ATTENTION: Prepare to be overloaded by fluff, and blown away by badassery! You have been warned. ;)
Disclaimer: Ralyena Starrling and I own nothing.
-Chapter 4-
The drive back to the turtles' lair was silent and uncomfortable. Donatello was starred at his station's monitors with a deep frown; it seemed that only half his mind was actually focused on the task of keeping an eye on the Shellraiser's systems, and the other half was focused on cursing Leonardo to oblivion.
Michelangelo, who was much more attuned to the emotional states of his brothers than he let on, was upset himself; he hated seeing his brothers fighting. From day one, he'd been the buffer to keep Leo and Raph from pulverizing each other, and the nuisance that Donnie needed to pull him out of his lab every once and a while.
Leatherhead, who was crouched beside Mikey, could see the look of distress on the youngest turtle's face. Michelangelo was special to him not only because he saw the man inside the monster (so to speak), but because he was always so jovial. In an effort to lift Michelangelo's spirits, the mutant alligator grabbed Mikey's hand in his own, and rubbed soothing circles with his thumb into the back of Mikey's palm.
Michelangelo looked up from the large map in front of him, and smiled at Leatherhead. A smile that Leatherhead returned before giving Mikey's hand an affectionate squeeze.
-TMNT-
Back at the lair, each turtle trudged off to their own room. Casey hopped onto the couch, flipped on the TV, and starred at it, pouting. Leatherhead made to curl up on the rug in front of the TV, but was stopped when Michelangelo came out of his room, grabbed him by the hand, and asked, "Can we talk?"
Leatherhead looked at Mikey in surprise for a moment before nodding. The youngest turtle was the last one Leatherhead would expect to hear a sentence as serious as "Can we talk?". The two walked into Mikey's room and once the door was closed they were officially alone.
"What is it, Michelangelo?" Leatherhead asked.
Michelangelo sat down on the floor and motioned Leatherhead to do the same. After that, Michelangelo looked up at him and smiled. "So much has happened since you got back that we haven't really had a chance to really catch up. There's so much I held back a year ago when we asked for your help to reclaim the power crystal because of the mission. And then, you were gone..." At this point, Mikey's smile had grown sad, and a few tears had slowly made their way down the side of his face.
Leatherhead was shocked by this, and instinctually picked Michelangelo up and placed him in his lap. He then began to gently wipe away the younger turtle's tears.
Michelangelo sniffed and continued, "The days after that were hell. During the missions, I maintained a mask of aloof, hyperactive, goofball, but at night, I would cry myself to sleep because I lost you, and because I never got to tell you..."
"Tell me what?" Leatherhead inquired, a slight purr accenting his words and causing a rumble in his chest that the small mutant turtle seemed to find relaxing. He was, however, surprised when Michelangelo, blushing ever so slightly, gently grasped both sides of his long snout and pulled it down to meet Mikey's awaiting beak.
Michelangelo was kissing him!
Michelangelo had feelings for him!
Leatherhead soon cast all thought aside and merely hugged Michelangelo closer, deepening the kiss. The couple moaned from the intimate touch. This was the first time they'd ever been so close and felt such a rush. It opened a whole new world to their relationship, and it felt beautifully right. Mikey and Leatherhead were so caught up with each other, that they failed to notice a knock at the door until the person knocking spoke.
"I am glad to see that the two of you have finally said the things that needed to be said," Splinter said.
Eyes widening comically in fear of reprimand, Leatherhead turned to see the father of the turtle he had been kissing looking at the two of them. He tried to apologize, but Splinter simply held up his hand to silence him.
"As I'm sure Michelangelo said to you, those days following your disappearance were the worst days he had ever faced," the mutant rat said. "They were the worst days for me, as well. For so long, Michelangelo has been the pillar of light and happiness that has kept this family in balance. To see him so downtrodden, so heartbroken..." Splinter moved to stand behind Michelangelo and placed a hand on his shoulder. "My son, all I want is for you to be happy...to never again have your light blocked by a cloud of sadness. If this is truly what you want, then I will accept it."
Michelangelo, who's head was tilted back so as to face his father and sensei, smiled and said, "Yeah...he makes me happy." Mikey resumed facing Leatherhead and said, "You make me happy."
Leatherhead's heart had never felt so light. "Never once did you see me as a monster," he said. "Never once did you fear me as your brothers did, or give up on me. You have been, and always will be, my most precious person." He paused, then, and added, "If this is love, Michelangelo, then I, with all of my heart, do love you."
Satisfied with Leatherhead's response, Splinter left the two to resume their previous actions, which they took to with gusto.
That night, Leatherhead slept with Michelangelo tucked in his strong, loving arms.
-TMNT-
It was 10am the next morning when Leo woke up feeling hungry. As he passed by the living room to go to the kitchen, an odd sight caught his eye. Leo doubled back and looked in the living room, then gasped. Sitting in front of the TV, watching what appeared to be Beauty and the Beast, were Mikey and Leatherhead. His youngest brother was snuggled up so close to Leatherhead's side that it seemed like he would fuse with him. Leatherhead had his tail wrapped snugly around Mikey, and even with his back to him, the leader could tell Leatherhead was smiling.
"Holy odd couples, Captain..." Leo uttered in shock.
Just then, Donnie and Casey came in and stopped when they saw Leo standing there.
"Leo, what's wrong?" Donnie asked, forgetting that for the sake of principle he was still supposed to be angry with his two older brothers (Leo in particular).
"Yeah, dude. You look like you saw a ghost," Casey said.
Leo didn't answer, and instead pointed at Mikey and Leatherhead. When the two looked in they couldn't help but smile.
"Well, look at that. They're actually a cute pair," Donnie said.
"Heh, about damn time!" Casey added. "The big-guy sure did mention Mikey a lot when we were a dynamic duo. I was wondering if he had the hots for the kid."
At that moment, Raphael neared the group and said, "Hey, what's with the crowd?" He then looked in and saw his youngest brother kiss Leatherhead as, on the TV, Mrs. Potts began to sing the movie's titular song.
"Casey, go get my camera. Mikey would kill me if I didn't capture this stupid look on Raph's face," Donnie said with a grin.
Shaking himself out of his state of shock, Raphael said, "What the hell?! When did this happen?"
"Though it is not really any of your business, Raphael, it happened last night," Splinter said, bringing all eyes to him as he sat at the dining room table, sipping a cup of tea. "They have my blessing. Now, leave them be. Eat breakfast and prepare for the day's events. I fear this may be the last moment of peace any of you get before you leave to confront Bishop. I have already called April and her father, they should be here soon to help with the preparations."
With that, the three eldest turtles and Casey left the two lovebirds, and instead focused on breakfast.
It was early in the afternoon when Michelangelo and Leatherhead finally took the time to separate and eat, but they would still give each other passing glances with every bite of food. Raph could only gag at the sight, but a hit from Donnie's staff shut him up. A little after that, April and Kirby showed up. While the two parents took the time to catch up, April did the same with her mutant friends.
"Hey guys. How are things...Leatherhead? You're back!" April exclaimed in joyful surprise.
"Yes, and I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. How have you been, April?" Leatherhead asked.
"Oh fine. Just going through high school and avoiding evil mutants and ninjas. Nothing unusual. But, the bigger question is how are you doing? I didn't think we'd see you again." April said.
Leatherhead's smile reached from one ear-hole to the other (a task not entirely impossible for an alligator) as he said, "The best I have ever felt in a long time." His eyes then darted to the youngest of the four mutant turtles, who returned Leatherhead's look with an adoring one of his own.
It didn't take April long to come to the correct conclusion, and when she did, she smiled and hugged Leatherhead before hugging Mikey. "I'm so happy for you two," she said, "congratulations!"
"Yeah, yeah, we're all over the moon about Mikey and his boyfriend," Raphael grumbled. "Sheesh, you'd think people would have better things to do than worry about who's with who!"
April grinned mischievously and replied, "What's wrong, Raphael? Are you jealous? Would you like boyfriend too?"
At that, everyone at the table fell out of their chairs laughing.
Raphael spun to face April with murder in his eyes. "NO, I'M NOT JEALOUS! I DO NOT WANT A BOYFRIEND! I DON'T EVEN SWING THAT WAY!"
April giggled and said, "Relax, Raph, I was only joking. I'm sure there's a girl out there for you somewhere.
"Him? Yeah right," Casey teased. "Who'd want to date a short-fused bozo like him?"
April turned her eyes to the strange young man in the room. Shoulder-length black hair, strong, svelte build, and punk-rock attire? "Who're you? Gene Simmons' son?"
"Please. That little Beverly Hills mansion boy has nothing on me, Princess. I'm the one and only Casey Jones," Casey said. At hearing the name April hummed in thought.
"Casey Jones...Casey...wait, I remember now! You're that sports themed vigilante I've heard of on the news!" April said.
"That's me. No one can copy this style. Ain't that right, Donnie-Boy?" Casey asked with a grin and shameless wink to the smart turtle.
"Donnie-Boy?" April repeated sharply.
"Oh yeah. This cutie here stood up for me when no one else would, and twice to boot! We're pretty close, I'd say," Casey stated as he wrapped his arm around Donnie, who blushed hotly.
The reactions were as follows: Mikey and Leatherhead grinned, while Leo, Raph, and April stiffened and glared at the delinquent. But then, April's lips formed into a tight smile.
"Interesting. Leo, Raph, step into my office," April said and walked to the living room.
Leonardo and Raphael gave each other a surprised look; they'd never seen April so commanding before...this couldn't be good. And with that in mind, they agreed that it wouldn't make matters any better by making April wait. So, they hurried along after her, leaving Casey to gaze flirtatiously at Donnie, who did his best to ignore both Casey and the fluttering in his stomach.
Once the three were in the living room and the door was shut, April glared murderously at the two eldest turtles and all but shrieked, "Who the hell does that punk think he is? He's like, three years older than Donnie! It'd be like me dating a college freshman, and let me tell you, my dad would have kittens about that!"
Leo shrugged helplessly and said, "It's not like we aren't trying, but you heard Casey: Donnie's stuck his neck out for the guy twice! It's like trying to convince someone other than Michelangelo that one plus one equals 2!"
April frowned, seeing the problem. Donatello was clever and witty, and could easily outsmart any opponent in a game of logic. There was no one that could out-logic Donatello. April sighed and said, "It doesn't make sense, I thought Donnie was still crushing on me!"
Raphael sneered at the pitiful teen and replied, "Maybe if you had taken the time to give him a straightforward 'yes' or 'no'."
"Raph," Leo hissed warningly, but Raph trudged on.
"I mean, the guy made it painfully honest that he was head over heels. I shit you not, the first time he laid eyes on you, he said you were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen! And not once did you do anything to let him know you were equally interested!"
"Raph, that's enough!" Leo barked.
"No, he's right," April cut in, disheartened by the painfully logical argument Raphael had made (and wasn't that scary). "I should have said something. If I'd said 'yes', maybe he wouldn't have so easily defended Casey, and you would have been rid of him." April hung her head in defeat.
"Hey now, don't give up on us yet! If anyone can get through that thick head Donnie has, it's you, April," Raph said.
"What do you mean?" April asked.
"We figured that perhaps you could not so much tell Donnie what we think, which is that Casey is a delinquent, on the edge creep, and he should stay away from him, but explain to him as nicely as possible that Casey is a bad influence," Leo explained.
"Leo, I'm not sure if I could do that. I mean, even though we don't personally like him, Donnie wouldn't stand up for Casey if he didn't think it was worth it. We all know that," April said.
"Yeah. But at this point, if me or Raph say even Casey's name, Donnie glares at us or just gives us the cold shoulder. So perhaps you could be our, you know, infiltrator," Leo said.
"Infiltrator? Leo, have you been stealing from Splinter's 007 movie collection again?" April asked with a pointed look.
"No! Of course not...I had Spike do it," Leo said as if that would make it better, but to no avail.
"You trained my tortoise to steal spy movies? I knew something was up when you said you wanted to take Spike on his walk, but I wasn't sure. You sicken me," Raph said, and turned his head from his brother.
"Okay, conspiracy of using tortoises to steal spy movies aside, what do you mean by infiltrator?" April asked.
"Exactly what it means," Leo said. "Endear yourself to Donatello. The two of you are still pretty close friends; he might even think of using you to convince us! You can get prime intel on how Casey and Donnie are together; gather evidence of Casey being a bad influence."
April raised a single brow and replied, "You're kidding, right? Do you honestly believe that's gonna work?"
Raphael snorted in amusement and answered, "Only one way to find out."
April looked from Leo to Raph and sighed; she hated being ganged up on like this! "Fine," she said, "I'll go play 'Love-Spy' on Donatello and Casey, but you two owe me big!"
Their discussion over, the three left the living room and re-entered the kitchen/dining room to finish their breakfast before beginning their strategizing session for going after Bishop.
"The house has a wine cellar; we can use that as our entry-point," Casey said.
"Agreed," Donatello added, "the back door is too obvious, and the front door is just out of the question."
"There's also a porch on the third floor," Casey said, still brain-storming, "if we split into teams we could enter through both the cellar and suspended porch and really catch Bishop off guard.
"No, if we're going to do this, we should do it together," Leo stated vehemently. "No splitting up."
Donnie glared at Leo and said, "What makes you think we're all going? A smaller team would be easier to get in and out, undetected, with. Casey, April, and I will go."
"Me?!" April exclaimed in surprise. "Why me?"
"Because you'd be the perfect distraction. Casey can't do it because it would alert Bishop too soon. And I can't do it for...well...obvious reasons," Donnie said.
"I guess..." April trailed off.
"Wait a minute, why can't we go?" Leo asked.
"Because when it comes to tactical planning, I'm in charge," Donnie stated.
"Now hold it! You can't just step in and tell us what to do..." Raph stopped when Donnie leveled him with the coldest glare ever. "...without a congratulation on doing a good job of it. Sir," Raph said with a nervous laugh.
"That's what I thought you'd say. Any questions?" Donnie asked and smacked his staff in his hand and gave the room occupants a glare.
"No," Everyone said with stiff fear, save Casey who was eying Donatello and his leadership ability with respect and a hint of lust. Ignoring Casey's look, for now, Donatello said, "Good. April, Casey, suit up and load up!"