Chapter Text
Donnie sat at the kitchen table hunched over his favorite purple mug, wearing his softest royal purple hoodie that was two sizes too big, hood pulled up to hide his face in shadow, hands pulled inside of the sleeves. His legs were practically swimming in matching sweatpants, his feet stuffed into fuzzy socks custom knit by Raph to fit his feet comfortably without any irritating seams. He slurped loudly, made a disgusted noise, and drank more.
Raph walked in just as Donnie made the most pathetic sound, a particularly wet sniffle followed by a pained whine. He watched as his younger brother took a tissue out of the big pocket of his hoodie and blew his nose, then a metal appendage came out from beneath his hoodie and took the used tissue, incinerating it.
“Donnie, what did we say about usin’ fire when you’re not feelin’ well?” Raph chided, coming over to yank the hood down to get a good look at the softshell’s face.
Donnie flinched, caught himself before he could fall off the chair, and hissed before his rational brain could stop him. His eyes were red rimmed and wet, squinting from the sudden light exposure. He wasn't wearing his mask or goggles, so Raph was pretty sure he had a headache, and his face was flushed in a way it rarely was unless he had a fever.
Plus, judging from the revolted expression as he took yet another sip from the mug, he was drinking Splinter’s special herbal tea blend they only drank when they got sick, which tasted horrible.
“Uh…don't get caught…?” Donnie croaked, wearing a nervous smile in spite of his discomfort.
Raph sighed and picked up his brother, carrying him toward Donnie’s bedroom, making sure to hold him upright so as not to spill the liquid in his mug. Donnie protested loudly, drawing the attention of Leo and Mikey, who came running.
“No, Raph, put me down! I’m fine! I don't need to go to bed!” Donnie broke off with a round of coughing, followed by a sad chirp.
“Yeah, buddy, I'd totally buy that, except ya sound awful,” Raph responded with a sympathetic pat on Donnie's back. “Which reminds me. Take that battle shell off.”
Donnie grumbled but complied, releasing it and letting it drop out of the back of his hoodie. Leo ran up to catch it.
“Don’t worry, twinsie, I’m just gonna set it right here!” Leo reassured him with a grin, placing the valuable piece of technology on top of the small desk in the corner that Donnie rarely actually used.
Raph set Donnie down in bed after he pulled back the covers, and the softshell looked up at his big brother with pleading eyes.
“Raph, no, I don't want to go to sleep!” Donnie whined. “I can't. Don't leave me here!” His eyes snapped over to his other siblings. “Mikey, my favorite baby bro, back me up here! I don't need to be in bed. I can rest perfectly fine on the couch or–or in my lab!” He looked at Leo. “Nardo, tell Raph you won’t leave me alone so he doesn't have to worry about me!”
Mikey walked over and threw his arms around Donnie in a hug, and Leo climbed into bed to pin his twin down in a horizontal position.
“Trust me, bro, you’re gonna feel so much better when you've had some actual sleep!” Leo soothed, nuzzling Donnie’s cheek.
Donnie was starting to relax against his will, a tired churr rising. The physical contact felt nice. Just as he was giving up the fight, Mikey let go and Leo got up off of him, assuming they'd won.
Donnie tensed up and grabbed both of them by the arm, too exhausted and sick to put up a front. His lip wobbled and he gave them the saddest puppy dog eyes.
“Please don't leave,” he begged, voice cracking down the middle, “I can't be alone or they’ll get me!” He sneezed, and his whole body shook with the force of it.
“Aww, Dee!” Mikey reattached himself to Donnie, getting under the covers to cuddle with him properly. “Don’t worry, nothing's gonna get you! We're right here. Right, guys?”
Leo’s expression softened, and he snuggled against Donnie’s other side. “Of course, bro, we’re staying right here!” He smiled at Raph. “Hey Raph, can you get us the laptop and some snacks and drinks? I think it's Jupiter Jim time!”
Raph wanted to argue, but he could see Donnie melting into their touch, eyes starting to glaze over as Leo and Mikey’s cuddles worked their magic. He went to fetch the requested items, and by the time he got back, Donnie was snoring faintly, his head resting on Leo's shoulder.
“Aww, poor guy,” Raph whispered, smiling. “Glad I didn't get stuck. I’d join ya but, y’know. Too big.” He smirked. “He's a cuddle bug when he’s sick.”
Mikey beamed. “He just needs a little extra love!”
“I wonder what he meant,” mused Leo. “He said ‘they’ll get me.’”
Behind them, hidden among the pillows, a pink tentacle wriggled. Waiting.