Sounds of Silence
https://archiveofourown.org/works/64379098
Splinter was weary of peace and quiet. He used to long for it in the beginning when the boys were newly mutated. He loved them, no doubt about it but when they all shared one very small burrow, the noise was deafening.
He valued silence. It was the way of the ninja. Mask your footsteps, never make a sound. Do not let the enemy know your location. Strike first.
Yet, quiet was the enemy of any parent when it came to one child, let alone four.
The rat yawned as his robe moved, a little green head poking out, as a very small turtle looked up at him with sleepy eyes.
He still wasn’t quite used to it.
Splinter brought a hand to the little ones back. It was rather cold this morning and Spica, his youngest and the latest child was cuddled up to her father for warmth, tucked against his fur.
The little girl looked up at her father and smiled, churring.
“Good morning to you too, Spica-chan.”
Splinter trailed off as his ear flicked back and forth.
He took a glance at the clock, sitting up carefully with his daughter in his arms.
Splinter balked at that. He always got up at 6 AM, no later. He had the boys on a schedule for a reason!
His boys never slept in. He would’ve heard them.
Spica chirruped and he shushed her.
… That could not be good.
Splinter threw open the door with a start.
The partition to their bedroom was closed. He pressed an ear against it, closing his eyes.
He could hear quiet conversation… a chuckle or a laugh.
Splinter exhaled a sigh of relief…
“Pfftahaha! Mikey!” Raphael…
“Shh, shh! You’ll wake Dad up.” Donatello shushed his younger brother.
“C’mon, we’ve been quiet all morning! I’m sure he slept enough.”
“He’s been up with the baby, goof.” Leonardo quietly, chided him. “We agreed we’d let him sleep in. That’s why Donnie turned his alarm off, remember?”
Splinter’s eyes widened, his heart warming.
His boys had taken to their roles as older brothers so well… and even now, he was shown they were really growing up.
… Perhaps he could go back to bed.
Spica chirruped and tugged on his fur.
Splinter rubbed her back, kissing her head.
“I know, I know.” He whispered. “You want to see your brothers?”
She nodded and grinned up at him.
Splinter pushed the partition open, startling his sons.
His boys were crowded around a mismatched monopoly game he had found them, bowls of cereal nearby, indicating they had taken care of their own meal.
“Sensei!” Leonardo jumped up, bowing his head. “I’m sorry, did we wake you?”
Splinter chuckled, making his way over, rubbing his eldest’s head.
“No, no, your sister did that. She had enough of sleeping in.”
“Spica…” Mikey huffed before he laughed, getting up and eagerly taking the baby turtle from him, nuzzling her. “You get some sleep, huh?”
Spica squealed happily, pushing her cheek against her big brother’s.
Donnie tilted his head, looking up at his father, with a worried look.
“Did you get enough sleep, Dad?”
“Yeah, you looked ready to keel over, last night.” Raphael frowned. “We were gettin’ worried.”
Splinter knelt to his sons’ level.
“Having a little one around isn’t easy sometimes. Thank you so much for letting me sleep in.” He looked at each of his sons, pride in his eyes.
“It was my idea!” Mikey exclaimed, prompting the other three to protest.
Spica looked between her brothers before chirping loudly and nodding with Mikey.
“Yeah, you tell ‘em, Spica!”
“Don’t teach her to agree with ya!” Raph scoffed. “Gimme the baby.”
Mikey’s voice echoed across their bedroom as his children filled his home with noise once more.
Splinter chuckled, shaking his head.
Now, this was more like it.
Spica is owned by @theblueskyphoenix go give her some love! Aileen has graciously given me permission to use Spica in my Fish out of Water AU.
