Chapter 17 Part 2: Departure → The Proposal and… A Temporary Goodbye
The departure at the hidden city station. The turtles, April, and Splinter saying goodbye
Compared to the hidden cities in Japan, the hidden city in New York had a station full of ways to teleport to other hidden cities throughout the world. There were massive portals with different colors, kind of looking like Leo’s mystic power in a sense. There is only one portal in Japan that can be reached through here, as in Japan, the other hidden cities are more like small villages with their own small chapels where you can teleport from. These chapels are not super accurate, take time to activate, and they can teleport you only to a certain location, but not precisely to a specific area.
Yuichi used one with his aunt when they had to run away from Morris, fleeing all the way from Japan to the United States. Now, half a year later again, just like Yuichi said, they were standing at the portal to the biggest hidden city in Japan.
“So this is it, huh?” Leo said calmly. He was smiling at this moment, but he also had a sense of slight melancholia, looking down slightly at the ground. Then he looked at Yuichi, who was wearing his same samurai attire, but more adventurous, without sleeves this time around.
He was really, really going to miss his lover, even though it was only 3 weeks. Yuichi held his hand and just looked at him, caressing his face in the process. They gave each other a small kiss, and then Yuichi went to the others, Leo following suit.
“I want to thank you so much… for everything. I know I will only be gone for 3 weeks, but this last year we got to know each other, and it has been amazing. I have never, ever felt happier with you all in my life.”
Mikey got emotional, even though he was usually the mindful one. Raph was bawling his eyes out. April also started crying. Donnie was also looking a bit sad, but he was also frantic. As he really cared about Yuichi now, as everyone else did. He was the first one to actually talk to Yuichi after Yuichi started saying his goodbyes to everyone.
“Do you have everything? Your phone, your hologrammer, your…”
“Relax, Donnie, I have everything. And I won’t break anything… pinky promise.” Yuichi said, winking, holding out his pinky. Donnie immediately scoffed a bit at Yuichi’s joke, smiling at the same time. Since the turtles only have 3 fingers, how could you give a pinky promise? The others laughed as well, really liking the fact that Yuichi still could get under Donnie’s skin.
“He is a funny rabbit, he always was,” April said, her eyes still teary. It got better with the jokes that Yuichi made.
“And a strong tough one,” Raph joked, ‘play-punching’ Yuichi in the shoulder with his real arm.
“Hey, knock it off, you are way bigger and stronger!” Yuichi giggled, holding his hands in front of him. He liked the playful nature of Raph towards Yuichi, though. It made him feel like he had a big brother he didn’t have before.
Splinter just looked at Yuichi, smiling, agreeing with what Raph said. He was really proud of the young man, as he was able to face his fears in a way that he never could. He then started talking to the whole group. He also got asked permission for what was about to come.
Needless to say, the rat happily said yes.
“I know we will miss our rabbit, but it’s only for 3 weeks. He is strong and will succeed in his journey, and when he comes back, we will welcome him again with open arms.”
Upon hearing the words ‘open arms’, Mikey started yelling, almost causing people to look in their direction. “Cowabunga group huu–”
“Wait! One last thing.” When Yuichi loudly said this, he looked at Leo, his lover. The one who stood by his side and was his soulmate. Yuichi proceeded to walk towards Leo and then stand close to him, but not too close.
Other travelers were still walking around, but there weren’t that many going to Japan, so Leo and Yuichi were definitely visible together. The group was quiet, but April’s demeanor could be sensed towards the group. She was ecstatic about what was going to happen, being full of happiness for what was to come. Everyone looked at her for a moment, realizing something important was about to happen. Then they looked back at Leo and Yuichi.
“Leonardo Hamato.”
Yuichi leaned closer, his voice slightly trembling. Leo was just looking at what was happening, carefully listening and smiling at Yuichi. He couldn’t help but realize how beautiful his lover looked. He was also shocked that his full name was used.
“There is something I need to say… Something I need to do…”
After a moment of silence, it came.
“Thank you. For being with me. For making me enjoy life. For giving me a reason to keep going… And thank you… for caring so much about me, Leonardo Hamato.”
Yuichi started sitting on one knee, his gaze was insanely loving towards Leo. The slider started realizing what was going on and put his hands in front of his mouth. Yuichi trembled even more, and his eyes watered, making Leo’s water as well.
“I love you so much, Leonardo Hamato… And thank you… for always wanting to be by my side. And even though I will leave for 3 weeks, I need to do this… one… thing.”
Everyone at the station looked in awe, realizing what was about to come. April and Splinter were standing together, as were the other 3 turtles. Donnie just had his mouth wide open, as he didn’t predict this. The other two knew there was going to be an emotional goodbye, but this… this was something else.
As Yuichi got out the box, with the beautiful ring inside, he asked the anticipated question everyone knew was going to come at this point. “Leonardo Hamato… Will you marry me?”
There was total silence, even amongst the travellers. Everyone just looked at the two. Leo put the ringer on his finger and then proceeded to completely engulf Yuichi with love, yelling in the process.
“YES YES YES A 100 TIMES YES, I WILL MARRY YOU.”
Everyone clapped. The turtles, Splinter, April, and the onlookers. And when they all clapped their hands, Leo grabbed his lover, lifted him, and kissed him. The kiss went on for quite a while, as they were insanely happy with each other.
They were probably the happiest couple on earth at that moment. Once the couple had their moment, the whole group came running to them, congratulating them. Leo and Yuichi looked at their family, soon-to-be in-laws for Yuichi, who were now all in front of them.
“O MY GOSH WE ARE GONNA BE BROTHERSSSS, LIKE ACTUAL BROTHERS,” Mikey yelled, jumping ecstatically in his excitement. He was never this hyper.
“Welcome to the family, Yuichi. Though to be honest… You already were.” Raph said, just smiling at the rabbit. He petted Yuichi over his head with his mystic prosthetic, and Yuichi just smiled at the massive turtle.
“Did you expect it, Leo?” April asked, grinning with her arms crossed. She wanted to let him know that she knew. When Leo looked at April, he opened his mouth in a gasp. As a reaction, she got in a sweeter tone and started to reveal more about what she and Yuichi did.
“I bought the ring with him… I hope you like it.”
“YOU KNEEWWWW?!” Leo yelled at April, a bit surprised that Yuichi would not try to keep something so emotional for himself this time. Splinter then proceeded to chime in on the conversation.
“I did too. He even asked my permission. You really have gotten a gentleman to take care of, Leonardo.”
Leo just laughed, his hand over his face. He was extremely happy with what was going on. Yuichi just put his arms around Leo’s body, his head resting on Leo’s shoulders. They didn’t care that people could see at this time, as it was all about them currently.
Leo and Yuichi held onto each other for just a moment longer, but the sound of the portal reminded them that time could not stand still. The gateway began to glow brighter, the mystic energy becoming stronger as a result. It told the group they could not say goodbye forever.
Yuichi took a step back, his hand slid slowly out of Leo’s, as though he wanted to take the last bit of Leo with him.
“Three weeks,” Yuichi said, looking deep into Leo’s eyes, his voice soft yet determined. “And then I’ll come back to you, Leo.”
Leo swallowed hard, his eyes watery but his smile steady. “Three weeks,” he echoed. “And then we will be together again.”
The others gathered closer. Mikey waved wildly, tears in his eyes but a big grin on his face. Raph placed his large hand firmly on Yuichi’s shoulder, while Donnie quickly pressed another small gadget into his hand, worrying for the rabbit.
“For emergencies. Don’t break it.” Donnie said, looking away. He was also getting a bit emotional from everything that was going on.
Then, April pulled him into a tight hug, her eyes shining with pride and joy.
“I am so proud of you, Yuichi. Be sure to send lots of photos and videos. I am going to miss you, so, so much.”
When Yuichi finally looked at Splinter, the rat nodded fatherly.
“Go, my son. Be strong and be brave. You will return with the knowledge of who you are and where you came from. And then… take good care of my boy.”
Yuichi bowed his head, gave his family one last smile, and then stepped into the portal. The light engulfed him, and with one final flash, he was gone.
Silence fell. The soft hum of the portal faded, and the emptiness became almost tangible. Leo stayed a moment longer, staring at the place where Yuichi had just been. His hand rested on the ring on his finger, his chest aching with the warmth of his lover.
“He will come back,” Leo told himself under his breath, but… the emptiness in his arms told him how heavy those three weeks would be.
Three weeks without his lover, his soulmate.
Splinter stepped beside him. His eyes were calm, his voice soft yet firm, and he put a hand on his shoulder. “Leonardo, you have entrusted your heart, and he has given you his. That is true love. I am proud of you… not only as my son, but as a man.”
Leo looked at him, his throat too tight for words. He simply nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. Then, they walked back to everyone with Splinter, and they both smiled. This made everyone smile as well. Everyone was a bit worried about how Leo would react when Yuichi left.
But they were glad that Leo seemed to be doing okay! In the end, they all gave Leo a hug at the same time, Leo being smothered with the love from his family!
On the other side of the world, Yuichi stepped out of the portal. He found himself in the Japanese Hidden City, where the air was heavy with mystic energy and the old scents of leaves and earth. It looked a lot different than the one in New York, however…
It did feel familiar to him, from all those years ago.
But… as Yuichi walked through the city, he couldn’t help but feel like he wasn’t home anymore.
He was only home with Leo. And as he had to find out about his origin, getting his map ready, he looked at the box where the ring was… one last time.
“I will be back… 3 weeks should be more than enough.”
His hands with the box drifted to his chest, and Yuichi closed his eyes, speaking to himself once again.
“Whatever truth I find of my family’s past… my heart already knows that I am at home with you, Leo.”