Leo lay on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. His old friend insomnia, though not as insistent as it used to be, still liked to drop in from time to time, and the new surroundings played a good deal into it. He certainly couldn't say that he wasn't comfortable; in fact, this bed was almost as comfy as his own. It was just… different.

The situation wasn't the same, but Leo couldn't help thinking of the last time he found himself gazing up at an unfamiliar ceiling, unable to sleep. After their first home was destroyed. The first time they'd faced Shredder. The thought brought an involuntary shiver, and Leo tensed as his heart sped up.

No. Clenching his teeth, Leo gripped the blanket in his fists and drew a deep breath. Don't lose it. You said no one was gonna break you again, and they're not. They're not.

Almost unconsciously, the directions of a breathing exercise Casey Jr. had shown him came to Leo's mind. Forcing his hands to unclench, he began running through it, counting carefully as he took measured inhales and exhales. Slowly, the tension began to ease. The memory of Casey's story of the first time his sensei had guided him through it ran through Leo's mind, and he couldn't help but smile a little at the irony. In a sense, he'd been learning from his future self.

My better self.

That thought made the amusement wither, along with his smile. As much as Leo tried to remember that his future self wasn't something for him to compare himself to, or try to be, the feeling that he just couldn't live up to what was expected of him couldn't be pushed away. And recent events had only increased it. Once again, he'd tried to do the right thing, and once again, he'd been wrong. Was he ever going to stop messing up at the worst possible time? That brought a bitter smile to his face.

Not likely.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke into his thoughts. They were soft and quiet, but there was still no mistaking them. His smile growing more amused, Leo turned his head toward the doorway.

"Seriously, big bro… you gotta have some kind a' telepathy."

A quiet, rumbling chuckle answered as his older brother stepped into the room.

"Just big brother senses, they never fail."

His eyes softened with concern as he moved to the bed.

"So, care t' share why you're havin' trouble sleeping? You're gonna need rest."

Leo sat up with a quiet sigh, gazing down at his hands. The first stages of his therapy would be starting tomorrow; gentle to start, of course, but he knew it was still going to be tiring.

"I know. Just… can't stop thinking, I guess."

He heard Raph give a quiet sigh, then felt the bed dip as his older brother sat on it. He grinned and looked up, unable to resist a snark.

"Careful ya don't collapse the bed."

Raph narrowed his eyes, but Leo could see his own amusement.

"I'm not that heavy," he shot back. "And don't even try t' change the subject."

Leo huffed and gave a helpless shrug.

"Worth a try, right?"

Raph chuckled again.

"It's only worth it when ya know it'll work." He crossed his arms, waiting patiently. Leo let out a heavy, overly dramatic sigh and flopped back, staring up at the ceiling again as he tried to sort out his thoughts. Not because he was trying to delay… he knew Raph would wait him out all night if he had to. Finally, the slider spoke.

"You ever wonder if it'll stop?"

Silence met his words for a moment, then Raph answered in a soft tone Leo couldn't quite identify.

"If what'll stop?"

Leo lifted his hand in a wide, vague gesture.

"This. Getting over one beating just t' get ready for the next one. Taking down one enemy to clear the way for another one." He couldn't suppress a humorless chuckle. "Or the same one, in this case."

He kept his eyes on the ceiling as silence filled the room. He wasn't sure what look was on his older brother's face right now, but somehow, he was afraid to know. Raph let out another soft sigh, then Leo felt the snapper's large hand rest on his uninjured leg. The touch was gentle, and so was Raph's voice.

"I know you're tired, Leo. And you got every right t' be."

Leo lifted his head, his response coming almost on instinct.

"It's not…"

"Leo."

Raph's voice was firmer this time, his face sterner, making Leo blink in surprise. His brother's eyes softened, along with his voice.

"I know you wanna be strong for us, little brother. But right now, it is about you. It needs t' be about you. We want ya to heal, and we know you do too. But you've gotta take care of yourself for that to happen, and you've gotta let us take care of you."

A small, slightly sad smile came to the eldest turtle's face.

"If any of this is ever gonna end… I wish I could tell ya that, Leo, but I can't. I can tell ya this, though. Whatever comes our way, we're not gonna let you face it alone. And we'll always trust you just like you trust us."

Leo gazed into his brother's eyes, knowing that the snapper meant every word. Raph nodded and went on.

"We've been through the wringer more than once, but we got through it, 'cause we did it together. And we'll keep doing it together."

He held out a fist, and Leo knew what he was implying.

We're in this if you're in this.

A smile came to the slider's face, a true smile, and he bumped his own fist against Raph's.

"Together," he said softly.

His older brother's smile widened, his eyes shining with pride. Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead to Leo's.

"We're gonna be fine, little brother," he murmured. "And you're gonna be fine too. We'll make sure of that… whether ya like it or not."

Leo smirked.

"What, you think I'm gonna back out?"

His older brother returned his smirk.

"Nah… I just know you. You might not back outta this, but you'll still be a pain about it."

That made a snort of laughter burst from Leo as he closed his eyes. To anyone else, that might have sounded like an insult. But for Leo, hearing that somehow eased the heaviness weighing on him. At least his brothers still had faith in him.

Unknown to the turtle brothers, another figure was watching from further down the hall, not approaching, as not to disturb them. Deep brown eyes took in the scene, a sheen of sadness in them, before turning away. Usagi moved back toward his room in silent feet; he knew their guests had been through a lot and had no doubt they'd be struggling. But somehow, seeing this had hit harder than he thought.

And though he couldn't explain why, it was especially hard when he looked at Leo.