Apriltello " Calculated risk"

Chapter 2 ( One shot)

So, I'm going to pick her up at eight," Mikey says for at least the tenth time in the past hour as he darts and weaves throughout the kitchen. "It should take us about a half an hour to get back here, so if you could turn the oven off at like, umm, 8:20..."

"8:20, you got it," I reply with a confident nod. "You can count on me," I add when he starts wringing his hands in the apron tied around his waist.

"Good, thanks," he mumbles, rolling his teeth over his bottom lip. "I really appreciate it, April. I just...I want things to be perfect tonight."

I try not to squeal and grin at the absolute adorableness of the situation and instead offer another nod in solidarity. "And they will be. You have nothing to worry about."

He bites his lip and perks up. The nervous energy is coming off him in waves, making it near impossible for him to stand still for more than a few seconds at a time. He's already wiping down the table again and straightening the place settings once more even though they couldn't be any straighter. It's endearing and adorable and makes my heart feel warm and heavy with pride. My little brother is all grown up. Part of me wants to hide him away and keep him young and innocent forever. The other part sees the way his eyes light up when he talks about her and it makes me want to shove them together like I'm playing house and have them live happily ever after forever and ever.

"Right, yeah, I'm not worried," he replies with a shaky grin and an even less convincing laugh. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"Something smells good," Donnie says from the doorway, taking in a deep breath as he crosses the kitchen.

He's fresh from the shower and I can smell the light tang of soap clinging to the deeper scent of warmed skin when he leans over to kiss my cheek. His arm lingers around me and I lean ever-so-slightly into the half-embrace. I reach up and take hold of his arm so he can't pull away. We haven't been able to spend much time together lately and I'm not about to let go when he's actually at my side.

"Mikey is making lasagna," I say, puffing up with a proud grin. "And garlic bread."

"Everyone likes lasagna, right?" Mikey replies, flailing in an attempt to reach the knot at the back of his shell. "I mean, I guess some people might not, but..."

"She'll love it, Mikey," I assure him as I slide from my stool to help him with the apron straps.

I carefully fold the red-sauce-splattered garment and hang it on the oven door. "You should probably get going," I add with a little nod up towards the clock.

His eyes widen into perfect circles and he takes in a sharp breath, holding it in his puffed out cheeks. "Yes, I should," he says, his eyes narrowing as if he's preparing for a particularly serious mission.

He squares his shoulders and ducks his head before darting from the kitchen with a few, quick strides. I laugh only when I'm certain he is out of earshot and clutch my hands in front of my chest.

"That is just the cutest thing I think I have ever seen," I say in an excited whimper.

I twirl to face Donnie who is currently leaning on the counter and trying with very little success to reach and scratch a spot towards the center of his shell. I watch him twist and shimmy for a few more seconds and instantly rethink my earlier statement about cuteness. I scoot over towards him and run my knuckles over the offending spot on his carapace. He goes straight in an instant and the initial little surprised yelp quickly turns into a happy sigh when I continue my work along his shutes.

"Better?" I ask.

"Mmm, much," he murmurs, leaning forward and giving a slow wiggle of his hips I'm certain he isn't aware of doing.