Afterglow

Rated: T

Chapter Summary: April and Raph go on their first date - it only took them a year and a half - but like everything else so far in their relationship, it doesn't always go as planned. Part 1 of 2

"April, you don't understand, I need to get out of here..." Raph's voice over the phone nearly wanted to make her cackle with uncontrollable laughter. He could be so overtly dramatic sometimes...

"Raph, seriously. You've lived there 18 years."

"Almost 19!"

"...alright. Fine. Almost 19..." April sighed, "Anyway, you should be used to all of the shenanigans by now. Knowing you as well as I happen to, you probably caused some if not most of them."

"April..." Raph moaned pathetically, and a crash on the other end of the line caused her cheeks to flush with the new curse word vocabulary he'd been honing a lot lately came pouring through the phone as he yelled at what she assumed was his youngest brother.

The redhead listened intently when the biting words of Master Splinter came faintly through the line telling his hotheaded son to 'Watch your tongue, Raphael!' in the most strict voice she'd heard out of the kind rat.

"Oooh, someone's in trouble..." April giggled over the receiver, practically feeling the glare Raphael was no doubt sending her way.

"Sorry, Sensei..." Raph muttered before turning his attention back to the T-Phone that remained tightly in his grasp. "Shut up, O'Neil. You try living here and dealing with all this shi - c-crap on a daily basis. You'll be cursing like a sailor in no time."

"Raph, I'm sure you're just overreacting. Things haven't been easy for me either. I swear all of my professors are giving me extra homework on purpose."

"April, this is different, at least you're getting out and living a vibrant fulfilling life while I'm stuck here dealing with my brothers... Ugh... I swear, I'm gonna go out of my freakin' mind..." Raph grumbled.

April finally gave in, a soft sigh leaving her mouth at the tone in his voice. Defeat. That was a rare sound coming from the cocky terrapin if she'd ever heard one. They'd been dealt a pretty crappy hand lately with her overwhelming class assignments and her dad still on his extended vacation for another two weeks. Although it was nice to get that time alone with him on their last patrol, she was still picking out garbage from her hair, which summed up pretty quickly that she was not willing to repeat that anytime soon. Also, the last time he went to her place when her dad went out with a few friends, he was virtually a turtle-sickle when he showed up, meaning nothing happened except sleep.

So, all things considered, it only left one viable option for both of them.

"...How about a date?" April asked softly over the phone.

"We're already dating, aren't we?" Raph's confused voice asked over the line.

"No, Raph, I mean, why don't we actually go on a date? I got ahead on my school work and I think I can make due skipping one night of studying - also, we've been together for over a year and a half. It's about time we did, dontcha think?"

"...April, I hate to break this to you, but your boyfriend is a fuc - uh...freaking huge mutant turtle. I don't think us strutting into a restaurant would go over very well."

"Raph. Please work with me. What I was thinking is we could go to Murikami's for a late dinner then we could go to that run-down movie theater downtown. No one ever goes there so me buying the ticket and letting you in the back door will definitely go unnoticed. Bad news is that it's gonna be the crappiest movie there to assure we can have some privacy."

Raph glanced around quickly to make Splinter had left before replying, "Ooh. Privacy?"

"Not like that, you perv. I mean, so no one will walk in to see the huge turtle sitting in the theater. So... How does that sound?"

"...I guess that doesn't sound too bad. At least it lets me get out of the lair for a little while." Raph softly admitted.

"Great! So, um, wanna just meet me here at my place around seven?"

"Uh, yeah. Sounds good. I'll see you then, O'Neil." Raph said, the pep in his voice returning, causing April to smile at the welcoming change.

"Alright. See you soon, Raph...Bye."

"Bye, April."

Once the line went dead, April let out a nervous chuckle, the familiar butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Taking a deep breath to hope they'd disperse, she checked her phone for the time and began planning her day in preparation for the night ahead.

Later that Night...

"Hello, April. You heading out tonight?" Kirby asked from her doorway, noticing his daughter sitting at her small vanity and putting on light make-up.

"Yeah, Raph and I are headed to Murikami's for a quick bite to eat then we're going to see a movie afterward."

"Really? Wow. That's nice."

"Yeah, I'm excited. After being together a year and a half, we're actually going on our first real date." April chuckled, meeting her dad's eyes in the mirror. "Hey, you like Murikami's food, don't you? Did you want us to bring you home some before we head over to the theater, dad?" she continued, placing the mascara wand back in its holder, before turning around to look toward her father.

"No thanks, I already got some Italian ordered... Um...April?"

"Yeah...Is something wrong, dad?" April asked, setting aside her make-up bag before closing the distance between herself and her father.

Kirby was quiet for awhile, his eyes lowered to stare at his shoes. April tensed suddenly, wondering what was going on with her normally open-book father.

"...Dad?"

"I um - I have some news to share with you, April." Kirby spoke suddenly, but April noticed the veiled smile on the man's face.

"What?" April asked, fighting a smile.

"I'm seeing someone."

"Really?" she squealed suddenly, grabbing her father's hands in her excited grip. "Oh my gosh, dad! I'm so happy for you! Who, what, w-when did this happen?"

"It was at the Halloween party. H-Her name is Stacey - she's the senior engineer in our department. I met her over the course of a few conventions and business trips. I never really asked her out because it was more of a working relationship at first, but over the course of time, I got to know her and turns out, we have a lot in common. Anyway, I held back on asking her out just considering she lived in Tennessee, but when I ran into her at the Halloween party, she informed me she just moved an hour north of here. I had her number for awhile, but I called her up the other night and we met up. Basically just talked all night and to make a long story short, we decided to go steady." Kirby finished with a soft chuckle.

"Really, dad! Oh, how exciting! I'm so happy for you!" April squealed, hugging her dad around his middle.

"Thanks. She's coming over this weekend and I'm making her dinner. You're welcome to stick around and meet her, but I don't want you to feel obligated. If you'd rather spend the night at Raph's place, I completely understand." he clarified.

"Aw, that's so sweet. Um, I'll let you know tomorrow since my weekend class might run a little late - if it's okay, the turtles were having a pizza and movie night, so I'll probably just end up crashing at their place." April replied.

"That's fine. If it gets more serious though, I'd really like it if you met her."

"Sure, dad. It's just weird sometimes, you know ...Mom's been gone so long...and I've never really seen you with anyone since she disappeared...but I want you to be happy, dad... "

"Yeah...I still miss her."

"Me too."

A sudden tapping on the kitchen window caused them both to jump slightly at the noise.

"Ready to go, O'Neil?" Raphael asked after pulling up the glass window. It was hard to tell it was him at first because of the over sized khaki coat and hat he wore, but there was no mistaking his husky voice. Raph took a double take, hiding his surprise at seeing her father, as if noticing his awkward perch on the window seal for the first time.

"Heh. Sorry." he continued with a chuckle, being sure to making his way carefully into the kitchen, wiping his hands along his sides nervously.

"Hello, Mr. O'Neil. How are you this evening?" Raph continued, scratching the back of his head.

"Pretty good. Yourself, Raphael?"

"Great." his easy charm taking over with a grin lighting up his face. "Um... How's the vacation going?"

"Good."

"That's awesome. Glad to hear it. Um - anyway, I was just in the neighborhood, and thought I'd stop by to say 'hey', so um... "Hey'."

The awkwardness could be cut with a knife, so April was sure to step in really soon before Raph had a heart attack.

"Raph, he knows we're going out."

"Really?" the surprise on his face nearly made her laugh out loud.

"Really." Mr. Kirby O'Neil confirms with a teasing smile.

"Cool. Uh... I'll be sure to have her home by midnight, sir." Raph said with a nervous smile and April swore she saw his heart pounding straight through his plastron.

"Thank you, but there's no need. You two have fun. Get home when you can." Kirby replied, placing a hand on April's shoulder.

"Thanks, dad." she said warmly, standing on tip-toes to kiss her father on the cheek. "See you later, daddy."

"Yes, thank you, sir." Raph said stoically, bowing at the waist to her father.

April grabbed her jacket and made her way over to the window. Opening it to feel the cold chill of the autumn breeze ruffling her hair, she stole a glance back at the two most important men in her life just in time to see Kirby giving Raphael a scarf. April bit her lip as he watched Raph awkwardly position it around his neck before he bowed once again to her father and making a b-line to where she stood.

"Have fun!" Kirby O'Neil shouted out to them with a friendly wave as they exited the window and into the night.

Murikami is a nice man.

One of the only humans that didn't care what they were. He took them in, welcomed them and always made sure to ask them over daily to try his new recipes - so, he was basically Mikey's best friend in the universe. Over the course of time, they'd come to accept him as part of their family and would enjoy his company.

This was crossing the line though.

"Ooh, the lovebirds are here! April, Raphael! Welcome! Welcome! Please, sit down!" Murikami gushed when him and April walked into the back door.

Raph inwardly cringed at the nickname he'd soon come to despise.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Murikami! It was so nice of you to close your restaurant early for us." April replied, grasping his extended hand.

"Oh, it's no problem, Miss April, it has been a rather slow day. But enough of that! You two lovebirds need to sit and let me serve you! I prepared you two something very special." he replied in a heavy Japanese accent, gesturing to the counter and stools near the kitchen.

Raph and April took a seat after placing their coats and winter wear near the front door. Once seated, Mr. Murikami made his way through the kitchen's double doors to retrieve what no doubt would be an amazing meal.

Once the coast was clear, April made her move.

"Aww. Lovebirds!? That is so cute! Ooh, ooh! I know! You'll be my little turtledove!" April gushed, reaching over to pinch Raphael's blushing cheeks and rubbing her cold nose over his.

Raph was too stunned by her affections to even recant a word.

"Here we are! Some of my spinach and sausage Pizza Giouzu for the lovely couple!" Murikami spoke with flourish as he spun out of the kitchen. The heavy plate like air in his skilled hands as he placed the food right in front of them. "Now, you two enjoy and just ask if you need anything else. I'll be in back cleaning up the kitchen." he continued, wiping his hands upon the towel tucked into his apron strings.

Raph was still slightly mortified as he watched the elderly man disappear behind the swinging doors. He turned his eyes to April, who was already helping herself. Raph swallowed the lump that clogged his throat. He had no idea why his nervousness was nearly eating him alive. He first thought it was seeing Mr. O'Neil, but April's kind father was sure to ease his worries, giving him a scarf and patting his shell on the way out of the house. He'd been to Murikami's dozens of times, so that wasn't it. His green eyes then fell on April.

Tonight, she was very touchy feely, even more than usual. Sure, their PDA's were rare especially at the lair and at her father's, and even though Murikami was blind, it didn't even make sense.

Then what was it?

Then it hit Raph like a ton of bricks. This was his first 'date'. Yeah, him and April had been together for over a year yet they'd never been out before. Raph just naturally assumed he never would have to worry about having to do so - and now he was absolutely petrified that he'd find some way to royally fuck it all up. He doubted the movies he'd seen and television shows were hardly proper education on dating etiquette either. So, either way, he was screwed.

"What's wrong? Aren't you hungry?" April's voice rang out suddenly.

"Yeah!" Raphael said quickly, throwing a couple dumplings in his mouth to make sure he couldn't talk and further mess it up. If he'd had sweat glands, he was sure his face would be profusely dripping right now.

April just smiled at his gusto before going back to her meal.

Raph swallowed the big mouthful, clearing his throat as he chanced another glance at his pretty girlfriend. In his distraction, he began reaching for his napkin, not even noticing the kind older man quietly placing a large pitcher of soda near his arm. And as if hoping his luck would change tonight, it was all shattered upon hearing the pitcher make it's way to the floor, the dark sticky soda spraying across the counter and floor. Raph took a moment to take in the mess and resisted the incredible urge to just curl up inside his shell.

Yep. Tonight was going to be a loooong night...

That was part one of two. I thought I'd make it easier on myself and break up these longer ones. Hope y'all don't mind. Just makes it easier to up the mojo to write a new chapter every week. :-)