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Is the strange Turtle he meets the worst thing that's ever happened to him, or something else?\n\nMulti-chapter 2k3", "count": "28", "submission_left_submission_id": "1067111", "submission_left_file_name": "1474811_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_21.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1474/1474811_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_21.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1474/1474811_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_21.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1474/1474811_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_21.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "152", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "123", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "152", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "123", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "97", "submission_right_submission_id": "1070379", "submission_right_file_name": "1479615_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_23.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1479/1479615_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_23.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1479/1479615_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_23.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1479/1479615_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_23.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "152", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "123", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "152", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "123", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "97" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nWord Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3\nSummary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.\nRating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17\n\n~~The amazing preview image created by @dragona15", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3
Summary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.
Rating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17

~~The amazing preview image created by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdragona15\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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", "writing": "\tDon lay on his carapace, staring up at Mikey’s ceiling. He was wide awake and not very comfortable, having only a thin pallet and a blanket to sleep on.\n\n\tNearby, Mikey rolled over in his bed, muttering something in his sleep. He was nearly as active when he slept as when he was awake and his constant movement was another thing that disturbed Don’s ability to rest.\n\n\tWithout the soft whir of his machines providing a background of white noise, it was hard for Don to tune out all of the sounds around him. Mikey’s room was closest to Raph’s and the hot head snored loud enough to wake the dead. Don had no idea how Mikey slept through it other than the fact that he usually crashed before Raph did and once he was out it took a brass band to wake him.\n\n\tDon could have slept in his lab, would actually have preferred to do that. The day bed was a tad narrow but it was comfortable and down there Don had his machines to keep him company.\n\n\tThe reason he didn’t was because Don wanted to be near Nicco. His mate was just on the other side of the wall and that knowledge offered Don some consolation after the evening he’d had.\n\n\tHe and Nicco had eaten dinner with Master Splinter in his room. Leo, Raph, and Mikey were still showing outward signs of antagonism whenever Nicco was visible. The very air was charged with hostility that was so palpable Don could have worn it like a coat.\n\n\tRaph was so angry that he was literally shaking. Don felt badly about that; he knew he was partly to blame. No matter how aggravated he was with his brother’s behavior, he should not have threatened to leave with Nicco and never return.\n\n\tA tear trickled from the corner of Don’s eye and he hastily scrubbed it away. His fear that he’d never be able to return home had pulled his experience in that dark futuristic timeline to the forefront of his mind and it was still clinging there. Don’s emotions had already been on a roller coaster ride and when his brothers behaved so badly Don had snapped.\n\n\tIf he could talk to them without getting his head bitten off Don would apologize. Rationally he knew that was the first step towards repairing the damage that had been done and then calming his brothers into acceptance of the new turtle in their lives.\n\n\tDon clung to a small hint of resentment though; it wasn’t quite fair that he’d have to apologize first considering the way his brothers had been treating Nicco. Fairness wasn’t always something you got to have in life and Don knew that better than anyone. He was in a relationship and with that came responsibility and the requirement for a certain measure of maturity.\n\n\tBecause he’d opened his big mouth about leaving with Nicco, Don knew he couldn’t start creating the secured space where the puzzle box would be housed. He loved and trusted his brothers, but the temptation to destroy the artifact might be too strong in one of them and that wasn’t a chance Don was willing to take.\n\n\tThere was a heavy metal safe in Don’s lab and he’d locked the artifact inside of it earlier in the evening. Only Nicco knew he’d put it there and he was also the only one who knew the combination. Nicco hadn’t asked why Don felt the need to lock the puzzle box away like that; no doubt he’d already guessed what Don’s answer would have been.\n\n\tThis was the first night since he’d met Nicco that Don wasn’t within arm’s reach of the older turtle. He was feeling the loss of Nicco’s warmth acutely. Don could only imagine how Nicco felt; he was on a strange world, in a home full of hostile turtles, and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.\n\n\tAnother reason that Don had chosen to stay in Mikey’s room was that he wanted to keep an eye on his brothers. He honestly didn’t think they were capable of doing anything as dishonorable as attacking a sleeping guest but at the moment ‘better safe than sorry’ was Don’s personal credo.\n\n\tHe chided himself silently for thinking such foolish things. If there was even the slightest chance of that happening, Master Splinter would have instructed Don to allow his guest to bed down in the lab. It was much closer to Master Splinter’s room and had a heavier door that could be locked.\n\n\tResigned to a sleepless night, Don attempted to sort out the patterns in the constellation on Mikey’s ceiling. His younger brother had gotten his hands on several packages of glow in the dark stars and planets and had stuck them all over the ceiling in his room. The glow lasted for hours after Mikey turned his lights out and Don wondered if it was because there were so many of them that they recharged each other.\n\n\tThe show overhead reminded Don of his nights with Nicco on the diamond world. Just the two of them sitting side by side looking at the stars; sometimes talking, sometimes simply touching each other.\n\n\tDon ached for Nicco’s strong arms and wondered if his mate was getting any sleep. Master Splinter was wise in his decision to separate Don and Nicco because the two of them sharing a room probably would have riled up his other three sons even more. In the back of his mind, Don thought that his father might be testing him and Nicco as well, wanting to discover how deep their bond really was and if it could survive stress.\n\n\tNicco’s family had not subjected the pair to this kind of pressure. They had been open, loving, and accepting of Don. On Nicco’s world Don could have worked in a real lab with others who were like him. There Don would have a purpose and a cause to fight for.\n\n\tShaking his head, Don told himself to stop thinking that way. He’d fix his puzzle box and then he and Nicco could travel back and forth at will. Don could make sure his family was safe and also help Mase and Corius build their pharmaceutical business. Once the doorway was open and fixed, Don could be with Nicco whenever he wanted, however he wanted.\n\n\tThe lights above him seemed almost to twinkle as Don made that resolution. Those glow in the dark stickers represented Mikey’s dreams, his sense of wonderment, and his optimism. Mikey truly believed that there wasn’t anything you couldn’t have, even if you were reaching for the stars.\n\n\tThat thought froze Don for a moment, his agile mind catching hold of that particular character trait of Mikey’s. Of the three of them, Mikey was the one who could grasp the concept of a life without limitations, his optimism a bright thing that was often the only light in their existence. Maybe, just maybe, that was the way to reach Mikey.\n\n\tRooming with his youngest brother might just have some advantages after all.\n\n~~~~~~~\n\n\tThe sound of Mikey stirring around the room woke Don but he pretended to still be asleep as he waited for his brother to leave.\n\n\tAfter Mikey’s exit, Don sat up and glanced at the clock. He’d only managed a couple of hours of sleep, but it was better than nothing. Though Don finally had an idea for what to do about one of his brothers, he was far from ready to tackle Mikey. Right now Don just wanted to see Nicco.\n\n\tApproaching the closed door of his own room, Don lifted a hand to knock, feeling foolish as he did so. His knuckles had barely touched the door before Nicco called out, “Come in, Donny.”\n\n\tUpon opening the door the first thing Donatello saw was Nicco, stripped down to nothing, standing in the center of the room. The rug that usually occupied that space was rolled up and leaning against the wall and there were two candles on the bare floor, neither lit but smoke still drifted from their wicks.\n\n\tNicco smelled of soap and more lightly of candle wax. Don began to understand.\n\n\t“How long ago did you get up?” Don asked. “Did you sleep at all?”\n\n\t“I could ask that of you,” Nicco replied, eyeing Don critically. “You lay awake worrying, didn’t you?”\n\n\t“I slept for a couple of hours,” Don said. “I’ve gotten less.”\n\n\t“Did your brother give you a hard time over me?” Nicco asked.\n\n\tDon waved his hand dismissively. “Actually no. He didn’t speak to me much at all as a matter of fact. We’d both said some things earlier in the day and I think he regrets them as much as I do.” [i] “At least I hope he does”,[/i] Don thought to himself.\n\n\tHe started to move into the room but Nicco shook his head. “Stay where you are and leave the door open,” Nicco instructed. “We’re going to follow the spirit of Master Splinter’s instructions as well as the letter and not occupy a closed bedroom together.”\n\n\t“All right,” Don said with a nod. “I hope that rule doesn’t last long.”\n\n\tNicco’s stern expression relaxed. “As do I. Before I went to sleep last night I thought about the situation with your brothers and I came up with a plan.”\n\n\tAs he spoke, Nicco crossed over to Don’s desk and retrieved his pants. He hadn’t worn them when they came through the artifact and Don figured they’d been in his backpack. When he unfolded them the scent of laundry detergent drifted into Don’s nostrils.\n\n\t“I got up early and moved your rug,” Nicco said, pulling on his pants. “Afterwards I borrowed the shower and scrubbed myself from head to foot to remove your scent and as much of mine as I could.”\n\n\t“Let me guess; after the shower you avoided coming into contact with any of my things, including the rug, so that you wouldn’t pick up my scent again,” Don said.\n\n\t“My smart little ninja,” Nicco teased, eyes gleaming. \n\n\tThere was another folded cloth on the desk and Nicco grabbed that next. When it was unfolded Don could see that it was a loose fitting, sleeveless shirt, longer in the back than the front. Nicco slipped his arms through the openings and tied the sash that held the front closed. With it on, the hem hung even on him, as it was clearly designed to accommodate Nicco’s carapace.\n\n\t“You’re masking your pheromones,” Don said.\n\n\t“Exactly.” Nicco looked up, his expression serious again. “Don, I completely understand your brothers' reaction to me yesterday. If I hadn’t been so excited to meet your family I would have thought it through and realized what would happen. Not only am I a strong male turtle coming into their territory, but I was also carrying your scent as well as my own alarm pheromones.\n\n\t“To your brothers I appeared to be asserting my dominance by entering their domain and claiming a mate from their bale. I have to find a way to counteract that impression now. The best way I can think of to do that is to emphasize the human part of myself. I have to smell human, dress human, and act human. Since I was raised by one, I think I can pull that off.”\n\n\t“How long do you think you’ll have to keep this up?” Don asked. “Your own scent is going to come through fairly quickly.”\n\n\t“I have to remove the notion that I’m a threat,” Nicco said. “Once they aren’t reacting to me as an intruder then my body chemistry won’t respond with the alarm pheromones.” Picking his hachiwari up off the floor, Nicco waved towards the door. “After you.”\n\n\tDon preceded Nicco down the staircase, the pair avoiding any physical contact whatsoever. As they reached the main floor, Don could hear his brothers' voices coming from the kitchen.\n\n\tTurning toward Nicco, Don said, “Last night Master Splinter suggested that we breakfast with him. He’s already up; why don’t you go to his room and I’ll bring in some food.”\n\n\tWith a smile, Nicco shook his head. “That would defeat the purpose of my preparations. I have a better idea. I’m not going to dodge your brothers forever.”\n\n\tDon was startled when Nicco extended his weapons towards him. Careful not to touch his mate’s hand, Don accepted the hachiwari. “What are you going to do?” Don asked.\n\n\t“Go on and join your brothers and you’ll see,” Nicco said without the slightest hint of nervousness. “I’ll be right behind you.”\n\n\tOn his way to the kitchen, Don couldn’t help but be impressed with how Nicco had spent part of his night planning this course of action, just as Leonardo would have done. Whatever Nicco was going to do, he seemed confident that it would work.\n\n\tDon wished he could be as relaxed as Nicco appeared to be. When he walked into the kitchen all three of his brothers looked up from the table. Leo acknowledged his presence with a curt nod, Mikey gave him a blank look, and Raph grimaced as though he’d just tasted something bad before turning his attention back to the cereal he was eating.\n\n\tJust as Don was trying to decide if he should say something, Leo’s demeanor abruptly changed. His eyes had swept past Don and were focused on the doorway and in a split second he was out of his chair.\n\n\tLeo’s first jerk of awareness had alerted Raphael and Michelangelo as well. Don spun around just as the two of them leaped to their feet, their attention directed towards Niccolo who stood unmoving at the entrance to the kitchen.\n\n\tBefore any of the three could react further, Nicco placed a closed fist into the palm of his hand and bowed.\n\n\tThe bow was low and obviously deferential. Without straightening his body, Nicco looked up directly into Leo’s eyes and said, “Please accept my apology for entering your home while wearing my weapons. My action was thoughtless and discourteous. I will ask that Donatello present them to you as an act of good faith on my part. I did not treat you with the respect you deserve as the leader of this clan and I have tarnished my honor by my own actions.”\n\n\tAstonished at Nicco’s speech, Don almost missed his verbal cue. Blinking rapidly, he laid the pair of hachiwari flat across his palms and stepped towards Leo, holding the weapons out towards him.\n\n\tThe sound of Raph’s low growl echoed in the near silence of the kitchen. Don heard Mikey shift positions but was afraid to look up for fear he’d break the spell. Leo’s eyes were on the hachiwari in Don’s hands but he didn’t move.\n\n\tLeonardo’s dilemma was clear; he was still wary of the newcomer because of their initial meeting but now Nicco was giving off no scent at all to indicate that he was a danger. The large turtle remained in a supplicant position, his stance making it clear that he had not come to fight or to challenge.\n\n\tIf Niccolo behaved with honor and dignity, as he was doing, then it behooved Leonardo to respond in kind.\n\n\tVery slowly Leo reached for Nicco’s weapons, wordlessly accepting them from Donatello. Other sounds of discontent came from Raph and Mikey but they didn’t move. Attacking a weaponless Nicco as he bowed before them would be dishonorable and would go against everything they had ever been taught.\n\n\tOnce more Leo looked at Nicco and then walked towards him. Don noticed that although Nicco’s head was lowered, he kept his eyes on Don’s brothers.\n\n\tLeo stopped a few feet in front of Nicco. It was obvious from his body language that Leo was exerting control over himself, a feat that was always amazing for Don to observe. When Mikey and Raph both started to speak, Leo’s hand flashed upwards, though he didn’t so much as glance in their direction. The signal silenced them.\n\n\tTaking the hachiwari into both of his hands again, Leo returned Nicco’s bow and presented the weapons to him.\n\n\t“You came into our home as an honored guest of our brother Donatello’s,” Leo said, his voice even in its cadence. “It is I who has dishonored our family by my hostile actions. Please take your weapons and my apologies on behalf of our clan. You are most welcome here, Niccolo.”\n\n\tSomberly, Nicco accepted his hachiwari. He and Leo straightened at the same time and Nicco quickly slid his weapons into the sash of his shirt.\n\n\tLeo turned sideways and looked at Mikey and Raph. Mikey’s jaw worked from side to side but he followed Leo’s silent command and bowed, saying, “Welcome.”\n\n\tRaph’s mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes narrowed. For a moment Don thought that he would snub their guest against Leo’s orders and apparently Leo thought so as well because his upper body twisted slightly in Raph’s direction.\n\n\tGold eyes darted towards Leo and then back to Nicco. Very quickly, Raph’s head dipped down and back up, the acknowledgment brief but enough.\n\n\tDon wasn’t sure what would have happened next if the tableau hadn’t been interrupted by their sensei.\n\n\t“Good morning boys,” Master Splinter said, approaching the kitchen.\n\n\tNicco turned to the side to make room for the aged rat, offering him a quick bow as he said, “Good morning Master Splinter.”\n\n\tThe turtle brothers echoed the greeting as their father approached Don. Placing a hand on the genius’ shoulder, he said, “I have our tea ready in my room but perhaps you would prefer coffee. Would you be so kind as to bring a tray of breakfast things to my room? I am going to steal Niccolo from you as there are some items that I would like to show him.”\n\n\t“Of course father,” Don said, trying not to exhibit his relief. “I’ll join you as soon as everything is ready.”\n\n\tMaster Splinter looked at each of his other sons in turn, pausing when his eyes reached Leonardo. A small nod of his head was all it took for Master Splinter to relay to his eldest son that he was aware of what had transpired and that he was pleased.\n\n\tWhen Master Splinter left the kitchen taking Nicco with him, Raph shoved his bowl to the center of the table and stormed out, purposely jostling Leo’s shoulder as he passed by.\n\n\t“That went well,” Mikey mumbled sarcastically, taking his plate and Raph’s bowl to the sink. Unlike Raph, Don’s youngest brother glanced at him before stomping out of the kitchen.\n\n\tWith a resigned sigh, Don moved over to the coffee maker and started it going. He expected Leo to leave also and knowing that he wouldn’t hear anything when his brother did, Don ignored him.\n\n\tA few minutes later he turned to get some things from the refrigerator and was surprised to see that Leo was still standing there, looking at him. Having no idea what to say Don hesitated for only a second before grabbing a carton of eggs out of the fridge and walking back to the stove.\n\n\t“Donny.” Leo’s voice was quiet, low; almost tentative.\n\n\tIt wasn’t until he’d finished breaking eggs into a bowl that Don looked over at his brother. “If he was going to hurt me he would have done it while we were trapped on that other world together and none of you would have ever known.”\n\n\tIt sounded defensive to Don’s ears and he knew it had to sound that way to Leo as well. \n\n\t“We reacted from instinct,” Leo said. “I’m not proud of that.”\n\n\t“You still are, to a certain extent,” Don said, trying not to appear accusatory.\n\n\t“I feel protective of you, Donny,” Leo said, coming over to stand near his brother. “I know you can take care of yourself, but this is different. This isn’t something any of us has ever dealt with.”\n\n\t“Maybe not,” Don said, whisking the eggs together before pouring the mixture into a pan. He looked up at Leo. “Falling in love is as old as time though. It’s not usually dangerous.”\n\n\t“There’s still a danger that you could be hurt, that you could have your heart broken,” Leo said softly.\n\n\t“I’d rather take the chance that might happen than to never experience love at all,” Don told him. “I’m not playing the odds, just so you know. Nicco isn’t going to cause me pain, Leo. No one gives up what he did in order to be with me if they weren’t completely committed to a relationship. The only one I’ve ever known who is more honorable than Nicco is you, bro’.”\n\n\t“Your . . . mate had to remind me of my honor,” Leo said. “In our future interactions I’ll try not to forget that I have some.”\n\n\tHe left the kitchen then and Don finished his breakfast preparations. He’d gotten a promise of sorts from Leo and knew his oldest brother would not go back on his word. How Nicco had known what to do to win Leo over was something Don would have to ask about. Maybe all of the conversations they’d had about Don’s brothers had given Nicco the information he needed.\n\n\tCarrying a tray of food to Master Splinter’s room, Don marveled at the concept that Nicco was planning on his meeting with the young turtle’s family even before he and Don had become mates.\n\n\tDon didn’t get the opportunity to discuss the events of the morning with his mate because directly after they’d breakfasted, Master Splinter and Nicco went into the dojo. His father banned Don and his brothers from looking on so the family genius took the opportunity to go to his lab and phone April.\n\n\tThat conversation took a while. April insisted on knowing everything about Don’s adventure and about Niccolo. Don hit the high points of his travels but did not tell her about his involvement with Nicco, preferring to introduce that subject when they could talk in person.\n\n\tApril did want to know why Nicco had traveled through the artifact to come home with him. Something in her tone indicated that April had ideas about the true nature of Don and Nicco’s relationship. Don simply told her that Nicco was adventurous and that he traveled through his own artifact to many different dimensions. Coming with Don to Earth was better than discovering their dimension by himself.\n\n\tShe didn’t press him on the matter. Don knew April well enough to guess that she’d save her questions for when she saw him next. He did get her permission to keep the puzzle box. April said her uncle was uninterested in the artifact after the time he’d spent lost in the thing and she’d forgotten that she had it.\n\n\tWhen Don got off the phone he saw that it was still too early to expect Master Splinter to be done with Nicco. As usual there were plenty of projects to keep him busy, so Don dove into some of the smaller ones, determined not to lose track of time.\n\n\tKeeping a sharp eye on the clock, Don completed several tasks and then pushed everything aside when he thought it was time to meet up with Nicco. Stepping out of his lab, the first thing Don noticed was that all three of his brothers were within calling distance of the dojo.\n\n\tIt was unusual for the three of them to hang around doing nothing, especially Leo, but Don guessed that they didn’t completely trust Nicco to be alone with their father. Although Master Splinter was quite capable of taking care of himself, Don’s brothers weren’t ready to take any chances.\n\n\tThere was still an uncomfortable tension between Don and both Raph and Mikey so he avoided them. Just as he was about to strike up a conversation with Leo, Master Splinter walked out of the dojo alone.\n\n\tBefore Don had the chance to ask about Nicco, Master Splinter spoke first. “Donatello, were you still planning to clear the debris left from the partial collapse of the tunnel to the East of our old lair?”\n\n\tBrow furrowed, Don answered, “You mean the one that the mousers destroyed? Yes I was, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I want to build an electronic door there and disguise it with some of the fallen rock. It’s the fastest exit out of that area.”\n\n\t“I believe it should be given a higher priority,” Master Splinter said. Turning his head he called out, “Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo; please come here for a moment.”\n\n\tThe three brothers scrambled quickly to join their father. “Yes, Master Splinter?” Leo asked.\n\n\t“Leonardo, please take your brothers and the appropriate tools and begin clearing that tunnel,” Master Splinter said. “I have another task for Donatello so he will not be joining you.”\n\n\t“Of course, father,” Leo responded. “Come on you guys, let’s grab a crowbar and a couple of shovels from the garage and get to work. We can probably finish by dinnertime.”\n\n\tFrom their expressions it was obvious that neither Raph nor Mikey was enthused by the assignment. Other than the grumbling Mikey was doing under his breath, they didn’t argue, knowing that displeasing Master Splinter was a bad idea.\n\n\tOnce they were in the elevator, Don asked, “What did you need me to do, sensei?”\n\n\tMaster Splinter lifted a finger and said, “Wait until they are gone and I will tell you.”\n\n\tThey waited in silence until Don’s brothers returned with their tools and then exited the lair through the door into the tunnels. As soon as they were gone, Master Splinter turned back towards the dojo and said, “Please come with me.”\n\n\tClueless as to what Master Splinter had on his mind, Don followed him into the dojo. Once inside he stopped next to his father, his eyes immediately finding Niccolo.\n\n\tDon’s mate was running through a kata, his bare skin damp with perspiration. The walls seemed to vibrate with each of Nicco’s deep voiced kiyups, the sound likewise lighting a fire deep in Don’s belly.\n\n\tNicco moved with both power and fluidity, a combination that was rare. Feeling the touch of his father’s eyes Don looked at Master Splinter, hoping the rising flush of heat inside of him wasn’t showing on his skin.\n\n\tThere was a small but satisfied smile on Master Splinter’s face as he said, “I am very impressed with Niccolo. He has a natural skill combined with both the drive and focus required to become an excellent ninja. This is a new kata for him and he learned it in one lesson.”\n\n\tDon found himself suddenly grinning like an idiot. He’d been proud of things before in his life, but none of them compared to the feeling of having Master Splinter’s approval of Nicco.\n\n\tWith a final booming kiyup Nicco completed the kata. He immediately went into his attention stance, eyes straight ahead as he awaited Master Splinter’s approach.\n\n\t“We are finished with our lesson for today, Niccolo,” Master Splinter said. “You have done very well. Tomorrow I would like to see you work with your weapons. You are dismissed.”\n\n\tNicco bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master Splinter.”\n\n\tHis clothes were folded neatly and lay on the floor near one wall, along with his hachiwari. Nicco gathered them up quickly and trotted over to where Don stood waiting for him.\n\n\tAs soon as Nicco’s scent hit him, Don’s head started to reel and his toes curled into the floor mat. If not for Master Splinter’s presence, Don would have jumped his lover on the spot.\n\n\t“Donatello,” Master Splinter said, “you have at least four hours before your brothers are due to return. Perhaps you can use that time to acquaint Niccolo with our home. Please remember my one rule; no bedrooms. I suggest you begin by helping Niccolo get cleaned up for lunch.”\n\n\tGlancing away from Nicco to acknowledge his father, Don saw the twinkle in Master Splinter’s eyes.\n\n\t“Yes, Master Splinter,” Don said and then added, “Thank you, father.”\n\n\tLeaving with Nicco, Don could hardly believe that his father had just hinted at the two of them showering together, but he certainly wasn’t going to question it. Don was desperate to be with his lover and Nicco was apparently feeling the same thing because they simultaneously broke into a run, taking the stairs three at a time.\n\n\tAs soon as they entered the bathroom, Donatello shut and locked the door. He turned in time to see Nicco toss his things on the floor before descending on his mate.\n\n\tTheir mouths came together hungrily, Don clutching at Nicco in desperation. Panting and gasping, the pair ravished each other’s mouths, tongues dancing. Nicco’s hands roamed over Don’s body, swiftly and expertly stripping him of his gear.\n\n\tAfter several exquisite moments, Don broke contact in order to lean to the side and turn on the shower. Nicco’s mouth latched onto his neck and collar bone, painting it with long licks of his wide, hot tongue.\n\n\tA question had been eating at Don ever since that morning at breakfast and despite his fast rising arousal, Don had to have an answer.\n\n\t“Nicco,” Don began, inhaling sharply as his lover’s mouth touched a particularly sensitive part of his neck. He tried again. “Nicco. How did you . . . why did you do that with Leo this morning?”\n\n\tYanking Don’s mask off left the young ninja completely naked and Nicco nodded with satisfaction, pressing a kiss to the corner of Don’s mouth.\n\n\t“Your brothers were presenting a solid front,” Nicco said. “When you reach a solid wall like that you have a number of choices on how to deal with it. You can climb over it, break through it, or go around it. I chose to go around it and take one of them with me. My strategy was to divide and conquer. Leonardo isn’t unlike me and I understood his mindset the best, so I went after him first.”\n\n\t“Oh,” Don said, utterly amazed at Nicco’s reasoning. “You’re amazing.”\n\n\t“You’re the one who’s amazing,” Nicco whispered against Don’s mouth. “Master Splinter only said we had to stay out of bedrooms, he didn’t say we couldn’t have sex.”\n\n\t“I noticed that,” Don replied in a hungry tone. “I’m so ready for some sex.”\n\n\tNicco’s hand had drifted down between them and was flattened at a spot between Don’s legs. “I can tell. Let’s not waste any more of that warm water.”\n\n\tHe spun Don around, still gripping the smaller turtle tightly. Inside the shower, Nicco quickly pressed Don up against the wall and captured his mouth again.\n\n\tChurring non-stop, Don draped one of his legs across Nicco’s hip and rubbed his now jutting erection against his lover.\n\n\tIt didn’t take much more than that for Niccolo to give Donatello what he wanted. Several times over.\n\nTBC……………", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tDon lay on his carapace, staring up at Mikey’s ceiling.  He was wide awake and not very comfortable, having only a thin pallet and a blanket to sleep on.

\tNearby, Mikey rolled over in his bed, muttering something in his sleep.  He was nearly as active when he slept as when he was awake and his constant movement was another thing that disturbed Don’s ability to rest.

\tWithout the soft whir of his machines providing a background of white noise, it was hard for Don to tune out all of the sounds around him.  Mikey’s room was closest to Raph’s and the hot head snored loud enough to wake the dead.  Don had no idea how Mikey slept through it other than the fact that he usually crashed before Raph did and once he was out it took a brass band to wake him.

\tDon could have slept in his lab, would actually have preferred to do that.  The day bed was a tad narrow but it was comfortable and down there Don had his machines to keep him company.

\tThe reason he didn’t was because Don wanted to be near Nicco.  His mate was just on the other side of the wall and that knowledge offered Don some consolation after the evening he’d had.

\tHe and Nicco had eaten dinner with Master Splinter in his room.  Leo, Raph, and Mikey were still showing outward signs of antagonism whenever Nicco was visible.  The very air was charged with hostility that was so palpable Don could have worn it like a coat.

\tRaph was so angry that he was literally shaking.  Don felt badly about that; he knew he was partly to blame.  No matter how aggravated he was with his brother’s behavior, he should not have threatened to leave with Nicco and never return.

\tA tear trickled from the corner of Don’s eye and he hastily scrubbed it away.  His fear that he’d never be able to return home had pulled his experience  in that dark futuristic timeline to the forefront of his mind and it was still clinging there.  Don’s emotions had already been on a roller coaster ride and when his brothers behaved so badly Don had snapped.

\tIf he could talk to them without getting his head bitten off Don would apologize.  Rationally he knew that was the first step towards repairing the damage that had been done and then calming his brothers into acceptance of the new turtle in their lives.

\tDon clung to a small hint of resentment though; it wasn’t quite fair that he’d have to apologize first considering the way his brothers had been treating Nicco.  Fairness wasn’t always something you got to have in life and Don knew that better than anyone.  He was in a relationship and with that came responsibility and the requirement for a certain measure of maturity.

\tBecause he’d opened his big mouth about leaving with Nicco, Don knew he couldn’t start creating the secured space where the puzzle box would be housed.  He loved and trusted his brothers, but the temptation to destroy the artifact might be too strong in one of them and that wasn’t a chance Don was willing to take.

\tThere was a heavy metal safe in Don’s lab and he’d locked the artifact inside of it earlier in the evening.  Only Nicco knew he’d put it there and he was also the only one who knew the combination.  Nicco hadn’t asked why Don felt the need to lock the puzzle box away like that; no doubt he’d already guessed what Don’s answer would have been.

\tThis was the first night since he’d met Nicco that Don wasn’t within arm’s reach of the older turtle.  He was feeling the loss of Nicco’s warmth acutely.  Don could only imagine how Nicco felt; he was on a strange world, in a home full of hostile turtles, and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.

\tAnother reason that Don had chosen to stay in Mikey’s room was that he wanted to keep an eye on his brothers.  He honestly didn’t think they were capable of doing anything as dishonorable as attacking a sleeping guest but at the moment ‘better safe than sorry’ was Don’s personal credo.

\tHe chided himself silently for thinking such foolish things.  If there was even the slightest chance of that happening, Master Splinter would have instructed Don to allow his guest to bed down in the lab.  It was much closer to Master Splinter’s room and had a heavier door that could be locked.

\tResigned to a sleepless night, Don attempted to sort out the patterns in the constellation on Mikey’s ceiling.  His younger brother had gotten his hands on several packages of glow in the dark stars and planets and had stuck them all over the ceiling in his room.  The glow lasted for hours after Mikey turned his lights out and Don wondered if it was because there were so many of them that they recharged each other.

\tThe show overhead reminded Don of his nights with Nicco on the diamond world.  Just the two of them sitting side by side looking at the stars; sometimes talking, sometimes simply touching each other.

\tDon ached for Nicco’s strong arms and wondered if his mate was getting any sleep.  Master Splinter was wise in his decision to separate Don and Nicco because the two of them sharing a room probably would have riled up his other three sons even more.  In the back of his mind, Don thought that his father might be testing him and Nicco as well, wanting to discover how deep their bond really was and if it could survive stress.

\tNicco’s family had not subjected the pair to this kind of pressure.  They had been open, loving, and accepting of Don.  On Nicco’s world Don could have worked in a real lab with others who were like him.  There Don would have a purpose and a cause to fight for.

\tShaking his head, Don told himself to stop thinking that way.  He’d fix his puzzle box and then he and Nicco could travel back and forth at will.  Don could make sure his family was safe and also help Mase and Corius build their pharmaceutical business.  Once the doorway was open and fixed, Don could be with Nicco whenever he wanted, however he wanted.

\tThe lights above him seemed almost to twinkle as Don made that resolution.  Those glow in the dark stickers represented Mikey’s dreams, his sense of wonderment, and his optimism.  Mikey truly believed that there wasn’t anything you couldn’t have, even if you were reaching for the stars.

\tThat thought froze Don for a moment, his agile mind catching hold of that particular character trait of Mikey’s.  Of the three of them, Mikey was the one who could grasp the concept of a life without limitations, his optimism a bright thing that was often the only light in their existence.  Maybe, just maybe, that was the way to reach Mikey.

\tRooming with his youngest brother might just have some advantages after all.

~~~~~~~

\tThe sound of Mikey stirring around the room woke Don but he pretended to still be asleep as he waited for his brother to leave.

\tAfter Mikey’s exit, Don sat up and glanced at the clock.  He’d only managed a couple of hours of sleep, but it was better than nothing.  Though Don finally had an idea for what to do about one of his brothers, he was far from ready to tackle Mikey.  Right now Don just wanted to see Nicco.

\tApproaching the closed door of his own room, Don lifted a hand to knock, feeling foolish as he did so.  His knuckles had barely touched the door before Nicco called out, “Come in, Donny.”

\tUpon opening the door the first thing Donatello saw was Nicco, stripped down to nothing, standing in the center of the room.  The rug that usually occupied that space was rolled up and leaning against the wall and there were two candles on the bare floor, neither lit but smoke still drifted from their wicks.

\tNicco smelled of soap and more lightly of candle wax.  Don began to understand.

\t“How long ago did you get up?” Don asked.  “Did you sleep at all?”

\t“I could ask that of you,” Nicco replied, eyeing Don critically.  “You lay awake worrying, didn’t you?”

\t“I slept for a couple of hours,” Don said.  “I’ve gotten less.”

\t“Did your brother give you a hard time over me?” Nicco asked.

\tDon waved his hand dismissively.  “Actually no.  He didn’t speak to me much at all as a matter of fact.  We’d both said some things earlier in the day and I think he regrets them as much as I do.” “At least I hope he does”, Don thought to himself.

\tHe started to move into the room but Nicco shook his head.  “Stay where you are and leave the door open,” Nicco instructed.  “We’re going to follow the spirit of Master Splinter’s instructions as well as the letter and not occupy a closed bedroom together.”

\t“All right,” Don said with a nod.  “I hope that rule doesn’t last long.”

\tNicco’s stern expression relaxed.  “As do I.  Before I went to sleep last night I thought about the situation with your brothers and I came up with a plan.”

\tAs he spoke, Nicco crossed over to Don’s desk and retrieved his pants.  He hadn’t worn them when they came through the artifact and Don figured they’d been in his backpack.  When he unfolded them the scent of laundry detergent drifted into Don’s nostrils.

\t“I got up early and moved your rug,” Nicco said, pulling on his pants.  “Afterwards I borrowed the shower and scrubbed myself from head to foot to remove your scent and as much of mine as I could.”

\t“Let me guess; after the shower you avoided coming into contact with any of my things, including the rug, so that you wouldn’t pick up my scent again,” Don said.

\t“My smart little ninja,” Nicco teased, eyes gleaming.  

\tThere was another folded cloth on the desk and Nicco grabbed that next.  When it was unfolded Don could see that it was a loose fitting, sleeveless shirt, longer in the back than the front.  Nicco slipped his arms through the openings and tied the sash that held the front closed.  With it on, the hem hung even on him, as it was clearly designed to accommodate Nicco’s carapace.

\t“You’re masking your pheromones,” Don said.

\t“Exactly.”  Nicco looked up, his expression serious again.  “Don, I completely understand your brothers' reaction to me yesterday.  If I hadn’t been so excited to meet your family I would have thought it through and realized what would happen.  Not only am I a strong male turtle coming into their territory, but I was also carrying your scent as well as my own alarm pheromones.

\t“To your brothers I appeared to be asserting my dominance by entering their domain and claiming a mate from their bale.  I have to find a way to counteract that impression now.  The best way I can think of to do that is to emphasize the human part of myself.  I have to smell human, dress human, and act human.  Since I was raised by one, I think I can pull that off.”

\t“How long do you think you’ll have to keep this up?” Don asked.  “Your own scent is going to come through fairly quickly.”

\t“I have to remove the notion that I’m a threat,” Nicco said.  “Once they aren’t reacting to me as an intruder then my body chemistry won’t respond with the alarm pheromones.”  Picking his hachiwari up off the floor, Nicco waved towards the door.  “After you.”

\tDon preceded Nicco down the staircase, the pair avoiding any physical contact whatsoever.  As they reached the main floor, Don could hear his brothers' voices coming from the kitchen.

\tTurning toward Nicco, Don said, “Last night Master Splinter suggested that we breakfast with him.  He’s already up; why don’t you go to his room and I’ll bring in some food.”

\tWith a smile, Nicco shook his head.  “That would defeat the purpose of my preparations.  I have a better idea.  I’m not going to dodge your brothers forever.”

\tDon was startled when Nicco extended his weapons towards him.  Careful not to touch his mate’s hand, Don accepted the hachiwari.  “What are you going to do?” Don asked.

\t“Go on and join your brothers and you’ll see,” Nicco said without the slightest hint of nervousness.  “I’ll be right behind you.”

\tOn his way to the kitchen, Don couldn’t help but be impressed with how Nicco had spent part of his night planning this course of action, just as Leonardo would have done.  Whatever Nicco was going to do, he seemed confident that it would work.

\tDon wished he could be as relaxed as Nicco appeared to be.  When he walked into the kitchen all three of his brothers looked up from the table.  Leo acknowledged his presence with a curt nod, Mikey gave him a blank look, and Raph grimaced as though he’d just tasted something bad before turning his attention back to the cereal he was eating.

\tJust as Don was trying to decide if he should say something, Leo’s demeanor abruptly changed.  His eyes had swept past Don and were focused on the doorway and in a split second he was out of his chair.

\tLeo’s first jerk of awareness had alerted Raphael and Michelangelo as well.  Don spun around just as the two of them leaped to their feet, their attention directed towards Niccolo who stood unmoving at the entrance to the kitchen.

\tBefore any of the three could react further, Nicco placed a closed fist into the palm of his hand and bowed.

\tThe bow was low and obviously deferential.  Without straightening his body, Nicco looked up directly into Leo’s eyes and said, “Please accept my apology for entering your home while wearing my weapons.  My action was thoughtless and discourteous.  I will ask that Donatello present them to you as an act of good faith on my part.  I did not treat you with the respect you deserve as the leader of this clan and I have tarnished my honor by my own actions.”

\tAstonished at Nicco’s speech, Don almost missed his verbal cue.  Blinking rapidly, he laid the pair of hachiwari flat across his palms and stepped towards Leo, holding the weapons out towards him.

\tThe sound of Raph’s low growl echoed in the near silence of the kitchen.  Don heard Mikey shift positions but was afraid to look up for fear he’d break the spell.  Leo’s eyes were on the hachiwari in Don’s hands but he didn’t move.

\tLeonardo’s dilemma was clear; he was still wary of the newcomer because of their initial meeting but now Nicco was giving off no scent at all to indicate that he was a danger.  The large turtle remained in a supplicant position, his stance making it clear that he had not come to fight or to challenge.

\tIf Niccolo behaved with honor and dignity, as he was doing, then it behooved Leonardo to respond in kind.

\tVery slowly Leo reached for Nicco’s weapons, wordlessly accepting them from Donatello.  Other sounds of discontent came from Raph and Mikey but they didn’t move.  Attacking a weaponless Nicco as he bowed before them would be dishonorable and would go against everything they had ever been taught.

\tOnce more Leo looked at Nicco and then walked towards him.  Don noticed that although Nicco’s head was lowered, he kept his eyes on Don’s brothers.

\tLeo stopped a few feet in front of Nicco.  It was obvious from his body language that Leo was exerting control over himself, a feat that was always amazing for Don to observe.  When Mikey and Raph both started to speak, Leo’s hand flashed upwards, though he didn’t so much as glance in their direction.  The signal silenced them.

\tTaking the hachiwari into both of his hands again, Leo returned Nicco’s bow and presented the weapons to him.

\t“You came into our home as an honored guest of our brother Donatello’s,” Leo said, his voice even in its cadence.  “It is I who has dishonored our family by my hostile actions.  Please take your weapons and my apologies on behalf of our clan.  You are most welcome here, Niccolo.”

\tSomberly, Nicco accepted his hachiwari.  He and Leo straightened at the same time and Nicco quickly slid his weapons into the sash of his shirt.

\tLeo turned sideways and looked at Mikey and Raph.  Mikey’s jaw worked from side to side but he followed Leo’s silent command and bowed, saying, “Welcome.”

\tRaph’s mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes narrowed.  For a moment Don thought that he would snub their guest against Leo’s orders and apparently Leo thought so as well because his upper body twisted slightly in Raph’s direction.

\tGold eyes darted towards Leo and then back to Nicco.  Very quickly, Raph’s head dipped down and back up, the acknowledgment brief but enough.

\tDon wasn’t sure what would have happened next if the tableau hadn’t been interrupted by their sensei.

\t“Good morning boys,” Master Splinter said, approaching the kitchen.

\tNicco turned to the side to make room for the aged rat, offering him a quick bow as he said, “Good morning Master Splinter.”

\tThe turtle brothers echoed the greeting as their father approached Don.  Placing a hand on the genius’ shoulder, he said, “I have our tea ready in my room but perhaps you would prefer coffee.  Would you be so kind as to bring a tray of breakfast things to my room?  I am going to steal Niccolo from you as there are some items that I would like to show him.”

\t“Of course father,” Don said, trying not to exhibit his relief.  “I’ll join you as soon as everything is ready.”

\tMaster Splinter looked at each of his other sons in turn, pausing when his eyes reached Leonardo.  A small nod of his head was all it took for Master Splinter to relay to his eldest son that he was aware of what had transpired and that he was pleased.

\tWhen Master Splinter left the kitchen taking Nicco with him, Raph shoved his bowl to the center of the table and stormed out, purposely jostling Leo’s shoulder as he passed by.

\t“That went well,” Mikey mumbled sarcastically, taking his plate and Raph’s bowl to the sink.  Unlike Raph, Don’s youngest brother glanced at him before stomping out of the kitchen.

\tWith a resigned sigh, Don moved over to the coffee maker and started it going.  He expected Leo to leave also and knowing that he wouldn’t hear anything when his brother did, Don ignored him.

\tA few minutes later he turned to get some things from the refrigerator and was surprised to see that Leo was still standing there, looking at him.  Having no idea what to say Don hesitated for only a second before grabbing a carton of eggs out of the fridge and walking back to the stove.

\t“Donny.”  Leo’s voice was quiet, low; almost tentative.

\tIt wasn’t until he’d finished breaking eggs into a bowl that Don looked over at his brother.  “If he was going to hurt me he would have done it while we were trapped on that other world together and none of you would have ever known.”

\tIt sounded defensive to Don’s ears and he knew it had to sound that way to Leo as well.

\t“We reacted from instinct,” Leo said.  “I’m not proud of that.”

\t“You still are, to a certain extent,” Don said, trying not to appear accusatory.

\t“I feel protective of you, Donny,” Leo said, coming over to stand near his brother.  “I know you can take care of yourself, but this is different.  This isn’t something any of us has ever dealt with.”

\t“Maybe not,” Don said, whisking the eggs together before pouring the mixture into a pan.  He looked up at Leo.  “Falling in love is as old as time though.  It’s not usually dangerous.”

\t“There’s still a danger that you could be hurt, that you could have your heart broken,” Leo said softly.

\t“I’d rather take the chance that might happen than to never experience love at all,” Don told him.  “I’m not playing the odds, just so you know.  Nicco isn’t going to cause me pain, Leo.  No one gives up what he did in order to be with me if they weren’t completely committed to a relationship.  The only one I’ve ever known who is more honorable than Nicco is you, bro’.”

\t“Your . . . mate had to remind me of my honor,” Leo said.  “In our future interactions I’ll try not to forget that I have some.”

\tHe left the kitchen then and Don finished his breakfast preparations.  He’d gotten a promise of sorts from Leo and knew his oldest brother would not go back on his word.  How Nicco had known what to do to win Leo over was something Don would have to ask about.  Maybe all of the conversations they’d had about Don’s brothers had given Nicco the information he needed.

\tCarrying a tray of food to Master Splinter’s room, Don marveled at the concept that Nicco was planning on his meeting with the young turtle’s family even before he and Don had become mates.

\tDon didn’t get the opportunity to discuss the events of the morning with his mate because directly after they’d breakfasted, Master Splinter and Nicco went into the dojo.  His father banned Don and his brothers from looking on so the family genius took the opportunity to go to his lab and phone April.

\tThat conversation took a while.  April insisted on knowing everything about Don’s adventure and about Niccolo.  Don hit the high points of his travels but did not tell her about his involvement with Nicco, preferring to introduce that subject when they could talk in person.

\tApril did want to know why Nicco had traveled through the artifact to come home with him.  Something in her tone indicated that April had ideas about the true nature of Don and Nicco’s relationship.  Don simply told her that Nicco was adventurous and that he traveled through his own artifact to many different dimensions.  Coming with Don to Earth was better than discovering their dimension by himself.

\tShe didn’t press him on the matter.  Don knew April well enough to guess that she’d save her questions for when she saw him next.  He did get her permission to keep the puzzle box.  April said her uncle was uninterested in the artifact after the time he’d spent lost in the thing and she’d forgotten that she had it.

\tWhen Don got off the phone he saw that it was still too early to expect Master Splinter to be done with Nicco.  As usual there were plenty of projects to keep him busy, so Don dove into some of the smaller ones, determined not to lose track of time.

\tKeeping a sharp eye on the clock, Don completed several tasks and then pushed everything aside when he thought it was time to meet up with Nicco.  Stepping out of his lab, the first thing Don noticed was that all three of his brothers were within calling distance of the dojo.

\tIt was unusual for the three of them to hang around doing nothing, especially Leo, but Don guessed that they didn’t completely trust Nicco to be alone with their father.  Although Master Splinter was quite capable of taking care of himself, Don’s brothers weren’t ready to take any chances.

\tThere was still an uncomfortable tension between Don and both Raph and Mikey so he avoided them.  Just as he was about to strike up a conversation with Leo, Master Splinter walked out of the dojo alone.

\tBefore Don had the chance to ask about Nicco, Master Splinter spoke first.  “Donatello, were you still planning to clear the debris left from the partial collapse of the tunnel to the East of our old lair?”

\tBrow furrowed, Don answered, “You mean the one that the mousers destroyed?  Yes I was, I just haven’t gotten around to it.  I want to build an electronic door there and disguise it with some of the fallen rock.  It’s the fastest exit out of that area.”

\t“I believe it should be given a higher priority,” Master Splinter said.  Turning his head he called out, “Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo; please come here for a moment.”

\tThe three brothers scrambled quickly to join their father.  “Yes, Master Splinter?” Leo asked.

\t“Leonardo, please take your brothers and the appropriate tools and begin clearing that tunnel,” Master Splinter said.  “I have another task for Donatello so he will not be joining you.”

\t“Of course, father,” Leo responded.  “Come on you guys, let’s grab a crowbar and a couple of shovels from the garage and get to work.  We can probably finish by dinnertime.”

\tFrom their expressions it was obvious that neither Raph nor Mikey was enthused by the assignment.  Other than the grumbling Mikey was doing under his breath, they didn’t argue, knowing that displeasing Master Splinter was a bad idea.

\tOnce they were in the elevator, Don asked, “What did you need me to do, sensei?”

\tMaster Splinter lifted a finger and said, “Wait until they are gone and I will tell you.”

\tThey waited in silence until Don’s brothers returned with their tools and then exited the lair through the door into the tunnels.  As soon as they were gone, Master Splinter turned back towards the dojo and said, “Please come with me.”

\tClueless as to what Master Splinter had on his mind, Don followed him into the dojo.  Once inside he stopped next to his father, his eyes immediately finding Niccolo.

\tDon’s mate was running through a kata, his bare skin damp with perspiration.  The walls seemed to vibrate with each of Nicco’s deep voiced kiyups, the sound likewise lighting a fire deep in Don’s belly.

\tNicco moved with both power and fluidity, a combination that was rare.  Feeling the touch of his father’s eyes Don looked at Master Splinter, hoping the rising flush of heat inside of him wasn’t showing on his skin.

\tThere was a small but satisfied smile on Master Splinter’s face as he said, “I am very impressed with Niccolo.  He has a natural skill combined with both the drive and focus required to become an excellent ninja.  This is a new kata for him and he learned it in one lesson.”

\tDon found himself suddenly grinning like an idiot.  He’d been proud of things before in his life, but none of them compared to the feeling of having Master Splinter’s approval of Nicco.

\tWith a final booming kiyup Nicco completed the kata.  He immediately went into his attention stance, eyes straight ahead as he awaited Master Splinter’s approach.

\t“We are finished with our lesson for today, Niccolo,” Master Splinter said.  “You have done very well.  Tomorrow I would like to see you work with your weapons.  You are dismissed.”

\tNicco bowed respectfully.  “Thank you, Master Splinter.”

\tHis clothes were folded neatly and lay on the floor near one wall, along with his hachiwari.  Nicco gathered them up quickly and trotted over to where Don stood waiting for him.

\tAs soon as Nicco’s scent hit him, Don’s head started to reel and his toes curled into the floor mat.  If not for Master Splinter’s presence, Don would have jumped his lover on the spot.

\t“Donatello,” Master Splinter said, “you have at least four hours before your brothers are due to return.  Perhaps you can use that time to acquaint Niccolo with our home.  Please remember my one rule; no bedrooms.  I suggest you begin by helping Niccolo get cleaned up for lunch.”

\tGlancing away from Nicco to acknowledge his father, Don saw the twinkle in Master Splinter’s eyes.

\t“Yes, Master Splinter,” Don said and then added, “Thank you, father.”

\tLeaving with Nicco, Don could hardly believe that his father had just hinted at the two of them showering together, but he certainly wasn’t going to question it.  Don was desperate to be with his lover and Nicco was apparently feeling the same thing because they simultaneously broke into a run, taking the stairs three at a time.

\tAs soon as they entered the bathroom, Donatello shut and locked the door.  He turned in time to see Nicco toss his things on the floor before descending on his mate.

\tTheir mouths came together hungrily, Don clutching at Nicco in desperation.  Panting and gasping, the pair ravished each other’s mouths, tongues dancing.  Nicco’s hands roamed over Don’s body, swiftly and expertly stripping him of his gear.

\tAfter several exquisite moments, Don broke contact in order to lean to the side and turn on the shower.  Nicco’s mouth latched onto his neck and collar bone, painting it with long licks of his wide, hot tongue.

\tA question had been eating at Don ever since that morning at breakfast and despite his fast rising arousal, Don had to have an answer.

\t“Nicco,” Don began, inhaling sharply as his lover’s mouth touched a particularly sensitive part of his neck.  He tried again.  “Nicco.  How did you . . . why did you do that with Leo this morning?”

\tYanking Don’s mask off left the young ninja completely naked and Nicco nodded with satisfaction, pressing a kiss to the corner of Don’s mouth.

\t“Your brothers were presenting a solid front,” Nicco said.  “When you reach a solid wall like that you have a number of choices on how to deal with it.  You can climb over it, break through it, or go around it.  I chose to go around it and take one of them with me.  My strategy was to divide and conquer.  Leonardo isn’t unlike me and I understood his mindset the best, so I went after him first.”

\t“Oh,” Don said, utterly amazed at Nicco’s reasoning.  “You’re amazing.”

\t“You’re the one who’s amazing,” Nicco whispered against Don’s mouth.  “Master Splinter only said we had to stay out of bedrooms, he didn’t say we couldn’t have sex.”

\t“I noticed that,” Don replied in a hungry tone.  “I’m so ready for some sex.”

\tNicco’s hand had drifted down between them and was flattened at a spot between Don’s legs.  “I can tell.  Let’s not waste any more of that warm water.”

\tHe spun Don around, still gripping the smaller turtle tightly.  Inside the shower, Nicco quickly pressed Don up against the wall and captured his mouth again.

\tChurring non-stop, Don draped one of his legs across Nicco’s hip and rubbed his now jutting erection against his lover.

\tIt didn’t take much more than that for Niccolo to give Donatello what he wanted.  Several times over.

TBC……………", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Don and the Puzzle Box part 22", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "5", "views": "161" }