In a Winter Wonderland

WARNING: This story contains TCest

Rating: M

Pairing: RaphxLeo

Setting: 2k3 Turtles
Summary: Raph and Leo have been exploring their feelings for weeks. On a night out in Central Park, true confessions are made.
(For Ninjazure)

Leonardo cursed the darkness that surrounded him as he struggled to pull the double-x sized blue hoodie down past his bald head. The fabric was hung up somewhere on his shell and he was sure he looked a fool while he danced awkwardly to try and free it. At last, he managed to grab the hem of the sweater and yank it over his carapace. His head popped out, cheeks rosy red from the exertion, and he sucked in a breath of fresh air.

Grumbling, he grabbed a pair of thick, gray sweatpants and stepped into them. He hated clothes and he hated winter. Yet, here he was dressing to go outside on a cold night in December. If it had been anyone besides Raph who had asked, he would have declined the invitation and stayed home where it was warm. All Raph had to do was show that seductive smile and Leo would bend to his every will. Even if it meant freezing his tail off.

Leo tugged the drawstrings tight and knotted them, securing the pants around his waist. Sitting down on the end of his bed, he slipped wool socks onto his feet. He barely had his toes covered when the door swung open and Raph stepped inside. The emerald-colored turtle was already dressed in his ensemble: black boots, black pants, red hoodie, black overcoat, red scarf, and black beanie. His mask-less eyes glittered with excitement and in his hands he carried a pair of matching boots for his big brother.

"Found yer boots," Raph said as he passed the fur-lined footwear over to their owner.

"Where?"

"In Don's lab."

"What were they doing in there?"

"Beats me," the sai-wielder answered with a shrug. "Just glad I found 'em or ya would've had ta borrow Mikey's and ya know how bad those stink."

"Or stay inside where it's warm," Leo muttered as shoved his feet one at time into their respective boot.

"What fun would that be?" Raph asked, amused by the slight pout on his brother's face. He snatched Leo's gray overcoat from the bed and held it open for the leader. "It'll be worth it. I promise."

"What exactly are we doing tonight?" the katana-wielder wondered while he stood up and shoved his arms into the long, heavy jacket. His large fingers fumbled with the tiny zipper, but eventually he managed to yank it closed. "You haven't even told me yet."

Gently, Raph gripped his brother by the shoulders and spun him around. From inside Leo's right coat pocket, he withdrew a blue scarf which he stylishly looped around Leo's neck. "That's 'cause it's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"Ya love my surprises."

"Not all of them."

"Well, this one ya will."

"Will you at least give me a hint for what it is?" Leo requested as Raph removed a gray beanie from Leo's other pocket and slipped it on his leaf-green head.

"No," Raph said resolutely. He gazed down at the smaller turtle, unable to suppress a smile at how utterly adorable Leo looked blinking up at him with those dark brown eyes. Slipping his arms around his brother, Raph pulled him in close. "But I'll give you this…"

The sai-wielder ducked his head and kissed Leo softly. Heart fluttering, Leo automatically latched onto Raph's shoulders and eagerly pressed back against Raph's lips. Kissing was a relatively new thing for the two teens: they had been, as Leo put it, "exploring their feelings for each other" for a couple weeks now. Leo still felt giddy every time their mouths met and had to hold back a wistful sigh when Raph pulled away a few seconds later.

"Ready ta go?" the hothead asked, fiddling with the ends of Leo's scarf.

"As soon as I put my mittens on," Leo replied.

"Good idea," Raph said and released his brother. Mimicking Leo's actions, he pulled a pair of mittens from his coat pockets and pulled them onto his fingers then took Leo by the hand and began leading him forward. "Come on."

Leo shuffled along awkwardly, disliking the amount of noise his boots made on the stone floor. They paused just outside of his room. Keeping a firm hold on his big brother, Raph bent to pick up a black duffel bag he had left beside the door, slung it across his shoulder, and continued on towards the main door of their underground home.

"What's in the bag?" Leo asked curiously.

"Stuff," Raph answered vaguely as they exited the lair and entered the sewer tunnels.

Knowing he wasn't going to get more information than that from his sibling, Leo didn't press the matter. Instead, he let his gaze wander over his surroundings which he normally took for granted, noting the cracks in the old bricks and the thick carpet of moss in random places. A cold draft blew through the tunnel, hitting him square in the face. Shivering, Leo pulled his scarf up a little higher so that it covered his chin. They walked in silence for nearly a mile before Raph brought them to a halt underneath a manhole cover located nearly in the heart of Central Park.

"Wait a minute," Raph said, stopping Leo from putting his hand on the ladder. "We gotta do something first."

"Do what?" the eldest wondered, his brow wrinkling with confusion.

Pulling his scarf from his neck, Raph laid it over Leo's eyes to make a temporary blindfold. "Can't have ya seeing things quite yet."

"…uh…why?" Leo questioned. Despite the apprehension in his voice, he allowed Raph to knot the scarf in place.

"'Cause it'll ruin the surprise, doofus," Raph explained and double-checked his handiwork. He guided Leo over to the ladder and placed his right hand on the side. "I'm gonna climb up and I'll holler at ya when the coast is clear, alright?"

"Alright," Leo agreed.

Grabbing the rung directly in front of his face, Raph hustled up the ladder. He lifted the manhole cover a fraction of an inch and surveyed the above-ground world. Not a single soul was in sight and Raph quietly scrambled out of the hole. The sai-wielder glanced around again before calling down to his big brother.

"Yer good, bro," he said as loudly as he dared and Leo's head appeared half a minute later. "Gimme yer hand."

Leo offered his right hand and Raph helped him climb out. He stood perfectly still while the larger turtle slid the manhole cover back into place. Fingers closed around his elbow and steered him to the left. As the pair walked along, Leo's sharp ears picked up the sound of muffled crunching underfoot.

"…is that…snow?" he guessed.

"Yep," Raph confirmed, following a footprint-marked path through the park to their destination.

"I thought it wasn't supposed to snow until tomorrow."

"Well, it got impatient and decided to come early."

Another two minutes of silent strolling passed before Leo could no longer resist the urge to ask: "Where are we going?"

"We're almost there," the younger turtle told him. "Keep your shell on."

"Our shells don't come off, Raph," Leo joked, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Raph rolled his eyes at his brother's lame attempt to be humorous. "Yeah, yeah, ya wiseacre…"

As Leo chuckled to himself, he noted that he was being led up a small incline. When they reached the crest of what Leo assumed was a small hill, Raph halted and pivoted Leo to the left.

"Alright, we're here," Raph announced. Placing his right hand on Leo's shoulder, he reached for Leo's blindfold with the other. "Ready?"

"Ready," Leo replied, eager to have his sight back.

Raph free the knot in his scarf and slowly lowered it off of his sibling's face. Leo gasped softly as his vision filled with the scene before. He was standing in the middle of Bow Bridge overlooking The Lake. A thin crust of ice covered the edges of the water and the dark waves caught the bright lights shining from the towering skyscrapers that composed New York City's Upper West Side. All around them, snowflakes danced in the air through the naked branches of the park's forest of trees, graceful in their descent to the ground and generously coating everything with their pure white beauty. Enchanted, Leo stepped forward and gripped the snow-covered railing, tilting his head back to look at the full yellow moon hanging in the sky, completing the picture of a perfect winter's night.

"…wow…" It was all Leo could think to say.

A pair of arms wrapped around his middle from behind. Glancing over his shoulder, Leo found Raph pressed up to him and smiling. The leader flashed him a grin and turned his attention back to the falling snow, leaning back into his brother's strong embrace.

"Don't think we've ever been topside for the first snowfall before," Raph mused, resting his head against Leo's.

"No, we haven't," Leo said after a moment's thought.

Nuzzling his brother's cheek, Raph gently kissed Leo's chilled skin. "I'm glad I finally get ta see it with ya."

Leo kept his eyes on the moon, but his smile grew at hearing those words. Rough and tough Raph had a romantic side that shined the brightest whenever they were alone together. It was just one of several qualities that fueled Leo's attraction to the sai-wielder. Laying his hands over top of Raph's, Leo turned his head enough to grant Raph the kiss that he knew his little brother had been angling for.

"I'm glad, too," the leader stated when their lips separated a long minute later. "This was a nice surprise."

"This is only the first half of it," Raph announced.

"There's more?" Leo wondered.

"O' course there's more," the hothead replied while reaching up with his left hand to brush a stray snowflake off the end of Leo's nose. "Ya really think I'd drag ya out of a nice warm lair just ta stand in the cold and watch snow fall for five minutes? Nah, I got something else planned for ya, too. Something that should get your blood flowing so ya don't freeze."

"Dare I ask what that something is?" Leo asked with bemusement.

"You'll find out soon enough," Raph assured him. Untangling himself from around his brother, he grasped Leo's hand again. "Come on. It ain't too far from here."

The two headed back down the bridge the same way they came as the light snow continued to float around them. To their left, the waters of The Lake rippled with small waves that a few brave ducks paddled through. Up ahead they could see Bethesda Terrace bathed in dull yellow light from a dozen lampposts under which a few small groups of people loitered. Leo's gaze anchored on the fountain as they passed by, awed by the beauty of the angelic statue that sat atop it despite the layer of snow that crowned her stone hair and the lack of water flowing from beneath her feet. She was lost from view as Raph veered off the right onto a path that was lined with barren trees and snow-covered shrubbery.

More and more people appeared along the trails the further south they walked. Despite their disguises, being amongst humans put the mutant turtles on edge. Leo kept his senses on high alert even as his eyes wandered over the landscape and he could tell that Raph was equally attentive. Through his thick mitten, Leo felt Raph give his hand a soft, reassuring squeeze and Leo relaxed a fraction.

Five minutes later, they'd reached the southeast corner of Central Park. Through the trees, Leo could see a large ice rink bordered by a waist-high white wall. Laughter and general banter could be heard coming from the dozens of people skating across the ice, blending with music that played from speakers spaced along the rink's low white walls. Leo had started to walk past the rink, but Raph pulled him to halt.

"Hold up," Raph said and jerked the thumb of his free hand towards the rink. "We're going this way."

"Ice skating? We're going ice skating?" Leo asked incredulously, arching his eyebrow. "You do realize that I don't know how to skate, right?"

"Ya will after tonight," Raph assured, flashing a million-dollar grin at his brother. "Come on, Leo. It's gonna be fun."

Leo was less than thrilled by the idea, but he decided to be a willing participant and smiled at the other ninja's obvious enthusiasm. He followed Raph in the direction of the rink's entrance which was being monitored by two men seated inside a small kiosk booth. Signs were posted all over the structure advertising the price of admission and rental skates. Raph approached the man on the right and laid a twenty on the counter.

"Two adults, please," he requested.

The man barely glanced at the bill as his gloved hand picked it up and shoved it into the apron tied at his waist. His attention immediately returned to his tablet screen. "Need skates?"

"Nah, we got our own."

"Rink closes at eleven. Have fun."

"Thanks."

Grabbing Leo by the elbow, Raph towed him towards a row of benches lined along rubber mats on the outside of the rink. He maneuvered his older brother into a seat and slid the duffel bag off of his shoulder as he kneeled on the ground.

"Where did you get skates?" Leo asked, watching Raph unzip the bag and pull out a pair of black blades.

"From Casey," Raph replied. Grabbing Leo's left foot, he tugged off the heavy boot. "He gave me a pair last year so we could play hockey together and he loaned me his extra pair for ya ta use tonight."

"That was nice of him," Leo commented. He felt the burn of embarrassment in his cheeks from having someone else dress his feet. "But you know I could have put them on myself."

"Yeah, but ya would have had ta take yer mittens off," the hothead excused as he neatly knotted the laces of the left skate and moved on to Leo's right foot. "I don't want yer hands ta freeze."

The older turtle smiled softly at his brother's thoughtfulness, but said nothing further. When Raph had tied Leo's other skate, he moved to the bench so that he could put on his own blades. He finished quickly, put his mittens back on, gathered up their boots, shoved them in his duffel, and strapped the bag across his back. Standing, Raph took a second to find his balance before he turned to help Leo to his feet.

"Let's get ya out on the ice," he said and, supporting Leo by the elbow once again, he started towards the rink's open gateway.

"Whoa, whoa, wait, wait…" Leo pleaded. Feeling his legs wobble dangerously, he gripped Raph's right arm tight with both hands to keep from toppling over. "…go slower."

Raph paused immediately, sensing the other ninja's uncertainty about the whole experience. "Yer alright, Leo." He pointed to a tall pine several feet in front of them. "Keep yer head steady and focus on that tree there while ya find yer balance." Leo did as he was bidden. A minute later his grip on Raph loosened and he stood a little straighter. Raph smiled encouragingly. "There ya go. Come on now."

Moving with less grace than he usually did, Leo managed to get out on the ice. He edged inside the gate, clutching at wall with both hands as his balance was challenged again. Raph stood freely a foot away, an amused twinkle in his eye while he watched his brother struggle.

"Try not ta be so stiff," Raph advised. "It's easier ta skate if ya relax and it hurts less when ya fall."

"Oh, there's something to look forward to," Leo said dryly.

The sai-wielder chuckled and turned to the right. "We can walk along the wall 'til ya get a better feel for the ice."

Taking a deep breath, Leo pried his right hand from the wall and swung himself around so that he was side-by-side with Raph. His first step was hesitant and so were the next few. He was moving more easily by the time they'd made in halfway around the rink. Raph skated along beside him, glancing occasionally at the rink's other patrons as they blew past but kept his attention mostly on Leo.

"I think I'm getting the hang of it," Leo announced a minute later.

"Good," Raph replied and slid to a stop "Ya ready ta let go of the wall and try skating for real now?"

The leader halted and looked over at the other turtle. "…I guess so…"

"Yer gonna do fine," Raph promised. He moved to stand behind Leo and slipped his hand under his brother's arms for support. "Here, I got ya. Take yer hand off the wall and just try maintaining yer balance again." Leo did as he was told and was somewhat pleased with himself for not immediately toppling over. "Alright, we're gonna try moving next. Bend yer knees a bit and lean forward and remember ta stay relaxed. I'm gonna let go and when I do I want ya ta lean on yer weak foot and push out diagonally with yer strong one, got it?"

Leo nodded and second later he felt Raph's hands leave him. Putting his weight on his left foot, Leo pushed back with his right. He was propelled forward a few inches. Before he lost all of his momentum, Raph appeared beside him.

"Just keep doing that," Raph instructed. "Pretend like yer riding yer scooter down the street."

The comparison was helpful. Leo smiled as each step moved him further and further from his starting point. "This isn't so bad."

"Try it with both feet now: step with yer right, rest on both feet, then step with yer left."

Leo's nerves tingled, but he performed the new action anyways. To his delight, he gained even more ground. He began to repeat the motion, moving faster, feeling trepidation give way to thrill. Soon, he had outdistanced Raph.

And then something knocked his feet out from under him.

Leo landed hard on his rear and spun halfway around on the ice. Seated across from him was the cause for his fall: a pair of young girls dressed identically from their hats to their sweaters to their skates. The one on the left was clearly older by a couple years and her gloved fingers were intertwined with the other's. Both of them stared at Leo with wide-eyed fear.

"…uh…s-sorry, mister…" the older girl apologized. "We weren't trying to knock you down. My sister slipped and fell. She's still learning how to skate."

"It's okay," Leo insisted and smiled softly at them. "I'm learning, too."

"Really?" the younger girl asked, appearing surprised. She looked the turtle up and down. "But you're old…"

Leo laughed heartily. "I'm not that old."

"Ya guys alright?" Raph suddenly inquired as he finally caught up to his downed brother, having watched the collision from afar. "Nobody's hurt?"

"We're okay," the three said in unison.

Raph turned to the girls and offered them a hand. "Need help getting up?"

"Nah, we've got it, thanks," the eldest said. She carefully got back on her feet before helping her sister. "Come on, Lizzie. Let's keep trying." Hand in hand with her sister, she glanced at Leo one last time. "You should keep trying, too."

"I will," Leo said, smiling again.

As they turned and skated away, Raph extended his hand to Leo. The leader took it and was hauled upright effortlessly. Raph gave Leo a minute to regain his balance and was about to withdraw his hand when Leo squeezed it tightly.

"Don't let go again," Leo requested.

Raph felt a twinge of guilt in his stomach. "I'm sorry, Leo…ya were doing so good on your own...I didn't think ya needed me ta hang on ta ya…"

"No, it's not that," Leo interrupted. "I…" His cheeks flamed slightly and his gaze dropped to his feet. "…just don't want you to let go…"

"Then I won't let go," Raph assured, a soft smile playing around the edges of his mouth. "Ya ready ta start again?" Leo nodded and looked back up at his brother. "Alright, come on."

They started off slow while Raph reiterated his previous tips for moving across the ice. Leo soon lost count of the number of trips they made around the rink, too absorbed in the fun he was having to keep proper track. The topics of conversation between him and Raph were chosen at random and often punctuated with peals of laughter.

As the night grew later, the crowd of skaters dwindled, driven home by the dropping temperature and increasing breeze. More and more slow songs played over the speakers, appealing to the numerous couples that remained. Raph suddenly slowed Leo to a stop and moved so that he was face-to-face with his big brother, still maintaining his hold on Leo's hand as he had promised. Placing his left hand on the middle of Leo's shell, Raph began skating backwards.

"What are you doing?" Leo wondered bemusedly, latching onto Raph's shoulder as he was pulled along.

"Ya know, I've always wanted ta be a figure skater," the hothead stated.

"Really?" his brother replied while grinning.

"Yeah, but I couldn't ever get Casey ta try it with me," Raph said with mock bitterness to which Leo laughed. The sai-wielder carefully steered them through a turn, switching their positions so that Leo was being driven in reverse. "It's probably for the best. He'd be a terrible partner."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he's not you."

Leo smiled and ducked his head again. Leaning down, Raph gently nuzzled Leo's cheek. As he executed another perfect pivot, he kissed Leo's wind-chapped skin. The older turtle turned his head to meet Raph's lips with his own. Butterflies quickly filled Leo's stomach and he clung to Raph a little tighter.

"I know ya said ya wanted ta take things slow…" Raph began when they separated a long minute later. "…but I can't wait ta tell ya anymore." He brought them to a stop mere inches from the edge of the rink. Reaching up with his left hand, he caressed his brother's face. "I love ya, Leo. I've loved ya for a long time and I wish I would have done something about it a lot sooner. I don't want ta have any more regrets than that when it comes ta the two of us. What I do want is a future with ya….one where ya love me, too."

Leo was silent for a moment as he let Raph's confession sink in. Eyes locked with his brother's, he whispered his reply. "…but I already do…"

Raph could have sobbed in relief. "…really?"

"Yes, really," Leo nodded and kissed Raph for further confirmation. "I really love you, Raph."

"In that case…" Raph brought Leo's right hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it. "…do ya want ta be my partner…on and off the ice?"

Leo blushed a little harder and his shy smile grew. "Yes. Absolutely."