TMNT: Lullaby for Leo

Ch.17~ Raphael's Worry

Aiming my assault rifle at the target I lined up my sights with the head of my target. Not hesitating anymore, I fired until my clip had run out and the wooden target's head had almost fallen off. Someone came by and took the gun from my hands and left me.

"Another good day of target practice I see." He stated I saluted him.

"Yes sir, Brutis says I'm going to try RPG's tomorrow," I replied, he knelt down, so he was at my level.

"Your birthday is next week; how would you feel if you got to stay with your Father?" Bishop asked I looked at him smiling.

"I could stay with him, really?" I chimed, he nodded.

"All I ask is one small thing."

"What do you want me to do?"

"It's quite simple, I want you to..."

(End Flashback)

I felt a hand on my shoulder, looking over I saw my Uncle Mikey looking down at me grinning holding two Wii-motes. I couldn't help but smile at him, as he put one of the remotes in my hand. Something about the way he and everyone else acted I couldn't find myself able to do what Bishop ordered. Maybe here I wouldn't have to do what Bishop says, maybe I don't have to betray their trust and love.

"Something bothering you little guy your zoning out?" Uncle Mikey asked I shook my head.

"No, I'm okay Uncle, can we play some Mario again?" I replied, he smiled down at me giving me a big thumbs-up.

"Of course, we can little dude."

"Yay!"

I jumped onto the couch as Uncle started to set up our game. No, I don't have to betray them, Daddy and Papa won't let Bishop take me away again. It's just like Daddy always told me I'm not Bishop's weapon. Nor was I his secret agent, right?

(Raph's POV)

I watched as Vincent played with Mikey, it's still hard to believe that he's here and that everyone accepts him. Sighing I watched as he and Mikey bickered over who had won the level, I'm glad to see him be able to be a true child. I know Bishop did not allow him, he trained him as a weapon for his cause.

Why would he give me Vincent? I know Bishop must have some alternate motive, but I can only guess at what it could be. If he wanted our lairs location than he could have easily chipped me if he hasn't already. If he plans to use my son for his plans and will not hesitate to beat him to a bloody pulp.

I felt a kiss on my head, I turned to see Leo standing behind my chair, his hands on the back of it. He took my turned head as a hint to lean in and capture my lips in a kiss. Damn, he's such a cheeky bastard, but I did enjoy it sometimes. He pulled away he looked at me like I was the center of his universe which made me blush.

"You've got that look, what's gotten you all thinky?" he questioned, I sighed.

"Still trying to figure out why Bishop gave him back to me, he must have a plan of some sort, but I have no idea what it could be," I answered he wrapped his arms around my shoulders leaning forward into me.

"We'll find out sooner or later, have you tried asking Vincent if he knows?" he stated, I glared at him.

"No, and I'm not going to. Leo I'm not going to remind him of that hell hole." I growled, he kissed my cheek affectionately.

"Sorry love, if it helps Bishop will not get anywhere you two, I promise you that." He soothed, I sighed leaning into his hold.

"I know, I'll ring his fucking neck before he ever let a hand on Vincent."

"Stubborn as always love."

"I deserve that much for the hell he's put me through."

"True, but I'm here to help, you're not alone."

"I know… He looks so happy right now, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he and Mikey have been having a lot of fun playing games and watching cartoons."

"I'm glad he gets to have a childhood."

"Oh, there you are Raphael, and Leonardo would you mind if I steal Raphael for a bit," Father said, I nodded, and Leo rose up.

"Of course Father, I think I'll watch Mikey and Vincent play a game for a bit."

"So, Father what do you want to talk about?"

(Leo's POV)

I sat down on the chair in the living room to watch Mikey and Vincent play, but as soon as Vincent saw me he paused the game. Mikey pouted at him and turned to me surprised. Not too surprising I've never been one to watch him play games unless I was waiting to watch a movie with everyone. Vincent held out the controller to me, I shook my head.

"No, you can keep playing Vincent, I just came to watch," I said, he shook his head.

"No, after this level will you play one with me Papa?" he asked, I looked at him in surprise.

"Your Papa doesn't really play video games bud." Mikey soothed, I chuckled.

"Sure, I haven't played many, so I may not be as good as your Uncle," I answered he broke out into excited giggles.

"That's okay Papa, I just wanna play with you." He cheered, Mikey looked at me confused.

"Wow, I can't wait to see this." Mikey teased, they un-paused their game and went to finish their level.

Mikey was Mario and was lagging behind as Vincent took charge as Luigi and powered through the enemies. He looked at the screen which a very familiar expression, it looked like he was in the middle of a fight rather than playing a simple game. It's clear that he has had some training in fighting but isn't sure yet when to use his battle senses. If I ever get my hands-on Bishop he's gonna to regret ever being born.

"Yay! I beat you, Uncle Mikey!" Vincent cheered, Mikey, let out a whine.

"How did you get so good at this?" Mikey complained, getting up he handed me a controller. "Good luck big bro."

"So... how do you play this again?" I asked, Vincent, beamed and held up his controller.

"I'll show you, Papa." He chimed, I'm glad to see him so happy.

(Raph's POV)

I sat in father's room, he had a tea set out and had begun to pour some into our cups. Waiting patiently, I saw him place two cubes of sugar in mine stirring it till it dissolved. Motioning me to take a drink, I picked up my cup taking a generous sip as father took a sip of his own sighing contently.

"So, what has been distressing you, you've been more anxious lately my son?" he asked, I smiled softly at his continued use of 'son' to address me.

"I've been waitin' ta see what Bishop's plan is, he has some sinister reason ta give Vincent back. I need ta know what it is and waitin' is gettin' ta me." I explained, he took another sip contemplating what I told him.

"Have you thought of asking Vincent, I know you do not want to remind of that place but as you know bottling things up will neither of you good." He advised I sighed looking away my brow knitting.

"I'm not going to ask him, sorry but I can't do it. Not yet at least." I stated, I felt father reach out and place a hand on my shoulder.

"If you cannot discuss why you hesitate with me, please do talk to Leonardo. He is quite worried about you and Vincent." He soothed, I nodded turning back to him.

"I will try, this is all still pretty new to me," I muttered, he smiled at me.

"I know, you're not alone anymore my son." He hushed, I nodded quickly whipping the budding tears from my eyes.

"I know…"

(Leo's POV)

After four deaths I had finally reached the end of the stage, I don't know how Mikey can play these so well. Jumping off the edge my character grabbed onto the pole with Vincent's, sliding down to remove the flag and entering the small tower.

"Yay! We did it, Papa!" Vincent cheered, Mikey was stifling laughter as he looked at me.

"Here Mikey you can go back to playing, I guess I'm not any better at these games than when we were young."

"Definitely not bro." Mikey teased, he walked over and grabbed the controller. "So, Vincent wanna play this some more or do you want to play some Zelda."

Getting up to leave I saw Raph leaving father's room, I went to go join him but felt small steps behind me. Looking behind me, I saw Vincent walk up and grab my hand. Mikey was looking over at us from the couch. Kneeling down I put my hand on his head rubbing his hair softly.

"Papa, can I play more games with you?" he asked, I nodded.

"Of course bud, what game do you want to play this time?" I replied, he thought for a moment as I heard Raph approach from behind.

"Um.. I don't know, hey Daddy want to play a game with me and Papa?" Vincent chimed, I turned to see Raph kneel down next to me.

"I don't know, Mikey what games do you have that we can all play?" Raph said Mikey, placed his chin on the back of the couch.

"How about we all play Mario Party, even Don can play with us then," Mikey suggested, Vincent's eyes light up at the idea and turned to Mikey smiling big.

"Really!? I want to play that then!" he cheered, Mikey smiled back.

"Alrighty, I'll go get Donnie, you know how to set up the game right Raphie?" Mikey stated, Raph nodded and Mikey hopped off the couch racing to Don's lab calling his name.

"Let's get this setup," Raph said I nodded as he went toward the TV and began to set up the game.

Turning back to Vincent he looked up at me smiling and I couldn't help but smile back. He raced back to the living room and hopped onto the couch bouncing in place eagerly. Getting up I went back to the seat I was previously at before and I heard Mikey and Don leaving his lab. I saw the game on the TV as Mikey drug Don toward the couch.

"There it's all set up, where are the extra controllers?" Raph stated, Mikey hopped up and raced to grab the controllers from the box by the TV.

"Got it, alright let's play dudes!" Mikey cheered, I smiled as he passed everyone a controller.

(Raph's POV)

I smiled fondly as me and Leo walked back to our room, it was fun to play that game with everyone. I can't believe how fun that was, I remember before when we would play that it usual ended with a fight of some kind. Even though the game could be infuriating, and we did banter I found it to be more... fun this time. I haven't felt so relaxed in years, Leo put an arm around me as we entered our room.

We had slowly changed the room into a space for both of us, I had added my collection of weapons I kept in my room to Leo's collection. Under the bed, I put my collection of magazines and books, along with my old journals. Leo had gotten very uptight up my things and had spent a half-hour tidying up and organizing my things. When I tried to help he refused and worked harder to clean.

"What are you thinking about, you've got a cute smile on?" Leo asked, he was leaning toward me and I quickly kissed him.

"Thinking about how ridiculous you looked cleaning up our room the other day." I teased, he looked away rubbing his chin.

"Shut up…" he muttered clearly embarrassed.

"Come on let's get ready for bed fearless." I cooed, he nodded and walked to the bed tossing me a blanket turning to face the wall.

I turned and locked the door behind us and awkwardly began to take off my shell after removing my outside gear and weapons. Ugh, this stupid thing is a pain to get off, but it's been nice for my stiff back to take it off. Getting it off I placed it aside to put back on tomorrow, wrapping the blanket around my waist I sighed, maybe I should ask April to buy me some pajama pants to wear at night to save some of this embarrassment. I walked up to him and touched his shoulder, he turned and smiled at me.

"Ready for bed Raphie?" he asked, I nodded, and he began to remove his gear starting with his swords and ending with his knee and elbow pads.

"Here let me remove your mask." I offered, he moved over, and I removed his bandana and he looked at me with calm brown eyes, he looked at me smiling fondly.

Leaning over he pulled me into a deep kiss and I dropped his mask to the floor as I felt him begin to remove my own. My eyes closed, and he removed it and threw it aside holding onto the sides of my face. He hasn't kissed me like this ever before, it was almost desperate, but it was also slow and seemingly unending. We kept up this kiss for what felt like a never-ending when we final pulled apart and I tried to catch my breath.

"Love you, so much." He confessed, I leaned into him and as he wrapped his arm around me pulling me close as I tried to hold him back.

"I love you too, what's with this, not that I'm complaining?" I asked, he pulled back and looked at me smiling.

"You've been so worried lately, I wanted to try and cheer you up." He answered I kissed his cheek leaning into his shoulder.

"Sorry to have worried ya, Leo, I'm just worried about Vincent…" I admitted, he began to carefully rub my back.

"About what?"

"I'm worried about what Bishop had been feeding him and if he is using Vincent for some big scheme."

"I know, I'm worried too, but he's home now and no one will be able to hurt either of you here."

"But Leo what if he's done the damage already?"

"He'll be fine, all of us are here to help, he's with his family if he had been severely abused we would have noticed already. Given time he'll open up even more, and I'm sure you'll be the person he'll want to talk to about what has happened. For now, we'll give him his space and let him get more used to this place and to us."

"I... thanks…"

"No problem, I love you Raph, come on let's head to bed."

"Alright."