Chapter 17-
	Leo walked out of the temple like structure that was built into the side of mountain. Providing as their home for the past few days. Rocky columns stretching a good ten feet above him. Grape vines carved into the sides of the stone. Or what he assumed was grape vines. He stood at the edge of the balcony. Leaning against the stone railing, carved with the same designs. Weed and moss overgrown onto the rock. The temple over-looked a valley of nothing but tall stalks of grass that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Resembling waves in the ocean as they bowed against the beats of the light cool breeze. Mountains of rich purples stalked the land. The snowcapped peaks, reaching far into the atmosphere. A sky of blue above him that gave a front seat view of a neighboring planet just eight months away without a booster. Fog clung to the ground, giving the landscape that dreamy haze atmosphere. 
	The planet was inhabited by a very hospitable culture that had allowed them to run free all they wanted, under the condition no one was to harm them or their structures.  
	“What are you doing up here? The party’s down there.” A voice that warmed every inch of Leo came from behind him. He turned, smiling fondly at Raph.
	“Just wanted to enjoy the view first before we head out. Earth doesn’t have a close up of a planet in the sky like this.” 
	“We’ll probably be seeing plenty of this before we return to Earth.”
	“Probably, but most planets have hostile races and we’re too busy fighting them to actually enjoy the beauty of a new planet.” Leo spoke as he turned back to the landscape. Enjoying the cool breeze that caressed his skin. Inhaling the sweet scent of blue grass that instantly cleared the sinuses and left you in peaceful, tranquil state. Nothing like New York. Or any other place for that matter. This planet was like a miniature version of heaven as soon as you stepped onto the surface.
	He never wanted to leave.
	There was always something wrong with every world they went to and this one was no different. Don had figured it was the pollen substance the grass gave off that captured you. Lured you. It made you feel compelled to never leave the place. Violence seeming like a too energetic task. If there were any threats though, they had yet to find them. He hoped to god that would never happen. He was so done with battles. They desperately needed a vacation.
	“The beauty is just as breath taking down there as it is up here.” Raph pointed out. Walking up beside him.
	“I was planning on coming back. I just needed a small break.”
	“You’ve been up here for fifteen minutes now. April was hoping to catch a dance with you. She did everyone else.”
	“You danced with her?” Leo glimpsed incredulously at Raph. An amused gleam in his eye.
	“Yeah, I know. Crazy, right?” Raph smirked. 
	“How many toes did you step on?”
	Raph glared at Leo. A shiver washing over him. “Two.” Leo laughed. “Hey, you probably won’t be any better.” Raph pointed a finger at him.
	Leo grinned. “Never claimed myself to be. Splinter never taught us how to dance. The only dancing, we know, we learned from Youtube. All of them for singles.”
	Raph snorted. “I would suggest you catch her now. Despite her broken toes, she’s in a relatively good mood.”
	“It’s her wedding day.” Leo chuckled.
	Raph glanced at him with those molten pools of vivid emerald that warmed Leo’s soul instantly. Heat growing in his gut and spreading like wild fire throughout his limbs. He reached over, grasping one of Raph’s wrists and pulling him over. Smashing their lips for a kiss. Passion quickly radiating from the two and Leo found himself lost in his desire within seconds as he often did when kissing Raph. 
	His hands ghosting up the bulk of Raph’s biceps. His fingers tracing across the many newly acquired scars via Nak’ir. His finger coming up along his broad shoulders and back down to Raph’s hands. Gliding along each separate finger of his. Paying extra attention to the two prosthetics on each. He could hardly feel the difference between the fake and real ones. Counting the leg as well. They felt like they were made with substitute flesh of some sort. The only obvious difference was one leg was flawless while the other was cluttered with severe scars. Nonetheless, he loved them just as much as he loved anything else a part of Raph. Real or fake. 
	Raph was the first to pull away. Their breaths coming out thick and heavy. Their body’s trembling with new bloomed arousal and Leo found himself pinned between the stone railing and the muscled body. A pine green hand on either side of him, trapping him.
	Raph’s body pressed up hard against him. His head buried in his neck as he skillfully laved that beautiful tongue across the skin on his neck. Awakening all those lovely nerves sewn into his throat just for Raph’s touches. Pleasure shot down to his nether regions. His dick begging for the same treatment. 
	He dug his fingers into Raph’s hips. Somehow; regretfully, pulling away from him. “Raph, this isn’t exactly the best place to be doing this.” He narrowed his eyes on him.
	Raph grinned wickedly. His eyes gleaming with such promise. Leo refused to be swayed, despite the opposite desire from certain parts. 
	“I disagree. This rail is the perfect height to put you on. It will give me the perfect angle to thrust just right. Fast and hard as you like it.” Raph murmured huskily. Causing Leo to squirm. Trying so hard to disguise how good that sounded to him. Raph obviously had no self-control when it came to his lusty cravings and would be ready and willing to satisfy them whenever, wherever. So, he had to be the responsible adult to reel them in or otherwise they would be constantly going at it like a couple of horny rabbits. 
	I will not crack.
	“No. Come on. April is probably wondering where we are.” Leo attempted to push past Raph, but the bulkier and stubborn turtle refused to budge. He could easily get out of this. Just one simple laborless move could have him on the ground, writhing in seconds. Raph was fully aware of that but they both seem to know he wasn’t going to do it.
	“It’ll only take five minutes.” Raph rumbled.
	“Five? It never takes you five minutes to finish.” Leo gaped at him skeptically. 
	Raph smirked. “That’s because I never wanted it to. This will be just a quickie.”
	“Quickie . . .” Leo muttered under his breath. Hesitating for only the count of three, but it was enough for Raph. He grinned, grabbing Leo’s rear, he plopped him onto the railing. His hands clenching his hips to keep him in place and prevent him from falling over the other end. 
	Leo’s head flew back with a loud holler of bliss as Raph dropped down and rammed straight home. Seeming to know right away the perfect spot to thrust. His legs and arms wrapping around Raph to both prevent his body from tipping over the railing and to pull Raph impossibly closer.
	Moans and churrs filling the air around them. Raph’s talented tongue sliding across his jawline, gently biting at his chin, before licking the rest of the way down his throat. His teeth clasping around his neck. One hand travelled down Leo’s plastron, his fingers curling around him and moving rhythmically. Little sparks and crackles of molten heat shot up and across his nervous system. Spreading from the top of his head down to his feet. His blood boiling, on the brink of exploding. He couldn’t form a single rational thought. Completely under the authority of his need. All control thrown out the window. 
	He knew how unwise this was. April or Casey or one of their brothers or god forbid all of them could come looking for them at any given point and witness their unruly behavior, best kept behind bedroom doors. However, if someone asked him if he cared right now. His answer would have been; not in the least.
	The mixture of both his brain-melting pleasure and the sweet scent of the blue grass that automatically set his mind at ease had introduced his nerves to a whole new sensation that had pushed him to his peak. 
	His body spasmed from the ecstasy of his release. His cry echoing for miles. His mind drifting. His body feeling afloat in the sea of his afterglow. Raph’s roar in the distance as he to, reached the pinnacle of his own, mind-blowing orgasm. Raph slumped against him, his chest heaving along with his. Their body’s sticky with perspiration and other bodily fluids.
	Was it already over? It felt like just a couple of minutes went by, yet, easily an hour. 

	Forty minutes later . . .
	Leo stomped down the steps from the balcony, trying to simultaneously tie his belt back in place and not fall off the edge of the cliff. The rock chiseled steps extremely narrow so only half of your foot could fit and was very steep. Obviously, the inhabitants who built this place was either very small or little dare devils because they hadn’t bothered putting a rail of any sort, unlike the balcony and Leo almost broke his neck a couple of times on the way down. 
	Once safe at the bottom, Leo finished straightening his elbow pads and retying his mask to his face. Silently cursing Raph for so easily persuading him into a round four. 
	Raph walked up to his side. A wide satisfied smile on his face. Leo tossed him a glare.
	“You enjoyed every minute of it. Don’t give me that look.”
	Leo didn’t deny a thing. In fact, he didn’t say anything at all. He melted into Raph’s side when he wrapped an arm around his waist. Impressing him. Raph usually wasn’t comfortable with any sort of intimate contact. At least in public anyway. In bed, he was an entirely new person. An animal that knew what he wanted and ravished it. He loved it.
	Though, for the three years they hooked up before the destruction of Earth, it had been all about the sex. Yes, they agreed to give up their conflicts and negotiate their differences, but nonetheless, when they weren’t having sex they were brothers, best friends. Only. In bed, there was nothing intimate about them. He had liked it that way at the time. 
	Then Raph and Don got kidnapped by Nak’ir and Leo’s world crashed and burned. It had shocked him how useless he felt without Raph. He was quick to realize that he had needed him. He was that other side to the coin. More than a fuck buddy when he was horny. And he had never been more relieved; more overjoyed than when he had found him. Granted, missing parts, but alive. Raphael must have realized that himself as he remembered their night together after he had fully healed. It wasn’t wild as it usually would be. Leo had taken every little minute to caress Raph’s body. Had licked and kissed every curve and crevice on him. Had paid each scar an equal amount of attention. Making sure Raph was aware of how much he missed him before taking him on a slow pleasurable ride that lead to a, just as good, but certainly unique orgasm. 
	After that, things had shifted. True, they still had untamable, can’t-walk-for-a-week, sex, but outside the bedroom they never tried to forget they were lovers. Only for the sake of their family did they not show it, and of course, Raph felt too awkward in public.
	A dorky smile stretched across Leo’s lips. Raph eyed him.
	“What are ya suddenly smiling over?”
	Leo flashed his smile in his direction. “Us.”
	“You’re such a sap.” Raph shoved him away but grinned fondly at him. Leo laughed. 
	“There you two are!” April rushed up to them. A grin on her rosy red lips. Her white taffeta reception dress, thankfully short enough it didn’t drag on the grass and trip her like her wedding dress had countless times in a field of uncut blue grass. A little bow hooked the two flaps that covered her bosom. Buttoning the rest of the way down her abdomen. Her skirt ending just above her knees. All thanks to Honeycutt for being able to make it.
	She went up to Raph. Smirking knowingly at him as she grabbed the mask that currently was slung over his shoulder and began tying it back on his face. “Raph, I meant for you to go fetch Leo. Not bone him.”
	Raph sniggered. Casey groaned as he came up behind April. Dressed in a navy-blue suit with a yellow tie and a single tiny sunflower pinned to his breast pocket. His black hair sleeked back and shined from over use of gel. The teen boy now transformed into a man against his will. 
	“Red, you’ve been hanging out way too much with Raph. He’s destroyed your filter.”
	“Your fault.” April peeked at her groom over her delicate shoulder. As soon as she was done tying a bow on Raph’s mask, she slinked over to Leo. Curling an arm through his. 
	“Really April?” Raph growled as Casey barked out a laugh.
	April blew him a kiss before dragging Leo with her to where the wedding reception was at. A couple tables had been laid out. Sunflowers and blue tulips in vases, candles, plates, and silverware living up to the silver part of its name, graced the tables. Yellow and blue bows tied over each chair. Christmas lights thrown on the trees that dotted the land with white. The little blue beasties that were native to the planet, skittered around the area. Sniffing curiously at the foreign objects. They were brave little critters. Reminding Leo of a cross between a mouse and a joey. Only slightly bigger and . . . deep navy blue fur. 
	 April ignored them and pulled him over to the center clearing of it all. The beasties scampering back to avoid being accidently stomped. Taking one of his large hands in her tiny slender one. Folding their fingers together. She guided his free hand around her waist before sliding her own over his shoulder. “I’m really going to have to teach you guy’s how to slow dance properly. That way you and Raph can do it.”
	Leo laughed at the picture. “I don’t think he would go for that.”
	“I don’t care that you guys are just casual partners. You two need to delve more in a romantic nature. You’re constantly together. You can’t possibly think it’ll always remain casual.” Other than Don and Mikey, who were currently chatting away at one of the tables. April had been the most excited at the news of their relationship. Though she did tend to get ahead of herself at times. Casey had some warming up to do. 
	“I just know Raph. He isn’t into that romance stuff.”
	“How’s that?”
	“I couldn’t pay him enough to hold hands. Let alone get him to like candles and roses.” Leo snorted. 
	April rolled her eyes. “I’ve been with plenty of guys before Leo. I know what a causal relationship feels like and you don’t see me calling them up to say “hey,” do you?”
	Leo huffed. “You’re seriously comparing my relationship with Raph to your old high school crushes? Look April, Raph and I agreed to no intimacy, for two reasons. One; this thing between us started out of mere curiosity and it was fun and exciting. I care about Raph, I do. Which is why love spells disaster. Two; we’ve just finally managed to mend our bond and yes, we haven’t been fighting like we used to, but there will be some big ones and I can’t guarantee we can always work them out. Isn’t it more logical not to get emotionally attached to someone so that way the separation would be less painful?”
	“So are you saying mine and Casey’s relationship is doomed because we have disagreements?” April raised an eyebrow. 
	“No! It’s just . . . we’re unpredictable. Nothing will ever be set in stone between us. So, if one of us decides we don’t want any more of this, the separation wouldn’t hurt so much. I need him April. I can’t function the team properly without him a part of it. He’s my second in command. And it’s not just about us, it’s about the family. I can’t allow our relationship problems to wreck our team.”
	April pressed her lips together. Her thick eyelashes fussing. She led him into a twirl. Raising his arm up so she could duck under it. Facing him with a smile once again. “The fact of life for everyone Leo; no fate will ever be set in stone. That’s the beauty of free will. The challenge is, can you work out the kinks and stand tall? Or will you break apart and cry?” She winked at him.
	The sound of a trombone, piano, and oboe ended the five second silence for the CD player to switch to the next song. 
	April gasped. Her smile morphing into a grin. “Oh, I love this song!” She clutched Leo tighter before he could escape. And oh, how he wanted to escape.
	“I’ve got you, under my skin.” April sung with the young man’s voice. Leo’s blood turned to ice. His heart stopping for the count of three. “I’ve got you, deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart, that you’re really apart of me.” 
	The red head spun. Her skirt flying. Leo’s hand slipping from hers and he down right gawked in horror. He hadn’t let go of her hand. In fact, he was still clenching it right now. The skin completely slid off her forearm like a glove! Nothing but red muscle and blood replacing the area. Yet, she didn’t seem the least bit affected by the unfortunate incident. 
	“I’ve got you, under my skin.”
	She turned to him, that same grin plastered to her face. As happy as a clam. Then that grin faded to concern as she saw his face. “What’s wrong?” Her voice was as smooth as silk. Her lashes fluttering as she stared at him in confusion. Seeming entirely unaware of the fact he held in his hand, her skin.
	His gaze swiveled away from the flesh, over to her, then across his surroundings. His stomach performing a series of flips as it threatened to discard the waste. Don and Mikey flashed him the same surgery sweet grins from the table they sat at, as they simultaneously slipped off the skin from their bones like they were taking off a coat. Casey pulled off pieces of skin from his neck and face while Raph removed the skin from his head altogether like a ski mask. Tossing the flesh onto the ground as if it was nothing more than dirty laundry. 
	“I'd tried so hard, not to give in. I said to myself: this affair never will go so well.”
	“Leo? Are you sick?”
	He snapped his attention over to April and honestly wished he hadn’t. The rest of her skin began peeling away from her. Flaking to the ground like snow, and she just stood there! Her gaze not wavering from him. 
	He was going insane! He knew it! His sanity withering away and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. He was freaking out! His breathing ragged as he hyperventilated. His body trembling, he swore he would break. 
	“Leo?” He heard the other voices of his family but he didn’t dare look at them. He could feel their close presence behind him. So close. Their hot breaths cascading down his neck. Cold, damp, fingers digging into his shoulders. Clawing at him, but that wasn’t what broke him out of his shock. He hardly noticed them. His attention was currently caught on the flaming white pain that crawled up his legs like ants feasting on his flesh. Their legs little burning needles sinking deep into him. 
	Leo screamed and thrashed. His eyes wide and panicked as he watched his own skin peeling away from his legs. Slivers of mint green dropping on the grass. Blood pooling below him. He had never felt pain quite like this. Rephrase, nothing like this. All the tortures he endured over the past few years seeming like child’s play compared to this. Constant, non-stop, blistering pain that just intensified the longer he stayed alive.
“But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well. I've got you under my skin?”
	Then it stopped. The sting still there but it had paused right at his knees. Now noticing his surroundings had switched. 
	He was in a brick, windowless, room. A small lamp that was hard on the eyes hung above him. Lighting the area. He was lying down. His wrists, ankles, neck, and waist, strapped down by thick, brown, leather straps. He grunted, trying to move, but as expected, got absolutely nowhere. The brick walls were caked with months old blood and mud. The horrid stench of metallic overwhelming his poor nose, making him nauseous. He forced the bile down. He couldn’t move his head to puke and would most likely drown if he did. He refused to die like that.
	Leo tilted his head as much as he could. Spotting a table possessing shiny metal mechanisms and tools he couldn’t name and did not want to know their purpose. He wondered with dread in his gut, how many people had been strapped to this table and introduced over and over to each of the devices. Leo fought down the stomach acid that tried a second time to burn a hole in his esophagus. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the music. The sound losing all its charm as it bounced off the walls. Rattling his bones.
	“I’d sacrifice anything what come for the sake, of having you near. In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats; repeats in my ear.” A dark rough voice sang along. A cold chill that caused Leo to shiver in his restraints rushed through him. Fear rocking his entire body. His brain screaming at him to panic. His heart pounding so hard, he was surprised it hadn’t busted out of his rib cage yet. He tugged and pulled on the binds that gave away nothing. He was far from scared. He was downright terrified!
	“Don’t you know, you fool, you never can win? Use your mentality. Wake up to reality.” Said man stepped into his line of sight. A benchmade skinning knife clasped in hand. His other leisurely gliding a sharpening stone across the blade. His hips swaying to the rhythm of the music.
	Tears stung the backs of his eyes as he watched. He knew what was coming. He remembered this. This wasn’t fair! He didn’t want this! Why did he have to go through this again? Those tears burned a trail down his cheeks. A sob breaking past his lips. A beg. He never begged, but this time he did. He begged for mercy. Begged for death. If it weren’t for the straps, he would have been down on his knees. 
	Nak’ir, of course, ignored him. Setting the stone down on the table, he tested the sharpness of the weapon. Slicing his palm against the blade. A deep brutal cut tearing his skin. Nak’ir threw his head back, groaning in ecstasy. His hand curling in a tight fist as the blood dribbled down the length of his forearm. He panted, his tongue lapping at the brown liquid. His menacing eyes glittering with such sickening pleasure. 
	“I would sacrifice anything come what might, for the sake of having you near. In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night, and repeated- how it yells in my ear . . .” He began yet again. A smile of contentment spread across those blood-stained lips as he skipped out of Leo’s vision. 
	Hissing and tossing uselessly in his restraints. Practically cutting off his airway in his pitiful attempts to get free as he felt one of his toes being groped by cold fingers. The metal of the knife pressing in his skin deep, deeper, deeper. 
	Leo screamed as he felt the knife slide through his toe, down the arch of his foot. He yanked even harder. Desperate to create distance. Failing. The leather rubbing him raw.
	Over his cry’s and shrieks he could hear the volume of the music increase until his voice was blurred into the background, but the pain didn’t cease there. Each toe getting skinned bit by bit. Slowly. Oh, so slowly. The knife peeling over the top of his foot. Over his ankles.
	“Oh god! Please stop! Please!”
	“Don’t you know, you little fool, you can never win? Why not choose your mentality- step up to reality?” Up his shins. Calves. Knees. Thighs. 
	“But each time I do, just the thought of you, makes me stop before I begin. Cause I’ve got you, under my skin . . .”
	“Yes, I’ve got you under my skin . . .”

	Raph snapped awake to the bed bouncing wildly. Leo screaming beside him.
	Screaming . . .
	Shit! He pushed himself up. Adrenaline suddenly pumping in his veins, chasing away the haze of sleep and sluggishness in his body. Leo was tangled in the covers, kicking and shouting in fear. In pain? It was only now he realized he had no covers on himself. 
	“Leo! Stop! It’s okay! You’re okay!” Raph lunged for the lump before Leo could go tumbling off the other end of the bed. Though, his actions appeared to only make things worse. He felt a fist connect with his jaw. A knee to the gut. He grunted but that didn’t stop him. He grabbed one of the hands that was currently clawing at his face and tugged Leo to the center of the bed. Trying to both subdue Leo and get him untangled. He should honestly get a metal for best multitasker.
	It took longer than he had first intended, but he managed it. He was positive by morning he would be looking like he just got finished wrestling a bull, but that wasn’t his biggest concern now. He pinned Leo against the mattress with a crushing bear-hug. Ignoring the harsh blows that continued to rain down on his unprotected body. Focusing solely on calming the turtle below him.
	“Leo, open your eyes. It’s okay. You’re with me. You’re safe.” He murmured into his ear. Hoping to fight his way through Leo’s nightmare. Eventually, Leo’s attacks slowly ceased. Finally, seeming to hear him.
	“You’re home Leo. You’re okay. I’ve got you. I won’t let him hurt you.” Not anymore, anyway.
	“Raph?” Leo called. His tone brittle.
	“I’ve got you. I’ll protect you.” The body underneath him began to quake. Raph tightened his embrace. Planting kisses after kisses on his throat and jawline. Hating the sounds of his sobs. He loved Leo when he was happy, confident, strong. He hated how crushed his spirit was all caused by one man. Oh yes, Nak’ir was going to pay dearly for this. His hands were already itching for the feeling of his blood on him. Whatever torture he put Leo through, he was going to do ten times worse to him. 
	The nightmares have finally come. It had been two more days and nights. Leo had slept like the dead through each of them. Catching up on the sleep he desperately needed. Now, the problem was, with good sleep, come dreams and if there are dreams, there are nightmares. He would know. He had done the same. 
	Leo’s arms finally found the strength to wrap around him. Hugging him back with as much power as his weak little body could. To Leo’s bitter disappointment, that wasn’t much. 
	Raph looked down at Leo, his eyes fixated at the tears that continued to run down his cheeks. His eyes, bloodshot and glistening. His lips parted and chapped as he panted from the excursions. Perspiration dampened his bandages. The mirror image of himself, three years ago. Minus the bandages. This had been him. Panting, sweating, sobbing. Fear. So much fear caused by the same man. 
	He had woken much in the same manner. Panicked. Scared for his life. At least he had Donnie with him at the time. He had felt so compelled to protect his little brother no matter the torture he was going through. Leo had to suffer on his own.
	Raph remembered jumping off the bed, grabbing a dagger he had kept with him most nights. Still did. He hadn’t even realized where he was. Nearly stabbed Leo in the process. How grateful he was the turtle was the best trained ninja he knew. Leo had easily dodged his sloppy, flailing advances. Smoothly disarming him of the blade and tackling him to the bed. Pinning him much like now and holding him till reality knocked back in his skull. Oh, the guilt he had felt afterwards when he realized what he had done. Apologizing up and down as he searched Leo’s body thoroughly for any sign of harm. There had been nothing, much to his relief and he could remember Leo laughing and teasing him about his horrible accuracy and balance. The smile had been contagious and next thing he knew; he was laughing with him again.
	There were many other nights that had followed similar paths. Many nightmares that scared him into a panicked frenzy, but Leo had been there each and every time. Pinning him when he attacked and comforting him when he broke. How painful it had been to his pride back then. How he loved Leo for it now. 
	He wasn’t going to allow Leo to sleep one night without him if these nightmares were plaguing him. He would remain here, ready to aid him when needed. Leo didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve any part of it. As far as he was concerned, Leo was an angel. Just perfect. He deserved happiness and love. Deserved to be spoiled rotten. He could understand why he went through this. He was an arrogant, selfish, pain in the arse. With a hot temper to complete the package and wrapped with a little red bow. 
	“Your face.” Leo murmured. Pulling Raph back to the present. Leo’s warm bandaged hand, caressing his cheek. His thumb brushing against a sore place that would leave a mark in the morning. Raph winced. Leo jerked his hand back. “I hurt you?”
	Raph chuckled. “I can handle it. Don’t worry about me.” He grasped the hand, kissing his knuckles.
	“I hurt you.” Leo croaked. Regret heavy in those eyes of sapphire gems.
	Raph shook his head. Huffing. It was crazy. Leo was the one suffering those nightmares of God only knows what horrors, and here he was; concerned over a couple of punches he landed on him. “Lucky shot.” He murmured. Amusement gleaming in his own eyes. “You have a lot more accuracy than I did.”
	Leo blinked. Silent for the count of four. Then a slow smile appeared. A giggle he couldn’t seem to control, barging past his lips. His shoulders shaking. “Quit that! I’m supposed to be upset right now!”
	Raph grinned. “But I like your smile.” He leaned down to kiss the wet cloth covered cheeks. “I like your laugh. It’s better than any musical.”
	“And you call me a sap.” Leo snorted.
	Raph bit the side of Leo’s jaw. Earning a small groan. A groan that instantly got him rock hard. “Just take the damn compliment.”
	“That’s the Raphael I remember.”
	Heck no! “Oh please, that arrogant bastard is long gone.”
	“He wasn’t arrogant. Nor was he a bastard.” Leo said in his defense. Cute. But he wasn’t going to deny the truth. He kissed his nose. 
	“Yes, he was. He didn’t realize how great he had it until it was taken away from him. He’s gone now.” And he was glad. 
	Leo opened his mouth to reply when several pairs of feet pounded into the room through the open doorway. Raph growled under his breath. Pushing himself off Leo to face all three members of his family clutching a weapon in hand. 
	“A little bit late?”
	“Leo’s okay? We heard him scream.” Mikey’s arms dropped from the ready position. His nun-chucks swinging sadly at his sides.
	“I’m fine. Just got shaken up.” Leo spoke. Pushing himself up into a sit. 
	“He had a nightmare. Which is to be expected.” Raph’s gaze fell to Don. Knowing he hadn’t been the only one screaming those nights away three years ago. “And will probably be happening again for a little while. No need to come barging, in weapons blazing every night.” Raph slid off the bed. Holding open the still swinging door. Gesturing towards it. In truth, he was grateful to his family. Jumping in to protect as they did. Though, he would suggest they be a bit faster the next time they chose to do that. Right now, he just got Leo calm and he wanted to be alone with him. 
	Okay, maybe he hadn’t fully gotten rid of his selfishness. 
	Don apologized as he escorted Mikey out the door, offering a goodnight over his shoulder. Raph was a little more patient with Master Splinter, allowing him to satisfy himself that Leo was indeed, okay. Not by much though, mind you. He clenched the door handle tightly, tapping a foot involuntarily on the ground.
	Finally, Splinter stood back up. Ending the brief conversation, he’d started. His eyes narrowing on Raph. One eyebrow raised. Raph smiled, all innocence. Taking his father’s elbow, he very gently guided him out of the room. Bidding him a goodnight.
	“Smooth.” Leo smirked. Looking as if he was barely holding back a laugh. 
	Raph smiled. Walking back over and crawling on the bed. “Hey, I have to share you all day tomorrow. Night time is when I get to have you all to myself.”
	“They were worried.”
	“And, they got to barge in and see you perfectly fine without me kicking their asses out.”
	 Leo laughed. A sound that brightened the darkest part of his soul. “You wouldn’t have done that.”
	“Not to Master Splinter. Heck no. Don and Mikey however . . .”
	Leo laughed again. Wrapping his arms around Raph’s neck and pulling him down closer to him. “You have me now, and I’m not going anywhere for another . . .” He glanced at the clock. “Five hours.”
	Raph smirked. “Make that, seven hours. We’re sleeping in.” Muffling a protest, Raph closed the distance between their lips.