Sorry it took so long to upload this. I have been crazy busy with school and what not. Hopefully I can get my other chapters up more quickly. Anyways I hope you like it!
disclaimer: don't own teenage mutant ninja turtles.
April was avoiding Donnie. Ever since that strange night she'd spent baking cookies with him something had changed inside her. Something that made her blush whenever their eyes met and become nervous whenever they happened to be alone together. At first April had tried to ignore the feeling. She carried on like nothing was different. It wasn't long though before she realized her newfound crush was too strong to ignore.
One night after a particularly exhausting top-side patrol the turtles and April relaxed together on the couch in the lair. The TV played quietly in the background and an open pizza box sat on the floor beside them. April stared intently at her laptop screen, completely absorbed in a random game she had found online while the other turtles finished off the last few slices of deep dish.
"Well I'm pooped," Mikey exclaimed after swallowing his fifth slice. He wiped his greasy fingers off on the couch, burped loudly, and then stood up to stretch.
"Has anyone ever told you how disgusting you are?" Raphael asked, standing up to face his younger brother. Despite being exhausted he couldn't pass off the opportunity to start an argument and maybe throw around a few punches.
"Has anyone ever told you how…how uh..how…" Mikey trailed off as he raked his brain for a comeback.
"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you," Leo suddenly chimed in, looking up from the TV long enough to throw his brother a cautionary glance.
"No. Go on Mikey, finish your sentence," Raph cracked his knuckles.
"Has anyone ever told you how….."
Before Mikey could finish Raphael wacked him over the head then followed up with a shove that sent him tumbling unto the floor. He hit the pizza box with his foot on the way down, sending a few slices flying up into the air.
Mikey popped back up almost instantaneously and seemingly out of nowhere pulled out his nunchucks, spinning them expertly around his body, "Oh so that's how you wanna play," he said, grinning.
"Hey where'd those even come fr— "
Raph was interrupted as a nunchuck came hurtling towards his face. He leaped swiftly to the side, dodging the attack and landed safely next to where April and Donnie sat on the couch, ignoring them.
"Is that the best you can do?" he taunted.
Leonardo groaned," Can you guys please not do this right now? I'm trying to watch this show!"
Raph ignored him and Mikey merely began flinging his weapon around even faster.
"Alright Raph," Mikey grinned, "I didn't want to have to do this but you leave me no choice. Get ready for my hot nunchuck fury!"
Before Raph could respond Michelangelo drew a deep breath, flexed his arms, and began flailing his nunchucks around so quickly that they lost their form. They became a blur, a red and orange nunchuck blur. Raphael raised an eyebrow in amusement and for a moment everything was fine. Then, suddenly, Mikey's foot slipped. He gasped in shock as he instantly tumbled to the floor. His right nunchuck escaped his grasp as he fell and whipped through the air….…hurtling directly towards April's face. Before anyone could do anything the nunchuck slammed into her temple, just barely missing her eye. There was a sickening thump as it hit. Followed by a scream of pain from April.
Donnie was the first one to react.
He was by her side in an instant.
"April! April! Are you okay!? Are you hurt?!" he frantically examined her looking for any damage.
April merely shook her head. Tears formed in her eyes.
The other turtles looked on in complete shock for another second. Then Leo and Raph turned on Mikey.
"You idiot! You hit April!" Raph yelled.
"Look what you did! I've told you guys and told you guys that fighting in the lair would only cause trouble, and now look what you've done!" Leo lectured angrily.
"You good-for-nothing, stupid, idiotic, clumsy, poor excuse for a ninja!" Raph continued screaming.
Mikey looked up at his two older brothers screaming down at him. He looked over to where Donnie bent over April in distress. Then he burst into tears.
"It was an accident! I slipped on this stupid piece of pizza!" he wailed, peeling the slice off of his foot.
"Is that one of the pieces you sent flying into the air earlier?" Leo asked.
"Yes!" Mikey bawled.
"You dumb, ugly, dim-witted, crybaby,….." Raph started up with another string of insults.
"April! Can you hear me! Please April! Listen to me. If you see a light at the end of a dark tunnel DO NOT GO TOWARDS IT! Do you hear me!? Stay with me April! I need you, you can't leave me!" Donnie continued shouting, mad with panic.
The pain in her temple was immense. For a moment tiny pinpricks of light had consumed her vision. Now, however, the pain was beginning to dissolve into an aching throb and April found herself becoming more aware of her surroundings. She was seated so close to Donatello she was almost in his lap. He had one arm wrapped protectively around her and he was shouting something about a light at the end of a tunnel.
"…I need you April…" she heard Donnie yell.
And suddenly the throbbing in her temple didn't hurt so much anymore. The warmth that spread through her veins at those words seemed to swallow up the pain.
"I need you too Donnie," she said before she could stop herself.
"April!" Donatello squealed in utter relief, "You're alive! Guys April is alive!"
Leo, Raph and Mikey all looked up.
"You were afraid she was dead?" Leo asked in disbelief.
"Well I donno...I mean…humans are very fragile!" Donnie retorted, pulling April even closer, as though her incredible fragility had just dawned on him as he spoke and hiding her in his arms would keep her from breaking.
"Well I knew you were prone to overreaction Donnie but I didn't think you were that dumb," Raphael exclaimed after a moment.
"He's right Donnie. We're not that fragile! I feel fine guys. Never been better," April laughed. Then gasped in surprise as Donatello pulled her towards him in a tight hug. She couldn't help the blush that spread across her cheeks as he buried his face in her hair.
"What on Earth is going on down here?"
It was Splinter.
Everyone froze as the master of the lair made his way into the room, his tail flicking behind him in irritation. Upon seeing April's tear streaked face he quickly made his way over to her.
"Are you alright April?" he asked gently, "Tell me what happened."
"I'll tell you what happened, Mikey and Raph were fighting down here again….." Leo began.
"….when this idiot over here slipped on a piece of pizza ….." Raph continued.
"….and hit April in the temple with his nunchuck…" Leo finished.
"And made her cry," Donnie added, gently brushing one of the tears off April's face.
Splinter turned to the whimpering Michelangelo on the ground.
"Is this true Michelangelo?"
"Hai Sensei," Mikey mumbled, "…..but it was an accident and I'm so, so, SO sorry April" he crawled on the floor towards where she sat.
"You stay away from her," Donnie ordered, tightening his grip on April's shoulder, "You've done enough damage."
"Michaelangelo!"
Mikey froze at the sound of Splinter's voice.
"It does not matter that it was an accident. Nor does it matter that you are sorry. All that matters is that you admit your mistake and do whatever it takes to mend it."
Mikey bowed his head, "Hai Sensei,"
Splinter turned back towards April and bent to examine her face.
"I'm okay Sensei, really. It didn't hurt that much," April said as he gently turned her head to the side to look at the place where the nunchuck made impact.
"Sensei, don't listen to her! We need to take her to a hospital or something! I'll call an ambulance! Or you can call the ambulance! What's the phone number for an ambulance!? Gah I can't remember!" Donnie began panicking again, his whole body twitching with agitation.
"Donatello, calm yourself," Splinter ordered, "April is going to be fine. It is very lucky that nunchuck did not hit her eye then we may have needed an ambulance. From what I can see there may be some swelling and probably a bruise, but that is all. Michelangelo bring me an ice pack!" he shouted suddenly.
Mikey quickly raced into the kitchen and retrieved the ice pack.
"I'm really sorry April," he mumbled miserably as he handed it to Splinter.
"It's fine Mikey. I know you didn't mean to do it," she smiled in reply.
"April, hold this to your temple for twenty minutes to prevent any further swelling," Splinter told her before handing her the pack, "Now then. Michelangelo. This will not happen again. The clumsy way you handled your weapon tonight is a disgrace and a disappointment .I expect much better from you. Until I feel you have completely mastered your weapon you will be training twice as long and twice as hard as your brothers."
Michelangelo stared at his feet miserably before muttering "yes sensei" and sulking over to the couch.
"And as for you, Raphael,"
Raph gulped before nervously turning to face Splinter.
"The way you started an unnecessary argument so near to where April sat shows poor judgment and a lack in observational skills, two of the most important traits found in a ninja. Your actions were shameful tonight. This will not happen again," Splinter turned away from the dejected Raphael and made his way towards his room.
"It is very late. I think it best everyone get some rest. That is an order," Splinter declared before walking through the doorway and to his bedroom.
There was a long moment of silence after Sensei left, broken only by the sniffling of Michelangelo. Then Leo yawned.
"Sensei's right. We all better go to bed. Good night April. I hope you feel better in the morning," he patted April on the back affectionately and made his way to his room.
"Goodnight Leo,"
Raph, who bent sullenly over the pinball machine, slowly shuffled over to where April sat.
"Night, April. Sorry my brother's such an idiot," he grumbled.
"It's all good, Raph. See you in the morning," she responded.
The gasped as Mikey suddenly threw himself at her.
"April! I'm so sorry!" He wailed his eyes still littered with tears. Donnie glared at him but stiffly allowed him to pull April into a watery hug.
"I forgive you Mike. Really. It's fine. Go to bed."
Mikey bit his quivering bottom lip and nodded, afraid he'd start crying again if he tried to talk. Then he slowly sulked out of the room, his feet dragging along the floor. He gave April one last apologetic glance before disappearing through the doorway to his bedroom.
As soon as he was gone, the room grew tense.
April and Donnatello were alone together. And both of them were incredibly aware of it.
Almost instantly April began to feel a familiar, unwanted nervousness creep into her stomach as she suddenly realized just how close Donnie's lean, muscular body was to her own.
After a moment, she cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence.
"Hey, Donnie you can go to bed now too. I'll probably stay up and watch some TV while I ice this bad-boy. Then I'll go get some sleep,"
She wasn't sure whether she really wanted him to leave or not. All she knew was that she hated the butterflies in her stomach, and the only way to get rid of them was to get rid of Donnie.
"I'm not going anywhere," He exclaimed after a moment.
He looked down as he replied and April was surprised to see the concern that still clouded his large, brown eyes.
She sighed.
"Look, Donnie, I'm perfectly fine. You heard what Splinter said. No need to worry."
"I'm not leaving you," came the simple reply.
April exhaled in defeat, "Alright fine. I hope you don't mind watching girly late-night TV shows then," she said as she turned on the TV and flipped through the channels.
"I don't mind,"
It's not like I'll be looking at the TV anyways
He thought to himself as he stared at her, entranced all over again.
"Here we are," April exclaimed when she found the correct channel.
She let out a yawn then relaxed back into the couch. Her arm just barely touching Donnie's arm beside her.
For a while they sat in silence. Both feigning interest in the show, while in reality both their minds could think of nothing but the pleasant chills that raced up their spine whenever their skin happened to brush.
Sitting their alone with April in the dimly lit room, Donatello was in agony. He was being given a second chance. Ever since his attempt to kiss April in the kitchen had failed he had prayed and wished for a second chance. So far his brothers or Splinter or training would get in the way. Tonight was the first time in a week that he was alone with the girl of his dreams. It was his second chance! And yet he couldn't do it. He was a mess of nerves and anxiety. Sitting beside her now, he was too afraid to move even an inch closer. When she had gotten hurt by the nunchuck it had been easy to forget his embarrassment and nerves. He had pulled her close to him without even a single blush. All his anxiety had been swept away by the panic he felt and the urgency to discover if she was alright.
But now.
Now that he knew she was okay, his nerves returned with full force.
Oh how he wanted to kiss her! His whole being wanted it more than anything else in the world. But all the possibilities of things that could go wrong raced through his mind and kept him from moving.
What if she slaps me? What if I'm a bad kisser? What if she pukes? What if someone walks in? What if she laughs? What if I have bad breath? What if she secretly has a boyfriend?
….
But what if she kisses you back?
And in that moment Donnie knew he had to try. Because if he didn't, he would live the rest of his life knowing that there had been a small, tiny, infinitesimal chance of her kissing him back. But a chance all the same. And every second, and every minute, and every moment of the rest of his forever would be stained with regret.
With these thoughts in mind Donnie forced himself to speak.
"So uh April.…we've known each other for some time now…and uh" he winced as he realized how incredibly cliché he sounded.
April looked up upon hearing him speak.
"Yes, yes we have," she agreed, confused.
"W-well it's just that…" his voice broke nervously.
"Just that what?"
Don't beat around the bush. Get to the point Donatello. Get to the point.
Donnie took a deep breath. His stomach clenched anxiously.
"It's just that uh…A-April, there's.…there's something I've been meaning to try…" he rushed the words, afraid his courage would soon die out. His heart pounded in his chest.
April's own heart stopped. She knew exactly what he was going to try. But what really terrified her was…..she wanted him to try it.
She turned to look at Donnie.
The glow of the television screen brought out brilliant glimmers in her large eyes that Donatello had never seen before. For a moment he was dazzled.
"Yes, Donnie?" April tilted her head slightly towards his.
Donnie blushed. He could feel his courage seeping out of him. It was now or never. He took a deep breath.
Please. Please. Please. Oh Please let this work. That's all I ask for. This one kiss. Please. Donnie. Please. Don't blow it.
He was so nervous he felt he might puke. But he took another deep breath and so quickly he wasn't even sure he had done it, he placed one hand lightly on April's shoulder; the other gently cupped her face. Her skin was so lovely. He never imagined someone could feel so, so….soft. Chills ran up his spine.
Okay Donnie. Do it now. Now. Before she slaps you.
Afraid to see the look of disgust that was probably on April's face, Donatello closed his eyes. He tilted his head down…..and he kissed her.
For a moment Donnie thought he must have died. Because the way he felt was so absolutely, wonderful he simply had to be in heaven.
Her lips were so gentle pressed against his.
So amazing.
It was much, much better than anything he had ever fantasized about.
He tried his best to freeze this moment. To capture it in his mind so that in a few seconds when she slapped him and told him she hated him, he would still be able to have this single, perfect moment.
Something was wrong though.
It was time for April to react.
Time for her to throw him off in disgust and swear to never see him again.
Instead she did nothing.
Just then Donnie felt something. For a moment he couldn't believe it was happening. Then—Yes! there was no denying it!
APRIL IS KISSING ME BACK. APRIL IS KISSING ME BACK. APRIL O'NEIL IS KISSING ME BACK!
A wave of pure and utter joy crashed down over Donatello. April's soft lips matched perfectly with his own, moving against them in a way both indescribable and beautiful. And suddenly Donatello was sure he was flying. There was no other possible explanation for the rushing noise that filled his head or the floating sensation that spread through his body.
It didn't matter that they were seated on an old, smelly sofa in the middle of a sewer with a trashy soap opera playing in the background, they could've been in the middle of a raging storm and neither one would have noticed. In that magical moment everything else faded away into the night.
April reached out and wrapped her arms around Donnie's neck, pulling him in closer. Their hearts pounded in unison. It was as though they had become one. She wasn't sure what she was doing, all she knew was that she wanted more.
Donnie shuddered with pleasure as April drew herself closer to him.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening. There is no way this is happening!
He thought to himself over and over again. Yet as April kissed him even more passionately he knew there was no way this could be a dream; no way his imagination was good enough to capture the sweet, softness of April's skin, or the incredible sensation of her fingertips on his arm.
This had to be real.
And as Donatello realized this he wrapped his arms around April's waist, pulled her in closer, and kissed her with as much passion as he could muster.
The kiss could have lasted for hours. Or maybe it was just seconds. Neither April or Donnie was sure. But eventually it did end, and when it did both teens pulled back with the same dreamy expression on their face. There was a moment of hushed silence as they stared at each other, both basking in the pure wonderment of what had just happened.
Donnie could think of nothing but the happiness that warmed his body and the sweet taste April's lips had left on his mouth.
April's mind was a chaos of emotions. Passion. Disbelief. Excitement. Joy. Love. Warmth. Happiness…...and, all of a sudden, Horror. As realization of what she had done set in April was stricken with panic.
This wasn't supposed to be happening. This couldn't be happening!
She couldn't have a crush on Donatello. He was her best friend…..and he could never be more than that. Certainly not her boyfriend. He was a giant, mutated turtle for heavens sake. They weren't even the same species. There was no way they could be together.
April's distressed thoughts had made her almost forget that Donnie was still seated beside her. He cleared his throat and she looked at him impatiently.
"W-wow…. That was better than I imagined," he blushed, "N-not that I have ever imagined us kissing. Err I-I mean not that I thought it wasn't possible we would ever kiss I just uh-"
"Donnie. I'm going to my room." April interrupted, her mind still a confused frenzy.
"W-wait. What? Already? But..but..but.." Donnie trailed off as he saw the cold, distant expression on April's face. Instantly his mood plummeted.
"Yeah. Sorry. Um. Goodnight." April picked up her icepack and stood up.
Donnie reached out as though to try and pull her back. But the look in her eyes stopped him. He only nodded and stared hard at the floor, determined not to show her how much she was hurting him.
April fled from the room as quickly as possible. Some part of her knew she was being cruel but she ignored this part and hastily left without a backward glance.
Donatello made sure April had left the room before crumpling. She had done this last time too. Was there something wrong with him? But that kiss had been perfect. Absolutely perfect. What had he done to make her leave like this? Donatello shook with a few miserable sobs. He was so so close to having April. To having everything he ever wanted. Why did things always have to go wrong?
In her bed, April lay awake, once again. She had feelings for Donatello. After that kiss there was no way she could deny this any longer. But Donnie was a turtle. She was a human. It wasn't natural. It wouldn't work. Some things were meant to be together. And other things were not. She and Donnie were definitely not. She would get over this crush if it was the last thing she did. And if it meant avoiding Donatello, then so be it. April drifted off to sleep with a determined expression still lingering on her face.
So this chapter ends much the same as the last one did, now we've learned why April objects so much to having a crush on Donnie though. Will she be able to overcome this silly problem ? Will she and Donnie ever be together? Will even more complications arise? I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to find out!
