INBOX // ROUTE 666

[purplexing]

You're conversing with Donatello-

Juuuust not this exact second. Please rank your call by number of priority and I'll get back to you accordingly.

1 - A technical emergency

2 - General inquiry

3 - Miscellaneous

Comments

[propatriamori]

[Ah, this. Edward comes up behind Donnie and touches his shoulder.]

Then we do what we've been doing from the very beginning: we face it together and make the best of it.

[A pulse of quiet confidence passes between them. Edward knows he doesn't understand how this all works. If anything, he's one of the more ignorant people in the convoy. But he has full faith in his friends, and their ability to work together.]

[purplexing]

[Together. That's what Serph had said as well. It's a small reassurance.]

...I know.

[It's a quiet confirmation.

It had been easier at the beginning, when his goals, he was certain, aligned with everyone else's. Get Leo home, get everyone home.

But then he'd found out that people actually liked it here. Edward and Andrew and Serph...maybe others too, he doesn't know, but it complicated things. Because this world seemed certain on a path to destruction. He's still not sure what's expected of them, once they get to Nirvana.

When Serph had floated the possibility that maybe it wouldn't work out, that they should take the Convoy and seek out the Tears, it had terrified him. Because Donnie had no backup plans for once...

...but 'Together' is such a strong word. It's always ultimately all that he and his brothers have ever had to get them through their hardest ordeals. ]

I know.

[propatriamori]

[Edward leaves his hand on Donnie's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.]

I know you want to go home, and I will fight with everything I have so that you're able to go home. But if there is anything worth saving here, then this is where I'd like to stay.

[Edward knows he isn't alone in that. Andrew, Serph, perhaps Kavinsky and a few others: the convoy is speckled with those who have nothing to go home to, and everything to stay here for.]

Although who knows... if you go back to your New York, perhaps you could use your internet machine to find me. I'll be a very old man by then, but I could still be alive.

[purplexing]

I want to get my brothers home. Leo, so he knows that he won't have to be trapped in the prison dimension, that we did save him...

But...I know there are those who want to stay here too...

[His smile is tight as he lifts his head, looking towards Edward.]

I can't leave without knowing that things will work out here, that you all will be okay...

[AUGH he's glad Edward can't see it but Donnie can certainly feel that burning in his eyes that usually preludes tears. Why'd he have to say something like that? But despite the gut punch at the possibility that maybe, maybe their worlds might be aligned somehow, Donnie's determined to try. Maybe it might not be the same Edward, but he still has to try.

He nods.]

If I find you, I'll try not to scare you.

[propatriamori]

It certainly won't be the same around here without you and your brothers.

[Edward's voice only cracks a little as he imagines Revan without Donnie, Leo, Raph, and Mikey. He knows the boys will be happier back home, but he will miss them all fiercely.]

[Donnie's promise makes Edward burst out laughing.]

Just tell me you're an American student visiting England, and I'll never know the difference!

[You know, on account of not being able to see or use vibrations. Edward would have no idea Donnie was a turtle unless he was specifically told otherwise.]

I'll likely just be delighted to talk to such an intelligent, well-spoken young man.

[purplexing]

[Donnie laughs a little too.]

Guess I'll have to figure out how to get around TSA...or see how well Leo can manage long-distance portals by looking at images.

[He sucks in a breath, willing his tears to stay in, and then abruptly turns and hugs Edward tightly.

He really, really doesn't want to think about goodbyes, even though it's been something long anticipated. Or have they been? They don't know what lies ahead in Nirvana, if things will be truly over, or... ]

[propatriamori]

I have full confidence in both your abilities.

[Edward oofs a little when Donnie swings around on him, but then he wraps all four arms around him and hugs him back, just as tightly.]

You're one of the best friends I've ever had, Donatello Hamato, and I am so, so fortunate to have met you.

[purplexing]

[And here come the tears.]

You're one of the better things about this world, and that's more than enough to want to try and save it.

[propatriamori]

[It turns out the real Nirvana WAS the friends they made along the way.]

[Edward doesn't mention Donnie's tears, although he does spare a hand to fish around and find a handkerchief in a pocket to offer to him.]

No matter what else happens, we'll always have this.

[Distantly, through the pack link: something WORTH fighting for. Whether it's Donnie getting to go home or Edward getting to stay behind, having a friend--a brother--to fight for makes all the difference.]

[purplexing]

[Augh remove your Hallmark Channel vibes from this premises!!

Donnie sniffs, peeling away so he can wipe away the evidence.]

Yeah.

[He nods. No one will take that from them. He'll fight tooth and nail for it, for his family.]

[propatriamori]

[You started it! But okay, Edward is done being sappy. He lets Donnie go and turns his face towards the wall while Donnie destroys the evidence of having had An Emotion.]

So you've read this one before? I have a few other books as well that I could read for a recording, but they're more complicated and I'm still a bit slow with Braille.

[He chuckles softly.]

Although the book of poetry might serve as well. Nice, short little segments. I'll save the long one for when I'm more confident.

[purplexing]

[You started it, sir!

Donnie folds up the handkerchief, unsure whether Edward wants it back with turtle tears.]

I'll remember once I hear you reading it, if I've read it before or not.

But starting with simpler texts is understandable, especially when you're essentially translating on the fly.

[He tucks the handkerchief away with a mental note to wash it out later before he returns it, setting back to his task of getting the recording equipment up.]

[propatriamori]

[Edward just said he wanted to read a book! You're the one who got all existential about it!]

[But yes, hanging onto the handkerchief until it can be cleaned is excellent manners. Edward wouldn't have minded getting it back and cleaning it himself, but he appreciates Donnie's good sense.]

To be honest, I'm simply delighted to be able to read on my own again.

[He went over a year without it, Donnie! So long!]

I've been spending my afternoons near the stream and reading. Heavenly.

[purplexing]

[YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID

But he would agree if he knew how long it's been since Edward was able to enjoy a good book! The horror!!]

That sounds nice. Glad you've found some peace and quiet to do it.

Okay, it's all set. Do you want to sit in Raph's chair or either of these?