Hothead Hardships

Chapter 12: Connect and Cozy

The night continued with laughter and love. They played countless games, sang karaoke, and Space Jam played on the tv in the background. Everything was going swimmingly, until Mikey, who was about 6 bottles deep, yelled, "Let's play truth or dare!"

"I don't know Mike, it's getting kinda late man." Moaned Casey as he was barely awake, clutching his bottle to his chest and snuggling deeper into the chair.

Leo placed a gentle hand on Mikey's shoulder. "We need to be heading back."

"Aww, I don't wanna leave!"

"We can do this again sometime Mikey, but I think we all need to get some decent sleep," April advised, leaning against the back of Donnie's seat, twirling his mask strings with her fingers.

"But Cass just got back!" Mikey whined, crawling over to where she was seated, fastening Cass's knees into a tight hold like a small child. Mikey looked up with his baby blues and there was no doubt that he could melt the coldest of hearts with that look.

"Aww sweetheart, I'll be down tomorrow, I promise." She hummed, patting his head. He made a purring sound and nuzzled her leg, reminding her of a cat.

Raph nudged Mikey and helped him up, "Let's move." Leo said grabbing ahold of the curtain and moving it aside to help Raph get Mikey back through the window he tried to come back through.

The boys called back saying they'll see them tomorrow and throwing niceties around left and right. Making one individual feel inadequate.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Casey groaned as he tried to stand but gave up quickly. Leonardo grabbed Mikey by the back of his shell and all but tossed him onto the balcony. Donnie was all too busy whispering something into April's ear who was now seated securely in his lap. With a knowing wink and a not-so-subtle 'be good' exchanged between the two females, Raphael re-entered the small apartment.

"I'm takin' ya home." Raphael's deep baritone sent a shiver through Cassidy, her mind immediately going haywire. Which, in turn, had April fixing Cassidy with a superstitious-yet-all-knowing look that read, "You better tell me everything." Cass simply nodded, her face flushed as she turned toward the big red bara.

Before Cassidy could say anything, Raphael picked her up, bridal style, and caused her to let out a little squeal, and her arms instinctively wrap around his thick neck. No sooner did his feet hit the fire escape did she make up her mind.

"Raph..." her nervous whisper shook in her throat as her fingers started to drum at the side of his neck. His reply was nonchalant as he looked around, making sure the coast was clear. He had already begun to reach for the fire escape ladder as her question met his ears.

"Can I stay with you?"

He froze, his hold loosened against her waist as he had almost slipped. Raphael Hamato almost slipped. Thank fuck his brothers didn't just witness that. He had been reading the grip on the side of the fire escape and the sexy brunette in his arms destroyed his resolve. Beautiful distraction. But her short gasp of fright brought him back to reality as quickly as her question left her lips.

"What?" His amber eyes burned straight through her, his grip tightening around her waist ever so slightly that she cursed herself for her breath catching.

"I, uh, I don't want to be alone, and..." She began to backtrack due to his intense gaze and overwhelming silence, "If not that's okay. I—,"

"Hold on." Was his only reply as he began to make his way down. His grip shifted her weight as he began to jump down towards the alleyway. His feet met the cold concrete and his enormous shadow covered her like a protective blanket. All he wanted to do was kiss her. He needed confirmation that this was real, all of this was real. That she, was real, in front of him, and not just another teasing dream. His grip loosened enough for her body to slide down his front and his large hands cupped her cheeks as his lips covered hers. Her startled quip only stoked his fire. Their lips were fervent against the other, as the sound of teeth clashing and gasps echoed throughout the alley. His dreams hadn't even come close to the real thing. Her body was warm and molded easily against his hands and hardened chest. He advanced, pushing her back until he had her pinned against the brick. He wanted to hear his name again, breathless, against his lips. Her sweet honey-bourbon mouth, fuck, this girl would be the death of him. At this rate, he'd welcome death like an old friend and willingly fall into the abyss.