**This Story Contains Tcest**
Pairings: Raphael/Donatello, Leonardo/Michelangelo, Raphael/Michelangelo, Michelangelo/Donatello, Leonardo/Donatello
Info: Alternate Universe, Royalty, Elemental Magic, Action/Adventure, Romance
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Chapter Ten: How Not To Drown
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The forest surrounding him blurred as Donatello rushed back to camp. The trees and the river and the sky, the world faded, until the colors were gone, and the edges melted together.
Every inch of him was crackling with energy, pent up and threatening to burst through his skin. He burned where Raphael had gripped him, searing heat, like a fever that just wouldn't break.
The moment they had touched he was driven by nothing but instinct and a craving so intense he knew he never could have controlled it. He was sharply aware of what had been about to happen and in that moment, he did not care how ill-advised or impulsive it was.
If it hadn't been for Michelangelo materializing as if from nothing at just that moment there would have been no stopping it, and Don honestly didn't know if he was angry or relieved.
What he did know, however, was that he needed to calm down, get a handle on his emotions, and focus.
All night he had tossed and turned, staring at the fabric stretched out above his head until he lost track of the hours. It was only when dawn finally started to light the inside of his tent that he decided continuing the fight for sleep was pointless. So, he had risen early, hoping a little exercise would be enough to distract him from the anxiety he still felt. Maybe if he expended enough energy on routine katas that didn't require much thought then he could figure out what he wanted to say without sounding like a complete lunatic.
It had almost worked too. Within an hour he'd thought up three or four possible scenarios for starting another conversation with Leonardo. Two even ended with them coming to some sort of compromise.
Except, when Raphael suddenly appeared on the riverbank in the dawn twilight, every single thought in his mind disappeared. A powerful urge to go limp and allow the downstream flow of the river to carry him all the way back to Varuna overcame him. At least there he could hide behind his borders and forget about everything that was turning out to be far too complicated.
Which was ridiculous because he'd never met a problem he couldn't solve before in his life. Yet here he was facing three big ones with few ideas as to what to do about them.
He was practically frozen with indecision, but to his surprise the flash of panic hadn't lasted long. Raphael didn't say a word, he simply stood and watched and after a while Don began to feel comforted by his presence. The safety and protection the prince of fire was emulating was enough for Don to eventually lose himself in the rhythm to the point where he almost forgot where he was by the end of the kata.
There was an energy radiating from Raphael that Don could feel feeding his magic. It was new and invigorating and his fascination with it only increased when the droplets of water rose from the river to encircle him as he moved.
His magic had never behaved in a way independent from his direct control before, but as the sunlight hit the water, glittering and bright in his eyes, somehow, he immediately felt such an overwhelming peace of mind that all he could do was continue his movements and try to hold onto the feeling, almost afraid that something terrible would happen if he let it go.
When it was finally over and he sunk into the river to float with only his face above the surface he felt a profound loss, but also a sense of completeness so deep he wondered how he had ever lived without it before.
He wanted to hold on to that feeling, which was why he followed Raphael into the woods without a word - and against his own better judgement - in the first place, and still the result was the same as it had been the night of the mask.
oh no… he thought, a sense of dread settling over him as he suddenly realized that he'd just run away from Raphael. Again.
that's the answer though… isn't it?
Not running away, of course. The opposite in fact. It seemed so simple and for a moment he marveled at how long it had taken him to realize it.
Vaguely he was aware that he had arrived back at the clearing where their small camp was nestled, his feet stopped in the exact spot where Raphael had stood only a short while before.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Leonardo by the cold fire pit, waiting with his arms clasped behind his shell. But not even his unwavering gaze could distract Don from the memory that came to him then.
He was just a small boy, looking up at his grandfather looming over him, his aging face gentle but stern as he scolded the young prince for being lost too far inside his own head.
~You must feel your magic, my boy. Let it guide you. Overthinking the moment will only leave you with doubts. The most important thing you must always remember is this force you have been gifted with will never betray you. Trust in it and it will show you the way.~
It was a hard lesson for Donatello to learn and to this day he still struggled with it. Analyzing a situation from every angle while thinking of multiple outcomes was just how he functioned, his brain was always stronger than his heart when it came to important decisions.
But that way of thinking was not doing him any favors here, that was stupidly obvious. He needed to allow himself to trust that his element would lead him down the correct path.
That meant no more hiding. The time for secrets and half-truths was over.
As soon as Don had reached adulthood, his high priest had spent an excruciating amount of time drilling into him the importance of keeping their secrets. His father's true condition, his absence from reality even as he physically remained among them, and the state of Varuna due to the neglect of his duties as king were not to be revealed to a single soul outside of the kingdom - least of all the sons of air, earth and fire - until after the trials were complete and the crown was officially placed upon Donatello's head. Only then would Varuna be safe once more and only then could they reveal the hardships they had faced.
At the time, Don had agreed with the high priest. He'd fully understood the reasoning behind their caution because his first instincts had always been to protect his father. Archus's safety and happiness was second only to the safety and happiness of his lands and his people. It was something he had never questioned for even a moment.
But now? Now everything he thought he'd known was flipped on its head. Standing there on that riverbank he felt a clarity of thought like he'd never experienced before.
The magic was telling him what it needed but he'd been too distracted to listen, too focused on everything else that was happening to hear the demands of the power within him.
Their path forward demanded honesty and trust. And it was now or never.
Turning to make straight for where Leonardo waited, he bumped right up against Raphael's plastron. when did he… Was the prince of fire really that quiet when he moved or had Don been so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even hear them return behind him?
It didn't matter, the look of hurt and concern on Raph's face was enough to stop Don in his tracks. His impulsive actions had placed that look there, and in that instant, he vowed to himself to never be the cause of it again.
"I'm sorry for leaving like that." Don said, taking an almost involuntary step closer. "It was me, not you."
He couldn't really tell what Raph was thinking. The prince of fire carefully kept the emotion from his face as he considered what Don had said.
For a long minute they just stood and stared at each other, slowly rocking into and away from the other as they fought the urge to pick up where they left off. But Raphael didn't reach for him, he just smiled softly.
"S'okay. But, if ya' keep runnin' away from me like that, maybe I will have to chain ya' up."
The lighthearted flirting in Raphael's tone caught Don off guard for a moment. His breath caught in his throat, and he shivered as a highly detailed image of the prince of fire following through with what he had just promised flashed behind his eyes.
Not trusting his tongue to correctly form words, Don settled for a crooked smile and turned away before Raph could see the blush warming his cheeks.
Easier said than done. The urgent need to feel the warmth of Raphael's skin again was a physical pain in his fingertips, but he resisted it as he stepped away. He had to focus. His first priority was to fix what was broken between all four of them. Starting with the prince of air.
Donatello could only hope they would be able to manage a rational conversation this time around.
"Leonardo, I wanted to apologize…"
"No, you have nothing to apologize for." Leo interrupted, swiftly raising his hand to stop Donatello from speaking further. "I… was not myself yesterday. It was unfair of me to make such serious accusations without cause. I overstepped and you've done nothing to deserve the way I treated you. My behavior was reprehensible. I can only ask for your forgiveness."
Leo bowed his head and stood motionless, waiting for whatever judgement Donatello saw fit to give.
Don shifted with uncertainty. A moment ago, he'd been prepared to do whatever needed to be done to get the emperor's son to accept him, thinking he would have fallen to his knees to beg if that was what it was going to take. But the angry storm that had been raging in Leonardo's eyes the night before was gone now, replaced by shame and a sincere honesty that was the last thing Don had expected and he couldn't immediately think of a response.
From the periphery he could see Raph and Mikey moving closer, tense and wide eyed, almost as if they were surprised too.
"I… thank you." Don lamely offered after clearing his throat, knowing the stuttered response wasn't enough. "Look, I understand. Your suspicions were justified, and I don't blame you for them…"
"They were not justified." Leo's voice was firm as he took a step closer to Don, looking deeply into his eyes. "I know this contradicts everything I've said to you so far, but I hope you can believe me when I say that we have never doubted you. Not even for a moment. You weren't physically with us, but we could always feel your energy. You are connected to us through that bond and a part of you has been with us every single day. That feeling has always given us hope, and it's that feeling that gave us the strength to get through these long years without you."
Don held very still, blinking away the moisture suddenly stinging in his eyes. He took a deep breath and released it slowly, turning to look at the others. Mikey's cheeks were wet, he was smiling and nodding with his hand over his heart like he was trying to hold back from launching himself at Don.
Raphael had moved close to his side, as if he could no longer stand to have the prince of water anywhere outside of his reach and just like that Don felt like he was starting to understand.
The magic was heavy in his chest but also bright and crisp and for the first time he could feel all three of them feeding it, boosting his awareness of all the elements swirling around them.
He glanced up and met Raphael's eyes. The dawn light glinting off the water made the gold of his irises shine brighter than they really were, sharper. More intense. Caught in their glow, Don's heart started to beat fast and loud in his ears, his throat tightening with every thump until he almost couldn't draw breath.
"That's what this is…" He whispered, tearing his eyes away from Raphael to look again at Leonardo. "This… itch under my skin? It's the three of you?"
Leo stepped in close and laid a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. "Yes. When we're together our elements resonate. We can never truly be at peace unless we are close to each other. Our magic is one whole split four ways and it's always striving to connect with its missing pieces. You've been so far away; it doesn't surprise me that our energies are fighting to find balance."
Donatello nodded, it all made so much sense. He tried to take in a breath and swayed slightly, clenching his fists to keep his limbs from shaking. Too much was happening all at once and he was going to need a minute to process it all.
Leonardo must have seen something in the look on his face because he quickly stepped in, taking Don's elbow and moving him to sit by the warmth of the fire that now blazed in the circle of stones. Don hadn't even noticed Raphael light it.
Mikey handed him a small plate of food, dried meats and berries with a little bit of cheese, leaning over to make sure their fingers brushed together as Don took it.
"It's okay… you're ours now Donnie, and we're never going to let you go. Not ever."
It was a promise that Don somehow knew he would never need to doubt. He looked into Michelangelo's eyes and saw the love there, as unexpected as it was. Mikey's candor was easy to believe, he'd already done more than enough to convince Don of the truth in his words. The prince of earth was simple and familiar and the comfort of that calmed him enough that he was able to start nibbling at his food.
Raphael claimed the space next to him, sitting close enough so their shoulders and thighs pressed together, and Don welcomed the affection with no intention of moving away. The intensity of Raph's passion for him and the ease with which he seemed to return those feelings was becoming easier to accept with each passing second, though he knew there were still mysteries in the depths they were treading that he would need to think about for a while to fully understand. But even that was reasonably straightforward, in its own way.
Only Leonardo remained an enigma. He seemed to be a completely different person now. As Don chewed on his food, he thought about what the prince of air had said and dozens of questions popped into his mind, but one in particular leapt out at him, pressing to be addressed.
"You said you weren't yourself yesterday." Don began, waiting as Leonardo nodded in acknowledgment. "What did you mean by that?"
Guilt shadowed Leo's face as he answered. "My words were my own, I'll own up to that, but the influence that twisted their meaning came from an outside force. It's… difficult to explain."
He took a moment, pursing his lips as he considered his next words. "None of us are sure exactly how it works. We've been trying to figure it out for years, but it hasn't been easy because… I can't seem to replicate it."
"Not like you've really tried, Leo." Raph said, almost under his breath.
Leonardo barely spared him a glance. "It's not exactly a skill I wish to emulate, Raphael."
"Alright, I'm lost. What skill?" Don asked.
"All we know is that somehow my father has the ability to…" Leo stopped and shook his head. "I'm not even sure what to call it."
"Mind control…" Mikey whispered ominously.
Don jerked around to stare at the earth prince, sure he had incorrectly heard, but Leo quickly shook his head, bringing Don's attention back to him.
"No, that's not… it's far more subtle than that. There's no direct control of your body or your actions. He just… whispers… his breath slithering into your thoughts. The topic of conversation never seems to matter, if he needs something from you then all it takes is a moment for him to capitalize on a doubt or fear and suddenly, you're behaving in a way that you truly believe was your idea to begin with."
Donatello sat back, taking a moment to think. This strange ability that Leonardo was describing was beginning to sound uncomfortably familiar. In fact, he was sure he knew exactly what it was. Not the specific power the emperor seemed to have, but the phenomenon from which it most likely manifested. A phenomenon that he himself seemed to also benefit from.
"Okay so, you're saying your father can use your element… to influence a person's actions?" Don began slowly.
"Essentially, yes."
"And he used this power to exploit your fears of me… to force a confrontation?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Why?" Donatello asked, utterly confused. He knew the emperor was a deeply unpleasant man, but would he actively encourage his own son to violence against another element? What would be the goal?
"I spent a long time lying awake last night trying to think of an answer to that question myself." Leonardo looked defeated, almost sad. "It's true that he's really never had anything nice to say about your family, but I don't think any of us expected him to try something like this."
That admission sounded sinister, but Don decided to push it to the side to be addressed later. He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, looking directly at Leonardo.
"Just so we're clear, this is something that's linked to your element but unique to him? An ability that you're not capable of manifesting yourself?"
"As far as I'm aware."
Don frowned as his suspicions were verified. "That's… worrying."
"I agree." Leo answered with a tilt of his head.
This sounded very familiar indeed. There was an ancient tome in his library back home, so dusty the pages almost crumbled when he tried to turn them, that chronicled his ancestors and their mastery of the element of water. He'd read the book dozens of times, and the more he read it the more he had become aware of the pattern Leonardo was now inadvertently corroborating.
These were pieces of a puzzle he'd been years trying to solve and suddenly his mind was racing trying to put it all together. He stood to pace a little, hoping the movement would help organize his thoughts, though he immediately regretted the cold loss of Raphael's warmth against his side.
"I mean, not only because of the implications of the harm he can cause with this power, but…" Something occurred to him then that cut through the thread of his thoughts and brought a quick stop to his pacing. He turned back to Leonardo in confusion. "No, this doesn't make any sense. Why would he take the risk of using you to try and manipulate me? We're forbidden from using our magic against each other, especially within our own families. If the elemental spirits catch on to what he's done, they will strip him of his power and exile him."
"He's excessively cautious." Leonardo explained. "Also, like I said, the effects of this power are so subtle, it's possible the spirits aren't even aware he can do it. He's only used this ability on me a handful of times, and I believe only in situations where he thinks he has no other choice."
"Also, Splinter almost never lets ya' outta his sight." Raph added.
Leo nodded in agreement. "Splinter has been studying our magic for most of his life and through trial and error he eventually discovered how to block our powers in a way that we can't detect. My father has no idea what Splinter is capable of, and my master has used that anonymity to help me resist his influence."
"Yes… I remember." Don offered with an apologetic smile. "He told me that he was blocking our magic to keep you from feeling my presence that day."
Leonardo's smirk was barely a twitch on his lips but the amusement in his eyes was obvious as he nodded. "He liked you. I don't think he would have bothered if he didn't."
Somehow the knowledge that Leonardo's mentor approved of him, even though they'd only met for a moment, was immensely reassuring. But Don was even more curious about this counteracting ability that Splinter had developed. It highlighted another connection that he hadn't yet considered.
"How long has Splinter been able to do this?"
Leonardo thought for a moment before answering. "I believe he perfected the skill when my father was a boy. He's been an advisor to my family since my grandfather was king."
"What are you thinking, Donnie?" Michelangelo asked. "You look like you just figured something out."
"Maybe…" Don stopped to consider the step he was about to take. Voicing his thoughts now would reveal everything. But then again, there was never going to be an outcome here where that didn't happen anyway. His fate was sealed the moment they all stepped foot inside this forest.
"I've done a lot of research into the nature of our magic and the motivations of the elemental spirits. There's only so much I've been able to learn, given I only have access to my library in Varuna and it's understandably a bit biased toward my own element. But in my readings, I've noticed a pattern, well, what I think is a pattern anyway…"
"What kind of pattern?" Leonardo asked.
"It's really just a theory. I would need more information regarding the ancestry of your families to properly connect the dots, but I think, within each new generation one of the four is given an ability unique not only to their element but also to the individual. Something that no king in our known history has been able to do before or since."
"Only one of the four?" Raph asked, his brow scrunched in a thoughtful frown.
"That seems to be what the texts suggest. For example, in Varuna we have a lighthouse perched on the cliffs at the mouth of our bay. It's built from a material unlike anything you've ever seen before, as strong as stone but as clear as ice. The story is that one of my ancestors could shape the water into any solid form he wished and that he constructed the lighthouse from rain he pulled from the clouds to stand against the storms that pummel our shoreline. I know that sounds fantastical, but we have swords and vases and furniture scattered all over my castle made from the same strange, clear material. I'll admit I always just thought it was some kind of crystal, but I've also suspected…"
"You know…" Mikey said, shaking a finger in thought. "My great, great, grandfather could make plants grow out of almost anything. Clay, sand, pieces of wood… rocks. We have boulders in the gardens that have elderberry bushes growing from right out of the stone. We always thought he was just really good at gardening, but what if Donnie's right? What if he wasn't just stuffing seeds into cracks and hoping for the best?"
"It does sound plausible." Leonardo mused. "And depending on the nature of the abilities given, our ancestors may not have always been willing to talk about them."
"Some of them may not have even realized what they could do was unique to them." Don added.
"I mean, that sounds like it might explain what's goin' on with Leo's father," Raph said. "But if you're right, and it really is only one in a generation, then why don't ya' just go ahead and tell us what it is you can do, Don." He stared pointedly at the prince of water, before gesturing to Leo and Mikey. "Because I know we don't have any special power, or whatever it is ya' wanna call it."
Donatello didn't answer right away, unnerved but also impressed by how quickly Raphael was able to figure him out. He'd discovered how to form the windows in the water when he was just a small boy, but he'd spent so many years keeping it a secret from almost everyone in his life that he couldn't answer right away. His mouth simply wouldn't form the words.
But now that they were all looking at him with eager anticipation, he was surprised to realize that the fear he usually felt at the idea of revealing his gift wasn't there anymore. He wanted to tell them, and somehow, he knew that the knowledge would be safe with them.
Still, he was nervous as he acknowledged Raphael's guess with a resolute nod. "Before I tell you that, there's one more thing I need you to understand first." He paused for just a second to gather his thoughts before continuing. "Leonardo, you asked me why my father closed Varuna's borders. I wasn't lying when I said I don't know. He never gave an explanation for his actions, and the truth is, I can't ask him about it now… I wouldn't receive a response."
"You speak of him as if he were…" Leonardo squinted and stood to address the prince of water directly. "Donatello, is Archus dead?"
Don sighed, a forgiving and patient sound. "He is not. Though sometimes I wonder if that would be a mercy."
"What happened to him?" Michelangelo asked in a small voice.
Don took a few steps away from where they all sat, toward the river. The sun was warm on his face, its light a rainbow of color on the water and from there he drew the strength he needed to be able to tell them everything.
"No one knows for certain. Twenty-five years ago our fathers were in these same woods, and something happened here that I have no answer for. My father was injured, he almost died, and he has no memory of that day."
"The day of his disqualification." Leonardo stated.
Don grimaced at hearing the word. "It's not as simple as that. When they found him, he was near death. He was rushed home; I'm assuming to hide the true nature of his injuries until the full extent of them could be known."
"Why would they do that though?" Mikey asked in confusion. "If he was so badly hurt, the monks would have helped, and the temple is closer than Varuna, by far."
"I have no idea. From the bits of information I've been able to piece together, my father was unconscious for some time after the accident, and when he finally woke, he was… different."
"How so?" Raph asked, curiosity laced with worry in his voice.
Don closed his eyes for a moment. This was it. No more secrets.
"He's… lost… inside his own mind. When he speaks, his words are riddles. He's not fully aware of his surroundings and is easily confused. When I was young it was only an occasional forgotten word or a small lapse in judgement. But as time has gone on… it's become much worse."
He said each word slowly, careful to contain the emotion bubbling up inside him. The most important thing he wanted them to know was that Archus was more complex than his actions implied. He wanted to help them understand just how unknowable the motivations behind his choices were.
"At first the changes in him weren't that drastic, though he was obviously not the same as he had been before, but he was still completing the duties expected of him as king. I believe the turning point was when my grandfather and mother died. He was alone then, everyone he had loved was gone, and I was just a boy. The reality of that twisted something in him that has never healed."
Donatello dared a glance at the others. The shock on their faces was clear, expected even. It seemed obvious that, during all their years of speculation and rumor, the scenarios they had imagined must not have come anywhere close to the truth. He could understand that. Sometimes, he had trouble believing it himself.
"In the years following the plague it started to become clear that my father was losing the capacity to rule with any real authority. His orders became more and more disjointed, his behavior manic and impulsive. He forced our men into exhaustion with training, day and night, all while ranting about threats he couldn't, or wouldn't, identify. He rationed supplies of food and medicines to the point where my people were practically starving. Eventually the truth could no longer be ignored, he was paranoid and irrational and unpredictable... and my people were suffering at his hands."
"Why didn't the priesthood reach out for help?" Leonardo asked. "Surely they could have found a way to contact the rest of us."
Don simply shook his head. "Perhaps by the time they were willing to acknowledge what was happening, too much time had passed, and the problem had become too big. Maybe they just wanted to protect him, protect my family, preserve his dignity? Can you blame them for not wanting the entire continent to see what he had become?"
"I suppose."
Don waited a moment, but when Leonardo didn't add anything further, he continued. "When I was fifteen the priests called me into a meeting with my nobility. Something had to be done before my father destroyed everything. It wasn't his fault. The accident had done something to him. But, what else could we do? We had no other choice. They swore fealty to me in secret, and I accepted the responsibilities of the king. It wasn't difficult, I'd already taken on most of the day-to-day royal duties. My father had little to protest because by that point… he was too far gone to even notice. We gently redirected his energies into calmer pursuits. He spends most of his time gardening now."
"And Varuna?" Raphael quietly asked.
"Better." Don answered with confidence. "Much better."
"Wait, I'm confused." Michelangelo cut in. "They just… up and made you king one day? Can they do that?"
"It's unorthodox, I know, but I am king in every way that counts. The monks may not have placed a crown on my head, but I didn't need one to step in and do the right thing for my kingdom."
Maybe that was a harsh response, but Don didn't stop to let himself feel bad about it. He barely took a breath as he turned to address Leonardo.
"Last night I told you that I have my own questions. That's why I'm here. To find the truth of that day and bring closure to my family. The trials mean nothing to me. I will complete them, as is my duty, but my only goal is to discover what happened to my father."
"How do ya' expect to find those kinda answers out here though?" Raph sounded skeptical but curious. "If anyone knows anything, it would be our fathers, but they ain't talkin'."
Taking a deep breath, Don moved into an empty space on the bank of the river, kicking a pinecone out of his way. He'd said everything he needed to say, now he could only show them what that meant.
Facing the water he held out his hand, calling an orb to rest above his palm. With an ease formed from years of practice, he stretched and spread the liquid between his hands until it was a large flat panel. Locking his wrists, he held the window steady in front of him as he began to turn in a slow circle.
It only took a moment for the other three to realize that Donatello was staring intently through his creation, like he was looking for something. With a quizzical glance at each other they all moved closer to see what he was doing and after only a quarter turn of a full circle Don jerked to stop, relief passing over his face as the water he held began to ripple gently.
Mikey had moved around and was looking over his shoulder with interest. Don could see his face at the edge of his vision, eyes widening with a gasp as figures began to form in the window. They were clear, like the liquid itself, but distinct enough to make out features and textures.
With sudden recognition Mikey rushed forward, leaning into Don's carapace for a better look. "Hold on, is that my father?! He looks so young!"
Donatello shushed him with a firm hiss through his teeth and Mikey quieted. But there was no mistaking it. Theonis, twenty-five years younger, with a mischievous gleam in his eye, was crouched on the watery bank directly in front of where Donatello stood.
He was peering over the shoulder of another turtle sat on the ground between his knees. Ruggedly handsome, there was no doubt it was Raphael's father, Kaimon. The then prince of fire was focused on a thick piece of jointed wood and leather that he was carefully fastening together with another stretchy length of cloth.
Leo and Raph quickly joined Mikey behind Donatello and stood frozen, watching with open mouthed awe as the scene began to play out and familiar voices gurgled toward them from within the softly wavering panel.
~*~.~*~
"What're you doing?" Theonis asked, watching his companions' profile.
"Plotting my escape." Kaimon answered with a concentrated frown.
"Oh, okay. Do you… plan on fighting your way outta here with that little stick?"
"This is a sling… thank you very much, and you never know, stranger things have happened."
"Well, stranger things do tend to happen when you're around, so I guess you're right about that." Theonis teased.
Ignoring the quip, Kaimon kept his concentration on his work. "Have a little faith… I can use this to hunt small game, then maybe we can have some real meat every once in a while. If we let Archie have his way, we'll be eating 'fish tartare' every single night."
Theonis was quiet for a long moment, watching Kaimon's fingers deftly twist and tie the cloth. Eventually he glanced side eyed at his friend with an impish twist to his lips.
"I mean… we could do worse than Archie's cooking. I don't think any of us will survive this if we have to suffer yours…"
"Hey! I can cook!" Kaimon exclaimed in offense.
"Yeah… I hate to break it to you, Kai, but 'burnt' isn't a flavor."
The taunt was good natured and Theonis tempered it by moving his hands up to squeeze Kaimon's shoulders, but the prince of fire still looked miffed.
"There's no use being a kiss ass if he's not around to hear you. Are you trying to catch him off guard with a compliment in the hope that he'll… tch… never mind, go ahead, sleep in his tent every night if that's what you…"
"Ah!" Theonis yelped, quickly covering Kaimon's mouth with a finger to stop him from talking. "Hush. You're my favorite, you know that."
Kaimon didn't answer that quiet statement, but the small smile that twisted up the corners of his lips said what he was thinking without words.
Still, the silence seemed to worry Theonis. He stared hard at the side of Kaimon's face with an unsure frown. When he finally leaned in, his lips grazing Kaimon's ear, his whisper was as soft as the look on his face.
"You know that… right?"
"Yep." Kaimon shortly replied, not taking his eyes off his work. His voice sounded almost indifferent, but the smile remained, and he leaned back, trusting Theonis to hold him up, reassurance in the gesture.
Smirking indulgently, Theonis welcomed the weight, holding him tightly and resting his chin on Kaimon's shoulder. "Alright then."
They were quiet for a moment more. Kaimon continued to work on the sling and Theonis continued trying to distract him by peppering light kisses from his jaw down to his shoulder and back again.
Kaimon didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
"You know, there are tents right over there if you two need to be alone."
The voice preceded another figure, moving up behind the two on the ground. Archus, young and whole, was wiping his hands on a small bit of cloth, smiling down at the others with a knowing chuckle.
"Are you gonna join us?" Theonis purposed suggestively, waggling his eyes ridges up at Archus.
"Don't tease him Theo. You know Archie is happily married." Kaimon said with a serious tone, but the twisting smirk on his lips gave away his amusement.
"So am I! What has that got to do with anything?" Theonis gripped Kaimon's shoulder tightly to keep his balance as he dramatically placed an offended hand on his plastron. "Archie, you're married, not dead. Besides, life is way too short to limit your options like that."
"Alright, that's enough…" Archus groaned with an embarrassed smile. "Breakfast is ready. Where's Apelles?"
Theonis shrugged, gesturing vaguely toward the trees. "Off somewhere being aloof and alone. As per usual."
"Well, can you go see if you can find him so we can eat?"
Theonis whimpered, burying his face in the crook of Kaimon's neck. "Do I have to?"
"Please don't make me ask you again…" Archus chided, exasperated by the muffled response.
Suddenly Theonis sprang to his feet, leaving Kaimon to tumble back onto his shell. He dashed at Archus, sliding up close against him until their noses were almost touching with a wanton look on his face. "Is the emperor's son giving me an order?"
"Theo…" Archus gasped in exasperation.
"Mmm… keep saying my name like that and I'll do anything you ask."
"Oh, knock it off…" Archus mumbled indulgently, rolling his eyes with a sideways smile.
The prince of water may have been acting standoffish, but he accepted the enthusiastic kiss Theonis planted on his lips without complaint before lightly pushing the prince of earth back to get him moving.
Theonis whooped in triumph as he ran off, Kaimon's hearty laugh filling the campsite as Archus shook his head and turned to walk back toward the fire.
~*~.~*~
The voices of their fathers drifted into nothingness as the image faded. Donatello's shoulders were shaking slightly, not from the effort of holding the window up, but from the emotions crashing through him.
He had never seen his father so healthy and full of life. Archus was handsome and confident, and Don could see so much of himself in his father's face. It was almost too much to believe.
He stared blankly into the empty window of water for a long moment, holding his breath until he started to feel lightheaded, only taking a small gasp of air when he let the water drop to splash at their feet.
The other three had moved so close to Don while they watched that they were practically hanging on his carapace. He could feel their breath on his shoulders.
"What was that?" Leonardo finally whispered.
Slowly Don turned and took a step back, stopping almost in the same spot where his father had been only a heartbeat before. "I call them echoes. They show me moments in time."
"You sayin' that was real?" Raph said skeptically. "That really happened... right here?"
Mikey looked down at the water slowly soaking into the ground and then back up to Don, excitement lighting his face. "Do it again!"
"I can't." Don said apologetically. "My control over this power is limited at best. The water decides what it will let me see and I've never been shown more than one echo in any given place."
"You can use your magic to see into the past?" Leonardo asked.
Don shrugged. "To an extent. I can't choose a specific moment or person. All I can do is form the window and hope for the best. We could have been shown an echo from any point in our history, or nothing at all. It's actually quite common for me to see nothing. The water can be… fickle."
"And you plan to use this ability to find out what happened to your father." Leo stated.
"In every place we stop along our way. I only hope the water will choose to show me what I'm looking for."
"And if it doesn't?" Leo's voice was sympathetic and free of accusation.
"Then it doesn't." Don said, shaking his head. "But this is my only chance."
Leonardo let out a breath and looked at the others, seeing his own curiosity mirrored on their faces. "Well, this is… a lot more than I was expecting."
Donatello could only agree. So much had been discussed and revealed in such a short amount of time, he wasn't sure if he had the energy for anything else, but he dug deep and found just a little bit more for the one last thing he needed them to know.
"My entire life I've only shown one other person what I can do. She has always been my closest friend and together we decided that until the time was right, it would be better if I didn't reveal this power to anyone else. So, I never have. Not even my mother knew I could do this."
Don's voice was quiet during that last statement. His nose twitched as he quickly continued. "This is my olive branch. I'm not here to sabotage you or harm you, I need your help and I want… I want to know what I've been missing."
He looked at them, his face an open book, begging with his eyes for their acceptance. A lifetime of separation and longing radiating from him in waves.
Mikey made a small noise in the back of his throat, his eyes shining with tears. He quickly closed the short distance between them, wrapping his arms around Don's neck and squeezing him tight.
"I'm sorry you went through all of that all on your own." He said thickly against the side of Don's head. "But you have us now. We've missed you so much."
They held each other without moving for a long moment before Don was able to release the tension in his muscles, relief flooding through him as he gripped the edges of Mikey's carapace and pulled him closer.
A second later he sensed Raphael moving close, reaching to cup Don's cheek, letting his thumb rub gentle lines across his skin.
"Yeah, don't worry." Raph said gruffly. "We'll help ya' get this figured out."
Donatello sniffed a muffled 'thank you' into Raph's palm and closed his eyes, leaning into the touch, desperate to feel his heat again.
This was a dream that finally came true. They were together and now nothing could stand in their way.
Only one thing was still missing and a short moment later he finally felt the comforting weight of Leonardo's hand coming to rest at the top edge of his shell.
At last, their connection was complete, and it was like a bolt of lightning struck them all at once. A sudden rush of power charged across their skin, instantly jolting through their veins. All four of them tensed, sucking air in through their teeth, clutching each other tighter as the power surged unlike anything they had ever felt before.
Their magic sang with joy, pulsing through them, sparking where they touched, physically completing the bond between them for the first time in their lives. They all shivered in unison, pulling in closer, arms circling shells and necks, heads tucking in to press together, forehead against forehead, the scents of smoke and honey and orange blossom and juniper filling their senses to bursting.
The earth rumbled beneath their feet, gently rolling in a spiral circling where they stood, causing sand and small rocks to bounce off their toes. The air swirled around them, twisting up their mask tails, the fabric sliding over and under, purple and orange and red and blue. At the edges of their vision, they could see dots of light riding the currents of air, tiny balls of flame from the fire behind them, flickering at their shoulders, joined in the air by orbs of water that glittered with an iridescent shine from the sun in the sky.
All four elements danced around their bodies, buzzing with the energy of life and love erupting from them in waves so powerful it shook the leaves from the trees surrounding their small clearing.
Jittery from the magic coursing through him, Don felt like he was going to explode and thought that he would welcome it. Because even if they all died in that very second, it would happen with them finally together, where they should have been all along.
He leaned back just enough to look into Mikey's eyes, a smile wide with wonder stretching across his face.
The prince of earth bit his lip and started to laugh, and that was the sound that finally released the pressure. They clung to each other as the magic began to fade, trying to hold on to the feeling as it quieted inside them.
For long minutes they stood there, laughing, touching, too stunned to speak. Don could see how Mikey shined with joy and how Leo swelled with hope and how Raph's eyes lingered.
All the best parts of a new beginning for all of them.
Eventually Leo pulled away, tugging Don around to face him. "I am so sorry for the things I said to you." He began, capturing and holding Don's eyes with a heavy seriousness that quieted them all. "You know what kind of man my father is. If he is responsible for what happened here, then I swear to you I will not rest until he pays for it."
Donatello went very still before shaking his head with a grateful smile. "I'm not accusing anyone of anything, not until I have reason to. The truths we might discover here will affect all of us, and we'll decide what we do with that information together."
With a bemused smile, Leo nodded. "Master Splinter told me right away just how amazing you are. Quick and clever and determined. He sensed all those traits in you, and he insisted I needed to remember that before I came here. I'm ashamed to say, that even without his powers of influence, sometimes my father's voice is louder in my head than my master's is."
Don felt a rush of gratitude flow through him at those words, but he faltered on how to respond to such a confession, unused to receiving so much praise. So, he simply took Leo's hand and squeezed it, hoping the gesture would be enough to convey everything he was feeling without words.
Michelangelo squeaked, a quick excited sound, and leapt forward, knocking them both back a few steps as he threw his arms around Leonardo's neck. The prince of air laughed and held him so they wouldn't fall over as Mikey stared deeply into his eyes.
"Not a trace left." The earth prince said with satisfied relief.
Leo smiled softly, replying in a quiet voice meant just for the two of them. "Only because of you."
"Hmm… I know." Mikey teased against Leo's lips, pulling him into a deep kiss that Leo returned with enthusiasm.
Warm happiness filled Don from head to foot. There was no embarrassment or fear over intruding on their moment. Leonardo was right, they were four pieces of one whole and there was a comfort in knowing that all their moments would be shared from here on out.
He was so caught up in watching them that he startled a bit when Raph's fingers lightly began tracing the lines on his shell.
The prince of fire smirked when Don turned to face him. "I'm sure glad you're finally here. Always feel like a third wheel whenever those two get like that."
Don laughed, any response he might have given dying in his throat as their eyes met.
Raphael's penetrating gaze was almost impossible to resist, he looked like he wanted to do something, but the heated moment in the woods earlier had passed and now he fidgeted, unsure as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
A nervous energy pulled at them, the tether straining again, and Don knew it wasn't going to put up with this back and forth much longer. Anticipation fluttered in his stomach imagining what it was going to be like when that moment finally came.
Given another few seconds they probably would have found out, but for now the elements had other ideas.
"Oof!" Donatello lurched forward, only just catching himself from toppling over, shifting his stance to hold the heavy weight of Michelangelo clinging to his shell.
"This is the best day EVER!" The prince of earth shouted a little too close to Don's ear. "So, what do we do now Leo?"
Leo gave him a humored look. "Now, we need to pack up and get moving if we have any hope of reaching the second campsite before sundown. We should have been on the trail over an hour ago."
He wasn't wrong. The reality was they were in these woods for a reason. The trials wouldn't wait for them to spend the rest of the day huddled around the campfire getting to know one another, as much as Donatello wished they could.
They had to press on and face each challenge thrown at them. At least now they would be able to move forward as the team they were always meant to be.
~*~.~*~ tmnt ~*~.~*~
