Raphael entered the bedroom, stunned to see a turtle like him in a blue silk kimono. A turtle, who judging by his regal posture and demeanor, appeared to be of noble birth. If so, what the hell was someone like him doing frequenting this shithole? Surely, he'd want someone from a similar background and not a lowly prostitute, but that wasn't his business, was it? Money was money, regardless where it came from. Raphael just hoped it'd be a quick fuck and he could go back to his comic book, even if the guy was devastatingly handsome with his sapphire eyes and handsome face.
I so didn't think that, Raphael thought. It's just a client ta make money. Money ta save Donnie. That's all it's 'bout. Gotta remember that and ta not let myself feel nothin'. Besides, I doubt he's lookin' for somethin' serious. I'm just someone ta fuck and then he's gonna go home ta his mansion or somethin' and forget 'bout me.
"I was expecting a girl," Leo said, staring hard at Raphael.
"Disappointed?" Raphael asked.
Leo shrugged and said, "You'll do, I guess. At least there won't be any complications, like kids. I haven't been with a guy before, but I imagine it'll go fine. I assume you've done this before."
"Nope."
"As in no sex ever or this is your first time with a client?"
"I ain't fucked before, okay?"
"Just wonderful," Leo said sarcastically. "I wanted sex and now I get a virgin. A virgin, who shouldn't have a meaningless fuck for his first time. I'm going to get Mama Tasha and ask her to give me a more experienced whore."
"No!" Raphael said in alarm. "Don't do that. If ya do, there will be horrific consequences, like she'll kick me out and then what? I ain't got nowhere else ta go and there ain't no jobs and…." Raphael stared intently into Leo's eyes and said, "I'm a virgin, but I can learn real quick. I can be what ya need. Just give me a chance. Please. Mama Tasha will be pissed if ya don't and I can't afford ta lose this job. I need it so bad and….Please."
Leo wrinkled his beak in thought and said, "All right. Make me some green tea and get yourself something. We'll talk a little first."
"Thank ya. Ya won't regret it. I swear."
"Try to relax. I don't bite. Well, not unless you want me to," Leo said and chuckled.
Raphael headed to the kitchen, grateful he hadn't blown it and determined to prove himself to the stranger.
Poor guy, Leo thought. Having to do this for a living to make ends meet. How degrading it must be. I hate my circumstances, but I couldn't imagine doing this on a daily basis. The guy doesn't look much older than I am. I wonder what his story is. He's kind of cute in a rugged way and I love his green eyes. They're like gorgeous emeralds. Damn it, Leo. Don't get attached. He's just someone to have fun with and you could never have a life with him. Remember that.
XXXXX
Raphael saw Mama Tasha in the kitchen. She scowled and approached him.
"What the hell are you doing here, Raphael?" Mama Tasha demanded. "I told you to bed the client. That's it. You're out of here and as a result, my men will eliminate Donatello."
"No, no! Look, the client wants some tea first and he told me ta get somethin'. We're gonna fuck. I swear."
"You'd better, Raphael, and do whatever the gentleman asks. He's important, okay? I want you to do a damn good job, so he'll keep coming here. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Yes, Mama Tasha. May I ask why he's so important? Is he some kinda celeb or of noble birth or somethin'?"
"What he is isn't your business. Your job is to please him. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes. Perfectly. I'll make him happy."
"I mean it. No matter what he asks. Nothing is too much. Remember, Donnie is counting on you and you wouldn't want anything to happen to him, woiuld you?"
Raphael gulped and said, "No, Mama Tasha."
"I'm so glad we understand one another. Make the tea and fuck him. I'll be asking him about your performance, so ensure it's more than satisfactory. Mona Lisa," Mama Tasha barked at a brunette, who was in her late thirties. "Your break's up. Get back to work." Mama Tasha stalked out of the kitchen.
Raphael began to make hot chocolate for himself and tea for Leo.
Mona Lisa sauntered over and said, "How's it going, Raphael?" She'd become friendly with him, since his arrival a few days prior.
"It's goin'. Ya?"
"Same. I'm sorry about the way she treats you. If you ever need to talk, know I can be a good listener."
"Thanks."
"You don't belong in a hellhole like this, Raphael. You need to get out before the darkness consumes you," Mona Lisa said, showing him the many scars on her wrists from her attempted suicides. "You're extremely young and this isn't a life for you. It's too late for me. I have no qualifications, no family, no money. I'm just an old whore and no man would want me after all I've done. I can't blame him. This is my life forever, but you. You're young, you can get out."
"I can't. I gotta do this. Ya don't understand. I owe Mama for all the help she gave my brother and if I don't do this and pay her back, she'll kill him."
"There is a solution. Make your client fall in love with you."
"Ya mean like that Pretty Woman movie? That's just fiction. It don't happen. No handsome Prince Charmin' is gonna save me, Mona and besides, who'd want a mutant turtle?"
"Another mutant turtle? I saw a guy dressed in a blue kimono earlier. He was a mutant turtle. How about him? He looks like he has social breeding and he's probably loaded."
"He's my client, but I ain't gonna mooch off of him or no one else. I'm gonna do it on my own, even if he's cute." Raphael realized what he'd said and blushed.
"I think someone's in love," Mona teased.
"What? No! He's just a client, Mona. That's all it can ever be. A guy like that wouldn't want someone like me. What could I offer him other than my heart?"
"Maybe that's enough, Raphael. Have you ever thought just maybe the guy's looking for love?"
"In a whore house?"
"Stranger things have happened. If you ask me, two mutant turtles is a recipe for love and stop damning yourself. I haven't known you long, but I can tell that you're sweet, caring and a great guy to be around. Maybe your client will see that and will want something more than a romp now and then?"
"Ya've been watchin' too many rom coms. This is a job. Nothin' else and the guy just wants a screw ta forget whatever shit he's goin' through. Nothin' more."
Raphael placed the hot chocolate, tea and a few biscuits on a tray and headed back to the bedroom.
XXXX
Raphael went inside the room and saw Leo sitting in a chair and reading a newspaper.
"You took ages," Leo said, glancing up.
"Sorry. I hope the tea's ta yer likin'."
Leo studied the tray and gestured to a couch.
"We'll sit there," Leo said.
Raphael nodded and placed the tray on the coffee table. He sat down on the couch and Leo joined him.
"Take off your kimono," Leo said. "I'll do the same. Don't be shy."
Raphael sucked in a deep breath and disrobed himself, allowing the kimono to fall to the ground.
Leo raked his eyes over Raphael's chiseled body and toned legs and said, "I take it you work out."
Blushing at the scrutiny, Raphael nodded and said, "Yeah. Yer turn."
Leo undressed and tossed his kimono on the floor. Raphael couldn't help gawking at his lean features, his muscles and his tail that had been relaxed and which was visible between his legs.
"Like what you see?" Leo said with a smirk.
"I, uh, ya work out?"
"I do, but not to the extent you do. I mostly do ninjitsu. Martial Arts."
"I know what it is. I used ta do it before….."
"Before what?"
"Nothin'."
"Forgive my manners. We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Richard," Leo said, extending a hand.
"Ya don't look like a Richard," Raphael said, shaking it.
"What do Richards look like?" Leo asked in an amused tone.
"I don't know, but ya don't look one, so I'm guessin' it's an alias. Ya don't need one. I can be discreet and it ain't like we're gonna know one another on a deeper level. I can keep secrets. Ya also don't look like a regular guy, so I'm guessin' yer wealthy and upper class."
Leo sipped his tea and said, "I guess it's the clothes, huh, that gave me away?"
"It's everythin'. Yer posture, yer demeanor, yer whole persona. Plus, look at the way ya hold that cup. So dainty. Ya had etiquette lessons."
Leo chuckled. "I must work harder to fit in with the lower classes and to blend in. Sorry. That sounds pretentious. I don't mean to be. All right. Let's start over. You can call me Leonardo."
"And that ain't pretentious? I'm gonna call ya Leo, while yer here. Ya can just be a regular guy."
"All right and you are?"
"Raphael. Raph ta my friends."
"I guess we'll be sort of friends, so Raph it is. Your accent's so different. You aren't from around here, are you?"
"Manhattan."
Leo's cell rang. "Yeah? Fuck it, Karai! You're such a drama queen. It's… Surely you can entertain your Mom for a few fucking hours on your own. No. You told me to find some fun and I am. Send my regards to your Mom." Leo hung up and switched off his phone.
"That was my wife," Leo said. "Sorry about my swearing, but….Never mind. Where were we?"
"Yer married. I didn't know. Guess yer gonna go home."
"Nope. I'm all yours for tonight."
"I don't wanna be a home wrecker."
"What? Karai's okay with me having fun and she certainly is," Leo said bitterly. "Relax. Besides, this is just fun for me and it's a job for you, so no harm."
"I guess."
"You guess? Come on. Isn't it just business for all you whores? You weren't hoping for something else, were you? Because I can't give that."
"What kinda wife is fine 'bout her husband fuckin' others? I wouldn't be. Sex and love are beautiful things ta me and so is monogamy. She clearly don't love ya and ya don't love her neither if yer visitin' a whore house."
"Says the guy, who hasn't had sex and probably never had a relationship! You know nothing about life, Raphael."
"Maybe not, but I know what I'd want and I wouldn't want that kinda relationship. It's kinda sick."
"So's screwing others for money!" Leo retorted. "I made a mistake coming here. I'll go."
"Ya know 'nothin' 'bout me," Raphael said heatedly. "Ya think I wanna do this? I fuckin' don't, but I don't got a choice, Leo! Someone close ta me will die if I don't do this. Ya got no right ta judge me, ya supercilious bastard! And most a the people who do this don't see no other way of makin' money, but ya wouldn't know that, because ya don't gotta worry 'bout money, like us regular guys. Ya can buy whatever ya want and ya got no troubles."
"Who? Your girlfriend? You're wrong, Raphael. I have troubles. Not monetary, but my family life's shit," Leo said, regretting his harsh judgement of Raphael and the words he'd uttered.
"I don't wanna talk 'bout it!"
"Are you in financial trouble? Tell me, Raphael. I can help."
"I don't want yer fuckin' money. I can do it on my own. If ya help me, I'd be indebted ta ya forever. I just want ya ta fuck me, so I can give Tasha some money and start payin' back my debt and I certainly don't expect nothin' else from ya."
"What debt is that, Raphael? You owe Mama Tasha money? How much?"
"I don't…."
"Raphael, I've been a bastard. Let me help."
The door opened and Mama Tasha entered, her arms folded.
"I heard yelling," Mama Tasha said. "Forgive my intrusion, but I was concerned. Did Raphael perform?"
"More than satisfactory, " Leo said and glared at her. "I was just about to suggest a dip in the sauna out back, but you barged in. What if we'd been fucking?"
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," Mama Tasha stammered.
"Yer royalty?" Raphael said in amazement, his green eyes wide.
Leo held up a hand and said, "Raphael owes you money. Does he not?"
"How do you know that?" Mama Tasha asked and frowned at Raphael. "Did he bleat his sob story and beg for help?"
"Raphael did nothing of the sort," Leo said pulling out a check book from his kimono. "I interrogated him. How much does he owe you, Mama Tasha?"
"Six hundred thousand Dollars and not a penny less."
Leo wrote out a check, handed it to her and said, "Here's eight hundred thousand. I trust there was interest. He mentioned his brother."
"Yes. He's with my men as surety."
"His brother will be released immediately. I want him at my palace ASAP. Raphael, you'll leave with me."
"You can't take him!"
"I can. You have your money. Raphael, come along."
A bewildered Raphael grabbed his kimono and followed Leo out of the room.
XXXX
"Is there anything you want to take, Raphael?" Leo asked.
"Just some things in my room. Yer royalty, what?"
"I am. Pack and we'll talk later."
Raphael went to his room, packed and when he'd finished, he joined Leo and said, "All done."
Leo sent a text to Usagi and said, "My ride's outside. Come along."
Leo and Raphael went outside.
XXXX
"What the heck's this?" Usagi asked, staring at Raphael.
"My lover," Leo said. "Take us to your home for the night. I'll explain what happened on the way."
They all climbed in the car and Usagi started the engine.
Leo explained what had happened.
"So, are ya a king?" Raphael asked, as he sat beside Leo on the back seat.
"A prince."
"Ya didn't gotta do that, ya know. That was my cross ta bear. 'll pay ya back every cent."
"You will. You belong to me until the debt's been paid, but relax. I'll treat you well and you'll get everything you desire. So will your brother."
"So I'm just a glorified concubine, is that it? Ya gonna fuck Donnie too?"
"I have zero interest in your brother."
"So I'm swappin' one shit environment for another?"
"Not exactly. You're mine and I'll treat you with all the respect you deserve. We'll treat this as a business arrangement. You and your brother can leave when you've paid me back. You'll lack for nothing and will stay in a luxurious mansion. No expense spared. My wife won't care, so you don't have to worry about that. I get what I want, which is some company and fun and you get a taste of my life. I think it's a good arrangement."
"I'm grateful, Leo, but …."
"Look, I saved your bacon and your brother's. Would you rather go back to the tea house and fuck all the detritus? I can do that. I can send you back and tell her I've changed my mind."
"No. It's just…."
"Just what?"
"Nothin'."
"Do you like kids?"
"Uh, sure."
"My kid's six months old and I don't care for his nanny. I'd like you to step in. Mikey's mom doesn't interact much with him and I'm often busy, so that'd be a great help."
"Sure, Leo."
"Excellent."
They pulled up outside Usagi's house a few minutes later.
Leo gripped Raphael's hand in his, kissed him and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, stud, and we'll take care of your virgin status."
Blushing like a school girl, which Raphael hated, he grabbed his case from the trunk and followed Usagi inside his house."
XXXX
Usagi led Raphael to a bedroom, went inside and said, "You'll sleep here tonight."
Raphael glanced around the magnificent room, which had pine flooring, a huge king size bed, a large walk in wardrobe, white walls and a large 60 inch Plasma screen near the bed.
"Thanks, Usagi," Raphael said.
"Sleep well. I'll take you to Leonardo-san in the morning and then we'll look for a house nearby. You can't stay at the palace, even if his wife approves of him having a lover. You must remember, Raphael, that the prince will never fall for a common slut, like you. His social standing and his marriage contract dictates that can't happen. You're trash and not fit to walk the ground he walks on and to breathe the air he does. What he sees in you, I don't know. Anyone who offers themselves in exchange for money is garbage."
"Yet ya've been ta the tea house," Raphael retorted, his eyes blazing at the insults. "I saw ya there last night. It don't say much for ya, does it?"
"I'm warning you," Usagi said, ignoring the jibe. "You and the prince are just an arrangement. Fun on his part."
"I don't think so. I don't think Leo does anythin' just for fun, despite what he says. I could become his lawfully wedded husband. Wouldn't that be a turn up for the books?"
"Over my dead body!" Usagi yelled.
"Now that's a fantastic thought. Good night, rabbit. I gotta get my beauty rest for Leo. Ya can see yerself out."
Usagi glared daggers at Raphael and stalked out.
Raphael laughed and said, "This sure beats the tea house. I can't wait ta see Donnie tomorrow. I hope no one told him where I stayed and I hope Leo don't tell him why I'm stayin' at the palace. I'd be embarrassed. Maybe Mona's right. I did get rescued by a Prince Charmin', so maybe somethin' will happen between Leo and I? But what did the bunny mean by the marriage contract? I'll ask Leo tomorrow.
Raphael climbed into bed, snuggled under the luxurious duck down duvet, closed his eyes and was asleep within minutes.
A/N What will Karai think of Raphael?