Disclaimer & Warnings:
I do not own the Turtles, as much as I would love to.
Romantic pairings include 'turtlecest': OCxDonnie; LeoxRaph.
*These later chapters are converting the story to an M rating for language and innuendo / adult content.
**This chapter contains allusions to tcest.**
Chapter Thirty-Five
"Sooo," Alex drawled as she cut a box open, "it's time to start thinking of a Christmas tree. Do you guys do the whole decorating for Christmas thing?"
Donnie and Raph shrugged in unison, but Mikey jumped a few inches off the floor.
"I love Christmas trees!" he said, still bouncing.
"So do I!" Leonardo grinned.
Raphael snorted. "Trees don't belong in a sewer," he teased.
"Agreed," Donnie said, adjusting the TV along the wall.
"Okay, I can see that," Alex nodded. "But it's not any sillier than a tree in my apartment!"
"That's true," Donnie admitted, looking over his shoulder. "I just find them silly, period."
"But they're festive!" Alex pouted.
"They're silly," he repeated, laughing.
"Well," she said, unwrapping a stack of plates, "I want one. You guys are welcome to come enjoy mine anytime if you don't get one yourselves."
Mikey cheered, giving Leo a high-five. "Can we put presents under it?"
"Of course!" She piled the plates into her arms and walked unsteadily into the kitchen. "Will you guys help me pick one out? Donnie? Raph?"
"'Course," Raph said, giving her a grin. "I don't have to sweep up the needles that collect on the ground."
Alex chuckled. "I'm happy to do the sweeping. Sure is nice to have such strong men around to do all the heavy lifting." She winked at them, and simultaneously they flushed.
They worked hard for several hours, taking only a short break to snarf the pizza that was delivered. The apartment began to look more lived in as they arranged furniture and filled the kitchen counter with appliances. Mikey plugged in a boombox, which started an argument about what to listen to while they worked. Leonardo wanted to listen to anything instrumental, but the rest argued they wanted something with a beat to keep them going. However, Raph and Alex turned down Mikey's insistence of current pop music. They wanted to put on the classic rock radio station. Donnie honestly didn't care and said as much, enjoying the friendly quarrel as much as any music. As Alex only had a mop they couldn't draw straws, so they had to take turns using rock-paper-scissors. Raphael was automatically disqualified, as he and Alex were teamed up against the other two. He grumbled but acknowledged it was only fair. Alex won in the end, anyway, so they were wearing identical grins as they tuned the radio.
Finally all the boxes were empty and broken down in a stack by the front door. They collapsed on the couch, which was large enough to fit all five of them, albeit squeezed together. They munched on the cold leftover pizza and talked as they semi-watched a movie. Donnie was already planning on what he would need to 'upgrade' her TV, idly writing down ideas on a scratchpad. Alex leaned on him as she made a list of her own, making an itinerary of what groceries she needed to buy.
"We're still patrollin' tonight, right?" Raph asked, glancing at the clock.
"Of course," Leo nodded.
"Are you coming back here afterwards?" Alex asked hopefully.
The brothers exchanged looks, but Leo nodded at them, indicating they should decide.
"I'd like for you to!" she added, smiling. "I know Mikey's going to Casey's. I'd like to spend my first night here but after this morning…" She frowned. "I'd like to not be alone."
"Then we'll come back here," Raph grinned. "Master Splinter probably won't be home tonight. When he leaves, he's usually gone for a few weeks."
"Awesome! What do you want for dinner? I'll go shopping while you're gone." She saw Donnie's worried glance and closed her hands over his. "I'll be perfectly fine. You can walk me to the store before you head off to do your thing, and I'll take a cab home."
"Okay," Donnie said, not sounding convinced.
"But seriously, he's not showing his face again," Alex said, patting his shoulder and standing up. She fumbled through a drawer, withdrawing a box of matches. "Are you guys leaving soon?"
"It'll be dark by the time we get you to the store," Leo said. "We may as well."
"Alright then." She bent over four candles arranged in a square on the table. Donnie watched her lips move silently as she lit each one.
"What're you doin'?" Raph asked curiously.
She blew the match out and walked to the kitchen to wet it down. "I'm keeping those candles burning until each of you are home tonight from your patrol."
"Why?" Mikey asked, puzzled.
"Each candle represents her prayer that we will return safely," Donnie said, smiling. "Lexi, you're a pagan too?"
"I dunno," she replied, coming back to the couch. "I guess so. All I know is; the power of belief is impressive."
"I'll second that," Leo said, standing beside her. "Suit up, brothers."
They adorned their various weapons eagerly, then shrugged into their coats. Alex wrapped herself in a wool coat and a red tartan scarf, pulling it over her nose.
It was a chilly but fun walk to the grocery store. They saw city workers hanging Christmas lights on the traffic lights, and Mikey kept pointing them out as they passed by. Snow began to fall lightly as they reached the store.
Donatello hung back, letting the others move ahead of him and Alex. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a warm kiss.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" he asked worriedly.
"Donnie," she said firmly. "You cannot fret about me while you're out. As Leo will tell you, you're part of a team; your mind must be with them tonight. No distractions." She leaned forward and kissed his nose playfully. "You can focus on me when you get home. Until then, do not let me cloud your thoughts."
He breathed in deeply, his voice heavy with longing. "I can't help it, you smell so good. But I'll do my best."
"Deep breaths," she giggled, pushing him down the sidewalk. "Away from me."
He gave her a lustful glance, then jogged to rejoin his brothers. Silently they melted into the shadows and faded from sight.
Alex found most everything she needed at that single store, taking her time to peruse the isles and chat with other shoppers. She took care to not buy so much she couldn't carry the bags alone, and shortened her list by several items. The brothers- her brothers, as she now thought of them- hadn't argued when she mentioned a casserole for dinner, and she made sure she definitely had everything for that.
As promised, she took a cab home, still very excited to arrive at her new apartment. She started dinner after putting away the groceries, then ran a hot bath. Donnie seriously needed to install a tub in the lair; she sorely missed taking baths when it was so cold outside.
She turned the TV on for background noise once she got out. After checking on the casserole, she dabbed some acrylic paints onto a paper plate and started a new painting. Her mind drifted as she created; wondering if the art gallery would accept her work. She alternatively worried and reassured herself about the Turtles- they were an unstoppable force together, but she couldn't keep down a maternal instinct that remained concerned.
It was just past midnight when the three brothers returned. Alex had plugged in her PS2 and was intent on her game when they came in.
"Oooh, Disgaea," Donnie said approvingly, flopping next to her and cuddling her to his chest. "What item are you leveling?"
"I finally stole a Legendary Cosmic Blade!" she said excitedly. "I'm already on level-," she pulled the main menu down, "level 78!"
"Sheesh, your Laharl is a fucking powerhouse," he said in awe as he watched the little demon sprite tear into a line of monsters.
"I've reincarnated him eleven times now," she replied proudly. "Let me exit this level and I'll get dinner on the table. You guys still hungry?"
"I'll give ya two guesses, and 'no' ain't an answer," Raphael said, sighing happily as he stretched on the other end of the couch.
"I think that's about the most unintelligent sentence you've uttered all day," Leo said, cocking an eyebrow in amusement.
Raphael shot him a bird.
"Don't worry about dinner, I'll get it," Leo offered, sauntering into the kitchen. He pulled the aluminum foil off the dish, then fetched four plates from the cupboard. Alex saved her game and shut it off, reverting the TV back to cable.
The dinner was relaxed and unhurried. Alex wanted to hear all about their patrol adventures, and they regaled her with amusing tales of the crooks and petty thieves they'd tangled with that night. Eventually the conversation died down as they settled more comfortably on the couch, dimming the lights and cuddling with their respective partners. The TV was on and no one watched it.
Though he was doing his best to hide it, Raphael was severely affected by Alex's pheromones, and at times it took all of his self-restraint to not pounce Leo right then and there on the couch. From the occasional glances he traded with Leo, Raph assumed he was feeling the same pull. Raph was beginning to seriously doubt if he could hold to his promise to do Leo's bidding; if Leo didn't make a move tonight, he was. He had to, or else go insane.
Unbeknownst to him, Leo was finding his resolve melting the longer they sat together. He tried to avoid Raph's gaze; his senses were so heightened that he was afraid one lustful glance would break his willpower completely.
When soft churrs began to echo in the room, Donnie decided it was time for him and Alex to make a tactical retreat. Although he was completely supportive of his brothers, he did not want to be around them in such a state. He shook his head, gathering his wits.
"Alex, why don't we head to bed?" he asked, his soft voice sounding much louder in the darkness.
She stretched lazily, smiling. "Why, Donnie, I thought you'd never ask." She could see his flush in the TV's glow. Amused, she looked over at Raphael, who shared a sly grin with her. A thought struck him, and his grin widened.
He knew it was going to happen tonight. For all of them. He licked his lips, thinking rapidly as another idea popped into his head.
"Alex," Raph hissed, standing up and jabbing a thumb at the darkened kitchen. "C'mere."
Puzzled, she padded after him, and Leo and Donnie shared a confused glance.
"I've got an idea," Raphael grinned, his voice low.
Alex held her hands up, shaking her head. "I am not doing a foursome."
He made a gagging face at her. "Ugh! No. No, no, no." He pointed a finger into her chest. "I do not play well with others. I do not share."
"Whew," Alex breathed in relief. "Neither do I."
"Listen…" He shot a glance at the two on the couch. "What about a little bet?"
"A bet?" She blinked at him. "On what?"
An evil smile spread across his face. "Whichever couple screams first, wins."
Her eyes narrowed as she turned the idea over in her mind, then grinned back at him. "No cheating."
"Turtle's honour," he said, raising his hand.
She reached over and shook it, chuckling softly. "Oh, this will be fun. What do I get if I win?"
He waved a hand dismissively. "I dunno. Whatever you want."
"So you just want to win, don't you?"
"Hell yeah."
They turned in unison, twin smiles on their faces.
Back on the couch, the two Turtles shifted uncomfortably as they waited for their partners.
"What are they talking about?" Donnie wondered, furrowing his brow as he watched Raph and Alex whisper in the kitchen.
"Whatever it is, it worries me," Leo admitted, though he smiled. "It's scary how in sync those two are sometimes."
Donnie gave him a wry grin. "They are alike, aren't they?"
"Sometimes. Have you seen them in the garage? I went to get them for supper once and they didn't even acknowledge my presence for about five minutes."
"Uh oh," Donnie interrupted. "What are they doing? Are they betting?"
"I have no idea," Leo sighed in exasperation.
"Are... are you going to be okay?" Donnie asked softly, tilting an eyebrow in question.
Leo patted his shoulder fondly. "Donnie, I can handle anything Raph dishes out, and then some." He mirrored Donnie's grin. "Even that."
Donnie shrugged back at him. "I think I've got the better end of the deal," he laughed. "Have fun."
Leo's eyes glittered as he replied, "Oh… I think we will."
Raphael and Alex walked back over, draping themselves on the shoulders of their partners.
"C'mon, Donnie." Her voice floated like silk over him, and a shiver ran down his spine. She grabbed his hands and led him into the expansive bedroom.
"What are you so pleased about?" Leo asked as Raphael sat next to him, still wearing that devilish grin.
Raph leaned forward, resting his hands on Leo's shoulders. "Because tonight, I'm not giving you a choice, Leo," he breathed softly. "I'm going to make you mine."
Leonardo shuddered under his touch, which only spurred him on.
Not much later, Raphael won their bet- but not in the way he'd planned.
[Author's Note]
Here it comes! COMES! Get it? *bursts into laughter*
Last chance to hide your innocent eyes- smutty chapters are next! :D Forgive me if they take a day or two to publish; again, I'm nervous about presenting these chapters to the public so I'm going to be reading over them a lot before I actually publish them. Remember to be honest when you review!
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. MOST AWESOME SRPG GAME. EVER. I've logged over 500hrs on one save game alone... I knew Donnie would be hooked on that game! :3 I'm still searching for a Legendary-quality Cosmic Blade... Damn Alex.
ninjalover13: D'aww, but smut is where it's at! xD I grew up in a fairly religious household- the stuff I write, read and draw these days would condemn me to Hell in my family's eyes. :P Eye of the beholder an' all that. I'm sooo excited you liked the 'F you' joke. AHAHAHA that was SO fun to write!
Casey: Squee, Alex is so relieved Mikey is back to normal! They're so cute together! And yes, YAY for smut! I hope I do a good job... I'm nervous...
Saya the Sneaky and Awesome Ninja Cat: Aww, that sucks about your PSP. Yeah, it's no worries. Sometimes I just feel bad when I can't respond for a day or two. Trust me, I read EVERY review! *high-fives*
So, yeah…. I seriously LOVED that episode, SAINW. I had to watch it on youtube with very, very crappy resolution and it still blew me away. Reminds me of my favourite episode, 'Night of the Dark Turtle' from Season7. I love that SAINW shared the theme that Don is VITAL to the group, or else they fall apart. Damn straight. *snorts* Who comes up with the plans? Who figures out the best strategies? Who fixes everything? That's right; DONATELLO! Leo the 'Fearless Leader', my ass. Donnie keeps them going, literally and figuratively. *explodes with Donnie pride*