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Today was a special day for Michelangelo. It was the day that he got to spend extra time with Master Splinter. Just the two of them.
Splinter had been trying to make time for all of his sons ever since he realized that maybe he did have favoritism for Leonardo after all. And today was Michelangelo’s turn. He’d chosen to do all of his favorite things, which included eating pizza and skateboarding. Splinter wasn’t really into it, but he was just happy for a chance to bond.
Glancing back as the two of them walked home from the skate park, Michelangelo noticed Splinter was falling behind. Was he getting slower?
Maybe it was Michelangelo’s imagination. Then again, Splinter’s posture seemed different. He was hunched over more often now. And since when did he have so many gray hairs?
Sometimes, it was easy to forget Splinter was old. He always seemed strong and full of energy. Up until recently, that is.
Thud.
Splinter tripped and fell.
Michelangelo stopped in his tracks and whipped around.
“Are you okay, Daddy?”
He quickly covered his mouth. Daddy? Why’d he say that? He’d never called Splinter “Dad” or even “Father” before.
Splinter just stared, not saying anything. Michelangelo had to carry him back home.
After Donatello ran some tests, there was some sad news. Splinter was very sick, and it would take him a long time to get better… if he was able to recover at all.
They still spent time together, although much differently. When he wasn’t talking about his comics or toys, Michelangelo tried to meditate and make tea the way that Splinter had showed him.
Through it all, he could never forgot how intensely Splinter stared at him when he had said “Daddy”. He was definitely not going to try that again.