Leo expects an argument. Yelling, escalation, push-back... it doesn't come, and the longer the silence stretches on the more it becomes clear that this is Raphael's thoughtful quiet. He's onto something important, something that goes as deep and serious as Leonardo's own drive to do everything and anything it takes to get his family through, and he listens.
That Splinter spoke with Raph in a similar capacity to the private direction he gave Leonardo, it surprises him a little. Of course Splinter has private words with them all, as their father, but when it came to team direction and handling missions - when it comes to the big picture - the pressure of it all makes the oldest sibling a little myopic. It's his job to decide which direction to go in, which risks to take, how to make sure his family gets home, and which sacrifices are acceptable. It's all his responsibility, and his domain.
Leadership is tougher than he ever could have imagined that day when he hopefully raised his hand and asked Sensei for the privilege. Sure, he gets to be the big hero and derives a personal thrill from that role, and the feeling when he points his brothers in the right direction and watches the elements fall into place despite the fluid chaos of battle - well, it's like magic. He loves it.
But when things go awry, no matter the reason, that's also his responsibility - for not anticipating something, for not having enough control over the team, for not having a contingency plan. It's his job to get them out, regardless, and when Splinter told him sacrifices may be necessary to complete a mission of global importance, Leo never for a moment contemplated that sacrifice would be made by anyone other than himself. Because coming back without one of his brothers would be a failure of everything he is, everything he strives to be... he couldn't ever put another team member, one of his brothers, into the meat grinder while he walked away. He would cut off his own shell first.
Leo didn't realize that maybe the same would be true for Raph. That his brother has a job and a duty, different from his own, but no less important. Maybe there's a reason deeper than simple battlelust why Raphael flings himself into combat ahead of the rest of them, why he catches them in mid-air even if it means taking a solid hit himself, why he barrels headlong into a lethal enemy when someone else is on the ropes.
"Okay," he replies with quiet acceptance. He can't argue with that, how could he? Splinter's word is law, but more than that, Leo hears in his brother's voice something he understands. They're so different, usually at odds and always competing, but there has always been an undercurrent that they share and Raphael is speaking that common language now. Leo finds it difficult to understand his brother a lot of the time, but he gets him, and he gets this. Even if he didn't, to reject Raphael's dedication to their father's instructions, and his incredible loyalty to Leonardo, would be dishonorable to them both.
"We'll get out of here together." He's really not sure how, but truth be told, he's a little relieved. Staying here alone, injured and woozy in the hands of curious humans, headed for a zoo or a science lab or who knows what - it's scary, mostly because he doesn't know what to expect. With the Foot or the Kraang, he had some idea of what to face, and although it wouldn't be pretty at least he could prepare. Here? He's planning blind, and although he's sure he can handle the situation (mostly because doubting himself isn't an option), it sure is nice to have Raph for backup.
Then the truck hits another bump, and this one doesn't threaten to throw them across their cages. The driver's maneuvering slowly now, and as Leo sits up straight and turns his head, listening for clues, the truck's brakes squeak and ease the vehicle into a stop. The cab rattles to the sound of doors slamming shut, and despite the lack of visibility Leo instinctively glances at Raphael as human voices become audible.
This is it; here they come.
"...-u think the female's awake yet?" "Maybe, depends on their metabolism... -etty warm for reptiles."
Their captors don't know if the tranquilizer has worn off yet; Leo should pretend to be knocked out, the more they underestimate him the better an advantage he has. But his brain catches and sticks on one detail, and his beak scrunches with an incredulous frown.
Female?? Did they just say - do they think he's a girl???
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That Splinter spoke with Raph in a similar capacity to the private direction he gave Leonardo, it surprises him a little. Of course Splinter has private words with them all, as their father, but when it came to team direction and handling missions - when it comes to the big picture - the pressure of it all makes the oldest sibling a little myopic. It's his job to decide which direction to go in, which risks to take, how to make sure his family gets home, and which sacrifices are acceptable. It's all his responsibility, and his domain.
Leadership is tougher than he ever could have imagined that day when he hopefully raised his hand and asked Sensei for the privilege. Sure, he gets to be the big hero and derives a personal thrill from that role, and the feeling when he points his brothers in the right direction and watches the elements fall into place despite the fluid chaos of battle - well, it's like magic. He loves it.
But when things go awry, no matter the reason, that's also his responsibility - for not anticipating something, for not having enough control over the team, for not having a contingency plan. It's his job to get them out, regardless, and when Splinter told him sacrifices may be necessary to complete a mission of global importance, Leo never for a moment contemplated that sacrifice would be made by anyone other than himself. Because coming back without one of his brothers would be a failure of everything he is, everything he strives to be... he couldn't ever put another team member, one of his brothers, into the meat grinder while he walked away. He would cut off his own shell first.
Leo didn't realize that maybe the same would be true for Raph. That his brother has a job and a duty, different from his own, but no less important. Maybe there's a reason deeper than simple battlelust why Raphael flings himself into combat ahead of the rest of them, why he catches them in mid-air even if it means taking a solid hit himself, why he barrels headlong into a lethal enemy when someone else is on the ropes.
"Okay," he replies with quiet acceptance. He can't argue with that, how could he? Splinter's word is law, but more than that, Leo hears in his brother's voice something he understands. They're so different, usually at odds and always competing, but there has always been an undercurrent that they share and Raphael is speaking that common language now. Leo finds it difficult to understand his brother a lot of the time, but he gets him, and he gets this. Even if he didn't, to reject Raphael's dedication to their father's instructions, and his incredible loyalty to Leonardo, would be dishonorable to them both.
"We'll get out of here together." He's really not sure how, but truth be told, he's a little relieved. Staying here alone, injured and woozy in the hands of curious humans, headed for a zoo or a science lab or who knows what - it's scary, mostly because he doesn't know what to expect. With the Foot or the Kraang, he had some idea of what to face, and although it wouldn't be pretty at least he could prepare. Here? He's planning blind, and although he's sure he can handle the situation (mostly because doubting himself isn't an option), it sure is nice to have Raph for backup.
Then the truck hits another bump, and this one doesn't threaten to throw them across their cages. The driver's maneuvering slowly now, and as Leo sits up straight and turns his head, listening for clues, the truck's brakes squeak and ease the vehicle into a stop. The cab rattles to the sound of doors slamming shut, and despite the lack of visibility Leo instinctively glances at Raphael as human voices become audible.
This is it; here they come.
"...-u think the female's awake yet?"
"Maybe, depends on their metabolism... -etty warm for reptiles."
Their captors don't know if the tranquilizer has worn off yet; Leo should pretend to be knocked out, the more they underestimate him the better an advantage he has. But his brain catches and sticks on one detail, and his beak scrunches with an incredulous frown.
Female?? Did they just say - do they think he's a girl???