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"Woah, Red," You said as he abruptly pulled back from your space, crossing his forearms one in front of the other. Your hand found his one closest to you, where it rested on your table, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You OK?"
"Yeah. Yeah, o'course," He muttered, voice low and gravelly and doing nothing to disguise his nerves. His eyes- bright, stunning, dangerous green- were wide and shadowed by a knit brow as he quickly wet his lips with his tongue. "Just- are you- you're sure about this?"
You fought to keep the smile off your face, not wanting him to think you were laughing at him. "I'm very sure," You said warmly, squeezing his arm again and dragging your hand back to find his and play with his fingers like you always did. "But we can stop-"
"No," Raph said quickly, turning his hand over and looping his fingers through yours with his signature little shake of your joined hands. "Just... c'mere."
You obliged happily, pushing yourself up out of your seat and leaning over the corner of the table, leaning on your forearms to look him in the eyes. "Hey, handsome."
"Hey yourself," He muttered lowly. His free hand came up to brush knuckles against your cheek, slowly, lightly tracing back towards your ear before unfurling and cupping your jaw, his eyes trailing the motion.
Then, Raphael pulled you forwards.
Really, it wasn't a pull. He was as gentle as he ever was with you, meaning he was barely even suggesting you lean forwards.
Luckily, you were well practiced in reading his small suggestions.
You were fully smiling when the suggestion stopped just shy of his face. Less than an inch separated the two of you, and you allowed yourself a moment to study those gorgeous half-lidded eyes of his as he watched you, silent and waiting.
Then, you closed the gap, and your lips met his.
Somehow, the coolness of his lips surprised you, despite his hands being the same temperature. Just a few degrees below your own body temperature- a feature of his turtle roots, one Donatello had explained to you months ago, back when you helped him winter-prep the lair- but enough to be a pleasant chill against your burning skin.
They were rough, too, but that wasn't a surprise. Neither was the gentle way they pressed to yours. Raph's kiss was hesitant and stilted, and his hands were ever so slowly relaxing against your skin, and you were somehow falling even more for the red-clad hero.
This side of him- soft, pliant, gentle- made fondness explode in your chest, and you squeezed his fingers as you kissed him.
He pulled back after a few seconds- too soon, in your opinion, but the way he squeezed your fingers back made it worth it- and you slowly opened your eyes to meet his.
"Hey, handsome," You repeated softly, making him chuckle.
"Hey, yourself." Raphael gave you a half-smile, searching your face. "You, uh... that okay?
You let a small laugh escape you this time, warmth and love bubbling out of you. He tensed, and you hurried to reassure him. "It was more than okay."