Don hung up the phone and leaned back with a long sigh. "He's ok..."

April smiled at Casey, then immediately turned back to her distraught friend. "I'm glad, Donnie... I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I can't believe Stan would approach Raphael after everything that happened..."

"He's relentless... Seeing us in pain brings him joy... Specially when it comes to Raph. His largest vendetta was always towards Raph." Don's brow furrowed.

Raphael had always been the 'problem child' per Stan. As soon as little Raphie started to talk and walk he had seen Stan fro who he was; the enemy. He would talk back to Stan, defend his mother when she was being abused, and thus he would be the primary receiver of Stan's admonishments. But physical abuse Raph could take; matter of fact he would take it with a smile, not giving the abusive turtle the satisfaction to see him cry... It was the verbal insults that always got to him... And Stan came to learn that rather quickly. Don remembered as if it was yesterday the day his father found out about Raphael's sexual orientation. The reason it was such a vivid memory in his head was because it had been his fault.

Raph spoke about his new found feelings with his beloved mother first. Regardless of her personal fears and doubts, Sakura had been very supportive, and told him to be proud of who he was, to live the life he chose fully with his head up high. After that, Raph went to Donnie, his beloved big brother, to tell him not only that he had come to understand that side of him, but also that he was happy. Don had been shocked by the news. He had always thought of his brother to be the portrait of male virility and masculinity. His logic mind was certain Raph had made a mistake. Such conversation on that day had put the siblings at odds.

Don had felt the need to vent to a close friend over the phone. Little did he known Stan had woken up from his alcohol induced nap, and was eaves dropping on him.

The words that man spouted at Raphael had crushed him merciless. It was those same words which sent their mother's heart to its limit, giving start to her end.

"Donnie..." Don's eyes opened, his brow moist with sweat. "You know that none of that was your fault, right? You guys were kids..." April had always been very supportive of him. She always felt there was work left undone when it came to the healing process of the turtle brothers, but she had promised herself to be patient for them and just be available when the time came that she was needed.

Donnie smiled at her kindly. "I know it wasn't... But it still hurts when I remember it... His words still sting me like a million needles to my chest. I can't begin to wrap my head around how Raph must have felt."

'So little tough guy is a queer... I told yer mother there was sm'thing wrong with ya. She should've spat you outta her twat when she had tha chance. But ta be honest can't say I blame ya... Yer ma' liked it in the ass too. Matter fact that's how I took her when she conceived you...' Sakura pleaded to him to stop. She had never begged him for anything before. 'Ya know ya're goin' ta hell, right? Queer boy. All faggets go ta hell. And guess who's gonna be there waitin' fer ya? Daddy is... And daddy's gonna fack ya in yer tight little bung hole forever. Cause that's what ya like, ta take it up the ass.' Sakura fell to her knees gripping Raphael's body. She was screaming at him to leave, to run... But Raph just stood there, immobile... Until he felt his mother's grip on him slide to the floor.

"When we saw mom's body shake uncontrollably and her beautiful eyes go white..." Don, being the smart one, knew the signs of a stroke. The pressure had been too much for their beloved mother... And sadly her end was a slow and painful one. Painful for her, and very painful for them. "Mom's eyes were never the same..."

"Only when ya guys sang ta her..." Casey sat next to Don, placing his arm around the turtle's shoulders. "I remember... Her eyes would glisten a little when ya guys sang..." The three smiled. He was right.

Stan stood laughing at the three as the two boys rushed to aid their mom. It was thanks to the 911 recording that police gathered evidence of Stan's abuse towards his family, enough to grant the boys a permanent restraining order, and for the bastard three short years in prison for endangerment and obstruction. Three years which might as well have been a slap on the wrist for all the years of abuse he put his family through. Thank goodness Don was eighteen and was granted custody of his brother, if not they would have gotten shuffled and lost in the foster care system...

"Guys... Thank you... For your help. Today, and in the past as well. You guys are family to us." Donnie's eyes teared up. And if it wasn't because he was too busy trying to wipe away at his face, he would have seen that both April and Casey were crying too. 
_________________________

Leonardo's body felt limp when he heard Raphael's words. The need surging through his body to give himself to the emerald turtle was making his groin stiff. Damn Raphael smelled good, too. The spot where he had been kissed was tingling so much he was certain for some wicked reason the corner of his mouth was swollen. He wanted to be kissed, fully kissed. Not being able to help himself, he let out a soft, sensual groan.

The muffled sound that had come out of Leonardo's mouth triggered Raphael's animal instincts. There was nothing he wanted more than to devour the band leader with his lips. To mark him as his own. If it wasn't for the fact that they were in a public space, Raph would have most likely pounced on Leonardo right there and then. "Come on... I need to walk." Raph pushed Leo gently off of him, putting his hoodie up as soon as the smaller turtle leaned back enough.

Leo could see the vivid red that painted Raphael's face. And by the way Raph was looking at him he could take a guess and assume his face was pretty red as well. Leonardo stood up first, putting his hand out to help Raph to his feet. "Would you like to go somewhere with me...?" Leo's whisper was very sensual. Raph knew exactly where he was being invited to.

"No."

Leonardo's face went blank. "... Excu-"

"Don't know if ya already forgot, but you are hurt, number one. Number two... I ain't really interested in booty calls, Leo." Leonardo's temper had started to rise, but when Raph called him by his nickname instead of 'shithead', he couldn't help but calm down and hear him out.

"Who said anything about a booty call, Raph?" Raphael felt a shiver to hear his own nickname roll off Leonardo's tongue. It sounded so nice... As if Leo was meant to call his name all along. He started to wonder what would it sound like if they were in bed... What kinds of names and sounds could he entice out of sweet Leonardo's sexy mouth...?

Raph shook his head to focus. "Don't ya have to go back to you're pop's place?" He wasn't comfortable. As much as he wanted Leo, there was still a matter he knew very little of, the matter of the blackmailing son of a bitch that had made Leonardo bleed.