Acceptable Risk

Opportunity Knocks

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, neither characters nor anything pertaining to the franchise. I do own a cat though, so I have that going for me which is nice.

Author's Note: So I've decided to write some shorts (some might not be so short some might be rally short) from the perspective of April/Raph. Originally for the 2012 series Raph was supposed to be in love with April, not Donnie. Since the series presents him as a guy who can't really be honest with his feelings I figured that Raph would be the ultimate tsundere type guy.

Also I'm on tumblr at starsiasestra#tumblr#com (#=.). Come follow me if you like. I'm a big turtles fan and sometimes post extra stuff there

This one takes place after some time after The Alien Agenda while April has a little training to be a kunoichi but still is kind of a beginner. I figured Raph would probably volunteer to help April in order to spend some alone time with her. Unfortunately there are some…unforeseen consequences.

Raph watched as April sat in the pit.

She and Mikey were crowded around her laptop. Every so often she would point at something on the screen. Next to her Mikey was practically vibrating with excitement. Eventually she sighed and handed it over. Grasping the device in one hand the youngest turtle grabbed April up in a bone crushing hug with the other, before bouncing off.

"You shouldn't let him have his way all the time." Raph grumbled as he collapsed onto the bench next to her.

Goosebumps prickled along his arm where it brushed hers, but he pretended to ignore them.

"It's not a big deal," April waved away the comment casually. "School's closed for the next few days so I don't really need it. The Kraang did some serious damage this time."

"So how did they explain it this time? Vandals? Disgruntled janitors? Alien invasion?" Raph snarked.

April chuckled slightly.

"Nope," She dragged out the word, ending it with a pop. "This time it was a broken water main."

"They thought a water main broke out of the wall, flooding the first floor, breaking a bunch of windows, and denting some lockers? What kind of pipes do you have in that school?"

"Hey as long as they don't explain it as a teenage girl and her four giant turtle friends fighting brain aliens in robot bodies then I'm fine." April said, raising her hands in mock surrender.

"So," leaning back Raph tried to look casual, "you got nothing to do for the next few days?"

"My Aunt's out of town for the week, she has a business meeting. So ya, pretty much. I figured I'd help Donnie with whatever he's working on right now."

For a second Raph felt a tinge of jealousy. It was a good thing that Donnie only thought of April as a friend/sister or else there would have been a problem.

"Help Donnie? You need to help yourself." He pointed a single, blunt finger at the red-head. "I've seen you working with Sensei on your kunoichi training and you, girlie, need practice."

"But…"

"No buts," With a grunt he levered himself off the couch and grabbed April by the wrist, "you're going to practice and that's final."

Unfortunately, the dojo wasn't as empty as Raphael had originally hoped. They entered to find Leo working his way through a complicated kata. Raph had to resist rolling his eyes. Of course Leonardo the Perfect was practicing as usual.

"Oh hey April," said Leo when he finished. "Do you guys need something?"

"Raph was going to help me practice." April said cheerfully.

Leo's eyes slipped down for a second and Raph realized he was looking at his hand, which was still clasped around April's wrist. Quickly he dropped it, adopting his normal cross-armed stance.

"Practice?" said Leo, after a long pause. "That's a great idea. We can all practice together."

If he could have gotten away with it Raph would have smacked himself in the forehead, or smacked Leo. One or the other really. Forcing his face into a smile/grimace Raph tried to send a message to his brother with his mind.

Go away. Go do something else. Anything else.

"Um Raph, are you okay?" Leo asked, concerned.

Well, clearly neither of them had any telepathic skills.

"Yes Leo, I'm fine." Raph forced through his gritted teeth. "Hey, isn't there a new episode of that Space Dorks show on? Now? Right now?"

It's Space Heroes, and…"

Leo trailed off, confused. There wasn't a new episode of Space Heroes on tonight. If there was he would know about it and, more importantly, Raph wouldn't. Glancing at Raph's face he caught sight of his half-pained, half-pleading look and suddenly it all fell into place.

Oh…OH!

"…Yes. That is completely correct," nodded Leo vehemently. "In fact I have to go do…that. So we'll practice later okay? Okay."

Without another word Leo marched stiffly out of the dojo, giving Raph a hearty wink as he passed.

April smiled at the retreating shell of the blue masked turtle. He seemed to think that he needed to be serious all the time. It was so cute to see him geeking out.

Behind her back Raph actually did smack himself in the forehead this time. Real smooth Leo, real smooth.

"So," Raph said forcefully, hoping April wouldn't notice Leo's strange behaviour, "what were you working on with Sensei last?"

"Since I don't have as much training as you guys, Master Splinter thought it would be best to practice some basic self-defense before I got into the really complicated stuff. Last time, hmmm, we were working on breaking holds."

"Alright," Raph rubbed his hands together gleefully. "I'm great at breaking stuff."

Laughing, April shook her head and took the starting position. Her arms hung loose at her sides as she waited for Raph to attack. As she stood with her back facing the temperamental turtle, Raph took the opportunity to admire her form. She was so tiny. Tiny little hands, attached to skinny little arms, attached to a tiny little body. If he wasn't careful he could really hurt her.

Raph took a step forward, reaching out his hands to grab her, then stopped. No, not that way. Trying again from a different angle, he stopped again. No, that wasn't right either.

Aw man, this was so much easier with his brothers. They didn't have so much soft, fleshy girl bits to worry about.

"Are you going to start any time soon?" April called teasingly over her shoulder.

The sound sent a pleasant shiver down Raph's spine.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

So a little longer this time. Raph is a bit of a leap before you look type guy. Unlike Donnie he wouldn't need a flow chart, he'd just take the first opportunity when it came. Then probably not realize his mistake till it was too late. Awww, I love making poor Raphie uncomfortable. Thanks to all the people who reviewed. It's good to know that others share my sick obsession. If you like my writing or have any ideas you want to share then drop me a line I'd love to hear from you 3.