Ad Astra Per Aspersa

Back in School

"Cool kids don't bring their pets to school," April sighs.

Mayhem lets out a whine and sulks away. Leo picks up the Yokai and wraps them up in a hug, petting their fur coat.

"That wasn't very nice, Apes," her currently human looking brother says, disappointment prevalent in his tone.

April sighs, "I know. I know. I'm sorry, Mayhem. It's just... this whole situation is very important to me."

"Why?" Raph speaks up, fiddling with his cuffs, "Why do you care what some snot faced teens think of you?"

April hesitates, trying to figure out an answer, "I... I don't really know... I'm... I've always been the weird kid. Just once, I'd like to considered cool."

Leo and Raph look at each other, actual conversation passing between the two. Raph sighs and chews his lip. April knows he is trying to figure out how to word what he wants to say. She gives him time, her face soft and not judgemental.

"We think you're the coolest April," Raph says, "Isn't that enough?"

Raph's voice cracks and her heart breaks at the vulnerability in his voice.

April sighs, taking her younger brother's larger hands into her own, "It should be, but," April hesitates, "You two are my younger brothers and it's not quite the same."

Raph sighs, but he gives her a soft grin, "Yeah. I know, sis."

April smiles back at him and takes a step back, letting go of Raph's hands and looking at her family, "I'll see you later, okay?"

Her brothers nod and she leaves.

———

Leo and Raph frown at their sister's retreating back.

Leo looks down at the ball of fluff in his arms, "I know April was being a bit of a jerk, but she didn't mean it," Mayhem looks up at Leo and coos. Leo smiles, "She can be a bit of a dum-dum sometimes. Think you can keep an eye on her for us?"

Mayhem's face turns determined as they sit on their hind legs and salute Leo. Leo grins as they poof away. He turns to his big brother.

"Let's get this party started!" Leo runs off ahead, beckoning his older brother.

Raph just shakes his head fondly at the younger's antics.

———

"Well, this is lame," Leo says, looking at how everyone stares at their phones.

"Welcome to school dances," Raph crosses his arms, "You and Mikey are freshmen. Freshmen never realise how lame these dances are," Raph sighs, "Should've ditched with Donnie and Mikey."

Leo rolls his eyes and grabs his older brother's arm, dragging him onto the dance floor as his phone booms with music, "That's just because no one tries to make it interesting," Leo pulls away and starts dancing, making a fool of himself with the Macarena, "Join me, big bro! Let's get this party started."

Raph laughs and joins in. They ignore everyone else around them, but everyone else around them ignores them too, not that it matters. They don't care what anyone thinks of them.

———

"April?" Leo says and Raph snaps out of the haze.

Raph stops dancing and turns to look behind him at what Leo is looking at. April is darting out of the room, awkwardly making excuses to the cool kid. They look at each other and nod, immediately chasing after their older sister.

"April?" Raph asks, voice soft as they open the door.

April turns around, eyes wide, before relaxing when she sees its just them. She smiles, before returning to her conversation and yelling at Donnie for blocking her from being cool. She hangs up and lets out a sigh, turning to her younger brothers, but the door opens and people are walking out. April immediately asks what's going on and says she's coming, but she's asked about a game.