[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.
[To his credit, Leonardo does listen. How much he retains will be up for debate here momentarily, but he focuses and listens. Clenches one hand into a fist on his lap before he loosens it again, more just... something to do that doesn't seem like he's distracting himself.
When Donnie's done, Leonardo watches his face before simply stretching out and laying his legs over his brother's, like Donnie's entire lap is a nice leg pillow.]
I'm going to be looking out for you regardless of whatever we have or don't have available. I'm the older brother, and it's just us, so I'm gonna.
The role does not exist because we are not twins, have no way of telling our actual ages, and even if we did it is I who is undoubtedly older because I was taller than you for how many years?
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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.
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When Donnie's done, Leonardo watches his face before simply stretching out and laying his legs over his brother's, like Donnie's entire lap is a nice leg pillow.]
I'm going to be looking out for you regardless of whatever we have or don't have available. I'm the older brother, and it's just us, so I'm gonna.
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