die and I wouldn't be able to do anything but watch. You scared me, Y/n. A lot. And it's not your fault. It's mine. If I was there with you, you wouldn't be hurt in the first place, much less gotten into the coma. I'm sorry. And I understand if you don't forgive me for failing you like that."
You frown and pull back in order to stare at him right at his eyes. They show pain and guilt. You raise an eyebrow with an unamused face and flick him in the forehead. He frowns as rubs the area you hit. And before he can say anything, you tackle him in a hug, your crutch falling on the process. Your wounds hurt, but you ignore them. "You dummy. What happened to me was not your fault."
"But if I was there with you--"
"You don't know if that would've changed a thing. But I know this, and I want you to know it too..." You say as you pull back and cup his cheeks. "You did not fail me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here. You saved me, Leo. I'm here, right now, because of you. Forget my wounds, the scars I'll get, forget it all. I'm here. Thanks to you. So, please, don't ask me to forgive you for something you haven't done."
His eyes widen before his surprise gaze change back to the old calm and caring gaze he always had and you always loved. He also opened that cute smile that usually shows up whenever he's a bit bashful. Then, he leans into your touch as he holds one of your hands. You smile. "Those six months without you were driving me insane. I don't know what I would've done if I lost you."
"And I don't know what I would've done if you got hurt instead of me, Leo. I'm just glad it was me, since I knew you'd find a way to help me out. You get out of your own way to save those who need you. I know that much about you."
He smiles before cupping your cheek, and you lean into his touch, your hand overlapping his. Then, he surprises you by kissing you on your lips. Your eyes widen, but as soon as you feel his heartbeat, which is almost as fast as yours and you could tell since he held your hand against his chest, you relax since thanks to that you knew that he was just as nervous as you were. You kiss him back and he tilts his head a bit in order to deepen the kiss.
After a while, he pulls back and gives you a sweet loving smile. "And I know this: you mean the world to me, Y/n. And, I was wondering... Would you be my girlfriend?"
Your eyes widen again before you open a huge smile. "Yes!" You say as you tackle him into a hug again, but... "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"
"Y/n?! What happened?!"
"My wounds. I shouldn't stretch like that." He chuckles at your comment and grabs your crutch.
"If you keep being reckless like that, I'll have no choice but to get even more protective over you."
"Aw, man... Can I at least get some cuddles?"
"Sure." He kisses your head. "Anything for you. Always."