January 1-
I don't remember when I started to hate being touched. I’m fine with shaking hands, the occasional hug from my family, but anything close to being intimate makes me feel like curling up and locking the door. Thankfully the only person in my family that ever shows much physical affection is Mikey, and he doesn’t show it to me often. Father agreed to help me with this battle. I don't want to share this with the others. Being touched shouldn't be such a terrifying thing. I'm just weak, they don't need to know this anyway. I can hide it for now.
The most intimate act I am willing to do is when it’s so cold that I and my brothers sleep together. Even then I keep a blanket between us. Maybe I should initiate more touching. I could hug more or braid April's hair. I’m making a promise to myself that I will get over whatever this is. I want to be normal. I want to be able to hug and comfort my friends and brothers when they need it. If I ever plan on being in a relationship this is something I must overcome.
I will get better, I promise.
---------
“Hey! Shut up for a minute,” Raph bellowed as he stepped out of the dojo, Donnie following him with a pleased smile on his face. The pair stood in front of their family, silent for a moment as Splinter walked from the dojo and took his place in his favorite chair. Raph reached and took hold of Donnie’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“We’re together,” Donnie squeaked out, a goofy grin and dark blush creeping over his face. “We have been for a few months now.” Raph grinned and stepped closer to his mate. Mikey automatically enveloped his two older brothers in a tight hug.
“Congrats!” Mikey cheered after Raph pushed him off. Raph and Donnie smiled big, happy that Mikey accepted their relationship. They looked around the room at the accepting looks everyone gave. Everyone but Leo. Leo was shocked. He hadn’t expected his brothers to form a romantic relationship at all, he was perfectly fine being alone. His mind drifted off since they were openly dating that would mean they would be touching in public, right? The thought made him cringe, but he put on a smile and congratulated his brothers nonetheless. Donnie smiles weakly back and took a seat beside April, who threw her arms around him in a tight hug. Raph, on the other hand, shot Leo a glare. Was Leo so disgusted that he had to give them that look? Hell, even Splinter accepted their relationship! How far was that stick shoved up his ass for him to be so openly insulting? He would have to get over it, or Raphael would have to beat some sense into their fearless leader in blue.
“How long have you been together?” April pulled away from her favorite nerdy turtle. Raph tried his hardest to Leo and turned his attention to Donnie and April.
“About eight months,” Raph replied. Donnie nodded and smiled, his face still as red as his mates mask. Raph could feel Leo’s eyes on him, that prick.
“What?” Raph snapped, glaring once again at his older brother. Leo looked at him with a shocked expression. Did he really have the nerve to pretend he wasn’t just giving him the stink eye?
“Do you have a problem with me and Don being together?” Raph hissed his anger bubbling up inside him, threatening to boil over. Donnie put a hand on Raph’s knee, hoping it would calm him, but only seemed to do the opposite.
Leo glared back, crossing his arms over his plastron. “I’m happy for you,” Leo stated plainly, his voice void of emotion. Raph jumped up, ignoring Donnie’s pleas for him to calm down and marched to Leo.
“Why the fuck are you so uptight about everything? Dad gave us the okay, why are you looking at us like we’re fucking animals?” Raph bellowed, showing an accusing finger at Leo’s chest.
“I am not, I’m just surprised,” Raph laughed and took a step back.
“Surprised? You’ve been lookin’ at me like a fucking roach ever since we told you about us,” Donnie pulled Raph back
“Raph you need to stop, this will only make things worse. “ Donnie whispered and rubbed soothing circles on Raph’s bicep. Raph panted, eyes still locked on Leo. April stood between the two older turtles.
“Okay, this is getting a bit heated. Leo, why don’t you leave for a bit while Donnie gets Raph under control.” April suggested. Leo nodded and left the room quickly. Donnie hugged Raph tight, he thought that with Splinter’s blessing the others would accept them with no problem. He was sure that Leo would agree with Splinter, or at least hide his feeling about it until they were gone. At least then they wouldn’t be left with this mess.
“It’s gonna be okay, I’ll try and talk to talk to him about it.” April shot them a reassuring smile. “Maybe he was thinking about something else,” Raph scoffed and pulled away from his mate.
“Yeah right.”
“I’ll help April too.” Mikey chimed in. “Don’t worry, we got this!” Donnie smiled at Mikey’s enthusiasm.
“I am sorry, I wasn’t expecting Leonardo to act the way he did.” Splinter spoke up, gaining the attention of everyone. “I know that he wouldn’t look down on you both for something such as this. Give him time, he will come around eventually.” Raph nodded, although he didn’t truly believe it. Leo is an ass that favors traditional values. Raph couldn’t tell if the disgust was for them being gay, or being brothers. Knowing Leo, it was probably a mix of the two.
“Well if he looks at us like that again, I’m kicking his ass,” Raph promised.
