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nurturingflame · 7 years

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Week in Review - 63

The sass and side eyes are pretty thick this week. Good news. It’s only going to get worse. ^_~*

In other news, we are very excited to share new art done by the amazing @shellsweet. Definitely recommend her as an artist. Very nice and wonderful to work with! As for the end product, well you can judge for yourself.

Eliza and Gwyn both came out absolutely amazing!! Momma ferret cuddles!!!

Not for personal use. Commissioned by @lydjachan, co-mod of @nurturingflame

To Prune & Grow 5-8

Though Eliza was ashamed to admit that Splinter was on the top of her ‘cravings’ list, she was immediately relieved of the guilt by Phoenix’s typical acceptance of her ferrety tendencies.

“I guess having a girl’s night with Medusa is a much better option than the alternative.” Eliza chuckled lightly at her own poor humor. “In fact some girl time sounds like a good idea all around. What do you think?”

“What do I think about what?” Phoenix questioned, sounding slightly suspicious.

“About Gwyn and I spending some time at the warehouse?” The ferret said brightly before switching her tone to pleading, gripping both of the healer's hands between her own. “Pleeease?? Donnie is suppose to work on a new room for us and I know that Gwyn is going to get underfoot and we both could use some time in the sun.” Eliza looked her friend in the eye, practically begging. “Being here is driving me crazy. I need a break.”

Phoenix pursed her lips, the ferret’s eyes large, her hands warm over her own. “Splinter won’t like that…” she said slowly, and her heart immediately sank when Eliza’s look did.

Phoenix had such a difficult time reading the rat master. Most of the time she got the impression he was not happy with her at all, or that he outright disliked her. Then, other times, he was friendly, or what she surmised was friendly for him. And then there was the night of their dancing in the dojo, when he’d seemed...happy. She liked that Splinter, but doubted she’d have the privilege of seeing that one again. Not after how it ended.

“Ok,” she said, feeling slightly guilty for agreeing and slightly relieved when Eliza perked up. “I don’t mind having you over for as long as you want to stay.” She glanced toward the door. “But you have to help me with Mr. We-Don’t-Need-To-Go-Anywhere-Where-Someone-Might-See-Us.”

“Ya know, from someone who’s children get in trouble all the time I'm kinda sick of that argument.” Eliza huffed though she was elated with the Phoenix’s permission to stay with her. “Of course I'm going to back you up on this one. We've been ‘good girls’ and following his rules for weeks now. It's time to test just how much leeway we've earned.”

“You make it sound like you're asking for early parole.” Phoenix snickered.

“Hey, it's not that far from the truth!” Eliza stood and paced the room a few times while the healer started to pack her bag. “We could just tell him what we intend to do and hash it out like reasonable adults. Oorrrrr…”

“Or?”

“Or we could unleash our secret weapon on him.”

“And that would be?”

Eliza’s smile was almost predatory. “Gwyn, of course.”

Phoenix raised her eyebrows, as if she’d heard the ferret mutant incorrectly. “Your daughter is our secret weapon?” It was usually she who was saying such things, and sicking Medusa on someone was not something she would do lightly. But then again, Phoenix’s daughter could eat people. Gwyn had no chance of doing that.

Eliza stooped and slung her arm over the shorter woman, ignoring the twinge of discomfort as the new position allowed to one of the twins to kick her in the kidney. “My dear sweet Phoenix, you have no idea just how much that girl has our venerable ninja master wrapped around her little finger. Hold on, let me show you.” Eliza pulled her phone from her pocket and quickly swiped through her pictures till she found the one she wanted. “Look at that and tell me that she couldn’t get away with murder.”

Gwyn was sitting next to Splinter at a low table observing intently as the rat was in the process of folding paper. Perched precariously on his head was a completed paper crane while Gwyn had an origami flower tucked behind her ear. It was the epitome of a candid moment where the subjects were unaware they were being observed, just enjoying the activity they were absorbed in. The smile curling Splinter’s muzzle however, was unmistakable.

Eliza felt some of her annoyance drain. “If Gwyn wants to go on a sleepover, I very much doubt that Yoshi would be able to put up too much resistance. But, maybe we should keep it as our ace in the hole.” The ferret stood straighter as Phoenix looked at the picture, rubbing her belly in an attempt to settle the babies before they became too active.

“Come on, Splinter should be making himself some tea right about now. Why don’t we see if we can catch him in the kitchen. Who knows, maybe he’ll be reasonable for once.” Eliza said optimistically as she headed for the door.

Seeing the picture on the phone, Phoenix felt a stab of jealousy. She wasn’t exactly sure what caused it. Was it that her own children were no longer that age, where they delighted in such little things as papermaking? Was it that they were now too old to be absorbed in her in such a fundamental way as Gwyn seemed to be with Splinter in the photo? Was it the fact that the photo existed, an item she had precious few of, and none of them candid shots such as this? Or was it the fact that a father figure was involved with a child, something her children never had? She shook her head, dispelling the feeling with a sigh and smiling up at her friend as she left the room.

Eliza was correct, Splinter was in the kitchen, preparing himself some tea. He raised his eyebrows as they entered, as if their appearance truly surprised him, before lowering his head in a small greeting. “Ladies,” he said smoothly. “Would you care to join me?”

“Yes, please!” Phoenix said brightly, skipping forward. She had no idea where the man got his tea, or what made his preparing it so good, but it was the best stuff she’d tasted in a long, long time. If they could a sweetener down in the sewers, it would be perfect…

Though it was not unusual to see the two women around the lair, it was a surprise for them to join him, usually preferring to keep their own company during The Phoenix's visits.

He smiled and motioned to the little healer to take a seat, his heart wavered just a bit to feel the exuberance she seemed to exude with her girlish skip. He turned to retrieve a second mug from the cabinet only to bump in Eliza who was already there. “Pardon me.”

“No problem, I was just getting myself a glass too.” She smiled cordially, before holding out the very vessel he was planning to retrieve, “You two enjoy your tea, I have some sweet herbal brewed in the fridge already.”

“Thank you.” Splinter replied rotely, inwardly he was put off balance. This was the most interaction she’d had with him nearly all week. Eliza didn't leave the room either, but started to flit here and there, as she often did when in the kitchen, but still managing to stay engaged in the light small talk as Splinter prepared tea for himself and The Phoenix.

“Is there anything you require?” he asked, placing the steaming cup in front of the small woman. At the same time, as if by magic a small plate of cookies and peanut butter crackers, one of his favorite non cheese snacks, appeared on the counter.

He could already hear Eliza chewing on something crunchy and when he looked up her eyes held a smile as she finished her mouthful and then sipped on her tall glass of herbal sweet tea. He blinked, something in the air was off, but the pleasant scene was too nice to allow ill thoughts to taint the mood. He returned his attention to the Phoenix, picking up his dropped thought. “I believe we may still have some milk.”

She raised her brows, smiling again. He remembered she liked milk with her tea! “Really?” she breathed, as if he’d just offered her a diamond. Her family never had milk unless Chategris provided it for them, and she knew very well that when the cat mutant had it, it was stolen. It occurred to her that Splinter and his boys probably didn’t have any either, before Eliza’s arrival into their home. While dumpster diving only provided sour milk, the grocery store had plenty of fresh. Money and a human daughter provided a great deal for people who could not allow themselves to be seen in public.

Then she remembered why they were there. As he stood up and turned to fridge, she turned to Eliza, her smile fading.

She liked Splinter when he was like this, not just because he was accommodating, but that certainly helped. But he was sweet, in his own gruff way, like how he remembered she liked milk with her tea. He had no reason to remember that, he didn’t take milk in his tea. In fact, he had a very ritualistic way in which he drank it, she realized with a start. “Oh,” she moaned, guilt eating at her shoulders as they dropped.

Splinter turned with a speed that surprised her, one moment he was facing the fridge, and in a blink, he was facing her and Eliza, the milk jug in his hand, the liquid inside barely sloshing. His eyebrows were raised in concern, his golden eyes wide, but then his brows dropped in confusion. “What is the matter?” he asked slowly.

Phoenix bit her lip, glancing at Eliza again.

Splinter turned to the ferret mutant, his brows up once again, the soft expression on his face slowly disappearing.

“Eliza was thinking,” Phoenix said yammered, gripping her cup of tea so tightly that her knuckles were turning white, “that she could be out of you and your boys’ hair while you guys were fixing up her and Gwyn’s space.”

“Was she?” he asked smoothly, eyes still on the ferret.

Eliza gave her friend a sour look though she didn't see it, focused as she was on her mug. Splinter placed the milk before the Phoenix calmly before taking his customary seat. He gave no further comment, instead waiting for one of the women to elaborate.

Eliza rolled her eyes from the Phoenix as she poured the milk into her tea, back to him, affecting a casual smile in the process. “Yes, yes I was actually,” she said, her voice slightly pinched. “I just thought that construction might go faster if Gwyn wasn't asking Donnie questions every five minutes, annoying Leo, making Raph mad, or distracting Mikey.”

Splinter took a sip of his tea, trying to remain calm, though he was incensed. How dare she try to manipulate him, did he not have four teenage boys? Did she truly think he would not see through such a ruse. Well, two could play at this game.

“How considerate of you, Mrs. VonHertz. And exactly who’s hair would you be in while you are not in ours?” He put his cup down and gestured to the only human in the room. “Surely you would not impose on the Phoenix and her family. Especially since her home is on the surface,” His voice went from silky to firm. “And it is my understanding that we have an agreement on this matter.”

#nurturingflame #tmnt #TMNT 2012 #tmnt rp #Fanart #shellsweet #commission #OC #rp #roleplay #master splinter #Week In Review #lydjachan #illusion-na

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mutated-green-things · 5 years

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In Circles

I commissioned this picture from @shellsweet awhile ago and ended up writing a whole fic for it! Only I’m a slow well editor so I’m only just getting around to posting everything. I’ve been thinking about this idea, this story and image for a long time though, and wanted to make sure it was something special. Mostly for me if I’m honest, because I think about these two all the time, but also so I could give something special to everyone else who loves this ship. Anyway, I hope you all like it, and again thank the amazing @shellsweet for the artwork. You can click the read more to look at the fic or you can simply go to the AO3 link here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20896832

Leonardo glanced up, stared for one, two, three beats, and then trained his eyes back onto the grass outside the farmhouse. April and Casey had chosen an amazing spot for their summer wedding, and though Leo and his brothers had drawn some seriously unwanted attention to the event, everything seemed to be gliding along smoothly now.

Music was playing, alternating between upbeat and slow. Paper lanterns hung from the large green trees and were filling the air with warm, buttery light. People, mutants, aliens were all talking, dancing, laughing. April and Casey were the spotlights of course, and their beaming faces just seemed to make the space glow even brighter. Michelangelo was dancing alone, but every time a fast, poppy song came on he'd tear up the floor and then bow for his adoring crowd.

Raphael and Donatello were even better off. Raph wasn't graceful, but Traximus must have learned how to dance somewhere because the way he led through every slow ballad looked effortless.

And though Donnie wasn't dancing with Leatherhead, they were both making eyes as they chatted in the corner, just outside of the lantern-lit grass dance floor.

Leonardo, well, he was watching it all unfold. He fit well into the shadows of the trees, and there was a lot to sit back and contemplate. Or worry about if he was being honest with himself. That attack had been troubling for starters. He was glad Karai had finally laid their vendetta to rest, but it seemed that even with the foot out of the picture, and even on a peaceful celebratory day, they'd always have enemies.

Worse was as much as Leo tried to focus his family's future, on strategy and battle plans, his mind and eyes kept wandering to the presence of a rather unexpected guest.

He still wasn't sure how April had gotten an invitation across dimensions to Usagi Miyamoto. The process of opening the portal must have been complicated enough. Leo could only guess how she had managed to hunt down that info. Mikey was his first guess, and that was only if his little brother had decided it was worth it to memorize the symbols and the chant. In the end, it mattered little how she'd managed it. Usagi was here. He'd shown up with a gift in his arms and a smile on his face.

A smile he'd directed at Leonardo. Leo had returned it despite his nerves. He was just glad that a customary greeting for Usagi was a bow. Leo's hands were already clammy enough without them touching. And after all the pleasantries and that crazy, dangerous, eventually calm ceremony, here he was, trying, and failing, not to stare.

Leo's choice to be on the exact opposite side of the dance floor was exactly that. A choice. His nerves and the way had been skirting around exactly what their relationship was had made the last few months... weird.

Usagi had been... well relieved seemed like understating things when he'd found out that Leonardo was still alive and had simply spent that past year locked away in the future. They had missed each other so much that Leo was sure the longing looks and subtle touches would come to a head.

That moment never came though. Usagi had seemed... hesitant, had looked away when one of them stared and pulled away at the briefest touch. Whatever doubts Usagi had reverberated, making Leonardo unsure, lost even. A few months ago he'd been confident in his feelings and Usagi's. He was just looking for the right time to confess. When Usagi shied away though, Leo began to doubt himself, and his confidence crumbled until he was left with what he had now. An awkward friendship and a lot of questions about what exactly the samurai had been thinking and feeling.

Leo flicked his gaze back up. Usagi was still there, chatting away with their other extra-dimensional guest, Gennosuke. Leonardo contemplated the rhino. He'd shown up with his own volition, inviting himself before Usagi could say no. Or at least that's what Usagi claimed when Leo and his brothers had given Gen strange looks.

Ugh no. Being confused was one thing, second-guessing Usagi's motivations and words was another. They were friends, no matter how messy Leonardo's feelings were at the moment.

Leo banished those thoughts and turned his mind outward, letting his gaze drift again. From Gen to the object of his tempestuous emotions. As he did, Usagi's eyes turned too, and for a few intense moments, they made contact. The soft light of the lanterns flickered against the pink of Usagi's irises. Leo was transfixed by the way the light moved, no danced in his gaze. Leo broke away. The cool, dark grass welcomed him, steadied him as his heart pounded in his ears and through his body. All he could focus on was the thump thump thump of it. He tried to take deep, calming breaths, but each one shook out of him as he lifted his head again. Usagi wasn't there. Gen looked perplexed, and Leonardo found himself even more confused.

He scanned the crowd for Usagi, head whipping here and there, but the stark white of his pelt was just... gone. He wondered briefly if that stare had made things worse, if Usagi had perhaps left the party early, left this world even. Leo was about to accept that theory, about to stop looking, when soft footsteps against soft grass drew his attention.

He spun, hands on his swords. It was the natural reaction of a warrior, and he's unsurprised to find Usagi mirroring him, a hand tightly clutched around the hilt of his katana. Of course, as soon he recognized the white fur and wry smile, Leo dropped his hands to his sides. "Usagi-san."

Usagi dropped his fighting stance too and then frowned. "Leonardo. What are you doing out here?"

I could ask you the same thing. Except he couldn't when Usagi has asked him to drop the formal 'san' so many times he'd lost count, and when he was certain why Usagi was there. So instead, he tried for a half-truth that seemed believable. That seemed the most like Leo. "Watching over the party. I just want to make sure we don't have to deal with any more funny business."

Usagi paused and blew out an amused breath as the wry smile slid back into place. This time though, there was a sadness behind it. A little dimness in the fire that sparkled there. "Can't you do that while celebrating the happy couple? Or at least a little closer to the festivities?" Usagi stepped closer, not waiting for permission to lean into the tree Leo had chosen as his lookout spot.

Leonardo didn't scoot away. He was tempted to at first, but his mental conflict left him indecisive, so he ended up staying put, close enough for their shoulders to just press together. Not much, but enough so Leo could feel Usagi's presence rather than just sense it. That alone was enough to make his head spin, so it took him several moments to realize he needed to say *something*. "I uh..." He could only manage that at first, but he cleared his throat, and more words tumbled out. "This gives me a better vantage point. To spot anyone sneaking in from the woods."

Usagi didn't protest, nor did he comment on the pauses. "True enough. But perhaps I could stay here and watch for you. I promise I'll be vigilant."

Leo didn't doubt that. Truthfully Usagi's long years of spotting ninja made him an exceptional lookout for their tricks, maybe even better than Leo himself. They've discussed many a time how much knowing a ninja's mind factored into thwarting them. "I know but..."

Leo tried to think of an excuse, but all he kept coming up with is the fact that the person he wanted to celebrate with was right next to him.

"But?" Usagi prompted.

"I have no one to dance with." It wasn't the truth, but it was close enough that when he looked at Usagi, his pink eyes widened just the littlest bit.

"Michelangelo? He seems..." Mikey had taken a break, breathing heavily and drinking water as he waited for another jumpy techno number to come on, but they'd both seen his moves.

Leo shrugged. "He always outperforms me here. I don't have the rhythm to keep up with him. Plus, we can't exactly dance together to every song." Leo splayed out a hand, referencing the couples swaying in the soft light.

"I see."

Another pause filled with beats and melodies, ballooning out and out until neither of them could stand it.

"I'm sorry Leonardo-"

"Usagi I understand-"

They stared into each other's eyes, stunned for one, two beats, and then they laughed together softly. Leonardo was struck by that laugh, by how much he missed the warm connection that used to hang between them. Before things had gotten messy. Before he'd been filled with doubts.

Usagi spoke through his last couple chuckles. "I suppose we have a lot to talk about. I... just wanted to apologize Leonardo. I know..." he trailed off and stared at his hands, fiddling with the fur between his paw pads. "I know I've been cold recently. It was an overreaction on my part. I did not... I still want to be your friend. I want to be close like before. I just hope you can forgive the way I backed away from you."

"I understand." Leo tried those words, but they sounded wrong coming from his mouth. "Well I don't, not really. But I..." He looked over Usagi. He seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Pink eyes and glowing fur dyed soft orange and yellow by the flickering flames. "I want your friendship Usagi. I always have. And I will gladly give mine if that's truly all you want."

Usagi nodded, but it seemed weak, sad again, the light dimming as he forced a smile. It wasn't enough, or maybe Leonardo just didn't want to believe it. He reached out, setting his heavy, calloused hand on Usagi's soft shoulder. Leo spoke as they gazed into each other's eyes. "No, Usagi. Is that really all you want?"

"I..."

"Because if that's the case then I understand. I just. I need to know."

Usagi kept his gaze focused on Leonardo's face, searching it, eyes scanning each wrinkle, each small scar. Then he turned and watched the lights, and the dancing couples, the soft, slow music coursing through them.

When he looked at Leonardo again, his gaze was still sad, but there was a fire dancing again in his pink irises, a determination that made him reach up and touch the hand Leonardo had laid on his shoulder. The next couple moments were a little awkward, as Usagi tried to tangle their fingers together, but eventually, they managed the spacing, and for the first time they were tangled together intimately.

Leo looked at him, dumbstruck, but smiling. Usagi was smiling back and then speaking, each word sugared with excitement, contentment. "I saw your interest from a mile away. Even before I started... dropping hints that I felt the same." Leo beamed at that. He'd been right after all, and the confirmation made his chest, his shell fill with bubbling warmth. "But we are friends, and what started forming between us. The long looks, the letters, the way you'd sigh and smile just being in my presence. That was equal parts amazing, and terrifying." The warmth stops, still there, but held with trepidation. Terrifying? Why?

Usagi didn't let go of Leonardo's hand as he dropped his gaze to the grass. "I have told you how my last relationship ended, but I don't know if you knew how close a friend Mariko was before she became my lover. Moreover, you do not know of the countless people my pilgrimage has led me away from. The path I walk is usually lonely, Leonardo, and I was afraid that, and the complications of romance, would leave our friendship torn and tattered. I'm still afraid, in fact. I..." He turned his eyes back up, that determined blaze shining again. "I want more. I do. I won't lie to a friend. But I also still fear losing one because of my desire."

Leonardo mulled on that for several moments, not moving, still holding onto Usagi like a lifeline. "We're you afraid that you were seeing things? That your attraction was blinding you and making you think..."

"Niceties were flirtations?" Usagi finished the question, then shrugged. "Of course. All the time."

"And you worry jealousy or anger or fear or the simple march of time may drive us apart?"

A simple nod.

Leo looked out, past the party, past the lights, into the dark forest beyond. His gray-blue eyes grew dark and heavy, stormclouds billowing inside them. "I fear it too. I fear I'll make mistakes. I fear my responsibility as a leader, as a brother may become more important than you. I fear I will drive you away, or worse, hurt you."

"But..." he looked back at Usagi. The storm behind his eyes calmed. "If we share that much. Then I can assume you feel what I feel. The electricity in the air, right now, just from touching you this much. The way your chest gets tight and warm and feels like it will burst when I tell you I feel the same way you do. The way your lungs clutch for breath when our eyes meet. The hunger in your gut to touch more, to hold and squeeze me close." He took a staggering breath. Then spoke, asked with desperation behind each word. "You feel that too, right?"

Usagi Miyamoto was rarely speechless. He didn't ever run his mouth, no he was far too polite for that, but he'd always had a talent for putting the right words in the right places. Now though, with yearning the only thing in Leonardo's face, in his words, he could only gulp down his nerves and nod. Leonardo clasped his other hand over Usagi's, and held it tenderly, carefully. Like a fragile treasure.

Leo smiled, and the amusement danced up into his eyes. "So we've been torturing ourselves, scared and worried at what the other might say. Which definitely seems like us."

Usagi's little laugh made Leo's heart and stomach flip places. "Yes, the two of us, always so determined to suffer in silence."

Leonardo took just a moment to rearrange his body back into place, just a breath, and then he continued. "Yes and..." He had to keep his stare down at his own hands clasping Usagi's. His bright smile was too much. It kept leaving Leo speechless. "And if we were to step away. To stay too scared to try. Well, then we'd still suffer. We'd question every day if we let a golden opportunity slip through our fingers."

"So..." Usagi said it tentatively, but when Leo glanced up, his eyes looked so bright and sure.

"So we try it. We get closer than ever before. We..." Leo didn't turn his head, but his eyes flicked back to the party. "We dance?"

Usagi laughed again, and gods above it was worse this time. Leo had to remind himself to breathe. "That sounds like a good start yes."

So they stood. Their nerves, overflowing emotion, and the soft light made it all seem surreal to both of them. A dream neither wanted to wake from. But with their hands still entangled, they walked down the hill, to the dance floor. It welcomed them with warm lights and knowing smiles. Mikey even winked at them. Not that the teasing mattered. Leonardo was too happy to be embarrassed, and Usagi only had eyes for his dance partner. They would care later, when the slow music, the glowing lanterns, and the sensation of sliding close, of soft fur against coarse scales, had faded away. All they could think about in that moment was the fact that now, finally, their futures were tied together.

#tmnt #katanashipping #leosagi #Leonardo #usagi miyamoto

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