Chapter two:
"Hide." Leo warns Raph who moves to be crouching behind a bush. He turns to the movement and crosses back into his home territory.
A crocodile mutant steps out. He turns as Leo walks kind of towards him. "What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Leo slows to a stop by this crocodile who walks on two feet.
"I was just enjoying the night. Now tell me what you are doing out here! I thought I heard another voice." The crocodile glances around to try to find the source. "Who were you talking to?"
"No one. You're imagining things. I was talking to myself. You probably just misheard my voice as another's." Leo covers it up well enough that Raphs happy. He's definitely a keeper.
"Yeah sure." The crocodile mutant keeps alert for anything. He doesn't seem to trust or like Leo. He explores it staying in the borders. He does look as closely as he can from inside the borders at areas outside. He finds nothing as expected. He hisses in slight frustration. "God damn it. Whatever. I investigated and I figured out whether or not you're betraying you're own group. Which to my disappointment you're not."
"You're delusional Eric." Leo starts to walk past the other to head to home to rest.
Eric hisses with a final look around then follows after Leo.
Raph waits a few minutes to make sure they're gone. He comes out of his hiding place and goes home. He finds still no one's awake. He flops down on his bed looking to the ceiling. He can't stop thinking about Leo. He finds himself smiling at the thought of meeting up again. He closes his eyes waiting for dreamland to take him. He wonders if he'll see the other in his dreams. His mind is so focused on Leo so it'd make sense. He wonders if Leo can't stop thinking about Raph himself. He does admit that Leo is pretty awesome. He actually wishes he was still there with the other right now. He can't believe he's actually interested in Leo. He never really believed in love at first sight... However it seems to be how his life has progressed. He hopes that Leo feels the same way and wants to not just be friends. He will wait until it feels right. He also wants to get to know Leo even more. He does his best to push thoughts away so he can sleep. His eyes closing to try to focus on sleep.
Leo isn't going to run away. He'll be there tomorrow night.
Raph finds it takes awhile before he's finally able to drift off into sleep.
The next day...
Raph chases a rabbit then leaps using his sais, his chosen weapon, to quickly end the small animals life. "You'll be some nice cooked meat." He tells the small dead animal. He looks to the border he had been trying not to cross. He spots Leo with two katanas on his back.
Leo appears to be in a patrol with some others. He turns as if picking up on Raphs gaze. He smiles warmly to Raph who smiles back.
The two turn away before they're caught.
Raph wishes he was allowed to playfully tease Leo further. He lets it go since he would in no way ever make it okay for him to do so.
Especially on opposite sides of the border.
Raph picks up his kill and starts to head back. He'll take out another one if he finds it. He spots a small group going as a patrol for the border. He hopes that there won't be any conflicts out there. He returns handing the meat to a bearded dragon female.
Cathy, the bearded dragon with hints of orange, helps prepare any food that is collected. She does have help to make sure that there's enough to go around quickly
Raph knows plenty of men want Cathy as they say her orange is gorgeous. He isn't interested though and neither are his brothers.
Cathy's really sweet and friendly. She's just not the type that the brother trio like. She turns as Raph enters after making it back. "Oh. Thank you Raph." She gently takes the kill that the other hands to her.
"Yeah." Raph nods softly and starts to go to leave.
"Oh. And Raph?" Cathy speaks up to which Raph stops and looks over his shoulder. "You look happier than before. Nice to see it. Did you find someone or something?"
Raph blinks at hearing this. "Just found some enjoyment in my life. Feeling pretty happy these days. Nothing really special." He tries to shrug it off to which Cathy drops it.
"Alright. I kind of wish you had found someone. I was hoping you'd find happiness with someone. I want to know what kind of mutant could end up landing one like you. You haven't shown interest in anyone after all. Leaving it a big mystery."
"Then you'll just have to keep waiting for that day where I like someone like that to come." With that Raph leaves with that really hoping she didn't pick up his lies. He tries to not think of Leo as he moves away heading to his home for now. He doesn't want to be seen fawning over someone, which he now worries will attract a lot of attention. He still has no thoughts to even stop meeting with Leo. He won't let any suspicion that he's in love stop him from being with the one that makes his heart flutter. He makes it home and he heads to the training room to get some training in. He might as well since it'll pass the time for a good amount of time. He pauses as a knock comes to his door. He puts his weights down and sits up. "Who is it?" He questions.
"Hey. Splinter wants us to go on a patrol before the sun finishes setting." Donnies voice comes from the other side of the door. "It'll just be to check on the border we don't share with anyone. Apparently another patrol reported some travellers heading away from the area. We just gotta make sure they didn't come back. At least in our land." He explains to which Raph gets to his feet.
"Yeah okay. I'll have a quick rinse down in the shower then we'll go. I was working out a bit."
"Okay. Mikey's joining us too. We'll wait for you in the living room." Donnie responds before being heard heading away.
Raph does as he said he would then joins his two brothers in the living room.
The three set off to get to the border.
Raph hears Mikey and Donnie talking, though he just lets himself enjoy that the area around them is otherwise quiet. His thoughts drifting to Leo and he looks to the sun that is working on setting. He wishes he could speed up time so it'd be time for him to see Leo already. He feels a hand tap his shoulder after a little walking as they get close to the border. He turns to find Donnie looking at him. "What is it?" he inquires not alarmed as the other looks pretty calm.
"You seem a little distant." Donnie points out. "You're practically running ahead of us and not even answering us."
"Sorry. Just was focusing on the quietness of the area around us." Raph tries to shrug it off since it was true that he was focusing on that. "Just figured you two were enjoying your little conversation."
Donnie stares at him for a little longer before shrugging slightly. "Yeah." He turns as the three of them arrive to the border.
They fall silent as they look around for any signs of someone coming onto their land.
Raph looks out across the border to the unclaimed land beyond. He doesn't see anyone nor any movements of any kind.
There isn't any wind so nothing no leaves or grass are even twitching. It'd be easy to tell if something was moving out there because of it.
Raph turns away to check on how his brothers are doing.
They seem to have not found anything and turn to see if he had seen anything. They quickly pick up that he hadn't.
"Well it looks clear. Let's head back and tell Splinter." Raph tells them to which they nod in agreement.
The other two turn and start to make their way back.
Raph glances back and notices he can kind of see the place he and Leo plan to meet. He can't get a clear look at it from here. He notices a little movement which concerns him as he saw what looks like ears. He knows that it's not Leo who doesn't have those cat like ears. He glances to his brothers and decides he'll go early to check it out. He can't just go out there now since he'd have to explain to his brothers. He just wants to get there before Leo to make sure that area is indeed safe. He catches up with his brothers and walks with them. He pushes the thoughts out of his mind for now to appear as just being calm. He doesn't want to concern his brothers about it.
Suddenly the two stop making Raph stop too.
Raph looks to them confused as they look worried and serious. "What? Did you hear something?" He glances around trying to see if he can locate a possible threat.
"No. We need to talk to you about something." Donnie admits causing Raph to turn back to him confused.
"About what?" Raph questions not really sure what could they could want to say.
They're away from where anyone else should be right now.
So Raph of course finds it weird.
"Raph. You gotta keep it a secret for now." Donnie tells him as the three brothers look at each other. "We just wanted to talk to you before we said anything to anyone else." He pauses briefly as Mikey presses close to him. "Me and Mikey decided to try a secret relationship for awhile. We wanted to make sure it'd work and it's gone great. We were thinking about starting to come out with it. But we wanted to talk to you first to see what true reactions might be." He shifts his hands a little nervous about what Raph might think.
Raph is a little surprised though honestly he had always suspected this would happen. He had seen the way the two looked at each other when they thought the other couldn't see. He gives them a smile. "So you two finally decided to say something." His response does surprise the two. "Come on. I know you two really well. I could see the way you two felt. I say that you don't care what anyone says. As long as you're happy and we all know you two will treat each other right." He is suddenly hugged by mainly Mikey though Donnie is quick to join.
"Thanks bro!" Mikey chirps happily to which Raph hugs them back.
"Yeah yeah. Don't worry about it." Raph tells them.
They stay like that for a little longer then pull apart.
"We should tell Splinter when we get back." Mikey happily suggests to which Donnie nods in agreement looking relaxed.
"Sounds good to me. I bet he'll be happy for you two." Raph also agrees so they continue on their way to back home.
"You thinking of finding anyone?" Donnie inquires looking to Raph as Mikey clings to his mates arm.
"Eh. If I find anyone interesting maybe. But so far I haven't really seen anyone that caught my eye." Raph shrugs to which he feels Donnie elbow him gently.
"It's great. I'm sure you'll find someone. You're just a bit picky." Donnie points out with a smile to which Raph just shrugs.
The three enter their home and approach Splinter who comes from the kitchen.
"There was no signs of anyone out there. It doesn't look like anyone came into our territory. I also saw no one outside our border. We should be good." Raph reports then moves a step away to let Donnie and Mikey speak.
"Dad." Mikey tries to seem as confident as he can. "Me and Donnie also wanted to tell you something." He stays close to his mate wanting the comfort of the other being there.
Raph stays to be ready to show his support of them being together. He highly doubts Splinter will have any issue with it. He just wants to be here just in case.
"Me and Donnie have decided to be together. We tried it out for a bit in secret to make sure it was what we wanted." Mikey tells Splinter and the two await for his response.
Splinter smiles at this. "That is fine my sons." He assures them to which they look relieved. "I know you two will make a wonderful couple."
"Thanks dad!" Mikey goes over hugging Splinter who happily hugs back.
Raph heads to the kitchen to get some water. He then heads back after drinking some water to watch some TV. He spots Mikey and Donnie head to Donnies room together while Splinter heads to his room. His mind brings up what he had seen where he'll be meeting Leo. He glances out the window seeing it has grown dark. He turns off the tv getting up. He sneaks out of the home and casually walks to the meeting spot. He glances back to make sure he wasn't followed. He sees no sign of anyone in the darkness. He turns away and walks around the area. He finds paw prints that look to be from a mutant. He follows them to which they go inside of the building. He pokes his head in honestly not scared. He just wants it to be safe for Leo to come here.
Inside there doesn't seem to be any sign of whoever the paw prints belong to.
Ralph enters and explores the inside of the place a little more. He wants to be sure. He pauses when through a crack he can see someone on the floor. He enters that room quietly to find a large cat mutant passed out on the floor.
The cat mutant has a travel bag tucked under his head, jeans, dark brown cowboy boots, a jean jacket covering his shirt, and a dark brown cowboy hat tucked over his face. He is a cream coloured cat with brown tabby stripes, plus brown almost fox looking ears.
Ralph considers waking the other up before deciding to leave. He can tell that the other only picked here for a rest as a traveller. He pauses by the entrance to the room.
"Whattya want?" A sleepy deep voice grumbles.
Raph glances over his shoulder to see that the cat mutant has barely shifted. "Just wanted to make sure you weren't a threat. Just stay away from the territories."
"Don't worry. Just passin through. I'll be gone by mornin. Don't like going into those territories anyways." The cat mutant, who seems to have a slightly funny way of talking, waves Raph off before settling back down to sleep again.
Ralph figured that's good enough and heads out of the building. He keeps an eye out for Leo so they can move to another location. He finds Leo come up a little early. He approaches to which the other meets him halfway. "A traveller is using the house for a temporary rest place. Lets find somewhere else for tonight." He suggests to which Leo nods his head. He actually has an idea in mind. "This way." He gently takes Leo's hand leading the way. He can't help a soft blush appear on his face. He's holding Leo's hand with the other holding his hand back. He almost can't believe it. He slightly glances to Leo to see him blushing a little too. His heart skips a beat at seeing this as he thinks the other is so beautiful. He turns back to where he is going with that look on the other staying in his mind.
The two arrive to a space just inside of an area with a few trees past a small field.
The area is covered with various flowers making it a rather colourful place. It is lit by the moonlight that shines down enough to give at least enough visibility. It still holds beauty even in the shine of the moonlight.
"Wow. This place looks so beautiful." Leo mentions glancing around. He doesn't move forward or let go of Raph's hand. He actually ensures his hold on Raphs hand won't slip, as if never wanting to let go.
"Yeah." Raph also keeps their hands linked together staying close to Leo. "Plus it's a little more private." He adds as the thought occurs to him. His eyes on Leo admiring him as the other admired the area.
"How did you find this place?" Leo questions turning to look to Raph meeting his eyes.
"Chasing an intruder who hurt my brother out of our territory." Raph admits since he had flown into a violent anger. He hadn't paid attention as he chased the intruder after attacking said enemy. He wanted to make this intruder regret ever making Mikey bleed. He was only stopped when another group member managed to grab him. He was so angry in that moment. His attention drifts away from that to focus on Leo once more.
Leo got his attention by pressing close and laying his head on his shoulder. "Well even with how it was found it's still pretty amazing." He mentions to which Raph had to be honest nodding his head.
"It really is." Raph moves slow to keep Leo close to him. He heads forward sitting them down in about the middle area of flowers.
Their legs are covered by flowers as they sit there cuddling against each other. They close their eyes as the nuzzle their heads against each other. They may not have known each other for very long yet they don't want to stop.
Who cares if to the worlds standards they're going fast.
They can do what they want. This is their time together. They look to each other with half open eyes and smile. They lean closer letting their eyes slip closed as they seal their lips in a kiss. They lovingly move their lips together enjoying one another, as well as the small action of affection. They continue it for a bit then pull apart. They look at each other with half open eyes again and loving smiles. They lay back in the flowers on their backs still close together. One hand for each of them are linked with their fingers intertwined.
"I love you." Leo speaks up causing Raph to glance to him. He turns to look back at the other looking like he is truly happy here with him.
Raph is truly happy here with Leo as well. "I love you too." He agrees and the two grin at each other. He moves his hand that isn't linked with Leo's and gently touches the others cheek. "You're so beautiful and amazing. You make me so happy Leo."
"You're really handsome." Leo responds slightly nuzzling into Raphs hand on his cheek. "You're the best being I'll ever find in my life. I'm just so happy with you. A lot happier than I've ever been before."
"I'm glad to hear it." Raph leans in stealing another kiss from his beloved. He stays with Leo for a good while not wanting to leave his side.
They look to the stars to which Leo points to one spot. "Hey! Look! Those stars look like they're making the shape of a heart."
"What? No way!" Raph snorts staring in the direction Leo pointed. "It looks like a flame to me."
Leo nudges Raph lightly making him chuckle. "No it is not! It is a heart. Look closer."
"Nope." Raph smirks a little at Leo who is smiling. "Still see a flame there."
Leo lightly rolls his eyes though his smile remains.
Raph makes it back humming happily from his visit with Leo. He settles himself down to be calm and not hum. He starts to head to his room only to pause realizing someone else is up.
Donnie turns from having getting a glass of water in the night. "Raph? Why are you up so late?"
"Couldn't sleep. I was feeling a little restless. I went for a walk. Gonna try again. I don't feel as restless anymore." Raph quickly lies as he knows that he can't admit the truth.
"Hm." Donnie makes a slightly thoughtful noise. "Well I guess you do look happier."
"Do I really?" Raph is suddenly doubting his skills at hiding how he's actually feeling.
"Yeah. But it's nice to see. You seem to have this just happy glow about you." Donnie points out then smirks a little. "Something you're not telling us there Raph?" He teases lightly to which Raph rolls his eyes at his brother.
Raph knows he has to respond just right or else Donnie will get suspicious. He can't have the other following him. "Right. Just because I'm happy I'm suddenly hiding something. Look, I've just been feeling happier lately okay? I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
"Well alright Raph. It's just good to see."
Donnie shrugs it off then heads off to his room. "I should probably head back to bed. Don't want Mikey to wake up and worry where I've gone. Night." He mentions as he leaves.
"Night." Raph responds watching Donnie leave. He then heads to his own room. He is glad that he's gotten Donnie off of his back. He really was worried the other might try to follow him. He lays back and his mind goes from Donnie to thinking about Leo. He smiles to himself. "Have a good rest tonight Leo." He whispers under his breath before closing his eyes to go to sleep. He can't wait for the next night to come. He wants to Leo all the time even though that's not possible.