TMNT-Warm

The rain fell hard in New York City and April and Donatello had nearly gotten out of a fight with the Foot Clan alive. Everywhere they turned, there was another member. Here. There. Everywhere. It was intoxicating and the rain seamed to make it seem as though there were twice as many members than there were.

April felt herself be tugged through a hole and into an abandoned warehouse. Outside she could hear the footsteps of the Clan race by each and every way. She shivered, feeling the water run over her body like icy fingers.

The boxes and crates gave her no warmth. No light. Just dust, cobwebs and the cold. The cruel, cruel cold. The red head could feel her teeth chatter and never before had she wanted to be in front of a nice fire or in her dry, warm bed more than anything in the world.

April glanced up at Donnie who only watched her from his spot in the shadows. She wanted to say something but she didn’t want to give away their hiding spot. It could have been minutes but if felt like hours. The teen’s head spun and she knew if she didn’t find warmth fast she’d be horrible sick for the next few weeks.

Her mutant friend only messed with his fingers, contemplating in silence. April leaned her head against the wall and she was surprised by the comfortable sound of Donnie’s hushed voice.

“April, come here?”

“I’m fine, Donnie.”

“You’re cold. I can-”

“You’re a turtle, Donnie. Last time I checked, turtles are reptiles, which means you’re cold blooded. I appreciate your gesture, Don, but you can’t do much for me.”

Through the darkness, she could see the turtle’s mouth clasp shut and his eyes find the ground. April felt her heart sank but she knew it was for the best. Silence lingered in the air and it made the girl uncomfortable. “Are we going to be stuck in here all night, Donnie?”

She could see the turtle nod his head slowly. “I think so, April. They’re looking for us. And the nearest manhole isn’t close enough. Not without them finding the lair.”

April felt disappointment bubble in her chest and she wanted to cry, feeling a headache throb in her mind. Tears brewed over her eyelids and she rubbed roughly at her eyes, willing herself not to cry. But it didn’t work.

“April...please come here.”

“I can’t, Donnie.”

“April, please.”

“It’s just not a good idea, Donnie. I-”

“April, come here.”

Maybe it was the firmness in his voice, maybe it was her pride being drowned out from the chill that seemed to wrap around her, but April crawled over to the turtle with much hesitancy.

April’s eyes found Donnie’s in the dark and the turtle opened his arms to her, welcoming the teen into his embrace. She searched his face and found to her surprise a light blush on his face. She never thought that maybe he, too, would be cold. But he wasn’t just a turtle. That’s right, he was also human.

April crawled onto Donatello’s lap and into his arms. The mutant’s arms snugly held her to him and the red head was shocked to find that she was dead wrong. He was far from being cold. Oh, no. He was warm. So, very warm.

Snuggling into his embrace, April closed her eyes, feeling her shiver go away and the cold leave her bones and limbs. April set aside her stubbornness and for the first time in a while, she was glad she was wrong.