Karai's 19
Don's 20
Leo's 16
Raph's 15
Mikey's 6 months old
Sixteen-year-old Prince Hamato Leonardo of the Kingdom of Shelltopia, tossed and turned, unable to sleep, as he lay next to his wife of two years, nineteen-year-old Karai. She was beautiful with her jet black hair, almond eyes, her curves in all the right places, but her personality was something to be desired. She was abrupt, cold, rude and bossy and Leo wasn't content. He wasn't in love with her. He never had been. Their marriage had been arranged by his dad, King Antonio and Karai's dad, Oroku Saki, to bring about peace with their clans. They'd fought for centuries and there'd been much bloodshed. He didn't think Karai loved him either. She was often away. No doubt with one of her numerous lovers. Leo didn't give a shit about that and he wasn't jealous. He just wished she was more of a mom to their son, six-month-old Michelangelo, whom they called Mikey. He adored the boy and doted on him. Karai preferred leaving him with the governess or anyone else. Just not her. No, Leo wasn't unhappy that he was a dad. He just wished his love life was happy and that he was with someone, who truly loved him. He'd broached the subject to his dad once, before the wedding, but King Antonio had said that Leo would learn to love her, but he hadn't and he doubted he ever would.
"Can't you frigging lie still?" Karai snapped. "This is like being on a damn ship with all the tossing and turning."
"Sorry. I have a lot on my mind," Leo said.
"If you're that stressed, take a lover. Don't tell me you haven't thought about it, Leo. I know our marriage is for convenience and I don't mind if you have one. It's not like other royals don't do it and it's not cheating if we both know about it and are fine with it. Also, it's not like anything will come of the dalliance. We're going to be married forever, so I see no harm in it. Have some fun. There are some fine chicks in town. I should know. I had fun with them. Leo's jaw dropped and she laughed. "Ah. Prudish Leo, get that stick out of your ass and go and have some fun. Like now. I want to sleep. It's been a long day. I had the luncheon with my friends and then that boring ass state dinner."
"You're bi?"
"Yes. I'm never short of a date," Karai smirked. "And unlike you, my lovers don't disappoint me. How we procreated, I'll never know. You're boring in bed, Leo, and you're a bore in general with your meditating, your war books, your bonsai plants, your strict adherence to rules, so you can't blame a girl for wanting more!"
Hurt flashed on Leo's face, which was quickly masked by anger, and he said crossly, "Maybe I will find a lover, who can give me what I want. You never could."
"And what's that? Love and affection? There's no such thing. Romance is just a fairy tale, Leo. You think if you find a lover, it'll end happily ever with your lover sharing the castle? No, no. It won't. Your lover will be fleeting, they'll be forbidden to live here, they'll be frowned upon and like I said, our marriage won't end, because our parents will see to it that it doesn't. Our families signed that contract, stating we'd stay married and if one of us breaks that contract, the war will start again. You don't want that, Leo, do you? To be the cause of war? I'm heartless in many ways, but I don't want that for my people, so I found a lover to alleviate the boredom. Well, several lovers, but you get my drift. Have your fun, but nothing will come of it. You can't allow it."
"I think I'll go out. I could use some air," Leo said, knowing what she said was true, which just wasn't fair. He was doomed to this miserable life with a woman he didn't love forever, even if their parents died, thanks to the contract.
"Good. Be sure to use a condom and shower before you return home. Cleanliness is important," Karai said and closed her eyes.
"You're wrong, Karai," Leo said, as he donned a blue silk kimono.
"Why?" Karai asked sleepily.
"Romance isn't dead and I will find it."
"I hear prostitutes are cheap. Why don't you try a brothel? Warn them ahead, though, that their romp won't last long, because you're not much of a lay. You're dull in bed and lie there like a rock. Poor me had to do all of the work!"
"Maybe if you were nicer, it'd be different!" Leo retorted. "You're as cold as a fish!"
Karai sat upright and said, "I've faked my orgasms every time I've been with you, Leo."
"So did I," Leo retorted and stalked out, Karai's laughter ringing in his ears, as he left.
XXXX
Leo checked on Mikey, who was sound asleep in his crib in the nursery. He kissed the baby's forehead and smiled tenderly at him. You're the best thing I've ever done, Mikey, Leo thought. I'm sorry you have such a bitch for a mom. I'm sorry for all the tension, the backbiting and the fighting. I never wanted that. He smiled fondly at his son again and headed to his best friend and confidante's room.
XXXX
Leo knocked on the door and said, "Usagi, it's me. Open up, please."
Usagi opened the door and said tiredly, "Prince Leonardo-san, what is it?"
"Let me inside. There's something I'd like to discuss in private."
"Of course," the rabbit said, ushering him inside. He then closed the door.
XXXXX
Leo took a deep breath and said, his cheeks red, "I want a lover, Usagi. Not just someone, who'll warm my sheets, but someone, who'll love me."
"I don't swing that way, Leonardo-san."
"I know. I'm not asking to bed you. I want someone else. Can you find a lover for me?"
"Are you sure you want this? It's cheating…."
"Karai's screwing others, so why can't I find someone to make me happy?" Leo demanded. "I'm miserable, Usagi. Damn it. Why can't I find some happiness, even if it's just temporary? Karai doesn't care and basically said I can, so I want to. I just…." Leo said, his eyes downcast. "I'm dying inside, Usagi. Every day's torture. I want some happiness. Please."
Usagi sighed and said, "Very well. There's a brothel downtown. It only caters to high-end clientele, like you. I've used it a few times when I was...Um…In the mood." Usagi's cheeks flamed at the admission. "They're rather expensive, but discreet."
"Money's no object. Could you take me there now?"
"I could. Are you sure you want this?"
"If anything, it'll pass the time and make me happy for a while. I need that. Please, Usagi."
"All right. I should warn you that some customers can become clingy after a while and….You know your contract, Leonardo-san. Bear it in mind at all times."
"Look, I know that," Leo said irritably. "I have no intention of breaking the contract."
"Very well. We'll take my car to be discreet."
Leo and Usagi climbed into Usagi's black SUV and drove to the brothel.
XXXX
Leo and Usagi pulled up outside the brothel, Tasha's tea house, which was in a shadier part of town. The building itself had seen better years and was in dire need of a paint job.
Leo raised an eye ridge and said "Tea house? I thought it was a brothel, Usagi."
"It is. The tea house is a front, Leonardo-san. I know it's a bit run down outside and inside and that it's in a seedy part of town, but I assure you they have wonderful merchandise to sample. Girls and boys. Mama Tasha only has the best. Trust me."
They got out of the car and went inside.
XXXX
Leo was introduced to Mama Tasha, whose black hair was in an elegant chignon and who wore a pink kimono and white slippers. Leo judged her to be about sixty.
"I trust you to be discreet, Mama, Tasha," Leo said. "No one can know and I'll be using an alias, of course."
"Of course. Do you know what you'd like?"
"Uh, no. I've never done this before. I'll leave it to up to you."
"I'll wait in the car," Usagi said. "Text me when you're finished, Leonardo-san.
Mama Tasha said, "Most of my staff is occupied, but I think I have someone for you. Please go into the door on the left over there and wait. I will be there in a minute."
"Uh, sure," Leo said and headed to the designated room.
XXXXX
Mama Tasha entered another room and said, "Raphael, your first customer's waiting."
An emerald skinned and green eyed turtle glanced up from the comic book he was reading and said, "Ya'll free Donnie, when I've paid ya back the six hundred grand I owe ya for helpin' him when he was sick, right? Then ya'll help us get back ta New York. I wanna see Donnie so badly."
"You know that already. Now don't freeze again, like last night. This is your last chance, Raphael, otherwise I'll renege the deal and I'll kill Donnie. I had to keep Donnie as hostage, as surety you'd pay your debt. Nothing's for free, Raphael. Now fuck this client and do a good job. Make them want more. Lose your snarkiness and be a good whore. Do you damn hear me?"
Raphael swallowed thickly and said, "I sure do. It's just I'm kinda nervous. I couldn't help it last night. The guy gave me the creeps and there was no chemistry."
"Of what? You a virgin or something?"
Raphael blushed and said, "I am."
"You won't be after tonight. Get in there now. As for chemistry, Raphael. It's about fucking. Not a romantic connection and sparks. Perform. This is your final chance. I can rip up the contract now and..."
"No, no," Raphael said, standing up. "I'll do it. I swear I will. So, what am I beddin'? A guy or a girl?"
"A guy. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No. I don't care what I sleep with. It's 'bout money, right?"
"That's the attitude," Mama Tasha said, squeezing his rump and making him startle. "Go strut your stuff. Your client's in the first room on the left."
Raphael dressed in a red silk kimono and headed to the designated room, his heart pounding. I don't wanna do this, he thought. I don't wanna be a whore, but I gotta do this for Donnie. It's 'bout him and keepin' him safe. Gotta forget my pride and ego. Gotta just let go and do what comes naturally. Ya can do it, Raph. Then the debt will soon be paid and ya and Donnie can go back ta New York and get on with yer lives. I wish I'd never asked Tasha for help, but I….I had no choice.
Raphael reached the room, took a deep breath and went inside.
A/N An idea I came up with when I couldn't sleep.
What will Leo think of Raphael?
