Hold On - Chapter 2

Rated: T

Never

Chapter Summary: Raph and April watch a sunrise and a heart-to-heart ensues when they reach Northampton.


April O'Neil awoke to the radiant sensation of gentle rays of light hitting her face. A part of her wanted to get up and close the curtains before crawling back into bed when she suddenly remembered where she was. Cornflower blue eyes squinted back closed the second she opened them; the brightness of the sky signaling an upcoming sunrise was hitting her cornea, the light causing spots to appear in her vision.

"Mornin'." Raph greeted, the vocals echoing in his chest was causing a pleasant rumble on her back.

When the reporter finally got her bearings, she realized they were still on the bike yet were parked underneath a group of trees, still a few miles away from their final destination.

"W-what's goin' on? Why'd ya stop here?" April slurred, desperately craving caffeine yet the closest Starbucks was most likely two hours away and the thought alone made her want to cry.

"Sorry, I just never saw a sunrise like dis before. Kinda was curious what it was like and ya know, also stopped ta give ya some air. Yer helmet was getting a big foggy there for awhile, O'Neil." he replied with a deep chuckle, causing the brunette to reach for her face and realizing her visor had been pulled up. "I think mainly cuz ya snore in yer sleep; ya know that?" he continued after awhile, another throaty chuckle making her stomach do spastic somersaults.

"No..." she grumbled, the embarrassment causing her cheeks to flush and gave her an excuse to pull the helmet off her head and try to control her outrageous helmet hair with thin fingers brushing frantically through the locks. "I'm asleep when I allegedly do so, so no, I didn't know that..." she continued huffily, wiping at her mouth to make sure she didn't drool either...

"Hmm. Well, at least when ya do it, it's cute. Mikey sounds like a damn foghorn." he said before he probably even realized the words came out. He got quiet after that and once she felt sufficiently groomed as possible, April silently reflected on what he said before he mentioned her snoring.

"So...you've never seen a sunrise before?" she asked, allowing her body to relax against him once the embarrassment faded; recalling she'd seen him in some pretty embarrassing situations as well so she supposed it was fair. Her mind pleasantly replaying when Mikey stole his brother's clothes from the shower room and the largest terrapin, clad only in his red boxers, was forced to run around the lair after the youngest turtle; not at all aware she had been there to witness it all. It was so satisfying to see his face when finally dawned on him that she'd been sitting there the whole time on their pizza box couch, giving him a coy smile and a once-over all while his face turned the exact shade of his mask he normally wore...And seeing him turn around with his tail curled up between his legs as he retreated in shame; it was probably the cutest fucking thing she'd seen in her entire life.

"Heh. Well, not exactly. In da city, it's kinda already 9 by the time da sun goes over the buildings, and ya know, ninja. Heh. Night is our thing; never bothered to get up early enough to see one; travel to a decent spot to take it in just takes too fuckin' long to bother. Not to mention Fearless always gets his lil' blue panties in a knot whenever I'm out during daylight." he chuckled, the rumbling of the reverberation of his laugh against her back had her cheeks warming and the sensation of fluttering wings in the depths of her stomach.

April wasn't uncertain if she liked that feeling or not...

"It's been a long time for me too." April admitted with a shrug, not realizing something as mundane as a sunrise was still so new to him. It felt wrong somehow to think that way for she could never hope to understand how isolated and alone he must have felt for his entire mutated existence. A world that never knew about him, his father or brothers; and yet how she didn't either and now, she could never imagine her life without any of them. The thought making her want to cling to him all the more.

"Hmm. Maybe we're not so different after all." he spoke and the words were so profound it almost hurt.

On the outside, it might appear as if she had it all; a job in the public media regardless if she was doing nothing but fluffy filler til she met them. She was beautiful; she'd admit that because it seemed to be the only positive attribute people told her about even if she felt being so was more of a curse than a blessing. Over time, her face and physique being the only thing anyone saw in her most the time; not really bothering to know her deeper than the physical.

It made her bosses look at her as if she was an airhead who didn't belong in the media room to give her ideas on serious stories; when instead, putting her in front of a camera to do fucking jumping jacks to get more views was so much easier. It also caused many of her women coworkers to judge or hate her when she subconsciously got the attention of all the male bosses; spewing venomous lies behind her back to hopefully get her fired should they come to fruition (competition in the media was fierce, after all). Every man looking at her and only wanting one thing without her getting a say. A pretty girl to have on their arm or a sex object, yet the second she opened her mouth to showcase her fiery personality, stubborn attitude, actual brain, and any hint of her rejecting their advances, they wanted absolutely nothing to do with her.

Since her father died, she'd been isolated, rejected from every turn whether it be school, boys, supposed friends, or professors over the years. Real friends were few and far between with her rather quirky personality and whenever a decent guy did come along, things just never seemed to work out; whether them cheating on her when she didn't agree to sleep with them early on in the relationship or it to naturally running its course and the two just growing apart.

It was a very lonely existence at times; so many nights alone in an empty apartment, eating crappy microwave dinners and watching television by herself wondering one day if it would change for the better.

Not until the day she met the turtles and their mutant father that a whole new world opened up to her; for the first time she could remember, she felt loved; wanted, and it was genuine. Belonging was an experience she felt as if she was coming to terms with for the first time since her father died and the reporter found it in the most unlikely place. Over time, growing close with the entire family; Raphael in particular she found herself gravitating to. The reasoning for it wasn't entirely known even to her; thinking it had to do with how they just naturally bonded saving his brothers and being close ever since.

Admitting fully that perhaps it was something more; after all, he was different from any guy she'd ever met (in many more ways than the obvious). When he spoke with her, he'd look in her eyes and not at her tits; his hands would stay respectfully folded in his lap and if he did touch her, it was on her hand or gingerly brushing the hair out of her face with a gentleness someone so large and brash should never have the ability to. The respect that was honed into someone with absolutely no human social interaction was incredible and he only seemed to surprise her further.

Raphael cared about her; genuinely wanting to know more about who she was on the inside rather than the outside. It was the main reason April feared in pursuing a romantic relationship with the massive terrapin; his friendship so precious that she didn't want to taint if it didn't work out...but it was so hard to pull back when she wanted to give it a try. The largest of the turtles making her heart beat fast, palms to sweat, and stomach to flutter involuntary like she was a love-sick teenager all over again; the feeling so addicting and overwhelming at times but always present regardless.

"Thanks for agreein' ta come wit' me; I wanted to see dis place ya told me about...and get away from the lair for awhile." Raph grumbled lowly, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Of course, Raph. I've been meaning to come for awhile, and this is nice; it's not often I get out of the city. Vern even came through, finding some people to cover for me." April responded, watching the changing colors in the sky in correspondence with the rising sun.

"Heh. Guess the nerd is good fer somethin' after all." his warm breath causing her hair to brush pleasantly against her neck.

"Yeah, he comes in handy sometimes I guess." April agreed, allowing a giggle to escape her lips. The sun was on the cusp of rising over the mountains and the vantage point they were at now was pretty, but she knew if he was going to experience the true brilliance of a true mountain sunrise, there were much better spots. "Hey, come here," she continued after a moment of silence, pulling away after depositing her helmet along the handlebars of the motorcycle before jumping off of the bike and holding out her hand to the large terrapin.

Raphael didn't speak, his furrowed brows and confusion crossing his face was enough of an answer.

"I know a beautiful place we can watch it better from here." April explained and was pleasantly surprised when his hand wrapped over hers and stood to his feet; she still couldn't get over how tall and big he was and it drove her crazy in the best way.

Hand in hand, the reporter silently recalled the familiar area as well as an old bridge overlooking a small pond and the most gorgeous vantage point with the mountains behind them. It was a favorite spot she and her cousins used to hike to as a child and when she saw it just a small walk away, she was overcome with joy to realize that it was still there after so many years. Once they approached the small rocky bridge overlooking a now dried-up creek, she let go of his hand and leaned dainty hands onto the cool bricks. Closing her eyes upon experiencing the familiar texture of the worn rocks and so many memories made there from what may as well have been a lifetime ago.

Raphael quietly approached the brunette, allowing her to have a moment before he witnessed her big blue eyes open and peer at him with a giddiness he hadn't seen in her before.

"C'mere." April said with a light airy chuckle, holding out her hand and gesturing him to approach.

April leaned heavily upon it to the point she was on her tiptoes as she looked down to the creek. A sense of loss of gravity made her stomach plummet slightly but in seconds, Raphael's hands was upon her abdomen and steadying her.

"Careful." he demanded lowly, shaking his head at her reckless, more so clumsy, actions at times.

"Sorry. It's a lot smaller then when I was a kid." April laughed in response, leaning into his touch.

The large terrapin just smirked at her, bravely scooting closer as he knelt down at his knees to be at her height; his hand moving to her arm and caressing the mustard yellow leather jacket lightly as he brushed his cheek over the side of her head.

Raphael's spontaneous affections causing her to look at him, smiling unabashedly and instantly nudging him back with a tilt of her head. Looking in each other's eyes now, there was so much both wanted to say, but they remained quiet as the sun finally peeked its face over the side of the mountains and their eyes pulled away from the other and toward the skyline.

Watching and reveling in the wonder held in a simple sunrise. It was profoundly beautiful; the purples and oranges intermingling with the clouds creating a beautiful masterpiece of light and resonance. Such a mundane thing for so many was treasured deeply by both, April not mentioning it when Raphael's arm tightened around her, his head leaning heavily into the curvature of her neck and shoulder.

Eyes closing, April sighed at the feeling; his heartbeat against her arm and breath ghosting over her bare throat. The reporter treasured his affection since it was a rare thing to witness and experience most of the time; the hotheaded terrapin always unsure of himself and his actions. Right now it was the last thing on her mind, closing her eyes and melting into his embrace.


There it was.

Northampton.

April took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air in her lungs as the motorcycle came to a stop and she quickly got off, pulling the helmet off her head as she did so. Taking in the sight of her familiar childhood dwelling bringing back so many happy memories; when both her parents were alive and when things were so carefree; so easy back then. A life before the big city; before her mother's death in a tragic traffic accident and the fire that took her father's life just two years later...before she was an orphan living in a world that didn't care to know her beyond the physical.

For April O'Neil, it was a strange sight to say the least.

Recalling so many happy times in a world that seemed so far away now. A life before meeting the turtles and before knowing her pets were going to mean so much more to her someday. It was bittersweet to be in the place where she grew up; how different she'd become since that little girl who'd go explore the lakes and climb trees; not going home til both her knees were scraped raw and there was a vast amount of leaves and sticks in her loose, wild brown hair.

All of a sudden, she found her vision blurring as she stared at the familiar site of the porch and the old rickety swing she'd find her dad drinking coffee on every morning; her mother in the kitchen making breakfast as she ran down the stairs and out the door. Moments that seemed like a lifetime ago almost felt viable at this moment; the scent of coffee and pancakes etched in her mind as she took it in for the first time since she was six and she left it all behind for the big city. Forgetting about it til her father died and her aunt handed her the deed and the keys to this place the day she graduated high school.

It wasn't until this moment she decided to return; wanting to give Raphael a weekend away and selfishly, wanting to spend time with him away from the distraction of his brothers and the cramped nature of her small apartment. Never knowing the influx of emotions just seeing the rickety old farmhouse would cause...

"Hey, ya alright?" the turtle next to her asked suddenly, his voice gruff and raspy.

"Yeah. I'm fine." April replied, pretending her heart wasn't pounding out of her chest from the onslaught of memories rather than the soft brush of his large index that swiftly wiped a tear away.

"Ya sure? Why ya cryin', April? Ya okay?" he continued, hands awkwardly holding a cooler in one hand and trying to comfort her with the other.

"Yes, Raphael. I'm okay; I am now." he responded, her lips turning upward as she stared back at the farmhouse. "It's just...it's weird being back here; it's been such a long time."

"I-If it's gonna make ya sad, w-w-we don't have ta stay here, April; we 'an head back cause I don't want -" Raphael started and April smiled despite herself at just how darn cute it was when he stuttered awkwardly; it was one of the largest terrapin's most endearing qualities.

"No. I want to. I just never realized how much I missed this place. They're good memories, Raph." April sighed, looking up at her friend before glancing back over to the familiar house that seemed so much smaller now to her adult eyes.

A few terse moments of silence fell over the two, Raphael completely unsure of what to do as he saw April wiping the remainder of her tears with the yellow sleeve of her favorite mustard-colored jacket.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" April said suddenly, her bubbly voice returning, "Let's go! Last one in has to make dinner!" she said haughtily, giving him a wink before bee-lining it toward the door.

A smirk arose on his face as he watched her running, which was odd in her high-heeled boots, but she made due like she always did. Finally registering what she said, he was more than happy to let her win for her cooking skills were not one of her strong suits but it didn't mean he didn't give it the ol' college try. His long legs easily making up the distance as he closed in on her; heavy cooler with ice sloshing as he trekked quickly to the steps, where she already made it to the door.

The smile lighting up her face made losing well worth it; her white teeth sparkling in the morning light as she turned to him.

"Aw, dammit. I'll get ya next time, O'Neil." he laughed lowly.

"I don't think so." she giggled, reaching into her pocket to retrieve the key. Hands slightly shaking as she put it in the lock and unlatched the mechanism with a satisfying click; she opened the door. Memories flooding back with a vengeance as she stared out across the expanse of the dusty front room, eyes peering into the untouched kitchen, living room, dining room, each with precious moments once upon a time and so long ago. It was frozen in a time that long had passed; chest aching and eyes blurring as April took it all in; so many years gone forever in the blink of an eye, and now she was back...

April was uncertain if her legs would hold her up, but when a large hand enclosed over hers, the reporter turned to see Raphael standing next to her; a tight smile upon his face as he looked at her for any hint of hesitation. Meeting those amber eyes, a strength she didn't know she possessed came over and she faced the house yet again. The memories hurt, but the tight hand grasping so tenderly at her own had her smiling; for now, she knew with him here; it wouldn't be so hard after all.

A soft sigh exited her mouth and she returned his smile; squeezing his large index in her small hand all while allowing a few tears to slip down her face. Not a woman who was prone to tears, these felt necessary somehow and the healing that had taken so long to occur was finally complete as she took in the expanse of the inviting farmhouse. It was a warm feeling of comfort washing over her like a warm summer rain; there was happiness here and it was a visceral one. Her loss all those years ago was still profound, yet she knew her mother and father wouldn't want her to dwell in those memories; they'd want her to make new ones and she planned to.

"Well, we're here." April softly breathed in the scent she remembered so well. Squeezing Raphael's index finger again, she leaned her head on his bicep and felt her face flush when he allowed her.

"Ya don't regret coming here, do ya?" he asked, the apprehensiveness appearing in his voice without his consent.

"Never." she replied easily, looking up at him with tears still sparkling in her eyes and the biggest smile she could muster. Happiness she swore she never felt before alighting in her chest when he suddenly caressed her face; his hand rough and calloused but it felt so good as he brushed away her tears. Her hand grasped his own, her dainty fingers ghosting over the back of his hand as she stared into those perfect golden eyes.

All the doubts and confusion she had faded away as they began to unpack their things in preparation of the wonderful weekend before them.