#findingfebruary

[monthlywritingchallenges]

🌟 Prompts 🌟

Here are 28 prompts to inspire your writing throughout the month. Explore themes of finding love, friendship, purpose, or even yourself.

1. Lost & Found

2. A Forgotten Memory

3. A Letter Discovered

4. The First Clue

5. Hidden in Plain Sight

6. Finding a New Home

7. Reuniting After Years

8. A Treasure Map

9. A Long-Lost Friend

10. Searching in the Snow

11. Something You Weren’t Looking For

12. A Key Without a Lock

13. The Missing Piece

14. Love in Unexpected Places

15. A Truth Revealed

16. Following the Stars

17. The Journey Back

18. A Shared Discovery

19. The Answer Was Inside All Along

20. Rediscovering Joy

21. A Face in the Crowd

22. Chasing Shadows

23. A Whisper in the Wind

24. An Unexpected Guide

25. A Forgotten Place

26. Lost Time

27. The Final Step

28. End

Let’s make February a month of growth, connection, and creativity. Have fun! ✍️❄️

[carrots-bear]

Forgotten Memory in a Letter

By Bear | Started/Finished - 2/3/25

Tales of Lost-Myth short (og world and story; collab in worldbuilding and lore; nothing posted)

⚠️VERY DARK THEMES AHEAD! BEWARE!⚠️

Lydia was going through the letters in her husbands box that he kept under their bed. The kids were playing outside with the dogs in the fields. There were letters from Axel’s mother, cousins, and from myself that I wrote when I went away to sell our crop and livestock. 

After quite a while, one letter came about to be from the years that we had left far behind us. 

“My Dear Axel,

How’s our inside man? It is nearly time for us to strike Drapple Cove’s Harbor. There’ll be a bloody mess of it, so I hope you’re well prepared. With this letter, as you can see, is a parcel. You have a d§$# good eye, I may observe, so I’m gifting you with one f$£# of a riffle and three magazines. Have a h¥&$ of a time my friend!

— Ombré ”

Lydia looked at the letter with disgust and horror. She remembered that night vividly, though she hated it deeply. It had been years since either she or Axel had willingly discussed their time as part of Cadell’s crew. 

As Cadell had predicted, that night was bloody. Women and men and children were running and fighting and bleeding. Dying. Not just dying, being killed. At their hands, Lydia’s hands. She wanted to erase it, but she couldn’t. 

She used to have nightmares for nights on end after the plunder. She had come to terms that this was a part of her at some point, and then didn’t think about for a while, until it was forgotten. But she supposed nothing was truly forgotten forever. She knew those nightmares of the woman who looked like her dearest friend who had been shot by their Captain, and the little boy who looked like one of her children today, would come back now. She hated it she hated it she hated it she hated it she hated it all. 

She joined in the life of piracy for riches and adventure. Sure, she was rich then, but Lydia wished nothing but meeting Axel had come of it. 

As Lydia put the letters back in the box how she found them, she wished there was a spell that could wipe all of her horrible memories from her mind.

————————————

@monthlywritingchallenges

Still getting a feel for the characters! This is super short for what I usually write, hahaaaa

This is a combo of Days 2 & 3: Day 2 - Forgotten Memory | Day 3 - Letter Discovered

[laudys83]

A soldier's privilege

Day 5: Hidden in plain sight

The fire in the center of the camp was burning low, casting flickering shadows on the tents. The cold had settled in hours ago, creeping into every gap in the worn fabric, turning breath into mist. Soldiers grumbled as they pulled their cloaks tighter, seeking warmth wherever they could find it. Some huddled together, others pressed their backs to the dying embers of the fire.

Inside one of the tents, Flavus shifted under his blanket, his hands curled into fists against the cold. The thin fabric did little to keep the chill at bay, and despite the exhaustion weighing down his limbs, sleep refused to come. He could hear the wind outside, the rustle of tents, the distant clatter of armor as the night watch changed shifts.

Then, the tent flap moved, and a familiar silhouette ducked inside. Marbod. His broad frame blocked the faint glow of the campfire for a moment before he pulled the entrance closed behind him. He smelled of leather, sweat, and the damp air of the night.

"You’re still awake," Marbod murmured, voice low.

Flavus turned his head slightly but didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Marbod already knew.

With a sigh, Marbod sat down beside him, the cot creaking under his weight. Without ceremony, he peeled off his cloak, tossing it aside, then shifted to lie down next to Flavus. It wasn’t the first time. No one questioned it. The nights were cold, and warmth was a necessity, not a luxury. Soldiers did what they had to do to endure. But it was different now.

The first time had been out of practicality. The second, too. But now, with each night that passed, the silence between them stretched longer, heavier. Every unspoken thought, every hesitant movement, every breath drawn too sharply added to the weight pressing against Flavus’s chest.

Marbod exhaled, long and slow, before pulling the blanket over both of them. His body radiated heat, steady and grounding. Flavus remained still, eyes fixed on the ceiling of the tent, listening to the shared rhythm of their breathing.

Then, barely above a whisper, Marbod spoke. “It’s warmer like this.”

Flavus swallowed, his throat dry. “Yes.”

Neither of them moved.

Outside, the wind howled through the camp, unnoticed.

Challenge by @monthlywritingchallenges

[arthropoda-artistry]

@monthlywritingchallenges

Searching in the snow

For what exactly, I don’t know

But the effort indeed left me frostbitten

As what I don’t need to search for is in fact the mitten

I left inside before I went a-snow-searching

So I only have one hand warmed, like a street urchin.

[p3roxide-princ3ss]

2.13.25 The Missing Piece

Every single day I see other people and they are whole and clean and perfect. They’ve found their niche in society and I am suddenly the odd one out. Every single day I look in the mirror, religiously turning to the side to disappointingly discover that I’m not pretty like I was when I was a child. I’ve grown to be a hideous teenager and I always thought that my teenage years would be the best but no that’s a lie it’s only if you’re skinny. Every single day I search my body for holes that I can fix. Maybe if I cut, I’ll fix this one on my thigh. Maybe if I starve myself, I’ll fix this one on my chest. My holes keep growing and one day I’ll be thin strands of flesh held together by hopes of this time it’ll work and I haven’t tried this one yet. My missing piece of being loveless has multiplied into missing pieces and they’ve scattered under furniture to never be seen again.

Challenge by @monthlywritingchallenges

[mama-ivy]

The Other Ex

This is for both @monthlywritingchallenges Finding February Day Seven and @the-slumberparty Year of the Snake 2025.

Please read this first.

Now that you've seen Craig, meet Tina.

Tina sat all by herself on the far right of the large study that her father had used for decades. It still smelled like him - patchouli and tobacco. The combination continued to make her nervous. Fine leathers and deep mahogany covered the room. Her father didn’t like a lot of fabrics.  It took away from his commanding echo, he said. Chairs had been brought in and placed in a half circle three deep surrounding the large desk behind which stood Carlo Rossi, her father’s trusted advisor, right-hand man, and long-time friend. He was also the executer of the estate.

Every chair had been filled by large and burly men, all dressed to the nines. Tina knew most of them by face and last name only. Santoro ran the Southern sector, Ferrara, the Northern one. Their second in commands, Leone and Martini, were as always, at their sides. The army of accountants, the two surgeons, the four policemen and their chief, and the judge along with their assistants, all of which Tina had only recently found out were on the payroll, filled the rest of the seats. A sea of men all wanting a slice of her father.

No one noticed Tina sat on a small stool in the corner willing herself to sit tall and proud despite still smelling of the stuffy plane that had brought her back from school.  She had missed the funeral last month, according to her father’s wishes, to finish her finals and receive her Bachelor’s Degree in business. Now that she was home, the Last Will and Testament could be read.

Everyone wanted the big prize, of course, but most of the men in the room were expecting either Santoro or Ferrara to be named successor. A couple of the men suggested Carlo take over the business. Only Carlo knew the truth. Only Carlo had spoken to the boss in great length about the future of the family business.

“Along with my personal effects which have been aforementioned and previously allotted to her, I leave all business affairs of the Tomanelli name, including titles, responsibilities, respects and financial records encompassing all eleven businesses to which I have held ownership, to the only living Tomanelli – my daughter, Tina Marie.” Carlo paused to allow the murmurs and gasps that he knew would take place.

“What the fuck?” Martini stood and was immediately pulled back down by Ferrara with a look that everyone in the room knew to mean ‘Shut up now, or I will make you later’.

“Tell me this is a joke, Carlo.” Ferrara spoke up without standing.

“Mr. Tomanelli and I discussed this in great length for many years.” Carlo’s voice never faltered. “Tina has been groomed and taught since she was small for this moment – even if you didn’t know it.” Carlo smiled and nodded in Tina’s direction. “Business will remain exactly the same for a period of one year while The Mistress Tomanelli learns the inner workings.  We will meet back here at that time and she will announce her plans for the future of the business to include, if desired, naming a different successor.”

Murmurs rose and fell among the men. No one was happy. Tina rose quietly and walked around the swarm to take her place at Carlo’s side. She remained unnoticed. “Can I say something?”

The men continued to speak amongst themselves. “Excuse me, gentlemen!”

The noises of disagreement remained. Carlo took a pistol out of the side drawer of the large desk and handed it to Tina. He then walked around the desk and took his place at the back of the room in front of the door.

Tina watched him carefully and then emptied the chamber and laid the bullets in front of her. Taking a deep breath, she gripped the pistol by the barrel and brought the heavy grip down onto the desk causing a loud thump and consequent tinkling as the bullets bounced up and fell back down.  The entire room jumped and turned to look at her.

“I said, Excuse me, gentlemen, but apparently you are too wrapped up in your own selves to listen to your boss. This will not happen again.”

The Chief of Police, Johnson, chuckled. “You coulda killed one of us or yourself, girlie.”

“I couldn’t have. This pistol is empty, but never you worry, I have another that is loaded, if you’d like to test me again.” Tina paused and then looked around the room. “Carlo has made it clear my name is not girlie. I will not be referred to as such in the future. As was previously stated by my father through Carlo, business will remain the same until one year from today. If you want out, you have that amount of time to decide how you will leave the company without pissing me off or causing mistrust. If you remain, I expect the same amount of respect and loyalty that you showed my father. Do not test me. You will not like the results. I am my father’s daughter, and whether you were aware of me or not, my position was decided and made clear to me at a young age. I know the size of the shoes I am filling and I intend to do so in heels.”

Tina sat down in her father’s oversized leather seat and calmly put away the pistol and bullets. Without looking up, she addressed the men again. “I am done talking which means you are done being in my presence.”

The men rose and left without a word.

Carlo entered the office with Tina’s breakfast as usual on a silver tray. An English muffin with butter and jam, half of a grapefruit, and a cup of coffee with milk. “I wish you would move into your father’s bedroom suite.” He set the tray down in front of her while she moved the documents that had been splayed across the desk. “It will make it so much easier on the staff.”

“I have six weeks left in my year, Carlo. Once I make the final decision, I will be happy to move. After a deep renovation, of course. Black and forest green are not my colors.”

“Let’s not kid ourselves, Mistress. The decision was made on the day the announcement was read.”

“Yes, but they don’t know that.” Tina motioned for Carlo to sit in one of the empty chairs facing her. He did. “Have a muffin. I never eat both halves.”

“You are always playing that game with them. Eventually, you will have to convince yourself that they don’t matter and have faith in your decisions.”

“I will feel better after my final announcement and I can start implementing changes.” Tina took a muffin half and bit into it. “I found your personnel file, by the way.”

“Oh?”

“I couldn’t figure out why yours was the only one missing. Until I found it. Daddy had put it in the safe with the other family members.” Tina smiled at the older man. “Honestly, I should have looked there first. It’s safer there anyway.”

“Any news from Mr. Smith?”

Tina set her muffin down and pulled a file from a desk drawer to hand to Carlo. “He’s been found. Safe and far away.”

Carlo took the file and quickly skimmed it. “Teaching mathematics.”

“Of course, he is.” Tina chuckled. “Did you honestly think he would be doing anything else?” After a pause, she continued. “Have Mr. Smith check in on him periodically. I need to know if he makes any moves that might put him too close to all this danger.”

Carlo nodded, stood, and handed the file back to Tina. “Yes, Mistress.”

“And call Jessica. I’m going to need a blow out and a manicure before tonight’s meeting.”

Carlo nodded again and left Tina to her breakfast.

“And that policy, gentlemen, will be implemented immediately.” Tina crossed the room in front of the large group of men once again sitting in the semi-circle surrounding what had officially become her desk. “You have twenty-four hours to make the necessary arrangements, after which, penalties for not conforming to my new policies will be swift and severe. Any questions?”

She had honestly been surprised that not a single man had used the given year to back out. Carlo warned her it was because they were all hoping that she had come to her supposed senses and decided to name one of them as successor. Tina didn’t care. She had been preparing for this day since starting school, and while business was not her first choice as major, she took to it like it was her destiny. And maybe it was.

Ferrara raised his hand like a scared school boy eliciting a few titters from the back of the room.

Tina smiled warmly at him and nodded.

“I don’t understand the no-hit list. Everyone was fair game to your father. Family came first.”

“The business will be coming first, but how can I properly run it without the necessary manpower?” Tina paced once more in front of the group, her stilettos clicking on the wood floor. “All of you are on the no-hit. This means that you can not go after anyone on this list – in this room – without my written and explicit permission. Only I will order the punishments of those on the list.”

“All of us, yes, but who is Craig Finch?” Ferrara glanced back down at the paper in his hand.

Tina paused, desperately trying to maintain her poker face. “A member of my family. You are to leave him be no matter the cost. He is not your concern.”

Tina waited a few moments studying the faces of the men sat before her. “Gentlemen, my father ran a family. I intend to run a business. While there are many gray areas that overlap, our relationships will boil down to business associates. Nothing more. I will protect you as such so that my business can thrive. If you are no longer valuable to the company, you will be disposed of.”

Murmurs ran through the seats. Tina continued. “Over the next few weeks, I will be meeting with each of you individually to discuss personal goals and reset pay rates. My father severely underpaid most of you. I will be correcting that. If there are no further questions, this meeting is adjourned. You are dismissed.”

Carlo waited until all of the men had left the office, most flashing excited smiles at the prospect of a pay raise, before approaching Tina as she collapsed into the overly large leather chair behind the desk. “The men look happy.”

“I know daddy liked to rule through fear, and while I do enjoy the exhilaration of fear-based loyalty, I need the men to stay out of respect. Flies and honey.”

Carlo nodded solemnly. “Can I get you anything?”

“An interior designer that specializes in minimalism. This wood has got to go. I want marble. I’ll be using daddy’s bedroom suite as an interim office space while they are gutting this horrid room, and then they can rip out that disgusting velvet in the suite.” Tina sighed.  “Also, a tailor. I need some new suits.”

“I can have both of those by tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Carlo. I’m going for a spa day. That meeting was stressful.”

“Mistress?” Carlo crept into the office.  He had been told no disturbances, but this was definitely important enough to ignore the request.  Still, she hated distractions, so he was cautious.

“Carlo?” Tina spun around in the overly extravagant chair that sat behind an enormous desk made of glass to face poor Carlo.  “Are you serious right now?”

“I’m so sorry, Mistress.”  Carlo bowed low.  “Jake Winslow is here.  He says it’s important.”

Tina’s dark eyes flashed.  She slowly stood behind the desk and ran her hands down her thighs to straighten the wrinkles in her tailor-made Italian skirt suit.  “He seems to think everything is important.  He tires me.”

“Yes, miss.”  Carlo readily agreed.  No one in the family liked Jake Winslow.  He was the cockroach that none of them seemed to be able to squash.  “But, he has told me his reason for disturbing, and I believe that this time he is right.”

Tina reached up and tucked a stray strand of jet-black hair behind her ear before walking around to the front of the desk and perching lightly on the edge.  “Send him in, then, Carlo.” She nodded at her friend.  Carlo nodded back and left, closing the door behind him.

Tina got an uneasy feeling as soon as the gutter rat entered her pristine office dragging his dirty trench coat all over her freshly mopped floor. The feeling only worsened when he yanked the bag off of his poor captive.

Craig.

“Jake, get out.” She whispered.

“But, the reward, Mistress.”  Jake tentatively argued.

Tina tore her eyes away from Craig and stared at Jake.  “Reward?” she bellowed through gritted teeth, “Reward?  There was never a price on this man’s head.  In fact, Jake, you did the exact opposite of leaving him alone.  You tied him up and brought him here – the one place I didn’t want him to be.”

Jake started shaking and slowly backing away towards the door.

“I never want to see your face again, Jake Winslow.”  She spat at him while following him out of the office.  “This is the last straw.  Direct disobedience does not warrant a reward.  I. SAID. GET. OUT.” She slammed the heavy door behind him and slowly took in a breath to calm her nerves. She turned and walked past Craig towards her desk, her heels echoing against the marble floor. He is trembling. He’s scared.

Tina picked up a letter opener and turned back towards Craig.  She took his hands in her left hand and used the letter opener in her right to cut him free. Chills went up her spine and she lingered with her touch. She had thought about this man so often, too scared for his safety to ever indulge in her desires.

“Thank you.” Craig muttered.

“I apologize for the way that street rat treated you.” She said as she walked back to the desk and laid the letter opener back in its place.  “It was never my intention for you to be harmed in any way, Craig.”

Craig froze. “You- You know my name?”

He didn’t recognize her. She thought he might not. She had worked very hard on her business image. Still, she had to admit, it hurt just a bit.

Tina turned to face him and smiled.  She walked back to him and stood like a statuette only inches from his face.  “Concentrate.” She whispered while placing a hand on his cheek.  “It’ll come to you.” His face was so warm. Adrenaline, probably, but the warmth was welcoming and Tina was instantly addicted.

“Tina.” He whispered. “God, I thought you had left town.”

Tina wanted to leap into his arms. She wanted to kiss him until they were both breathless. From what Smith had told her, he was still single, but Smith had only recently become most unreliable, so his word was worth less than a grain of salt. Better to air on the side of caution.

They spoke for several minutes about this and that, all the while Tina tried to figure out her next steps. He was back in town. Back in danger’s way. The safest place for him now would be in her line of sight. Permanently.  The damned charity function. She had planned on just not showing up, but this might be better. Let everyone see, he was under her wing now. Under her direct protection. Untouchable.

She rang for Carlo.  “Craig needs a tuxedo for tonight.  He will be joining me.  Please escort him to Antonio’s.  My dress will be sapphire.  Have him coordinate.”

“Yes, Mistress.”  Carlo motioned to Craig to follow him out of the office. 

Tina watched the two men leave her office and immediately pulled out her phone to call Smith.

“Any news?”

“You’re sure about that?”

“When was the last time you checked on him?”

“I do actually have a concern, Mr. Smith. My concern is that while you were looking at him this morning on the West Coast, he was here, on the East Coast trying to get a loan from a bank that was being robbed.”

Her voice gradually rose in volume with every word.

“He was brought to me in my office by a low-life that is now regretting every breath he takes. Do not tell me to fact check my own eyes, Smith!”

“I don’t care about your stupid excuses, Mr. Smith! You are finished. Your best course of action will be to stay where you are, because there is no longer any work for you here!”

Tina wished she could throw her phone across the room, but with everything going on, she did not have time to shop for a new one. She ended the call quite anticlimactically and dialed Carlo.

“We are getting in the car now. I’ve called ahead to Antonio’s. We’re expected.”

“Thank you, Carlo. We will need a new P.I. I’ve fired Mr. Smith.”

“I already have Junior on it.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you sure this is wise, Mistress?”

“No, but what are my other choices? The safest place for him now is with me.”

“And if he refuses?”

“I can’t think about that right now. Neither my head nor my heart can bear it.”

divider by @thecutestgrotto

[apiratefellinlovewithastar]

schedule for February events I’m participating in just so I won’t forget to actually post them xd

hey, sweetheart (got the dates mixed up so not exactly for the event, but inspired by it now)

“Hey, sweetheart. C’mere.”

“Sweetheart, you’re the only view worth enjoying.”

“Hey, sweetheart. How would you like to come with me?”

“How did you end up like this, sweetheart?” + “Let’s go, sweetheart.”

Feveruary

Day 1: “How did you end up like this?”

Day 4: Herbal Remedy

Day 28: “Well, it sounds to me like you need a little bit of TLC.”

findingfebruary

Day 1: Lost & Found + 2: A Forgotten Memory

Day 7: Reuniting After Years

Day 11: Something You Weren’t Looking For

femslash feb bingo

Token

“Tell me again.”

Mirror

Meet Ugly

Praise Kink

Poisoned

femslash feb

Day 5: Picnic & Day 7: Soft

Day 14: Crush

Kinkuary

Omegaverse

Fluffruary

Day 17: yearn + Day 20: linger

[findingfebruary-blog]

Mmmm...

[monthlywritingchallenges]

February is the month of discovery! Join Finding February, a writing challenge dedicated to stories about finding love, friendship, family, purpose – or even yourself.

✨ How it works:

1️⃣Use the prompts as inspiration.

2️⃣Write stories, drabbles, poems, or any creative piece.

3️⃣ Please use a "read more" for long things

4️⃣Share your work: Tag it with #FindingFebruary and @monthlywritingchallenges so the community can enjoy it!

❄️ Let’s spend February exploring themes of connection, growth, and discovery.

Stay tuned for the prompt list and more details! ✍️

Who’s ready to start finding? 🎶

[carrots-bear]

A Treasure Map and a Friend Long-Lost (February Prompts)

Started - 2/12/25 | Finished - 2/13/25 By Bear

RotTMNT Fanfic short - Fire & Rain au

Donnie rolled out the map of what had formerly been known as the United States of America, now known as the M.N.A.T., or the Mid-North American Territories. “Here’s the route you need to take in order to get to this junk-yard. Got it? The highlighted route on this map is the path to a post-apocalyptic treasure trove; this is the only dump left in the New England Coastal Territories, so you need to salvage as much as you all can, understood?”, Donnie asked his apprentice. 

His old enemy, now dear student, was Baxter Stockman. Baxter nodded. “Understood. You give me the list, I’ll return with the package delivered.”

“Takes you back to the stock and shop days, doesn’t it, Baxter?”, Donnie teased.

“Hardy-har-har. I’ve been stricken down with laughter,” he replied in good humor. Donnie could recognize the sarcasm that Baxter had gradually absorbed from being his apprentice.

Right as he was about to give Stockman further instructions, he heard a familiar ring-tone coming from his gauntlet. He raised his sharpied on eye-brow and raised a finger to his pupil. “I will return in a moment,” he informed before walking into the next room. 

Thankfully, it was empty. He answered the call. “Captain, you don’t usually call unless it’s an arranged meeting. Is something wrong? Is your base under attack?”, Donnie immediately questioned.

Then he saw the dark colors adorning her face. Colors in places that showed signs of little sleep, and an even smaller amount of food. “Sasha. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, um, sorry to worry you, Don. We’re not under attack…” Sasha replied, her voice sounding scratchy, on the verge of tears.

“What… happened?”

“I just thought I’d let you know, since you see him every other month because of his errands… um, Noah—“ she tried to explain, but she had obviously gotten choked up.

“Oh, no, Sasha, whatever happened to him, I’m so sorry. I can’t— I’m so sorry. I would offer further condolences if this weren’t a mere screen,” Donnie told her. 

“Thanks, Don. He’s— the people that were with him told me a couple days ago that he had been absorbed by— them,” Sasha explained, practically spitting the last word. “You wanna know what’s so ironic about that?”

“Only if you don’t end up crying.”

“Noah died, Donnie,” Sasha snarled.

“Yes, right. I just mean even more, while you’re trying to speak,” Donnie attempted a defense.

“Like you were able to do any better explaining when you were so gloomy when your sisters passed.” Donnie looked away. “The irony of it… Heh. What day is it today, Donatello?”

“It is two/sixteen/forty, put in other words—“

“What day was two days ago?”

“The fourteenth, and formerly the celebrated holiday… Valentines Day…. That is ironic. And cruel,” Donnie concluded.

“Loss happens a lot in this day and age, so I guess I shouldn’t dwell on this so mu—“

“No! Sasha, look at me! Right now, look at me! You know I am not a feelings guy, but your husband died two days ago. You are allowed to dwell on this for as long as you need to. Don’t let it hinder your ability to do what you need to, but don’t push it away either, because it does not help. I speak from experience. 

“And I know that you have friends at the B.R., so talk to them about it as much as you need to without putting your work off. You can call me whenever you need, and if I’m not in a meeting or out in the field, I will answer and listen. I can promise that much,” Donnie assured after his little pep-talk.

Sasha sniffed. “Thanks, Donnie. I’d really like a hug right about now, but we’re miles away from each other, so…”

“I would gladly offer one, but it is as you say. Again, don’t hesitate to ask other people who are close to you for comfort. Keeping it bottled up does not help,” Donnie reminded her.

There was a knock at the door. “Master Donatello? I would prefer to have instructions for a mission before you unexpectedly get a call, rather than after,” Baxter called through the door.

“Oh! Right, I have an apprentice. Sorry to end the call so suddenly. Will you be alright?”

“As good as I can be. I do feel better after that though, so thanks again, Donnie,” Sasha smiled feebly.

“Glad to help my friend. I believe we have a meeting tomorrow. Don’t forget it,” he winked. “Farewell, Sasha!” He finished with a wave before ending the call.

Donnie walked out of the room, “So sorry about that, Baxter. Now about that treasure map…”

——————————————————

Now she’s miserably single >:} @hzl86

While I was writing Baxter, I could not not hear ‘03 Stockman, and it’s still killing me XD

February Prompts: Day 8 - A Treasure Map | Day 9 - A Long-Lost Friend

Link to Captain's challenge ♡○♡

@monthlywritingchallenges

[laudys83]

A pact in the rain

The rain still pounded noisily against the thatched roof, drowning out the heavy silence that had settled. Flavus, now free thanks to Marbod, remained motionless, his eyes half-closed, physically and mentally exhausted from a battle within himself that had lasted far too long.

Marbod had offered him the chance to follow him to Bohemia, to leave Rome and the legion, to finally live by his side. He had hesitated… of course, he had hesitated. But in the end, he had said yes.

Now, Marbod had to tell his wife.

Flavus waited, his body numb, letting his mind wander. He found himself regretting not having followed him when he first left Rome. He tried to imagine what he had missed: his rise to power, the consolidation of his rule, his marriage… the arrival of Odarike’s children. A home that he was not a part of.

Odarike.

He had seen her from a distance, had heard about her, but had never truly met her. Their marriage—he barely understood it. A political alliance, of course, but much more than that. A union between equals, free from convention. Odarike easily accepted the love Marbod bore for men, and in return, Marbod gave her all the freedom she desired. The children he raised were not his. But Marbod loved them as if they were.

Flavus had never seen anything like it, not even with his own brother and Thusnelda, despite the latter’s fierce independence.

He was about to drift into a light sleep when the door swung open abruptly.

Odarike.

With a sharp gesture, she signaled to the guards.

“Leave us.”

They obeyed without question.

Flavus met her gaze. A tall woman, blonde, with undeniable presence. She studied him for a long moment, arms crossed, as if weighing him, dissecting him.

Then, finally, she spoke.

“You know, Flavus, I’ve never seen Marbod love anyone.”

She let out a small laugh as she scrutinized him.

“Romantically, I mean. I know he loves me as a friend, as a sister, as the one who shares his home and his kingdom. And I love him the same way. He never lied to me about who he was, about who he desired. Except when it came to you.”

Her gaze sharpened. Flavus felt his throat tighten. She carried no visible weapon… but could she be hiding one?

“It doesn’t bother me to see you together. I suspected there was someone. Sometimes, he was elsewhere. Nostalgic. He never spoke of it. I never imagined it was because he was… in love.”

She waved a hand, irritated.

“Marbod takes men and forgets them the next day.”

A cold shiver ran through Flavus. Jealousy burned in his gut.

Odarike suddenly stopped. Slowly, she crouched in front of him, exactly as Marbod had done earlier.

Then, without warning, she drew a knife.

Flavus didn’t even blink.

He recognized the blade immediately. A gift from Tiberius.

“I love Marbod more than my own life.”

Her voice had hardened. Every word was a threat.

“If you ever hurt him, German who wished to be Roman…”

The blade moved closer to his throat.

“…I’ll gut you. And before you bleed out, I’ll make you eat whatever’s left of your manhood.”

She tilted the metal under the torchlight.

Flavus swallowed with difficulty. The tip of the knife nearly grazed his Adam’s apple. He didn’t flinch.

Odarike studied him for a long moment, searching for something in his gaze. When she seemed satisfied, a smile stretched across her lips. A real smile.

“Well then, brother-in-law, welcome to the family.”

She held out her hand.

Flavus grabbed it without hesitation, squeezing as firmly as he could.

Odarike straightened, sheathed her knife, and walked to the door. Outside, the rain still pounded, so hard it felt like the whole world was rumbling.

She turned one last time.

Her gaze was unreadable, but her voice was clear.

“I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”

Flavus returned her smile. Genuine, this time.

Challenge by @monthlywritingchallenges

[arthropoda-artistry]

@monthlywritingchallenges When you’re waiting at the train station, 

watching people pile onto the crowded train 

Not dissimilar to how ants mill about inside a damp log

You usually choose not to follow.

A face in the crowd you sometimes are, though, 

Yesterday you found yourself recognized, yesterday, by

A homeless man on the train, likely looking for warmth, likely hoping

The twenty you gave him last time you saw him might make a repeat appearance.

He took no for an answer, though, for now, and now you just hope

Your face maybe stands out in the crowd a bit less.

You tell your parents when you finally

escape crowds that night, trade them for privacy

Feeding homeless folks is not

unlike feeding squirrels outside the train station:

If you do it, they’ll start expecting it

whenever they see you, and they will 

Start looking for you when they don’t see you.

Better to be faceless, crowded, anonymous for now.

[carrots-bear]

A Missing Piece at an Unexpected Time and Place (February Prompts)

Started - 2/14/25 | Finished - 2/15/25 | By Bear

A Post RotTMNT Movie one-shot

(Little note that this is kind of like a post-movie au, but if I ever fully write it, it won’t be for a long while)

——————————————————————

Donnie was taking some of his books out of his locker, Leo talking Casey Jr.’s ear off beside him. 

A few months after the Kraang invaded, he and Leo had finally gotten out of their beds and into wheelchairs. And, with the public wondering who their saviors were, and claiming not to care who or what they were or looked like, April, Donnie’s best friend and honorary sister, felt justified to give the public what they wanted. Of course, she prefaced with, “They look weird, but they’re the guys who saved the world, so, you aren’t allowed to hold anything against them,” and “The government better not come after my little brothers. They saved the world, you let them live, and call it square.” 

So the four brothers, April, and Casey Jones Junior, were on tv for all of New York to see. Now, a few months after that, Donnie was on his feet (well, with the help of a walking stick, that was just his bō in disguise, but he wasn’t going to mention that), and going to an actual, real life SCHOOL!!! His dreams were finally coming true. And it wasn’t going too bad, for his first day.

The first bell rung, and Donnie knew that meant it was time for his very first class. As he was homeschooled, and already incredibly intelligent, he was a senior, and took the most advanced classes any public school had to offer. Meanwhile, his twin was a junior, his oldest brother was a freshman, and his youngest brother was a sophomore. Casey was in his grade too though, so he knew someone in one class already, at least.

He looked at his schedule, and found that AP chemistry was first one the list! Starting off strong I see! he thought with a grin. He grabbed his books, laptop, and pencil-case, and hurried off to find the class number. 

Luckily for him, he had two advantages. One: he had visited April here many times, disguised in his old purple hoodie, so he knew the layout of the school pretty well already. And two: his locker was only a few yards away from the class-room. 

Donnie approached the door. He saw a girl walking towards the classroom, so, being the gentleman he was, Donnie opened and held the door for her. As he followed the girl into the class and took a seat behind her, getting settled, he noticed he was one of the first students there, but for the two that wanted to be early. He was excluding the girl from the count, by the way. 

As Donatello was scanning the familiar room for any changes that may have occurred due to change of teacher, or any other reasons it may have changed, the girl whipped around in her seat.

“Aren’t you one of the turtles who saved the world? One of the ones on tv a few months ago? My family moved to New York City right after the invasion, so it was still all over the news and socials when we got here,” she started.

“Uhm— yes— yes, yes I am. Welcome to New York, I guess. Can I help you?”, Donnie responded quizzically. 

“Well, I was just wondering. Were you really created my an alchemist warrior?”, she continued.

“Yea-yeah. Um, pardon me, but what is your name, exactly?”, Donnie asked, taken aback by the lighting round of questions.

“Oh my gosh! I’m sorry, I tend to talk a lot when I’m curious about something, or someone, rather. My name is Sasha Stanley,” Sasha explained, extending a hand over the back of her chair. The second bell rung.

“Miss Stanley, it is very nice to meet you,” Donnie said curtly, shaking her outstretched hand. “I understand the feeling of talking a lot when I’m curious as well. It’s something my brothers often tease me about, though they talk without aim. Terribly sorry for derailing. My name is Donatello, but to those who know me, I am also, Donnie, Don, Othello von Ryan, or Purple. Donnie or Donatello is preferred though.”

“Nice to meet you then, Donnie!”, Sasha said with a smile. Students started pouring in as the third bell rung. “I hope we can be friends,” she whispered over her shoulder as she clicked her mechanical pencil. The teacher began his lecture.

* • * • * One hour and thirty minutes later * • * • *

Donnie held the door open for the students exiting the classroom. Before he, himself, could leave, his teacher told him, “You did well in class today, Mister Hamato. Should I expect this from all of you and your brothers in all of my classes?”

“No, sir. Mikey and I should be the ones of us to stand out academically in your specific area of expertise,” Donnie responded as he left.

As he walked out the door, he saw his little brother, only across the hallway from Donnie’s own locker, clenching his fists. In front of him was a tall, broad-shouldered boy, looking to be around eighteen. He was laughing, with two other guys behind him, laughing with him. Which was a huge mistake, because no one messes with Donnie’s brother, and he knew that once his other brothers and Casey got out of class, these guys weren’t messing with any of them again. 

And so, Donnie put his chemistry books in his locker, grabbed the books for his next class, and approached the group of boys that had obviously been held back, or looked way too old for their age. “Hey, you three. What’s going on here?”, Donnie demanded.

The boy, who was obviously the leader, rolled his eyes. “Ugh, another freak. Take your brothers and go back to the sewers where you belong. Nobody wants you here.”

“Well, nobody likes a bully, yet here you are,” Donnie retorted smoothly. I can already tell that we are the exception to this guy. Can’t wait for the rest of the year, he thought deviously, Donnie thought. No, no sarcasm was there. Donnie was genuinely excited to “Heheh, zing!”, for the rest of the year. 

“Aaaaawwwwwww, got’em!”, Mikey cheered. He hadn’t said a word since Donnie had seen the interaction.

“Thank you, Michael. Anyways, what, specifically, might you have against my brother?”, Donnie asked again.

“Same thing I’ve got against you: you’re freaks,” the boy said, putting his face in Donnie’s.

“Okay, I need you to chew some gum, please,” Donnie grimaced as he took a step away from the boy’s face. “Why do you have a problem with the way we look? We are just as sentient and rational as man, we are bipedal, we are dexterous, and we are adequately educated, for our previous social status and living situation, which was more or less non-existent outside of our limited friend-circle and the ones who want us dead. Gasp. Are you racist?”

The two guys behind him— one black and one Hispanic— looked at him, as if daring him to say “yes”.

The boy scoffed. “Ha! This one’s funny. Listen, creature. These two guys are my two best friends. I’m not racist. I just don’t like when an animal thinks it’s smarter than a person.”

“Don’t worry, I know I’m smarter than a lot of the kids here. I’m terribly sorry, but I didn’t catch your name, and it’s been bugging me the whole time,” Donnie retorted.

The kid scowled. “My name’s David. David Stanley. And you don’t want to try anything with me or mine.” David stuck out his chest and stood up straighter.

Hold on— Donnie thought as he narrowed his eyes at David and then thought back to an hour and a half prior. “Wait. Would you happen to be Sasha Stanley’s brother?”

“How have you already spoken to my sister?”, David snarled, taking steps towards Donnie until they were face to face.

“Donnie, we should probably go to class now,” Mikey whispered, the second bell ringing even before he had finished speaking.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Donnie said, staring David dead in the eyes.

“Donnie,” Mikey whispered urgently, he face pleading.

Donnie didn’t see though, as he responded to his little brother. “This is more than pushing people around, Mikey. He’s pushing us around. He’s pushing you around, and I’m not doing anything wrong for standing up to that.”

“Don’t, Donnie! You’re not fully healed yet,” Mikey urged still, his voice growing in volume slowly as the situation escalated.

“Listen to the weak one turtle. It doesn’t sound like you’re in too hot of shape,” David mocked.

“Must history repeat itself?”, Donnie asked rhetorically as he shifted his feet and his weapon in disguise.

“If you are referring to the Civil Rights movement during the eighteen-hundreds, and the continuation of that with the pursuit of higher education for colored people, as well as the protests and other such events that caused disturbance and ultimately lead to the equal society we have today, I’m afraid it must,” David relayed.

“Then we agree that all living organisms with mutations that are also sentient and rational, as well as nature’s other oddities, will someday have equal rights to that of humans and that this argument is pointless?”, Donnie suggested.

David looked like he was thinking for a moment. Leo hobbled over right that second though. “Don-Tron! Mikester! We have English class! Teach says that whoever isn’t in the classroom by the time the last bell rings is getting detention! I’ve only ever heard of it from media and April saying she’s glad she never got it, but I already know that I hate it, so let’s gooooo!!!!!”, Leo beckoned hurriedly before speed-hobbling away.

“Tell me your response by lunch,” Donnie informed David coolly. “Come now, dear brother. We have a class to attend.” Donnie lead Mikey away from the scene.

* • * • * Four periods later * • * • *

“Siiiiiggghhhhh. It’s finally time for lunch,” Donnie stretched as he put his books away, careful not to strain his back.

“Yes! I’m so hungry, I could eat a hippo!”, Raph cheered, pumping his fists in the air.

Leo, Casey, and Mikey nodded enthusiastically. “Plus, we get to see Barry! And we’ll get to see him every day! Man, I’m so excited for school life,” Mikey added. Casey was the only one who appeared just as enthusiastic as before after this statement.

“Well, I have a thing in the lunch-room, sooooooo, I’ll see you after I get that all smoothed out,” Donnie explained vaguely.

“Noooo, Donnie, please don’t. What if he tries to beat you up?”, Mikey whimpered.

“Donnie,” Raph said sternly.

“The key word in that sentence is ‘tries’, I might add,” Donnie said with a smirk as he began to limp with the flow of students, though he was more like a rock breaking the flow. His brothers weren’t that different.

“Donnie, what did you do?”, Raph growled.

Donnie didn’t stop walking, nor did he turn his head as he responded. “Nothing. He was pushing Mikey around, and I wasn’t going to let that continue to happen. He doesn’t have it out for everyone, or Mikey specifically either; he’s got it out for us quote-unquote freaks. So, after a logical conversation between two rational beings, he will tell me if I have convinced him to lay off. If I have not convinced him, we’re going to have to toughen up; actions speak louder than words.”

“What actions speak louder than saving the world?”, Leo asked furiously, though he bit his tongue and held back words that would leave him in trouble with Raph.

“I understand your feelings, Leo, believe me. But, hopefully, I was successful,” Donnie grimaced as he pushed the doors open. 

The lunchroom was as neat and orderly as the five boys expected. Well, neat and orderly no more, O Baron Draxum, Donnie thought with exasperation and mock malice.

David grabbed Donnie as soon as he walked through the doors and pulled him off to the side. “Ah, David. I didn’t expect an immediate response,” Donnie started from air jail in David’s fist. Looking down at his dangling feet, then back to David, he said, “I take it you haven’t changed your mind?”

“Heh. You’re crippled. You couldn’t do anything if you wanted to. I can tell that you’re scared. I can’t believe you are one of the freaks who’s supposed to have saved the world,” David said with a smirk.

“Scoff! I’m not scared. And I did help save the world, though it was my idiot of a brother that was closest to death. But I and my family were just as close to death as him. And, might I say, we are far more likely candidates than ‘you and yours’ as you put it,” Donnie argued.

“I was leaning towards letting you four off the hook, but you don’t seem to be helping your case, freak,” David spat.

“David! What do you think you’re doing?”, a voice said from behind Donnie.

“Nothing he doesn’t deserve,” David responded casually. “I wasn’t going to hurt ‘im, if you care at all.”

“Because that’s certainly what you just said to me. And it’s definitely why you’re holding me in the air by the collar of my shirt,” Donnie said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “And please be direct about whether or not you have intentions on beating me up at this moment so that I know what to expect.”

“No one is beating anyone up. Got it?”, Sasha ordered.

“Fine,” David said, dropping Donnie on the ground, certainly not gently. 

Donnie hissed in pain, rubbing his shell, still bruised and healing from the Kraang’s very gross, very cool spaceship that Donnie got to drive. “So, are we agreed that this argument is pointless and will eventually end up history as the movement towards colored rights is now?”, Donnie asked hopefully.

“You’ve convinced me enough that I’m on the fence about it. I’ll tell you when I land firmly on either side. Until then, don’t count on anything,” David replied with clenched fists, glowering down at the soft-shell turtle.

“That’s good enough for me,” Donnie nodded, standing back up and extending his hand. David glared still, yet he accepted the hand.

“C’mon, Sash. We’ll let the freaks find their own way around.” David beckoned, waving his arm towards the lunch line.

Sasha looked at her brother meaningfully for a moment before shaking her head. “They’re new here, and so are we. I don’t know what you have against them, but I’m sure we can work it out,” she tried.

“Oh, yeah, I don’t know where they are. Ugh, I can’t believe the my brother won’t let me wear any of my battle shell variants, but on top of that, the school is prohibiting me wearing them as well! Blasphemy,” Donnie ranted as he tried to peek over the heads of students to get a glimpse of a familiar colored mask. “I suppose we’re doing it the old fashioned way. Sigh,” he sighed as he pulled out his phone and messaged Leo.

‘,’,’,’,’,’,‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

‘Nardo

You at 12:02 pm today (Where are you four?)

‘Nardo at 12:02 pm today

(Where r U?)

(We looked everywere)

(*everywhere) You at 12:03 pm today

(Well, apparently not everywhere. Just tell me where you are and I shall meet you there once I make purchase of food.)

‘Nardo at 12:03 pm today

(I already got u some food thier althe same)

(Were at a table at the end off the lunchlne)

(*lunchline)

You at 12:03 pm today

(Thank you. I’ll be there in less than a minute.)

‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

Donnie put his phone away and looked up. “Well, I am going to have lunch before I start threatening to eat my brothers. I hope to see you in passing more often, Miss Stanley. I hope not the like towards you, David. Enjoy your lunches, though I heard the food tastes worse than most schools.”

Donnie walked away. He heard footsteps behind him. “Wait!”, Sasha called as she walked up beside him. “Why don’t we all sit together? You seem pretty nice, and I bet your brothers aren’t all that different from you.”

Donnie snorted. “Feel free to sit wherever you’d like, Sasha, but when together by my brothers are barbaric.”

“I have two older brothers, I should be fine,” she said with a smile.

“This way then.” Donnie lead the way across the lunchroom.

“Don! Dee-Dee! Over here!”, Mikey called from somewhere near. Donnie turned his head and saw green fingers and an orange glove waving high up.

Donnie walked towards the table. “Greetings, brethren,” he addressed before sitting down. 

“Here’s food,” Leo said as he pushed Draxum’s green slop towards Donnie.

Donnie grimaced, “What’s to be expected from him.”

“Actually, it ain’t that bad! I think he’s finally trying to make the stuff taste alright,” Raph assured.

“And he’s not just saying that because he’s a hungry Raph. I can confirm that it is appealing to my tastebuds,” Mikey paused to breath in dramatically, “somewhat.”

“Well, that gives me some assurance, he said truthfully and completely convinced that what his brothers said was true,” Donnie sassed, though he reluctantly grabbed his spoon.

“Captain Stanley?” It was Casey Jr., staring at Sasha in astonishment.

“Oh, yes. How impolite of me. Brothers, CJ, this is Sasha Stanley. Sasha, these are my brothers. Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo, though they are commonly called Raph, Mikey, and Leo,” Donnie said, finishing the introduction.

“Hi! It’s nice to meet all of you,” Sasha greeted with a wave. “Could I sit with you guys? It’s my first year going here too, so I don’t really know anyone. Well, except for my brother and his friends. But I’d rather find friends of my own.”

“Donnie, I’m going to ask this as nicely as I can: how come you find all the nice people first? You were the one that knew about April’s basketball court, which is how we met her, and now you find anothernice girl? Dude, I’ll come to you when I want to find a friend I guess,” Leo rambled, somewhat, bitterly.

“You’ll soon discover all of our behaviors, if you stick around long enough,” Donnie bluntly informed her.

“Good to know,” she laughed as she sat down in between Leo and Donnie.

“It only makes sense, I guess,” Casey said out of nowhere.

“Hm? Wha’d’ya mean?”, Raph asked, his mouth still full.

“Raphael, you know I can’t say much,” Casey sighed, though he looked like he wanted to say a lot. “Well, I guess it’s not much of a ‘spoiler’ as you guys like to call it.” Sasha looked confused as she listened to Casey, chewing her food in deep thought. “In the ‘bad’ future, Donatello and Captain Stanley were great friends. They barely ever saw each-other in person, because that’s not what their jobs were, but they did call a lot. They actually met through virtual meetings that had to do with transferring information soundly and safely. I remember walking in on an official meeting once. Master Donatello was furious with me, but Captain Stanley didn’t mind,” Casey recalled with a chuckle.

“I’m very confused,” Sasha smiled nervously.

“Oh, yeah. CJ over here is from the future that would have happened if forty-year-old me didn’t send him back in time,” Leo explained.

“Hadn’t,” Donnie corrected, and it sounded like there was a second voice saying it along with him. He looked around the table, and his gaze landed on Sasha. He gasped. “Yes! Someone who is just as intelligent as I am! I should have guessed if you’re taking AP classes, but still! In. Your. Face! Haha!”, Donnie cheered, pointing in his brothers’ faces. “Not to undermine you, Casey Junior.”

“That’s alright, Donatello,” Casey smiled.

After a few minutes of eating, Raph let out a very,… very loud burp. “Heheh. ‘Cuse me,” Raph chuckled.

“Excuse you, indeed,” Donnie rolled his eyes.

“Nice one, bro! Try topping that!”, Leo complemented the snapping turtle.

“Speaking of bros, didn’ you say you had an older brother that goes here?”, Raph asked. Everyone of the brothers knew that Raph loved smalltalk ‘because it’s just easier to make friends that way!’

“Yeah, I do actually. His name’s David—“, Sasha began.

“And none of us want to cross him until he decides whether or not he hates us because we’re mutants,” Donnie interrupted.

“Wait— is your brother that kid who was saying mean stuff about being a turtle to me?”, Mikey questioned.

“Hold on, was David bullying you too? He’s not usually like that,” Sasha asked, obviously bewildered.

“Donnie,” Raph said in his stern voice again.

“Yes, that is actually what started the whole ordeal,” Donnie answered. “And I’m positive he’s got it out for anything with mutations.”

“But I have a mutation,” Sasha revealed, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

Everyone but Donnie gasped, eyes wide. “Does he know?”, Leo whispered.

When Sasha had said she had a mutation, Donnie squinted his eyes and looked for any naturally occurring mutation. “Wait, wait, wait,” Donnie told the four other boys as he saw it. “Just because you are not a mutant doesn’t mean you don’t have genetic mutations. Heterochromia— having multiple eye-colors— is a type of mutation. Animals that are albino have a coloration mutation. I have observed that Sasha has complete heterochromia,” Donnie explained to his brothers. 

“I’m terribly sorry, Sasha, but I do believe that people with coloration mutations do not count as mutants,” Donnie redirected his statement.

“Oh. You mean he has it out for mutants and not, just, people with mutations. I find that rather odd,” Sasha commented.

“How so?”, Donnie queried.

“Hey, Don. Since you and I are mutants and have retro chrome-books, or whatever you said, does that mean that we’re double mutated?”, Leo asked air-headed-ly.

“Well, why don’t we compare ourselves to normal turtles, hm? Normal turtles walk on four legs; we do not. Normal turtles do not have thumbs; we do. Normal turtles do not have as advanced brains as we do; therefore, normal turtles cannot talk, though you do a splendid job of it. Normal turtles are not dexterous; we are. Would you like me to continue, or would you rather go over to the lunch-guy and ask him about it? I’m sure he can give you better detail than I can,” Donnie listed.

“Nevermind, I get it! Geez, Donald,” Leo huffed.

“So, what type of turtle are you guys? Were you humans or turtles first? What grades are you all in? Further, how old are you?”, Sasha bubbled.

“Raphala is an alligator snapping turtle, Mikey is an ornate box turtle, ‘Nardo is a red-eared slider, and I,” Donnie replied, pausing to sigh, “am a spiny soft-shell. And we were regular ol’ turtles first. We were intentionally mutated to be weapons of war to defend a certain race, only for our human DNA donor, our father, to escape and bring us with him,” Donnie info dumped.

“Okay, now to answer your last two questions, which are the only ones I can remember.” Leo started info-dumping himself, “I’m a junior, Mike’s a sophomore, Raph’s a freshman, and Donnie and Case are seniors. And while it depends on mine and Donnie’s moods, we’re twins. But I’m the older twin, because time passes differently in the PD—“

“Don’t you dare start on that you little—“

“—but Raph is seventeen, we’re sixteen, and Mikey’s fifteen—“

“You’re fifteen!?”, Sasha exclaimed, her eyes widening.

“Uh, yeah, technically. I mean, we all kind of messed up our ages because of—“, Mikey tried.

“How am I just now realizing that people my age are the ones who saved the world?”, Sasha wondered.

The bell rung. “Welp, looks like lunch is over. Drama time~!”, Leo grinned, doing jazz hands, before picking up his tray and hobbling away.

Donnie stood up and grabbed his own tray. “What do you have next, Sasha?”, he prompted.

“I have drama too. I skipped it my first two years of high school drama, so I’m doing it my last two years,” Sasha replied.

“Great! We can walk there together! Quick question, uh, is David going to be there too?”, Mikey asked meekly.

“No, he already did his two years,” Sasha smiled at the box turtle that was at eye-level. Sasha, Leo, Mikey, and Casey walked away, excitedly talking about the next class.

Donnie couldn’t see Raph though, and just as he had that thought, he felt a presence, and saw a familiar shadow looming over him. “I want a full explanation by the time we get to the classroom, Donnie,” Raph ordered.

“Got it,” Donnie nodded, his expression the epitome of healthy, familial fear. 

“You can start right now if you wanna,” Raph pushed further.

“Okay,” Donnie whispered as the two started the walk to their next class.

* • * • * One walk to class later * • * • *

“So, you saw this guy pickin’ on Mike, so you went up to him? Even though he’s about as bad as some street punk?”, Raph checked.

“We’ve faced worse than street punks— much worse,” Donnie countered.

Raph’s face contorted into that of anger and worry, and he stood still. “But we’re still recovering! We’re actually so close to bein’ healed, I can already feel goons under my fists! But if you end up gettin’ yourself hurt—“

Donnie stopped and whirled around. “We’re still healing, yes, but we’re not weak, Raph—“

“I’m not sayin’ that anyone’s weak! I’m saying we still need time to heal, and that it’s gonna end up taking longer if we get in a fight—“

“No. Listen, Raph. I’m not looking for fight, which you would know if you listened! I’m stoping one— and likely more!— from happening. The Hamatos are always talking about never being alone. I’m sure they didn’t necessarily intend for it to be applied to school life, but I think we should use it when applicable. I stoped David from handing our shells to us, so try to be grateful for that,” Donnie argued. He turned away and limped to classroom 136.  

He heard Raph’s footsteps start to follow not long after. Donnie stoped at the door. He opened it and held it for Raphael. “I am grateful, Don,” Raph spoke softly as he walked through the door, looking at his brothers face with a smile adorning his own.

The two got settled. The teacher started speaking, using big gestures; her voice booming. Donnie’s phone went ding! and vibrated. The room went silent. “Sorry, that was me. Continue, please, uh, ma’am,” Donnie admitted. He opened up his phone and clicked the notification.

‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

Bossman

Bossman at 12:32 pm today

(Im gratful for what u did)

(And what u do)

(And im proud of u :))

(Sorry for upsetting u d. luv u <3)

‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

As Donnie read the message, he smiled a big, goofy, happy smile. He looked over to his biggest brother, his oldest brother, his strongest brother, his reddest brother. And he was grateful. And he felt that a missing piece inside, that he didn’t know was missing, had just been filled. 

He opened his phone again, and clicked messages once more.

‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

Bossman

You at 12:33 pm today

(That’s alright, Raph…)

(I love you, too. <3)

‘,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’,’

___________________

What was originally intended to be an ocXcannon internet introduction turned into brotherly bonding 🫠 Still happy with it!

February prompts: Day 14 - Love in Unexpected Places | Day 13 - The Missing Piece

@monthlywritingchallenges

This is meant to be Valentines themed, but who says you can't celebrate it with your family :]. (Brotherly love, people. Don't be like that. Please. At least keep it away from me >~<)

Extra thoughts on the process of this thing I wrote:

Me:

(There was no script really, just a vague plan. This still checks out though)

Me: *talks normally*

Me: *writes Donnie’s pov* *talks like Donnie*

[carrots-bear]

Lost & Found (February prompts)

By Bear | Started/Finished - 2/1/25

Rottmnt turtle-tot fic

“Waaaaappphhhh!!!!!” Mikey running as he wailed to his brother, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Mikey! What happened? Were Lee and Don making you watch Dad’s tv shows again? Grrrr, they better stop doin’ that er they’re gonna be in trouble,” Raph asked, assuming that the twins were being their disastrous selves and pushing the youngest of them all to do things he shouldn’t.

“N-n-no.” Mikey paused to sniff. “I-I-I— t-t-to-today— w-w-wew¹, I w-was cowewing² wiff Squeak, an-an-an’… an’ t-then I w-went t-to-to p-pway Wou J-J-Jitsu wiff-f Wee an’ D-Dee-Dee, an’ w-when I w-w-went t-to g-get Squ-Squ-Squea-ea-eak—“ Mikey’s voice wobbled as he broke off again. He hiccuped and whined, hugging his big brother all the while, until he could continue his story— with some coaxing from Raph.

“C’mon, bud. Tell Raph an’ then he’ll help ya,” Raph comforted, rubbing his baby bro’s shell.

Mikey took a deep breath before continuing. “I w-went t-t-t-to ask Squea-eak if h-he wan-want-wanted to-o p-way— pwwwa- plllllaayyy W-W-Wou J-Jitsu-u wiff Weo an’ D-Donnie, b-b-but t-then-n-n I c-c-c-couldn’t-n’t-n’t f-fin-d-d h-h-him!” The little box turtle broke down again, crying as if someone had told him they’d killed a puppy.

“Well, where were you colorin’ with Squeak?”, Raph asked, remembering what his dad had taught him when he was Mikey’s age: back-track.

“W-w-we were in-n my woo-woo-woom,” Mikey stuttered with a trembling lip.

“Alright! Mike, get Donnie and Leo. We’ve got a do-phin³ to find!”, Raph ordered encouragingly.

“Okay!”, Mikey nodded, a smile emerging from his tearful face as his small tail began to wag. He dashed off, calling his older brother’s names. “LLLLLLLLLEEEEOOOO! DEEEEE-DEEEEEEE! WHEWE AWE YOOOOOUUUUUU!?”

Meanwhile, Raph dashed off to Mikey’s bed-room in hopes that /he/ might be able to find the tie-dye plush. “Hmmmm. If I was Mikey, where could I put Squeak?”

“You mean, ‘where /would/ I put Squeak’?”, Donnie offered, announcing the entrance of Raph’s brothers.

“Sure,” Raph waved him off. “Okay boys. This is a crime scene. It’s either a runaway, or a kidnapping.”

Mikey gasped, bringing his small hands up to his mouth. “No…” he whispered.

“So, we look everywhere!”, was Leo’s conclusion.

“But it’s a crime scene; you disturb no ebby-dense at the scene of a crime,” Donnie argued.

“Oh, yeah. That’s what all Dad’s soap oper’s say, anywhizz,” Leo thought with a nod.

“Soap opera,” Donnie corrected again.

“Nerd.”

“Dum-dum.”

“Guys! Stop! Mikey lost Squeak, and now /we all/ have to find him!”, Raph interrupted, putting his arms between the two.

“Okay, here’s the plan. We’ll look in here first, and then if we can’t find him, we’ll go to different rooms by ourselfff-sss until we fins him. And if /we/ can’t find Squeak, than we can ask Pops to help us! Got that?”, Raph asked as he looked around at his little bros. They nodded, all looking determined to find Mikey’s favorite toy.

“Hands in bros! Three, two, one, TURTLE POWER!!!!”, Raph began; all four shouted at the end, making silent, innocent promises that Squeak would be found.

Raph dashed to look under the make-shift dresser. Nothin’. He checked the drawers, all three, from top to bottom! Still no sign of Squeak. He walked over to the colorful pieces of paper and crayons.

Leo, Mikey, and Donnie approached Raph at the same time. “We looked everywhere we could think of. None of us found nothing,” Leo reported solemnly.

“Hm. Okay. Donnie, search the tv room. Leo, look in your room. Mikey, look in Dee’s room—“

“Why can’t I look in my own room?”, Donnie protested, stomping his foot.

“Because Mikey isn’t allowed to watch a lot of the stuff dad watches. Also, you’re the only one who doesn’t get completely ‘stracted from the tv,” Raph reasoned.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess that’s true,” Donnie agreed, eye-ridges knit together in thought.

“I’ll look for Squeak in my room. Turtles, let’s roll out!”, Raph finished.

They all ran to their assigned rooms, making quick and thorough work of the search. Raph first looked at where he was sitting before he went to the kitchen to make lunch for the five Hamatos. He knew that his dad could get food for himself, but he didn’t get up much anymore, so Raph decided that he would make lunch for his dad to be extra responsible.

Raph looked under his blankets, and then his pillow, and then his mattress. He checked under the rug, in his own amassing pile of plush toys.

He checked his school corner, and craft corner, which was full of yarn at the moment, cakey and scavenged threafd fraying, as he was trying to teach himself how to crochet, or knit, or whatever it was called. He was using a discarded, muddled up kit manual to learn the craft.

Raph was getting sidetracked. Now’s the time to focus. Raph won’t rest until we find Squeak.

Well, maybe Raph’ll rest. How can I be able to look if I’m too sleepy to open my eyes! the reasonable voice in Raph’s head mentioned.

Anyways, Raph even checked his own dresser like he did with Mikey’s— and still nothing! “Well, I looked everywhere in here I can think of. I’ll check on Donnie’s room.”

Raph walked in to find Mikey trying to peek somewhere he couldn’t reach much less see. “Here, let me help,” Raph offered, scooping his youngest brother up and onto his shoulders.

“Woah! Waphie! You scawed me!”, Mikey exclaimed.

“Sorry, Mikey! Look at the top now. You can see more from up there,” Raph apologized.

“Wow! I’m the king of the woooowwwwwwwwwlllllllddddd!!!!!!”, Mikey cheered. Raph felt him lean forwards. “I can’t see him.”

“Did you look everywhere in here yet?”

“No— um, yes, um, I don’ know.”

“Okay. Did you look under the bed?”

“Yes.”

“Did you look on top of the bed?”

“Yes.”

“Did you under the rug?”

“Yes.”

And it continued like that for about two minutes, in the time of which Leo and Donnie walked in, both empty-handed, waited for approximately ten seconds, and then looked for Squeak on their own. However, both Leo and Donnie came fruitless of their labor again.

“Squeak isn’t in either of our rooms,” Leo interrupted, pointing to Donnie and himself.

“How do you know that?”, Raph asked suspiciously.

“Because I looked in my room. And Dee-Dee and I looked in here while you and Mikey were talking,” Leo explained.

“Oh. Okay,” Raph accepted easily, Mikey not leaving his shoulders. “Let’s check the kitchen.”

The four headed off again, determined to finish their mission. They looked everywhere they could. The cabinets, the counter, the oven— everywhere! But the beloved dolphin was nowhere to be seen.

“I’ll never see Squeak ever again!”, Mikey screamed before crying loudly. It was enough to get Splinter to come in and wonder what the matter was— or he was just getting hungry because it was a bit past his lunchtime.

“Orange! What is the matter, my son?”, he asked, crouching down to scoop the smallest brother into his arms.

Mikey could only hiccup and wail, and Donnie could only cover his ears, and Raph wasn’t fast enough, so Leo answered for the youngest: “He lost Squeaky, and we looked everywhere, but we can’t find him!”

Splinter tsked and shook his head. “A lost Squeaky? Well, we can’t have that, can we? Hmmm, let’s see.” Splinter swiveled his head around, his eyes searching for an orange dolphin toy. Mikey was sniffing and hiccuping in Splinters arms still, though he had calmed down quite a bit.

“Dad, we already told you that we looked everywhere! Squeaky isn’t—“ Raph tried to explain. However, he was interrupted by his father.

“Non-sense! Squeaky is right there on the counter, see?”, Splinter pointed. Though the three eldest turtles could not believe it, there he was! Squeaky the Dolphin! In the flesh!— um, fluff?

Raph, Donnie, and Leo’s jaws dropped, but Mikey gasped, and then squealed. “Eeeeeeee!!!!!! Daddy, you find-ed him! You find-ed Squeaky!” He squirmed out of his father’s arms and ran towards the stuffed animal that was just larger than his head. He snatched it from the counter and hugged it tight. “Oh, Squeaky! I’ww nevew wose you again! I pwomise!”

“Now we can play Lou Jitsu!”, Leo cheered.

“Yeah!”, Mikey joined his red-eared brother.

The two ran off, Donnie not far behind in his oversized hoodie. Raph hesitated, but Splinter grunted and smiled. “Thank you for helping your brother, my Red. Go play; I will prepare lunch.”

“Thanks, Pops!”, Raph grinned and then ran off to join his brothers in a fun game of pretend.

—————Nine Years Later—————

“Aha! Found ya! I’m glad you made it through the Shredder’s attack, how ‘bout it buddy?”, Mikey spoke gently to the battered old dolphin plush as if he had seen everything that had happened to their childhood home.

“Mikey! It won’t hold for much longer! Hurry up!”, he heard Donnie call from the safest exit of their now-unrecognizable home.

“Coming!”, he called back. “We’re going to a new home now…… I’m glad I didn’t lose ya, Squeak. I’m glad I found you again.”

---------------------

It was gonna be a fun silly little thing but then I decided that I'd add some angst at the end :^ bc why not >:]

I'm late for this, but that's okay. I'll try to get today's written today :D

I'm going to assume that most people can understand toddler when put to print, so I just included a few translations below

Prompt by @monthlywritingchallenges

-=_=-=_=-=_=-=_=-=_=-=_=-=_=-

Footnotes:

1.) Five y.o. for "well"

2.) Five y.o. for "coloring"

3.) Pronounced as "dough-fin"

[carrots-bear]

Finding a New Home & Old Friends (February Prompts)

Started/Finished - 2/11/25 By Bear

A RotTMNT Fanfic short - Fire & Rain au

‘I saluted my former superior before I turned away with my family and the other people, mutants, and yokai who dared to leave the Central Park Resistance to find a new home. (Oh, by the way, the C.P.R. is also known as the Earth Protection Force Resistance, the E.P.F. Resistance, and the E.P.F.R.)

‘The C.P.R. provided me and a nurse with small satchels of medical supplies, should anyone become injured. As everyone knew, though, this was the apocalypse. Someone was bound to get hurt one way or another, somewhen. 

‘Anywhizzle, everyone turned away. The kids that were coming with their families were loaded on the hover-cart— the kind they have at Lowe’s, but much bigger and hover-y— with the food and weapons that were provided by the E.P.F.R. My brother, aka my younger twin and another scientist— that is not as awesome as my bro!— were given raw materials and stuff they would need to make anything important. Everyone else carried everything extra or pushed the cart.

‘Details aside now, we were off! It was June, so it was pretty hot. Not to mention the irregular temperatures with the alien invasions, blehg. We were not having a great time. We took the underground routes that the U.R. (United Resistances) use for food and weapons transport, but the vents that gave us air from outside were also making us miserable with the heat from outside. Getting sidetracked, uuuuhhhhhmmmm, oh! Right. It was pretty quick to get from point A to point B— well, rather, point W. We didn’t know where we were goin’, but we knew we were goin’ somewhere! Guh, quit it Leon! You’re telling a story here. 

‘So, we traveled for a few days, and then we happened upon somewhere that any New Yorker— well, normal New Yorker, knows pretty well. So, thank goodness we had normal New Yorkers with us! In case you were wondering, we had happened upon— bada-bada-bada-bada-bada-bada-ba! The Statue of Liberty Museum gift shop! Yeah, now that I think about it, I could have deduced that even, but I was being screamed at by my three-month-old nephew, so, y’know. A bit hard to think while that’s happening. 

‘So, we got there… Somehow the E.P.F.R and the Newark Resistance made tunnels underwater for safe travel, too. Anywhizzle, we looked around, and it seemed risky, but safe for a short amount of time. 

‘… When suddenly—…… A skeleton yokai and a googlyschmootz yokai that had brown where skin would be, and black where hair would be, and a whole lot of other weird colors, because she had a broken cloaking brooch, jumped out at us with a sword and a crossbow, and a spear and a gun. They were aiming them at us, because they thought we were Kraang! 

‘But, then, after realizing that we weren’t Kraang, guess what?! I finally got a good look at the skeleton guy, because Raph and Barry were in front of me, so I had to give Wolfe to my sis-in-law and push forward. 

‘Then the skeleton guy, when he saw me, said, in a wonderful Spanish accent that I’m extremely familiar with, “Pepino?”

‘And then I said, “Bone-man? Ohmigosh! You’re alive!” And then I hugged him, and he actually hugged me back, which never happened before, and hasn’t happened since. 

‘Well, then he said, “¡Sí! I am! I don’t know why I am surprised you survived as well. You niños— ah, chicos, are very resilient.”

‘Then I told him, “Shell yeah we are!”

‘But then I heard girly squealing, so I turned around to find Casey Senior, April, and the googlyschmootz were hugging, and then I got a good look at her, and it turned out that she looked an awful lot like Cass and April’s ex-college roomie! And I don’t mean they had issues with being roomies, I’m pretty sure Sunita, Case, and April were the world’s closest roommates, if siblings and spouses don’t count. 

‘Anyways, after we all got reacquainted, brought down to the basement where it was safer, and relatively caught up, then I basically said, “Hey, since we’re all already here, why don’t we spread the word that we’ll be a new asset to the IRAK (International Resistance Against the Kraang) and U.R., as well as a completely unbiased, non-racist, non-sexist resistance!” Everyone agreed that it was a totally awesome plan, with zero flaws. Then, Mikey and I called it the Liberty Resistance, Donnie made some calls, and then humans, yokai, and mutants started pouring in! 

‘Now we’re one of the most effective resistances in the New England area, and we’re all super cool and bust the Kraang’s sorry butts. The End,’ I finish. My nephew, niece, and the other kids in the L.R. stare at me in awe.

‘Wait, that’s it!?’, Taylor exclaims.

‘Yeah, is that the whole story?’, Angel asks; she’s obviously copying Taylor’s disappointment, but her expression is betraying her real emotions of excitement.

‘Ugh, you children are so ungrateful!’, I say dramatically, and I put the back of my left hand on my forehead. 

‘Taylor, you were the one who asked how Uncle Leo and Dad and Uncle Mikey and Uncle ‘Natello made the Resistance,’ Wolfe informs us, a confused look on his face.

‘Wolfie’s right! Taylor and Angel asked for Master Uncle Leonardo to tell us about how the L.R. was made!’, Casey Jr. argues. His eye-brows are knitted together a little bit too much like my big bro…

‘Well, you little tikes know the true story now! Now you can tell everyone about my greatness and how I lead us to where we are now,’ I tell the gullible children.

‘Sure, it’s the true story, he said in a not-at-all sarcastic tone,’ I hear Donnie say from his bed, adjacent to mine.

‘Of course it’s true! Why would I lie to the world’s best kids?’, I look at him, mocking offense. Of course I’m not actually offended, though. We do this all the time.

‘Don’t believe a thing that one says, and you’ll have an easier time keeping out of trouble, believe me,’ he says, nodding in my direction.

All the kids say either ‘Yes, Master Donatello,’ or ‘Okay Uncle ‘Natello.’ 

I hear the clacking of boots, and in comes Mona and Dr. O’ Neil. ‘Kids! What are you doing in here? You know these two are supposed to resting,’ Dr. O’ Neil scolds as the kids stand up quickly and rush towards Mona. 

‘Sorry, ma’am,’ they say at the same time… somehow…

‘I know you all are anxious about what happened to them, but Master Leonardo and Master Donatello need to rest until they’ve recovered,’ Mona reasons. ‘How about a story? I know you all have been wondering about how the L.R. came to be.’

‘No. Master Leonardo already told us,’ a kid named Asher speaks up.

‘Oh, did he?’, Mona asks as she ushers them out of the room.

‘Yeah, he told us eeeevvvvvverythiiiiinnnnnggggg!!!!!!’, a cat yokai girl named Luna agrees. The other kids nod along.

‘Well, why don’t you all tell me just what he told you?’ The kids cheer in response to this.

‘You, dear twin, are busted,’ Donnie remarks from his bed. 

‘You weren’t awake. You didn’t hear what I told them.’

‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ Donnie deadpans.

‘You two ready for a check-up?’, Dr. O’ Neil asks.

‘Yep!’, I say.

‘Yes, ma’am,’ Donnie’s voice overlaps with mine.

‘By the way, Leonardo, you’ll probably end up on those kids’ suspicious sides. Just as a heads up,’ the doctor warns.

‘Duly noted,’ I mumble nervously.

‘If you two keep up your recoveries like this, you two should be on your feet in no time at all. I hope we have enough resources for ya’lls’ prosthetics, Donatello?’

‘Unfortunately, there is only enough spare materials for one new, functioning prosthesis,’ my brother responds.

I look down at my hand as memories of red and green flash behind my eyes. ‘Make it for yourself, Dee. I have an idea that should do two things for us.’

———————————————

Oh, hey, yeah, btw, in my au, Leo and Donnie loose their limbs due to the same event, and they are currently in the recovery stage while Lee’s telling the story.

Other info is: Angel is Casey’s twin, Wolfe is Taylor’s older brother, and those two are Raph’s kids, but Raph is dead atp. And so is Cass and April

@monthlywritingchallenges

February prompts: Day 6 - Finding a New Home | Day 7 - Reuniting After Years

[carrots-bear]

Escape in Plain Sight (February Prompts)

By Bear | Started/Finished - 2/5/25

A poem about escape rooms

I’m trapped with you.

I can’t find the exit.

I can’t escape;

Can’t get out.

We search and search.

We still see nothing; 

No key, just nothing.

I hope we see some sign of something.

We’re looking,

We’re looking,

Searching for escape.

One hour, one room, ten people to leave,

Yet no one knows what we’re looking for.

A shout,

A flash of light!

Oh! it must be what we’ve been searching for!

We dash to see what our companion has found,

Only for it to be something we’ve seen in the room before.

————————————————

@monthlywritingchallenges

So late in posting this but that’s alright! This is also the first poem I’ve written since I was, like, seven or something, lol

This is a combo of Days 4 & 5: Day 4 - The First Clue | Day 5 - Hidden in Plain Sight