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The day started off pretty well. Normal, mundane even!
Maybe that was because normal, their new normal , was fighting bad guys. Talking to crime bosses, and keeping the peace between humanity and mysticality. Stressful? Yes, but also their normal! So when Donnie and his family finally had some winddown time to just exist together, and enjoy a lovely afternoon in watching whatever cartoon buzzed in the background. (Classic early seasons of spongebob, as per Mikey’s request) Safe to say, today was going rather well.
Then she had to show up, tumbling into the Lair arms wide and smiling as bright as ever, it was only through literal years of practice that Donnie hadn’t choked on his flavorless juice. Seeing her instantly reminded him of how important today was.
“ O’NEIL IN THE HOUSE !” She cheers, throwing her hands up in a frivolous show, one that easily inraptured his brothers drawing them in, like moths to the flame. Was that term overused? Yes, just a tad; but how else could he go about describing her shining brilliance? The way she so effortlessly enraptured the people around her, so boisterous and bright.
He leaned back just watching her for the longest as she chatted with his brothers. How would they react if they knew he held such, untoward, feelings for their q uote unquote “big sister”?
He knew for a fact Mikey wouldn’t be too pleased, always saying how she’s “been a part of their lives for so long”, and “having a crush on her would be silly”. Sure Dr. Feeling could get the most stone cold of bastards to cry and confront their deepest traumas.
Yet Mikey is nothing, if not a stubborn Hamato.
So here he sits, a passive look on his face that gave nothing away to the rage of emotions swelling in his chest as he watched her, and soon deep hazel clashed with ruby and sapphire. He could have sworn he saw a light blush bloom against maroon skin, but as she strutted over to his side, he simply blamed it on a trick of the lights. “Hey, Dee! How come you didn’t greet me?” She teases, sliding up against his side with ease.
Yes, for as conscious as Donnie is of his personal space, he is well aware of how easy and often April invaded it. However unlike with some stranger or even with his own family, April’s presence was never an unwelcome one, nor her touch. He smirked, a light gleam in his eyes. “And get run over by my brothers? Why bother when you obviously came to see the most brilliant and handsome mind around.” He kids.
“Then why would she be with you, Donald?” His ever so irritating other half shot back from his perch on the arm of the couch.
The softshell merely clicked his tongue, pulling himself and his female companion to their feet. “As much as I enjoy correcting you, Nardo. I have more important matters to attend to!” He chirps.
And it’s true, after yet another year of pining, Donatello has finally gathered the courage to set up, wait for it… A date! A surprise he methodically thought out for nearly as long as when he finally came to terms with his feelings. He has always been one for grand gestures, and this would be no different, in fact maybe a little more intense actually.
First, Witch Town, as much as he still despises the place, April’s love for magic rivals that of his self proclaimed twins, so when he heard about their Mystic Explosion Extravaganza , he knew right away he had to take her. April’s love for that rush of adrenaline has always sparked a desire in Donnie as well.
Poking his head out from the kitchen he scampered off too, Mikey practically beamed. “Heading out, Dee?! Can I come!” He begged, throwing himself at the softshell. Not wanting to be toppled over, nor wanting to let go of April’s wrist. Donnie caught the box turtle with his metallic arms. Tutting softly as he let his baby brother down. “No can do my sweet, Michael! Solo adventure with April today!” He proclaims proudly, patting the orange themed turtle on the head with a metal claw.
This only causes the baby of the family to huff, crossing his arms. “Aw man, what ?! You just went on a solo adventure with April last week! Let me come!” He pleads and tries to reason. It was true, just last week once again he and April faced off against the purple dragons, who were becoming much more bold with their plans and attacks, even going as far as making an actual name for themselves.
Of course Donnie could handle them on his own, but April wanted a story, and Donnie wanted to spend time with April. He’s been doing just about everything to get some time together without it being too obvious.
“Where are you even goin!” Mikey then asked, “I’m sure whatever you’re doin I am more than capable of handling!” Again, true. Mikey’s mystic training has really been paying off. The softshell opened and closed his mouth.
“Just… Recon…” he finally got out, hoping his little brother would buy it. Clearly not from the unamused expression painting his face.
“Recon… Really ?” Yep, didn’t sound like he was buying it one bit.
“Yes! All for very legitimate reasons! Boring stuff really, sneaking around, no action at all. We might even need a few hours just to stake out the building! Yep! Boring ol’ recon!”
The box turtle narrowed his eyes in suspicion, before shrugging, the tension leaving the group so easily, Donnie nearly sagged. “Okie dokie, you make a fair point! But don’t forget to be home by dinner! I’m making a Valentine's day special! Sure to unleash the flavor, baby!”
It took just about all of Donnie’s self control to remember to vaguely wave his hand as he all but sped walk away. Only once the two made it safely to the subway tunnels did the genius let his shoulders go lax.
“Soo recon, huh?”
He didn’t squeak, someone of Donnie’s genius and caliber does . not . squeak . That being said, the noise echoing in the tunnel was that of the mind. “Wait? What no I just said- I mean yes ! I hope you don’t mind, I really do require your assistance.” He asked with a nervous tilt to his voice.
To his surprise, April merely smiled. Her free hand resting on her hip, which brought his attention back to the fact that he was holding the other. Wait. He was holding her hand! Fingers locked, palm to palm and everything!
April on her part watched as Donnie turned three shades brighter. She had to bite her lip to keep the smile that so desperately wanted to crawl across them at bay. For a minute the two just stood there, April knew very well Donnie was up to something. When he had called her on the phone yesterday morning he had sounded so nervous, very unlike her overconfident friend.
And honestly, something in the back of her mind had felt a rush of giddy excitement. In fact, something she pushed and punched down into a box, before throwing it into a pit.
‘ He’s your best friend O’Neil, cut it out!’
April’s own epiphany of her feelings came just as late as Donnie’s and honestly in the same fashion.
April smiled a smug grin to herself, taking great satisfaction in the cursed Atomic Lass smear frame she had just sent to Donnie. Only for the softshell in mere seconds to call her. She didn’t even try to hide or hold back the roaring laugh his screaming rant pulled from her.
She smiled, teasingly informing her dearest and closest friend how beautiful his waifu looked, only to have him hiss about disowning her. It was such a fun night like many others, spending talking on the phone until sleep finally nipped at the edge of her consciousness.
Once they finally said good night, April smiled to herself. Heaving a soft sigh, that soon gave away to a purely horrified expression.
“ HOLY FUCK, I’M IN LOVE WITH HIM?! ”
Finally after what felt like forever, April broke the silence; the teasing tone in her voice wasn’t lost on the softshell. “You know I say yes to you, far too much for my own good.” She jokes, playfully bumping her shoulder against his own. This got a slight smile from her purple clad techwiz, and once again they were moving. April fights to keep the skip out of her step, while Donnie fights to keep from giving the hand in his own a slight squeeze.
“Dang, wish you would have warned me, I got all dolled up for nothin’.”
It would take a bigger man to admit he whipped his head around to ogle at their love interest, and as proven before. That was not Donnie.
April huffed a small laugh before unzipping her jacket, that Donnie is only just now realizing is black. Donnie found himself surprised to be biting back a whine when April finally pulled her hand out of his own. Yet his mood didn’t stay dampen for long when she fully pulled off her jacket. And despite all his ninja skills, he couldn’t fight off the gasp of surprise at her attire.
“I kinda feel overdressed.” April hummed, tying the jacket around her waist.
Her words barely registered as the softshell took in the dark skinned beauty in all her glory. For some reason April found herself wearing a dark purple sleeveless dress with a yellow band going around her waist and the hem of the dress matched perfectly with the choker she had on.
Maybe a little too well drawing the poor boy's attention to her pretty slender neck, then lazy up to those ruby lips that he’s day dreamed of on many occasions. Noticing how her usual cherry red lip liner was replaced with a darker gloss, making her lips look even more plump and appealing than usual.
“I-I, you look nice, yes.” He choked out clearly his throat to ignore the slight break. “No problem! Your attire is actually very suitable for our infiltration mission! Hazzah! He genuinely cheers!”
April smirked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. “Where are we even going anyways?”
“To Witch Town, my good lady! Got a tip from Big Mama that Vizioso is trying to make a stop there this evening around 10.”
Half true, the tip did say Vizioso was going to make an appearance in Witch Town, but that’s next month. Right now the mobster is still hiding from the lass ass whopping Donnie and his brothers gave him. April perked up at this, her eyes sparkling with malicious intent, after Vizioso’s goon threw her and Donnie through a window, she’s been itching to get her hands on the bastard wolf yokai.
“Then lead the way, Dee!”
—----------------------
“Uh, Dee… What is this?”
“I did say it would take a few hours to stake out the building!”
“No no, I get that, but what does a stake out have to do with mystic crepes and festivals?”
Yes, when the two had finally arrived in Witch Town the extravaganza was in full swing! And really Donnie did have to give respect to the grand scale of the festivities! Witches zipping and cheering in the streets. Just like in the city above it, Witch Town was full of lights and life, a little too much life with how many times April had nearly been swept away and swept up into more chaos. One such instance was as soon as they walked through the gates, nearly getting arrested once again.
Thankfully talk far and wide spoke of the pair saving the world, and after yet another freaking apology , the two were left to their own devices. The upside, no drawing attention to themselves for their “stake out”, the downside.
“Hey! Watch it Buddy!” April snapped waving her spooky spirit cherry crape at the warlock that nearly ran her down. He sheepishly apologized, before continuing to run off.
Donnie watched with a barely concealed grin as April grumbled into her crepe. “This is what happens when you grow up to be short.”
Giving out a scandalized gasp, the shorter female turned a retort on the tip of her tongue, but it soon dies in the form of a small squeak at the feeling of a weight draping over her shoulder.
It would be a lie to say the blush rising in her cheeks was due to her being angry, with wide eyes. April looked up the softshell, her best friend, someone she’s known for nearly all her life, watching the way the cyan flames of the city seemed to make his mitch matched eyes sparkle. The smug grin on his beak, turning softer. She nearly crushed her crepe in her hands when Donnie bent down to whisper in her ear.
“My apologizes, this is purely to keep close, is that okay?” If only she knew the meaning behind that statement.
April is very used to supporting Donnie’s weight, she’s used to leaning on or over his shoulder, but this felt different, sweeter , intimate . When she looked up, again she almost jumped at the intense gaze she was receiving, it nearly sent a chill down her spine. April brought her crepe to her lips, looking away to try hiding the deep maroon staining her face. “Yeah, no probbles.” She hums. “Donnie… This kinda-, is this-...” Spirits, how does she ask if this is a date?!
While April floundered with her words, Donnie pulled up a hollow screen, the time flashing 9:48.
“Ah! It’s almost time!” His excitement only pushed to confuse April more, and against everything that told her to move and go with him, stopped. Grabbing Donnie’s sleeve to get her attention. She of course succeeded, after all for April anything. “Yes, April? It’s almost 10!” He urged, if they didn’t move now the city's square will be full and they’ll lose their most optimal viewing range.
However, when April crossed her arms, hip popped out slightly. Donnie nearly hissed, they were so close! He’s so close to giving the perfect confession! Closing their perfect first date!
“Donnie, what are we doing here? Really?” She asked once again.
Ever since they got here besides nearly getting arrested, everything else was well… Very much like a date! Hell! They’ve even won each other a few bears! Every time before when April had asked if this was really for a stake out. Donnie just grinned, going on and on about hiding in plain sight. Which at the time made sense and was very much in the norm for the mutant turtle. Yet now with that reaction, this was getting to be a little too much to ignore. And she told him as much.
Donnie was sweating bullets. “Wh-what do you mean! Of course this is a da- I uh! I mean! This is a stake out! Now if we could just get to the town square in the next five-” He bit his tongue at the flash of something across his April’s face. Whatever it was, he didn’t like it, not one bit. Disappointment? Hurt? Sad ? Had he inadvertently made April sad?! “Oh.”
Oh no, even her tone was different, he didn’t like it.
“This is really… I mean I know I said I wouldn’t mind, but is this really just a stake out ?”
Donnie looked at the woman before him with wide eyes, was that what she’s disappointed about? That this was a stake out? Was that hope he heard? When April looked at him for a moment, only to quickly look away the two ended up sporting a matching deep blush.
“April I-...”
Before he could finish, not even sure what he would have said, but he knew what he wanted to avoid. Sadly the tale tell sign of explosions and cheering pulled his attention away, and confirmed his suspicions. “NO!” He hissed, standing there genuinely distraught at the sight of fireworks going off.
“What?! What, is it Vzioso?!’ She asks while pulling out a kunai from her stocking. Donnie would have found that extremely attractive if he wasn’t so upset. Breathing a deep sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck, “No that… that was the reason we came.” He said while another bright red and cyan explosion lit up the sky. April tilted her head, the pieces are all right there, but she wasn’t sure she could 100% believe it.
However yet again she witnessed and this time truly processed the blush creeping up Donnies neck. The sight caused a bit of hope to bloom in her chest. “Donnie?” She tries again.
“Okay! I give!” His cry matched that of the next explosion. April watched on a hum buzzing under her skin. Just when she was about to ask the softshell to elaborate, he grabbed her hand pulling her through the crowd. “H-Huh, wait! Donnie!” She tried, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Donnie continued to pull her alone and the two finally found a rather quiet alley away from most of the buzz of the crowd.
Donnie stood gnawing at his bottom beak looking everywhere but at her. “I’m sorry. Yes this is a date, at least. I-I want it to be. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, I swear it came out of nowhere, but I just couldn’t help myself.” He took a deep breath, ‘Spirits give me strength.’
“I like you, April. A-And no, not just as a friend. You mean the world to me, you always have. But nowadays, I find myself…w-wanting more.” Flapping his hands aimlessly, Donnie groaned. “God this is always so much easier on paper!” He hissed, before dropping his face in his awaiting hands.
Anxiety his longest friend, what a lovely surprise to deal with you this fine evening .
“Donnie…”
Fuck, please no .
“L-Look! We can just go home! I’m sorry! I know I wasted your time!” He shot up still refusing to meet April’s eyes as he backed himself against the wall of the alley. “I don’t expect you to reciprocate! And if you want to reject me, could you please give me at least three to five business days before doing so! Y-You know how I am about preparation!”
“Donnie.”
Fuckfuckfuck, Mikey was right, this was silly, he messed up. No please, he doesn’t want to lose her, he can’t-
Then nothing.
It took five solid seconds to register lips against his own, when he blinked his body finally relaxed. It took another ten seconds before April pulled away, and if Donnie wasn’t so dazed he would have chased after those lips seeing if the next kiss could be longer.
“I… I um, feel the same. I like you too, Dee. Kinda have for a while.” Her voice was so soft. Low and yet heavy at the same time, from the kiss? Blinking the daze from his eyes, he noticed how close the was, if he wanted to he could wrap her up in his arms with ease.
And he did want to, and yeah it was really easy.
April squeaked again, and Donnie decided then and there her little surprised squeaks were the cutest thing ever. Not up for debate, zero questions.
It was April's turn to look away embarrassed, before peeking up through her lashes at the softshell. “Sorry we missed the fireworks, but gotta say.” Her lips curled as she took in the face of her best and dearest friend. “The light show you’re giving me now is way better.” There was a teasing tilt in her voice and it took an embarrassingly long time for her words to sink in.
Yet when they did, Donnie looked down at himself, more than a little surprised to see the same light of his ninpo bathing him in a soft glow. Excitement sparkling in those ruby and sapphire orbs she loved with all she could give. April giggled, squealing playfully as the tables were turned and now it was her back against the wall.
She blushed hard at the look in his eyes, but being April O’Neil, she’s never been the type to back down from a good fight. “What? Wanna see how bright you can get, Dee?” She teased, snaking her arms around his neck to pull him closer.
Donnie grinned, their foreheads pressing together. “I am a man of exploration.” He shot back, loving the breathless giggle he got as a reward. For a moment they stared, lost in each other's eyes.
“I really like you.”
A whispered confession before their lips met once again, who said it? Neither of them could tell you for sure, yet as Donnie’s hands found their place on April’s hips, and April lovingly cradled the back of Donnie’s head. Clinging to him for everything he’s worth, which damn sure felt like a lot, neither of them really cared right now.
Yeah, this really was the perfect first date.
.
.
.
“ DONALD?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! ”