#and Lethal Measures will continue when I can jumpstart my brain

[kiaxet]

Raph sniffs again and leans into the touch, trying to put his finger on why Pops’ words hit wrong. He’s…he’s supposed to be better, isn’t he? His brothers all got hurt when he was supposed to be protecting them (nevermind that the Krang were an overpowering, nearly invincible enemy). He nearly killed Leo himself (nevermind that he’d gotten captured making sure Leo was safe, and that he’d do it again to keep his brother - all of his brothers - out of the Krang’s clutches). They’d nearly lost Leo for good (nevermind that the sacrifice play was the only one left and Leo was the only one left to make it, as Raph was doing his best to keep Mikey and Donnie alive). He couldn’t solve any of the big problems and it was a miracle they all survived, and now he can’t even solve the stupid little problems-

“I’m s’posed to be helping,” is what he manages, in a voice so small and tired it takes him by surprise.

LAY ME DOWN IS DONE, Y'ALL, and nobody is more surprised than me 8D Final chapter is up and ready to read! In which trying to be everything to everyone takes its toll and Raph finally has a little collapse of his own. Good thing Splinter's around to help.

Thanks again to everyone who's read and supported the fic, and a huge thanks to @dandylovesturtles for the beta work (and for listening to me lose my mind over ongoing writer's block)! I legit would not have finished this without you.