As Don slowly woke up he took a deep breath and smiled softly. The robust smell of coffee drifted in the air mingling with the smell of greasy bacon. He opened his eyes and yawned, stretching out a hand and grabbing his mask which was laying on the floor next to him. He turned his head the other way to face the TV and stared at the neon green numbers glowing on the DVD player.
6:56.
He felt anything but well rested but at least he'd gotten almost four hours of sleep.
He took a deep breath listening to the sounds of quiet talking and the faint sizzle of bacon comeing from the other room. It was comforting in a way. Don didn't know why. It just was.
After debating on whether or not he should get up he reluctantly pushed himself up to a sitting position and yawned, stretching. He glanced around the room, seeing Mikey on the couch with a checkered quilt covering him sound asleep. A worn brown throw blanket and a pillow that Don assumed were Raph's sat thrown aside under the coffe table. Raph was probably already up. Sunlight streamed through the rust colored sheer curtains hanging from the large windows in April's living room. It gave a soft glow to the room and brightened it up.
Don let out a breath and threw the grey cotton blanket on him to the side, placing it next to the other blanket and pillow Raph used. He pushed himself onto his feet.
Don rubbed his eyes with his free hand once before taking the mask he had in his other hand and lifted it to his face. As he began making his way to the kitchen he tied the mask around his eyes.
He heard chatter in the kitchen as he walked towards the kitchen. He recognized the voices as Raph's and April's. He noticed how sullen the tone of their conversation was and frowned. They were probably worried about Leo.
Don approached the doorway of the kitchen and slowed to a stop. He peeked in slightly.
Raph sat at the counter straight in front of him across the otherside of the room. He was sipping what seemed to be coffee; more than likely straight black if Don could tell by the faces he was making. Don smiled.
April was at the stove, buisily cooking some eggs and bacon for breakfast. She wore the plain pastel orange apron that Mikey had gotten her for Christmas over the grey cami and navy flanal pajama pants she wore to bed the night before. Mikey had saved all year for their christmas presents. He had helped April out in her store for countless hours trying to save money and had restrained himself from buying any comics for three months in a row. He had gone throughout the sewer searching for any money that had gone down the rain drain several times, the rest of them thinking he had only gone out to skateboard. Don remembered clearly how Mikey had shined with pride when they opened their presents and explained how he paid for them all by himself. Don himself had recived a brand new toolbox with several new tools and a book.
That was the weird thing about his younger brother. At times he seemed to be the most self-centered person in all of history but he also had the biggest heart Don knew of. At one moment he'd be saying how awsome he was and how he was greater than everyone else but then he would do something like save his money for a year to buy you a Christmas present. His actions completly contradicted each other.
Mikey was just in of the mysteries of the universe that would never be solved.
"Morning April." Don spoke up quietly, his voice raspy from sleep.
April looked up at him in surprise. Her tired face brightened considerably. "Hi Don."
Raph looked up at him from the counter with his usual morning scowl. He set his mug down."Hey Donnie."
"Sleep well Don?" April asked politly.
"Yeah I slept well." Don lifted his arms and stretched. "Though not very long. Has anyone checked on Leo yet?"
"Yeah I did about two hours ago." April answered. "He was sleeping. I didn't want to wake him."
Don nodded.
"Mike sleeping?" Raph asked shortly from across the room.
"Yeah." Don said. He began to make his way over to April, inspecting the savory food."He seems fine."
"He woke up earlier Don." April put in as she flipped the eggs over. "He said he didn't feel good but I'm guessing that's the after effects."
"After a few days he'll be fine." Don assured her. He laughed slightly. "Don't worry, Mikey will be driving us up the walls in no time."
April smiled genuinly at Don but when he glanced over at Raph he frowned. He saw a dark look come over Raph's face as he spoke the words. It said "are you sure about that?". Worry about the youngest was clearly plauging Raph. What made Don edgy was the doubtful glance Raph gave him. Had he missed something?
"Would you mind getting some plates and silverware for breakfast and setting the table Don?" April asked as she put the last of the food on the serving plate. "Oh, and some glasses for juice?"
"Sure April." Don said nodding heading over to the cabinets.
"I'll get the cups and juice." Raph volunteered, getting up from his place at the counter and abandoning his cup of coffee. He went over to the nearest cabinet to get the glasses.
Don got the items neede and set the wooden table in the dinning room that was set on the other side of the kitchen farthest from the living room. The room itself had an opening to the hallway which led to the bathroom, April's bedroom, and a spare room April used as an office/storage place. The walls were painted a creamy white and the floors were a contrasting dark wood unlike the orangish carpeting in the living room and bedrooms. A window to the left of the table faced the allyway next to April's building. The thick lightproof curtains hanging above April's window blocked out any light from coming in. April must had shut them when they had been in here fixing Leo up. She probably didn't want to risk attracting attention while they were distracted. Better safe than sorry.
As soon as he set the dishes on the table Don went to the window and pulled the curtains open, letting in the refreshing morning light.
When they were younger, seeing daylight had been a real treat. It was a rare thing that Splinter had allowed once a year. The would all go topside, carful not to be seen, and watch the sun rise. Even now, when they were out of the sewers more often, going out during the day was rare. Don had to admit it was nice to be able to wake up to natural sun light once in a while.
Soon Raph entered the room with the cups and juice. He grumbled as he set the materials on the table.
"Ya want grape or orange juice Don?" Raph asked from the table as he set the jugs and cups down .
"Grape." Don responded automatcally. He wasn't a fan of orange juice.
Raph nodded and poured him a glass. Next he grabbed his own glass and opened the orange juice, filling it halfway.
"I think I'll go grab a cup of coffee as well." Don said exiting the room.
Raph sighed and lifted his cup of juice, taking a long drink. He stared out the window in front of him, looking at the reddish brick wall of the building across the alleyway. He noticed how strange it looked in the white daylight compared to the dark and shadowy night.
Suddenly, April was there, smiling with hospilatily, Don at her heels. She set the plate of bacon and eggs down on the table gently. They all sat down and filled their plates. Raph muched on the crunchy bacon then took another sip of juice to wash it down. "Thanks for the food Ape."
"Yeah, thank you April." Don added.
April smiled at them. "No problem guys."
It was silent after that as they finished the meal. There was food left over and so when they began cleaning up April brought the food back into the kitchen. Don began washing the used dishes and Raph dried them, the usual chore for them at home.
"Do you think Leo or Mikey want something to eat?" April asked.
Don finished scrubbing the dish in his hnds and looked up as he handed it to Raph. "Yeah. Mikey will probably eat. Save some for him. I want Leo to eat something light if he's hungry though, like toast."
"Alright." April said nodding.
Don leaned up against the counter. "That reminds me… I need to go check on Leo. I probably need to change his bandeges soon."
"Can I see 'im too Donnie?" Raph asked as he placed the dish in the cupboard to the left.
"Sure Raph." Don answered. "After we finish wi-"
"I'll finish the dishes. Go see Leo." April told them as she stepped over and took the dish cloth from Don's hand gently.
"Really April we can-"
"Just go check on him." April said, sounding slightly exasperated. She nudged Don out of the way with a smile.
"I guess I'll go get the bandages from the bathroom then." Don said softly, turning to Raph.
"I'll gettem." Raph voluteered. "Just go take a look at Leo."
Don nodded.
Both of them went to the hallway turning seperate ways. Don went left, towards April's room and Raph went right, towards the bathroom.
As Don approached April's bedroom a strange feeling came over him, like something was out of place. The door to April's room was cracked open slightly and Don distinctly remembered closing it.
Don frowned and pushed the door open slightly to get a clear view of the whole room. He stared in shock at the sight before him.
"Mikey?"
His ragged looking younger brother stood on the opposite side of the room next to Leo's still figure. He had Leo's hand cleched in his own hand.
Mikey looked up at the sound of his name. Don noticed the tear tracks on his face.
"What are you doing in here?" Don asked shortly. "Why are you even up yet Mikey?"
Mikey looked down at Leo again, staying silent.
When he realized he wasn't going to get an answer Don sighed. He moved closer to the bed. "He'll be okay Mikey. Leo will be in quite a bit of pain for a while but he'll be fine with some rest and recoperation."
"How long until he heals?" Mikey asked softly.
Don laid a hand down on the bed, on top of where Leo's plastron would be and gently smoothed out the flowery multicolored comforter. "A month at least."
He saw Mikey deflat slightly.
"It could be shorter." Don said hurridly, noticing Mikey's sour mood. "It depends on of Leo will actually rest it for a while and not push himself to hard."
Mikey nodded. He sighed gently.
"Hey Don I-" Raph seemed to appear out of nowhere in the doorway and Don looked up in surprise. Don watched as a strange look came over Raph's face when he focused in on Mikey. "Mike? What are ya doin' up bro?"
Mikey shrugged and carefully avoided Raph's steady gaze. He shuddered slightly and sway a bit and Don gazed at him in worry. "Mikey, are you okay?"
Mikey nodded but swayed some more and Don hurried to the other side of the bed. He took hold of Mikey's arm to steady him. "Mike, look at me."
Mikey lifted his eyes wearily to Donnie. They were unfocused. Mikey was pale and Don heard him panting slighty. "Michelangelo?"
He didn't answer and Raph stepped into the room, setting the supplies on top of the dresser to his left. He approached them slowly. "He okay Don?"
"Mikey?" Don spoke loud and clear. He stared into Mikey's unfocused eyes. He felt him sway again and Don felt slightly panicked. The last thing he wanted was Mikey to pass out on him. "Mikey are you going to faint? Do you need to sit down?"
Don seemed to finally get through to him. Mikey leaned on him gently. "Dizzy. M'tired Don."
"Here." Don moved him the end of the bed slowly so he could sit down on it without disturbing Leo.
They waited a few moments in silence.
"You okay Mikey?" Don asked again slowly.
"Sure." Mikey said softly. Don was relieved at how much clearer his voice sounded. "I feel all shakey."
"Maybe you should eat something." Don looked up at Raph, sending a silent message to him.
"Let's go get ya some food Mike." Raph said, moving closer to his youngest brother. "April made some bacon and eggs fer breakfast."
Mikey turned away from him. "M'not hungry."
Raph blinked, not beliveing what he was hearing. "Mike-"
"I said I'm not hungry!" Mikey's voice was still soft but held a bitter tone to it. He turned and glared at Raph.
"But-"
"Raph."
Raph stopped and looked over at Donnie who was standing on the other side of Mikey. He gave Raph a grave look and shook his head. Raph knew better than to argue with that look. He sighed.
"Then let's go watch TV Mike." Rph suggested. He knew Don wanted to get Mikey out of here before he fixed Leo's bandages.
"I don't want-"
"Well I do!" Raph felt irritation creep up on him as Mikey refused to cooperate. He ignored Don's disaproving look and pulled on Mikey's arm to help him stand. "And I want you to watch it with me."
Mikey shoved Raph's hand off, sent him a glare, then silently marched out of the room, wabbling slightly on unsteady feet as he did so. Raph growled in frustration.
"Did you have to be that rough Raph?"
Raph turned to face Don. Don was giving him an exasperated look. "What do ya mean?"
"Isn't it obvious Raph?" Don asked. He lowered his voice."He obviously feels guilty about what happened to Leo. Can't you be a little nicer?"
"It ain't my fault if he wants ta pout about it! Fearless did it ta save him. He's got nothin' ta feel guilty about!" Raph growled out, trying to keep his voice down.
Don sighed. "Just…be patient with him Raph. That's all I'm asking."
Raph grumbled under his breath and stormed out of the room after Mikey.
Don sighed again and moved across the room to grab the bandages Raph had left. He looked at them, making sure there was enough.
Suddenly, Don heard a soft moan behind.
Don turned to find Leo stirring, his eyes fluttering slightly. Don put the bandages down and moved to Leo's side.
Leo's hazy eyes rested on Don tiredly. He blinked. "Donnie?"
Don couldn't help but smile. "Hey Leo. How are you feeling?"
Leo took a few seconds to process the question. "Sore."
"I'd think you would be." Don said. "Getting stabbed with a katana hurts bro."
"Is Mikey okay?" Leo murmered sleepily. "Thought I heard 'im."
"Yeah Leo." Don couldn't help but feel like this was a lie. If you call drowning yourself in guilt because your brother risked his life to save yours Mikey would be just dandy. Don decided to clarify it a little more. "He's not hurt Leo."
Leo smiled tiredly at him. He then closed his eyes, a peacful look taking over his face.
"Good. That's good."