Afterglow

Rated: T

Skate with Me

Chapter Summary: Casey gives Raphael and April an unforgettable Christmas present...and they thoroughly enjoy it- Part 2 of 2.

The mortification soon passed once the hockey vigilante left the building. April and Raph finally met each other's gaze with nothing more than an nervous smirk and flushed cheeks at Casey's parting words and all the thoughts that came with them.

"So..." they started at the same time and April laughed as she bumped him lightly with her shoulder.

"You first." April chuckled.

"Nah, you go ahead." Raph said, nudging her gently with an elbow.

"Okay, um... So, do you feel about this? Is this okay with you?" April asked. "I mean, if you want, we could probably just take the pizza and head out. If this whole thing makes you uncomfortable, we can just go. It's no problem."

"Aw, heck no. I mean, only if you don't want to stay."

"Casey did do a lot of work. I'd hate to undermine it. After all, it is kinda sweet."

"Sweet and Jones don't really mix, but I'll admit, it was a good effort. Yeah. So, what the heck? We might as well humor him." Raph replied with a shrug.

April just smiled in response, grasping his hand tightly as she tried to hide her own giddy excitement.

"Don't laugh. I haven't done this since I was a weird little kid with hideous pigtails and braces." April chuckled, grabbing the wall tightly in white-knuckled grasp while she walked upon the slick white surface; valiantly keeping her balance on the thin blades of metal.

"I bet you were still stinkin' cute." Raph chuckled, nuzzling her nose with his snout, nearly making the redhead lose her balance.

"Ah! Stop it!" April giggled and bumped him with her bony elbow.

"Besides, I never did this at all so you'll probably be the one laughing your ass off when I land right on my shell." Raph replied, not enjoying the feeling of slippery ice underneath his feet, even if they were protected with nice padded wrapping to keep the chill off. He'd never been happier to realize his feet were way too big for any normal human footwear or he'd be making an absolute fool of himself right now when he realized just how atrocious those skates were.

"We'll see about that." she said, bravely taking her hands off the railing, using her balance training with Master Splinter to successfully stand on the ice.

Raph stopped for a moment, taking in the sight of her. The beautiful lighting shining off the ice lit up her face perfectly. He could count every gorgeous freckle and curves of her features not to mention the adorable way she was biting her plump lower lip; nicely nestled between her white teeth. Even with her stance completely awkward as she fought to keep balance on the skates and her clothes consisting of just just jeans and a sweatshirt, Raphael swore she never looked better. His heart pounded in his chest as he took her in; how this amazing girl ever chose him, he'd never know.

"I think I got it!" April squealed suddenly, pushing herself with the tip of the skate but the trajectory couldn't make up for the lack of balance and she began to fall. "Waah!"

Within mil-seconds, Raphael had wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from collapsing into the hard ice.

April caught her breath, the security of his arms a comfort as she righted herself.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Thanks. I guess I don't got it." April giggled in reply, holding the majority of he weight on him but slowly attempting to put more weight upon her skates. "Whew. Okay. I think I want to try again."

Raph just nodded his consent, making sure she was the first to let go. It was this moment he finally noticed he was standing on his own. He freaked out a moment in this new environment, his feet slipping slightly underneath his weight but his pride wouldn't let him show it. He stood his ground, getting a feel for the ice underneath his feet. If he could leap over rooftops and balance on an end of a pencil much like his younger days of training, he could sure as hell stand on some ice. They did live in New York after all, where nearly half of the year, there was patches of ice covering the streets. Then why did standing on this freak him the fuck out?

"You doing alright?" April smirked, laughing at Raphael's sudden silence as he did nothing much but stare at his feet.

"Huh? Yeah! I'm fine." Raph said with a laugh that reverberated deep in his throat; reaching over to grab her hand. "Ya ready to try this?" he asked, sounding a lot more confident than he felt.

"Mm-hmm." April quickly responded, pulling herself closer to him but making sure not to get her skates too close to his feet.

The first few moments were awkward to say the least. It consisted mostly of Raphael going at a snail's pace as he made his way over the ice on wobbly legs and April nearly face-planting a dozen times when she got too daring, but of course, Raphael easily caught her every time.

Soon enough, the two were gliding over the ice swiftly, getting their bearings upon the slippery surface. As strange this activity was for the both of them, they were quick learners and began having a lot more fun than either thought possible. Awkwardness at this whole situation melting away so they finally took this opportunity for what it was - some much needed time alone.

Maybe Casey's smarter than he looks...Raph chuckled internally, loving how fast he was gliding across the ice, the cool air whipping across his face not bothering him in the least. He wasn't sure what it was, but even being in this frigid building, literally surrounded by ice in the air-conditioned arena, he felt warmer than he had for awhile. Pondering this strange occurrence, he may have finally realized the reason when he noticed that he never let go of April's hand. The red-banded terrapin couldn't help but glance at their conjoined hands, his heart hammering pleasantly in his chest as he took in the contrast of her porcelain flesh against green scales. The size variance not bothering either of them in the least as her small warm hand was cradled so perfectly in his own as they continued for another circle around the ice.

The couple enjoyed the thrill of skating for half an hour, the time passing quickly for them both. When just gliding across the ice became too mundane, April started trying new techniques and gaining more confidence in her movements. She still held tight to his hand as he mimicked her motions; circling the rink over and over again. Raphael happily went along with her, just enjoying seeing her smile and being with her alone in what felt like forever. The sport was nonetheless tiring though. Especially for April in the tightly wrapped skates and using so many different muscles to keep balance, she began to slow.

Raphael took notice of her languid movements and quickly hatched a plan; smirk lifting his lips as he suddenly twirled her. She squeaked as she gently ran into his plastron, one hand nestled against his chest to regain her balance while the other remained firmly planted in his grasp.

April was happily in her own little world, basking in the adrenaline that came with a good workout and the way her heart hammered any time she was in her boyfriend's presence. It was absolutely exhilarating. While cliche perhaps, but she had seen her share of chick flicks and while their unrealistic aspects regarding romance was way off, in this moment, she believed they could be onto something. There was just something about this moment, whether it be the cool air, the fact they were alone, or just the fact they were together. It was like one of those perfect moments you never believe exist til you're in them. So lost in this world, April didn't even notice when she began to slow but her whole world started to spin the second she felt a strong tug on her arm. Within seconds, she had ran straight into his plastron, air slightly knocked out of her when she made contact with it.

Instead of being angry for thrusting her out of her moment; she laughed. One hand pressing over his chest and even through the thick plate, she felt the strong fast thrum of his heart against her palm.

"Hey!? What's the big idea?" April laughed, the cold air and exertion, as well as having Raphael this close, caused her cheeks to flush a bright rosey hue.

"Heh. Just wondering why you're pretty damn good at this. You sure you haven't been practicing behind my back?" Raphael commented, hand quickly brushing back a lock of her hair that came loose from her ponytail.

"I guess it's kinda like riding a bike. You never really forget..." April's face fell for a moment before the corners of her lips lifted up in vivid remembrance her childhood. "After all, skating was one of the last happy memories I had as a child..."

Raphael's brows furrowed the moment she admitted it - more concerned than anything.

Without speaking, the two started skating again, just languidly gliding across the ice, hands still remaining in a firm grasp. He was afraid of breaking any silence and wasn't exactly thrilled with how unbearably sad April had looked for a split second. While desperately wanting to break the silence, he felt massive relief when she began speaking a moment later, her strides along the ice nearly at a standstill.

"...do you remember the lake I took you to in Northampton?" April asked, turning to look at him. By now, her feet were completely still, one hand on the edge and the other still nestled in his own.

When Raphael nodded, she continued, her eyes glancing over to a fixed point anywhere but him.

"I lived there the first seven years of my life. It was just me, dad, and mom - while there were a few instances of random, sometimes crazy relatives coming over for holidays and such, it was mainly just us. Dad was gone a lot of the time for work - especially during winter, so a lot of my memories around this time of year consist of just my mom and me." April said, sighing softly before continuing, "Anyway, it was so cold during that time of year, the lake would freeze over. When I was six, my mom starting teaching me how to skate on that lake. I loved skating with her... I recall so many winter days where we'd be skating sunrise to sunset - just laughing, talking, making snowmen, and drinking hot cocoa... The next spring was when she disappeared. Me and my dad moved to the city after that... I dunno, I think that's why I avoided skating for so long." April admitted, finally looking at her boyfriend to weigh his reaction. She flinched when his arms suddenly wrapped around her.

It was then she felt the sudden wetness upon her face.

Tears she had believed long since dried since that warm morning all those years ago. It was something about this that just drove it to the surface - the pain of losing a parent was something you truly never got over... She wasn't sure if it was being back on the ice - so close to the time of year she used to treasure the most with her mom or just wishing for her to be there. To see the woman she'd become - to introduce her to Raph, to his family... The years that passed since her disappearance were many, but April believed the pain would ever truly go away... While she craved to make new memories with her mom, she treasured the ones she had.

"I'm so sorry." he whispered against her ear, hands rubbing comforting circles on her back.

"Don't be..." April sniffled, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her face in the concave of his throat. "I'm fine, Raph. Seriously."

He pulled away a moment later, his eyes confused as he took in her face.

"I'm crying because I'm happy." she laughed softly at the utter confusion lacing his face. "It's a good memory - a happy memory... One I guess I forgot about til now..." April was silent for a moment, brushing the tears out of her eyes before speaking again, "I miss her. I miss her a lot - but she'd want me to have fun, enjoy life, and go on; and I am. I have been. As painful as it is to remember those memories, I love skating and I should keep doing it even if brings up painful reminders of her sometimes. I guess I just feel bad because I missed out for so long... Anyway, I'm sorry, I'm just rambling, honey. I'm... Um - Thank you - for doing this with me, Raphael. I haven't had fun like this in such a long time. Thanks..." she muttered, pressing her face into his throat and just holding onto him.

Raphael was quiet for a moment, taking in every word she just spoke. He had known her past but seeing how upbeat she always was, it was easy to forget just how hard her life had been before he met her. Her life had been growing up isolated with only her parents - than tragically losing her mom and moving from a place she loved to a cruel city that she didn't understand. Having few friends who accepted her - including Irma who was a ploy all along. She had just as many if not more hardships than him growing up and yet, she smiled, laughed, and trudged on even when life threw her through the mud.

In Northampton, she was the glue - she made sure all of them were taken care of and needs met - Raph hated making the comparison, but she was like a mom during all that. She took care of everyone without ever thinking about herself - there were days she gave up her own portion of meals to make sure everyone else was well fed. That instance with that Kraang droid pretending to be her mother was the worst...he remembered her cries that night and still had a hard time forgetting them - but yet, the next morning, she was smiling and humming while making breakfast. The strength this beautiful woman has just shook him to the core. While not the strongest physically, she had more strength of spirit and character that he couldn't even begin to understand.

April pulled away from his neck a moment later and looked at him. It was as if he was looking at her for the first time. Her big blue eyes searching his as everything around them remained still as night. His heartbeat pounding in his ears as his eyes searched her face, felt her warmth, and came to the realization that he was going to do everything in his power to make her happy for the rest of his life. How incredibly lucky he was to have her love him - give everything of herself to him willingly. He'd never been more humbled by this gift of having her in his life.

"I love you." he spoke softly and April froze.

Wide eyes staring directly into those beautiful green irises as he said it. April's heart pounded against her sternum and she swore she felt Raphael's heart doing the same. The world disappeared around them. The cold that had been visceral in broad waves melted away and the warmth between them was all she felt. As crappy as her life had been in those years after her mom left, she doubted she would have changed one thing. All of this had lead her here - whether it be God or fate that brought her here - she was thankful for it. Thankful to have this big lug in her life regardless of all the crap knowing him brought with it.

April quickly let go of his hand only to wrap it around his shoulders, burrowing her face against the hallow of his throat, she nasally replied, "...I love you too..."

"Here we are." Raph said, lifting her bedroom window quietly so she could safely make her way into her apartment.

"Thanks, Raph. Tonight was great." April replied, remaining by the window. Wishing she could invite him to stay but wouldn't risk it with her father sleeping just down the hall.

"Yeah. Heh. Hate to admit it, but I owe Casey big time." he chuckled, hands resting upon the window sill.

"Me too." April laughed.

She froze upon feeling him softly cup her cheek, his hands surprisingly warm pressed against her cold windswept cheek. In an instant, his mouth was upon hers, the kiss chaste and quick. When he parted, he smiled and she smiled back. No words needed to be said when he waved and April watched him quickly disappear back into the night.