Ch 16

Leo stood on the edge of the beach staring out into the evening sky. He watched in fascination as the hues of the sunset danced over the water, the colors blending together in complete and perfect harmony.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" April asked as she made her way over to him.

"It sure is," Leo agreed, "You don't see this in New York City, that's for sure."

"True," April nodded and handed Leo a beer, "But you must admit, New York does have its own incredible sights."

Leo nodded, "Yeah, I do enjoy the sights from the top of the Empire state building."

"Have you ever been to the top of the Statue of Liberty?" April smiled brightly, "That's where Casey took me on our first date."

"Sounds romantic," Leo took a drink and looked back at Raph, "I'm surprised he didn't go for the steakhouse treatment like his brother did."

"That was our second date, but it was Casey who ended up riding the bull." April laughed and the two clinked bottles.

Later that night, Leo crawled into his sleeping bag and looked over at Raph who was sitting on top of his sleeping bag, reading a book by the light of a lantern.

"Good book?" Leo asked as he took out his own book and began reading by the flashlight on his cell phone.

"No," Raph responded as he huffed in annoyance, "Not really," He sighed as he placed a bookmark inside the book, "It's suppose to be a mystery but it's way too predictable," He shook his head as he let out a wide yawn, "Haven't gotten to the middle of the book yet and I already know who did it and why."

Leo nodded absentmindedly as he put his book and phone down then looked over at Raph in contemplation, "How did you know Raph?"

"Eh," Raph shrugged, "I gotta nose for these things," He chuckled lightly, "Plus I read a lot of mysteries so after a while they all start to follow the same pattern."

"No, I mean…." Leo took a breath, "How did you know you were, um…."

"Gay?" Raph looked over at Leo when he heard him hesitate.

"Yeah."

Raph crawled into his sleeping bag, "I'm not really sure," He responded, "But even as a kid I wondered about myself." Raph sat up and stared off into the distance, "I remember when Casey was checking out girls and playboy magazines, I was checking out other guys and bodybuilding magazines but not for tips on how to build muscles," He looked over at Leo coyly, "If ya know what I mean."

Leo smiled at him and nodded, " Yeah," He responded as he thought back to the conversation he had had with Mikey, "I suppose I do."

"Ya know Leo," Raph looked over at him thoughtfully, "For all ya life, ya got people telling ya what's normal and what ain't, and as far as they're concerned if it ain't normal then it's a bad thing," He yawned and turned onto his shell, "But who are these people and why should they dictate someone else's life?" He shook his head, "If it ain't hurtin' others than it should be none of their business what ya do." He looked back at Leo, "Don't ya think?"

"Yeah," Leo nodded as he felt a twinge of guilt about the way he had treated Mikey and Donnie when they came out, "So did you always know?"

"No, not at first," Raph admitted, "I kept trying to convince myself that I was just jealous over the way the humans looked and that I just wanted to be like them, but after a while I realized it was something more, so I spoke with mama Jones and she told me to stop listening to my head and start listening to my heart and eventually things would start to make sense," Again Raph let out a chuckle, "And of course, she was right."

"It's funny how others seem to know us better than we know ourselves," Leo muttered, thinking again back to the many talks he had with both family and friends.

"Look Leo," Raph said as he crawled back into his sleeping bag, "The truth is I don't think anyone actually knows who they are or what they want until they stop listening to others and start listening to themselves," He rolled onto his side, grabbed his lantern and turned off the light, "And once they do, then that's when they finally start to figure things out and they go after the things they actually want."

Leo laid down and stared up into the darkness, "You may be right Raph," He muttered thoughtfully. A moment later, he could hear Raph's soft breathing sounding out in the tent and he realized Raph was now asleep. He looked over at the muscular turtle and smiled, 'And I'm sure once I'm ready to, I'll go after you.' He thought to himself as he rolled over and closed his eyes.

Xxxxxxxx

The next day, after packing up their campsite, the four canoed back to the farm and got ready to head back to the city. The three hour drive home was relaxing but Leo again found himself taken in by the sights of the countryside.

"It's just all so incredible," Leo muttered as he stared out the window, watching the scenery go by, "I wish we could come up here every weekend."

"The country is just as beautiful in the winter too," April told him, "I love seeing all the pure white snow cover the fields and stretch for miles."

"That does sound captivating," Leo responded.

They got back to the city and, at Leo's direction, made their way toward his apartment building.

"Thanks for bringing me home guys," Leo told them, "I know Master Splinter would have been happy to pick me up since he did bring me to your place but I do prefer he not drive if he doesn't have to."

"He gettin' too old?" Casey asked as he parked the car.

Leo nodded solemnly, "Reflexes just aren't what they used to be."

Raph and Leo got themselves out of the car and walked around to the back. From inside the car, Casey released the lock and the two turtles stood back and watched as the back door to the SUV slowly moved itself upward.

"Well Raph," Leo began as he reached inside the back and grabbed his gear, "I really did have a fun time."

"I'm glad ta hear that Leo," Raph said as they started walking toward his door.

"So um," Leo looked at Raph in uncertainty, "I guess I'll see you this weekend." He started toward the door but Raph's hand on his arm held him back.

"Actually Leo," Raph turned slightly away and Leo could see a slight blush forming on his cheeks, "I was wondering, if ya not to busy this Friday," He rubbed the back of his head and shrugged, "Would ya like to come over for supper, say about seven?" He looked at Leo hopefully, "I'll cook us up some pasta or something."

Leo smiled at Raph's bashfulness, "Sure Raph, I would love to."

"Great," Raph laughed nervously, "So I'll see ya then."

They stared at each other intensely as they felt themselves slowly moving closer. Leo nodded, "Sounds Good, Raph," He muttered as his face leaned closer to Raph's.

"Uh uh," Raph quietly responded as his mouth was just about to cover Leo's.

"KISS HIM ALREADY YA IDIOT!" Casey yelled out from the car causing the two turtles to jump apart.

"Casey!" April glared angrily at him.

"Grrr, knock it off Case!" Raph yelled and was just about to turn toward his brother when Leo quickly grabbed his face and pressed his lips firmly on top of Raph's.

"I'll see you at seven on Friday," Leo said after they had finally pulled apart.

Raph chuckled and nodded to him, "Can't wait."

xxxxxxA/N

Hi Reader 'obsessed with a lot of stuff', thank you for the review I hope the story continues to entertain, please, everyone, let me know how it's going, love to see reviews. Take care and peace. :)