Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) - Oneshot
You and Raph have always had your disagreements, but this one felt a bit nuclear.
You’d just gotten back from another failed date.
It was the second one this month.
Being a hopeless romantic had its strengths and weaknesses. That’s why you came to the boys to vent. But the second Raph heard, he’d started with his stupid condescending words.
“You keep chasing them, what the hell do you expect?”
Leo sent his brother a look. While he knew very little about women, he knew the worse thing to do was to say that they were wrong. Especially if that woman is you.
“What do you mean chasing them!! Those guys asked for my number!!”
Raph scoffed, toothpick in his mouth as he turned.
“Forget about it.”
You jump from your seat.
“No! You can’t just say that crap and walk away!!”
Grabbing his arm, he turns back in your direction, a frown on his face.
“You’re gullible, that’s why. You think every guy out there is after love. You’re naive.”
“You have some nerve Raph!!”
“You’re the one who asked.”
“Well you didn’t have to be an ass about it!”
“You want me to sugarcoat it. Love ain't easy.”
“What the hell do you know about love or how I feel!!”
Leo could tell that this was getting sour quick, so he stepped between the both of you, placing a hand on your shoulder to back you up. You shoved his hand away, pushing past him.
“YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT’S LIKE!!”
Raph was ready to retaliate, but when he saw your tears, something in him just froze. You sobbed and his entire posture changed, no longer combative.
“You..you have no idea what it’s like to be in love with someone who’ll never return those feelings..w-what else am I supposed to do..”
You sound so broken and there seems to be so much more to that statement than an accusation, or a mere explanation. Before he can fully assess it, you’re wiping your tears with a frown.
“I’m leaving.”
Your tone sounds cold, unfeeling. Just like that you’re heading out and Leo follows behind. Not before sending his brother a look.
Raph’s previous conversation with Leo runs back through his head.
“She’s going on another date.” Raph grumbled.
“You’re starting to sound jealous.” Leo made the comment absentmindedly, but Raph's silence made him look up from his mediating. Raph refused to look directly at him, and his face gave it all away.
“Raph…do you-”
“Shut up okay!!”
If that wasn’t admittance, Leo wasn’t sure what was.
“Why don’t you just tell her?”
“Yeah, so we can hold hands and run off into the sunset. Fat chance.”
Raph looked angry, and Leo realized at that moment it wasn’t at him, but the situation. Love was hard, but unrequited love, that was painful. At that moment, Leo wanted to confess everything. All the talks that you’d confided in him, but after each little confession, you begged him to swear to never say a word. Above all else, he never wanted to betray that trust, even if it meant helping his brother. So he did the next best thing.
“Tell her or I will.”
Raph seemed startled at the threat and from his expression, it was clear that he was serious.
“You better-”
“Are you really threatening me?”
Leo just grinned and Raph glared. When Leo stood, that smile was still planted on his face.
“I’ll give you a day, after that I’m spilling the beans.”
It was stupid, getting blackmailed so easily. Maybe that’s why when you came in the following afternoon venting about your date he felt so agitated. It felt like a test, or a mockery.
It’s not like you knew of his feelings, you weren’t intentionally trying to provoke him, but it was painful, listening to the person he held feelings for talk about searching for love somewhere else.
“Damn it.”
At the end of the day, he knew what he had to do, he just wished it was easier to achieve.
~
“Let me know if you need anything.”
Leo said those words right before he left.
More than anything, you’re appreciative of Leo’s support. He’s always known, maybe before you did. Raph is an idiot, so you should expect his comments, but it still hurts. How could someone be that oblivious?
You glare at the ceiling.
“Moron.”
The knock on your window makes your eyes shift. At first you assume it’s Leo, but he wouldn’t have knocked, you left the window open. He knows that.
When you stand and slide the curtains, you confirm your assumption.
It’s Raph.
“You gonna let me in.”
“Why the hell should I?”
“I came to apologize.”
He grumbles looking away.
“I don’t want it.”
You’re just as stubborn as he is. So he expects combative words.
“I’m sorry.”
This time he looks at you and you can see the sincerity behind his words. It makes you a little irritated how easily he makes you fold. With a huff, you finally open the window and he climbs in. He steps into your room and you’re not sure what to do or say. He looks genuinely guilty for what was said.
“Listen, whatever you do, I’ll support you.”
Given how crappy he handled the situation, it was the least he could do. At this point, it might be the only way to maintain your friendship. As long as you were a part of his life, he would find a way to deal.
You however are skeptical. Raph isn’t someone who makes empty promises or statements. Everything about him is purposeful.
“You mean that.”
He sighed, nodding.
“I’ll do whatever you need.”
It would hurt, but more than anything, he just needed you to be happy. He never wanted to see those tears again.
“Please just…don’t cry anymore.”
Raph wouldn’t really look at you, and in that moment, you really wanted to cry, because the person you loved was standing right in front of you, but he couldn’t be further away. All you had to do was say those words. You would either lose him forever, or gain something amazing. Both options were somewhat terrifying, but you couldn’t keep pretending. You needed to be honest. To tell him, because more than anything, there’s a part of you that hopes he feels the same.
“What if..”
You gulp.
“What if what I need… is you?”
His head was still lowered and when he finally looked up, you wanted to bolt, but where could you go? This is your apartment.
Raph looks stunned and you suck up what little courage you have left, taking a step.
“I..need you Raph…”
Your eyes are so honest, and he feels like a complete idiot, or maybe he just doesn’t believe it. It couldn’t be true.
“You..you have no idea what it’s like to be in love with someone who’ll never return those feelings..w-what else am I supposed to do..”
That time, the statement, was it about him?
“You..”
You nod, because he doesn’t have to elaborate.
“I’ve been in love with you for months Raph so please let me-”
He hugs you and the action stuns you. Your feet are dangling off the ground and you’re startled.
“Raph you-”
“Please, just let me hold you. Don’t say anything.”
His pleas sound the very same as yours from earlier and slowly but surely, your hands reach out, wrapping around his neck as you hold on.
It seems like love might have been closer than you thought after all.
