Chapter 18: Changes...
By the time the couple returned it was already pretty late. In fact the only ones that remained awake was Michelangelo as the T.V was still on.
Leonardo already exited to the bathroom just after he helped Donatello place the scavenged items in his lab.
After a quick hose-down from their close interaction in the battle shell they at least removed themselves of the fluids that had. Now all they needed was a quick wash to remove the smell.
Donatello placed the last of the scrap metal where he could see it before he started scratch his neck. It was starting to bug him a little, the water alone wasn't enough to get rid of all the bodily fluids as he thought.
And quite frankly he was starting to get annoyed with the fact that they only had one bathroom to begin with.
He was working on a second one, as there are times that their battles required a quick wash. Though usually sometimes the assistance of another brother was needed depending on the injury that one had gotten.
For some reason Donatello felt anxious to get inside the shower. Not only was raw water used before arriving at the lair was starting to get to him, but the heat was starting to build up. He wiped his brow realizing that he did leave his heater on before he and Leo left.
Donatello managed to peek outside of his lab to see the television still on. His brown eyes looked back up at the luminescent clock and noticed it was a bit late to stay up right now. How long did he and Leo last out in the dump?
For a moment he was considering to talk to Mikey, but lately his younger brother had been avoiding him lately. Which brought him to question a bit whether or not Mikey was aware what happened during breakfast back then.
According to Leonardo Mikey didn’t see anything of that sort. Though he also looked like he wasn’t saying everything.
What if Mikey knew about them…?
He contemplated to go speak to him, and he was- until he realized he still had to get rid of Leo’s smell on him.
*Alright, I’ll go take a shower first then I’ll speak to Mikey.* He thought to himself.
Already Donatello was going to make his way over and crossing through the living room he saw the T.V still on, but as he was going to ignore it a certain brother stopped him.
“Took you guys long enough?”
The purple ninja almost jumped out of shell. “Raph!” He gasped harshly his eyes wide at muscled turtle.
“So what did you guys managed to scavenge?” The second youngest questioned crossing his arms upon standing up.
“Just a couple of scraps of metal, and a few other mechanics for the lair.” Donatello responded making sure to sound as casual as he could.
“Really now?” Raph rose a red covered eye ridge.
“Don’t see what the problem is, it just took a while to find everything.” Donatello added.
Green eyes scanned olive turtle. “So where are you headed now?”
“What’s with all the questions?” Donatello redirected.
“It’s pretty late to be taking a bath isn’t it?” Raph ignored.
The genius studied his brother’s face, while it seemed pretty neutral enough his emerald eyes were a different story. Donnie knew there was no way out of this until his tempered brother got a response out of him.
“Well it’s the dump, we got a little, preoccupied and well you know how unsanitary it is in the landfill, I rather not be stinking like forgotten leftovers tomorrow.” Donatello responded.
Raph didn’t look convinced. He never was.
“You know, I never got to ask what happened, ever since breakfast you and Mikey had been avoiding each other. For some reason Leo has been rather close to you in the last week.” Already the genius knew where this was going.
“What is it that you want to know?” He knew if continued to avoid the statement Raph would blow.
“Everything. What the hell is going on?” He stated crossing his eyes.
For a moment Don wasn't sure how to answer this question. And he knew that Leonardo would not want him to say anything as of yet. “Look Raph, it’s a bit complicated to explain, but lately… it’s been a bit of rough time for everyone. I’m not entirely sure about Mikey, for he’s clearly upset I need to get to bottom of it. Leo…”
He paused thinking what he could say to his tempered brother. “He’s been having a bit of a hard time sleeping, I’ve been consulting him in different ways to see if it would help. I'm not sure if I can give him any kind of medication to help with his sleeping.”
Now that got Raph’s attention. “Was it because of his nightmares?”
“More or so.”
Raph leaned in. “Do you know what they are about?”
Now here’s a question that couldn’t be responded with a simple yes or no…
“He’s told me the basis of it, but I’m not entirely sure if I can really say what it is…”
Green eyes crossed. “Why are you keeping us in the dark Don? We’re his brothers if he’s having trouble sleeping then we should help him out!”
*It’s not as simple as it sounds…* Donatello looked down, but quickly averted his gaze back up when he saw Raph starting to move closer.
Subconsciously the purple turtle took a step back away. “Honestly I can’t tell you everything, it’s just… complicated.”
“The Hell it is!” Raph responded roughly. “What the shell is he dreaming about that he can’t tell his brothers about it! Also what makes you any more special than the rest of us!”
The words stung more than originally intended; making the genius wince. “Look Raph I-”
“Don’t you dare!” Raph interrupted his green eyes darkening. “I’m tired of being left out! Not knowing anything! If the situation is so bad that if I can’t know about it then why should I be considered as a brother to you!” He roared.
Donatello flinched as he continued to back away. “Raph that’s not what I meant-”
“Then what the fuck is it then!?”
The situation was getting out of hand, already he could see the cracks in the family. Donatello sensed Raphael's rage, this was REALLY getting out of hand, even Mikey starting to stray away from his brothers, it was all too much to say all because of one incident under The Freaken Kitchen Table!
The mere thought was starting to make his head spin.
“Nothing to say huh?” Raphael groused.
“There is nothing to be said.” Another voice added making the two younger brothers to stare at the oldest.
Raph stood straighter and glared at the maskless brother. “And what! You’re not going to say anything either?”
“Like I said there is nothing to be said. As it is no one’s concern.” Leo stated smoothly.
A vein popped on the side of Raph’s head. “Then that’s just it! You know what? I’m Done!” The tempered brother turned around sharply.
“Don’t even bother to even ask for my help then you ass!” He shouted before stomping to his room.
Donatello tightened his lips against each other seeing his angry brother move up and shut the door with such a force.
“What that really necessary?” Donatello questioned.
“No… but as of right now it’s late.” Leo added softly.
Don shook his head. “It’s breaking the family Leo.”
The oldest paused deeply his eyes widening for a split second.
“We have to tell them Leo, I don’t think we can hold this any longer than necessary.” Donatello pestered his eyes softening in worry.
A similar expression spread on Leo’s face. “I know…”
“When?” Don asked shortly.
“Soon…” Leo looked down. “I promise.”
“I only hope that would be in this week, because I don’t know if we can hold this secret any longer then necessary anymore.” Donatello stated hoping his older brother would take the hint.
“I will, but for now let’s get some sleep, we’ll need it for tomorrow.” There he was again, avoiding the question…
Leo sighed and placed a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. “We’ll get through this, I mean we always have, right?”
The genius lowered his head. “Yeah, we always do.”
Leo smiled and removed his hand, “It’s late…”
Donatello nodded and returned to his original destination. But as he did felt something move in his stomach. He wasn’t entirely sure but the feeling still remained, even after when Leo removed his hand.
