Turtle Story: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind
Author: Melissa the Damgel
Series: Vindicated
Title: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind
Pairing: Raph/Don
Rating: Pg
Summary: Raph and Donnie share a moment during their once a month get-togethers.
Warning for this chapter: Err... talk of Character death I guess...
Author's Note: The boys are 17 years old in this one.
*****~*****
~Earth, Fire, Water, Wind~
There were days when he wondered why as a child he wanted Raph and him to ‘get married’ as their childish selves had explained it. Raph was hotheaded, stubborn, arrogant and sarcastic. His temper was what got him injured more often than not in fights, and he fought against everything anyone said.
But then there were moments like these where he grinned at him as they fixed his bike and he remembered why he stilled loved him even seven years later and after asking himself thousands of times ‘why Raph?’. And it was in these moments he realized there would be no other.
Raph would typically wander into his room sometime near the end of each month, acting nervous for some reason as though unsure how to broach his question. It was rather amusing actually, because several years ago after Raph had done the same thing for four months straight, he had caught on to this new ritual. Usually, when he finally did blurt his question out, he typically had a soft shade of red color his face after he planted his hands on his hips to try and appear unfazed. Smiling at his brother, Donnie would tell him he would love to join him and almost immediately, he’d see Raph’s face lighten up and the most wonderful of smiles would spread over his face the instant he heard him say that. Raph would usually wink at him before he’d smirk and then swagger out of his lab like he had just accomplished a great feat.
During those times he helped him with his bike, Raph would chuckle and talk with him as they worked. Donnie wasn’t stupid, he knew Raph was doing this just to be close to him as though the two of them covered in grease and talking about gearshifts, break pads, and engines was the most romantic date he could think of off the top of his head.
Maybe it was - Donnie couldn’t deny he loved these times with his brother. He loved how Raph looked at him as he handed over tools and wiped his hands free of grease before diving right back into his work and talking about the latest events in his life. Donnie loved it. They kept it strictly professional and allowed these times to strengthen their bond as brothers - but he couldn’t help but watch him from time to time and long for more. They might really have been more if Splinter hadn’t found out when they were younger. He wondered what it would have been like to still be with him at this point in his life almost seven years after they had been broken apart.
Despite his foul temper and his stubborn questions that caused conflict within the family, Donnie wanted to touch that fire that was Raphael. He wanted so badly to be consumed by his brother.
Perhaps it was true about opposites attracting. Raphael was like the Japanese Godai for the element of fire - raging and alive. Everything he touched blazed with new life or destruction because he constantly moved, never stopping long enough to let his passion dim like a candle in the night. While he himself was more like water, calm and tranquil yet ever flowing and creating change through simple patience and his idealistic movement forward through life.
Leo was like the earth now that he was on the subject. He was firm and steady, grounded and level headed about every choice he made. He could be deadly like an earthquake, but he was slow to change and cared for those surrounding him. And Mikey was like the wind, carefree and open. If he were human, he would have had adoring fans flocking after him and signing on to be his groupies. His smiles were like the sun and his attitude so light and laidback, everything that came at him he passed through with only the mildest of notice. Fun over responsibility was his priority. The complete opposite of Leo.
But in those opposites they found their greatest similarities. Both Leo and Mikey circulated around the family. Nothing could be done without the family as their focal point. While he and Raph either built objects or themselves up that was aimed to protect everyone; and they were both stubborn - though he had a gentler way of asserting it than Raph - and they tried to use whatever gifts they had to better life in general; and not just their family unit.
And Master Splinter completed their Godai Elements. For he was the spirit, the void by which all knowledge flowed through and in turn he tried to teach to them. His mind was so attuned to everything ninjutsu, even in his deepest of meditations, he could sense the attack coming before it arrived. He understood the greatest of dangers and feared them, without giving into that fear. He was strong of spirit, and even Leonardo could only dream of reaching that height of spiritual awareness that their Master possessed. For being a self-trained ninjutsu master, Splinter understood its complexities and simplicities far more than many humans above ground ever could; and Donnie wasn’t sure what they would do if they lost him before they were ready.
Then again… in the future when he finally passed away; what would he do? Donnie peeked over at his brother, watching Raph squint at something on his bike as he struggled to reach it with his wrench. His teeth bared, his brows knitted together in anger and a small growl escaped his lips. He smiled, watching him struggle so hard to get that part just right. He really did love his bike.
Would he defy Splinter after his death? He had thought of this in the past - he had asked Mikey once, under a city grate when they were waiting for the pizza guy to arrive. Granted, Mikey didn’t understand his question and had ignored it as he usually did, but he wondered about it…. Would he and Raph come together later in life? It was a bittersweet thought. He hoped so, but at the same time, guilt stewed in his belly. If there really was an afterlife for something like him, his brothers, and Splinter, what would he say when he met them after death? Would he despise them even in heaven for what they had done after his death?
“Have you ever thought about when Splinter dies?” Donnie asked suddenly, grabbing up a spare part for the bike and began to fiddle with it, keeping his eyes locked on the mechanical device.
Raph’s wrench went still and his amber eyes lifted to study his bro. Frowning with a heavy sigh that sounded like a rumbling subway car, Raph nodded and set his tool down with a loud clang as he propped his elbow up on the back of the bike. “Yeah; a lot actually.”
Peeking over at Raph, Donnie frowned as well and fidgeted slightly where he sat on an old box crate. “W-what do you think about?” He asked, looking back to his hands.
Tapping his thumb against the seat of the bike, Raph looked away, his face drawing tight as his thought deepened and pondered his question carefully. “Stuff… you know, like, if he died, what would happen. Leo would try ta take over, and Mikey would cry a lot. I’d probably head up top for a long time. I don’t know ‘bout you though. You’d either lock yerself in yer lab and do stuff, or you’d try ta help and overcompensate or something.”
Donnie nodded slightly and rubbed a thumb against his hand slightly.
Raph glanced over to Don then looked away quickly and spied a rag by his knee and he reached out, snatching it up to wipe at his fingers nervously. “And I think about what we could do… if he wasn’t around in the future, I mean… we could…” He paused, tugging on the rag harshly. “… I’d want too.” He whispered awkwardly.
Donatello bobbed his head slightly and sighed, taking a moment to just let the silence settle over them. When he looked back up, he realized too late that Raphael was staring very intently right back at him with a hopeful glint in his amber eyes as they flickered with that unique fire raging in his soul. Don blushed and looked away, looking back to the spare part in his hand and he shakily began working on it again.
“Donnie?”
“I think if I tweak this…”
“I’ll continue ta wait…” he whispered.
Donnie’s hands stopped moving and he stared at a streak of grease across the back of his hand. “Yeah… I know.” He breathed, and all he got was a grunt in return. Don smiled softly and looked back up at Raph, staring at him as he struggled back into a squat across from him by his bike to get back to work once again, and saw his amber eyes peek at him as he reached forward to grab his wrench and get back to tuning whatever it was he was fixing before this line of conversation began.
“Thanks.” Don whispered.
Lifting his eyes with an unexpected warmth in those fiery eyes, Raphael nodded before a smile tugged at his lips, “Yeah…” he looked back to the motorcycle and stared for a moment, his lips parting as though he were going to say something further, but his face warmed and he snapped his jaw shut and bent over his bike and got back to work hastily.
Warmth spread through his chest and across his body as he watched Raphael, knowing what he had wanted to say without even eluding to it.
Even if it took forever, Raph would wait for him… and he himself would forever wait for the opportunity to join him so Raphael wouldn’t have to long for him any further. He’d love him right back forever, and from the shadows if he had too. It would have to do because for now, fire and water were forced to forever circle the other in a delicate dance of like-minded, contradictory lovers; hoping they could one day unite.
*****~*****
I hope you enjoyed it. This one took me a little longer than I expected to correct it because at the last minute I basically doubled the page count. (there originally wasn't much dialogue and Donnie's thoughts weren't in there. it was sorta a Slice-of-Life moment, but last night at about 2 or 3 in the morning, I realized it needed something and the idea of Splinter's death came to mind and the rest is history.)
... and I also just like the idea that Raph would consider these once a month mechanic moments dates XD *giggles* such a guy-mindset.
well, I hope you enjoy, I'm off to start re-reading and correcting the smut for the thursday update. wish me luck O.0` and reviews would be greatly appreciated... it helps even with the correction process, heh. ;)
~Melissa the Damgel
Series: Vindicated
Title: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind
Pairing: Raph/Don
Rating: Pg
Summary: Raph and Donnie share a moment during their once a month get-togethers.
Warning for this chapter: Err... talk of Character death I guess...
Author's Note: The boys are 17 years old in this one.
*****~*****
~Earth, Fire, Water, Wind~
There were days when he wondered why as a child he wanted Raph and him to ‘get married’ as their childish selves had explained it. Raph was hotheaded, stubborn, arrogant and sarcastic. His temper was what got him injured more often than not in fights, and he fought against everything anyone said.
But then there were moments like these where he grinned at him as they fixed his bike and he remembered why he stilled loved him even seven years later and after asking himself thousands of times ‘why Raph?’. And it was in these moments he realized there would be no other.
Raph would typically wander into his room sometime near the end of each month, acting nervous for some reason as though unsure how to broach his question. It was rather amusing actually, because several years ago after Raph had done the same thing for four months straight, he had caught on to this new ritual. Usually, when he finally did blurt his question out, he typically had a soft shade of red color his face after he planted his hands on his hips to try and appear unfazed. Smiling at his brother, Donnie would tell him he would love to join him and almost immediately, he’d see Raph’s face lighten up and the most wonderful of smiles would spread over his face the instant he heard him say that. Raph would usually wink at him before he’d smirk and then swagger out of his lab like he had just accomplished a great feat.
During those times he helped him with his bike, Raph would chuckle and talk with him as they worked. Donnie wasn’t stupid, he knew Raph was doing this just to be close to him as though the two of them covered in grease and talking about gearshifts, break pads, and engines was the most romantic date he could think of off the top of his head.
Maybe it was - Donnie couldn’t deny he loved these times with his brother. He loved how Raph looked at him as he handed over tools and wiped his hands free of grease before diving right back into his work and talking about the latest events in his life. Donnie loved it. They kept it strictly professional and allowed these times to strengthen their bond as brothers - but he couldn’t help but watch him from time to time and long for more. They might really have been more if Splinter hadn’t found out when they were younger. He wondered what it would have been like to still be with him at this point in his life almost seven years after they had been broken apart.
Despite his foul temper and his stubborn questions that caused conflict within the family, Donnie wanted to touch that fire that was Raphael. He wanted so badly to be consumed by his brother.
Perhaps it was true about opposites attracting. Raphael was like the Japanese Godai for the element of fire - raging and alive. Everything he touched blazed with new life or destruction because he constantly moved, never stopping long enough to let his passion dim like a candle in the night. While he himself was more like water, calm and tranquil yet ever flowing and creating change through simple patience and his idealistic movement forward through life.
Leo was like the earth now that he was on the subject. He was firm and steady, grounded and level headed about every choice he made. He could be deadly like an earthquake, but he was slow to change and cared for those surrounding him. And Mikey was like the wind, carefree and open. If he were human, he would have had adoring fans flocking after him and signing on to be his groupies. His smiles were like the sun and his attitude so light and laidback, everything that came at him he passed through with only the mildest of notice. Fun over responsibility was his priority. The complete opposite of Leo.
But in those opposites they found their greatest similarities. Both Leo and Mikey circulated around the family. Nothing could be done without the family as their focal point. While he and Raph either built objects or themselves up that was aimed to protect everyone; and they were both stubborn - though he had a gentler way of asserting it than Raph - and they tried to use whatever gifts they had to better life in general; and not just their family unit.
And Master Splinter completed their Godai Elements. For he was the spirit, the void by which all knowledge flowed through and in turn he tried to teach to them. His mind was so attuned to everything ninjutsu, even in his deepest of meditations, he could sense the attack coming before it arrived. He understood the greatest of dangers and feared them, without giving into that fear. He was strong of spirit, and even Leonardo could only dream of reaching that height of spiritual awareness that their Master possessed. For being a self-trained ninjutsu master, Splinter understood its complexities and simplicities far more than many humans above ground ever could; and Donnie wasn’t sure what they would do if they lost him before they were ready.
Then again… in the future when he finally passed away; what would he do? Donnie peeked over at his brother, watching Raph squint at something on his bike as he struggled to reach it with his wrench. His teeth bared, his brows knitted together in anger and a small growl escaped his lips. He smiled, watching him struggle so hard to get that part just right. He really did love his bike.
Would he defy Splinter after his death? He had thought of this in the past - he had asked Mikey once, under a city grate when they were waiting for the pizza guy to arrive. Granted, Mikey didn’t understand his question and had ignored it as he usually did, but he wondered about it…. Would he and Raph come together later in life? It was a bittersweet thought. He hoped so, but at the same time, guilt stewed in his belly. If there really was an afterlife for something like him, his brothers, and Splinter, what would he say when he met them after death? Would he despise them even in heaven for what they had done after his death?
“Have you ever thought about when Splinter dies?” Donnie asked suddenly, grabbing up a spare part for the bike and began to fiddle with it, keeping his eyes locked on the mechanical device.
Raph’s wrench went still and his amber eyes lifted to study his bro. Frowning with a heavy sigh that sounded like a rumbling subway car, Raph nodded and set his tool down with a loud clang as he propped his elbow up on the back of the bike. “Yeah; a lot actually.”
Peeking over at Raph, Donnie frowned as well and fidgeted slightly where he sat on an old box crate. “W-what do you think about?” He asked, looking back to his hands.
Tapping his thumb against the seat of the bike, Raph looked away, his face drawing tight as his thought deepened and pondered his question carefully. “Stuff… you know, like, if he died, what would happen. Leo would try ta take over, and Mikey would cry a lot. I’d probably head up top for a long time. I don’t know ‘bout you though. You’d either lock yerself in yer lab and do stuff, or you’d try ta help and overcompensate or something.”
Donnie nodded slightly and rubbed a thumb against his hand slightly.
Raph glanced over to Don then looked away quickly and spied a rag by his knee and he reached out, snatching it up to wipe at his fingers nervously. “And I think about what we could do… if he wasn’t around in the future, I mean… we could…” He paused, tugging on the rag harshly. “… I’d want too.” He whispered awkwardly.
Donatello bobbed his head slightly and sighed, taking a moment to just let the silence settle over them. When he looked back up, he realized too late that Raphael was staring very intently right back at him with a hopeful glint in his amber eyes as they flickered with that unique fire raging in his soul. Don blushed and looked away, looking back to the spare part in his hand and he shakily began working on it again.
“Donnie?”
“I think if I tweak this…”
“I’ll continue ta wait…” he whispered.
Donnie’s hands stopped moving and he stared at a streak of grease across the back of his hand. “Yeah… I know.” He breathed, and all he got was a grunt in return. Don smiled softly and looked back up at Raph, staring at him as he struggled back into a squat across from him by his bike to get back to work once again, and saw his amber eyes peek at him as he reached forward to grab his wrench and get back to tuning whatever it was he was fixing before this line of conversation began.
“Thanks.” Don whispered.
Lifting his eyes with an unexpected warmth in those fiery eyes, Raphael nodded before a smile tugged at his lips, “Yeah…” he looked back to the motorcycle and stared for a moment, his lips parting as though he were going to say something further, but his face warmed and he snapped his jaw shut and bent over his bike and got back to work hastily.
Warmth spread through his chest and across his body as he watched Raphael, knowing what he had wanted to say without even eluding to it.
Even if it took forever, Raph would wait for him… and he himself would forever wait for the opportunity to join him so Raphael wouldn’t have to long for him any further. He’d love him right back forever, and from the shadows if he had too. It would have to do because for now, fire and water were forced to forever circle the other in a delicate dance of like-minded, contradictory lovers; hoping they could one day unite.
*****~*****
I hope you enjoyed it. This one took me a little longer than I expected to correct it because at the last minute I basically doubled the page count. (there originally wasn't much dialogue and Donnie's thoughts weren't in there. it was sorta a Slice-of-Life moment, but last night at about 2 or 3 in the morning, I realized it needed something and the idea of Splinter's death came to mind and the rest is history.)
... and I also just like the idea that Raph would consider these once a month mechanic moments dates XD *giggles* such a guy-mindset.
well, I hope you enjoy, I'm off to start re-reading and correcting the smut for the thursday update. wish me luck O.0` and reviews would be greatly appreciated... it helps even with the correction process, heh. ;)
~Melissa the Damgel