#I hate brumation because it’s like... okay are you still alive

[nights-flying-fox]

Till the Cold Pass

Splinter learns something new about his sons when winter cold arrives.

DAY 4: Warmth

Guess who wrote half of this for whumptomber but didn't finish it until now lol Anyways, I wanted to write a brumation fic for a long while now. It is not exactly what I planned but eh im very tired and its almost 2 am so all i say i hope there arent any mistakes (feel free to correct me!!) and that you like it!! <33

ROTTMNT || 1079 words || Splinter centric || click here for ao3

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Splinter never had liked the cold. This year this fact didn’t change, only that he hated it even more.

 Now he was a father of four. He wasn’t sure how the cold would affect his sons, so he worried. He wasn’t able to reach much information about turtles, not being able to get the few resources most of the time too, only some about childcare. He also was struggling with finding enough sources for them. Food, blankets… the essentials.

 Waking up and seeing snow made his fears worse. But on the other hand, he could show his sons it. He had to get even warmer clothes for that though.

 His sons were still sleeping, even after the sudden cold. All of them in their shells, under the blankets, Splinter didn’t have the heart to wake them. But he had to, for they had to eat breakfast and have a healthy schedule.

 He shook gently them, softly calling their names. “It is morning, my sons.”

 But they didn’t get out of their shells. They didn’t reply either. So, he shook them again, still gently but with a bit more force. Still nothing. He was starting to get worried.

 No matter what he did his boys didn’t wake up. Splinter watched in fear as he hardly could hear his boys’ soft snores. He tried more and more, shaking them and calling their names, but nothing worked. Panic rose in his chest. This couldn’t mean good. Was it because he wasn’t able to provide enough for them? Was it the lack of food or the unexpected cold weather. It didn’t matter, he had to figure out this and help them. He had to. They were his everything, he couldn’t lose them. Not when he was the one responsible for them. They were his sons.

 He opened the books he had “borrowed” a while ago, trying to find any information that might be helpful. Sadly, there was nothing that could help this situation. But all his books were about babies. Human babies. Parenthood and such. None of them were about turtles—

 Splinter cursed to himself. He should’ve had grabbed that book about turtles while he had the chance. He could’ve returned for the other stuff he had found that day.

 There was a library not far away, but he couldn’t afford leaving his boys alone. He quickly wrapped them in blankets, then wrapped his jacket and held them carefully. He wore the hat he had found a short time ago and did his best to look as human as possible. Maybe people wouldn’t notice them with his disguise.

 Fastly, he left the lair, heading to the library. It was hard to run with the snow, cutting his speed. He shivered as he moved on. People passed next to him, the city as alive as always. It was all going okay until he almost slipped and fell. He lay towards the display window next to him and managed to keep his balance. He quickly checked his sons. They were still wrapped safely, all four of them. Splinter sighed in relief. Then he noticed the shop he was next to—

 Eastman and Laird’s Pet Shop.

 Now that could’ve help.

 He stepped in the shop. Various animal sounds filled the place. There was a man around his twenties, standing behind the register. Splinter walked towards him, “Excuse me.” He called. The man turned at him. Splinter continued. “I was wondering if you could help me with my- uh- pet turtles.”

 “What’s your problem, man?” The man asked lazily.

 “They won’t wake up.” Splinter said, voice a bit shaky with worry.

 “Ah, of course.” The man said, not interest at all.

 “What do you mean?” Splinter asked, trying to keep calm.

 “We get this all the time. People keep buying without knowing a single thing about turtles.” He explained, with a bit of annoyance slipping into his tone. “And to answer your question: that’s a turtle thing. Brumation.”

 Splinter blinked, “Brumation?”

 “Ya know how bears sleep when winter comes and it’s called hibernation, this is brumation for some of the reptiles. It’s a bit different but basically its that.” The man said.

 “I see. Is there… anything I can do for them?” Splinter asked.

 The man explained how he should treat them quickly. Splinter listened to him carefully before leaving.

 The next months he did as the man told him to do. He kept them warm and kept water by their side. He always kept an eye on them.

 He had relaxed a bit after learning what was going on, but still, he couldn’t help but get anxious over it. What if he wasn’t able to provide for them? What if he failed them in a way? What if he made a mistake?

 Meanwhile, he managed to find some more blankets and clothes. Whatever that was possible to keep them warm. He didn’t care if he froze as long as his boys were alright.

 Then one day, when the days weren’t as cold as before, one of his boys yawned and then whined, “'ts hoooot!”

 Splinter laughed with joy and relief. He held Blue in his arms, “Good morning, sleepyhead. Don’t you like warm?”

 Blue shook his head, still yawning. Splinter didn’t care, he was keeping them warm till summer came if needed. He hugged his son happily.

 Then one by one the rest of his boys woke up. Purple, Red, Orange. They all were okay. Splinter had managed to keep them healthy and good. He sighed with relief.

 Still, every year he still got a bit worried. As years passed and they grew, he got used to. At some time, they met with April. Once she learned about brumation she was eager to help and gathered all the knowledge and help she could for them. When Purple started making his gadgets and made a heath lamp for the cold days and then provided warmth for their lair, he was both proud and relieved. Then they grew even more. Purple made even bigger lamp, he provided even more of a warmth. They still brumated when weather got too bad, but they learned their limits and got careful, taking precaution when needed.

 When they bumated, they still lay together in a pile. Splinter still would keep an eye on them. And when they woke up, at least one of them would whine about the room being too hot. Splinter didn’t care. He had never liked the cold anyways.

[feathers-scales-and-tails]

Mr Sandman

Man me a sand

Make him the cutest car honk door hand