♫Raindrops dancing on water♫

Rei offered another nervous smile, gaze flicking to his hand uncertainly. He was clearly expecting her to shake it, but that’d mean touching him, and she had no idea what she’d see if she did that.

Wasn’t sure she wanted to see it.

But it’d be rude not to, either. Sliding her sleeves down over both of her hands more on reflex than anything, she carefully took his hand, keeping the fabric between their skin and avoiding his as she shook the hand.

Or at least he hoped he would’ve. He was a genius, but he couldn’t exactly guess how someone’s mind would react.

[DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97] That had to have been scary [DuzMachines97] I guess… now I can relate [DuzMachines97] I mean, it’s my legs and not my voice but [DuzMachines97] It’s like my whole life, sixteen years of hard work and training and knowing exactly how my body worked… [DuzMachines97] It’s all gone

A deep sigh heaved out of him as his dark eyes closed for a moment, considering what he wanted to say. He felt a little better for his outburst, slightly less frustrated, but that didn’t mean he had stopped feeling bad for blowing up. Especially now that he knew she was as aware of what this felt like as he was.

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] tbf, i was only like six when it happened so i’ve been mute longer than verbal, and kids bounce back a lot quicker than older people but? [anticlam] at least a year probably. give or take? there was getting used to the muteness itself which was surprisingly quick, it was dealing with the depression and the uselessness and learning all new ways to cope that were the real struggle. those were what took time. [anticlam] but i don’t think anyone really gets used to it, not really. especially if they had the ability before, because we’re the people who know what we’re missing and what it was like to have it.

The brunette sighed, leaning back in her seat and tilted her head up towards the ceiling as she scowled. How to say what she needed to say without being preachy or being insulting about his family?

[anticlam is typing...]

Frustrated, he rubbed his palm against his eyes.

[DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97] I’m sorry

[DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97] I shouldn’t have snapped. I’m sorry. [DuzMachines97] It’s just… [DuzMachines97] This could be so much worse. The accident could’ve killed me. It could’ve taken away way more than my ability to walk. [DuzMachines97] I just don’t know how I’m going to do this

He paused in his typing, wiping his eyes shakily again. He could hear his brothers talking in the other room, the same hushed tones as ever, and it stung. Deep down, he knew they didn’t mean to make him feel this way. The intention was never to make him feel like a burden or that he was useless. They were just worried… almost as lost as he was, and probably even more scared.

Rei paused for a moment, fingers hovering over the keys as she considered what she was going to say next. She hadn’t ever really told anyone some of this stuff before, but if anyone would understand, he probably would. Especially now.

[anticlam is typing...]

[anticlam is typing...] 

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] I KNOW, DONNIE. [anticlam] everything’s different now and it’s terrifying and lonely and no one who hasn’t experienced it really gets it because they can’t get it. it’s something alien and horrifying to them so the most they can do is pity you and say how sorry they are and make sad offers to help and look at you like they think you’re broken, and nothing is ever going to be the same again.

[anticlam is typing...]

[anticlam is typing...]

[anticlam is typing...]

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] and that’s because to them you are broken, donnie. people have a tendency to view people like us as less than whole, just because we can’t do the same things they can. like not being able to walk, or being unable to speak makes us less. they don’t mean to, but they do. [anticlam] you think you’re broken too. you were so used to being able to walk that now that you can’t it’s the absolute worse thing in the world to have ever happened to you, right? you came out of it alive and breathing but the world is ending for you just because your legs don’t work anymore.

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] but you know, you’re more than just your inability to walk. don’t let it define you. i made that mistake [anticlam] it’s really lonely here.

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] they’re your brothers, donnie. they’d rather deal with this than deal with you being dead [anticlam] it takes a long time to adjust to a major change like that, you know. you need time to find your new equilibrium, and to learn how to work around this. this isn’t the sort of change you get used to overnight.

[anticlam is typing...] [anticlam] ooooh. oh. oh boy. [anticlam] i’m sorry. [anticlam] but it’s gonna be okay. maybe not the same,

[DuzMachines97 is online!] [DuzMachines97 is typing…] [DuzMachines97] Hey Rei [DuzMachines97] Sorry I know it’s late [DuzMachines97] Got a minute? [DuzMachines97] （＞д＜）

[oh my god, what if they were? what if she just like, visited them all the time to talk and one day came over and they were dead and she just ‘hey new clothes!’ and wore them home! donnie she is an actual psychopath]

He grinned as she typed on about whether or not alligators in the sewer would work. Part of him wondered how Leatherhead would react to being told that… he really was a real live alligator in the New York sewer system, even if he wasn’t down there all the time. Though he did have to wonder sometimes what he ate. What all of the Mutanimals ate, really. It couldn’t be easy, with two of them easily matching the size of all four turtles doubled.

As for hiding from sewer workers… he chuckled. Pity he couldn’t tell her about the elaborate security systems he’d built down in their underground home.

Actually, that was kind of an amusing idea. She could totally make a silly webcomic out of that idea, probably. Something fun and entertaining and completely nonsensical, revolving around superhero alligators living in sewers, maybe?

She could use the pictures he sent her for backgrounds and stuff, even. Maybe drag him into storytelling, he’d probably be good at it.

You can’t fight me, you’re miniature. 

Going to McDonalds for a salad is like going to a prostitute for a hug. 

People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.

Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.

I hope karma slaps you in the face before I do.

You know, it only takes four muscles to just extend your arm and bitchslap the twat. 

Congratulations on being an awful bitch who’s completely oblivious to the fact that everyone hates you. 

Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.

My business isn’t your business; so unless you’re my thong, don’t be up my arse. 

I may look calm, but in my head I’ve killed you three times already. 

I would retaliate against your snotty remark, but since you resemble a garden gnome, I’d say the joke is on you. 

I thought I saw your face on my newsfeed but it turns out it was just a picture of a potato.

You want to walk out of my life, there’s the door. Hell, I’ll even hold it open for you. 

I don’t do fashion, I am fashion. 

Somewhere out there there is a tree, tirelessly producing oxygen so you can breath. I think you owe it an apology. 

I’m only single because I’m too sassy for everyone.

Bitch please, have you seen me? I’m a princess. 

I think, therefore I’m single.

Life’s too short to bullshit.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.

When in doubt, freak ‘em out.

I’d rather die my way than live yours.

Weather forecast for tonight: dark.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, but they make a good excuse.

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

It’s simple, if it jiggles, it’s fat.

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.

Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.

I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.