He was doing it again...
Splinter sighed as he looked at his second oldest son.
A now eight year old Raphael sat in front of a wall, where he had painted several faces, some smiling, some frowning, and some...he had no idea. But they looked almost...crossed.
"...and he never asked me how I felt!" Raphael whined, "It's always my fault!"
It broke Splinter's heart.
He was actually afraid that Raphael has Schizophrenia. And his imaginary friends, whom he gave life to in every day objects, including sewer walls, would one day lead him into insanity.
He worried for the child.
Worried that this habit would grow out of control.
But Raphael never spoke to him or his brothers, nor would he speak, when asked what was wrong.
Splinter stroked his beard as he continued to watch Raphael. The young turtle was yelling at the wall.
He needed to act quickly.
But how?
Splinter snapped his fingers silently and made his way out of the lair.
He walked down the sewers to the latest man hole, pushed it open, and was glad to see night had fallen.
He knew it was risky, but he just had to do it.
For his son.
For Raphael.
...
Raphael frowned as glared at the wall in front of him.
More specifically the face painted on.
"Who you calling stupid, stupid!"
He grabbed his paintbrush and quickly threw it at the wall.
He got up and walked over to the couch.
He sat on it and stared at the pillow next to him, "You understand me, right?"
The pillow did nothing.
Well, what did you expect?
He lives in a sewer, not Hogwarts.
Raphael huffed and crossed his arms.
He kicked his legs and looked around.
His 'friends' weren't there anymore.
He scowled and crossed his arms with a pout.
Fine! He didn't need them anyways!
Silence...
"COME BACK!" Raphael yelled as he ran around.
...
Splinter held a box in his hands gently, as to now disturb the creature inside, and stared at his son as he ran around.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO GET MAD! YOU'RE MY FRIENDS! YOU'RE MY FRIENDS!"
Splinter set the box down quickly as he saw Raphael was about to collide with the steps leading into the pool that led to the sewers.
Honestly, how that water was so clean was a mystery.
Raphael struggled in his father's arms.
His emerald eyes were glazed over as he continued to scream.
"Raphael!" Splinter yelled and rocked the boy, "Calm yourself!"
Raphael took a few deep breaths and his eyes lit up again.
He squirmed out of his father's arms and was about to make a run for it, when he was held back.
Splinter said nothing as he held the box in front of him.
Raphael stared at him and the holes he just now realized covered the box's top.
Opening it slowly, he was shocked when he saw a baby turtle.
A normal one, like in Mikey's picture book.
He looked up at his father.
Splinter smiled softly, "My son, this habit of yours needs to stop. I worry. You will not speak to me or your brothers. I thought, perhaps you needed a friend, a real friend, to talk to. Promise me my son, you will not speak to inanimate objects again."
Raphael nodded and hugged Splinter.
Splinter smiled, that was as close as thank you as he could get with Raphael.
...
Splinter woke up the next morning to see Raphael in the kitchen with his pet turtle, whom he named Spike, and a leaf of lettuce on a plate.
Splinter wasn't able to hear what he was saying, but one thing caught his sight and hearing.
"Chew on your leaf if you understand me."
Spike bent over and bit into the leaf, chewing it.
Raphael smiled, "Yeah. I thought so."
Splinter sighed.
Hopefully, one day, Raphael would break this habit and come speak to him like he does Spike.
Heart to heart.