Casey scanned the machines tracking Leo's vitals before his eyes moved to the turtle in question. His chest was rising and falling more evenly, and the readouts from the machines showed he was no longer in a coma. The fever was stubbornly persisting, but no longer at dangerous levels. As Draxum had said, recovery wasn't going to be easy and was some time away, but all signs indicated the slider was turning the corner.

Never taking his eyes from Leo's sleeping form, Casey moved to sit in one of the chairs beside the bed. Solemn memories of the many times he had hovered at his sensei's bedside drifted through the teen's mind, but he still couldn't help smiling. For days, he'd been haunted by a fear of loss that had become all too familiar to him, and finally that fear had been lifted.

A soft moan interrupted Casey's musing, and his smile widened when he saw that Leo's brow was furrowing, his eyelids twitching. The human teen leaned closer, making sure to keep his voice soft.

"Se- Leo?"

The slider's face twitched again, then his eyes opened. They were heavy-lidded and groggy, but soon found Casey. He blinked, looking confused, then realization came and his eyes brightened.

"H-hey, Case," he murmured. "So… b-be honest… m' I still pretty?"

Casey couldn't stop a burst of laughter, even though tears immediately filled his eyes and began spilling down his face. Leo's faint grin shifted right away to concern, but Casey waved a hand to stop any questions.

"No, I'm fine, I'm fine." He chuckled again, wiping his eyes with the heel of his hand. "I just… do you know how many times now you've sounded just like…"

When he looked up, though, his smile dropped at the look on Leo's face. He didn't say anything, but somehow Casey could hear him saying the words in his head.

I'm not him. You said so.

He felt that pang of regret he always did when he remembered the harsh words that he'd spoken to Leo in the subway tunnel. He knew the slider didn't hold it against him… was grateful he had said them, even. But that didn't stop Casey from regretting it, especially since he knew those words still weighed on Leo more than he would ever admit.

"Leo, I… I'm sorry, I shouldn't've brought that up now," he said quickly. "You just woke up yesterday, you don't need…"

The sound of the door sliding open interrupted, and Casey looked to see Donatello entering. The softshell's steps were considerably lighter than before, but he still looked tired… and sounded it too.

"Here to check on Nardo's condition," he announced. Casey looked at Leo, but the solemn look had disappeared from the slider's face, replaced with that weak grin.

"Good t-timing, Dee… he's up."

Casey couldn't help frowning a little; Master Leonardo had been well known for switching from sad to easygoing seemingly on a dime. It had awed Casey as a young child, and it wasn't until he was older that he realized it was his sensei's way of dealing with his own pain and hiding it from others. Seeing that same behavior in this younger version was jarring, to say the least. And a bit concerning.

Casey knew now that the Leonardo he had known was shaped from trauma and suffering. He couldn't help but wonder if he was seeing the same thing happening to this Leo, and the thought brought a sinking feeling of guilt. He had succeeded in Master Leonardo's last mission, to change the past. To prevent the destruction of the world by the Krang. But now he was afraid he'd failed in something else… in preventing the death of the boy his sensei had been.

But the smile never left Leo's face as Donnie moved to check him over, his demeanor professional and almost businesslike as he hummed in thought.

"Jeez…" Leo murmured. "S-serious much, Don Tron?"

Donnie huffed.

"Scoff. I don't know how I still forget how annoying you are, Leon."

A memory drifted through Casey's mind of a very similar scene with these same turtles… older, wearier, but with the exact same mirth, annoyance, concern, and love. Despite the sadness the memory brought the teen couldn't help but smile, suppressing a chuckle. In the time he'd spent here, the feeling that he'd lost the family he had in the future had started to change. He was almost beginning to feel that in a sense, he hadn't.

"Case? Y' okay?"

Leo's weary voice drew his attention, and Casey looked up to see the slider looking at him. Donnie was still focused on his examination but cast a subtle glance toward Casey as well. The teen nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He grinned. "You guys are just so cute."

Donnie huffed again, and Leo let out another faint chuckle.

"Aw, Donnieeee…" he crooned. "Y' know… ya l-love me."

The softshell let out another annoyed sigh, but Casey could hear the warmth in his voice.

"Fine. Yes, I love you, you dum-dum. Now hold still, we need to change your dressings." He looked at Casey again. "Casey, can you help me?"

Casey nodded as he stood.

"Yessir."

The turtles had told him he didn't have to refer to them as superiors, but Casey still did from time to time. Partly because he knew Donnie liked it, even if he didn't admit it, and out of pure force of habit. He stepped up to the bed and waited until Donnie walked up to the other side with the necessary supplies.

"Okay," Casey said. "Ready for us to get you up, Leo?"

The slider took a deep breath and nodded.

"S' fine."

"Alright, we'll get the worst ones first," Donnie said. Casey slid an arm under Leo's shoulders, doing his best to be gentle, but he still felt the slider wince.

"Okay, on three," the teen said. "One, two, three."

He lifted Leo into a sitting position, pressing his lips together at the sharp hiss.

"Sorry… try to hold still."

"I-I'll… do m' best," Leo mumbled.

Casey saw Donnie press his lips together, but the softshell remained silent as he began unwrapping the bandages around his twin's midriff. Casey's eyes moved toward it, unable to stop himself from cringing. It wasn't nearly as awful looking now that it was sutured and treated, but the sight of the wound still chilled him, never failing to bring back the memory of how close it came to killing Leo. Donnie's face remained impassive, but Casey knew him well enough to tell that he was disturbed too.

"No sign of infection or other complications," the softshell said. "That's good… the laceration's in a bad place for that. I just need to clean and rewrap it."

"Oh… joy," Leo drawled. Donnie cast his brother a withering look, making Casey smirk as he held back more laughter.

"The regular treatment is probably the only reason there hasn't been infection," Donnie said. "And believe me, that is the last thing we want, so quit complaining."

"Me? M' not," Leo replied, his voice full of exaggerated innocence. Since he was already having trouble holding his eyes open, his attempt to widen them fell laughingly flat. Despite his amusement, Casey wasn't sure whether the fact that Leo was already quipping again was an encouraging sign or a worrying one. But he also knew there was no good asking. If Leo didn't want to admit something, it would take the end of the world to make him do it. Quite literally, as Casey well knew.

So instead of trying to push for it, the teen simply held out his free hand. The smile on his face grew just a little sad when Leo took hold of it, bracing himself for the coming sting. Just like he always did… and had.