When Splinter hears the familiar thuds and war cries of his children, he expects to have to dodge his way to the kitchen. He is not unfamiliar with pillow wars or the way his kids have started going out more or how they've returned to their more animalistic roots recently.

He thinks it's recently...

The days and the weeks and the months and the years have this habit of blending together.

Splinter prepares to jump and climb the pipe so he can take the second level to the kitchen, when he sees him, feathers floating to the ground around him.

The breath catches in his throat.

Because there's a turtle with red stripes on his face right there.

"G-Green," Splinter chokes out, "G-Gre-een."

He can't breathe, but- but-

He can hear the water and his son is right there-

He can fix this- a second chance-

"Dad?"

Splinter smacks the hand off his shoulder and twists around, only to be faced with his youngest's worried eyes. He gasps for breath for a few seconds, having remembered breathing is a necessity.

"Are... are you okay?" Orange asks, face worried.

Splinter takes a moment to collect his thoughts, before shakily nodding. He looks to his side at the sound of Purple's hovershell.

Green is there, right between April and Purple.

Splinter blinks back tears at the sight of his boy, there, alive.

"Oh! Dad, this is Leonardo. We call him Leo," Orange probably grins, but Splinter can't look away from those eyes, full of joy and life, "Leo, this is our dad, Splinter."

Leonardo.

Splinter feels a smile spread across his fat rat head. It's suits him, more than Green or Red ever would, ever did.

"It's a pl-pleasure to meet you, Leonardo," Splinter manages to swallow his sobs down, feeling his throat constrict around them.

Leonardo tilts his head and churrs in a way that his children have been doing a lot recently. Splinter swallows as the realisation threatens to consume him.

How long have they been hanging out with their brother and Splinter didn't know?

How much of his children's lives has he missed?

Splinter swallows another sob.

"Splinter happy meet Leo," Splinter glances at Purple, contemplating their words in confusion.

Leonardo chirps and his face- his face-

It has been far too long since Splinter last saw his smile.

For a moment, Splinter can see a small turtle wrestling with his older brother.

Splinter smiles back.

Leonardo's stomach growls and Orange says something about food and all his children disappear into the kitchen, leaving Splinter alone, all alone.

When did Splinter make it back to his room?

He collapses in front of the shrines hidden in his closet amongst forgotten scrolls, the only things inside said closet not covered in layers of dust.