Five Again
Chapter 4
Leo barely had enough time to catch both Donny and Raph as they fell and it was fortunate that Mikey was so close by and was able to catch Raph as he fell from Donny’s arms. They hurried back to the Daimyo’s home and were led to the medical ward as soon as they entered the building.
When Raph woke up and didn’t see Donny he went into a fit of panic. He started screaming that Donny had been sold into slavery and that he was next. When he saw Splinter, Raph rushed into his father’s arms and cried uncontrollably.
The healers worked with Donatello for a few hours before coming out to tell them what had happened. They said that Donatello had told them everything and had given them as much information as he could remember. Leo’s heart sank as he listened to the healer go over Donny’s list of injuries and didn’t need the details to know what caused them.
Raph trembled in Splinter’s arms, “He hurt Donny.”
Splinter caressed Raph’s cheek, “Did you see how Donatello was hurt?”
“They made me watch,” Raph answered, shaking his head. His tone was flat as he stared off at nothing in particular but there was pain in his voice that cut into Leo. “When I grow up I’m gonna find that guy and kill him.”
Splinter pulled Raphael close and wrapped his arms tight around him. Leo dropped to his knees next to them then he placed his hand on Raph’s little arm, “You’re both safe now. We’ll be going home soon and we can work on putting all of this behind you.”
“I want Donny,” Raph whimpered then started to cry.
“The doctors are almost done with him,” Splinter soothed. “Then we will be able to go see him.”
They waited for a few hours more while the medics worked on Donny. When they were finally able to see him, Raph ran up to him and lied down. Donny rolled over and wrapped his arms around Raph, “I’m okay. We’re safe now.”
Mikey lied down behind Donny, embracing him, “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here for you.”
“I’ll be okay,” Donny turned so that he could look into Mikey’s eyes. “I’m more worried about Raph; he had to watch it all and he blames himself.”
“I shouldn’t have put Raph in another room,” Leo fought to hold back his tears. “I knew that he had a tendency of running off.”
“I don’t want everyone playing the blame game with this.” Donny shook his head, “Raph ran because he saw something that frightened him and in his panic got turned around and he just kept running, looking for a place to hide. Then he was found by a Kame who called himself K.C. I guess Raph trusted him since he was another turtle.”
The Daimyo looked down at Donny. “You are lucky that you managed to escape him.”
Donny sat up, “It was actually his partner Bloo who let us go. I guess he didn’t like to see us hurt. I hope K.C. didn’t hurt him.”
“Either way, I am glad that you are safe,” Daimyo stated then turned to one of the healers. “Were you able to repair the damage?”
“We have healed the physical damage,” the healer nodded. “The psychological damage will take more time.”
“I’ll be alright,” Donny insisted. “I just wanna go home and get back to my lab.”
“Donny,” Mikey reached out but Donatello stood, picking Raph up in the process.
“I said I’m fine.”
“Alright,” Leo held up his hands. “We’ll head home then, if you’re ready.”
“I’m ready,” Donny nodded.
The Turtles and Splinter said their thanks to the Daimyo then Gyoji opened the portal and they stepped through. As soon as they were back in the station, Donny put Raph down, “I’ll be in my lab.”
Leo moved to go after him, but Splinter held up his hand to stop Leo, “Let him go. He must come to terms with what happened to him in his own way. He knows that we are here, but he needs time.”
“Yes, Master,” Leo bowed his head then looked down at Raph. “It’s almost bed time.”
Raph looked at the door to Donny’s lab but didn’t say anything. Mikey moved forward and picked him up, “You can sleep with me tonight. Donny-boy’s gonna be up for a while tinkering in his lab.”
“Okay,” Raph wrapped his arms around Mikey’s neck and rested his head on his shoulders.
“You’re safe now, little dude,” Mikey soothed while making his way upstairs.
Leo turned to Splinter, “I think I’ll head off to bed too. I didn’t get much sleep over the past few days.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Splinter nodded and hugged his eldest goodnight. He watched while Leo made his way to his room then he turned to head towards the kitchen. He made a pot of tea and added a packet of special herbs that he had received from the Daimyo. He poured a cup and took it to Donny’s lab. Splinter opened the door to find the genius at his computer, losing himself in his work.
“I’m behind on my projects,” Donny stated when Splinter walked in, without looking up. “Bishop is expecting a report soon, he doesn’t know we were gone and I don’t think that there is a need to tell him. He doesn’t need to know. I don’t want him to know.”
Donny was rambling, trying to find words to say so that Splinter didn’t get the chance to speak. He didn’t need one. He wasn’t there to offer words, only comfort and a kind ear. Placing a hand on Donatello’s shoulder, Splinter leaned in to kiss the top of his head.
“I’m fine,” Donny said though the tears started to fall. “I don’t need you guys to treat me any different.”
Splinter didn’t say anything, just stood there with his hand on his son’s shoulder.
“I was so scared,” Donny confessed. “And ashamed that I let him get the drop on me like that. I failed Raph. I was there to rescue him but I got myself captured then r… attacked and he had to watch. I tried to shield him but I couldn’t. Leo and Mikey wouldn’t have fallen so easily.”
“From what I understand,” Splinter soothed. “K.C. is a dangerous creature who is feared by his own people. He has power at his disposal that has kept him safe from one as powerful as the Daimyo for decades. He is a ruthless assassin and slave trader. I do not think that either of your brothers would have fared any better.”
“I should have been able to do more,” Donny hid his face in his hands. “I’m so weak.”
“No, my son, you are not weak,” Splinter insisted. “In the end, you were able to save Raphael. You went through a horrible ordeal and you still found the strength to get away.”
“I couldn’t do it alone,” Donny sobbed. “He was starting to win. It had only been three days and I was letting him win.”
Splinter placed the cup of tea on the table in front of Donny, “Drink.”
Donny looked at the cup, “What’s in it?”
“It will help you sleep,” Splinter answered.
Nodding, Donny reached out and lifted the cup to his lips, “Thank you.”
Splinter waited while Donny drank the tea then assisted him to his cot. The herbs quickly took effect and Donny was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Not wanting to leave Donny alone, Splinter sat in the recliner that Donny had in his lab for reading and went to sleep. Periodically throughout the night, Donny would cry in his sleep but did not wake up. Splinter would get up and gently soothe him until he was calm again before going back to sleep in the chair.
**
Donny woke with his mind in a fog and Raph in his arms. Mikey had taken Splinter’s place in the recliner at some point during the night. He looked over at Donny, “Raph woke up and wanted you, so I brought him in here and relieved Splinter.”
Donny pulled Raph close and nuzzled him, “It was real. We escaped and we’re home.”
Mikey knelt down next to the bed, “You’re home and safe.”
Raph hummed and stretched as he came awake, “Donny?”
“I’m here,” Raphie.
“I’m hungry,” Raph rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Then let’s get up and get some breakfast,” Mikey lifted Raph from the bed. “I’ll even let you help me this time.”
“Okay,” Raph perked up.
Donny stood and Mikey smiled down at him, “Kids are resilient. He’s gonna be just fine.”
“I hope so,” Donny followed Mikey out.
When they entered the common room, Leo was there talking to Casey and April. Donny’s heart sank, he didn’t want all the ‘I’m sorries’, and ‘Are you alrights’. He didn’t want to be treated with kid’s gloves; he just wanted to move on.
April looked at him and smiled, holding up a box, “We brought doughnuts.”
“Yeah,” Casey added. “We figured we’d give Mikey the morning off from cooking.”
“Doughnuts!” Mikey beamed. “Thank you.” He looked down at Raph, “I guess you’ll have to wait ‘til lunch to help me cook.”
Wide eyed, Raph pointed to the two humans, “What are doughnuts and who are they?”
“Doughnuts are the best fried food in existence and they are our friends, Casey and April,” Mikey answered, placing Raph on the ground.
“Dude,” Casey stepped forward. “Leo wasn’t kidding. Raph’s a kid.”
Trembling, Raph ran over to Splinter and held tight to his kimono squeaking out, “His name’s K.C.?”
“Oh,” Leo rushed to Raph and knelt down. “The names just sound the same but they’re not.” Leo looked back at Casey, “To make it easier, why don’t we just refer to you as Jones for a while.”
Casey nodded and April knelt down next to Leo then opened the box, “Do you wanna try one?” She held the box out so Raph could see in. Raph watched April as he reached into the box and pulled out a doughnut.
When he took a bite, Raph’s eyes lit up, “This is good.”
“Would you like some milk with your doughnut?” Donny offered.
“Yes,” Raph answered past a mouth full of glazed goodness then reached into the box for a second one. With a doughnut in each hand Raph ran over to the table and managed to climb up into a chair.
“I’m sorry about that,” Mikey grimaced. “I didn’t think about the similarities in the name. Do you think he’ll be okay?”
“He’ll be fine,” Splinter reassured him then he headed into the kitchen. “Why don’t we all sit at the table to enjoy our breakfast.” Donny poured Raph a glass of milk then sat down next to him.
They all managed to sit at the table with Raph safely between Donny and Mikey. They talked about little things and occasionally throwing out theories about what could have happened to Raph while Raph stuffed his face with pastries. “Can I have another one?” Raph asked. His face and hands were covered in chocolate glaze.
“One more,” Leo insisted and tilted the box so Raph could choose one of the few remaining doughnuts. “We don’t want you to get a tummy ache.”
“Kay,” Raph grabbed another doughnut and took a big bite.
Leo took a deep breath then let it out slowly, “Since we are all here, I guess now is as good a time as any to do this.”
“Do what?” Casey asked past a mouth full of doughnut and April sighed in disgust.
“Mikey and I have been dating,” Leo stated slowly. “And we would like to… make our relationship official. Mikey will be moving into my room.” He sat up straight, “I know the stigmas that are attached to our relationship and I’m not asking for you guys to accept this or for your permission to do this, I’m just letting you know.”
“Leo,” April smiled, placing her hand on his. “I think it’s great.”
“Yeah, me too,” Casey added.
Leo looked at Splinter, who smiled, “I am glad that they two of you have found happiness with each other.” Leo heaved a sigh of relief and looked up at Mikey to see a big grin on his love’s face.
“I told you that everyone would be cool with it.”
Raph finished off his milk and placed the empty cup on the table before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “What’s dating?”
“They are in love,” Donny explained. “Leo is Mikey’s boyfriend and Mikey is going to be sleeping in Leo’s room from now on.”
“Will you be my boyfriend, Donny?” Raph asked and Donny’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yeah,” Don nodded as he tried to contain his emotion. “I’ll be your boyfriend.”
“And I can sleep in your room every night?” Raph smiled.
“Yes,” Donny answered, bringing Raph into a tight hug. “I love you so much.”
“Why are you crying, Donny,” Mikey reached past Raph to place a hand on his shoulder.
“Raph and I w… were… together...b...b...before this happened,” Donny sobbed out. “We were going to tell you.” He looked up at Splinter for a moment before his face scrunched up as he cried. “How is he going to love me like that again when he grows up seeing me as a parent? I’ve lost the Raph I loved.”
“Oh, Donny,” April stood and rushed over to give Donatello a hug.
Donny held Raph and tried to get his crying under control, “I don’t want everyone to feel bad for me. I just… I just… I wanna be left alone.”
April placed her hand on Donny’s cheek and turned his head so that he was looking at her. “That’s not gonna happen,” she insisted. “We’re not going to leave you alone to wallow in pain. We love you and want to help you through this. I understand that you don’t want us gushing all over you, but we are not going to ignore you either.”
“Donny, you’re squishing me,” Raph grunted. Donny relaxed his hold and Raph sighed in relief. Then out of the blue, Raph reached over and grabbed one of April’s breasts, “What’s in your shirt? It’s squishy.” April’s jaw dropped and Casey choked on his doughnut. “I need to pee,” Raph pulled out of Donny’s arms and ran off in the direction of the bathroom.
“What just happened?” April looked around. “Did he really just grab my boob and run off?”
The others burst out laughing; all but Donny who watched Raph run off then wiped the tears from his eyes, “I don’t want things to be different. I know they are but I don’t want them to be.” He looked up at Leo, “You and Mikey don’t need to hide your feeling for each other around me; your happiness won’t bring me sadness. I just want you to know that.”
“I wish that there was something more I could do for you, Donny,” Leo sighed.
“Just don’t make a big deal about anything and I’ll be fine,” Donny managed a weak smile. “If I need to talk about anything, I’ll come to one of you. I know you are here for me and that I won’t be a bother to you.”
Splinter reached across to place his hand on top of Donny’s, “I would like you to join me for some extra meditation so that you can work through your emotional turmoil.”
“Alright,” Donny nodded. “Just for today will you guys let me lose myself in my work? I have a report due for Bishop and it’s already late.”
“Sure, Donny,” Leo smiled softly. “We’ll only bother you when it’s time to eat.”
“Deal,” Donny managed to slight chuckle.
The remainder of breakfast was spent focusing on Leo and Mikey and the gentle banter that came with a new relationship. Afterwards, Donny went into his lab while Leo and Mikey got to work moving Mikey into Leo’s room.
Mikey was bent over, looking under his bed for a lost action figure with his tail stuck up in the air when Leo walked into the room. Leo enjoyed the view for a moment before shutting the door and walking up to grab the wiggling appendage and run his finger along the underside of it.
Mikey froze, and then with a shudder lifted his rear higher. Leo saw this as a sign that Mikey was finally ready to submit and knelt down on the floor behind him. As soon as Leo’s tail touched Mikey’s, Mikey snapped out of his trance and pulled away. “I’m not ready yet, Leo,” Mikey sat hard on the floor, tucking his tail.
“I’m sorry,” Leo’s breathing was labored and his hand shook as he wiped it across his face. “But you’re killing me here, Mikey. I don’t understand how you’re not as wound up as I am.”
“I guess I’m just a little scared to, that’s all,” Mikey rubbed the back of his neck. “If we do it then there’s no going back and if this doesn’t work then it could damage our family.”
“Is that what it is?” Leo tried to hide his disappointment. “You’re unsure of your love for me.”
Mikey shook his head, “That’s not it. I know I love you.”
Leo stood up and processed what he was hearing. “Then you question my love for you.”
“I’m afraid that I’ll do something wrong and that you’ll no longer want to be with me,” Mikey confessed, standing up.
Leo cupped Mikey’s face and pulled him down so that their foreheads touched, “I don’t believe that you are capable of doing anything that would make me want to leave you. That’s why I love you.”
“What if I lie to you?” Mikey whispered.
“Why would you lie to me?” Leo whispered back. “What could you have done that you wouldn’t want me to know about it?”
Mikey pulled away and sat down on his bed, “I didn’t do anything. I was just asking hypothetically.”
“Okay,” Leo sat next to him. “It would depend on the lie. But again, I don’t think you are capable of the kind of lie that would make me leave. And besides, you can’t lie. You are incapable of keeping a secret for more than three seconds.”
Mikey chuckled, “I’m gonna get back to work, gathering my stuff to put in your room. My ass is gonna be in the air often while I’m doing this do to the fact that most of my stuff is under other things. So if you don’t think you can control yourself I might just have to do this by myself.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Leo stood and headed for the door. “I’m going to go take a long shower.”
Mikey stood there and watched as Leo opened the door. Leo could see the pain on Mikey’s face and the conflicting thoughts that filled his mind could be seen in his eyes. “Leo, wait,” Mikey blurted. “You don’t have to go.”
“Yeah, I kinda have to,” Leo blushed a little. “I have to go take care of something in the shower.”
Mikey laughed, “You don’t have to take care of it on your own.”
Leo tensed, “Don’t tease, Mikey. It’s taking all of my control for me to not throw you on that bed and take you.”
“I’m not offering sex,” Mikey blushed and sat back down on the bed. “But I’m willing to do other things to help relieve you of all that tension.”
Leo smiled and closed the door.
