Raphael sat on the edge of his bed in the next morning, feeling utterly shit about the fact he had told this other turtle about his best friend’s death so soon, so openly. He never hadn’t told about it to anyone else. But the way how Leonardo had looked after the information… There was pity, sadness and pain on his face. Perhaps he, too, had lost someone dear to him in the past.
Knock on the door alarmed big turtle of someone’s approach. Not waiting to be answered Alfred stepped in, appearing slightly surprised to see Raphael awake.
“Good morning. Awake already?”
“More or less, yeah.”
“Good. It saves me the trouble to get you out of the bed.”
“What time is it?”
Raphael followed Alfred’s movement as old butler walked in front of huge tall windows, pulling curtains to the sides, sun rays attacking inside the room instantly. Squeezing his eye shut, Raphael covered his face from sudden light with his hand, hissing.
“It’s enough for you to get up.”
“You think you’re funny?”
“I know I am.” There was humorous little evil, and amused, smile on his face as old eyes stayed on grumpy turtle. Starting to walk closer Alfred clapped his hands together. “Hop hop, now. There’s lots of things to do. I could use your help.”
Not waiting Raphael to get off on the bed, Alfred pulled blanket out under Raphael’s ass, shaking the turtle a bit. Raphael was stunned. This old man had more strength than what showed outside. Standing by the bed Raphael watched in awe how fast and smoothly Alfred made his bed. Giving a look from the corner of his eye Alfred sighed.
“I hope you will wear something. I do not wish to work with a nudist.”
“What?” Raphael smirked, slamming his hands on his hips, starting to swing them. “Is my green ass making you feel sick?”
“Oh, please. I would never let my eyes wander that far down.”
Grinning Raphael turned around, bending down to pick up his pants from the floor, aiming his ass purposely towards Alfred. “Hm, shame. It’s your lost.”
**
Sitting at small breakfast table at the corner, enjoying the heat of the morning sun, Leonardo heard from the distant how Raphael was arguing with Alfred about not agreeing on cleaning something. While argument wasn’t angry toned or negative, Leonardo still wished he would keep his voice more down. Raphael had low and loud voice which carried far away. But he had to admit it, he really enjoyed hearing such “lively” words and conversation between the two. Now he felt more than sure he did the right thing when hiring Raphael. Alfred and he were getting alone so well already.
He chuckled at his own thoughts, the edge of warm tea cup between his lips, clear liquid slowly flowing in his mouth. Lively chat between the two had quiet down. Apparently they had, finally, found some understanding and got back to work. Placing fork in his empty fruit bowl Leonardo’s ears picked a sound of familiar steps, a presence stopping next to him.
“You haven’t finished eating your pancakes, sir.”
“I ate few, but like always, you provided me so full breakfast that I simply couldn’t eat them all.”
Hearing dishes being collected off the table Leonardo turned his head towards Alfred, smiling gently like he always did. “Thank you, Alfred. You always take so good care of me.”
Smiling back Alfred tapped Leonardo’s shoulder gently and warmly; “That’s why you hired me, master.”
Leo laughed. “True. I don’t know where I would be without you. Oh, Alfred? Where is Raphael? I heard you two… talking.”
“He is cleaning a bathroom.” For a short moment Alfred was quiet, clearly considering should or shouldn’t he say anything, but he decided to say what was in his mind. “Excuse me my choice of words, but that brute is really in a need of some manners lessons.”
Leonardo laughed again, shaking his head. “Oh really? Is he really that bad?”
“He has quite…. Colorful language, sir. I fear you may learn new words from him.”
As Alfred took his leave, he couldn’t help but to smile as he heard Leonardo laugh behind him.
**
His knees were wet as he scrubbed bathroom’s floor on his knees. Damn Alfred! Hadn’t even given him proper cleaning supplies! Cursing under his breath Raphael cleaned the brush in warm soap water inside the bucket near him, getting back on scrubbing. But his anger started to fade away as his mind started to pop up questions.
What if they didn’t had more better cleaning supplies? Did it mean this old poor man always had washed the floors on his knees? And the place was huge so… Stopping Raphael looked at the shiny floor, sitting better on his knees. He suddenly felt like shit and bad if that really was the case. Had Alfred ever even complain about doing such big task? Probably not. He seemed to be gentle and happy old man who would, and wanted to, do anything to please his master. Perhaps he could suggest Leonardo to hire some people to clean the mansion once a month or something. It would be faster, but most of all Alfred wouldn’t need to do the cleaning… Nor Raphael himself didn’t need to crawl all around the floors with a brush.
“Are you done?”
Startled by the sudden sound behind him, Raphael turned to look over his shoulder, seeing Leonardo standing there.
“Y-yeah, soon. Just a little spot left.”
Smiling Leonardo bend down towards him, whispering. “Skip it. Alfred won’t notice.” Wide surprised eye followed him as Leo stood back up tall. “Dinner’s ready. You need to eat as well.”
Now there was an issue. Would he disobey old man’s order or his superior’s order? Well, perhaps Alfred wouldn’t get all that mad if Raphael would tell him he would go finish the cleaning after dinner. Dropping brush in the bucket Raphael stood, slowly walking by Leo’s side towards the main dinner hall. His mind was full of questions, curiosity, but Raph held back his tongue. He didn’t want to start to ask personal questions, not yet at least.
“So um… While I was cleaning the floor...”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t there any better cleaning method than a brush, bucket and water? Has Alfred been washing all these floors on his knees with those items? For years?”
Leonardo stopped, looking rather confused. “Has Alfred told you something like that?”
“No, but it was just a thought which hit my head.”
Soft smirk left Leo’s nostrils as small smile spread on his face. “So you are concerned about him?”
“Well yeah. It’s… It’s not right if old man is made to wash the floors on his knees.”
“You have a big heart, Raphael. I hope my next words will ease your heart; Alfred doesn’t clean the whole house or do heavy tasks – but he likes to wipe dusts, vacuum main rooms, do laundry and so on. Small, light and easy tasks. I have hired special cleaning group to do whole heavy cleaning twice a year. After all Alfred and I live very simply and we always keep places clean so we don’t need huge cleaning here too often.”
Leonardo heard, and felt, how big turtle next to him relaxed with loud and deep sigh. It warmed his heart to know Raphael, already, had been worried about Alfred’s well-being, despite the fact he had been there only a short moment.
“Can I ask you something?” As Leonardo asked the question, his steps started to take him forward, Raphael walking right beside him.
“Shoot.”
“You didn’t freak out about my blindness. Most usually do. As I don’t see them I don’t know how they look like when they notice my disability, but I can sense their feelings. Most are very troubled, feeling uneasy, almost scared. It’s like they fear this is something which will spread from me on them. But you – you were a bit shocked, right?”
“Yeah. I admit it took me a moment to realize you couldn’t...”
“See?”
“Yeah. Sorry, but it’s hard to use that word around ya. Don’t wanna hurt your feelings or anything.”
Leo laughed warmly. “Do not worry. I’m so used of my blindness that a word ‘see’ or any other forms of it won’t bother me. Besides, I do see. I see with my hands and then I see in my mind. So I’m not completely blind.”
“… I felt bad for the fact you were blind. It shocked me a bit first, but then again you are not the first blind person I meet or know.”
“Oh? Who was the other one if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Mrs. Morrison. Old blind lady in New York. I met her when I was a teenager. There… was a time when my life got bad, really bad, and she was the only one I knew. She took me in her home and I started to take care of her. I lived with her for years. Until she passed away.”
“It sounds like you have had lots of meetings with death in your life.”
“More or less. That’s, kinda, one reason why I left the city, looking for a job. I want some peace in my life for my old days.”
Leonardo smiled softly. “Then I believe you have come to the right place.” Stopping Leonardo turned his head towards Raph, soft smile staying on his face. “If you wish, this place is your home to the rest of your life. Alfred and I welcome you here with open arms.”
“Y-you mean it?!”
Hand landed on Raphael’s shoulder as Leonardo nodded once. “Welcome home, Raphael.”
Mixed emotions rose up in his throat and all what Raphael could do was to shake his head, releasing short but strong snorts. “Thanks.” He managed to whisper.
“But know that while this is your home, you still are here for work and under my rules.”
Leonardo felt how Raphael bowed to him slightly. “As you wish. Master.”
**
“Aaahh, fuck! I’m full!” Tapping his full stomach Raphael smiled at Alfred who was coming towards him. “Thanks for the meal, geezer. You really know how to cook.”
Alfred wore kind smile, but it faded away right after he was next to old turtle. Butler pulled duster out from behind his back, hitting Raphael on the head with it.
“Ah! The fuck?!” Another hit. “Would ya stop that!?” Raphael growled, trying to shoo old butler away from him, but he remained where he stood, hitting Raphael again on the head, looking not too pleased.
“I hit you every time when you say a bad word in master’s presence.”
“What?! Oh, come on! Like he hasn’t heard bad words before!”
“I’m sure he has, but it doesn’t mean I will let you damage his hearing with such harsh language.”
“Sheesh, geezer...” Another hit. “FUCK! Stop! Can’t I even call you a geezer?!” Yet another hit. Growling Raphael let his temper rose as he turned to face Alfred on his chair.
“Language.” Said Alfred all calmly, holding duster in his hands in front of him. Snorting Raphael showed his teeth.
“Fuck.” A hit. And that started few minutes long “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” and * hit – hit – hit – hit * yelling and acting. While Leonardo did prefer more matured and peaceful language, he did nothing to stop this. It amused him too much. He sat there silently, wearing a smile, while enjoying the remains of his dinner while echoes of “fuck” and whacks filled the hall.
