This one's a bit short, but some great development happening with our friends.

January 10, 2008

"Cause once you've heard that word, there ain't nothing you can't do…" Donnie crooned, strutting towards the entrance to the lair.

"So let that positoovity work for you!" April sang back from her perch on Donnie's back.

It was late, but Mai had dropped the preteens off at the entrance to the sewers after the show ended. She trusted them to return to the lair as quickly as possible. Plus, the young woman was exceedingly tired after chaperoning the pair for so long. She loved the kids, but she needed a break. It was a long walk from the manhole cover to the lair, so Donnie offered April a piggyback ride home.

The two continued to sing and giggle as they passed the turnstiles. They quickly silenced themselves as they heard a groan from the couch in the pit.

"Mikey, what are you still doing up? It's almost midnight!" April whispered, sliding down from Donnie's shell.

The boy made a noise as he shifted into a seated position. "I wanted to hear how everything went. Pop said I could stay up late tonight, but that means I have to go to bed early tomorrow." He shrugged. "Seemed like a good deal." Donnie shook his head at his brother's logic. Mikey scooted forward, shaking himself awake. "So? Are you going to tell me what happens or not? I want to hear all about it!"

April settled herself next to Mikey on the couch while Donnie got himself comfortable in between them on the ground. "Oh Mikey, where to start! The overture was gorgeous! Just hearing the score of all the music combined… it was magical! And then you hear Ariel singing her 'Ahhhh… Ahhhh…' offstage, and the curtain comes up, revealing Eric's ship! Everyone starts singing Fathoms Below…"

Donnie grinned as April continued to describe The Little Mermaid in intricate detail. He could tell Mikey was hanging on every word she said. His thoughts wandered back to one of his favorite parts of the show…

xXx

Ursula wandered offstage after her reprise of I Want the Good Times Back. April and Donnie were applauding along with everyone else as the scene changed to Ariel and Eric floating about the lagoon.

"Donnie, it's so beautiful!" April gasped. He chuckled as she quickly quieted herself so they wouldn't miss what Scuttle and Sebastian were saying.

"Nonsense, it don't take all dat," Sebastian chided his gull friend. "Everything we need we got right here…"

Donnie heard April take a shuddering breath as the music to Kiss the Girl began. He knew this was one of her favorite scenes from the original movie. The set was already so gorgeous, the boy felt it was off to a good start to live up to her expectations. Donnie knew she was sold as he heard her sniffling to stifle any tears. He reached over, squeezing her hand. She squeezed back.

"Go on and kiss the girl. Sing with me now…" Sebastian encouraged. "Sha lalalalalalala, my oh my, look like the boy too shy…"

Still sniffling, April leaned her head on Donnie's shoulder. Unlike when they were younger, Donnie didn't stiffen this time; instead, he rested his head on top of hers.

When Donnie and April first watched The Little Mermaid together, Donnie didn't know what the churning feeling in his gut was. Now that he was older, he had a better understanding of what the sensation meant. He had never fully seen April as his sister. As he told Mai, she was Donnie's best friend. But now… maybe he was beginning to see her as more than just his best friend…

However, they were both still so young! Plus, there were no clean signs that April felt the same way. Donnie took a deep breath. He would push his deeper feelings aside for the time being and continue being April's friend. It was a pretty good gig.

"Quickly! BLOCK THAT KISS!" Ursula commanded her minions from offstage as Ariel and Eric leaned in. Both April and Donnie started in their seats as the entire theatre lit up with crackling lightning as Flotsam and Jetsam electrocuted the boat…

xXx

"Donnie!"

The purple-clad turtle shook his head, resurfacing from his musings. "Sorry, Mike. What were you saying?"

"I asked what was your favorite of the show?"

"Uh…" Donnie's cheeks colored a bit before twirling his bandana tails between his fingers. "I-I'm not sure I really have a favorite. The whole thing was fantastic! But to be honest," He reached for April's hand. "I think I enjoyed my company the most. Seeing you react to the show, April, it just made the whole experience extra special for me. It reminded me of how much fun we had when we first saw the movie together."

"Aww Dee!" April blushed as she gently punched her friend in the arm. "Thanks for thinking of doing this. It really was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten."

Mikey yawned, pulling the two out of their moment. "Sorry, guys. Hey, do you remember any more songs? I really liked the one you both were singing when you came in."

April pulled her youngest brother to lay his head in her lap since she saw his eyes begin to droop again. "No worries, Mikey. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting the cast album from someone-" She gave Donnie a knowing smile. "For my birthday next month. Mai said they were taking preorders for it in the lobby on the way out. You can borrow it whenever you want."

"Hmm… thanks sis…" Mikey trailed off as sleep reclaimed him. April smiled, stroking the top of his head as he slept.

Donnie rested his chin on her knee. "So… was tonight everything you hoped it would be?" His eyes closed with a soft smile as April pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"It was beyond my wildest dreams."