Chapter two:
Leo is laying on the bed sweaty, blushing like he has a fever, trembling, and trying to shakily clutch the sheets.
Before Raph can speak Leo's name he picks up on something alarming.
Leo's scent is changing or at least attempting to.
That can only mean one thing.
Leo is presenting.
Raph feels his heart sink at this realization.
It's not unheard of for one to present late, however it is well known that delayed presentations are even more dangerous. The longer the delay the higher the risk of something going wrong, having a higher chance of death than earlier presentations.
And Leo's presentation waited so long he's at the higher risk percent.
Raph snaps out of his head hearing a small groan. He hurries to Leo's side putting a hand on one of his brother's own.
"R-Ra..." Leo attempts to speak though seems like he is really struggling.
"It's okay Leo. I'm here." Raph promises with his heart pounding in his chest, and his mind racing as he tries to remember what to do. He really can only remember his presentation which was not fun at all.
Then again presenting is horrible for everyone. The body shifting causing the owner of the body to feel almost like they're dying at times. It's worse than trying to deal with a rut or a heat, way worse. Making everyone thankful that they only go through it once; save for those who remain as betas who never go through it.
Raph needs help. He has to make sure that everything will go well. He can't let something bad happen to Leo. He doesn't want to lose his brother. He pulls out his phone and moves away to make a call. He stays in the room still wanting to be there to keep one eye on Leo. He tries calling Splinters cellphone. He listens to it ring until it goes to voicemail.
Splinter must be busy with something, or away from his phone.
"Shit." Raph quickly dials the only other number that might help. He waits for an answer.
Donnie picks up on the fifth ring. "Hey. How's it going?"
Raph goes off hurriedly trying to tell Donnie what's going on. He however is hard to understand as he goes too fast, plus he's stumbling over his own words.
"Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on there." Donnies voice stops Raph. He isn't hiding his concern at what's got Raph so worked up. "Just calm down and tell me what's going on."
Raph takes a breath before managing to explain in a more easily understood way. "We're at the farmhouse and I came to check on Leo. I thought he had gotten a migraine but I got into the room. It wasn't one. Leo is presenting and I don't want something going wrong. Splinter isn't answering his phone so you were the only other one I could think of contacting. I need your help!" He tries to keep the panic from his voice however he can still hear it in his tone.
"Shit! Yeah Splinter went out to do training with April and Casey." Donnie tells Raph. "Okay. We can do this. I'll walk you through everything I know okay?"
"Okay. Thank you." Raph agrees relieved that he at least has some help with this.
"Okay. You'll want to make sure you have a bucket of cold water, with a little ice in it if you want, and a cloth. You need to make sure he doesn't overheat."
Raph rushes out of the room grabbing a bucket and filling it with cold water. He puts some ice cubes in it. He grabs a cloth then goes back to Leo's room. "Okay. I got it." He confirms placing it by Leo's bed. He uses his shoulder to hold the phone. He dips the cloth in the water then wrings it out. He gently dabs it on Leo's head and face.
Leo shifts slightly with a shaky soft groan though that's all he does in protest. Him barely really doing anything does worry Raph even more than he already is.
"Okay good. You'll want to make sure that he doesn't get dehydrated. We both know this takes a lot of energy. I'd suggest waiting for a small bit then getting it. And make sure it's not a lot. Give small bits slowly. You don't want him getting sick because of it. Think of it in like a really really bad case of the flu in a way."
Raph keeps mental note of everything Donnie is telling him.
"I'd recommend at least having snacks on hand. Something light. Toast or sandwich preferably. He won't eat much but food will help him regain some strength. His body will process it fast due to it needing energy. Mostly just feed him if he seems tired. Eating and drinking a big amount will overload his system so to speak. So try to keep it minimal if you can. How does he look like he's doing? And yes it's normal for it to seem to be not going well. These things are stressful on both you and Leo's ends in this."
"Well from what I can tell he looks like how all of us feel. Is it okay that he's shaking really bad?" Raph dabs the cool cloth to help Leo cool down slightly.
"Yeah. It's probably hitting his body really bad. I'd keep an eye on it all just to be safe. Keep an eye out for if it gets worse. Don't try to hold him down or anything to stop the shaking. It could cause something to go wrong. His body should be able to shift around as needed." Donnie confirms to Raph who makes a sound of confirmation that he understands. "Okay good. Make sure he's conscious. If he passes out before it is complete that is bad. He'll pass out as soon as it's all done. You'll be able to tell by scent, it should be an unwavering scent of either alpha or omega. Also he'll look like he's feeling some relief from it all just before he passes out. If those circumstances aren't met call me immediately."
"Okay. His scent hasn't shown which side he's going to present as yet."
"That's okay. You've probably caught it early. It might be in its beginning stages. It'll start to seep in eventually." Donnie assures Raph who is glad to hear this.
"Is there anything else that I should know?" Raph inquires while making sure Leo doesn't overheat.
"Is he conscious?" Donnie repeats his inquiry to make sure that Raph checks.
Raph looks to Leo's face. "Leo?" He inquires gently stroking the others cheek to see if he'll respond.
Leo's closed eyes open to halfway to look to Raph. His eyes not hiding any hints of how horrible he is feeling. "Raph..." He barely manages to push out.
Raph sighs in relief. "He's conscious." He tells Donnie while staying close to Leo who closes his eyes. "Having trouble speaking though."
"That's normal. His body is focusing more on the changes than being able to speak. If you get scared he fell unconscious try getting him to speak. Or look at you. It'll be easy to figure out if he passed out or not."
"How else can I help him?"
"There's not really much else you can do. You watch for the signs of something not seeming right, take care of him how I've told you, and wait it out. We can't do much more than that. It's really the whole gotta let nature do it's thing type deals." Donnie tells Raph who feels powerless, since he truly is powerless to do anything to make it easier for Leo. "If something does go wrong I'll try to help. I'd come however by the time I'd get there it would likely be all over. Besides I'll see what Splinter might tell me that I don't know. Just try to stay as calm as you can. You don't want to stress Leo out with worrying about you. If he actually realizes it's you."
"Of course. I'll do my best. And I think he does know. The only thing I've heard from him is my name."
"Okay good. It should comfort him to know that you're there to help him through it. Talk to him since he should be able to hear you. There may be times that he won't. So be patient and communicate with him. Like if you're leaving the room then tell him. So it won't stress him out that you're leaving. Leo is smart, however this time he'll be a lot more emotionally sensitive. As well as not being able to understand as much as usual. His mind is getting all sorts of signals as his body changes. Turning it to kind of mush in a sense. So he could think you're leaving him forever if you just walk away. Communicating should help with that."
"Thank you Donnie. I'll call you if something doesn't seem right."
"Yes please do. I know you can do it."
The two hang up for now and Raph puts all his focus to Leo.
Leo groans and shifts only to stop with another groan. His head flopped against the bed. He's sweaty so Raph uses the cloth to try to cool him down a little. He reaches for the other in a shaky almost pleading way.
Raph uses his now free hand to grasp onto Leos own. He holds onto it as he tries to cool Leo down a little more. "Leo. I'm going to go to the kitchen." He says once he's put the cloth back. "I'm just going to get some water and some snacks. I'll be right back. I promise." He pulls away finding Leo is unable to really fight him to stay. He winces hating to see Leo like this. He just knows it is what it is. He'll keep an eye out though. "I'll be back before you know it." He heads out popping four pieces of bread into the four slot toaster. He grabs a water bottle filling it up. He decides to do two just in case. He kind of doubts he'll go through both though. He starts making a few sandwiches while he waits for the toast.
The toast pops not long after.
To Raph it felt like an eternity even with his hands busy. He takes everything back to the room setting them down close by. He sits by the bed. "Leo. Leo I'm back." He doesn't really get a response making him worry. "Leo?" He tries to remain calm. He sees the other slightly open his eyes making him sighs in relief. "Good. Try to stay awake for me. Okay?" He grabs the cloth once again doing what he can to cool the other. "We can talk if that'll help." He offers just wanting to do whatever he can for Leo. "You don't have to speak if you don't think you can. You can just give me any sort of sign as a response, or even just listen. Either way is fine."
Leo manages to nod softly to Raph which makes him glad to see it.
"Great. It's a little too early to tell which side you'll end up taking. I don't smell a distinct scent of either on you yet. But whatever side it won't matter. You're still our leader and our brother. What matters is you making it through this okay."
Leo nods softly again to this. He groans softly and the changing smell heightens slightly. His eyes closing for a few moments.
Raph reaches out gently taking Leo's hand to which the other shakily squeezes it.
"Raph..." Leo gets out looking at him with half open eyes.
"I'm here Leo. It's going to be okay." Raph tries to assure him with a gentle tone. "I'll be supporting you through this. Promise. I'll take care of you."
"Raph..." Leo seems like he wants to say something. He just is trying to force it out even as his body is working hard.
Raph moves closer so Leo can whisper if he wants to. "I'm listening. Just don't hurt yourself." He quiets down to hear what the other has to say. He gently touches Leo's heated cheek as tears appear in Leo's eyes.
"Why does it have to be so horrible?" Leo slightly groans in a whisper closing his wet eyes.
"Leo. Look at me. Or at least open your eyes." Raph doesn't want to risk Leo passing out on him.
Leo opens his eyes halfway managing to look at the other.
"I know it's awful. It's awful to everyone. Your body is changing not just in scent. I know you know this. It has to shift so you're ready for what comes with whichever side you take. You can still tell me how you feel as you go along. Or if there's anything you need. I'll get it for you." Raph informs Leo who blinks gratefully.
"Ah!" Leo slightly curls in pain as the scent changing starts to shift even more.
"Leo." Raph stays by the trembling other. He doesn't seem to have gotten a response from Leo. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He still gets no answer so he guesses it's a moment where Leo can't hear him.
Raph stays there waiting for when Leo is allowed to be more alert by his body. He also keeps an eye on everything just in case it goes wrong. He wishes there was more he could do.