Title: Knitting
Challenge: TMNT-Event-Blog's "Peppermint Lane" Bingo Care (Raphael)
Prompt: Knitting
Fandom: TMNT 2003
Word Count: 1605
Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl
Rating: K/G
Characters: Raphael, April O'Neil, Casey Jones, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Master Splinter
Warning: NA
Summary: Christmas Day is almost here, and Raph is trying very hard to complete his gifts. Hopefully, they'll be well received.
Notes:

Knitting

A while back, Master Splinter had taught Raphael how to knit as a way of helping him with his anger. Raph had thought it was kind of a stupid idea, but he'd been willing to try. He'd let his anger get the better of him too many times and he was willing to try anything to keep it from getting out of control.

He'd been surprised to find that it actually helped. Something about the repetitive motion and knowing that he had to be careful with his movements had actually been calming. Unlike the physical activity that he had tried before, the concentration that was needed to do something so precise allowed the anger to be pushed to the back of his mind, where his brain unconsciously dealt with it. A lot of it just dissipated and allowed him to think through the incidents that made him angry instead of simmering in them. He began to understand why Don would go work on his projects, or Mikey would cook or draw, or even why Leo would turn to running through katas with absolute precision when they were upset. Something about having to concentrate on something that precisely helped.

And so, the knitting had turned into a habit.

His first pieces weren't very good. They were lumpy and knotted, with mistakes in them. A lot of those were from where he had moved too fast or let his anger take over. But over time his skill had improved, his anger had smoothed out, and his workmanship had improved. And while he wasn't necessarily fast with it, he had created some good pieces.

But what he was doing now? It wasn't something he was making because he was angry. No, he hadn't wanted to work on this in anger at all. What he was making now he wanted to be from him and not a product of his anger. So, he sat in his room, or in the garage, or any place, really, that seemed like a good place to go, and worked on his projects. It took a lot of time, but it was paying off, as he was almost finished with the last one. He just had a little more to go on it, and he was determined to finish it up tonight. After all, if he didn't, it wouldn't be ready in time, not with Christmas being tomorrow.

So, Raph sat in silence, hidden up in some of the upper pipework, and knitted, working in a soothing rhythm, for the next couple of hours. Finally, when he was finished and was satisfied with his work, he finished off, grabbed everything, and made his way to his room, where he wrapped the present and put it under the tree for the next morning.

Christmas came early the next morning, with Mikey enthusiastically announcing it to the lair. Raph groaned and rolled over in his hammock. He wanted to complain about Mikey waking everyone up like this, but truthfully, he knew that if Mikey didn't, he'd miss it.

"Raph! Raph! Raphie! Wake up!" Mikey was suddenly in his room, shaking him like he was twelve instead of twenty-one. "It's Christmas!"

Raph reached back and swiped at Mikey. "As if I didn't already know," he growled out.

Mikey gave him one last shake. "Christmas, Raphie, come on!"

He heard Mikey run out of his room, heading to make sure their other brothers were up, and Raph let out a sigh and rolled out of bed. He wasn't sure why Mikey was so insistent on getting up early. They wouldn't be opening presents until later, when Casey and April could get there. It was going to take them a little bit, too. Mornings and April weren't agreeing lately, so they'd get to the lair when they got to it.

Still, it was nice to be with his family. They all ended up in the kitchen, where they worked together to cook breakfast. They ate it, in relatively good moods, and cleaned up together. Splinter had them go over the lair to make sure it was clean and ready whenever April and Casey made it. They spent some time just goofing around, playing video games, teasing each other, watching TV. Eventually, Splinter called them all back to the kitchen to work on preparing lunch. By the time they heard the door open and Casey and April announce themselves, most of lunch was prepped or in the oven so it would be ready to eat not long after they opened presents.

"We're here!" Casey called out, and Mikey scampered from the kitchen in a hurry, rushing to April's side, as he usually did. The rest of them followed a bit more slowly.

Casey was already at April's side, helping her down the stairs. Mikey took up the other side, grinning happily. April was six months pregnant, able to do plenty on her own, but she had long ago given up protesting the extra help, not with all of them being over-protective.

"Merry Christmas, guys," she greeted. "Sorry it took so long."

"Nonsense," Splinter said. "We are simply happy that you are here."

They made their way to the living room, Don and Leo having gone back to the sewer slider they'd lent the couple just for this, to get the presents. Once those were there and everyone was ready, the opening of presents began.

Most of the presents were things that were wanted or that were useful. Don got some new beakers, and a set of sci-fi books he'd been eyeing. Leo had a beautifully illustrated vintage copy of The Hobbit and some incense. Mikey was given an autograph from one of his favorite comic book artists and some new art supplies. Splinter was given candles and a brand new robe. April received the new book she had been wanting, and a heating pad for her back. Casey got a set of tools he'd needed replaced and a new hockey mask. Raph was given new yarn and needles and set of boxing gloves that had been altered for his hands. There were other items, as well, such as gifts of food, or smaller things, and Raph had given everyone something hand-knitted, such as gloves or a hat, or, in April's case, a sweater that she immediately pulled on.

And yet there was one present left.

"Who's that one for?" Mikey asked as he looked at the big box.

Leo was closest and he checked the tag. "It says… the baby."

"The baby?" April said, automatically laying a hand on her stomach. "But he's not even born yet."

"Doesn't appear to have mattered to someone," Don said, helping Leo to bring the box over to the soon-to-be parents.

"Open it! I wanna see what's inside!" Mikey said.

Everyone eagerly watched as the couple opened the box, while Raph shifted in place. He watched as they opened it up, and then paused in surprise. After a moment, April's face softened, and she looked up at him.

"Raph… you did this, didn't you?" she asked.

"Bro," Casey said, a bit of awe in his voice. "This is…"

"I just—I wanted to make sure that I had it done in time," Raph said. "And I know he ain't due for a few more months, but you're also getting the nursery ready, and what if he comes early? I just wanted you to go ahead and have it."

"What is it?" Mikey asked, trying to peer into the box. "What did he make?"

Carefully, April began pulling out the pieces that Raph had knitted, using only the softest of yarns that he could find. A pale blue baby blanket with silver running through it. A navy blue bumper for the cradle, and another for the crib. Soft washcloths and towels in shades of blues, greens, browns, and tans. A shawl for April, that was big enough to wrap around her and the baby, and buttoned, so she could nurse if she needed to. Hats, mittens, booties, swaddles, and sleeping sacks in various colors and sizes. A half-dozen pacifier holders in different colors. A cover for the infant carrier, to keep the baby warm. And three soft toys, one of which rattled.

"Bro…" Mikey breathed out.

"You made all of that?" Leo asked.

"Raph, that's incredible," Don said.

"Well done, Raphael," Splinter said.

"They're so soft," Casey said. "And there's so much."

Raph shifted in place again, not sure what to do with the amazement of his family. "It was no big. I just looked up stuff that babies would need, you know? And I figured, well, I could make some of it. It just sort of… kept going, that's all."

April carefully set aside the items in her lap, and pushed herself up, heading over to Raph. She threw her arms around him, hugging him closely. "It's wonderful, Raph," she said. "They're beautiful and perfect, and so much better quality than anything I've seen. It's a wonderful gift. Thank you so much!"

Raph hugged her back, his nerves fading as he did. "It ain't nothing, April," he said. "Just what I could do to welcome him in."

April pulled back a little, smiling at him even though her eyes were moist. "It was the perfect gift, and I couldn't have dreamed of anything better."

"Merry Christmas, April," he said, and then moved his hands down to her stomach. "And Merry Christmas, little guy."

A gentle pressure rested on his hand, and April laughed.

"Merry Christmas, Raphael," she said, "From both of us."

Raph smiled. It really had turned out to be a good Christmas.