I've been binge watching all the TMNT cartoons. Donnie and April's relationship in the 2012 turtles could've been better as a friendship instead of a one-sided romance. Here's how...(you can ignore the rant at the bottom)
Donnie nervously walks up to April. She swings an ax down on a log, splitting it.
"Hey April."
she looks up at him, "what's up Donnie?" she asks, wiping her brow and facing him.
"I, um... well I...I just wanted to let you know I won't be bothering you with music boxes anymore." he shrugs, "I get it now. Donnie is to April as Bigfoot was to Donnie." he looks away sadly, "I'm just... a mutant."
she looks surprised at him and places her hand on his arm, "Donnie, you're more than that, you are the most amazing person I know. I may not feel the same way about you that you do about me. But I would never trade you for anything."
"really?" he looks at her with teary eyes.
"really." she pulls him into a hug, "don't ever think less."
tears of relief and sadness cascade down his face as his chin fell on her shoulder.
Fade to credits.
This episode could have provided a cathartic ending instead of leaving us just as confused as Donnie. (or feeling like she was leading him on the whole time, I mean come on! His dad just "died", plus his insecurities about being rejected, making her overstep her boundaries. Everything felt forced.)