Chapter 4. Taking a Stand

Donnie walked into the house just after six in the evening. He stopped just inside the door when he saw Mikey sitting on the couch, his arms across his chest, his right leg crossed over his left and his face scowling. Donnie looked at him in uncertainty as his eyes wandered from Mikey to the small overnight bag by his feet.

Donnie finally stepped further into the room and shut the door. "What's this?" He asked, gesturing to the small bag.

Mikey stood and relaxed his arms at his side. "I think you need some time to think Donnie." Mikey told him. "I'm going to stay with Leatherhead for the night; he's in Miami on vacation for Spring break so I'm going to crash on his couch." Mikey bent down and picked up the bag.

"But wait a minute Mike," Donnie quickly walked over to him. "I thought we could talk about what's going on." He took the bag from Mike's hands and gently set him down on the couch. "Tell me what the problem is, we can work it out."

Mikey huffed in annoyance. "How you could you not understand what the problem is Don?" Mikey grabbed his bag and stood back up. "Ever since you started working, we've barely had a life together." Mikey was almost in tears as he spoke.

Donnie stood and looked at Mikey in disbelief. "So what do you want me to do?" He demanded. "Quit my job."

"No I don't want you to quit your job." Mikey retorted angrily. "I want you to remember what we once were to each other and stop putting everything ahead of me." Mikey looked at the floor sadly. "I thought you wanted this relationship to go somewhere but lately…."Mikey let out a sigh and shook his head. "I'm beginning to think you'd rather just work at your job instead of us."

"Mikey, what I'm doing at my job I'm doing for us." Donnie insisted. "Everything I do is for us."

"Actually Donnie," Mikey looked back at him in disappointment. "Everything you do is for yourself; you haven't even asked me what I really want." He started for the door. "And what I want is us."

When Donnie continued to look at him with a confused gaze, Mikey shook his head. "Never mind," He said, exasperated. "I'm leaving," He announced. "I love you Donnie but you need to really think about what I've said and where you want this relationship to go." Mikey moved toward the door. "I'll be back tomorrow and if you still haven't figured out what the problem is, then maybe things between us is worse than I thought." With that, Mikey walked out of the door leaving Donnie staring after him feeling very confused and very frustrated.

Mikey walked out of the house and went around to the side where he kept his bicycle. He put his helmet on and got on his bike. Mikey's friend Leatherhead lived a few houses down so he peddled his way toward his house and beyond going to the back side of the homes. He rode to the back of Raph's house and leaned his bike against the wall, then carefully and quietly went to the back door.

Although it was evening, it was still bright outside and he wanted to make sure Donnie would not see him sneaking into Raph's home. As promised, Raph had left the back door open allowing him to walk inside without making any noise. Upon entering the house, Mikey saw he was in the kitchen and there to the side of him was Leo cleaning up dishes. Hearing the footsteps behind him, Leo whirled around and smiled when he saw Mikey entering.

"Hi Mikey," Leo said cheerfully. "Raph's in the living room watching TV and enjoying a beer." He went to the refrigerator. "Ya want one?"

Mikey nodded, looking around feeling very nervous. He had to admit, he had never done anything like this before and the sudden urge to want to turn and leave was pulling at his gut something fierce, but he was determined to go through with his plan and pushed himself to stay. Leo turned and looked at him, his eyes softening when he saw Mikey looking anxious.

"I have to admit I was rather surprised when Raph told me to expect you." Leo stated handing Mikey a beer.

Mikey hesitated slightly before taking it. "Why's that?"

"You just seem so innocent," Leo admitted to him as he took a beer for himself. "You don't strike me as the kind of turtle who is into…." Leo hesitated as he looked Mikey up and down. "Experimenting?" He shrugged. "Shall we say?" He led Mikey to the living room where Raph was sitting on the couch, watching TV and drinking a beer. And from what Mikey could see he was on his third.

Mikey chuckled nervously. "Well, there is a first time for everything." He said rubbing the back of his head.

Raph turned and smiled at Mikey. He stood and walked over to him. "Hey Mikey," He said, taking his arm and leading him to a chair. "Take a seat, relax and enjoy some booze," He sat back on the couch and Leo sat next to him. "Have a few, it will get you in…the mood." He said with a low and seductive tone. He wiggled his eyes at Mikey then put his arm around Leo who snuggled in next to him.

Mikey pulled out his cell phone. "I…um…probably should call Donnie first," His hands shook as he attempted to dial his home number. "I don't want him to worry and come looking for me."

Seeing Mikey's nervousness, Leo sat forward and placed his hand on Mikey's. "Mikey," He said with a compassionate voice, "Are you sure this is something you want to do?" He looked at Mikey, waiting patiently for the younger turtle to make a decision. "I mean, it's nothing new to us," Leo said waving his hand between him and Raph. "We've done this a few times but you…."

Mikey put his phone down and looked away from the others dejectedly. "I'm just tired of being ignored by him." Mikey said sadly. "I want him to know how it feels to be alone and…" Mikey let a tear fall. "To feel like you're second in line to everything else." He looked back at the other two. "I figure if I give him a night, he might realize that."

"And if he doesn't?" Raph asked.

Mikey shrugged. "I'll go home tomorrow and we'll talk." He looked back at his phone. "I may need to start looking for a new apartment though." He looked back up at them. "But for now, I just want to enjoy a little of what you two share."

Raph and Leo looked at each other. "We do know what you're going through Mike." Leo told him. "We both have exes that put us second in their lives and after a time, we just couldn't deal with it anymore."

"Yeah," Raph said after taking another swallow of his beer. "My ex was too into himself because he was a big time hockey player." Raph huffed and rolled his eyes. "Was always on the road, never thought twice about us."

"And mine had daddy issues." Leo chuckled. "She tried so hard to live up to her dad's expectations, she worked twenty-four seven trying to prove to her dad that she could be what he wanted her to be." Both Raph and Leo chuckled as they thought back on those days.

Raph sat back in satisfaction. "Yeah, and that's why we're not committed to each other." He said with a grin at Leo.

"Yep," Leo agreed. "Just get together for a little physical attention and then go on with life."

Mikey looked between the two turtles. "Doesn't that get somewhat lonely?"

Raph and Leo looked at each other and shrugged. "Not really." Leo said. "We have each other and other friends we get together with and who knows," Leo said with a side glance at Raph, "Maybe one day, things might change but right now….we're happy."

Mikey nodded and looked back at his cell phone. "I really should call Don." He muttered staring sadly at the picture of Donatello.

Leo again placed his hand tenderly on Mikey's hand. "How bout you make your call in Raph's room." He nodded to the hallway. "Last door on…."

"I kinda know where it is." Mikey said with his face reddening.

He stood and made his way down the hall to the last door on the right. He looked around the room and sighed deeply as he turned his phone on and pressed the number one button. After a few rings, Donnie finally picked up.

"Hey Mikey," Donnie's voice sounded shaky.

"Hey," Mikey replied. "I thought I should call and let you know I was here at Leatherhead's place."

"Yeah…uh….thanks," There was a long awkward pause. "So…um….what time will you be home tomorrow?"

"Not sure," Mikey said; his voice almost a whisper. "Sometime in the morning," He sighed. "But what does it matter, you'll be at work, won't you?"

"Yeah I….I guess I will." Donnie said; his voice also a whisper.

"Fine… then I guess I'll see you after work." Mikey said somewhat hotly.

"Okay, and then you'll tell me what the problem is?" Donnie demanded, also rather hotly.

"Sure Don," Mikey again sounded disappointed. "We'll talk." He was just about to say goodbye when he looked over toward Raph's window. The view showed their window and Mikey could clearly see his plant sitting on the little table. He smiled as a sudden idea came to him. "Hey Donnie, could you do me a favor?"

"Sure Mikey," Donnie sounded somewhat exasperated.

"Could you water my plant for me?" He asked. "You know; the one by our bedroom window."

"Okay Mikey." Donnie replied. "I'll take care of it."

"Do it while the suns' still up," Mikey implored, "You know, so the plant will get the water with the light." Mikey held back a snicker as he came up with his little ploy. He knew it didn't matter when the plant was watered, but he wanted to make sure Donnie came to the window sometime soon.

"Okay Mikey, I'll take care of it before the sun goes down then." Donnie replied.

"Thanks Donnie," Mikey said. "See you tomorrow."

"Mikey…." Donnie's voice suddenly sounded desperate and Mikey waited with bated breath to hear what he hoped Donnie would say. "I…." Donnie was hesitating. "I'll be home tomorrow about six."

"Yeah, okay Don" Mikey felt his hope fading away. "I'll be home and waiting for you."

"Okay, good night Mikey."

"Yeah, good night Donnie," Mikey pressed the disconnect button and shook his head sadly. He looked up when the sound of footsteps came toward the room and smiled when Leo and Raph walked over to him and sat on either side of him.

"Ya ready Mike?" Raph asked as he put his hand on Mikey's cheek. He leaned forward and began kissing him passionately while Leo placed his lips on the side of Mikey's neck and started to slowly unbutton his shirt.