Chapter Text
Hamato Raphael tiredly wanders the sewer he calls home, doing the rounds, checking in on his family to make sure they were sleeping. His footfalls were light despite his massive size: a credit to years of practiced carefulness. His tail, the appendage just as large as the rest of him, dragged along the floor like the tripping hazard it is.
Dad's asleep in his chair, his show quietly playing in the background. Raph picks up a couple pieces of discarded trash, disposing of it as he continues on his route. The snoring from his father fades into the background.
Next he checks on Mikey, the youngest in the family. Always the most energetic turtle, even asleep he's half-falling off the bed with the blankets kicked off. A soft, affectionate chuckle rumbles in the eldest's chest, smiling at the sight. With gentle touches, Raph does his best to rearrange the youngest; knowing Mikey was the deepest sleeper in the house. That turtle could sleep through an earthquake and still wake up bright-eyed. He was honestly a little jealous at the ability.
Satisfied with his arranging, Raph slides the blanket back onto the youngest. Tucking his baby brother in, snug as a bug. Knowing his night was not yet done, Raph heads to his next brother.
He stops outside Donnie's room, hoping to see the softshell inside. Donatello had a nasty habit of staying up late, working away in his lab. Luckily, peering inside the bedroom, he's able to spot his brother sleeping for once. Sleeping plastron-up, his hand curled over his stomach. The gentle rising and falling of his chest put some of Raph's troubled thoughts to ease. He spots Donnie's battle shell on the opposite end of the room. Raph stays for a moment, just taking in the peaceful form of his brother.
Deciding that nothing needed to be fixed there, Raphael moves on to visit his final brother. The sound of muffled sniffling makes the snapper pause outside the room. Frowning, the eldest leans in close to the entryway, listening. At first, there's no other sounds, making Raph believe he mis-heard a snore. But then, a tiny whimper greets his ears. Heart clenching in sympathetic grief, Raph sticks his head through the curtains. There, he sees Leo's upright form bundled up in blankets, wiping his eyes.
Not wanting to startle his brother, Raph gently knocks on the wall to announce his presence. He watches Leo jump slightly, shoulders hiking up as he quickly turns to stare owl-ishly at the unexpected visitor. Clearing his throat, Raph steps fully into the room– awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "I was passing by, and thought I heard you up. So I just wanted to check in."
Leo frowns at him before turning away, almost looking ashamed.
A soft hum rumbles from Raph's chest, something comforting. He takes this moment to walk over and sit beside his brother. Careful to keep his tail in check, lest he knock into something. He doesn't ask if Leo wanted to talk about whatever upset him. He knows his brother would if he so desired. Instead, Raphs asks: "You want a hug? I've been told my Raph-patented hugs cure just about anything." He gives his brother a lopsided, snaggletoothed smile. Leon makes a noise that sounds almost like a laugh; leaning into his big brother's side. Taking that as his cue, Raph wraps an arm around his shoulders and curls his tail around his hips. The end of his heavy tail ends up in Leo's lap.
A whine leaves Leo's throat as he hides his face in Raph's plastron. "I'm here, little brother," Raph rumbles softly. "I'm here." He rests his chin on the younger's head. He feels his brother trembling, breaths ragged as if fighting off sobs. All Raph can do is be a rock, holding Leo steady while he rides the waves of grief.
Eventually, the trembling settles, and his breaths come out more evenly. They sit together in the dark, silent as can be. If Raph could take the weight from his brother's shoulders, carry the burden, then he would. His brothers were his world.
"Raphie…" the voice cracked, an unsteady whimper full of emotion. A childhood nickname that grew rare over the years.
It brought Raph from his thoughts. Two wide eyes, filled with dread, stare up at the eldest. The dark bags underneath only make those eyes look bigger. "What's wrong, Leo?" He rubs small circles into Leo's blanket-covered shell.
"You'll never leave me behind?"
"Never. You're my little brother. We're family."
"...Even when I'm being annoying..?"
"Especially when you're being annoying!" Raph winks at his brother, putting on a false bravado. "How else are we gonna get back at you~"
He hears a breathy laugh as Leo hides his face again.
A peaceful silence takes the place of the previous grief-filled one. Raph lets it sit for a bit. It's only after he hears Leo yawn does he disrupt the peace. "Ready to sleep, Leon?"
There's a hesitancy in the slider. One that's understandable. After a moment, Leo asks: "Stay?"
"Of course." Raph smiles, letting go of Leo so they can readjust. He lays on his stomach, spiked shell pointed up, stretching out as best as he could. Content with his position, he lifts an arm up to make space for the younger. Leo immediately crawls under the lifted arm, pressing against Raph's side.
Between Raph's arm across his shell, and tail across his legs, the weight of the appendages is just comforting enough. The slight warmth Raph gives off also helps relax him. "G'night, Leo," Raphael whispers to his brother.
The younger turtle purrs in response, a brief sound.
Raph listens to his brother's breathing evening out, waiting for him to fall asleep first. When he was sure Leo was finally resting, he allowed his own eyes to slide shut. A content chuff spilling from his chest.