To Guest: You'll have to wait and see.. who knows?
Chapter 35~!
Time for tears everybody! The mushy-fuzzy-feely ones.
Raph looks at the doors before him. One is open, only ajar. He walks over to it slowly. He doesn't remember leaving it open. But he could have. He walks inside. The last time he was here, he was weighed down by everything.
He was in his own personal storm, trapped in the whirling wind. He was struggling with the burn in his heart, that it seemed to others that it was frozen. He looks around, seeing everything is the same as before, like he never left.
He returns Spike to his tank. "Welcome home, bud," he says softly, patting the little green head. He looks around and spots his missing sai on the floor. He picks it up and places it on the desk so he won't trip on it later.
Then he stands up and walks out the door. He looks at the other three doors. He eyes one and decides which brother needs him first. He has always needed him, even if it wasn't shown on the outside. He walks to Leo's room. He stands outside the Space Hero door, putting a hand to the knob. But then he lets go and knocks.
Leo hears it from inside. "Who is it?" He asks.
Raph smiles grimly when he hears his voice. But the pain that comes with it keeps cheer at bay. He takes a deep breath and says, "It's yer stupid, arrogant, hot headed brother." Leo gasps to himself, scolding silently after his ribs protest. He looks at the door. Raph waits a moment, then goes again for the knob. He turns it and opens the door slowly.
Leo stares at him. Raph limps over the threshold and stares back. He sees the bandages over the wounds he's inflicted. There are minor ones he doesn't recognize, so they must be from the Kraang droids. Raph sees the look on Leo's face. He isn't letting one emotion overrule the others. "Raph.." Leo says. Raph nods instantly.
"Yeah. You aren't.." He limps forward a little. "you ain't dreamin', Leo. I'm here, I'm home." Raph walks over to the bed, where Leo is semi-sitting up. Raph hesitates, then sits on the edge of the bed. Leo starts to sit up, wincing at his ribs. "Leo, don't. Yer gonna hurt yerself." Leo manages to sit up.
"You aren't the leader," Leo scolds half-heartedly. He pulls Raph over and wraps him in a hug. Raph can hear Leo's pain, because the action is straining his shoulder. But Leo holds tight. He refuses to let go. "I missed you," he says, keep Raph close.
"I missed you too.." Raph replies, "Leo.." As much as Raph wants to stay near his brother, Leo needs to pace himself. Raph eases Leo back against the pillows. Leo sighs, the pain in his ribs subsiding.
He manages to chuckle, "I thought.. I thought you meant it all," Leo admits, "even if it was for a moment, I thought you really meant what you told us up there. And that you.. weren't coming home.." Leo smiles after a moment of showing his regret for the last statement. "I'm glad I'm wrong."
Raph looks away. "You weren't." Leo's face falls, watching his brother. "I.. I did. I meant it, every word.." Raph sheds a tear, then another from the other eye. "And I'm sorry.. I'm sorry for everything I ever said. I was irrational. I wasn't thinking," He has two streams coming down his cheeks, "You are my brothers and you shouldn't have heard that from me.." Raph doesn't want to look at Leo, "I wasn't in control. I'm sorry I couldn't sit down and talk to you about it. I'm sorry that list is even there in the first place."
Leo feels like his speech is over, so he carefully asks, "Do you still have.. something, for Chloe?" Raph sighs, wiping his tears, and shrugs.
"I don' know.. I'll find out when I see her again.." Raph's shoulders sag.
"..I love you bro," Leo says. Raph looks at him. "I forgive you. For everything." Raph smiles.
"Thanks." Leo offers his uninjured arm. Raph clasps it with his and dips his head. "How are the others?"
Leo looks down. "I don't know.. I haven't seen them since we were all in the infirmary." Raph lets go of Leo's arm and ruffles his hair. "Hey!" Leo says.
"I love you too, Fearless" Raph says, standing, "Get better, 'kay?"
"Raph-" Leo says.
"Don't worry," Raph says, turning around, "I ain't leavin' any time soon." Leo has a look of concern.
"How'd you get that limp?" Leo asks. Raph looks at his leg. He looks back up and shrugs. He walks out the door and goes to Donnie's room next. The poor guy is probably worried sick, trying to find him on the computer.
Awwww! Bro hug! *Hugs random person*
It's true, Raph doesn't know how exactly he got the injury. So he isn't lying to Leo.
Next is Raph's visit to his other brothers! Will it go as well as this one?