Chapter 3-
	“Dismissed Raphael.” Leo ordered when he realized Raph was still there. Raph nodded, turning on his heel, he left the dojo. Should he apologize? He wanted to despite the fact it wasn’t necessarily his fault. Leo hadn’t dodge such an obvious attack. Why hadn’t he dodged? He just stood there and took it.
	“Dude, that was an awesome kick! How did you do that?” Mikey jumped in front of him. Forcing him to screech to a stop. 
	“The kick was telegraphed. How on earth did you hit him?” Don asked as well. 
	“He totally just froze there in the middle of the mat. What the heck?” Mikey.
	Raph sighed. “Leo has never gotten stuck in his thoughts like that. Not in a fight anyway.”
	“Define never.” 
	“Toddler years doesn’t count, Don. Something has to be majorly wrong with Leo to just space out like that.” Truth. Leo could have a cold and he would do his best to hide it from everyone. Including going to training and fighting them. Most of the time they had discovered of his illness’s was because Leo fainted from a fever he gained in the middle of a sparring match. 
	Mikey’s smile melted away. “You think it’s connected with Leo’s secret?” 
	Raph shrugged. “Maybe. Or he’s sick. Other than that I can’t think of anything else that would cause him to space out.”
	“He didn’t appear sick.” Don shook his head. “Besides, he was sick a few days ago. Wasn’t he?”
	Ah right. Another of Leo’s excuses to keep him at a distance, he was sure. Leo had pretended to hack and cough when he had tried to kiss him. He brought him to Don and the doctor of the family had claimed nothing had been wrong with him. Of course, Leo had continued to insist he was for the next couple days. Another of his lies? Probably.
	“So what do we do?” Mikey asked. Glancing worriedly at the dojo’s door. 
	“Nothing. We’ll just keep an eye on Leo and see if his suspicious behavior continues. That’s all we can do.” Don instructed. Again, all they could do was just sit there and do nothing. Raph grumbled.
	“Do you think we should tell Master Splinter about it?” 
	“No.” Raph shook his head. Crossing his arms over his chest. “We shouldn’t worry him. Don’s right. We’re making assumptions based on paranoia.” At least he hoped. “We’ll look like idiots if we come to him with these theory’s based on my eavesdropping. No names were named. No actions were ordered. Besides, Splinter hasn’t even noticed Leo’s behavior. Or if he has, he hadn’t found it concerning enough to talk to any of us about it.” The two nodded in agreement.	
	“We have to be careful. No doing anything stupid.” Don ordered. 
	The group of three stiffened as the dojo door opened and Leo stepped out. A content look painted on his face.
	“Well, you guys are looking at your new Sensei.” Leo smiled. Pleased. Arms stretched out and fingers separated as he presented himself.
	“Splinter passed you on?” Don asked. Seeming dumbfounded by the prospect.
	“Well he had some problems to which he brought to my attention, but he thinks I’ll improve over time and experience. So yes, he passed me on.” Pride brightened Leo’s face. Should he be happy? He wanted to be happy. In truth, if this happened a couple weeks earlier he would have been supportive and proud. Unusual for his nature? Sure. But he had long since given up on trying to best Leo. As of recently he was only concerned. Was it good for Leo to have this position when he’s potentially hiding something from them? For all he knew, he could be overreacting but he didn’t dare cling to that hope just yet. Someone else was involved, he knew. How to figure out who, he didn’t know.
	“Congratulations. Leo.” Don smiled warmly. As if he hadn’t just discussed something troubling.
	“Thanks Don.” Leo returned the smile. All sweet and sugary. Disgusting. Mikey said his own congrats. Patting his shoulder. Leo’s eyes turned to him and his mouth slowly arched down. 
	“What’s the matter Raph? Aren’t you happy for me?”
	“Of course I am. Congrats.” He gave him a crooked smile. Praying it was convincing. 
	Leo’s face lightened again. “Thank you Raph.”
	“Oh! I’ll go make your favorite meal as a celebration gift!” Mikey clapped his hands excitedly. Not waiting for anyone to comment, he turned and ran to the kitchen. Obviously not wanting to be in the room any longer than he had to.
	“I suppose I should go inform Mikey that dinner isn’t until another five hours.” Don smirked, eyeing the two remaining turtles as he followed in Mikey’s trail.
	Leo shrugged. “I guess I’ll go meditate then.” He muttered mostly to himself as he pushed passed Raphael without giving a glimpse. How sweet he was. Raph let him go. Not wanting to have to deal with him at the moment. Space was what he was giving him. Space. So, so much painful space. 
	He moved in the opposite direction towards the living room. Flopping onto the sofa.

	Leo peeked out of his room a couple hours later. His meditation time had been worthless. He had sat in the same corner, thinking up a plan to maintain his brothers trust where it didn’t involve him getting too close to Raphael. He came up with nothing. 
	Raphael’s trust was the most important thing he needed to gain. He was the closest one to him and everyone knew it. If he reassured him everything was fine. The others would surely be convinced. He hoped. However, to accomplish that; he had to get close. Real close. Meaning he was going to have to swallow his disgust and seduce the man. 
	He peeped around the corner at the end of the hallway. His eyes zeroing in on the turtle that sat, alone on the couch in the living room. His eyes never leaving the television screen. A quick sweep of the room and Leo concluded that everyone else was busy with their own thing. Perfect. There wouldn’t be any interruptions. 
	He slunk deeper into the room. His footsteps silent against the concrete ground. Unnoticed. He walked behind the couch and rested his hands on Raph’s shoulders. The turtle stiffened as he dug his fingers into the muscles. Moving them in little circles. One of Raph’s hands snapped up, curling around his wrist before he even saw it coming. The grip was firm but not painful. He made no indication he was going to leave. Not when he came this far anyway.
	Slowly, the turtle relaxed. His thumb rubbing one of Leo’s knuckles before slipping away from his hand, falling to his lap. 
	“What are you doing here?” He rumbled. No indication in that deep voice if he wanted or hated his being here.
	“Is it a crime now to want to spend time with you?” Leo asked. Massaging his way down Raph’s arms. He could hear a small groan as he worked out the knots.
	“Now you do?” Raph scoffed. “You certainly didn’t before.”
	Leo frowned. “If you’re talking about this morning; I’m sorry Raph but the others were there. I didn’t feel comfortable.” Truth.
	“So what? It’s not like they don’t know about us.”
	“It’s inconsiderate.”
	“It’s normal for people in those relationships. Besides, we’ve been caught doing worse.” Silence. “I wasn’t talking about this morning though.” Leo felt Raph try to squirm away from him. Oh no. There’ll be none of that. He tightened his grip, holding Raph back against the couch cushions. As soon as Raph realized resistance was futile, Leo resumed the massage. He could feel the vib rations of Raph’s growl through his hands.
	“Every night, you refused me.”
	Yep. He had screwed up. “I’m sorry Raph. I didn’t mean to make you feel neglected. I haven’t felt much in the mood lately and I didn’t want you having a bad time because of that.” 
	Nothing answered him. He pressed his lips together as he dragged his hands back up and worked the muscles around Raph’s neck and chest. Only the sound of the television volume on low preventing it from being completely silent. Nonetheless, it was a caress to his ears. 
	He moved his hands upwards, his thumbs rubbing circles on Raph’s temples. A smile claiming his lips as a soft moan fled from him. He made his way slowly back down to his biceps. Leaning in closer so he could place a soft kiss to the pine green cheek. His breath cascading down his neck. Just like that, the tension was gone. Leo shivered as a calloused hand slid up behind his neck. He beat down the instinct to back away. Forcing himself to relax and adapt to the touch. He was pulled down and he allowed it. Locking his lips with Raph’s, their tongues dancing. Gentle. Easy.
	Leo yelped when he was suddenly yanked down over the couch. His shell pressing into the cushions beneath him. His lids flew open as he watched Raph adjust himself on top of him. A smirk pulling those lips. How quickly a small innocent kiss could turn into this. 
	Settle. Do not turn away.
	Raph dipped down, covering his mouth with his own. Leo closed his eyes and pressed back. This was tolerable. After a couple of long minutes of struggling he had managed to win dominance over the stubborn turtle. Taking the lead of their kiss. Moving his tongue around Raph’s until he had finally taken the hint and followed along till their kiss synced into a comfortable rhythm.
	Why did this feel like a training lesson? Raph mused as he echoed Leo’s tongue movements. Leo refused to allow him to do anything but. Nipping on whatever he could reach or growling in an aggressive way as punishment if he refused.
	Frustrated, Raph pulled back. “Not the kind of kiss I was expecting, Fearless.” That frustration mutated to irritation at the innocent look he received. 
	“That felt pretty good to me.”
	“Good? I thought you were about to bite off my tongue.”
	Leo shrugged. “Your tongue was in the way of my biting.”
	“In the--” Raph shook his head. “What’s with you? I thought you enjoyed my kisses.”
	“I do! What makes you think that I don’t?”
	Raph raised an eye ridge. “Hm, let me think. You growled at me. You bit me. Several times. I taste metallic now by the way. You wouldn’t let me do anything.”
	“You don’t like my growls?” Leo asked in that surgery sweet tone. 
	“Not when you sound like you want to chop off my balls. Believe it or not, that’s not so sexy.” Raph said dryly.
	“I was growling as a way to inform you not to do that.”
	“Exactly! You never not wanted me to do something. You usually encouraged me to.” That wasn’t even close. Leo absolutely loved when he got dominate and ravished him. It had turned him on, he said. Not anymore, apparently!
	Leo shrugged. “Well, there might be a few things about your kiss that I just find . . . uncomfortable.”
	“A few things?” Was he serious?
	“Nothing to get upset over.” Leo smiled, wrapping his arms around Raph’s neck and his legs around his waist. He bucked against him. Raph groaned. Shaking his head clear of the fog of lust that threatened to cloud his judgement. He refused to be distracted again.
	“What kind of things?” Raph held his ground firmly when Leo bucked again. 
	“Nothing you have to worry over Raph. I promise.” Leo purred huskily. Trying a third time to pull Raph down. He would have had better luck with a statue.
	“Obviously I do. You drew blood Leo.” He pulled apart completely. His cool being challenged to the limit. Damn it, he was getting hard again. If he lingered there any longer he was going to have Leo. Throwing his concerns out the window.
	“You really want to know?” Leo sighed. Sitting up as well. He already knew the answer before Raph could nod. He could not just keep his big mouth shut, could he? “Fine. You use too much pressure at the beginning of the kiss. Nothing’s wrong with passion but personally, I like to savor. You could ease up just a little.” Leo waited for the explosion of rage. Surprising him when Raph merely blinked at him. Considering his words before nodding.
	He continued. “There are times though where you tease way too much and it can get really frustrating.” Leo again, waited for another nod. 
	“Lastly, you do not have to be so fast! It can be uncomfortable and overwhelming. Slow and sensual is great for exploring each other and getting both into the mood.” Leo explained. Watching as different emotions flickered over Raph’s face. Finally settling on confusion.
	“So, how exactly did you figure this?”
	Leo pursed his lips. “Internet.” 
	“You looked up kissing tutorials on the internet?”
	“Got curious.” As good of answer as any, he supposed.
	Raph scratched his cheek. “Fair enough. How come you kept this from me?”
	“At first I was learning myself and I just assumed that’s how it went. After I learned there was so much more to it, I didn’t want to tell you for fear of hurting your feelings.” So smooth and easy the lie slithered off his tongue. He was rather proud with himself. 
	“Just sucks to know that all this time you didn’t like my kisses.” 
	Leo flashed him an apologetic smile. Grabbing onto his arm, he tugged him closer till their noses touched. “You’re not horrible. Just a few things we can work on together. Starting now.” Leo slid his hands up Raph’s chest and slipped around his neck. Pulling the turtle back down on top of him. This time, Raph went willingly. Allowing Leo to be the one to press their lips together. Giving up any hint of resistance as Leo’s tongue slipped into his mouth. Sliding over his own and he suppressed all urges to do naughty things to Leo’s body. How his body could be so aroused after that, he didn’t know. He followed along gradually. Sensually. The flavor of copper still lingering on his taste buds, blocking Leo’s own flavor.
	Somehow. He didn’t know how, but somehow, he managed to pull a moan out of Leo. His cock twitched to the sound he so missed. Such an erotic sound.
	Eventually, they both had to come up for air. Gasping as soon as their mouths became available to them again. 
	“Y-You’re a fast learner.” A satisfied smile formed Leo’s mouth. A sense of accomplishment tingling Raph’s every nerve. Why he wanted to please him he didn’t know. He should be mad that Leo would keep such a thing from him. Again. Shouldn’t he? It was unmistakable, Leo’s need for him. Leo had not once acted as if he had not enjoyed him until recently. Why would he suddenly be uncomfortable?
	He wanted to probe for more answers but when he tried to speak, he found Leo’s tongue there instead. All thoughts cease to exist. Except the pleasure he was feeling right now. Been too long. Passion started to increase in their kiss. Heat blazing in his gut and spreading throughout his limbs. His hands gripped Leo’s hips, his thumbs rubbing little circles against the calloused scarred skin. Pressing back with just as much pressure. Nothing more. Nothing less. His stomach clenching as Leo sucked experimentally on his lower lip. He moaned, rough and low. Aroused.
	Leo churred, allowing the sound to roll off his tongue smoothly. Making Raph go crazy. Fingertips lightly gliding on the surface of his skin and goosebumps rose on his arms. He could feel Leo’s tongue teasing him, encouraging him to respond back. To take the lead. He did. He swallowed back the metallic flavor. Wanting to taste Leo. Wanting to savor his flavor.	
	Raph jerked back.
	Leo looked as if his eyelids were tied with weights as he lazily blinked them back open. The desire that swirled within those blue depths slowly fading into confusion. “Why’d you stop? You were doing so well.”
	“It’s . . . nothing.”
	“What? Tell me. Did I do something wrong?”
	Raph shook his head. “No. Of course not. Definitely not.”
	“Raph, if you’re concerned about something, you can tell me. You know that.” Could he? Leo cupped Raph’s cheeks. Those eyes penetrating into his. Leo leaned forward, pressing a couple kisses to his cheeks and the corner of his mouth. He didn’t respond. Leo continued where they left off. 
	Raph pulled back yet again. Pressing his forehead against Leo’s. A growl rumbling in the back of his throat.
	“Raph!” Leo shoved him back. Staring at him incredulously. “Was that payback for biting you?” He narrowed his eyes. His arms crossing over his chest.
	Raph shook his head.
	“Then why the heck did you just growl at me?” Leo demanded. Nothing but silence answered him and Leo opened his mouth to ask again when Raph slowly smiled at him. Shaking his head. Shutting him up.
	“It’s nothing. I swear. I was just thinking about something stupid.”
	Leo frowned. “What?”
	“Just . . . thinking about us. Did I do something wrong Leo?” Raph asked.
	“Wrong?” Leo gaped. “You did nothing wrong.”
	“You sure? Why else would you avoid me? Lie to me?”
	Leo sighed. Looking guilty. “I gave you the answer to that question Raph. Nothing was your fault. I should have come to you but I didn’t. I’m sorry.” 
	Raph didn’t like that answer. It had nothing to do with the situation with the phone call. Perhaps he was driving Leo away. He had to have done something for him not to trust him anymore, but what? He couldn’t recall a single thing he had done that would have upset Leo to such a length. The farthest he remembered annoying him was when he stole the last of the cereal. He had bought him more later that evening.
	“You forgive me?” Leo asked. Maybe he could earn that trust back? Maybe he could get Leo to realize that Raph wouldn’t turn from him. He would help him at any cost.
	“Yes.” He finally answered.
	“Good. So stop that. You’re not allowed to think when making out.” Leo whacked his arm.
	Raph chuckled. “Whoops.”
	Leo grumbled, rolling his eyes. All was soon forgiven as Raph left a trail of kisses along his jawline. Each press of his lips like hot iron against his skin. Such a good burn. “Want to move this into the bedroom?” Leo’s breath caught in his throat as he felt one of Raph’s hands snake down to his inner thigh. So close. Too close. Leo tucked his tail and snapped his legs closed. 
	Raph frowned. “What was that for?”
	“The others could probably hear us.” 
	He rolled his eyes. “That didn’t stop you before.”
	“I know, but I was just kissing you.”
	“We’ll go to the bedroom. We’ll be quiet.” Raph’s tongue lapped against Leo’s neck. Only to be shoved back again.
	“I can’t right now.”
	Raph eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
	“I-I just made the bed.”
	“You don’t make beds.” Raph cocked an eye ridge.
	“Yes I do. You’re just never around when I do it.”
	Raph paused. He only remembered once had Leo actually made the bed. He hadn’t seen the point in it since by the end of the day it gets messed up again and no one ever goes into Leo’s room except him. Leo was generally a neat freak. Or as much as one can get when one lives in the sewers. But making beds wasn’t one of his things. Not anymore anyway. Not when they constantly rumpled the covers. 
	“Plus, I haven’t had lunch yet.” Leo patted his stomach. 
	Raph sighed. Scowled. “Fine. Go do what you want.” He slumped against the couch. “I was an idiot for thinking you wanted me anyway.” He muttered to himself. He felt a pair of lips press against his temple and he resisted the urge to move away. 
	“Hey. How about you and I watch something tonight. Just the two of us. Nobody else. Like a date?” 
	Raph didn’t look at him. “We never go on dates. Dates are romantic and romance is for pussy’s.” Or so he claimed. Plus, they never had the time.
	“Well we did before.”
	“When?” Raph asked quizzically. 
	“It was six months after we got together. Remember? Our family didn’t know about us yet and we could never get alone time except in the middle of the night. So after patrol, we stayed behind and went out for a run as extra training. 
	Raph scoffed. “You remember that? And that wasn’t a date. We made out every single time for fifteen minutes than went home.”
	Leo chuckled. “Well we ate one point.”
	“In a sewage tunnel.” Raph pointed out dryly. 
	Leo shrugged. “What can you do when you’re a mutant? A crappy date is still a date.”
	“Fair enough.” And he didn’t want to argue with him anymore.
	Leo nudged him. “So what do you say?”
	Now Raph looked at him. Why was he so perky? Was it because he didn’t take him as he wanted to? Probably. He must have thought he got out of it without hurting his feelings. He wanted to say no. The last thing he needed was to be alone and close with Leo. Feeling his warmth and the texture of his skin and not being able to have him. Like being presented a cake and not allowed to take a bite. Torture. Though that would defeat his purpose of earning Leo’s trust. The more he distanced himself from Leo the more Leo might feel alone on his troubles. He wanted him to tell him. He wanted to help him more than anything. 
	Finally, Raph nodded. “Sure. Sounds fun.”
	Leo placed one final kiss on Raph’s cheek before getting up and walking to the kitchen. Did something seem off in his eyes?