Raphael was on cloud nine after his kiss with Belle and touching her. He'd never gotten so close to a girl before and things he'd only dreamed of seemed possible now. A mate, a family, a life without his brothers. He was certain that Belle could give him that. He just had to convince her that he was the one for her. The only one, because there was no way in hell he'd share her with his brothers. The idea of polyamory sickened him. He knew that turtles in the wild did that, but he had no intention of doing so. She'd only be his and he'd shower her with affection forever and would treat her like a princess. The way she deserved. He was a brute in battle, but to those who knew him well, he had a soft side and he wasn't afraid to show his tender and vulnerable side to her. His mate, his love. His.
He sipped his cocoa, as he sat at the kitchen table and smiled, as he imagined their young. A little girl the spitting image of her beautiful mom. Forest green with hazel eyes and an emerald skinned and green eyed boy, his mirror image. The two of them playing at their parents' feet. Their parents watching them, their hearts swollen with pride and love, Belle gravid with baby number three, her fingers laced between Raphael's and squeezing his hand every now and again to convey her adoration for him. Her mate, her soulmate, her everything, just like she was his. A perfect, happy family. His.
Leo entered the room and said, pulling Raphael from his thoughts, "What are you grinning about?"
"Nothin'," Raphael said gruffly and set his mug down on the table.
"You rarely smile. What's up?"
"Just thinkin'. Ya know what Belle represents, right?"
Leo sat down and nodded, "Hope, family, possibilities that could become a reality."
"Exactly. And each of us wants her and that chance ta have what we've always desired. Love. A romantic love. We're behavin' like love struck teens and fawnin' over her, hopin' she'll pick us and turnin' it into a rivalry for her affection. Even ya have lost yer self-control."
Leo chuckled and said, "She is something special. I can't help it. She makes my shell feel extremely tight." Leo blushed at his admission and said, "Shit. I didn't mean….I like her, I mean….Damn…"
"Leo, it's normal ta have urges. Ya don't gotta feel ashamed. Yer a teenage boy and yer hormones are rampant, okay? So relax. I got them too and I bet Mikey and Donnie do too, but my fear is the rivalry could get outta control and could sever our bonds and all because of a chick, albeit a hot chick, but still. It ain't the way ta act and how ta woo a girl. Actin' like hooligans. It's repulsive and we're better than that! We're treatin' her like a piece a meat. How'd ya feel if it ya were treated like a sex object?"
"What are you saying, Raph? That we stop lusting after her?"
"Just stop bein' so obvious and tryin' ta paw her, okay? Makes her feel uncomfortable."
"How the hell would you know?"
"She locked her door, remember? Huge clue! Yer not the sharpest tool in the box, huh, Leo? I think she's scared of us. Can't blame her. Poor thing. Injured, traumatized and then lusted after by three hideous mutants and a sexy one."
"But I like her and you aren't exactly smooth either, Romeo! You groped her! And excuse me. I'm not ugly!"
"I know. Look, I got aheada myself and I'm gonna apologize ta her, but Leo, trust me. The way we've been actin' isn't gonna win her heart. Well, yer not as hot as me, Leo. Come on. Ya gotta admit I'm the hunk down here. Look at my muscles and bod."
Leo rolled his eyes and said, "And an ego to boot that won't keep her warm in the middle of the night. She needs a strong leader and…."
Belle suddenly appeared, causing Leo's sentence to trail off. She regarded the brothers coolly and said, "The bickering never ends, does it? Raphael has a point, though. You're acting like kids arguing over a toy? Do I fucking look like a toy? Do I? No. I'm a thinking, feeling woman, who knows what she wants. And I don't appreciate being leered at or regarded as a toy. Do you fucking understand?"
"And what is that?" Raphael asked nervously. "Hey. I'm sorry for earlier. I was just excited and….."
"Shut up," Belle barked.
Raphael blinked at her harsh tone and fell silent.
"Tell us," Leo piped up. "You know I'll do whatever you want."
"Yes," Belle said and smirked. "That I do, so this is what I want. I have no interest in Donatello or Mikey. Geek and prankster and probably dull in bed."
"So yer gonna pick me?" Raphael asked, his face lighting up and his eyes shining in happiness. "We did share a moment earlier and…."
"Be quiet, Raphie!" Belle demanded. Raphael went quiet and blushed. Leo snickered at the usage of Raphael's childhood nickname.
Belle had fumed in bed at the way she'd been treated and an idea had hit her. She'd play the brothers at their own hormone driven game, learn their secrets and would then betray them in exchange for a cure by a scientist. Someone had to be able to return her to her normal self. There was no way she'd stay a turtle forever and surrounded by the beasts. The first step was declaring the new normal, which would entail constant friction between the older brothers and which would probably sever their bond. Playing them off against one another, as they constantly sought to be the winner of her heart. The idea of mating with them was repulsive, but it was a means to an end and she'd have to live with it.
Belle smiled sweetly and said, "Actually, yes, Raphie. You're strong, handsome and we have chemistry. I like you very, very much."
Raphael grinned and said, "I knew it. Ya liked me, best, babe. We're gonna be amazin' together. I swear. I'll…."
"But I'd better for you," Leo protested. "You can't be serious, Belle! Raph won't make you happy!"
"But…." Belle began.
Raphael's face fell and he whined, "What do ya mean but? Ya just said ya like me. I don't get it, Belle."
"Raphie, hush, pumpkin, and don't whinge. It's not attractive. You'll be with me, will be my mate and we'll have fun and sex. That's right, but there's a catch….."
"What catch, babe?"
"See. I'm greedy, Raphie. I have the hots for Leo here too and I want him as my mate as well. So you guys have a choice. Share me or I'll make a play for Donatello and Mikey. I'm sure they won't refuse me and my womanly charms," Belle said and smiled serenely. "You have two minutes to decide. Tick tock."
"Ya mean I gotta share my bed and my girl with Fearless?" Raphael yelled, banging his hand down hard on the table and causing his forgotten cocoa to spill. "And see his scrawny ass everywhere I go? Fuck. Yer askin' us a disgustin' thing, Belle, ta share a woman we both like and we ain't fuckin' gay!"
"Hey, hey," Leo snapped. "I'm not so chuffed about seeing your smug mug either, Raph!"
"Tick tock," Belle said. "And do work on that temper, Raphael. It's deplorable!"
"Fuck my temper! Babe, ya don't wanna do this. I swear I'm enough for ya. I'll make all of yer dreams come true. I'll make ya so happy and will give ya all the young ya want and….I'm enough, babe. Please don't do this."
"Time's up," Belle declared, studying a nail. "I'm going to find…."
Leo had been wrestling with the decision. He didn't like sharing his girl with Raphael and found it revolting, but he didn't want to lose her either. Sharing seemed to be the lesser evil, though, and he raised a hand.
"Wait, Belle!" Leo said.
"Yes?" Belle said, raising an eye ridge.
"I accept. I'll share, but it's pointless now. Raphael doesn't want to, so I guess we both lose you."
"I didn't say I didn't wanna," Raphael hissed, his eyes blazing. "But I'm gonna say it now. I like ya, but I ain't that fuckin' desperate that I'd share my girl with my fuckin' bro! I got feelings and my pride too, ya know. I quit, Belle. Ya win, Leo. I'm outta here!"
Raphael bolted out of the room and lair, his heart shattered, tears streaming down his cheeks and ran through the tunnels. My only shot at love's gone. Hurts real bad. Bet she don't care. How could she offer me such a hurtful proposal like that? And rip my heart out and play with it? How could I have been charmed by such a bitch? I'm a fuckin' fool! No, Leo, is. I got outta there. Maybe I'm the bigger fool. Leo's gonna fuck her and she….I'm gonna stay a virgin forever. What do I do? Tell my pride ta fuck off and go back ta her and accept the deal or stay here and wallow in my despair forever and let Fearless win? Wait. I let Fearless win and he's gonna bed my girl. My girl! No. I can't let that happen!
Raphael stopped, wiped the tears away with the back of his hand and said resolutely, "Fuck that. She's mine. Not Leo's and I'm gonna make her see I'm the better guy for her. And she's gonna apologize for comin' up with such a shit ultimatum. Oh, and I'm gonna fuck her first and show her what a real man's like! But I won't be brutal, ya know. I'll be tender and sweet and all the things chicks like.
He squared his shoulders and strode back to the lair.
A/N Yay. An update.
Raph plans on talking to her and has some demands of his own. What will he ask? And will he be successful in conquering her heart?