Leo's phone dinged, as he lay beside Raphael. He'd pushed two stretchers together. "Who's that?" Raphael asked.

"No one," Leo said, grabbing the phone off of the dresser. He read the message and placed the phone back on the dresser.

"Hey, Leo. If we're gonna be mates, we've gotta be honest with each other and keep no secrets from each other. Ya can't have a relationship with secrets and no trust, so who the hell messaged ya?"

"Karai," Leo said, picking up the phone and handing it to Raphael, who read the message. "There. See. She just asked to meet me."

"Why? And why wouldn't ya wanna tell me?" Raphael narrowed his eyes and said jealously, "Ya wanna fuck her, don't ya?"

"No. I really don't know why she wants to meet up. "

"But why wouldn't ya wanna tell yer mate 'bout it?" Raphael demanded, not letting the subject go. "What are ya hidin'?"

Leo dragged a hand down his face. His brother was like a dog with a bone sometimes and he was being too possessive. She'd only asked to meet. They were friends. What was the big deal?

"You have nothing to be jealous about, Raph. I'm yours, like I said."

"Yer not goin', ya hear me?" Raphael said firmly.

"Excuse me. You're not my boss, Raph. I can have friends," Leo said coldly.

"She ain't no friend and is a bitch. She's betrayed us before, Leo! She's bad, bad news. How could ya believe her shit? Yer so gullible, Fearless. Ya know what I think? Ya were gonna go behind my back and have a quickie!"

"I wasn't. Damn it, Raph. I have zero interest in Karai. I'm yours. Maybe she has intel we need or something. I'll just be gone…"

Raphael's green eyes flashed and he threw the phone against the wall. The screen smashed and the phone broke and Raphael said nonchalantly, "Guess ya need a new phone now. Oops. My bad."

"How could you, Raph?" Leo said crossly. "I gave you my word. There was no reason to do that."

"Yer not bein' honest with me. Did ya and Karai fuck? Why didn't ya wanna tell me that ya were gonna meet her?"

"No, we never did and I didn't tell you, because you'd fly into a rage, like you're doing now. You're acting crazy, Raph. I've never wanted Karai. She holds zero appeal for me. You're right. She did betray us, but she changed and we're friends. And she's interested in someone else, who happens to be a woman. A lovely girl named Shinigami. She was Karai's best friend in Japan and they're so happy together."

"Why the fuck didn't ya tell me that when I first asked?"

"You didn't give me a chance and now my phone's busted. It'll take Donnie a long time to fix. Thanks a heap, Raph!"

Raphael smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry, Leo. Ya know me. I sometimes don't think before I act."

"Yeah. Look, Raph. I'd never cheat. I promised. You're mine and I'm yours for life, so you don't have to worry," Leo said, taking Raphael's hands in his. He kissed Raphael's knuckles and added, "I'll always be faithful, so there's no need to act like a possessive buffoon, my love."

"I'll try not ta be, but I still don't trust her and only want ya ta meet her with me present."

Leo sighed and said, "Fine. If that's what it'll take to make you happy."

"And I want no secrets between us. I'll be just as open, Leo."

"Fine."

"Donnie was secretive and it hurt when I found out he fucked April, ya know. I guess I kinda have trust issues. I love ya, but I do. I need ta know yer always gonna be honest with me, like I will be with ya."

"I'm not Donnie and I will be. You can read all my mail and texts if you need to. You don't need to be insecure, treasure. I'm yours only, okay?" Leo said and kissed Raphael on the lips.

Raphael broke the kiss and said, "What if ya tire of me?"

"Why would I? You're smart, affectionate, loyal, dedicated, passionate and sexy as hell? You're a little demanding at times and impulsive and you have a vicious temper, but your good qualities outweigh the bad and I know our life will never be dull. I love you, Raph, and I'll never ever leave you."

"Hotter than Lotus?"

No, Leo thought. You're not. She's a goddess and you're just my brother, whom I'm not attracted to. "Lotus was the past, Raph, but yes. You're much hotter than she is and cuter and sweeter and you smell better and you're everything I could want in a mate. I could never want anyone else. You tick all of the boxes, so stop stressing, my angel. There's only you."

Raphael nodded and said, "I'm sorry. I'm such a spaz for feelin' jealous when ya've sworn ta be faithful. I'll work on that, Leo."

"No need to apologize, my love. Let's just focus on the present and future. Our future as a bonded couple. We'll have a traditional Japanese ceremony someday and Sensei will officiate. I'll build extra rooms to accommodate all of our young and equip them with everything we need, okay?"

"How many young are we talkin'?"

"I don't know. How about six? Three boys and three girls."

"That's a fuckin' lotta eggs for me ta lay. Donnie said it would be sore and I don't know…"

"We'll see how it goes, my love, okay? It's just hypothetical. If you decide you don't want kids, I'll be fine with it too. All I want is your happiness."

"I want kids with ya, Leo. We'll see how it goes. Start with one or two."

"Whatever you want, my love," Leo said and kissed his hand, trying not to recoil. He was still pissed about his phone, but had swallowed down his anger. And Raphael would be watching him like a hawk, he thought furiously. He'd probably get no time alone and even if he wanted to call Lotus, he wouldn't be able, Raphael reading all of his texts and mail. Still, it was his own fault too. He hadn't stood up to his insanely possessive mate and it was his own fault for being in this mess. And he was mad at Donnie for treating Raphael so abysmally that he was this possessive.

Raphael sat up and said, "I'm sick of the infirmary."

"Donnie said…"

"Fuck what Donnie said. I'm sick of this fuckin' place. I wanna move in with ya now."

"I don't think that's a good idea. Donnie said…"

"FUCK DONNIE! Ya think ya'd be happy yer mate would be with ya…"

"You are with me."

"No! In our room. Not the infirmary. I wanna move there now. If yer worried 'bout me walkin', ya can carry me. I ain't gonna spend another night here."

Leo groaned inwardly. His room was his private haven and now he'd be sharing it with his temperamental brother for the rest of his life. Not what he'd envisaged. He'd hoped to be able to sneak back to his room when Raphael had fallen asleep and to masturbate to a photo of Lotus on his phone, which was now fucking broken. But no. Now he'd have his demanding brother next to him and he'd get no peace. And Raphael would probably go through his things too and discard what he thought Leo didn't need, including photos of Lotus. No. He'd go there first and ensure he saved them and he'd hide them somewhere Raphael would never find them. He might be with Raphael, but his heart still belonged to Lotus and he still wanted to beat off to her. Why couldn't he?

"Ya ain't said anythin'. Ya don't want me ta?"

No shit, Sherlock, Leo wanted to say. Instead he smiled and said, "Course. You don't think it's too soon?"

"We ain't gonna shag, Leo. I just need ta feel ya next ta me in a proper bed."

Trust his brother to be so crass, Leo thought sarcastically. "I'm just going to sweep it and check it's ready for you, babe," Leo said and kissed Raphael's cheek.

"If ya have anythin' of Lotus, I want it gone."

"Naturally. I've done that already, my love. I'll be back shortly, okay?"

"Don't be long. I miss ya when yer not here," Raphael said and stared at Leo adoringly.

Feeling sick to his stomach, Leo managed a fake small smile and said, "Not as much as I miss you." Then Leo headed to his bedroom.

XXX

Rummaging through his dresser, Leo found photos of Lotus, including sexually explicit ones she'd sent, and placed them into a box that he hid in a secret panel behind the painting of a Japanese warrior he admired that was above his bed. When Raphael was busy, he'd take one out, wank to it then return them to the secret compartment. Raphael would never know.

XXX

A knock sounded on the infirmary door and Raphael said, "Come in."

"Hey, dude," Mikey said. "How are you feeling, Raph?"

"Better, bro, thanks. How are ya?"

"Good. So, Donnie said that you and Leo are a thing now. Is it serious?"

"Yeah. We got Sensei's blessin'," Raphael said happily, his green eyes shining.

"So it's not casual and meaningless?" Mikey said disappointedly.

"Why are ya upset 'bout it, Mikey? I'd have thought ya'd be happy for yer bros that they found love. It's not like ya loved Leo."

"Leo doesn't love you, Raph. He loves Lotus and his heart will always belong to her and hers to him."

"Yer wrong. Leo loves me. He said so and Leo wouldn't lie."

"Leo's noble and would do anything to make his brothers happy, even lying. I bet he blames himself for what happened to you and that's the only reason he's with you. He doesn't love you more than a brother and he never will! He feels sorry for you. Why else would he suddenly be with you when he's been with Lotus for over a year? Hidden feelings for you? No way. He couldn't love someone like you, a male. You're delusional if he does and even if he did love you, you're not his type. You have zero in common with him. He deserves someone like me. I love him and I always have. I'd make him happy. You couldn't. You're a temperamental, vicious beast."

Raphael's face paled and he said, "Leo would never do that ta me. Yer sayin' that, because yer jealous and just wanna hurt me."

"I'm jealous all right, but the fact still remains. Leo's not gay and he doesn't want you. He pities you. Everything he says is a lie and it's designed to make you feel better. That's all. Not the love you desire and want. You ask him. He'll deny it, but ask yourself why he's suddenly so interested in you romantically. Leo's probably dying inside every time he has to kiss and touch you. You repulse him. He's probably thinking of Lotus. He'll never really love you, Raphael, and when he wanks, it won't be your face he imagines."

Raphael ducked his head, as tears filled his eyes. Is Mikey right? Has Leo been lyin' ta me all along? Or is Mikey just bitter?

"You disgust him, Raphael," Mikey continued. "Look at his eyes. Leo's face is impassive, but sometimes his eyes reveal his emotions. I might never have Leo, but you most definitely won't either. Think about what I said."

Mikey left and Raphael lay back against his pillow and sobbed bitterly. Is it a lie, he thought? Is Mikey tellin' the truth?

Leo entered the infirmary and said, "What's wrong, Raph?"

Raphael sat up, rubbed his tears away with the back of his hand and said, "is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"That ya've always loved and wanted me. Mikey said ya don't and were only sayin' that, because ya blame yerself for what happened on the roof and want ta make me feel better. I want the truth, Leo, even if hurts me. I want the truth now, so don't BS me or spare my feelings. Just the truth, ya hear?"

A/N Thanks to all reading, following and reviewing.

Will Leo tell the truth?

I'm so excited. I asked someone to get me Rob Paulsen's autograph last year and she did. Autographed photo of 87 Raph, who I've always adored and who's always been my favorite. I wrote to Rob sending two photos of 87 Raph to autograph, never thinking he'd reply. That was last March. I received the letter on Tuesday and he sent me three autographed photos. My two and one another. Now I have four autographed ones and I'm still blown away. I'm going to frame them. :)