My Favorite Blues - TMNT 2014/2016 Leonardo story

Chapter 8

Raphael searches around the lair for his brother's weapons, he walks and jumps about the rubble that's scattered everywhere around his home. He finally walks upon them laying surprisingly in the same place, they were probably threatened to drop them here earlier. The thought of just what might happen to his brothers, his only family, makes him even more angry and desperate to get to them in time. He picks up the weapons, one by one, and places them somewhere secure. He secures Mikey's nunchucks around his waist while he places Donnie's staff and Leo's swords on the back of his shell. He cracks his neck and grunts at the action, getting rid of any stress and strain that lays heavily on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry to squash your moment there Red, but uhhh, we need a ride. We're obviously not going to walk all the way there." I remind both Raphael and April and cross my arms, I tilt my head at them both, waiting for some kind of a plan.

"I know someone-" April sighs heavily. "-but you're not gonna like it." I look at her confused but then it dawns on me, who is the only one that will do anything, ANYTHING, for April no matter what? Even if it means to throw all their self-respect out the window?

"You can't be serious! Vern will freak out, probably have a heart attack or something if he sees Red!" I gesture towards Raph but quickly dismiss the meaning behind my words.

"No offence Red but it's not everyday that you see a....teenage uh mutant ninja turtle? You get me? It's quite a shock." He huffs and rolls his eyes at me but nods.

"Yeah I get it Valkyrie, no need to get your panties in a twist but right now, we really don't have a choice." I cringe but reluctantly mutter a 'okay' and April runs to the mini phone booth to call Vern.

"So....Valkyrie, huh?" I laugh a little at the ironic nickname. Raph does as well.

"If you get to call me Red, I get to call you Valkyrie." He states with a small smirk on his face. "It's only fair."

I place my hands on my hips and leisurely walk to him. I stop a few meters from him and cross my arms loosely, I give him a sympathetic look and face the ground in shame.

"I'm sorry for acting like such a bitch to you before, I just thought you were acting like an asshole but I see why you would get defensive. It's not easy living like this, hiding from the world, feeling like you'll never be accepted by society-" I trail off and look back up at him and he frowns at my words. "-but the important thing is that I, accept you. April accepts you and hell, even Vern will accept you, the same goes for Splinter and your brothers. It might not be much but it's a start, and I hope that you will accept my apology, if not now, then maybe at a later time? And maybe accept me as your....friend?" I finish, hope lacing my voice as I utter the word friend into the open space and let it float around for a few seconds, I start to fiddle with my fingers from nervousness and her him chuckle at my habit.

"Awww, are you going soft on me, Valkyrie?" He teases to lighten the mood that hangs in the musky air of the lair.

I smile brightly at him and swing my arms back and forth to my sides. "If it means you'll be my friend, then yes, maybe I am."

"Alright then, if you'll be mine then I don't see a problem with it. And I could use one at the moment." Raphael strokes the back of his muscular neck awkwardly, clearly not used to showing such......affection.

Our precious moment is cut short as April calls out to us; "Vern will meet us at Cortlandt Alley in ten minutes guys, let's go!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I nearly turn around when I see Vern checking himself out in the rearview mirror of his van, he has a freaking fedora on his head. I groan and April looks at me weirdly.