Chapter three:
As soon as they get back Raph heads to the lab. He does glance back spotting Leo heading to distract Mikey with pizza. He makes it into the lab and finds Donnie working on some blueprints. "Hey." He greets approaching him causing him to turn to him.
"Hey." Donnie greets back with a smile. "How'd things go?"
"Great! He's definitely showing more interest now. Oh and we brought back pizza for everyone. Here's yours." Raph places the pizza on the table Donnies using, making sure to not mess up any blueprints there.
"Thanks! I was starting to get hungry!" Donnie moves aside his work to take the pizza box so he can eat.
"Hey. Can we talk a little while you eat?"
"Sure." Donnie looks curious at Raph who spots a chair and pulls up to sit next to him. "What's up?"
"Well this is just curiosity. But have you ever had any sort of feelings for anyone else? An example..." Raph slightly glances away to seem like he's trying to think of an example. "Fuck it. Example me. Too much work otherwise. Lets say that instead of Leo I wanted to be with you." He watches Donnies expressions very closely for any sign that Donnie does like him. "If that was the case then what are your feelings about it? You can be honest. Even if I'm going after Leo I won't be upset if you say you do want me too."
Donnie stares at Raph for a moment before responding with his answer. "Honestly. If that were the case then I'd have to say no." His words make Raph have to keep back a wince as his heart hurts. "Pretending that you do want me instead. Sorry Raph but I'm not interested in you in that way. I've never even thought about you in such a way. I prefer you as a brother and good friend." He doesn't hide that he's telling the truth which doesn't help Raph's hurt.
"That's fine." Raph is impressed he manages to keep his voice steady. "I just was throwing myself out as a random example anyways."
"Why were you asking this though?" Donnie presses a little, while keeping his eyes on Raph.
Raph quickly remembers a comment Leo made about Casey seeming interested in joining. "Don't say anything to anyone else, but Casey has kind of shown interest in joining you three. I just wanted to see if you were even interested in having someone else join. I should have used him as an example. Fuck!" He tells Donnie who nods seeming to understand that reasoning.
"It's okay Raph. You were just looking out for your friend." Donnie pats Raph on the shoulder which doesn't make the other feel any better. "Casey would be a maybe in my books. But if he does decide he wants to then it'd have to be a discussion with me, Mikey and April. Though April did have a crush on him as well before the three of us got together. So there could be a chance if he tries we might let him in. I can't promise anything since that's something we all have to decide together. We would all be a part of it after all. It wouldn't be fair to invite someone new without consulting the other two."
"I understand." Raph nods his head and he stands up. "Thanks for at least talking with me about that. I'll let you eat in peace." He leaves after Donnie gives him a see you later. He heads out to the main area and spots Leo playing a game, with Mikey loudly cheering him on while eating his pizza. He turns away heading to his room wanting some time alone. He climbs into his hammock and clutches his pillow to his chest. His teeth clenched as his heart hurts so bad. He jolts up and starts punching his pillow until he is left panting. He lowers his head letting a few tears to fall his cheeks. "Damn it!" He hisses to himself with his hands still clenched into fists. He's been chasing someone who never wanted him in the first place. He thought Donnie did like him... But that interaction has proved otherwise. He saw the truthfulness in Donnies look. How could he have been so blind!? Maybe just maybe if he had noticed sooner then he could have saved himself this heartache! "I'm so fucking stupid!" He groans unclenching his fists to rub his hands down his face. His tears getting his hands damp.
The punching bag in his room could take his hurt and anger perhaps.
Raph gets out of his hammock, wiping away his tears, and heads to his punching bag. He shifts into position before sending punch after punch at it. Directing all of his hurt and anger towards it. He keeps going beating the crap out of it until his firsts are sore. He backs away breathing heavily from putting so much force into that. He feels slightly better but not completely. He has a feeling he'll be feeling this hurt for awhile. He just doesn't want to talk about it even with Leo. He pauses at this.
Leo... He's gonna have to know that none of it worked... That it was all for nothing...
Maybe tomorrow since Raph would really rather not have that discussion with Leo, at least right now. He'll come out if he has to, otherwise no way in hell. He heads over to sit by Spike with a sigh while his pet looks at him. "Well so much for getting with my crush." He grumbles to his pet not hiding how miserable he is.
Spike stays quiet while Raph buries his head in his own arms.
Lucky for Raph he was able to stay in his room for the rest of the day, no one bothered him if they even knew he was up there that is.
The next day...
Leo heads for a walk after patrol. He had seen Raph head to the dojo for some extra practice. He had seen that Raph needs to get some emotions out so he left him alone.
It does make one wonder if the talk with Donnie didn't go so well.
Leo really hopes that Raph will be okay, though he'll talk with him when he's ready. He wanders the surface for awhile before spotting Usagi in a park. He approaches to which Usagi turns to face him. "Hey." He greets offering a smile. "How are things going?"
Usagi doesn't give him a smile in return. "Naru finally agreed to go on a date with me."
Leo smiles a little more as at least that's some good news. "That's great! Congratulations! I'm sure that you two will be happy together!"
"Yeah. Listen if you're not busy I need you to do something."
"Sure. What's up?"
"I wanted to investigate an abandoned warehouse. I heard the Footclan were thinking of using it. Join me in investigating this place."
"Okay. It could be trouble if they do end up using it. So it'll be good if I know where this place is." Leo is a little concerned at hearing what Usagi has found out.
"Good. Let's go." Usagi takes the lead as they rush to go to the location mentioned.
The warehouse is in a side of town that doesn't look to be doing so well. It looks pretty run down though the two enter it anyways.
They begin looking around finding it empty other than trash and debris. They still should clear the building before leaving for now. They come upon a corridor that divides into two doors.
"Go that way." Usagi heads to the right after nodding for Leo to go to the left.
Leo heads through the left door finding an empty basic room. He does see some fixtures some bathroom stuff leave behind when pulled out. He pauses as he feels something start to snag against his ankle. He glances down to see a tripwire. He cautiously backs away from the room. He moves out of the way and breaks the wire with a katana.
Spikes shoot out from all sides right at the area someone would be if they didn't notice.
Leo glances to the direction that Usagi went in to contemplate telling him about the traps. He doesn't want his friend to get hurt by one. He heads to find the other while being cautious about any other traps that might be around. He does find him in a rather open though empty warehouse space. He sees a small looking second floor though that's about it other than debris. He goes over to Usagi who slightly turns to only slightly acknowledge him. "The room was boobytrapped. We should be careful."
"Hm. Well it seems like we're almost done and I'm starting to doubt that this place will be used. It'd need a lot of work."
"You never know. The Footclan are willing to put in that work. Plus they have the numbers to make it go faster."
"Way to ruin good news." Usagi grumbles before heading towards the stairs to the next floor.
Leo slightly glances away for a moment at the mention of this. He was just trying to put out a point since they should still be alert for a bit. He shakes his head and joins Usagi in climbing the stairs.
The hall goes one way and looks like it's actually a balcony. It's first room may have been an old planning room or meeting room, based on the large dusty broken table inside. It's second room was possibly the break room as it has a dusty torn up couch. It's last room was clearly an office as the desk though damaged, looking like it's done by whatever weapon one had or found, gives that kind of vibe and also the room is a perfect office size.
"Well it is clear. Let's head on out of here." Usagi jumps down to the main floor before Leo has any time to say a word.
Leo follows after him anyways since there really doesn't seem to be anything. "Raph tried to talk to Donnie but I think it went poorly. I'll probably have to talk with Raph about it. Help him feel better. I'm just not fully sure if I know what to say."
"Don't think about it." Usagi tells him without turning in his direction.
"I guess the right words will come in the moment." Leo still has his doubts, though he can tell that Usagi really has no interest in even talking about this. He still has to ask something. "Would it be wrong of me to try to possibly pursue him if he really did get rejected?"
"I didn't know your thoughts could drop that low." Usagi remarks and Leo shuts his mouth realizing how stupid of an idea that was.
The two of them walk towards a better looking part of town, any conversation attempt by Leo dying out as he gives up.
...
Raph emerges from the shower after his extra training. He thinks that he might be as ready as he'll ever be in talking to Leo. He shouldn't really be letting him hold onto any hope that it might work, or continue to act. He should let Leo go so he can possibly try to see if that other guy is worthy of him. He checks Leo's room finding no sign of the other so he starts to look around the lair.
Mikey looks over his shoulder from where he is on the couch. "Hey. You looking for Leo?" He nods softly after Raph turns then nods. "He went for a walk while you were doing extra training."
"Thanks!" Raph calls back and heads to the surface. He doubts that he'll find Leo but it's worth a try, it could be the best time to break the news. He isn't fully sure if he actually hopes that he will find the other.
...
Leo and Usagi make it to a better part of town.
"Do you want to hang out? We could-" Leo isn't given a chance to say anything more as Usagi spins to face him.
"I don't want to hang out with you. I think we're done." Usagis words makes Leo's eyes widen.
"W-What?" Leo questions staring at his only friend.
"Like it or not I've decided that I'm done with you. Unlike my other friends I don't like you." Usagi's words feel like knives being stabbed into Leo. "I only hung out with you if I needed something. But I can't take anymore of being around you." He takes a step closer almost trying to intimate Leo, Leo is just stuck frozen in shock. "Listen to me. I don't care about you. I never cared. I was only pretending so I could get what I wanted out of this. You're not that useful recently so I think that it's a good time to part ways. I don't need someone useless hanging around me." He takes some steps back clearly about to turn to leave. "Just go bother someone else, and be their burden, you're good at that at least."
Leo does find himself giving a flinch as Usagi berates him with harsh words. His eyes do bring tears up though he's still in shock. He didn't even see this coming. He is snapped back by another surprise.
A figure dashes past him before a hard punch is sent into Usagi's cheek.
Usagi flies down to the ground harshly by the punch.
There standing between Leo and Usagi is a very pissed off Raph.
Leo can read Raphs stance, along with the small growls, telling him that the other is so pissed he might try to beat Usagi to death.
"You fucking bastard!" Raph roars angrily at Usagi who shifts up to look his way. He is about to lunge again when Leo rushes forward shouting his name. He is held back by Leo who is just trying to do his best to do so, his strong muscles flexing to try to get out of the grasp showing that Leo might not be able to stop him. "You don't even deserve him! He is so much better than you ever could be! You're wrong about what you say you lying whore!" He is going to get free from Leo soon.
"Tch." Usagi gets to his feet and turns away. "It's not like I care. I was only using him and I've got my fill. No point in hiding it anymore. You can be annoyed by him all you want." He shrugs as he walks away.
Raph lets out another growl before managing to escape Leo's hold. He charges the rabbit tackling him to ground.
Usagi stops walking at hearing the approach, and does try to overpower Raphs tackle to stay standing which proved pointless. He falls to the ground with Raph giving him another few punches, skillfully aimed to not knock Usagi out to make it last.
Leo tries once more to pull Raph off of Usagi knowing Raph will go too far. He is shoved away though by changing the angle that he grabs the other he manages it. With one arm around Ralph's torso and the other under his right armpit, the two of them stumble up onto their feet backwards.
Raph is slightly breathing heavily from his raging anger. "I don't want to see your fucking face ever again! You disgusting piece of filth! If I ever see you again you won't be so fucking lucky!" He shouts as Usagi takes a moment before getting up.
"You won't have to. I have no reason to hang around him anymore." Usagi heads off with that clearly knowing Raph wants to beat him more. He doesn't speed walk or anything almost as if he's taunting him.
"Yeah! Get out of here you piece of trash! You're giving up the best thing to ever happen to you!" Raph shouts at him shaking his fist receiving a loud snort of laughter from Usagi.
"Raph!" Leo speaks up seeing that the other is going to charge again. "Let him go! He's not worth it!" He tries to plead with the other and he thinks it might be working, surprisingly.
Raph gets out of Leo's hold quickly spinning around before gathering Leo into his arms. "Don't listen to him! He doesn't know what he's talking about! You deserve someone so much better than him!"
Leo's eyes are still wet, having learned that his only friend actually hated him, though Raph's words do bring Leo a little joy. He blinks as Raph gently wipes away a few of his tears. He tries to give him a smile though it comes out as pretty soft. "It's okay Raph. You can focus on trying to get with who you want. You don't have to worry so much about me."
"Fuck that right now!" Raph snorts slightly shaking his head for a moment. "Right now you're more important than any of that. That bastard is a true idiot at its finest. He can go date trash in the gutters as that's all he deserves. No one's allowed to treat you like that. Come on." He keeps an arm around Leo and leads him away from there.
Leo isn't fully sure where Raph is taking him though he follows along as it does make him feel a little better. He finds Raph is taking him to their spot where they sit down. He is held close to the hot heads body. He lets himself self-indulge a little as he snuggles up to the other.
"We can talk here. If you want to talk about anything. You can even get anything about him off your chest." Raph offers after giving a soothing rumble.
Leo supposes that being able to talk with Raph will probably help. "I thought I was good at reading others. But I feel kind of like an idiot for letting things go on for so long, and not seeing any red flags. Maybe I just didn't want to lose him." He thinks maybe he didn't want to lose his only friend, especially since he had no other friends to turn to, and only having one friend is surely a statement about his friend making skills.
"You're not an idiot Leo." Raph soothes gently. "You wanted to see the good in him. Wanted things to continue. You were more invested in the relationship than he ever was. He admitted to pretending so he could get what he wanted. No one will blame you for trying so hard. Even though he wasn't worth it in the end. It will feel bad now but you'll see that your life will be better without him." He tells the other cupping his cheeks gently to which the other nods softly. He brings his arms back down to around Leo once more. "Anything else you'd like to bring up? You don't need to be shy about any of it. I won't judge you no matter what it is."
"I don't know. I guess that maybe I'm just not really meant to be with anyone in such a way." Leo admits a little quietly. He won't admit that it's always been Raph he likes, though it does kind of feel good to get that part off of his chest.
"Of course you are! I know it might be how you feel right now but I know that everyone has someone out there. You'll find someone." Raph encourages him. He even offers him an encouraging smile.
"I'm not even good at making friends." Leo admits to Raph who quiets down to listen. "Plus when I like someone it doesn't seem to go so well." He looks away despite feeling Raphs gaze on him. "Maybe it's just some part of me that manages to drive everyone away." He blinks realizing he hadn't meant to open up that much, though somehow the words had managed to slip out. He turns back to Raph, despite some tears in his own eyes, when the other hugs him a little tightly.
"It's not your fault that things aren't going great." Raph tells him as Leo listens to what he wants to say. "We all know things don't always work out the way we want them to. You'll figure things out and we'll be there for you throughout it. Even if you struggle to find even friends outside of our family, we'll be ready to be by your side if you need us."
Leo smiles softly at this as it is rather sweet of Raph to say. "Thanks Raph."
"You know it's true." Raph lightly teases causing Leo to chuckle softly. He gently wipes away any remnant's of tears on Leo. He is very careful to not hurt the other.
Leo blinks at him when this is done and finds Raph staring at him a little longer. He softly tilts his head at the other wondering what he's thinking.
"I think I want to bring you here more often. The lighting just suits you so well. I can't get over how beautifully you glow when we're here."
Leo can't help a deep blush at hearing this, and suddenly finds himself unsure what to say.
Raph chuckles warmly. "I think I like making you blush like that." He slightly teases to which Leo playfully punches his shoulder. He chuckles and playfully tackles Leo pushing him down onto the ground. He lands half on Leo and half beside him.
The two share a smile despite Leo still having a blush on his cheeks.
Leo lets himself stay there on his back with Raph still looking at his face. He looks at Raphs eyes that he loves as they're like emeralds. He is feeling a little shy at all the attention on him from his crush, without any motives to get someone else, though he is enjoying the attention as well. He's not even sure how much time has passed before they're interrupted. His phone is going off with Donnies ringtone playing.
Raph gets off of him making Leo already miss his warm body against his.
Leo doesn't say that though as he pulls out his phone answering the call. "Hey Donnie what's up?" He inquires to the other on the other side of the line.
"Hey Leo are you out right now?"
"Yes I am." Leo confirms to Donnie.
"Are you able to make a stop at the store? We need more dish soap before supper tonight. Mikey ended up making a big mess and used the last of the soap to clean it up."
Leo figures of course Mikey did. "Yeah I'll grab that on my way back." Leo agrees to this.
"Thanks Leo! Oh by the way do you know where Raph went?"
"Yeah he's here with me." Leo almost chuckles at hearing Donnie give a gasp.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! You could have said that so I wouldn't have bugged you two!" Donnie races to apologize. "You two don't have to worry about this. I'll make Mikey get it instead."
"It's fine Donnie we don't mind. We'll get it."
"Okay if you're sure." Donnie gives in gaining a sound of confirmation from Leo. "Thanks! You two enjoy yourselves! There's no rush!" He quickly hangs up after that so Leo does the same.
"What was that about?" Raph inquires looking at Leo.
Leo turns to him. "Mikey made a huge mess and used all the dish soap. So Donnie wants us to pick some up on our way back."
"Of course he did." Raph snorts at this with a slight roll of his eyes. "Do you want to do that now or do you want to stay out a little longer?"
Leo doesn't really want this time here with Raph to end yet. He just doesn't feel like it's fair to Raph as he doesn't think Raph even likes him. "I do feel better. We can go." He confirms so the two get up and head out to the city.
They make it to the store where they linger outside in the alley for a moment.
Raph opens a secret panel in a wall pulling out the hidden emergency jackets.
Placed there in case they need to go to the store but don't have disguises on. There's one for each of them in their.
They put them on which covers a decent amount of their bodies, then pull up the hoods and head inside. They pick up the soap then Raph wanders to another spot so Leo follows.
Leo sees Raph grab some strawberries.
"Lets get these too." Raph mentions knowing that they're Leo's favourite.
Leo doesn't argue, no way would he ever argue getting strawberries, and nods so with that the two of them check out paying for the items.
The two put the jackets back and start to head home.
"Raph?" Leo glances to the other as the other makes an inquiry noise. "Will you tell me how things with Donnie went? If you don't want to talk about it you can tell me. I'm just curious."
Raph sighs glancing away worrying Leo. "He doesn't see me that way at all. And no way am I going to force it as I saw the honesty in him." He doesn't turn when Leo puts a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "At least Casey is a maybe for them. So if Casey does decide to join them then maybe he'll get in."
"I'm sorry Raph." Leo apologizes and finally Raph turns to him.
"It'll be okay Leo." Raph assures the other who is still worried. "I know it will be."
Leo doesn't push him not wanting to upset him further. "I trust you." He tells the other. "I know if anything ever happened I know that you can take a leader role." He finds the others arm around his shoulders quickly pulling him closer.
"Hey! Don't talk like that! Nothings going to happen to you!" Raph insists. "Besides I don't actually want to be leader." He elaborates when Leo blinks with confusion at him. "Someone's gotta keep you on your toes and make sure you're making the right choices. Might as well be your second in command right?"
Leo finds himself smiling at this. "Yeah." He agrees making Raph smile a little at this.
"Now come on. Let's get home." Raph suggests which Leo nods his head. He lets go of him and they continue on the way to the lair.
The two make it back finding it peaceful. They can hear Mikey humming a tune he likes to hum when drawing. Leo goes to put away the groceries while Raph slips away to the lab.
In the lab...
Raph looks around for Donnie soon finding him just finishing welding two pieces together. "Donnie?" He approaches and the other turns taking off his safety gear, after turning off the welder.
"Hey Raph. How did things go with Leo?" Donnie inquires turning to fully face Raph ready to hear all about it.
"It went alright." Raph decides to not share what had happened with Usagi. He thinks that it isn't something he's meant to share. "There was something serious I wanted to talk about with you though." He sees Donnies interest spike at hearing this. He takes a breath. "I haven't been fully honest with somethings but things have changed since then." He slightly glances away with guilt. "I may have been only flirting with Leo to try to make someone I liked jealous." He is suddenly slapped and he can't even get angry. He deserved that.
"How could you!?" Donnie snaps at him clearly very angry about this. "You don't just play with others feelings you fucking asshole!" He doesn't usually like to swear so when he does it is serious.
"I'm not done." Raph tells Donnie who crosses his arms over his chest. He continues when the other stays quiet. "He was in on it! I asked him to do so before it even started. Anyways. The one I like doesn't even like me. But while out with Leo just now I realized something. I do want to try to be with him. For real this time. Maybe you could forgive me for tricking you into helping before and actually help me this time. No tricks or anything like that. Promise."
Donnie is quiet for a few moments before finally speaking up. "And how can I be sure that you're for real this time?" He presses and Raph finally looks to him again.
"I don't know how I can prove it to you. All I can really say is that I really do mean it. And if he says he doesn't want to be with me I'll leave him alone. But I want to at least try and see if I can get with him."
Donnie stares at him for a long moment before letting out a sigh. "Fine. Don't lose my trust a second time."
"I won't." Raph is glad that the other has agreed to this, and pauses when Donnie says 'But!'.
"I will only do this on one condition. You tell me who it was that you were trying to make jealous. All with your stupid plan."
Raph feels a little annoyed at his plan being called stupid. He doesn't argue right now as he knows that he is on eggshells. He knows Donnie could say no to helping him if he pushes things. "Alright, I'll tell you." He agrees to that. "It was... You..."
Donnie lets out another sigh. "I figured as much." He hears Raphs sound of surprise so he continues. "I picked up hints when we had that talk." He informs the other who blinks in surprise. "Come on. I know you and if you read between the lines it was a little obvious."
"Okay. Well just so you know I was serious that Casey may want to join you guys."
"Good to know you weren't lying to me about that at least." Donnie nods softly to this. "We've already started talking about things with that. We'll take things from here on that. You'll just have to wait and see what happens." His tone is stern and Raph just agrees with that. "Now. For the matter at hand. You and Leo." He continues as Raph listens to him. "You said he was in on the whole thing." He gets a nod of confirmation. "So you'll have to make your intentions of being serious about this clear to him. Gotta be honest about this. Can you do that? For his sake?"
"Yeah. He'll be confused if I don't be honest about this." Raph agrees knowing it's best that he does what Donnie said to.
"Good. Then let's get started." Donnie looks pleased to hear this.