Season 3- Episode 6- A Slow Day
Hey guys! Welcome to a new episode! The series will now be posted on Wattpad, and ArchieveOfOurOwn! Now, without further delay, let's begin!
Donnie worked in his lab in an attempt to keep himself busy. It's not like he had anything else to do… His brothers were on patrol, Splinter was doing his usual things, so the only thing he could do was build and fix things in his lab. Usually, Donnie loved doing this sort of thing. However, not today. He could not stop feeling sadness and frustration due to being benched, and now his brothers are risking themselves without him being able to go out there and aid them.
'Could they not delay their return to patrols? The Shredder must be planning something. Why could they not stay down a little more, just to be sure? Not that it will help much… If the Shredder is really planning something, then he will act upon it sooner or later. Besides, I assume that one of the reasons for their patrols is to find out if the Shredder is indeed planning something, and if he does, then what.' Donatello sighed as he tried to refocus on his work, without success.
You might think that Donatello is overreacting. But to be honest? Since Donatello's story was revealed, all of the family found themselves to be more anxious. Aside from Donatello's worries, Splinter found himself checking on his sons' wellbeing much more often, and constantly made sure that they felt alright, and if they needed to talk about something, because he was afraid that they were having a hard time digesting the news of Donnie's so called father. They were, but they mostly kept it to themselves. And the rest of the brothers found themselves not only hesitant of bringing up the topic of the Shredder and Donnie's relations, but they became much more protective of Donnie. Restricting him from patrol, constantly checking up on him, spending time with him and making sure that he is not alone for too long, doing things that are too dangerous, and so on. Everyone noticed it, and Mikey, Raph and Leo constantly laughed about it and joked that he is now probably considered the youngest because of how everyone is always worried about him like he is the "baby brother". Donnie, as usual, constantly explained the obvious and said: "I am not the youngest! Sensei had decided our order from oldest to youngest by our maturity and personality. If anything, I am the oldest! Not that it matters, since we were all born on the same day anyways."
And he would always get the same response from a smirking Mikey, who enjoyed not feeling like the youngest for once. "Too bad, bro. Being the older brother for once rocks."
Donatello's head snapped in the direction of his lab's doors as he heard the turnstiles of the lair being used, followed by the voices of his brothers.
He sighed as he started putting away the things that he was fiddling with. He isn't even sure what he was trying to build in the first place. He just went with the flow.
"Donnie!" Mikey called, with a smile on his face, as he entered the lab and ran in Donnie's direction.
"Were you doing anything new while we were gone?" Leo asked curiously, as he and Raph walked through the entrance of the lab after Mikey.
"Oh! Not really. The usual things… Anything new on patrol?" Donnie asked curiously.
"Nothing. And nothing from the Foot as well. Things seem too quiet for my liking." Raph grumbled in response as he fiddled with his sais.
"Dude, calm down. Maybe the Foot is just taking a break." Mikey said carelessly, in his usual oblivious way of thinking.
"I doubt that the Foot takes breaks." Leo replied cynically, lifting a brow.
"The Foot is probably planning something. Just stay in the lair for a while, guys…" Donnie said, with an anxious frown. "Besides, without me out there, it could be more dangerous due to a lack of manpower!" He exclaimed.
"What manpower?" Raph cynically asked, smirking as Mikey laughed and Leo lightly slapped his shoulder in disapproval.
Donnie rolled his eyes as he phrased his sentence differently.
"Argh. With less people on your team, it will be much harder to operate, especially if the Shredder is going to do something." Donnie grumbled.
"That is why we are much more careful. Don't worry, Don." Leo said as he moved besides Donnie and looked at the random objects that spread all over his table. "Besides, you can now have much more time to work on your inventions! Isn't it fun?" He asked, smiling as he tried to cheer Donnie up.
"I couldn't concentrate." Donnie answered simply, obviously bummed as he kept organizing and putting away the objects that Leo was looking at.
Raph frowned and sighed as he noticed Donnie's mood. Donnie never hid his displeasure at being benched, and how the rest of the team went back to patrols "too soon". However, there wasn't much choice, due to them needing to find out if there is news on the Foot and their business. Especially now.
"Donnie, you know that we have to go back to patrol and you got to stay here for a reason. Right?" Raph asked straight to the point as he crossed his arms and gave him a bored expression.
Mikey and Leo looked at Donnie as well, waiting for a response patiently.
"I… Know." He replied. "But it doesn't make it any easier! You guys are putting yourselves in danger because of me, and I can't even be there and help you." Donnie looked at the floor as he clutched his hands into fists, his guilt tortuous to himself.
"But weren't we the ones that decided to do it like that? It's not like you asked to stay here while we patrol and all." Mikey said as he sat in Donnie's chair.
"Exactly." Raph added as he leaned on Donnie's table and Leo rubbed Donnie's shell in an attempt to calm him.
"We are acting like this on purpose. It's not like you put us in harm's way or something. We are doing this because it is what has to be done. So please stop feeling guilt. You have enough on your mind. We all do." Leo explained as he tried to relieve some of Donnie's anxiety. His eyes moved back to the objects on Donnie's table that he saw earlier and forgot to put away.
"Perhaps… You want ideas for new inventions?" Leo asked, smirking as he grabbed Donnie's shoulder.
Donnie smiled at Leo's attempt to cheer him up. He noticed that his brothers have a tendency to change the subject whenever it's brought up, and that his brothers don't want him thinking about it. He was slightly annoyed that they wouldn't take him too seriously and listen to his worries, but he decided to play along as he responded hesitantly.
"I mean… I could use some."
"Oh! What about guns?!" Mikey asked excitedly as he got up and jumped in his place in happiness.
The brothers dumbfoundedly looked at Mikey as he seemed serious.
"You are not getting a gun. Although, maybe I should get one." Raph smirked evilly, liking the idea as he looked at Donnie in expectation.
"No one gets a gun." Leo sighed tiredly as he rubbed his eyes.
"Since when did you guys want guns so badly?" Donnie asked in confusion.
"No one gets a gun, Donnie." Leo grumbled in annoyance.
"Aww…" Mikey whined sadly.
"Maybe next time." Raph shrugged.
"Maybe never. Let's just make a list or something." Leo decided.
"Sounds good. And write down a lot of things. I am easily bored." Donnie smirked as he grabbed a note, his worries pushed aside.
'I guess that I can force them to see my side on a different day.' Donatello thought to himself in slight frustration. However, he could use a distraction. It's a good thing that he has his brothers to make him forget his anxiety every once in a while, even if he has a very good reason to worry. Who knows? His reason to worry might be proven true very, very soon.
And this is it! Did you enjoy this episode? It was more comedic, if anything xD I hope that you still liked it! Feel free to support my story and share :D