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“Alrighty, the karaoke machine is all hooked up! Are you guys ready?” Exclaimed Mikey from the archway in the kitchen.
Several different faces started back at him. At the end of the kitchen table sat Leon drinking a cup of tea, with Leo and Raphael on either side of him. By the countertop, Donatello was making a fresh brew of coffee. Mikey then pulled out his phone and clicked on his contacts.
“April said she will stop by after work, and Casey should be here soon with the pizza.” Mikey waved his phone with the open group chat.
It was at those words, Raph got up from his seat.
“Cool, I’ll go ahead and bring over the extra snacks from the pantry.” said Raph, as he pushed in his chair.
“Oh, I’ll help out with the drinks!” piped up the box turtle.
As the oldest and youngest Hamato brothers left the kitchen with loaded arms, Leon turned towards Leo with a withdrawn expression. The younger slider flipped the page of the comic he was reading absentmindedly.
“Mi vida, I’m gonna go ahead and hit the hay.”
Leo closed up his comic, “You sure? I’m sure Donnie’s tone deaf voice won’t be that grating on the ears- ow!”
Leo rubbed the back of his head and saw a lone orange roll at his feet. He glared back at his brainiac twin, who was retracting a thin appendage back into his battle shell. The soft-shell didn’t even have the courtesy to turn around and face him.
Leon replied before Leo could call him out, “I’m sure. My eyes feel pretty heavy. You guys have fun, okay?”
“Okay.” Hummed Leo, as Leon reached an arm over the back of his chair and kissed his temple.
“Night, bebe!” called Leo over his shoulder to his boyfriend’s retreating form.
“Goodnight.” waved Leon to both his mate and Donnie.
A solid minute passed before Leo blurted out, “Hey, you ever notice Leon always skips karaoke night?”
Donnie said nothing as he poured some hot coffee into his large purple mug.
“It’s like, what? His 5th time refusing to join us?” He looked at fingers trying to do a full mental count.
“His 6th time in a row now, actually.” Donnie stated, as he stirred some oat milk in his coffee.
“Why do you think that is?” Leo tapped his chin in thought.
Leon has made an effort to partake in many of the usual family activities. Whether it’s watching a movie, playing competitively in the arcade, or going somewhere outside the Lair, Leon is always game to try it out. True, he has some he prefers over others, or even ones he outright refuses to do anymore, but karaoke seems to be the one exception.
He never attempted it even once.
The soft shell blew the swirling steam above his mug with sealed eyes, “Well, I know if I had the unfortunate luck of sharing your shriveled vocal cords, I too, would spare the rest of the family’s audio receptors the strain of your singing.”
Leo leered at Donnie with a frown, “I’m serious, Dee.”
He opened his eyes with a raised, drawn on brow, “As was I.”
Leo clenched the back of his wooden seat, “It just doesn’t make any sense. I love to sing! We all do. Shouldn’t he feel the same way, too?”
Donatello scoffed, “As I’ve stressed before, just because he’s your future counterpart from another timeline, does not mean you two are exactly the same.”
“I get that!!” Leo waved off his words.
He did not need another ‘Donnie info dump’ with all the specifics of why he and Leon were not, in fact, mirror copies of each other. While they have a lot of similar tastes and views, Leon is wholeheartedly his own person and Leo loves him for it. He never had doubts about that.
“Of course I know we’re different and we don’t have to like all the same stuff.” He paused for a moment, “But I have a gut feeling karaoke is in like, a weird gray area for him.”
“Maybe he just doesn’t like it.”
Leo shook his head, “That’s not it. I know it's not.”
“Elaborate?” Donnie placed a questioning hand on his hip.
The slider’s lips pressed into a firm line, “He may not realize it, but he’s given off… small signs here and there, that he likes signing more than he’s letting on.”
And that’s putting it mildly. Leo could give his brother a whole list of them! The humming Leon does when they repair a wrecked vehicle. The way he mouths along to the lyrics of his favorite songs on his created playlists. The large smile he has as Leo sings to him, while they dance on a vacant rooftop. The tender, after-sex lyrics Leon would whisper to Leo in his arms, when he thought he was fully asleep.
Leo could feel his cheeks grow warm at the last thought. He shook his head again to clear his mind.
Not to mention, there's the singing the war vet does when he believes he’s alone.
Case in point, while both sliders essentially share Leo’s room now that they are together, Leon’s old room sits right across his. It’s next to the farthest lair bathroom they both share. Leo could hear his lover’s heavenly, deep voice, when he walked past the bathroom door in the hallway. Leon has a knack for singing in the shower. It always made his heart soar, and he would stick around and listen for a good lot of time.
He never told his mate that he heard him. He was hoping the older slider would bring it up himself to Leo. That has yet to be seen. Leo views it as a shame, really. To keep such a beautiful voice hidden, behind a rushing shower head and loud shower fan.
Donnie cut off his trailing thoughts.
“So, what? You think he’s shy about it, or something?”
Leo had to bite back a knowing laugh, “Pfft, shy? Have you met either one of us, DonTron?”
He doesn’t believe for one second Leon is shy about this. More mature and reserved with certain things, yes, but shy? He would sooner trade his prized skateboard, than believe his mate suddenly has stage fright.
“It’s not that either. Regardless, something is up, and I’m gonna find out what.”
“Or he could just be tired.” Donnie took a sip of his coffee, “He is significantly older than us. He’s probably trying to catch up on all the sleep he missed out on in the future.” He locked eyes with Leo, “Not everything has a large scale explanation, Nardo.”
“Oh, that’s rich coming from you.” Leo stood up from his seat, “You mean to tell me you don't think it’s even a little bit weird??” Leo soon joined his twin by the fridge.
Donnie shrugged his shoulders, “As a turtle of science, even I can admit sometimes the hardest questions have the simplest answers.” He swished his coffee within his cup, “Just ask him next time, he’d more than likely tell you. Isn’t that what people in a relationship typically do?”
Leo bit the inside of his cheek. That would be what a loving, caring boyfriend would do right? Just ask? They both knew open communication was important, they did so regularly. So then… Why does he have a feeling Leon wouldn’t tell him the truth with this?
“I will ask him! Just as soon as I get some more background details.” Leo crossed his arms and turned his nose up at Donnie.
The soft-shell rolled his eyes, “Fascinating… well you do that. I’m gonna go grab the upgraded wireless speakers from the lab.” He took another sip, “Cause when I decimate you with my superior vocals, I intend to do so in surround sound. Later.”
Leo just looked off to the side in a pout once his twin left. His mind was filled with a series of roadblocks of where to go with this little dilemma. Leo wasn’t left alone with his thoughts for long, however, before he heard a ‘ping’ come from his pocket. He fished out his phone from his pocket and saw a text message directed at him.
Leo swiftly pulled out his katana blades and sliced a large portal right in front of him. Soon, Casey Jones popped out from the other side, with a huge stack of hot pizza boxes in both hands.
“I’m back!” said Casey.
“Hey, Case. Need any help?” Leo greeted him.
“Nah, I’m good! Just clear out the table for me?”
The slider did just that, as he laid out the series of pizza’s across the table. It was when he finished up organizing a single stack of five boxes of pizza, that Leo opened his mouth again.
“Hey Casey, can I ask you something?.”
“Yeah, Leo? What’s up?” He started to lift the pile he made.
Leo scratched his arm, unsure of how exactly to word his question. There’s a strong possibility that Donnie is right and Leo is just looking too deep into things. His boyfriend may very well be exhausted, and just wanted to rest. Is it right for him to pry and ask his lover’s student for details regarding this situation? Casey might not even know anything, but it can’t hurt to ask?
“Do you know why Leon hates karaoke?”
Casey immediately stilled and dropped the pizzas back on the table.
The slider glanced over Casey concerned, “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He dusted his hands against the base of his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. “What-” He coughed into a fist, “W-what makes you think he hates it?”
Leo huffed, “Come on Casey! You must have noticed your sensei hasn’t joined in on any of our sing-along nights? Not even once.” He clocked his whole body tensing up, “You know something, don't you?”
“Boy, I should really get these pizzas over to the guys before they get cold.” He neared the stack again.
Leo placed a firm hand on top of the boxes, “Tell me!”
“Tell you what?”
“Casey Jones! Spit it out, already!”
He caved slightly, “It’s kinda a long story.” He pulled the boxes closer to himself, “He should be the one to tell you. I really shouldn’t-” Casey was halted in place by the slider, who stood on the other side of the tall stack, holding on tightly to his forearms.
“Please, Case?” Pleading eyes stared back at him.
The human time traveler hesitated.
“I want to help!” He gripped him tighter, “And, I can only do that if I know…”
Casey could feel a nervous sweat trail down his neck. He really didn’t want to talk, but another look onto a younger expression so similar to his sensei’s, made his chest constrict uncomfortably. He was really bad at keeping secrets.
He gulped then sighed deeply, “Okay, I yield.”
Leo smiled softly and let him go. The young man tugged on his belt and stood up a bit straighter, “First off, it was a running gag in the future that master Leonardo loved karaoke, so no, he doesn’t hate it.
Leo tilted his head slightly, so he was correct with his suspicions before, good to know! However, now he is more confused than he was previously.
“If he doesn’t hate it, then why does skip out on family karaoke night all the time?” Leo lifted a puzzled brow ridge.
“I can’t say I’m 100% sure, but I have a strong hunch why.” He leaned against the table, as Leo drew closer.
Casey’s eyes hardened, “Master Leonardo was always trying to boost camaraderie and soldiers’ morale during the war. A silly joke here, a harmless prank here, all of it was to break the ice and build stronger bonds with our fellow man and yokai.” He crossed his arms tightly, “He tried anything to take the edge off, especially around the kids.” he grimaced somberly at the memory.
“The one thing he would always fall back on was singing.”
“Singing? Really?” That was a surprise to Leo.
Casey shrugged and twisted his hand in a ‘so-so’ manner, “Eh, more like group chants, spoken word, and occasional lullabies. But, yeah! Plain old singing was thrown in there too.” The corners of his lips perked up, “He loved to see the effect his voice had on others. Whether it was to calm and soothe, or cheer and bolster up people, my sensei always made room between leadership duties to share a much needed song.”
Okay, wow.
Leo was way more on the nose then he originally thought.
The human time traveler’s eyes hardened, “However, after numerous bases were compromised and our overall numbers and supplies dwindled, people lost the urge to sing.” His gaze fell to the floor, “Master Leonardo even more so, after his twin perished in a foiled Kraang raid. The rest of the resistance noticed the shift in their leader, and kept their mouths shut out of respect.” He kicked his boot against the floor. “Plus, it's hard to carry a tune when you’re scared out of your mind and starving.”
“Casey…” Leo brought a concerned hand to his mouth in shock. Leo had been told similar horrors about the future, but not this. Never this.
He continued.
“Months passed, and the time came to enact the ultimate plan. It was our only hope to win the war. Master Leonardo and Michelangelo had spent weeks preparing and training everyone for the final battle. Seeing the progress, my sensei had promised a grand karaoke night, as a reward for all the hard work they displayed. It kept getting pushed back, for one reason or another, but he reassured everyone it would happen… until that day.”
Casey was breathing heavier now.
“I was blind sighted! Resistant HQ was discovered! I remember running into the main room, all set to warn about the incoming Kraang honing in on us.” His eyes watered, but no tears were shed, “I recall Master Leonardo saying a few words before I burst through the crowd-”
‘You know what? Okay, I’ll do one song! And a one, and a two, and a-’
“The men never… Master Leonardo couldn’t… I just-”
Leo cut him off with the biggest hug he could muster. Casey was trembling from head to toe. His vision blurred and his knees buckled. He was barely keeping his composure.
The slider whispered his next words, “I’m so, so sorry you guys had to go through all that.” He rubbed his back comfortingly. “Makes me so fortunate to know you are here now, safe with us.” He held him tighter, “Thanks for sharing, Case.”
A choked sob escaped his throat, as he clenched just as tightly onto him.
They remained in the kitchen for a long time.
Very long.
Long enough, that April hollered from the lair entrance that she had arrived from work. The three of them soon headed to the lounge where the other Hamato brothers were, with hands full of pizza and friendly smiles all around.
The whole conversation left Leo with much to think about. It lurked in the back of his mind, even after Casey had calmed down and lost himself to the lyrics and catchy tunes. It didn’t leave even after karaoke night came to a close and everyone said their last goodnights and final farewells.
Much later, Leo was lying in bed wide awake next to his snoozing boyfriend. He slowly turned his whole body and stared at Leon’s sleeping face. The events he learned about the war vet, still raw his head. The younger slider bit his lip, then reached out a tender hand to Leon’s cheek. The gentle giant unconsciously rubbed his snout into Leo’s palm with a light churr.
“You’ve been through so much haven't you, mi amor?” Leo thought sadly.
A soft snore was his only response.
Leo snuggled his mate closer and wrapped the blankets tightly around them.
“Don’t worry, mi amor. I know exactly what to do.” He let out a small yawn, as his eyelids closed. “Just wait till tomorrow…I promise.” That was Leo’s last thought before, he too fell into a deep sleep.
“Where did you say we were going again?” asked Leon.
“It’s a surprise!” beamed Leo, as he pulled Leon along the sidewalk. The sliders were currently turning the corner of an alleyway they had popped into. The remnants of a portal closing shortly after.
“Uh, huh. A surprise...” The elder looked around his surroundings for any clues. There was a mix of different architectural fronts around them. Some new, others old. Not many people were walking about. He’s unfamiliar with this part of town.
“Can you at least give me a hint?”
Leo looked over his shoulder at him, “It’s a new entertainment spot for couples! Only the hottest people are gonna be there-” He smirked and stroked his chin, “So, obviously that means we have to be there!”
“Right, obviously.” Leon agreed, in a sarcastic manner.
Leo suddenly stopped, causing Leon to jolt to not crash into him. He then let go of his arm and intertwined their fingers together, “And more importantly, I know you’ll love it!!” Leo said sweetly, as he used his other hand to gently tap his boyfriend’s snout.
Leon chuckled under his breath, “Nothing more than that? Damn, guess I’ll have to wait it out then.”
“That you will, Big Blue!” He uttered teasingly, “Besides, we’re almost there.”
“Well it has to be something, if you made me dress up like this for it.” He pulled on the edge of his shirt.
“What? I think you look great!” Rebutted Leo.
Leon was sporting a simple, blue sleeveless v-neck shirt with black knee-length shorts. He left his signature belt and scarf at home, per his mate’s request, but still had his mask and new wrappings on along his organic arm and legs.
“Not as great as you do, Baby Blue.” He fired back.
Meanwhile, Leo was wearing a loose fitted, pastel yellow crop top with high waited, light blue flowy pants. While he also has his mask on, he decided to forgo any wrappings, and instead found a cute pair of custom white sandals to go alone with the outfit. In addition, he had a small sash along his hip to hold up his twin katana blades, instead of his usual crossbody one.
In short, Leo looked wonderful!
That was in stark contrast to how Leon felt about his own attire. The shorts felt a tad loose, and his sleeveless shirt felt a bit tight around the upper plastron area.
Moreover, Leon felt naked without his warm blue scarf. His neck hadn’t seen this much sunlight in years. And all that fresh air is making his neck, and by extension, his whole body cold. He was already regretting leaving it behind.
“We’re here!”
The next corner they turned, showed a line forming outside the building Leo was pointing to. His little mate scurried to the back of the line, as Leon took the whole scenery in.
The walkway had a series of tropical plants lining the building's edge. Leon glanced at the people ahead of them, they were in different stages of dress and many of them were eager to get in. He then looked higher. He saw lines of round string lights hanging off the roof. Lastly, the establishment’s name ‘Fuego Corazón’ was high above the entrance door in bright neon lights, the silhouette of a couple on either side of it, in mid step with each other.
It was all coming together for him now.
“A dance club?” Why am I not surprised?” He smiled knowingly.
Leo elbowed his shoulder, “Think you can keep up this time, old timer?” He challenged, as he gave the burly bouncer his ID.
Leon rolled his shoulders and neck, “I got in a good stretch before we got here. I’ll be sure to show you how it’s done.” He shot back as he followed Leo into the building.
The interior had a nice beach side theme going on, with inflatable, high quality palm trees and flower accents throughout the room. The colorful lights were mesmerizing, flashing all around the darkened walls. The bar was buzzing with movement as all sorts of tropical drinks were prepared, and some of the patrons had drinks in coconuts! The DJ was playing the latest Latin hits on the other side of the room. In addition, the dance floor had several couples showing off their chops to every beat of the music. There was also a large stage in the center of it all.
That should have been the war vet’s first clue.
“I was just gonna go grab a beer.” Leon placed a gentle hand on Leo’s back leading him in further, “Something I can get you?”
“Oh, I could go for a Piña colada, please!” He pecked him on the cheek in thanks. “I’ll be by the dance floor when you get back.”
Leon nodded his head and walked on over to the busy bar. Leo soon lost sight of him, as the music died down. He then heard a loud voice through the nearby speakers.
“Alrighty, everyone! Gather around, gather around!” Leo turned his head over to the stage, to see a human woman in an off the shoulder red dress, standing up on the stage with a wireless microphone. “It’s the moment you've all been waiting for!”
The young slider drew closer, as well as others around him.
“We once again have the fortunate opportunity to have you all join us at ‘Fuego Corazón’ for our new weekly event.” The DJ played a drum roll sound effect. “Live karaoke night!”
A series of cheers and claps engulfed the dance floor.
Leo smirked, “Perfect timing.”
“Do I have any volunteers who want to start us off strong tonight? Come on, don’t be shy!!” Asked the hostess, as she peered over the crowd, shielding her eyes from the bright light.
“I’ll give it a go!” exclaimed Leo with arm raised high.
“Wonderful! You turtle boy, get up here on stage!” said the hostess, as she pointed over at Leo. The spotlight followed him as he took the stairs to the stage to join her. The hostess then placed a hand on her hip, “What can we call you, hun?” She tilted the mic close to his face.
“The name’s Leo.” He answered, with a flick of his mask tails.
“Well Leo, thanks for volunteering! You've been here before?”
Leo shook his head, “No, but I’m familiar with how these things go. I’m pumped to get started!” He gestured towards the crowd, “Right, guys?”
A roaring cheer responded back.
“Well, I can see we're in for a fun opening tonight. Let's hear it for Leo!!”
As the crowd cheered again, the hostess placed a hand over the mic and leaned over closer to him. “Any particular song you had in mind, hun?”
Leo cupped a hand and whispered into her ear. Her eyes widened in delight.
“Got it! Anything else?”
Leo grinned and said, “I’m gonna need another mic…”
Later, Leon was weaving in and out of the crowd, trying to find his boyfriend. He was holding on tight to Leo’s fruity drink as well as his own chilled bottled beer.
“Now where did you run off to?” Leon thought, as he took a sip of his drink absentmindedly.
He could hear a series of claps, as he looked all over the dance floor for Leo. He ended up near the front of the stage, as a familiar pair of legs entered his vision. He cracked his neck up to get a better view, and he could feel all the air leave his lungs at once.
“Are you ready to kick it, turtle style?” cried Leo into the microphone.
“Yeahh!” was the audience’s thundering reply.
“Oh, no-” Leon whispered under his breath. He really hoped his little mate wasn’t gonna do what he thinks he’s gonna do.
“Hit it!”
Just then, Leon heard the familiar strum of a Cuatro guitar.
“Oh oh… oh no, oh no…”
Leon needed to get out of here.
This instant!
He was frantically searching around the room for the nearest exit. The contents of both beverages were threatening to spill over. Suddenly, he could feel a familiar weightlessness sensation at his feet.
“Oh yeah…”
Without warning, Leon fell into one of Leo’s portals. The larger slider almost tumbled over, as he now reappeared on stage next to Leo. In his disoriented state, Leo swiftly snatched his drink out of the war vet’s hands. He winked at the audience, and took a large gulp of his Piña colada.
The crowd was eating it all up.
“Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote.” Leo looked over at Leon, as he started to sing into the mic, “ Tengo que bailar contigo hoy~”
“Yes, you know that I’ve been looking at you for a while. I have to dance with you today~”
Leon shook his head of any remaining fuzziness, and glanced over at Leo pleadingly.
“Leo, I really don’t wanna do-” He was cut off by his counterpart shoving the microphone into his now free hand.
Leo held up his index finger, while still holding onto his drink. He then pulled out a second mic from his pocket and struck a pose, “Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome. Muéstrame el camino que yo voy. (Oh).” He smiled at Leon and plucked the hanging pineapple slice off his glass. He used the fruit playfully to point to his partner’s mic.
“I saw that your look was already calling me. Show me the way that I go. (Oh)”
Leon’s eyes widened, “No way!”
The music really started to pick up now.
“Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal. Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan.” Leon tried to speak up again as he neared Leo, but the young slider shoved the pineapple slice into his moving lips. “Solo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso. (Oh yeah)”
“You, you are the magnet and I am the metal. I’m getting closer and I’m setting up the plan. Just the thought of it accelerates my heartbeat. (Oh yeah)”
Leon pinched the bridge in between his eyes and swallowed the tasty fruit. He sighed, as Leo did a small prance behind him. He could never win when it comes to these kinds of things with his younger boyfriend. So there was only one thing he could think to do.
“Maybe if I humor him a little, he won't stop me when I jump off the stage…”
He chugged down the rest of his beer, and tossed the now empty bottle over his shoulder. He wiped the remaining alcohol off his lips and shook the nerves out of his body. Leon raised the mic closer to his face, and Leo gave him a pleased expression. He quickly followed suit, and drank the rest of his own drink.
“Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal. Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más.” The larger slider lifted a deadpan brow ridge at his duet partner. “Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro.” He dropped his arm holding the mic at his side and turned towards the stairs. He was ready to make a break for it, no matter what his mate thought.
“Now, I’m already liking you more than usual. All my senses are asking for more.
This must be taken without any haste.”
“¡Despacito!” As if he planned for it, Leo popped up right infront of Leon with his back flush against his plastron. The war vet paused, with his arms hanging up in the air on either side of Leo. He could feel the frustration churning in his stomach. He was reaching his limit.
“Leo, enough-” The large slider didn’t notice Leo twirl his fingers around the ends of his mask tails.
“Slowly!”
Leo then gently pulled on the blue mask, causing Leon to tilt his head slightly down. He hid the tip of his snout in his counterpart’s neck, “Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito.” He nuzzled his mate’s neck lovingly, as Leon froze. Leo brought the mic closer to his lips, “Deja que te diga cosas al oído~” He whispered near his ear slit. “ Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo~”
Leon could feel the edges of his cheeks heat up, as the crowd hollered at the sight.
“I want to breathe your neck extra slowly. Let me tell you things in your ear~ So you remember if you’re not with me~”
“¡Despacito!”
“Slowly”
Leo used a hand to slightly clench the elder’s wide collar. His thumb brushed under the shirt, causing Leon to get goosebumps, “Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito.” Leo then trailed a lazy finger over his boyfriend’s plastron, “Firmó en las paredes de tu laberinto.” Leon could tell Leo was writing his imaginary signature on his body. A subtle mark of ownership. The thought alone had a shiver shoot up his spine. “Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito. (Sube, sube, sube) (Sube, sube!)”
“I want to undress you with kisses slowly. Sign on the walls of your labyrinth. And make from your body a whole manuscript. (Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up!) (Turn it up, turn it up!)”
Suddenly, Leo pushed himself away from Leon. He then ran a hand into his own mask tails, “Quiero ver bailar tu pelo. Quiero ser tu ritmo~” He spun in place and tossed them over his shoulders. He ended the move with a fun swing of his hips.
“I want to see your hair dance. I want to be your rhythm~"
Leo softly trailed his hand down his face, “Que le enseñes a mi boca, tus lugares favoritos~.” He stopped by his chin, and locked eyes with his mate, “Favoritos, favoritos baby.” Leon mouthed the repeating lyrics he was singing, and Leo smiled earnestly.
“Come on big guy! You can do it! I know you can!” Thought Leo.
“That you show my mouth, your favorite places~ Favorites, favorites baby.”
The young slider undulated from his head down to his feet. He motioned to himself, “Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro.” He craned his neck up to the high ceiling lights. “¡Hasta provocar tus gritos!” Leo made sure to shout out that last line, as he neared Leon once again. His future self was slowly moving his body to the music, while he stood in place. His eyes were closed as he tapped his hand against his thigh to the beat.
Leon opened his eyes to a weight leaning against his back. He glanced back to see Leo with his mic clenched in both hands, “Y que olvides tu apellido-” Leo lifted his brow ridges up twice in a knowing look, as he lifted the arm Leon had holding the microphone. He even bumped the side of his hip right into his own.
Leon chucked under his breath at Leo’s persistence, as his counterpart tried to motivate him to join in.
“Let me surpass your dangerous zones. Until I trigger your screams, and you forget your last name-”
Leon dropped his shoulders and looked over at his mate in bittersweet defeat. His mind was still begging him to leave the general area. Meanwhile, his heart was pulling him to stay put and have his voice heard.
He clenched his own mic tighter and looked out into the dancing crowd. There was movement in every corner of the dance club. All of them, different shapes and sizes with joyous expressions on their faces. In a flash, the audience was replaced with the tired faces of people he fought alongside for decades. The aches of their bodies and depleted energy did nothing to quell their building enthusiasm for the music with every step.
Leon could feel his throat close up and his bottom lip quiver at the sight. Oh how he had wished for numerous nights to give to his people exactly this! A break from all the hiding and bloodshed of war. To really let loose and partake in the simple pleasures that were so commonplace in his youth. And to live in the moment after a hard life of just surviving.
A glance further back in the audience revealed a sight that made him do a double-take. The entirety of the Hamato clan was there. Their translucent spirits all stood watching him up on stage in support. Leon could feel his eyes threaten to spill tears at the various thumbs-up his brothers gave and the pleased nod from his father. The large slider could only smile at them, before the scene changed back to that of the present.
Leon looked down at the mic with new found determination. He knew what he had to do at that moment.
“Alright, this is for all of you.” …” Leon thought to himself before belting out the next verse.
“Si te pido un beso, ven, dámelo. Yo sé que estás pensándolo. Llevo tiempo intentándolo.” Leon fervently jumped onto the middle of the stage closer to the front edge. “Mami, esto es dando y dándolo.” The future slider lifted his free hand to his chest. “ Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bam, bam.” Leon turned his neck and patted his center chest, while his shoulders puffed in and out. “ Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bam, bam.” Leo happily followed his counterpart’s lead by jutting his hips in tune with every ‘bam’ said.
“If I ask you for a kiss. Come on, give it to me. I know that you are thinking about it. It’s been a while I’ve been trying it. Mommy, this is giving and giving it. You know your heart with me goes bam, bam. You know that baby is looking for my bam, bam.”
“Ven prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe.” Leon made a quick ‘come here’ motion with his fingers out towards the audience. He didn’t notice Leo bend down and reach out into the crowd. He pulled up on stage a yokai couple that were killing the known choreography of the song. “Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe. Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje.” Leon shrugged his shoulders half-heartedly, and placed the side of his palm above his brow ridge, as he peered across the room. “Empecemos lento, después salvaje.” Leo brought an additional pair of humans up on the platform. They easily fell in-line with the music next to the sliders.
“Come on, try my mouth to see what it tastes like. I want, I want, I want to see how much love fits inside you. I’m not in a hurry, I want to give you a trip. Let’s start slowly, then wildly.”
“Pasito a pasito, suave, suavecito. Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito.” Leon was all in now, swinging side to side with every word. He cheekily made a few thrusting gestures in between hip swings. He saw Leo from his periphery dancing back towards him, so he took the opportunity to gently grab his hand. Leo was slightly surprised by this as Leon drew him closer. “ Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza.” The war vet gently lifted his hand up, holding Leo, and spun him around. His younger counterpart ended up back in his arms and did a small dip. “Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza” Leon gazed longingly into Leo’s eyes then down at his lips. Leo could feel a small shiver travel up his spine, as it was now his turn to blush.
Leo jokingly fanned himself, and then looked out into the audience. They cheered and stomped in response, as Leo glanced back at his boyfriend. He winked at him and lifted his chin next to him. Leo suddenly knew what he meant and nodded his head, as he pulled him up to his feet.
“Baby step by baby step, soft, softly. We are getting closer to each other, little by little. When you kiss me so skillfully. I see you are malicious and delicate.”
“Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito~” Leo was back in front of his mate leaning against him. He remained loose with his body, as Leon maneuvered him with his hands. He used the one holding the mic to curl around Leo’s arm back towards his face. He used the other by Leo’s waist to hover down his curves. “Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito~” Leon’s voice went down an octave, as he pressed his lower body firmly against Leo’s. He then started to sway them both side-to-side, with a slight roll of his groin. The young slider could feel his heart racing at the sensation. Leo then closed his eyes, and slowly lowered his trapped arm to rub against the back of his counterpart’s neck, as he mimicked the actions.
Leon neared his ear slit, “Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas.” He was touching Leo’s waist now as he released his other arm. He pulled him even tighter to his plastron, with a full open palm against his exposed midriff. “Pero pa’ montarlo aquí tengo la pieza~ (oye)”
“Baby step by baby step, soft, softly~ We are getting closer to each other, little by little~ And it’s just that this beauty is a puzzle. But to assemble it here, I have the piece~ (hey!)”
Suddenly, Leon could feel the tender weight of his mate against him vanish, and the familiar scent of burning ozone fill his nose. He had to catch himself from completely falling over into the crowd, as the swirling blue portal closed up by his feet. Leon looked around himself to see where Leo escaped to.
“¡Despacito!”
“Slowly!”
Leon heard him before he saw him. He craned his neck far off to the right at the same time one of the spotlights did, to illuminate the now distant voice. There in the corner, stood Leo in a confident pose with his microphone. He then twirled his katana blade in a large circle.
“Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito. Deja que te diga cosas al oído.” He ran across the back of the dance floor with his katana trailing behind him. From the large portal, buckets and buckets of pure white beach sand poured out. People were gasping in amazement at the soft sand piling by their feet. Leo made sure to fill every corner of the dance floor with it. “Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo~”
“I want to breathe your neck extra slowly. Let me tell you things in your ear. So you remember if you’re not with me.”
“¡Despacito!” Leo sang into the mic, as he hopped into the air and did a huge flip over the audience. He cut another hole into the space above them, and out came a horde of bouncing beach balls and multi-colored hibiscus flowers.
The people's cries of excitement grew even more.
Leon was impressed.
“Slowly!”
This time, Leo appeared kneeling on top of a large stage speaker. “Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito. Firmó en las paredes de tu laberinto.” Next, he stood up and sliced a large portal above the corner of the stage. “Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito. (Sube, sube, sube) (Sube, sube!)”
All of a sudden, a sizable Latin band fell out from Leo’s portal. That shocked the elder slider beyond belief. Leo soon raised a pointer finger towards them, and without missing a beat they began to play.
“I want to undress you with kisses slowly. Sign on the walls of your labyrinth. And make from your body a whole manuscript. (Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up!) (Turn it up, turn it up!)”
Leo then jumped off and landed behind Leon. He swiftly gathered his mate’s mask tails again, and lightly trailed his other hand across his shoulders. “Quiero ver bailar tu pelo. Quiero ser tu ritmo.” Leon trembled as Leo walked past him.
“I want to see your hair dance. I want to be your rhythm.”
“Que le enseñes a mi boca, tus lugares favoritos~.” The younger slider gazed at his future self with flirtatious eyes, as he circled the mic subtly against his own lips. “Favoritos, favoritos baby.” Leon was sure to respond to Leo, and say out loud the lyrics this time, in his own mic.
“That you show my mouth, your favorite places~ Favorites, favorites baby.”
“Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro.” Leo then sweeped the microphone sensually down his plastron and near his thighs. Leon gulped at the brazen display. “Hasta provocar tus gritos.” He neared the war vet even closer now. Leo lowered Leon’s chin down, and used a finger to gently strum his lips. “Y que olvides tu apellido-”
“Let me surpass your dangerous zones. Until I trigger your screams. And you forget your last name-”
“¡Despacito!”
“Slowly!”
Leo got as close as he could into his mate’s chest. The music lowered in volume. He had Leon under his spell, as he practically whispered out the next verse into the mic. “Vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico.” Leo interlocked their vacant hand’s fingers together, and pulled him in further “ Hasta que las olas griten, “¡Ay, bendito!” He glanced up at Leon with half-lidded eyes and a hungry expression. “Para que mi sello se quede contigo~.”
Leon was completely mesmerized.
What broke the moment, was one of the Latin band players slowly rising up in between them, strumming the chords on the Cuatro guitar beautifully.
They both laughed and gave each other a knowing look, before pushing away by the hands.
“Let’s do it on a beach in Puerto Rico. Until the waves shout, “Oh my God!” So my signature remains in you~.”
The sliders now stood side-by-side and began to dance in rhythm to the climax of the song. “Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito. Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito.” They were weaving in and out, with an extra bounce in their step. “Que le enseñes a mi boca, tus lugares favoritos.” Leo sang passionately. “¡Favoritos, favoritos baby!” Leon damn near screamed back at his counterpart.
“Baby step by baby step, soft, softly. We are getting closer to each other, little by little.”
That you show my mouth, your favorite places. Favorites, favorites baby.”
“Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito. Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito.” The sliders slowed their movements and held each other's hand. They swung in alternating motions, with aid from their knees. They used their hands holding the mics to gesture towards the crowd in an uplifting manner.
It was their moment to partake in the karaoke.
The audience mirrored their movements and repeated back the lines.
Leon then pulled Leo back over for another spin and an even lower dip downwards. “Hasta provocar tus gritos.” Sang the elder, as he leaned his forehead against his mate. “Y que olvides tu apellido.” Leo replied and wiggled his snout against Leon’s.
“Baby step by baby step, soft, softly. We are getting closer to each other, little by little. Until I trigger your screams. And you forget your last name~”
“¡Despacito!” They both finished off together.
“Slowly!”
The crowd lost it!
If they were showing praise before, they were now bouncing off the walls at the slider's stellar performance. Leon carefully brought Leo up to his feet, as the people were throwing flowers up at them. They both held intertwined hands as they took a dramatic bow. So much whistling and hollering was directed at them, as they waved towards everyone and walked backstage behind the thick curtain.
The hostess in the red dress was waiting to greet them, with a grin from ear to ear. She was also clapping in rapid succession. “That was amazing! You guys definitely need to stop by more often, that crowd work was insane!” She proudly praised them as she took the mics.
Leon smiled warmly at her as Leo said, “We’ll be sure to mark our calendars.”
“Please do! And give us a call anytime! Truly, you two were beyond fantastic!”
She lightly elbowed Leon, “Especially you, Big guy! Having us all fooled with the shy act at the beginning. Luckily your partner here, found a way to let us partake in that heavenly voice!”
He chuckled sheepishly, as he rubbed the back of his neck, “Thank you?”
“Drinks are on the house! Help yourselves!” called out the host to the sliders, as she scurried back to the stage to settle down the rowdy crowd.
The sliders were now finally alone.
“You okay?” asked Leo hesitantly after a minute.
“Yeah…” Leon seemed to still be in a daze, as he shook his head, “Yeah, I am.” He pulled him in for a full body embrace.
“Thanks Leo… I really needed this.” Leon lightly bumped their foreheads together.
“Anytime, mi amor.” He whispered against his lips.
Leo then slowly took a palm and gently cupped his mate’s cheek, before standing on his tip-toes to lovingly kiss his lips. Leon closed his eyes and then deepened it. He could kiss those sweet lips forever. So soft and warm, Leon could feel all the tender emotions pouring out of him. He could almost moan into Leo’s lips.
The kiss was cut short by Leo breaking it.
“Does this mean you’ll join us for family karaoke night?”
Leon lifted a brow ridge, “Is that what this is about?”
Leo lowered his head into his shoulders innocently.
The war vet sighed, “We’ll have to talk more about that later, but for now… yeah! I’d love to join you all for karaoke.”
Leo beamed as Leon leaned back down for another passionate kiss.
It didn’t last long, however, since they could hear the distant sounds of the crowd cheering once again for the mysterious slider duo to return for another song.
Leo chuckled and glanced over Leon’s shoulder.
“We should go back out there. I’m sure they're just reeling for an encore performance!” Leo declared and practically hopped past Leon back to the stage. The larger slider grabbed his arm firmly before he could get too far.
“Hm?” Leo looked down at his restrained arm, before he peered over at his boyfriend confused.
Leon scratched his chin nervously, “Ahem, did you mean what you said towards the end of the song?”
Leo raised a brow ridge as Leon stared back at him, “About that beach in Puerto Rico? I could really go for some sightseeing before we do a follow up act…if you’re up for it.” Leon let the sentence linger in the air.
The younger slider blinked before his eyes widened in realization, “Yeah I did- I mean, yeah I do!” His cheeks turned into a furious red color, as Leon released his arm.
“I know of a really nice secluded one by a cliff. The views are breathtaking.”
Leon smirked.
“Well then, we better get going before the last rays of the sun hits the shore. Don’t you agree, mi vida?” Leonardo wrapped Leo in a warm side hug, as he nuzzled the side of his head, near his ear slit. “Mmm, those clear ocean waves deserve a show too~”
Before Leon could say another word, Leo sliced a large rotating blue portal right in front of them. The war vet grinned, as the younger slider now stood off to the side of the portal and coughed into his hand.
“After you~” said Leo with half lidded eyes.
Leon drew closer to the portal but paused right before stepping in fully. He glanced back at his little blue boyfriend, who smiled back up at him. Leon had so many thoughts pass through his head at that moment. So many more words he wished to say.
For right now, though?
He would settle for actions.
“Come here, you!” He playfully grabbed onto his lover by the waist, and lifted him up high.
“Hey, haha! Leon, wait~” Cried Leo, as he was hauled through the swirling blue hole.
They left without any other words. Just a series of loving laughter and a closing portal behind them.