I know it has been like forever, and I'm so sorry! I honestly had the worst writer's block ever! I knew what I wanted to write, but someone I couldn't write it. It's still not perfect, but I wrote this so many times and I just wanted to post it.

TMNT

The next morning seemed to be better than every day they had had the last days, right after the incident with the rat king. April had come down the sewers this morning and the scent of food was already hanging around the lair. It was Saturday so the red-haired had decided to make breakfast for her mutant friends. And to say it smelled amazing would be an understatement.

The mood around the lair had improved greatly, but there was still tension. Raph had called April the previous night. Mikey had fallen asleep an hour after their little 'talk' and once Raph was sure his little brother was out, he picked up his phone and had called April.

He knew it was a big favor, and he didn't expect April to have it right away, or to even buy it at all. But April, as always, was happy to help them and brought it down this morning, together with the food she would need to cook them breakfast.

Things seemed to go in the right direction for a while, but apparently Raph walking around a dirty sewer had infected the wound on his shoulder again, and a fever had plagued him during the night, forcing him to lay down on the couch.

It was bad, his fever was extremely high and he was incredibly tired but nothing they couldn't manage. They just had to keep him hydrated and watch his vitals, but apart from that there was nothing they could do and just let him rest.

Of course Raph had insisted on staying in the living room and on the couch, after all he had promised his little brother he would be there until the end, and he wasn't about to break that promise, not when it was his present in a way.

Master Splinter was standing next to Mikey, ready to jump in when his youngest son would need his help. Donnie was occupying one couch, lying flat on his shell with a blanket on top of him. And while Raph was the one who was sick right now, Donnie was starting to get better.

The fever that had plagued him the previous day was almost completely gone, but he was still tired, and pain would shoot up his spine whenever he moved. Raph was also lying on the couch, a blanket loosely on top of him and Leo was sitting next to him, Raph's legs over his lap.

April was still busy in the kitchen, making breakfast. The mood was so much better but everyone still felt the pressure along the lair. They would live, or something horrible should happen during the night or so. But they would live.

Donnie and Raph were both still incredibly injured, and once they would heal, if they would heal completely, they had to learn how to use their body again. Donnie would need to walk all over again from being out so long and they needed to be careful.

If the sword had been just a little upwards, Donnie wouldn't be here right now, and it would take long before Donnie would be totally fine again. However the stitches were holding nicely, so nobody doubted a recovery, even if it wasn't a complete one.

Raph was another story. His arm was totally mangled and even Donnie had doubts it would ever completely heal again. The bone had been set, and Leo had done an incredible job on stitching it, and disinfecting it.

But the damage was immense, and he would probably always suffer from his father's attack. But for now they just had to focus on repairing his arm as much as possible, and getting rid of the fever he was running.

"I can't believe Raph got to him" Donnie sighed as he dropped his head to the side, glancing over to Leo and Raph. "We tried to be gentle with him, we gave him space, and Raph got through to him by yelling" Donnie protested playfully as he fixed his gaze on Mikey again.

Mikey was standing in between two wooden bars, the 'present' Raph had requested. They were at the height of his waist and his hands were firmly sealed along the bars, his body shaking with effort to keep him standing and sweat trickling down his temple.

"Well it didn't work" Raph smirked, looking over to his genius brother. "Besides, Mikey needed some sense knocked in that thick skull" Raph teased and moved his head towards Mikey when a grunt escaped Mikey's lips.

"I ... can hear... you guys" Mikey panted, doing his best to keep himself upwards but his arms were starting to give out slowly. "Gaahh" Mikey yelled when he felt his hands slipping from the bar, but before he could hit the ground he felt his father's hand on his plastron, preventing him from falling.

"Easy my son" Splinter called out softly, bringing him back up and giving him some extra support until he was ready. Mikey grinned as he looked back. He was long from fully recovering but he had taken his first steps and the small seemed to be permanently plastered on his face already.

"Perhaps it is better for you to take a break Michelangelo, you don't have to exhaust yourself" Splinter said, concerned but Mikey brushed it off. He was determined to walk again, after having talked to Raph. He wasn't a cry baby. Of course he knew Raph was playing him, but he still wanted to prove himself.

"I can do it sensei, honestly" Mikey said, gripping the bars again. The mutant rat sighed and release his grip on his son, taking a small step backwards. Mikey's face was filled with determination as he wiggled his foot in an attempt to take another step.

His eyes were narrowed and his teeth bared as he took another tiny step, it was barely a few centimeters, but for Mikey it was a lot, he was already happy he could even feel his legs, even if it was just a little bit.

They still remembered the huge smile Mikey had worn when he had taken his first step, or when he could feel his legs when Splinter touched them carefully. it was still faint, but there was a reaction, and Mikey could feel it.

"I'm just so glad you guys are finally... well you know.. awake and all" Leo sighed when Mikey took another tiny step. The freckled turtle gave a quick glance towards his older brother before focusing on his legs again.

"Ya know we would never leave ya bro" Raph said, grinning slightly. They said it as a small joke, but even Raph could see how much it had affected Leo. The fear of losing his brothers. It was something they had all experienced before, but never like this.

Leo had seen his family falling apart. His three brothers were in a coma for so long, and the worst of all was the fact that his father had done that, he had been alone in a way. It was his father to stab Donnie, to mangle Raph's arm and to dislocate Mikey's knees.

And no matter how many times Leo had told him not to blame himself, Splinter did. And the aura around his father, always so full of life and always strong and protective, that same aura was fading. Consumed with guilt and sadness.

And after Mikey had woken up, followed by Donnie, things didn't go better. Mikey was paralyzed, his legs totally unresponsive, while Donnie was in constant pain because of the stab wound. And every day they got less hope Raph would ever wake up.

Donnie blamed his father at first, but after Raph had woken up, and he started to blame himself for not being able to treat him, it finally got through to him. He wasn't blaming his father, he was just scared, scared of losing his big brother, and with that his family, he needed someone to blame.

"You're a big softie Raph" Mikey said, grinning slightly. Raph rolled with his eyes slightly. Ever since that talk Mikey had jumped back to his old optimistic self. Though the remains and scars of his paralyzed legs were still present, he was healing.

"If it wasn't for ma arm you would be dead right now Mikey" Raph shot back but all of them could hear the joking undertone Raph had in his voice. Mikey smirked, knowing Raph could indeed do nothing and stuck out his tongue.

Huge mistake. Just when he turned his head away, sticking out his tongue he lost his concentration. His hand slipped from the bar and he fell forwards. He let out a strangled yell and then he connected to the floor.

"Michelangelo!" Splinter yelled distressed and hurried over to his fallen son. Mikey groaned and rubbed his head, wincing slightly, the next second his father was already at his side. Splinter quickly scanned his youngest but there were no visible injuries, his plastron had protected him.

"I'm okay... I just slipped" Mikey winced, struggling to get back up because of his legs. Splinter sighed and threw Michelangelo's arm around his neck, picking him up with ease. He knew his youngest wanted to continue, but at this rate he would only damage himself more and his knees would completely give in.

"I think you have done enough for now Michelangelo, no need to exhaust yourself." He stated, not leaving any room for discussion. Mikey sighed and nodded, allowing exhaustion to take over and he fell limp in his fathers' arms, his arms and legs burning from the exercise.

He was brought over to the couch, the same where Donnie was lying on and Mikey sighed when he was lowered on the furniture, his limps finally being able to rest. Splinter propped a pillow so he was comfortable and his legs weren't bothering him.

"Let us rest for now, I am going to see how April is doing" The mutant rat stated in a quiet tone and left the brothers alone, disappearing into the kitchen. They all nodded and watched as their father went into the kitchen to help April with breakfast.

"Donnie?" Mikey whispered after a few silent minutes. Donnie glanced over to Mikey, who was sitting at the end of the couch, near his feet. "Do you…. still blame father?" The question was barely above a whisper, and the joking spirit that was there just a few seconds ago, was completely gone.

Donnie felt his stomach turning when he heard Mikey asking that question. It was his little brother who had asked him about it days ago, yelled at him for being stupid, and he had every right to. He was blaming his father for no reason, and deep down he always knew that.

But he needed it, how stupid it sounded. He needed someone to blame. He was so scared he would lose Raph, and his family would fall apart. And it was his fault, at least he was thinking that. He was the medical in the family, he was supposed to treat his brothers.

And only when he realized it wasn't his fault, he realized what he was doing. Hurting his father over his own fear, because he was afraid he was forcing his father into the darkness, being consumed by the guilt and sadness over his sons.

"I was so stupid Mikey… guys" Donnie said after a few minutes. Tears appeared in his eyes, watching his brothers closely, but no one interfered. "I was mad with m-myself…. and the fear of l-losing you Raph… I couldn't handle it" He took a deep breath to calm himself down.

A sob escaped his lips and he closed his eyes for a bit. Nobody said anything, they knew Donnie had to do this to accept what was happening, to accept what he had done, or hadn't done. And everyone understood where Donnie was going through.

"I've d-driven him into the dark g-guys…. I b-blamed him and he w-was already… " Donnie sobbed, realization hitting him. He was a horrible son, he had snapped at his father, blamed him when he was already blaming himself. He had only driven his father into the darkness, more than he already was.

"Don, you're right, you did blame him" Leo suddenly said. "But you also forgave him in the end, and that's all that matters right now. It will be alright" Donnie hiccupped and wiped his tears away. Looking over to Leo with a troubled look.

"Leo's right D. We will heal, all of us and then we'll be a family ago. Sensei will forgive you, if he hasn't already. Everything will be alright" Mikey continued, placing his hand on Donnie's foot and giving him a small smile, trying to assure his immediate older brother.

"Fearless and Bonehead are right. Ya made a mistake, but dad will forgive you because you forgave him. He loves you, all of us, you know that." Raph said, trying not to show his emotion but was unable to hide a small smirk himself.

Donnie smiled slightly, already feeling better with his brothers' words. They were still supporting him, even after all the nasty stuff he had said to his father. Just like they had always been. No matter how many arguments they had, or how many times they fought, they loved and supported each other.

"Thanks guys" Donnie said with a sigh. They were right. His father wasn't mad at him, not even when he blamed him, his father never could blame him. He would forgive him, and they would heal. And even if they wouldn't, they would figure a way out to solve it, and live with the consequences.

Even if Mikey would never walk again, or would forever be haunted by the accident, or if Raph would never be able to heal completely, they would find a way because they were family. And Donnie couldn't help but to think that maybe this family wasn't shattered after all.

TMNT

Again, so sorry for the late update! Hope it was sort off acceptable.
~See ya!