Chapter Thirty-Seven

Donnie awoke the next morning feeling fuzzy and sluggish, but it was offset by the beginning of an idea. Fortunately Raph hadn't stirred yet, still clutching him instinctively to his chest in his sleep. Donnie nestled closer to him, fleshing out the spark of the idea for the next half hour.

"Y'wake?" Raphael mumbled, raising his good hand to trace lazy patterns on Donnie's neck.

"Mm-hm."

Raphael tilted his head down, arching a brow at him. "What're you thinkin' up? Ya got that glint in yer eye…"

"You'll know by this afternoon," Donnie replied slyly.

"Aww, c'mon, tell me now," Raphael pleaded, but Donnie shook his head, jostling them slightly.

"No, I'd like it to be a surprise. Don't get your hopes up, though. I need to clear something by Leo."

"Why?" Raphael asked, a trace of irritation creeping into his voice. "It's still yer week. Yer in charge."

"True, but I still have to ask him something."

"Hmph." Raphael's scowl deepened.

Donnie shifted upwards to brush their noses together. "Now, now, Raphie. Try to not get upset. We haven't even gotten out of bed, yet."

"Yeah, whateva." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "Sorry."

"Just think of your surprise."

Raphael grinned at him, this time being the one to lift his head and rub his nose against Donnie's. "Well, yer last surprise turned out to be pretty mind-blowin'. Not sure you can top that."

"I doubt it," Donnie agreed. "How's your arm feeling this morning?"

"No change," Raphael grunted. "Just aches."

Donnie gave him a pointed glance. "How about the rest of you?"

Raphael's grin widened. "Little achy. Nice reminder, like I told ya."

Donnie chuckled as he closed his eyes. That prickly feeling was starting to rise again, along with the beginnings of a headache. But if all went well this afternoon, he probably wouldn't have to ask for help-

"And how're you, wonder boy?" Raphael asked on cue, giving him a knowing smile. His good hand caressed the back of Donnie's head.

"I'm fine right now," Donnie said, silently cursing himself for the note of hesitation in his voice.

"Yeah? What about in a few hours, you still gonna be fine?" Raphael asked, a frown furrowing his brow.

"I- Probably not," Donnie sighed. "But I'm fine right now. Come, let's get some coffee."

"Don, are ya sure you're okay?"

"Yes. Don't nag at me." He gave Raph a teasing smile before lifting himself and sitting up. "I know what I need."

"Ch'yeah, sure," Raphael snorted as he slowly raised himself on one arm. "You still haven't convinced me of that."

"Let's agree to disagree," Donnie said dryly as he helped push him the last few inches to a sitting position. "Now. I need coffee; not sure about you."

"Yep. But I swear if Leo starts up that shit again this morning I'm gonna-,"

"Raph," Donnie said sharply. "Stop borrowing trouble. Just ignore him." He walked around the bed, putting both hands on Raph's shoulders before bending down and gently pressing his mouth to his. Raphael immediately deepened the kiss, his tongue licking at the edges of Donnie's mouth until it opened.

"Wh-What was that for?" Raphael panted when Donnie pulled away.

"Ignore Leo," Donnie repeated with a sly smile. "Focus on me."

"N-Not a problem," Raphael stuttered.

Raphael was floored when he and Donnie went downstairs and Leo pulled him aside to apologize. It had been extremely awkward, and Leo hadn't said much beyond his apology, and Raph just scuffed his foot and said he was sorry too. Afterwards they had parted quickly, as if repelled by the admittance, and glued themselves to their respective partners.

Breakfast was much more congenial the meal last night. Mikey and Raph got into a friendly argument over which of their favourite TV shows were better, which quickly escalated into a food fight, complete with spoon catapults and plate shields. Leo and Don eventually joined in, every turtle for himself.

They spent the better part of two hours cleaning up after, then they had to hit the showers before morning practice. Leo gave them a brief, though embarrassing, lecture about the type of conduct he expected in the dojo- and the kind he didn't. Mikey smirked through the whole talk, which Donnie took to meant Mikey had already heard once before.

It was well into the afternoon before Donnie was able to find Leo alone. Leo had slipped into the library to find a cookbook Mikey had requested.

"Hey, Leo," Donnie said quietly as he walked up behind him.

"Hey." Leo smiled at him over the book he was flipping through. "How are you doing?"

"I wanted to ask you the same," Donnie replied, sitting on a table nearby.

Leo glanced away. "I was an ass last night, Don. I know. I apologized to Raph, by the way."

"I didn't mean that, but that's excellent," Donnie said happily. "He was certainly upset this morning before we came down."

Leo made a noncommittal noise.

"But otherwise, how are you feeling?"

"That… odd urge is under control. Thank you for checking up on me, Don. How are you?"

"Headache's coming back," Donnie sighed. "Listen, Leo, I need a favour."

"Oh?" Leo looked up, brows raised.

Donnie took a steadying breath before replying. "I know Raph's okay with… with us. He's been so understanding and supportive, especially the last few days, but…" Donnie gestured helplessly. "It's kind of like he- we didn't have much of a choice. I- I want time alone with him tonight. Just an hour or two; I don't want to impose on you or Mikey. I'd like to orchestrate a- a- for lack of a better term, a dinner date for us. Just... some bonding time."

Leo's expression was neutral as he nodded. "Of course, Don. Mike's been wanting some Thai take-out recently; we'll get some and have our own 'date', as you call it."

The lack of emotion on Leo's face bothered Donnie, but he was too happy Leo had agreed to think much of it. "Thanks, Leo," Donnie said, relieved. He stood and clapped a hand on Leo's shoulder, squeezing it briefly.

"Anything for you, Don," Leo said evenly, returning his gaze to the cookbook.

[Author's Note]
Holy crap, I didn't think I'd get this ready on time. Sunday evening rolled around and I realized; OH CRAP IT'S SUNDAY EVENING. Fortunately I had the chapter written in my head, I just had to jot it down. Whew!
Hmm, delicious plot thickens. Leo doesn't seem too happy about this favour, does he?

Oh, and it seems emails are working again? I'm not completely sure, so just in case, if I miss something you've commented on, I'm terribly sorry!