tmnt imagines

turtles - stories and nightmares

#38

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Raphael woke up from a nightmare. Cold sweat ran down his face in a haste; his body shaking from the almost-real dream he had. He was mad at the reason why he was getting nightmares. It was the stupid scary stories that Donatello decided to tell last night after dinner — worms and algae. With half of things he said were factual and sciency. The possible reality of the story irked Raphael.
He threw his pillow at the door to let out some of his steam but he knew he was just irritated because he wasn't sleeping.
He was embarrassed about coming to his older brother but he wanted to sleep. He woke up three times at that point and going to his father would be even more embarrassing.

He stood in front of Leonardo's door and with a heavy chest, after making his way quuetly being mindful of his other brothers that might be sleeping, he knocked.

Nothing.

He should've known that Leonardo wasn't going to answer. Luckily, Splinter didn't allow locks, saying it was something they would be allowed when they reached thirteen. Being eleven wasn't acceptable to Splinter when they begged.

That night, Raph was glad that Splinter stood his ground. He opened the door slowly, calling out Leonardo's name just so he wouldn't jolt him awake. He got frustrated that his brother wasn't waking up. What else must he do to wake him up? He went in and semi-slammed the door in slight anger and that is what woke up Leonardo.

"What are you doing in here?" Leonardo asked as he rubbed his eyes, feeling his body process the shock in his system from the door slamming. He sat up in his spot, stretching his body from the uncomfortable position he was in.

The younger one looked down in shame. "I can't sleep," he muttered as he forcibly admitted the truth.

Leonardo semi-rolled his eyes. He wasn't annoyed but he wished Raphael would've said that in the first place; or came in quieter. "Could you not slam the door next time? Mikey's sleeping here, too. Donatello's story got him spooked."

Raphael felt even worse about coming in. He could've woken up Michelangelo and all Raphael wanted was his older brother.
This was a mistake.
Embarrassment flooded his lungs, making a reply harder than usual. Ultimately, he decided to not reply at all.
He began to walk backwards towards the door and Leonardo was quick to notice this.
"What're you doing? I thought you said you couldn't sleep?" The older raised a brow, his head tilting to the side a little in confusion. Did he read the situation wrong? He was sure Raphael wanted to stay here.

The red clad stood still at his brother's words. He paused, finding a way to reply. His green eyes darted everywhere, unable to look at Leonardo's eyes. "I'll sleep eventually."

"Did Donnie's story spook you, too?"
Raphael felt his cheeks warm up in embarrassment. He was quick to defend himself.

"No!" He shouted before remembering that Michelangelo was still sound asleep. He was always a deep sleeper. They believed his dreams were wild enough to keep him there until they got boring for him.
He crossed his arms in refusal, not allowing Leonardo to be right about something he found so pathetic. "No. A stupid story can't scare me. Especially if Donnie's the one telling it. It's not like father's stories about Japan or Japanese legend. Donnie's story isn't real." He was trying to convince himself more than Leonardo.
Unfortunately, it didnt work on the blue clad.

"The story scared me a little," Leonardo admitted plainly, his eyes aimlessly looking at his younger brother — who continued to fail to make eye contact. "Mike came in here crying, asking if it was true that our heads explode in space. And if the sun was going to kill us all in a week when it dies." Raphael wasn't sure why he was being told all of this. Before he could ask it was already answered. "You're not weak if you got scared."
They've had this conversation multiple times in different scenarios and contexts. Raphael had to be always reassured that he wasn't weak or easily defeated in any way.

Leonardo grew tired of this but it was the only way to sooth his brother.

Raphael had small tears in his eyes hearing Michelangelo's worries. He shared the same concerns and felt his heart be a little bit heavy. His arms undid themselves slowly. Raphael wiped the tears before they could reach the apple of his cheeks. He finally looked up to his older brother and they made eye contact. "Can I sleep here, too?"

Leonardo smiled warmly, he scooted over while being mindful of his brother who slept at the end of the bed and on his legs. He was going to regret that in the morning as he won't feel his legs. Raphael walked towards the bed, sliding in beside his brother and facing the wall. Away from his brother.
"This reminds me when we were kids."

"Just missing D."

As if he had the power to summon people with his words, a knock was heard. The door opened with a small creak, the heavy metal weighing the hinges. A regretful turtle showed his face, sorrowed and full of melancholy. Raphael raised his eyebrow at the change of his behaviour from mere hours ago — which was pride and boastful.
"I want to apologize," he said softly, his teddy clutched to his chest for some support in case he wouldn't get it from his brothers. "I wanted to tell cool stories like father and I didn't realise I scared you guys. When I couldn't find Mikey or Raph I thought they ran away. But then that wouldn't be possible because Michealangelo still left his turtle plushie which he never leaves anywhere. And Raphael would've trashed his room before running away like he had before. Thats when I came to the conclusion that they're here."

"Not with father?" Leonardo asked, amused with his conclusion, a small smile building on his face.

"Mikey doesn't like disturbing him for hours if he pissed off father. Which he had with him distracting us during training. Raph has too big of an ego."

"I heard that," Raphael barked, not denying his claim.

"I know," Donatello replied in a monotone voice. He then shook his head, trying to tie back in why he was here. "I want to say I'm sorry," he repeated with a sadder tone thick on his words. "I'll apologize to Mikey when he wakes up. Do you guys forgive me?" Splinter had made sure that they learn to apologize to each other and make sure that any creases in their brotherhood was smoothen out. They only had each other and that was their strength. Donatello recognized that.

Leonardo nodded softly, glad that it wasn't out of malintent but simply wanting to mimic their father.

Raphael, annoyed, didn't say anything. He sat up from his laying position, joining his older brother as he already sat up the second Donatello opened the door, and lifts the blanket near his feet next to where Michelangelo was sleeping peacefully. Donatello knew Raphael's lack of verbal emotion and knew this was his way of saying 'I forgive you'.
He smiled widely and joined the rest of his brothers laying his feet on top of Raphael's. On any other day Raphael would've pushed him off, but that night, he let him since he felt like an older brother like Leonardo always was. Michelangelo was laying on Leonardo's feet so Raphael felt some pride in that sense by letting Donatello doing the same to him.

Raphael laid back down and faced the wall. Waking up three times makes you more tired than the last. He looks at all of the posters of Space Hero's until it lulls him to sleep. Donatello's guilt finally calms down and his chest is full of acceptance and gratitude for his brothers — sans Michelangelo. The worries that ate at him finally went away and he was able to fall asleep peacefully.

Leonardo looked at all three of them with admiration and peace. He was glad they were able to go to him whenever they needed it. He hoped that this wouldn't be the last time.

He shifted slightly as he rested his head on his pillow near his brother, hearing his shallow breaths, finally able to sleep himself with a grin on his lips.