TMNT: Lullabye for You

Ch.1~ First Verse

I looked at my brothers as they all played together, I was sat on the sidelines once again. The pain was too high today, I struggled to stand on my own. So playing with my brothers was not going to happen. Reaching down I rubbed my knees trying to ease the ache.

Ever since I saved Mikey from the tunnel collapse my knees and ankles did this. Somedays I was fine, I could manage or even excel. But not today. Father said that when my legs were pinned under the rubble they had been damaged.

Turning my gaze back to my brothers I smiled as I watched Mikey jump and cheer.

At least I had been able to save him.

(Flashback)

My vision was clouded with dust as I lay in the shallow sewage water. Soon I could see Mikey he was looking back at me his eyes wide and filled with tears. He wasn't hurt. I went to push myself up but a sharp pain struck me and I collapsed back down.

What happened?

I craned my neck to look behind me and I felt my heart sink. My legs from a bit above the knee were trapped under a pile of rubble. I could see the red blood splattering around. Turning my gaze down I saw a red tint in the water under me.

"Raphie?" Mikey stated, I turned back to see him on verge of breaking down.

"Hey, it's okay Mikey, I'm gonna be okay." I hushed, pushing myself up a bit I forced a smile. "Can you run home and get Dad, can you do that for me?"

He nodded and I watched as he scrambled to his feet and raced off down the tunnel. Tears began to fill my eyes as I buried my face in my forearms. A realization hit me as I cried.

I can't move my legs…

(End Flashback)

"Raphael, how are you feeling?" Dad asked as he sat down next to me.

"I'm okay, just sore today," I replied, I felt his bony hand rub my head soothingly.

"You do not need to act tough with me my son." he hushed, I nodded and leaned into his side.

How can I protect them like this?

(Leo's POV)

A soft melody echoed down the sewers as I exited our home. Following the sound, I soon found Raphael. He was sitting on an old maintenance box, singing softly as his gaze was fixed up. He had such a lovely voice, so I snuck closer and found I could hear the lyrics.

"Lullaby for you and for all, may we all fall asleep tonight, if I fall someone will catch me and I will never fall again. Sleeping soundly under the stars, making wishes for a brighter start. Under the moon, we sing a lullaby for you and for all. Dancing quietly to your own beat, making moves that flow through all time. Singing softly, singing loud, don't wake the child that sleeps so sound. Lullaby for you my dears, fall asleep and don't wake up till morrow. I shall stay awake in the night under the moonlight and sing a lullaby for my dear. Lullaby for you my dears, don't worry when the night is here. I'll sing softly as you sleep and no harm shall befall us. Lullaby please close your eyes I shall sing this till you fall asleep, so lullaby, please close your eyes and I wish you a great nights sleep.. Lullaby for my dears, close your eyes till the morrow." Raph sang, I remember this song, this melody.

(Flashback)

I heard a soft melody as I rose, opening my tired eyes weakly I saw Raph looking down at me humming with his eyes closer. A cough ripped through me as Raph's eyes shot open as he helped me sit up. Soon the coughing fit stopped and I fell back into Raph's embrace. My brain still felt fuzzy and my body felt both too hot and too cold.

I hate this.

Being sick.

I was the eldest I was meant to look after my brothers but this illness seemed to linger. Raph made no complaint and silently helped Father take care of me. He could have chosen to sleep for our little brothers while I recovered but he refused. So each night he lay with me and cared for me.

Even after the accident, he did his best to look out for us. Even on the days, his pain was high, on the days he should have been crying. He didn't, he simple sat at watched us. He even still chased after Mikey like he had before.

To be honest, I was in awe of how strong he was.

"Want water?" Raph asked softly, I nodded.

He grabbed the glass from our bedside table and held it for me as I took small sips. My throat felt less dry now which eased the irritation. Raph set the glass back and eased me back into the bed. Laying on his side next to me he gently rubbed my chest.

"I'm sorry Raphie." I apologized.

"Don't, you're sick, I want to take care of you like you always take care of us," he replied. "You just focus on getting better okay."

I nodded and let myself fall back into sleep under his protective gaze.

(End Flashback)

"Leo?" Raph stated as he turned to see me.

"I remember that song, you sang it when I was sick," I stated; he blushed. "You should sing more."

"I'm not a performer like Mikey," he replied hopping off his perch. "I only sing to comfort someone."

"Then why were you singing all alone?" I asked, he rubbed his arm. "Raph are you okay?"

"I'm fine." he huffed, but I could see by the way he held himself, he was in pain.

"Is the pain bad today?" I asked, he looked down. "Raph, you don't have to be strong with me. I'm your big brother."

"It hurts…" Raph muttered his voice cracking.

Closing the distance I brought him into a hug, he leaned into me gripping my sides. Soon I felt wet tears hit my plastron, he was crying. I pulled him closer as I did my best to take weight off his legs.

I'll protect you.

I promise.

(Raph's POV)

I collapsed onto the ground as my knee gave out during a kata. I felt someone grab me and help me back up. I saw Leo looking at me in concern. I wanted to shake him off, tell him I was fine, and continue.

But…

They won't move.

I felt a bony hand rest on my head and I turned to see Dad looking at me worriedly. He seemed to understand what was wrong and I felt him pick me up. Looking down into my lap I let Dad carry me. Soon he was laying me in bed.

"How is your pain?" he asked, I shrugged. "Raphael I can only help if you tell me what is wrong?"

"I can't move them," I stated, he gently pinched my leg making me wince.

"You're legs should improve, but you shall have to rest for today," he explained, I nodded.

"Raph?" Leo asked, I peered to see him in the doorway.

"He just needs to rest my son." Dad soothed.

Leo nodded but raced over and climbed on the bed beside me. Reaching over he rubbed my head in a comforting manner. I blushed a bit as Leo comforted me.

"I'm here Raph." Leo soothed.

"Make sure your brother rests, I shall go entertain your brothers," Dad stated and patted Leo's head then mine before he left.

"You can cry now, it's just us." Leo hushed, I felt my lip tremble and Leo pulled me close.

Why won't my body listen to me?

(Mikey's POV)

I pouted as I watched Leo and Raph on the couch. Lately, Leo has been paying so much attention to Raph. Why is Raph so special? I'm the youngest.

Everyone always fawned over me. Even Raph. He barely plays with us now. It's stupid. He's all better now. Why isn't he back to normal?

It's not fair.

"Mikey," Don stated and I felt him rub my head. "What gotten into you?"

"Raphie is stealing Leo and Daddy." I huffed, Don patted my head.

"He's not stealing them," Don replied.

"Yes, he is."

"No, he's not Mikey."

"He is too, Daddy and Leo are always fussing over him. He doesn't even play with us anymore."

"He can't play with us, not like he used to at least."

"Yes he can, he's all better now, isn't he?"

Don's face looked sad I turned back to Raph and I felt a lump form in my throat. But he said he was all better. Turning back to Don I felt tears well in my eyes. Don hushed me as he led me to our room, we crawled onto the bed and he hugged me.

"He said he was better."

"I know… You know Raph, he always wants to protect us… Raph isn't going to be how he was. His legs were hurt pretty bad…"

"It's my fault…"

"No, it's not your fault. It's no one's fault. It was an accident, Mikey."

"But he got hurt saving me…"

"He's our big brother, remember he told us that big brothers protect little brothers."

"But who protects him?"

"Right now, Leo and Dad do, but we can help protect him too. Want to help me look for things to help him?"

I nodded and Don pulled me close for a hug and I buried my face in his plastron. Raph was so stubborn. He should have told us he wasn't better.

(Raph's POV)

I looked on as Don and Mikey returned from a trip to the dump with Dad. Those two have been acting odd for a while now. I saw Don was holding a stack of thick books and Mikey's bag was full. I felt a hand pat my head and I turned to see Leo behind me.

"I know, I see it too. But Dad was with them so I'm sure it'll be fine." Leo stated, I nodded. "Now come on, I'm done meditating so I can help you with your exercises."

I nodded and forced myself up to my feet, I gritted my teeth at the pain but shook it off. I felt Leo grab my hands and I looked up at him as she shot me an encouraging smile. I grinned back as he led me to walk around and up and down the steps. As I moved the pain lessened or perhaps I was just growing more used to it.

"Good Raphael, take it slow and your strength will return." Dad reminded me, I nodded as I watched him take a seat in his chair.

"Remember to bend your knees on the steps Raph." Leo reminded.

"I know, they just feel, weird," I muttered, he nodded his hands tightening their grip on mine momentarily.

"I'm here, I won't let you fall." Leo reminded.

I felt my knee buckle and I fell forward but Leo caught me. Taking a deep breath to calm myself he helped me stand back up on my own. The encouraging smile never left, it was a comfort right now. He made all this rehab stuff easier.

"I've got you." Leo hushed.

(Later)

Leaving the dojo after my stretching with Dad I saw Don was on the couch his face buried in a big book. Slowly walking closer I saw it was a book at first aid. Now I could see that Mikey was beside him, he was lying on his stomach and seemed to be sewing something.

"What you two up to?" I asked, they jumped at bit turning to look up at me.

"Uh, nothing," Mikey stated trying to hide what he was working on.

"Uhuh, so you're sewing nothing," I stated, he looked nervous.

"Mikey is helping me make something," Don answered closing his book. "I was reading and I found something that could help you."

"Help me? What for?" I quizzed.

"Your legs… We're making a compression sleeve that goes on your legs and it is meant to help. I also want to make a brace you could use to support your knees." Don explained, I looked at them both my chest filling with warmth.

"You guys didn't have to do that. But thanks." I thanked giving them each a gentle head tussle. "My little brothers are so smart and kind."

I watched Mikey beam and Don looked embarrassed at the praise. These two were sneaking around trying to help me this whole time. It was sweet. I was glad I had such a good family. I wouldn't be where I was without them.

(Don's POV)

I smiled as Raph tried on the compression sleeves, they seemed to fit perfectly. He carefully bent his knees and rose back up, a grin formed as he began to stretch his legs. Suddenly he did a small jump, he spun, and pulled me and Mikey into a bear hug.

"They're perfect!" He cheered, pulling away he tussled our heads fondly. "I love them!"

"Yay!" Mikey cheered and hugged Raph excitedly.

Seeing him able to move easier it made me feel proud of myself. Mikey and I've actually done something to help Raph. I felt my pride morph into a motivational drive. I wanted to make more things to help my family.

Next, I'll make braces for his knees and then maybe I can make crutches or something to help him when his pain is high. I need to do more research and ask Dad for more trips to the dump.

"You're gonna do great things, Don." Raph praised rubbing my head again. "Same for you Mikey."

Great things.

Yes, I'm going to do great things and help my family.

(Splinter's POV)

I watched as Donatello worked in his make-ship lab on a new invention. It seemed he was destined to create things. After he and Michaelangelo made the compression sleeves for Raphael he's been making things every day. It was remarkable to see him turn from simply repairing things to making something entirely new.

Michelangelo has grown as well, he has taken up cooking and mending things. He has even made a quilt from scraps of cloth we had, it has seen much use during the boys' movie nights. I think his latest project was a set of sweaters, something for the cold winter I suppose.

Raphael seemed to be more energized since his brothers gave him the compression sleeves. He was able to keep up in training again, it was good to see him go a full week finishing his training. I even saw him in the dojo practicing with Leonardo. It warmed my heart to see him so full of life.

I am so proud of my sons.