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Fortunately, for him, that was entirely possible since it was something most nobles did right after lunch. He just wasn’t sure it would be a good idea. He had a job to do and the rats would not be pleased if he neglected it. \n\nHe was walking with Donatello back to Raphael’s room, when something occurred to him. “Aren’t you supposed to be with the prince at all times?”\n\nDonatello shook his head. “Prince Raphael is in private lessons with Master Saki. The things he learns, I am not allowed to know. Besides, I have my own lessons to attend.”\n\n“You think it’s wise to leave the prince alone with someone like Saki,” Leonardo asked. \n\nDonatello stopped and considered Leonardo. “What do you mean by that?”\n\nLeonardo shrugged, doing his best to hide his deep seeded hate. “He did betray the last king. Personally, I would find it hard to trust someone like that. I cannot understand why the king would.”\n\n“What Master Saki did, spared the lives of hundreds,” Donatello stated. “My father’s forces would have been wiped out if they had tried to fight back. He’s a hero.”\n\nIt took Leonardo a moment to remember that Donatello believed himself to be the son of the former king, when in fact he was just a decoy. “You hold no bitterness towards him,” Leonardo pressed. “What he did resulted in the death of your parents.”\n\n“The outcome would have been the same for us, regardless of his actions,” Donatello said before continuing down the corridor. \n\nThey arrived at Raphael’s room and Donatello opened the large ornate door for Leonardo. “This is larger than my family home,” Leonardo said without exaggeration, noting the newly added bed. “I’m not accustomed to such luxury. I don’t think I will ever get used to it.”\n\n“You will,” Donatello said as he pulled the curtains back and indicated the new bed. “That was brought in just for you. As the prince gets more lovers, more beds will be added. You will sleep in yours unless invited to sleep with the prince.”\n\n“Where do you sleep,” Leonardo asked.\n\n“There,” Donatello said, pointing at the pallet on the floor. \n\n“There?”\n\n“I am a slave,” Donatello stated. “Being that I am the prince’s slave, my bed is more comfortable than what a kitchen slave would have.”\n\nLeonardo continued to look at the pitiful excuse for a bed. Even his bed back in Splinter’s hut was of higher quality. When he looked up he saw Donatello looking at him. \n\n“Some of the king’s lovers had that same look of pity in their eyes when they first arrived,” Donatello said. “It didn’t take long for it to fade. If there is nothing more you need, I have duties elsewhere.”\n\n“I don’t need anything,” Leonardo replied, shaking his head. \n\nDonatello bowed slightly, “I will take my leave,” and then headed for the door. \n\n……\n\nDonatello loved his time with Nevio. It was the only time he ever felt at peace. The limited education Donatello was allowed, aside from what he was able to glean from Raphael’s lessons, came from his caretaker. \n\nOne of the most important things Donatello was required to know was medicine. Along with the priestesses, he would be responsible for the prince’s health if he were to ever fall ill or was injured. \n\nHis thirst for knowledge had him eager to learn all that he was allowed. Nevio often praised him over his fast progress. \n\nDonatello was practicing his technique on suturing a wound on a freshly slaughtered pig, when the king entered the room. He and Nevio were on their feet as soon as they heard the door open. \n\n“My lord,” Nevio said with a deep bow. “Please excuse the mess. Is there something you require?”\n\nArigio walked over to Donatello and grabbed hold of his chin, tilting Donatello’s face up to look at him. “It’s not often that my son is away from his favorite slave. I wanted to take the opportunity to see what it is that is worth protecting.”\n\n“The prince can be possessive of his belongings,” Nevio offered. “You were no different.”\n\n“I remember” Arigio said, glancing at Nevio. “I also remember my father teaching me a lesson about that.”\n\n“I remember you swearing that you would never be like your father,” Nevio stated. There was a twinge of fear in his voice that caused Donatello’s blood to run cold. Fear kept his eyes locked on the king. \n\n“I almost died,” Nevio said, his voice soft and full of sorrow. “Please, don’t do that to Donatello. I know you only see him as a slave but I love him.”\n\n“You and my son both need to learn not to get attached to property,” Arigio said through gritted teeth as he shoved Donatello to the ground. \n\nDonatello cried out as his carapace slammed on the hard, stone floor. Panic and confusion flooded his mind and his only thought was to escape. He flailed and kicked in a feeble attempt to get away. \n\nThe next thing he knew the king struck him so hard that his head hit the ground and it sent him into a daze. He could hear shouting but it was all a mumbled mess, drowned out by a loud ringing. \n\nHe was somewhat aware of what was happening but unable to fully process. His body was unable to respond. All he could do was cry. There was so much pain and then nothing. \n\n……\n\nAlone in the room, Leonardo decided to test the bed by pushing down on it. The top cushion was plush, with a lot of give. Good for a turtle’s hard carapace. \n\nCurious, he sat on the bed and then shifted to lie on his back. He was amazed at how well his carapace was cradled. Back home, he could never get comfortable on his back and always had to sleep on his side or stomach. This was bliss. \n\nThat nap was starting to sound really good. \n\nThe hidden door opened and Michelangelo’s head peeked through. “Oh, good, you’re here.”\n\nIt took all of his will power, but Leonardo managed to get off the bed. “Donatello dropped me off. I guess I’m not expected to do anything for now.”\n\nMichelangelo shook his head. “They’ll give you a while to get adjusted before they start your training.”\n\n“Training?” Leonardo tilted his head. “”Was that not training this morning? I’m still trying to process all the rules of etiquette.”\n\n“Yeah,” Michelangelo said with a forced smile. “You will be expected to fight along side Raph if the need for it ever comes up. Your training will be with Hun in fighting techniques.”\n\n“Good,” Leonardo said, knowing he would have to do his best to hide the abilities he already had. “It will help keep me active. Otherwise I’ll get fat and lazy.”\n\n“Come on,” Michelangelo said, gesturing for Leonardo to follow. “Let’s spend some time together. We won’t have many opportunities later.”\n\n“I’d like that.” Leonardo followed Michelangelo through the hidden door. It wasn’t long before Leonardo realized that Michelangelo had taken them down a different path. “Aren’t we going to the library?” \n\n“Yes,” Michelangelo replied. \n\n“This is a round about way to get there,” Leonardo pointed out. “Why didn’t we go the way we went last night?”\n\nMichelangelo paused and looked back down the corridor. “I don’t know.” He stared to head back that direction but stopped and turned back around. “It’s better if we go this way.”\n\n“Why?” Leonardo asked. \n\nMichelangelo stopped and thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to go that way right now.”\n\nLeonardo looked down the corridor. “Don’t you think that’s odd?” Needing to find out what was going on, Leonardo started to walk back but Michelangelo grabbed hold of him. \n\n“Please don’t go that way.”\n\n“Why not,” Leonardo pressed. “What’s going on?”\n\n“I don’t know and it’s starting to frighten me,” Michelangelo admitted. “Please, you can find out later.”\n\n“But, whatever is keeping you from going down that path is happening now,” Leonardo pointed out. “It wasn’t there before and it might not be there later.”\n\n“Please.” Michelangelo pulled on Leonardo’s arm. “Not today. Other than tonight, we might not get another chance to be alone for a long time.”\n\nAgainst his better judgment, Leonardo allowed Michelangelo to pull him further down the ‘safe’ path. He didn’t know what it was about the young prince that held such a power over him. \n\nThey spent what time they could together in the hidden library. For most of that time, they talked, getting to know one another. Michelangelo was far more intelligent and compassionate than the spoiled, naive little prince persona he had adopted. \n\nSome of their time was spent kissing. Awkwardly at first. Once they figured it out, it was more enjoyable than Leonardo had imagined and it stirred a need within him that he had never felt before. They didn’t dare take it any further at that time. It would have to wait for that night. \n\nThere were times of comfortable silence where they spent their time snuggled together, reading the journals of the past kings. It was the history Leonardo would have learned if Arigio hadn’t invaded. It was his only remaining connection to his lineage. \n\nLeonardo looked up from the book in his hand to watch Michelangelo. As messed up as everything seemed to be, at least there was some good. \n\n…..\n\nHe was staring at the wall but didn’t know why. It took Donatello a moment to realize that he was lying on his cot with a cool cloth against his head. It did nothing to ease his pounding headache. His mind struggled to piece together why he was there. \n\nThough he could hear the low murmur of voices, it took him a while before he could make out what was being said. The first voice he recognized was the king’s. \n\n“Will he be able to work tonight,” Arigio asked, his voice pounding though Donatello’s scull. \n\n“Hard to say,” Nevio answered softly. \n\nDonatello shifted his legs in an attempt to look up at his caretaker and a jolt of pain shot up his spine, causing him to whimper. More pain flared as his body and mind regained awareness in a rush. He didn’t have to ask what happened, the pain he suffered told him all he needed to know. \n\nNevio pushed something into Donatello’s mouth. “Chew. It will help dull the pain.”\n\nForcing his injured jaw to work, Donatello chewed the herbal bundle. The numbing effects were almost immediate. \n\n“You’re going to be okay,” Nevio soothed as he ran the cool cloth across Donatello’s head. “There was very little tearing.”\n\nHe didn’t want to be okay. He would have preferred to be dead. \n\n“Try to stand,” Nevio said. \n\nDonatello shook his head. \n\nTears in his eyes, Nevio leaned in close. “You need to. If you can’t perform your duties tonight you will be replaced.”\n\n“Where will I go,” Donatello managed to ask, his voice a harsh whisper. Being reassigned might actually be an improvement. \n\n“You’ll be given to Hun,” Nevio answered, dashing any hope of something better. Death would eventually come but only after many years of suffering.\n\nWith Nevio’s help, Donatello managed to stand. The drugs had managed to numb the pain but his head was still spinning. Leaning heavily on Nevio, they walked around the room. \n\n“I’ll leave you with a few bundles of herbs to get you through the rest of the day,” Nevio said. “I’ll include one that will help you get through the night, if the prince allows you to take it. Hopefully, by morning, you will be doing better.”\n\n“I’ve given you more than enough time to tend to him,” Arigio said “You have duties to attend to.”\n\n“Yes, your highness,” Nevio said and reluctantly left Donatello’s side. “I will see you at dinner.”\n\nSomehow, Donatello managed to stay on his feet. For the first time, he looked over at Raphael who stood staring blankly at the ground. When the door closed, Raphael looked up but said nothing, the same stoic look on his face. \n\n……\n\nWhen Leonardo and Michelangelo headed back to Raphael’s room, they took the normal route. Whatever had kept Michelangelo from it before was now gone. It still ate at Leonardo that he did not go to investigate. It would have been something of value to the rats. \n\nRaphael and Donatello were already in the room when they entered. Donatello was assisting Raphael with getting dressed. \n\n“You need to be dressed for dinner,” Raphael said without looking at them. “I hope there aren’t any telling scents on the two of you. Father is… not in the best of moods today.”\n\n“We didn’t do anything,” Michelangelo replied waving it off. “I know better.”\n\n“Good,” Raphael said, turning to look at his brother. “I’d hate to see you at the receiving end of father’s wrath.”\n\n“I brought your clothes in here,” Donatello said to Michelangelo as he finished buckling the last belt. “Master Leonardo, I will dress you last.”\n\n“You don’t have to use the ‘Master” title,” Leonardo insisted. \n\n“Yes, I do,” Donatello replied. He finally turned enough so that Leonardo could see the welt on the side of his face. \n\nMichelangelo must have noticed it too. “What happened?”\n\n“Father,” Raphael answered. Leonardo could see the emotional struggle within him. “We don’t fret over the well being of a slave. Now stop gaping at him and let him do his job.”\n\nAll the joy drained from Michelangelo. With a solemn nod, he allowed Donatello to dress him. \n\nAfter dressing Michelangelo, Donatello helped Leonardo. As he worked, it was apparent that he was struggling with keeping his balance. Leonardo wanted to do something, anything to help but knew that it wouldn’t be received well. \n\nThe outfit selected for Leonardo was higher quality than anything he has ever worn but still not as luxurious as the princes’. He felt strange wearing them almost guilty, like he was betraying his true self. \n\n“How often do we chance clothes each day,” Leonardo asked. “I’m not used to wearing more than one outfit a day.” \n\n“We’ll change as many as my father desires,” Raphael answered, flatly. \n\nSurprisingly the formal attire allowed a wide range of motion. It made sense given the fact that Leonardo was also expected to act as the prince’s bodyguard. \n\nHe looked at Donatello. Deep down he felt responsible. He wasn’t sure how but he was determined to somehow free him. \n\n…..\n\nIt hurt to walk. Every agonizing step sent tendrils of pain lacing up his spine. His head pounded and all he wanted was to lie down but the thought of becoming Hun’s slave kept him going. He interacts with Hun’s slaves on a regular basis, it would not be an improvement. \n\nEntering the kitchen, Donatello stumbled forward, catching himself on the counter. Lacey, one of the cooks in charge of the evening meal rushed to him. \n\n“What happened to you?”\n\n“The king wanted to teach Prince Raphael a lesson,” Donatello answered. “He beat me and he… he uh….”\n\n“Oh, you poor child,” Lacey soothed. “That monster cares nothing for us.”\n\n“Watch it,” Donatello warned. “You don’t want to be punished.”\n\n“I’ve been punished plenty,” Lacey said with a sad smile. “My baby girl hanged herself this morning. I guess she couldn’t handle the shame.”\n\nDonatello felt a wave of sorrow for Lacey. Her daughter was the young girl who had passed out during court. “I am so sorry.”\n\n“She was all I had,” Lacey said, her voice taut with emotion. “Don’t you let it do the same to you.”\n\n“We don’t have time for this,” one of Arigio’s slaves said as he began loading his cart. “The royal family just sat down. We need to get the food out to them now.”\n\nDonatello started loading up his cart, selecting from the wide assortment of dishes when he noticed something was down in the cooling well. “What’s for dessert?”\n\n“Rose custard,” Lacey replied. “The queen requested it. I’ve sweetened it with a special honey. It’s very sweet.”\n\n“But, the princes…,” Donatello started to protest. \n\n“I’m well aware,” Lacey interrupted, waving her hand. “That’s why I made them short cakes with strawberries and cream.”\n\n“Thank you,” Donatello said as he made his way toward the dining hall. \n\n…..\n\nMuch like lunch, supper consisted of large proportions of rich foods. While he ate, Leonardo chanced a glance over at the king and noticed that his personal slave also had a bruise on the side of his head. \n\nThe royal family was well known for their violence, it wasn’t just Arigio. Emperor Benvolio murdered his own family to gain the throne. He didn’t kill all of them. Purity of the royal bloodline was important to him so he spared a few of his cousins, enslaving most while marrying one. \n\nOffspring of his cousins were selected to marry his sons. Arigio was one of the few to gain a wife from one of the conquered kingdoms. Since she had been the daughter of the slain king, she was worthy enough. \n\nIf Leonardo had been a girl, and if Splinter hadn’t taken him, his fate would have been the same. He would have been raised, pampered and primped to be Raphael’s queen. The thought of it churned his stomach. \n\nWhen the dessert trollies were brought out, the queen beamed with delight. “Are you boys sure you don’t want to try the custard?”\n\n“No thank you, mother,” Raphael replied.\n\n“There’s a new flavor to it,” Arigio pointed out after taking a bite. He looked up at Nevio. “You did try this?”\n\n“Yes, your highness,” Nevio replied. “I sampled it in the kitchen and again before serving it to you.”\n\n“It’s heavy on the honey this time,” the queen pointed out. “Maybe they added more since you like honey so much. It’s a good combination of our favorite sweets.”\n\nDonatello set a bowl full of cake, strawberries, and cream in front of Leonardo. For a moment, Leonardo debated on requesting the rose and honey custard instead. In the end, his stomach didn’t care for either. The richness of the meal wasn’t sitting well. \n\n“You look like you need some fresh air,” Raphael said to Leonardo. \n\n“I’m not used to eating like this,” Leonardo admitted, placing his hand on his stomach. “I don’t think my stomach had fully recovered from lunch.”\n\nRaphael stood. “We’re going for a walk in the gardens.”\n\n“Have a good time, son,” Arigio said with a wide smile. \n\n“Donatello, will you take Michelangelo back to his room and prepare my room for tonight.”\n\n“Yes, your highness,” Donatello replied, looking as if he could pass out at any moment.\n\n“I want to go for a walk in the gardens,” Michelangelo protested. \n\n“Let Raphael have some time alone with his new mate,” Arigio interjected. \n\n“But…,” Michelangelo tried to argue. \n\n“Go to your room, Mikey,” Raphael insisted. \n\n“Fine,” Michelangelo pouted and followed Donatello. \n\nThe cool night air in the gardens helped Leonardo tremendously. He walked along side Raphael in silence for a while. He looked up at the sky but the surrounding torchlight made it hard to see the stars. \n\n“If you do anything that insights my father’s wrath against my brother, I will personally slit your throat,” Raphael said, keeping his eyes up to the night sky. \n\n“Is that why you wanted to bring me out here alone,” Leonardo asked, looking at him.\n\n“We needed the opportunity to talk without my brother here,” Raphael said, nodding his head. \n\n“I have no intention of doing anything that will bring harm to Michelangelo,” Leonardo stated. “I care deeply for him.”\n\n“Do you?” Raphael turned his head to look at him. \n\n“Yes,” Leonardo said sincerely. \n\n“You have to submit to him tonight,” Raphael pointed out. “My father is expecting to find you naked in my bed tomorrow morning. He will have you checked, if not by Nevio, he’ll do it himself. You understand that, don’t you?”\n\n“I do,” Leonardo replied with a slight nod. “But, at the same time I don’t. I know nothing about sex.”\n\n“A farm boy who knows nothing about sex?” Raphael scoffed. “How’d that happen? I thought they learned faster than anyone.”\n\n“We didn’t have livestock,” Leonardo answered. “Only a few chickens and ducks. Our farm was mostly rice fields.”\n\nRaphael raised a suspicious eye ridge. “Your father never thought to tell you? You’re old enough.”\n\n“His teachings focused more on work,” Leonardo explained. This statement was the only part of his made up backstory that was true. “I guess he thought he had more time. He wasn’t expecting me to run away.”\n\nRaphael nodded his head accepting the explanation. “Lucky for you, Mikey has had classes on sex since he’s expected to know what to do when he’s sent off to one of our cousins.”\n\n“Then I will let him take the lead,” Leonardo said. \n\nWith a sigh, Raphael turned back towards the castle. “Let’s get this night over with.”\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"After lunch, Leonardo wanted nothing more than to bask in the sun and nap. Fortunately, for him, that was entirely possible since it was something most nobles did right after lunch. He just wasn’t sure it would be a good idea. He had a job to do and the rats would not be pleased if he neglected it.

He was walking with Donatello back to Raphael’s room, when something occurred to him. “Aren’t you supposed to be with the prince at all times?”

Donatello shook his head. “Prince Raphael is in private lessons with Master Saki. The things he learns, I am not allowed to know. Besides, I have my own lessons to attend.”

“You think it’s wise to leave the prince alone with someone like Saki,” Leonardo asked.

Donatello stopped and considered Leonardo. “What do you mean by that?”

Leonardo shrugged, doing his best to hide his deep seeded hate. “He did betray the last king. Personally, I would find it hard to trust someone like that. I cannot understand why the king would.”

“What Master Saki did, spared the lives of hundreds,” Donatello stated. “My father’s forces would have been wiped out if they had tried to fight back. He’s a hero.”

It took Leonardo a moment to remember that Donatello believed himself to be the son of the former king, when in fact he was just a decoy. “You hold no bitterness towards him,” Leonardo pressed. “What he did resulted in the death of your parents.”

“The outcome would have been the same for us, regardless of his actions,” Donatello said before continuing down the corridor.

They arrived at Raphael’s room and Donatello opened the large ornate door for Leonardo. “This is larger than my family home,” Leonardo said without exaggeration, noting the newly added bed. “I’m not accustomed to such luxury. I don’t think I will ever get used to it.”

“You will,” Donatello said as he pulled the curtains back and indicated the new bed. “That was brought in just for you. As the prince gets more lovers, more beds will be added. You will sleep in yours unless invited to sleep with the prince.”

“Where do you sleep,” Leonardo asked.

“There,” Donatello said, pointing at the pallet on the floor.

“There?”

“I am a slave,” Donatello stated. “Being that I am the prince’s slave, my bed is more comfortable than what a kitchen slave would have.”

Leonardo continued to look at the pitiful excuse for a bed. Even his bed back in Splinter’s hut was of higher quality. When he looked up he saw Donatello looking at him.

“Some of the king’s lovers had that same look of pity in their eyes when they first arrived,” Donatello said. “It didn’t take long for it to fade. If there is nothing more you need, I have duties elsewhere.”

“I don’t need anything,” Leonardo replied, shaking his head.

Donatello bowed slightly, “I will take my leave,” and then headed for the door.

……

Donatello loved his time with Nevio. It was the only time he ever felt at peace. The limited education Donatello was allowed, aside from what he was able to glean from Raphael’s lessons, came from his caretaker.

One of the most important things Donatello was required to know was medicine. Along with the priestesses, he would be responsible for the prince’s health if he were to ever fall ill or was injured.

His thirst for knowledge had him eager to learn all that he was allowed. Nevio often praised him over his fast progress.

Donatello was practicing his technique on suturing a wound on a freshly slaughtered pig, when the king entered the room. He and Nevio were on their feet as soon as they heard the door open.

“My lord,” Nevio said with a deep bow. “Please excuse the mess. Is there something you require?”

Arigio walked over to Donatello and grabbed hold of his chin, tilting Donatello’s face up to look at him. “It’s not often that my son is away from his favorite slave. I wanted to take the opportunity to see what it is that is worth protecting.”

“The prince can be possessive of his belongings,” Nevio offered. “You were no different.”

“I remember” Arigio said, glancing at Nevio. “I also remember my father teaching me a lesson about that.”

“I remember you swearing that you would never be like your father,” Nevio stated. There was a twinge of fear in his voice that caused Donatello’s blood to run cold. Fear kept his eyes locked on the king.

“I almost died,” Nevio said, his voice soft and full of sorrow. “Please, don’t do that to Donatello. I know you only see him as a slave but I love him.”

“You and my son both need to learn not to get attached to property,” Arigio said through gritted teeth as he shoved Donatello to the ground.

Donatello cried out as his carapace slammed on the hard, stone floor. Panic and confusion flooded his mind and his only thought was to escape. He flailed and kicked in a feeble attempt to get away.  

The next thing he knew the king struck him so hard that his head hit the ground and it sent him into a daze. He could hear shouting but it was all a mumbled mess, drowned out by a loud ringing.

He was somewhat aware of what was happening but unable to fully process. His body was unable to respond. All he could do was cry. There was so much pain and then nothing.

……

Alone in the room, Leonardo decided to test the bed by pushing down on it. The top cushion was plush, with a lot of give. Good for a turtle’s hard carapace.

Curious, he sat on the bed and then shifted to lie on his back. He was amazed at how well his carapace was cradled. Back home, he could never get comfortable on his back and always had to sleep on his side or stomach. This was bliss.

That nap was starting to sound really good.

The hidden door opened and Michelangelo’s head peeked through. “Oh, good, you’re here.”

It took all of his will power, but Leonardo managed to get off the bed. “Donatello dropped me off. I guess I’m not expected to do anything for now.”

Michelangelo shook his head. “They’ll give you a while to get adjusted before they start your training.”

“Training?” Leonardo tilted his head. “”Was that not training this morning? I’m still trying to process all the rules of etiquette.”

“Yeah,” Michelangelo said with a forced smile. “You will be expected to fight along side Raph if the need for it ever comes up. Your training will be with Hun in fighting techniques.”

“Good,” Leonardo said, knowing he would have to do his best to hide the abilities he already had. “It will help keep me active. Otherwise I’ll get fat and lazy.”

“Come on,” Michelangelo said, gesturing for Leonardo to follow. “Let’s spend some time together. We won’t have many opportunities later.”

“I’d like that.” Leonardo followed Michelangelo through the hidden door. It wasn’t long before Leonardo realized that Michelangelo had taken them down a different path. “Aren’t we going to the library?”

“Yes,” Michelangelo replied.

“This is a round about way to get there,” Leonardo pointed out. “Why didn’t we go the way we went last night?”

Michelangelo paused and looked back down the corridor. “I don’t know.” He stared to head back that direction but stopped and turned back around. “It’s better if we go this way.”

“Why?” Leonardo asked.

Michelangelo stopped and thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to go that way right now.”

Leonardo looked down the corridor. “Don’t you think that’s odd?” Needing to find out what was going on, Leonardo started to walk back but Michelangelo grabbed hold of him.

“Please don’t go that way.”

“Why not,” Leonardo pressed. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know and it’s starting to frighten me,” Michelangelo admitted. “Please, you can find out later.”

“But, whatever is keeping you from going down that path is happening now,” Leonardo pointed out. “It wasn’t there before and it might not be there later.”

“Please.” Michelangelo pulled on Leonardo’s arm. “Not today. Other than tonight, we might not get another chance to be alone for a long time.”

Against his better judgment, Leonardo allowed Michelangelo to pull him further down the ‘safe’ path. He didn’t know what it was about the young prince that held such a power over him.

They spent what time they could together in the hidden library. For most of that time, they talked, getting to know one another. Michelangelo was far more intelligent and compassionate than the spoiled, naive little prince persona he had adopted.

Some of their time was spent kissing. Awkwardly at first. Once they figured it out, it was more enjoyable than Leonardo had imagined and it stirred a need within him that he had never felt before. They didn’t dare take it any further at that time. It would have to wait for that night.

There were times of comfortable silence where they spent their time snuggled together, reading the journals of the past kings. It was the history Leonardo would have learned if Arigio hadn’t invaded. It was his only remaining connection to his lineage.

Leonardo looked up from the book in his hand to watch Michelangelo. As messed up as everything seemed to be, at least there was some good.

…..

He was staring at the wall but didn’t know why. It took Donatello a moment to realize that he was lying on his cot with a cool cloth against his head. It did nothing to ease his pounding headache. His mind struggled to piece together why he was there.

Though he could hear the low murmur of voices, it took him a while before he could make out what was being said. The first voice he recognized was the king’s.

“Will he be able to work tonight,” Arigio asked, his voice pounding though Donatello’s scull.

“Hard to say,” Nevio answered softly.

Donatello shifted his legs in an attempt to look up at his caretaker and a jolt of pain shot up his spine, causing him to whimper. More pain flared as his body and mind regained awareness in a rush. He didn’t have to ask what happened, the pain he suffered told him all he needed to know.

Nevio pushed something into Donatello’s mouth. “Chew. It will help dull the pain.”

Forcing his injured jaw to work, Donatello chewed the herbal bundle. The numbing effects were almost immediate.

“You’re going to be okay,” Nevio soothed as he ran the cool cloth across Donatello’s head. “There was very little tearing.”

He didn’t want to be okay. He would have preferred to be dead.

“Try to stand,” Nevio said.

Donatello shook his head.

Tears in his eyes, Nevio leaned in close. “You need to. If you can’t perform your duties tonight you will be replaced.”

“Where will I go,” Donatello managed to ask, his voice a harsh whisper. Being reassigned might actually be an improvement.

“You’ll be given to Hun,” Nevio answered, dashing any hope of something better. Death would eventually come but only after many years of suffering.

With Nevio’s help, Donatello managed to stand. The drugs had managed to numb the pain but his head was still spinning. Leaning heavily on Nevio, they walked around the room.

“I’ll leave you with a few bundles of herbs to get you through the rest of the day,” Nevio said. “I’ll include one that will help you get through the night, if the prince allows you to take it. Hopefully, by morning, you will be doing better.”

“I’ve given you more than enough time to tend to him,” Arigio said “You have duties to attend to.”

“Yes, your highness,” Nevio said and reluctantly left Donatello’s side. “I will see you at dinner.”

Somehow, Donatello managed to stay on his feet. For the first time, he looked over at Raphael who stood staring blankly at the ground. When the door closed, Raphael looked up but said nothing, the same stoic look on his face.

……

When Leonardo and Michelangelo headed back to Raphael’s room, they took the normal route. Whatever had kept Michelangelo from it before was now gone. It still ate at Leonardo that he did not go to investigate. It would have been something of value to the rats.

Raphael and Donatello were already in the room when they entered. Donatello was assisting Raphael with getting dressed.

“You need to be dressed for dinner,” Raphael said without looking at them. “I hope there aren’t any telling scents on the two of you. Father is… not in the best of moods today.”

“We didn’t do anything,” Michelangelo replied waving it off. “I know better.”

“Good,” Raphael said, turning to look at his brother. “I’d hate to see you at the receiving end of father’s wrath.”

“I brought your clothes in here,” Donatello said to Michelangelo as he finished buckling the last belt. “Master Leonardo, I will dress you last.”

“You don’t have to use the ‘Master” title,” Leonardo insisted.

“Yes, I do,” Donatello replied. He finally turned enough so that Leonardo could see the welt on the side of his face.

Michelangelo must have noticed it too. “What happened?”

“Father,” Raphael answered. Leonardo could see the emotional struggle within him. “We don’t fret over the well being of a slave. Now stop gaping at him and let him do his job.”

All the joy drained from Michelangelo. With a solemn nod, he allowed Donatello to dress him.

After dressing Michelangelo, Donatello helped Leonardo. As he worked, it was apparent that he was struggling with keeping his balance. Leonardo wanted to do something, anything to help but knew that it wouldn’t be received well.

The outfit selected for Leonardo was higher quality than anything he has ever worn but still not as luxurious as the princes’. He felt strange wearing them almost guilty, like he was betraying his true self.

“How often do we chance clothes each day,” Leonardo asked. “I’m not used to wearing more than one outfit a day.”

“We’ll change as many as my father desires,” Raphael answered, flatly.

Surprisingly the formal attire allowed a wide range of motion. It made sense given the fact that Leonardo was also expected to act as the prince’s bodyguard.

He looked at Donatello. Deep down he felt responsible. He wasn’t sure how but he was determined to somehow free him.

…..

It hurt to walk. Every agonizing step sent tendrils of pain lacing up his spine. His head pounded and all he wanted was to lie down but the thought of becoming Hun’s slave kept him going. He interacts with Hun’s slaves on a regular basis, it would not be an improvement.

Entering the kitchen, Donatello stumbled forward, catching himself on the counter. Lacey, one of the cooks in charge of the evening meal rushed to him.

“What happened to you?”

“The king wanted to teach Prince Raphael a lesson,” Donatello answered. “He beat me and he… he uh….”

“Oh, you poor child,” Lacey soothed. “That monster cares nothing for us.”

“Watch it,” Donatello warned. “You don’t want to be punished.”

“I’ve been punished plenty,” Lacey said with a sad smile. “My baby girl hanged herself this morning. I guess she couldn’t handle the shame.”

Donatello felt a wave of sorrow for Lacey. Her daughter was the young girl who had passed out during court. “I am so sorry.”

“She was all I had,” Lacey said, her voice taut with emotion. “Don’t you let it do the same to you.”

“We don’t have time for this,” one of Arigio’s slaves said as he began loading his cart. “The royal family just sat down. We need to get the food out to them now.”

Donatello started loading up his cart, selecting from the wide assortment of dishes when he noticed something was down in the cooling well. “What’s for dessert?”

“Rose custard,” Lacey replied. “The queen requested it. I’ve sweetened it with a special honey. It’s very sweet.”

“But, the princes…,” Donatello started to protest.

“I’m well aware,” Lacey interrupted, waving her hand. “That’s why I made them short cakes with strawberries and cream.”

“Thank you,” Donatello said as he made his way toward the dining hall.

…..

Much like lunch, supper consisted of large proportions of rich foods. While he ate, Leonardo chanced a glance over at the king and noticed that his personal slave also had a bruise on the side of his head.

The royal family was well known for their violence, it wasn’t just Arigio. Emperor Benvolio murdered his own family to gain the throne. He didn’t kill all of them. Purity of the royal bloodline was important to him so he spared a few of his cousins, enslaving most while marrying one.

Offspring of his cousins were selected to marry his sons. Arigio was one of the few to gain a wife from one of the conquered kingdoms. Since she had been the daughter of the slain king, she was worthy enough.  

If Leonardo had been a girl, and if Splinter hadn’t taken him, his fate would have been the same. He would have been raised, pampered and primped to be Raphael’s queen. The thought of it churned his stomach.

When the dessert trollies were brought out, the queen beamed with delight. “Are you boys sure you don’t want to try the custard?”

“No thank you, mother,” Raphael replied.

“There’s a new flavor to it,” Arigio pointed out after taking a bite. He looked up at Nevio. “You did try this?”

“Yes, your highness,” Nevio replied. “I sampled it in the kitchen and again before serving it to you.”

“It’s heavy on the honey this time,” the queen pointed out. “Maybe they added more since you like honey so much. It’s a good combination of our favorite sweets.”

Donatello set a bowl full of cake, strawberries, and cream in front of Leonardo. For a moment, Leonardo debated on requesting the rose and honey custard instead. In the end, his stomach didn’t care for either. The richness of the meal wasn’t sitting well.

“You look like you need some fresh air,” Raphael said to Leonardo.

“I’m not used to eating like this,” Leonardo admitted, placing his hand on his stomach. “I don’t think my stomach had fully recovered from lunch.”

Raphael stood. “We’re going for a walk in the gardens.”

“Have a good time, son,” Arigio said with a wide smile.

“Donatello, will you take Michelangelo back to his room and prepare my room for tonight.”

“Yes, your highness,” Donatello replied, looking as if he could pass out at any moment.

“I want to go for a walk in the gardens,” Michelangelo protested.

“Let Raphael have some time alone with his new mate,” Arigio interjected.

“But…,” Michelangelo tried to argue.

“Go to your room, Mikey,” Raphael insisted.

“Fine,” Michelangelo pouted and followed Donatello.

The cool night air in the gardens helped Leonardo tremendously. He walked along side Raphael in silence for a while. He looked up at the sky but the surrounding torchlight made it hard to see the stars.

“If you do anything that insights my father’s wrath against my brother, I will personally slit your throat,” Raphael said, keeping his eyes up to the night sky.

“Is that why you wanted to bring me out here alone,” Leonardo asked, looking at him.

“We needed the opportunity to talk without my brother here,” Raphael said, nodding his head.

“I have no intention of doing anything that will bring harm to Michelangelo,” Leonardo stated. “I care deeply for him.”

“Do you?” Raphael turned his head to look at him.

“Yes,” Leonardo said sincerely.

“You have to submit to him tonight,” Raphael pointed out. “My father is expecting to find you naked in my bed tomorrow morning. He will have you checked, if not by Nevio, he’ll do it himself. You understand that, don’t you?”

“I do,” Leonardo replied with a slight nod. “But, at the same time I don’t. I know nothing about sex.”

“A farm boy who knows nothing about sex?” Raphael scoffed. “How’d that happen? I thought they learned faster than anyone.”

“We didn’t have livestock,” Leonardo answered. “Only a few chickens and ducks. Our farm was mostly rice fields.”

Raphael raised a suspicious eye ridge. “Your father never thought to tell you? You’re old enough.”

“His teachings focused more on work,” Leonardo explained. This statement was the only part of his made up backstory that was true. “I guess he thought he had more time. He wasn’t expecting me to run away.”

Raphael nodded his head accepting the explanation. “Lucky for you, Mikey has had classes on sex since he’s expected to know what to do when he’s sent off to one of our cousins.”

“Then I will let him take the lead,” Leonardo said.

With a sigh, Raphael turned back towards the castle. “Let’s get this night over with.”
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