Chapter 2-
\tRaphael entered into the kitchen where his two youngest brothers sat at the dining table. Mikey shoveled large spoonsful of cereal into his mouth as if he was starving. Nodding every few bites in reply as Don continued to ramble on about a project he started last night. Pausing every few minutes to take a sip of his coffee he cradled in both of his hands.
\tMuch to Raph’s disgust, he actually felt relief when he saw that neither Splinter nor Leo had joined the two for breakfast. He hated himself for that. He loved feeling that bright warm sense of happiness when Leo entered the room, but after last night, he was in too crappy of a mood to see Leo.
\t“Morning Raph!” Mikey’s cheerful voice reached his ears as soon as the two noticed the third presence. He nodded in acknowledgement. Continuing his journey towards the cabinets without so much as a glance.
\t“What’s wrong Raph?” Don immediately asked. Probably spotting the distraught look that no doubt projected his mood.
\t“How did the talk with Leo go?” Mikey had to ask? Raph clenched his fists, fighting a wave of fury that threatened to overtake him. He proceeded grabbing out a bowl and preparing his cereal. Trying so hard not to look as frustrated as he felt. He failed. “That bad?” Disappointment.
\tHe sighed. He felt disappointed to. At himself. He hadn’t gotten very far into the conversation. He allowed Leo to sway him away from the problem. And there definitely was a problem. So easily to. Leo tied him around his little finger.
\t“He lied to me.” He muttered with disgust. Scowling at his feet.
\t“What?” Don.
\t“He fucking lied to me. He promised he wouldn’t!” He growled to no one in particular. Too caught up in his own turmoil.
\t“What did he lie to you about?” Mikey.
\tRaph shook his head. He needed to remain calm. He had to think this through, not blow up. “I overheard him talking on the phone. Something about doing what someone asked of him. He didn’t sound happy about it. When I questioned him, he told me he was giving advice to April about something mechanical.” And they all knew how Leo was with anything modern.
\tDon frowned. “Do you think Splinter is the one who asked him to do something?”
\t“No. For something like that, Splinter would have gone to him in person. Especially if it was something important. And it did sound important. Sounded threatening.”
\t“Do you think he is . . . working for someone?” Mikey asked hesitantly. Raph turned around, narrowing his eyes on the orange clad turtle. He wanted to yell. Wanted to shout at Mikey for thinking something so ridiculous. Leo working for someone else? Hah! That sounded highly unlikely. But--
\t“Who would he be working for? And why?” Raph finally asked. Shattering the thick silence that started to weigh on them.
\t“This is Leo we’re talking about Raph. You know as well as the rest of us that he would go through the craziest things to protect us.” He couldn’t deny that.
\t“So you think he made some sort of a deal?” Mikey muttered. “With either one of our past enemy’s to keep us safe?” Staring down at the bowl of cereal he had stopped eating out of.
\tDon scowled at his coffee mug. “We have no idea if it was actually a deal. Or if Leo was somehow forced into an agreement. For all we know, there’s a threat hanging over Leo’s head if he refused.”
\t“But why the switch of behaviors?” Raph interjected. “If he’s trying to keep it secret, he’s not doing a very good job at it.”
\t“Maybe he doesn’t even want to keep it secret? Perhaps Leo’s moodiness towards us is a way of his hinting? Maybe he needs our help?” Don suggested.
\tRaph crossed his arms over his chest. Leaning his shell against the counter. His breakfast forgotten as well as his hunger. “That wouldn’t make sense though. Leo straight out lied to me. Not hinting in the least. I could hear it. He was trying to convince me to believe him. He was distracting me from the conversation. He didn’t want me to know about that phone call.”
\t“Yeah, and did you notice the fact he acts irritable and distant and then tries to cover it up? He hides it.”
\t“Do you think whoever Leo is forced by is spying on us?” Don theorized. All three stilled, falling silent as their eyes wandered around the kitchen searching for any cameras, microphones, or tracking devices. The room looked as innocent as ever.
\t“How would they do that without us noticing?” Raph asked the question he knew were rolling through their minds.
\t“That seems too obvious.” Mikey nodded.
\t“So we’re back to square one.” Don grumbled.
\t“Well, we do know that there is someone else involved in whatever Leo is trying to do. This isn’t results of leftover hormones. And it is obviously serious.” Mikey pointed out.
\t“And I’m damn sure his life is at stake.” Raph growled lowly.
\t“We still don’t know the whole story yet and until we do, we’re not going to take any course of actions. We should remain quiet about this until we find more clues. We’ll figure out how to handle this once we got something to work with.”
\tRaph frowned at Don’s orders. He didn’t like having to wait. He was a very impatient person. If someone had dared threatened Leo he would gladly remove said person’s head from their shoulders without feeling a second of remorse.
\tHe nodded in agreement.
\tLeo growled lowly. Dangerously. His chest constricting painfully in a mixture of panic and rage as he restrained himself from throwing a punch to the brick wall he leaned against. This was a horrible turn of events for him. True enough, his brothers had failed to learn the truth of his deception to them. But they were suspicious of him and that alone could summon his doom. He was forced to alter his plans and he hoped he could pull this off without making his situation worse. Not to mention having to steal more precious time he couldn’t afford to have.
\tHe scrubbed his hands over his face. Frustration causing a pounding headache to arise. Perfect.
\tHe was going to have to find a way to earn their trust back. How he was going to manage to pull that off, he didn’t know. It wasn’t as if they were making stupid theory’s up. They had proof. Raphael had overheard his phone call. The bastard. Luckily, according to what he overheard, he hadn’t caught anything important. Thank god.
\tNo biggy. He assured himself. Taking deep breaths. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. This is an easy fix. Raph had nothing yet to convict him of. He could find an excuse for what he heard on the phone. A better one. Plus, their relationship was so close. He could easily use that to his advantage. If he could just convince Raph, the others would surely follow. Two birds; one stone.
\tHe sighed, unclenching his tight muscles. Relaxing. Good. He turned the corner into the kitchen. Making certain he made a skeptical of his entrance to warn everyone ahead of time that he was here and he was coming. All at once, the chatter between the three died instantly. Leaving the room in an intense silence.
\tHe forced a smile onto his face. “Morning.”
\tThere was hesitation between the three brothers. Exchanging glances amongst themselves as if they have no idea how to respond. Subtle. Don, finally, was the one to answer to his greeting. “Morning Leo.”
\tLeo nodded, brushing aside their awkwardness to his presence as he reached out and retrieved a bowl. He could feel the piercing stare of his younger siblings boring a hole into the back of his shell. Somehow refraining himself from glaring at any of them as he snatched the cereal.
\t“Is something wrong?” He suddenly asked. Plopping down in the free seat between Raph and Don. Eyeing them.
\t“What are you talking about Leo? Nothing’s wrong.” Don laughed. A strain to the words.
\t“Really? Cause you three are acting weird. You guys immediately stopped talking to each other as soon as I entered the room. Now all of you are staring at me as if I was a human that walked through the door.” He pointed out. Scooping a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.
\t“Nothing is wrong Leo. Promise.” Raph put emphasis behind the last word. Leo frowned, tossing a concerned look in the turtle’s direction. Noting how stiff he was beside him.
\t“We just stopped talking because we thought we had interrupted your meditation.” Don quickly explained.
\tLeo nodded, understanding dawning on his face for his brother’s benefit. He was about to let the situation slide until he spotted Mikey who sat across from him. Staring at him. He shifted uncomfortably. Unable to resist the movement.
\tHe cleared his throat.” Mikey? Is there anything you need?”
\tThe orange clad turtle didn’t falter. Just blinked at him a couple times. Don’s gaze shifted to Mikey as well before kicking his shin under the table. That got him. “Ow! Wha-- O-Oh. No Leo. I’m fine.” Mikey’s head ducked. Switching his gaze to his bowl instead.
\tLeo didn’t press farther. The poor turtle looked like he was about to crack under the pressure. Truly not the type to be given the title ninja. He turned his attention onto his breakfast.
\t“Good morning my sons.” Splinter’s voice was the next to interrupt the continuous silence. Each one of them replying respectfully with their own good mornings. Watching as the old rat shuffled across the kitchen, collecting his own breakfast before he sat down with the rest of his family.
\tIt was quite a difficult challenge to miss the apprehension that hovered in the room amongst his sons. What it was he still had yet to figure it out. Though if he had to guess he would assume it would have to revolve around Leonardo. If his other three sons studying him intently was anything to go by. Usually he would’ve tried to intercept in whatever it was that was troubling them and handle it right then and there. However, they were all independent adults now. Twenty-six years of age to be exact. Far too old to have their father intrude and clean their messes for them. They were free to make their own life decisions and take responsibility for their own mistakes. He would keep his nose out of it. For now. They were brothers and they were a team. They had to think about that above their own personal emotions.
\tIf worse comes to worse, than he would have a chat with each of them. If they failed to fix their mistake of course. They deserve a chance first. They were big boy’s now. He reminded himself with a prideful grin. Big boy’s, indeed. They towered him now.
\tHe cleared his throat. Startling the four turtle’s attentions back on him. “Training is in an hour my sons. Leonardo.” He called. The eldest looked up at him, those sapphire eyes appeared to be the slightest bit . . . off. “I have given this a great deal of thought and at first I had plans of discussing this with you in private but I wanted your brothers to hear this as well.” Curiosity flashed in all four’s eyes now.
\t“What’s that father?” Though his expression was thoughtful and his respectful name was familiar on those lips. Splinter had caught onto the slightest hint of irritation in Leonardo’s voice. Strange.
\tBrushing that concern away, he continued. “I would like you to train your team today.”
\tAll four pairs of eyes widened to him and he smiled.
\t“I am getting older and plus, it will help with your leadership skills. As the Leader Leonardo, you must learn how to properly command your team in not only patrol and battles but in the dojo as well. Especially since I won’t be around forever to guide you. Some things you’ll have to learn on your own and I want you to be prepared.”
\t“I will join you today and observe, but starting next week, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael; Leonardo will now be your instructor and they will be your students Leonardo.” Splinter felt a smile splay across his snout as Leo’s smile widened. Genuine happiness lighting up his eyes like the fourth of July. Reminding him of the day he had assigned this same turtle, Leader.
\tIn truth, he hadn’t expected the eldest to embrace the prospect of teaching. He assumed he would have had to warm up to the idea. Nonetheless, he was glad.
\tAs for the other three? Splinter glanced to the remaining reptiles. Each had a same smile on their faces. Including Raphael to whom he was half expecting rejection from. He supposed he had their semi-close relationship with Leonardo to thank for that. Congratulations were passed down to the eldest, one by one. Wariness lingering in each of their voices. Should he ask? No. They were big boy’s. Whatever conflict that had roused between them they could resolve on their own, he assured himself. They no longer need your guidance. Well . . . not as much.
\t“Donatello, how is that new invention coming along?” He quickly switched topics. Pulling both Donatello and Michelangelo away. Joy blooming within him as their faces brightened. His smartest son falling into a continuous brag about his latest machine. Delighting him.
\t
\tRaph’s attention span fell in and out of the conversation amongst his father and brothers. Unable to prevent his attention from floating right back to Leo, whom appeared to be stuck in his own little world. It was times like these that Raph had chosen to tease Leo in the past. He could remember the few times he had bumped his knee purposely against Leo’s to gain back his awareness. Than he ran his foot along Leo’s calf slowly, up and down. Often halting Leo mid-sentence and turn him into a stuttering fool. Cute.
\tSince their relationship was no longer a secret, Raph sometimes, felt obligated to take advantage of that. Turning on Leo (which was so easy.) at the most unsuitable times and playing with him. Right now however, he just wanted to touch Leo. To see if he was even allowed.
\tHesitantly, Raph reached out and rested a hand on one of Leo’s knees under the table. Out of sight of any prying eyes. He didn’t bother to look at Leo’s reaction. Did he want to see how he reacted? He could feel Leo’s leg muscles jolt beneath his touch as his thoughts were interrupted. His muscles were tight now and he could see out of the corner of his eye how nervous Leo suddenly looked. Not turned on and trying to hide it. Just incredibly uncomfortable and wishing to get out. He could feel Leo’s leg move away from his grip and he frowned. Pulling his hand back to his own lap. The fingers curling in a fist so tightly he could feel his nails biting into his palms.
\tHe should get a reward for how well he had managed to restrain himself from tackling Leo right then and there. And not for foreplay purposes.
The turtle was angering him. It has been practically a year since he had felt any sort of anger for the blue banded turtle. Let alone this kind where he felt like he could explode like a volcano any minute and rain down his fury upon everyone near. Oh sure, he had gotten irritated with him before. Plenty of times actually. He had found himself in a small argument with Fearless over something petty, but it never took long for it to end. Then the making up started. Which more than made up for it afterwards.
\tHe wanted to push Leo up against the wall. Squeeze his arms until Leo finally whimpered. Submitting to his strength. He wanted to hurt Leo like he was hurting him . . . No. He didn’t. He wanted to kiss Leo. He wanted to have him like nobody else had. He wanted to worship that body that was his and his alone.
\tRaph growled under his breath. He hated this. He wasn’t an attention hog. He wasn’t going to beg for Leo’s constant presence and cry because he couldn’t get it. He was a warrior. A ninja. His world did not spin around Leo. And it was clear Leo’s didn’t spin around him.
\t As unusual as it was for Leo to resist his wicked charms, perhaps it was space the turtle needed. Space he wasn’t going to enjoy. But space he was going to give him.
\tHe stood up. The chair’s legs squealing against the cement floor. Catching all four members of his family’s attention. Oh goody. He ignored them. Grabbing his half empty bowl of cereal and dumping the contents in the sink. Without bothering to look at anyone, he made a beeline out of the kitchen.
\tLeo frowned as he watched Raph’s shell turn and disappear passed the corner. His chest constricted. O-kay, perhaps moving away from him had not been smart. He was sure avoiding Raph as if he had a deadly virus on his every touch was not the best way to earn back someone’s trust. If he was going to convince them nothing was wrong, he was going to have to act like nothing was wrong. Including putting up with the touching and the kissing. He turned back to his bowl, finding the rest of his family watching him. He blinked to them. Officially uncomfortable. Sighing he scooped up his own bowl and raised it to his lips, throwing his head back, he downed the rest of the milk. Popping up from his seat, he dumped the empty dish into the sink as he headed over to the dojo. Eager to start their training.
\tOh how happy he had been to hear that he was going to be taking over things now. It was hard to keep his mouth shut from pointing out the others flaws. Now that he was announced teacher, he could finally start whipping them into shape. Maybe then they could be real ninjas.
\tMikey and Don collapsed at his feet. Pants sawing in and out of their lungs. Sweat dripping from their body and puddling beneath them. Their limbs trembling from the strain of their weight.
\tLeo tsked. “Only an hour into training and you two are already exhausted? Disappointing.”
\tHe sighed, stepping over the immobile body’s. It was a shame. He had so much to teach them but they learn so slow. He couldn’t even do everything he had wanted to. Promising he would keep to their regular katas. He was forced to change only a few things. If only Splinter wasn’t watching his every move. It was such a pain not being able to scowl as they tripped over their own feet like klutzy monkey’s. Ninja’s? Heck no! They were ballerina’s. Only less graceful and pretty.
\tHe risked glancing over at the old rat, finding him no longer staring at him but the two turtles still lying on the ground. Concern blanketing his features. Oh for heaven’s sake!
\tLeo turned back around and kneeled down to his two siblings. Checking them over as a responsible older brother should. “You guys can rest for the remainder of the day. Put some ice on those sore spots.”
\tThe two nodded, shoving themselves off of each other and clambering to their feet. Taking their seats on the other side of the dojo. He peeked at Splinter again and was relieved to see that he looked relaxed. He smiled triumphantly.
\tHe turned back to the last student and was surprised to find Raphael was barely winded at all. Perspiration glistened off his scaly pine green skin. His lips parted as he huffed out his breaths but he hardly looked like he had done anything. It was . . . impressive. Raph’s eyes was locked with his, looking bored. He couldn’t help the smirk that overcame his lips.
\t“I see my training hasn’t been enough for you.”
\tRaph shrugged. “You’re going to have to do better than that Fearless.”
\tLeo knew Raph was still sour at him for the past few days, but that hardly stopped him from being smug.
\t“Well then, care to spar?”
\tRaph shrugged again. Looking unfazed and still bored. Completely opposite from the turmoil that swirled in his emerald eyes. He met the turtle in the center of the mat. Raphael didn’t bother to wait for instructions, but lunged at him right off the bat. Expectant from the hot-head.
\tLeo grinned, twisting to the side, away from him. Dodging another attack as Raph spun around. He sprung forward, tossing a jab to his side. Raph whirled around and blocked. He had to admit, he could see the appeal. The red-clad turtle managed to amuse him many times during their training. He carried his bulk well. Defying the rules of gravity with his physique. Remarkable as it was though, he still couldn’t overlook the many flaws he found in Raphael’s form. Such as his ego and his temper tantrums. It was so easy to get the turtle riled if you really wanted to. Though he knew, if Raph could channel that energy his anger possessed, he would be hell of a lot more capable than Leo was. Such power and potential. Wasted.
\tLeo gasped as Raph’s leg swung around and smacked him across his cheek. Knocking him out of his thoughts. He flew to the side, colliding against the wall. Ouch. Okay, I deserved that. Leo blinked away the black spots from his vision. His shock clearing away. He pushed himself off the ground, dusting himself off. He pursed his lips at the shocked look all members of his family had on him. He should have seen that kick coming. All four of them knew he should have seen that kick coming. Stupid him getting lost in his nitpicking thoughts.
\tHe cleared his throat, smirking at Raph. Play it off cool. Your pride is injured enough as it is.
\t“Nice hit.” He chuckled. “Yame.” He bowed. Raph followed suit, eyeing him with a mixture of concern and confusion.
\tLeo couldn’t help reaching up and brushing a fingertip along his cheek. Surprised by the soreness and sudden puffiness of the skin. There was definitely going to be a good sized bruise there for a while. He dropped his hand. “That’s enough for today. Dismissed.”
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