Chapter Text
It had been a week since the turtles had been sent through time and space by the ultimate Draco. It has been 43 hours since Donatello last slept. He couldn't sleep, not after everything he saw.
It was an awkward first dinner after the adventure they all went on, listening to his brothers describe where they ended up. Mikey hung out with super hero versions of themselves, Raph did a big race, and Leo managed to find his way back to Usagi yet again. As for Don…
“I got…sent to a future where…Shredder won…but I met the future versions of you guys….and we stopped him.”
That's all he was willing to say. That's all he could say. Even as Mikey and Raph kept bugging him for details, he kept his mouth shut until Leo called for everyone to rest for the night. Couldn't have happened any sooner.
Donnie wasn't about to kill the mood, talking about how horrible that future was. How he went missing for 30 years. About how Casey was dead. Mikey's lost arm, Raph's lost eye, all of their lost innocence…and how it ended…how the nightmares always began.
Donnie has stayed up for way longer than this before, despite how everyone told him not to. It shouldn't be that hard to just stay awake, not fall asleep and dream about….no, no Donnie, just focus on your work…work…what to do…
He turned to a blueprint of upgrades to the Battle Shell, this should do. A little bit of late night car work should do the trick. Just look over these blue prints…that were…so wordy…and…made him so…so…
“Donnie! Donnie, I need… ahhhgh!-”
It felt like lightning struck right in his nervous system, causing him to violently jerk backwards, knocking some junk off the desk. He slapped himself awake. No Donnie, that wasn't your Mikey! Your Mikey is still alive, and has both arms, and is happy! He needed a drink.
He went to the coffee maker first, instinctively reaching for the bag of coffee grounds he always kept on the shelf underneath. Nothing, he drank it all already. Next the fridge, maybe he had some energy drinks left. Empty, drank all those too.
“Great…” he grumbled before throwing himself back into his chair, leaning his head back against the seat. At least it felt good to sit down, felt real good in fact…so comfy…he could almost…
“I'm sorry Karai…I wish it didn't have to be this way…-”
Another hard jolt, nearly knocking him over. No no no! That isn't your future Don! It can't be! It can never be! Focus, the computer.
He quickly shuffled over to the desk, tapping away at the keyboard, looking at the different folders and projects he had, most recently a bunch of notes about time travel. Shifting through it all, the screen was just so damn bright, hurt his eyes, or maybe it was the lack of sleep. Didn't use to be so bright…maybe…if he rested his eyes…he could…
“Leo! Le…Leo…-”
NO! NO GOD DAMNIT! Don't sleep! Never sleep! If you do, you'll see it again, and again, and again! Drink all the coffee in the world! Slap yourself until your cheeks are red! Cut your damn eyelids off! Just stay awake! Stay awak-
“Oh hey Don.”
He must've looked like an owl from how fast his head spun around. Donnie's manic, tired, scared eyes met the happy, smiling, innocent face of Mikey, his Mikey.
“Can't sleep either? I get it, busy week.” Mike joked as he walked over to him, clearly not paying attention to the crazy hobo look his brother had on his face. It was Donnie after all. “What ya working on?”
Don's head spun back to the computer, awake enough to see his notes more clearly, and how clearly they were written by a crazy man who hasn't slept in nearly 2 days. “It's um…it's…uh…” he stumbles over himself trying to explain it, how could he? How could he ever?
“Hold on, let me guess.” Mikey gave his brother the side eye with a cheeky smirk. “It's one of those ‘too smart for Mikey’ things isn't it?” He chuckled lightly before giving Don a pat on the shell with his left arm, a left arm that was still attached. “It's chill. I was just gonna play some video games. I can plug in a second controller if yo-”
Hugs weren't too out of place in the lair, especially from Mikey. But one so suddenly, so tight, so heavy…something was wrong…something was very wrong…
“D…Donatello?” He said softly, looking at his brother in confusion. He gripped so tight, especially to his arm, why his arm?
Donnie started to shake, tears dripping out of his bloodshot eyes. He couldn't hold it in, he wasn't going to let go.
“Um…” Mikey just stood there, a little awkwardly as he saw his bro so distressed. Maybe there was something he could do. “Um…this might be a Leo thing…let me just…”
“No!” Don't gripped even tighter, more tears flooding down his face. “Don't go…please…”
Oh shell…this was bad. Mike wasn't left with a choice, this was a job for him and one his hugs. He shifted himself to wrap his arms around the slightly taller turtle, pulling him in and letting him sob onto his shoulder.
“Hey…it's cool man. I'm not going anywhere.”
“P…promise?”
“Promise dude.” He patted his shell lightly, letting him just cry, getting it all out.
What the hell happened? He never got like this, not this bad. Was it a nightmare? When did he last sleep? What made this happen? Why…why was he so damn heavy suddenly?
“Don?” Mike lightly shook him, feeling his body limp in his arms. “Earth to Donatello.” The sobs were replaced with snores, he was out cold. “Oh great…”
The upside was Donnie's room wasn't far away, downside was lugging his unconscious body across the floor. If Raph or Leo were to see this, they'd probably think something bad happened…maybe something did.
What could've set him off like this? He's never seen his smarter brother so upset. Only he could think was there might've been something that happened during his trip to the future that he isn't telling him. Did something happen to him in the future?
It was a bit awkward, but Mikey eventually got Donnie in bed and all tucked in, all with one arm considering his other one was being held in a vice grip. That took a bit more effort, gently moving Donnie's hands away finger by finger until he was free.
“There we go, Mikey did good!” He smiled brightly as he stood tall. “And now, time to get my game on. Sweet Dreams bro.” He waved as he started heading towards the door, stopping as he heard Donnie squirm.
“Ah…ugh…M…Mah….Mak….Miak…”
Mikey slowly turned his head back. Within seconds, Donatello went from peaceful sleeping to tossing and turning in bed, gripping at the sheets and saying over and over again…Mike…
“Oh shell…” Mikey said under his breath as he walked back to the bed. The games would still be there tomorrow, Donnie needed him now.
The younger turtle slipped into the bed with Donnie, gently guiding his hands towards his body and pulling him close to his chest. Donnie's hands wrapped around him like a vice again, his squirming stopped and he was once again fast asleep.
Mike was never really the first pick when it came to dealing with the serious stresses everyone had to face, they usually went to Splinter or Leo for that. But one thing he was good at was giving a really good hug.
The two were soon fast asleep in each other's arms, keeping each other safe throughout the night. He knew that he had to get Donnie to spill about whatever he saw in the future, but that could wait till the morning.
Tonight, all that mattered was they were together. Same as it ever was.