#t-raedraws

By the time you hear the van’s loud, misfiring exhaust, you’re sitting on the front porch steps, your backpack beside you, wearing your worn denim jeans and flannel. You sit with your elbows on your knees, holding onto each of your arms to keep warm. It's officially September, and the air has a certain chill to it now, the previous warmth of Summer leaving behind a bitter, empty cool.

You watch the dirt road with eager eyes. It's been days since you've heard from them, since they left you behind to take on the Super Shredder. The O'Neil's bright yellow van eases into view and your heart jumps up into your throat. You try to swallow it back down, willing your nerves to steady themselves in preparation for the difficult conversation that lies ahead.

You stand to your feet, gently nudging your backpack away with a foot while tugging the sleeves of your flannel over your numbed hands--partially from the cold, partially from your racing heart. The van stops a short distance away from the house, and your eyes meet Leo’s from behind the windshield. He's gripping the steering wheel, a fearful expression on his face, and for a moment you worry that one of the brothers is hurt. You take an anxious step forward, then Raph, Donnie, and Mikey pile out of the left side of the van. You sigh in relief, watching all three stretch and groan about the long car ride. Your attention flicks back to Leo as he steps out, his eyes locked on yours while he closes the door slowly. Immediately, you notice he's covered in bruises and scrapes, but the worst of it shows on the front of his plastron--there are two large gauges out of the front of his plastron, running from the center of his chest out over his shoulder, and your stomach drops at the sight, immediately recognizing the wound as the work of the Super Shredder. You fight the urge to run to him, reminding yourself of the last few, miserable, lonely days being abandoned by him at the farmhouse. He went against everything he promised you, forcing you to wait helplessly for them to come back for you, leaving you wondering if they would even make it out alive. You had every right to be a part of this final battle, having received Master Splinter's blessing and initiation into the Hamato clan before he passed, but Leo decided all on his own to cut you out. One moment, you're falling asleep safe in his arms, and the next, you're waking up completely alone.

The brothers are all quiet now. Raph, Mikey, and Donnie shuffle away from the van, Raph sparing a sharp glance at their brother in blue. As you switch your attention to the three turtles walking toward you, Leonardo's eyes burn against your skin. You ignore him and soften your expression to greet his brothers, each battered and bruised from their visibly violent mission. “Hey guys,” you say, feeling tears well up. The anxious weight on your chest partially lifts at seeing their smiling faces turn to you.

Mikey’s bottom lip quivers, and he suddenly frowns, quickly closing the distance to embrace you emotionally. “We’re so sorry!” He cries out. “We didn’t want to leave you behind! But Leo didn't give us a choice!” 

You fight back a fresh wave of emotions, giving Mikey a tight squeeze before motioning for the other two to join in. Donnie bashfully reaches his arms around you and his youngest brother, and Raph mumbles something under his breath as he leans in and wraps his arms around you all.

“I’m so glad you’re all okay,” you say, sighing with relief. You tighten your arms around them before letting them go.

“The Shredder is dead!” Mikey yells out, swapping his frown for a triumphant grin.

"Yeah, it's true," Raph confirms. "He's gone for good."

"It wasn't easy, but we managed," Donnie adds.

Your stomach drops, and you swallow the lump in your throat. “That’s amazing,” you say quietly, looking at each of them, trying not to stare too long at their bruises.

“It’s good to see you again,” Donnie says, his voice quiet and almost hesitant. "As Mikey already said, we didn't choose to leave you behind."

“Yeah, what Don said,” Raph says, giving you a small shrug of his shoulder, but you can tell from the small smile on his face that he's genuinely happy to see you. A band tightens around your chest as you watch Raph's eyes shift from you to his brother still standing beside the van. Raphael glares at him for a long moment before quietly saying, "He's an idiot for leaving you behind."