Drabble 2 : Donatello - Experiments in Experience

Author : Onlymehere

Universe : 2003 Cartoon

Summary : This is the second in a collection of drabbles co-written with Onlymehere. Enjoy!

I glanced nervously at my locked lab door, reassuring myself that I would be left alone. My family usually never bothered me when I was working, and I had expressly told them that I would be beginning an important new "experiment". I had nothing to worry about, I hoped.

I swallowed hard, compulsively adjusting the supplies I had. The small packet was slick against my fingers; the small yellow tablet inside pulling me in, dangerously beckoning to me. I noticed there was a small turtle stamped onto the front of it, oh the irony. Dumping the tablet into my hand, I grabbed my water, and quickly swallowed it, not giving myself time to think. My heart rate skyrocketed before the pill had time to hit my stomach; I drank more water and breathed deeply to calm my nerves. If my calculations were correct, I would have less than five minutes to wait. I pulled out my notebook, determined to record everything.

The warmness started in my chest, filtering out to the rest my body, filling me with giddiness and energy. A massive smile plastered itself across my face as I wiggled my fingers and toes, giggling at the tickling sensation it produced. Instantly aware of the silence that smothered my lab I frowned. Music. That's what I was missing, music! My hands were on my radio, fumbling quickly over the buttons. Top40: too upbeat, Classical: too slow, Metal: too loud, Alternative: too Raph, Dubstep: Oh, I like that; that feels good. The bass pulsed through me, my heart vibrating out of my chest with each beat. Smiling at the intensity, I danced; I could feel and see the music, colors dancing before my eyes in a mesmerizing smear, taking me away. My eyes fell upon my phone. I had to tell April about this!

The ringing made my head buzz.

"Ay! April! Its real cool over here! You'd like how pretty the colors are 'n stuff, is your favorite color green or pink? I can't remember, but I'll try to save some of both for you so you can see how pretty it is watermelons are pink and green, do you like watermelon? I don't, I think it tastes funny peaches are much better I could make the color peach with pink and orange. Orange feels weird. Colors are fun to touch; they feel all fuzzy and soft, except orange. Orange feels stupid, like Mikey. Mkay, bye!"

As I closed my phone, it slipped between my thick fingers, falling to the floor. I looked down, frowning; the floor was so far away! Clinging to the tables, I slowly lowered myself to the floor, plopping onto my stomach. The cool floor tingled against my skin, every molecule of air danced in my lungs, the room was alive. I lay on the floor for hours, laughing to myself and enjoying the sensations that crossed my body; I felt amazing.

A slight headache pushed through my euphoria, nausea soon followed. My blood began boiling in my veins and sweat dripped freely from my forehead; I was uncomfortably hot and the temperature was rising with each second. I drank countless glasses of water to no avail, eventually deciding a tub of cool water would reduce my discomfort. Feeling worse by the second, I stumbled out of my lab; I had to get to the bathroom. Now. Why did I think this was a good idea?

"How's ya experiment goin' Donny?" Raph's voice touched me through the darkness.

I flinched, startled. "Justfine!Ijust needtoheadtothebathroom!" Sprinting towards the bathroom, I ran smack into my red brother's chest. His hands closed gently around my shoulders.

"Woah! Easy there bro. Ya talkin' a mile a minute. Ya sure ev'rythin's alright?"

Trembling pathetically, I squeaked, "Yeah!FINE!" I couldn't let him know.

"No, ya not." He stated matter-of-factly and stared deeply into my dilated pupils. I was positive he could feel the heat radiating from me; a deep shame overwhelmed me.

How could I do this to my family? What if we had been attacked while I was like this? I would have been a liability or worse.

Tears began to fall freely from my eyes and I shook violently with each sob; I felt my chest tighten. Raphael guided me carefully to the bathroom, filling the bathtub with cool water, soothing me. My frenzied breathing worsened, less and less oxygen making it into my lungs with each breath. I was losing all feeling.

Trying to scream, a tiny whisper escaped my lips. "Raph!" He had to do something.

Hands were instantly around my head, his flaming amber eyes met mine intensely. "Don'tcha do this t' me, Donny. I need ya t' breathe, bro. C'mon, listen to my voice; focus on me. Breathe. Tha's it." His rough baritone filled my consciousness, forcing my body to obey. Gradually, my breathing slowed, rising and falling in cadence with his words. A new wave of nausea washed over me; I closed my eyes.

I opened my eyes and found myself nestled comfortably in my own bed. Raphael was lounging lazily on my floor, listlessly twirling his sai.

"Oh, good, ya up." He raised an eye ridge and pushed himself up from the floor. "How ya feelin'?"

The color rose furiously in my cheeks, " I'm feeling alright.." I muttered, unable to look my brother in the eye.

An uncomfortable silence settled between us and I shifted nervously. I had screwed up so bad. I had to explain, though, my family deserved to know how much of a screw up I really was. I took a deep breath and the words began to pour.

"Raph, I'm so sorry I know I shouldn't have done it. It was a terrible mistake. I wanted to study it scientifically but that was an awful idea.."

"Don"

"and it will never happen again. I am so sorry I let our family down. I don't know why I thought I could do this…"

"Donny"

"Master Splinter must think I'm a terrible son. If you and Mikey and Leo don't want to forgive me either, I'll understand…"

"DONNY!" He roared over my lengthy speech. I froze, mouth agape, mid-sentence. He walked towards me, perching on the foot of my bed and peered intently at me.

"I. Don't. Care." He stated simply, his voice soft. "Ya coulda done it 'cause ya thought it'd be fun and ya wanted a break from bein' smart an' responsible an' it wouldn't change how I feel. I'm not upset. There's nothing t' forgive. AND." He paused. "No, I don't hate you, before ya ask."

"But," I rasped, "I endangered our family… what will Master Splinter say?" I ventured meekly.

Raphael laughed, "If ya looking for someone t' get angry about that, you'll have t' tell Leonardo an' Splinta' yaself."

I blinked, "You mean they don't already know? They didn't see me last night?..."

He laughed again, "Hell no! Ya came stumblin' out ya room 'round 3. Everyone else was already asleep ."

"Oh. You didn't already tell them?" The words caught in my throat.

"Nah, there was no reason t'. Nobody asked." He shrugged, a bemused smile on his face. "You rest up. Call me if ya need anythin', 'k?" He started towards the door.

"Wait!" I called out. Why?"

Unfazed, he called over his shoulder without hesitation, ""Donny, ya can't honestly believe you're the only one of us who's ever done somethin' stupid like this.""