Get it together Y/N, don't let the others see you like this. They will ask questions that you can't answer. After I took a few moments to recompose myself, I stepped out Donnie's room into the colorful lair. I never seen it like this, I have been blinded by the darkness or a blindfold. I was impressed with how they managed to make it such a livable area in the sewer of all places. They even had a giant ramp! I was able to walk fine without the cane but still used it as a precaution. The turtles took notice of me besides Donnie, who was glued to his phone. The box turtle came up to me without fear and a joyful bounce in his step.
"Good morning! Well-Afternoon at this point! We were waiting for ya so we can have our first meal together!" He seemed pretty excitable, but it was definitely cute.
"Great, I admit that I am starving!" I rub my stomach as it lowly growls in agreement. "What exactly is on the menu anyway?"
"Well, I just got some groceries the other day, so we have plenty to work with!" Leo proceeds to groan in response.
"Mikey, don't go overboard! I rather not spend the whole afternoon washing dishes!"
"B-But this a special occasion! We are making a new friend!" He proceeds to give Leo puppy dog eyes, forcing Leo to cave in.
"Ugh, FINE! But you are ALL going to help me!"
"YAY!" He proceeds to give Leo a tight hug while Leo mumbles underneath his breath. I was so into the interaction that I almost failed to acknowledge Raph. I decided to use the moment to my advantage and peacefully confront him. Before I could get out a word, he started first.
"So, how is your leg holding up? Feel any better?"
"Yes, it does, thank you." Donnie glances over at Raph and I briefly before going back to his phone and heading to the kitchen. "I-I just to say sorry, for everything. For putting your brother in danger, myself and my attitude yesterday. Getting shot and confronting the person who came between Donnie and isn't exactly what I would call a good day." Raph chuckles softly and nods.
"Fair enough, I know you mean well Y/N. Things were a bit rocky. However, Splinter told us this morning the good news before heading to watch his shows. Are you nervous about training?"
"A little, I don't know the first thing about fighting, I barely even exercise! Plus, I think Donnie..." I look away, my concern showed on my face, making Raph notice.
"Look, I know it might be a bit awkward running into each other for a bit, but it will pass. You guys will figure this out. My brother is a bit direct and has his quirks, but he is sensible. Let things run its course. Although, if I can be honestly..." He pulls me in a bit closer to whisper in my ear. "I am hoping for you guys to work out. You seem like quite the catch." I couldn't help but be slightly flustered from his comment. He laughs briefly then helps guide me to the kitchen. The boys are pretty much done cooking and were setting the table. Raph instructs me to sit down while the others continued. The slider effortlessly places all the food on the table while Mikey and Donnie talk to the side for a few moments during. I was too far to hear their conversation, so I tried to mind my own business and continue to build a relationship with the others.
"So, Leo, I heard you were a champion of something?" Raph groans and takes a palm to his face.
"Oh no, here we go."
"Amiga, I AM the Battles Nexus Champion! I took down so many 'so-called' warriors after Big Mama tried to play me and pops! I still hold that title, today!" He grins widely with pride and flexes several times until Mikey and Donnie walk over to sit.
"Calm down Nardo, I am sure by now she has a new champion. If you want to be a champ so bad, you can be the Champ of Egotism."
"Ha, nice one Donnie, trying to ruin my moment."
"Ok, ok guys, let us just enjoy the nice lunch that Mikey made for us." Donnie sits across from me but doesn't look at me once. After what we just did, how can he act like I don't exist? The others chatted away while eating as Donnie and I kept quiet.
"Are you ok, Y/N? You haven't said anything in a while. Is the food bad?!" Is Mikey crazy, his cooking is searing with flavor!
"Oh no! Everything is delicious! I am sorry, I just have a bit on my mind is all."
"Is it about you training with us? We promise to go easy on you the first few times until you get the hang of things!" Mikey flashes his award-winning smile once more. Even though that was not my main concern, it did make me feel a bit better to hear that. "I wonder if Splinter will even give you a weapon of your own!"
"Whoa, slow down now little man, I think he just wants her to learn more hand-to-hand things, besides, what other weapons could we have?"
"Well...April has a bat so I figure she could have something too." Donnie decides to follow up Mikey's point.
"True Michael, but that is a bat, not like swords, Kunsari-foudo, tonfas or-"
"What a stick?" I said coldly. He glares at me, clearly offended.
"Excuse you? It is a Tech-Bo, thank you very much." The others started to feel the tension between us and tried to continue to eat.
"Right, excuse me, your long-skinner version of a bat is just as dangerous as swords." I replied with venom in my throat. Why am I doing this? Raph tries to diffuse the situation but fails.
"Uh guys- let's just-"
"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"
"You heard what I said." As I crossed my arms. Leo and Mikey look at each other uncomfortably until Leo tries to intervene as well by placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrug him off.
"Hey guys, let's just chill out-" Donnie slams down his phone and shoots up, staring at me with daggers.
"I CONTRIBUTE TO MY TEAM WITH MY 'STICK' JUST A MUCH AS LEO WITH HIS SWORDS! I HAVE IT LOADED WITH TECH FOR ANY SITUATION!" I replicate his actions.
"WELL, I CAN HANDLE MYSELF WITH A WEAPON JUST AS WELL! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DOUBT ME?!"
"BE QUIET, BOTH OF YOU!" Splinter enters the doorway and looks at Donnie and I with an agitated expression. "I could hear you both down the tunnels! You are yelling over my shows! What is doing on in here?! Everyone looks at each other nervously until Raph took charge.
"It's nothing Master Splinter, we are just airing things out. We will keep it down, right?" He looks at the both of us while we silently nod.
"Hmph! Good, commercial break is almost done!" He runs out just as quickly as he came. Leaving the rest of us to stew in the awkwardness.
"Donnie, Y/N apologize now. Mikey put a lot of effort into this, and you guys ruined it with your bickering. I don't know what is up with you two all of a sudden but fix it." We turned to Mikey and apologized for our behavior. Raph decided to assign dish duty to Donnie and me as a form of team building but mostly as punishment. Once everyone got up to leave, Donnie and I cleared the table. I pulled up a chair next to the sink, so I don't have to stand for too long without my cane as support. We quietly worked on our task. The only noise was he clattering of dirty dishes and water spilling to the floor on occasion. We were clearly still irate at each other but tried to get the job done as fast as possible.
"Can you kindly pass me more soap Y/N? It is under the sink, since you are closer."
"Sure, Dee. What are PLATONIC friends for?" He took note of my sarcasm and tilts his head.
"What is it with you?" I laugh in disbelief. Does he really not know why I am upset?!
"What is it with ME?!" You are the one who pulled a 180 after the shower and decided to treat me coldly! Was what we did just something to help you feel better for a few minutes?!" He gives me a scowl, I seemed to have pissed him off again.
"Is that what you think of me? Do you think of me so little, after EVERYTHING I have done to help you?!"
"I don't know what to think! I thought that moment meant a lot to you but then you shrug me off, leave me in your room, avoid looking at or talking to me until you just had to basically say that I couldn't handle myself with a weapon!" His gaze eases more as I list off his charges. He sighs in defeat before speaking."
"I...I am sorry, again. Leo threw me off. We almost got caught and then he reminded me what I promised to Dad. Y/N, I am in-between a rock and a hard place when it comes to you and my family. My urges surge when I am around you, even now. I tried to be distant to try to calm things down with us. All it did was cause a huge misunderstanding.
"So, you didn't really mean what you said at lunch?"
"Yes and no, I support you and your possible abilities with fighting, but I am still unsure about you handling a weapon."
"Donnie...the Purple Dragons, HAD A MURDER DRONE. I can't fight that with fists! You know that."
"I get that, as much as I don't like it. The guys were right and maybe Splinter has something...if not then maybe I can make something for you instead." I give a small smile in response.
"I think I will like that, Dee. Something more personal from the tech wiz would be cooler anyway." He smiles back as I hand him the soap that he needed to finish. "I apologize for undermining your position with your brothers, that was uncalled for."
"Apology partly accepted."
"Partly?" He takes me in by the waist and sneaks a kiss on my cheek, they run hot by the surprise.
"Now we are good, just understand that I am only trying to keep my distance to keep things non-problematic. My feelings for you won't change overnight, especially not after a steamy shower together." He traces my lip with his thumb before planting a quick kiss. A small moan escapes my lips, wishing I could taste him longer. We were soon interrupted by the snapper.
"Hey, you guys doing alright in here? Just popping in to check in on y'all."
"Yes, Raphael, we are fine. Just finishing up."
"Good, it's almost time to start training. Y/N, we know that you obviously can't join this time but maybe next week you can. Splinter just wants you to get a feel for what we do. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great! I am excited to watch!"
"What is the exercise today, Raph?" Mikey comes through and interrupts.
"Capture the bandana, baby! It is my favorite!" Raph pushes him along until they were both out of view.
"Well, you heard the man, ready for an exhibition?"
"Hell yeah! Let's hurry up and finish!"