#every rose has it thorns

[project-rosewood-476]

At long last. Two years of waiting. It's finally here.

Hero/Villain duet ft. Tabby x Horatio. This was their so-called break up in 7th grade towards the end of their time working together.

Tabby and Horatio belong to me. Art, wording and animation was done by @wastelandcatartist and you should go check them out!

[the-ship-maker-2]

Hello there! You've been visited by the random question fairy! ~ ☆

What was the most meaningful relationship (platonic or romantic) your character has had with another person? Why was it so meaningful? Ultimately, what happens to this relationship?

Tabby

Michael: her step-dad. The man who raised her when no one else would. Her first real friend and the only one she came to respect on her own without being forced too. Set up her core foundation of who she was today and raised to become what she is now. The main source of her trauma. Very estranged now.

Adam: Her baby brother her pride and joy. She was forced to raise him at 9 since he was born. He is her living proof that she is not a monster and a bad person contrary to her step dad's belief. For how can someone so bad raise someone so good? Eventually they come back into each other's lives.

Horatio: The first person she ever met at Rosewood. became rivals and became each others equals. Also a main source of trauma and the bane of her existence. Taught her heart break and betrayal and that there is more than meets the eye. How to humanize people. That you can't save everyone if they don't want to be saved. They become sworn enemies again.

Autumn: Her best friend. Her second in command. her big sister. her human diary. Her other half. Pick one and go with it. The person who taught her what love, home, understanding and acceptance was. She balanced out Tabby's darker tendencies from her step dad. Would become the basis for what moral compass she has. Unfortunately death has kept them apart.

Toby: The boy who unknowingly saved her in more ways than one.Her savior and they one she grew to fall l in love with. Taught her that a second chance comes with everything, There is more to life than being a proxy and that you have relatively good people around you if you look hard enough. I can't give spoilers for ERHIT but it's becoming something worth while.

Chase:

Connor: the boy who was by his side since day 1 in the orphanage. His best friend and soul mate. He showed him that he wasn't a monster and not to fear him. He never had that before in his life. For once he had something to fight for. Unfortunately due to trauma and tragic events they're both dead and become very estranged.

Sister Mary-Angela: the nun that took care of him and Connor. The seemingly only good one in that place. She gave them a mother figure that they both could trust and rely on. Unfortunately she dies for them and they both mourn her greatly.

Connor:

Chase: his first real friend at the orphanage and his first real love. He never strayed too far from his side and fought for him. They're unfortunately very estranged now.

Sister Mary-Angela: same as chase up above

Juliet:

Louisa Monroe: her mother and one of the few family members she was close to. Definitely a mommy's girl. Gave her the doll that looks just like her and the only thing that she has left of her mom. One day she walked out on them and never came back. Needless to say I think they would be very estranged.

Evan Monroe: her older brother by 4 years. The second one she was closest to after their mother left. Only for a bit of course. Until their step mother came into the picture and began to turn on her. Needless to say they hate each other.

Fallax: a friend. A demon who haunts the abandoned carnival grounds that Evan forces juliet to explore every night. Her first true friend and savior from her broken home. They're relationship is very good very much a guardian/mentor/apprentice type of relationship.

Robbecca:

Tbh I haven't done enough development for her to answer that question.

Amelia:

The college gangTM (Smiley, EJ, and Locklear): her friend group all throughout college and med school. EJ was the baby of the group. Locklear was an honorary member, and Smiley was her first love, although they were never officially together. They helped each other grow and develop. Until the death of EJ and then the group became distant and disolved. They were very estranged for a while after getting the group together in nearly 20+ years, but they're currently working on mending their relationship with each other. It's not perfect buy its a work in progress.

Anna: her lifeboat and savior after the group. Was there when she lost her medical license and got her in the medical cult to get it back. She turned out to be a back stabbing bitch so amelia killed her.

The cult: her one hope to getting her medical license back. She never truly belonged there but it was all she got left. Eventually she got out by killing all of them.

I hope you like these and feel free to ask again!

[acourtofmishapandmistakes]

Feyre: When do you usually go to sleep?

Azriel: Whenever I collapse is entirely up to the gods.

[shiningxrose]

↬ Yamila Cavanaugh

↬ born on 25th December 1998

↬ living in Edinburgh

↬ mother of Maléah

↬ photographer / florist – owner of a flowershop

↬ wire: yaxmila

» I am who I am. Not who you think I am. Not who you want me to be. I am me. «

Meine Oma und ich standen uns ziemlich nahe. Umso älter ich wurde, umso mehr habe ich über Blumen gelernt und konnte in ihrem Garten mithelfen. Ich war verliebt in all die unzähligen Rosen die es dort gab. Egal wo man hinsah: ein Meer aus den wunderschönsten Blumen. Immer wenn ich bei ihr war und meine Mutter mich dann Abends abgeholt hat, war ich von oben bis unten mit Schmutz bedeckt. Ich habe ihr mit Stolz meine kleinen schmutzigen Hände hingehalten, um zeigen zu können, dass ich geholfen habe. Irgendwann hat meine Oma mir eine kleine Ecke in ihrem Garten anvertraut. Ich sollte mich ganz alleine kümmern - mein ganzer Stolz. Wie toll war das als kleines Kind, wenn wir eine besondere Aufgabe bekommen haben? Als ich dann meinen ersten Strauß voller Rosen mit nach Hause nehmen konnte, nach all der harten Arbeit alleine; das war das größte für mich. Nachdem meine Oma verstorben war, hatte ich nur ein einziges Ziel: Die Liebe zu den Blumen niemals vergehen zu lassen. Und so entstand Jahre später „Yamila's Shining Rose“.

Fotografieren ist nicht nur mein Job. Es ist das, was ich neben meiner Tochter und den Blumen, am liebsten mache. Jedes kleinste Detail eines Momentes festhalten zu können, ist für mich einfach das schönste. Sei es auf einer Feier, sei es draußen in der Natur. Egal ob bei meinem Job oder in meiner Freizeit. Egal wann ich das Haus verlasse, ich trage sogut wie immer eine Kamera bei mir. Seitdem ich Klein bin, war es immer mein Traum irgendwann hinter der Kamera stehen zu können und Menschen mit Fotos glücklich machen zu können. Vor allem aber auch, um mich glücklich zu machen.

[thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos]

I know the bay turtles are different from the guys in most iterations I was wondering. I don’t know if your doing a love triangle fic because lol drama is fun /aff but I was wondering do you prefer Leo over raph in that iteration or is just fir drama?

YES NONNIE I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS

*cracks nuckles*

You are totally right in that the Bay boyz (hehe) are very different than most other iterations, and that is something I love so much about them. I love that they gave more playfulness to Leo and Donnie, that typically only Mikey gets because, well, it's Mikey.

I love Bayverse Leo because of the burden that he shoulders, and I love writing him as more teasing and playful because he deserves to be. He's needed to be so responsible for everything his entire life; responsible for his brother's lives, responsible for NYC (in his view), and responsible for his father. And it gets to him. He deserves some sweet, soft moments where he can have fun and fall in love.

I love Bayverse Raph because of his wall that he puts up, blocking out the world so he doesn't get hurt. All he wants is acceptance, love; but the fear of rejection is so strong that he'd rather hide behind his muscles than give anyone a chance. He does everything he can to be intimidating, scary; but deep down he's screaming for someone to see past all that and reach out. Raph wants so badly to fall in love, but that fear; that fear that keeps him up at night, that's stained his hands with blood- it haunts him.

It's the difference between want vs need. What you deserve, and what is destined.

Plus...

..I mean...c'mon. *sighs dreamily*

But yes, I do love drama. And the love triangle idea between two incredibly strong personalities, who would both respect and disrespect each other has me rolling on the floor writing it.

So to answer your question completely, I love the Bayverse versions of Raph and Leo pretty equally. In most other iterations, Raph is always my favorite. I relate to him most (the wall) and I'm a sucker for a brooding bad boy. But Leo, *sigh* Leo and his angst got to me.

Writing ERHIT has been so fun because it gave me the opportunity to showcase the jealousy and anger that these two are known for, but in a different way. I love giving Raph more angst and making Leo feel happy and carefree...for a bit.

But thank you so much for asking!! It made my morning to get this!!

I could talk about ERHIT allll dayyyy lol

[foursaints]

saints do you think Evan would let Barty hit it on the first date it’s been plaguing my waking mind

i’ve been tossing and turning over this one… i think the answer is No, and not just because evan would take a while to even realize that barty is trying to have sex with him in the first place (barty could be grabbing his face and clearly enunciating: I Intend To Have Sex With You and evan would intentionally not be acknowledging it until he’s ready to, if that makes sense. just giving barty the O_O in response). evan’s unpacking his whole relationship to & disgust with sex before he lets barty hit and depending on the universe there’s like an 80% chance it’s his first time

but honestly it’s just more fun to rake barty over the coals like that. torture the man some more

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

[cookiesupplier]

Every Rose Has Its Thorns - Part Thirty-One

pairing: Ricky Olson x ofc x Chris 'Motionless' Cerulli

warnings/tropes: slow burn, soulmates, strangers to enemies to lovers, betrayal, angst, fluff, smut, language, online bullying, panic attacks, stalking, mental health issues.

summary: In a world where soulmates inexplicably receive a tattoo that will match that of their soulmate the moment they turn eighteen years old, being famous and covered in very visible tattoos can make finding your true soulmate a questionable fate. For everyone involved.

author’s note: Unbeta'd, readers beware as always lol.

tags: @tearfallpixie @cncohshit @jordynyingling0219 @faceless-mirror @nyxthedestroyerofworlds @wild-child-7747 @witchyweeb34 @black-damask1999 @jilliemiw86 @ilovesamkiszka @lyschko666 @lacktoesandtoddlerants @bngurngheart @collapsedglasshouses @laurpartyprogram @sunsshinesunny @malerieee @talialovesmiw @shilohrosechicken @thatchickwiththecamera @tamtam-elizabeth

Tag List is Open, please let me know if you would like to be added to it or in general.

“Chris, it’s changing shape too.”

Hearing Ricky say that, first it was changing colour, and now it was changing shape, and Chris, Chris couldn’t breathe, he just he could.. No. no, he just.. There was just too, too much..

“Rick, Ricky move-”

Chris wasn’t paying attention to Talia pushing Ricky out of the way from where he was half in front of Chris as she pulled him to face her as she knelt on the couch. He was struggling to suck air into his lungs in a daze as she reached up, and pressed her palms to his cheeks to take his face in her hands, his eyes meeting hers as he struggled.

“I, Jelly-”

“Hi, Spookie, yea, I’m here, just breath with me okay?”

Chris felt her move to press one of her hands to his chest over his displaced shirt, avoiding his exposed soulmate tattoo. Maybe because it would bring his mind right back to what was causing his panic, maybe not, but it didn’t matter. She was just drawing his focus to her, completely to her. Her hand pressed against where his heart was beating so hard in his chest, and how her thumb was brushing so tenderly across his cheek.

He listened as she talked him through the five things. Five things he could see, four, he could feel, three he could hear, two he could smell, and one he could taste.. By the time they got down to the one, and Chris realised his mouth actually was all dry like cotton wool, Ricky offered up a piece of gum from sitting half crouching next to him on the floor.

“Don’t worry, it’s vegan, I checked.”

The fact that he checked before offering had Chris sighing and leaning against him a little as Ricky stood up from the floor again, his arm wrapping around his shoulder,

“Better, Chris?”

Chris smiled softly over to Talia, thankful she was here, thankful in so many ways for her, for Ricky, for both of them..

“Yeah, I don’t, I don’t know what’s happening.. There are no theories on this one. When it comes to passed soulmate tattoos, they just, are.”

So the fact something was happening to his, was beyond him. “Chris-”

He looked at Talia as she sighed,

“I’m not asking for your tattoo, I’m asking for you, I’m worried about you, are you okay?”

He relaxed, marginally, anyway, but nodded. It wasn’t enough, though. Not nearly enough. Talia might only be worried about him, but he needed to know, he needed more.

“I need to know though, Talia, I need to understand.” He’d already lost his soulmate, he couldn’t go through this if something was happening that involved Ricky and Talia that could risk, something with them too. “I left a message asking if anyone had heard of people feeling strange sensations on the message board from their tattoos after a soulmate passed, but all I got was a smart arse remark from what I suspect was a dumb ass kid.”

He groaned slightly,

“What use is the verification process if stupid kids can still get on the board.”

Glancing over to Ricky as he scoffed at this only to hear Talia giggle slightly as well, in his frustration he was obviously missing something,

“Chris,”

Talia starting softly,

“Just because someone is over eighteen, doesn’t mean they aren’t a dumb ass kid.”

Then Ricky just had to chime in,

“Yea, think about who we were at eighteen.. Hell, go online and watch old motionless videos, and we were older than eighteen Chris.. Me know, I would have called us dumb ass kids.”

“Okay, okay, point taken.”

Talia sighed,

“Now, back to Chris thinking his tattoo is reacting to Rick, but Rick thinking it’s reacting to me..”

She looked over at Chris, Talia had heard what Ricky said about Chris having problems with his shoulder while she was having her breakdown, and they were looking after her. Really, it just sounded all kinds of flimsy to her, but wasn’t all of this with the tattoos? It was all about interpretation, and it was confusing, at best.

“What makes you think it's reacting to Ricky, though, Chris?”

At that, she noticed the way he paused, the way he glanced at her, wait, was that hesitation, why was he so hesitant? Was it bad?

“Spookie?”

It was Rick that spoke up though,

“I kissed him.”

When she looked over at him in surprise, oh. Oh. She hadn’t realised their friendship might be like that, cross those boundaries. Though, he was the one that had joked about her and Ava. The surprise must have said something to him, however, for him to want to clarify when he quickly added,

“Comfort kiss, it was just a peck, just a peck.”

Was he worried she’d be upset at him kissing Chris? They weren’t together, and she wasn’t about to go postal on him, was she? She didn’t think she was? But then why did her tattoo suddenly twinge like that when he started defending himself, blinking quickly. She knew Ricky had felt it between them with the way he was looking at her now. A gasp from Chris had them both looking over at him, shit… He felt it too, she was jealous.. But she didn’t feel jealous? Did she? That, why was the tattoo reacting when she wasn’t even jealous, they weren’t together! They, they.. He said..

“This is insane.”

Talia stood up quickly from the couch, but then as soon as she did, she stopped, not sure what she was doing where she was going, Ricky suddenly standing up too, 

“Rick..”

She glanced to Chris, his tone slightly warning.. And that was when she realised, Ricky hadn’t been alone with her since the kitchen, only with Chris, right, because Chris knew, Chris had been, Talia chuckled.. Chris was there to keep them apart.. Oh that was perfect.. He was their chaperone, that was just perfect. Now he was tangled up in this mess too..

“You laugh.. But it gets better.. I think you should kiss Chris.”

Her gaze fell back on Ricky for a second, look at him like he’d grown a second head, he was telling her to kiss Chris. Just like that and instantly her tattoo was reacting, which was, embarrassing. She couldn’t even hide the fact that she’d thought about it, and oh, had she’d thought about it, thought about how if she wasn’t Ricky’s soulmate. Oh. My. God. That wasn’t fair, they could both feel it now, too. 

“This is ridiculous, it’s complicated enough… isn’t it?”

Ricky just stared at her..

“Okay, hear me okay.. I thought before.. My tattoo was ripping through me every time I thought about you and Chris because I was jealous, but I think, the problem with these tattoos is that, well, it's all open for interpretation isn’t it?”

Talia swallowed as she looked to Ricky as he talked, he looked from her to Chris, and then back to her. Listening as he spoke about his tattoo affecting him concerning her friendship with Chris, so he’d known, that was news to her..  Even more so, why, why did she have butterflies in her stomach just listening to him talk like this.. She hadn’t felt like this since, since the night she almost met him in line for VIP.. so excited, so thrilled that she was on the verge of meeting her soulmate for the first time.

It was almost like, for the first time in years, she finally felt alive again.. Looking between Ricky, and then Chris.

“I don’t think I was jealous you were with Chris, I think,”

Ricky paused, this was going to be a leap, because, it was, it was a massive leap right now, but from how he felt ever since he’d invited Chris over and the three of them had spent time together. Sure it had been painful moments, but, there had been funny moments, moments when they could laugh and comfort each other..

“What, Rick?”

Glancing over towards Chris,

“I think I wanted to be there with you. I was so terrified of my soulmate tattoo, and dealing with Grace, and everything with Grace is still shit.. She’s deleted everything and it, it feels worse than ever, because now I don’t know where she is, what she’s doing.. She could be right outside this door and I wouldn’t know.”

He swallowed and sighed when Chris shook his head,

“Nope, that's the one place we know she isn’t, the security system would have gone off, I swear.. You want me to bring up the cameras, she might have figured out yours, but I guarantee she hasn’t mine.”

Rick felt a flush of warmth of affection for both of them when Chris said that, and the way Talia muttered Bitch under her breath.. Talia, JellyBean, too sweet for words Talia, and she was, now they were both looking at her when she said that..

“What? You want to know what Ava calls her? You want to know?”

The chuckle that came from Chris had Ricky smiling, for such a serious issue, only these two could make him smile,

“Okay, now I have to know, JellyBean.”

“Ava calls her the soulmate stealing hussy. I swear, right before we walked into the greenroom, that was how she cheered me up.”

“Oh, my god.”

Ricky couldn’t help but mutter as he laughed along with Chris. Both of them absolutely applaud and yet amused beyond belief by Ava’s antics, well, now they were, they probably wouldn’t have been at the time considering. At the time, they had both thought that Grace really was Ricky’s soulmate and Talia was the interloper. Now, though, they knew better.

“Calling her a bitch, is nothing.”

Yeah, now it was nothing. Ricky nodded slightly.

“So, back to this, Sweetheart.. The fact that your tattoo reacted to my suggestion of kissing Chris makes me think you’ve thought about it already.”

Raising an eyebrow to her, and there was no way he was going to judge her, seeing the way her face flushed he smirked a little, right, 

“Sweetheart, I’ve already kissed him, you know that, I’m going to me perfectly honest, not just once. That peck, was probably was one of the more innocent kisses.. Right Chris?”

His smirk grew at the surprise on her face, looking over to Chris,

“Right, make me explain.. It was, years, years, ago.. Just some fun, nothing serious, just making out..”

Seeing Talia shake her head slightly,

“And here I thought all your stage antics were just for fun.”

Ricky couldn’t help the laugh there at the teasing remark Talia directed towards Chris, she wasn’t wrong either, the shit he used to pull towards him on stage, sending the fans completely wild, had been hilarious.

“Admittedly, then Julia came along, then Grace, and our lives changed. It was just a bit of fun, we knew it wasn’t real, we weren’t soulmates, so like I said, fun.”

“We.. weren’t.”

Ricky added as he glanced at the changing mark on Chris shoulder that he’d covered up by fixing his shirt since he’d sat in the chair after calming down.. The colour changing, the image shifting, who knows what was happening right now. He had a theory, one that he didn’t need a message board for, and any scientist to tell him, just a wild stab in the dark he supposed, which was why he wanted Talia to kiss, Chris.

“No wonder you thought I hooked up with Ava.”

Talia smiled at him, “I was joking!” She laughed at him as he tried to defend himself. At the same time, he didn’t have a leg to stand on with the fact he had just admitted to having made out with his best friend knowing they weren’t soulmates years ago.. True enough.. She’d shared tiny moments with Ava, nothing more than drunken flirty kisses while laughing their asses off over drinking games. “My idea is still there, Talia.. If the kiss makes the tattoo react, I think.. I think something more is going on here, something bigger than just the bond between you and me.”

Looking at Ricky, Talia turned to Chris, who had been silent on the matter so far,

“Spookie, you haven’t said anything, I mean, would you even want to kiss me anyway?”

She wasn’t going to kiss him just for the tattoo if he didn’t want to have anything to do with her like that! Just because they were friends, and getting closer, didn’t mean she wanted to assume anything.

Chris paused, was, was she really asking him if he wanted to kiss her? This gorgeous women who he would kiss in a fucking heart beat the moment he saw her if he thought for one moment she’d give him a second thought? Oh, Chris remembered the night of VIP with such clarity, long before they’d discovered Ava was Vinny’s soulmate, he’d noticed Talia when she was still in line. There’d just been something about her, she’d been different when he’d glanced towards her a few times before she’d gotten to the front of the line to meet them. If he’d not known for years that his soulmate was gone and nearly every person he met wouldn’t be bothered with him, he’d have asked her out immediately. Well, maybe not, asking fans was a slippery slope, they all knew it. Then of course, realising who she actually was, sending their entirely fucking world, Ricky’s world, on its head? Fuck, she was asking him that?

Knowing that her tattoo had reacted just from thinking about kissing him, that she’d thought about kissing him herself…

“JellyBean..”

Taking in a breath.. How could she think he didn’t want..

“Baby..”

Nope.. he leaned closer to her, a hand coming up to cup her cheek, and his lips were capturing hers in a kiss that was as far from just a peck on the lips as possible compared to the kiss Ricky had planted on him just the day before. The moment his lips touch hers, all three of their tattoos, including Chris’ strange grey, half formed tattoo, flared to life and had Chris gasping against Talia’s mouth with the softest groan.. Oh, fuck.

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

[kwaiipootatooo]

🥀NRC’s Three Roses 🥀

[alxssarosex]

So fuck guys my Google docs (aka where I write the ff) isn't letting me write bc lack of storage even tho i cleaned my goddamn storage so I'm going to ig write it in my notes app so if the format on chapter five is FUCKED my apologies in advance

[project-rosewood-476]

^^The song this animatic is based on.

Featuring our beloved Adam and Jeff the Killer.

Story: A potential scene for book 2 of ERHIT. Adam goes over to Jeff's house to train and clean up. He finds him going on a bender, and he's trying to help. But some people are stubborn and don't want to be saved. Art was done by @xxxamerican-psychoxxx editing was done by me.

[yaralulu]

Going to sleep tonight thinking about Lucien calling Tamlin “my lord” every chance he gets knowing it drives him insane.

[arson-09]

I dont care what happens in the next acotar book i just want LUCIEN TO BE HAPPY

HE DESERVES IT AFTER ALL THE SHIT THATS HAPPENED TO HIM!!

LUCIEN SUPREMACY FOREVER🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos]

Every Rose Has It's Thorn

Part 9

Part 10

Part 8

Universe: Teenage Mutant Teenage Turtles (Bayverse aged-up turtles)

Rating: R MINORS DNI: (swearing) Mentions injuries, blood, death, and violence, suggestive moments (we're starting to hit the smut zone here people beware), kinda some body image issues for a hot sec

Raphael x OC (female character), Leonardo x OC (female character)

Tags: trigger warning mentions bruises and injuries and dark content, fluff, original character, slow burn romance, Leo and Raph fighting, foot clan mention, jealousy, angst

-So I mayyyy be introducing a love triangle here- don't mind me and my self indulgence heheheh (also this version of Bay Leo is a sassmaster sorry not sorry) but the story will end with Raph x Rose, don't worry

=============================

-The gang deals with the aftermath of Rose's new abilities, and she has a steamy confrontation with Raph. Leo starts to get jealous.

===========================================

As they walked back into the lair, Rose had grown quiet in Raph’s arms. He would’ve wondered if she was asleep had it not been for the occasional sniffle coming from the mop of curls that was threatening to tickle his nostrils.

Fuck, she had so much hair.

That was the first thing he had noticed about her when they had rescued her that night; her copper-red mess of curls. It was long and beautiful, and he had loved how the ringlets cascaded down her back and bounced when she moved.

But right now, it was driving him insane the way it was going up his nostrils and if he didn’t put her down soon, he was definitely going to sneeze in her ear.

Raph continued walking through the lair and made his way to the bathroom, shutting the door with his foot behind him as he balanced her in his arms. He slowly knelt down, setting Rose’s feet firmly on the floor and guiding her to stand on her own by the sinks. She obeyed his silent directions but didn't make eye-contact, her face remaining downcast and pointed at the tile floor.

Lost in her own mind. 

“Hey, I’m gunna get a bath started for ya- ok?”

She slowly nodded. Her tears had stopped falling, but the feeling of being adrift and hopeless at sea did not cease as her mind kept replaying the flashes of red and bone.

The flashes of her new reality. 

Raphael started the water and soap in the spa tub and grabbed some bottles from one of the shower stalls. He left for a moment to grab a change of clothes for her from his room; another t-shirt and shorts set of his, and a towel. By the time he stepped back into the room the bath was ready, but she hadn’t moved.

He turned the water off and looked at her again, somewhat awkwardly this time.

“Do ya need... help or anythin’?”

Rose raised her head to look at him; her eyes so weary with pain- and guilt.

She didn’t have the strength to hide it anymore.

As she tried to respond, to think of anything to say- the only thing that came out of her mouth was a soft sigh. She looked back down at her hands, still caked with blood, unable to stop staring at the dark red that was stained over her skin.

“Hey.” Raph sauntered over and covered her hands in his. “It’s ok.”

When she didn’t move or respond, he spoke again, quieter this time.

“Close yer eyes.”

She looked up at him, confused.

“I ain’t gunna hurt ya, just trust me. I gotcha, kay?”

“Kay, Red," she managed softly, and let out a deep breath as she slowly closed her eyes, feeling Raphael turn her slightly.

She heard him start the water in the sink and felt the slight sting of cold water over her fingers. She would’ve pulled away at the temperature, but he was firmly holding her hands in place.

His arms were around hers, her back to his plastron. It felt..god it felt good to be this close to him. Peaceful. He ran her hands under the water, massaging her fingers and knuckles almost lovingly. It was sweet of him, she thought.

Then it hit her that he was washing her hands.

And he had her close her eyes, so she didn’t have to see the...

“Raph?”

“..yeh?”

“I’m...I’m sorry about earlier. And thanks... for this.”

Silence. She kept her eyes closed, grateful for the barrier. It was easier to apologize this way.

He kept at his task, the soap and water washing away all evidence down the drain. Rose heard him grunt under his breath.

“’m sorry too. I shoulda kept my mouth shut. And I shoulda gone after ya right away.”

Silence.

“It’s ok, Raph. I pushed you too far. I’m sorry.”

“...s’fine. We don’t havta get inta it right now.”

Raph’s hands stopped scrubbing hers under the stream of water, and Rose opened her eyes and lifted her head slowly, locking gazes with the turtle in the mirror. She tried not to focus on the now dried blood still splattered on her cheek and gathered up the courage to go on.

“No, Red- I mean it. I acted like an asshole and practically threw myself at you and, well I- I’m sorry.”

His eyes gazed intently into hers as she talked to their reflections in the mirror. Raphael was frozen, unmoving, as she apologized- the way she was making eye contact with him, unafraid and confident, was testing his ability to keep himself composed under her careful study. He closed his eyes for a moment to re-center himself, and Rose continued.

“It’s just been so many years since anyone showed any interest in me, and I thought it was because of how I looked so I just gave up. But then I met you and..”

Raphael's eyes snapped open, once again making eye contact in the mirror. The golden glare pierced Rose through the heart and stopped her cold.

“What do ya mean, cause of how ya look.”

“My boyfriend wouldn’t touch me for years, and...I don’t know...I mean, he's gay, but...maybe if I had been more attractive..."

Rose looked away from the mirror, ashamed of admitting what haunts her most to the chiseled green god that had been invading her dreams and every thought since she had arrived there. She felt Raph sigh behind her with such sadness and frustration she couldn’t help but look back up at him, meeting his golden eyes in the reflection once more, and they paused there for a moment just looking at each other. 

“..don't be an idiot.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “Raph-”

With another huff Raphael bent down and leaned his head in next to her ear, stepping in closer behind her and gripping the sink with one hand. Her breath hitched as he brushed her hair aside with a finger and spoke softly into her ear, his eyes never leaving hers.

“No man that got ta be this close to ya and chose ta walk away is straight, Princess. He doesn' know what he's missin'.”

Rose could feel the electricity shoot through her body as his lips ghosted over the shell of her ear; the heat seeping from her core as his breath husked over her skin, desire gnawing at her once more and making a slick mess in her panties. He was still looking at her in the mirror, hazel eyes watching her melt at his words with a slight smirk on his pout.

Before she could stop it, she heard herself quietly whimper, and a hand flew to her mouth in shock.

Raph’s eyes widened; the noise and sudden movement completely surprising him.

“I’m-I- oh god.”

She could feel the heat rise up to her ears as she turned away from the mirror. Rose moved to walk out of his arms, but he stopped her.

“I - uh, wait.”

She paused, biting her lip and looking at the wall as she internally screamed. 

Fuck, she just wanted to curl up under a rock and hide.

“Look Red, I’m sorry- I'm embarrassed too, if you want we can just forget i-”

Raphael took her chin in his hand and lifted her face up to look at him.

“Don’ think I ain't attracted to ya, cause I am. Yer the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Rose.”

And knowin I can do that to ya? He thought.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, his grip on the porcelain sink growing dangerously tight. Her arousal was evident, the scent overwhelmingly heady as she stood there in his arms and he reveled in it. It’s all Raph could think about, could smell, and holy hell was it tempting. He looked back at her and smirked, golden eyes dancing with want.

“Fuckin christ." He swallowed and took a second before he continued, expression shifting from lustful to nervous. "I’m just- I ah.. I don’t wanna jump inta anythin ok? I’ve never, yanno..”

He drifted off, hoping she would understand. His hand let go of her chin, coming to rest at his side.

Rose looked at him as the meaning of his words dawned on her. She smiled warmly, placing a small hand on his plastron.

“I get it, Big Guy. No worries.”

“I jus want ya to know that I ain’t blind. Any guy would be damn lucky to call you his.”

Raphael smiled at her as he spoke, reaching up to caress her hand still on his plastron. Her skin was so soft under his rough, calloused one.

They were so different.

Were they too different?

Before he could spiral further, her voice shook him from his thoughts.

“Hey Raph?”

“Yeh?”

“Thanks for everything.”

“Yer welcome- it’s nuthin.”

“I’m going to get in that bath now, I’ve got to get cleaned up and stuff.”

He chuckled and cocked a crooked grin at her. “You sure ya don’t need any help?”

Rose stuck her tongue out. “Shut up, jerk. Now shoo.” She turned her back to him, wiggling her fingers at the turtle and motioning for him to leave.

Raph headed for the door, but stole one last longing glance as Rose began to take off her shoes. 

He never felt this pull to anyone before. 

But they barely knew each other. 

Plus, there’s the whole dead body mess that needs ta get figured out, he thought. Leo's probably pacin' a hole in the floor by Don's computers. 

The door clicked behind him, and he almost smacked his face into Leo as he turned away from the door.

“Why the hell were you in there so long?”

“Chill, Fearless. Nothing happened.”

“That’s not an answer, Raph.”

Huffing, Raphael moved to walk away from his brother, only to be stopped by a katana blade appearing at the wall near his shoulder, blocking his path.

“Oh, you really gunna start this with me, Leo? Ya wanna have this out here, right now, Honor Boy?”

“Then tell me what she said, Raphael.”

“Nun of yer fuckin business, Leo. Get outta my way.” He gritted his teeth, the threat dripping past his canines. 

Leonardo stood with his blade extended for a moment, eyebrow ridge raised as he weighed the outcomes of his younger brother's wrath.

With a flick of his wrist, he sheathed his katana and put his hands up with a shrug, letting Raph pass. 

But as the red-banded turtle strode towards Donatello's lab, Leo bit back.

He'd had enough of this. 

“Did you kiss her yet?”

Raphael whipped around in the blink of an eye, fist raised and eyes wild.

Leonardo blocked him with ease, stepping around his bulkier brother and staring him down with an amused smirk on his lips.

“FUCK YOU, LEO!”

Raph took another swing, this one landing on his brother's right shoulder. Leo hissed in pain, smirk vanished as the joint throbbed angrily. 

“Serves ya right, prick. Are we done? Happy now?”

“Far from it.” Leo spit back, glaring at his brother and clutching his shoulder.

That was the first time in a while Raphael had squarely landed a hit on him in their spars, and he knew that the only reason his brother got close enough was that he was exhausted; hell, he just cleaned up an entire crime scene. 

He and Donnie had surmised from the broken bodies of the foot clan soldiers that they had been beaten by a suspect using an incredible amount of force. They had traced the men’s path back a distance in the outer tunnels and had found another group of soldiers, who were apprehended and left for Chief Vincent and her team to pick up. The turtles had been notifying her of their activities after the Krang incident, keeping her updated on criminals and crime syndicates they bust, in exchange for information when they needed it. They had a decent arrangement worked out; it had served them well so far. Donnie had been in communication with the Chief since they had returned to the lair.

Leo had intended to find Rose to discuss what had happened in the outer tunnel, only to discover she and Raph were in the bathroom together doing god knows what. He had paced for a good five minutes before Raph had almost knocked him over with the door.

Rotating his shoulder and chuckling, he stared his brother down. “Man, your brains really are in your biceps little bro. That was a good one.”

“Yeh, Leo? Well next one’s hittin your jaw.”

“Oh, there won’t be a next one.” Leo gritted back.

“What the fuck is your problem, asshat? Gettin a little jealous?”

Raph smirked, circling his brother as they both stalked the other's movements. Before he could say anything else, Leo spun and swept Raph’s legs, effectively knocking him to the ground with a thud.

Laying on the ground on his shell, he glared back up at his older brother.

“You’re going to regret that, Raph.”

“Fuckin make me, Fearless.”

Raph got up in one fluid motion and turned to face Leo as they continued their dance; the circle slow and calculating as they waited for the other to strike, eyes never leaving each other. 

“Rose deserves someone who's going to take care of her- who's going to treat her right. Better than y-"

“There’s nuthin goin on Leo- She’s the one who keeps askin me to do shit and be there for her; I ain’t doin anything. So don’t get yer panties in a twist. ” Raph interrupted, one hand on his sai.

“Exactly my point; no appreciation, no class.” Leo arms widened in show as he taunted his brother, chuckling to himself. 

“I ain’t fuckin talkin about this with ya, dickhead. She means nuthin’. End of story.” Raph winced as he chewed on his own words.

“Then I guess you won’t mind if someone else steps in then? If she means nothing?”

His smile faded slightly; his tone serious as he narrowed his blue eyes behind his mask. 

“You better be fuckin kiddin.” Raph’s grip on his sanity was barely holding on for dear life.

All he could see was red rage, with Leo taunting him at the center of it.

“No, I’m not.”

Raph lost all sense of control and charged at his older brother.

He couldn’t think or focus on anything, all he could feel was anger- seething, sharp, all-consuming anger.

But before he got close to Leo, the door to the bathroom opened and Rose stepped out.

Seeing Raphael in a blind rage and not knowing what else to do, she stepped into his path to block him.

She put a hand out to his chest- only meaning to deter him. Instead, the turtle went careening through the air at the contact, making an abhorred short yelp as he smacked shell-first into a wall near Don’s lab.

On the opposite side of the room.

Donnie immediately came running from inside the doorway.

“What-wh, what happened?!”

Shaking his head, Raph got up from the floor and shook off the bits of cement that had landed on his shell.

“Girl-wonder- that’s what happened, genius.”

Rose was watching Raph soar through the air in terror, but sighed in relief when he got up unharmed.

Gracias a Dios.

At her sigh, Leo turned to look at her in shock.

He took her in, noticing she had put her hair up in a messy bun on top of her head; some loose curls tumbling down to frame her face and hell, she looked angelic. The wild curls barely brushed over the exposed skin of her neck, her updo revealing several piercings on both ears as well.

She was so interesting.

Regaining his composure, he called to his younger brother.

“Well, I guess we know what that unknown force was, Donnie.”

Rose looked up at Leonardo in fear.

She was worried he’d be angry, or that they’d have to turn her over to some government agency.

That was the reason for her short bath, she couldn’t focus on anything but her anxieties, and what her new friends would do to her when they found out about her abilities.

And then the yelling started, and she had to see what was going on. 

Leo could see the panic in her eyes as he searched her face. He took her arms in his, and spoke softly.

“Hey, it’s ok. You’re ok.” His thumbs gently rubbed her arms as his deep voice washed over her. “Thanks for stepping in back there, Raph was pretty pissed at me I guess.”

He laughed, dismissing the intense moment.

He’d continue the discussion with Raphael later.

“I- uh, you’re- welcome. I guess.” She murmured quietly, body tense as he continued.

“Are you okay, feeling any better?”

“Yeah, I’m not in pain anymore. Thanks.”

“Of course, we were all worried about you.” Leo’s eyes were soft and caring as they spoke, and she slowly started to feel a little more at ease as his hands lightly brushed against her skin. “If you’re up to it, I would like to have a discussion with you in the Dojo. Is that all right?”

Rose flicked a glance over to Raphael, who was currently being fussed over by Donnie.

He didn’t return her gaze.

She turned back to Leo and nodded, managing a weak smile.

“Sure.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------

Leo led her to the Dojo, pushing aside the paper doors and revealing the beautiful, shared space.

The floors were tatami, and there were lots of wood accents in addition to the exposed brick. She could see bamboo plants here and there, and the occasional bonsai tree, and though the ceiling was tall, it still seemed quiet in the room somehow. The dojo was definitely a very zen and comforting area of the lair, and carefully cultivated to be just so.

In a corner of the room there was a table with some cushions on the floor, and a teapot and cups rested on it as if waiting for them. The turtle gestured to her shoes as she made a move forward.

“Shoes off, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, sorry.”

She slipped her sneakers off and set them carefully next to Leo’s sandals on the brick step, and made her way over to the table. She hadn’t walked on tatami since visiting Japan with her grandmother, and it felt so much like her favorite memories.

Rose couldn’t help but smile a bit.

Leo sat down at the table and gestured to the cushion opposite him, pouring the tea for them both.

Taking the cup in her hands she sniffed the aroma of the green tea and let it envelop her, reminding her of a certain hot spring in Hakone and a wonderful meal she once shared there.

All the stress and tension that she carried moments ago seemed to melt away as she closed her eyes and just basked for a moment.

Looking up from her cup she smiled at Leo, who was in turn observing her in amusement.  

“How’d you know this is my favorite?”

“Call it an educated guess.” He smirked.

“Good job- one point for Blue.”

“Oh, you do NOT want to motivate me with a point system.” Leo emphasized, chuckling as he glanced down and lifted the cup to his lips. 

Rose raised an eyebrow at the terrapin, smile blooming on her pout as she eyed him over the table.

“And why’s that, Leo?”

“Because I always - win.” He looked at her over the rim of the mug, taking a drink slowly.

Her cheeks were quick to blush, and she giggled nervously. “That, ah- that was good.” She said, rubbing the back of her neck with her hand as she looked down at the table.

Oh...if he wasn't before- he's definitely flirting now.

Fucking hell. 

The tone of his voice, and the way he was practically eye-fucking her across the table, had her incredibly, well, unfocused.

And confused.

But after the conversation she'd heard take place outside the bathroom door, she wasn’t all that surprised. He had openly stated his intent, and he had to have known she could hear him. Rose recalled the eavesdropped conversation, remembering what Raph had said.

She means nothing.

How could he have said that?

When he had been in the bathroom with her, he hadn’t exactly confessed his feelings or anything, just admitted his attraction. Had she read too much into him?

"Girl, you’re so fucking stupid," she chastised herself internally. "Throwing your heart at any guy who shows you any bit of interest. Grow up." She could feel her eyes start to get watery as she took a sip of tea.  

You always do this. 

You let them in, let them hurt you.

Get a hold of yourself.

Rose looked back up at Leo, eying him from across the table, and quietly studied him now that it was just the two of them; the long, slightly faded scar over his right eye and cheek, the practiced smile and charm, his interesting tattoos- there was a lot to Leonardo- more layers than she originally thought. 

He was an interesting guy. 

Focus. 

“So, um- why did you want to talk?”

Sensing the shift in conversation, he set his cup down and placed his hands on his knees.

“I wanted to give you the opportunity to discuss what happened in the tunnels privately, in a calm environment. I thought you might appreciate the serenity of the dojo as I do.”

“Thank you, Leo. Really. I appreciate that.”

With an encouraging smile, he took another sip from his mug and nodded. “Of course. Go ahead whenever you’re ready.”

She admired how he could switch like that, from casual to professional in an instant.

It must come from years of all those responsibilities; of being the Hero of New York and the eldest of four.

It's got to be a heavy burden, falling on his shoulders, day after day. 

Rose took a deep breath and began, recounting everything that had happened after she left the Lair earlier.

Leo listened, waiting for her to finish before asking his questions.

“So it was a life-or-death situation, and your strength appeared when the Foot attacked you.” He stated plainly, looking at her intently for a response.

“Ah yeah, that sums up the murder of those guys pretty well,” Rose mumbled darkly, and Leo glared at her over the table and scoffed.

When she shrugged at him, he couldn’t help but lay the reality of the situation on the table for her.

“They were foot clan soldiers sent to assassinate us. Had you not done what you did, they would’ve killed you, or tortured you for information about us. Which would have led to one of us possibly getting hurt.” Leo paused, before he went on, much softer. “Your actions saved my family, you have to see that. I’m- We're indebted to you, Rose. Thank you.”

“Leo they were still people-”

“And sometimes those with great power have great responsibilities. We have to make the hard choices sometimes..” He looked away, eyes downcast. “... and kill the bad guys.” A few moments of silence went by as he seemed lost in a memory, staring at a spot on the floor.

“You did not just give me the Spiderman quote, dude.”

Her comment shook him from his thoughts, and he laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with his palm as he looked back up at her.

“It was the perfect time. Literally when else would I get this golden opportunity.”

“Nerd.” She teased.

“And you’re an actual X-Men. I was a mutant turtle teen in the sewers, of course I got into comics and superheroes. It was our lives, or at least a super romanticized version.” Leo’s blue eyes glistened; a smile plastered on his face. “Anyway, about your strength-”

“You’re not going to have the government put me in a lab or something, are you?” Rose squeaked out in terror.

“What? No. I was going to say that you should learn how to control it. I think that’ll start with training here with us. Interacting with humans could be, well, fatal before you know how much force to use. You’re superhuman now, you have to understand that- and you might even be stronger than Raph.” Chuckling to himself, Leo shook his head recalling the force that she sent his brother into the wall with.

“I see. Yeah, that makes sense. But I could hurt you guys too, you know? I-I’m too..dangerous to be around anyone.”

With her last sentence she started to tear up again, and she looked down at her lap as her eyesight blurred.

Leo moved swiftly to her side of the table, kneeling in front of her as he cautiously put a hand on her knee, squeezing it gently.

“You’re not too dangerous for us, Emerald. I promise.”

Rose's face shot up at the name.

“Leo, I-”

He brushed a stray copper spiral away from her face. "Your eyes...they're-" Leo's hand fell slowly as they looked at each other, gazes locked in the deep, beautiful gem tones of moss and sea. 

He cleared his throat, blinking and bringing the subject back to what they were talking about. 

“Ahm..We’re tough, thanks to the mutagen. You don't have anyhting to worry about- it would be hard for a human to injure us, though I'd like Donnie to run some tests, if you're all right with that.” He didn't give her time to answer as he continued on. “Any way, you have a place here, if you want it. There’s an unused room in the alcove across from Sensei’s, we mostly just use it for storage. Mikey told me about your living situation, and I think this might be a good alternative while you sort things out. And that way, you don’t have to keep staying in Raph’s room either.” He said the last part stiffly, trying and failing to keep the tension out of his voice.

“I literally don’t know what to say, Leo.” Rose smiled softly, bringing a hand to her cheek as she felt her heart swell with emotion as her mutant knight in shining armor both slayed all her dragons and swept her off her feet in ten minutes. 

Leo was so kind. 

“A thank you is fine.” He was smirking again as he raised a brow ridge at her.

“You’re obnoxious.” Rose rolled her eyes playfully, teasing him back. “Thank you, darling savior. My prince, my hero!” She continued her theatrics until Leo was fully smiling and he couldn’t take it anymore. He booped her on the forehead with his palm, and she gave him a confused look.

“Just trying to find an off switch.”

Rose laughed back at him, fully enjoying the moment. He was way more of a flirt than she had expected, and he was damn good at it too.

She was still confused over her feelings for Raphael, but he had made it clear he wasn’t interested.

Right?

=========================================

-When I said slow burn, I meant slowwww lol

-This Leo - Rose - Raph love triangle is giving me life to write. What is sleep? Don't know her. But seriously, strap in, dis gonna be fun

[foursaints]

honestly saints i wanna know about every single wip bc they all look good enough to eat but . could u tell me something, anything really, about when i tell him that i want it (he says it louder)?? pretty please with a cherry on top?? <333

WHEN I TELL HIM THAT I WANT IT MY BELOVEDDDD. first of all this detail isn’t relevant at all but it just makes me laugh. i bring myself joy

nsfw i guess but it’s a rosekiller College AU Age Gap Professor/Student thing… evan is a smoking hot criminal psychology prof who is very much himself (read: deeply offputting, only talks to his sister) and barty is the insane twenty-something undergrad who through a series of fortuitous meetcutes is solicited by evan himself to Take Professor Rosier’s Virginity™️. and he is down so catastrophically bad……. this is also about when you get your back blown out so good you’re calling a man 13 years younger than you “daddy”

there are jegulus scraps where reg is a ballet student & james is the music student who plays the piano for reg’s studio classes/rehearsals/recitals. barty cannot properly assist in this drama bc of his 30-something booty call virginity mission but he sure is hearing about it the entire time