Chapter 15-
\tLeonardo felt peace sooth his jostled mind. Reassurance that he was safe and back home to where he belonged warming his aching soul. Raph had found him, just as he knew he would. He had brought him back. He had finally left hell.
\tOh, the stuff he wanted to say to him. He wanted to wrap Raph up in a tight embrace and never let go of him. He wanted to sob out all his fears and pain he had to endure and then show Raph how much he had truly missed him. His heart constricted almost painfully. His entire being cried to freedom. He wanted to rejoice. Wanted to hop up and sing!
\tHis mind went back to the cell. The very damp, cold, dark cell that had kept him trapped for so long. Cutting him off from the rest of the world completely. The door opened as a light streamed in. A light that warmed him right down to the bone. Slicing through the blackness.
\tRaph stood there, smiling at him. “Finally, I found you.” He had said.
\tIt had taken Leo a moment to respond. His mind a tangled disbelieving mess. He recalled wondering if he should dare hope. As soon as he leaped up, ready to escape, would everything had disappeared? He had remembered that hallow pit in his stomach at just the thought.
\t“Come on. We have to go. Nak’ir is going to find us. I need to get you out of here.” Raph had said in a rush. Slinking deeper into the room. His hand outstretched to him. Not what he had expected after not seeing Raph for . . . who knows how long. (Has it been a month? Two months? Longer than that?) without giving it too much thought, he took it anyway. Disappointed to find he couldn’t feel Raph’s palm when he grasped his hand to haul himself up. His wounds had kept him from feeling anything but pressure and numbness. Raph had wrapped his arms around him, allowing to take most of his weight.
\tThe two hobbled down the dark hallways still filled with screaming people. He had wanted to ask about Don and Mikey’s whereabouts but the last of his strength had been sucked out from his moving. It had been a challenge not falling unconscious right then and there. Performing more exercise stumbling around the hallway than in a week alone. His muscles were small and cramped up at every step he took but he had ignored it. Having no desire to be carried out of the building like a damsel in distress. He didn’t like the thought of appearing so weak and frail in front of Raph. How he was bound to look was bad enough.
\tUnfortunately, even with his strongest efforts, he still hadn’t gotten very far. It had been a miracle for him when he climbed down the too many steps back to ground level and out of the exit door. It had been dark and the blurry stars around them reminded Leo of little fairy’s flittering about over the city and he came to the quick assumption that the lack of blood was making him delusional.
\tHe remembered being practically dragged into a vehicle. Laying down in the back seat as an itchy blanket was tossed over him. The vibrations and the hum of the engine as they drove lulled him to sleep. He hadn’t known anything more.
\tHow much time had passed? Had he slept for hours? Day’s? Was it daytime or night? His curiosity driving him the rest of the way to insanity. He needed proof that he had been saved and he hadn’t dreamt the whole thing. It was too hard to believe. He cracked his eyes open, his body quaking with anxiety. Fearing that he was going to find himself back in that same dark abyss that made as his own personal hell.
\tThe thought was quickly diminished when he felt softness carrying his weight. He could have sworn he was sleeping on a cloud the mattress beneath him was so soft. An equally comfortable pillow cradled his head. Struck with a sudden dosage of elation, he pushed himself up. Ignoring the screaming pain in his body that begged him to lay back down. Blinking away the blurriness from his eyes. He was in another brick room, but not the one he had hoped he was in. He wasn’t in his bedroom as he had first suspected. Not in any of the rooms he recalled his home to have.
\tHis eyes scoped the area. A lamp hung over his head, illuminating the space in a soft golden glow. A wooden door the only exit in the room built across from him. The white paint on the brick walls were chipping and peeling. His blue gaze slowly moved over the empty and plain looking room till they landed on the nightstand beside him. A glass of water and a plate of non-moldy bread sat begging for him to devour.
\tHe didn’t hesitant. Didn’t consider the wiseness of his decision. Just snatched up the bread. The food soft and warm in his wrapped hand and smelling like heaven to his nose. Before he could eat it though, he quickly remembered the last time he ate anything. With a torturous sigh, Leo forced himself to take small steady bites. Chewing it slowly. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he savored the explosion of flavor upon his taste buds. A breathy moan escaping his nose as he indulged himself in another sumptuous bite. Then another, and another. Before he knew it, he popped the last piece in his mouth. His stomach growling at him in praise.
\tHe reached over for the glass of water. Grimacing at the heaviness of it, he carefully tipped it. Pouring half of the drink onto the floor. Lightening the weight. He lifted it up to his lips, repeating the same actions with the bread. Despite the urge to chug it all down in one gulp, he took small, leisurely sips. Treasuring each mouthful of the cool drink like it was liquid gold. Greedily, he sucked every drop till it was dry. Instantly regretting wasting half of that water.
\tLeo returned the glass to its original position, leaning back against the pillow he’d come to realize had no cover on it. Not that it bothered him. He would have sold his soul just to have this pillow with him in that cell. The thin sheet that shielded him was nothing but white, including the bed cover below him. He stared at his bandaged hands, realizing they were new. No longer was dried blood and dirt stained on them. They were as snow white as the sheets.
\tKnowing that underneath them, was nothing but raw pink muscle blew a cold shallow wind inside him, but nevertheless, he was glad to have them changed. How on earth did he not die? It had to have been something Nak’ir did to prevent infection.
\tWho had changed them? He couldn’t help but wonder. Was it Don? Raph? Did they see what happened to him? Were they disgusted by it? Where was Raph by the way? Why wasn’t he here, waiting beside him like he had every other time he woke up from unconsciousness? What was he doing right now? Was he thinking about him?
\tDozens of questions buzzed through his head and as if to answer a few of them, the wooden door squeaked open and Raph stood there in the doorway. All broad muscles and strength. A smile spread across Leo’s face he swore should have split his cheeks. He pushed himself up again, his excitement energizing him.
\t“Raph . . .” He was startled to find that low gravelly voice to be his. He sounded like he had gargled nails. He felt like he had gargled nails.
\t“Leo, I’m glad you’re awake.” Raph sighed out. His own smile growing. Leo felt himself become restless and squirmy the closer Raph stalked to him. His arms suddenly aching not with pain, but the need to wrap themselves around Raph and pull him close. Longing for the warmth he knew practically made up that body.
\tMuch to his surprise and bitter disappointment, Raph sat down at the end of the bed. Right out of his reach. Was it totally horrible that he had expected him to rush right over to him, scoop him up, and kiss the daylights out of him? Even with the sudden sour thought, he felt a spurt of tingles trek up his legs frayed nerves where Raph touched him. It should have hurt. In fact, . . . he wasn’t hurting at all. Anything hurt his body. He had gotten so used to the pain, not feeling anything was so alien to him.
\t“How are you feeling? Have the drugs kicked in yet?” Raph’s voice asked him in as gentle as a rough masculine voice like his could.
\tLeo could only nod as he wiggled his toes experimentally. When they didn’t hurt, he did the fingers. When the results remained the same, he moved his elbows. Rolled his shoulders. There was tightness from his healing muscles and thick layers of wrappings but no sharp, stinging pain that made him want to crawl in a hole and die. This was good!
\tAfter he was done marveling at the peace in his body, he looked back up at Raph. Time to get more answers. “Where are we?”
\t“We are in an apartment room. Lair was compromised.” Leo opened his mouth to question more but Raph already changed subjects. “I see you had the bread and water I left for you.” Raph’s head nodded over to the empty plate and glass.
\t“Yes, thank you.” Leo whispered. Finding it much easier on his throat. Why did it suddenly seem so awkward in the room?
\tHis attention was brought back up when he felt the bed move. Raph had risen from the mattress and he suddenly felt panicked that he was going to leave him alone again. The feeling disintegrated when Raph turned to him, pinning him back with a look that boiled his blood. A familiar desire sparking to life in those emerald depths, Raph had never failed to give him around his presence. Even now, he was caught up in wholly inappropriate thoughts one shouldn’t be having in this certain situation. It amazed him even after all these years with him, how Raph could easily fire him up. Even after immediately returning from hell, he couldn’t stop himself from wondering if this could still work with him bandaged from head to toe.
\tHe started squirming unintentionally as he watched Raph refill his water glass and hold it out for him. Leo complied without a single word. Taking greedy gulps. Not as careful as he was last time. His eyes still locked with Raph’s and his body suddenly felt tingly at the sparks between them. He demanded his body to stop this behavior but evidently it knew Raph and wanted him like crazy. A fire flared in Leo’s gut as Raph’s callus thumb wiped a loose drop of water from his bottom lip. That fire spreading to his limbs when Raph leaned in closer. His hot breath cascading along his face.
\tUnable to stand the space any longer, he closed the distance between them. Locking their lips together in a deep, passionate kiss. Pouring every ounce of his hunger and yearning into it. He moaned when Raph sucked on his bottom lip before thrusting his tongue into his mouth just as he wanted. He pushed back, clutching at Raph’s shoulders. His fingers digging into the skin. Savoring the taste, he . . . couldn’t recognize.
\tRaph parted from him as soon as he stopped responding and he shushed his body from screaming in outrage at the separation. His brows creased and his eyes narrowed, a look of incredulity wore his expression. His mouth twisted.
\t“What’s wrong? Do you feel okay? Leo?” Raph (or whoever he was) asked in a false concerned tone. He tried to cup his cheeks to move his head at a better viewing angle, but Leo jerked his head out of the grasp. Those blue eyes giving off skepticism.
\tRaph Two (he decided to call him until his head healed enough to come up with something better.) appeared confused. “Leo?”
\t“Don’t ‘Leo’ me. Who are you?” He snapped. His hoarse voice providing well for intimidation but it hurt like a son of a bitch!
\t“What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?” Raph Two reached over to grasp Leo’s hand. Leo tugged back but the hold was persistent. He snarled at the difference in strength. His legs kicking as he struggled against the grip. The imposter pinning him down on the bed.
\t“Don’t touch me!” He roared. Head butting the turtle. He hissed at the pain that shot down his spinal cord the pain killers were incapable of smothering. Luckily, it hurt the imposter more than it did him.
\tRaph Two stumbled backwards. Dazzed.
\tLeo stole the opportunity. Swinging his legs off the edge of the bed, he forced himself upwards. Teetering forwards as his legs threatened to give out on him. He threw his weight on Raph Two before he had the chance to hit the ground. He elbowed his nose and smiled when the turtle tumbled hard to the floor instead. Catching his own self on the wall before he could join him. He staggered to the wooden door, little pins and needles stabbing his arch and the soles of his feet as his blood poured back into them. He jerked the door and growled in frustration when it refused to open. He tugged and yanked viciously on the handle but the door rejected to concede to his advances. “Damn.” He hissed.
\tIf he wasn’t so injured, he could’ve shoved himself through the wood as if it was nothing but paper. He could probably still do it but he knew he wouldn’t be able to get back up afterwards.
\tLarge, strong arms encased around his abdomen and pulled him farther back into the room. Instincts kicked in and he stomped his heel onto one of Raph Two’s feet. The hold loosened a little. His elbow impacting with his attacker’s side, the hold loosened farther. Leo slid out of the grip, whirling around and clutching Raph Two’s head, he kneed him. The turtle reeled backwards into the nightstand. The poor table collapsing under his weight. The glass and pottery crashing into a hundred shards on the brick.
\tLeo gasped as he fell back against the wall, sucking in sharp pained breaths through his teeth. Even with the pain killers, he could still feel all of that.
\tHe urged himself to move before the aggressor could recover. Spotting the key’s hanging off his belt. He smiled, snatching them and quickly unlocking the door. Hobbling his way down the hall as fast as his weak legs could carry him.
\tThe place felt like an endless maze as he turned right, left, right, and left again, the halls identical. Doors built along the walls every now and then. White tiles cold on his bare feet. He wasn’t sure where he was but he knew he was not in an apartment. Judging by the silence and the fact that he occasionally came across a broken window, or boarded up door, or shattered tiles, the place was abandoned only recently.
\t“Leo!” He heard Raph’s voice shout for him. Honeyed with concern but slightly laced with anger. He knew better than to trust that voice despite a desperate compulsion to turn back to him. Who the hell was that? Why did he resemble so much of Raph? And where was his Raph?
\tAdrenaline surged into his veins, driving his feet faster. He jogged down to the end of the hall. Barging through the door that glowed Exit above it. He groaned in annoyance when he encountered stairs leading down around five levels. Why did he choose the top floor? The jerk!
\t“Leo! Come here!” Raph Two barked. Yeah, like that was going to make him come. Grounding his teeth, Leo took one step at a time, using the railing as support. He forced his legs past their limit. Oh, I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow.
\tHe made it only two flights of stairs when he heard a loud bang of the door as it collided against the wall.
\t“Leonardo!” Okay, he wasn’t even trying this time! Pure rage, etched with deranged echoed down the steps.
\tLeo didn’t stop to check. Accelerating his pace, he took the stairs by two. Hardly noticing the pain in the midst of his panic. He could hear the pounding of Raph Two’s feet catching up to him fast.
\tHe reached the third level, shoving himself through the door. His legs failing him. His breath coming as pants. Exhaustion shackling his limbs with weights. The end of the hallways was starting to feel miles away.
\t“What’s the matter Leooo? Afraid of your lover?” Forget deranged. He was insane! Hysterical laughter chilled Leo to the bone. Why did he have to sound so much like Raph?
\tHe wasn’t. He kept reminding himself. This wasn’t Raph.
\tHe swung around the right hall. Not bothering to look back to see how close he was coming to him.
\t“Leoooo! Leooo! Le--” A crack. A thump. Leo slowed to a stop. His chest constricting. Debating whether to continue or not.
\t“Leo!” Raph’s voice. Or Raph Two? Leo turned. Eyeing the corner of the hall. He didn’t hear delirium. No anger. Just the sound of fear and worry. Was it genuine? He couldn’t decide.
\tHis heart lurched when a Raph rounded the corner. His gorgeous green eyes wide and searching. Said turtle froze at the sight of him. Emotions flashing across his face. Surprise was first, dubiety was second, fear, grief, and finally relief. He started towards him and Leo instinctively scrambled backwards, a crack in the tiles tripping him. He fell against the wall, his arms pinwheeling for balance. In an instant, Raph (Raph Two?) was there. His hand clutching his wrist, catching him before he could land. He pulled him back up to his feet.
\tLeo had half the mind to deck the guy while he had him at close range, but his arms refused to work for his desires. Seeming to read his mind, Raph took one step back. Creating just an inch of space between them. His hand still clutching his wrist, sending a jolt of electricity down his already sensitive nerves. He stared warily back up at Raph. Searching those emerald eyes, he thought he knew so well, for a shred of proof he wasn’t being tricked again.
\t“Leo, it’s okay. It’s me.” So gentle his rough voice was. A very comforting caress on his aching heart.
\tHe peered passed Raph’s shoulder when both Don and Mikey ran around the corner next. Pausing just a few of feet away from them. Their eyes as concerned as the turtle in front of him. He fought the urge to take off running. Reminding himself that the guy couldn’t multiply. At least not that he knew of.
\tHis eyes eventually found Raph’s again.
\t“Raph . . .?” He croaked. Amazed with himself for managing just the name. He sounded so close to losing his voice.
\tRaph smiled something warm and loving. An expression he rarely ever saw and he relished in it. Raph's hand releasing his hold and sliding up his arm to his shoulder and ghosting up his neck to cup his cloth covered cheek. Captivated when he noticed Raph’s eyes begin to glisten and fat tears rolled down his face.
\tLeo found himself physically incapable of preventing from choking up himself as he threw himself at Raph. His arms flinging around him. Clutching him as tightly as the remainder of his strength would allow. Burying his face in his neck and bathing in the familiar scent of musk and sandalwood and citrus. This was his Raph.
\t“Knew you’d find me.” He tried for amusement and failed. His emotions crashing and burning along with his pride. He cried a river of tears. The pain, misery, and loneliness from those few months seeming to burst from him like a dam.
\t“Always.” He heard Raph whisper to him.
\tHis adrenaline crashed. His muscles sore from the exertion, his mind in a haze from his sobs. Exhaustion claimed him before he even knew it was coming. Black spots stretching across his vision until darkness surrounded him. The knowledge of finally being safe for certain, resting him easily. He knew nothing more.
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