SUMMARY. You thought Casey had taken to the room quite well, but then, every night, without fail, he would wake one of you, face scrunched up in distress as he asked if someone could keep him company until he fell asleep.
“It’s a new space,” Leo said after the third time it happened, nuzzling his snout against your temple in a soothing gesture. “The last base was all Case knew, it makes sense he’d be homesick. Give him some time, mi vida.”
And you try to. Really, you do.
(In which you’re worried about Casey adjusting to the new resistance headquarters, and Leo holds your hand through it all.)
RATING. general
WORD COUNT. 1.6k
RELATIONSHIPS. Leo/Reader, Casey Jones II & Reader
WARNINGS. none that apply
TAGS. No use of Y/N ; POV Second Person ; Gender-Neutral Reader ; Established Relationship ; Krang Invasion Timeline (TMNT 2018) ; Parental Reader ; Parental Leonardo (TMNT) ; Leonardo Acting as Casey Jones's Parental Figure (TMNT) ; Future Leonardo (TMNT) ; i think this counts as family fluff??? but it's bittersweet due to the Circumstances ; mostly Casey-and-Reader-centric at first but Leo's there i promise
AUTHOR’S NOTE. the very first Leo/Reader I ever read for the fandom had them be parental to Casey JR, and it left its mark on me if you couldn't tell
btw, Leo is 27 here (also, pre-arm loss), Casey is 4, and Reader’s age is mid- to late-20s
(title is from ‘things that make it warm’ by cavetown & divider is by @enchanthings)
The new resistance headquarters is a downgrade for many reasons. There isn’t enough space to give each member a bed, much less space for that bed, especially one in Raph’s size. Then the infirmary's ceiling collapsed two weeks into the ingress, forcing you and your med team to relocate to the war room as a temporary set-up. And now Donnie and his engineers report that heliplane production is stalled until they can rebuild the heavy machinery they had to abandon during the emergency evacuation.
Overall, it’s taking a while for everyone to settle in and stop missing a home you can’t return to, not without the promise of Krang zombification or worse.
The one having the hardest time adjusting, though, is Casey.
Because space and privacy are a privilege a resistance can’t afford, his new room is a storage closet attached to the room you and Leo took as your own. The decision makes sense, all things considered. You both agreed that keeping Casey’s quarters nearby was non-negotiable, and putting yourself between Casey and any possible threat that would try to hurt him while he slept calms the raging beast named ‘parental instincts’ in you. So, you and Leo furnished his room to the best of your abilities, and Casey gave you both a hug and cheek nuzzle for your troubles.
You thought he’d taken to the room quite well, but then, every night, without fail, he would wake one of you, face scrunched up in distress as he asked if someone could keep him company until he fell asleep.
“It’s a new space,” Leo said after the third time it happened, nuzzling his snout against your temple in a soothing gesture. He was at Casey’s bedside for barely five minutes before sliding back into your bed—which is a lumpy mattress on the floor—and telling you Casey was out like a light. “The last base was all Case knew, it makes sense he’d be homesick. Give him some time, mi vida.”
And you try to. Really, you do. But it’s been a month since it first happened, and Casey doesn’t even have to wake you anymore since you’ve learned to expect him. Tonight, when the door to his room creaks open like clockwork, you’re already sitting up in bed and turning on the lamp. You don’t have to worry about waking Leo with your movement since he hasn’t turned in for the night, still discussing tomorrow’s mission logistics with his brothers and Draxum.
It takes a while before Casey steps through the door, but when he does, you see he’s clutching Doctor Hugginstein to his chest (which isn’t new) and tear tracks are trailing down his cheeks (which is).
“Oh, kiddo,” you coo, arms stretching out toward him. “C’mere, sweetie.”
Casey takes your words as the invitation they are and leaps into your hug, burying his face into your chest. You let out a small ‘oomph’ as he knocks the breath out of you, but at four years old, Casey isn’t as heavy or tall as he’s supposed to be. When he crawls onto your lap, he’s too light, and you have to force the rage off of your face. You don’t want to scare Casey, don’t want him to think your fury is aimed at him and not the Krang.
His hitching breath knocks you out of your thoughts. “I-I tried—” Casey tries to say before a hiccup cuts him off. “It was too—”
Without thinking about it, you tuck his head under your chin and start rubbing his back. “Shh, take a breath first, Casey. I’m right here, it’s going to be okay.”
You spend ten minutes consoling him before Casey’s tears start to peter out, his breathing coming close to something even and normal, and it’s even later after he’s calmed down when you finally ask him, tone as gentle as can be, “You wanna talk about it?”
When Casey only shakes his head and hugs you tighter, you decide not to press.
“You wanna go back to your room?” You barely even finish the question before he shakes his head again, this time more adamant. “Okay, that’s okay. How about this: you stay with me and Leo tonight, and tomorrow, if you’re up for it, you can tell me what’s wrong. That sound good?”
Casey pauses, considering, before he pulls away just a bit to look up at you and nod. “Yeah, th-that sounds good.”
”Good,” you say, gently wiping Casey’s dried tears away now that you can properly see his face. “C’mon, let’s get you settled in before your sensei comes and hogs the bed.”
That gets a giggle out of Casey, drowning you in overwhelming fondness at the sound. You press a kiss to his forehead to release some of that affection before sliding him off your lap and onto the middle of the bed, keeping him in your embrace all the while.
Pillowing his head on your arm, Casey turns to lie on his side to look at you. “Doc?”
You stifle a smile at the title. Despite the family’s best efforts for Casey to call each of you ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’, he still can’t help but parrot the way the resistance members refer to you all. Clearing your throat to hide your chuckle, you softly ask, “What’s up, kiddo?”
“Can I have a song, please? Just ‘till I’m sleepy.” He asks, hugging Doctor Hugginstein tight. He looks hesitant as if you’d ever deny him anything.
Smiling, you say, “Always, kiddo.” And then, just to make him laugh again, you start to sing Jupiter Jim: The Musical’s opening number.
“Noooo, not that song!” Casey whines between giggles. “The cradle song, the one with the stars.”
”Ah, that song.” You exclaim in mock-realization. “Why didn’t you say so!”
Casey pouts, and for all that Leo isn’t his natural father, you can’t help but think they furrow their brow the same way. “Okay, okay, kiddo, settle down,” you say, and you boop him on the nose to get another giggle out of him. When his face smoothes out, you start singing, but you don’t even make it to the second cycle of the chorus before Casey’s eyes have fluttered shut.
You’re finishing the lullaby, brushing back Casey’s bangs from his face as you do, when Leo opens the door without a sound. Obviously not expecting you to still be awake, Leo jolts when you make eye contact, but then he takes in the scene and his face softens. Despite the gooey, sappy heart-eyes Leo’s making at seeing Casey asleep in your arms, you still notice the worry and confusion in his expression, most likely wondering what could’ve been bad enough to have him unable to sleep alone.
On silent feet, Leo moves toward the bed, removing his knee pads and belt along the way. He props his sword against the wall near his bedside—keeps it within arm’s reach like he has every night since he was 16 years old—before sliding under the covers and curling an arm around your hip to pull you close. “Nightmare?” He whispers into the sliver of space between your faces.
“He wouldn’t tell, but yeah, I think so. Got him to agree to talk it out with me tomorrow though.”
Leo purses his lips, and you already know what he will say. “I can stay with y—”
“No,” you insist, stern but not unkind. “Casey knows you have that recon mission. He wouldn’t want to take you from that.” At your words, Leo frowns, his love for his family and his duty to the resistance vying for supremacy. You press a thumb to the middle of his brow ridge and smoothen out the crease forming there. “Watch out, handsome, your Raph chasm’s showing.”
Just like with Casey, your words pull a laugh from Leo. “Oh god, do not remind me.” He chuckles, silent so as not to disturb the boy between you.
Joy is a wonderful look on Leo, his peals of laughter making you glitter in delight in turn. Then, as an added nudge to ease Leo’s nerves, you say, “Don’t worry about it, I’ve got this.”
“I know you do,” Leo says, eyes going soft and sweet as he looks at you. Gently, he pulls your hand—fingers still pressed against the middle of his brow ridge—to lay his cheek against your open palm and kiss the pulse point on your wrist. It’s like magic, how he turns you into poetry and light under his hands, under his lips. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Of course, only the best for my champion.” You tease, charmed by Leo’s responding chirp.
“I missed you today.” Leo keeps nuzzling into your palm, twining his fingers with yours. “Wish I had meetings with you instead of Barry. We’re getting sick of each other, more so than usual.”
You giggle, and when Leo pulls you close to kiss you, you hope he can taste the laughter on your lips. But the mention of meetings has you sobering, and you sweep your thumb across his cheekbone to catch his attention. “Hey,” you say, tone serious. “Be careful out there tomorrow. Come home to us.”
“Always will.” He promises, and his dark eyes hold the steadfastness of a warrior. “You’re not getting rid of me for a long time, mi vida.”
His reply has you rolling your eyes good-naturedly. “As if I’ll even try.” You say before pressing your lips to his for one more kiss.
Both of you fall asleep soon after, Leo holding your hand cupped between Leo’s own and his cheek.
AUTHOR’S NOTE. in my heart, the lullaby Casey was asking for is 'sa ugoy ng duyan' (which can translate to ‘to the rocking of the cradle’) coz I think it fits him. it's a song abt missing the bygone days with your mother because being in her arms meant safety n comfort n protection, and you think about how the song she used to sing to you is a song full of love uwu
also, don't ask me what the new resistance headquarters is coz I don't kno. is it a tunnel system they found? a bunker Donnie preemptively designed in case of a Krang attack? some safehouse in the hidden city that Draxum used in the past? idk.
This wasn’t supposed to be x reader but I’m throwing in a few x reader headcannons because my brain went *microwave noises* and I said yes.
Raph
He gives very secure and warm hugs. He grew up being protective and comforting his brothers so his hugs just feel safe.
I find it funny how the sharpest and pokiest (if that makes sense) brother is the softest, especially with hugs.
When he hugs you for the first time it’s a little weird, he’s not used to you. He’s used to a little rat man, a tiny ass fire cracker (April, she’s like, 4’8/142cm) or turtles.
So when he first hugs you he’s more actually figuring out how to hug you best. He’s trying to learn where best to hold you and how to angle his sharp pokes (I forgot the name for his sharp little thingies, they poke out so I’m calling them pokes) away from you while still being comfortable for him and you.
All in all, Raphs hugs are really nice. The hugging king.
Leo
This Boi is L A N K. More my personal headcannon than anything else. In my opinion he would have a bigger reach, nothing big. His arms are just a tiny bit longer than his brothers (aside from Raph of course) which he likes to hold over his brothers heads all the time.
ANYWAYS because of his long-ish arms he can just grab you and pull you into a hug randomly. Which he does more often than he would admit. It’s more of a side hug than a proper one but they’re also very casual. Like, he’ll grab you, lean in close and point out something he’s looking at, or whisper some dumb joke into your ear, or he’ll just keep an arm over your shoulder or wrapped around your waist. Depends on what you’re okay with.
When he hugs someone he more cradles the person, with arms wrapped around the person he tucks them in close. It feels safe but different from the way it feels safe with Raph. After the events of the movie it feels like he’s trying to protect the person from something he’s personally experienced.
His hugs are long and either very casual and calm or heartfelt and protective. No in between but they are always comfy.
Donnie
His hugs are few and far between but when he does give a hug they’re a little stiff but he makes up for it with good pressure. My thought is he doesn’t do good with feather soft touches so he doesn’t give feather soft touches. Therefore his hugs are solid. When he hugs someone it is a solid hug.
Sometimes if he’s got his mech arm battleshell on he’ll give head pats which are always 10/10.
If he trusts you a lot he might ask for help with sensory, letting you lay on top of him with a weighted blanket, playing with your shirt or hair, letting you fiddle with his bandana or hands. When he asks you for help with dealing with sensory issues you know he doesn’t just trust you. He trusts you.
On a small side note, if you have problem with senses and stuff he’s always willing to help you in anyway possible. Need a weighted blanket? Here he’s got 20 of different textures, weights and sizes. Need some place quiet but with some white noise? Come sit in his lab, he’s been meaning to finish a project. Whatever you might need he’s sure he can help with.
Over all, his hugs are nice if a little stiff, but when he really trusts you there are really soft moments when you get to comfort each other.
Mikey
Mikey is rather affectionate. Not just through hugs but through touch in general. However his hugs tend to be quick tight squeezes that are very sweet. Fast but very nice.
He’s rather flexible so he’s able to just grab a person, hug them and run. Kinda like Leo in a way.
His hugs feel sweet like a sugary treat. A type of high that is fast, contagious and energetic but fleeting in its own way, the upside is that there’s no negative side effects.
When Mikey hugs someone to comfort them he’s much more gentle, the hug is for longer and it means a little more than his usual hugs.
When he hugs you it’s almost like a game. He likes to see how many hugs he can get in a day do he’s always running off giggling after pulling you into a really nice hug. It’s fun.
Generally Mikey’s hugs are really sweet and fun, great for goofy moments or just when you’re so happy you have to hug the person closest to you.
Okay! That concludes Da Bois. I would have done Splinter but no, nobodies getting a hug from that old man and it got a little to long to put April in as well. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this as much as I loved writing it!!
i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal about him i am normal-
i really wish Rise had gotten a chance to expand on Casey and her inevitable breakdown after she turns on the only "family" she has in the finale so here is my little tribute to her as a character and what we could have had (i can't draw her shaved hair i am sorry i didn't want to deal with actual head shaping)
requested? NO BUT YOURE STILL GETTING MY BRAIN ROT
This can be read as platonic or romantic! It leans towards platonic and I wrote it with the intention to be platonic but view it as you want! This was also rather self indulgent, I love Cassandra so much.
AIGHT SO *claps hands* we all know this girl goes above and beyond
She will casually (not casually at all. It’s very abrupt) bring up movies into the conversation and ask you your favourite movies and genres as well as snacks.
After that she’ll ask you if you wanna hang out for a movie night at her place. You accept and the two of you work out a time and date that works for both of you.
Now that Cass has gotten all of the first steps finished, she just needs to prepare and get everything.
Laptop and movies at the ready? Check. Popcorn, chips and candy? Check. Comfy pillows and blankets? Double check. And yeah of course she’s got some LEDS and fairy lights! Besides I t’s really bad to watch a bright screen in a dark room but you can’t watch a movie with the lights on so. Fairy lights. Plus it helps the aesthetic and sets the mood!
When you finally come over Cass is VIBRATING. While excitedly talking about all the movies she has and the food she takes your coat for you so you can get comfy and pop open a bag of chips and grab a can of pop (or soda, there’s no difference except name)
You two sit close together on the couch while watching the movies together. You two go through a whole bunch of movies of all kinds. Action, comedy, kids and at least one really bad movie you two can trash talk together and laugh at. To top it all off you get into a pillow fight and neither of you win, you both just lay on the floor out of breath and laughing. It’s great fun.
By the end of it you wind up staying so late you just sleep over and you guys have cereal and milk while sitting on the counter together for breakfast.
All in all a movie night with Cassandra is really fun if at least a little chaotic but the vibes are always impeccable. Good food, good company and one hell of a good time.
Okay, if I started to write about a ROTTMNT space Au but with the humans are space orcs vibe how would y’all feel about that? Because I’ve got the bare minimum of an idea for a story right now and I’d love to grow on it with you guys.
(Ps. I might do some x reader stuff with this as well)
Heck yeah! Because you didn’t specify who or what the relationship is, ima just do general headcannon style (with some small blurbs) with the main boys and romantic if that’s okay! I wanted to try my hand at romantic for a bit, of course mikey is platonic!
Tw: female anatomy but I did my best to make the reader as gender neutral as possible, talk of periods, blood, menstrual pain, nausea, vomiting the works.
General
Im going to say it here and now: Splinter did not teach his sons about periods or anything like that. However April did explain everything to them before they met you so they actually understand quite a bit. They listened to April very intently because it means they’d be able to help her in the future with anything she might need or want.
So if you come to the sewers looking uncomfy or in pain, Mikey has the most awesomest chocolate in the world hand made by the one and only, Leo is in the kitchen making tea for you, Raph has plenty of pain pills and gravol to share and Donnie has blankets and heating pads!
Even though they understand the pain you’re feeling they’re still goofballs so they’ll pretend to be you while on your period sometimes and it’ll become a “who can make the best zombie impression” contest. It’s still great fun though.
Leo
I’m going to say he’s very sweet when you’re on your period, if you’re ever sore or in pain or just in general uncomfortable he’s always willing to help you out.
Has stolen menstrual health products for you and will do it again.
His favourite thing to do with you while your on your period is turn on the TV and cuddle while marathoning movies together. Sweet, salty, spicy and savoury overpriced snacks surround the two of you as you watch the movies together. It’s nice.
You sit cuddled up against Leo’s plastron while playing with the tails of his bandana. Leo currently has his arms wrapped around you as he slowly works through a small knot in your back. Another wave of pain hits you and you shudder in Leo’s arms. “Leo.” You whine out and he kisses your temple while moving the blankets around a bit to better cover the two of you. “I know, I know. It hurts, but it’ll be okay. It’s just a little longer.” You whine a little more before nodding and settling back down. Leo gives you another kiss as he squeezes you in a gentle hug and then starting to work more on the knot he was earlier. Just a few more minutes before the pain meds kick in. Then you’ll be able to eat all the junk food you want and marathon movies with Leo.
Raph
This man has all the pain meds you might need. Advil? Check. Tylenol? Yep. Aleve? What does he look like, a chump? And of course he also has Gravol for any nausea you might have.
Speaking of Gravol you tend to need it, a lot. It’s not something he’s upset about though. He’s the oldest brother to three other children in a sewer pipe, when they were younger they’d get into all kinds of crap that would make them sick. So it’s okay, just let Raph comfort you.
When you’re not nauseous and having to live with a bucket in between your hands, the two of you pretty much continue on as business as normal. While you still take it easy (because Raph refuses to let you push yourself to far) you still do some light workouts and stretching with him and the boys.
(Warning!! I know I already mentioned vomiting and nausea but this is where it’s ramped up! There is some description, but not much.)
You sat on Raphs bed with a blanket around your shoulders. He had quickly cleaned his room before you walked in which was really sweet but you couldn’t care less while you were puking your brains out. You swallowed as another wave of nausea rolled over you, trying not to lose whatever food you had left in your stomach before giving up. You gagged as you vomited into the bucket and looked at what was inside. Eggs from breakfast and…. “Carrots, why is there always carrots?” You mumble out loud as Raph rubs your back in a soothing motion as he hands you your water bottle. After rinsing your mouth of whatever bile was left in there you settle back against Raphs side. Raph puts an arm around you shoulders. “You gonna be okay?” You nod your head as you lean into him, a grounding and solid weight you can rely on whenever you want. Yeah, you’ll be okay, especially with Raph here to help you.
Donnie
Donnie understands your pain, at least a little. He’s had really bad stomach cramps and has just felt overall really bad. But Y’know what’s always helped him? Coffee, heated, weighted and normal blankets and video games. It’s to do with something something rest something something don’t worry about anything.
If you come over looking like and even feeling like death, he’ll set you up with a nice cuppa Joe (coffee) if you want and your choice of heated and weighted blankets. Then he’ll hand you a controller and join you for a game of your choosing. It’s quiet and he’s not the most physically affectionate but it’s more the silent “I’m here, don’t worry” message when he passes you the blankets.
Will get you anything you want. Literally anything. Remember how splinter wanted some extinct robin eggs or something like that and S.H.E.L.D.O.N. Got him DINO EGGS OF ALL THINGS??? Yeah, he can and will get you anything. So if you want some super fancy croissant? He’ll go to Paris and steal get one from the greatest pastry chef in France. Or you want some kind of cheese that was only available a long time ago? Hold on one second, he’ll send Sheldon out for you.
You sat comfortably on a separate gaming chair next to Donnie, both of you sipping on coffee while playing Stardew Valley (I play Stardew and it’s really comforting, if you don’t like it you can imagine something else) together. You were trying to get the perfection ending by the end of year two, which was a challenge but still nice. Of course Donnie figured out a schedule and a chart to be as efficient as possible, however with things like weather being random it became more of a guideline than anything. “Damn it.” You hiss out as you lost the fishing mini game. “You’ll get it next time.” Donnie reassures you and you look at him. “Right, like when you said that the last three times.” Donnie raises his eyebrows. “Scoff.” Is his only reply. “Snort.” You playfully retort back and the both of you smile as you continue playing together, enjoying the music of the video game.
Mikey (platonic)
This dude is so ready to help you feel better ASAP. Prepare for Dr. Feelings, Dr. Positive and even Dr. Delicate Touch if you need a swift kick in the butt. But you’re most likely just gonna be cooking in the kitchen with Mikey. You two are gonna make the greatest pizza in the entire world!
After pizza you two play some slightly competitive video games. It’s loads of fun with lighthearted banter and trash talk. Of course there’s some playful wrestling involved! You totally don’t steal his remote before he can reach the finish line in Mario kart
All in all, spending time with Mikey while on your period is mostly just him trying to cheer you up and help distract you from how uncomfortable your period is. You’re his best friend and he hates seeing you in any type of pain, so he’s going to do his absolute darnedest to help you out as much as possible!
You sat on a beanbag in front of the large tv next to Mikey, the upbeat and fast paced music of the racing video game keeping you focused on beating the other to the finish line. “Oh, you are going down!” You scoff as Mikey clicks away at his controller furiously. “Yeah right! We both know I’m the reigning champ!! And as always. Eat. My. Dust.” You say with a finality that is punctuated with your ultimate move. A big, fat “YOU LOSE!!” Screen flashes across Mikey’s half of the game and you let out a victory whoop. “Noooooooooo! My victory! My high score! My win streak!! Stolen from me by my one and only friend!” Mikey says with a theatrical air while dramatically sinking to the ground in mock despair. “What will I do now? How shall I live on?” You wheeze after holding back your snorts and snickers and burst into full laughter. Mikey joins you rolling on the floor and clutching his sides. After both of you calm down you purse your lips before looking at Mikey. “Wanna go for round two?” Mikey gives you a devilish smile telling you he won’t let his win streak go so easily. “You’re on!!”
Wow, much longer than I expected! They all aren’t balanced, especially in terms of quality I think. I tried to make it more balanced though between the four of them. Lemme know what’cha think! I absolutely loved writing this by the way, it was quite comforting. Periods really suck so I hope this might comfort anyone dealing with that stuff! I wanted to get a bit of all the different sides of a period but I didn’t really get to sadly. And I’m gonna stop there because if I don’t I’m gonna go into a big long spiel about periods and no one wants to hear or read that! Anyways hope you enjoyed and that this is what you wanted!!
Gonna do my best to keep this as neutral as possible!! If you want me to write a specific gender or the reader coming out as a certain sexuality lemme know!!
Tw. None really. The reader is a little nervous which is understandable.
It was a rainy night and your parents were out so you wound up hanging out in the sewers with the gang. You were all sitting in a circle laughing playing some simple party games, like two truths and one lie. You all knew what each others boundaries are and trusted each other not to cross them. So everything was always in lighthearted fun.
“Okay, okay, my turn, uhmmmm,” Mikey tapped a finger on his chin as he looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. “Okay! I have never tried abstract art, I completed a lazar flip first try, and I have been training in the secret art of Mario Kart since I was seven.” He smiles at everyone, confident he’s going to win the round.
Leo scoffs. “Lazar flip obviously. That’s the hardest trick to do! No one can get it first try.” He waves his hand around nonchalantly before fishing around in the potato chip bowl.
Mikey shakes his head. “Nope! That’s a truth, Donnie was there for it!”
He points at his older brother who looks up from his screen at the mention of his name. “Hm? Oh, yes. I can confirm, Micheal got it first try.”
Leo looks at Mikey in astonishment and Raph hums. “Is it abstract art?” Mikey claps his hands and nods enthusiastically.
“Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ladies and gentlemen! We have a winner!!”
“Really? I thought you’ve tried every single art style out there?”
Mikey shakes his head. “Nope! I just don’t really get it, it doesn’t really speak to me like most art does.” He shrugs his shoulders, a lopsided grin on his face as he turns to you. “Your turn!” You blink on surprise and hug the pillow in your lap closer.
“Oh, uhm. Okay. Lets see. I love roasted anchovies and bananas on pizza.” You in fact hate it and everyone knows that. You tried it once after being triple Mad Dog dared and couldn’t finish a single bite, spitting it out immediately. “Splinters hugs are the best and…” you hesitate a second, nervous about what you were going to say next. Some small voice asked a whole bunch of ‘what if’s’ even when you know the answers to them. They won’t turn you away. “And I’m trans.” You finish your sentence and press your mouth into a thin line, waiting for their reaction.
They all look at you in surprise. Donnie had put down his screen, Leo stopped mid chew. They were all caught off guard. Raph was the first to break the silence. “Okay, cool! Have you figured out a new name or do you not want one?”
You shake your head. “I haven’t figured one out yet.” Everyone immediately lights up.
“Ooooo! Can we help? Please??” April asks her hands clasped together tightly, a large smile on her face.
“Sure, I’d appreciate it!” The chaos and laughter is back, everyone is spitballing names, cracking jokes, it’s great. You all continue talking late into the night. Even though you already knew they’d accept you, it’s really nice to hear it, to hear the support.
You fall asleep with a smile on your face, feeling safe. You have their backs, and they have yours. You couldn’t ever want for a better group of friends, because the one you have now is the best around.
