~ I know, I'm bad :o) Starting another fic when I got sequels to work on and another in progress. What can I say my brain goes so fast sometimes I have a hard time keeping up. I think I will continue this one but this will be a slow progressor. Enjoy!
Raphael looked around the bar, and turned his collar up before sitting at the counter. Looking around, Raphael noticed as usual it was dark, and not very smoky. That's what Raphael liked about the place. Even though it was permitted, people just didn't seem to smoke here and it was kept dark. What Raphael liked most about this place though, was that, they never asked for his ID. He didn't come here to get drunk and pass out like some people do. Raphael liked to have an occasional drink or shot of something after he got into an argument with one of his brothers, mostly Leonardo.
At first it was only an every blue moon occasion, but from there the fights grew as well as the bar visits. Then he started to stay longer. The fights, well, they were really nothing big. By the time Raphael went home, he couldn't even remember what the blow up was about. Neither could Leonardo.
Up on a stage, set up in a corner, a girl drunk to the point where she seemed ready to pass out, was up there singing a song off tune. On every pitch and squeak, Raphael would hike his shoulders up and look towards the girl in annoyance. Raphael sighed and ordered something a little stronger and sat in his corner. If he could find another place like this, with out the karaoke, he would go there. But all the other places he's seen were bright and loud and crowded. It was never very full here. Raphael looked up at the DJ as the girl stepped off the stage.
"Thank goodness," Raphael muttered under his breath.
"Well everyone that was Carrie, everyone give her a round of applause," There was scattered clapping, most of it coming from Carrie who was slouched over a table. "Now you have another song by moi, unless there is someone else who wants to put in a song to sing." No one got up so the DJ smiled and went to the microphone. As she started to sing Raphael smiled and tossed some money on the counter for his drink. At least the DJ could carry a tune. Stepping out, it was really musty for a June night. No clouds filled the sky which would have given a perfect opportunity to stargaze, if it wasn't for all the city lights.
The path home led Raphael passed April's apartment. He paused seeing that her light was on and Raphael could see her picking something up from a table. Casey came up behind her putting his arms around April making her jump. She turned and smiled at Casey, circling his neck with her arms. Casey reached behind her and closed the blinds. With a small smile on Raphael's face he continued the rest of the walk home, thinking of the only thing he surmised they must be doing.
Central park to the left, grabbed his attention as a pair of kids who looked like rejects from the eighties ran in at top speed. The voice of a man could be heard, who was chasing the kids as he got closer. Raphael turned in time to see the man before he got knocked over, his hat flying off. The man got up and went over to Raphael to help him up.
"Oh, I'm so sorry sir, those kids just stole…" He paused when he got a good look at Raphael's face. "Oh my goodness, what are you?" Raphael frowned at the man before grabbing his hat and putting it back on. He was about ready to go after those kids to get whatever they took from this man.
"Geez, this city has even more weirder freaks than I thought," the man said. Raphael paused mid-step and looked at the guy in the face.
"Freak," Raphael said, his voice dangerously low. Hands balled into fist Raphael fumed and counted to ten while the man looked ready to pee his pants.
"Hey, I'm sorry," He stammered. "Foot in the mouth syndrome…"
"Go," was all Raphael said. The guy scampered off a different direction than the kids went. Still fuming a little Raphael turned and lifted the man-hole cover climbing down the ladder. Freak. That's all his brothers were to that man and the entire world pretty much. How he hated that word, freak. The thoughts processed in his mind over and over until Raphael just turned and hit the sewer wall with a yell that echoed for miles it seemed. Feeling a little better, Raphael took his fist back seeing it was cut slightly. Ignoring that, he put it in his pocket and continued the rest of the walk home.
Maybe one day, besides April and Casey there might be another human who could understand him for who he was, and not worry about his outward appearance. Some one would be able to welcome him and his family with open arms. At the door to the lair, Raphael paused before going in. He looked at the door and sighed once more. Going in his thoughts were, if someday does ever happen, I hope it's soon.