Donatello trudged back to his lab. They'd just gotten off the phone with Hope and hearing the news made him think back to when his own Father had passed. He missed Splinter greatly. They all did. He wished he could hold Hope now and wash away all her sadness. He regretted the way he'd treated her before she left, but sleeping in her bed, feeling her breath on his plastron, it stirred his feelings, the ones he didn't want to face.

But now he'd been without her for so long that he had to start admitting to those cursed feelings. He ached for her, with his body, his mind, his heart. Being away from her was physically painful and he needed to speak up.

He found Leonardo in the lounge. He was by far the easiest brother to talk to. Their leader.

"You alright Donnie?" Asked Leonardo looking up from his book, when he saw his brother enter, shoulders hunched.

"I'm not sure."

"You wanna talk?"

Donatello nodded.

"It's…. About Hope."

"What about her?" Leonardo said, though he knew what was coming. God knows why those two hadn't confessed their feelings for each other years ago.

"Hmm, well that's what I don't know. You know how I used to feel about April? Well I think I've been quashing those sort of feelings for Hope. Now that she's gone, I can't get her out of my head."

"I figured as much." Stated Leonardo. Donatello stared at his brother in disbelief. He couldn't possibly have shown any signs of liking her, could he?

"But. What should I do? April hurt me so badly. I don't want to get rejected again, but why would a girl as wonderful as Hope ever want me?"

Oh Jesus, thought Leonardo, I can't just let him pour his heart out like this. He needs to know.

"You know Donnie. I'm the one everyone comes to when they need to confess something."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, back when Hope was having nightmares, she confided something in me, and seeing as she'll never tell you herself, I think it's about time you knew."

Donatello winced. He knew Hope had probably mentioned something to his brother about her dreams. Most likely how the thought of them together repulsed her.

He was not in any way shape or form prepared for what Leonardo said next.

"She's in love with you, Donatello. Hope loves you."