There were few things that could truly shake Hamato Regina. Her elder sister being asleep for three weeks straight, without waking even when in heat, or to eat or use the toilet, was most certainly at the top of that list. It hadn’t bothered her too much at first, being at August’s family home while they regrouped and collected themselves had helped. It wasn’t until the fourth day of Leandra’s coma that the remaining team members began to really worry. August and Casey had never seen the turtles during the cold winter months. They didn’t know what to think. They barely knew anything about their seasonal changes—that was a blunt and rather sleepy conversation, but the two “humans” needed to know if they were going to be providing for the four reptilians—let alone their more… personal needs when certain times rolled around. They were hardly prepared to handle the turtles that weren’t comatose, even less so for the one that was!
Everyone knew that most of Lea’s recovery would be spent sleeping in the warm water of the tub, that was certain… But no told her she’d be sleeping on the ancient bathroom floor for nearly a month, with only trips down to the kitchen for a quick snack when that time rolled around and some time on the porcelain throne right after. No one told Regina that, while she and her younger sisters sleepily shuffled about at the end of the week, her Fearless Leader would be comatose in a frickin’ bathtub! Even after an hour and a half of shaking and yelling, all the poor turtle did was sleep.
“Hey, Gina.”
The sleepy mutant turned to the washroom door behind her. “Hey, Case.” she mumbled miserably.
Casey was wrapped up in aphgan, holding something that smelled… ooh, yummy…
“Aye,” Regina whined, “gimme some of that, ya’ selfish witch!” With renewed energy, and spite, she jumped to the threshold and snatched the cup of steaming goodness right out of her bestie’s hands, inhaling a delicious puff of her favorite scent: ramen noodles—the beef flavored kind, not the chicken or shrimp crap. The hum she emitted was not unexpected to the human, though the way the brutish turtle was with salty foods was still amusing. Casey merely shook her head, a smile playing on her red lips.
“Anythin’ new?” she asked, coming up behind the blonde.
“No.” Gina stated resentfully. “Leanne hasn’t moved an inch since we got here—least not while I’ve been awake… the cold doesn’t help.” the mutant twirled a forkful of noodles and gazed miserably at the leader while she ate. “I wish she would just wake up already.”
“We all do, Gin.” Casey plopped down beside the tub. “We just gotta try and keep it together, for everyone’s sake.” After a glance at the blonde’s mournful eyes, she added, “Give Lea some time, she’ll wake up when she’s ready.”
“Yeah,” the kunoichi said around a mouthful, “I guess you’re right.”
Casey stayed with her friend until the cup was empty.
“Sorry fer stealin’ your foo…” Regina yawned. “I haven’t had ‘n actual meal in days.”
Casey took the cup and silverware from the green hands with a laugh, saying something along the lines of “no sweat” on her way out, though Regina wasn’t sure if she’d heard correctly.
At the threshold, as her mutant bestie climbed back into her makeshift bed, Casey stopped to consider the teen for a moment—something she found herself doing a lot recently. There was an obvious fire in the reptile’s electric eyes, always burning and always alive. However, the flame seemed more subdued than ever, seemed to be holding on by its little finger.
Every bit of Regina seemed to be dwindling now that she really thought about it. Her thighs, while always a thicker girl, were more squish than muscle; her arms were thinner, softer; her lower plastron bulged with the slightest of pudge. It was sad, to be honest, seeing the ever powerful Hamato Regina so out of shape, knowing how foreign her body must feel. The mutant hated being out of shape.
“Take a pic’ure; lasts lon’er.”
Casey snapped her attention back to those green orbs. They looked softer when it was just the two of them. More inviting…
Before either of them knew it, the vigilante was hovering above her friend, their foreheads thumped together gently. Quiet words of comfort were shared and hands tangled in messy hair as they held each other.
“I love you…”
Casey blushed, though she wasn’t sure why. “Aw… I love ya’ too, Giny.”
“Don’ call me tha’!” Regina growled, shoving away the human.
“Gina, why—!”
“Just don’t!" she snarled, hissing lowly.
Case stood up slowly, wiping the wetness off her cheeks. When had she started crying? It didn’t matter.
“Ya’ know, Regina,” she began, “I get you miss Lea—believe me, I do—but I’m still here! I’m at least trying!"
“Casey,” the turtle gaped, “I—”
"No!" the other exclaimed. “You need to make up your mind, Regina!” Casey turned, heading toward the door. “You need to make a choice.”
