For @NewYearsGirl!

Sign language and texting will be in italics!

This takes place post-series, but Splinter didn't die!

I own none of the pics, credit goes to the artists!

~*~

When Splinter first found the baby turtles, he knew something was different about little Raphael.

For one, while his brothers cried, giggled, churred, trilled, squealed, and cooed, Raph did not.

He smiled, frowned, and pouted to show emotions but never made a sound. When he cried, tears silently fell.

At first, Splinter worried that his son was deaf. However, Raph responded to sound. Eventually, Splinter realized that Raph was mute.

The green-eyed little one could hear and feel, but would never be able to speak. Splinter could only assume that it had something to do with Raph swallowing some of the mutagen during his mutation.

Nevertheless, Splinter loved Raphael and managed to teach his son sign language so that he could communicate.

Admittedly, the turtles had difficulty with learning it due to them having less fingers, but they made it their own.

By the time Raph was a year old, he was a pro! Splinter learned it as a child back in Japan due to having a deaf friend. Leo, Donnie, and Mikey picked it up rather quickly as well.

No one really minded that Raph couldn't speak verbally since they were all used to it. They loved him no matter what, and Raph was happy.

As the turtles grew, Splinter taught them to write and read, and Raph sometimes used writing to communicate as a result.

Now, the turtles were 17. They had many friends and allies and most of their enemies were defeated or gave up.

Throughout those years, from the time they first went to the surface, everyone they met was instantly drawn to Raph.

April already knew sign language due to one of her cousins being deaf and wasn't bothered by Raph's muteness. In fact, she was supportive.

When Casey met Raph, he was perplexed by Raph's inability to speak. However, the other turtles and April helped Casey learn sign language.

When Raph became close with Karai, she, too, was supportive and eager to learn his language. She could read his body language better than anyone.

Finally, when Raph met Mona Lisa, it was an instant connection. Mona Lisa immediately understood Raph and learned both sign language and how to read his body language.

Slowly, everyone learned Raph's way of communicating. These days, he was thriving. Everyone was thriving.

Raph was sitting on the couch playing video games with Mikey. "Aw, you're way ahead, bro!" Mikey groaned since he was losing.

Raph smirked and signed quickly with one hand. I'm gonna crush ya, little bro!

Mikey giggled in response as Leo and April then entered. "Raph, Mona's visiting later, right?" April asked him.

Raph nodded and smiled. Yeah, she texted me. I can't wait to see her again!

Raph and Mona were dating long-distance due to Raph needing to stay on Earth and Mona needing to stay in Salamandria. However, they texted and video chatted every day and sometimes Mona visited.

"It's cute how much you two like each other!" Casey added honestly, stepping in. "You're perfect for her, man."

Raph texted Casey in response. Thanks, man. 👍

Raph texted to communicate as well, especially with April, Casey, Shinigami, the Mighty Mutanimals, and Mona Lisa.

"Donatello and I prepared drinks and snacks." Splinter informed them all with a smile.

"I also invited Shini." Karai added since she and Shinigami were dating. "Is that okay, otouto?"

Raph shifted, gave a thumbs-up, and smiled warmly while signing. Sure, sis. She's cool. Just tell her not to put anymore spells on my bed. I like it on the ground, not the ceiling!

Karai smirked. "We'll see~!" She nudged Raph who playfully gave her a noogie and messed up her hair.

"Raph! Did you take my katanas?" Leo came back into the room. "I swear I had them a few minutes ago!"

I'll give em' back after ya get some sleep, eat, and drink somethin', Fearless.

Leo sighed. "Okay, okay! I'll take a break from training and do that, but can I have them back first?"

Raph handed Leo back his katanas. Just looking out for you, bro. Ya worry me sometimes.

Leo couldn't help but frown. "I know, and I'm sorry. I appreciate you looking out for me, otouto." He smiled and hugged Raph.

Raph hugged back and cuddled up to Leo. Raph still got angry sometimes but not too often. He was also a second mother hen to his family and friends, like Leo.

"Dude, Mona and Shini are here!" Mikey called as the salamandrian warrior and witch strolled in.

"Hello, everyone!' Mona smiled. "I haven't seen any of you in so long!" She then ran to Raph and wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you, my love..." Mona nuzzled him. Raph blushed and kissed her gently, hugging back as tight as he could.

Missed ya more, baby. I'm glad you're here.

Karai smiled as Shinigami approached her. "Miss me?" She teased her girlfriend, laying a hand on her cheek.

Karai laughed and threw her arms around Shini. "Duh, you've been in Japan for ages, take me with you next time!"

The teens hung out together while Splinter supervised. Raph and Mona watched a movie together, Mikey started prancing Donnie, Leo talked with Casey, and April hung out with Shinigami and Karai.

After a while, Donnie started working on something new in his lab. Ten minutes later, a loud crash was heard.

"Donnie/Donatello!" Everyone raced to the lab. Donnie had accidently caused a small explosion that knocked over a shelf, hitting Donnie's arm and pinning it.

"I got this." Shini used her magic to gently raise the shelf as Leo and April helped Donnie up.

"What happened, Donatello?" Splinter worriedly hurried to Donnie. "Are you hurt?" He grabbed the first aide kit.

"I'm fine, just a minor miscalculation..." Donnie fibbed, cradling his arm. "Sorry I scared you."

Raph glared at his younger brother and squared his shoulders. Everyone knew what he was saying.

"He knows you're lying, Dee." Mikey tutted, helping Casey pick up books that used to be on the shelf.

"Okay, okay, my arm hurts a bit!" Donnie admited. "Or...maybe a lot. I think I sprained it badly..." He winced.

Raph made Donnie sit down and expertly put Donnie's injured arm in a sling. He wanted to learn medical stuff so Splinter and Donnie taught him.

"Thanks, aniki." Donnie weakly smiled, holding Raph with his good arm. Raph smiled and patted Donnie's shoulder before giving him a firm look.

"I know, I'll be more careful next time. And I'll admit when I'm hurt." Donnie sighed, knowing he deserved the scolding.

"You better!" Leo added firmly as Mikey laughed. April, Casey, and Mona Lisa helped Donnie straighten up his lab.

Raph kept text spamming Donnie, telling him to rest while Shinigami, Karai, and Splinter made everyone some tea and brought out some sodas.

Moments later, everyone was in the TV pit talking and chilling. Raph suddenly stood up and tapped the floor with his sais, signaling that he wanted everyone's attention.

I just wanna say that I love ya all to the moon and back, and as cheesy as that sounds, and thank you for never giving up on me.

Everyone smiled and hugged Raph, much to the hothead's shock. He wasn't mad though, he just embraced his family, friends, and girlfriend.

"You're one of a kind, baby." Mona kissed his nose and nuzzled him. "I'm glad your mine..."

"We love you, bro, even if you never speak a word!" Mikey grinned cheerfully. He hugged Raph tightly.

"We'll always understand you!" Leo promised, placing a hand on Raph's arm. A smile spread across his face.

"Our big old softie!" Donnie gently teased, earning a gentle smack from Raph, followed by a hug.

"We are always proud of you, Raphael. My son..." Splinter held Raph close, leaning his head against Raph's forehead.

"You're one epic ninja, man. And an even better communicator!" Casey added, grinning broadly as he thumped Raph on the carapace.

"You taught us to read you, we understand your language." April smiled as she could telepathically communicate with Raph as well.

"You're amazing, little brother, keep thriving and kicking shell!" Karai smirked, nudging him affectionately.

"We love you, Raphael! Your spirit speaks clearly and we will always listen." Shinigami vowed, floating.

Raph smirked and signed one more time. Heck yeah! I don't care if I never speak a single word, I'm home. Ya guys are nuts sometimes, but at least I have ya!

Raph's life would always be different, but it wouldn't be difficult. He'd always have people and mutants who understood him whether he signed, texted, or did his own thing.

They'd always be his there, even if he was speechless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Hey cheesesicles! I really hope you all enjoy this new one-shot!

~kittymasterofall14
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