Break and Bend: Epilogue

Come home.

Michelangelo sat on the edge of the porch outside the studio. He swung his legs out in front of him, kicking up bits of snow and frozen dirt. His mouth was numb with cold, but he ignored it as he continued slurping noisily on his Popsicle. It was grape, his favorite.

We have found him at last.

“Feeling pretty sexy.” Mikey said with a grinned as he glanced back over his shoulder and lifted his Popsicle, “Do you want some?”

Donatello’s voice was quiet as usual. But there was something extremely different about it now. There was something different about all of him.

He is still too unstable. We must fix him again.

Mikey slurped again. Don was studying him, focusing on the eye his fist had collided with just two days ago. It really wasn’t that bad. Mikey looked squarely at him and broke into an enormous grin. That seemed enough to startle Don back into the conversation.

“You never had any intention of winning that fight, did you?”

Mikey shrugged, focusing on the catching the last bite of his Popsicle before it melted onto his fingers. He didn’t answer. Donatello moved in front of him, his brand new boots crunching in the snow.

“Why did you come here Michelangelo? What is it you’re really looking for?”

Lie.

The Popsicle was finished. Mikey licked the last of the sugary juice from his lips and smiled as he answered, “My family.”

Don stopped, his forehead momentarily furrowing in confusion.

“Did you find them?”

At last Mikey pulled himself off the porch. He flicked the Popsicle stick into the trashcan on the sidewalk, before he bent down and grabbed two fistfuls of snow. The icy flakes instantly stung against his bare skin, washing away the last of the sticky residue and he smiled while he shivered. Don was still watching him curiously and Mikey forced back a laugh. Don never had as much patience as he pretended he did.

“Do you believe in soul mates?”

Finally. He could say it out loud. Don looked apprehensive.

“I’m not talking about romance.” Mikey shook his head and he straightened up. He stepped over to Don, close enough that the cloudy puffs of their breath mingled and he could see the ring of gold in Don’s ruby eyes, “I mean when you realize that you’re not all there, and when you run into someone and suddenly it all makes sense. They’re part of you, and it’s like you’re only complete when you’re with them. Real soul mates. When two people are made of the same stuff and they’re only whole when they’re together.”

Mikey reached out. Slow, don’t scare him now.

But Donatello stood still, didn’t even flinch as Mikey gently took his hands in his own. Don's skin was smooth and soft, his fingers slender and long. Nothing like Mikey's own short, chubby ones. They were cold too, just like the rest of him. But in that moment, for just a heartbeat, there was warmth. Something better than warmth.

There was fire.

Don’s whisper was shaky, “I don’t think I’ve ever thought of such things before.”

Mikey smiled.

“Maybe you should start.”

Patience. We will be one soon enough.

Mikey’s mouth twitched as he squeezed Don’s hands. His eyes flicked down, just for a moment, to Don’s chest, where he knew beneath that thick sweater, the exposed flesh beside his plastron had turned a deep mauve. Mikey had placed his punch well. It hadn’t earned him anything, at least not in the fight. But it had been more important than that.

Mikey heard Don suck in a breath nervously and he quickly looked back up at him, “You’re never as alone as you think you are Don.”

Don’s fingers had curled in tight inside Mikey’s hand. Trembling, but not from the cold. Mikey didn’t try to hold him back, but still Don remained still. Mikey watched him calmly, thoughtlessly bringing his thumbs out and soothingly rubbing the other turtle’s knuckles. He could see the panic rapidly rising behind Don’s eyes.

It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.

Don was getting it now. His mind was finally creaking open. He understood.

“…do you hear them too?”

Don’s voice was hoarse.

Mikey smiled gently. He nodded.

No.

“Yes.”

“How often?”

Never.

“Every day.”

Don was going to slip away. Not yet. Please don’t go. Mikey wasn’t alone anymore. Neither of them had to be alone a minute longer now that they found each other. Give him time. Don’t push him. Don will find that in his own time.

For a moment Don closed his eyes. Let out a shaky breath. He was frightened. But that was okay. They all start frightened.

“Does it ever get any better?”

Mikey's grip tightened and he nodded gently. “It will if you let it.”  

“Will you help me?”

“I will always be here for you.”

“You’re an unusual turtle, has anyone ever told you that?”

“Thank you, Michelangelo.”

Insubordinate.                      

“You’re early!”

Leo blinked and caught his balance, bewilderingly hugging him back as he looked down to Don, “Huh? Early for what? Is Raphael here yet?”

“What did I just say?”

Leo and Don shared a brief moment of confusion before the monstrous roar of an engine echoed down the street. Mikey instantly released his hold on Leo, could feel his veins practically buzzing with the energy of the powerful machine as he bounded back down the steps, just in time to watch as the gleaming red motorcycle turned the corner and came barreling toward them.

He stole a glance at Don, could feel his chest practically bursting at the sudden shift in the others expression.

Mikey grinned and waved widely, “Hey Raph!”

Mikey blew a raspberry.

“Actually, you were the early one, remember?” Mikey pointed out.

“Except that it will.”

Leo gave Mikey another pointed look. Mikey stuck out his tongue. He blinked when a snowflake fell on it. It was Leo's turn to grin teasingly before he opened the truck door, ushering Mikey inside as he glanced back to Don, “Are you riding with us Donatello?”

But that was okay. Mikey understood it all. And he had finally found them all.

He glanced through the back window as Leo joined him at the driver’s seat, watching as Don promptly wriggled himself in front of Raphael on the motorcycle, firmly in the driver’s seat. He quickly turned away before Raph could catch him peeking, already knowing how the larger turtle would rapidly steal a kiss before tenderly placing the second helmet on Don's head and firmly wrapping his arms around his waist, settling himself in for the ride.

Leo started up the truck. Mikey sighed contentedly and sat back in his seat. For now he would allow Leo to lead the way. They were okay this way. They were all okay.

We are coming for you…Michelangelo.