Afterglow - Chapter 20

Rated: T

Scars

Chapter Summary: April learns the origins of Raphael's signature scar.

Wow. 20 chapters. You all have no idea how much all your comments, faves, and follows mean to me! I love hearing from you guys and I hope you'll continue to read as this story progresses. Thanks again! xoxo

"How'd you get it?" the question had been on her mind since she first noticed the lightening-shaped crack in his plastron a week after meeting him. Being her boyfriend for nearly two years, she had finally asked the one question that had been plaguing her for the past four years.

Raphael glanced over at her from his side of the couch. He'd just been enjoying a rather awesome car-chase scene only to be interrupted by his pretty redheaded girlfriend's seemingly innocent question.

"Huh?" he asked, placing down the chopsticks back into the Chinese take-out container in front of him. Green eyes glued curiously to the girl sitting next to him; her own box neatly closed and chopsticks sitting on a napkin next to it.

"This." she clarified softly, reaching over to brush a thin finger across the lightening-shaped fissure on his hard chest plates. He followed the thin, dainty finger before lifting green eyes to meet her crystal blue gaze. "How did you get it?" she asked again.

"When I was a kid." he replied as way of explanation, returning his attention back to the movie.

"No, Raph - How?" she asked again, caressing his face to turn it back to her.

Raphael stared at her for awhile. She never had asked before, so why the sudden interest? The story wasn't particularly exciting or heroic. It was an accident when he was being careless. The long scar on his inner thigh had a much better story than some accidental chest plate crack he got as a kid.

"I'm sorry." she said suddenly, pulling her hand away. Arms crossing protectively over her chest as her blue eyes drifted back to the movie.

Raph debated for a moment. Still wondering her intentions and why she asked now of all times. He'd expected it those intimate moments after sex when they laid together, chest to chest, just talking. She had a habit of fingering that scar since he could remember. He'd enjoyed the languid trace and the few instances her lips softly brushed against it. But now? Just eating Chinese take-out and watching the latest Fast and Furious? It didn't make sense. He looked over at her again and took in her positioning. She was on the defensive right now and he wondered had he reacted wrongly? He didn't think so.

April looked rather pensive and nervous, probably debating if she said something to offend him, but Raphael knew it was an innocent question. He wasn't mad, it was just a rather dull, boring tale that happened so long ago, most of the events surrounding it were kinda fuzzy. It wasn't an epic battle of massive proportions or an injury from an especially strong enemy - the truth was a dull snorefest, and truthfully, he'd wanted to impress her with his strength and her to marvel over his impressive scar collection, although his most signature one was the most boring story of all. But she still wanted to know, and who was he to deny her that simple request?

Taking a deep breath, he fumbled a bit, trying to close the takeout box but giving up after a moment; brushing the cardboard container to the side. He scooted over to her side of the couch, grasping her small hands and placing them upon his lap. She was surprised at first, glancing down at their conjoined hands for a moment before turning her face back toward his curiously.

"I was a kid. Probably four or five. I don't remember exactly...anyway, we were all playing tag in the sewers while Splinter scouted for food nearby. I was 'it' and was currently chasing Mikey - who was a particularly fast little shit even back then - anyway, we got sidetracked down this alcove, which lead to some dark, ankle deep water. It was pitch black inside, but ya know, we can still see fairly well in little light, so I just kept chasing him. I guess along the way I lost my footing and fell down this steep embankment that led to this aqueduct or something. Don't remember. It was a bunch of quick flowing water and a drain underneath. I was falling so fast, I really didn't see this sharp edged rod sticking out and I slammed my shoulder into it pretty hard." He retold the story as best he remembered, gauging her reaction to his tale.

"I just remember this cracking sound, and I kinda blacked out a bit. The next thing I remember was the sound of Mikey crying as Splinter carried me out. I saw blood on my shoulder where the thing cut me, but the worst was the crack in my shell and plastron."

"You bled? How badly?" April asked, his index finger clenched in her light grasp.

"Not too bad. Mikey was a freaking basket case, but it wasn't even that bad. There's just a bunch of nerve endings where the plastron's attached to the skin, so it kinda got ripped a bit as it broke. I was a young turtle and the mutagen was working so fast out bodies were still catching up. It was thinner plating back then - not as unbreakable as it is now." Raphael replied as way of explanation, removing a hand from her grasp to rap his knuckles across the hard surface.

"Anyway, it broke cleanly and I just remember getting grounded for a week for running off from the sewer, but yeah - that's all. Not very interesting." he chuckled softly. "Would love to tell you a badass story where I fought the Shredder single-handed and he jabbed his spike arm cleanly through, leaving this crack, but yeah - not all my scars have such awesome stories attached."

"I thought it was a good story." April said thoughtfully, reaching up to touch the crack on his chest. "I'm actually kinda glad that's all it was; I pictured something much worse."

"Whataya mean?" Raphael asked softly, brushing a hand along her arm.

"You're always putting yourself in danger. I hate when you get hurt." she said suddenly, pressing herself against his chest, her face buried into his neck.

"Heh. Comes with the territory, babe. The ninja life ain't easy." Raph chuckled softly, warmth reverberating throughout his body at his girlfriend's consideration of his safety.

"I know... I just worry about you sometimes. You always seem to get hurt the worst out of everyone, you stubborn jackass."

"Yep, that's me." he laughed, only to get suddenly pushed away from her warmth.

"That's not funny, Raphael." the redhead spoke seriously, blue eyes flashing dangerously. "You need to be careful. I don't know what I'd do without you." she continued, the bright tears brimming at the edges of her eyes.

"April. You're acting like I'm dying. I'm here. I'm fine." he said, grabbing her hands. "I mean, babe, what's gotten into you? Oh wait...it's that time of the month, huh?"

The death glare following that statement more than answered that question.

"Yep, knew it." he chuckled before April socked a surprisingly strong fist across his face.

"Hope that left a scar!" she yelled mockingly even if it didn't contain the usual fire her voice held at times. She tried to seem angrier than she probably was; slamming the bathroom door behind her as Raphael nursed his throbbing cheek. He knew he'd be apologizing profusely in just a few minutes, but he couldn't help the smile at upturned his lips at her fiery spirit.

One thing was certain - he wouldn't trade his girl for the world.