Chapter one:
Leo still can't believe he agreed to this. He stands by Donnie and April who are discussing their anniversary tomorrow.
Tomorrow the two will have been together for a year.
As if perfect timing Raph comes into the kitchen pausing kind of by Leo. He looks to Donnie and April. "Wait. How long was it again that you two have been together?" He questions and Leo waits knowing his time to act will be soon. He somehow managed to talk Leo into all of this, Leo isn't fully sure how.
"A year tomorrow." April tells Raph as the two turn to Raph.
Raph snorts and puts an arm around Leo pulling him close. "That's nothing compared to us! A year and six months! It only gets better after the first year!" He boasts and Leo turns to him.
"Raph! We haven't said anything yet." Leo reminds him as if they've been in a secret relationship. He is only doing this to help Raph try to make Donnie jealous so Donnie will want Raph instead. He is still questioning how he was talked into doing this.
Raph turns to Leo and blinks then pretends to realize this. He turns away as April squeals happily at this.
"Why didn't you guys say anything?" Donnie inquires looking at the two as he looks happy for them.
Leo and Raphs gazes are on April and Donnie by this point.
"Fearless kept overthinking and worrying about the reaction." Raph lies and Leo just goes with it. "Considering how the humans would view it. So I just waited until he was ready... Or tried to I guess."
"Our lives are quite different to humans. Our options are limited." Donnie points and pats the two on a shoulder each. "It's fine in our books. You could have told us and we would have supported you two. It's great to hear you two are together!"
"This is the best surprise ever!" April adds all giddy with happiness.
"Okay okay we get it." Raph lightly rolls his eyes and kisses Leo's cheek.
Leo slightly blushes and despite knowing that this is all an act he actually likes it. He may have agreed to this though that doesn't change his feelings for Raph. He just will do his best to bury them and help the hot head get the one he likes.
"Well I gotta go. I have an errand to do." April mentions and shares a kiss with Donnie before leaving.
Donnie gives Leo and Raph an approving smile before heading off himself.
Raph waits until they're gone before pulling away from Leo. "Really, thank you for agreeing to this Leo." He mentions as their eyes meet.
"Yeah sure thing." Leo assures Raph who smiles at him.
"I really owe you a big favor for this. At any time you tell me how I can repay the favor." Raph heads off himself with that.
Leo is left in the kitchen finding himself thinking about everything. He guesses it's almost ironic that he's playing pretend to help his crush. He shakes it off and heads away himself.
Mikey must have been told by April or Donnie because he hugs Leo. "I'm so happy you guys found someone!" He mentions pulling away after a moment.
"Guess that leaves you. And if you count Casey." Leo tries to slightly change the subject.
"You don't need to worry about me!" Mikey assures Leo with a smile. "I already have someone in mind. The next anniversary we could make it a big celebration!" He offers to Leo. "Think on it and let me know. I'll start planning." He runs off before Leo can give an answer.
Leo heads away to his room deciding to just meditate and try to fully relax from all of this.
When the time comes for them all to head to bed Raph heads over to Leo, the others watching clearly wanting to witness the two be able to openly flirt for the first time.
Raph puts an arm around Leo pulling him close as Leo lets his head rest on Raphs chest. He nuzzles Leo's head who returns the nuzzle.
Their two other siblings make noises as if the two are too cute.
Leo and Raph pull away with Leo letting a slight blush dust his cheeks.
"Sleep well." Raph rumbles to Leo slightly darkening the blush on the other, and causing the other two to giggle at the sight, while he looks at Leo as if he knows what he's doing to him.
Leo knows that there's no way Raph knows of his feelings so this is all a part of the act. "You sleep well too." He slightly darts off to his bedroom as if being all shy and embarrassed. He can hear Mikey and Donnie chatting with Raph, though he can't hear what they're saying, before they head to bed. He sighs quietly to himself knowing that tomorrow is another day. He gets ready for bed then he tries to sleep the night away. He ends up passing out and dreaming that Raphs affections aren't an act.
The next day...
Training for the day has ended and they're all in the shower room to clean up.
Leo just finished his shower and is drying himself off. He feels eyes on him and he notices Raphs gaze. He notices that Donnie is looking in Raphs direction to talk to Mikey in the stall on the other side of Raph. Oh how he wishes the desire in that look was real.
"Ow! Why'd you punch me?" Raph questions bringing Leo's attention to them again. He is now looking at Donnie with a hand on his upper arm.
"Keep looking like that and you might drop." Donnie snorts clearly partly teasing Raph who playfully tackles Donnie causing a squeak.
Raph keeps his movements seemingly innocent as he tries to pin Donnie to the wet floor. "Come on! We only just came out! We can have moments to be like you and April! We don't get to just come out and not let any thing change." He snorts as Donnie wiggles in Raphs grip.
"Okay okay." Donnie responds and Raph gets off of him. He takes just the smallest moment longer before he gets up.
Leo leaves them alone since no one is hurt and he knows Raphs secret motives. He starts getting some clean gear on and he notices Mikey come out drying himself.
"Hey Leo." Mikey speaks up causing Leo to turn to look to him. "I wonder if Donnie is getting jealous that it's not just him and April who get to be all lovey dovey." He jokes with a teasing tone to which Leo shakes his head at it. He laughs while Leo's mind is secretly elsewhere.
If Donnie is getting jealous then this may come to an end faster than thought.
Leo pushes that thought away as he feels disappointed. He knew that the act couldn't last forever. "Perhaps. Though he'll have to get used to it."
"I know he will. He's happy for you two." Mikey assures Leo with a smile before he heads off elsewhere in the lair.
Leo heads to his room to meditate for a bit. He knows that the others won't really bug him if he does so... Well only on the occasional time where Mikey gets bored. He just wants to try to clear his mind and try to keep himself calm. He meditates for a bit focusing on telling himself that the act can't last forever. He slowly starts to feel his hurt start to go down. He opens his eyes after a bit feeling a bit better. He looks up as someone knocks then enters. He finds himself looking at Raph. He gets up showing that he is done with his meditation.
Raph moves further into the room at seeing this. "I think this is going great!" He mentions with a smile on his face. "Did you see how he got me provoked to make me pin him? It's almost like you annoying me but even better than that." He lightly teases not realizing that the slight jab hurt Leo more than he'll show. "This might take a shorter amount of time than originally planned."
"How do you plan to confess to him when the time comes?" Leo questions getting a blink from Raph.
"Well the plan is that he'll try to get me and I'll accept saying I've loved him. More than I ever could you." Raph continues not realizing how his words sting Leo. "Also I was thinking, if needed you and me could stage a break up."
"I wish you could have been more honest with him about all of this." Leo mentions knowing that Raph may have talked him into it but he did agree to this.
"It'll be fine. There's no way he was going to admit it with him having April. As you've noticed he just needed that push to realize he wants me." Raph smiles at Leo. "Thanks so much for this Leo."
Leo assures him it's no problem then Raph heads off. He turns away guessing that he won't be able to escape his hurt for now. He'll just have to wait until this is all over to try to heal his hurt.
The next day...
Leo walks past the living room noticing Donnie and Raph talking on the couch.
A random Tv show playing on the TV.
Leo overhears part of their conversation.
"April has a test tomorrow. So she's going to not be over until tomorrow. She wants to study." Donnie mentions.
"Sounds alright. Hopefully she'll pass it." Raphs hand suddenly grabs Leo's wrist. He pulls Leo's hand towards him after the other stops. He kisses Leo's hand before letting the other go. His attention turning back to Donnie who just looks at him.
Leo is at the wrong angle to see how Donnie is looking at Raph.
Raph stays relaxed as if nothing happened.
Leo escapes to the dojo and does some hits to a punching back. His hope that it'll just absorb all of his hurt.
A few days have passed and movie night is upon them. In those few days Leo and Raph have mainly done light flirting around their family, especially around Donnie, like they had been doing before.
Leo has noticed Donnie hanging out with Raph a little more. He has been having the feeling that Donnie will bring the acting to an end soon. He hadn't been sure that it would work, yet it seems to be working pretty well. He sits on the couch next to Raph and is pulled close almost onto the hot headed turtles lap. He stays there while Mikey turns on the movie.
Donnie is on the armchair scrolling through his phone until the movie begins.
The movie is good enough for the movie night.
Leo can't help the slightest glances in Donnies direction. He does catch one or two glances in his and Raph's direction. He just doesn't see any jealousy in those glances. He tries to push it away figuring it'll be a process. He tries to focus more on the movie even as Raph absentmindedly massages his shoulder; using the arm wrapped around him. His body send Inc. pleasant sparks from the touches. He keeps quiet about it though.
After the movie comes to an end Mikey is the first to head to bed.
Donnie stays in the armchair and he turns to Leo as Raph takes the movie out of the DVD player. "Hey Leo."
Leo turns to look at Donnie meeting his eyes. "Yeah?"
"There's something I need to test and you'd be a great candidate for it. Do you think you could come to my lab after training?"
"Yeah sure." Leo agrees wondering if Donnie is being truthful or if this all might be over faster than Leo thought it would be. He knows that this could very well be Donnies way of getting Leo alone to try to be able to get Raph. He slightly wonders in his head if Donnie actually wanted Raph to be a part of him and April. He is brought out of his thoughts as Raph kisses his cheek. He shares a Goodnight with him then both Raph and Donnie head to bed. He supposes he'll find out what's going on tomorrow. He gets up going to bed himself.
The next day...
After training Leo does indeed go with Donnie into his lab alone. He glances around curiously. "So what is it you wanted to test?"
"Nothing. I wanted to talk." Donnies words make Leo realize that the whole act with Raph may be coming to an end sooner than he thought. He looks to Leo. "Leo." His tone is serious making Leo feel his dread that this is the end of the act rise. "What are your thoughts on Casey?" His question catches Leo off guard.
"What?" Leo blinks confused at Donnie.
"Just be honest. I won't tell anyone what you say here." Donnie tells Leo who thinks that maybe this is a ploy to get Leo to go for Casey instead. He keeps a straight face waiting for Leo's answer.
"Alright?" Leo still lets his confusion about the reason he's being asked show. "He's pretty alright. Not as cool as Raph but still cool. I don't see why you're asking me this."
Donnie is silent for a moment before he lets out a breath. His guard seeming to drop as he closes his eyes. "It's just that I've been having some thoughts recently. I'm not ready to say what they are yet. I still have some figuring out to do. I just wanted to see what you thought of him."
"Okay?" Leo feels his confusion strengthen and Donnie opens his eyes to look to him.
"Anyways." Donnie shifts as if getting a little awkward. "Can I ask how you and Raph ended up confessing to each other?"
Leo knows that he'll have to think on the spot and make it believable. "Well Raph started it honestly. He started flirting with me for a bit when no one was around. When I returned the affections he became even more confident. It went like that for a little bit until he finally asked me out on a date and I accepted. We've been together ever since."
"I see." Donnie nods his head to this. "That sounds like the way you two would end up together. Guess Raph wanted to make sure you wanted him back, before letting anyone else know about him trying to be with you."
"And he did try to wait for me to be ready to come out with it. To be fair he did wait a decent amount of time. So I'll give credit where credit is due there. He is more patient than I thought he'd be with my overthinking about reactions."
"Yeah. Raph can come across as probably not a good potential partner. However once you get to know him and he cares about you, then you realize that he's actually someone that would make a great partner."
"Do you have feelings for him?" Leo questions this time catching Donnie off guard. "Just the way you're talking is making me curious." He adds to try to hide why he's actually asking. "It's okay you can tell me. I won't say anything or get mad. Promise."
Donnie stares at him for a moment before he responds to that. "I was asking because I've been having some confusing emotions. Though I want to figure it out before I really say anything."
"Well if you need help you can always ask. I won't judge you and you know Mikey won't either." Leo points out getting an appreciative smile from Donnie.
"I'll let you know if that's needed. I think I might be able to figure it out on my own." Donnie admits to which Leo nods.
"Okay then." Leo leaves after Donnie thanks him. He supposes that there will be a bit longer for the act to go on. He's not fully sure how to feel about it.
A little later that day April comes over and heads to Donnies lab where Donnie has been staying.
Leo is the only on in the main area of the lair.
Mikey went skateboarding in the sewer tunnels.
Raph is out hanging out with Casey on the surface.
Leo notices a look in Aprils eye as if she's on some kind of serious mission. He decides to eavesdrop just in case. He cares about his family and so if something goes wrong with this he wants to be there for Donnie. Plus he has a bad feeling about the look that April has. He hangs by the entrance to the lab where he hears Donnie greet April.
"I want you to tell me something and to be honest." April demands while Leo listens in secretly.
"Okay. What is it?" Donnie agrees to this.
"You're falling out of love with me! Aren't you?!"
"April." Donnie begins but April doesn't let him continue.
"Answer the question Donnie!"
Donnie is quiet for a few moments probably stunned before he responds. "Well yes I have been feeling like the spark between us is fading." He admits.
"You have been more obvious than you think. Ever since Leo and Raph came out as dating." April snorts as if having known that'd be the answer. "What is it?! You want one of them suddenly!? Has seeing them together made you find desire for one of them over me!?"
"April! If you must know I felt like it was dying before the two came out. Them coming out just made me think about it more." Donnie sounds frustrated at how things are going. "Yes I have been falling in love with someone else but-" He doesn't get to continue as April audibly slaps him.
"We're done! It's clear this isn't working out anymore!" April screams before she's heard stomping out of the lab.
Leo quickly hides then watches April angrily leave the lair. He turns to the lab worried about Donnie and heads in. "Donnie? Is it okay if I come in?" He asks finding Donnies back to the entryway. "You can say no if you want. I just saw April storm off and got worried about you." He doesn't want to tell Donnie that he had been listening in.
Donnie doesn't speak at first and instead goes over leaning against his older brother.
Leo wraps Donnie up in a comforting hug. He really feels sorry for Donnie having to go through that, especially when he said he was trying to figure out his feelings a bit. He feels like all of this is happening so fast, and worries that maybe they shouldn't have started the act in the first place. His thoughts are chased away when Donnie speaks.
"That could have gone better. I wanted to explain things to her when I understood my own feelings better. She just wasn't having it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault Leo. Behind closed doors me and April have been drifting apart. It probably would have happened anyways even if you and Raph hadn't come out."
"Do you need anything?" Leo just lets Donnie believe he accepts those words. He supposes that Donnie wouldn't lie to him about that right now.
"Just stay for a bit."
"Okay." Leo agrees ready to help his brother through this breakup.
"Thank you."