#the chapters are getting out like hot bread and I ain't mad

[memes-in-a-half-shell]

Villain AU - Deadlock, Part 8

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 ||

Getting some blabla out of the way 💁‍♀️ next chapter should have some cool action wahoooooooooooo

(Present)

Vee woke up with a startle at the sound of her phone ringing. In a half-awake state she stumbled her hand across and over to her nightstand, grabbing the device. She took a second to see who was calling, the name being none other than her surpervisor at work. Shit.

"Yeah?" Vee opened with a raspy voice.

"Where the hell are you? You were supposed to start an hour ago!" a woman voice shouted at the other end of the line.

God, it was too early for that...

"I was sick all night," lied Vee. "I'm sorry, I just passed out. I can't make it today."

"You realize I now have to cover for your ass?"

Oh boo-hoo, cry a fucking river.

"I'll be there tomorrow."

She ended the call right there and then. Fuck that job. Fuck that low salary. She didn't have to explain herself furthermore.

Vee sighed, leaving her phone back on the nightstand. In that moment she also realized two things: She was still fully clothed. When did she get to bed last night?

Last thing she remembered was Donatello coming into her apartment after Raphael's impromptu visit, then she cried. So much. That was extremely embarassing...

Putting on her glasses, she resolved herself to getting up, prefering to exchange yesterday's clothes for a oversized black t-shirt and keeping her underwear on. Getting her hair up in a messy bun, Vee made her way directly to the kitchen area, getting a coffee bag out of the pantry next. She barely started to measure the coffee beans needed for her grinder that a tired voice rose from behind.

"Someone called you?"

Vee let out a "Criss!" in French, jumping out of fear and turning around. Coffee beans flew out of the bag at the same time, many now littering the floor. She finally noticed Donnie who had been sleeping on the couch, the terrapin's eyes now fully opened - surprised by her reaction. They were both frozen for a moment, the woman wanting to drop her heart's rate first.

"... What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Uhh ... you said it was okay for me to sleep here."

Vee squinted, trying to recall that.

"Huh? When?"

The turtle was now sitting up, having put his glasses on.

"Last night after I got you to bed."

That was like a blast to Vee, absolutely confused.

"Man ... I don't recall that at all," she confessed. She quickly frowned afterward: "Wait, you took me to bed?"

"Why, you wanted to sleep with me on the couch instead?" said the other, amused.

Vee groaned, giving up as she proceeded to get a broom out. Starting to collect the stray coffee beans, the terrapin had now made his way closer.

"Nice outfit...," he pointed.

She paused, realizing her look.

"It's my apartment, I dress how I want," said the human with a quick shrug. "Enjoy the view, I guess."

Donnie extended his hand towards her, motionning for the broom.

"Gimme that. This mess was caused by me."

Vee sighed, handing him the tool: "Sure, have fun. I'll get the coffee started. ... I have a feeling I'll need a couple of cups today."

It felt so weird... To see him in daylight and with less equipment on himself. Grinding the coffee, she prepped her machine so a pot could be filled. Observing the terrapin at work next, she took a moment to glance at his movements, his muscles. She almost caught herself biting her lip too hard...

"Remind me why you stayed over?" she asked. "For real, the only thing I remember is just crying like a lil' bitch last night."

That caught Donnie off guard, laughing lightly. Throwing away the last beans, he looked at Vee, putting the broom back to its place.

"I wanted to make sure you'd be okay," he started. "You seemed quite shaken up, so it only felt right that I'd be there."

Vee got some mugs out, letting him continue.

"And... I kinda got into an argument with my brother Leonardo last night. So I didn't want to go back home just yet."

"Oh?"

"They saw us together last night, hence why Raph paid a little visit as well."

"What a charming family you have...." she said sarcastically.

"Their intentions are well placed, but poorly executed," he added, thoughtful. He pointed towards Vee's computer next: "By the way, your client replied last night..."

She first frowned, but then quickly realized that she didn't lock her screens - first interrupted by Raph's arrival. She hastened to her desk with a slight panic, sitting down and looking at her screen. As she was reading, Donnie was now standing behind her, waiting for her reaction.

BillionsPerSeconds: How much are we talking about? Color me interested. smooth_criminal: Oops, sorry, the information self-destructed. I don't have it anymore. smooth_criminal: Good doing business with you. Bye bye.

"Hey, I didn't write that! What the heck!" she blurted out.

"I did."

He hunched closer to her, hands against the desk and at each sides of her, searching for her gaze at her left.

"I told you to not give out the biometrics data."

"And I told you not to look through my stuff! You're breaking rule number two."

Donnie showed an annoyed look: "... Your screen was litterally opened and your web browser on that conversation. Forgive some wandering eyes."

"Breaking rule number three now; don't be an ass," she added, looking over to him.

A brief staring contest ensued, the woman finally realizing how close the terrapin now was. A sigh left her, losing the battle as she glanced away.

"And I wasn't giving it out," mumbled Vee. "I was trying to sell it. It's different."

"It's still going against what we talked about. Don't try to play around with words and meanings."

Her eyes now back on him, she patted his cheek amusedly: "Alright, I got my lesson now. No need to chastise me anymore."

Donatello's smile was sweet, as if happy to have won whatever battle this was. Letting out a simple "good", he quickly nuzzled over Vee's top of her head, proceeding back up and into the kitchen. As he was pouring the now readied coffee, the woman was still processing this rapid display of affection he just did, swiveling her chair around and observing his motions with a slight confusion.

... What happened last night?

***

(Last night)

Her crying had calmed down, her eyes still red and watery however. The duo was still in eachother's arms and now comfortably seated on the couch - Vee completely leaning onto the mutant's form and in absolute need of comfort. Her fatigue was now drowsing her mind, yet that didn't stop her from talking:

"I never wanted this," she confessed. "I wanted to create. I wanted to be happy. ... I got fucked over so many times, I simply lost hope."

She could still feel Donnie's hands slowly petting her in soothing motions.

"I only started all of this information broker shit 'cause I'm good at searching stuff," she added with a sniffle. "I lost so many years going to College for music and arts, I didn't want to lose a couple more years trying to go down another career path." She paused, some sobs escaping her. "... I was abused, I was broken, the industry swallowed me whole and spat back my emptied shell."

She dared move, wanting to find Donnie's gaze.

"People have told me to grow a spine and be assertive - and believe me, I've tried so many times. ... I was met with rage and shouts. I had nowhere to go. I've been told countless times that I'm good for nothing and that everything I ever did was for nothing. ... What am I supposed to do other than to believe that?"

She could feel her tears come back again, shaking her head slightly: "People only want what's best for their personal gain. Once they see weakness, they'll do anything to step on it and take whatever left there is. ... And I was tired of it. I wanted none of it."

One of Donatello's hands moved, cupping her cheek and his thumb tenderly wiping the wet trail on her skin. He had this serene and mindful look, showing that he was completely attentive to her. The woman brought her hold to his hand, leaning into his touch with closed eyes. At once she realized how much she had craved for any form of contact and interaction... To simply be approached by someone and feel a touch on her.

"I'm so glad you're here..." she murmured in a sad tone.

"And I'm glad to be here," he answered in a hushed voice as well, getting closer.

She felt a motion at the top of her head, the turtle now nuzzling her gently. Her body reacted like a magnet as she herself wanted to be nearer. A deep rumbling sound started from the mutant's chest, this small vibration felt between them and throughout the woman's body. She lost herself into this feeling, moving her arms to rest around his neck and hiding her face in the crook of his neck. In an instant Donnie's embrace was now wrapped around her, his face buried in her hair and his churr incessant. They both didn't want to let go - simply wanting to savor the moment and newly found comfort and proximity.

"Please stay," softly said Vee. "I don't want to be alone."

Donnie noted her body relaxing, as well as some yawns escaping her. Without any words he proceeded to scoop her in his arms, hers still around his neck. Heading for the bedroom, he next laid her down on the mattress, kneeling down beside the furniture and observing the space while petting her hair in a soothing motion.

"... Where do you want me to stay?" he asked. "Your bed's not big enough." It was nothing else but a double sized mattress. They could both fit, but they'd need to stay close...

"You can sleep on the couch," Vee answered, yawning again.

"Then I'll be there if you need me," added the terrapin, his eyes translating a loving emotion.

He only wanted to stay close to her... Bringing a blanket over her clothed form, he nuzzled her temple, getting a soft hum from Vee in return. As he was about to head out of the bedroom next, her tiny voice did stop him:

"I'm sorry..."

He looked her way again: "What for?"

"I'm sorry...," she repeated, her tone trailing off, too tired.

Knowing he'd get no more answers from her, Donnie prefered to disregard whatever apology that was, leaving the room and keeping the door ajar - only to be able to hear her if ever needed. He started to turn off the lights around the apartment, finally stumbling around her computer and noticing its screen and active web browser. The turtle frowned lightly as he read over the conversation with her current client, knowing she was hinting at the biometrics he had just shared with her. Seeing that the client seemed interested, he answered in Vee's stead, bullshitting something about the files having self-destruct. He didn't care if that prevented her from getting money, he simply couldn't let her share that information...

With a sigh he headed for the couch, leaning his shell on it and bringing a cushion between his neck and shell for his head to rest on. Donnie's eyes were stuck on the ceiling for a long while, his thoughts running over and over again in his mind. The fact that Vee had opened herself so easily tonight, he knew there was hope... More than ever, he didn't want to let go. He wanted her to be happy...

***

(Present)

They had settled for an easy breakfast - eggs and toasts - then sitting down on the living room's floor and plates on the coffee table. As Vee wanted to avoid any awkward silences, she had put on some faint music in the background, in hopes of making things easy in this ... weird morning. Her playlist was set to a random cycle, which brought her to almost choke when 'My One and Only Love' came up next. She promptly skipped as barely a minute rolled in, the soft beat of 'C.R.E.A.M' coming up instead.

"Afraid of love songs?" said Donnie, amused.

"Absolutely not," replied the woman. "It's just ... not needed right now."

"Mm-hmm, sure."

Vee's stare was slightly annoyed as she observed him take a sip of coffee. ... There simply was no time right now to let any lovey feelings invade her mind. Instead she prefered to switch the subject to a matter she'd be wanting to know for some time:

"Can I ask something about the project Renaissance? ... There's a detail in those files that I've been wondering about."

Donnie was now attentive, his brow ridges furrowing lightly.

"I dunno why you're so stuck on that project, but sure, go ahead."

The woman took that as a cue to get up, fetching a tablet she had left in her room. It didn't take her time to swipe through the device as she walked back to the living room, already bringing up the Renaissance's files. Sitting back down at the coffee table, she read through some lines, finally pinpointing what she wanted to know about:

"Here... The initial mutative components of the alien substance have been noted down, yet a thorough investigation of its properties still remains to be conducted. Following the ongoing observations on the animal subjects, blood tests revealed that the so-called 'green ooze' is present amongst the cells, ensuring a continuous safekeep of the element - if ever missing and needed." She looked up at Donatello, her head slightly tilting to one side in questionnement. "... Have you ever tested the ooze from your blood? Or have you ever offered it to scientists?"

His answer was quick: "Never in a lifetime would I ever give that substance to anyone. I'd be too scared for it to fall into any wrong hands." His pause was brief, considering his next words. "... I did get some results myself, but never pushed for more answers - and frankly, my family and I are okay with never knowing what the ooze entails of, or even to have it die with us."

"Aren't you curious though?"

The terrapin shrugged: "About what?"

That actually stopped Vee, actually wondering herself. Seeing her incertitude, the other kept going on.

"We know the ooze is capable of bringing great transformations into any beings. Yet, to be affected by it is to be marked for a life of exile, at least that's how we see it; to be feared by most people. Why would we want that substance to affect anything or anyone's life? Who are we to decide if any being can potentially be inflicted by this curse?"

"A curse?" questionned the human. "Why say that when it litterally gave you sentience?"

"Did I ask to be given that sentience?"

"No, but it made you into who you are."

"And you think my family and I are okay with that?"

Vee stopped, knowing there was no more point in trying to raise a counterargument. Seeing her concerned look, Donnie did sigh softly, fingers mindlessly and softly tapping against the table, reminiscing.

"... Years ago, we did get our hands on a deritative alien substance; the purple ooze. It had been used to turn human subjects into animal mutants, which brought me to the realization that it could be used to turn us into humans." He glanced at his left hand, closing and flexing his three fingers. "... I remember the feeling of having five fingers, even if it was for a brief moment. At that time, my brothers and I were contemplating the idea of changing our forms, only to be accepted within society."

"Why didn't you guys do it?"

That brought a soft smile to the mutant's lips: "As cheesy as it'll sound, we do love who we are. Through all the hardships and seclusion, we simply couldn't give up who we truly were." His gaze remained on Vee, knowing she probably had many question still. "I guess the point I'm really trying to make is that we don't wish the challenges we've been through to anyone else. We honor our lives, we remain in this lifestyle simply because that's all we've ever known. ... The power in our blood may be too destructive or unpredictable, so we can't risk letting it be shared freely into this world... And we don't want to change. We don't want to allow any more successes into our very undemanded existence."

Vee remained silent, contemplating his words. While she understood the reasonings, there was still a small part of her that simply couldn't push aside her curiosity; she wanted to know more about the substance. She could only contemplate the possibilities of any advancements it could bring into society or individuals. Yet when she listened to him, the sympathy in her could only agree with the terrapin. ... Something she never thought she's reach at this point. She locked her tablet's screen, giving it no more attention.

"Thank you for telling me all of that," she said, sustaining his gaze. "I guess I can finally put those questionings to rest."

"Anything else you'd like to know then?" he asked in light amusement, elbows on the coffee table and his chin against his raised hands.

Vee let out a quick chuckle, first peeking quickly inside her now empty coffee cup.

"You want another coffee?"

He shook his head slightly: "I'd rather go sleep in fact... We usually don't stay up much during the day."

And she supposed that he couldn't really get out at this time, or else he'd be spotted easily. The woman simply got up, then standing by his side and offering her hand to him. In a follow me gesture, she got the turtle to stand up, her tiny hand holding his large one as she guided him towards her bedroom. As she offered him her bed, he was quick to politely decline, but her insistance and assuring him that she didn't mind did bring some ease into the offering.

"I'll be working on some stuff in the meantime, I don't mind," Vee simply added.

And that was good enough for him.

Putting the dishes away, Vee's actions only slowed down once she sat back at her computer, mindlessly going through her files and reorganizing some documents. Thinking back to Donnie being so open about how he felt in regards to his own existence, she slowly realized that last night had a ... similar outcome, but this time coming from her end. Bits and pieces of her blabbering came back to light, realizing that she had been pretty vulnerable in that moment. In a sense she absolutely hated it, but then again ... it had felt so good to let it all out. To finally voice things that had plagued her mind and kept her in this sense of failure for anything she ever undertook. Her life was this endless wandering, all about taking on the opportunity to ruin people's lives - only for her gain. Yet when she was with Donnie, she felt this sense of purpose, a plan that was getting built before her very own eyes... And that felt absolutely refreshing. Her playlist still going, this time even more softly, she groaned lightly as 'My One And Only Love' started again but from another artist, yet kept the tune playing. She remembered his touch. His hands over her form, caressing ever so softly. His nuzzling to her hair, the churr in his chest. The proximity she experienced, as short as it was, had only her screaming for more - simply to feel alive a little more.

After a while she sighed, knowing she couldn't resist the thought anymore. She got back up and headed towards the bedroom, finding the turtle already asleep. She felt bad for walking in and sitting by the bed's side, her hand shyly reaching for his. That easily woke up Donnie, his tired motions leading him to look at Vee.

"What's up?" he asked in a hushed, half-asleep tone.

"... Can I join you?" said the woman, her voice tiny.

He only hummed, moving a little and bringing the blanket up for the human to slip in. Removing her glasses and joining Donnie, she prefered to face him, both on their sides and first studying his traits. Feeling her hands to his cheeks, a purr-like sound left the terrapin, his eyes already closed out of fatigue.

"I'm so glad you're here...," she echoed from last night.

His arms were now fully around her, bringing Vee's to wrap around his neck. In an instant, the rush of their hearts was deafening, their bodies so close - they could've just melded together. Vee's fingertips tenderly traced patterns on his scales, appreciating the texture. Oh she could keep doing so for hours... The mutant lazily nuzzled her hair, his hands patiently petting her upper and lower back. There was this excitement about keeping her close, yet everything felt so right and calm... he knew they both needed this.

And in all truthfulness, they wished this moment would last forever...

((Part 9))