The next morning, Raph woke at six a.m. and listened to Leo's gentle snoring beside him. I still can't believe that gorgeous creature's my mate, Raph thought, staring at Leo. He's so perfect and he's mine and I love him so much. He snuggled up to Leo, nuzzling his neck and inhaling his distinctive smell of sandalwood mixed with musk that always drove Raph wild with desire. If I have ta be honest, Raph thought. Everythin' 'bout Fearless makes me wanna drop down. From his cute, little tail ta his adorable ass. He's sheer perfection. He'd hate ta be called beautiful, but he is. Breath taking and I could look at him forever and not tire of it. If Dark Leo or anyone else tries ta hurt my mate, I'll kill them. Raph nuzzled more into Leo and wrapped his arms around him. "Morning," Leo said sleepily, his eyes still closed. "Is it time to get up yet, Raphie?"
"Yeah, but I don't wanna."
"Me either. I could stay like this all day. You're so nice and warm."
"Ya too," Raph said and pressed a kiss to his neck. "But we have ta. There's trainin' and then the chores and…"
The door suddenly burst open and Mikey ran inside looking like he was about to burst with excitement. "Oops," he said apologetically, upon seeing the couple. "I thought only Leo was going to be in here, dudes."
"It's fine, Mikey," Leo said, pulling away from Raph and sitting up. "What is it?"
"Better be good," Raph huffed.
Mikey cleared his throat and said, "April's here and she has some news to tell us about her and Irma. Big news."
"Irma's probably got another boyfriend, Mikey," Raph quipped and rolled his eyes. "And maybe April got that promotion she wanted."
"I don't know, but I wanna find out. Hurry up," Mikey said, and ran out of the room.
Leo and Raph quickly dressed and Leo said, "Thanks again for an incredible evening, Raphie."
"Yer welcome, Leo," Raph said, and kissed his lips. "I had a blast too."
"Guys!" Mikey called from the lounge.
"Geez, what a nag," Raph said irritably. "Come on, Fearless."
XXX
Once they were all settled in the lounge, April said. "I have a huge favor to ask you. Well, Irma and I both do."
"What is it, April?" Leo asked from his seat beside Raph on the couch.
"Well, Irma and I both got evicted and fired from our jobs, so can we please stay with you guys?"
"How long are ya talkin'?" Raph asked.
"I don't know, Raphie," April said, using his childhood nickname. Raph tried not to scowl. He didn't mind it if his family used it, but other people, not so much. "A couple months until we have enough money. I know it's a lot to ask, but please, we have nowhere else to go and me and Casey called off the wedding, as you know, so….Please," April said, turning puppy dog eyes on her friends. "We won't be a problem and it'll be cool seeing each other all the time. We can play video games, watch movies and hang. What do you think, Raphie?" the red head asked, blatantly admiring his muscular body and playing with her hair flirtatiously.
"Ain't just my decision. Guys, what do ya think?"
April's ogling hadn't gone unnoticed by Leo. "It's ultimately Dad's decision, but I don't see why not. As long as you understand some things are off limits," he said, taking Raph's hand in his. "Do you understand, April?"
"I'm sorry. I had no idea. I didn't mean. I assumed Raphie was single."
"It would be lovely having a girl here, Leo," Mikey said, staring at the redhead dreamily. He had a huge crush on her. "Please."
"I'll go consult Dad."
When Leo had left, April said, "How long have you been together, Raphie?"
"Some time."
"They're happy together, April," Don said. "When is Irma coming?"
"On her way here. Oh, speak of the devil," April said, as Irma entered the lair, laden with suitcases.
"That's my lot of stuff," Irma announced wearily, dumping her cases onto the floor and sinking onto the couch beside Raph. "Oh, hey, guys. Did April tell you our news?"
"Yeah," Don said, staring at Irma dreamily. "Leo's gone to check with Dad, but it should be fine."
"How are things going with Leo, Raph? Done the deed yet?" Irma asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Raph reddened and said, "Things are great, Irma. I couldn't have asked for a better mate."
"I'm happy for you," Irma said. "It's kind of sweet that such a grumpypuss like yourself has found love, but if things don't work out, be sure to give me a call," Irma added and winked.
"Now why would I do that when Donnie boy here likes ya?"
"Raph…." Don began, his cheeks flushed.
"Look, yer single, she's perpetually single. Ask her out. What are ya gonna lose?"
"Yeah," Mikey piped up. "Ask her out, dude. She has the hots for you."
"Um, no, I don't," Irma said, playing with her hands nervously. "I like someone else. Donnie, I'm sorry. I like you, but… Oh, shit. I feel dreadful…"
"I'll be in my lab," Don said, getting up and rushing towards it, as his heart shattered into a million pieces.
"I hope it ain't me ya like," Raph hissed. "Because I ain't gonna fall for ya, Irma."
Leo entered the room with Splinter and Irma's eyes landed on Leo, her face lighting up.
Raph saw it and mumbled angrily, "I get it."
"Good morning," Splinter said, nodding at April and Irma. "Leonardo has informed me that you need a place to stay."
"Yes," April said. "We won't be a nuisance."
"My child, you are family and could never be a nuisance. Michelangelo will bunk with Donatello and Raphael will be more than happy to share with Leonardo, I am sure," Splinter said with a sly smile. "Sorted. Please make yourselves at home. I will be in my room if you need me."
"Thank you, Sensei," April said and bowed.
Irma bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Hamato."
"You're welcome," Splinter said and left the room.
There was thick tension and Raph broke it by saying, "News flash, Leo. Donnie's cryin' in his lab. He thought Irma liked him, but she's got the hots for ya."
Irma ducked her face in embarrassment, as Leo looked at her. "I like Leo, yes, but I wouldn't do anything to cause trouble, Raphael, and when I winked earlier and said you should call me, I was joking. As much as I would love a guy, I wouldn't want to get one at the cost of someone else's relationship. Believe me."
"Neither would I," April lied. "I like Raph, but I won't interfere, Leo, and I'm happy for you."
"What about me?" Mikey asked sadly. "Don't you like me, April?"
"You're a cutie," April said. "Anyway, I think I will go pack away my clothes. Come along, Irma."
When the girls had gone, Mikey said, "It's not fair. You guys are dating and the girls like you!"
"What can I say? We're studs," Raph said, and smirked. "Look, Mikey, don't be upset. The right girl or guy…"
"I'm straight, Raph!"
"Girl will come along. Ya just gotta have faith."
"It would be easier if I were human."
"I doubt it," Raph said with a grin. "Ya'd still be a dorky kid and me and Leo would be jocks. Hey, Mikey," Raph added, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Don't be sad. Ya will find love."
"You really think so?"
"Yes," Leo said. "You're a great guy, Mikey. Any girl would be lucky to have you, so keep believing."
"I'll try. You guys want to play some video games?"
"Later," Raph said. "I have ta get some of my clothes, seein' as me and Leo will be now sharin' a room and then me and Leo have somethin' new we wanna try. Ain't that, right, Leo?"
"Eww," Mikey said, wrinkling his snout in disgust and running out of the room, as Leo looked down at the ground in embarrassment. Raph chuckled and said, "That's one way of gettin' rid of him."
"You're so bad," Leo said, looking up at his mate.
"I know," Raph said, and kissed him on the lips. "But ya love me. Help me move my stuff, please."
XXX
Meanwhile, Mikey and Don were in Don's lab. "You okay, Don?" Mikey asked.
"I was foolish to think anyone would love me, Mikey," Don said sadly. "But it looked like Irma did. We have lots in common and she loves science and I thought…"
"I know how you feel, bro. I hoped April felt the same way about me, but she doesn't and likes Raph. It sucks."
"Yeah, it does, but we have to accept it, Mikey. We're not going to find love. There are only four of our kind, including us. Two are taken and I'm not gay."
"Me either. Leo and Raph told me that I should stay positive and love will happen."
"No, Mikey, it won't! This is it for us. Doomed to a life with our right hand. I'm not bitter about Raph and Leo, though. I'm happy for them."
"Do you think things would be different if we were human? You could mix up a batch of the purple stuff and make us human, right?"
"I could in theory, but it could take weeks, months or years, to perfect the mutagen. And it may fail."
"Donnie, I don't want a life with my right hand. I want you to please mix up a batch of mutagen. If it works, we will find girls and go on dates," Mikey said excitedly. "Maybe even have a family of our own someday."
"Okay. But not a word to our brothers, Mikey."
"My lips are sealed," Mikey said and ran a finger across his lips. "Oh, Donnie. I'm so excited. Think of all the fun we're going to have."
Don smiled and said, "I'll try my best, Mikey. Now don't distract me. I need to work."
"I'll just be right here watching," Mikey said, as Don booted up the Web and searched for what he'd need for the mutagen.
I can't wait, Mikey thought, rubbing his hands gleefully. Me and Donnie are going to have the life we've always dreamed of. Human life is going to be so much fun.
