Hothead Hardships

Chapter 14: Touch, Tense, Tease

"Hajime!"

Cassidy heard Splinter begin training as she walked into the kitchen. It was Sunday, her last day at the lair until May. Even though she was sad, she understood why it was imperative for her, April, and even Casey to distance themselves. Especially with everything that has happened between Big Red and herself lately. Or with how close and connected Donnie and Aril seem to be.

Yesterday was spent playing video games, arguing about comics with Mikey, helping Donnie paint decals on the side of the garbage truck, and drinking tea with Master Splinter and Leo. April and Casey also swung by with lunch and Casey brought what he called 'necessities' for the boys. Neither April nor Cass had any idea what that could mean because it was all very hush-hush. But that didn't stop the girls from poking a bit of fun throughout the day as they tried to decipher what could have been in the large paper bags that Casey brought for each of the boys.

Cassidy laughed to herself as she finished cleaning the dishes in the sink, getting ready to prepare breakfast for everyone when they were finished with training. After breakfast, Cass would be leaving with April and Casey. Master Splinter would be spending this season at Northampton which was a cabin that Casey's grandmother willed to him after she passed. Cassidy couldn't blame him for wanting to separate, especially during a tense and testosterone-filled season. April and Casey had shared some funny and embarrassing stories of the boys when they were younger. One story Cassidy couldn't get out of her head and that was when Mikey accidentally washed Raph's mask with Leo's cotton wraps and everything that Leo owned died pink. Or when Donnie thought that his headphones were plugged all the way in, when in fact they were broken (by Mikey) and everyone in the lair heard exactly what type of videos 'ol Donnie-boy was watching. Raph and Mikey barked out laughing saying that Donnie scrambled saying it was for 'research' and refused to admit that he was just a horny teenager. Similar stories were shared about each of the boys which ended with everyone in fits of laughter. Cassidy couldn't stop picturing a younger Raphael with a zebra printed mask on his face who was caught red-handed (if you catch my drift) with a Playboy magazine by Master Splinter and he had to spend twelve hours in the Hashi. Cassidy absolutely lost it at that one because Raph grumbled beside her before shooting back and telling how Mikey would go around kissing frogs when he was six because Raph and Leo told him if he kissed the right one, it'd turn into a princess. This continued for weeks until Donnie finally told him that it was scientifically impossible and unsanitary.

She was able to spend a bit of time with each of the boys and their father because she was selfish and wanted to create some lasting memories until she was able to see them again. Donnie even updated each of their Shell-Cells with an app like FaceTime, that way they could video chat with each other. She was forever grateful for the technological genius that was Donatello.

Back to the present, Cassidy finished up the dishes and worked on getting the full box of pancake mix ready to go. It shouldn't surprise her how much food the boys put away but when April brought over eight boxes of pancake mix and said the boys have been known to make it through two boxes per meal, she was astonished.

Cassidy gasped as she felt a strong pair of hands at her waist and a snout nuzzle against the edge of her jaw.

"G'morning Doll," well if it wasn't the big red brute himself. He nuzzled her cheek and pressed a kiss against the edge of her jaw. She leaned into him, pushing her neck to the side to give him a little more access.

"Mornin' Red," she breathed, he's never been this affectionate besides that one time they kissed on the recliner when his family wasn't paying attention. But this, his family could walk in at any moment. He tickled her side, making her arch back into him, eliciting a deep, guttural sound.