Hey guys! I'm so excited cause next weekend starts my SPRING BREAK! :3
Anyways, Thanks for all the support via reviews, favorites, and follows! It makes me happy! I'm very glad that you enjoy the story!
Happy reading for this second to last chapter!
Five days later...
Donatello looked over Leonardo's sleeping form for the third time in 20 minutes. Leo has been sleeping more than anything lately, but his complexion is getting better. The swelling has gone down thanks to the anti-biotics. Leo no longer had the threat of death hanging about him but Donnie was still wary.
A sound from the dojo let him know that Raphael was still letting off steam. Since it was still early that morning Michelangelo would be making breakfast and their Sensei would be probably be watching over Raph.
Don went over and checked Leo's hip and shoulder. He had to re-wrap them in bandages a couple of days ago when the swelling went down and left them loose. The coloration was slowly getting back to normal, leaving a blackish almost yellow color. His shoulder had been worse than his hip though, and it was still pretty bruised from the impact.
Donnie sighed again, rubbing his eyes. The injury to Leo's head would take longer to heal, his head was still wrapped in bandages, but at least there was no infection from the surgery. The painkillers Donnie gave Leo made him sleep through most of the week so far, to which he was grateful.
He knew that when Leo was finally able to open his eyes he would definitely be loopy the first time around and a bit unfocused. The swelling in his brain had gone down-thank god- and he was mostly going to be bedridden for at least a month before trying to move around.
"Hey." Donatello jumped out of his shell but turned rigidly to the right. April looked apologetic. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Me and Casey just arrived.."
"No problem.." Donnie replied with a tired smile. He saw April look over at Leo hesitantly. "Still no change since you were last here.." April nodded, feeling her eyes burn and her throat clog.
"Yeah..but at least the swelling...is gone...and his head should not hurt as bad now.." April smiled after sniffing. Donnie went to her and hugged her gently.
"Yeah, thank god for that." He smiled at her after letting her go. She looked grateful. "He should wake up soon."
April nodded slowly, still smiling. "I'll let Casey know..."
"Okay.." Donnie smiled weakly before turning back to Leo. He heard April leave and sighed, putting his head on Leo's cot. "Guess I should go eat, huh...?" Donnie frowned, looking at Leo's face. At least he didn't look in pain anymore, he looked peaceful.
"DON!" Raph yelled, making him jump a foot in the air. Donnie glared out of the lab's doors. "C'mon and eat!"
"Yeah, dude! It'll get cold!" Mikey soon yelled after. Donnie rolled his eyes and saw Master Splinter walk into the room with a fond smile.
"Go and join your brothers, Donatello. I'll stay with Leonardo." He ordered softly, standing beside him. Donnie gave Leo one last look and sighed, standing straight and stretching his limbs.
"Okay...I'll be back Leo.." Donnie replied tiredly looking at his brother. He nodded with a weak smile at Splinter then left the room.
Splinter looked down at Leonardo's form and felt his ears droop to see his son in such a state. He placed a paw on his chest comfortably. "My son, come back to us soon. Your brothers-...we need you." Leo gave the smallest of twitches and Splinter's ears perked and he smiled because he knew what that meant. "See you soon, my son."
"DONNIE!"
"I'm here, jeez!" Don answered tiredly rubbing an eye. Mikey looked sheepish before thrusting a plate of eggs, bacon and pancakes in his arms. Donnie blinked. He stared at it and then to his bouncy baby brother, who joined Raph at the island table.
"I know right...?" Raph smirked looking at the plate. "He cooked a whole breakfast, wow.." Mikey glared and pushed his arm. Donnie grinned as he took the other seat next to Raph, across from April.
"This is really good Mikey.." April trailed off with a polite smile. Mikey beamed at her.
"Thanks April!"
"Casey, dude, stop shoveling your face!" Raph laughed hard, dropping the eggs he had on his spoon. April and Donnie gave a disgruntled look towards Casey, who grinned wide.
"Dude! Table manners!" Mikey laughed playfully and Donnie rolled his eyes. April shook her head and allowed a small smile on her face. Donnie stared at the food and carefully ate some of the pancakes.
"Sue me!" Casey's voice was muffled by food and April slapped his arm hard. "Ouw!"
"Bahahaha!" Mikey and Raph laughed hard, clutching their stomachs. Donnie gave a small smile as he ate his eggs and watched in amusement.
It went on like this until almost everyone cleaned their plates of food. Donnie helped Mikey put the dishes in the sink as he rinsed them off to wash them soon after. Raph and Casey were wrestling out of the room before anyone said anything.
"I'll help you Mikey." April smiled softly. Mikey smiled wide as he started filling the water with soap.
"Thanks April!"
"I guess if you got this covered.." Donnie trailed off, staring at April and Mikey, who nodded. Donnie sighed and smiled at them. "Thanks. I'll go back to Leo.."
Donnie turned around and half rushed out oft he kitchen and past the two meatheads in the dojo wrestling to see who was stronger. At least Raph wasn't angry and sulking anymore, but Donnie felt like he was the only one upset that Leo has yet to wake up.
"I'm back Sensei..." Donnie walked into the lab and stared. Splinter was in meditation mode on the floor beside Leo's cot. Donnie blinked but soon Splinter opened his eyes and smiled at Donatello.
"My son, everything is well." Splinter said and Donnie cocked his head but smiled. "I sensed Leonardo's spirit and it is healing at a fast pace." Donnie brightened almost instantly.
"Really?! Did you make contact?" Donnie asked excitedly. Splinter smiled at his son's happiness.
"Almost. If you do not mind I will continue in my room."
"Oh! Sure, yeah! That's great!" Donnie gushed and watched his Father chuckle, pat his head, and walk out of the lab. Donnie rushed to Leo's side instantly. "Leo, I'm glad you're doing really well!"
Donnie was about to say more when something twitched against his hand. His system went cold with stunned surprise when Leo's hand moved a little to grab Donnie's. "Leo?! Leo, are you awake? Can you hear me?"
Leonardo's face contracted a little and Donnie's heart soared so fast he was feeling dizzy. Leo's eyes darted under his eyelids before they opened just a crack. Leo saw Donnie a bit blurry but moving around fast and in an excited manner. "Ee?"
"Leo!" Donnie yelled happily, clenching Leo's hand in his. "Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
Leonardo stared at Donnie before his eyes opened a little more. He looked around a bit, but couldn't move his head without dull pain. "L..Lab...?" He was surprised when Donnie began to cry and clenched his hand harder, but ti didn't hurt.
"Guys!" Donnie screamed loudly. "Guys get in here now! Sensei!" He heard clashing in the kitchen and dojo. He didn't have to wait but a few seconds before everyone rushed in worried and almost clashing with each other.
Leonardo looked at them confused, cause they were a bit blurry too. But they surrounded the bed and looked at Donnie, who kept telling them that he was awake.
"Leo!" They cried in happy surprise. Mikey hugged Leo's body hard and Raph looked at him excitedly.
"Mi..Mikey? Ra..ph?" Leo questioned in a slur.
"Yes, it's us!" Raph smiled and looked at Mikey, trying to ease him up and off his brother.
"S-Sensei..?" Leo asked, his eyes half lidded now. Splinter moved past Raphael to put himself in the eyesight.
"My son, you woke up faster than I thought." Splinter smiled warmly, rubbing his paw on his head bandages softly. Leonardo smiled a bit and looked at Casey and April. They both smiled at him and he nodded his head a little before groaning.
"Don't move your head too much Leo. That's the bad injury..." Donnie told him softly. Leo hummed in acknowledgement before looking at everyone again. "How do you feel? Are you in pain?"
"A lil..." Leo slurred but sent a look to Raph when he noticed the hot-head look worried. "Raph..ry..sorry...Raph.."
"Huh? What are ya sorry about Fearless?" Raph looked confused for a moment before realizing Leo meant the fight. A rock dropped in Raph's gut.
"Hurt...you.." Leo said and Raph bit his gum to keep from laughing because it was not funny. It was ironic. Leo thought he hurt Raph? No...it was the other way around! Raph saw Donnie eyeing him worriedly and he sighed, putting hand on Leo's plastron.
"No you didn't, I'm fine. But I'm sorry too...I said things I didn't mean.." Raph rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"'S kay..." Leo smiled and finally Mikey got his turn. Mikey got in his face. "Mike-y...blood...hurt?" Leo winced how that came out. Mikey laughed though.
"I'm okay, if that's what you mean! Raph and Donnie took care of me!" Mikey beamed and Leo smiled a little. "I gave you blood though! That's amazing but the needle sucks alot dude..."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Casey groaned in agreement and April giggled. Splinter smiled at all of them, just relieved at the whole atmosphere.
"Afraid of a lil needle?" Raph grinned. Casey glared.
"No, but I don't like them."
"Anyways, so Leo how do you feel?" Donnie interrupted. "Are you sure you don't need anything?" All of them were surprised when Leo laughed a little.
"Uh, Leo?" April asked with a worried gaze.
"I..maybe a..lollipop.." Leo whispered and it got quiet really fast. All of a sudden Mikey died laughing and Raph joined soon after. Donnie sucked in a breath to keep from laughing himself, trying to be composed. He was surprised tht Splinter was chuckling. Casey was half on the ground and April kept him up, giggling.
"Why...why did he say that?!" Raph cried as he watched Leo staring at him.
"The medication...I told you he'd be a little loopy for a little while..." Donnie grinned.
"Why's funny...? I want...it..now.." Leo demanded lightly and Mikey's whole body was shaking. He grabbed Splinter's hand with his other. "I know..you have it."
"AHAHAHA!" Mikey threw himself on Raph, who was too busy crying a little to notice. Donnie blurted out a laugh at Splinter's confused expression.
"My son, we have no candy right now.." Splinter recovered, slightly amused. Leo blinked at him and then looked at Raph.
"Ah, too funny! I need some water!" Casey cried. April laughed but rolled her eyes. She helped him up and they both walked out of the lab laughing together.
"Raph.." Raph stopped laughing when he saw Leo's hand in his face. He looked at Leo confused, but Leo was looking at him expectantly.
"Um...what?" Raph asked looking at Mikey, Splinter, or Donnie for help. Mikey was still laughing his shell off while the other two shrugged. Leo waved his hand a little bit, impatient.
"Hurry Raph.." Leo complained and Raph blinked, looking at the hand that was in his face in amusement.
"Uh okay." Raph grabbed it and Leo smiled, happily. Raph blushed from embarrassment.
"I did it Donnie." Leo smirked and Donnie chuckled, looking at Leo's other hand he was holding. Raph growled at Mikey and used his other hand to push his laughing face off.
"Dudes, you guys look...I can't even.." Mikey shook while holding his face. Donnie and Raph both glared at him while Splinter chuckled.
"I forgot.." Leo suddenly spoke up, staring at Mikey. "No more hands. Sorry." Mikey's eyes were wide and Raph barked out a laugh. Donnie looked at Splinter and they both shared an amused smile.
"Hey, that's not fair." Mikey pouted, playing along with Leo. Leo gave a sloppy grin.
"I decide..who's on this ship or not..." Leo told him and Mikey just tried to hold back his amused wide grin. Raph was smirking so hard he wanted to cover it up. But Leo's never acted like this before.
"How long does the medication effects last, Donatello?" Splinter asked, turning to his genius son. Donnie watched as everyone looked at him.
"Depends on the person and severity of medication. For Leo I'd estimate probably a couple of hours at the most.." Donnie looked back at Leo, who was watching everyone best he could without turning his head so much.
"Donnie...can I talk to Raph?" Leo asked blinking tired eyes at him. Donnie looked confused and so did Mikey. He felt it when Leo let go of his hand.
"Raph's right there you can-" Splinter put a paw on Donatello's shoulder and gave him a soft look. Then he understood. "Oh...oh yeah. Mike, let's go help Casey and April."
Mikey cast them a confused look while Raph sighed. "Go with them you shell brain."
"Um, okay. See you later Leo."
"Bye little orange elf." Leo waved the one hand a little. Even Splinter blurted out a laugh at that statement, but he steered his two younger sons out of the lab and closed the doors.
"I wish you could see yourself bro, this is too funny." Raph grinned as he stood closer to Leo now. Leo blinked up at him and grinned. "Why'd ya want to talk to me?" Leo's grin vanished and Raph suddenly felt anxious.
"Are you mad at me..?"
"What?!" Raph asked in surprise. Leo stared at him for a moment.
"Mad at me..?" He tried to repeat. "For running off...I hurt you.."
"No! Seriously Fearless, why wou-"
"I was scared..."
Raph stopped cold in his tracks and looked down at Leo, half frozen at the statement. Leo was still staring at him and it looked like he was reminding himself to blink sometimes. "I..want to say sorry...and then the light pushed me."
"Huh?" Raph asked still stunned but confused. Leo looked annoyed whether at himself or Raph, who knew?
"I want-ed to..say sorry..but the light..pushed me." Leo repeated. Raph felt his blood run cold when he understood what Leo was trying to say.
"It's okay, Leo. It was..." Raph felt immensely guilty and wandered if he should tell Leo the truth. But what if he hates him? Well then he'd deserve it. "It was a new mutant that lives deeper in the sewers, her name is Stella but she's kinda lame..remember the sewer well..?"
Leo was quiet a moment. "Yeah."
"That coin that fell in...it made all my wishes come true or something.." Raph snorted in half disbelief and amusement. "But...my wishes did come true...the time Mikey fell...and.."
"You wished I was gone..." Leo whispered, feeling pain shoot through his body and a heavy feeling in his heart at the memory. Raph gulped and felt his eyes water just a little.
"I didn't mean it Leo. Whatever that argument was I didn't mean a damn thing!" Raph blurted and felt guilt rush through him when Leo looked away. "But it almost happened...I..I can't live with maself if something-"
"I believe you Raph..." Leo smiled a little, finally turning back to meet his gaze. "I know you..and you didn't want me to die...right?" Raph nodded alot and wondered if Leo was actually listening or if he was still doped up. But he remembered Donnie saying something it could be in and out.
Leo looked and saw that Raph's whole body was shaking. he must of been very nervous. Leo clenched Raph's good hand and looked him. "Come here..." Raph blinked at him but leaned in. "Closer I need to tell you something."
Raph leaned in and turned his head slightly so he could hear better. Leo smirked and kissed his temple like he did when they were little and Raph was scared. Raph pushed back fast with wide eyes. "Aw come on Fearless, don't go sappy on me!"
Leo laughed a little before he felt the drowsiness and the loopiness come back. "Love ya Raph...you owe me a serious cookie."
Raph paused at that and then laughed. "Whatever you say bro, get some more rest. Maybe later you'll be back to us."
Leo closed his eyes and smiled. "Okay." He felt Raph lift his covers higher and he must of waited and thought Leo was asleep because he leaned in and kissed Leo's good temple.
"So you're not scared either...but you better not t-tell anyone!" Raph blurted, feeling embarrassed. He walked to the door, not noticing Leo's quick dopey smile. "But..uh..love ya too bro. Wake up again soon."
Aww Raphie can be so soft when he wants to! I love Leo's big brotherness! ^_^ Anyways, hope you guys enjoy!
Thanks for any support! Stay awesome! :3