The turtle glanced back at Jack. It might have been just a tap, but it was enough of some kind of shared sentiment, even if Donatello still struggled with emotions himself. The last big challenge his family had faced together had been especially wearying in that department. Having them completely absent now left a void that was impossible to fill.

He could see his answer had struck a chord with Jack somehow, shoulders hunching guiltily. "Sorry, didn't mean to be a downer. Everything was going so well too..." he sighed. Drawing himself up, Donnie summoned up what he could of his earlier smile, nowhere near as intense as it had been then but it was the best he could do. He gave Jack's shoulder a pat before letting his hand fall away. "We should head back down. Ah, whenever you're ready."