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.

With a groan, my arms stretched over my head as my body released any tension that built over a sleepless night. Merry Christmas. Laying in the spare, I looked at my phone, it was only six in the morning. Looking towards the bed, April was still asleep and after tossing and turning, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. Thinking back to the last ruckus before we all headed to bed. After Mikey's comment and Raphael chasing, catching him until he held Mikey by his ankles who dangled over the edge of the railing that led up to their bedrooms. Raph and Mikey bellow an apology down to me as he tried his best to wiggle out of Raph's grip. The scene was quite comical but I did worry for Mikey's safety as I saw Master Splinter open the door to his chamber. Remembering the look on the boys' faces before they disappeared, out of sight. Chucking to myself, realizing that they had made themselves scarce, worried that they would feel the sting of their master tail.

All of a sudden, an incessant banging was heard, pulling me from recollecting.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES! UP, UP UP!" Michelangelo yelled excitedly, I could practically hear the smile in his voice, imagining him jumping up and down before bounding towards his brother's rooms.

Getting up from the air mattress, I set out to get dressed, wanting to remain comfortable because it was always up in the air about what exactly was to be expected on a Christmas morning in the Hamato household.

"M'what time is it?" April asked, flipping over to face me, "it's 6 a.m." I answered as I sat on the edge of the bed, placing my foot in my leggings, simply not trusting my balance this early in the morning.

"Mikey wants his presents," I giggled as I threw my hair in a sloppy bun after throwing on a sports bra and hoodie. Fuzzy socks adorned my feet before I did one final stretch before getting up.

"Come on Ape, I don't want to experience the wrath of Mikey if we don't get up soon." I whined, as I grabbed her foot and shook it through the blanket. She grumbled her response.

Back into the lair, everyone was awake and Mikey was by far the only one that looked overly excited. A huge grin was plastered over his dorky face as he sat beside the Christmas tree. Donnie looked almost dead to the world, no tech or gadgets, just him, his bandana, glasses and big cup of tea cradled in his hands as he leaned against the back of the couch. He definitely needs caffeine. Leonardo sat in the single recliner, a book in his hands. He reminded me of an old man with reading glasses that read the paper on Sunday mornings. Then my eyes flitted towards him, Mr. Big Red. He was sprawled on the couch, in his usual spot. One large arm draped over the back of the couch while the other laid atop his thigh. One foot was placed firmly on the ground while the other was strewn across the coffee table. He was the epitome of comfort, every single sexy piece of him. Sexy? Ugh, he's making me lose my mind. I internally groaned, this Christmas in the lair may be the death of me.

"Come here doll," Raph said as he patted the seat beside him, a smirk plastered on his green face. Now how could she say no to that damn face.

I sat down, leaving some space between us, trying to give myself a fighting chance. The events of last night circled in my head. The baking, my shower, our cute fights, his lips on my cheek and that game of Twister. Gawd that game of Twister, the dream she had last night did not help anything. Instead it just confused her more.

I threw my head back with a grown as I adjusted my body to sprawl across the couch, my legs bent as my toes gripped the edge of the coffee table. I felt something touch my hair, looking over at Him, he had a small dopey smile across his lips. He was playing with a strand of hair that fell from my messy bun. If only he knew how much he made me melt.

"Ever'thing alright there, Push?"

"Push?" I questioned, it was a new one. How have I earned that nickname?

"Cuz ya push all my buttons." He smirked, I rolled my eyes and lightly elbowed him in the gut. Causing more pain to me than him.

"Fine then I'm callin' ya Buttons." I giggled, his hand left his thigh as he attempted to tickle me. Giggling, I tried to fight out of his grasp, but my subconscious knew full well that I wasn't trying that hard. I liked how it felt like we were the only two in the world. That was until Mikey's spaceship broke through our atmosphere. Flaming ball of fire.

"APRIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL!" Mikey beloved as April walked into the room. How is it that no matter what time of day it is, she's absolutely stunning. I shrunk away from Raph's grasp, my self-esteem and self-confidence was taking a definite hit and I knew he would sense it. Or at least he'd probably sense something.

"Merry Christmas Mikey," says April as she bent and placed a chaste kiss atop his head, her smile becoming bigger; I didn't think that it was possible. She was so effortless.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas everyone." Master Splinter said as he entered into the den, Leo moved out of the recliner to assist his father into the den. I straightened beside Raphael, I didn't want to seem improper in front of his father. I feel like I have caused too many problems already, especially with getting Mikey in trouble. I wanted to be on my best behavior today. It was Christmas after all.

"Dad! Here's your gift from April!" Mikey placed the box in Splinter's lap, as he opened it, it was a new traditional tea ceremony set. I was with April when she picked it out, she had said that a few of his tea cups were chipped or cracked and that she even accidentally dropped one when Mikey hit her with a water balloon.

"Much appreciated Miss. April, it was very kind of you." It was a great exchange to witness, it was so evident the role that April played in this family dynamic. I wanted to play a role, this family was quickly becoming my own, and I knew that I would do anything for them.

The rest of the morning continued, the first round everyone opened a present individually, but by round two, Mikey was getting antsy and started to distribute presents at lightning speed. Rapid fire. Leo and Raph got new comic books, Mikey got a boomerang and a nerf gun with at least 200 darts. Donnie got his new coffee maker, he was already in the kitchen setting it up to make a proper cup of coffee. April and I both got coupon books from Mikey that contained 'massage tokens,' which earned him a snap from Sensei's tail.

About fifteen minutes later, everyone was spread throughout the lair. Mikey and Casey were setting up targets in the tunnels, Leo and Splinter were back in their respective rooms and April was helping Donnie in the kitchen. I grabbed the last present that Mikey mistakenly handed back to me instead of giving it to Raph during his rapid fire rounds. Clearing my throat, I finally handed my gift over. It was definitely a risk, I was nervous it wouldn't fit. He tore through it quickly as, wrapping paper falling to the den floor.

"Cass…" He looked at me as he held up a black hoodie, the Punisher logo, in white on the front. I even painted his Japanese kanji on the shoulder of the hoodie to make it more personal.

"I hope it fits…" I trailed off, his facial expressions were so adorable. His eyes wide, jaw dropped, his toothpick barely staying in his mouth. This made me giggle and I could feel my own smile grace my lips. He was still holding the fabric up, twisting it in his hands to look it over.

"You've said you get cold in the winter and watching the Punisher is like…our thing. I wasn't sure what size to get you….if It doesn't fit, let me know and I will get you another one, if you'd like. Oh, I also added your kanji to the arm, ya'know, making it a little more personal. I…"

"Cassidy, it's perfect." He cut off my rambling, a light blush coated my cheeks. He turned, his gaze was so fierce as his amber eyes bore into mine. I watched his tongue twist around his toothpick, the entire thing in his mouth as he tucked the hoodie up over his head. Fuuuuck. I gulped, the heat pooled in my belly as I sat cross legged, facing him on the couch as I watched him try to put the hoodie on. The hoodie got stuck mid way down his shell, the hoodie was still over his head. His large arms tried to reach the fabric, but his bulking biceps were in the way. Giggling to myself, I pushed against him, letting him know that I needed him to fold over his body so I had access to his shell. Lifting up onto my knees, I reached around him and untwisted the cotton fabric, pulling it the rest of the way down his shell. I felt him shudder. I realized that this was the first time I have touched his shell since we blew up on each other on the roof a few months back. As he fixed the hoodie so that it fell around his neck properly, he glanced at me. His toothpick enhanced smirk, side eye glance with his liquid amber eyes. He gave me a growl before wrapping me in a crushing hug, lifting me to cradle me against his chest, his head stuffed in my neck. I could get used to this I thought as my arms tightened around his neck. His strong arms laced around my midsection, I felt his one hand massage my hip, causing my hoodie to lift so that he was touching straight skin. His touch made me burn. At that moment, I didn't care that his family was in sight. A surge of confidence flitted through me as I bowed, kissing the top of his mask-covered head. He pulled away from me slightly, from our position, I seemed to have the upper hand, he looked up at me. He must have learned his puppy dog eyes from Mikey; the only difference was, with him, I couldn't resist. I felt his hands move up, slightly lifting my hoodie, his eyes seemed to burn while looking up at me. Melted gold. A small moan left me as a slight tickle against my waist caused my breath to hitch. Looking at him now, I knew the ball was in my court. He had kissed me yesterday, albeit on the cheek, but nevertheless it was a kiss. My eyes were heavy, the heat in my belly ignited hotter as I watched his eyes flicker to my lips before meeting mine again.

"Ra…" His name was about to fall from my lips as I inched closer, I wanted to kiss him. So. Damn. Bad.

"COWABUNGA!" Mikey's voice boomed, echoing through the lair, his skateboard, with Donnie's latest improvements, raced around the lair, Casey hot on his tails, aiming a nerf gun at Mikey.

"Get back here pip-squeak!" Casey yelled, shooting darts haphazardly into the air.

My brain relapsed, taking in my current position, my hands were gripping Raph's hoodie, his arms still wrapped around my waist. Our position compromised, we jumped apart before any attention was on us. He leapt over the couch and followed after Casey. I fell back onto the couch, my arm going over my eyes, trying to still my heartbeat. Wishing the couch could simply collapse and eat me alive.

After pulling myself up from the couch, my day continued on as per usual. Before I knew it, the day flew by and April and I had everything packed and were ready to leave the lair. April had a Christmas Day party with her colleagues and I really wanted a hot shower.

"Hey Donnie, we leave in five!" Leo bellowed as he sheathed his katana while leaving the dojo. Raph finished putting April and I's bags into the garbage truck. Leo decided it would be safer to drive us back home versus trying to navigate over the icy rooftops and alleyways.

"Just gotta add the latest update Leo, it'll take thirty-eight seconds!" Donnie yelled back as he tinkered with the wiring on the dash of the truck.

The boys piled into the van, Raph being the last to enter, closing the door behind him.

"All set, hit it Donnie!" Leo said as he finished, hitting the dashboard twice with his hand, signaling we were all set.

April was the first to be dropped off, Mikey singing love songs to her until she made it to the main doors that led up to her apartment. Then, after about ten more minutes, Donnie backed into the alleyway beside my apartment. Raph opened the door, throwing my duffle bag over his shoulder before helping me out of the truck.

"Got three minutes Raph then we are on patrol for the rest of the night." Leo commanded before Raph shut the door with a quiet, "A'right fearless."

Raph surprised me by throwing me over his shoulder as he climbed the fire escape up to my small, rusty balcony. Still in his arms, I felt him open my window before tossing my bag through the window first, before setting me down.

"I neva' got to give ya last present." Raph said, before pulling a small leather pouch out of his belt.

"You already gave me that set of throwing knives, what else could a girl need?" I said as I took the pouch from his hands. I saw a glint of silver as I opened the pouch, tipping it upside down and a thin metal bracelet fell into my hands.

It was an intricate, silver band with a small red leather cuff which covered the open ends. It was beautiful. I traced my fingers along the thin metal, looking at the small nicks and imperfections that littered the fine metal. This was handmade.

"Did you…make this?" I asked, looking up to meet his eyes, watching his expression soften at my question. His hand lifted to scratch along the back of his head as he looked away sheepishly.

"Uh," the toothpick tipped upwards, then back down again and he fought to figure out what to say.

"Yeah, Donnie helped me get the supplies, except the leather. I had extra after rewrapping my sais." He still wouldn't meet her eye, looking anywhere but her, he still had his Punisher hoodie, it fit him perfectly. She knew a 6x sized sweatshirt was a good call so it would fit over his large shell.

I placed the bracelet around my wrist, it was a perfect fit, the leather ends softly tickled the inside of her wrist, loving that she had something so personal. Something so distinctly him.

"I love it…Buttons," I winked, a sly smirk covering my lips.

"M'no problem there, Push." He grinned.

Beep, beep

A flash of blue lit up his belt, Leo.

"Gotta go Doll, duty calls."

"M'more like Fearless" I cooed, giving him another smirk.

"Merry Christmas Cass…" He whispered before lifting to caress my cheek, planting a small kiss on my forehead.

He was gone by the time I opened my eyes. Glancing down at the alley, then back towards my bracelet, I chuckled to myself.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Red."

The rest of the evening was uneventful, my dreams taking me away, only leaving me frustrated in more ways than one. And it was all Buttons' fault.