A/N - So I actually wrote this 2nd chapter right after the first one, but hesitated on posting it, because it's definitely on the cheesy side. But a few people have requested it and I figured since I wrote it, I might as well post this while I wrap up the (very overdue) next chapter of 'Life as She Knows it'. Enjoy and sorry about all the sap! :D
They had fought hard and they had somehow won. There had been a few times during the ordeal that Donatello had really been afraid that they wouldn't all make it. Those terrible few minutes when they thought that Leonardo had sacrificed himself. But most of all, when he had heard April's scream echoing along the metal corridors of that ship. He had been so afraid that they were too late. And although, the reality had been that they had made it to her in time, he knew that scream would haunt him in his nightmares.
April had clung to him as they raced for their lives to get off that ship and she had stayed with him as they made their way back to the lair. Not once leaving his side until they returned to the safety of their home and she ran into the open arms of her father, who grasped her tightly, with tears in his eyes, thanking them over and over again for saving her.
Somewhere in a trance of shock, exhaustion and amazement of what they had accomplished, Donnie had preceded to attend to any minor injuries the crew had obtained on their mission. And after everyone had been bandaged, the celebration began.
They danced and laughed and celebrated being alive and saving the city well into the late evening.
And somehow what felt like days, but was merely hours after everything had started, everyone dispersed for a well deserved and much needed rest. Donnie however, found himself unable to wind down, opting to retreat to the comfort of his lab, and start the repairs to the Shell Raiser.
He hadn't been there long, when he heard a sound and glanced up to see his favorite red head standing in the room.
"I knew I'd find you here. Can't sleep?" She asked, smiling.
Donnie let out a small laugh, oh how he envied his brothers and their ability to just shut off and fall asleep. "No, I'm still all hyped up after everything that happened." He shrugged a bit and a thought hit him. "Is everything ok? Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?" He set down his welding torch and walked over to April.
"I'm fine Donnie." She quickly assured him. "I think I'll probably have this dull headache for awhile, but I feel fine."
"I would feel better if we could run a MRI, I just don't have access to a machine…"
"You worry too much. I'm safe, thanks to you guys." She reached out and placed a hand on his.
He looked down at her delicate fingers tracing the edge of his frayed wrappings. Suddenly his mind was brought back to earlier that night. But, the courage from then had left him and he was once again feeling flustered by her proximity.
He fought a blush, swallowed back a nervous laugh and somehow managed to choke out, "Well, I knew you had plans tonight, and I didn't want you to miss them."
Her face lit up at the memory from his reference.
"So, about that…" She started and looked up into his eyes. "Did you mean what you said earlier?"
Donnie recalled his admission to her clear as day. He had absolutely meant every bit of it.
"Yes, I did."
He watched her intently trying to gauge a reaction, but she had looked down at their hands. "Donnie," She started, and already her tone had him nervous. "you are so important to me and this -" She gestured between them with her free hand. "is the best relationship I have ever had with anyone. I just—"
He cut her off, wanting to stop her before she could continue. "April, it's ok… You are…" He struggled with all of the millions of things he wanted to tell her. That if only she would give him a chance, he would spend the rest of his life proving to her how much he loved her. And that he didn't know how he'd make it work, but he'd find a way to take care of her and make sure that she was safe and happy. But the reality of the matter, was that he couldn't do those things from his life of hiding in the sewers, know matter how greatly he wished for it. All he could do at this point, was some damage control to make sure that he didn't scare her away.
"You are an amazing woman," He continued. "and you deserve way more out of this life than I would ever be able to give you. Just having your friendship is more then I had ever dreamed. So don't feel bad." He tapped the tips of his fingers against each other in a nervous tic. "I shouldn't have said anything, I didn't mean to make you feel awkward, I was just honestly afraid that I wouldn't ever get another chance."
He did his best to plaster a positive grin on his face, but couldn't hide the sadness in his eyes.
"Feel bad?" She questioned as she looked back up into his eyes, and that was the first time Donatello had noticed how flushed her cheeks were. "Donnie, I wasn't turning you down."
"Wait, you weren't?" His face betrayed that he was completely baffled and April stifled a giggle at his confused expression.
"I was just trying to say that your friendship means the world to me and I want us to promise that we'll always be friends, no matter what." She tried to explain.
"No matter what?" He was truly confused at this point.
"Well, it's just that we're teenagers," She started to rattle off. "Neither of us have much experience in the whole relationship department, and I don't have a clue how to be a good girlfriend, but I know that you make me happy and maybe I'm not quite ready to define it, but I know that these feelings I have for you have turned my world upside down."
Her pale cheeks turned an even darker crimson. She had never talked about feelings like this with anyone, but if Donnie could be brave enough to lay it all out on the line, she knew she could step up. She took both his hands in hers and looked into his eyes.
"I want to be with you Donnie, and I think it's worth the risk."
She looked up at his dumbfounded expression, obviously completely thrown off by the turn of events and noticed that for once, the rather loquacious man was without a comment.
"Are you going to say anything?" She cocked her head to one side and raised an eyebrow.
"I… I just… I didn't prepare an answer for that response."
She giggled to herself, how very Donnie to have studied for a conversation about love. "So, you're telling me that you only prepared answers for the worst case scenario?"
"Well, it was the most logical outcome." He sputtered, trying to contain how frazzled he was. "The guys all told me I didn't have a chance. Raphael told me I was sadorable. I mean, I wasn't even planning on saying anything until that very moment"
"He called you what?" She asked, but then shook her head. "Nevermind. Donnie, you're thinking with your brain and not your heart."
"That's all I know how to do." He replied softly.
"Do you really love me?" She asked stepping forward and placing her soft palms on his plastron.
He nodded silently.
"And do you want to be with me?"
"More than anything." He said softly.
April smiled back up at him. "Good. Then just kiss me already."
The End
A/N - I had a mushy kissy scene too, but it didn't wrap up well afterward, and well... I may have decided to reserve it for elsewhere... ;)
Hope you still liked it! I'd love a review - tell me what you thought! :)
