Oh, God-
Leo never knew if it was a prayer, as the shattering truth came roaring back with all its teeth bared on his very soul. His eyes slammed shut, as the tears leaked. Surely it was a dark dream, some sick thing his mind had manufactured...
"Leonardo."
Leo flinched when Splinter whispered his name. His eyes were already spilling with tears as he arched out of the bedding, heedless of the quilt tumbling to the floor.
From the sliver of the desk lamp, Splinter was nothing but robe and shadow until he shuffled forward a few inches so Leo could see his face.
Leo crumbled when he saw the sorrow in Splinter's eyes.
"My son." Splinter allowed Leo the full view of the cut deep enough to glare out from the fur on his cheek. Gently, Splinter touched his paw to the wound.
Splinter seated himself in the chair beside the bed, and only stared down at Leo with compassion.
Leo ground out the whimper as he buried his face in his hands.
"Master Splinter, I'm so sorry."
A gentle sigh, and an even gentler paw, gracing his cheek and wiping away the tears.
"As am I, my son. I have left you to face this anger alone, and this, I have failed you."
Splinter withdrew his paw, troubled, as Leo flinched away from the touch as if it burned. Indeed, Leo had risen from the sheets and looked at Splinter's paw as if his master were welding knives.
A shaking breath between them, as Splinter raised his wounded eyes to Leo. "Leonardo?"
Leo swallowed hard, and shut his eyes for a long moment in realization at what he had done. "What is it that is troubling you?" The kind question was only answered by Leo's jaw clamping shut with the finality of a locked cell.
"You drugged me." He snarled out, eyes burning with hurt. Splinter stiffened at the venomous accusation. "Leonardo, your loss of self-control was dangerous. You have injured your brothers in your rage."
Uncertainty flickered across Leo's face. "I..I hurt my brothers?" A whisper of horror as Leo glanced at the door over Splinter's shoulder.
Another sigh from Splinter, as he rose. "They will heal, Leonardo. The question is, will you?"
Leo was silent, and shaking as Splinter lingered long enough to ghost Leo with a steadying embrace. "Today, I wish you to remain in your room, and rest. I have brought you breakfast. "
Offering Leo a wan smile, Splinter set the tray on the bedside table. Bright, fluffy scrambled eggs, buttered toast, with jelly, and a glass of milk. Splinter hitched his shoulders. "Your brother, Michelangelo, cooked this for you. Your brothers are worried for you, Leonardo."
Splinter lay a steadying paw on Leo's shoulder. "Your brothers have already forgiven you, my son. They are worried for you."
The tears continued to slide down Leo's face, as the tray trembled in his hands. He only had enough self control to wait until Splinter had exited the room before he hurled the meal at the wall, and stared, vacantly at the eggs and milk sliding down the concrete. Shaking and sickened, he ignored the sudden crack as the door was flung open at the clatter. Splinter was clearing warring between worry and anger as he shook his head. Eyes hardening, he gave the shattered dishes a long glare before he turned to Leonardo. His heart lurched.
Leo was watching him, seething, fingers clenched to his sides, breath coming in erratic gasps. He was as rigid as a tiger ready to spring.
"Leave me alone." Leo shook his head, and clutched it between his palms. Splinter saw him wilt as he started weeping.
"Please, Master Splinter...just leave me alone."