Chapter eleven:

Casey looks for Donnie in the lab after they had gotten back. He finally finds the other sitting at his desk. He lets out a breath and smoothes his hair a little with one of his hands. He whispers to himself that he can do this. He stands there for a few moments as he finds it hard for his legs to get moving. He finally thinks he has worked up the courage to do this. His body finally moving from just standing there. He approaches and Donnie looks up from his notebook. "Hey."

"Hello Casey." Donnie greets back with a nod. "Is there something that you need?"

"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay?" Donnie puts his notebook down looking curious at the human. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Well there is something I wanted to admit. Something I've been holding back for a long while." Casey takes a deep breath trying to calm his nervously racing heart. "Donnie. The truth is I actually like you. As more than a friend and I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go on a date with me?" He talks a little fast though he thinks that Donnie did understand what he had said. He kind of curses his nerves for going so fast, almost to the point of rambling about his feelings. He waits nervously for Donnies response to his confession hoping that it'll be a good one. He has been even planning where he'd take Donnie on a first date for a good long while.

Donnie stares in surprise for a long moment at Casey.

Casey shifts under his gaze as he waits for a response. He is starting to get nervous as he isn't sure if this silence is good or bad. He is finding the silence is starting to feel like a bit much. He wants to tell Donnie to hurry up. But holds back wanting all of this to go well.

What if Donnie is still on the fence is he likes Casey back? Or maybe if he's thought about it too but if Casey tries to demand an answer then he'll decide against it?

Casey can't take that chance, not after he's finally worked up the courage to admit his feelings in the first place.

Donnie swallows a little harshly before he finally speaks his response to Casey. "I'm sorry Casey." His first three words make Caseys heart start to feel like it's being torn in two. "I just don't feel the same way. You're a great friend however I only see you as a honorary brother. I hope that this won't make things awkward between us. I actually like Mikey. So sorry my heart is already taken."

"Oh. It's okay. I understand. Just thought it was worth a shot." Casey nods his head trying to hide his hurt. He doesn't want Donnie worrying about hurting him seeing him so hurt. "Thanks for listening. I won't let this affect our relationship. See you around. I'll be letting you get back to work." He heads out of the lab and runs straight home glad that no one sees him run off. He collapses onto his messy bed finally letting himself break down into sobs. He cries until he has no tears left in him. He lays there for a bit face in his pillow, only shifted to be able to let him breathe. He doesn't get up for a good bit. He can't believe that he was actually rejected. He had done so much to convince himself that it would all go well. He remembers Raph support in his pursuit... He isn't even sure how he would even start to explain what happened. Sure he won't their little competition for who would confess first, however not even that brings him joy. He decides to try to nurse his broken heart first, before even thinking of talking to Raph about what had just happened.

A ding sounds in the room.

Casey sits up and checks his phone. He notices that it is a message from Donnie. He almost doesn't open it at first before deciding that he has to respond. He finally opens it reading it.

Hey. I'm really sorry about not sharing your feelings. I'd understand if you'd want some time away from me for a bit. Just want you to know that I am still here for you if you need.

Casey can't help the smallest of smiles.

Even after rejecting someone Donnie is still so sweet and caring.

Casey sniffles and wipes his eyes before responding.

Thanks. I'll be okay at some point. I don't want you thinking I don't want you around just because you rejected me. I do want you around still.

Donnie responds pretty quickly.

Okay. If you're sure. I just wanted to let you know that there'd be no judgment from me, if that's what you needed.

Casey responds again after a brief moment.

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

Casey puts his phone to the side knowing that there isn't really much of a response to that. He closes his eyes taking a deep breath. He may need some time to heal, however he's sure that eventually he'll be okay. He just kind of wishes there was a way to heal right away. He shakes his head and gets up going to see what he has for drinks in the fridge. He isn't sure what kind of drink he'll want though maybe some pop with lots of sugar? He ends up pulling out a Coca-Cola which he practically chugs. He swears the popping of the fizzy drink feels good against his tongue. He finishes with a refreshed 'Ah!' then wipes his mouth after lowering his head. He tosses the cab into his bottle depot bin. He heads to the living room deciding to waste some time with some video games. He feels like it'll be a good distraction for him right in this moment.

...

Leo awakens raising his head. He can feel the good of his hoodie slightly shift over his eyes.

"Good afternoon sleeping beauty." Raphs teasing voice greets gaining Leo's attention towards his voice. He chuckles at how Leo can only imagine how he looks to the other. "Seems you slept well."

Leo sits up fully and shifts the hood off of his head fully. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours." Raphs tone suggests that he's shrugging it off. "Gotta admit though you were looking way too cute there to awaken. Maybe I should start just calling you cute instead of fearless."

"Im not cute." Leo protests though he does actually like hearing that come from Raph. "I can prove it to you." He challenges as Raph chuckles.

Raph stops his chuckle and growls more in a playful manner. "Oh you can try."

Leo turns his body and leaps at Raphs direction. He tries to use his arms to brace himself in case he misses. He hears Raph jump away so he knows he's going to land on the floor. He still manages to roll into a good landing quickly springing back to his feet. He listens closely as he doesn't hear Raph right away. He bets that the other is being quiet to try to throw him off, then the hot head will try to pin him. He catches the sound of a small sound that Raph makes as if thinking he has Leo in a losing spot. He swiftly leaps in that direction and slams into Raphs body.

The two of them tumble a little on the floor as they roll a little. They then try to push to pin each other down to be seen as the winner in this play fight. Their limbs are almost everywhere as they try to gain any kind of upper hand.

Leo misses where he thought Raphs arm was. He is then grabbed and slammed to the floor where Raph chuckles above him.

"Not bad. But I still beat you." Raph actually sounds a little proud of himself over this.

"Sure. Be proud that you won against a disabled turtle." Leo teases and gets a gentle bat on his head by Raph.

"Oh shut up." Raph tells him then gets off of him allowing him to get up.

The two burst out into chuckles just after Leo sits up. They let it happen and calm down after a moment.

Leo lets out a breath while smiling. Hes glad that he's still got some fighting skills left in him. He may not be as good as he once was but maybe he can improve a little in time... If he wants since there's not much use for it out here. He decides that maybe he will work on it if it helps to pass the time.

"Hey? Leo?" Raphael inquires and he shuffles closer to Leo.

Leo turns to the direction of Ralph's voice. Only for this to cause Raphs lips to touch his cheek by the corner of his mouth. He swears that it's just because Raph was about to say something only for this to happen. He tells himself it's not a kiss. Despite this his face warms in quite the blush from the accidental motion.

Raph pulls away and for a brief moment there's silence. "I uh..." He is the one to break the silence sounding flustered, or at least embarrassed. "I need to go." He dashes off while Leo stays sitting there feeling his chest hurt.

Leo listens to Raph run off wondering what he had done wrong. He wonders if Ralph doesn't actually want to be more than brothers with him. He finds it hurts to think Raph is uncomfortable with that accidental kiss motion. He clenches his teeth then gets up trying to run away. He trips over something falling to the ground. He doesn't have Donnies tech so he knows it won't go off or anything. He shifts to get up and goes a little slower to feel his way to outside. He does make sure to grab the lanyard, he feels around for it by the door on a hook, so he has an emergency button if needed. He leaves just wandering off in a random direction. He doubts that Raph wants to be around him right now... He lets out a sob as he continues further away.

...

Raph skids to a stop then paces in his room being eyed by Spike. His cheeks hot with his mind all flustered. "Oh my god! I kissed Leo's cheek! It wasn't a proper one but I still did it!" He brings his hands to his cheeks as if trying to hide his blush. "What am I supposed to do? That's not how I wanted it to go. Oh no. What if Leo thinks I'm going too fast? No. He's gotta know it wasn't intentional surely."

Spike just watches it all happen with a slightly disappointed stare.

Raph paces a few moments longer before slowing down to a stop. His eyes widening even further that the flustered surprise he is in. His hands dropping to his sides. His heart falling to his stomach as he comes to a realization. "Wait! Why the fuck did I run?! Shit! I gotta get back to Leo! What must he be thinking about my reaction!? What if he thinks I hate him now!? Oh man why did I have to run off?! That might have given him the wrong impression! I need to get back there and confess! I can't lose him! Not when I've spent so long wanting him, waiting to see if maybe he liked me too! Oh god please let him still be there." He turns to the doorway racing back out to go back to Leo. He pauses as Leo isn't where he left the other. "Leo?" He calls out hoping for a response. He gets none so he checks all over the farmhouse. He pauses when he notices Leo's lanyard is missing from by the back door. He heads out knowing that it surely means Leo went for a walk. He glances around getting no sign of Leo. "Leo!" He calls however is once again having no answer. So he turns his attention to something that will surely get his attention.

The wind chimes.

Raph activates it like Donnie showed him. He turns to look around for any sign of Leo. He really hopes that everything with be okay. His thoughts about fixing his reaction is pushed back. His main concern is to now find where Leo has gone off too. He wishes that Donnie let him see Leos location at any time... However he may just take what he can without a price. He steps away from the house and onto the grass. He keeps looking around hoping that Leo will come out. He sounds the wind chimes again. "Leo! I'm not mad at you! Just please come back and we can talk about this! I know I screwed up! Let me make it up to you?" He tries his best despite his limitations right now. He is starting to wonder if Leo doesn't want to be close to him. He would send a text... If only Leo could see...

So now what is he supposed to do?