Day 14: Out in the Cold

Out in the Cold
Summary: Don goes out after Raph when he leaves the lair after a fight with Leo
Pairing: Raph/Don
Prompt: Park
Day: January 14
Disclaimer: TMNT does not belong to me.


"Raph can I see you in the dojo for a minute?" Leo asked in a terse voice.

Raph sighed in resignation. He had noticed the look Leo had on his face when he and Don got back last night and had made it a point to stay out of Leo's way today. Raph's plan had worked for most of the day but now Leo had caught him alone and he couldn't refuse without it turning into a huge argument in the middle of the lair.

"Sure," Raph reluctantly said as he followed behind Leo.

Once Raph was through the door Leo closed it behind him to give them some privacy. Turning so that he was facing Raph, Leo crossed his arms over his plastron and just stared at Raph. After a moment Leo broke the silence. "Do you want to explain your actions last night?" Leo asked in a clipped voice.

"I was helping Casey move some stuff around in his apartment. April's been spending some more time over there and she wanted it cleaner so I offered to help Casey out," Raph responded easily.

Hearing Raph's cavalier answer Leo's scowled deepened and he became more agitated. "Why didn't you let me know where you were going? I had no idea that you had even left the lair. What if you had gotten into trouble?" Leo demanded.

"You ain't my keeper Leo. I let Master Splinter know where I was going and he said okay," Raph said angrily but managing to keep himself from yelling.

Leo uncrossed his arms and let them fall by his side but clenched his fists in anger. Taking a step closer to Raph Leo told him, "I may not be your keeper but I am still your leader and I demand to know when you leave the lair."

Seeing Leo's more aggressive stance Raph also took a step forward. "Newsflash Leo. You may be the leader but Splinter is still our father and Master. I answer to him not you," Raph shouted at him.

Raph angrily shoved past Leo to get out of the dojo and started towards the door to the lair. He didn't get far before Leo was able to grab his arm to try and stop him from leaving.

"You aren't leaving. I'm not done talking to you," Leo yelled, oblivious to the audience that they were drawing.

"I am leaving and there ain't nothing you can do to stop me," Raph said as he broke Leo's grip on his arm knocking him off balance. Moving quickly Raph was able to knock Leo's feet out from under him with a sweep kick before he got his footing back and ran out of the front door to the lair.

Standing up Leo turned to look at the rest of his family that had gathered to see what was going on between him and Raph. As he looked between their faces he saw the shock on Mikey's face, the annoyance that seemed to shine in Don's eyes, and the slow shake of Master Splinter's head that showed he was disappointed.

"I'm going after Raph. He's probably heading topside and he didn't take anything to keep warm," Don announced.

"Very well my son," Master Splinter said. "Bring him home safe. Leonardo, I would like to see you in my room. We have some things to discuss."

"Yes Master Splinter," Leo said quietly as he gave a small reluctant bow.

Ignoring everyone else Don put on the clothes he would need to keep from getting a cold and grabbed Raph's stuff before hurrying out of the door after him. Raph may not have had a large lead on Don but he could certainly run fast when he was angry.

Flipping open his phone to track Raph, Don saw that he was heading towards the Central Park area. Closing the phone Don made a left at the next tunnel to take a short cut and hopefully catch up with Raph before he spent too much time outside without any coverings and came down with a cold.

~

Raph kicked at the snow as he kept moving to try and stay warm. He had been outside in the cold for a while and it was really starting to seep in and slow him down and he was beginning to regret coming topside without any clothes. Stupid Leo always thinking he can boss everyone around and get his own way. He ain't my mom and I don't answer to him. I didn't even do anything wrong.

Hearing the crunch of snow behind him Raph spun around, crouching down, and drawing his sais all in one motion. When Don walked around the corner Raph relaxed, stood back up, and put his sais away.

"Scared of little old me," Don teased as he walked over to where Raph was standing.

"I ain't in the mood Donnie," Raph said curtly looking away.

"Sorry," Don apologized. "Will you at least put these on so you won't catch a cold?"

Raph sighed but took the clothes that Don held out and put them on. "Thanks Don," Raph said quietly feeling a little bit warmer. "Sorry I snapped at you. You didn't deserve it. I ain't mad at you." Raph walked over and sat on a nearby bench and just stared at the snow that was beginning to softly fall.

Don went and sat next to him in silence, just waiting for Raph to start talking.

"It ain't fair," Raph began after a minute. "I didn't do anything wrong last night. I told Splinter where I was going and he said okay. He's our father. He should get the last say, not the almighty fearless leader."

"I know what you mean. What he said was completely out of line," Don told Raph leaning against his side. "If it makes you feel any better Master Splinter was going to talk to him when I left the lair."

"Yeah I guess that makes it a bit better," Raph sighed.

"Besides," Don said nudging Raph's shoulder with his own. "You can't tell me that last night wasn't worth hearing a lecture from Leo you that could probably recite in your sleep."

Raph turned toward Don with a small grin starting to appear on his face. "Yeah I guess you're right," Raph admitted nudging Don's shoulder with his own. "Last night was pretty nice. Seeing the look on your face when you first walked into Casey's was priceless."

"I was surprised at first considering I was expecting to fix the lights and not have a romantic dinner," Don defended. "I've been meaning to ask you, where did you get all of those candles that you used last night?"

"I raided Leo's stash," Raph told him with a smirk.

The shocked expression on Don's face and his slightly parted lips was too much of a temptation for Raph to resist. Tipping his head in he was able to catch Don's lips with his own before the genius turtle knew what was happening. Pulling back Raph whispered, "Thanks for coming after me Don."

"Always," Don whispered back as he moved to claim his own kiss.