Note: I'm not sure why, but I did notice that this story had been unavailable to read the other day, and then was suddenly available once more. Same thing happened with the last chapter. Hopefully everything is fixed by now, and in order.

Outside

"You know, Michael, we'd get to the pizzeria a lot faster if your weight wasn't slowing me down."

The squeeze his brother had on him increased tenfold, cheek shoved up against his own.

Raphael chuckled at the attachment, keeping the pace nice and even for everyone to keep up.

Leo had refused Donnie's offer to drive them there, declaring that going outside actually meant being outside, inhaling the fresh pollutants of the city and the foul steam that trash day blessed them with. And by force, the three of them had dragged him up and out of their clammy home and into the lukewarm spring night of the urban empire above.

They had been lucky. The bizarreness of the city's underworld had been rather calm as of late. Nothing too crazy happening. It was a nice night if Donnie was being honest with himself, and a nice distraction from his disorderly thoughts. In a strange lapse of judgement, he wondered if wishing for something to further distract him was a step too far. Mutants and Yokai laying low was best for everyone.

Not everyone was as accepting as…

His brows flattened, and further flattened when Mikey's hand clapped along the side of his head in a fierce grip,

"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever! You've been stowed away for like three weeks! I make dinner, you know." he huffed grumpily, fighting against Donnie's wrestle for freedom, "If you want something specific, just tell me. Microwavables over my home cooking? That's just rude."

Wedging his fingers between their faces, Donatello managed to pry himself a few inches, "…I'll keep that in mind."

"Aw, that's nice. This is nice." Leo grinned, glancing towards the largest of the four as Raph clapped his hands,

"Alright, any plans on what we're gettin'? It's been a minute."

"Leo's buying." Donatello noted, and for perhaps the first time that day, broke into a dark smile as he aimed his gaze toward him. It was a boost of serotonin Leo could've done without.

"Oh, then I definitely know what I'm gettin'." Raphael smirked, "How's everythin' with everythin' sound?"

"Delicious." Mikey grinned, finally clambering off of Donnie as he dusted himself off,

"Let's not forget to treat ourselves to a little dessert. Everything tastes sweeter on Leo's account."

"Ahah…okay. I'm feeling a little used here. Let's just all remember that I'm the best brother there ever was and leave it at that. You're welcome." the slider shrugged aimlessly as the youngest glanced over the edge of the roof,

"Is that place new? Lucetta's?"

The group grew quiet as they all peered down at the brightly lit establishment, booth to ceiling windows allowing a peek within. None could recall the name, but business seemed to be doing well as people paced in and out, groups seating down for dinner on the stay, and others shuffling out for dinner on the go. It certainly appeared that pizza was on the menu as half a dozen customers emerged with the flat familiar shaped box in tow.

And as they spied quietly from their vantage point above, Mikey's stomach gurgled.

"Looks like business is booming." Raph noted with a smile, and stretching an arm, Leo tilted his head, pulling on the jersey he had brought with him,

"And that means it's gotta be worth a try. Alright, I'll head down, work my magic, grab a menu and text it to you guys. Be gentle, I'm not trying to break bank here—"

"Wait a second," Mikey murmured as he leaned forward and squinted roughly, "Is that…? Hey, yeah! It's April!"

The four shuffled to the edge to get a better look, but none more than Donatello who had slipped on his goggles for a more accurate reading. Pizza guy, waiter, small kids —there. Third booth by the window.

Without binoculars she would've been easily identified with her usual green jacket and curly brown hair, but with the advanced vision, there was no mistaking it.

Three weeks of dead end messages, and there she was: safe, content, and without a care in the world.

She was glancing through the menu, lip pouted in thought as her palm cupped her cheek, debating and debating. And after a moment, her brow knit curiously, gaze skimming out into the street as if feeling the very eyes preying on her.

The brothers shifted glances among each other before falling on Donnie who hadn't moved nor said a word.

As much as his frustration had built over the past month, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, regardless of her radio silence.

"Uh…so a vote to see what's been up with April?" Leo suggested sourly, "I mean I know she has that project and all, but she's kinda been flaking on us and it's just not her style. We've always been cool. What's up with that?"

"I dunno if bringin' that up in a public place is the best idea, Leo. Might cause a scene." Raphael noted as his brother in blue propped a hand to his own chest in offense, but Michelangelo rested along his gut and pulled out his cell phone, a small smile curling,

"Sounds like a job for Dr. Delicate Touch."

His fingers swiped along the screen, vocalizing each word,

"Yo, wassup? Donnie misses you."

Shoulders stiffening, Donatello shoved his goggles up to reveal his full glare, "Wait, what? Why would you say that?"

"'Cause it's true."

Hiding his laugh, Leo arched a brow, "Oh yeah, real delicate."

"Erase that." Donnie uttered darkly.

Michelangelo's eyes darted between his brother's face, his phone, and back, thumb tapping the screen.

"Sent."

"You—!"

Mikey retracted into his shell as Donnie loomed over, silent rage filling his eyes, but neither could hold back their curiosity when Leo peered over the edge, a grin curling quick,

"And the results are in!"

The group watched as her attention pried away from the menu and lifted her vibrating phone off the table, tapping the screen with her thumb. The message had taken all but few seconds to read, all but few seconds to interpret, and all but few seconds to internalize.

And in those few seconds, her eyes seemed to soften…either with sentiment or guilt, Donnie couldn't be sure…but she looked so much like the April he knew her to be…their April…his best friend…

But faster than she had read the note, her eyes clicked up to an approaching soul, and the entirety of her demeanor evolved into something…unknown.

Her eyes had grown brighter than ever before.

Her smile, most genuine.

And with urgency, she had clapped the phone face down onto the table, crossing her arms before her as the guest seated himself on the other side and began to speak.

Of what about, the group hadn't a clue.

But it's all that seemed to matter.

"She…ignored my text?" Mikey nearly whimpered as he pulled out of his shell, "April never ignores my texts…"

"Well, uh…maybe she didn't wanna be rude to that guy." Raphael murmured thoughtfully, though the tone in his voice held doubt. Something about her reaction told him priorities had certainly been shuffled.

Donnie's brows slowly flattened. She had ignored Mikey's text…about him.

She laughed about something.

Her guest smirked.

He noted something of interest.

She listened.

But a waitress intervened with notepad in hand, serving with utmost attentiveness, and in this distraction, April glanced out the window once more, her brow daring to knit for a moment as she reached for her phone.

But as the far away conversation carried on, the group monitored in silence as the other teen appeared to gently grasp April's hand, captivating any wandering attention she had left, and the phone was left forgotten.

Feeling an awkward chill, Leo suddenly grew uncomfortable with the idea of spectating, shuffling away from the edge,

"Soo…are we gunna ignore the big elephant in the room or…?"

"…We should go. She's clearly busy."

Donatello stood stiffly within the shadows, his attention long gone on the cityscape beyond. He had removed himself from the cluster a few feet back where Michelangelo had quietly joined him.

Rubbing along his neck, Raphael nodded over his shoulder, "Let's, uh…find another spot."

His brows knit slightly, "We'll catch up with April some other time. She's…y'know…human. And we're…half of that."

His voice was tender, and pensive,

"We just gotta make do."

Dinner had been awkwardly tense, and despite Leo's best efforts, the group had remained quiet and unresponsive.

Mikey's feelings had recovered for the most part, certain that Raphael's assumption was probably the best reasoning. She had gotten distracted. Didn't want to be rude. Was possibly busy. She'd get to it eventually.

Even though it had been two hours and she had clearly read his message.

But maybe that had been a little awkward for her, considering she had been waiting for a guest who was possibly someone of interest —like Leo had said over some breadsticks. After all, she really did seem…happy…

Mikey's eyes had darted toward Donnie the entire time. Between each bite. Each sip. Each crack of Leo's jokes.

And the guilt slowly settled in…coming to realize his brother's concern days prior had contained some merit.

They hadn't really noticed April's absence —but he had.

They had been quick to cater to their daily lives —but he hadn't.

And without much to go on, Donnie had kept to himself and said nothing, giving her the space she had required, and keeping his concerns in silence. April's excuse had been a science project, right? Mikey had chewed his pizza thoughtfully, passively extracting all the spices he could taste.

What if…What if that's all it was? An excuse?

But, why?

Did she not want them to know?

Did she think they'd scare off a potential guy from her life?

Was she ashamed of being associated with The Hidden City and all that came with it?

That didn't sound like April O'Neil.

April was dependable. April was proud. April was smart.

But most of all, April was loyal.

She'd have their backs the way they always had hers, and she'd never, ever, ever shut out Donnie…

Raphael could feel the tension at their table eating him alive more than the lack of energy Donatello was forcing food into his mouth. His brother's chews were robotic and dense, not an ounce of thought behind his eyes, and the concept was frightening.

April had always been their centerpiece to the world above, a touch of reality when they needed it most. She was their lifeline and their halfway point to understanding the core of humanity…and understanding themselves.

Maybe this was a life lesson, too.

Relationships came and went. But family was always there.

Except…April was family.

Maybe not by blood, but she was at the center of every core memory they each cherished, and none more than Donnie. He kept those kinds of things under lock and key.

Leo had chewed along the cheesy crust with a sour pout.

Operation Free Donnie had started well.

And now with thirty bucks out of pocket and no one appreciating it, it had sapped all the fun out of the night, plugging the sadness he ought to have felt with petty spite. Perhaps that was for the best. Someone had to take charge while everyone was feeling sorry for themselves.

But as he stabbed along the ice in his cup, he knew it laid deeper than that.

And it scratched along his spine all the way until they made it back to their designated manhole, Raph first, Mikey second, and he…

Donnie had leaned back against the brick, arms crossed as he grew lost in thought.

"…You comin'?"

The techie's gaze remained aimless, knee rocking back and forth as his foot gripped the wall, "Mm…in a minute. It's been a while…I should probably take advantage of the open air while I'm out here."

Leo monitored him for a moment before offering a small nod. Grabbing at the sewer cap, he paused, and his brows knit, growing into a rare form of seriousness,

"…Hey, Donnie?"

His brother's eyes glanced his way, and he found it difficult to maintain the hold,

"…I'm sorry."

Staring at his elder brother, Donatello arched a brow, voice uniquely curious,

"…For what?"

But Leo said nothing more, and their gaze remained quiet until he disappeared into the depths below.