Leo's 16
Donnie's 16
Mikey's 16
Raphael's 14, nearly 15

Mikey's birthday party was in full swing, the birthday boy dancing with his sweetheart, Renet, while Leo and Donnie chatted over cake with their girlfriends, Karai and April and April's cousin, Heather, an attractive strawberry blonde and blue eyed lass. Casey was on the sofa, talking to his girlfriend, Sienna, his arms around her. Splinter had retired early, citing tiredness. Raphael sulked by the refreshment table, his face downcast and shoulders slumped, feeling left out. He sipped from his glass of punch and thought, it's so damn unfair that everyone has someone, but I'm all alone and that's never gonna change. All I'll ever have is my right hand and wet dreams. I mean, even borin' Fearless has a girl. I'm the looker and have the best personality, so why did I get the fuckin' short straw?

Heather came over and said, "Raphael, why are you so glum? Is it Mona Lisa? You still upset she turned you down?"

"Nah. It was for the best. We wouldn't have worked out anyway. Distance thing and neither of us would have left our planets."

"Then why?"

"Do ya think I'm sexy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do ya?"

"I mean, I guess, for a reptile. I've never thought about it. Why?"

"Forget it then," Raphael said with a huff. "Point proved."

"I don't understand? What point?"

"Do ya think I have a great personality?"

"Yes. April likes you and she doesn't like many people."

"As a friend."

"Yeah, but she has Donnie. I don't understand what you're on about?"

"Ya wanna go out?"

"Oh! I get it. You're miserable, because everyone else has a partner."

"Yeah. So, will ya?" Raphael asked hopefully, his green eyes looking at her intensely.

"No. You're wonderful, Raphael, but I just don't think things would work out between us."

"Because I'm a freak, right, and ugly?" Raphael hissed. "Go on. Say it. Nothin' I ain't heard before!"

She touched his arm and leaned in conspiratorily, "It has nothing to do with that. I'm sure you'd be a terrific boyfriend, but my interests lie with a cute girl at my university. Please don't say anything. I haven't come out yet and I will when I'm ready."

"Yer secret's safe with me, but if ya were straight, would ya consider me?"

"Yes," Heather said, removing her arm. "You're sweet. Don't despair, Raphael. The right person will come along."

"Girl and yeah, sure," Raphael said sarcastically. "Like she's just gonna magically appear. I'm gonna die alone."

"Don't be so pessimistic. You're not alone. You have Chompy and your brothers."

"But no one ta warm my bed and kiss and hug and love. No chance of ever havin' a family of my own. I'm fourteen-years-old. That's all and knowin' that my future ain't gonna have love in it fuckin' sucks. Yer lucky. Ya can go to uni, fuck whoever you want, marry, have kids and I'm…."Tears pricked Raphael's eyes and he choked back a sob and said, "I'm gonna go out. Tell my bros I'll be back later."

Raphael turned and hurried out of the lair, tears streaming down his cheeks.

XXX

Raphael ran through the sewers and climbed up through a manhole, emerging near a park. It was dark and isolated and he swiftly made his way to his favorite rooftop and sat down, swinging his legs over it and sighing despondently. Someone will come along. Yeah right, he thought acerbically, gazing at the stars. No one will ever want a freak like me. No one. Mona didn't. Told me I wasn't her type and she dug Sal Commander. Well, I kinda get that. They are the same species, but me and her got along well. Really well. Maybe I should make a wish and my dream will come true. Ta find love. Who am I kiddin'? Wishes don't come true. Oh, well. Just for fun, I'll make one. "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish….I wish I could meet a girl, who'll love me for who I am. I'd be good ta her and make her happy. She'd be my princess and I'd spend my whole takin' care of her. I'd love a family with her too if possible." That's all I wish, Raphael thought, looking up at the stars, tears in his eyes. "I may be a mutant, but I got a lot of love. I ain't a beast or savage, despite what some people say."

"No, you're not," Leo said, appearing and sitting down beside him, nearly making Raphael jump out of his shell.

"Spyin' on me, Fearless?" Raphael asked.

"I saw you'd left and figured you'd be here, Raph. You always go here when you're down."

"That predictable, huh?"

"So, want to talk about what's bothering you?"

"Not really."

"Talking helps," Leo said, placing a hand on his arm, his sapphire eyes looking at him kindly.

Raphael hesitated and said, "It stays here."

"Of course."

"Ya and Donnie have girls. Even Casey has one and I have no one. Casey's such a doofus and he has a girl, but I'm alone."

"She hasn't come along yet. Your girl. She will."

"But I'm a mutant, Leo. Humans hate us. Karai and April being the exceptions and Heather, but she's not into guys. Sh. Don't tell anyone. It's a secret. Anyway, humans don't dig us and there ain't other female turtles and I ain't gay and lustin' after ya guys, so I have no options."

Leo placed a hand on Raphael's heart and said, "You are the bravest, kindest, sweetest guy and any girl would be lucky to have you."

Raphael flushed and said, "Thanks, but…."

"It's true and I believe she'll come along, Raph. I never expected to find love, but I did and you will too. Just have some faith."

"And what if she don't come?"

"Don't do that. She will and you're going to have a fabulous life together. I know it. After all, how could any girl resist your charm?" Leo asked, a twinkle in his eyes. "Those who do are stupid. You're awesome, Raphie."

"I am?"

"Absolutely. If I wasn't straight and we weren't brothers, I'd date you."

Raphael reddened and said, "Thanks. I guess, and so would I Leo. Yer pretty cool and the best big brother."

"Feeling better?" Leo asked, removing his hand.

"If she's gonna come, I wish she'd come now, Leo."

"What did Sensei say? The best things come to those who wait. Be patient, Raph."

"But I ain't patient. I just wanna…."

"I understand, little bro, but you can't hurry love. She'll appear when fate deems you ready. In the meantime, let's go home and enjoy the rest of the party, huh?"

"Think I'll stay here. Really don't wanna go back right now."

"I'm not letting you mope on your own. There's an ice cream shop not far from here. Let's go inside and scarf some? Ice cream always makes me feel better. I won't take no for an answer. My treat. I'll even spring for the chocolate sprinkles you love so much."

Raphael laughed and said, "Can I have marshmallows and hot fudge too?"

"Of course. Anything for my little bro."

"I'm in," Raphael said, and stood up. "Thanks, Leo. I'll try ta be patient and sorry for bein' such a grump."

"That's all right, Raph. We all have our off days. Come on."

As Raphael followed his brother to the ice cream shop, he gazed up at the sky and thought, do wishes really come true or is it just hog wash? And if she does come along, I wonder what she'll be like? Maybe Leo was just spinnin' me a load of bull ta make me feel better, because if I were that amazin', she'd be here right now!

XXX

Later, after they'd deactivated the alarm, gone into the shop and were talking over ice cream, Raphael said, "Leo, were ya bullshittin' me 'bout bein' so fantastic?"

"No. You are. You just have to believe it."

"Then why do people scream when they see us?"

"Because they're afraid and think we'd hurt them."

"We wouldn't."

"They don't know that and think we're monsters and brutes. Your girl won't care what you look like. She'll love you for who you are, your soul and heart, just like Karai loves me."

"So appearances won't matter?"

"She'll also think you the sexiest guy alive. Inside and out. Nothing about you will repulse her."

"Do ya think I'm sexy?"

"Nah. Being asked by my brother if he's sexy isn't odd," Leo said sarcastically, and curved his lips up into a smile. "Raph, you're a hunk. The best looking of us. You've always said."

"I've said, but people screamin' when they see me dents my confidence. Truthfully, I'm insecure."

"Don't be. You're hot and tick all the boxes for your girl."

"Was Karai mad when ya left?"

"I'll explain to her later and if she is, her issue. My family comes first and you needed me. I'll always be here for you, Raph."

"Ditto, Fearless. Hey, have ya guys had sex?"

Leo blinked and said, "Raph, that's inappropriate."

"Come on. We're bros and I won't tell no one."

"All right. Yes."

"What's it like?"

"Very….pleasurable."

"Ya top or bottom?"

Leo's cheeks reddened and he said, "Raph…."

"Well?" Raphael insisted. "I'd expect her ta be top. She's very bossy."

"Spot on. She is most of the time, but I don't mind. It's lovely not always having to lead."

"And how does it go? Ya fit inside her well?"

Leo coughed and flushed again. "Raphael…."

"Our dicks are huge, so just wonderin'."

"Took her time to…adjust to my girth."

"I bet I'm bigger than ya. I'm ten inches," Raphael said proudly and smirked. "How big are ya?"

"Eight. Stop gloating."

"She blown ya yet?"

"Raphael, enough."

"Leo, I ain't gonna tell no one."

"Yes and she swallowed, okay?"

"Wow. Yer a lucky boy and she's a keeper, bro."

"I am and you will be too someday, Raph."

"Can I come ta ya for tips if that happens?"

"Um, sure."

"Hey, if ya have a baby, will ya name him after me?"

"You may have kids before me, Raph. Now, enough. Tell me how the Red Sox are doing?"

"Ya don't watch baseball."

"No, but I'd like to. Will you teach me about it and NFL too?"

"Sure. Now they lost by…."

As the brothers chatted, Raphael thought, this was real nice havin' one-on-one time with Leo. Don't get it often enough. Oh and my girl I'd like her ta be natural and not a bitch and ta like my family, because if she don't, I can't be with her. What does Casey say? Bros before hoes. That's it. Please send me my girl. Need her so badly and she'd be the best birthday gift ever!