It disgusted him once the hockey player clumsily fumbled with the battered wooden stick, chatting away with the lovely news reporter. It was clear the new guy had enamored their beloved hogosha, wooing her with his subtle winks and teases, all while they stood and conversed in front of the eavesdropping turtle.
Raphael overheard the prolonged giggling, making him look elsewhere, massive arms still folded over his wide chest. The brunette joyfully grinned at the overused jokes, chuckling as he boasted a few skilled athletic moves before he flashed a bright smile while running his hand over the buzz shaven cut. The brute terrapin could only linger behind, solemnly listening to their conversation, waiting to covertly take her home through the streets of Manhattan. If it wasn't for that, he would've left a long time ago.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, April turned to the side, coyly waving Raphael over. Grunting inaudibly, he sauntered away from leaning against the brick wall of a dark alleyway, to stand before them. Casey tensely pressed his thin lips together, trying to avoid the giant turtle's intimidating gaze.
"Raph, Casey asked if he could walk me home tonight. Would that be alright with you?"
Broad shoulders instantly slumped, lungs deflating, energy draining as he fought to hide such discontent. Instead, he bit down on his toothpick, until it cracked in two. Golden orbs crossly darted from the hockey player, but softened once meeting the brown haired beauty's blue stare, wishing he had left before wasting his time; hoping.
"Sure," Raphael nonchalantly shrugged, voice seemingly lower and quieter than his usual voracious tone. "Don't matter to me."
Twisting his body to leave, he stilled as a hand met his carapace. Swiftly turning around, he narrowed his eyes at the hand, before immensely glaring back at the human male. Casey gulped, quickly stepping back, tugging nervously at his overused gray cotton hoodie.
"Just wanted to say thanks. I'll take good care of her." Annoyingly rolling his eyes, Raphael refused to answer. Instead, he nodded at April, who smiled back happily.
Leaving the pair, the hulking terrapin remained silent until reaching the shadows of the alley, bare feet nearing the puddled manhole cover. Hastily removing the broken toothpick from his lips, he threw the pieces on the ground, exhaling a lengthy sigh.
"I'll just be here," he muttered. "In the sewers. If ya need me."
He listened as the two voices soon grew fainter and fainter, both adults enjoying one another's company. Picturing the vigilante walking April to her apartment made Raphael dejectedly shake his head. Crouching to lift the three-hundred pound manhole cover, he effortlessly cracked his neck, amber irises flickering over to the empty streets.
"Or, not."