the curse - 1 - [rottmnt Donnie - COMPLETED]

#41

Donnie sat at his desk in his lab, checking the images of his purple stripes on the big monitor one last time. Very good, everything was documented. He had noted the exposure and angle of view so that the following could be done under the same conditions and nothing could falsify the documentation.

He took his coffee mug again and was a little disappointed to find that it was still empty.

Instead, he sighed and reached over to his clothes, which were lying on the laboratory stool next to him, and began to finish dressing. As he pulled his purple t-shirt over his head, there was a knock on the door that was open, and he saw Leo standing in the doorway. He had two coffee mugs in his hands.

Donnie raised an eyebrow.

"Hi Dee, can I come in?"

Donnie just nodded, got up and put his pants on, but forego the bandages on his lower legs and feet.

Leo stayed beside him and when Donnie was done, handing him the mug.

"Do you actually have any other pants? I mean, a different style?"

"Never change a running system. These are perfect for just about any occasion – AND comfortable.”

"I think they're the best, too."

They looked at each other. Donnie skeptical and Leo with an uncertain smile. The purple one took a sip of coffee and kept his eyes on Leo.

This one sighed.

"Listen Donnie. I want to apologize. I acted like an adolescent jerk who couldn't shut up. My oh-so-great lines were at your expense, and that was just… an asshole move from me. I'm really sorry."

Donnie had to admit he was a little impressed. That was an unusually considered apology from his brother. He briefly thought about countering Leo, if Shiro wrote the words down for him, but then remembered her silent gaze in the bathroom and his promise not to let Leo tantalize any longer. Donnie sighed.

"Apology accepted. I urge you to refrain from this bullshit behavior in the future."

Leo's face brightened, and he seemed genuinely pleased while hastily acknowledging

"You can bet on it!"

Donnie grinned at the vehemence of Leo's words

"Shiro's burn was sustained, wasn't it?" he took another sip of coffee as he glanced over to his brother.

"Donnie – I think that was the burn of the century." Leo said as he sat down on the edge of the desk, relieved and still a bit embarrassed, and shook his head at the memory, but now with a smile.

The purple one chuckled and Leo suddenly looked at him with an honest and open expression

“Donnie, you are really to be envied. She is truly special."

Donatello was suddenly speechless at his brother's frankness. Leo now looked very vulnerable, and Donnie felt that he himself had taken a path where none of his brothers could follow him – and that they envied him this experience.

And although he walked this new path without his brothers, Leo's honesty made him feel very connected to him, and Leo felt the connection too.

They just looked at each other for a moment – words weren't necessary.

Then Leo suddenly grinned.

"So your stripes have grown, huh?" he sipped his coffee and looked at Donnie's upper arms, where the grown streaks were now sticking out from under the t-shirt.

Donnie was seized with his scientific enthusiasm again

“Indeed! Look at that!" he rolled up a sleeve with his free hand, spilled the coffee, and Leo smiled at his twin.