Chapter Text
looking out at the explosion , leo could feel his entire body start to shake. dear god, that was some experience. being back with his brothers now, he couldn't be any happier to hear donnies speech mode, raph being that big brother he always is and mikey's hyper activeness. it was, nice. embracing them now, they're his brothers. although, he couldn't shake off the fact that he had done something even he couldn't predict. being home, leo immediately started walking to his room, looking around to make sure no one was around. getting his bands off, he curled up; hiding away in his shell as tears fell down his cheeks. he could barely hear his brothers talking as raph spoke on one of his younger brothers' attendance. “ raph, he's probably tired, let him sleep. We should all get some, it wasn't the best night for us and maybe sleep can help! ” a usually eccentric voice spoke up.
dark gaze going towards the smaller turtle , the eldest sighed.
“ you're right mikey. everyone get cleaned up and get some sleep. i'll check on leo before going to bed.” he spoke out, hearing his brothers collectively go ‘ okay ‘ and walk off.
that day and night seriously got to raph, he was supposed to protect them! getting turned like that made his chest tighten up, definitely not his best moment if he’s being honest with himself. looking in the mirror as he brushed his teeth, he could see a scar or two forming where that crazy eye was. fowning, he placed his retainer on and went to check on leo. meanwhile, donnie could still feel his shell being in that damned gunk. it always scared him, it will continue to scare him. taking off his battle shell, he cleaned himself and his shell as much as he could. a frown in stitched its way into the purple ones lips, he looked at his neck. seeing those scars start to form a low sigh left. getting in his jammies, he got somewhat comfortable until going to his room after passing mikey.
now, mikey was affected the most. usually being the comedic relief out of his brothers next to leo, but his hands ached. they would burn sometimes and it felt like they were chipping off. he didn't want to die, he was only fifteen! cleaning up like raph had said he got new bandages on and his favorite jammies. now having a small smile, he clutched his hands together and walked off to his room.
“ leo, hey buddy are you– hey..” seeing that his brother was in his shell, he sat down by him. rubbing the top of it as he heard light sniffling. “ oh bud, i know this is hard on you, but were all here for you.” slurring his words a little, he could tell the other was coming back out of his shell.
“ I know, I know. so much happened in such a small amount of time. it was scary, I almost died, raph. I did that to save you guys and the rest of humanity. I realized what exactly you go through to make sure we're okay. I wanted you to be okay this time; when you got in front of me before that monster could stab me through the eye, I thought I was going to lose you.” leo stumbled out to say, his lower lip quivering as he was pulled into a protective hug.
“ i've got ya, don't worry little brother. get some sleep? maybe that’ll help you out some.” raph spoke softly, getting the younger one to calm down finally. with that, the two parted and soon enough they went to bed.
waking up was painful for everyone. raph's eye only hurt more, donnies back kept him up all night, leo only slept because of his older brother calming him and mikey just felt sore. splinter looked at his sons with worry, for once he was going to be a good father, be there when they actually need it. as the small rat let a breath fall, he walked over to the table where his boys sat. “ good morning boys, how are you all feeling?” he asked, seeing them all shiver.
“ we’re a little bent out of shape pops, but with some time to heal and with self care, we should be okay.” red spoke, his voice slightly chipping as he looked over towards his brothers.
with collective nods they all agreed on what their older brother spoke on. they could all feel that with the help of each other they can get through this! well, as long as they don’t push one another away. knowing donnie, he won’t break. he wouldn’t say anything unless it was to sheldon, considering that he is usually there to help him. but, that thought left him long ago when his brothers messed with the robots programming. getting up, he went to get a flavorless juice, hopefully that will calm his nerves. meanwhile, leo went to the skate ramp, hopefully something fun will take his mind off of nearly dying in space. that moment constantly replays in his head; or raph jumping in front of him to prevent him from getting his eye jammed out.
sometimes, leo cant help but feel like he was only holding his family back, but thankfully he wasn't. he unlocked something in them that day that he never saw. giving a small smile to his own thoughts, he went down the ramp. letting himself take control as the wheels rolled. now, mikey was a different story. opening that portal for his brother nearly cost him his life, he could have vanished into thin air. but he didn't, he was here, alive. breathing and with his three brothers plus his father. art was getting difficult at points if he held something in his hands for long periods of time. it wasn't too bad at times but others, it really ate at him. swallowing his thoughts and emotions , he got up to find replacement bandages. going to the bathroom, he soon found some, replacing the old with clean. that somewhat helped, clutching his hands he closed his eyes and exhaled. trying not to cry, he saved those for the night. it was easy to tell when the younger was upset sometimes, why else would he have alter egos? they help him cope, just like leos stupid jokes.
that day, the boys tried to take their minds off the previous battle. thankfully new york was calm, no bad guys, no baron, no foot clan. Just silence. doing their own things until they couldn’t function anymore got draining. now leo, oh poor leo. after crash and burning a few times, he walked to donnies lab, seeing him work away. ;ooking at the ground, he was scared to speak, what would he say?
with a small inhale, he spoke:
“ hey don? do you … have a minute?”