A/N, Shout out to two people who inspired this piece:

JillieBean073 – who wanted something in the big gap in between when Leo woke up and the end of the story.

and

Taraninja20 – who said about focusing on Donnie and Leo's relationship after Leo's recovery and the question : Does Leo know of Donnie's initial plan of amputation?

thanks for your support guys! More will follow! :)

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Set directly after Raph's talk with Leo

Chapter 2

Splinter P.O.V

The sound of footsteps approached the kitchen, causing Donatello to look up from over the rim of his coffee mug and Michelangelo to turn around from the stove. Behind his teacup, Splinter smiled.

The approaching steps were too heavy to be just Raphael alone. He was certain two turtles were to grace their presence.

Cautious not to give anything away to his other children who had resumed in their morning routines, the rat continued to sip his tea, seeming not to mind the footsteps. As expected, two heads appeared around the entrance way – the elder of the turtles resting upon Raphael's shell, a self-conscious look upon his features.

"Good morning my sons." Splinter smiled warmly. At the use of the plural- the younger turtles both spun around – eyes wide at the sight.

"Leo!" Mikey cheered, blue orbs shinning. Dropping his frying pan, he darted to Raph's side, assisting his brother to a stool. Leonardo nodded, his own lips quirking upwards at the enthusiastic greeting.

"Leo! How are you feeling? You should still be resting! But it's great to see you up – but still you shouldn't over-exert yourse-"

"Donatello." Splinter chided gently. "Give your brother space to breathe." The genius slipped into silence, but still shuffled closer to his eldest brother, placing a hand upon his bandaged shoulder before assisting Raph to lower Leo to a stool.

"Glad you're here, bro."

Swallowing audibly, Leonardo bowed his head slightly.

"I'm sorry, guys." At his words, the room froze. "I've been hiding from what we've all been through – but I haven't stopped to pause to think about how it's affected you. I've been selfish and I know –"

"Just shut up." Mikey suddenly interrupted. Splinter maintained his silence as his youngest son moved directly in front of the eldest turtle – his gaze boring into Leo's face, radiating a confidence long suppressed. "Stop putting us first for five minutes! You saved us! You saved me!" The rat watched as Michelangelo's face crumpled, tears soaking into his mask and rolling down his cheeks. "And you nearly died… And I… I almost didn't get… to say thank you!" With a sob, the orange banded turtle threw himself at his brother, wrapping his arms tightly around the eldest, crying into his plastron.

Splinter noted that Leonardo had shivered at the initial contact – yet the father was pleased to see how he soon melted into the hug – relief written across his scarred face.

"I'm glad you're safe…" Leonardo muttered into his baby brother's ear. "I'm glad you're all safe…"

"As are we." Splinter finally rose, joining his sons. "I am so relieved to see you with us once again." Michelangelo backed away, allowing father and son a moment. Gently, Splinter rested a palm upon his son's shoulder, allowing him to accustom to the touch before he leant in and carefully folded his arms around his eldest child.

"And I couldn't be more proud." He whispered. "You're home."

"Arigatō otōsan."

Pulling away, Splinter nodded to his sons.

"Now are those eggs burning, Michelangelo – or am I imagining things?"

"Shell." The youngest bounded across the room, rescuing the saucepan just before the breakfast was inedible. "Um.." His gaze dropped to the pan to his brothers and back again. "Shall I make another batch?"

Shaking their heads in collective despair, the brothers shared a look – still uncertain at their new dynamic, yet all smiling at their little brother's distracted nature. Some things never changed.

"Something light for Leo, though. Don't overdo the seasoning." Donnie reminded, setting himself down to Leo's left while Raph took the stool to the right. Twisting – with a wince, Splinter couldn't help but notice – the genius reached out for the eldest's hand. "You mind if I give a quick examination?" He queried, clear anxious to do so, yet not wishing to make his brother uncomfortable.

Leo nodded, tension and uncertainty clear in his eye however he kept his quiet as Donnie moved his wrists and shoulders, asking where the pain was worst and where his limits were. The examination was interrupted by a – this time unburnt – plate of scrambled eggs. As expected, Leonardo barely touched his plate, taking a few tentative mouthfuls before lowering his fork for the final time. Across the table he met his father's eyes, blinked and dropped his gaze again, choosing instead to stare at his lap.

"If you don't mind – I need to change your bandages later." Donatello explained, taking another small mouthful off his own plate. "The wounds to your hands and feet… Well…" He faltered, guilt flashing through his eyes. Coughing slightly to hide his slip, he kept pushing forth, "It was bad. So I need to keep a really close eye on how those wounds heal." Leo nodded; eyelids narrowed at Donatello's behaviour.

"What's the other side of the story?" Eventually the words made their way out from his lips. "What happened?"

Gazes flickered around the room, no one quite bringing themselves to meet the eldest turtle's gaze nor to tell the tale. It was time for Splinter to step in. He had been interested in how well his children would manage such a delicate matter on their own, yet the time for experimentation was over.

"The details of your recovery have been somewhat traumatic for all of us… Yourself included." Splinter soothed his son, sensing the sense of panic beginning to cling to the young leader. "However that is in the past. We can address such details when we've all gained a bit more strength." Lowering his teacup to the table he let out a sigh. "I know you yearn for the full truth, Leonardo – yet believe me, I would never keep anything from you that would endanger you or your brothers."

"But…" Leonardo seemed to struggle for words, his confidence still torn and battered from his experiences with Adamu. "If it's hurting you guys…" At this a groan arise from the other turtles.

"And there it is." Donatello smiled sadly.

"As always." Michelangelo chipped in.

Raphael shook his head good-naturedly and leant in closer to his brother, grasping his shoulder.

"We're coping. We just want to focus on helping you. For once, let us look out for you instead." He offered a smile, "Like father said – when we're all a little further along we have plenty to discuss. All of us."

Grudgingly, the eldest allowed the subject to drop and the small breakfast was continued without any further questions.

Splinter just hoped that by the time the brothers would be ready to reach such a stage, they had not grown further apart once more.

...

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1 month after Leo's awakening

Donnie P.O.V

"Leo?" He rapped gently upon the bedroom door. "You up?"

A grunt was offered in reply, and the genius entered, stepping over the sleeping Michelangelo just inside the door. Since Leo was unable to move around unassisted yet, they had set up a router so there was always someone at hand if any assistance was required, as well as ensuring the eldest didn't ever feel as if he were alone – not that he would admit if such a thing bothered him.

However, the drawback to this was that Mikey in particular slept much better in his brother's presence and on his shifts, was often found to have slept right through Leo's preferred waking up time – hence the reason either Donnie or Raph would move in to take over.

Despite its flaws, the system had seemed to allow all turtles the ease of mind to sleep, so in conclusion, Donnie had to class the plan as a success.

"I didn't want to wake him…" Leo muttered from the bed, not trying to prop himself up on still healing shoulders or hands – Donnie was pleased to note – finally his lectures were sinking in.

"You know he wouldn't mind…" But the genius knew what his brother meant; Mikey's lingering anxieties had resulted in fitful sleeping cycles so to see him resting peacefully was difficult to interrupt.

Smiling ruefully, Donnie moved to Leo's side and assisted him into a sitting position.

"You shouldn't be doing this really…" Leo murmured as Donnie accidently let out a wince. "You're shell…"

"Is healing. It's just a slow process." He pointed out. "It'll be years before the… marks…" The word was heavy upon his tongue, and he cursed his inability to state such a simple fact, "Fully heal. Just the way of shells…" His gaze drifted to his only younger brother, from this angle getting a direct view of Mikey's own carapace. "Besides…" He added softly, sharing a glance with his eldest brother – reading the same – admittedly unjustified – guilt and sadness. At least his own shell would – in time – be almost back to the way it was. There was no chance of that for Mikey. The raw skin beneath would form a protective layer, yet the area of the two missing outer plates and the main scute below would never reform properly and would remain a weak spot.

As would Raph's kneecap and plastron.

As would Leo's hands and feet.

As would his own soles, ankle and grasp.

Swallowing. He focused back on Leonardo, supporting his shell as he weakly swung his legs over the bed, tentatively placing one foot and then the other upon the ground – feature clenched.

"How's it today?" No pity nor concern was added to the question. It was clinical – even a little emotionless – yet they had all learnt early on that pity was a banned thing around their leader. It did nothing for his recovering confidence.

"Bad." Was the honest answer. As the brothers had learnt what Leo needed – Leo had, in turn – come to learn that he wouldn't get anywhere unless he actually told them the truth. He had limits now – as did they all.

Grabbing the pills from the bedside table, Don passed the packet to his brother, watching him pop a couple and swallow them dry. As much as Leonardo was opposed towards painkillers, the severity of his wounds actually required them in order for him to face the day sometimes. Like all of them, he had to adjust to his new limits – albeit grudgingly.

In the way Leonardo wasn't yet able to train, Raph couldn't stand loud noises – as proven when Casey came over and put his metal music on full volume, causing a panic attack from the former hot head, the sounds apparently jarring him back to his experience in a cage surrounded by shouting faces.

Their youngest brother also shied away from noise and commotion yet what all had to careful of was the way Mikey would now crumble under the slightest criticism.

Donnie was doing his best to address his own inability to face his lab and previous experiments and designs, yet by assisting his brother he was slowing becoming more at ease with the infirmary and medical aspects of his lab and – with time – he hoped to gather enough determination to return to that which he had once enjoyed.

A hand appeared on his arm, bringing him back to the moment, and he moved slightly, eyes fixated upon Leo as he allowed his brother to attempt to stand unaided.

When told he may struggle to ever walk with ease again, Leo's initial reaction was, as expected, to try and defy the odds. Once Donnie had given the all clear for infection and ensured the wounds were healed enough, he had permitted Leo to begin gentle exercises with Raph to strengthen wasted muscles while whichever brother helped him get out of bed would watch over attempts to stand and walk.

So far, his personal best had been five steps across the room – which, when you considered the state the eldest turtle had been in, was damn good… Considering the alternatives.

However, Donnie swallowed thickly past the memory of what had almost happened to his brother, he doubted they would get that far today.

Shakily, Leo rose, jaw clenched as his feet took his weight before he moved one leg forth, placing it upon the ground and lifting the other leg. Notice the way the legs were trembling, Donnie moved closer, ready to catch the expected fall a second before it occurred.

"Kuso!" Leo growled from Donnie's arms; eyes screwing shut. Swearing was another thing they had all got more accustomed to from their elder brother.

"Hey, Leo. It's fine. Cool it." The genius assisted him to the edge of the bed and passed across the canes. "You're doing great. I know it doesn't feel like it – but think of –" He quickly cut himself off. He nearly put his foot in it. Think of the fact you almost lost your feet, he had almost said. They still hadn't told Leo the whole truth… "Think of how badly you were hurt." He managed. But he knew it was too late. The regret in his voice was a clear give away.

The eldest's cool cobalt orbs swivelled to his face, narrowing dangerously.

"You finally going to tell me?" He prodded. "You're clearly the one who's going to explain." Donnie cocked his head, puzzled.

"How'd you figure that?" He did his best to maintain a level voice.

"You only told me it was traumatic, and that it was regarding my recovery – meaning you were probably the one most involved, hence the reason you're hesitant around me trying this, and your eyes." His scarred hand grasped Donnie's own, the damaged palm covering twisted fingers, "You're blaming yourself for something."

Donnie bit his lip.

He hated how observant his brother could be when it came to their wellbeing. It was like a sixth sense… Shaking his head, he tried to tear his gaze away from that intense stare, yet there was no escape.

"Donatello… Please… I need to know…"

"You know you kept what happened to you from us because you were afraid of our reactions…" He finally began, sensing the tension suddenly appear in Leo's shoulders, yet he merely nodded. "Well it's similar in that respect. I don't…" He swallowed. "I don't want you to hate me…" The hand covering his own squeezed, silently begging him to continue.

But what could he say? That the fact he nearly permanently crippled his own flesh and blood was keeping him up at night, that when he dreamed he saw the blood, recalled the conversations with Rockwell when neither wished to make the decision yet knew they would have to for the sake of saving Leo's life… There was too much room for distrust… Too much chance that it could undo all the process Leo was making… It could….

"Don…" Blinking, Donnie took a breath, deep and trembling.

"Your limbs." He spoke before he could rationalise – or catastrophise – any further. "The infection were bad. And I mean… awful…" Locking onto his brother's gaze he finally uttered the words he still had nightmares over. "We were twelve hours away from amputation." Pausing to allow the words to sink in, he checked Leo for a reaction, yet he was giving nothing away yet – instead indicating for Donnie to continue. "Me and Rockwell had the final say on the matter, and we were going to do just that. We wanted to give you the best chance of survival and act before infection spread further up your limbs resulting in more having to be lost…" He could feel his voice thickening as emotion caught up with him. Blinking to clear the first hints of tears he tried to press on without breaking. "But Raph said you had stronger will than that. That you would beat it. He didn't want you to suffer by losing your ability to walk – none of us did!" He knew his voice was rising now, but it was that or burst out into sobs. Be strong for Leo. Be strong for him. "He convinced us to wait a couple more days – said the end result if his theory failed would be the same, that I would make prosthetics anyway, but we waited and nothing…" A tear escaped. "Nothing happened…" Turning away he muttered towards the floor, "So we were ready to operate… And then… Somehow… I don't know how… The infection began to recede…." Gulping in air, he looked up to his brother's face, desperately searching for the first signs of hate. "I'm so sorry…. I'm not a doctor… I'm limited by what we have access to… I'm –"

"Donnie." Leo's hands rested upon his shoulders, one thumb tapping his chin capturing his attention. "It's okay…" And then he smiled. Somehow, despite the dark truth revealed to him, the eldest smiled. "Thank you for telling me." Wide eyed, Donnie could only stare at his brother, unable to give voice to his confusion. "But you shouldn't feel like you had to shoulder such a burden alone… Everything you did, everything you're doing – it's to help." He took his own steadying breath, finally revealing that the news had shaken him, just not as violently as Donatello was expecting. "I'm here today because of you. And please…" His forehead lowered, pressing against Donnie's, "Never forget that."

"Why… Why don't you hate me?" Donnie breathed, gripping his brother's arms as if they were his lifeline. "I almost denied you a chance to ever walk again properly!"

"And you don't think I hadn't already considered such a future…" Leo's arms circled the younger turtle's shell, pulling him into a tight embrace. "When… Adamu… forced my own blades… though my hands… through my feet… Did you think I hadn't even considered the future… A future where I would never be able to move unaided…" A wet drop hit the top of Donnie's head, and he realised his brother was crying. Touching his own cheek he realised he had also started without even noticing. "But here we are…" Leo continued. "We're all alive. We're not trapped to a bed… We're making progress…. Thanks to you."

"Leo…" Donnie hugged his brother tighter, the relief of his confession filling him with a new light. "You'll get there. You're improving so much…. You give us all hope…"

No other words were spoken, but both brothers could sense the other's feelings. The relief of a mystery solved, of a weight being lifted from tired shoulders, of a bond that was getting stronger with each passing day and a faith in the other's ability that would never falter.

Later, when Donnie told the rest of the family that he had revealed the full extent of the injuries to Leo, there were cries of disbelief – of course there would be – yet once he had explained his own fears regarding it, everyone came to understand it had been the right move.

It was only one small step on the path to recovery, yet for Donnie, it was a significant one.

Not only did it relieve his fear that his brother would bear a grudge against him, it gave him the confidence to look his family in the eyes once more. They still believed in him.

And that was all he needed to hear.

...

Going to be honest, struggled with the ending of this piece as I'm so used to multi chapter fics, wrapping things up in a chapter is apparently more difficult! XD

Thank you everyone who's left your thoughts, hope to hear more from you guys soon. Keep those ideas and prompts coming.

See ya soon

Keep safe

LL99 Out

P.S: Oh and keep an eye out for an old story making a come back in the near future. Inspiration has finally hit again and we could well be bringing back an old favourite!