"ANGELCAKES you're here!" Mikey yelled as he came in, seeing April putting groceries on the table as Leo placed two cases of orange soda on the table.
"Hey Cass!" April greeted as she set the soda on the table. Raph helped Mikey by putting the groceries away.
"I have your clothes in my bookbag," April nodded to the blue backpack on her back.
"Thank you…" April interrupted, "Oh! Don't thank me just yet." April whispered, smirking. Oh no, that made her feel uneasy. What the hell does Ape have up her sleeve?
"Alright boys, you got this handled?" April asked, Raph and Mikey grunted in response. Leo simply nodded as he emptied the cases into the fridge.
"Let's go, where's Raph's room?" April asked, pushing Cass out of the kitchen and towards the hall of doors that led to each of their rooms.
"This way…" Cassidy was nervous because the look that April gave her made her mind play out any possible scenario.
"Tell. Me. Everything!" April all but yelled as the door to Raph's room closed. Why do I feel like a cornered animal?
"Oh come on Cass! You said you'd tell me later, it's later!" April was excited. Cassidy blushed, what should she say? Raph and her haven't even put a label to what they were? Cass needed to sit for this, they both decided to sit at the edge of his bed. April was thankful for the decision because she was about to interrogate the twenty-three year old.
"Well….he said he missed me…" Trying to tiptoe around the topic and not kiss and tell. April's giving me a look that screams she's not buying it.
"Cass…"she led, giving her a look of 'no shit Sherlock.' Ugh, ok.
"We kissed" pausing to see if that would suffice but, by her expression, she wanted more. Understanding that if Cass didn't volunteer the information, April would want to play 20 questions. Sigh. "…a lot."
"Cass!" April said excitedly! "I knew there was something between you two. It's so obvious how he's felt about you!"
"I'm mad at myself."
"Why?" April looked at Cassidy incredulously. Why is she mad at herself?
"That it took for the passing of Charlotte…to realize my feelings for him. He deserves better than that…'' Cass admitted, feeling ashamed as she tucked her head to her chest. Playing with the loose yarn of the red knitted blanket she sat on top of.
"I've always had a soft spot for Raph, but… in the beginning I wasn't sure what to do. I wasn't sure if he saw me like that or not" she admitted, "I didn't think that he'd even be interested in me because I'm… human." Cassidy felt silly admitting that out loud. There were a few instances with Raph that she thought something more would happen. But, every time either something interrupted them, or they would turn away out of embarrassment.
"Look…it couldn't have been easy to come to that conclusion. I'll admit, I had a slight crush on Raph when I first met him. But through time, I was able to chalk it up to the fact he saved me countless times in the matter of a few days. I love all of them, but they are like brothers. It's different between you two."
April met the boys almost 5 years ago. Cass has only been around for a few months, it's understandable and Cass can't fault April. Instead she's relieved because of her honest confession. Cass is relieved to have someone that understands, maybe not fully, but to an extent.
"Yeah…I know he's a mutant, ninja, and a turtle but…that damn toothpick." She sighed, playing with her hands that were in her lap. April placed her hand on Cass's knee, looking at her from the edge of the bed.
"April…am I crazy? Be honest." Cassidy could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Does she understand what I am getting at? I didn't know how to put it into words. I don't want to be judged but I need to know.
"What makes a man Cass?" Cassidy was caught off guard by that comment. She stared back at April.
"Is it the color of his skin? His origin? How has he come to be? Or is it his actions, the choices he makes when it counts?"
That left her dumbfounded. It reminded Cass of the quote from Hellboy. One of Raph and her favorite movies to watch together.
"So it's okay to… love him. Love him like the man he is. The man that I know?" Cass asked, her face beat read. Feeling as though she had a fever, her face is hot and her head feels heavy.
"If it's what you want. Love him. He deserves to feel that kind of love. They all do."
She's right. With there being a 5 year difference between them, Cass saw her as a sister. The older sister she never had, but the older sister and best friend that she needs.
"Thank you April," she whispered against her neck as she hugged her.
"I think I love him…I know it's soon but," Cassidy wasn't quite sure how to continue, she wanted April to understand.
"Love has no timeline Cass. Look at Casey and I, we've known each other for five years and it took him leaving to go to California for me to realize that I missed the big idiot." She laughed at herself before standing from the bed and grabbing the book bag she brought that had clothes for Cassidy.
"Okay now that my intuition has proven true…check the bag." April smirked, bringing the book bag to lay between them on the mattress.
"April…what did you do" she trailed, nimble fingers unzipped the zipper and out fell a black, lacy bralette and its matching panties.
"Where'd you find these!" Recognizing the lingerie she had purchased off line one drunken night months ago, way before she even met the boys.
"Puh-lease! I know you Cass, and anyway Raph was with me. He helped me into your apartment. Leo drove us after they ate breakfast today." She shrugged as she started to unpack the rest of the garments from the bag.
What? He never mentioned going with Leo to help April grab some of her things.
"But it's daylight" Cass was confused.
"It's actually been raining all day up there, Leo was super apprehensive but Raph actually convinced him somehow." April shrugged again, not giving into Cassidy's inquisition. She decided to change the subject.
"Did Raph see you pack?" Everything clicked into place, mortified that they planned this to prank her. Her eyes going wide, all the possible scenarios playing in her head. Did Raph have April pack the lingerie? Did he even know?
"Nope. Old, Raphie boy was checking your apartment. Making sure everything was locked and turned off. He did grab your toiletries and put them in a bag though. He also grabbed this" She finished, pulling out her favorite mug. It was the mug he got for her birthday in September. It said, "there may be something more that wasn't there before." A quote from her favorite Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. Why has she never noticed? Did he have feelings when he gave it to me? She was filled with more questions.
"Alright, that is everything I have for you. I'm headed to the kitchen to make sure nothing is burning."
"Thank you, for everything Ape."
"Of course babe!" She said, waving her hand as she closed his door behind her.
Being left alone, her own thoughts ran wild. April was right, Raph and her have been through so much since in these past few months. She knew that she wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him and his family. He has kept her on solid ground, he has always been there for her since the beginning. She was one lucky girl.
Knock knock
"Come in," she said, getting off the bed, putting the bag of clothes on the floor in front of the dresser. Kicking the lingerie under the bed, hoping that whoever was about to walk in didn't see it.
Leonardo came in, two cups of steaming, hot tea in his hands. The aroma filled the expanse of Raphael's room, immediately calming her mind.
"Hello Cassidy, tea?" He questioned, motioning for me to take the cup, "careful, it is warm." Taking the cup from his extended hand, cuddling the small cup to her chest.
"How can I help you Leo?'' She was still getting used to their civility. Bowing his head, he leaned against the door frame, a small smile gracing his lips.
"I hope that I am overstepping boundaries but I need to warn you about something." Leonardo's eyes were hard to read, but if she thought that they went distant for a second.
"O-okay…have I done something wrong" she questioned, Cassidy started thinking back, trying to pinpoint if something had been said.
"Oh, nothing, you've done nothing wrong, it's actually the opposite, it's what you can do to help."
"Help with what?"
"There is something coming, at the beginning of April…um…we, my brothers and I" She has never known Leonardo to struggle with his words. What could she help with? The longer he struggled the more and more the gears in her head turned to hopefully help him finish his sentence.
"Ah…I should have let Donnie tell you, he's better with this type of thing,"
"Should I go ask him? What happens at the beginning of April?"
"No, um…okay. Cassidy, at the beginning of April my brothers and I started a full month of heightened feelings, and emotions. There's a lot of tension in the air…" He was giving her a look as if trying to tell her to read in between the words he was telling her.
She looked at him so lost and confused. She just sipped her tea, waiting for him to blurt out what he was trying to tell her. She could see he was starting to feel very uncomfortable but sadly she wasn't understanding.
"You're making this rather difficult…have you not googled anything about turtles?"
That was a weird question.
"Uh, no? Was I supposed to, I simply figured that would be an invasion of privacy" she gave him a knowing glance at her last comment. She hadn't intended to make a last minute dig at him prying into her life but she couldn't help it.
"Let's go find Donnie." Leo was done trying to explain anything, and he walked back out of the room, but not before he took one final gulp of his tea as if it was a shot of tequila.
Both Leo and Cassidy walked out of Raphael's room and once they made their way to the lab, Raphael followed. He felt betrayed as he watched them leave his room, making their way towards Donnie's lab. He decided to follow.
"Hey Don…I need your help" Donatello spun around in his makeshift computer chair, turning away from his wall of bright LED screens.
"Sure, what ya need?" Donnie looked at the peculiar pair, he had never seen Leo and Cass this close while being civil towards each other. It was a nice change Donnie thought.
"I was trying to tell,"
"Leo was trying to tell me what happened to you guys in April but he couldn't spit it out. Then I got frustrated when I didn't understand what he was talking about." Cassidy stated bluntly, not really wanting to waste more time on this topic. It couldn't be that bad could it?
"Oh, very well…um Cassidy, even though my brothers and I harbor many human traits and characteristics, we are still animals. Our primal needs and rituals must be met." Donnie stopped, looking at the blank look on Cassidy's face. She took a final sip of her tea before she nodded for him to continue. She still wasn't catching on.
"We have a mating season. The most potent part of our season is the beginning of spring that happens at the start of April. The level of testosterone grows and things around here become very…tense. The need to find a mate and claim them becomes almost unbearable. But, we all have our own ways of coping." Donnie adjusted his glasses, letting out an uneasy cough. She sensed Leonardo let out a light cough as he tense beside her. His arms crossed his chest as he tucked his chin, finding the ground interesting.
"Really Don, could've just said we are a bunch of horn-dogs for the month of April."
Raphael.
Cassidy spun on her heel to see the largest terrapin leaning against the wall, one hand on the end of his toothpick while the other drummed along his form arm that spanned across his chest. How can he look so relaxed yet so damn enticing all at the same time?
"Raph…"
"What Leo, if you're gonna tell her might as well be honest about it. Rip the bandaid off." He shrugged, pushing off the wall before making his way out of the lab.
"Well…thanks for telling me…"
"I wanted you to know because even though you are more than welcome, I ask that Sunday is your last day until May."
Oh. Cassidy didn't even think that she'd essentially be asked not to come around the boys. That means that she wouldn't be able to be around Raph for another month. Damn, this all fucking sucks. She gets it, but it still sucks.
"Oh, of course. Thank you for telling me…um…will I still be able to call and that or,"
"Yes! Please don't misunderstand, everything will be the same, just without seeing you. We will still go on patrols, we may stop by but it'll be for short periods of time. It will just make everything a little easier." Leonardo stated, Donatello nodding his head in the background as he was turned to look back at the wall of screens.
"Okay, cool" Cassidy wasn't sure what else to say so she simply nodded towards the brothers and stepped out of the lab. She walked back into the den where she saw April and Mikey playing Mario Kart, Raphael was spread eagle over the recliner. He had one hand back behind his head, the other holding the armrest. His left leg was thrown over the arm as his other was placed to steady himself on the floor. Looked like a damn snack. What I wouldn't do to be in his lap Cassidy thought. She decided to tease him.
Walking up beside him, she placed her hands over his eyes and whispered "guess who," leaning closely to the side of his head, lightly brushing her lips on the edge of his mask.
"Hmm, is it my little hamster?" He teased back and before she knew it, he had his hand hooked around her and tossed her over his shoulder. She landed in his lap with a huff as she has never been flung around like that. She was a curvy woman and it wasn't everyday that she would get lifted and tossed around as if she were a feather. I like it, I really like it. Her mind was playing out some different positions that they could end up with her in his lap and surrounded by his strong arms. She lightly hit his chest before wiggling to get comfortable, not once thinking about the effect that she was having on Raphael.
He felt her shift and wiggle in his lap and if he wasn't so focused he was sure as shit going to make her realize exactly the effect she had on him. He wrapped his arm around her and adjusted their position so he had a fighting chance to not pop a tent right then and there.
Once she was situated, they fell into a comfortable silence. He was absent mindedly caressing her thigh as she watched Mikey and April battle it out in Mario Kart. After a little while, even Donnie and Leo joined the group, each taking turns trying to beat Mikey. Cassidy laughed along with them as she was cuddled up to the large brute, if only she knew what he was struggling with.
Raphael added a few quips here and there to seem like he was still alive but the only thing he could focus on was the voluptuous brunette in his arms. She smelled of him, still wearing his clothes which sent a jolt straight to his heart when he saw her standing in the lab with his brothers. She had been unconsciously biting and sucking on the hoodie drawstring. His mind had gone blank as he watched the way her small teeth and tongue teased the string.
Now, as she sat in his lap he could feel every laugh, every heartbeat, every small movement as she was entertained by his small family. He adored her, but he also loved the way she so easily melted into his grasp. She never fought or hesitated when she touched him, and all day he had thought about how well she fit him, especially when she had spread so wide to close her strong legs around him. He loved her thighs, the slight jiggle they had when she walked, how they would squeeze together as she bent over or the way they flexed as her hips swayed while climbing up stairs. He would never forget the first time he watched her climb the stairs that lead up to the balcony of their rooms, her hips sashed with each step, pulling him into a trance. He understood why Leo wanted to let her know about their mating season but damn, why was it practically here? He heard Leo and even though he didn't like it, he knew that for her safety, her last day was Sunday before May. He only had two more days with her. He squeezed her tighter, pulling her focus back on him, all he could do was smile at her. She smiled back at him, licking her plump bottom lip, her eyes flickering between his. She let out a breathy laugh as she grinned at him, he couldn't stop staring at her.
"Y'alright there big guy?" Her tongue shot out and licked her lip again, he wanted to taste her again.
"Now I am," he breathed, his hand traveled up her spine until it wound in her hair at the base of her skull. He was losing control and didn't care that his family was only mere feet from them. She bent low, leaning into him until their lips brushed. He kissed her with a grin, feeling stupidly, idiotically happy.
