TMNT: The Next Generation

Together Again

The next day, the sun was shining brightly. The entire family was in Casey's apartment, with Paolo on the couch. Obviously, "doctor's orders" so he can heal. 

Casey brought some food over to Paolo, and Paolo thanked him. "You're welcome, Paolo," Casey replied before going back to the kitchen. 

"How are you feeling?" Marcantonio asked, so he'll know if he needs to run a diagnostic on Paolo. "Still in pain, but better," Paolo said with a smile. "That's good. After lunch, you can go ahead and shower. The bandages should hold. If not, I'll fix them," Marcantonio said, bringing his empty plate to the kitchen. "I know. You're awesome for that," Paolo said, happy that he was back with the family. "Thanks," Marcantonio said.

Paolo took a bite of food, chewed it, and swallowed it, then said, "Oh my god. It feels like it's been an eternity since I last had your food, Uncle Casey." "It's just leftovers from last night," Casey said with a bit of an awkward smile and a shrug. "I know, but still," Paolo said with a smile. 

Leonardo then sat on the floor in front of Paolo, only the coffee table separating them. "What was going through your head when you ran off like that?" Leonardo asked, a bit concerned. "I dunno. I guess I wanted to prove that I was useful," Paolo said bluntly. "What would make you think that you're not?" Titian asked, annoyed Paolo thought he wasn't useful. "I dunno... I guess maybe because I'm clumsy?" Paolo said, referencing every time he's tripped over his scarf. Titian scoffed and said, "You're not clumsy. Marc is." "Hey!" Marcantonio said, a bit offended. "I mean, he's not wrong," Plautilla said with a shrug. "You guys are mean," Marcantonio said with a pouty face. 

"Wait, Marc hasn't been clumsy lately!" Levina said, jinxing it. "Yeah, because I put a whole bunch of focus into whatever it is I'm doing. Cuz if I don't-" Marcantonio said, tripping and falling to the floor, landing on his stomach. "That happens," Marcantonio said after a few seconds. "Dude, are you okay?" Spirit asked, walking over. Marcantonio sat up and said, "Yep..." 

"You should've seen him when he was younger. Donnie thought they'd have to make a special suit for him!" Michelangelo said, laughing slightly. "Daaaad..." Marcantonio said, standing up. "What? You managed to find a way to get over your clumsiness," Michelangelo said. "Yeah, but could you like... Not talk about it?" Marcantonio said, a bit embarrassed. "Alright, alright," Michelangelo said, respecting his wishes. 

"Wait a minute! You used 'they' for Father Donnie!" Levina said, realizing. "I did?" Michelangelo said, trying to lead away from it. "Yeah! You did!" Levina said, obviously not willing to let it go. "Thanks for outing me, Mikey," Donatello said, annoyed. "I didn't mean to!" Michelangelo said, freaking out.

"Well I mean since one cat's out of the bag, I guess I'll let another one out, too," Levina said, shrugging. "What cat?" Plautilla asked. "It's an expression," Titian said. "Glad I knew that one," Marcantonio said. 

"Anyways..." I'm genderfluid," Levina said with a smile. "Oh! Well in that case, I'll tell you what I am. Non-binary. He/They are my preferred pronouns," Donatello informed. "I go by literally any pronouns," Levina said, leaning against the table. "Bigender here. He/She," Raphael said, crossing her arms. "Knew it," Levina said with a smirk. "What?!" Raphael said, thinking someone outed him. 

"I mean I knew it for both you and Father Donnie, soooo," Levina said, using hand motions. Mona Lisa then came out of the bathroom in some normal clothing, rather than her usual combat clothes. "I heard we're coming out of our closets?" she said with a smile. "Yup!" Levina said with a bright smile. "Levina explained that one," Plautilla said, glad to know a saying. "Well, since we're all coming out, I guess I gotta tell you all that I'm bisexual," Mona Lisa said with a shrug.

Before anybody could say anything, Marcantonio got a video call from someone. He looked at his phone, then excitedly said, "It's Akari!" He answered the call, and Akari said, "Hey, Marc! How's everything going?" "It's going good! How about you?" Marcantonio asked with a smile.