Sunshine Chap.4 (AU)

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT

The four turtles entered the dining room. The room was elegant, walls painted in a beautiful golden colour assorted with creamy draperies that hung at the windows. In the middle of the room was a long table for about ten people covered by a pearly white tablecloth. On it were glasses, napkins, large plates and others all arranged harmoniously in their respective places.

"Please, take a seat." Leo invited, seating himself at the head of the table where his father would normally sit.

Mikey sat to Leo's right, and Don next to him. Raph took the chair opposite to Don's. He wanted to have both 'guests' in his line of sight. The little guy was very talkative, quite annoying! He was making sweet eyes to his older brother and talking about everything and nothing. And Leo was falling for it all! The other was quiet, a bit too quiet. Could it just be timidity or was it a well played act?

Don raised his eyes to look at Raph but quickly averted them. He was doing it again! Staring at him like a predator eyeing his prey. Mikey didn't seem to notice a thing, too engaged in his conversation with Leo. Don tried to focus on their conversation and ignore Raph.

Mikey turned to Don, cutting off whatever Leo was saying, in favour of speaking to him.

"Donnie you won't believe how big the bathroom is! It's bigger than my room!" Mikey exclaimed happily and spread his arms wide to mimic its size.

"Sounds nice, Mikey." Don said neutrally. He picked up his fork and swirled it between his fingers, trying to look busy.

Mikey shifted his focus again, "Wait, if you're rich then why are you working as a lifesaver?" he asked looking at Leo with big curious eyes. Not that he was complaining; he would love to see Leo's muscled body basking gorgeously in the sunlight anytime.

"I'm not working as a lifesaver; I was just helping a friend in need." Leo explained, smiling. He clasped his fingers together and rested his arms on the table cloth.

Mikey leaned towards Leo, "Aww! Aren't you a wonderful friend!" He said sweetly.

A bell sounded and two women entered the room carrying in each hand plates of sweet smelling food.

They placed each plate in front the table's occupants. The food appeared to be pastas with prosciutto and hot tomato sauce, covered in parsley.

Mikey took his fork and swirled it in the middle of the plate, "Mmmm this is good!" Mikey hummed after eating some of the pasta.

"Thank you. I personally picked them. The restaurant I ordered them from is known for its culinary masterpieces." Leo said eating from his own plate.

"Mmhhnm, I'm pretty good at cooking, too." Mikey bragged.

Leo seemed curious, "Really?" He grabbed the salt and sprinkled some of it on top of his food.

"Yeah dude, I always dreamed of having my own restaurant." Mikey said dreamily, picturing it in his mind as one of the best restaurants in New York, and why not? Maybe the world!

Idiot. Raph thought frowning. And now what? Was this guy thinking that by telling Leo about his dream in a honey filled voice, he was going to give him the money to open one?!

Of course he seemed like a nice guy, pretty naive that is, but sincere none the less.

Maybe he's not so bad. Raph though. He might allow the kid around his older brother... for now. And he was starting to be less annoying.

"Hey Raphie, you okay?" Mikey asked observing Raph's concentrated face.

Or not.

Raph's left eye twitched,"Don't. Call me. Raphie." He said slowly, sending a warning to the freckled turtle through his yellowish-golden eyes.

"But I like Raphie!" Mikey whined, showing his lower lip.

"You're not calling me that! You dwarf!" Raph snapped rising from his chair, startling everyone else.

"Raph!"

"Shut it, Leo!"

"That's no way of talking with our guest!" Leo rose from the chair as well so he could be on the same level as Raph.

"I don't give a fuck about-"

"And are you two living alone?" Mikey interrupted them, drawing their attention. Don was sitting there, some pasta hanging from his mouth, trying not to draw attention to himself.

The two turtles looked at Mikey and Don, and then at each other. A silent agreement was made between them so they retook their places quietly.

Leo took a deep breath to calm himself.

"No." He shared a look with Raph, "Our father lives with us as well, but he had to attend a meeting in Japan, he will be back by next week."

Mikey's eyes brightened, "Awesome!" He exclaimed, "You guys must throw parties every night with that schedule!"

Raph snorted and grumbled. Leo explained instead, a bit hesitant, "We... Prefer to remain more...In lack of better words... private." he said, speaking between bites.

"Well, I know I would! Right, Donnie?" Mikey said proudly and turned to his friend for confirmation.

"Um yeah, he would." Don said quietly.

The minutes passed, contouring around different random conversations and quiet, silent moments in which they would just eat.

"So Don what is your occupation?" Leo asked as the issue came up.

Don looked up from his chocolate ice cream dessert. "I am an electrician." he said eyes jumping from Leo to Raph. After that fiasco, Raph had returned to his silent observation, he'd figured out everything he wanted about Mikey so Don was now his current interest.

"Uh! Uh! Tell them about the things you built!" Mikey jumped in.

Leo looked surprised for a second time that evening, "The things you built?" he asked.

Don rubbed his hands nervously, "I am kind of an inventor. I like to put things together and see what comes out." he said lifting his hands up for them to see and bringing them together to demonstrate.

"Donnie built our phones, the toaster, some other things that he won't let me touch, and his own computer and laptop!" Mikey enumerated the gadgets by counting on his fingers.

"You built all that?"

"Yeah, I... I did, but it wasn't that hard." Don said, playing with his spoon in the ice cream.

Interesting. "So you're like a genius or something like that. Then why are you an electrician if you're so smart?" Raph asked rising an eye ridge.

Don sighed. He didn't want to go over it but it felt like he should, "After... I graduated from the university I was offered a job with one of the best technological companies at the time because of my good marks but... then a problem appeared in my family and I had to refuse." He finished, grimacing.

Raph listened closely through Don's sentence, "I see. And you haven't tried to go to this... company afterwards?" he inquired.

"I did, but they told me the position had already been occupied and that they weren't hiring at the moment." Don responded looking down.

"And where do you work?"

"At...'Falco's agency'." Don responded, unsure of the importance of his answer.

"Mhmm..." Raph acknowledged, drinking from his glass but still giving Don his full attention.

Don shyly looked away and spotted a big old fashion clock, "It's getting late. We should probably head home." he said smiling sadly.

"Aww, come on!" Mikey whined while stuffing ice cream in his mouth.

"You may stay as long as you want; after all I'll accompany you home." Leo assured but Don didn't look convinced.

Don kept insisting, "We'd like to stay, but we can't. Mikey has to prepare for an interview and I have to go to work tomorrow. "

"Donnie, they didn't even call me yet! There's enough time." Mikey said abruptly.

"You never know."

"What have you applied for Mikey?" Leo decided to change the subject.

Mikey took the chance to talk with Leo gladly, "It's pretty much like my last job. I was working in entertainment as a mascot but now... they didn't quite specifie what it was about in the newspaper." he became hesitant by the time he finishes speaking.

"Mikey we really have to go!" Don rose from the chair and touched Mikey's shoulder to get his attention.

"But Donnie! You heard Leo, we can stay as long as we want, and I don't want to leave yet." Mikey said giving Don his trademark puppy eyes.

Don sighed, exasperated, "I need to go to sleep early, Mikey otherwise I'll-"

"I'll take you home." Raph said out of nowhere. This would be a perfect chance for him to interact with this shy turtle again while they were alone. For the sake of his family of course.

Don stared wide eyed at Raph. He nervously swallowed the lump in his throat. He and Raph had indeed had an interesting meeting but he didn't know if he could trust him, "You don't have to-"

"You wanna argue until the midget agrees to go home ?" Raph said fixing Don with his eyes.

"Hey!"

"Cause if you ask me, he's winning." Raph pointed to the offended turtle.

Don though about it. It was true, Mikey's ability to obtain whatever he wanted was a very sharp skill of his but not unbreakable. Sadly, now Mikey had two other accomplices, "Okay." he agreed.

Raph rose from his chair and left the room without another word. Don quickly thanked Leo for everything, warned Mikey about what was to come if he wasn't home by ten and followed after Raph.

"Bye Donnie! I'll be home soon!" Mikey called and waved after Don. He turned to Leo. "So...where were we?"

Don found Raph waiting for him in the corridor. The two returned to the living room for Don to recover his laptop bag, then Raph gestured to follow him and Don did. The two went outside and Raph lead him to the garage.

"Wait here." Raph said strictly and went inside.

Don waited outside, hugging the bag to his chest.

The garage door opened and from it raced Raph riding a red motorcycle. He came to a halt right in front of Don. Don squeaked scared and jumped away from the vehicle.

"Climb on." Raph ordered and tossed Don a helmet, face hidden by his own helmet.

"I am not riding home on that!" Don said stonily, catching the helmet.

Raph took off his helmet to look Don in the eyes. "Oh, and why not? You're too smart for my bike or what?" he mocked.

"Do you even know how many accidents have been caused by motorcycles?" Don asked, glaring at said vehicle.

"Your point?" this was starting to sound too much like what Leo would say, but for some reason it didn't anger him like Leo would.

Don bit his lower lip and glanced behind himself. He could wait a little longer for Leo to take him home but he didn't want to wait, "I can't believe I'm doing this." he sighed, putting the helmet on.

Raph grinned satisfied, and put his helm back on. Don got on the bike behind Raph slowly, trying to make as little physical contact as possible.

"Hold on." Raph told him. Don coiled his arms around Raph's waist nervously.

The moment Don finally calmed down; Raph started the engine and bolted with a cry of joy.

Don screamed at the sudden take off. "Are you crazy?!" he cried tightening his grip on Raph immediately, burying his head in Raph's shell and closing his eyes tight.

"I told you to hold on!" Raph reminded him as they passed through the fence's gates. "Where'd you say, you live?"

The ride was shorter than the first one, though for Don it took forever. The whole time he remained in the same position, clinging to Raph.

They reached their destination after 15 minutes and Don was more than glad to get off that mechanical speed monstrosity.

"God, I survived!" He exclaimed, getting off. His knees were slightly shaking from the adrenaline.

He looked annoyed at Raph, who had taken his helmet off, and blushed shamefully at what he had just said without thinking. He didn't mean to be rude. He took his helmet off and gave it to Raph.

"Umm... thanks... for bringing me home." he tried to remedy the situation.

Raph accepted the helmet back and put it in its hidden compartment, "No problem. See you later brainiac." he said smirking and winked before putting his helmet back on and driving off.

Don was left alone, staring after the biker. What was that?

Next Day~

"Yes sir. Me!? No no, I have enough time. Yes, I noted the address. I will sir." Don closed the phone and focused on driving through the thick traffic of New York.

After Raph had dropped him off last night he'd proceeded to working on his projects until Mikey was brought home by Leo. They both went to bed afterwards.

Don woke up early and made a quick breakfast for himself, since Mikey was still sleeping. He left for work afterwards; his boss had given him a lot of assignments, since he was the best employer in the agency. A full day. Right when Don was about to call it a day his boss called him again. Apparently a very important client was in need of his personal service and as tired as he was, Don couldn't say no to his boss.

He didn't give him a name, only the address but he guessed that it was enough.

As he drove to the address, the surroundings started to feel familiar; a bit too familiar. His mouth dried when he found the address. It was the same house he had been to last night, the Hamato residence.

Don parked outside by the fence and grabbed his toolbox. He climbed out and went to the smaller gate that was by the side of the bigger ones. He pushed the button on it and waited. The gate opened by itself and he stepped inside the yard, walking up to the front door. He pushed the button beside the door and the door bell sounded.

One of the women who had served dinner last night answered the door. "Hello! How can I help you?" she asked politely.

"Good afternoon Miss. My name is Donatello. I am an electrician and I have received a call from this location saying that there are occasional blackouts." Don explained his presence.

"Well look who's back."

Don looked past the maid."Raph?" he asked stunned.

Raph smirked at Don's speechless face, "Go back to work Irma. I'll handle this." he told her.

"Yes, Mr. Hamato." the maid said quickly and disappeared somewhere inside the house.

Raph watched her go, "Come in!" he held the large door open for Don to enter.

Now was the first time Raph noticed Don's clothing, "What the fuck are you wearing?" he asked, not bothering to hide his disgust towards the garments.

Don looked down at himself. "My... uniform?" he said, wary.

"You look like a garbage man!" Raph sneered and felt bad for it the moment he looked at Don's face.

Don was wearing a greenish gray jumpsuit with many pockets on the front side. It was true that it wasn't quite a beauty but it was obligatory to wear it while at work. Don didn't feel proud about wearing it but he didn't have a choice.

"Hey, hey don't be upset now. I've seen worse." Raph finished speaking and internally slapped himself. Good one Raph.

The comment didn't make Don feel any better, "Sir. Can you show me the electricity panel? I would like to resolve the problem right away." he tried to hide the bitterness behind his blabbing.

"Don."

"I also have other customers waiting, in need of assistance." he lied.

"Donnie!" Raph snapped startling Don and stopping his speech as well.

"I didn't mean it like that. You look good, seriously." Raph apologised. He didn't usually do that, especially to someone he met only a day ago, but the calming nature of this turtle made him feel different. In a good way.

Don heard the sincerity in Raph's voice and smiled, accepting the apology.

Raph was happy to see Don smile. "But the uniform has to go." he added in a humorous voice and Don chucked in response.

Raph lead Don through the house and showed him the electricity panel. Don opened it and started working. It took him some time to spot the problem but he eventually found it. Occasionally Raph would offer him a drink but he would deny it saying that he didn't drink during work.

"I fixed it. But it looks like someone has played a little with it." Don said, looking sideways at Raph who was leaning on the wall next to him while he closed the panel.

"I wonder who." Raph couldn't help but smile.

Don put his tools back in the toolbox."Well since it's all done, I'll take my payment and leave." he said.

Raph had already prepared Don's payment and gave it to him in an envelope. Don took the envelope and noticed something red through the thin paper. Don opened the envelope and pulled out from behind the dollars, two pieces of red paper. He looked at them and then at Raph, "Raph wha-"

"Make sure the goof ball comes as well. Leo will be there too and I don't want him annoying me the whole time." he interrupted him.

"I don't think I understand." Don said worried.

"You will." Raph said putting his arm around Don's shoulders.

Home~

"Mikey! Are you home?" Don called as he entered the apartment. He took his shoes off and set his toolbox next to the door.

"Yes." came Mike's dejected answer from the living room. He was sitting on the couch lazily, watching the TV with hollow eyes.

"Have you stayed in front of the TV all day?"Don called from his room. He took off his uniform and changed into more comfortable clothes.

"Yes." Don entered the living room.

He noticed the slight tremble in Mikey's voice. He looked down at his friend and touched his arm. "Are you okay?" he asked worried.

He didn't even look at Don, "I don't think they'll ever call me back." he said sadly.

"Mikey, it's fine. It's their loss." Don tried to make his friend feel better.

"If you say so." Mikey said, sitting up, trying to look indifferent.

Don sucked on his lip. Mikey had been really happy when he had found the announcement about the job and had hoped to get an interview but...it seemed that it wasn't going to happen. Don remembered the envelope. He went to his room and turned back with it to show to Mikey, "Do you know what these are about?"

Mikey looked over to what Don was showing him. He gapped and snatched the pieces of paper from Don's hand, "Dude! Where did you get this!" he said breathless, looking at them.

"I take it that you know what they are?" Don smiled.

Mikey held them in front of Don."These are tickets for the AMA Supercross competition this weekend! And not any tickets, they're for the lodge!" he smiled widely. His smile turned into a frown, "How?" he asked narrowing his eyes.

"Huh?"

Mikey explained. "These tickets cost about 500 dollars each or even more, how?"

Don nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Raph... gave them to me." He confessed.

Mikey's eyes widened. "What! When!? "

"Today?" Don responded slowly.

"You saw Raph and you didn't take me as well to see Leo!" Mikey said incredibly, sitting now on his hands and knees. His face contorted into a knowing smirk, "Ohhhhhh, I get it. You wanted some alone time with him didn't you? You sneaky turtle!" he wiggled his eye ridges suggestively.

Don took a step back, taken by surprise, "What! N-no! I... it just happened that... he was calling, a costumer and-"

"Uh-huh." Mikey hummed, "And I see two tickets here." He held them up.

"Raph said to bring you as well." Don said, looking away from Mikey's smirking face.

"I thought so."

Later~

"Raph! I'm back!" Leo called from the door. No answer. Typical. He thought.

Leo went on hunting down his brother's location. He found him in the cinematic room watching the largest TV in the house, sitting comfortably on the sofa, arms hanging behind it. On the table in front of him were three empty beer cans and several others left untouched. The TV remote was lying next to his tight.

"What are you doing?" Leo asked from the door way, displeasure clear in his tone.

"Watching wrestling." Raph answered not sparing Leo one glance. He opened another can and took a long slurp from it.

Leo frowned, but then his frown turned into a smirk. He made his way behind the sofa. He snatched the remote playfully and changed the channel, as expected, Raph reacted to it.

"What the fuck! Give it back you dick!" He snarled and jumped over the sofa to pummel his brother, but Leo ran around it.

"Uh-uh, what do we say?" he teased.

"You asshole!"

Leo changed the channel back and tossed the remote back at Raph, "Relax Raph, I was just playing with you."

Raph caught it and dropped back on the sofa. "Well fuck you! I don't have time for your bullshit! And why are you so freaking happy!? "

Leo sat on the sofa as well, but at a safe distance from Raph."I have arranged a meeting with some sponsors and they are ready to invest a lot of money in you, but only after the competition. They want to be sure about their investment." He leaned over to watch his brother's face for any signs that he might be annoyed with the decision but found none. He actually looked like he was thinking about something else.

"Hey Leo, about the competition..." Raph started.

"Yes?" He encouraged, almost afraid of what his little brother might tell him.

Raph swallowed, "Donnie and Mikey are coming, too."

Leo calmed down; he thought that there was a problem with Raph, that he was sick or something worse. He was glad that there was nothing wrong with him.

"I don't know, Raph. I think all the tickets are already sold out by now." He said sincerely. There was nothing to hide.

Raph swallowed again, "I gave Donnie tickets." he said before taking another drink from the can.

"You did? When?" Leo asked.

"Today. The electricity wasn't working well so I called at his company to fix it. And he came." Raph said, crushing the now empty can and putting it on the table next to the other three.

Leo though about what Raph said to him. "The electricity was working fine before I left."

"Yeah, before you left!" Raph raised his hands in the air, exasperated.