"Thank you Miss April, for your hospitality." Splinter said, giving a slight bow towards my red-headed friend, who simply giggled and patted him on the shoulder.
"No need to thank me, you deserve some peace and quiet!" A smile spread on all of our faces.
"I trust that the boys will be on their best behavior. They have already been warned by Hashi." He nodded, a slight smile graced his gentle features. I knew that despite his frail stature, he was not to be messed with and each of his sons understood that.
"They'll be fine. Casey can keep Raph busy and Leo won't let anyone get too crazy like they did last year." My ears perked up at that as I finished putting the rest of the snacks into our bags.
"What happened last year?" I questioned.
"One word…Mikey." Splinter gave a small chuckle with a head nod, one that I would compare to a father's shake of light-hearted disappointment. Though, I can only compare that to what I saw on tv. It was an endearing sight. I could see where Raph picked up some of his mannerism while watching Master Splinter and April interact with each other. It was endearing to witness. At that thought, speak of the devil:
Big Red: All good?
Cass: Yup, dad's getting settled in
Big Red: Good. We're about to head out for patrol. We'll be back before midnight.
Cass: So we'll get to watch the ball drop together?
Big Red: Mike won't let us miss it. We plannin' something though.
Cass: yeah? Like a surprise?
Big Red: somethin' like that
Cass: TELL ME!
Big Red: *read*
*two minutes pass*
Cass: You just leave me on read?
*two more minutes pass*
Cass: I see. Two can play. *smirk emoji*
At that, I turned my phone on silent after muting our conversation. He can try to bait me, but I'll hook him first. I know it.
I was lost in my own thoughts when April called my name.
"Ready Cass?"
"YuUp!" I grabbed my bag from the couch, handing the television remote to Splinter.
"Have a good night! See you tomorrow!" I waved as Master Splinter sank into the cushions, flipping his favorite stories on. I'll have to talk to Donnie about getting Master Splinter a smart T.V. so he can use my Hulu to watch his stories whenever he wants.
As April and I were making our way down, Casey met us halfway up the stairs.
"Well hellloooo ladies," Casey's smolder would've melted any girls heart. But something about the toothpick he had between his teeth didn't sit right with me.
"Hello Jones" April and I said at the same time, he shrugged as he pushed off the stair rail, grabbing April's duffle bag from her hands. Before April could protest, Casey cut in;
"Nope, I'm a gentleman."
"That's new news." I breathed a small laugh with an accompanied eye roll. Earning a laugh from April, who immediately covered her mouth as she made eye contact with Casey. She giggled more as she shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes, a smile upon his lips. It was cute to watch those two interact with each other. If Jones plays his cards right tonight, he may get a proper kiss from April at midnight. I wonder if 'ol Red wouldn't mind a midnight smooch. I shook my head. Of course he would. He's my best friend, besides April of course. And according to Mikey and his vast collection of 'saucy' posters, and Raph's stash of scantily clad, tattooed, biker women, he was into thicc blondes or red-heads.
We made it to Casey's car around 9:30pm. Casey took our bags and threw them into the backseat with me. I glanced out the window and could have sworn I saw a flash of red at the rooftops edge. My mind always reverted back to Him. I sent a quick text, hoping I wasn't sounding too clingy, but I wanted him to be okay. I always worried when he and his brothers went on patrol. After hearing their stories of their work, a seed of sadness would always surface in my gut.
Cass: Be safe. I wanna see your mug at 12a
Big Red: don't worry babygirl! I'll come home to yooouuu! *obscene amount of colorful emoji's*
Wait, was that an eggplant?
I stared at my phone, that wasn't like Raph at all, and before I could piece anything together, my phone lit up again.
Big Red: Mikey. He's a fast little shit.
Cass: *laugh-cry face x3*
Big Red: I'll see you at home babydoll
That left me smiling like a damn lunatic. I rolled my eyes as I laid my head against the headrest. That man has got me all bothered.
"Ya'll good Cass? Lil' crazy laughing to yourself"
"Oh shut it Casey, you mutter all the time." April laughed, twisting to give me a high five from her front seat.
"Oh we got jokes." Casey half-heartedly groaned as he turned left down the alley that had the hidden garage door. After dropping down into the sewers, Casey still carrying April's bag, mine was slung over my shoulder. I wonder if Raph would carry my bag? Yeah he would, he may be a brute, but Splinter raised a gentleman. I wonder what it'd take for him to not be so gentlemanly….ugh. Fuck these horny ass feelings. I have come to terms with these feelings for the large, red banded terrapin; but now, it was getting harder and harder to keep those feelings to myself. It's only been five days since I last saw him, but it felt like forever. April and Casey's words vanishing to the background as thoughts about Raph and his damn addiction to toothpicks clouded my brain.
A relatively quiet walk to the lair was what I needed. I calmed myself down and was ready to let loose. Work has been crazy and I just finished sending out two college applications. I have some money still set aside from my move from Ohio and I can now afford to obtain my Associates degree in Design and Applied Arts. I haven't told anyone until I get accepted and start scheduling my classes. I am excited about finally starting school and I am welcoming the healthy distraction from my current obsession of 'Ol Red.
"Hey Cassidy, can I talk to you quickly?" April called from the kitchen.
"Yeah, what's up?"
Before she could even answer, Casey strutted into the kitchen, his face already munching on beef jerky and a Crush, most likely from Red's 'hidden' stash.
"Babes, did you tell Cass about us yet?"
"Uh, Jones, you have the worst timing." April shook her head, her hand cradling her face. He came up behind her and nuzzled against the top of her head, his arm snaking around her waist.
Everything clicked into place. I felt like a deer caught in headlights.
"You're dating!" I all but yelled, wrapping my arms around April.
"Haha yeah, for the past week. Still very fresh."
"Nah, I've known you forever babes, I was tired of the boys given me shit and I've got it baaaad for ya." Casey finished with a wink towards April and a quick tug of the jerky as he looked at me.
"I'm happy for you guys! I don't wanna take credit but…Mikey and I were right!" I beamed! I couldn't wait until they told Mikey, he'd be bouncing off the walls. More so than usual, if that was even possible.
A loud ringtone echoed through the lair.
"Yo, Raph, my man!" Casey winked at me, gave April a kiss on her cheek before he made his way out of the kitchen.
"Tell me everything!" I said, hands gripping the table as I leaned over the small round table.
"It wasn't expected…he surprised me after work one night and drove me home and he just never left."
"So, he's like a stray cat." I wiggled my eyebrows, giggling at the mental picture of the large Casey Jones in cat ears licking his paw.
"Basically. But he fessed up and told me how he's felt…I've always felt that way about him but he's such a flirt with everyone, I just never, truly knew if he felt that way."
"It was so obvious between you two though! Someone must have mentioned it to you!" I bellowed.
"Mikey would make small comments but he's also a hopeful romantic and he wants everyone to fall in love and live happily ever after." I thought back on that. Mikey loved watching Chick-flicks, adored the kissing scenes of the two main characters who finally put their feelings aside and took the risk. It was adorable to watch him become so invested in any love story.
"Are you happy?"
"Yes…honestly…it's always been easy with him. Yes we bicker but at the end of the day, everything we've been through. He's been my person. I guess I never wanted to admit it." April's cheeks were red and as a cat-call whistle broke through the air, her blush traveled to her neck.
"C'mon babe, let's get our stuff put away and chill before the boys get here. Raph and Mikey are goin' stir crazy and are trying to get Leo to come back early."
"Oh yea…Cass…Casey and I were wondering if we could…um…"
"Mind if we have the guest room?" Casey blurted, another smirk amongst his features as his arm, once again, snaked around April's waist.
"Course! I'll take the couch."
"Not unless Raph's got somethin' to say about that." April elbowed Casey in the ribs before pushing him forward.
"What's he mean?"
"Oh usually one of the boys will get kicked out of their room to make room for a guest. Nothing important."
"Okay" I shrugged, duh, I should've known that's what he meant. I walked back towards the couch where I dropped my bag. I kicked off my shoes and put on my puffy Christmas socks that Mikey got me and curled into the recliner, flipping through the channels until I found the one featuring the ball drop. My mind drifted and before I knew it, I dozed off.
—
"AH!" Launching off the couch in a yelp, my hand clutching my neck, feeling as if I have just been burned.
I looked back to Raphael doubled over, his booming laugh filling the previously empty lair as Mikey laughed alongside him.
"What the hell guys!" I yelled, seeing Raph trying to hide the offending object that caused my reaction. A cold bottle of beer.
"Ya looked a little flushed, just tryin' to cool ya off." I swear if I roll my eyes anymore they are going to get stuck like that.
"Want a cold one?" Raph motioned towards the bottle as he held it out towards me.
"Now I do" I groaned with a soft smile as I grabbed the Modelo from his grasp.
"Got back early from patrol?" I asked, before taking my first swig. My mind instantly calmed, I haven't drank in a bit.
"Leo let us leave a full hour early!" Mikey announced as he came back from grabbing him a beer from the kitchen.
"Whatcha doin' Mike?" Raph asked, nodding towards the drink in his hand.
"C'mon man! Dad's not here! I'll be good!" Mikey whined, before he broke the cap off the top, taking a quick swig.
"Well I ain't carryin' your ass to bed this year."
"Aww Raphie!" At that Raph locked Mikey in a headlock that could probably crush skulls with a single flex of his bicep.
"Shudder numbskull," He gruffed as he gave Mikey a boogie. His poor head would probably be all bruised later.
"Oh come off it Raphie give Mikey a break," I said, laying my hand on his arm before squeezing his muscle to encourage him to let Mikey go.
"Lucky Cass is here Mike." Raph rolled before taking the last swig of his drink before marching back towards the kitchen. Assuming he was grabbing another.
"You like to push his button dont'cha" turning towards Mikey, his eyes bright and a large green across his face.
"Of course baby cakes! It's my JOB!" He laughed before bounding towards his room yelling for Donnie as he went.
For the next forty-five minutes, everyone was eating snacks, drinking, laughing and simply relaxing before the start of the new year. I mistakenly challenged Mikey to a shot contest and lost, miserably. So now, very tipsy, I was dared to sneak up and get Leo with a water balloon. I thought I had my chance, but due to seeing double, I was nowhere close. Leo caught on easily and it was actually a lighthearted interaction between the two of us. He even helped me turn it back on Mikey and we unleashed a holy hell-fire down upon Mikey. At the end, the three of us ended up soaked and as I threw my last balloon, it missed its intended target (Mikey) and hit the gruff tank in red instead. His smoldering look lit my body aflame. His golden honey eyes dripped with dark promises of revenge. He roared to life and lifted me up above his shoulder before spinning in a never ending series of circles.
"Uh…hahahah RAPH! Put me DOWN!" I giggled, my lightheaded state being spun into a numbing existence as I shut my eyes, hoping to avoid the impending nausea.
He put me down but his punishment didn't stop there, he started to tickle my sensitive sides and if it wasn't for the alcohol I probably would've melted and collapsed due to heat exhaustion. I could feel the heat upon my cheeks, neck, chest, my whole body was on fire. I've never felt something so intense before.
"Hahaha Raphie! Ahahah BUTTONS! STAHHP!" I belted another yelp as he grazed the particular sensitive spot just above my hip, along the edge of my waist.
"HAHA a'ight shorty," He continued to laugh as he patted my head before throwing me a towel that he got from Leo. Making his way back towards the den area where everyone else found their seat. I couldn't keep my eyes off him as I watched his large form walk away from me. My eyes couldn't stop watching his ass and thighs. I used the towel to cover my face in hopes of obstructing my view would help ease my ever growing pulse to slow. I shook the water from my hair and made my way to the bathroom to switch out shirts before heading back towards the den.
Once righting myself, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, I made my way to the den to find a seat. Upon my arrival, Mikey had the beanbag all to himself, Donnie and Leo were in their respective recliners, Casey, April and Raph crowded the couch. I opted to plow down in front of Big Red, between his knees.
Once I sat, I felt a hand knead my crown and a moan escaped before I could register what happened. I began to cough, hoping it would cover my initial reaction to the touch. A chuckle rumbled through the being that sat behind me. I could almost feel his body vibrate with his deep laugh.
"TEN!" Mikey chanted! The bright ball on the screen began to drop. The remainder of the individuals in the room continued to count down.
"SEVEN!"
"SIX!"
"FIVE!"
"FOUR!"
"THREE!"
"TWO - two" Casey slurred the second 'two,' his eyes never leaving April
"ONE!" Everyone yelled
"WOOHOO! Helloooooo to the NEW YEAR! Make a WISH everyone!" Mikey yelled.
Feeling brave with the help of the vast amounts of alcohol, I crawled over to the bean bag, grabbed the orange banded brother by his shoulders and gave Mikey a kiss to his cheek.
I could hear a whistle coming from Casey as I stood and headed towards Leo. His eyes were the brightest blue I've seen on his and I simply bowed to place a kiss on his forehead. I then turned and headed towards Donnie, he gave me a small smile before leaning forward in his recliner so I could reach his forehead easier. Lastly, I turned to look towards the red brother. His eyes wide, my imagination playing tricks on me as I could have swore that his eyes darkened, and he licked his lips. I grabbed his cheeks and placed a kiss among his snout.
"BEST New Years EVER!" Mikey was heard shouting from behind me as I pulled away and giggled.
"Happy New Years Raphie," I giggled, then hiccuped before I collapsed in his lap, my head landing on his shoulder. Exhaustion taking over.
Before I passed out, I felt a nudge against my crown, his arms squeezed me tighter.
Happy New Year indeed.
