Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 25: Swept Away

"Lair sweet lair," Mitch sighs happily. "MJ is home, baby!"

"You're so weird," Copeland huffs.

"Weird and proud of it, cousin!"

"Yup, they're home alright," Raphael comments as he walks by.

"Mommy!" Venus squeals, seeing the wolf-raven woman enter the room.

"Vennie!" Destiny exclaims, scooping her little girl into her arms, tail wagging as she nuzzles her forehead. "How's my sweet girl?"

She grins. "I'm good!"

Dean waves lightly, and Destiny sets Venus down and hugs her son, ruffling his dark hair. He returns the hug, lifting her a little.

"Copey!" Taylor greets enthusiastically, hugging her daughter.

"Ugh...mom..." she groans, but her eyes shine, letting everyone know that she's incredibly happy to see her mom.

Annalise nearly tackles Mitch in a bear hug, kissing his forehead repeatedly. He returns the hug willingly, eyes shut as he embraces his mother. He's taller than her by a little, but he's still her little boy.

Sarina keeps one arm around each twin, alternating kisses between the two. They return the loving embrace, smiles on both their faces.

"It's good to be home," they all whisper.

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

Master Splinter returns later that day, having been on a small vacation. His first order is that the kids have a training session with him while the parents tidy up.

Masks on, they warm up with some kicks and flips, feeling a bit stiff from the extended period of no training. Dean seems distant, something Copeland notices.

"Hey Junior," she calls, snapping her fingers near his face.

He blinks and shakes his head. "Huh?"

"You were off in la-la land again," she accuses.

He rubs the back of neck. "Oh...yeah."

"What's up?"

"I was just thinking about Katie-" Copeland makes a disapproving hacking noise in her throat. He narrows his wild blue eyes. "Co, she's been a lot nicer," he says. "She's been giving me space, being nicer to all of you...she even stopped giving me awful nicknames!"

"Yeah, she has. Doesn't mean I like her."

He sighs. "I want to show her who I am."

He ducks as her chigiriki swings past his head, his eyes wide. When he straightens up, Copeland doesn't look one bit regretful.

"Are you trying to kill me?!"

She shoulders her weapon, one three-fingered hand on her hip. "No. I knew you'd duck. It was more like trying to...uh, KNOCK THAT IDEA FROM YOUR HEAD!"

He purses his lips. "We've known each other since grade nine. I trust her, and I think I should be honest."

"How long have you been together?"

"Um...six or seven months causally? I mean, that's with movie dates and little things. We made it official official only...one or two months ago?"

"Have you kissed?"

He blushes. "What? Yeah..."

"Have you confessed your love?"

"...no."

"Obviously, it isn't time. Just saying." She flicks her dark hair over her shoulder. "If anything, I'd tell Elisabeth first."