My partner took me to the mall over the weekend to celebrate getting the locks changed!😊 Swung into HT and was checking out the Hazbin merch, as we both love the show, and the employee pulled this sucker out!🤩 I had to have it it's so soft!
I did reinforce the buttons but TBH you should always do that.💀
I love the pain and the pleasure thank you very much, but this song is so good I can't not share!
No I don't have the song memorized already due to singing it over and over...
So fuckin' AHHH! And I'm happy to know that I got Husker's reaction to seeing Angel in full drag damn near on the nose in my fic from way back when! But back to Blake Roman's vocal performance, just transcendent. It reminds me of a song I heard from him a while back "New Side of Me", which is amazing BTW! And I totally don't know this one by heart also...
The smooth delivery of each note and he adds in just the right amount sultry drag, plus he has a masterful use of his head voice to hit those higher notes. Just so good!
It is time once again for me to find out what will be the next chapter of this fic!🤩
Like I said a while back I'm doing another poll, breaking my cycle as the last time I had one for this fic the very next chapter in the lineup was chosen.⚰️ So I made sure that there will be a skip this time as I kinda like being able to skip around in this story as I pretty much have it all written down.📒
If you want more info on the fic check out the master post for it!
Next CH of "Ignite"!
"Come As You Are" - Nirvana
"Ma Meilleure Ennemie" - Stromae & Pomme
"Love To Death" - Mother Mother
"To Ashes And Blood" - Woodkid
Show me the results!
Voting ended onApr 10
I'm looking forward to seeing the winner of this one even though I have a pretty good idea which one it's gonna be...😊
Summary: A slip up at home might bring the reader’s budding new friendships to a crashing end. <Click to read on AO3.
So I am extremely excited to announce that I finally have the entire story for this fic written down in time for the one year anniversary of me “starting” it! Hence the post I made recently showing off my notebook[s].👀 I have the chapter count as 74 and I’ve updated the fic on AO3 to reflect that.😊 It’s pretty exciting to finally have it all mapped out on paper finally as I’ve had the ending in mind since before I ever posted the first chapter. Hope you enjoy and I look forward to writing for y’all even more!🤩
Ch Title: "I don't wanna fall asleep throughout my life."
Tags: Second-Person POV, Reader-Insert, Fem OC Reader, Post-Movie: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2022), Aged-Up Character(s), Canon-Typical Violence, Human/Turtle Relationships (TMNT), Neurodivergent Reader, Slow Burn, Named Reader, Panic Attack, Creep Behaviour!, No Beta I Just Perish
Words: 2991 Master Post / First / ⬅️ / ➡️
Today you’d actually walked to the Turtle’s home picking up a few treats on the way to the lair. You never knew exactly what you were walking into whenever you visited the Hamatos, so you usually attempted to be prepared but you didn’t anticipate walking into what seemed to be a massive family argument.
“It makes the most sense with our similar builds!” Mikey’s voice squealed out in indignance as it floated down the hall to your ears.
“Yeah right! Swords are sick, why would she not want one? She already uses a baby knife.” Leo’s clap back clearly didn’t soothe the youngest of the terrapins as you heard him huff as you got closer.
The look of pure shock on Manny’s face as he almost hides behind the massive weight of the woven polypropylene and burlap that your pulsating hand is still sunk into.
Pain radiates up towards your wrist as you maintain seething eye contact while his hands slowly fall to his sides, his previous smarmy behaviour seemingly knocked out of him alongside the sandbag.
But the look of fear on Manny’s face makes your heart sink.
That night at the Hamato’s when you’d stayed for movie night had stretched on into the late evening and despite being portalled right next to your building it didn't matter.
You had been late, late, late…
So you kept your head down, barely acknowledged the guard’s eyes as they bore into you as you entered the building and made it to the elevator and up the structure to make it home. You knew that he would inform your father that you’d returned home late, many of the employees here pushed for as much approval as they could get from your father.
‘Secure and comfortable living gets you some loyal lackeys.’
You knew the thought was selfish.
‘It’s what you do best.’
So the next morning came, you said nothing about being late as the two of you orbited around each other in the kitchen; you refused to bring it up first. He left for the day without a word about it and for the next couple days, while he was home in the morning multiple times in a row. Which was odd, but he never brought the subject up which did keep you on edge.
But you couldn’t help it, forcibly keeping yourself in the building for a few days waiting for the shoe to drop had left your brain a right mess. As the days drug on while you kept sequestered into your room, controller gripped firmly in your hands as you stayed wrapped in a blanket burrito. Head barely peaking out as you indulged into the games you’d been neglecting since your life had taken such a turn.
After several days you finally drug yourself up to the gym, promising to finally return to the Lair to see the turtles since your father continued to not mention your tardiness. Dealing with Monica, the trainer on staff today, wasn’t too bad but she did that same annoying thing of holding you back as Manny did. Only nicer.
You ignored it then as soon you’d get to leave and see everyone in person again, and not just through a screen.
All of them.
Slipping Lou Jitsu Meets the Mummy Ninjas out of your brother’s room you tucked the disk into your bag as you awaited a portal from the boys. It hadn’t taken much persuasion to get them to gather for at least one viewing after the day's training for an impromptu movie night; you’d even left it there afterwards.
Mikey had never directly addressed what happened the day he healed your hand but ever since it had been clear that he had begun keeping a closer eye on you. Your mind gave its own reminders every time you saw the orange-clad terrapin; even without Donnie’s encouragements.
You’d been spending more and more time with them, emboldened by “getting away” with arriving back to your building so late that night. Seeing them often enough that they’d simply taken to portalling you there most of the time to avoid such things in the future. It was growing more and more rare for another soul to exist in your home so no one would miss you.
Today you’d actually walked to the Turtle’s home picking up a few treats on the way to the lair. You never knew exactly what you were walking into whenever you visited the Hamatos, so you usually attempted to be prepared but you didn’t anticipate walking into what seemed to be a massive family argument.
“It makes the most sense with our similar builds!” Mikey’s voice squealed out in indignance as it floated down the hall to your ears.
“Yeah right! Swords are sick, why would she not want one? She already uses a baby knife.” Leo’s clap back clearly didn’t soothe the youngest of the terrapins as you heard him huff as you got closer.
“So you want her to charge into battle like you? Incorrect, I put this together to show each and every reason why the bo is clearly superior and why I’m sure it’ll be the weapon she chooses.” Donnie’s haughty voice covers your approach as you finally enter the TV room to find the screen covered in what looked to be combat poses using a bo.
“You sure seem to think you know her pretty good.”
Raph stands from the couch, tail flicking behind him as does while staring down his brothers.
Thankfully the building tension is broken as a certain box turtle notices your newly arrived presence, letting your name out with a shout once he sees you. In a flurry of unrestrained excitement he bounds over the couch in a fluid motion after grabbing a rather large box from the table.
“MIKEY NO FAIR! You had one ready before she even got to pick!” Leo’s mild outrage at his baby brother falls on deaf ears however.
“Snooze ya lose chicos!”
The orange-clad turtle rushes forward pushing the paulownia box in his hands, presenting it as an offering as you take in the Hamato clan’s emblem branded onto the lid’s surface.
“Open it!”
With only some mild discontentment amongst the rest of the mutants present, you lifted the hinged lid revealing an unfamiliar thing sitting in the box. The raden handle of the oddly shaped blade fits into your hand perfectly as the woven cord as the end leads to a ring made of the same type of steel as the other end.
“It’s a kyoketsu-shoge. I had dad find you one.” You didn’t have the wherewithal to ask them which of their fathers procured the item as the shock washed over you.
“W-what, why are you giving me this?”
“We told you weapons training was coming.” Leo cocks his hip out to the side like it was a normal thing to gift someone.
“YOU WERE SERIOUS ABOUT THAT? I-, I only brought muffins…”
With a bark of laughter from the slider and a few snickers from the rest of the room you followed their lead throughout the rest of the day you spent with them. Overjoyed at the serious direction they were taking your training in as you admired the glint of the hook like blade in the light of the dojo.
Shaking the last dredges of hesitance off that weighed down your shoulders you soaked up every bit of training and guidance that was offered. Given that your kyoketsu-shoge couldn’t really be carried around on your person everyday, Raph and Leo had both taken to helping you with your knife work.
Using the blade your brother gave you as it is far easier to hide.
Training only increased from there.
One of them being what had been referred to as a “Hamato Family Classic”, which turned out to be passing from foot to foot while holding a bucket “full” of water out in each hand for as long as possible. Never had you wanted to chop your arms off more than after the first day you’d done it.
As you pushed through each challenge presented you could swear that your arms looked more defined, the thrill of seeing the change pushed you more. While roof running wasn’t in the cards quite yet, but you hoped to be close, the team had taken to bringing you with them in the tank on some patrols.
You’d been doing a rather good job hiding your true progress from the trainers who work for your father’s company, especially Manny, but there is a regular there that can see the difference.
Agnes has lived inside the building you now call home since right before your parents had moved to the city, staying through the Krang invasion despite being someone who could have left. The woman had retired from training show horses only to move on to training race horses, two jobs she excelled at and even takes lecturing jobs for as she still owns a large ranch upstate.
You’d never spoken with her much despite all of that time but yesterday when you’d gone to the gym to warm up prior to that night’s patrol your neighbor happened to join you.
Natalie has always been sweet to you, even after the ‘door incident’, and had you taught her the Radio Taiso that had become a regular part of your routine thanks to the boys. You had even set your phone up so she could hear that music as you slowly taught the elderly woman the moves as you sensed a figure lurking around. The uneasy feeling it gave you made it a little obvious who it had been and Manny looked ready to intervene if it hadn’t been for Agnes stepping in.
She didn’t waiver and instead of continuing her own workout she bombarded the trainer with a barrage of frivolous questions and requests for help, something you all knew she didn’t really need. Her golden tracksuit with black detailing reminded you of Beatrix Kiddo, and with everything you knew about her she was sure to be similar in demeanor. Agnes gave Manny the run around nearly the entire time you were there and by the time she finally let up you had already partnered up with someone and were nearly finished with your “exercise” routine. Sneaking off to the lair through a portal later on in the evening to join them for a patrol.
Which had turned into more than just an average patrol as the team had gotten wind of one of the men on Roman’s payroll had finally peaked his head out of whatever hole they’d retreated to. And the cretin nearly proved to be as slippery as his boss, if it hadn’t been for you being in the perfect spot.
The commotion from inside had reached you as the turtles wrecked shop inside as April and you both patrolled the outside of the building for anyone trying to escape. Circling it like a bird of prey over its next meal as you stayed focused; your kyoketsu-shoge gripped firmly in your hands as you waited for anyone to slip out.
Which he did.
You didn’t know his name but you did recognize the hulking form hanging around Roman many times.
Ducking behind a dumpster you heard the fast approaching footsteps as the man ran your way in a desperate bid to escape. Instead of calling for the others however, you took the initiative to make sure he didn’t get away.
It happened so quickly you didn’t even realize the plan was in motion until you felt yourself throw the cord across the alley. At first it seemed as though it would be too short to make it until the length of rope shimmered with a silvery white hue where it then stretched to hook on to the fire escape as you pulled it taut. It all happened too fast for the man to stop himself once he noticed the freshly laid trap as he effectively clotheslined himself, knocking him off of his feet and sending the creep to the pavement below.
Raph actually hadn’t been too far behind and didn’t leave the guy any time to recover as the snapper descended upon him, placing the human into restraints while calling in to the EPF.
Which meant you couldn’t stay. You understood that handing the man over to Bishop was important but it didn’t stop the pit in your stomach as the thought of having to go back stung.
Despite the need from Mikey to celebrate your activation of the mystic power that had been laying dormant in the weapon, there would be time to celebrate later as he sent you home. The “Super Creepy Supreme” at Hueso’s would have to wait for another day as you bid them all farewell, leaving your weapon with April.
So today you found yourself holding up your end of the bargain.
Keeping up appearances inside the gym of your building.
The very, very empty gym.
Manny had clearly not forgotten Agnes’ interference yesterday and seemed hell-bent on making it your problem. Thinking it would be a safe day to avoid him as it’s his day off, you’re quickly proven wrong as you enter into the room, the red of your loose tank top serving as a cape to an angry bull.
“Well good mo~RNING sleepyhe-ad!” The sliding of his voice to such a high pitch tone honestly made your ears hurt more than his usual voice.
Your brain spirals out at the sudden appearance of the man leaving you to dimly respond with, “Oh Manny mornin’.”
“It’s not just a “mornin’”, it’s a good morning, and we’re in store for a fantastic one today actually.” Even without your prior experience with him you could taste the fake affect in his voice, mawkish and dry clinging to your brain like a remora would a dolphin.
“Yeah, sorry I’m still just a little sleepy.” It’s not entirely a lie but as he stares at you, face still while a facile smile pulls at the corners of his mouth, you grow uneasy.
‘A tactic.’
“W-Well what’s the plan for the morning.” As if snapping back to himself Manny leads you towards the open area where the building’s gym holds many of their various classes.
“We gotta get that gamer-girl body of yours moving first, since you got up so late.”
The mantra of only needing to be here for your hour long session before you would get to break free from this place runs though your mind as he has you stretching. However the longer the hour wears on it becomes clear that Manny is trying to actually push you for once.
But only for the worse.
During the warmup he’s quick to try and push your body further than what he thinks you can handle, pressing you down into deeper stretches that would’ve hurt if not for your extra training.
Not that you could let him know that as you partially faked grunts of pain and discomfort at his cloying touch.
It continues as he takes you over for what typically would be a light jog, which he continues his mission. Pushing the treadmill faster and faster, and not in the encouraging way the guys did in the lair, but in a way to exhaust and tear you down.
The mocking words when you had to finally jump off picking away at your patience even further as he steers you towards the sandbag where he hands you boxing gloves.
But as you reach for the tape he stops you.
“This won't take long, you'll be fine without it,” he pulls the glove on over your hand with force as he says it. The one Mikey had healed a few weeks ago that now roiled under the lingering touch of Manny, an urge to scrub your skin rears its head as he does the same with your other hand before pushing you towards the sandbag.
He takes position, placing his hands on the back of the bag he throws you another smarmy look as his poorly hidden verbal abuse continues.
“We haven’t done this in a while.”
He stands a good head a shoulders taller than you, literally looking down on you as you pivoted your hips into a more appropriate position. Even if the prick wouldn’t let your hands be secured properly you’d be damned if you let him affect the rest of the form the Raph had taught you.
“Show me what you got.”
‘Fuck you.’
The simmering anger in your brain continued to rage on as his negging amplified even further.
“I guess you aren’t doing too bad. I thought with that basic exercise routine you started doing you’d gotten weaker.”
You wouldn’t let him get to you, you had to do this.
“But at least you managed to maintain, kinda.”
“Mac na galla.” It occurs to you all too late that the words hadn’t run through your mind as you’d hoped they would, your tongue twists in your mouth as your stomach drops. The thump of your glove against the sand bag hadn’t been enough to cover the sound as the whispered words escaped you.
“Huh?”
‘Oh shit.’
Manny’s gaze sharpens as he leans in far too close for comfort, “I didn’t quite catch that.”
The feeling of his nasty breath on your face makes you wanna heave, your silence surely being the only thing keeping you from doing so, after a moment he returns to his position.
“S’what I thought.”
Nodding back towards the bag as you resume with your poor punches, much to his amusement.
“Mute bitch.”
It’s obvious he says it loud enough for you to hear, but quiet enough to brush it off in whatever gaslighty way he could.
But the build wave of fury can’t be ceased as your mind’s voice fumes.
‘Your stronger now.’ ‘No.’ ‘Show him.’ ‘DON’T!’
You’re unable to stop yourself as your rage boils to the top, pulling back your dominant hand in a deep wind up you lock eyes with the man before you as your fist connects with the sandbag. Imagining all of the energy you’ve been pouring into improving your skills, growing your strength, and making true friends can come through this one hit.
And hopefully make it to the other side.
There’s silence in the moment after, even the warring voices in your mind had grown quiet as everything sinks in.
Your hand throbs.
Manny looks shaken as he moves back.
Your heart sinks.
‘Oh fuck.’
Manny knew.
And soon so would your father.
Shout out to Agnes from my Hazbin Hotel fic “A Friendly Wager”. [No this is not a shameless plug of an old fic…👀] Also I still highly recommend Radio Taiso as I find it a super easy workout even with my bad joints.😊 I ❤️ engagement so your likes and comments give me life and are all greatly appreciated.🥰 Sorry for any mistakes present, I don't have a beta.
