msbarrybeeson

[msbarrybeeson]

In This Episode of "Mad Dogs Love Reader" : Mystic Library

A/N: This lowkey feels like crack-fiction. Then I remember the premise is the actual, released episode itself. I did my utmost trying to adhere with the characters' personalities when it came to non-canonical dialogue.

I am aware of your comments about my Donnie X Reader shots and feel really happy to hear them! After a year or so of not writing, though, I apologize for my rough return. I still love Rise of TMNT with my heart and hope to see a single glimpse of the show's possible continuation.

Constructive criticism is much appreciated! Especially for character-writing! Leave some comments about it if you will.

Summary: While searching for something to help your project, you found yourself jammed into a fiasco of a book find with the Mad Dogs in the Mystic Library.

Episode Base: Episode 20A "Mystic Library"

Implied Pairings: Rise! Donnie X Reader • Rise! Leo X Reader • Rise! Raph X Reader

Reader: Gender Neutral. Human.

Word Count: ~2070

➵ ➵ ➵

ECHO-O

CHOO

HOO

OO!

You whipped your head. "What the hell was that?" you muttered to yourself, cautious of the "Hush Bats" hanging from above.

Your hand flipped through pages of a book, yet nothing remarkable piqued you. You sighed. You needed to get a project done as soon as possible before you could hit the weekend concert in Central Park. "Where are all the books on the anatomy of frogs. . .?" You picked out another book, this time with a fish-like Yōkai on the cover page.

"What are they doing here?" Your ears perked at recognizing that coarse, scratchy voice. "Can't we enjoy a nice peaceful Sunday without those clowns showing up?"

April and the others showed up? Here?

"I got an idea," Foot Brute gestured a "knuckle-sandwich." "Since they're always messing up whatever we're doing, why don't we mess up whatever they're doing?"

Under their breaths, they snickered evilly.

You frowned. Not on my watch, bozos.

⇨ ⇨ ⇨

"Loom 16." Donnie slid, rocking into his rhythm as he busted out singing. "Take Corridor B. Down-the-stairs past the Ibis tapestry."

"Uhh. . . Donnie?" Raph whispered, feeling uneasy when even Leo decided to join in with his beatboxing. "We're still in the library." Yet his warning went ignored.

"Sliding bookcase after bookcase shows the way to the hall– up a pole through a hole to the waterfall." He rhymed with every line. Raph hushed him, "Keep it down Donnie!"

Aimlessly, Raph glimpsed up the library, careful of the Hush Bats. He did not want to be taken to the kiddie room. He was expecting one to come right out of the endless ceiling, flying straight for him and his ridiculously noisy brothers.

He heard nothing. He saw nothing. His back faced his brothers as Raph kept his eyes out for those bats. He quirked an "eyebrow" when the silence settled in.

"Gee Donnie. Didn't think you'd be the one to listen." Curious, the snapping turtle finally spun around to face his brothers.

What he truly did not expect was bumping right into Leo's shell. A relatively low "oomph" emitted. Now, he felt confused. "Guys?" Raph tried calling. "What's the big idea? Why are we stoppin' out of nowhere? We got Mayhem to save!" He glimpsed at his phone to April's frantic texts.

Looking back up, he noticed Leo wrapping his hands over Donnie's mouth. Their heads were blocking his view of something. Or rather, someone. Raph leaned his head to the side and found–.

"(Name)!?"

In a whisper, of course.

You would hope so.

He nearly yelled for the world to hear.

The Hush Bats above dilated their pupils in great suspicion.

From your end, you watched the wide-eyes and shocked looks plastered on their faces. Leo covering Donnie's mouth before he could scream at seeing you pop out of the blue. A deep fluster evident on Donnie's features. You did kind of jump from behind a ledge.

That wasn't what mattered, though.

"Why hello." You somehow dropped the whole warning-spiel to give a quick greeting, hand on your hip.

But it wasn't quick.

"(Name)!?" Raph quietly exclaimed. Perfect timing for an oxymoron. "What on Earth are you doing here!?" He rushed to you, giant hands on your shoulder and lightly shook you. "Were you trapped here?!"

"Raph, Raphie." You lightly knocked off his grip. "I'm fine. I was looking for a book to finish my biology project. I would really love to get to this concert coming this weekend, but I can't dance my soul out when my grade hangs on the balance of Mr. Racataian." You waved dramatically.

Donnie yanked off his twin-brother's hands. "I had an excellent cadence going before you ruined it, Leo!" He scrunched his face. "Keep your germs off. Who knows where your hands have been?" Donnie sanitized the area around his mouth. He faced you, the disgust wiped off in an instant. He raised an eyebrow, obviously judging the decision you just made.

"Allow me to digest this." He repeated slowly, "You are looking for a book."

"Mhm."

"To help you with a school project."

"Yes."

"From the human world."

"Uh-huh."

"And you're not searching in any of New York's public libraries, but in the Mystic Library?"

"Sums it up."

"'Sums it up?' That is downright absurd!" His eye twitched. "Why?"

"Yeah. No offense, (Name)," Leo intercepted. "This lowkey doesn't feel like the right place for you to be searching for human books. You should try one of the higher stories." He quirkily pointed up.

"Oh, you're right! They'd–."

"You should neither be endorsing this nor encouraging them, Leonardo!" Donnie hissed and went to pinch between his brows. "Dear Darwin, you have access to the Internet, (Name)!"

"I'm well aware, Don."

He blinked incredulously. "Oh Bohr. What have they done to you, my brightest pupil? My intelligent (Name)! Has New York decided to reduce state funding on public education as of late?" He suddenly hugged you, garnering shock from Leo and Raph. Donnie rarely– much emphasis on rarely– touched anyone out of his will. So this said a lot. "We shall fix this. An old fashion petition won't do. They never listen to those–."

"Donnie!" You shoved the mutant off, ignoring his endearing title for you. "Did you seriously believe I hadn't visited the public libraries?"

"I'm afraid you are not making any sense, (Name). To come here implies there weren't any books at all relating to your topic–!"

"Of course, there are!" You ruffled your hair. "But my teacher begged everyone to put in forty sources– all of them as books– or else he'd drop our grades by two whole letters! I don't know what's his deal with bringing in physical work! It's been decades! Can he please catch up to today's technology!?"

Yes, you were in fact whispering still.

"Sheesh." Leo crossed his arms and muttered, "And here I thought high school's all about the sports. Y'know, the better stuff."

"Why are you guys even here?"

In a blink of an eye, Raph tensed up. Hands on his head, he panicked as he snatched his phone out of you-don't-know-where. He frantically tapped his thumbs on the screen, texting. You looked around. "And where's Mikey and April?"

"Mikey. . . kinda got taken to the kiddie room." Leo rubbed his nape. "He did that to himself though, so I wouldn't really worry 'bout him that much."

"Oh." You snickered. "So he's the one I heard that loud echo from." You would have laughed real hard at that.

"Not gonna lie, I kinda wanna do the same thing. But those bats up there are giving me the heebie-jeebies."

"And so where's April? Isn't she usually with you guys too?"

"Mayhem. . . got stuck in her mirror."

". . ."

Leo twiddled with his fingers.

You freaked out, your one spare hand wiggling and everything. "Why are you guys even chatting with me!?" Your eye twitched. "Are you lost or something? There's some Magic 8 Ball thing down that hall. You could've found the book by now–!"

"Which I would've found if it weren't for my annoying colleague interupting my memory rhythm." Donnie gritted his teeth. "But fret you shall not, (Name). Everything is handled without flaw as long as my intellect is around. Nothing is necessary except for your mind."

Ah. Your daily dose of Donnie's wisdom. You didn't even have to ask.

"Woah-ho. Now you're blaming me, mi hermano?" The latter had his hands up defensively. "You're the only one with directions inside your head. I was only trying to stop you from getting snatched by bats. Did you get that?" He spelled each letter, "B-A-T-S."

"You!" Robotic arms from Donnie's Battle Shell snatched Leo and shook him like an earthquake. "I won medalions from the National Spelling Bee, you simpleton! You can't even spell 'soldier' without replacing the letter 'd' with a 'j'! Who are you to quest–!?

Oh Bohr."

He did in fact yell.

You and Leo gaped with wide-open jaws as your friend with a big ego dramatically floated away by bats.

"Donnie!" Raph nearly screeched.

⇨ ⇨ ⇨

"I know Donnie has once again messed up our mission as he does on virtually every mission." Leo glanced between April's panicked messages on his brother's phone and you. His sights lingering on you each time.

"Are you trying to impress (Name) by putting down Donnie?"

"Wha–What? Of course not." Leo nervously chuckled. "W-Where did you get that idea from?" He looked at you yet again. The moment you made direct eye-contact, he tried putting up his nonchalant facade. Instead, he looked kind of goofy.

You wouldn't tell him that though.

Raph pointed at him, narrowing his eyes. "Are you trying to get Donnie fired?" Before his brother's hand slammed his face.

"We'll discuss that later." He swung to change the subject. "Let's just focus on getting that book, so we can save Mayhem." Leo held his chin, pondering. "We need to remember the song. How did it go? Something about a Loom."

"Loom 16." You heard it briefly when you had gone off in search of your buddies. You were sure if you could catch onto the beat again, you could remember all the lyrics– directions.

"That's right!" Raph snapped his fingers softly. "Take Corridor B. . . Uhhh. And then where'd it go?"

"Oh my God." You clasped your mouth. The other two whipped their heads. "What happened, (Name)?"

"I forgot to tell you guys!" said you in a hushed voice. "Those two guys from the Foot Clan are here to mess things up again!"

"You said who!?" Raph crashed into another body.

"Us." There they were, Foot Brute and Foot Lieutenant, right in the flesh. "How thoughtful of you to let us make our own welcoming, instead of spoiling it for others." The Lieutenant signaled in your direction with a sneer.

"Hey! Step aside, chump! We're on a crucial mission!"

"Which is why we're going to throw a little monkey wrench into your plans."

"We'll see about that." Raph charged to land an attack, but meeting the Brute's palm. Everyone quickly remembered the Hush Bats hanging patiently along a beam. The two backed off. Blue hopped on his brother's back. "We can't fight these guys! We have to be quiet, or we'll never get the book to free Mayhem!"

"So we fight them as quietly as the quietest lions in the jungle of silence!" Raph grunted. "Like a boss!"

"Oh dear me. Where's your other partner?" The Lieutenant pointed. Without a thought, the two mutants whipped their heads behind another time. Figuratively, your missing figure left a flashing dotted outline. Raph shrieked, "(Name)'s been kidnapped! What have you–?"

Book dust puffed out into his face. He nearly bursted into a sneeze if not for Leo's quick reaction.

"Oh, it's so on." Blue's competitive spirit tingled.

Raph stomped on the Brute's foot. Leo gave a real disgusting wet willy to the Lieutenant's ear. Things quickly escalated to making one another laugh as hard and loud as possible. Even the other visitors looked disturbed, either wheeling back their squeaking chairs or simply turning away.

BONK!

.

.

THUD!

BUNK!

.

.

THUD!

Leo and Raph froze in the middle of their shenanigans as two heavy books struck the heads of the Feet. What an odd name, you would have thought. The impact created loud sounds that resonated throughout the library.

Two more victims for the kiddie room were claimed that day.

"Hey guys. Sorry, I went off for a mome–. Why is there a book in your mouth, Leo?"

He spat out the book, its spine drenched saliva.

"Oh. . ."

"You. . . did not see anything."

You slid down the bookcase. The one book with the fish-like Yōkai remained in your grasp. Raph practically teared up upon your sight. "Y-You weren't kidnapped after all. . .!"

"Thank you for the concern, but why would I be. . .?" You blinked amusingly before waving it off. "Nevermind." You pointed in a specific direction. "Let's head this way. There's Corridor B right there. Someone told me where this 'waterfall' is."

♪ Up the pole through the hole to the waterfall. ♫

"Oh-ho! So he did mention a waterfall." Leo snapped his fingers. "You're a life-saver, (Name). Up high!" You lightly high-five– or is it high-three– his hand.

Raph exhaled, patting your back– a usual sign of either appreciation or reassurance you came to learn. "Like a boss."

"See?" Blue nudged Red. "Like I said, who needs Donnie when–."

"Don't even think about it, Leo."

A sudden low ring of Raph's phone vibrated. The snapping turtle proceeded to take it out, but your hands were quick to stop him. "Shh! Don't you dare answer that. We don't know how loud whoever's calling is!"

Raph looked unsure. "It's April. I hafta take this or she's gonna go berserk! Don't want her to think we've forgotten about Mayhem!"

"Hey, I'd love talk to my best friend too, but right now, if any loud noise–."

Much to your damned misfortune, however, a heavy– extra heavy– book fell onto the floor beside the snapping turtle.

He did not realize he was leaning on the bookcase.

THUD!

And on the cover, there existed the title: How to Not Drop Anything.

The Hush Bats, in a single second, clouded your vision like a fog. A vein popped on Raph's forehead, gritting his teeth. He groaned exasperately. "Okay, I've had just about enough of this jumble! Forget being quiet, we got our buddy Mayhem to save!" His tonfās glowed red.

You frantically waved your arms. "Hold on a second, Raph–!"

"Power smash-a-roni!"

It was too late. You and the red-eared slider were tightly shoved against each other, being held in a gigantic holographic hand as Raph activated his energy construct. "You're seriously going to wreck the entire library!?" Leo shouted. "OW. Watch the grip, King Kong! You're squeezing the very life out of us!"

♪ Down the stairs past the Ibis Tapestry. ♫

Raph's eyes lit up at the banner with a long-beaked bird on it. "Ibis Tapestry!" The Hush Bats swarmed around you once again.

You screamed, "To your left!"

The sliding bookshelves were found. Raph simply smashed his way past them. "To think I was gonna apply here as an assistant too!" You wailed. "I'm never going to be able to come back here as long as I'm associated with you guys!"

The Hush Bats began to charge right at you three. But Leo yanked out his ōdachi. With a swipe, a portal opened up, sending all the bats right into the bookshelves opposite.

"Can someone tell me if we're almost there?" Leo had been waving and brandishing his ōdachi. The repetitive high-pitched squeaks were heard when the blade struck something. "Ughh. These bats are getting on my nerves! My arms are getting sore!"

♪ Up the pole through the hole to the waterfall. ♫

"Up the pole!" Raph yelled until he broke through the fountain. The book, Complete Compendium of Escape Rituals, glimmered in the center of a large podium. One of the shiniest covers you could ever witness glowing.

"Don't worry I got it!" Leo portal'ed himself right over and snatched the book. But the Hush Bats rushed in as well. He grinned, "Oh yeah! Hero of the day!"

"Leo! Hand over the book!" Raph urged. "While you're at it, portal (Name) out of here!"

Your eyes widened. "What are you do–!?" Raph used his energy construct and flung you and himself over. You shrieked, "You little! You forgot I'm a humaaannn!" Leo passed the book to his brother, and swung his ōdachi. The portal that appeared behind you teleported you away from getting a concussion and five weeks of a coma on a bookshelf.

As two brothers exploded through the walls, crashing through the glass, the Bat Librarian– busy stamping books– instantly painted her face across in horror when she looked up. Her wide yellow eyes as she watched the destruction unfold right above the main chamber.

Oh boy did she herself explode into rage. "You! I'll pummel you into papyrus!" she hissed. Her normal Yōkai form mutated into something larger, expanding her wings and all of her six limbs.

Leo gulped thickly.

"Err. . .

. . .Is it too late to be pardoned?"

So much for being the "Face."

She soared up, seizing the two mutants, and body-slammed them down into another room. The debris scattering across the puzzle-tiled floor and unicorn-themed carpet. The book was still safe in Raph's grasp.

Hold on.

Puzzles and unicorns?

"Oh my God. It's about time you showed up! Why the hell would you teleport me here of all places, Leo!?"

They groaned, recovering from the brutal impact. Only to discover you were tied in jumpropes and about to be sacrificed to. . . Mikey?!

They had crashed into the kiddie room.

Their box turtle of a younger brother, covered in glow-in-the-dark marker and his head crowned with feathers, sat high and mighty on a stack of giant books like a throne. The armrests were made with alphabet blocks. Donnie sat on the side, fanning him with leaves. The Foot Brute and Lieutenant were also tied in jumpropes and hung like cocoons. The other Yōkai chanted and beated the drums.

He swayed his attention from you to the huge raging bat climbing up the rubble, hissing at the turtles.

Mikey, as if declared the king of the jungle, pointed at the Bat Librarian with crazed eyes.

"N E W T O Y!"

April would refuse to believe their fiasco if it weren't for you having a broken rib and bruises on your limbs.

At least your ancient teacher handed you that perfect score.

➵ ➵ ➵

A/N: Fish consume frogs. You wanted to learn about frog anatomy, and it ended up being a cookbook surrounding frogs.

[msbarrybeeson]

Princess and Her Matra | Cyno X (F) Reader (Part V) (Royal AU)

Summary: Your physical confrontation against the Prodigal, possessed by Scaramouche, ended on a relieving note.

Relationship: (Bodyguard) Cyno X (Desert Princess) Female Reader

Characters: General Mahamatra Cyno • False Prince of Avidya Scaramouche • Lord of Avidya Kusanali (Nahida) • Undercover Scribe of Avidya Al-Haitham.

Warnings: Suggestive.

Word Count: 2790

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five

➵ ➵ ➵

An explosion...

A deafening rumble...

Expecting a hard tumble, your eyes shut tight.

Your back hit into some kind of wall.

And you expected a harsher impact, but you no longer sensed any movement.

You could hear yourself panting, afraid of facing wounds or damage. Finally, you peeked through your eyelids.

Hermanubis was above you, their claws held you gently and whose eyes narrowed in a softer way. This felt surreal. Before, you had only heard of powers that summoned a figure in fantastical books, but never witnessed. The violet hue of the Hermanubis figure was transparent, holographic even, so through them, the skies were still visible.

Dawn was beginning to rise.

However, the scattered fog of sand and dust from what felt closely to an eruption of a volcano remained in the air.

Liloupar tugged on your neck. It metamorphosed into a necklace, the tiny bottle charm twittering. Silent, yet you could imagine all the things being said: "This is atrocious!" "How could an outlander dare to wreck massive destruction?" "What in Nabu Malikata's name!"

You glanced down and found their summoner, Cyno. The light gold eyes of his headdress closed as he panted heavily himself. Sighing in relief, you crawled over the large claws. "Cyno," your voice muffled through the matter. "Cyno." You rested a palm on the holographic claw. As if you were holding his hand too. "I am unharmed."

He finally gazed in your direction and visibly relaxed.

"(Name)."

"You spoke my name for once." A breathy laugh escaped. "You could have informed me you bear Hermanubis's power. How have I not known after years of knowing you? Or rather, how could you not tell me earlier?"

"There hadn't been any need for me too. If I were to show you my full strength, Your Highness, I'm afraid your palace would not be standing to this day."

"Afraid it is inevitable despite so." You hummed. "Now, let me down, General."

Hermanubis gently lowered their claws until your feet reached the sand. The figure disappeared, retreating into the General's body. You rushed to Cyno and cupped his cheeks. "Are you injured?" You examined his features in worry, though not much could be seen with his headdress hiding his upper face. Violet energy streaks flickering from it.

"Few wounds but nothing more than that. I am the General Mahamatra." The shallow cuts that struck his shoulder blades and face, especially down on his legs, slowly closed up. Your touch giving a remedial and comforting feeling.

"You say that time and time again. I doubt I can truly bring a life back, you know. If a horrible fate catches you, my eyes would not be able to stand it."

"Does it make me all the more 'eye-catching' if it hasn't?"

"You–." A sigh escaped your lips.

He could sense your stare.

As well as a touch lingering from his cheeks to his shoulders. "..Are my injuries truly all you are checking, Your Highness?"

Now you sensed amusement in his tone. "..Whatever do you mean?"

"If I am not mistaken, I may assume you are entranced by my appearance. More so than ever."

"Am not. Only surprised." You huffed, averting your eyes. "Do not confuse that in your head, General."

"With all due respect, Your Highness, you shouldn't get 'a-head' of yourself either." Cyno husked, stepping closer to you, "You may have amused yourself with my reactions those times before, but let's not forget other instances where you hid behind your hands, full of fluster."

You gulped.

CREAAAK!

A loud creak startled the both of you into backing up. Your hand instinctively reached for Liloupar, hanging on your neck.

But you stopped.

The fog had only now dissipated, revealing the damaged Prodigal's torso by the palace steps. His hand fell right by you. It made you shiver upon the tremendous height of this puppet.

His presence was not all.

Floating high in front of him, there was an unusual light emitting. You in your tattered dress and Cyno among his battered body ran closer and spotted a–. "Girl?" You stopped halfway of the distance.

The light resembled close to the hue of leaves from the Avidyan forests. The young girl dressed in white silk, covered in linings the color of ferns. Her hair was similarly white, and by the glance of her legs and outstretched hand, her complexion seemed pale. Emeralds crowned all around her head to behind her fairy-like ears.

Is she some form of a fairy? Another figure whom you thought were from mere legends?

"No!" You heard a bellowed scream. "I refuse to be taken back there! I refuse to go back to Inazuma! Do you hear me?! I am your Prince! I am your God! Show your respect!"

"Whether you are a God or not, I cannot simply permit you to trespass the livelihoods of innocent people," the young girl spoke. "Both the Avidya and the Setekh do not deserve your cruel definition of authority and power." A small figure, resembling a chess piece, was casted from the puppet's heart.

"Must be his source of energy," said Cyno to you.

"No! Enough! You cannot be doing this to me!" Desperation seeped in Scaramouche's voice.

Sorrow flashed in the young girl's eyes. "You have mistaken one crucial detail: Gnoses do not grant anyone a God's power. It may have enough energy to sustain your mechanical puppet, but as you witness yourself, it is not enough." The "Gnosis" was captured into her hand. Another crackle of electricity sparked around the fallen puppet, before it made its way to a complete death, Scaramouche hanging from the threads attached to inside the head like a doll.

A puppet.

"I have chosen not to return you to Inazuma, but instead, I shall make it my responsibility to show you another way– that you need no God's power to express your true value."

No voice emitted from the man.

A visible wince on your face. You could have felt empathetic, if not for the wrecked destruction on Setekh.

"You must be the Princess of Setekh."

You were startled by the voice appearing right in front of you. Cyno himself becoming wary, and he immediately jumped to pull you behind him.

"I apologize. I never mean to scare you." A gentle smile on her lips. Your face-to-face interaction allowed you to see your clover-like eyes. Everything about this young girl shared a close resemblance with the forest.

You tapped on your General's shoulder, asking him to stand down. "Do not worry," whispered you. After a moment, he gave a quiet nod.

"Who.. are you?"

"I am aware I have not appeared in many centuries, but I can infer your family knows very well of my predecessor, Lord of Avidya, Rukkadevata."

Your eyes widened. "You.. are her descendant?"

"Not necessarily." She laughed. "I am but a branch of her. She expended her strength to remove the Withering from Avidya. Then I came to be as a small child." She then frowned. "However, as he attempted in your palace, Scaramouche and his advisor, Il Dottore, took advantage of my weakened state to overthrow the Avidyan authority. They went through the lengths of manipulating my council once they locked me in a cage."

"Their clothing suggests they do not originate from Avidya..?"

"You are correct. They serve under the authority of Snezhnaya, another kingdom full of frigid winters far north."

"What is this.. 'Inazuma' you and he spoke of then?"

"Scaramouche's birthplace. Or rather Kunikuzushi's birthplace. That is his real name before his affiliation with Snezhnaya gave him, 'Scaramouche the Balladeer.' With that, he also obtained his power of enacting death, stealing life or energy. He will be taken under my care."

You connected that his falter of resolve back then with Il Dottore had to do with his history in Inazuma.

"Out of curiosity, how did you manage to escape?"

The girl smiled a proud one. "I have my subjects to thank. You must meet my dearest Rangers. Ranger Kaveh is indeed a true genius behind mechanisms and his lovely architecture."

"..."

She took your hand in hers, much smaller than yours. "I apologize. This must be overwhelming for you."

You shook your head. "It is simply because I have never heard of even other kingdoms or regions than.. Setekh and Avidya. You may be surprised, but books are not commonly seen here as much as they do in Avidya." You turned your gaze to the Prodigal. "And seeing this.. opened my eyes to technology unbeknownst to my people."

"We do have many trees in our region. I shall take it upon myself to transport many books from our libraries, especially as a portion of compensation for this mess."

You smiled. "Hold on, I never caught your name?"

"Simply refer to me as 'Kusanali.' My full title being 'Lord Kusanali.'"

"Enchanted to meet you, Lord Kusanali. I am (Name)– Princess (Name)."

"All the same to you, Princess (Name). I assure you I aim to resolve conflict between our kingdoms. I shall undo the troubles of my council and reopen the flowing streams into Setekh again. I apologize for such events happening under my authority."

"Thank you." Your irises softened.

Suddenly, your body jolted in realization– blood running cold but not in the face of a threat. A curse slipped out. You immediately rushed to the palace steps. Your General, alarmed by your run-off, quickly bowed his head in Lord Kusanali's regard– who chuckled– before he followed you.

"My Father!"

"The palace grounds are unstable, Your Highness!"

"How can I be careful for myself when my Father must be in danger!? In pain!?" You cried, "How could I have forgotten about him?!"

You reached the top of the flights when you heard two voices. One of which gave a familiar bellowing laugh. "You are quite an intriguing one, are you not boy?"

"Depends on what you find about me intriguing." You saw a tall man with silver hair with a contraption over his one ear. He crossed his arms. "Is it the fact that you never had anyone speak to you in such a casual, blunt manner? Or is it simply because I chose to act against my superiors by terminating the machine's flow of energy into the–?"

"Father!"

The King, who kneeled on the disturbed floor of the throne room, glanced over his shoulder with nothing more than a smug smile on his lips. "I recognize that sound anywhere. About time you are! I nearly believed you had wholly forgotten about me." Happy as you were seeing his change of demeanor, you jumped to embrace him. You had missed his light-hearted side from before the marriage dilemma. The King– though he joked– felt a wave of relief washing over him. "No words can describe how eased I am to hear you safe, my daughter. There is no more forcing you through the wedding." He spotted the warrior standing at the wrecked entrance. "I wager the General Mahamatra himself need be awarded my thanks once again."

"It is a duty I intend to honor."

"It brings me a great deal of pride I chose you to protect my daughter."

The General smiled and nodded.

You narrowed your eyes at the Mahamatra. "You knew my Father is alive and well, did you not?"

"Perhaps."

"No wonder you seemed so awfully calm," you scoffed upon his playful tone. "All while I hurried here cursing myself." You turned to your Father. "Are you fine yourself, Father? I was worried that man Il Dottore had done something horrifying. Why are you simply kneeling in the throne room? And who in Deshret's name may this be?" Your hand signaled to the silver-haired man, always wearing an apathetic face.

"Awful lot of questions, Your Highness," he remarked. "Al-Haitham, one mere Ranger of the Avidya if you failed to assume by my attire."

"Are you not a councilman?"

"Oh?" His brow quirked. "Color me surprised you noticed. I am in fact a Scribe to the Avidyan Royalty. However, concealing my occupation as a pawn of war brings less trouble when it comes to obtaining secretive information. So-called 'Prince Scaramouche' and Il Dottore never truly suspected my intents. Your King had been abducted in order to extract knowledge of the Eternal Oasis. To be frank, I find such decision useless when the saying they spoke of mentioned the 'Setekhan Princess' alone."

You checked your Father's features again, concerned.

"Your King sensed the presence of the Eternal Oasis and wished to kneel here. He refused my offer of taking him to a physician, despite being pale. Either Setekh lacks gratuitous healthcare– even for the King himself– or the trait of being reckless and ignorant of your health runs in the family." Al-Haitham scoffed. "I have heard many things from your maids down the corridor."

You huffed. "We simply place our people's well-being above our own."

"You cannot expect yourself to do that if you are unwell. In truth, I do not actually care what your reasons are," he said, "but I find it best to know the outcome is intentional than unexpected. Just informing you, Your Highness."

"..."

The older man spoke up, "(Name)? The Eternal Oasis was here, was it not? You opened the entrance, did you?"

"..I only agreed to for the sake of our people. I am aware.. the Matra are here to protect us, but I cannot bring myself to sacrifice them. Besides," you paused, "the False Prince and his Advisor are incapable of entering."

"Incapable?"

"Only those who are worthy may enter."

Cyno quirked an eyebrow and smiled. He figured you must have taken it from the book. The King pondered thoughtfully. "Your mother.. I sensed her presence here."

You widened your eyes. "Mother? How do you sense her? Why would she ever be–?" "My Deshret, (Name)." He crossed his arms. "You did not truly believe every of those men's word, did you?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Awfully confused you were.

"Your Mother and I knew each other very well, so do not dare question my intuition, child." He pointed a finger. "A simple feeling has enlightened me to the idea that maybe..."

"The Eternal Oasis is not a realm granting a God's power," you gasped. "Rather, it may be a burial ground."

"It is only an idea." He scratched his beard. "I do not dare enter.. in the case I am wrong. After all, I know nothing more than what I was told. In fact, I never knew your ability to heal was a blessing from the Goddess of Flowers. Nevertheless, I am well– merely kneeling in my own peace."

You sighed, extending your palm to Al-Haitham. The Avidyan Scribe raised a brow in skepticism– so did your General– but accepted his palm into yours regardless. "Before I forget..." Both of your hands wrapped around his warmly. "Thank you."

There was an audible silence. You did not notice it yourself, but the tip of his one open ear had tinted a rosy hue. That and how he briefly averted his gaze, thinking a fallen chunk of the far wall rather interesting.

The General Mahamatra, unamused, crossed his arms.

"Calm down," Al-Haitham said. "I am only caught off-guard. I would not dare of dreaming to steal the Mahamatra's love of his life he accompanies day-and-night and calls, 'Her Highness.'"

In an instant, Cyno's eyes widened. Shoulders visibly stiffening.

"Or even, '(Name).'"

You gaped, more so your Father who immediately pointed upon your General, shaking his hand and stuttering. "Y-You!?" he exclaimed. "Y-You've wished t-to court my daughter!? And already on a forename basis!?"

So much for peace. You slapped a palm to your head.

An entertained smirk tugged on Al-Haitham's lips. An evil glint in his irises, even. "Oh, I forgot to mention: I have also heard plenty of rumors about that from your maids, Your Highness. Especially of such an endearing moment in the Royal Garden. Or how some overheard your name being chanted by the General Mahamatra himself in his quarters. Seems like you two have been at it for a while now."

Your head snapped to the man of the hour. Now, you were also shocked. My name? From him? In his quarters!

Cyno, stunned and his entire face deepened in embarrassment, clenched his polearm hard. He did not dare to meet your eyes, you being aware of his activities. He cursed himself.

Thunderous, your Father bursted out loud. "What nerve! Right under my nose!" He practically roared, "General Mahamatra Cyno! You better explain yourself!"

Cyno– despite being so terribly intimidating and vengeful to his enemies (or anyone who intended to harm you)– silently and comically hid behind you in face of the King as you frantically tried to calm your Father down.

[msbarrybeeson]

Princess and Her Matra | Cyno X (F) Reader (Part IV) (Royal AU)

Summary: Sanity slipped from Scaramouche as you, kneeling on the floor, retaliated against his desire to enter the Eternal Oasis. You, carried in the arms of your loyal General Mahamatra, must put an end to the Prince's enraged assault on Setekh.

Relationship: (Bodyguard) Cyno X (Desert Princess) Female Reader

Characters: General Mahamatra Cyno • Matra Dehya (Lionness) • Matra Candace (Priestess) • Prince of Avidya Scaramouche • Avidyan Advisor Il Dottore • Liloupar the Jinni.

Warnings: Minor Character Death.

Word Count: 3070

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five

➵ ➵ ➵

"You're telling us in the one time we were tasked with not watching over you, the Prince held our General Mahamatra hostage, nearly killed him, and coerced you to call this 'magical spirit' to enter some kind of Oasis?"

Dehya gaped in utter shock, while Candace, concerned. Before the latter inquired, you interjected while flipping through pages of a book.

"No, I have not informed my Father yet."

"With all due respect, Your Highness, you should. For one, you have a good reason to get your wedding called off. Two, send them away!" Dehya cracked her knuckles. "I've been waiting to get rid of those numbskulls. Did you see how they've been treating us? We Matra may be soldiers, but calling us 'dogs' is low." She turned to Candace for validation of her point.

The latter, however, noticed your reservation. "Your Highness?"

In your thoughtful silence, Cyno answered, "Her Highness is worried about her people. The whole point of our King agreeing to the arrangement is to save Setekh from dehydration. Knowing the Avidya's malicious intention now, the Prince himself threatened to harm the Setekh if anyone hears of this."

He crossed his arms. "And knowing how he managed to have me tied up so easily, I doubt he was bluffing."

"Don't think we should be giving into his egotism though," Dehya remarked. "He's probably going to assume control of Setekh regardless of whether he enters the Eternal Oasis."

"Do not worry," you assured, speaking up again. "I have a plan."

"I believe it has something to do with that book?"

You nodded. "I have read about the legend of the Eternal Oasis. I do not remember ever it saying the realm grants a God's power." Flipping through the pages. "Though, I do recall reading this Jinni shares a notable power of its own."

"I am guessing that's the 'magical spirit' you were talking about," said Dehya.

"The Jinni had served under the Goddess of Flowers, or Nabu Malikata. Only listens to those worthy, which I assume is whoever is blessed by the Goddess herself." You finally reached the page.

Scanning the words, your fingers paused on an interesting detail. "Just as the Jinni is cautious with its master, the gateway to the Eternal Oasis opens only to those whose heart is deemed worthy," you murmured to yourself.

Suddenly.

You heard loud thuds beyond the library doors, hurrying down the corridor, as if panicked.

You recognized them as footsteps.

"Did something happen outs–?"

A voice boomed, muffled through the door. "The Prince has gone mad!" You also recognized that sound as one of the Matra.

"Defend our King!" shouted another.

Blood ran cold as you picked yourself from the seat, hands on the table. "Father? What's going on?" Your breath became shallow.

All four of you bolted out the library, straight to the throne room. It had not been three days since his arrival, yet somehow, your fiancé had caused unnerving trouble.

There was a dispute. Your eyes darted from the crumbling sandstone pillars to the shredded banners on the walls. Then to the Avidyan Prince, surrounded by his angry Rangers. "You're no Prince of ours!" one Ranger screamed, directing their spear at the young man. "You must be the reason why Lady Rukkhadevata, went missing! You monster!" yelled another.

Dehya was bewildered. "Rangers rebelling against their own Prince?"

"Fools!" Scaramouche seethed, tying up the Avidyan soldiers in his strings. "Completely absurd. You dare disrespect your one and true Prince!? You should be bowing to me!"

One Ranger prepared his bow, his brows furrowed and tall black ears folding back. "As if! You're no Prince of ours if you wanted nothing to do with our forests! We have always taken pride in keeping Avidya alive, yet you are bold enough to tell us to let it wither!" The arrow shot through, but Scaramouche cut it up into pieces with his strings.

Another Ranger leaped up behind him and threw her boomerang.

"Silence!" However, his hand sent her flying back onto the ground with a loud thump. The Prince pulled a set of strings around the Fennec, strangling his throat.

"Your Highness!" Your head turned to find one of your Matra running to you. "You must leave! Run away for your own sake–." His sentence barely finished as Scaramouche cut his body up. The pieces dissipating to blood-red dust. Your eyes widened in horror. Cyno, Dehya, and Candace attempted to retreat you, but Scaramouche sensed your presence.

He eyed you with a crazed smile. "Looks like you're on time, Princess." A sudden movement of his wrist and the strings were attached to you. He yanked you to him.

This prompted the General Mahamatra to shout, leaping to grab ahold of you. "Your Highness!" But more cutting strings appeared, caging he and the other two outside.

"I demand to see my Father! Where is he!?"

"Under close care of my advisor. So there is no need to worry, dear." He held your chin, mocking you.

"Do not lay a finger on him. Or anyone!" You gritted. "What have my people done to you? What have your own done to you?"

"What have they done?" he laughed, turning his back to you. "They failed to know their place." The strings pulled everyone in the throne room up, hanging them on the walls like flies trapped in a web. "I am your true King. Your true God with powers beyond your understanding."

All except you.

"But not enough for you fools to respect me, is that right?" His head snapped back to you, stomping back to your kneeling figure. The Prince snarled. "So you better call that Jinni of yours, or one snap will kill them all."

"You're wasting precious time, Scaramouche." Il Dottore scoffed, stepping in the perimeter. "Slice their heads off them all already. We only require the girl for the Oasis."

"If you choose to kill them all," you picked up a fallen arrow and brought it up to your neck, "I shall end myself as well!"

"(Name)!" Cyno yelled. "What are you doing, (Name)?!"

"Your Highness, our lives are not worth it!"

"We Rangers are not worth your sacrifice!"

"The Setekh needs you!"

Yet your resolve remained.

"Do you dare to gamble with my death, your only chance of reaching the Eternal Oasis?"

"You." Scaramouche's form shuddered as he laughed maniacally.

He laughed.

And laughed.

To the point even you were concerned.

"Haha! You truly are bold, Princess!" He laughed. "To think that these pathetic subjects cared about you so so," Scaramouche swung his hand across your face, "much!" His expression went from laughter to a dangerous scowl.

"How could they worship such a pathetic weakling like you?!" he screamed, slapping your face once more.

This time, you had enough. You etched the arrowhead into your skin, drawing a trickle of blood.

"Enough, Scaramouche!" Il Dottore interjected.

The Prince stopped his hand from throwing another hit.

"Do you, or do you not want to become a God." The question, or more so statement, made the Prince falter. "Hit the girl again," Il Dottore's tone dripped with venom, "and I shall cast you aside as your Creator had done before."

His hand dropped to his side. His knees onto the floor.

And suddenly, the strings on everyone were released.

You closed your eyes, lowering the arrowhead. You heaved, releasing some pressure on your lungs. "I command everyone to leave the palace grounds... Matra, evacuate all Setekhans to Avidya. I urge for the Rangers to provide temporary shelter."

You added, "..Immediately."

Although the named and injured councilmen passed a worrisome glance in your direction, everyone opted to follow your word and flee the throne room.

"General," the Lionness called out.

"Leave me be. Whatever the circumstances, I cannot abandon Her Highness."

The Priestess intercepted, "Then, we shall help you as well."

"No, I have always served as her protector. You two heard her: evacuate the people."

Candace bit her lip and nodded. "Defend our Princess."

"We have released your people. Time is ticking, so you better do what you must, girl." You glared upon Il Dottore's sharp-toothed sneer, carnivorous and predatory. You wanted to fling your hand to his nose.

One glimpse to the side and you found your General. His hand gripping his partisan while positioned defensively. You showed him a weak smile, a sign you knew more than you led on.

You faced forth the thrones, worn away from the chaos ensued while standing tall. You slowly clasped your hands and closed your eyes once again. "Strewing flowers along a path, that which is blessed by the gentle Nabu Malikata herself," you recalled from the book. "I call upon thee, Jinni, to seek my heart's wealth."

All of a sudden...

A blinding light illuminated the throne room, capturing the insatiable eyes of Il Dottore and Scaramouche. A spiral of brilliance glowed before halting in front of you. A brighter flash prompted you to cover your eyes until it dimmed into a bottle. Or perhaps, a bulb made from glass. There was a violet cap on top and a distinguished golden glow inside. For a moment, it trembled, danced frantically until a voice echoed.

"Who has called upon the powers of a Jinni?"

You prayed you were aware of whatever fate you were pulling yourself into. There was a sense of hesitation: "It is I, Princess (Name) of Setekh."

It audibly gasped. "It is a great honor to encounter another member of the Setekhan Royal Family. I shall introduce myself, Your Highness. It is I, Liloupar."

"Enough stalling," Il Dottore interrupted. "I demand you Jinni to bring forth the Eternal Oasis."

In a shade of red, the bottle shook violently. "How audacious of you. I only listen to the commands of those who are worthy and one alone. Who are you to dare order me in front of Setekh's Princess? Oh, I understand. Indeed, you are nothing more but an outlander."

Il Dottore scowled. "Hold your end of the bargain up, Princess."

You rolled your eyes, before facing the Jinni. "Liloupar," you spoke in a gentle voice. "I request of you to show us the entrance to the Eternal Oasis. I entrust you to reveal a heart's truth." For a minute, Liloupar only appeared to stare at you. You felt as if the Jinni was pondering. "Very well," Liloupar hummed. "As you wish, Master."

As the bottle danced in the air, a gateway appeared before them. This garnered a malicious smile from Il Dottore. Scaramouche wasted no time pushing you aside as he hurried to the entrance, only to learn:

He could not pass through.

Stunned, his breathing quickened.

"What is this?"

Panicked.

"Why can I not enter?"

His hands began slamming onto the gateway, like an invisible wall existed there. Liloupar lowered itself into your arms' embrace, vibrating in prideful satisfaction.

"What is going on, Scaramouche? Move along!" Il Dottore reprimanded. "After every resource poured into this project, not another second should be wasted. The Prodigal cannot obtain its full potential without a God's power!"

Enraged.

"Open your eyes! Are you so blind to not see what I am doing?" snarled the Prince. His eyes flickered to yours, violent and crazed. He seethed, "You find this amusing, do you not? Daring to play your absurd games and tricks against me, Princess?" Electricity began to conduct as the floors shook. Sand from the ceilings themselves fell. You tried standing to your feet, but your balance faltered. A voice bellowed:

"I am going to end you all!"

"(Name)!" Cyno grabbed you by your wrist and yanked, ushering you away from the palace. "The palace is no longer safe. We must retreat to the Avidya!"

"Archons!" you cursed. "Is there no end to this tantrum of his?!"

The second you and Cyno touched the final flight of steps, a deafening and thunderous sound quaked the Setekh. You peeked behind to discover that Scaramouche had transformed into an enormous mechanical puppet, demolishing half of your palace in the process. His height as tall as thrice the palace.

Sandstone debris and boulder-like chunks toppled down, nearly colliding into you if it were not for your General wrapping an arm around your waist, picking and carrying you up in his arms. "Hold onto me, Your Highness!"

You yelped, panicking as the Prodigal swung a hand down in your direction. "Cyno! Above us!"

Cyno leapt out of the way as the hand smashed right into many homes and buildings, crumbling them all to dust. Your stomach churned in a sickening feeling, and you prayed to Deshret the Matra evacuated everyone on time.

"Never in my years of serving my masters have I experienced such troublesome events," Liloupar trembled.

"From your right!"

Cyno jumped to the left, avoiding a scorching beam from obliterating you. "Not only his hands!?" You grimaced upon how the Prodigal occupied a wide range of offense. "You cannot outrun him, even if we reach the Avidya!"

"I have my duty to protect you. Until I entrust you under the care of the other Matra, I cannot simply stop when your life is endangered!" he yelled. His amber eyes gazed down into yours. For a brief moment, his features softened up.

You instantly broke contact when a shadow overcasted his features.

"Cyno!" you screamed, tugging on his shoulder. "Above you!"

The Prodigal's hand began to fall with a heavy force. Your General gritted his teeth. His mind came to terms with the unlikeliness of outrunning the strike area, yet his legs pushed further. A booming sound echoed as the edge of the hand pounded into the sand. Your fingertips dug into your palms as you urged, "Cyn–!"

The Prodigal's fingertips were right above you. You felt the wind knocked out of your lungs as your General hurled you tumbling forward. You fell with a weighted thud. The impact casting sand and spinning your head into a migraine.

"Urgh."

Accompanied with a terrible high-pitched ringing in your ears.

"Aurgh."

An awful groan left your throat, leaving you to cough up some sand. Your throat had gone dry when you realized. "No." You screamed his name, "Cyno! You did not dare–."

You witnessed his figure vanish as the Prodigal's hand made full contact with the ground. A disastrous earthquake rumbled Setekh from the force, and a huge gust of wind nearly blinded you with sand.

You found yourself hyperventilating.

Your blood ran cold.

Practically gasping in and out.

You could not move.

Dread painted your eyes.

"This cannot be happening."

You faced down, vision blurry by the second as hot tears trickled down. "Cyno. Cyno." You tried running to him, but your legs were too weak. "Cyno. No. This cannot be happening. Please. Please!" Your hands clenched tightly and you shut your eyes. Voice caught in your throat, feeling like you were going to choke. "Please! No. You said you would protect me no matter what."

Liloupar left your arms, glowing brighter. "Master!"

You slowly opened your eyes again.

And trailed up front.

Your General.

A breath heaved out. More tears fell over your smile. You sighed again out of pure relief, shutting your eyes, "Thank Deshret." Opening up again, confusion soon overtook your features instead.

"Cyno?"

A violet hue shone from the electricity crackling underneath the puppet hand. As the murky fog began to fade, you distinguished another figure, large as the hand trying to crumble them. Only this time, you discovered a pair of claws and tall ears. All in violet and gold.

Your eyes widened.

"Hermanubis?"

The figure's claws shoved the Prodigal's hand off them, another gust of sand hitting your way. Cyno was still there, but the colors around his headdress– which enlarged into some form of a hood or mask– lit up in synchronization with the figure that seemed to possess him.

"Cyno is Hermanubis?"

"No, not himself," Liloupar corrected. "It appears he is a current holder of the Great Priest Hermanubis' power. 'How' he obtained such power is beyond my knowledge." You pursed your lip and huffed, your strength returning to pick yourself up. "There is no time to ponder now. I must help him."

This had the bottle frantically shaking. "But Master! Your own safety comes before his!"

"Liloupar." Your resolve remained strong. "I wish to help him."

The Jinni merely sighed. "Perhaps it is time for me to conduct use of my other assets."

A voice reverberated from inside the Prodigal.

"Unsightly insects!" His hand swung at Hermanubis, who leapt onto the arm and bolted up to strike the head. Scaramouche seethed, "Keep your claws off of me, animal!"

He attempted to snatch Hermanubis off, but the latter jumped to the shoulder and landed another heavy strike to the puppet's spine. Catching him off guard, the Prodigal nearly fell forward.

Another to the head.

Across the face.

Until Scaramouche screamed, enraged.

"Worthless humans should be bowing down to your God!"

He hurled Hermanubis down onto the sand. Giving no time to recover from the impact, the Prodigal ignited a blast. The energy revving from within.

SHATTERS!

Scaramouche audibly hitched his breath as a needle practically stabbed him through the heart. His sights fell to the very Princess he despised, standing in his way. You smirked.

"There's more to me than smile-and-waves!"

You aimed another arrow to the chest. The bow you carried being a metamorphosed Liloupar. "Leave Setekh alone!" Releasing in an instant, the arrowhead struck the heart, pieces of glass breaking off from its outer casing. His emanating power briefly faltered. The Hermanubis figure picked themselves from the sand, their glowing white eyes staring upon you.

"Cyno! Strike the heart!"

The figure silently nodded, leaping back onto the puppet's arm again.

Scaramouche became more agitated. "No!" The Prodigal tried to swing him off, but Hermanubis clutched on, who propelled himself up to thrust a powerful lightning bolt to the puppet's chest. The entirety of the heart case shattered into thousands of pieces.

An energy wave bursted in response.

The puppet began to collapse, but Scaramouche, in his final chance of retaliation, shot a beam in your direction. "I refuse to be brought down alone!" he yelled.

Hermanubis, or rather Cyno, darted to you. Their glowing eyes widened. Their claws dug into the sand and vaulted themselves in desperation to grasp you.

Time slowed down in this very moment.

Hermanubis wrapped you into their claws, right before the light blinded you.

[msbarrybeeson]

Princess and Her Matra | Cyno X (F) Reader (Part III) (Royal AU)

Summary: Forced to accompany Scaramouche to the Royal Garden, many secrets began to seep like venom. You and your General were not ready to hear them.

Relationship: (Bodyguard) Cyno X (Desert Princess) Female Reader

Characters: General Mahamatra Cyno • Prince of Avidya Scaramouche.

Warnings: Suggestive. Mentions of Blood.

Word Count: 2250

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five

➵ ➵ ➵

"Cyno," you sighed, letting your eyelids fall in pleasure.

"You.. you feel so.. good," he rasped, shaky breaths. "Agh, Your High–."

"Say only my," you gasped, "name."

"(Name), (Name)," he repeated between breaths, "I can no longer– Archons– hold myself together–!"

"Please, Cyno, please! Ohhh~." Your moans sent him trembling more. Your hands suddenly crept up the skin of his nape, combing his hair. Your legs wrapped around him. "Do it inside!" That was the final push before he–.

The General Mahamatra shook awake, eyes widened and face deeply flushed. He blinked a couple of times, realizing he had fallen asleep while standing by your chamber. He prayed to the Gods above no one caught him in such a vulnerable state.

He spotted the sun beyond the hall window, setting closer to the horizon. Right. It was the late afternoon. Apparently, you were scheduled to have a private drink with the Prince following the discussion, and you claimed wanting to change your attire.

Except Cyno knew you well enough to figure you wanted a breather after discussing your marital fate.

He was right. Not a single change in dress or accessory when you exited. For a moment, he had to shut his eyes. The dream of his gave him a far more embarrassing feeling than he hoped. When he opened them, he found you scanning around, which piqued his curiosity.

You hummed. "Are Matra Dehya and Candace no longer accompanying me?"

"They were temporarily requested for their presence."

"What a shame."

The General Mahamatra raised a brow. "Is my presence not enough, Your Highness?"

"Well, you could use some humor, maybe sarcasm."

"I am pained you do not find my jokes pun-ny."

"And a sigh leaves my lips." You pinched the bridge of your nose. "I wonder if the Prince himself has better ones."

This might have struck a genuine nerve in the General, who stiffened up, because you instantly paid mind to how he went silent. You turned your head to find a frown plastered on his lips.

Oh. That was your mistake.

You did not mean to make him feel insecure of his own humor. Sometimes, you forgot he took much pride in his jokes, even if they rarely garner a laugh from a crowd.

You paused halfway down the corridor, knowing the Mahamatra had no choice but to follow suit. You glanced toward one way and the opposite. Cyno furrowed his brows, looking concerned, because it seemed like you detected a threat that he shockingly did not.

"Stay close to me, Your Highness." His eyes narrowed as he took on a defensive stance. He then, however, felt the touch of a pair of hands on his chest. Cyno blinked away, slowly meeting your eyes with a perplexed expression.

"No, no. There is nothing wrong, my General." One of your hands went to lower his polearm. "I was only checking to make sure there are no witnesses."

"What are you talking about–?"

The General Mahamatra's breath hitched when your hands circled up his neck and to his head. The sudden touch sent shivers down his spine, and he gulped. His heart pounded against his chest

"Your," he croaked, "Highness."

The sensation felt too close to his dream. To have imagined you bare, the feeling of your breath on his skin, the sound of your breathy moans. He attempted to look away from you. How could he meet your gaze when he, a General, imagined the most obscene things of you, his Princess.

You pulled him down and kissed him on the lips, fingers combing through his hair that brought out a shaky breath. How you adored getting this vulnerable reaction.

He wanted to return the touch.

His hands slowly lifted up, closer and closer to your face.

However, much to his dismay, you pulled yourself away before anyone saw anything. You left him once again flustered, and this time, in a frustrated way. He scowled as his face bore a heavy blush, panting softly. You were playing too many games with him.

Then, down one end of the corridor heard footsteps. You and the General composed yourselves in no time.

"If it isn't my Princess."

This time, you were the one scowling. Rounding the corner was Scaramouche, sneering. "It's time for a private moment of our own, beloved."

"You did not bring along a bodyguard? I expected better caution of you."

"Why ever would I need to? Private moments require isolation. But I suppose you did not reach the same conclusion."

The General frowned.

You narrowed your eyes. "My Father is always worried of me."

"My, you like jumping to conclusions often. To think of me as a–."

"You have forgotten: threats come in other kinds of people, my beloved." Your voice held a mocking tone. "Assassins and thieves are common, you see. So I shall require my guard with me at all times." You stepped in front of the General.

"So you say. How strange, I don't recall having to deal with such pests in Avidya. Perhaps this is an issue among the Setekh people–."

"I believe we shall call off this 'private moment' of ours for the time being, Prince Scaramouche," you snapped. "Sounds like we cannot handle being next to one another."

The young Prince's eye twitched. "Now, now, Princess. Are you not being sensitive right now?"

"Sensitive as I may be, that is your issue. I shall not tolerate a husband who thinks it right to make demeaning assumptions about my people."

He clenched his teeth and gave into an annoyed sigh.

You could only laugh inwardly at how apparent his irritation was.

"My sincere apologies, beloved. It was rather shallow of me. Still, I would like for us to spend time in private. After all, what is a thriving relation without getting to know one another?" Scaramouche extended his hand.

The Mahamatra eyed him. That did not go unnoticed by the Prince. "Perhaps your guard," he snarled, "may accompany you as well."

You hummed, accepting his hand. "I am content to know you see my point of view. Wherever shall we go, beloved?"

"Why not show me this 'Royal Garden' your Father speaks so much of during lunch." He worded it not as a request but as a command. You eyed him with a frown. Immediately replaced with a strained smile, you spoke, "Yes, of course."

You reached the greenhouse, basking in the sunlight's warmth once again. Your eyes briefly lit up at the butterflies passing along, but the presence of an unwanted stranger kept your guard up.

That was a significant reason why you hesitated bringing him here. Now you could not be in the greenhouse without worrying that he might taint the flora.

"Well isn't this beautiful. For a region so assumed to lack life, it seems to flourish." The veil of his hat glistened in the evening light.

"Even the Setekh has its own secretive finds, you know."

Scaramouche eyed a goldpoppy, too closely for your liking. "Oh, I know secrets all right."

You raised a brow in suspicion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Are you always so quick in your judgement? I feel rather hurt to see you so cautious of me, Princess."

"Enough with your act, Prince. I am well aware you despise showing your kindness just as much as I show my hospitality."

No words.

The greenhouse went silent for a moment until you caught the edge of a scowl appearing on his face. "You are truly annoying, Princess. I may detest your kind, but I have done all I can to mend the relations of our kingdoms. I cannot believe this is what I get in return from my own betrothed."

"Do not mistake me for a fool. Something as simple as a 'wife' is not your true goal."

Suddenly, the goldpoppy his palm was caressing withered, shriveling back into its dried, wrinkled form. Your eyes shot wide, and a string snapped in you. "What are you doing–!?" The General was quick to stop from storming too close. "Stop that! My mother planted this garden!" The nearby poppies began to shrivel up the same.

You glared at the General, but his arm remained wrapped around your waist. "You need to keep your distance, Your Highness!" he urged.

You turned your anger back to the Prince. "What have you done to them! Answer me!"

The Prince plucked a dead poppy, spinning it in his fingers. "Calm yourself, beloved. You're overreacting." His indigo eyes flickered to the General. "And you, why don't you release her? It's not like I'm going to harm her."

Cyno only narrowed his eyes, clenching his jaw. His silence said enough.

Scaramouche sighed, raising a hand. "I didn't want to resort to this, Princess." A single flick of the wrist sent the Mahamatra flying back, letting you collapse to the ground. Panicked, you faced your General, who was held up by a set of strings.

He loudly winced. "Argh!" The thin strings pulled back tightly on his skin, beginning to leave small cuts. "Your Highness!" he yelled with seething in his voice. "Get away from him!"

"Cyno!" Your eyes in horror. You turned to face the Prince, picking yourself up. "Release him!"

"Don't be a fool, Your Highness! Forget me–!" Your General groaned in a stinging pain as strings tightened further.

"Enough!" you pleaded, which had gone ignored.

Scaramouche snarled, "Shut your mouth, guard. This is a matter between your Princess and I." He drew a finger up your chin. You tried to slap him off, but another of his strings wrapped around your shoulders, holding you back.

"You're right," he sneered in a mocking whisper. "Why would I go through so much work just to have a useless wife and boring old romance, when I could have so much more?"

He snatched your hand, prompting more struggles from the General. The dead poppy in Scaramouche's hand lifted up to meet your finger. You watched the crazed look infect his smile as the poppy glowed back into its colorful youth.

"So it is true." His hand went up to hold your chin, examining your face while you scowled. "The Setekhan Princess shares the Goddess of Flowers' ability to restore life."

Your brows furrowed. "What?"

He scoffed. "How pathetic. You actually have no idea? You hold the power to bring your useless plants back to life, and you have no idea that you descend from a family blessed by the Goddess of Flowers?

"What does that have to do with this marriage?! Is the Avidya dying? Is it resurrection you seek?" You had lost all your patience.

He laughed. "My dearest beloved. You being blessed by the Goddess of Flowers means to me you have the power to call a Jinni, the key to entering the Eternal Oasis. To be granted with the very power which can rival a God."

Beads of sweat trickled down your face. "You would find me nothing more than useless. I know nothing of calling a 'Jinni' more than I know my family being blessed by Nabu Malikata."

Scaramouche narrowed his eyes. "Then, it would mean 'nothing' to keep your precious guard alive."

Your eyes widened as he curled his fingers together, making more cuts on the General's skin. He yelled, wincing and struggling to move. He was panting and groaning loudly.

"No! Let him go!"

No response from the Prince as he kept his eyes on strangling the Mahamatra.

"Please!"

Nothing.

"I will summon the Jinni! Just let him go!"

Finally, Scaramouche wafted his hand, releasing the strings. Cyno dropped onto the ground, panting. "Good girl," he mocked. "That better be the case, my beloved."

The General, fueled with anger, picked up his partisan.

"Watch yourself, dog, or we're going to have more trouble. I kept my word: your Princess is unharmed." The Prince strolled away, leaving the greenhouse. "In two days' time during the evening all the same. Stand me up and your guard's won't be the only one caught up in this mess."

The fury dissipated the moment Cyno laid his eyes on you, who was also released from the strings. He ran to your side, arms wrapped around your form.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Heavy breaths left his lungs. "I should've taken you away the moment things became tense." His voice sounded strained, full of guilt. "I didn't realize– Archons." Cyno's embraced tightened, cursing himself again and again.

Tears pooled in your eyes. You sat silently, burying your face in his shoulder. The scent of blood shot your eyes open, and you pulled back. "Cyno– your wounds!"

"It's nothing, Your Highness. I wouldn't have been the General if I couldn't handle the pain."

A pained look took your eyes. "You said the same thing about being quick on your feet, and look at you. Do not get too cocky, Cyno." Your hand caressed his cheek. Then, a white light slowly glowed along his cuts.

"You are lucky this 'blessing' of mine can heal. I truly had no idea I was blessed by Nabu Malikata. I thought I was simply born with it."

Cyno leaned closer to your hand, eyes closed. "You should be much more careful, Your Highness. This 'Jinni' and 'Eternal Oasis' he spoke of could be a catalyst for something far worse."

You sighed. Thoughts ran through your mind for a way out of this. A hum emitted. "I may have read something about it in the palace library. But they sounded more like legends I never believed it." You recalled his ulterior motives. A cold shiver ran down your spine, as you realized: "Scaramouche aims to become a God."

[msbarrybeeson]

Princess and Her Matra | Cyno X (F) Reader (Part II) (Royal AU)

Summary: Your Prince of Avidya had arrived with the intent of taking your hand in marriage, but something seemed off about him and his advisor. A bitter taste infected the General Mahamatra's tongue, watching you from afar. Matra Dehya and Candace could not help but tease a little.

Relationship: (Bodyguard) Cyno X (Desert Princess) Female Reader

Characters: General Mahamatra Cyno • Matra Dehya (Lionness) • Matra Candace (Priestess) • Prince of Avidya Scaramouche • Avidyan Advisor Il Dottore.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 1570

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five

➵ ➵ ➵

"So, you're going to explain how you managed to catch Her Highness's heart?"

A whisper.

Cyno whipped his head to find two Matra beside him, one smirking and the other with a knowing smile. He grumbled, "Dehya. Do not."

"Just curious, General."

"We have figured you two have feelings for a while," Candace chuckled. "There is no need to pretend anymore."

The Mahamatra, however, froze. Hushed, he demanded, "Don't tell me word got out to every–."

"Calm yourself, General." The Lionness flapped her hands. "We're not clueless or ignorant as you think. Really offensive if you even think of us like that." He deadpanned in response. She continued, "It's obvious what'll go down if this reaches our King."

"We can assure you your secret is safe."

Cyno could not have asked for better friends. He sighed, crossing his arms. "So?" Dehya pushed in a quiet voice.

The General thought back to the other late afternoon, half a week ago. He could still feel the touch on his lips. His fingers nearly ghosted over as the memory flashed, but he was also aware of prying eyes from his friends, especially the Lionness's.

"It simply happened."

Candace snorted as a soundless laugh shook her body, while Dehya looked offended. "'Simply happened'? What kind of answer is that?" She flickered between her friend and Cyno. "Pretty certain your lovey-dovey moment is a lot more than 'happened.'"

"At ease, Dehya," said Candace, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Careful or the whole throne room will catch us."

Dehya scoffed. "Whatever. Guess our General has other– more shameful– secrets hidden." She glanced in your direction. Then, eyed Cyno. "Today's the day, huh. How're you feeling, General?"

He was well aware of what his friend meant. He sighed, a pained look in his eyes. How could it ever be easy to watch your own lover look into another person's eyes, hold another person's hands, and eventually live their life with them instead of you? The Mahamatra trailed his sights from the floor to you, meeting your eyes and your upset expression.

You were there, yet you were also so far.

Suddenly, a loud rumble of the palace entrance opening cued everyone to positions. Cyno cleared his throat as he, with force, put down his partisan.

Adorn in cream-colored fabrics with gold and auburn linings, you stood from your throne alongside your Father.

As the giant doors widened, light crept into the throne room and a set of men in uniform of forest green and onyx black, presumed to be bodyguards of the Prince, or the Matra's counterparts known as "Rangers."

They were followed by a rather interesting man.

Your posture stiffened as he, who had light blue hair and eyes covered with a mask, entered the throne room. His stature, tall. You were quick to note his unusual clothing compared to the Rangers.

"What in Deshret's name is that man wearing?" Dehya murmured. Candace creased her brows. "Strange. I have traveled to Avidya when I accompanied our merchants before, and this does not suit their culture."

"So you're saying he's from a whole 'nother kingdom? I never even thought there is a place outside of Setekh and Avidya."

"I am sure no one from either kingdom would adorn themselves in such thick animal fur."

"Honored to meet you, King of Avidya. Your Highness all the same." The strange man bowed to you. "My name is Il Dottore, closest advisor of His Highness, whom I may formally introduce to you: Prince Scaramouche of Avidya."

Your hands turned clammy.

Your breathing hastened.

A young man of a shorter, slender figure strolled in.

His locks were indigo, matching his eyes distinguishably outlined in red. You found his clothing bizarre as well. While he was dressed in what would be closer to Avidya fashion, there was also a large amount of purples and reds in his palette, especially in his wide ornamented hat. A long, leafy green, silk veil accompanied him from behind.

"The pleasure is all mine." He put on a smile, bowing.

Cyno felt his jaw tighten.

The King nodded his head. "Prince Scaramouche. I welcome you to the Setekh. I have my faith all is well in your travels?"

"Your concern is appreciated, Your Majesty. Not a single trouble there was."

"I see. Allow me to introduce you my daughter, Princess (Name). Or shall I say, your betrothed." The King signaled in your direction to bow. You nearly scowled.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Scaramouche." You had hesitated in great distaste. It seemed Scaramouche paid no attention to it. He held out his hand, bringing yours as he placed a gentle kiss. "I must say, you look rather stunning, Princess (Name), seeing you dressed in glowing silk."

The Mahamatra found his own eye twitching.

You hummed. "Then, color me impressed to find your subjects in such thick fashion. The Setekh rarely has anyone in thick fabrics. Perhaps, it would do you well to alter yourself in better convenience, my betrothed." A slight swing in your tone, as if to mock.

A Setekhan council member broke into snickers, gathering eyes which forced him to compose himself.

Your Father narrowed his in your direction.

"My, I suppose you do have a point, beloved." Scaramouche's hand twitched. "But I'm afraid us Avidyans take much pride in our culture."

"Then, perhaps the Setekh is not a suitable place–."

The King hastily cleared his throat. "Excuse my daughter's fatigue. It has also been a while since we have had honored guests welcomed into our palace. You must be exhausted yourself. Allow my Matra to guide your way to your chambers."

As the guests began leaving the throne room, Cyno glared, sending daggers toward the Prince. However, you, catching onto his glowering expression, signaled your hand. 'Calm down,' you mouthed.

I could say the same for you. He did not say it though. It was much preferable to him for you to impolite to another man. Cyno huffed, before marching to your side, as always when you were due for slumber.

"Matra Dehya, Candace." The King named, stopping the two from accompanying the guests. Confusion seeped into their faces. "As of tonight, I shall assign you to guard my daughter. Nothing shall get in the way of this wedding."

They bowed. "Understood."

"And you, (Name)." You knew where this was going. "I expect better behavior of you in front of the Prince tomorrow. The future of Setekh is dependent on your relations." Your Father's voice was laced with disappointment, nearly making you feel guilty. "Do you understand?"

You mumbled, "Yes."

"Rest up. You have many plans to fulfill with the Prince"

Silence filled your walk to your chamber. You did not wish to say anything, especially when concerns bounced in your mind. The General Mahamatra stared towards you, equally worried. But it seemed the Lionness had some ideas of her own. "That guy was bizarre."

At least you had someone who loved to speak her mind.

"Hm." Candace hummed. "Il Dottore or Prince Scaramouche?"

"To be honest, both."

"I have to agree. They wear unusual clothing."

"You two noticed as well?" You paused in your tracks. "All of Avidyan merchants who entered Setekh are dressed purely in greens and browns. Occasionally, they would wear black."

"Il Dottore is dressed in a thick coat. Even in Avidya, the weather is much too warm for him to wear such a thing, as I said to these two," Candace pointed out. "I cannot say much about the Prince. He suits Avidyan fashion better than his advisor."

"I have a hypothesis," you slowly voiced.

"You should be cautious, Your Highness. All of us should be." The General Mahamatra crossed his arms. "It could be that the arrangement is tampered by external parties, coroborrating with Avidya."

"Why though?" Dehya questioned. "What are they even getting by uniting Setekh and Avidya? Haven't they always hated us?"

"That is exactly what one of my Father's councilmen said. For many centuries too." You nodded. "Tomorrow, during lunch, both parties are discussing plans for the arrangement. Perhaps things will finally make better sense then."

"If something ever happens–." The Mahamatra jumped quickly to urge you.

"Any harm done to anyone of my palace and Setekh, and those men will not leave unscathed, I promise you that."

"Don't let your guard down, Your Highness," Cyno reminded.

Everyone paused.

"Seriously?" Dehya groaned, hands on her hips.

"Have I said something.. wrong?"

You blinked. Oh, he was serious this time. Suddenly, a laugh jumped out. Even Candace smiled. Dehya's smile was more painful and awkward.

"Would anyone care to enlighten me?"

"The one time..." Your General looked at you confused, as if pleading for an answer. You remained silent this time. For the best, you thought.

"We bid you a good night, Your Highness." Candace smiled.

As the door to your chamber finally shut tightly, Dehya could not stop herself, breaking into snickers. "Our mighty, stoic, fierce General," Dehya wrapped an arm around him, swinging from side to side, "is actually a lover boy. Always ready to jump in for our sweet Princess." She clasped her hands together and imitated the scenario playfully.

She spoke in exaggerated voices, switching between Cyno's deep pitch and yours. "'I will always be there for you, Your Highness.' 'You make me so happy, my General!' 'It makes me jealous that another man is taking you–.'"

"Say another word and you'll be sorry."

[msbarrybeeson]

Princess and Her Matra | Cyno X (F) Reader (Part I) (Royal AU)

Story Premise: You were the Princess of Setekh, ruling over a flourishing kingdom among dry deserts alongside your Father. You found yourself stuck in a dilemma when you were forced to give your hand in marriage, in return for the Avidyan Prince of the Forests to rescue your kingdom. Your heart was set solely on your bodyguard, Cyno the General Mahamatra. But suspicion arose around the Prince's motives, perhaps you found a way to your true love after all.

Summary: You and your General Mahamatra slipped into the Royal Garden following a discussion upon your arranged marriage.

Relationship: (Bodyguard) Cyno X (Desert Princess) Female Reader

Characters: General Mahamatra Cyno.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 1220

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five

➵ ➵ ➵

The King spoke to his council. All while you observed, the only thing you could really do.

In the throne room were two towering seats, decked in gold and colorful gems. At least one of them were. The smaller one, occupied by you, was more plain.

All of the King's messengers stood in front of the steps, organized like as if there was an elongated table.

"My King," bowed one man, "I for one believe not in entrusting Princess (Name) to the Prince of Avidya. They do not trust us, evident by closing off flowing streams from their forests. They mean to dry us until we die of thirst! How can we trust them to not forsaken the Setekh?"

The old King combed through his beard. A long sigh escaped his lips. "I do not. But I cannot allow my people to suffer from dehydration any longer. The only natural source is the spring that resides in the center."

You winced, hearing the discussion. You never liked grave topics. Your eyes shifted to a guard standing on the side by the sandstone pillars.

His amber hues lit up upon eye-contact, only a little but it was there. You gave him an exasperated smile, leaning your head on your hand. He simply huffed, the corners of his own lips twitching up.

"My King, with all due respect, does it not appear suspicious? What would the Avidyan Prince truly want from this arrangement? Surely, 'a wife for the Prince' is too simple and illogical of a reason for them to suddenly want to repair relations after years of distrust."

"I heard you." The King only raised his palm to stop. "But my decision is final: my daughter will be married to this Prince in two weeks' time. If the case of betrayal ever arrived, I trust my General and the Matra will handle our guests swiftly." The old King sent a nod.

Cyno blinked away from your eyes to return one to your Father.

"Hold on–." You furrowed your brows.

"(Name)." The King's voice became stern. "I understand your reservations, my child. However, I expect you to–."

"Place the Setekh above myself, I am well aware." Your shoulders dropped while curling up your fists. "I cannot believe this," you scoffed. You found yourself tapping harshly on your throne's armrest. "I shall be in the Royal Garden instead, Father."

The King's eyes saddened and sighed. You quickly stood and stormed right out of the throne room. The council, distracted by plans for the upcoming engagement, did not notice your hasty disappearance.

Of course, there had been one man.

The General Mahamatra trailed you from behind, holding a partisan. He wore a Hermanubis headdress, a shape of a jackal, signifying his high ranking and head of the Setekhan Military's Royal Branch, the Matra. His face adorn in red powder marks, while his uniform dressed in black and gold. A lot of his skin, he left bare, for the desert heat never took kindly to those covered.

"Leave me alone, General."

The young man raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Your Highness."

"I need time to myself, General."

No word.

"That is an order from your Princess," you scowled, pausing in your tracks to face the General Mahamatra.

"My King's one order is to guard you at any time. I'm afraid his word overshadows yours, Your Highness."

You only frowned and turned away to continue striding.

Suddenly, a polearm swung in front of you, halting you.

"You were feet away just moments ago."

"I wouldn't have been your bodyguard if I am not quick on my 'feet.'" He smirked. You tried to hold a deadpanned expression, but your lips cracked into a small smile the longer your eyes held contact. You waved him off. "Sometimes I do not know what to do with you."

You gazed down and frowned again. "Of course, even if I do, you would not listen to me while Father is here, would you." You pushed Cyno's partisan aside, making his playfulness falter. "Hold on–." He sighed. "I don't truly mean that, Your Highness." He jogged up to stay beside you. "Your word is my command. I always intend myself to protect you, regardless of the circumstances."

"Mm."

"You're aware I would never betray you, honest."

"Mm."

"Not for my King himself."

"Mm."

Cyno sulked, nearly lagging behind you.

It felt uncharacteristic of the Mahamatra, but you remembered the kind of person he became when a card game showed up here and there. An entire other person, you thought. Truth be told: you gave into his– you admit– endearing behavior. "Enough of that, my General." Your hand traced along his jaw as you hastened your stroll past. "Hurry along."

A glint gleamed in his eyes. You did not glance back at him, yet you already regretted that.

"What's the matter? Is a 'hurry-cane' arriving?"

"It's the Setekh. Hurricanes only appear in the Avidya."

"What?" Cyno huffed. "You don't understand? The joke is–."

"Shush-shush-shush." Your finger landed on his lips before he could continue. "I assure you time and time again, General: jokes are only clever when you leave the explanations out."

You and the General reached the greenhouse, a wide glass dome inhabited by many desert plants and color-popping flowers. A few butterflies in golden-like wings flew by. You smiled upon the sight, taking in how the light hit each plant just right.

You sighed. "I only wonder what will become of this place once I marry." The thoughts ran in your head. For all you could imagine, you may move to the Avidya, making this your final chance of seeing desert wildlife. Or the Avidya could be plotting the downfall of the Setekh with your marriage, leaving the beauties alone to die.

Your eyes caught a withered goldpoppy, brown and shriveled. You stepped forth, hands gently caressing its petals. A faint glow could be seen before the flower returned to its youth.

"General," you called. Immediately, he stood by your side. He tried to meet your eyes, but you only paid attention to the poppy. "Would you.. still protect me, even when I'm married off into another kingdom?"

He gave it a second, glancing from the poppy to your face. "Cyno," he spoke in a gentler tone. Much different from his serious usual.

Your eyes flickered to his, being caught off guard.

"I told you to call me 'Cyno,' Your Highness." He gathered your hands and lifted them to his lips, placing a kiss. "In the same way as how I assured you of my intentions to protect you, no matter what."

You blinked.

In the silent moments that passed, a rosy blush crept his face. The General Mahamatra himself turned away in embarrassment, clearing up his throat.

Your eyes softened.

"Thank you, Cyno." In contrast, you reacted with a sheepish smile. "With the wedding arriving in two weeks, I doubt my Father would be happy to hear or see this, but perhaps behind closed doors," your voice trailed off.

He creased his brows. "'See–?'"

On your toes, you pulled Cyno's head and crashed your lips into his. His eyes widened in shock. For someone as stoic and straight-faced as him, someone who was an intimidating general, the General Mahamatra had an easy time becoming awfully flustered.

"You can also call me, (Name)."

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Donnie & April Insight (Part VI)

(Reader Included)

A/N: Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Reader comments and feedback are also welcomed a lot. 

I have been gone for a long time. Just occupied with my studies! No fan fiction author curse or anything (yet).

Summary: You’re both adopting-parents of Casey. The story follows the perspective of Donatello and April O’Neil during the Kraang apocalypse. You and Leonardo decided to ask them to watch over thirteen-year-old Casey.

In other words, familial interactions between April, Donnie, and Casey Jr.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used, except the terms “(Mom / Dad)” are also used. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader

Warnings: Bittersweet.

Word Count:  ~3490

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / ...

~

Donnie knew how much of a genius he was.

It was no surprise after all. In his late teens, he improved NASA’s satellites to communicate with planets light centuries away. He cured breast cancer through the use of protons in radiation therapy to target specific cells, rather than affecting the harmless. Hell, he even managed to discover a new type of radioactive particles: mutons. By that point, he—.

“—should have been given a Nobel Prize in Medicine and in Chemistry.” Donnie cursed under his breath. He strolled over to his lab bench, equipping his goggles.

Squeeeak. 

April– who was found seated on Donnie’s roughed-up, spinning gaming chair– raised an eyebrow. Her hair had grown out and was left unbounded. Faint wrinkles and eye bags on her features displayed maturity, in contrast to a couple of years ago. However, everyone was well aware that time was not the only factor. 

“Whatcha going on about now, Donnie?”

The softshell huffed. “Recall when I wrote a report about my experimental findings with an invention meant to revive a deceased human being?”

“...You mean the one where you thought it was a good idea to open up Curie’s tomb? Even gone as far as to ask for my help?” April grimaced. “Who’d ever forget that.”

She proceeded to massage her temples. 

“God. You were in all kinds of messed up for that, Don.”

Lightning-like yellow sparks flickered as Donnie had his robotic hands occupied with a butane torch. His goggles were sealed tight around his eyes as he built a oval-looking device on his lab bench. Titanium outer-layer over a seriously complex circuit-board; appearing as if Samsung marketed grenades.

He scoffed. “Oh please. It wasn’t as if I’d taken long to understand how Marie Curie deserves her rest for her great contributions to radiation. Thus is why–.”

“–You decided to take a poor random husband of an old wife,” April interjected.

“Ahem.” Donnie pronounced. “The poor woman was begging me for her husband to be alive again. I was simply gracious and generous enough to not charge her for the process.” He set aside the butane torch. “At least it progressed well; he stayed alive for an additional two years. It gave his wife psychological comfort, and I was able to submit my paper to the N.S.F..” 

He picked up a screwdriver. “Except....” 

April could tell her friend’s eye was twitching. 

“They rejected my findings, nearly had me detained, and claimed it was far too ‘unethical.’” Donnie raised his volume. “Scoff! As if those researchers weren’t committing the crime themselves! Taking bodies away from families and claiming them as scientific property without permission.

If I could go back in time and shove my documents in their jaws, you bet I would.”

April smirked. “Well, I have my regrets too, Donnie.”

“You sound rather amused, April. Is that so surprising? And here I never thought you would regret your part-time job at Albearto��s. Or the fact you wasted money to switch to journalism in university.”

WHACK!

April threw her bat at Donnie’s head, flying back to her hand like a boomerang.

“Watch your mouth, mister. I may have regretted Albearto’s, but not a single moment in my life did I ever regret my journalism passion.” She stood up.

“Ouch.” The softshell vocalized, squinting his eyes toward her. His robotic clampers paused, setting aside the torch and taking off his goggles. 

“Mind yourself, April. Horse-playing is forbidden in the laboratory. I am not consenting to having yet another silver-titanium apparatus get scratched because of you.” Donnie gritted his teeth. “Can you hear the negative connotation?”

“Seriously, Donnie? Where’d that come from? Not only was that years ago but it ain’t anything except a simple accident.” 

“‘Simple accident?’” the softshell repeated with dramatic offense. “An accident, like many others in science labs, which could have caused severe damage! Remember the incident when your teacher dumped bleach and vinegar into the trash bin?

You know, if you had paid any attention in your chemistry class, those two would make mustard gas?” Donnie side-eyed his friend. “Simple accidents can have serious consequences, O’Neil.”

A hand crept up the lab bench.

“Uh-huh, and I’m supposed to believe an instance of me knocking over your phone and books would kill somebody?” April crossed her arms. “If anything, the blame’s yours for not organizing your desk when you got drunk on coffee.”

The hand took ahold of the butane torch.

“Donatello? Disorganized? Sounds cheap coming from you, a student majoring in Journalism.”

April pulled up her coat’s sleeves. “Oh boy, you’re about to get it—.”

Squeeeak!

Heads spun and found a 13-year old boy, replacing April’s spot on Donnie’s chair. Casey eyed the torch with a great yet concerning amount of curiosity.

“Yo, what’s this for, Uncle Don?”

At lightning speed, while April ran to move the gaming chair away further from the workbench, Donnie snatched the tool from his hands. “Child. Casey. Young man.” The softshell heaved loudly. “I must inform you this is NOT meant to be handled with such casual ease. How in Hawking did you even—.”

“Don’t your lab have a passcode or something?” 

“–Is what I am wondering myself, O’Neil. I refuse to believe this child remembers the beginning thirty numbers of π–.”

“Nope, only us.” April and Donnie lifted their gazes to his lab entrance. You leaned on the frame while a dear red-eared slider stood just behind. A couple of steps inside, and the metallic lab door shut close. 

Donnie– strangely– was quick to hide his device-in-progress off to the side.

“You’re back!” April grinned. “Hell, you would not believe the convo Donnie and I were having a minute ago.” She hurried to hug you.

“Figures,” Leo remarked. “We could practically hear you yards off.”

“Sounds like things never get old.” You smiled.

There was a side-eye between Donnie and April, before the Commander proceeded to inquire, coughing: “Anyhow.. care to explain the occasion? You two don’t seem to be in a hurry.”

“The only times you ever visit my laboratory are to prepare for immediate combat engagement, and you look awfully collected.” The softshell furrowed his brows.

“No, no.” You waved your hands, shaking your head. “Thank God no. We came here to ask if you two could take care of our Casey here while we head out.” The other turtle scrunched his in-quote eyebrows. “You— You came here to request us to... babysit him?”

April jabbed him in his plastron.

“You see? Just like I said.” Leo turned to you. “I know my brother, love. Don’s not the kind of guy to take responsibility for a kid. Or anyone, really.”

“Hold on.” Donnie narrowed his eyes. “I never said I refused, Leo.”

“Don’t know, it sounds like it to me.”

“Well, my misinformed brother, contrary to your belief, I am perfectly capable of handling a child.”

You huffed with amusement. Your husband only winked back.

“If you say so, Don.”

“Where are you two heading off for if you needed us to watch over him?” April inquired. “Wondering, ‘cause this never happened even when you two leave for patrol.”

“Just finding some time for ourselves.”

April exclaimed, “As in a honeymoon? Why not just say so? We’ll leave you two alone–.”

“–In this economy and climate?” Donnie interjected. “Has it also not been six years since your yet-to-be-legal marriage?”

“Alright, alright,” Leonardo chuckled. “Cut us some slack, bro. Finding time wasn’t easy when there’s Kraang above our necks.”

“Right, and you’re going on a honeymoon, how?” The softshell crossed his arms. “Simply because you’re the leader does not equate to you making wise decisions, Leo.”

“His ōdachi can teleport anyone to anyplace, we have some hope we can easily teleport to a remote area,” you answered. “One without Kraang infestation. It’ll be hard, but we may as well try.”

“Bonus points if we find clear skies and an ocean.” The red-eared turtle grinned, wrapping his arm over your shoulders.

“What’s a honeymoon, (Mom / Dad)?”

Your hand went to caress Casey’s cheek. “Parent quality time. It just means you get to handle yourself like the responsible grown-up you’ll become one day. Just promise me you’ll be on your best behavior around Uncle Don and Auntie April?”

“I promise, (Mom / Dad)!”

“Good boy,” Leo laughed, ruffling the kid’s hair.

“You didn’t ask Mikey and Raph to help out too, or?”

“Between you and me, I think you guys are better of making sure Casey doesn’t get into any chaos,” you whispered to April. “Don’t tell them that, though.”

She laughed. “Okay, I see how it is. You both have fun.” 

Donnie bit his lip. Right as Leonardo and (Name) turn to exit the laboratory, he extended his arm out to them.

“Leo, (Name).”

You two faced back to him once more.

“Don’t kill yourselves out there.”

Everyone’s eyes widened– April, you, and Leonardo himself. But the brother in blue snickered, holding a smile that reached his eyes. “So you do also care for me, Don. And all this time I thought you were plotting to put me in my grave or something.”

“We won’t.” Leo placed a hand on your shoulder. “You got my word.”

“Bye (Mom / Dad)! Bye Papa!”

“We’ll be back soon, Casey!”

Donnie stood in silence as you finally left, leaving himself with none other than his best friend and his nephew. “I refuse to believe this is the future we have to deal with.”

“Times changed all of us, didn’t they?” April spoke. “One day we wish each other a good one, and the next, we hope we just don’t die. I could’ve been a famous news anchor by now, make my mother happy, fight crime without worrying about dying the next second.

..I wonder if there’s anyone else out there besides the small number of us down here.”

“..I doubt it.”

Donnie pulled himself together and walked back to his workbench, operating his clampers to work once again. He put on his goggles. Casey, being a young teenager of enthusiasm, peeked over.

“Watch yourself, boy,” April warned.

“Don’t worry about me, Auntie. I’m only standing over here.” Casey narrowed his eyes upon the glowing and metal-like ball his uncle had his tools on. “What are you working on, Uncle Don?”

“A sphere.”

“A sphere?”

“You heard correctly.”

“That sounds kind of boring.”

Donnie had to hold himself back from remarking with: ‘That is exactly what every child whose intellect is doomed would say.’

“I’m sure your mother would find it rather moving.”

“(Mom / Dad)? I don’t understand what’s emotional about a ball, though.”

“Hey Casey.” April coughed. “Why not tell us about your mask here? Haven’t taken a good look at it before. Maybe Uncle Don would like to hear it too.”

“You actually want me to talk about my mask?”

“Ain’t a problem, is it?”

“No.” He fidgeted with his fingers a bit. “You don’t have anything else to do?”

“We were just told to watch over you, kid.”

“Yeah, but everyone I know is always busy with the Kraang or supplying weapons. I never really get chances to hang out.”

There was a brief pause in the butane torch’s flame.

April’s expression softened. Her hand came up to brush his black hair. “Things have gotten calmer up there. So you’ve got plenty of time with us now.”

Casey smiled.

“So your mask?” 

The boy alternated between covering his face and removing it. “(Mom / Dad) gave it to me. She told me it is based on the one worn by my biological mother. (Mom / Dad) also said that my birth mother was kind of crazy-funny and likes to be loud. She would have a stick to play– what was it– hockey?

I don’t know what kind of game hockey is supposed to be, but I guess it’s nice to know how life was like before all the Kraang.”

A sad smile crept on April’s lips. 

“Anyways, I thought the mask looked kind of plain, so I decided to draw red marks on it. See?” Casey showed his mask off, fingers tapping the surface. “Guess who it looks like!”

There were two bold and thick streaks of red. Each one ran through one eye, truly a defining characteristic. The Commander chuckled, already imagining how much pride her friend in blue would feel from the fact a kid– let alone one he had been parenting– looked up to him so much.

“You know, I am seeing someone familiar here.” April hummed as she put on a thoughtful facade. Fingers holding her chin and everything. “Got to be Uncle Don.”

Named turtle paused for a moment and raised a brow.

“Seriously, Auntie April?” On the other hand, Casey gave her an incredulous look and shook his head. “You probably want to get your eyes checked out, ‘cause Uncle Don doesn’t have any red stripes.” Off to the side. “And even if he did, he won’t look as cool as Dad.”

April snickered behind her palm as Donnie eyed the boy from behind his goggles.

“You’re right, you’re right. Just messing with you, kid.” Her hand ruffled his hair once more. “Sounds like you really admire your Papa, don’t you?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Dad has an awesome sword that opens up portals. He always moves so quickly whenever he’s fighting. Bam! And the Kraang’s gone!” The teenager stretched his arm for emphasis. “Even as the leader, Papa knows when to get serious and when to make people laugh. He also cares a lot about me, (Mom / Dad), you guys, and everyone!”

It made even Donnie himself smile. 

However, the way Casey’s enthusiasm died down had not gone unnoticed. “I’ve always wanted to help out though.” He sighed, shoulders slumping. “I want to fight the Kraang right by his and (Mom / Dad)’s side. Except I barely get the chance to, because they keep telling me to stay close to base and hide behind a giant rock.”

April crossed her arms and went quiet. His feelings were nothing new. In fact, she experienced the same thing herself, seeing she had always been a human. It was like that until–.

“Have no hard feelings,” Donnie spoke up, his hands and eyes remained on his spheric gadget. The sparks were flying. “Your parents are merely worried about your well-being.”

“I know, I know. They won’t have to though, if I can have enough training or something.” Casey sighed. “Then again, I also know I’m only a normal sensitive human.

...Why can’t I be a mutant instead?”

“Ahem. You are classified as a human. That is a true statement and one you cannot change.” Donnie hummed. “However, that does not mean you cannot be strong and capable in other ways.”

“Why does it sound like you’ve been in my place before?”

“Perhaps I did. Did you truly think being a soft-shell turtle is easy? I happened to be born as one of the only Testudines species whose outer shell cannot protect.” Donnie remarked. “Casey, your mask.” His hand signaled.

“What about my mask?”

“I merely want to add something.”

Confused, he hopped off the chair and handed the mask over. “Hmm. As long as you don’t mess with the stripes, Uncle Don.”

“Who says I won’t?”

Casey kicked Donnie’s leg.

“‘Ow,’ I say sarcastically without feeling physical pain.”

“Hmph.” He crossed his arms. “Why do you keep saying things like that?”

“Such as?”

“You say those action verbs, even when you’re already doing them.”

April snorted. “Just his thing, kid. Uncle Don’s got his special quirks.”

“Do you have a quirk?”

“Picking unnecessary fights for one,” Donnie commented.

“You only call them ‘unnecessary,’ because you never want to fix the problem.”

He rolled his eyes. “My solution would’ve been ten times more efficient if you had allowed my technology and I to do the work.”

Casey wondered. “Does your tech ever go haywire, Uncle Don?”

“No.”

“Oh man,” April began, “you should’ve been there for this one time. Your Uncle Don was building some kind of overprotective bed to keep your late Gramps from waking up from his beauty sleep.”

“Gramps likes to sleep?”

“You’d be surprised to hear that he sure does.”

“Then what happened?”

“Uncle Don asked your Dad, Uncle Mikey, and Uncle Raph to try punching, slicing, throwing whatever they could on the bed. They were attacking it like crazy!”

“And then?” 

“And the bed was even more insane, ‘cause there were actual missiles shooting out! They went straight for his brothers. At some point, it got overboard, so Uncle Don tried to command it to stop.”

“I’m hearing a ‘but’ coming.”

“But it malfunctioned and thought Uncle Don was the enemy!”

“However!” Donnie pointed his finger up, interrupting the story-telling. “It did not take long for my creation to recognize his master.”

“Still went haywire in my book,” April remarked. 

“Ignoring that.” His robotic hand tapped the edge of his workbench, grabbing Casey’s attention. “Come here, young man.” He slid back the mask, except in his hands, it felt as if the frame had thicken.

“It looks the same, but it doesn’t feel the same?”

“Try wearing it over your face.”

The boy did as told. All of a sudden, a bunch of green rectangles and words appeared in his vision. He gasped in awe. He spun around slowly, watching the rectangle focus on a figure through the wall.

“Yes yes, I know. I am well aware of how amazing I am.” Donnie huffed in pride. “I have opted to construct an interface with your mask. I cannot see why you shouldn’t have something to defend yourself with,” he reasoned. “I have other updates in mind later on. As of now, however, your mask will help you detect life forms across other rooms or through other objects.” 

“That’s so cool!” The boy hesitated though. “But I don’t want to break it or anything.”

“Hey.” April rested her hand on Casey’s shoulder, giving a firm squeeze. “Our resources are already scarce. Using then losing them is better than nothing. You better make the most of our tech. Understood, soldier?”

Casey grinned underneath his mask. He fixed his posture up and saluted. “Gotcha–! Understood, Commander!” 

He faced the inventor, whose hands were already back to being occupied with the “sphere.” “Thanks so much, Uncle Don!” Casey exclaimed, leaping towards the turtle to give a tight hug. “You’re the best!” 

Upon contact, Donnie stiffened up, but his lack of experience with physical touch did not prevent a smile forming on his face. He extended a robotic arm, patting Casey’s back. 

The boy then scanned around curiously with his mask. “Hey! Think I spot Uncle Mikey and Uncle Raph two floors down! They’re holding hands over a table or something. Why are so many people circling around them?”

April rolled her eyes. “Sounds like another arm-wrestling match between the our youngest and oldest brother.” 

Just like that, Casey booked it out of the laboratory so quickly, it reminded her of a certain red-eared slider. “What the–! Casey!” April groaned. “And here I thought we don’t have to deal with runaway kids. I better catch up to him.” 

“Would not worry about him too much,” Donnie commented. 

“What do you mean by that?”

“Considering we will not always be alive to protect him... the sooner we leave him to himself, the easier it will be for him to survive alone.” 

“Hey. Come on now.” April walked to her best friend’s side. “Don’t you say things like that. We’re all going to survive this together–.”

“April.” Slight pain wavered in his voice. “You know as well as I do how our current reality is. It is only a matter of time before the Kraang finds everyone.” 

“Yet you’re still here trying.”

No response.

“It’s all because of the kid, isn’t it?” April affirmed. “He ain’t any genius prodigy you were expecting long ago. But he gave you a reason to try– he became someone worth fighting for.”

“I would not put it as simply as that.”

She shrugged. “That’s how I’d say it. You know you’re not the only one whose life changed because of Casey.”

Donnie paused his work, turning off the butane torch and finally pulling his goggles off his eyes again. “...Casey reminds me of when we were young, being rash and immature teenagers like any other. I hate admitting to such thing, but I was one too. And I hate admitting much more how much I missed those times.

The child has known nothing of the trouble we’ve experienced outside, April: when Cassandra was killed, when Draxum was torn apart, when Dad decided to sacrifice himself despite the slim odds.” His hands clenched into fists.

“Do not expect me to have any false hope for our future, but do not assume I would want Casey to feel the same way. For as long as he can, I want him to hold onto that false hope.”

“...” April had her arms crossed. Her eyes slowly came to linger on the workbench. “Is that ‘sphere’ his false hope?”

“..No. Not his.” Donnie traced his thumb over his contraption. “It’s for (Name).”

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Leo X GN!Reader (Part V)

A/N: This is legit the longest part yet. How time flies when I write. Any constructive criticism is appreciated. To be honest, reader feedback boosts my motivation to write anything in the first place.

Summary: You’re both adopting-parents of Casey. After years of being raised in an underground base, seven-year-old Casey got to finally see the overgrounds. Bunch of fluff and family interactions.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used, except the terms “(Mama / Papa)” are also used. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader

Warnings: None.

Word Count:  ~3660

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / ...

~

“Woo! Let’s go Leo!”

Beneath the surface was a battle, surrounded by refugees onlooking their leader, Master Leonardo, against one of Big Mama’s top fighters.

Cheers boomed and echoed the cavern. It was supposed to be a practice round for Leo to better his swordsmanship. Alas, nothing could stop the interest of spectators.

Leo leaped over a giant shuriken being flung at him, making his way right at his opponent. Right when he managed to get close, a hammer smashed him into the ground. Dust and dirt flying from the impact.

The crowd groaned, feeling the phantom pain.

You stood high above in a ledge, watching alongside Leo’s brothers and April. You couldn’t help but wince, worried that all these battles might do your blue wrong if the Kraang ever discovered your base. 

In fact, shouldn’t anyone be concerned at the slightest that the Kraang might hear the commotion? All caution was thrown out the window. You hadn’t even realize Donnie had all the time in his world to build an arena. 

..He hadn’t happened to bother the DIGG band to do this, did he?

In your peripheral vision, a short figure hopped up and down next to you.

“(Mama / Papa)! You promised to take me above!” Casey whined. Though his patience was running low, his youthful curiousity was on high.

“I’m aware. But just be a bit more patient,” you assured. “Your father’s having a big show right now. He’s fighting one of Big Mama’s strongest.”

His eyes glimmered. The seven-year-old hopped again, wanting to see past the ledge. He always had a big interest for fighters and becoming a skilled one. Did he know how? He wasn’t sure at the moment. 

“Really!? I wanna see, I wanna see!”

He yelped as Raph picked him up and sat him on his shoulders. “Gosh, Casey, you’ve got to chill out. Papa’s not goin’ anywhere.” The snapping turtle grinned. “Seeing things better now?”

“Thanks, Uncle Raph!”

The audience roared loudly again. Leo swiped his ōdachi to open up multiple portals. He leaped across from one to another to another. Making a strike. Yes, Leo’s challenger was much larger, strength incomprehensible even, but could they match his speed?

You smiled, seeing Casey in absolute awe.

“You can do it, Papa!” he yelled.

Leo jumped onto one of his opponent’s many arms. His form front-flipping to slash the head. Moments passed and a gash sent the fighter recoiling.

To top it off, he opened a portal underneath them, before another one appeared high above. This time, he anchored his ōdachi in the dirt. He gave his wrists a few twists. And as Big Mama’s fighter fell through.. Leo took a swing and—!

WHHIIIRROOSH!

A heavy wave. A burst of wind. A strong blast from Leo’s contact with his opponent went and knocked everyone off their balance!

Some chunks of the ledge you and your friends were standing in even broke off.

.

.

.

The stunned crowd erupted into cheers. Casey was leaning off of Raph’s head, wide eyes and beaming astonishment on his face. 

“WOW, THAT’S SO COOL!” 

Raph, on the other hand, felt cold sweat the moment he had his own balance faltering from the kid’s movement. “Woah woah! Easy there!”

“Let’s go, baby!” Mikey jumped. “There’s our Leee-oh!”

April examined the knackered ledge. “Yeesh! If he was any stronger, Big Mama’s fighter ain’t gonna be the only one going down.” 

“A safety hazard?” Donnie was appalled. “Great.. another thing for my agenda..”

A quick sigh of relief fell from your lips and you laughed. “Okay okay, you guys. Casey’s been waiting for his time above-ground. Let’s get Leo before we head up.”

.

.

.

“Don’t get too worked up, Big Mama.” Leo smirked. “It’s all just practice.”

The old Spider yōkai huffed. “Yes yes. I was simply hoping that it could’ve been just a tad more entertaining of a show..” She turned her head to her knocked-out fighter, laying against the wall of the arena. “Unfortunate it is to have my Champion thrown off his feet with ease— do you not have other turtley-doos partaking? Perhaps the orange one would do nicely.”

Leo let out a laugh. “Unfortunately, for you, Big Mama, we got another schedule going for today. So how ‘bout you give us a call.. a week later. Sound good?”

“Bu—.”

“Muy bien. ¡Adiós!” He waved.

“Papa!” Leo saw Casey running. He opened his arms for the boy to catch a hug. “You were so cool, Papa! You were like: swish, swash, woosh!”

“You guys were watching me!?” He seemed embarrassed.

“Hello? You got a whole ass arena here, and you think we wouldn’t check out all this screaming going on?”

“Tsk. I mean, I would’ve continued on with my projects if only Mikey and April didn’t drag me outside my lab,” Donnie spoke monotonously.

Leo then faced you.

“Wasn’t he cool, (Mama / Papa)!”

You only grinned, arms crossed. “Yes, sweetheart. He was so cool.. as expected of the greatest ninja I’ve ever known.” A flush of red caught Leo’s face as he coughed into his scarf, and everyone else being mildly amused.

“L-Let’s get moving everyone.”

“Now, child, it’s imperative for you to know that you shouldn’t be all too excited about traversing above-ground,” Donnie lectured, while the group arrived by the elevating system. “I assume your Papa and (Mama / Papa) told you about the Kraang?”

“Yes, Uncle Don!”

“Good. Be aware you are always at risk of being caught in their sight. One detected motion and they could be running here—.”

“Why do we have a ladder when we could just use this thing?”

“That’s a ridicu— I mean, good question, Casey.” Donnie saved himself. “The way up the ladder is far more narrow, a better option if you want to exit the base in a more discreet method. What we’re using can take multiple beings at the same time. 

A big risk in return, however, is that we can easily be spotted. When we reach the top, you’ll see that this Eleva-Don has a dome covered in rock and soil.”

“To camoflauge?”

“Hm.. Can’t necessarily consider it camoflauge, but sure, the purpose is to hide the entrance to this base.”

.

.

“How long does it take to go up?”

“..Now that you mentioned it,” Raph wondered. “Shouldn’t we be up a minute ago?”

Donnie hummed. “..Give me a moment— my bad, I forgot I had implemented another button to push, because some morons kept forgetting their equipment.”

The group reached the entrance. It was like the purple’s description. There was a sturdy dome over and a sealed doorway being the only thing separating Casey’s eyes from the outside world. But he had to admit: he felt a bit nervous. His small hand took yours, and you tightened your grip to comfort the boy.

Leo stepped on the other side of Casey, eyes narrowing.

“Casey, before I open the entrance, you must brace yourself,” Donnie warned. “There are hot winds blowing and dry air outside. Move your eyes away from any flying dust too. 

In fact, be quick to cover your eyes. You’re not used to the light.

..Do you understand?”

“Yes, Uncle Don.”

The hinges turned. And as told, a bright light beamed through and the boy had to clasp his hands over. It was blinding, especially for someone who had spent his whole life in dim undergrounds. 

It took a long while. 

He felt the winds drying the moisture off his skin, even the sweat he released.. Bit by bit, Casey’s fingers separated. His sights eventually adjusted to seeing his shoes. Then, from side to side upon his parents’ footwear. Then, some prickly brush nearby. 

And then.. the horizon.

He didn’t know what to expect. He heard all the recreations from his uncles and aunt. He heard more from the refugees. They all said the same thing: red skies and dried.

However, somehow, this was more than he could’ve dreamt of.

There were skeletons, bones of different kinds on the ground. Large boulders to play hide and seek in. Flying cotton balls to make a snow ball.

Casey looked back at the horizon. There afar was a giant city. Broken, yet it was still a magnificent city in his mind. Tall skyscrapers were shattered in half, ragged edges remained.

But his amazement stopped at the sky, bloody-colored skies and dark clouds. Right above New York City was a floating.. ship of some sort. It looked like that one yōkai’s eyeball, always plopping out and back in.

The boy cowered behind your leg. 

He tugged onto your hand. “Hey (Mama / Papa)?” You looked down. “I thought you said you found bunch of things and food here. Why is it so empty?”

“Empty?”

“Yeah.”

“..It might look like that. But I promise you, Casey, there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s been many years away, so expect that a lot is buried in sand and dirt.” You began leading him. “Come along.”

“..That’s.. kind of boring. What about fighting Kraang and stuff?”

“Hm.. You know..” You just noticed: there were barely monsters in your area. Could they have gone to the city? Best of luck to the others going then.

“How can you find anything?”

“That’s easy,” Mikey spoke up. “The best way is to catch a glimmer, some sort of sparkle on the ground. Sometimes, you’ll find something valuable.”

“..Oh! Like this?” The boy picked up an empty plastic chip bag. Mikey deadpanned.. and cleared his throat. “My poor boy, of course not. That’s useless trash.” For a moment, Doctor Delicate Touch came out. He snatched it away and threw it behind him.

“If you see anything more like that, toss it right behind you. Or even better, don’t pick it up. Trust me, it’ll save you so much time.” 

Casey slumped. This wasn’t the finders-keepers experience he was... He shook his head. Whatever, he should just follow you instead—.

Another sparkle in the distance. This one gleamed brighter than that chip bag.

He glimpsed around. You were a couple of feet away. Mikey disappeared. His Papa in a couple of feet in the opposite direction. The red-eared turtle appeared to be casting his gaze at the landscape, arms crossed. The others? Didn’t follow their path.

At least, he had his parents.

The boy moved closer. It was in an open box? There was some really smooth-looking cloth on the inside. Cushioned in it, there was.. a long necklace.. He recognized what a necklace should look be, many refugees had one of their own to cherish. 

Oh, hold on.. there were two necklaces?

He examined the pendant. Shiny. Silver-like. It looked like a heart, except there seemed to be a gash right in the middle. “Oh..” 

It was broken..

.

.

An idea lit up.

Casey took the box, brushing off the sediment, closed it, and shoved it down one of his pockets. Maybe Uncle Don could help him.

“Oho? What do you have there, Case?” He flinched when he heard his father from behind. “Don’t think I didn’t see that.”

“Don’t scare me, Papa!”

“Pfft. You’re just like (Mama / Papa).”

The boy fiddled his fingers, before reaching back into the pocket. He pulled out the box. “I found this necklace.. but.. it’s broken. I thought Uncle Don might fix it!”

Leo took the box from his hands. He chuckled.

“It’s not a broken necklace, buddy. These are couple necklaces.”

“Couple necklaces?”

“They can be two separate ones.. Put them together though..” Leo clicked the two halves in place. “..And they become a whole.”

“They look.. a lot shinier together!” Casey admired.

“Yeah.” Leo’s eyes squinted as he smiled. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“What about ‘friendship’ necklaces? Are those any different?”

The red-eared turtle blinked. He realized he assumed these were meant for couples. Maybe it was because everything that came in pairs reminded him of he and—.

“Oh, I have an idea!” Casey proposed, grabbing the box from Leo’s hand. He faced himself in your direction. “Maybe these can be for you and (Ma / Pa)—mmrph!”

“Hm?” Your head turned towards them. “Did you two call me?”

“Uh! No no!” Leo frantically waved his hand off. “We didn’t say anything.. at all! You can keep doing your own thing, (Name).”

Blinked once, twice. You shrugged, eyes down on the ground.

Leo sighed, releasing his other hand from the kid’s mouth. “Bah! Papa! What was that for? Don’t you show (Mama / Papa) about this? They’ll love it a lot!”

“Shh shh.. I’m sure they will, Case. But.. I have another idea on how we can show them. Okay?” The red-eared turtle proceeded to whisper into the boy’s ear, hoping you wouldn’t catch it if you tried.

The seven-year-old clasped his mouth, eyes sparkling. He nodded his head.

.

.

“Find anything, (Name)?” April asked, the group rendezvousing.

You sighed. “Only packets of vegetable seeds.”

“Hey, more food, the better.”

“Let’s just hope Todd will be able to work his magic on them.”

“Knowin’ he raised who-knows-how-many puppies back then, m’sure he could handle a couple of plants.”

“What about you?”

“The city’s tough to get through as ever. We only got a couple of blankets and scraps of metal for Don. You didn’t come to the city?”

“With a child who barely knows how to nagivate out here?”

“Point taken. How’s the kid doing?”

“..I.. I think he likes the rummaging.” 

“Why’d you hesitate to say that? Giving me a scare for a sec.” April laughed behind her hand. “That’s good, that’s good. Gives ‘nother reason for him to go out more.”

“Just as long as he watches himself.”

“Have some faith in him, (Name).”

“Of course.” You closed your eyes. “Commander O’Neil.”

“H-Hey!” She wrapped her arm around your neck, while you laughed. “Thought I said I don’t want my own friends calling me that.”

“Do you not like it?” 

“Yeah I do, but..” April pulled away and rubbed her arm. “I don’t want you guys to forget what we all were before.”

Your breath paused.

She continued, “We were all close friends. If we start calling each other these formalities, I.. don’t know how different we’ll treat each other.”

“...”

“Man.” April almost felt her eyes sting. “Young me wouldn’t be this emotional over some title. Only in our late twenties, and we’re already talkin’ like we’re gonna die.”

You chuckled. “This world’s making us old, isn’t it?”

“Sure is..” 

Your friend slowly faced the base entrance. “Guess we better return. Boys! Let’s head back!” she called out. They moved along, except for Leo and Casey. They stood in place and gave a knowing look at each other.

You raised an eyebrow.

“Leo! Casey!” April shouted again, only to be stopped by Donnie. He pushed her off, whispering something in her ear. Raph, strolling behind and past you, tapped your shoulder. Then, Mikey winked.

You were confused.

What was going on?

“(Name),” your blue called, signalling for you to come with them. “Casey and I got something to show you.”

They led to a short hill, where the three of you sat watching the horizon. The whole world might’ve changed dramatically, sunrises and sets still exist.

“Vegetable seeds weren’t the only thing you found, was it.”

“How perceptive.” You snorted. “No.. there was something else. When we walked further an hour ago, there was something I recognize..”

You pulled out something wrapped in a brown cloth and unwapped it.

It was.. Cassandra’s hockey stick.

Leo’s eyes widened. “You.. No way..”

“I can’t believe it was intact after many years..” You teared up, holding the stick close to your chest. “I thought it disappeared with her..”

“..She probably dropped it, switching to her hyperbeam guns..,” Leo guessed. “You chose not to tell April?”

“Hey.. I get emotional talking about anything related to Cassandra to anyone else. You’re the only other guy who knew exactly what happened anyway..”

Casey was perplexed. 

He tugged onto the blue scarf. “..Papa? Why’s (Mama / Papa) crying over a.. wooden stick? Who is she talking about?”

“Don’t ask me, buddy. Your (Mama / Papa) knows this person a lot more than I do.”

You moved your arm, pulling the boy close to you. “Casey.. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while..” You gazed down at him. “Did you know you have another parent?”

“...”

Casey was absolutely shocked, flabbergasted, open jaw and wide eyes.

Meanwhile, Leo was dying on the inside. You couldn’t help but laugh as well. “Heyy! Are you trying to joke around?” 

“Sorry sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh,” you quieted down. “But it’s true.”

You pulled out a photograph. There was you, Leo, and everyone else.. except for an unfamiliar woman with piercings and a paler complexion in darker clothing. Casey took a closer look. “She’s also my Mom?”

“Yes, she is.”

Casey then glared at Leo, who was taken aback by the kid’s offended expression. “..(Mama / Papa),” he not-so-quietly whispered. “..Did Papa cheat on you?”

The red-eared turtle coughed hard. He was ready to argue, charge at the boy for even thinking he would do that to you. Where did he even learn the concept of cheating? Those gossiping girls who somehow remembered everything from their high school career?

“Hey—!”

“Don’t worry, he may seem like the kind, but he would never.” You teasingly smiled, testing Leo. “You actually have two fathers.”

“How come he isn’t in the photo?”

“..He just.. doesn’t like pictures.”

“Oh.”

“Mhm.”

“What about other Mom? How come I’ve never seen her?”

You sighed. “Casey.. You know how sometimes Papa and I go out to make sure no Kraang comes near us?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you miss us when we’re gone?”

The boy fiddled his fingers. “Even though Uncle Mikey.. Uncle Raph.. Auntie April.. and sometimes Uncle Don take good care of me, I still wish you were there with me.”

“And we miss you too.” You tightened your embrace. “That’s because we love you, Casey. We are both always worried that something can happen and we won’t be there to help you. 

But we also have a job to do for everyone, to make sure we are all safe.”

“..Is that why other Mom is not here?”

“Correct. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. In fact, she was willing to fight the whole world to make sure you’re in good hands.” You tapped his chest. “She had to fight the Kraang too. She knew she won’t be able to see you for a long time. Because she loves you so much, she wants only the most capable to raise you.”

“...It’s okay, (Mama / Papa). You don’t have to say it like that.”

You felt yourself freeze.

“I’m growing up. I can handle it,” Casey assured. “..Is she up in the stars?”

“..She is.”

His arms wrapped around your back and Leo’s shell. “Well.. In my heart, you’ll always be my (Mama / Papa) and Papa to me. Nothing will ever change how much I love you.”

You inhaled, struggling to keep a stoic face.

Leo covered half of his face in his scarf. In the end, even he couldn’t hide his feelings. He decided to give you both a sudden big hug himself. “Gah! Come here, you two! You really know how to make a grown man cry.”

“Ah, Leo! You’re.. hurting.. our lungs..!” In reluctance, the turtle released you. “Look what happened, your Papa’s turning into an sobbing mess.”

“This was a heartwarming moment for me, (Name). Don’t you dare judge.”

Casey bit his lip. This was when he made his move.

“Oooh. Did you know Papa can also turn into romance?”

Leo froze.

“Hey hey, hold on there, buddy..” A nervous chuckle. “Couldn’t you give a cue? We’re.. doing this right now, no warning?” 

“But this was your plan!” Casey countered. “Stand up, both of you!” You followed along. The hockey stick set aside for now. At this point, better not to ask more questions.

“(Mama / Papa).. Papa says he has something special to show you.” The boy gave Leo a box.. Indiscreet as he was, he tried. A grin appeared on his face when he scurried off behind a nearby rock.

“So.. I’m guessing this had to be related to my name called back there.” You put your hands on your hips.

“He’s still learning his social cues. He’ll get his self-awareness from me, you’ll see.” Leo cleared his throat. “Anyways.. (Name).. it’s been a long time since we got together. Even longer when we first met.. say about twelve years ago. 

Gotta admit.. first impressions weren’t special.

You were just another high school kid. You were the second human I know to ever like hanging out with us mutants. You just seemed like another person to me.

But you were.. considerate.. kind. I wasn’t used to having someone actually listening to me, ‘cause we were all idiots back then. The gang and I would only fool around, bite each other and all.

It wasn’t until you.. said something.. Those words to me..” He felt his hand reaching out. 

You took it in both of yours. There was a light in your eyes. You remembered exactly what that moment was. Your voice slipped, 

“..You have always been my champion..”

Leo’s grip tightened as he immediately went down on both knees. “No one.. no one’s ever said that to me... I couldn’t help it anymore. 

I couldn’t help looking your way every time you were there.

As much as I hate to swallow my pride, I couldn’t help but act all cool and badass whenever you’re looking.. even though most times didn’t work out so well.

You were the only one who believed in me.. and I knew it has to be you.”

Then, Leo released your hands. He took the box out and opened it. “I know it isn’t an overrated ring.. but..” The two heart halves revealing themselves on separate chains.

“(Name).. Will you.. marry me?” 

.

.

.

“..Yes.” You were tearing up again. “Yes! But..!” 

His heart suddenly chipped itself off. That last word was never assumed to be a good sign. “Is there something wrong? ..God.. did I do this too soon?”

You, though, were trying not to snicker. “No no. It’s just.. you’re supposed to propose on one knee, Leo! Not both!”

“They chose to question that over the whole ‘apocalypse proposal’?” Donnie muttered to the others. “How does anyone even consider that as romantic?”

“Donnie, shut your aro-ace ass.” 

Your blue turned red. Embarassed, his face was flushed. He groaned, “Not the teasing right now. Is being the only person to get me on both not enough for you?” 

“Hm. We’ll just have to see how we do in bed.”

Leo choked. 

“WHAT—.”

“(NAME), NOT IN FRONT OF THE KID!” Raph screamed.

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Leo X GN!Reader (Part IV)

A/N: Any constructive criticism is appreciated.

Summary: You’re both adopting-parents of Casey. What was expected to be a calm rainy night turned out to be more ominous than you would like.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used, except the terms “(Mama / Papa)” are also used. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader

Warnings: None.

Word Count:  ~960

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / ...

~

All was quiet..

For once in a long time, rain poured down onto New York City and its boroughs. It almost felt like a rainforest. The climate growing hotter over the decade had the water vaporized into a fog. Though you found it suffocating, it prevented the Kraang from seeing clearly. 

Except.. that was only an assumption.

There were many things undiscovered about the alien race and their weaknesses. For now, your base was once again deemed safe.

The red-eared turtle laid on a rock-hard bed, snoring soundly. It was recent when some refugees ran across large segments of concrete. Used not just for sturdy walls, but to replace having to lay on soil. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but you’d never felt any cleaner.

Beside Leo was your sleeping form, arms around Casey. Or so he assumed.. up until something— rather someone— sharply jabbed into his jaw.

THUB.

“Augh!” Pain surged in his teeth and Leo recoiled. He groaned. He hissed. He was ready to yell, ready to complain, but then.. came a young voice to his inner ears.

“..Papa.”

The turtle loosened up his shoulders.

A loud huff out.

It was Casey. The going-onto-five toddler crawled onto his plastron and managed to kick his chin. Leo did not mind him climbing up, except, him rolling around….

“Case,” Leo whispered, “Come on, buddy. I’m trying to sleep here.” The red-eared slider dragged his hand across his face, his fingertips lingering on his chin as if it would help soothe the pain.

Then, he picked Casey up and positioned him between your sleeping form and his. However, the toddler whined and flailed his arms, thrashing not only onto Leo but also your back.

“Noo! Don’t sleep Papa! I don’t want to sleep yet.”

You mumbled in your sleep. That was the cue for Leo to hold Casey down, fearing you would wake up mad. Sleep was precious in a time like this. He knew it himself how much losing any could affect your ability to fight.

He sighed, grimacing. “God, you’re a hyper one. I miss that energy.” This was definitely Cassandra’s son. “Man, if only I know how to sing a lullaby.”

Casey huffed and climbed back onto Leo’s plastron. “What is it, buddy?”

“Red.. stripe,” he muttered.

Leo was taken aback when the kid began to tap his hands up his neck and onto his red markings. This genuinely made the turtle embarrassed, flustered. Sometimes, he forgot he had those features.

At least he was reminded of how unique he was.. and how much you would talk about your infatuation for his stripes back then.

“Cool..”

“You just noticed them now, huh?”

“Where is it from?”

“I..” Leo wouldn’t know how to answer that.

“Can I get one?”

Ah.

“Ohoho. When you go to sleep, bud.” Leo snorted. “You get these cool stripes if you let your Papa and (Mama / Papa) sleep.”

The toddler grumbled, throwing hands at the turtle’s plastron again. “But I don’t want to! Why do I have to sleep?”

Thump..

“Shh shh.. Sleep is important, bud. Do you want to know why we have to stay underground?” This piqued Casey’s interest. He’d never seen the overground, only heard it from the refugees’ stories. He’d also heard about the Kraang, though generally that they were enemies.

“Why?”

“Because the Kraang are monsters who don’t get enough sleep.”

“R-Really?”

“Mhm,” Leo warned. “Stories have it that if you don’t try to get enough sleep, you’ll slowly become crazy and a Kraang—.”

He immediately stopped once he noticed Casey tearing up a bit. The kid whimpered, “I don’t want to be a Kraang..”

“Ah, don’t worry too much about it, bud. If you at least try not to bother others and fall asleep, then you won’t become one.” Leo tapped onto Casey’s chest. “You see (Mama / Papa) over here?”

“Yah.”

“They’re sleeping. You don’t want to get them mad, do you?” Leo brought Casey closer to his face and tapped their noses together. He smiled when the child calmed down and began to giggle. 

“No, Papa.. I want (Mama / Papa) to stay the way they are.”

“Now that’s a good kid.”

—THUMP! THUMP! 

The ground suddenly shook. The dust and dirt falling from the dugout’s ceiling had Leo pushing himself upright.

His heart dropped. Oh no.

“Papa.. What’s that noise—?”

“Shh shh. Probably just Uncle Raph turning over. Get to sleep, bud.” He brushed the bit of dirt off of Casey’s back and carefully placed the toddler on the bed. “Papa’s only gonna check on something real quick.” 

“But.. where are you going!” Casey cried out his questions but was ignored. His father had already hurried his way through the underground base.

.

.

.

“Lee?” The younger brother stepped out of his room rubbing his eyes.

If Mikey heard that.. Leo was not going crazy then. Those noises.. they’d been getting close. 

“What’s going..?” 

Midway in his question, he quickly quieted down, seeing a harrowing expression on Leo’s face. Mikey had a feeling; he had some bad feeling when his bed shook. Was he willing to accept the worst however? He would never be able to. 

“Don’t tell me..” Mikey followed behind. 

“Lee. Lee! It’s not what I think it is, right?!” 

“I-I don’t.. I don’t know.” His older brother’s chest felt heavy as worse outcomes clouded his head. “We.. we’ve gotta check.”

“No no.. God no..” The box turtle prayed. “We can’t move! This was our place for so long!” Leo had never heard nor seen his brother so alarmed, fear behind those wide-eyes. The idea of leaving behind all those memories.. 

It was disturbing him.

“Mikey. We might not have a choice. It’s everyone’s safety above all else.”

“But where do we run to then?!”

Leo winced. He did not want to think further about this right now. 

The two climbed to the top of a ladder, a sewer plate that met their base with the overgrounds. Reluctant, Leo lifted the plate, eyeing around only to see mist against a red sky, glowing faintly under the moonlight.

“Crap. The fog’s not just a disadvantage to the Kraang,” he cursed.

“Anything, Leo?”

“Can’t see anything..” Leo tapped his foot on one of the rungs of the sewer ladder, and his brother began to climb down.

“..They’re not gonna stop,” Mikey mumbled.

He watched his older brother grimace, indicating he was still have a hard time accepting their situation: everyone seeking refuge underground in fear.. having so few resources and life left in them.

Mikey narrowed his eyes. 

“C’mon,” he spoke, reaching the floor, “You said to put everyone’s safety’s above all else.” He placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I know anything can happen, but.. as long as we take care of each other, we can push through this, Lee.”

.

.

There was a long silence before Leo took a deep breath. His hand reached over and returning Mikey’s touch, letting him know.. he was still there. 

“..Right. Thanks, Mike.”

Separating ways, Leo stumbled back to your bedroom with half-lidded eyes, expecting for Casey to have fallen asleep in your arms. 

Which did happen, just not in the way he was imagining.

You were up leaning by the room entrance. The kid was snoring in your arms as you held him close to your chest.

“Agh...” A drained laugh escaped his throat. “And here I was hoping he could be trusted with letting you sleep.”

“Don’t worry,” you smiled. “I’m not mad.. this time.” Leo would’ve returned it, if only he hadn’t seen your expression falter. “They’re trying to find us, aren’t they? They know we’re alive.”

Leo winced again.

“I have to admit.. I’m scared, Leo,” your voice wavered. You could feel it: the outcome was slowly becoming inevitable.

“No.. Stop that, (Name).” He held your shoulders, his thumb rubbing to soothe you. 

One of his hands then lifted your chin up as he leaned closer to kiss you on your lips. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I won’t let anything happen to you, Casey, or anyone else.. I won’t let them win.”

You furrowed your brows. “We. We won’t let them win.”

You let yourself get pulled close to Leo. You felt his arms wrap around your body, while you stilled yours around Casey, a tight embrace that showed more fear than reassurance. 

[msbarrybeeson]

Broken Glass | Cyno X GN!Reader

A/N: The man was not coming home after 76 pity, so out of my sorrow, I believe he deserves this. I was also conflicted between Cyno being the General Mahamatra or the former one. No worries, I got it eventually. Remember that constructive criticism is appreciated and enjoy!

Summary: Cyno’s regrets for your fall-out returned when the glass of a picture frame shattered.

Genre: Angst

Reader: Second POV. Gender-neutral pronouns if any. 

Warning: Argument. Falling-out.

Word Count: ~380

~

Glass shattered on the floor.

A picture frame had fallen off the bedside table when Cyno kicked the sheets. He frowned, moving himself off the bed to pick up the pieces.

His breath hitched suddenly once he found the photo of you and him, and his fingers stopped reaching out.

His eyes stared upon the photo— one taken for a time when you and he smiled. His chin was resting on your head while you leaned against his chest.

Oh, how sorrowful.

Cyno scowled. He did not want to be reminded of his regrets again. The broken glass over the both of your faces was another stab from life.

If only he hadn’t yelled at you like that. If only he knew how to control his frustrations.

It did not help that for a long time, he had been shaking those emotions off. After all, Cyno believed as the current General Mahamatra that he should not let them cloud his logic.

“Step away from him, (Name).”

You, his partner, were in his way of punishing a scholar. You went out of your own to defend the very person that committed injustice to the Akademiya.

“Cyno, show him some empathy. He was doing it for his children!”

‘This was your fault.’

He narrowed his eyes and scoffed. The General pulled back his polearm, releasing the scholar. “I’m heading back to Sumeru City.” Anger dripped from his voice as Cyno walked past you without a single glance to the eyes.

This single action of his stung your heart. But one way or another, you had to stand for your beliefs: the Akademiya did not have good of intentions as people would assume. 

The scholar behind you felt thankful for your support, yet there was a sense of guilt for the strain between you and the General. You chose to laugh it off, something that did not reach your eyes.

Your walk back to Aaru Village was silent, up until you and Cyno had a private conversation.

Cyno threw his polearm onto the ground. He stormed towards you, seething, “Do you realize the kind of stupid decisions you’re making lately? The point of my position as a Mahamatra is to bring these people to justice for their crimes. The Akademiya will have my head yet again for letting go of a scholar.”

“The Akademiya’s regulations are nonsense, Cyno. Don’t believe that everything are serious matters. He bought and sold the Divine Knowledge Capsule to bring food to the table. It was a one-time thing, and he never intended to use it!”

“And yet they need me as General Mahamatra.” A dangerous frown on his lips.

“You’re not listening. The Akademiya are not who you think they are!” you yelled. “You always focus on tracking these scholars down, but not a single question about why the Akademiya is so persistent on finding this Divine Knowledge Capsule.”

“Knowledge Capsules have dangerous effects, and I expected you to know that, (Name).”

“Shohre told me they’ve chosen to prioritize the Divine Capsule over the others.” Your brows furrowed. “She told me they’ve chosen you and you only to handle this. What happened to her and the others?”

Cyno clenched his teeth. “It’s reasonable they would choose someone who always finds their target no matter what. But you.. you are always in my way,” he scowled. “You’ve never had these views for the Akademiya until recently. Would you mind explaining yourself?”

“I can’t tell you that now, but you have to listen to me when I advise you to distance yourself from the Akademiya, Cyno.” You stepped closer, your hands held together close to your chest.

“You,” he pushed you away by your hands, taking you aback, “have no concrete evidence, do you.”

“...” 

Cyno took your silence as an answer. The conflicted look on your face said everything. 

He scoffed, walking past you again.

“I can’t believe I’m partners with the likes of you.”

A response that he knew would break your heart. 

No matter how many times he tried to convince himself that your fall-out was your fault, Cyno realized he was slowly fading off from contact with the Akademiya. From that point, “former General Mahamatra” was more his title. 

His room in Aaru Village became cold and gray, contradicting the hot and bright weather in the desert.

And to the man gazing upon the floor in silence.. he couldn’t bring himself to pick up the glass. His reluctancy moved him to lay on his side, gripping the empty, lifeless bedsheets.

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Leo X GN!Reader (Part III)

A/N: I am conflicted over using gender-neutral terms to replace “Mama,” because I haven’t found a single one that holds the same vibe as the initial. If there are any suggestions, let me know! Remember that constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Summary: You’re both adopting-parents of Casey. Leonardo returned from a patrol to find his family surrounding Casey, about to say his first words.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used, except the terms “Mama” and “mother-figure are used as well. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader

Warning(s): Insecure of one’s parenting.

Word Count: ~1980

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / ...

~

“No way, is Casey saying his first words?” Michelangelo gasped. He was followed by his older brother, coming back from an area patrol together. 

That question stopped Leo in his tracks. "H-Hold on, really?"

In front of him, April and his brothers surrounded you, while you sat 2-year-old Casey on your stronger arm. He glanced around curiously at the small crowd, but paid no mind as he played with your hair.

"Bwuah.. bah." Sounds bubbling from his mouth. You smiled. "I have a good feeling, Mikey."

Leo stared from afar. 

..It had been so long since he felt this kind of warmth. All the smiles on his family’s faces were enough to give nostalgia.. back to when life was relatively.. normal.

"What'cha doing, standing over there!" April called out, waving her arm up. "This is a moment of a lifetime! Don't tell me you're backing out of being a parent." Donnie snickered from hearing her teases.

Leo shook his head. Then, he rolled his eyes. "Hey hey, c'mon, don't put me down like that, April. I'm not some deadbeat guy."

Being the Doctor Feelings he once proclaimed, Mikey held his hands to his chest. A bubbly smile grew. "Ohh! I’m getting it now: Lee’s having his inner, emotional, father-moment!"

And of course, a dark blush appeared on his face, embarrassed he was figured out so easily. Granted, he was talking about his own brother and Doctor Feelings. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say, little brother," he huffed. "Let's not tease me right now, guys. I just got back from a patrol with the others."

Leo strolled closer to you from behind, head leaning on your shoulder. "So.. what’s he’s saying?"

"Yet to find out." You slowly rocked your body back and forth.

“Y’know,” April wondered, “I’ve been thinking: aren’t kids supposed to start talking before they turn two?”

You and Leo felt yourselves freezing at the realization. Supposed to? But what about Casey? Did this imply that you two hadn’t done enough?

Fortunately, Donatello noticed your unease. 

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, “I mean, we are living in an underground base during an alien invasion. I doubt any of us would own time to cater to a human child full-time.” Donnie raised his “eyebrows” once, giving the message to April.

“Yeah yeah, that makes sense.”

"..Moving on...

Allow me to make a guess: he’ll begin by praising my name and intellect with, 'I love you Donatello Von Ryan and you're the greatest being this universe has to offer,'" Donnie claimed right from his heart and ego.

"God dang, Donnie, I swear," Raph murmured, "if this kid grows up to praise you like some sort of egotistical saint—."

"Scoffs! That could mean one thing for sure, Raphael: Casey will grow to be one of the most intelligent children, taught under by yours truly."

April put her hand on her hip. "Huh. Not gonna lie, I still can't believe Cassandra would name him after herself."

"Doesn't sound far from her, really," you chuckled. "In fact.. I'd be surprised if she managed to make a whole different one."

"Bah.. boo mah.."

"Ooh, ooh!" Mikey leaned his head closer to Casey. "He's going to say something!"

"Putting my bets on 'Mama!'" April raised her hand. Donnie, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and feigned, "Wow! That is so original. Yawn."

"Uh, excuse you." Leonardo looked offended. "Where's the amor for the father-figure?"

You deadpanned. “Since when have we established the ‘Mama’ label?”

"Ever since Leo kept calling himself ‘Papa,’” April chirped. “Sorry, Leo, being the mother-figure, (Name) comes before you." 

"Hm. Raph’s gotta agree."

"Seriously? Even my own brother!?"

"No worries, Lee, I got you!" Mikey leeched onto him.

Donnie coughed. “Continuing to believe he’ll say my name.”

Your eye twitched. “Hey, don’t be disappointed if he says a whole ‘nother word, you guys.” The baby laughed, his giggles drawing the attention of everyone from their debate. 

"Luh..," he blubbered, "ooo."

“...”

"Oh my gosh!" Mikey tightened his grip onto Leo. It was slowly making him struggle to breathe. "Did you hear—? Are you guys thinking—? I think he just said, 'Love youu!'"

"Sorry to break your bubble, but I'm pretty sure they're random syllables, Michael."

"Don't be so pessimistic! We should be happy! Casey’s finally said his first words to us, and they’re ones of love!" "Ew."

Mikey smacked Donnie.

"..Next word has gotta be 'Mama.'" April crossed her arms.

"Uh, I think you mean 'Papa.'"

You sweat-dropped. “I don’t think the debate’s necessary, guys.”

“Leave 'em,” Raph laughed, grabbing your attention. “This is probably one of the only times we’ll ever have our good moments together.” You smiled, watching Mikey and Donnie getting into a passive-aggressive argument themselves. “How’re you and Leo doing with the kid?” Raph asked, inching his giant finger closer to Casey, who proceeded to chew on it.

“The good thing is.. taking care of him is starting come naturally.. and Leo’s still taking my advice to get some rest before we switch roles.” 

Raph found you delaying in your response.

“But. I’m guessing there’s one somewhere.”

“Agh.. It’s just.. Leo seems to be doubting himself again. I was hoping for a chance to talk to him, but maybe.. this time isn’t the right time to do so.”

The snapping turtle moved his hand to your shoulder. “No worries, (Name).” His thumb gently rubbing your nape. “Leave it to me this time.”

“..Okay.”

"Oooh, don't you dare start with me, Leo,” she warned. “It's 'Mama.'"

"'Papa.'"

"'Mama.' Guess you don’t love your lover enough."

“Woah woah, hey!” Leo gasped. Flabbergasted from how April spat that out out of nowhere. "Are you being a mis.. misogynist!?"

“‘Misandrist,’” Donnie corrected.

"'Mama.'"

"Mah-mah!"

“...”

Everyone’s eyes flickered over to Casey, face beaming in the dim cavern.

Out of the stunned group, metallic arms rose from Donnie’s battleshell and tore up a sheet of paper apart. You had no idea where did that come from. "Sigh. Of course, my dreams of raising a follower is demolished once again. Back to the drawing board with my robotic—."

"AWW, he said, ‘Mama!'" The box turtle leaped. 

"Woo! Raph and I call for the air-conditioned room privileges!" April cheered, high-fiving the snapping turtle, who grinned. “We called it!”

“Mahmah!”

“Yes, Casey. It’s me.” An upward quirk of your lips and you snuggled your nose with his. “Mama is here.” The toddler squealed. 

It was this moment that none of you failed to see how Leo’s so-called smile falter. A distant look in his eyes as he came to lower his gaze. 

Raph nodded towards you and April. The both of you returned it, heading into one of the tunnels in silence.

That left the brothers.

It wasn’t until Leo finally tilted his head up that he registered the quietness and lack of your presence. He groaned. “Guys, c’mon. I know what you’re doing, and I don’t need another talk right now.”

“Leo,” Mikey reassured. “It’s okay to talk about your feelings with us, y’know. We’re your brothers! Your family! And family supports each other.”

“Besides,” Donnie crossed his arms, leaving one of his metallic arms to comfort his brother’s back, “it’s about time you quit ruining the mood whenever Casey is brought up.”

Raph hummed. “You’re thinkin’ too much on it, Leo. You know whatever the kid says don’t make you any less of a parent.”

Leo huffed. “I know, I know.”

“Uh huh.” Donnie scoffed. “If you really know that that’s the case, then what’s the actual problem?”

“Nothing.”

“We know it’s not ‘nothing.’”

“...”

“Okay, we can do this then.” Mikey held his brother’s shoulders. The Doctor Feelings side revealing. “I’ll ask the questions you answer by nodding ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

Is it about Casey?” Leo nodded ‘yes.’

“Okay.. Is it about his first words?” He shook his head ‘no.’

Mikey held his chin, pondering. “Is there a specific issue?” Once again, Leo shook his head. The box turtle figured it must be a general conflict. You told him not long ago that his brother was being reserved as of late. You often confided in him your troubles.

“Is this also about (Name)?”

He nodded.

“Is this also about the Kraang?”

..He nodded. This time, Leo proceeded to respond. “Nothing’s the same ever since they invaded.”

“Of course—.” Raph eyed Donnie.

“We could’ve had a normal life. We all could’ve gone for ice cream, jumping to a pool, see snow again.. But look what came to us instead.” A bitter tone. “This isn’t the life I wanted for all of us. This isn’t the life that Casey and (Name) deserves. I-I can’t accept it.

It doesn’t help to think back on their and Cassandra’s words.”

“What do you mean?”

Leo narrowed his eyes. “Cassandra told me (Name) wanted a kid. (Name) told me they couldn’t risk taking care of one in this fucked up place.”

“And they have Casey—.”

“But I know they’d be happier if things were different.”

“Oh? You mean if (Name) doesn’t have fertility issues?”

All eyes on Donnie. “..Huh?”

“Hey!” Mikey exclaimed. “How’d you know that? I thought I’m the one with secrets.”

“Well, Michael, being forced to stick down here and manage weaponry and defenses means keeping track of everyone’s biological systems.”

“..You.. kept trackers on us?”

“Correction: in you. Do I have to remind you that I’m the reason you all managed to survive this long?”

“Ah..” Raph was stunned. “Ah, uh, moving on..

Yeah, we would be happier if we didn’t have the Kraang up on our asses. But even then, this is our reality now. 

We can’t go back. 

And sometimes, your best option is to deal with it and make the most out of what you have. You got that?”

Leo’s breath hitched. He glanced upon reassuring smiles on his brothers’ faces (much less of a smile on Donnie’s, but the aura was there).

“You may be the leader, Leo, but I’m still your older brother,” Raph spoke softly.

A sigh left the red-eared turtle, and he pulled them all into a tight embrace. “Thanks hermanos.”

.

.

.

"Lee-oh," you pronounced slowly, leaning close to Casey. You hadn’t noticed your leader in blue lingering next to the cavern entrance. You always managed to forget that Donnie built an entire underground system for water and air. Yet, your resources weren’t enough to make decent rooms. 

The baby blinked and giggled. "Eeee.."

You wiggled his arms. "Lee-oh."

"Ohh.."

Leo couldn't hold back the wide grin on his face. His heart melted. “I always knew you love me, (Name)," he spoke up.

"God, Leo! You scared me!” you cursed, holding Casey back in the comfort of your arms. "..How are you feeling?”

“Comforted.. thanks to my brothers.”

Once he walked closer to your side, you leaned up to kiss him. “For you to know you’re making a great father-figure. And that you have nothing to worry for about me or Casey.”

Leo blinked and blinked. 

Then, being shy, he hid his growing blush behind his blue scarf. 

It was one you made for his birthday five years ago from a ball of yarn that Todd found, rummaging through wrecked shops. Even after that much time, Leo still became flustered around you.

“Bah.. lo...”

His left arm wrapped around your waist. “I’m glad to have you here, (Name).” You leaned into his plastron. “The same goes for you, Leo.”

“Ee.. oh.”

“Mhm—. Hold on.” The red-eared turtle sat upright. “Did he—?”

“Ee.. oh!” Casey sounded. Lacked a consonant, but the idea was there. 

You chuckled, seeing your boyfriend’s wide-eyed reaction. “He said my name!” he cheered, pulling the toddler from your arms to hold him up. “Leo,” he said.

“Ee-oh!”

“If you were worried about him not saying ‘Papa,’ I’m sure it’s only because April kept repeating ‘Mama’ back there,” you concluded. “Not sure if I’m completely comfortable with the whole label thing.”

“Being called ‘Mama?’”

“Hm.. If I ever feel like changing that up, I can wait until Casey’s a bit older to comprehend better.”

“Ohoho~.” Leo grinned, bringing the baby closer. “Say, ‘Papa.’”

“Ah..”

“‘Papa.’“

“Pa.. wah...”

“‘Papa.’”

“Papah!”

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Leo X GN!Reader (Part II)

A/N: Constuctive criticism is appreciated.

Summary: You’re both adopting-parents of Casey. Leonardo was all exhausted from handling a flustered Casey.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader

Warning(s): None.

Word Count: ~1140

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / ...

~

"Argh.." 

Leonardo heaved when the baby in his arms continued to cry. The headaches from his last time dealing with Casey returned. "Come on now, tell me what is it.."

He gave him what he could offer: the attempt to feed the boy, pat his back to release any gas, and even spin him around for trial-and-error’s sake. Yet for a long while, Leo hadn’t been able to stop those tears.

And already were there other worries in mind.

He muttered, "Don't you embarrass me in front of (Name).. or anyone else for that matter.." 

Out of nowhere, Casey cried much louder and thrashed around in Leo’s arms. His eyes widened upon the commotion. The turtle hushed. “Hey hey! Calm down a bit.. Everything’s alright."

God, how hypocritical.

He had dark circles underneath his eyes, half-lidded from lack of sleep and much worry. He dragged his palm across his face and muttered, "God, what was the song they sang to those kids..?"

Leo promised you this time, he would take care of the baby, while you would be busy gathering food and patrolling. It was practically switching shifts, but you seemed a bit too excited about it. The problem? Well.. he understood why and realized he'd probably have an easier time dealing with kids much older than two years old.

"If you're not hungry, or lonely, or—." He grimaced and groaned. "Ohh man.. don't tell me it's about the diaper—."

"I changed it when you went to take a quick breather outside," you spoke.

Leo jumped. Tired eyes widening again. “(Name)! What are you— you shouldn’t be back so soon. I had....” He yawned. “I had everything under control.”

You raised an eyebrow.

He was exhausted. It was obvious. 

Even then, you played along. He was the one who suggested for you to take that day out after all. He wanted to spend time with Casey too. And you wouldn’t dare discourage Leo like that.

“I know, I know. Sometimes, it doesn’t hurt for the either of us to check in though.” You gave him a peck. “Besides, you haven’t gotten enough sleep lately.”

He grunted. “I’m fine. A little less sleep’s not gonna kill me.”

“It tells me something when you chose to leave Casey in Donnie’s hands while you were away for a second.”

“Y-You were here when that happened too?”

Leonardo cleared his throat. "No, no. Everything's under control, (Name)," he proclaimed, lying through his teeth. "Casey and I are doing just fine..!" 

Unfortunately, the baby's teary expression said the complete opposite.

"You're having trouble with him, aren't you?"

He scoffed. "Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Did you get the sack of potatoes from Todd?"

"Yeah." You deadpanned. "I did. They’re gonna get sick of eating them, but we don’t have much of an option— don't go changing the subject on me! Leo, you look dead! You didn’t even get some rest before taking on Casey!”

Leo huffed. “Why are you making him sound like some video game boss?”

“Let’s get you some sleep.” You tugged him towards a small dugout. It was supposed to be your bedroom, but seeing how much had collasped in this underground base from battles, it wasn’t nice nor clean.

“No, I can’t sleep.. I can’t—.”

You took the baby from his arms, and while he was confused, shoved him onto a shaped pile of dirt called a bed. Face on the “mattress” and a long sigh out.

Leo gave in.

“Okay.. okay. You win, (Name).”

“Good, you can stay here for an hour and I’ll—.” You yelped when his arms wrapped around you and yanked you back onto the bed with him. “Leo!” Casey started to giggle.

The turtle froze.

“Agh! So all this time he was crying for no reason?!”

“I told you before that babies can be dramatic!”

“I didn’t think he’d be dramatic enough to cry,” Leo scoffed. “He was loud at that too.” His arms went to cover his eyes, facing the ceiling.

“The experience was much different than you realize, huh?” you murmured, laying your head next to his. Casey still in your arms, biting on them.

“..I thought I could do it.”

“Hm? But you were already doing it. You kept track of feeding him, releasing his gas, playing with him.. You considered changing his diaper too.. They’re all exactly what you needed to do for him.”

“But you took care of it in the end, as always.”

“..Took care of what?”

“He was crying just now, (Name). Don’t try to pretend like it didn’t happen.. I know I’m not the best father-figure to him.”

“Seriously?” you chuckled. “That was you too. He didn’t stop having that upset look on his face until you pulled me down. He.. probably enjoys surprises.”

“..Huh.. now you mentioned it..”

You sat up, turning your face to Leo. Your hand trailed along his jawline.

“Where’s the overconfident guy I know and love?” you hummed. “It’s not like you to put yourself down like that. You trying your best makes you the best father to Casey.”

Leo’s eyes gazed up at you.

“You’ve helped me a lot by covering a turn for him.”

“(Name), please. Whenever it’s my turn, things always get messy.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Leon.”

“..What?”

“You never noticed your pattern of taking Casey out of my hands before you get some rest? We do these switches after your patrol too.”

His mind clicked.

“..Ohh.”

You scoffed. “Yeah. You always look dead when I come back from my trip outside.” 

.

.

.

You stared at his lying form. Your fingers creeped underneath his head to signal him, and Leo adjusted. His head resting on your thighs.

“Leo,” you whispered. “Do you love me?”

Breath hitched. “When have I not?” he responded in a groggy voice. “..Why do you ask?”

“Do you love Casey?”

Said-boy babbled upon hearing some familiar syllables. He gave a soft kick on Leo’s arm, while playing with your fingers.

“...Even though he’s kind of exhausting, I’d give the world to the little guy.” He smiled, remembering the small moments when Casey would crawl over to his large feet and hand him a dead bird. “..Why?”

“Because you can’t help the both of us if you can’t help yourself.”

Hand trailing Leo’s jawline again. You spoke softly, “I don’t want you to kill yourself. Losing sleep is only going to do that, and I can’t risk losing you.

So promise me.. you’ll take care of yourself.”

“...I promise.” Leo slowly shut his eyes.

“...(Name)?”

“Hm?”

“Can you.. Remember that lullaby?”

“The one to the kids at the orphanage?”

“Yeah.. can I hear you.. sing it again?”

.

.

.

That night.. was one of the few when everyone managed to sleep without being woken up by a baby’s cries.

[msbarrybeeson]

Before You Go | Future Leo X GN!Reader (Part I)

A/N: Time to make a series! Inspiration is taken from the movie and several fanart. Constructive criticism is appreciated as usual.

Summary: Heartbroken about a death of a dear friend, you and Leonardo debated on whether to co-parent Cassandra’s baby son, Casey.

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns are used. Second POV.

Pairing: Rise! Future! Leonardo X Reader 

Warnings: Blood. Death. Child becoming an orphan.

Word Count: ~1280

Parts: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / ...

~

“We’re.. keeping him?”

A wary expression on your face as you met eye-contact with Leonardo. In his arms held a baby boy, wrapped in a soft yet dirty blanket. 

“We are,” he confirmed. 

“But what about the other camps—.”

“I promised Cass we would take care of him.”

You went silent, wincing at the thought— the memory of your friend dying in that rubble. Leonardo shared the same feeling, replaying Cassandra’s final words in his head.

“You didn’t even ask me for my word!” you snapped. “We’re talking about taking care of a baby in an alien invasion! I want neither of us nor the team to get too attached. He’s going to get in the way and if something happens—.”

“We won’t let anything happen to him.”

Your hands curled. “...How can you be so sure?”

“(Name).” Leonardo stepped closer to you. “Think about it this way: he could be a hope for us. He could be the one to stop the Kraang and this mess.”

“No.” You wanted to yell and force him to look from your view. Except, you can’t risk scaring anyone else in the base. There were other humans, mutants, and yōkai taking refuge to hide from the Kraang.

This was one of the only safe havens in New York City, or the entire world at that rate. You wanted this to be a place of consolation, not panic.

Arms crossed, you turned away. “I was afraid you’d think that.”

“...What do you mean?”

“He’s young, Leo!” You faced him again. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about forcing the idea of ‘being the chosen hero’ on him!

What if he doesn’t rise to that challenge? What if he didn’t succeed? What would you think of him then?”

Leo’s mouth perked up.

And you realized yourself.

“Sounds like you’re the one with a personal attachment, (Name). I almost thought you don’t care about this little guy,” he teased. “I wasn’t being serious about the whole ‘hero’ thing. Splints threw me on the leader spot myself, remember?”

Your shoulders loosened. 

“I remember.” You sighed. “I never said I don’t care. Just worried we won’t be able to give him the childhood he deserves— the life he deserves. I wish that for every child, especially knowing this is the wrong place for them to grow up in.”

You grimmed. “We’ll be busy trying to take out Kraang, Leo.. How are we going to take care him, let alone give him enough love?”

Leo gave no response. But you watched his feet inching closer. Then, he held out the blanket-wrapped baby to you.

“..We’ll find a way,” he assured, “We’ll work it out together.”

You took the baby in your arms. He was snoring away all the problems, a bittersweet moment that warmed your heart.

“The others are going to co-parent too, right?” you asked. That one question making Leo freeze. You spoke again, this time raising an eyebrow. “..Right?”

He cleared his throat. “Well.. the thing is.. they.. probably don’t even know how to take care of a baby.”

“What.”

“But we’ll be fine on our ownn! Trust me, (Name), nothing’s going to go wrong under our watch.”

“And then you’re going to force all the parental responsibility on me.” You scoffed. “Are you serious? You had me thinking that Raph, Mikey, Donnie, and April will help too!”

“Cass trusted us to do this.”

“Exactly, us.”

“The both of us.”

“Why did she exclude the others out?”

Truth be told, you couldn’t understand what made his brothers and April any less qualified to take care of a baby. You knew Leo would be out a lot. You too had responsibilities with keeping resources in check and defending the base. Extra loving hands shouldn’t hurt.

Except, when you found Leo averting his gaze and coughing, a light blush on his face, it clicked for you. He wasn’t being completely serious. He just liked the thought of he and you— did Cassandra tell him?

A chuckle left your lips. 

“Look, as much as I’m willing to try for her,” you paused, “I don’t know if I can make a good caretaker, let alone a parent for Casey.” 

“And Cass knew you’d doubt yourself,” Leo held your hands, “but she still trusted you. She trusted that you can do it.”

You took a deep breath, tearing up a bit. 

“There.. are a lot of responsibilities....”

His arms brought you into a hug from behind. “I know.” 

He leaned his head on your shoulder, watching little Casey sleep. “Like I said though, (Name), we will make it work.” Leo reassured. “I’m here right next to you.”

Him being made leader changed him for sure. It was comforting to see him grow less cocky and more consoling, empathetic.

You kind of missed his overconfident, happy, sarcastic side though. 

.

.

.

“What are you doing?” A shaky breath. “We’re running the same way. Why are you handing him to me, Cass?” Leonardo felt his heart beating faster.

“Take care of him for me. He needs you all, especially (Name).”

“H-Hold on..” Leonardo taken aback.

He watched a couple of tears pooling up in Cassandra’s eyes. Her hand grasping his arm as they both ran for base.

“Y-You know (Name)’s been eyeing me for a while now.” Emotions caught up in her throat as she spoke. “They’ve always wanted a kid— I didn’t even have to ask them. So.. I-I thought that if I’m ever gone, Casey can be the one for them. (Name) can be the one who will love him just as much as I do.”

“What are you talking about—?!” Leonardo’s breath hitched when the woman let go and ran behind him. 

“Please tell ‘em that for me.. before I go..”

“CASSANDRA!”

“They’re just gonna keep following us if something isn’t done. I have to go distract them!”

You stopped in your tracks the moment you found your best friend turning the other direction. The baby gone from her arms and in Leonardo’s instead.

“Casey? Casey!” you shouted. “Where the hell are you going!?”

She was running towards one of the giant machines. A large rock into the eye with her hockey stick and a loud BOOM blasted from an ignition.

You immediately sprinted after her. “Casey! CASEY, STOP!”

“(NAME)!” Leonardo followed. 

Cassandra caught the attention of other nearby mechs, this time using her hyperbeam gun to strike. 

You were starting to lose your distance.

“Please! I don’t want to lose you—!” Leonardo yanked you back with his other arm. This was when you felt your eyes burning. This couldn’t be happening, not when you weren’t prepared to lose someone.

Leonardo kept a tight grip on your arm. “(Name)! We have to go back!”

“Casey’s out there! Let go of me—!”

“Yet you’re out here— I’m not gonna lose you too while we’re at it. Listen to me: we have to go back, or you’re putting everyone else at risk. We have to go NOW.”

You took one final glance at Cassandra, so far away. 

Suddenly, a bright beam of light shot down on her ground. You watched the dark silhouette in your sight evaporated.

And you screamed.

Leonardo pulled you into his chest, hand over your mouth. He carried you over his shoulder as you sobbed into your own palms. He fled, fled as fast as he could with stinging eyes, not because of the dust this time.

No one back at the base could’ve prepared to see you and Leonardo return with Cassandra’s baby alone. 

That ache hurt more when you found a photograph of her and everyone tucked in little Casey’s blanket. 

[msbarrybeeson]

Don’t | Donnie X GN!Reader

A/N: This was so lovely to write. In my opinion, Donnie would be the most challenging of the four brothers. I think there are specifics to his behavior and personality, so trying to accurately replicate it does take some time. Apologies for any out-of-characterness from Donnie. Remember that constructive criticism is always appreciated, especially for characters, and enjoy! 

Requested: @sunnyselks 

Summary: You were wounded from protecting Donnie. When you were waving off his demands to treat you, he had to take it into his own hands to tend to you.

Genre: Hurt-Comfort

Reader: Second POV. Gender-neutral pronouns if any.

Pairing: Rise!Donnie X Reader

Warnings: Mentions of blood, needles, cuts. Argument over each other’s safety.

Word Count: ~1060

~

“Don, I’m fine.”

“Oh, sure, tell me that while your clothes are soaked in blood!” Donnie yelled. “Take off your shirt, (Name), or I’m not letting you leave the grounds of this room.”

“Donnie,” you stressed, clutching the wound on your arm. 

“(Name), don’t.”

You turned away from him, about to leave his room despite his warning. “It’s a minor injury, I’m perfectly fi—.”

Suddenly, small chips leeched onto your arm, catching you off-guard. They unfolded into wrist binds, where you realized this was his way of forcing you to stay put.

“Don!” you grunted, as the binds pulled you toward facing a wall. “Are you serious!?”

“As Galileo is about his heliocentric model.” Donnie took a binder clip from one of his desk drawers. “You leave me no choice, (Name).” As soon as the turtle lifted your shirt up from behind, chills ran over your skin from the cold air hitting the other cut on your back. He wrapped the hem over your collar, then proceeded to clip it.

“I could’ve done this myself or gone to a hospital,” you muttered.

Donnie scoffed. “And let them force you to pay expensive bills as your last resort when you have me? I thought you knew better than that.” He cleaned the blood around your wound with a wet paper towel before applying an alcohol wipe to disinfect.

“You know full well you can’t stitch your own back either. You wouldn’t want to risk inquiring your parental guardians for help in the end and being forced to give a whole explanation.”

“...”

From the corner of your eyes, you could see Donnie picking up a needle. The thought of it puncturing you made you shudder. There were vaccinations and blood tests, but they never changed your tension with needles.

You wanted to get this over with— the suspense was only making you more vulnerable.

“Are you going to inject the needle, Donnie—?” Your nails immediately dug into your palm as pain struck. "Argh..!" You winced badly.

“Don’t move,” he paused, “if that wasn’t obvious enough.”

“Easier said than done when I'm not used to having my skin pricked—!” You seethed, “Urgh.. couldn’t you have numbed it?”

“What, with lidocaine?” Donnie replied monotonously. “No, because you wouldn’t learn and would try to save me again—,” he pricked the needle the fourth time, “even though you are a human who could’ve gotten killed— God—why in the name of logic did you do that, (Name)!?”

“I did it to protect you!” you argued.

“Don’t you dare ignore the fact that you could’ve gotten killed!”

“I am capable of my own safety.”

“Scoffs. Think common sense, (Name). You’re a human,” he reminded, the anger in his voice showing. “I’m a mutant turtle; I have the biological features to defend myself!”

“You’re a soft-shelled turtle.”

Donnie stopped moving the needle. "Really, assuming that my soft-shell automatically makes me vulnerable? Are you trying to tell me I’m unable to protect myself because of that, (Name)?”

He frowned. “I have my technology— my intelligence to accommodate, so don’t put yourself in danger whenever the hell possible and let me handle myself. End of discussion.”

You wanted to slam your fists. As he was about to add another stitch, your body shook.

“They destroyed your battle shell!” Anguish scratching your voice. “Just because you're a mutant or because you have your military-grade tech, doesn't mean you won't get murdered, crushed!

God, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m not trying to assume or belittle neither you nor your tech. All I'm concerned about is keeping you alive!”

“...”

“You weakened your voice. “If me getting injured means you’d be okay, then that’s enough for me.”

Donnie’s breath hitched.

..You knew your turtle wasn’t great at apologizing, but his silence told you everything. He didn’t make a snarky or sarcastic remark.. instead, he listened.

“..I’m sorry.”

“I know. But don’t put yourself down.. I never once thought you're supposed to be perfectly strong or invulnerable. That applies to everyone all the same. Flaws happen, whether we're fine with it or not.”

You turned your head to look at Donnie. Something was still bothering him.

“But I’ll try not to scare you again if that makes you feel better.” The tension left his face, and he proceeded to finish the last few stitches.

It was all calm and quiet until he dragged his cold finger lightly over the stitched-up wound. You shuddered.

“You keep flinching so much.”

“You’re one to talk, you’re sensitive to touch as much as I am, if not so much more.”

“No, no, not that. I find it interesting, because.. I don’t see you reacting so violently when April stitched up the other cut on your back. You know, from falling off the table.” As Donnie applied a cotton pad and tape to cover your wound, he looked up to meet your eyes.  

But you quickly faced away to the other direction.

Donnie leaned the same way, one of his brows raised.

And you avoided eye-contact yet again.

.

.

.

Ah.

“You’re flustered.”

“What?” The red rushing to your ears.

“Flustered,” he repeated. “Its definition being ‘agitated, confused, ruffled—.’”

“No, I meant: how am I flustered?”

Donnie dragged his finger along your skin again. You felt your face heat up.

“You’re flustered from having your back exposed to me.”

“I’m not.” You sensed his ego returning.

“Tell that to my lie-detector and we’ll see how that goes.”

“You have a polygraph?”

“Of course not,” Donnie actually scoffed. “We all know polygraphs are never accurate enough to be trusted.” He unclipped your shirt and released the binds on your wrists.

You groaned, rubbing your aching hands. “You had me binded to a wall, and lifted my shirt to stitch my cut— so of course— I would feel exposed.. and flustered.” You sat in your turtle's desk chair.

“Yes, exactly, I did that to treat you." He crossed his arms. "And I find that hypocritical, considering you exposed yourself and your whereabouts on the Internet."

You gave him a look, before holding your knees to your chest. There was a change in expression as you whispered, "..Thanks."

Donnie stood awkwardly, rubbing his arm once he heard you and finding sincerity on your face. The soft-shelled turtle stepped closer to you and slowly wrapped his arms around your shoulders.

"Hey, I thought you don't like this intimate stuff," you joked.

Now Donnie himself became flustered. “Don’t, (Name).”

[msbarrybeeson]

Rise of TMNT Mini-Episodes

I may be desperate, but who cares, because Nickelodeon just released two mini-episodes for Rise!

Nickelodeon paying more attention to our 2018 turtles?? Ohh man, I sure hope so.

[msbarrybeeson]

Like You | Donnie X GN!Reader (Part II)

A/N: I had to do something with Donnie. In order for me to try and replicate his character, I had to repeat his sarcastic voice in my head over and over. It was an absolute pain, because to focus on this entire imagine (both parts), I had to try and shove all the trauma I got from the movie away for a couple of hours.

Summary: You were trying to ignore your feelings by avoiding the turtle himself. What you did not expect was that he’d be at your homecoming dance, confronting you.

Pairing: Rise!Donatello X Reader

Reader: Gender-neutral. Second POV. 

Genre: Hurt & Comfort

Warning: Good luck on being confronted.

Word Count: ~1260

Part: One / Two

~

You stood on the roof, arms resting on the concrete. It was frigid at night, especially with the wind blowing along your skin.

You weren’t into dances. You weren’t supposed to be here, but not only did your friends beg you to come to homecoming, Leonardo had asked you to meet up on the roof tonight. 

Sure, you had to pay him back for asking him to sneak calculus material out of his soft-shelled brother. Though, you didn’t expect that his request would be to prank you like this.

You sighed. “It’s Leon. I should’ve seen this coming—.”

“Oh Fibonacci.” You heard someone mumble, followed by a creaking of the door. You turned around, facing the mysterious person— or rather— turtle. 

Your eyes widened. “Donnie..”

Oh God. This was Leon’s plan. You wanted to collaspe into embarrassment. You were well aware that you had been avoiding his brother. Maybe this was Leon being pissed after doing so. 

You never wanted to push him away, but the logic was there.

You eyed his tuxedo, features of violet to match him. That and the bandana together. Donnie looked.. incredibly handsome, so much so you felt your face heat up.

No. You shook it off. 

“(Name)..” Your eyes met his again. There was a trace of pain in them, and.. your heart ached. You gazed away as Donnie walked closer to your side, facing the city. “Strange that I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Your hands gripped your clothing.

“...Remember the name?”

You followed his sight to a dot in the sky, shining bright. You knew it well. “..Sirius A.”

“Define a logarithm.”

“The power of a number being raised.”

“Base two logarithm of 32.”

“Five.”

“...Suppose that explains why you haven’t answered my texts.. You didn’t even need my help.” Donnie faced down, eyebrows furrowing. “(Name).. What have I done wrong?”

“No!” You were quick to deny that. “You did nothing wrong.” How could he think of himself like that when you were the one avoiding him without an explanation?

“Then.. why were you avoiding me?”

“I.. I didn’t mean to—.”

“I have common sense, (Name),” he scoffed. “If the lack of it is what you’re trying to take advantage of.” 

You had nothing to say.

“You haven’t contacted me in so long. I thought you might have some family issues or even an existential crisis, but then, you and Leo....” Donnie shook his head. “I know I have something to do it. Why were you avoiding me?”

“I already told you—!”

“For the love of Galileo, (Name), you’ve avoided me enough, so quit dodging my questions!” he snapped. “Tell me, so I don’t have to keep beating myself up over every possible reason that could separate you from me!” 

Donnie heaved, before a couple of tears form in his eyes. He tried to blink them away, but the pain was overwhelming. “I like what we had before, hanging out together in libraries, tutoring you, experimenting with tech.” Though he was hesitant, he let the words slip from his mouth. “As much as it’s not my thing to say affectionate words.. I’ve... missed you.”

You froze as he took and held your hand.

“And I mean it, a-all right? There’s no one else who has a passion for mathematics like you. There’s no one else who would try to memorize a hundred different stars with me like you would. There’s no one else who appreciate my sciences, my passions, my intelligence, like you—.”

“Stop.”

Donnie stopped rambling. “..What?”

Your face was turning hot, burying it into your hands. “Why do you have to make things so hard for me...”

He was starting to panic. “I.. I’m sor—.”

“No! It’s not like that!” You used one of your hands to wave it off. “You.. So this is what it’s about?”

“What’s what about?” Donnie tugged on his collar.

“Are you trying to confess to me?” you laughed. “I never took you for the romantic type.”

You opened your eyes through your hand to find the turtle with wide eyes and a blush darkening his face under the night. “Well—. I—. You—.” He was trying to fight back his short-circuiting. “That’s absurd! Donatello Von Ryan never involves himself with romanc—.”

“I like you too, Don.”

Suddenly, he’s the one hiding his face. You looked away with flushed ears. All this time, your fear—. Oh. The vibrant colors from your moment faded when you remembered your fear, the reason why you were avoiding the turtle.

You.. did owe him an explanation.

“...I was avoiding you,” Donnie uncovered his face, “because I started to like you romantically.” 

You crossed your arms as another gust of wind blew. 

“I was afraid you’d find that weird: a human— a much different.. biological being— falling in love with a mutant. And then, we were becoming really close, so I separated myself to prevent either of our— no, my feelings from getting hurt.”

His brows furrowed

“I am so sorry, Donnie.” 

“...”

WOOOOOOOO!

Cheers from behind the door grew louder as music blasted, startling the two of you. Donnie looked back and huffed, “Way to ruin the moment... I was wondering why no one was actually dancing at a ‘homecoming dance.’” 

You snickered.

The turtle faced you, to see you more light-hearted in his presence had a smile growing on him. “(Name).” Donnie held his hand out. “May I have the honor of holding a dance with you?”

Your face fell. You found yourself backing away. “R-Right now?”

“Oh, of course, I’m asking you for a dance that’ll happen in a century,” Donnie remarked, his face holding a smug look until he realized. “Unless.. you don’t know how to—.”

You quickly interjected, “I’ve told you once that I had never attended dances..”

Donnie proceeded to take your hand anyway. “I’ll show you.”

There was still hesitation in your eyes. He lifted your hand in his left up, and placed your other one on his shoulder. Donnie pulled you closer, making you heat up yet again. 

He definitely has confidence in dancing, that’s for sure. 

“Don’t move too quickly.”

“Don’t fret,” Donnie lowered his voice, “I know how to take it slow.”

Ignoring the shiver on your skin, you deadpanned. “You were so flustered just a moment ago, and here you are.”

“Oh, but (Name)! That’s the fascinating power of dancing: growing comfortable in your own shoes. Try not to watch my steps closely, and simply move along.”

He gave you a spin, he led you a step to the right, behind you. Then, as “Dandelions” played in the background, he twirled you out before bringing you back in. 

Palm to palm, you both moved clockwise and counter, like as if you were dancing in a ballroom. No longer minding the footwork, you were enjoying yourself.

“Were you jealous of my other tutor?” you spoke.

“What an assumption.” Donnie scoffed, “Surely, he can’t be as great as moi, Donatello Von Ryan.”

“Nope,” you answered with no consideration. “In fact, he’s so much worse of a tutor than you that I had to ask Leon to sneak calculus material from you to me.”

He went stiff. “You asked him to get it from me?”

“Don’t tell me you were also jealous of—.”

“Ahahem,” Donnie coughed. “I merely thought he taking my credit.”

You laughed. “Oh come on, we both know well enough that Leo is never interested in calculus, or any subject besides physical education.”

You leaned in closer, hand caressing his face. 

“You know, calculus is still biting me by my ankles..”

“Mhm.”

“I’m wondering.. Donatello.. if you would be interested in being my tutor again?”

“..Always.” He pulled you into a kiss.

[msbarrybeeson]

Like You | Donnie X GN!Reader (Part I)

A/N: Aha, confession imagine with Donnie? This is a part one, because I wanted to make a dramatic scene with you and Donnie during homecoming. Actually, this is the first time I’m applying two parts. Anyway, remember that constructive criticism is appreciated, and enjoy!

Summary: You were avoiding Donnie, so he pleaded April to talk to you, hoping he’d understand what happened. But low and behold, he found his own brother there.

Pairing: Rise!Donnie X Reader

Reader: Gender-neutral pronouns used. Mostly mentions. Few actual appearances.

Genre: Dramatic Fluff & Humor

Warning: Not proofread? I was in a hurry to get the argument part in.

Word Count: ~1430

Part: One / Two

~

“They’ve been avoiding me April!” Donatello complained, falling back on his chair while covering his face in dread. “I don’t understand. What went wrong— what is it did I do wrong?”

“Are you for real? That’s what you called me in for?” April crossed her arms. “(Name)’s probably just a bit shy around you.” 

“Oh the naïveté, it is never that simple.” He shook his head. “I hadn’t detected any signs of discomfort a couple of weeks ago. Then, suddenly, they don’t even respond to my texts until 48 hours 20 minutes later!

In fact,” the soft-shelled turtle slouched over, grumbling, “they decided to see another guy for calculus tutoring.”

April raised her eyebrow. “How did you even know—?” “And he’s not close to having the brains like I do!” As per usual during his rambling, Donnie ignored the question. 

She rolled her eyes.

“Don, you gotta calm down.” April placed her hand on his shoulder. “Maybe they’ve got a crush on you too, and they don’t know how to tell you that. They do owe you an explanation though….”

“Hah, sure, give me false hope that they’ll return—.”

“Oh no. Don’t you dare switch up on that cocky attitude of yours from just a second ago.” April hushed him. “Look, Donnie, if it bothers you so much, I—.”

Donnie slammed his hands on his armrests and sat upright. 

“—can secretly get (Name) to reveal their thoughts to you, while wearing a camera I can attach to you?”

“Wait what, I never said—!”

“I thought you’d never say so!”

April’s eyes widened. “Hold up, I’m not about to put (Name) on the spot like that! What if they say something that they don’t want you to hear?”

“Ignorance is bliss, April, they won’t have to know.”

“Well, for one, Don, I’m not that close to them. We don’t have any classes together. Also, I don’t wanna creep them out by asking personal stuff out of nowhere!” she said. “Are you trying to embarrass me!?” 

He groaned. “All right, I give in! Just at least ask them how’re they’re doing before I start chewing on my tech-bo.”

—

“At least I got something to entertain myself in school for once,” April muttered to herself, hiding behind one of the beams. “But I don’t see (Name) around, not with so many kids in the hall.” The camera on her glasses blinked. “Seriously, how much money does this school want?”

“April, over there by the lockers—. Who the hell is that?” 

April glanced to where Donnie mentioned. You were talking with a guy in a basketball uniform and cap. Oh boy, she could hear the bitterness through her earpiece.

“So, this must be her new, pathetic calculus tutor. Really, a guy in gym shorts?”

“Don, I can hear your muttering. And quit trash-talking about (Name)’s choice in tutors.”

“Whatever,” he scoffed, burning holes into the guy’s head when you started to smile with him. “Let me activate the human identification program based on your school’s database, so I— I mean— we could get a name.” 

Donnie paused for a moment. “Although, he does seem oddly familiar—.”

April’s eyes widened. “Hold up, is that Leo?”

Donnie monotonously replied, “Ha, that’s funny, April. Leonardo would never go to a school willingly—.” The student turned around, revealing the red markings on his green face. Not just that, his own program flashed a message in red. 

[ ERROR! NOT HUMAN ] 

“...”

Donnie fell off his chair, choking. 

April immediately touched her earpiece. “Don! You good back there?!”

“Of course not! Why the hell is Leo in your school!?”

He grimaced even more at the sight of you laughing (more like chuckling) alongside his oh-so opposite brother. “April, quick, get closer to them without being noticed!” Donnie commanded. “I demand answers!”

“I thought our plan is to talk to them, not eavsdrop!” 

“Hey, plans change when it is necessary…. It-is-necessary, and I’m paying you twenty bucks for this!” 

April facepalmed in embarrassment. She snuck closer in, turning her head away so you and Leo wouldn’t recognize her. There, while the camera couldn’t catch your faces, its microphone did pick up on your conversation better. 

“I’m thankful I can count on you, Leon.” They could hear you sigh. “Calculus is taking up so much time, and my tutor isn’t being helpful..”

“Anything for mi amigue.” The red-earred slider grinned, leaning on the lockers. 

Donnie frowned. He didn’t want to question it, but.. were you feeling more comfortable with his brother than him..?

Then, Leo coughing brought Donnie back from his thoughts. “I do got something to ask you, though, (Name).” The soft-shelled turtle narrowed his eyes at how Leo rubbed his neck nervously. Worry was bubbling inside. 

“You said homecoming’s coming up soon, right?”

It piqued everyone’s interest. “In a week, I mean, there are posters everywhere for it. Why.. do you ask?”

“…You don’t have a date yet, do you?”

April gasped, covering her mouth.

That was it. Donnie’s heart dropped.

Suddenly, the microphone lost focus on you two. Instead, the host’s heavy breathing was heard. Donnie’s camera was shaking up a lot, making him panic. 

“Hey hey hey! They’re not done talking yet, April! I need to know what their answer is!”

“Dale’s coming my way!” she exclaimed, shuffling between other students. “And I’m not about to get asked out to homecoming by him again!” 

Not long after, Donnie’s camera disconnected. He sat there in shock… until he clutched his head. “No, no, no! This shouldn’t be happening!” 

Questions ran through his brain. It wasn’t adding up: how could Leonardo like you too? You and he had no common interests! Why did it have to be him out of everyone else!? 

“AHRGH!” Donnie groaned, slamming his head against his desk. Then, he stood up from his chair, storming out while punching numbers into his phone. “That’s it! I’m going to have a civil discussion with this traitor!”

—

A tennis racket flew across the room.

“Don, Donnie, I know what you’re going to say, but I promise— OOMPH!” Leo was knocked hard in the face by a thrown tennis ball.

“You!” Donnie snapped, picking up another one. “You traitor! You knew I like (Name), yet you proceeded to ask them to this homecoming dance anyway!” The red-eared slider dodged the second throw. 

“Is that why you randomly asked me, last week, to do your calculus problems for you! Taking my notes and answers only to give to them and take credit for my calculations!”

“Don.”

“I knew it was too good to be true: Leonardo, who’s never read any novels or understood mathematics beyond basic algebra, wanted to learn calculus!”

“Hey! I know more than you think, okay!” Blue took offense. “Donnie, listen to me—.”

“It just had to be another cliché, doesn’t it! The ridiculous ‘love interest picks the jock over the nerd’ scenario! Oh, I’ve had enough of your stupid stunts ruining everything, Leo!” Donnie tried to throw a punch, but he fell over onto the ground when his brother jumped to the side.

“Listen to me for once, Donnie— I never asked them to homecoming with me!”

“Oh, but Leonardo, why in the name of logic would you ever ask them whether or not they have a date to homecoming— while looking soo nervous back there— without any intention of asking them out?” Distaste dripping from his words.

“Bro.. I was asking for you!”

Donnie shook his head, tsking. “Excuses, excuses....” When his brother’s words loaded, he froze. “Excuse me, did you just say you asked them out for me? Why would you ever—!?”

“Hey, you had an opportunity waiting, and I took it for you.” Leon nudged him. “Don’t act like I didn’t just do you a favor.”

“I could’ve done that myself! There were posters everywhere; I would’ve known, therefore, I would’ve asked them!”

“Hah, mi hermano, you’re saying you’d actually have the confidence to tell them?”

Donnie scrunched his face and stared down at the floor. His smug brother wasn’t wrong on that; he used to be more sure, but with your distance, he had a hard time confronting you with his feelings. He didn’t want to make things any more awkward.

“Hey.” Leon grabbed Donnie’s shoulders. “Just be yourself, Don. Knowing them, they’ll love you no matter how weird and science-y you get.” 

Purple deadpanned. “Wow, you sure know how to reassure someone.” He touched Leon’s hand, gazing up to meet his eyes. A small smile formed on his face. “…Thanks.”

"Espera un minuto, repeat that again? I, uh, I didn’t catch that.” 

Donnie shoved him away.