Chapter Text
It isn't that he hadn't witnessed a baby's first smile before, especially with his own children that he has now adopted. Little Orange was always smiling but then again he was always a happy baby. Yoshi believed he even smiled in his sleep that's how happy he's is, of course he hasn't proven this fact considering the tot slept inside his shell but he was confident in his theory. Orange was an easy baby to handle out of the four, but that may change under his brothers influence. The others were older and a lot more work but it's a welcome distraction that Yoshi so desperately needed. Instead of the battle cries and calls of blood, it was innocent cries, laughs and cute little chirps. He's grown so fond of the babes.
A father, Yoshie would have laughed at the idea, calling it ridiculous, never would he have guessed he would adopt four mutant baby turtles of all things. But they relied on him, depended. It's the strangest thing he may ever been through, which said a lot for his past. Red always smiled when he was kept together with his brothers, anytime he put a child back Red's smile grew, surprising for a snapping turtle, the supposed aggressive one of the turtle species. In turn it made the rat smile, each time it happened he was thankful to be a part of it. His cheeky Blue who always wore a devious smirk whenever the child was awake to cause mischief. It was always on his face from the moment he woke his brother's too early from their nap or whenever he tried to escape as soon as he had his back turned. He fondly remembers the time blue snuck out while everyone was asleep, Splinter had later woken up to find him in the kitchen covered in jelly. It was an amusing thing to look back on after the clean up.
In fact since adopting them, Yoshi's had a lot of fond and cute memories of his sons. Every smile, laugh, beam that aimed towards him made his heart swell in pride. However out of all the expressions the most fondest memory Yoshi held came from Purple, he honestly thought that child popped out of his egg with a frown. He was always grumpy, or just didn't want to smile even when content, it didn't matter what Yoshi tried. It didn't bother him at first, after all he didn't properly notice since he was dealing with four babes of didn't ages and needs, especially Orange but as soon as Yoshi realised he was in the for the long haul and tried personally bonding with each child that he started to notice and worry. Purple didn't like engaging with him. He didn't like peek-a-boo like Orange, hated Piggy back ride that Red loves or the leg adventures that Blue adores. Purple didn't have a reaction or the ones he did react to caused tears and tantrums until Yoshi stopped.
Somewhere deep in Yoshi's thoughts, he believed the tot to be broken or maybe he didn't mutate properly like his brothers. In actuality it could be that he wasn't meant to be a parent and he was letting the poor child down just as his father did. He failed many things in life, and just the thought of his mother's disappointment made him nearly spiral, she would have known what to do. Yoshi spent many nights those type of thoughts. Such as this current night, he couldn't sleep, he was exhausted from wrangling his sons all day and now that they were asleep he should've easily fell back asleep. Instead he couldn't, thoughts clouding his mind, hating looking the same four walls. He decided to get up and pray his sons are behaved come morning.
With his sons in mind, Yoshi crept up to the cot that held the babes, he would have to start expanding their home soon so the could have their own space, but for now this would do. Peeking on them, he couldn't hold back his smile at the sight. Red laid on his front, his little spikes were already making it hard for him to sleep on his back, still he acted as a warmth beacon for his brother who were curled up heads resting upon Red's shell. All except for Orange. Frowning Yoshi checked around for the box turtle, soon finding ,(or rather his shell), in the far corner way from his the turtle pile. He must've been knocked away at some point when Red shuffled in his sleep. Poor little one. Yoshi hoped Orange will soon learn to sleep outside of his shell to avoid these types of problems. Picking him up, his son fit perfectly in the palm of his hand, such a tiny thing compared to the others. Then cautiously and very carefully, Yoshi placed him back besides his brothers.
Red sensing his brother's presence sleepily awoke, shuffling to get as close as he could to the box turtle and placing his head down on top of him, letting out a satisfied rumble and falling asleep once more. Yoshi couldn't be more happy. He hoped their bond would grow strong as brother's, especially once they got older. He then checked up on the twins, Little blue looked very content sleeping atop of his brother's shell who was annoyed by the use of a pillow- Wait, he was awake? Now that Yoshi was paying attention he could see the tot was not happy with having his shell being used as a pillow.
He squirmed a little but very carefully, just barely letting out soft hisses and quiet chits. It was like he knew his brother's were sleeping and didn't want to disturb them but at the same time he didn't like the position he was in. Yoshi couldn't help but think he was a strange but amusing child. Taking pity, he slowly but carefully lifted Blue's head and guided it onto Red's shell, the Slider didn't wake, instead he was happy with his new pillow nuzzling it and letting a soft purr before chuffing and softly snoring, content.
With that sorted Yoshi focused back on purple who still didn't seem pleased from being saved. He fidgeted and shifted, letting out tiny whines and huffs. It was clear that Purple wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon but at least Yoshi wouldn't be alone for the night. He scooped up Purple minding his shell and headed off to watch some TV. It was only a small little set and the screen chipped but it worked all the same. He was thankful for what they had, it wasn't easy building a home form scratch especially in a sewer, it turned him more humble since his mutation. Turning it on and taking a seat, Yoshi got lost in whatever was on.
Yoshi couldn't remember much, he wasn't really paying attention, maybe he even fell asleep but he soon came out of his daze to the movement of Purple on his lap. Purple let out a squeak making Yoshi jump a little, he started to shush him rubbing his shell to calm him down but all it did was cause the soft shell to whine and fidget, trying to move away from the rubbing. Odd, usually all of them enjoyed their shells being rubbed. Tiredly, he hefted the babe higher up on his lap.
"What's wrong Purple? What is the matter?" He hoped he wasn't getting sick again, that was no fun for anyone.
Purple squeaked again, Yoshi had never heard that sound from him before, wriggling and reaching towards the TV set. Yoshi was surprised by the boy's reaction, Purple has never reacted like this before, never shown an interest in anything really. Maybe it was due to seeing the TV for the first time, all the parenting magazines he could scavenge stated TV was bad for early childhood so Yoshie had kept the boys away from it until they were older, But Purple was finally showing an interest in something so maybe it couldn't hurt to encourage him a little. The child in his arms started to whimper due to his request being ignored. Giving in held the boy in his arms and sat in front of the tv on the floor.
Purple continued to reach for it but Yoshi wasn't that close making the child nearly fall on his face if it wasn't for his father catching him. Chuckling, he helped purple to his feet, holding him closer to the box. The soft shell placed his hands on the screen eyes wide in awe at the moving pictures. He clumsily pattered it, blabbering before reaching for the knobs on the side. It took some force and not having the motor skills to begin with Purple soon managed to turn the set off. Yoshi laughed at the shocked expression, who knew TV could bring out such emotions on a grumpy child like Purple. Maybe he should stop following the advice on the parenting mags.
Purple repeated the process, turning the TV on and then back off. Over and over again, completely fascinated by the way it operated. He then tried the other dial that was on the TV, it was much looser than the other one and easier to turn, Purple quickly turned it all the way blasting volume on full, Yoshie quickly turned it back down, shushing and rocking purple who started to crying while listening out for any disturbance from the other children. Luckily he heard no other crying besides the current child in his lap, it only took a moment to calm him down.
Even after crying little Purple still didn't show signs of tiredness and neither for Yoshi for that matter, he knew they should try to sleep now but he couldn't stop thinking about Purple's interaction and interests... Yoshi was going to regret it in the morning.
He placed the shoft shell down, patting his head and getting a grumble, Yoshie sneaked back into his bedroom, still hearing the soft snores and lighthearted breathing. Carefully he rummaged through his closet, trying to remain as quiet as he possibly could finding the little trinket he put away. Heading back he saw that purple was back at the Tv trying to reach for the dials but he couldn't quite reach, he was pouting and seemed on the verge of a tantrum. Such a grumpy child. Yoshi brought him back to the middle pf the room and sat down with him, placing down an activity board. It was a little worn and the stickers peeled but it was still useable, he was going to save it for a special occasion such as a birthday but with he hoped maybe this might be the thing that can help him bond with the soft shell.
Purple observed before touching, something he did with anything he came across that was unfamiliar, taking in the different structures and faded colours. Finally he started to fiddle with blocks that were connected on a weirdly shaped pole that looed and spiraled. At first Yoshie worried it might be too challenging for his age but slowly and surely Purple achieved getting the first block to the end. He cheered at the achievement.
And that's when it happened, purple looked at him and smiled, his grumpy baby boy was finally smiling. A smile directed at him. Yoshi was shocked and in awe. Ignoring his dad's shocked appearance Purple moved onto pressing the different buttons. If it wasn't broken they each one would have made a different noise, it was a shame but Purple seemed pleased at feeling the different textures on the buttons. They spent most of the night playing with the toy, trying out all five activities it offered. His son smiled and even giggled as he worked on each on with his father's guidance.
It became one of Yoshi's most cherished memories.
"Alright, I've fixed it. I still fail to understand why you hold onto this when I can hook you up with on of a kind Donnie plasma TV." Splinter smiled as Donatello rambled, connecting the old TV set back up to his projector. Over the years the screen had become more damaged from four over hyper turtles who failed to understand no weapons outside the dojo. Still it played and thanks to his son's brilliance he had boosted channels and enjoyed how the projector made the screen bigger.
"That's okay my son, I enjoy the more vintage technology." Never mind the sentimental reasons.
"Scoff." He watched his son take his words as an insult storming back to his lab. He chuckled as he watched on. His dear Purple was such a grumpy child.