A/N: This story is a slow burn in the beginning to help build my OC. Enjoy! Once again, I do not own any TMNT characters or any brands/company names that are mentioned in the story.
A/N: Wow! Thank you to everyone that has left a review! I appreciate every single one of you. I have been sitting on this story for awhile and I have decided that 2022 will be my year to step out of my box. I hope you all are enjoying this series as much as I am writing it. I also have started another story revolving around Leonardo and another one of my OCs. If that interests you, let me know.
"I see that Mikey roped you into his pranks" April flopped beside me on the couch,
"Heh, yeah it was sorta both our idea to get you and Casey under the mistletoe."
"But not your intention to get Raph?" April smirked at me, a glint in her eye as if she could read my every thought. I could feel my face heat up as I crossed my arms, feet resting on the coffee table as I sank deeper into the lumpy cushions.
"It was an accident…" I mumbled
"Was it an accident, or are you upset that there were witnesses?"
"I don't know what you mean, April." I said, turning my head to look at her. The look she gave me reminded me of Leo's face earlier. Full of non-verbalize confidence, mirth and all knowing. It was the look you get when your friend knows you're lying.
"Hmm… I think you know exactly what I mean. You like him." She nudged my side as I refused to look at her. I snuggle deeper in my hoodie hoping I could hide the embarrassment on my face.
"Hypothetically… even if you're right, it wouldn't matter."
"Now why…" Her words died on her lips as we heard Mikey walk in.
"FOOD'S HERE!"
"Bought time dudes!" Casey said, walking into the kitchen, making eye contact with April, a grin plastered on his face.
"Looks like Mikey and I were right." I said smugly as I elbowed April, standing and stretching, my arms reaching above my head. I leaned back to get a deeper stretch, I felt a cool breeze on my belly.
"Cass," April said from beside me.
"Huh, what," I started, opening my eyes to stand straight, doing so forced my eyes to lock on the newest member to enter the lair. Raphael. He had a hard look in his eye, his toothpick fidgeted from between his teeth. It almost felt like he was snarling at me, but it didn't quite meet his eyes.
"Hey Raph, ready for some Chinese?" I started, realizing that I missed seeing his smug smiles and that ornery gleam in his eye.
"Yeah," Was all he said, as he nudged his head towards the kitchen,
Upon entering the kitchen, Mikey was going after Leo again for messing up our Christmas Eve dinner.
"You are BANNED from the kitchen dude! I don't understand how you were trying to make tea and somehow changed the oven settings!
"Mikey, I didn't know"
"How do you not know? Ape, Cass and I slaved over it ALL day!"
"Heh, Mikey it's all right, I'm pretty sure I screwed up the green bean casserole anyway," I managed nonchalantly as I set out plates for everyone at the table. Even if Leo and I had a weird companionship, it doesn't mean that I shouldn't stick up for him when it counts. Leo looked at me and nodded and I knew that it was the right thing to do.
"But come ON Cass!" Mikey continued to whine, his arms flailing about, I giggled.
"Mikey, we still have the best part of dinner all done."
"And what's that!"
"Cookies, brownies, and cheesecake that April brought!" Mikey's eyes started to light up, I knew that he was already forgiving the situation that happened with Leonardo.
"Yeah you're right!"
The rest of dinner went smoothly, April and Casey were practically eating each other with their eyes. Donnie minded his own business, tinkering with his tablet while drinking his third cup of coffee. Leonardo was assisting Splinter back to his room for a late meditation and then an early turn in. Mikey was dividing up the cheesecake (mind you, he had the biggest piece) for us while Raph sat beside me, brooding. He was angrily biting and twirling his toothpick so much that I was impressed it hasn't broken into a million different splinters. I was trying not to stare, but the sound of teeth, tongue and wood seemed to scream inside my head.
"Ugh Red, chill on the pick!" I said aggravated, I stood and plucked the offending piece of wood from his lips, his eyes going wide. My brief display of frustrated courage was snuffed out quickly by the look in his eyes. His bright amber eyes catching me on fire, my eyes never wavering, I continued,
"Has no one ever told you it's an annoying habit?" I challenged, and to irk him further, I bit the toothpick, letting my tongue twist around the end to secure it between my lips.
Something flashed in him then. He stood from the table, his large frame shadowing over me, I could practically feel his heavy heart beat as his ragged breath swept over me, brushing across my bangs. He growled, and it did not have the desired effect he was hoping for. It only egged me on and I wanted to hear it again.
"Game night!" Mikey yelled, waltzing into the den, arms full of different board games, movies and a soccer ball. The ignited bomb immediately dissipated between Raphael and I. Our eyes unlocked and we looked in opposite directions. I caught April's eye and she had the biggest smirk along her features as she leaned against Casey in her chair.
The rest of the night went on without a hitch, we played Uno, Bullshit, and now we were attempting to play Monopoly after Mikey kicked everyone's ass in 'Just Dance.' We were all sprawled across bean bags and stomachs, stacks of blankets and pillows piled everywhere. It was a comfy, carefree atmosphere. I was beside Mikey and April, then clockwise it went Donnie, Leo, Casey and Raph. We were about an hour into the game and everyone was losing their patients.
"Yo, let's play somethin' else Mike." Casey whined, as he got up from the group.
"Where ya goin'? Game isn't done yet!" Mikey was exasperated!
"Gettin' a beer Mike. Raph ya want one?"
"Is that even a question, knucklehead?" Raph smirked as he too got up from the group, heading to the kitchen with Casey.
"What should we play then?" Mikey questioned, looking around the group, seeing if anyone was going to volunteer any options.
"Truth or Dare?"
"We're not thirteen Leo," Donnie said with an eye roll as he set aside his cup of coffee. I've lost track of how much coffee he has consumed in the last six hours.
"Marry, Fuck, Kill?" Casey said as he walked back into the room with Raph. Each carrying a six pack of beer, a bottle of jack and a plate full of nachos that Mikey threw together.
"Leo wouldn't be good at that game," Mikey stated matter of factly as he and Don were putting all of the Monopoly pieces back into the duct taped box.
"And on that note, I'm going to bed. Goodnight everyone, Happy Christmas Eve." Leo stood and brushed off his shorts before heading out of the den and towards his room.
"Why do you keep picking on Leo today Mike?" I asked
"Never pegged you as a fan Cass," Donnie chimed in.
"I don't not like Leo, but it's the Holiday season and we should strive to be a little nicer."
"Aww, Cass," Mikey gushed as he leaped towards me and smooshed me into a bear hug.
"What about Twister?" April asked, I heard Mikey gasp as he let me go and spun to fully face April.
"Really Ape? You've never agreed before."
"Think of it as an early Christmas present," April smirked, but her eyes never left me, leaving me feeling as though she was up to something.
Here we are, five minutes into Twister and April and I are already regretting agreeing.
Donnie was in charge of calling out positions and making sure no one was cheating. April and I were both in an easy plank while each of the boys were focusing on their balance. Mikey's left foot was currently under April's belly on blue, his right foot on green and his corresponding hands yellow and green. Raphael was in the zone, positioned in a deep lung, his right foot, left foot and left hand were all placed on a red circle, while his right hand was placed on blue to my right. Casey was almost in a kneeling position behind Michelangelo. Both of his feet were placed on separate yellow circles, his right hand stretched to green while the other stretched to blue. It was my turn next, I looked to Donnie, praying that he spun in my favor.
"Right hand, green." He started, looking at me. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. The only way I could achieve that from my current position was to move my hand under my belly, which threw me off balance. My head was now overlooking my right shoulder to Raph, he was next.
"Right hand, yellow." I inwardly groaned, of course the fates would have him move closer to me.
"Alright Don, what you got for me," April said, wondering what her next move would be because she was surrounded by two hulking mutant turtles and her options were slim.
"April you are…." The spinning dial whirring, the sound seemed to be echoing off the walls.
"Right foot, red" I quickly monitored the board, the only red was in the back corner and she was already stretched as far as her body would allow. Being stubborn though, this didn't stop her from trying. I thought she had it, until her sock covered foot slipped on the mat and she fell with an "oof." Now it was up to me to win but the odds weren't in my favor as there were two ninjas and an athletic hockey player.
We continued to move one at a time, I was beginning to feel the strain after about eight minutes. Glancing towards the boys again, none of them looked as if this was a strain. Mikey was blowing bubbles with his gum, Casey was giving April suggestive eyebrows while Raph, with a new toothpick, looked as if he was sleeping. His eyes closed, no crease in his brow and his breathing calm. If I didn't know any better I would say he was a marble statue.
"Cass, right hand red." My head snapped up as I locked eyes with Donnie. He has the smuggest look on his derpy face that I have ever seen. His gap tooth grin portrayed nothing but mischief. I glanced at April who was clutching her belly, a hand covering her lips to stifle her laugh. Oh no, I groaned internally.
I started to move my hand, the only available red circle was placed directly under Raph's chest. I did my best not to disturb him, but once my hand touched the red circle, I made the mistake of looking up. His eyes were cracked enough to see the amber flame of his eye as he gazed at me, side eyes. That was his only movement, I feel that at this point, I was going to have a permanent blush plastered to my cheeks. He closed his eyes again and remained stoic. It was his turn and when he moved, he had to adjust his legs so now my hand was below the apex of his hips instead of his chest. Even though I tried not to focus on our current predicament. After both Mikey and Casey moved, we were now in a circle of sorts, our faces all in the middle of the mat as our limbs extended and overlapped each other. We were almost fifteen minutes in and my face was hot, not from embarrassment but from overexertion. I was ashamed to admit that I was not in very good shape, I was more curvy then April and I was struggling to hold my own. When it was Mikey's turn again, he moved but his shell pushed into Casey causing the two to fall over. Leaving only Raphael and I on the mat. If I wasn't so stubborn I would have tucked tail and dipped but my over-competitive spirit held out.
"Left hand, blue," I bulked, "Uh…" I wasn't sure how to do this, the only way I could reach blue from my position is if I half crawl under Raphael's chest. He looked at me then and his shell was lifted as if he was creating a bridge to give me enough room to maneuver under him.
"Red, I think you're going soft," I joked, even though I couldn't see his face, I could just sense his smirk.
"I promise doll, ain't nothin' soft about me." He grunted, I could feel him flex above me, I was able to see the muscles in his forearm tense, his veins popping, biceps bulging.
"Right foot green." Donnie stated as he was given a glass of water from April. Mikey, April and Casey were watching the two most stubborn people they know duke it out. With Donnie's last order, Raph had to hone into ninja mode. The only way for him to reach the red circle was if he either: 1. Did the splits, which was going to be difficult considering I was in the way, 2. He could try to kick his leg up and around, twisting so that his chest was facing the sky as he would be completely hovered above me.
He chose the second option. Now my body was shaking, either from embarrassment or lack of stamina, I knew I was going to lose. He was posed so easily above me, I could feel the grooves in his shell grazing my back. I didn't want to lose. I won't lose. I wanted to try something, it was definitely a risk but, currently, it was a risk I was willing to take. He had his head tilted back so I lifted mine and nudged him with the side of my head.
"Whatcha doin'?" He grunted out, turning slightly to look at me.
"Winning" Was all I said as I arched my back and wiggled my ass along the lower region of his shell and let out a small breathy moan that washed over the edge of his face.
"Wha" was all he said as he leapt to the side as to not crush me by his weight. The minute he moved, Mikey jumped up, pulling me with him in a bone breaking hug. Spinning me around praising me with congratulates and bragging how no one beats Raphael.
"Bruh! You just got beat!" Mikey sang as he pranced around the lair.
"Cassidy cheated!"
"How did I cheat Raph? I was simply stretching." Giving him a wink. I knew it was unfair but I had to work with what I got.
"You knew exactly what you were doin'. Don't play dumb, it ain't cute."
"Not trying to be cute. I was at a disadvantage so I used what the good lord gave me. I thought you were a ninja? Where's your control?" I played, I knew I was pushing it with the teasing but I just couldn't help it. Pushing his buttons was quickly becoming one of my favorite past times.
"HAHAHA just take the L bro! She beat you fair and square!" Chimed in Mikey.
"Donnie, Cassidy cheated." Raph grunted, looking at his purple glad brother, ignoring the one adorned in orange for the moment.
"Raph…Cass has a point. You have at least three hundred pounds on her and have been trained in the art of ninjutsu since the age of five. With her thinking, if she commits, she'd probably become one heck of a kunoichi.
"What's a kunoichi?" Turning towards Donnie, his words have piqued my interest.
"A kunoichi is a female ninja, trained in the art of ninjutsu and seduction. Even though in old Japan they rarely participated in fights. Mostly, they were conducting surveillance, small assassinations and would gain details of their enemies by getting close. Including in the..uh… biblical sense." Donnie stuttered the last bit, his eyes moving from mine to Raphael's.
"I have been wanting to learn how to defend myself." I said, as I flopped onto the couch beside Donnie.
"Wait, really dudette? I could teach you!" Mikey said, grabbing his nunchucks, giving us a display of his talent with the weapons.
"I don't know Mike, she may be better off with something like the bow staff." Donnie said, I chimed in.
"You might be onto something Donnie, an old friend in high school did show me some techniques she used in color guard, it's sort of the same thing."
"That is actually a really good insight Cass, there's definitely a lot more responsibility when it comes to the practice of ninjutsu itself."
"Thanks Donnie, I would like to ask Master Splinter first," I wasn't able to finish as Raphael interrupted.
"I will be the one to talk to Sensei in regards to training Cassidy."
"I don't want to slow you down Raph." I knew his training sessions were rigorous, intense and way more advanced than what I would be able to do.
"You won't, your best bet will be with me because I specialize in hand to hand combat."
"Raph does have a point, Cassidy. When wielding his sai's and with hand to hand combat, Raphael relies on his strength and knowledge in striking and blocking. He would be your best option, other than Sensei himself." Donatello confirmed, as he flicked through the tablet that was in his hands.
I turned to look at Raphael then, he was looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher.
"What should I call you? Boss, Sensei, Master," I rambled on, wanting to see if I could get a rise out of him.
"Daddy?" Michelangelo butted in.
"MIKEY!" Both Raphael and I yelled.
