A companion piece to 'Pet', set after April and Raphael start dating. The chapters will basically parallel each other, and include interactions with the other turtles. Please enjoy.
The sunset turned to pond a vibrant gold as the two lovers walked along the edge. The sounds of summer filled the air, setting a peaceful scene. April turned her head to the sky at the cry of a bird.
"You know, this is where I found you nearly twenty years ago." She told her partner. The large turtle looked down, playing with her hair. "I was afraid Dad wouldn't let me keep you, but by the time you healed enough to be let go, it was too cold. Then we moved to the city, and I ended up keeping you." A sad, faraway look came to her eyes. "Sometimes, when my Dad was at work, my Mother would leave me to go out with whatever guy she was seeing at the time. I was so scared those nights, but you would sit on my shoulder and nibble on whatever I was feeding you, and you made me feel safe." She looked up at him and smiled. "And you still keep me safe." Raphael just smiled at her, the one he gave her when they were alone, filled with warmth and love. Standing one her tip-toes, she gave him a soft kiss before looking back out at the pond.
"Is it safe to swim in?" Raph asked as he moved from her side to allow the small waves from the pond lap at his feet.
"It might be a bit cold, but yah, I used to all the time." April said, as she stripped off her top and shorts, a red one-piece under them. She walked into the water until it was up to her knees, then stopped. She shut her eyes and tipped her head back, enjoying the feeling to the slightly brisk water lapping at her legs.
"This is nice." April heard Raphael's voice rumble softly behind her. She turned her head to see him stripped of everything but his red shorts. She felt her chest tighten with emotion as he stood there like some ancient god, the sun bathing him in a soft golden glow, brilliant eyes even more pronounced. It took her breath away to see him like that.
"What's that look for?" He asked as he moved up to her, wrapping his large arms around her small body.
"You're so amazing, you know that?" She asked as she leaned into him. He smirked at her from above.
"Tell me something I don't know." He said smugly. April laughed as he leaned down and swept her off her feet. Then she caught the mischievous look in his eyes.
"Don't you dare!" She shrieked, as she tried to cling to him as he moved deeper into the water. He grin only got bigger as he found the spot he wanted and unceremoniously chucked her into the pond. When gave him her best death glare when she came to the surface.
"I'm going to get you for that!" She yelled at him, splashing at him. He returned it with his own splash.
"Let's see you try." He challenged her, his eyes bright with the prospect of a fight.
Almost an hour Leo found the two chasing each other in the water, splashing around, filling the air with shrieks of laughter. The oldest of the turtles walked up to the shore, smiling at the scene.
Raphael grabbed his girlfriend from behind, and spun her around as she laughed in delight, their faces lit up in warmth and love. It was something Leo would have never even thought the largest of them would ever look like.
"It's time for dinner you two!" He called out over the commotion the two were causing, laughing as they raced each other to the shoreline. In the distance, a Red-eared slider sat on a log, staring at the strange creatures who had interrupted his nap. Watching them walk away, he slid into the water to find his own food.