"April, will you slow down and answer me?!" Casey trailed behind her, trying hard to dodge the many rude people within the city's sidewalks. She had not stopped since they had started out to help the turtles, to help Donnie. She was determined to get back as soon as she could so she could talk to him but He was upset that she ignored his question. When she didn't stop, he grabbed her arm, pulling her in an alley. "Red come on, relax a bit will you? I need you to understand that I care just as much as you do about them but…why didn't you tell them about what you read in the diaries? About him saying he wanted to die when Leo mentioned it?"
She looked away from him, her eyes cast down as she held her arm. "I…don't think he means it. I didn't want to worry them over nothing." She was being half truthful. She didn't want the m to judge her or get angry at her for looking…more so she didn't want them to tell Donnie. She could only imagine what he would do, what he would think of her.
Casey sighed softly, pulling away from her. "Red, no one really write that shit down unless they thought of it. Of all of them, Donnie is the one I don't get. No one can get inside his head. This makes things harder, more difficult because we don't have a clue what he is thinking." He rubbed the back of his head.
The girl's eyes met his. "I know…" her voice was low, almost fearful. "Donnie…even when he talks…you can tell he isn't saying everything. Almost like he is conditioned to hold himself back." She looked at her watch. "We need to get going. We have to stop at my house, get to the store and then the library…there is too much that needs to be done and I really want to get back to him…them." she corrected.
"I know babe, but you cant run around New York like a chicken with its head cut off. Relax a bit, take your time okay?" he took her hand in his and gave her hand a kiss. "Chill okay? For me?"
She was not so confident she could relax given what had happened. Donnie's scream was still within her mind. It had sounded so frightened, so pained. Far from the Happy smiles she recalled the last time she seen him. Now when she thinks on it, she never recalled his smiles ever reaching his eyes. They had always seemed so…sad.
"Come on, let's get going, I'm sure Donnie will be happy to see you." Casey hugged her before taking her hand and leading the way to her house. He was sure the last person Donnie wanted to see was her. After everything that had happened. He wanted to support her but also…for now…keep her from him. For both their sakes.
~LRDM~
When the scream ripped through the lair, Leo didn't have time to react. He saw his father run from the dojo in a flash with him soon following behind. Splinter ran to the Lab, not caring that Slash stood in his way, he was easy enough to avoid as he knelt down and took his son in his arms. "Shhhh, calm yourself Donatello…" he gently stroked his head, holding him close to his chest to he didn't hurt himself if he resisted. He was still hysterical, hardly able to breathe. Pushing away from his father, trying to escape some unseen tormentor. Splinter thought back, what was it that made Donatello calm as a child? Michelangelo loved to be held, Leonardo liked to be rocked, Raphael liked head pats…Donatello was never really a fussy child.
A small voice started to sing, his ear perked, trying to hear it better. It was small, almost shy and unsure but it soon grew in volume so it could be heard over the cried from Donatello. Still it remained soft, serene and calming. Splinter recalled then, that Donatello loved lullabys. Songs especially that talked about the beauty of the world around them. The cries soon dyed down to nothing more than sobs as the singer moved toward him. The one who Donatello had once said had the better voice of them all.
A leaf green hand reached out to him, stroking his shell above the wound and giving him a gentle smile as he sang. Leonardo was the only one who Donatello always stopped his work to hear. As shy as Leonardo was about his voice, he couldn't help but sing when he and Donatello were alone in the Lab which was sound proof. His brother had helped prefect the sound, using his intelligence to help him though practice in exchange for measuring sound waves to see if he could harness them as a tool against their enemies, perhaps something that could disable the mutants without killing them, those like Tigerclaw with sensitive hearing.
Leo was singing his favorite, Secret Garden, something Donnie was always fascinated with when he was younger. A Gaelic song that he had learned to mimic the sounds of even though he didn't understand the words. It was enough for him to see his brother smile. He learned when they happened upon a discarded CD in the sewers and played it. The others were not very fond of it but the sound captivated their brother. Almost as if a siren had been singing it. It wasn't until after he got the computer did he translate the lyrics, having taught himself the dialect instead of simply looking up the lyrics.
The shadows were all around him. Crying out and yelling, reaching for him, touching him when he didn't want to be touched. They grabbed at him, clawed at him and all he could do was push them away but still they forced themselves to him. Clinging to him and it made things all the worse because he couldn't understand them. Their words were nonsensical, as if speaking an alien language he had yet to encounter. He could feel them touching him, stroking him. The Shadows slowly clawed their way up his body, dragging him further into the darkness. Suffocating him as he tried to claw his way out.
That was when he hear the song…the words washed over him, reminding him of his family, of his brothers. How small they were, how innocent and pure. The voice…it was Leo's. He knew it so well because he helped to tone it. The Shadows began to retreat, drawing back as he looked at them, their eyes fading, darkness banished slowly as he recited the lyric with his brother. Soon, he could see, behind each shadow as someone he loved so dearly. Before him he could only see Leo, singing softly, like he had when they were but tots. The song that so captivated him with the beauty of the voice that had sung. Enchanting and mythic in nature, striving for him to explore more about the world and the land this song had come from.
Leo smiled brightly, not spotting his song even when it reached the end. He started from the beginning as he reached his hand out and cupped his brother's cheek when he began to spoke the words. He got through when the others couldn't. He knew what Donnie needed and he knew that this would only prove their father right. That he was the only choice for Donatello. Yet if it was not what his brother desired he would refuse, even if his father disowned him, he would not put their brother through a marriage he had no desire to be in. "It's okay." He said softly. "No one will hurt you…"
"Leo…" his brother looked at him with tear filled eye, closing them only when he realized how worried he had made everyone. He couldn't get himself under control and made a scene. Letting his mind go and recall what had happened. He buried his face in his brother's warm hand to be grounded to this reality and not the one he allowed of himself. The shadows were nothing, he had to remind himself. They were in his head and a figment of his imagination. He sat idle too long; it was dangerous to do now. He had to et back to work, had to invent and create, mix and build, distract his mind and body so he would not have to recall the monsters that lived inside his mind.
Splinter watched them, noting the same conclusion he had thought before. That Leonardo was the only choice for Donatello. When the other two had panicked, Leonardo had calmly thought of a solution even before he himself could. If Leonardo stayed with his training, he had no doubt he would surpass him in every possible way. Though given the current state of Donatello's mind, he would need to push the wedding back to possibly the winter solstice. He did not wish to rush Donatello's recovery.
~LRDM~
"Dad! I'm home." April threw her bag on the couch and entered with Casey close behind. She closed the door behind him and walked over to her father who was sitting at the table reading the news paper. She gave him a kiss before sitting down at the table.
"You know I would have preferred you to call earlier, jellybean." He said softly, setting the paper down to look at her. "I worry about you with those mutants and Kraang running around. Oh…not the Turtles and Splinter just…you know the not nice ones."
She rolled her eyes. "I know I should have but…they got Donnie back." She wanted to continue but her father spit out his coffee. "Dad, are you okay?" She grabbed a rag and began to clean the table.
"Last night? How I thought they weren't going on patrol because they couldn't stop arguing." He raised a brow at her. "Wait…wasn't he also in some other dimension with the Kraang?" taking a napkin he wiped his face. Eyeing Casey who stayed well away from April in his house.
"That's just it dad, he was brought to them by Slash…" when her father opened his mouth she quickly answered the question. "He was Raph's pet turtle before he got mutated. He got really big and spikey, bad attitude and beat the crap out of Donnie and Mikey because he wanted Raph as his brother…Anyway, there is more to it then that. Seems they had a run in with Shredder's goons and Donnie got hurt..." she looked away. "Pretty badly."
"How badly? Is he even conscious?" There were so many questions Kirby had as he tried to process what on Earth Shredder would do to the poor turtle. He stood up ready to grab what he needed if she was going to ask him to check him out.
April held her hand out to calm her father. "He's okay dad. He was up and talking last night but…Im afraid you were right." Her voice was soft, talking as if filled with deep remorse. As if she had watched someone die in front of her.
His brows furrowed in confusion. "Right about what?" he could only hope it wasn't anything bad.
"Donnie is biologically a female and well…For a month he was gone…It was during mating season and he…" How was she going to explain this so her father would understand? It's not like she could bring herself to blatantly say 'Hey dad Donnie was raped by a big tortoise who is now currently at the lair I spent the night at', he would forbid her from going.
Kirby's eyes widened. "Please tell me he was willing?" He knew his daughter well enough to understand her. She was such a clever girl but when it came to things that made her uncomfortable…she tried to avoid it if possible.
Casey shook his head. "Sadly no, Leatherhead…well he tended to Donnie when he got back and found…" he knew better then to let April respond to that. She was emotional as it was and reading Donnie's Diary wasn't helping her. Though she didn't say much about what she read to him, he kept trying to urge her to put them back. Perhaps now was too little too late.
Kirby's eyes narrowed in sorrow and understanding. The answer was clear on their faces but he still needed to be absolutely sure. "She's pregnant isn't she? How can you be sure?"
"He dad…Donnie is still a he until he decides to be referred to as a she, but pronouns are the least of our problems. Leatherhead is nearly as smart as Donnie and he tested it a dozen times and according to Leo, Donnie confirmed it as well." She wiped her eyes. "This leads me to what I want to ask you…" she stood up and walked to a stack of catalogs that they still got from when her mom passed away, they didn't have the heart to cancel them. It made them feel as if she were still there. She set one down and opened it up. "I want to repay him, for everything he has done for us, hell we would be with the Kraang now if it weren't for him and the retromutagen…" she looked down at the baby items, cribs, bassinets, toys. "I want new things for him. Not the junk he can get in the yard but…" she covered her mouth to stifle the cry. "He deserves it! After everything he has done and been through he deserves at least this, not just for him but because he could easily get rid of the baby but he wants to keep it. I don't even know if I would…if it were me…" She felt her father wrap his arms around her.
"Shhhh April…I get it. It's hard on everyone to see someone we care about suffer and feel so helpless. Why don't you take the catalog to his family and pick stuff out. I have a little saved up and we can get some things, okay?" He lift her head only to see her smiling through her tears.
"Thank you Dad! I always knew you were the best!" She kissed his cheek and stuffed the catalog in her bag. "I will do extra chores, I'll even get a job when Donnie is feeling better! I promise I will make the money up to you!"
"Hey, It's the least I can do. I'll be sure to visit him and thank him in person when I can." He smiled at her and watched as she left the house. The smile soon fading from his face. "Stay safe…" He knew he would have to keep his daughter from going there. Since Donatello was a female…the others would surely kill for her.
~LRDM~
"Come one bone head ya have ta think. Just what happened when ya were talk'en ta 'im?" Raph was leaning with his hands against the kitchen table. Donnie had calmed down now and was being examined by Leatherhead. Leo was pacing behind Raph, Splinter sat next to him and Slash across from him. Give the severity of what had happened, they all wanted to know just what triggered Donnie. "We aint gonna be mad at ya. No one is blam'en ya fer what happened."
They youngest tried hard to think. What had he said to make Donnie act like that? What would they believe because he was too afraid to tell them all that he had simply kissed Donnie. That was between them and only them. It was supposed to be special. "I…I was talking about Karai…filling him in on everything he missed. Like how she was our sister…" he could see Leo stop pacing for a minute, think for a moment before he paced again. He still wasn't over what happened.
"Go on my son, what else happened." They had been over it three times already and still no one could seem to understand what it was that set his son off. What was the trigger that caused him to push them all away as he had? They didn't wish to ask the source, far too afraid it may trigger him again.
Mikey shot out of his chair and slammed his hands on the table. "I told you all already I don't know! If I did wouldn't you think I would have said something?!" He was pissed that it was him who caused his brother to be afraid. The kiss had started off just fine, almost like he always dreamed but when he deepened it, when he put his hand behind his brother's head, that was when he noticed the change. Tears flowed in his eyes. "I didn't mean to…I was only talking to him…like we always did…"
Splinter placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "We know my son, there was no reason for you to feel at fault. I am sure in time we can understand what his triggers will be. For now it is safe to say your brother is suffering from PTSD." He glared at Slash who simply lowered his head. "What ever happened, it seems he is reliving those moments in his mind. While his body will heal quickly, I fear that his mind is another matter entirely." He stroked his beard.
"So yer say'en he is fucked in da head." Raph threw his hands in the air. He didn't want to think about what that meant for Donnie who lived his life by what he could learn and do from what he learned. So have the brainiac mentally unhinged like that…it was a thought that made him shudder.
Splinter wacked his red banded son with his tail for using such crass words. "I would not put it quite that way but yes." He looked to his eldest who paced back and forth. Perhaps it would be a good time to see what he would be like as head of the clan. "Leonardo." His son froze in place before turning to look at him. "What, in your opinion should be done about your brother, please take into consideration the events that have lead him to come home."
Leo know this was a test, to see if he was worthy of the Hamato clan legacy. "Given the severity of his injuries, coupled with the threat now from Shredder and the Foot Clan…I think it is safe to say Donatello will be safest in the lair, as we also do not know when he will…give birth." He could see Splinter nodding his approval. "Things will need to be done around the lair to aid him, including baby proofing. We need to also stock up on food and supplies, no patrols for now, until we can be sure that we take care of our family first."
Raph was not happy about not being able to return the favor to those fucking Foot Bastards that hurt his little brother. He had a fucking special place to stick his sai when he met up with Rahzar. His claw marks were all over Donnie's shell. He was gonna kill them, each and every god damn one of them. He was sure mutants didn't get into heaven, so why the fuck would he take as many of them to hell with him?
"So what now? Bro, I don't know about you all but I aint got nothing for a baby." Mikey sat back down, laying his head in his arms. "No crib, no toys…well baby toys…where the heck are we gonna put it?" he looked around. There wasn't much room in any of their rooms for the child.
"I know a place…" Slash said softly. All eyes looked to him and he felt like an outsider among them. "I was planning to take Donatello there. It is very large, it has many rooms and…I think it was going to be like a shopping mall while people waited on their trains." He grabbed the map of the known subway routes that they had explored. Pulling it from the wall and pointing to a blank spot. "Right here, I happened upon it a few months back. It isn't far from here but I think it will make for a larger home then here. It is more secure as well, nearly sealed off unless you know where to look, easily passed because I know you all had passed it before."
They all looked at the area. "It's right where da Purple Dragon's territory borders de Shredder's." Raph added.
"Dude's Murikami's isn't too far from there…and look how close the junk yard is, and April's place." Mikey pointed to them on the map, showing where each was marked off. They had put a heart sticker for April and a happy sushi sticker for Murakami's.
"Raphael, you and Slash go take a look at the place. It may be a good hide out if this place was ever compromised." Leo could see the two were getting along, though he wasn't overly fond of Slash, he had no choice but to follow his gut on this. "Take pictures with your T phone and send them back to us." He looked to the large tortoise. "Does anyone else know about this place?" He was confident with the shake of the other's head. "Good. If I feel it is secure we can look into it. For now, I think it best we try to help Donatello as best we can. Be mindful of things you do and say as not to trigger him again." He could see the pleased look their father held, knowing that he was doing everything exceptionally well, just as he had taught him.
~LRDM~
Casey scanned through the list of books he had written down on the paper. April was looking over the ones about parenting, motherhood and what not. He was looking for depression and PTSD books. He was able to find them after a while and met up with April. "Do you really think these will help? I mean…no one is really medically capable but Donnie…" He was worried they would try to help and do more harm than good.
"I honestly have no idea. All I can say is Leo is right, it's better to know what to know what you are up against." She shifted the many books she had, even having gotten ones that Donnie had been asking for. Since his leg was broken, maybe he could spend the time reading.
When it was their turn, they set the books down before the librarian who looked at the titles of the books and back down at them. "A little young arent we to be reading about such things?" she raised her brow, refusing to check them out. "I think you should talk to your parents about such things."
"Hey!" April didn't like the glare she was getting from the woman. "It's not like that!" yet before she could finish Casey spoke up.
"Listen lady, this is a public library and since when are we judged for what we want to check out? For your information she is helping me with my elective in home economics, I am gonna get that robo baby next week and I wanted to get a jump start on it. The PTSD is for a history class about 'Nam, if you don't want me learning about all that, fine MRS…Hinkleberg, I'll be sure to tell my public school system about how you denied me the learning opportunity that all us Americans have a right to. In fact instead of just sitting there like a freaking bump on a log, why not write a note to my teachers and Ms. Jones."
The nosy woman said nothing and rang up the book. "Carry on with your education young man." She scuffed and even threw in a tote bag to carry the books.
April laughed as they walked out. "Wow! That was so impressive! I cant believe she bought it!"
Casey just smiled. Happy to hear her laughter. "I'm just tired of people being nosey and sticken it where it don't belong. It's bullshit." He took the bags from April. "Come on, just gotta stop at the store to get what we need, should we get pizza too?" he shifted his load.
"Yeah. If we take dinner off their hands im sure they will be very greatful." She figured they could get Donnie's favorite again, seeing as he was home. She was sure they would agree and not mind it much. "I'm going to talk to him when we get back. I have so much to tell him…and thank him for!"
"Red…" he started, wanting to tell her that she shouldn't get her hopes up because…it will only hurt her in the end. Yet when he saw her face he couldn't help but sigh. "Be sure to bring a slice of pizza with you, make sure he eats it."
~LRDM~
He stayed silent, even as they prodded him. His head was lowered, eyes still glazed with tears, not for what he had done to himself, not for the pain in his body but because of the look he now seen on Mikey's face. His younger brother had kissed him for the first time and he had reacted like that. Acting as if he had hurt him. He couldn't imagine what went through his baby brother's mind as he watched him descend into the dark recesses of his own thoughts.
Mikey was silently sitting by the door, listening as their elder brothers and Father spoke to him. Trying to know what had triggered him, obviously Mikey didn't want them to know about the kiss and so Donnie said nothing either. He just wanted to be left alone, to get back to work. Work occupied his hands and his thoughts, the endless work had helped him cope with so much stress and sorrow in their lives. It helped him to get the work done that had time and again saved their lives.
"Donnie…please you have to talk to us. You have to tell us what happened so we can try to prevent it." Leo squeezed his hand, hoping to help him understand he was not alone.
"My son if you do not wish to talk to us all then talk to at least one of us. Keeping your emotions bottled up will not help you to heal. It will only cause you more suffering." He could see the pain in his eyes. How everything had cause him such harm and damaged his psyche. This isn't what he wanted, he needed him to open up, his poor son was on a path of self destruction.
He hugged himself, moving his hand from his elder brother. The mask had been removed from him, he felt so bare and vulnerable without it, naked even before his brothers. He wasn't handling this well, not the way they had hoped and he was sure he was disappointing them and their father but he could not help it. He wanted to work. He had to work. As long as he was there Shredder would find him. He had so much to do. So little time to finish.
The lack of response from Donnie made Raph curl his hands into tight fists. He hated seeing him like that, so helpless. Donnie was always the one with answers. Even Fearless would turn to him when he was unsure of things, where to go and how to proceed . Yet now all he wanted to do was turn to Donnie for answers, but he wasn't going to tell them. He was so far out of it he wasn't even allowing himself to be touched by them. Even their father's touch he politely avoided with a small dodge, enough to get the message across. It wasn't Slash's fault. Donnie had said that much before. That it was Newtralizer who had placed him in the cage with him. Still he could sense their father's anger toward the large mutant.
They waited for a reply, anything that Donnie would give them but each felt their breath held for nothing. The silent turtle remained just that. Still, silent, lost in his own mind and thoughts. He didn't speak up. Not for a long moment until they heard it shattered by a small voice. "It's been too long…" he muttered, not looking up.
No one seemed to understand. Even Splinter was unsure but they waited for him to clarify, usually their silence provoked Donnie to be more clear with his meaning. Once again he spoke up. "…since we were all together."
They looked around, seeing everyone there, noting that he was speaking of Slash as well who was sitting just outside the lab door. Out of Donnie's view but not his senses. They didn't wish to trigger him again by the sight of the giant mutant. They all fought to choke back their emotions. Even after everything, Donnie's only thoughts were with his family. "There will be more soon…" he looked at his hands. Trying to judge if this was some weird dream or alternate reality he just needed to escape. "…more to love." More to protect.
"Ya always wanted kids." Raph said softly. Everyone knew Donnie loved children. Finding such fascination in the documents of child research that he found. How easily they were able to put things, how the world seemed so innocent in their eyes. "Ya make a great pop Don…"
"Mother…" he corrected. There was silence again. No one really knowing what to say to that. The tension grew and so Donnie decided to ease all of it. Closing his eyes, he raised his head and put on the brightest smile he could muster as the tears rolled down his cheeks. "Odd as it is…I guess wishes do come in most unexpected ways." It took all he had to open his eyes, to see his family's faces. The tension seemed less now. Given each were smiling as well. Obviously relieved that he found the silver lining to all of this. Donnie had to be the strong one. He had to seem like he knew what to do. He had to have all the answers; his family looked up to him for that. He couldn't let them down. He had to choke back his emotions, put on his mask and bury the trauma deep within himself. He couldn't allow himself to falter. He couldn't allow himself to push them away. He had to be strong. He had to be there. He had to fix this.
~LRDM~
Shredder sat on his throne watching Karai sleep in the tree. He was impatiently waiting for his recon team to come back. He had them out and about, looking into what was going on with the turtle's human friends. His last report was that they had been seen but that was a few hours ago. Bradford sat off to the side of the hall, licking his wounds while Xever was swimming in the water below them. Stockman was off prepping the labs for their guest.
The doors to the hall opened, the recon team entered and bowed before him. Tigerclaw rose first, greeting him before glaring at Han, leader of the purple dragons. "We have some valuable news Lord Shredder." The tiger mutant walked forward, holding out a stack of photos to him, each holding images of red headed girl, the hockey kid and the girl's father. Most were unimportant. What struck him as odd were the catalog and the images from within the library.
"It would seem something big has happened. We are not entirely sure but, we believe the girl may be pregnant…" he was cut off.
"And this concerns me how?" Shredder narrowed his eyes at his subordinates. He had little care for the girl if she had a desire to increase the teen pregnancy rate. It had nothing to do with acquiring Donatello.
Han spoke up. "Well it does. It seems that there is something between the girl and Donatello. What we arent sure fully, he is quite protective of her during run ins with my gang. It is possible that if she were pregnant then it is a high possibility that it is with the turtle…"
Shredder rose from his throne, slowly making his way down to them. "My Foot clan had disproved this." He turned to Bradford. "You told me she was with the human kid." If he had lied about it he would pay.
"She is." He stood up and showed the image of them kissing a few days ago. "The kid has to be his." He glared at Han who backed off.
Shredder looked at the images. Trying to piece things together. The amount of bandages bought at the store lead to one thing. "Donatello was hurt during the fall." He let out a growl and balled up the photo. "He is with his brothers and this will make things all the more difficult." There was no doubt now he had to proceed with caution. Though he controlled the Foot Clan and the Purple Dragons, he needed more to ensure that the sheer number would over whelm the turtles. Perhaps he could persuade the Kraang in exchange for the false hope of obtaining Donatello for their own purposes. He was sure something could be arranged.
"GO!" he snapped at them. "I want you keeping an eye on these two. Track them if you must!" he looked down at the pictures of the books. Where did all of this connect and how? He moved back to the throne, staring at his daughter who was now awakened by his shout. A low growl left him. What was he missing?
~LRDM~
"Hey we're back!" April shouted into the lair as she passed through the turnstiles. She looked toward the lab, seeing Slash sitting down in front of the door with his head down. For a moment she thought maybe Sprinter had made good on his word. Yet after a moment his head raised she turned to look away. Clearly the others were in the lab having a family moment, that was when she was able to see just a small portion of Donnie's face. A glimpse of how injured he was.
She wanted to go to him. To talk to him and tell him how incredibly sorry she was for everything. Yet, she bit her tongue for now. His family was there, speaking with him. Laughing even. Donnie was too, much to her surprise. The strength he had never ceased to her. That after everything…he could still smile and laugh. Had it been her, she doubted she would want to be near anyone so soon.
Casey could see her longing, wanting to go talk to him since they found him again but he was the one who advised for her to stay back if he was with his family. That it was better to give them all space. He could see as well as her that Donnie was smiling, perhaps she was upset it wasn't her who made him smile like that. He wasn't sure, but he could see how even Raph's eyes shown with a loving glint when he was looking at Donnie.
"PIZZA!" the quite was interrupted once Mikey caught the scent. He stood up, spoke with Donnie a moment before said turtle shook his head. The smaller turtle sighed before Donnie spoke again and Mikey ran off. "Put my pizza to the side! Donnie wants soup!" he pushed bounced past them, looking at their soup stock and recalled Donnie like Miso. "LEO!" they youngest yelled at the top of his lungs. "DID YOU EAT ALL THE TOFU?!" he glared at the eldest who peeked out of the Lab.
"Check behind the milk Mikey, I know its there." He turned back to those in the room.
Splinter was the next to leave, walking out slowly before turning to April. "April, I have a small request of you." He walked to her and set in her hand some paper. "If you could bring these at your earliest convince, I would be most greatful." He smiled to her and bowed his head. It wasn't often he asked he to get thing for him, but she was happy enough to do so.
Raph stayed in the room to talk with Donnie as Leo left, following their father. He seemed off to her, as if deeply troubled. She was sure it was related to his brother and everything that was going on. Yet, as he left, she was able to see Donnie just as their eyes had meet. His eyes were wide but a moment, he scanned her up and down, ensuring without a doubt she had not been hurt in his absence. She smiled and waved at him. His eyes looked to her as they always had, with nothing but kindness as he shyly waved back. Why did she feel this way? Why now did she look to him and feel like she did when she looked to Casey? Raph must had said something because he turned away to talk to him.
She turned away as well, unsure about the thoughts and emotions in her own head. Donnie didn't look like himself. He looked so…Different. So Small. He seemed to glow now, as crazy as it seemed, she had heard such at her aunt's baby shower, how each of the women there said she was glowing, perhaps because it was the baby but…she could swear she was starting to see what his brothers were talking about.
Leo walked over to her. His mind clearly lost in thought as he spoke lowly. "Do you have the book?" he asked, not even making much eye contact with her. She nodded and pulled it from her bag.
"It's a few years old, I wish I could have gotten to the newer ones but they were all checked out." She sighed softly, looking down at the title and the big letters PTSD. A large part of her wishing that he didn't have it. Yet given what happened this morning she was sure he had. She was taken back by the formality given by Leo, having bowed his head when he received the book. Something was off about him though she could not place it. Perhaps just an over whelming concern for his younger brother. She watched as he moved to the table and began to read the book.
"Hey guys…" she spoke up and got all of their attention, careful not to be too loud where Donnie could hear. "So…I spoke with my dad and he said yes…so…" she pulled out the catalog and set it down infront of them, handing each a colored marker. "I want to let you all pick something for the baby, I want to get Donnie new things instead of allowing him to build stuff from garbage. We can have like as small baby shower…and each of you can offer a gift." She smiled at them but they all looked at each other.
"While we thank you for this April, we have no money to repay you…" Splinter was cut off.
"My dad isn't asking to be repaid. It is because of Donnie we are even together. Because of him that even have the money we do, because he kept adding money to the account when my dad was missing." She smiled. "We owe a lot to Donnie, our lives even and even in this small way…maybe we can show him how much we appreciate it."
Mikey took the book, flipping through it til he found something he really liked. "Yo! Donnie would adore this!" he circled it with his orange marker. "And this!" He flipped through the book circling things he thought his brother would like.
Splinter took the book from him and sighed. "Michelangelo, you are not spending your money, be considerate and select one item." He wasn't going to refuse his son this much at least. April was excited and willing, he would accept their offer. He handed the book back to his son and bowed to April. "I can not say how greatful I am to you and your father for this. I also humbly ask instead of an item in that book if I may ask you to acquire these." He handed her a piece of paper and closed it in her hand.
April was unsure what to do. She had never been asked by Splinter for anything before. She was curious what was written on the paper but could see the look in his eyes that she was meant to look it over much later. She bowed her head and smiled politely at him. "Hai." She saw the smile on his face as he took some of the pizza and made his way to his room. She shoved the paper in her pocket and turned to see the book had made its way to Leo. She could see the orange circle with arrows on the page, clearly Mikey had mode his choice.
April had circled what she wanted to give. She couldn't be more excited about it. Throwing a surprise baby shower for Donnie was going to be fun, difficult but fun none the less. She turned arount to look at Donnie only to nearly bump into Slash. He looked down at her and over to the book Leo was looking through. He said nothing and moved to grab some water. While he had been so cruel to her yesterday. She couldn't help but feel for him. Everyone else seemed to be tense around him but over all accepting.
Sighing, she moved to him and offered the back marker. "Here. It wouldn't look right if the Father didn't have something to give."
He looked down at her. "I gave him the kid." He muttered. Watching her face warp into a look of disgust made him smirk. "Relax, it was a joke." Slash rolled his eyes and looked down at the marker. "I just don't need anything for you, I can get him a gift on my own."
"Something from the junkyard? Or do you plan to steal something?" she crossed her arms. "I know you don't like me, fine whatever, but it isn't about us. It's about Donnie and the baby and right now they need our support and not this petty shit going on right now."
He scuffed. "Donatello doesn't like hearing you cuss. Makes you seem less lady like." He smirked again but held out his hand. "Fine, if it will get you off my shell."
Oh she wanted very much to throw the pen at his beak but she didn't. She needed to be civil to the bastard to ensure that he at least try. Given everything that was going on he could be a little more considerate to those around him. Those who were trying at least.
Casey had been close by, should Slash try anything he would easily push April back and stand between them. He wasn't a fool to think she couldn't defend herself, he knew she could but he wasn't going to stand by and do nothing. It wasn't in him to. It was reflex at this point. Given how often his dad came home drunk out of his mind, how he often had to go to his sister's room to protect her. He could take a beating, but he wasn't going to let them.
Mikey took the Miso and ran into the lab. A few moments later Raph came out, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man…I don't know how that damn turtle has so much fuck'en energy." He looked at the book in Leo's hands, before he could ask, Casey filled him in. "Oh, I like dat idea. SO we can pick anything?" he asked as he was handed a red marker.
"With in reason. We arent made of money." She walked over to him.
"So ask'en for a Tesla is out of da question?" he gave a playful smirk.
She rolled her eyes. "I think I could do that but I'll have to sell my palace to afford it." Raph snorted as he sat across from Leo.
The red banded turtle took the catalog once Leo made his choice. "So did Mikey talk ta yous?" he knew if Mikey had Leo would know exactly what he meant. He was curious to his position on this. What would the Fearless leader think of all of them in a relationship?
The leader in blue sighed and picked up the book on PTSD. "I already gave him my answer." He didn't want to talk about it right now. Given what Splinter had said earlier it was best to try and solve this on his own. Surely there was a way he could convince their father that this was not the right way.
"He didn't tell me. So I am safe ta assume da answer was a no." He frowned. Why was Leo the only hold out. Was it that he still had the stick up his ass? Or was it he wanted all or none of their brother.
Gray eyes looked at him. "We can talk about it later." He was firm on this. Not wanting to get into it right now with him. There was still so much to do and he didn't want to force this marriage on Donnie. He loved him yes, wanted to do all he could for him and his child even though it wasn't his but…this wasn't the way. Marriage didn't seem right. Not like this. "Trust me on this Raphael." A warning, he wasn't in the mood.
"Fine, later then. We all meet in da sewer 'n talk all civil like." He flipped through the book, seeing what each of them were wanting to gift Donnie before going through to try to one up them all. Donnie deserved the world but this…this was a good start.
"Dee! I am so so so so so so so sorry bro!" Mikey set the bowl down on the table and held his brother's hand. "I didn't know that was gonna happen, I know it was stupid to do that so soon after…everything but Donnie…I…I don't want to see that look on your face again!" he let the tears flow freely. His hands holding onto Donnie's for dear life. "Im so so so so so so so sorry, like a million times over Dee!"
Donnie strained to smile, wanting to remove his hand from his brother's hold. He just didn't fell like being touched. "It's okay Mikey, really it wasn't your fault." He tried to sooth his brother. It must have hurt him to think he reacted so poorly to that kiss. What kind of thoughts had gone through Mikey's head after seeing that? "Shhhh, it's fine really Mikey, Don't worry about it." He gently pat his shell, trying to get his baby brother to stop crying.
"Im a horrible brother." Mikey's voice was all too serious.
Don's eyes narrowed in sorrow. "You are not." He squeezed his brother's hand and pulled him close. "Don't say that Mikey, Please don't ever say or believe that. What happened earlier had nothing to do with you. When you kissed me it was m mind that wandered, over thinking things and caused myself to…" he held him tighter. "Mikey you are a good turtle, a wonderful brother and a great friend. Please don't talk so poorly about yourself." He was sure his brother could hear the pain in his voice. He didn't want that, not from Mikey…not from his baby brother.
It didn't take long for Mikey to bounce back to his cheerful self. Having Donnie there to tell him it wasn't his fault reassured him he had indeed done nothing wrong. It was just a kiss. "Okay Dee, I'll try." He wiped at his eyes and moved to get the soup. "Your favorite, miso. Even chopped the tofu a bit bigger the way you like it." He smiled brightly as he watched Donnie take the bowl. "Dude…when was the last time you ate?"
He could see why Mikey had asked. Donnie looked so thin, so frail. Mostly because while kept with Newtralizer all he was given to eat was a small serving of vegetables. It was meant to keep him weak, less likey to escape. Though since then…he had not eaten a thing. He had no concept of time now, he didn't even know what day of the year it was. "I don't remember." He said honestly. He took the spoon and sipped at the broth. Knowing he needed to get something in his system if he was going to take the child to term.
"Eat up bro. You're eating for two now and there is pleanty more where that came from." He smiled sweetly as he watch his brother eat the specially made soup. "How is it?" he asked, wanting to know if there was something more he could do to make it better.
He slowly chewed the tofu, grateful that it was soft enough for him to digest and not strain his tummy. "Delicious as ever Mikey, thank you." Yet it didn't pass him that he was now being watched closer then before. When everyone else left, Raph was there, when Mikey came, Raph had left and he was sure someone else would take Mikey's place. So now he would have a loss of privacy on top of everything else.
Yet his mind wandered to April. He had not expected to see her so soon and it only made him hope that she wasn't there for either of his…episodes? Even after the past few months, he still felt his heart beat quicken when he saw her. No matter what, he still loved her so dearly, even if she did not love him, seeing her happy made him happy as well. It was all that mattered to him. That she was safe and happy. What did she think of him now?