TMNT Bitter Sweet Honey Ch.38
LH POV
Hearing a yawn beyond the threshold, the alligator peaked his head within the 'still to be organized' lab seeing his female friend rubbing her eyes blinking at some notes that she was scribbling on.
She was obviously beyond tired and still worked as if sleep wasn't trying to claim her.
Ever since Raph has come back home a day ago, Donnie hasn't ended her tireless efforts to organize treatments and schedules for her two older siblings who have been hurt and broken-in different ways.
Leo's eyes were still an unknown issue with variables that were still unclear, which made Donnie wary.
Donnie has been trying to create a set of goggles that her sister can wear that will block out the light so it will not harm her sensitive eyes.
However, it wasn't just a simple task to give Leo some black shades and call it a day.
There were other problems with her eyes other then they couldn't be exposed to any light source.
The sensitivity to them was beyond anyone's control.
Everything brought agony to Leo; they were immensely delicate that even normal air was harmful in small portions.
Sadly, Leo couldn't just keep her eyes closed all the time, and the bandages that Donnie placed on her were only a temporary solution that wasn't working so well, since Leo has been starting to complain of the pain now and then looking for relief.
Then in the next corner was Raph... The red clad sister's predicament that even Leo had put her issues to the side stating Raph was a priority over her was dire.
Raph system was a mess, and that was just the icing on the cake.
The drugs that were forced into her body were addictive. Donnie feared she would have at least a couple of months of rough patches just to wing off the addiction alone. Then there was the matter of her mental state, which wasn't clear of yet...
"Donatello, you should be in bed," Leatherhead announced his presence startling the young turtle that almost jumped out of her shell.
"Leatherhead?! Don't do that! You scared me half to death!" Donnie hissed sharply, catching her breath, trying not to fall off her chair grabbing the desk to balance her once again.
Chuckling slowly, Leatherhead approached her desk, seeing her half scribbled plans cluttering the space with decaf coffee stains everywhere that mug of hers had moved around within the hours.
Gazing over these plans and the evidence she set up camp with the mug full, he wondered how long she was considering working on this tonight?
"Sorry about that, but it's late," Leatherhead pointed at the clock insisting she might want to call it quits and start fresh in the morning.
Donnie took a quick glance at the clock, then shook her head continuing to put her attention back to the papers while biting her lip tensely, "I'm fully aware what time it is Leatherhead... Even then I don't have the luxury to stop, there is still so much I need to get done, and I can't waste what little time I have with sleep."
"So working yourself to death is the solution? Everyone needs their sleep and what good will it do for your sisters if you burn yourself out? How much can you accomplish then?"
Donnie displeased by his comments narrowed her eyes, "Oh and what choices do I have?! These problems will not sit while I nap. I need to get everything organized before we are faced with another development with no counter plan to deal with what may come!"
Staring at the pages Donnie clenched her fist, raising her voice that was spiced with frustration and anger, "Leo's blindness is still not fully explained at the point that we don't know if this is just the beginning nor if it might worsen in time. I haven't heard from Chaplin on that front. Then Raph... Raph's body was pumped with so many toxins that are highly addictive it will take months for her body not to be dependent on them. Worse off I have to make her go cold turkey for its risky to aquire the drugs she was on to wing her off them properly... Then then..."
Donnie stopped slamming her fist firmly on the desk in a rage, "They spay her! They tortured her! We don't even know if Raph will ever be Raph AGAIN!"
The overwhelming emotions swirled around Donnie forcing her to burst into tears and break down in front of Leatherhead.
Gently the alligator put his arms around her to comfort her as she took them without complaint burying her beak into his chest.
"I can't do anything for either of them... I can't fix this... And I'm worried about Mikey too... I don't know if there is something wrong with him... What if something else happens to my twin... I can't do this... I... I..."
Shhh, the alligator solely told her rubbing her head, feeling her hot tears running down his skin.
She wasn't the single one that felt this way; he too felt helpless watching his family suffering.
There was so much going on, and no one knew what was to come next or where the end of this chaos will finally be met.
"Donnie it will be okay; I promise you. It will take time, but that said you also have to worry about yourself too. You're pregnant and due anytime now. You can't stress yourself out its not healthy for you or your offspring," the alligator said soothingly getting an odd look from Donnie.
"Leatherhead you just addressed me by my nickname... You never do that, unless you're upset with me... This is the first time you pronounced my nickname in such a manner…"
Realizing he did, he blinked at her; he wasn't accustomed to addressing any of them by their nicknames, always being formal when addressing the turtles, unless he is angry or trying to get them to pay attention to him.
"I... I guess I did," the alligator admitted not sure what else to say beyond that.
Feeling the awkwardness in the room, Donnie raised to her feet, then walked away from Leatherhead heading for the futon she had set up in the lab taking a seat on it.
"I don't want to sleep in my bed. I'm going to stay here for the night," Donnie told Leatherhead grabbing the blanket to cover herself.
"Oh ummm… sure, I will leave then. Just don't go back to work Donatello..." Leatherhead started to inform her only be abruptly interrupted by Donnie.
"Donnie," Donnie told him getting an eyebrow raised in response from the alligator.
"Excuse me?"
"You can drop the formal act and just call me Donnie... I like it when you called me that..." Donnie said shyly turning red.
Biting his lip Leatherhead became speechless, was he to start calling her Donnie then Donatello? Was he to say something on the line he will or what was he to say in response?
Seeing how suddenly Leatherhead seemed flustered by the simple request, Donnie smiled brightly letting out a small chuckle, that only worsened the matters.
Instantly Leatherhead turned beet red nervously looking for a way to escape. He was beyond his comfort zone, and he had no clue what was suspected from him or what was appropriate for this situation.
"Donate... Donnie I should get to bed as well," Leatherhead finally choked out, starting off calling her by her true name, then correcting himself seeing her not so please expression on her face since he didn't take her request seriously.
Turning around quickly to head for the door Donnie suddenly called to him nervously, "Leatherhead do you have to... I mean... Can you stay in here tonight?"
"What?!" Flashing a look towards Donnie, Leatherhead heart sank seeing her glancing at the blankets sadly, was she lonely?
"Sorry I... I'm sorry!" Donnie suddenly apologized not daring to look in Leatherhead's direction flopping to the bed turning her shell towards him.
His mouth still open in shock, he blinked at her since she was now sulking.
Collecting the pieces of himself that plummeted into confusion, consumed by feelings, he wasn't ready to sort out yet, he watched her pull the sheets over herself tightly.
The smell was strong, making him feel awful just for standing there and not acting.
Leatherhead unable to witness her in such a state, let out a sigh while he gathered his courage to make the one move he has been wanting to make for some time.
To be the one by her side to be the one she relied on, other than her going to Alex.
Walking to her, Leatherhead sat down on the bed, seeing her cringed as he did so.
"If you want me to Donnie. I will stay all night by your side..." Leatherhead gently placed his hand on her head petting her, seeing how it was soothing her and cheering her up.
"Thank you Leatherhead," Donnie coo turning around laying her head on his lap, feeling how warm his thigh was and how safe and worry free she felt near him.
Mikey POV
The white turtle stood there in silence with his arms crossed, watching some event in the room beyond, that Mikey had no clue what it may be.
Was he watching Donnie? His silly twin wasn't daring pulling an all-nighter yet again was she?
"Alex?" Mikey asked, tilting his head curiously at the white shell turtle noticing the tension he was under as if he was contemplating on something.
Not getting a response from him Mikey slowly came up to Alex then noticed what the turtle was watching.
In the room, Donnie was laying on the bed with Leatherhead as company, and the two weren't just being friend friendly by the looks of it.
"Umm Dude..." Mikey could only say, trying to put his hand on Alex's shoulder.
Mikey couldn't believe of all the times Donnie was to make a move on Leatherhead was the time Alex was around. As far as Mikey was aware there was no indication that Alex or Donnie ever sorted out they were not mates.
Seeing this play out must have been a devastating blow to the heart. How was Alex going to react to this?
"Huh?" Alex said, surprised almost jumping forward bolting for it, seeing that Mikey was standing there next to him out of nowhere.
"Mikey?" Alex whispered, catching his breath, not wanting to be too loud for Donnie or Leatherhead to hear him.
"Yeah, it's me... Are you okay?"
Smiling Alex shook his head. "Yes, just heading to bed," he said calmly, not giving any indication he saw what was going on the room behind him.
"Are you sure?" Mikey asked again seeing Alex was avoiding the event.
"Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be? So I take it Leo wants tea?" Alex quickly changed the topic moving away from the lab doors to get out of ears reach and stop Mikey from asking him more on the subject.
Remembering he was carrying a tea pot with a cup, Mikey debated if he should just drop it, he didn't want to pour salt into the wound.
Though he wasn't certain what Alex was thinking, and it wasn't like there were many choices of people Alex can talk to.
Besides Mikey was worried on how Alex took what he saw, and he too wasn't sure what his twin was playing. Heck, he wondered if Donnie realized what she was doing?
"Leo wanted some tea before bed to calm her nerves."
Leaning against a wall, Alex nodded, "How is she doing?"
"I would lie and say fine... But I don't know, there are just a lot of things going on, and she is stressed and I don't blame her," Mikey sighed.
"Tell me about it... Hey at least she knows she has you there for her," the white shell turtle pointed out, making Mikey feel worse going back to what was happening in Donnie's lab.
"Are you sure you're okay Alex. You know bro, you can talk to me right? Sure, we don't know each other that much, but I will say I do have your shell if you need it," Mikey offered.
Playing with his thumbs, Alex only smiled, "Thanks Mikey, but I'm fine and... that is just all I wanted to hear. Goodnight Mikey."
Not saying another word Alex left leaving Mikey standing there confused, did he missed something?
Alex POV
Fiddling with the spoon, he placed it in his mouth cleaning the rest of the yogurt that was on it.
His mind wandered staring into the abyss not noticing the glares from the other two turtles.
"Alex... Earth to Alex..." Mikey waved his hand in front of Alex's face, hoping to snap the turtle out of whatever trance he was under.
"Huh?" Alex sluggishly blinked just coming to the realization Mikey was in the kitchen.
"Hey dude are you okay?" Mikey asked, feeling wary about what happen the night before and seeing Alex has been like this all morning so far.
"Ah.. yeah fine... Oh, Leo when did you sit down?" Alex changed the subject looking at the female turtle sitting at the table sipping some tea.
Her cup partially at her lips, Leo let out a sigh, "I have been here since you first sat down..."
"Oh really... I guess I must have spaced out," Alex admitted chuckling under his breath.
"No offense bro but you have been in La La Land for over an hour. I have never seen someone eat yogurt so slowly... I think it has spoiled by now," Mikey pointed out taking a seat, not before placing a bowl of porridge for Leo and his breakfast of cereal on the table.
Playing with his spoon once again, Alex sighed, getting up, "Sorry just thinking..."
"About?" Leo asked softly, making sure she didn't sound too direct.
All she wanted was Alex to think he was getting interrogated; she too knew what happened the night before from Mikey and have been a bit worried what consequences it will breed.
Not that she believed anyone would act childish over this matter, but it has been a subject circling for some time that she feared was going to finally come to the surface if Donnie was ready for it or not.
"Oh nothing much... Well I have some reading to do," Alex washed his spoon quickly and threw out his trash, leaving the kitchen before any more inquiries arose from the other two turtles.
He wanted to deal with this on his own in his own way.
Just as he left the kitchen his sights came across the person he hasn't taken his mind off all night walking down one of the hallways that led to a room Leatherhead has been fixing up of a private study for himself.
Following the alligator Alex kept his distance, he wanted to be out of sight and didn't anyone to interfere with him. He was going to resolve this once and for all.
The room that was full of debris a few days ago now was semi spotless, Leatherhead was moving some large pieces of concrete to the side.
Raising his head from his chore, the alligator huffed seeing the white shell turtle entering the room.
"Is there something I can help you with Alexander?" Leatherhead questioned.
"Actually, it's Alex, not Alexander. I named myself something not that complex, so it's simply Alex..." Alex corrected, then gulped seeing the raised eyebrow from Leatherhead that brought shivers to the turtle, "Or Alexander sounds good..."
"Well is there something I can help you with?" Leatherhead asked again annoyed, ignoring Alex rambling taking a broom to sweep up the dust.
Nervously Alex bit his lip; he was hoping to start this smoothly, but once again Leatherhead was out to bite his head off.
The alligator has been like this since the start with him, sadly Alex could tell it was personal for he didn't have the same demeanor around anyone else and was a bit nicer when Donnie was in the room only...
"I was hoping I can talk to you about something," Alex started seeing the alligator becoming more irked.
"This isn't the best of times Alexander; I'm busy."
"I can see that... But this has to be resolved now not later," Alex said a bit more demanding than he anticipated, getting a startling look from Leatherhead that made him wish he just said, 'Yeah sure' and left with his tail between his legs.
"About what exactly?" Leatherhead said coldly, eyeing the turtle down.
Taking a breath, trying to show he wasn't intimidated by Leatherhead, though not being intimidated by someone who is as big as a house wasn't an easy feat, Alex cleared his throat before speaking.
"About Donnie," Alex started seeing Leatherhead more interested in what he had to say than a moment ago.
"May I ask what about Donatello that you want to talk to me about?"
Cutting to the chase and the fact he didn't want to pussyfoot around this anymore Alex stood as tall as he could, "The part that you two obviously like each other and about what happened in the lab last night."
Donnie POV
"Where is Alex?" Donnie mumbled under her breath irritated that the white shell turtle wasn't in her lab when he promised to help her that morning.
She wanted to go through her plans for Raph and see what Alex's opinion on them before she went to Leatherhead next. She figured it was best to have three heads on this and trusted Alex's opinion, even if this wasn't his area of expertise.
Walking around the new lair taking mental notes on what parts she still needed to make adjustments to, she couldn't find him anywhere he normally would be.
First she tried to see if he was in his room reading, ever since she gave him her notes on artifacts and places she has been in the past, it intrigued the turtle. If he wasn't helping out he was reading. Other then that she wasn't sure what he does during the day.
Not finding him in his room or at the few places, he would normally be found, she decided to take a gander at the areas he might be helping out.
However, he wasn't in the kitchen or helping Casey with Raph, who woke up that night and hasn't responded once, which there wasn't anything she could do until something changed.
So where was he? She couldn't see him leaving the lair without notice and besides without being accompanied by someone she figured he wouldn't dare.
He felt uneasy still not confident of be on his own and with the threat of April and now Hun, there was no way any of them would do so without someone watching their shell.
Sighing Donnie closed her eyes feeling her stomach, it was so swollen, and she swore she was going to pop, how did Leo manage to move around like this?
"Wait!" Alex's voice suddenly screamed in the distance, coming from one of the rooms that were still under construction.
"Alex?" Donnie fret over how he sounded stressed, was he in danger from who or what?
Rushing forward Donnie hurried down the hallway feeling the number it did to her body.
The female turtle once reached the room gasped in horror witnessing a fight that shouldn't be happening.
Leatherhead was consumed in his anger had Alex pinned against a wall.
Alex's body was covered with dust and bruises as Leatherhead hadn't sustained a single injury.
Which wasn't a surprise for Leatherhead had picked a fight with Alex, and he wasn't much of an opponent to begin with.
"Leatherhead what are you doing?!" Donnie yelled at the alligator that snapped out of his rage cringing over the female's voice.
"Donnie?" Leatherhead suddenly quivered flashing a look over towards the doorway horrified in seeing Donnie standing there.
Her eyes were fearful, and the shame crashed into him like a wave.
"Leatherhead put Alex down!" Donnie demanded.
Placing Alex down who moaned in pain Leatherhead took a step back, watching Donnie quickly coming to the white shell turtle's aid to determine how hurt he was.
"Donnie I..." Leatherhead stuttered, then shut up when Donnie flashed an angry disappointed look in his direction.
"What were you thinking? You know you have an advantage over Alex, and yet you start a fight with him? Why!" Donnie growled, making the alligator feel small.
"I...he..."
"He what? What the shell could he say to you that you would do such an unspeakable act!? I thought you had better control of your animal instinct issues!"
"It..." Leatherhead took another step back feeling the dread falling upon him, what had he done? Now Donnie was looking at him like he was the monster here, the villain of this tale.
"Leatherhead... Just LEAVE!" Donnie screamed at him, then turned her attention back to Alex, who was slowly snapping out of his daze.
As the words 'Just Leave' flew off her lips, Leatherhead's heart shattered to pieces as he rushed out of the room.
Once alone Donnie gently rubbed Alex's face, soothing the turtle that blink at her unsure what was going on.
"Donnie?" Alex mumbled, looking around the room, then suddenly sprang to his feet against the female turtle's protests. "Where is Leatherhead?"
"He is gone you don't have to worry..." Donnie started to assure him, thinking it will calm him down yet did the opposite.
"He is! Oh man this isn't good!" Alex only said running pass Donnie before she could even stop him, watching him rush down the hallway in pursuit of Leatherhead.
"Alex?! Where are you going?" Donnie yelled at him feeling this was getting out of hand, what was going on?
LH POV
Deep within the sewers away from the lair, his rage took over him on once again as he slammed his fist into the wall.
Not only his anger had him by the throat over what he had done, but his shame as well making the alligator hang his head low.
What was he thinking?
How could he let his rage control him to the point he goes all out on that turtle that was between him and Donnie?
Sure he wanted Donnie more than anything now than ever, over last nights one and one time with the female turtle, was his actions even just?
The feeling that overwhelmed him when he had her fall asleep in his arms was nothing that words could explain.
He wanted to claim her for some time, but last night was the first time that gave hope to him that it was possible. Then the brat had to come around and spoil it...
Sighing Leatherhead shook his head, feeling the tears form.
That statement wasn't fully true, it wasn't Alex's fault; he was the one that showed his jealousy over Alex in front of Donnie.
No matter how he wanted to reconcile his actions, he knew Alex didn't do anything.
All the turtle said was he wanted to talk about Donnie and him.
Some words were exchanged, and he lost it when Alex said something on the line about his statement over that Donnie and him didn't do anything last night for him to get paranoid about.
Alex's reply to that was, as Leatherhead could still hear it in his head 'Maybe something should have happened.'
After that he lost his mind attacking Alex, he didn't even know why the white shell turtle said that or what his intensions were.
"I'm such a fool," Leatherhead said sadly placing his hand on his head.
"Really? I wouldn't have ever known. Maybe you should have listened to me before acting!" Alex's voice came behind him startling Leatherhead.
Quickly, the alligator turned around feeling the rage boiling up ready to take another round at the turtle that now must be trying to mock him for making a fool of himself in front of Donnie.
However, when he had Alex in his line of sight, he stopped suddenly baffled on why Alex had a roll of toilet paper feed through the bathroom plunger, then waving it like a flag.
Speechless Leatherhead stood there blinking starting to wonder about Alex's frame of mind, how sane was he?
"What? Why... What are you doing?!"
Smiling Alex shrugged, "It's my surrender flag... Okay, I know it's not really a flag, but I didn't have much time and the resources to make it pretty... Beside the other option was Casey's' tighty whities, which in no way in hell, I would dare to touch them..."
"Flag of surrender? Are you trying to mock me turtle?!" Leatherhead growled, still not sure how to handle this, or Alex at that.
This reminded him when he was first getting use to Mikey, though he thought Alex was most definitely odder than the orange clad turtle.
"Yes as in I don't want to fight... Never did and just wanted to talk. Furthermore, no, I am not mocking you. It was the only thing I could think of to get your attention without getting my head smashed in."
"Talk... TALK you made me look like a savage beast!" Leatherhead threw his arm in the air, slamming it into the wall.
"Sorry that wasn't my intention or getting my shell handed either!" Alex admitted, starting to feel silly holding the plunger now.
"Then what was your intention Alexander? To tell me I can't go around Donnie? Or was it to get me into a corner like you did by stating something should have happened last night between Donnie and I, so you have a reasons to fight me and make me look bad?!"
Waving his hand in front of him Alex shook his head, " Woah woah woah! I don't want to fight you ever! Man you can probably knock my lights out in seconds... I just wanted to talk..."
"You said that more than twice Alexander, what is your game?" Leatherhead snarled losing some steam; he started to see there was no point getting angry at the turtle, though he was starting to annoy him.
"I'm not playing any games. I just wanted to know if you really like Donnie that's all."
"Does it matter how I feel about her? It wouldn't matter either way, considering how I see it; she is yours so it's fruitless for me to think in such a manor anymore," Leatherhead pointed out not seeing why he wanted to ask that, it was relevant Donnie does belong to Alex more than ever.
"Mine? Man you do know I was human, and I don't actually think that way right? I mean sure I like Donnie... but I don't love her that way..."
"What?" Leatherhead looked at the turtle confused.
Sighing Alex eased up placing the plunger down, crossing his arms at Leatherhead, "I said I don't like Donnie that way. Sure, I thought I did at first then I realize what I felt for her wasn't love as in romantic, but love as one has for a family member someone they care about. After last night seeing how she was with you, I wanted to know if you love her?"
"You wanted to know if I love her... I thought you were in love with her and being her mate made it that she was yours."
"Leatherhead," Alex came up closer to the alligator to get his point across, "I said I was human, so I don't think in that manor. To me, she doesn't' belong to anyone, and she never gave me her heart. It pretty much was a one-night stand. All that came out of it was a child between me and her, a friendship and a family I have gained in return."
Crossing his arms, Leatherhead thought about it, "Does Donnie know about how you feel?"
"No... I wanted to tell her, but the timing wasn't right and for a bit I was trying to sort out my own feelings. I thought what I felt for her was true love; it was me wanting not to be alone... I hated being alone, and she was the first person to pull me out of that darkness showing me even though I'm like this. Making me realize that I don't have to be alone and can be accepted."
"Alexander... I didn't know..." Leatherhead felt guilty, then tilted his head seeing the smile on Alex's lips.
"Doesn't matter if you did or not. Let's please just be bygones be bygones. I really never want to be on the receiving side of your fists again," Alex put his hand out.
Nodding Leatherhead gladly took Alex's hand, "I can manage that. Sorry for how I have been treating you. I was being foolish."
"Nah, it just proved to me that you liked her."
"I doubt she will feel anything for me now after what I have done," Leatherhead sadly said following Alex back to the lair, who had the plunger in his hand which was a bizarre sight.
Peaking over his shoulders, Alex beamed, "Don't worry I will talk to her about the misunderstanding, telling her it was my fault, and she would have to talk to you about the rest."
"Me! Why!?" Leatherhead yelped, not liking this plan.
"Simple you are going to tell her how you feel. After I tell her first how I feel about her which I know it's mutual. She just needs to hear it from me first to realize she to only sees me as a good friend nothing more, allowing you both to finally take that chance."
"I...I don't' know about this Alexander," Leatherhead nervously protested.
"Come on Leatherhead you like her, she likes you. Enough with the pussyfooting around. After everything that has been happening, don't you think its time the truth comes out before that window of opportunity isn't available? We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next, do you want to regret never taking this chance?"
"I already have..."
"Then the more reason to do this."
Placing his hand on his chin Leatherhead contemplated about it, "I guess you make a compelling argument. Thank you Alex."
"No problem Leatherhead, when it comes down to it, I want her to be happy. She deserves it, and I believe you are a part of that happiness."