Crushed

The air felt crisper than usual, clipping against his skin in waves whenever the occasional wind tunnels barreled through the alleyways, but it was perhaps the last thing on his mind as he kept moving. Auto pilot. He knew the way.

The sewers had always felt so warm and comfortable during this time of year, maintaining the sweltering exhaust of ancient mechanics of years lost keeping them all questionably cozy. Lazy. Complacent, even.

But out here, in the open…it was a slap in the face.

And perhaps that's what was needed as he sped-ran conversation to conversation, unable to settle on anything natural enough to break the thinnest ice he had ever slid across in his entire life. Maybe it had shattered long ago.

Hey, April…you have quite the flair for timing—

completely unprovoked —

—would've reached out sooner, I mean…I did, but—

Chaos. Too many scenarios. Too many words. Each overriding the last.

His fingers gripped onto the fire escape, tightening at the tone of his youngest brother, calm, soft, and tender, "…Everything okay?"

Taking a deep inhale, Donnie pulled himself up with a sour grunt, "…Fantastic."

Nothing followed up, but the tense feeling of his brother's influence haunted him regardless —he might as well have been clinging on. Dr. Feelings, was it?

The hazels knit bitterly.

He had to work out his…feelings. On the matter. Perhaps that would settle his thoughts.

"Alright, Michael…we'll do this your way." the mutant uttered, brows notching deep, "But if I hear so much as a sound from a Mind Leo—"

His eyes glanced about the open rooftop, slipping his legs over the ledge and tucking his hands between. It wasn't the latest it could be, but certainly past dinner when most wanderers were home or elsewhere, and the streets were quiet and calm. A taxi or two. The rustle of trash. And the brisk chill of a vengeful spring night.

Rooftops were often utilized for their useful real estate, basketball courts or fancy plazas, but the one across from April's building had never been utilized for much else than a pigeon perch, or a mutant lounge.

Quiet. Calm. Crisp.

It felt so…unusually open.

He rubbed at his arm, shoulders settling.

Perhaps he should've brought his hoodie.

It would've felt less exposing that way.

"Hey, April…"

His head tucked lightly, voice sliding a few notches lower from the echo that followed, "…You…"

His thumbs twiddled, gaze peering at the glowing lights below,

"…You know when I said I never liked you? That —was a lie. I—…You're—…"

A good person. A great gamer. A strong fighter.

His feet rocked in thought, fighting the nervous twitch in his gut.

A wonderful creature. A loyal soul. My best friend.

"…I might've come across as less than ideal, but that's only because I…"

His cheeks furrowed into his gaze as he leaned into his fist, frown set and deep.

…I was angry…I was angry because I don't understand how we ended up here. If there was always something that made sense to me…it was us.

His eyes darted awkwardly, capping his vision for a moment before dragging his palm under his nose.

N-Not that I—…us, like a solid team…not like…hah, th-that'd be…weird…right?

His gaze grew hollow before inhaling the cool air, expanding his lungs, and burning his windpipe.

"Raph said…something stupid. Big surprise."

Emptiness answered him, sharp and biting.

"…What did he say?"

His hands gripped along his thighs, the tension flexing in his palms,

"Oh, just…suggesting that I…may or may not harbor…f-feelings for…someone."

His jaw clenched, noting that for such a cold blooded creature, New York was suddenly feeling quite warm. It was a shame the humans weren't taking better care of their planet. All these toxins and the like were surely burning through the ozone and giving him reflective moon burn at this point.

Digressing thoughts.

"Nothing to be completely alarmed about." he muttered under his breath, eyes lifting to her darkened window.

No sign of life within.

April was a night hawk. It wasn't like her to turn in so early…but her behavior up to this point had him reworking every possible scenario regardless of expectation. It was almost like he didn't know her anymore…

His jaw tensed slightly, skimming the shape of the fire escape trailing her building.

Would she…even want to see him?

Apologies were not his forte, nor was admitting fault —or even recognizing it at times, but this…

His frown set deeper. The scorn had singed through, and could not be ignored. Not this time. The price was too high, and unlike a perfect digital world…this could not be reset.

Life was a game of high stakes with little room for quick upgrades. Experience had to be earned through true tests of mettle…not numb repetition. And if he ever hoped to be reunited with the only questing partner he'd ever accept, there was only one correct motion of order.

"…Alright…Time to handle this—"

"Like a boss?"

His eyes roamed in their wide analysis as he rose midway to his feet, pausing ever so slightly.

"Uh…not my exact thoughts, but, whatever works…"

Brushing himself off, Donatello shook himself out, settling his shoulders down.

This was something he had broken…despite whatever had led to it, the truest damage had been done by his own hands, and who knows why April had shown up in person after all that time, anyway?

Michelangelo had rambled on something awful about something…but…

Distractions carried the heaviest price of attention.

If he wanted any kind of answers, any kind of resolve, any kind of chance to make up for the damage he had instilled, he was going to have to buckle down, eat pride, and—

…Was that...Sunita?

His chin jutted out as his eyes lingered down below, monitoring the familiar soul skipping down the steps of April's stoop. Even from a distance, the yokai's broach glistened brightly upon her chest with the power it contained.

Her actions appeared chipper and keen as usual, swaying in thought as she made her way down the block, nary a worry in the world.

Perhaps April had reached out to her at some point…It would be more contact than Donnie had been able to make since his last chat with the yokai. But, if April had contacted her…why didn't she seem more concerned?

He couldn't imagine April O'Neil in the best of moods at the moment.

Then again…he couldn't imagine much of the past month had happened under his nose, either.

Focus.

His gaze followed her curiously, though his frown remained. Still no reason behind her wall up, either. But that was secondary to his mission.

Taking a deep breath, Donnie glanced for the ladder of the fire escape, grasping onto the ironworks. If he could at least manage some form of eye contact with April…that would be something. He was certain everything would flow after…just like old times.

Just like things should be.

It was wishful thinking…but it was all he had to work with.

And if he was left with nothing else but to bear his heart on his sleeve—

His gut knotted, shaking his head once more. He'd rather launch into a fight weaponless without his battle shell. To be so willingly vulnerable…

His eyes fell soft at the darkened window, hollow and lingering.

For April…?

Well…nothing was impossible, he supposed.

His sigh was quiet and easing, but he paused slowly as Sunita's usual path took a detour across the street, toward and up to a dusty blue van casually parked within the fire lane.

In her human form, it was much easier to approach anyone in the human world, but she seemed to be familiar with the passenger she spoke with, though they kept close to Donnie's escape route, and delayed his descent.

Tapping his finger impatiently, the mutant squinted as she chuckled and swayed until the back doors of the van popped open, triggering her curiosity to get the best of her. Her manner appeared all but worried, so when she approached the back area, Donnie remained earnestly intrigued, but steadfast.

After all, she was a yokai, and knew how to defend herself. Using the door's exterior handle, she pried it open to level herself up, yanking it further than necessary, and it was then that Donnie realized Sunita had made some new friends. Fashionably incognito and potential lovers of turtle soup, he'd imagine.

"What…?" he huffed, leaning forward.

She hesitated only a moment, perhaps to gain her bearings at the situation at hand, but she was swung into the back cabin before the van sped off, the screech of tires blending in no differently than a local siren.

Blinking himself back to reality, Donnie's eyes darted.

Timing, of all things, but perhaps this was the balance. The bad timing of one coin was the good timing of its twin half. And despite any poor sentiment regarding his personal life, Donatello had been trained to help those in need.

Reaching back for his bo, the teen extended it with a twist and took a swift step off the edge of the roof, his pack extracting and propelling him forward.

Sunita was in trouble, and he was a lone witness.

This was important…the apology would have to wait.