Ch4 Sealing a Deal
They finished their meal and settled the bill. Leo noticed Raph put the two dollars in with his money to help pay.
"That'll help with the check," He told him.
Leo nodded and followed Raph outside toward the motorcycle, he went to grab his helmet but noticed Raph was reaching to unhook his saddle bags.
"Um, now what are you doing?"
"It's late, I'm going to get us a room at the hotel for the night." He spoke like the answer was obvious.
"No, that's okay," Leo sounded nervous. "It's a nice warm July night, I don't mind sleeping under the stars."
Raph gave Leo and incredulous look. "Okay, first of all, I don't know what your problem is with accepting a little help, it's not like I'm expecting something in return nor do I want anything from you." Raph once again took Leo's wrist and led him toward the hotel. "I'm getting a room with two beds and I don't see why you just can't enjoy using one."
This time Leo took his hand back. "I don't want to be indebted to anyone and although I appreciate you sharing your food and giving me a ride to New York, I won't have you sheltering me as well. I'll sleep out here."
Raph shrugged and Leo watched as he went into the office. When Raph came back out he walked over toward a door marked #6 and after working the electronic key, went in. Leo was about to head toward a bench when the Raph opened the door.
"Would you at least like to take a hot shower before you hit the bench?" Raph opened the door wider inviting Leo in but Leo hesitated. "Come on Leo," Raph continued. "No offense, but you really could do with one."
Leo huffed in annoyance and walked in. The room was a decent size with two twin beds, just as Raph said, a tv sat by the window across from the beds and in between the beds there was a nightstand. There was also a round table in the corner of the room with two chairs and next to that a door leading to the bathroom.
Leo sighed. It had been a some time since he had slept in a warm bed. "Okay, here's the deal," he said turning to Raph. "Save all your receipts and when we get to New York, you let me know how much my share comes to and as soon as I'm able to I will pay you back, got it? Leo held out his hand to seal the deal.
Raph smiled and shook his hand. "Deal." The two boys shook hands warmly and Raph once again found himself staring into Leo's eyes and a sense of familiarity seemed to come over him. Leo looked at Raph and blushed.
"Did you want to use the bathroom first?" He asked. "After all, you did pay for the room."
Raph quickly let go of Leo's hand when he realized he was still holding it and gathered his things. "Um, yeah sure." He said rather embarrassed.
He disappeared into the bathroom and soon Leo could here the shower going. Raph had only been in the bathroom for about thirty minutes when he emerged and Leo found himself once again staring at Raph in awe. He wore red shorts and a plain white t-shirt. Leo had to avert his eyes and walk quickly past Raph in order to keep from gaping at him. Raph had caught his look and couldn't help but smirk as he watched him walk into the bathroom.
Leo took a nice long warm shower. While in the shower, he decided to take the clothes he had been wearing for the last few days and wash them. He then placed them on the shower rod to let them dry. It had been a while and it felt good to let the water soothe his aching muscles. When he stepped out, he took a long hard look at himself in the mirror. There was a deep dark bruise on his left side that went from the top of his plastron to just below his ribcage. Leo scowled in anger as the a memory came back to him. "Never again." He told his mirror self as he gingerly touched the still aching bruise. A knock on the door brought Leo back to the present.
"Ya okay in there Leo?"
"Oh yeah," Leo said rather flustered. "I'll be out in a moment." Leo finished up by brushing his teeth and putting on a fresh pair underwear and another blue t-shirt.
When he stepped out of the bathroom, he saw Raph had taken up the bed closest to the bathroom door and had the TV on. He quickly got into the other bed and settled himself under the covers. It felt good to sleep in a soft bed and he knew he would sleep hard that night.
Raph turned to look at him. "So I thought tomorrow I'd check out the Grand Canyon and a maybe stop at some stores along the way to..." Raph stopped talking when he realized Leo's eyes were closed and he had fallen asleep. He smiled at his new traveling companion. "Goodnight Leo."
