Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 10: UNSTOPPABLE

"Are you into Japanese food?" You ask, shining your phone's flashlight on Donatello's work.

Since you aced your exams (with honors, no big deal), you've had more time to hang out with the turtles, especially Donnie. You've been up for spending more time together ever since his little offer a few weeks ago, whether it's working on your stamina during training with Sensei, teaming up on projects, or when he sneakily picks you up from school, both of you meeting at the nearest manhole.

You even convinced him to hit up the park at night, just so you could show him your favorite study spot and vibe together. You both shared earbuds, jamming to tunes while swinging on the playground. You even used your phone's timer to snap a pic of Donnie pushing you on the swing, and you both framed it in a photo frame Mickey got you. You put it up on the lab wall, next to the family photos, which made you feel all happy and welcomed.

Today, he asked you to help him wire up the project he's been working on for weeks.

"Never tried it" He responds, hunched over the engine, tinkering with some copper cables. With your other hand, you hold up the patrol buggy's connection diagram, trying to assist. "But I'm totally down for it" He adds, eyes fixed on the wires.

"In that case... Remember I told you about this awesome spot the other day?"

"Move it a bit to the left" He instructs.

You keep chatting, adjusting the light as Donnie works. "Heard some kids at school hyping about it.... Wanna check it out tonight?"

Purple halts in his tracks, swiveling to face you. "Hold up, like, for dinner?"

"Yep!"

He gulps nervously. "... Just us?"

"Well, if that's what you're cool with" You scrutinize the wiring for any issues. "Sounds like a blast!"

Donnie's brain gears grind as he tries to connect the dots. 'A date?'

"Although, I figured maybe we could invite your brothers too... Thought they'd dig the vibe" You continue, casually.

"Huh? Wha--?"

"I mean, Leo would probably be down, I heard their tea's top-notch! Personally, I'm all about green tea. But hey, I'm sure there's something for everyone on the menu"

"So, we're all going? Not just... us two?" He points between you and himself repeatedly with his thumb, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"Of course! I meant to treat you all" You reply, chuckling. "I ain't gonna let your bros chow down on leftovers"

"Oh-- I, uh--" He clears his throat. "Either way, I'm not really sure about it, MC" Donnie returns to his task, signaling for you to hold one of the cables. 'Of course they weren't suggesting a date, why did I think that...?'

"What happened? I thought you were all in just a sec ago..." You grab a wire stripper, almost on autopilot, stripping one end of the wire. You've picked up on Donnie's methods pretty well, so he hardly needs to give you directions anymore. "Why the sudden change?"

"I mean-" Donnie sticks out his tongue, focused on connecting the stripped wire to the buggy battery's contact ports with careful precision, despite his bulky hands. "-Will the owner be ok with us? We're not exactly the usual clientele"

You try to suppress a grin. "Nah, we'll be fiiiiiine. Trust me. I guarantee it!" You raise your hand in a mock oath, causing Donnie to lose lighting towards the engine, emitting a small groan. "Should we ask your brothers?"

He sighs, resigned, flashing you a complacent smile. "Yeah, sure" He shuts the hood of the buggy. "I'll catch up later. Gotta clean up first"

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