#but I completely latched onto Tweek guys

[nurturingflame]

Dinner, Dancing & Delectation - 48

April tucked a stray hair behind her ear, smiling with quiet amusement as the tip of Donatello's pink tongue made it's trademark appearance as concentrated on his laptop, typing away with a sped that seemed unlikely given his large digits.

"And that... should... do it!" he declared, hitting the return key with a final decisive strike and wearing that happy smug look he got when he completed a technical task.  April didn't bother to hold back her amused laugh.

"Really D, was it necessary to write over a hundred lines of code just to play a few songs off YouTube?"

"April." He sounded both offended and smug at the same time as he placed a hand over his heart, in a wounded gesture. "Just because we're below ground doesn't mean that we shouldn't put on a top notch show." He patted the recently cobbled together system of lights, fog machine and laser pointers like a proud father. "I dare you find a better set-up in a Tokyo host club."

April rolled her eyes, she really wished that Donnie stop watching Crunchyroll, who knows what other ideas he was getting from those animes. Next thing she knew he'd be building his own Gundam in the garage. As she shook her head at the mental imagery she happened to look around the room and found it still less occupied than it should have been. "Where is everyone? Gwyn should have been back by now."

"hwmm?" Donnie asked, looked up from making a few final tweeks of the equipment, handle of a screwdriver held between his teeth.

April smiled and waved him to put away his tools. "Knock it off, it's good enough Donnie. Let's get started with Casey. I'm tried of him and Aries arguing over who has a thicker skull." No matter what the hockey player claimed, she was pretty sure that even a metal plate in the head was no match for a mutant ram if things came to a head, literally. "I'll go round everyone up." April cupped her hands and yelled across the room. "Jones. You're up!"

"Metal!" Casey pumped his fist in the air and left Raph and Aries to make his way to the DJ table. April tossed him the mic before turning towards the exit. "Hey! Aren't ya gonna stick around Red?"

"Be right back Casey. Besides, as loud as you are, I'm pretty sure I'd hear you even if I was in Central Park." The comment earned her a wide gapped smile before a heavy metal guitar rif poured out of the speakers and Casey was bobbing his head to the beat, waiting for his cue to start singing.

April looped towards the entrance of the dojo and flew down the stairs, pausing only to check to see where everyone might be. There was a slight tingling of her awareness in the direction of the lab, something that she was becoming more aware of with Master Splinter's guidance. The sense she was picking up on was overwhelmingly happy and it put a spring in her own step as she made for the open door, only to be confronted with a very odd scene.

Leo, Master Splinter and Gwyn, (who had a rat on her shoulder?) were gathered around The Phoenix and Mrs. VonHertz as the healer laid her hands on the mutant's exposed furry belly. Everyone seemed to be leaning in slightly, very attentive but completely silent. Then the women squeaked simultaneously, huge smiles on their faces as everyone else jumped, April included, in response to the outburst.

"Ha!! It's still very slight, but yes they are moving aren't they!" Phoenix beamed. It didn't take anything more for April to piece together what was going on and she found herself bouncing on her toes with excitement. It took all her willpower not to rush in and feel the babies herself. Even though she could feel how happy the room was, the air practically buzzed, she could also sense something else that made her slightly uneasy.

There was a tingle on the very edge of her perception that made her suddenly want everyone to be back together. To have the safety of the group, yet somehow feeling that they might still be outnumbered. It was ridiculous and she tried to shake it off, the manic music and enthusiastic yelling coming from the dojo reminded her why she had come looking for them in the first place, so she decided to follow her gut. "Come on!" She called without preamble, "We've started up the karaoke. You guys are going to miss all the fun!"

Gwyn immediately latched onto Leo and started to drag him behind her. "Let's go Leo! It'll be our turn soon!!" she held the laughing turtle's hand as they pushed past April. The girl's little passenger squeaked in protest but clung tighter to her shoulder. April looked the spotted rat questioningly as the trio went by, she was going to have to get the story behind that one in the morning. 

Looking back the teen saw Mrs. VonHertz rise with the assistance of the Phoenix, only to have Splinter join them to offer an escorting arm to both woman. April hid a giggle behind her hand when they both took him up on the gesture. Who knew the ninja master was so smooth with the ladies? A flash of all three of them dressed to the nines, ready to hit the streets for a night on town flashed through her head, and she almost snorted at ridiculousness of it. #ActualPimpDaddySplinter. She would have to share the scene with Mikey later. She looked again and saw how happy the three of them seemed to be in each other's company, sharing a moment of peace in their otherwise crazy existence. April smiled tenderly as she followed behind them, maybe she would just keep this to herself after all.

Finally everyone was gathered back together and the celebration was back in full swing. Casey was throwing himself into his head banging, accompanied by Raph, Mikey and surprisingly Aries with some impromptu air instruments and moshing for good measure. Mikey went next, hip hop of course, followed by Mrs. VonHertz. The ferret mutant started out slightly shaky but blew everyone away before the end, and was rewarded with a standing ovation. True to his word, Leo sang with Gwynevere and it was so sweet that the turtle's leader was blushing and practically hiding in his shell with awes' and applause they received as a reward. While Gwyn seemed to bask and blossom with confidence at the attention.

The night continued with everyone taking a turn on the mic. Medusa skipped the actual singing but killed it in the lip-sync battle, her and Acros beating April and Donnie handily in a tag team showdown. The night was epic, before slowly degenerating into even more ridiculous musical challenges and dares. After some rather intense prodding from Mikey even Master Splinter and Mr. Murikami got up and sang a duet. It was a Japanese love ballad, soft and calming, but April could sense a depth of emotion and meaning behind it for both men. By the end there was more than one turtle lounging sleepily in the pillow corner and Gwyn was snoring softly, her new pet curled up by the girl's head.

Sensing the relaxed atmosphere Master Splinter did not the relinquish the mic but motioned Donatello to allow him to continue. "Thank you all for coming, but I think we shall call it a night my friends." Master Splinter declared, and there were no objections to be heard. Everyone said quiet goodbyes and those already asleep had blankets draped over them. In April’s opinion it was the perfect end to a perfect night.