Chapter Text
"Is this really necessary?" Donnie questions as Mikey adjusts the black strip of fabric tied into a bow around his neck.
"You're going on your first date! Of course it is!" Mikey snorts at this. "Now just keep still. Gotta make it look perfect."
Donnie slightly groans though does as asked. He admittedly is a bit nervous about going on his first date with Casey. He's never been on a date before and doesn't want to end up screwing things up. He agreed to let Mikey get him ready after he had a shower. So now he's sitting on his bed as Mikey works to make sure he truly looks ready for a date.
A little later...
Casey arrives to pick up Donnie for their date. He is wearing a black long sleeeved turtle neck, a grey vest, black pants, and black shoes. He is hoping that Donnie will think that he looks good for their date. He does spot Splinter on the couch though he isn't sure if he should approach at all. He turns his focus away deciding to keep his focus on Donnie for their date. Hes just gotta figure out where the other is so they can head out.
"I knew."
Casey turns back to Splinter when the other speaks almost softly. "Knew what?"
"That you both held feelings for each other. That there was something special about you in Donatellos eyes." Splinter clarifies before letting out a breath. "I know my sons. I wanted to make sure I did right by them even after what I did. I truly didn't know the extent of the consequences of my actions at the time." He refuses to look over to Casey who just stands there listening. "What I did know was that one day they would find someone special in their lives. One day I would have to let go of them so they can explore their own love lives. Though I tried to hold onto them for as long as I could. At least I know from interacting with you that you are a good guy. Someone I can trust my dear son to. All I ask is that you treat him right, take care of him well, and don't hurt him." He gets up to his feet. "Donatello is in his room with Michelangelo. I will be in my room to not ruin any happiness with your date. I hope you both have a wonderful date." He heads off after that with Casey not going after him.
Casey turns his attention to Donnie's room. He does hesitate as for a moment he thinks over what Splinter had just said. He can tell that Splinter cares about Mikey and Donnie even though there's a lot of hurt going around. He knows that the two should be allowed to approach Splinter again when they are ready. He shakes his head deciding to just be happy that Splinter approves of him. He turns as a door opens only to spot Mikey stepping out of Donnie's room.
Mikey looks back for a moment before moving out of the way to stand beside the doorframe. He has a big grin on his face.
Donnie steps out causing Casey's eyes to light up even more upon seeing him. He has a blush dancing across his cheeks. He is wearing a black bow around his neck, a purple jacket big enough to fit his shell, a pair of black pants and his purple mask. He approaches Casey shyly still blushing.
"You look nice." Casey blurts out without a single thought causing Donnie's blush to darken.
"T-Thanks. You too." Donnie stutters out shifting a little.
Casey chuckles a little before offering his hand to Donnie. "No need to be shy around me. I already love you. Don't worry. This is a date but we already know each other. It'll all be fine." He does see that Donnie relaxes before taking his hand.
"Yeah. Even with us being together we're still best friends." Donnie mentions mainly to remind himself to which Casey lets out an agreed hum.
Casey happily leads Donnie out of the lair by the hand making sure to not go too fast.
"What were you thinking for our first date?" Donnie asks as they walk down one of the sewer tunnels.
"You'll see." Casey informs him with a slight smirk.
Donnie chuckles softly. "Should've known you'd want it to be a surprise." He leans into Casey letting his head rest on his shoulder.
Casey lets out a happy sound at this as the twos hearts soar at being so close. "While we're on our way got any cool projects going on?"
"Oh. Yeah. Actually I do." Donnie begins telling Casey all about various things that he is working on. Like the robot assistant project.
Casey mainly listens while adding some of his thoughts about the projects. His responses are pretty simple like 'cool' or 'thats weird'.
Donnie is happy to have someone listening to him especially as a boyfriend go on about a big interest, even if he is very sure the other is zoning out on most of the scientific information.
After a little bit of even walking on the surface the two slow to a stop.
"As cute as your dorky rambling is I gotta interrupt." Casey smirks a little at Donnie who playfully glares are the dorky part. "We're here." He looks ahead with his smirk changing to a smile.
Donnie's gaze turns to follow to see what Casey is looking at. He gasps softly at what he sees.
The pond in front of them shimmers with reflected stars, some turtles wander around the edge curiously, a picnic blanket with a plastic food box and a telescope sit on the grass, and the sky is filled with plenty of stars.
"Casey." Donnie truly doesn't know what he is supposed to say as it is a picture worthy scene.
"Well I figured that a picnic was a bit too cliché so I got a telescope. Plus extra food when I noticed the turtles that we could try to feed." Casey explains looking to Donnie with a smile on his face. "Do you like it?" He already knows the answer though he wants to hear it from Donnie himself.
"I love it!" Donnie churrs happily as he hugs Casey. "This is a great first date."
"Glad that I could make it good." Casey hugs back as the two share a nuzzle. "Come on. Let's sit." He leads the turtle in his arms to the blanket where they both sit down with at least one hand each being held together.
They sit there for a few moments just allowing themselves to enjoy the view, plus each others company.
The quietness is relaxing and the light breeze makes it the perfect temperature.
"You did really good picking this spot." Donnie mentions though his voice is quiet. His head resting upon Casey's shoulder with his body fully relaxed. He allows himself to take an inhale of air through his nose taking in Casey's smell.
Casey's lips twitch upwards further into a smile. "Was thinking of you the whole time. It had to be perfect because you're worth it." He admits with a voice barely above a whisper. His eyes looking towards Donnie before turning to plant a small kiss on the turtles head.
Donnie's cheeks brighten with a blush. His heart slightly pounding in his chest. He allows himself to snuggle closer, his face nuzzling into Casey's shoulder; Partially to hide his blush though partially to show his affection. "Love you." He mumbles feeling slightly shy about this.
"Love you too D." Casey nuzzles Donnie's head causing the turtle to churr. He takes a pause upon hearing that. "Did you purr?"
"No." Donnie attempts to stop his cheeks from blushing further... Not that it is stopping that from happening.
"Yes you did!" Casey's eyes light up like a little kid on Christmas morning. "Do that again! It's way too adorable!"
Despite the almost deep blush on Donnie's cheek he lets out another churr; Finding it easy to do when he's all snuggled up against Casey.
"More. Please." Casey makes a slight rumble almost as if trying to mimic the sound a little.
Donnie churrs again though Casey only gets to soak it in for a moment.
A wild turtle snaps at Casey making him yelp and jump up.
Donnie is knocked over onto his side away from Casey before flopping onto his back. He blinks at Casey as his brain tries to catch up to what just happened. He spots a group of wild turtles walking around nipping at Casey or attempting to. He figures that they must have been attracted to them by Donnie's own turtle noises. He gets up grabbing some of the food meant for them that Casey brought. He chirps to call them over managing to grab their attention. He lays a trail of food towards the water with the turtles becoming interested.
The turtles follow the path down to the waters edge happily nibbling on each piece of food.
Donnie easily leaps over them and approaches Casey putting the food down. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Casey pouts slightly with embarrassment dancing in his eyes. His arms folded across his chest, though only briefly as he lets them fall to his sides as he plops to sit down on the ground. He grabs some food tossing it at a turtle that was coming back, the rest still enjoying the food Donnie put out,to keep it distracted so it doesn't start again.
Donnie moves to sit down next to Casey.
The two watch the turtles as they try to find each piece of food that had been given.
Soon enough Donnie's eyes dart upwards to the sky. He lets himself think about how easy a wild turtles life is. If he was just a normal turtle all he'd have to worry about is his next meal, his bed, and a partner. He wouldn't be having to deal with a pair of his long lost brothers being in the enemy's team, or even that his father lied to him despite having made the choice that caused them to be separated. He wishes he knew exactly how to get these long lost brothers to at the very least want a connection with him. He can understand their anger though he wasn't who abandoned them. He mentally shakes off his thoughts as he can worry about all of that another time. He lets his focus stay on his boyfriend. He almost thought that he would never get to use the word Boyfriend, it truly makes him happy just like Casey does.
The two lay back to talk about the stars as Casey shares what he knows, and Donnie points out each constellation that is out.
"Hopefully I can make the other dates as good as this one." Casey mentions causing Donnie to turn to him while he still stares up to the sky. "Don't want to disappoint and lose you."
Donnie snorts a little. "I doubt that'll happen." He rolls onto his side putting an arm around Casey who turns to him sharing a smile. "Even if we had a picnic in the sewers or junkyard I'd still be happy spending time with you."
Casey smiles more at hearing this. "Me too." He rolls onto his side as he speaks. He nuzzles Donnie's nose with his own.
"Do it properly. It was the perfect moment." Donnie insists between chuckles. He smirks as Casey chuckles. He swoops in sealing their lips together in a kiss.
Casey stops his chuckling in surprise. Only for a moment as he is quickly kissing back.
Their eyes fluttering shut as they both are now participating in the kiss. The two enjoy their kiss and pull apart after a few moments. They open their eyes halfway meeting each others gaze.
"I love you Donatello."
"I love you too Casey." Donnie responds feeling a slight blush on his cheeks.
The two happily cuddle under the stars.
... Later...
"See you." Donnie waves as Casey drops him off in front of the lair. He heads inside basically floating in happiness.
"Seems it went well." Mikey hurries away from his movie he was watching to greet his brother back.
"It was amazing!" Donnie confirms getting a happy hug from Mikey.
"I'm so happy for you bro!" Mikey tells him sharing smiles with the other turtle. "Now come on. You totally gotta tell me all about it." He uses one hand to bring Donnie to the couch turning off the Tv.
"I shouldn't kiss and tell." Donnie teases getting a playful punch to the shoulder by Mikey. "Okay okay."
The two settle on the couch side by side.
"It was amazing. He took me to this really great place." Donnie tells Mikey about what happened. "It was so perfect."
"Wow! That sounds like a story worthy date." Mikey mentions smiling even as Donnie nods his head in agreement. "I can't wait until I meet someone too."
"You will." Donnie puts an arm around the younger.
Splinter watches the two from the entrance to the dojo. He smiles before ducking into the dojo. "I am glad they can be happy despite what has happened." He looks around at the dojo. "I really should try to make things right. But how?" He looks down as he thinks for a long while. "Perhaps some meditation will help me." He sneaks off to his room in order to try to think through meditation.