Alternate Allure

EXTRA VI: The ride back home

The Shellraiser's engine hums as the vehicle rattles down the old maintenance tunnels, the city lights slowly fading behind you all. Mikey's sprawled across the seat opposite you, humming some random tune, and Raph picks at a scratch on his sai to distract himself. Leo's focused at the wheel-or pretending to be, if the way he keeps glancing at you in the mirror means anything.

You're wedged between Donnie and your seat's backrest, your head tilted back against the cool metal while you fiddle with your new noice-cancelling headphones..

Finally, Leo breaks the silence.

"Hey... back there with Fong. You, uh, tried to talk him down before we jumped in... Why?"

"I mean-" You rub the back of your neck, trying to find the words as you settle down your headphones. "It's not the first time I've talked to him"

Raph's eyebrow shoots up. "Come again?"

You hesitate, feeling the words clog up in your throat, but Donnie's knee lightly bumps yours. You look up at him just to find the sweetest smile ever. He's not rushing you... He's trying to encourage you, and say everything's going to be fine. You let out a breath.

"The night you guys got cornered by Bradford and Xever... Fong gave me Leo's katana"

Leo's head whips around "He what?"

"Eyes on the road, fearless" Raph grunts, grabbing a pole just in case.

You shrug. "He wasn't exactly easy to convince, but... he handed me the weapon after I talked to him for a bit... I think he didn't want to watch you guys get wrecked. Not after Leo let him go at Murakami's restaurant"

The brothers stare at you, processing.

"And then--" You continue. "When we stopped Shredder's plan with the chlorosulfonic acid? I ran into Fong again. He was the one driving the van that took me away, remember? We talked. A little" You start drumming your fingers on the dashboard. "I get this feeling he's not really cut out to be a thug. That he's just... stuck. Maybe he doesn't have a choice. Or he doesn't think he does... Maybe he thinks being a Purple Dragon is the only shot he has at surviving out here" You hug your knees to your chest, trying to laugh it off. "Guess I'm just stupid for having hope in a lost cause, huh?"

Silence again. But not uncomfortable this time. Heavy. Understanding.

"Not really" Donnie's hand, resting between you two, shift just slightly closer, like he wants to do more but isn't sure if he should. "You've got a good heart, that's all"

Your cheeks warm up, as your gaze drifts towards his hand. You duck your head, trying to hide the stupid smile that sneaks up anyway as you accept the contact, taking his hand in yours. He immediately holds it with a calming squeeze.

"You did good, MC" Leo smiles as he notices the endearing scene between you and his brother in the monitor screens you forgot were placed everywhere. "Trying to reach out like that? It's not stupid. It's brave"

"Yeah" Raph agrees. "Doesn't mean he ain't responsible for his choices, but... you tried. Ain't nothin' stupid about that"

"And, maybe, one day he'll remember you were the only one who saw he could be better!" Mikey adds, leaning over the back of his seat.

You laugh, feeling your chest unclench a little.

"Thanks, guys... I'm glad I have you"

"You're family now" Leo calls over his shoulder. "We're also glad to have you"

And as the Shellraiser barrels down the tunnel, rattling on the old tunnels, you let yourself lean a little into Donnie's side, him resting his chin on top of your head.

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Hey! I thought that writing some short episodes would be fun, to add more depth to the story and the extra things I'm planning to fix. They'll be not revised and double-checked like I usually do with real updates, so keep that in mind, just in case you find them a little different from my usual writing style. They'll basically be quick-written drafts.

Keep in mind this chapters will be linked to the main story, so I recommend you all read them <3