[OOM: The Roof]

[mnt_raph]

*It's been close to two weeks since Raphael scaled the back wall of Milliways leaving a trail of blood behind him.
Nearly two weeks and his ribs still hurt and his jaw still aches.
Nearly two weeks and the stitches still aren't ready to come out.
Nearly two weeks and the yellow tinge of healing bruises still remains.

And even though he's remarkably more mobile than he was when he climbed up, he still has yet to climb down.
All posturing aside, Raph is afraid.
Something waits for him.
He doesn't know what, but he's almost positive he can hear it growl in the dark.

It's all coming apart at the seams.

...

Happy Birthday Raphael.
You've some how managed to fuck up more than last year.*

Comments

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"He apologized for breaking the waffler." April sighed, pushing her tangle of hair from her face. "When he told me what had happened, he didn't sound like he believed it. I told him-" She hesitated, wondering whether it was wise to continue.

"I told him you wouldn't ever purposely hurt him."

[mnt_raph]

thought we weren't 'sposed to lie.

*Comes the timid response, just barely above a whisper.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"It's not a lie. You weren't yourself." Her tone left little room for argument.

She hesitated, and then asked, quieter, "Look at me?"

[mnt_raph]

*Raph takes a deep breath, or rather he tries to and cringes, before tilting his head up towards her.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"Hi, Mister." April managed a smile, oh-so faint, and silently swore that she would not cry even though he looked like he'd been hit by a semi.

"I'm sorry. I didn't- I didn't know."

[mnt_raph]

makes two of us.

*Ever the gentlemen, he sits up slightly and spits into the toilet. Stoic nothing wrong here face firmly now firmly in place...*

you a'right?

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"Fine, of course," April replied, as if it was of little consequence. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. It was stupid of me, I just... I lost track of time. Won't do it again."

She reached for his closest hand and clasped her own over it. "I love you, Raph," she asserted, worried that he might have forgotten.

[mnt_raph]

that's on account o' you bein' a glutton for punishment.

*Which from any other person might not seem nearly as endearing. He shifts in such a way as to free up his other hand, which he uses to give April a comforting pat.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"Probably so."

She wanted to tell him it would all be okay. That she would find a way to make it better. But they'd already covered the whole "not lying to people you love" thing.