A/N: Leo refers to the events from the fourth movie, TMNT, in this one.

I have always been a huge fan of the Leo/Raph relationship. I think they argue so often because, at heart, they are a lot alike.


Drabbles Collide: Raphael

Chapter 4 ~Hero: Leonardo~

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I think that the greatest irony of my life is the crap I gave Raphael over the whole Nightwatcher thing. Here I was, telling him off for his hot-headed vigilante behavior when I'd been doing the same thing, a thousand miles away, jumping into a fight that had nothing to do with me, playing at being a hero to save people to whom I existed only as a legend, a fairy tale, a ghost. At least Raph came home every night. He didn't disappear for a year, abandon his family, leave them behind in some crazy quest…

When I finally came home, he was the only one who really stood up to me. Splinter acted as if I'd done nothing wrong. I was so ashamed, and he handed over the family crest as if I'd somehow earned it, as if I hadn't failed. Donatello was just relieved. Mikey clung to me as if he was afraid I'd disappear again. Only Raph held back. Only Raph had the courage to be angry with me.

It's always been that way between us. Raph's always been the one to tell it like it is. Splinter, he has his hands full teaching us to be good people, to stay on the path, to never forget who we are. Donny's interested in keeping the peace so he can be free to work on his inventions, to discover the world. And Mike, well he depends on our family. We're his security.

Raph, he doesn't depend on anyone. Not overtly, anyway. We fill his need in a different way. He needs us, sure. He needs someone to protect, to care for, someone to lead into trouble who'll forgive him every time he realizes he's gone just a little too far. He's the challenger, the one who questions everything, from the way the world turns on its axis to the simplest order in the heat of battle. He never just follows me blindly like the others do, never listens. He's always got to do things his own way. He pushes and fights and challenges me every single step of the way.

He has always been, and will always be, my personal hero.

Just don't tell him I said so. He's hard enough to control as it is.

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