Chapter Text
Welcome to the Donatello hot line, your queries are important to us. If you're calling about your Donnie press one. If you are a Donnie press two.
Donnie was starting to regret placing the call but he couldn’t deny his curiosity on how this supposed help line would be of use to him in any way.
He also very much had his doubts that this wasn’t a prank by Mikey. It was just kind of a last resort as his life was rapidly falling apart. He would appreciate any assistance, even if said help came in the form of a business card hastily pressed into his hand by someone in a trench coat the last time he had managed to exit the lair.
Realising he had zoned out during the phone’s monotonous drone, he tuned back in, pressing two and listening as the phone spit out his apparent options.
“If you're a Donnie wanting to discuss your latest brilliant idea press 1.
If you’re feeling unappreciated press 2.
If your brothers are making you want to kill or maim yourself, or others, press 3.
For any life or death situation press 4 (Donnie thought that probably should be the first option, but who was he to judge?)
If you’re Donatello of dimension 03sw press 6.”
Don carefully assessed his options. Sighing, he begrudgingly pressed 2.
“Thank you please hold.” The voice responded.
Just as Donnie was considering hanging up the phone and counting the call as a loss, a gruff voice finally answered.
“This is Even Bigger Red speaking, how can I help you?” The voice seemed about as happy as Don felt.
“Um...” Donnie didn’t think he’d get this far and thus was woefully unprepared for someone to actually answer the phone.
“A man handed me this card and told me to call if I ever needed help.” He cringed at how absurd his statement was. How could anyone take the story of a fedora wearing, trench coat sporting, stranger handing out business cards as anything but the ramblings of an insane person.
“This your first time calling by any chance?” The voice seemed vaguely amused at the situation.
“Of course, I figured this was just a prank you know? I never thought I’d need it you know? I believed that I could just deal with my problems myself, you know?” (how many times was he going to repeat the phrase ‘you know’, good going Don.) “Today has just been a nightmare and ...”
He had to physically restrain himself from another ‘you know’ fully aware that he was borderline hysterical at this point.
“Brothers not respecting you or your work by any chance?” The voice asked.
“I’m just trying so hard to keep the family together but nothing I’m doing is good enough. Raph's sneaking to the surface doing god knows what, Mikey’s job is burning him out, and I’m about ready to track down the next customer who can’t find the on switch and then shove it down their throat!” Donnie trailed off, wondering why he just unloaded all of that on a complete stranger.
“Oh shit” (he could faintly hear someone yelling language in the background) You’re dimension 07 right? Boss has been waiting on your call, let me transfer you over.”
God, even the help line was sick of him.
Donnie choked back tears as he was yet again put on hold. He should just hang up, clearly his brothers were playing a sick joke on him. A part of him though, a desperate part that just wanted his family to go back to normal, hung onto the phone with a vice like grip.
It felt like an eternity had past of just listening to an endless loop of cheery pop music, until at last the tunes were cut off by a deep Brooklyn accent.
“Ya still on the line Don?”
“Still here.” Donnie barely recognised his own voice as he softly muttered his response.
“Good, good, you’ve been marked as a high priority. I was waiting on your call. What’s the problem; how can we help?” The sentence came in a borderline frantic tone, and Donnie wondered what a high priority call even meant here, or who had had the foresight to mark him as such.
“Help? I have no idea what this number even is! I’ve been on hold for 20 minutes I just..” Donnie trailed off again.
“Sorry about the wait, I was already dealing with an incident when I got the news that your call passed through.” He sounded apologetic.
“Sorry I’m just a burden to you, I’ll just hang up now.” Don snapped.
“Wait, don’t hang up! I can tell by the fact that you put aside all of your suspicions and paranoia to call a hotline from a card given to you by a weirdo in a trench coat that something’s seriously bugging you. Keeping it bottled up isn’t healthy Dee. I’m here to help, please trust me on that.”
Donnie took deep breath. He had gotten this far on this bizarre call. Maybe he was just dreaming and this was his psyche’s poor attempt at getting him to open up about his problems. He was just so sick of being alone with his thoughts that he may as well just rip the band aid off at this point.
“I cant handle it, I’m just making everything worse, Leo shouldn’t have made me leader, everything’s going to hell and I don’t know how to fix any of it.”
“Damn that seems like a rough time. I take it ya under a lot of stress over there? You really need some assistance don’t you?” The voice seemed to be making an effort to stay professional, though there was some strong emotions crackling through it that were undermining his efforts.
“I don’t know how you think your disembodied voice is going to piece my family back together. I have more problems than minutes in a day I’m just so...”
“Tired?” The voice finished, strangely gentle.
Donnie's exhaustion seemed to double at the acknowledgment.
“Yes,” he whispered out, like a prayer. “I’m just so tired of everything. I cant help my brothers, hell I can’t even help myself. I haven’t slept a full night in weeks, I’m pretty sure my blood stream is 90% caffeine at this point, I don’t know what to do anymore.”
A drop of water landed on the desk in front of him.
He didn’t even know when he’d started crying.
“I just want everything to go back to the way it used to be. I want Leo back to stop Raph from endlessly sneaking out and for Mikey to stop being a kids’ piñata.” He gasped for oxygen.
“What about you Don, what do you need?”
Donnie was just about to snap that he’d just told him what he needed when he thought about the underlying message. All he’d asked for were things for his brothers. Don hadn’t thought about his own wants and needs in a long, long time.
Always having to put his family first especially since Leo had dumped his responsibilities on him, piling them on top of Donnie’s already extensive list of duties. He hadn’t had a chance to do anything for himself in so long that it almost felt like a foreign concept.
“I want to quit this god forsaken job and just invent something. God, I can’t even remember the last time I got a chance to make anything for myself. I know it’s selfish, I’m the leader now, I should be helping my family not working on useless gadgets. I just miss it.” Don nearly whimpered the last line as his tears threatened to overwhelm him.
“It ain’t selfish to wanna have time for yourself. Don, you’ve been carrying this burden solo for too long and it’s ok to ask for help. You're not a failure Don, it’s not just your job to fix everything. It’s ok to rely on others you know.”
“I sure feel like a failure. Leo’s been gone over a year and everything has just gotten so much worse since he stopped writing. He was supposed to come back months ago. I cant even remember the last time I spoke to Raph without it descending into a fight. I can't stop him going out like Leo could, or cheer up Mikey when his job’s getting tough, and God only knows if anyone can help Leo at this point. I'll never be the leader Leo wants me to be.”
“It seems like your bros are doing mostly nothing to help?”
“Mikey’s trying his best but he’s so tired after dealing with the kids that he’s not much help in the day to day stuff. Raph just sleeps all day and vanishes all night. I’m doing everything to keep the lair running.” Donnie couldn’t help defending his younger brother, it wasn’t his fault he wasn’t able to help round the lair much.
“I take it you’re at the point where you're one more bad day away from doing something you’d regret?” The voice asked knowingly.
“I’m not going to kill myself .I wouldn’t do that to my brothers or father. I just wouldn’t be sad if I didn’t wake up tomorrow.” Donnie winced, wanting the ground to open and swallow him.
He’d spent the last hour venting to a complete stranger about how his life sucked and, to top it off, made said stranger think he was suicidal.
“Okay here’s what’s going to happen. Me and the boys are going to come pick you up in 15mins so get packing genius.” They stated this in a voice that clearly left no room for arguments.
That didn’t stop Donnie from trying.
“I can’t go anywhere, I’ve got work in the morning. Raph’s not even back yet, I have way too many things to do to just take a spontaneous vacation with people I don’t even know...”
The voice cut off his rant.
“Look, ya need a break and we’re in the business of supplying you with one. Now I’ve got someone eager to cover your gig for god knows what reason. One of the boys is hunting down ya brother to drag his sorry ass back home as we speak. Everything’s sorted, all ya need to do is go and tell Mikey and Masta Splinter that you’re officially on vacation. Trust me this, it ain’t our first rodeo”
Donnie could practically hear the smirk through the phone.
“Who are you any way?” Donnie asked in wonder.
If these random people were going to show up at Donatello’s door, he needed to be prepared.
“Look, it’ll be easier to explain in person. We’ll be there soon so hang tight Donnie, you ain’t in this alone anymore.” The voice exuded confidence.
Somehow, despite all the logical parts of his brain telling him this was a bad idea, Donnie couldn’t help but trust them. What did he have to lose at this point anyway?
What Donatello didn’t expect was that 15 minutes later, a portal would open up in his living room, spitting out four red banded turtles. One of which was his very disgruntled big brother being held like a disobedient cat by an incredibly tall turtle, the one in the lead who looked remarkably similar to his Raph, and the final one who appeared to be an alligator snapping turtle mutant.
“Who? What?” Donnie could barely get his words out as he stared at two of the biggest turtles he'd ever laid eyes on.
“Yo Donnie, we spoke on the phone. Ya taxi service has arrived.” The shortest of the trio announced.
“You’re all...” He could barely comprehend what was going on.
“Yeah we’re all Raphaels. I suppose you’ll be wanting introductions?” Just when Donnie was about to answer with an ‘of cause I want to know what the hell is going on’, he was prevented from doing so by the absolute mountain of a turtle exiting the portal, a purple mask on his face that was slightly covered by a pair of tortoiseshell glasses.
“Donnie, what the hell is going on?” His brother hissed, still dangling in the firm grip of the tallest of the three Raphs.
Donnie didn’t know how to respond as he didn’t have the slightest clue either.
“Right, so everyone is here. Time for introductions. Big Purple over there is gonna be handling your tech support job in your absence. Kid wants the work experience. I dread to think why but he was the only volunteer.”
Said turtle’s giggle did not fill Donnie with confidence that his job would still be here when he got back from his supposed vacation (he honestly didn’t know whether to be hopeful that the other would get him fired or not).
“I’m the only Raph that will be keeping the name, same with my bros, seeing as it will be our universe we’ll be staying in after all.”
Apparently he was going to be taking his break in an alternative universe and his inner scientist screamed at all the possibilities this would lead to.
“The one holding your bro is codenamed Even Bigger Raph, name’s a long story, and he’s the turtle you first talked to on the phone. Big P here’s his bro. He’s going to stay in your universe in case of emergency.”
Donnie really wanted to know who came up with the stupid codenames because that Raph looked about ready to throttle someone over it.
“Finally, we have Big Red,” He gestured to the snapper. “His bro can and will give your bro a wonderful lesson on brotherly bonds and how not to abuse them or some shit like that. I dunno what that kid does but he has a 100% success rate.”
Donnie’s Raphael shook his head.
“I am not going to be some kid’s therapy project.” He snarled, wriggling futilely in the unwavering grip of Even Bigger Red.
“Oh, but it’s not up to you anymore. Your bro just needs to say the word and we can have you in a class with Dr feelings. And believe me, the good doctor’s made grown men cry before.”
Don smirked at his irate brother who was letting out strings of curse words strong enough to peel paint.
“Were you intending to tell us we had guests my son?” Splinter’s voice cut across all the others, drawing attention to where he and Mikey had been obviously listening in on the conversation.
In all the turmoil of the last few hours, Donnie had completely forgotten to let the others know about the situation.
“I take it you're this universe’s Masta Splinter, and that you have been listening to my speech?” The Raph who seemed to be in charge spoke addressed the elderly rat.
Splinter nodded.
“I have been listening, and what makes you think I’d allow my sons to travel with strangers, one of whom would evidently be going against his will?” His father raised an eyebrow.
“Your Donnie needs help and we’re the best turtles for the job. We’re not going to fight you over this but we think it's in your son’s best interests to come with us.” Raph declared, determination coating the words.
Donnie couldn’t remember the last time someone had been in his corner like this, and he once again found himself battling back tears, though this time they were filled with gratitude at having someone truly trying to help him.
“Please sensei, I need this. We all need this. I promise I’ll come back soon, I swear I’m not leaving forever, I just need a break and ...” Donnie’s ramble trailed of at the look of understanding that slowly filled his father’s eyes.
“What about me, you can’t force me to go to some weird ass dimension to get lectured on how I’m apparently a shi.. awful brother.” Raph growled.
It was a little bit funny that he tried go curb his swearing now even though their father had undoubtedly overheard the torrent of filth that Raph had been spewing earlier, though Donnie wasn’t quite suicidal enough to snicker like he wanted to.
“My son, this could be a good opportunity for you as well. I can sense that deep down you are desperate for help, and unlike your brother you have yet to ask anyone for it. Things can’t go on like this any longer. I fear that I can no longer help you with your pain my sons.”
“I don’t need any help.” Raphael bit out, though Master Splinter looked to be unaffected by his venom, beyond a look of grief that crept into his eyes.
“Donatello, you have my blessing to go. I let my eldest go off to find his way and now it seems to be your turn. Michelangelo and I can mange whilst you and Raphael are gone.”
“These two will help you as well,” Raph noted, before adding, “Mikey’s more than welcome to come as well.”
“I'd love to dudes but Cowabunga Carl is fully booked out for like a month.” Mikey groaned, looking downtrodden that he couldn’t join the interdimensional excursion.
“You can always come next time Mikey, I’m sure my own Mikey would love to meet you.” The snapper smiled.
This was the first time that Donnie had heard them speak since the quartet had gotten here. He seemed to be pretty nice, though, giving Mikey something to look forward to.
“I’ll take you up on that offer Big Red, but right now I really need to catch up on my Zs. It’s like 3am and I have a long day tomorrow. Enjoy your vacation Don and you better write or I’m going to come and drag you back myself.”
“Mikey we are coming back I swear.” Donnie couldn’t help feeling guilty over leaving the youngest behind.
They’d lost their oldest brother to the jungle and now Raph and himself where leaving to.
“I know dude, I just worry, you know.” Mikey’s plastered on smile wavered at the edges.
So Donnie did the only thing he could think of, walking over to the other and sweeping his brother up in a bone crushing hug.
“I swear on all of science and this family that I’ll come back, and if I don’t you have full permission to press every shiny red button you see in my lab, ok?”
“Even the self destruct button?” Mikey asked, grin now more solid upon his face.
“Maybe not that one Mikey but go nuts with everything else.”
“Well now I know you must be serious, you never let me in your lab. Maybe you should come back late, I’ve been dying to know what the button on the desk does.”
(It refilled Donnie’s coffee machine automatically, and the turtle in purple was not letting any of his brothers have that type of power.)
“Any way all this mushy talk has me beat and I wasn’t lying about the long day tomorrow. Night D, see you when you get back, you better give me all the details.” With that Mikey gave a quick wave and finally headed back into his room.
“Good luck my sons and stay safe.” Splinter added, also retiring back to his room.
“Well, with that outta the way, you ready to head out Don?”
Donnie nodded, watching the biggest Raph throw his brother through the portal in the manner one would use to dispose of one’s trash. Fighting a grin, Donnie then followed the group through the portal and on to his next adventure.