Together We Stand

chasing my dreams (rise)

he/him

'Something isn't right here.'

Donnie stared at his reflection in the mirror with a disgruntled frown. His eyebrows were furrowed, now more visible without his mask covering most of his face. His battle shell was removed, since it was the middle of the night, and typically he would be asleep by now. Or rather, he was supposed to be sleeping now, but something was preventing him from doing so. That something was himself. The sinking pit in his stomach reminding him of all of his doubts and insecurities. That thing that he masked with his confidence and wit, just like the purple bandana wrapped around him for security. Or heck, the battle shells he used for protection and comfort. This was way deeper than all of that. The softshell turtle blinked the dust from his eyes, exhausted from the lack of sleep and all this self reflection.

His reflection blinked back.

'No, something definitely isn't right here.'

He glanced away from the dusty, old mirror, despising the way it looked. Really how he looked, but it was easier to blame the mirror. The mirror was the one showing his body off and making him feel uncomfortable after all. No matter what angle he looked at, something was off about him. Who else could he blame but the source? That damn mirror. Except it wasn't the real source.

"Alright," He murmured softly, taking one last peak at himself. His scaly emerald skin, his soft shell that curved in a way that made his back ache from time to time. His beak was pointed upwards at a perfect angle. His appearance was alright, and he didn't dislike it in theory, but something was still off. "This isn't going to work. Do you hear me?" He shoved his finger directly at his reflection's plastron to show he wasn't playing around. "This whole situation, this hating myself deal won't work on me." His eyes flickered to his reflection's eyes. "I don't think its the mirror that's the problem." He bit his lip, exhaling sharply. "It's all me."

Donnie turned away from the mirror, scoffing. "Nah, it isn't me, I'm awesome. But I can't stay hidden anymore, it's not worth it. Even if I don't know who I am exactly. I'm not a boy. I'm not a boy. I'm just...me."

But he grew up as a boy. Everyone knew him as a boy. How could he possibly change everything?

Muffled voices came from outside his room. He froze, squeezing his eyes shut. His brothers were looking for him.

"Yo, is Donnie still asleep? He's been in his room forever." Raph said, his large footsteps echoing as he clumsily stomped about.

"Well he better hurry up! I wanna watch some Jupiter Jim: Revenge of the Space Pirates with him !" That voice was Mikey, cheerful and bright.

"Aw, just leave him be. He's probably working on something important." Leon assured the other two, their voices fading away, but the playfulness in his tone was there as usual. "You know how he gets with his nerd stuff,"

Donnie winced, taking one final glance at the mirror.

"This is who I am."

she/her

It took Donnie a few weeks to finally decide that it was time to tell her family. She wanted everyone to be there, and oftentimes it was difficult to outright say it without any awkwardness or blank stares. Donnie didn't want any of that. She wanted it to be perfect.