If anyone's been following me on my tumblr, this is the start to my 1900 AU that I've been posting over the months. This is the first fanfic I've ever posted, and my writing is not the greatest, but this has been in my head for a while now, and it's time I let it out properly.
Please enjoy! More information on this story and some prequel oneshots can be found on my blog!
January 1, 1900
"3! 2! 1! Happy New Year!" The streets of New York City exploded into exuberant shouts as the new century rang in. A cry very near to Leonardo's ear sounded, and he turned to see his youngest brother, Michelangelo, dance around in excitement. The next, Donatello, smiled sleepily and gave a soft shout of his own before leaning back against his oldest brother.
"Leo! Donnie! Look!" Mikey pointed up at the fireworks illuminating the sky. He took his seat on the other side of Leo again to watch, pulling his share of the blanket back over him. His gaze soon turned to the people passing around them. Some waved to the boys as they walked; others staggered around drunkenly, ignoring them completely.
They stayed there for a while, sitting against the stone wall and watching the sights, before Leo shifted in his spot. "All right, time to head back home. Wake up, Donnie. Let's go." He shook Donnie's shoulder gently and he jolted awake, rising to his feet and wrapping the blanket in his arms.
"Do ya' think it's gonna to be a good year?" Mikey asked excitedly as Leo bent down to secure his scarf again. "Do ya' think Raph and Papa will be coming back?" His blue eyes looked up hopefully at him.
Leo blinked at the question before he gave a small sigh and smiled. He pulled down his brother's hat over his face and squeezed his shoulder. "It's going to be the best year yet, Mikey. Don't you worry."
Donnie wobbled dangerously where he stood, and Leo went over to him, Mikey following just behind. "Happy New Year, you two." He wrapped an arm around his little brothers and pulled them in closer, leading them in the direction of home.
As the choruses of the New Year echoed throughout the streets, Raphael shifted slightly in his spot. He turned his head, watching the snow fall gently outside. A gust of wind blew in, bringing in a small flurry of flakes, and he ducked his head a little into his shell.
"Move over." He muttered, getting up and walking over to a figure covered in thin blankets. Raph nudged him with a foot, ignoring the groaning complaints as he pushed him to the side.
"Is your fat shell going to take up half the blankets again?" The human said wryly. Even though he wasn't facing him, Raph could hear the smile in his voice.
"You know it, Casey," He retorted in kind, giving him one last shove before he laid down, "And that's why we have extra, remember?"
"Will you two shut yer traps? Some of us actually need the rest." A boy groaned. His complaint was joined by a few others before they subsided back in silence. Today wouldn't a holiday for any of them, just another long day of work.
"Right, right…" Casey yawned, "Anyways, Happy New Year, Raph."
"Same to you." He smirked in the dark when he heard Casey's snoring resume, and sighed not a moment later, his gaze turning back to the view outside.
He hated working in the snow. Everyone did. But a few more day's pay would give him and Casey enough to start travelling again. Raphael was always eager to move to the next town; new opportunities, new things to see, and hopefully, new answers.
This would be the year, he knew it. He would find his father.