I bNecessary mistake ch5./b /I
(Raph POV)
The 'talk' with Don helped, well at least a little bit. I'm still not completely sure as to what I am supposed to do now though. I mean he is right about Leo and I needing to spend more time together Not like that is going to be easy, both of us have a habit of starting the argument after all. Besides it also brings a whole different kind of problem with it, I can't be Itoo/I nice or he'll know somethings up. I could always use the trauma thing as an excuse though, bet he'd fall for it too, stupid worry wart. Suppose he has to find out at some point, but I want to make sure we're on better footing before he does. That way the chance of him getting pissed of won't be as bad, Though to be fair, he is thankfully no Splinter.
I am going to do it! He deserves to know.
I am not going to chicken out!... Well try at least.
The closer I got to the dojo the more I could hear the idiots shouting empty insults each others way, threatening to show the other who's boss, you know, the things I usually do. I take a deep breath as I reach the sliding doors, get myself ready and slide the door open as fast as I can.
I bolt inside, barreling straight towards my targets. Two pairs of eyes widen comically as I lift Mikey over my shoulder and throw him across the dojo. Immediately my body twists around and my foot shoots out to kick Casey's legs out from under him, sending him tumbling to the floor.
My smug satisfied grin causes the both of them to send a glare my way, but I couldn't care less. I showed them who's boss! Ya know, like a turtle do!
The tables turn drastically though as they give each other a strange look and lunge for me, tackling me to the mats and dog piling on top of me.
"Cheaters!" My grumbled accusation is merely met with satisfied laughter. I try to buck them off, but with their combined weight it just seems impossible. Just as I am about to admit defeat, Leo just has to walk in and see me like this. He shakes his head and shoves a thumb over his shoulder into the direction of the pit.
"Play time's over kids. Donny is setting up the next movie, so hurry up or the three of you are going to bed early." He flashes us a satisfied smirk before marching his little ass back out the entrance.
Grumbling, Mike and Casey finally let me up. I growl, but before I can get revenge, my targets flee the dojo, quickly running after our leader. We all plop down in out original places, which is fine, because I get to share the couch with Leo again, though that also meant the others are going back to their damn cuddling while Leo and I just sit here like normal people... uh... turtles. I wonder if Leo would mind me cuddling with him, it's not really my style, but I can always fake falling asleep...
Nah, better not risk it.
We watch another action movie, but unfortunately end the movie night with some stupid chick flick, please let the stupid thing end quickly! I mean seriously?! They're all the same, they get together, fight, break up and get back together for their happily ever after... Okay fine, MOST of them. How do I even know that?! GRR, damn you April! Stupid girl needing to watch stupid romance movies that don't even reply to real life bullshit.
I swear I almost cried when the movie finally ended, I mean thank god! The torture is finally over!
Turns out Casey fell asleep halfway through and April is apparently not to happy when she realized that, it ends up with a nice bruise to the back of his neck and a pissed off, glaring girlfriend.
We're all laughing at the dude's expense of course, though I am laughing so hard Casey growls and tackles me onto the floor. We end up wrestling and yes, I totally kicked his ass and got my revenge!
Before we can get into round two however, April decides to drag Casey back home. It has apparently gotten a lot later than we anticipated and the two of them still have a lot to do tomorrow. April mumbles something about sleeping on the couch and I get to catch a small glimpse of Casey's wide terrified eyes before the two of them disappear into the tunnels. Oh well, not my problem.
Mike and Don disappear into Donnie's old room and now their officially shared room. Mike's room is way to messy for Donny to even consider sleeping in permanently and they are planning on soundproofing it, turning said room into some sort of game room, which is fine. It means no more Mikey keeping us awake in the middle of the night as he yells at the damn screen AND it meant Mikey can no longer hog the TV in the pit.
Now that I think about it, I really hope they are going to soundproof their shared room as well. I love them and I'm glad they've got each other, but I do not want to hear them going at it! I can always ask Donny to just soundproof all four of them considering that's less weird than asking him to soundproof mine as well.
I am about to make my way towards said bedroom when I notice Leo staying behind to once again, clean up after us. It wouldn't have been that much if Mike had kept the popcorn bowl upright instead of all over the place, Casey did also spill like half his beer over the floor... and mine too because he thought he could just steal mine after his was empty. Jackass.
Leo usually cleans up by himself because no one else wants to, outside of the bigger messes of course and Donny is a lot more inclined to help out then Mikey and me. Lets be honest here now though, if this had been like, last week, I would have left Leo to clean up by himself and I'd just gone to sleep in my hammock like I always do, because fuck cleaning!
But it's not, things are different now. Besides if I am going to patch things us between us, this might be a good opportunity to start. It can't be that hard! Leo is currently cleaning the popcorn off the couch, so all I have to do is mop the floor and get rid off all the beer. Come on Raph! You can do this buddy!
With a frustrated groan, I manage to drag myself over to the kitchen to get a bucket of soap and a mop so I can just get this over with. I fucking hate cleaning, it's the most fucked up time consumer out there, I'd rather teach Mikey how to wield the sai and that can't end well.
The stupid bucket is sloshing water everywhere, leaving a small trail of water behind me. Which I reluctantly realize I'll also have to clean up now. However, I completely lose my grip on the bucket the second I look up. Leo is on his knees in front of the couch, sweeping whatever popcorn he can find out from underneath the couch. Which is, you know, normal when you're cleaning up and is innocent enough, if you don't mention the part where he is sticking his ass up in the air in order to fucking reach it!
The bucket hits the ground with a rather loud thud, splashes about half the water onto the floor around it and I have half a mind to realize I'd just made my self chosen task a lot worse. Did I have to drop the damn thing?! Everyone knows not to drop a bucket full of water! Damn it!
But I can't really pay attention to it just yet as my eyes focus on Leo's interesting position. I mean Leo does have a nice ass...
The sound of metal slamming onto concrete is loud enough for the leader's head to snap back up from underneath the couch, just fast enough for him to get splashed by some of the flailing water, catching him off guard completely. Ah snap...
Slowly, his head turns towards me, a look of shock I can't help but copy, I mean seriously?! I did not mean to do that! I watch him blink a few times as he lowers his gaze to my now half full bucket of water.
"D-Did you just?" His eyes leave the bucket and instead let them sweep across the wet floor and to his own drenched frame, eyes wide and surprised.
I panic...
"I didn't mean ta do that! it is an accident! I swear!" I finish my awkward explanation by fleeing towards the kitchen to grab the nearest towel I can find and race back in record time, throwing the towel at his head to try and hide the shell chocked expression Leo seems to be stuck in. Fuck, Raph! Think of something! Excuse! I need an excuse!
"I-I s-saw a c-cockroach an d-dropped it on instinct! I'm s-sorry!" Oh way to stutter! Sounds real convincing!
I quickly pull Leo off the floor so I can at least drag him away from the pool of water. Leo pulls the towel off his head in the meantime and only looks at it for a few seconds, as if he's trying to figure out what to do with it. His gaze eventually goes back to my guilty and panicked one. My hands awkwardly shoot halfway up into the air in surrender, not quite knowing what else to do.
And then Leo starts laughing.
I manage a small, embarrassed little laugh as Leo's now amused gaze looks over the mess I created over a 'Cockroach'. I heave a sigh in relief as Leo clearly doesn't seem to be mad, though I swear I thought he was going to scold me, or worse!
Though I do have to admit, the whole thing is pretty hilarious and I can't stop myself from joining and laugh as well. That's just my luck! I finally get myself to actually help him out of my own free will, only to get him wet before I even had to change to start cleaning.
He unfolds the towel as our laughter starts to die down and throws it over his head to start drying himself off. Damn, he looks pretty good with the water glistening against his skin.
I am jerked back out of my thoughts as Leo chucks the towel back at me, hitting me square in the face as revenge.
"Well that was refreshing." He shoots me an easy smile before turning back towards the couch and is about to get back to cleaning when he frowns and turns back towards me with surprise. His eyes scan the mob I just picked back up. Realization flashes through his expression, but no comment comes. Leo smiles gently and turns back towards his task, probably fearing any comment might discourage me from helping. Can't fault him for it.
Looking back down at the soaked floor, I groan in frustration, ignore Leo's small snicker and decide to just get it over with as fast as possible.
Thankfully, we have everything cleaned up in about 5 minutes and stored away in 2, so I suppose it isn't that bad after all.
A sigh of relief gets caught in my throat as a strong hand grabs my shoulder from behind. I turn around to face my brother only to realize he is standing a little closer than usual, or maybe its all in my head, but I can't keep the slight blush from burning my cheeks, one he thankfully doesn't seem to notice.
"Thanks for the help Raph, I appreciate it." The stupid smile still hasn't left his face and I'm thankful, he looks a lot younger like this, healthier too.
"No problem bro, Couldn't stand idly by while ya clean up fer an hour." I catch Leo rolling his eyes as I go over towards the fridge to get myself a nice cold beer. Opening my can, he rolls his eyes again. What can I say? Cleaning is hard work and hard work must be rewarded.
As I turn back around I notice Leo checking the time and I too realize how late it's gotten, not that it really matters considering we've decided to have the day off tomorrow, But I know it means Leo is going to bed really soon.
Though... we can always go running, it should help him get a good nights rest afterwards. What better time than now right? Who know it might mean he'll spend more time actually asleep than attempting to.
I realize I have to hurry up considering Leo is getting ready to leave so I lightly grab his upper arm, stopping him in his tracks.
"Where 'r ya goin Leo?" Leo's eyes turn back towards mine, a thoughtful expression crossing his features, trying to remember if he's forgotten something. Coming up blank, he cocks his head slightly in question.
"Uhm... to bed?" He casually throws his thumb into the direction of his room, as if it should be obvious, which it is, but I have other plans.
I shake my head, arms crossing over each other cocking a brow with a look of mock disappointment. "No yer not."
A frown crosses his features, question at the tip of his tongue, but I cut him off before he can voice it. "We talked 'bout this Leo." I can't keep the amusement out of my voice, Leo looks so confused it's adorable.
"We did?" I nod and flash him a cocky smirk, the confusion is a nice change, never easy to pull a fast one on Leo. So yeah, I am basking in it. "About what exactly?" He asks reluctantly.
"Did ya already ferget yer poor sleepin habits?" He glares at my jab, challenging my smug grin and I nod towards his ankle. "Yer sprain fine now?"
He looks down at his ankle, remembering that yes, he did sprain it earlier. The movies allowed him stay off of it so it could rest properly. He puts a little more pressure on it to check, deeming it fine as there seems to be no pain or resistance.
"Its fine now, I think. The movie marathon was a good excuse to give it some rest and it wasn't that bad an injury, so it's shouldn't be a problem. Why do you ask?" I can't help but smirk again as his eyes narrow at me. I place my now empty beer bottle down and grin.
"Perfect! C'm on we're gonna give it a little exercise." With that I motion for him to follow me as I make my way towards the lair entrance. I do stop in my tracks about halfway there and motion for Leo to wait as I sprint towards the dojo, emerging with our weapons soon after. We never leave the lair without them, even if it's just for a quick run. You never know what you can run into and we can't afford to be caught unarmed.
Leo seems to finally understand what I am planning and eagerly takes his katanas from me, straps them on and with me hot on his tail, shoots out of the lair in record time.
We start out pretty slow just in case Leo's ankle acts up after all, but after a couple of minutes he picks up the pace and before we know it the both of us are speeding through the tunnels at top speed. We jump against the walls as we turn corners in order to try and pass the other.
This feels so good! Racing through the sewer tunnels has never been this satisfying! Leo is so damn fast, I almost have trouble keeping up, but our unspoken competition isn't letting me. Besides, looking at the smile Leo is supporting It's safe to say he's having fun as well, which makes it all worth it.
Unfortunately, I let myself get distracted and mis the turn, slamming against the sewer wall instead.
I can hear Leo skid to a halt further down the tunnel and start laughing like a damn maniac the second he sees me practically making out with the wall. Damn, it's like getting hit by rocksteady all over again! So Fucking painful!
I slowly push myself from the wall, press my hands against my beak, I can even see birds flying at the edge of my vision. Damn that was one shell of a hit! But look at the pretty birds though!
I hiss, hoping I didn't break anything and bring my hands up to rub against the sore skin. Thankfully, nothing seems torn or broken. That should teach me to pay attention to where I'm going!
"Are you alright Raph?" It sounds pretty genuine, at least it did until I look over. He appears to be doing everything he can to keep from laughing, though the smile makes it pretty obvious how much my pain amuses him. Though, to his credit, he does somehow manage to look concerned as well.
The sudden hand cupping my cheek freezes me. Leo's face is so close, it would make me blush under normal circumstances, but the pain in my head throws me off.
His eyes are so beautiful up close, I could watch them for hours and never get tired. That is, If he'd let me of course.
His other hand gently prods against my throbbing forehead and beak as I hiss at the slight sting of the careful touch. A soft sigh breaks the silence as Leo finishes his check and finds nothing but a mere bruise.
"Well it's a good thing there isn't much up there or that would have done some serious damage." I know it's a joke, but I playfully growl at him anyway. Our eyes connect and I can see the silent challenge within them, a smirk is all the warning he gets before I bolt forward to try and tackle him to the ground.
Unfortunately for me, his quick reflexes allow him to plant his feet against my plastron to use the motion of his fall to roll backwards and kick me off the second his shell hits the concrete. My body flies a few feet backwards, though I skilfully manage to land back onto my feet.
Looking back up, I see Leo still facing away from me, though that never means much when it comes to him, but I attack him anyway. My feet dig into the ground as I propel myself forward, only to have my target back flip over my head, fall into a crouch behind me and swipe his leg against the back of my feet, toppling me over like a card house.
I manage to keep my head from slamming into the ground by planting my hands onto the floor to catch the brunt of my weight. The second I regain my balance, I twist my body around to kick one of my own legs out, slamming it against his chest and causing him to stumble a step backwards. He, unfortunately, manages to grab a good hold on my leg and twists it around in order to throw me to the other side of the tunnel.
Fortunately, I managed to grab a low hanging sewer pipe, ending my unwanted flight and drop back down onto the cold ground. My sigh of relief gets cut of by Leo tackling me from the side, sending us into a rolling mess of tangled limbs and carapace.
It shouldn't be to much of a problem for me to pin someone down, considering the amount of muscle mass I've built up over the years, but considering this is Leo? Not so easy at all. My blue banded brother is a hell of a lot faster and nimbler than I am, giving me a real challenge in getting a good enough grip before he slips away.
Thankfully I manage to get the upper hand relative quickly. The second I catch his wrists, my body twists and slams his shell against the ground, hands pinned besides his head with enough strength to keep them there. After that our spar is over, I straddle his waist and pin his legs down with practiced ease.
"Gotcha fearless! That's what ya get fer makin fun a me!" A prideful smirk crosses my features as I look down at him in triumph, earning a smug smirk in return.
"Nice one hothead, looks like you've got something up there after all." A glare and a soft growl is all he gets for the retort, though it turns into a small smile as his chest starts shaking, followed by a soft laugh.
We stay there for a few moments, enjoying each others company and relishing in the first friendly fight we've had in ages. One without injuries as well, excluding the headache that kind of started this match in the first place.
It is in that moment, as I am looking down at my fearless leader that I realize I should have never pushed the turtle away. I know I shouldn't have these kinds of feelings at all, but seeing Leo like this, laughing so freely, makes me feel far more complete than I've ever felt. I realize I have no other choice but to confess, even if it means I'll lose him. I have to get this off my chest and he deserves to know what's going on inside my head.
I make myself a mental promise to do whatever I can to mend what's broken between us and confess. Hopefully it'll go well, otherwise, I can only hope we'll at least stay brothers.
It takes us a while to make it back and I am proud to announce, we're both beat. Leo looks like he is going to fall asleep on his feet and I no doubtfully look the same.
It has been amazing to just have fun with Leo again, especially if it is helping him in the long run. I highly doubt he'll be able to muster up enough strength to worry about anything other than sleep right now.
I allow myself a mental pat on the back for a job well done and send myself into the kitchen to grab two glasses of water. I didn't even realize how thirsty I was until I realize my glass is already empty, jeez, that workout sure was intense.
"Thank you Raph, it sure was nice to spend time with you again. It was a lot of fun, just like old times." His breath is still a little ragged and the exhausted look hasn't wavered either, but he looks so relaxed at the same time, it's a nice change of pace.
"Same 'ere Leo. We should do this more often." A quick smile was all I had left as I finally feel the exhaustion start to kick in. I can hardly feel my legs! Think we've been running for at least an hour.
He grabs my empty glass and sends me a mischievous smirk as he places them into the sink. "Really?you mean the run, the spar or the part where you slammed your face against the wall? Though I can't say it wasn't funny." All that gets him is a light punch to the shoulder and a roll of the eye.
"tnx dork! 'Member me ta have a spar next time so I c'n kick yer ass." He chuckles and nods, but when his eyes reach mine his expression changes and I am left staring into sad, dark blue eyes.
It takes all my willpower not to freeze up as one of his arms wraps around my shoulders and he pulls me in tightly.
"I missed spending time with you Raph." I nod against his shoulder, raising my own arm to return the one armed hug. "All we've done is fight and argue lately. I hope we can go back to being friends again."
"Course we can fearless! Sides, yer tha only one that's competitive an skilled 'nough not ta let me win easy, I kinda need ya." Leo hits the back of my head and the both of us start laughing again.
But then it honestly hits me as to how close he is.
I can feel his breath against my neck... The weight of his chin on my shoulder...
It suddenly feels like I'm burning up.
His neck is so exposed, all I have to do is turn my head just a tad and...
He smells so good too, Don't know if it's just the smell, or maybe the sweat just makes it more intoxicating.
It feels so good to have him in my arm, I can hardly discrete it, he just fits like a fucking glove.
I just want to sink my teeth into his neck, claim his as my own an-
The harsh tapping against my shell rushes me back into reality and it takes a little longer than it should before I realize he is asking me to let go. I didn't even realize I'd tightened my grip at all.
A cough escapes me as I release him, bringing his confused eyes into view. Shit... Calm down Raph, play it cool and whatever you do, do not blush!
I cough again, mumbling a small sorry and turn around to open the fridge, grabbing a piece of cold pizza. I can practically feel Leo roll his eyes while he shakes his head. He pats my shoulder, prompting me to look behind me.
"I'm turning in, good night Raph. Don't stay up too late." With that Leo flashes me one more smile, turns on his feet and walks out the kitchen, leaving me alone to collect my thoughts. I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep easy at this point, too many things running through my head after that.
"Y-Yeah! N-Night Leo!"