Raphael woke early the next morning and grinned when he saw Leo next to him, arms still around him and softly snoring. Can't believe Leo's mine. Gonna show him how much I love him every day and never gonna let him go. He's perfection. Lotus better not try anythin'. I don't like fightin' girls, but I'll make an exception for her. He's mine. Raphael continued to watch his brother, still amazed that Leo could want a "fuckup" like him. After all, Leo was basically Splinter Junior and he was the rebel, the loner, black sheep and a freak, who was intersex. Raphael had been repulsed when he found out about his condition, revolted at the thought that he, a male, could lay eggs, but now he found himself thinking that if Leo accepted him for who he was, maybe he could too. Maybe having babies wouldn't be such a bad thing, even if it was the Shredder's. Leo had vowed to stay with him no matter what and with Leo's strength and support, Raphael thought, I could get through anythin'.
Sapphire eyes opened and Leo said, "You're staring at me."
"Yeah," Raphael said, stretching out a hand and tracing Leo's jawline. "Yer beautiful. Inside and out. Thank ya for acceptin' me."
Leo flushed and said, "That's what…mates do. They accept one another for who they are and support one another through the good and bad times. I'll never leave you, Raphie. How are you feeling?"
Raphael's eyes shone with happy tears and he whispered, "I won't either, Leo. Yer mine. I'm a little sore, but I don't want no meds or Don. I just want ya."
"You sure?"
"Ya know I fuckin' hate medicine."
"Donnie said…"
"Fuck what Donnie said. I don't want no meds or anyone but ya touchin' me."
"Donnie has to, so that he knows you're healing. Raphael, stop being obstinate. He's the doctor. It's his job and you need the meds. It won't be for long, sweetheart. I promise. Just until you're all better."
"Fine," Raphael said reluctantly. "But I ain't gonna stay in bed for longer than I gotta. Ain't infirm. I hate bein' in bed. It's borin'."
"Even with me here? I can bring you video games and movies and it won't be for long."
"No. Ain't borin' with ya. I just hate bein' in bed when I'd rather be doin' other things, ya know. I'm restless, Leo, but when we make love, I think it'll be awesome lyin' in bed all day and goin' multiple rounds. I intend ta blow yer mind."
Leo inwardly flinched and thought, I still can't wrap my head around that idea. Mating with Raph. It's so weird picturing us in bed. Him underneath me or vice versa. He's my brother. I…
"Leo? Ya don't like that idea? Yer lookin' almost sickened at the idea of us makin' love."
"No, no," Leo said quickly. "I'm looking forward to it. Really."
"Ya tryin' ta convince yerself or me?"
"Neither. I'm serious. I can't wait to show you how much I love you, to know that only I am the source of your pleasure, to see your gorgeous face flushed, your head thrown back in ecstasy. To bring you bliss over and over again and to help you forget all the hell you've endured."
"Me either, but I don't wanna be uke, okay?"
"What's that?"
"Bottom. That just ain't me, especially after what happened. Makes me feel scared and weak. I'm dominant, an alpha and not a sub."
"Whatever you want, we'll do."
"Thanks."
"You are mine and I'll never abuse you. I promise," Leo said, grabbing Raphael's hand. He kissed it and added, "Mine. Always and forever. Hey, do you know what tomorrow is?"
"Wednesday, November sixteenth."
"Funny. It's a very special day. The day you hatched and blessed the world with your appearance. Have you thought about what you'd like for your present?"
"Already got it."
"Oh?"
"Ya. All I need and want."
"That's sweet, but there must be something you'd like."
"Haven't thought 'bout it. Ta me it's just a regular day. Ya know I hate a fuss."
"We're a couple now, Raphie, and while we'll celebrate each day together, other days we'll make extra special, like birthdays and holidays, so stop making your birthday sound like an ordinary day. It's not. I kind of remember you hatching and as little as I was, Sensei let me hold you. You were so tiny and exquisite even then. A cherished bundle. Let me spoil you, Raphie, like you deserve. Let me celebrate you," Leo said and kissed his beak.
Raphael blushed and whispered, "Okay, but don't go too crazy."
"I'll go as crazy as I like. After all your birthday is only once a year." Leo's eyes gleamed, as he thought of what he could do for his brother and he said, "I know what I'm going to do."
"Any hints?"
"Nope. It's a surprise, but you'll love it."
"Tease. I hate surprises. They're never good. Look at Mikey's."
Leo chuckled and said, "I'm not Mikey and you're going to love what I have planned."
"Leo, I ain't worth makin' a fuss 'bout."
"Stop with the negativity, Raphie. You're amazing and I'm going to keep telling you that for as long as I live even if you hate it."
"I don't hate ya tellin' me it. I just don't believe it."
"I will keep telling you until you believe it and then I still won't stop," Leo said and cupped Raphael's cheek.
Raphael smiled softly and said, "How did I get so lucky ta have ya?"
"I'm the lucky one. I have you and we're probably going to have babies. Little ones I never dreamed I'd have. I probably wouldn't have had with Lotus, because we're two different species. I'm an extremely lucky turtle."
"Even if I drive ya up the pole with my moods?"
"Yes, Raphie. Couples love one another no matter what and if shit happens, they work at it and communicate. I will never stop loving you even when I'm decrepit."
"Bet ya will still be beautiful even then," Raphael said, feeling reassured. "Do I gotta be called Mommy?"
"That's your call, Raph. I still think of you the same way. My sweet, handsome prince and not a girl."
"Good, because I still consider myself a boy. I'm Daddy and ya can be Papa or we can both be Daddy."
"That's fine."
"I know ya've always dreamed of livin' in Japan. That was the plan with Lotus, wasn't it? Do ya still wanna move there?"
"Only if you do. If you don't, I'm happy living here, as long as you're with me. My home is wherever you are, Raphie."
"Sap!" Raphael said and beamed. "Man, I feel so happy right now, I could burst. I think I'm gonna be okay."
"You're going to be more than okay, Raphie," Leo said and peppered his face with gentle kisses. "I promise. I'll see to it that you are and that you have everything you need and desire."
Raphael blushed and said, "Yer gonna make me cry. I ain't used ta such sweet talk."
"I know, but you'll get used to it, my little marshmallow. My takara."
"My shell itches with all this mushy stuff," Raphael huffed, while secretly thrilled at how much his brother adored him. He'd craved Leo's affection for as long as he could remember and now he had it.
"Rubbish. You're lapping it all up, aren't you?"
"Ya know me too well. I am. I've always loved ya, Leo. I'm so grateful for ya, this new beginnin', us, and I ain't ever gonna do nothin' ta fuck it up. I'll never cheat or make ya feel ya ain't loved."
"Ditto."
A knock sounded on the door and Raphael huffed in annoyance and said, "Always interruptions. Who's there?"
"Just me, Raphael," Splinter said. "Can I come in?"
"Yeah."
Splinter entered the room, carrying a tray on which was a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee. Spying his sons in bed together, he did not think anything of it, because Leo had often stayed in his brothers' beds when they were ill, but he was unprepared for what came next.
"I'm afraid I only brought breakfast for Raphael, Leonardo," Splinter said. "I thought you may have gone to your own room."
"No, Sensei," Leo said, his cheeks flamed, praying Raphael said nothing about their relationship. "Raph's not well and I figured he could use company, so I stayed. I'll go now. I am sure you and Raph have a lot to discuss."
"Ya don't gotta go, Leo," Raphael said, grabbing Leo's hand. "Sensei, there's somethin' me and Leo wanna say. We love one another."
"Of course you do. You're brothers," Splinter said, placing the tray on Raphael's lap. "That's normal, Raphael."
"No! Love one another, like I loved Donnie before. That kinda love."
"But Leonardo is engaged to marry Lotus. Raphael, I do not understand," Splinter said, staring hard at Leo and making the forest green turtle wither under his gaze. He felt awkward and badly wished a hole would appear and swallow him up. Trust Raph to blurt it out, Leo thought bitterly. Now I'm trapped even more. Can't go back without looking like an asshole.
"He never loved her," Raphael declared. "And always wanted me, but was scared ta admit his feelings. Last night, he realized how dumb he was bein' and told me he loved me and well, we're a couple now and he dumped Lotus. I'm so happy, Sensei. I've always loved Leo."
"I see," Splinter said, while thinking, I know why Leonardo is suddenly with Raphael. He doesn't love him more than a brother. He loves Lotus and always has, but feels guilty about the events on the rooftop and feels he owes it to Raphael to sacrifice his shot at love and to be with him. Guilt is not a good way to start a relationship and I need to talk to Leonardo.
"Yer not happy for us, Sensei?" Raphael asked disappointedly.
"I'm surprised, my son," Splinter said. "But if you two are serious about one another, I will not hold you back and I wish you both much happiness. You have my blessing."
"Thank ya, Sensei," Raphael said and pressed a kiss to Leo's cheek. "Ain't that awesome, Leo?"
"Yeah," Leo muttered.
"You're not happy, Leo?"
"I am. Thank you, Sensei."
"You are welcome, my son. Raphael, eat your breakfast. There's something I wish to discuss with Leonardo privately."
"Is it serious, Sensei?" Raphael asked in alarm. "Ya ain't gonna send Leo away, are ya? I need him."
"No, no. Nothing like that. I want to discuss your birthday. That is all. Eat and then rest. We won't be long."
"Okay. I love ya, Leo."
"Love you too, Raph," Leo said, his heart sinking. He knew what Splinter really wanted to discuss.
As the aged rat and Leo left the room, Raphael thought, as he ate his cereal, Dad always said 'there's always a pot of gold over the rainbow, ya just gotta search for it.' That pot of gold is my Leo and he's one good thing that came out of yesterday. I'm so grateful for him and even more that Dad's given us his blessin'. I'm a very, very lucky boy and I won't ever take Leo for granted.
A/N How will Leo's talk with Splinter go? And will Lotus turn up?
Thanks for the kudos and reviews.
