Hothead Hardships

Chapter 4: A Knowing of

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.

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Later that night, Cassidy walked back into the den from her shower only to be yelled at from across the lair.

"Cass! You're our tie breaker," Mikey called, a bowl of cheese puffs falling out of his orange bowl as he jumped in excitement.

"Okay," she giggled as she made to stand beside the couch, seeing that April had joined the party.

"Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" The silence was almost deafening as the eyes of each brother and April waited for her answer.

"Well..." she teased, locking eyes with each member, "I don't see why it can't be." She said nonchalantly as she cocked her hip as if asking for a debate.

"HAH! Fuckin' told ya!" Raphael barked, throwing a fist full of caramel corn at his brother.

"Of course, your girlfriend has your back Raph," that was Leo's voice. Everyone went silent as Cassidy felt her skin seize up and her eyes locked onto April, who was looking at her with a shit eating grin. Shit.

"Fuck off Leo."

"Or what? You're not denying it." Leo challenged. Somebody woke up and chose violence, huh, Cassidy surmised in her head as she watched the flames climb between the two eldest brothers. She wasn't going to lie, with the lack of denial or confirmation from Raphael left her head reeling. She noticed that Raphael, who sat beside where she stood, leaned further away from her and that alone made her heart drop a little. Her mind was swirling as she became lost in her own thoughts. Does he like me? Like, like me? And, why did Mikey say, 'not this again?' Does that mean they've talked about me before, was it good, bad? Her mind continued its southward descent until she felt a movement beside her. Then, like a true savant, Mikey broke the tension with practiced ease.

"Ugh guys, c'mon," he shook his head in mock disdain as he rolled to square his shoulders.

"Who's up for a non-debatable Christmas movie?" Cassidy offered, as she pulled a pretzel rod from Mikey's snack bowl before moving to find a place to sit. Trying to steer clear of the large brute but, as luck would have it, the only space available without an obstructed view was right in front of him. With a small mental grumble, she grabbed the other beanbag chair and set it at Raphael's feet. Trying to give him as much space as she could, which was only managed by about three feet before him.

"Princess has spoken," Mikey held up the sacred remote, "Christmas movie it is, Angelcakes, would you do the honor?"

"How about Jim Carey's, The Grinch?" April offered, and with a collective decision, Mikey popped the movie in and we all got settled in. The movie began and all was calm. Well, almost everything, what shocked her the most was that once everyone was sucked into the movie, Raphael locked her beanbag between his strong feet and dragged her back until she rested against the front of the couch. Cassidy thanked her lucky stars that the only light was from the television as her cheeks stained red. There was no communication between them but she sensed that he had calmed down from his earlier tiff with Leo. Cassidy took the opportunity and snuggled in, adjusting the blanket around her knees and cuddled against Raphael's knee. Everything eased into a comfortable silence accompanied by Mikey, Donnie and April quoting their favorite lines. Cassidy was beginning to feel like she truly belonged.