The family arrived home a while later and Leo carried Raphael into the lair.

Splinter was waiting for them in the lounge with Casey and April, who'd arrived a few minutes earlier. The rat had alerted them of Raphael's disappearance and they'd canvassed the city for him. He'd then informed them that Raphael had been found and he'd soon be home.

"My poor son," Splinter said, looking sadly at Raphael. "What happened?"

"Raph, dude, what the heck happened to you?" Casey said in dismay.

"Oh, Raph," April managed, blinking back tears.

"I'm gonna be okay, guys," Raphael said bravely. "Shredder took me and hurt me in the cruelest way, but Tiger Claw freed me and now I'm home. He's a cool guy. Who'd a thought he had a heart? He said I didn't deserve the abuse and he freed me. I'm gonna be okay, but ya should know there's a traitor in our midst." He looked at a trembling Mikey and said, "Ain't that right, Michelangelo?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Raph," Mikey said nonchalantly, praying everyone bought his act.
"The hell ya don't," Raphael hissed, his green eyes flashing. "Ya know exactly what happened. Ya drugged us with a sleepin' potion and then gave me ta the Shredder ta get me outta the picture, because yer obsessed with Leo. Chrome dome told me and he had no reason ta lie. Yer a fuckin' sack a shit!"
"Raph's imagining things," Mikey said, trying not to show his nervousness. "I wouldn't do such a despicable thing, especially to one of my brothers. I…"

"Raph wouldn't lie," Leo piped up. "I believe him."

"Michelangelo?" Splinter said sharply, staring at Mikey. "Is that true? Leonardo, take Raphael to the infirmary. He needs his injuries examined."
"They can wait, Dad," Raphael said. "It's all true. Leo, place me on the couch. Go on, Michelangelo. Be a man and admit what ya did ta me, yer brother. Ya knew what Shredder did ta me before and ya gave me him back ta him. Admit it, ya fuckin' coward!"

Leo placed Raphael on the couch, sat down beside him and held his hand.

Mikey couldn't keep up his charade any longer. Shaking like a leaf, he nodded, as tears streamed down his cheeks, his horrified family and friends looking at him like he was a monster.

"It's true," Mikey said tearfully. "Leo and I had a one night stand and we agreed it was a mistake, but it wasn't for me. Not really. I loved it and I've been in love with Leo forever. I didn't have the guts to tell him, but when he began seeing Raph, I became so incensed and fueled with jealousy, I decided that if I couldn't have Leo, Raph couldn't either. I made plans with Shredder to give Raph to him. I then drugged you all with a sleeping potion, gave Raph to Shredder and drugged myself, so no one would be suspicious. I felt awful when I learned Raph could have tin can's babies, but by then the damage had been done and I was too much of a chicken to own up. I was afraid you guys would banish me and disown me. I feel…I'm sorry, Raph. I…."
"I FUCKIN' HATE YA!" Raphael roared, his green eyes blazing. "Have ya any idea what that fucker did ta me. I'm lucky ta be alive and I only am, because Leo's love kept me goin' and Tiger Claw was kind! I coulda died, ya fuckin' asshole. Yer dead ta me, Michelangelo. Now and forever. Leo, take me outta here. I can't bear ta be in the same room as him."
Mikey fell to his knees and said beseechingly, "Raph, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I…"
"GO TA FUCKIN' HELL. I mean what I said. Yer dead ta me. I don't wanna see ya."

"Me either," Donnie said irately, his hazel eyes flashing. "You don't betray family, especially your brother, Mikey. It's unforgiveable."

"Damn straight," Leo said heatedly. "I hate you. You're absolutely despicable, Michelangelo. Poor Raph. I won't forgive you."

"Dad," Mikey said, his heart shattering at Leo's words. Knowing his brothers despised him hurt like hell, but Leo's words cut him up more.

"How could you, Mikey?" Casey said furiously. "Raph loved you so much. How could you betray him like that?"

"You're a shit, Mikey," April said irately. "Poor Raph. The trauma he must have endured. If you were my brother I wouldn't forgive you."

"I agree with my sons," Splinter said. "Michelangelo, what you did is unforgiveable and you must suffer the consequences for your actions. I leave it up to Raphael to decide your punishment. Betrayal would be punished with seppuku in years past. Raphael?"

Raphael looked at a shaking Mikey and no matter how much he loathed him he couldn't find it in his heart to order seppuku. They'd been close once upon a time and maybe he was soft, but he couldn't do it and besides, it was also an easy punishment in a way. No. He wanted Mikey to live with the knowledge of what he'd done and to carry the burden of it. That would be a huge cross to bear and one he deserved.

"I want him exiled and cast outta our clan and family," Raphael said firmly. "He can live with the Mutanimals for the resta his life and live with what he's done ta me and our family. I might forgive him someday, but that's my choice and even if I do, it don't mean I wanna see him."
"Very well," Splinter said. "You'll leave now, Michelangelo. Go pack your bags."

"Raph, please," Mikey pleaded, turning puppy dog eyes on him.
"Fuck ya," Raphael growled. "Ya showed me no mercy. I'm showin' ya some. Be grateful, ya bastard. I coulda ordered yer death. Fuckin' get outta my sight before I do."

Mikey fled to his room, tears running down his face, and followed by Splinter.

"It's going to be okay, Raph," Leo said, squeezing his hand. "I know it was tough sending Mikey away. You still love him despite all he's done. We all do, but this has to happen. He can't get away with his actions."

"That's true," Casey said. "You guys stay here. I'll escort Mikey to the Mutanimals. Raph, if you need or want anything, bro, let me know."
"Thanks, Case, but I got all I want and need here. Leo's gonna take care of me."
"So you guys really are a couple?"
"Yeah."
"That's nice, bro. I hope he makes you happy."
"He does. Come by tomorrow if ya ain't busy and we could watch some movies."
"Cool," Casey said, He patted Raphael's arm and said, "Bro, I don't want to be mushy, but if anything happened to you and you didn't make it, I'd miss you so much. You're family, Raph, and I love you."
"Sap," Raphael said, blinking back tears. "Look what ya've done. Ya've made me cry! Nice goin'. But I'd miss ya and I love ya too, Case."

"Hey, Raph. I'd like to say something," April said nervously. "About me and Donnie. We never spoke about it and made peace and…."
"It's all good, because I got who I've always wanted," Raphael said, looking adoringly into Leo's eyes. "I'm unbelievably happy with Leo, so ya did me a favor. Be happy, April. Leo, take me ta the infirmary before the traitor returns ta the lounge."
"Do you guys need anything?" April asked.

Leo shook his head and said, "No, thanks."

"Then I'll go home and will see you tomorrow," April said and kissed Don's cheek. "Night, Don. I love you."
"Love you too."

They waved her goodbye and she left.

Leo lifted Raphael into his strong arms and carried him to the infirmary, followed by Don.

Casey waited for Mikey.

XXXX

Mikey entered the lounge with Splinter, who looked at him contemptuously, his eyes stony and his arms folded.

"I'm sorry, Dad," Mikey sobbed. "I really am."
"I am not your Father. You are nothing to me until we feel you've done enough penance, Michelangelo. That might never happen. I wish you good luck with any endeavors. Goodbye," Splinter said coldly and turned his back, tears streaming down his cheeks, despite his chilly demeanor. It was tough casting out his beloved son, a son he'd always treasured and nurtured. It was like a dagger in his heart, even though he knew Mikey deserved his punishment. He'd miss the teenager incredibly. They all would and the family would never be the same without him.
Mikey sniffed, bowed and said, "I hope someday I'll be forgiven and can return home. I'll never stop hoping. Goodbye. I'll miss you all so much."

"Come on, Mikey," Casey said crossly. "it's late and I want to go to bed ASAP."

Mikey left the lair with Casey, his shoulders slumped and his spirits low.

XXXX

Meanwhile, Don examined Raphael, who lay sat on a stretcher. He then washed Raphael's cuts and bruises and applied soothing lotion to them.

Leo sat down on a chair by the bed and held Raphael's hand.

"You should heal in a few days, Raph," Don said. "I'd like you to stay here tonight, okay? Leo can stay with you. I'd also like to apologize for my actions. I treated you abysmally and I never gave you a chance."
"Ya didn't and that hurt like hell. I can't change who and what I am, Don. I loved ya and I tried bein' what ya needed, but I was never good enough, especially when ya saw I was a freak and called me that. Yer words cut me up so bad and I couldn't look at myself in the mirror for days. All I saw was an abomination and a freak of nature. Then I woke up one day and I decided screw it. Ya ain't the only guy on the planet. I've always loved Leo more than ya, so I kissed him on the roof top and admitted my feelings and well….It all worked out. I got him and I couldn't be happier, so yer dumpin' me was a blessin' in disguise."
"I am so sorry. I shouldn't have called you that. I hope you can forgive me."
"Like I said, I got who I want and I'm happy. It's all water under the bridge, Donnie."
"Thank you. I'm grateful. I'd hate there to be bad blood, Raph. I love you and I couldn't and don't want to imagine a world without you."
Raphael sniffed and said, "Man, yer all turnin' into saps tonight. First Case and now ya, Donnie, but I feel the same way. I love ya, bro."

"Me too," Leo said. "I love you both."

"Do you think you'll ever forgive Mikey, Raph?" Donnie said.
"I don't think so. Not the way I feel now, but who knows how I'll feel someday? He gave me ta a psychopath knowin' what I'd been through before and he didn't care. Could ya be so forgivin'?"
"No."
"Then don't pressure me 'bout it, okay? If ya wanna go see Mikey after all ya said, that's yer business and I won't be mad at ya, but I sure as hell ain't gonna see him. It'd mean ya would be sidin' with him, but that'd be on yer conscience."
"No, Raph. I won't see him. I was just asking. Can I bring you anything?"
"A sandwich and some water, please."
"Coming up. See you in a few."

"Hey, Raph," Leo said. "There's something I want to get off my chest."
"What is it?"
"I love you so much and the thought of losing you made me feel like I couldn't breathe and…I was so worried you'd been killed and…." Leo said, his eyes filling with tears.
"I'm here, baby," Raphael said and nuzzled his beak against Leo's hand. "I ain't goin' nowhere. Yer stuck with me."
"I want to admit something. I feel you need to know."
"This sounds serious. Ya havin' second thoughts 'bout me?"
"Of course not. It's just… I wasn't in love with you on the roof top, okay? I've always been in love with Lotus. The whole thing we had after was initially built on my guilt for the hell you went through. I blamed myself for what Shredder did to you and I…."
"So ya lied ta me and never loved me," Raphael said in a broken voice. "Ya don't really. Go on, Leo. Tell me. I can take it."
"No! My words seemed to help you and you'd never been happier, so I went along with it and said I loved you. Dad didn't buy it and told me I had six weeks to really fall in love with you and if it didn't happen, I had to tell you the truth. I didn't want to hurt you, so I hoped I'd really fall in love with you and…."
"Wow. I must really be unlovable. Donnie cheats, calls me a freak and ya can't stand the thought of bein' in love with me…..I can't believe I bought what ya said. I'm such a dumb…."
"Raph," Leo said and kissed his hand. "That's not true. You're amazing. I saw it when we had our dates and in all the time we spent together. I loved it when we had oral sex, but I…I continued denying my feelings for you. That kiss on the roof top did stir something, but I ignored it and told myself I loved Lotus. It wasn't until you went missing that I realized just how much you meant to me and that I had the courage to accept my feelings. I was insane with worry and grief and guilt that I'd never get to tell you just how much I really love you. That's the truth. All of it. I love you so much with every fiber of my bein' and I'm grateful and honored that I have you. Please say something."

Disbelief and hurt flashed on Raphael's face and he blinked back unwanted tears. Did I really hear him right, Raphael thought? Leo never loved me? It was all a lie. How could he do that ta me?

"What do ya want me ta say, Leo? I'm staggered by yer admission, because I believed ya. it was all a lie and I..." Raphael said.
"No...Please let me explain."
"No. Ya listen ta me. I'm hurt ya got with me ta spare my feelings and just ta make me feel better. Ya coulda been honest, but ya fed me shit and I fell for it. Am I mad? Yeah? Do I hate ya for leadin' me on? No. I'm just sad and angry that ya could be that cruel. I loved ya and I was always honest and open. Fuck. I'm such a fool."
"But I love you, Raph. I really do. I'll do anything to prove my love to you," Leo said, his eyes brimming with tears. "Give me a chance, please, angel."
Raphael sighed and said, "I've been through hell and back and all that kept me goin' was yer love, which was a lie, so ya can understand how I feel. Ya'd feel devastated, Leo. Parta me wants ta tell ya ta fuck off and that I hate ya, but I... Damn it. I don't got the heart ta dump ya and I don't wanna. I love ya incredibly and bein' apart from ya would kill me. I'm gonna give ya a chance, but there's gotta be complete honesty from now on and no secrets. Do ya understand? I don't wanna lose ya, Leo, but if ya lie ta me again, I won't have a choice."
"Yes," Leo said gratefully. "I promise, Raph. I'll always be truthful to you and I'll love you until my dying breath. Aishiteru, my takara."
"Aishiteru, Leo."

Donnie entered the room, carrying a tray on which were four sandwiches and two bottles of water.

"I brought sandwiches for you both, figuring Leo was also hungry," Don said and settled the tray on Raphael's lap.
"Thanks, Don," Raphael said.

"Thank you," Don," Leo said.
"No problem. Leave the tray on the desk. I'll fetch it later. Get some sleep soon. It's been a long day and if you need anything call me."

"I won't," Raphael said. "I got Leo and he's gonna take care of me, but thanks, Don. Night."

"Night, Don," Leo said.

Don said goodnight and left the room.

XXXXX

The lovers devoured their food.

Leo then set the tray on the desk and moved a stretcher next to Raphael's bed. He crawled into it and smiled at his mate.

"I love you so much, Raph," Leo said, stroking his cheek. "You're sensational. I was so blind not to have seen that before. You're so sweet, sensitive, caring, tender, passionate, loyal, romantic, honest. I could go on forever and you're mine. I'm such a lucky guy and I'll always remember that. You could have told me to go to hell."
Raphael blushed and said, "I coulda, but yer so imprinted on my heart, it'd be like rippin' it apart and I kinda need it, ya know. I'm such a sap, but ya are. Yer in my heart and my soul and even when I sleep yer there in my dreams smilin' at me and makin' me feel so special. I'm a lucky guy, because yer the most terrific guy in the galaxy and I got no doubt that as long as we communicate and are truthful with one another, our love will last forever, even when we're ashes."
Leo kissed his mate tenderly, tears in his eyes, and said, "I think so too, sweet Raphie. Let's get some sleep, my angel. I love you."
"Love ya too, baby."

They lay down and snuggled up against one another, arms wrapped around one another, soft smiles upon their faces.

I'm home with my Leo, Raphael thought, as he inhaled Leo's scent. I'm home and life's gonna be amazin'. No one or nothin' will tear Leo and me apart again. I won't let that happen and he won't neither.

XXXX

Donnie was in his room and was almost asleep, when his phone rang. "Yes?" he said sleepily.
"Donatello, it's Lotus Blossom. I can't reach anyone else's phone, so I tried yours. Sorry for calling so late, but I had to know. It's been bugging me. I met up with Michelangelo and he asked me if I'd be willing to give Raphael to the Shredder as payback to Leo for cheating on me and for leading Michelangelo on. I declined and Michelangelo said he wouldn't do that, but I had grave doubts and I had to call and find out."
"Mikey did and it was only thanks to one of Shredder's henchmen that we located where he was and that we ultimately brought him home. He's in the infirmary and should make a full recovery physically. He was in a bad way. Shredder did things to him no one should have to endure, including non con, but my brother should heal with our love. We'll do our best."
"Oh no!" Lotus said disconsolately. "Poor Raphael. That's...I can't believe it. The trauma and agony he must have endured. Please send him my best and tell him that I'm sorry."
"I'll do that. Thank you. It doesn't sound like you're furious with Raph."
"I was, but Leonardo made his choice and if they're happy, what can I do? I'll hopefully meet someone else when I'm ready. I'm truly sorry. Maybe if I'd called earlier Raphael wouldn't have been harmed, but I didn't think Michelangelo would really stoop so low. I tried sleeping, but I was unable. I kept thinking what if Michelangelo really had done what he'd said he would, so I had to call and know for certain."
"Don't blame yourself, Lotus. It's Mikey's fault and he's been exiled. Most likely for the rest of his life."
"That is a fitting punishment, but I'm sorry. It must have been hard on you all to banish him. I know how close you guys were."
"Yes. It was. I still love Mikey. We all do and he'll be missed."
"I should go. Please send my best to Raphael, wish him a speedy recovery and a long and happy life with Leonardo. Take care, Donatello."
"Thanks, Lotus. I'll tell them. Take care."

Donnie disconnected the call and thought, Lotus is a remarkable person not to bear grudges and to wish Raph and indirectly Leo the best. It says a lot about her as a person. As for Mikey, I hope he's okay wherever he is. It'll be so strange not having him around. I don't know if I'll ever adjust to the new normal, but I know I have to try and I know I already miss him so much. I always will. He's my baby brother and he'll always be in my heart.

A/N How will Mikey fare with the Mutanimals and without his brothers? Did Tiger Claw make amends with his sister?