Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

The End Justifies	By : hummerhouse Category: +S through Z > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Views: 4468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.

Chapter List
- 1-The End Justifies
- 2-Part 2
- 3-Part 3
- 4-Part 4
- 5-Part 5
- 6-Part 6
- 7-Part 7
- 8-Part 8
- 9-Part 9
- 10-Part 10
- 11-Part 11
- 12-Part 12
- 13-Part 13
- 14-Part 14
- 15-Part 15
- 16-Part 16
- 17-Part 17
- 18-Part 18
- 19-Part 19
- 20-Part 20
- 21-Part 21
- 22-Part 22
- 23-Part 23 Final
- 19
- 20
- 21
The End Justifies

Part 20
            Raph watched in stupefied horror as the film from the previous night played itself out on the small television inside the infirmary.
            He had awakened that morning to the sound of Donatello scribbling in one of his notebooks. Raph hadn’t said anything for a few minutes; he just lay there watching his brother and enjoying the concentrated look on Don’s face.
            Other than being more tired than he should have been after a full night’s sleep, Raph felt pretty good. That was until he’d started to sit up.
            A stab of pain in his lower regions had him gasping and that had caught Don’s attention. When Don rushed over to help him, Raph could tell that his brother knew exactly why Raph’s ass hurt.
            Raph’s first words were, “What did I do?”
            From the tortured expression on Don’s face, Raph knew that his brother didn’t want to answer that question. Raph’s hand tightened on Don’s arm and he’d asked again in a voice not open to refusal.
            So Don had told him, apologizing profusely for allowing it to happen. Raph had brushed aside his brother’s guilt and had then remembered that Don had said he was going to film Raph sleeping.
            “Did ya’ tape it, Don?” Raph had asked.
            That question was met with the same concerned silence. At that point Raph wasn’t in the mood to worry about Don’s sensibilities and he had insisted, despite his brother’s protests, on watching the film.
            Raph had sat through thirty minutes of watching himself sleep before he’d become impatient. He could see that Don was hoping he’d give up on the rest of the tape, but right then Raph’s temper had started to boil over.
            “Fast forward it,” Raph had said through gritted teeth. “Ya’ know what I want ta see.”
            The tone was enough to tell Don that his brother was deadly serious, so he’d done as asked.
            It was like a watching a train wreck; Raph couldn’t pull his eyes away from the horror that unfolded on the television screen. Don sat to one side of him, silently observing the film and carefully avoiding even a glance in Raphael’s direction.
            Don had spent the remainder of the night editing the tape so that it would match the story he’d told Raph. He hadn’t really wanted to have to show the film to his brother; the tight rope of lies and deceptions Don was walking on was quite thin, one misstep could break Raph.
            The last thing Don wanted to do was to destroy Raph’s spirit; it was his spirit that excited the genius. Don had decided not to mention the tape and if Raph remembered and insisted on seeing it, then Don would rely on his intellect to do damage control if it became necessary.
            Leaning forward, Don stopped the tape at the point where he’d finished examining Raph’s rectum. Though he’d had the volume turned down low, the sound of Raph’s ecstasy and Don’s shouts had seemed to fill the room. The current silence was almost deafening.
            Don waited, saying and doing nothing as Raph processed what he’d just seen. After a few minutes, Raph shifted ever so slightly on his chair.
            “I didn’t say anything?” Raph asked in a small voice.
            Don knew what was worrying him; it was the reason Don had made sure that Raph didn’t call out his name.
            “No,” Don answered. “The tape picked up nothing and I didn’t hear anything. I should have; I should have been awake to stop you. I only sat on the cot so I could be close enough to observe your eye movements and I suppose the lack of sleep finally caught up to me. That’s no excuse though. What happened was my fault; I was responsible for your well-being and I failed to keep you safe.”
            “I don’t care,” Raph said in a stronger voice. When Don sat forward to answer, Raph held his hand up and stopped him. “Let me finish. I do care that I’ve been doing that ta myself, I just don’t want ya’ ta beat yourself up about me doin’ it last night. In fact, I think I needed ta see it for myself. I think part of me wasn’t buying into that sleep disorder stuff ya’ were spouting ‘cause I never heard of it before. Now it makes more sense ta me.”
            “You could have hurt yourself and it would have been my fault,” Don repeated remorsefully.
            He’d had so much practice at looking and sounding like a concerned brother that putting the correct intonation into his voice wasn’t at all difficult.
            “Ya’ know, before I saw that I wouldn’t have thought it was possible ta do something like that in your sleep,” Raph said as though he hadn’t heard Don. His eyes still had a slightly glazed look to them as he continued to stare at the blank television screen.
            “People without sleep disorders are known to walk, talk, and even eat when they’re asleep, Raph,” Don said, carefully watching his brother’s face.
            “What I did ain’t the same kinda thing,” Raph snapped, coming out of his daze.
            “What you acted out was more severe because you do have a sleep disorder,” Don stressed to him.
            “But why the shell am I doing that?” Raph demanded as he finally turned and looked at Don. “Why ain’t I jumping out of bed and hitting something? Ya’ say I’ve got this sleep disorder that makes me act out, so why ain’t I just trashing my room?”
            Don could see that Raph was working himself up, the agitation and confusion about what was happening to him making him angry.
            “Raph, listen to me,” Don said. “Will you listen, please?”
            Don’s gentle touch on Raph’s arm kept his brother from bouncing out of his chair.
            “What is manifesting itself in your RBD is normal frustration; it just isn’t the same kind that drives your anger or impatience during the hours when you are conscious,” Don explained, pausing to give Raph the opportunity to interact with him and thus avoiding sounding like a lecturer.
            “Then what the hell other kind of frustration is it?” Raph demanded.
            “Sexual,” Don said flatly. As Raph stared at him, mouth slightly open, Don asked, “Raphael, do you masturbate?”
            “What the fuck kind of question is that?” Raph asked in a loud voice. He shook Don’s hand loose from his arm and pointed at the television. “What the hell did ya’ just see me doing?”
            “That isn’t what I meant and you know it,” Don said calmly.
            Waiting, Don watched as Raph breathed through his mouth, obviously upset by the question. Don was guessing now with regard to something he’d never thought about before, but judging by Raph’s responses, Don felt like he was on the right track.
            “I masturbate,” Don continued matter-of-factly when he saw that Raph wouldn’t answer. “When a young male wakes in the early morning hours to a fully erect penis, his first natural instinct is to touch himself. Discovering that it is a pleasurable feeling, he’ll continue until he orgasms.” Chuckling softly, he added, “That usually doesn’t take long.”
            Growing serious again, Don said, “That process is a necessary step towards maturity and shouldn’t be denied. It isn’t something to be ashamed of and I can guarantee you that both Leo and Mikey succumb to their needs on a regular basis.”
            Raph might have found the entire discussion thoroughly embarrassing if not for the fact that Don delivered his speech in exactly the same tone as when he told them about the weather forecast. The lack of emotion and judgment went a long way in easing Raph’s misgivings.
            “I thought ya’ said the sleeping problems were caused by my drinking. Are ya’ trying ta tell me now that it’s because I don’t jerk off on a regular basis?” Raph asked incredulously.
            “It’s not quite that simplistic,” Don said, “but both of those things are parts of the problem. A good orgasm releases powerful endorphins that help your body and mind to relax. Without that assistance people oftentimes find that they can’t sleep or can’t stay asleep.”
            “I’m sound fucking asleep here, Don,” Raph rasped, jerking his thumb towards the television. “I’m so fuckin’ asleep that I don’t even remember ya’ waking me up ta stop what I was doing and I sure as hell don’t remember doin’ this shit in the first place.”
            “I told you that’s only part of the problem,” Don said. “Tell me honestly bro’, do you feel some sort of shame in giving in to your needs?”
            Up until recently, Raph had rarely resorted to masturbation to ease sexual urges, preferring a cold shower or a good, long run. He figured that with limited options, he’d rather not allow himself that kind of habit. With the onset of the erotic dreams and the strange new awareness of Donatello, Raph discovered that he had to jerk off to keep his desires hidden. He found it to be degrading at best.
            “Seems like a weak sort of thing ta do,” Raph mumbled.
            “I see,” Don said. “My belief is that because you won’t consciously give in to your natural impulses, your mind and body take over while you’re unconscious. Your subconscious dream state takes care of the need for you.”
            A fleeting mental picture of Don straddling him was quickly swatted from Raph’s mind.
            “I ain’t ever had a need ta have something shoved in my ass Donatello; conscious, unconscious, or subconscious,” Raph said with a scowl. “I don’t swing that way.”
            “Then bear with me while I try to reason this out,” Don said, his brow furrowed in thought. He was very glad he’d spent so much time reading countless psychology publications.
            Raph watched his brother and waited. As he did, Raph found his eyes drawn to Don’s neck. With his head cocked to one side, a long expanse of Don’s muscular olive green skin was visible.
            Unable to blink, Raph’s eyes trailed down to the center of Don’s throat and he stared, mesmerized, as Don’s pulse danced there. Raph absently wondered what Don tasted like and how the tiny beating pulse would feel if he were to press his tongue against it.
            Raph’s tail stiffened in reaction to the erotic imagery and he shifted to relieve the pressure, the movement reminding him of his sore ass. This sudden new and unwanted carnal lust for Don was probably a contributing factor to Raph’s problem, but he sure as shit wasn’t going to tell his brother any of that.
            “Raph,” Don began, “you know we’ve all seen a lot of unusual things occur between consenting adults when we’re topside. Humans engaging in all manner of kinky behavior, both heterosexual and homosexual.”
            “Don’t even go there,” Raph warned. “Just ‘cause I seen some guy with a dick buried in his ass don’t mean I want one in mine.”
            Don hid a smile as the previous night’s conquests flashed through his mind. Better to push that aside before he spoiled everything by becoming aroused.
            “I’m not implying that you do,” Don said. “What I am implying is that you’re aware of the fact that the receiving partner in those male-on-male interactions is enjoying a state of heightened ecstasy because inside his anal cavity is a thin wall separating it from a bundle of nerves called the prostate. Remember when I asked you if you were trying to massage yours?”
            “I ain’t ever in my life thought about doing that ta myself,” Raph argued adamantly.
            “Not consciously,” Don said, “but you know about it and you also know that pressing against the prostate will supposedly cause a man to orgasm more quickly and with a greater intensity.”
            “Just ‘cause I know don’t mean I want ta try it,” Raph insisted.
            “You would if you were attempting to jerk off as fast as possible,” Don said bluntly. “You’re repressing yourself sexually, hence the frustration. In your sleep you attempt to remedy that by masturbating, but your subconscious is arguing with you that it’s shameful. The internal argument makes it more difficult for you to reach climax as you act out the ‘dream’, so you’re doing the only thing you can think of to end it quickly.”
            Raph laced his fingers together and put his hands atop his head. “Ya’ do realize that makes me sound all kinds of fucked up.”
            “Not fucked up,” Don said. “Simply out of balance. The alcohol is still a contributing factor to your sleep disorder; the stress of our lives, the difficulties you have with Leo are all causes for why you don’t reach the paralyses state of REM. You start to dream in order to deal with your sexual frustration and because you aren’t paralyzed, you act out the solution to your need in the most satisfying way that you know.”
            “When ya’ explain this shit it sounds real logical,” Raph said. “So here’s the million dollar question; how do I stop doing this ta myself?”
            “Through medication,” Don answered.
            Raph’s hands came down, curling into fists as he set them on his thighs and leaned towards Don. “Ya’ know damn well I don’t like taking stuff; not even aspirin.”
            Don smiled. “Yes, Raph, after all of these years I do know that. Unfortunately, this is a situation that requires you take something unless you want to keep sexually abusing yourself in your sleep.”
            “If I stop drinking, won’t this RBD shit go away?” Raph asked. “Ain’t that what ya’ said?”
            “I said we’d need to experiment to find out if that was causing the problem,” Don clarified. “We will too; you and I. The display last night tells me that we need to give your body more time to regulate itself from your last dose of alcohol. We’ll try the medication so that you can experience true REM. I think about one week to start with; then we’ll take you off the medication and I’ll observe your behavior while you sleep.”
            “So if I don’t start messing with myself then I can stay off the drugs for good?” Raph asked.
            “No alcohol, no drugs,” Don said. “Just don’t get aggravated if we have to experiment a little before we get it right.”
            “Donny, anything’s better than what I did ta myself last night,” Raph said. “I don’t want anybody else ta know I’m having ta take medicine ‘cause of my sleep problem.”
            “I’m afraid they’ll have to know,” Don said.
            “That’s my personal business, Don,” Raph said angrily.
            “It would be except that it could affect the family,” Don told him. “You could have a reaction to the drug, it could have a side effect, any number of things. They’ll have to know because I can’t be glued to your shoulder twenty-four hours a day. Besides that, Leo is going to have to break into a drug store to get what I need.”
            “Fuckin’ Leo,” Raph growled in a low voice, his eyes squeezing shut.
            “I’m sorry that he happens to be the best at that sort of thing,” Don said.
            Opening his eyes, Raph glared at Don. “What happened ta me last night don’t leave this room. Ya’ can tell them ya’ verified that I have a sleep disorder and need medicine, but don’t ya’ fucking dare give out any details.”
            “Doctor patient privilege,” Don said with a soft smile. “Details are not necessary for them to know.” As far as Don was concerned, keeping any mention of sex away from the other three members of his family suited his purposes just fine.
            “That tape,” Raph began before clearing his throat. “That tape don’t need ta be seen by anyone else either.”
            Don reached over and popped the miniature cassette from the player and handed it to Raph.
            “I don’t need it,” Don said. “That’s the only copy. Do what you want with it.”
            Raph stood up slowly and crossed the room to a shelf where Don kept candles and matches. Breaking the cassette in half, he dropped it into a metal waste basket and then struck a pair of matches.
            Dropping them on the cassette, Raph added a wad of paper towels and nodded in satisfaction when the fire momentarily flashed up over the edges of the can.
            Looking across the room at Don, Raph said, “Let’s get those meds tonight. I don’t ever want ta do that ta myself again.”
            “The medicine is only a piece of the solution,” Don said. “At some point you’ve got to stop repressing your natural sexual needs. I can help you talk through that problem if you’ll let me.”
            He got up and moved over to where Raph stood. Don wasn’t sure what got into him, but he suddenly felt the need to torture Raph just once more.
            Stepping well into Raph’s personal space, Don reached out and gripped his brother’s forearms, placing himself so close to Raph that their plastrons were nearly touching. Don looked up into Raph’s face and smiled wistfully.
            “I don’t claim to have all of the answers, Raphael,” Don said softly. “But I know how to listen and how to keep my mouth shut. I also give a damn about your welfare. Okay?”
            Raph suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Don’s dark eyes swam with lustrous depth, his musky scent making Raph dizzy with desire.
            It was great for Don to say Raph had to stop repressing his sexual needs; what his genius brother didn’t know was that Raph’s greatest need was Don himself.
            “Okay,” Raph answered, his voice just a bit shaky. “I’m gonna . . . I’m gonna go grab some breakfast.”
            Don slowly released his brother but made no other move. Raph continued to stare into his face; Don’s lips drawing his gaze and holding it.
            “I’ll join you as soon as I put some things away,” Don said. “I’m sure the others will have a lot of questions and it would probably be better if I answered them, just to keep them off your back.”
            Raph licked his lips and managed to step back towards the door. “Thanks bro’. I owe ya’.”
            Don’s smile grew bigger as Raph unlocked the door and left the infirmary. “No bro’, you don’t,” he murmured under his breath, greatly pleased with himself.
            Before venturing out of the infirmary, Don made sure Raph’s fire had completely destroyed the tape. Spraying the entire room with an air freshener removed the odor of burnt plastic and any residual traces of scent left over from the prior evening’s sexual abuse.
            The strong smell of frying bacon assailed Don’s nostrils when he stepped out of the infirmary. Voices told him he would find at least part of his family in the kitchen.
            When he walked through the door Don saw that his entire family, including his Father, was present.
            Master Splinter looked up as his fourth son entered the kitchen. Raphael had told them nothing other than he had slept well, but Master Splinter could see that his son was withholding something.
            Breaking his fast with a simple bowl of rice and a cup of tea very early in the morning was Master Splinter’s usual routine; he rarely joined his boys at breakfast. He had not planned to change that habit this morning, knowing that Donatello would come to him to report his findings regarding Raphael.
            However, when Master Splinter had entered the usually empty kitchen he was greeted by Michelangelo. His youngest seemed as cheerful as he normally was, smiling at his Father while offering him a bowl of freshly made rice and a cup of tea.
            Master Splinter sat down at the table rather than returning to his room, eating in silence as he watched Michelangelo flutter around the kitchen preparing breakfast for the rest of his family. While he cooked Michelangelo talked, his conversation both lighthearted and frivolous, as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
            His Father could see that his eyes were a little too bright and his laughter a little too strained. Something had happened to upset his youngest son and Master Splinter could guess what that was.
            When Leonardo joined them a quarter of an hour later, Master Splinter’s suspicions were verified. Michelangelo wished his older brother a good-morning without looking at him; handed Leonardo a cup of tea and responded to the ‘thank-you’ with a mumbled ‘you’re welcome’.
            Sipping his tea, Master Splinter watched as Leonardo sat down at the table in a position where he could watch Michelangelo. It was obvious that the eldest wanted to speak to his brother and equally as obvious that Michelangelo was avoiding him.
            With a soft sigh, Master Splinter thought about how he had counseled Michelangelo when his son had revealed having a ‘crush’ on Leonardo. He had told Michelangelo that if he pursued that desire there was a real possibility he would be hurt, but that as his Father he would not forbid the attempt.
            Somewhere inside he had known that Michelangelo would meet defeat. Leonardo was much too goal-oriented and focused to entertain the concept of pairing off with a brother. It was not in his mental make-up to do anything that might be injurious to his team.
            Master Splinter was silently reviewing the ramifications of the disagreement between those two when Raphael had walked into the kitchen.
            Michelangelo practically swarmed the red banded turtle, insisting Raphael sit down and accept a plate of food. Although Raphael looked tired, his eyes had widened when Michelangelo began placing plates and bowls in front of him, all filled with every manner of breakfast item.
            “Damn Mikey, I can’t eat all this,” Raphael had protested.
            Michelangelo had merely patted his shoulder, saying, “You need your strength dude. Eat as much as you can.”
            That was when Leonardo had leaned forward and asked how Raphael felt, receiving the answer that he’d slept well. That was all anyone could extract from him as he tackled his breakfast.
            Now Donatello had joined them and the atmosphere in the kitchen shifted once again. Raphael appeared nervous, Leo sat up expectantly and Mikey’s frantic movements slowed perceptibly.
            Of them all, Donatello seemed the most unaffected this morning. Master Splinter knew his son hadn’t had much sleep, but rather than appearing tired, Donatello was almost jaunty. It was obvious he was pleased about something and Master Splinter could only assume it was because his smartest child had made a discovery. Donatello was always happiest when he had learned something new.
            “Good morning, my son,” Master Splinter greeted him. “Raphael tells us he slept well and Michelangelo has decided to treat us to a breakfast bounty. Please sit down; we are all curious as to your findings.”
            Don sank into a chair furthest from his Father and then glanced up in surprise as Mikey set a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. A second later, a plateful of bacon and eggs sat next to the cup. Don could see that Mikey had made enough food to feed a small army and knew instantly that his youngest brother was very upset.
            “Thank you, Mikey,” Don said, flashing a smile at the orange banded turtle.
            “Anytime dude,” Mikey said, returning the smile with one that was a little too manufactured.
            “Last night you told me you believe that Raph has a sleep disorder,” Leo began, going straight to the point. “Does that account for all of his symptoms?”
            Don took a sip of coffee, enjoying the aroma and the slight sense of impatience he was picking up from his oldest brother.
            “Yes it does,” Don said finally. “Just before Raph was going to turn in for the night I gave him a mild muscle relaxant. It was meant to do nothing more than take his mind off of any minor aches or pains he might have so that he’d fall asleep faster. What happened was very telling; he practically fell asleep in my arms.”
            Raph grunted and sat back in his chair. “I meant ta ask ya’ about that, ‘cause I didn’t remember getting into bed.”
            Don nodded. “You aren’t getting a restful sleep because your REM isn’t functioning properly, which makes you exhausted enough to fall asleep quickly. It’s the quality of sleep that’s telling here, not the quantity.”
            “I get it,” Mikey interposed. “It’s like when I go on a video game marathon and don’t sleep for a couple of days. I start getting dizzy and forgetting stuff.”
            “Or you walk into a room and don’t remember why you went into it in the first place,” Leo offered.
            “Yes,” Don said, pleased that his explanation was being swallowed so easily. “Raph’s body never enters sleep paralysis, a necessary part of the REM process. Neither his mind or body are at rest; though for all intents and purposes he’s completely unconscious. During that period of time, he is acting out his dreams.”
            “Acting them out in what way, my son?” Master Splinter asked.
            Out of the corner of his eye, Don saw Raph’s face freeze. His eyes however, those brilliantly flashing golden orbs, were pleading with Don.
            Never having had Raph beg him for anything made Don’s entire spirit soar. The feeling of power was overwhelming and it seemed like, for the first time in Don’s life, he was truly alive.
            “Walking around, lifting weights, even trying to go for a ride on his motorcycle,” Don answered. “Things from regular life that filter into dreams can be done while asleep. It’s not safe, nor is his attempting to function or more especially try to fight while suffering from sleep deprivation.”
            “Donny thinks he knows why I started having this sleep problem,” Raph cut in, hoping to pull everyone away from wondering how he acted out his dreams. “He thinks maybe our mutation makes us allergic ta alcohol.”
            “Alcohol withdrawal to be exact,” Don said. “Granted, Raph’s drinking is limited, but we have no idea how long it takes our bodies to process alcohol and rid our systems of its effects. That along with other stressors are key components of RBD, the sleep disorder that I believe Raph to have.”
            Don couldn’t resist looking directly at Leo when he said ‘stressors’ and was rewarded when he saw Leo’s mouth press into a thin line.
            “If Raphael avoids alcohol, will this sleep disorder disappear?” Master Splinter asked.
            “That’s our hope,” Don answered. “In the meantime, I think Raph should take a medication that specifically deals with RBD and he agrees with me. I did a lot of research on the subject last night and I feel comfortable with trying this.”
            “What kind of medication?” Leo asked.
            “It’s called Clonazepam,” Don said, looking at Raph. “We can start with a very low dosage and increase it only if it appears necessary. It can sometimes cause withdrawal symptoms, so I don’t want to give you any more than you absolutely need.”
            “That’s fine by me,” Raph said. “Ya’ already know how I feel about having ta take anything in the first place.”
            Turning back to Leo, Don said, “You’ll have to break into a drug store and get this for us as soon as possible. I’ll print out a fact sheet for you so you’ll have the full name and a picture to go by when you’re trying to locate it.”
            “I’ll go tonight,” Leo said.
            “Very good,” Master Splinter said as he stood up from the table. “There will be no practice today, my sons. Donatello, you have had little sleep in the last few days; please finish your breakfast and take this opportunity to rest. Leonardo, I would like to speak with you when you are done here.”
            The brothers watched in silence as Master Splinter left the kitchen. Don took a bite of egg and waited for the real inquisition to begin; he was sure that pressing one of Leo’s buttons regarding Raph’s stress level would have Leo prepared to jump all over him. His big brother was not one to walk away from a challenge.
            But Leo did. As soon as Master Splinter was gone, Leo’s eyes returned to Mikey. The youngest was leaning against the kitchen counter eating a piece of toast with scrambled eggs rolled into it and studiously ignoring Leo.
            A strange stillness settled over the four of them. Raph glanced up at Don, flicked his eyes over to Leo, and then looked back with a furrowed brow. Don shook his head just the tiniest bit and shrugged.
            After a few minutes, Leo drained his cup and left his chair. Setting the cup in the sink, Leo walked over to Mikey and stood directly in front of him.
            Don grinned into his coffee cup. The little drama that was unfolding between Mikey and Leo was doing him a huge favor. A distracted Leonardo was a Leonardo whose defenses had cracks in them.
            “Mikey, this breakfast is wonderful,” Leo said, his voice low.
            From where he was sitting, Don could see Mikey’s eyes slowly lift to meet Leo’s. The look he gave his oldest brother was stony at best.
            “Yeah? How would you know, you didn’t eat any of it.” Mikey stared at Leo, his manner defiant.
            “Please don’t be like this,” Leo said. “You are still my brother and you mean everything to me.”
            “No I don’t,” Mikey returned. “Being leader is the only thing that has any meaning to you. You wanted the controls; well you’ve got ‘em bro’. In the dojo or in a fight I’ll follow your lead the best I can, but that’s all you get. Deal with it.”
            Pushing away from the counter, Mikey shoved his shoulder into Leo’s, brushing him aside. Mikey cast an enigmatic glance towards Donatello as he strode out of the kitchen, but he said nothing to either Don or Raph.
            Leo stood completely still for several minutes, his back turned to the table where his two middle brothers sat. Don continued to eat, studying Leo’s posture and demeanor. It appeared that his brother’s focus had shifted completely away from Raph and Don. As far as Don was concerned, that was just perfect.
            In fact, it was going to make things almost too easy.
            Finally Leo straightened and pulled his shoulders back. Without a word, he too left the kitchen, presumably to meet with Master Splinter as requested.
            As soon as he was out of hearing range, Raph pointed his fork at Don and said, “Ya’ know what’s going on.” It was a statement of fact.
            It was also a question asked in the way Raph had of letting Don know he’d better supply an answer.
            Placing his fork carefully on his plate, Don said, “Apparently Mikey has certain feelings for Leo that aren’t what could be categorized as brotherly.”
            “You’re shitting me right?” Raph asked in surprise. Was it possible that he wasn’t the only brother experiencing those kinds of desires?
            Don’s eyes narrowed. It wouldn’t do for Raph to get his hopes up or to start fantasizing about advancing his own agenda.
            “It’s just an educated guess,” Don said. “Whatever happened, Leo nipped it in the bud, and rightfully so.”
            Standing, Don took his dirty dishes to the sink and deposited them. Stretching and yawning, he glanced over at Raph, whose eyes were staring into the bottom of his cereal bowl.
            “I’m going to take Master Splinter’s advice and grab some shut eye,” Don said. “I’ll be in my room if anybody needs me.”
            Passing his brother, Don resisted the urge to touch him. Keeping Raph in a state of doubt and self-disgust meant that his brother’s focus was completely internalized.
            With all three of his brothers concentrated on their own personal dilemmas, Don found himself with a clear field to his ultimate goal.
            The fact that Mikey was probably going to get hurt in the process was a truth that Don had come to accept. He would just have to find a way to make it up to him.
TBC………………
- 19
- 20
- 21
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The End Justifies