Merry Christmas! Hope you had a peaceful, filling, and joyful day! Hope it was nothing but laughter and love. On with the story!
"By unanimous decree of the Council, Baron Draxum is found guilty of crimes against the Yokai." The middle head stated while showing footage of Draxum to the two buff guardsmen who recently worked for him.
"Unlawful genetic manipulation. Unleashing dark mystic forces in an effort to destroy humanity, damaging the cloak of secrecy that has kept us safe for eons." The left head continued.
"Sounds like a terrible guy." The one with pink eyes whispered to his comrade.
"You worked for him." Middle head reminded them, this making them try to act inconscpicuous about it.
"Yes, and for that you should be dead." Brilliance walked forward, glaring daggers at the two, mist rising from out of her mouth baring her fangs to them while crossing her arms.
"But we will forgive you for assisting him, provided you bring him back to the Hidden City to answer for his crimes." Right head said, ending their judgment.
"I don't understand why you won't send me after him instead. You know as well as I that I am much more efficient in hunting him down." Brilliance protested.
"Yes, as one of our top agents your skills and power are most impressive." Middle head began.
"But because of your history with not only him but humans." Right head calmly stated.
"We will not guarantee his survival if you were to find him first nor the lengths you are willing to go and he needs to be alive to receive his punishment." Left Head added.
"He does not deserve to live after hunting down my entire clan but also what he did to that poor girl. This world would be better off without him in it!" Brilliance roared, her eyes glowing in rage.
"That is not for you to decide, Snegurochka-"
"-My name is Brilliance." She narrowed her eyes at the middle head.
"...Brilliance. There is a way this needs to be done in order for balance to be restored and it is not with more death."
"We. Have. Spoken." The heads said in unison the three bowing their heads before they parted separate ways.
"Wait, Sn-Brilliance, before you go..how is our potential guardian fairing?" Right Head questioned.
She stopped and turned to look at them, "Her scars are slowly healing and despite what she's been through there is a spark inside her ready to ignite but she's got a ways to go before she can realize her potential."
The sound of battle echoed in the air, Kara and Dragan sparing with one another inside Dragan's dimension using wooden, training swords. Dragan's expression was neutral throughout the whole spar watching Kara seem to be swinging her sword excessively. Her sword changed to a real one and blocked her attack her sword digging into the wooden one then yanked it to the side and kicked Kara in the stomach, sending her on her back, she letting go of the sword in the process. "Ye hae never trained wi a sword before, hae ya?" Dragan plucked the wooden sword from her own and dropped it while stabbing the sword into the ground at her side, leaning against it with a raised brow.
"How could you tell?" Kara retorted with a cough while sitting herself up, blinking at Dragan's out stretched hand, taking it, and being helped up. "My first 'official' weapon was a scythe that was destroyed by Shredder."
"Ah. That is why your swings are so wide an..uncoordinated." She watched Kara pick up the wooden sword and inspected the damage only to blink when it was renewed and gave it a downward swing. "Yeah? Well, I wasn't exactly trained in how to fight either. I'm sure you saw that as well."
Taking note of her dirtied, bruised body and how heavy she was breathing Dragan wondered when she'd want a break but was surprised to see her get back in her stance. "Ok, I'm ready."
Dragan nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself, her sword going back to a wooden one and charged.
Brilliance had returned looking not too pleased, which Leafe noticed when they crossed paths outside, she leaving for work. "How was your walk, Bri?"
"I ran into some..acquaintances..brought back unwanted memories." She crossed her arms while turning her head away but shook her head looking back to Leafe, "How is she doing?"
"Well, she's been at it since last night..I'm getting worried. Even if she's not receiving physical damage the stress could be-"
"-As long as she's not putting any strain on her back she should be ok. With everything she's dealt with this is probably a walk in the park."
"You think so?"
"I do. Now have a good day at work." Brilliance ushered her with a smile, Leafe smiling in return before rushing off so she wouldn't be late, giving her earrings a tap. She watched the youngling with a soft sigh before walking into the house, giving Kara one last glance.
When Kara had fell to the ground a third time Dragan let out a huff through her nose, "I think that's enough for now. You've done well in keepin' up wi ma normal training regimen but even I know when it's time tae rest." She sheathed her sword and walked up to Kara to help her up but froze slightly when she shakily stood to her feet., "N-No, I can keep going. This-This is nothing. I can-"
"Look, I wasn't in charge o' ma own squad for nothing. Trust me on this." She placed a firm grip on her shoulder giving it a light shake."Please."
Kara stared at her before letting out a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging, and nodded. "Ok, I will." She let go of the wooden sword, it disappearing, as she goes to leave the space.
"Oh, an for next time, don't think o' your sword as just a tool, it's also a part o' ya, an extension o' your arm. It's not only for striking but defending as well." Dragan confirmed this by swinging her sword not only side to side but slashing upwards and spun her sword to where it was pointing down and stabbed it into the ground. "You are learning fast, Kara, be confident in the skills ye are acquiring." Dragan gave her a smile before she left. Kara opened her eyes lowering her head in thought with a small smile on her face before getting up and heading into the house while swinging her arms the way Dragan was.
Entering her temporary home she was welcomed to a two bedroom, one bath, home with living room and kitchen. There was a medium sized TV on an entertainment center, a love seat and recliner with a lampstand in between the two and a small bookshelf in the corner of the room. The kitchen had a small table, seated 4, with chairs and was equipped with a toaster, blender, coffee maker, and of course a fridge.
Kara gave Brilliance a wave as she passed through the hallway heading straight for the bathroom to shower and relax. Standing under the hot water, she lifted her head with her eyes closed recalling the recent events. She looked down at her hands feeling more energized and light..maybe she could reunite with the guys and April sooner than she thought, but for now she just wanted to be lazy. Turning off the water after cleaning herself she wrapped a towel around herself and left for her room only to immediately drop on her bed with a groan forgetting the soreness her body would still feel after every training session.
Back at the lair Donnie was in a slum, more than usual. He couldn't get that scene out of his mind. No matter what inventions or tasks he did it all went back to Leo kissing Kara. He clenched his hand around the pencil and the more he thought about it, about how Leo always seems to one up him, always tries to prove he's better than him that his grip would tighten to the point it snapped in two. He stared down at his hand, dropping the pencil on to his desk and focused on the object instead. It wasn't til there was a loud ruckus in the kitchen that he decided to get up and see what it was about not paying any mind to Sheldon who was silently watching him with sad eyes.
He enters the kitchen to see dad making a roast and his 'famous' green bean casserole. He raised an unamused brow at this and noticed Leo off to the side just watching him cook. His brows furrow not wanting to be around him at the moment but knew he had the answers, "What's going on?" He asked while placing his hand to his hip and turning his attention to his dad.
"Mikey messaged dad earlier about having dinner with April, says we're meeting her parents finally, but knowing Mikey I'm sure it's just a ruse for something else. My guess is it has something to do with Draxum."
"Oh, please, the only way you could guess that is if he somehow was still in New York and Mikey just 'happened' to walk right up to him. I don't buy it." Donnie crossed his arms while rolling his eyes.
"Wanna bet?" Leo tilted his head towards Donnie with a smirk but blinked when he wouldn't look at him.
"Two bucks say it's meeting April's parents." Donnie betted holding up two fingers.
"OR that it has something to do with Draxum." Leo countered before they shook hands.
"Boys, go put your Sunday clothes on, the food is almost ready~" Splinter sang as he placed the casserole in the oven while he waddled happily away to get ready himself.
Above April's apartment April and Raph discovered Draxum to be April's upstairs neighbor and the destruction of her ceiling caused by Mikey jumping on a trampoline dressed as a dinosaur.
"Mikey, why are the heck are you helping Baron Draxum?" April asked having shoved away the was confused now happy Raph.
"Baron Draxum needs the help of no one!" He yelled, his body tensing up like a kittens.
"Oh really? When I found you were you or were you not living on the street?"
Flashback to Draxum huddled in a dirtied blanket on the cold, rainy sidewalk with a sign that says, 'Will mutate 4 food.'
"Maybe." Draxum muttered.
"Powerless because your soul got sucked out by the Dark Armor. Wanted for crimes in the Hidden City. And who set you up in style?!" Mikey stretched out his arms at his surroundings of the dirty, broken apartment.
"Uuugggh...Doctor positive.." Draxum groaned in defeat, Mikey sliding to his side while placing his arm around him, "That's right. Doctor Positive. The one who's gonna turn you from bad guy to glad guy? From sad heap to happy sheep? From devil to A-level, baby~"
"Mikey! What are you thinking?!" Raph shouted, pulling him out of his daydreaming, gripping him by the costume so they were face to face, "Draxum is the sworn enemy of the MadDogz!"
"But he's also the one who created us and that makes him family and once he feels like he's apart of our family his goodness will shine."
Draxum stood there hunched over wearing his messy robe with his cracked helmet and split ended, mangy mess of hair and expression to match, the scenery behind him changing from disgusting to majestic.
"This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever-" A knock at the door stopped Raph mid sentence and everyone's attention went to the door as it opened to reveal Splinter, Donnie, and Leo wearing color coordinated cardigans, formal undershirt with matching ties, pants, and dress shoes. "Happy house warming Mr. and Ms. O'Nei-" Splinter began to sputter upon seeing Draxum instead and went into a rabid rage, "What is this?! I thought we were finally meeting April's parents!" Splinter pointed accusingly.
"No, apparently we're helping Baron Draxum get his groove back." April slid to their side, arms crossed, clearly not liking the idea.
"Called it." Leo smiled, holding out his hand while Donnie begrudgling gave up the prize.
"Ohhh, no! I do NOT make my famous green bean casserole for my mortal enemy!" Splinter went to slam it on the ground but blinked when he no longer felt it in his hand, it now in Mikey's possession, "Woah. Woah, he's not our enemy anymore, he's family and once he gets those warm and fuzzy family feels it'll crack that icy shell and we'll be knee deep in sunshine." Mikey smiled brightly while giving them all a thumbs up but clearly everyone else wasn't liking the idea.
On the other side of the City two figures were heading towards the stadium one watching the news of the attack from the unknown creature. Slender fingers with painted nails paused and zoomed in when the turtles arrived, "If they were there then she must of been there too.."
"Madam, we've been searching the city for three days. You need a break."
"Not yet, Casey, she's still here. I feel it. We have to keep searching." Mrs. Sharper lifted her head while putting away her phone, her heels clicking faster as she quickened her pace. "I have to find my daughter."
Her bodyguard was able to match her speed while keeping his body composed, closing his green eyes behind his glasses, "Yes, ma'am."
Back at Draxum's place everyone was sat at a small table the only sound made was them chewing and the silverware cutting the food or gently scraping against the plates. It was very awkward and tense. It was clear everyone didn't want to be there, well ALMOST everyone.
"Isn't this nice? When's the last time we all got together like this, huh?" Mikey asked looking around at his family with glee on his face.
"Mmm the time Draxum dropped me off a building." Leo answered.
"No, actually, I think it was when he ambushed us at the botanical garden. No, wait, that wasn't him, he mutated Kara and had HER ambush us. Sorry, I was mistaken." Donnie glared darkly at Draxum, everyone's eyes, minus Mikey, narrowing as well.
"No, no, the baseball stadium. Dark armor, tried to destroy humanity." Raph added in.
"That's right. Goood times." Mikey grabbed Draxum, leaning into him only for Draxum to shove him away. He stared down at his meal at the mention of Kara's name, his hands clenching slightly. "Why isn't she here to rub in my mistakes? She's obviously a part of your group now after betraying me."
"As if we'd let you anywhere around her after what you did to her." Leo pointed at him with his knife Donnie nodding in agreement.
"All I did was mold her into the perfect warrior to reach my goal to end humanities domination." Baron stood to his feet while raising his fist but when no one responded or reacted he sat back down and went back to eating.
After a moment of awkward silence Splinter spoke, "Would someone please pass the creamed corn?"
"We don't have any cream corn." Raph looked to his dad in confusion.
"Well, I figured the guy who turned me into a rat could just MUTATE THE POTATOES INTO CREAMED CORN!" Splinter shouted in rage, pointing angrily at Draxum after stabbing his knife into the table, Draxum having the same, neutral expression.
"Dad! We're here for a nice, family dinner; not to fight over who mutated who." Mikey raised his voice.
"No, no, he's right. If I had my powers I could create the most loathsome cream corned beast ever seen. "Fear King Corn!", those fool humans would shriek in terror."
"Fool humans? As the only human here I take offense to that." April said.
"But why? You ARE fools. You put sunglasses on your dogs, you take photos of your food, and do not get me started on Carol."
"Atleast we're not fool enough to jump into a suit of dark armor without reading the owner's manual." April countered, she and Donnie sharing a high-five.
"Draxibald, what you need is to spend some quality time with humans so you can see why we like them so much. And I know just where to do it. Who's coming with me and Draxum to Albeartoland?" Mikey pulled up an Albearto's amusement park flyer looking around at his family who avoided eye contact only to lift Raph's hand.
"Huh? Why me?!" Raph shouted in disbelief but was ignored.
Mrs. Sharper and her bodyguard were wandering the grounds of Albeartoland after finding no trace of Kara at the destroyed stadium. Her eyes focused on the faces around trying to find any familiar features to the point she slipped on some melted icecream and stumbled forward. Catching her quickly with his arm against her chest Casey steadied her with a look of concern, "Ma'am, you've been at this too long. I suggest we head back to the hotel and rest. You won't find her if you hurt yourself."
"That is why I have you along with me, Mr. Jackson." She gave him an irritable glare but sighed heavily to calm herself, knowing this wasn't her. She looked around for a place to sit til her eyes landed on the ferris wheel. Thinking she could kill two birds with one stone she pointed at the ride. "I'll rest on the ferris wheel. You can take a break and get yourself something to eat."
"Ma'am I must disagree-"
"Oh, please, don't worry too much, what's the worst that can happen on a slow moving ride?" When it seemed he wouldn't budge she lifted her brows with a smile, "Please, Casey, I would like to be alone for the moment."
He flinched slightly at her expression and internally sighed, giving her a nod, "You're the boss, ma'am. Alright, but give a wave so I can see which seat you're on so I can keep an eye out." He gave her a smile that made her chuckle as she turned, "Yes, I am your boss, not a child. Please, enjoy your break."
Casey watched her walk out of sight before turning his attention to the funnel cake stand, a light blush coming to his cheeks and immediately made his way to it.
Standing in line she listened to the noise around her from the idle chatter to the loud, carnival music not paying any mind for she was in her own thoughts. Ever since having that run in with that insect creature and turtle boys she's been having nightmares of horrible things happening to Kara but the images would switch from Kara to that creature to where they would become the same person. She placed her hand over her eyes while biting her lip trying to understand what those nightmares meant.
It was getting close to her turn when the sound of a crying child broke her thoughts and she turned behind her to see a small girl crying while the mother was trying to comfort her. She bent down to their level and smiled softly at the girl while rummaging through her purse til she pulled out a chewy fruit candy. The sound of the wrapper caught the girl's attention and she looked at her with a sniff, "There's no need to cry, sweetheart. You can handle anything because you're strong, right?"
The little girl sniffed again with a tiny nod though had her eyes to the ground, still watery.
"I want to see a smile."
When the little girl looked up Rachel had her hands squished to her face and her tongue sticking out making the little girl laugh, "That's it. You're very strong." She said with a soft laugh while placing the candy in the little girls hands.
It was now their turn so she let the mother and child go in front of her, both of them saying their thanks and waited for the next one.
After an unsuccessful, yet hilarious, go at the bumper carts Raph, Mikey, and Draxum bought funnel cake and were walking the park while enjoying their deep fried, sugary treat after having the wait on a FBI agent looking man who had ordered five orders with the works. "There is nothing better than human funnel cake." Mikey said with glee.
"Which part of the human is it made from?" Draxum asked curiously, holding it up from his plate with two fingers to inspect it.
"What? No, it's made BY humans, not from them." Raph said with a mouthful of his own staring in surprise when Draxum threw his over his shoulder, it being stepped on by one of the bounty hunters.
Draxum was walking ahead of them, having popped a child's balloon as he passed, leaving the two brothers to talk.
"See what I mean, Mikey? This guy is never gonna like humans. There's no way a being with an ounce of good in them throws funnel cake on the ground."
Mikey stared down at the ground his happy-go-lucky attitude disappearing. "But..Kara was human." He ended up bumping into Draxum's back and looked up to see he had stopped and was staring at something ahead of them nervously.
"Draxum! By order of the Council of Heads, you are under arrest!" The bounty hunter removed his human disguse, pointing his weapon at him as it lit up, sending a laser attack at them. They all dodged out of the way, a random stall getting hit and chaos of the crowds becoming frightened and fleeing began.
"Uh, Draxum, aren't those your boys?" Raph asked.
"No, they are bounty hunters loyal to the one with the most coin."
"Uh, would they back off for twenty-seven cents and a button?" Mikey pulled said items out of his pockets.
"You can try. Tell me how it goes!" Draxum shouted already running as fast as he could the opposite direction, the bounty hunter following after him, Draxum now surrounded on both sides.
"Raph, we gotta stop these guys."
"Why? Isn't he just getting what he deserves?" Raph crossed his arms.
"He created us, Raph. Without him, we wouldn't even be here. Remember when he was with Kara on our snow day and he was having fun? I know there's good in him and he deserves another chance."
Raph looked from his brother to Draxum seeming to be deep in thought before placing his hand on his little brothers shoulder with a sigh, "I hate to say it but sometimes Dr. Positive makes a lot of sense.
"Ok, I got Chinese takeout this time." Kara called out while opening the door with one hand, the other three carrying their bags of food, one of the few good things that came out of this whole situation.
"Excellent, Kara, did you make sure to order extra garlic shrimp?" Brilliance asked helping her set everything down while looking for her food.
"Of course, even bought Leafe some dinner for when she gets home." She held up a separate bag and set it down where she would normally sit.
"I forgot to mention," Brilliance pulled the skewer stick from her mouth, chewing the shrimp til she could speak clearly, "Leafe was sent to another museum for a medical emergency in Maine. She'll be back in about a week. She apologizes for not telling you, she didn't want to disturb your training."
Kara lowered her head somewhat disappointed but closed her eyes and relaxed her posture, "It's ok, I know her work is important. I guess it's just us then for the time being." She gave Brilliance a crooked, awkward smile.
This made Brilliance chuckle while placing her hand on her shoulder, "Fear not, young one, I will not bite you not when I have these." She held up three more shrimp skewers and shoved them in her mouth, pulling all three sticks out clean, "Mm! I have lived for several hundred years yet I have not tasted anything as wonderful as this. This century is so fascinating!" She picked up her food and walked to the livingroom to dine and watch TV.
Kara watched her and let out a small laugh before following after her. "I also bought cake." Hearing the excited noise from the livingroom got her to laugh more.
Raph used his power smash justsu to deflect the attack and sent it flying elsewhere only for it to fly at the ferris wheel hitting one of the carriages. Screams erupted as the carriage became loose and a figure was stumbling inside.
"You hold off the bounty hunters. I'll...ugh save the humans." Draxum ran off before anyone could protest.
Rachel was overlooking the view seeming to have calmed down when the carriage suddenly jolted and knocked her off the seat. "What the?" She stumbled to her feet and looked to see her carriage had become loose from the machine and her eyes widened in panic, now clinging to a corner. "Ca-" Suddenly, a robed, menancing looking figure jumped onto the entrance of the carriage, blocking it. "I've come to get you, human." He glared at her only to flinch, feeling warmth to his cheeks when he saw a lean, curved figure wearing a pink, long sleeve hoodie with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, skinny blue jean pants that reached her ankles, and white heeled shoes. Long, flowing, black hair that swayed with her movements, her messy bangs covering part of her panicked cream colored face, and sparkling blue eyes that stared at him in fright, both seeing a flash of colors when their eyes met. He didn't have time to react for she immediately let out a scream and began to kick at him to keep him away, "Oh, relax, I'm trying to help you." Seeing something glowing coming his way he looked behind him when the glowing object hit the carriage once more, the force rolling Rachel out of it. She let out a scream as she began to fall but blinked when the guy caught her by the wrist, holding on to the carriage with his other hand to keep them both from falling. They stared each other in the eyes, she pleading for him to not let go, this causing his brows to raise up under his mask.
While watching a documentary on the biggest cheese wheel the program was interrupted by the news reporting live about a fight in Albeartoland. The reporter narrating from the newscopter he had the cameraman focus on the figures fighting when Kara raised her brow while Brilliance narrowed hers, "Baron Draxum?." They said in unison, Kara confused while Brilliance with hatred.
"What is Mikey and Raph doing there?" Kara blinked when the cameraman zoomed over to the ferris wheel to see Draxum climbing to the broken carriage. "He's..rescuing..a human?" Her antennas twitch in confusion and let out a gasp when Draxum was holding on to the carriage while catching the person midair. "We-we gotta help them! They could die!" She jumped to her feet wanting to run out and help them.
"Hold steady, Kara, you have no wings nor portal magic. You can't help them." Brilliance held her by the shoulder to keep her from running off. She turned her attention back to the TV wondering if this is how he would to die, feeling the end of her mouth twitching.
"I have to do something! I-I can't just stay here and watch an innocent person die. Someone who has no part in this whatsoever!"
"That means that you would be helping Draxum as well. After everything he has done to you, put you through, you're still willing to help him?" Brilliance turned Kara to look at her, look her in the eye. Kara's breath caught in her throat as she stared back, letting out a soft yet firm, "Yes."
Briliance gritted her teeth and let out an enraged yell before holding her hand out and making a portal. She saw they were right above them and made a noise when she saw Baron lose his grip and start to fall so she leaned out the portal and used her top arms to grab his hand, holding onto him as tightly as she could.
"What the?" Baron became confused when he stopped falling and looked up to see Kara keeping him from falling, seeming to be struggling to pull him up. "Kara? W-What are you doing?...Why are you..helping me?"
Rachel, who was now pressed to his chest, blinked her eyes that were closed when they began to fall open upon hearing her daughter's name. "Kara? She's here?..How?" Her eyes widened definitely hearing her voice.
"Because...y-you saved...a human..you're starting ngh..to change.." She opened one eye and looked right at him with a sad smile, feeling a tear in her eye, "Looks like the guys were able to help you in ways I couldn't."
Baron stared at her in shock taking in her appearance, having an odd feeling that she seemed smaller than usual. He was forced out of his thoughts when they both heard her name from a different voice.
"Kara? Kara is that you?"
Kara's eyes widened in shock to see the person being saved was none other than her mom, watching her force herself up to where she can see her only to let out a gasp when she saw the insect creature from so long ago. "Kara.." She whispered, eyes shrunk in horror.
Watching her mom make the same face her grip loosened without her realizing it til it was too late and they were already falling. She let out a scream and tried to reach out but was pulled back through the portal, it closing on them. "No!" She screamed, turning to the TV and watched Draxum make a vine to catch them before they could reach the ground. She dropped to her knees in relief, lowering her head while sighing before standing up and glaring at Brilliance, "Why did you close it? I could of saved them!"
"You can't be seen. It's bad enough those bozos are blowing their own cover but if you were to be discovered it could lead to the whole Hiddencity being revealed and if one human reacted the way your mother did than how do you think hundreds will? Not everyone is going to be on your side. I'm sorry..but this is how it is." Brilliance's body seemed to slouch, her brows lifting in sadness watching Kara yell and storm outside. She sighed softly and turned the TV off before finishing her food in silence.
"Look at you. You saved a human!" Mikey skipped over to him with his arms in the air.
"And got a little bit of your powers back." Raph nodded, impressed.
"So, change of heart? Maybe living among hu-"
"You know Kara?"
All three of them blinked and looked behind Draxum to see Mrs. Sharper pointing at Draxum. Before any of them could respond she was in front of Draxum, gripping his cloak tightly, staring at him with wide eyes, "Where is she? You have to take me to her! I need to know if she's ok! Please, I've done something horrible. Again. I need to see her. Please." She lowered her head, tears streaming down her eyes now finally realizing what her dreams were telling her; that creature was her daughter. There were so many questions she wanted to ask but the most important was if she was ok.
Mikey and Raph stared at each other in sadness but also wondering how to go about this. A shout from the crowds grabbed everyone's attention and they turned to see someone wearing a suit racing towards them. When Rachel lifted her head to see who it was the three of them used this time to flee. Realizing she was alone she looked around frantically for them, calling out to them, praying they would respond. When none came she dropped to her knees just as Casey came to her side, dropping down next to her. "Are you ok? I ran here as fast as I could but the crowds were difficult to get out of." He placed his hands on her shoulders and helped her to her feet. "Lets go back to the hotel." Was all she said, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.
When everyone was asleep Donnie stayed awake having bags under his eyes from what less than normal little sleep he'd get. Why didn't Kara push Leo away? Why did she let him go that far? Donnie turned over in his bed staring at nothing while his mind wandered.
Sheldon watched his dad eyes lifted in sadness before replaying the scene where he had snuck out.
"Oh my gosh, what happened? Who did this to you?"
Donnie blinked when he heard Kara's voice and lifted his head slightly to see her worrying about Sheldon, she looking like she did just before she left.
"Oh, sweetie, I don't know why he does the things he does..but I know he cares about you."
"Yeah, right, all he does is badger me on the things I do when he does the same thing or worse! He doesn't listen.."
"Being a parent isn't an easy feat. It's not something you learn just like that, it takes time. He's learning to care for you just as you are learning about new things. If you both try to understand each other I'm sure you'll see that caring side that he has in him." She looked off to the side with a distant look in her eyes, squinting them slightly before shaking her head, "You know, between you and me it's one of the reasons why I like him. Yes, he's awkward and has trouble showing his emotions but that doesn't stop him from conveying his feelings behind his actions."
Donnie let out the breath he didn't know he was holding, staring at her image in awe.
"Wow...you really like him, huh? Then why did you leave?" Sheldon asked, his voice becoming sad.
Donnie leaned close also wanting to know.
Her cheeks flared up but she didn't hide her face, staring at the ground with a thoughtful look, "Because I can't tell him how I feel..because I don't even know how I feel...I'm lost, Sheldon.." She gave him a sad smile but blinked when he nuzzled his head into her hand, "We can be lost together."
Donnie felt his cheeks warm up, Sheldon having paused the recording on her smiling sadly at them, her words echoing in his mind. He laid back down on his bed before closing his eyes, his shoulders relaxing as he let out a sigh.
Reviews are nice but so are hugs and I will take both!