Thanks for the awesome reviews last time guys! Hope you enjoy this next installment let me know what you're thinking about the characters and the story so far. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving (if you celebrate)!
The next day Raph grumbles as he rummages through the clothes Lana had bought them at the mall. Lana and Lexi sit on the bed with their legs crossed under them selves with amused expressions on their faces.
"Raph?"
"Ya?"
"What're you doing?"
"Gotta pick an outfit."
Lana smirks and looks at Lexi before they both stand and walk over to the closet. Lexi pats his shoulder before picking out a pair of dark wash jeans, a red button down and a leather jacket. He eyes them before accepting the clothes into his arms. Lana hands him a pair of boxers and white wife beater making his face turn red slightly.
"I can pick out my own boxers Lana."
She laughs and shakes her head.
"Sure you can. Go change."
He grumbles before walking into the bathroom connected to the spare room. Lana watches him go before returning to her position on the bed. Lexi follows and lies on her stomach next to her friend.
"What's up?"
Lana sighs and shrugs.
"He's going on a date."
Lexi laughs.
"So? We go on dates."
Lana shrugs and nods.
"You're right. It's just, I don't know, I just wish I knew the girl."
Lexi props her head up on her hands and looks at her friend seriously.
"If she's anything like her sister then I'm sure she's great. Raph has a good sense about people."
"I know, I know, I'm just-"
"Way overprotective?"
Lana glares halfheartedly at her before nodding.
"…I guess you could call it that."
Lexi giggles before patting her friend's stomach and smiling. Raph opens the door and pulls at his shirt before looking up at them.
"Perfect. You look great."
"She won't know what hit her."
Raph rolls his eyes but smiles slightly.
"What time are you supposed to pick her up?"
"Ten. That's when she gets off tonight."
Lexi smiles and sits up.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"No. She won't tell me…I hope I'm not underdressed or anythin."
Lana shakes her head.
"I'm sure you're fine Raph."
Lexi smiles at him before standing.
"Well Mikey should be here any minute so I'm going to go downstairs. Hope your date goes well. I expect details when I see you."
She points at him and he chuckles before nodding. Lana shakes her head with a smile as they both watch her walk out of the room.
"She's a crazy one."
"Ya she is. Mikey has his hands full."
"They both have their hands full."
Lana smiles and looks back at him.
"So this girl…"
"Lana-"
"I'm just curious about her!"
"She's a girl. The sister of Donnie's girl."
"Sounds interesting…what does she do?"
"Sings and dances."
"Interesting."
Raph rolls his eyes and puts the leather jacket on before throwing some combat boots on.
"You'll meet her soon enough."
Lana sighs before nodding.
"I know."
He ruffles her hair and she swats at his hand.
"Go have fun you stupid head."
"Yeah I will."
She watches him go before cleaning up the room and walking downstairs to her own bedroom. She throws on her sneakers and walks back out with her phone. Mikey smiles up at her from the couch and she smiles back.
"Wanna watch a movie with us dudette?"
"Nah I'm going to go for a run. Thanks though."
Mikey nods and Lexi looks at her.
"Bring your phone."
"Yes mom."
Lexi sticks her tongue out before smiling and snuggling into the embrace of her green boyfriend. Mikey smiles and places his chin on the top of her head before starting the movie. Lana puts her headphones on and starts her playlist before walking out the door and running down the street.
Raph sits on his bike and fumbles with his helmet before rolling his eyes and putting it on. He quickly sends Artemis a text before driving over to the bar. Soon after he's parking on the side of the street before he gets off and walks inside.
"Hey Raph!"
Raph looks over at Helen who's smiling as she dries a glass behind the bar.
"Hey Helen."
He goes and sits at one of the stools in between a few other patrons.
"You here alone?"
"For now. I'm pickin Artemis up."
Helen stops what she's doing and looks at him in surprise.
"…you finally asked her out?""
"No."
Helen smirks and chuckles.
"Oh okay…Donnie didn't mention anything about a date."
Raph nods.
"I didn't tell him."
She quirks a brow before nodding.
"Well I don't expect you two to share everything."
She picks up another wet glass and Raph watches her.
"Do you and Artemis share everythin?"
Helen scoffs and shakes her head.
"No. Clearly. We are super close though."
He nods and chuckles.
"She just finished up her set so she should be out soon. Do you know where you're going?"
"Not a clue. She won't tell me."
Helen nods with a smile.
"That's very like her. Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen to you."
"That doesn't make me feel any betta."
She laughs and nods.
"I understand."
Raph smiles and rests his head on his head.
"Are you seeing Donnie tonight?'
"We didn't have anything planned, and I have work right after I finish these glasses."
"Wow. You and yer sista work a ton."
She nods before putting the dry glasses under the bar.
"We have to. We save up for when we have class."
He nods and makes a mental note to ask about that later.
"Ready to go?"
He turns and sees Artemis dressed in white cut off shorts and a royal blue tank top with an American flag on it. She has black converse on and her hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail. The blonde tips at the end land in the middle of her shoulder blades and her makeup is a simple cat eye.
"Uh yeah."
"Have fun you two."
She flashes a smile and Helen before nodding.
"Thanks sis."
Artemis waves to her before throwing her cross body purse over herself. Raph stands and they both walk out of the bar.
"So where we goin?"
"It's a secret."
"What?"
He chuckles as he hands her a helmet.
"I'll give you directions and you follow…unless you let me drive?"
"No way."
"It's because I'm a-"
"You bein a girl has nothing to do with it. I don't think ya have a motorcycle license."
She shrugs.
"…it was worth a try."
She smirks and shrugs.
"Take a left at Capital."
He nods and gets on the bike before helping her on.
"Ready?"
She wraps her arms around him and nods into his back. He takes off into the street and turns when she tells him to. After about 20 minutes she tells him to pull over and park. Raph does as she says and stares out at where he brought them.
"…Coney Island?"
"Yep!"
She hops off the bike and hands him her helmet. Her smile lights up her face making Raph smile too. Raph takes off his helmet and ties them both down on his bike. She grabs his arm and pulls him towards the entrance. Raph looks at all the lights and the people running around them.
"Have you ever been here?"
"No."
"Really? This is my favorite place, ever since I moved here."
Raph looks down at her.
"Where'd you move from? I know Helen said it was the south."
She smiles and stops in front of one of the booths.
"I'll tell you if you win me that tiger."
Raph looks at what she's pointing to and smirks.
"Really?"
"Really really."
Raph smirks before handing the man a bill and receiving three balls.
"How many do I need ta hit?"
"All of them to win."
Raph nods and looks at Artemis before throwing the balls and hitting all of the bottles and knocking them down. The attendant looks stunned before pulling the tiger down and handing it to him. Raph looks at it awkwardly before handing it to Artemis. She smiles and hugs it to her chest.
"Ahh thank you!"
He smiles slightly and follows after her as she runs to another building. Raph pulls open the door and follows after her as she runs to the game that's flashing with lights.
"My turn."
She smooth's out a bill before sliding it into the slot. She pulls Raph up next to her before picking a song and a setting.
"Uh-"
"It's Dance Dance Revolution. Have you ever played?"
Raph glances at her nervously.
"No."
"Well just follow the steps on the screen. It's not that hard."
Raph looks at her like she's crazy.
"For you! Yer a dancer!"
"So? You look light on your feet."
She winks at him with a smile before pressing play. Raph looks at the screen and groans before starting to move. He tries to follow Artemis, but she moves naturally and flows from step to step. His ninjitsu training helps him keep up with her to a degree but her feet move so fast and she spins a couple times for flair.
"Now yer just showin off."
"You bet I am."
She laughs and does some intricate foot work before smiling and putting her hands on her hips and taking a deep breath when the song finishes.
"That was fun. Too bad I don't get a cute toy for you."
"The night's still young."
She looks at him in surprise before nodding enthusiastically. They walk through the park and enjoy a couple rides before they buy some food and sit down at one of the tables.
"I still have to get you a stuffed animal."
"Nah ya don't."
"Uh yes I do. It's only fair."
He chuckles before taking a bite of his hot dog. She watches him with a smile before eating her corn dog. She enjoys the flavor before looking at the deep fried hot dog on a stick.
"Corn dogs are by far the best of the hot dog variety."
Raph shakes his head.
"No way."
"Uh yes way. The bun is deep fried around the meaty goodness. And it has a stick."
Raph laughs.
"Alright fine, the stick is the deal breaker. Ya win."
Artemis shakes her hands in the air in celebration before finishing her food. Raph shakes his head before pushing his fries towards her. She smiles and starts to eat them happily.
"So are you having fun?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I knew you would."
Raph smirks and takes a few of his fries.
"You never did tell me where ya from."
She stops eating and makes a face.
"…I'm from Boston."
"Boston?"
She nods and bites into another fry.
"But Helen said-"
"Helen is from the south…I'm not."
Raph looks confused before she explains.
"We're half sisters…my mom married her dad then had her."
Raph nods before finishing the fries.
"That's cool…so you weren't in Boston long?"
"No only a couple years before we moved to Jersey and my mom married her dad, got pregnant, had her, and now we're here."
"…you're the older sister?"
"Yes."
She smiles and shrugs.
"Everyone thinks Helen is older. Oh well."
Raph smiles briefly before nodding.
"I don't think anyone has eva thought I was the olda son."
"Really? Does your older brother just ooze olderness?"
"Olderness?"
"It's not a word, I'm aware, just roll with it."
He chuckles and nods.
"Okay. Ya basically. He's stuffy and borin but he's the older brother."
She chuckles.
"The older brother? What does that even mean?"
"He's just the perfect son. Always has been."
She frowns.
"Rough. At least you don't have all the expectations I'm sure he does."
Raph nods.
"That's true…"
Artemis watches his face and frowns when he looks serious.
"Let's go and play some games."
She smiles at him before standing and throwing the food away. He slowly stands and watches her prance around. She was so light on her feet. Artemis flips her hair over her shoulder before holding out her hand with a smile. Raph looks at it before grasping it in his own and letting her lead him through the crowds. Her grip is tight and her hands are warm as she winds him through the crowds. They end up stopping at a booth and Artemis quickly sits down. She pats the stool next to her before paying the attendant.
"Ready to lose?"
"Not today."
He smirks and lines his gun up while she does the same. They both get ready to shoot and the water suddenly shoots out as the buzzer sounds. Artemis's balloon starts filling up and Raph grumbles angrily as he hits the target perfectly but the balloon does nothing. Artemis giggles before her balloon pops and she spins happily on the stool.
"I win!"
"My thing didn't work!"
She smirks at him and nods before pointing to a stuffed animal hanging. The attendant hands her a stuffed turtle and she looks at it happily.
"Here you go."
Raph takes it and looks at the stuffed sea turtle.
"…you cheated."
"No..."
"Yes."
"…Maybe."
She winks at him before standing up and looking around.
"I want to go on the beach."
Raph looks at her before nodding.
"Okay."
She smiles and leads them out of the park before they walk down the stairs and step onto the sand. Artemis quickly slips her converse off before running closer to the water. Raph follows and watches as she steps into the wake. She laughs as she runs through the waves and smiles at him. He watches her from the dry sand with his arms crossed over his chest. She frowns and crosses her arms over her chest to mock him.
"Scared of the water?"
"No."
"Then come on!"
Raph makes a face before rolling his eyes and slipping his boots and jacket off. He rolls his pants up before stepping onto the wet sand. Artemis looks at his face before grabbing his hand and pulling him farther in. She kicks the water and Raph smirks before walking out further and throwing some water at her. She stiffens when it hits her and looks at him before running and jumping onto him. They fall into the water and sand getting them both wet. The waves roll over them and she laughs before looking up at him.
"Good catch."
"Yer nuts."
She nods with a smile before ruffling his wet hair and rolling off of his chest. She stands and walks towards the dry sand. Raph sits up and slowly stands before walking towards her.
"I won by the way."
"Is everythin a competition ta you?"
"Not always, but I just like to think I can beat you at something."
She smiles at him and crosses her arms over her chest. Raph looks at her and smirks.
"You beat me at dancing."
"That wasn't a fair competition."
"Was jumping on me fair?"
"Of course."
He smirks and she smirks back before sitting on the sand. Raph sits beside her and they watch the lights from the amusement park reflect off the surf.
"…so did you actually have fun?"
"Yeah, I did."
He looks at her and she smiles at him.
"I'm glad…I love this place."
"Why?"
"Just makes me happy whenever I come here."
He looks at her and sees her face fall for a second before it's replaced with a smile.
"Tell me more about your brothers."
He looks at her and nods.
"Well ya know Donnie, and Mikey?"
"Yeah I saw him briefly. Had some pretty red head with him."
Raph smiles and nods.
"Ya that's Lexi. She's great."
"Is she Mikey's girlfriend?"
"Pretty much. I dunno if they've said it out loud, but they're inseparable."
She smiles.
"That's cute."
He nods and looks at her.
"Now which one is your older brother?"
"That's Leo."
"Leo…what's that short for?"
"Leonardo."
She shrugs before making a face.
"…are all of you named after Renaissance artists?"
"Yep."
"So Mikey is Michelangelo?"
"Yep."
"That's awesome. Your mom and dad must be so cool."
"No mom. Just a dad."
"Single dad with four sons? I applaud him."
Raph smirks.
"Ya we were a lot to handle, but he did a great job."
"I'll say."
He looks at her and she blushes before smiling shyly. Raph wraps and arm around her shoulders making her lean onto him. He feels her warm skin press against his side ad looks down at her.
"…thanks fer askin me out."
"Do you consider this a date?"
"Course. What else would it be?"
He looks at her curiously and she shrugs.
"I don't know."
"It's a date. And I'm askin you out next time."
"Next time? Who says I want there to be a next time?"
She looks at him with a smirk and he shakes his head.
"Okay fine. I won't ask ya out."
"Good."
"Fine."
They sit in silence for a few moments before she shifts and lays her head onto his shoulder. He tightens his hold around her waist and she closes her eyes.
"…you better ask me out again."
He laughs and she smirks before enjoying the feeling of his chest rumbling under her.
"Want ta go out sometime?"
She fakes a gasp and looks at him.
"Why, this is so unexpected."
"Smart ass."
He smirks down at her and she shrugs.
"I've been called worse."
"By who? I'll kick their ass."
She smiles sadly and shakes her head.
"I can take care of myself."
"I believe ya…but I'll still kick their asses."
They sit in silence again for a few more minutes before she slowly untangles herself from him and stands. She wipes the sand from her damp shorts and legs before shaking her hands.
"Love the beach, hate the sand."
He nods and easily stands before wiping off his jeans. Artemis looks up at him and actually realizes how tall he is. Easily 6'2.
"You're tall."
"Thanks."
"I don't know if that was a compliment."
He shrugs.
"I'm going to take it as one."
She laughs and nods before taking his hand and walking to the parking lot. Her other hand carries her shoes and stuffed animal while she twines her fingers with his. Raph stares at her and can't keep a smile from his face especially when he looks down at the turtle in his other hand. When they get to the bike he helps her with the helmet and smirks at how it falls a little farther down than it should.
"It's too big."
"Yer head is too small."
"Shut up! My head is the perfect size."
"Yer right."
She blushes and lowers her eyes to the ground before Raph puts his helmet on. She stares at him and notices how his arms flex and how his eyes take in everything around them before he moves. She sits behind him when he gets on and wraps her arms around him tightly. Raph backs up and they take off down the streets. Artemis smiles at the world rushing around her and leans back a little to feel the wind rush into her face.
"You okay?"
"Perfect."
"Hold on."
"I won't fall off."
He chuckles and she smiles at the rumbling in his chest. They turn a few more times before he slows down and parks out front of her apartment. Artemis easily gets off and smiles at him before handing him the helmet. Raph gets off too and pulls the stuffed tiger out of the pocket on the side of his bike and walks her to the door. She smiles as he helps her up the stairs and they stop right in front of the door. He watches as she looks at the ground before slowly looking up at him.
"…I'm glad you said yes."
"I'm glad ya asked."
She smiles at him before she puts her hands on his chest and lifts onto her toes. She stares into his eyes with the same smile before kissing him. Raph stands there in surprise before she chuckles and takes his arms and wraps them around her waist. Raph chuckles too before shutting his eyes and kissing her back. He grabs her waist with one hand before using his other to cup the back of her head. She sighs into the kiss and opens her mouth a little more letting his tongue brush against hers. Artemis moans into his mouth and grips onto his shirt tightly. After a few moments they part slowly and she slowly opens her eyes to look up at him.
"…wow."
"You can say that again."
She smiles and kisses his cheek quickly before unwinding from his arms and getting down off her toes. She squeezes his hand before unlocking the door and stepping into the doorway. He watches her go and smiles slightly.
"You better call me."
"I will."
"You always seem to say that before you don't call."
He looks at her seriously and nods.
"I'll call you. I promise."
"Good."
She waves her stuffed tiger at him before shutting the door. He smiles and pulls out his phone before dialing and walking down the steps to his bike.
"Hello?"
"Ya want to go out next week?"
There's a pause on the line and he waits but the sound of the window opening makes him look over.
"Yes."
She smiles at him and he smirks back before looking over as the other window is opened. Helen sticks her head out and looks at them pointedly.
"Ya'll are cute, but go home Raph. I need to be in bed in the next hour, and she's going to need an hour to tell me all about your date."
"Helen!"
"Artemis!"
Helen chuckles and smiles at her sister before waving at Raph.
"Goodnight Raph."
"Night Helen."
She shuts the window and shuts the curtains making Artemis sigh.
"The answer is yes though. I'll see you soon?"
He nods and she disappears back into her apartment with a smile. Raph shakes his head with a smile before hanging up his phone and walking back to his bike.