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The colors and hues shifted and changed as Leo hopped from rooftop to rooftop. A slight stabbing pain shot up his ankles with each and every step.
The great city of New York still glowed obnoxiously bright, despite all it's been through.
'The city that never sleeps.'
Clearly, even after a brutal attack from the shredder, leaving the place scorched and battered. The city was still as alive as ever.
Leo braced himself as the large gap at the edge of the rooftop grew closer. Determination surged through him.
He could do this.
He narrowed his brow ridges. He picked up the pace, ignoring the sharp pain that had almost doubled, as he sped up.
He grit his teeth.
The blinding lights of the city illuminated his surroundings, casting an ambient glow.
When he reached the edge, he squatted before launching himself into a flip.
He soared through the air, and for a moment he almost felt normal, like nothing had changed at all.
That moment was short lived though.
His landing was less than graceful.
The moment his feet touched the opposite rooftop, fiery hot pain shot through his entire body.
His ankles gave out, and he fell on his side.
Leo spasmed and twitched on the floor.
Burning hot tears poured from his eyes. His mouth quivered but he did not allow himself to make a sound.
He felt so weak at that moment. So, so pathetically weak .
Why couldn't he do better?
His body shook uncontrollably. The bottoms of his feet stung and burned.
A million needles stabbed his feet and ankles.
He tried to move his hands closer to his plastron, but it didn't work, he failed. His hands continued to spasm and shake from where they lay, twitching on the floor.
He couldn't even move his hands . How pathetic could you get?
He tried to move his hands once more, however, the force of his attempts ached and burned like acid.
A sob was ripped from him.
It was all his fault.
His shoulders quivered.
Everything was.
His shell arched, twisting his body.
A fresh stab of pain joined from his left shoulder and shell, where his previous injuries from the 'incident' were placed.
He should have done better.
He should have been better.
Leo's body spasmed once more. His body slammed against the rough concrete and he let out a wail.
He couldn't protect his family.
Images flashed through his mind. His brothers; his father, his friends, and how he had failed them.
He couldn't disappoint them again, he wouldn't.
He had to get up now.
He struggled, it didn't help. He had no choice but to simply lay there, withering in pain. unable to control so much as a muscle.
He pulled in a shaky breath, which quickly morphed into a pained coughing fit.
As the coughing wore off, feeling began to return to his toes. His fingers curled, causing an uncomfortable shock to run up his arm as the fingers glazed the palm.
The spasms eventually wore off, and Leo quickly regained control of his body.
It had felt like hours, though it had probably only been a few minutes.
Slowly, Leo had managed to pull himself upright into a sitting position.
He swallowed up his tears and sighed.
Only then did he notice the slow trickle of saliva running down his jaw.
His hand brushed against his lips, whipping the saliva onto his stinging hand, It was slightly bloodied. Not that it mattered much really. He stared at it for a moment, he thought that he should probably tell 'Doctor Don' though.
He forced himself onto his feet, they stung but he ignored it. He couldn't afford to be weak anymore .
He brushed himself off. His shoulder stung, a constant reminder of how he had failed. How he had let his family fall apart. How he wasn't strong enough to prevent it.
It was his duty to protect them; and not only had he failed then, but he continued to fail them now.
He shook his head.
He forced the thoughts to be pushed to the side, He had to focus on the task at hand.
Leo lowered his hand onto the gritty surface. his teeth sunk into his bottom lip as his palms burned, little electric shocks raced up his arm.
As quick as possible, he pushed himself onto his feet. He bounced from foot to foot, feeling how it stung.
and slowly he began his trek home.
One step at a time. His father's words rang around his head, A comforting echo of the past.
Leo's feet pated against the rooftop floor, little needles prickling at his ankles.
He let all the little noises that he hadn't previously noticed wash over him.
He noticed for the first time the slight dripping of water that occured every so often. The constant chattering of people that never seems to fade, no matter what.
The breeze that quietly whistles as it glide's over the bustling city.
The faded music that served as a reminder that despite everything, New York city always moves forward.
Leonardo wished he could say the same for himself.
He took the alleyways home, opposed to his preferred route of the rooftops.
The alleyways made him more vulnerable, easily spotted. But he had already proven to himself that he was no longer capable of his preferred method of travel.
____
Leonardo stumbled into the lair. The room was silent, completely void of any sound.
He listened for the quiet murmurings of his brothers, but it was completely silent.
He opened his mouth and weakly called out to his brothers. He was met with deafening silence.
His eyes narrowed, immediately assuming the worst. A shing sound echoed around the room as he unsheathed his twin katanas, ignoring the fresh sting of tingly pain that laced his fingers as his grip tightened.
He pulled in a shuddering breath, the room seemed to spin as he carefully opened the door to the living room.
Panic stabbed through his chest when he saw his brother, Donatello's body, limp against the couch's armrest.
He practically launched himself at the sofa.
He let one of his katanas fall to the ground as he moved to grip Donatello's head. His heart raced as his damaged fingers brushed Don's forehead.
His brother's eyes scrunched. "I'll be there in just a moment…" he slurred the last half of the sentence, before turning his head to the side.
Relief immediately washed over him when he realized Donnie was fine, he was simply fast asleep.
Leo gently placed Donnies head back against the arm rest.
Beside him, Michelangelo and Raphael were sleeping peacefully as well.
Leonardo smiled softly, and released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
He sheathed his katanas, the needle-like sensation had lessened, however it hadn't fully stopped.
Michelangelo's eyes fluttered open.
Glossy white eyes gazed at Leo lazily, an expression so familiar, yet so foreign at the same time.
The eyes blinked, recognition flashed within the ivory depths.
"Leo-?" The orange turtle asked, and Leo's heart trembled. "Mikey…" he whispered, a deep sadness and guilt so overwhelming, he nearly toppled over.
"I-I'm-I s-sorry" Leo choked out. anguish pouring out of his soul like a flood.
Mikey's eyes fell shut again, a moment later they reopened. "What's wrong Leo?"
The words slurred similar to Donnies.
Mikey's head tilted to the side, his eyes were round, wide, and almost hurt.
"Did I do something?"
The sentence speared directly through Leo's heart, guilt washed over him like a titlewave.
He unclamped his jaw, a million thoughts ran through his mind. He had to say something.
A loud snore broke through the deafening silence. Raphael rolled into his shell. his arm extended, slapping his hand over Mikey's face, and resting on Don's chest.
"Sh'ud up, fearless." Raph slurred.
"M' sleep'n." he grumbled, and an obnoxious snore echoed around the lair.
Leo placed a stinging hand on his forehead, and slowly pulled it down over his face.
When he looked up, Mikey had already fallen back to sleep. His head was resting against Donnie, and a large hand was covering half of his face.
Donnie grumbled. His head was half hanging off of the armrest, "S'op it Raph."
His hand waved vaguely in Raph's direction.
Leonardo chuckled, his brothers looked peaceful. He decided to honor Raphael's wish, and quickly left the room.
____
Leonardo found himself in the kitchen.
He was standing behind the stovetop. little wisps of steam floated out from within the sizzling kettle that was placed over a medium small fire.
Once the water came to a low simmer, Leo moved to the cupboard and pulled out a small, ceramic tea cup that was decorated with a delicate floral pattern.
He carefully placed the cup on a coaster and placed a green tea bag within.
The kettle whistled loudly, signaling that the water had come to a rolling boil.
Leo grabbed the kettle and turned off the heat.
Carefully, he began to slowly pour the boiling water over the tea bag, and watched as the water mixed with the leaves, diluting the water and turning it a saturated green.
He placed the kettle on the counter, and sat down.
He waited a minute for the tea to cool down before picking up the small cup and bringing the rim to his lips.
He breathed in the gentle aroma, and took a long sip. The flavor washed over his tongue, and warmth crept down his throat.
"Leonardo." A gruff, scratchy voice said from behind him.
Leo swallowed, and placed the cup back onto the coaster.
"What is it, Master Splinter?" His fingers curled around the cup.
The quiet tapping of a walking stick grew closer. Leonardo looked up, his ivory eyes gazed into dark brown ones.
"You appear to be in distress, my son."
Leo tore his gaze away from his father's.
"I'm fine," Leo whispered.
A warm hand found its way to Leo's uninjured shoulder. "You very clearly are not." Master Splinter's voice was soft, and comforting.
when Leo didn't respond, Splinter let out a short sigh.
"Come Leonardo, you are wounded." Master Splinter nudged Leo with his fingers.
Slowly Leo rose to his feet. Burning hot pain shot up his ankles, and he was reminded of his previous 'incident'.
Slowly, he turned to follow his father out of the kitchen.
____
When they arrived at the medical room, Leo sat down on the pile of blankets they had been using as a bed.
Master Splinter rummaged through the cabinets. He hummed when he found what he was looking for, he pulled out a wad of bandages along with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide.
Master Splinter kneeled down next to Leonardo. He gripped Leo's injured shoulder. He dabbed a bit of the hydrogen peroxide on the wound, causing Leo to let out a low hiss.
Afterwards, he wiped the shoulder clean and slowly began wrapping it with clean bandages.
Next master Splinter grabbed Leo's hand, he examined the burns with narrowed eyebrows. Leo flinched as master Splinter aggravated the wound by brushing over it with his thumb.
Leo watched as master Splinter shook his head and murmured something under his breath.
His thumb brushed over the various healing burns.
"Leonardo." Master splinter dragged the word out; his tone was dangerous, a warning.
Leo winced.
Master Splinter redirected his gaze to Leo's face. "What were you doing on the surface, my son?"
Leo swallowed. "Nothing Sensei." He said quickly.
Master Splinter raised a single eyebrow at him. They held eye contact for a solid minute.
Splinter lowered his gaze, and shook his head from side to side. "My son" he sounded disappointed, or even angry.
If master Splinter intended to continue, he didn't. He simply continued to wrap up Leo's injuries in silence.
"I'm sorry Master Splinter" Leo finally choked out.
Master Splinter simply looked at him, a look of sympathy crossed his face.
"It is alright my son." He spoke softly.
"It must be difficult for you." He added quietly.
The bandages tightened around Leo's shoulder, causing him to wince.
Master Splinter let go of Leonardo's arm and folded his hands in his lap, as Leo examined his shoulder.
"Thank you Sensei."
Master Splinter sighed. He wrapped his arms around Leo's shell, and held him in a tight embrace.
Leo trembled in his father's grasp. He didn't deserve this , his jaw clenched. A low whimper escaped his lips, causing his father's hold to tighten.
"It is alright my son," his father whispered.
"It wasn't your fault."