#tmnt casey x reader

[yourbloodysunrise]

Hi! I was wondering if I could request the 2k12 turtles with an s/o that's Casey's younger sibling, except they're the complete opposite of him. He's brash and impatient, and they're the kindest and most patient person in the world

Bonus if you add Casey and his reaction 🙏

🌤️ — Casey is so silly in 2012 adaptation, but that's why I love him for, I guess. enjoy!

°.✩┈┈∘*┈୨୧┈*∘┈┈✩.°

❝ Casey Jones, and [Y/N] Jones. ❞

— FANDOM: TMNT 2012.

— CHARACTERS: LEONARDO, RAPHAEL, DONATELLO, MICHELANGELO, CASEY JONES WITH READER AS YOUNGER SIBLING OF CASEY.

— PLATONIC.

— HCS.

— TW: BAD ENGLISH, BAD GRAMMAR, OOC, MENTION OF ROMANTIC PART FOR MIKEY BUT NOTHING SERIOUS.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈୨୧┈*∘┈┈✩.°

— LEONARDO:

☆ ┈ HE ADORES YOU SO MUCH.

☆ ┈ When Leonardo first met you, Casey probably brought you to the lair to make sure you're safe after some incident, he would have been annoyed that another person found out about them.

☆ ┈ However, he gets attached to you quickly. Why not? You're kind and seem to respect him as a leader, and you're also the only one who can keep Casey from doing something stupid.

☆ ┈ Leo starts treating you like a younger sister or brother, maybe he'll complain to Karai that he wants a younger sibling like you when they'll be alone.

☆ ┈ He shows you his favorite TV shows and maybe invites you to watch them together.

☆ ┈ Leo tries to isolate you from danger in advance so that he doesn't have to worry about you getting hurt later.

☆ ┈ In no case will let you go on a mission or hang out in the sewers alone. He's usually the one who accompanies you to the exit.

☆ ┈ He doesn't care at all that you are younger than him and others, he treats you like a full-fledged member of the team, and will encourage you if you want to learn ninjutsu like turtles.

☆ ┈ Leonardo is glad that someone with a lot of patience is finally here. Maybe he'll suggest that you meditate together, based on how Splinter taught him to meditate.

☆ ┈ He's like a cousin to you. You don't know him well, and he's not your family, but he treats you almost like Casey.

☆ ┈ The guy who will give you the last slice of pizza ✊

— "Wait..Where is [Y/N]? [Y/N]?! ARE YOU-"

— "..Oh, you there. Come on, we should go!"

— RAPHAEL:

☆ ┈ Everyone, absolutely everyone, is against you spending time with Raphael.

☆ ┈ What's about Raph himself..he treats you well.

☆ ┈ Sometimes you annoy him because of your kind nature, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like you.

☆ ┈ The one who will try to teach you how to fight. He's a terrible teacher and, to be honest, you're unlikely to learn anything from him, but at least he's trying.

☆ ┈ Patience is not Raphael's most prominent trait, so you will try to persuade him not to commit premature acts, which, however, takes longer than if he had already done it.

☆ ┈ Raph doesn't like when others touch Spike, but maybe he'll let you pet him or feed him. Just don't tell anyone about this.

☆ ┈ In this regard, when Spike becomes a Slash, it is much less likely that he will want to kill you. Because, well, he's not that crazy and remembers something good about you.

☆ ┈ Raphael will personally create a punching bag for you. It's smaller than the one hanging in the den, but in his opinion it's better than nothing.

☆ ┈ You know, most of the turtles' food is stolen or taken from abandoned houses, so he doesn't mind going and scaring some poor guy on the street to take the food and take it to the lair to have a snack with you.

☆ ┈ He feels awkward talking about Mona with someone, but with you, he might open up and tell you how much he misses her.

☆ ┈ He's almost as much an older brother to you as Casey, because they're similar, just a little weirder.

☆ ┈ Raphael will try to give you a weapon after a few of your "training sessions". Half of the things will be broken and everyone will judge him, but Raph is proud of you.

☆ ┈ The others are sure that he makes a bad impression on you, and this often leads to fights.

— "You know what's even stupider? Your face!"

— "..Raph."

— "What? He deserved it, I won't apologize!"

— DONATELLO:

☆ ┈ He's...shocked when he first meets you, to put it mildly.

☆ ┈ When he heard from Casey that he has a younger sibling that he is proud of, he expected you to behave just like Casey, if not worse.

☆ ┈ So when Donnie saw that you were actually a good and kind person, he was pleasantly surprised.

☆ ┈ He's not sure how to react to you because he still doesn't like Casey, but for the sake of recognition, you seem like good company to him.

☆ ┈ If you praise him for developing a plan/discovering something that will help fight the Kraangs will make him blush. That's probably how he'll get attached to you, because he's often not appreciated for his successes.

☆ ┈ Soon, he also starts to worry about you when it comes to security. Maybe even more protective than Casey himself.

☆ ┈ Donatello doesn't like to talk to someone about his feelings for April because he is often bullied for it, but he can talk to you about her if you start a conversation first.

☆ ┈ After such conversations, his love for April does not feel so burdensome, and he is grateful to you for this to some extent.

☆ ┈ Your grades will definitely improve at school, because Donny is practically your tutor.

☆ ┈ Ask him to help you with something, and he will respond, happy that you are striving for self-development.

☆ ┈ Others tease him less when he's around you, so as not to set a bad example, and he often uses this by leaving you to silence them.

☆ ┈ Even though he trusts you, please don't touch anything in his lab. If you mess up something, he will yell at you, and then he will avoid you, feeling ashamed of it.

☆ ┈ He scolds Casey if he does something dangerous and you could get hurt with him.

☆ ┈ He doesn't care about Casey, in general, he's worried about you.

— "Thus, through the interactions of salts and alkalis, hydroxide can be obtained! Do you understand everything?"

— "..."

— "Yeah.."

— "Oh..Good. Usually others ask me three times to explain it more simple, ha. I'm surprised they can't remember this!"

— MICHELANGELO:

☆ ┈ The only one who gets used to you as soon as he gets to know you.

☆ ┈ Super talkative and friendly with you at the very beginning of your acquaintance, and then becomes even more attached to you.

☆ ┈ He's the youngest among the turtles, so it's okay for him to stick with you, thinking that since you're both the youngest in your families, you should stick together.

☆ ┈ The only one who is not fully aware of the possibility of your danger on missions, so sometimes he secretly takes you with him in secret from his brothers.

☆ ┈ He gets scolded for this later.

☆ ┈ He always asks you to try and appreciate his cooking, and gets very upset if you don't try, although if I were you, I would choose something more edible.

☆ ┈ Leatherhead loves you. You're like a little cub to him who needs protection, and he treats you as warmly as he treats Mikey.

☆ ┈ Mikey actually has a lot of friends who like you, mostly because he praises you, saying how cool and kind you are.

☆ ┈ He plays with your cheeks if you let him. He just stretches them and squeezes them with his fingers.

☆ ┈ Michelangelo is terrible at training or teaching, so he'll just show you a few tricks to confuse your opponent.

☆ ┈ Despite his simplicity about your safety, he can protect you because he often hangs around you because he sees you as his best friend.

☆ ┈ Mikey knows it's dangerous to go out during the day, but when your father and Casey are not at home and Casey himself is at school, he sometimes comes to you and you hang out together.

☆ ┈ If your age is not too young and is more or less comparable to Mikey (the turtles were 15 years old at the beginning of the animated series), then he may even fall in love with you due to the fact that he does not have much contact with people.

☆ ┈ In fact, he often puts you in danger, as he spends a lot of time with you and thus can attract attention from the Foot Clan.

☆ ┈ Maybe you'll even be captured to use as bait for turtles, and they'll have to rescue you.

☆ ┈ IMAGINE IF THE MEMBERS OF THE FOOT CLAN DECIDE TO KEEP READER BECAUSE THEY LIKED THEM OMG

— "Hey, pal! Guess who made the pizza with anchovies and jalopeno.."

— "Want to try it?!"

— CASEY:

☆ ┈ It was mentioned that Casey has a younger sister in the series, so let's assume that you're in her place.

☆ ┈ He probably never loved anyone in his life as much as he loved you. You are the closest person to him along with his father.

☆ ┈ Despite the fact that you are completely different, Casey is still proud of you and your successes. He's always bragging about what a wonderful sister he has.

☆ ┈ He has tried several times to teach you how to play hockey, and if you are interested, he will be very happy.

☆ ┈ Unfortunately, ever since he got to know the turtles, his life has become a little dangerous..But the problem is, for you too.

☆ ┈ Probably, the Kraangs or someone from the Foot Clan would have recognized you and tried to attack you, but Casey was nearby and therefore was able to protect you.

☆ ┈ That's why he introduced you to turtles: to make sure that when he's not around, you'll be safe.

☆ ┈ He always drags you with him, only if it's not a mission or a fight, if you go to the same school, he often comes to you during breaks to check on you.

☆ ┈ The very type who, in case of danger, blocks the way to you with his hand or himself.

☆ ┈ Casey wants to make sure you're okay, as you're very dear to him, and doesn't talk much about his role as an avenger.

☆ ┈ April likes you, she thinks you're a sweet kid, but how you treat her is your right.

☆ ┈ By the way, Casey is always angry at turtles if you get into trouble or get hurt, especially if it's their fault.

☆ ┈ He is often crippled, and sometimes you sit together, you treat his wounds, and he just complains about your life.

☆ ┈ Unbeknownst to your father, he will buy you that thing you wanted so much.

— "Goongala!"

— "Goongala!"

— "..Heeeyy, that was my phrase!"

..:*･ﾟ☆.｡.:*･ﾟﾞ｡.:*･ﾟ☆.｡.:*･ﾟ🌤

🌤️ — hope you like it, have a good day! ☆

[fishsticksloser]

Hi! You know that comic of the girl who's putting on lipstick, and she's like, "It's been half an hour, and we still can't find a kiss proof lipstick! This experiment must be boring you!" And the guy is whipped. What about the rise boys with an s/o doing that? (Love all your fics they are so well written :)

Lipstick Stains

RotTMNT, Casey, & Liam x gn!reader

Warnings: oc x reader, kissing, whipped boys

A/N: First of all.... Thank you so much! Second, I... I have you in a chokehold(affectionately) now because of this. Sorry that some of them are shorter than others

Casey

He is not sure how he got here

He blinks up at you, confused and dazed

No one has ever kissed him so much

Casey doesn't complain

Hell... he doesn't say anything really

He leans into your kisses though, pressing himself closer

His face is littered with kisses

Not to mention his hands

He smiles a soft, dazed smile when you approach with another color on your lips

His lips are definitely a smear of many different colors as he kisses you properly after every lipstick

Casey hums into every proper kiss, a bit kiss drunk by now

Donnie

This was not his idea of an experiment

You had complained that your lipstick wasn't kiss proof so he was going to make you some that was

But first, obviously, you guys had to go through every single one of your lipsticks so he could get an idea of the color you wanted and the texture

He had a paper you were supposed to be kissing, not him

Did he complain?

Did he stop you?

No.

Donnie just sat there, a kind of dazed look in his eyes as you applied another

His face was scattered with kisses

They went onto his neck

His shoulders

His plastron

His shell

Donnie was so out of it, he could barely respond when you asked if he was okay

Leo

It was definitely not his idea

Not at all

This is obviously a lie

Every time you walk towards him, a new lipstick painting your lips, he sits up more

Slightly leaning forward in preparation for your kisses

Leo is practically purring like a cat as your lips press against his skin

He moved when you tried to kiss him with certain colors

His eye stripes covered with darker lipstick verses the rest of him

His tail wags happily, closing his eyes and churring loudly

Leo was so happy

So content

Absolutely covered in lipstick stains

He does retaliate though

Grabbing lipstick to kiss you all over as well

Liam

Also completely confused as to how he got here

What did he do?

Why is he covered in lipstick?

Liam doesn't necessarily mind it

But the feeling of lipstick on his skin is not an overly pleasant feeling

He can't help the giddy feeling he gets when you smile as you approach with a new lipstick on

It may not be a pleasant feeling, but you look so happy

Liam can't say no, letting you press more kisses to his face

He feel particularly excited when he feels your lips on his facial scar

It makes him want to grab you and show you the same affection

Mikey

It was his idea!

He saw all the art people had made by kissing canvases

He really wanted to try it

And who were you to deny this sweetheart?

You were testing out which ones to use for the piece

Having a blank canvas hung up for you to swatch them on it

Still...

The canvas remained empty

Instead you stood in front of Mikey, looking over the colors on him

Mikey blinks up at you, grinning yet slightly dazed

Who was he to deny these lovely kisses?

He definitely won't complain

He loves kisses

Mikey is excited for every single one

Raph

All he remembers is you mentioned that your lipstick wasn't kiss proof

Now he's sitting on his bed, dazed and wide eyed

Covered in lipstick stains

If you didn't know he wasn't a statue, you'd have thought he wasn't breathing

In fact, you could even hear the sharp breaths he took in when your lips pressed against his skin

Raph's face was covered, even his mask had some stains

The stains trailed all over, down his neck, over his shoulders, his shell, plastron

He really couldn't tell where you hadn't kissed

Was he basking?

Was he too scared to move?

A bit of all the above

Raph didn't want to ruin your fun and he was enjoying all the smooches you'd left on him

He definitely won't complain if you leave more

[writinandcrying]

Purple Dragons: Welcome to the “Fuck Turtles” Club, where we gather up to say fuck you to those dumb shreks

Y/n, whispering: This is not the club I thought it was.

2003 Casey Jones *wearing a moustache* standing up: Yeah… S-sorry, there was a misunderstanding.

Usagi, almost to the door: God, that’s embarrassing

2012 Monalisa, following him: Right? Think of another name next time, idiot!

2012 Renet, leaving from a portal: I can’t believe I fell for this.

[jokingmisfit]

You Would Be Missed

Poly!2012!TMNT X Depressed!Gn!Reader

Prompt- “The lizard and I will kill things for you.”

Prompt- “Nobody wants me. Not even myself.”

Warnings- Feelings of uselessness, Feelings of being unloved, Crying, overall just depression themes

‘Would anyone miss me if I disappeared?Would anybody even care if I was gone?’ That's all that kept playing in your head. Were you really that useless? Why would everyone keep you around if you weren’t wanted? Well, no, you may be needed? No you aren’t, you’re not needed, so why do they let you stay?

You’d stopped crying about it hours ago, but the thoughts still plagued your mind. You lounged on the couch next to Leo watching Space Heroes. The Tv drones on and on, and you can’t pay any attention because of the noise in your head.

Your head layed on the blue masked turtle's shoulder. Trying to find comfort in the small act of affection. Leo’s arm draped over your shoulder lazily. You wished the normally calm scene made you feel better. You wish it made you feel wanted.

The four turtles you’d taken so much pride in being allowed to date. The four men you absolutely adored with all of your heart. A part of you knew that there was a reason you were here. A part of you was aware of how much you were truly loved. However, a bigger, louder part of you screamed that you were unwanted, unloved. You wished you could shut it up. Your partners always showered you with love and you were so angry with yourself. Weren’t they giving you enough? How selfish can you be?

You shifted away from him. Your mind was working you up. Tears you’d been able to push back coming to the forefront now. You excuse yourself quietly and run off to the bathroom where you knew you could take a few seconds to break down. Shutting the door, you slid down to the ground.

Tears poured down your face. You silently cry on the floor and try so hard to calm yourself down. A guilty feeling rises in your chest. They invited you over and all you’re doing is crying in their bathroom pathetically. You hated yourself. You felt terrible and you wanted these feelings to just go away.

A knock sounded through the small room. You quickly wiped your face of all your tears.

“Yes?” You answer, but your voice sounds broken.

“Oh, hi! It’s Mikey hehe if you can’t tell! Leo said you ran out and asked me to check on you!” Mikey yells through the door.

You stand up and open the door with the realest smile you can muster.

“I’m okay, I just needed a breather for a second…” You tell him.

“Well the bathroom’s a terrible place to chill!” Mikey says with a large smile. “C’mon babe it’s much better in my room.” He slings his arm over you before pausing. “Wait a second…” He looks at you closely. “Were you crying in there?”

Your heart skips for a second. “No, no I’m fine Mikey!” You defend quickly.

A look of shock and sadness covers his face. “You were! You were crying! That’s no good c’mon!” Mikey shouts picking you up and running to the main area.

You shout at him. Trying to convince him you’re fine and to put you down. Nothing seemed to phase him as he called all the others to come over.

Mikey finally plopped you on the couch and fell into your side trying to cuddle you close. Raph and Casey walk in looking confused and panicked from Mikey's yelling. Donnie comes in soon as well looking a bit upset at being pulled from his work. You just sat there red faced at the situation. Look what you’ve caused.

“Mikey what the heck?! Why were you yelling?” Raph asks angrily.

“Exactly what happened?” Donnie questions the orange mask wearer too.

“It’s them!” Mikey says. “They were cringing in the bathroom!” He says pouting.

“Is that true?” Leo asks you worriedly.

“I’m fine I just needed a second, it's really not that big a deal.” You say avoiding the eyes on you.

“Listen as dramatic as Mikey can be,” Raph says. “You crying isn’t just fine. What happened?” He asks you coming over to where you and Mikey were sat on the couch.

“Nothing,” You defend. “I’m fine. I swear!” You say holding your hands up.

“Hey, it’s okay to tell us. We’re here for you no matter what.” Donnie says also making his way over to you.

“I’m okay! I’m just having a hard time… I’ll be okay.” You say trying to smile sincerely.

“Darling…” Leo says, reaching for your hand.

“Please don’t.” You say. “I already feel guilty enough. You weren’t even supposed to notice and I screwed that up.”

“Dude, we’re your friends. Well I’m your friend, they’re your boyfriends, but point is we’re supposed to be the people you lean on for support.” Casey speaks up for the first time.

“I just-” You sigh. “I just haven’t been feeling right I guess.”

“Like what you’re feeling sick or…” Raph trails confused.

“Happy… I haven’t really felt happy. And I know, a part of me knows that my mind is just playing tricks on me, but I feel like I’m not good enough for anything… I feel so… so drained and unwanted and I know it’s not true, but I can’t help but think that nobody wants me. Not even myself.” You rant.

Tears fall freely down your face. The men sit in silence for a few seconds all absorbing the information you’ve given.

“I’m so sorry.” You cry out. “It’s not your problem to fix and I don’t want you to think you’re not enough. I love you all so much. Even you Casey, platonically. And I just don’t want you to feel bad just because you have such big hearts and just because I’m sad doesn’t mean you need to be too and, and-”

“Ok, ok. Breathe, honey.” Donnie interrupts you. “Deep breath in.” You follow as he breathes in. “And out…”

“You don’t have to feel bad for being upset.” Leo tells you.

“Yeah!” Mikey agrees. “We love you so much!”

“Everyone gets sad… Maybe it’s different for all of us, but you don’t have to do it alone.” Raph says sweetly.

“See you even got Raphael being soft.” Leo teases.

You can’t help but give a tearful chuckle as Raph defends angrily.

“You’re always there when we’re sad. Why wouldn’t we be there for you?” Mikey asks rubbing his hands over your back.

“I don’t know… Because there isn’t a real reason for mine.” You tell him shyly.

“Of course there is a reason.” Donnie starts. “You told us before you had depression, meaning you have a chemical imbalance in your brain.”

He’s cut off from speaking anymore by Raph. “See, doll, there is a reason, and even if there wasn’t you’re allowed to feel down sometimes.

“You’re too nice to me.” You said a new set of tears trailing your face.

“Listen, dude, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say the lizards and I would kill for you. That’s how much we care.” Casey says to you confidently.

“What lizards?” Raph asks Casey quickly.

“Dude, are stupid? I was talking about you guys.” Casey claims, annoyed.

A smile raises across your face and you let out a small laugh.

“Casey. We aren’t lizards.” Leo tells him calmly.

Mikey bursts into laughter at Casey’s confused face.

“Wait. You’re really not lizards?” Casey asks, shocked. “But aren’t you guys reptiles or something?”

“Just because we’re reptiles doesn’t mean we’re lizards. Yes we have more in common then we do with other underwater creatures but that doesn’t make us lizards.” Donnie scolds.

Donnie continues on. Casey begins to argue with him on what the four brothers were considered to be. Mikey laughs loudly at the two and Raph just looks on smirking at their idiocy. Leo leans over rolling his eyes and wraps his arm around you like it had been earlier. You continue to giggle quietly, feeling slightly better than you did earlier.

“Despite how stupid they are,” Leo says smiling. “We all are here for you.” He finishes kissing your temple.

[hotheadedhero]

In Unrequited Love - Part 2

AN: When I say that writing this part had me feral, I don't mean it lightly. This part ended up being over 2000 words, blimmin heck. It had me losing sleep, losing sanity, and my grasp on reality and going insane. All in good ways of course! It got angstier than I originally intended but, man, I'm a sucker for it. I think you guys are too ;)

Part 1 - Part 3

Warning: angst for reader's lacking self-preservation, silly dummy, but Donnie is also a dumb-dumb, so you're as bad as each other really.

Donatello x Reader

Every explanation you can come up with to try and disregard your feelings for the tallest of the turtle brothers has only been met with more anguish. First, you theorised it to be some kind of miscommunication with your emotions, that you had merely misread a deep level of friendship as a new crush. Then, you tried to reason with yourself that it was a rebound - a re-focussing of such feelings onto someone else who likes spending time with you. Neither holds enough weight to get out of this funk, however. You’re chain-bound. 

Then begged the question: what are you to do about it? Realistically, what can you do about it? Not once have you had the courage to even try and say something to Casey, so what makes you think this is any different? If anything, it’s worse. Not only because Donatello is so helplessly in love with April, but because you are so much more hopelessly in love with him. Even the way you used to feel about Jones wasn’t this overwhelming. 

You hate it. You hate it so damn much and, yet, you can’t stop yourself from spending most of your free time in that forsaken laboratory. There’s a saying that keeps coming to mind whenever you find yourself aiding him with inventions and experiments: fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on me. You certainly feel the fool and more so after a particular incident. A word used candidly but it felt like an incident at the time. The details are foggy but you believe it had something to do with the daughter of The Foot - Karai - and a new robotic toy of hers. Donnie had come in and saved the day, earning a kiss on the cheek from his crush by the end of it. To say that it stung is an understatement.

Nothing appeared to change after that day other than the joy your new infatuation must have been riding on since. You hadn’t even taken note of how it’s affected you. You don’t take notice of it at all. Yes, you still regularly visit the lab but less so to help out. As of late, it is you who is being helped. A habit which has become the norm where the purple-clad turtle finds himself patching you up. Almost every time you see him, there’s a new bump, bruise, or scratch that needs tending to and every time he does what he can to make it better.

Today is no different. If anything, it has to be the worst of your afflictions that he’s seen to date. The first few times were viewed in mild hilarity but he’s not finding these frequenting successions of being your first aider funny anymore. He currently has you sat in his desk chair, knelt down and worriedly looking over your ankle. The pigment of your skin is only slightly discoloured but it’s clear from the way you hobbled in a few moments ago that it can’t handle much weight right now. Carefully, he holds a cold compress against the affected area, earning a jolted hiss from your person. He winces himself and mutters a quiet apology. Some silence follows until he decides he needs to know exactly what you did to warrant such a bad injury. 

“What happened this time?” he asks as he continues to inspect the contusion, making sure nothing is broken beneath. 

“I just slipped whilst I was coming down the ladder,” you admit casually. “Think there’s been some rain recently, so it’s my own fault for not wearing grippier shoes.”

Your answer is marginally concerning for two reasons: it hasn’t rained for at least a few days now and he’s seen the way you work - how careful you are when you’re helping him with mechanics or measuring various chemicals. This isn’t like you. Retrospectively, he hasn’t known you long but he likes to think you’ve hung out enough for him to discern that you aren’t typically this clumsy. He’s even detected a drop in your mood. You don’t crack out as many jokes with him, nor have you spoken much about Casey. The band of his mask creases over his furrowing brows and he slowly looks up at you.

“Is everything okay?” he inquires carefully, mindful of the potentially sensitive question. “You seem… out of sorts lately. If it’s something to do with Casey-”

“It’s not Casey,” you interrupt, rather abruptly he notices. Sighing, you quickly attempt to correct yourself and slump into the seat. “I dunno. It might be. I think I’m just done with all the love stuff at this point.” 

You end on a bitter cadence, one that has Donatello sinking. His heart breaks knowing that yours has been taken away and trampled on by this mess. It well and truly hurts him to see you this way, to hear that you’re energy has been depleted because of this. Then, like a jab to the gut, it all comes to fruition. The ugly canvas decorated with the hard, cold facts paints this horrifying image before his mind: your physical pain is a manifestation of that from within. Whether it’s intentional or not, it’s still an alarming prospect. Swallowing past the nausea permeating and rising into his throat, he takes a moment to reflect on how best to help you. He doesn’t want to be the one to tell you that you should keep pursuing that ragged hockey puck-lover but he also doesn’t want to see you in such disarray. He can’t bear the thought that you might get hurt worse than this.

With a steadying breath, he takes your hands in his own and smiles up at you sympathetically. “Don’t say that. You never know. There’s still time for things to change in your favour.”

If only he knew how much that gaze of his torments you; how his hands make yours burn cold. You silently beg of him to not look at you with such warmhearted affection, that the very thing he believes to have ruptured your heart is not Casey but is him. Part of you wishes that you could get angry and blame this on him for being so sweet, funny, and an overall joy to be around but that wouldn’t be fair. The reality is that you can’t blame anyone, not even yourself. Feelings can’t be forced nor can they be changed. Your eyes drop to the two sets of hands that rest on your lap, knowing you can’t stand to stare into those puppy-dog maroons much longer. 

Unenthused, you hum, “Guess so. Seems like you’re a little more on the hopeful side after that kiss on the cheek, huh?”

He glances away with an awkward smile. Everyone may assume that his head must have exploded when that happened and it would have done were it not for a certain change of circumstance. April kissing his cheek was ironically what led to him realising he loves you. At first, he was entirely confused. Why didn’t he get that round of butterflies? The heart palpitations? There wasn’t even a wild glee that he would have expected with something that monumental happening. Maybe there wasn’t supposed to be. He would have to look into it, he thought, and test it to figure out what was going on. An experiment that didn’t even make it to the drawing board. 

No more than an hour later, Donnie’s tending to a burn on your arm after you spilt boiling coffee on yourself; the first domino to fall in this onset of injuries he would serve medical attention to. Seeing you hurt struck something fierce within him. He had this sudden urgency to protect you, care for you, and look after you. Then, followed a quick daydream of holding you in his arms, close to his body and safe from any and all extraneous variables that could threaten you. It flashed before his eyes with such volatile ammunition he almost stumbled over the dressing work he had been so carefully wrapping around your forearm. That’s when he realised and, boy, he couldn’t look you straight in the eye for the remainder of that day. 

Perhaps, in a way then, your words ring true. He likes to believe he’s more hopeful. He likes to think he stands a better chance with you with how often you hang out and how well you get along. That’s why he doesn’t want you to give up on love. Regardless of where your sights are set, if you’re done with love, that’s his chance gone completely. He wants to keep that hope alive in you as well. Even if it’s for someone else, he doesn’t want you to be devoid of that sensation. It can hurt but it’s still a beautiful experience in his eyes. 

Realising your smaller fingers are still overlapped in his, he blushes - a blush you assume to be the result of your conversation. He finally withdraws his grasp lest he risks you experiencing the backlash of his suddenly clammy palms. It’s about time that he secures your ankle in a bandage, anyway. 

Ignoring your question altogether, he laughs nervously and clears his throat. “Well, the good news is that nothing is broken. Most of the fall was taken by your ligaments, though, so you won’t be able to walk properly for a few days. My recommendation is you rest at home in the meantime.”

You toss your head back into the chair and groan out lethargically, “If only I could replace it with a robotic one, hm?” Along with your overly attached, love-sick heart. “Would make things easier.”

“As long as you know to come here for repairs. Robotic limbs need just as much care and attention as organic ones.”

Glancing away, your lips turn up at the sides bashfully. There’s a smile. A genuine smile. He’s been waiting all day - a few days - to see one of those. What a dork. You can only hope your ankle does a fast job of getting better. At least that means no school for a few days but it’s still a bother. Simultaneously, that means no visits to the lair until you’re healed up. The thought is upsetting but you can’t help thinking it might do you some good; a bit of distance to calm the erratic, painful ache of the suffering muscle that sits behind your ribcage. Distance and distraction. On the topic of distractions, a particular object of interest has caught your eye from across the room: a small, rectangular mound hidden beneath a thin layer of cloth.

“Hey, what’ve you got under this?” 

You don’t even wait for an answer, opting to propel yourself over to his desk with your good foot. The office chair glides along the floor and, before he can stop you, you’re already pulling the tarp from this mystery item. For someone who’s just injured their ankle, you’re annoyingly quick to feed curiosity’s temptation. Your snoopiness would reveal a narrow box, that which you open too, further revealing a slim sliver of chain with a charm sitting comfortably in the centre of it. Said charm is a purple turtle and you don’t have to think hard to figure out that this is a gift for a certain red-head. It’s magnificently crafted if not a little corny but you can commend his boldness.

“I’m sure April will like it,” you say sweetly enough that it masks the disdain bubbling in your throat. With a quiet sigh, you return the necklace to its resting place, fingertips brushing over the top of the box. “If she doesn’t, though, I… think it’s beautiful.”

Truthfully, that’s the only appraisal he’s looking for, especially seeing as he’s made it for you. He should take the opportunity whilst he’s riding on that high. You like it. He should just say that it’s for you. Get it out there and proclaim his feelings if not at least allude to them but the melancholy behind your eyes chokes him out of trying. It’s not the right time. Your heart is fragile - far too fragile to be here any longer, you’ve decided. 

“Thanks again for helping out,” you mumble, swallowing past a lump whilst you attempt to stand. “Better make a start on resting, huh?”

Quickly, he holds an arm out in case you need to grab onto it, face scrunched and brows raised from the middle. “H-Hey, wait! Can I at least walk you back home? That manhole cover is gonna be a struggle let alone the ladder to get to it.”

Cursing the kindness of this tall terrapin would be cruel but he just makes it so darn difficult to not fall more victim to your feelings. You would love nothing more than to take his offer. Wholehandedly, you would within a quarter of a second. There’s just one teeny tiny problem, however. 

“I appreciate the offer, Donnie, but it’s still daytime,” you remind him. 

In his overzealousness, he had missed that fact. A seemingly obvious detail that he wouldn’t typically forget were he not so worried about you. He is not letting you go back to the surface alone in your current condition - both the physical and mental. Wishing to be human isn’t a naturally occurring thought but it’s currently a prevalent desire. How is he meant to ensure a safe trip home if he can’t go topside? Just as begins formulating a plan, a certain dark-apparelled miscreant passes the lab. Donnie can’t believe he’s actually going to do this but it seems like the only option. 

“Casey.” He raises a hand dilatorily to catch the teenager’s attention. “Any chance you could escort (Y/n) home?”

Casey takes one look at your wrapped ankle and throws out two finger guns with a wink. “Jones is on the case.”

He understood the assignment quickly enough at least. Hooray for him. Donatello is prompt to smile when you cast him an estranged glance. You reckon he’s trying to wingman you, which is almost hilarious. If only he knew. Your “escort” temporarily donates you his hockey stick as a makeshift crutch and places a hand between your shoulder blades as extra leverage whilst walking you out. Donnie may have been lying to himself before. He doesn’t want you to be devoid of love but he doesn’t want your love to be directed elsewhere like he had initially tried to come to terms with. It should be him. He wants it so badly to be him. Pitifully, he watches you leave, hearing Casey remark something along the lines of “you’re in safe hands” before the two of you are out of earshot. Such friendly, flirtatious comments from your prior crush would have had you in a tizzy but, weirdly, you find comfort in them. It’s a short moment of silence for your incessant pining. 

Now, all there is to do is hope that your forced rest isn’t met with bedridden wallowing for the oncoming days.

I know the first kiss on the cheek moment doesn't really fit with how it goes in the show but that's the point of fanfiction, is it not? :P Hope you enjoyed! I'm gonna lie down now, holy jeebus

[fandom-lover2]

Badges and Bloodstains

Plot: Reader is a cop who has one memorable night with Raphael, but something in brewing in the shadows of the city that tests the strength of your character, and your love.

Chapter One - Silence is Overrated

-image not mine-

Chapter Two - Well That Was Unexpected

I unlocked the door and practically shoved it open.

Today had been one fuck up after another. All I wanted was some beer, too much ice cream to be considered healthy and a good night sleep.

Considering I wasn't originally planning on one, I wasn't tired and wouldn't be for a good while.

I was supposed to cover Hernandez's shift tonight, and he'd take mine next week, but then this afternoon he changed plans and only told me after I'd already left the building.

Now, I had taken my pre night shift nap and already gotten halfway to the station for nothing. Oh well, a night in would do me some good. Things had been pretty crazy as of late.

Drama back home, friends calling for me to choose sides in an argument, boy troubles with the situationship.

I needed a night of music, comfort food, and a good old 90s Disney movie.

Slamming the door shut with my foot, I hung up my keys and locked the dead bolt, heading into the apartment as I began to peel off my coat. "Yo April, you still he-" I froze.

Ok, what the fuck.

I don't even know how to begin to describe what I walked into, other than the fact that there were four not humans in my living room. Two on the couch, with April in the middle, another two on the floor. April's boyfriend was there too, the detective guy. We all looked at one another, waiting to see who would react first.

I took them in slowly. Green, no noses or ears, scraps of material wrapped over their eyes like masks. Each was armed with traditional Japanese weapons, and looked like they lived at the gym. They seemed to have large backpacks on their backs at first glance, but then I looked closer and realized those were shells. They were some kind of reptilian-man hybrid. Three fingers, odd three toed feet.

Well, ok then.

I eyed the pizza on the coffee table. Three boxes, each still steaming hot and drowning in cheese. Netflix was loading on the TV.

Huh, I go off to save NYC and they have a movie night.

"I thought you were working." April recovered first.

"Shift didn't get changed. Last minute stuff." I reached back and upholstered my off-duty gun, which had all four whatever-they-were's standing and scrambling either towards the window or rushing to raise their hands.

April and Casey jumped up too, holding out their hands as if that'd settled everyone.

I froze again, gun halfway to my side.

"Whoa whoa wait, they won't hurt you." April rushed out.

"Yeah well no fuck, they ain't eating you." Was my response as I continued to bring my gun forward. “Has no one ever warned you to not scare someone holding a gun.”

Ignoring the weird ass whatever’s and the alarmed looks, I knelt before the TV and opened the safe, unloaded my gun and dropped it in before locking the box.

I stood and everyone was still wide eyed and on a razors edge, the one with the orange mask halfway out the window.

"At ease." I mocked, turning and heading to my room. "Save me a slice, please!" I called just before shutting my room's door.

Changing out of my semi decent commute to work clothes into one on my step-dad’s old band shirts and some shorts, I untied my hair and headed back out. Beelining to the kitchen, I grabbed two spoons and two beers, then the tub of ice cream from the freezer.

Everyone was seated once again, but a movie wasn't playing yet and nobody seemed to have truly relaxed into their seats again.

I walked over, grabbing a slice of the margarita pizza and flipping it over so it made a sandwich with another slice and then popped them in my mouth so I had a free hand.

Tip toeing past the green men, who were still eyeing me, I opened the window and slipped out, not bothering to close it behind me as I climbed up the fire escape.

Once on the roof, I padded over to my spot on the far side of the apartment roof and sat down on the safety wall. Putting the glass bottles and ice cream tub down, I slipped the slices of cheesy ambrosia from my mouth and opened my sandwich, eating one slice at a time.

I took a deep breath in between bites, breathing in all the smog and fumes of this city and sighed.

As far as I could tell, I was only one of about 10 people who actually wanted to live to here. Whenever I told native New Yorkers I’d actually chosen to move to this city, they never understood why and looked at me strange. And considering the fact that half the people in this city wouldn’t give those green dudes a second look, me getting a strange look meant something.

But what couldn’t you love about this city? Nobody gave a fuck about anything. You could get breakfast at 2am in pajamas at the corner diner and find a dozen other people just like you, none even sparing you a second glance. And with so many people, you were just another blur in the crowd.

As someone who grew up in a small Southern town, with my entire life planned out by an entrepreneur father, having the freedom of an entire city as the tips of my fingers never ceased to not knock the air from my lungs.

I looked out at all the buildings, all those lights. How could anyone not find that feeling of witnessing all those lives coexisting alongside your own without ever crossing not awe-inspiring?

Below, horns honked and the never-ending symphony of sires filled the air. Music blasted from at least three different house parties, and some drunken asshole was stumbling around shouting. The sound of home.

I had just finished my pizza when I left a presence behind me.

"There's room for two." I called, shifting over despite there being loads on space on the wall.

I waited a moment, then another, and then the red banded one joined me on the wall.

I’d seen it, when our eyes had locked briefly when I’d scanned them all. He seemed uncomfortable, and not just at the fact that a woman with a gun was staring them down.

I couldn’t place why, or really care, but I could sense the need to get out. And when I’d slipped past them to get here, I didn’t miss the quick scan of my body.

I’d honestly been surprised it took him this long to follow me up here.

We sat in silence for a while, and in that time I opened my ice cream and began to eat, the other spoon an open invite.

I watched him from corner of my eye. He was watching the city with as much fascination and love as I did. But it was a pained sort of love. Like he knew he’d never be able to live without the city, but couldn’t stand to be spend another second trapped within it.

"Why two spoons?" he finally asked, taking it and beginning to eat.

"In case I drop the first." I answered around a mouthful of ice cream. “Last time I went back for a second, they fucking stole my ice cream.”

He laughed, the sound coming from deep inside him.

I felt heat flush my cheeks, ducking my head in the hopes of hiding my blush.

Because holy crap he was hot!

"And the second beer?"

"For the company."

He glanced over at me. "Who's company?"

I gasped when I finally took in his eyes. How could one pair of eyes be that beautiful? Amber irises that reflected the millions of lights, yet outshone every one of them. And they looked at me. Actually looked at me.

People moved out of my way, colleagues respected me, citizens and criminals looked at me with annoyance or hatred, or sometimes awe and fear, not no one saw me. I looked at him and felt like he was truly looking at me.

"Whoever wants to be." I finally had the sense to murmur, handing the second bottle to him.

He took it with a quiet thanks and brought the glass to his lips, me shamelessly watching his lips and almost groaning when he licked them after taking a generous sip.

Gaining some control of myself, I turned back to the city and tried to remember what was so interesting about this place. So lost in my attempts, I almost jumped when he spoke.

“So, why’d ya move here? April says you’re a cop. Small town not getting enough action for ya?”

I huffed a laugh, readjusting on the wall. “I was four the first time I told my mother I wanted to be a cop in New York City. Nothing else has ever mattered. Worked my ass off, and graduated from being a rookie last year.”

“Congratulations.”

God, could his voice get any deeper and smoother? And the Brooklyn accent? No fair!

“Thank you.”

“But why New York?”

I took a deep breath. “Don’t laugh.”

“The city of dreams?” he teased, smirking over at me as he took another sip of beer.

“Small town, everyone knew everyone’s business, my life was planned and on track to be like everyone else’s. But here, I can do whatever the fuck I want and no one gives a shit.”

He was quiet for a moment. “And let me guess, you fuckin’ hate it but are too proud to go home so you’re gonna tough it out a couple more years?”

I laughed. “Why would I hate this place?”

He turned to look down at me in surprise.

“I mean yeah, the streets are always so full, and you can never get a moment of quiet, but nothin’ beats that view. I can be who I want to be here.” I jerked my head to the building beyond, and after that, Manhattan.

He followed my gaze, and after a few seconds huffed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

"I do miss the stars though." I confessed, looking up at the smoke clouded skies.

I leaned back a little, casting a challenging look his way. “What about you? Why haven’t you left this shit hole?”

“You mean other than the way I look?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s the 21st century, nobody gives a fuck. You know how many furries and therians I’ve arrested.”  

He was quiet for a moment, then turned to look to the city again. “I don’t know. I mean, I hate this place but…” He trailed off, brows furrowed in thought.

“But you can’t sleep without the noise?” I tried, and smiled at the agreeing nod.

He looked at me for a few beats, eyeing me slowly. "Raphael." he introduced, holding out a hand.  

I shook it firmly. “Y/n.”  

[fun-k-board]

TMNT 2012 with a s/o on their period

Note(s): I wrote this with a ftm Reader in mind, but there are no gendered pronouns or gendered titles used.

Characters included: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michealangelo, April O'Neil, Casey Jones.

Leonardo

Listen, as much of a leader and confident guy you may believe he is, he is still a mutant turtle who does not get periods and only knows because it was mentioned in a show once and he wanted to know more. He will not understand, beside the basics of 'bleeding down there, intense hormones, and sometimes unbearable pain depending on who you ask.'

If you're someone who goes through a lot of physical pain expect an overbearing mother figure now in your life, he will literally be there with all the advice he can find that'll help.

With the limited resources in the lair and the fact he can't exactly go shopping himself, he'll ask April or Casey to buy period products or pain relief tablets for you if you complain. Even if he's awkward and shy about asking, he doesn't want to burden you by making you wait for a reply over text or have to get up, the fact it helps you makes it worth it.

Soup is also good, he knows how to make traditional teas and soups for you, with great difficulty, and help from Splinter, that will lessen your stomach cramps. Though if you get cravings he may be a little less helpful, it's hard to get ingredients when you live in the sewers and are hated by most of the world.

If you like company he would stay off patrols once or twice, but he's fairly strict about his schedule and won't go too far off it, even if he wants to help you.

If you don't get much pain, he's still by you in his free time and asking questions, you're literally bleeding he's never going to stop worrying.

Whenever you talk to him he basically soaks in the words like a sponge and uses it to help you, a one off 'yeah, this food helps.' and he's on his knees begging for April to buy some.

Raphael

Raphael... I love him, but he needs help when it comes to this. I imagine most of the other turtles at least know the basics, Michaelangelo is the worst but he still knows what a period is, but Raph just never really cared enough to learn.

He knows that a period happens... But that's about it. So, if you're in intense or even a small amount of pain and or wake up with blood around you, he's freaking the hell out, he thinks you've been stabbed or something or maybe he accidentally hurt you with his sais as you slept.

If you explain he's sort of like 'yeah whatever, how do we stop it from hurting you?' and then he never leaves your side.

You run out of products? Step out the way Casey and April, he's sneaking in the shop and thieving- I mean, he's putting on a trenchcoat and hat to hide his turtleness, and buying the products like a good mutant ninja turtle should. But seriously, he doesn't trust the two to buy the right ones, he gets the exact brand right somehow, even if you never tell him what one you want.

He pushes the exercise side of it, even if it doesn't help much, exercise is something that helps him so when he hears it can help he doesn't research further. It takes you explaining that it not only depends on the person but the exercise for him to pout and let you lead.

Donatello

He'd probably panic for a while but then tries to look through a science lense, like, oh! You need to level your blood sugars in this week, these excersises will help you but these won't, make sure to keep your stomach warm so you can lessen the contractions and pain.

Gets a bit sad if you're the type to be more distant and want alone time on your period, especially if you don't like loud noises. Donatello usually has you watching him while he works on his science stuff, so when you aren't it's a demotivator.

Ends up completely abandoning his work just to follow you around like a sad puppy, tending to your every need or waiting outside your room for a text from you if you need something.

If you want him around he's a lot more easy going, if you don't mind sitting in the lab with him while he works then he's all for it, of course he's checking on you every once and a while, and will talk when he wants to, but it comes from him wanting to help you.

If you have health issues caused by your period or your period is made worse by your health issues he's helping you a lot, he knows a lot about human anatomy and how to help ease pain, especially since April and Casey started hanging out with the Turtles more often.

He has a whole section of a diary dedicated to you, and that includes your period, when you're due, what food you've told him helps you, what foods you've said make it worse, what pain you usually describe as, etc, etc.

Michealangelo

Michaelangelo is 100% the type of guy who just goes along with what you want because he wants to help, he probably knows that you bleed, you get mood swings, and you're in pain. And that's all he needs to know.

He's watching you for your entire cycle and just PRAYING nothing bad will happen, gives you all the food you want, no matter how unusual. This can sometimes make it worse, because cravings aren't always foods that will help you, and he feels really really bad if that happens.

He tries to hold himself back on just giving you whatever you want, but when you look up he just folds and starts treating you like royalty.

He can't make a lot of normal foods, he can make pizzas and maybe a decent sandwich, but besides that he's a bit useless, so he tends to buy you microwaved dinners. Unless you don't like them. And then he's just lost.

Mikey asks Donatello to help on the more science level, like no, chocolate will not help, that's a dumb myth, it will only make your sugar levels higher and increase pain, plus blood flow, and nobody wants that.

Cue Mikey closing the oven to hide his chocolate pizza he was making for you.

When buying or storing products, he tends to sort of forget how expensive they are, he'll go in with only a couple of dollars and fall to the floor in utter shock upon realising that is not nearly enough.

But he may or may not steal a few, he saves the city, he gets no money from it, this is completely justified in my opinion.

It's not like he tells anybody anyway.

April O'Neil

She understands so much, whatever you need she'll get for you within minutes.

If your cycles match up April and you will have days where you just sit down and cuddle together, usually at her apartment or in the lair.

She's most likely the one who goes shopping for stuff since she's usually shopping for the turtles as well, though you can come along or even do it yourself if hers is painful and yours is bearable enough to go and vice versa.

If you don't get much pain or mood swings, she makes a few jokes on how she wishes she was you, but if you ask her to stop she will.

Understands the pain that might come mentally, if yours is really bad during the month she even ignores the Turtles to help you out. Unless you want to be left alone in which case she can do that as well, but she will text you every few hours, this is probably happening with or without your period given how dangerous being friends with her is.

If you have intense pain, she's extremely worried for you and will try to help in any way she can, especially if you have other issues that impact your period and or your period causes you other issues.

Casey Jones

Once he gets it Casey doesn't care for the exact details, all he needs to know is when he needs to be involved. Then he's actually really helpful

Usually gets too embarrassed to buy pads for you so he asks April to do it for him, if she refuses he awkwardly makes his way over and will be red the entire time he buys them.

He will begrudgingly be mushy if it means you'll feel better, but also reluctantly leaves you alone if you prefer being alone, he's complicated when it comes to you.

Tends to try to make you laugh or smile if you get sad, but fails to realise that the flood gates of hell spill over with unholy blood whenever you do laugh too hard.

If you're someone with less blood and or pain he'll be asking once every few hours if you're okay, every month is the same, he never learns that you're going to be fine, or that you don't experience too much pain, but it shows he cares.

If you have intense pain he's next to you always helping and at your beck and call, he's fine with skipping out on time with April or the turtles because he doesn't want you in pain.

This has been in my drafts for a little over a year, I've only just got the strength to finish it (⁠｡⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

[tmntxthings]

hiii could i request some headcanons for a touch starved!casey jr with a reader who their love language is physical touch [romantic/fluff]? idk i just want to give to my baby a hug, he deserves so much better😭

一∑ Tender Connections

author’s note: i agree this boi needs all the hugs c:

warnings: fluff, hurt/comfort themes, touchstarved!casey jr. x gn reader, unedited

—————————————————————————

Ever since Kraang was defeated Casey never stopped training. It was ingrained in him since birth that he always needed to be ready for the next catastrophe.

But those were few and far between even with the weird magnet company of the turtles + April! Despite everyone’s attempts at wanting to show Casey the new world he was now in, he would go back to the lair and train until he was sore.

One time Leo tried to keep him out all night which was quite possible in New York since the city never slept. There was an endless amount of possibilities to get into some fun and maybe a little mischief if it involved the blue turtle.

But Casey’s stamina and resilience was equivalent if not better than all of the turtles due to his upbringing. He wouldn’t have survived the apocalypse otherwise. So when Leo finally portaled them back to the lair, barely having enough energy to do so without passing out seconds later, he didn’t get to see Casey’s knowing smile.

The boy from the future easily picked up his younger sensei and got him to bed. Then it was off to the dojo, where he continued to stay up until he felt like he had gotten a good enough training session in. What he wasn’t expecting, was you to be leaning against the circular doorway.

“You know, you may have the worst sleeping habits out of all of them if Leo’s passed out.” You quipped and Casey could only offer a shy smile as he picked up the last of the equipment he had used. “I told him it wouldn’t work… to be fair” Casey muttered.

You didn’t know what to say. Things like, “Kraang is defeated now! And we can’t take some time to relax” didn’t really compute with Casey even if he agreed. His body just was wired a certain way and he didn’t know if it would ever relax. Even now his muscles which were exceedingly sore, ached for a different reason. He felt restless. He didn’t want to sleep. He felt like fighting. He felt like defending and protecting the city from some new unknown source of danger that was surely building up its forces now

Thoughts like these were driving him crazy. And you could see it. “Why don’t we go out?” You asked and watched as his mouth dropped open, about to refute that such methods didn’t work as Leo had literally just tried all evening to wear him down.

But you stopped him before he could refuse. “Just to a rooftop! It’ll only be a few minutes,” and how could he deny you? As he took you in, it was obvious that you had forced yourself to stay up. Had you been waiting for them to get back? You were in comfy pjs and your hair was a bit disheveled from what he could only guess was tossing and turning in bed. “Alright,” he sighed, shaking his head but continued to follow a step behind with a slight grin.

It was nice to know how much you cared. How much everyone cared about him! But something about you in particular made him feel a tad warmer.

So up to a rooftop you went. The sky was dark and there were blinking satellites that mimicked stars. The city still alive and thriving just as he had left it, but the rooftop was calmer than the sidewalks. It was quieter. He didn’t know if that was a good thing for a person like him. The quiet invited in thoughts that he’d rather not think about. Like his endless worries and paranoia.

He had been sitting on the low rise ledge that bordered the entire rooftop. One foot started to tap anxiously just to offer any kind of distraction when you had sat down next to him, carefully since past the ledge was a seven story drop to pavement. Your proximity eased those nerves somehow and with knees almost knocking, you faced Casey and started talking

About anything and everything! About yourself and your hopes and dreams. You asked about his now that he was here and didn’t have to live day by day. Talking like that made it sound like the future wasn’t always in peril. As if maybe he would have enough time to do other things, like try every restaurant in NYC. And travel outside of the city, even New Jersey which he still didn’t understand why the guys all disliked the place.

The conversation ebbed and flowed naturally until silence overtook once more and this time Casey didn’t have the overwhelming urge to distract himself. Instead he just took a deep breath in and out, letting it go in a long sigh. Then his breath caught in his throat because he hadn’t realized how close the two of you had gotten while talking. Your hand finding his in that moment and your fingers intertwining with his as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

He couldn’t stop himself from looking down at your connected hands, and he shivered all over as you started to trace patterns on the back of his hand. The pressure he had unknowingly been carrying around released from his shoulders. His eyes darted up to yours, finding that you were already there, waiting for his gaze.

In the moonlight he tried to convey his gratitude, because what could he say in this moment that wouldn’t ruin it? He squeezed your hand, comforted by the pressure. Grounded by the gentle hold that you had on him.

The two of you stayed like that for a while. Until your eyelids started to flutter and your body couldn’t stay upright. He of course more than welcomed you to lean on him, but he didn’t want to push his luck and didn’t want to keep you awake any longer when it was obvious both of you needed sleep. “C’mon,” Casey spoke softly, rousing you to try and get you to stand.

But it seemed you were either already out of your wits or maybe just trusted him wholeheartedly because you only scooted closer to him, allowing him to pick you up in his arms and carrying you back down to your bed. Which of course was done easily enough by him since he always had his grappling hook at the ready. It all ended quite too soon for his liking as he carefully let you go so you could snuggle under your covers, rasping out a goodnight to him with your eyes closed.

Would it be horrible of him to admit he had wanted to kiss your forehead so badly in that moment?

After that night, Casey was in for much more than handholding. While that still happened often, hugs became second nature between the two of you. He reveled in your hold, a days worth of stress releasing as soon as your arms encircled around him. Your hands at his back, going up and down in soothing strokes had him holding on tighter when it was time to let go. “Just a little longer?”

He’d shyly ask. If you didn’t want to he would immediately let go. But you always indulged him with a bright smile. So don’t get too mad when he starts to become greedy! With this revelation of him wanting and seeking out your gentle touch, he’d pull you into quiet corners like a true ninja.

One second you’d be in the middle of a Mario kart game and as soon as it was over you found yourself being tugged up and away because Casey had a really important thing to show you or a question that only you could answer! It got more and more ridiculous until Mikey called the both of you out and said you didn’t have to sneak around to hug!

Once PDA was on the table Casey never looked back. He was stuck to your side and honestly, you wouldn’t rather it any other way! <3

[taleeater]

April Showers Bring May Flowers Part 1

TMNT Bayverse

TMNT x FTM Reader

Reader uses he/him pronouns.

April had a good sense for news. Which usually meant she also had a good sense for trouble. She interestingly makes a new friend one night who helps her escape a hostage situation with a local gang before the boys have to come rescue her. This new friend has a troubled past, and is stuck in a hard place, but ultimately has a good heart and wants to do the right thing. Can April and her turtle companions sway their new friend to the path of good?

Warnings: drugs mention, kidnapping, OC side characters

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

It was an early spring night with a chill in the air. The boys were out patrolling when they got an alert from April’s panic button. She was in trouble.

The ping of her location appeared on Donnie’s hologram indicating that she was at a small pier in Brooklyn. They were all the way up in the Bronx, worryingly much too far away to reach her anytime soon.

Leo quickly gave the orders and they did not hesitate to rush at full speed to her aid.

The turtles just hoped they could reach her in time.

-

“Is this how you normally treat your guests?” April sassed from the chair she was bound to. She was sitting in the middle of a dingy old shipping warehouse on the pier. “I’m a reporter, you know. People will be looking for me.” She warned.

“Ah, and when will that be? Tomorrow morning?” The boss wearing a fluffy white pimp coat chuckled. He was smart, and he knew what he was doing. “So what will you do, exactly, if we let you go. Tell the police about our hideout? Give them detailed descriptions of our faces? If you’re a reporter-” The man leaned over her, casting a shadow over April in the low light. “Write an article about us?” He taunted innocently, making the other thugs in the room chuckle darkly.

Across the room, concealed by shadows, the slight frame of a young boy stood with his back pressed against the frame of a creaking wooden door, watching his boss converse with their hostage with sharp eyes. 

Eventually the woman in the yellow leather jacket’s head drooped in defeat, and Carver waved a dismissive hand as he walked away. He ushered some orders to the awaiting thugs, and left the building in a flourish. One of the large bulky men approached the young boy.

“Here, tonight’s deliveries.” A paper list and a gas station bag full of labeled lunch baggies containing white powder was unceremoniously thrust into the boy’s hands. He pulled out the rusty metal lunch box from under his arm and deposited the drugs safely inside before walking out the door without a word. 

The group of thugs standing guard in the creaking old warehouse were boredly gossiping amongst each other, while one or two of them occasionally glanced over grinning amused at April.

She huffed. Just great. She hoped the boys got her distress signal. But she knew depending on the route they took that night, it could take quite some time to get to her. Knowing them, they probably forwarded her location to Casey in the police department. But in a hostage situation, it could easily get messy. They would probably try to surround the place first before moving in waving their guns around. 

Just then, the distant sound of police sirens could be heard echoing through the city. The thug’s heads perked up and looked around anxiously, then quickly turned their attention to April. The group started to approach her while one of the men ordered two of them to break away from the group and prepare the van. 

“Ooooh no no no no-” A larger man pulled out a roll of duct tape from his coat pocket and tore off a long strip with his teeth as he neared her. “NOOOO NO NO NO- HELP!!! HELP!! HEL-” 

Suddenly, the sound of several loud car alarms started blaring from outside. The other two men appeared in the doorway and shouted to the others that their tires had been slashed. There was rising panic and alarm as the slow approaching sound of police sirens in the distance and the loud blaring car alarms drew unwanted attention to their position. The thugs all ditched April and ran out the door to deal with the cars.

April sighed at her luck, her thundering heartbeat calming marginally in her chest.

From the other side of the warehouse, April almost didn’t catch a hooded head quickly peeking inside the room. They looked around, then once confirming the room was cleared, darted swiftly over to April. She watched the young boy with his lower face covered with a handana place a finger over their mouth in a shushing motion, and pulled out a switchblade from their pocket, flipping it open. 

April gasped, and struggled a bit on her restraints. But the boy paid her no mind, rushing behind her and made quick work of cutting the zip ties. Her wrists snapped free, and before she could even think to say anything, her wrist was grabbed and she was harshly pulled to her feet. The two immediately sprint out the back door, the swift young boy dragging her along at high speeds. 

The crisp wind rushed past her ears and she breathed hard trying to keep up. April’s eyes fixed to the black hood of her accomplice. In no more than a few minutes, they jogged to a halt in a dark residential area a few blocks away. April doubled over, hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

“Who-... Who are you?” She struggled out between harsh breaths, looking up at the young boy. Strangely enough, she caught sight of the rusty metal lunch box clutched tightly in his free hand. 

The young boy barely spared her a glance before his attention switched to the group of loud police cars rounding the corner, and quick as he appeared, he ran off down the street and disappeared behind a corner. 

April watched after him with interest, straightening before stepping into the street to wave down a police car.

-

About an hour later, Leo, Mikey, Donnie, and Raph arrived on the scene, finding April standing around outside the warehouse talking with Casey surrounded by several flashing police cars. The boys dropped down and approached them, giving nods and waves to other passing police officers they were familiar with. 

Casey looked exasperated, seemingly arguing with April. His eyes caught sight of the approaching mutants and he sighed, both adults turning to them.

“Guys- PLEASE tell this stubborn woman that she can’t keep throwing herself in danger like this!!!” He loudly expressed his frustration. Leo pat him on the shoulder comfortingly. Raph stopped behind Leo with his arms crossed, flicking the toothpick around his mouth as he grinned amused. Donnie was off somewhere following around a police officer asking them questions.

“Angelcakes!!!” Mikey rushed past them with arms wide open to scoop up April in a hug. “Ah, I’m so glad you’re safe.” She giggled and pat Mikey’s chest in his squished hug. 

“I’m fine Mikey, but look!! I found the shop warehouse of that dangerous new gang that's been taking over the East side.” She glanced over to the wide open doors of the old warehouse as police officers filtered in and out, carrying around evidence. Mikey set her down gently and turned to inspect the building, appearing impressed. Then he caught sight of Donnie and rushed after him to follow him around as he scanned passing boxes of evidence.

“That’s great April, but maybe next time call us a little sooner when you have a hunch? I’m glad the police made it in time, but Casey is right. You have to be more careful.” Leo stepped in as the voice of reason with his mother-henning. April rolled her eyes and Casey threw his arms up in mock defeat, pacing around to lean heavily against the hood of his car.

“Actually, the police didn’t make it on time. This kid actually saved me.”

Donnie’s head popped up into view, looking intrigued, while Mikey skid to a stop beside him, clearly not listening. Leo and Raph exchanged a curious look. 

“What kid?” 

-

The young boy was walking briskly down the street, checking over the little slip of paper in his hand and shaking his lunch box, satisfied that there was no sound or weight left inside.

“Well, that's it for tonight.” He turned into a dark alleyway and walked deep into the shadows. Then he crouched down and pulled a cheap lighter from his pocket, and lit the paper on fire. He let it burn completely until the embers encroached on his fingertips, then he dropped it and stamped out the fire.

Shoving his hands into his jacket pockets, with the signature rusty lunch box tucked under his arm, he made his way to Brownsville, Brooklyn. 

“I hope Sheila isn’t working tonight.” He mumbled, kicking a rock with his beat up sneakers. Hoping that there would be a couch for him to crash on for the night. If not, he was reeeeally not looking forward to working tomorrow smelling like a crack house. 

A gust of cool wind brushed by and knocked the hood off his head, making him look up at the low hanging moon. And the passing of his faded memory of dark figures leaping across the city skyline.

To be continued.

[krowjones]

"Did you know that out of the billions of people on this big blue sphere—"

"—you are the most beautiful one I've ever seen?"

"My heart told me so~"

[fishsticksloser]

Oh i wanna see the tmnt boys and casey ( separately) entering an escape room, eventually doing something either plantonic or romantic its you choice, in the end they experience beat the game in chaotic way possible! Btw i Really enjoyed all of your work they made my day everytime you post!

Escape Room

RotTMNT + Casey x gn!reader

Warnings: escape room, angst (panic attack), mutual pinning?, uh... romance...?

A/N: my discord is deciding which ones I do cause I am indecisive...

Donnie

He's the logical one of course

He has a plan

His plan is pretty solid as well

He's doing practically all of it by himself

Which... Doesn't go as well as you might think

You end up stepping in

Offering to help

"I don't need help"

He does... Don't listen to him.

When you point something out in a way he hadn't thought of he stares at you with disbelief

He starts stumbling over his words

Fidgeting

He doesn't say much for the rest of the time

Afterwards, he does praise you

Telling you how smart you were during the escape room

Leo

No plan

He wings the whole thing

He ends up starting to solve it all out of order

Leo is smart, but he's not good about going about it

He got stumped on a really difficult puzzle

So you stepped him to help

He watches you with intrigue

His tail wags as you solve the puzzle

He does his best to pay attention and learn

But he can't help but look at you

His thoughts are just full of showing you his appreciation

He eventually gives in, kissing you hard

You do eventually break you, but... It was last minute

Mikey

Much like Leo, he has no plan

Yet he somehow starts to solve it correctly

He has so much fun

He messes around

There's definitely a music puzzle and he ends up dancing with you to it

It doesn't take long to solve it

So he ends up taking you home

And makes you a big dinner

So you two can properly hang out

Raph

He has a plan

Does it go well?

Yes and no

You start to solve the puzzles

Your hands brush

You two bump into each other a lot

He apologizes with red cheeks

He tries to keep from bumping into you

But that just makes him bump into you more

You kiss his cheek to try and reassure him that you're okay

And that you don't mind

Which just makes him even more nervous and make him fumble more

Casey

He has no idea what an escape room is

Once inside, he's not really... Enjoying it

Locked in a room isn't his favorite thing

However, he does his best to solve the puzzles

Which he's actually good at

Having to think quickly and critically growing up has made that possible

He has a small panic attack

Which you help him through

Give him space, talk to him softly

Casey is pretty good at self soothing but he needs help sometimes

He ends up staying pretty close to you as you solve puzzles

After you're out, he asks you to stay with him

He just needs you to stay with him

[writinandcrying]

Y/N: You’re full of good qualities, Raphie

Y/N, pointing at his chest: This, for example.

Rottmnt Raph, touched: M-my heart? Y/N:

Y/N: No, I meant your man tits. But your heart it’s also a good quality!

Raph:

[3mz0mbi3]

── ๑ ֹ ₊ ᐟᐟ 𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐄! 𝐓𝐌𝐍𝐓 𝟐𝐊𝟏𝟐 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀!𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 ‧₊

. ⊹˙ ── You were new in the Roosevelt school and the nerves ate you alive for the simple fact of having to raise your voice to be able to start a conversation with someone, the thought of not being able to fit in this place made you shudder, everything was certainly new for you, it was having to start all your whole life again from scratch, literally it was that, you didn't know how, but you were in another dimension, without knowing how to return, how long you would be here, what else could happen, You needed money for your needs, but to have a job, you didn't know if you could get it as a teenager of whom there was no record in this world.

. ⊹˙ ── April noticed you instantly, you were a new face, and you were sitting in front of her in biology class, she was more determined to be your friend, why? Simple! You don't have friends, and you don't seem to have much initiative, oh wow, what a coincidence! She only has 2 friends (Humans) and she would really like to have more friends so that she could lead the typical teenage life.

. ⊹˙ ── That's how April managed to talk with you, she was happy that you and her talked until the bell rang indicating that it was time to move to the next class that was what disappointed her since apparently the only class you shared was biology, but she stood her ground and invited you to spend lunch with her, and you couldn't leave that opportunity, the last thing you wanted was to be alone in some corner of the school while you ate.

. ⊹˙ ── April couldn't not attached to you, even if you two only met 3 weeks ago, she adored your way of being which made her get attached to you even if you had already managed to be friends with other people who were in your same classes, April didn't stop looking for you to be together at break time and of course whenever she could sent you some messages

. ⊹˙ ── April didn't quite understand why, but she was thrilled to have you by her side, so she made sure to discreetly keep you away from your new friends, A part of her wondered why she did that, but in the end she had you by her side, that was enough for her.

. ⊹˙ ── It was inevitable that April eventually introduced you to her other friends, Irma and Casey, first you met Irma, you and she got along well, she gave you a weird vibe even she always looked at you but ignoring that, you guys were fine.

. ⊹˙ ── Now Casey, well you and him started with the left foot, his first impression of you was that you were just another Irma, he looked at you as a nuisance mainly because now he always found you with April, which nullified her chances of talking to April alone.

. ⊹˙ ── But of course that was just his first thought of you, the fact that April always spent time with you whenever she could, that ended up forcing Casey to spend more time with you, eventually made Casey aware of your playful personality, Casey felt that he somehow connected with your personality, and he liked that, Irma now that she spent more time with you knew that there was something about you something special so she decided to be closer to you.

. ⊹˙ ── It was ironic since, just as he fought with Irma for April's attention now they were fighting for yours while April always took advantage of their discussions to be alone with you.

. ⊹˙ ── Whenever April had to help Casey with trigonometry they would always invite you to hang out with them at the park, it was a way to spend the most time with you when they were out of school, since every time you three planned to go somewhere, it always happened that April received a call and the two of them left due to an emergency although they always promised to make it up to you later.

. ⊹˙ ── April hates the pure idea of dragging you with her and Casey into danger, come on! You were an important person not only to her now, you were no longer important only to her also for Casey, he also didn't like the idea of you having to deal against robots with aliens inside your stomach or super skilled evil ninjas or weird mutants, the two of you were determined and allied on one more thing, that the turtles don't find out about you and you about them, you were fine like that! Just with Casey and April.

── 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐌𝐄!

꒰🛸꒱ؘ!! ── Guess who's back ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ Sorry- but as soon as I got free of school I wanted to take some time to de-stress.

꒰🛸꒱ؘ!! ── My English is not the best, so forgive me if something may be misinterpreted or written wrong, I would greatly appreciate it if you correct me.

꒰🛸꒱ؘ!! ── I had this as one of my silly ideas, I had in mind to make a more complete story about this. (* °ヮ° *)

꒰🛸꒱ؘ!! ── Although I also want to finish with two requests (sorry to those two people, don't think that I ignore you pookies (◞‸◟；) ) that I'm still thinking about ideas, I really want to improve with my English and my way of writing to something a little perhaps deeper.

[rottmntsimp]

Hey! Love your writing! if reqs are open, would you be willing to write rottmnt Casey Jr x reader? Maybe something fully and/or cozy, like them having a lazy night or doing some housework or something? There’s such a drought of CJ content :c

Leisurely Love [Domestic Headcanons]

Pairing[s]: Casey Junior x Reader A/N: Finally posting after months of writer's block!! 💪 Anyway, sorry the order's a bit scattered 😅

Casey Junior

💖 - GAH I LOVE DOMESTIC HEADCANONS OK

💖 - Starting off with the kitchen <33

💖 - I've said this before in one of my earlier headcanons, but CJ does not understand the concept of good food. To him edible = food, regardless of taste or texture. "What do you mean it's burnt? It's still food!"

💖 - If you like cooking, you're in luck! He'll gladly be your personal taste tester!!

💖 - And with enough effort, care and love, my boy will be cooking you a small meal in no time!!

💖 - He definitely has a habit of hoarding things he likes

💖 - Back in the apocalypse, keeping things was a risk on its own, especially when you never know when you're gonna have to move.

💖 - But now that he's safe, my boy will keep anything and everything. You guys will probably have a drawer or two dedicated to things that remind of him of his family from back in the apocalypse, you, or just something really pretty :]

💖 - Baby boy loves gardening! Or at least getting to watch the plants grow :]

💖 - He doesn't exactly trust himself to care for them, seeing as the last few he tried to keep withered within a week.

💖 - But if you're into gardening or keep a pet plant, he'll gladly let you keep some around the house!! Hell, he might even help with planting some outside if you really wanted.

💖 - Animals, oh boy...

💖 - Personally, if not for the apocalypse, I feel like CJ would've LOVED dogs-

💖 - But due to his experience with the Kraang, some of them shaped like animals...best to say it'll take some time for him to warm up to them.

💖 - My boy has warm hands. How do I know? I just do.

💖 - If you have cold hands, believe me when I say he is never letting go.

💖 - He's not much of a cuddler, or so he claims. There's an underlying fear in his head that he might accidentally kick you or push you away in his sleep, so he chooses to instead just fall asleep facing you. It comforts him to wake up to the sight of you, messy or not.

💖 - Daily reminders that his life is not constantly at stake? Yes please.

💖 - Favorite place to kiss you? Your forehead <3 [We love a gentleman 😌]

💖 - If you're terrified of bugs, fear not!

💖 - Casey will kill them in the blink of an eye, maybe even pick them up and leave them outside if you ask.

💖 - When it comes to cleaning, he doesn't like to throw things out, as I said earlier.

💖 - He's the kind of guy to organize the mess instead of actually cleaning up. "Messy? But I know where everything is!"

💖 - When he discovers music, it's like his eyes had just opened for the first time. Help him go through this journey please.

💖 - Introduce him to your favorite artists, help him find his type.

💖 - Eventually, this will become "your" thing.

💖 - He will run over to you, excitedly rambling on about this new song he'd just listened to, before making you listen to it too, saying how "-you've got to listen to this!"

💖 - Lazy days consist of introducing him to modern culture!!

💖 - I'm talking memes, shows, films, games, everything- Hell, consider it a sleepover at this point, because my boy is willing to give anything a try. Show him the wonders of the modern world ♥

💖 - Now if we're talking about the FAR future? I'm sorry, but he does NOT want kids, adopted or not.

💖 - He saw how much of a handful they could be back in the resistance, and he'd be dead by the time he admitted wanting that.

💖 - If it's any consolation, he might become more open to the whole pet situation.

💖 - Regardless, indulge in the poor boy's hobbies and interests please. Give him some love and you're bound to get some back <3

💖 - Anyway, 11/10 roomie/partner ♥♥

Taglist: @lemme-be-cringe-damnit@sleepytime-fics@ray-of-midnight-storm@hamthepan@charismakat@flapajacker

[fandom-lover2]

Badges and Bloodstains

Chapter Two - Well That Was Unexpected

-image not mine-

Chapter One - Silence is Overrated

Chapter Three - I Should Have Called In Sick

I shoved the door open, mindful it was frosted glass as I turned to address the men behind me. "You are one ugly son of a bitch, you know that?"

Before me, Oscar laughed. "What? It's good business." he defended himself.

"It's disgusting." Matthews piped up from the back.

Callum remained glued to his phone, choosing to keep his 5 words of the day for something else.

I turned and intended to stroll into the room but halted when I found four familiar brothers looking back at me.

It had been almost two weeks since I had spent hours up on that rooftop with Raphael, only going back inside when his brothers had pulled him away and they’d disappeared into the night to return home.

I’d wanted to see him again, often finding myself lost in a daydream of him in-between calls, but I hadn’t wanted to seem desperate and beg April for information on how to contact him.

Said reporter had sat me down and explained the whole story of what they were, how she’d met them, and what they’d done for the city, for the world.

I, embarrassingly, had slept through the alien invasion of last year. In my defense, I had just gotten off of four-night shifts and it was still my rookie year. Nothing could have woken me, evidently.

Now, they were standing in the conference room of NYPD HQ with a blonde woman in a power suit.

"What the fuck?" Callum spoke, using three of his daily allowance.

“Hi Y/n!” The orange one, Mikey, greeted cheerfully. “Good to see you again!”

I smiled back at him, remembering his infectious enthusiasm. My eyes slid across to Leo, then Donnie, and then settled on Raph. He smiled when our eyes met and I felt myself blush. Trying to hide it, I looked away and step inside, focusing on the walking ball of joy. I glanced down to the plastic Tupperware in his hands. "Heya Sunshine. Are those brownies?"

His eyes lit up as he smiled wider, which I didn’t even think was possible, and held out the dish to me. "Yeah!"

I walked over and took one. Biting into it was like biting into heaven. Perfectly sticky and sweet, with a little chewy on the inside and all chocolaty crunch on the out.

I closed my eyes, taking a moment to fully appreciate the moment. "Oh my god." I managed to get out. "This is fucking amazing." I looked back to the green dude. "I love you. You're now my best friend."

Oscar laughed, coming up behind us and taking a brownie. "Thank God. Good luck man."

I flipped him off, which probably didn't look too intimidating with a brownie in my mouth but whatever.

Mattews and Callum each took one too, and I grabbed another before heading to the back of the room with then and planting my butt in a chair.

Getting settled between Callum and Oscar, my eyes drifted to the red banded turtle again, and I found him already looking at me, his gorgeous eyes sliding up and down my body.

This was the first time he’d seen me in uniform, and when his eyes reached my face again, he smirked.  

“What’s wrong with your face? You get sunburnt?” Matthews spoke through a mouthful of brownies.

 My eyes widened, spinning my former partner at the academy as I raised a fist and socked him in the kidneys.

I thought Oscar was going to choke he was cackling so hard, almost falling from his chair. And me assaulting the other idiot made his condition worse.

“Please, shut up.” I whispered, wishing my chair would swallow me into the safety of a dark abyss where embarrassment wasn’t a thing.

To make it worse, Raph heard the whole thing and huffed a chuckle himself, which made me blushing even harder.

“Callum, please kill me.” I muttered, crossing my arms on the table and burying my face in them.

More officers filed in after us, some completely freaking out, others not batting an eye. They all took brownies, and it put them in a better mood.

For a second I wondered if Mikey had maybe laced the brownies with something to get us in a good mood. Though, sugar did tend to do that to people.

The most interesting part of this meetup was the variety of officers piling in. SWAT, Highway Patrol, some dudes had upstate badges, equine and K9 units.

I was curious as to what the requirements were for this team up to have so many different types of people rolling up.

Finally, when the last freak out had occurred I guess we were all accounted for because power pants began calling for attention, which is hard to do in a room full of cops hyped on sugar and conspiracies about who the brothers were. Or rather what they were.

After a couple seconds of failing, April’s boyfriend stood up and yelled for silence, which earned him a couple rounds of laughter.

At least in the silence that followed, blondie could get some words in.

“Alright, alright, if I could have your attention,” she started.

I leaned over to Callum. “Yo, who the fuck is she?”

“Police Chief Linney.”

“Hey, we’re up to six wo- wait what?”

“Is there something the back would like to share?” Power pants, the police chief, my police chief, called us out.

“No, uh ma’am. No ma’am.” I scrambled to correct, glaring at Oscar’s hushed chuckles as I ducked my head.

Blondie moved her attention off me, looking around the room of officers. “As I was saying, you have all been carefully selected by your commanding officers for this task force. Skills you have shown on the streets, in high stress situations, facing the unnerving in an already overwhelming job, we need that now.”

She picked up a remote and hit a button, the lights automatically dimming as an image appeared on the projector screen. It was a test tube of some kind with a green liquid inside, a biohazard symbol plastered on the side.

“This is UMA, Unidentified Mutating Agent. Mutagen, if you will. It is the substance responsible for creating your fellow officers here,” she gestured to the green brothers.

“We’re working with those fucking things?” someone to the right muttered, only us in the back able to hear her mumbling.

“We have evidence that someone has managed to recreate this agent, and samples of it have been released into the city. Now, we don’t have exact numbers or location, but we do know that more ‘mutants’ have been sighted.”

She clicked the button, moving on to the next image. And then the next, and the next.

Each was blurry, or a screenshot of security footage, or just an outline of a figure. None of the things in the images were human, nor were they animal.

An odd mixture of both. Some grotesque and looking like it belonged in a horror movie, others seemingly well combined to create an almost perfect blend of man and beast.

I flicked my eyes across to the brothers, to Raph, and found him watching me already. He seemed… anxious. Of me, of how I would react. Of what I would do, think.

“Our top priority to keep the public out of the know of these…” Linney trailed off, trying to find the word.

“Monsters?” someone supplied, and my jaw clenched at the sound of his voice.

McAndrews. Detective. We had a long standing hatred that started my first day. He was being a dick to a witness, I didn’t know he was the lead detective on the scene, and words were loudly exchanged before my training officer at the time had stepped in.

Now, almost everyone knew to keep us separated at crime scenes. Apparently, Linny didn’t get the memo. Or maybe she was giving us the chance to be adults about the situation and move past it.

“Looking in a mirror there, McAndrews?” I spoke before I could think not to. Why the fuck would anyone chose the ‘bigger man’ approach when knocking an asshole down a few pegs was so damn fun.

In the darkened room, I couldn’t see where he was, but could hear his voice clearly. “Fuck you, L/n.” he snarled.

“You wish.” I snorted back, earning an elbow to the stomach from Callum.

“Alright, enough.” Chief lady reprimanded, turning on the lights again. “This is a delicate situation, we don’t need further fighting.”

“Tell tha’ ta her.” McAndrews snarked back.

I could clearly see him now, front row like the good little kiss ass he was, his stupid bald head all you could see. I flipped him off with a sweet smile, knowing he wouldn’t have the balls to turn around and face me. If he did, I would have given him something worse.

Our petty argument ignored, Linny moved on. “As I said, we need to keep this situation under control. That is what you all are. A task force that will be on call at all times to respond to incidents and sightings involving these mutated individuals.”

A knock sounded at the door and a woman stuck her head in, iPad in hand. Linny made her way to the door, stepping out to speak to the woman. This action prompted everyone to turn to their fellow officers and begin talking.

“This can’t be real, right? We gotta go after Frankenstein now?” Oscar was babbling. He babbled when he was nervous.

“Frankenstein’s monster.” Callum corrected, keeping his arms crossed and eyes locked on the brothers.

Casey had gotten up and was talking to the four of them, them forming a sort of circle as they tried to pretend they weren’t listening to the other humans.

Raph continued to throw glances at me, watching, waiting.

“- something from a Tim Burton movie and now we’re supposed to act like this is normal?” Oscar was still bitching.

His freak out wasn’t unfounded. Those pictures, still fresh in all our minds, were horrifying. As it was, the picture of something I can only describe as a werewolf but not the made-for-romance kind was still on the screen.

Those claws, those fangs. No way us humans, simple humans, could even begin to take those on. Not unless we…

I looked around the room, really looked. I was still new, barely two years into this job. I knew hardly anyone in this room. But there was a face or two I recognized. Fuck, the only reason I was so close to the three men seated around me was because of one reason, and the few people I recognized shared that reason.

Oh my god.

I looked to Raph, to his brothers. Did they know? Or would this be some fucking, twisted secret? A few inconsistencies that could pass off?

With no media coverage, we could get away with it.

The door opened again, and everyone quietened down until they realized it wasn’t Linny and resumed talking.

I locked eyes with him, and knew I was right.

Liam was the kind of man who broke expectations simply because he could. Ginger, and pale as a vampire, but loved to be in the sun. Refused to go by William and acted like a complete dick to everyone he met.

He had been my fourth and final training officer, and on shift one had faked being drunk on the job, and at one point made me think he was drinking on shift just to see if I would rat on him.

I had spent days tearing myself apart, fighting between being a good officer who put the well being of the people first, therefore isolating myself as a nark and ruining my chances of anyone every having my back, or if I would keep quiet.

In the end, it had been a test. To see if I would turn him over. And when I did, he said he finally trusted me to be in the seat beside him. Said he knew how to train me to be a good officer, not just a regular cop, and that he could count on me to help him clean up the department.

The day I graduated from his charge, he made sergeant.

If he was here, then I was right, and my stomach twisted at the revelation.

Linny came back in, and the room went silent, Casey returning to his seat and Liam moving to lean against the wall near the door.

“As I was saying-”

“What are we supposed to do when we find one?” I blurted, cutting her off.

I kept my eyes on her, but from the corner of my eye I saw Liam shift, and… smirk?

Linny glanced to him, then looked at me again. “I’m sorry, Officer L/n. Could you elaborate?”

“If we respond to a call, to a mutant like that,” I jerked my chin to the screen. “What are we supposed to do? Read him his rights and cuff him for what? Public indecency? Endangerment? Being different?”

Linny licked her lips, dropping her head for a moment, then looked to me again.

I was fucking right.

“Y/n…” Callum muttered a warning, knowing what was coming.

I stood, facing her tall.

“We supposed to do anything to keep them out of the public, right? But we don’t have anywhere to put them, so we’re supposed to put them down.”

Linny shifted, uncomfortable.

The brothers looked from me to Linny, then back to me again. Mikey shifted, Leo taking a small step forward to put himself between his brothers and her. I could see Donnie’s mind working behind his eyes, and Raph’s jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful.

So they didn’t know.

“It’s why we’re all here, ain’t it? Cops who are good under pressure, yeah, but cops who’ve taken a life on duty.”

Everyone began to look to one another, realization flooding the room. Everyone here had killed a suspect, been cleared, and had returned to the job. We were the stained officers, blood on our badges.

“You don’t know what to do with them, so you want them cut down before they get out. And we’ve already taken a life, so what’s a few more.”

When she didn’t say anything, looking away from me, everyone knew it was true.  

I began towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Chief Linny called to me, taking a step after me.

I turned, walking backwards towards the door slowly. I had to fight hard to not look to the brothers, to him. “To live a life where I get a guilt free night’s sleep knowing I’m not part of a glorified kill squad.”

“And that’s why you’re leading this team.” Liam spoke behind me.

I spun so fast to him I almost tipped over. “What?”

[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).”