Of Turtles and Lizards

Heart To Heart

Leo's POV

From what I've been able to discern from Mona and Casey's conversations they had been close friends for quite some time. Over the past few days the two have been practically inseparable. Raphael tries to appear normal, but it's obvious that this new development is deeply affecting him.

I had expected my younger brother to be jealous, which he is, at least...to a certain extent. My red-masked brethren hates it when someone messes with something he likes, goodness-knows Raph can be obsessive that way, but this time it's different.

This time Raphael seems almost...beaten. Whenever Casey and Mona are together he wanders around like a black-eyed shadow. Unfortunately, Mona's excitement at being reunited with her old friend has left her rather distracted and I don't think she, or Casey for that matter, have even noticed Raphael's strange change in character.

I lay on my bed staring up at the ceiling completely lost in thought. I glanced over at the clock. Ten thirty Saturday morning. Early morning training ended an hour ago and I didn't feel like meditating. I sighed and got out of bed, heading down the hall to the main room. Maybe I'll just watch Super Robo Mega Force...

As soon as I reached my destination I frowned. Casey was here already?! It's ten thirty in the morning for goodness sake!

I heard someone breathing over my shoulder and turned, coming face to face with Raphael. I followed his gaze as it fell on Casey and Mona, who were seated on the couch talking. His green eyes dulled slightly and his lips pressed into a thin line as he sighed. I was standing right in front of him, yet I felt as though he hadn't even noticed me.

Then as abruptly as he appeared, he turned and retreated back down the hall into his room. My dark blue eyes followed him before turning back towards the couch where the two friends were now laughing happily. My lips curled downward into a frown as I swiveled about and followed after my brother.

I opened Raph's door and stepped inside slowly. My younger brother sat with his carapace to the room, his arms thrown over his eyes. I was about to speak when he cut me off, "What do ya want, Leo?"

"To talk." I tried to say more but the words got stuck in my throat.

"'Bout what?"

"About Casey...and Mona." I blurted out rather hurriedly. Raph turned slightly and neon-green eyes searched my face for a moment.

"What about 'em?"

"I'm surprised you haven't intervened." I stated evenly, knowing full well that prodding Raph when he's upset is about as safe as pulling the pin off a hand grenade.

"Why should I? She's happy. That's what matters."

"But what about you? It's obvious that her spending that much time with him upsets you!"

"Of course it upsets me."

"So, you just decided she should be able to spend more time with her friends than she does with you? After already confessed your love for one another?"

"Come on, Leo. You're buying that whole friend act? It's a lot more than that."

My eyes widened. "You think they..."

Raphael sat up on the bed and motioned for me to take a seat beside him. "The laughter, the sidelong glances, the lingering touches, all textbook signs Leo."

I struggled to find my voice through my shock. "B-But she loves you! Why would she..."

Raph shrugged apathetically. "I don't think she's interested in him that way, but I'm guessing he's been interested since before she was mutated. Casey will tell her how he feels eventually or she'll figure it out. Mona will set him straight."