Crazy - Chapter 10

Rated: T

Endearment

Chapter Summary: Something incredible happens and Raphael doesn't see it coming.

Wow. Ten chapters already. I can't thank y'all enough for your continued support, it means a lot, also since it is the tenth chapter, thought I'd make it longer than usual but don't get used to it. Lol. I'll be back to around half this length again starting next chapter.

Hope you enjoy. :-)

Also, did all of you see the new turtle movie yet!? Don't wanna spoil anything if someone hasn't, but just go see it (even if it's just to see Raph being the sexy hunk of turtle he is - hubba, hubba...)! xoxo

The first thing Raphael became aware of was the fierce aching in every fiber and nerve ending in his exhausted body.

Shell protesting his positioning, he shifted in the soft leather and the sensation of warm fabric atop his form. Body much more comfortable and the lull of sleep continually pulling at his system; he was sorely tempted to accept its siren's song when a sudden closing of a door had him flinch and burnished gold eyes to reluctantly peel open. Blurry surroundings became clearer after only moments and as soon as they did, his heart stopped cold in his chest.

Instead of the bright, overtly saturated colors of the lair awaiting him, he was met with a much too plain white walls and brownish-gray furniture. A familiar apartment to be sure; all of a sudden, the previous nights events flooded his system with horrible realization of what must have occurred: waiting on her couch while April was making hot cocoa. He never recalled her entering the room with any cups; instead, just remembered staring at her ceiling before everything went black - it dawned on him that he'd indeed fallen asleep at her place...

Sitting up much too quickly in a panicked scramble, Raphael had to grasp onto the arm of the leather couch to avoid face-planting into her coffee table.

"Fuck!" he cursed loudly when the sudden jolt of action had his shoulder screaming at him with red-hot agony; the pain was so great he was surprised he didn't black-out.

"Oh my God! Raphael, are you okay!?" a frantic voice appearing at his side had him subconsciously cursing and pulling back away from it to only be met with April's concerned face. His eyes still bleary, he took her in for a second, noticing her attire of a dark green tank top, skinny jeans, and mustard-colored jacket draped over her arm; make-up meticulously applied and a light wave in her hair causing it to bounce with every move that she made. It was quite obvious by her appearance and wardrobe that she'd just been leaving or had returned from work.

Fuck, just how long had he been asleep?

"Aw, fuck, April - I-I didn't mean ta fall asleep here, I - Damn, what time is it? I-I need - w-wanna get -" Raph ranted, his words slurred and not making much sense as he made his way to a seated position and flinging the thick comforter off of him. The embarrassment causing his body to heat up and cheeks to flush a burgundy red. Quickly wiping a hand over his face, he cringed when he felt a bit of wetness on the side of his lips.

Shit! He'd been drooling!

"Raphael, it's okay..." April said, her hands reaching to touch his aching shoulder and he went silent. His tongue was tied as she touched his bandage checking for blood if he'd managed to pop a stitch in his recklessness, but after a moment, she seemed satisfied that he hadn't and pulled away. "Gotta be careful big guy. Don't want me fixing you up again, do you? I probably should get you a couple Tylenol though; that can't feel too good." she continued, brushing a finger lightly over his arm as she trailed it down from his shoulder down to his forearm where it came to rest.

Raphael watched it all take place before his wide golden eyes nervously meet hers, he couldn't help but stare at her when she smiled so easily at him. A hot cinder of shame rested uncomfortably in his stomach but he ignored it in lieu of giving her his full attention.

"Also, I don't mind if you sleep here once in awhile, Raph." she spoke seriously as she moved to sit next to him, "All that matters is that you got some rest. Heh, but I'm also glad you're awake too. You didn't seem to want to wake up this morning, sleepy-head." she giggled breathily, one of her hands reaching up to bop him lightly upon his flat nose playfully as her other continued ghosting her fingernails along his forearm and his scales prickled as a jolt of electricity went down his shell at the pleasant sensation. He tried to completely ignore her indications and adventures as to what exactly happened during this morning as she tried to awake him by changing the subject.

"W-What time is it?" he asked again while scratching uncomfortably at the back of his head. His stomach was feeling a bit ill all of a sudden; massive headache and pain echoing throughout his shoulder wasn't helping matters either.

"It's a little after 6. I got back from work about half an hour ago. Actually, I-I'm glad you were still here; thought you would have taken off if you woke up when if I was still at work." she replied with a sad shrug and his chest ached for a moment upon the conversation of his avoidance they had just last night, or rather this morning... When her smile returned, Raphael's heart calmed considerably at her melodious voice and constant touch, his shoulder's deflated and the pain echoing through his left one dulled. Her smile never faltered and as much as he loved her smile, he began to grow a little uncomfortable at how she was staring up at him. Growing self-aware that there very well could be something on his face, he opened his mouth to speak but flinched when her doorbell rang.

"Ooh! There's the pizza." April said without waiting for a reply, she relinquished her hold on him and left to answer the door.

Still shaky from his half-asleep state, Raphael lumbered to his feet to gather his belongings. He'd intruded enough and didn't want to ruin her dinner too; he'd already spend too many hours sleeping on her couch and further collapsing its springs and that was quite enough for one day...

When the brunette returned, there was almost a crackle of electricity in the air when she no doubt noticed his intent to leave. The massive terrapin was in the process of reaching for his sais when he peered back at her over the massive expanse of his shoulder and gave her a curious look; noticing she had at least four large pizzas perched awkwardly in her thin, delicate arms.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" she asked, not bothering to hide her obvious displeasure toward his actions in her voice.

Raph wouldn't lie, it fuckin' scared him.

"I-I better go. I shouldn't stay, I've got a lotta -" Raph tried to explain, hoping she wouldn't notice the drop of sweat on his forehead; April O'Neil could be just as scary as Sensei when she was mad. How exactly a 5' 4", 125 lb. woman without a lick of ninjitsu training could be so downright terrifying, Raphael would never know...

"Raph, you're not going anywhere until you have eaten something." April demanded, placing the pizzas down on her coffee room table before fisted hands went to rest on her flared hips as she stared at the obviously nervous terrapin.

"I'm not dat hungry, and da guys -" and it appeared as if the universe wasn't through messing with him for the second the words left his mouth, his stomach promptly let out a horrifically embarrassing loud growl. His face flushed at the noise and he remained adamant his heart did not skip a beat when April anger faded instantly; she didn't laugh or look at him strangely upon hearing the noise, just smiled, proudly displaying all her perfectly straight white teeth.

"...what was that about not being hungry?" she sing-songed, jutting out one of her hips slightly as she stared up at the terrapin who's only wish at this moment was that the floor would kindly swallow him whole.

"Um..." he grumbled, swallowing a sudden lump and praying his face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Exactly. Now sit your butt down and have a couple slices and then you're more than welcome to leave. Capiche?" April admonished, not even awaiting his answer as she began opening the boxes and suddenly, Raphael felt his appetite return with a vengeance upon smelling the alluring aroma of grease and cheese that he could never refuse.

Dammit, April sure knew how to get through to him... Glancing into the box and indeed seeing it was his favorite pizza that he didn't get to enjoy as often as he would have liked.

Still, none of this felt right considering what an unbelievable asshole he'd been these past few days. He didn't deserve any of this kindness...

"T-The guys, April, I better -" Raphael rambled, finding any excuse possible to leave at this point. He felt embarrassed enough already and having her here and being so beautiful was not what he was prepared to deal with right now. And fuck, his shoulder hurt so bad.

"Raph, they're fine. I already talked to them." she shrugged, heading to the kitchen to grab a few drinks and plates.

"You what?!" he asked horrified, following her almost absentmindedly.

"Yeah, they called me. They were worried about you when they couldn't get a hold of you - your phone must have been dead or something - anyway, they were wondering if I knew where you were and I told them you were at my place." April replied all while with her head was in the fridge, digging around to retrieve a couple cans of Coke. "They just said 'alright' and that was that... Oh, and I ran out of Orange Crush, is this okay?" she continued, presenting said cans to the tongue-tied terrapin.

"I-I...wait...W-What?" Raph sighed, arms that were gesturing wildly in his confusion fell limply to his sides.

April let out an epic sigh at his confusion and belligerent answer, closing the fridge door with a resounding whoosh before she deciding to answer him,"Raph, they're fine. After all, this isn't the first time you went AWOL on them and it by far won't be the last. Your dad and brothers don't care you were here; they don't even need you home right away! All they just wanted to know where you were. That's all. Now, come on, Big Guy! I think the Knick's playoff game is on tonight."

Raphael wordlessly followed after her as she continued to the living room and switching on the television to the basketball game. April left to go to the restroom as Raphael stood helplessly staring after her than back to the television and couch that still retained his imprint from his monumental weight and the wadded up comforter she'd draped over him as he slept. Every instinct told him to bail but he knew it was useless; not after everything she'd already done for him... Swallowing his pride, he plopped back down on the couch with a resounding sigh; all he could hope for now was to not make an ever bigger idiot out of himself tonight.

As April reappeared, she came bearing a few ibuprofen and placed them into his awaiting hand. After chugging them back with a long swig of coke, he muttered a quick "thanks" as the brunette handed him a paper plate.

Stomach still in knots, Raphael accepted it and waited until she'd grabbed a slice for herself before digging in for a couple. Before long, the awkwardness he'd felt at first faded, the caffeine from the soda kicking in and having food in his stomach was more calming on his nerves than he imagined (the pills dulling his pain contributed). The excitement from the game took over; before long, both were laughing and cheering for their hometown team and just enjoying the company and atmosphere being together entailed. They'd been friends for so long Raphael kept forgetting how easy it was to be near her and to just be himself around her. She was spirited, feisty and it became most evident when they'd watch sporting events together.

At first, he was a bit shocked by how much she enjoyed watching sports; she wasn't afraid to act like one of the guys and he swore it was one of the most endearing things about her. Catching a glance of her as she suddenly jumped excitedly to her feet and let out a cheer when their team scored, he found himself smiling like a fucking idiot.

This time he didn't care if she saw it; instead, he embraced it.

"Aw, fuck, how great would it be to be on the sidelines of one of these!?" Raph mused as the bell signaling half-time rung out. Eyes gravitating toward his plate; taking another bite of the now lukewarm slice. Shaking his head and boiling down his own feelings toward the lack of acceptance he'd been feeling his entire life. Not wanting to dwell on negative thoughts anymore tonight, his eyes lifted back to the television and to the half-time show that was going on as background noise.

"What are you talking about? Don't you and your brothers sneak into these games all the time?" April mused before taking a drink of her soda.

"Not since Mikey ruined it. We still haven't gotten around to findin' a new spot." he muttered between bites.

"Hmm, well, I dunno. I think watching the game from television is just as fun. Other than playing the game yourself of course." April replied.

"Play? Nah. Watchin' is better."

"Wait. You'd rather watch and not play? You're seven feet tall, ridiculously strong, and incredibly fast. You're basically made for it." April asked, mindlessly ripping apart a piece of pizza crust with her fingers and Raphael pretended her kind words didn't effect him as much as they did.

"Peh," the sputtered after swallowing another large bite, "Other than Mikey, my bros ain't into sports. Lame-o-nardo and Dork-a-tello are always in their own world doin' their own thing and Mikey cheats at every game we've ever played since we were kids. So, nah, ain't really worth it."

"What about with those guys? If given the chance, would you play with them?" April gestured to the athletes on television and Raphael had to keep from breaking out laughing.

"Heh. Like those puny humans would stand a chance! They can't take on a ninja, that would be plain unfair. So in this instance, I'd rather watch 'em duke it out."

"Really? Well, for me, I'd rather go one-on one and I think I could take you." April shrugged, popping a small piece of crust into her mouth and chewing it thoughtfully as she looked over at him.

Raph turned his eyes away from bright box to look at her for a second and mentally take in what she just said. "One-on-One? Against me? Yer kiddin', right, April?" Raph laughed, nudging her with his shoulder, surprising himself by how ballsy he found himself being with her tonight. "I got almost two feet on ya! Ya'd never even get the chance to dribble the ball!"

"Oh, is that a challenge?" April said, blue eyes boring into his and her perfect eyebrows raised awaiting his answer. Taking a long languid bite of the pizza crust in her hand as she did so.

"...Ya serious?" he asked after a moment when her face remained serious.

"What? Scared you might lose, Big Guy?" she replied with a wink and he swore he almost swallowed his tongue, but his face remained stoic and mood playful to try and not freak her out.

"Aw, hell no. You're on. Next time yer at the lair, I'll hang up the hoop and we'll go one-on-one. I'll just try not to step on ya." he replied with a shrug and April playfully pushed his arm.

"You smug ass!" she laughed, squealing a bit when he suddenly grabbed the rest of the crust from her hand, the bread dangling from between his fingers all while April stared at him in shock. "H-How dare you! Did you just steal that from me!?" April continued, the seriousness of her statement lost by how much laughter escaped during the duration of the sentence.

"That's the same thing I'll be doin' with the basketball." he spoke smugly before placing the bread between his teeth when he suddenly found her on top of him. Her arms strewn messily about his shoulders and he allowed her slight weight to push him on his shell down into the soft couch. She lay on her stomach atop his plastron, soft breasts pressing into the plates and feeling every curve and the heat radiating from her body was enough of a shock for him to allow what happened next.

The crust suspending from his lips, Raphael was silent as April crawled farther atop his plastron, fingers swiftly stealing back the crust from in-between his teeth.

"...maybe, but I'll be right there stealing it back..." she replied in a thick voice and raspy chuckle that turned his tongue into lead.

He didn't move when she gave him a haughty smirk before she placed the rebounded crust back into her mouth and ate it. He stared at her as she licked the excess crumbs off her fingers and made absolutely no move to climb off of him. He watched her mouth silently, her small pink tongue flicking out to wet her plump lips before her teeth enveloped the bottom one and all he could think about was what those lips might feel like upon his... Burnished gold eyes met hers again and his heart skipped upon seeing how open and just how blue they were...this whole time wondering if he had fallen asleep for this had to be a dream...

Raphael was welcomed into reality by April's breathy laughter.

After she swallowed the bread, she said, "You alright, Big Guy?" while playfully bopped him on the flat of his nose with a dainty finger and resting her hands upon his massive shoulders.

"Mm-hmm" he replied, brought out of his stupor to smile at her.

"So, how about this Friday? I get off of work early and we could probably have a game before you head out on patrol." she asked, fingers absentmindedly tracing his collarbones.

"S-sure." he responded, surprised his tongue still worked and brain hadn't imploded from the unbelievable events of what was currently happening to him.

"Hope it doesn't bother you that your brothers will be there to watch you get your ass handed to you." she laughed, the sound of her laughter and sensation of her warm breath on his face inadvertently causing Raphael's shell to tingle.

"Oh, you're on, O'Neil." he responded quickly, absorbing this new-found boldness both of them were having. The last thing he wanted was this moment to end.

Raphael's answer had a profound effect on her, a brilliant smile lighting up her face and he couldn't help but return it with one of his own.

The television fading into the background as she stared down at him, her magnificent loose hair tickling the sensitive area where his plastron met skin; her smile fell into a look of quiet contemplation as she gazed deep into his eyes. Raphael swallowed back a lump that formed as he watched her, his hands remaining firmly at his sides, not wanting to break whatever spell had fallen over them.

It was almost like a dream...

April's mouth opened as if to speak when her cell phone ringing caused her to suddenly sit up and maneuver herself off of him much to Raphael's dismay.

"Sorry, my boss was supposed to call!" she said by way of explanation as she crawled off of him.

His own thoughts fell to the wayside when April suddenly tripped on the edge of the rug and Raphael reached out to steady her. She sent him back a thankful look before quickly turning away to retrieve her phone from the bedroom. The terrapin was too busy trying to come to grips of what just happened to even notice how April's cheeks burned and she inwardly cursed her own clumsiness as she left to retrieve her phone.

The terrapin was instantly flung back into reality, his stomach feeling suddenly heavy as he sat up on the couch and half-way listened to her conversation with a person on the other line and the blaring television that seemed far too loud even with his pulse pounding in his ears. His heart was racing and he was questioning if that really just happened...

April returned a moment later, sitting down on the couch as Raph found himself glancing at her profile, her brows furrowed and biting nervously on one of her nails as she listened and responded to whoever she spoke with. Knowing she was distracted, his mind wandered, questioning the familiarity of his body's reactions to her; the tenseness in his shell and the constant thrumming of his frantic heart and pulse were intensified as he tried to digest her actions. She'd been touchy-feely before but never to the point of crawling on top of him; he supposed stealing her pizza crust had something to do with it but he was still unsure...it just all seemed so unreal...

So lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed her hanging up the phone, the only reason he noticed was the clack it made when she placed it back on the table.

A deep sigh left her throat as she flopped back into the couch and his own problems were forgotten at seeing the woman in such dismay.

"April, is somethin' wrong?" Raph asked.

"Ugh... I have to go in early tomorrow. Apparently, my boss wants a private meeting in regards to my latest promotion. God, I'm never going to get a day off again..." April groaned into her hands.

"That sucks."

"I blame myself; I mean, I asked for it. Wanting to be more than the froth for so long..." Raph hid his confusion at word as she continued, "Now, they've given me so much work, I can barely keep up and damn, they want me to be there at five in the morning! It's like torture sometimes." she replied with a shrug and tired smile in his direction.

There was silence for a moment before he spoke again. "Sorry. But um, heh... Well, it's gettin' kinda late and if ya have to be there early, I should get outta yer hair so ya can rest up for tomorrow." he chuckled, moving to stand to his wobbly legs.

"No, Raph, I didn't mean you have to leave! It's not even 9!"

"It's a'ight. I should head back to the lair before patrol starts anyway. Don't wanna get my ass chewed out by dad fer skippin' again." he shrugged, being sure to give her a reassuring smile as he began holstering his sais that still remained on her bookshelf.

"You sure? I don't want you feel like I'm kicking you out. You really don't have to go if you don't want to, Raph." April stated, standing to her feet and brushing back her hair as if only to give her hands something to do.

"Yer not. It's been fun. It's best I go grab a shower and stuff before we go on patrol." he explained, his hands awkwardly readjusting his pants as they stood facing each other not really sure what to say or do next. It seemed both were still thinking about what just spontaneously occurred.

"Oh, okay... T-Thanks for staying and humoring me by letting me play nurse for awhile, Raph - and you know, the pizza and basketball game was fun too." April spoke softly as she followed him to the kitchen window.

"No prob." he replied, still getting used to the idea of being back at her place after how he just fled those few days ago without much of an explanation. It was amazing how quickly they'd readjusted so naturally. He was about to open her window to head out when April suddenly spoke up again.

"Hey, wait, Raph. Why don't you take the rest of the untouched pizzas to the guys? I'd rather not have it around. It'll probably just end up going bad with hellish work schedule I have this week." April offered before leaving him alone in the kitchen as she retrieved the two untouched pizza boxes from the coffee table.

"You sure? You at least wanna keep a piece fer yourself?" he asked, turning back to look at her return to the kitchen; nervously readjusting his pants and the straps that made an X across his chest.

"Nah, I'm good. I'll just take the few extra slices from the other boxes to work." she replied with a smile, placing the two boxes into his arms.

"Hmph. Sure; we'll make sure it won't go to waste. Umm...anyway, thanks; ya know, fer the pizza and everythin'. I-I'll see ya later, April." he said standing awkwardly in front of the small window as she put the boxes into his arms. It must have been a really strange sight to see a seven foot muscular turtle holding pizza boxes in huge, scarred hands but it didn't seem to bother her; she just smiled unabashedly at him. With a nod of his head, Raphael turned around and faced the window leading to the outside world.

"Raph...Wait." she whispered when he was about to lift the glass pane.

"Hmm?" he mumbled curiously, brow ridges furrowed and task forgotten as he turned to look at the pretty reporter.

"Y-You have something on your face." she approached and spoke, close enough for him to take in the sweet scent of her hair and lingering floral perfume.

"Aw, shit..." Raph grumbled; first instinct was to panic, nearly dropping the pizzas to swipe a huge mitt furiously across his mug; during this moment of hopeless embarrassment on his part, the brunette's smile only widened. "Did I get it?" he continued, nervously pulling his hand away and looking at her in hopes of whatever attached itself to his face was now gone.

"Hmm... Nope! Missed it. Here, let me get it." she chimed and Raph was certain his heart imploded in his chest the second she reached up to grab at his shoulders. He was speechless as he silently allowed her to lower him down to her level; hoping his eyes weren't bugging out as much as he believed they were. Being eye-level with her was a bit daunting; he'd always seemed to be looking down at her from nearly every vantage point but not this time. Had her face always been so symmetrical? They stayed like this for only a moment yet it felt like a lifetime as his eyes scanned her face; from the crown of chocolate brown hair, big blue eyes, and the softest-looking dusty pink lips he'd ever seen.

God, she was so fuckin' beautiful...

Raphael prepared himself for the touch of her hand; for her to wipe whatever obstruction found itself on his skin. Waiting for the brush of her hand to wipe it away yet when her hands moved, they'd cupped his massive jaw instead. Remaining that way for a drawn out moment; the only further movement was a slight tremor on her part, the warmth of her flesh causing his own to pleasantly prickle and throat to tighten. His brow ridges furrowed for a fraction of a second and he was tempted to ask what she was doing when suddenly, he found himself blinking in realization as her face was quickly closing the distance to his own. About to flinch at whatever she had planned, they all went out the window when her big blue eyes slid closed, pink pouty lips pursed before pressing delicately upon his rugged cheek, the heat from her skin ghosting over the corner of his agape mouth.

It felt as if all time had stopped the second her mouth pressed upon his face, her hands cupping his massive jaw as she did do. His eyes had to be mere pinpricks at this point as he experienced that sweet mouth so lovingly procured upon his scaly flesh. It lasted only a fraction of a second but Raphael was certain that moment would stay with him as long as he lived. As she pulled away, he didn't move even as she brushed her thumb over his scarred lip and just smiled at him in what appeared to be anticipation. He though, was far too stunned to realize it; he was so enamored with just how easily she touched his marred flesh as if it were something to be admired rather than repelling.

"There...Got it." she whispered when he didn't respond for a long moment or make a further movement.

Her breath skirted over his face in the most wonderful way; the warmth of her smile igniting his heart aflame and Raphael wasn't exactly sure how he was still standing at this point, pushing himself up to full height even if his legs felt like green jelly underneath his massive weight.

"Thanks." he muttered and he was certain she'd ever know the depths of how he felt with just that one word. "..fer gettin' that..." he continued and he prayed the nervousness didn't show through in his voice even as his pulse and heartbeat hammered frantically in his ears.

"My pleasure." she whispered and Raphael was certain she could hear how fast and loud his heart thrummed in his chest, "I'll see you Friday for sure if not sooner. Please call or text me as soon as you get back to the lair - so I know you got there okay." she continued, stepping back to give him optimum room to go through the window. Once he was outside and stepping upon the fire escape, he turned around for a moment to take her in. Her arms crossed and leaning upon the windowsill and looking at him in a way he was certain he'd never fully understand.

"Sure. Uh...S-See ya." he spoke, the winter air causing his breath to come out in puffs of white smoke.

"Bye." she replied with a slight wave.

Raphael's glance remained on her for a drawn-out moment then was gone into the night.

The frigid wind skirting over his scales as he took off back to the lair. The cold didn't bother him for he swore he'd never been warmer; heart proudly roaring in his chest and soul soaring. He had never experienced anything like this before; an intense rapturous experience akin to fire igniting across every nerve-ending in his entire body. He couldn't help but let out a light chuckle as he ran the expanse of rooftops with childish ease and...giddiness?

April kissed him... Kissed!...HIM!

Never did he ever imagine just such a small token of affection such as a brush of her lips upon his cheek could make him feel like all was right with the world. How all doubt and anxiety stemming from the fact she'd never feel the same dissipated the very moment her mouth pressed upon his face.

The first ignition of hope alighting his heart with happiness he was certain he'd never felt before.

Not being able to help himself, he let out a loud "whoop" as he jumped across a particularly far rooftop, and he felt as if he was flying. Even with his six hundred pound frame, he felt as light as air as he made his way back to the lair with the rapture of knowing perhaps he wasn't so crazy after all...