[The fact Donnie seems to understand his very scattered line of thought eases the feral turtle to some extent. Some distant part of himself is aware he's making very little sense. Everything is still overwhelming in so many ways.
He nods a little accepting Donnie's word. Gingerly tucking the photo out of sight. His handling of it careful and tentative even now.
He chirrups, accepting the fact readily. He points at the project again, imploringly asking Donnie to talk.
Apparently, he wants to just hear Donnie talk today.]
[Hey as long as Leo is happy, Donnie is happy. As he goes to sit back down, he'll look at his project when Leo points at it and he can't help but smile a little.]
I'm going to work on it some more, but sure... I can tell you what I'm doing while I do it?
[At least he has a hunch that Leo just wants him to talk, which is nice. Even though he's sure that what he'll be talking about will probably go over his twin's head, it's nice to have someone actually listen to him.
So as he gets back to work, he'll explain in detail every little step of the procedure as he does it. Not stopping unless prompted by Leo to do so, of course.]
[He nods a little, settling back a bit more on the table.
The older turtle for his part is listening raptly. Not a lot of it clicks for him, but he is listening. He chitters and chirrups occasionally in places that seem open to response. Listening to conversations has given him a rough idea of how to interject to some extent.
With time, he does start to droop slightly. He yawns, but is trying to stay awake to just stay close to Donnie.
[Donnie is fine with just talking, going "Oh yes" and "You're right" when Leo interjects with clicks, as if he's saying something that would contribute. This is most definitely not what would happen normally, but let a turtle dream okay.
He does notice the yawn and the drooping, so he stops talking and working to get up and grab something he keeps stashed in his lab just in case.]
You can sleep, Leo. I know what I do isn't as interesting to the rest of you guys. [He says this as he comes over with a blanket, just going to drape it over his brother before going back to his work. And he'll easily slip back into what he was doing, and talking about it.]
[The older turtle huffs a little, miming the time with his fingers. It is a bit more personality than he's had in weeks. He doesn't argue much beyond that, curling up on the table. A vast improvement to his tendency to curl up on the floor or in strange corners out of sight.
By the time morning comes around, Donnie will wake up to his lab being down a turtle. The sound of everyone moving around in the kitchen is easy enough to hear.
Raph's voice carries as it always does when he's working in the kitchen. The red-eared slider is sitting on the fringes of the kitchen, watching alongside Mikey. Unsurprisingly Mikey looks put out that he still can't cook. Their dad is tutting a little, half back seat instructing Raph on how to cook eggs. The two are teasing each other in a fond enough manner.
Once Donnie makes an appearance, the feral turtle's attention shifts to him. He squeaks a greeting. Followed shortly by a friendly call.]
Purrrble!
[Raph drops the pan he's holding back onto the stove top, whipping around to stare at Leo. Mikey chokes on his drink as Splinter goes very still. The feral turtle startles a little at the sound, jolting out of his chair and looking at them openly confused.]
[His lab being down a turtle was a bit of concern until he hears the hustle in the kitchen, which he headed towards. Just assuming that Leo is probably with everyone else, after all.
So once he's in the kitchen, planning on getting himself a tasteless juice for breakfast, and he's about to say good morning when Leo speaks up. Everyone else's reaction is kind of expected, but Donnie just takes it in stride. He got to have this shock last night after all.]
Morning, Leo... Everyone else.
[Y'know just casually not minding that their feral brother just spoke.]
Wait, wait, wait, did Leo talk? Donnie how are you not freaking out!? [Raph interjects, before turning back to the stove with a bit of a panicked sound when he realizes he left the eggs on a little too long.
Mikey winces at the disaster of eggs, but quickly reaches out to Leo.] It's okay, Leo, nothing is wrong!
[Leo still looks a little alarmed due to the reaction, but starts to sit back down. He chirrups a bit uncertainly, but bumps Mikey's shoulder with his snout in a friendly gesture.
Their father walks towards them, his expression gentle and fond. He glances at Donnie, getting a rough idea something happened last night. The question is aimed at Donnie as Splinter pats at Leo's shell soothingly.] Did he start speaking last night-?
purrrble. [Leo offers, gesturing loosely at Donnie.]
[Just going to wait for everyone to say what they want to say before answering anything. Starting with Splinter since that kind of also answers Raph's question too.]
Yeah, he came into my lab [He stops himself from saying "to bug me" because it wasn't that, that would have been the old Leo.] I guess to just be around someone? And I was explaining what I was doing when he said that, Purple.
[Which is why he's not freaking out, he got to do that enough already.]
Well, we definitely know who the favorite is. [Raph half jokes, trying to pay attention and salvage the eggs. Mikey breathes out a laugh as Splinter snorts slightly, mumbling something about twins.
The feral turtle's attention shifts between everyone curiously. Splinter just seems openly overjoyed. Raph manages to plate some of the eggs, nudging the plate over to the older turtle. The red-eared slider manages to clumsily pick up a fork, still trying to figure out how to use it again. There are a lot of clanks and clunks as he jabs at the plate a bit too forcefully.]
This is wonderful, with time he should be able to speak again fully. [Splinter goes to get a glass of water, well aware his more feral child might choke on the food.]
Did he say anything else, Donnie? [Mikey asks, genuinely curious.]
Well of course I'm the favourite. [Donnie quips at Raph's statement, as he's going to go about getting his own breakfast now. He gets a glass down from a cupboard and he can't help but smile as well with everything going on.
Although he does hesitate at Mikey's question, he wonders if he should tell about Leo's "treasure".]
He did say your names, or colours at least. Orange, Red, and Grey. [He'll point at the appropriate subject of the colour mentioned as he says it, but he won't bring up the treasure talk. Not sure if Leo would want everyone to know about something so personal.]
[Splinter doesn't seem particularly thrilled with his color choice, but, doesn't outright argue. He places a glass down. The red-eared slider warily picks up the glass to take a sip.] We'll work on the grey, Blue.
Ooh man, this is- [Mikey trails off, clearly excited, biting the inside of his cheek as he tears up a little. The feral turtle blinks a little, reaching out to pat at Mikey's shoulder gently.]
Orrange. O-Okay. [He can manage that much.]
[Raph sniffles a little wiping at his eyes. He gingerly sets down the next set of eggs he has to avoid dropping them.] It's gonna be so good to have Leo talking again.
Yeah, it's way too quiet without him talking. [He's willing to admit that much, out loud even, as he goes to the fridge. Getting his flavourless juice and pouring himself a glass.]
There was... Other stuff he said too. [He turns his attention to Leo, as if asking the other turtle if it's okay to mention the treasure talk before he continues.]
Other stuff-? [Their father is the one to broach the topic.
The feral turtle hums a little, taking another drink of water. There is no shame in his behavior. He has no reason to think his treasure wouldn't be liked.] Trreasure.
[Mikey wipes at his eyes, arching an eye ridge back at the feral turtle.] Treasure? What do you mean-?
[Raph grumbles as he realizes the pan is too hot, taking it off before he cracks the eggs over it.]
[If anything takes the wind out of everyone's collective sails, it is that heavy piece of news. Emotions are running high. Raph leans against the edge of the stove, just looking between Donnie and their feral sibling.
The feral turtle continues just eating his eggs, focused on food. The eggs are slightly crispy at the edges, but he is enjoying how eating feels. He's paying attention.
Raph is the first to speak, tearing up very openly. He awkwardly moves the pan back towards the lit stove pilot.]
Oh. That's...
He still has that? When we found him, I thought he lost it. [Mikey is amazed and emotional all at once. Splinter gently holds him close in a brief gesture.]
It must be the reason he remembered us as he did. Even with his initial confusion upon coming back. [Splinter offers in turn.]
[Goodness, that was something heavy to drop on them wasn't it? Donnie feels a little bad about it, but also they should know. It'd be weird if he kept that information to himself and then it somehow got out he knew and didn't tell. He's sure his family would not be pleased with that.
And since Leo doesn't seem bothered, just happily eating his eggs, Donnie doesn't feel bad about telling them.]
Yeah, he does. He showed me it last night, and it makes sense. [Just going to focus on his drink now, this is getting a bit more emotional than he likes but he knows he can't just bail out now.]
I guess that explains where Leo went while I was asleep... [Mikey muses with a weak watery kind of laugh. He wipes at his eyes again.
Raph snorts a little.] Well, the insomnia is still around for Leo.
[Splinter exhales, shaking his head as he walks over to the cabinet to pick out some glasses for his other sons. Everyone falls quiet for the moment, soaking in the information.
The feral turtle only breaks the moment to point at the stove.]
Eggssss.
[The smell of something burning is quickly filling the air. Raph startles, realizing he's lost control of the eggs. He whips around to yank the pan off the fire.
[Donnie can't help but also choke, either from his brothers reactions or because of the smoke, either way he can't help but laugh at little at Raph's reaction.]
Why is Raph cooking anyway? [He knows why, because Mikey is in no condition to do so.]
Can't a guy flex his culinary skills around here? [Raph grouses audibly with no real heat, just awkwardly moving the pan aside. He starts fanning the air trying to get rid of the smoke.] I'll eat these ones.
[He points a spatual at the older teen.] No, you can't eat them.
[The feral turtle huffed back.]
My son, how about you settle down and I cook? [Splinter offers, though his cooking isn't any better.]
[Oh god no, it's already a disaster. They don't need Splinter's cooking on top of that. He's putting his glass down and moving over to the stove to stop both his eldest brother and his father.]
How about I cook and you both settle down? [His cooking may not be much better, but he can also follow instructions and knows to not have the heat on the stove up so high.
So in Donnie's mind this is the perfect solution and will save them from having more burnt eggs.]
Alright, alright, I think we can bot take the hint. [Raph at least sounds amused, moving away from the oven. He doles the burnt eggs onto a plate. Splinter just shakes his head, but doesn't argue the point.]
Thank you, Donnie, thank you. [Mikey sounds openly relieved. The feral turtle next to him just chirrups initially. He attempts to say the word thank you, but it comes out absolutely mangled.]
Close, Blue, very close. [Splinter offers encouragingly as he takes his usual spot at the table.
The feral turtle taps his mildly trimmed claws against the glass in front of him. His gaze is locked on Raph's plate. Raph sets it down on the table, moving to grab a fork.
[Dare he let Leo get away with switching the plates since he hasn't yet turned his attention to the stove just yet, or not?
Yeah, he's not going to let the feral turtle get away with it.]
If you want more, just wait a sec and I'll make you more, Leo.
[Now if him pointing out the attempted plate swap stops it, he'd be surprised. As he grabs the pan and goes to turn the heat down on the stove to a more proper egg cooking temperature before he's cracking some eggs to cook.]
[Donnie calling him out is enough for Raph to whip around. Mikey should be stopping it, but is giggling wildly. Splinter immediately interferes to stop the plate switching. He catches the edge of the place and blocks the feral turtle.]
Leo! [Raph is trying for chiding, but failing to not smile.]
My son-
[The feral turtle squeaks at being caught. He releases his hold on the plate. He makes eye contact and grabs a handful of burnt eggs stuffing them into his mouth.]
Ohmigosh- noooo- [Breakfast hasn't been this chaotic in a good while.]
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Although his frown deepens at Leo coughing, maybe he shouldn't be talking so much.]
Okay, okay, okay. I get what you're saying but... To us [He points to himself as he says this.] you're our treasure, and that's a good thing, Leo.
... Also don't push yourself, you just started to talk so take your time.
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He nods a little accepting Donnie's word. Gingerly tucking the photo out of sight. His handling of it careful and tentative even now.
He chirrups, accepting the fact readily. He points at the project again, imploringly asking Donnie to talk.
Apparently, he wants to just hear Donnie talk today.]
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I'm going to work on it some more, but sure... I can tell you what I'm doing while I do it?
[At least he has a hunch that Leo just wants him to talk, which is nice. Even though he's sure that what he'll be talking about will probably go over his twin's head, it's nice to have someone actually listen to him.
So as he gets back to work, he'll explain in detail every little step of the procedure as he does it. Not stopping unless prompted by Leo to do so, of course.]
in my next tag I'll bump us ahead
The older turtle for his part is listening raptly. Not a lot of it clicks for him, but he is listening. He chitters and chirrups occasionally in places that seem open to response. Listening to conversations has given him a rough idea of how to interject to some extent.
With time, he does start to droop slightly. He yawns, but is trying to stay awake to just stay close to Donnie.
/thumbs up
He does notice the yawn and the drooping, so he stops talking and working to get up and grab something he keeps stashed in his lab just in case.]
You can sleep, Leo. I know what I do isn't as interesting to the rest of you guys. [He says this as he comes over with a blanket, just going to drape it over his brother before going back to his work. And he'll easily slip back into what he was doing, and talking about it.]
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By the time morning comes around, Donnie will wake up to his lab being down a turtle. The sound of everyone moving around in the kitchen is easy enough to hear.
Raph's voice carries as it always does when he's working in the kitchen. The red-eared slider is sitting on the fringes of the kitchen, watching alongside Mikey. Unsurprisingly Mikey looks put out that he still can't cook. Their dad is tutting a little, half back seat instructing Raph on how to cook eggs. The two are teasing each other in a fond enough manner.
Once Donnie makes an appearance, the feral turtle's attention shifts to him. He squeaks a greeting. Followed shortly by a friendly call.]
Purrrble!
[Raph drops the pan he's holding back onto the stove top, whipping around to stare at Leo. Mikey chokes on his drink as Splinter goes very still. The feral turtle startles a little at the sound, jolting out of his chair and looking at them openly confused.]
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So once he's in the kitchen, planning on getting himself a tasteless juice for breakfast, and he's about to say good morning when Leo speaks up. Everyone else's reaction is kind of expected, but Donnie just takes it in stride. He got to have this shock last night after all.]
Morning, Leo... Everyone else.
[Y'know just casually not minding that their feral brother just spoke.]
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Mikey winces at the disaster of eggs, but quickly reaches out to Leo.] It's okay, Leo, nothing is wrong!
[Leo still looks a little alarmed due to the reaction, but starts to sit back down. He chirrups a bit uncertainly, but bumps Mikey's shoulder with his snout in a friendly gesture.
Their father walks towards them, his expression gentle and fond. He glances at Donnie, getting a rough idea something happened last night. The question is aimed at Donnie as Splinter pats at Leo's shell soothingly.] Did he start speaking last night-?
purrrble. [Leo offers, gesturing loosely at Donnie.]
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Yeah, he came into my lab [He stops himself from saying "to bug me" because it wasn't that, that would have been the old Leo.] I guess to just be around someone? And I was explaining what I was doing when he said that, Purple.
[Which is why he's not freaking out, he got to do that enough already.]
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The feral turtle's attention shifts between everyone curiously. Splinter just seems openly overjoyed. Raph manages to plate some of the eggs, nudging the plate over to the older turtle. The red-eared slider manages to clumsily pick up a fork, still trying to figure out how to use it again. There are a lot of clanks and clunks as he jabs at the plate a bit too forcefully.]
This is wonderful, with time he should be able to speak again fully. [Splinter goes to get a glass of water, well aware his more feral child might choke on the food.]
Did he say anything else, Donnie? [Mikey asks, genuinely curious.]
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Although he does hesitate at Mikey's question, he wonders if he should tell about Leo's "treasure".]
He did say your names, or colours at least. Orange, Red, and Grey. [He'll point at the appropriate subject of the colour mentioned as he says it, but he won't bring up the treasure talk. Not sure if Leo would want everyone to know about something so personal.]
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Ooh man, this is- [Mikey trails off, clearly excited, biting the inside of his cheek as he tears up a little. The feral turtle blinks a little, reaching out to pat at Mikey's shoulder gently.]
Orrange. O-Okay. [He can manage that much.]
[Raph sniffles a little wiping at his eyes. He gingerly sets down the next set of eggs he has to avoid dropping them.] It's gonna be so good to have Leo talking again.
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There was... Other stuff he said too. [He turns his attention to Leo, as if asking the other turtle if it's okay to mention the treasure talk before he continues.]
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The feral turtle hums a little, taking another drink of water. There is no shame in his behavior. He has no reason to think his treasure wouldn't be liked.] Trreasure.
[Mikey wipes at his eyes, arching an eye ridge back at the feral turtle.] Treasure? What do you mean-?
[Raph grumbles as he realizes the pan is too hot, taking it off before he cracks the eggs over it.]
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[He answers, taking a sip of his drink now. How to explain this, without getting sappy?]
He has a picture, the picture Casey had of us, and I think it helped him when he was in the prison dimension... I'm mean, I just guessing here though.
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The feral turtle continues just eating his eggs, focused on food. The eggs are slightly crispy at the edges, but he is enjoying how eating feels. He's paying attention.
Raph is the first to speak, tearing up very openly. He awkwardly moves the pan back towards the lit stove pilot.]
Oh. That's...
He still has that? When we found him, I thought he lost it. [Mikey is amazed and emotional all at once. Splinter gently holds him close in a brief gesture.]
It must be the reason he remembered us as he did. Even with his initial confusion upon coming back. [Splinter offers in turn.]
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And since Leo doesn't seem bothered, just happily eating his eggs, Donnie doesn't feel bad about telling them.]
Yeah, he does. He showed me it last night, and it makes sense. [Just going to focus on his drink now, this is getting a bit more emotional than he likes but he knows he can't just bail out now.]
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Raph snorts a little.] Well, the insomnia is still around for Leo.
[Splinter exhales, shaking his head as he walks over to the cabinet to pick out some glasses for his other sons. Everyone falls quiet for the moment, soaking in the information.
The feral turtle only breaks the moment to point at the stove.]
Eggssss.
[The smell of something burning is quickly filling the air. Raph startles, realizing he's lost control of the eggs. He whips around to yank the pan off the fire.
Mikey chokes a little.]
Why do you have the fire up so high!?
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Why is Raph cooking anyway? [He knows why, because Mikey is in no condition to do so.]
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[He points a spatual at the older teen.] No, you can't eat them.
[The feral turtle huffed back.]
My son, how about you settle down and I cook? [Splinter offers, though his cooking isn't any better.]
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How about I cook and you both settle down? [His cooking may not be much better, but he can also follow instructions and knows to not have the heat on the stove up so high.
So in Donnie's mind this is the perfect solution and will save them from having more burnt eggs.]
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Thank you, Donnie, thank you. [Mikey sounds openly relieved. The feral turtle next to him just chirrups initially. He attempts to say the word thank you, but it comes out absolutely mangled.]
Close, Blue, very close. [Splinter offers encouragingly as he takes his usual spot at the table.
The feral turtle taps his mildly trimmed claws against the glass in front of him. His gaze is locked on Raph's plate. Raph sets it down on the table, moving to grab a fork.
The feral turtle switches plates or attempts to.]
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Yeah, he's not going to let the feral turtle get away with it.]
If you want more, just wait a sec and I'll make you more, Leo.
[Now if him pointing out the attempted plate swap stops it, he'd be surprised. As he grabs the pan and goes to turn the heat down on the stove to a more proper egg cooking temperature before he's cracking some eggs to cook.]
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Leo! [Raph is trying for chiding, but failing to not smile.]
My son-
[The feral turtle squeaks at being caught. He releases his hold on the plate. He makes eye contact and grabs a handful of burnt eggs stuffing them into his mouth.]
Ohmigosh- noooo- [Breakfast hasn't been this chaotic in a good while.]
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Donnie just lets out a bark of a laugh at the scene happening, it's certainly something of course.]
Okay, so I guess I'm just going to replace Raph's eggs then. [Which he's going to keep his attention on now, don't want to burn them after all.]
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gently bumps us ahead once again
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