A/N: Here's a little brotherly fluff to balance out the angst filled earlier drabbles! Leo is probably my weakest in terms of writing; so I hope I got his character down alright. My first chapter of Shattered and Scarred (my first chapter fic) is up as well for those of you who'd like to read it. Thanks again for all your support! I have not once regretted beginning to post my work on here. :) -OMH
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! (cries pathetically in the corner)
Raphael hated the sewers. He hated the way the cold seeped into every pore of his skin, always boring its long fingers into every crevice of his body, chilling him to the bone. He hated the confines of the tunnels, damp, low-ceilinged, bug infested, and oppressively dark. He longed for the openness of the rooftops and the freedom it offered. Topside there was room to breathe, room to run, room to live. A warm summer's breeze lifted the sounds of the city to Raph's ears, covering him in the ceaseless hubbub only a city can produce. He sighed contentedly, rolling his shoulders to loosen the muscles and releasing with it all his troubles. Savoring the rarity of his contentment, Raph hummed softly to himself. Crouched on the edge of a high-rise, entranced by the shadows dancing in the dying light was his meditation. The sunlight and noise did for Raph what candles and silence did for Leo; it allowed him to let his thoughts wander.
"I see why you like it up here."
Raph tensed. How long had Leo been sitting next to him?
"It's almost peaceful in an odd sort of way," Leo continued cautiously. "That's why you come here to get away." The understood 'from me' hung in the air as a statement of fact. There was no emotion, no anger, fear, nor even awkwardness. Raph glanced at his brother. Leo's eyes were fixed upon him; however, there was no air of superiority exuding from the blue banded turtle. To the contrary, there was equality and willingness to understand in his eyes.
Raph raised an eye ridge, "Yeah, I guess so. It's open up here, not closed in. There's space to move." Cracking a smile he added, " Plus there's the added bonus of beatin' up thugs."
Leo laughed lightly, "That is definitely a bonus."
The two sat in silence, each waiting for the other to speak, neither willing to be the first. The sun slipped below the horizon, taking with it the patterns of pink, orange, and red previously embossed across the sky. The two sighed in unison; vibrant amber eyes pierced the darkness and were met by flaming blue orbs, and four words fell from the lips of both simultaneously.
"I don't hate you."