hat's how it all started.

We would just catch each other on an off guard moment, mostly on an early evening when the sky turned dark and it was alright for him to sneak around. In the space of a month he visited 21 nights out of the 30, and that then turned one month into an eventual 3; all of which he visited just as often and just as near. Just casual- sometimes one drink, some times two. We ate together, watched TV…it was comfortable- nice. And we would talk, laugh- he just seemed to turn up at the right time and I took the opportunity to ease drop when ever I could on his conversations with Casey.

I felt like he purposefully would phone Casey; like a calling card. I could hear his gruff accent to him.

"Jus lettin' ya know I'm swinging east tonight if ya wanna do a run out"

I knew it was his way of letting me know he was about. And I would let him know by leaving a beer on my patio table and keeping my balcony door off the lock. He would come barrelling in most nights and I would just roll my eyes, throwing him the TV remote or food or another drink depending on what I was doing.

It felt comfortable and safe to be around him. And I loved his company more than I ever could tell.

There was a chemistry between us; flames there when we talked really thoroughly enjoying each others company.

We hadn't spoken much into our families, if he had one at all; but I knew he wasn't alone. He would use words like 'us' and 'we', I never pushed him on it though. I knew he needed to be as secretive around me as I was around Casey. It didn't matter; I didn't care if he was one of ten thousand.

It was only him.

I would mention Casey often in replace of his secrets, but because of our mutual friendship, I never needed to explain my family life to him. Casey never got suspicious; and sneaking around thrilled me for impossible reasons.

We would go on into the night with our playful chat, just hanging around and watch TV for a few hours before he had to disappear.

I missed him as soon as he left.

I got used to calling him my 'comfortable stalker' and he would grin at it. A grin which had me grinning ten times as wide as he was. He would often use pet names for me; most of them full of banter like 'princess' and 'girly'. But there were times when he spoke so earnestly, the growl in his throat would hum and his voice would soften into the most beautiful tone. It was hard to ignore the chemistry going on between us…

I swallowed and turned back to Raph who was currently stretched out on the sofa; his arm muscles about the same width as my waist, as he lounged lazily, with one foot on my wooden coffee table and an arm the back of my couch. His eyes on my TV screen.

"No, nope- sorry; there's no way I could ever watch that trash" I scrunched my face up in phased pain as he looked to me with another grumble. I had thrown him the remote a few minutes ago and he had flicked through the two channels before settling on some sort of robot fighting show.

Raphael turned to look at me with a disgusted expression.

"Oh come on princess; it can't all be girly shit in here"

"Since when have I ever made you watch 'girly shit?'" I laughed at him as he turned his red clad face to me with a pointed look. My mouth dropped open once in shock.

"For your information Raphael; I don't watch girly trash- that's my idea of hell…I prefer-thrillers…horrors even if they scare the shit outta me…" I giggled lowly as he smirked.

"Come on, give this one shot- if ya hate it, I'll buy you more beer" he said with a shrug. I laughed twice, looking into his amber eyes as he turned his head towards me.

"You owe me more beer any way, you've drank like twenty five cases these past months!" I chuckled. He grinned at me leaning over towards me as he smiled with his oddly human teeth.

"I provide ya wid a service and you pay me wid beer"

"Oh and what service would that be?" I crossed my arms as he took another sip. He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"body guard" he shrugged. My face fell for a moment until I burst out laughing at his comment. I carried on rolling with laughter as he turned to look at me with slight annoyance.

"What? I protect ya; I watch ya house"

"No you watch my house because you are in my house and you are in my house because I have beer and food. You're more a raccoon that a turtle- you know that right?"

"Yeah yeah princess, whateva"

"Annndd you say you're protecting me, I haven't needed your protecting since the first night we met- so technically, I have been taking care of myself…you've just been coming back" I said with a raise of pride in my voice. I leaned back into my cushions with a smugness.

His fingers brushed my back in the lightest of way as I realised I was leaning on his arm. He didn't seem to register it and didn't seem to be bothered by it, as his delighted face was still smirking at me with his bright eyes mischievously twinkling.

I hated to admit how much I loved this, how much I enjoyed playing with him and winding him up; and I could tell, from his features and the atmosphere that settled between us,

He was on the same wave length as I was.

"Why do ya think you 'avent had any problems?" he gestured to himself triumphantly. I looked to him with mock shock.

"You mean to tell me you've been following me everywhere I go?! Even in the supermarket? I knew that was you in the checked coat that one time!" I giggled at my sarcasm as he shook his head with a playful growl. I touched his arm once in a grateful innocent way.

"I appreciate your work…stalker"

"Good…was t'hinkin' about quittin' for a minute" he chugged his drink finishing it down as he stood to go put it in the kitchen.

"Ya wan' a whisky?" he asked nodding to my drink.

It thrilled me that he had asked. It thrilled me he felt comfortable enough to ask. It thrilled me that he knew my little flat well enough to search for food and drink without asking.

I smiled to him as I handed him my empty glass over.

Our fingers brushed as he took the little cup in his giant hand, warming me more than I cared to admit. I snuggled down into the sofa as he walked into the kitchen comfortably, almost giggling at how alike an old married couple we were.

I sighed softly, constantly keeping my smile in place as I watched the TV for the first time that evening. It was as I thought it would be; boyish and loud, and I rolled my eyes and found myself looking down after a few more minutes.

Looking down, I started to feel the small ache in my neck from leaning over text books all day. I took a moment to stretch my chest out in front, leaning into the sofa as I clicked my body a few times over. I sat further up and clicked my neck, rubbing it in my fingers as gritted my teeth.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I worked on a knot in between my shoulder and neck.

I hadn't even heard his feet coming into the room, but the next thing I knew, he was sat beside me taking up ¾ of the small couch again putting my glass down in front of me.

"Whatcha done?" he asked lowly as I looked up at him.

"Oh nothing, nothing…it's what I get for studying all afternoon, leaning over a book messes you up" I said.

He watched me quietly for a few more minutes; thoughtful as he seemed to study my body.

For once I felt anxious; I wasn't the most…tightest bodied female in the world- I was bigger, broader and I hadn't cared about it till I felt his eyes roam on me.

It was only when he growled at me again did the heat stop rising to my cheeks.

"Well doin' that's only gonna make it worse!" he said crossly. I turned my head to look at him in confusion. He seemed to be weighing something up as he clicked his teeth and tutted at me twice.

I had noticed his clicking before; it was more an animal trait that human; and it made him so much cuter and innocent…

"What?" I giggled the word out as he pursed his lips and crossed his eye brows at me.

"C'mere" he mumbled out as I looked to him. He motioned for me to come closer to him. I stayed frozen as he growled and sighed sharp.

"sit 'ere" he said again a little more forceful as I felt his hand that rested on my back, push me gently.

I moved, obeying his rules as I moved to sit down on the floor in front of him. He moved too- shuffling into the centre of the sofa and parting his legs so I could rest in between them; each of his giant feet beside my hips as I sat still.

"Put yer elbows on ma knees" he told me and I found my self responding to his words instantly. I rested nervously for the first time as my elbows touched down on his padded knees, my heart hammered and my stomach twisted.

"Don't move" he told me in a voice even softer than I was used to. My stomach pooled again; this time travelling down in between my legs. I blushed crazily, thanking god he couldn't see my face

That's when I felt his hands touch my neck, my baggy shirt which fell off one of my shoulders sprang as far down my arm as possible. He squeezed my skin there in the most delicious soft way.

I sighed out deeply, feeling my eyes shut upon contact and allowing my head to lull into his hand on his command.

A bounce of pleasure travelled down my spine and hit my core.

He did it again slowly pulling so smoothly at the knots and crooks as he squeezed me twice, moving my head from side to side.

I was completely under his spell with the smallest of two touches. My heart skipped about five thousand beats as my breathing doubled in long wispy breaths. His fingers moved again; those giant hands now gripped the top of my shoulders lightly; his warm strong thumbs rubbed at my back in circles.

I bit my lip hard containing my moan.

I couldn't do that; no way could I do that in front of him.

He would die.

I would die.

This was nothing; just a friend helping another friend out.

It was innocent- completely and utterly-

And then one of his fingers brushed my hair line as Goosebumps fluttered all over my skin.

And I moaned; brokenly, wistfully. Sensually.

I felt myself melting into the floor beneath me and the rest of my body into his arms as he supported me with the movements of his fingers. He carried on his work, his hand now lightly brushing my hairline with a few slow sensual flicks of his long finger.

I felt like I was floating. My mouth constantly open and my eyes constantly shut. He moved me softly, lulling my body perfectly into his control as he massaged my shoulders and neckline.

I could feel another moan building, and something else entirely. He pushed my head down towards my chest as his fingers laced onto my skull softly, rolling them throughout my hair.

I moaned again, my shoulders slumping into goo as he continued to work patterns and squeezes at my body.

I was floating high away, the TV noise droned out and all I could hear was the movement of his hands in my hair and the soft long breathes he took out of his nostrils.

My hands that hung loosely over his knees soon found his calves, as subconsciously and in feather touches I placed them on him gently.

The feeling of his scaled skin added to my experience.

And then all too soon he stopped; his hands retracted from my hair and I could hear him leaning back.

I could have cried. I didn't want to move.

I swallowed the lump in my throat only to realise I had dribbled down my chin slightly at my open mouth. I clenched my teeth together shut tight and opened my eyes in shock.

"Ow's that?" he asked quietly after a short while.

I had no idea how to respond.

Should I tell him that it was the best experience of my life?

Or should I just jump on him and ask him for more?

I sat up straighter and widened my eyes.

Was I thinking like that now?

"Amazing" I breathed honestly. I could hear his chuckle in his breath. My eyes caught my glass and in the slight reflection of it I could see him grinning winningly at me. My heart stammered in my chest as my cheeks heated up fully.

"You could do that professionally" I chuckled as he laughed and shook his head.

"Well ya can pay me if ya really want" he joked; but there was an edge to it- a flirtation almost that set my abdomen tight and burning. I grinned to him and shook my curls out; not even bothering to me.

"You get paid enough" I told him staring out towards my canvased wall in front. "how you even…know to do that?" I asked hoping the question wasn't too much of a stretch.

"Somethin' Donnie taught me…we get injured a lot so massage helps"

A minute's silence flitted between us.

Donnie…

This was new. I waited, checking his expression in the reflection of my glass again- it remained the same. A touch of guarding around his eyes but a lot safer than usual.

I decided to press on it.

"Donnie?" I asked continuing to check his expression in the glass.

"Yeah….my bro" he said softly, I could feel a curl on the back of my head being twirled softly and then his fingers lightly brushed the back of my head once gently again, with less pressure this time- almost as if he caught me by accident. I didn't let on. I was enjoying it far too much for him to stop.

"Oh…" was the only thing I could say. My mind scrambled to come up with something else on the subject; feeling like I was getting to know him even more personally, and enjoying every minute of it.

"So…you have a brother…" it was lame and he could tell I was stumped. Usually he would have changed the subject instantly and we would have rolled into some form of playful banter. But it wasn't like that this time…this was personal; the way he touched my hair, and the way my fingers swirled around my calf.

This wasn't like our usual chats-it was more intimate. And I wasn't sure where we were going with it.

"brothers" he commented looking to the table in front. My eyes fixed on the glass focusing on his reflection. My eyes widened.

"How many?"

"3"

"oh…" I cursed at my insanely socially-awkward people skills. "You get along with them?" I asked. He seemed to laugh once but not humour seemed wrapped up in it.

"were real close, looking like dis…we stick together"

"and are they all…walkin' talkin' crime fighting turtles?" I pushed. Another strand of my hair got whipped up in his fingers; in the glass he was no longer looking ahead, but down at my hair in his hands as he wiggled them so slowly and softly, his mouth falling open slightly as I felt my own fingers drift down to his ankle gently and back up again.

"Yeah…deres Donnine….and Leo- Leo's in charge…'e can be a little…he can be the biggest asshole but...he trys 'ard…but 'es still a asshole…"

"Donnie and Leo" I smoothed over my tongue. "as in…Leonardo and Donatello?" My head ran away with my knowledge of Italian renaissance artists.

He froze for a moment, his legs froze and his arms stiffened.

"I'm just thinking of your name too- how they're linked- Italian renaissance artists right?" I pushed further, quicker- letting him know why I came to the assumption. He seemed to relax, and I could feel his muscles in his legs physically soften beside me as he breathed out a relieved breath.

"Yeah- exactly…den Mikey- Michelangelo, 'es youngest" he said, his face told me he wasn't going to say anything else. A look of guilt flitted across his face. His eyes shunned towards my floor, his lips sealed together in dispute. We let the new information settle over us for a few minutes; a peacefulness raked across the living room as our bodies stayed in tact. I felt words bubbling to the surface a minute later.

"I don't have any brothers" I told him "or sisters" I kept my voice even; the painful part of my life rushing back to the surface. "Casey was really the only thing I had in resemblance to a brother. We used to play together when we were little- he kept me safe, taught me how to use a bat" I huffed out a little breathless laughing. Raphael moved his fingers again, relaxing into my hair as I carried on my story.

"My mom died when I was six, so I never really knew her…my dad wasn't the best without her…he was a heavy drinker…" I looked to the floor now, flashes of my father crying on the living room floor surrounded by bottles upon bottles of beer and spirits.

"he never 'urt ya did 'e?" Raph's voice was softer, lower, almost like he was lulling a baby to sleep as his fingers twirled around another strand of hair.

I stayed quiet for a moment- prepping my self as I sighed disappointedly.

"Once" I nodded and Raphael stiffened and growled loudly into the quietness of the room. I ran a finger back down his leg as I hushed him.

"Shhhh- its okay" I whispered-that seemed to do the trick as he fell quiet, letting me finish.

"It was like half a year ago… He had come home blind drunk and was looking for his car keys. I stopped him; I put my hands on his shoulders" I demonstrated into the air- reaching towards the blurry TV.

"..and he put his fist in my face and foot in my stomach; broke my nose and ribs. I called Casey…he went wild. I've never seen him so angry before…"

I sighed letting the memory fizzle away, the burn of the bruise fizzled down with it as I shook my hair loosely and freely as if to shake the nightmare.

"I did get into NYU, that is why I'm here but…its not the only reason- Casey's the only family I can really depend on you know…thought I may as well live closer to him since I couldn't stay at home anymore.."

I told him. A silence ran thick in the air, but it was somehow comforting. I let Raph mull over his own thoughts as slowly, inching myself closer to him. I rested my tired head against his knee. I leaned into it more; my cheek feeling the coolness of his inner thigh.

He tensed ever so slightly but loosened after a minute.

"'Ow could anyone put their 'ands on ya? you're like a doll" I expected his words to come out gruff and angry, but they were completely entranced. I eyed his expression in the glass again finding it matched the tone of voice when he spoke to me; his eyes soft staring at the back of my head, his mouth open. His hand on its own accord flitted over my bare shoulder and neckline again, just softly, not really putting any pressure there.

Just touching.

"So pretty an' soft" he murmured. I closed my eyes and sighed at him dreamily. My fingers still playing on his calves. In that moment my struggles seemed forgotten, my life seemed to settle in front of me as I snuggled into my new friend.

We stayed like that for a little while, just breathing each other in. His fingers slowly creeping back up to my hair line and back down again when I didn't protest. I found my arm wrapping around his leg hugging it to me as I rested quietly.

"So…robot wars not to ya likin'?" he asked as I found myself humming out a laugh.

"I'd put up with it if you wanna watch it" I turned my head and grinned at him. He looked down at me, in a way I had never seen before. His eyes melted down at me illuminating his face which was so soft, his mouth- not grimacing or smirking for once. His lips were gently open and turned up into a warming smile.

Nothing hostile or smug or intimidating.

It was just him, staring at me like I was the most precious thing he had ever seen. I thought back to his words…

He had called me soft and pretty…

He thought I was pretty?

My stomach pooled at the warmth of happiness it brought me as I leaned into him finding my hands back in their original place- on top of his padded knees. I shifted my weight to stand back up and turned to sit beside him, flumping down on the sofa heavily.

My body felt weightless and yet heavy at the same time. My head fell back into the softness of the sofa cushions as I lulled my head again to look at him, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

He wasn't looking directly at me, but I could still see the obvious flicking of his eyes over to me every few minutes. Until he rested his eyes finally on me, looking as far left as he could with a resting smile on his face.

I pulled my legs up onto the couch and found myself leaning against him a little closer than usual. He responded by stretching his leg out to make room for me, and his long arm which hung loose down the side of the couch, now held the top of it securely as if to cage me in.

My heart hammered.

He caught my gaze for a minute. This time my face closer to his as we read each others expressions for a moment.

Whatever my expression was, I couldn't tell. But if it reflected my emotions I was worried.

What was happening?

Luckily, he didn't seem to catch on as he picked up the TV remote from the side and flicked it over to me.

"why don'cha watch somethin' else?" he asked softly. I held the remote in my hand.

"Raph- its your night to pick"

"Yeah well…I'll give one up for ya …"

His words seemed to have such deep hidden meaning in them. Whatever it meant, I beamed to him warmly, my stomach gooey as I watched him through this new rose coloured vision. I wanted more of this; desperately, sickeningly.

I bit my lip and changed over to the new horror movie I had seen on my media player, but never had the guts to put it on to watch alone.

"Wanna protect me?" I laughed as I felt him chuckle beside me. His body making my own move with the slightest lift.

"I'll always protect ya doll"

Again the words were soft and hummed. A new meaning behind it.

That was new.

Doll...

I blushed.

Raphael POV

She loaded up the movie as she curled up near me not even phased at my presence; not that she ever totally was to begin with.

I wanted her closer. Much closer- in my lap.

Oh fuck, how I had dreamed, fantasied of having that…

She was perfect for me, in every little tiny detail.

Her favourite drink, her past times, her laugh, her jokes, her hair colour, her hair smell…the feel of her body under my fingertips as she let me control her…

I had been with a two women; both blind drunk in an alley way, not really sure what they looked like or who they were; it was the best we got…but with Bonnie- it was never anything like this. Those encounters didn't even compare or exist anymore.

Bonnie was a total different league.

I hadn't really noticed to begin with; it was a night three weeks ago when she had bent down to reach for a book she left on the floor, twisting her body round picking things up as her hair splayed around her and her body moved swiftly and beautifully, she bent down accidentally displaying her full cleavage, and my eyes ate her up. Her thick thighs strong, her wide hips held the best round plump ass…

The way her stomach curved in tightly and flared out down to her hips…

Since then, I had imagined her every way possible, in every position possible; those eyes, those long legs, her curved hips, her big round breasts bouncing-

I felt my tail tightening at the very thought of it.

I swallowed it back down. Tonight was different, tonight I wasn't just openly ogling her, thinking about something I could never had…

Tonight I felt as if there were passing minutes, just fragments of seconds, that really made me feel…whatever this was called…

Her sparkling big eyes peaking up at me through her reddish brown bangs, her gorgeous curls in my thick hands, her lovely fingers trailing down my leg….

I let her. She could do anything she wanted to me now, I didn't care. Fuck I wouldn't ever say no to her.

My heart clenched in my chest, sending thunderous spasms down into my shell…

If she knew, she would turn and run a mile; what would a girl like her want with a turtle like me? And even me being a turtle, I wasn't even the best looking turtle, or the funniest or the bravest or the smartest…

No; I had to admire her from inside my head- it was all I would get.

And it was plenty; her friendship was plenty.

I had my time alone on a night. I could suffer for her…

If you could even call this suffering.

A few months of knowing her and I was whipped. I lied to my brothers evenly; incredibly well since Leo hadn't questioned where I was going or noticed when I was out. I suppose he didn't have to when I was back in time for patrol and using Casey as the best excuse…

Another reason to not act on it; her cousin was my best friend…shell, he'd die if he knew what I had been thinking about...

I shook it away.

This was enough. Her cuddled up close to me was enough, massaging her aches was enough.

She was so soft in my hands, her neck and shoulders so delicate even when they were so strong for a girl…it made me love her just a little bit more.

I froze, my eyes set ahead at the TV screen widely.

Wait.

Love?

She suddenly jumped and a short burst of a scream echoed out of her. She pulled her knees up tightly peeking over them and through those beautiful little strands of hair.

"Oh fuck…aren't you scared?!" she whined adorably. My heart doubled and my stomach lulled. I felt my self pale and my palms began to sweat.

"terrified…" I whispered to her.

She leaned closer in, almost against me as she watched from her peep hole.

Yeah, I was completely terrified.

Was I really in love?

Okay Guys! If your super nice and review I'll post my next chapter soon!

Thanks for keeping reading!

Owl x