Sarina holds a finely-shaped piece of metal in place while Donatello runs a blowtorch along the seam. Sarina can't see his face through the welding mask, but she knows that he's got that focused expression on and that the only thing that matters in his world right now is getting the fusion right. After a slow and steady journey along the piece's edge, he shuts the torch off and steps back, giving her a thumbs up. Sarina flips her own mask down and readies a handheld orbital sander. She careful rounds off the edges of their project, a few sparks flying past her face.

She shuts off the sander, plunging the lab into a sudden, expectant silence, and she sets it to the side with a short clatter. The pair lifts their masks in sync and admires their creation, proud as new parents. Sarina takes the helmet and looks it over, turning it around and around in her hands, touching the sleek, silvery finish laced with blue light. It most closely resembles a mix between Thor's helmet and a Viking battle helmet, with pieces of metal running along the jaw and cheek with a widow's peak on the forehead. A glass visor covers the eyes, leaving the mouth and chin open.

"I love it," Sarina breathes, eyes flashing.

"Well, try it on!" Donatello urges, gesturing his hands to her as a grin spreads across his face.

She doesn't waste another second. She lifts the helmet above her head as if she is a fresh-faced, christened queen receiving her crown and slips it over her head. It fits like a tailor-made suit. Donatello's eyes light up and he can't help but gasp, a look of awe spreading across his rosy face as she lifts her hands to her mouth, flushed.

"Does it look as amazing as it feels?" she asks.

He rushes to her and takes her face in his hands, pressing his forehead against hers as he grins. "Breathtaking, my dear."

She grasps his wrists and adds the pressure of her own forehead to his, eyes fluttering shut. They share the pride, basking in it before her eyes fly open with a flash. "When my hair grows out, we may need to make adjustments," she says, pulling away and removing the helmet. Her pupils dart upwards as if doing so would allow her to see the fuzzy white sheen adorning her head.

His loving gaze doesn't falter as he leans in and presses a kiss to her forehead. "Another project for another day."

Before she can respond, there's a knock at the laboratory doors and Leonardo pokes his head in, arms full and his expression weary. "Hey, we're back," he greets, rather monotone with exhaustion, and he brings the bag in his arms over to the nearest table and lets it drop.

Donatello and Sarina move to his side, Sarina opening the bag and starting to sift through the materials while Donatello eyes his leader.

"How was it today, Leo?" he asks.

Leonardo lets out a heavy sigh and tilts his head back to the ceiling, hands moving to rest on his hips. "I think Shredder's just as impatient as we are," he says, his face hardening as he looks up at his brother. "They tried to stop us again today. Des was just getting the hang of turning when they tried to shoot her out of the air."

Sarina's head snaps up and she drops some kind of metal canister with a clang that makes both ninjas startle. "What? Is Destiny alright?"

"She's fine. She managed to dodge it but..." He purses his lips and Sarina notes one of the veins on his neck bulges for just a second as he grits his teeth. "She's so close, I can feel it. If we could get a few stress-free evenings in a row, maybe—"

"It'll be okay, Leo," Donatello says, a wary hand dropping to Leonardo's shoulder. The blue-masked turtle exhales slowly. "How are Raph and Mikey?"

"A few scratches, but nothing big. Raph's more ticked that we keep retreating instead of fighting back, but that's expected." Leonardo's gaze flits to Sarina and a fire reignites in his eyes. "But, uh, anything of use there, Sarina?"

Her eyes flash and she does a single bunny hop of glee as she thrusts a small object towards Donatello. "Yes! Look, this is exactly the kind of battery we need for my recharging unit! And these—" She holds up something so briefly that they only catch a glance before she shoves it back into the bag. "These are perfect for the shock absorbers on my rocket boots! Now if we can find something for the...aha!" She picks up another item and starts turning it over and over in her hands, her entire face churning with the light of creativity. "Exhaust heat shielding! Yes!"

Donatello reaches for the battery and inspects it, reaching to scratch the side of his face. "You're right. This is exquisite!" he marvels, nodding and mumbling to himself as he turns and sets the item on their cluttered table. "This will work!"

Leonardo lets out a half-hearted laugh, shaking his head as he crosses his arms over his chest. "So we did well?"

"You went above and beyond the call of duty, Leonardo. Well done! Mission accomplished!" Sarina gushes. "Thank you so much."

"Hey, it's what needs to be done," he replies, chest puffing slightly. "Donnie, don't shirk training tomorrow morning, okay? Try to get some actual sleep."

Donatello nods and wags his hand at his brother, already lost in the world of machinery tucked away in their burlap backpack. Leonardo takes his leave soundlessly, closing the doors and allowing their brilliant minds the silence that they need.

But even as they adjust the lockable knee joints on Sarina's nearly complete thigh-high rocket boots and add reinforcement to her gauntlets, Sarina allows worry to wiggle its way into her head. She stares at her notebook and a diagram of her boots stares back at her, proclaiming their ability to run off the energy output of her body and a lightweight, sleek design. She finds herself sinking until her head is resting on the tabletop and she's watching Donatello work.

He's so focused. It's always what shocks her the most. If it weren't for him being here, Sarina would have an entire outfit in unfinished bits and pieces. She gets so excited about different ideas that she can never stick on one piece for too long. Donatello can. Donatello follows after her excitement with calm dedication and the concentration that she lacks long term.

"Donatello..." she murmurs.

"Mm?"

"While I am ecstatic that we're getting the materials we need for my suit, I cannot help but feel..." She purses her lips and shifts to fold her arms beneath her head, "that it's too much of a risk. You are being attacked almost on the regular now by this fiend."

He stops, looking up at her with gentle sympathy. "It's okay to be worried, but the risk...is just part of the job. This entire battle is a risk, but if—when we pull it off it'll all be worth it."

"Do you promise me?"

"I promise you."

A lazy smile drifts across her lips as he delves back into his work. "You make me feel sleepy when you work. It's soothing," she admits with a tiny yawn.

"Do you need coffee?" he asks, sparing a side glance away from his project. "Or...bed?"

She ponders for a moment before deciding, "Bed. I have already had enough coffee today." She stands and moves to his side, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight, my darling."

He curves his head to snag another kiss from her lips before she pulls away. "Goodnight, my periodic blossom."

Her nose wrinkles as she laughs. "That is new. Where did you come up with that one?"

He looks at his feet and stirs in place. "I...uh..." He clears his throat and rubs his neck. "The periodic table, and...you being around in recurring cycles..." He gets quieter with each word. "And you're as lovely as any sakura blossom." He shakes his head. "Ah, I know, it's silly."

She gazes at him for a second before ducking her head down to his shoulder and leaving a kiss there. "Your reasoning is scattered, but believable. I like it." She pulls away from him and backs towards the door. "I will be off now."

He reaches out, making her stop. "Actually...I'm tired too," he admits.

Her eyes flash and a coy smirk curves her mouth. "Oh! Then how about a sleepover tonight? I am not quite done spending time with you." His expression floods with shock and her hand flies to her mouth. "Is that too forward? I apologize!"

"No! I...I would...uh, like that," he says, shaking his head and waving his hands. "My room has...room."

"Then...let's go!"

They hurry out of the lab together, hand in hand, shy but excited. Destiny exits the bathroom as they go past her, the wolf-raven's eyebrow arching. "What's up with you two?" she asks.

"I am sleeping over!" Sarina says.

"First time!" Donatello adds.

They disappear into his room and shut the door. Destiny stares at it for a second before a faint, nostalgic smile crosses her face. She laughs to herself and shuffles off to her own room.