April has seen what he's hiding beneath his battle shell, but she didn't think he'd show her his heart too.
(The continuation of Soft-Shell)
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- 3rd Person POV -

April is the first one to awaken from their deep slumber.
In a different position though-
Apparently both of then ended up turning to the side with Donnie now spooning April, his face burried in the nape of her neck.

April's face takes on a soft blush right away.

Truth be told she's really comfortable where she is, but she'd better get up before anyone walks in on them.

She attempts to get up without stirring the still sleeping male, but he just tightens his arms around her waist when he feels her move.
"Mmmm..." April hears the terrapin groan in protest against her neck.
The sound is low and comes from deep within his throat, deepening the brunette's blush.

After about 15 minutes of trying, she finally manages to pry Donnie's arms off.
At last, she is free.
After a good stretch she looks back at the sleeping turtle.

He still appears to be in a deep sleep, but apparently he still registers the sudden loss of wamrth and curls in on himself.
His face contorts in a sad frown, as if pouting.
A silly smile graces April's lips at the sight.

"Look at how salty he is..." She holds a hand to her mouth as she says to herself, giggling.
She then picks up the blanket that had fallen on the floor and drapes it over Donnie.
Hopefully that'll do.

April quickly fixes up her hair in the bathroom before exiting Donnie's room altogether.

She winds up in the kitchen after a while.
Mikey is behind the counter, making breakfast when he sees her come in.

"April!" He breaks out in a smile at her presence.
"What're ya doin' here so early?" He asks cheerfully.
April returns his smile, although hers is a bit awkward.

"Uh.. Ya know, just.. I woke up really early today and had nothin' to do, so, here I am?" Her smile only grows more awkward as she makes up an excuse.
Mikey doesn't seem to be suspicious at all though.
"Ah, I see. Well, since you're already here, wanna join us for breakfast? I'm making pancakes." He has that proud chef look on his face as he tells her.

"I'd love to" Relieved that Mikey doesn't question her, she agrees.

Raph and Leo enter the kitchen about 5 minutes later as well.

"Oh? Somethin' smells real good!" Leo, poking his head in the area first exclaims.
"Do I smell pancakes?" Raph places his head atop his brother's to look as well.
"Morning guys!" Mikey calls without turning.
"Good morning you two." April also greets them.

"April? Hey, someone's early." Leo states the obvious and then walks up to her with Raph in tow.
"Yeah, I was a bit bored this morning." She scratches at the back of her neck nervously.

"Aaapriiiiiil...!" Comes a tired voice from behind the enterence of the kitchen somewhere.
Soon after a tired Donnie shows up at the door, still rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

"Donnie..!" April calls his name, she didn't exactly expect to see Donnie just yet, much less still half asleep if not more than half.
He isn't wearing any of his gear either and April can't help but find him adorable without his mask.
His brothers can only stare in bewilderment.
Leo whips out his phone to record with his jaw still on the floor.

"Ah, I've found you..!" A smile so happy at seeing her spreads across his lips that it could make literal flowers bloom.
Donnie wobbles over to her and hugs her from behind, nuzzling her neck with his nose and closing his eyes as he takes her scent in.
He holds her tight afraid she'd run the moment she gets the chance.

April's face turns into a literal tomato as her soul tries leaving her body.
"Why'd you leave so early? When I woke up you were gone and it was cold..." Donnie mumbles against her neck in a sad tone but his tail keeps swaying, happy that she's in his arms now.
"Donnniieeee...." April's embarrassment reaches its peak and she hides her face in her hands as she whines.

"So... What'd you say about being 'bored' this morning?" Leo is literally a hair strand away from erupting in laughter.
Mikey already burnt a pancake and Raph is just frozen.

April gives in to peer pressure and explains the whole story, all the while with Donnie hugging her.

-

"So, let me get this straight..." Mikey deeply inhales for a dramatic effect.
"You saw Donnie's shell, touched it, slept in his bed with him, hugging, and now he's like this." He nods in understanding as he summerizes.
"How, are you still alive?!" The seriousness quickly ends though and he shouts his last sentence in disbelief.
April just shrugs with a defeated expression.

"Well..." Leo cackles.
"I am having a hard time believing this but.." He's about to pat April on the shoulder as he says, but before he could touch her, Donnie's hand shoots up and grips his wrist rather harshly, halting it.
His other arm tightens around April's waist and he lowly grows, clearly displeased.
His eyes are now open, narrow and sharp, staring his twin down with malice.

"Ah..." The color drains from Leo's face as he exhales a puff of air.

-

"You nearly broke my arm, you brainiac!" Leo's laying on the floor, hugging his injured arm to himself as he dramatically wails.
"I already said I was sorry." Donnie, finally fully awake and now in his gear, apologizes for like the 100th time, but his tone and expression isn't apologetic at all.
He's now sitting on the couch by himself, arms crossed while everyone else is standing in front of him like some suspect being interrogated.

"Calm down Leo, I'm sure Donnie didn't mean to hurt you... I can take a look at it for you if you want?" April speaks to him gently, hoping he'll gain some of his common sense back and cooperates.
She reaches for Leo's injured arm.
Donnie however, visibly stiffens at the sight and his right eye briefly twitches.

"Tsk." In an attempt to hide his frustration, he clicks his tongue and faces the other way.

"Hey D, what's the deal?" Raph places a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Nothing, so stop asking." He snaps at Raph in an angry and somewhat raised voice.
Raph removes his hand, feeling a bit hurt.

April, having finished checking Leo's arm, heads over to Donnie at the commotion.

"D?" Her gentle voice reaches his ears and Donnie's heart feels like telling everything she wants to know.
But he just forces his eyes to still look away, deepening his frown.
His tail that had started swaying again gives him away though.

"Donnie?" She calls again in a worried tone, taking his right hand in hers.
The male's cheeks take on a soft pink tint at the contact and his tail picks up pace.

"Ooooh, I see how it is." Leo grins smugly as if he had just found perfect blackmail material.
"Took ya long enough." Mikey snorts at his older brother's new discovery.
Donnie visibly chokes at their words and his face turns redder.
"You see how what is? I'm lost!" Raph just holds his head in defeat, not getting it.

"Guys what is it? Did we upset him or something?" April apparently not getting it either, turns towards them for answers.
"Nah, he's more happy than anything at the moment." Leo's smug grin only widens as his twin continues to turn into a tomato.
"He doesn't look happy at all!" The brunette gestures to Donatello's deep frown.
Leo shuffles closer to April so he can whisper in her ear.

"It's not his face, it's his tail that gives him away." He snickers as he explains, poiting towards his twin's lower half.
"Watch." He tells her with a smirk.

"Hey Donnie, would some cuddles with April cheer ya up? Maybe a lil' smooch?" He makes kissy sounds at his twin to add more fuel to the fire.
Donnie's face officially falls under the lit category.

"D-Don't be rediculous, Leonardo!" Donatello's expression is one of fury, but his little tail is wagging so hard it makes smacking sounds every time it collides with the couch.

April giggles to herself as she finally pieces two and two together.
She takes a seat beside Donnie while Leo and Mikey continue dying.
Raph is still trying to make sense of it all.

Donnie takes note of the couch shifting below another person's weight and turns to face them.
He is met by a happy smile from April.
His heart clenches.

"I get it now." She tells him with a sincere smile taking his hand in hers, entwining their fingers.
Donnie just looks at her in wonder with his eyes wide.

"Do you...? That is.... As well..?" He has a hard time forming a sentence but April gets what he's asking.
"Yes, Donnie. I do." She giggles at the way he smiles at her answer.

Unable to contain his happiness any longer he turns, places both hands on her cheeks and drops tender little kisses all over her face.
April's happy giggles fill his ears, and whenever she lets one out he laughs with her.
Donnie literally has lil' hearts floating above his head at this point.

"Get a room!" Leo's voice breaks the moment.
All three brothers are smugly smirking at the two lovebirds.

April is about to blow up at them when-

Donnie stands and picks April up bridal style effortlessly.
He then turns on his heel and walks off.

"Donnie..?" April goes beat red at her carrier's face.
He's wearing a smug smile that reeks of dirty intentions as he raises an eyebrow at her.
She hides her face in his plastron in embarrassment.

"Hoooo boi...-" Leo voices his concerns as the three stare at their brother's back in shock.

Mikey is certain he can see steam above April's head as Donnie carries her off while laughing innocently.

~💜~

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