#oh donnie my beloved

[explodingstarlight]

spent a month mashing two of my long term hyperfixations together into an AU, bone apple teeth

I wouldn't consider this a crossover as much as an inspired AU because autism brain drew parallels between the two narratives and I think it would be fun to explore the earlier years of the apocalypse, before the world is absolutely decimated (alongside many of the resources), before the fam loses Donnie and Raph, et cetera. I have Plans™

Paying homage to this iconic panel from The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem:

Still finalizing each of the bro's code names, but here are the initial drafts and close-ups of their designs:

Riff-Raph

Donamite

Antimatter Master-Plan

Magic Mic

[joyfuladorable]

Ch. 5 & 6 of Dragon of the Sun by @forestwhisper3

(<Ch.1-4)

He felt like this past day had helped him learn a lot about Usagi. Things had relaxed between them, and their interactions, while they had never not been friendly, felt more comfortable- as if the unspoken barrier that kept that last bit of formality between them had finally been crossed, and he was...excited. Raph had Casey. Donnie had April and sort of shared Leatherhead with Mikey, who also had the Justice Force. They all were his friends too, yeah, but...it was nice to have a friend who was his first. Who preferred his company over the others. A best friend.

Forest said "time for Leosagi" and DELIVERED!!! This fic continues to diverge beautifully from canon, with Mikey's powers creating a butterfly effect and dropping Leo into his angst arc Early. Thank goodness his Best Friend helps guide him through it! UwU

[gidget-claws]

Hear my battle cry, hear that mighty sound

They’ve come before and many more will try to strike me down

Hear my battle cry, hear that mighty roar

And if you make it out alive the devil will be waiting by the door

[vazaez]

White knuckled this so bad it looks like plastified paper now lmao

[loservilleinspace]

mikey and bros 2nd edition: dontron

[nights-flying-fox]

Deep (Purple) Thoughts (and Realizations)

As Donnie repairs Shelldon, he comes across some realizations which lead to some discoveries. It turns out there is still much unsaid about the invasion, even after weeks. (Aka Donnie remembers he records everything all the time.)

AO3 Link <3 | chapter 2

Chapter 1: Some Questions and Answers

 "Are you done?"

 "No."

 "When will you be done?"

 "I told you about five minutes ago."

 "It was like five hours ago."

 Donnie rolled his eyes at Shelldon's behavior. He knew exactly how long it would take to repair the remaining parts, and yet he kept asking the same thing.

 The softshell was so glad for that though.

 "After finishing up with this I'm checking your time management system," Donnie replied. He was confident that there was no mistake in Shelldon's time management system.

 "No way!" Shelldon protested. "I can't stand still for another hour here."

 "Then stop whining, I'm almost done." Donnie said.

 Shelldon groaned.

 The truth was Donnie could have had Shelldon fixed entirely while he was offline, but… it already had been several months since he last saw his drone aliv— working. 

 Perhaps it was better that he didn't have the chance to repair him fully before the invasion. It was as if Shelldon was the only one who was still the same as before the events of Krang. And there was also the fact he hated the idea of the possibility of losing Shelldon again, ripped in pieces, or worse controlled by the Kra—

 Not thinking about that.

 Donnie bit his cheek as he focused on his work. Repairing Shelldon's rotor. Right. Not thinking of the possibility of almost losing another member of the family again. Nope. Nothing of the Shredder or Krang. Not thinking about that at all.

 "How long—"

 "Thirteen minutes and thirty seconds." 

 There was a moment of silence. Donnie missed the way Shelldon looked at him. His mind was occupied with what else he could do for Shelldon if there was anything else left… 

 "Hey, Donnie," Shelldon cut his thoughts in half. "You still haven't filled me in on what happened while I was out."

 Donnie didn't stop working as he talked, "We defeated Shredder. Found out about Hamato Ninpo. Saved Dad. Befriend Cassandra Jones- A.K.A. Casey- and prevented the end of the world again after just a few months." Donnie summarized the last few months. It sounded so simple when you put it like that. "There is more detail of course, and there is the fact that Splinter made Leo the leader."

 "You're kidding!" Shelldon exclaimed. "You need to share the details dude! You can't just say 'prevented the end of the world' and move on like it's nothing."

 He hated thinking about that. But also, he couldn't avoid the topic, not for long at least. "An alien species from ancient times that was trapped in the Prison Dimension got freed and we had to fight against them. They are called Krang and are very disgusting. Both personality wise and in the looks. They are also equally dangerous." 

 Shelldon seemed to miss the whole point of the world almost ending. "Oh you better have pictures of them!"

 "Of course I do. I'm sure even humans do too, but possibly blurry ones." Donnie replied. He ignored the fear of possibly someone taking their pictures during that time.

 "Then what happened? Did you use that Ninpo thing you mentioned earlier? Used your latest rocket prototype? Or the drill?" 

 Why was he so excited— "Yes and no. It was a complicated fight, Shelldon."

 "But you kicked their butts." The drone said excitedly. “Right?”

 "We sure did. They're never going to bother us again." Never again never again never again—

 There was a huff, "Man I wish I was around and not having code issues. I can't believe I missed something like that."

 Donnie could never disagree more. "Yeah… I don't think you'd like the end of the world though."

 "I dunno," Shelldon shrugged. "Surviving an alien invasion sounds cool."

 Donnie didn't say anything, the less he knew the better anyways.

 Then Shelldon's eyes turned to Donnie. "Hold on!"

 What?

 "You still record everything, right?"

 Wait.

 "Can I see them?" 

 He got it all recorded.

 Donnie froze with the realization. He had it all recorded. All of that. Every single second against the Krang. 

 And he had completely forgotten about that.

 "Donnie?"

 This meant he had Raph's time with the Krang recorded, he had his and Mikey's time in the subway car recorded, he had Leo's fight against the Krang recorded—

 "Donnie, you okay dude?"

 He had everything recorded. 

 Oh God, he was going to throw up.

 "...Does it mean I can't?" Shelldon asked as he turned towards Donnie. 

 The turtle simply shook his head as he tried to gather his thoughts (and completely ignored the fact that Shelldon most likely would try to watch the records eventually). "No, no one watches the records. None of them. Now, you better not move too much, mister, I still have a lot of work to do.” He hoped his voice was calmer than his hands.

 Shelldon rolled his eyes but said nothing more. Perhaps he had noticed Donnie’s stress, or maybe he had given up on seeing the records this way. But the silence wasn't long. After a few minutes, he talked again, “Hey, Donnie?”

 “Hmm?”

 “Is everything okay?”

 Donnie stopped and looked into his eyes. He wasn’t sure what to exactly say. The truth was that, no, it wasn’t okay yet. Only around two months had passed since the invasion, and Leo still hadn’t fully recovered. All of them still had scars from that time, both physically and mentally, healing.

 And he has it all recorded.

 Donnie remembered how his brothers put themselves in danger.

 Every second of it.

 The way they were so ready to sacrifice themselves. 

 "When I get to the other side, you close that door."

  The way a dum-dum did sacrifice himself.

 “Took you guys long enough.”

 But also… they were safe. All of them were safe. The answer was simple then. “Yes, why?”

 The turtle couldn’t tell what Shelldon was thinking. “Oh okay.” He said, and then added, “01001001 00100000 01101100 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101.”

 Donnie smiled and relaxed a bit. (When had he gotten so stressed? There was no reason for him to breathe so fast, except the awful realization which didn’t matter at all.) At least Shelldon seemed to finally understand the significance of the meaning of "the world's end". 

 “01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01110100 01101111 01101111 00101110,” replied Donnie, continuing his work. “But you still aren’t getting access to the records.” He smirked. No one is going to any time soon.

 “Aw, man!” Shelldon whined.

 And Donnie, for a moment, forgot about the Shredder, the Krang, and the recordings, and focused on being able to chat with his drone again. At least he had him back, and everything would be alright, right?

[allwehearisradiosilence]

Me: pls bxtch I don’t cry over any animated thing I’m autistic nothing on tv gets to me I’m hyposensitive-

***Donnie had to make his own protective shell armour cause he’s a so.Fft shEll turtl e and he couldn’t be on the teaM bc everyone thought he was gonna get hUr t. So he mAdE his O w.N to be inCLUDED***

[3rdsday]

Who was gonna tell me that the 2007 TMNT movie was actually really good

[explodingstarlight]

he may have made a mistake,,,

i kept thinking about this ask and couldn't help myself (regarding @snailsnaps fic that y'all should totally check out, just sayin' ��)

[tizeline]

'no one is safe'- until Dónnie

Oh, you know what-

Mikey does the Adorable Baby Brother Eyes on Donnie fully expecting it to work, because why wouldn't it? Donnie's family, his older brother, of course it would work!

...Except it doesn't. Donnie has no prior connection to Mikey, blood-relation doesn't count, he has no Older Brother Instincts to be exploited. To Mikey's absolute horror, Donnie is IMMUNE.

.... Donnie's Older Brother Instincts DOES eventually kick in.... like. WAY later. It takes a really long time for Donnie and Mikey to actually grow close, but it does happen. And then Donnie ends up VERY susceptible to Mikey's Baby Brother Tricks (Smarts n' Crafts Duo my beloved)

[ju1cyfru1t]

affectionate (rise! donnie x reader)

ROTTMNT x Reader

Donnie is in a particularly affectionate mood and the reader is scared.

fluff! :D, gn reader (you/yours is used), established relationship, romantic

“Heyyyy, Donnie!” You greeted your boyfriend in his lab and wrapped your arms around his neck from behind while he sat at his desk, typing on his computer.

Donatello jumped slightly, but sighed in relief when he realized it was just you. “Ah, hello, my dearest Y/N.” He leaned back into your touch and reached his hands up to hold your hands that were resting on his shoulders.

…wait, he did what?

“My dearest? Uh…” You stared down at him with surprise and concern, “are you good, D?”

“Of course I am,” Donnie smiled, “How could I not be when you’re here?”

“Woah, what?” You withdrew your arms, taking a step back. This was NOT your normal Donatello.

“What?” He spun his chair around to look at you with furrowed (drawn on) eyebrows.

You looked him up and down, “are you feeling ok?” You pressed the back of your hand against his (XL) forehead.

“I’m not fevered, if that’s what you’re asking.” Donnie sighed, taking your hand off his head and holding it in his own.

You stared down at your hand in his, then back up to him, “Did you- did you hit your head or something?”

“What? What are you talking about?” Donnie tilted his head.

“Nothing…” You looked at him skeptically, “Anyways…how’s your day going?”

“Fine, I suppose.” Donnie sighed, “Lonely, without you here. I missed you.”

“Huh?” Your jaw dropped for a moment before you narrowed your eyes at him, “did Leo put you up to this?”

“Scoff. We both know Leonardo is NEVER putting me up to anything.” Donnie scoffed, “And anyways, is it ok so unbelievable that I missed my beloved (s/o)?” He looked up at you tenderly and took your other hand in his, bringing it to his lips and pressing a sweet kiss to it.

“What’s wrong with you?!” You snatched your hand back.

Donnie looked offended and hurt with a hand over his heart, “ME? What’s wrong with you?”

“You’re scaring me!” You gasped, throwing a hand over your mouth, “Oh my god, you’ve finally cracked.”

“How?!” Donnie laughed, incredulous.

“How-…why are you being…so affectionate?” You narrowed your eyes at him again but your tone was softer now.

Donnie thought for a moment, “Huh. I don’t know.” He narrowed his eyes back at you, “But fine. Trust me, it won’t happen again.”

“No, no, no! I didn’t mean it like that!” You took his hand back in yours, squeezing it. “It’s just…not like you. I’m not used to it, I’m sorry.”

Donnie frowned, “Oh. I see.”

“Not in a bad way!” You laughed nervously, “I like you the way you are, even if you’re not always affectionate…of course, I like when you are too, though.”

“Good to know.” Donnie grinned and stood up, gently pulling you into his chest, wrapping his arms around you and holding you close.

You stayed like that for a while and just enjoying each others presence in silence; a rare, special, intimate moment.

“Sooo…you wanna get pizza?”

“Pfft- You don’t even have to ask, my dear.”

[noirleo]

Oooo, can i plz hear all your jealousy HC for the bayverse boys? :3 hope ur week is going well!

oh my god yes

jealous turtles from most to least ◡̈

(all turtles + reader are adults ♡)

1. raph

c’mon, did you expect anyone else?

being a middle child with three brothers, raph grew up sharing everything he had—his food, his clothes, his personal space. so when he finds someone he has feelings for, he makes a point that he’s not going to share with anyone.

his brothers prefer to take more subtle, graceful methods of claiming their s/os when they feel threatened. raphael does not have a subtle bone in his body.

if someone tries to hit on you while he’s there, he will physically put himself in between the two of you, glaring down at his prey target until they take the hint (and probably flexing his crossed arms as he does so. he doesnt do all of that lifting for nothing).

vern tried to chat you up, once, when you first met. raph swiftly handled it, and you’re not exactly sure what was said, but vern now makes a point to keep a very conservative amount of space between you and him at all times.

a lot of his jealousy comes from insecurity—he definitely thinks you could do better, find someone you could actually walk around with, show off to your friends and go on vacations with.

so how does he cope? by proving his indispensability to you. when you date raph, you don’t lift a finger. need something from the top cabinet? he’s got it in his hands before you even have to ask. want to see a sold out concert? how convenient, he just managed to find some floor seats for you and your friends

don’t ask how he got them, it’s really best for everyone if you don’t actually know (both legally and ethically speaking).

asking someone else for help (god forbid you ask vern or one of his brothers, especially leo) will probably end up in some icy silent treatment and very short yes/no answers to questions that can only be cured by insistent apologies and lots of kisses

2. mikey

oh, our beloved little mikey

mikey spouts confidence, but much like raphael, he is deeply afraid that you’ll leave him for someone whose complexion is a little less green

while raph’s jealousy is defensive, mikey’s is pleading. he needs a lot of verbal reassurance that you’re his, nobody else’s

even when he’s not feeling jealous or insecure about the relationship, he just likes to hear you say it—and once you do, he’ll believe it wholeheartedly, all doubts and anxieties set aside (for the time being, at least)

when you’re around others (and even when you’re not) mikey is extremely physically affectionate, and probably will mention to anyone who will listen in a very unsubtle manner that the two of you are dating and really, really happy together, thank you very much

if you’re sitting, you’re sitting on his lap (or so close that you might as well be). if you’re standing, you can bet that he’s got an arm slung around your waist or your shoulder—just so everyone in the room is clear who you came with and who you’re leaving with

3. donnie

donnie’s jealousy is quiet. he’s much less outward about his feelings of jealousy than raph or mikey, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

when you mention a creepy guy from one of your classes getting a little too close for your comfort, he’ll nod and empathize; little do you know, he’s got the guy’s social security number, address, and name of his childhood pet pulled up on his laptop within seconds.

mysteriously, he doesn’t really show up for class anymore. rumours float around about some pretty shady things hes done being sent to the dean, president, and every RA on campus.

you confront donnie, and he just shrugs innocently. huh, weird, guess it’s a good thing you guys don’t hang out anymore then right? and then he’ll change the subject, but the triumphant gleam in his eye doesn’t go unnoticed

if someone starts to get flirtatious with you while donnie’s around though? all bets are off.

standing at 6’8 and made of pure lean muscle, donnie is fully aware of how intimidating he is, and it radiates off of him.

all it takes is one glare, leering from over your shoulder, and suddenly the person trying to flirt with you has some very important business to handle on the opposite side of the room for the rest of the night.

when you turn around to see donnie standing behind you, one hand on the small of your back, he’s back to his relaxed, smiley self

4. leo

leo is definitely the least jealous of his brothers. he’s confident, bordering on arrogant, and knows what he brings to the table.

i mean, c’mon. the barista who wrote their number on your coffee cup may be cute and share your taste in music, but how many times have they saved new york from an alien invasion? can they do anything to protect you in the event of a foot clan takeover?

didn’t think so.

communicating and trust are monumental to leonardo. right off the bat, he’s very straightforward about his intentions with you, and expects the same level of loyalty from his partner

leo’s trust isn’t easily earned so if he trusts you, then he does so completely and wholeheartedly. if you say that you and someone else are just friends, then he won’t think twice about it

that’s not to say he never gets jealous though. he’s just much more lowkey about it than the others

if you mention offhand being catcalled on your way to the lair one night, you’ll have a private escort for the foreseeable future

hes not big on pda, but you can bet that if he catches someone else’s scent on you, especially another guy, he’ll be extra cuddly when he sees you

he’ll for sure try to play it off though and subtly give you something that smells like him. oh, you seem cold, here’s one of his hoodies that he conveniently had on hand. go ahead and put it on. he’s just looking out for you, no ulterior motives here.

you see right through him, but you’re willing to look the other way for some extra snuggles.

[phecdasolar]

Tumblr I need your help I am in dire need of feral/unhinged Disaster Twins fics pleaseeee (and maybe Mikey as a bonus) I’m just in love with the idea of Raph being the impulse control for once with this iteration, and just the second he’s out of commission the other three go insane.

Weapons of War, Bioengineered Killing Machines, Manufactured Supersoldiers Rottmnt turtles my BELOVEDS

And maybe just like,,, set Leo and Donnie loose on one of the other dimensions and have them absolutely horrifically annihilate their counterparts’ villains while they watch on in horror

(B.E.A.S.T. was SUCH a good fic you guys oh my GOSH go read it I’m begging you-)

I NEED to have it addressed in fic form that the Rise turtles are fundamentally different than all their other counterparts, because their counterparts? They were accidents. Just a couple of turtles splashed with mutagen and oh look now they’re people but Green. (Huge oversimplification I’m aware but hear me out okay-)

But the Rise boys were created. They were specifically designed to be weapons of mass destruction. They were built with the intent to cause harm which means they were bioengineered to be stronger, smarter(?), faster, to heal quicker, to have the capacity to take hard hits while dishing out even harder ones, they were literally forged with a purpose to kill.

Add on their mystic powers? Then their unlocked Ninpo? You can’t honestly tell me that these four aren’t the strongest and potentially deadliest version of themselves out there.

Yes they still had to learn things, as did the other iterations, they weren’t immediately good (that much is obvious, like c’mon it’s IN the name) but I don’t think the other iterations possess the same instincts as these guys do. They’re just so. Unhinged. They’ve all had their moments in the show I think where it’s obvious they’re not really,,, stable. I love them.

In a plain fists only, maybe weapons, no powers fight, I do think some of the other iterations would win, but purely because they have way more experience than these guys do. (If I did any crossovers I’d say 2003 and 2012 are definitely older than these guys, especially if we’re basing this at the end of their shows) But put them against each other when they’re still at the same level? Rise is whooping butt, I know where I’m placing my bets. It’s called RISE of the TMNT for a reasonnnnnn they’re not there yet but they WILL BE, and as of the end of s2 and the movie I say they’re finally THERE.

I have no idea how this turned into a headcanon rant this was just supposed to be me asking for fic recs hsgdjdjdk it’s almost 3 am tho so whatever sorry if none or some of this is incoherent o7 o/

Editing this with a list of fics I have been graciously recommended below the cut:

Firefight by remrose [42/43 chapters 208k words] (edit: JUST FINISHED READING ch38-42 WATCH ME BAWL MY EYES OUT I was rotating them in my brain all morning at work) less on the feral side, more on the gut-wrenching angst side, still Disaster Twins and still super good

In Which Donnie and Leo Make Themselves Everyone Else's Problem in an NYC That Isn't Even Their Own by YukiSkyes [7/? chapters, 18k words] the CLASSIC “the Disaster Twins are unapologetically causing chaos” fic, always a delight to read

The Lemon Leak by TurtleSoupSwimmer [27/37 chapters, 143k words] I’m being told it’s very true to the theme here, and it’s very angsty, a suspenseful psychological thriller, and will make you scream at your phone. I for one am very intrigued

Eschatology by aenor_llelo, Alderous, ConcoctionsFromHell, izziel_galaxy, Jaybird314, Otakuforlife19, and Rocket999 [17/17 chapters, 344k words] “HEAVY on the boys being biologically engineered to destroy the world, it also delves into so much character building and worldbuilding that we never got in canon, and it gives even super minor characters the chance to shine” Sounds intriguing, AND it’s a BNHA crossover which I am a big fan of :D

The Hunter’s Bible also by TurtleSoupSwimmer [2/2 chapters, 15k words] Rated Mature, contains themes of SA and c@nnibalism so PLEASE keep that in mind!! Not a fic for the faint of heart this is a Dead Dove: Do Not Eat! The SA is only attempted, and never shown, only implied, and it’s only in ch 1, but the other stuff is fairly descriptive and takes place in ch 2. All that being said, flipping UNHINGED, just about lost my mind in ch 2, it was entertaining in a surreal kinda way if you get what I mean. Funky little feral creatures

[triona-tribblescore]

FUCKING SCREAMING AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???!!!!!!!!! UGHHDHHQADHHE I- I- OH MY GOD. I WAS SO NOT PREPARED FOR THIS, THEY ARE SO COOL SOMEONE HOLD ME, IM IN SHAMBLES, HELP-

ok but the ghibli vibes of @triona-tribblescore 's wandering guardian au???

like i could live in this world forever tbh

inspo boards/refs below ft trionas SPECTACULAR GORGEOUS AMAZING og works of the au bros

[popcat69]

Iron what?

Rottmnt boys x anaemic!reader

Notes: this can be read with gn!reader. I didn't get a request for this but i almost passed out a few days ago so i thought this would be kinda funny to write something i relate to a bit. Enjoy <3

Warnings: no warnings just the boys being sweet and caring. Leo is a bit of an ass but oh well

Raph

Before Raph knew you had a iron deficiency he would always be confused as to why you had to take a moment when you stood up from lying down. Or when you felt dizzy alot.

One time when you decided to have a movie night with him and you stood up too quickly you felt dizzy and lightheaded. You grabbed the closest thing to you or well turtle to help support you.

Poor boy was so worried

He was franting asking if you were alright

You were able to smell his fear stink 

Once you told him you had an iron deficiency he was confused so you had to explain it to him. He understood quite fast and began keeping a closer eye on you.

Feeling dizzy? He's carrying you. 

Looking paler then usual? He sitting you down to eat something.

If you take medication he will put an alarm on your phone and his to not forget.

Leo

How this turtle found was something else

Long story short you stood up too fast and basically fell to the floor

Leo being the insufferable person he is thought you tripped on something and was laughing his ass off.

But in no less then a minute hes realising you not moving and goes into full panic mode.

As you regained consciousness you realise you were on the couch next to a turtle fulls of tears.

He pulled you into a big hug as you calm him down and explaining that your anaemic.

Leo has experience with medical…stuff? Perks of being the team medic.

Soon after that whole incident he started to become more observant. Always by your side when you stand up or when you haven't eaten a lot that day.

With leo if you take medication if he will keep a bottle on him at all times incase you have forgotten yours at home

Donnie

I feel like Donnie would already kind of know as hes quite observant

“I'm anaemic btw” “i know”

You kind of stared at him with a raised brow thinking. What?

Anyway he would always ask you if you have eaten a proper meal or gotten enough sleep.

Kinda ironic if you ask me

One time he gave you a diet plan to help with your iron deficiency and you followed it for like a day or two and then kinda forgot.

You felt really guilty when he asked how was the plan going. You knew he put the time and research to make it for you specifically so you gave him a sheepish smile as you looked around the room nervously.

Since that didn't work out he made you a portable pill dispenser? And it has a checklist on the back of it.

Have you eaten at least 3 proper meals?

Are you feeling dizzy a lot today?

You get the idea

You loved and cherished donnie’s small inventions that he gifts you.

Mikey (my beloved)

When mikey realised that you are frequently dizzy or lightheaded he would immediately asked if somethings the matter 

You explained to him without any hesitation and he would just slowly nod listening to you

He would find small ideas to help remind you to take your medication and to eat meals that are rich in iron.

Also he would send you small texts as reminders

Hey to the most amazing, best person in the world. Did you remember to eat enough?

Honestly it makes your heart melt. The first time he sent a text to you like that you were almost in tears holding you phone to your chest 

He once found out that you haven't eaten all day and forgot to take your medication from overworking yourself or just when having a bad day then BOOM!

Doctor feeling has arrived

[johnwickb1tsch]

🌻Small Town Girl🌻 ~ Part 2

Tex Johnson thought he was just passing through…until he set his eyes on you. 

Part 2 of a little Tex x Reader fic for my beloved @treedaddymcpuffpuff. ILYSM!😘

Warnings: mentions of past spousal abuse, mentions of animal abuse, religious trauma...you know, the usual social problems of depressed rural america... I can say that because I live here. divider by saradika part 1

2. 

You’re a heavy sleeper, but this takes the cake.

When you stagger into your kitchen and look out the window Tex’s Chevelle is parked half in your gravel driveway, half in your yard. And tethered to your fence post munching green grass to his heart’s content is a certain miniature equine who you’d tried to acquire with cold hard cash the night before.

Fuck.

You march outside in your threadbare nightgown and your bare feet, finding Tex asleep in the driver’s seat. How the hell did he even get this horse here with that car?

If he put Ziggy in the trunk you are going to murder him.

You pound on the window, and he wakes with a violent start. “Popsicles!”

“What?”

He looks around, before fixing on you, and seems to relax a hair. “Mornin’, darlin’.”

“What. The fuck. Did you do?”

“Uh…funny story…”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What? Didn’t you want this horse?”

“Yeah, but…” You pull at your hair, feeling a migraine coming on already. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”

You turn in the dew-wet grass to go check on Ziggy. You hear Tex exiting the car behind you. “Don’t be mad, baby.”

“I’m not mad,” you answer sadly, running your fingers through the little horse’s coarse blond mane. “I’m scared.”

Ziggy nibbles at your fingers with his meaty lips, wanting the treats he associates you with. He was going to need a whole lot more than molasses cookies though. You could already tell how your day was going to go.

“Don’t be scared either, darlin’,” Tex says behind you.

“Easy for you to say. You realize this is the first place Dale is gonna come look? And he’ll probably bring Donnie too.”

Nevermind the restraining order you have. It won’t stop him. He’s friends with half the sheriff’s deputies anyway. The Barksdales are damn near untouchable. You learned that the oh so hard way.

“Honey, I’m not going to let them hurt you.” 

For the sake of the horse you keep your temper in check, moderating your voice when all you want to do is yell. “What are you going to do? Watch over me every minute of the day?” He lifts his brows like he likes that idea–you do too, which is batshit insane, because you don’t actually know a goddamn thing about this man.

“Hold on. How did you even know where I live?”

He shrugs. “Not hard to find out, if you know where to look.”

“Well that’s not creepy at all.”

You guess all he’d have to do is ask at the gas station–your family’s been here long enough that it’s basically common knowledge.

You stand there in your faded floral muumuu and your bare feet, toe to toe with this tall dark man and if you had any sense you would be afraid…but you’re not. You’re not because you just don’t think he’ll hurt you. You feel it in your bones and you haven’t had that certainty about any man in so long you can’t remember, and it’s driving you a little wild inside.

“I need my boots,” you sigh, and brush past him to go back to the house.

***

You put Ziggy in the farthest back stall of your barn, where he’ll be out of sight should anyone come looking. With a flake of hay and some grains in his bucket, he seems perfectly content, the sweet sound of him munching filling the old oak building. You lean on a rough sawn post and watch him with a storm in your heart, wondering how long its been since he’d been able to eat his fill.

There will be a price to pay for this little horse’s well being, and you decide whatever it is will be worth it, even if you are afraid. Tex’s presence might deter vengeance for a little while, but he won’t be here forever. You know he won’t, no matter how nice it is to think it, so you’d better be ready.

You were going to have to think on this.

But first, you were going to have to call the ferrier. Luckily you had a friend who wouldn’t rat you out to the Barksdales. Angela was tough as nails and didn’t kowtow to their bullshit. 

It occurs to you that maybe the best thing for Ziggy, and the best thing for you, might be to get this horse far away from here. You wouldn’t put it past Dale or Donnie or one of his other heartless relatives to sneak into your barn in the dead of night and do something awful. There wouldn’t be a whole lot you could do about it either.

You’ve had this horse for about 5 seconds, and the thought of giving him up already breaks your heart.

Tex has been standing silently beside you. You feel his eyes on you, but in what you suspect is a rare occurrence, he’s not running his mouth, giving you space to think. But when you give a heavy sigh he finally breaks. “Come on, darlin’, I thought this would make you happy. It kills me to see you sad.” He opens his arms to you, but you eye them warily. It’s too tempting by far. The way this man is dangerous to you, is that you could get too used to his company too quick.

“You want breakfast?” you deflect.

He nods, those dark eyes taking the measure of you, looking through you, you’re afraid, right into your soul. “Sure.” But he doesn’t move, still just looking at you. 

“What?” you grouse.

Your annoyance only makes him grin.

“Did I mention you’re the cutest little thing in a muumuu and muck boots this side of the Mississippi?”

You roll your eyes, not believing him for a minute. Your hair is still in its bird’s nest of a sleeping braid and you haven’t had your coffee yet. With hands on your hips you look him over too. He’s still wearing the same shirt as last night, and his eyes are a little bloodshot.

“Did you tie one on last night and steal that horse?”

He scrubs at the back of his neck, looking all the while like a guilty schoolboy. “Well…about that…”

This is the thing that finally breaks through your black mood, lifting your sorrow like a blanket. The thought of this man committing grand theft pony–dare you think it, for you–brings a small smile to your lips, and a whole lot of sunshine to your heart.

“Tell me in the house. I’m hungry.” When he doesn’t immediately budge you turn him by the shoulders and give him a shove. Without really thinking about it, you smack his ass for good measure. That tight little behind is round, and firm, and you bite your lip without meaning to, wishing it was something else.

He makes a show of jumping with surprise, smirking at you knowingly over his shoulder. “Watch it, baby girl, or I’mma get myself a handful next,” he warns you with a wicked glint in his eye that makes your insides churn. 

You don’t know what insane notion possesses you, when you stick out your tongue at him– and run. 

You're smarter than this. You know you don't run from a predator. You face them down and smack them on the nose. 

His laughter from right behind you makes an electric thrill zip from your heart to your toes. Dear Lord. No man should be this much fun. 

He really is like a drug, and you don’t know what you were thinking running from him, because you are not fast, and you are clumsy, but somehow it’s him behind you who lets out a surprised yell.

You turn to find Tex with his foot in a hole up to his calf. “Oh my god. Are you ok?”

“I’m fine.” He extricates himself, and you both peer down into a tunnel running under the aisle of your dirt floor barn. You look at the direction, and follow it to an unoccupied stall. Throwing open the door, you find mounds and mounds of freshly disturbed earth.

“Motherfucker. That groundhog is back.”

Tex looks at the impressive damage with eyebrows raised high. “Goddam. You sure it ain’t a bear? Or a rogue bulldozer?”

“Yes. I can’t deal with this now. Come on.” You take his hand, pulling him towards the house, and he happily follows.

You pause at the front door. “Umm…it’s going to be chaos for a minute. Fair warning.” Then you lead him into the fray.

Chichi is a tiny black and tan tornado at your feet, yipping and screaming. You shake a treat can and hand one to Tex. “Give this to him if you want to live.”

Raising an eyebrow, Tex complies, crouching down to the little dog’s level to offer the morsel. Chichi gobbles it and quiets down, switching to sniffing and licking as Tex scratches his side. His hand is almost as big as your dog, and it touches your heart, how sweet he is to the little creature. Satisfied, Chichi runs back to you for a snuggle.

“We good now?” you ask the little chihuahua. He licks you fervently, and you laugh, setting him back down on the floor. Your bulldog reacts in the exact opposite manner, not even getting out of her bed, only deigning to open one eye to regard your visitor. Your conure has joined in the cacophony, and will not quiet until you give him a piece of apple.

“I hope you like fresh eggs and bacon, it’s all I got.”

“Alright.” He seems amused by you, and the happy mayhem of your home, looking around with a sparkle in his eye. “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure.” You point him in the right direction and go to the kitchen, lighting a burner under your cast iron skillet. You busy yourself with frying bacon and cracking eggs and filling the kettle for coffee. You are so concentrated on your task that it takes you a moment to notice Tex leaning on the door jam–sans shirt.

You blink, and nearly put your hand in the hot pan. “You forget something?” you ask, trying like hell not to stare at the broad expanse of muscled torso before you. Jesus fucking christ, that’s not fair.

“My clean shirts are back at the motel,” he defends. 

His hair is slightly damp from washing up, looking unfairly edible.

He sidles closer, and you notice the top button of his jeans is undone. A long scar runs down the center of his abdomen, leading your eye to a dark patch of hair that disappears into his waistband. 

Evil. This man is pure evil–and you want to taste every inch of him.

“My eyes are up here, darlin’,” he says with a smirk. 

“You are a menace,” you grouse, holding up a spatula in defense as he just keeps getting closer. He smirks, looking down at the implement.

“You gonna spank me, sweetheart?”

“I would, but I’m afraid you’d like it.”

You are warm all over, and it has nothing to do with slaving over a hot stove.

“Can I help?”

Like he hasn’t helped enough.

“Sure. Pour that hot water into that carafe.”

He looks between the french press, the kettle, and you. “Ever heard of a Mr. Coffee?”

“We don’t tolerate weak coffee in this house.”

He grins at you, doing as he’s told. He even knows to stir it with a wooden spoon, which makes you think he was just pulling your leg.

While you are flipping bacon you feel him zero in behind you, the line of warmth from his body like a heat lamp at your back. “Smells wonderful,” he says, daring to touch your waist.

“It’s meat candy, what do you expect?” You’re not sure if you’re talking about the bacon, or him. 

“Hmm.” His chuckle is a low rumble behind you. You feel it reverberate in your bones. The tips of his fingers press into your sides as he grips fistfuls of your nightgown–and you–as he nuzzles your hair. The sound you make as you wiggle in his arms is almost cartoonish. He takes no mercy, laughing and holding you closer. The warm, solid line of his body behind you is divine, so wonderful you can hardly stand it.

“You are going to make me burn the bacon!” you screech in an attempt at self-defense.

“That’s alright, I’ll just eat you for breakfast,” he tells you in that low growl that makes your knees weak, ducking to nibble at your ear. It’s possible you give in for a few seconds, your head rocking back against his shoulder as he holds you. Why does it have to feel like you fit together so well? When his long fingers bunch in your skirt, pulling it up as his other hand reaches for your breast you think you might combust. In a panic you smack his hand with the spatula with a little scream, trying not to giggle. 

“Go sit down!”

With a wicked chuckle he skips out of reach before you can smack him again, collapsing into one of the old wooden kitchen chairs. His smoldering gaze meets yours, and you feel unsettled. 

This man. Lord save you.

Or not. Maybe…you don’t want to be saved.

“I don’t know how you do things in Texas, but here you don’t get to feel a girl up just because you rustled a horse for her.”

He grins, baring his teeth like he means to eat you.

“Sorry, darlin’, blame the muumuu.”

You try to keep a straight face, but in the end you fail utterly. 

“You gonna tell me how all this happened?”

“You sure you want to know?”

“No, but I should.”

“Hmm. Well, after the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met abandoned me at the fair–”

“Oh save it, Mr. L.A. stuntman.”

He grins but goes on, “I had to do something to nurse my broken heart. So I went to the aforementioned TJ’s by the creek…”

“Ok, this is starting to make sense.”

You start setting dishes of food and plates on the table. Eggs, bacon, toast, butter and jam, and of course, coffee. “And I only had one drink, because I’m a cautious sort of fellow…”

“Yes, that has been made glaringly apparent in the short time I've known you.”

He nods in agreement with a fey glint in his eye all the while. “And who walks in, but our friend Dale…”

“Oh god. You didn’t pick a fight with him, did you?”

“I did not. I went out to the parking lot, to find his horse trailer still full of petting zoo employees conveniently two cars away from mine.”

You cover your mouth, so he can’t see the absolutely feral grin forming on your lips. “You didn’t.”

“I so did. Let the goats out to disperse in the woods there, and wouldn’t you know Ziggy fit right in my passenger seat?”

You are picturing this big tough man in his muscle car peeling out down the road with that cute little horse as a co-pilot. That must be the point when you officially lose your sanity, because you crawl into his lap, planting a big kiss right on his mouth. He lets out a low moan of appreciation, cupping your rear end in his two big hands.

“Tex?”

“Yeah, darlin’?”

“You’re a goddamned hero.”

“I know! I’ve been trying to tell you,” he says with a grin, stealing another kiss.

You try to extricate yourself to go sit in the opposite chair, but he will not let you. You eat breakfast together, sitting in his lap, his big warm hand on your thigh while you giggle and feed each other morsels and talk, and you can’t help but feel like things might turn out afterall.

***

Tex is helping you do the dishes, or maybe distracting you from doing the dishes, because he keeps plying you with toe curling kisses, when the two of you watch a battered red Chevy pickup pull down your driveway.

“Shit,” you say, recognizing it immediately.

“Here we go. Later than I expected.”

You look up at him open mouthed, an involuntary fear response coursing through your veins, turning your limbs ice cold. “You expected?”

“It’s alright, darlin’. Stay inside.” He kisses your forehead, cradling your cheek with a sweet assurance that you want to believe in, more than anything. It would be too good to be true, to have a man who could really protect you. Someone you could just…depend on. You want it with every fiber of your being, and rather than get your shotgun and run out to the porch on bare feet, you stand there in the kitchen and watch Tex go out the door, pulling a white t-shirt down over a blocky black object tucked into the back of his jeans.

Oh Lord. 

Predictably, Dale is driving, and your blood turns to ice as your piece-of-shit ex spills out of the passenger seat. And even though you know the very Devil is standing there in your driveway, your first thought, as ever when seeing Donnie Barksdale, is damn he looks good. 

There really is something wrong with you. 

He’s wearing a flannel with the sleeves cut off and his usual trucker hat advertising some manner of farm implement (as if he’s ever worked that hard). As always, the sight of Donnie feels like a sharp knife shoved up between your ribs. No matter what he did to you, a part of you will always love that man, or at least, the boy he was when he was your friend, your first love, before he became so hell bent on destroying you. To this day, you do not understand what you ever did to that man, to make him turn on you so violently. You offered him all the love in your heart, and in turn he made you feel worthless. For a time, you actually believed it was true. Now you know better, but it’s been a long, hard road.

“Who the hell are you?” barks Donnie up at the self-assured man standing sentry on your front porch. 

“That’s not what you should be worryin’ about right now,” answers Tex, leaning on the post. 

“That a fact?” 

“Yep. The thing you should be worryin’ about is that you’re trespassin’.” 

Dale exits his truck, leaning on the dented hood. “That’s the fucker that hit me last night, Donnie.” 

Donnie nods, sizing Tex up. The thing about Donnie is…he doesn’t like to get into a fight he doesn’t know he’s going to win. And Tex is a helluva wildcard. It’s possible your no-good wife-beatin’ ex finally met his match. 

“He’s leaving out the bit about askin’ for it. Is beatin’ on y/n y/l/n just a universal pastime in this county for you boys when you run outta pigs to fuck, or what?” drawls Tex, picking at his fingernails. 

Donnie bristles at this, taking a step forward. “Motherfucker–” 

“That’s as far as you go, son,” warns Tex, producing the object from the back of his jeans. You knew it was a gun. You did not know it was that big of a gun. Donnie is wearing his usual inscrutable aviators, but Dale’s eyes go wide. 

“We’re just here to get my stolen horse, mister,” says Dale, holding his hands up. 

“Aww, you boys missin’ your lil’ pony? Better check the lost and found then. It ain’t here.” 

“We’ll have a look for ourselves,” spits Donnie, stepping towards the barn. 

Boom!

The report of the pistol is deafening, and the bullet sends up an explosion of gravel right in front of Donnie’s feet. The dogs and the bird go crazy, starting up and barking and screeching. Donnie jumps backwards three feet, his glasses falling off into the dirt. The expression of fear on his face is as rare as it is priceless. 

“You crazy asshole!”

You scoop up Chichi, trying to comfort him. The little dog trembles like a leaf in your arms. You murmur nonsense to it, but your eyes are glued to the confrontation outside, adrenaline rolling through your veins like flash flood water. You realize you’re shaking almost as badly as the dog. 

“Guilty. Ever seen a Desert Eagle? Shoots a big fuckin’ bullet. A .50 caliber round will explode your kneecap like an apple.” Tex whistles with appreciation, and you’re pretty sure Donnie goes pale. “Wanna test my aim today? I might miss and hit you in the balls.” 

You shouldn’t be enjoying this the way you are, but God did that man have it coming. 

 “We should call the Sheriff on you!” 

“Please do. This is a ‘stand your ground’ state. We can tell him about how you’re trespassing, and I’m pretty sure you ain’t supposed to be within 300 yards of that pretty little thing watchin’ us from the kitchen.” 

Donnie’s attention zeroes in on the window, and you sense it like a laser sight fixed upon you. You hate it, how just that hateful look makes you flinch. 

“Y/n!” Donnie calls. “Come out here!” 

“She don’t need to come out here,” says Tex. “She ain’t gonna save you.” 

Donnie seems actually surprised, when you do not obey him, staying put in your spot in the kitchen. 

When the two men just stand there in the driveway, frozen and speechless, Tex cocks the pistol for show. “You need another demonstration? Git!”

“This ain’t over, fucker!” spits Donnie, pointing menacingly–from a safe distance. 

“You better hope it is. Don’t come back, and if either one of you ever touches her again I’ll kill you. That’s a promise. Now get the fuck out of here!” 

Spoiling for a fight but clearly outgunned, the two men back towards the truck, slowly climbing in. “There you go. See ya, bronies!” 

Tex waves the pistol in their direction, and you hear Donnie yell at Dale, “Fuck! Drive! Drive!”

Dale peels out, leaving ruts in your gravel and a dust cloud as they go.

Tex stays on the porch watching until their truck is good and gone. When he finally makes it back into the house you are a teary-eyed little mess. When he sees you the flint in his eyes immediately softens. “Aw, don’t cry honey, c’mere.” You do, and with your head resting on the solid warm wall that is this man’s chest you start to lose it. 

“You actually did it.” 

“Course I did. I told you I would,” he says, stroking your hair as he holds you.

“But…you actually did it,” you say again, because you still cannot believe what just happened. No man has managed to stand up to Donnie Barksdale since your Grandpa, at 80 years old, who stood between you and Donnie in the very same spot on the porch, with the same 12 gauge you still keep behind the hutch, and threatened to cut your then-husband in half if he took another step closer. 

It was the last night Donnie beat on you, and broke your orbital bone, two of your teeth, and your arm. You’d escaped into the dark woods that night, and even though you are not stealthy or fast you managed by some miracle to make it through the brush and thorns and barbed wire fences the two miles to your grandparents’ farm house. It was the last straw, and you finally set the wheel in motion to divorce him the next day. 

You are not a pretty crier, but Tex lets you soak his shirt with tears and snot, holding you and murmuring sweet nonsense. “That’s right, honey, get it out. It’s ok.”

For once, it doesn’t sound like an empty placation. Donnie seemed genuinely scared of Tex, and Dale is an even bigger coward than Donnie. Maybe…they really will just leave you alone. 

Stranger things have happened. 

“I’m sorry,” you wheeze, trying to pull away to get a tissue. “I’m a mess.” 

But Tex pulls you back, not seeming to care one bit, and when his lips touch yours it really does seem like everything in the world has turned right. 

Amusingly, Chichi has been sandwiched between all this in your arms, and only just begins to put up a grumble of protest. “Oh hush, lil buddy,” says Tex, not unkindly, scratching the little dog under the chin. He does nearly the same thing to you, brushing your hair out of your eyes. “You alright?”

You nod and offer a watery smile, setting the dog down on the ground. It’s not what Chichi wants, but he’ll live. “Yes. Thank you.” 

If Donnie believed what Tex said…you do too. There is something dangerous about this man. A wildness that makes his threat feel like a promise. You guess that when the law fails you, what you truly need is an outlaw who keeps his word. Yet you truly believe he’s not a danger to you. You feel safe with him, and maybe that’s the biggest miracle of all. 

“As silly as this sounds after the morning we’ve had…I really do have to go to work.” 

“Alright. I’ll drive you.” A part of you wants to say it’s not necessary. But the other half of you? Just wants to bask in this new found feeling of security while it lasts. You can’t expect Tex to stick around forever to babysit you. But for right now…god, it feels good, to not have to carry this weight all on your own shoulders. 

You kiss him again, and it is warm, and sweet as sugar cookies fresh from the oven. You melt into him, and with his strong arms around your waist, then lower, it is very hard to get up the motivation to go clean up and put on your uniform. 

“Honey, you keep kissin’ me like that and we’re not goin’ anywhere.” 

It’s embarrassing, but you know the sound you make in answer is something like a cat in heat, your fingers curling in the soft cotton of his t-shirt. You feel his words inside you–in the rhythm of your heart, and the throb of your loins. It’s damn near unbearable, this sudden restlessness you feel inside.

You don’t have anyone else to depend on, so you always have to do the responsible thing. Go to work. Get the money. Pay the bills. No one escapes the bullshit death march of Capitalism, except the fuckers who are running the game.

And yet. Maybe…just this once…you could call in sick. 

You stand on tiptoe to kiss him again, grabbing fistfuls of the fluffy waves of his now dried hair. “Tex?” 

“Yeah, baby.” His voice is pure honey dripping golden in the sun. 

“Let’s go upstairs.” His big hands flex against the soft curves of your hips, grabbing fistfuls of nightgown like he’s thinking about tearing it off of you. Incredibly, he says nothing glib, just nods. But when he looks down at you for a long, heated moment–you think he could burn down the world, with the fire in that dark gaze. 

“Lead the way, darlin’.” 

You take his big, beautiful hands in yours, and pull him towards the stairs.