TMNT: 2003 Boyfriend scenario - Love Is Blossoming.

Home...no longer - Raphael

Even happy families have their flaws and can break to pieces faster than lightning can hit. Your family was no different and tonight that should be obvious as things soon would turn 180 degrees.

You sat by the dinner-table in a relaxed atmosphere with no worries, together with the rest of your family eating a good dinner. Since your birthday no of your parents had brought up the dangerous topic of adoption as they both knew your temper would boil if they did so. But recently more and more people had mentioned the differences in you and your brothers' appearances. At first it hadn't been a problem, but as your brothers began asking into it, the matter became more complicated. Due to that, your mom had decided to take the matter into her hands and do something about it.

Starting like every other bad conversation, she began with clearing her throat, getting your attention. "So honey...How are things with the mysterious boyfriend we haven't heard much about going?"

You tensed at the questions, but kept your cool. "Great."

"Yeah? That's wonderful dear."

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason," she replied innocently, but continued. "Your dad and I just thought,  now you're old enough and know the truth, maybe it was time to try something knew?"

Your eyes narrowed suspicious. Something was fishy and you didn't like it one bit. "Are you kicking me out?" you asked, your voice filled with danger.

"What? No no no! It's nothing like that."

"What your mom is trying to say, is maybe it was time to go to the City Hall and find information about your actual..." before your dad finished his sentence, you had slammed your fists in the table, making the porcelain tinkle.

"C'mon you two, bedtime. I'll say goodnight to you in a little," you told as getting up from you chair and shove out your brothers towards their room. They didn't seem very gleeful to go to bed, but did as you said, seeing your expression wasn't up to discussion.

As soon the door to their room had closed, you turned to your parents already pumped up. "Why do you bring this up now? I thought I told you I didn't wanted to talk about it. Didn't I make myself clear?"

Your mom tried to take your hand, but you waved it off. "You did (Y/n), but maybe it'd be nice to know something more, before telling the twins..."

"Why you suddenly want to tell them about it?! You hadn't even planned telling me!"

Your heart raced and your blood boiled. Why did they bring it up? They knew you didn't like talking about it. So why? Did they plan on telling the twins, so they had no trouble kicking you out? Didn't they love you anymore? That was the biggest question of them all.

"Babygirl, please sit down. You're too worked up. We just want the best for our family..." your dad told, sending you a comforting glance.

When you were little and your temper snapped, your dad usual present would calm you a bit, but not this time. Not while your heart was aching. You clenched your fists and stood up with straight back.

"Our family," you hissed, trying to keep your voice at a low level though it was hard. "You mean your family." Pointed at yourself and then towards the front-door, you huffed. "You don't have to complicate it. I'll help doing the best for this family. I'm leaving!"

Letting that be your final words, you ignored any other interjection and went to the twins's room to put them to bed. Even if you left, they shouldn't know anything about it. No reason to ruin their sleep, because you had made a decision.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>

The planned departure didn't go as smooth as you first had thought. Your parents tried to convince you to stay, but simply you had pushed them off if they came too near. You had packed a bag with the most important things and with no hesitation shut the front-door behind you.

Now different from others, you didn't panic when the familiar apartment went out of view behind you. Though your body was filled with steam your mind still worked just fine. The fact you now was homeless was no problem. You could sleep at a friend or perhaps even at your school. No problem .

And yet. Maybe there was?

If you slept at your school, your teachers much likely wouldn't be very satisfied seeing one of their students using a education-facility as a hotel. Something told you too that your friend's parents wouldn't let you use their couch as a bed forever. When you thought about it, finding a new place got a lot more difficult. Sleeping in the park was no go too. There would be too much police and the risk of getting caught was too high, and you were pretty sure they wouldn't let a 16 years old girl just stay camping at a public bench.

With all that in the calculation you really only had one opportunity left. So be it, you thought to yourself as you headed in your chosen destination.

About 15 minutes later you arrived at the best manhole in the area and climbed down. Not long after you entered Raph's home: the Lair. Other than the scent of incense coming from Master Splinter's room, there was no indication of any of the brothers being home.

Perfect timing as always, the sounds from the door you just had entered joined with well-known voices was audible behind you. You turned around, and in through the door came the guys. You raised a eyebrow puzzled, when Leo entered with a pale girlfriend, but snapped out of it when Raph approached you.

"(Y/n)? What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked with a hidden undertone of worry. "And what's happening for the bag?"

"I'm moving in," you explained bluntly.

"Huh?!"

"I'm moving...." Since Raph still seemed caught off guard, you instead of repeating sighed. Your shoulders slumped as if your energy had been used up. "You're everything I have Raphie. I can't go back."

Not getting a answer, you hugged him, only causing a more surprised expression form on his face. You needed a home and right now the closest thing was Raph.  Neither of you were good with words...not the sensitive ones at least.All you could do was hold on to him, hoping he would understand that you really needed him.

Relived when he finally wrapped his arms around you, you knew that you were secure. He didn't ask questions nor making conditions. He let you stay though you hadn't given him a solide reason to. That mystery could wait for tomorrow.