Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 23: Maybe It'll Be Normal Now

"Hey...Dean?"

Dean stops, turning to face his girlfriend. It had been about a week of tension between both groups. His friends and family only talk to him when they absolutely need to, and he isn't talkative around Katie that much anymore. She's noticed his change, not liking it all all.

Katie shuffles forwards, looking ashamed.

"Look, I'm sorry about being rude. You can sit with your friends and family at lunch, and we don't have to be together all the time," she apologizes. "So...I'm sorry. I just really like you, and-"

He leans over and pecks her lips, squeezing her hand gently. "Thanks Kate."

"I can stop giving you goofy nicknames too, if you want," she offers.

He nods, winking. "I'd like that...but you can keep calling me babe."

She grins and hugs him, an embrace he returns happily. "I'll see you at football practice, Dean!"

She dashes away. He smiles a little, turning and heading towards Elisabeth's locker. He sees her with her nose buried in a book as she leans against it, and he moves to her side stealthily.

"Whatcha reading?" he whispers.

She yelps and drops her book, which he catches before it lands on the ground. She blinks in surprise and takes it back.

"Wow...sorry," she says. "Hey."

"Hey. Listen, I'm really sorry. I was a complete jerk. Katie is gonna try harder with being nice, and I just really don't want you to be mad at me," he rambles.

She holds her hand up, cutting him off. "I forgive you...Deanie."

He groans. "Oh no. Please don't."

She giggles. "I'm only teasing."

"Glad to have you back." He rests his elbow on her shoulder. "But, now I have to apologize to everyone else."

"Here comes Copeland right now. Good luck." She shoves him over to his family member.

The dark-haired girl scowls upon seeing her older cousin. Dean grins nervously while Tiki scoots over to Elisabeth. Dean clears his throat and braces himself.

"Co, I'm really sorry about Katie and being rude. I'm going to try harder and-"

"Not be such a pushover?" she guesses.

He chuckles a little. "Yeah."

She smirks, looping her arm around his neck, yanking him down and giving him a noogie. He squirms, and she laughs.

"I forgive you, jerk-face."

"Thanks, hothead."

She smiles, punching his arm lightly before moving past, waving to Elisabeth before leaving with Tiki.

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

The other apologies go well. Asher and Dakota forgive Dean after he swears an oath to be less of a douche, and each of their friends bears witness. It all ends with a group hug and a hearty laugh.

Mitch gave him a bear hug, exclaiming about how much he missed him. Nixie settled for a fist bump and a smile.

Dean feels a lot better knowing that he's going to try and be a better leader for them.

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

Two weeks later, inside the lair, Leonardo groans as he opens his eyes slowly. He blinks rapidly, looking around. He feels like a haze has been lifted from his mind, making everything clearer. Beside him, Destiny sleeps soundly, her back against his plastron.

"Des? Babe?" he whispers.

She mumbles something incoherent. Leo snuggles against her back and nuzzles her neck, little kisses being planted here and there.

"Des..."

"What?" she mumbles. "Are we going again?"

"I think it's over."

She opens her eyes and rolls over, still looking rather exhausted. Leo grins at her, and she notices his change immediately. She smiles, sitting up and yawning.

"Good. I don't know how much longer I could've handled that," she admits, stretching.

He hugs her waist. "Thanks for putting up with me."

"That's what I'm here for."

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

Meanwhile, Taylor sends up a Hail Mary in thankfulness as she climbs out of bed. Raphael doesn't want to get up, his arm draped across his forehead.

"This lair isn't gonna be so peaceful and quiet anymore," he mutters, "what with all the kids coming back."

She smirks. "It wasn't silent before."

He rolls his eyes, nudging her with his fist teasingly. "Dirty girl."

She only laughs.

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

"Oh, I can't wait to see the kids again," Sarina says as she pulls on her jeans.

Donatello ties on his mask, yawning. "Yup. It's gonna be busy here again."

"You'll have to get the lab back into working order. My vacation days are almost up."

He looks surprised. "You took your vacation days just to be here with me?"

She smiles and kisses his cheek. "It was either that or leaving you here with your brothers in an uncomfortable state of horniness."

He hugs her waist, his head resting on her stomach. "I love you."

She responds with a soft, "Love you too."

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

"Lisey-bear, I miss MJ," Michelangelo says.

Annalise smiles as she ties on his mask for him, seeing as he's putting on his belt.

"I miss him too. Good thing we can bring them all home now," she agrees.

"There's so much to catch up on! How school went, friendships, video game high scores, PIZZA!"

She pecks his lips briefly. "Indeed. Right now, let's make this place smell less like..."

"Sex?"

"Um...yeah." She grimaces.

"Good! You've got the same idea as me!" Destiny calls, stopping as she passes by their door in the hallway. "See, I have a wolf's sense of smell. You ain't smelling nothing."

She smirks, swishing her tail and she spritzes some air freshener into their room. Mikey inhales deeply.

"Mmm...sakura blossom..." he whispers.

Outside in the main part of the lair, everything is becoming alive again.

"Guys! I have to pick up Splinter from the motel! I'll be back soon!" Taylor hollers.

"The dads are in charge of picking up the kids from school!" Sarina adds.

"Not before some warm ups in the dojo!" Leo reminds. "We're all stiff and rusty!"

Raph grumbles something unintelligible before him and the other two turtles follow their blue-masked brother into the dojo.