Raphael and Joi walked through the woods, towards the river. After stopping the Shredder and saving the world, the Turtles and their friends went out to Casey’s farm house for a little R and R. It was midsummer, but after the sun dropped, so did the temperature. Joi rubbed her arms. Raph could tell she was lost in thought. He watched her walk beside him. He liked the tight green suit she wore when they were training, but she was beautiful in the green sundress she wore tonight. Her hair was up in a sloppy ponytail with quite a few strains of hair falling free.
They had been out at the farm for a few weeks. They all had reduced training, and most of the time training turned to play, thanks to Mikey and his pranks.
Raph and Joi got to the river and sat on a fallen tree. She was looking up. The stars where bright out there, at the farm, away from the city’s light pollution and Raph knew that she loved being able to see them.
Scooting closer, Raph leaned in close to Joi, “You wanted to talk.” She looked at him. Their eyes meet and Raph leaned in even closer. He had been hoping for a chance to finally kiss. They had been flirting a bit during their training with the tribunal and here on the farm, and he hoped that they could go beyond the flirts and get to the good stuff.
Joi let out a sigh as she turned away. “I can’t”, she whispered. Raph sat up, confused. When he didn’t say anything, she continued. “I thought that, maybe, I could, but I can’t.” She paused looking back up to the stars. “I like you, a lot. I just can’t get passed the fact that you are only, just sixteen, and….” She trailed off.
“And?” Raph prompted with a bit more force that he had intended.
“It’s just not right.” She said. “You’re and animal, and… I can’t bring myself to be okay with being with a turtle.”
“You knew what I was when we started this.” He growled.
“I know. I was caught up in everything. But, now that everything has calmed down and that I’ve had time to think. I realize that I can’t.”
Raph crossed his arms and was looking down in the water. Joi watched him, waiting for him to respond. He took a deep breath, “So, what now?”
“I guess, I’ll go home.” She answered, and Raph let out a deep sight. He was still staring at the river. Joi reached out to touch his arm, but Raph moved away.
“Just go.” He hissed. Without another word, Joi stood and made her way back to the house. Raph waited for a few minutes before letting out the scream that was building in his gut. He had never hated the fact that he was a turtle before. And, he hated her for making him feel that way. Tears soaked his mask as he found his breathing hindered by sobs.
He stood and with another frustrated scream he picked up a nearby rock. It was large and heavy, but in his anger he managed to hurl it into the river. He knelt down in the grass and let himself cry.
He got back to the house in time to see the car pull away. His brothers were standing in the driveway. Mikey was waving his hand high above his head, his gruff voice carried as he yelled, “Bye, guys!! Have a safe trip home!!”
Raph had pulled his wet mask down off his face and it now rested loosely around his neck. Reluctantly he made his way, in the darkness, to the house. As soon as his brother saw him, Donatello rushed up and wrapped his arms around his brother’s shell. “You okay?” Raph had confessed his feelings to his brother one night after they had made love. Raph had explained that he wanted to try things with Joy and didn’t want to complicate things by also having relations with his brothers. Donny was a deeply saddened, but also understood.
“I’m sorry.” Raph said, his face pressed on Donnie’s shoulder.
“What for?” Donnie asked.
“For choosing her over you guys.” He said. “I won’t be doing that again.” He shuttered a little as he fought down a sob. “Just have to accept that we just won’t have any kind of relationship with women.”
Mikey walked up and gave Raph a kiss on the cheek. “You’ll always have us. We’re not going anywhere.”
Leonardo shifted a little at that and cleared his throat. “I have something that I’ve been putting off telling you guys.” His three brothers turn to look at him, Raph pulling away from Donnie’s embrace. Knowing he had their attention, he continued. “Master Splinter thinks it would be a good idea for me to enter the next stage, the final stage, of my training.”
“Leo, that’s great!” Mikey exclaimed throwing his arms around Leonardo.
Leo briefly returned the hug before pushing Mikey away. “There’s more.” He whispered. Mikey stepped back to stand with his brothers.
“More?” Donnie prompted.
Leo cleared his throat, “The training entails me… leaving.”
“What?!!” Raph exclaimed.
“This was decided weeks ago.” Leo countered.
“You’re leaving?” Mikey’s voice was almost a wine.
“How long?” Donnie asked.
“As long as it takes.” Leo replied.
Raph turned and stormed into the house, punching the doorframe on the way in.
“He’ll be okay.” Donnie said.
“I won’t be gone long, I promise.” Leo said giving Don a tinder kiss. Mikey ran up, slamming himself into Leo and wrapping his arms around his brother’s shell he buried his face in Leo’s neck he began to cry.
