Ch 9
"So Leo," Grayson and Leo sat on a bench in Central park enjoying the warmth of the summer sun. Leo smiled as he watched Grayson looking at him with excitement sparkling in his eyes as he held up a long manilla envelope, "Can you guess what I have here?"
"Let's see," Leo stared intently at the envelope, "It has the name of a gym on it," His smile widened as he looked at Grayson excitedly, "Did your dad find a gym for you and your brother to start wrestling at?"
"He sure did," Grayson told him proudly as he quickly opened the envelope, "This is a contract with the 'Super Mutant Wrestling Gym' of New York City owned and operated by a guy named Darius Dunn." He held the contract out for Leo to read, "I'm going to start working out and getting myself in shape and after Shellectro is done with school, he'll join me and hopefully we'll be able to get a wrestling gig within a month afterwards."
"That is so awesome Grayson," Leo complimented. He handed back the contract and they began walking through Central Park, "This calls for a celebration, how bout we go to our favorite Italian place."
"Sounds great," Grayson stated, "And how bout you start calling me Graviturtle!" Grayson laughed, "I have to start getting used to my new stage name."
Leo bowed as he opened the door to the restaurant, "Then after you my dear Graviturtle."
Graviturtle nodded to him as he walked through the door. For the next hour the two turtles toasted to Graviturtle's new career while enjoying a decadent dessert of chocolate cake and ice cream.
"This is the best," Graviturtle told Leo as he took a forkful of cake, "I can't think of a better way to celebrate."
"Nor can I," Leo smiled at him, "In fact," Leo looked down at his plate in contemplation, "You know my brother Mikey is getting married, right?"
Graviturtle nodded as he continued to enjoy his dessert.
"Well, I was wondering if you would like to be my plus one?"
"Sure Leo," Graviturtle smiled at him, "I would love to go to your brother's wedding, what time and where?"
"They're getting married in two weeks, on the last Saturday of July," Leo told him, "At eleven in the morning down by the Harbor Gazebo."
"Sounds great," Graviturtle tells him, "Shall I meet you there or would you like me to pick you up?"
"Master Splinter and I will be going there in the family SUV, so how but you come to my place and we all drive there together."
With a nod, Graviturtle smiled and the turtles clinked forks in celebration of the upcoming festivities. But as they continued to celebrate Leo still couldn't help but feel a strange uneasiness deep in the back of his mind.
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On the last Saturday of the month of July, Leo stood inside the gazebo by the harbor and watched proudly as a Justice of the Peace pronounced Michelangelo Hamato and Donatello Genio married. As the sound of a bell rang out somewhere on the ocean, Leo couldn't help but feel a slight sadness come over him.
He looked over the crowd of guests and smiled at Graviturtle who, along with the rest of the witnesses, clapped happily for the newlyweds. He joined in congratulating them and watched, alongside Master Splinter and the large mutant gator, Leatherhead, as the two happy turtles hooked arms and paraded themselves back down the aisle, waving happily.
"It's clear your brother and his new husband are very happy," Graviturtle commented as he and Leo slowly danced on the grass by the harbor.
The two looked over to where the other turtles were. Mikey leaned his head on Donnie's shoulder, their arms wrapped tightly around each other as they swayed back and forth to the song. Leo smiled slightly as he watched the two turtles kiss tenderly as the song slowly faded away.
"Yes they are very happy," Leo responded as he and Graviturtle pulled apart. They slowly made their way back to their table and sat down to enjoy their meal.
"How about you Leo?" Graviturtle asked as he began to eat, "Are you happy?"
Leo looked at him curiously, "Sure I'm happy," He responded, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Graviturtle looked away from him and stared down at his food thoughtfully, "Ever since we began going out," He began, "I've noticed you been rather uncomfortable around me," He looked at Leo expectantly, "I know you said you recently broke up with someone and you didn't want to rush into anything, but I can't help but feel there's something more your not telling me."
Leo sighed and looked down at his food. After a few seconds, he finally nodded. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you Graviturtle," He started, "It's just I'm not sure I'm actually gay."
Grayson looked at him confused, "If you don't think you're gay then why did you agree to go out with me?"
Leo shook his head, "When I signed up with the Mutant's R Us dating service, Professor Honeycut insisted that my profile showed that I was. And both Mikey and Donnie told me to just give it a try and see where it goes so I thought maybe," Leo gave Graviturtle an apologetic look, "Maybe I might be. So I thought I would give it a chance but so far," Leo again looked away from Graviturtle and stared at his food, "I'm just not feeling it."
Graviturtle placed his hand on Leo's, "Maybe you just really haven't given it a chance the way you should," He told him as he started to bring himself closer to Leo.
Leo looked at him intently as Graviturtle slowly leaned his face closer to his. He closed his eyes and leaned his head forward. He felt Graviturtle gently place his lips against his and the two shared a deep passionate kiss. They slowly parted and Graviturtle looked at Leo with a sad expression.
"Nothing huh?" He asked as he slowly moved himself slightly away.
"I'm sorry Graviturtle," Leo responded. He sighed heavily and attempted to finish his meal. After several minutes of awkwardly eating in silence, Leo cleared his throat and looked back over at him, "I really do like you Graviturtle," He told him, "And I really do want to be friends," He gently placed his hand on Graviturtle's, "I just don't believe the Professor or my brother and his now husband was right about me."
Graviturtle shook his head and gave Leo's hand a gentle squeeze, "No," He responded with a slight chuckle, "They are right about you," Leo looked at him in surprise, "It's just I'm not what you need and you are not what I need." He smiled at Leo and stood up, nodding his head toward Mikey and Donnie, "They're getting ready to cut the cake," He told him, "Maybe we should go watch."
Leo smiled and followed the other turtle to where the guest had gathered to watch the two happy turtles cut a large white wedding cake and share the first bite. As everyone toasted the happy couple, Graviturtle smiled at Leo, "Yes Leo," He whispered, "I would love to continue to be your friend." Leo smiled and the two continued to enjoy themselves.
After saying goodbye to the guests and giving Splinter and Leo hugs goodbye, Donnie and Mikey, who were now changed into their travel clothes, climbed into a limousine and waved happily as the driver sped them off to the airport. After the car had vanished from sight, Leo and Graviturtle assisted Master Splinter in packing the family SUV with the wedding presents. They watched as the last of the guests took off then headed toward home.
"I do hope you enjoyed yourself, Graviturtle-son," Master Splinter said as Leo drove them home.
"It was a wonderful wedding," Graviturtle responded, "Thank you again for inviting me Leo."
"Thank you for accompanying me," Leo said with a slightly shaky voice.
Splinter looked between the two turtles curiously but said nothing. A few minutes later, Leo parked the car and after all the presents were placed in Mikey's room, Splinter watched as Leo escorted Graviturtle to his car. Something in the way Leo looked at Graviturtle told the wise rat they were saying goodbye for good.
"I really did have a nice time Leo," Graviturtle told him.
Leo swallowed hard and nodded, "I"m glad," He said, his eyes looking down at the ground sadly, "I'm also sorry," He told him.
"Don't be," Graviturtle placed a finger under Leo's chin and gently forced his head up, "I'm glad we got to meet and that we're still going to be friends."
Leo smiled and nodded, "So am I," He told him then looked away shyly, "So are you still going to send me tickets to your first meet?" He asked.
"As long as you promise to send me tickets to your next competition." Graviturtle responded. He walked over to where his blue corvette was parked and, with a final wave at Leo, climbed inside.
Leo stood and watched as the car drove down the road and out of sight. After a few moments, he slowly made his way back inside his apartment.
"I take it you and Graviturtle are no longer together?" Splinter asked as Leo made his way to the couch.
Leo sat down with a heavy sigh and nodded sadly. "You are correct Master Splinter," He told him, "We talked about it at the wedding and I was certain he would agree that I was not like him or Donnie and Mikey," Leo looked at Splinter in disbelief, "But even he said I was definitely…." Leo swallowed hard and shook his, "Like they are."
"You mean gay," Splinter told him sharply.
Leo looked at him in shock, "Sensei, I….."
"Leonardo," Splinter walked over to him and placed a paw on his shoulder, "I understand you are confused," Leo looked up at him with mournful eyes, "And you believe meditation is not what you need right now," Splinter pointed toward the door, "But perhaps a walk, or a drive, may help to clear your mind and figure out what it is you do truly need."
Leo stood and bowed respectfully to his father, "Thank you Sensei," He smiled and made his way toward the door. He looked back at Splinter, who nodded encouragingly to him, then walked out and toward the family SUV.
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Hi Hi243, thank you for the review and comment. Leo will be seeing Raph very soon, I promise. Please continue to review and let me know if you have any questions about the story. Take care and Peace :)
