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They’ve been thinking about it for a week now.
He has absolutely nothing to show for his thoughts. Nothing but a pounding heart and sweaty palms everytime they even think about telling him their answer.
A week ago, Casey (the main source of their problems, because of course) had not so subtly asked Donnie if he could be Don's boyfriend- all of that gushy romantic stuff from Donnie's best dreams.
The first thing that Donnie had wanted so desperately to say was oh my shell yes absolutely, but they’d quietly, awkwardly admitted instead that they really did need time to think on that.
Casey was fine with it. He’d shot them a smile (one that had their heart fluttering) and a thumbs up, saying he’d wait forever for Donnie.
Which was really sweet. Honestly. It- gah, Donnie stays up at night thinking about those words a lot and just how amazing Casey could be sometimes. Kicking his feet and grinning giddily like a schoolgirl who has a crush.
Donnie’s not sure if he’ll ever really muster up the courage to tell him.
Impulsively, but also not really impulsively, he’d thought about sending Casey a message saying that they just wanted to chat with Casey about something in the lair real quick. He did send it, of course, nearly throwing their TPhone halfway across their room and burying his face in his hands out of pure shame.
Casey replied almost immediately because of course he’s a fast typer and he likes talking to them.
Donnie was, in very ineloquent terms, irreparably fucked.
Especially because he can literally hear Casey’s voice in the main room and it’s quickly getting closer to the doors of Don’s lab.
“-Yeah, yeah, give me a minute, Mikey! ‘Sup, D’?” The doors open as Casey steps into the lab with a pep in his step, hands stuffed comfortably in his pockets.
“Oh! You got here… fast.” Donnie coughs, not entirely expecting Casey to really be here. He had hoped he’d be able to have more time thinking about what they were going to really say.
“Huh? Yeah. You wanted to talk, ‘course I’ll get here when I can. You’re lucky I wasn’t doing shit.” He teases, strolling over to Donnie’s chair and throwing his arms over Donnie’s shoulders.
Donnie blushes at the affectionate gesture, clearing their throat.
“We, ah… need to talk. About what you said last week.” He murmurs, playing with his hands. “You- you know how you asked me out?”
Casey seems to perk up immediately. Maybe he really didn’t know that Donnie wanted to talk about that.
“Uh-huh… of course I remember. Can’t see why I wouldn’t want to be with a cute nerd like yourself.” Casey coos playfully, patting Don’s shoulders and standing back up. “Did you… y’know. Have an answer to that?”
Casey’s tone lilts hopefully. Donnie’s belly squirms happily at that.
“...Mmh. Yes. I do.” Donnie replies slowly, “And- and I want to date you. I really, really do, but there’s something I need to sort of… get off my chest first.” Donnie glances away from Casey, seeming to look anywhere but him.
“Are you… secretly a tortoise or something?”
Donnie scoffs at that the second the word leaves Casey’s mouth.
“No! Be a little serious here, Jones.” They scowl, glaring up at the vigilante. “This is- this is really important. To me at least, okay?” They look down at their keyboard, avoiding Casey’s gaze again.
“Shit- okay, sorry. What’s up?” Casey crosses his arms and leans his hip against Don’s desk, trying to search Don’s expression.
“I’m. I’m not. I’m not a guy, Casey.” They sigh, wringing their fingers together.
“...You a chick then? I mean, cool, I can dig that-”
“I’m not a chick either. I’m- I’m nonbinary. I don’t want to be either of those and I don’t- I don’t want you to think I’m weird or gross or try to say I’m one or the other…” He trails off, ducking his head and swallowing thickly.
Casey goes quiet for a moment. Donnie’s terrified to even look up at him, feeling as though They said something so, so wrong.
Casey probably hates me now. Great job, Donatello, you really fucked this one up.
“You’re not weird or anythin’.” Donnie jerks his head up, looking up at Casey. “That’s totally fine by me, dude, I’m not gonna judge who you are. Er, actually, do you not like that kinda term?” Casey scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.
Donnie blinks. “No! No, it’s- it’s okay. I’m fine with that. You don’t- you really don’t think I’m…?”
Casey’s gaze softens immediately, taking Donnie’s hand and cupping their jaw with an unfamiliar gentleness and tilting their head up as he gazes down at him lovingly.
“I mean this with a lot of sincerity, D’. That doesn’t mean anything to me. I totally support you, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t change anything. I want to hold your hand and take you out on a date and get all sappy ‘n shit with you, if you’ll let me.”
Donnie stares at Casey, wide eyed, flushing hotly and setting his hand over Casey’s on his cheek.
“...Oh.” Donnie’s positively breathless, “Oh. You- you don’t care that I’m not… who you thought I was?” They choke out, eyes filling with tears.
They’re not sure if it’s out of amazement or sadness.
“I just got the chance to know the real you.” Casey hums, stroking Don’s cheek with his thumb. “I’m totally honoured and loving that you trusted me with this! ‘S not that easy to share, is it?”
Donnie shakes their head, sniffling weakly and nosing into Casey’s palm.
“O- okay. I… Thank you, Casey.”
“For the bare minimum? C’mon, D’, get those standards up there.” Casey leans down, just inches away from Donnie’s face. Donnie snorts out a brief laugh, gently squeezing Casey’s other hand in his palm.
There’s a quiet moment between them both as Donnie leans his forehead against Casey’s, the two simply breathing each other in.
“Can I kiss you?” Casey’s voice is quiet, like he’s hesitant to break the comfortable silence they built. “I’ve been waiting for so long, dude, you don’t even know how many times I’ve fantasized about this.”
Donnie opens his mouth, before shutting it, making a weak noise in the back of their throat. They nod instead, unable to find the words of how badly they want that.
Casey’s mouth quirks into a smile, tilting his head to meet Don in the middle as his eyelids flutter closed, pressing their lips together chastely.
Donatello clenches his eyes shut, tense and so, so anxious. They clench Casey’s hand tightly, getting an affectionate squeeze back. A purr rumbles in their chest.
“Relax, D’.” Casey huffs out a soft laugh against their lips as they buzz with Don’s eagerness, brushing them together again, feather light. “I can literally feel how nervous you are right now. I’ve got you, okay? I love you.”
Donnie melts at that, unable to really hide the smile that pulls at his mouth. Casey pecks their lips again before pulling away.
“You’re so cute. You know that, right?” Casey grins stupidly, garnering a blush and a laugh from Donatello.
“Shut up. You’re the cute one here…” They murmur, rolling their eyes fondly.
Casey hums his agreement, resting his forehead against Donnie’s again.
Donnie can’t help but feel like thinking Casey might’ve hated them just because of their identity is a little silly, but he’s a natural overthinker. Of course they'll plan every worst case and best case scenario, weighing the pros and cons.
He’s just so lucky Casey’s going to be by their side for a long, long time.