BAWV - Teehee I love cliffhangers, cant you tell? Although this one is considerably less thrilling as the last one. Most of Anna's fixing of relationships actually happens in this one. I had it planned for the last one buuuuut it became considerably longer than i thought it was going to be. Also Tora figures out the feelings only instead of Kelsie's help Anna practically drags her through it. Enjoy!
Tora relaxed when she saw what or rather who the sound was. Anna had apparently crashed on the couch last night instead of the bed. Before she could wonder why, Tora glanced to the neatly folded sheet sitting on the coffee table.
Guilt slammed into Tora when she realized that she had forgotten to wash the sheet. Anna, knowing that she didnt want anyone to know about her episode, had taken it upon herself to clean everything up. She must have already been exhausted from work, even with the nap at Tora's bedside. She had gone out of her way to make sure that Tora's secret stayed a secret even though she must have been ready to pass out, then she had made sure to cook breakfast on top of that. She knew that if she hadnt cooked then Tora wouldnt bother, so the only way to ensure that she ate in the morning was cook it herself.
Deciding not to wake her, Tora picked up the sheet and spread it over her snoozing sister. Once she was sure that she hadnt woken Anna unintentionally Tora moved back to the kitchen to finish the food, it wouldnt be much longer until their mom and siblings got back after all. They were both going to need as much energy as possible. As soon as she finished her food she moved to the sink, debating for a minute before giving in and pulling a stool up to it. Better to rest before she collapsed and had to explain it to Anna. Since her sister had done all the cleaning and cooking it was only fair Tora did the dishes and clean the kitchen.
Tora released a sigh as she swiped the rag one last time across the counters. Wiping her hands on a towel she turned to survey her work. Every surface shined to her satisfaction, nodding her approval Tora grabbed her crutches and made her way to sit down again. Having to sit down so often was irritating her greatly, she had never been the sort to sit still for long. If she didnt heal up soon it would drive her crazy.
Just as she was getting comfortable she heard the lock on the front door click open. Sparing a quick glance at the clock she knew that her mother and sisters were back. Standing carefully Tora made her way toward the doorway to meet them. Just as she rounded the corner to the entryway she was almost bowled over by her worried mother. Kellina wasted no time in poking and prodding everywhere she could see, checking for injuries.
Once satisfied with the relative wellness of her daughter she lightly popped her on the back of the head. "What do I tell you about giving me grey hairs?! You scared a decade off my life with this one. Soon I'll be nothing but grey hair and worry lines" Immediately after saying that she swooped in for another hug. Tora squeezed her mother closer as she joked trying to lighten the atmosphere. "When that happens you will look as beautiful as an arctic fox and anyone who says differently will get their ass handed to them by me or Anna."
Kellina gave a mild protest to the curse before chucking, she pulled back reluctantly. Knowing Kelsie was practically vibrating to verify that Tora was alright she moved to the side allowing her access. Tora braced herself just in time as Kelsie and Vinaya wrapped themselves around her. Attaching to her like starfish and refusing to let go. Opening her mouth to complain about how tight they were holding her Tora froze when she felt water soaking her neck and shoulder.
Sighing in resignation Tora wrapped her arms around her siblings, for once staying quiet despite being uncomfortably crowded. Once all eyes were dry and Tora bore through Kelsie's full pat down she spoke, "I'm sorry for worrying al of you. I swear I didnt go looking for trouble this time."
She received a watery smile from both her sisters, glancing to her mother Tora groaned internally at the wet sheen in her eyes. If they were trying to hide that they wanted another hug they were failing miserably. Knowing that her family had backed off despite how much they all obviously wanted more time to latch onto her made Tora grateful. They were willing to push their own desires to the side for Tora's comfort, if they were willing to do that for her she should show the same kindness to them.
Decision made she reached over and grabbed Kelsie's arm, pulling her into one shoulder before opening her arms. "Alright already, quit with the puppy eyes and get over here for a family hug before I come back to my senses."
Not a moment later two more sets of ams joined the circle. Looking up Tora caught a flash of Anna leaned against the wall. Her short hair disheveled from sleep and a deep longing in her eyes as she watched the scene.
Tora would never understand her elder sisters thinking. She didnt need to sit all lonely over there, she was part of the family too. Smirking to herself Tora decided to call Anna out, taking the decision of whether or not to join them out of her hands. "Yo, Anna-banana, quit hovering like some creepy stalker and get over here already! I said family hug time and if I cant get out of it then neither can you!"
Any other time Tora would've been impressed at the speed all of the bodies disconnected from her person before turning in sync toward Anna. At the moment however Tora was enjoying the deer in headlights look on her sisters face too much to even notice anything else. She did break out into a laugh when she had to rearranged Kelsie so she was facing Anna and not the wall she had been previously.
Anna only had time to shoot her chortling sister a dirty look before her mother was on her. Instead of lecturing or the head pop she had been expecting she received a tight hug. Anna's guilt doubled when she felt the tremors racking her mothers body. Wrapping her arms tightly around Kellina, Anna whispered. "I'm sorry Ma. You didnt deserve how I acted, none of you did."
Pulling back, Kellina bopped Anna on the head, "You're darn right we didnt little lady and you better have a good reason for it." The tears tracking down her cheeks took all the force out of her words.
Anna felt sick with herself at the sight of her mothers tears. She had promised herself years ago when she had been adopted by Kellina that she would never be the reason her mother cried again. Never again, not after she had found Anna at her absolute lowest and continued to love her even as it hurt her to do so. And yet here they are years later, with their mother hurting once again because o the distance Anna put between them.
Knowing no apology would suffice Anna tugged on her mothers arm as she led her sisters, with Tora at the rear gently guiding Kelsie, to the living room. This explanation was bound to be long, better to have it comfortable with tissues on hand.
The full explanation took just over an hour with many tissue breaks. By the end Kellina had joined Anna on the short couch and grabbed ahold of her daughters hand, squeezing when Anna stumbled over her words. At the end of the explanation she pried herself away from her mother's side and moved to stand in front of Vinaya and Kelsie, Tora looming behind them leaned on the back of the couch.
"I need to apologize to you two the most. Vi you need to understand that me leaving had absolutely nothing to do with you. I thought that I had to get stronger alone and in doing so I left you guys when you needed me most."
Seeing Vinaya's eyes fill with tears cracked her heart but she knew these tears aren't bad ones. Vi was realising that it hadnt been her that drove Anna away. Anna knew without a shadow of a doubt she would be kicking herself for all the pain she had caused for a long time. Continuing she turned to Kelsie, "And don't try to tell me that I wasnt leaving you guys behind. I knew that you and Tora had been having trouble adjusting and you needed me to be the same solid sister that I had always been. I won't make excuses, when you two were kidnapped I was terrified of losing you and not being of any use. I went out and got myself kidnapped in a reckless attempt to find you, if it hadnt been for Mom and the police coming when they did none of us would be alive because of my stupid mistake."
Breaking off to take a steadying breath Anna held up a hand to silence Tora, who had gone to open her mouth to argue. "No, don't try to excuse my actions. We made it out alive by the grace of God. Even though we made it out alive it still cost us. Kelsie you lost any chance of repairing your sight...and Tora you lost almost all mobility in your hands. All of it happened because I charged in without thinking. I'm sorry that I ran away instead of staying and helping you two through the after affects of my actions."
Anna hung her head, letting her short hair cover her eyes. Getting it all out made her feel lighter but the thought of how much Tora and Kelsie had to push through without her support made her eyes fill with tears of guilt.
Anna heard Tora stand and walk to stand in front of her. Before she had a chance to raise her head to meet Tora's eyes a fist collided solidly with the top of her head, knocking her chin sharply into her chest.
Blinking in shock as she heard Kelsie's voice crack out a shocked exclamation of Tora's name. The girl herself stood with her fist shaking, whether from pain or rage was unclear. "You idiot! What happened wasnt your fault, it was the twisted fuck who took us fault, if you have to blame someone blame him. Blaming yourself for it would be like me blaming Kelsie for my knee injury. Don't you dare take the blame for anything that psychotic bastard did to us. Besides it's not like you had a walk in the park with it either! You got a scar across your face and nightmares along with both of us. We have had Mom and Vi while you have had no one. Stop acting tough for once and just… don't try to take the world's weight onto your own shoulders. It's too damn heavy."
Kellina had been in the process of standing to lecture Tora only to stop at her words and the look of dawning comprehension on Anna's face. Maybe the only way she would listen was if it came from Tora. Kelsie forgave easy and would have forgiven Anna even if it had been her fault, Tora on the other hand would have had problems trusting after that that kind of betrayal not to mention forgiving it. She stifled a smile at her second eldest's growth, she had come far from the ready to snap at anything that breathed teen she had known so long ago.
Tora grabbed Anna's forearms and dragged her into a hug. She didnt like that it had come to this point but she wouldnt allow her sister to put any of that guilt onto her shoulders. Anna hesitantly returned the hug, resting her head on Tora's own.
Thinking back to earlier Tora smirked, "You know guys, I think I have her hostage. Now would be a good time for that hug since neither of us can get away this time." Anna chuckled weakly and watched as Vinaya and Kelsie quickly joined in, closely followed by Kellina who wrapped her arms around all of her daughters. For the first time in too long they were all back together and she would make sure that this time they stayed that way.
Later that day Tora lay on her bed with Kelsie sleeping on her shoulder. She could feel her sde going to sleep but looking at Kelsie's peacefully sleeping face there was a snowball's chance in hell that she was waking her up. Adjusting herself the best she could without waking Kelsie she saw her phone light up on the bedside table. Froaning to herself Tora shifted to reach over Kelsie, groping blindly for the phone.
Letting out a quiet Ah-ha when she finally got it, she laid back down only unlocking the phone once she was sure her sister stayed asleep. Her phone lit up with a text from Donnie.
D: So how did the reunion go? Did my wrapping stay tight?
Tora felt warmth spread through her chest, still undecided on how to handle the Don situation. It would be easier to not risk their friendship over the chance of something more. However no matter how much she wanted to go the easy route there was a voice that sounded suspiciously like Anna. It told her that she was being cowardly, not willing to even try to push through her past for a chance at something great.
She knew deep down that Don would never hurt her on purpose but there was still the fear of handing anyone the ability to hurt her. She could tell herself over and over again that he would never hurt her but the fact remained that once she let him in he was then capable of doing massive damage.
Tora had always hated letting people in just for that reason, sometimes they hurt you even without meaning to. She had her family now, was it really necessary to go through the motions of making room for other people?"
The voice chipped back in, reiterating Anna's earlier comment about letting the fear run her life. Was it right? Was she allowing her trauma to stop her from enjoying her life? As she pondered Tora grimaced at her answer. Yes, she was. She didnt even remember the last time she felt happy outside her family.
Well, Tora corrected herself, she actually did remember and it was when she had been in the lair joking around with Don in his lab. Biting her lip she wondered, how bad would it really be to let one more person it? Leaning back against the headboard, she took a minute to imagine what dating Don would be like.
Obviously they couldn't go on traditional dates due to his mutation and her own problems with crowds, but there were always other options if someone was willing to look for them. The warmth came back with a vengeance as the image painted itself in her mind.
Don and her sitting in his lab, the only clear spot being where they were sat. She was leaning against his side as they ate. One of his arms was wound around her waist, tight enough to keep her against his side without being tight enough to hurt. She could see herself dozing off while he worked, his voice lulling her to sleep as he read through his notes. Him shooting a smile down at her sleeping form before shifting both of them to his cot for a nap.
Tora released a shaky breath at the realisation of just how much she wanted that. Reluctantly she admitted that it might just be worth the risk, to have moments like that. Looking down at the phone tightly clasped in her hands, the unanswered text blinking up at her.
Even if she decided to tell him she had no idea how to broach the subject. Anna seemed sure that Don felt something for her but she wasnt so sure. She hadnt noticed anything like that, but to be fair she also had been focused on her new confusing feelings. It made sense that she wouldn't see the signs in him if he was showing signs, she hadnt seen them in herself after all.
Now that she was clear headed, she could keep an eye out for them. Nodding to herself Tora decided, yes that would work for now. She would wait and watch Don for any signs of him reciprocating her feelings. If he showed signs then she would start working out how to bring it up.
Letting out a breath of relief at finally having a plan of action Tora focused back onto the message. Better to not let the guy worry for longer than necessary. As she responded she let a smile slide onto her face at his concern, they conversed well into the night before finally powering off their respective phones. Rolling back over Tora slung her arm around Kelsie's waist and dozed off into a blissfully dreamless sleep.
When Tora woke up it was to a painful case of pins and needles covering her entire side. Stifling a groan she cracked an eye open to puzzle out the cause only to remember her sisters previous sleeping arrangements. Sometime during the night she had managed to wrap herself completely around the right side of Tora's body. Laying her head back onto the pillow, Tora tried to wiggle her fingers to get blood flow back in her hand. Muffling a hiss as the pins and needles slowly receded up her arm until it disappeared completely. Sighing in relief she went to wake Kelsie, hoping to reclaim her shoulder only to be stopped by a quiet knock on the door.
Calling out as loud as she dared, what with Kelsie asleep right next to her, the door creaked open and in stepped Vinaya. She kept her voice soft as she spoke, "I'm headed to the store, do you need anything?"
Immediately Tora went to get up, this city wasnt safe for her baby sister. The nearest store was a subway trip away and Tora could get there easier by riding her bike. She would force herself past her discomfort of the crowds to guarantee Vinaya's safety. However she froze when Vi lifted a hand to make her stop.
"I know you're worried but I can do this. I'm not glass and I won't shatter if I leave the house. Besides after all the stress you've been under, going into a crowd isnt what you should be doing, especially with you having to use the crutches."
Tora grimaced, she had a point. She had completely forgotten about the injury, she couldn't drive with it, well she could but it would be a bad idea in anything but an emergency situation. Moving without the crutches was painful and risked tearing open the injury again, while moving with them made her arms ache and exhausted her quickly. Trying to maneuver them through a crowded area, adding in her recent rise in panic attacks was not a good idea. Seeing the grimaces Vinaya continued on, "Besides on the off chance something did happen to find me you know Mom could find me the same way she found you, Kelsie and Anna when you were kidnapped before." Acknowledging her defeat Tora settled back into the pillows.
"Fine but if you're not back in an hour we are coming after you." Vi beamed as she nodded before turning to leave, making sure to shut the door quietly as she did. Tora sighed as she sank into the pillow, it was illogical to worry abou Vi just walking to the store she knew. But what with the rise in crime lately the subway wasnt somewhere Tora felt comfortable with, not to mention her sister being there. Forcibly shaking herself, she tried to focus on the facts. Even if something did happen Vi's ability would get her out of it and if not then Kellina could find her. It wouldnt be the first time their mother had to track one of them down using her gift, although hopefully it would be the last.
As she slipped into a fitful sleep Tora thought one last thought, besides its a crowded area what could happen?
Unknown to her that she would be receiving a frantic call from the turtles in less than an hour.
BAWV - Hey guys! Hope you liked it, I've got a question for you. How do you think Tora should wind up telling Don about her feelings? Should he tell her first unaware she feels the same? Or should Tora make the first step? Opinions are always appreciated, hope you review!