The next morning, Raphael woke up snuggled against Leo, his beak buried in the crook of Leo's neck, the leader's musky scent that was tinged with sandalwood comforting him, like it had his entire life. They'd been extremely close as kids and Raphael had always sought Leo out when he was upset, because no one comforted him or made him feel as safe, like Leo did. Not even Splinter. Leo just had that aura about him. Pure light and love, which radiated from him and even from a very young age Raphael, knew that Leo was special. So special he deserved to be on a pedestal and revered, which Raphael had done, following Leo everywhere he went, admiring all he said and did and grateful for any attention he got. Why he craved Leo's attention so much and why he was jealous when his other two brothers received it, he didn't understand until puberty hit and his hormones seemed to have a mind of their own when Leo was around. He was in love with Leo, attracted to him and had probably been so all his life, but the realization hadn't excited him. It had only brought endless frustration, an inability to function, sleepless nights, his every waking moment consumed by the thought that he was in love with Leo, a god, who would never love him, the rebel, the black sheep, the way he wanted. But now, unbelievably, here he was nestled against his crush, his mate, his lover, the object of his affection for so long. It was so surreal that Leo, the pinnacle of perfection, would want him. If this was a dream he never wanted it to end.
Raphael inhaled Leo's scent and sighed contentedly. He'd been through hell and back, but it was all worth it when he looked at his Leo beside him. His Leo. How odd it felt saying that, but oh so wonderful. He was a lucky guy to have such an amazing person as Leo and he would never take him for granted.
Leo stirred, caught Raphael looking at him, smiled and said, "Morning, my handsome lover. How are you, Raphie?"
"Ecstatic and it's all thanks ta ya. I was just thinkin' that it's always been ya, Leo. Ya've always been my rock, my anchor, my joy, even when we fought. Yer the person I've always admired and loved most and I'm so grateful that ya'd want a deadbeat and trash like me. I'll never…."
"Hey, hey, Raphie, you're amazing. Knock it off," Leo said sharply, his blue eyes boring into Raphael's.
"I'm sorry. I just still find it surreal that such a perfect guy like ya would want me. I ain't exactly somethin' ta crow 'bout ya know. I got so many flaws."
"I'm not perfect, Raphie. I have flaws. I have a vicious temper I work hard to control. Believe me, I'm impatient and I can be incredibly selfish. I'm just like everyone else. Hardly someone to admire and I wish you'd stop selling yourself short. You have so many terrific attributes. You're courageous, fearless and passionate and so devoted to our family. You're incredible. I wish I was like you sometimes, but I can't afford to be. I have to be the master of self-control for the clan and our family. I can't afford to let my feelings cloud my judgment. If I do that, even for one nanosecond, it could spell our demise. It'll be different in our bedroom though. There, you'll have all of me. Body, heart and soul."
"Ya really think I'm that great, huh?" Raphael said, his cheeks flushed at the praise. "And ya can say what ya want, Leo, but yer still perfection ta me and that ain't gonna change."
"Absolutely and I'm always going to show you. I never want you to doubt my love for you, which reminds me. We haven't finished celebrating your birthday. There's still so much I want to give you," Leo said and sprang out of bed.
"Ya've already done so much."
"I haven't" Leo said, opening a drawer and withdrawing a key. He handed it to Raphael and said, "I was twelve when I found a chamber in the sewers that none of us had explored. Only I have been there still. Over the years I've fixed it up, rigged up heating and electricity, added appliances, a bed..."
"Ya were plannin' on leavin' and stayin' there, huh? Leavin' us. Yer family. With Lotus," Raphael said jealously, his green eyes flashing.
"Not with her. She doesn't know about the place. By myself if things got too much. I take strain sometimes, Raph, and I go there to think and meditate. Lotus and I would have moved to Japan if we'd worked out."
"How could ya think 'bout leavin' us, Leo?" Raphael asked, hurt creeping into his voice. "Are we that much of a burden?"
"Truthfully, I'm at breaking point sometimes, Raphie. So much stress, but this is just a place I would have had to myself if things got too much and if we all eventually took different paths. I expect Mikey will return someday and will stay in the lair. I couldn't stay there with bittersweet memories. Donnie will move in with April and I always thought you'd leave. You'd talked so much about it."
"That was yer plan. What's with givin' me the key then?"
"Plans change. My place is our place. Ours to make new memories. I can add on rooms for the kids and anything you want. I always want you by my side."
"Ours?" Raphael asked in disbelief. "Really? Our house?"
"Yes. It's about a half hour from here. What do you think?"
"I love the sound of it, but can I choose the décor?"
"Sure!" Leo said happily. "And there's an extra special room that's soundproofed with all the toys we could want!"
"Toys?" Raphael spluttered quirking an eye ridge. "What kinda toys?"
"Sex toys, baby. I bought some and have been trying them out when my urges got the better of me."
"Holy smokes, ya got sex toys. Ya, the poster boy for self-control and abstinence," Raphael said and snorted. "I'm shocked. Yer so kinky, babe."
"Believe it, lover boy," Leo said and nuzzled Raphael's beak with his own. "We'll check it out as soon as you feel better. I'll do my best to make all of your fantasies come true."
"Leo, ya are my fantasy. I don't need toys or nothin' like that, although they might be fun. I don't mind testin' them out."
"Awesome."
"Did she know 'bout yer kinkiness?" Raphael asked jealously.
"Yes. She tied me up, but we never had sex. I told you. You'll be my first and last, Raphie. I'll never want anyone else, so stop worrying. We've done enough talking," Leo said and grinned, as he took the key from Raphael and placed it on the dresser. "Now for action," Leo said and gently pushed Raphael down.
"Leo, I told ya I ain't ready," Raphael protested, as his legs were spread and Leo then dipped his head between Raphael's legs. "Leo, ya promised we wouldn't…"
"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you, hon. I swear. You'll like this," Leo said. He licked and sucked at Raphael's slit and marvelled at the bulge that soon formed. "Drop down, Raphie. Drop down. I want to see you in all your glory."
Raphael emitted a roar and dropped down, his dick already slick with precum, veins twitching, his eyes gazing into Leo's. Trusting him.
"You're a beauty, Raphie. Magnificent and you're mine. I'm honored and I love you," Leo said and lowered his mouth between Raphael's legs, his tongue flicking across Raphael's puckered hole, as he simultaneously pumped Raphael's dick.
Leo continued licking Raphael's gland and jerking him off, listening to his churring, which Leo thought was the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard. What a turn on it was for Leo knowing that only he caused his mate to make it. No one else would have that privilege either, Leo vowed. Raphael was his to love and his alone.
Raphael closed his eyes, his face one of rapture, as he fisted the bedsheets, bellowing his euphoria when Leo dipped his tongue into his puckered hole and located his prostate.
Never have I felt so loved before, Raphael thought. This is heaven. I can trust Leo. He'll never hurt me. I'm a lucky guy. I know we'll get through whatever happens together. My Leo. Fuck. I ain't never felt so good! I'm gonna cum soon. Fuck!
The double stimulation soon sent him over the edge.
"FUCK. NGGGH!" Raphael yelled as thick, hot and ropey jets of cum splashed onto his plastron, onto Leo's fingers, the bedsheets, which would have to be washed, but that could wait for the moment.
Leo continued pleasuring him, satisfied he'd fulfilled what he'd wanted to do. Make his mate feel loved and happy.
Raphael came again, more cum spattering over his plastron and Leo. Then, spent, he sighed contentedly and said tiredly, his arms open, "Thank ya, Leo. That was mindblowin', but what can I do for ya?"
Leo sat up and said, as he snuggled with his mate, "Nothing. Not until you're ready. There's no rush."
"I love ya, Leo. Thank ya for everythin'," Raphael said, breathing in Leo's scent and closing his eyes. "Ya make me feel so loved and safe. I trust ya. Yer mine and my heart will always belong ta ya."
"I love you too, Raphie. I will always be yours and do my utmost to ensure you're loved and safe. Rest. I have you. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear," Leo vowed and raised his head to plant a tender kiss on Raphael's mouth.
Raphael eagerly returned the kiss and said, "Hey, Leo? Do ya remember when I gave ya a red rose once? Think it was a thank ya gift for ya fixin' a toy."
"Yeah. I still have it. I dried it and it's in my scrapbook."
"Ya kept it. Really?"
"Every gift is precious no matter how small it is is, especially from you. We were always closest, Raphie, and that rose meant so much to me. It was symbolic of how close we were and of how close I hoped we'd be again. I guess I got my wish."
"Ya did," Raphael said, touched and looking tenderly at Leo. "And nothin' will make us drift apart. I won't let it. I love ya so much, Leo. I'll never let ya down or take ya for granted."
"I love you too."
They snuggled again.
Cocooned in their love they fell asleep and slept soundly, knowing that the journey ahead would present obstacles, but that they could overcome anything with their immeasurable love.
A/N Next up is how Mikey's faring in Salamandria. Then Alopex.
Thank you all for being patient during my hiatus. I'm back and will update other stories too. :)
