Healing Takes Time (but not for me)

The Aftermath

The night after the Kraang battle was one of the worst and best of Raphael's life.

The worst in that every member of his family was hurt, New York had been destroyed, and his little brother had thrown himself into the line of fire while implying it was because he'd learned it from Raph-

The best in that his family was alive. Extremely broken and bruised, but alive. Casey's future, with a life that consisted of living in caves and eating rats, would never come to pass. New York was destroyed, but his family was intact.

He'd probably feel bad about that normally, but he knew that he'd sacrifice New York a hundred times over to keep his family safe. His brothers would probably be horrified if they knew what he was thinking. (or maybe they wouldn't. He knew what they all were capable of when properly motivated)

But things weren't good yet. Not even close.

Leo passed out the minute they met up with April and the others. His wounds were practically pouring blood at that point, and the cracks in his shell sent phantom pains panging through Raph's own shell every time he looked at them.

As soon as Leo passed out, so did Mikey, not that he seemed happy about it.

"What the hell-?" he'd said blankly as his legs slowly gave out on him. Donnie, cursing madly, ran over and just barely managed to catch the younger turtle as his consciousness fully faded. Raph, who'd been holding Leo, looked over with thinly veiled panic. He didn't want to panic, everyone else was doing that already, but he could feel it creeping through his mind. Eerily similar to when the Kraang had invaded his memories.

He shivered at the memory, shaking himself off once and attempting to gather himself. He could freak out later. His brothers needed him now.

"Donnie," he said, keeping his voice level. "What's the damage?"

Donnie swallowed harshly, looking down at the small turtle in his arms. Mikey's arms were still glowing harshly, and though the light was fading, the shakiness seemed to be getting worse.

"I-I don't know," Donnie said weakly, sliding to the ground and adjusting Mike carefully. "Nerve damage, maybe? He's never done something that powerful before. I have no idea how that might have affected him."

Raph winced. If Donnie was willing to admit that he didn't know something, then things really were bad. Raph saw Donnie's hand wander almost absentmindedly to his battle shell before he balled his hand into a fist and forced it back down.

Raph frowned. Had Donnie been hurt too?

Suddenly, Casey pushed his way to the front, dropping to his knees in front of Mikey and Donnie. Donnie jerked, shoving his arm protectively over his younger brother, but relaxed once he realized who it was.

"Oh, my god..." Casey said shakily, hovering his hands over Mikey's arms. "Did he make a portal?"

"Is that bad?" Raph asked, adjusting Leo in his arms as April and Dad came over to check him over.

"Well- I mean, he's still alive, so he's already doing better than I expected," Casey said then, oblivious to the sharp tension that filled the air at his words.

"He could have died ?" Donnie asked faintly, his gaze miles away.

Casey looked up from Mikey's arms as if suddenly realizing the thoughts he'd put into everyone's heads.

"Oh-! No, that's not what I meant. I mean, uh..." his hand moved to rub the back of his neck, a move that was so distinctly Leo that Raph felt his breath leave him completely.