Journal entry N°30- Leo's journal:
Leaders also get sick
"As the leader of this team I have to be ready for action with a lucid mind and a fit body; I must be the healthiest of the team in case any of my brothers are out of commission and when I do get sick, I must to do whatever I can to regain my health as soon as possible.
However, not even leaders are safe from catching a fierce cold and as bad as that sounds, it's nothing compared to the treatment I get during my convalescence…"
…
Poisoning, comas, stab and bullet wounds, broken bones… sure those were annoying battle casualties but Leonardo still couldn't comprehend how a simple cold could do such damage, making him look and feel like he only got seconds to live.
The sickly leader woke up from his fever induced nap groaning in pain; after sleeping in the same position for too long his left arm was numb and now he had to deal with the annoying pins and needles. His throat hurt and his nostrils were still congested, it wasn't so different from last night but somehow it felt worse today. He turned to his right to check the time; it was midday already which meant soon one of his brothers would be knocking at his door with a tray of food and medicine.
Honestly, Leo hoped they had forgotten just this once so he could try to go back to sleep. Just as he was closing his eyes, a knock on his door jolted him awake.
"Yes?"
"Sup, dude! Brought you nice yummies. Are you decent? Can I come in?" It was Michelangelo this time.
"Sure, go ahead" Leo replied, his voice hoarse from all the coughing.
Carefully maneuvering the tray, Mikey opened the door; the sight that welcomed him made him grimace. "Whoa bro, you don't look so hot"
"Oh really? I hadn't noticed"
"You're letting your inner Raph come out, I see" Mikey chuckled, settling the tray on Leo's nightstand. "That's cool but don't make it a regular thing"
Leo groaned. "Not in the mood, Mike"
"I know, I'm just teasing you dude. Here, let me help you"
"It's alright, I got this" Leo said, propping his weight upon his hands to sit up with difficulty. "So, what's for lunch?"
"I wanted to bring you lasagna but after yesterday's incident Don said you'll have to stick to chicken soup until you're better"
Leo rolled his eyes at the memory. So what if he had thrown up after eating mashed potatoes; it wasn't that bad as Don made it sound. "Oh c'mon, just that one time!"
"Doctor's orders, bro. Now open up, here comes the airplane~"
"Mikey, I'm not two. I can-" Whatever Leo was going to say was stopped by a spoonful of chicken soup.
"That's a good sickly turtle, yes you are~" Mikey cooed much to Leo's annoyance.
"So, how's the sick baby doing?" Raph's voice came from the doorway.
"He's not puking anymore, I'll give him that" Mikey joked and giggled at Leo's groan.
"That's a good look for you, Fearless" Raph smirked. "All tucked in bed and being spoon fed by your baby brother"
Leo gave his red-clad brother a mild glare. He didn't have time to reply when another spoonful was shoved into his mouth.
"Don't listen to him, Leo. He's just jealous he never gets this pampering when he's sick"
Raph snorted. "At least I don't run away from needles and whine like a girl on her period like someone I know"
"I do NOT whine!" Mikey protested. "And ewww! Period jokes? Really?!"
"Whatever. You do whine"
"Do not!"
"Do too"
"DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT!"
"… Do too~"
"AHHH! LEO, MAKE HIM STOP!"
Raph guffawed. "See? You're a whining little girl"
Leo groaned, rubbing his temples. "If you guys are done arguing then please leave me alone. I have a headache"
"Sorry, Leo. Do you need a pill? Or maybe I can get you another pillow?" Mikey offered. "Oh I know! A massage! You definitely need a massage and Raphie here is the best at-"
"-hold it! I ain't giving him a massage!" Raph replied. "Last time he was squirming like a worm and he almost decked me in the jaw! Should've fucking told me you were ticklish" He glared at the eldest.
"Mikey, you forgot to- Leo! You're supposed to be sleeping!"
Now Don was there as well; as much as he hated to say this, Leo preferred listening to the genius turtle ramble on and on about the latest scientific discovery for hours rather than listen to Raph and Mikey arguing over something stupid especially now that he was sick.
Don had barely crossed the threshold when he noticed Leo's pleading eyes.
Years of doctoring his brothers allowed the genius to know when things were getting out of hand and when Leo gave him that look while sick, that was the sign for 'I've had enough of these two. Save me or I'll scream'
"Alright, visit time is over. Everybody out" Don ordered, tilting his head towards the door.
"But he hasn't finished his soup!" Mikey pouted. "At this rate he'll be all skinny"
"You should've been here earlier" Raph said. "Now it's the baby's nap time~"
"Actually I just need to take his temp and I'll be out of here as should you two" Don glared at his brothers. "Gosh, is it just me or is this room getting colder?"
Leo frowned. "I don't feel any-"
"Raph, could get Leo more blankets and maybe a sweater, please?" Don asked. "And Mikey, for the love of everything holy, put that spoon down!"
"Oh sure~ Anything for the precious little prince~" Raph bowed mockingly before leaving the room.
Leo sighed. "Guys, this is ridiculous. I know I'm not feeling a hundred percent better but-"
"Not… a hundred… percent... better…" Don repeated while scribbling on his notepad.
"Don, what are you-"
"-gotta write down all your progress" He explained. "Now, how many fingers am I holding up?"
"For real? This is-"Another spoonful of soup shut him up.
"Mikey, careful! If you feed him extra hot soup, you'll hurt his throat. And now I can't get a precise reading of his temperature!"
"Stick that thing up his ass, then" Raph suggested trying not to laugh at Leo's shocked expression on his face. "I think that's what they do to babies"
"Stop with the baby thing! You're not any better when you're sick" Mikey protested.
Raph shrugged. "What! I'm just saying"
Don rolled his eyes in annonyance. "I'll just try his armpit then- uh Raph? What are you doing?"
"You said he needed a sweater" Raph half growled, struggling to get Leo dressed. "Ah fuck, Leo! Stay put!"
"Well, yeah but not now! I said I was going to take his-"
"-then make up your damn mind, will you?"
'…shut up'
"Dammit, the soup's cold now. Thanks a lot guys!"
"Not now, numbskull!"
'…Shut up!'
"Hey, don't drag him into this!"
"You shut up, nerd!"
'…SHUT UP!'
"No you shut up, neardenthal!"
"The fuck you just called me?!"
"ENOUGH!" Splinter's thunderous voice silenced everyone in the room and almost made Mikey spill the bowl of soup on his lap.
"Michelangelo, I believe your brother is not that hungry right now but he is grateful for your actions. Raphael, if you continue teasing your brother you will be on cleaning duty for a year. And Donatello, please hurry taking your brother's temperature. Once you are done you shall leave Leonardo to rest. Did I make myself clear, my sons?"
"Yes Sensei" Came the single response from the three reprimanded turtles.
In a matter of seconds, Mikey picked up everything and dragged Raph with him out of the room while Don finished with his check up deeming Leo ready for duty in a couple of days.
"Thank you, Sensei" Leo smiled drowsily. "They were driving me insane"
"So I noticed" Splinter chuckled. "Rest now, my son. I will make sure you are not disturbed"
The leader nodded, the heaviness on his eyelids making it impossible for him to stay awake but he could feel his father adjusting the wool sweater properly without jostling him too much then pulling the covers up to his chin. Leo smiled and closed his eyes, the voices of his brothers and father outside his door lulling him to sleep.
…
"…Perhaps I'm being a little picky. I mean, I know they mean well but what can I say? I just can't stand noisy brothers when I'm sick! But then again it makes me sick when they're too silent... Oh well, one thing is for sure: I'll always have some fatherly intervention to save me from three worried, extra helpful little brothers"
End of Journal entry N°30