It was a Sunday afternoon, the lair was completely silent. Donatello was working on another invention, Michelangelo was busy coloring, and Leonardo was training. Raphael was on the surface, grabbing a few things for his brothers. Mikey had asked for new art supplies and comics, and Donnie wanted some more metal to work with.

Leo didn't ask for anything, he always felt nervous about asking his big brother to get him something. He was always amazed when Raph would come home with something Leo ended up loving. It meant the world to him.

The three brothers heard the door finally open, they all peeked out to see a very dirty Raphael carrying three large bags of items. "Hey guys, I'm home."

Mikey was the first to leave his room. "Finally! It's been five hours, Raphie."

Donnie followed, "Wow, that's a lot of things."

Leo was the last to arrive, "Are you okay? Why are you a mess?"

"I'm fine, just slipped in mud." Raph smiled, "After slipping off a pile of trash earlier." He rubbed his neck, "There was a Space Heroes action figure I wanted to get you." He then set the three bags down for his brothers. "I'm fine, I promise."

"Go bathe, I'll check for wounds after." Donnie said, "Thank you."

"We love you bubby!" Mikey smiled brightly, he always meant it.

Leo smiled gratefully, "Thanks Raph, you're the best."

"No problem, love you too." Raph smiled, he then went to bathe, he felt lucky to have his family around.

A few minutes later, the brothers were putting away their items. Mikey recieved new coloring books, pens, pencils, plushies, comics and tons of paper. Donnie was given new tools and metals, as well as a microscope that Raph got him. Leo got some new action figures, a new blanket, and a Space Heroes DVD. They all felt lucky to have Raph around.

Raph left the bathroom an hour later, he always had a hard time getting his shell so he left it. He entered Don's lab for a checkup, knowing his family would kill him if he didn't. He approached his genius brother and lightly poked his shoulder. "Yo doc, ready for my checkup." While he hated having to sit and let Don inspect him for injuries, he hated worrying him more.

Donnie turned, "Alri-" he narrowed his eyes, noticing the scratches and bruises immediately. "Raphael! I thought you said you were fine!"

Raph shrugged, "I am, nothing major." He flinched at the glare Don gave, then sighed and went to sit down. "You know, I'm the one who's supposed to be worried about you."

Donnie joined Raph, tending to his wounds. "Yeah well...you are my big brother, I do worry. We all do."

Raph smiled softly, "I'm alright, I promise. I'll be more careful next time."

"You better be! What the shell do ya think we'd do without you?" Donnie asked him, "You're our big brother!" He continued, "We need you."

Raph smiled warmly, he honestly wouldn't give them up for the world. "Don, it's only a few scratches, I'll be fine."

"Okay, fine..." he huffed, making sure to cover all wounds. "You and I both know a scratch for you-"

"-is a gash." Raph laughed, "I know, I shouldn't wait, but I'm tough. I can take anything."

Don then hugged his big brother tightly. "I know...but-" he sighed, "What if you get badly injured? And you don't come in..."

Raph gently pulled his brother into his arms. "I will Don. I'll come in if I need to. I promise." He then kissed his little brother's head, "I'm okay."

Mikey and Leo popped their heads in, both were a bit jealous that Don was getting snuggles. Raph gave a slight chuckle and opened his arms, within seconds he was tackled by the two.

"You guys act like you love menor somethin'." He grinned, "Didn't know I was that popular."

"Nah, we don't love you that much." Leo joked, Raph could see right through him.

"Um, Raphie? Is that moss on your shell? Again?" Mikey sighed, "Why don't you tell us when it's getting bad?"

"I can clean myself, I just choose not to get my shell." Raph lied, honestly he found it embarrassing that he was too big to clean his shell. He hated feeling jelpless, even with small things.

"I'll get the soap." Donnie said as he shook his head.

"I'll grab the brush!" Leo grinned as he got up.

Mikey stood and grabbed Raph by the hand, "I've got you." He smiled brightly, then led his big brother to a spot on the floor they had deemed as Raph's spot. It was where they'd clean his shell and where he could relax the most.

The two sat on the floor, then Raph laid down to make it easier on his brothers. Mikey smiled, then gently scratched Raph's head. "You know, we won't make fun of you or anything big brother, we like to help you."

Raph looked up at Mikey, "I just hate it Mike." He sighed, "I'm sixreen, I should be able to clean my own shell."

"There's nothing wrong with not being able to." Mikey replied, "You're just built different and that's okay. We still love our big brother."

"I know." Raph smiled softly, relaxing. "It still sucks..."

"Yeah, until you remember the shell scratchies Donnie gives you." Mikey giggled, "You always used to let Leo scrub your back during it."

"To be fair, shell scratchies are heaven." Raph laughed, "It's also nice to get them when you're feeling down."

Mikey tilted his head, "What's wrong, Raphie?" Concern laced his usually happy voice.

"I'm okay, my head just likes to mess with me sometimes." Raph shrugged, "Leonardo, don't you dare dump that water."

Leo paused behind Raph, womderong how in the shell he knew.

"I know everything." Raph answered, "You said that out loud by the way, also you have pulled this every time."

Leo pouted, "You suck."

Raph laughed, "Yeah, I know. Love you too!"

Donnie sat by Raph, giving Leo the soap. He then used claw like things to give Raph's shell a scratch as Leo began to scrub it. It was pure ecstasy for all involved. Leo got to help their brother, Donnie was able to make him happy, Mikey could listen to the purrs, and Raph was able to completely relax.
It was a time of pure happiness in the lair. No pranks, no work, just relaxation and britherly love. That, to everyone, was one of the best days they've experienced.