Chapter Text
Ever since they were little all of them were really used to going into their shells, either it was just because they got scared or for simple commodity. Sometimes you could go into the living room and you would see Michelangelo in his shell just sleeping, or you would see a roach near Raphael and he would go into his shell, and sometimes if you wake up Donatello with a loud noise after he spent all night doing one of his projects, he would just go in for a few second to later yell at you for scaring him. Yes, they all were used, all but one of them.
contrary to his brothers, Leonardo was not the kind to go into his shell unless there was a need, at least in front of his family. He was somewhat used to sometimes sleep in his shell or there were times where he got so overwhelmed that he went into his shell (once he was all by himself with his room door locked) to scape the feeling.
but there were a few times he went into his shell in front of his family, the first time was a long time ago.
Leo was super sick, his family never noticed, he was really good at hiding he was not okay, this way the sickness went ignored by his family until one day. Leo had passed out while they were watching TV.
Leo had awoken feeling sore and foggy, his brothers were in there, watching over him.
"Leo! you're awake!" the youngest turtle said smiling and going to hug his old bro, being stopped by the purple one
"he's sick Mikey, give him a breath' the one with the gap tooth sighed as he reached to Leo "its good you're awake again, you've been out for a few hours" his gaze was full of worry "what were you thinking by not saying you were sick?!" he raised his voice a little, not his fault, he never actually realized the voice tone. "what would've happened if this was something actually serious?! were you planning on hide it 'till you died?!" he was scared for his brother, you could see that by the gaze he got "you are the one who is always going after us for not taking care of ourselves and you just do the same!"
Leo flinched at Donnie's words, action that went noticed by the red masked, who hadn't spoken until now.
"I think he got it Donnie" Raph got closer to his brother and put a hand on his shell. Donnie's eyes flipped to his older brother's to see them wet.
"sorry" Donnie apologized playing with his own hands "its just that i got really worried about you and i was..." he paused for a second "afraid you wouldn't wake up" he mumbled.
"why didn't you say you were sick big bro?" Mikey was confused, why would Leo hide he was sick to them.
"sorry" he said in almost a whisper, the talking action made his throat sore "I just, I didn't wanted to worry you guys" he was burring himself into his shell now "and I thought it was not that bad!" he talked in a yell-whisper "but i just made you guys worry more, I'm sorry"
they were not used to his brother being so... vulnerable, not in front of them.
"Leo, you are such an idiot, we would always care for you" it was Mikey who went closer to him to hug his old bro, who now was almost crying
"yeah bro, we are brothers after all" Donnie said, noticing his big bro going into his shell, for sure he was feeling sad "we would always worry for you"
Tears were now running down Leo's cheeks, this action made him feel so idiotic and weak, and his mind wont stop making him feel as an idiot for letting his brothers find out. It was nice to listen to his brothers say nice stuff and reassure him, yet he was the older brother and he was not supposed to be sick.
He decided to bury himself into his shell, one of the first times since they were babies and scared easily. He was overwhelmed and feeling so bad, all the emotions made the headache worse, he needed to hide. The view of their brother going into his shell was new for all of them, but they knew something, his brother was sad, and if being in his shell helped him feel better it was okay.
He spent almost all day there, it wasn't until he was called by his dad that he got out of his shell.