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afreakingdork · 11 months ago

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Weak Spot - Chapter 54

RotTMNT Donatello x Reader

I just think they're neat: chapter art by @garbagemilkshake

Warnings: Aged-up Turtles, Romance, Meet Cute, Villain Donatello, Cussing, Crushes, Xenophobia, Fear, Intimidation, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hurt/Comfort, Love, AFAB Reader, Vaginal Sex, Sex Rough, Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Creampie, Teasing, Scent Kink, Sexual Tension, Breeding Kink, Multiple Orgasms, Cunnilingus, Fellatio, Marathon Sex, Somnophilia, Bondage, Feral Behavior, Feral Donatello, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Public Sex, Dom Donnie, Human/Turtle Relationships, Turtle Noises, Roleplay, Sexual Roleplay

Synopsis: A love story of villainous proportions! Though it hadn’t come easily, as these things rarely do, you found yourself in a whirlwind romance with a handsome and mysterious mutant. His idiosyncrasies had been easy to ignore as attraction grew into something more. However, will love endure when the unknowns about him end up being far darker than you ever considered?

I am here again to shout out @mothmans-left-nipple with whom I joked about this chapter's concept, here it is in all its silly glory!

Also available on Ao3

First 💜 Previous

Tucked in at the man’s side, you covered your mouth to stifle your excitement if only for the other diner’s sakes. They too had gone through the upscale absurdity of checkpoint after checkpoint of posh. It was the tax to pay from having your coats taken to your reservation being scrutinized. You were evaluated from the moment you stepped foot inside the building to when you were being led down an intimate hall. It was only then that you were granted true access and left alone in an exclusive dining space. A very specific sort of humiliation you weren’t sure you were ever going to get used to, you did at least enjoy the decor. There had to be something about the lights, angled just so, that illuminated each table in an ornate woven tapestry.

From white tablecloths to cherry wood accents, the silver on the table glittered around place settings crafted especially for you. Your chair had been pulled out once, a nod to your passing, and you took a careful seat. If you perched on the edge it almost felt like you were meant to be here. All a charade, you knew, but you played your part as your companion took the seat next to you and continued to titter.

“When he sings La Vie en Rose!?” Hypno gushed.

“It has to be in French! They have the English version on the soundtrack!”

“The soundtrack!!” You could almost see a heart appear in the magician’s throat.

For anyone around, they probably imagined the two of you were on a date.

A waiter came around to take drink orders and, in passing yours off, you saw your actual boyfriend.

Looking very much like he and Warren were the unwilling participants here as a guise for you and Hypno to go out, that wasn’t so far from the truth. Donnie currently appeared to be trying his best to dissociate while Warren made kissy faces at his reflection in a soup spoon.

“We get it. You both like the show. You’ve been talking about it for hours now.” Warren winked at his visage before dropping the spoon like a weapon in hand.

“Well maybe if someone would watch it with me…” Hypno turned his snout up from across the table.

“I sat with you while you watched it!” Warren swung his body and the utensil to lean on it as if it were a post.

“While you scrolled on your phone leaving hate comments.” Hypno looked, unenthused.

“You love when I destroy the confidence of pompous media influencers. They don’t even have journalism degrees and I’m supposed to listen to some half-baked baby who can’t afford a proper lav blabber about the news?!” Warren put on what you imagined he thought was a debonair face.

Hypno was equally nonplused. “There comes a certain point-”

Curling his wiggly body around the spoon’s handle, Warren crawled up it before seating himself in the bowl. With an alarming amount of skill, he then bent it back and aimed his makeshift trebuchet at Donnie.

“Uh…!” You piped up as your boyfriend didn’t so much as blink in the worm’s direction.

Warren took aim but as soon as he launched himself a ring appeared like something from a dog obstacle course. As soon as his pink body entered it, it jerked upward to scoop him out of the air.

“We said no magic at dinner!” Warren hung a furious limp above the table.

“We also agreed ‘no harassing our guests!’” Hypno’s eye twitched.

“Harassing!? I was trying to wake him up! What kind of etiquette is it to ignore such an esteemed dining companion?!” Warren bounced upright and placed a proud hand to his chest.

“And who would that be?” Donnie reluctantly emerged from wherever he was and flicked a bored gaze up at the worm.

Warren alit with fury and threw himself down toward Donnie.

Only Donnie's aura read smirk as he watched Hypno manifest a bunch of spinning rings in an attempt to catch his husband. With years of clear practice, Warren wormed his way through the onslaught, dodging nearly all of them save the last which clipped the tail end of his body. It caused him to spin wildly where Donnie only prepared at the last moment by picking up a napkin. He then used it to catch the worm as if he couldn’t stand the thought of touching him with his bare hands.

“I believe this belongs to you.” Donnie wadded the cloth and tossed it to Hypno.

“It unfortunately does.” Hypno sighed as Warren fought from within his sack before turning toward you. “Excuse us a moment?”

“Sure…” You bobbed an assuring nod.

Hypno gave you half a thankful smile for it and carried the Warren bundle away to have a stern talk.

“We can leave now.” Donnie didn’t bother watching them go.

“Try to be nice!” You hissed.

He waved down his body in demonstration.

“You agreed.” You quieted as the waiter came around delivering drinks.

You both waited for the man to leave before starting back up.

“Hypno is one thing. He is a contact and supplier. This? I did not agree to this.” Donnie gave the first bubbling simmer of a glower. “Not dinner with him.”

“Warren is…” You started out, but didn’t have a single defense.

Getting here had been a bit of a whirlwind.

Unlike Mikey who easily steered conversation to and fro, talking to Hypno was more your speed. Branching off from how easily the two of you interacted in public, you also quickly found you had things in common that weren’t related to mixed company. Chatting with him was like catching up with an old friend. Using a bit of his flare, you imagined him folding in like a card into your hand as if he was always meant to be in the deck.

It also didn’t help that you couldn’t shake your lonely read on the magician. Even as of late, with the addition of his villain’s group, he still seemed broken apart from any sort of support system and didn’t particularly fit anywhere. He was a simple man, who happened to be a mutant, with a craving for the stage, and a deep love for his husband. He had his pride, he had his work, and he said the man he’d married was the one who understood him best. From the way he described their meeting, it very much seemed like the two had found each other at some sort of low point. First rooming together out of financial hardship to eventually growing intimately attached, you’d been a little startled when Hypno had shared a wedding photo.

Warren Stone had, up until that point, been described as nothing short of a larger than life personality so when you were presented with a photo of a worm mutant, it was not something you had been particularly ready for.

You’d bitten your lip on asking about a size kink and was sure they made whatever they did work, on account of how smitten Hypno was. It was past that where you had difficulty keeping your mouth shut. You only knew what you had heard, but it seemed like more than enough. There had been mentions at the gala of Warren’s hard headedness which had been further cemented by the few comments you’d heard at group.

You didn’t like the way Warren treated Hypno.

You had first started out as sly as you could. You made attempts to look past first perceptions and Hypno was happy to talk about his spouse with the slightest prompting. It was only that, with each detail you gathered, your perception was souring fast. It all came to a head when Hypno had mentioned he’d been wanting to try a restaurant with a watercress salad that looked scrummy, but Warren found the plant to be repulsive. Immediately vetoing the entire option even though there was a whole entire menu for Warren to choose from that didn’t include said dish, Warren instead took Hypno out to some place they’d apparently been to a hundred times instead.

Hypno took it in stride.

You took it as a personal attack.

You would happily fight a worm for Hypno.

You didn’t even know if he had powers, but you didn’t care.

The hang out as of yet had been nothing short of a confirmation with no exact planning, but you’d invited Hypno out to the restaurant he wanted on the spot.

The surge of responses had been an avalanche of care, but somewhere along the way, the goal had shifted. Hypno felt indebted to you and asked if the lunch could be pushed in favor of an elegant dinner instead. Something where there was no pretense for mind control, he wished to redo your gala experience without the judgment of others. Finding zero fault in that, you’d agreed only for Hypno to say how splendid it was and say how he’d get Warren on board.

You’d stared helplessly at your phone.

How did you explain you hadn’t wanted the derelict to come?

You hadn’t known each other long enough for you to openly dunk on the man’s husband.

They’d been married for almost two decades.

You did not have enough information.

Hypno, unaware that you hadn’t replied since confirming dinner, told you that Donnie and Warren didn’t have the best relationship and to keep that in mind. He’d gone on to explain seating options before tossing the whole thing out and saying as long as he got to catch up with you then the night would be a success.

You’d approached Donnie without pretense and gravely told him the situation.

The look of disgust that sat on your partner’s face was one that lasted for hours.

There was nothing to be done to get Donnie to agree in that state.

You’d only waited earnestly until he had calmed down enough for a discussion and then approached him with how you felt their relationship was unjust. Your partner respected you enough to listen, but again, took several more hours until he could muster up a response.

It had been a bitter acceptance if only to see the two break up in real time.

That being another can of worms, you soured knowing the saying was forever tainted by the thought of having to deal with more than one blond headed plague.

In the span of a day, you were suddenly drowning in plans. There was yours, which had lasted all of five seconds as you immediately realized, for the second time, that their marriage was none of your business. You knew far too little to pass judgment which was doubly reinforced as you had a shuddering thought of having almost acted like the other turtles. You would be hands off in the matter. Your lips would be sealed and you’d act as a bystander at best. You were also Hypno’s friend. If you were to say, treat him like the gilded man he was, then it was out of your hands if it starkly contrasted with how his partner dealt with him.

The thought made you feel a little like you’d been tainted by Donnie.

It brought you to your boyfriend and his participation in the matter. You’d brokered what you’d realized and brought it to Donnie already knowing how he’d react. He had years of being treated like less than from whispers that were too loud to pretend to be anything else. His filth was shouted openly and though for a long time he’d relished and wore it like a badge of honor, that didn’t mean bitterness hadn’t crept its way into his heart.

He had his own plan in regards to the matter and only because you were going regardless of his attendance. He spoke of concerns of safety and there was something honest about his stark attitude that surpassed what seemed like paranoia. He reminded you that his walls would be up, this was a work adjacent activity, which meant that by proxy he’d be on a certain sort of stoic behavior. He’d only cleanly said he would curtail obvious cruelties, but his image was one you knew needed to be preserved. Details of the location were required as he made mention of insurance which was made all the more haunting as he chuckled to himself about a pattern.

You hadn’t bothered asking and only thanking him for cooperating the best he could.

He hadn’t accepted and instead urged you to specify who was in attendance if you chose to hang out with Hypno again after this outing.

You already figured as much, but hadn’t put together that Donnie was trying, in a roundabout way, to explain to you just how bad the worm was.

Donnie had hatred in his heart.

A simple fact, you never blamed him for it.

You just imagined yourself more easy going than him.

That was maybe why you missed the many seeds being spread as you joined the final plans which were ironing out details with Hypno. The magician had his own Donnie-like hook-ups that he’d joked about acquiring via mind control. Something you long knew possible of the man, you turned a blind eye to his not so sly comments and unfortunately skirted over more. There was Warren’s meddling with the date where there always seemed to be some excuse with whatever everyone else came up with. Once one was finally selected, you heard tale of the worm’s protests from service to chef, all while coming from a man who had supposedly never been to this restaurant before. Through Hypno’s funnel, the comments seemed more casual, spoken as if Warren had refined tastes and not in the tone of voice you would come to know from the worm.

Meeting the pair at the entrance, Warren had greeted Donnie with a single ‘you’ and introduced himself to you with an outstretched hand you’d tried to shake. In a flick, he dodged to instead place an ancient business card in your palm and told you that autographs were a set price. You’d only stared in a sort of revolted awe before Hypno had stepped in laughing awkwardly.

Things rapidly began to make a lot more sense after that.

In a silent fury, you had immediately gone to hug Hypno, which surprised the larger man, and couldn’t help but throw a glare at Warren.

The worm seemed not to notice as he asked to get this show on the road.

Speaking to his level of clout, he then proceeded to treat staff like dirt and paid little mind to the rest of his party as he took the first seat at the table.

You had gone from disliking the man to despising him which was only offset by Hypno asking you about the show you’d just watched. A man adept at diversion, you’d gotten swept up and distracted in your excitement to chat about it. Unlike Warren, Donnie had watched with you, but he wasn’t the type to analyze a show. His were bare bones notes on cinematography and spoke less about character’s actions outside of the obvious.

You loved him, but he wasn’t all that great for theories.

Hypno, on the other hand, was and that was the point of having a multitude of people in your life.

No one was so one dimensional.

Everyone was made uniquely with a full spectrum of experiences.

“… he sucks.” You decided, returning from the rehashing of events that got you here and shrank into your seat.

Donnie took on the faintest air of understanding and you could sense he disliked how you were sitting across from one another.

Already slouched, you made an obvious show of kicking out your legs under the table.

Donnie barely had to move for his shoe to touch yours.

“I’m good.” You gave a little sigh. “Want me to say you told me so?”

Donnie shook his head a single time.

“You’re quiet.”

Donnie quirked his brow a bare centimeter.

You stared for a long moment and saw he was insinuating more. “Hypno has really good hearing doesn’t he?”

“Hippos have multiple auditory channels.”

You lowered your head and resisted setting it on the table. “So he most definitely heard me just…?”

Donnie’s silence said he nodded.

“The one thing I was trying to keep to myself!” You bemoaned and grabbed your glass for an angry chug.

“It’s quite alright.” Hypno spoke from behind you and you choked into your drink.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re back.” Warren huffed, clearly unaware of the double meaning and jumped down onto the table. Inching back to his table edge that he was using as a seat, he tipped his head haughty and addressed Donnie. “Truce for our partner’s sakes?”

Donnie’s eyes didn’t widen, but his brows rose the tiniest increment in the old way that showed astute surprise. “Warren Stone.”

Warren perked up and openly let his jaw drop as he didn’t have any of the same inhibitions. “Did… did you… just say my name?”

Donnie only returned the gaze.

Warren balked and sank down in front of his plate.

Donnie flicked a gaze toward you that said his part was done.

You gave him a nod before turning up to Hypno who hadn’t sat down yet. “I’m sorry… I didn’t…”

“It’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last…” Hypno didn’t look at you, but tipped his head in a knowing way. “I had a hunch.”

“I just…” You felt the weight of what you had to say. “You have only ever been kind to me. I want that for you.”

It pulled the magician’s eye with a faint glint and he finally grabbed his chair. “You’re a sweet one. I’ve sung your praises repeatedly now so you know. Seems I can add ‘protective’ to the list too, it seems.”

You nodded sheepishly.

He tapped the seat before finally rounding into it. “If I were to…” He looked across the table and thought better. “Nevermind, I can’t say I necessarily understand, but I do know why.”

“I…. wish I could say the same…” You admitted just as another waiter walked up.

It awakened the otherwise incapacitated Stone who seemed especially intent on figuring out exactly what ingredients were in what dish.

With orders placed in spite of his nagging, the waiter parted.

“Still on this picky kick.” Hypno eyed his partner.

“I like what I like.” Warren scoffed. “Didn’t you ask me not to do this? Why are you badgering me?”

“I’m not.” Hypno’s hands rose up. “Making observations. Moves the conversation along!”

“Backhanded.” Warren spoke out of the corner of his mouth to no one in particular.

“Honestly!” Hypno grunted loudly and with enough force that you felt the air bounce from the table to you.

Warren made a little mocking face, but said nothing more.

“Oh…”

Your small sound pulled the entire table's attention.

Did they know?

They had to.

It seemed so obvious now.

The corner of Donnie’s lip turned up a centimeter in what you read as another cover for his smirk.

They didn’t.

Was this interfering?

You weren’t sure.

You also weren’t about to sit there for the whole meal and listen to them bicker.

You looked between the pair and Donnie who happened to be caught in between. “Hypno’s ready for a change of pace and you’re too set in your ways Warren.”

“That can’t possibly be-!”

“So, what else is new?!”

Where Warren threw you lazy disinterest, Hypno stared with parted lips at his husband.

Your heart sank.

“Warren…?” Hypno mouthed slowly.

“What?” The worm turned. “Oh, don’t give me those watering hole eyes! This isn’t breaking news!”

“I don’t…” Hypno fiddled with his napkin.

“So we’ve gone stale! It happens to the best of them!” Warren inched up onto his place mat. “Look at these two.” He held up a hand for you and Donnie. “I bet they go at it day and night. Am I right?”

You felt your eyes roll back.

Donnie looked down his beak at the worm as if he could eviscerate the insect with this gaze alone.

“I’m right.” Warren gloated.

“The other tables-!” Hypno rose with indignity.

“Table schmables! Hey, toots! Yeah, you with the wig.” Warren threw his attention to a neighboring older couple. “You two together?”

The woman in question startled. “Y-yes…?”

“How long?” Warren scooted towards her until he ran out of table.

“Ten years?” She looked at her partner who whispered harshly back about not acknowledging them.

“Ten…” Warren gave what was almost a sagely nod. “Got you beat by six.”

“Con… gratulations?” She leaned away from her partner, obviously curious where this was headed.

If it wasn’t for his size, you bet Warren could command a room.

Hadn’t his business card said he was a primetime news anchor?

That made his ridiculous phrasing make more sense.

If Hypno and Warren had anything in common, they were all about branding.

“Tell me truthfully.” Smashing a tiny fist to a utensil, Warren kicked up a spoon and held it out like a mic. “Do you wake up every morning and see the light of your life lying next to you or do you wake up and think: here I go, up to do this again?”

You heard Hypno’s shoulders drop.

The woman puffed up. “You can’t just ask-!”

Warren arched a waiting brow. “What was that?”

The beat of silence as the other diner’s listened in was deafening.

“T-that…! W-well…!” The woman looked frantically around her meal.

“Just say no.”

You watched horror spread on the woman’s face as she slowly turned to her partner.

“You… can’t, can you…?”

You watched a litany of emotions pass over the woman’s face before she tried to turn rage at Warren.

Warren was waiting with an expression that asked for it.

Her partner threw her napkin down and stormed off.

“Charlotte, w-wait!” The woman scrambled after her.

“A randomly polled New Yorker, everybody.” Warren bowed with his spoon and turned to the table.

Donnie’s face didn’t betray it, but you could hear his voice in your mind complain about sample size.

“That’s… how you see me?” Hypno spoke, a hollowed out man.

“You know I care, but the spark is gone! Need I remind you, that happens. It’s the way of love. You know what matters? I stay. I’m here. Every day!” Warren rolled his head and you realized the band around his neck wasn’t a segment of his body, but instead a wedding ring.

Hypno’s haunted face said this was all news to him.

“Look at it this way.” Warren created a box with his hands. “You know what’s good? Pastrami! The first time you have it? They made a scene in a movie about it! And you know what happens next? It’s still good!”

You abandoned Warren’s explanation to plead silently with Hypno.

You didn’t know for what, but he didn’t deserve this.

Your gaze didn’t reach him.

“And it continues to be good, but it’s not the same! You also don’t see me ordering anything else though, now do you? Because I love pastrami! Not some two-bit vegetable masquerading as parsley’s answer to wasabi! No! I get the same sandwich that I know is good!!” Warren shoved the centerpiece out of the way.

“So that’s that, then?” Hypno found a small breath.

“Obviously!” Warren reached his husband’s plate.

“Fall back on the old tried and true? Never wanting more?”

“More?” Warren crawled onto porcelain. “What more!? This is it, babe! Plain and simple! As good as it gets!”

Hypno’s lids lowered and you could feel the dark energy coming off of him.

Warren through all his neglect felt it too and his airs dampened ever so slightly even though he immediately tried to boost them back up. “W-what…?”

“Our food is here.” Donnie’s even voice sliced through the space.

You snapped to glare at him.

For everyone else, his face was the picture of neutrality, but you saw every single withheld cue that signaled he was having the time of his life.

This was exactly what he had hoped for of the evening and, in any other world, he would probably be openly cackling and taking souvenir videos.

Hypno turned his head away and it pulled your eye.

Warren looked horrified as he slowly rotated and scooted back to his place setting with his metaphorical tail between his legs.

The waiters appeared as soon as he got in place and, in a coordinated rotation, doled out your meals.

Out of the corner of your eye you also saw them clear the table of the couple that Warren had scared away.

Staring down at a dish you no longer wanted, you felt Donnie pick up his utensils to heartily dig in.

Hypno moved to eat next. “I suppose a beurre blanc would be too adventurous for you.”

“Sounds French and like I don’t care.” Warren responded bitterly.

“We bonded once.” Hypno opened his mouth and swallowed a bunch of asparagus stalks whole. “Over our love of commanding a stage. The awe in a crowd’s eye as you do the unexpected.”

“No, you bonded over that. I told you I stared at a crew and camera.” Warren fought against his knife and a steak that was larger than his entire body.

“But we both chased a high! You with your new stories and me with magic! We had audiences!”

“I had a fan club. You had a failing career.” Warren gave up and sank down his spindly body.

Hypno’s fists came down on the table so hard everything bounced.

Donnie was the only one who remained unscathed as he hoisted his plate and drink up before it occurred.

“So, that’s it then? You want to have it out now? When I’ve been asking you to therapy for weeks! You’d like to have a go while we’re at dinner! In public! With friends and colleagues!”

“Yeah, no because it would have been so much better at that loser’s club you insist on going to every week.”

“Lose-!” Hypno stood and his chair flew back with a force that took out the table behind him.

The people there were unharmed, but they screamed and scrambled as if they needed to run.

It created a chain reaction of diners fleeing for their perceived lives.

You watched a few of them go before catching on how your partner was almost done with his dish.

He was acting like this was an exciting show always meant to be served with dinner.

“Take. It. Back.” Hypno loomed, his face dark.

“Not a chance, big guy.” Warren wafted a hand dismissively. “In fact, I’ll say it again since you don’t seem to be catching the important headline. I think you’re wasting your time with those losers!”

“Speak about me how you wish, but you will not insult my friends!” Hypno threw his hand up and a dozen rings appeared in a threatening hover.

“Open your ears would’ya?!” Warren reared in sudden fear.

“Find yours!” Hypno roared and threw his hand.

Donnie stood with an easy swivel out of his chair as the ring sliced straight through the table.

Warren soared out of sight where you quickly lost his small body in the ornate room. Rings continued to fly and since the worm was their obvious target, you could imagine where he was heading. Scaling the room and up a wall, Hypno shored some curtains. Warren grunted with some random effort, but seemed to be faring well considering.

“Babe, come on!!”

“Don’t babe me!!!”

Donnie appeared by your side.

“S-should… I… get up…?” You wondered aloud to him.

Donnie glanced at where Hypno had taken a hard stance beside you. “You’re not the target.”

“This is my fault…” You whispered.

Donnie’s face softened the faintest amount.

In several clinks, Hypno’s rings fell out of the sky before he turned to you with teary eyes. “No, no! That’s not true! You’re…!”

You stared up at the magician.

He knelt beside you. “You’re the reason I’ve been able to break out of my funk! I hadn’t realized the lull I’d fallen into it! You have no idea what you’ve done!”

“You’re the cause!”

Before anyone could seemingly react, you heard Warren’s voice rushing wrath in your direction.

“I should have guessed! Since you appeared, everything’s been changing. It’s you who’s upset my daily lineup-!”

Donnie’s fist shot out just above your head and Warren appeared in his clutches. “I tried not to interfere.”

In a sickly snap, he ripped the worm in two.

He dropped the pieces onto your dinner and you scrambled backwards in your seat.

“Not at all…” Hypno sneered. “Good catch, mate.”

“D-Donnie?!” You spun around in your chair. “What-!?”

“He’s a worm.” Donnie sent a normal sized glare down at you that caused your nerves to flare.

Outside façade.

You mentally slapped your cheeks and turned back to watch in horror as one half of Warren animated like a zombie.

“How dare you!?”

You screamed.

“Now, now…” Hypno caught your hand. “He’s alright.” He threw a glance at his husband. “For now.”

“So, I’m the bad guy!?” Warren gestured down his body. “He ripped my tux! Do you know what I have to do to get a tailor!?”

Donnie oozed outright malice that said he would happily do worse.

Warren clicked his tongue.

“I loved how stubborn you were once.” Hypno patted your hand, but was clearly addressing the worm. “You fought for us.”

“I still do!” Warren threw out a tiny fist.

“You fight for what’s familiar!” Hypno turned to shout. “You fight for obvious comfort! You… Have you even seen how much I’ve flourished?!”

Warren grappled with several jockeying emotions before he bitterly looked away. “Your…” His voice dropped until it was nearly a whisper. “Your coat… has been more shiny.”

“I’ve been happier than I’ve been in years, Warren!” Hypno shook and you felt little droplets of tears fly off him. “I’ve…!”

“And what am I supposed to do with that!?” Warren rose up the length of his body. “You just up and left me behind one day while I-!”

Hypno stilled as the words hit him. “Warren…”

“Nothing! Shut up! It’s fine!” Warren had to use his arms, but he got himself turned around and clawed a few inches away. “Stupid body!”

“Warren…” Hypno released you in favor of curling his fingers over the edge of the table as if peeking over it. “Did… did you think I’d moved on?”

“No!” Warren grouched, nearing a midway point and stopping to pant. “This is dumb!”

Hypno put pressure on the table and it tipped.

“No! Hey! Knock it off!!” Warren scrambled to catch the table cloth, but slid openly with everything else.

You watched your dinner fall among a clatter of broken dishes.

You weren’t going to eat it anyway with the worm parts and all.

Donnie touched your back for a comforting weight.

Warren hit Hypno’s snout and glowered at his husband. “Fine… Just…! Pick me up at least!”

Hypno plucked the worm and held him high in the palm of his hand.

It clearly made Warren feel a little safer. “You… you… woke up every morning, same as me until… you didn’t. You survived another run in with those miserable turtles and tittered about some brain washed buffoon from the gala and then suddenly it’s like the sun’s shining for the first time? What was I supposed to think!?”

“What did you?” Hypno’s snout was still under the table.

“I don’t know!” Warren turned away. “So I followed you! I tried to catch the scoop, but you weren’t cheating! You were-!”

You leaned back against Donnie’s hand.

“You were… smiling all stupid and beautiful by yourself… Like you… smiled at me… I don’t know!” Warren shrank down out of sight. “I can compete with some floozy, but how can I compete with you?!”

Hypno lowered his palm down to the table where his eye level was.

Warren refused to look, but you could see him pouting with all of his lower lip.

“You could have said yes.”

“To what?” Warren flicked some debris off what was left of his jacket.

“Sure, I was fine to go at it alone, but I wanted to do it with you. That’s why I kept asking you to come.”

Warren blinked up a little. “You… you didn’t say it like that!” He rounded on his husband. “You would say things like ‘come eat this gross salad with me!’”

“And you could have said yes.” Hypno’s lids lowered in wait.

“I could have-!” Warren cut himself off and did a frustrated waddle in place. “But I don’t like watercress…!”

“And I still don’t like pimento cheese.” Hypno bounced his palm so Warren could get adjusted. “Some things don’t change; like my love for you.”

Warren stared at his partner.

“Others do and it’s up to you to decide if you’re going to fight that or work with it.”

Warren scratched the back of his head. “Life keeps going, huh?”

“It’s why the news updates on the daily.” Hypno’s snout lifted to show his smile.

“I’m… sorry I called your hokey hippie’s losers.”

“It’s a start.” Hypno gushed and gave his husband a smooch so large he looked as though he’d swallow him up.

“The hair!” Warren swatted, a blush on his cheeks.

With a swirl of his finger, Hypno fixed Warren’s coif.

Warren stewed before giving a lazy glance around. “This place stinks. I’m leaving a one star review.”

“I have…” Donnie approached the conversation and surprised every one of you. “… a secondary location prepared.”

“Ugh.” Warren gagged openly. “Overachiever much?”

Donnie stood completely stone faced.

Warren threw a glance at you. “Always thinks he’s the best with all his contingencies. This guy, amirite?”

You simply stared in response.

“Or-!” Hypno chirped, rising up to his full height and dispelling the awkwardness. “We can have a proper meal. For real this time?”

Warren stuck a finger into the side of his head as if he was picking gunk out of his ear. “What’s the sitch, Berry Bad guy?”

Donnie’s beak scrunched a near indeterminable amount. “Something less elegant.” He glanced down at you.

You looked back up openly and smiled.

“Tacos.” Donnie told you and set his hand on your shoulder.

“They’re adorable, aren’t they?” Hypno cooed.

“Just like us when we were young and dumb.” Warren wrapped an arm around Hypno’s thumb as if to steer him. “They better have good barbacoa!”

“Their reviews are adequate.” Donnie held out a hand and led you out of your seat.

“Shame about this place.” Hypno glanced back where he was already walking away. “How many’s that make it, love?”

Warren hummed loudly. “Twenty something?”

“Twenty three.” Donnie followed without letting go of your hand. “In the past year.”

“That… what?” You checked in with Donnie.

“Place’s Warren and I’ve… reviewed.” Hypno chuckled from the front.

You shot a look at Donnie.

He passed you the barest turn of his head. “I phoned ahead days ago.”

“And they still let people… eat here tonight?”

Donnie gave a knowing micro-tip of his head. “They opted to update their insurance and go for a payout.”

You stared back at him with a frown.

“Easily thwarted.” He lowered his lids the smallest amount as if his offer to stop insurance fraud was a grand romantic gesture.

You bumped him and shook your head with a smile.

“Look alive!” Warren clapped where he and his husband were waiting at the elevator. “You’re buying as thanks! We put on quite the show! This is your future right here! Take notes and get used to it!” You didn’t have to send Donnie your worries because you could feel them through his grip.

La-la-love and thanks to my betas @tmntxthings and @thepinkpanther83