Chapter eleven:
It's been two days and Raph is growing really tense.
The others have been giving him some space though they notice that he's not calming down.
Raph hates that he knows his mate is dealing with a heat all alone, it is making his instincts feel like they're going haywire. He is currently pacing in the living room while Mikey is in the lab with Donnie; Likely to avoid Raph who is so tense.
"Raphael." Splinter approaches the turtle who turns to the rat mutant after stopping his pacing. "Come to my room as I wish to speak with you privately."
Raph clenches his teeth knowing what it's about. He still follows Splinter and soon they are on their knees facing each other.
"So. I'm sure you know why I called you here." Splinter begins and Raph nods his head. "You are too on edge and it is stressing out your brothers. The chances of losing a fight go up due to this. So, we should talk and get to the bottom of what's going on."
"I know what it is." Raph has his gaze on his lap. "It's because Leo's in heat. It's making my instincts go crazy."
"Do you only notice this with Leonardo as far as you know?" Splinter gets a confirmation nod. He hums thoughtfully. "I see." He smiles softly to show his understanding. "Raphael. Be honest with me. Instincts or no instincts do you wish to be mates with Leonardo?"
"Yes sensei, I have had these feelings for a long while." Raph isn't sure that he should admit to Splinter that he's already dating Leo. He doesn't want Leo to feel like he wasn't ready for anyone to know.
"Well I am proud of you for being able to hold back while he is vulnerable. Would it set your mind more at ease if you stayed with Casey until it's over? We have plenty of security here so it will be alright. We don't want your tension levels to continue growing."
"I'm not sure it'll work." Raph fidgets a little with his hands on his knees. "It's the very knowledge and thought about it that's getting me riled up." He admits with his gaze remaining down. "I'm not sure there's much to do about it. Even when I push away the thoughts it still comes back."
Splinter glances down thoughtfully for a moment. He responds after thinking it over. "Raphael. Until Leonardo's heat is over you will be banned from the lair." His words cause Raphs gaze to snap to him in shock. "Temporarily we will add you to the list of those to stop reaching the lair. To use Donatello's security to help. I believe that time away and preventing you from entering may be the best way to go." He looks into his son's gaze. "Also, Donatello will take over leadership on missions and patrols if he sees it to be needed. We need to do what is best for everyone."
Raph lets out a small breath as he does understand what Splinter means. He thinks it could indeed work. He truly doesn't want to force himself on Leo potentially running their relationship. "Could I do my own patrols and Donnie take over full leadership?"
"You either go with your brothers or not at all. Donatello can fully take the leadership duties. And I will encourage him to send you to Casey's home if he thinks you're too tense for what's needed."
"Fine."
Splinter gives Raph a hard stare. "I can take you off patrols myself if I think that things could seriously go wrong. You're on thin ice Raphael. I know you need a way to try to get rid of at least some tension. However I refuse to put your brothers through worse than how it is currently. There is only so much that they can take after all. I'd mind yourself to stay on patrols."
"Understood." Raph dips his head then leaves after Splinter dismisses him with a wave. He lets out a big breath once the door is closed. He will probably get kicked off patrols pretty quickly, so he should probably enjoy them while he still can. He also will have to get his stuff and head to Casey's. He texts Casey as he hurries to his room. He only tells him that he needs time away from the lair as Leo's heat is driving him nuts. He grabs the stuff he'll need and once done he gets an 'all good' response from Casey. He leaves the lair heading straight for Casey's place.
Casey happily embraces him, getting an embrace in return, once they are reunited at the humans apartment. "Feel free to stay here as long as you need." He offers as they pull away from the embrace.
"Thank you." Raph is lead to the couch which folds out into a bed. He sets up his bed there glad to have such a good friend like Casey. He lays down on the bed when done and stares at the ceiling for a bit. He truly hopes he can keep control of himself as he'd hate to unintentionally hurt someone he cares about. He listens for Casey only to catch some lovey dovey talk meaning Casey is talking to his omega. He stops listening, he finds Casey rarely does it around others preferring those moments to be private, so Raph decides to play around on his phone to pass some time for now.
It's not like this is the first sleepover at Casey's place.
Raph is usually the turtle over the most.
Mikey is in second for being over the most.
Donnie and Leo are neck and neck in third though Donnie would win by a small amount.
The apartment is very familiar to them all however there is some more familiar with it than the others.
Raph pushes those thoughts away trying to decide what to try to focus his mind on next.
Meanwhile...
Leo rubs his cheek against Raph's mask with a churr. His eyes closed as he enjoys the scent on it. He is starting to smell a bit more of himself on it so he may need to ask Mikey for more. He longs for Raph to be here though and it's getting harder to ignore.
A soft knock comes before Mikey calls announcing his presence. He comes in after Leo says okay. He's accepted it as a signal that it's good for him to come inside.
Leo opens his eyes turning to the other who heads closer.
"You really do like Raphs scent." Mikey smiles at this before handing Leo some blankets. "Stole some of his blankets for you. It can be frustrating if the scent you like or need starts to fade." He hands Leo the blankets who folds them into a slight bed within his nest. "I also got water and food." He offers the water bottle and plastic wrapped sandwich to the other.
Leo takes it glad for mainly the water. He chugs half of the bottle not that Mikey really reacts. He does have water bottles in his room that Mikey brought so he always has some. He just is grateful when Mikey brings a fresh one as well.
"Do you need anything else?" Mikey inquires smiling softly as he looks to his fellow omega. He doesn't stay long as despite helping he doesn't need to see every part of Leo's heat.
Leo's mind only has one thing in it though he tries to hold it back as much as he can. "Is Raph still in the lair?" He does see Mikey look a little serious suddenly. He wanted to just demand to have Raph with him but this was his best attempt at holding back.
"No. He was getting really tense and headed to Casey's." Mikey admits and the gears can be seen turning in his head through his eyes. "Do you want to be mates with him?" He leans closer observing how Leo tries to not blush anymore than he already is from heat. "You do!" He gasps and his smile returns. "Well you two should talk when your heat is over. I think your heat is making him tense like I've never seen before. So I'm thinking he likes you too." He giggles a little and Leo almost breaks to tell him that they are dating. "It's just better if he doesn't come here during your heat." His face turns serious again. "I will remind you of that even if you get too lost in your heat and your feelings. Joining one's rut or heat needs to be discussed before with clear minds. You don't want to possibly regret it after. Not to mention the higher chance of pregnancy. We don't have as many options to prevent it as humans do. So it is best that it be talked about beforehand. So you two are on the same page if you get together."
Leo slightly whines though tries to swallow it back. He sees Mikey's eyes soften a little clearly knowing how hard it can be to resist. "Don't worry Leo. You're doing great so far. You just got a few more days to go. Then it should start to clear up. I know resisting is hard in heat. I have to do so if Donnie can't be with me for any reason. It's super hard." He air pats Leo's head knowing how sensitive Leo's body is as his hormones have changed for his heat. "You can make it I know you can." He starts to head for the door. "If you need anything just call." He leaves the room after that.
Leo curls up on the folded blankets in his nest. He inhales Raphs scent before letting out a soft pleading whimper for the other. He's just gotta survive a few more days... Easier said than done...
...
Raph is up late doing some knitting despite basically everyone being asleep now. He's been here for two nights and has had trouble sleeping. He's found that the only thing that can calm him even a little is his knitting. He usually keeps his knitting private only presenting finished pieces to those he trusts. So he stays up late doing some knitting. He has been managing patrols okay though almost swears he feels Splinters stare through Donnie. He might last tomorrow's patrol and that's it. He feels like he might be close to snapping. He tries to shake off his thoughts by checking on the blanket he's making. He is making it for Leo so it needs to be perfect.
The blanket has a pattern of one line blue then the line above it being red. It alternates between the colors. It is also made of soft cotton yarn since wool yarn does make Leo itch slightly; Not allergy like and Raph thinks it's more like a sensory dislike than anything.
Raph always makes sure that he knows the best yarn to use for each family member.
Leo of course likes the soft cotton yarn as he enjoys it more if it is soft.
Mikey's favorite is wool yarn.
Donnie enjoys the chunky soft yarn of any kind.
Splinter prefers the silk type yarns, though likes all that Raph makes despite that Raph could see him slightly melt into the feeling of silk yarn.
Casey is a classic cotton yarn type guy not needing it to be soft to enjoy.
April likes T-Shirt yarn specifically wearing it the most when it's made compared to other yarns.
Raph himself can work with any types of yarn though his favorite would have to be wool.
Everyone has their own tastes and preferences even if they enjoy all that's made.
Raph takes pride in knowing all of their preferences and being able to work with them. He hasn't told anyone and instead just knits with specific yarn for who it's meant for.
No one's acknowledged it not that it is needed or desired.
Raph just keeps it as his own little pleasure and joy that he can keep rather privately. He does smile when seeing them love his hard work, though once alone he truly lets his repressed happiness come out. He will roll his eyes at himself for acting like Mikey however he does truly enjoy the moment. He takes a small break as the project is going well at a steady pace. He looks to the window that has its curtains closed currently. He kind of wishes he could try to see the night sky, though it is hard from here due to city lights and other buildings. He could go outside if it wasn't for him not feeling up to it right now. He turns away from the window and finally decides to try to get some rest for tonight. He puts his project carefully aside then lays down tucking himself into the blanket.
The bed isn't his hammock so it's not as comfy. But it is still comfy enough that Raph can handle sleeping on it well.
Raph just hasn't been sleeping here in the same situation that is currently happening. He tries to not think about it and focus on getting some sleep. He will be caught then kicked off patrols if he looks or acts too tired. His mind keeps trying to race with thoughts making sleep much more difficult to achieve. He just lays there trying to keep his thoughts from racing. He knows that he'll eventually pass out from tiredness. He'll just have to lay here until that happens.
...
Usagi is forced onto his knees before the groups leader. His hands held behind his back. He glares at the leading figure who seems more amused than annoyed or angry.
"You will be perfect leverage against those turtles. They'll have no choice but to come rescue one of their friends." A chuckle escapes the leader.
Usagi shakes his head a little. "They don't consider me a friend anymore. They refused to accept my beliefs of how the world is causing conflict. In that way I'm useless to you." He then smirks as an idea comes across in his mind. "However. I do have some valuable information you may want." He sees the leaders head tilt slightly in interest. "Don't think I'm just going to give it to you though. We have to make a deal. I have something that'll benefit you and you can provide me with something I want. So. Let's make a deal."
The leader stares at Usagi for a long moment who stares right back. He then waves off those holding the mutant who let go then leave. "Alright. Let's talk a deal. Don't think you can get a lot just for some information."
Usagi gets up rubbing his one wrist then the other as he was being held very roughly. "Oh don't worry. I think you'll find that my demand will be very much appropriate for the information." He assures the leader feeling good about how this will end up going. He didn't originally consider this an option and yet this may be the best way to get what he wants.