Authors Note: Hey guys here's the next chapter. If you want I was thinking of doing a mini chapter from Leatherhead's point of view. Would you guys like that? Sorry for the absence. I was house sitting for about three weeks and had a lot of things to do. Please keep the comments coming because I love to hear them and they are the best part of my day.
Once April and Casey left Splinter had talked to them about how they did. He made it clear to Donnie and Mikey that losing was not a bad thing. They had done their best and that was all that could be asked.
They all still had much training to do, but they had done him and themselves proud. Mikey was glad that it had been clear that he'd been doing his best. His biggest fear was that Splinter would think he'd slacked off.
With his fears assuaged he was able to fully enjoy the memory of the kiss he and Leatherhead had shared. Just thinking about it made butterflies appear in his stomach. The kiss had been so sweet and gentle. He also remembered how Leatherhead had called him beautiful.
He was sure that if Raph, Leo or even Donnie had been called beautiful to describe how they looked they'd taken offense. He could see Raph and Donnie not liking the girly connotation the word had while Leo wouldn't like the word describing something that showed skill and strength.
Mikey had no problem with the word because to him his kata routine was like art. He worked hard to make it visually appealing while still showing his skill. To him being called beautiful was one of the highest complements he could get along with graceful and strong. Leatherhead saw more than just the moves that made up the routine. He saw the heart and soul Mikey had put into it.
Mikey woke up the next morning a little earlier than normal. He usually liked to sleep in on the weekends, but he was so excited about today.
Mikey quickly got out of bed and headed to that bathroom. After he showered he thought about trying to do something with his hair, but knew it was pointless. Raph had been gifted with hair that seemed to defy gravity with help from some gel, but even at its shortest Mikey's hair refused to hold any kind of shape.
He got dressed in what April had picked out the other night. It was a graphic t-shirt over a long sleeved orange shirt with jeans and sneakers. April had also been eyeing Mikey's armband, but she knew better than to ask him not to wear them.
She'd lost that battle with Donnie a long time ago. It wasn't that she hated them she just thought they weren't the greatest fashion accessory.
To Mikey and his brothers they were more than that. The bands represented them. Leo was often calm and cool like the blue bands he wore. Raph was fiery and passionate just like the color red. Purple meant wisdom which fit Donnie perfectly and orange was a mix of passionate red and sunny yellow. They had worn the bands for so long that they often felt naked without them. They even had spares in case the bands got damaged or more commonly had to be washed.
Mikey stepped out of the bathroom and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Donnie was already there as was Leo. Donnie was sipping coffee while Leo worked on a bowl of cereal.
"Want any coffee Mikey," Donnie asked though it was just to be polite? Mikey hadn't developed a taste for the stuff like his brother had.
"No thanks," he said getting out a box of cereal from the cabinet. He noticed he was almost out so he went added it to the grocery list kept on the fridge. As Mikey was sitting down Raph came in and he walked behind Mikey.
"You touch my hair, and I'll kill you Raph. It wants to actually behave today and I don't need you messing it up," Mikey warned.
He could feel his brother thinking about it before sighing, and getting his own breakfast. He sat down across from Mikey, and slid something across the table having it bump Mikey's bowl. He heard the noise it made rather than saw it and reached around his bowl to pick it up. He looked at it confused for a minute than realizing what it was yelled and threw it back at Raph.
"What the hell do I need a condom for," Mikey asked horrified?
Raph looked at him as if he was stupid. "You need to be safe."
Mikey groaned his cheeks bright red as he buried his hands in his face.
"It's out fist date Raph," Mikey said his voice breaking slightly.
"Second," Raph quickly added.
Mikey looked up and frowned. "What do you mean second?"
Raph snorted. "That time you went to get pizza and saw a movie was a date even if it wasn't called that.'
Mikey sighed. "Okay second date…. do you really think I'm that easy? Who has sex on the second date?"
Raph opened his mouth, but was hit on the head by Leo. "TMI Raph," Leo said not looking up from his breakfast.
Mikey groaned again. "Look Raph I'm glad you want me to be safe, but I really don't need the condom."
Raph frowned. "You say that now, but what happens when you find yourselves alone with nothing better to do."
Mikey sighed. "I don't know watches a movie, play video games, listen to music."
Raph laughed. "Spoken like a true virgin."
Mikey was about five seconds away from hitting his head on the table.
"Raph leave Mikey alone. Do you really think Mikey's going to just jump in bed with someone after one… two dates," Donny asked?
Raph opened his mouth than closed it and actually seemed to be thinking about it. He frowned and shrugged. "I don't know Donnie. Mikey is not exactly known for thinking things through."
Mikey growled again. "Sex might not seem like a big deal to you Raph, but some people like to wait until their in a committed relationship. Not to mention that I have no idea if this date is going to lead to anything bigger. If Leatherhead and I don't work as a couple I'd still like us to be friends. That would be a lot easier to do if we don't add sex which tends to complicate things."
Raph looked at Mikey then at the condom and picked it up while sighing. "Fine, but if you need one I've got plenty."
Raph squawked as Leo hit him on the head for a second time. "Again Raph, TMI."
Raph rolled his eyes and went back to eating. Breakfast continued only this time quieter. Mikey was still trying to forget the conversation they had. Mikey didn't like thinking about his brothers having sex. They'd have sex ed in school, but Splinter still felt the need to have the talk.
The worst part was that Mikey had to get the talk alone. It was one of the disadvantages of being the youngest. He had been expecting to get another talk since he'd come out, but his father had stayed silent on the matter. Something Mikey was happy about, and hoped that Splinter wasn't simply waiting for him to start dating. He finished his breakfast than headed back to his room to try and waste time. He put on music since he knew he'd never be able to concentrate enough to read or play a video game.
As it grew closer and closer to the time Leatherhead was going to pick him up Mikey began to pace. He was nervous and excited. He wanted so badly for things to go well today. He was nervous that he would find that he and Leatherhead weren't a good match. His crush had gotten bigger over the time he'd spent with the tall teen and he really wanted his feeling to be reciprocated.
When he heard the buzzer for the apartment he rushed to let Leatherhead in. He was surprised to see Leatherhead had a single sunflower in his hand. He gave it to Mikey who blushed and smiled. He quickly put it in some water, and pretended that his brothers weren't watching the whole thing.
He also pretends not to see Raph and Leo glaring at his date. When they left Leatherhead asked if he should be worried about that.
Mikey shook his head. "No their just doing the big brother thing. I wouldn't be surprised if at lunch tomorrow you get the shovel talk."
This seemed to make Leatherhead more worried.
"Look they like you and will continue to like you unless you break my heart which I know you aren't capable of. You're too sweet to be an asshole. I really want this to work, but if it doesn't it doesn't. Let's just have fun today. Okay," Mikey asked?
Leatherhead nodded, and he took Mikey's hand in his.
"So why pick a sunflower," Mikey questioned?
Leatherhead blushed. "Because I thought it was fitting. I thought about a tiger lily because their orange, but you're always so happy that you're like my own personal ray of sunshine."
Mikey was surprised. "Wow that has got to be the cheesiest and most sweet thing anyone had ever said to me."
Leatherhead blush deepened, but Mikey squeezed his hand in reassurance. They walked to the arcade talking quietly. It felt like the first time they'd gone out, but with hand-holding.
As they entered the arcade Leatherhead and Mikey grabbed a pizza at the café. Once done eating they got a bunch of tokens and started playing. They teamed up on some games and battled with others. As they got down to their last few tokens they came across a dance dance revolution game. A crowd had formed around two guys. The guy on the left was beating the guy on the right and easily won.
"You should go against him," Leatherhead said to Mikey.
Mikey was about to say no when the guy shouted. "I am the king no one can beat me."
Mikey did think about letting it go before jumping onto the right platform. Mikey loved a challenged and he loved showing people up. Living in a house with three brothers who tended to best him at school and ninjitsu left him with little opportunity to do so.
The guy smirked. "Another challenger, I'll be generous and let you pick the level and song."
Mikey smirked picked the hardest level and a song he knew was tough. The music started and Mikey let go. While with ninjistu he had to focus to win. With dancing he could just let go. If he tried too hard he'd just mess up.
He danced with everything he had while simultaneously being completely free. He was aware he threw in some moves just to show off, but he did them because it felt natural. He heard a curse and a roar from what sounded like a very loud crowd.
He came back to himself and realized he'd beat the guy. In fact he'd crushed him. The crowd had grown from when he started and it took him a minute to find Leatherhead. He had a giant grin on his face. Mikey stepped off ignoring the guy he'd just beat swearing and demanding a redo.
When he got to Leatherhead he took his hand. "Comic book shop," he asked?
The older teen smiled and nodded. "Comic book shop."
They left the arcade and walked a few blocks to the comic book shop Mikey loved. He and Leatherhead spent time looking over comics, and Leatherhead bought a few of them for Mikey since they'd split for the pizza.
As they walked home Mikey felt himself get nervous. It was getting dark and they were holding hands again. Today wasn't the most romantic day, but it was still amazing. When they got to Mikey's apartment they stood outside for a few seconds in silence.
Finally Leatherhead spoke. "I really like you Michelangelo and I hope you had a good enough time that you'd consider going on another date with me next weekend."
Mikey smiled. "That would be great."
Leatherhead nodded and looked hesitating. Mikey was sure he knew what Leatherhead was thinking
'"I'd really like another kiss," he said smiling.
Leatherhead grinned and leaned down to kiss Mikey. The shorter teen kissed back and the kiss was just as sweet as last night. Leatherhead pulled away.
"See you tomorrow Michelangelo," Leatherhead said before walking away.
Mikey grinned as he headed inside. The minute Mikey entered the apartment he knew that something was up. The TV was on, but things were too quiet. Mikey headed into the living room to see his brothers trying to act natural. Leo and Raph were watching TV., but the fact that Raph wasn't teasing Leo about the Space Heroes episode was odd. Donnie was reading, but he never read in the living room.
"You guys aren't fooling me," Mikey said with a roll of his eyes.
Donnie looked up from his book in confusion. "What do you mean Mikey?"
Mikey smirked. "Okay I guess you guys don't want to hear about my date."
His brother all shouted. "No" at the same time and gave Mikey their full attention. Mikey smirked and sat down on the couch.
He told them about the arcade and how he'd won at dance dance revolution. He showed off the comics Leatherhead had bought for him, but he knew what his brothers really wanted to know.
"He wants to take me out again next weakened, and he kissed me again."
This made his brothers eyes widened. "Kiss you again," Raph asked loudly?
Mikey blushed."Uhhh yeah he kissed me last night."
"So you kiss before you've even been on an official date, but no sex," Raph asked as if the idea made no sense which it very much might not to his older brothers.
"It was a very simply kiss. Our lips were the only things that touched. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to get something to eat."
Mikey got up and headed to the kitchen smiling as he saw the sunflower on the table. He had himself a quick dinner and ate it before heading back to his room. He grabbed his sketch book and began to draw.
He heard a knock on the door and figuring it was Donnie called out "come in." He looked up and was surprised to see his father.
"Michelangelo may I talk with you" he asked politely.
Mikey had a feeling of dread wash over him. He didn't think he'd be getting 'the talk' so soon after a date, but he deiced they might as well get it over with. He nodded and moved so his father could sit on the bed next to him.
"I just wanted to know how your date went." Mikey was suspicious, but told Splinter about the date.
His father listened and nodded. "I am glad you had a good time. Luke seems like a very nice young man."
Mikey waited for his father to get to the point.
"I do not feel the need to rehash things from our last talk involving two people being together. While I wish you would not do anything until you're at least in college I know that is not a realistic hope. So all I ask is that you be safe and that you wait until you are truly ready."
Mikey blushed, but nodded. "I'm guessing you heard me and Raph at breakfast?"
Splinter laughed. "You boys are often louder than you think. Yes I heard though I was sure that nothing would happen tonight. I know you are entering something new, but I've seen the way you look at that boy and how he looks at you. I doubt that you two will not become…what's the word….official?"
Mikey laughed softly and nodded.
Splinter smiled. "You look at each other just like Donnie and April did and how they still do. As I said before take things slow and be safe. That's all I ask."
Mikey nodded. "I can do that. Neither of us is ready to jump anything more than what we have." Splinter nodded, and gave his son a hug. Mikey smiled and hug back.
Splinter stood up and before leaving said "I am very happy that you have found someone my son. I am positive that you two will be happy. However, if that boy ever hurts you your brothers will not be the only one he'll have to answer to." With that he left leaving a stunned Mikey who was wondering when he'd suddenly become a girl. His brothers, and now his father kept acting like he needed to be protected. He knew his brothers were going to give Leatherhead the shovel talk at some point, but Mikey assumed it was more for tradition sake, and because he was the youngest.
When Donnie finally got up the courage to ask April out they had all been on standby to comfort their brother. If it came down to it they'd choose Donnie over April. Still no one had ever actually told April that she would regret it if she broke Donnie's heart. Mikey was beginning to believe that his brothers and maybe even his father didn't know that despite liking guys he was still one himself. He sighed and went back to his drawing. He decided as long as they didn't start saving up a dowry he'd leave things be.