Summary: Cassidy Holloway, a 22 year old waitress whose life is about to turn upside down. Family, trauma, friendship and possibly… love. So much can happen in a few short years. But it's easier when you're surrounded by those who are family. Set after the 2014/2016 Michael Bay TMNT films.

A/N: I do not own any part of the Ninja Turtles corporation. All credit for the turtles and the rest of the TMNT characters. I do not own any brand names seen in this story. All credit goes to their respective owners. I only own my OCs.

** These are the revised & reworked Chapters of my first ever FanFiction. These are probably still trash but I enjoy writing them. Thanks to anyone who's stuck around, I'd love to hear your input!**

Trigger warning: There are some triggering situations and implications below. Please read with caution.

Chapter 3: The Misunderstood

The weeks passed and Cassidy, along with April and sometimes Casey, hung with the boys damn near every weekend. Each time, Raphael was the one to take her home, they had at least four more bike rides before it became too cold and he had to put Stella away. Now, they would walk across rooftops, but each time he'd end up carrying her, insisting that 'it's too damn cold to wait on your slow ass.' A true gentleman, cue eye roll. Life flew by and before she even realized, it was a week before Christmas. More specifically, the last Friday before Christmas and just like every other Friday, Stan finally stopped offering to get her an Uber to take her home. With a final goodbye for the night, she left out the back of Stacy's bar when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

Big Red: Off yet?

Cass: Yup, walkin' back now

Big Red: Meet me in next alley in 3min

Cass: Miss me?

Big Red: Mikey

Rolling her eyes, she knew that Raph missed her, even if it was a little bit. Their friendship grew ever since that first bike ride and they texted or talked every day. This past week wasn't like the previous though; April said that something had 'come up' and neither one of them had seen the boys all week. Which was another reason how Cass knew that, even if he'd never admit it, Raph missed her as much as she missed him. She had no doubt in her mind.

"Cassidy? Cassidy Holloway?" A familiar voice was heard over the bustling nightlife crowd and as Cassidy glanced up from her phone, she was met with a happy face.

"Landon!" She exclaimed as he ran full force and wrapped her in a constricting hug.

"Where have you been?" He yelled excitedly, his cold hands squeezing her cheeks together to where she felt as if she was spitting out her reply.

"Working, like normal people do," her eyes rolled before a string of giggles broke free the second he let go of her face.

"Since you've moved in with Al, I have the full rent to cover."

"True, true…anyway. We NEED to hang out more! I've missed you!"

"Deal," she answered even though she knew that their lives were moving in separate directions and this was probably just being said out of a guilty conscience.

"TAXI!" Landon whistled like the typical New Yorker that he was.

"I'll call ya later Cass! Good to see you!" Landon yelled as he grabbed for the cab and disappeared behind the door and was gone just as quickly as he came.

Shaking her head, a smile on her face as she watched his taxi disappear into the sea of traffic before she continued her trek to meet Raph.

Upon entering the alley, the temp dropped about then degrees and she hugged her jacket tighter around as she whispered for Raph, wondering if he was lurking about in the darkened alley.

"Who was that?" His voice was clipped and she was thrown off as he's never used that tone with her before. Her eyes widened as he appeared from behind a stack of kegs, a hard look in his eyes.

"Landon, my old roommate," she responded nonchalantly, not thinking anything of it but was genuinely curious why he was so upset. She could feel the tension roll off him in waves as his chest heaved with deep breaths and his nostrils flared.

"Why didn'tcha just go with him," Raphael boomed, throwing his arm towards the direction that Landon left in his taxi.

"What—," she was so thrown by his reaction, she wasn't quite sure how to read him and that uncertainty made her nervous. She's dealt with this type of behavior before but, in the past, it never ended well for her. Cass wasn't about to let him take his anger out on her without a viable explanation.

"What's got you all pissy?" Her heart thudded against her ribs as she counted to keep her breath even, bordering up her emotions to block him from seeing her hurt.

"I don't like him." He stated matter of factly, as if he was able to conclude and make that assumption based upon a fifteen second conversation he witnessed from fifty feet away. Hell no.

Cassidy crossed her arms over her chest, pulling her jacket tighter as she shifted to add weight to her right foot as her brow arched.

"Seriously. Why, is it cause he's gay." She stated bluntly, and the look that filtered across his face was one she'd never forget. His brow ridge lifted, eyes widened and his mouth opened and closed like a fish for a split second before gritting his teeth and snapping the poor tooth pick in half. Good, that's what you get.

"Feeling silly yet?" She internally wished that she could snap a picture of him right now, he was in rare form.

"I heard that ya use ta' live togetha'." He shrugged before crossing his arms over his chest and locking eyes with her. Is he testing me right now? Something about the way he was currently standing made it seem as if he was waiting for her to keep this misunderstanding going. Then, as if it was a freight train, it clicked. Was he jealous?

"So, what? Did ya think him and I had sex? You jealous?" She wasn't about to beat around the bush.

"What, no, no. Just…fuck. We gotta go. Mikey's been blown' up my phone and I am not in da' mood to deal with his ass." He growled before his arms flew in the air and he started to walk farther into the dark recesses of the alleyway, causing her to lose sight of him. She hated how she quickly followed him because he was the only one she felt completely safe with. Then, without warning, she was lifted and thrown back over his shoulder, her belly pressed firmly to the back of his shell as he held her in place by a tight grip against the back of her thigh.

"What the—Raph!" She growled, not appreciating being manhandled without her consent as she banged her hand against his shell. He simply grumbled before adjusting her weight over his shoulder and made to climb towards the rooftop. Halfway up the wall Cassidy gave up, knowing that he'd put her down once they reached the top, so in the meantime she allowed her anger to brew. With her being lost in thought, she unconsciously traced along the large crack in his shell and she felt him huff a breath. Wondering if he could feel her finger tracings through the designs in his shell.

Once Raphael reached the top, he all but tossed her from his shoulder and began walking away, leaving her rubbing her ass that crashed onto the pebbled roof.

"Alright, that's it." She was beyond angry at this point and grabbed a loose stone and chucked it at the retreating brute, hitting him square in the back of his shell. He stopped. The only sound was the echoing of the rock that skidded across his shell and fell back towards the roof floor.

"You are NOT going to treat me this way. I have done nothing wrong." Cassidy bellowed, "You're angry with yourself, not me, so knock it the FUCK off." She was seething, her chest heaving with each heavy breath as it froze in front of her face. The cold seeping into her bones the longer she stood on this rooftop looking at the back of an angry mutant before her. He suddenly turned, quickly closing the gap between them as his nostrils flared and his breath came in hot and heavy against her flushed face.

"You KNOCK it off." He growled low, looking so intently at her that it made her heart crash dangerously against her ribcage but she wasn't going to allow him to win. She couldn't.

"Me? Me! What the HELL did I DO!" She was genuinely confused and beyond pissed at this point. She waited with bated breath but what he said next threw her for a complete loop.

"You. Touched my. Shell." He gritted and if looks could kill, she'd be nothing but dust atop this rooftop. Her mind paused as what he said sunk in. She didn't know.

"Oh…uh, m'sorry, I didn't—," she fell silent, her eyes downcast as she tried to finish her apology. "I just assumed it was okay…April scratched Mikey's shell all the time." She said, her eyes shooting up to lock with him to try and read his face. She felt bad, and was at a loss on what to do to rectify the situation. So, instead, she fumbled with her fingers, rubbing the cold digits with scratched palms from landing on the roof.

Raphael reached, grabbing her small hands in his, before flipping to look at her palms and seeing faint scratches from the rough roof. He hated that he allowed his anger to cloud his judgment and he needed to remember that she wasn't like his brothers. She was soft, warm and everything was good in his small world. He brushed a singular, large digit over the scuffs before making eye contact with her bright jade eyes.

Not a word was passed between them, but each understood that the other was sorry and that everything was going to be okay. It only took a sudden cool breeze to break them of their trance and Raphael said that it was time to go. They've spent too much time out here and they needed to get back before they were spotted. With a small smile shared between them, she allowed Raphael to carry her the rest of the way, properly, and before they knew it they were making the final trek through the sewer tunnel before it opened up into the lair.

"Cass! Finally!" Mikey gushed, as he turned towards her with a wide grin plastered on his face. Both him and April were currently wrapped up in an infinite number of Christmas light strands.

"How in the world?" Cassi didn't get a chance to finish before Mikey suddenly untangled himself, grabbed Raph and asked for Cass to finish helping April so he could go grab the rest of the decorations.

As soon as the boys left and it was only her and April, the nosey brunette started her questioning.

"So…" April started, "what took you two so long?" It was not lost on Cassidy with what April was insinuating. It wasn't a secret that April had shared her theories of Raphael and Cass's relationship to her every now and again. She wasn't entirely secretive with it and Cass was sure that both Mikey and Donnie had caught on to what April always hints at. Sadly, Cassidy knew that it wasn't what April was hoping for, and after today, Cass wasn't sure if it would ever be.

"Got into an argument," was all that Cass offered, she didn't want to get too into it because, as far as she was concerned, the issue had resolved itself. But, Cass would be lying if she wasn't surprised by how quickly April's head whipped and a shocked expression covered her features.

"What? You two? But you guys—."

"I know…um Ape, can I ask you a question?" Even though she already knew the answer, she wanted to make sure that she wasn't unknowingly crossing any boundaries.

"Yeah, shoot," April turned her attention back to untangling the knot of lights as Cass wrestled with what exactly she wanted to ask. She settled and continued:

"Does Mikey like it when you scratch and touch his shell?"

This question surprised April and she answered with a laugh, "He loves it, he said they have feelings in their shells, it's dull for a majority, unless there is an open or healed crack." She shrugged as she silently cheered with untangling three strands from one another.

It was silent for a beat before April tossed Cass a quizzical brow and she answered.

"I, uh, may have touched the huge crack on Raph's shell and he got mad at me and…I wasn't sure if I hurt him or not."

"Did you hit the large crack that he has?"

"Yes," Cass hung her head in shame at her confession and fiddled with a knot, not really worried if she'd ever get it untangled.

"Ah. Well, Shredder cracked Raph's shell in a fight a few years ago and ever since then it's caused him some discomfort. He's never admitted but Mikey has a sixth sense for those types of things." April explained, unraveling more and more strands as she talked and Cassidy listened.

"I feel terrible…I even threw a rock at him…" Cassidy wasn't sure if she could die from shame but right now she'd be eternally grateful if the floor opened up and swallowed her whole.

"What the heck goes down between you two?" Her quizzical stare accompanied a string of giggles as she shook her head and finished untangling her strands.

Not even ten minutes later and the girls had untangled and were hanging the lights on the tree when, to Cassidy's surprise, Leonardo and Michelangelo entered the main area of the lair. Shaking it off as Raphael needing time and space to cool down, she continued to help until the entire den looked as if Christmas had thrown up. The amount of garland, lights, miscellaneous ornaments, and tinsel was almost too much, yet, according to Mikey, it was perfect. Or it had been, until Donnie entered, announcing that he finished fixing the self timers and patching Mikey's inflatable Santa. As both Mikey and April volunteered to help Donnie, Cassidy turned toward Leo who was inspecting the star that goes on top the tree.

"Hey Leo, have you seen Raph?"

"Last time I knew he was headed to the weight room," he answered before reaching to set the star on top and wiping his hands in a 'job well done' motion, before turning towards the kitchen to, most likely, make tea.

Cassidy turned and looked up towards the tunnel opening above that led to the weight room, and sure enough, she could hear the familiar clang of weights just over the blaring Christmas music that droned throughout the lair. Per Mikey's request, obviously.

She turned with a deep sigh to head towards the weight room when she locked eyes with April who was kneeled beside Donnie by the inflatable Santa. With an encouraging nod and a wink, Cassidy knew that the best way to make up with Raphael was to meet him head on.

She walked around and made her way up the safety ladder tucked in the far corner before she stepped onto the second story landing. The sound of weights clanking together only made her heart beat faster. She felt as though she was about to walk in the lion's den. Her plan to apologize was quickly evaporating the closer she crept to the doorway, the sounds of his grunts mixed with the heavy clangs of weights almost killed her resolve when the little voice in her head encouraged her to move forward. Let's go girl, you got this. Cass knew she wanted to make this right, she cherished his friendship to let it die by a simple misunderstanding.

Just one more step.

I got this.

Peering over the edge of the doorway, Cassidy stopped short, her breath catching in her throat as she became hot. There was Raphael, laid atop his makeshift bench press, an ungodly amount hanging from each end. His damn toothpick poking from his lips, the wood flexing with each grunt and growl that emitted from his large chest. It took a minute for Cassidy to control herself and she slowly padded her way into his sanctuary and hoped that he wouldn't be too angry.

"What'd'ya want Cassidy." She didn't like the way he said her full name, let alone through gritted teeth.

"I wanted to say that I am sorry Raphael. About earlier." Her tone clipped, but she was trying to remind herself exactly why she was here and refused to leave until they figured out how to move on from this.

"What about earlier?" His tone was bored as he resumed to complete yet another set of who even knows how many at this point.

"For starters, throwing a rock at you and well," hanging her head again as the shame resurfaced, "and touching your shell." She held back a choked sob by looking anywhere but him, focusing on a poster of a scantily clad bikini model that Mikey had signed. He stayed silent except for the release of his exhale as he continued rep after rep and it only added to Cassidy's ever growing anxiety.

"I…I talked to April and she said your shell is sensitive cause it's cracked…I didn't know, I know that's not an excuse, I shouldn't have done what I did but," with a groan, Cassidy figured that he had closed her out and decided to finish, defeatedly.

"I'm sorry." No sooner did the words leave her mouth did Raphael re-rack his weights, pull the headphones off to hang around his neck did he truly acknowledge her.

"S'kay, I deserved it. I did drop you first." What? Where did that come from? Cassidy wasn't sure

"And yelled at me first." Cassidy said before she caught herself which earned her a pointed look with a raised brow from her friend. She could only laugh, feeling at ease with the acceptance of her apology.

"So…we good?" She hoped as she watched him shake his head and let out a heavy breath.

"F'course Tiny." He reached and wrapped her in a side hug that she reciprocated with an arm draped around his broad shoulders and while the other traced patterns into the skin of his forearm that wrapped around her waist. They were able to communicate without words and both knew that they were going to be okay. She was confident with her assumption from earlier, that he did cherish their friendship as much as she did. Then, with another squeeze to his shoulders, she realized that this was their first hug, and she prayed that more were to come.

The annual Stancy's Christmas party was getting a bit too rowdy which was perfect as Cassidy was able to sneak away. She was too excited. Christmas was in two day and she couldn't wait, all the presents for the boys, April and Casey were wrapped and ready to go. This was going to be her first Christmas with other people in over three years.

As she reached her apartment, keys jingling in the handle she heard voices inside her apartment. He's here, she felt so giddy knowing that he was waiting for her on the other side of the door. With another jiggle and click of the lock, Cass rushed inside, falling behind the door and pushing it closed as her body fell back against the door.

"Miss me already?" She teased, pushing from the door and setting her bag and keys on the island.

"Always princess," his reply dripped in sarcasm as he twisted to look over his shoulder. The grin spread over her face made her cheeks ache.

"Beer?" He called before turning back to yell at the basketball game. Giggling, Cass shrugged the jacket from her shoulders, grabbing a beer for each of them before plopping herself on the couch beside him. This was her happy place. Right here, beside him.

"You're here a bit earlier than expected," she commented during a commercial break while handing him his beer.

"Eh, needed'ta get away from Leo. He's up my ass again," he grunted, flipping through the channels. Cassidy has never met someone who hates watching commercials as much as he does.

"Aww and here I was thinkin' it was because you missed me," she teased, eyes rolling playfully as she bit her lip. She felt herself sinking deeper and deeper into the sofa, her beer felt heavier and her eyes were blurring slightly from sleep. But, before she completely succumbed, a gentle nudge met her shoulder.

"R'ya already Shorty?" He nudged against her shoulder again as she twisted to try and keep him in focus. Nodding with a yawn, she scrubbed the sleep from her eyes before standing.

"Yeah," yawn, "I just need'ta grab some stuff from the dryer," she called back as she made her way to her stackable, her fingers crossed hoping that she remembered to actually start the dryer before she left for work earlier.

Originally, Raphael was supposed to pick her up around midnight to bring her to the lair. April would be there and Casey would be joining a little closer to Christmas Eve. Cassidy (and April) both promised Mikey that they'd help bake cookies, pie and April's special pumpkin-zucchini bread. Ape mentioned that it was tradition while she scrolled through Pinterest looking up pop-tart recipes. Cassidy was still confused about that, she'd just have to ask her about it later.

"Ny'thing I can help ya with?" Raphael sounded closer, he must be in the kitchen.

"Nah, I got it,"

"Kay, we can head out in an hour, if ya want," she could almost, almost, hear the shrug in his words. Giggling she shucked the rest of her clothes out of the dryer and into the basket.

"Work for me,"

"Punisher?" He already knew her answer but figured he'd ask anyway. They had started the series a week ago and every time they got together, they'd binge an episode or two while he was out on patrol.

"Cue it up, I'll be right there," lifting up the basket, she all but ran to her room, throwing the clothes on the bed before scrounging around for her overnight bag. Finally finding it, she threw in everything she thought she'd need. Underwear, socks, bras, jeans, sleep shirt, hoodie, hairbrush, toothpaste & brush, ugly Christmas sweater thank you Mikey, and the Die Hard movie. That should be everyth— She blanched, and threw in her favorite blanket and secured her pillow between the handles, not believing that she had almost forgotten about them.

Now, sure that she had everything, including the presents all ready to go, she made her way back to the living room to see Raphael watching what looked to be the tale end of a UFC fight.

Setting her bag down, she stood right behind him before jumping to sling her arms excitedly around his thick neck. Her chin rested atop his mask covered head, her giggles faltering the second she felt Raph stiffen. Then, without saying a word, he reached up over his head, grabbed under her arms and flung her entire body up and over the back of the couch. She literally went ass over apple cart as she was flung from behind the couch, only to land, not so gracefully, in his lap. Her back pressed tight against his plastron as the air was all but knocked from her lungs in surprise. How can he be so strong!?

"Red!" She scolded, palm smacking against the forearm that was wrapped like a vice around her waist. His deep laugh vibrated through him and left her feeling a bit fuzzy in all the right places. Shifting with a laugh, her head fell back to rest atop his shoulder, a smile plastered on her face as she gazed towards the ceiling.

"You're such a turd, ya know that?" She said through her continued ring of giggles, lightly slapping against his forearm again to bring her point home. But, she couldn't fight how comfortable she was and was failing to fight sleep consuming her. His only answer was a deep, throaty chuckle before he made to stand, holding her up with the utmost ease before letting her slide down his front to land against the cold hardwood floor.

"Ya ready?" He moved to pick up the duffle that she had dropped behind the couch. Cocking her head to the side in question, she asked:

"I thought we were gonna watch Punisher?" His deep chuckle felt like a hug as it wrapped around her. She would do almost anything to hear him laugh like that more often.

"If ya sit on dat couch," he emphasized by pointing towards her evidently offending furniture, "you'll fall asleep and then I'll get stuck carryin' yer ass."

Sighing, she mumbled in agreement but he perked at hearing her admit that he was right.

"M'didn't quite catch that, what'dya say doll?" He continued to cup his hand against the side of his head as if to hear her response better.

"I said, you're an ass." Cassidy grinned playfully, throwing a pillow at him to which he caught easily, chuckling before throwing it back on the couch. She made her way around the apartment checking to make sure all the lights were turned off and doors were locked before meeting him back by the window.

Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the lair, their arms overflowing with gift bags and her duffle.

"M'gonna put these in the spare room." Raphael ruffed as he disappeared to the guest room. As she watched him leave, she laid her jacket over the back of a kitchen chair before greeting Mikey in the den. Cassidy found her place amongst the cushions as she got lost watching Mikey, seemingly, kicking ass in his game. A few minutes passed before he acknowledged her presence, without pausing his game, Mikey glanced back over his shoulder and greeted Cass.

"Sup sexy!" He sang but she watched as his eyes widened and a look of fear crossed his boyish features.

"Mikey." Raphael's deep baritone gritted from behind the couch and Cass couldn't help but jump, a shiver of gooseflesh coating her arms.

Immediately, Michelangelo paused the game and began to fumble his words. Cassidy made a bet with herself that if Mikey were human, his entire face would be beat red.

"Uh…hey Raph, uh…what's up man?"

Cassidy slowly turned to look at the large brute out the corner of her eye and it was clear that Raphael was, indeed, 'big-dogging' his youngest brother.

"What man? Your girlfriend thought it was funny," he said with a shrug. No sooner did the words leave his mouth, Raphael had already propelled himself over the back of the couch to chase his smaller brother. Michelangelo screamed and yelled all throughout the lair as he was chased and Cassidy quickly realized that the safest place for her was to remain still and watch the chaos unfold. Or, at least, that was the plan. Next thing she knew, Mikey landed on the end of the couch with a breathless "sorry Cass," before he quickly pushed the couch to do a complete 180º, causing her back to face the TV. Which meant that all she saw was a large mass of green barreling towards her.

"Oh shii—," his words quickly died as Raphael's eyes widened after realizing he wasn't going to have enough space to stop. He threw his arms out to brace the back of the couch as he was thrown forward, Cassidy's much smaller frame tucked below him as the couch fell backwards.

Huff, huff, uh

Their breaths were heavy as they both came to terms with what the hell just happened. Raphael was struggling with how to severely maim his youngest brother while simultaneously trying not to crush the pretty brunette below him. He was able to gather his surroundings quicker than her and he did something he, honestly, didn't think about.

Cassidy's eyes flew open at the gentle caress that trailed from her brow to swipe against her cheek. Her gaze locked onto burning amber and she felt her face flush and pulse quicken. They were so close, and he was all around her, literally. His large body hovered above her, his strength could be felt without a single touch. His control was overwhelming and tempting. Cassidy caught herself biting her lip at the thought which only seemed to spark his interest. Cassidy would be an idiot if she lied and said that she wasn't attracted to the large brute above her. His eyes followed the movement of her pink lip being sucked in as her small teeth nibbled the edge. He couldn't bring himself to look away, he was too enamored by how close she was and wanted nothing more than to push forward but…things like him, they don't get a happy ending. Before either of them made a move to pull apart, the sound of a throat being cleared broke through their combined reverie.

"Raphael," Master Splinter commanded the attention of his second oldest, "what has happened? Why is Miss Cassidy, and the couch on the ground?" His dark, beady eyes were cold and Cassidy heard the gulp that thundered in Raph's throat. I wonder what it'd feel like to lick…what. Girl. Cassidy mentally shook herself awake, this was not the time to think like that as his father is looking at the both of you with a guarded gaze.

"Sensei, Mikey—," Raphael knew he couldn't blame this solely on his baby brother. He needed to take responsibility for chasing Mikey and causing Cassidy to be in danger. It was his fault.

"Michelangelo."

At the serious tone in which his name was called, Mikey popped his head out of the kitchen, a slice of pizza held loosely in his fingers. Mirroring his brother with a heavy gulp of his own, he set the slice down before walking towards their father.

"How did Miss Cassidy," he motioned towards the brunette who was still on her back as Raphael hadn't moved from his fallen position, "and the couch, end up on the ground?"

The seconds ticked by as Mikey looked towards Raphael, hoping for some backup, but Raph was still upset being put in this position. Whether it be by his or Michelangelo's own actions.

"Uh…y'see Master Splinter," Mikey bated, his arms motioning towards the duo who finally made their way to stand to tackle this issue in a more suitable position.

With Michelangelo's lack of information, Master Splinter turned towards his red-banded son and queried a questioning brow.

"Um, Master Splinter," he watched as his two sons whipped to lock onto the brunette who called to him.

"Mikey made a small comment and Raphael stood to defend me," she stated, "but, it was all in good fun. Sure," she shrugged, "was it blown out of proportion, yes, but no one got hurt." Her gentle laugh and the shaking of her hands cued that there was no harm, no foul and all was well. But, to Master Splinter, that was far from it. He raised his sons better than to put those who are innocent in harms way.

"Michelangelo, what did you say to Miss. Cassidy that would cause Raphael to defend her honor?" Ooh, honor, that's the word, Raphael thought as he watched Mikey's eyes widened, clearly now realizing his mistake. Lil' punk.

"I…"

"Called 'er sexy." Raphael was over this and didn't want to give Mikey anymore time to think of a way to talk himself out of getting in trouble.

"Is this true," Splinter turned towards his youngest son with a snap of his tail. The sound caused Cassidy to jump. She hadn't been offended by what Mikey said, knowing it came from a place of love and acceptance. She didn't want to get him in trouble, she's heard stories about the Hashi and didn't want to be the reason he ended up there.

"Sensei," she stepped forward until she was in his sightline, "I'm not offended or anything, honestly he made this 'ol girl laugh," she chuckled as the way Mikey's eyes widened, yet again, in hope.

"Please don't punish him, Raph was just trying to defend me and it was honestly a misunderstanding at this point." Her shoulders shrugged to drive home the point that, in truth, everything was fine and she still adored Mikey as a lil' brother.

Master was silent for a long breath. Each member began to sweat as they waited for his final ruling. The air was tense, but there was nothing any of them could do until he spoke.

"Michelangelo, I believe you owe Miss Cassidy an apology," then he turned to have everyone in sight, "Raphael, you and your brother will have kitchen and living room duty until the foreseeable future." With a bated breath to allow the boys to fully understand exactly what they just got away with, he continued, turning to face Cassidy head on.

"Please, accept my apologies Miss Cassidy," he requested as a soft paw landed upon her shoulder before they shared a small smile and nod before he made his leave. Once their father was out of sight, Mikey walked up before falling into a deep bow, apologizing profusely. Letting out a breathy laugh, Cass wrapped Mikey into a tight hug, despite how large he was, he felt so small in that moment.

"Oh Mikey, you're a sweetheart! I know you didn't mean it in a bad way like 'Ol Raphie thought." Before he unwrapped his arms, he snuck in a kiss on her cheek, his baby blues piercing her heart.

"You're the BEST Cass!" He exclaimed before turning to Raph with a raised brow and pointed in accusation.

"You…," he made an example to look between both Raphael and Cassidy a half a dozen times before locking back on his older brother. "Don't fuck this up!" Flicking his thumb back in Cassidy's direction for emphasis, he quickly vanished before round two with his brother unfolded.

Raphael let out a held breath with a mumbled, "that's the plan numb nuts," so quietly that Cassidy didn't catch it as she was too busy watching the spot that Mikey left with a string of giggles.

"Alright big guy," Cassidy called as she righted herself and stalked back towards the largest terrapin.

"You," she challenged, "me," she continued, slowly waking up to him to trial her fingers along the grooved edges of his plastron, "an Mario Kart." She couldn't help the smirk that spread across her face at his exasperated huff as his arms uncrossed from his chest.

"You're on pipsqueak."

The next two hours were spent battling it out in trying to decide who was the best of the BEST at Mario Kart.