Leo's pov:
The morning sunlight filtered through the lair, casting a warm glow on the familiar surroundings. I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest since yesterday's outburst from Raph. It was clear something was bothering him, something deeper than his usual anger. I knew my brother well enough to sense when things weren't right.
As Mikey, Donnie and I gathered around the kitchen table for breakfast, Raph's absence hung heavy in the air. It was unusual for him to skip breakfast, especially when there was pizza involved. I exchanged a glance with Mikey and Donnie, their unspoken concern mirrored in their eyes.
My voice broke the silence, "Raph's not joining us?"
Mikey shrugged, a perplexed expression on his face. "I heard his door was still shut when I passed by earlier."
Donnie's analytical mind was already at work. "It's not like him to isolate himself like this. We should check on him."
I nodded in agreement, pushing back my own worries. "You're right. Let's give him some space for now and see if he comes out."
Time passed, and still, Raph didn't emerge from his room. I found myself growing more and more concerned with each passing minute. I could practically feel the tension in the air.
Eventually, the sound of pizza boxes being opened broke the silence, a deliberate move to coax Raph out. I watched Mikey and Donnie prepare the pizza with an unusual mixture of anticipation and worry. Raph's favorite pizza might be the key to getting him out of his room and talking.
Donni knocked on Raph's door, his tone gentle. "Raph, we got your favorite pizza out here. You want some?"
After a moment's pause, the door creaked open just a crack, and Raph's voice sounded, albeit a bit muted. "Yeah, whatever."
The sight that greeted me was unexpected. Raph's demeanor was subdued, a far cry from his usual fiery self. I exchanged a glance with Mikey and Donnie, silently acknowledging that they were all picking up on the same strange vibe.
As they cleared a space on the table, I studied Raph's behavior carefully. He seemed distant, lost in his thoughts. I couldn't help but notice the absence of Raph's usual snarky comments and fiery retorts.
Donni decided to address the elephant in the room, his voice careful. "Raph, you seem… different today."
Raph took a bite of his pizza before replying, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "Yeah, well, maybe I'm just not in my mood today."
Mikey's suppressed laughter and Donnie's raised eyebrow told me they weren't buying it either. It was clear that something was eating at Raph, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it without making it too obvious.
Mikey couldn't resist making a comment, "Are you sure you're okay? You're acting like you've been replaced by a calm and collected version of yourself."
Raph shot Mikey a glare that could've melted metal, but I could tell it was just a front. Donnie followed up with a more gentle approach, his voice tinged with concern. "Raph, if something's bothering you, you know you can talk to us, right?"
Our quiet discussion was broken by the sound of the lair's entrance door opening. Casey's voice followed, as lively as ever. "Hey, dudes! What's up?"
Mikey responded with a hint of forced enthusiasm, "Just pizza, Casey. Join us?"
Casey's eyes scanned the room, his gaze landing on Raph. "Actually I spotted something much more interesting this morning. Hey, Raph. Up for a little skull-busting tonight?"
Raph's face lit up with his characteristic grin. "You bet, Case! Let's go knock some heads around!"
What struck me as odd was Raph's quick and almost eager agreement. It was unlike him after his tantrum this morning with not getting up on himself. There was an unspoken exchange between Raph and me, a brief moment that passed almost unnoticed by anyone else. I knew something was off.
As Raph made his way toward the weapons rack in his room to gear up, I leaned toward Mikey and Donnie, my voice low. "Something's not right. Did you notice how quickly Raph agreed to go out with Casey?"
Mikey and Donnie exchanged puzzled glances, clearly sharing my concern. Donnie spoke first, his voice matching my thoughts. "Yeah, that's not like Raph at all. He seemed... off."
An idea started to form in my mind, a way to address the situation without putting Raph on the spot. Sighting Casey to come to us, I leaned in closer, my voice lowered to a whisper. "When they're out, Casey, can you keep an eye on Raph? Just let us know if things seem... normal?"
Casey's raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and understanding. "You think something's up with him?"
I nodded, grateful for Casey's willingness to help. "Yeah, just... if anything seems strange, let us know. We're worried about him."
Casey clapped me on the shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. "Don't worry, Leo. I'll keep an eye on him. You know, just in case."
Casey's attention shifted as he saw Raph, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, I see. Raph's in one of his moods, right? Figures."
Just as Casey was finishing his thought, the distinct sound of footsteps reached our ears, and Raph emerged from the hallway, his sai already in hand. I watched as he shot Casey a quick glance before addressing him.
"Let's go!" He said seemingly like always but I could see threw his facade.
As Raph and Casey headed out for their adventure, a mixture of worry and relief washed over me. Casey's presence provided some comfort, yet I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Raph's troubles ran deeper than anyone could see. All we could do now was wait and hope that Raph would find a way to open up, knowing that we were here for him whenever he was ready.
