i_speak_softly | Forty-Fifth Theory [Voice/Action]

I have to leave early, though. [No leisurely breakfast this time.]

[His other hand begins wandering over Robert's back, tracing his shoulder blades and ruffling the feathers of his wings. He has a feeling they should both go get cleaned up, but... what's the rush?]

[Robert nods in assent and curls into Don more. With a time limit, he's determined to try to maximize the meaning of their time together somehow.

The stroking of his wings and shoulders causes him to arch against Don's hands, sighing with the gentle sensations of these more-platonic-but-still-loving touches.

He smiles almost sexily up at Don.]

Well, if you intend to stay here o-overnight, then... th-there is ample time to engage in this sort of behaviour... [Okay, so Robert's not the greatest at sounding alluring, but his tone is definitely sensual.

Considering how... well, wet everything is, though, it'd take more than just cleaning it.]

["This sort of behavior" was great, but to Don it isn't the most meaningful part of their relationship. He'd be just as happy to spend the rest of the evening talking.]

[He shakes his head, his hands stopping their slow movements. He's very aware that Robert is still half-erect in his palm, and he wants to be sure to finish this properly.] Can you stop here?

[Whelp, suaveness fail. It's okay though; Robert doesn't mind. After briefly nuzzling against Don, he nods.]

Yes... I apologize if I... s-seem overeager.

I just... [Quietly:] It has been a long time since I felt... d-desired.

It means everything to me...

[He rests himself against Don more platonically for the moment, savouring the closeness of his still-warmed-from-the-bath-and-his-own-heat scales.

... Now that the post-orgasm euphoria has more or less started to wear off, though, he is very aware of the state of the sheets.

... This'll take awhile to clean.]

[Don notices where Robert's gaze is wandering. He slides his hands from Robert's body and gives him a tiny push on the shoulder - not enough to move him, but enough to suggest he should move himself.]

Go clean up. I'll take care of this.

[OCD cleaning finally wins out, and Robert nods shyly.] Ah, thank you...

... Er... I will assist you when I return. Which likely should be soon enough.

[And he goes off to... get back into the same bath he was in before. Though it's a shower this time, and is actually intended to wash himself rather than serve as something sexual.

Still, it underscores how obsessive he is about this sort of thing.

Whenever he returns (~~assuming everybody's okay with the assumption of action since he's not going to be doing much otherwise~~), he'll be damp and partially wrapped in a clean towel, which is white with a faded blue trim. His glasses appear to have been cleaned thoroughly as well, so his eyes are actually properly visible now.]

[No assistance necessary. By the time Robert gets back, Don has washed up in the kitchen sink (so he wouldn't immediately soil the fresh sheets), changed said sheets, wiped up whatever dripped on the carpet, and even laid out Robert's pajamas.]

[He'll then go take his own shower, cleaning up the bathroom as he does so (unless Robert has already done it himself.) He'll be back in a few minutes, warm and damp again with a towel hanging over his shoulder.]

[Did Don graduate from the School of Awesome Partners or is this just part of his ninja training? Anyway, Robert beams at him when he passes by to take his own shower, realizing exactly why the sheets don't look like a hideous mess.

Yes, the bathroom is cleaned, so Don doesn't have to worry about that part. What he will see is Robert in those pyjamas he put out, sitting on the corner of the bed almost primly. Save the sweet smile on his face, it'd almost be his usual professional self.

Almost.]

... Thank you very much, Don. I appreciate the assistance...

Edited 2011-06-06 01:18 (UTC)

[This is part of his having-a-lot-of-brothers training.]

[With the bathroom already clean, it will only take Don his usual three minutes to shower. When he emerges, he sits next to Robert on the bed, near but hopefully not so near that Robert will take it into his head to start round two.]

No problem.

[... There are things they probably should talk about, but he isn't sure where to start.]

[It's okay, Robert doesn't want to do anything but cuddle now that everything is clean, mostly-dry, and comfortable.

And Robert isn't sure where to start either, so save looking kind of shy, he doesn't say anything for a moment.

Then he ventures:]

... Is... is there anything else I can do for you? I mean... in the sense of listening, or helping you... g-gather supplies or something...

... I wish to be constructive somehow.

I'll be constructive tomorrow. [He's silent a moment, then says:] This might be the biggest thing I've ever done on my own.

[Robert seeks out Don's hand and holds it gently in his own.]

...

... It sounds like it will be a... d-difficult endeavour.

T-To put it lightly, of course.

[He doesn't seem to notice, lost in thought as he is.]

I was alone a lot last time.

[And his jaw tightens as he thinks of something else.]

[Robert doesn't know why Don's expression hardened like that, but he's blunt enough to ask.]

... Is... is something bothering you, Don?

Or...?

[He huffs in frustration, and doesn't look up.]

I was alone last time, and I was fine until Raph tried to "rescue" me.

[He looks up sharply.]

I'm glad he's not coming!

[... and looks a little frightened at his own words.]

[Robert sobers at Don's expression, but... it's hard for him to understand the intensity of the filial bonds between Don and his brothers, or why it frightens Don a little to say that he's glad Raph isn't going to be there.]

...

A-All I want is for... is for you to be safe, Don.

...

You are strong. I... I think you will be fine. [Robert betrays his own anxieties anyway though, from the waver in his voice.]

But if you do need assistance... please a-accept it. I would not wish for you to be harmed...

Raph is always the one who watches my back... [He looks absolutely miserable.] He's barely talked to me in months. I miss him... [He slumps, leaning his head on Robert's shoulder.]

[It occurs to Robert, just barely, that if the situation has been going on so long, it must be a serious one.

He scoots close to Don and kisses his cheek, though this kiss is definitely a comforting one, and mumbles:]

Is... i-is it because of me...?

Because of... things I've done because of you. Partly. [Maybe even mostly.]

[Robert bites his lip gently at this. The first thought he has is "am I really good for Don, then, if I cause problems?"

... No, he's not going to let himself think like that yet.]

Then can I do something to reverse this situation, or at least make it better?

Nothing I would want you to do.

[Since the leading options seem to be "become a female mutant turtle", "break up with me", or "beat Raph over the head until he gets brain damage and forgets how much he hates me".]

[Well, the first one he got half-right, the second is inconceivable and would Raph even stand still long enough for Robert's pitiful fists to make a mark even if Robert was stupid enough to try?]

Then how is this situation going to be solved? Surely there must be something that can at least ease the tensions.

[Diplomacy... Robert's standby with basically everything ever.]

[Don turns away, opting to stretch out on his stomach, his head nestled in his arms.]

I don't know. Nothing gets through to him.

[Robert might rub his shell if the turtle doesn't mind, though it's a clearly-absentminded sort of slow, gentle rub.]

... I cannot say that I understand.

I simply know that Raphael despises me and there is very little I can say or do to him that would change that in any way.

[Don shifts away from the rubbing. It's just the wrong kind of distraction right now.]

He's always been stubborn. Trying to reason with him only makes him more determined not to do what you want.

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