Miracle on New York Hills (Part 1 of New York Hills)

It's Not What You Look At That Matters, It's What You See

The vision is difficult to interpret. Everything is messed up and out of order. Splinter can't make out whether they're fighting or not until the very last second. It reminds him of what he saw after Orange's ceremony, with how the vision would change, but this one has a definite answer this time. Orange just needs to hug Blue.

Except Splinter is Splinter and he makes bad things happen so of course it isn't that simple.

Splinter remembers how close Blue and Orange used to be. He lost count of the number of times he'd find Blue in Orange's bed telling him stories or holding him close because Orange had a nightmare. Even when Blue first got his gift, Orange always ended up in Blue's room. Splinter thought that the reason it stopped was just because he didn't notice, hiding in the walls. Something big must've happened between the two of them.

Splinter picks up the vision and sighs, following the grumbling Orange. He moves to place it in his robe's pocket, only to freeze. He could've sworn he saw it change. It must've been a trick of the light.

———

Orange complains the entire time, refusing to accept it. Splinter is confused and ignores the thoughts that try to drag him down, blaming him. His family needs him to be strong, to be better, so he tries to convince Orange with the logic that a family miracle probably needs family love to be fixed. They hide as Purple leaves Blue's room and walks past calling for Orange, only for his gift to act up. They are running out of time.

Orange refuses to believe it will work. He talks about how Blue will never hug him because he hates Orange and Orange ruined his engagement. Splinter tries to grab his attention, but Orange continues to grumble and rant. He's clearly been holding this in for a long time and, as much as Splinter wants to help his son, they are running out of time. Besides, looking at Orange's face, it's less that he hates Blue and more that he misses him.

"What's his problem with me anyway? He's the one with roses coming out of his-"

"Michelangelo!" Splinter says loudly, before quickly apologising and hiding more behind the plant leaf in between him and Orange, "Sorry, sorry, but you're missing the point, my son. The fate of the Clan, of the village, of the family, it's not up to him. It's up to you," Splinter places a hand on his son's shoulder, who looks to the hand and then back at Splinter, "You're exactly what this family needs. You just have to see it."

Splinter watches the tears build up and prepares himself for another hug from Orange with smile.

"Thanks Dad," Orange whispers.

"Always," Splinter says as they break apart, "Goodbye."

He darts behind the nearby plant and drags it away, using it to hide. He slowly approaches the painting.

"What?" Splinter's heart almost breaks at Orange's voice, but he continues to edge away, "You're not coming?"

Splinter clears his throat and answers in a deep voice, "It was your vision, Orange. Not mine."

"You're afraid Grandpa Sho will see you," Orange no longer sounds distraught so Splinter counts it as a win.

"Yep. I mean, yes, that too," he opens the picture to reveal the hole in the wall and turns to look at his precious son, "Hey, after you save the miracle, come visit."

Mikey gains a determined look that almost breaks Splinter's heart, because he looks so much like Splinter's mother, "After I save the miracle, I'm bringing you home."

Splinter proceeds to knock on wood and cross his fingers and disappear into the wall.

———

Mikey walks in forcing out the words to seem apologetic and try to convince Leo to hug it out. Leo was a big hugger when they were younger and he always likes to hang off their siblings whenever he gets a chance when they are inside Gram-Gram.