Warning: This is a death fic, but it’s happy, kind of. :) Peaceful.
Donatello was the last one. He has lost his father, his friends and his brothers. Of his brothers, Mikey was the first to go, then Raph and then Leo. Donnie was surprised any of them made it as long as they did. There was a time in his life that he didn’t expect his dare devil brother Michelangelo to live past seven. Ninety seven years was a good run for him though. He died in a way that was not consistent with the way he lived his life, quietly and peacefully in his sleep.
Raph, true to form, died suddenly a year later. One moment he was eating his dinner and the next he was slumped over in his chair.
Leo’s was more drawn out and was sustained after his stroke on machines for a week before Donatello decided to let him go. That was over a year ago.
Donatello had reached the century mark, the only one in his family to do it. His body hurt and his vision was poor, but his mind was still there, and his memories.
He led a good life, one that eventually was lived among humans and out of the sewers. He saw the world change and technology improve and was proud to say that he had a hand in it.
With a grunt he sat down on his bed then with great effort brought both legs up and laid down. He looked around his small room, in the nursing home, at the reminders of his past. His bo was mounted on the wall with his brother’s weapons and Splinter’s walking staff. Framed pictures littered the room and showed different stages of their life together.
He was tired and as he shut his eyes he swore that he heard Michelangelo laugh. Not the laugh of his later years, but of his youth so jovial and full of life. He smiled to himself as he remembered his little brother and the pranks he would pull.
“You’ve kept us waiting long enough, bro,” Raph’s gruff voice sounded in his mind.
“I’m scared,” Donnie admitted to no one.
“It’s okay,” Leo soothed. “Just let go.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Not really,” Mikey answered.
“We’re here for you, my son,” Splinter’s voice caused Donnie’s breath to hitch and a tear to come to his eye.
He took a deep breath then let it out and felt his fear melt away. There was no more pain, no more sadness, just peace, love and light. He felt young again as the strong arms of his brother wrapped around him, “Welcome home.”
