Drabble based on the picture by NamiAngel on deviantArt. This is going to be a collection of drabbles based on pictures (only if I'm given permission ) and my own ideas. You'll be notified if it's tcest or not and the pairing. I'm in love with LeoXRaph so a lot of these will be about them most likely. But I'm open to the other pairings as well.

Title: Christmas Conversation

Pairing: none (though it focuses on Raph and Leo)

Rating: K

This isn't a continuation of the previous story.

Please review for me, and excuse any grammar mistakes. Writing via phone

Donatello sipped at his hot cocoa-taking a break from coffee-while he sat through another Christmas special with Michelangelo. "Raph," he called over his shoulder to his older brother, who was pummeling the punching bag, as per usual these days. "Come and watch movies with us."

There was a snort in reply, the punches not losing their rhythm. Donnie sighed and took another sip.

"He's been a grump since Leo left," Mikey said, eating a handful of popcorn. Donnie smiled and shook his head at his mannerisms. "Not that he wasn't one before, but it's gotten worse. I didn't think it was possible."

"I know. He's taken it hard."

There was a loud smack and a thump followed suit. Mikey and Donnie turned to see Raph stalking towards them.

"Taken what hard, Donnie?" Raph demanded. "If yer talking 'bout Leo, then shut yer mouth, 'cause I already told the both of ya to drop it!"

Donnie held his hands up in surrender, and Raph turned, grumbling, as he went to fix his punching bag. Donnie knew it was best not to argue with Raph. He knew what he was talking about; Raph missed Leo. They all did.

Raph picked the bag up and hooked it back up and got into his stance. He was about to throw a punch when the phone went off. He sighed in annoyance before getting back to his workout.

Donnie stood to answer the phone. He stopped and frowned before he noticed it wasn't the phone, but the shell cell. That meant... He hurried to answer it. "Leo?"

Mikey and Raph's heads looked to Donnie instantly. Raph shook his before going back to his exercise, pretending not to listen.

Mikey was up and bounding over to Donnie to talk too.

"Merry Christmas, Leo!" he yelled, interrupting whatever he was saying to Donnie. Both younger brothers heard Leo laugh at the interruption.

"Merry Christmas, Mikey. You too, Donnie. How's everything been?"

"Everything's fine," Donnie said, angling the phone so Mikey could listen too. "The streets have been quiet lately, no major crimes. Just the usual punks."

Raph rolled his eyes as Mikey and Donnie talked animatedly to Leo. He watched Donnie walk the cell to Master Splinter's room, Mikey at his heels.

He didn't see why they were so happy to hear from him after he just up and left three months ago. They should be mad at him, demanding answers! That's what he'd do.

After another ten minutes, he heard Mikey and Donnie come back out, Mikey holding the cell.

"You don't wanna talk to Raph, Leo," Mikey was saying, his voice light and teasing. "He's been a huge grouch since you left. More than normal!"

Raph growled, ceasing his work out and stretching his shoulders.

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," Mikey said before walking to Raph. He held out the cell. Raph eyed it warily, then shook his head. "C'mon Raph, just talk to him."

"I don't think so," Raph growled out, pushing Mikey's hand away. Mikey grabbed his wrist with his free hand and put the cell in his hand.

"Talk to him," Mikey said and walked back to the couch to resume his movie with Donnie.

Raph stared at the phone before grudgingly putting it to his ear, he walked in the direction of his room. "I ain't got nothin' to say to ya, Leo."

"I know, Raph."

Raph's heart skipped a beat at hearing his older brother's voice again after three months. It wasn't that he forgot it, but it was different remembering it through memory and hearing it.

There was silence. "How are April and Casey?"

"Fine, come by twice a week to check on us and bring supplies."

More silence.

"I know you're mad at me for leaving," Leo said softly. Raph found himself in Leo's room and he sat down on his bed.

"Good for ya," Raph said sharply.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disappear on you guys. It happened so quickly."

Raph snorted, leaning against the wall. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "You can't apologize an' expect me to forgive ya, Leo. I ain't that simple."

Leo chuckled in his ear and Raph sighed, making a new mental recording of Leo's voice. "I know that, Raph. But it's Christmas, can't you forgive me just for today?"

"If you were here, maybe. But yer not, so no!" Leo sighed.

"Go ahead, Raph."

Raph frowned, blinking. "Go 'head what?"

"Yell, rant, hell break something! Just let it off your chest already!"

Raph glared at the wall. "Like I need yer permission!"

Leo threw down the bait, "Obviously you do since you're not doing it. You must be so lost without me there."

"What?!" Raph snarled, sitting up straight. "Why, you cocky lil'- I don't give a damn about you being gone! I don' care that you up 'n' left us to get lost in a godforsaken jungle!"

"Well, then why are you so angry at me?! If you don't care, why are you mad?!" Leo demanded.

Raph was up and pacing, fighting the urge to actually break something in Leo's room. "'Cause yer gone, Leo!" There were other reasons, but out of all the others, his brother being gone was what nagged at the back of his mind.

Leo was quiet.

Raph stopped pacing and heaved out a breath. "Whateva... we're jus' fine without ya..."

"I know..." Leo's voice was soft. "I miss you guys though."

Raph frowned at the sudden wetness on his cheeks and he hurriedly wiped it away.

"Yer a sap, Leo," he said, hostility gone. Leo laughed. Raph sat back down on his brother's bed.

There was silence between them, and Raph was sure he could here three chirping of crickets on Leo's end.

"I miss you, Raph." Leo's words were soft, as though he wasn't sure what Raph's reaction would be.

There was that familiar sting behind Raph's eyes again, his response choked in his throat. "Ya already said that."

Leo chuckled and Raph heard him let out a breath.

"Look, Leo..." he hesitated, not good nor comfortable, with this heart-to-heart sentimental crap. "I-I... we...miss ya, too..."

There was silence on the other end and Raph wanted to kick himself. He really wished he could see his brother's face right now.

"I know, Raph," Leo's reply was soft, a smile obvious in his voice.

Mikey peeked at his older brother, blue eyes as bright as the smile that adorned his face. He watched Raphael's body relax as he leaned against the wall. He turned and headed back to the living room.

Another point for the Mikester!