Red Hearted Desire

Part 6

Raph sits in the center of the dojo with Leo, his concentration slipping as he begins fidgeting with his knee pads. Tuning him out, Leo manages complete peace and allows a fraction of a smile to creep it's way across his smooth lips. Raph finds himself staring at them in awe, curious what it would feel like to touch them with his own. Would it be warm? Tender? Intoxicating? His eyes widen as he mentally slaps himself for thinking such things and quickly returns his gaze to the ground. He attempts once more at reaching a state of calm like his brother has, finding himself allowing his eyes to travel along Leo's pristine body, landing upon the injury once more. Raph groans and throws himself onto his back, his arms high above his head.

"I don't get it. How are you able to just sit here doing absolutely nothing!"

Leo doesn't bother opening his eyes or even answer his little brother. Raph sits up and glares at him, "Yo! Fearless, are ya in there?" he pokes his cheek. Nothing. "Leo!" Growling, he pokes him again, this time on the side of his head. "Oh please, you aren't this good at tuning me out, you stupid, Splinter-wanna-be!" He rears back to strike him. His eyes catch sight of the bandage, then glide up to Leo's silky lips. He sighs and lowers his fist, un-curling his fingers to a more relaxed state.

Leo smirks and chuckles, "It's about time you learned to hold back, hothead."

Raph's eyes widen, his shoulder's tense and blushes quickly turning away. "You planned that, didn't you?"

Leo's smirk softens as he leans back using his arm as support. "Of course...If using your guilt against you it what it takes then so be it. If you're really willing to get control of your anger then I'm willing to help you any way I can." He closes his eyes halfway, gazing at the tree in the center of the room.

Raph's face begins to mach the shade of his mask, then returns his attention to the wrap and sling. "So um..." he attempts to change the subject. "Do you know when you  can remove the stitches?"

"Hm?" Leo tilts his head to Raph's direction, eyes wide and bright. "I dunno, when ever it looks healed I guess...I'm sure Donnie will call to find out the progress and let me know if I can take them out..."

Raph jumps as Leo's T-phone blares out and obnoxious ringtone. He chuckles. "Speak of the devil," Answering the phone quickly, he brings it up to his ear. "Hey, D. What's up?"

With a heavy yawn, Raph gets up and walks to the living room. Plopping himself down in front of the T.V. surfing through the channels nonchalantly. Pretending to be interested in some random show he eagerly listens in on his brother's conversation only not really able to pick up on anything.

"Yeah? Well, then go a head and ask. It doesn't bother me one bit, I kinda saw it coming anyway. I mean, you two are always spending time in your lab together. Next time you guys get a break just go for a walk alone then ask. Just don't chicken out." Leo chuckles coming to sit next to Raph on the couch. "Raph? yeah he's right here, why?" he pauses, leaving room for Donnie to respond. "Um, yeah I guess..." He hands Raph the phone, nodding his head. Raph takes it meekly, unsure if he really should or not. He holds the phone up to his ear.

"Hey, Don. Need something?"

~"Yeah, Don't touch Leo. He may have forgiven you, but Mikey and I sure haven't."~

Raph blinks at the bitterness in his little brother's voice. "What, but-"

~"I mean it, Raph! Not at all, for any reason whatsoever! Do. Not. Touch. Him. You've caused him enough pain already, haven't you? Just leave him alone. You're too much, I don't want to have to come home because of another one of your 'mistakes'."~

He bites his tongue to avoid spitting his own venom back at Donnie, "Yeah...I understand, need to talk to Leo again?"

~"No...Just tell him I'll check back in about a week to see if he can take out the stitches..."~

"Alright, bye." He hangs up and hands the phone back to Leo whom has a brow raised and the corners of his lips sunk in confusion.

"What was that about?"

Raph forced a smile, "Nothing..." he turns his attention back to the show. "He was just warning me not to touch anything in his lab..."

Tilting his head slightly, Leo stares at his brother, replacing his phone in it's pocket on his belt. "You sure?"

"Yeah...and that he'll call in about a week to see if you can take the stitches out."

Leo's face brightens at the thought of loosing the itchy thread embedded in his skin. However, his expression quickly turned to a more serious tone, contemplating of ways he could not only help Raph learn more control of his anger, but also con him into telling the truth about what Donnie said to him.