Before note: I've really got nothing to say, except at the bottom of this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT.

Donatello had completely lost his knowledge on knowing the quantity of how many times he told his only baby brother, Michelangelo, how much he loved him, and Michelangelo was likewise for him. The purple and orange turtles were best friends; their relationship was just as strong as Leo and Raph's (though sometimes theirs was negative). They did almost anything together, and they even paired up with each other on split-up missions (though sometimes Donnie was unwilling to do it).

Now, Donnie thought that he had every right to question their close brotherly friendship. At least, at that very moment.

Raphael and his two little brothers occupied Donnie's room. They were all endured deeply into their actions.

Raph sat on a stool pulled up to Donnie's bedside, with a bowl filled with cold water on the bedside table next to his leg. He was using a sky blue wash cloth filled with the cool water to lay on the bedridden Donnie's forehead. Donnie himself had his eyes closed, enjoying the soothing coolness against his firy forehead. His arms and upper chest were the only places not covered by his thick blankets. His shoulder-wound arm's hand was fidgeting and playing restlessly with the tight, secure straps of his other arm's cast. The purple turtle had seemed very content with the TLC he was receiving from Raph.

At least, when you didn't mix that into with what Mikey's been doing…

Michelangelo had decided to be the entertainment of the three, even though that was his lifetime job. He was reading one of his favorite comic books aloud to Donnie as if reading him a bedtime story. As said from earlier, Donnie deeply loved his little brother. But as of that time, he just wanted Raph to knock him out and put him out of his misery.

"Oh no! Please don't eat me!" Mikey said in a false falsetto voice as he imitated a helpless woman from the comic about to be devoured by the bloody maw of a living corpse. The freckly turtle looked up from the gruesome pictures accompanying the speech bubbles to catch a glimpse of any latest updates on Donnie's facial reaction, as if the woman's upcoming death would horrify him. It didn't. Donatello's face had remained the same for a long time: eyes closed with content and relaxation as Raphael continued to cool his head with the cloth. However, what Mikey didn't catch on was that his older brother's lips were twisted into what appeared to be a tortured frown, Yes, Donatello felt as if he were being tortured by being read a lousy comic book. Raph caught the frown though, and snickered a bit as he doused the washcloth again in cool water and set it back on his immediate younger brother's forehead.

Donatello noted how fragile Mikey's heart seemed. He didn't want to break the emotional life source by telling him that he'd rather sleep than listen to him read. He admired how much his baby brother cared, but it was getting very tiring.

Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and stared at his little brother smiling that signature grin at him. "Um…Mikey, I-"

The intelligent terrapin was thankfully saved to make a hurtful statement when the three's eldest brother, Leonardo, walked in. Or, more like rushed in. He seemed to be wearing the mask of trouble on his wide, sincere face. He rushed up to Raph's side of Donnie's bed, his T-phone clutched tightly in hand.

"What's the matter, Chief?" Raphael questioned, staring at the blue turtle, "You look like ya just saw a ghost."

"Donnie," Leo replied, breaking out of an unnoticeable trance, "Is Donnie okay?" His sapphire irises worriedly stared at his second younger brother lying sickly before him. Donnie stared back, his burgundy irises filled with tension and question.

"Yeah, he's just fine. We've been treating him the past hour," Raph answered.

"Good," Leo continued, "Because I was finally able to contact April, and… well, it wasn't a good outcome…"

This unbearable news had boosted worried fire into Donatello. "What? What do you mean?!" He tried to sit up and get closer to his brother, but once again, both his hurt shoulder and his cast arm protested and won, causing Donnie to hiss again.

Raph put his hand on the purple turtle's plastron and gently pushed his body back down to relax against the cushions of the mattress and pillow. "Just take it easy, Donnie," he soothed him, rubbing the injured turtle's okay shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Donnie," Leo said with half heartbroken touches, "I just called her to tell her that you were okay, and her line just suddenly went off. I'm guessing that she's probably taking it harder than I imagined."

Mikey, audibly witnessing the news, put down his comic and sat next to Donnie's leg, his bright eyes sad. He laid a comforting hand on his big brother's blanket-veiled foot. "Donnie…" he whispered solemnly.

Donatello sighed, letting his weary eyelids descend over his lost gaze. He couldn't believe it. He felt so helpless and stupid.

He wanted April so badly now. Here he was, lying in bed because of something he had apparently caused, when he just wanted to comfort April and end her mourning. He made her think he was dead for five days straight now, just because they weren't able to contact her. He let her cry every night, the human girl missing seeing and spending time with him each day. He let her believe that there was no one else in the world to give her a broken smile.

Worst of all, he made her think that there was no hope left in getting her father back… He tried to keep it back, but a tiring yawn suddenly escaped his lips and temporarily expanded his face. This, unfortunately for his case, had exposed his weariness to his brothers sitting there and staring at him. He was unaware that he was actually very drowsy, his mind completely set on his redheaded crush.

Raph laid the cold cloth back on his forehead as Leo said, "I don't think you should stress yourself on this, Donnie. April'll be fine. We'll tell her everything, and she'll get over it. She'll forgive you, I know she will.

"But in the meantime, you, Donnie, should get some rest. A fever is already starting to break in you, and I promised Splinter that we wouldn't keep you up for long periods of time."

"I'm not tired," came as Donnie's weakly stubborn reply. Another yawn followed.

Raphael laughed. "Well, too bad. You're sleepin' anyway, whether ya want to or not. And by the look of your face, I'd say you want to."

Donnie closed his eyes again, not wanting to give in to his weariness. He wanted, no, he needed April right now, just to tell her how sorry he was.

And he had the feeling that April needed him just as badly.

The dull brightness behind his eyelids had strangely dimmed, causing Donnie to open his eyes in question.

His bedroom lights were snuffed out, leaving the four brothers in soft darkness.

"Just sleep, Donnie," he heard Leo say from a distance; he was probably the one who turned off the lights, "I'll try to talk to April again while you're asleep. Raph will stay here with you while you're napping, so if you need anything, just tell him."

Donatello sighed, knowing that there was now a limited use of arguing with his brothers. He had no choice but to rest now. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do in April's aid.

He felt the rest of his body beginning to loosen up when he felt a warm hand caress his forehead.

"It'll be okay, Donnie," he heard Leo say from above him.

Wait, Leo? How'd he come up to Donnie so fast? Oh yeah, the ninja skills.

"Sleep tight, Donnie," Mikey said somewhere off to his right. Following the comment, Donatello once again felt two huge arms wrap around his upper body in a hug, and it didn't take long at all for him to know that it was his little brother. His shoulder sparked up in pain again at the pressure, but he smiled.

Soon after, Donatello could hear the unusual sounds of feet shuffling against the floor, followed by a small sound of the closing of his bedroom door.

He and Raph were alone now.

Raphael sighed, and reached his hand outward to the edge of Donnie's bedside table to turn on his table lamp.

"Sorry," he said, dipping the blue cloth into the clear liquid again, "I just can't see where you are. You don't mind sleepin' with a little light on?"

The gap-toothed turtle shook his head, knowing that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep anytime soon in the first place.

"Good. It's also a good thing they're gone too, or else I'd never live this down…" the red turtle looked off in the direction of the door, wondering if it would open again.

Donnie was confused. What was his big brother talking about?

"Raph?"

The latter looked at the door for an extended amount of time before looking down at Donnie to acknowledge him. He sighed. "Okay, Donnie. I SWEAR, if you tell the others, you're gonna end up underground lookin at your coffin' cover while holdin' flowers. You better promise not to tell anyone I did this."

Donnie had gotten even more confused, but he kept to his new-made promise. "Okay, okay, I promise," he said, "But what are you talking about?"

Raphael sighed again, having the urge to smile at his little brother's innocence.

And that's when the unthinkable happened.

Donnie let out a tiny gasp of surprise as Raph suddenly dipped his head towards his, and the bedridden turtle soon felt a strong pair of thin lips rest on his forehead in a sweet, but tough, kiss. It lasted about five seconds, and when Raph finally pulled away, he smiled again at his brother's expression.

"Ra-Raph…?"

"Shhhhh, just be quiet, Donnie," Raph soothed him, rubbing a dark green thumb on the spot where he kissed his brother, "You did a good thing out there, savin' April and all. I'm proud of you for that, little bro. Now, you better go to sleep, before I make you." He waved a hand curled up into a tight fist, showing Donatello what his fate was going to be if he didn't fall asleep on his own soon.

The brown-eyed turtle laughed softly. "Thanks, Raph, and I promise I won't tell anyone…I love you…"

It had hesitance put into it, but Raphael eventually replied, "I love you too."

Donatello was finally able to fully relax, letting his eyes slowly slip closed, a gateway that would lead him into a nice sleep. And it was better knowing that he had a big brother to protect him all through his nap.

Raph resumed his actions of cooling his little brother's head, watching the tall turtle sleep. It was the best entertainment he had ever watched…and he wasn't even bored.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Donnie…Donnie…Donnie, wake up!" With each word, the vague voice was slowly becoming clearer.

Donatello moaned, not expecting what felt like to be a short rest be interrupted. His eyes slowly uncovered the blinds posing as his eyelids.

When his vision came back into focus, he was staring at the blue sky…no, that wasn't the sky. It was Michelangelo's eyes looking back at him. They held both concern and excitement in them. A hand rested on his fine shoulder, and Mikey was still shaking him as he tried to become fully awake.

Donnie looked off to his left. Much to his disappointment, Raphael, and the water bowl, were nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Raph?" he finally said to Mikey, his voice slightly covered in grogginess.

"That's why I woke you up, bro!" Mikey let his grip on his brother's shoulder loosen as he hopped up and down in pure excitement. "He and Leo are both talking to April right now!"

Donnie felt his heart pumping so strong that he was afraid it would give him a heart attack. "You mean…on the phone?"

"No, I mean she's here, in the lair here! She's crying because she knows you're okay, and we're trying to calm her down, but she wants to see you immediately. And only you."

It was like looking into sunshine.

Donatello remembered the day he first regained consciousness. Mikey was the first one he'd seen, and the youngest turtle posed as the sun as a sight for sore eyes. But even though he loved seeing him that day, looking into April's experience was nothing compared to that.

He sat there, staring at her figure at the door frame while Mikey put his pillow against the headboard so he could sit up a bit while the orange turtle fluffed it. His now cherry eyes wouldn't leave every single detail of her body while she stared back at him.

It was the first time since they'd first met that Donnie had seen April's red hair down. He'd always know her as the gorgeous redhead with her flames domesticated by a yellow ponytail holder and headband. Now, she looked so different…and way more beautiful. Her hair had created a fine mixture with her splash of freckles, and it was so long and straight. Her headband was still there to prevent the top from sticking up. She had apparently been taking care of it now, because it looked brighter and cleaner, and her bangs were swept over her right eyebrow in a beautiful angle.

Of all the things that Donnie couldn't stop looking at her from her frozen stature, as if she had looked into the eyes of Medusa, he refused to make the most important contact with her.

Eye contact.

His eyes trailed all the way from her black, blue striped-trimmed boots all the way to her inferno locks, but his eyes never went any deeper to her facial features. He refused to see the hurt that he'd put April through, almost a whole week of knowing her closest friend would no longer rescue her again.

And he could so easily feel the tears that had already started leaking from an overfill in the girl's eyes. He knew they were there, but he still didn't want to see.

That's when Donnie made the mistake of looking up at Mikey.

The intelligent turtle took his attention off of April for exactly one second to see what Mikey's expression had to be to the tense, heavy silence that filled the room for a long time.

He had never known hugs to hurt so much.

He didn't know what happened during the process, but his brain suddenly caught up to the fact that he was being mangled by April's death grip, her arms wrapped so darn tightly around his neck in what should be classified as the loosest definition of a hug. Unfortunately for him, this had once again ignited his bad shoulder, his arm, and his broken leg as well, all at the same time. He let out a soft cry of pain. April couldn't recognize it though, as her loud sobs of joy drowned the small noise out. Thankfully, Mikey registered it.

"April! Stop, he's hurt! Ease up on 'im!" Michelangelo ran to the other side of the bed and tried to pry April's polished fingernails off from biting into Donatello's flesh, but she refused to let go. She had the large, nursed belief in her mind that if she were to let go of her rescuer, he would die again, and she would've been there to witness it this time. So, knowing that she were able to feel Donnie's skin had given her the belief that he was alive and okay, and that he would never leave her again.

Ever.

Donnie, on the other hand, even if he was in sharp pain, was just plain overjoyed and relived to see her again. He finally knew she was okay as well, with likewise for her.

April pulled herself closer to Donnie, letting her head and long hair rest and caress on his plastron. She wanted more proof of his life essence staying in his body, listening to the slightly sped up tempo of his healthy heartbeat. Just listening to it made her sobs die down, and she was finally calm enough to breathe.

Donnie was alive.

Donnie was okay.

And she had him all to herself at that moment.

Donatello wrapped his now free arms around the girl's small figure, letting his hand caress and rub her back. "April…" he whispered, newcome tears beginning to glisten in his eyes.

"Donnie…" she whispered back, letting her eyes close at the feeling.

"Awwwwwww…"

The turtle and the girl both elevated their heads at the sudden new voice that entered in their small, unspoken conversation. Michelangelo grinned sheepishly as he stared at the two looking back at him.

"Umm, sorry, Donnie, I just…you guys look so cute together…"

"It's okay, Mikey," Donnie said, smiling at his younger brother.

Mikey's eyes stared at the unspoken, meaningful words in Donnie's, and he understood exactly what the purple turtle was requesting.

"I see…" he said afterwards, "I'll just leave you guys then. Call if you need anything, Donnie, or April here can get it for you…" he winked immaturely at his brother.

"Mikey!" Donnie had a warning glint in his eyes.

"Sorry!" The orange turtle ran out of the room as fast as he could. Once he was gone, April turned her head back to Donnie.

"…Donnie, I missed you…" Her hand wouldn't let go of Donnie's bigger, green, three-fingered one. He had his own share of grip, clutching her small appendage so tight that it disappeared in his. This was their own tie of life, knowing that the chain had knowledge of both of them being alive. April had truly felt that she would never feel that hand again.

Lifting her head up from the brown comforter, she fussed over his injuries, from his bullet wound all the way to lifting up his covers to reveal the broken leg wrapped up with brown gauze tape and elevated by a mound of folded blankets.

"This all the injuries you got, huh?" she finally said, her hand still embraced in Donnie's, "Not that I was wishing you had more…" she smiled reassuringly at him. Donnie loved that smile.

"Yeah…"he replied, trying to urge on the small talk she'd started, "My shoulder wound hurts the most. Master Splinter said it took him almost an hour to take the bullet out of my shoulder."

"Has your family been treating you okay?"

"You try laying in bed for five days straight listening to Mikey read you a bedtime story about the zombie apocalypse."

April laughed, causing Donnie to smile at her warmly. How he missed being with her so much…

He watched how her long hair swept from one shoulder to another, her bangs completely veiling her right eyebrow and part of her eye, making her look like a mysterious, yet beautiful girl found in a deep, dark scenery and caused foolish men to be led to their doom by the girl's beauty. That's exactly how the purple turtle felt right now. He wanted himself to be taken away by her beauty.

Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last long. Soon, Donnie found himself staring at the now shedding tears that were racing against each other on April's soft cheeks. She turned her head away from him and shut her eyes tight, resulting in more tears fleeing.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked with all comfort in his voice. He reached out his free arm and gently caressed her cheek, wiping away any tears that contacted his thumb. April leaned her head against his hand, putting her other hand on top of his and squeezing it.

"Donnie…I just missed you so much. I, I thought I would never s-see you again." She lowered her head and nuzzled it close under Donnie's chin. "It's my fault that you got attacked. It's my fault you got hurt and now the Purple Dragons are still after you." She sighed in frustration. "And it's my fault that I caused your brothers and Master Splinter to worry. Everything that happened was all because of me." She finally allowed herself to cry all over again, trying to ignore the embarrassing hiccups that accompanied them.

Donatello, as best as he could, rocked his body back and forth, his hands roaming her backside, trying his best to comfort her. He absolutely hated seeing her hurting like this. He didn't believe anything one bit that it was her fault that this current issue had occurred. And that's exactly what he told her.

"April, look at me," he demanded her. When she put his words into her action, she was slightly surprised to see full seriousness in Donnie's burgundy eyes. "Listen to me. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is your fault. You didn't do anything to cause this, it's my doing. You don't need anymore grief on you as it already is. And I mean everything I say." He wiped away still flowing tears from her cheeks, and she gave him a watery smile. She still felt doubtful about herself, but Donnie's meaningful words had hit her big. He cared about her, inside and out, and didn't want her to suffer anymore by blaming herself for the cause of his injuries.

She wondered though, that if those deeply caring feelings he had for her was boosting the small believable fire in her heart that told her that he had stronger feelings for her…

She started when she suddenly heard a low moan of pain protrude from Donnie's lips, and he broke the chain of their embraced hands, grabbing at his shoulder while pressing his head deeper into his pillows.

"Donnie!" April exclaimed, panic highlighting her voice, "Are you okay?" As soon as she said the words, his session of pain had died, and he sighed in relief, letting his eyes slip closed.

"Yeah," he replied after a short while, "It just hurts sometimes…" April rubbed his shoulder, hoping to help him some. She hated seeing her rescuer like this. She didn't want him to be in pain anymore. Just seeing him like this brought fresh tears to her eyes, but she managed to keep the from shedding.

Which reminded her of something…

Taking her hand off Donnie's shoulder, she took out her T-phone and began operating it to what she wanted to bring up. "Donnie, I wanna show you something." She smiled at him when she witnessed him opening his eyes and lifting his body up a bit to get a fresh posture.

"Look." She held the yellow-themed phone before her.

Donatello took it and stared at the screen, his eyes never leaving the familiar star formation that looked brighter in the inky sky. He recognized it on sight, remembering a distinct love story behind it.

"Is this…?" he started looking up at her with wide eyes.

"Aquila," she finished for him, smiling again, "Remember when we first talked to each other that one night and we both saw Aquila in the sky? And you told me something very special about it?" She leaned in closer to Donnie's body, her hand reaching up and caressing the tall turtle's cheek.

Donnie grinned his adorable toothy smile back at her, leaning back a bit as he covered April's hand on her cheek. "There was a Japanese love story in it." He said, his now cherry eyes staring lovingly back at her.

The fire inside April tugged at her heart before she realized that she practically towered over Donnie. It told her the true, real answer that she wanted to know:

Donatello loved her. And now, her love for him was raising just as quickly. In her eyes, she didn't see an ugly, green, mutant turtle who hides his hideous face from the rest of the world. Instead, she saw an adorable, caring, sweethearted and intelligible 15-year-old boy, and as his huge hand reached up to twirl and stroke April's long hair, she knew very well and clear that he was deeply in love with her.

And she was beginning to feel the same way.

Deep, sky blue irises conversed at a ranged distance from warm, big brown ones.

A Caucasian nose gently touched and nuzzled against a green beak.

And the lips had finally met.

The End!...I'm just kidding! XD XD XD

Can you guys guess what obviously just happened there? *cough* they kissed *cough* No, they're not going to have sex. I just hate that stuff, even though it is apart of strong love and life.

What is your favorite chapter so far? I had fun writing this one, because it has the most April/Donnie moments.

Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssseeeeeee check out my "Attentive Promises" story. It's almost like "Attentive Hearts", but with different brothers…well, only one different brother, at least. It's a Donnie/Mikey one where Donnie comforts Mikey after they lose Leatherhead. You'll love it, I swear!

Can you believe I listened to Ariana Grande's song "The Way" for about I-don't-know-how-many-times while I typed this? I just love that song, it might even be my favorite. And it goes well with this chapter!

By the way, have you guys seen "Karai's Vendetta" yet? It almost scared me to death when April was getting pummeled by Karai, but I loved it when Donnie said, "My sweet princess is alive!" Oh, Donnie…

Oh, and I couldn't stop cracking up at Mikey's attempts to do his victory dance! XD XD XD