TMNT - Worlds Change

Thirty-Four

Bellona POV

I awoke to the world around me slowly. First sensations, then smells. The air was cool and smelled of home. Then came the sounds, beeps and clicks and the breathing of someone nearby.

"Raph, I'll let you know when she wakes up. You need sleep." Donnie's voice seemed gravelly, as if he was speaking for both of them on the subject.

"Look who's talkin'. Go get some sleep, Don. All that's left is for her to wake up right? Well, I'll be here when that happens." I heard Donnie sigh, and shuffle away. The world was quiet and dark for a while. Just the sound of Raph breathing.

"Listen, Bellona. I don't know if you can hear me yet. I don't know how to say it. I have been an idiot. I lost my cool. All of this is because of me. That stupid fight with Atlas was out of jealousy, and fear. I was just so afraid of losing you. And yet... If I had kept my head calm, you would never have run out. Venus would never have gotten taken. Your coma and all of this spirit journey-ing thing that I still don't understand, none of that would have gotten between us. So much has happened and all of it is my fault. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." As my eyes began to flutter, I felt tear drops. His eyes were downcast, all the guilt he felt so evident on his face. I watched for a moment, as my mouth tried to form words.

Raph POV

"N...no." My eyes rushed to her face, which smiled ever so slightly at me. Tears still fell as a grin filled my face from one ear to the other.

"Bellona... What can I do, do you need anything?" She nodded softly.

"Wa...ter?" I tried not to jump around as I reached for the glass that was already waiting to be filled. A straw and then helped to her lips. After a while of partial words, helping her sit up, and getting some liquids into her, she could speak a few labored sentences.

"It wasn't your fault Raph." I glanced at her, as until now we had steered away from the hard topics.

"Bellona, you don't have to do-"

"Shush. I need to say this." Her eyes held mine with the same fierceness her hands had in her spirit journey. "If I had just paid attention, if I hadn't been caught up in the past, I would have seen how strange he was acting."

"Bellona, I need to tell you something. No matter what makes you happy, even if that is another turtle then I want you to be happy. I would be ok because I..." All the words came tumbling out.

"I love you, Bellona."

"Raph. There will never be another turtle. I only love you. Only turtle I have ever loved." I stared back at her as she sipped her water, thinking for a moment.

"The thing between Atlas and I... wasn't going to happen. Not then or now. Venus was worried, but I wasn't oblivious. Yes, a little... infatuated. But never to the point I was willing to give my heart, or my life, away." She looked up at me, her gray piercing. "For you, I would give everything. Without hesitation." She smiled, and impulse took over me. I was kissing her before she could blink. We sat there for only a moment, but it spoke more than words could say.

Forgive me, I'm sorry, I forgive you, I love you. I love you...

Bellona POV

After a while we started just talking about everything until the conversation drifted to the spirit journey.

"Yeah, I would have never pictured you as a runner." I shook my head, as he smirked at me, taking in every detail.

"It just put me there. I don't know where any of that story came from."

"Actually, I think I know." I looked up at him confused. "Remember that conversation we had, up in the mountains, when we were looking for Donnie and Athena?" My cheeks blushed slightly, the memory so distant.

"What do you say Bellona? I mean, eventually the lair is gonna get too crowded. I know family means a lot, but I'm thinking of a place of my own some time, ya know." Raph slid a little further down the bank, holding a hand up to help me down.

"And where are you thinking of, Raph? Different subdivision? Brooklyn, The Bronx?" I smirked at him as I slid down beside him.

"I don't know. Maybe even across the river? Start a clan all our own?" He gave me fake "smolder" and I couldn't help, but laugh. He grinned at me.

"Maybe one day, speed racer, but right now we have other things to concern ourselves with. Like finding our missing siblings?"

"They'll be fine. Like you said they're moving."

"I had almost forgotten it." The two of us smiled softly, warmth in our eyes at the memory.

"One thing I didn't peg you for though. A boy?" I blushed, looking down. "Or do you even...?"

"Not now, but down the line, like way down the line? Maybe... both?" His eyes widened, but so did his smile.

"Maybe. Definitely not right now, but maybe later. A lot later," He laughed. It was good to see this. Although, one thing was bothering me.

"Raph... what happened to Atlas? Is he with the others?" His eyes got dark for a moment, but he glanced towards the door.

"Promise to keep it a secret? At least until Leo tells Venus?"

Iris POV

I stood alone in the kitchen, working on a soup for everyone when the spoon I was reaching for flew into my hand. I stared at it, sure I was daydreaming. I put it down and walked to the cabinet, and the doors swung open, several spices flying out. I ducked and they fell to the floor. Mikee poked his head around the corner.

"Iris? Whats wrong? Why are you on the floor?"

I picked up the spices that had flown out, the three I had needed for the soup. The exact three I had been thinking of.

"Mikee, do you know how to finish this meal?" I looked up at him and he nodded. I stood and handed him the spices, walking into the living room.

"Wait Iris, is everything ok?" I glanced at him, not wanting him to worry.

"Yeah, everything is fine. I just need to ask Master Dante a question." I hurried from the room, terrified to hear what Sensei might say.