Raphael x reader

Chapter 26

You meet up on the roof of a coffee shop. You have bought you both some caffeine before climbing up the ladder. You know it's going to be a long night. You sit down on the roof, make yourself comfortable, and take a sip of the hot beverage. You have two reasons for choosing this place; they're neutral grounds and Raph needs to keep his voice down so hopefully it won't become a shouting match again. Raphael arrives after a couple of minutes.

"Hey Raph." You greet without looking up, you just stare at his green feet. He doesn't greet you back.

"Do you want to sit down?"

"I'm fine standin."

"That's alright...Let me just ask you this first and please answer honestly." You look up into his emerald eyes. They're filled with anger and hurt. "Do you still want to be with me?"

He wraps his arms around himself like he needs a shield for feels.

"...Yes. Now answer me. Did you ever care about me?"

You can't help but feel a pang of hurt from his words but you suck it up. You've asked him here to put all your feelings on the table and he is genuinely insecure about it.

"I care about you a lot Raphael. I have since we've met. Lets work this out, okay?" You tuck your knees under your chin and wrap your arms around your legs, making yourself small. You know he'll get defensive about this one.

"You can't keep stalking me."

"I ain't stalking. I'm keeping you safe. Yer the one cheating on me!"

"Cheating?!" Okay that turn took you by surprise. "Enlighten me." You ask, keeping your cool as well as you can.

"The guy yer living with now! Don't deny it, I saw ya walkin' all willingly into his house myself!"

"Oh my god." You sink your face into your hands and groan. "Do I have to be worried you'll cheat on me with Mikey?!"

"Ew! Why the fuck would you say that!"

"Now you know how I feel. I'm staying over at my brothers house you doormat!"

"Oh."

You stand up so you're more at eye level with him. "Damn it Raphael I can't live like this! Being followed around all the time, the constant checking if I am where I say I am. You freaking out if I don't answer my phone immidiately at four in the morning!"

"I'm just tryin ta keep ya outta the Shredders claws! Why don't ya let me keep ya safe?"

"You want to lock me up in the lair for the rest of my life!"

"Nowhere else is safe! I don't want to either, but what choice do we have!"

"Are you gonna keep to your own principals then. You stay locked up in the lair with me. You're in as much danger of the Shredder as I am right? No? Then stop talking bullshit Raph!"

"That's different! I can take a beating, you can't! Yer too frail to fight!"

"Don't you think I know that?! I know I'm weak. I know how ridiculously stronger you are and you have to protect me. But I refuse to live in fear! I refuse to be a coward! Because if I am, then I have no right to stand by your side!" You wail, tears streaming down your cheeks.

"B-but..I can't take it when yer hurt." Raphael's eyes are watering up. This time there is no rain to cover for his emotions.

"I can't stand it when you're hurt either Raph." You step closer to him.

"I..." Raphael swallows his fears and looks you directly in the eyes. The green glowing with so many emotions you get dizzy staring into them, but you can't look away. Suddenly the world falls away, nothing but him and you exist. He takes your hands in his.

"Y/n, I love you."

The sheer emotion in those few simple words almost makes you choke up and your knees buckle, but you need to say how you feel as well. Right now. Or he might never believe you.

"Raphael..I love you too."

The distance closes. Your lips meet halfway in a desperate kiss. Raph's hands find the small of your back and pull you as close as you'll allow him to. In return you wrap your arms around his neck to pull him closer as well. You've missed this. You've missed him so much.

When you need air and break the kiss Raph hugs you so tightly it almost hurts.

"I almost never got ta tell you that." You notice Raphael is shaking. "I was so so so scared when Shredder got ya, you almost died." A sob wracks his body. "An' when ya ran out of the lair 'cause of me, if anythin' happened ta you, if you got kidnapped again, it'd be my fault."

"No Raphael please don't ever feel guilty for what bad people do. You are not responsible for other people actions. Like you said to me, don't blame yourself for this, okay?" You feel him nod against you as another sob escapes him.

"Raph next time when something is bothering you please just talk to me. So we can work it out together. Can you promise me that?"

"Y-yeah. I promise I'll talk ta you... S-so. You uuh comin' back to the lair? Mikey misses ya."

You crack a smile, but it fades. "For visits and sleepovers. I've got a nice set up at my brothers place. With all the chaos and...well...you following me, bro wants me close by. You're not the only one who's very protective of me. 'sides, it's easier to go to work/school from there."

Raph doesn't exactly look thrilled you're not coming back with him, but he begrugingly accepts. "Fine. I know where he lives anyway so I will be paying ya visits."

That does get you to smile. "Sure, but you're the one explaining why a giant turtle is eating his sisters face."

Raph gives you a big ass grin. "What, like this?" He captures your lips in his again.