Acceptable Risk

Tough Love

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, neither characters nor anything pertaining to the franchise. I do own a cat though, so I have that going for me which is nice.

Author's Note: So I've decided to write some shorts (some might not be so short, some might be really short) from the perspective of April/Raph. Originally for the 2012 series Raph was supposed to be in love with April, not Donnie. Since the series presents him as a guy who can't really be honest with his feelings I figured that Raph would be the ultimate tsundere type guy.

Also I'm on tumblr starsiasestra#tumblr#com (#=.). Come follow me if you like. I'm a big turtles fan and sometimes post extra stuff there

This takes place after The Kraang Conspiracy. Raph goes complete tsundere and shows his affection in the only way he knows how. Hopefully April will survive.

"Kyaaaa," Grabbing Mikey by the wrist, April pulled with all her might.

The young turtle allowed the action, rolling over her back to land on the mats with an exaggerated thump. He moaned dramatically from the floor, slinging an arm over his eyes.

"Don't be so rough on me," Moving his arm Mikey glanced up at her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm delicate."

April huffed and crossed her arms, though a small twitched at her mouth.

"Ya right, like you guys aren't always going easy on me."

The four turtles collectively winced, the last time April had gotten in a mood like this she'd broken rank and gotten herself snatched by the Kraang. The thought of her strapped to that table still gave Raph nightmares.

"April," Leo lay a hand on her arm; it was best to nip these things in the bud, "it's not that we don't think you can handle yourself but you're still pretty new at this. You need to learn the form first then work on strength."

"My sons are correct," Splinter said sedately as he entered the dojo. He came to a stop in front of the red-head, staring down at her with a kind smile. "A subtle knife is far more dangerous than a blunt instrument in the hands of a true ninja. Strength comes with time but control takes much practice."

"Or you could be like Raph and just try to pummel everything into submission." Donnie sent a glare at his brother, rubbing his shoulder. Raph had been extra rough with him today.

"Hey," Raph snapped, his cheek flushing, "I can control myself. You're just a wimp."

"Oh really," Donnie drew himself up to full height, making Mikey groan and Leo sigh. This was going to be a long one.

"Yamete," Splinter held up a hand, halting the argument, "I believe that is enough for today. Michelangelo, Leonardo, and April may be excused. Donatello and Raphael I believe that you require some time to meditate."

With a whoop of excitement Mikey was on his feet and cart wheeling out the door. Leo rolled his eyes and followed at more of a sedate pace, smirking at Raph and Donnie as he passed.

Last to leave was April, an unhappy frown still on her face. Despite what everyone said she still felt like she wasn't being taken seriously.

Making a slit second decision, Raph caught her by the elbow as she passed. When she turned to face him though, Raph felt a tight jolt in his chest. Her wide blue eyes were focused completely on him. The distance between the two was close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body on his skin.

They stood in silence for a minute, a curious look of April's face and a dazed one on Raph's. Realizing where he was and what he looked like Raph cleared his throat and tried to look nonchalant.

"Don't…don't worry about those guys." Raph managed to stammer out. Comforting people really wasn't his forte but for April he'd give it a shot. "You're doing great."

A smile stretched across April's face and the tension in her shoulders relaxed. She liked the simple way he seemed to view the world. Even though she could tell he was uncomfortable his words rung with a confidence that what he was saying was true.

"Thanks Raph," She said gratefully.

Trying to fend off a rather embarrassing blush, Raph felt his stomach flip treacherously. They were so close. She was staring up at him with those eyes of hers and he just wanted…wanted.

He just wanted. Pure and simple.

Those stupid movies that Mikey was always making them watch suddenly popped into his head. A boy and a girl standing together, having a moment. It was at this point that the boy would lean down and kiss the girl. Then sappy music would start to play and the screen would go dark.

The butterflies that taken up residence in Raph's stomach since he'd first laid eyes on April, had decided that they too wanted to be ninjas. It was all he could do to keep from either throwing up or passing out.

Then, reality hit like a bucket of ice water. It came in the form of a hand, his hand, which was still holding her arm. The contrast was so obvious it was almost comical. His large, blunt, oversized fingers wrapped around the delicate peach of her skin. Skin that was soft like silk, so unlike his own, which was tough and leathery.

Unconsciously he jerked back, dropping her arm like a hot brick.

"So ya, don't worry about it," He managed to get the words out without his voice shaking too obviously. "Soon you'll be brawling with the rest of us."

"And then I'll have to be the one going easy on you guy."

A small chuckle worked its way out and April soon followed. Within minutes the two were back in their comfort zone, laughing at each other's jokes that weren't actually that funny. It was nice to see April's cheerful snark back though. Being mopey and depressed didn't suit her.

Eventually April got a hold of herself. Wiping a tear from her eye she tried to regain her breath.

"Seriously Raph," She said, still panting slightly, "thanks."

Raph knew he should do something. Something to reassure her, something to give her comfort. That's what friends did right?

If he were Mikey or even Donnie he would have hugged her. Mikey's hugs were like a tornado, with all the joy and excitement that filled him, Donnie hugged in that awkward gentle way that was all angles and gangly limbs. Leo would put a hand on her shoulder, with that proud Leader-look he'd mastered somewhere along the lines. Raph though…

Raph was at a loss.

Then it came to him. As natural as breathing. He wasn't cheery like Mikey, he wasn't gentle like Donnie, and he wasn't a leader like Leo. Raph was all brawn and he knew it.

Closing his hand, his freakish, strange, different, hand, and punched the girl easily in the shoulder. It wasn't soft because, hey, he didn't pull punches. Still, the smile left her face and with a tiny wave April was out the door.

A small sound, suspiciously like a choked chuckle, caused Raph to stiffen. He'd forgotten, as he was in his own little world with April, that they weren't actually alone in the world. Or even in the room.

The look on Donnie's face was so full of unholy glee that Raph was tempted to punch him right there and then. He was staring like every wish he'd ever made had come true all at once, and at the same time he'd gotten a puppy, and a super computer, and a rocket to the moon. Beside his stood Mater Splinter, his furry face was a picture of serenity.

"Shut up Donnie," Raph warned, he could feel the tell tale heat spreading over his body.

"But Raph," Donnie's voice was oily and innocent. "I didn't say anything."

"Shut UP Donnie."

The heat was spreading, down his face and neck and out to pretty much every part of his body. Heck even his shell was probably red.

"It really isn't anything to be ASHAMED of," Donnie could see the danger, that Raph was teetering on an edge, but this was too great an opportunity to miss. "I mean, lots of guys turn into stammering idiots when they talk to girl they like."

"Donnie…" The word came out more of a growl, pressed between clenched teeth.

"Donatello," Splinter's words came out as a gentle admonishment, "it is not kind to tease your brother. He is new to matters of the heart and he is not the first man to make a fool of himself over a pretty girl."

The words were said in a serious tone but both Raph and Donnie could see the knowing smile on his face. The anger drained from Raph's form leaving him limp and grumpy.

"Sensei…" Raph's voice was no longer stiff with rage; instead an almost-whine took its place.

With his anger burned out, all that was left was embarrassment. Turning on his heel Raph fled the dojo, only to hear his father's words floating along behind him. His amusement was clear in every syllable.

"Make good choices my son."

…

A few weeks later April left the dojo, rubbing her shoulder and wincing.

"Hey sis," Mikey leapt from behind, swinging an arm around her shoulders in a half-hug.

Even his half-hugs were jarring though and April let out a whimper. Immediately Mikey loosened his hold, guilt and concern warring on his normally cheery face.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," April managed a small smile despite her pain, "just a little sore."

"Really? I didn't think today's lesson was that difficult." Seeing April's grimace of pain, Donnie made his way over. "Did you pull something? If you're hurt you should let me check it out."

Gently April fended off the two concerned turtles.

"It wasn't training." April's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she trailed off. "Raph…"

"Did Raph hurt you?" Appearing out of nowhere Leo shoved his way in. "Sometimes during training he isn't always as careful as he should be. I can talk to him if you want."

Great now Leo was involved. April wanted to bury her head in her hands, or in the ground. While it was nice that they were so concerned about her, they were completely misinterpreting the problem.

It was true, training hadn't been bad. She'd gotten used to the aches and bruises that followed, and more often than not they felt kind of good. Like medals of honor.

No this pain was different.

Lately Raph had been more physical than usual. Everytime she did something, and even when she didn't, he seemed to feel the need to hit her.

A punch in the shoulder for taking out some Kraang bots by herself, a rough bump with the hard part of his shell when she'd made homemade pizza for them last week, a shove to the shoulder when they were joking around watching bad action films. Such occasions had happened before but they had just seemed to multiply.

It wasn't like he was being mean or trying to hurt her, April knew that for sure, but his rough-housing had gotten a little extra rough recently.

It was just his way of showing affection but man was he strong. It was like having a big puppy that didn't know it's own strength. Still, she wasn't about to complain. She'd wanted them to stop treating her like a china doll and she was getting her wish.

But seriously ow.

"Never mind," April said shaking her head. There was definitely no need to get the others involved. "I'm just tired. Do you mind if I take my shower first?"

She was met with a chorus of agreement, and with a sigh of relief she wandered off to find a towel and a change of clothes.

"I wonder what that was about." Leo muttered as soon as she was out of sight. An equally confused Mikey nodded in agreement.

Donnie, on the other hand, had a knowing grin on his face.

"Well, you know what they say," he said casually. "Love hurts."

Without another word he turned and walked away, leaving his befuddled brothers behind to try to work out his cryptic words. He was going to need to finish up that bruise lotion he'd been working on and fast. If Raph kept this up then April was going to be one big bruise by the end of the month.

Donnie wasn't about to tell his brothers about what he'd witnessed. Some secrets were meant to be kept.

Plus it was really good blackmail.

So the lovely GlowingGreenEyes were discussing how Raph would show affection. Donnie and Mikey are pretty free with their hugs, especially in the show. It's kind of a game with Apritello shippers to find the hugs that take place in the background. Raph, I don't think would be a big hugger. He'd be more likely to slug someone in the shoulder. So I figured physical shows of affection would revolve around that. Unfortunately he probably wouldn't check his strength. Plus, unlike his brothers, April doesn't have a lovely hard shell to protect her. Also, Troll-Splinter. I love in the show how he just takes so much joy in messing with his kids. Well, that's all I have to say for today. If you like it let me know. I love the reviews and I hope you all have a great day.