Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT
*The guys are 25 years old in this fic.*
*I have the guys at about 6'2" in this fic*
Chapter Eleven: An Understanding
Raph grunted as he helped Leo to his feet. Leo was doing drastically better, save his jaw, which was wired shut and would be for at least another 2 to 3 weeks before Leo would be allowed to start eating softer foods and it would most likely be another month at least before he could try anything like walnuts if not longer.
Leo grunted and gave Raph's forearm a friendly squeeze as he steadied himself.
They'd gotten closer the bond the brothers had lost years ago was slowly knitting back together.
"Feelin' better taday?" Raph asked.
Leo nodded as Raph began to carefully inspect Leo's ribs, though only cracked (by some miracle) it would probably take a good two months before Leo would be able to move/breathe without constant pain.
Leo was taking short pained gasps as Raph carefully unwrapped and inspected the gash on Leo's side. The stitches were helping the tense skin between Leo's plastron knit together nicely and Raph nodded before gently rewrapping the ribs.
"Still doin' al'ight?" Raph asked, glancing up at Leo.
Leo nodded, he'd gotten a touch pale though.
"Almost done. Jamie wants me to help with something…some surprise so if you want I'll help ya' get out to the TV room," Raph offered, "You feelin' up for that?"
Leo rested a hand on Raph's shoulder to steady himself as Raph finished tying the bandages.
He grunted and then nodded when Raph glanced back up to get and answer.
"A'ight, I'll make ya' somethin' to eat before I go help her out," Raph commented, "you gotta eat decent."
A muffled chuckle sounded in the back of Leo's throat causing Raph to chuckle too.
"Yeah I know that crap aint 'decent', but it's somethin' in ya' stomach," Raph replied.
Leo shrugged as Raph straightened up and gave Leo's jaw a quick look over, gently applying pressure on the bad spots to see if the bone and wire were staying still enough.
Leo whimpered as Raph's finger brushed the worst spot, back of his jaw near where it connected to his skull.
"Sorry," Raph soothed, "gotta make sure it's knitting nicely. Anything feel lose?"
Leo shook his head slightly.
"Good," Raph replied, gently steadying Leo, "A'ight option one, two, or three. One banana, strawberry smoothie, two fiber-chocolate-peanut-butter shake Mike likes it I guess but whatever, or three pureed spaghetti?"
Leo tried to make a face and grimaced as it hurt, then held up one finger.
Raph chuckled but nodded before replying.
"A'ight," Raph replied before glancing Leo over, "anything thing you want before we head out?"
Leo shook his head slightly.
With a hesitant nod Raph looked Leo in the eye.
"Bro I..I haven't said it yet but…I'm sorry…I…I let," Raph started.
A soft slap and Raph jumped in surprise. Leo nodded.
"You basically just told me to shut up right?" Raph muttered.
Leo tapped him gently on the cheek before nodding slightly.
Raph raised an eyeridge.
"Does that mean…?" Raph started.
Leo tapped his chest then tapped Raph's and made a thumb's up.
"We good?" Raph chuckled.
Leo put a hand over his heart then touched Raph's the look on his face made Raph pause.
"Leo?" he asked.
Leo shook his head and looked away, making a sign for writing.
Raph nodded.
He still seemed confused.
"I…I'm sorry bro. I really am. I got jealous and I let…it take over," Raph whispered.
Leo stayed still then leaned forward and rested his forehead against Raph's. Raph nodded stiffly before carefully helping Leo move out into the TV room.
After he had brought the shake out to Leo and helped him get a hold of the straw. Raph felt like he'd been punched in the gut every time he had to help Leo hobble anywhere or eat something. He hadn't been truly hungry in days and constantly felt ill. The sudden and horrible isolation after Splinter's orders had been given had crashed down like a tidal wave pushing him under and holding him down.
Was this how Leo always felt? Jamie said he felt isolated most of his life. Raph took the empty glass and straw and then helped Leo get more comfortable on the couch, flicked on the TV and then after gently covering Leo up he headed towards the kitchen.
Mike was there when Raph entered, he paused and waited for the free space that would be allowed for him to rinse the cup. Mike finished making a sandwich and then left it on the counter, looking past Raph, nodding, and then walking away.
They might not be able to talk to him, but they could leave subtle hints, that they were trying to help.
Raph watched as Mike walked away and seemed to perk up at the sight of Jamie. Jamie grinned and attempted to wave at him nearly dropping the handful of homemade DVDs she had in hand. Raph paused to watch as Jamie and Mike stood beside each other and seemed to be awkwardly talking. Raph's gasped and his eyes widened in realization when he spotted Mike's hesitant body language while Jamie talked with him.
He LIKES her!
Raph nearly dropped the glass in his hand and quickly turned around, nearly slamming into Don. It took all her could not to speak to Don.
Don looked past him, like everyone else other than Jamie did.
"Yeah, it's weird, not sure if I approve or not. Its kinda funny to watch though," Don chuckled, "he gets all flustered and everything."
Raph glanced at Don, who nodded, before walking towards the TV room to check on Leo. Raph felt a tear roll down his cheek and hastily wiped it away. They didn't hate him, but they were still upset with him. He turned and started to wash the dishes afterwards he stopped and nibbled on the sandwich that Mike had left for him. He wasn't hungry, in fact everything he ate made him sick to his stomach, but he ate it anyway, he knew he was losing weight and felt like it was necessary that he actually eat something.
Jamie appeared next to him causing him to jump slightly seeing as he had been so wrapped up in his thoughts.
"So, You are coming with me to go get something, while Don chills with Leo," Jamie declared as Raph frowned at her.
"What are we doing?" Raph sighed, shoulders dropping.
"Quit looking like a beaten puppy and come on," Jamie muttered before putting one of the pile of DVDs back in arm and marching over to Don and dropping them in his lap.
Raph snorted in laughter as Don jumped and scrambled to catch the DVDs.
A/N: Here ya go guys, building up to something interesting? PLEASE REVIEW!