Acceptable Risk

Bearing Gifts

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

This takes place after Slash and Destroy. Every man has a price he will willingly accept, even for what he hoped never to sell.

…

Stupid.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

The word chanted their way through Slash's head as he leapt from rooftop to rooftop. The streets below were empty of most of the city's inhabitants. It was late enough that he didn't have to worry about attracting any unwanted attention. Which was good because he wasn't exactly in top form. The ache in his leg was getting progressively worse and his arm felt like it was on fire, but he kept moving. He had to put some space between him and Raph.

Raph.

The pain in his leg was overwhelming. Taking in his surrounding Slash calculated that he'd probably gotten far enough away. Probably.

With a grunt of pain he collapsed into a small alcove, a nearby vent pumped out hot air that smelled like fresh bread. It was a good place to rest for a while and Slash closed his eyes.

He'd been too impatient.

That was his first mistake. Raph had so much potential and watching him squander it with those idiots was painful. Each of them in their own way held him back. The purple one, Donatello, all he did was talk. For all his plans and cleverness he was the weakest of all of them. Michelangelo had some potential, but he was stupid and flakey. He didn't deserve to have Raph's back.

Leonardo was the worst of all.

As Spike, Slash had sat through hours of Raph talking about the blue masked turtle. He was no good. All he ever did was boss Raph around, treating him like he was less. Raph was a hundred times better then Leonardo, he should have been leader.

Oh well, it worked out better that way anyway. They would make their own team, a better team. Once Raph was able to ditch the dead weight.

This time though, Slash decided, he'd been more patient. In his eagerness to free his friend from that toxic environment, Slash had underestimated the brainwashing of that Rat.

The rat Splinter was the only thing keeping Slash from barging down into the sewers and taking Raph back. Despite his evedent shortcomings the rat was strong. Taking him down would require timing, waiting for the perfect moment. It was Splinter's fault more than anyone that Raph couldn't see reason. His stupid teachings of patience and honor had poisoned Raph's mind. Maybe anger made the rat weak but for strong warriors like Slash and Raph it just made them stronger. It was only a matter of time before Raph realized that.

Raph wanted to be with him. Slash knew that much.

He'd been able to see in Raph's eyes as he'd tumbled off the building. Slash wasn't mad, could never be mad at his brother. Raph wasn't ready to see the truth. He was young and inexperienced. Slash would wait until the time was right, when he saw his siblings for what they were, weak, and then they would get rid of the dead weight together.

Still, in the back of Slash's mind a thought ached like a sore tooth.

Maybe being partners with Slash wasn't enough. Raph had his brothers and his father, Slash would need to gift him with something of equal value to balance out the trade. Something worthwhile. Something Raph couldn't get on his own…

A slow smile made its way across his misshapen jaw.

The answer was so simple, yet so perfect.

The aches in his body had reduced from a sharp stab to a slow pulse. Clambering to his feet Slash took off again, this time with purpose. The city raced under his feet until he came to a halt. The street below was abandoned, same as the others, but Slash waited.

For what felt like hours he clung to the shadows. Eventually though, all his patience paid off. A low grinding echoed through the alleyway, sending assorted vermin scuttling for hiding places. A manhole cover lifted and slid across the ground, revealing a familiar green head. It looked around cautiously then motioned below.

"The coast is clear."

The words were whispered but Slash could hear them all the same. The turtle slipped out of the hole and reached down. With an easy pull he hefted another figure out of the ground.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" The other voice said, this one more feminine then the first. It carried notes of concern. "You guys got hurt pretty bad. What if Slash is waiting for you?"

The girl was smart, Slash grinned to himself. Excellent.

"Naw he's long gone." Raph's voice sounded confident but Slash could detect the little hitch at the end. The one he got whenever he was upset. Normally he would have been right but Slash had other plans tonight, ones that required more information.

"I guess…" April's tone was hesitant and she kept glancing around. Her eyes were everywhere and once Slash was sure she had seen him. The moment passed and he was able to let out a breath.

"The guys want pizza." Raph continued, tucking his hands behind his head, trying to look cool. The action pulled at his bruised ribs, making him wince. "Since you get all huffy whenever we steal it, you have to go in and pick up the order. Besides someone needs to make sure you keep out of trouble."

"And you drew the short straw again?" April huffed, folding her arms. "It's not even a block away. I can go by myself."

Raph merely looked at her, one brow ridge raised.

"What?" April looked scandalized. "I don't get kidnapped THAT often."

Still not saying anything, Raph continued to stare at her. Seeing his disbelieving stare, April glared back. For a moment the two stared at each other intensely, neither wanting to break down. Raph was the first to break though, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.

"Fine, fine," he held his hands up in mock surrender, "You get the pizza. I'll stay here."

"That's better." April said, adopting a snooty accent. The effect was ruined by the grin on her own face.

Turning dramatically on her heal, the red head flounced out of the alley leaving Raph alone. When he was sure she was gone, the turtle scrambled up the fire escape. Traveling by roof, he followed the girl as she made her way towards the destination.

The second Raph was far enough away Slash slipped from his hiding place.

It was too perfect.

Plans immediately began to form in Slash's head. The next time that he saw Raph it would be different. He'd be patient. He'd be prepared.

The girl was the key. She wasn't strong but she didn't have to be. April was pretty and kind, as Raph had said many, many times, such things were a flaw in a warrior but for a woman it was forgivable. Mates didn't have to be strong. That was a man's job. If Slash could get Raph the one thing he desired more than anything, the one thing he couldn't take for his own, then bringing him over to the right side would be easy.

Raph had, unknowingly shown his greatest weakness. As Spike he had been privy to more than just Raph's complaints about his brothers. Much more.

Eyes gleaming, Slash slipped back into the shadows and off into the night.

He had things to do. Maybe those freaky aliens Raph was always talking about would be useful.

For a while I was considering having Slash see April the same way he saw Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Master Splinter, as weaknesses that needed to be taken out. Then I realized that would be true in the cannon series but Raph's crush on April would change things. Instead, for Slash, she could be a tool, something useful that he could use. I think Slash would probably have a pretty misogynistic view of women, at least in my head he does. He's very primal, thinking in animal terms. Turtles don't mate for love and they don't mate for life, so Slash probably wouldn't see her the same way a person would. He underestimates her which, as other villains could tell you, is a dangerous mistake to make. This also explains how Slash got involved with the Kraang. Thanks a million to everyone who reviewed. I had a lovely anon that gave me the idea for this chapter. I hope it lived up to your expectations. If you have any other ideas or thoughts drop me a line because I love to hear from you. If you think I'm way off then go ahead and tell me that too because I can handle criticism (mostly…be gentle). Anyways I've got homework so Night Night everyone.