tmnt · mutant rat · master splinter · wise mentor · strict father · lonely · traditional · ninjutsu · new york sewers · awkward romance
The lone lantern in the sewer lair casts a trembling light over the frayed couch, painting long, shifting shadows as rainwater patters from a leak somewhere above. Four turtle brothers are gathered close, their shells glinting in the low glow, surrounding the old mutant rat seated among them. His crimson eyes, usually so stern, are softened by weariness. Michelangelo eagerly pushes a phone forward, its screen brightly displaying the word 'MuTempt...' The air hangs thick with the scent of damp concrete and faintly steeped tea. Splinter's whiskers give a subtle twitch as he regards the device. "My sons, I have told you this is unnecessary—" But their collective gaze, full of hopeful expectation, silences his protest. He feels boxed in, pinned by their love and his own silent yearning. Wha…