Leo's 16
Donnie's 16
Mikey's 16
Raphael's 15
Raphael lay back in his hammock, on December 21, hands clasped behind his head, a dreamy expression on his face, as he thought about his crush. He loved everything about Don: his slim, olive figure, his hazel eyes, his gap tooth, his adorable little tail that dropped down when Don was totally relaxed, his firm ass and his toned legs and his gentle, easy nature that was the opposite of his. Don could soothe him, like nobody else, with just one word, unlike Leo, who drove Raphael insane with his pomposity. Don never made him feel like he was stupid or a brute or that he and his opinions were worthless. Don always knew what to say when Raphael had had a bad day. He knew when to leave Raphael alone, unlike Leo, who was always up his shell about something. Donnie was goodness personified and never raised his voice. He made Raphael want to be a better turtle and he made him feel things he'd never thought he'd feel: love and happiness, as well as warmth pooling in his groin whenever Don was around.
But his hormones aside, Raphael mostly wanted to take Don in his arms, hug and kiss him and tell him what he meant to him. He'd been tempted many times when they'd worked together on mechanics, a mutual interest, but every time he'd tried to confess his feelings, he'd frozen.
He'd had the same feelings for Leo a few years prior, but of course, he'd been unable to tell him too, thinking Leo would never return the same feelings. Leo was the perfect son, unlike him, and while Donnie was also perfection, he seemed to enjoy Raphael's company, which Leo didn't. Leo seemed to find Raphael's presence an annoyance, so the temperamental turtle no longer spent time with him and rather spent it with Donnie. Leo was gorgeous with his mesmerizing sapphire eyes, slender frame, cute butt and incredible legs, but Leo was out of reach and too self-righteous. Donnie was down to earth and attainable.
He'd been in love with Donnie for about six months now and he knew he had to confess his feelings, but how? He wasn't good with words. Actions were more his thing. He had to do something, but what? He couldn't ask Mikey for advice, because he'd scoff at him, the macho turtle, for falling in love and would endlessly mock him. He couldn't ask his dad. It would lead to another uncomfortable talk about sex, so his only options were either April or Casey.
No. Scratch Casey. He was a Neanderthal about emotions and love too. The poor guy had tried to hit on April and woo her by asking her to a wrestling match, so no, he wasn't the best person to ask.
Raphael wanted to tell Donnie the next day and if everything went well, who knows, maybe he'd have some fun in the bedroom with his new mate at Christmas. That would be the best Christmas present. He smiled at the idea.
Then he remembered that April was away and would only be back on Christmas Eve.
Which meant Leo was the only one he could ask.
It was ten p.m., but he knew Leo would be awake. He rarely went to bed before midnight, usually waiting up for Raphael and meditating.
The emerald skinned turtle scowled. It would be humiliating asking Leo, especially if he laughed at him, but there was no one else he could ask, so he had to ignore his ego and suck it up.
Raphael got up and tapped on Leo's door. "Fearless, it's me. Can we talk?"
"I'm kind of busy, Raph."
"Too busy for yer favorite little brother? Open the damn door or I'm gonna kick it down!"
"Since you ask so nicely," Leo said dryly. "I'll open it." He did and added, as Raphael entered, "You're not my favorite little brother. I don't have favorites."
"Whatever. I need some advice."
"What kind of advice?"
"Uh, love," Raphael said, his cheeks reddened.
"My hotheaded brother's in love. Wow," Leo teased. "Who's the lucky girl?
"I need yer help and stop pokin' fun at me. It's hard enough askin' ya without bein' mocked," Raphael snapped, his green eyes blazing.
"All right. What do you want?"
"How do ya woo someone?"
"You take them on dates and buy them gifts and stuff. Compliment them. Do things for them. Flowers and gifts are always winners. Make them meals. Do things from the heart. Tell them how much they mean to you and when you have their heart, never treat them badly. Respect them, cherish them and love them. I think it's great you're in love, Raph, and I hope you meet someone, who fills you with joy and gives you the love you deserve. You think you're not worthy of affection, but you are. So very deserving and anyone who has your heart is extremely blessed. I think you're incredible. I'm so happy for you and hope it works out," Leo said in a voice that was a strange mixture of elation and sadness.
Raphael's plastron swelled in pride. Leo had said he was incredible. Was Leo flirting? And Leo's tone. He sounded disappointed. Why? It wasn't like Leo liked him more than a brother, so Raphael shoved the flirting idea to the back of his mind and said, "Thanks. Ya've helped me think of ideas now. I know exactly how ta woo Donnie now."
"Yeah? Donnie, huh?" Leo said, trying to hide the pain in his voice.
"Yeah," Raphael said, his green eyes shining in happiness, as an idea hit him. "Thanks, Leo. And I hope ya meet someone too. Ya can be a big pain in the shell, but yer also pretty cool sometimes and deserve love. I'm gonna knock Donnie's shell off. Make him a romantic meal and compliment him and tell him how I feel. Hey, if I need more help, can I ask ya?"
"Sure, Raph," Leo said, trying not to cry.
Raphael didn't see the gloomy expression on Leo's face when he turned around and left and he didn't see Leo collapse onto the ground in a flood of tears.
XXX
Raphael woke up early the next morning and went into the kitchen. Leo was drinking his tea and Raphael began to prepare Donnie's coffee. "Mornin', Leo," Raphael said breezily. "Ya look buggered. Didn't sleep?"
"I'm fine," Leo lied. "You seem chipper."
"Yeah. I have a feelin' Christmas is gonna be extra special this year," Raphael said and winked.
"I'm happy for you, Raph," Leo lied.
Donnie entered the room and said, "Hi, guys."
"Hey, Donnie," Raphael said, pouring Donnie's brewed coffee into a cup and staring at Donnie adoringly. "I made yer coffee."
"Thanks, Raph. You're a lifesaver," Donnie said, accepting the coffee. What would I do without you? You're the best. Hey, Leo. You don't look so hot. Bad night?"
"I'm fine!" Leo hissed, rising to his feet. "I'm going to meditate. I'll see you later."
"What's his problem?" Donnie said. "Not like Leo to be crabby, even if he had a bad night."
"Leo's probably pissed he lost one of his borin' books or somethin'," Raphael said. "He'll get over it. I wanna ask ya somethin'."
"What, Raph? I need to go to the lab in a minute. I'm way behind with my work!"
"Ya wanna spend time with me later?"
"I'm not sure I can. I'm so behind, Raph. I'm sorry and April's coming over to watch movies."
"I thought she was only comin' here on Christmas Eve."
"Plans change. I'll see what I can do, okay? I want to make sure the thing I'm working on is finished by Christmas. It's a secret, so I can't tell you what it is."
"Yer workin' on somethin'? Yer in love, huh?"
Donnie smiled and said, "I am."
"Do I know the person?"
"Yes," Donnie said and smiled mysteriously. He placed a hand on Raphael's shoulder, sending tingles down Raphael's spine, and said, "I have to go, Raphie. Thanks for the coffee. You know, you're really sweet when you want to be. I like that."
Raphael's plastron swelled and he blushed and said, "It's nothin'." He called me Raphie, Raphael thought and sweet. He likes me as more a brother. It's obvious. I'm gonna tell him how I feel and then I'll cook for him.
"Hey, Raph, I appreciate what you do. Thank you."
"Only a pleasure, Donnie." I think he's makin' me somethin' for Christmas, Raphael thought excitedly. Wow. Donnie likes me too. But why was Leo actin' so weird? Stupid Fearless is probably just jealous. Yeah. That's it. Typical Leo. Never happy for anyone else!
XXX
Leo's heart had broken when he'd seen the loving looks Raphael had cast at Donnie and he'd made a decision. He couldn't stay in the lair and see his crush hook up with someone else. It would be too painful.
Leo knocked on Splinter's door and said, "Sensei, can we talk, please?"
"Come in, Leonardo."
Leo entered and said, "I need to talk to you please."
"What's the matter, Leonardo?" the aged rat said. "You look distressed."
"I am. It's about Raphael."
"What about him? Is he sick?"
"He's love-sick, Sensei."
"Isn't that good, my son? I don't understand."
"It is and it isn't. Raphael's in love with Donnie and while I'm happy for Raph, I'm heartbroken. I've always liked Raph and now I can never tell him."
"Does Donatello feel the same way about Raphael?"
"I'm convinced he does. They spend so much time together and Donnie often tells me how wonderful Raphael is."
"Perhaps there's another reason why Donatello mentions Raphael's attributes. Not because he's interested in Raphael himself, but so that you'll consider Raphael as a mate."
"I sincerely doubt that, Sensei. I believe Donnie feels the same way about Raphael and is madly in love with him. I can't be here if they're a couple, Sensei. It would be too painful. I'm asking permission to go away for an extended period of time. I'm hoping my love for Raphael will diminish to that of fraternal affection only and I'll be able to be happy for them. I also feel I haven't been as good a leader as I can be. Send me to the Ancient One and I can hone my skills. Maybe two years away. That'll be sufficient."
"And who'll lead the team?"
"Raphael can lead in my absence. It's not forever, Sensei. Please. I need to get away," Leo beseeched.
"Very well, Leonardo. I'll make preparations with the Ancient One and you'll leave shortly after Christmas."
"Thank you, Sensei," Leo said and bowed.
He left Splinter's room, his head lowered, and collided with Raphael, who was on his way to Donnie's lab.
"Whoa, Fearless. Watch where yer goin'!" the red clad turtle said irritably.
Leo said nothing and strode to his bedroom, banging the door so hard behind him; it nearly fell off of its hinges.
Raphael blinked in surprise. Leo was pissy, but not this pissy that he'd slam his door. Leo was the master of self-control and never did that. What the hell's upset Fearless so much, Raphael thought? He decided to give Leo space and talk to him later that day after he'd spoken to Donnie.
A/N Will Leo leave? Will Donnie return Raph's love?
