[cautiously looks up at his brother again. he hadn't expected that, not really. he hasn't exactly been fair to leo either; demanding honesty, demanding patience without offering his own concerns beyond "i don't want us dead," which is a given.
but there's just. something in the way; not pride. no, maybe-]
...I know...you're good. We all know it. You're not Raph, but you don't need to be. [rubs at his eye again, though at least it seems like that humiliating leaking has stopped for now. god, he hates this so damn much. his emotions always just come in this irritatingly incoherent bursts instead of just. flowing like normal, like how mikey does it. it makes it so hard to explain himself without some kind of soul-crushing event first.] I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about you worrying about me.
[oh.
it's shame.] I don't have the Donnie Pods. I don't have my lab, any of my tech, any powers...I don't even have my battle shell. I know if something happens to you, it'll be because you're... [sigh.] Because you're looking out for me.
no subject
but there's just. something in the way; not pride. no, maybe-]
...I know...you're good. We all know it. You're not Raph, but you don't need to be. [rubs at his eye again, though at least it seems like that humiliating leaking has stopped for now. god, he hates this so damn much. his emotions always just come in this irritatingly incoherent bursts instead of just. flowing like normal, like how mikey does it. it makes it so hard to explain himself without some kind of soul-crushing event first.] I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about you worrying about me.
[oh.
it's shame.] I don't have the Donnie Pods. I don't have my lab, any of my tech, any powers...I don't even have my battle shell. I know if something happens to you, it'll be because you're... [sigh.] Because you're looking out for me.