Terrified

Part 9

"Okay," you chirped, playing with the ends of Raph's bandana. You sounded happy. Too happy. Especially considering you had looked a little frightened a moment ago.

Raph raised his head to find a toothy grin on your face. He squinted up at you suspiciously.

You noticed and let your face fall like it was minutes ago.

"What?"

He didn't respond as he thought over everything he had said. What was it that made you smile?

"Ya seem...," Raph switched tactics. "I expected ya ta argue."

"About?"

"Gettin' good sleep-"

"Well, I do feel exhausted. I couldn't sleep cos I was worried something bad might happen to you," you explained.

"Eatin' betta-"

"I promise I will try. But I'm really not hungry. And food hurts," you pouted.

"Bein' glued ta my side."

Silence. Your eyes flitted up to the tv as you pretended not to hear him.

"Y/n," Raph shook you slightly to get your attention, but you only gave him a quick glance. He stood, bringing you with him as he blocked your view of the tv. "I don' think ya understand wha' that entails, Swee'heart."

"What, what entails?" You muttered quietly, looking down at the floor.

"Stickin' to my side," he gently lifted your chin, forcing eye contact.

"Oh."

"Yeah," Raph continued to hold your gaze. "It means no video games with Mikey unless I'm there. No science experiments with Donnie unless I'm in the room with ya. No meditating for hours with Leo, cos we both know I don' do long meditation."

"What about tea with Splinter?"

"I figure ya can drink tea with Sensei while I take care of personal needs."

You nodded your understanding. Well, as much as Raph would allow with his finger under your chin.

"And last, but not least; hours upon hours of sittin' in the dojo while I get back inta fightin' shape."

A flash of fear crossed over your features before you could hide it from him. If he hadn't been boring into your eyes, looking for any tell tale sign of what was really going on in your pretty little head, he would have missed it.

"And ya still not gonna argue 'bout it, huh?" He continued as the gears turned in his head. Which word, exactly, had you scared?

Then it clicked.

Fighting.

You were afraid of him going topside again.

"Is that what this is all about?" Raph questioned, still not letting go even though his grip tightened a tad.

It all started to make sense.

"What is wha-"

Why you didn't argue.

"No, Princess," he seethed. "Tell me you didn't."

Why you stopped eating.

"Didn't wha-"

If you were glued to him.

"Stop eatin' cos a me," he growled.

Then he couldn't go topside.

"Well- I, uh- I- No?" You slammed your eyes closed and a tear rolled down your sunken cheek.

And if he couldn't go topside.