Hi guys, first of all, I'd like to say I'm french and have no beta, so I tried writing a story in english because I was inspired at the time. I wrote this a long time ago. This is also the very first time I ever publish someting. It's not supposed to make sense, I'm aware I started writing like I had already written down entire chapters before that.
Basically, I wondered if, TMNT wasn't a children's cartoon, how it would play out. With teenagers that grow up with so much violence, how would the family cope with one of them having conflicted feelings. And yes, you guess right, conflicted feelings that go towards violence and do not turn away from it. The point is, I couldn't write one of the brothers without him being completely out of character so I just went with an 'what if situation' where there is a fifth brother, Francisco (there's actually a painter that went by that name so yeah xD). Anyway, I'm just posting this for the fun, I might actually write down some more moments, maybe start an entre story, I don't know. Here's a long prologue.
This piece is the moment were an intervention takes place, where Master Splinter and the brothers actually try to talk to Francisco to understand why he's being distant and acting odd. As for Francisco, he's trying to stay true to what he's been taught, trying to keep in mind that everyone deserves a chance and criminals should not simply be killed, but he's having a hard time and his brothers noticed.
The fifth brother, the conflicted one
He couldn't understand the words, even less so the meaning behind them.
There's this empty feeling, it decides to surface now, to suffocate him right when he absolutely can't afford it. His lungs hurt, his heart stammers against his ribcage and his thoughts wanders, like they always do. What is the meaning of this? What's the point of confronting him with half truths and pure aggression that strengthens accusations who do actually hold meaning? He knows he's to defend himself, say something, anything. But his mouth has decided that enough is enough. The words are stuck in his throat, the headache hits him hard but he doesn't show the sudden agony that courses through him. This is what he deserves. Or isn't it?
He's not aware of the time that passes. A second, maybe ten, or even a minute. Perhaps he doesn't want to be aware of it, to know for how long he stands there looking like a fool who's just been scolded. But this isn't a lecture. This isn't some aggressive intervention. His brothers are all here, waiting for an answer. Watching him. Observing his every move, his every breath, because they know. They know something is wrong and this time they want him to give them answers. Leaving this thing be once more is not an option. And somehow, that's a truly terrifying thought. How is he supposed to tell them, when he himself has no idea? What could he tell them, when he lacks the words to describe the emptiness that's taken residence within his mind and heart? It isn't about how to tell them now, but about what he's going to say. And he has nothing but silence.
"Francisco?"
Splinters voice brings him back, if just a little. Enough for his eyes to land on his sensei's softening gaze. And it's not quiet pity he sees, but neither is it anything else. The old rat had raised them and knew when they weren't doing well, but even he could be at a loss sometimes. Right now, his feelings must be conflicted, where he is a father and worried, he's also a teacher who wants his students to learn from their mistakes. And this behavior, the silence he's offering his brothers as sole answer, is a weakness. Something fragile that cuts deeper then they're all aware off. His heart, his mind and even his soul seem to cry at him, but it's too late. He shuts himself off. As if sensing the change, Leonardo takes one more step towards him. He can't quiet hide his flinch when his oldest brother reaches for him. Leonardo's own flinch is a result of a sudden awareness between them, that of two skilled fighters standing at a crossroad. He drops his arm at his side, his gaze now impenetrable. And Francisco knows, more then ever, that this isn't a good thing. Their Fearless leader might sometimes doubt his own skills, but they're there and far too present for the younger one's liking. Whatever he's going to figure out will not be what's been bothering him, but it will touch a nerve and he's in no shape to add that to his turmoil.
"I'm sorry." He apologizes, for what, he has no idea. And the looks of confusion his brothers throw at him tells him he isn't the only one who can't quiet figure out what he's apologizing for. But there's no going back now. And he counters himself for his own lies, gaze sharp, voice steady and heartbeat under control. They won't let him leave with only two words on his part, so more has to be said. "I'm well aware I'm not acting as I usually do. Perhaps I'm not adapting well to all those changes, perhaps I'm only going through a phase. I don't know, you won't either no matter how much I explain this to you. I'm… I'm dealing with it on my own terms, and I apologise if in any way I've hurt any of your feelings, that was never my intention." It's Mikey's turn to flinch now, and he realizes that the youngest is the one to blame for this intervention. He ratted him out, but despite the betrayal, Francisco feels no anger or resentment.
"You're my brothers. I love you guys, and I know you only want to help and I'm giving you a hard time, but you're smothering me. I can't figure out what's bothering me when at every corner there's a question, a demand as to what's going on inside my head. I. Don't. Know. Your intentions are good but you're not helping me." That is a much truth as he can spare, trying to lock gazes with every one of his siblings and even their father to portray honesty. And thought his next words are but lies, he wishes they weren't. "When I'll figure it out, I'll come to you, you must know that. So please, please, give me space." Unlike Michelangelo who could utter a plea every hour of the day without much thought, especially if it softened Raphael up becore he caught him after some stupid prank, Francisco never uttered the words. Even their hotheaded brother would plea with more ease then him, so he knew that those few letters that form a word would make them back off. They'd all fall in line under their father's command. Yet, it isn't Splinter's voice that arises in the absolute silence settling amongst them, but Leonardo's.
"That wasn't our intention, little brother, we are worried. You have been acting strange for a little more than a year now and yet you claim to not understand why you're acting in such way. Don't you see? That is why we're all standing here right now, confronting you. We have tried giving you as much space as we could, but it didn't help. Let us help. Please."
So, here goes nothing I guess XD Let me know what you think, as I said, this is the first tme I write something down and publish it for the fun of it.
(I also don't know if I should rite down copyrights but obviously, TMNT doesn't belong to me, I wrote this by being inspired of the existing and amazing universe of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles !)