Disclaimer: I don't own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Author's Note: Hey guys, I just want to apologise in advance if this chapter isn't quite up to par with the previous ones I've written. But try and keep in mind I was still pretty drugged up on pain meds when I wrote it (Also it has been a rather long time since I have seen the 2007 movie). Thanks everyone for wishing me a speedy recovery (DeviantArt since that was the only site I actually said anything on.), I know I probably should have waited until I was a hundred percent but I'd never forgive myself if I couldn't at least get something out before the end of the week. Also the original idea for this chapter was actually supposed to be for Mikey, I was inspired to do it while watching an old episode of TeenTitans (when Terra came back but didn't remember BeastBoy), but while I started to put pen to paper it actually ended up turning into a Nightwatcher err.. Raph story. Though if I had gone with my original idea I feel it would have been sadder and I think I have done quite a number on poor Mikey already with some of my chapters, so yeah. Anyway hope you guys enjoy and thanks again!

Nightwatcher (Raph) x Reader (2007)

They say give it time and everything will get better... or something of the like that sounds just as dumb. Well ya know what I think? Time is one of the most cruel of bitches. Leaning against the brick wall the hardened stare of the seasoned vigilante watched the busy streets. Why did fate have to shit on him, what the hell did he do that was so bad that he should deserve this? About a year ago his older brother had been sent off to go complete his training and ever since things have really taken a turn for the worse. Suddenly something caught his attention, his amber orbs trailing over one of the most beautiful faces he ever did see. Her (e/c) eyes sparkled in the bright lights emanating from the window, (h/l) (h/c) tresses being softly blown by the cool night air, her lovely voice echoing off the brick of the buildings in a warm greeting as she stepped into the restaurant. Watching the lighthearted scene play out in front of him he felt a sharp pain strike his chest. It hadn't taken long for his nightly duties to pull his mind away from his own pity party and once he stripped himself of his "heroic" gear he returned home. The terrible ache returning as he entered the lair.

Usually his other two brothers would heckle him about being out all night but as of late they tried to cut him a break, since both of them knew these past couple of months have been pretty hard on him. Trudging into his room and slumping onto his bed he let out an annoyed groan. Resting the back of his hand on his forehead he closed his eyes and tried to relax. "Seems like the more time that goes by the more people drift away," Raph growled to himself. Like it hadn't been enough that his big brother went away but now both Donnie and Mikey are so swept up in their "normal" jobs they hardly have time for anything else. "Normal, pft more like soul sucking I say." He complained to the dark of his room. Then of course... there is what happened three months ago. He continually tries to convince himself that he is making the right decision, that it's what is best. "Bah! We're mutants! Fightin crimes what we do!" He barked throwing himself into a sitting position, desperately trying to keep his mind off of it. But much like many other lonely nights, he can't fight away the memories and the guilt.

~ Flash Back ~

Breaking the unwelcome silence of the lair was rhythmic footsteps, a chipper song bouncing off the walls while the (h/c) haired girl entered carrying a few pizzas as she danced toward the table. "Hey guys, I brought dinner!" You called out turning the music blaring from your small speaker down. "(Y/n)! Dudette is back!" Mikey exclaimed rushing over giving you a quick hug and grabbing a slice of pizza, before carting a box with him back to the couch. "Good evening, how are things going?" Donnie asked coming from his lab, the way he cleaned off his hands told you he'd been tinkering just before you arrived. "Eh can't complain," you shrugged with a soft smile. Truth of it though is you could, Leonardo had gone to Central America to train and Splinter has since forbade the others from continuing their vigilante work until his return, which in all has really cut into you being able to them... Well that, and your own job. Still, sitting around and moping wasn't going to help, or that's how most of you felt anyway.

The loud sound of the garage door being thrown open turned your attention to the hothead turtle entering. Using an old rag to try and wipe off the oil staining his green three fingered hands as he headed for the kitchen. "Hey Raph, long time no see." You smiled and he grunted a response as he passed by. For a moment your expression fell, you tried not to his distance to heart, especially since he was being like this with everyone, even Casey Jones his best friend! He would never admit it, but you knew he missed having Leo around telling him what to do, nagging, arguing and scolding him, in fact he'd become rather dependent on it. Watching as he piled a few slices of pizza on a plate and retrieving a soda you waited a few moments before following him into the garage. Entering you found him sitting in front of his motorcycle tearing into his food as he looked over his handiwork. Clearing your throat to alert him of your presence you slowly approached. "And what do you want?" He asked before taking a swig of his drink. "Just to see you," you answered sitting behind him and leaning your back against his carapace. Scoffing he fought to force the blush away. He always swore to himself that he'd never admit just how much he loved your company, especially since he'd never hear the end of it from his brothers.

~ Fast forward to three months ago ~

It wasn't very surprising to find that Raphael was the Nightwatcher, really his costume does little to defend his identity... or at least from anyone who is really close to him, but you weren't sure what you were expecting the night he saved you from what surely would have been a violent "mugging". "How'd you know it was me?"" He asked still taken aback by your identifying him. "Well I'm certain I know you well enough to point you out of a crowd, also... I've been rescued enough by you and your brothers to know just how you fight." You said looking into the dark visor of that mask. That night you both knew nothing would ever be the same, how ever neither of you could have predicted the severity of the consequences. Everything seemed to go in slow motion yet it all happened so fast, he should have seen this coming but he got careless. After that close incident you'd become his number one priority, your safety came above all else, he'd never forgive himself if he ever let anything happen to you. Yet here you both were, glass flying, the smell of burnt rubber assaulting your nostrils and the ungodly screech filling the air. Going from another rescue to everything spiraling out of control, damn. The initial impact hadn't effected him, he was accustomed to much worse, an occupational hazard really.

Fending off all those goons? Piece of cake. No, it was turning to find you tangled in the wreck. How was he going to explain this to his family? He couldn't tell them he'd disobeyed their father, but you were in need of help. Rushing to your side he quickly pulled you from the trashed cycle, laying you a few feet away he gently removed his old helmet from your head. Blood was trickling down the side of your face matting your already messy (h/c) hair, unconscious you lay limp as he checked over you. How could he? This was all his fault, someone must have found out... seen him watching over you, he put you in danger and now here you were bleeding out. The sound of sirens pulled his thoughts away from his failure, he couldn't believe that he actually thought about leaving you behind, but the ambulance would be properly equipped and able to help you. His brothers would agree. Watching as the emergency vehicle ushered you to safety he cursed himself. Taking a few swings at the brick wall and roaring in agony.

~ Present ~

His hatred of himself and his guilt only worsened as time went on, because he still hadn't learned his lesson. Still he followed you. He watched as you recovered in the hospital, when April and Casey picked you up then taking you home. All of them eagerly waiting for you to return to the lair. But you never would. The immense guilt and disbelief he felt after hearing of your condition. You had amnesia, you barely remembered April and Casey... Raph and his brothers never existed. Yet he watched. Watching over you as you tried to rebuild your life. Clearly wandering about in a daze, seeming to rack your brain to figure out just what was missing. There had been many times he wanted to approach you, to try and jar a memory of your past together. But his guilt bound him from doing so. The old motorcycle helmet with a large dent and cracked visor still haunts his nightmares. Knowing full well the dangers he puts you in by still doing so, he continues to keep a vigil over you. Selfish as it is he just can't bring himself to let you go, and he hates himself for it. "It's for her own good. She's better off this way. As long as she is happy." These phrases he has repeated to himself so many times yet he still has a hard time truly believing that he really feels that way. "If you truly love something you must let it go..." Another damn cliche thing he'd tell himself as he followed you around, continuing to be... ever watchful.

Thanks for reading and please do leave a comment! Hope you enjoyed my reader insert and lots of love to you all!