Together As Mutants (Book Six)

Chapter 39: Raphael Spills His Guts

Back in the lair, everyone enjoys the simple pleasures of ramune, pinball, and skateboarding. Michelangelo, fresh off a healing hands session with Master Splinter, felt well enough to cook up some pizza—already, the smell of his and Annalise's creation wafts into the living area.

Raphael sits on the couch with his arm over Taylor's shoulder while she scrolls through something on her phone. Leonardo, Destiny, and Rockwell sip their drinks and chat idly on the couch. Leatherhead and Slash compete at pinball and Mondo skates on the twisting platform above the living room pit.

"I'm glad you're okay, brother," Leonardo says to Raphael.

"Yeah, you and me both," Raphael agrees. "Sorry I got so intense during sparring."

The lab door opens and Donatello walks out, removing his work goggles as he goes. The brothers look up at him, eyebrows raised, and he grins.

"Man, even just stripping that thing for parts is exciting!" Donatello says. "The possibilities are endless!"

"Just make sure none of that mutant-hunter stuff gets out and kills us all, alright?" Raphael asks.

"Of course, who do you take me for?" he asks. After a second, Donatello rubs the back of his neck. "Hey, Raph, I'm sorry for what I said. That wasn't cool."

Taylor glances up from her phone. "Trash talking went too far, huh?"

"You don't know the half of it," Raphael says. He nods at Donatello. "We're cool. Now, can we stop all the apologies? It's making me feel weird."

"It goes to show that you can never let anger separate you," Splinter says as he walks behind the couch, hands folded behind his back. Raphael groans and presses one hand to his face. "For our time in this world is limited, and how terrible would it be to have unresolved anger for one another?" He closes his eyes, reminiscent. "Life is short and precious."

Michelangelo enters the living room with a flourish, holding up a tray with his good hand. "Taco pizza marshmallow surprise!" he shouts.

Annalise appears behind him with two more trays of pizza. "And a less-sticky taco surprise too!"

They pose, sparkling with pride.

"Ah, great, I'm quite famished," Rockwell says.

"Aw, yeah! Get it while it's hot!" Michelangelo says.

Leonardo and Destiny get up, following after the Mutanimals to get a few slices, and Donatello's close behind. Raphael and Taylor stay put, even when she puts her phone away. He nudges her.

"You up for taco pizza?" he asks. "The marshmallows really aren't that bad."

She raises an eyebrow. "I think I'm uniquely worthy of judging a taco pizza," she says. He smirks, just a little, and she averts her eyes. "Um...do you think I could stay over tonight?"

He blinks. "Sure, should be fine. Will your aunt and uncle be okay with that?"

"I'll text them," she says. "Besides, I don't really want to rush our talk, you know?"

"Oh, right, that."

She frowns. "You didn't forget, right?"

"No, just...I guess I still don't know what to say."

She glances at the crowd of teens (and older mutants) getting pizza and purses her lips in thought. She wiggles out from under his arm, standing up only to turn and take his hand.

"There'll be leftovers later," she says. "Come on."

He follows.

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