The next day training was just as tough as always. Master Splinter was pushing them all harder than he ever had before. He knew when to stop, but things had reached a serious level that even Mikey didn't try to joke around. Sure when they were done Mikey would joke about Splinter being a slave driver, but during practice he was just as serious as his brother. He realized that his father had been right. He could take things serious without losing who he was or his own personal style to fighting. He still felt creative and occasionally added his own moves to practice, but as long as he didn't get distracted from the task Master Splinter didn't interfere. When he and his brothers spared he did still have a tendency to trash talk especially with Raph, but he was still focused. He was finding a happy balance to being the "fun one" and being serious. School and training was another balancing act he was getting. He and Leatherhead had started only tutoring once a week, but now it wasn't always math. He'd help Mikey with other things he was struggling with. From the help of Leatherhead and his brothers he was keeping his grades up.
That night Mikey called Leatherhead and invited his boyfriend over to watch a movie. Leatherhead agreed and soon he was buzzing to be let in. Mikey opened the door and frowned when he saw that Leatherhead looked tired.
"Are you okay," Mikey asked?
Leatherhead pulled Mikey into a kiss and held him close. It was more passionate than any other kiss they shared, but still sweet. When he pulled away he smiled
"I am now," he said sounding like he meant it.
"Want to talk about it," Mikey asked? Leatherhead hesitated before nodding. Mikey lead him into the kitchen and asked if he wanted anything to drink. He shook his head and Mikey sat down next to him.
"So what's going on," Mikey asked worried.
"Well things were stressed when we left after Thanksgiving. I could tell my mom's side of the family wasn't happy, but they still hugged us and told my mom to keep in touch. I have no idea if they meant it or if it was just formalities. When we got home my mom and I got into a fight. I told her that I wasn't going to spend time with her side of the family if they couldn't accept me. She defended them saying that they were only trying to help and I informed her I didn't need help. That there was nothing wrong with being gay and it wasn't something that needed to be fixed. She begged me to at least try going on a date with a girl and I told her no. I actually asked her to at least meet you, but she refused. We kind of just stood there staring at each other before I left to my room. Then you called me and I realized how much I needed to see you."
Mikey hugged Leatherhead tightly. "Maybe you can make a deal with her," Mikey said.
Leatherhead pulled away. "What kind of deal," he asked skeptically?
"You'll go on a date with a girl but you mom has to meet me and not just a few minutes either. I'm talking being invited over for dinner. If she still thinks you'll be happier with a girl you'll go on a date with a girl of her choosing."
Leatherhead frowned. "You know the possibility of you coming over for dinner is low and her still making me date a girl is high, right?"
Mikey nodded. "Look its one date. You do it to satisfy her at least to a degree and I know you won't do anything. Apparently you look at me like I'm an angel or something so maybe she'll see that look and realize how much you care about me."
"You are an angel," Leatherhead said softly.
Mikey frowned. "What do you mean," he asked curiously?
Leatherhead smiled. "Your name, Michelangelo means who is like God, an angel".
Mikey smirked. "Is that going to be your nickname for me? Angel?" Mikey asked half joking.
"What if I want it to be… would that bother you," Leatherhead asked nervously?
Mikey was quiet as he thought of the name. "Only when were alone. Not because I'm embarrassed by it, but because my brothers and Casey will never let me live it down. I can guarantee you they'll try to get me into a wings and a halo."
Leatherhead smiled. "Alright only when were alone."
He kissed Mikey gently. "You my angel Michelangelo, I'm not sure what I'd do without you," he whispered softly.
Mikey blushed. "Movie," he asked curiously, and his boyfriend nodded. They headed to the living room and Mikey put on some mindless action movie that Raph claimed was the best thing ever made. They joked and made fun of the thing. Keeping a score of all the action movie clichés and Mikey commented on how fake the fighting was. It was fun and relaxing which was what Leatherhead needed.
When the movie was over Mikey reminded Leatherhead of the deal and Leatherhead promised he would talk to his mother about it. He gave Mikey a kiss before heading home.
Mikey went to the living room to put the movie away when his brothers came out of their rooms. He never realized just how good they were at making themselves scarce. Maybe it was because they knew at the moment this was one of the only places they could get anything like privacy. Leatherheads place was off limits and they weren't out at school.
"So everything okay," Leo asked?
Mikey sometimes forgot that Leatherhead was friends with his brothers. They cared about his well being as much as Mikey did. "He got into a fight with his mom but I think I found a way to straighten things out. I figure if I can get her to see just how much Leatherhead cares for me than she might try to be more accepting. If not well… we'll be fine with or without her approval."
Mikey didn't want to bring up the date. He knew his brothers would freak out, but Mikey knew that even if his mother tried to set Leatherhead up with another guy he would be polite as need be and nothing more.
Raph looked at the movie Mikey still had in his hand. "You watched it without me," Raph said sounding slightly insulted.
Mikey smiled. "Uhhh yeah did you not hear how loud we were laughing. This thing is the most cliché inaccurate thing I've ever watched."
Raph frowned. "Don't knock the classics Mikey."
Mikey snorted. "Oh yeah I'm sure this will forever be remembered as the greatest action movie ever. No one will ever forget this totally original not at all cliché masterpiece."
Raph growled. "Take that back," he said though Mikey knew the anger in his voice wasn't as real as he tried to make it sound.
"Mmmmm nope," Mikey said smiling. "In fact I think this would make a much nicer coaster than a DVD."
Raph growled louder, and he tackled Mikey onto the couch. Mikey was terrified since he knew exactly what Raph was going to do.
"Mikey I'm giving you one opportunity to take it back on your own free will. If you refuse I'll make you say it."
Mikey thought for a moment and decided what the hell. "Nope, still Cliché and inaccurate."
"Why you little," Raph snarled and began his attack on Mikey. Mikey immediately began to laugh as his older brother began to tickle him.
"No ahhh stop," Mikey said in between the giggles.
"Not until you take it back," Raph said an evil smile on his face.
"Leo, Donnie. Help," Mikey cried as he tried to curl up unsuccessfully.
"Sorry Mikey you got yourself into this mess," Leo started. "And you'll have to get yourself out," Donnie finished.
After a good minute of torture Mikey finally gasped. "Okay okay I take it back I take it back," he cried tears streaming down his ace from laughing so long and hard.
Raph stopped, but he didn't get off of Mikey. "Say it," Raph ordered his hands ready to resume their attack.
Mikey sighed. "Die Hard is the best action movie ever. It is perfect in every way and always will be."
Raph smiled in victory, and got off of Mikey helping him get up off the couch.
Mikey glared. "Are you happy now?"
Raph smirked. "Very," he said before going to the kitchen.
Mikey rolled his eyes but was smiling as he headed to his room. Today had been good. He'd done well in training, helped comforted Leatherhead, and had a good laugh with his brother. Monday it would be back to school, but Mikey was okay with that.
He told Leatherhead that Splinter was supplementing the little homework they had to do during break with extra training so they wouldn't be able to go on their normal weekend date.
Leatherhead said it was fine as long as he got to talk to Mikey at night. Mikey said that wouldn't be a problem though he wouldn't be talking for very long since he would most likely be really tired.
His sweet caring boyfriend had of course been fine with that. "I just want to hear your voice before I go to sleep," Leatherhead said.
It had been a little bit corny, but Mikey liked that about Leatherhead. It was one of the things Mikey didn't get about how people at school saw his boyfriend. He mostly kept to himself and was really friendly. He guessed that some rumors stuck even when they were mostly untrue. Mikey had seen Leatherhead have an episode once.
They'd been walking home when some punk called them freaks. Apparently while the word wasn't as bad as Kraang or Mutant they word was still a trigger and he'd seen Leatherhead go still and suddenly he turned around in a stance that clearly stated he was ready to find the kid and rip him a new one. Mikey managed to calm him down reminding him to breath and that he was okay. It didn't take long, but Leatherhead had been worried that Mikey was going to leave him. Mikey reassure Leatherhead that while it was kind of scary seeing his huge boyfriend so angry he wasn't about to run away.
It took some more reassuring and a detour to get ice cream before Leatherhead was ready to talk. Even then he didn't really talk about what happened to him and more about his triggers.
He had a fear of basements and anything that resembled a basement since that was where he was kept. The word freak was a trigger though it didn't give him flashbacks. He had a fear of government agents since that was how they guy approached him and government badges were another trigger, though it varied on how bad he reacted to them. Mikey had bemoaned the fact that Leatherhead would never know the joys of Supernatural or the X files and that made Leatherhead chuckle a little. He felt better after that and the rest of the date had gone fine.
On Monday everything was going fine right up until before third period. Mikey was getting books out of his locker when a guy he vaguely remembers from his history class leaned up on the locker next to him.
Mikey looked at the guy in confusion. "Can I help you," Mikey asked?
The guy smiled in a cocky way that made Mikey label the guy as a douchebag.
"I'm Tom, were in history together."
Mikey nodded. "Yeah I figured that out. Do you need my notes?"
Tom smiled bigger in a way that made Mikey wonder if he was going to have to fight him. "No just your phone number and a time when I can take you out."
It took Mikey a minute to process things. This guy was asking him out, and he seemed sure that he was going to get a date.
Mikey smiled sweetly. "Thanks, but no thanks," Mikey said.
The guy looked surprised for a minute. "So you're not gay," Tom asked?
Mikey thought about how to answer before saying: "No I'm gay, but I'm not interested."
Tom started smiling again probably thinking he could convince Mikey. Mikey checked the hall clock and realized that he was going to be late if he didn't shake this guy.
"Are you sure? I mean how can you know if you're really interested in me when we've barely had time to talk?"
Mikey frowned. "Because I don't like how you smile?"
Tom looked confused. "My smile," he asked?
"It's too cocky and makes you look like an ass."
An angry look came over Tom's features and he shoved Mikey against a locker. "You've got a smart mouth on you. I bet it could be put to better use."
Mikey was getting ready to defend himself when Tom was suddenly pulled away and slammed against the lockers.
"You touch him again, hell you even look at him, and I can promise you that you will be in the hospital," a deep voice growled.
Mikey watched in shock as Leatherhead his gentle sweet boyfriend looked as if he was going to kill the guy he was pinning to the lockers.
The guy didn't seem to want to give up though. "Who are you?"
Leatherhead growled, and looked like he was about to rip the guys head off. "His boyfriend," he said his voice taking on a tone that sounded murderous. "Now I'm going to let you go and I expect you to run away as fast as you can. If you ever brother Michelangelo again not only will you have to deal with me, but with his brothers as well."
This seemed to finally make it through Tom's thick head, and he nodded. Leatherhead released him and he ran like his pants were on fire.
Leatherhead hesitated before coming over to Mikey. "Are you okay," Leatherhead asked?
Mikey nodded slowly before hugging Leatherhead who returned the hug. "That was kind of shocking," Mikey said.
Leatherhead looked nervous. "I didn't scare you did I?"
Mikey hesitated. "I guess at first, but only cause I've never seen you look that way. Even when the kid called us….said we were… you know, you didn't look that mad."
Leatherhead stroked his cheek. "I will never be that way with you," Leatherhead said softly.
"I know and it was more shocking than scary." Mikey realized something. "You know everyone's going to know were a couple by lunch."
Leatherhead sighed and nodded. He took Mikey's hand and squeezed it. "I know and I'm ready for it. With you, your brothers, Casey and April helping to support us we'll be fine. In a while we'll be old new."
Mikey nodded. "Okay," Mikey felt nervous, but he knew Leatherhead was right.
Leatherhead sighed. "We better get to class. I was only headed this way because I forgot my textbook. I'm glad I did," Leatherhead got a look that made Mikey positive he'd heard the sexual comment Tom had made.
"Come on I'll walk you to class. Were both going to be late anyway might as well make sure you don't run into Tom."
Mikey nodded glad that he'd already had history today. Leatherhead walked him to his class than headed towards his own. Sure enough by lunch time the whole school knew and there were varying stories what had happened. Some claimed that Tom had simply asked for help in class and Leatherhead took it as him hitting on Mikey. Other stated that Mikey had been flirting with Tom, but lied about it when Leatherhead caught them. Leatherhead and Mikey told the real story to Mikey's brothers and friends.
Both had to reassure his brothers and Casey that for now the whole Tom thing was under control. Mikey knew it might not stop Raph and Casey from thinking he needed to be taught a lesson, but he wouldn't be held responsible for their actions.
The rest of the day Mikey mostly ignored the stares and whispers. No one seemed brave enough to approach him though some look like they wanted to. Mikey and Leatherhead met for tutoring and afterwards walked home. As they walked in a comfortable silence Mikey thought of how the whole school now knew that he and Leatherhead were together. He knew Leatherhead hadn't been out at he wondered if he was just as new to relationships as Mikey was.
"So have you ever dated anyone before me," Mikey asked?
Leatherhead had blushed at this and after a long pause sighed "I'm going to be honest with you. It wasn't so much dating as it was quick flings. One was a one night stand that despite being my first time wasn't really memorable and the second time…. it was more just us seeking physical release than a relationship."
Mikey was shocked by this, and suddenly felt unsure about himself. He was a virgin whose first kiss had been from the guy he been on his first date with. He never expected Leatherhead to be so experienced. He felt a hand gentle lifting his face up and he saw Leatherhead with a gentle look on his face.
"Michelangelo you don't have to worry about anything. I think I'd be more worried if you were experienced. I like you just as you are. It's too soon to be thinking about jumping into bed and if we do get to that point in our relationship than I'll be sure to make things perfect and we can take all the time in the world."
Mikey nodded though he was still worried. He'd never really taken the time to think about if his boyfriend had ever been in any kind of relationship.
"Please don't worry about things that are in the past. You are who I want to be with and I wouldn't have it any other way." He had kissed Mikey, and Mikey kissed back letting the fear he had drift away. Like Leatherhead said he was with Mikey, and he was happy with him. It didn't matter who he'd been with before.
By the end of the week the rumors surrounding Leatherhead and Mikey were still going strong. He didn't pay it much mind and from what he could tell neither did Leatherhead. Mikey had been preoccupied with training to spend too much effort on stupid rumors, but he found that he couldn't stop thinking about what Leatherhead had told him.
He believed everything Leatherhead had told him, but still worried. He had thought about talking to Donnie about it, but he knew Donnie wouldn't have any advice to give. Both April and Donnie had dated other people, but only two or three, and never went on a date with the same person more than twice. He knew neither Donnie nor April were the kind for casual hook ups either and while Mikey hated to admit it the fact that Leatherhead had slept with other people made him jealous and a little confused.
If Leatherhead wasn't a virgin why was he taking things so slow with Mikey? They had both agreed to go slow, but Leatherhead was always so sweet with his affection. Other than that passionate kiss after Thanksgiving, but Mikey chalked that up to need comfort more than anything else. Mikey was a little worried that Leatherhead saw him as something cute rather than sexy. Problem was he didn't know how to be sexy. He'd never had a need to, but he was wondering if that had to change.
It was Leo who seemed to take note of Mikey's feeling and on Sunday he came to talk.
"So what's going on," he asked taking a seat on Mikey's bed?
Mikey frowned. "What do you mean," he asked confused?
"You're thinking really hard about something and I want to know what it is."
Mikey thought about how he explained to Leo about what he was thinking about and blushed.
"So it's a sex thing," Leo said. Mikey tried to protest, but Leo wasn't having it.
"Is he pressuring you," Leo said his voice taking on a dark tone?
"No and that's the problem," Mikey blurted out.
Leo looked confused and Mikey sighed before explaining about Leatherhead's past and how Mikey worried the older teen didn't find him sexy.
Leo sighed the way he did when he had to repeat something because Mikey wasn't paying attention.
Mikey frowned. "What," Mikey asked annoyed?
"You're an idiot," Leo said. "Seriously you've never noticed the way he looks at you?" Mikey looked even more confused.
"Remember those times he's watched you practice," Leo asked?
Mikey nodded though he didn't know where this was going. Leo didn't look pleased with Mikey's lack of observation.
"He looks at you like he wants to eat you alive. I swear that time you came out of the showers still wet I was sure he was going to throw you over his shoulder and take you back to some secret cave. The guy wants you, but he doesn't just want your body which is the reason we've let him get away with the looks."Leo sighed. "Look I know in the past Raph has given you shit for being a virgin, but it's really nothing to be ashamed of. The fact that Leatherhead is taking things so slow should be more special. He wants to do right by you Mikey. He wants to make sure that you're ready. It's clear that he knows how to find a quick hook up if he wanted to, but you mean more than that. Sex is fun yeah and it feels really good, but I still think that it's better when you're with someone you really care about. I don't know from experience, but I'm sure Don can back me up," Leo explained. "Look Mikey you and Leatherhead have something special. I know you guys took a while to become get together, but we all knew from day one you would. You and Leatherhead look at each other the same way Donnie and April do."
Leo frowned. "I know I'm not the one you normally go to when you need advice, but when you are ready just let Leatherhead know. Plus maybe you should tell him how you're feeling anyway. Maybe he's afraid to be too aggressive and is worried he'll scare you off."
Mikey thought about what Leo had said and nodded. "Thanks Leo."
Leo smiled and gave Mikey a small hug. "Glad I could help. Never forget that I'm here for you too Mikey," He said before leaving. Mikey nodded and had a much better feeling about things.