Afterglow

Rated: T

It's the Thought that Counts

Chapter Summary: Casey gives Raphael and April an unforgettable Christmas present - Part 1 of 2.

"Is this even legal?" April was the first to point out. You couldn't blame her though. This was a strange situation if there was one. It was mid-December and none other than Casey Jones called herself and Raphael up and told them to meet him at his local ice skating rink in the middle of the night.

"Of course it is, Red!" Casey was quick to defend, closing the door behind them after they all made their way into the back door.

"Casey..." April said in warning, hating to be lied to.

"Chill, Red! I work here part time and the old guy who owns it; he used to be my team's hockey coach. I've known him since I was a kid and he always says that I'm welcome to skate when the place is closed. He even gave me the key, it's not like I'm picking the locks like I used to." Casey spewed, dangling said key but was just met with April's horrified expression before he continued, "I'm just kidding! Don't worry, girl, it's all good! Casey Jones would never steer ya wrong!" the young vigilante promised with one hand up and the other over his heart. "I swear!"

Raphael looked a bit out of sorts. He was a little apprehensive for what exactly Casey's intentions were - good or bad. He had about a million questions but doubted the vigilante could give a straight answer if his life depended on it. The red-banded terrapin looked around the ice skating rink and recalled the few times he'd previously been here to spend time with the masked hockey buff over the years. They were odd to say the least and what Casey's motive of asking him and April here in the middle of the night was definitely a mystery. A mystery he wanted solved quick; intending on threatening to pound Casey into the ground if he didn't start squealing.

"What's this about anyway, Case?" Raph grumbled, adjusting the scarf around his neck.

"Well, since your date didn't really go as planned last time..." Casey begun.

"You told him about that!?" April shrilled suddenly by Raph's side, eyes glaring angrily in betrayal toward her boyfriend. "Do I have to try and break your nose again!? On purpose this time!?"

"Yer girlfriend almost broke your nose, dude? You musta really fucked that date up." Casey asked, valiantly holding in the mirth he felt at that admission.

"Shut up, Casey, and no, April, I only told him it was a little weird! I swear!" Raph pleaded, hands up in surrender.

April was still glaring daggers but Casey was not about to let his brilliant plan go to waste if his two best friends started to get into a lover's spat. "Hey, guys, chill out. Let's just forget it. Listen. Whatever was said was said, but it's not important anymore. It's over with, so let's focus on now, kay? How about it? Truce?"

"Fine." April sighed, crossing her arms and looking back at her human friend.

"Okay. So, I was trying to decide what to get for ya guys for Christmas. I mean, you guys are my best friends and I thought what better way than giving you guys a date you won't soon forget?" Casey said proudly, smiling big at the confused couple.

"What the hell are you talking about, Jones?" Raph grumbled, brows ridged and furrowed in confusion.

"The ice rink! You guys can have a date here! There's no people around, you have all this privacy, and it's fun! I even brought you guys a pizza and jug of soda when you guys get hungry! This is my Christmas gift to both of you! So...do ya like it?" Casey asked excitedly, gesturing to the rink and a food booth with two pizza boxes and a bottle of soda next to them.

Their silence at his words was not exactly what Casey was expecting. He full on anticipated the praises and 'Thanks for making our lives awesome, Casey! You're the best!', but all he was met with was a set of blue and green eyes staring at him like he belonged in a straight jacket.

"What?" Raph asked again and Casey struggled not to groan in aggravation.

"Guys. I love ya both to death and this is my gift to you. To have a night together where you're not worried about anyone seeing you. You guys could be normal and just enjoy some time together away from anyone. If anyone deserves that - it's you two. You've been through a lot and I just wanted to do something special for y'all."

April's facade was the first to fall and a smile instantly brightened her face as she ran over to Casey to hug him. "Thank you, Casey! This is the sweetest thing ever!"

"Merry Christmas, Red. Now ya better stop huggin' me before Raph decides to pull my entrails out through my nose."

"Ugh. Can you be anymore disgusting?" April groaned pulling away from him but didn't miss her boyfriend's exclamation of "Damn Straight."

"So, ya like it?"

"Not bad, Jones. Not bad at all." Raph said with a smirk, slapping Casey hard enough on his back to make the thin human grunt. "Thanks, dude. I owe ya one."

"Ya sure do. I expect a Harley motorcycle under my Christmas Tree this year." Casey smiled smugly with his gaped smile and a wink.

Raph smirked and shook his head

"Alright. There are a few ground rules before I head out. Um, I got you some skates, April. I left them over behind the food counter; just be sure to put 'em back before you head out."

"Sure."

"Uh, Raph, dude. Don't take this the wrong way, but you're feet are freakin' huge." Casey muttered and did a good job of hiding the nervousness when fire filled those green eyes. "Anyway, there's no skates that'll fit you, so I brought some padded bandages for you're feet so ya don't get frostbite."

Raph was apprehensive, but smiled when Casey took out the wrappings from his backpack, placing them in Raph's hands. It's the thought that counts, right? He decided, smiling at the vigilante.

"Thanks, Case."

"No problem. Also, just before ya head out, clean up the pizza box and any plates or cups you might use. If ya could, shut the lights off. All the switches are by the exit so that should be easy enough...and I think that's all. You two have fun, kay. Just be outta here by 6am if you can. The doors will lock behind you so don't worry about keys or anything."

"Sure." Raph replied as Casey began packing up his own things. The couple watched as the vigilante walked over to the exit and their eyes widened when Casey swung around to face them.

"Oh, another thing - if ya guys decide to get a lil' freaky on the ice, please scrape anything off before it freezes."

"CASEY!" the couple screamed simultaneously in complete mortification, cheeks burning as Casey just gave a cocky smirk and began to exit.

"Joking. Hee-hee. Merry Christmas, dudes! Catch ya'll on the flip side!" the vigilante chuckled before closing the door and locking it behind him.

I was going to just make this drabble only one chapter but truth be told y'all, I feel like crap and didn't finish it, so I decided to make it into two chapters. Check out the second part next Saturday. Love y'all so much and thank you for all the kind reviews! You have no idea how much they mean to me! xoxo