Ch 14

"Wow Leo," Raph said as he took in what Leo was wearing. Leonardo was wearing dark blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt and brand new hiking boots and on his shell was a large blue hiking backpack. "Ya look amazing."

Leo smiled and shifted the backpack, "I brought all this stuff last weekend," He told him, "I couldn't let it go to waste."

Raph nodded, "Yeah, ah, just let me get ma stuff," He walked over to the living room and grabbed his bag. "Ya know, it's still summer so that outfit might be a little too hot."

Leo blushed as Raph walked over to him and wiggled his eye ridges at him, "I did bring summer clothes too, Raph." He assured him as the two turtles walked out of the apartment building, "As well as swimming trunks."

"Great," Raph replied as they made their way out of the building and toward a red SUV, "There's a lake not too far from our farmhouse where we do like to go swimming."

As they walked toward the car, Leo noted two humans leaning against the car. A tall dark haired man with large muscles wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans and a small petite woman with red hair and pale skin. They looked up as Raph and Leo came toward them.

"Hey guys," Raph called out to them. He gestured toward Leo, "This is Leonardo Hamato, the turtle I've been telling you about," He looked at Leo, "This is ma bro Casey and his wife April."

"Nice to meet you," Leo said as they all shook hands, "Please call me Leo."

"Nice to meet you Leo," April responded in a smooth talking voice.

"Yeah, finally nice to meet the turtle Raph's been hyping on." Casey stated as the four climbed into the car, "It's a three hour drive Leo," Casey told him as they buckled up, "Better get comfy."

"Have you ever been camping, Leo?" April asked as she looked back at him.

"No," Leo looked out the car window and watched in anticipation as the city gave way to tree-lined streets, "But I've always wanted to go."

"Have you ever even been outside the city?" Casey asked as he drove the car onto the highway and towards North Hampton Massachusetts.

"No," Leo replied, "I really never had a reason to go any further than New York City," He looked over at Raph who had his head leaning back against the seat back, his eyes closed, mouth slightly open and sound asleep. Leo smiled and turned back toward the window, "Until now that is."

The drive up was beautiful and Leo reveled in watching the countryside go by and give way to dirt roads and long stretches of crystal clear blue lakes. "Wow," Leo muttered as a large two story blue house with a barn and windmill in the backyard came up before them, "This is beautiful."

"Yeah," Casey said with a proud smile, "It was built by my grandfather and he and my grandmother kept the place up until she passed away about twenty years ago. My cousin Sid, Raph and I have been keeping it up since then so we can enjoy it from time to time." He put the car in park next to the porch and began to unbuckle his seatbelt, "Even our ma comes out here on occasion and enjoys some relax time."

Leo looked over at Raph who was now yawning and stretching as he attempted to wake up. "You slept pretty well," Leo chuckled, "I'm surprised you were able to sleep after we left the highway," He shook his head, "I'm surprised anyone can sleep with torn-up roads like those." He pointed behind them at the dirt road that led to the farmhouse.

Raph shrugged and started to unbuckle, "Ya get used to it after driving up here year after year."

A soft hum from up front had Leo looking over at April who had also fallen asleep during the drive. "The drive itself can be very relaxing," She said with a yawn, "It's hard not to fall asleep." She unbuckled and proceeded to get out of the car.

Leo and Raph did the same and soon everyone was gathering at the back of the car and grabbing their camping gear to bring into the house. "There was so much to see during the drive," Leo told Raph as he followed him into the house, "There was just no way I could fall asleep."

Raph smiled at him, "Well you will definitely want to sleep tonight," He told him, "For tomorrow, we set sail to our camp site."

Leo looked at Raph in bewilderment, "Sail?"

April came up behind him, "Actually, we'll canoe up to our camping spot," She placed her camping gear on the floor by the couch, " It's a very pretty spot and the lake is perfect for swimming."

"Yeah, especially this time of year," Casey sat on the couch and leaned his head back, "It's not too cold so it'll be pretty refreshing," He yawned and closed his eyes, "Especially after a day of hiking."

"We're going hiking too?" Leo asked. He took a seat in a chair across from the couch.

"Sure are," Raph sat next to Casey, "First, we'll get up at seven tomorrow, grab some breakfast, load up our canoes and take off to our camping spot. Bout an hour up the river," He started rummaging through his backpack, pulling out a variety of foods, "After we set up camp, we'll go for a five hour hike through the woods," He smirked at Leo, "Help builds up the appetite, then we go back to our camp, do some swimming then have dinner."

"Then the next day we pack up and head back here," April said as she too began to unpack some of her supplies, "Then we head for home."

"Wow," Leo couldn't help the excitement that he was certain was showing in his eyes, "This really sounds like it's going to be a great weekend."

"Heh," Casey chuckled from the couch, "You ain't seen nuttin yet," He winked at April, "Right babe?"

"Don't let him scare you Leo," April told him with a shake of her head, "We are going to have fun and show you some incredible sights."

"Well, I can't wait," Leo said enthusiastically as he stood and picked up his backpack, "So what's first on our agenda for today?"

"I'll show ya to ya room Leo," Raph told him, "Then we'll get some lunch and after, I'll show you around the farm."

Leo followed Raph upstairs to a small room with a twin bed and dresser. "This is nice," Leo told him as he placed his things on the floor."

"It's simple but comfy," Raph told him, "My room is across the hall, if ya need anything, just knock." He turned away from Leo with a wink and Leo watched as he slowly made his way across the hall toward his room.

Leo unpacked his things and a moment later he and Raph made their way back down to the kitchen where April had set a light lunch of sandwiches, chips and lemonade. After lunch, as promised, Raph took Leo for a walk around the farmhouse.

Leo couldn't help but marvel at all he saw. It was peaceful and inviting. Different hues of nature seem to blend into colors he had never seen before. "It's so serene," Leo purred in awe.

The two sat on a picnic table bench and watched a flock of birds fly by. "I've always enjoyed comin out here," Raph told him, "It's nice to get close to nature, get away from the noise and the hustle and bustle of the city."

Leo nodded, "I can see it taking away the stress of life," He muttered.

"It can also help one appreciate the beauty of life," Raph told him with a very hushed voice.

Leo looked at Raph and smiled timidly, "Do you tell all your dates you bring up here that line?"

Raph shrugged, "Only the ones I really care about," He placed his hand over Leo's, "And the ones I'm hoping to get closer to." He moved himself closer to Leo's side, "Both physically and," He brought his mouth closer to Leo's, "Emotionally."

Leo looked away from Raph before he could kiss him, "Um Raph," Leo stood and took a breath, "There is something you should be aware of."

"Ya still uncertain about whether ya want a relationship like this?" Raph asked as he leaned himself against the table.

Leo nodded, "I'm just not sure how…" He gestured in uncertainty between the two of them, "How or even if it's something I want to do."

"Ya talkin about sex?" Raph chuckled when Leo nodded and blushed a bright red.

"Leo," Raph stood and placed himself in front of the blue clad turtle, "I'm not gonna force ya ta do somethin ya not ready ta do," He placed his hands tenderly on Leo's face, "I know it can be kinda scary ta do somethin different so I'm willin ta be patient and when ya ready, I'll be there."

Leo relaxed and pressed himself closer against Raph, "Hopefully I won't keep you waiting too long," Leo muttered as the two leaned in and pressed their lips together in a tender, passionate kiss.