#blinderreader

It started out as a concern.

The first time Raph saw you he was grabbing some pizza to head back to the lair after another patrol. It was late, so of course he was confused when he saw a woman walking that late at night. Nevertheless, he knew the streets of New York were a dangerous place. He followed all the way to the other side of the street until he saw two men step away from a building with their hands in their pockets as they began to follow you down the stretch.

You made another turn, and Raph cursed, dropping his pizza in the process when he saw one of the men pull out a knife.

He must have taken maybe a minute for the most. That's why it made little sense. When he broke the corner both men were groaning on the floor. One of them clutching their groin.

"Trying to rob me too big fella."

You stepped from behind the dark space. His eyes caught the pair of sunglasses on your face. He didn't fully realize that you were blind until he saw you draw the stick. You approached, cane extended.

Raph meant to say something, anything, but the sirens were so close and it dawned on him that you must have called the police. He cursed, jumping onto the building. You just lifted your head and the sounds of feet disappeared.

The next encounter was out of curiosity.

He couldn't stop thinking about what happened.

He contemplated that maybe your disability was some con. That you could in fact see. But nothing about your reaction proved that. Because you hadn't screamed upon seeing him. He hadn't truly planned to see you again. But he spotted you, and once again he found himself ducking corners and skipping buildings.

Carefully skating down the side of an alley, he didn't understand how you disappeared so easily.

"You know if you wanted my number you could have just asked, you didn't have to stalk me."

Raph flinched, instinctively reaching for his sai. He didn't even have a chance to draw it. Your cane struck his hand and he jumped when it was easily knocked out of his hand. He gaped, and you just wore a smile.

"She's fast."

He didn't reach for the other. Although he was positive he could take you without weapons, the sheer fact that you seemed much more agile than he anticipated made him a bit weary.

"Are ya even blind!" It sounds like an accusation. When you lift your glasses, he observes the way your eyes don't look directly at him.

"I assure you I'm fully blind."

He felt a bit guilty now.

You slipped the glasses back on, reaching over and picking up his weapon. Raph kept his eyes on you the entire time. When you raised and held it out for him, he wasn't sure if you were being sincere or testing him.

"I'm not going to attack, I promise." He frowned at your words, reaching over and taking it from you with a grumble.

"Ya act like I'm scared of ya or something."

"I know you were looking out for me." Raph stiffened and you smiled.

"I heard your steps the second you jumped from that building. That night you were carrying pizza. You dropped everything to rush to me. It's kind of flattering. "

He didn't understand how you knew this.

"Next time just drop by, no need to stalk me from afar." You point in the direction of your building.

"I'm on the fifth floor, don't be a stranger."

"Ya just giving me the address, what if I'm some kind of criminal!" He lectured.

You grin.

"I can take care of myself. It's cute that you're worried about me though."

Raph huffed, and you turned.

"See you later, big guy."

Right there and then he must have known.

For a while he couldn't truly focus. Because you'd literally invited him to stop by. So he didn't understand why he was on the roof of your building and he couldn't get himself to move.

"This is stupid what the hell am I doing?"

You were obviously messing with him. His frown deepened and he landed on the balcony of your floor. He was quiet, eyes looking in. Your curtains were slightly parted, and he could see your figure moving around the apartment. For a moment he just observes. You weren't moving with a cane, but he noticed the way your fingers lingered on surfaces as you walked.

It baffled him how you were able to be so independent and fearless. You must have been maybe a year or two older than he was. You possessed no superpowers that he was aware of.

Raph had been so taken in his thoughts that he didn't notice you approach the door. When it slid open, he looked up.

"Hey."

He meant to reply, but the right words wouldn't follow. He was a bit mesmerized. He knew full well that you couldn't see him. But there was something about your eyes that just called to him. Suddenly he felt protective. Like he needed to look out for you.

"Ya should be more careful."

"Another lecture? Are you my father or something?" You were poking fun at me and he just folded his arms, turning his head. He didn't like the fact that you seemed to lack a sense of danger.

You moved to the railing, stepping out as you placed your hand on it, enjoying the feel of the wind against your cheeks.

"I'm not defenseless. I might not be able to see but I'm really good at reading people. Maybe it's because my sight is gone that my other senses are a little amplified. Whatever the reason, if you were some bad guy you'd be face down on the floor right now."

"Ya pretty cocky for a shrimp."

"Hey you're the one who's a giant." You laugh. Raph took a step back. For a moment he forgets that he isn't normal. Maybe your lack of vision made him complacent.

"That's right."

It might be all jokes now, but the second you figure out you'll be hightailing it in the other direction.

"I can hear you doubting yourself. You're probably thinking, she's going to figure out I'm not normal."

Now he's a bit panicked.

Before he goes into a spiral you grab his wrist and he stops. Breathing, thinking, moving.

It all stops.

"I might not be able to see you fully, and I'm not going to stand here and pretend that I'm not a little scared. But I needed to know what you were."

So it wasn't a friendly invitation. You were analyzing him. Trying to figure him out.

"You're not human.."

He grits his teeth.

"Can't believe I was this reckless."

He let his guard down. The smart thing to do now is run, take off and never come back. But your hand releases his wrist, and you take a step back.

"Are you going to run now, your heart is beating pretty quickly." You tease.

"Could ya stop messing with me!!"

He's irritated at how easily you seem to get under his skin. You laugh.

"Sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood. You were really quiet. I figured you were going to disappear in the night and never come back. Like Batman." You whisper the last part as you giggle and he glares.

"Ya really like pushing my buttons. "

"It's fun. You're easy to get worked up."

He turns.

"Whatever I gotta go."

"Come by anytime Batman~"

From that day it became a routine for him to stop by your place. Your conversations usually consisted of you teasing Raph and him retaliating with grumbles and mutters. You'd even started grabbing pizzas. After you fully tormented him about it being his addiction.

This particular night you're both seated by your balcony, taking in the New York lights.

"A translator?"

You nod as he shoves another piece of pizza in his mouth.

"Yeah. I work for the NYPD. I know over ten languages. Pretty impressive right?"

You're boasting and Raph licks his fingers.

"It's impressive ya got anywhere with that ego of yours." You laugh, taking a sip of your drink.

"Well when you're in my position you need to have confidence."

Raph turns, because he notices the way your expression changes a little.

"When I found out about my condition people were quick to write me off. I had to prove that I could be someone. Regardless of what others thought. I didn't have parents to motivate me like most kids. I couldn't rely on anyone but myself. I know what it's like feeling as though I'm nothing. I promised myself I'd never go back there again. I kept it too. I get to travel to different departments to share my skills. "

He had to admit that was pretty admirable.

"Although it sucks that you and your brothers do so much for the city and you get nothing in return."

"If we did it just for the perks it wouldn't really make us heroes. People out there need help and we can. So we do."

You can't help but smile at the mindset. Not many people are so selfless to put their lives on the line for strangers.

"I'm kind of glad no one knows you exist. I would have to share with girls all over the world trying to take you from me." You grin and Raph looks away.

"Hah, hilarious."

"I'm being serious. You're the full package. If you stopped frowning so much I'm sure you could score a lot of admirers. "

"How do you know I'm frowning, you're blind!"

"I can hear it."

"That's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible if you believe." He's now facing you and you know he's frowning.

You reach out, taping your finger on his nose.

"Boop."

Raph explodes.

"I'm leaving!!"

You just begin laughing as you grab his arm to insist he stays.

He's grown used to so much.

Yet you still found ways to surprise him. Like the time you bought a television set.

"Why ya need a tv, ya blind. "

You just giggled.

"I'm aware of that Raph. This isn't for me. It's for you. I have the Transformer movies downloaded as an audiobook on my phone, but this way we can both enjoy it. I pretty much know what the characters look like. You'll just have to give some minor descriptions when Optimus changes throughout the series. He's my favorite."

You toss him the remote and he catches it, still observing you. He won't voice it, but he's grateful for the gesture.

"Hurry up! I've been waiting all day to watch it!"