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afreakingdork · 2 years ago

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Weak Spot - Chapter 15

RotTMNT Donatello x Reader

Warnings: Aged-up Turtles, Romance, Meet Cute, Villain Donatello, Cussing, Crushes, Xenophobia, Fear, Intimidation, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hurt/Comfort, Love, AFAB Reader, Vaginal Sex, Sex Rough, Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Creampie, Teasing, Scent Kink, Sexual Tension, Breeding Kink, Slice of Life, POV Second Person, Reader-Insert

Synopsis: Though it hadn't come easily, as these things rarely do, you found yourself in a whirlwind romance with a handsome and mysterious mutant. His idiosyncrasies had been easy to ignore as attraction grew into something more. However, will love endure when the unknowns about him end up being far darker than you ever considered?

Some light housekeeping so hopefully it's a little more clear what this fic is about! If you ever have notes for me, feel free to send them over!

Also available on Ao3

First 💜 Previous

They Were Roommates: Weather!

Phone Guy: Five day says we should be clear.

They Were Roommates: Schedules!

Sink: Open or requested off and granted!

They Were Roommates: Equipment!

Nervous Nell: Uuh, I’m ggonna drive up to see my parents and get their canoe! I’ll have to meet you there, but I’ll get a coooler and girlll stuff…

They Were Roommates: Food!

You: Car Beta will be hitting a store en route

They Were Roommates: Those unaccounted for!

Phone Guy: We got everybody except Travis.

They Were Roommates: You know what that means?!

Phone Guy: Lake day

You: Lake Day!

Sink: Lake Day!

Nervous Nell is typing…

They Were Roommates: Hey!

Nervous Nell: Llake day, yup!

They Were Roommates: What is up with you?

Nervous Nell: Sorry, lookin out my window. My gf said she was close like 20 mins ago...

Sink: No.

Nervous Nell: Huh?

Sink: No siggys at lake day!!

Phone Guy: We said no to making siggys a thing.

Sink: Ugh

Sink: No SiGnIfIcAnT oThErS at lake day.

Nervous Nell: Sshe gonna come up to my parents house though!

They Were Roommates: She ghosted you dude, move on.

Nervous Nell: Don’t say that!

They Were Roommates: Too late

They Were Roommates: Actually…

Nervous Nell: Yyeah?

They Were Roommates: I move to make an exception for Y/N’s boyfriend.

You: What?

Nervous Nell: Hhow come-?

Sink: We don’t do this! People break up too often and it ruins the memories.

Phone Guy: Just say photos. What is wrong with you?

You: Hey! This wasn’t my idea!

They Were Roommates: Did you all know Y/N had a crush on the Jolly Green Giant as a kid?

Nervous Nell, Sink, and Phone Guy are typing…

You: OPEN YOUR DOOR

You: I JUST WANT TO TALK

They Were Roommates: Help! Someone’s trying to break in!

Phone Guy: Oh no

Phone Guy: Think of the collateral damage.

You: Why the hell would you say that?!

They Were Roommates: Because you didn’t deny it and now you’re freaking out so, guess what?

They Were Roommates: You played yourself!

Sink: jalfkhsdfads

Phone Guy: Archived*

Nervous Nell: Hhe’s a mutant, right?

You: Yeah

You: He is.

You: Is that a problem?

Nervous Nell: Iit’s fine! Uh I didn’t mean for that to saound bad!

They Were Roommates: I think what he means is he’s curious to meet one.

You: Donatello isn’t some experiment gone wrong. He’s not here for you to study. He’s a person.

Nervous Nell is typing…

Sink: While he digs his grave, what’s up with this double standard Cor? You’re the one who came up with the no sigs rule!

Phone Guy: That’s worse.

They Were Roommates: Founder’s rights.

You: Why are you doing this?

They Were Roommates: I think he’s gonna stick around. He needs a serious group vetting.

Sink: We’ll I’ll be damned. You’re willing to stake lake day on this?

They Were Roommates: I’m that serious.

They Were Roommates: That’s the vote.

They Were Roommates: All in favor?

Sink: Hell alright

Phone Guy: I don’t care

Nervous Nell: I mean, yyeah. I’d like to meet him

You: It’s up to him.

They Were Roommates: He’ll say yes

They Were Roommates: Anyway, moving on!

They Were Roommates: Nell, what were you saying about your ex?

Nervous Nell is typing…

Standing outside of Donnie’s door, you pressed your palms into your eyes until they stung. You’d been buzzed up automatically by that digital check so he must have known you were out here. You could almost imagine him looking through the peephole and wondering why you were struggling. Not wanting to keep the figment waiting, you blew out an irritated breath and knocked.

There was a pause before the door opened which had you second guessing yourself.

You watched as Donnie left the thing open and wandered back inside.

“You okay?” You followed after him and closed the door behind you.

He held up a finger before it returned to his desk so he could type something out on his computer. It was the first time you’d seen the thing active. The many screens glowed purple and seemed to hold a multitude of windows. Trying to take in as much information as possible, you went to study a prominent list when the whole system shut off.

He turned to you. “Final preparations complete. You were saying?”

“You can always say no. Change your mind. We can spend the day together; just the two of us.”

His snout scrunched slightly. “I know you heard what I just annouced.”

“Yeah, I just…” You looked away and then back. Donnie was wearing a black, high-necked rash guard that perfectly concealed whatever was under those bandages of his. Below that he had a pair of surprisingly casual black board shorts with a purple band that matched his bandana.

“This is suitable attire.”

“That’s not what I’m…” You clicked your tongue. “My friends are a lot.”

“You’ve both told me and I’ve seen as much if your roommate is any indication.”

“I know…”

He folded his arms. “Is this an insinuation that I should decline?”

Your eyes shot to his face. “What? No!”

He shifted his weight to one hip. “Do you think I’ll demean you in some way?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what is your concern?” He unfurled and closed the distance between you.

You looked down at your ragged shoes. “I…”

His feet shuffled into view and you caught the purple flip flops there.

“You look cute.”

“Y/N.”

“It’s hard to explain!” You brought your head up only to loll it back. “I’ve known most of these people for a decade at this point and they’re weird! They’re going to be watching you like a science experiment and I was sure you were gonna say no on principle when I asked you to come. Except…. You didn’t! You said yes and then we did all the crazy preparation and suddenly it’s day of and my idiot roommate is downstairs waiting in a car she borrowed through like five different connections and you’ve got on this adorable outfit and I just-!” You wound down and let your lids drop. “I want them to like you like I like you.”

You felt a hand on your shoulder.

You let its weight linger before you opened your eyes.

Donnie was waiting with what seemed like a patient gaze. “You misspoke. You certainly don’t want them to like me in the same way you do.”

You swatted at him.

He dodged easily by only moving his upper body while his feet stayed planted.

“Stop making light of my worries!”

“A logic query then?”

You frowned.

He went ahead anyway. “If they were to dislike me after today, would you stop seeing me?”

“Never.”

“Would that effect your relationship with them?”

“No…” Your mouth curled up into one corner. “Well… they’d probably do that thing where you secretly hate your friend’s partner, but never tell them to their face cause they’re so deep in it so instead you always try to change the subject and talk about anything but-”

Narrowly missing biting your tongue you realized your folly.

You’d insinuated Donatello was your partner.

Peaking at Donnie, he seemed to be processing your statement.

It was both happiness and discontent.

You both wanted to finally have a label, but also didn’t want to rush and ruin the one you could have.

“Sounds like a tiring exercise of moronic social convention.”

“Yeah…”

“I planned to elevate this by impressing them for your sake.”

You blinked.

“Eye for an eye, they will also be under my observation.”

“Hey-”

He leaned into your space and you moved with him as if he shifted your gravity field. “For as much a chance that they look down on me, I can do the same with the company you keep. You should be more concerned with what will happen if I don’t find them to have your best interests in mind…” He trailed off and his arm lifted.

“You don’t get to decide that.” Against your words, you tipped to make yourself more accessible to him.

He arched a brow as if that were a challenge before straightening up. His extended arm came into view and he plopped a black sunhat on his head. A chin cord dangled down with a purple bauble landing just below his throat.

Your mouth crinkled at the sight.

“My bags by the door.” He rounded you and you burst out laughing.

“You look like you’re dressed for three different occasions!”

“Do you want to know my additional reasons for accepting?” He looked back at you caustically as you turned.

You fought back the giggles. “Of course.”

“I consider this a type of day off which is not something I indulge in.” He shouldered his bag. “To this end, my attire communicates such.”

You nodded and chewed on your lips to keep anything else from coming out.

He opened the door. “Conducting multiple studies, one such research includes the art of relaxation. Thus I am immune to your mockery.”

It was just absurd enough for you to momentarily forget your worries.

“All business on your vacation!” You tittered and headed out into the hall.

“A vacation is an extended period of recreation.” He corrected you before locking the door.

Something about the way he said it this time made it click for you. “You studied.”

“That was implied, yes.”

“No.” You headed towards the elevator with him in tow. “You studied how to chill.”

He was quiet and when you glimpsed back at him he was staring at you as if he didn’t see the point in your reiteration.

“You’ve never had a day off?”

“Not by human standards.” He pressed the button. The elevator arrived quickly and you both boarded. “For most of my life I was not afforded the luxury. Hence, I don’t see the need. I either work or don’t.”

You watched him quietly out of the corner of your eye.

“That better not be pity.”

“It’s not.” You hummed as the bottom floor dinged. “I just got my assignment for today.”

He lingered where you stepped out.

“I’m gonna make sure you have the best break possible!”

At least, that’s what you meant to happen. You, however, had no control over your friends. Your roommate, as usual, was the worst of which. As soon as Donnie came close to the car, she split the two of you up. She had argued it had to do with his size and directed him to the front seat next to her. Taking the seat behind him, you watched in misery as she immediately began to quiz him. He seemingly took her questions in stride until she grew tired of his unflappable nature. As the vehicle made two more pick up stops, she switched to blasting music. Songs were sung in purposefully broken keys as you exited the city.

Donnie checked out somewhere along the way and stared out the window. In the backseat, one of your friends had found an old slot machine handheld game and had roped you into cracking its simple code. The music came down to a manageable volume and soon lax conversation matched the tone of the drive. The sun beamed in with a gentle warmth that carried early morning light. It also forboded the blistering turn that summer would take it. Chatter went on peacefully as you heard your roommate murmur to Donnie about an exit. He had his phone out and helped direct her. You tried not to gawk at how normal they suddenly seemed to one another.

A turn off was eventually achieved and you passed through a station to park at a lake. Everyone made the mad scurry out of the vehicle to stretch they legs before rounding up to gather goods. Your roommate yelled on her phone as Nelson was nowhere to be seen. Her shouts summoned the secondary vehicle’s crew and your other group of friends came over from where they had parked on the far side of the lot. Introductions were exchanged before a flurry of things happened. You tried to keep track of Donnie, but your friends caught him and you in separate conversations. It lead to you, several people apart, heading down a path.

The lake came into view and stretched out into separate sections. Ample spring rain meant the forest flanking it was lush and there were families already set up in small groups. Standing fisherman dotted one far off shore, while little kids splashed each other on a closer one. Your group commandeered a pavilion and stuff was strewn about as people claimed their spots. The casual nature of the yearly outing meant that everything ran on a relaxed familiarity.

“Where’s the cooler?!” One of your friends plopped what seemed like a dozen grocery bags on the metal table.

“Nels said he was close!” Your roommate grouched.

“Guess, we’ll start cooking just in case!” One of your more relaxed friends stood. He whipped out a pair of sunglasses that were hanging from his tank top and donned them. “Chemical time!”

Though he were at least four people away from you, you saw how Donnie perked up.

“Wanna join me?” It hadn’t seemed like your chill friend was paying attention, but he turned around o zero in on Donnie.

Donnie excused himself from whoever he was talking to and wound a path over to the man. “I’m intrigued by your word choice.”

“Then you’re gonna love what I’m about to cook up! You see, as a grill master, I’ve refined my process to a science-!” Your chill friend pointed towards a public grill stand with a roll of aluminum foil as his septer. He then lead the charge with it and Donnie followed with tight posture.

“Worried?” You heard a voice a little too close and soured.

“I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t interfered.” You turned towards your roommate.

“Relax, look at him.” She gestured with her chin and you turned to see Donnie nodding as your chill friend did something to the grill with a brush. “He’s not a kid. He’s doing fine on his own. In fact, the only way he could have bigger daddy energy was if he had a stupid blob of sunscreen on his nose.”

“Did someone say ‘daddy’?” A friend who was splayed out on top of the table looked over the edge of his glasses.

You stewed at the thought.

“Update your prescription, damn!” Your roommate pointed towards the grill.

The table friend hummed appreciatively. “I do love a man who can start a fire. Oh! And is good with tongs.”

“Can you not make tongs sexual?” Another friend on their phone didn’t even look up.

“Anything has an inherent eroticism if you use it right!” The table friend crawled over to the phone one and purred in their ear. They were promptly abandoned as the phone friend stood and walked away.

An obnoxious ringtone sounded.

“Nels!” Your roommate snatched your wrist without answering her phone.

“W-wait-!” You tried to look back at Donnie, but you were already being dragged out into the sun.

“Beta got the food, Alpha gets the stuff. That’s the deal!” Your roommate pulled harder.

She only allowed you to wrench yourself free once you fell in line. “I should at least tell Don I’ll be right back.”

“Ugh, stop! He’ll survive without you for two seconds!”

“I don’t get your deal.” You huffed and rubbed your wrist. “You want to vet him. You want nothing to do with him. You want to see how we interact. You keep splitting us up!”

“That’s the thing.” She rounded on you with a finger pointed at her forehead. “I’ve got the big brain here. You gotta keep ‘em guessing. You can’t be too obvious or they’ll catch on!”

“I literally told him that you were going to vet him.”

“And you think I didn’t account for that?” You roommate rolled her eyes away.

The parking lot and specifically Nelson’s car came into view.

“Look. Stop thinking about it and enjoy lake day. Everything else is my priority, not yours.” She jumped a few steps forward and shot you a smile before running full force at Nelson.

The man yelped and the two rounded the car twice before your roommate caught him with a noogie.

Hauling what teetered on camping equipment, the three of you eventually emptied Nelson’s car and returned to the group. Keen on canoeing, Nelson ran around making a checklist of who would go out as he proclaimed that only one person at a time was safe. Somehow you’d ended up third on the list before you’d even managed to make it over to Donnie. He was still at the grill which had been foiled up in a bizarre way.

“So if we move this part here, then we could actually smoke whatever meat we want!” Your chill friend shifted something with a spatula.

“A fascinating application of architecture.” Donnie hummed with a pack of hotdogs in hand.

“We got the cooler filled with ice.” You announced your arrival with the phrase you were told to pass along.

“Sweet.” Your chill friend bobbed his head. “I’m gonna go see what we got and set up a cooking schedule.” He held out his hand and Donnie passed him the hotdogs. “You got the fire, Colonel Dee?”

Donnie nodded easily and the man left.

You folded your hands behind your back to keep them from nervously fidgeting. “’Dee,’ huh?”

“That is the first time he’s used it.”

You nodded and fought against the creeping awkward air.

“You have a different question.”

“I’ve been told I’m worrying about you too much.” You grumbled and stepped away as a gust blew smoke in your direction.

Donnie moved in time and adjusted the foil which you now realized was protecting the flame from the wind.

“If you could give me some kind of answer…”

“You haven’t asked anything.”

“I guess… that’s right.” Your brows came together in frustration.

“Outward appearances haven’t indicated you were worried.”

You looked at him.

“So far I’ve recorded your catching up with friends, a multitude of inside jokes, and that you’ll soon be taken out on the water.”

On the nearby shore, Nelson pushed off the canoe with its first passenger on board.

“You heard all that?” You looked away and wondered why you couldn’t defeat this odd shyness.

“It’s your day off as well. You’re allowed to enjoy it.”

You were struggling with that concept. “But-?”

“Your friends have been tolerable. Kaleb, in particular.” Donnie nodded back to where your chill friend was laughing heartily at something. “I prefer to keep to myself, but just because I shun the company of others does not mean I don’t know how to keep it.”

You nodded.

What about all this was throwing you off?

“Though it hasn’t been without its challenges.”

“Oh?” An odd flicker in your chest reduced the load there.

Why did that make you feel better?

“On the walk up there were a few tone-deaf comments.”

“Oh.”

“Microaggressions. It is a failing of society.”

“Should I talk to them?” You looked towards the pavilion and tried to pick out who had done it.

Donnie shook his head. “I suppose one would be curious where my ears are.”

You blinked.

Donnie prodded something in the grill.

“Was that…?”

He glanced at you for a moment.

“I never actually asked so how did you know..?”

“I was not referring to you.” He raised up and looked down at you.

“It seemed like a call out!”

“’A guilty conscience needs to confess.’” He narrowed his gaze lethally.

You felt the weight of it and resisted squirming. “I just wondered where they were...” You trailed off but the oppressive stare pricked at your skin. “I’ve gotten close! I didn’t see anything so I was curious! I was waiting for a better time to ask!”

“Tympanum.” Donnie finally broke away to tend to the fire. “They’re in the same place.”

You repeated the word in your head several times in an effort to commit it to memory.

“Broadly speaking, you have my species. I’m surprised you haven’t looked anything up.”

That would have been a smarter thing to do.

You laughed nervously.

He shook his head at your hopeless case.

You fell into a comfortable silence and the wind carried on it the sounds of cheery conversation.

Out on the lake, Nelson paddled the boat in a curve towards the tree line.

“Y/N!”

You broke from where you were staring at the orange dot and turned back to see a friend waving a Frisbee at the pavilion.

“You game?!”

A confirmation ran to your lips before hesitation caught it.

Donnie gave a loud dramatic sigh that made you jump. “You’re being obnoxious.”

You gave him both a glower and a pout.

Through his irritation you saw a flicker of something else. You couldn’t place it as he descended upon you. The brim of his hat knocked your head before his lips pressed a quick kiss into your temple. He then dropped near your ear. “Go. Enough of this. I am enjoying myself whether you chose to believe so or not. I will signal you the moment that is not the case. Otherwise, I am going to continue to discuss engineering with Kaleb as he is already heading this way. Then I plan to run samples of the lake water.” He leaned back enough to monopolize your gaze. “Thorough enough?”

“You’ll have fun testing the lake water?” You bit back a brighter smile.

It had helped.

“Immensely.” He rose up and gave your back a gentle push.

“My man!” Your chill friend approached with open arms stuffed with packages. “Fire’s looking hot!” He then shifted his gaze to you. “Love this guy. Try to keep him around; I’d love to hang out again!”

“I’ll try…” You gave Donnie one last glance which he ignored.

Your chill friend set the bags down to rifle through them. “So, tell me more about this explosive compound you created?”

As you walked away you heard the faint sounds of Donnie infodumping. Smiling to yourself, you picked up to a jog where your Frisbee friend met you half way. The two of you chatted there before they reared back in a surprise throw. Running to catch it, a game picked up as a few other friends joined. The canoe returned and there was a trade off. You eventually headed back to the pavilion and ate chips while watching Donnie squat by the water’s edge. His existence seemed to spurn on a couple of your friends who tore their excess clothes off while mad dashing towards him. They splashed near him, but not close enough where he’d have gotten wet. He spoke to them when their heads resurfaced. They seemed to find whatever it was funny.

An ice cold soda touched your cheek and you screeched. Laughs were rounded and you eventually accepted the beverage. Bugs chorused the tittering and the sun gave a lazy hum. Eventually the canoe returned from its second journey and you were summoned by Nelson. You followed him out and saw that Donnie had his feet in the water. A few more of your friends had taken the plunge and were routinely yelling things. You and Donnie shared a glance as you boarded the canoe.

“Steady!” Nelson said more to himself before he pushed off and hopped in.

The light glistened off the water and you had to turn away.

“Mind if we go into the brush? I think I can open up a path!”

“Sure, I guess.” You resisted the urge to turn around just in case it upset the balance. You could feel the gentle rocking as Nelson paddled expertly. “How’ve you been?”

“Eh…” You sensed him shrug. “I got the official break-up notice yesterday.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Nah, Cor opened my eyes to it so I had warning.”

The shade of the trees loomed welcomingly nearby. You watched the way the water parted by the canoe’s bow. “You really liked her though. You were gonna introduce her to your parents. That sucks.”

“Yeah…” He pulled the paddle up and you glided for a moment. “This is helping.”

“Good.” You chanced back a smile. “When’s the last time you got out like this?”

“Too long!” He smiled back and thurst the paddle back into the lake for a hearty push. Overhead you broke through the trees and the shade gave a comfortable drop in temperature. “Since my parents are from the area, we used to do it all summer long. Since I moved to the city I haven’t been able to come out as much as I’d like.”

“That’s always the way.” You hummed and watched how the leaf litter floated on the surface until the bobbed ripples from the canoe disturbed them.

The two of you continued to chat as Nelson shared stories from his childhood. Eventually, you floated up to where a fallen tree blocked the path. Moving as if it were second nature, Nelson maneuvered the canoe right up beside it.

“Alright, let’s see!” He dug into the supplies stored in the stern and pulled out a small hatchet.

“Uh!?” You straightened anxiously.

He gave you a dumbfounded look. “This is standard equipment. Calm down! It’s for this exact purpose.” You watched as he then tied the canoe off to the log before raising the axe up high. He brought it down and started chopping away. “In case you get stuck!” He yelled over the loud slashing.

The canoe rocked and you held on as he hacked at the log. Eventually he neared the water with his cut and it started to splash algae sludge at you. “Nelson!”

He didn’t slow.

“UGH NELSON!!” You screamed as a blob of green landed on your arm.

“Huh?” He stopped the suddenly silence meant his voice was way too loud. “What was that? Oh, ew!”

“It’s getting all over me! Stop!”

“I’m almost through…” He raised the hatchet again.

“No!” You waved your hands. “I’m good!”

He frowned and started to undo the ropes. “I guess I’ll open up the path for the next rider.”

“Thanks.” You responded dryly.

“I made good progress though!” He stored the axe and then gathered up the paddle.

“I’m sure you did great.” You rolled your eyes.

He turned the canoe so it was facing the opposite direction and pushed off the log with an audible thump. Again, you studied the way the boat cleaved the otherwise still water. The sun poured overhead as you left the trees behind and you squinted at the pavilion. There was some sort of tag game happening there so you traced over to the water where people were floating lazily in comparison. A particularly hard to miss green man was absent. You held tightly to your seat to keep from rising up.

No matter where you searched, Donnie was nowhere to be seen. It cropped up nervous memories of the grocery store and you fidgeted to get your phone.

“Don’t drop it!” Nelson chirped behind you as if he were the pinnacle of help.

“Yeah, yeah.” You brushed him off and unlocked in. You had no new notification of mention. Frowning, you felt Nelson pull the paddle back before there was a soft bump to the canoe. “What… was that?” You held your phone close and tired to peer over the edge without moving much.

Nelson’s silence spoke odd volumes as the boat came to an abrupt halt. Looking around wildly, you found your captain sitting calmly with a smile on his face. Scowling, you looked back toward the water and caught two green hands holding the deck. Realization dawned on you as Donnie’s head surfaced.

“Hey!” You exclaimed and had to force yourself to stay put.

Donnie let go and swam towards to you. “Greetings.”

“What are you doing?” You chuckled and felt a grin way too big split your cheeks.

“Swimming.” He then disappeared back under the water. It was just murky enough along with his black clothing that he disappeared.

You rounded on Nelson. "You stopped. Is this an ambush?"

He held his hands up with the paddle in tow. "What!? No! It’s a reflex! You watch the water for threats and safety! I clocked him and the others near the beach so I saw when he dove. There were then signs that he was coming this way!"

You narrowed your gaze.

"Honest!" He then lowered the oar and seemed a little sheepish. "He's a turtle, right? Do you know what kind? He swims so well..."

You weren’t sure if that was something you were allowed to share. Before you could decide, you heard a little splash and looked over the other side of the canoe to find Donnie there. "I'm guessing the water tested good?"

"Passable" Donnie bobbed for a moment and then ducked again. You searched around curiously until you heard him somewhere behind Nelson. The canoe was set into motion and smoothly shot towards shore.

You disembarked and turned to address Donnie, but found him already floating out a ways.

“Now he could definitely get that log out of the way…” Nelson mumbled to himself before stepping right up to the water’s edge. “Uh! Donatello!”

Donnie easily changed position and looked over.

“Want to help me open a path!?” Nelson pointed to the trees.

“Not particularly.” Donnie responded plainly and disappeared under the water.

“Dead!” Your roommate cackled loudly. “Shot down twice in one week!”

“Not cool!” Nelson stormed towards the pavilion with the paddle in hand.

You heard ensuing chaos and, not wanting to participate, decided to walk the shore to your floating friends. “Hey!”

There was a three person chorus of recognition.

“How’s the water?”

“Amazing!” One of your friends floated up onto her back.

“Get your Olympic swimmer beau to give us rides!”

“He ignores us when we ask!”

You laughed. “Yeah, I doubt he’ll do that.”

“Get in! I bet he will if you’re around.”

“I’m not so sure.” You smiled more to yourself.

“Food’s ready!!!” Your chill friend’s voice interrupted with a boom.

There was splashing as everyone made a rush to get out of the water.

“Think about it, Y/N!” A wet hand made a pass at you that you dodged.

“Yeah, no!” You felt a presence behind you and turned to find Donnie watching casually. “Hi.”

“Are you going to greet me every time we’re separated for more than a few minutes?” He tilted his head and you watched a string of water bead down his chin.

Oh.

You shot your gaze elsewhere.

Now was not the time.

He moved and you watched as he picked up a folded towel from where the sand slowly morphed to ill tended grass. You swallowed hard as he wiped himself off and the muscles in his arms bulged under the clingy wet rash guard as he did so. “Shall we?” He gave you a knowing grin.

“Y-yeah.” You shot past him towards the pavilion.

This strange bashful plague whenever you got close to him was wearing thin.

Joining the group, you were welcomed heartily with a saved seat for both you and Donnie. You were both placed center stage, but found, much to your relief, that you weren’t the pinnacle of conversation. You secretly adored the fact that they’d paired you off. It gave you a chance to absorb as much information about Donnie’s cook-out eating habits as you could between the pinballed talking points. The flow dictated the two of you were pulled in different directions as conversation divvied up.

You might have mourned the loss had Donnie not caught you hand under the table. It was just sly enough that no one took notice. You tried not to give it away to the friend you were talking with and mentally excused the red on your face to the sun. The group gorged and, with the moment of respite, grew sluggish from the many activities. The fractured parties shifted around to include others and Donnie politely excused himself. You watched idly as he drifted back to the water and disappeared into its depths.

You realized his highly aquatic comment had not been a fib.

Someone tugged at your sleeve and you realized you’d missed what they said. Mumbling apologies, you jumped back in until everyone digested and spread out. A small group decided to explore the far side of the lake and departed in an expedition to find walking sticks. Others had settled into mobile gaming at the table while Nelson picked up canoe rides again. You stood, just under the shade, and looked out at the water. Donnie was floating on his stomach adjacent to where some of your friends were lazing on the beach. You shifted awkwardly before shrugging out of your shirt. You set it with your stuff and removed your bottoms which covered the swimsuit you had underneath.

Looking back out, Donnie hadn’t moved and you sort of wish he’d seen the reveal. Shoving those disruptive feelings away with the others, you reminded yourself he’d seen you in far less. Departing, passing goodbyes chased you from those left at the pavilion. You strode up to beach before kicking your shoes off. You then toed into the water. “It’s warm…”

“Sun!” One of your friends mumbled drunkenly from where her feet were buried in the sand. “It’s so nice.”

“It cools off if you go out some.”

“Such a perfect day.”

You lingered with them in their sun bleached moment before you heard the gentle rustle of waves. Donnie’s form traveled smoothly over. “Are you getting in?”

“Thinking about it.”

He hummed and sank down until only his eyes were above the water.

“Watching me?” You took a step forward bringing the water up to your ankles.

His chin rose to reveal his mouth. “Yes.”

You smiled and moved until the lake lapped at your knees.

He floated as close as you imagined he could with his height. “I’m logging this look to memory.”

You bit your lip. “I was hoping you’d notice.”

“I always do.” He disappeared under the depths as soon as you looked up.

Smiling ruefully, you moved against the weight of the water until you dipped into its embrace. You then wadded out until you were able to comfortably stand up to your shoulders. Donnie hadn’t surfaced and you spun around causing ripples to cascade away from you. You hadn’t given it much thought until now, but it was clear he could breath underwater to an extent.

There was a tap to your leg and the weight of the touch had a signal to it that it wasn’t meant to be scary. You searched the water, but your movement had kicked up silt and made it opaque. A distinct hand found its way around your waist you and you looked towards that direction. It wasn’t until its twin joined that you realized he was behind you. You heard the water breach as he came up.

“I’m going to pull you.”

You nodded and your feet left the bottom of the lake. His arms encircled you until you were pulled into his plastron. Beneath you, you could feel the way his legs were keeping you both smoothly afloat.

“They’re watching…” You mumbled much quieter than you meant.

You actually hadn’t checked.

It wasn’t just your body that was swimming.

“I’ve done nothing inappropriate.” He disappeared from your back and you wished you hadn’t mentioned it. “Arms out.”

“They’ll come up with something…” You obeyed.

He gave the handhold on your waist a tight squeeze. “I don’t understand why your friends trigger this embarrassment in you. You are otherwise shameless.”

“N-Not true!” You turned to try and see him, but he ducked away.

“Kick, I’m going to let go.”

“Hey, I’m not done.” You heard a splash that said he dove and sighed. You kept yourself afloat and did a little circle to look where he’d just been. Below you, you felt a skim around your feet. Kicking out, your toes slid along his rash guard. Wondering how deep this part of the lake was, you gave up on searching with your eyes. Closing them, you waited with heightened sensitivity for him to return. He did so somewhere around your thigh and, from the graze, you could sort of tell that he had brushed against you with his snout. He then curled expertly around and did so to your other leg.

The light touches had filled your head with effervescence. He continued to swim around you in tight knit circles until his head breeched the surface around your front. Against the cool water, your cheeks burned and you sank down to put them out.

Why couldn’t you just enjoy this?

He’d handled the day with such ease.

Unaware, Donnie watched with a carefree expression and something about it registered in your brain.

He wasn’t his usual restrained self.

At least, not the prior version; the one you’d met.

He’d held himself differently in front of your friends, but nowhere near how cold he’d initially been to you.

It made you self conscious.

Was it you?

He’d said a few things about acting and you weren’t sure why you’d originally been excluded from that if this is how he could be.

You’d technically won out in the end, but the victory currently felt hollow.

Returning your attention, Donnie relaxed nature seemed mocking. It was happy in a way you’d yet to see him. It contrasted the version of pacification that was brought up by sex or exhaustion. This version of Donnie was alert, but didn’t have the usual barriers up. He ducked down and from the streaks of water he swam away. It reminded you of a dolphin.

Startling, the water lapped at your ears and drowned out your concern.

He was being playful.

As if caught in the flow of a tide, the worry receded and what washed back up felt very silly.

Regardless of its origin, you were being gifted a unrestrained version of your partner.

This had been your plan for the day, even if you hadn’t been the one to set it into motion.

You could share your worries later, for now you were overcome with affection.

You swallowed the excited sound that rumbled in your throat. Swimming towards where he had gone, you felt him slide up beside you. He got ahold of you and took over steering. A noise of surprise weaseled its way out of you as you shot forward faster than you could imagine going alone. There was a polish to the way he swam that signified he was one with the water. Changing direction with little whiplash, he drove you both back to where you could stand before depositing you there. You then watched as the ripples seemed to indicate he traveled to the other side of the lake.

“See what we mean?”

You turned to the voice and found your friends had waded back in.

“Catch him at Sea World!”

“Wouldn’t that mean salt water? He’s a turtle. Isn’t that bump on his back a shell?”

“There are saltwater turtles.”

“Literally sea turtles.”

“Oh! Huh! That makes sense.”

“I’m glad he’s having a good time.” You softened and watched Donnie meet up with the group who had made their way to the other side of the lake.

“Who wouldn’t? It’s a perfect day!”

“He’s a weird one, but in a good way.”

You nodded.

“Rich coming from you!”

“Hey! What do you mean!?”

“You know!”

One of your friends ambushed the other and dragged them down. It quickly devolved into a dunk and splash war with no clear winner. Eventually a failed game of Marco Pollo tried to catch its footing, but your chill friend approached with the cooler rolling behind him. He started floating drinks out to those in the water and that became a game in and of itself. Arguing and laughing ensued.

The sun tilted overhead and your fingers signaled the start of pruning. Twirling in the water, you found Donnie floating on his back and soaking up the rays. Even from here you could tell his face was utterly serene. Sharing a parting look with your friends, you swam over to him. He peaked only to seemingly confirm who it was before letting his eyes close again. You came up near his torso and studied the way his body moved with the current. “You float so well.”

Instead of opening his eyes, one of his brows came up in a way that signified he thought that was obvious.

“Yeah turtle, ha ha. It’s been the talk of the town. I meant on your back. You were floating the other way earlier.”

He gave a little understanding nod. “It is easier the other way, but as long as I adjust the air in my lungs and find a balance point, I can sustain any position.”

“The air on your lungs…” You thought it over as your arms swayed to keep you afloat. In doing so you watched Donnie gingerly bob and with his size and straight posture, he almost looked like a pool toy. “Will you stay up if I lean on you?”

He nodded languidly.

Tempering your excitement, you swam closer and chose the flat of the plastron around his stomach. You were careful and he dipped as you threw your arms over him. He quickly righted and, with a little adjusting, you eventually came to fold your arms under your head. The dark color of his rash guard had absorbed the sun’s rays and made him a basking platform. Lulled by it, you closed your eyes.

In a pleasant way, you felt time tick by as the sun lapped at your back. Here and there you’d hear commotion from the beach, but nothing seemed pressing enough to move. You idly wondered how far you’d drifted when those thoughts seemed to simply trickle away. The gently rocking of the waves filled your ears and the warmth of the sun cradled your body. You weren’t sure if you completely drifted off when Donnie brushed a hand over your shoulder.

“Hm?” You couldn’t be bothered to make full words.

“We’re being waved over.”

“Tell them to hit snooze.”

He chuckled. “It’s your roommate.”

You sighed and pushed off your rock. You sank for a moment forgetting you needed to propel yourself. Darting back to the surface with a gasp, you watched your roommate laugh from the shore.

You played up your scowl so she could see it.

Regaining composure, she wiped an eye. “We’re heading back!! Let’s go, turtledoves!!”

You grumbled.

“Agreed.” Donnie swam around you. “However, if we leave now, we’ll just make it back to the city before dark.”

That didn’t seem right, the sun had only just barely tipped from overhead.

Squinting up, you found it had sank three quarters of the way through the sky. “How long have we been out here?”

Donnie hummed as if he didn’t care and there was something about that lackadaisical side to him that shot you through the heart.

“Why do you live in the city?”

He skimmed to your side in thought.

“You’re so much happier here.”

He slowed into a drift. “Work. Convenience. Mutant Epicenter. Take your pick.”

That third one had you tilting your head.

He ignored it and did a lap around you.

“It just seems like-”

He slowed, curious.

Clapping echoed from the shore. “Chop, chop! You’re going to do your part packing up! Don’t try to get out of it!”

You sighed.

He found your hand underwater and tugged you along slowly.

“We should come back here though.”

Donnie focused on swimming.

“Just us.”

He didn’t look back. “Not here.”

“Oh.” The shore was getting closer and closer.

In a smooth twirl, he pivoted to your side. “I can show you somewhere better.”

There was a veiled nature to his statement that said it meant a lot more than he was letting on.

“One day.” He seared a look into your eyes before resuming his tugboat position.

You tried to place it as the water lapped at your throat.

Was it that it hinted at a time frame?

Did the location itself hold some importance?

You had that and a million more questions by the time you reached the beach. Donnie grabbed you your towel before he got his. Even then, you struggled with the sand as you put your shoes back on. There was a metered chaos to the pavilion as everyone tried to rightfully gather what was theirs. Snacks were fought over and eventually goodbyes were had. Hugs promised a repeat next year and you parted to your respective vehicles while splitting the loads that would go inside them. Your roommate helped tie the canoe back onto Nelson’s car before she came around and pointedly shooed Donnie to the backseat.

She gave you an approving nod, which you took with a surprised blink. She then slipped around to the driver’s side. You timidly translated it to Donnie who had seen the display and, in a show that said his reserved demeanor was returning, stood stoic. Crawling into the car, the radio was turned down low and no one spoke as exhaustion crept in. Your third backseat companion fell asleep as soon as a long thoroughfare was hit and you slumped back to fight your own eyelid battle.

Donnie nudged you and you resisted falling into him as your hair was still wet. Not realizing that was his intention, he shifted to giving you a tug by slinging his arm around you. You tipped into him and looked up to find him staring out the car window.

“Why go back?” You kept your voice as low as possible both to mind the passengers and to keep the conversation just for his ears.

He didn’t look away. “There is more in the city now than what I listed previously.”

“Like what?”

You watched as he blinked slowly before turning to look down at you.

Your stomach flipped.

He seemed satisfied with your reaction and started to move his head back.

“You’re different.”

“How so?”

“Then when we met…” Exhaustion brought about loose lips, but not coherency. “With everyone… Were you just…?” You lowered your gaze to where his hat sat in his lap. “What’s real?”

You jostled as he snapped towards you.

When you didn’t look the arm around you folded at the elbow and a hand wrapped around your forehead. He then used that appendage to pull you back so you were forced to look up at him.

“This is real.”

His voice was too loud, too clear.

You could feel your roommate looking the rear-view mirror.

He wouldn’t want that kind of attention. “Donnie…”

“No.” His voice was again forceful. “I need you to know that.”

You nodded and he evaluated you harshly. “I’m sorry…”

“For what?” The weight of his hand lessened and his voice lowered.

“For doubting you.”

“Reassurance, as discussed, is ongoing and mutual.”

Your lids were growing heavier by the second. “Then why are you…?”

Different?

You weren’t sure you could finish the thought.