And now I introduce; my first tmnt fic!

Just a short oneshot that I've had floating around; hope everyone enjoys it!


Unhinged

Because Don died and now Raph, who never needed him, needs him more than ever.


Mikey had left the t.v on and now, hours later, it was still forgotten. The movie had played through and the light from the screen as it continued to loop through the menu animation was casting flickering shadows across the otherwise dark lair.

Foremost in Raph's mind was the unexplainable need for quiet as he moved silently through his home. By the couch on the floor he found the long abandoned remote; he pressed it without thinking and plunged the lair into almost complete darkness.

Candlelight streamed under Splinter's door, but Raph knew better than to go to it. His master and father had retired to his room and locked the door wishing to grieve alone.

There was a little light coming from Leo's room too; that's where his other two brothers were. Leo had taken the younger turtle there not too long ago when it became clear he couldn't handle it anymore. Raph hadn't gone with them; like Splinter he had wanted to be alone.

Now however, he was drawn to the soft glow of light issuing forth from the genius' room. Lost in their own grief no one had thought to turn the light off.

Raph tried to ignore the sobs coming from Leo's room as his hand reached for the partially open door.

The room was eery.

Empty.

Without Don, the metal machines and numerous books made the room cold. They didn't work wonders on their own; they needed Don for that.

His hand hovered over the light switch with a tremble his refused to acknowledge. Suddenly it seemed to him that the simple act of turning off the light would make it final; turn what he still wanted to believe was dream into reality.

A book lying open on the workbench caught his attention. Picking it up he found the pages full of detailed sketches, ideas for projects Don would never complete.

The book shook and tears dripped onto the pages, but Raph still refused to believe that he was their source. But then one page broke through his facade.

It was the shell cycle, only better. With enhancements Raph would never have dreamt of, let alone thought possible.

Looking up he saw his brothers standing in the doorway. Mikey's face was streaked with tears, Leo's grim, but his eyes were filled with pain.

Raph let the book drop to the ground.

Hardly thinking he climbed onto the bed, shell pressed against the wall, knees drawn to his chest. Emotions welled up in him, hot and cold and Raph chewed at his lip; as if the simple gesture alone would stave off the inevitable tears.

The other two were beside him in an instant, pressing a tissue into his hand before Raph even realised he was crying. Drawing a shuddering breath Raph surrendered, tears running freely down his face as Leo wrapped an arm firmly around his shoulders and Mikey half clambered into his lap to curl tight against him.

Gripping Mikey firmly to remind himself he still had one younger brother to protect he looked over his head to Leo and tried to give a smile that said he was better now. Leo smiled in return but it was a sad one, because he disagreed.

And they both remained silent because they both knew he was right.


Reviews are very much appreciated!

You'll hear from me again soon =)