Sometimes the pressure is too much. All the stress just gets to me. Trying to please Splinter, looking out for my brothers, going out all night and saving people who think I'm a freak and hell, just surviving is hard. The fact that I'm always screwing up doesn't exactly help either.
That's where Denny's comes in. There's bars just like it everywhere – full of people quietly and determinedly getting drunk, trying in vain to shut out the world and its problems, if only for a little while.
Wordlessly, the barman puts another glass of bourbon in front of me and takes the money for it out of the small pile on the bar. I slug it back in one go, barely even feeling the burn as it travels down my throat – I'm used to it now.
I'm up to my fifth glass, and it's only just starting to affect me. It's either because of something to do with being a turtle, or just that I'm building up a resistance. Either way, it's annoying.
As I steadily work my way through the drinks provided, one after the other, I finally start to relax. By my tenth, all my problems have fallen away in this blessed alcohol-induced fog.
It's a good thing too. I'm out of money.
It being time to leave anyway, I leave my haven and go out into the night, staggering slightly. In the alleyway behind the bar I slide back the manhole, lower myself into the hole, replace the cover and start climbing down the ladder.
On the long trek through the sewers to get back home, I get to thinking about what my family would think if they could see me now. If they knew what I did when I went out alone. What would they think?
Frankly, I hope they never find out. I don't need any more failings; I've got enough already.
Finally I manage to get through the door. I don't think anyone is awake – no one is usually up at this hour anyway. I stumble through the lair and into my room, shutting the door as quietly as possible.
Donatello's POV
I watch my brother stumble off into his room, drunk as a skunk. I've known what he's been doing for quite some time, but I still haven't brought it up. How would I start that conversation? Just walk up to him and say, "Hey bro, where are you going to score those drinks cause I want in on the action"?
I can't work out why he'd want to do it though.
Why would Leo need to go and drink himself stupid several times a week?
It's just so unexpected.
A/N: Did anyone guess it was gonna be Leo? Come on, be honest now! And speaking of honesty, I'd honestly love for you to take thirty seconds of your time to leave me a review and let me know what you thought.