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lumosinlove · 3 years

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Relic Keel

Previously on Relic Keel:

Lily and James sneak out to the Lacrosse fields together. Lily learns about the treasure hunt and Luke’s father’s connection with Pascal Dumais. Her and James decide to, if not be together, than have togetherness for as long as they can.

Finn wakes up in Grimmauld and is reunited with Logan. The crew learn that a hurricane is approaching and Dorcas tries to convince Saint and Sirius to go somewhere else other than Grimmauld, which will get dangerous in the storm. Logan is looking forward to Finn meeting Leo, although he’s confused about his feelings for the blonde boy.

Luke and Saint meet in Rowena where Saint reveals he’s been staying up reading Luke’s notes in the books he’s stolen from his room. Luke wants to know more about Pascal Dumais, and learns that he helped raise Saint and Sirius after they both ran away from their homes. They agree to meet at The Lion later to confront Pascal. Saint apparently likes Luke because he hates surprises and Luke is exactly what he expects him to be—mean. He also steals Luke’s sunglasses.

Dorcas goes to Kasey Winter’s ice cream shop—he also is a safer dealer of Crucio, and she tells him she wants out. He was hoping she would go into business with himself and his girlfriend Natalie. They want to create a medicinal, therapy program for Crucio, where people who are struggling can safely use to to deal with past traumas or grief. They want it to be used correctly, not as a quick fix. Dorcas isn’t hesitant about leaving, she wants to follow Marlene, but she likes that idea.

Remus and Sirius run into each other on their way to the meeting at The Lion, and Remus invites Sirius to stay at his house for the duration of the hurricane. Sirius gets proud and angry and declines. They argue.

Pascal reveals to Sirius, Leo, Remus, Luke, and Saint that Luke’s dad, Victor, and Leo’s dad, Wyatt, were hunting the treasure together—Dumo played a smaller role, had less of an interest other than an interesting discussion about history. They figured out that the Voldemort lay off of the Cradle, a ring of rocks and tiny islands off of Hogwarts Island. They learn that there is a current called the Horcrux that escalates during a storm, revealing the bottom of the sea—or a shipwreck. Leo’s dad was killed by the current, Luke’s father was taken away years after, and the map showed up on Pascal’s doorstep a few days after that. Pascal tries to warn them off of going, but Saint and Luke seem bent on it.

Finn and Logan go to Leo’s house, only to find him crying about the truth of his father’s death. Finn learns of the treasure.

***cw: identity issues, not sure how to tag this but wanting to be alive? briefly implied (and happily concluded) past struggles with that, almost death, past death of a father, mention of blood and wounds***

part ix

Saint felt sweat snake down his bare back as he filled sandbags and shoved them up against the far side of the house. The wind already felt bad tempered. Maybe it was just him. Just Saint, the wind, and the ocean that had gone the graying blue that meant a storm. Saint thought the world should catch up already. His storm had been brewing for a long time. The promise of rain brought goosebumps over his bare back, the sun hidden by clouds, and he shoved another sand bag up against the boards, like some sort of parapet. As if they were preparing for a war.

He looked up when the noise of Sirius hammering plywood across the windows stopped. He rolled his eyes.

“Stop staring out at the ocean like a sailor’s widow.”

“Oh, we’re speaking now?” was all Sirius said.

“No,” Saint jammed his shovel into the bag of sand again.

He faintly heard Sirius sigh. “I don’t know what I did.”

Frankly, Saint wasn’t sure what Sirius had done, either. All he knew was that there was rain thrashing inside him, and wind howling in his ears, and there was gold to be had and death to be avoided.

And Luke.

He had let Luke catch him the night of Pascal’s confessions. Or maybe Luke had just caught up. He’d found Saint at the Howler Cliffs. Saint knew he was there, but kept his eyes closed, letting the wind whistle in his ears. Still, the sound of Pascal calling him his son roared louder.

“If I had known that’s all it took to rattle you, I could have saved myself a lot of time,” Luke had said, coming to stand beside him.

Saint had smiled and it felt like it had stretched his cheeks all wrong. “I didn’t know you were trying so hard.”

“You said it yourself,” Luke had replied. “Dumo took care of you.”

“It’s one thing for me to know it,” Saint snapped. “It’s—“ another thing for him to say it.

“Dumo could know more about my father,” Luke said. “Maybe—maybe the treasure can help me find out what happened to him somehow. Why no one will tell me anything. Why I can’t see him.”

“Sure, Deveaux,” Saint had kept his eyes ahead. “Tell me all about your father.”

“I need my father.”

Saint had whipped his head towards him, only to find Luke looking right back.

Luke’s eyes had been more open than Saint had ever seen them. His pain was like the sun coming through a tiny gap in drawn curtains. He didn’t let much of it show, but the mere hint became blinding. Saint felt it push against his own chest. He kept his blinds shut tight.

Luke’s voice was fainter when he repeated his words. “I need my father.”

Saint swallowed. It was nice, somehow, that Luke was self-aware enough to admit it. “What do you expect me to do about that?”

“I can’t—maybe I can’t figure this out alone.”

“I’m sure your Godlings will help with that.”

Luke shook his head. “James doesn’t understand. He’s too…happy.” Luke winced a little, the wind ruffling his tawny hair. “He’s had it too easy.”

“Lupin?”

“Remus only thinks he’s unhappy. Maybe because I am. It’s…abstract for him.”

Saint raised an eyebrow. “That’s a little rich.”

“Maybe I’m wrong,” Luke nodded.

“So, what?” Saint sighed. “Misery helps misery?”

Luke’s smile, so rare, was sad. “If it has nothing better to do.”

“Well?” Sirius said, flipping his hammer in his hand. “Feel like telling me?”

“Is it weird?” Saint asked. “That we aren’t in love?”

Sirius tilted his head at the age old question that they asked each other. It was half a joke. It was half a plea.

“I do love you,” Sirius said. “And I’d be in love with you if I could.”

“I’d be in love with you if I could,” Saint repeated, then sighed.

“We suck,” Sirius said.

“Yeah,” Saint squinted back out at the ocean, where they could see Remus’ boat.

“I do love you, though,” Sirius said, and walked down to sit on the steps, his gray eyes looking at Saint through the splintered, wooden railing. “Don’t do something stupid. I can’t lose you to the ocean. Or to anything at all.”

“And I love you, which is why we need that gold.”

“We don’t,” Sirius shook his head. “The rest of the world isn’t Gods and Hollows. You aren’t nothing or kings.”

“I have nothing better to do. And we have plain nothing—financially speaking.” Saint gestured towards the house. “Dorcas will leave for the states, and then we’ll really have nothing. We both know she’s paying—”

“We’ll go somewhere else—”

Saint tied off a sandbag with a yank. “I’m not leaving.”

“Saint.”

“I’m not.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not.”

Sirius stood, eyes cloudy. “You’re not talking to me again.”

“Huh.”

“We don’t do that!” Sirius said, voice raising. “Stop shutting me out.”

“I’m not doors and windows.”

“Saint,” Sirius’ voice held a note of begging. “What is here for us?” He motioned towards the cross that hung around Saint’s neck. “That?”

Saint grit his teeth and began to fill another bag.

“Just,” Sirius took a breath. “Just tell me why—”

Saint hurled the small spade at the side of the house, and it made a satisfying crack. “This is the only place anyone would ever know to look for me.”

The waiting storm seemed to crackle in the air around them at Saint’s words, as though he himself had struck the match to trigger it. Thunder rolled mutedly in the distance. Sirius’ eyes matched the sky.

Sirius walked forward, and Saint let him. He let him press a hand to his face, then their cheeks together as he wrapped him up in his familiar arms.

“Stop waiting for her,” Sirius’ voice was gentle in his ear. “She doesn’t deserve you.”

“We need the gold.”

“We’ll find another way.”

“I don’t want another way. I want a hunt.”

Sirius pulled back just enough to look at him. “One that has killed a man?”

Saint pulled away to retrieve the spade. “Careful is my middle name.”

Leo was embarrassed, but Finn didn’t seem to know the meaning of that word.

He watched him and Logan work wires into loops to hold together shards of found lost things that his mother had scooped up from the beach, while he sat at a workbench, repairing an old ship clock that he could hopefully paint to get rid of the wooden chips and then sell. Finn, as he had regained his strength, was laughter in a bottle. He was as fiery as the color of his hair, with lean fingers that Leo found himself watching as they handled materials, or helped him in the kitchen, or turned the pages of one of Leo’s many books. He went through them like a forest on fire.

And all Leo seemed to be able to do was cry in front of him, as he had the first night, or stare at the way him and Logan were together. Logan had opened up, his eyes lighter, his grins broader. Only his laughs remained as they had been, a soft sound, almost private. They made Leo feel as though he were being let in on a secret.

Leo blinked and Finn was standing in front of him.

“We’re making you dinner tonight,” Finn said, those same nimble fingers spread out over Leo’s work space on either side of the clock.

Leo couldn’t help his laugh. “Oh?”

“What do you feel like?” Logan asked, standing a little ways back, arms crossed over his chest. He looked like some hot gardener out of Leo’s daydreams in his tight white t-shirt and his borrowed pair of work gloves.

Leo leaned back, taking a breath. “What are my options?”

Finn looked back at Logan with a grin. “Ah…peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?” He raised an eyebrow at Logan.

“Or take-out,” Logan finished with a shrug.

Finn’s smile was teasing. “Aren’t we the best house guests you could ask for?”

Most tormenting, maybe.

Leo laughed. “Better idea—I make dinner and you two stick to clean up.”

Logan put his hands up and walked closer to the work table. “Fine by me. What are you doing again?”

Leo looked back down at the clock. “Trying to fix this. I think it's missing a gear, though.”

Finn just hummed and sat half on the table, knee propped up. It made his cross swing against his neck for a moment, and Leo looked between his and Logan’s. He wondered, not for the first time, why they didn't take them off. They didn’t have a clasp or a tie that he could see, just a thicker area where the two parts of the string had been fused together with heat. They were too short to be pulled over the head.

“Do you want me to cut those for you?” Leo asked.

Finn looked up. “Cut what?”

Leo hesitantly gestured to the spot where the crosses would have rested on his own chest, and then pointed to Finn’s.

It was like cloud cover. Logan actually gripped his protectively in a fist.

“Ah, no,” Finn said slowly. He stood straight again and ran a hand through his hair. It came to rest on the back of his neck. “No, that’s okay.”

Leo watched Finn glance at the wire clippers resting near them, and reached out to put them back in the tool box. “Okay. Just thought I’d ask.”

Logan turned away and Finn watched him, too. He swallowed. “Thanks, Leo.”

Leo flushed. It didn’t feel like a thank you. More like an appeasement. “Yeah…”

“Oh,” came a voice from the shop’s open garage door. Leo jumped a little, and looked to see Saint leaning against the side, and Luke, with his arms crossed, a little behind him, looking like a very grumpy sort of bodyguard.

Saint feigned a shiver. “The room just got colder.”

“Saint,” Finn still said the name like he was tasting something knew, but Saint looked almost pleased each time he heard it. “And…”

“Tweedle, meet Finn. Finn, meet Tweedle.”

“Luke,” Luke snapped.

Finn snorted. “Okay?”

Leo was still stuck on the necklaces, eyeing Saint’s still intact one now. He figured the numbers were a way of keeping track of the kids—but burning the string seemed like a bit much.

“What do you want?” Leo sighed. Seeing Saint made him feel raw about the news of his father’s death all over again.

“Well, you ran a little quickly from Dumo’s,” Saint replied, picking up an old lobster trap that they used for spare wire now. “Should’ve stayed. Missed some good stuff.”

“Don’t act like he’s the only one who ran,” Luke mumbled. He and Logan were eyeing each other suspiciously, no doubt remembering the night in Luke’s father’s study when Logan had nearly burned his father’s letter.

“The first wave will come tonight,” Saint said, ignoring Luke. “But if we really want our shot at the Horcrux current, we’ll need the full throttle. Boom, crack, all that.”

“Full storm hits tomorrow,” Finn said from his place beside Leo. Leo looked over at him. He was still torn between embarrassment about crying and something else. Relief? Thankfulness?

Leo tapped his fingers against the clock. “We should figure out what we need for a trip like that. The shops will be boarding up by this afternoon.”

“Kris will have what we need,” Saint replied. “A boat.”

“Kris?” Luke asked.

“He runs the marina,” Leo said.

“What I was going to say,” Saint cut in. “Was that we should run a test trip. Tonight. Before the storm is at its worst.”

“See what we’re dealing with,” Logan nodded.

“I don’t see why we need this treasure, or whatever,” Finn said. He was still fingering his necklace. “I mean…if the trip is as dangerous as it sounds…why risk it?”

Saint laughed a single note, and looked at Logan. “Oh, Lolo. You haven’t told him?”

Logan stiffened, and Finn blinked. “Told me what?”

Saint made a tisking sound. “Logan. All that trouble to get him out and you’re keeping secrets.”

“Fuck off,” Logan growled.

“Oh, you sound like Luke.”

Finn took a step forward. “Lo?”

Logan sent him a pained look, but turned away. Leo glanced at where Logan’s backpack was resting in the corner of the workshop. It had been there for days, he hadn’t been dealing, but that didn’t mean any of the problems it had caused had gone away.

“I think you’re right as far as boats go,” Leo said carefully, trying to draw the attention away from Saint’s jabs. "But he doesn’t have any equipment. Visual or otherwise. If we need that.”

Saint grinned and clapped a hand on Luke’s shoulder, having to reach up a bit to do it. “That’s where this one comes in.”

Luke scoffed. “This one?”

“We’re going to visit your too-happy friend, Tweedle.”

James was staring at his computer, trying to will himself into college, when the sliding glass kitchen door, leading in from the pool, flew open. Saint was there, along with Luke, and three boys James didn’t recognize—or no, he knew the brunette and the blond from the restaurant in The Hollow.

“You have two hundred of my dollars,” he said, pointing his pencil at the brunette. The redhead beside him narrowed his eyes in confusion.

“That you offered,” the brown haired boy crossed his arms.

“Yeah, as part of a bargain,” James looked at Luke over his glasses. “Was the other end held up? Don’t think so.”

Luke just rolled his eyes.

“Well you’re going to have to pay up again, Potter,” Saint said, sliding onto the kitchen island stool across from James.

“Excuse me?”

“Not in money this time.”

James looked around at them all warily for a moment before sighing and knocking his computer shut. “Well, you’re already in my kitchen. And I’m already miserable.”

Luke coughed out a laugh and Saint seemed to bite back a smile, too.

“You need what exactly?” James asked.

“Lights Diving equipment. Don’t go running to Sirius, though.”

James raised an eyebrow. “I’d drive.”

“Ha, ha,” Saint rolled his eyes. “Now, can we borrow it?”

“Is this about that treasure?” James asked. “Because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the ocean is fucking deep. Deeper than my summer of sophomore year scuba pastime will get you.”

“Deeper than you?” Logan mumbled, and James glared.

Luke let out a laugh and Saint paused in whatever he had been about to say and turned to look at him. It was almost—awkward.

“What?” Luke snapped, rubbing a hand over some stubble on his cheek. “That was a very Potter statement.”

James had never seen Saint stutter before, or fidget, but that’s what he did when he turned back around to face James.

“Can you get it?” Saint sighed.

James snorted and gestured to the TV mounted above the microwave playing the news. “I’m sorry, am I the only one who knows about the quickly approaching hurricane?”

“Details,” the brunette mumbled.

“It’s for later,” Saint said.

“Then I’ll give it to you later.”

Saint scowled.

James sighed and pushed himself from his stool. “You’re not actually going out into that storm with my help.”

“For Luke,” Saint said. “For his father. This might be our only lead, and our only chance. Until the next storm, at least, at which point you won’t be able to stop us because we won’t come to you for help.”

James yanked the refrigerator open. “Don’t guilt me.”

“James,” Luke said and James didn’t look at him. “Please. I—”

“And this will fix what, exactly?” James sighed. He closed the refrigerator harder than necessary, and the sound of rattling bottles from within filled the silence as he turned on Luke. Luke, who he’d known forever. Luke, who he’d tried to help. Luke, who had done everything except try recently. It frustrated James more than he knew it should.

“It could,” Luke bit out haltingly. “Fix something.”

“What?”

He could practically feel the anger in Luke’s next breath. “My dad was all but—stolen away in the night. No explanation. No goodbye. And now this? A letter, a name, a treasure hunt that turns out to be something more than the fucking bedtime story? J, come on, please.”

James cracked the seal on his drink. “Once again. Hurricane.”

“That doesn’t matter!” Luke said. “We need a storm.”

“You need to get a fucking grip,” James felt heat building behind his words. “Luke, this isn’t—you’re just trying to…distract yourself, or something, and I get it, I do, but—”

“You don’t,” Luke snapped, voice raising.” You don't know what it’s like. You’ve been wrapped in fucking silk and fleece for your entire life. Your parents love you more than anything. You don’t understand what it’s like. You don’t understand anything beyond your own fucking front porch.”

Luke’s words sapped the air from the room like lightning and a dead fuse. His brown eyes widened, just a little, the green dark today. His chest moved rapidly, his cheeks flushed. The three other boys glanced at each other from Luke’s shoulder.

James cleared his throat. He set his drink on the counter.

“How long have you been holding that in, huh?” he said.

“I…” Luke began. He pushed his hair off of his forehead, but it feathered back into place. “I haven’t, I…J, I’m—”

“And the Crucio?” James asked.

“I’m,” Luke’s eyes shifted away. “I’m not.”

“Liar.”

Saint seemed to be holding himself very still. They all were.

“J,” Luke had a pleading note to his voice now.

“They’re in the basement,” James cut him off, sliding back on his stool and opening his laptop. “My mom labels everything down there. But I don’t think it’ll help you.”

“Great,” Saint knocked his knuckles on the countertop and was off, the other three following.

James could feel Luke standing there, frozen and hesitant. He kept his eyes trained on his screen, and his blank page, the cursor blinking.

“Just go,” James mumbled, and Luke did.

James didn’t look up when they left.

He didn’t look up as evening turned into night, or when the sky opened up for the winds and rain to begin their thrashing on the island.

Kris Lavolie had his boats and his daughter. The marina was shut tight when they got there, Logan running behind the others as they dashed through the rain to the door. Logan expected Saint to pound on the glass, but instead they only used the slight shard of roof the ran along the edge of the building as protection, the five of them racing in a line around the property until they got to the marina. All of the boats were dry-docked and covered tightly with pinned tarps. Saint surveyed them with steely eyes for a moment. His hair looked like molten gold in its drenched state.

Logan shivered and felt Finn press him against his side. He glanced at Leo, who had his arms wrapped around himself.

“This one,” Luke said. “It’s like my dad’s. I can drive it.”

Saint gave a nod and the two of them didn’t wait to see if Logan and the others would follow before they were walking down the swaying dock. They didn’t have to worry about making noise and drawing Kris out. The storm hid them.

Logan eyed the waves as he stood between Finn and Leo. They were rolling and white-capped. He looked up at Leo to see him staring, too.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Logan asked. He tried to think of a way to tell Leo that, if he did, he was with him. He also tried to think of a kind way to tell him he thought they were insane, now that he was face-to-face with the raging winds. He needed the money, sure, but he wanted his life, too. He didn’t think the Carrows would kill him, but he didn’t know. The wind stung his eyes and whipped his hair off his forehead. He’d lost his hat somewhere, he didn’t know when. He reached up to his temple, his shirt sticking to his skin. He hadn’t even felt it blow away.

Leo shook his head as they approached the boat where Saint and Luke were efficiently untying the tarp.

“No.” Leo took a shaky breath. “He died out there. He wouldn’t want me to—”

Saint looked up, blinking hard against the lashing rain, from where he was shoving the tarp into a storage compartment. “You cannot back out now.”

Leo’s blue eyes matched the dark waves. He put a hand on Logan’s shoulder, a slight pressure to turn him around. “Yes, we can. This is insane, the winds are too strong.”

“Your dad—” Saint began, both of them yelling over the howling wind.

“Didn’t raise me to be stupid,” Leo said. “Or to get my friends killed. I’m sorry, I know you’re doing this for me.”

Saint scoffed. “For you? This isn’t for you. We all do things for ourselves. Bail-outs,” he gestured to Logan, and then to Luke. “Answers. I thought you wanted a few of those yourself.”

“And what would my mom think? Both of us, my dad and me, drowned?”

Saint’s jaw muscles jumped from where he stood beside Luke in the boat. “You wouldn’t be there to know what she thought, would you? What does it matter?”

Logan thought he saw Luke flinch a little, but he kept his head down, fishing the keys from the glovebox.

Logan followed Leo another step back, looking frantically for Finn, only to find him already at his side.

“We shouldn’t,” Finn whispered right in Logan’s ear, breath warm. “Lo…”

“Saint,” Logan yelled. “Leo’s right.”

“Come on,” Finn shook his head. “Let’s go. This is insane.”

“We’re going,” Luke said, eyes on Saint. “We got this far.”

Logan hesitated. He didn’t know Luke. He certainly didn’t like him.

“Don’t be stupid,” he still found himself saying, then swallowed beneath the weight of his next words. “You’re selfish, to risk your friend’s life.”

Logan couldn’t hear Saint’s laugh beneath the wind, but he could see the smile. “Bold words, coming form you, Logan.”

Logan felt Finn’s cold fingers slip into his own and squeeze.

“Come back with us,” Leo shouted over the storm. “Come—”

But Luke pressed the button that would lower them into the water. Logan only just could hear the hum of the machine. Logan watched as Luke jammed the keys into the ignition and lowered the motor. The second the bottom hit water the engine roared to life. Finn took a halting step forward, and Logan had the brief thought of doing the same, prying them from the boat. Leo’s father’s story flooded through him. He felt like he was watching someone die. He gripped Finn’s hand tighter, his other raising on its own to fist the back of Leo’s t-shirt. He didn’t want either of them getting stuck on that boat if they couldn’t get to the keys. The boat rocked dangerously as it tried to get a crest over the violent waves. With one last dark look from Saint, they took off over the wild water.

“They made their choice,” Logan said. “God, they’re going to get themselves killed, I…”

“We need to get the coast guard,” Leo said, and then turned down the dock and ran.

Logan looked up at Finn, whose wild expression matched his own.

“I’m glad we’re not…” Finn said. “I didn’t understand…I don’t understand this.”

Logan pressed a hand to his cheek. “I’m not risking you. Not again.”

Finn pressed his palm over Logan’s. “What aren’t you telling me, Lo?”

Logan closed his eyes. “I will. I will tell you.”

And then they turned after Leo.

It was like the wind was trying to rip the Hollow free of the island. The coast guard boats had been out, and Leo had figured they’d be by the point and so they’d ran half across the islands to The Hollow, where it would be the most dangerous. Sure enough, trees were down, and wires lay in dangerous puddles. Sandbags lay soaked and spilled across the ground.

Logan’s eye caught on the red of the police cars’ lights flashing across Finn’s face, made fragmented and liquid by the heavy rain. He couldn’t help but feel the surreality of having Finn beside him all over again. There had been a time where he had been positive that he would get caught, that he would be sent back to St. Clair in a heartbeat. He had spent so long avoiding any sight of the police. It felt strange to be seeking them now, but Leo was on a mission. His tall frame looked above heads, but the guards weren’t anywhere near their cars. Logan spied Sirius’ familiar dark hair only seconds before Leo did.

“Sirius!” Leo shouted, and Logan and Finn ran after him. Sirius was in the street with so many of the other Hollows, watching the storm try to rip at their homes.

“What are you guys doing out?” Sirius yelled, trying to see them through the rain.

“It’s Saint,” Logan said. “It’s Saint and Luke. Where are the police, where—”

But Logan didn’t think Sirius was listening anymore. Sirius’ face dropped to an expression Logan recognized, one he had felt on his own face when he realized that he had escaped St. Clair, and Finn had sacrificed himself and stayed.

Sirius pushed through them and took off towards Godric at a run.

Luke knew they were insane. He could barely keep his footing the closer they got to the Cradle. The wind was skewing the rain so much that it seemed like they were driving through water, too, the headlights making the steam and pellets seem like a solid wall to be breached.

“Third rock from the left point,” Saint shouted over the roar. “Closest to the Salazar coast!”

“We can’t get caught up in it,” Luke shouted back, wrists aching with the effort of keeping the boat on course.

Saint shook his head, hair plastered down and falling in his eyes. “We won’t be able to see any other way. If it can carry us, we’ll be safer from the rocks.”

They hit a particularly brutal wave and Saint was jolted forward, without the stability that the driver’s seat provided Luke, and right into Luke’s side.

Luke caught him with one arm. Saint’s hand shot out to replace Luke’s, now around his waist, on the wheel, and they steadied the craft together.

“We’re fucking insane,” Luke shouted.

“Insanity likes company.”

Luke looked at him, risking taking his eyes away from the approaching rocks for a moment. “That’s misery.”

Saint glanced up at him. “We’re that, too.” Then his eyes widened as he looked out over the dark waves.

“The Horcrux,” Saint breathed, and Luke could barely speak.

“The middle,” he managed. “Look.”

There was bare sand in the middle of the circle of rocks, the wet grains being whipped into a frenzy as if by magic, the water pulling outwards. He didn’t know how that was possible. It was bizarre. It was too strange.

“There,” Saint pointed as they inched closer. Luke’s neck hurt from the jerk of being lifted up by the waves and crashed back down again. Luke squinted, trying to see through the rain and the small sand storm alike. They were right at the rocks now. “Do you see it? Are they planks? That looks like—”

Luke jolted as he felt the steering wheel stutter and then go loose in his hands. He turned it once, twice, but it was as though the mechanism had snapped. The boat lurched forward.

“We’re being pulled!” Luke said, panic clawing up his throat. “I can’t—”

Luke slipped from the wet leather seats, landing hard on his back on the deck of the boat, Saint beside him.

The steering wheel was useless. They were being carried now. By the waves. By the current. Maybe by chance. It was almost like floating, had it not been for the wind and rain. That made it feel like a free-fall.

Luke had his arms around Saint’s waist, Saint’s around his. It felt like they were pinned to the deck.

“Either the storm will pass,” Luke breathed. He couldn’t keep his mouth from brushing Saint’s temple, with the motion and the way they clutched each other. “And the current will slow, and we’ll be dashed against the rocks from momentum.”

“Or?” Saint’s breath brushed his jaw.

Salt sprayed as the boat jostled and knocked them together. “I didn’t think that far.”

“That Greek myth,” Saint said. Luke could feel his fingers digging into his back. “The whirlpool.”

“Maybe a monster would be a quicker death.”

Saint’s laugh sounded strained. “Quicker than rocks?”

“A better story, then,” Luke replied. “No one to tell, though.”

“We’ll know.”

Luke gripped him tighter as the wind seemed to pick up, howling. His breathing came fast. “You told Leo the dead know nothing.”

Saint picked his head up, looking at Luke through the rain. Their foreheads pressed together. Luke’s eyes burned.

“I don’t want to know nothing,” Luke choked out.

Saint didn’t say anything. Luke had never known him to be silent, but he just stared as the boat lurched beneath them. Then, Saint tilted his chin forward, only a few centimeters, but it brought their mouths together in a firm kiss. It was warm, against the chilling rage above. Luke closed his eyes, and let the feeling of lightning brush through him. Warm heat.

They didn’t pull away so much as were pulled apart then knocked back together, Luke’s lips pressing to the corner of Saint’s mouth, then his cheek. Saint brought his hand up to Luke’s jaw to steady him. For a moment, it had felt like they had stopped spinning round and round.

“Why did you do that?” Luke breathed. He didn’t know how Saint heard him over the roar, but he did.

“What do you mean?” Saint said. His eyes were molten and—afraid, Luke realized. The rain on his face looked like tears, and he traced his thumb over Luke’s lip. “I steal things from you all the time.”

There was a horrible, jagged wrenching sound, and Luke found himself plunged into the water, Saint ripped from his arms.

The rain lashed against the windows of Remus’ bedroom, and Remus looked out into the falling dark.

“What a dick,” he mumbled aloud to himself.

He couldn’t figure Sirius out. He didn’t seem unkind—until someone was kind to him, at least.

It made Remus want to kill him with kindness and just kill him period. He’d been so happy on the Wolfsbane. He’d been horrible at The Lion. Proud.

Remus rubbed his eyes, closing his laptop. It was the storm. That was all. He looked towards the direction of the docks. He hoped the planks survived. He’d kept his boat as safe as he could, cranked up the tracks onto the grass, sails down, tarped up.

He smirked. Luke would laugh at him if he could see him worrying like a mother. Sirius, on the other hand…Remus thought Sirius might have worried, too. Remus sighed. There Sirius was again. Popping up.

It was why he thought he must be imagining it when he looked down and saw Sirius standing at the door he had named to him, in the side of Bane Tower, soaking wet and staring behind him, out at the ocean.

“Shit,” Remus threw his computer to the side, and his bedroom door open.

The old wooden tower stairs groaned beneath his quick feet, and he winced as a splinter ripped at his palm as he threw himself around the bend at the bottom and pulled open the door.

Rain hit him immediately. Sirius jolted around. His eyes were like gray moonlight.

“I…” Sirius began, but didn’t seem able to say any more, just blinked at Remus through the heavy wind and rain. Remus didn’t hesitate, just pulled Sirius inside and slammed the door shut again.

“Are you okay?” Remus asked.

Sirius was just staring at the door. Maybe thinking of the rough ocean still.

“Sirius,” Remus pressed, taking Sirius’ broad shoulders in his hands and giving him a shake. He was hot, even feverish, despite the frigid rain. “Are you hurt?”

Sirius just looked at him with wild eyes and shook his head. His dark hair clung to his forehead, his gray eyes cat-like and afraid.

“Is anyone else at your house? In the Hollow?”

Sirius shook his head again—his entire body was shaking, Remus realized. “No, Dorcas went to Marlene’s. The—everyone’s in the street—Saint—”

“Saint?”

“Saint is out there,” Sirius’ words practically tore out of his throat. He pushed his soaked hair out of his face. “He went out there and—and—the treasure. The—”

“The current,” Remus repeated, and Sirius pressed a hand over his eyes.

“I should have know. I should have known he’d never listen. He’d never—”

Remus didn’t pause to listen to more. He swore and snatched two windbreakers from the hooks by the door, plus a fleece. He shoved the fleece and jacket into Sirius’ chest.

“Put those on.”

“We can’t,” Sirius’ words choked off to catch his breath. “How will we follow them? I didn’t think you would—”

“Why else would you be here?” Remus said. He shoved gloves over his hands. The rope would be wet, slippery, and he didn’t want to deal with blisters and ripped up palms for weeks to come. He handed Sirius a pair, too. “I don’t know why I’m doing this for you. We should call the police.”

“Leo is trying to find them.”

Remus shoved a sweatshirt over his head. “Is that how you found out?”

Sirius nodded, zipping the breaker up. “Leo, Logan, and Finn. They came running up, and said Saint and Luke—”

“Luke?” Remus froze. His stomach dropped. “Luke is out there.”

Sirius’ eyes flickered, but he nodded after a moment.

Remus didn’t have the time to try and figure him out. Not now. He reached for the door. “Come on—”

“Remus?”

Remus froze all over again, his hand on the handle. He felt Sirius shift uncomfortably beside him, and then Remus turned to see his little brother standing there on the bottom step, in his pajamas.

“Jules,” Remus breathed. “What are you doing awake?”

Julian’s eyes flicked from Sirius and back. “I heard you. There’s a storm.” He looked at their outfits. “Where are you going?”

“We have…” Remus trailed off. “We have to pick up a friend. I’ll be right back.”

Julian stepped down the last stair. “I want to come with you. Your gloves. Are you going—on the water?”

“No,” Remus said. “No, no, we’re—It’s…”

“I want to go with you. Can I?” Julian looked at the door. “I never get to. Mom says—“

“Jules,” Remus said, bending down and pressed his hand through Julian’s sleep mussed hair. “Julian. You have to stay. You have to stay here, okay? It’s really, really dangerous outside.”

“But you’re going outside.”

“I know,” Remus let his eyes fall shut for a moment. “I know I am.”

“I’ll tell mom.”

“No,” Remus pleaded. “Jules, please. We have to go and you have—you need to stay. Please. I’ll take you out on the Wolfsbane. I’ll do whatever you want, just—Please.”

Julian didn’t look convinced.

“We have to go,” Sirius’ rough voice came. “Remus.”

Remus rose. “Julian, do not follow us. Wolfsbane, super early, mom never has to know. I’ll teach you. You know I’ve always wanted to teach you.”

Remus ruffled Julian’s hair, and then rose, turning to Sirius.

“Now,” he nodded towards the door.

It was a struggle, getting the tarp off while the wind whipped it back in their faces. Getting the sails straightened, but loose enough so that the mast wouldn’t swing right around once they cranked it back into the water. He kept them low.

Remus peered at Sirius, swiping a hand over his eyes. “We’ll have to use the motor. There’s no way I can control too much of this wind.”

Sirius nodded, but he looked panicked. “They could be—anywhere, already in the water.”

“Well, look on the bright side,” Remus snapped. Sirius was all nerves, and they couldn’t afford that. “At least they won’t freeze to death. They’re not far from the coast.”

Remus was breathing hard by the time they swung themselves into the boat and were jetting haltingly away from the dock. The nose bowed this way and that, and Remus risked raising the sails, just a little. It seemed to straighten them out enough. His fingers already ached from the tight, adrenaline-filled grip he held on the lines. He didn’t dare tie it off, the might need to drop them quickly.

“The Cradle,” Sirius shouted against the wind.

“I know,” Remus yelled back. “We can’t go in the Horcrux. We’ll just get stuck. The boat won’t survive it, we’ll tip.”

“Fine,” Sirius said. He was just sitting there, water splashing over the sides and soaking their shoes.

Remus tossed him a bucket. “Bail.”

Sirius did, and pretty quickly, too, but the waves were high.

“This was fucking stupid,” Remus muttered to himself.

The Cradle rose up as if out of mist, and Remus could see its ring of water, swirling within. It was practically a tide-pool, vicious and smooth. It almost looked inviting, like some water-park ride. Remus eyed the sands swirling in the middle with half a mind going to the bedtime stories his grandfather had told him.

“A desert storm in the sea,” he breathed.

The rocks looked like jagged death sentences, and that was when he spied the two shapes, one on the rock closest to them, and the other all the way on the other side of the ring.

“There!” he shouted, and Sirius jolted up. “On the rocks, can you see them?”

Sirius nodded and tossed the bucket down in favor of catching up a rope. He began to fashion it into a sort of hook, a circle that could be slipped around the waist.

Remus wondered where he’d learned that, and Sirius seemed to read it on his face.

“Dumo,” he said, and wiped his sleeve over his face, trying to clear the rain. “How close can we get?”

“I don’t know,” Remus shouted, turning the boat into the next wave and letting it crest more safely over the nose. “Let’s go around, the rocks could wreck us.”

They came to Luke first.

Remus shouted his name twice before Luke looked up. He was clinging to one of the rocks, soaked to the bone and bleeding from a cut to his head. Remus looked to the water. There was no sign of their boat.

“Luke!” Remus shouted.

“Remus,” Luke’s voice sounded far away, though he was just feet from them. “Saint—I—I don’t see—”

“He’s there!” Sirius shouted, eyes trained on Saint’s figure on the other side of the ring. It was perfectly still. Sirius seemed to shake himself and held the rope high, feet spread wide to keep his balance as Remus kept having to turn the boat this way and that to keep their place in the waves. “Can you grab this if I throw it?”

Luke nodded, and his eyes slipped shut. Remus felt panic seize him.

“Yes,” Luke shouted. “Yes.”

“Hurry!” Remus urged. His arms were shaking already, and he still needed to get them over to Saint.

Sirius tossed the rope out. It was a good throw, but he nearly lost his balance doing it. Remus nearly let go of the sails going to catch him, the rope slipping dangerously through his fingers as he lunged to grab the back of Sirius’ jacket.

Sirius shook him off. “The sails!”

Remus leaned back on his heels to get the rope to stop pulling, his teeth clenched. “Just saved your life, your welcome,” he mumbled.

Sirius didn’t hear him.

“Around your waist!” he was shouting, and kept the rope free of the tiller as Remus brought them about again.

Luke followed his instructions shakily, slipping into the water on the outside of the rocks, where the pull would be straight instead of sideways. Sirius hauled him through the waves, and Luke pulled himself up onto the deck coughing.

“Luke,” Remus’ voice broke. He wanted to go to him, but he couldn’t let go. “Luke, Luke—”

“I’m okay,” Luke coughed out.

“Your head,” Remus couldn’t look to long as he let the changing wind guide them out farther towards the horizon, trying to find a calmer path.

Luke touched his fingers to his temple and looked down at the red that came away with them. “Oh.”

“Saint!” Sirius was shouting, but the moonlit silhouette on the rock wasn’t so much as stirring.

Remus had to weave them out four more times before they got close enough to the rock to see Saint’s face. He had a nasty slice that ran from his forehead to his cheek, the red dripping down his jaw and mouth in jagged, rain-washed lines.

“Saint!”

It was Sirius and Luke’s voice in unison this time.

Sirius cursed and tore off his jackets and gloves, then took the looped rope from around Luke, securing it tightly around his own waist instead. He looked at Luke. “You have to—”

“Pull him in,” Luke said, eyes on Saint. “I know.”

“And me,” Sirius snapped, then shouted Saint’s name again. There was still no response.

Remus was struck with the thought that Saint looked like something out of a myth. Odysseus, washed ashore, or a deadly Siren, luring them in, the passing sailors, for his next meal.

Sirius looked back at Remus, who could only stare back, horrified, as he dove into the water.

He surfaced farther away than Remus expected, carried towards the rocks by the powerful current. Luke cursed as the rope slid quickly through his hands.

“The gloves!” Remus shouted, and Luke tied the rope off for a moment, to shove them onto his hands. He kept it hooked around one of the boat railings, letting the boat bear some of Sirius and the sea’s weight.

There was a terrifying moment where Sirius nearly slipped right past the rock, but he held on, hauling himself up beside Saint’s body.

Remus brought the boat about again and whipped his head back to see if they were in the water yet. Sirius was touching Saint’s cheek, his mouth, and then he was wrapping him up in his arms. He slipped messily back into the water and Luke pulled hard. Remus could see his muscles shaking, his wound bleeding. Remus squeezed his eyes shut, thinking of all the times they’d played pirate. This wasn’t any sort of make-believe.

It was harder, getting Saint into the boat. Sirius had to cling to the side with one hand and try to lift him from the water with the other. Luke reached down and hauled Saint up by his arms, knocking Saint’s head against the rails in the process.

“Fuck,” Luke’s wind-snatched voice came.

Sirius tumbled over a moment later, spitting salt water and crawling on his hands and knees towards Saint. Luke was already there, listening for breath. Remus had never seen him look so scared. Not even when his father was taken away.

“Get us out of here!” Sirius shouted at him, and Remus didn’t waste energy being angry at him.

The closer they got to shore, the more scared Remus felt. Without the wildness of the storm would come the stillness of land. And if Saint—if he was—

“Breathe,” Luke was shouting as he pressed in even strokes on Saint’s chest. He plugged Saint’s nose and blew air into his lungs. “Breathe you fucking thief.”

Remus couldn’t watch. His eyes stung but he looked into the full-mooned dark—and he saw a shape. There was a silhouette of a boat, a rowboat, moving back and forth dangerously with the waves. Its sides were so low that it had to be filled with inches in water. They got closer, and Remus heard someone crying.

His heart gave a painful squeeze.

He knew that cry. He knew that boat.

“Julian!” the shout all but shredded his throat.

Julian’s small figure was barely keeping the oars in their nooks. The sailboat’s weak light lit his face in red. His hair was plastered against his forehead and his face was screwed up in fear.

“Remus!” his voice barely carried. “I—”

Remus didn’t even have time to see the wave before it threw Julian dangerously to the side. He screamed, and Remus thought he heard himself scream, too.

The rope slid along his palms as the sails swung around. He ducked beneath the metal bar and drove for the rowboat.

“Julian! Don’t move! Try to stay in the center!”

Sirius was at his side, rope in his hands.

Julian had his eyes squeezed shut as he felt his way through the water, up to his knees now, in the boat.

“Julian look at me! Look at me!” Remus shouted. “You have to catch this. Sirius is going to throw this to you, and you’re going to slip it around your waist—”

Julian’s eyes were wide and golden. “The sharks—”

Remus shook his head, a sob ripping from his throat. “There aren’t sharks now. There aren’t, now listen. You’re—“ The sails swung and he felt Sirius’ palm cover his head and push him down as the boat came around again. “You’re going to put this around your waist and make sure it’s tight, okay?” Then you’re going to jump in and we’re going to pull you up.”

Remus’ throat ached from shouting, but thin tendrils of relief shot through him when Julian nodded.

Sirius’ aim was true, and Julian almost lost it over the side, but he grabbed it quickly. He put it over his head, and pulled it tight, but look over the side of the boat timidly, then up at Remus.

“I can’t see the bottom,” Julian cried. “I don’t like not being able to—”

“Julian, you jump right now,” Remus said. “Right now, come to me, Jules.”

Julian closed his eyes and leapt.

He disappeared beneath the surface for a terrifying second, and then his head broke through again, gasping and spluttering when a wave hit him right away.

Remus distinctly heard coughing from behind him—Saint—and Luke cursing him out in a broken voice.

Sirius leaned over the side and pulled Julian up and into his arms.

“The sails,” Remus shouted at him, and Sirius took the ropes from his hands wordlessly. Remus dropped to his knees and pulled Julian, larger with his life-jacket on, against his chest.

“The row—” Julian began.

“Let it go,” Remus held onto him, maybe too tightly. “Let it go.”

Remus shut the door to Bane Tower too hard. It was blissfully warm inside. Julian was wrapped in every blanket that Remus had been able to find and clutching a cup of hot chocolate from the electric kettle they kept down here. Sirius was crouched beside him, having been holding Remus’ place until he returned from securing the Wolfsbane. Saint and Luke were standing by the stairs, still dripping, with more blankets around their shoulders. There were clusters of bloody paper towels where Luke had been taping up Saint’s gash when Remus had left for the boat after letting them in. Luke’s own wound looked clean now, and more like a bruise.

Remus didn’t look at any of them, just stared at Julian, sitting there with a tear stained face, safe. He’d never known relief and guilt could feel so similar.

“Lupin,” Saint broke the silence softly, then cleared his throat. It was still rough from the salt water that had been in his lungs. He stepped forward “Remus—”

“I almost lost my little brother,” Remus said lowly, and then it was like he really realized it, and he crossed the room to shove Saint backwards. “And you would not have been worth it. You never would have been worth it.”

“Re—“ Luke stepped forward.

“No,” Remus shouted. “No.”

Saint’s lips pressed into a thin line. He swallowed. “I know. I’m sorry, Remus.”

Remus turned his back, trying to catch his breath. Sirius stepped out of his way as he went to Julian, clutching his shivering body close to him. He couldn’t look at them, at Luke. Not now.

“I won’t tell mom,” Julian mumbled through his chattering teeth.

“Shh,” Remus whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of his head. He smelled like he had always smelled, even when Remus had first held him as a baby. Even through the salt of the sea. He felt his own lip tremble. “It’s okay.”

The walls creaked dangerously in the winds. At least it was dry. They were all silent, the only sound their panting breaths, until Remus looked up when Sirius rose. He walked straight at Saint and shoved him hard in the chest, too. Saint stumbled backwards like he had expected it. His eyes looked gold in the dim light, and understanding.

“I know,” Saint said.

“What were you thinking?” Sirius’ voice was uneven. Luke looked down.

“Sometimes I don’t,” Saint replied with his familiar evenness.

Sirius just let out a shuddering sound, pushed Saint again, but caught his blanket hem at the last minute and pulled him against his chest. He cupped a hand against Saint’s cheek and kissed him with a bruising pressure. Remus let his eyes trail over the way Saint’s fingers knotted in the back of Sirius’ shirt. Luke turned away. Remus wished he could, but instead he watched Sirius pull away slowly, then brush their lips together once more, with a pain in his chest.

Remus was so angry with himself for feeling any of that at all right now that he almost didn’t stop them from leaving when it was time. But this was just the beginning, the first wave.

“There’s going to be more and it’s only going to get worse,” he sighed instead. Sirius looked up at him. He was at Saint’s shoulder like he couldn’t move away. “You can’t stay in the Hollow.”

Sirius couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in a room with AC, and, as if reading his mind, Saint suddenly threw their covers back and cracked both of the windows open, just enough to let the humid night air in without the rain. Thunder rolled. Sirius watched his silhouette squint at the thermostat in the dark, and heard the faint beep as he turned it off. He hadn’t realized how loud the machine had been until all was quiet save for the storm, and Saint was slipping back beneath the covers.

They lay there beside each other, a feeling that was as familiar to Sirius as breathing. So, why did it feel so strange?

“You could have died,” Sirius said into the dark.

“I’m sorry.”

Sirius looked over at him. Saint didn’t often apologize. That was twice in one night.

“I don’t even know…” Sirius shook his head up at the ceiling, trying to get the image of Saint’s lifeless body out of his head. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“I kissed him,” Saint said, and Sirius turned his head. Saint was staring at him already. “I kissed him.”

“You kiss me all the time.”

“You kissed me in front of him.”

“And you wish I hadn’t?” Sirius asked.

Saint seemed to be trying to play it all out in his head, eyes far away. He looked back at the ceiling.

“No. I love being with you. Touching you. Laughing or fucking or surfing. I was just scared. You were just scared, though. Maybe I’m always just scared.”

“Being scared isn’t really a just feeling. It’s important.”

“Maybe he’ll get the wrong impression. Go all—soft on me.” Saint flicked his eyes towards Sirius. “You never do that. You just treat me like I’m me. Not a boyfriend or a girlfriend or a best friend or a lover just…two people.” Saint closed his eyes. “Just two people who are doing what makes them happy. What feels good or right.”

“This is what you’re thinking about right now?” Sirius scoffed. “You almost died.”

Saint took a slow breath in. “I didn’t want to. I wanted live so badly. But for what?” Saint looked at Sirius again, and this time, there was fear there. “I don’t even know who I am. Why should I want things if I don’t even know that?”

Sirius let that sink in. He wanted everything for Saint, but, most of all, he wanted to see that cross ripped from around his neck.

“Maybe living is about finding out who you are. You’re allowed to change, Saint. Your name…anything.” Sirius reached for Saint’s hands beneath the covers and Saint held on tight. “And I’m going to love you through it all. In whatever way, in all the ways, we do love.”

Saint stayed quiet for a moment, and then he turned onto his side and Sirius mirrored him. They rested their foreheads together. Saint’s free hand clutched his cross.

“I’m so tired of being number seven,” Saint whispered.

“You were never number seven,” Sirius whispered back, stroking a hand through Saint’s hair. “You’re you.”

Remus and Luke lay in Remus’ bed. Remus had Julian tucked against his outer side, sound asleep, and Luke may not have been as close, but Remus could feel his body heat as they stared up at the ceiling in silence.

“Thanks for not making me go home,” Luke broke the quiet.

Remus nodded. “Yeah.”

“Saint’s probably going to steal something from your guest bedroom,” Luke mumbled.

“Hasn’t he taken enough?” Remus replied quietly.

He could see that Luke looked at him from the corner of his eye.

“It wasn’t just his fault,” he said insistently. “I went out there, too.”

“And the others?”

“Leo wouldn’t let them go. He said it was too dangerous. Which,” Luke sighed. “Which of course only made Saint want to go more.”

“And you went with him?” Remus turned to look at him, too. They were so close that their noses nearly brushed. “Luke.”

“I need answers, Re,” Luke whispered urgently. His brown-green eyes were pleading. “I can’t stay in that house, not with the way it is. I need…”

“We need to get off of this island.”

“Leaving won’t help my dad.”

“Neither will getting yourself killed,” Remus snapped, then closed his eyes. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry.”

Luke shook his head. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You’re right.”

Remus swallowed, focusing on the green in Luke’s eye. He reached up with the hand resting between them, and brushed his finger just below it. “Captain Green-Sea.”

Luke blinked, and the faintest of smiles crossed his face. It had been his pirate name, when they were younger, named after the sliver of green that shone out of the brown in his right iris.

“Captain Wolfsbane,” Luke whispered back. “We loved that game.”

“I’m worried you thought it was a game tonight.”

Luke’s brows drew together. “No. It’s the opposite. I feel—like I’m missing something he left me, Re. Like my dad is trying to…Saint helped me.” Luke swallowed and brought his hand up to Remus’ cheek. “You helped me. Thank you.”

Remus didn’t dare move when he felt Luke’s thumb brush his lower lip.

“You know,” Luke whispered. “Sometimes I wish we…”

Remus nodded gently. “I know.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“You’re mine,” Remus replied, then smiled, just a little. “That means more to me than anything else.”

Luke smiled, too, and tapped his thumb twice on Remus’ chin before slipping their hands together and squeezing tight. Remus closed his eyes, feeling more settled than he expected to tonight.

“My head fucking hurts,” Luke said after a while.

Remus snorted and held Julian closer. “That’s your own fault.”

“I do love you, you know,” Luke added after another moment.

Remus squeezed his hand again. “I love you, too.”

“Captain Wolfsbane,” Luke’s voice sounded more asleep now.

Remus just smiled.

#relic keel lumosinlove #wolfstar #harry potter #cw above #lumosinlove #lumosinlove ocs #sirius black #remus lupin #sirius x remus #remus x sirius #Luke deveaux #saint #st tweedle #jily

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dakotafinely · 3 years

Note

Okay yay! How about Splinter finding out about savage Raph and finally revealing the trauma that caused it? (Captured by hunter and escaped in savage mode after biting the man’s hand off...alligator snapper CHOMP)

Wow, immediate angst. Not that I’m against it or anything. Also, I like how you add that little () note. It’s a nice touch (and totally helps me start writing so-) anyways! Let’s get into it!

Side note: WOW this gets super long. So I put a little keep reading for those who don’t actually care about the story.

Raph never intentionally kept it from Splinter. It was something he didn’t like thinking about. And his brother’s never really thought to ask about it. One could suppose everyone thought the old rat knew and just didn’t want to explain it. Or that maybe it was something he just couldn’t explain away. Either way, that had all changed today.

The trio of little brother’s had made the mistake of leaving Raph alone down deep in the sewers. It wasn’t intentional, as the trio often forgot their older brother would break the longer he was alone. Since they usually didn’t really leave each other’s sides. And didn’t have the same issue as Raph had.

It was a chase. It was always a chase.

On the rare occasion that Raph did become savage. It was usually him chasing them, or something he was going to kill. The instinct to survive his main priority and the trio being seen as potential threats in the lenses of savage mode. But something was different.

Mikey had noticed it when the group returned to Raph’s location. Instead of the enraged attacks of Savage Raph, or the whines/scolds of Raph telling them they shouldn’t have been gone for so long. Raph sat in a corner, pressed against the wall furthest from the brothers. He was growling, a threat of course. But it seemed empty as with each step they took towards him. He simply wiggled, as if trying to get further away.

“Hold on guys, I think we need to approach one at a time,” Leo finally spoke up, he’d been slowly assessing the situation at hand. Deciding that if only one of them went in, it was less likely for Savage Raph to attack.

That statement of course, made it a unanimous vote for Leo to be the sacrifice.

“Well, go on then. We need to calm him down before April comes down,” Donnie spoke, checking his phone. April had already sent a text that she was on her way. They had to get wrap this up quickly. Leo looked to his twin and huffed. Before taking slow steps toward Raph.

Raph’s growl and squirming continued. But he still made no move as Leo’s empty hands held themselves up as non-threateningly as possible. It wasn’t until Leo tried to touch Raph that it finally broke the tense silence.

Raph roared, knocking Leo back as the other two pulled out their weapons. Ready for an attack from the blindly raging brute. But instead he ran off. Making the two look at each other confused. Before checking on Leo.

“You alright bro?” Mikey asked, pulling Leo up from the floor. Leo rubbed his shell and took a shake. Before nodding.

“Yeah, it’s more the surprise then the pain...” Leo trailed and looked around “where’d he go?” he asks, having expected the Snapper to fight them like the other two did. Donnie shrugged, looking off the direction Raph had fled to.

“Don’t know, he just... ran off,” Donnie spoke putting his Bo-staff away.

“Well, what are we doing just standing here? We gotta find him!” Leo immediately ran off the direction Donnie had been staring. Mikey not to far off his heels. Donnie sighed, taking a speed walk to still keep the two in his sites.

April had joined them about ten minutes later. Donnie sending her their location as they traveled through the maze of sewers in New York. Their efforts still fruitless as they’d completely lost the Snapper.

What had been nothing more then ten minutes quickly turned into a few hours.

“Guys,” April spoke as the group had taken a moment’s rest. Having been on their feet for so long they’d chosen to take a pause. Just in case they’d have to fight the Snapper down when they found him again. The group looked to her as she spoke up “did you hear that?” she asked with concentration on her face.

No one spoke. All trying to hear what she’d just heard.

“What did-” Mikey was cut off by a noise. A much louder then the one April had previously heard. It was a whimper, a pained and tired whimper. If it weren’t for the fact that the voice was so recognizable. The group would’ve believed it was a small child lost in sewers with them.

“Raph!” They spoke in unison, chasing after the voice. And the heavy footsteps that ran from them.

It was a chase, but not a chase they had ever been use to.

Splinter was sitting comfortably in his recliner. Another uneventfully evening as he’d began to slowly fall asleep in the chair. The cake and warm milk filling his stomach in a comfortable and lulling way. Eyelids heavy as he no longer tried to focus on what was happening on the screen before him.

Until he was startled by his phone ringing. Immediately waking to “panicked parent mode” he began looking for his phone. Unable to find it despite it ringing next to him. Shuffling and shoving hands down the sides of the recliner until he let out a small, victorious, cry at his discovery. Only to disappointed at finding the remote instead.

A few more rings and a few more minutes of aggressive searching. He’d found his phone and felt his stomach drop at April’s name on his screen.

Not that he wouldn’t have panicked if it was one of his sons. But April was a whole knew level. He quickly answered and tried to not to yank the phone away from his head as April yelled on the other end. Most of it unintelligible through the phone aside from “Raph” and “we need help!”. He took a breath, trying to calm himself, knowing it wouldn’t help if both he and her panicked.

“April, slow down, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

“Raph! He’s gone into this- like -savage mode! He keeps running from us and throwing the guys if they get to close! Please! You have to come here quick! We just got him cornered but he won’t let us near him!” April spoke as quickly and clearly as she could. Trying to leave little room for more conversation as she watched Raph throw an aimless hit toward Mikey. The box turtle barely dodging out the way of the blow.

Splinter, of course, had already begun moving out of the lair.

“Okay, stay calm. Tell the boys to keep him their but don’t make any movements toward him. Tell me which part of the sewers your in,” Splinter began, keeping a calm demeanor. April took a hum before finding an indication of which sewer pipe they got him stuck in. Quickly giving the location to Splinter.

“Good, I’ll be there soon.”

When Splinter had arrived onto the scene. He was relieved to find the group sitting a few feet from Raph. Leo, Donnie, and Mikey all singing parts of the lullabies they could remember from their younger days. Back when they still asked Splinter to sing for them. It seemed to put the Savage Raph in a trance. Having calmed down. It was April who noticed him and backed off from the group to talk to him.

“Leo said he noticed something was attached to Raph’s tail. He can’t take a good look at it ‘cause Raph won’t let him come close.” She explained, looking back to the sight before her. She’d seen Raph go savage once, but it had been on the tale end of the savage episode. Splinter simply nodded and walked toward his sons.

He’d hummed the tune and the trio backed off. Quieting down, Raph started to growl at Splinter, before seeming to recognize him. And calming down, a soft and cautious churr came from him. But he didn’t flinch when Splinter passed the invisible line.

He did, however, flinch when Splinter raised his hand. Before relaxing as Splinter took a light touch to his forehead, sliding it down to his cheek. Still humming the lullaby. Raph had fully relaxed now, his body visibly easing as he let himself sit like a cat. Letting Splinters hands trail down his shell as he went to assess the damage.

It was a small, basic rat trap. Pinching his tail in a way uncomfortable for the mutant. Splinter grimaced at the memory that came with the realization of why his son had acted out this way. And had, with as much gentleness as he could manage, pulled the trap off his son. Raph let out a yelp and ran from reach of his father. Before noticing the lack of pain on his tail. A happy churr came from him as he slowly eased out of Savage mode.

Donnie, using the help of his enhanced limbs, began carrying the large mutant. Who had barely been awake enough to realize he was beginning carried to begin with.

The way back to the lair was mostly silent. Most of the group begin tired, energy spent on the chase. But April couldn’t help but speak up, having several questions.

“So... does anyone know why Raph does that?” She asked, looking to anyone for an answer. The brothers simply shrugged, having no answer. But Splinter looked surprised.

“Wait, this isn’t the first time he’s done this?”

“Well, he usually fights us,” Leo spoke up with a shrug “but this is the first time he’s run away instead.” Leo said with the wave of his hand. A partial dismissal of it.

“... You didn’t know?” Mikey asked walking next to his father. Who quickly shook his head, partially in disbelief.

“No! Why didn’t you boy’s tell me!?” Splinter asked with some exasperation evident in his tone.

“Well, you didn’t tell us you were Lou Jitsu for most of our lives,” Leo pokes, as if this was some sort of competition. Donnie rolled his eyes.

“It just never came up, we always thought you knew,” Donnie deadpanned, adjusting a bit to keep Raph steady. The snapper mumbled something incoherent but it didn’t seem all to important to the conversation.

“So, do you know why he does it Splints?” April asks trying to get back to her questions. They needed answer darn it! Especially after this most recent episode.

Splinter, nodded slowly. A part of him unsure, before nodding quickly. It was the only explanation.

“You all were only tot’s when it happened...” Splinter began.

Splinter knew that an enriching environment was important. Whether it was for kids or pets. So he did his best to take his sons down to a stream. One with no hiking trails nearby and not deep enough for fishers to use. But still enough that it was basically a naturally made kiddie pool.

He’d been tending to the box turtle, dubbed Orange for his little spots ‘til Splinter could find better names for them. Orange was the only one who couldn’t really seem to swim. Nor did he seem to want to engage with the water at all. So Splinter had been helping him make little piles of dirt, and rocks. Nothing fancy or necessarily pretty. But it brought utter delight onto Orange’s face every time one was completed. So how could he stop him?

Splinter had been keeping weary eyes on the other three. Wanting to make sure the shallow tide hadn’t swept them away. However, the other three seemed to mature faster then the box turtle to a degree. So he gave them trust to make some sort of noise to capture his attention if they needed it.

The only problem with that was, they would have to know they needed it.

Splinter would notice in 30 minutes that Red was missing. Dubbed Red because he, just like the color, was bold and brash. And Splinter had already used his other two favorite colors on the soft-shell and slider.

In 30 minutes Splinter would realize that his little snapper had decided to wander the forest. And he would panic because what if someone found him? What if someone took his son away from him? What if they hurt him?

It would be a few hours before Orange gets fussy. And Splinter realizes just how long he’d been searching for his eldest son.

It would be another hour before Splinter had to retire back into the sewers. Feeding and putting the other three to rest before he ran back out.

It would be three days of searching and failing to find Red. Splinter in a desperate state of trying to keep it together while in a constant state of worry for his boy.

It would be day number four. When Splinter would find a group of hunters. Cages set around them like trophies. And it would take everything Splinter had not rush down and attack them when he saw his son in one of them.

Locked in cage like some sort of savage animal. Curled in a corner, clearly afraid and confused. Whimpering like he was hungry. And Splinter could only soften in a pained way as he watched his son suffer.

“Aww, what’s the matter little guy? Ya hungry?” A hunter spit at Red. Tossing a small piece of beef jerky just outside of Red’s reach. Still, the naive snapper would go after it. Starved for days. And he would be mocked, and laughed at as the hunters around him would do nothing but watch him be helpless.

Splinter had to retreat. Wanting to go stealth with retrieving his son. Despite the rage inside of him telling him he could fight every single hunter in the group head on and come out unscathed.

Splinter didn’t see the one hunter that snuck Red some jerky. Watching with a small smile as he ate up. Before dumping the whole bag into his cage. Walking off as though they hadn’t done anything.

Splinter came back that night. A fire now lifeless as most of the hunters slept. Splinter had begun creeping toward the camp before freezing at the sound of a voice.

“Your not like the others are you little guy?” It cooed, soft and gentle. Splinter could barely see it. But he saw a woman crouching down in front of Red’s cage. And cursed himself for not taking the brash approach earlier.

Red churred a bit in response. Still unable to really form words. But his churr was curious and cautious.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so. I’ve seen snappers before and you don’t really look it,” she said, before letting out an awkward chuckle “I mean, you do kinda, but not really if you get what I mean.”

Another churr, confused.

“Yeah... sorry,” she said, Splinter heard the light click of a cage opening. And with the moon finally deciding to show itself from the thick clouds.

A tall, black woman stood up, thick curly hairs draped down her shoulders. Red in her arms with a gentle care of a mother. She’d turned, facing Splinter with eyes grown wide, mouth agape in shock. And that’s when he realized he should’ve moved to an actually hiding spot. The moon didn’t hide away as they stared at each other. Before Red began chirping happily, arms outstretched to his father.

Splinter held his arms out, staring a hole into his son. He didn’t want to speak, he wasn’t sure if he could. This was the first human that’d seen him in... well he wasn’t even sure how many years at this point.

Slowly, but surely, with eyes still wide and mouth agape. She handed Red to Splinter. The two sharing a tight, hopeful and relieved hug. Splinter couldn’t hold back the little sobs that came from his body. He had his son back, his son was safe. His son was here.

“Go,” the woman’s voice was a hoarse whisper, still recovering from the shocking sight. Splinter looked to her, startled at the interruption of his blessed reunion. She looked to him with concern, before glancing to the other sleeping hunters “if you want to get out of here with him now. You need to go,” she whispered. Splinter nodded, rushing off with a flurry. Leaves rustling, and with no cation in his rushed movements. A branch broke.

“O’Neil? Is that you making that racket?”

“Yeah, yeah, just go back to sleep, thought I saw something but I was wrong.”

Annnnnnnd I’m ending it there! Mostly because this is getting longer then I planned it to be. However, I’m extremely happy with how it came out. The idea’s just came like BOOM! BOW! POP! and I had to do ‘em. I hope you like it! This was fun! I loved the concept, I’ve seen many takes on it so I wanted to change it up a bit!

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this-world-of-beautiful-monsters · 3 years

Text

Can We Keep Him?

Pleaeeeeeese, Sensei,” Raphael begs, on his knees in the way he’s no doubt seen from watching television. “I’ll feed ‘im and walk ‘im and everythin’!”

Splinter pinches his nose with a soft sight, careful not to look directly into his son’s big, bright green eyes. He doesn’t think his sons have grasped the raw power of their cuteness at their young age, but he swears he saw Michelangelo practicing sniffles in the mirror the other day…

Raphael’s still on his spiel. “You let me keep Spike!”

“This is rather….different, from Spike,” Yoshi says carefully, trying to figure out how to phrase it.

“Why, 'cause he’s too big to fit in a box? But he’s potty trained!” Raphael sweeps his arm towards the living room, which his sons have started calling the Pit, and their latest acquisition.

“He told me he was!”

Splinter studies the small, skinny boy sitting on the carpet with his other sons, crayons scribbling adorning his pale skin, black hair sticking in all directions, and an icepack held to his face with his free hand. Spike sits in his lap and the boy occasionally scratches his shell absentmindedly, the exact way Yoshi has seen their Raphael do for his tortoise so many times.

Their guest is chomping on a cookie, watching with interest as Michelangelo lies on his shell and points at each of his toes, spelling out their names one by one. Donatello appears to be listening to his pulse with a child's battered stethoscope, little face narrowed in concentration.

"Are you mad at him 'cause he was scared of you?" Raphael demands, lurching to his feet. "It's not his fault! He just doesn't like rats! Once he gets to know you better he'll be fine!"

Yoshi bites his lip at the memory of how the child burst into tears at the sight of him, wondering if Miwa would have done the same in his place. It had hurt to see that, and to witness how desperately his children had tried to calm the little boy down, their voices tight with panic at the idea of losing their playmate. "Please don't hate us!" Raphael had cried, doing his best to tug him out from under the couch.

Michelangelo had decided to appease him with cookies, and before Yoshi knew what was happening the boy had crumbs all over his tear-slicked face; although at least he no longer seemed on the verge of passing on. Yoshi went to put his supplies away (he'd only been gone for an hour, how could this have happened?), and when he'd returned Raphael had been full begging mode.

He sighs, folding his hands behind his back. "Why don't you tell me exactly how you acquired...."

"Casey. His name's really Arnold Jones Jr., but he thinks Arnold's a stupid name and he says Casey is a really cool name for a hockey player and he's gonna be the biggest hockey player ever when he grows up and--"

"Yes, Casey. Where did he come from?"

"We found him in a sewer drain!" Splinter raises an eyebrow. "We didn't mean to leave the Lair, honest! Spike just wanted to race Donnie's stupid mechanical car and then we got in a fight because Donnie is stupid and then Spike was gone and we had to go look for him and then Casey was there and he helped us find Spike!"

"Did he?" Splinter gives a significant look to the tangle of Spider-Man bandaids on his son's shoulder.

"Well, uh...." Raphael shuffles his feet. "He kinda hit me, first. But it wasn't that hard, and he didn't mean to! He was lookin' for alligators and he thought we were alligators and then I punched him and called him a dunderhead and then he knew I wasn't bad 'cause alligators can't talk! And then Leo wanted us ta hit him and run--"

Splinter's eyes shift to his eldest son, still sitting a careful distance away from Casey. He was the only one who hadn't begged the boy to calm down when their father arrived; instead he'd raced to his side, apologizing over and over again for letting his brothers bring a stranger home.

"But I said I wouldn't without Casey, 'cause he's cool, and Leo whined and got all mean, but he said yes--"

Even now there's an air of quiet distrust in Leonardo's eyes, and Splinter notices the bokken resting carefully under his hand. On one hand, he's grateful for his eldest's dutifulness, and on the other...no child should look at another one like that, as a potential threat.

"--So we took him home and showed him our stuff," Yoshi bites is lip at the sight of pieces of machinery lying scattered at the boy's feet like offerings, the heap of stuffed animals and magazines, even a few of Leonardo's precious comics, "and drew on him cause he's like a person made of paper and he's so cool and he says he can eat anything and--"

Yoshi holds up a hand and Raphael obediently stills, whether out of respect or simply due to a lack of breath. "Raphael," he says carefully. "A human being is not a pet, and Casey has a family who--Donatello, put down those scissors."

His son looks up with from where he's tangled his fingers in Casey's hair, scissors dangling from his free hand, while the boy unconcernedly chews on another cookie. "But I need to collect samples!" he whines. "This is a free-roaming specimen from a previously unexplored environment and all the real scientists--"

"Donatello. Put away the scissors, and the cookies. You'll all spoil your dinners at this rate."

His son holds his gaze for a second, then lets a groaned "Fine," and stalks off with the forbidden goods in hand. Michelangelo and Casey both pout at the loss of the sweets, but then Spike starts crawling across the floor and they let out squeals of delight.

Splinter does his best to gather his thoughts over their chortling and the specter of Leonardo in the corner. "My point is, Casey's family will be worried about him," he says.

Raphael frowns. "No, they're not. All they care about is his new sister, even though she's wrinkly and she cries all the time."

Yoshi tries not to wince--he understands childish jealousy all too well. But... "Be that as it may, his family still loves your friend very much, and they need him just as much as you do. He must go back, Raphael. "

His son's face wrinkles with incoming tears, and Splinter should be bracing himself for the storm--right? After all, this seems like the kind of boy who won't be stopped by someone else's parent laying down the law.

And if the children make up their minds to go looking for him....the thought chills his blood. All the punishments and admonishments in the world won't make up for it if it comes after the fact--not to mention that he won't be able to keep an eye on them forever.

Besides...he looks at Leonardo, still sitting on the corner. He wants his children to be safe, but the idea of them spending the rest of their lives in an isolated bubble sounds very lonely. Families would go crazy if they were left with just each other, Tang Shen chides gently in his head.

And this boy doesn't seem that bothered by their appearance. He may be frightened of the big rat, but the humanoid turtles don't seem to particularly repulse him; Splinter suspects you couldn't say that for quite a few of New York's schoolchildren. Not to mention that he'll know of their existence no matter what Yoshi does...

So when Raphael starts to sniffle, Splinter raises a hand. "But..." He turns to Casey, now furiously babbling with Donatello about Bill Nye while Michelangelo resumes scribbling on his arm. "Mr Jones?" he asks, careful to keep his voice soft.

The other children tense at the sound, and Raphael clenches his fists as he scurries to their side. "What'd he say?" Michelangelo stage-whispers anxiously, and the others hiss at him to shut up.

Casey looks up at Splinter, jaw tightening, but Michelangelo grabs his hand and gives him an encouraging smile. "Hi, Mister Splinter," he says, careful not to look directly at Yoshi.

"Mr. Jones, my children and I must be kept a secret from the world topside--including your parents. Do you understand that?"

Casey narrows his eyes, than nods carefully. "Yeah, 'cause some people are dumbheads and wouldn't believe ya if you said you weren't alligators."

Splinter nods back. "Exactly. Are you willing to keep this secret? To never tell anyone, not even the friends you might have outside of us? And will you swear never bring any strangers into the Lair?" He looks the boy carefully in the eye, feeling very much like his father. "These are not promises to be taken lightly, Mr. Jones."

Casey looks at Splinter, then glances at expressions of bated-breath hope on the other children's faces. Even Leonardo seems to be tense with expectation, if only for his brother's face. "Okay," he says, with all the gravitas of a blood oath, and Splinter feels a strange, if slightly ridiculous, surge of trust.

Yoshi takes a deep breath, hoping he isn't making a terrible mistake. "There will be a schedule that I will enforce," he says, and his children break out into squeals of glee, until he silences them with a look. "If I think you're too distracting and destructive, you will not be allowed to return. But...you may visit us from time to time, if you wish."

At this the room erupts, three of Splinter's children rushing to hug Casey or tug his hair with squeals of delight...except for one, who rises carefully from his seat in the corner, bokken left behind. "Sensei...."

"It is all right, my son," Splinter says, extending a paw (and praying that he's right). Leonardo still looks doubtful, but he trusts his Sensei, and carefully moves to his side. His face starts to warm a little, Splinter thinks, as they watch Casey and Raphael break out into cheerful play-wrestling as the others cheer them on. Which reminds him...

"You will get a bath before returning to your family, Mr. Jones," he says, gesturing to the smiley-faced sun scribbled on the back of the boy's neck, and can't help smiling at the answering groan.

"So that's how you met Casey, huh?" April O'Neil says many years later, eyes sparkling merrily over her tea.

"There have been the ups and downs, I'll admit," Splinter says. Raphael was prone to sulk for days after an argument with his friend, and the scientific teamups between Donatello and Casey have skirted the realm of parent nightmare. "But he has never betrayed us, and I believe it was a good choice overall."

April nods, face thoughtful. "He calls you 'Pops' behind your back, you know."

"Eh?" Splinter asks. "These old ears can't hear so well these days." He twitches one for emphasis, and their laughter fills the warmly lit dojo.

#turtle tots #TMNT 2012 #Splinter #Raphael #Leonardo #Donatello #Michelangelo #Casey Jones #April O'Neil #Splinter is rather done #fluff #with a touch of angst #crossposted on ao3

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remmushound · 3 years

Text

Part 12 of my bay/rise crossover! @brightlotusmoon @errorfreak88

It hurt. Everything hurt and he didn't know where he was and he felt sick. He bellowed out into the cold, dark room. He cried again, this time louder as he tried to stand on instead legs. His head spun. Powerful bounds around his wrists and ankles held him down, and moving sent electricity down the length of his body that made him roar. Something on his face covered his eyes— not his mask, something far darker. He couldn’t see, he couldn’t move— he couldn’t hear anything other than his own echo. He was alone.

****

“... come to find out it wasn’t really a car show. It was a destruction derby and I… he just wanted to use my car to win it so he could get another trophy.”

“I cannot understand how upsetting that must have been for you.” Splinter’s head was low as he watched the steam rise off of his tea, “I am certain you treasure your creations just as much as my Donatello. I am sure your father meant no harm, but even the best of intentions can come off as… less than that. When my son was having diffuclties as leader, he said and did many things that upset his brothers.”

“Really? My Raph’s never done anything like that.”

“Your Raphael?” Splinter looked to Donatello curiously as he sipped his tea.

“Yeah. I mean, he has his moments but he’s usually pretty chill toward us— the stress of being the leader leader gets to him sometimes but—“

Splinter choked on his tea. He dropped the cup in favor of covering his mouth during the intense coughing fit that followed. The cup shattered on the ground and spilled tea all across the cold stone of the lairs floor.

Donatello sipped his tea calmly. “You okay, buddy?”

Splinter waved that he was fine as he slowly recovered from the fit. Donatello helped himself to another buiscit.

“Ah— my apologizes, Donatello. Your words just started me is all.”

“Ok.” Donatello didn't ask why. “These are really good buiscit.”

“Thank you, but a… clarification question if I may?”

“Ok.”

“You did just state that your Raphael was your leader, correct?”

“Yeah? He’s the oldest, so leader by proxy. Why?”

“I apologize— when I stated my son was having some difficulties, I should’ve clarified it was Leonardo. The leader of my sons…”

“Gasp. Now it is my turn to choke.” Donatello put his cup to his lips and purposely inhaled some of it. He immediately fell to coughing just Splinter. “ACK! GAG! CHOKING NOISES!”

“You really are a curious fellow.” Splinter hid his mouth with another cough as he laughed. The mutant’s ears pricked to attention at the sound of a disturbance from the opposite side of the lair. “I believe we are not alone.”

Donatello wiped his mouth and looked behind him trying to see whatever Splinter had seen.

“Stay here.” Splinter gave Donatello a pat on the shoulder as he ran past.

Donatello gasped, and then squealed. “OH AM GOSH! A positive touch from a parent aged adult! Dreams really do come true!”

Donatello drank the rest of his tea happily, starting to wiggle in his seat to try and get his nervous energy out. All of the anxiety flooded right back into him when he heard Splinter’s loud scream.

“Splinter!” Donatello was on his feet and running before his mind could catch up, initially on the rats trail but quickly turning paces when he spotted a broom in a corner. He grabbed it, holding it like it was his own staff, and sprinted finally into the room Splinter had entered.

The rat had his own staff at the ready, backed into a corner with his eyes locked on the beast that filled a great deal of the room. The snapping turtle's jaws were frothing over with white foam in his panic, his tail lashing like a whip to further show the agitation of the red beast. Around his wrists and ankles were ropes that had once held him down, now snapped at the base and swinging as he struck out wildly and blindly toward the assumed attacker. Raphael couldn’t see them— his eyes were covered with a tight blindfold that made him lash his head back and forth trying to find any stimuli to tell him where he was.

Donatello recognized the fearful motions immediately— he’d lived with Raphael all his life and learned to recognize the motions his brother would go through for fear or anger or pain, and this wasn’t the second. But one so unused to recognizing the different cues that the snapping mutant had could easily misinterpret any one of them as an anger response.

Splinter brought his staff down at the bridge of Raphael’s shell trying to force him into a corner. Raphael roared in response and swiped a counter strike, just barely missing the staff's quick motions as it hit him in several more places though it was more like gentle, guiding taps.

“Wait— nonono!”

Raphael made a sharp movement when he heard Donatello’s voice and tried to search for it, colliding with Splinter and making the rat stumble slightly before he found a more secure footing.

“Raph, it’s me!” Donatello ran forward, trying to reach for the blindfold, but the moment he touched Raphael, the mutant shouted and slammed a massive fist into Donatello’s stomach.

Donatello stumbled back into the wall, gagging and clutching as he stomach as he tried to both catch the breath that had been knocked from him and try not to throw up. He did, of course, have plating over his plastron just as his brothers did— it was just covered with soft skin instead of hard keratin—but the bone only served to make the pain worse somehow as Raphael’s fist collided with enough force to knock a grown man off his feet.

Raphael immediately recognized who he had hit and started to panic even more.

“Don-nee?” His head thrashed back and forth trying to shake off the blindfold obscuring his vision.

Donatello tried to call out to him, but only a wheeze was produced.

“Donatello, stay where you are.” Splinter took a defensive pose in front of Donatello.

“Nah…” Donatello tried finally, pushing himself off the wall and trying to stumble to his brother's aid, but Splinter’s tail directed him back. “Don’t hurt—“

“I’m not.”

“But he doesn’t know that!”

Splinter jabbed the tip of his staff into Raphael’s chest, making the savage mutant grunt and try to grab at whoever kept poking him.

“I swear… ah…” Donatello felt his way across the wall trying to get behind Raphael without being hurt again or singled out— if he could separate his noise from the racket Splinter was making, then maybe— “I’m… so gonna beat those other turtles shells… if I have any spoons left by time they get back. RAFFEREL!”

Raphael grunted and turned quickly at the sound of the voice.

“Listen to me! Your name is Hamato Red, but when you were nine and me and Leo were eight and Mikey was seven we all chose names we thought were cooler from an old library book April gave us, and you became Hamato Sanzio Raphael.”

Raphael listened intently, his breathing still labored and body tensed, but all senses locked onto Donatello. Splinter stopped his assault to listen as well.

“And when we were little hatchlings and you’d go into your fits, dad always calmed you down with the Chūgoku lullaby. And Leo and Mikey and I were always jealous because you got your own lullaby, but every night Splinter would sing the Takeda lullaby to all of us before we went to sleep. Do you remember the Chūgoku lullaby?”

Raphael didn't respond.

“Come on. You know how it goes! Nenneko shasshari mase, neta ko no kawasi… okite naku ko no… nenkororo, tsura nikusa, nekororon, nenkororon…”

As Donatello went slowly through the lullaby, Raphael started to chur softly and sway. Halfway through he started to hum along, and once Donatello was sure Raphael was calm, he approached Raphael without stopping the song. Donatello reached gently to Raphael’s head, hesitating as the great beast flinched but quickly recovering enough to take off the blindfold.

As Raphael blinked in the sudden light, Donatello gently fell to unbinding the ropes from Raphael’s wrists, and the song wrapped up perfectly as he removed the final knot.

“There we are.”

“Don!”

Donatello screamed as he was yanked into a hug, then fell to growing as Raphael rubbed his cheek against Donatello’s battle shell.

“Oh come on Raph you know I’m afraid of togetherness—“

Raphael moved to rest his head on top of Donatello’s, holding the softshell tightly to his plastron. “You’re okay…”

“Of course I’m okay you idiot you threw yourself on top of me!”

Raphael kissed the top of Donatello’s head and continued to hum happily while the softshell struggled for his freedom.

“Oh, really? Really with the kiss? You were just trying to kill me two seconds ago!” Despite his words, Donatello’s heart flooded with warmth at the snapping turtles quick rebound from beast to brother.

“Donnie, I don’t feel good…” Raphael sniffled.

“What kind of don’t feel good?”

“Like I’m gonna be sick.” Raphael stuck his tongue out, “And my back hurts- it is bad—?”

Donatello grabbed Raphael’s face before he could turn around to look at the bandages, forcing the snapper to look back at him. “He probably just gave you oxycodone to help with the pain.”

“Oh okay.” Raphael nodded, not quite understanding but trusting his brother's judgement. “But uh. Who is ‘he’?”

“I may be able to help best.”

Raphael gave a confused grunt and turned around, pulling Donatello along with him as he saw Splinter for the first time.

“Hey, pops got taller! Good for him.”

“That’s not dad you idiot— well it is kinda— but not our dad!”

Raphael blinked. “Raph is confused!”

Splinter laughed, finally letting his staff back down into a relaxed position and resting on it. “I’m going to need so much more tea.”

#lullabies #poor Raphie #he luv his brother #brother snuggles!#splinter has adopted both of them already

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skylarmoon71 · 4 years

Text

TMNT 2014/2016 Raphael x Reader- Oneshot

“No way you’re lying!”

“No uh! We got it yesterday. April said it was a gift from NYPD since it’s our birthday and all. I’m telling you it’s awesome. I’ve been trying to get my hands on it forever. Donnie says it’s too expensive. Can’t believe we finally got it. “

Mikey talked non stop about getting the just dance system. The both of you were suckers for the game. So hearing that he finally managed to score the machine, it was music to your ears.

If you’re day wasn’t already going well, it was nothing short of awesome now.

“What are we waiting for, let's go!”

You were already in the tunnels of the sewers, you picked up your pace, racing to get there first. Mikey was laughing behind you following. As you ran in through the entrance, you almost tumbled into Leo. He held you by the shoulders, laughing softly at the excitement on your face. “Woah there, is it Christmas?” you shook your head, trying to peep over his shoulder. When he saw the direction of your gaze he smiled.

“So that’s what you’re here for. And I thought for a second you wanted to wish us a happy birthday.” you grinned, reaching over and giving him a hug. “Happy Birthday Leo!” Of course you would never forget their birthday. You’d been waiting all month just to stop by. But when Mikey told you about his birthday present your excitement got the better of you. Leo returned the hug, and when you pulled away, you dug into your bag, taking out a small gift wrapped box, along with a few books. Leo’s eyes lit up like a child, and he hesitated for a second. “Is this..for me?”

“Of course silly, who else is standing here.” He took it slowing, a bit in awe. They weren’t used to getting gifts from others. It had always been just his brothers and Splinter. He appreciated the gadgets and gizmos his brothers managed to get their hands on from above, but actually getting a gift from someone other than family, it was foreign. He opened the small box, and stared at the chain with a silver sterling dragon.

“My dad says dragons are fierce leaders that protect their own. It kind of reminded me of you, so I thought I’d get it. Do you like it?”

“I love it (Y/N), thank you.” he placed the books down on the table, putting on the necklace with a smile. “How does it look?”

You gave him a thumbs up. “Awesome my guy.” you responded in a deep voice, trying to imitate a man’s voice.

“Hey where’s our gift!” Mikey called.

“You really think I’d forget my favourite boys, never.” you placed the bag down, folding your legs. Donnie seemed to catch unto the commotion from his spot. “What’s going on?” he called, eyes still distracted by his screens.

“(Y/N) brought us presents!” Mikey said excitedly. Splinter who was at the back making some tea, walked out from behind the small shed where he usually brewed his drinks.

“That’s very nice of you. I’m sure they are very grateful.” you just brushed it off.

“Yeah it’s no sweat. You guys absolutely deserve it trust me. If I was a millionaire I would have bought a mansion. Sadly I’m still saving for college so you’ll have to settle for these.” One by one you took out their presents. Each gift was wrapped in their signature color. Mikey took his running on the spot in anticipation. When he opened the rectangular box, his eyes grew wide.

“No way..” It was a pair of metal tonfas. Mikey was glued to his original weapon, but you remembered the way his eyes lit up when he saw the advertisement a few months ago. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what he wanted. He picked them up slowly, testing it out.

“THESE ARE FREAKING COOL!” well, it seemed that he approved.

“(Y/N).” from Leo’s tone you could already tell what he was going to say. “Leo come one, it’s really no big deal. You only celebrate once a year, you have to make every one memorable. Plus he loves them.” you grin. Mikey was making action noises as he struck the air. “Thanks (Y/N)!!”

“You’re welcome.”

You turned to Donnie, who was staring nervously at you. “Y-You really didn’t have to get me anything.” He assured. You rolled your eyes. “Like hell, of course I did.” None of his brothers probably knew, but Donnie, despite his very logical nature, was pretty sentimental. With all the little knick knacks he’d already obtained, you were stumped for a while on what to get him. Then it hit you. Donnie always loved the pictures you showed him of your family and friends.

You lifted the square package that was tied with a violet ribbon. He took it with a small thanks, pulling the string loose. As it fell open, the paper slipped off the side, and Donnie stared at the indigo patterned photo album. When he flipped it open, Leo leaned over, watching the pictures stuck in the small clear page. They were placed in sections. Each picture displayed a different story. One when you were wrestling with Mikey, another with Leo and Raph arguing. There was even an image on when they were awarded the keys to the city.

“This is incredible…” He was speechless. The images captured so much, Donnie thought for a second he would get teary. He pushed up his glasses, shuffling over to give you a hug. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” You replied. You patted his shoulder lightly as he pulled away. He was already rushing over to set it up. You giggled. Your eyes lifted to give out your last present, but the turtle you were looking for was nowhere in sight. “Raph is in his room. He’s never been the celebrating type.” you nod. “Well I’ll change that. “ you zipped up the bag, about to head over to his room.

“When I’m done we’re definitely having a dance battle Mikey!”

“You’re on!”

Leo and Splinter watched as you jogged to the older turtle’s location.

“She is a very special girl.”

“She really is.” Leo was thankful, not just for himself, but also his brothers. The care that you showed them, it was as if it came effortless to you. It never stopped surprising him. And he was more than grateful. He just hoped his numskull brother didn’t blow his chance with you. Leo knew full well how you felt about Raph.

Raph was probably the only one who didn’t see it.

“Maybe today will be his lucky day.” With that, Leo walked away, taking the books with him.

You knocked twice. Raph always yelled at Mikey for constantly barging in. Even though you strutted there all confident, you were nervous as hell. Raph was the only one who ever made you anxious, mainly because of your gigantic crush on him. You couldn’t remember exactly when you fell for him. For as long as you knew them, they’d always been just really good friends, almost family. But somehow, you’d fallen for the hot tempered turtle. And today, you decided you’d finally own up to it.

“What do you want Mikey,I told you I don’t want to celebrate.”

“It’s me.” you twisted the knob, walking in slowly. When you entered Raph was standing with his back to you. His fists were clenched, and you realized it must have been because he was punching the bag hanging from the pole above. “What do you want?” his rough tone didn’t help much with your nerves.

“I-I just, I got you a present.” you had no idea why you were speaking so softly. Your hands gripped the backpack tightly, not sure if it was such a good idea to approach him when he was already in a bad mood. To your surprise he turned, and he didn’t look as agitated as you thought he would be.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted you. Mikey and everyone else is out there having fun, maybe you should join them. I’m sure you'll have fun. Why don’t you like celebrating your birthday anyway?” The moment you asked you wanted to take it back. Because it was obviously a personal issue that he maybe didn’t want to talk about.

“Y-You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to!”

“I’m an idiot.” you scolded yourself.

Raph looked to the side, moving to his bed. He took a seat, bracing his elbows on his knees and joining his hands. There was a flash of hurt in his usually sure emerald eyes.

“Every year in this place, it was a reminder that we’d never be accepted up there. It’s different now, we’re a part of the NYPD helping people. But what about the rest of the world. No matter what we do, they’ll never see us the same. “

So that was it. Who would have thought. Of course he was sad. They had feelings just like everyone else.

You placed the bag down, walking over to take a seat right next to him on the bed. His head turned to you, and you smiled.

“I’m so sorry you went through so much Raph. You deserved so much more. You guys are easily the coolest people I’ve ever met. U-Uh I mean turtles.” you corrected. A small smile inched its way on his face.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” You couldn’t believe it, you actually got him to smile. And it was the purest thing you’d ever seen. You could physically feel the way your heart pick up. You just hoped it wasn’t loud enough for Raph to hear. He was still looking at you, and you him. Maybe your body stopped functioning, because you couldn’t pull your gaze away.

Raph was having a similar problem. You swallowed, hand raising slowly. Your palm rested on his cheek lightly, and you could only pray that your next move didn’t completely ruin your friendship. Raph didn’t utter a word when you started to lean forward. Your hand slid from his cheek to his shoulder. He should have done something to stop you.

He told himself that maybe you just felt sorry for him, or got caught up in the moment. But with the fluttering of your eyelashes, and your plumpness or your deliciously rosey lips, how could he stop it. When he felt your soft breath brush his lips he came to his senses, placing his hands on your shoulders to halt you. It felt like a dagger to his chest, the hurt that was now reflected in your eyes. His head lowered, unable to speak with you watching him so sadly.

“You don’t have to do this just for me…” He fully expected you to pull back and storm off. Maybe even smack him across the face.

“Good thing I’m not doing it for you then.” His head shot up, eyes opening in confusion.

“What-” you darted forward, claiming his lips. Raph stiffened, hands hovering in the air.

He wasn’t sure what to do now. Were you really kissing him because you were...

“Shit..” he groaned. At some point you managed to slip into his lap. His hands found your waist. You were so small compared to him. Yet, the way you were kissing him, it wasn’t hard to tell who was in control. When he felt your fingers trailing down his chest he almost lost it. His hands tightened on your waist and you moaned, rocking your hips into him. Raph parted from the abrupt action, gasping softly. When he pulled away he could see the need in your eyes. This entire time he wanted to convince himself that this was a pity kiss. Nothing more. He poured a bit of his heart and you were just trying to offer comfort.

The need glowing in your usually innocent gaze, it certainly had nothing to do with pity. You were panting, but your eyes were still marking his slightly moist lips.

“Raph..”

Why did you have to say his name like that. His will power went right out the window.

“Is this my present?” he smirked at you, and you grinned.

“It’s one of them.” you whisper, wrapping your hands around his neck and going in for another long awaited kiss. “I don’t care how other people see you Raph, because to me you’re just...you.”

He didn’t feel like he needed much validation from the world right then. Because if you would continue to stare at him with such unfiltered want, then he could do anything.

This was the first birthday he really didn’t mind celebrating. Now he had many more to look forward to with you.

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undercoverwizardninjaturtle · 4 years

Text

When the Battle is Won: A ROTTMNT fanfiction

Summary: Healing in the heart is just as important as healing on the flesh. Takes place after ‘'Many Unhappy Returns”

Word count: 3160

Rating: Mild language

Fandom: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Pairings: WHY?!? WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!

For: @damsel-loves-machines cause it's all their fault

Leo always wondered if there was a difference between “sleeping” and “passing out” All he knew was that one minute he was leaping in joy at the Shredders capture, and the next moment he was laying on Raph’s shell with the world going black.

Huh

Maybe he had passed out

Either way, he was waking up now with everything a blue around him. The only thing he was sure of was that Raph’s shell wasn’t the best pillow (or the worst he ever had, to be honest). He felt a warm blanket wrapped around his shell, the edges tucked in around him cocooning him in it. He would have been embarrassed except his blanket was so warm and soft enough to melt some pain from his muscles. Even so he forced his tired eyes open. The lights and colors swirled around the room, reminding him of that Lou Jitsu Anti Drug Movie Splinter had shown them when they were going to the surface for the first time (Lou Jitsu and the Obligation You Have to Your Body). It took a few moments fro the colors to move to their rightful place and everything to come into focus. He had been right when he thought he had been using Raph’s shell as a pillow, but he wasn’t the only one. April was snuggled right into Raph’s shell with Mikey curled up on Raph’s shell like a cat. Donnie was resting his cheek on Leos’ bicep, if he had been more awake he would of teased his sleeping brother except when he opened his mouth to do so he realized his mouth was insanely dry, so much so when he took a breath he ended up hacking loudly.

“Hold on Blue.” Where Splinter had come from he had no idea, he craned his neck to see his father tucking another blanket around April. Splinter stepped around his ‘burritoed’ sleeping children to a water cooler Leo hadn’t noticed and a first aid kit sitting by it, pulling out a bottle of water and sitting by Leo’s side, “Here,” he cracked the seal for him before holding out the bottle . Greedily, Leo took the bottle and guzzled the water down. Other then the cup of tea he had with Big Mama he wasn’t sure he had anything to drink in days, “Thanks Pop.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I leapt onto a Yokai train, fought a supped up Draxum, fought a army of trolls, and Kraken Tom AND a feral robot cat.” His need to stretch nearly surpassed his bodies desire to stay warm. Speaking of Which, he tucked his arm back into his blankets and resting his cheek on Don’s scalp, “How long were we asleep?”

“I lost track, it took a few hours to get you all home and we only got home a few minutes ago.” It was only then Leo noticed how tired his father looked, the dark circles around his eyes gave the impression someone had broken his nose. He was almost afraid that looking at him too long would knock him over, “Dad are you ok?”

“Just a little antsy from missing so much tv.” A classic Dad move, drown concern with humor. Leo wasn’t sure if all dads did that, but his did. Leo asked, “Ok what do we have to do?”

“You are going to be resting.”

“I’m not tired, I mean I had it relatively easily compared to everyone else. I want to help Dad please?”

His father gave him a look, if he had been at full energy Leo was sure he’d tell him no. But as it stood he probably barely had enough energy to talk, “Ok fine, but if you start getting tired you rest. Alright?”

“Deal.” It paid to be the smooth talker of the group, not that he had done a lot of that mind you, “OK Daddio, what’s the plan?”

Splinter looked out over his brothers, “I know everyone’s tired but they need to take a shower and eat some food. Make sure they all drink some water. I’m going to start making some soup. I brought out a few bags of chips to hold you all over.”

Even the thought of food had his stomach agreeing loudly. Loudly enough to make Donnie flinch in his sleep and roll over away from him. “Good idea.” He grinned sheepishly as his father patted him on the head and stood up. As he walked away his muscles popped continuously like someone rolling on bubble wrap.

Leo yawned and sat up. Water, and showers. That was a good plan. First though, he wanted to get everyone’s clothes, he knew how badly he wanted his own pajamas right now. He stood up and went around the lair at a snails pace, gathering everyone’s pajamas from their rooms and April sleepover bag from the closet putting them all in the bathroom in neat little stacks. It took almost all his remaining energy and he himself nearly collapsing back on his pile of family before shaking April by the shoulder, waking her with a snort “Hey Ap.” Leo took up a water bottle, handing it to her, “Get some water in you and take a shower. I put your bag in the bathroom.” He slid off her glasses, “I’ll clean these while you’re in there.”

“Thanks.” She drank from the bottle before standing up shrugging off her coat and heading away, shaking out her coat before disappearing into the bathroom. Leo pinched some of his spandex between two fingers and rubbed them over the surface of Aprils glasses to get the excess dirt off before setting it aside. It was then he remembered the tv in the Living room. He took the remote and turned it on, setting it to automatically go through their online library of Lou Jitsu movies. Raph woke with a snort, “hmrmm?” Before looking to the tv,”Jitssuu.”

“Very observant Rapharino.” Leo handed him a bottle of water, “I figured this would be a better way to wake up.”

There was a scoff to his right, Donnie twisted around to glare at him through blurry eyes, “Or you could of just buried me and let me sleep forever.” Before twisting and curling back up into a bean shaped cocoon

“No cause then I couldn’t do this” Despite his exhaustion, Leo hopped forward onto his brother wrapping his arms around his middle sibling and squeezing him to him, Almost immediately Donnie squawked and twisted around , bringing his feet up between them and kicking hard. Sending Leo flying off , “Gerrof you weirdo!”

Leo landed unceremoniously against Raph’s side, Donnie gave him another glare before rolling away,” well you can’t be too tired if you have enough energy to shun me.”

“Bite me.”

Raph hissed loudly,” Enough you two, Mikeys’ still sleeping.”

Oh right, for a moment Leo felt guilty as he had completely forgotten that Mikey was still curled up on Raph’s shell, snoring away with enough drool pooling on Raph’s shell to drown a Kraken Tom. But he was sure Raph wouldn’t mind. Finally April left the bathroom, wrapped up in her favorite green pajamas and matching robe and thick socks and a matching hair wrap, “Alright whose next?” She said as she collapsed back on the ground wrapping back up in her blanket and pulling on her newly cleaned glasses. “I’ll go,” Raph said, putting aside his water bottle, “Someone get Mikey?”

“Got it.” Leo stood up on noodle legs and moved over to Raph, “Hey man.” He gave Mikey a shake on the shell, his youngest brother gave out a small whimper but otherwise stayed asleep. With no other option he slipped his hands under Mikey’s knee and behind his shell, “Come on little brother.” He said cradling Mikey to his chest and stepping back setting Mikey on Pop’s armchair, Raph stood up, stretching his arms over his head and heading off to the bathroom. It was only when the door shut that Mikey’s eyes popped open, “SHREDDER!” His eyes twisting around the room in panic as he breathed quickly. Leo quickly knelt in front of the chair “Mikey its ok its ok.”

His youngest brother looked to him, his eyes swelled with tears again, “L-Leo I tried everything. I threw a freighter at him. A freighter, and he just tore through it like lit was nothing. I tried. I tried-“

“I know, we know.” BeforeLeo could break out into a comfort speech, Mikey slid off the chair and curled up against his chest. Leo wrapped his arms around him and held his trembling brother close. Don was there a breath later, “Its ok Mikey’ He whispered to, rubbing his shell before the purple masked turtle lowered his cheek to rest on Mikey’s shell. Leo reached to wrap his arm around Don’s shell when his brother flinched jerking away but not enough to let go of Mikey. Leo drew back, pride wounded but he ignored his own feelings. Donnie was a bundle of nerves at the moment, his whole cycle had been interrupted and life thrown into chaos for three days. Of course he couldn’t handle someone touching him right now. Instead he gave Donnie a apologetic look and resumed rocking and comforting Mikey.

It was only then he noticed the burn onto of Mikeys scalp, though ti wasn’t’ bleeding. He urned to Donnie, looking to the burn then to his bedroom. Don nodded and left. Leo rubbed Mikey’s shell for a few minutes till Donnie came back, a tool box in one hand and a a first aid kit in the other. Leo was grateful he never had to use the toolbox, but anytime he had to open his first aid kit he felt like he had failed. At this point Mikey had fallen asleep against his chest. He cleaned the burn and carefully taped out some gauze on it. Before he could close his kit, Mikey mumbled,’ I wanna Lou Jitsu bandaid.”

“No problem.” He pulled out a old yellowed cardboard box filled with bandaids from the eighties, and pulled out one of the bandaids. Though the special bandaid with Lou Jitsu posing on it would do nothing for the injury or keeping it clean, He laid it overtop of his already finished handiwork,” See? Lou Jitsu will help you safe now.”

“I know,” Mikey yawned again, “Dad’s the best.”

After a few minutes, Raph let the bathroom in his bear pajamas and his retainer. Mikey went in next but barely took any time getting out before curling up back against Raph’s side. Leo made sure to hand over his sketchbook, his brother gave him a grateful smile before flipping the book open and sketching Lou Jitsu’s outfit from the movie rolling. He turned back to Donnie, who was curled up against the chair away from everyone else, “D its your turn.”

“Yeah hold on.’ Donnie blinked rapidly, “my contacts dried out during the fight and I didn’t notice till now.” Without warning, he used his thumb and forefinger to poke himself in the eye and drew out his contacts, despite Leos shriek of disgust,” EW BRO NO!! You should of warned me! I HATE seeing you take out your contacts.”

“You’re fine.” Donnie put the contacts in a napkin, “Damn it they were my last ones too.”

“I’ll go get your glasses from your room.”

“Um. NO. I hate those things.”

“Don’t be a baby Donnie, your glasses make you adoorrraaable.” He grinned, unhindered by Don’s lethal glare. Donnie wadded up his blanket and chucked it at his face “You are SO annoying” he said before stomping out of the room.

“I knowwwww.” He sang after him. For the first time all night he finally felt like himself before his legs felt like jelly again. Leo kicked himself before going to Don’s room. It took a bit before he finally found Don’s old glasses in one of his boxes marked, “set on fire, don’t let brothers see”. Which would have been alarming, except Leo had seen all of Donnie’s “Burn” boxes and all they seemed to have were Lou Jitsu FanFiction’s in Donnie’s hand writing. Promising himself to read those later he took the thick framed glasses and went over to the bathroom. At this point the lair was filled with the smell of garlic, Parmesan and cooked noodles. Splinter was handing out bowls of soup to everyone in the living room. Leo would of killed for one of those bowls, but decided to sigh loudly and bang on the bathroom door, “D I got your glasses.”

The door opened, it was always weird to see Donnie without his mask or goggles even more now with that deep tired look in his eyes, “Thanks.” He grumbled pulling on his glasses, Leo made a point of letting out a big, “AWWWWWWWWW!” Before Donnie flipped him off, “Just take a shower nerd.” He said limping back to the group.

Limping?

Leo shook his head, no they were all limping. They were all tired. He had strapped enough ice packs to Raph’s body to permanently change his temperature. Tired and sore. Leo finally stepped into the bathroom and into the welcoming hot shower that relaxed every knot in his body. It was only then he noticed how tired he really was. It took nearly everything he had to get dressed, but after that his body got its wish as he sank onto the floor

“Leo you ok?” Came Donnie’s voice

“I’m just going to stay in here, bring me some soup and a coffin.” He took a towel and curled it under his head. The door opened a moment later, Donnie immediately rolled his eyes, “You can’t sleep in here man, come on.”

Leo held his hands up to him,” carrrry me.”

“I’ll help you walk. That’s where I draw the line.”

“Deal.” He reached up again, Donnie heaved him up to his feet and put his body under his arm, taking his weight, “Thanks.” He said, he put his arm around Don’s shell when all of a sudden his brother shuddered, Leo pulled away immediately as Don doubled over, “Donnie what’s wrong?”

“Nothing it’s fine my backs just sore.”

Leo moved around to look at his brothers shell, there were three red streaks across the back of his pajamas”Holy shit D.” He quickly moved around the bathroom and took out a pair of scissors they kept in there. His hand came up and gently forced Donnie to kneel, cutting up the back of his pajama top, “Leo seriously, its fine-“

It was not fine, when he exposed Donnie’s shell and saw three short shallow scratches “Holy shit-“

“Quit saying that Leo, its not that bad.”

“Your shell is cut dude, it’s BLEEDING.”

“No its just leaking a bit, it stopped bleeding hours ago.”

“And its bleeding again.” Careful not to touch it, he looked close. His anxiety began to leave when he saw that the scratches were purely on the surface of his shell and hadn’t gone any deeper, still, “I’m going to go get the toolbox.”

“Don’t tell the others.” Don’s voice was quiet, but Leo nodded. Luckily everyone in the room was still eating Splinters noodle soup and watching Lou Jitsu and the Trekies (his only horror movie) the toolbox was sitting behind the chair where he had left it so it wasn’t too hard to grab it and duck back into the bathroom.

When he first got the first aid kit, it felt like someone had taken a giant burden off his shoulders. The idea he could actually do something to help his brothers Incase of emergency. But when he was washing his shell he realized there was nothing in that kit that could help if their shells were cracked.

That’s when the toolbox came in handy

It was his ‘emergency shell repair kit. Full of everything he might need incase one of their shells were cracked. He even had some bra wires just in case (he learned of that one from Tumblr). He pulled out a spray and covered his arm with his sleeve, “This’ll sting .” Before spraying the industrial antibacterial spray over the. Even though is brother flinched he didn’t say anything. Now all he had to do was wait for the liquid to dry, he was already pulling out some gel and a roll of bandages , “Why didn’t you say anything? How did this happen?”

His brother didn’t say anything for a moment, “did you see the back of my battle shell?”

“Yeah you said it was damaged in the fight.”

“Cause of the Shredder. I threw all my tech at him, all my machines. Even my industrial toaster. He tore through it like it was nothing. Then he.” Don paused, “he tried to tear through me.”

Leo froze for a moment. The claws that had tore through Raph’s mystic form, the freighter, had come a inch from tearing in Don. The burn on Mikeys skull, and the ache that burdened Raph’s whole body. He blinked several times before applying the numbing medicine to Don’s cuts and applying the bandages “I should of been there. I could of helped.”

“NO.” Donne turned to look at him, “Leo if you had been there we wouldn’t of made it. You saved us all. If you hadn’t shown up when you did.” He paused, unspoken between the two middle children. Even though the weren’t officially twins, they always had a way of reading each others minds. Knowing what the other was thinking. So Leo wasn’t at all surprised when Donnie reached out and took his hand, giving him a half exhausted smile, that Leo could barely return, “Does this mean you finally trust me again?”

“Leo you tried to trade me to the Trash Wizard for his half eaten sandwich. What do you think?”

Despite himself, Leo chuckled, giving Don a shove on the arm. He managed to sneak Donnie his hoodie before the two fo them made it to the living room and the warm noodle soup. Leo drank three bowls before he fell back against Raph. Splinter had finally taken a shower and was in his rightful place in his chair. Everyone was finally awake enough to watch the movies. At some point Raph and April had gone to the kitchen and gathered a bundle of snacks into the living room. For a moment Leo just enjoyed the company. He enjoyed Mikey showing off his sketches to April, he enjoyed Raph shoveling a bag of chips into his mouth while commenting on the movie (for the eight time) he enjoyed his father glancing at all of them out of the corner of his eye to make sure everyone was ok, and he enjoyed Don leaning on his side already messing with this arm tablet again as Leo watched over his shoulder

They were all alive

That was enough for now

#rottmnt #Rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt fanfiction #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtle fanfiction #tmnt fanfiction #teenage mutant ninja turtles #many unhappy returns #leo #donnie #mikey #raph #splinter #april o'neil #undercoverwizardninjaturtle

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imagine-pleasantnonsense · 4 years

Text

Regrettable Implications

Summary:

In a semi-heated argument with Raph, Casey throws out a fact about him and Donatello that he really should have just kept to himself.

Ao3: [link]

Pairing: Donatello/Casey Jones

Words: 2329

Warnings: implied/referenced underage sex

A/N: yeah so this shit has been sitting on my computer for like two years so i finished it and now i'm tossing it into the abyss. it was written for exactly one line and i hope that fact is evident in the slightly above par writing.

Donnie couldn’t even begin to imagine what the two muscle heads were fighting about, but they were clearly trying to one-up each other about something. Maybe he’d get a better idea if he stuck around to watch like April, Leo and Mikey. After all, nothing better than dinner and a show. But the book he held in his right hand was far more interesting, so he just filled his coffee cup up, sufficiently tuning the two teens out before he turned to exit the kitchen.

That was until it got particularly heated;

“Yeah? Well, ‘least my mom isn’t a two-dime whore!” Raph countered to Casey’s previous comment. It wasn’t true, but Casey wasn’t a huge fan of his mother, and the joke was thrown around between the two a lot.

What wasn’t thrown around a lot was Casey’s next comment.

“Yeah? Well, I fucked your brother!”

Donnie froze mid-step, the rim of his mug rested against his lip and his eyes widened. He felt his brother’s turn to look to him, and his cheeks turned a bright red.

It was dead-quiet, everyone processing what was just said.

Donnie was the first to break the silence; he loudly shut his book with one hand and turned his head to send a very threatening glare in Casey’s direction. This started a very quick succession of reactions.

Raph spoke first. “What the fuck did you just say?” He looked first at Casey, then towards Donnie then back.

“You prick!” Donnie shouted next. He slammed his coffee mug down on the table, the hot drink splashing out over the sides. “That’s not something you just yell out in front of someone’s family!”

“What?” Mikey asked, Leo continuing in the incredulous tone;

“What the heck, Donnie?!” The two outbursts bringing the tallest brother’s attention back to his family, his cheeks turning a darker red as he blushed.

“Oh my god.” Donnie breathed out before he attempted to make a hasty exit.

“Donnie wait-!” Casey tried, but Donnie held his hand up.

“Don’t fucking talk to me.”

Casey ran after him, the rest of the teens following, eager to hear the rest of this story.

“Don! I didn’t mean to say that!” Casey tried to apologize.

Donnie turned, still walking backwards. A scary-sweet smile came to his face.

“Oh, you didn’t mean to. That’s make it totally okay. Definitely not absolutely infuriating not to mention mortifying. And I mean, it wasn’t my whole family. Would you like me to call Master Splinter and Karai in here and you can announce it to them, as well?”

“Don, I’m really-” Casey tried again, but Donnie cut him off.

“Not to mention it was in retaliation to Raph calling your mother a, what was it, Raph?”

“A two-dime whore.” Raph replied dryly, giving Casey an extraordinarily pissed off look.

“Ah, right. A two-dime whore. Forgive me if I’m not a huge fan of those implications.”

Casey’s eyes widened, “I did not mean it like that!”

“Yeah? Then how did you mean it, Casey?” Donnie asked. “What could you possibly gain by bragging to my brother that you got me into bed?”

Casey floundered for a moment before he threw his hands out, “Come on, Don! You know I speak before I think! I threw out the very first thing that came to my mind.”

“Oh, that’s even better! You hear the word whore and I come to mind! That’s so reassuring!” He yelled, a faux smile on his face before it dropped into a scowl. “You know, you’re a real asshole, Casey, so let me re-iterate this; don’t fucking talk to me.” With that Donnie turned and entered the lab, slamming the door behind him.

It was silent in the lair for a long few moments after Donnie made his exit, before Mikey broke the silence.

“What the heck just went down? You two boinked?” Casey gave him an unimpressed look. “Oh! Were you two boinking?”

Casey groaned, rubbing his face. “I really fucked up.”

“Yeah, you fucked up, Jones. About the same time that you fucked my brother? Really, man?”

“When did this even happen? Did it happen here? How did Splinter not hear?” Leo questioned.

“We never did it here!”

“How many times are we talking here?” Raph demanded.

Casey groaned louder. “I shouldn’t be talking about this!” He yelled, throwing his arm out towards the door. “He’s already pissed at me enough!”

“Probably!” April yelled. “You just announced to his family that one; he’s had sex, two; he’s into guys, and three; he’s into his brother’s best friend!”

“I’m guessing you can add a ‘was’ to that last one there, April.” Mikey taunted.

“Screw you guys!” Casey yelled and turned to leave the lair.

“Well you already screwed one of us! Do you have a list or something?!” Raph yelled after him before he turned to the lab doors.

“He probs doesn’t wanna talk to anyone, bro.” Mikey told him, and Raph shrugged.

“Yeah? Well, I didn’t want him to screw my best friend so looks like we’re all just gonna have to deal.” Raph told them, before he entered the lab and shut the door behind him.

Once the doors were shut tight Raph sought his brother out, his eyes going to every corner of the lab before he spotted him sitting at his desk, nearly hidden by the monitor in front of him. His feet pulled up onto the chair and his hands holding his head just above his knees. His thumbs were pressing against his eyes, and he had headphones on his head blasting music so loudly that Raph could hear it from the door.

Raph frowned, his angry demeanor melting away now that he was out of sight from anyone else.

“Don.” He said, walking forwards. He didn’t bother waiting for a response, just leaning over the desk and pushing the headphones off Donnie’s head and down to his neck.

Donnie looked up at him with a start.

“Are you okay, Donnie?” Raph asked, and Donnie’s look of surprise stayed for a moment before it turned into a distraught frown.

“Okay? Of- Of course I’m not okay! I’m- I’m humiliated! I can’t believe he would do something like that!” Donnie buried his face in his hands, palms pressing against his eyes.

“What is even going on between you two?” Raph asked and when his brother stayed quiet Raph frowned. “Donnie, c’mon. Just talk to me.”

Donnie looked up at him for a moment before he let out a deep sigh.

“I- Well- Remember when- when he asked me to go to his place to help him study because it’s too distracting here and- and his dad and sister wouldn’t be there for the night…?” Raph nodded. “I’m still not entirely sure what happened, but it ended up with me staying the night, and well, you know…”

Raph thought a moment before his eyes widened. “You texted me that night! You said you were going to be studying late and it’d be easier to crash on his couch! What the fuck, man?”

“Yeah, that was after…”

“And after that?” Raph asked.

Donnie stood from the chair, walking towards the back wall before turning back. “I don’t know!” He exclaimed. “We just- We just kept doing it? And it’s not exactly something that’s easy to tell your family, I mean, you heard April’s list, didn’t you?”

“You did?” Raph asked, gesturing to the headphones that he could still hear the music coming out of.

“Yeah, that’s what prompted the headphones, I didn’t want to hear what you guys had to say to that.”

Raph frowned. He wanted to be angry at his brother, but he looked grief-stricken that it was hard for him to be. Instead, he tried a different approach. “Donnie, why Casey? Of all people?”

“Like I have so many options?” Donnie rolled his eyes but sighed afterwards, shoulder’s going slack. “I dunno… I like Casey… I thought he was funny, and cute when we first met him, but I- I didn’t know I was actually into guys at that point and it scared me because Master Splinter is so traditional and- and like I didn’t have enough to worry about without sexualities being thrown in the mix so I tried to hide it by fighting with him all the time. But when we were alone, I don’t know, it was different… Or at least I thought it was.” His eyes darkened at the end. “Apparently, he was just some asshole scoring his friends brother.”

Raph leaned against the desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “If it’s any consolation, he probably really didn’t mean it like that. He’s an idiot, you should know better than anyone.”

“Doesn’t make the comment sting any less.” Donnie frowned, sitting back at his desk.

“Yah, I didn’t think it would.” Raph sighed. “Should I break his nose?”

“Nah. Though I might next time I see him.” Donnie replied, then sighed once more. “Humans are all just the same, aren’t they?”

“Maybe.” Raph said, then shrugged. “But maybe not.”

Donnie looked up at his usually very anti-human brother with surprise.

“Look, I’m not saying what he did is okay, but- but if you like him, maybe, I don’t know, just hear him out? Not right away, but maybe in the future. Casey can be an idiot, but I don’t think he’d ever say anything to intentionally hurt you. He’s just- not that kind of guy, and he looked about as shocked as any of us that it had come out of his mouth.” Raph shrugged again. “But it’s up to you, I guess. What do I even know?”

Donnie smiled at his brother’s attempt at comfort.

“So, what? You’d be okay with me possibly dating your best friend?” Donnie asked.

Raph frowned. “Trust me when I say it’s not my favourite idea, but like you said, how many options do we have? And I want you guys to be happy.” He nudged Donnie’s shoulder, smiling down at him.

Donnie returned the smile, though it still held a touch of sadness to it. “Thanks, Raph.”

“Don’t mention it. Seriously. Don’t.”

Though he took Raph’s advice to heart, Donnie ignored any and all attempts at communication from Casey that night and into the next morning. He had decided that he refused to have this conversation over the phone, and a part of him was curios how long it would take Casey to give up and come back to the lair.

Evidentially, not even twenty-four hours.

Donnie was nose-deep in his latest attempt to fix the toaster (Leo had really done a number on it that morning at breakfast) when he heard the lab doors opening.

He looked up to see Casey’s head poked into the room and rolled his eyes before he returned to his work. Casey seemed to take Donnie’s lack of response as permission to enter, because he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

Donnie heard the careful footsteps making their way to his work bench, but kept his nose pointed towards his work.

“I messaged you.” Casey said and Donnie was surprised at the nervousness that laid in Casey’s words.

Not surprised enough to let up, however.

“I ignored you.” He replied and tightened a screw probably a little too tight.

He heard the footsteps come closer and then there was a shadow over the table’s surface. Donnie let out a huff and turned his head up to look at Casey again, slamming the screwdriver down on the table, his hand still clenched around it.

“Look, Jones-”

“Don-”

They spoke at the same time and Donnie was shocked into silence by the genuine emotion being displayed on Casey’s face. Casey continued in Donnie’s stead.

“I’m sorry.” He said with earnest. He held one hand clenched in the collar of his hoodie, and the other was stiffly hidden behind his back. Donnie had never seen anything even resembling anxiety in Casey before, he hadn’t been sure Casey was capable of the feeling if he was being honest.

“I’m so, so sorry. I- I didn’t mean to say it. I’m an idiot, and I think without speaking. And- and even though I did say it, I didn’t mean it how you think I meant it. It wasn’t really bragging, or- or in response to him calling my mom a whore- it was just, he- he brought up family so... so I brought up family, too.” Casey shrugged, and Donnie’s eyebrows knitted together.

“I never wanted to hurt you, and I didn’t mean to out you, and I just- I’m just so sorry that I hurt you.” Casey pulled out a bouquets or irises from behind his back. The stems held together just by his hand, and the ends were cut uneven, like Casey had plucked them right out of someone’s garden. Somehow it made the gesture all the more endearing. It mixed with Casey’s nervous smile had Donnie relenting. “Think you can forgive me?”

Donnie sighed and finally let a small smile lift the corners of his mouth. “You idiot.” He said quietly and reached up to take the flowers from the older teen. “I’m still angry, don’t get me wrong. What you said wasn’t okay, and- and it hurt, but I forgave you yesterday after Raph made your case for you.”

“Wait- really?” Casey asked, surprised that Raph had defended him after his screw up.

Donnie laughed, looking down at his flowers. “Yeah,” He turned his eyes towards Casey and gave him a sly smile. “Right after I assured him I was capable of breaking your nose myself.”

Casey let out a nervous sounding laugh, a mild blush colouring his face.

Donnie ignored it, and instead stood up from his desk. “The flowers were a nice touch.” He replied, and leaned forwards to place a kiss on Casey’s cheek before brushing past him to get some water for his flowers.

#teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2k12 #tmnt fanfiction #jonatello #casey jones #tmnt donatello #casetello #my writin #this is so dumb guys

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chromecutie · 4 years

Text

Not A Ghost - part 39

A/N - Multi-part fic. Colossus x OC where OC has come home after being wrongfully imprisoned in the Icebox. Warnings for whole fic - references and flashbacks to harsh prison environment, including various types of abuse.

NEW WARNING - fictional police brutality. Takes place shortly after events in Deadpool 2. Whole thing will end up on my AO3 eventually.

Masterlist on my profile!

Taglist: @emma-frxst @ra-ra-rasputiin @holamor @empressme-bitch @marvel-is-perfection @hazilyimagine @marvelhead17 @rovvboat @angstybadboytrash @whitewitchdown @master-sass-blast @mori-fandom @mooleche @dandyqueen @emberbent @leo-writer @silver-stormy . Wanna be added or removed? Holla at me.

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The X-Jet wasn’t made to transport so many passengers. There weren’t enough seats, so the most injured inmates were strapped in and everyone else had to hang on. Mimi carefully watched everyone. She hadn’t made it this far just to have a fellow freed prisoner do something that would make the X-Men turn them over to authorities and land them right back in prison. The last thing she wanted was going back to any holding facility. As the X-Men rushed around the jet, preparing for take off, Mimi made eye contact with as many individual freed inmates as she could, making sure they knew she was watching them.

The larger blue mutant was seeing to the more severe injuries. He was enormous, heavily muscled and had thick claws and fur, but spoke with a gentle accent. When the smaller bright blue mutant had boarded the jet, holding a barely conscious Rhonda, Mimi was surprised to find dread cracked her heart.

“Henry!” he called in a German accent, and the larger mutant turned. “She doesn’t look so good, ja?”

Henry’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. He promised his current patient he'd come back to him and hurried to meet the German holding Rhonda. He moved a gear box to clear a spot on the deck of the jet. “Here, Kurt, lay her here.” Kurt took care to set her down in a smooth motion. "What happened?" Henry asked as he was already checking her vitals and pupils. "Pulse is weak. Pupils irregular. Is all this blood hers? Swelling at her temple." He worked quickly to examine her.

“I don’t know,” Kurt shook his head, “Colossus is still on his way.”

Mimi craned her neck, and only saw Rhonda in bits and pieces past the men’s shoulders. Her skin was bluish, head lolling, breathing shallow and labored. The easiest thing she could see, however, was the soles of her feet - they looked like raw hamburger, absolutely riddled with shards of glass. “Hey!” She called to them. “Check her feet!”

Kurt and Henry gave Mimi a sudden wary glance, then both shifted to check her feet. The smaller mutant cursed in German. “Indeed it’s not good,” Henry agreed. He tore open Rhonda’s jumpsuit, “But there must be something else. Kurt, take the other first aid kit and help the others with the bumps and scrapes, please.”

With Kurt giving him space, Henry carefully tore away pieces of the grey cotton shirt under the jumpsuit, finding plenty of swelling and bruises that were starting to blacken. He muttered about broken ribs. He suddenly paused, and Mimi couldn’t tell what he’d found.

"STORM!” he roared to the cockpit, “We need a hospital! Now!" Storm gave an affirmative over the cabin radio.

Several more inmates and the last few X-Men boarded the jet, including Wade and the tall, musclebound steel mutant. The tall brute immediately knelt by Rhonda’s side, and though Mimi couldn’t make out exactly what he was saying, the anguish in his voice was unmistakable. “That’s her husband,” she said softly to Robinson. She shook her head, “Exactly as she used to describe him.”

“Huh,” Robinson slid an arm around Mimi’s waist to support them both as the jet rumbled its take off. “To be fair, an eight-foot-tall steel Russian man does sound made up.”

The floor tilted as the aircraft banked on a new course.

Piotr smoothed hair away from Rhonda’s face. The swelling around her temple worried him, but not as much as how her eyes rolled and how pale her lips were. "Stay with me, Rhonda, look at me," he urged. "You are safe now, stay with us."

"Pi-Piotr," she barely managed to speak between wet wheezes.

Tears welled up in his eyes. She tried to speak again, but he shushed her, "Don't try to speak if it hurts. Let Cable help you, please." He waved Cable over, who carefully wove through the other passengers to loom over them.

With the ugly, bloodsoaked jumpsuit and the grey t-shirt under it torn open, Rhonda’s torso was bare to the warm cabin of the deck. There was no gaping wound, no horrible laceration, but just below her ribs, the last quarter inch of a toothbrush head stuck out of Rhonda's skin, the bristles slowly oozing with blood.

Beast carefully touched around it, figuring out at what angle the rest of the toothbrush pointed and how long it was. Rhonda couldn't even keep her eyes open anymore, and when she struggled to breathe and speak, she coughed and blood sprang to her lips.

"Henry, please! Pull it out!" Piotr begged with a strained voice, his stomach churning with panic.

"She's bleeding internally, probably a punctured lung,” Henry spoke quickly. “If I take that out here she'll bleed out before you can say dasvidaniya." He squirted saline solution over the wound, then moved to squirt saline on her head wound, rinsing blood away to examine the external damage.

Cable crouched by her feet and extended his telepathy. Where he had previously found a strong mind full of resistance to being read, he found no fight now. "She says, you brought me home," he read from her thoughts, "Thank you." He looked at her glass-crusted feet and scowled.

"No, no, no, Sladkaya, we're not home yet! You have to stay awake!" the Russian struggled to stay calm. He kept touching her face, shoulders, arms. Her skin felt cooler than it should.

"I can get this glass out, cleaner than your surgeons can in this time," Cable said. The other two either didn’t hear him or they ignored him. So he grabbed an empty cardboard box from between some people’s feet and leaned his weight on one forearm across Rhonda's shins. He searched for every little shard of glass and with his telekinesis, he pulled. Each shining glass splinter worked its way out as if they were seedlings in a spring garden, and ranged in size from a single snowflake to a quarter. Rhonda shivered, but didn’t react much besides that.

Blood bubbled at her lips as Piotr's vision blurred with tears. "Stay with me," he begged, "I can't lose you again, not like this."

After that, things moved in a quick blur. Hank improvised a chest tube from an inmate’s ballpoint pen, jabbing it near her collarbone and releasing the air that had been building up in Rhonda’s chest cavity. Her shallow breaths became a little deeper, but she still didn’t have long to live without tools they didn’t have on the jet. They landed on the rooftop helipad of the nearest hospital, and Cable levitated Rhonda to the gurney some nurses wheeled out. They slapped a medical grade power-blocking collar around her neck, and Piotr almost smashed them into the walls. "You take that thing off my wife!"

"Sir, sir!" One particularly short nurse patted the air between them. "This is standard procedure. Could this mutant's abilities be fatal to another person?" They had almost reached the elevator.

Piotr froze. He swallowed and clenched his jaw. "Yes...but...she cannot have that thing on when she wakes up."

The nurse promised, "She won't. Waiting area's downstairs." The elevator doors closed, and Rhonda and the nurses disappeared.

Ellie and Yukio stayed close to Piotr while the rest of the team helped coordinate help for the injured inmates. Storm made several calls to the Xavier house and started setting up a safe house and protection for any inmates who had to stay in the hospital. Kurt and Henry took the jet with a few passengers to head for the safe house.

In the waiting area, Cable studied how Piotr sagged into a plush chair that creaked under his weight. “Wade,” he snagged him by the arm as he was walking by. “When I was in Rhonda’s head…” he hesitated. His brow pinched. “I don’t know if she’s gonna make it through the night. If she doesn’t…” Cable jutted his chin toward Piotr, “We both know what it is to lose a wife.”

Wade frowned and shook his head. “No. No fucking way.” He batted Cable’s hand away. “A little head trauma, collapsed lung, torn shoulder, and a bunch of broken ribs never killed anybody. You know? Fuck outta here with your negativity, House.” All the same, he crossed the waiting area to sit beside Piotr.

Ellie found her way to sit beside her mentor and father figure. For a long while, none of them said a word. Eventually, Ellie drew her arms tight around one of Piotr’s biceps, crushing her cheek against the steel of his arm as the tears finally came. Yukio rubbed her back as she cried. As Piotr started to reach with his free hand to touch her face, Wade hugged his other arm the same way as Ellie. Together, they waited for the surgeons to finish.

Piotr stayed by her side in the intensive care unit. As promised, they had removed the medical grade collar, and Rhonda’s neck was mercifully bare. His uniform was still stained with her blood, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave her for even the minute it would take to change into the fresh clothes Ellie and Yukio had brought. Swathed in bandages, breathing through a tube, his wife had never looked so fragile. He held her right hand, pressing the back of it to his cheek as he watched her face, tears streaming. His other hand delicately touched her hair. He whispered around the lump in his throat, “Come back to me, Sladkaya, come back to us. I’m here, whenever you are ready. Please.”

When the hospital staff tried to tell Piotr visiting hours were over, and that he could come back the next day, he said simply that he wasn’t going anywhere. He explained to the seasoned nurse in her fifties a short version of what had happened in the last few years. He would stay, and promised not to make any trouble for the hospital staff. The nurse took a slow sigh and replied simply, “I’ll get you a coffee, baby, be right back.”

Hours stretched into days. Wade, Ellie, and other friends could only get Piotr to take breaks if at least two of them stayed in Rhonda’s hospital room while he changed clothes or took a short walk. Every minute that he was with her, Piotr had a hand on her. He would clasp his hands around her feet to warm up her toes, check how the deep lacerations in her feet were closing, rest a hand over her stomach or chest to feel her breathe, study the finger stump on her right hand, and slide his palm up her arm over the Xs as he had seen her do so many times.

Once, when Wade was sitting beside him, Piotr had been studying the Xs again. “Wade...what are these?” he asked.

Wade puffed out his cheeks and blew a long breath, fumbling, “Ohhhh buddy, uhh, I - you should - you know - that’s just not my story to tell, you know?” Wade gripped his knees and stretched, popping his shoulders.

Piotr traced a few of the smaller Xs, then laid his palms to cover as many as possible. “They are signatures, aren’t they?” he said quietly, voice tight. “They called her Guestbook, and put these marks all over her. The x-rays showed scar tissue in this shoulder, like it had been dislocated more than once.” Wade’s silence except for sucking in a hissing breath through his teeth was answer enough. Lifting her hand, Piotr pointed out the newest one, with a long tail that curved around her arm. It was scabbed over and a little irritated, but no longer puffy with infection. “I have been cleaning and caring for this one,” he said with a tone that was too calm. “Wade, who did this to my wife? Was it guards? Other prisoners?”

The images flashed in Wade’s mind, another horrible thing he would never forget. Rhonda on the ground, arms pinned and twisted, knees in her back, a dead look in her eyes. Weak with cancer and restrained by several people, he had been unable to help her. He blinked. “Both.”

With what could only be described as reverence, Piotr laid Rhonda’s hand back on the bed, and actually pulled his hands away to ball into fists on his thighs. His gaze was still riveted to her. “The prisoners we brought with us - was it any of them?” His voice was even, and clear, and filled with cold determination.

Wade could smell the desire for revenge like a shark smells blood in the water, and raised his hairless brows. “For what it’s worth, sexy, beefy Terminator,” he started to smile, “I’m pretty sure your lady killed about half the motherfuckers who ever touched her.”

For the first time in days, Piotr made direct eye contact, with a placid expression. Jaw tight, he asked, “And the other half?”

The seasoned mercenary was beaming. “As much as I love this color on you,” he waved an open hand in a circle. “Do I really have to remind you of your rules? One of the ones near the top - I think it’s number five, maybe nine - no killing? Anyone?”

“Perhaps you were right when you killed Francis,” he said. “Perhaps an exception can be made.”

Wade squirmed in his seat, groaning, then jumped to his feet, “Stop talking dirty to me! This hospital room is no place for a boner!” He growled in frustration, then pointed at Rhonda, “Plus…she said...we don’t know how many of them seem like fucking monsters now, but they weren’t like that until the Icebox made them that way. I - uggghhhhhh,” he grumbled incoherent cursing about turned tables and moral compasses. “I think she’d want you to leave them alone.”

The Russian’s shoulders sagged and he looked down at his hands, opening and closing his fists. “What good is all my strength,” he sighed, “if I could not prevent any of this? If I cannot protect her?”

#not a ghost #colossus x oc #piotr rasputin x oc #deadpool #xmen fanfic #deadpool fanfic

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purplerainsaladtea · 4 years

Note

Can I be your first ask? I was hoping you can do a scenario where the boys are fighting the shredder and are about to be defeated and killed but out of nowhere their little daughter saves them and actually defeats the shredder herself? A bonus the boys had no idea she had become that skilled

((Sure! ^^ and thank you for the ask! Sorry this took so long to get out... I didn't expect to get 7 different asks all within the same day ~-~))

[Type of Fic: Angst(?)]

[Warnings: Blood, Violence, and Swearing]

[D/N = Daughter's Name]

[WoC = Weapon of Choice]

Leo:

Leo's back collided with a wall causing some blood to fly out of his mouth as he slowly slid down the wall, stricken with unimaginable pain. Shredder Slowly approached the Pain Stricken terrapin, his blades slowly sliding out causing a light shling sound to be heard. Shredder soon towered over the blue clad turtle, looking down at him as Leo had his head hung low, wincing every so often.

"I'll ask one more Time, Turtle. Where is the Rat?" He grabbed Leo by the back of his mask and yanked his head back so that he'd look up at him. Leo winced and opened his eyes to look at shredder, glaring but remaining silent. Shredder sighed and shook his head in disappointment before letting go of Leo, causing him to grunt "Fine then.. Any last words, turtle?" He asked. Leo rolled his head back, wincing lightly again before glancing around a bit before looking back and Shredder and nodding lightly "Rot in Hell..." He spat some blood out.

Shredder glared slightly "Very well..." He raised his hand back to lay down the final blow. Leo ducked his head and closed his eyes tightly, awaiting impact to embrace his bitter death... But it never came. What came Next was sounds of Clashing Metal/wood ((whatever their kids WoC is)) and grunts. Leo opened his eyes and looked up to see what was going on and gasped

"D/N?!" He yelled. D/N turned back to look at her Dad "Hey Dad" She waved and then blocked another one of shredders attacks. He glared at his Daughter "What are you doing here??" He snapped. She rolled her eyes lightly at her Father "Saving your Shell. And besides, I wouldn't let my Old man die on me now would I? Who's gonna Keep Mom Company at Night or Train with Me, My Cousins, Grandpa, and Uncles?" She asks playfully. Leo sighed and tried to get up to help her but when he attempted to apply pressure to his legs he let out a small yelp of pain and stayed sitting down.

"Don't worry dad! I got this" She Reassured. After a long while of Fighting she Lodged her WoC into Shredder causing him to scream in pain "Damn you..." He shot her a glare then slipped out a Smoke pellet. Her eyes widened "No!" She Ran at him but before she could get to him, he threw it down and it Exploded causing smoke to go everywhere. She coughed and closed her eyes and covered her mouth

Once the smoke cleared, shredder was no where to be seen. She sighed and cursed under her breath before turning around and running over to her Dad and crouching down in front of him, taking her phone out and dialing Donnie. Leo scanned his Daughter's body with his eyes for any major noticeable wounds on her "Where... Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked.

She smiled lightly and shrugged "Let's just say I have a few great teachers back at home.." She playfully and Gently nudged her Dad's shoulder.

He smiled lightly and nodded before Donnie finally picked up "Hello?" He answered through her phone. "Umm Uncle Don? Uhh.. I need your Help with something..." She frowned lightly before sighing and whispering "Hold on Dad... Help will be here soon..."

Raph:

"Damn you!" Raph yelled and Threw a Punch at Shredders head from behind to which Shredder managed to Dodge with ease before Punching Raph in the gut hard a few times before upper cutting him, causing Raph to Fly back a bit landing face first.

He grunted and went to sit up before a foot was firmly pressed down onto his Back shell, keeping him down "Pathetic.." Shredder kicked Raph's shell causing it to crack a bit while also Causing the Red clad terrapin to scream out in pain. "Get... Off..." Raph snarled under his breath. Shredder glared then Shot Two blades into Raph, One in his Left calf and the Other in his Right calf to keep him down and unable to escape. Raph let out another yell before clenching his fists in pain.

Shredder punched the ground next to Raph's head, stabbing his blades into the ground deeply "Where. Is. The Rat, Raphael?" He asked, obviously Irritated with the fact that he'd gotten nowhere with Raph when it came to him getting information on Splinters Location from him. He pulled his blades out of the ground and looked down at the Red brute. Raph only panted lightly and turned his head to glance back at shredder, glaring daggers his way "...Go fuck yourself" He turned his head to look back at the ground, keeping himself up slightly on his elbows.

Shredder glared back and just shook his head "What a waste..." He quickly raised his arm back to Strike him down. Raph closed his eyes tightly and awaited death, flinching when it never came and was instead replaced with Metal clashing against Metal/wood ((whatever their kids WoC is)) before quickly snapping his head back to see what was going on. D/N used her weapon to shield her Dad from Shredders Attack "I won't let you hurt him anymore..." She glared and Kicked Shredder back, causing the Walking cheese greater to stumble back a bit.

D/N glanced at Her Dad with a Sad expression, not liking seeing him hurt whether it be Physically or Mentally. Raph only stayed silent and glanced at his daughter before glancing away from her, His Ego and Pride hurt at the Moment "Leave..." He ordered in a Harsh Manner, not wanting his Daughter to see him like this nor did he want her getting hurt.

She sighed and Nodded "Okay Dad... I'll leave..." She looked over at Shredder and Glared "...Right after I Finish taking the Trash Out" She got into a fighting position before getting into a Fight with Shredder. After awhile of Fighting she Pierced her WoC through Shredder causing shredder to Scream in pain and Pull it out, holding his New Wound "Shit... You Arrogant Child.." he growled and Hit her away. D/N winced and Slid back, landing Near her Dad. Shredder shook his head "This isn't finished... Girl.." He Shot some Blades at her Which she Quickly dodged and looked back over where Shredder was standing only to find that he was Now Gone.

She glared "Coward!" She yelled before getting down to Help her Dad. "Where... Did you learn to fight like... That?" He asked weakly. She crossed her arms and smirked "Only from the greatest Dad in the world of course~" She shrugged before noticing that her dad was basically bleeding out at this point "ah! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! U-Uhhh Dad wha-what do I do??" She asked frantically. "...Call... Donnie..." He mumbled. She nodded "R-Right" She took her Phone out and started dialing his Number "Hang in their Dad... Donnie is coming.."

Donnie:

Donnie's Staff collided with Shredders Blades "Leave me alone! And leave my family out of this!" He yelled and hit Shredder back "They have nothing to do with your petty vendetta!" He panted lightly before shredder vanished from his line of sight. Donnie gulped lightly and tensed up, backing up a bit and glancing around before walking into something... Or more like someone. He gasped and Quickly turned around only to have a hand forcefully grab his neck harshly causing him to cough before another hand started colliding repeatedly into his stomach, knocking his breath out of him and causing him to cough up Blood and getting thrown across the Rooftop before rolling a bit before finally stopping and groaning lowly. Donnie slowly sat up and panted lightly, glancing at his arms which were now fucked. Covered in Scratches and Open cuts and other wounds alike.

"Dammit..." He whispered to himself and stood up, looking back in shredders direction only to have a Fist collide with his face, causing him to fall back down and let out a scream of pain and hold his face. Holding his now Bleeding and Broken nose before glaring up at Shredder. Shredder only looked down at Donnie before kicking him in the Chest, causing Donnie to cough up more blood before proceeding to basically Kick the shit out of poor Donatello. Donnie just layed their and took it, not being able to do much to deflect it. Donnie Let out a Few Painful Cries of Pain out before Shredder eventually stopped now circling around Donnie's Almost Limp Body "Tell me turtle... Where is the Rat?" He asked.

Donnie just blinked and held his gut as his body tried to register the Pain he just received all at once. Shredder glared slightly then Grabbed Donnie by the back of his mask and held him up a bit and made him look at Him "Answer the Question" He snapped impatiently. Donnie only sighed lightly and looked down, closing his eyes before opening them again after a few seconds and Glaring at Donnie "...No" He said plainly. Shredder growled lowly under his Breath and Threw Donnie into a Water tower, causing it to collapse with Donnie soon rolling out of it and back onto the ground, groaning.

Shredder walked over to Donnie and took his foot and shoved Donnie so that he was now laying on his back Shell. Donnie was too weak to even Move and only glanced up at Shredder

"If you answer the Question I may just spare your Wife and Daughter's Life" He offered. Donnie only glared and didn't believe anything that came out of Shredders mouth "...I said No..." He shook his head. Shredder sighed "...What a Pity..." He went to strike Donnie down. Donnie closed his eyes calmly, awaiting Death before quickly opening his eyes when he heard the sound of a WoC colliding with Metal. He gasped "D/N??" He asked

She shoved shredder away from her dad then looked down at him and smiled and waved "Hey Dad!" She turned her attention back to shredder and proceeded to get into a fight with Him. Donnie just stated at his Daughter, Absolutely Flabbergasted that his Daughter was able to hold her own pretty well against Shredder however he was still worried that she would get hurt and wanted her to get herself out of here.

After a bit Shredder Retreated and D/N just stood there for a moment and panted before going over to her Dad and taking some bandages out of her pocket and patching him up "Sorry I couldn't get here sooner..." She frowned and avoided eye contact with him. "how did you find me?" He asked

She shrugged "I just tracked your Phone" She explained. He nodded "And... where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked curiously as he allowed her to help him. "Dad.. I have 5 Amazing teachers back at Home" She joked

Donnie only rolled his eyes playfully and weakly ruffled her hair causing her to Smile. "I appreciate the you of now and then.." He fumbled over his words a bit. D/N blinked and looked at him confused

He smiled weakly "I might have a Concussion.."

She giggled "it's okay Dad.. We'll fix you up... I'm Glad I made it in time Dad..." She mumbled.

Mikey:

Shlick

Mikey stood frozen in Pain as he Slowly looked down at his Plastron to see a Blade sticking through his side "oh my god..." He soon collapsed onto the ground. Shredder stood behind Mikey, with his blade dripping blood off of it. Mikey tried his best to apply pressure to his wound and cover it so that he wouldn't bleed out as fast or get an Infection while trying to crawl away from shredder.

Shredder only shook his head and kicked Mikey against a wall causing the Jokester in Orange to yelp in pain "Stop it! Just stop!" He yelled out. Shredder stopped "Begging for your life Already?" He asked and gripped Mikey's chin and forced him to look at him. Mikey glared "No.. I'm not" He spat in shredders face. Shredder flinched before pausing for a moment then proceeding to kick Mikey across the Face as hard as he could.

Mikey grunted and fell to the side, yelping before groaning in pain. "You're not even worth my time... Maybe I could get something out of your brothers. Or maybe even your Wife and Daughter.." He shook his head. Something in Mikey Snapped.. The once Sweet, Playfully, Jokester that always kept his cool now was pissed beyond belief that would even put the Great Raphael to shame. Mikey used the Last of his strength to quickly stand up "How dare you!! I won't let you hurt them!" He yelled and Swung at Shredder, managing to punch him across the face. Shredder stumbled back and held his cheek before looking back at Mikey

Mikey panted and glared, still holding his wound. Blood was dripping down his Plastron and seeping through his hand that he had around it. Shredder. Was. Pissed. Shredder bared both of his blades and Ran at Mikey, aiming to kill him. Mikey's eyes widened and he quickly ducked his head, tensing up knowing that he couldn't take Shredder on in the state he was in.

D/N quickly Jumped down into the Alleyway that Her Dad and shredder were in and Stood in front of her Dad, blocking shredders attack. Mikey opened his eyes "D-D/N?..." He asked, confused. She held shredder back and looked back at her Dad and smiled "Ello Papa" She greeted him happily before hitting shredder back before proceeding to get into a 1v1 fight with him and... Winning?!

Mikey's Jaw dropped as he watched and his eyes widened. Shredder grunted and glared at her before taking a smoke pellet and throwing it into D/N's face causing her to yelp and start coughing harshly. When the smoke cleared shredder was gone

D/N sighed in relief "Phew.." She hung her head. Mikey started feeling dizzy and soon fell to his knees, grunting in the process. D/N flinched then turned around and went over to her Dad and saw his wound and gasped, covering her mouth with her hands "Papa.." She teared up lightly. Mikey gently cupped his Daughter's cheek "C-Call.... Call your uncles D/N... They'll know what to do... They always do..." He reassured "Your Papa is gonna be fine..." He playfully but weakly booped her nose. She blinked her tears back and nodded and quickly took her phone out and called her uncles "Please... Hang on Papa..."

#tmnt #tmnt fandom #tmnt leonardo #tmnt au #tmnt 2016 #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2007 #tmnt 2014 #tmnt 2003 #tmnt raphael #tmnt donnie #tmnt michelangelo

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theeeveetamer · 5 years

Note

(Same person that wrote the neko thing) honestly, I don’t care, im ok with anything you want to include.

Honestly y’all just need to put me down now because I had too much fun writing this. Ended up a lot kinkier than I’d intended though.

Tags: Neko, Neko Takumi, Human Leo, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha/Omega, Omega Takumi, Alpha Leo, Slave Trade, Slave Auction, Collars, Rope Bondage, Humiliation, Master/Pet, Mentioned Bestiality (Kind of, it’s a weird headcanon okay), Gags, Leo is a Good Guy

Warnings: Non-Con-y elements. Please read the tags.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17865764

The room was dark but for one dim light on the stage. All manner of Alphas were roaming about the small, dark room. A few of them chatted, but most of them remained silent and watched, just like him.

He hated these things. He hated the darkness, he hated the cramped spaces, and he hated the oppressing stink of Alpha pheromones that permeated the walls long after it was over… But Niles had given him a heads up that something special was happening this time, and Leo was nothing if not morbidly curious.

Someone lit the remaining torches on the stage, illuminating the makeshift wooden boards and bringing the entire scene into sharp relief. He had to allow his eyes a moment to adjust.

It wasn’t a very wide room, only fitting about six men abreast, but it was long. Perfect for the purpose it usually served. One end contained a raised platform, hastily constructed with rough planks of wood, and a door leading to an adjacent room. There were no windows: This was the dungeons, after all, and the ceiling was low. Not low enough that he needed to duck, but if he reached his arm up he could comfortably touch the ceiling with the full palm on his hand. A metal hook was bolted to the stone ceiling on the stage, and a block of wood sat off to the side, just in case it was needed. Perfectly suited for the kind of auctions they held.

In reality the room could hold double the number of men. There were only about a dozen currently there, but he’d been told it was a high-roller night only. The best of stock for the richest of men. His retainer was among them, keeping a watchful eye out just in case things turned sour and they needed to make an escape.

He was starting to get antsy. He had a hot bath and a good book waiting for him upstairs in his room once his curiosity had been sated, and he would much rather be doing that right now.

The auctioneer finally put their waiting to an end after several agonizing minutes of staring up at an empty stage. He stepped out into the open, tugging something along by a leash behind him. Leo immediately saw what Niles had meant by ‘special’.

The man -- or boy, he wouldn’t put it past their soldiers to kidnap a child -- was not only Hoshidan, but a neko. And an incredibly beautiful one at that. His long silver hair was pulled back into a loose bun, but Leo could tell that it would be down past his back if it were loose. His fluffy ears of the same color were almost invisible, pushed flat against his head and his tail was busy and down between his legs.

Nekos didn’t usually wear collars, so he could only guess that the bright red one around his neck with the humiliating bell was an addition of the auctioneer’s. They’d also tied his calves to his thighs, so he was forced to crawl slowly on his hands and knees behind the man tugging his leash. A ring gag was also set firmly behind his teeth to keep his jaw wide.

“What did I tell you, milord?”

He was captivated by what was taking place on the stage, though mildly annoyed that Niles hadn’t just told him what was going to happen when he’d apparently known.

The pair stopped in the middle of the stage, and the auctioneer commanded the Omega to sit with a gesture of his hand. He stroked the top of his head fondly before his voice boomed out over the room.

“What do you think? Won’t he make a fantastic pet?”

The hoots and hollers of his fellow Alphas were deafening, but Leo remained silent. How barbaric. His father’s obsession with punishing Hoshido was going a step too far; To kidnap and sell off Omegas to the highest bidder was nothing short of monstrous.

“I think I’ve seen enough.” He muttered back to his retainer, though he wasn’t sure if Niles heard over the din.

He was about to turn and leave when he locked eyes with the poor man on the stage. He was wide-eyed and terrified, tears streaming down his cheeks as he was forced to suffer such humiliation. The sounds of the other Alphas were still roaring in his ears, but it was like his world stood still when he met those desperate amber eyes.

Damn it…

He couldn’t let him suffer like this. Who knew what these men would do to him if they got their hands on him? He was as exotic as exotic could come; He’d probably be dragged around to parties and passed around until he died of the humiliation. Or until his owner got bored of him and sent him off to be bred by the dogs. Despite being closer in stature to cats, nekos were rumored to make competent breeding partners for most species; Though he wasn’t sure if that was true or just a rumor. Nohrians didn’t come into contact with them very often.

He anxiously waited for the bidding to begin, but it seemed the auctioneer wasn’t done showing him off yet. It made sense, he wanted the Alphas in the room antsy and bothered, so they would run up the price. The man made a circular motion with his hand, and the neko clumsily turned himself around so his back was to the audience.

“Don’t worry, he’s fully trained, see?”

Then he snapped his fingers, and the boy dropped onto his forearms, ass in the air. Though he was still maintaining some modicum of modesty because his tail was still pressed between his legs.

“Don’t be shy, kitten. Everyone here wants to see you!”

The auctioneer grabbed him roughly by the tail and yanked it up, so he was fully exposed to the crowd. The Omega made a noise for the first time -- a strangled yelp muffled by his gag. His thighs were actually wet with slick, and his stiff cock hung down between his legs. This caused a stir in the room -- If Leo hadn’t known better he would have said the poor boy was just begging to be fucked. Most of the Alphas probably knew better actually, but the fantasy was powerful. A completely obedient pet at their beck and call, ready to be fucked at any time, through any humiliation?

If they weren’t ready to spend big money before, they certainly were now.

“We’ll start at 100,000 gold.”

The auctioneer didn’t let go of his tail, and really it seemed like he’d completely forgotten he was holding it. Leo guessed it was pretty painful, since as the bids climbed higher and higher the poor Omega was forced into more humiliating positions just to keep the pressure off. His face was flat on the ground, nails clawing at the splintered wood and back arched to alleviate the tension. This only had the effect of driving the bidding as he wriggled and squirmed.

Leo decided to bide his time. He knew with the weight of the imperial treasury at his back he could easily outbid any of these minor nobles, but he didn’t want to spend more than he needed. The numbers quickly climbed past the million mark, and then two, and then five… And Leo realized that this could go on all night.

He finally raised his card and answered with a firm “Ten million.”

The auctioneer finally dropped the neko’s tail, and the boy went back to hiding himself with it. The room fell completely silent, and he realized for the first time that he was nervously purring.

A few of the nobles turned to look at him, but he didn’t even spare a glance. Instead he crossed his arms over his chest and glared resolutely at the stage, as if to say challenge my bid. I dare you.

But no one did. He was sure some of the nobility had the gold for it, but even something as rare as a neko wasn’t worth that much of their money. Not when they knew he could easily double whatever offer they made.

“Sold!”

Leo dismissed is retainer and roughly dragged the neko by the leash back into the room where the slaves were held before auction. It was empty, confirming his suspicion that this neko was their only prize tonight. Money exchanged hands, and the auctioneer left them alone to their own devices.

As soon as he was gone Leo slipped a dagger out of its hiding place in his sleeve and cut the ropes, the gag, and the ridiculous collar off.

The Omega worked his jaw for a moment before speaking.

“T-Thank you sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I own you now, I could do anything to you that I pleased.”

He looked up at him curiously for a moment, big amber eyes shining in the dim torchlight. He looked so placid despite his tear stained cheeks and flushed face.

“But you won’t.”

“Oh? And how do you know that?”

He was right. Leo would never stoop so low, but the Omega didn’t know that. They’d never met before, never spoken. The only interaction they’d had was that one brief look before the bidding started.

“You were the only one that didn’t jeer at me. So thank you for rescuing me.”

“I… Of course.”

There was something so innocent in the way he gazed up at him, nothing but pure, unadulterated trust in his eyes. His tail swished lazily back and forth, straight up in the air this time.

“Can you walk?”

“Mmm… No, I don’t think so. They had my legs tied like that for a long time.”

He bent down and picked the smaller man up in his arms. He was much lighter than expected, and Leo had no problems carrying him up the several flights of stairs from the dungeons to the royal wing.

He’d be a dead man if his father found out he’d spent so much money on a slave… But that was the least of his worries. Right now he was focused on making sure the man in his arms was safe and comfortable.

He managed to sneak the neko into his room with little issue, and once they were there he grabbed one of his nightshirts from the dresser and handed it to him.

The neko took it gingerly, running his fingers over the soft silk curiously before he happily pulled it on over his head. Leo was quite a bit taller than him, so the shirt came down to his mid-thigh.

“Thank you, master!”

“D-Don’t call me that, okay?” He was relieved that the Omega was finally covered up. As vile as he found this entire affair, even he wasn’t immune to the effects of a pretty Omega.

He cocked his head to the side, ears perked up curiously. “What do I call you then?”

“You can just call me Leo.”

“Leo?”

“Yes, that is my name after all.”

The neko smiled broadly back at him.

“Wow! Master is very kind!”

He almost corrected him, but he supposed it would take some getting used to. He had no idea how long this Omega had been in captivity for, he might simply be used to referring to everyone in such a way. By the sound if it that was the case. His heart ached for the Hoshidan before him.

“What about you? What should I call you?”

“Oh! I’m sorry Master Leo... My name is Takumi.”

#Leokumi #Leo #Takumi #Omegaverse #Neko #Neko Takumi #Human Leo #Omega Takumi #Alpha Leo #Not kid friendly #or life friendly really #Anonymous

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catbowserauthor · 5 years

Text

2003 Mikey Piece w/ OC

@brightlotusmoon So this is another piece I did a while ago when I was coming up with a background for my OC for Mikey in the 2003 world. It doesn't have a story as of yet because I don't use this OC much...but given it has some Mikey and Donnie sweetness in here, I thought you'd appreciate it.

It seemed like it was his turn to be in the hellish world. SO far, he'd made little progress at finding the section where Usagi dwelled but he knew at least it was around here somewhere. Apparently though, there were all kinds of different races here and they seemed to like to hound on the Kame portion of this world. As it was, he was currently walking through the partially abandoned, burned out village. He had only heard a few of the remaining attackers say its name: Shellrala. He couldn't really even tell what kind of creatures the attackers were...maybe large feline like creatures. All he did know was that they apparently had NO honor because they had mowed through this village with absolutely no restraint--he'd lost track of the number of women and children he had stepped over. Most of the large feline creatures had moved on, maybe two or three still lingering and honestly, he was going to as well but he felt...no, KNEW he had to at least give these poor people a proper burial or cremation or something! He couldn't just leave them. He was trying to stay out of sight because quite frankly, after days of not having a lot of food and walking constantly, he was not in the mood for a fight. Then, he heard it. Crying. Like, really little kid crying. He darted and followed the sound, still attempting to stay quiet but he felt like finding the source was more important than stealth right now. He dipped into one of the nearby huts, where the noise heightened. Pushing aside the burnt and broken furniture, he found finally found the source. Lost amid piles of blankets and a torn kimono, he found a small dark green (even darker than his own coloring) baby turtle. Absolutely howling their head off, with little small wisps of dark black hair trailing into deep ocean blue eyes. The kid had to be...heck, maybe four months, if that? Despite only being 18 himself, Mikey KNEW that a baby that young was especially vulnerable. The baby locked eyes with him as he approached and stopped crying. He guessed it was a female, simply because of the slimmer size and frame (and he would confirm this later) but the baby didn't reject when he scooped her up into his arms. "Hey, hey, little squirt. It's okay. Mikey'll help you." The sound of commotion outside made him pull the baby close to his chest and pull a tanto from his belt, silently thanking Leo for tossing it to him before they got divided. Two feline soldiers pushed their way through the door way and hissed in Japanese to one another "I thought you said you killed all the turtles in here? And you missed the brat?" "I'll remedy it, easy enough," their partner confirmed and approached, a hand on their katana. Mikey's swipe of his tanto sent them to their knees, clutching a bloody stomach before they got within a foot and in a swift motion, the second one was slammed against the wall, the blade at their jugular. Mikey's Japanese was...well, not the greatest (least speaking, he understood it fine), but he knew he got this right and even if he didn't, he knew his face would send the message clear enough: "You kill baby, you die next." The feline dropped to their knees when Mikey hit their concussion point and the teenager looked to the tiny baby who cooed up at her rescuer. Mikey glanced around the village, biting his lip. No one was left to watch after the kid and even if there was...these turtle knew next to nothing about defending themselves! Most of the kids he had walked past had been shoved into holes--they just knew to hide. Looking down at the tiny girl in his arms, he gave her a nervous laugh, "Well, guess you're gonna hafta stick with me, munchkin." She giggled.

"You didn't tell them I'm here, right?" Mikey didn't take his eyes from the baby girl in his arms who greedily ate up the bottle he offered her. It was nice to have a place in the Daimyo's place, especially after traveling for the past three months. The little one in his arms was more than capable of scooting now and rolling over. His brothers had been back at home for several weeks. He knew they were still looking for him but he was...scared. Scared of what they would think, scared of what they would say but mostly, petrified that they would say he had to give this little one up. No, he refused. He wouldn't. She was his now, they had bonded. She was his...his masterpiece. His Sistine. However, he also knew that he had to face this eventually and he hated to think of the torture he was putting them through, the worry, the uncertainty. And he missed them. God, he missed them. He...wanted their support right now and maybe that's what he was most afraid of. That it would be denied to him. He looked up at his visitor. Renet winced, "Duh, no. I didn't tell them. But they're, like, totally freaked out Mikey! You can't sit here forever..." "I know," He shifted the girl in his arms as she settled into sleep. "I...I know I needa tell them. C-can...can you give them a letter from me?" Renet wasn't thrilled with the idea of being messenger but it was a start! "Sure! Do you have one?" Mikey slipped the baby girl into a small basket that he had decked out in blankets and cushioning into a crib of sorts. "Gimme five minutes." --- "Leo, I tol' you, I can't say where he is or anything. He just said to drop this off to you." "Whatta ya mean you can't tell us?" Oh, Raph was livid, "That's my baby brother, Renet!" "Duh, I know that," she challenged "But he asked me to just drop the letter off and then...see what happened." The threesome of brothers exchanged glances as Master Splinter gave a nod to Renet and Leonardo looked at the letter he held in his hand. Walking wordless to the couch, he sat, his two other brothers sinking down next to him and Master Splinter following and sitting on the opposite chair. Unfolding the parchment, Leo began to read aloud, if only for his own comfort: "Hey Bros--first, I'm A-Okay! Tell Sensei sorry I gave him another heart attack. Daimyo told me that you guys were okay too and totally kicked shell! Not like I'm surprised. You always do. So, sorry I haven't come home yet. It's...complicated." Donnie frowned, "Complicated?" Immediately thoughts of his own hellish world flashed through his mind but he forced himself to calm, to not jump to conclusions. "See, I got stuck in Usagi's world but totally not the fun parts, Leo! There's a whole part just for turtles! But...well, they were...man, they were cowards! Totally being overrun by these cheetah-jaguar-feline-ish creeps! And they didn't have any weapons, didn't defend themselves or anything and these creeps were totally thinking genocide!" Leo took a breath and went on "I ran into this old village after they had ransacked it. Slaughtered turtles everywhere, bros! But...I found one survivor. This little girl. Guess they overlooked her. And I wasn't gonna just leave her there so I took her with me. I've...been taking care of her." There was a smudge where obviously their brother had paused, "I _love_ taking care of her." "Mikey with a kid?" Raph snorted "You gotta be kidding me..." Leo ignored him and kept going "I...guess you probably expect me to say that I've been trying to find someone to take care of her but I'm not. I'm taking care of her. I want to. I love her, bros. And..and..I know it's probably not too smart but I have...I have to raise her. She's like...she IS my daughter now. I call her my masterpiece. My little Sistine." Donnie, despite himself, found himself grinning widely, "Fitting." "I...wanna come home Dudes. Me and little Sistine. I wanna introduce her to her uncles and to her Grandpa. And to Casey and April and Angel and all of 'em...but...I'm scared. I...I need to know you're with me. I can't come back if I'm gonna hafta give her up. I won't. I'm crashing with the Daimyo right now. So...if you guys can give me an answer...I'll be waitin...love ya" --- Mikey was so caught up playing peek-a-boo with Sistine, too absorbed in her laughing to hear the first knock. He heard the second one. Turning, he found Leo, Donnie, Raph and Splinter in the doorway. He stared, unsure what to say or do until Leo lifted up the unfolded letter, complete with a smile. Mikey felt tears prickle his eyes, just for a moment until Donnie was the one that pushed forward, knelt to the ground and said, "Well, that's some greeting, Mikey! Lemme see my niece!" Sistine, full of life and having no fear, clamped onto Donnie's face with gummy hands as he cooed and lifted her up, "Heya little Masterpiece! I'm your Uncle Donnie!!

#tmnt oc #tmnt #2003 tmnt #Usagi's world in 2003 #2003 version of Shellrala #Mikey is a sweetheart #Mikey is so good with kids #Donnie is a sweetheart

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dakotafinely · 3 years

Note

Thank you for writing my request!! I enjoyed the twist you put on it!

But like....now I’m curious about when April’s parents finally DO meet splinter and the bois- would she recognize Raph? I assume she’d recognize splinter bc I mean cmon rat man but Raph has gotten so much bigger than when she first saw him

Would you be willing to write that too? 🥺

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WAS HOPING YOU'D ASK THAT AKSNSOSNDIFLENEHFODND!!

ALSO THANK YOU I HAD SO MUCH FUN WRITING THE REQUEST!!

Also, before we get into it. April has two mom’s and I don't take criticism on that. The one that met Raph & Splinter will be referred to as Mama/Ma while the other will be referred to as Mom/Mother.

Most of the time, it was just April and her mama. Her mom with a job that caused her to travel often. Sometimes unexpectedly.

“But, the guys really want to meet you!” April begged, despite knowing her mother couldn’t get out of it if she wanted to. Her mother lightly kissed her forehead, before returning to pack her suitcase.

“I know honey, and I’d love to meet them too,” She stops to focus and folding a shirt and putting in the suitcase “but I have to go, they need me down in Texas for the week. I promise if I can make it back before Sunday I’ll try to with all my might.” She turns to her daughter. Placing both hands on her face with a gentle smile on her own.

“You know I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t have to,” she says and April sighs. Knowing she was right.

“Just... try and make it back as soon as possible,” It was April’s last plea. To which her mother turned back to the suitcase to zip it up. Putting it with the other one and looking to April. Her eyes shining with honesty.

“You know I always do,” she responded. Leaving about ten minutes later.

Saturday came, and April knew her mother wasn’t coming in time. Still, the guys at least meeting one of her mom’s oughta satisfy their curiosity just a bit.

Sunday came and April’s mama was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Trying to prepare the house as much as possible before they came. April tried to calm her down. The speed reminiscent of a freight train.

“Mama please, trust me when I say they’re not going to care if it’s not perfect,” April said with a slight whine. Still, in a flurry she went. Tidying up things the boy’s wouldn’t have even seen to begin with. Like closets and bedrooms.

“Well I’ll care,” her mama retorted. Slowly running out of steam as it become one hour before they would arrive. Hair tied up and fizzled, clothes stained with deep cleaning messes. She huffed as she looked at herself.

“I’m taking a shower,” she told April “put the chicken in the oven when the-”

“When the timer goes off, I know.”

“I still don’t know why we have to wear clothes,” Raph spoke up as Donnie and Leo admired themselves in a shared mirror. Lightly pushing each other to get a better view. Raph huffed and smoothed out the red cardigan he put on for the 50th time “we never wear clothes any other time!” he said.

“Yeah, but,” Mikey slid up next to him, adjusting the snappers tie “it’s to make a good impression! We’re mutants, we gotta do something to make her feel at ease.”

“Her?” Raph asked.

“Oh yeah, I forgot you weren’t in the room,” Donnie spoke up, finally leaving the mirror before the pushing got to violent between the twins. Leo falling over with a yelp at the unexpected movement of the soft-shell “April’s other mom couldn’t make it back home in time. We’re only meeting one of her parents,” Donnie explained, looking relaxed in the suit, as if he could wear it all the time.

“But still!” Leo spoke up, popping up next to his twin as though he hadn’t just fallen “It’ll be nice to meet at least one of her parents,” he said “for a hot second there I thought we’d never meet either of ‘em!” Leo crossed his arms and sat with a happy smile. Also looking comfortable in his clothes.

“I’m just glad we finally have a reason to use these cardigans!” Mikey said, gesturing to his orange one. Raph looked back to the mirror, looking down at the red cardigan. Mikey had taken time to tailor it to Raph’s measurements, it would’ve been a true shame to let it go unused.

“Alright my sons!” Splinter emerged from his room. The boys stared at him, his suit looking dapper, a sight unusual for the boys. He held a brightly wrapped gift in his hands. Clearly spending most of his time on it as the bow on top was complex and beautiful. He grinned “Let’s go!”

As the hours had become mere minutes. A dread filled April’s stomach. She’d yet to tell her mom’s the truth about her friends. But she knew if she didn’t do it now she’d be asking for disaster later.

“Mama,” April said, mouth dry as she didn’t really look at her. April’s mama looked from the table she was decorating. Concern following her features as she saw the way her daughter was standing.

“What’s wrong baby?” She moved, stopping her task and put a hand on April’s shoulder. Using the other to move April’s face gently to make April face her. April looked nervous, with a mixture of fear. The type of fear you feel when you believe you’re about to be rejected.

“There’s... something I gotta tell you about my friends.” April said “Before they get here, so you can be ready.” She continued, studying her mama’s facial expression. It was mainly confused.

“What is it? What-” A lightbulb went over her head “Oh! Are they gang members? Is that why you’ve been out all hours of the night because April-”

“No!” April spoke a laugh of disbelief, relaxing a bit. Mama relaxed a bit as well, that was her worst fear. The last thing she would ever wish on her daughter is to be swept in something as dangerous as a gang. Especially with some of the very... bizarre ones in New York.

“Well, then whatever it is will be alright with me,” Mama said letting go of her daughter. Despite the concern on April’s face, as if there could be something worse in her mind then gang members. Mama smiled reassuringly “You can tell me, I promise it won’t make me think any less of your friends,” she added, wanting to let her daughter have open space to talk about anything.

April opened her mouth, when the doorbell rang.

“Oh! Well speak of the devil’s then,” Mama spoke with a small chuckle, already moving to open the door.

“Wa- wait! Maybe I should get it!” April began to protest. To which Mama simply shook her head as she placed her hand on the doorknob.

“Nonsense April,” Mama said, already opening the door, “I’d love to-” She stopped as her eyes landed on the five mutants in front of her. Recognizing one almost immediately. Eyes wide and mouth agape as she stared at him again for the first time in years.

Splinter couldn’t help but have the same expression. Feeling as though he’d been thrown into the past. Recognizing the woman, her long thick curls draped down her shoulders had light grey hair’s decorated inside them. She didn’t seem as slim as she was all those years ago. But the gentleness was still evident in creases around her eyes.

Her eyes flicked up. Four, there were four turtles. And despite the fact she hadn’t used the information for years. She still was able to identify each one of them with a glance.

A red-eared slider, a box turtle, a soft-shell, and-

“You!” Splinter and Mama said almost at the same time. Mama taking a step back as she pointed to the Snapper.

April finally snapped out of her horror as she had awaited her mama’s response. Becoming confused by the reaction.

“Wait, you know Raph?” She asked walking behind her mama. April’s mama put a hand over her mouth.

“Pop’s... you know her?” Raph asked leaning down, not-so-subtly whispering behind his hand. Having been to young to truly remember the trauma he’d gone through.

“Well, uh, can we at least come inside?” Leo finally said after a beat of silence. Earning an elbow from Donnie “What? She knows Raph! Or pop’s at least...” Leo trailed before realizing something.

“Wait, is she the one you meet when getting Raph back!?” Is what Leo would’ve said, if Mikey hadn’t said it first. April’s eyes went wide with the realization as well. And Donnie and Raph seemed a bit flabbergasted.

“I- uh, come in!” Mama finally snapped, swinging the door right open. There was a lot of explaining to do...

Eventually, everyone had settled. Sitting at the table as the last of the food cooked.

April looked to her mama, awaiting an explanation.

“It was... before you were born. I’d joined this sort of hunting group as a way to make quick cash. They’d needed a turtle and tortoise expert. And I was it.” April’s mama began. Hands on her lap as everyone leaned into the story.

“I didn’t go on many trips. Just a couple, I didn’t know what they did with the animals they caught. I always thought it was a capture and release type of thing. Since I only was really there to examine the capture and take notes before just, being on my way. But..” She took a deep breath “during one mission, they’d actually decided to let me stay from start to finish and...” Mama looked up to Raph with a small smile “that’s where I met you,” she said.

“Look what I caught!” A hunter said holding up a small turtle by it’s tail. The group gathered round to get a better look at the creature. But she was the only one who truly took notice of weird things about it. How it held it’s claw like a hand, whimpering in pain as it looked around. With eyes that shone of a bright mind, curious about the world. And unusual, toddler like form.

“Well O’Neil?” A hunter asked, lightly knocking her shoulder. Snapping her out of her study. They lightly gestured with their head to the turtle “what kind is it?”

“Uh,” O’Neil shook her head and took a closer look. Holding the turtle with care, making the other hunters snicker at her compassion. She ignored it as she flipped the turtle on it’s stomach, feeling the sharp edges of it’s shell. She turned it back and opened it’s mouth. Tiny hands pawing at the unwanted intrusion, but she saw the sharp curve of it’s beak. Clearly made for tougher meats. Of course, this one was easy, she probably could’ve guessed if she really wanted to “Ah, Alligator Snapper Turtle... which is unusual for this area.” She said.

It took everything in her not to take it back as a hunter ripped it from her arms like a lifeless doll. Laughing a bit as they put him close to their face, slightly sneering at it.

“Really now? Why don’t we cage this lil’ fella and sell ‘em?” They said lightly tossing him from arm to arm. The snapper letting out whines and distressed whimpers. O’Neil was in to much shock at the action to move to action as the others around her laughed.

Until the hunter let out a pained scream. Dropping the snapper with a slur of curses. Backing away as bit. The snapper had begun to get up and try and run. O’Neil noted, that it was on two feet and not all four, before someone else crushed him under their foot.

“That- that fucker bit off my finger!” The hunter screamed in horror as another went to grab the med kit from one of the tents. O’Neil’s eyes widened as she saw the little turtle spit it from his mouth, clearly in distaste.

It was after that O’Neil still had to watch them throw him in cage. But, he drew blood, heck he almost at a whole finger. They couldn’t release him back into the wild. Not with the taste of human blood now his system.

It took two more days for O’Neil to properly realize that it was simply self-defense. With no more incidents occurring, and the snapper unable to eat anything raw without immediately spitting it back out. The poor sucker was starving.

“Maybe he’ll eat the jerky,” O’Neil made the mistake of commenting it aloud as she watched poor turtle suffer in his cage. Whimpering out in hunger, sitting in the corner every time another human would walk by.

“Aww, what’s the matter little guy? Ya hungry?” The hunter he’d bit a few days ago spit out. Clearly begin sarcastic as he threw a piece of jerky out of the cages reach. Still, the naive snapper had went after it. Trying to paw at it from inside the cage.

The laughter surrounding her was sickening. It made her want to cover her ears and shout at them to stop. But she couldn’t. Instead she used her foot to nudge the jerky within reach.

Waiting a few minutes before dumping her bag inside the cage. She didn’t like the jerky that much anyways. She couldn’t help but watch with a smile as the snapper filled his stomach. A satisfied churr coming from him as he smiled back up at her.

That was it, she had to get him out of here.

Under the cover of the evening. She’d volunteered to do night patrols, in case something or someone tried to invade the camp. A shudder crawled through her spine at the idea. What could they’ve been doing to make other people come after them?

Still, once she was sure everyone was asleep. She went to the cage, crouching down in front of it. Relieved to see the Snapper crawl towards her instead of away. This would make it much easier. And despite the darkness, she could see his eyes. Shining with child-like joy and wonder.

“You’re not like the others are you little guy?” She cooed, trying to be as gentle as possible to not startle him. The snapper churred in response, curious but cautious. He understood her. She couldn’t help but smile wider.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so. I’ve seen snappers before and you don’t really look it,” She continued, before letting out an awkward chuckle. He did sort of look like a snapper, that’s why she was able to identify him in the first place “I mean,” she corrected herself “you do kinda, but not really if you get what I mean.”

A confused churr, but he leaned against the door of the cage. Silently asking to be let out.

“Yeah... sorry,” she said, opening the cage door. The snapper immediately went into her arms. Snuggling into the warmth and safety of them. The moon finally coming out from behind the clouds for her to see him properly.

Perfect, now was the time to-

As she’d turned to run off, she saw a rat. A large rat, wearing a worn down robe and looking as though he hadn’t slept in days. She couldn’t do much of anything beside stare. And the creature stared back.

The Snapper began to chrip happily, seeming to recognize the thing in front of her. She kept him balanced, still afraid of handing him off to someone. Within four days, it seemed she’d adopted the snapper.

But when the rat gently lifted his arms. Staring at the snapper with adoration and worry and hope. Hands shaking just a bit as though he could will him into his arms. O’Neil knew she was defeated.

She relented the child. With slow movements as to not scare either of them. The rat took him quickly and carefully. Hugging him like his own son, quietly sobbing with shoulder shaking violently. Oh dear, how long had he been looking for the kid?

“Go,” her voice was much hoarser then she would’ve liked, but there was no time for her to care. The rat looked to her, as if he completely forgot he was there to begin with. She couldn’t help but glance at the tents, afraid of waking up the others was lighting in her skin “if you want to get out of here with him now. You need to go,” she whispered. The rat nodded and with no words. Rushed off, leaves in the up kick at his unexpected speed.

She relaxed, until she heard a branch snap.

“O’Neil?” A hunter spoke up, clearly groggy from begin so easily awakened “Is that you making a racket?”

“Yeah, yeah,” she tried to sound as confident as possible. Not wanting to raise suspicion and make them aware of their escapee sooner then necessary “just go back to sleep, thought I heard something but I was wrong.”

She stood frozen in place. Waiting for a response. Before relaxing after a beat or so.

“Wait! What happened after!?” Mikey asked excitedly, immersed in the story. She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at his enthusiasm.

“Oh, I quit. A month later we got you,” She booped her daughters noise. Making April giggle a bit and shy away. Mama sighed and leaned back against her chair. More at ease with the story out there.

“I always thought you guys ran far away from here,” she commented looking to Splinter “I’m surprised to see you’ve stayed, and gained three more turtles in the process.”

With that, the timer beeped. And everyone helped move the food for them to dig into.

I hope this one’s good! I feel kinda iffy about the ending but it seems like a good place to end it. I had fun playing more with this concept! I’d like to think the guys and April’s history went deeper then even they realized. (I kinda like doing that with ALL my characters, it’s so much fun to interweave them!)

This was a lot of fun! Thank you for sending me the ask!!

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remmushound · 3 years

Text

Bay/rise 37!! @errorfreak88 @selfindulgenz @digitl-art-monstr @brightlotusmoon @yarchurr @dakotafinely @sententiously-sarcastic @sprinklestheditty

Content warnings!! Mentions of death

The ringing in Leo’s ears was deafening. After his humiliating defeat, the best thing he could think to do was find someplace quiet to think. The single place in the lair that offered such solitude was Splinter’s room— the only single-person bedroom in the entirety of their home. It was small and Leo could barely fit through the doorway, and laying on the bed made him feel colossal, but he didn't care. He buried his face in the pillow and it smelled like his father and that was all that he cared about.

He didn't care about losing the spar. Sure, it was a bad sting to his self esteem, but at least his dad hadn’t been there to see it. But maybe if Splinter was there he could have talked some sense into Leo before he made a fool of himself in front of his brothers. He didn't know what he was doing and he admitted that to none but himself. He had been leader for almost four years— and even before then he had always taken well to bossing his brothers around. That’s why he had been made leader in the first place! Because Splinter saw something in him and chose to highlight that above all his flaws and faults. Leo still didn't know why!

As a kid, though he had always taken charge, his personality wasn’t just that. Not like what he was reduced to now. He remembered running the sewers with his brothers and mapping out the tunnels with their minds alone and how he was always the one who could find the way home even when Donnie’s techniques failed. He remembered Splinter taking them up to the storm drains so they could watch the parades go by in the streets. The colors, the people dancing, the music sounding off and filling Leo with such a bubbly, warm joy that he just wanted to dance along to any song that carried down the tunnels.

That was what ninjitsu was to him at first. Dancing. Memorizing the moves and following through as fluid and free as the dancers he saw on the streets and in movies. Trying to emulate what he saw— feeling the melody in the very blood that coursed through his veins. Then a fun hobby turned into an obligation. It wasn’t a game anymore— it wasn’t something to enjoy or a fun thing to practice in his free time. It was his duty, his responsibility. His honor. And he couldn’t let his father down!

He wasn’t human and he could never be human. He shouldn’t want to be human! He was a turtle— he was a mutant— he was Splinter’s son! He had to live up to all the stories he was told about how great he would be and he had to live up to his father’s expectations and he had to live up to what the people in the city needed him to be! He didn't need to dance, he didn't need to like his work—he shouldn’t like his work! Work is work and work isn’t meant to be enjoyed. He was a savior— a messiah in the form of a grotesque monstrosity and it was him and only him that could protect his brothers and the city and the earth and he just wished the ringing in his ears would stop—

Then he opened his eyes again. The ringing wasn‘t just in his ears. It was all around him. An alarm— Donnie’s alarm— sounding a warning of some enemy approaching. Leo looked up and dried his tears just as Donnie came rushing into the room.

“Leo! An alarm went off in the south tunnel! We should check it out! Are you gonna…?”

Leo stood up quickly, shoving his way past Donnie and reclaiming his swords on the way to the entry tunnel. He didn't dare look up at any of his brothers or their counterparts as he passed them by. He was a leader and he had to be strong and silent and he wasn’t allowed to cry. He wasn’t allowed to be weak. He had to be the best— he was the best! Even if Leonardo had beaten him.

They traversed the tunnels in silence. Leo’s brothers were all gathered around him, Mikey with his head hung low like a puppy and remarkably silent. Donnie gave Leo space instead of being right at his side as usual, and Raph put some distance between himself and his Leo for completely different reasons. He needed a chance to cool off before he strangled Leo for how the stubborn leader had been acting the past few dates. He could strangle him later, Raph told himself. Just wait until the sensei’s are safe.

Leonardo was in the lead of his family, Michelangelo clinging to his arm for security against the rushing water that tried to force him off his feet. Leonardo, slippery as he was, always had a better grip under the water than the land-dwelling box turtle could hope to achieve. Donatello was tapping away on his watch, though Michelangelo was half convinced that it was actually just a game. In the place of Raphael, who’s exhaustion couldn’t be moved even by the loud scream of the alarm, was April taking up the rear. She had yet to get her special baseball back, though whoever this Casey Jones was had promised to get it out of police holding for her. In its place she had a new, regular bat covered in nails. Not as effective as her mystic bat, but she was sure it could pack a punch nonetheless.

They came to the place where the alarm had gone off. All eight of them slowly came to a halt when they saw the intruder just standing there, calm as day, as if he had been waiting for them quite some time. Leo and his brothers all took an audible gasp as they stepped back, Leo putting his arms out to protect those behind him. Leonardo and his family, however, gasped for a whole different reason.

“HUESO!”

Despite Leo’s wide motion for them all to stay behind him, Leonardo lead his family to all ignore the leader and dash forward under Leo’s arms to greet the skeleton man. Hueso looked filthy, his normally flawless suit stained with the sewage he had to wade through and dripping even after he had found an almost-dry spot to stand on.

“Oh Hueso! Es bueno verte! I can’t believe you’re here! I’d hug you if you weren’t so gross!” Leonardo laughed and held his arms out for a social-distanced hug.

“Yes, I’d do the same if not for similar reasons.” Hueso grumbled under his breath.

“How’d you get here Hues?” April asked, walking closer to the calaca than Leonardo dared.

“It is a very long story.”

***

“You go on ahead Cassandra. I got some loose ends to tie up.”

When Cassandra left through the rift and the portal closed behind her, only then did Draxum put Hueso back on the ground and release his vice-grip. Hueso gasped softly as he clutched at his throat, his eyes full of hate and locked on Draxum like he were the scum of the earth.

“What do you want from me?” Hueso asked finally, his eyes never once leaving the sheep yokai.

“We have a common means, calaca.” Draxum said, calm and steady. “I hear you are fond of the one called Leonardo.”

“Fond?” Hueso laughed, “I wouldn’t much call it fond as I would call it a... hostage situation.”

“But you know of him. You care for him?” Draxum made a fist and raised it to the air. “You are a very clever Yokai, I can tell. And I could trust no other with a message as important, and to accept what I am about to ask of you would ensure riches and safety for you and your family.”

A glint came to Hueso’s eyes. “What is your request?”

“My creations think me cruel. They know not of my plans, and I need a carrier to bring the news to them so we may unite our forces to take down a common enemy.”

“The Shadow Fiend…” Hueso whispered softly, looking to the place where the rift had once been. “He is not whole. He cannot be defeated in the state he is currently in.”

“Yes.” Drauxm growled softly.

“He must be made whole again, and the only way to do that is…”

“A sacrifice. A sacrifice of Hamato blood will bring the Shredder back whole. He’ll be defeatable.”

“But the cost...”

***

“...would be great.” Hueso finished. “You would be able to destroy The Shadow Fiend once and for all! He sent me here to be your guide.” Hueso looked to Leonardo.

“So he’s not bad!” Michelangelo said quite loudly, his voice echoing all around them as he ran fast to hug Hueso, almost tackling the older skeleton. “DRAXUM’S NOT BAD! I knew he wasn’t!”

“You… you’re just…” Leo pointed at Hueso.

“Just a bone man, yes.”

“Hm.” Leo smacked his lips together as he nodded ever so slightly. “Okay.”

“Can I touch your bones, dude?” Mikey asked, his mouth hanging open and eyes wide.

“That is extremely disrespectful.” Hueso spat, “You should show more respect to your elders.”

Everyone just stared at him.

“Well? Data prisa! We haven’t got all day!” Hueso started to usher the teens back down the sewer tunnel, his confidence and booming voice enough to compensate for the shorter and weaker form he had compared to the brothers. “Malditos chicos! Tan lento!”

The mutants scattered along at his urging just as they would if their Splinters had done the same. Hueso grabbed Leonardo before the blue ninja could get far.

“Talk with me.” He said in Spanish before they started to walk again.

“Why the Spanish?” Leonardo spoke with the same tongue and in a hushed voice. He hoped none of the counterpart-brothers could understand what was being said.

“We must talk of your father in private.”

“Splinter? Why? Do you know something?”

“I told you the ceremony requires blood magic! It requires the host to be bled and possessed by the Dark Armor. The host would be your father with his hamato blood.”

Leonardo’s eyes went wide. He stopped walking for a moment, but Hueso grabbed him by the arm and forced him to keep going.

“B-but if we destroy the shredder then he’d be free right?”

“To destroy The Shredder, we will have to destroy the host.” Hueso looked up at Leonardo with mournful eyes. “If we go through with this, then you will have to kill your own father.”

#OHHHHHHHHHHHH #what’s gonna happen?!#find out on the next installment #OF TMT #(Turtles Meet Turtles)

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skylarmoon71 · 3 years

Text

AU Blind Murdock Reader x Leonardo (TMNT 2014/2016) Chapter 4

"Please someone....help.."

You jolted and Leo's eyes darted forward. He dropped his arms, wondering what it was that broke your focus.

"Are you alright?"

During the beginning, you were quite reluctant to join, and he realized he just needed to be persistent. So after you healed, and tried to get out of working together, you finally gave in. Leo knew if you were going to trust them, he would have to give you a reason to, so there was no doubt about showing you the lair. You'd already been there, and he had the sense that you would be able to find them even without his guidance.

At first, it was difficult, going out together and fighting crime. You still tried to operate like you were solo, and he didn't want to risk a casualty, so he asked Splinter for some advice. He suggested team training exercises. It helped with his brothers, so why not you? That's what you were currently doing, until something distracted you.

"I'm fine."

Fine.

You kept saying that. It was starting to get on his nerves. He knew for a fact you weren't fine. But with your very prominent trust issues, getting that information out would be a challenge.

"I need to go." Leo narrowed his eyes. It was Saturday afternoon. You didn't have school, and he was positive when you agreed to come, you did so because your schedule was clear.

"Where are you going?"

Your fist tightened at your side. "I didn't realize this was an interrogation. I just need to go. Or do I need permission to leave sir." He internally winced at the venom in your voice. He'd stepped on a bomb, he knew that now. "Sorry, I don't mean to be nosy. I was just under the impression that we were going to practice. I'm just a little worried, I want us to work well when we're out there. I can't do that if we aren't familiar with each other. "

"We'll be fine." You spoke flatly. You were already turning before he could say much more. You only made a few steps before his hand grabbed your wrist. Effectively halting your movements.

"Let me help you." you bit down on your lip. Asking for help would take a while, Leo understood that. That just meant he had to pay attention. He supposed you were used to being ignored, so it was easy for people who didn't pay mind to miss the subtle expressions on your face. He was getting better at reading you. "Something is bothering you, it's been that way for a while." He could feel you tense in his hold.

"I'm right." So it wasn't just a hunch on his part. At the start of the session he could tell. You were a bit antsy, and some of your hits were delayed. He'd seen you fight, you were calculated, strong and agile. Today you weren't as quick. Your shoulders slumped, and he loosened his hold, watching as you turned to him slowly.

"There's a girl in my building. She's..in pain. I can't seem to help. Every night she cries out for help and I..I can't do a thing."

"Did you try talking to the police, maybe they can help." you frowned.

"I've called child welfare and they didn't do a thing."

"Child welfare..." The child was being abused.

"(Y/N), are they beating on her?" your jaw clenched, and you turned abruptly.

"Are you going to help me or not."

You didn't answer his question, that wasn't good. Something told him that it was better to just go along with you. If he didn't, he'd be stuck worrying about what could happen. He didn't want you acting rash and getting hurt.

"I'll help."

He wasn't sure what he was getting himself into, but at least this way he was in the loop.

~~~~~

As darkness overtook the sky, you and Leo stood on the roof of your building. You kept flexing your fingers. Leo realized that watching you filter through all the sounds around you was intriguing. You seemed to react like an antenna, picking up signals until you found the right one. Your head would turn at every quick noise you caught. Your outfit really was a clever choice, the black blended nicely for the activities you need to carry out, and your eyes were completely covered, so the chance of someone even catching a glimpse of your eyes was impossible.

"How do you deal with it, all the conflicting sounds. It can't be easy, hearing all that you do."

A pause.

"It wasn't always easy, at first it was chaotic. They weren't sure what to make of me, so they placed me in an orphanage. Some of the nuns thought I was possessed. " you muttered. Leo swallowed. This was dangerous ground. Sometimes you'd give him little pieces of your past.

"This world isn't that pretty anyway, people think this disability is a curse, but it's a gift. My gift. I see everything through my other senses. I try to fix it. But everyone else, they see it all. The death, destruction, yet they are the ones truly disabled. Because they choose to be blind. "

You knew what your purpose in the world was, and this was it.

"Please don't.."

"Be quiet."

Leo straightened, and you turned to him. "Did you hear that?"

He nods. "He isn't sure what it is he just heard. It was an obvious cry for help, but the other voice came from inside the room. So it had to be a family member.

"I don't understand, why would they leave that relative with her if he's hurting her."

"It's because he's her step dad." Now he was even more confused. "She's a kid, what could she be doing that warrants abuse. I know parents are strict with their kids but-"

"He raped her." Leo's eyes widened. He took a step back, disbelief in his eyes. You couldn't see him. But there was no doubt genuine surprise.

"Your father, Splinter, I figured he sheltered you guys from a lot, and you've probably only been dealing with the minor threats. Bank robberies, common assaults. There's a lot more out there. Far more than you guys realize. You have no idea how much restraint it's taken me not to smash that man's face into a wall. It's been going on for weeks. I called the police, left notes for the mother. Even tried to get the girl to talk to me. Nothing. "

You tried getting him alone at night, you'd been studying his routine the moment you knew what was up, but there was rarely an opportunity. The hours he worked clashed with when you attended school, and every other chance he was always surrounded by someone. A friend, coworker, or his family.

"But he's...he's her.." Leo felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't comprehend it.

You just let out a dry chuckle. Dark, emotionless.

"The world isn't that black and white Leonardo. In this line of work, if you can't stomach the sight, you might as well be one of the other blind sheep."

Leo was still trying to gather himself. He finally registered that something was about to go down when he heard the sirens not too far away. "Their on time for once."

"W-Wait what are you.."

"If I can't get him for one crime, I'll just have to make him pay for another." he couldn't even ask what the actual plan was. You jumped over the edge of the building and Leo panicked.

"(Y/N)!!!!!!"

Gripping the ledge, you catapult yourself through the window, crashing into the glass. It broke, startling the man in the bed. He jumped off the girl in shock, and you tucked and rolled, cushioning your fall.

"What the hell!" He barely had a chance to pull up his pants. You drove forward, punching him square in the jaw. He took it, grunting and backpedaling as he crashed into the door.

"H-Honey!! Honey are you okay!!" you could hear the mother frantically yelling on the other side of the door.

"Mommy!!" your head whipped to the side. "I'm not going to hurt you." you said softly. You could hear the rustling of the sheets, she was cowering into the bed. "He hurt you." the girl didn't say anything, and you could hear the labored breathing of the step dad. He was still slightly disoriented from the hit.

"H-He said if I told anyone they wouldn't believe me. I-I was bad. I deserved it." It broke your heart to hear those words come from her mouth. "He's a liar. There's nothing you could have done to deserve any of this. He's a monster, you hear me, there's nothing wrong with you."

"Bitch!!"

That was becoming a frequent title. You just smirked when he picked up a bat from the corner. He raised it, striking in your direction. You dodged, moving in as punched him in the gut. He tried to use the lack of distance to get a hold of you, but you elbowed him in the jaw. He yelled out in pain, dropping the bat. You gripped the back of his scalp, driving his face harshly into the wall. It wasn't enough. You drew back. Clenching your teeth as you smashed his face harder. The crack of his nose was satisfying. Blood gushed down his face, and you released your hold on his hair, letting him face plant. He curled into a ball, wailing.

"Pussy." you sneered.

You shifted from the door, moving back to the shattered window. You could hear the police coming up the staircase. It was then that the mother finally forced her way into the room. She kicked in the door, standing in the doorway partially paralyzed at the sight of her spouse bleeding on the floor. "Mommy!!" the girl raced off the bed, right into her mother's arms. She caught her easily, hugging her protectively to her chest as she watched you wearily. It's then that she seemed to really take in the scene. Her husband's pants were down, and her daughter wasn't wearing any.

"No..." you sighed.

"Protect your daughter, if I see him back here again, I won't be so generous. " You raised your leg, stepping on the edge.

"NYPD OPEN UP!!" She could barely say much, the minute she turned at the call, you were already gone. Police flooded the house, and the little girl just held unto her mother, crying softly in her arms.

~~~~~~

"How did you...what did they take him in for." You and Leo were on the roof. You watched the aftermath of all that went down. Leo felt useless. He'd couldn't do much at that point but stay there and hope you got out before the police got there. The number of officers aware of his existence was pretty small, drawing in a larger audience, especially after his family was almost exposed, it was dangerous. He couldn't take the chance. That wasn't the only reason. Somehow he could still barely process the prospect of what that poor girl went through. From her own family no less.

"I planted some weapons I recovered from a russian mob a few weeks back. My plan was to just dump them at the nearest dock, but I guess there was a reason I held unto them for so long. Didn't think I'd need it, but it came in handy. Those guns have been used in numerous crimes around the city. That doubled with the charges his wife is gonna file, he won't see the light of day anytime soon. "

Your only wish is that you'd been able to do something sooner. Nothing was going to make up for the innocence that was stolen from that girl. Hopefully, with the help of her mother she'd be okay. Leo was quiet.

"You've done this already. "

Until now, Leo felt like he was making a difference, but he wasn't so sure anymore. You dealt with this often, no wonder you were so insistent on being left alone. If he had to deal with people like that regularly, he probably wouldn't trust anyone either.

"Don't doubt yourself. You're a good guy Leo. "

You could deal with the dark, it was a part of you. But Leo, he was pure. He still had hope in humanity. In some weird way, you kind of hoped he'd always be that way. You had no problem dealing with scum. It just meant that someone else wouldn't have to worry about it. You didn't mind suffering, it's all you'd known. You could bear it.

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spectrumscribe · 7 years

Text

Serpent, Dragon, and Witch.

Girl Gang AU I promised everyone, late for International Women’s Day, but here nonetheless!

AO3 version if preferred.

Summary:

After master Splinter's death, April feels aimless. There's no war, no arch enemies, no grand plots to thwart. There's no one left to fight, and her still growing skills have no use any longer.

That changes though, when Karai approaches April with a proposition to join the Foot clan, and April accepts.

Temporarily, of course. It's only temporary.

But... what if she doesn't want it to be?

----------------------------------------------

April isn’t sure what to do, the moment Karai asks her a particular question out of the blue.

“You want me to what?” April asks, extending her powers to check if Karai is being truthful or not.

“I’m asking you to join my clan,” Karai says, repeating her original query. “Shini won’t be well enough to fight for another few weeks, and there’s few I can trust to not literally stab me in the back. I need people I can depend on, and ones who are strong enough for that.”

Karai sounds serious, and as far as April’s senses can tell, she is serious.

“Why me?” April asks. “Why not one of the boys? I would’ve thought you’d go straight to Leo.”

April knows she’s skilled, knows that she’s gotten closer to catching up with her boys, but she also knows that she’s still not their level. Not even close. She doesn’t know why Karai wouldn’t go for any of the four highly skilled ninjutsu users that live underground, not when April is still struggling to compare, even after all this time.

Karai smiles wryly, and shakes her head. “Leo is a skilled ninja, yes, but he’s not exactly what I’m looking for. He’s a leader, same as me. A clan can’t have two heads, only one. He’d try to influence the choices I’d make, and a leader can’t waver on her decisions. And… mutants aren’t exactly well received, not as figures of command. Until I’ve cemented the Foot Clan’s power again, I can’t risk looking bad in front of potential allies.”

“But aren’t you also a mutant?” April points out, giving Karai a dubious look.

“Maybe, but not many know about that,” Karai says, hisses, as her eyes flicker green for a split second. She then smiles again, and folds her hands together on the table they’re sitting at. In a café, in broad daylight. Its more surreal than most of what April’s encountered the past year. “So? Will you at least consider filling in for Shinigami until she’s back on her feet?”

“I’ll…. I’ll think about it,” April replies carefully, even though she’s not sure why she’s even considering it.

Karai’s eyes are sharp and watchful, and she smiles with a hint of teeth. “I need an answer by the end of the week; otherwise I’ll have to start looking for other potential candidates.”

April nods, and watches as Karai leaves. Coffee in hand and purse in the other, she seems normal enough in the light of day. Or, she would, if it weren’t for the razor edges to the heels she’s wearing, and the knowledge that Karai probably has at least five knives in her bag.

April keenly feels her own weapon’s weight, her tessen, underneath her light jacket. She doesn’t remember what it’s like to not have a weapon on her person at all times.

She sips her tea, and starts to think.

There’s a very long list of dangerous things April has done in just the last few years of her life. A very, very long list of things.

She’s stronger for it, having faced and survived each one. The most recent though, still hurts the most.

There’s a gravesite, somewhere far from New York, and an empty room, somewhere beneath the city. They both stand out in her mind, even as time ticks on and Splinter’s burial gets further from her present time. But even as they stand timelessly in her mind, the reality of the situation remains. April doesn’t have a master anymore, and their war is over. The Shredder is gone.

April, for the first time in years, has no specific goal. Just a sword, a bladed fan, and an offer.

She thinks, and considers, and decides.

To add to her growing list of dangerous experiences, April walks into what was once the lair of their greatest enemy a week later, carrying both her favored weapons. Head held high, and a set to her shoulders that dares any of the soldiers watching to try and stop her.

Karai is where April knew she’d be, lounging on the vacated throne of a defeated evil. She looks at April evenly as she approaches, and doesn’t even twitch as April draws her blade.

“I don’t know if I can actually trust you or not,” April says, leveling her blade at Karai. “You’ve hurt my family badly in the past, and I know you could again if it meant achieving your goals.” She hears soldiers filing into the room, their own weapons being drawn in response to April’s threats. April smiles dangerously anyways. “And, you’ve made a fool out of me a number of times. Not exactly something I appreciate.”

Karai leans on her elbow, still quiet. She looks like she’s examining April, and April isn’t entirely sure what she’s looking for.

April lowers her blade slowly, and sheathes it again. “But. You also helped us out an equal number of times, and eventually decided to be less of a bitch in general. Good of you for that.”

The ‘bitch’ comment makes Karai smirk, and April finds herself returning the expression.

“And?” Karai asks, a tone of amusement in her voice. “Do you have a point, or did you just come here to rehash our history?”

“My point is that I’ll take your offer,” April says, squaring her shoulders under the eyes of the other ninjas in the room. “I’ve got some free time right now, and if you’re that desperate for my help…”

She’s playing with fire, insulting the leader of an entire criminal empire. April’s gotten good at that though, dancing over hot coals without being burned at all.

“I see,” Karai says, sitting up from her casual lounging. She stands, and strides down the steps of the throne to April. Karai’s sword on her hips is a mirror to April’s, and April meets the taller girl’s eyes without hesitation.

Karai’s gold eyes examine her for a moment longer, and then she smiles. There’s a length to her eye-teeth that’s not quite human, and April isn’t afraid in the least. “That’s excellent news, so glad you could grace us with your presence. How benevolent of you.”

The dry tone to Karai’s teasing words sends a ripple of confusion through the room, which April feels quite easily. Her soldiers are trying and failing to figure out why Karai isn’t reprimanding April for her rudeness, and that fact brings a smile to April’s lips.

“Aren’t I just?” April says, snarks, holding out a hand. “So, boss, when do I start?”

Karai laughs, and takes April’s hand. Karai’s shake is firm, and for once, April’s hand doesn’t feel dwarfed by the person she’s shaking with. It’s an interesting change.

“Soon as you can,” Karai says, and April hears and feels the genuine meaning to that statement.

“Again.”

April’s lungs heave as she throws herself at her opponent.

Another missed strike.

“Again.”

Her wooden sword is knocked aside, and Karai continues to dance outside her striking range.

“Again!”

April growls, and tries for the hundredth time to land a blow on Karai. She misses. Again.

Karai’s eyes follow every step April takes, and she yells “Again!” as April struggles to keep up.

April’s frustration is boiling, and she manages to almost catch Karai’s shoulder with a desperate jab. Karai’s unimpressed eyes say everything of what she thinks. “Again, April. I know you can do better than this.”

“I signed up to be a bodyguard, not for extra training!” April snaps, uncaring about her furious tone. “I’m not here to be your personal punching bag.”

Karai rewards her attitude with a sharp slap on the flat side of her sword. April yelps, and backs off. “I’m not training you just for shits and giggles, princess. I’m training you because I don’t want you getting yourself killed on the first day.”

“I wouldn’t, I’m not that stupid,” April says testily.

Karai gives her a look. “Past examples say otherwise. Your friends won’t admit it to you, but you’re just a beginner still. You might act like you’re competent, but you make rash decisions, are a hot-head, have to depend on your mutant friends to bail you out every time you get into trouble, and let’s not even get started on just how far you are out of your league, just standing here in this dojo-”

April shrieks, and attacks Karai with a flurry of slashes. Karai blocks them all calmly, but April is pushing her back, pushing her towards the wall so she can pin her, and as April hits Karai’s sword hard enough it flies away, she takes one final stab at Karai’s head.

The sword hits the plaster beside Karai, and buries its tip into it. Karai looks at April, unflinching despite the fact that April could have injured her badly.

“Now see? That’s what I’m talking about,” Karai says, tilting her head away from April’s faux killing strike. “You let your temper get the best of you, and that’s how you lose.”

“Worked well enough with you,” April growls, pushing her sword a bit deeper into the dojo wall. “I pinned you, didn’t I?”

“Did you?” Karai asks.

And that’s when April realizes there’s a wooden blade being pushed against her ribs, right in line to skewer her heart.

She scowls at Karai. “Dirty trick.”

“Not so,” Karai replies. She pushes her blade a bit harder against April’s ribs. “I’m teaching you the lesson you need. Your skills are fine, April. That’s why I brought you on. But your self-control and finesse leave a lot to be desired. You’re fighting with brute force you don’t have, and you’re letting mere words push you over the edge. That’ll get you killed pretty quickly.”

April yanks her sword out of the wall, and stalks away from Karai, face burning. “Shut up. This is how master Splinter trained me. Same as the boys.”

“He trained you how he trained them, which isn’t how he should have,” Karai says, following April’s steps. “You’re not them, April. You never will be. A kunoichi fights with her skills and wits, not with a man or mutant’s strength. You need to think when you fight, not blindly charge in.”

April feels a tap on the back of her head, and turns to Karai. The taller girl again taps April’s forehead, giving her a serious look. “You have mental powers, not physical ones. I’m not saying that women can’t be as strong as men that way, but you in particular can’t. You’re small and fast, not big and strong. Use that.”

“How?” April asks, still feeling wound up from her embarrassing defeat. “I use my powers plenty already.”

“Use them more precisely,” Karai says, starting to circle April. April watches her, waiting for further explanation. Karai continues, trailing her sword’s tip close to the ground as she does. “Stop trying for big shows of force, and focus on the smaller ones. Blow the top off a tree, the trunk still stands. Pull up its roots one by one, and it will fall.”

“That… makes a fair amount of sense,” April admits. She wonders why master Splinter never told her something like that, it sounds useful. “I’m guessing you know from experience?”

Karai smiles in way that tells of past deeds, and how those deeds may not have ended well for others. “I’ve been at this for nearly my whole life now. I’ve learned a thing or two.”

Then, her blade snaps out, and this time April is ready for it. Calm and level again, and able to read Karai’s intentions before she makes a move. Karai can obviously tell, and seems pleased.

“Ready for round ten, then?” Karai asks. Taunts. She pushes harder against April’s blade. “Maybe you’ll fair better this time.”

April smiles, and slips a bit of psychic power around her blade to give it extra force. “I think I just might.”

“You haven’t been around much, April,” Donnie says, splitting his focus between the computer in front of him, and with April, who sits across from him on her own with her night’s homework.

They’re in his lab, enjoying the quiet for once. Mikey is gone off to play, somewhere with the Mutanimals, and Casey and Raph have disappeared with a bag of spray paint and wicked grins. Leo’s locked himself in the dojo, but that’s not something unusual these days.

“I’ve been busy,” April replies, purposefully vague. She hasn’t told any of the boys about her deal with Karai, and she’s not sure if she’s ready to. Or wants to.

“Busy gallivanting over roof tops with my half-sister?”

April’s typing pauses, and she knows she’s been caught.

A video pops up on her screen without her say so, and it plays a short compilation of April and Karai training. It had been a test to see how quick April could evade or capture an opponent, and she’d passed.

“Are you mad?” April asks carefully, looking over her laptop’s screen. “Also, get out of my computer, Donnie. We talked about this.”

The video disappears, and Donnie raises his hands in surrender. “Look, it’s gone. Sorry for invading your privacy, but I’m worried, okay?”

“I know what I’m doing,” April says, narrowing her eyes. “It’s my decision to work with Karai.”

“I know. I know. It’s just- Karai hasn’t always been the most reliable? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m fine. I can handle myself. In fact,” April sits up straighter. “Karai’s been helping me refine my training. I’m not helpless to keep myself safe, Donnie.”

Donnie smiles, a hint of wry humor. “I know that too. You’re very capable, April. I won’t doubt that for a second. But, that doesn’t stop me from being a bit concerned how you’re putting yourself in dangerous situations on purpose.”

“And what’ve we been doing for the past three years then?”

Donnie sighs, and rolls his eyes. “Okay, bad point to make. But my first one stands. Be careful, okay April? Just so I can sleep easier during that day.”

“I’m being careful,” April says. “I won’t get involved with anything too, too dangerous. I promise.”

Donnie considers her for a moment, then nods and smiles. “Then I’ll stay out of things. Say hi to my sister next time you see her.”

April can sense his concern, still running high and strong, but she brushes it off. She knows what she’s doing, and the more she trains with Karai, the better she can back that statement up. “I will. Thanks, Donnie.”

A moment’s pause, and then April asks, “So how did you get that video of me and Karai exactly?”

Donnie grins over their laptops, and seems more than a little pleased with himself. “As of very recently, I am now hooked into majority of the surveillance cameras in New York, excluding a select few private servers I haven’t figured out how to link up quite yet.”

April blinks. “Wow. That’s quite a feat. And illegal.”

“Which one of us is working for a notorious crime ring right now?”

“Touché.”

“And it’s mostly just to keep my brothers from getting themselves killed. Someone has to keep an eye on them. And Casey. Since, you know, Leo’s not exactly up to the task right now.”

“How’s he doing?”

“I caught him talking to the tree again. It’s like the holo-deck, but worse.”

“Yikes.”

“I’m planning an intervention some time on the weekend.”

“I wish you luck. He’s not exactly… open to others’ views on things.”

Donnie’s sigh is long and hard. “Don’t I know it.”

April smiles sympathetically, and sends him a video about cooking shrimp in three seconds, via explosive science. “I’m sure things will get better.”

“Let’s hope so. And please don’t show this to Mikey, he’ll pester me until we try it out.”

“Too late,” April sends the video as she says that, and sees Mikey’s score of emojis pop up seconds later.

“And I thought you were my friend, April.”

“What can I say,” April says breezily. “I’m going through some changes.”

Shinigami has been moved back into the base for a few weeks, prior to April’s appearance, her stitches and pulled muscles healing steadily. April’s seen her in the best defended corridors of the base a few times already, in casual clothes and with a knowing smile, but until now-?

April hasn’t spent more than two seconds with the woman, and she wasn’t expecting their first real interaction to go anything like this.

“-no to that, and that, and- good god how has no one punctured your lungs yet? Honestly. Where is your armor? Any sort of armor?”

“You don’t wear armor,” April points out, only a little sulkily, as Shini continues to circle her and criticize her jumpsuit.

“Oh honey,” Shinigami stops her circling, somehow moving gracefully despite the healing injuries on her leg and back. She gives April a look, and tosses her long black hair. “People don’t get close enough to hurt me like that. They can only dream.”

“Shredder did,” April says, remembering how the monster of a man had thrashed all of them.

Shinigami scowls. “Yes, but he is one of few. And besides, I am unaccustomed to head on fighting. It’s not my strong point. Usually I am given space to use my hypnosis, which is much more reliable for me.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say,” Shinigami sniffs haughtily. “And, to add to why I don’t wear chest armor, usually men are too busy looking at these-” Shini unashamedly gestures to her breasts, covered by her comfortable if fitting cotton shirt. “-to notice that I’m about to stab them. Works on women as well sometimes.”

That statement startles a laugh out of April, and she can’t cover it before Shinigami hears. The witch’s catlike grin widens, and she sidles closer to April, poking at April’s ribs so she shrieks. “See? Punctured lung, right there. How you’ve lasted this long is a mystery.”

“St-stop- I’m ticklish there, oh my god-”

“Tsk, another punctured lung. What ever can we do- oh I know, get you some actual gear that isn’t hideous.”

“Hey! I designed this myself!”

“Oh, I can certainly tell.”

“If you two are done…” Karai interrupts. She holds up an article of chest armor, and wrist guards to go with it. “I believe Miss O’Neil needs to try on her new uniform.”

They fit like they were made for her. April runs a hand down the front of her body, learning the texture of her armor. It’s not metal like Karai’s, but Kevlar instead. April has only paced a little in the spare room she’d been told to change in, but she can already tell it will bend and flex in all the right places when she moves.

It’s black, and she can barely tell where it end and the fabric of her jumpsuit begins. Her wrist guards are silver, and April feels that they will stand up against any attack she blocks with them. They make her feel stronger, less likely that she might get herself killed in a fight.

April slides her sword and tessen into place, across her lower back and on her thigh respectively, and takes a slow breath.

She opens the door, steps back out into the armory where Karai and Shinigami were talking, and presents herself for inspection. The other two women stop talking, and look at her. April gestures to her new ‘accessories’, as Shinigami had called them. “Well? Thoughts?”

The two ninjas grin at April, and she gets a resounding approval.

And the best part is that April can tell every compliment is real.

Black is a good color on you, Donnie texts April out of the blue, in the middle of a midnight warm up jog over the rooftops of New York. Right before she reports in for the evening at Karai’s meeting spot, so they can go in and intimidate a gang into giving up turf that belonged to the Foot Clan.

April stares at the text, and only takes a moment to locate the camera on the adjacent building to her.

Hello Big Brother, nice of you to drop in and stalk me.

I’m not stalking, I was already on this server anyways. You just happened to pass through it.

I’m sensing lies.

Your range doesn’t extend this far, ergo, You are the one lying.

Donnie.

Fine. I’m just checking in on you though.

How many cameras did it take to find me?

One. I’m tapped into your phone’s GPS, remember?

Donnie.

For your own good! Forgive for feeling a bit paranoid about losing anyone else in this great, big, stupid city!!!

It’s difficult enough keeping an eye on my brothers and Casey, I want to know for sure that you’re okay at least!!

April grimaces, hearing the unsaid stress driving Donnie to this.

Donnie, stages of grief, remember?

Shut up.

I know.

I’m handling it fine.

Donnie, you’re obsessively checking up on us every two hours right now. I’m not surprised your brothers have run off from that.

…I’m just worried about all of you, okay? I don’t mean any harm.

I know. But dial it back a notch, we’re all safe.

Shredder’s dead now.

Forgive me for not trusting peace, after going through nothing but bouts of war and peace and war and peace and then more war for the past few years.

I just feel like it’s not real.

Deeeeeeep breaths, Donnie.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh

New topic for distraction: how’d the thing with Leo go?

Was the intervention a success?

He told me ‘personal space, Donnie’ and ‘I can talk to thin air if I want to, Donnie’ and ‘you don’t understand what I’m going through, Donnie. I need time to myself’.

Prick.

Like splinter wasn’t MY DAD TOO.

That didn’t work how I wanted it to.

Breaths, Donnie.

Deep ones.

Uuuuuuugh

I’m tired. And stressed. And kind of sick of everything.

At least you’re doing something interesting with your life, April.

Even if it’s dangerous. And illegal.

Donnie, you’re currently hacked into the whole camera network of greater New York, and have done much, much worse in just the last year.

Who is the one doing dangerous and illegal things here?

Point, but nonetheless, I am worried.

You’re always worried.

Such is the job as the only sensible member of my family.

Speaking of, I have to go. I’m 90% sure Mikey just brought the Mutanimals back for a party in the lair and it sounds like Leo’s throwing a hissy fit at him for it.

Good luck. I’m going to go maybe punch a few thugs in the face telekinetically.

TTL.

Ooh. Send pics.

And seeya!

April tries to control her heart-rate, as she stands next to Karai. Her new armor feels constricting suddenly, and she takes a quiet breath in.

She realizes she’s put her hand on her sword hilt, and she hastily removes it. This isn’t the time to get nervous, not when she has to put on a strong front for those watching.

Karai’s presence is drawing all the eyes in the room though, and April reminds herself that she isn’t the center of attention here. It’s the negotiating leader of her temporary clan, and the surly gang boss they’re dealing with.

“You can’t expect me to just-” He waves his thick fingers in the air, at Karai and April both. “-hand over my territories to some girly and her friend.”

Karai tilts her head, and April reads a dangerous edge to the movement. “This ‘girly’, as you so kindly put it, is the sole heir to the Foot Clan. The original owner, might I add, of those territories you laid claim to.”

Don Vizioso scoffs, and picks up another sausage to stuff into his mouth. When he speaks again, his mouth is full, and April’s temper rises at the insult. “That doesn’t matter, seein’ as I don’t give a crap if you’re the next heir or not. They’re my territories now, not yours.”

“Now see, that’s why I’m here,” Karai says slowly, in a low tone. She moves- slithers- closer to the table loaded with food the fat man sits at, and stares him down. “To reclaim what is rightfully mine.”

The Don doesn’t seem cowed by Karai’s words, but April can feel a hint of unease run through him. Karai might be a ‘step down’ in his mind from the Shredder, but he knows her. Knows what she can do.

“I’m afraid I won’t be helping you with that,” Vizioso replies evenly. “Those territories are mine, and I’m not giving them up. Business is too good to not keep ‘em.”

Karai’s shoulders tense, and April gets ready.

“That’s a shame,” Karai says, even more evenly than the Don. Then- “Hey, it’s been a while since I saw your bodyguards. Wonder where they got off to?”

The Don’s eyes go wide, and he whirls fast as he can to see that yes, his guards have all vanished; leaving him alone with two highly skilled kunoichi, and no visible backup.

Karai’s chosen soldiers weren’t for show. They never had been. April hadn’t underestimated them the first time she saw them in action, and she’s grateful she didn’t. Watching them slink in, silent as shadows, and drag the Don’s men away just as silently, had been a sight to see.

Karai’s foot slams against the table, shoving it backwards and into Vizioso’s large gut. He wheezes, and Karai maintains her position mercilessly. “Seems they’ve decided to resign for the evening. Bad news for you, Vizioso. So let’s try this again. I want my territories back, and if you don’t comply-” April hears and feels the shift in Karai, her tone becoming low and hissing, and the ripple of power growing in her body. “-I’ll have my men execute all of your immediate subordinates, and then take back those territories by force.”

Karai steps back from the table, and lets the Don try to catch his breath. April sees his hands inch towards something hidden under the table, and she narrows her eyes.

The large man’s eyes go wide, as he finds that he’s unable to move his arms at all. He gives Karai an increasingly panicky look, and Karai’s smile is all sharp threat.

“Unless you want war, Don Vizioso,” Karai says dangerously. “I suggest that you reconsider my kind offers for peaceful reconciliation.”

Vizioso gulps, and April tightens her psychic grip on his arms. She feels his fear, and his wavering will, and she represses a grin.

After they’ve left, taking care to remind Don Vizioso not to try anything stupid, Karai makes a throw away comment to April that she isn’t sure what to make of.

“I want my empire to be different from the Shredder’s,” Karai says to April as they slip away into the night. It’s too quiet for her soldiers to hear, so it must only be meant for April. “But sometimes you have to play their game, whether you like it or not.”

Who’s game she’s speaking of, April doesn’t know. She feels though, the short wince of regret in Karai for something, and wonders what it would be for.

“April?”

“Yeah dad?” April replies, glancing away from the television she’s doing stretches in front of.

Her father holds up a piece of paper, and he seems pale. “Why did I just get a check for two thousand dollars in the mail? With your name on it?”

“Oh, that’s my first paycheck,” April says casually, bending over her right leg to touch her nose to her thigh.

“Your… your first paycheck? April.”

“I got a job, dad. Didn’t you say you wanted me to start saving up for post-secondary?”

“April, who on earth would pay a teenage girl two thousand dollars?”

“…another teenage girl?”

The soft, choked sound her dad makes brings a sigh to April’s lips, and she releases her stretch to sit back up. Her father is very pale now, and visibly anxious. April gives her best comforting smile, and reaches out psychically to better soothe her father’s anxiety. “I’m fine, dad. I’m working for Karai right now, that’s all.”

“Isn’t she the one who kidnapped me that one time? I’m not sure if I’m comfortable with you doing this.”

April shrugs. Sometimes, she forgets that her father still has authority over her. Sort of. “I’m just filling in for her friend until she’s better, then I’ll be done.”

“April…” Her dad sighs, and comes to sit on the floor with her. The television’s light flickers over his pale skin, and it shows all the stress lines her father has gained over the years. “Running around after dark with a bunch of your… friends, is one thing, but this? This is a whole other.”

April looks away, a bit ashamed that she hadn’t even considered consulting her dad what he thought of this. “I’m sorry, dad. I’m just… trying to figure things out, I guess. It’s only been a little bit since master Splinter passed away, and… I guess Karai gave me something to think about other than that.”

Her father’s eyes sadden, and he pulls her into a gentle hug. April wraps her arms around her dad’s waist, and leans into the warmth of his embrace. Her dad’s voice travels through his chest as he speaks. “I just want you to be safe. I know things have been hard on you the last few months, but please don’t let it drive you into anything too dangerous.”

“You sound like Donnie,” April mumbles.

“The tall one? He’s sensible then.”

April huffs a short laugh, and shakes her head. “So are you going to tell me to stop? Because I already signed on for at least another few weeks and I don’t think Karai would be impressed if I bailed on parental command.”

Her father’s hold around her tightens, and he makes a frustrated sound. “April O’Neil, you give me grey hairs every single time you open your mouth lately.”

“So is that a no, or…?”

“…that was a lot of money for a single week of work. You could go to school for at least a year in general studies with that.”

“So…?”

“Only if you promise me you won’t start anymore blood feuds, okay? No more wars. I just want to see you finish high school and make it to university. At least that far. Please?”

“You’re the best, dad.”

“I’m highly stressed, that’s what I am.”

April turns her head, and pecks her dad on the cheek. “The best stressed dad. Ever.”

He smoothed her hair gently, shaking his head. “How I ended up with a ninja daughter, I’ll never know. Please be careful, if only for the sake of my heart’s health.”

“I will. I promise.”

“I love you April, don’t forget that.”

“I love you too dad, thanks for letting me do this.”

“I trust you. You’re almost a full grown woman now. You can make your own decisions about what to do with your life. Even if that’s… being a modern day ninja.”

“The best dad,” April says again, hugging her dad tightly.

He sighs, but it’s a fond sigh. “I try.”

“You’re holding back.”

April blinks, and lowers her sword. Karai looks at her, and huffs. “You can do better than this, quit repressing yourself.”

“Um. I’ve been going all out, thank you?” April says incredulously. Her blade- her real one, not her practice one, because they’ve moved beyond that- swishes through the air as she speaks. “This is a match, not a spar. I’m not holding back at all.”

“Yes you are,” Shini says from the sidelines, perched on a chair with her cat in her lap. Her careful eyes are pinned on April, and her cat’s are as well. April isn't sure when she stopped using Shini's full name, and shifted to her nickname. It just... happened. The woman is still staring at April, calculative. She tsk's again. “You don’t even realize it, but you are.”

April looks at them both, and sheathes her sword to cross her arms. “Okay. Both of you need to stop being all vague-like and actually tell me what you think I’m doing.”

“Your method of fighting… it’s so…” Karai seems to be struggling to put a name to it. “Nice? Not good nice, but bad nice. You’re not giving it your real feelings.”

“Wow. That actually makes even less sense than before.”

“What my lovely Senpai means-” Shini interjects. “-is that you aren’t putting real intent to your swings. It’s so nicey-nice I feel like I’m watching the kappa.”

“What’s wrong with how the boys fight?” April asks, seriously confused by the ‘nicey-nice’ comment.

“Nothing, if you feel like having zero respect given to you or your clan,” Karai says, stepping into April’s space. The taller girl is suddenly very serious, and pins April with her eyes. “Your swings are all non-lethal. Gentle even. April, I’ve seen what you can do when you’re pushed. Holding back your real feelings in a fight- it gets you killed, and if not that, then you bring dishonor on your clan.”

“You told me to conceal my emotions and control them though,” April points out, stepping back from Karai’s advances. “That kind of contradicts everything I’ve been taught up till now.”

“Conceal and control, yes, but don’t hold back your intent,” Karai stresses. She steps closer to April again, and circles around her, touching a hand on April’s sword hilt before she swats it away. Karai coolly continues, “April, you have intent in you. Intent to wound, and… intent to kill. You hold that back, and it weakens you.”

April’s fists clench, and something inside her twinges. She bites out, “It’s not weakness to spare others. Master Splinter taught me that. Unnecessary death and fighting isn’t the way of ninja-”

“No, but necessary death and fighting is,” Karai says, cutting April off. Maybe she sees how uncomfortable April feels, maybe she can tell that April is forcefully holding back pieces of memories about things she’s done and seen, and Karai puts a gentle hand on her shoulder. A hint of an encouraging and sympathetic smile gracing her lips. “April, I never said that sparing a person’s life is weakness. It takes strength and knowledge to know when you let someone live. However, in a real fight, against real people who will kill you, holding back yourself won’t help anything. April, look me in the eye, and tell me you don’t enjoy making others fear you.”

April doesn’t want to look Karai in the eye, but she can’t look away either.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Karai says, and April’s hands shake just for a second. “My father- my real one- would not have approved, but he didn’t raise me. I’m his daughter, but I am not his pupil. You were, and while it gave you this,” Karai gestures to April’s sword and fan. “It didn’t give you what I have. I can be true with my intents, true with who I am, while you still hold yourself back. Why do you do that, when you know what you’re capable of?”

“Because…” April’s mind floods with memories, of what she’d done with her powers and with her skills. What she’d done to Donnie. “Because I can’t do that. I can’t let myself get out of control again, because if I do… someone will get hurt.”

Karai’s grip moves from April’s shoulder, slipping instead around April’s hand, and its only then that April realizes it’d been shaking. Karai’s voice is soft as she speaks, a stark change from the usual persona she portrays. “April, I only heard parts of what happened with the crystal, but best I can tell- that wasn’t you anymore than the mind-worm was me. Words and actions came from us, but it wasn’t what we really wanted.

“April… you’re powerful. You’re skilled and clever and strong. And you shouldn’t be afraid of that. This? This is who you are. And just because your Sensei told you not to embrace that… doesn’t mean you have to listen. I want you to look me in the eye, and tell me who you want to be. Not who others have wanted you to be.”

April looks Karai in the eye, seeing the reflection of herself in the gold irises pinned on her.

April knows what she can do. Knows the destruction she can and has wrought. And, she knows… a part of her enjoys it. The part that smiles at the rush of fear that runs through the people she intimidates, and the part that still sometimes misses the crystal’s power.

Blurry as her memories from that night are- she remembers enough. Enough to know what it felt like to have no limits or fears, what it felt like to be a god.

The part of April that drank that in, hungry for more, is a part she’s ashamed of. Because it hurt her family, and yet, still wants the crystal back.

April is far, far from the girl she used to be, but she’s not even sure if she misses the old her anymore.

She’s kept that part of herself, the part that’s grown for months under the steady experience of having weapons and powers, close to her heart and concealed. Because she wasn’t sure if it would be okay to let that part of her out, let it flourish and show to the people around her.

But, things have changed. She’s here now, with Karai and Shinigami, and not her dear friends and their father. She’s looking into the eyes of someone who’s seen the scarier parts of April, and has asked her to show more.

“I want… to be someone who isn’t weak,” April says, carefully choosing her words. “I want to be powerful enough that no one will ever see me as an easy target ever again. I’m tired of getting hurt and not being able to fight back. I want to be… like you.”

And Karai smiles, wide and proud, and gives April’s hand a tight squeeze. “There you go. I knew you had it in you.”

“Well this is just sappy now,” Shini says, voice filled with amusement and breaking whatever moment they’d all been having. “Less feelings, more stabbing. If I can’t do it myself, then I’d at least like to watch you two do it.”

That gets a laugh out of both April and Karai, because it’s true. Feelings are complicated, but stabbing is much less so.

“So, princess,” Karai says, stepping back from April and drawing her sword again. The nickname had once been an insult, but now it sounds friendly, endearing. “You ready to try this again?”

“Once more, but with feeling!” Shini exclaims excitedly, and April feels the woman is making a reference she doesn’t catch.

April draws her sword, and her fan, and takes a quick breath in. Her power responds easily, flowing from her core into her body and mind, and she feels alive. Like she’s stretching a muscle that’s been cramped for so long, she stopped noticing it long, long ago.

It feels good, just like how it feels good to utterly crush opponents in a fight.

April licks her lips, and flashes her two bladed weapons at Karai. “I’m ready if you are.”

Karai’s smile is toothy and decidedly fanged- in literal and metaphorical sense- and her own blade shines in the lights of the dojo.

April flies at Karai, releasing her limits and just going for it, and the sound of metal ringing on metal fills the room.

“You seem different,” Donnie says the next time April sees him. He’s looking at her closely, eyes darting around quick as his mind likely is.

“Do I?” April asks, a bit confused by the statement.

“Yeah. Not a bad different, but… different.”

April thinks about how she’s acting, and wonders if she’s really all that different, now that she’s letting go. “Do you not like it?”

“Ah- no? I think it’s interesting,” Donnie says, and he seems genuine in that. “It’s like… you’re standing straighter, I think. More pep in your step too. Is training with Karai really that invigorating?”

April mulls that over, and decides that yes, yes it is. Donnie gives her a weird look as she says so, but it’s a look tinged with fondness.

Before she leaves, finished sharpening her sword with the tools she still has stored in the lair, she tells Donnie something Karai had asked her to.

“Karai says that they’re looking for a weapons designer,” April explains, packing up her sword into a bag that won’t raise alarm as she buses home. “Also for a head of research and development. Everyone needs a mad scientist on their team- Karai’s words not mine- and she figured that once things were better settled with the Foot clan, she’d ask you over for those positions.”

Donnie seems both confused and intrigued by the offer, tilting his head and crossing his arms. “Really? She actually asked you to tell me that?”

“Yep. She knows how good you are at your job, Donnie, and she wants that for her empire. Again, her words not mine.”

“Well. That’s a pretty unique offer,” Donnie says carefully. “I’ll need time to think about it. Do you know what utilities and resources I’d get if I accepted?”

“Everything in Stockman’s old lab, and everything else you’d need. They’ve got deep pockets Donnie, and Karai’s not the type to do things halfway. Whatever you needed, you’d have.”

April can see the temptation in Donnie’s eyes, at the idea of having all the materials and resources he could want, and even having them be new materials and resources.

April’s own interest in the Foot clan has grown, and she can see Donnie’s growing as well.

“I’ll need time to think about it,” Donnie says eventually, repeating himself.

April pats him on the shoulder, and leaves him to his thoughts.

Eventually, after days that feel like weeks, April walks into the headquarters of the Foot and finds Shini back in her cat suit.

The woman is back to full health, having taken her time healing on the account of being completely human, unlike Karai and April. Her scythes are once again swinging in her hands, and her makeup in a literal sense implies that she is dressed to kill.

April takes this all in, and realizes that her time is up, then. No more late nights intimidating gangs into surrender, no more relearning and unlearning things that she’s been taught, and no more striding behind Karai with a blade in hand and with a purpose in mind. Her time is up.

That fact kills her spirits, and April’s mood drops considerably low. If she’s honest with herself, as she’s steadily coming to be more and more, she’d enjoyed this venture. More so than half the ventures she’s experienced. She doesn’t want it to end, and yet, it has.

She wonders if she has to give back the armor that’s come to feel like a part of her, and if she has to swear off the oath she took on the first night.

“April!” Shini says, catching notice of April lingering in the doorway. She gives April a sly smile, makeup immaculate as always, even while she’d been recovering. “I’ve got my scythes back, would you be interested in that rematch you’ve been owing me?”

April blinks, and remembers how their first meeting had gone. Wow. She’d actually been ready to kill Shini, and now she’s upset she won’t see the woman anymore. Times do change, it seems.

“Um… I guess?” April says, stepping slowly into the throne room. “If I don’t have to leave right away.”

Shini gives her a confused look. “Why would you need to leave? We have work this evening, and training for the two of us specifically.”

Its April’s turn to give Shini a confused look, and Shini returns the look.

“So we can mesh our styles?” Shini explains further. “You and I haven’t fought together, so much as against one another, thus far. It wouldn’t do for us to go into battle and bump into one another while we fight. It’s unseemly of a kunoichi.”

April keeps giving Shini a deeply confused look, and the women gives her a “are you kidding me?” look in return.

“I- I thought I was done?” April asks, her voice pitching upwards in her genuine confusion. “I mean- you’re all healed up now. Doesn’t that mean I don’t work for you guys anymore?”

“You’re quitting?” Shini says in an offended tone.

“I’m not fired?” April says in return.

“What are you two talking about?” Karai asks, slipping into the room behind April.

Shini points accusingly at April. “She’s quitting!”

“Am not!” April exclaims, for some reason, even though she sort of is. “I thought I was fired!”

“Who said anything about firing you?” Karai questions with a frown.

“You did, when you brought me into all this!” April says, gesturing around at the throne room. “You said that as soon as Shini was all better, I wouldn’t be needed anymore.”

Karai blinks, and opens her mouth in an “Oh” shape. She crosses her arms, and gives April a level look. “I suppose I did say that, but not quite. I wanted you to come work for me, April, but I never said you actually had to leave.”

That makes April’s self-pity stall, and she tries to get her head around that statement.

“What?” She asks.

“You’ve proved to be an excellent backup,” Karai says, lips twitching up into a smile. “And I’ve got to admit, having you on my side makes interrogation and intimidation so much easier.”

April remembers how they’d started a system, just last week, where April would sense if someone was being truthful or not, and signal Karai when to take action against those slights. Also, how April might have maybe been wrapping her invisible power around people, and slowly tightening when they proved uncooperative.

“If I let you go now, April, it would be a complete waste of your talents,” Karai continues, and there’s the scary smile she uses most. The one that definitely reads bloodlust. “I know that you aren’t completely sure about staying permanently… but I’d like to extend an offer for you to. The boys won’t know what to do with you, and I doubt you’ll be able to use your skills fully in ordinary life. So, if you’d like, you can stay with us. Be a real member of the Foot clan.”

April opens her mouth, and closes it. She’s genuinely shocked, and trying to wrap her mind around things fast as she can.

“I- maybe?” She manages to get out. Because that is… very tempting. But- “I’m not even done high school yet, though. And my dad wanted me to try getting a post-secondary diploma for something normal before I started making big decisions.”

Shini makes a “tsk” sound, and Karai rolls her eyes.

“Normal things are so boring,” Shini says with a tone of sheer disgust. “They get you nowhere in life. Nowhere fun at least.”

“I feel like we have different definitions of fun,” April remarks automatically, following the recent pattern of snarking that she and Shini have fallen into.

“Ha! You might think so, but I feel we’re much more similar than you admit,” Shini cackles, giving April a smirk.

“You can take your time deciding, April,” Karai says, nodding to April. “I don’t need an absolute answer yet. The position won’t close tomorrow. But, I’m not kicking you out until then either. You are more than welcome to stay with us for now, no obligations beyond cursory ones. We value your skills, April. I won’t see you waste them like you have been.”

April feels her cheeks warm, and her chest fill with sudden emotion.

Even with the whirling thoughts and emotions in her mind, one makes it forefront and stands out from all the others.

So this is what it feels like to really be appreciated.

“I’ll definitely think about it,” April says, grinning just as warm as her ear tips feel. “And I think I’ll take Shini up on that rematch. I owe her for that first one.”

Shini just laughs, and swings her scythes into action. Looping hypnotic circles in the air, following the way the woman’s hips sway. “I hope you aren’t as much of a disappointment this time, it would be no fun like that.”

April feels her grin change demeanour, and become something more like Shini’s. Sharper, challenging. “I thought you valued my skills, Shini. You’re giving some mixed signals here.”

“Oh, I never give those,” Shini cackles, and April can’t quite tell what she means by that. All she knows is that her sword is in her hand, and while the swell of glowing warmth still fills her chest, she’s very much focused on getting a second go at the witch.

“I see you two will be able to preoccupy yourselves,” Karai says dryly, stepping back from the range of the ‘splash-zone’. “I’ll leave you to it, then. I have… paperwork to do. Ugh. Running an empire requires way more paperwork than it should.”

April laughs the same time as Shini does, and Karai rolls her eyes as they start sparring, right in the middle of what’s supposed to be a room of respect and solemn appearances.

April feels it’s better like this, filled with snarky comments and good-natured insults.

“Hey dad, how would you feel if I- theoretically speaking- joined a notorious crime empire on a maybe permanent basis…?”

“Grey hairs, April. Grey hairs.”

Somehow, late after an evening of training, Karai and Shini convince April to stay for the night. It’s late already, and there’s plenty of room in the headquarters for an extra ninja. April doesn’t have any real reason to refuse, and at this point, she trusts the two ninjas to not kill her in her sleep.

She hasn’t been on a sleepover since she was a kid, or since she temporarily lived with the turtles on and off the last few years. It’s a surreal experience.

It gets even more surreal, when Shini produces an array of alcoholic drinks, and slides them towards Karai and April both. April takes her with only a split second hesitance, because this is the least of the laws she’s broken. Indulging in a drink with friends isn’t that big of a deal for a teenager.

They lounge in one of the rooms deepest in the complex, fitted like a living room would be. Soft couches and plush carpets. It’s nice, nicer than a few places April can name.

Its somewhere after the first few drinks, light in alcohol as they are, that April is out of it enough to ask Karai something that’s been floating around in her head for a while. A question she’s been asking herself, the further she delves into the world of ninjutsu and crime rings. Especially since Karai offered her a permanent spot on her team.

“Didn’t you ever want to be anything else?” April asks, looking at Karai. “You can’t have always wanted to be a ninja overlord.”

Shredder’s upraising of her has been an off-limits topic this whole while, but April is genuinely curious. So she’s asking, daring nature fueled by the soft amount of alcohol in her system.

Karai gives April a careful look, and April waits for the young leader to respond. Karai huffs, takes a sip of her drink, and does.

“My father briefly offered me a life other than a kunoichi,” Karai says, tone giving away no emotion, even as April senses a number of them flickering under Karai’s calm surface. “I didn’t take it. I considered it, but in the end… I wanted to make him proud, so I chose to be his heir. Also, the first time I defeated a rival clan’s heir in battle, I knew this was the career for me. I beat him so badly; his father had to offer us a bribe in exchange for keeping the whole disgrace a secret. That feeling, standing over him and watching the defeat grow in his eyes…” Karai smiles, and it’s not a kind smile. “There’s just no other feeling that can compare.”

Shini hums agreeably, and sips her drink. April swirls hers again, thinking over Karai’s words.

“What about you, April?” Karai asks suddenly, shifting the conversation. “When did you know this was right for you?”

“Oh, me? I haven’t- I don’t know if this is right for me?” April says, feeling childish for it. “I’m… I’m not sure yet. I’m just killing time, really.”

“Ha! To have that luxury!” Shini says, a hint of tipsiness in her voice.

“Shut up,” April says, lightly kicking the other woman’s legs. “I haven’t been at this as long as you two. Give me a break. So, your turn, Shini. Why did you get into this line of work?”

“Well… when I was a young girl…” Shini swirls her drink, watching the liquid as she does. Her words are smooth, low as the lights in the room and just as mysterious feeling. “I had a fear of spiders. I was told they felt no emotion. That their hearts never beat. But I know the truth now...” She grins at April, sly and suggestive. “At the moment of the kill, they are never more alive.”

It sounds cool for all of one second, and then April blinks and frowns. “Wait. Isn’t that a line from a game advertisement?”

Shini keeps her composure against April’s accusation for only a moment, and then she’s starts giggling.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe I almost fell for that.”

“But it’s true! I was scared of spiders,” Shini laughs, setting her glass down on the coffee table as she does. “Of course, that was only until I learned how to trap people in visions of thousands and thousands of flesh eating spiders. Then, I wasn’t afraid at all anymore. That was when I knew, and truth be told, I also haven’t felt true fear in a long, long while.”

“You’re lying,” April says automatically, even as Shini gives her an unimpressed look. “You are! I can sense it.”

Shini raises an eyebrow. “Can you now?”

“Yes. It’s a part of my powers. Empath and telekinetic, that’s what I am. I can sense truthfulness in people, and their emotions. Sometimes I can even get hints of thought if I concentrate.”

“She really can,” Karai vouches for April. She lifts her glass at April appraisingly. “She’s my little lie detector, this one. It’s very useful for dealing with men who can’t give a lady a fair deal.”

April preens under the praise, since not many people have ever complimented that specific part of her powers.

“Hmmm… now that is interesting,” Shini grins, leaning over her knees and into April’s space. April leans away a bit; a bit unsettled by the focus Shini suddenly has on her. The witch smiles at her, and April gets vaguely nervous. “Have you ever tried to manipulate those emotions and thoughts?”

April blinks, and then shakes her head. “No? I’m not sure if I even can. My powers never indicated I would be able to.”

“So let’s see, try it,” Shini urges, eyes lit with curiosity. “Just once! On me. Make me feel real fear. Soul deep terror, even. I want to know if it’ll work or not!”

April hesitates. “Are you sure?”

“Very sure,” Shini purrs.

April is dubious, but she does as the other woman wants. It can’t be any harder than the soft nudges she gives her father when he’s having a panic attack. So she reaches out, feeling for the correct emotion hidden inside of Shini’s psyche, and when she finds Shini’s fear, she pulls.

Shini is suddenly gone, and April feels a whoosh of air following the witch’s departure. April looks, and finds that Shini has bolted across the room, a knife suddenly in her hand.

Shini’s eyes are wide, and a grin has found its way onto her face. “Oh- oh my. Amazing. That was amazing. Do it again.”

April glances at Karai, who’s watching the proceeding events with interest. Karai gestures for April to continue, and she does.

This time, Shini makes a sharp cackle as April sends a wave of sheer terror through her, and grins even wider. “That’s incredible! Why have you never done this before?”

“I didn’t think to,” April says honestly. She’s never used her empathic abilities like so. Never even thought about it.

Shini shakes her head, and wipes a hand across her forehead. Probably fear sweat. “What a fool your master was, wasting your talents like this! I haven’t encountered anyone who could do that before, it is an invaluable ability, my goodness. Do it again. This is fun.”

April disregards Shini’s comment about master Splinter, and tugs on Shini’s fear again. The resounding laughter from the woman resembles a cat’s shriek, and April isn’t sure if she should be smiling or not.

“Well, this is an interesting discovery,” Karai says, after Shini has collapsed over the couch with heaving sides, still grinning in a slightly unhinged manner. “How do you feel about trying it out in the field for real, April?”

April considers the idea, glancing down at her hands. They’ve got more calluses than they used to, and she feels the soft coils of power wrapped around them. Still buzzing from playing on Shini’s emotions like she had.

It’d felt pretty good, being able to invoke such a strong reaction in someone. All without even drawing her sword.

Karai’s words about being true with her intents, about letting her limits expand and dissolve, float back into April’s mind. Power is nothing to be ashamed of, and a love of it isn’t either. April knows that now.

April closes her hands into fists, and smiles to herself.

“I think I’m open to that idea.”

The next morning is decidedly less serious, seeing as Shini drags April’s deeply over-tired self from her guest bed with an excited flurry of whispering, and straight into Karai’s room.

April immediately forgives Shini for the offense though, when she sees how Karai has shifted into full snake form overnight, and is sprawled quite adorably across her sheets. The extra snake heads where her hands should be are asleep as well, and Karai’s long, long body flows over the edge of the bed, and onto the floor.

Shini shushes April’s giggles, and says “Watch this!” in a soft whisper.

Shini creeps over the floor, steps muffled by the black slippers on her feet, and she reaches out to poke the very tip of Karai’s mouth.

Immediately, Karai’s tongue flicks out to slither over the spot Shini touched, and April has to muffle her laughter. Shini does it again, and the tongue responds as before. Out, in, out, in. It’s horribly adorable and utterly hilarious.

April can’t help herself, and decides to try poking Karai as well. This time, the tongue doesn’t go all the way back in, and its tip hangs over Karai’s lip.

April and Shini collectively lose their shit in the quietest way they can.

Shini produces a phone from her housecoat’s pocket, and snaps pictures, whispering, “Blaaaaaackmail.” in a gleeful tone.

Karai wakes as Shini snaps the fiftieth picture from yet another angle with yet another filter- this time with a flower crown and an anime blush- and the enormous snake woman blinks sleepily for a moment at them both.

Then, waking fully, Karai opens her mouth to hiss balefully at them both, and April and Shini make their hasty retreat from Karai’s slithering wrath.

Since she’s decided to spend majority of her time for the foreseeable future at the Foot hideout, April figures she should move her weapon care products there as well. Karai has already offered to replace them all anew, but April wants to use her tools until they give out completely. They were one of the last gifts master Splinter gave her.

Of course, excluding Donnie, she hasn’t actually told any of her boys what she’s been up to. Maybe they’d thought she’d been in mourning, quietly despondent. April feels she’s done the exact opposite of that, once Karai had come to her with an offer, and feels proud of that fact. That she took her life and did something with it of her own choice, for once.

Point being, as April packs up the portion of weapon care products and tools that are hers, she encounters someone who doesn’t seem particularly pleased that she’s taking a sizable chunk of their stock.

“Where are you going with that?” Leo asks- demands- as April is standing up to exit the dojo. She’d been kneeling at Splinter’s altar, giving her respects and a soft prayer for his soul’s rest. April turns to Leo, who she sees still hasn’t been sleeping enough. Even with his mask in place, April can read sleep-deprivation in his face. The young leader, if she can really call him that, seems out of sorts. Exhausted in a different manner from how Donnie is lately.

All the boys are exhausted seeming lately; working through grief in steady efforts. Except Leo it seems, because he seems no better than the first night.

“I’m going to Karai’s,” April says nonchalantly, shrugging the bag onto her shoulder better. “It’s a hassle to come all the way down here for it every time my sword needs care.”

“So that’s where you’ve been?” Leo says, frowning deeply. “You didn’t tell me you’ve been hanging around Karai. You haven’t shown up for a single training session in weeks, April. You’re slacking.”

“Excuse you, I have not,” April says, putting a hand on her hip. “I’ve been working for the Foot clan this entire time, and I’ll have you know that requires training nearly every night. I haven’t been slacking in the least.”

Leo sputters. “You’ve been what?”

“Working for the Foot clan,” April says again. She starts walking towards and past Leo, not giving much mind to how he’s staring at her. “Karai offered me a job, and I took it. It was temporary at first, but now she’s offering for me to stay permanently. And, I’m actually considering it.”

“I- what? Why is this the first I’m hearing of this?” Leo asks, following April. “April- what do you mean she offered you a position?”

“She said she noticed how well I can fight, and wanted me to work for her,” April says truthfully. Her chest still feels like it’s filled with warmth, glowing from the sincere comments her friends have given her for her skills. It’s a good feeling. “Karai and Shini value my abilities, and saw potential for me in their clan.”

“What?? Why didn’t she ask me though? I’ve got three times the experience you do!”

April stops, just in the door of the dojo’s exit, and turns to look at Leo. As much as she sympathizes for his loss, as much as she cares for him and their friendship- that comment pisses her off. Really pisses her off, actually. Because this isn’t the first time he’s talked down at her for her shorter experience as a ninja.

“Leo.” April says shortly, giving him a serious look. “Please tell me you didn’t just whine, and then insult me.”

Leo bristles, and snaps, “I’m right though, you don’t have nearly as much experience as the rest of us. It doesn’t make any sense that she’d choose you over me.”

“Not everything is about you, Leo,” April says in a low tone. A warning one.

“You’re a part of my team, April,” Leo says in turn, visibly frustrated by April’s words. “You didn’t tell me anything about working for my sister, and then you come in here, taking our supplies, and say you’re quitting? You didn’t consult me on this at all!”

“I’m not quitting, and it’s my supplies,” April snaps, temper rising and glowing. It feels good, it feels empowering. “Your father gave it to me for my weapons, to use how I wanted. And I’m not quitting, Leo. I’m still going to be around; I’ve just got other responsibilities now.”

“April, I am your leader and Sensei now, but I guess you weren’t around to here that, were you?” Leo says, and his voice is filled with anger and what April thinks is jealousy. She extends her powers to check, and as she sweeps Leo’s mind, she finds just that. And sadness, so much sadness.

“You can’t leave the team unless I give the okay,” Leo says, squaring his shoulders and giving her a stern glare. “And I don’t. We haven’t talked about this, let alone how you’ve been going behind my back to run off with Karai and Shinigami-”

“Going behind your back- Leo are you listening to yourself?” April says, frustrated with her friend. Deeply frustrated. “You don’t have final decision on what I do with my life, that’s my choice. And who the hell said you were my Sensei? I don’t remember ever agreeing to something like that.”

“My father, right before he died, told me to take his mantle,” Leo says, and April feels both utter conviction in that statement, and wavering fear. Interesting. “This team, this family, is my clan now. I am our family’s clan head, and I do not give you permission to suddenly leave it.”

“Wow,” April says. “You really believe that.”

She can’t help Leo out of the hole he’s fallen into, much as she is the daughter of a psychologist and his friend. She loves Leo, she really does, but she won’t let him control her life just because he’s having a breakdown.

And because there isn’t much else to say to that, April turns to leave before her temper gets the better of her. She reminds herself that her friend isn’t really like this, and that he’s simply trying his best to cope with suddenly being the leader of a clan that has long since ceased to exist.

A hand, grabbing her just as she gets halfway towards the steps from the dojo, creates an issue with that plan.

“I didn’t say you could leave,” Leo says, holding onto April’s arm stubbornly. “We’re not done with this conversation.”

April feels the rise in interested viewers around them, as the other occupants of the lair take notice that there’s a fight going on among them. Casey and Raph stop playing with the punching dummy, and Mikey looks up from his video gaming. Donnie, freshly out of his lab, comes to stand at the base of the pool below the dojo. All of them are watching the stare down April and Leo are having.

April tugs her arm free of Leo’s grip, and tries to swallow her frustration. She largely fails. “Look, Leo. We’re done this conversation, because there is no conversation. This isn’t up for debate, and you have no say in what I do with my life.”

Leo bristles again, drawing himself up in a way that shows how badly he’s struggling. “I. am this clan’s master, and you are a part of this clan. That means that you have to-”

“I don’t have to do anything,” April says, coldly furious. “I might be an honorary member of the Hamato clan, but you. are not. my master, Leo.”

“My father-”

“Is dead,” April says, and internally winces how those words hurt Leo underneath his anger. “I’m sorry, Leo, but he is. We have to move on, and my path leads me to the Foot clan. He doesn’t have say over my life anymore, and him passing his mantle to you doesn’t give you that say either. My life is my own, and I am the only one who chooses how I live it. Not you, not anyone.”

April feels the ripple of shock going through the room, and raises her head higher, even as Leo gets angrier.

“I love you all like family, but this doesn’t mean I owe you any ownership of my life choices,” April says, the words coming from some part of her that’s sick of this. Sick of people taking her life and telling her which way to steer it. “I’m through with letting others decide what I do. And maybe it would’ve made you feel better if I rolled over and said “yes, Sensei”, it wouldn’t have made me feel better. So Leo, do me a solid, and back the hell up, and re-examine things.”

Leo looks shocked by her words, and April feels just how deeply she’s unbalanced him by snapping back. Tough for him, because she doesn’t regret a single word.

April is done keeping her words nice, keeping her demeanour quiet, and trying to be anyone other than who she really is. Which, as it happens, involves running off to join a notorious crime ring, and telling her unstable friend to piss off.

She’ll apologize later, but right now, April lets the indignant fury run through her and feels stronger for it.

April turns to leave again, feeling satisfied and ready to face the evening, when a hand on her arm again stops her. April’s fury rises true and strong, and she snaps.

Hell. Fucking. No.

April hasn’t spent the last few weeks training for nothing, and she lets her new training move her body without prior thought.

She drops her bag of tools, and snaps out an arm to grab Leo’s. In a single swift movement, using her powers to aid her, she throws Leo over her shoulder, off the stone ledge they stand on, and straight into the pool below. The splash flings water into the air, and sloshes it over the sides of the pool.

Leo comes up spluttering, raw shock and confusion radiating from his mind. April stares down at him, and only allows a momentary pause of pity for her old friend. Then she puts it aside for later, when time comes for apologies, and instead lets the full of her emotions flow out.

“If you ever-” April speaks, letting her fury and power radiate from her voice. “-try to physically force me into anything I don’t want to do, ever again, I will show exactly how little I’ve been slacking. I am not your pupil to control, Leo, and I never will be.”

Leo can’t seem to form words right, but April senses hurt underneath the anger in him, and again, her heart softens for him.

She shows none of the softness, and instead picks up her bag to leave. As she does, that’s when the shock in the rest of the room’s occupants lifts, and a chorus of reactions comes from everyone else.

A resounding wolf-whistle from Casey and Raph’s laughter are the first ones, loud and rancorous. Then Mikey’s appreciative “You go, girl!”, accompanied by his laughter. The final reaction comes from Donnie, who slowly claps as he shakes his head despairingly.

April gives Raph, Casey, and Mikey a quick salute each, and receives another round of applause and whistling. While the other three go to retrieve a sopping Leo from the pool, she walks with her head held high down the steps of the dojo, and stops for a moment in front of Donnie.

Donnie is still tired seeming, but there’s a dance of amusement in his eyes. He throws a glance over his shoulder at his brothers and Casey, and sighs. “I’ll be hearing about that one for the rest of the week, if not month. But, it was certainly entertaining to watch.”

“Tell him I’m sorry,” April says, feeling bad that she’d lost her temper. Even if she also feels it was justified. “I know you’re all just trying to cope your best right now.”

“I will, but it was needed to be said,” Donnie says, a deep sigh following. “He’s been putting so much on himself that he doesn’t need to; it’s driving him crazy and us crazy. Someone was going to snap at him eventually. You were just more justified in it than me or my brothers would have been.”

April puts a hand on Donnie’s arm, and squeezes sympathetically. “I’m sure you guys will figure it out, sooner or later. Good luck.”

“I hope so,” Donnie says in a deeply tired voice. Then he perks up, and grins at her. “And good luck to you too, with my sister and her criminal empire. By the way… tell Karai… I can’t quite leave my family just yet, as aggravating as they can be.”

“That’s too bad,” April says, glancing behind Donnie to see Mikey and Raph comforting Leo- to an extent, at least- and Casey still laughing at the whole thing. “But I can understand. They need you here.”

“Mm, yes, but-” Donnie grins in a sly way. “-I’m open to doing commission work for her, so long as she supplies me with payment and all the materials needed.”

“I’ll talk to her about it,” April says, her own sly grin finding its way onto her face. “I’m sure that’s an acceptable arrangement.”

Donnie nods, and then steps back from April. He gives her a bow, gesturing towards the exit of his home, and the proud look he gives her speaks just as much as the emotions she feels in him.

April gives her own bow to him, and bids him goodbye. She starts for the exit, only to be swarmed by a blur of green with orange streaks, and wrapped in a tight hug by Mikey.

“I’m never making it to work tonight, am I?” April says dryly, accepting the death squeeze Mikey is giving her.

“Just one for the road!” Mikey exclaims, then dropping her and dancing away. April rolls her eyes, and heads out for the said road.

In the tunnels though, she realizes there’s a presence following her still. And, it’s only because said presence wanted her to know he was there, that she notices at all.

“Mikey…” April says, turning around and looking into the semi-darkness of the tunnel. “You said it was just ‘one’ for the road.”

“Well, yeah,” Mikey says, emerging from the shadows like it’s easy to do so. “But you forgot this.”

He has her tessen in his hands all of a sudden, and April realizes that there’s a missing weight to her holster.

“You sneaky little minx,” April says. “You didn’t mean that hug at all. You just wanted to get me alone, and have an excuse to.”

“Slander!” Mikey exclaims, feigning hurt even as his mood bubbles with glee. “I always mean my hugs!”

April holds out her hands, giving him a fond and annoyed look. “Give, Mikey.”

Mikey sticks tongue out, but hands over the weaponized fan without fuss.

“So, you going to tell me why all this?” April asks, giving her weapon a quick examination before storing it away again. “You could have just asked to talk to me in private.”

“Pssh, where’s the fun in that?” Mikey says, putting his hands behind his head and kicking the ground. He’s grinning like the little shit he is, and he gives April a look that’s deeper than he probably would admit. “Just wanted to know how things are with Karai, since apparently, you’ve been chillin’ with her an’ didn’t tell no one. I wanna know what it’s like! Do you go on secret spy missions all the time? Or is it, like, boring like things here?”

April shakes her head. “Mike, its confidential, and probably not at all like how you’re imagining it.”

“So maybe you guys don’t all have matching outfits like all cool villains have, but hey, a guy can dream!”

“We’re not villains, Mikey,” April says, rolling her eyes at the label. “We’re just… less than legal entrepreneurs.”

“Whoa, that was such a villain line,” Mikey says, though it’s in an appreciative tone. “I’m super jealous, yo. What you’re doing sounds way more fun than… the nothing I’ve been doing. Blah.”

April sees for a split second, the greif cracking through Mikey’s indomitable cheer, and feels a swell of loss and frustration. Then it’s gone, as Mikey drowns it in other emotions.

Truly, with the way he slips in and out of her perception, and has such finesse with his real emotions, Mikey is something else.

Maybe…

“I’ll ask Karai is she feels like letting you in on some missions,” April says, because extra muscle that’s loyal and skilled is always welcome. Even when it comes in a chaotic Mikey shaped package. “We’re still working on settling things down and solidifying the Foot’s hold on its territory, but eventually… there’s probably some room for an extra ninja, should we need one.”

Mikey’s eyes go wide, and his smile takes on a new edge. “Whaaaaaat, seriously? That’d be fucking awesome, Apes. You’re not joking with me?”

“I’m not, I swear,” April confirms.

Mikey’s smile is toothy and wide, excited for a fight and all the ‘fun’ that will come of it. And for a split second, April sees Karai in it.

Seems that her siblings aren’t so different from her after all, seeing as Mikey’s own hidden potential peeks through sometimes, same as his carefully concealed bloodlust.

“You remind me a bit of Karai,” April says, offering no explanation beyond that.

Mikey’s smile takes on a confused look to it, and April just laughs.

April watches Don Vizioso from her place on the left side of Karai’s throne, Shini on the right, and their leader in the middle.

The large man had come into their lair just a few moments ago, with a collection of bodyguards armed to the teeth- how rude- and came with a message to give Karai.

April sighs softly under her breath as the large man prattles on, a long rolling speech about how Karai isn’t actually entitled to a spot in New York, and how she isn’t even an American, and blah blah blah, he’s challenging her to a one on one match between his fighter and one of hers to settle the matter once and for all.

A man, large, strong, obviously a practicing martial artist, steps out of Vizioso’s group. He’s the fighter Vizioso hired, it seems. Tattoo snakes climb up the man’s neck and arms, and April hears the name “Python” thrown out and nearly laughs.

Whatever this man has done to earn that name, April feels that he doesn’t deserve a snake name more than Karai does. She’s heard the soldiers in the Foot clan whisper it, that Karai has recently begun to pick up the nickname “Serpent” on the streets. Like scum-bag, deceased, adoptive father like stolen, bloodthirsty daughter, April supposes. A notorious leader needs a notorious name.

April hears a soft titter from Shini, and feels the woman’s amusement at the last stand the men below are making in the face of the Foot clan’s power. April shares the sentiment, but keeps her laughter inside.

April waits for Karai to signal Shini to finish the fight- probably with choking by chains, which is always interesting to see- but Karai’s short hand wave isn’t aimed at Shini. It’s aimed at April.

April wants to say “Who, me?” but can’t, because they have to portray a united front.

Apparently April, despite being years behind in experience compared to Shini, is going to represent their clan in a fight that’ll decide a fair amount of their street cred, if not most of it. No pressure or anything.

April takes a silent breath in, and steps down from her position by the throne to face the challenger.

She hears scoffs from Don Vizioso’s subordinates, aimed likely at her stature and height. April is small, she knows that. She’s short, only a bit curvy, and not terribly intimidating. Why wouldn’t these men, who are heads taller than her and thrice as wide, laugh at her challenging their fighter? At least Shinigami has a name for herself, April is still an unknown.

Perhaps that’s why Karai has commanded her to do this. Maybe it’s time April become known.

April’s adrenaline rises as she and the man she’s facing square up. Her sword slides from it sheathe without issue, and her fan flicks open with a snap. Another round of scoffs at her weapon choices, and April’s temper coils readily.

The man she’s facing- Pyhton- pulls out his own weapons. Tonfa, not a bad choice. Solid, dexterous in their use.

April remembers how to fight someone with these. She’s sparred with Mikey before, multiple times. And, this time is different from then, when she’d eventually lose to her friend.

April has grown from that version of herself. Stronger, more skilled. Powerful.

April licks her lips, and slowly slides her psychic powers around Python’s mind.

The jolt of fear he has, her ministrations suddenly calling up feelings of old terrors, makes something dark in April purr. He’s cocksure that he’ll win, and walk away with both a huge sum of money and the street cred to say he’d beaten the Foot clan in a match.

April can’t let that happen, so she coils slicing power around her blades, and charges the man at her leader’s call.

The match is swift for two reasons. One, because Python’s swings are quick despite his large size; and two, because April is just that much quicker.

After spending weeks with only Karai and Shini to spar against, it seems as though Python is moving in slow motion. In the back of her mind, April knows that this is a highly skilled fighter, but really, couldn’t they have found someone better than this?

April sends another rush of uncontrolled adrenaline and fear through Python, and nearly laughs in his face as his swipes become more desperate. He’s scared of her, terrified as she basically dances around him, and he doesn’t know why.

It’s the funniest thing April’s seen/felt all week, and a laugh does escape her as she closes in for the metaphorical kill.

She slices- obliterates- one of Python’s tonfas as he attempts to land a strike on her. Wrapped in psychic power, April’s sword can cut through most anything these days. Python retreats, fear that isn’t April’s doing rushing to the front of his mind.

His next strike to catch her temple- sloppy in his desperation- misses so completely it’s just sad. April does him a favor, and gives his outstretched arm a chance to at least get close to her before she snaps out her fan.

Blood hasn’t bothered her in a long while, and the way it arcs into the air from her swift slice isn’t something April pays much attention to. She focuses on ignoring the pained yell from Python, and spinning a leg out to kick the last tonfa from his hand. It skids on the floor, away from the fight’s reach, and April finishes her pivoted rotation with easy grace.

Python retreats further, breathing heavy and fast as he clutches his wound arm. April didn’t slice deep enough to do permanent damage, but it’s enough to put the arm out of use.

“Should have taken the first deal,” She says, tsking as she does.

She feels the rippling fear in the air, coming from all the men in the room, but not the women. April feels Karai and Shini’s vindictive pleasure, and grins wide and true at the man who’s cowering before her.

“Finish the match,” Karai’s calm, commanding voice says, echoing through the throne room.

April does as such.

And as she does, she sends one final blinding flash of terror through Python, feeling gleeful as she does, and spins into action to take him down.

Python can only raise his arms to block himself- either that or run, and running is dishonorable- and April pays the pitiful block no mind.

Her tessen is slipped away as she flies towards him, and she grasps his raised arms too quick for him to react. Swinging herself with her momentum and levitation powers, April flips over his head to drag him backwards into a bend.

Her sword’s blade presses against his neck, and Python can’t move unless he’d like to slit his own throat. And, he can’t move his feet either to kick out, unless he wants to lose the tenuous balance he’s holding, and fall to the floor. Where, they both know, April can pin him with her sword’s blade once again, and that leaves Python with no other moves besides admittance of defeat.

Don Vizioso is yelling at Python to get up, to win the fight still- but April can see in the dark brown eyes of her opponent, he knows she’s won.

He swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing as he does. Dangerously so, seeing as a sword is pressed so close to it. April is highly tempted to cut him, just a little bit, just to put a mark on his obnoxious snake tattoos. He doesn’t deserve the name Python, not really.

“I… concede,” He whispers, strong and fearful respect in his eyes as he stares at April. He knows that she could kill him easily, so very easily, and there’s nothing he can do about it. His very life is in her hands, and April grins at him.

It’s not a nice one, and maybe it’s a sort of not-nice smile that she’s picked up from Karai.

April feels powerful. She feels untouchable. She feels alive.

She releases her hold on Python’s arm, and takes her blade from his neck. And as she steps away, revelling in the sheer fear he still radiates, April knows.

She knows now. She can feel it in her, from her toes to her head, that this is right for her.

Python rubs his neck, and goes to stand behind Don Vizioso’s bulk. The Don stares at them all, confused and oh so deeply afraid of what’s about to happen.

April climbs the steps of Karai’s throne, and as she ascends, she whispers, “I think that was the moment.”

Shini smiles immediately, and cackles high and amused. The sound send another rush of fear through their guests’ minds, and April’s own huff of laughter echoes Shini’s.

Karai scoffs at both of them, and looks down at Don Vizioso with deep, deep disgust and apathy.

“So, Vizioso,” Karai says, voice low and scary. She leans on one hand, all lithe grace and power. “What was that about me giving ‘your’ territories back?”

The utter terror the men feel, looking up at the three of them, is the most satisfying feeling April has ever felt, and she loves it.

“Hey dad… I think I’ve got a career path lined up now. It’ll pay well, I swear. You probably won’t have to work for the rest of your life, and can finally take that vacation you’ve been talking about…”

“Please, please tell me you’re going to finish school first.”

“I promise. But… how do you feel about me spending the summer there for a working internship?”

“Grey hairs, April. I have too many.”

“I know, dad. And I love you for that.”

“April, I love you too, but goodness you’re bad for my heart.”

“But a vacation to Hawaii won’t be…”

“…exactly how well does this internship pay?”

“You’re the best, dad. The best.”

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