Oh, I am certain of it. Blue did always enjoys talking. I believe he was the first to talk. [Splinter says easily, nostalgic in the way only a parent can be after getting children after a certain age.] I do believe Orange spoke second, the babble was quite adorable.
[Mikey groans a little, but is still smiling.] daaaad!
I think Donnie and I were both waiting to talk. [Raph is willing to indulge their parent given the good be it an emotional thing that happened this already this morning.
The feral turtle finishes the burnt eggs. He starts eying other plates on the table. A clawed hand gingerly reaches out towards Mikey's orange juice.
Raph actually catches sight of it this time, gently catching Leo's hand.] No, Leo, c'mon.
Not everyone needs to be a chatterbox, after all. [Donnie is pretty sure he was the last to start talking out of all of them, which he doesn't mind. Although nowadays he can talk up a storm with the best of them.
His attention is back on the stove, so he doesn't see what Leo is up to, or that Raph is stopping him in that way. More focused on making eggs right.]
[Splinter for his part is stuck reminiscing still fond and nostalgic.] You say that, but when you finally did speak, I believe you rattled off a sentence at me with no hesitation, Purple.
[Mikey just laughs, attention focused on Splinter.] Okay, that sounds like Donnie alright.
[The feral turtle seems to be outwardly behaving just for long enough that Raph relaxes marginally. His attention turning back to the conversation at hand.
The feral turtle uses the moment to snap out his hand, grabbing the glass to drink it. Mikey startles a little, and Raph releases a short slightly frustrated breath.
Raphael acts without really thinking, reaching out to grab the red eared slider's arm with a bit too much force. He pulls him forward slightly in the process. It isn't a lot, but the fast movement paired with the grab is enough to make the feral turtle freeze perfectly still in place.]
[It only takes Raph a second to realize he's made a mistake. His eyes widen and his frustration turns to shame. He releases his hold on Leo quickly.
The older turtle is up and out of his chair, the glass hitting the wall with a crash. Then he bolts, initially on two legs before dropping to four. The familiar recognition on his face is replaced by something more akin to a frightened animal trying to escape. Mikey jumps up from his seat, starting after the other turtle. Mikey only comes to a stop at the kitchen doorway when he realizes his chasing will just make it worse.
It isn't the first time they had the older turtle bolt.]
Frick- [Raph manages to reel the urge in to swear, openly angry at himself.] I didn't mean to. I'm sorry-
[Mikey turns back to Raph, grimacing a little.] Bro, its okay, he's just... jumpy.
[It doesn't take much to have his attention turned back onto the scene that happens, the glass hitting the wall most certainly doesn't help.
Donnie just winces as Raph apologizes, knowing that the older turtle didn't mean anything with what happened. Just.
Some things are different now.]
Hey, it's not your fault... [The words seem hollow as he says them, but what else can he do? Going after Leo may just make the situation worst, at least right now. But then again waiting too long and he could end up outside the lair and that would not be good.]
Boys. [Splinter speaks, his voice firm. It was rare for their father to use their full names unless he's serious.] Michelangelo, sit back down. Raphael, help me clean this up. We can finish breakfast once things are calmer.
Donatello, do you still have those cameras around? Keep an eye on your brother, once he settles go after him. [The family at least knew going as a group didn't work out well. One on one was better.
The feral turtle for his part was running through the lair. He practically bounces up and over the train cars that made up their various bedrooms. He crams himself between the small space of the train car and the tunnel.]
[As soon as Splinter is using their full names, it's a serious time. Donnie is turning off the stove before he's pulling up the cameras on his tech gauntlet.]
Sure, dad. I can do that. [He's checking the cameras now, finally seeing Leo on the ones set up outside the bedrooms. He lets out a sigh when he sees on the camera just where Leo has holed himself up, it'll take him a bit to get there.]
Found him, he's at least still in the lair... [And unless they need him, he'll start heading out that way. But taking his time so Leo can be calmer by the time Donnie gets to him.]
Its a good thing though, he's not trying to bolt out now. [Mikey is taking that as a positive sign if anything. Donnie can hear the murmur of conversation between the three as he heads out into the rest of the lair.
Donnie's guess about his brother's mood is correct. By the time he makes it to where the older turtle is, the red eared slider isn't actively hissing at the sight of Donnie. He's just crammed himself into a very small space.
Donnie can likely hear the nervous tip tap of claws against metal, but the older turtle has yet to move.]
[With just a little "hm" at Mikey's words and he's off, heading towards the bedroom area while also taking his time.
The lack of hissing is taken as a good sign really, as he crouches by the only way into where Leo has crammed himself. Aside from going in from above, that is, at least he doesn't have Leo boxed in. Another thing to always worry about too, not wanting to make his brother feel trapped.
The tapping is, maybe, a good sign. It's better than hissing at least, as Donnie starts with some quiet words to try and coax his twin out.]
Leo, it's okay. Raph didn't mean to do that and you're safe here. Come out, please?
[The feral turtle growls just slightly. His plastron clicks audibly against the metal he's pressed himself into. He doesn't move beyond that, just very still and quiet.
The tapping picks back up as the older turtle peers down at Donnie. A wary shift to move slightly out of his hiding spot.
This is honestly a faster recovery time than he's had the past few weeks.]
Okay, okay, okay. You don't have to come out now, but I promise no one is mad at you.
[The tapping has him curious, making him wonder if, like the clicking, it's a way to communicate. But then again, that seems a bit too advanced for Leo even before the prison dimension.
The slight shift is noticed, as Donnie is just going to reach out a hand towards his brother now. Moving slowly so as to not startle him too.]
[The tapping trails off as Donnie draws closer. Initially, the older turtle hunches into himself, half likely to disappear further into hiding spot he's found.
He hesitates, growling just a little.]
Purrble? [The growl absolutely mangled the word, but there is an attempt at it.]
[The confirmation and steadiness is enough to make the older turtle shift again, moving to dislodge himself from the cramped space between the top of traincar and the tunnel.]
Purrble, down?
[It's an actual question, be it phrased awkwardly.]
[He gets that it's a question, but he doesn't get what Leo means. Part of him just wishes his brother was back to normal, but then the better part of him feels bad for thinking that way because this is a process after all. Things won't be fine so quickly.
[The older teen clicks unhappily in turn. Frustrated in some part with himself as much as he is at Donnie for not understanding. He's becoming more and more aware his Treasures are different than he is.
He wants to be like them, but he can't reach that point yet. He isn't even sure if he can be.
He points at himself, trying for a fuller sentence. His voice is still thin and a little reedy. Scratchy on certain vowels.]
[He's about to say yes when it hits him. Leo referring to himself as "Pest", that. That's not a good thing, even Donnie is aware of that, and makes him pause.]
You're Leo, not Pest.
[He hates this, he's bad at this, it makes him feel things he doesn't want to feel and yet. He'd still do it because it's for Leo, as much as he may have complained about his twin and as much as he may have said not so nice things about Leo? Donnie still cares, and something like this just hurts to hear and see.]
[Donnie's response is confusing to the feral turtle. Is that a yes or a no? He doesn't quite understand. Instead of asking again, he just pushes himself down and off from his perch. He lands on his feet with ease, chirruping.
Donnie's distress is a bit more pressing in the moment. He pats at his twin's shoulder gently. He doesn't understand what exactly Donnie is reacting to. He doesn't have the context anymore.
Being alone with Big One for three years had left pieces of him broken, some likely to be unrepairable, others could be mended with care.
Being around his Treasures, his family was enough to help start to pull things back together.]
[The question rouses Donnie out of his own thoughts, which is a good thing. He needs to be present for Leo, that's the important thing, so at the older turtle's question, he gives a small smile.
Better to pretend things are going well than let things backslide.]
Yeah, I'm okay. [He lets out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding in and reaches out to give Leo a shoulder pat as well.]
But you, my dear brother, need to come out of hiding. Everyone is worried about you.
[The feral turtle narrows his eyes somewhat. Some former emotional intelligence present enough.
He doesn't have all the pieces to understand why or what upset Donnie, but he is feels like something is wrong. Its really the first time he didn't just take what was said to him at face value.]
purrble, purple- not- [He struggles to get the words together properly. His voice gets shakier on the last two words.] Okay. Not Okay.
Trreasures don't- [He's clicking his teeth together, just unhappy for a moment he can't get things sorted.] worry. Shouldn't.
[The feral turtle is unsurprisingly still a little skeptical. The expression more something Donnie likely remembers opposed to the cheerful but almost blank look that tended to be the default on the older turtle's features.
He reaches out, before drawing back. A bit more coming back to him. Some boundaries were clicking back in place.]
[The look on Leo's face kind of hurts to see, just because of the remembrance of something familiar. Like a hint that maybe things could be how they were, and Donnie can't hide the hurt from showing on his face.
More so when Leo reaches out but then draws back, sure Donnie has his touch limits but... He's been letting them get pushed for his feral brother.]
It's okay. We should head back before they get more worried. I can make you more burnt eggs if you want?
[Just backing out of the spot now, hoping Leo will follow since he's no longer crammed up in there.]
[The temptation of eggs is strong. The feral turtle clicks and chirrups a little at Donnie. He doesn't believe Donnie about being okay, that much is written on his face. That kind of expression used to be followed with the feral turtle peppering him with questions or trying to cheer him up.
For the moment, he just vocalizes lowly.
He does follow, starting to drop into all fours until he course corrects himself. Between steps he awkwardly slides back into standing up and walking on two legs.]
[Don't you make that face at him, Leo. He just is going to awkwardly smile at his brother and he's well aware of the other turtle's issue with walking on two legs?
When he sees Leo correct himself, he'll offer a hand to him.]
Need some help?
[He just thinks it'd be nice to not see Leo struggle for even the little bit that walking back to the kitchen will take.]
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[Mikey groans a little, but is still smiling.] daaaad!
I think Donnie and I were both waiting to talk. [Raph is willing to indulge their parent given the good be it an emotional thing that happened this already this morning.
The feral turtle finishes the burnt eggs. He starts eying other plates on the table. A clawed hand gingerly reaches out towards Mikey's orange juice.
Raph actually catches sight of it this time, gently catching Leo's hand.] No, Leo, c'mon.
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His attention is back on the stove, so he doesn't see what Leo is up to, or that Raph is stopping him in that way. More focused on making eggs right.]
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[Mikey just laughs, attention focused on Splinter.] Okay, that sounds like Donnie alright.
[The feral turtle seems to be outwardly behaving just for long enough that Raph relaxes marginally. His attention turning back to the conversation at hand.
The feral turtle uses the moment to snap out his hand, grabbing the glass to drink it. Mikey startles a little, and Raph releases a short slightly frustrated breath.
Raphael acts without really thinking, reaching out to grab the red eared slider's arm with a bit too much force. He pulls him forward slightly in the process. It isn't a lot, but the fast movement paired with the grab is enough to make the feral turtle freeze perfectly still in place.]
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The older turtle is up and out of his chair, the glass hitting the wall with a crash. Then he bolts, initially on two legs before dropping to four. The familiar recognition on his face is replaced by something more akin to a frightened animal trying to escape. Mikey jumps up from his seat, starting after the other turtle. Mikey only comes to a stop at the kitchen doorway when he realizes his chasing will just make it worse.
It isn't the first time they had the older turtle bolt.]
Frick- [Raph manages to reel the urge in to swear, openly angry at himself.] I didn't mean to. I'm sorry-
[Mikey turns back to Raph, grimacing a little.] Bro, its okay, he's just... jumpy.
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Donnie just winces as Raph apologizes, knowing that the older turtle didn't mean anything with what happened. Just.
Some things are different now.]
Hey, it's not your fault... [The words seem hollow as he says them, but what else can he do? Going after Leo may just make the situation worst, at least right now. But then again waiting too long and he could end up outside the lair and that would not be good.]
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Donatello, do you still have those cameras around? Keep an eye on your brother, once he settles go after him. [The family at least knew going as a group didn't work out well. One on one was better.
The feral turtle for his part was running through the lair. He practically bounces up and over the train cars that made up their various bedrooms. He crams himself between the small space of the train car and the tunnel.]
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Sure, dad. I can do that. [He's checking the cameras now, finally seeing Leo on the ones set up outside the bedrooms. He lets out a sigh when he sees on the camera just where Leo has holed himself up, it'll take him a bit to get there.]
Found him, he's at least still in the lair... [And unless they need him, he'll start heading out that way. But taking his time so Leo can be calmer by the time Donnie gets to him.]
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Donnie's guess about his brother's mood is correct. By the time he makes it to where the older turtle is, the red eared slider isn't actively hissing at the sight of Donnie. He's just crammed himself into a very small space.
Donnie can likely hear the nervous tip tap of claws against metal, but the older turtle has yet to move.]
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The lack of hissing is taken as a good sign really, as he crouches by the only way into where Leo has crammed himself. Aside from going in from above, that is, at least he doesn't have Leo boxed in. Another thing to always worry about too, not wanting to make his brother feel trapped.
The tapping is, maybe, a good sign. It's better than hissing at least, as Donnie starts with some quiet words to try and coax his twin out.]
Leo, it's okay. Raph didn't mean to do that and you're safe here. Come out, please?
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The tapping picks back up as the older turtle peers down at Donnie. A wary shift to move slightly out of his hiding spot.
This is honestly a faster recovery time than he's had the past few weeks.]
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[The tapping has him curious, making him wonder if, like the clicking, it's a way to communicate. But then again, that seems a bit too advanced for Leo even before the prison dimension.
The slight shift is noticed, as Donnie is just going to reach out a hand towards his brother now. Moving slowly so as to not startle him too.]
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He hesitates, growling just a little.]
Purrble? [The growl absolutely mangled the word, but there is an attempt at it.]
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At Leo saying his "name" he nods, stopping his own movements.]
Yeah, it's me. Purple. No one else, just me.
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Purrble, down?
[It's an actual question, be it phrased awkwardly.]
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So he nods some more at Leo's words.]
Yeah, down. I'm down here for you.
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He wants to be like them, but he can't reach that point yet. He isn't even sure if he can be.
He points at himself, trying for a fuller sentence. His voice is still thin and a little reedy. Scratchy on certain vowels.]
Purrble want Pest, down?
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You're Leo, not Pest.
[He hates this, he's bad at this, it makes him feel things he doesn't want to feel and yet. He'd still do it because it's for Leo, as much as he may have complained about his twin and as much as he may have said not so nice things about Leo? Donnie still cares, and something like this just hurts to hear and see.]
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Donnie's distress is a bit more pressing in the moment. He pats at his twin's shoulder gently. He doesn't understand what exactly Donnie is reacting to. He doesn't have the context anymore.
Being alone with Big One for three years had left pieces of him broken, some likely to be unrepairable, others could be mended with care.
Being around his Treasures, his family was enough to help start to pull things back together.]
Purrble. Okay?
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Better to pretend things are going well than let things backslide.]
Yeah, I'm okay. [He lets out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding in and reaches out to give Leo a shoulder pat as well.]
But you, my dear brother, need to come out of hiding. Everyone is worried about you.
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He doesn't have all the pieces to understand why or what upset Donnie, but he is feels like something is wrong. Its really the first time he didn't just take what was said to him at face value.]
purrble, purple- not- [He struggles to get the words together properly. His voice gets shakier on the last two words.] Okay. Not Okay.
Trreasures don't- [He's clicking his teeth together, just unhappy for a moment he can't get things sorted.] worry. Shouldn't.
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[Supress, don't feel. It's better this way and puts less stress on Leo, which is the last thing he wants to do.
Especially when he says that treasure shouldn't, and don't worry.]
Hey now, you can't make us not worry about you. You're important to us, you're our treasure.
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He reaches out, before drawing back. A bit more coming back to him. Some boundaries were clicking back in place.]
Mmrrph, Purrpble.
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More so when Leo reaches out but then draws back, sure Donnie has his touch limits but... He's been letting them get pushed for his feral brother.]
It's okay. We should head back before they get more worried. I can make you more burnt eggs if you want?
[Just backing out of the spot now, hoping Leo will follow since he's no longer crammed up in there.]
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For the moment, he just vocalizes lowly.
He does follow, starting to drop into all fours until he course corrects himself. Between steps he awkwardly slides back into standing up and walking on two legs.]
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When he sees Leo correct himself, he'll offer a hand to him.]
Need some help?
[He just thinks it'd be nice to not see Leo struggle for even the little bit that walking back to the kitchen will take.]
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gently bumps us ahead once again
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