Donnie would never admit to Leo that his portals were useful and that he had yet to invent a technology that even came close. But he was tempted, especially one day like this when, instead of dragging their half broken bodies across the city, Leo could simply cut through reality to their living room. But a thought occurs to him as Leo raises his swords to do so.
"The Krang know where our lair is now," he says softly, looking back to the group, " But I have several backup lairs in case something like this happened again, there's the one by Albearto Land, one under West Street Junkyard, my favorite junk yard, there's one under Wall Street but that one smells terribly both physically and spiritually-" he doesn't notice his family look amongst themselves, far too tired to try and mask their concern (maybe they were so tired they had forgotten to consider that possibility; Donnie didn't have that). But he's so out of it he jumps at the gentle arm on his and looks down to Splinter, who gives him a soft smile.
"We will consider that later. with one of the Kraang in the pocket dimension, one less than alive and the other in custody, for now we can consider our home safe. But Leonardo should be resting, so maybe a drive will do everyone some good,"
Donnie looks back to his family, looking from the reassuring smiles of Raph to Mikey, to April and to the newest family member, Casey. As Leo tries to give him the same big smile, Donnie turns away and simply types on his gauntlets to summon the Turtle Tank, refusing to look at anyone else even as the Turtle Tank approaches. Out of his peripheral vision he can see Leo lean heavily on Mikey with Raph hovering anxiously behind them. Normally Raph would of just scooped up every sibling available and carried them, but judging by the sag of his arms, the now swollen nature of his right eye and the way he was favoring his right leg, his short stint as a Kraang monster and tearing himself free had taken more out of him that could no longer by obscured by adrenaline. But before he can go back for him April and Casey both duck under an arm and help support Raph weight. Donnie gives a soft appreciative smile and waits for everyone to get inside. He stops Splinter from climbing up in the driver's seat.
"It's okay, Dad, we're all exhausted." Without even looking, he taps away at the front dash of the battle shell to enable auto pilot before sitting down against the console and turning on his headphones to their full noise canceling capacity and closes his eyes.
(#)(#)\/(#)((#)
In a matter of distance, they had not been that far from home, and even though Donnie doesn't know how long he fell asleep he feels himself being woken ,in what feels like a moment later, with Splinter rubbing his shoulder to wake him. He blinks for a few moments before tapping the side of his headphones to turn them off and Splinter says "I don't mean to wake you, but we're home."
Don blinks for several moments before looking around. Everyone is climbing up from spots on the ground, telling him he wasn't the only one who fell asleep on the way back.
"Thanks," he says, cleaning up from where he had fallen asleep against the warm console. He must have flinched from soreness because Splinter takes him by the shoulders and guides him up to a sitting position. Before he can move to stand up, Splinter catches his eyes for a moment, then gently wraps his arms around him and presses their foreheads together. Donnie trembles for a moment in an attempt to maintain his composure but sinks his entire weight against his Dad and presses his face into his fathers shoulder and clings to him back and for a moment he's a child again, overwhelmed by the world around him and finding comfort in a sympathetic father who might not always understand his child but never wanted his child to feel that they wouldn't stop trying.
He feels Splinter reach to touch his shell and can't stop himself from flinching but covers it by pretending to move to stand up, pausing for a long thought to give Splinter a gentle forehead touch, "Thanks, Dad," he says, standing to full height. He fights the urge to stretch out and irritate his already painful shell. But thankfully Splinter is already heading out behind everyone else. Donnie goes to step out of the Turtle Tank, but before he even steps out off the ramp, he can see a giant crack in the wall of his garage that makes him pause and curl his fist. Stepping past it, he enters the second home he's seen destroyed in his reasonably short life.
Just by glancing over, it seems like most parts, other than the furniture being tossed astray and the whole place looking like they had been gone for thirty years, most of the damage was done to the walls and foundation, which was somehow worse. He notices everyone looking to him for a moment, for a moment as though trusting his judgment.
He taps his gauntlet again. "It's fine, I did a deep dive into the walls in case something like this happened."
Through the cracks in the walls, there is a flash of purple light and the grinding of metal as the largest cracks begin to shift and crack before pulling themselves back into place. The cracks remained,but now with support against them. "I'll have to do some major work later, but this'll work for a month or so at the minimum."
"Well that's good news, at least," Raph said softly. His hand had been curled around a large piece of debris as though he had been ready to start cleaning up himself. Instead, he sank into the ground and used it as a back rest instead where Leo joins him a moment later, sighing and using his shoulder as a massive pillow. The longer Donnie looks Raph over, the more he worries about his eye. He'd have to make sure to check on that later. He notices Leo giving Raph the same look, but as Leo turns to make eye contact with Donnie, probably to 'twin' ask if he saw the same thing, Donnie looks away. He makes a show of going through his bag. "We got things to do, but please everyone sit down before-"
There's a flash of light and sound and Donnie's body is suddenly silhouetted in purple light. He twists and turns in time to see a giant square portal that immediately has everyone on their feet. Just as he uses what little adrenaline he has left to bring his bo back out, a large leather suitcase shoots over his head and cracks into the projector wall with the intensity of a kunai and a familiar voice rings out, "I'm gone for half a day and you destroy half of New York?!"
Baron Draxum stomps in wearing a dark yellow Hawaiian shirt with pink flowers of varying pink shades, a straw hat, a pair of tan pants, and a suitcase in each hand. Behind him another rolling suitcase, almost as big as Draxum, is pushed in on squeaky wheels by the tiny forms of Huginn and Muninn, who are obviously having a hard time with it. But Draxum doesn't seem to notice as he throws his other suitcase with reckless abandon. "YOU were the ones to convince me to go to Tahiti, YOU were the ones who convinced me to buy vacation khakis, the most RELAXING khakis invented by mankind-" Donnie looks over to see Leo give a little devilish smirk telling him who had convinced Draxum of that-" But YOU SWORE you would not fall into any tomfoolery while I left!"
In a somber unison everyone mutters, "We're sorry-"
"Apologies do not CUT it! You are all GROUNDED!" He says, pointing angrily. "YOU'RE GROUNDED!" At Raph, "YOU'RE GROUNDED!" At Mikey (who lets out a pained squeak as he grabs his chest), "YOU'RE GROUNDED!" He points at Donnie, "YOU'RE GROUNDED!" He points at Leo, ("Joke's on you Goatman I was ALREADY grounded.") "YOU'RE GROUNDED!" he points at April, then to Casey who causes him to pause for a sec, "I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT YOU'RE GROUNDED TOO!" ("Yeah, who are you?" Casey asks in confusion). Draxum stomps forward and puts his finger directly in Splinter's face., "AND YOU'RE GROUNDED!"
"What!? YOU can not ground me! I can only ground myself! YOU'RE GROUNDED!"
"NO, YOU'RE GROUNDED!'
"NO, YOU'RE GROUNDED!"
Donnie, sensing this conversation will take a few hours to bear fruit (simply 'cause this happened pretty often), stomps forward. He puts one hand on Draxum's chest and one on Splinter's face and shoves them away from each other.
"ENOUGH! You can continue this very compelling argument outside or you can stay here. You can't do both!"
Draxum opens his mouth (probably to try and ground him) when his eyes glance to the occupants in the room again. This time, it was with the very same look Donnie had seen with different meanings in the past. When he was their enemy it was used to pinpoint their flaws and use them against them; now that Draxum isa friend (reluctant step goat) it's being used to point out their injuries and think of treatments.
"We will discuss groundings later, after you are at full health," He snaps his fingers to Huginn and Muninn behind him (for two gargoyles who had been missing for almost a year, they still seemed to love to do his bidding). "Retrieve my Type 4 First Aid Kit and my Mobile Alchemist Kit from my Clinic. And my Portable Scanning Stone."
"All good bosso! Hey guys!" Huginn leans around Draxum long enough to wave at the group (who waves back) before he and Muninn jump through a portal Draxum made for them. Draxum looks around the room. "Where is your Medical Bay in this new lair?"
"Off my lab. Follow me," Donnie tiredly gestures to the garage. He doesn't wait for Draxum to respond before he sets off. But after a moment he follows afterwards (though Donnie notes he can see Drauxm make an "I got my eyes on you" gesture to Splinter). They walk past a large bench covered in unpacked boxes to a room off the garage (in case they needed immediate first aid) that was set up with three medical gurneys, a exame table pressed against the wall and shelves of perfectly aligned and sorted medical gear, including a private backup generator in the corner (and though no one knows it, there isa back BACK up generator to that one as well). As he turns he sees Draxum narrow his eyes at the unpacked lab behind them. If Draxum saw him he kept any judgements to himself, "Very well, since you're the first one in here we'll start with you-"
"Don't waste your time." Donnie reaches up and presses the release on his battle shell and catches it before it hits the ground, "I got a couple of bruises and my shell is banged up from interfacing with the spaceship, but other than that, I'm better off than the rest of my family. We should see to Raph first -"
"Not before we look at your shell-"
As Draxum grabs his shoulder and sends a painful shock through his body. He pulls away.
"Draxum-'' he snaps before catching himself, his fingers digging into his battle shell. He hisses a deep breath between his teeth, "I'm not arguing with you. I can wait, I'm fine. The others need help more than me. Besides, if you don't let me help I'll just get the primary Medic on our time and you'll have to deal with him assisting you."
He waits, for the argument, for yelling. Even though Draxumhad chilled out since coming to their side, he still had a temper when he wanted to and was not above vining people up to give them first aid. But in that moment Donnie knew if anyone touched him he would fall apart so violently it would bring everyone running.
Thankfully, after a breath, he says, "You are just as stubborn as your family. Very well, but you are not leaving my side."
"Fine, the better to assist you." Threatening Draxum with Leo time (their primary Medic on the team though Donnie is a close second l)Donnie tries not to show either his gratitude or relief as he stomps out of the Med Bay long enough to put his Battle Shell on his crowded work table. His elbow knocks one of the boxes off the table and sends a familiar purple form clattering to the floor. Donnie quickly drops to his knees and grabs it, looking over its robotic turtle form. Its arms and legs are tucked in sleep mode and even though most of its body has been replaced with newer material after its destruction at the hands of the Shredder, the only remaining original piece is part of its skull and eyepieces that are still closed. At this point, dust has even started to form on its surface. Donnie looks Shelldon over several times, checking for damage, before standing back up and putting Shelldon back in its cushioned box. He uses his thumb to stroke behind its auditory processor before closing it back up with another string of his eyes.
"Raph you're first." he calls loudly before going back into the Med Bay. He avoids eye contact with Draxum.
After a few moments the snapping turtle pokes his head in. "Um, hey, look, I know you want to see me first, but Leo and Mikey probably need more help then I-"
"I will not have this argument with every person who walks in here. Either you enter or you get triple groundings." Draxum says as a portal appears just above the table, and a advanced First Aid Kit and what looks like Draxum's Portable Alchemist Kit falls onto the table before Hugin pokes his head out of the portal as well, "As you asked, is it ok if we hang around?"
"Very well, very well, just do not go far." Draxum says, digging through his bag. Huginn Gives A small fist pump before flying to the living room with Muginn close in hand to the living room. Probably to snuggle and cuddle Mikey, which has become their favorite thing to do. Raph's shoulders sink as he steps in, moving to sit on the examination table up by the wall. Draxum pulls out what looks like one of the spare tablets Donnie had given him, except this one had runes (to his horror) cracked into the edges that now give off a pink hue. He holds up the "Scanning Stone'' to Raphael, and what should have been apps and technology is replaced by mystic runes and languages that Donnie (having been studying the language) barely makes out. But they produced an image of Raph with parts of his body highlighted with more concentration around his eye.
"It is as Donatello said: you received contusions on your arms and legs, but your most concerning injury appears to be done to your right eye."
"Oh, uh-" Raph doesn't seem to know where to start. But Donnie has already taken out a salve and is rubbing down Raph's arms where the discoloration of the worst. It would prevent too much swelling and soreness tomorrow, but Donnie could already feel the tension leave Raph at his touch (which was his intent).
"He was captured by the Kraang. It wasn't for very long, but he fused with their technology that was focused on his right eye." Draxum takes out a penlight as Raph removes his mask. Without any obscuring, Donnie can't fully see the three new scars over his eyes that have healed over (which raises the question if rapid healing was a byproduct of Krang's biology). Donnie could see his eye refuse to dilate under Draxum's light, but knew the Alchemist could see more.
"It appears that being fused with Krang technology has damaged your optic nerves; it is not letting light in as it should. Follow my finger," he says, moving his finger from side to side. "How much can you see?"
"Um," Raph glances over at Donnie, but he can see his right eye doesn't move as well, "I can see things that are still, but I'm having trouble with moving objects."
"To be expected. Donatello, fetch an eyepatch from my bag." he says, thankfully no longer arguing with him, and Donnie does as he's told. But as he does, he sees two small vines growing from the wall with two beakers and several vials, balancing and pouring out into each other to cause liquid to swirl and change color. "There is a chance it will heal on its own, but take these four times a day for four days. Do not taste it," he adds fiercely, and judging by the way Raphs' shoulders slump, he jasbeen thinking of just that. "I will come back and give you another exam. If it doesn't improve by then we'll discuss our options. Also inform me if it gets worse in that time. Lay down and I'll put these in for you." He holds his hand out as the final liquid is poured into the eye dropper and is tossed into his hand. Donnie gets the eyepatch in time for Raph to sit up tiredly. Judging by the way his hand lingers towards his face, he's fighting the urge to rub it.
Donnie puts the eyepatch over his eye and situates it in place. He notices the pout on Raph's face and smiles. "On the bright side, you look like a badass Pirate Ninja."
That immediately takes all the pout out of Raph and makes him beam brightly. "Like the Pirate Ninjas from the Jupiter Jim Direct to VHS movie Jupiter Jim vs the Badass Pirate Ninja of Ninja Pirate Planet?"
"Exactly, big brother," Donnie says with a warm hand on Raphs shoulder. Raph grips his hand back and for the first time in almost three hours (hard to believe the world almost ended over a span of three hours) he looks at himself. Donnie holds his gaze a moment longer before Raph looks at Draxum.
"Is it OKif I call Mikey in? He did this really weird, really cool thing when he opened the prison dimension to free Leo, and he seems OK,but I just want to make sure."
"Figures the blue one would get himself trapped in another dimension when I was gone. But Michelangelo opened the portal?" He asks with a quirk of his brow, "Send him in, and tell the blue one he's an idiot."
"I mean... I'll do one of those things," Raph says as he slides off the table. He looks to Donnie again, "You OK, man? You should probably rest too; You were a spaceship for a bit."
Donnie ignores Dr Axum's Angry You didn't tell me that look as he shrugs. "I'lll get help, I promise. Right now I want to help others first."
Raph holds his gaze for a little bit before he seems satisfied. "I'll hold you to that," he says with another smile before he leaves the room.
Draco Turns to Donnie "What in the Three and a Half Hells does 'you were a spaceship' mean!?"
"It means what it sounds like- wait, Three and a Half Hells? Is that a Yokai thing?"
"It does not matter!"—though Donnie felt like it did—"We are discussing your stint as a spaceship and the ramifications of being one later." He points at him with a growl between his teeth, and as Mikey enters, turns that same finger to point at Mikey so aggressively the smallest turtle jumps up with a squeak. "And YOU get on the table and do not do the 'tend to me last' spiel.I am at my WIT'S end with noble turtles."
Mikey looks over at Donnie wthi big, wide baby brother. Am I the problem? eyes, but Donnie shakes his head which is enough, for Mikey to scutter in and climb up on the exam table, swinging his legs happily as though they hadn't almost died twelve times that day. "How was your vacay Barry?"
"I would hardly call it a 'vacay,' Michelangelo. The line to the front desk took hours and by the time I got there, they had lost my luggage, and I spent that entire time fighting the office management to find it. By that point I had given up and returned home in time to hear of everything that had transpired," he says, tapping on his tablet. His fingers falter in a way Donnie isn't sure he noticed at first (Draxum being so steady and dexterous, it was the first time he had seen him falter without previous injury), but also notices the bandages that were barely visible under his sleeves but before he could think more about it Draxum was already holding the tablet up. "Red one mentioned you opening a portal?"
"Yeah, yeah, I did! It was really cool!" Mikey sit up straight stimming his hands, "'Cause 'cause Casey said I was a cool mystic warrior-"
"Casey?" Draxum looks at him, "I passed Casey on the way here; she did not mention seeing any of you."
"Oh not that Casey, the other Casey, the one in the living room!"
"Why do we have two Caseys when one was more than adequate? Tell this one we do not require a second."
"What? No, its OK,he's from the future and he said that I was a cool Mystic Warrior in the future and I kept trying to use my cool mystic hands all day but they didn't work and-and when I thought Leo was trapped in the Prison Dimension with that Chewed up Piece of Gum Krang, something just snapped in me and I did it! I opened the dimension and we got Leo out and it was super cool!"
Draxum opens his mouth as though he wants to say something (knowing Draxum, it was probably "I prefer our Casey'') before saying, "First of all, I will not be identifying him as Casey. I already have a Casey I like just fine. He is new; he shall henceforth be known as Other Casey."
"I mean, there are millions of people named Casey-"
"AND THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN AS OTHER CASEY, and second of all, judging by your scan, it does appear that while you are under duress, something shifted with your Mystic Abilities." He taps on the screen a few more times. Curious, Donnie moves to look over his shoulder. LikeRaph, there are a few highlighted spots that marked bruising and at first, Donnie isn't sure what he is referring to, but then he notices an icon to the corner that he hadn't noticed with Raph's that was a small orange orb, shifting like a flame. "The only way I could describe it is that it is similar to jerry-rigging your abilities. With intense focus, with the desire to save your brother, you channel your abilities and create a new conduit of abilities. But to open a prison dimension is something I have not seen in many years. Normally, mystic stress of this level causes fractures in a person's form." He reaches over and takes Mikey's wrist, gently turning it over to check.
Mikey lets out a small giggle before pulling his arm back. "That tickles."
"It looks like the power was transferred between others to eliminate the stress on your body."
Draxum looks to Donnie, who nods. "Yeah, Raph and I held his shoulder. I don't really understand why I did it at the time. The cracks you mentioned did start to grow, but they spread to us as well."
"You are very lucky that there were two of you there to help him channel this burden. Any less and it would have destroyed him entirely."
At that, Mikey's face fallsentirely and an anxious look passesover his face as he puts his wringing hands to his chest. Donnie is by his side a moment later, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and letting his youngest brother lean into him, pressing his temple into Don's shoulder. It was only then that Draxum seemsto notice the stress he caused Mikey, and though he hasn't been expecting a set response, Draxum moves to him and puts his hand in Mikeys.
Drawing the youngest's attention back to him, he says, "You're alright now, and that's all that matters. You're safe, and now that we are aware of this new ability I will not allow it to consume you. When you are rested and restore your spirit, I will train you to use these abilities. Until then, you are safe. I promise."
The fact that he has never heard Draxum make any sort or promise before, at least not one fueled by revenge (like the time he promised revenge on Splinter for stealing his spot on the couch during movie night), but one fueled by a promise of protection, or to ease someone's fears.
Mikey looks at him again with teary eyes but slowly smiles. "Thanks, Dad," he says softly, squeezing his hand back. Donnie was unsure he'd ever see Draxum as anything other than a Stepgoat or parental figure. But The fact that Mikey had so willingly accepted him as a parental figure remindsDonnie that he is so grateful to have someone so loving and kind in his life. Mikey lets out a small sniff and wipes his eyes as Donnie applies some salve to his bruises and jumps off the table. He pauses long enough to give Draxum a big hug around the waist, and Draxum responds with an almost Donnie-like pat to the head.
"Go get the last annoyance please, and if he makes me wait, I will not give him a pop of lolli."
"But you don't have any-'' A moment later, a lollipop appears in Dr Axum's Hands that replaces the last of the tears of Mikey's eyes with excited glee as he takes it. "And ask the Other Casey if he has any nonessential blood to spare. I may have used it."
Uh-oh, Donnie expected that. "Draxum, no."
"If he truly is from the future then his blood may actually prove to be useful. He may never be nearly a hundredth as valuable as Superior Casey, but he may at least be as valuable as Blue. The lowest of my standards but still my standards-" As Draxum returns to his tablet, Mikey looks over at Donnie (lollipop still fully in mouth) with a look of alarm that clearly asks'' What do I do? I don't want to disappoint Barry,but Donnie gives a smirk and a shake of his head that clearly means Don't worry about it. He'll forget Casey's here in a few minutes. (also because Donnie had his OWN tests he wanted to do on Casey's blood). With a relieved look, Mikey hurries out of the room. Donnie's back is beginning to ache, something fierce, as he reaches up and rubs his shoulders. Unfortunately, Draxum seems to notice.
"Purple, you test my patience. If your injuries are truly nothing of concern, then I can tend to them in the span of time it will take the Blue One to complain about having a lollipop so we have plenty of time-"
"You know you want proof?" Donnie walks over and holds his arms up tiredly. "Scan me then. I don't care."
Draxum's eyes narrow in a way that tells Donnie he doesn't appreciate the attitude, buthe holds up his Scanning Stone, and after a few moments taps the screen. "It is true, like your brothers, you do not have anything worse than a few bruises."
"I told you so. Can you drop it already-"
"BUT most of the bruising is massed on your shell, plus there is a strange surge of mystic energy that I can't focus on." He taps his screen again irritatedly, "Plus your metabolic rates are off-"
"Big whoop, my brothers were almost killed today, in case you forgot, all-knowing Draxum," he snaps louder then Draxum probably deserves, "My oldest brother , who once cried when he stepped on a drawing of flower, almost became a monster, Mikey nearly killed himself ripping the fabric of reality and Leo-" his voice cracks angrily The burning returns to his eyes as warm tears bite the corners of his eyes before breaking free. "Leo was almost trapped in a hell dimension with a monster who undoubtedly would have tortured him for eternity so quit telling me I need help-"
"Donnie?"
A voice pipes in so soft that Donnie almost loses lost it over the echoes of his shout as he turns towards the entrance of the Bay to see Leo standing at the entrance with one hand on the doorway, lollipop wrapper in his free hand (as though he had been ready to come in and demand candy). His eyes are fixated on Donnie. In the past, whenever Leo looked at him like that, he knew he was heading for a hug or some sort of comfort. And most of the time in the past it was welcomed and something he could always depend on from Leo. But seeing him now, watching his eyes grow softer, the same eyes he thought he'd never see again, the same eyes he saw floating through a break in reality as a relentless monster chased him down only causes his fists to tighten.
As Leo opens his mouth, Donnie's hands fly up to the sides of his head, "No, NO, I don't want to hear it! Least of all from you." Quickly tapping the mute button, he returns his world to silence. He can still see Leo talking and gesturing as enters the room. But Donnie uses what little strength he had left to shove past him. Even in the silence, he can hear Leo's voice in his head. Taking the blame for his actions, the apologies, promising never to do it again. Donnie knowsLeo only says those things to stop them from worrying. The same way that Raph had willingly put his escape pod on Leo to escape, the same way Mikey had almost sacrificed himself to make that portal. Even if he hadn't realized the ramifications.
He knew how often his brothers looked him in the eyes and said "I won't do it again."
He knew how often they lied.
Leos' hand touches his shoulder in the gentle way that hundreds of times before had been used to pull him into a hug or a shoulder to cry on. But this time the slight touch sent pain shooting down his back electrifying his no energy left to mask, Donnie spins on him, his hands coming up and shoving Leo hard in the chest, sending Leo stumbling back, hitting his cluttered work table and sending several boxes scattering onto the ground. For the second time that night, the disabled form of Shelldon clatters on the floor. Donnie freezes as Leo looks at him in shock
If Donniehadn't muted his headphones, loud clattering of boxes and metal objects would have been unbearable to him. But, worse than the auditory ramifications, he watches the deactivated form of Shelldon hit the ground before coming to a stop at his feet. He watches Leo (gripping the table behind him) look on the robot, then look up to him, full of pain and disbelief at what had just happened. For a moment he is only shocked at his own action, blinking a few times furiously before two purple lights fall on Leo's confused face in the same line of his vision. But more important than that is the look of utter disbelief and confusion Leo looks back on him with. The same purple eyes emitting the light start to feel again withtears, such that he doesn't notice he doesn't notice at first that his family has crowded the doorway, brought on by the ruckus, and Draxum is in the doorway of the Med Bay. He looks to the confused crowd in the doorway, to Draxum in the entrance to the Med Bay, then to Leo, whose tears had finally started to roll freely down his face. Even though Donnie can't hear him, he sees him say "Donnie? Are you ok?"
For the second time in 3 hours…
Don breaks.
His eyes, in addition to producing light, are producing more tears than he's comfortable with. He presses his palms to his eyes to try and stifle both."Through his fingers, he sees, for the second time that night, the portal of light appears behind him shillouettin his form. Leo seemsto know what is about to happen, as he stands up straight and holds his hand out to him. But Draxum has already stepped in his line of vision, taking his bicep and guiding him towards the portal. Whether or not Drum is giving him a verbal command, he isn't sure, but he doesn't need one. He steps through.
In a flash, the unfinished lab is left behind and he finds himself standing in a large room he recognizes as Draxum's. He doesn't take time to wonder why he's there. A few moments later, there's another flash, and Draxum appears standing in front of him. He expects a lecture, he expects yelling—not that he'd be able to hear it. For a few moments of glorious silence, his exhausted legs give out and he falls against Draxum. His chest aches with the loud sobs he can't hear. Pouring his grief and rage, he accents his sobs by pounding his fist weakly against Draxum's Hawaiian shirt. He feels Draxum's arm shift in a way. The pain that had been radiating up and down his back finally fades in a spell that Donnie hadn't realized Draxum had been casting. He gently puts his arm across the back of Donnie's shoulders and provides what little comfort he can without overwhelming him
Everything that happened, losing everything again and again to a world that seemed determined to rip any stability from him. His brothers, his fathers, his home.
He weeps until there's nothing left.
He weeps until there is only darkness.
(#)(#)\/(#)(#)
Donnie isn't sure when he had fallen asleep, or for how long. But it was long and rough to wake up to a splitting headache that always came after a good cry. It takes a few moments to realize he's curled up on a bed he doesn't recognize, but can only be described as a king sized race car bed with high thread count sheets., He is wrapped in a quilt he recognizes as formerly belonging to Mikey at some point. He thought the silence of the world was from his half awake state but remember she had activated his noise canceling headphones before his meltdown. He taps them to their normal state and shifts around before noticing there are two small forms pressed against his legs and looks down to see Huginn and Muninn curled up against him, sleeping. Normally Donnie is not a fan of foreign cuddlers, but the sight of them make him smile weakly as he carefully pullshis legs away to sit up, freeing himself of the quilt and leaning on his knees with a sore tired sigh. He hears the door open.
"Ah, you're awake. Good, I was feeling bored," Draxum says. Despite his statement, he hasa cup in his free hand and both his first aid and alchemist bag inthe other. He moves over and pulls a chair from the wall that he probably used to read in and sits down in front of him.
"Is Leo OK?" Donnie asks tiredly.
"He is fine. Shocked, but fine. I went to check on him after you fell asleep. After he let me examine him, it was revealed that he had three bruised ribs and a few defensive bone bruises on his arms. From his fight with Kraang," he makes sure to add, but Donnie knowsthere was no way he had shoved Leo hard enough to cause an injury, other thanto Leo's pride. "He kept asking to come see you, but thankfully I managed to silence him with a pop of lolli after he annoyed me too much."
"Really? Candy stopped him?"
"No, I covered it in peanut butter per his instructions but found it an excellent way to sneak one of my larger sedatives and he passed out a moment later," He pauses. "Right, I forget to mention he had a larger than normal bruise on his face after passing out."
Donnie nods. Though normally the visual of Leo standing up and falling flat on his face a moment later would have him in stitches, he only manages a weak smile before wiping his eyes again. "How long was I asleep?"
"Only a few hours. I do not blame you for being in this state. Judging by these scans, you were malnourished before the Kraang invaded. Dehydrated, sleep deprived. There's also that strange light coming from your eyes, but seeing as it hasn't affected your mystic levels too dramatically, I would wager it's not too much to worry about. But I will have to do more tests to find out what that is. Your brothers say you were struggling with the new Lair but I don't think they understood it was to this extreme." He trails off in a way that indicates he expects an answer. But Donnie curls over his cup with his eyes squeezed shut.
After a moment, Draxum sighs, and Donniecan see the hands at the Baron's Side tighten. "I was not truthful earlier," Draxum starts quietly. "It is true the hotel did lose my luggage and the manager was incompetent. But after they found my luggage and I went to check in, I heard some of the other Yokai talking about one of the buildings in New York being encased in organic matter and I knew something was wrong. I tried to portal back to New York but there was something about the organic matter that was interfering with my portal and sent me to the outskirts of the city."
"Staten Island?"
"Staten Island. I ran. As fast as I could, and I watched as the sky opened up and the space ship appeared. I watched missiles, tanks, and planes rupture before they could make a stand. And the entire time, as my body ached, and I pushed myself as hard as I could. When I was crossing the street a car rammed me,"—he gestures to the bandages on his biceps—"But no matter how much I ached, or how much my body wanted to give up, all I could imagine was what I would see when I got there. I imagined your bodies. I imagined Michelangelo at the mercy of those…" He pauses. "Things. I imagined horrible things that will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. Because, despite how I talk, it wasn't spite that kept me alive after my life fell apart at the hands of the Foot. I don't even think I realized it at first, but what made my life worth living was knowing it was not just my life anymore. But that itself is a terrifying thing." He lets it drop.
For a moment Donnie sits in silence. As long as he has known Draxum, they have had very fewinteractions, especially after Draxum insulted him during game night. The fact Draxum issharing this with him shows vulnerability. Donnie lets out a sigh.
"I used to think I could rebuild anything I lost. Computers, wall technology. Even data can be backed up; I have seventy-two backups of my data at all times. And when I started to build backup Lairs in case something like this happened again, I realized it didn't help. I realized there are five things in my home that I can't just replacewith a trip to the junkyard and a genius brain." He pauses, thinking about the disabled Shelldon still on the floor. "Six things. But they're the most important things of all. They're my family, and I love them so much. And they keep doing stupid things, keep trying to sacrifice themselves. But what would've been the point of winning if there was no one to come home to?" he asks with a crack in his voice as his breathing becomes shorter and more panicked.
A hand takes his shoulder again. He is far too tired to do more then flinch and forces himself up to sit up straight and look Draxum in the eyes.
"Donatello, breathe with me," He holds up three fingers, counting down with a inhale and exhaling as he counted back up. Despite himself, Donnie follows along shakily until his breathing becomes calm again. He allows himself a final deep breath.
"Wh-when did you suddenly know how to handle panic attacks."
"Unfortunately, after a few incidents with the Orange One, I had Splinter teach me how to calm him down. It also worked on the Blue One right before he passed out on the floor and hit his face on the wall," Draxum pauses. 'If he had not been openly weeping ugly and using my shirt as a tissue, it would havebeen quite comical," He shakes his head a bit, "He's alright, though. When I left, he was holding an ice pack to his forehead and resting against the Red One eating his drugged pop of lolli."
"Draxum, buddy. It's not a pop of lolli. It's a lollipop."
Draxum frowns, "How is saying pop of lolli any different than lollipop?"
"It's very different. You know the word jerry-rig but- but you know what, it's fine, it's fine," —Not really. It will probably drive him crazy for the rest of the night—"But there is no solution, is there? No matter what, a day will come when I will lose them. Whether it be five days from now or five hundred years."
"That can be said of anything. You are right, there are no solutions to the possibility of losing your family. And there's no way to regain the family you have already lost."Donnie flinches at that. Somehow, even after all of this time, the loss of Gram-Gram was still hard."But pushing them away is not going to make that easier and will only ensure you will lose them. I know for a fact that Leonardo does not fault you for being angry with him. He told me that himself. It was actually the fear of losing you and your family that drove him to do that. Maybe the way to ensure that you do not lose your family unnecessarily is to continue being there for each other."
Donnie knows he's right. Of course he is. It wasn't often that Draxum was right (considering how he almost destroyed the world once, he'd argue that Draxum was hardly right). He wipes his eyes again and sets his cup to the side. "Would it be possible for you to portal me back home?"
"Are you sure? I have plenty of cat food if you are hungry."
"Yeah, please."
Draxum nods as he stands up and leaves the room. Donnie looks back to the racecar bed for a moment (he was going to have to ask later why and how he had a king sized race car bed) and enters the living room just as Draxumsets up a portal. But before he leaves, Draxum holds his hand out to stop him and pulls out thecell phone Donnie had given him. After a few moments of tapping the screen (judging by the sudden knot between his eyebrows, he ishaving trouble navigating his phone) he turns it back around. "I give up. How do I modify this contraption so you can call me even if it is on sleep mode?"
"Oh for the love of—'' Donnie takes it back. "See, you go into contacts- Draxum why are all of your contacts 'Annoying One,' 'Most Annoying One,' 'Slightly Less Than Annoying One'? You have like twenty contacts and I can't tell anyone apart.'
"I have my system. You are listed under Smart One. Make sure you include the Red One and Blue One. They are listed under Tallest One and Most Annoying "
"This is a nightmare that would make Melvil Dewey cry," Donnie says before pulling their names up and doing as he's told. He notices that the contact Michelangelo, Competent Female Turtle (Probably April), and MOST Annoying (the difference being that this one was capitalized and had a rat emoji by it) were already under his emergency contacts list. Even though Donnie smiles, he makes no indication that he saw anything and hands it back. "Thanks," he says softly.
"If I find out you ever hesitate to use it, I will-" Draxum pauses. "I am too tired to think of a threat, but I assure you it will be a good one. Now I have reached my civility quota for the day. Please vacate so I can have my 'me' time."
Donnie knows that was just for show, and instead simply steps through the portal to an empty lair. The string of lights up around the beams that he had programmed to go off at night are the only source of light He can hear the sound of soft breathing in the living room. He honestly considers going back into the Med Bay and sleeping there, but decides against it. Instead, his eyes fall back to the lab table where he sees that the boxes that had been knocked aside had been replaced carefully. He walks over and takes off the top box and removes the deactivated Shelldon from its safe place. For a moment, he stares at it before carefully pressing his forehead against it again and walking over to his backup generator. After a few taps, the robot starts to let out a small hum with a monotone voice saying "Twelve hours to full charge." He pulls out one of the emergency blankets and puts it over the robot before he walks out to the living room.
His brothers must have given their rooms to April and Casey (more likely, April hasreturned home to check on her parents), since all three of his brothers were curled up on the floor in a pile, supported by many pillows and futons. Raph actsas the back, with Leo curled up against his chest, his arm wrapped lazily over Mikey's sleeping form in the same way a child holds a stuffed animal. At first, he considers just going to his unpacked room when Leo's face scrunches up and looks towards him (he notices the giant bruise under his mask that Draxum told him about) and after a moment of eye contact, Leo breaks out into a teary smile. With one arm still holding Mikey, he holds his hand out to Donnie.
Donnie once again has to blink back tears as he moves to join them. Leo lifts the blanket long enough for Donnie to crawl in. As he curls up against Raphs chest, the oldest brother's arms curl around him, giving him the sensation of a weighted blanket. Donnie hooks his arm over Raph's to hold him back before looking at Leo. They stare at each other for a long time. Both of them want to apologize, both of them want to talk. But they accept that they are all going through things that can't be solved over the course of the night. They would get to them when they had the strength. The arm that Leo had used to lift the blanket comes up and wraps around Donnie, pulling him into the same type of hug he had Mikey in and very gently reststheir foreheads together. Donnie feels another wave of emotion come over him, but manages to maintain his composure as he puts his arms on Leo's' in the same way, wrapped over Mikey as well. He closes his eyes.