Turtle Dove

Feather Weight

A/n: this replaces Repo Mantis. I love how the show has Donnie and Mikey paired up as a team and the brother dynamic they go for. I couldn't bring myself to put Ray in that one. So I'm putting this one to make up for it.

It was the end of the school day for Ray and April. With a spring in their step, the two friends exited their classes, ready to enjoy their free time. As they walked together, Ray recounted the story of Raph accidentally smashing a lady's cake, causing April to burst into laughter.

"He's always been a bit clumsy, hasn't he?" April commented, still chuckling at the memory.

"Yeah, that's Raph for you," Ray agreed, finding amusement in her friend's antics

As they reached a point where their paths diverged, April asked, "So, are you coming over to my house, or are you planning to stay at the lair tonight?"

Ray paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Actually, I think I'll stay at my mom's tonight," she replied, surprising April. It was a rare occurrence for Ray to spend the night at her mom's place, as she usually ended up crashing at April's.

"Wow, that's a change. Just don't come into my room at 3 in the morning, okay?" April teased, knowing Ray's habit of seeking comfort during the night.

Ray grinned mischievously. "I can't make that promise," she retorted playfully.

With a wave goodbye, April continued on her way, disappearing from sight. Ray then began her walk back to her mom's apartment, or more accurately, Daniel's apartment. Daniel was Ray's stepfather, and while he was a great guy who loved Ray as his own, she couldn't help but feel a disconnect. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't see him as her real father.

Sighing, Ray's thoughts turned to her biological dad, the one who had given her wings and ultimately left her and her mother. There must have been a good reason for his departure, she reasoned. Her father had left to protect both himself and Ray, knowing that the world wouldn't accept him as a mutant. At least, that's what Ray believed and held onto as her truth.

"Ray!" A familiar voice called out to the girl. Ray turned around and saw Daniel, her stepfather himself, approaching her. Daniel was a strapping man with neat brown hair, onyx eyes, and a kind smile. No wonder her mom married him.

"Hey, Dan," Ray greeted him with a smile as he walked next to her. "I don't come over to your place as much, huh?"

"Yeah, I've noticed," Daniel replied, trying to engage her in conversation. He genuinely cared for Ray and wanted to be closer to her, but he understood she had her own reasons for keeping some distance.

"David's been missing his sparring partner," Daniel said, mentioning Ray's step-brother. David was Ray's age, and he shared a striking resemblance to his father, Daniel. He often challenged Ray to judo matches, much to her amusement, as she was a skilled ninja and always emerged victorious. However, it also meant that David often got frustrated with his losses.

"Well, I hope he actually improves a little this time. The last match was just sad," Ray said with a chuckle, recalling how she easily defeated David five times during their last sparring session. She knew she shouldn't underestimate him, but his overconfidence sometimes got the better of him.

Daniel chuckled nervously, remembering how David had complained about a sore back the next day. He knew his son's competitive spirit could be a bit much at times. "I'll talk to him about not pushing too hard," Daniel assured Ray.

As they continued to walk, Ray appreciated Daniel's effort to connect with her. She knew he genuinely cared about her well-being, but she also couldn't help but have lingering thoughts about her biological father and her wings. It was a complex mix of emotions she hadn't fully come to terms with yet.