Well, I just feel awful. The longest break between updates of my short-lived fanfiction career. This writer's block is my imminent destruction. Now that I'm back from my school's Winter Break, I should have more time for updating…The planning has pretty much come to a dead halt, though. It's annoying me. You'll want to read the recently edited first chapter to keep up with where I plan for things to go.
Disclaimer: Mine? No. Now? Nope.
He watched small tendrils of steam unfurl themselves and hover in the air above his tea with an opaque gaze, hands folded neatly on the kitchen table as he forced himself to remain outwardly calm throughout Donatello's narrative. The younger turtle was uncharacteristically lacking in his usual collectedness, fumbling for words and tripping his way through simple sentences. His voice was strained and hoarse, worn down from days of travel and a lingering sense of disbelief over the current situation. Taking in the tale and considering all that it implied with a thoughtful frown, Leonardo let loose a soft sigh. It passed through the small shimmering cloud above his cup, otherwise allowing no signs that it had ever existed.
When he'd pictured his brothers coming to visit, this wasn't what he'd imagined. After nearly three years since the last time he'd seen the genius, he'd hoped that the circumstances would be lighter, that they wouldn't be accompanied by a suspected sense of obligation or an emergency situation. Was it so selfish to hope for a pleasant experience once in a while? Leo mentally shook his head, opting to view the silver lining for a change: his brother was still here, and rather than attempting to deal with the situation on his own, he had come to his former leader for help. There was some good to be found there, he ultimately decided.
He pushed himself away from the battered kitchen table as Donnie's voice broke off into a brief cough, eventually leaving them with nothing but the sounds of the rain above and the sputtering of a coffee-maker on its last legs. The eldest withdrew a chipped mug from the familiar cabinet, casually tossing it in his brother's direction and ignoring the flickering of a dim naked bulb as the subway ran overhead. Donatello caught it mostly on instinct, reaching over and snagging the pot of caffeinated gold from its docking place, eye ridges raising as a cardboard box of leftover takeout and a plastic fork were set before him.
Leo caught the questioning gaze with something of a shrug and a smirk, returning to his own seat with practiced calm and gesturing for his younger brother to eat. Once upon a time, he would have abhorred the level of takeout consumption he'd been reduced to, and he knew it. But he'd discovered not long after the departure of Mikey that preparing edible food was more of a gift than an acquired skill, and after nearly a year of living on sandwiches and instant noodles he'd gained a new appreciation for the industry. Besides, if his brother drank that coffee on an empty stomach he'd end up with an ulcer.
After a few minutes of silence, he sighed again, this time perfectly aware that it was audible and recognizable for what it was. Brown eyes met his own head-on for a moment before shying away, and the tale picked up again, more hesitant than ever. By the time it was finished, all of Leonardo's pretenses of casualness had vanished, replaced with vigilant urgency that hadn't been required in ages. Drawing to an end, Donnie pulled out the disturbing Polaroid and dropped it onto the rough wooden surface in front of him. Leo swallowed and reached for it, ignoring the voice in his head that was screaming for him to do otherwise, that it couldn't be possible. But there it was: the symbol that had always haunted the most miserable and terrifying moments in their lives, clearly not as far in the past as he'd believed it to be stuck. The turtles locked eyes again, one gaze steely and urgent, the other cautiously kept subdued.
"She's…really gone, then," the eldest murmured softly, almost speaking to himself before snapping back into the present. He fought with himself to keep his voice from trembling, to keep his eyes dry as he considered the sight that must have lain beneath the contents of the photograph. "Did you call the police?" The genius gave a small nod in response, eyes bloodshot and looking more haggard than ever.
"They were- they were on the way when I left. I wanted to stay, to make sure everything was…taken care of…But I couldn't even do that. They wouldn't have let me- I'm not- not a relative," he finished quietly, eyes beginning to sting with tears.
The words 'not human' went without saying, dangling in the air before them like any other unresolved issue in their lives. It lingered like cigarette smoke, practically visible in the fluorescent lighting. Leo dismissed the strange urge to wave a hand around in front of his face in an attempt to push it away. Even if it had been tangible, it wouldn't have been dissipated by a mere waving of hands. He cast his eyes upon the Polaroid again, tugging it towards him with the tips of his fingers.
"This doesn't make any sense, Don. The Foot Clan…I thought they disbanded when we destroyed the Shredder. In all this time…they've never resurfaced. Why would they do this now?" The purple-banded brother shook his head.
"I don't think they were acting on their own. I think they were hired. This…with April- it was completely outside of their usual style. They've always been about getting in, doing their job and getting out. But this-"
"They took their time. Instead of hiding their presence, they flaunted it. It was almost like they wanted someone to know…" Leo trailed off, closing his eyes in the face of realization. "It was a trap for us," he sighed tiredly.
"And April became the bait," his brother tacked on, voice thin. Eyes flickered upwards again desperately, the very picture of grief combined with rage, a sight that hadn't been seen in a long time. "Leo, we can't just let them get away with this. They'll find other contacts. They'll-they'll track down Casey or Angel, anyone that might have been associated with us at some point."
"We won't let that happen. I promise."
"How?"
"The same way we used to deal with threats. Finding the source and meeting them head-on. If they want us, they'll get us." Donatello's hand gripped his mug more firmly as he nodded in agreement. "All of us," the elder brother added firmly, gazing at the table surface and not quite seeing it.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have dropped in under better circumstances. This isn't-"
"Don't be ridiculous, Donnie. You're still my brother, and April-" a momentary pause- "It's our fault she got involved with the Foot in the first place. Taking care of this is our responsibility." They exchanged half-smiles in a simultaneous effort to be reassuring.
"Then what's the plan, Fearless leader?" Leonardo hardened his resolve, leaning forward in his seat determinedly.
"First things first: we find our brothers. There's some news that they would want to hear."
Any opinions? I'm not quite feeling this chapter, myself. In fact, I'll need to find myself a beta-reader for this fic to help me keep it in character. Comments, criticism, I welcome all. Thanks for reading!