A/N: This one alludes to some darker themes and has quite a bit of swearing, so if it's not your thing, you may want to skip this one. BUT I'm actually really excited about this one! I put it together tonight in a few hours and it was definately my favorite to write so far :) let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from everyone (even guests) and get your opinions! Thanks for all the support! Stay Awesome!
The blinking red numbers of the clock seared through the darkness increasing in intensity with each passing minute, 3:23, 3:24, 3:25. Leonardo snarled to himself; Raphael should have been home hours ago. Why did Raph insist on doing this?They had not even argued tonight, no, but despite having gotten along all week, there was a tangible tension between the two. This was purely Raphael's usual nightly run; however his younger brother's absence still made him uneasy.
'He hates you'. The sick voice slithered into his ears once again. 'No!' Leo shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and settle down to meditate once again. He closed his eyes, unsuccessfully attempting to expel all thoughts of his brother. Hours later he risked another glance at the clock; the numbers laughed at him: 3:25. Leonardo wanted to scream.
Raphael stumbled through the sewer tunnels, his swollen left ankle, nausea, and lightheadedness significantly slowing his pace. Knowing he had been out far too late, he expected a lecture from both Leonardo and Master Splinter in the morning regarding his excursion and prayed to all the beings in the sky that both of them were already in bed. What little patience he possessed was gone and his nerves frayed from the night's events; Raphael was in no mood to deal with anything but a warm shower and his hammock. To his dismay his brother was up and waiting for him as he staggered through the lair's entrance.
Leo, exhausted and irritated, rounded upon his brother the instant he set foot inside, "Raphael! Where in God's name have you been?"
"Ya know where I've been. Patrol." The hot head snapped. He forced himself not to limp as he made his way toward the stairs.
The oldest glowered; his red banded brother knew vague answers irritated him to no end. "Well I expected you to be home at a reasonable hour! I don't like going to bed knowing you're still out there!"
Flaming amber eyes met steel blue ones. "Fuck off, Fearless, nobody forced ya t' stay up." Raph leaned heavily upon the banister, trying to keep his weight off his ankle.
Leo exploded. "What is wrong with you!? Is it such a crime that I care? You go out every night, come home injured half the time, if at all and when you do come home you refuse to talk to anyone! What the hell is really going on, Raph? Are we so insufferable that you can't stand to be a part of this family!?"
A haunted look consumed Raphael's eyes, his face contorted, and he laughed darkly, the hollow sound resonating throughout the lair. "Ya have no damn idea what I do out there for this city an' this family."
Leo's breath caught in his chest, his brother's reaction scared and paralyzed him.
Raph sneered, "Shut ya damn mouth, Leo, jus' shut the hell up. I've seen things that would break ya, Fearless" He turned his back to his elder brother, "I don't wanna EVER hear ya question what I do for this family."
Dumb, mute, and rooted to the floor, Leonardo merely watched his younger brother climb the stairs unsteadily, limp to the bathroom, and slam the door. The blue banded turtle sank to his knees. 'He hates you.'