Always Be There

You're Cranky When Tired

It's been over a week, and Donnie still hasn't woken up. . . I'm beginning to get worried about him. Usually Casey Jones isn't one to worry like this but this is a different matter. I'm not seeing much improvement in him other than his colour slowly returning to his skin and his minor wounds slowly healing. I'm not sure if his shell is healing, because we haven't messed with it much due to the risks.

His neck is barely losing that sickly purple-red-green combo and his breathing is still uneven and raspy. I think his neck may be. . Permanently damaged- I'm hoping it's just me being wrong, but somewhere deep down, I know I'm not.

-----

Casey had been working at the desk again, and had somehow been able to teach himself simple code and other building skills from the seemingly endless-and convenient, shelf of books in the lab. He was very nearly finished with the project, and hoped it would work the way he wanted.

He sighed, angrily throwing down his tools and falling back into the chair with a huff. "Stupid screws and stupid tools." He grumbled, crossing his arms.
A small groan from behind him caused him to flinch, eyes widening.
Casey sat up, slowly turning to peer over the back of the chair at the area behind him. More importantly, the hospital bed in the corner.
Another groan was heard from the bed, along with a small shuffle and followed by a raspy whimper.
The boy instantly jumped up from his seat and sprinted the few steps to the bed frantically. "Donnie? Donnie are you awake-?"
The turtle simply flinched at the sudden voice, letting out another pained whimper as he tensed.

"Oh my God. . you're awake! Donnie don't move you're gonna hurt yourself more-" He said, gently resting his hands on the turtles chest.
The turtle complied without hesitation, relaxing slowly and letting his head tilt slightly to the left.
"Thanks, bud. You're gonna be okay. I know it hurts- I wish I could make it stop but I dunno how." The boy said softly, gently cupping the turtles face and rubbing his thumb across his cheek.
The turtle tilted his head slightly, leaning into the sudden touch. His eyes had not yet opened, though.
Casey smiled, sighing in relief. "I'm so glad you woke up, dude. . . I didn't know how long you'd last unconscious like that. ." He muttered under his breath.
The turtle didn't reply, if anything he must not have heard. He just ever so slowly brought his arm to latch onto the boys. Most likely as a sign of comfort.

"Please, if you need, go back to sleep. I don't want you hurting more. I'll be right here, I promise." Jones reassured, keeping his hand on the turtles face to show he meant it.
Donnie didn't respond, as expected. He slightly relaxed his grip on his arm, letting his head roll back to the side as he fell asleep once more.
Jones couldn't help but let out a breathy chuckle, keeping his hand in place as he continued rubbing his thumb across the others scaly cheek. At least he's conscious. . .

-----

Leo and Raph sat in the pit, watching some dumb cheesy show that they had chosen just to pass the time.
Mikey was in the pit as well, doodling away in a sketchbook he had acquired from an unknown place. No one ever asked him where he got most of his things, since they knew Mikey would say something to exaggerate it. Probably something along the lines of "I searched far and wide, and battled many super-mutant kangaroos for this!" And really, as long as it kept the younger busy, they didn't care.
What they did care about, though, was the sudden text the group chat received from none other than Casey Jones himself. They had assumed he was just checking in, giving the usual update on donnie's condition. But what they read shocked them all, soon after, sending them sprinting across the lair full speed.

Leo's phone:

Casey Jones: Yo, guys! Dee's awake!