a/n
look who decided to extend! yay?
"Stupid, 89, Nosey, 90, Arrogant-"Raph growled through curled lips, his free arm was resting on his knee, his other arm slowly uncurling with the massive weight, he could just feel his muscles swell and expanding. even in the dark of his room he could barely see the glistening sweat running down his arms, despite his methodical breathing his lips, a faint growl escaped his lips, "93, perfectionist…" he drew the weight up again.
This was his routine, right before he hit the hay. It was a cool down that lowered his heartbeat from racing across rooftops and slamming punks head into the ground. But it was during his 'cool downs' that he was reminded he had such control over his body, to have mastered it in so many ways. It was an adrenaline his body craved every second of the day. It made it hard for him to sit still anymore, or even sit through a movie. Or even to sit through a meal without his knee bouncing uncontrollably.
Not that a certain turtle didn't notice
Raph grimaced lightly at his next curl, "Golden Boy." he snarled lightly. The current 'perfect' son, the one who brought in the most money, the one who 'kept the lair 'afloat all from the lips of their father. Even from Mikey.
Everyone LOVED Donnie. He was the glue keeping their family together, he was the strength
He was a pain in the ass
He could still remember the day that Leo left; the three had stood in a line, Leo just in front of them. Informing them about trip, he could see Don glancing over to him with a nervous look on his face. But Raph had been prepared, glancing over to give Don a comforting smile, if he could freaking see around him, he'd do the same for Mikey
Raph was going to be the substitute leader.
There was no one else.
He knew the responsibility needed
He knew what was needed of him
He knew
He was prepared
But he hadn't been prepared for Leos' decision
Raph paused for a moment, his arm slowly lowering and resting the heavy weight (he was proud that it would take even Leo to lift the weight with both hands). Without even realizing up until then he had stopped counting (but not curling) through his entire inner rant. With a small groan he heaved over, lifting the weight with his other hand, '1-"
"RAPH!"
Mikey's voice screamed through the lair, Raph barely acknowledged the sound of his heavy weight slamming against the ground, the door flying open, slamming against the railing of the open hallway, his eyes shooting over the Lair in source of the chaos, "MIKEY!"
"Raph!"
There! Just under the walkway staring up at him, "What's wrong what happened?!"
"It-ts D-Donnie-"
Raph's hand grabbed the steel railing and flipped over it, landing hard on the ground before his hand went up to push on his shoulder lightly to get room.
Master Splinter was already in Don's computer 'shell'. Raph could barely see Dons body, but Splinters hands were (Raph assumed) on Don's shoulders, shaking him, "My son you must wake up, open your eyes-"
NO, he swore silently, hurrying forward, nonononononononono, his hand went up to grip Splinters shoulder, moving to take his place
Oh Shit
Don's head was lulled to the side, blood ran from his lips and trickling down from his purple mask. his body slumped and arms draped over the armrests of his 'command chair. Raph's hand went up and undid the knot behind Don's mask. There was a long cut, thankfully the blood wasn't coming from his eye, but Raph still couldn't stop the tremble going over his hands, "Someone get me a first aid kit," his hands going up to hold his brothers face in his hands. The sound of retreating steps reached his ears, he wasn't sure if Master Splinter was still there but he didn't care, "Come on bro," he whispered, "Wake up, wake up Donnie." Raphs fingers poked Don's face, hoping to incur a growl of disdain or a sign of semi concousnicess, "Please, come on."
Wake up
I'm begging you
Wake up bro
Please
Please….
(#)(#)(#)(#)
Breath in
Breath out
If there had anything Leo had missed during his 'excursion' to Central America, it was the simplest things that he craved. The humming of Dons computer towers that always sent to sleep on the couch, the tell tale smell of cooking cheese and rising dough.
But the most nostalgic feeling of all came from the soft touch of tatami under his sliding feet. Moving through the motions of his kata, his hands drawing together to press his palms against one another it brought back so many memories….
It reminded him he should have been back long before this.
"Your form is lacking a bit, my son."
Leo's opened his eyes, he wasn't sure how his sensei was stil able to keep up such a mastery over stealth at his age, but the dim flame showed the old rats presence, and the smile across his face. Though Leo couldn't help but bow his head low out of habit, "I'm sorry Sensei, I guess I'm still out of practice."
"Do not worry, a few days in the dojo will help you find your pace once again."
"I hope so." Leo smiled lightly. His arms stretched far above his head and enjoyed the tension of his muscles relaxing, his back bent lightly to send the same pleasure down his spine.
"Look it the overachiever. He's barely back half a week an' he's already beatin' us to the dojo."
Leo turned over his shoulder in mid-stretch, just in time to see Raph enter the dojo, smirk on his face and a arm slumped over Mikey's neck. Judging by the matching smile and current red mark on his scalp, Mikey had just been a victim of Raph's merciless noogies, "You're LATE." he reprimanded lightly
"Sorry, Mikey was showing me that new game he got, 'sumtin' Creed." his hand went up again to rub into the already sensitive spot on Mikey's scalp. The youngest yelped and emerald green hands slapped against the thick arm, "RAPH!"
"I'm jus' teasin'bro." Leo could just see Raphs arms tighten lightly in a mock embrace before releasing him. shoving him away with a grin and a shake of his head. A large rasberry filled the air from the youngest before he looked back over to Leo and bounding over to him, "Ready man?"
He even got the same smile from Raph as he settled on Mikey's other side. Leo knew that this 'eleated' 'high' would not last long, (maybe a few more days) before Raph mood would go back to normal. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, not that Leo wasn't enjoying this 'happy' Raph. A true show of the air in the Lair
Relaxed
Happy
"Are you ready to begin my sons?"
Leo methodically found himself pressing his palms together and bowing lightly before e his muscles stiffened up. His eyes opened as she glanced up and down the line of brothers bowing brothers.
One was missing, "Where's Don?" He turned his head back down the other way to see if Don had just snuck in from over working (it wasn't uncommon and he would always have a sheepish smile on his face). But the dojo was empty over then him and his brothers and sensei.
He was a bit surprised when he didn't' get a response; he turned back to his family to find all eyes (all three of them on him). Honestly he had been expecting Mikey to maybe raise his hand and shout that he wanted to be the one to drag the smartest in. Even the youngest had bit his bottom lip glancing between Raph and Splinter in a moment of nervousness.
But the most substantial sign was the settle sound of cracking wood. The only movement in the room came from Splinters came and the death grip his fingers had latched on it. His eyes closed and muzzle titled ever so lightly
Anguish
That was the only way to describe the way his father looked-
Slowly their father raised his head again, a smile going across his face, "Donatello has not been in practice for some time now, by my orders."
"What why?" Leo looked back to his present brothers, but both still refused to make eye contact with him,
"You're brother sustained a substantial head injury, and upon the orders of Miss O'Neil, he is forbidden to participate in any of our practices or training until it has healed."
"Head Injury!? What happened?! I thought you guys weren't fighting while I was gone!? I mean," his mind went back to just a few days ago, to when he had been at the mercy of Winters 'brothers.' To the Foot Army that had surrounded the Tower, and then to the fight with the giant monster just before that ,"
"LEONARDO."
Leo snapped out of own mind, looking back to his father ,"Yes?"
"Your brother is fine, it was the reason I did not want you boys fighting while you went to the surface, and he insisted on going along to help rescue you." there was that kind smile that always eased his anxious heart, "Your brother is fine, and I would like to begin practice now."
Every inch of Leo's heart wanted to know what happened, but he bowed lightly before returning to line. His eye went over to Mikey to ensure he was okay before he looked past the youngest and he realized something that had been obscured in his near panic.
Raphael had not moved a inch, but his eyes were squeezed firmly shut, his lips curled and twitching ever so lightly as though he was talking to himself as his body remained as stiff as a board. All through practice and all through their katas. When training finally ended, the red masked brother was gone. The slamming of door marking his exit and disappearance before Leo could even ensure he was ok and Mikey was already locked in his room.
At first Leo considered just going to Master Splinter ( or standing outside Mikey's' room with fresh pizza and a fan). But both options set a tinge of uneasiness through his stomach-
A soft clawed hand pressed on his forearm, pulling his attention back to the dojo, his old father stood with a smile on his face, "I know you worry for your brothers, but why don't you go take a rest? It has not been so long since you arrived and I believe it would be good for you."
Tired? He barely knew the word but the hand over his forearm tightened ever so lightly. Leo fought the sigh in the back of his throat and sighed ever so lightly, "Yes Sensei."
The old rat smiled ever so gently before releasing his arm and pulling away disappearing back into room, the room they came from.
Leo's hand rose up to rest over his eyes if only to alleviate to stress building up there before he looked over to the couch, though never his first idea to rest on, it did sound nice. And without anyone else to wake him up, he could lay there for a few hours.
His hand went up to loosen the strap around his eyes before sitting down on the couch, swinging his legs up and folding his arms over his chest. As he began to drift off, he couldn't even count the number of dreams he had in the jungle, of sitting on this very couch with his brothers. To laugh with them and enjoy their company. But all those nights he dreamt of home, of his family there was one thing he never thought he had to deal with
His family hiding a secret from him.
(#)(#)(#)(#)
"Ow! Be careful please!"
"I am being careful but you wont stop twitching. You're the worst patient EVR."
"I'm YOUR doctor most of the time so I don't' want to hear it."
Leo felt his face twitch at the invasion of voices into his previously peaceful mind . He rolled over the rough cushions to face the back rest, the soft blanket covering his body. Where did this come from? He didn't have it when he fell asleep-
Speaking of which
How long had he been out? The lights weren't' even off yet, but the lingering smell of searing rubber told him that Raph had alteast returned. That was good, he didn't want to hunt his brother all over the city.
A large yawn freed itself of his mouth as his palms rubbed his eyes. Sitting up and letting the blankets pool around his waist.
"Evening Fearless Beauty."
Leo couldn't stop himself from smiling his hands. But that's what Don's voice always did for him pulling his mask up from his neck to tighten around his eyes, "Thank you Captain Obvious."
"You're welcome Mr. Predictable."
"Jerk." Leo felt around the couch for a pillow before chucking it over his shoulder.
He heard the pillow collide and a loud yelping filled the air. Leo probably would of laughed if not for the fiery cushion right back in his mouth, "Ow HEY!"
"I'm treating him here! Don't do that!"
He almost laughed at his youngest brothers strict voice before he leaned against the back of the couch and draped his arm over the edge, looking back to the dining room table and feeling the smile fall right off his face.
The two youngest were sitting at the shambled together dining room table (really it was just two smaller tables, the med box was laid open at Mikey's elbow, cotton balls around and a pair of sutures in his hand, but his other hand held Don firmly by the jaw. The genius brothers mask lay around his neck and his eyes rolling lightly, they made eye contact for a moment long enough for Donnie to smile in his direction. His friendly smile that made everyone around him comfortable
Only Leo wasn't looking at his smile
His eyes were on the long scar that from Don's 'brow' down to where his 'ear' would be. Lined with tiny stiches that were currently the objects of Mikey's' sutures.
"What happened?!" he flipped over the back of the couch and hurried over to the kitchen his hand going to grip Don's shoulder, "why do you have stitches?!"
"I thought the others told you? I got a head injury."
"NO I KNOW that." Leos' hand shot behind him and grabbed the chair , pulling it and sitting down one hand grabbing his brothers wrist (whose wrist? he honestly didn't know) and glance between them for a moment," But WHAT happened?"
"Its not a big deal Leo, I was sleepy and I fell down the stairs. A couple of dental stiches and this thing right here from April and Raph and I'm good."
"That's IS a big deal." He looked back to Mikey, "Is this true?"
The youngest looked to him for a moment, if Leo didn't know any better, he would of claimed that Mikey's' skin was paler than usual, despite the smile he was giving him," It's how we found him. You know how Donnie is without coffee."
No, that wasn't right, Leo looked back to Don, was it? he really fell down a flight of stairs? His hand went up very gently to run down the side of his face, though he almost missed the flinch of pain across his brothers face, "Sorry, is it painful.?"
"Not so much. The only painful thing about is that I'm not allowed to drink coffee. Two weeks Leo, I haven't had coffee in TWO WEEKS."
Leo had the urge to claim that maybe two weeks without coffee wasn't' good enough. He looked back over to Mikey, now looking at his hands, fists tight and sutures on the table, "Mikey?"
"I-I'm sorry Leo, I-I can't do it. I can't remove s-stitches. My hands are too shaky, wi-will you do it? Please? I – I cant."
Leo reached over his hand going over Mikey's' wrist and taking his hand and the sutures from them. He remembered when Don had first started his 'medical training'. One late night he had gone to Leo's room and asked for a ear, for someone to talk to. Spewing information Leo didn't understand about medical terms he would never understand. But he had understood the franticness the near asthma attack and the very reason for his visit.
He never wanted Mikey to go through what he was going through
"Its ok Mikey." He smiled, his free hand going to pry Mikey's' open. His fingers taking the sutures, wet from the sweat and nervousness of his youngest brother, and pulling it away. Leo's hand went up to hook over the back over the back of Mikey's scalp for a moment to touch their forwards together, "You go to bed and I'll take care of the stitches."
"O-Ok." Mikey nodded before standing up slowly. His eyes going back to Don for a moment, but Leo was grateful to see Don smile. It seemed to send a calm through the orange masked brother and he turned, heading for the stairs. Leo watched his fingers drum against the table as he waited for the sounds of footsteps against stairs faded into footsteps against the metal flooring of the open hallway to nothing.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Don reach slowly for the sutures, Leo sat up in his seat and picked up the sutures, his other hand catching Don by the jaw ,"Nice try little brother."
Light brown eyes glared at him for a moment, "I can undo my own stitches, heck I can give myself stitches if I need to."
"And I learned so you wouldn't have to." Leo smiled for a moment before taking up the sutures again, though truth be told, he really didn't want to. He didn't like the idea of holding something so sharp so close to his brothers eye
But his hand was still steady.
"The dental stiches need to stay in longer right?"
"Right, April can remove some of them later, "
"Ok sure." Leo kept his eyes firmly on the stitches, "Who found you?"
"I think Raph did, or Mikey. I don't really remember a lot of it."
Leo drew the sutures away for a moment, if only to flex his fingers before returning to his job, "Then how do you know what happened?"
"I'm just assuming I guess, I mean we did find my tooth under the stairs-"
"You WHAT!?"
"a TOOTH, just one of my molars. Its not like we have the resources to put it back in anyway .It was knocked out cleanly, and I'm healing fine. So there's nothing for you to worry about."
Logic, both his best friend and his worst enemy. Especially in the hands of a genius like Don. Leo wanted so bad to think of some sort of argument that couldn't be turned against him. But that would mean taking his focus from his job, the last of the stitches was pulled out with great relief, Taking up a white strip of bandage and placing it over the wound 'There." he smiled.
Don's hand went up to his face for a moment before smiling, "Thank s Leo. Alteast I get a cool scar out of it."
"I don't' think there's any bright side to getting your head busted open." but he could appreciate the optimism.
But the idea that such a thing had happened to begin with, just as he had so many dreams of returning home, he also had his nightmares. Splinter dying from illness, Raph getting crippled from getting in too far over his head, Mikey being left alone, or Don succumbing to his asthma.
it was the reason why he had stopped sending his letters. Why he had ignored every single one that Donnie had sent him.
He couldn't bear to get the news that he would be coming home to one less family member
Or no family at all
The sound of scraping chair against floor pulled him out of his own memories in time to see Donnie stand up, the mask pulled back over his eyes and all but covering up the wound and bandage. Leo didn't want to admit it, but he could see how he had been completely oblivious to his own brothers injury.
"You could have been killed."
The words escaped his mouth before he could stop himself. Before he could even see if Don had heard him, he bowed his head, glaring down at the bloody stitches and cotton balls that remained on the table. A nauseous sight it was better than looking at his brother, "When we went to the rooftops, when we fell through that construction site, when you guys came to save me from Winters, you could have been killed." he moved back to turn the chair, hands braced to lift himself off the chair, and disappear into his room for some much needed meditation. Anything to rid himself of this headache-
Hands fell on his shoulders and all but shoved him right back into the chair he had been trying to escape. The chair itself skidding back on two legs for a few frantic moments. Leos' hands grabbed his armrest in panic. The same hands grabbed him by the knees and slammed the chair down from its frantic skidding. Light brown eyes bore hard into his in the death glare that kept his gaze. Hard angry eyes that Leo had only ever seen in Raph, a feeling of nervousness crept down Leo's spine, desperate to get away from those furious eyes.
Slowly the anger began to fade, as though some invisible force was forcing the metaphorical beast back down into some deep place where it could stay locked up. Kindness returned, almost smiling like Don was staring down a child and not his oldest brother
"We could of died a lot of times Leo. You could have died in the jungle and we never would of known. I had to beg Master Splinter to let me come save you, but I did because I knew you would need the help. I couldn't stand the thought of my big brother being a prisoner of anyone. I would do it again tomorrow, even if the odds wouldn't turn in our favor. And a million times over because YOU are worth the risk. Ok Leo?"
He dint like that idea, but he couldn't bring himself to look away for even a second. Slowly a smile grew across his face as he nodded. Leo put his hand on the chair for a moment to stand up, puling Don into a tight hug, his hand going up to rest on the back of his little brothers head. He felt the arms return the affection and even the pressure of Don's cheek against his shoulder,
"I missed you little brother."
Very gently he felt Don's body stiffen in his arms. Hands going up to press on his shoulder sand pushing Leo away very gently away from him, breaking the grip and Leo's touch. Though a smile remained on his face, "I missed you too Leo. But I think I need some sleep."
His arms suddenly felt very heavy, tense still from holding his brother and to be pushed away , though not curly, to see that look in Don's eyes. He couldn't finger it, but he had seen that before. But all he could do was watch Don climb the stairs, his pace steady and ready for sleep. Leo wanted to let him go, to let him sleep and brush off that tenseness on Don's previous moment of having stitches pulled out of his face.
But he knew better than that
And he found himself yelling one thing
"Is everything ok with you and Raph?"
Don ceased his ascent up the stairs, his body stiffening up again in that same manner he had when Leo had tried to hold him. That same manner that didn't match the gentle nature his brother was known for, who had spent so many nights coming ot him or Raph in the midst of a nightmare dealing with terrors, terrors that stressed his mentality and asthma. But slowly the purple masked turtle turned, looking back down the stairs and right to Leo. The smile still on his face , a smile that made Leos' stomach twist in unknown dread or feeling
"Everything is fine."
