Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 29: Tikiland

"Venus, let's leave them alone," Dakota says hurriedly, taking Venus by the hand and dragging her away.

Tiki looks to Copeland again. Her mouth still hangs open in a stupefied shock.

"You're...what...I don't..." she stammers.

"I'm a mutant," he finishes. "As are you."

She looks down at herself briefly. "Tiki, I'm sorry. I should've told you sooner. I-"

"Co," he cuts her off. "It's all good. True, I was a bit shocked when I saw you in that alleyway...but hey."

"Now you know about Dakota and Venus too."

"What about Asher and Dean and Mitch?"

"Mitch is the only human guy." She crosses her arms. "My dad and uncles and two of my aunts are mutants too, so you aren't allowed to be freaked out."

"Why would I be freaked out? I can turn into a fluffy dog."

She rolls her eyes. "I can't believe you're a mighty morphing power mutant and you didn't tell me."

"Why didn't you tell me that you're a turtle?"

"Because I'm hideous." She looks away, suddenly ashamed.

Tiki moves forwards and takes her hand. "You're beautiful, Co. Both ways."

She blushes, but coughs and tries to hide it. "Yeah...okay, Ti."

He smirks. "Hiding your feelings again?"

"Shut up! I'll put you in the doghouse!"

He pulls her into a hug. "Thanks for being my friend, Copeland."

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

"He's a what?!" Raphael demands, towering over Tiki.

The boy gulps. "A mutant, Mr Raphael...sir."

"Raph, can you please try not to scare him?" Taylor pleads exasperatedly, placing a hand on her husband's green shoulder.

He growls and pulls back. "So you can turn into a fluffy dog?"

"Venus was calling him Oreo," Copeland mentions.

Tiki morphs into a dog, wagging his tail and looking up at Raph hopefully. The red-masked turtle narrows his eyes.

"Huh...that's a surprise..." he mumbles.

Copeland scoops her friend up, cuddling him close to her chest. "He's just going to stay for tonight. Then he'll head back home." She glances at him. "You have a home, right?"

He barks, nodding his head. Raph watches them closely, not liking that his little girl is literally holding a boy against her chest right now.

"I don't know," he mumbles.

"Please? Please please please? It's already dark out and stuff!" Copeland pleads. "Daddy?"

The daddy card, which always softens Raph up, works again. Raph sighs and places a hand on his forehead.

Taylor leans against him, smiling. "I don't see why not. Go get settled in."

Tiki returns to his human form, grins, and dashes off with his best friend. Raph huffs and crosses his arms.

"The kid's a mutant," he mutters, unbelieving.

Taylor smiles and kisses his cheek. "Isn't it wonderful? They've found people who accept them."

"But it's a boy..." he groans.

She steps in front of him, giving him a hug. "Aw Raphie, it's alright. Copey is still your little girl."

He returns the hug, smiling a tiny bit. "I guess so."