Valentine had heard him get up. Of course she had, she heard everything. It wasn't the actual sound, it was like the vibrations actually. The floor was an unusually great conductor for it. She always kept an eye on her sisters, no matter where they were, and even on this particular night, she had opened her eyes to make sure everything was alright in the Land of Nexus. Clarissa and Leo were snuggled together, and Val didn't know what she was going to be able to do about that. Melody was curled into a ball by the dying fire, shivering as a cold front swept into their little hidey hole. Mikey was tossing and turning, rolling from his shell to his stomach and all the while making the most obnoxious snoring on the planet. Don was lying against the cave wall, bo staff by his side, just in case. But Raph...he was struggling to his feet, and his footfalls sent a soft ripple of vibrations out, letting Valentine know easily.
Hey, some people use their ears, others us their 6th sense.
Val had been lying by the wall, able to see everyone if she opened her eyes...including Raph. She steeled her heart in a cage as she thought about him...about what she'd said...She waited a few minutes for Raph to come back, and he never did. Silently, she climbed to her feet and left the cave. Their little cavern was encompassed by fields of green. Grassy knolls spread out around them, little hills everywhere. At the top of one little hill sat Raph, lying out on the grass, staring up at the dark sky. It is pretty. Val thought absently, looking up at a kaleidoscope of twinkling stars. She came up behind him, not bothering to hide, she knew he'd hear her. The stars blinked and twinkled up above, always so bright and beautiful, and Val took courage from it. She folded herself down to his level, and he suspiciously sat up next to her.
"What do you want?" He asked her quietly, the words so similar to the ones she'd demanded of him only a night before. Valentine shrugged, looking up at the stars. She could feel his eyes on her as she looked up.
"The stars are pretty, aren't they?" She said, completely ignoring his question. "No one really knows that much about, besides the fact they're balls of gases far away from here." She smiled, a small chuckle coming out. "God makes some crazy things, doesn't he?" She commented, turning towards the silent turtle beside her. "Something that should be so easy to understand, it never is. God makes sure everything is unique in it's own little way." She sighed, turning to look towards the moon high up in the sky. Raph didn't say a thing, and Valentine's green eyes flickered to the grassy ground beneath her. She wasn't sure what she should do...
"So?" Raph asked quietly.
"Being who I am...I've never had it easy. You of all people would understand that. It's easier to keep people away and avoid getting hurt. But the thing is..." Valentine's voice trailed off. All sorts of things swirled through her head. All the things she could've done, actions that spoke larger than words, the words...She sighed, and looked at him quietly, then her eyes lowered. What could she say? That she was sorry? That she had to say it? That hate was the best protection? "Well, it's easier not caring." She sighed. The two looked up at the stars, the sound of crickets chirping around them.
The two sat there quietly, not saying anything. Valentine knew she had to say something, anything, especially after Raph had poured out his heart to her. The only thing, Val was never good at spilling her guts. The stars sparkled above them, shimmery and bright. They offered quiet comfort to the two, while never really saying a thing. Val took a deep breath, and glanced at him. What could you say to the guy who had told you he liked you, and then reject him immediately? What could you tell the guy you had hurt?
Actions always speak louder than words.
The words whispered in her mind, calmly, almost with an air of hope. What could she do? Leaning over, she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I didn't mean it." She whispered, closing her eyes. Startled, he pulled away, and Valentine opened her eyes, ready to pull up every barrier that she had. Her shoulders slumped forward, almost defensively, as she waited for him to say something.
"What?" He asked agape.
"I didn't mean it." She repeated, squeezing her eyes shut. She was curling in on herself, ready for the ridicule. She had basically broken his heart, and was now only saying she didn't mean it? He had every right to condemn her. She had said the words she hated herself, she deserved for it to come back and bite her.
"Open your eyes." He said, and Val only squeezed them tighter. "Open your eyes." He repeated, more forcefully. Hesitantly, but obediently, her green eyes opened fearfully. He was looking at her in amazement, and her fear only decreased to worry and paralyzing anguish. "Did you mean that?" He asked, his gruff exterior down, once again vulnerable. He was exposed, and Valentine felt terrible. He was defenseless before her, and she always kept her guard up. She forced all feeling away to keep herself safe, but at the same time she was locked away from the world. C.S. Lewis once said, 'Love is being vulnerable.', and here Raph was, practically embodying that quote, and here she was, afraid of just saying the words. Her mom always told her, 'Words spoken are like eggs once broken', once they were out, they could never be taken back. Not like she had ever been good with tact...
Steeling herself, she lowered her guard and touched his hand, folding hers in his, and then took the leap. She leaned over again, and kissed him.
