A/N: Based off of a prompt I found. Figured it would go better with the 2k18 'verse, and I like the thought of Raph being friends with Leo until their paths diverge too much.

This doesn't really follow the "traditional" 2k18 storyline and dynamic. It's following a dynamic more like that in Goblin Kat KC's story (titled "Stashed Away" - it's really good, by the way. Go read it. *wink*).

His Place

"For the last time, would you just tell me what happened?!"

There was so much pain in the smaller turtle's blue eyes as he took a deep breath as if to steel himself. He shook his head. "I can't."

Raph's temper strained against the very tight leash it was on, threatening to snap. "Dammit, Leo! I'm supposed to be your leader! I'm supposed to protect the clan and I can't even protect you." He raised a gentle, shaking hand to his brother's face and ghosted it across the bruise under Leo's right eye. It looked like a bloodstain, as red as it was currently - though Donnie insisted it would fade in time. "Is this...what happened, Leo?"

"It doesn't matter." He wrapped his arms around his carapace, wanting desperately to hide in his shell, away from the prying gaze of his larger sibling.

"Don't tell me it doesn't matter! Tell me what happened." Nothing. Not so much as a peep. "That's an order, Leonardo."

Leo couldn't help the words that came out of his mouth next. He was hurting, and that hurt needed a release...even if that release was a fight with the person who was the most concerned about him. "Oh, so you're throwing around orders now?"

"I didn't mean-" Raphael wanted to roar in frustration. He wanted to pull Leo close and never let this happen again. He wanted to know if it had happened before. Oh, no. Surely it hadn't happened before? Surely he would've noticed? "Leo," he tried again, softer. Gentler. "Please, tell me. As your friend."

Leo swallowed and looked down, ducking away from Raph's touch. "As your friend might be the problem," he said, barely audible even in the silence of his brother's bedroom. "You're the leader. I'm...I'm just the screw-up. The goof. The loudmouth. We're not kids anymore, Raphael. It's...I should know my place."

"Know your place?" the brawler repeated, feeling his anger grow hotter, yet fighting to keep it under control. But Leo sensed it and flinched further away. "What do you mean, know your-"

Fuck.

The bruise. That was the reason, wasn't it? That's why it happened.

"Who-"

Now he did pull away, completely this time. His blue eyes turned pale and cold, like the ocean in wintertime, and his lower lip trembled. "I can't. I-I can't tell you that. I've already said too much. He's going to find out and then...and then he'll-"

A sob broke from Leo's throat and his knees buckled. He would've hit the floor if Raph hadn't caught him. For a long time the two just sat there, Leo shaking and crying against his brother's plastron. Raphael, for his part, did his best to breathe evenly. As soon as he found out which of his family members was doing this to his little brother - his best friend - he was going to rip them apart.

But for now, all he could do was hold him and whisper useless words that did nothing to reassure the shattered teen in his arms.

A/N: Please leave a review on this. I've been wanting to write something from that prompt for a long time, and it only came to mind tonight. I might continue this one. Not sure yet.