Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Wise Rat
AN: I don't believe it! Got a chapter finished and now about halfway on to the next! (happy squeals of delight) Muse is in a good mood so I'm going to try to keep her happy and see how much I can get done!
Feedback makes the muse happy, so be sure to drop a comment!
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Donnie's restlessness didn't burn itself out like it normally did. Raph and Splinter watched the resident genius with growing concern.
Donnie rarely ate. Drank only coffee and the occasional sports drink, remaining with his random activities. There was no pattern. No rhyme nor reason. He simply moved from one thing to the next, whatever struck his fancy at that particular second.
Usually at the end of his brainstorms, there would be a grand announcement concerning what he had been working on.
But Donnie had been running on fumes for four days straight. Monday found Donnie orbiting the garbage truck doing last minute tweaks.
His eyes had lost their sparkle. They were dull and hooded with fatigue. A twitch made his right shoulder jerk at random intervals. His shell drooped a little lower on his back, his steps more of a dragging shuffle than his usual long stride. But still he continued to work diligently.
Once a day he sent a quick text to Sable, or called her for a moment, just to tell her he loved and missed her, then he returned to his tasks with a renewed vigor.
"Something's wrong," Raph said late Monday evening as Donnie jumped up from his computers and went to the dojo for several minutes of intense training.
Leo barely cast a glance to Donnie's retreating shell. He reclined on the couch, blankly watching April's newscast about a road construction accident that created a sinkhole in midtown Manhattan.
"He's fine," Leo muttered in a bored voice.
Five minutes later, Mikey came in, sitting on the coffee table, blocking the tv.
"Dudes, Donnie's in the dojo," Mikey reported.
"So?" Leo asked, taking kicking at Mikey to get him to move.
"He's sound asleep with his shell up in the air," Mikey said, emphasizing with a pantomime. "Dude's out cold!"
"Master Splinter, something has gotten into Donnie,' Raph said, getting up to go check on his brother.
"Agreed," Splinter said, getting as well.
Mikey popped to his feet, tagging along.
"Yo, Leo, you coming?" Mikey asked as the three made their way to the dojo.
"I'm good," Leo called, turning the channel after April's report.
Raph growled an obscenity under his breath. For once, Splinter didn't rebuke him.
They found Donnie as Mikey had said.
His bo was lax in his hand. He was on his knees, ass and shell sticking straight up, face smashed into the floor, drool forming under his cheek.
"Did he work himself to death?" Mikey asked, crouching down to peer at his brother.
"Seems that way," Raph said, placing his hand on Donnie's shell as the poor, exhausted turtle snored. He looked up to Master Splinter, who was regarding Donnie carefully. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He's never been this bad. He's frantic. Wild. Even more unfocused."
Mikey's wide blue eyes resembled a barn owl. His voice was low, scared.
"Maybe it's drugs?"
Raph rolled his eyes. "No, this is more like determination to prove something." Raph's hard gaze drifted to the doorway where a certain turtle was absent, watching TV instead of attending to a downed brother. "And I think I may know the cause."
"I do believe you are correct," Splinter said, stroking his whiskers.
Splinter may be getting old and moving slower, but he was still as sharp as ever. He had not missed the uncaring nature of his oldest son. As if Leonardo's disinterest was fueling Donnie's frenetic activities. As if the thin turtle was trying to prove himself to someone who was steadfastly determined to be unimpressed.
"I'll tuck him in," Raph said, lifting the lanky turtle with ease.
Mikey picked up Donnie's bo and followed his big brother to Donnie's room, where Raph carefully placed him on the bed.
Leo didn't even acknowledge them as they came into the living room. Didn't ask about Donnie either.
Raph's fists clenched, lip curling.
Mikey shoved Raph, motioning across the room to the video games and with reluctance, Raph followed.
Splinter remained nearby, though his gaze wasn't on the ensuing digital battle being fought. His focus was on the lounging turtle across the room. The one who couldn't be bothered to check on his brother. Who didn't even inquire if there was injury or sickness. Simply lay on the couch, one leg dangling over the corner, a game show on TV.
Donnie slept for four hours.
He awoke with a start, snuffling up the drool and glancing around the room, trying to remember how he got there. The last thing he remembered was practicing in the dojo.
So, how did he wake up in his own bed?
He rubbed the side of his head, yawning and finding his bo where he always left it while sleeping. Maybe he was sleep walking? Maybe he was just so tired, he forgot what he was doing and was running on autopilot?
Still foggy in the head, he got out of bed, put his bo in its place on his shell and exited his room. He barely stepped up into the kitchen when his father spoke.
"My son, you have been working yourself too hard," Splinter said, emerging from the far side.
He knew Donnie didn't sleep well and knew the turtle, though exhausted, would not sleep long. He rarely did. Even when he was a young turtle tot, Donnie averaged a couple hours of sleep and then was up again, busying himself with learning and creativity.
Splinter was shocked Donnie had slept for four hours, but had been waiting, knowing his son would be waking and returning to his hectic, nearly maniacal scatterbrained projects. The brothers were out on patrol, Raph putting them through midnight maneuvers.
"Have a lots to do," Donnie said, plugging up the coffee pot to brew a fresh pot thought it was after 1am.
"Turn it off," Splinter said, his tone brokering no argument.
"Master?" Donnie said, holding the empty pot with the intention of filling it with water.
"You will not be needing it," Splinter said, walking stick making a dull tapping on the concrete floor.
Donnie hesitantly replaced the empty coffee pot. His father stood, looking up, his ears twitching, eyes sad.
"Dad?" Donnie muttered, dropping to one knee to be eye level with his father. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, my son," Splinter said, reaching out to touch Donnie's face.
Now that Donnie was closer, Splinter could see the bags under the turtle's bloodshot eyes. He was beyond exhausted and yet, he still continued to push himself.
"You are in need of rest," Splinter said, stroking Donnie's cheek like he used to do when the turtles were little.
"I have too much work to do," Donnie said automatically, cheek resting in his father's palm.
"My son, you do not need to work to exhaustion to prove yourself," Splinter said, having an idea behind Donnie's sudden drive for perfection. "You are a skilled, brilliant ninja. You have no reason to prove otherwise."
"I have a lot of things I want to work on," Donnie parroted automatically, but his words didn't quite reach his eyes. Even to his own ears, the words sounded empty. "I feel like I'm falling behind, unable to catch up. Everything's piled up on me, at once."
"Untrue," Splinter said. "Far from it. Something troubles your spirit and you are searching for ways to distract from the pain. Tell me, what has you so troubled? Have you and Sable had an argument?"
"What?" Donnie drew up, the most alert he'd been in days. "No! Of course not! In fact, we've hardly spoke for…" Donnie paused, trying to remember what day it was. His head hurt from the attempt.
"You need to take a break," Splinter said gently.
"I can't!" Donnie squeaked.
"You can and you will," Splinter said, tail lashing angrily. His voice rose, stern and commanding. "You have been working long and hard for many days. You deserve a rest and you will take it."
Donnie fretted, wild eyes appearing more feral as he desperately thought of a way to get out of it.
However, Splinter was having none of it. His tail lashed out, catching Donnie along the leg and making him teeter. He barely caught himself before falling to the floor.
"Any other time, you would have been able to allow that blow to roll off you, but your reflexes are sluggish," Splinter said, more fatherly than masterly. "You have exhausted yourself to the point where your senses are weakened."
Donnie's expression fell. His breathing sped up, eyes darting back and forth as if deep in REM sleep. Nostrils flared. His voice was fast, overly excited. Not the kind of reaction Splinter was expecting.
"Always weak. A liability. Not good enough." Donnie muttered, clenching his fists. "Need to work harder!"
Splinter's eyes narrowed. He knew where Donnie's apprehension was coming from. What had triggered his mass hysteria to begin dozens of projects, practice for hours, and ingest copious amounts of coffee.
No wonder the poor turtle was a nervous wreck.
Splinter's voice broke through Donnie's panicked litany listing his failures and inadequacies.
"My son, you are none of those things! You are a strong, capable warrior. You have proven your courage many times over. Your quick thinking and intellect has saved your brothers more times than I fear to count."
Donnie quieted, shrinking in his shell a little. He may be an adult, but when Splinter used that tone, Donnie's childhood came flooding back.
"You are not weak," Splinter reiterated, clasping Donnie's face in his gnarled hands. "You are the strongest person I know, pushing yourself beyond limits no other can reach, including your brothers."
Donnie couldn't stop the tear that escaped. It burned his eye and darkened his mask.
"You stretch yourself too thin," Splinter said, knobbly fingers tracing Donnie's cheeks. "If one is pulled into many directions, they may break."
"Yes, master," Donnie muttered.
"So that is why you will go to your room, right now, and get some sleep," Splinter said.
"But, master, I!.." Donnie started but Splinters fingers pressing on his lips quieted him.
"Then when you are rested well enough to drive, you will go to Sable's and spend two days, resting and gathering your strength."
Donnie blinked, his brain going foggy with the mention of Sable.
"There is danger on the horizon," Splinter whispered, eyes going distant. His fur bristled, hackles rising and falling. "It threatens us all." He refocused on Donnie, who concentrated on his wise father's withered face. "Which is why it is important for us to rest, in body and in spirit. To take a moment of peace when we must face a storm."
"We need every weapon at our disposal," Donnie put in. "We need to be battle ready. Prepared for a moment's notice."
Splinter gave a slow nod. "Yes, my son. But one must also realign the spirit and find their inner peace."
Donnie gave a tired sigh. Sheepishly, he looked up to his father.
"There are a couple things I'd like to finish first, sensei. It will take me three, four hours, tops. Then I'll rest."
Splinter regarded his son. So grown up and yet, still a child, in so many ways.
"I have your word on this?"
"On my honor," Donnie said, bowing to his father.
Splinter touched the scaly green dome of Donnie's head. Heaving a heavy sigh he relented, "Very well. You will rest this night and in the morning you are to go to Sable's for two days." He met Donnie's innocent eyes. "And heal your spirit."
Donnie nodded, his green eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
"Go, finish your projects," Splinter said.
Donnie gave his father a hug, holding tightly to the thin, frail body. He didn't realize how much weight Splinter had lost. He used to be much stronger. Muscles didn't bulge, but he was still fast, agile, and able to snap bone with a single chop.
Had so much time passed?
Donnie released his dad and gave him a reassuring smile, heading toward his workstation, where he bent diligently over several small devices he was soldering.
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Splinter nodded off, but jolted awake, checking the clock. Barely three hours had gone by. He sent a quizzical look toward Donnie, who wasn't paying attention.
After a minute, Donnie popped up in his seat, leaning back to admire his work. Giving a nod of approval, he placed the metal pieces to the side and stretched, going to his computers and typing on five different keyboards.
When finished, he scooted his chair under the lip of the desk and dragged his drooping shell to his room.
As soon as Donnie was in his room, door closed and pants off, he called Sable. She answered, smiling at him over the live feed though it was nearly 5am Tuesday morning.
"Hey, handsome," she said, then her expression faltered. "Donnie, you look exhausted!"
He offered a faint grin, getting into bed. He was too tired to tug his tail. Besides, later that day, hopefully, if all was well, he'd be burying it in Sable.
"Finished up some projects. Heading to bed. Wanted to let you know I'll be coming later today to spend a couple days." Donnie pulled his blankets up, snuggling into their warmth.
Sable watched as his eyes fluttered, fighting off the sleep that so desperately clawed at his consciousness.
"Get some rest, Donatello," Sable said, using his full name and earning a smile, even though he was struggling to remain awake.
"I love you so much," he sighed.
"And I love you," Sable said. "Now, get some sleep, then you can come home to me."
"Kay," Donnie muttered, blindly tapping the phone to end the call.
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Sable got up early and prepared her house, and herself, for Donnie's visit. As she was running the bath, her phone rang.
"Getting ready to leave," Donnie said, making a lot of noise in the background. "Do I need to bring anything?"
"You," Sable said, "Only you."
She hoped Mikey wouldn't stowaway again.
She adored the young turtle, but she and Donnie needed time alone, especially now. She was still healing from her emotional trauma, and needed the intimacy she shared with Donnie.
"Dammit, where are the keys?" Donnie groused, making so much noise, Sable winced, holding the phone away. "They were here a minute ago!"
Sable shook her head.
"Don't drive like a crazy person. Just, get here when you can. I'll have lunch ready."
"Okay," Donnie said, hanging up to begin his hunt for missing keys.
Sable hoped he'd be delayed, at least for a little while. With New York, the traffic was as unpredictable as the city's mood.
Dribbling some lavender oil in the tub, she soaked in the water, allowing the delicate, feminine scent to caress her skin. Not wanting to take too long, she hurriedly dried and pulled on the dark purple teddy, her fingers caressing the silkiness of the fabric and the hardened points of her nipples.
She couldn't wait to see Donnie's reaction!
Drawing the duvet down, as it was too heavy to put in the washing machine for laundering; she placed it on a chair, along with a change of sheets for after they made love. She hated sleeping in wetness. Thankfully, she had the non-permeable sheet to protect her mattress or Donnie would have soaked her bed beyond salvage long ago.
The instructions on the spermacide said it took up to half an hour to be fully effective. Hands shaking, she opened a foil packet of a white suppository looking thing and lifted her leg. Opening her lower lips, she pushed the spermacide in deep, and then remembering Donnie's abundance of love, she added another for good measure.
Properly filled with spermacide, she pulled a low flowing summer dress over her head. It hid her negligee and was easy to remove.
Physically prepared for him, she set about working on the house, placing the condoms on the bedside table and closing the curtains to throw the room into semidarkness. She turned on some flameless candles, giving the room a soft, romantic atmosphere.
Being old school, she put a cd of romantic music in the cd player and set it to repeat, the volume turned low and alluring.
Sable was stirring the food in a crock pot when Donnie came home, locking the door behind him and swooping on her to devour her in a kiss. Sable whined, her tongue doing heated battle with his for a moment before she spoke.
"Food's simmering. Should be good for a couple of hours."
She hoped he understood her meaning. The only thing she was hungry for was him. Long, thick, and filling her with cream. Her thighs dampen in approval.
Donnie paused, simply holding her, arms tight, his chin on her head.
"Are you okay?" she asked, realizing he hadn't cottoned on to her hint of pressing her breasts into his chest, her foot hooking the back of his ankle to rub suggestively.
"Feeling better already," he murmured, holding her at arm's length, his gaze traveling along the floral print dress. He stared at her stomach for a moment. "How are you? Feeling… okay?"
Sable's heart swelled with love.
"I'm fine, Donnie. Really. I've had no bad side effects. I go in a few days to talk to the doctor about an effective birth control. Until then…."
She stepped away from Donnie, earning his curious stare. Since he wasn't understanding her subtle hints, she had to be more direct. She lifted her dress and tossed it aside. The afternoon May sunlight caught the purple of her silken teddy, capturing Donnie's utmost interest.
"Wow," he breathed, entranced.
Sable sashayed forward, swirling her hips, her fingers tracing along the middle line of his plastron, down over his pants, to cup his tail. It thickened in her hand, responding to her immediately.
"Take me to bed," she whispered.
Donnie's nostrils flared, detecting her arousal, but he kept himself in check. His voice was arid, raspy.
"I don't… want to take… advantage."
Sable took his hands in her own, placing them on the swell of her breasts and encouraging him to squeeze their plumpness. He did so, using his fingers to pinch the nipples through the fabric. His mouth sought the sharp peaks, suckling the tips through the sheer material and adding a little friction.
Sable moaned, running her fingers over his head.
"I bought condoms and have spermacide in me. That should keep us safe until I can get on a more permanent birth control."
Donnie stopped his ministrations, her breasts soaked with his saliva and aching for his attention. He rose, cradling her face, where she leaned into his touch, offering kisses to the inside of his wrist.
"I don't want to cause you any more pain." Donnie admitted helplessly.
"I need your love, your reassurance,' Sable breathed. "I need to know you love me."
"Always," Donnie said immediately.
Sable's eyes turned to liquid honey. Her voice was husky with repressed desire and a hint of desperation.
"Then take me to bed. I need to feel you inside me."
"It's too soon?" His words were pleading and questioning at the same time.
"Show me you still love me," Sable whispered, fighting back a sob.
A small part of her feared Donnie would no longer love her. Wouldn't want to touch her. Would find her disgusting or horrible or…. She couldn't list the awful things that niggled her conscious thoughts.
Donnie carefully lifted her into his arms, carrying her up the stairs and to their bedroom. He placed her by the bed and began to undress. His pants and shoes were a crumpled pile in the blink of an eye.
Standing bare before her, vulnerable, tail thick and protruding, the slit dripping pearls, he leaned forward, drawing her into a slow, sensual kiss.
Sable rose on her toes, her small hands placed on his chest, stroking along the hardened plates and tickling the seams.
Donnie withdrew, carefully curling a green finger around the dark purple strap and slid it over her shoulder.
Sable stood immobile, her breath causing her breasts to rise and fall in rapid succession.
Donnie caressed the pale skin, up her arm, along her collarbone, the thin column of her throat. He leaned down, peppering the paleness with butterfly kisses that made her breath quicken even more.
His other hand loosened the strap on the opposite side, moving the thin material out of the way so he could worship the warm flesh.
Breaking contact, Donnie stood, finding Sable panting as a wild cat in heat, her lips slightly parted, eyes heavily lidded and darkened with lust.
The sight took his breath away.
And made him display his cock in full, glistening, pulsing glory.
Sable's eyes lowered to stare at his tumid pride, weeping openly for her attention. She couldn't wait until it was inside her. The ache was becoming unbearable.
But Donnie wasn't going to be rushed.
He slid the straps down her arms, thumbs pausing at her hips to caress her pubic bone through the satiny material, before shimmying it down her legs, where it pooled on the floor.
On one knee, Donnie was level with her breasts, which peaked into tiny strawberries, ripe with flavor. Tentatively he licked one, then the other, kissing along the underside before swirling the sharp peak into the hot cavern of his mouth.
Sable hissed as his teeth raked the sensitive nub, her hands clutching his head as he gently nursed the pain away. Her thighs were wet with approval.
Her other breast received the same treatment, Donnie growling as Sable's nails scaled his head. The full scent of her arousal was driving him mad. His tail would explode if he didn't take her soon!
Desperate to reclaim her, he rose, ready to mount her, but Sable, though half delirious with pleasure, muttered, "Condom."
Frustrated with the delay, Donnie quickly opened the box, taking out a foil packet and staring at it, looking for instructions.
Sable climbed on the bed, half crazy with lust, and took the packet from him, ripping it open. Showing him the end, and remembering how much he came, she pinched off two fingers worth and unrolled down his length.
Donnie grunted, baring his teeth as the thin rubber squeezed him a little too tight for comfort.
"Too tight."
Sable finished securing it, explaining, "It was the largest size available and it's only until I can get on better birth control."
Donnie wasn't too happy with the rubber encasing half his pride, but if it was necessary to bed Sable, he'd endure. Not able to take it anymore, he lifted her off the bed, where she squealed, tucking her legs under his carapace as he lined himself up.
"I love you," he muttered, lowering her onto his shaft, then tumbling to the bed.
Sable moaned, arching her back as the emptiness that had been haunting her was finally filled. Donnie's mouth sought her, luring her tongue into a sensual dance that made her tighten and release around him.
He growled his approval, offering a short, violent thrust that made her breasts bob.
Between kisses and pants and throaty moans, Sable said, "Don't hate me."
Donnie gave a hard thrust that sent stars erupting in her vision. He hovered above, smirking wickedly as their hips moved as one.
"I believe this is the opposite of hate."
Sable clutched his sides, smiling up at him. So beautiful. So wonderful. So loving. So perfect, in every way. With a silent cry, she came undone, exploding around him into a billion, twinkling pieces of starlight.
When she floated back to Earth, Donnie was resting on his elbows, grinning like a maniac, his rigidity still fully impaled.
Sable held his face, pulling him down for kiss.
"I love you, Donatello."
The shit eating grin remained plastered on his face, despite the kisses. His playfulness turned mischievous, giving Sable the shivers.
"I love you more," he said, shifting his legs to better brace himself. "And just so you'll never forget …."
He pistoned his hips, bearing down on Sable.
"Oh god," Sable cried as he began to pound her with the subtly of a jackhammer.
Stars became supernovas and universes were formed until Sable lost all sense of time and space, her emptiness and heartache mended by the sheer force of Donnie's unconditional love.
Still trembling with aftershocks, she gazed adoringly to the man who had stolen her heart and sated all desires. His green skin was covered in a sheen of sweat. His tongue poked between white teeth as he fumbled with the condom.
"How do you get this thing off?" he groused, grabbing the fluid filled end and tugging.
Sable shakily reached out, stopping him.
"Let me."
Unrolling the base, she carefully removed the condom, mindful not to spill the generous bulb that hung as a Christmas ornament made of pearly milk. Tying off the end she dropped it in the trash near the bed. It made an audible thud.
Donnie tucked Sable into his arms, inhaling her scent and licking her cheek before seeking her mouth.
Sable reveled in the affection, trembling from his love. Their tongues danced a romantic tango, heartbeats slowly coming down.
Donnie kissed Sable's eyes, muttering the mantra of love, making sure she never doubted his feelings again.
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Awwwww….. they're just the SWEETEST COUPLE!
Next chapter is turning out to be a bit darker than anticipated…. But it has a good 'feel'… if that makes sense. So I'm going to run with what the muse is typing and hope for the best!
