Howdy, dorks ^^ guess who’s got lemlav lmao
This is Part 1 to a 2 part fluffy one shot! The other half isn’t finished yet, but as soon at it is, I’ll post it! Hope you enjoy my mid writing skills 💀 No beta read we die like gram gram </3
⚠️!! WARNINGS !!⚠️ : N/A! Enjoy! <3
Soft Shell, Softer Touches
It’s been two hours since Donnie’s been gone for business with a certain group of well-dressed crooks, the Purple Dragons. Niyah was beginning to get worried. She knew she couldn’t call or text him because that could compromise Donnie’s (and her own) safety. So, instead, Janiyah sat on the floor of Donnie’s lab, impatiently waiting for him to come back.
Two hours and ten minutes.
This was torture. Where was he? Was he okay? Why did he insist on going alone?! Niyah’s mind began to wander.
Was he captured? Was he hurt? Was he okay? Was he unconscious in a random alleyway? Was he…
Niyah squeezed her eyes shut at that last thought. There was an uneasy feeling in her stomach that she wanted so badly to ignore, but the way it twisted and turned made her sick. Where was that dum-dum turtle—!
Suddenly, the mechanical door to the lab opened. Niyah opened her eyes to spot a exhausted looking—
“Donnie!” She sat up immediately and went to greet him. Usually, Niyah greets everyone with a hug, but for Donnie, she’d always give him a generous amount of distance and an occasional polite wave. The Softshell blinked as if he was surprised to see her.
“Where the heck were you?!” She almost shouted, worry woven into her words. Donnie just looked at her with a lazy expression. “Purple Dragons,” he simply replied. “Remember?” and he walked past her to get to his work desk.
“You were gone for two hours,” She stated, the worry never leaving her face. Donnie seemed to shrug it off. “You know how the Dragons are, they’re difficult.”
Niyah was bewildered at his indifference. Did he really not care? She spent hours worrying over him for nothing…? Donnie didn’t notice how quiet she got, a usual sign that she was upset about something. Instead, he hopped in his spinny chair and started to tinker with a big-looking, unfinished project. Niyah only blinked in surprise.
“You’re getting back to work?” Donnie didn’t spare her a glance, “Yep,” He replied lamely.
“But, you just got back…” Niyah said, more to herself than him. “The Dragons threw a wrench in my plans. I’m extremely behind schedule,” Don explained, an annoyed scowl on his face. Niyah couldn’t tell if that scowl was caused by the Purple Dragons or her. Still, she slowly approached the genius, taking the seat beside him. Donnie had added another chair to his lab a few weeks ago as a result of Niyah visiting him so often.
She sat a distance away from Donnie, almost afraid to get too close to him while he was in such a sour mood. Then again, something always had Donatello in a sour mood.
“I think you should take a break,” Niyah nearly whispered. She glanced from his work and to his eyes, hoping that he’d catch her stare and look back. But, to her disappointment, he did not. Instead, Donnie replied with, “I can’t possibly waste any more time than I already have.”
“Breaks aren't a waste of—“ Niyah tried to respond, but apparently, Donnie wasn’t finished. “Why do you care so much?” He finally looked at her. Niyah then realized the annoyed scowl was meant for her. She shrank back into her own chair, using her leg to slowly push herself back and create more and more distance.
“Sorry, I was just worried,” She mumbled, chest tightening as she avoided his stare. Donnie’s expression softened and he let out a soft sigh.
“I hope you know I’m more than capable of handling myself,” He grunted, turning away from Niyah and going back to his work. “You don’t have to worry.”
Niyah sat in silence after that. Donnie had wondered if he was being too mean. Niyah was more of the sensitive type, easy to get emotional. He tried to filter what he said to be less mean around her because, well, he cared. He cared about her, though he’d never admit it out loud. She always listened to him ramble about science and things he knows. Sometimes, she’d even ask questions about it too! They had recently begun studying astronomy and astrology together (Donnie wasn’t a fan of astrology but he couldn’t say no to her).
She’d always seem interested in what he had to say, even if sometimes she looked distracted. Donnie often wondered if there was something on his face with the way she stared at him. Niyah always listened with that small smile that Donnie (and he’ll never admit this,) adored.
Suddenly, snapping Donnie out of his daydream, Niyah quietly stood up. He watched her in his peripherals as she exited the room. Ah, she left.
Donnie sighed, running a hand down his face. Maybe he was being too mean. She spent hours in his lab just keeping him company, asking questions— not just about the current project— about him and how he was doing. Always making sure to check on him and making sure he’s eaten something at least. Donatello felt like he was taking her for granted… he felt like a jerk for being so annoyed at her being concerned for him. He wanted to apologize the next time he saw her. Maybe even thank her. But now, he could finally tend to—
The door to his lab opened again. Don snapped his head towards the light seeping into the cool, purple-toned room. It was Niyah again. And in her hands, a cup of hot coffee.
Oh. She had left to make him some. She went out of her way to do something for him even after he was being sour. Donnie felt his face warm at that.
She said nothing as she carefully placed the mug beside him, then sat back in her chair. Donnie eyed her curiously the whole time. “Careful, it’s hot,” She finally warned. Donnie tried to ignore the warmth of his face that was definitely not caused by Niyah, but by the heat of the coffee. Right.
“Thanks,” he mumbled hesitantly , glancing away from her, taking the mug in his hands. He lightly blew at the beverage before taking a sip. The drink warmed his chest. He had grown a tolerance to coffee a long time ago, but he still enjoyed drinking it. Donnie felt himself relax as he let out a sigh of relief.
“They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Niyah asked out of the blue. Donnie glanced at her, putting down his coffee. She had her head down on the desk, staring up at him. He could see the concern in her brown eyes though she didn’t express it externally. His stare softened and he blinked.
“No, nothing serious.” He lied, turning back to his work, trying to ignore the warmth spreading across his face at her persistent stare. Why was he so… nervous? Niyah stared at him before, even when she tried to sneak it. She seemed to study him in a way. Donnie got used to it after a while, but now, her staring at him was making him uneasy… in a good way?
“Why do you care so much?” He questioned quietly again, but differently this time. This question was soft and genuine; he really wanted to know. Donnie never looked back at her though. “About me?” He added.
Niyah smiled softly at his question before speaking. “Because you’re my friend,” she stated proudly, shifting slightly to fidget with the sleeves of her puffy, cream-colored cardigan. She sounded so certain, as if being his friend was enough of an answer.
“Because I’m your friend?” Donnie echoed, letting out a disbelieving chuckle. “Is it really that easy?”
“Yes,” she replied, her face warming as she held eye contact with him. Her dark cocoa eyes held an emotion… a feeling that Donnie has felt before, but couldn’t name. “Yes, it is.”
Donnie felt himself smile but quickly hid it in his palm. Niyah had a calm look in her eyes. Like two big black holes, dark and alluring, drawing him in the more he stared into them. A dark sea of mystery that he so wished to explore. He would have almost found himself drowning in them if he didn’t snap back into reality.
“Thank you,” Donnie muttered, unable to take his eyes off of the girl in front of him. “For caring about me.” This time, he didn’t hide the shy smile that was stained on his face.
Niyah sighed, “Anytime, Donnie.” She’s said his name a million times before, but for some reason, his heart squeezed. Donnie felt himself flush at her words, praying to whoever was up there that it didn’t show. It was like a triple homicide. Her eyes, her smile, her voice… he felt weak.
Donnie remembered it. The stinging had somewhat lessened, enough that he almost could get used to the pain and forget about it. Still, Donnie winced, not at the pain, but at the way Niyah’s smile shrank as she noticed something was up.
WOOO!! One down and one to go! The second part might be a bit long, so deepest apologies for that. Hope you enjoyed this lil thingy I did way back in November lmao. Have a lovely day, ya dorks <3 (Also, very sorry for my awful writing 🕊️)
— Your Local Sweater Rat!
PART ONE: (You’re here, silly!)
