Requested by @dreams-delusional
+Y/N has always been the one to help keep everyone in check. If they came back from a mission upset in any way, she would be the one to cheer them up or at least calm down but she knew how and when to back off. They are always so in tune with their emotions, making it look easy. Raph doesn’t understand how. He doesn’t even know how to deal with his feelings for them.
Note: I do not own the picture, credit to the owner(s). I hope this fits alright into the request. This how I would interpret Raph and an in tune emotional reader.
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I was currently sitting at my desk working on homework for history. I had a project due in a few days and told the guys I wouldn’t be able to make it to the lair for a bit. I was in the zone until a loud thump from my balcony caught my attention. I looked to the open doors and saw on of the guys through the billowing curtains.
“Hey Y/N.” I heard Raph speak up. I sat surprised for a second. Raph normally doesn’t go out of his way to visit me on his own account.
“Hey Raph. What’s up?” I leant back in my chair. He walked inside and started pacing.
“Oh you know, dealing with bad guys, putting up with Mikey’s pranks, Donnie’s insistent noise, and oh yeah, Leo’s constant nagging.” He growled. I just chuckled at him before turning back to my desk.
“Have another tiff with the leader in blue?” I went back to work.
“Is it that obvious?” He said sarcastically. I heard him huff. “But you’re busy so I’ll…I’ll see you later.”
“Nope.” I turned and looked at him. He gave me a confused look. “You go sit down and mellow out for a while. I’m almost down with this for the night and then I am all yours.”
“Okay.” He finally agreed after a minute of silence. I shook my head in amusement as he sulked over to my bed.
I walked over and sat on her bed. I swore my face was as red as my mask when she said she was all mine. I let out a silent breath as she turned back to her computer. If only she were all mine. I shook my head and rubbed my hands over my face.
“Damn!” I threw myself back on the bed but froze when I realized my outburst was outloud. I looked over at Y/N to see she hadn’t made a move of acknowledgement. I leant back down and stared at the ceiling. How does she keep so cool and collected all the time?
“Y/N!” I shot up as I heard Y/N’s mother. I looked at her and she calmly looked toward the door.
“Yes mom?” I saw the door open and quickly moved behind Y/N’s open closet door.
“I’m going out for the night. I have a work party and don’t know how long it will last. I’m sorry honey.”
“It’s alright mom. Have fun!” I heard the door close but stayed put. “It’s clear Raph.” I peeked out before completely emerging. “And I’m done.” She cheered before putting her stuff away.
I put my stuff away and turned my attention towards Raph.
“Vent away.” I said as I made myself comfortable on my bed. He stood still for only a second before launching into a story about his and Leo’s fight. I listened to every word, only commenting when he asked me for my opinion.
“And then as I am leaving, Mikey decides it would be a great idea to give me an attack hug!” He threw his arms in the air before collapsing onto my bed. I giggled at him before leaning towards him.
“Have you ever thought that Mikey is just trying to help you feel better?” I asked. Raph looked up at me. “He is your brother after all. I know that none of you like when any of the others are upset.”
“That’s not the case with Leo.” He grumbled before getting up and walking over to the balcony. I got up and followed him.
“Do you really believe that?” I asked him. He just glanced back at me so I continued. “Do you really think that Leo enjoys fighting with you? That he gets a kick out of calling you out and getting you angry? I can tell you he doesn’t.”
“How do you know?” He turned to me.
“Because I actually listen to him Raph.” I said straight. His eyes widen before they cast downward. “He has talked to me on often occasions after a fight you two have had. He upset that he had to fight with you and hates the fact that you two do. I’ve tried to help him find another way but every time you get defensive when there is no need to be. He just wants to make sure you’re safe. You’re all safe. Or he just wants to help you Raph but you keep pushing him away.” I told him firmly.
“I don’t need help from him. I don’t need help from anybody!” He snapped at me. I took a step back before giving him a look.
“..that sounds like a lonely life Raph…” I looked down for a second. “Thanks for proving my point Raph. It’s sad that so people reach to you but all you do is throw it back in their face.” I said before walking back inside. I paused for a second. “It would help to if you reacted with something other than anger as well.” I walked the rest of the way inside.
I watched her walk back inside, gob smacked. I have had so many people to tell me about my anger issues and call my out about being such a defensive jerk but this is only the second time it has hit me this hard. The first being Master Splinter and how I wished his words had stuck with me.
“My god this is so…” I caught myself as I felt irritated. I took a breath and calmed down. “I need to work on this but I need…help.” I looked up into the room. “Swallow your pride Raph.”
“Hope you’re feeling better, Ann.” I heard Y/N say as I walked in. She looked at me and I noticed she was on the phone. “I’m at home right now, just finished working on that history project for the night.” She paused and listened. “You too. Have a good night.” She put the phone down and just looked at me.
“I am sorry.” I said before I could have second thoughts. “I am terrible when it comes to emotions and I know that Leo and all of you are just looking out for me but I have a hard time accepting it. I’m not in tune with my emotions like you are.” I took a big breath and looked at her ashamed. She just smiled in return.
He started to look even more worried as I just stayed silent. I cocked my head to the side knowing he had more to say but was giving him the time to say it comfortably. He sighed.
“And I… I need help. I want to do better, to be better.” He said finally. I got up and walked to him. “Will you help me?”
“Of course Raph.” I said. “That’s what friends are for.” I hugged him tight. I felt his arms raise and hug me back.
“I wish we were more than friends.” I heard him mumble. I pulled back surprised.
“What?” I looked at him in the eye and saw panic. He looked like he was about to bolt but he stopped himself and took a breath.
“I like you Y/N. Like you, like you. I have for a long time but my inability to cooperate with my emotions has held me back.” He said truthfully. “I understand though if I’m just a friend to you and accept that.”
“NO! Don’t.” I said quickly. He gave me an extremely confused face. I tried to get the words out but kept failing. Instead, I just shot forward and locked our lips. He tensed in shock before quickly reciprocating the kiss.
“Y/N?” He said in question once we pulled away.
“I like you too Raph.” I admitted. “I’ve just been too nervous to say anything. I’m not always so good with my emotions Raph. Everyone has their days.” I touched the side of his face. “This great step Raph and brave move. You never had problem with being brave though.”
“Thanks.” Raph just smiled.
“The first step to getting help is asking for it. So you have already accomplished that.” I said and pulled him to sit. “And don’t think that you have to lose your tough guy persona to get in tune as you say. You can still be the classic Raph but just with a better temperament.” I poked his forehead.
“Yeah that sounds great.” He grabbed a hold of my hand. “So two questions.”
“One; where do we start? And two; will you be my girl?” He kissed my hand as he finished. I blushed after the second.
“Well, we start with you realizing when you get upset and catching yourself. Like you did just a minute ago. I read your expression like you were going to run and then you caught yourself. Learn when you need to reel the anger back in, not suppress but control it. And the answer to your other question, yes I will be your girl.” He smiled big and pulled me into a hug.
“You’ve made me so happy!!” He cheered. I laughed and looked up at him.
“You know you just sound like Mikey, right?” He gave me a look before chuckling.
“Yeah. God, I need to go apologize.” He mumbled.
“Another great step.” He smiled and pulled me up.
“Come with me. It would help so much.” I nodded.
“Let me get my shoes on.”
I sat back as I watched Raph talk calmly with Leo. There were a few times where he snapped and got irritated but he caught himself and continued on calmly. I felt someone sit next to me and turned to see Master Splinter.
“Greetings child. I see Raphael has learned a lesson in anger management.” I nodded and watched as said turtle hugged it out with Mikey and Leo. “Thank you Y/N. I have had this lesson with Raphael in the past and it only last a short while but I have a feeling with your help it will last much longer.”
“I will do my best Master Splinter.” I said. He bowed in thanks.
“Sometimes one person can change another’s life for the better. Oh and congratulations on your courtship.” He smiled before walking away.
“What was that about?” Raph came up to me.
“Nothing just casual conversation.” I said. He raised an eye ridge but I just shook my head. I stood up and kiss his nose. “I promise, nothing bad.”
“Okay.” He relented but pulled me into him. He leant down and kissed me slow. “I’m glad I get to do that now.” I giggled and kissed him again.
“GET A ROOM!” Mikey yelled across the lair. I felt Raph tense and saw the irritation.
“Can I still ‘playfully’ chase my brother around threatening to kill him and still stay on track with my emotions?” I made a thinking face.
“As long as it’s playfully.” He smiled before pecking my lips.
“Oh Mikey?” He called out. I saw Mikey freeze and look at us. “How about we play a game of tag?” His eyes widened.