Chapter Text
An orange leaf fell gently in front of your face, swaying side to side in the cool autumn air. You gazed upwards to the many trees that littered the park, colored red and orange come the season.
Turning your eyes towards the many happy couples strolling along the path, of whom were admiring the colors as well, you couldn't help but feel calm; cradling your warm drink in your hands.
You got up from your seat on the bench, taking slow steps down the path.
Tucking your name embroidered scarf into the neck of your jacket, you turned the corner, strolling out of the park.
As you walked the streets of New York City, you could feel the cozy aura surrounding the shops, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in the air present.
Happy and content, you padded along, casually window shopping for potential Christmas presents.
Discarding your now finished drink in a nearby trash can, you began your trek home.
Taking the long route was the obvious option at the time, going out of your way to take in all of the sights that the season brought to the bustling streets.
Nearing your apartment building, you stopped at a crosswalk, only for your favorite scarf to untangle itself from your hold, the fall wind lifting it off your body and down the street.
Gasping, you tried to snatch it back from the air, however, it was far to gone for you to get it back.
Frowning, you stuffed your hands into your pockets finally crossing and getting to your building.
Stomping up the stairs, you made it to your floor, opening your apartment and shuffling inside.
Stepping inside you were met with your cat, Callisto, rubbing on your legs meowing.
You bent down to pet him. He accepted and purred with happiness at the attention.
Sighing you stood up again taking off your jacket and kicking off your shoes.
Plopping down on the couch you moped at the loss of your favorite scarf.
Turning on the TV, you decided to watch your favorite show to take your mind off of it. Settling in, your cat laying stretched out in your lap, you pressed play.
The afternoon progressed slowly, consisting mostly of you watching your show.
Around 8pm or so, you stretched, getting up from your spot and making your way to your room, a snack in hand.
That's when a light tapping on your window stopped you. Curious, you turned around, expecting a bird or a stray to be the source.
What you didn't expect, however, was your favorite scarf wedged into the bottom of the window.
Crossing the room, you opened the window puzzled, grabbing your scarf. Looking left and right, you couldn't see anyone that might have put it there.
Perplexed, you put the scarf and snack away before making it back to your window.
You were about to close it when you saw something on the rooftop across the street. It was two colorful pieces of fabric flapping in the wind, lit up by the moon.
Instead of closing the window, you hopped outside onto your fire escape.
Climbing up the sets of stairs, you kept a close eye on the fabric.
Finally nearing the top you could see over the top of the roof and what you saw, was unexpected to say the least.
Four giant turtles could be seen their shells lit up by moonlight. You crouched down on the roof, peeking over with wide eyes to watch.
They were talking, you could see that much. The traffic and noise below stopped you from hearing what they were saying.
You could see one of them peeking over the edge of the building towards your window. Once they saw that your scarf was gone, they started off across the rooftops again.
You tried to follow them to the edge of your building, shuffling quickly. What you didn't see was the rusty old bottle right beneath your foot.
You kicked it accidentally and a clang rang out in the air. It wasn't quiet either, it was loud. You winced watching as one of them turned back, having heard the noise.
You didn't have time to duck down as they laid their eyes on you. You both stood frozen for a minute before the other three noticed the fourth wasn't with them.
When the other three made it back, they saw you too. Gulping, your brain was in fight or flight mode.
As soon as one of them moved, you bolted down your fire escape. You could hear alarmed shouts from behind but you pressed on, nearly falling down the stairs at one point.
Finally reaching your window, you started to climb inside when four large thumps sounded on the fire escape behind you, scaring you enough to make a less than graceful descent into your apartment.
Thumping onto the floor with a groan, you quickly scrambled back away from the window. Watching the four of them step foot into the light.
They were turtles alright. Those pieces of fabric? Those were the tails of the mask of one of them. Specifically the one in blue.
"I'm so sorry, we didn't mean to scare you." The one in blue held his hands up in defense.
"We just really can't have you telling anyone about this."
You just stared, mouth agape, as they stood there awkwardly. Callisto moved into your line of sight, meowing at you. It was enough to snap you out of your trance.
You blinked closing your mouth but still not moving. It was obvious they weren't leaving until you gave a response, so you cleared your throat, speaking.
"Um, I don't think that anyone would believe me anyway."
They collectively sighed in relief at that. The other three left after that. Leaving you and blue alone. You sat up finally as your initial shock left, pulling Callisto in your lap as you did so.
There was silence for a few seconds. Blue looked like he wanted to say something but was struggling. So you spoke first.
"Were you the one to return my scarf?" You asked in a quiet voice. He looked surprised at first before recovering. He nodded silently, so you continued.
"What's your name?"
"Why do you want to know?" He asked skeptically, narrowing his eyes.
"Is it so wrong to know the name of the person who did something so nice for me?" You questioned.
He thought about that, seemingly arguing with himself.
"It's Leonardo."
You nodded, surprised that you even got an answer.
"Nice to meet you." You said politely. "I think you already know my name."
Leo cleared his throat. "Yeah... I'm glad we were able to get it back to the right person."
You scratched your cat behind his ears.
"Thank you so much for that. That scarf means a lot to me."
"Oh, uh, yeah. All in a days work."
A comfortable silence blanketed the both of you. Your eyes never left his as you sat there.
Coming back down to earth, he cleared his throat, breaking your gaze.
"I... I should probably go."
Before you could speak again, he had already started climbing up the fire escape, leaving you to rush to your window.
You weren't able to call out to him, only watch as he crossed the rooftops opposite of yours, the tails of his mask flying in the fall wind.
You gazed up at the autumn night sky, the light breeze chilling you.
You couldn't help but wonder if you would ever see Leonardo again.
Maybe you'd have to lose your scarf more often.