In the weeks to come Raph became her rock. Alice seemed to bounce right back from everything that happened in the world's eyes, but Raph knew better. She couldn't sleep alone anymore, so every night he would head over to her apartment. Most nights he would find her a mess crying on the sofa, but as time passed her tears became less.
Raph was pretty sure Leo would have his head if he knew the way Alice clung to him in her sleep. The guilt was overwhelming at times. But with each day his feelings for her grew. He knew it was wrong, especially since he thought Alice still loved Leo, and yet he couldn't help himself. He was falling in love.
Raph kept his feelings to himself. He just continued to watch Alice heal. Her smiles became bigger, her laugh contagious, the tears disappeared. She was running and training just like she had done with Leo, but now it was with Raph. Alice still made Raph stay the night. Some things never do heal completely after all, but Raph didn't mind. He loved the way the sun made her hair shine in the mornings, how it lit up her whole face. And when she woke every morning to find him gazing down at her she'd say, "Morning sunshine," give him a kiss on the cheek, jump out of bed, and head towards the shower. After that Raph would usually leave and head back to the layer.
But today their routine changed. It had been almost two months since Leo was sent away. Alice awoke to Raph starring down at her once more. She couldn't control the smile that stretched across her face. "Morning babe," she whispered as she moved up to kiss his cheek. Then promptly she hopped outta bed and into the bathroom.
She left a puzzled Raph on the bed. His mind was racing, "Did she just call me babe? No. No way could I have heard right. But… ughh." He didn't head home that day. Instead he went into her kitchen to wait till she got outta the shower.
Alice threw on a big t-shirt and underwear. She didn't feel like getting dressed yet or drying her hair. It was a lazy day. She padded down the hallway towards the kitchen in search of food. A girl had to eat ya know. Turning the corner she was greeted with a surprise. Raph was leaning against the counter looking down. When she had come into view his face came up to meet hers.
"Is something wrong Raph?" she asked. Alice was a little worried, since he always left as soon as she woke up.
"No nothin's wrong. I just," he stepped forward, "didn't wana leave for some reason."
"And what reason would that be?" Alice was grinning now, as Raph took a couple more steps towards her.
Standing right in front of her now, he looked down into her shining eyes. "You," he whispered.
He kissed her. Everything he had went into that kiss, passion, frustration, love. He may only get one chance at this, so he was gana make it worth it. For a couple seconds Alice didn't respond and Raph almost backed off, almost. But when her lips finally began to move, it was mind blowing. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. Raph's hands slide down the curves of her body, brushing over where she now had a scar. His hands came to rest at the back of her knees. Without warning she was off her feet pressed against the wall behind her. Slowly, she pulled back. Breathing heavy, their foreheads touching, "Raph," she breathed out, her eyes were still closed. Her eyes fluttered open starring straight into his. A smile crept onto her face.