#write fight

Leo starts poking him. Dee doesn't acknowledge him at first, not even pausing his work or looking up at him. Leo persists.

Dee. Donnie. Don-Tron. Don Quixote.

Sigh. What is it Nardo?

Whatchya doin'.

Donatello turns and glares at Leo incredulously.

...Is that really what you wanted to ask me?

Leo chuckles before leaning his head against Donnie's shoulder, rubbing his face against the soft fabric of his hoodie. Donnie notices how dry Leo's laugh is, the gray skin around his eyes, the slouch in his spine and the overall exhaustion in his attitude.

Dee squints suspiciously at him.

Leo.

Yeah?

When was the last time you slept?

Leo is quiet. He moves away from Donnie.

What makes you think... W-why do you ask?

You're acting clingy. And sleepy.

What, I can't want to spend time with my favourite twin every once in a while?

That's not what I meant. You generally don't interrupt my work sessions without probable cause, and you've yet to give me a cause. You came into my lab and instantly started kneading your face into my shirt. That counts as 'cuddling', which is one of your symptoms.

One of my symptoms? Symptoms of what??

That something is wrong.

Leo takes a step away.

Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to see you. I'm sorry that I bothered you...

Leo turns and angrily starts to walk away.

Irritability, denial, and guilt. Three other symptoms.

What are you talking about? Guilt -- I'm not guilty --

You said sorry for bothering me.

Because you --

You're upset that I brought this up, and are acting strangely defensive.

No I'm not --

And there's the denial again.

Donnie, I am not -- rrrgh!

Leo angrily presses his palms against his eyes. He knows he's been defeated, but refuses to admit it.

Donnie sighs and turns in his chair to face his brother properly.

Nardo. I'm not trying to pick an argument with you. I'm just saying, you're acting like you do when you're not feeling well, and I'm concerned. You look tired.

I... I'm fine.

That's not the same as saying you aren't tired.

You just don't quit, do you?

Leo. Please. Are you okay?

Leo locks eyes with Donnie, unsure of what to say. It isn't that big of a deal. Why is he acting like it's so big a deal?? It's only been one night... maybe two...

Leo looks away from his brother. His arms fold, holding himself together like he might fall apart, like he needs a hug but is afraid to ask. Because he is.

His feet shuffle nervously, shifting weight from one side to the other as he avoids Donnie's question.

Leo...?

I... I'll be okay. You don't need to worry...

But I do. When was the last time you slept?

Uh... not sure...?

You aren't sure??

I haven't really been sleeping well, okay?! I just -- with the insomnia, and then the whole Krang thing, I've... I've not been sleeping.

...When was the last time you actually slept?

I told you, I don't -- m-maybe like, two nights ago.

...Two nights ago.

Yeah.

...So around 60 hours.

Leo swallows nervously. He's shaking a bit.

......Y-yeah, that sounds a-about right...

There is a tense silence in the room.

........Please don't tell Raph -- DAD! I mean Dad, don't tell Dad -- or Raph. Or Mikey. J-just, don't tell anyone, please? Please??

Leo has a panicked manic in his eyes as his whole frame begins to tremble.

Hm. Would you like to get some rest in here?

Here?

Yes. It's dark, and quiet, with an optimal temperature to help with rest.

Uh... sure? I mean, I don't know if I'll actually sleep, but I'll hang out.

Mhm. I have a cot in the corner. Go lie down.

Dee, seriously, I --

I said LIE DOWN.

Geez, alright! Dang, twisting my arm... so cruel...

Leo maneuvers to the other side of the room and sits on the cot. Donnie raises an eyebrow at him. Leo groans loudly and lies down horizontally.

Happy?

Almost.

Donnie stands up.

Be right back.

Donnie walks away.

Leo sits up anxiously.

H-hey, where are you go--

I'll be back. Stay there.

Leo groans loudly and flops back down.

He fidgets, moving his fingers about in a small attempt to keep himself active and awake. He wiggles his toes.

Donnie comes back in with pillows and a weighted blanket.

What's... what's all that for...?

I know I am the genius of the family, but even you could figure this out.

...You're really going to make me sleep, aren't you?

Yes. Here. This should help.

Donnie, I don't want to sleep --

Despite this, Donnie still helps Leo get adjusted into the bed, propping his head up with the pillows and tucking him in under the blanket.

And despite his claims of wanting to not sleep, Leo lets his brother do this.

There. All comfy?

...Yes.

Good.

Donnie goes back to sit at his chair, half watching Leo squirm uncomfortably, half working on his tech.

...Try to sleep, Leo.

I don't wanna!

Shocker.

Seriously Dee, this isn't --

Leo, do you understand the ramifications of prolonged sleep-deprivation?

Donnie --

Do you know what happens when a person is refused the proper rest they needs? Not just for the body's sake, but also for the mind's?

Dee --

You need at least 8 hours a night, to maintain a healthy lifestyle --

DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?!

Donnie stops. Leo growls, kicking the blanket off.

He sits up, fuming. His face is as red as his tired and strained eyes.

Leo finally calms down when he sees Donnie's sad and scared expression.

Don -- Donnie, I... I'm sorry, I --

Leo hangs his head in shame.

I'm sorry.

I can tell.

Donnie gets up and sits beside Leo.

Wanna tell me why my lovably annoying twin is anti-sleep?

Leo smiles half-heartedly and sighs, leaning his full weight against Donnie. The softshell rubs his back gently, trying to soothe him.

Donnie knows he is not the greatest at comfort, but he and Leo have shared a strange bond since they were tots. Maybe even before then, before their mutation made them actually blood-related. Before they were brothers.

They are twins. Always have been, always will be.

Donnie pulls Leo even closer, resting his chin atop the slider's head. He can feel Leo break apart, piece by piece before weeping weakly in his arms.

I can't sleep, Dee. I just can't do it anymore. I try and try, b-but -- I don't want to anymore.

Nightmares?

Leo nods weakly.

Why didn't you tell anyone? We've all been dealing with --

That's exactly why I didn't say anything! Everyone has their own issues going on, and after everything I've put you through -- all the stupid pride and ego, the invasion, and then the aftermath of my mistakes...

Leo, you know that's all malarky. We don't care about any of that. I don't care about any of that. You're my twin, I want you to be okay. You're the only twin I have, dum-dum.

...Thanks?

Donnie smiles and pats Leo's head.

So what are the nightmares like?

...They're different every night. Sometimes there's recurring dreams, like the Prison Dimension or stuff that happened... happened with Raph. Uh, but mostly it's just tons of different nightmares. Things chasing me, scary situations like being trapped in the Maze of Death or in the Battle Nexus or hunted by dentists or in big crowds without my disguise -- uh, you get the idea. Sometimes I die in the dreams. Those are the easy ones.

THOSE are the easy ones?

Sometimes you guys die. In horrific ways. And I have to watch.

.......Oh. I see.

I hate sleeping now. I really hate it. I --

Leo chuckles.

-- I'm actually scared to even blink during the day. It's stupid, isn't it? I'm so utterly tired, I'm afraid that if I blink I'll fall asleep and if I sleep I'll have the nightmares again and --

Leo bursts into tears once more.

Donnie grips him tight.

I don't want to be scared anymore, Dee...

I know. I know. I don't want you to be scared, either.

Donnie holds Leo. He finds himself rocking the two back and forth gently, lulling his brother into a calm. Leo's eyes slip shut, his breathing slows. He still holds Donnie in a terrified hug.

Donatello lets Leo cling to him for a few more minutes before helping to lay him down on the cot, tucking him in again.

...Dee...?

Yeah, Leo?

...I know this sounds stupid and childish, but... please don't leave me yet, okay? Just... just wait with me? Until I fall asleep?

I'll be right here. I promise.

Leo clutches Donnie's hand tightly.

Donnie stays with him, even after it is apparent that his brother has succumbed to slumber.

Donnie waits at least ten minutes, sitting beside him on the bed. His thumb brushes over Leo's knuckles, something he's seen Mikey do in moments when he holds his brothers' hands, to softly comfort them in quiet. A gentle reassurance.

He waits a little longer, until he's sure Leo won't be disturbed or feel his movement. He slips his hand out and stands, tiptoeing over to his desk.

Donatello continues his work in silence. Small coding, light typing. Nothing too loud.

Leo starts to murmur. He shuffles under the cover. He whimpers. He whines. He cries. Tears stream down his cheeks.

Donnie gets up from his chair and kneels beside Leo, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Leo continues to murmur in his sleep as tiny tears trickle down his cheeks. His eyes squeeze closed even tighter.

His sporadic gasps cease, a final inhale that stops with a shock. Leo's body jerks and freezes.

He slowly opens his eyes and looks around the room. His gaze falls on Donnie, and his expression shifts from tormented to surprised to see him there.

Scoot over.

Leo wordlessly lifts the blanket, and Donnie climbs in. The two lay side by side under the covers.

Wanna talk about it?

Leo sniffles.

Leo nods.

Leo continues to sleepily and hastily give the details of his nightmare to Donnie. The explanation makes the dream seem much more ridiculous, and soon enough Leo is even chuckling at the audacity of his subconscious. It helps to take the power of fear away from the nightmare.

Leo rests against Donnie's chest and falls back asleep quickly.

Soon, Donnie falls asleep too.

Donnie rolled out the map of what had formerly been known as the United States of America, now known as the M.N.A.T., or the Mid-North American Territories. “Here’s the route you need to take in order to get to this junk-yard. Got it? The highlighted route on this map is the path to a post-apocalyptic treasure trove; this is the only dump left in the New England Coastal Territories, so you need to salvage as much as you all can, understood?”, Donnie asked his apprentice. 

His old enemy, now dear student, was Baxter Stockman. Baxter nodded. “Understood. You give me the list, I’ll return with the package delivered.”

“Takes you back to the stock and shop days, doesn’t it, Baxter?”, Donnie teased.

“Hardy-har-har. I’ve been stricken down with laughter,” he replied in good humor. Donnie could recognize the sarcasm that Baxter had gradually absorbed from being his apprentice.

Right as he was about to give Stockman further instructions, he heard a familiar ring-tone coming from his gauntlet. He raised his sharpied on eye-brow and raised a finger to his pupil. “I will return in a moment,” he informed before walking into the next room. 

Thankfully, it was empty. He answered the call. “Captain, you don’t usually call unless it’s an arranged meeting. Is something wrong? Is your base under attack?”, Donnie immediately questioned.

Then he saw the dark colors adorning her face. Colors in places that showed signs of little sleep, and an even smaller amount of food. “Sasha. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, um, sorry to worry you, Don. We’re not under attack…” Sasha replied, her voice sounding scratchy, on the verge of tears.

“What… happened?”

“I just thought I’d let you know, since you see him every other month because of his errands… um, Noah—“ she tried to explain, but she had obviously gotten choked up.

“Oh, no, Sasha, whatever happened to him, I’m so sorry. I can’t— I’m so sorry. I would offer further condolences if this weren’t a mere screen,” Donnie told her. 

“Thanks, Don. He’s— the people that were with him told me a couple days ago that he had been absorbed by— them,” Sasha explained, practically spitting the last word. “You wanna know what’s so ironic about that?”

“Only if you don’t end up crying.”

“Noah died, Donnie,” Sasha snarled.

“Yes, right. I just mean even more, while you’re trying to speak,” Donnie attempted a defense.

“Like you were able to do any better explaining when you were so gloomy when your sisters passed.” Donnie looked away. “The irony of it… Heh. What day is it today, Donatello?”

“It is two/sixteen/forty, put in other words—“

“What day was two days ago?”

“The fourteenth, and formerly the celebrated holiday… Valentines Day…. That is ironic. And cruel,” Donnie concluded.

“Loss happens a lot in this day and age, so I guess I shouldn’t dwell on this so mu—“

“No! Sasha, look at me! Right now, look at me! You know I am not a feelings guy, but your husband died two days ago. You are allowed to dwell on this for as long as you need to. Don’t let it hinder your ability to do what you need to, but don’t push it away either, because it does not help. I speak from experience. 

“And I know that you have friends at the B.R., so talk to them about it as much as you need to without putting your work off. You can call me whenever you need, and if I’m not in a meeting or out in the field, I will answer and listen. I can promise that much,” Donnie assured after his little pep-talk.

Sasha sniffed. “Thanks, Donnie. I’d really like a hug right about now, but we’re miles away from each other, so…”

“I would gladly offer one, but it is as you say. Again, don’t hesitate to ask other people who are close to you for comfort. Keeping it bottled up does not help,” Donnie reminded her.

There was a knock at the door. “Master Donatello? I would prefer to have instructions for a mission before you unexpectedly get a call, rather than after,” Baxter called through the door.

“Oh! Right, I have an apprentice. Sorry to end the call so suddenly. Will you be alright?”

“As good as I can be. I do feel better after that though, so thanks again, Donnie,” Sasha smiled feebly.

“Glad to help my friend. I believe we have a meeting tomorrow. Don’t forget it,” he winked. “Farewell, Sasha!” He finished with a wave before ending the call.

Donnie walked out of the room, “So sorry about that, Baxter. Now about that treasure map…”

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Now she’s miserably single >:} @hzl86

While I was writing Baxter, I could not not hear ‘03 Stockman, and it’s still killing me XD

February Prompts: Day 8 - A Treasure Map | Day 9 - A Long-Lost Friend

Link to Captain's challenge ♡○♡