27th Slice [Closed Commentlog]

[thepartydude]

[There's a deep, horrified breath, a gasp as if he'd been holding his breath for hours, and Michelangelo sits up suddenly.  He holds up his shaking hands in front of his face, eyes wide with shock

Comments

[betterthanraph]

[Leonardo slowly stands, sending a tired smile in Mike's direction. He can wait to hold him, he can wait until Don's okay. Raphael needs to know anyhow, and he retrieves his comm from his belt to let him know.]

Raph, Mike's back.

[That's all he sends -doesn't bother to lock it- and moves a little closer to be in that same warm bubble.]

Hey Mikey.

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don had actually pulled back when Raph had bumped against him, shaking his head slightly, as though in sadfond amusement, but mostly to clear it.]

[Then he crosses his arms and looks between Leo and Master Splinter, curious and a little shaken and waiting.]

[betterthanleo]

[Raphael presses Mikey's head to his shoulder and hugs him tight before finally loosening his grip so he can look down at him. It's Mikey. Not that burnt, crusted head that he'd realized was Mikey's, but Mikey.

When Splinter clears his throat, he looks over at him, his eyes watery.]

[betterthanraph]

[Splinter, of course, has Leo's attention the second it seems like he wants to speak, but he does position himself closer to his brothers to act as silent support.]

[thepartydude]

[Head lowered, Mike senses the change in mood.

As his brothers turn to face Splinter, he glances up, then lifts his head and quietly waits for their father to speak. He should really make a bad joke, or break the silence somehow, but he can't think of a single thing.]

[allmyturtles]

[Splinter looks solemn. Their family was almost broken, a vital piece stolen before its time. They needed to remember that the family was once again whole. To treasure what was almost taken, not obsess over its loss.

His boys need him. They need a piece of wisdom gleaned from his years of experience, strong words to shore up battered hearts. But nothing can be accomplished while everyone is so weary from fighting and death. Souls must be nurtured.

They need things to be simple and comforting, to remember what it's like to be a family.

They need to remember that they are his sons and he is their father.

Splinter smiles and looks directly at Michelangelo, but his voice is warm for all of them.]

This is the story of the turtle and the carp...

[They need a Story. So they're going to get one.

Splinter's voice is low and soothing, and if it cannot erase memories, then it can evoke better ones.]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don's eyes slip shut and he leans back on his heels with a quiet exhale. He wasn't really listening, but it felt good to hear.]

[Dad's stories always did.]

[betterthanleo]

[Raph swallows back the lump in his throat and listens quietly]

[betterthanraph]

[Leonardo, meanwhile, tries to goad his brothers into kneeling down in front of Splinter, like old times. They would crowd in front of their father in the times before television, video games- even power. A few candles would be lit -not for long, because they had to save them for when they needed them- and Splinter would tell them stories until they fell asleep, even if his voice was going.

This would help. Of course it would; Splinter always knew how to make things better. He liked this story anyway.]

[thepartydude]

[Mikey sits without much encouragement, but he pulls his knees up to his chest instead, hugging them tightly. His eyes are on Splinter, completely enraptured.

He'd always loved stories, it was one of the only times his attention was completely focused and he would actually sit still for more then five minutes. And right now, when his mind desperately needs something to latch on to and keep itself distracted with, this was the perfect choice.]

[allmyturtles]

[The story is wind-down time for Splinter as well. He has so many memories of doing just this, under things from filtered moonlight to candlelight to flickering, dim light-bulbs. No matter whom had disagreed with whom (well all right, that would always be Leonardo and Raphael), or had put all his energies towards pranks and goofing off (Michelangelo), or had been thwarted one too many times in a personal project (Donatello), this was family time. No lessons, no fighting. Just Splinter, his sons, and perhaps a shadow puppet or two.

He cannot make everything go away, or erase the past. He cannot even tell them how to tackle the problems that will remain when he is done. What Splinter can do, and what he does, is remind them of the strength that will see them through. The strength of being a family.

The rest will follow, as it always does.]

{FIN}