Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Donnie tried to breath in time with the machine that announced Leo's heartbeat. He was passed out on the medical berth, his skin a sickly pale green. He had lost…he had lost quite a lot of blood. It made his stomach sick just thinking about all those tubes that stored his brother's blood, too many. It was nothing short of a miracle that Leo was still alive, still breathing after weeks of having his blood pulled from his veins-
A sob escaped his throat. He bit down on it, stopping the scream that threatened to break free. Leo was back with them, safe and alive, their father was awake…..
"Dee?"
Donnie quickly wiped his eyes as April blinked groggily at him. He sniffed and tried to ask in an even voice, "Yeah?"
The red head blinked at him, before her blue orbs settled on his face and the tear streaks. Her brow furrowed in heavy thought. "Hey. Are you okay?"
He wanted to say 'yes, everything was fine, don't' worry about me'. But the words wouldn't come. They were stuck in his throat like glue. Finally, he forced out, "We did it, April."
"What do you mean?"
"We did it. Leo, Dad…..both of them. They're back." Donnie's voice cracked. "I thought that Dad was never going to wake up. But he did. I thought we'd find the brother we lost…. but we did."
"Then why-"
"Because we almost lost them both!" The tears were flowing now, and he couldn't stop them. "Dad was almost kidnapped by the EPF and Leo….."
He couldn't look at his brother's pale body, couldn't even touch the fact that his brother was almost bled to death. April placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in comfort.
"We got Leo back. Safely. He's alive. Your dad is awake. The clan is still intact. All thanks to you and your brothers."
Donnie nodded silently.
"You won. Now….why don't you get some sleep? We still have some time before we get back to New York. And you look like you're about to fall onto your face."
Donnie couldn't argue on that front. He sagged a little in relief, patting his girlfriend on the shoulder before laying down in the heap that his brothers and friends had made. A protective circle around the unconscious brother, and while their weapons were tucked away, hidden from sight, it seemed as though that at the first moment of danger, they would be alert and awake and ready to defend their family.
Donnie laid down within the circle, and with April right next to him, he closed his eyes. For the first time in his life, he was content.