Leo's 16

Raph's 15

Don's 15, (a month younger than Raph)

Mikey's 15 (two months younger than Raph)

Raph lay beside his mate, Leo, stared up at the ceiling and sighed heavily. "What's wrong, Raphie?" Leo asked, cracking open his sapphire eyes and looking at him. "Everythin'. Look, forget 'bout it and go back ta sleep."

"Is it something I've done?" Leo asked, racking his brains and wondering what he'd done.

"Not per se. It's just…Do ya ever wonder that there's somethin' better out there?"

"No, because I have everything I want and need right here beside me," Leo said, taking Raph's hands and kissing them.

Raph pulled his hands away and said, "Things are good, Leo. Yer great and I've had a blast bein' yer mate for the last year, but I…I want more and before ya ask, it's nothin' ya've done. It's me."

"Are you in love with someone else?" Leo demanded.

"No, no, Leo. It's not like that, but I want more from life. This can't be it for me."

"News flash, Raphael. You're a mutant turtle and things aren't going to get better. This is your life."

"Well it sucks," Raph said, his green eyes blazing. "I wanna experience more and I wanna… date other people."

"You said it wasn't me."

"Well, maybe I lied. Look, Leo. Our relationship's been great for the most part, but we're stuck. It's borin' and all we got is sex, which is borin' too. Don't ya ever wonder what it'd be like seein' other people? We're too young ta be saddled together forever. We should date other people."

"No! What you said isn't true and I love you, but I guess you don't feel the same way," Leo said coolly and stood up. "I should have listened to Donnie. He said you'd break my heart. God, I can't believe this."

"Where are ya goin'?"

"To my room. I hope you find what you want, Raphael," Leo said, and stalked out of the room, fighting back tears.

Well, that went down well, Raphael, Raph thought sarcastically. But how did ya expect Leo ta take the news? Ta be thrilled? And he's wrong. I do love him, but I don't think he's my soulmate and I just wanna see what it'd be like datin' other people. Like that Mona Lisa, she's fuckin' hot and she kicks ass and April? Man, it'd be nice ta kiss her and see if it led ta anythin'. Casey's also hot in his own way. I don't care what gender I date. I just wanna be happy. Leo makes me happy, but there has ta…"

There was a knock on the door and Donnie said, "Raphael, it's me."

"What do ya want, Donnie?"

"To come in."

"Why?"

"To talk."

"If it's 'bout Leo, ya can fuck off. I've said everythin' I wanna say."

"He's bawling his eyes out in the kitchen, Raphael."

"Leo don't cry."

"Well, he is. How could you be so heartless, Raphael? After everything Leo did for you? I warned him to stay away from you, that you'd break his heart and you have. I think you're despicable."

"Fuck off, Donnie, or I'll come pound ya. Ya don't understand shit. Yer a virgin for fucks sake and have never had a relationship. All ya do is work on yer machines, so how would ya understand relationships and feelings?"

"That is true. I haven't had a relationship, but I do understand feelings, Raph, and Leo's hurting. I hope you're proud of yourself and I hope Leo never takes you back. You aren't worthy of him."

"And ya are?" Raph said sarcastically. "I know ya like him and ya were just waitin' for us ta break up, so ya can snatch him up. Go on. Console him. I know ya wanna, but know this. He's just my sloppy left overs."

"You're wrong about it all, Raph."

"FUCK OFF."

"You'll never find anyone as good as Leo, Raph, and when you realize that, it'll be too late. Leo will have met someone else." Don stomped off to the kitchen and tried to soothe a still miserable Leo.

XXX

Inside the kitchen, Leo was blowing his nose with a handkerchief and relaying what had happened to Mikey, who'd joined him and Don. "Chin up, Leo," Mikey said, clapping a hand on Leo's shoulder. "You'll meet someone else and it's Raph's loss."

"And how will I meet someone else? I'm a mutant turtle for damn's sake, Mikey. Who would be interested in me? Be real. My only chance was Raph. I love you guys, but we're not suited. Raph and I were."

"You know the show the Bachelor? Well, there's a spinoff of it being shot here in New York and submission tapes close tomorrow, Leo. It's not too late to send yours."

"What? Me on a dating show? And how can I be on it? I'm a mutant!"

"That's the thing," Don said with a smile. "It's been organized by a mutant named Akita Jasmine, who is campaigning for mutant rights and the contestants are likely mutants and most probably the bachelor as well, so no humans at all. I sent off my tape a few weeks back and so did Mikey. I know you're shy, Leo, but who knows, you may find your soul mate on the show. The show is called The Mutant Bachelor."

"Raph is my soulmate."

"No, Leo, he's not. Come on. Just have a crack at it."

"I just broke up with him, Donnie. I need time."

"You don't have time, Leo. The submissions close today and do you think Raph's thinking about you? No. He's moving on and you have to do the same. Come on, Leo. Take a chance."

"Fine. I will, but I'll probably be eliminated early."

"Why would you say that, bro?" Mikey asked. "You're a sweet, caring and great guy, Leo. Anyone would be lucky to have you."

"I'll do it. Does Raphael know about the show?"

"I doubt it," Mikey said. "He hates reality shows. Now go make your tape."

"What do I say on it?"

"Your age, your likes and dislikes, what your occupation is, where you see yourself in the future and why you're on the show."

"It's pretty obvious why. I'll try, but I probably won't be selected."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Leo," Don said. "Go make the tape."

"I'll do it, but don't be surprised if I don't make the cut. Raphael thinks I'm boring, so will the people viewing my tape."

XXX

Ten minutes later, Leo sat in his room; a video cam turned on, and said, "Hi. I'm Hamato Leo and I'm sixteen. I love calligraphy, movies, Space Heroes, reading war books and spending time with my family and friends. I don't like pushy, greedy and manipulative people and those that try to harm my family and friends and I'd do anything to protect them, even laying down my life. I'd do that in a nanosecond, especially for my little brothers, who I love so much. I'm so nervous, sorry. I've never done something like this before," Leo said, as sweat beaded on his forehead. "I'm sure I sound lame, but my brothers convinced me to send this tape, thinking I might be lucky and find love on the show. I hope so, but I'm not sure I believe in love anymore after my heart was broken into a million pieces. Oh and my occupation is fighting crime and protecting the city, although I don't get paid for it, but just knowing people are safe is all that matters to me. Where do I see myself in the future? Hopefully settled with a mate and kids and still safeguarding the city and people I love so much." Leo pressed stop on the camera and thought. "Bet they don't choose me."

Leo copied the film onto a DVD, placed it in an envelope, sealed it and went in search of Mikey. "Here, Mikey," Leo said. "Post it, please."

"Will do, bro."

"Has Raph come out of his room?"

"Nope."

"When do you think we'll know if we're chosen?"

"The bachelor will know soon and we should know by the end of this week. It's Monday, so a few more days."

"Okay. I'm going to my room to meditate."

"Dinner will be ready soon."

"I'll grab something later, Mikey. I promise. I just want some time alone."

"All right, Leo. I'll keep you a plate."

"Thanks."

XXX

The family, sans Leo, ate at the dinner table. Raphael knew he was in shit street with both brothers ignoring him. "Where is Leonardo?" Splinter asked.

"He said he'd grab something later, Sensei," Mikey said.

"Is he unwell?" the aged rat asked worriedly.

"No, just heart sore," Don blurted, making Raph glare at him.

"And why is that?" Splinter asked, gazing at Raphael quizzically.

"We broke up," Raph said flatly, as if he were discussing the weather.

"Why?" Splinter asked. "I thought you two were happy."

"Raphael wants to explore other options, Sensei," Mikey said. "And told Leo he thinks something better is out there. That's how he phrased it. Poor Leo who has only ever loved him. And what's more Raphael doesn't care that he hurt Leo."

"Not true. I ain't a cold hearted bastard," Raph began.

"Raphael, language!" the old rat admonished.

Before Raphael could comment again, someone padded into the kitchen and the family looked up to see April. "Sorry to interrupt you guys," she said. "But I'm on my way out to dinner and I thought I could bring your mail. Specifically yours, Raphael. That online correspondence course you're doing in English lit," April lied, not wanting to embarrass the hothead.

Raph immediately leapt to his feet, took the letter and said, "If ya don't mind, I wanna read it in my room first. It's probably 'bout my last assignment." And with that, he ran out of the room and headed to his bedroom.

XXX

Sitting down on his hammock, Raph carefully slit open the envelope with his sai and read, "Dear Raphael. We feel that you're perfect to be the bachelor and we look forward to seeing you. Please come to the studio on Nixon Avenue, on April fourteenth, and we will commence filming. Best wishes, Akita Jasmine."

Wow, Raph thought excitedly, pumping his fists in the air, his green eyes shining with happiness. I'm the bachelor. I can't believe it and Donnie's wrong. I'm gonna find my soul mate on that show and life is gonna get better for me. I just know it. I did feel wrong in sendin' my submission tape, but now I know I did the right thing and things are gonna look up for me. Wow. This is gonna be so excitin' and that Akita Jasmine's a babe, too. Maybe I could ask her out. April fourteenth can't come fast enough.

A/N. Just an idea I came up with when I couldn't sleep.