The Purple Heart Hacker

Unraveling The Truth

A few Days Later, in Donatello's lab:

Donnie was currently hunched over the table, drawing out a plan for a new invention. Then images of April started to pop up into his head. He tried to forget about her but it was impossible. Until eventually, he ended up just sketching April with hearts around her instead.

"Aww, is that how much you love, April?" Mikey asked as he leaned over his shoulder to admire his work.

"Yeah..." Donnie said without a care in the world as he just kept on doodling. Then he realized what Mikey said and his whole body jolted up out of his seat in a panic. Then he rapidly put the blueprint away as he yelled back. "I- I mean, NO!"

"Oh come on Donnie. I mean, you already kissed her. So you might as well just go for it." Mikey playfully retorted.

Donnie tensed up as he asked. "H-how do you know that?"

"Uhhh, lucky guess." Mikey said as sweat dropped from his forehead.

Donnie wasn't buying it. "Mikey."

"Alright, alright. I ran into a certain somebody then I kinda, sorta, um... overheard your conversation with April." Mikey admitted as he avoided eye contact with his older brother.

"Seriously? Ok that's it. Next thing on the agenda, I'm going to finally install some doors around here. Now get out before I kick you out again!" Donnie demanded as he started to shove Mikey away.

But before they could even make it halfway to the door, Shelldon flew in between them and said. "But Donatello, you gotta admit that he does have a point."

"Ugh, *facepalm* look you guys, if you really did hear her. Then you know that she only kissed me to save me, right?" Donnie explained simply.

"Yeah, but you wish that April did it for another reason. Wink." Shelldon said with a nudge to Donnie's shoulder.

"W-what?! That's just... Pfft, w-well that's just ridiculous. After all, April and I are only friends." Donnie said flusterly with pink cheeks.

"You sure? Because your blood pressure is rising." Shelldon stated cheekily.

"And the two of you would be such an adorable couple." Mikey, chimed in.

"Guys, stop living in this foolish 'fantasy' of yours ALREADY! April is just a super great friend. That's, IT!" Donnie frustratingly told them.

"Hmm, you sure? Cause this sounds like a classic case of denial." Mikey asked with suspicion.

"Ha, you're telling me." Shelldon retorted.

"Oh, since when were you such an 'expert'." Donnie said sarcastically.

"Since Raph gave me these tween teens magazines. They got all kinds of stuff on who and how to get your soulmate. It says right here that 'boys tend to hide their feelings more often than girls'." Mikey explained as he showed the page to him.

"Pfft, I beg to differ." Donnie said with an eye roll as he dismissed it.

"Oh come on Donnie, we both know you love her." Mikey stated.

"Ugh, alright fine! So I might. Kinda, sorta... have certain, potentially romantic feelings for... April." Donnie admitted shyly.

"O.M.G! He finally said it! It's time to celebrate!" Shelldon yelled as he flew out of the room.

"I'm so happy for you!" Mikey exclaimed as he opened his arms to embrace him but Donnie extended his arm to stop him.

"Yeah, yeah I finally admitted it, big whoop. Now, can you leave me alone?" Donnie said dryly.

"Nope. So, when are you going to tell her?" Mikey asked as he gave Don, some personal space.

"Oh, I don't know, probably... never." Donnie said harshly at the end.

"What! What do you mean 'never'. Don't you want to go out with her?!" Mikey exclaimed in total bewilderment.

"Ugh, it's not that simple Mikey. I mean what if she says no?" Donnie tried to explain.

"But what if she says yes?" Mikey offered.

"Then... then I would probably get too attached. Becoming a poor, hopeless sap, that's just desperate for attention. Until eventually I just end up being all alone... again." Donnie said slowly as he turned away from him. "So I might as well just stay in isolation, since they all just *sob* get bored of me anyways.

"Don, you still have us." Mikey offered carefully.

"Yeah, but that's because your family. You guys are required to stick together, no matter how pathetic somebody is." Donnie said with dread as he kept looking down on the ground.

Mikey didn't hesitate to give his brother the most reassuring hug from behind. "You're not pathetic, you're one of the most amazing people I know. And, I may not know much about romance. But what I do know is that, a family is just a bunch of people that love each other."

Donnie was about to shun him away again but his own hands wouldn't let him.

"And April, is only one of the people in your life who truly cares about you. See, in the end, no matter what happens. You'll still be surrounded by people who care. I can promise you that." Mikey declared with all his heart.

Donnie wiped away the single tear in his eye and looked at him with a soft smile. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I mean, it can't be any worse then the last time I asked a girl out, right."

"That's the spirit!" Mikey said enthusiastically as he gave his bro a big thumbs up.

Then Shelldon flew back into the room as he yelled out. "Great news you guys! I just called April and she's already on her way!"

"You what?!" Donnie asked in shock.

"Relax, I didn't tell her why she has to be here." Shelldon clarified.

"Donnie?" April's voice could barely be heard through the walls of the lab.

"That's your cue 'Romeo'. Wink." Shelldon teased.

"She's here, now?!" Donnie was starting to freak out.

"Yeah, isn't that great? After all, it's better to tell her now than later, right." Shelldon said.

"I know but at least give me some time to plan on how I'm going to ask her out." Donnie said with a hint of frustration.

"So, are you telling me that a minute is not enough time?" Shelldon asked as Donnie's blood started to boil.

Luckily, Mikey notices this and says. "Come on Shelldon, this calls for some alone time for the love birds."

"Oh alright but remember, I want details when you're done!" Shelldon said as he left the room.

"Good luck Dee!" Mikey said cheerfully as he followed the little robot.

Donnie took in a deep breath and calmed down. Then jumped a little when he heard April say.

"Oh, there you are Donnie. Shelldon said you needed help with something." She walked inside the lab.

"H-h-hey April! *clears his throat* I mean, hey April. Also it's more like I um... want to tell you something." Donnie clarified bashfully.

"What is it?" April asked.

"Well you see, um... you and I are like- no wait, that doesn't sound right. I always felt like- no, no no. That's no good either." Donnie rambled to himself mostly.

"Don, if there's something wrong you can just tell me." April said with compassion.

"No, it's not like that. It's just... look, what I'm trying to say is that I... I love you April." Donnie said bashfully.

"R... really?" April's eyes widened with surprise.

"Yes and I know that this is going to be weird at first but-" Donnie stopped talking as soon as April wrapped her arms around him. He was so shocked that he didn't know what to do.

"I love you too." April said happily as she kept on hugging him. After a moment, Donnie finally embraces back the hug in a warm, loving way.