Forty-Fifth Theory [Voice/Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Donatello doesn't notice the announcement when it's made, and even after someone shows it to him, he won't bother addressing the 'commandant'. Instead, he'll send a locked message to someone much more important.]

Robert...

[Some time later, he'll add one more locked message.]

Kay, I think I'm going to have to reschedule.

Comments

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Lonely for Don, yes... perhaps lonelier still for Robert. His partner, his best friend, other friends that he's made here... torn away from him for four days full of death and terror and constant fear that he'll lose them when there is nothing he can do about it again.

And he doesn't answer the question at first, just holds himself tightly against Don and... considers the statement.

...

Part of him, in some horrifyingly detached logical way, wants to see what he's capable of. Wants to see what will end up hurting - killing - the Third Party. Sapients. Sapients who were just on the other side of this bloody faction between the Malnosso and the Third Party.

...

The rest of him can't even fathom it, is terrified by the thought of seeing it so viscerally - it's one thing to know Don can fight and kill. It's even one thing to see Helios, warped by the AU, try to kill him. It is a whole other thing entirely to see Don, in his right mind, do things that would hurt or kill.]

...

I... ... P-Perhaps, but... [He tells himself that nothing could tarnish Don's beauty in his eyes, that this fighting thing wouldn't change him - after all, he knew Don could do this cerebrally. But... he's never seen a fight, he's never witnessed this kind of thing...]

...

I-it, it would be... th-the... f-first time I have... s-seen anything like it...

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Only if you want to. [And he caresses Robert's head gently. He would never do something so unnecessarily upsetting to his partner.] I just want to spend time with you before I go.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[At this, Robert just clings even more fiercely.]

S-So... so do I...

I love you... [It's a soft sentiment, mumbled against Don's plastron with the desperation of somebody with a time limit.]

...

I-I, I will... m-miss you... f-for that time... p-perhaps we can e-exchange... c-correspondance when it is not dangerous...?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I'll call you whenever I can. [Though, knowing they don't even have the luxury of returning to the hotel at night this time, he's hesitant to be too sure the journals will work on the battlefield.]

[He ghosts his fingers over your back, and then:] Robert...?

[He has something very important to ask you.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert knows that too, which is why he's so hesitant about it. But the idea of even having a chance of communication is important to him.

He looks up at that soft querying tone, replying with one just as questioning.]

... Yes, Don...?

[He's willing to listen to anything right now. Just be with him.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[He pulls away slowly, bringing his hands back close to himself, before asking:] Will you - be with me? Tonight?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[The euphemism goes over Robert's head entirely.]

... Of course I will, Don... I'll be with you whenever you want me to.

[Robert smiles and curls up against Don, obviously not getting it (though he'd probably react the same way if he knew what it meant, actually).]

... I would be with you forever if... if you wanted me to.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don pushes Robert back up before he gets too comfortable. They need to straighten this out first.]

No, be with me. Like you said during the experiment.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert blinks a few times before it clicks.]

...

Ah... [He still smiles, but now it's accompanied by a slight flush.] I... I-I would be... honoured...

... B-But, you are certain you... w-want this now...? [Comfort sex does appeal to Robert right now... he wants the closeness. But...]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Honored? Really?]

[He continues looking shyly at his knees as he answers.] I don't want to go to war again without - without having done that.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Yes. Really.

Robert curls up gently against Don, tracing his fingertips across Don's hand.]

...

[Softly:] It... it s-seems... fitting, in a way.

... Though I wish... I wish I was... m-more competent, for you...

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don accepts the closeness now, leaning around to kiss Robert softly on the cheek.]

You would make me look bad.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

Hardly... [Robert presses into Don, taking in his presence almost greedily. He wants him close for as long as possible.

Craning his head upward, he brushes his lips softly against Don's beak.

... He wants this, intensely, but now he's not entirely sure how it's going to work properly. He's full of anxieties - will he accidentally hurt Don? How much does his knowledge of turtle anatomy match up to Don's body? What about Don's aversion to touches?

...

Robert really wants this to... well, work.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don doesn't seem too averse to touching right now, at least. During a momentary separation, he murmurs:] You know I haven't done this before, right?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert nods, letting his fingers stray over Don's plastron reassuringly.] You... d-did inform me of that, yes...

... I w-would... be m-most enthusiastic to, t-to attempt to educate you... [That isn't even just a euphemism, actually. He really would be happy to sit there and educate Don in the... usual sense of the word.

At this point, though, he's more focused on trying to pleasure Don...]

Likewise, I... I f-fear that my knowledge of your body is... l-lacking in some regards, so... please d-do not hesitate to inform me of any problems...

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don doesn't take it as a euphemism. In fact, if they had more time, he might accept the offer. As it is, he makes short work of mostly-disentangling himself from Robert.]

Your room?