Chapter seven:
A week after Raphs rut he heads to the living room.
Splinter is doing some training with April and Casey.
Leaving the four alone in the turtle lair.
Raph wonders if he should play a game to spend the time. He turns as Donnie joins him in the living room. "Something on your mind?" He inquires to the other alpha.
"You know I was thinking." Donnie begins as neither notice Leo just within earshot behind them. "It worked out that Leo seems to be a beta. I mean it would have been okay if he had been an alpha. I just feel like it might have been trouble if he ended up being an omega."
Leo winces a little and turns away. He had been thinking about coming clean, though Donnies words are putting that into doubt.
"Well I don't see why it would matter. Even if Leo was an omega he can hold his ground." Raph tells Donnie trying to not reveal anything. He just hopes that he'll make Leo's reveal easier.
"Okay. Let's play on the what if scenario. Let's pretend that Leo is an omega. You've seen what's out there. If they smelled that our leader was an omega then they wouldn't take us as seriously." Donnie points out to Raph as they stare at each other. "I know that Leo is strong but think about it. Knowing we let an omega lead us could have made us as alphas seem weak. We might have had a harder time getting them to not mess with Mikey. Just be glad that Leo is a beta."
Leo has heard enough. He heads away to his room. His ideas of revealing the truth being thrown out the window so to speak. He feels like there is no way he can come out as an omega now. He guesses Splinter and Raph will just have to be the only ones who need to know the truth. He lowers his head as he does feel bad for lying to those he cares about even though it needs to be done.
As the end of the month comes along Raph makes his way down to the kitchen. He's been up for a bit to which he decided to do a little early training. Plus he had a pretty nice night out with Leo. He hears Donnie quietly mention to Mikey about when he should have his rut. He is glad that those two are keeping up with that. He passes by Donnie who pauses in the conversation. He pours himself some coffee then turns. He blinks as he sees that Donnie and Mikey have turned to him.
"What?" Raph questions causing Leo to look up from reading the newspaper.
Leo is leaning back against the counter not far from where Raph is standing. He didn't have the scent picked up from him due to the solution he uses.
Donnie gets up and moves closer to Raph sniffing him looking focused. His eyes dart upwards to meet with Raphs eyes. "You smell of an omega." He mentions and Leo tenses upon hearing this. "I don't know this omega... But somehow the scent feels a little familiar." He rubs his chin in thought as if trying to place where he knows the scent.
"You have a mate and you didn't tell us!?" Mikey gasps looking wide eyed at Raph who tries to figure out what to say.
"Well I don't want to push my mate about coming out with things. You'll find out who when my mate is ready to have that shared. Okay?" Raph informs them causing Mikey to whine.
"Awww. But Raphie! I wanna know who you took as a mate!"
"In time." Raph explains then they turn as Leo puts down the newspaper before leaving the room. "Guess he is going to meet us in the training room." He tries to brush it off knowing if he ran after Leo it'd raise questions. "I might as well go too. I wanna get some extra practice in before training." He heads after Leo. And after he exits the kitchen he spots Splinter looking towards the bedrooms. He guesses that Leo must have ran past him.
Splinter turns to look to Raph inquisitions in his eyes about what is going on.
"Donnie and Mikey picked up a scent on me. I think it just spooked him a little." Raph whispers to Splinter. "I've got this." He heads to go to Leo's bedroom as Splinter lets him go. He gets to Leo's room and knocks on the door. "Leo. It's me." He hears the other invite him inside. He opens the door heading in closing it behind himself. He sets his coffee down on the small end table with a framed picture of them all as kids . He goes to sit next to Leo on the bed. "Hey. You okay?" He inquires to his mate pulling him close.
"What if they found out that I'm an omega?" Leo questions pausing to rub his face in his hands before he continues. "We should have really thought last night a bit more through."
"Even so. I made sure that they don't suspect that it is you." Raph points out to Leo who nods softly. He kisses the top of the others head. "It'll be okay. When you are ready we can tell them."
"I don't think we should tell them." Leo's words cause Raphs eyes to widen. He can't bring himself to look to his mate. "Raph. I heard what Donnie told you. How me being an omega would just put everything into a bad situation."
"Come on Leo. I thought you were a bit smarter than that. Even if we tell Donnie and Mikey that doesn't mean the whole world has to know. You can still keep your scent hidden out there. But in the lair think about not having to hide anymore." Raph tells him hoping that he'll be able to get through to the other. "Don't let one conversation turn you away from the idea."
"Raph, you don't think I want that!?" Leo demands hardening his gaze to his mate. "To be free of all of this hiding? To be able to show love to you around the others? To not have to lie to my own brothers?" He pauses as tears come to his eyes and his gaze softens in sadness. He turns away to stare down at the floor. "It's just an impossible dream now." He sighs heavily and closes his eyes as a few tears fall. He slightly glances to Raph when the other gently wipes away his tears.
"It doesn't have to be!" Raph tells him a little sternly. "Leo. You're making this bigger than it actually is. Donnie and Mikey will understand if we tell them. They're not like those that live on the surface in the city. Alpha and omega rankings don't matter down here. The turtle lair is safe. You don't have to worry about the truth coming out here. I know you can do this. So why are you still doubting yourself?" He pauses as Leo places a hand on his head. He is frustrated that Leo is making this too big of a deal. He just doesn't want to give his brother a stress migraine. "You know what. Just think about it then. You'll see. Anyways we should get to the training room. I told the two that's where we were going." He gets up and starts to head to the door. He pauses to turn back to Leo who hesitates a moment.
Leo finally gets up and follows Raph to the training room.
Splinter is waiting for them there and turns to the two. "Is everything alright now?" He inquires. His hopes aren't high on it by the looks on their faces.
"We'll be fine for training." Leo responds plainly before heading to warm up.
Raph sighs watching his mate move away. He is about to say something only to be interrupted by the other two coming in. He turns to them trying to hold back his annoyed frustration.
Donnie and Mikey notice the fire in Raphs eyes and pause.
"Whoa. Somethings going on over here." Donnie mentions then glances to Splinter hoping that whatever happened it'll be ok.
"Just a slight disagreement." Splinter tries to assure the younger two. "Let us start training today. Leo and Raph can deal with it later."
The four brothers head over to Splinter to begin their training for the day.
After training Leo turns towards their rooms. "I wanna meditate alone for a bit." He tells them and goes to his room closing the door.
"I'm going out." Raph heads off feeling like he needs to burn off a little steam. He also hopes it'll give Leo time to see that it'll be okay to come out. He leaves the lair and heads to the surface. He enters a park walking along one of the paths. "Damn it Leo. Why do you have to be so stubborn?" He mutters to himself as he walks along. "Ugh!" He rubs his face before dropping his hands to his sides. He turns and punches a tree a few times. He stops and moves away closing his eyes with a sigh. "You don't have to give up on the idea so easily." He turns away to walk off starting to feel a little better. His instincts want to go back to his mate to stay close to help. He tries to figure out what he could do to get to see that it will be okay to come out.
Back in the lair Mikey and Donnie are sitting in the living room the tv turned off.
"I don't like this tension between them. It feels like awhile since things have been like this." Mikey admits leaning against his mate who has an arm around him.
"I'm sure they'll figure things out. They always tend to do that at some point." Donnie reminds Mikey keeping the other held close. "Then whatever happened between them will be over and done with."
"Donnie?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Leo likes Raph and got upset because he got an omega mate?"
Donnie finds Mikeys question gives him pause. He supposes that it could be a reason for Leo suddenly leaving the kitchen. He hadn't really thought about it that way. He supposes that it could be possible. "Maybe. Perhaps if Raph tried to figure out what was going on maybe Leo wouldn't tell him." He shrugs a little. "It's hard to say really. Sometimes we just never learn why they were fighting anyways."
"Yeah. I suppose you're right." Mikey hums softly turning away from his mate.
The two go quiet for a few moments before Donnie shifts bringing Mikeys attention to him.
"Maybe I should try to get some work done." Donnie makes sure Mikey won't fall then gets to his feet. "I do have some projects to work on."
"I can join you!" Mikey points out a little excited only for Donnie to shake his head.
"Maybe you shouldn't. I really need to focus. And I can't exactly get to the level of focus I need when I'm around you."
"Well. Okay then. I'll wait for Raph to come home." Mikey pouts a little to which Donnie kisses his head.
"You'll be alright." Donnie then heads off to his lab to get his work done.
Mikey heads to his room to work on some of his art for a bit.
Raph arrives back and he doesn't see anyone in the main area. He turns heading to Leo's bedroom door pausing just outside of it. He takes a breath then knocks. He doesn't get an answer. "Leo? Are you in there?"
"Not now Raph." Leo calls from the other side of the door.
"I think you know that we have to talk. I'm going to come in." Raph tries the doorknob and finds it unlocked. He heads into the room to find Leo sitting in the middle of his room.
Leo glances away which is easy as he is sitting with his left side facing the door.
Raph closes the door behind himself then goes to sit next to his mate. "Leo. I know it might be a little scary but it's best if we tell Donnie and Mikey. They'll understand. You don't have to let the world know."
Leo sighs closing his eyes. "Raph we've talked about this. As much as I want to I'm not sure it's a good idea. What if they get angry and refuse to work with me because I lied to them? What if they decide to leave fearing that me being an omega will make things too dangerous for them?"
Raph sighs under his breath. "Is that what's really gotten you so hesitant on telling them?" He inquires and Leo slightly glances to him with half open eyes. He gets a confirmation in the others gaze that it is at least some of the reasons. "You're making yourself worked up over nothing. But to ease your mind how about this. I'll talk to them and get information about it. Without them knowing that I mean you. Proving that they wouldn't care and would support you. Us."
"I thought you already tried with Donnie and it didn't go so well." Leo points out and Raph figures he'd point that out.
"Just give it another chance. We all care about you." Raph kisses Leo's cheek lovingly. "I learned about it and I understand. Why would Mikey and Donnie be any different?"
"But your my mate. We became mates right after you found out. We held feelings for each other before that."
"So?" Raph questions his mate. "I could have left angry you kept it hidden. I could have snapped at you for hiding it. I didn't have to accept it and help you. But I did anyways. I care about you. And so do the others. I think out of all of us I would have been the one more likely to leave over it. Just remember that I didn't go. Donnie and Mikey will do the same."
Leo is quiet for a few moments then he leans against Raph, who puts an arm around him.
"What do you say Leo? Wanna give it a try?" Raph questions looking at the other with a hopefully smile on his face.
Leo closes his eyes and takes in his mates scent finding it comforting. "Fine. You can talk to them and get their answers. Just don't reveal it yet."
"Don't worry. I won't." Raph is at least relieved that Leo is going to give this a try. He just hopes that Donnie and Mikeys responses will be satisfactory enough.
The next day Mikey is playing a game called Beyond two souls in the living room.
Raph sits down on the couch quietly watching for a few moments. He finally speaks up. "How's the game going?"
"Pretty good." Mikey admits as he focuses a little on it. "Did you and Leo figure things out yet?"
"A little." Raph admits and hears Mikey sigh in relief. "I don't really wanna talk about that."
"Is there something you did want to talk about?" Mikey questions keeping his eyes on the game.
"Eh. It's not really a big deal. I just think that I might have watched a bit too much Tv." Raph notices Mikey pause the game then turn to look at him.
"What makes you say that?"
"I started thinking about scenarios of what ifs." Raph shrugs casually about it. "How would you react if someone you cared about admitted to lying about something about them. Maybe like secretly being an omega. But had a good reason to hide it? I don't know why this is stuck in my head." He has to make sure that Mikey doesn't suspect anything.
Mikey hums and turns back to his game not unpausing it yet. "Honestly if someone was lying about being an omega I would be mad. But especially if it's someone I care about I would hear them out. I think that they'd deserve to be heard about the situation."
"I would hope that they'd have a good reason." Donnies voice causes both Raph and Mikey to turn in his direction. He is standing a little behind Raph with Leo close by. "I'd be upset if someone was lying. But maybe it could be forgiven if there was a really good reason. We all lie sometimes. But if it's something that big then I would want a good reason. Not a stupid reason like some other lies can get away with."
Raph notices Leo glance away he tries to keep his attention on Donnie. "Well if there was a really good reason you'd understand right?" He feels like the reason Leo hid in the first place will be seen as a very excellent reason. He just has to prove it to his mate.
"I'd still be angry. Though I guess that if there is a good reason then I would try to be more understanding." Donnie mentions and Leo perks up a little hopefully. "But. Since you wanna play with what if scenarios, yeah sorry I was listening in, then let's pretend that Leo was a hidden omega." He gestures to said other. "Even though we know him as a beta. I would think it'd put us all in danger. I mean if others knew then we'd be in trouble. I do want to think of my mates safety. Especially considering how omegas are treated up there and how alphas are expected to be. So let's just be glad things turned out how they are."
Raph clenches his teeth seeing the hope vanish from Leo.
"What about you Leo?" Mikey inquires to which they all turn to Leo.
"I would hear them out." Leo tries to act like he is fine. "I mean such a big thing would have a good reason behind it."
"I agree to that." Raph nods his head.
All of them turn as Splinter comes over to them.
"Raphael. Leonardo. Please visit me in my room for a moment." Splinter then heads off to his room.
Donnie and Mikey look to the two seeing Raph look to Leo. They can tell their brothers don't know what this is about.
Raph and Leo head off to Splinters room to find out what this is about. They sit in front of him.
"What is it sensei? Is this about an upcoming heat?" Raph inquires though Splinter shakes his head.
"This is something I wanted to talk to Leo, but since you two are mates I believe you should be here as well." Splinter explains then looks to Leo. "Leo. I think you need to consider telling your brothers." He sees Leo tense at the idea.
"We have been trying to talk about that." Raph brings up to Splinter who listens. "I just tried to show that it'd be okay. By bringing up a what if scenario. Though I don't think it went as well as I thought." He glances down wishing Donnie had been more cooperative with it.
"I see." Splinter says. "Well I do believe that the reveal will go better than playing on a what if. Besides I always knew one day that the three of you would find out. Since Leo already let you Raph in on his own terms, I do believe that having it be revealed instead of just discovered will be better."
Raph turns to look to Leo who staring down at the ground in front of himself. "Give it a chance Leo. They'll understand." He tries to assure the other.
"I'm sorry. But right now I'm not into the idea." Leo gets up and leaves the room.
Raph gets up to follow though turns as Splinter clears his throat.
"Let him think on it a little." Splinter tells Raph. "He may come around."
Raph turns to look to the door. He wants to chase after his mate to comfort him. "But he needs someone there." He lightly protests. "Shouldn't I be there as his mate?"
"If you believe that is what you need to do then you can. I am just suggesting you let him think."
Raph nods then heads after his mate. He guesses the other went to his room so he tries the doorknob. He frowns finding it locked. He frowns in worry at this so he tries knocking. "Leo?" He calls though doesn't get an answer. He frowns guessing that Leo is serious about being alone right now. "I'll come back later. If that's what you want." He pauses just in case the other answers but he doesn't. He heads away feeling worry heavy in his heart. He hopefully will be allowed in later. He heads into the living room only to pause as the other two come over.
"What was all that about?" Mikey inquires blinking his big curious eyes at one of his older brothers.
Raph guesses that they must have seen Leo head to his room then Raph himself trying to go in. He can tell that they are very curious about it all as they know that something is clearly up. "Just a thing Splinter is letting Leo think over." He tries to shrug it off. "I figured since he included me I'd maybe discuss it. But it seems he wants to do it alone instead."
Donnie opens his mouth clearly about ask for more information. He stops and closes his mouth looking at something behind Raph.
Raph turns to see Splinter approaching them. He guesses the other must have figured out about the other two asking about it.
"You both will learn about what was talked about. Just not quite yet." Splinter tells the two youngest turtles. "Just be patient." He then heads towards the kitchen.
"I hate all this secrecy." Donnie hisses then heads off to his lab.
Mikey glances worriedly to Raph before chasing after his mate.
Raph could tell that though Mikey is trying to be understanding he hates it too. He turns away with a sigh closing his eyes. "Damn it." He clenches his hands into fists.