AU Fart OFF 4

[aristastarfyr]

April insisted. Wren actually had no reason to refuse. Raph, on the other hand, was practically on the warpath.

"What? During the day? What if something happens? What if someone goes after her?" He was in full ranting mode, complete with snarling and large gestures. Leo observed the scene with wide, fascinated eyes as April's expression started to turn fiery and Wren remained quiet.

"What, you think this is your dungeon for her or something? You can't keep her prisoner."

"I'm not a warden, April, I want to make certain she's safe!"

"And you don't think she's safe with me?"

The bickering and arguing continued, gaining volume and energy. As it went on, Wren's face turned into a pert frown as the other brothers came out to listen. Even Splinter took to looking in. Eventually Leo watched Wren as they argued about her, noting how she tried to be patient and wait for a moment when they would stop. They didn't and Wren finally stood up, boldly putting herself between the turtle and woman. "SHE.... has a name and can hear every world you're saying bout her." Her tone was firm and vexxed, but still level. And it shut both April and Raph up.

Leo sat back in his seat, amazed at how quickly Raph shut up.

Wren first turned to April, her silver eyes flinty. "I can speak for myself. I'm not an invalid."

"I know how Raph gets--"

"I can speak for myself." The last statement was sharp and she softened it with a smile. "But thank you. I know you're trying to help but it's not." Then she turned to Raph who scowled, shifting restlessly in place. "You can't keep me under your thumb. People aren't meant to be hoarded and even dragons know that."

He looked down, jaw working on tensing and relaxing and tensing again. Wren reached out and touched his hand, the gesture making him still. "I'll be okay."

"You can't be certain of that. You don't know what's up there."

Her hand curled around his finger, holding tight. "Crazy, insane people who all really could care less about another crazy, insane person in their midst. April knows the city and I know how to keep my nose clean. It'll be okay, Raph." He still avoided her eyes and she smiled more, dipping her head almost playfully to move into his line of sight. "Okay?"

It was another minute before Raph acknowledged her question. The response was quiet and sullen, barely audible under his breath. "'Kay." Yet his finger curled to gently squeeze her hand as his eyes carefully met hers. "Don't get killed."

Wren nodded solemnly, crossing her finger over her heart. "I especially won't get duped by street card players. I don't have enough money as it is."

Raphael snorted a laugh, looking at her fully as he reached out to curl his hand behind her head and draw her into a kiss. It was at that moment he remembered that they had an audience; All of his brothers were looking at him as if he grew three heads and even April looked shocked. He lowered his hand, his cheeks coloring darker for a moment. "Yeah, that too."

"Yay!" The small girl clung to him for a moment, letting her words whisper so softly that only Raphael could hear them. "I promise to let you hoard me tonight." As she let go, he wore a focused look on his face and never made a motion to stop her as she headed off to the surface with April.

"How does she do that?!" Leo was on his feet, looking to his younger brothers who were just as stymied. They shook their heads.

"How does she do what?" Raph's tone was quiet and challenging, still grumpy about letting her go topside.

Leo opened his mouth to try and explain but simply gestured helplessly. "You just...She only...Are you okay?"

Splinter chuckled from his position, eyes lit up with mirth. "Love is a very powerful thing, my sons. It can tame the most aggressive of hearts and enflame the most passive ones." Raph looked up to his father and darkened further, but there was a small smile on his face.




The walk through the sewers was quiet at first. At least until the girls had cleared the lair perimeter. Then April descended upon Wren. "How long have you two been like this?"

"What? Like what?"

"Like," April gestured a bit, trying to find the words. "Seeing each other."

The dark haired woman smirked, keeping her eyes ahead for the moment. The bruising was gone from her face and in the few times Casey and April were down, Casey was boneheaded enough to try and flirt. April didn't like it and Raph hated it. Wren was tolerant to a point. "We fell in love when they were stuck on my world."

"Fell in love?" April considered that for a moment, then looked back to Wren. "But...you knew he would have to go home."

Wren's response was quiet. "Yes."

"And you still chose--"

"The heart wants what the heart wants. I wanted him. He is...so much more than what he leads everyone to believe. And I'm given the honor to see that. And I will fight tooth and nail anyone who tries to break him. A part of me smiled and encouraged him to go home when another part of me died because he had to leave." Wren's eyes met April's finally, the gaze determined and steadfast.

April studied her new friend for several moments. Wren's jaw was set, waiting for another challenge against her judgement. "You really do love him." She sounded a little amazed by that fact. Then she re-focused. "Does that mean you two are--uh.."

Now it was Wren's turn to look amused as April flustered. "Not that it's any of your business, yes."

"What if you get pregnant?"

"Don't worry, you'll be Aunt April--"

"No, I'm serious. What if that can happen?"

"I doubt that. We're not the same species."

"But they were mutated with human DNA."

Wren paused for a moment, thinking about what April was saying. Unless she wanted to worm her way around the health care system here, birth control was probably not an easy option. "The odds are probably slim to none, but I'll ask to make certain."

"You're taking it very calmly, you know."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know." April looked away, continuing their trek to the sewer cover she could lift. "I love them, really, I do. They're my brothers. But just the thought...No."

Wren followed, smiling slightly. "Inter-species relationships is not everyone's cup of tea. There's nothing wrong with that."

"You make it sound like it's no different being gay or trans."

"I don't think it is any different. I love him for who he is, not what he is. Though to be honest, he's put together very nicely." When April turned to look at her before heading up the ladder, Wren grinned. "I haven't seen anyone more buff than he is!"

"Oh. Right. Muscles."

"Aha! I see where you went! And you think I'm the weird one."

"I don't think you're weird." April started climbing the ladder, grunting softly when she pushed the sewer cover up and out of the way. "You're really very normal...with the exception for having the hots for a mutant turtle."

"You guys make me feel like I'm the weird one by saying that. It's like being the sane person in the asylum of crazies." Wren followed after, helping April with the cover. "I'm still the odd man out. And I have the hots for this hot guy. Digs could use a little work, though."

April had to laugh then, brushing her hands together to knock off the dirt. "So. Ready for some shopping therapy?"

"Still odd man out, though. My money's no good, here."

"I have you covered. What are friends for?"

Wren's smile grew. "Indeed."

The trip itself was uneventful. Wren chose decent and practical, as well as some extra supplies for the upcoming months. Without knowing what was going on back home, she decided to tuck in for the long haul and not be caught unprepared. Their trip took them by Central Park and Wren slowed as she looked at the carriage horses waiting with their drivers for tourists to pay for rides. A look of longing passed over her face and she looked to Wren. "Can we go say hi?"

"To the drivers?"

"The horses. I knew there was a reason why I bought the extra package of strawberries."

Not thinking much of it, April let Wren lead the way, noting how her face switched between being happy and sad. "Do you ride back home?"

"Every chance I got. I even helped people train, too." Her silver eyes caught the attention of the driver and she politely asked if she could give his horses a treat. "Horses are my wings." She cooed the to animals and offered them the fruits, petting them slowly. The driver couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight.

April watched on, feeling the pain that came from the girl. More than likely the animals reminded her of home and her own stables. "I'm sure yours are okay, Wren." The red head moved closer, rubbing the other's back as she pressed her forehead to the horse's, slowly stroking the animal's neck as it sighed heavily.

"The stable's always looking for hands and grooms, miss," the driver rumbled softly, watching the shoulders of the smaller woman shake. "If you're looking for something to pass the time and troubles."

"They are?" The hiccupping sniffles followed as she quickly wiped her eyes. "I don't even have any boots with me. Or a helmet."

"I'm sure we can work something out." The man fished around for a card and passed it off to Wren. "Give a call tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you." She looked at the card, then back up to the carriage driver. "I didn't think New Yorkers were so trusting."

"We aren't," he answered with a smile. "Maggie and Charlie here? They take the hand off of anyone and everyone. But they know good horse people. And it seems like you need them."

Wren closed her eyes and would have hugged the horse's neck if it hadn't been caged by the harness and driving equipment. "Thank you," she whispered softly.

They returned to the lair with armfuls of things and Wren still bleary eyed. She couldn't believe her luck and quietly thanked the Fates for giving her an outlet for her frustrations on being trapped here. When they both came through the turnstiles, they could feel eyes on them. Wren glanced around but didn't see anyone.

"I'll put the groceries away, Wren so you can deal with your things."

"April. Thanks." She leaned over and gave the other woman a half hug, pressing her cheek to the other's. It made April blush and shift, but she still smiled. "I'll help after I take care of this."