I hope you enjoy this one-shot I felt like practicing on my writing and this came into my mind and well it kind has a bit of a depressing theme even suicidal stuff so here is the warning! More notes down below. Also, I do not own TMNT and if I did the show will have more feels..and my ships would have sailed by now -3-

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For some reason Leo has been avoiding everyone even Splinter but no one knew why...None noticed the distress in him...except Raph he noticed. He noticed the way Leo faked his smiles and laughter at time Leo would skip meals, train all day, and meditate. Leo doesn't even acknowledge them sometimes and Raph has had enough of the torture of watching his brother acting this way. One night Raph couldn't sleep so he went to the kitchen to his surprise he found Leo there drinking - tea most likely- Raph entered the kitchen feeling quite awkward mostly due to him rarely seeing his older brother nowadays. "What is it Raph can't sleep?" was all Raph heard from his leader, gruff, solid, emotionless were the only way he could describe his older brothers' voice...Raph had missed his older brothers voice from the past it was joyful, gentle, soft, and comforting the voice he posses now sounded so mature even Raph would have a hard time  to find his voice in a crowd...yet at the same time he could easily find Leo's voice just by listening his way of speaking. "Yeah can't sleep..you?" Raph responded finally. "Why else am I up?" Leo snapped. Raph didn't respond heck he didn't even get angry he just sat down right across from Leo..."Are...are you okay Leo...you've been distant from the family" was the only thing Raph could think of to start another conversation and hopefully not start an argument. "Thought you'd like it better if I wasn't around..." Leo mumbled softly, staring down at his drink not even making direct eye contact before Raph had the chance to respond Leo got up, put his drink away, and went back to his room not even saying a 'good night' or 'night Raph'. This only angered Raph as he also got up, headed straight towards Leo's room, opening the door trying his best not to wake the others Leo jumped seeing his brother in his room "Okay I'm tired of this Leo what's wrong? And answer the question don't avoid it" Raph growled closing the door.  Leo at first didn't respond nor did he wanted to "Answer the question Leo." again Raph growled, Raph eyes widen when Leo lifted his face up at him tears streaming down his face. Raph's expression softened and hugged his immediate older brother "Tell me what's wrong bro" he whispered Leo only sobbed harder hugging his younger brother tightly chanting "I'm sorry..I'm so sorry" Leo held on to Raph as if he'd let go Raph would disappear "What's wrong tell me" he said ever so gently. "I can't take it Raph! I can't...I can't ever meet Splinter's expectations and I can't meet you and the others expectations heck! I can't even meet my own expectations! I hate being leader I hate it! I wish I was dead Raph! I wish I didn't have to deal with the pain of seeing all of your genuine smiles while mine are always fake! I. Can't. Take. It. Anymore. I have to deal with Splinter's lectures and you always having a fight with me! Why do you hate me Raph!?Why!?" he sobbed. Raph just held him closer, lifting Leo's chin to make eye contact with him Raph only said this "No matter what big brother...I'll always love you...you make me smile..without you I don't what I'll do...I need you..everyone needs you Leo.. I never hated you Leo....we all love you and you can trust us with your feelings you don't have to hide and if you don't feel comfortable with sharing with them..you can share it with me." Leo just looked at him as the tears still fell down as a soft smile appear on his face "Thank you..Raphie..I love you " He whispered, Raph just smiled as he got up a hand shot up holding in to his wrist, he turned looking down at his wrist and then at Leo with confusion, Leo looked at him shyly as he asked "Can you cuddle with me?...please?" Raph again only gave a smile as he got in bed with his brother cuddling with him as Leo immediately fell asleep, Raph looked down at his brother before he fell asleep his gave a soft murmur "I'll protect you big brother from the nightmares..trust me...because no matter what you'll always be fearless leader in my eyes even if the others don't think the same thing...and I love you too".

So? What do you guys think?! I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed writing it!! please leave comments I always appreciate it! I want to hear your thoughts and opinions! Also this story is kind of like a fluffy story you can interpret it as them being together (Couple)  or just them being brothers I made this story to go either way and I'm sorry if Raph seem a bit OOC okay a lot OOC I'm sorry! >.<   Anyway like always stay awesome!!

~Blade the Wolf