Chapter 10: Tobogganing
"Beat this, Raph!" Leonardo shouts, pushing the toboggan – and himself – down the hill. He fairly soars off the ramp he and his brothers spent all morning building. Leonardo manages to somehow twist the apparatus in a complete circle using only his feet, hands spread wide.
"And he sticks the landing!" Michelangelo's voice booms in his best impression of a sportscaster. Donatello does his best to clap beside his brother, though his hands are largely full of a mug of cocoa. He spills a bit on his mitten but no one notices or minds.
Raphael chuckles. He can't help but be impressed with Leo's sledding skills. Raph nods appreciatively as Leo comes to a stop before his brothers. "Not bad, big brother, not bad." He tugs his hat more firmly down on his head and takes the toboggan from Leonardo, determined.
The hill looms in front of him, seemingly steeper than he remembers. That might be the cold getting to him. Raphael grips the toboggan and starts the steady climb up to the top. Once there, he breathes deeply, gathering himself.
He pushes off. The ramp comes quickly. He angles himself well. Flying.
No.
Not flying.
He loses control, limbs flailing about.
He is unable to right himself. His noble steed abandons him in his moment of need. He belly flops onto the soft slow. The toboggan lands quietly next to him, mockingly upright and unharmed.
His brother gasp, rushing towards his prone figure.
"Raph!" they cry, falling on their knees beside him.
"Are you okay?" Leonardo demands.
"Raphie?" Michelangelo asks gently.
Donatello says nothing. He turns Raphael's slightly trembling body over in the snow.
Raphael's face is scrunched. His brothers' concern grows. Suddenly he lets out a deep belly laugh.
"Did you see how high I got?" he gasps in between laughing. "Highest vertical yet!"
His brothers finally relax and allow themselves to laugh with him, knowing that he is safe and well.
Helllooo fanfiction! Why yes, it has been a year since I last uploaded anything so I thought, "Might as well continue the advent story seeing as it's now December once again!" It's going to be the same list as last year, you know, for continuity's sake. Apologies for the absence, and the rustiness I'm sure is showing through in my writing, but I do appreciate all you followers, favoriters, and reviewers who so faithfully read on while I write nothing. I hope this holiday season finds you well. Cheers!