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"description": "Donatello and his brothers visit Niccolo Stockman's world to meet his family. There they discover many new challenges. Sequel to \"Don and the Puzzle Box\". \n\nMulti-chapter 2k3", "count": "16", "submission_left_submission_id": "1767706", "submission_left_file_name": "2533282_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_4.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2533/2533282_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_4.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2533/2533282_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_4.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2533/2533282_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_4.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "169", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "113", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "68", "submission_right_submission_id": "1793327", "submission_right_file_name": "2571362_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_6.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2571/2571362_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_6.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2571/2571362_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_6.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2571/2571362_hummerhouse_walking_in_daylight_part_6.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "169", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "113", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "68", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nWord Count: 3,737 multi-chapter 2k3\nSummary: Donatello and his brothers visit Niccolo Stockman's world to meet his family. There they learn the joys of venturing into the daylight and walking out in the open among humans. They also learn about the sacrifices that have to be made in order to earn that freedom and the prejudices that are a continuing battle.\nRatings will vary by chapter from G to NC-17\nSequel to Don and the Puzzle Box https://inkbunny.net/poolview_process.php?pool_id=35485\n~~Preview of Donovan and Yoshino Green as created by the incomparable @MomoRawrr\n\n** Donovan and Yoshino Green are the property of Gemi who has generously agreed to let me play with them. Gemi has also been acting as a beta for the story, helping me to make certain I get the personalities of her two characters right. I highly recommend Gemi's TMNT fan fictions as must reads, they are amazing. You can find Gemi's stories here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Gemi\n", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 3,737 multi-chapter 2k3
Summary: Donatello and his brothers visit Niccolo Stockman's world to meet his family. There they learn the joys of venturing into the daylight and walking out in the open among humans. They also learn about the sacrifices that have to be made in order to earn that freedom and the prejudices that are a continuing battle.
Ratings will vary by chapter from G to NC-17
Sequel to Don and the Puzzle Box https://inkbunny.net/poolview_process.php?pool_id=35485
~~Preview of Donovan and Yoshino Green as created by the incomparable \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
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMomoRawrr\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMomoRawrr\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


** Donovan and Yoshino Green are the property of Gemi who has generously agreed to let me play with them. Gemi has also been acting as a beta for the story, helping me to make certain I get the personalities of her two characters right. I highly recommend Gemi's TMNT fan fictions as must reads, they are amazing. You can find Gemi's stories here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Gemi
", "writing": "\tNiccolo entered the house after leaving Raphael outside and walked back towards the dining room, only to find that Donatello was waiting for him in the hallway.\n\n\t``We need to talk,'' Don said, keeping his voice down.\n\n\t``I had anticipated that,'' Nicco replied, his eyes steady as they met Don's. ``Upstairs? We can talk in Mase's room since he's busy with Yoshi.''\n\n\tAs they approached the stairs, Nicco caught a flash of orange out of the corner of his eye. He glanced over to see Michelangelo standing at the edge of the doorway into the dining area. The normally mellow expression on Mikey's face had been replaced by one of concern.\n\n\tOpening the door to Mase's room, Nicco indicated that Don should precede him and once both were inside, he closed the door.\n\n\t``I know you have questions . . . .''\n\n\t``Is Donovan the prostitute that you had sex with?'' Don asked abruptly. ``The one you told me about when we were on the diamond planet together?''\n\n\t``Yes,'' Nicco said, watching Don carefully.\n\n\tDon's eyes widened. ``Is that all you have to say, just `yes'?''\n\n\t``Actually no,'' Nicco said. ``But I need to know that you are listening to me and not your emotions before I start to explain.''\n\n\t``I'm glad to know that you understand how the appearance of your prostitute might make me a little emotional,'' Don said.\n\n\t``Donovan is not my prostitute,'' Nicco said. He took a deep breath and released it. ``At least, not anymore.''\n\n\t``Since when?'' Don asked. ``When did you stop going to him for sex? Was it the minute you met me and found out you could have sex without paying for it?''\n\n\t``That is not fair,'' Nicco said. ``Nor is it accurate. I used Novan's services when I was enlisted and fighting a war. We didn't get leave often and I always tried to come home when I did get some down time. You have to understand about war, Donny. You never know if the next day is going to be your last. You're in a constant state of tension and if you don't find a way to release it every so often, it will tear you up from the inside.''\n\n\t``So Donovan was your release valve,'' Don said.\n\n\t``Yes he was,'' Nicco said. ``He is a mutant, he is a turtle, and he's someone that I trusted. Trust is hard to come by for mutants. I found that I couldn't relax around human prostitutes. You never know if they are exactly who they claim to be or if they have some hidden agenda.''\n\n\t``Most people do not give prostitutes their home address,'' Don said bitingly.\n\n\t``That's because there are millions of `people','' Nicco replied. ``On this world, before Novan, I knew of exactly two mutant turtles. Me and Mase. Meeting Donovan and becoming familiar with his story gave us a bond beyond just trading money for sex.''\n\n\t``What kind of bond would that be?'' Don asked suspiciously. ``Because showing up at someone's house with a baby in tow and expecting to be put up for an indefinite period of time sounds like a fairly close one.''\n\n\t``Novan has become friends with the entire family,'' Nicco insisted.\n\n\t``Yes, I saw how `friendly' he was with your father and Annabelle,'' Don retorted.\n\n\tNicco took a step closer to Don, who stood his ground. Don's entire body was rigid; the tension one that Nicco knew meant he was angry. Nicco had seen that anger once before, when he and Raph had fought over the relationship he had with Don.\n\n\t``Donny, are you jealous?'' Nicco asked.\n\n\t``Don't you dare make light of this, Niccolo,'' Don snapped.\n\n\t``I'm not,'' Nicco said, moving closer. He wanted to pull Don into his arms, but knew his mate wouldn't be receptive to that until they got this situation sorted out. ``I would like for you to know that you can always say what's on your mind. Are you angry with me because you're jealous of Novan, or because there is more to my association with him than I've told you?''\n\n\tIt was hard to stay mad at Nicco when he sounded so sincere. ``Both,'' Don said, wanting to be honest. ``If I'm being fair, there are a lot of things we haven't talked about because we really haven't been together all that long.''\n\n\t``I did not intentionally keep my friendship with Donovan a secret from you,'' Nicco said. ``That's all we are, just friends. There are things about how our lives intersect that has meant that both Novan and Yoshi will always be welcome here.''\n\n\tDon frowned. ``What things?''\n\n\tBefore Nicco could answer, the door slammed open, hitting the wall with a bang. Raphael came storming into the room, followed closely by Leonardo and Michelangelo.\n\n\t``We're trying to have a private talk here, guys,'' Don said.\n\n\tRaph ignored him as he walked directly up to Nicco. ``Straight up, Nicco. Is Yoshi your kid or what? `Cause Novan ain't a guy.''\n\n\tLeo's mouth dropped open in surprise and Mikey asked, ``What was that?''\n\n\t``Donovan ain't male,'' Raph repeated.\n\n\tEyes narrowed, Leo moved up to stand next to his brother. ``I think Raph has a valid question, Niccolo. Is Yoshi your child?''\n\n\tFrozen, Don stared at Nicco. He'd been so focused on learning the truth about Nicco's continuing connection to Donovan that he hadn't given much thought to Yoshino's antecedents.\n\n\tNicco drew himself up to his full height and met Raph's accusatory gaze. ``Yoshino is not my child. He is Donovan's brother.''\n\n\tDon made a choked sound in the back of his throat and Nicco's attention turned back to him. ``You said you had sex with a guy. You told me that when you paid for sex, it was always with men.''\n\n\t``That's because Donovan identifies as male and possesses all the male parts,'' Nicco said. ``He and Yoshi are both hermaphrodites.''\n\n\t``But that . . . that's extremely rare,'' Don said, looking confused. ``At least, on our world it is.''\n\n\t``It's rare here too,'' Nicco said. ``If you want the science or the percentages, you'll have to talk to Mase.''\n\n\t``Yet here on this world there are exactly four mutant turtles, two of which are hermaphrodites,'' Leo said. ``That makes for some pretty unbelievable odds, wouldn't you agree?''\n\n\t``Donovan and Yoshino's story is Novan's to tell,'' Nicco said. ``I'm not going to share it with you because that would be betraying his trust. It took a long time for Mase and me to earn that and I'm not going to lose it now. What the four of you want to know from me is if I'm involved with Novan now. No, I am not. I haven't been for a long time.''\n\n\t``And somehow this guy ya' ain't involved with feels comfortable just dropping by with his kid brother in tow,'' Raph said with biting sarcasm.\n\n''I wouldn't turn away any mutant who was in need, Raphael,'' Nicco said.\n\n\t``Ya' give a lot of them your home address?'' Raph's hands doubled into fists.\n\n\t``I do when they are friends,'' Nicco answered.\n\n\t``Friends! Ya' got a whole lot of friends who call ya' `darling' and try to crawl into your pants with their eyes?'' Raph asked, practically spluttering. ``I told ya' what would happen if ya' ever hurt Donny, I told ya' . . . .''\n\n\t``Raphael,'' Don said sharply, cutting his brother off mid-tirade. ``Nicco and I are handling this between us. He told me about Donovan when we first got together.''\n\n\t``Did he tell ya' the guy keeps coming around here?'' Raph asked.\n\n\t``Truthfully, he never really got the chance,'' Don said, looking from Raph to Nicco. ``I believe you, by the way. About you and Novan and that it's been over for a long time. If it wasn't, if you felt guilty about him, you wouldn't have let Novan and Yoshi stay the night.''\n\n\t``Well I'm glad you're satisfied,'' Raph said in a derisive tone. ``You're wearing rose colored glass, Donny. I'm thinking that coming here wasn't that great an idea.''\n\n\tDon glanced at Leo, a pleading look in his eyes. ``Raph, Donatello is handling this,'' Leo said.\n\n\tRaph turned on him. ``Are ya' fucking kidding me? If ya' caught a whiff of Novan, you'd know why I'm pissed.''\n\n\t``Why were you smelling the guy, Raphie?'' Mikey asked.\n\n\tFor the first time, Raph spluttered. It was hard to tell if that was from anger or embarrassment. ``We were in a little room together. Screw ya', Mikey. Nobody asked ya' for your two cents.''\n\n\t``Don and Nicco didn't ask for yours either, but you're still mouthing off like you know anything about their business,'' Mikey said.\n\n\tRaph stalked towards Mikey, who held his ground, seemingly unperturbed by his brother's anger. ``Are ya' telling me it don't bother ya' that Nicco's sex partner just showed up out of the blue to ask for a room in the middle of the night? Like it was nothing?''\n\n\t``[i]Ex[/i]-sex partner,'' Mikey said. ``And it wasn't nothing. The guy has Hun looking for him. Where did you want him to go, a drainage ditch? With a little kid?''\n\n\t``I . . . .'' Raph paused, his jaw working from side to side. ``No. Maybe Donovan got his ass into this jam, but the kid doesn't deserve to pay for it.''\n\n\t``Just a little hint, Raphael, but it would be a good idea not to say anything to Novan that might sound like he's not doing his best for his brother,'' Nicco said. ``You don't know anything about them or what they've been through.''\n\n\t``I wasn't going to,'' Raph said, shooting a dirty look in Nicco's direction. ``Even I could tell the guy cares about the kid. What exactly have they been through?''\n\n\tNicco opened his mouth to repeat what he'd said before, but Don beat him to it. ``If you want to know that, you should ask Novan yourself. Would you blurt out Casey's life story to anyone who asked?''\n\n\tThat shut Raph up and Nicco took advantage of the moment by gently taking one of Don's hands into his own. ``Donovan and I connected because we both needed something from each other, something we couldn't get from anyone else during a time of war. I'm not talking about sex,'' Nicco said. ``For Novan, I think it was a real link to someone other than Yoshi for the first time in his life.''\n\n\t``It must have been stressful being alone with a child to care for,'' Don said softly. \n\n\tNicco nodded, loving the compassion he could see in Don's brown eyes. ``Donovan and Yoshino had no safety network before we met. And I . . . I needed someone I could talk to about my own doubts and uncertainty. I couldn't speak to Mase about it, he was following my lead. I needed him to feel confident that I knew what I was doing.''\n\n\tDon had to smile at that, remembering how despite being initially put off by Nicco when they'd first met, he'd automatically followed him. The older turtle had exuded a self-confidence and natural leadership that Don had immediately responded to.\n\n\tSeeing that smile, Leonardo turned to Raph and Mikey. ``This is not a topic for us anymore,'' he said firmly. ``It is between Don and Nicco. We gave our word to Dr. Stockman that we would behave with decorum in his home and we are going to keep it. Besides, it's getting late and we could all use some sleep.''\n\n\t``We'll have to change the sleeping arrangements,'' Nicco said. ``Why don't the four of you take my room? I can share with Mase.''\n\n\t``Sounds good,'' Leo said, walking to the door. \n\nMikey joined him, going past his older brother when Leo paused to look at Raph, who hadn't moved. Leo didn't say anything and after a couple of seconds, Raph scratched his neck self-consciously and left the room.\n\nOnce Don's brothers were gone, Nicco turned his attention back to his mate. Taking Don's other hand in his, he gazed deeply into his lover's eyes.\n\n``Honor and trust are the hallmarks of any solid relationship,'' Nicco said. ``If you want me to tell you about every single encounter I had with Novan . . . .''\n\nDon stopped him with a finger to his lips. ``I don't. It just . . . it only bothers me that someone else knows you as intimately as I do.''\n\n``He doesn't,'' Nicco said reassuringly. ``Novan knows me physically, but not intimately. You are the only one who knows me like that. You are the only one who ever will.''\n\nSliding his arm around Nicco's neck, Don leaned in. Nicco lowered his head, touching his forehead to Don's before wrapping both of his arms around his mate and pulling him close. Their mouths met, lips touching gently at first before simultaneously opening in order to deepen their kiss.\n\nNicco was breathing heavily when they separated. ``This would probably be a good time to stop unless you want to try out the floor in the attic.''\n\nDon chuckled. ``Not especially,'' he said. Then he gave Nicco a sly look. ``Maybe tomorrow we can sneak some blankets up there?''\n\n``My little ninja,'' Nicco said with a delighted smile. He walked Don to the door of his bedroom. ``Until tomorrow.''\n\n``Tomorrow,'' Don repeated, giving Nicco another quick kiss before leaving him for the night.\n\nThe next day was one of sunshine and blue skies, with no trace of the previous night's storm. Leonardo had risen early, as was his habit, and had left a note that he would be up in the attic when the others woke.\n\nDonatello went up to get him. ``There's no set time for breakfast,'' he told his brother. ``The rule is serve yourself, clean up after yourself. Raph and Mikey are waiting for us. What were you up here doing?''\n\nHe noticed that a space had been cleared and figured out the answer before Leo spoke.\n\n``Stretching and doing some warm-ups,'' Leo answered, verifying Don's conclusion.\n\n``They have a dojo,'' Don told him. ``It's in an outbuilding in the backyard.''\n\n``I'm glad to know that,'' Leo said, retrieving his shirt and putting it on. ``The one thing I don't want us to do is to become lax in our training.''\n\nThey started down the stairs together. ``You know what's nice? Here we can go on training runs during the day. There's even a lake nearby with a jogging track around it. I saw humans and mutants in the park doing tai chi together,'' Don said.\n\n``Master Splinter would like that,'' Leo said. When he stopped in the middle of the stairway, Don did too. ``My gut is telling me that the Hun on this world is going to be a problem that we might become involved in.''\n\n``He's a different kind of gangster here, Leo,'' Don said. ``As far as the local government is concerned, he's a legitimate businessman.''\n\n``From whom they accept bribes,'' Leo said. ``That is no different than what happens in our city.'' He started walking again. ``But this is not our world, so we'll follow Nicco's lead. I only mentioned it because I don't want to bring Master Splinter over if there's a fight brewing.''\n\nThe subject was dropped before they reached the second floor. After collecting Raph and Mikey, the brothers went down to the kitchen.\n\nOn the ground floor they were assailed by the scent of fresh baking. As they approached the kitchen, they saw Mase sitting at the counter and Annabelle pulling a tray of fresh baked cookies from the oven.\n\nNext to her was the turtle child Yoshino. His little face had a light dusting of flour on it and there were tell-tale signs of chocolate around his mouth.\n\nWhen he caught sight of the four brothers, he grabbed hold of Annabelle's apron and ducked behind it, forcing her to come to a stop.\n\n``These are the other turtles you saw last night, Yoshi,'' Mase said. ``I told you about them this morning. They're brothers, like you and Novan. Their last name is Hamato.''\n\nYoshi's head tilted back and though they could hear a faint murmur as he spoke to Annabelle, the words weren't distinguishable.\n\n``You can tell them directly, Yoshino,'' Annabelle said. ``They are friendly like Mase and Nicco.''\n\nPeeking around the edges of Annabelle's apron, Yoshi offered the group of new turtles a shy smile. ``Me and Novan's last name is Green.''\n\nMase shook his head. ``Novan and my last name is Green,'' he corrected.\n\n``Okay, Mase,'' Yoshi said agreeably.\n\nMikey squatted next to the counter so he'd be on eye level with Yoshi. The little turtle seemed nervous at the approach, but there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes. \n\n``What's this all over your face and hands?'' Mikey asked.\n\n``I bake cookies!'' Yoshi said excitedly.\n\nAnnabelle reached down and lightly touched Yoshi's head. ``This is my baking buddy. He helps me get the cookies just right whenever he's here.''\n\nYoshi seemed quite attached to Annabelle which the turtles found surprising, considering how uptight Donovan had been when he was around her the night before.\n\nIt did not escape Don's notice that neither Nicco nor Novan were anywhere around. As if on cue, Donovan suddenly appeared.\n\n``What did you have for breakfast, Yoshi?'' Novan asked.\n\nThe shy child was almost instantly transformed upon seeing his brother. His entire face lit up and he bolted for Novan, lifting his arms so that he could be picked up.\n\n``I ate fruit and milk and oatmeal,'' Yoshi recited. His mouth took on a slight pout. ``No crickets.''\n\n``We can go out in the garden for crickets later,'' Annabelle said. ``I would have had some for you, but I wasn't sure when you'd be here.''\n\nDonovan touched the corner of Yoshi's mouth. ``You forgot to tell me you ate cookies too.''\n\n``Only two,'' Yoshi said, holding up two fingers.\n\n``What do we do after we eat?'' Novan asked him.\n\n``Brush our teeth,'' Yoshi said brightly.\n\nSetting him down, Novan took his hand and said, ``Let's go get that done then, shall we?''\n\nWhen they were gone, Raph looked at Mase. ``Crickets?''\n\n``He picked up a taste for them somewhere,'' Mase said. He spun in his chair. ``Did you know that crickets have an excellent nutrient profile? They provide a great source of lean protein, vitamins and minerals. They're a complete protein source containing all of the essential amino acids and are environmentally sustainable. I mean, it's a wonder more us don't eat them.''\n\nRaph had a stricken look on his face and Mikey chuckled. ``Don't talk bugs to Raph. He and insects agreed years ago not to get along.''\n\nMase hopped off of his bar stool. ``Let me show you where everything is so you guys can have breakfast.''\n\n``I'll leave you to it, Masolino,'' Annabelle said, setting the last batch of cookies on a cooling rack. She hung her apron on its peg and left the kitchen.\n\nA short while later Nicco came in carrying a tray and said good morning to the group gathered around the dining table. ``I had breakfast with Dad,'' he told them. ``He asked me to bid you all a good-morning and to please excuse him for being unavailable for most of the day. He agreed to look over a research paper for a colleague and that's going to occupy his time.''\n\n``I hope he doesn't feel as though he needs to entertain us,'' Don said.\n\n``Don't worry,'' Mase said. ``Dad's old fashioned when it comes to visitors and thinks a good host is supposed to be around to make sure his guests every need is attended to. There was this one time an elephant mutant who was here with this group of traveling musicians . . . .''\n\n``Mase, not the best story to tell when people are eating,'' Nicco called out from the kitchen.\n\nWith a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Mase leaned forward and said in a loud whisper, ``Remind me later to tell you guys what happened.''\n\n``Where are Novan and Yoshi?'' Nicco asked as he came over to the table.\n\n``My guess is that Yoshi's having a bath,'' Mase said.\n\n``He was helping Annabelle make cookies. It looked like he got a lot of the ingredients on himself instead of into the mixing bowl,'' Mikey said.\n\nNicco pulled out a chair and sat down. Turning to his brother, he said, ``He's not going to want to talk about what's going on with Hun, but we need to find out.''\n\nThey exchanged looks that were clearly indicative of silent communication. As they were doing that, Leo caught Don's eye almost as if to say `I told you so'.\n\n``Ya' got a problem with Hun, maybe that's something we can help with,'' Raph said.\n\n``Admit it, Nicco. Hun is getting worse. It's not as simple as reminding him that the law is on our side. He's started buying the law,'' Mase said.\n\n``Buying the law?'' Don asked.\n\n``Influence peddling,'' Nicco said, draping an arm across the back of Don's chair. ``At first it was a couple of cops who were paid to look the other way. He's moving up the chain of command and branching out into politicians. The more money he makes, the more he has to spend on his nefarious schemes.''\n\n``Hun started out as a garbage man,'' Mase said. ``He and his brother built one of the most successful recycling plants in the country. No one really knows how, but based on the way he operates now, there was probably very little that was legal about it.''\n\n``Has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it guys?'' Leo asked.\n\n``Parallel paths,'' Don said. ``String theory.''\n\nMase wiggled in his chair. ``Vibrational patterns. The different ways alternate dimensions vibrate accounting for changes within that dimension. I've thought about this a lot since we met and . . . .''\n\n``Mase, focus,'' Nicco said, interrupting his brother before he could get started. ``We need to talk about Hun.''\n\n``What about Hun?''\n\nAll heads turned to the doorway. Donovan stood there with his hands on his hips and his red eyes flashing.\n\n``If you're going to have a discussion that will undoubtedly include me, let's not do it behind my back, [i]darlings[/i],'' Novan said, his voice dripping with acerbity.\n\nTBC..................\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tNiccolo entered the house after leaving Raphael outside and walked back towards the dining room, only to find that Donatello was waiting for him in the hallway.

\t``We need to talk,'' Don said, keeping his voice down.

\t``I had anticipated that,'' Nicco replied, his eyes steady as they met Don's.  ``Upstairs?  We can talk in Mase's room since he's busy with Yoshi.''

\tAs they approached the stairs, Nicco caught a flash of orange out of the corner of his eye.  He glanced over to see Michelangelo standing at the edge of the doorway into the dining area.  The normally mellow expression on Mikey's face had been replaced by one of concern.

\tOpening the door to Mase's room, Nicco indicated that Don should precede him and once both were inside, he closed the door.

\t``I know you have questions . . . .''

\t``Is Donovan the prostitute that you had sex with?'' Don asked abruptly.  ``The one you told me about when we were on the diamond planet together?''

\t``Yes,'' Nicco said, watching Don carefully.

\tDon's eyes widened.  ``Is that all you have to say, just `yes'?''

\t``Actually no,'' Nicco said.  ``But I need to know that you are listening to me and not your emotions before I start to explain.''

\t``I'm glad to know that you understand how the appearance of your prostitute might make me a little emotional,'' Don said.

\t``Donovan is not my prostitute,'' Nicco said.  He took a deep breath and released it.  ``At least, not anymore.''

\t``Since when?'' Don asked.  ``When did you stop going to him for sex?  Was it the minute you met me and found out you could have sex without paying for it?''

\t``That is not fair,'' Nicco said.  ``Nor is it accurate.  I used Novan's services when I was enlisted and fighting a war.  We didn't get leave often and I always tried to come home when I did get some down time.  You have to understand about war, Donny.  You never know if the next day is going to be your last.  You're in a constant state of tension and if you don't find a way to release it every so often, it will tear you up from the inside.''

\t``So Donovan was your release valve,'' Don said.

\t``Yes he was,'' Nicco said.  ``He is a mutant, he is a turtle, and he's someone that I trusted.  Trust is hard to come by for mutants.  I found that I couldn't relax around human prostitutes.  You never know if they are exactly who they claim to be or if they have some hidden agenda.''

\t``Most people do not give prostitutes their home address,'' Don said bitingly.

\t``That's because there are millions of `people','' Nicco replied.  ``On this world, before Novan, I knew of exactly two mutant turtles.  Me and Mase.  Meeting Donovan and becoming familiar with his story gave us a bond beyond just trading money for sex.''

\t``What kind of bond would that be?'' Don asked suspiciously.  ``Because showing up at someone's house with a baby in tow and expecting to be put up for an indefinite period of time sounds like a fairly close one.''

\t``Novan has become friends with the entire family,'' Nicco insisted.

\t``Yes, I saw how `friendly' he was with your father and Annabelle,'' Don retorted.

\tNicco took a step closer to Don, who stood his ground.  Don's entire body was rigid; the tension one that Nicco knew meant he was angry.  Nicco had seen that anger once before, when he and Raph had fought over the relationship he had with Don.

\t``Donny, are you jealous?'' Nicco asked.

\t``Don't you dare make light of this, Niccolo,'' Don snapped.

\t``I'm not,'' Nicco said, moving closer.  He wanted to pull Don into his arms, but knew his mate wouldn't be receptive to that until they got this situation sorted out.  ``I would like for you to know that you can always say what's on your mind.  Are you angry with me because you're jealous of Novan, or because there is more to my association with him than I've told you?''

\tIt was hard to stay mad at Nicco when he sounded so sincere.  ``Both,'' Don said, wanting to be honest.  ``If I'm being fair, there are a lot of things we haven't talked about because we really haven't been together all that long.''

\t``I did not intentionally keep my friendship with Donovan a secret from you,'' Nicco said.  ``That's all we are, just friends.  There are things about how our lives intersect that has meant that both Novan and Yoshi will always be welcome here.''

\tDon frowned.  ``What things?''

\tBefore Nicco could answer, the door slammed open, hitting the wall with a bang.  Raphael came storming into the room, followed closely by Leonardo and Michelangelo.

\t``We're trying to have a private talk here, guys,'' Don said.

\tRaph ignored him as he walked directly up to Nicco.  ``Straight up, Nicco.  Is Yoshi your kid or what?  `Cause Novan ain't a guy.''

\tLeo's mouth dropped open in surprise and Mikey asked, ``What was that?''

\t``Donovan ain't male,'' Raph repeated.

\tEyes narrowed, Leo moved up to stand next to his brother.  ``I think Raph has a valid question, Niccolo.  Is Yoshi your child?''

\tFrozen, Don stared at Nicco.  He'd been so focused on learning the truth about Nicco's continuing connection to Donovan that he hadn't given much thought to Yoshino's antecedents.

\tNicco drew himself up to his full height and met Raph's accusatory gaze.  ``Yoshino is not my child.  He is Donovan's brother.''

\tDon made a choked sound in the back of his throat and Nicco's attention turned back to him.  ``You said you had sex with a guy.  You told me that when you paid for sex, it was always with men.''

\t``That's because Donovan identifies as male and possesses all the male parts,'' Nicco said.  ``He and Yoshi are both hermaphrodites.''

\t``But that . . . that's extremely rare,'' Don said, looking confused.  ``At least, on our world it is.''

\t``It's rare here too,'' Nicco said.  ``If you want the science or the percentages, you'll have to talk to Mase.''

\t``Yet here on this world there are exactly four mutant turtles, two of which are hermaphrodites,'' Leo said.  ``That makes for some pretty unbelievable odds, wouldn't you agree?''

\t``Donovan and Yoshino's story is Novan's to tell,'' Nicco said.  ``I'm not going to share it with you because that would be betraying his trust.  It took a long time for Mase and me to earn that and I'm not going to lose it now.  What the four of you want to know from me is if I'm involved with Novan now.  No, I am not.  I haven't been for a long time.''

\t``And somehow this guy ya' ain't involved with feels comfortable just dropping by with his kid brother in tow,'' Raph said with biting sarcasm.

''I wouldn't turn away any mutant who was in need, Raphael,'' Nicco said.

\t``Ya' give a lot of them your home address?''  Raph's hands doubled into fists.

\t``I do when they are friends,'' Nicco answered.

\t``Friends!  Ya' got a whole lot of friends who call ya' `darling' and try to crawl into your pants with their eyes?'' Raph asked, practically spluttering.  ``I told ya' what would happen if ya' ever hurt Donny, I told ya' . . . .''

\t``Raphael,'' Don said sharply, cutting his brother off mid-tirade.  ``Nicco and I are handling this between us.  He told me about Donovan when we first got together.''

\t``Did he tell ya' the guy keeps coming around here?'' Raph asked.

\t``Truthfully, he never really got the chance,'' Don said, looking from Raph to Nicco.  ``I believe you, by the way.  About you and Novan and that it's been over for a long time.  If it wasn't, if you felt guilty about him, you wouldn't have let Novan and Yoshi stay the night.''

\t``Well I'm glad you're satisfied,'' Raph said in a derisive tone.  ``You're wearing rose colored glass, Donny.  I'm thinking that coming here wasn't that great an idea.''

\tDon glanced at Leo, a pleading look in his eyes.  ``Raph, Donatello is handling this,'' Leo said.

\tRaph turned on him.  ``Are ya' fucking kidding me?  If ya' caught a whiff of Novan, you'd know why I'm pissed.''

\t``Why were you smelling the guy, Raphie?'' Mikey asked.

\tFor the first time, Raph spluttered.  It was hard to tell if that was from anger or embarrassment.  ``We were in a little room together.  Screw ya', Mikey.  Nobody asked ya' for your two cents.''

\t``Don and Nicco didn't ask for yours either, but you're still mouthing off like you know anything about their business,'' Mikey said.

\tRaph stalked towards Mikey, who held his ground, seemingly unperturbed by his brother's anger.  ``Are ya' telling me it don't bother ya' that Nicco's sex partner just showed up out of the blue to ask for a room in the middle of the night?  Like it was nothing?''

\t``Ex-sex partner,'' Mikey said.  ``And it wasn't nothing.  The guy has Hun looking for him.  Where did you want him to go, a drainage ditch?  With a little kid?''

\t``I . . . .'' Raph paused, his jaw working from side to side.  ``No.  Maybe Donovan got his ass into this jam, but the kid doesn't deserve to pay for it.''

\t``Just a little hint, Raphael, but it would be a good idea not to say anything to Novan that might sound like he's not doing his best for his brother,'' Nicco said.  ``You don't know anything about them or what they've been through.''

\t``I wasn't going to,'' Raph said, shooting a dirty look in Nicco's direction.  ``Even I could tell the guy cares about the kid.  What exactly have they been through?''

\tNicco opened his mouth to repeat what he'd said before, but Don beat him to it.  ``If you want to know that, you should ask Novan yourself.  Would you blurt out Casey's life story to anyone who asked?''

\tThat shut Raph up and Nicco took advantage of the moment by gently taking one of Don's hands into his own.  ``Donovan and I connected because we both needed something from each other, something we couldn't get from anyone else during a time of war.  I'm not talking about sex,'' Nicco said.  ``For Novan, I think it was a real link to someone other than Yoshi for the first time in his life.''

\t``It must have been stressful being alone with a child to care for,'' Don said softly.

\tNicco nodded, loving the compassion he could see in Don's brown eyes.  ``Donovan and Yoshino had no safety network before we met.  And I . . . I needed someone I could talk to about my own doubts and uncertainty.  I couldn't speak to Mase about it, he was following my lead.  I needed him to feel confident that I knew what I was doing.''

\tDon had to smile at that, remembering how despite being initially put off by Nicco when they'd first met, he'd automatically followed him.  The older turtle had exuded a self-confidence and natural leadership that Don had immediately responded to.

\tSeeing that smile, Leonardo turned to Raph and Mikey.  ``This is not a topic for us anymore,'' he said firmly.  ``It is between Don and Nicco.  We gave our word to Dr. Stockman that we would behave with decorum in his home and we are going to keep it.  Besides, it's getting late and we could all use some sleep.''

\t``We'll have to change the sleeping arrangements,'' Nicco said.  ``Why don't the four of you take my room?  I can share with Mase.''

\t``Sounds good,'' Leo said, walking to the door.

Mikey joined him, going past his older brother when Leo paused to look at Raph, who hadn't moved.  Leo didn't say anything and after a couple of seconds, Raph scratched his neck self-consciously and left the room.

Once Don's brothers were gone, Nicco turned his attention back to his mate.  Taking Don's other hand in his, he gazed deeply into his lover's eyes.

``Honor and trust are the hallmarks of any solid relationship,'' Nicco said.  ``If you want me to tell you about every single encounter I had with Novan . . . .''

Don stopped him with a finger to his lips.  ``I don't.  It just . . . it only bothers me that someone else knows you as intimately as I do.''

``He doesn't,'' Nicco said reassuringly.  ``Novan knows me physically, but not intimately.  You are the only one who knows me like that.  You are the only one who ever will.''

Sliding his arm around Nicco's neck, Don leaned in.  Nicco lowered his head, touching his forehead to Don's before wrapping both of his arms around his mate and pulling him close.  Their mouths met, lips touching gently at first before simultaneously opening in order to deepen their kiss.

Nicco was breathing heavily when they separated.  ``This would probably be a good time to stop unless you want to try out the floor in the attic.''

Don chuckled.  ``Not especially,'' he said.  Then he gave Nicco a sly look.  ``Maybe tomorrow we can sneak some blankets up there?''

``My little ninja,'' Nicco said with a delighted smile.  He walked Don to the door of his bedroom.  ``Until tomorrow.''

``Tomorrow,'' Don repeated, giving Nicco another quick kiss before leaving him for the night.

The next day was one of sunshine and blue skies, with no trace of the previous night's storm.  Leonardo had risen early, as was his habit, and had left a note that he would be up in the attic when the others woke.

Donatello went up to get him.  ``There's no set time for breakfast,'' he told his brother.  ``The rule is serve yourself, clean up after yourself.  Raph and Mikey are waiting for us.  What were you up here doing?''

He noticed that a space had been cleared and figured out the answer before Leo spoke.

``Stretching and doing some warm-ups,'' Leo answered, verifying Don's conclusion.

``They have a dojo,'' Don told him.  ``It's in an outbuilding in the backyard.''

``I'm glad to know that,'' Leo said, retrieving his shirt and putting it on.  ``The one thing I don't want us to do is to become lax in our training.''

They started down the stairs together.  ``You know what's nice?  Here we can go on training runs during the day.  There's even a lake nearby with a jogging track around it.  I saw humans and mutants in the park doing tai chi together,'' Don said.

``Master Splinter would like that,'' Leo said.  When he stopped in the middle of the stairway, Don did too.  ``My gut is telling me that the Hun on this world is going to be a problem that we might become involved in.''

``He's a different kind of gangster here, Leo,'' Don said.  ``As far as the local government is concerned, he's a legitimate businessman.''

``From whom they accept bribes,'' Leo said.  ``That is no different than what happens in our city.''  He started walking again.  ``But this is not our world, so we'll follow Nicco's lead.  I only mentioned it because I don't want to bring Master Splinter over if there's a fight brewing.''

The subject was dropped before they reached the second floor.  After collecting Raph and Mikey, the brothers went down to the kitchen.

On the ground floor they were assailed by the scent of fresh baking.  As they approached the kitchen, they saw Mase sitting at the counter and Annabelle pulling a tray of fresh baked cookies from the oven.

Next to her was the turtle child Yoshino.  His little face had a light dusting of flour on it and there were tell-tale signs of chocolate around his mouth.

When he caught sight of the four brothers, he grabbed hold of Annabelle's apron and ducked behind it, forcing her to come to a stop.

``These are the other turtles you saw last night, Yoshi,'' Mase said.  ``I told you about them this morning.  They're brothers, like you and Novan.  Their last name is Hamato.''

Yoshi's head tilted back and though they could hear a faint murmur as he spoke to Annabelle, the words weren't distinguishable.

``You can tell them directly, Yoshino,'' Annabelle said.  ``They are friendly like Mase and Nicco.''

Peeking around the edges of Annabelle's apron, Yoshi offered the group of new turtles a shy smile.  ``Me and Novan's last name is Green.''

Mase shook his head.  ``Novan and my last name is Green,'' he corrected.

``Okay, Mase,'' Yoshi said agreeably.

Mikey squatted next to the counter so he'd be on eye level with Yoshi.  The little turtle seemed nervous at the approach, but there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes.  

``What's this all over your face and hands?'' Mikey asked.

``I bake cookies!'' Yoshi said excitedly.

Annabelle reached down and lightly touched Yoshi's head.  ``This is my baking buddy.  He helps me get the cookies just right whenever he's here.''

Yoshi seemed quite attached to Annabelle which the turtles found surprising, considering how uptight Donovan had been when he was around her the night before.

It did not escape Don's notice that neither Nicco nor Novan were anywhere around.  As if on cue, Donovan suddenly appeared.

``What did you have for breakfast, Yoshi?'' Novan asked.

The shy child was almost instantly transformed upon seeing his brother.  His entire face lit up and he bolted for Novan, lifting his arms so that he could be picked up.

``I ate fruit and milk and oatmeal,'' Yoshi recited.  His mouth took on a slight pout.  ``No crickets.''

``We can go out in the garden for crickets later,'' Annabelle said.  ``I would have had some for you, but I wasn't sure when you'd be here.''

Donovan touched the corner of Yoshi's mouth.  ``You forgot to tell me you ate cookies too.''

``Only two,'' Yoshi said, holding up two fingers.

``What do we do after we eat?'' Novan asked him.

``Brush our teeth,'' Yoshi said brightly.

Setting him down, Novan took his hand and said, ``Let's go get that done then, shall we?''

When they were gone, Raph looked at Mase.  ``Crickets?''

``He picked up a taste for them somewhere,'' Mase said.  He spun in his chair.  ``Did you know that crickets have an excellent nutrient profile?  They provide a great source of lean protein, vitamins and minerals.  They're a complete protein source containing all of the essential amino acids and are environmentally sustainable.  I mean, it's a wonder more us don't eat them.''

Raph had a stricken look on his face and Mikey chuckled.  ``Don't talk bugs to Raph.  He and insects agreed years ago not to get along.''

Mase hopped off of his bar stool.  ``Let me show you where everything is so you guys can have breakfast.''

``I'll leave you to it, Masolino,'' Annabelle said, setting the last batch of cookies on a cooling rack.  She hung her apron on its peg and left the kitchen.

A short while later Nicco came in carrying a tray and said good morning to the group gathered around the dining table.  ``I had breakfast with Dad,'' he told them.  ``He asked me to bid you all a good-morning and to please excuse him for being unavailable for most of the day.  He agreed to look over a research paper for a colleague and that's going to occupy his time.''

``I hope he doesn't feel as though he needs to entertain us,'' Don said.

``Don't worry,'' Mase said.  ``Dad's old fashioned when it comes to visitors and thinks a good host is supposed to be around to make sure his guests every need is attended to.  There was this one time an elephant mutant who was here with this group of traveling musicians . . . .''

``Mase, not the best story to tell when people are eating,'' Nicco called out from the kitchen.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Mase leaned forward and said in a loud whisper, ``Remind me later to tell you guys what happened.''

``Where are Novan and Yoshi?'' Nicco asked as he came over to the table.

``My guess is that Yoshi's having a bath,'' Mase said.

``He was helping Annabelle make cookies.  It looked like he got a lot of the ingredients on himself instead of into the mixing bowl,'' Mikey said.

Nicco pulled out a chair and sat down.  Turning to his brother, he said, ``He's not going to want to talk about what's going on with Hun, but we need to find out.''

They exchanged looks that were clearly indicative of silent communication.  As they were doing that, Leo caught Don's eye almost as if to say `I told you so'.

``Ya' got a problem with Hun, maybe that's something we can help with,'' Raph said.

``Admit it, Nicco.  Hun is getting worse.  It's not as simple as reminding him that the law is on our side.  He's started buying the law,'' Mase said.

``Buying the law?'' Don asked.

``Influence peddling,'' Nicco said, draping an arm across the back of Don's chair.  ``At first it was a couple of cops who were paid to look the other way.  He's moving up the chain of command and branching out into politicians.  The more money he makes, the more he has to spend on his nefarious schemes.''

``Hun started out as a garbage man,'' Mase said.  ``He and his brother built one of the most successful recycling plants in the country.  No one really knows how, but based on the way he operates now, there was probably very little that was legal about it.''

``Has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it guys?'' Leo asked.

``Parallel paths,'' Don said.  ``String theory.''

Mase wiggled in his chair.  ``Vibrational patterns.  The different ways alternate dimensions vibrate accounting for changes within that dimension.  I've thought about this a lot since we met and . . . .''

``Mase, focus,'' Nicco said, interrupting his brother before he could get started.  ``We need to talk about Hun.''

``What about Hun?''

All heads turned to the doorway.  Donovan stood there with his hands on his hips and his red eyes flashing.

``If you're going to have a discussion that will undoubtedly include me, let's not do it behind my back, darlings,'' Novan said, his voice dripping with acerbity.

TBC..................

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