Few days went by, a week went by but when two weeks had gone by Alfred had enough. He marched to Raphael who was sitting in his room doing absolutely nothing.
“Raphael.” His name was called firmly, but not in negative way. Stopping by Raphael’s side Alfred looked down at the turtle. “I really could use your help. Housework are not getting done by themselves.” He didn’t need to say more to get Raphael off on his chair. Without a word Raphael walked past Alfred, going out to do something. Alfred sighed as he followed Raphael outside, watching him. This big turtle was only a shadow of it what he had been.
“Raphael. Come here for a moment, please.” Not protesting Raphael stopped and came to Alfred who sat him on the chair on the porch, sitting next to him. “Listen. I know you are shocked and probably traumatized of what happened, but it has been weeks already.”
Looking at the turtle next to him Alfred held Raphael’s hand. “We all have been worried about you, still are, but enough is enough, Raphael.” Having short silent moment Alfred continued. “Know that none of us blames you or anything. It was a pure accident and it could had happen to any of us.”
Dropping his head down slow Raphael covered his eye, starting to tremble and cry. “I fucked up, Alfred. I shouldn’t had turned to watch him… I should had kept my eye on the road…!”
Rubbing Raphael’s shoulder Alfred smiled softly. “There’s still no guarantee you could had avoid the accident. Moose can move quite quick.”
“But I could had done something for sure! Now he’s laying there on the bed and who knows will he ever wake up!” Raphael cried heavier now, looking old man between his fingers. “What if he’s vegetable?”
Horror flashed past Alfred’s eyes but he pushed the fear on the back of his mind. “Raphael, you should know our master is a fighter. A car accident like that won’t make him a vegetable.”
“But he got so bad hit on his head…”
“True, but he’s hard headed one.” Alfred smiled. “Pretty much the same as you.”
Raphael snorted slightly between sobs. It was a good sign and Alfred counted it as a small laugh which was the first one in weeks. Moving right next to Raphael Alfred hugged him sideways. “Could you do me a favor? Go see him. I know it makes you uncomfortable, but perhaps that’s what you need. To see him, spend time with him, hold his hand, talk to him.”
“I can’t.”
Ignoring Raphael’s refuse Alfred continued. “Have you stop to think he might be able to think and hear us? Have you stop to think how he’s laying there on the bed, hearing his brothers and me when we visit and talk to him, but he never hears you.” Giving Raphael a moment to think butler continued. “Have you stop to think he might be thinking the worst?”
Raphael snapped his head up, looking at Alfred who now was firmly looking at him back. “He can be thinking and assuming that you died, Raphael, since he hasn’t heard you at all. Perhaps that’s the reason why he has no any desires to recover. Why he would want to heal if he believes the love of his life is gone?”
Raphael’s eye was wide as new thoughts rushed through his head, making him realize there indeed was a chance for such horrible thing. Standing up Alfred looked down at the turtle who stared at him back, finally a spark in his eye.
“Go to him, Raphael. He needs you – just like you need him.”
Left alone on the porch a wind blew past Raphael, getting him slowly up from his seat. He was scared to go see Leo but at the same time his protector instincts were kicking in slow. There wasn’t much he could do, but hell, Alfred was right. He needed to kick his own ass and go do even the little bit what he could. Heading behind Leonardo’s door Raphael knocked three times as he always did, signing Leo he was coming in.
The room was otherwise dark except for small table light which was next to Leo’s bed. Swallowing, his eye scanned Leo’s figure laying on the bed before he started his approach. There was empty chair waiting him on the side of the bed – and Raphael took it, slowly sitting on it. Looking down at his mate Raphael’s heart sank. Leonardo looked pale, his head wrapped in gauze, his mouth was slightly open and his lips dry. There also was a needle in his knuckle’s vein, thin plastic pipe delivering much needed fluids and who knows what else in his body from small bag which hanged on the wall.
Taking a class of water from the nightstand Raphael moist his finger in the liquid, then slowly stroking Leo’s lips with it. Hoping for some reaction Raphael sighed when there was none. Putting the glass away Raphael seated himself better on the chair, taking careful but warm hold on Leo’s hand.
“Hey, honey.” He whispered, almost as if he was afraid Leonardo to hear him. Stroking Leo’s hand Raphael carefully lifted it up, kissing it softly. “I’m right here with you. I’m fine.” Keeping a short pause Raphael continued with gentle voice.
“I’m sorry for what happened. You trusted yourself in my care and then this happened. I’m so sorry...” Sobbing and sniffing silently Raphael closed his eye, tears escaping between the eyelids. “But please, fight. Come back to me and I promise to take the best care of you ever. I will not let you get hurt ever again. Not by me or anyone else.” With trembling lips Raphael kissed Leonardo’s hand again.
“I need you. Don’t die on me...”
**
He was hearing voices, but none of them was a voice he was looking for – which he wanted to hear. He became desperate, slowly slipping deeper in the darkness. Had Raphael abandon him? Or was there a chance he had died? Such thoughts hurt Leonardo’s heart so bad… So, so bad. Opening his eyes there was nothing more than darkness, that familiar darkness which had accompany Leonardo almost his whole life. Closing his eyes he sighed sadly. There was nothing for him anymore.
But then he had a beautiful dream. It was weird how he had gone from this darkness into this dream where he felt love, peace and happiness, especially then when familiar voice reached him from the distance. Looking around Leonardo smiled, eager to see the one. But he was nowhere to be seen which worried Leonardo greatly. How he could hear him, but not see?
Leonardo stood still listening the voice of Raphael’s echoing all around him. But the voice was sad, it was trembling, it was crying. It begged, it apologized… It said “I need you.”
**
Leonardo realized he was dreaming again. For a some reason his mind realized when it was dreaming, but it didn’t seem to realize anything else. Watching Raphael look at him in this dream Leonardo smiled, reaching his hand towards Raphael’s face, petting it. His skin was warm, his eye making Leo’s heart beat faster. Leonardo enjoyed this dream a lot. There was silence and peace between them, them alone just staring each other. With a deep and loud sigh via his nostrils Leonardo closed his eyes.
“… Leo?”
“Raphael.” Was his quiet answer.
Tensing Raphael held his breath, bending closer towards Leonardo. “Y… You hear me?”
“Of course I do, silly. This is a dream. You are in my head. In my heart.”
Raphael was silent a moment, his hold on Leo’s hand tightening. “Do you see me as well?”
Leonardo laughed softly opening his eyes, turning them slowly towards Raphael. His vision was slightly blurry at first before it sharpened. “Of course I do. Like I said you’re in my head and heart. I see you in my dreams – like I always have. Ever since we met.”
Raphael didn’t know what to say or how to react so he took few breaths keeping himself calm, bending even more closer, now holding Leo’s hand with both of his hands. “Honey, this isn’t a dream.”
Leonardo laughed as he closed his eyes, relaxing. “You are so silly in my dream this time, Raphael. Of course this is a dream. I’m blind in real life.”
“Leo. This is a real life.” Raphael’s voice was more firm now. Opening his eyes again Leonardo looked at Raphael.
“How do I know this isn’t a dream?”
“Because this isn’t, Leo. I swear on my soul and love for you; This is real.” Now daring to smile, still in disbelief of some sort, Raphael’s eye turned more moist. “You just said you see me… You really do see me?”
Reality slowly was brightening to Leonardo as his eyes grew wider. Now in shock and confusion Leonardo turned his head on the sides, looking around. He smelled the same scents what he had always smelled in here, he heard the familiar sounds, he smelled Raphael… And he saw everything… Lifting his hands in front of his eyes Leonardo eyed them in shock, his mind racing like mad.
Then, those blue eyes rose to meet Raphael’s eye, uncertainty shining in them. “W-who are you?”
“It… It’s me, Raphael. Don’t you recognize my voice? Don’t you recognize my scent? My touches? Or am I not as handsome as I perhaps was in your mind?” Raphael couldn’t help himself for saying that.
Reaching his hands on Raphael’s face Leonardo touched every inch with eyes open. Then he closed his eyes, still touching Raphael’s face. Opening his eyes again he now had to admit it really was Raphael. He recognized that face when he closed his eyes.
Silent tears rolled down on Leonardo’s cheeks as his bright blue eyes, now having beautiful and lively color in them, were fully focused on Raphael who was holding back his happy tears.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake...” He whispered before grabbing on Leo’s cheeks, kissing him deep, pouring all his love in the kiss. However Leonardo was tense, not returning the kiss. Pulling away Raphael eyed the turtle with worry.
“You okay? Did I hurt you? I’m sorry if I did, I’m just so… So darn happy, so relieved.”
Leonardo smiled, avoiding Raphael’s eye. Now that he was seeing it somehow made him feel uncomfortable to look someone in the eye(s) for long. “Forgive me.” Leonardo said. “It just… It’s all so weird. After all this time I finally see, but it’s all so weird. It’s weird to see.” Now looking at Raphael, Leonardo continued.
“Don’t take it personally, but it’s so confusing. I hear you, I smell you, I recognize your touches and I love every bit of you, but when I look at you… I see complete stranger in front of me. I know it’s you, but I would appreciate it if you would give a day or few for me to get used of seeing you.”
“Aaahh… I get it. So my kiss to you felt like if a stranger suddenly would had kissed you, right?”
“Yes. Something like that.”
Raphael hesitated a moment, but bravely went and petted Leo’s cheek. “I will give you all the time you need.” Smiling he wiped happy tears away from his own eye. “I’m so darn happy, Leo. So damn relieved. I was fearing the worst…” Looking at the turtle his happiness changed into sadness and pain. “I’m so sorry… So sorry of what happened…”
Leonardo sighed as he slowly sat up, gently pulling Raphael in his arms. “It’s okay. I don’t know what happened, and to be honest I don’t even care. The fact you’re alive and well means the most to me.” After that silence landed in the room, indoor fountain making its sounds with the birds. Both turtles just focused on holding one another, tears long gone. It felt so good to be held by the love of your life. It was assuring that all was well and would be. Before pulling away Raphael placed small kiss on Leo’s cheek, smiling at him.
“God, you have beautiful eyes. They look so different now. So bright and strong. Colorful. And now they are really looking instead of staring empty far in the distance.”
Leonardo laughed shortly, ending up hissing in slight pain. “You make me sound really creepy while I was blind.”
Raphael chuckled shaking his head. “You were never creepy.” Sitting at the edge of the bed Raphael kept holding Leo’s hand, eyeing the turtle. “How are you?”
“I… feel confused and slightly sore all around, but I think I’m fine otherwise.”
“I still think it would be good to ask Don to check on you.”
Now Leonardo realized he actually would see his brothers and Alfred. It made him nervous since he had no idea what to expect. However, also new excitement filled his soul and he started to smile so widely, looking down at his hands, slowly starting to laugh.
“I can see, Raphael… I can see!” Looking up at another turtle Leonardo laughed even harder. “I can see!”
Raphael smiled widely as he kept nodding since he had no room to say anything because Leonardo had become overjoyed of the fact he could see, repeating it over and over again. His voice had turned loud enough to alarm the others downstairs, bringing them up to see what was going on. Trio stopped in surprise at the doorway when Leonardo turned to look at them. They all instantly noticed the difference in Leo’s eyes.
“Leo?” Don asked carefully as he started to make his way to other turtle.
“Donatello, I assume.” Leonardo chuckled, smiling widely as he eyed his brother. He looked… Older and more “rougher” in a way than what Leonardo had thought. Looking at Don’s red robotic eye and his prosthesis leg sank Leo’s heart a bit, but… As long as Don was happy and okay with them, he wouldn’t feel bad for him. Raphael released his hold on Leo’s hands which were taken by Donatello, who eyed smiling his brother.
“You really see?”
“Yes.” Leo said nodding fast.
“How do I look like?”
“Old.” Both of them laughed. “But to be more serious, you look good. Kind. A little older and rougher than I had visualized you. Your skin tone is also different, but it suits you.”
“How about me?” Mikey asked happily as he came next to Don, bending towards Leonardo.
“Old too.” Leonardo chuckled, taking a hold on Mikey’s hand. “But - “ His sentence was cut off when he saw Mikey’s lost arm. “… Mikey...”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Youngest of the turtles said while moving the remains of his arm. “Don’s building me a prosthesis. It will have rocket launcher and all!”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Mike...” Don said sounding sour. Four turtles laughed and chatted some more when a shadow figure, still standing at the doorway, caught Leonardo’s attention. Old man, gently smiling with teary eyes, stood there silently watching him. As his own eyes teared up three turtles stepped aside, giving Alfred space to come to greet Leonardo as well.
“Young master.” Alfred sobbed as he stopped by the edge of the bed.
“… Alfred...” Reaching up Leonardo pulled Alfred in a hug, forcing old man to sit on the bed. Nuzzling against human’s shoulder Leonardo dared to close his eyes for a moment, tears rolling down on his cheeks. Pushing Alfred gently a bit further, to be able to look at him, Leonardo smiled with small sobbing. “It’s so wonderful to finally see you. You look exactly like I always imagined you to look like.”
Alfred smiled, keeping his hands on Leonardo’s shoulders. “I’m so relieved you are alright, master. You scared me, and everyone else, so badly.” Hugging turtle again Alfred whispered; “Never again scare me like that.”
Raphael stood a bit further watching the pair, hearing Leonardo promise to do his best to spare old man from any fears in the future. This all felt unreal, but he knew it was very real. Leonardo was seeing again and it was a miracle.
**
Few days passed and Leonardo had been so in awe. So much things to see, so many things which had surprised him! So much beauty all around him! He had been so stunned when he saw the mansion where he lived. It was beyond anything what he ever could had dreamed about. And the garden, it wasn’t blooming yet since remains of the snows were still covering it, but it was big with beautiful statues.
And Raphael. Leonardo stood still watching Raphael pushing remains of the snow at the edge of the property, smiling with such warmth. Noticing Leonardo Raphael stopped, turning to look him with a smile. The way how Leonardo stood there all tall, wind playing with his clothes and that smile and spark in his eyes…
Leonardo felt his heart beat harder and faster. Every time when he saw this big turtle he smiled at him, like if it would be the first time of him seeing him. Like a first time when he fell in love with this turtle. And when Raphael returned the smile, or grinned at him in flirting way like he now did before starting to approach him, it sent shivers all around Leo’s body, making his legs weak.
Stopping in front of Leonardo Raphael wrapped his arms around smaller male, kissing him softly. When the kiss ended Leonardo lowered his gaze, starting to play with the ribbon on Raphael’s shirt. It was the same shirt what Leonardo had bought for Raphael as a Christmas gift.
“Raphael. I would like to do one thing.”
“And that is?”
Looking up in light green eye under his eye ridges Leo smiled sweetly. “I want to go out with you. On a date. Take me to the city. I wanna see it.”
Never before had smile faded so quick on Raphael face, his hands returning back on both sides of the body.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? Raph, I’ve been blind almost my whole life and now that I see I want to go and see! Explore! See all the beauty around me!” There was wide smile on Leo’s face as he kept going with excitement. “I want to go and travel with you. So please, let’s go. Take me to the city.”
“Ask Alfred.”
Leonardo stood silently his excitement changing into worry. “Why you don’t want to go? Don’t you want to be with me around others now that I’m not blind?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then tell me what it really is.”
“I… am afraid to drive. To have anyone with me in the same car.”
“Because of the accident?”
“You know details about it?”
“Alfred told me last evening. But, Raphael, that wasn’t your fault. I still trust you. I would get in a car with you any day without any fear or worry.”
Raphael was silent a moment so Leonardo asked him out again – receiving “No” as an answer again. Leonardo was not having it. He refused to have no as an answer. Grabbing Raphael by the cheeks Leonardo stared deep in his eye, clear determination and seriousness in his eye.
“Now you listen to me. I want to go out and on a date with Raphael, not with this overly sorry turtle who I do not know or even recognize. So get this clear; Go find Raphael and bring him back! My Raphael is not sorry whimpering miserable male. He’s not afraid either.”
Raphael was stunned and even shocked as he watched after Leonardo, blinking few times. H-had Leonardo just growl at him and boss him like never before? Hearing a small chuckle on the porch Raphael snorted turning to look Alfred who looked at him in hinting way, going back on brushing the porch whistling.
