So this was...difficult, to say the least. On a lot of different levels too. One place in particular I'm worried about. The style is different and idk. Hopefully you can't pick it out then it'll just prove I'm too critical of myself. If you can though hopefully it won't bother you too much.
Also, my song of inspiration was 'Fire and Fury' by Skillet. I almost named the chapter after it. lol But it wasn't quite right for it. It fits...kind of...but well, whatever. Enjoy!
The first day he can move again he makes up for lost time. Although miraculously that does not involve tormenting Alopex. No. He bides his time and simply watches her. He doesn't even say anything when she makes snide remarks. Which in retrospect was probably the wrong thing to do. Too suspicious. Yet once it's done there's no point in changing his course. So he keeps at it until night.
He pretends to be especially engrossed in his comics then. Everyone around him slowly drifts toward bed and urge him to do the same, but he waves them off. He'll just be a minute more he says. Once they're all off he shifts his gaze carefully around him and slowly stands to his feet. He lays his comic down and ventures into the kitchen for a midnight snack. He rummages around, but he never actually looks for what he's grabbing. He keeps his eyes trained on the living area.
It takes a little while, but eventually they emerge. Donnie and Alopex exit his lab and move with careful steps across the lair. Their eyes sweep over the area and particularly linger at the kitchen. They know the others are over in the wing with the bedrooms, but Raph is not. They heard him each time he insisted he would go in just one more minute. Only he never did. Not to the best of their knowledge. Yet his spot on the couch is vacant now. He's somewhere – and that's the likeliest spot.
There is no movement though. The fridge door and cabinets do not stand open or make the soft sounds they do when closing. It's no use being so suspicious though. If he's there he's there. He'll throw a fit later if he really is hiding, but no more or less. So the duo head on out past the rails and out through the nearest manhole.
Raph leans heavily against the table with baited breath. He tunes all his senses to monitoring the pair. So he hears clearly when they hop over the rails and the silence is piercing when they quickly disappear from earshot. That's his cue. He pushes himself off of the table and rushes from the kitchen. He clears the rails effortlessly and comes to an abrupt halt an instant afterward.
He slows to a crawl as he comes near to the exit. He peers around every corner, his bright green eyes searching intensely in the darkness for the slightest sign of life – of white and green. There's nothing around the first turn and he picks up a little speed. He considers the silence as he moves and decides that they must have taken the first manhole and he does the same.
He peers out for any sign of them and again there is none. He scales the nearest fire escape and looks out over the city. Far down the street they're walking without a care. It's a startling change from their behavior in the lair. For a moment it catches Raph so off guard he can only stare and blink as they move farther and farther away. How can they be so calm when humans could be out anywhere? And is that…are they laughing?
In the next instant he shakes away the daze and jolts forward. He leaps from one roof to the next until he's following nearly right at their sides. He ducks down then and moves much slower so as not to draw their attentions to him. He growls softly to himself. If only he could hear exactly what they are saying. But only their incessant laughter reaches him clearly.
Down below Donnie looks over at Alopex. He eyes are bright and his smile stretches clear across his face. "So what is it today?" He raises a brow. "Are we robbing a bank? Swindling a rich man out of his money? Or…no wait!" He holds up a finger. "I've got it. We're going to steal from Baxter again."
"Whaaat?" Alopex waves dismissively. "No. I would never do those things." She grins sheepishly.
Donnie stops in his tracks. He blinks twice and looks at her as if she is stupid. His expression is hard, but playful all the same.
Alopex's grin shifts into a confident smirk. "Alright, you know me too well. But," She wags a finger at him. "I never make you do those really bad ones. I may be a criminal…or, uh, have criminal tendencies, but I'm not heartless."
Donnie snorts. "No, but you still do make me figure out the codes and tell you secrets to get better access." He shoots her a sharp look. He crosses his arms over his chest.
Alopex rolls her eyes. "It's better than making you the thief itself." She hits him lightly in the nose. "Now isn't it?" She raises a brow and grins.
Donnie shakes his head. Still the smile never falls from his face. "If we're living in your crazy little world, then yes, I suppose so."
Alopex shoves him a little. "You dork." She moves forward again and he follows. "But no…it's nothing like that. Tonight I just want to relax. Maybe a park or something…" She shrugs. "I don't know." She eyes him in question.
Donnie stares blankly at her. "Relax…?" He repeats. His brows knit together. "Are…are you serious?" He looks hard at her for a moment before erupting in laughter. "Who are you and what have you done with Alopex?"
Alopex scowls playfully. "You're hilarious." The wind shifts slightly and her nose twitches faintly. Her eyes flit back behind her and her ears become erect. There is a flash of red on the roofs, but it is gone as quickly as she noticed it. She can't be sure if it was truly there or not.
Donnie notices her shift and instantly becomes tense. "Alopex?" He follows her gaze, but there is nothing there. At least not anymore.
Alopex shakes her head. She looks back to him and smiles. "So, do you have any places in mind?" Her golden eyes shine brightly, almost falsely so.
Donnie glances at the roof again, his brows furrowing, but there's nothing to hold onto. Besides, Alopex would say something if it was really serious. "Yeah," He nods vaguely, turning his eyes forward. He smiles softly. "I have a place."
Raph holds his breath as he lays flat on the roof. She saw him. She had to. Only he never hears them call him out. He even hears their voices growing farther away. So he slowly rises, finding that the pair is far down the street now. "Damn it…" He leaps into action and follows close, just not as close as before.
They go to the little abandoned swing set that Raph and April went to only a week ago. It sends a spike of fear through him just thinking about it, both for the attack that he faced and the fact this is undeniably April's spot. He looks fervently about to make sure she isn't here now. Then he freezes.
Raph's throat runs dry as he sees April coming from the opposite direction of Donnie and Alopex. He opens his mouth uselessly and snaps it shut again. There's nothing he can do without giving himself away. He swallows hard. This can't end well… He crouches down and his hands curl around the edges. The tension is already there.
Donnie nods to Alopex's words. His smile is wide and eyes alight. Then as he turns his head forward it all falls away. His eyes shoot open and shocked fear twists his face. He stiffens. "April…?" He chokes out.
April freezes in her tracks. Her heart skips a beat and the air rushes out of her lungs. "Donnie…?" She is so glad she didn't harp on Casey to be on time tonight. Her eyes shift to the animal at his side. She already knows this is going to be bad enough without him.
Alopex looks hard at April. She presses her lips hard together. She doesn't want this to end like the last time. Although she can already feel the hate and adrenaline pulsing through her veins. Her hands clench and tremble slightly. Hold your tongue…hold your tongue…hold it.
It starts out normal, awkward and nervous, but still relatively normal. Raph can't hear the words being exchanged, but at least they aren't harsh or pleading. Alopex is surprisingly quiet. He can see the heated desire written all over her face though. At any moment she will surely snap. Maybe then Donnie will see how horrible she is.
Only she doesn't. Minutes go by and April who screws it up. Raph wishes he knew exactly how, but as quiet and attentive as he is he still can not make it out. He knows though by Donnie's defeated expression and April's shocked face that it was not at all intended.
April reaches after Donnie, but for once he does not heed. He turns hard on his heel and sprints down the street. April tries to follow, but Alopex cuts her off. Alopex snarls at April and says something with furious movements. She flashes her claws and then she follows after Donnie.
Raph looks quickly back and forth between the disappearing figure of his brother and April, standing still as stone and gazing emptily after Donnie. Raph bounces back and forth on his feet and makes a soft sound as he struggles to choose. April looks absolutely miserable, but this is his brother. Can he really leave him alone with Alopex while he's so vulnerable.
No. He knows where his priorities lie and he follows after Alopex. Sorry April. He has the feeling Casey will be there any minute though so she won't be long feeling the way she does. Casey cares about her just as much as any one of them. He only hopes April doesn't do anything to incriminate Donnie. For once it isn't his fault. No, worse, he prays April doesn't mention Alopex. That's the absolute last thing they need right now.
He stops a moment later. There they are. Both of them. In the alley. So he settles down and watches. His brother is important and he loathes letting Alopex help him, but it's still not so bad as to make him reveal himself. And really there's no denying a part of him trusts her, at least with Donnie. Although he'll certainly never admit it, not to anyone or even out loud to thin air.
Alopex rounds the corner into the alley. She looks around with wild eyes as she holds her breath. She lost track of him for a moment. She can't be sure if he cut off here. Then she sees it – the flash of purple. She lets her breath out and a small, pained smile passes her lips. She moves slowly forward, near the back of the alley.
Each step is careful and she focuses every bit of her attention on Donnie. Raph's presence fades to nothing and even the buildings around them seem to vanish she narrows her focus so intensely. "Donnie," Her voice is a breath on the wind. "Come on."
Donnie pulls his legs up against his chest and buries his face in his knees. He wraps his arms around himself and tunes her out as fiercely as she focuses on him. He presses his lips tightly together and stifles all sounds – words, sobs, and whimpers alike.
Alopex has a moment of hesitation, but she soon overcomes it. She comes just in front of him and lowers herself to his level. She balances on her haunches and sways ever so slightly. "Donnie," She says a little louder than before. "Don't be so upset." She frowns deeply, hates herself for going against herself, but says it anyway. "You know she didn't mean it."
Donnie snaps his head up. His eyes are ablaze, dulled by a thin layer of tears. "How can you tell me that?" His tone is stiff, furious yet on the verge of cracking. "You don't mean it. Not even a little. You…you…" His fingers curl sharply inward and dig into his skin. "Liar."
Alopex cringes. It's nothing compared to the other insults thrown her way, yet it's so much worse. Her heart clenches and she gasps softly, the weight of his words landing a physical blow. Then she narrows her eyes and her lips turn sharply down. "Well what do you want me to say?" She sounds harsher than she means to. "That she meant it and hates you more than ever?"
Donnie flinches and a small whimper escapes his lips. His lip trembles and the tears build higher. He tries to contain it, he fights with all he has, but he sniffles and then a choked sob quickly follows it. With that the floodgates are released and he thrusts his head back in his knees, hiding the onslaught of tears and sobs.
Alopex grimaces. She is the worst people person ever. "Donnie…" Her voice is suddenly tiny. She reaches tentatively out for him.
Donnie doesn't even look. He jerks his hand up and smacks hers away. "Just…leave me alone." He mumbles into his knees. His body shudders and shakes despite his best efforts.
Alopex scowls fleetingly. Her expression quickly shifts to pity. Her brows knit together and she frowns. Her eyes shine with more sadness than ever before, but she makes sure there are no tears. "Donnie, look at me." She reaches out again and this time makes contact. She gently lifts his face, her fingers barely a presence beneath his chin.
Donnie sniffles and looks through wide, reddening eyes at her. He tries to say something, to protest, but he can't find the energy to open his mouth.
"I won't lie to you." His name calling pulses painfully in her head and she barely stifles a grimace. "I don't have a clue how that girl feels. I'm not her." Donnie's face begins to fall and she quickly adds, "But I don't need to." She subconsciously averts her eyes and brings them back to him in a flash. "Because I…"
Donnie's stares with ever rising apprehension. He's never seen Alopex so nervous. It's not her. He holds his breath without knowing it.
Alopex smiles softly to herself, knowing he can see even if she wishes he couldn't. "I know how I feel about you." She trails her fingers up the sides of his face and cups it. "And I think you're perfect." She looks him dead in the eye. "Just the way you are."
Donnie blinks at her. His mouth hangs open slightly. "Alopex…" He rubs at his eyes. "You…you mean it…?" He smiles weakly.
Alopex nods imperceptibly. "No matter what." Her voice is barely louder than a whisper. She runs her thumbs below his eyes, wiping away the remnants of his tears.
Donnie draws in a soft breath. He knows what comes next before it happens, yet it takes him wholly by surprise at the same time.
Alopex leans forward ever so slightly and presses her lips against his, leaving only a ghost of an impression on his skin. She does not linger. She pulls back in the next instant. Only there is resistance.
Donnie jolts forward and slings his arm around her neck. He pulls her back in and kisses with much more force. She tastes like fruit, but not exactly fruity. Not like lipstick or anything he imagined his first to taste like. It's nothing like April.
Alopex starts, but she quickly falls into the groove. She loosens and lets her eyes fall shut. A voice screams in the back of her head that this is wrong, that Donnie is far too vulnerable to really know what he is doing. Yet this is what she has wanted for a while, even if this is not the idle situation. So she wraps her arms around him and kisses back.
A few moments later Donnie pulls back, her breathing pulsing against his skin and his against hers. A ghost of a smile flickers across his lips. "Thank you…" He whispers. "You make me feel…loved." Before she can say a word in response he kisses her again.
Alopex's thoughts burn her up with painful intensity. What's wrong with you? He still loves April. It's so painfully obvious. You're just a pity party. A way to feel wanted when she abandons him. Alopex mentally rolls her eyes. So what. Even if for just a moment, he wants her. It's all about me. By tomorrow she'll regret it. Probably even by the time they get home. But for now it's enough. His lips against hers fill her will ecstasy.
From above it's harder to see, but it's impossible to miss what happened below. Raph's mouth gapes and his eyes bulge. He clenches his hand into fists so tight they redden. "W…Wha…?" He breathes heavily in and out, cutting himself off.
Raph's blood boils and it takes everything in him not to leap down there and tear her apart right this instant. What's worse is there isn't even solace in knowing Donnie feels better now. She's using him, she must be, and Donnie is using her right back. It's not good for anyone, especially not Donnie.
Five minutes later Donnie and Alopex emerge from the alley. They stand apart as they walk down the street. Alopex wraps her arms around herself and keeps her eyes down. Her heart is already heavy. Still a faint smile ghosts her lips. Donnie pulls at the strap across his chest and looks to the side. He betrayed April. But is that guilt in the action or the feelings that went with it – the fact it was pure bliss. I'm horrible. I shouldn't have liked it. But there's no denying it. He did.
Alopex senses Raph's presence all the while. She can practically feel is hate rolling off him in waves. Still, she doesn't let on in the least. The pair go back the way they came, never quite getting the relaxation they went out seeking but not exactly missing out either.
Once they enter the lair they turn and face each other for the first time since they left the alley. They smile awkwardly and pull at their equipment and clothes. Finally, Alopex speaks, "Goodnight." She struggles to say it louder than a murmur.
Donnie nods. A glimmer of sincerity sparkles in his eyes and smile. "Goodnight, Alopex." He turns away from her and heads toward his room. It will be the first time he sleeps in his bed for weeks. His lab was like his new home since Alopex came. Tonight though…it's better this way.
Alopex watches after him, but the instant he is out of sight she turns away. Her attention zones in on the figure hiding just out of sight, around the corner. She walks stiffly but without fear toward the danger. After everything that went done earlier that's the only way to describe him now.
She steps around the corner and in an instant is slammed back. A strong green hand closes around her throat and forces her back against the wall. "You…" He seethes. "You scum." He tightens his grip. "How dare you."
Alopex closes her fingers around his wrist and jerks it back. His fingers leave a trail of scratches along her neck, but she manages to accomplish her goal. She thrusts him away and narrows her eyes into slits. "How dare I?" She rubs her throat. "You're telling me that when that little witch reduced him to tears?" Her lips curl back in a snarl.
Raph growls deep in his throat, but he keeps it low. He can't let Donnie hear them. That's the least he can do. "Don't call her that! She's a great person! A far better person than you'll ever be." He clenches his hands into fists.
Alopex chokes out a laugh. Hers too is softer than usual. For once she and Raph are on the same level. "I don't care what you think. But you can't tell me you think that that girl is good for him." She points a sharp finger at him.
Raph cringes. Still, he steels himself and says, "It doesn't matter what I think. All that matters is that Donnie loves her." He smacks her finger out of his face. "And you took advantage of that – of him. You-you…"
Alopex scoffs. "I didn't take advantage of anything." She takes a defiant step forward. She towers above Raph even more so than Donnie. "Donnie needed someone and I wasn't about to abandon him. That's what friends do for each other." She looks Raph dead in the eye. "And you'd know about friends, wouldn't you Raph? Family."
Raph bows his head slightly, glowering up at her with more contempt than ever before. "Yeah," He seethes. "But you're not family. You're not even a friend. You just prey on people when they're vulnerable. People like Donnie."
Alopex growls softly. "I know you won't believe it – not now or ever – but I like him for him. That's why what happened tonight happened. If I wanted to 'prey' on him, I would have seduced him long ago." She smirks, but there is no conceit in it, just a cold edge. "But that's not it. I love him. However you want to interpret that love is up to you. But I do love him."
Raph snorts. "Watch yourself." He hisses. "Because after tonight, after this, I trust you even less. I don't care how much you 'love' him. He was too vulnerable and you were too…you." His face twists in disgust.
Alopex shakes her head and her lips turn down sharply. "Fine." She turns hard on her heel and moves back into the lair, leaving him around the corner and in the dark. She growls rather loudly to herself, but her words are low, so low she can barely hear them. "He wants to be that way, then fine." She's wanted to do this for a while anyway. Now she has more reason than ever. She just has to make contact.
Raph trembles fiercely. He practically screams, muffling it only for the sake of Donnie. He slams his fist into the wall and a tight grimace stretches his lips. "Stupid girl…" He doesn't realize it, the pain overwhelming, but it's the first time he has referred to her as a person. As much as he loathes her, tonight's incident made her more than just a fox.
…
After that night Alopex notices the first time it happens, but she tries to pretend it doesn't. But that's impossible. It won't be and was never going to be an isolated event. It happens again and again and again until she can't take it anymore. Like she knew it would. Raph said it clearly – he trusts her negative one hundred.
So she makes good on her promise from the night he confronted her. It is the end of the night for Donnie and Alopex and she tells Donnie to go on home. She'll be there in a minute. She just needed to grab something. He shoots her a dubious look, a look so full of mistrust it burns, but he isn't like Raph. He gives in and he even smiles at her.
Alopex nods her thanks and scrambles up on the rooftops even before he leaves. She lets him watch her and satisfy his curiosity, at least a little. Only a minute later he does in fact let her alone and she is free to go on to the meeting point. She worries profusely that Raph won't follow Donnie and his motives will be revealed to be less than protective over family and more hateful to her.
As she moves though his presence slowly slips away. Perfect. She covers nearly half of the city before she reaches her destination. She couldn't rusk making it too close to the lair. One of them might have tried to follow Donnie if they could see he left her. Before she's even there she sees the girl waiting for her. Never one to be late I see.
"Nice to see you again." Karai says as she turns to face Alopex. Her arms are crosses and her eyes sharp as ever. "So, do you have what I need? Unlike a few days ago." She raises a brow.
Alopex barely keeps herself from rolling her eyes. She could have given the information up a few days ago when she met Karai, but she had lingering doubts. Now though, it needed to be done. "Of course," Alopex nods firmly. "The day of execution is a week from today, a few hours before the time right now."
Karai gasps slightly, her eyes widening a little before she regains composure. "What?" She glowers at Alopex. "One week? Are you kidding me? What's wrong with tomorrow?" Her fingers curl tightly around her arms.
Alopex scoffs. "Please, who is the one that's scoped everything out?" She points at herself. "I know everything. All the little details. All you have to do is show up at the right time and not screw anything up." Alopex raises a brow. "Can you do that?"
Karai looks unimpressed, suspicious even. "I can do anything." Her voice is thick. "The question is, can you really go through with it?" Her eyes dance with cruel delight. Her lips curl devilishly upward. "Hm?"
Alopex stares blankly at Karai. Then, slowly, her lips curve up in a cold, but scarily delighted smile. Her eyes sparkles not unlike Karai's. "I've been ready since the moment I met him."
So, what do you think? What horribleness are Karai and Alopex planning? If you can guess you get a cookie. lol More importantly, what did you think of the DonniexAlopex. That was probably the most difficult thing. I agonized over whether I should move it in that direction or keep it friends. In the end it became sort of a 'comfort love'. She knows Donnie loves April and Donnie knows Alopex is more of a friend, but...yeah. Using each other to the max. But could that change? Hm, hm.
Well, what do you think of all that? I'd love to hear all your thoughts. Please review!