Afterglow - Chapter 32

Rated: T

Food Fights and Frisky Behavior

Chapter Summary: Raph and April finally have some time to explore Northampton...other activities ensue.

I was sorely tempted to break this into two chapters because it was getting out of hand length-wise and even had a nice breaking point, but I thought, what the hell? Just submit it as is. Sorry if it's a bit long but I knew y'all wouldn't mind. :-)

Working side by side in the kitchen, the couple made sandwiches, packing a light lunch for the hike, or light walk rather, they planned for that morning. They'd awakened early and began preparing to head out before it got too hot. It was too bad their foresight would be for naught.

Currently, Raphael was placing some lunch meat onto bread when he felt a sudden rap upon the surface of his carapace. Peering over at April to see if she was responsible, he was confused to see her face turned and concentrating on one thing or another. Brushing aside the notion and putting it off to his imagination, he went back to his job when this time, something cold and round ricocheted off the back of his head with a plunk. The object fell to the floor where he knew for sure now that it wasn't his brain's imagining.

Raphael peered down at the offending object - a grape.

Narrowed eyes rose to his girlfriend and he noticed her still entranced with her work, but this time, she was desperately holding back an evil, crooked smile.

Well, well, if that's how it was going to be - than two could play at that game... He grumbled internally as he went back to his task.

Valiantly ignoring the circumstantial evidence, Raphael went back to finishing up their sandwiches and played coy. All too soon, he heard slight movement and turned just in time to catch the small object in mid-air between his fingers just as it was being flung at him.

April didn't seem much too surprised; he supposed over the years of witnessing the many ninjitsu feats he'd do on a daily basis; this was nothing.

"What is this?" he asked, giving her the benefit of the doubt to see if she'd fess up to her crime.

"...um...a grape?" she responded in a very "well, duh" tone.

Raphael didn't like that...not one bit. Reminded him far too much of his genius brother when he was being an unruly smart ass. The two were more alike than he cared to think.

"No, really? What I meant was, why were you throwing it at me?" Raphael reiterated, one brow ridge raised and a very nonsensical stern frown adorning his face.

"Do I need a reason? Maybe I just wanted to." she responded with a playful shrug and a wink which normally would quench whatever annoyance at her behavior, but not this time.

"Well, O'Neil. If it's a food fight you wanted than it's a food fight you'll get..." he growled, a feral smirk lighting up his face as he grabbed the spoon out of the mayonnaise.

"Fuckin' hell, Raph! It was a grape! Don't you DARE throw mayonnaise at -"

Plop.

April stood there in complete disbelief. A glob of white mayo deposited on her bangs before slowly slipping down and landing with a disgusting pppbbtt noise onto the once-clean floor beneath her.

April saw red, her eyes narrowing to slits as she stared at the shit-eating grin her boyfriend was giving her.

"There. See? It's not so fun now, is it?" he asked but it was far too late.

"I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed, shooting toward him like a bat outta hell and for once, Raphael did not see it coming. He barely had a chance to let out a particularly girly-scream as April charged at him with a bellowing battle cry.

Landing upon his chest was April and all too soon, Raphael found himself wobbling precariously on his convex carapace as the redhead made a grab for the mustard.

As soon as April squeezed the bottle and the yellow substance went flying for his face, Raphael had burrowed his head into his shell. The mustard missing its intended target and making a horrible splattering onto the hardwood floors they'd spent hours cleaning just yesterday. The shock at seeing that not even a single fleck of the substance was on her boyfriend, April had it.

"You jerk!" she screeched, shaking the mustard frantically and awaited his head to reappear. She wasn't sure how long she waited for his stupidly adorable face to pop out.

"You have to come out sometime!" she screamed in frustration.

"Says who?" he asked, words muffled in his shell.

"I say!" she screamed, well aware she sounded like a petulant child but she didn't care.

April didn't have the chance for Raphael's arms reemerged and he grasped the mustard. The two struggled for the bottle, which was quite a sight with a mayonnaise-haired girl and a huge headless mutant turtle fighting for a mustard bottle. After a few moments of going back and forth with it, the mustard somehow squirted upward and landed right upon her hair, sliding off where the mayo did just moments earlier.

All went completely silent and Raphael's head slowly reemerged to see April more enraged than he had his entire life.

"Oops..." he muttered under his breath.

It was just the cue April needed for in his shock, his grasp eased on the bottle and Raphael got a face full of the vinegary yellow globs. Bolting forward in a yell when some got in his eyes, knocking April to the side where his head buried into her stomach; the squelch of the condiment on her shirt rang throughout the kitchen.

Anger intensifying, April grasped at his mask tails that somehow got covered in mustard too. In Raphael's franticness, he grasped her waist and hit a notorious tickle spot. She screamed and involuntarily laughed at the pressure his fingers were unknowingly causing.

The couple rolling around on the kitchen floor as both tried to dominate the situation. It all ended up to be a huge mess where Raphael found himself over her; eyes burning from the mustard and staring down at his condiment-covered girlfriend that looked none too happy in her predicament.

"I'm sorry..." he wheezed knowing he was going to have to say it eventually - might as well get it over with.

"Damn right you are." she growled, throwing the now empty bottle at his thick skull where it bonked off his notoriously hard head and ended up hitting her square between the eyes with a painful bonk. She was well-aware it probably hurt more than him - hell, she didn't even have to ask to know it did...

"That was your fault."

"Shut up..." she growled, all the fight taken out of her as she nursed what would no doubt turn into a knot later. "Now, would you kindly get off?" she continued and Raphael was more than eager to comply.

April sat up after Raphael lumbered off; trying desperately to remove chunks of mayonnaise and mustard still sticking to her hair. The anger raging until the second her eyes fell on Raphael; the turtle in question looking akin to a kicked puppy. Pouty lower lip and downtrodden face so adorably pathetic (even covered in smears of mustard) that she couldn't help but feel bad for reacting how she did; even if he was an ass for pulling that stunt.

"I'm gonna shower while you clean up this mess. When I'm done, we'll finish packing for the hike. Okay?" April laid out the plan and the shock that overcame his face had her heart clenching even if she hadn't completely forgiven him.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Doesn't mean we're even though, mister. You'll pay for that." she threatened as she stood to her feet careful not to slip on any obstruction on the floor.

"Okay." he answered almost eagerly as April left the room to wash the disgusting concoction out of her hair and change her mustard splattered clothes.

Once fresh clean and with a fresh pair of clothes, April was more than surprised to find everything ready to go. She wouldn't lie; when Raphael was apologetic, he sure made up for it. He was sitting at the kitchen island, mask dark and face and body clean. Upon closure inspection, he washed his mask in the sink and she was pleasantly surprised when he smelt nice and not at all like he'd gotten a face full of mustard just half-an-hour earlier.

"You ready?" he asked, hands nervously folding this way in that in his lap.

"Yeah..." she whispered, leaning forward to let him know it was okay, she kissed him. Arms wrapping around his neck where she lightly grasped the wet mask tails to pull him even closer.

Raphael returned it for a moment before she pulled away. Feeling substantially better that she wasn't going to kill him, he moved to retrieve the picnic basket. She smiled at him when she pulled back; not saying a word as she headed to the front door where Raphael followed. Both of them all too eager to get out and hike around the property even if it was more than an hour later than they planned.

"You hungry yet?" Raphael asked when they found a clear spot with nice grass and no ant hoards in sight.

"Sure." April replied before he quickly laid out the blanket and April began setting out their lunch. Laying out a few sandwiches, chips, baby carrots, grapes, and a strawberry pie she'd bought yesterday from the older lady who sold her homemade pies at the general store.

The two ate; conversation surprisingly pleasant considering what happened that morning.

Small talk came more naturally when Raphael realized April wasn't completely furious with him anymore and he took advantage of that. Conversations led to flirting, flirting led to more physical closeness, and being in a playful mood, what was supposed to be a relaxing lunch soon turned into something more. April was barely halfway through her slice of pie as Raphael began getting a little frisky and playful.

"Raph..." April warned but it came out more as a moan as he partially buried his snout in her neck. His hands on her hips too damn close to her ticklish areas for her liking.

"Mm-hmm?" he asked, nipping lightly to put her in a false sense of security.

April bit her lip at the sensation of his deep raspy voice upon her throat, her free arm wrapping around his neck before she suddenly found herself helpless upon her back. He quickly got on top; purposely and mercilessly began wiggling his fingertips; prodding them into her sides and belly.

"STOPPIT!" The redhead screamed; desperately flinging her arms and accidentally mushing a good chunk of her leftover strawberry pie onto his face.

All went silent and still as the red fruit pie slid down his muzzle and landed with a plop onto the grass.

"Now we're even..." she said triumphantly, a smug smirk pulling at her lips.

"You did that on purpose!" he sounded so offended.

"No. I told you to stop."

The pout he gave her in return was priceless.

April bit her lip to keep from laughing at how Raphael's face was now stained red in more ways than one; his cheeks on fire and the juices and pulp of the fruit and golden brown crust pasted across his snout and lips.

"Hey, at least this color closely resembles your mask." she chuckled.

"Not funny..." Raphael's green eyes were narrowed and it appeared he was more than ready for payback when April got a brilliant idea. Quickly sitting up, she brushed off most of it off his face before leaning in to languidly kiss the corner of his mouth. That was enough to shock the terrapin into dropping any thoughts of revenge. The redhead didn't stop, her soft pink tongue flicking out to taste the remains of the juicy, sugary strawberry concoction off his cheeks and mouth.

April hid back a smile when she heard a throaty groan rumble in his chest before brushing out across her neck and hair. Slipping a hand behind his neck, she pulled him over top of her again; lips pressing insistently over his wide mouth. Before long, her little indiscretion was forgotten and both of them lost themselves in one another. Pressing of mouths, flicks of wet tongue and the barest hints of teeth were all they knew.

April moaned into his mouth, pulling him to lay fuller on top of her. The redhead more more than eager just to forget their planned day ahead of them just to return to the farmhouse to spend the rest of the day (and night) in bed...

It appeared Raphael had different plans for the second April's hands began scooting a little too low down his plastron, the terrapin pulled away. Their lips parting with a wet pop all while April started up curiously at him. Confusion lacing her blue eyes and her swollen pink lips begging to be kissed again.

"D-Do you wanna go on that hike now?" he asked almost nervously.

The redhead swallowed thickly, her fingers still playing with the tail ends of his mask. If she'd kissed him like that on any other occasion he'd already have taken her clothes off and been inside her, but here he was, asking her if she wanted to take a hike...literally.

"Do you?" she asked, one manicured eyebrow lifted in curiosity of what perhaps could have gotten into her normally constantly horny boyfriend.

"Y-Yeah, I mean, if you want." he shrugged, pulling his weight off her further.

"Uh, sure." April replied reluctantly. She would have loved to continue their make-out session instead, but she supposed they had all night and the rest of their time here to screw like rabbits, so why not continue with their other plans first?

"Great." he smiled, helping her to her feet before he began putting the remainder of the food in the picnic basket.

April helped and pretty soon, they were off; hand in hand as they walked through the forest; making sure to stay on a path so they wouldn't get lost. April was certain they wouldn't regardless since she knew this place like the back of her hand, but it couldn't hurt to be safe.

The morning was mostly cool, their picnic lunch area had a nice breeze and their walk was pleasant as they weaved through the mostly shady forests. Occasionally coming upon deer and beautiful wildlife on their journey. Raph smiled when April grasped his hand; pointing out an impressive buck just yards away. They watched the magnificent creature for a few minutes before it got scared off by a few random squirrels chasing each other throughout the brush and leaves.

It was midday when the sun became much too unpleasant. It's harsh rays felt wonderful for Raphael but not for the fair-skinned redhead who was glad she decided to wear her usual garb which covered her delicate shoulders and arms from the unforgiving sun.

"You wanna take a break?" he asked, brushing a hand along her back, which had become quite damp from the heat.

"That would be great." April chuckled, wiping her sweaty bangs from dripping in her eyes.

The couple walked a few more minutes until they came across an open patch of land. Beautiful soft grass and a nice open area with a few trees that gave plenty of shade. Raph enjoyed the novelty of the smooth blades underneath his toes after placing the picnic basket down. He was glad he chose to forgo his pads, wrappings, and belt today.

"This looks amazing!" April chuckled, happily running toward and laying down under a tree to enjoy the coolness of the vegetation and the shade that was blocking out most of the sun. Cool breeze heavenly on her heated, slightly sweaty skin.

Raph was more than content with watching her for a moment before joining her. Carefully settling himself beside her, but upside-down instead. He rested his hands upon his stomach and enjoyed the light filtering through the trees making a dappling effect on their skin and the grass below. The beautiful shifting clouds beyond a perfect backdrop to the rich blue sky. The only sounds punctuating the silence was their combined breathing, the chirping of birds and the sploshing of the creek nearby.

There was nothing like this in the world - Raphael was certain of that.

If you told him three years ago that he would be with April and having a vacation of sorts with her alone in Northampton, he would have punched you in the face before calling you a "fuckin' liar" as you lay there nursing a busted nose.

It was so unbelievable that a girl, especially one as incredible as her, would ever call him friend let alone boyfriend or lover. It was strange to say the least. This amazing young woman allowing him into her life, her body, her heart... It was all too unfathomable once upon a time. A time growing up in which their father warned them of the outside world; of humans who would never accept or want nothing but to hurt or shun them...and damn, he had been right. Raphael couldn't count the number of times he'd been screamed at, kicked, punched, or berated by people he'd saved over the years simply because of how he looked. It caused him to raise walls around his heart and he swore he'd never let any human chisel them down. He expected rejection; pain and misery if he ever found himself associating with one...

Then he met her.

Yeah, she freaked the fuck out when they met her, but she surprisingly adjusted to their presence even if they brought a lot of ruckus and hellish circumstances into her life. Getting her father mutated not once, but twice, being attacked by Shredder, Foot Clan, Purple Dragons, and more mutants than one could care to meet in a lifetime. Remember this was all in the span of three years... At first, he was adamant to not let her in, to let her know he didn't trust her but she soon proved herself otherwise. Over the years in his own way, he'd fallen for her much like Donatello did.

Yet, unlike an initial love at first sight, it was gradual. Sure, she was pretty, but so were a lot of girls he saw. It wasn't her outer beauty that drew him to her in the first place. It was this fire in her. This stubbornness that would have normally drove another person away, but not him; instead, he was like a moth to the flame. She was feisty, funny, personable, and stubborn as all hell yet extremely kindhearted and compassionate. She loved animals; loved people, and cared about him and his brothers even when no one else cared to know they existed.

April O'Neil was different from those others who pushed him away.

So, he'd let her in. He fell for her but never intended on telling her; just suffering in silence until she kissed him that night atop the chicken coop almost two years ago. It boggled his mind that she'd felt the same way for awhile; he could have punched himself for not noticing sooner, but she did tell him he was oblivious. He accepted that.

"You're awfully quiet. What are you thinkin' about?" April asked, sidling up to him and resting her head atop his shoulder and chest.

Raphael's face flushed involuntarily as he met her big blue eyes. Drawn to the movement of her fingers where she was mindlessly pulling apart strands of grass with her dainty fingers. He thought about her question for a few moments and he knew lying now would be stupid.

"You." he answered simply and felt his chest clench as her cheeks grew a light pink hue and the prettiest smile lit up her face.

"Good things?" she teased, moving her arm to where his head came to rest in the crook of her elbow and her fingers played with his mask-tails.

"Yeah...real good things."

"Perv." she laughed and he just chuckled.

"Nah. That's for later." he humored her with a devilish smile and wiggling brow ridges.

"Okay...then what kind of things were you thinking about?"

"Since when did chillin' under a tree turn into twenty questions, O'Neil?"

"When you got super quiet than admitted to thinking about me. It was bound to get me a little curious, Raphael." she admitted, rubbing her nose along the underside of his chin.

"Hmm. Fine. If it'll get ya off my shell. I was just, ya know, thinkin' about how happy I am."

"Raphael Hamoto? Happy? I need to alert the local news." she teased, lifting herself up a bit to look into his eyes and increasingly red cheeks.

"Shut up. I was bein' serious, April." he grumbled.

"Me too. This is big news, Raphael! Once in a blue moon kinda thing!"

"Well, I was thinking good thoughts about you...Don't know about now..."

"Oh, don't be a grumpy turtle...I'm just kidding..." April mumbled, moving to her previous position and running her face against his.

"I'm a snapping turtle too, you better watch out." he growled but April could hear the lightness in his voice.

"I don't care. You're worth it..." she breathed into his skin and Raphael couldn't help but chuckle warmly at her increasing affections. "I'm sorry, Raph...I was just teasing."

"I know. It's alright..." he replied, his fingers running lightly through her short ponytail and in turn, nuzzling his face against hers; their lips brushing.

"Tell me what you were gonna say... Please?" April asked, lightly kissing his wide mouth which was a bit awkward from their positioning but she made due.

"Only cause you asked so nicely. I dunno, just everything that happened with us. It just boggles my mind sometimes. I mean, if I didn't go up to see you that night or you didn't kiss me when I did... We may have never ended up together. I dunno, just something that probably wouldn't have ever happened at anywhere or any other time, but it did..."

April grew silent for a long time, staring up at the light filtering through the thick layer of leaves and how the shadows and light played through like a kaleidoscope effect. His words profound and truthful; how close they came to never being together...but yet, here they were. It did put a lot in perspective.

"I dunno, just...My whole life I was taught to put walls up and expect rejection at every turn, yet...you proved all that wrong, April. I never imagined any of this happening to me."

"Me neither..." she admitted.

"Heh, I guess I - " he spoke but was interrupted when her mouth was suddenly on his again; tears burning the back of her eyes as she pulled his head closer to her. Mouth pressing more firmly over his as she put in every emotion, every circumstance good or bad and put it into that desperate kiss. Allowing him to know everything she was feeling inside without uttering a single word.

All too soon, she found herself fully atop his plastron and kissing him as if she never wanted to surface for air. Breathing him, his scent, his body, his soul, everything... Just Raph... Becoming aware of nothing other than the sensation of his wide, firm lips; strong, steady hands on her hip and back. Her breasts pressed upon his hard plastron plates was a bit uncomfortable but she didn't care as she continued to kiss him until she was nearly breathless.

Flicks of tongue became infiltration as the kiss continued, tongue delving into his searing hot cavern and his wide tongue exploring hers in return. Her hands could do little more than eagerly cup his adorable face and strong jaw as she lost herself in him. Within moments, her core was aching to be filled with him and she desperately wanted to grind herself against his groin to get an iota of relief, but held back much like he did earlier.

April felt as if she may explode from doing so, but her self-control won over as she reluctantly broke their lip-lock. Another devilish thought coming to her mind as she pulled herself into a seated position on his belly.

Raphael stared up at her with heavily-lidded eyes; hands never straying from her hips as he awaited her next move.

"I think we should take a swim." April suggested.

"A swim?" he asked, voice thick almost to the point of sounding drunk.

"Yeah!" she trilled happily, moving aside before standing up from her previous spot on top of him.

Raphael looked a little bit confounded as he sat up on the grass, happy he'd been able to conceal himself even though it'd been one of the hardest things he'd ever done in his life. His latest thoughts were pure confusion right now as he stared at April and back toward the shimmering bright pool just yards away.

"Um, but don't you need a swimsuit?" Raph asked.

"Nope." she replied with wiggling brows as she removed her shirt.

Yes, I'm well aware I'm completely evil, I know, but don't worry, you'll be getting your nsfw fill by next chapter, I promise. ;-)