Embers (Bayverse LeonardoxReader)

•Chapter Five•

I'm excited about this chapter, we get a cute little Raph moment because he gives the best big brother vibes.
Enjoy!

                                        •••

"What's with the hat?" April asks Vern, spotting him leaned against the Channel Six news van, messing with a brown fedora propped on his head.

"I-I don't know...a buddy of mine gave...I don't-" He fumbles over his words, making you cringe. It was obvious he had a crush on your sister. "What's with the secret meeting?"

As your sister argued with Vern about mutant turtles and Eric Sacs, you open the back of the van, allowing Raphael to climb in the back. He was silent, and moved with agility despite his size.

"Right, the mutant turtles." Vern groans. "This is getting ridiculous. Just admit you want to hang out."

"What?" April furrows her brow, genuine confusion dusting her features. "No, Vern I'm-"

You groan as they continue to bicker, wishing Vern would just drive. Raph's eye were glued to yours, his irritation obviously growing a lot quicker than your own.

Suddenly, the turtle lurches forward, sticking his face in the cab as a toothpick dangled from his lips. "Drive." He growls, staring forward.

There's a moment of silence before Vern stutters out in surprise. "Y-you're a talking turtle."

Raph grunts. "And you're a human nerd. Now hit it."

You snicker under your breath at the insult.

"How did you get back there? Y/n you've just been sitting back there with-"

Raphael cuts off his ramble, repeating his earlier order with more aggression. "Drive!"

"O-Okay! Alright!" Vern stutters, pressing on the acceleration.

Sighing, Raph leans back, resting his shell against the side of the van as he sat across from you.

Your eyes were on your hands. You were picking at the loose skin around yours nails, something you did when you were nervous.

And you could feel the turtles gaze.

He grunts, an attempt to get your attention or get you to look up. You don't, keeping your eyes on your hands.

"Y/n."

Unable to ignore him at his blatant request for your attention, you meet his eyes. You don't say anything, figuring the eye contact was enough to let him know he had your attention.

"You don't talk much do ya'?" The turtle says, his voice low and gravely.

You shrug, tapping your fingers on your knees, which you had pressed to your chest.

"Yer' provin my point, trouble."

"Trouble?" You utter, curious at the nickname you'd been dubbed. He'd called you that twice now.

He smirks, proud that he'd finally managed to get you to speak. "Yeah. Yer' not a chatty kid, but you sure do cause some trouble when ya talk."

You stare at him blankly, not exactly sure what he meant by that.

"Can I ask ya summin'?"

You nod.

"Why do ya look at my brother the way ya do?" He asks, shifting as the van took a hard turn.

"What do you mean?"

Raph sighs, adjusting the tooth pick in his mouth by the movement of his lips. "Leo. Yer' always lookin at him funny. Like he's the most amazin thing ya ever saw."