Tagged by @griseldabanks. Also, Gris (am I allowed to call you that?), thanks for helping me out with this story.
Rules: You will be given a word. Share a snippet from a WIP for [that contains every letter in] that word, then tag some friends and give them a new word.
WIP: This is from my TMNT 2014 fanfic series The Secret Life of Taylor. The story is called Baking Lesson.
OK, let's do this. @griseldabanks, thanks for helping me out with this passage! You're awesome.
Rules: You will be given a word. Share a snippet from a WIP for [that contains every letter in] that word, then tag some friends and give them a new word.
WIP: This is from my TMNT 2014 fanfic series The Secret Life of Taylor. The story is called Baking Lesson.
She gently uses a wooden spatula to place the cookies on the cooling racks, which are just large enough for all of them. Her mouth waters at the sight and smell.
“Whoa,” Mikey says, peering down.
“I’m sure you boys wouldn’t mind doing the washing-up while you wait,” Splinter calls. Knowing it’s not a request, the remaining turtles enter the kitchen and start to gather everything up, dumping it in the sink and turning on the taps.
“And no touching the cookies!”
Four voices chorus: “Hai, Sensei.”
Feeling just a little crowded by the four hulking frames, Taylor quietly edges out of the way. The turtles make short work of the washing-up, although one time the mixing bowl almost falls onto the floor and Donnie barely manages to catch it.
Taylor winces, thinking about how she’s not exactly the best at cleaning up after herself. Her own room back in the flat is a tip right now, and she often leaves dishes in the sink.
But is what is she supposed to do now? Should she quietly excuse herself and leave them to enjoy the food? (It’s not like she was invited here – she invited herself.)
“Would you like your tea heated up?” Splinter asks.
“Thanks, that’d be great.”
While Splinter warms up her tea in the microwave, Taylor listens to the turtles talking. Somehow the conversation turns to Mikey ribbing Raph about his name (she’s got no idea how that happened).
“…all the good ones end in ‘o’, dude!”
Raph puts a massive hand on Mikey’s face and pushes him away.
“Actually, it does,” Taylor mutters to herself.
“Sorry?” Donnie asks. All the turtles turn around and Taylor freezes under their gazes.
“The Italian version of Raph’s name does end in ‘o’. It’s just that the artist is better known by the Hebrew version.”
“Really?” Raph shifts around a little. “They get Italian names, but I get Hebrew? How come?”
Taylor shrugs. “Sorry, no idea.”
(She does have a suspicion, but there’s no way she’s going to tell him what it is.)
“If the cookies are cool enough, you may have two each before the second half starts,” Splinter tells his sons as he hands Taylor her tea.
Leo carefully picks up a cookie – the one that’s the crispiest around the edges. “I think they’re fine, guys.” He pops it in his mouth and chews slowly. “Mmm. Sh’good.”
Mikey snatches up one, closely followed by Donnie and Raph. As soon as his first cookie is finished, he says: “I want cookies like this every time you come round here, Taylor.”
“Yeah,” Taylor says slowly. “I…think I can do that.”
Assuming she’s invited, or that they want her here.
Leo steps a little closer to her. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Are you sure? The second half’s going to start in a few minutes.”
“I don’t mind missing a bit.”
As they move towards the room marked with the DO NOT ENTER sign, unease starts to creep up on Taylor. Leo’s on edge about something.
When did she become so paranoid?
As always, Leo’s room looks immaculate: bed properly made, swords arranged neatly on the wall, and he’s still looking after his bonsai trees. There’s no door, so Taylor’s not sure how much Leo’s brothers actually respect the DO NOT ENTER sign.
Leo sits down; the mattress creaks a little under his weight. Taylor sits beside him and asks: “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Leo remains quiet at first. He doesn’t look at her. His eyes are thoughtful and a little sad too.
“Do you remember what I said that night I brought you here?” he eventually asks.
Taylor remembers exactly what he said, but she’s not sure what part he’s referring to. The only thing that would be relevant is: “Was it the part where you said I’d be welcome if I did decide to stay, but you’d never hurt me no matter what I chose?”
“I meant it. I want you to know that.”
“I know you did.” Why is he saying this now?
Then she realises why, and presses her lips together. Why didn’t she speak to Splinter a little quieter?
“What I said still stands,” says Leo. His voice is quiet. “If you want to leave, you can.”
For one horrible moment, Taylor can’t breathe. Is this a polite way of saying they don’t want her here, or is she just imagining it?
She was wondering if she was just being tolerated, but now the thought of that is like a kick in the gut.
If you're reading this, I'm tagging YOU.
