#erhit

Walking past the kitchen he fished his phone out of his pocket, eyes flicking down briefly at the time. 

11:30 am. 

Enough time for a nap before everyone wakes up.

“Ahem.” 

The sudden noise jerked his head up from his mid-text, freezing the youngest in place as his heart threatened to jump out of his chest. 

Donatello leaned a hip against the kitchen counter farthest away from Mikey, eyeridge raised as he studied him; bloodshot and tired eyes blinking back nervously at his older brother. 

“...I-ah, didn’t think you’d be up, Dee.” 

The tallest chuckled darkly as Mikey shifted in place, uncomfortable. “Yeah, well…I couldn’t sleep.” Donnie cocked his head to the side as his hazel eyes narrowed, glasses glinting with the reflected neon on the lenses. “Where’ve you been? I don’t appreciate having to cover for you with both Leo and Sensei.” 

Mikey’s hand hovered over his pocket reflexively as he looked away from his brother, gaze distant as he muttered under his breath.

 “...out.” 

Shrugging his shoulders as he continued on his path to his room, the youngest chose to ignore Donnie’s calculating expression in favor of sleep.

“ I’m going to bed, g’night.”

He waved a hand dismissively as his elder brother watched him disappear down the hallway, shell fading into the eternal dark of the underground. 

As a lock clicked shut moments later, Donnie glanced in the direction of Leo’s closed bedroom door over the rim of his mug, debating. 

He’s got enough on his plate at the moment. 

Turning back to his coffee, he watched the neon dance in the darkness of his cup as the quiet stillness of the lair returned. 

Better get back to work, I guess. 

His brows furrowed as he looked again in the direction of the youngest’s room, his hazel eyes searching for something in the darkness. 

Mikey’ll be fine. 

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

Rose pulled her thick wool coat around her shoulders as she strode down the sidewalk, the brisk wind whipping against her face and tugging at her curls as she neared the venue for her gig. Despite the deep orange and burghundy leaves just starting to dot the trees, winter was threatening on the horizon with its hint of chill and grey skies. 

Though New York often felt like a world of its own, it was still not far from the state she grew up in. 

Still too much like home, she thought as her heels sounded against the pavement. 

Está demasiado parecido. 

Like the ghost of a nightmare, the memories linger. 

Dom had stayed for a while after Rose tried his dress on and he finished the last touches, and despite her protests, he had lingered to help style her hair, pinning her curls back in an elegant updo that cascaded ringlets down her back, accenting the dress. 

A silent conversation of kind gestures and love.

As she did her make-up in the small bathroom mirror, they chatted easily- filling the silence with talk about his life and projects lined up for the next season. His voice carried down the hall, bright and unguarded, the soft scrape of a broom against the floor marking his quiet work in her bedroom.

 No complaints, no questions; an unspoken agreement between siblings. 

Don’t ask me- don’t talk about it. 

He rested an arm on the doorframe to the bathroom as he watched his older sister glide a plum shade of lipstick over her lips, Dom’s own dark ringlets jostling against his chiseled face as he ran a hand through his hair, his thin gold necklaces glinting in the light with the movement. “You look bonita- do you feel bonita?”

Rose shot him a withered look, one that slowly melted away as she laughed. “Yes- I feel bonita.” 

After enduring another round of well-meaning scolding from her brother, she had quickly promised to call him on her way home from the gig as they parted ways on the street; Dominic’s tight schedule meaning he had to return to his studio to work rather than stay to watch her perform.

Sometimes he made a point to come to his sister’s gigs when they were public like this, cheering her on and requesting songs that few guests in the audience would know the words to. 

Just for them, a code between siblings. 

I’m here- I love you. 

I’ll always be here. 

As she reached for the large handle of the hotel door, she couldn’t help but think about how her brother would react if he found out about what had happened to her. 

Would he be angry with her for hiding it?

Would he be afraid of his sister?

The thought struck like the glass of her mirror splintering, a jagged reminder of the pain she had been distracted from.

He would be afraid. 

They’re all afraid of you. 

The lobby’s warmth greeted her with a rush of sudden and jarring heat as Rose stepped into the marble entry, heels clicking across the cold floor as she walked confidently to the front desk. The staff member greeted her with a warm smile, the sudden kindness from a stranger almost enough to make her visibly bristle. 

“Good afternoon, what can I do for you?” 

“I’m here with the band.” 

The clerk’s eyes lit up, and they quickly fumbled to hand her an elevator keycard. “Oh! Great! The rest of your group is already up on the terrace. Elevator two, just take it up to the lounge.” 

Rose nodded curtly, taking the offered card as she turned in the direction the staff member pointed. They called out as she walked away, their voice echoing through the lobby as a few other guests went about their business. 

“Have a great gig!” 

She turned slightly at the clerk’s voice, pocketing the key as her heels clicked across the tile floor, her offered half smile forced. 

Why are you being so nice to me?

You don’t even know me.

The smile faded as she faced forward again, the lobby swallowing her back into its chill and hollow grandeur. 

People always seemed eager to hand out kindness she didn’t need.

Didn’t deserve. 

 If they knew what her life actually looked like—if they knew about everything—that smile would fall from their lips like the meaningless words they let rain down. 

Her heels carried her towards the elevators as her thoughts tangled together. 

Dom wouldn’t know what to think of her new life if he knew. 

Or what to think of the Turtles, that’s for sure. 

Then again, did she know what to think right now?

They are friends… Right?

Her jaw clenched at the memory, tight and steeling, her finger finding the button for the lift through the cluttered mess in her mind. 

Despite last night—despite the fight and the fear—they had been there when it mattered. 

He had been there when it mattered.

Leo.

And Raph. 

When the elevator doors didn't open, she pressed the button again, but nothing happened.

Rose looked up at the floor indicator, and glanced around at the other lifts, brows furrowed. 

Nothing. 

She pressed again, harder this time.

That’s about right, she thought bitterly. Even when she asked for the simplest thing—doors that open, trust that doesn’t break—it never came without a struggle.

“You have to scan the key, dear.” 

She jumped at the sound, the voice like a soft bell, and turned to see a thin, strikingly beautiful Japanese woman standing beside her, as if she had materialized out of the shadows themselves. 

Draped in tailored pants and a black silk blazer that plunged at the neckline, her small waist was accented by an obi-style sash that had some sort of japanese symbol on it. As she moved forward to scan her key, her stiletto heels clicked on the marble, and the woman glanced up at Rose with a smile as she straightened. 

“What floor?”

“Oh, um..the terrace lounge please. Thanks.” 

She nodded as they both got into the elevator, pressing the button for the lounge. 

“Your hair is quite lovely.” 

Rose glanced at the older woman with a half-hearted smile, eyeing her own sleek black ponytail as her hair fell gracefully past her shoulders.  

“Thanks.” 

“Has it always been that way?” 

The woman’s words drifted lightly as she spoke, like leaves falling gently to the ground, but her eyes bore into Rose with a calculating precision that made her stomach tighten. There was a dissonance she couldn’t shake—the softness in her voice clashing with a sharpness behind her gaze—and it left her inexplicably on edge. 

“As long as I can remember, yeah.”

The doors opened, and the faint sounds of a guitar tuning filtered through the entry to the lounge. 

Rose stepped out with a nod, grateful for the end of the conversation, and the woman leaned against the wall of the elevator with a smile as the doors started to close. 

“Have a nice performance.” 

Before she could respond, her band mate Aiden grabbed her arm, dragging her towards where they were setting up. 

“C’mon! We gotta sound check!” 

Rose shook him off as she walked with her drummer, nudging him back lightly as her heels clicked on the tile. 

“Yeah, fine.” 

She glanced back at the elevator once more before turning the corner. 

—-----------------------

Today, I woke up wanting to kiss you

I am thirsty to caress you

To get entangled with you and not let go

You are so intoxicating

Eres tú

Eres tú

Rose’s sultry voice came through the speakers as her band played with her, the soft strums of Lukas’ guitar accompanying the spanish classic as the lounge fell into a silent trance. 

Her dress almost seemed to shimmer with her movements in the soft lights of the lounge, the green silk cascading down her body as she swayed in time to the latin groove as the drummer’s sticks danced on his kit. Maci, the bassist, also bobbed her head along, but mostly to her own baseline, not paying attention to anything but the notes coming from her own amp. 

Rose smiled into the mic as Lukas’s fingers danced over the fretboard, a casual and graceful solo as she sang the chorus over again. 

Eres tú

Eres tú

Closing her eyes as the drums and bass dropped out, only the guitar strummed along slowly as she sang the last verse. 

As if she was singing alone in an empty room. 

Tenemos planes diferentes

Pero tú siempre en mi mente

Pues mis venas tan sutilmente

Disfrutan tanto quererte

Eres tú

Eres tú

The final chord lingered, a soft echo in the air, as applause washed over the band, and she let her eyes wander across the room, catching reflections of smiles and adoration under the strung lights of the venue. 

The feeling of her voice being appreciated always nice, but- 

You don’t know me. 

Rose nodded in appreciation, a tight, practiced smile on her face as the sound from the crowd died down and her gaze swept back to her mic.

And then she saw her. 

April—leaning forward on her table with a grin, waving from a corner booth, impossible to miss amidst the crowd.

Why…why is she here? 

She could feel her body tense as she stared blankly, her heart starting to race along with her mind. 

What does she want from me? 

In the silence Maci nudged Rose with her bass, clearing her throat, and she glanced over at her bandmate and nodded, swallowing. 

Shit. 

“Gracias, you’ve all been a great audience. We’ll be back after a twenty minute break, thank you.” 

As the applause died down, the low hum of conversation returned, punctuated by the clinking of ice in glasses, and the band made its way to the bar. When Rose hesitated to walk any further, Maci tapped her bare shoulder with a calloused finger. 

“Let me get you a shot or something, babes. You look like you need it.” 

Rose shook her head. “There’s someone here I need to see.” She offered her friend a smile and pat on the arm. “I’ll see you in a bit.” 

Maci tossed her a curious look, but shrugged, joining the other two musicians at the bar. 

Gracefully making her way through the sea of tables and guests with compliments for the singer, Rose cautiously approached April’s booth, tense; a flash of memory of the scared look on her face pulling a deep tightness to her throat. 

Seeing her, the brunette moved to greet her with a smile, but stopped short when the redhead took a step back, dress swaying around her as her mouth set in a firm line. 

“Why’d …you come here, April.”

She sighed, crossing her arms over her short cocktail dress that seemed to glitter in the low light, a gorgeous purple fabric that showcased her long legs- no doubt something to do with Donatello. 

The color made Rose bristle.

“I promised you, didn’t I?”

That was before I hurt you.

“I mean….yes, but after-”

“Look. I don’t care what happened.” April interrupted her, tapping a manicured finger on the table. “Please, just sit down.” 

Begrudgingly, Rose slid into the booth slowly, eyeing her. 

“I don’t know how you couldn’t care.” 

Her expression was guarded, and slightly incredulous as she stared intently across the table, trying to find the right words. Finally, she took a deep breath, tucking a ringlet behind her ear. 

“ I ..hurt y-…you saw-“ 

April reached over the table, and put her palm face up, gesturing for Rose’s hand. 

“I’ve been friends with those idiots for years. You don’t think they haven’t accidentally hurt me a few times? Mikey shoulder-checked me once and I got a concussion.”

April’s laugh at her own comment was contagious, and Rose couldn’t help a slight chuckle. 

She lifted her hand cautiously, and April reached over the rest of the way, clasping her hand gently on the mahogany table. 

“I know you’re scared. But I just want you to know you don’t have to be scared alone, okay? Now that you’re a part of our little family, we look out for each other. And I promise I’m not mad at you.”

She nodded slowly, the lump in her throat geting bigger as tears pricked at her eyes. “I’ve a…I’ve got to get back.”  Pulling her hand back,she rose from the table as she smoothed her dress back out. 

April raised her glass with a grin, ice cubes clinking against each other at the movement. 

“I’ll be here.” 

—--------

Group Chat: Teletubbies

Babes: I’m with Rose! She’s doing fine. Also, was no one going to tell me she’s an amazing singer??? 

Babes: Also Mike wtf is up with the chat name

Lala: Leo said we had to be better with stealth so...

Dipsy: Mikey. 

Lala: C’mon D it’s perf!!! But yeah Apes she’s hella talented

Babes: Anyway, I took a video! Here ya go! 

Babes: Because I’m so nice ;) 

(video attachment) 

Lala: yooooo thanks girl!! 😘

Dipsy: Mikey. 

Lala: love u too Dee 😘

Po: Will u guys shut the fuck up

Babes: Hi Raphie!! Okay, Rose’s band is almost done with their break. I’ll see you guys later!

Stinky-Winky: Stay safe, April.  

Stinky-Winky:  Mikey. 

—------------------------------------

April stayed true to her promise. 

Rose continued glancing over to her booth the remainder of the gig, watching as she listened and applauded, occasionally signing autographs for other patrons, and even bought the band a round of drinks when they finished the last set, despite Rose’s protest. Her bandmates were all a little star-struck, Maci the most-so when she saw how beautiful April really was in person. 

The pink-haired bassist flirted shamelessly, to both April and Rose’s amusement. 

She has no idea just how unavailable April is, Rose thought to herself as she sipped her cocktail, watching with an amused expression as her long-time friend asked for the news anchor’s number. 

With a flirtatious smile, April leaned in to whisper something in Maci’s ear, then slid closer to Rose as they watched the bassist’s face flush the same shade as her hair before she bolted to join the rest of the band at the bar. 

Rose turned to April, eyebrow raised with a smirk. 

“What’d you tell her? I’ve never seen her retreat that fast.” 

The brunette grinned over her coupe glass. “Oh…just that my boyfriend’s equipment was big enough for the both of us, if she wanted to share.” 

Rose spit her drink across the table as she erupted into laughter. 

“Oh my g-you’re insane.” Wiping her chin, she shook her head with a smile. “I’m telling Donnie you said that.” 

April giggled. “He’ll just roll his eyes at this point.” 

A moment of quiet, comfortable silence fell between the women as the warmth from the laughter settled into Rose’s chest. Between the music and friends- it was nice to get back to normal. 

“Speaking of the guys-” 

Not yet. 

Rose stared into the dark liquid of her drink, everything in her body tensing at the thought of going back and being faced with what happened. 

“April, I don’t want to-”

She felt the pressure of her friend’s hand on her arm, and looked up to see a sympathetic smile. 

“Mikey said to tell you that he wanted a rematch in Super Smash Bros.” 

The image of the youngest turtle’s grin flashed into her mind. 

She could never say no to Dom either. 

Chuckling under her breath, she shook her head with a smile. “He knows he’s still going to lose, right?” 

April nudged her playfully, grinning as she nodded. “Beating him is half the fun.” 

As Rose swirled the ice in her glass, she finally asked the question that had been on her mind since she read his text this morning. 

“How’s Leo?” 

April inhaled through her teeth, and took a sip of her drink before answering. “He’s been better.” She glanced at the red-head over her glass. “Donnie said he was really upset when he came back last night, and he hasn’t spoken to anyone all day- he’s just been in the Dojo.” 

Rose frowned into her glass, guilt and relief tangling in her chest as she continued to stare at her ice cubes. 

Was she glad he was miserable? 

Maybe.

“If I had to guess, I’d say that he thinks he’s failed.” 

Her head shot up as she turned to face her friend in their booth, copper curls bouncing with the movement. “What do you mean, failed? It’s not-”

April rolled her eyes, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s Leo. He makes everything his responsibility, and when Plan A doesn’t work, he takes it as a personal failure. He can be a real jack ass sometimes. ” She laughed under her breath as Rose studied her. “Anyway, from what I figure, Leo wanted you back at the lair for your safety, and when he couldn’t do that, well, you can guess.” 

Rose mumbled under her breath, “Yeah.” Her expression turned sour as she chewed her lip. 

Was that really true?

April nudged her shoulder. “I’m sorry, if he freaked you out. He means well, really.” She leaned in closer, whispering with a half-smirk. “He’s just an idiot. But I’ll never admit that I said that.” 

She chuckled under her breath at the tease, but something was still nagging at her. Rose rested an arm on the table, locking eyes with April. 

“He put you up to this?” 

Her friend seemed almost irritated at the question, waving a hand dismissively. “Of course not. He’d probably be pissed I’m talking about it at all actually.” April took another sip from her glass, setting the empty coupe onto the table as she continued. “I just didn’t want you to think he was a total asshole.” Smiling broadly as she stood up, she flicked her luscious hair over her shoulder as she grabbed her coat. “Coming?” 

Rose’s eyes hardened. “To where, exactly?” 

April tossed her an incredulous look. “Home? It’s almost 1 am.” As Rose stood up from the table she looked around the bar area for her friends, not spotting Maci’s pink mop anywhere. 

They must’ve left. I’ll have to apologize later for not tearing down with them. 

“C’mon girlie, I’ll call you a cab.” The brunette spoke over her shoulder as she walked towards the elevator, and Rose grabbed her coat from the booth before following behind her. 

“What are you gunna do?” 

April smirked, raising an eyebrow as she called the lift. “Go see my man about some plumbing.” 

“Ap- what the fuck-” Rose laughed as she shook her head, stepping into the elevator as their giggling filled the small cart. 

As they parted ways on the street and Rose slid into a cab, she sunk into the worn leather seats of the taxi as the city lights flickered past the window. 

Her thoughts drifted in and out like traffic as she re-ran April’s words in her head, ignoring the cabbie's music from his radio and the hum of the city as the car continued down the block. She bit her lip as her fingers hovered over her phone screen, her eyes scanning over Leo’s text in the dim light of the backseat. 

He just wanted my safety. 

As the car weaved through the darkened streets, the world outside became a blur as she let her phone fall to rest in her lap as each passing moment stretched like taut wire, his words echoing in her ears. 

I’m here for you. 

When you’re ready. 

The driver cleared his throat as he glanced through the rearview mirror. 

“Your stop, miss.” 

She hadn’t noticed the car had stopped.

Handing him his fare and a mumbled apology, she gathered herself from the backseat as she slipped out into the chilled night air, watching as the yellow cab pulled away from the curb, leaving her alone once again on the sidewalk outside her apartment building.

As she stood there for a moment listening to the sounds of the city, a sliver of moon peeked out from the clouds, shining out over the buildings in its watchful gaze as its light trickled down the silk of her dress.

It won’t be long now until the first snowflakes start to fall. 

Rose wrapped her coat further around her, sighing softly as she headed inside her building. 

The passing of seasons was a sharp reminder of time’s unfeeling march forward, taking no prisoners as it dragged her continuously onward, toward each sunrise. 

The memories never faded.

Like a punishment she didn’t remember earning.

Inside, she kicked off her heeled mules and slunk out of her coat, tossing it over the back of the couch. The apartment greeted her with silence—almost deafening in its stillness.

She fished her phone from her coat pocket.

1:28 am.

The cold blue glow of the screen stretched long shadows across her features. She let the device slip from her fingers onto the cushions. Each second ticked by louder than the last as she stared out the dark windows, leaning forward against the back of the couch.

What would I even say?

The frame creaked under her tightening grip before she released it, pacing the darkened living room, the floor cold against her bare feet.

When he came to see her after…what happened—she’d been scared.  

And Leo had been distant, tense.

She stopped moving, the hem of her dress swaying gently around her legs as she turned toward the window and she chewed her lip, considering. Her reflection stared back at her—paled and uncertain—bathed in the silver wash of city lights.

Scared. 

Maybe they were both scared. 

She didn’t know anymore. 

All she knew was the hollow ache in her chest every time she thought of Leo’s soft lips against hers, the way his hands had pulled her close, the way everything about him seemed to reach for her.

The way he had tried to reach out last night, too. 

Rose pressed her palm to the cool windowpane, grounding herself against the rising tide in her chest. Her gaze drifted again to the couch, to the faint halo glowing from her phone where it lay, waiting.

His olive branch, untouched.

She closed her eyes and swallowed hard, forcing herself to steady.

She wanted to be angry—to hold onto it like a shield—but every memory of his voice, his face when she shut the door on him, chipped away at her resolve.

Crossing the room, her dress flowed like water around her muscled thighs as she stood over the phone, her hand hovering above it.

“Dios mío,” she whispered to the emptiness and the moving boxes. “Why does this have to be so hard?”

Her curls spilled over the backrest as she slumped down onto the couch, eyes on the ceiling. 

Was he feeling this too? The waiting?

The silence pressed in, heavier than before; settling in her chest like a hollow weight as she glanced at the phone again. 

I don’t even know what to say. 

A sudden buzz from the cushions made her jump.

Slowly, she picked up the phone.

Blue: Last night didn’t go how I thought it would. If I crossed a line, that wasn’t my intention. I wanted to talk, not make things worse.

Blue: But I didn’t show up to fight with you, Rose.

Blue: Maybe I should’ve kept my distance, but that hasn’t been easy with you.

Blue:  Also, April sent us the video of your performance today. It reminded me why I was drawn to you in the first place.

Rose chuckled despite herself as she read his compliment. 

The olive branch. 

Chewing her lip, she typed and deleted a response a few times before hitting send.

Emerald: How did you expect it to go, then? 

She had barely set her phone down on the couch before it went off again. 

Blue: I didn’t have a plan other than just making sure you were okay. 

Emerald: You stormed in like some lecture was going to fix everything, Leo. 

Emerald: I’m not someone you can just boss around. 

Blue: You’re right. 

Blue: I’d like to say it won’t happen again, but that would be a lie. 

Rose shook her head, a breath of laughter escaping despite the knot in her chest.

Emerald: I’m honestly still not sure if I should yell at you or laugh.

Blue: I’ll take either.

Blue: Would it be all right if I stopped by after patrol?

The question sat on the screen like a storm pressing against glass. 

Rose set the phone down on the couch, smoothing the heel of her palm against her forehead. 

Allowing him in—letting him in—wasn’t just about tonight. It felt bigger, heavier, like opening a door she wasn’t sure she could close again.

She pushed off the couch and started pacing again, her bare feet softly padding over the hardwood. The clock’s neon digits glared back at her.

2:38 a.m.

Trust.

Learning to trust.

She exhaled shakily, her thick arms crossing over her chest as though she could physically hold herself together.

Finally, she snatched the phone back up and typed, her thumbs hesitating over the last word before she hit send.

Emerald: Only if you bring the cinnamon rolls we made.

She tossed the phone aside like it had burned her, then sat back on the couch, curling her knees up under her chin as the seconds dragged. The glow of the city outside the windows seemed to mock her impatience.

When the buzz came again, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Blue: I suppose I had better guard those from Mikey with my life, then.

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile.