Dean groans as he pushes himself to his feet, propping his crutches under his arms. He hobbles out to the living room, wincing every now and then. Mitch and Copeland are playing video games side by side, Dakota and Asher are looking at a book, their shoulders touching as they gasp and point at different spots in almost unison. Venus and Blake sit on the couch, Blake attempting to braid his friend's hair.

"Guys?" Dean calls.

"Wassup Fearless?" Copeland calls over her shoulder. She presses a button. "Shell! I thought I had that!"

"You ain't got nothing around me, Co," Mitch teases, poking his tongue out at his hotheaded cousin.

Dean almost smiles at the silliness, but a stab of pain in his wings makes the movement cease. He sighs heavily, hobbling forwards some more.

"We need to go back to school," he continues.

Asher and Dakota's heads snap upwards in a scary sort of unison.

"Really?" Dakota asks, sounding skeptical.

"That didn't go well last time we tried," Asher points out as he flashes a nervous smile.

"That was months ago. I want to go back, because I have two teams to look out for; you guys, and my football team." The boy's face falls with sadness for a second, but he covers it with a stern scowl. "I...I may not be able to play, but that doesn't mean I'm not their captain anymore. I can still lead them."

"Please, enthral us with another pep talk," Copeland drones.

"Oh shush. We're going back. Tomorrow morning, we conquer those hallways again."

Venus sits up, not minding the sloppy mess of a braid her brunette curls have become.

"I'm gonna go," she decides. She looks to her mute friend. "You in, Blake?"

He swallows, but nods. "Okay..." he whispers, one of the first words he's said in months. "I'll try."

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

"If anyone makes jokes about cripples, cripple them," Casey advises.

Dean scowls, Copeland shooting her uncle a glare. April sighs, a small smile on her face as she glances at her husband.

"Remind me why you're walking us to school?" Mitch asks.

"Simple. We want to," April answers.

"What she said," Casey agrees readily.

Blake hugs his mom's arm, sighing a little. "I'm scared."

Casey looks at his son, hating how he's become quiet and timid. He misses his spontaneous little boy with the goofy grins and quick comebacks. A determined frown settles on the hockey player's face.

"No need to be scared, Blake. You can kick school's butt, just don't let anyone bring you down," he encourages, pumping his fist.

"Pep Talks 101," Copeland mutters.

"Instructor; Casey Jones," Dakota seconds.

"And with special guest; Hamato Dean," Mitch finishes.

The three teens laugh and fist bump. Casey and Dean shoot them both glares.

"You kids are really sarcastic, you know that?" Casey comments.

"We've been told, and we take great pride in it!" Mitch announces. "Hey Dean! Dean!"

Dean ignores him. The blond boy bounces up to his cousin and tries harder, throwing an arm carefully over Dean's shoulder.

"Hey, why'd the Kraang cross the road?" he asks.

"Mitch, maybe you should-" Asher starts, adjusting his glasses.

"To get to the mopey boy's house," Mitch answers, even though Dean didn't respond. "Knock knock!"

Dean stops walking, his sapphire blue eyes burning into Mitch's baby blue.

"Who's there?" he growls.

"THE KRAANG! WHOOOOOOO!" Mitch howls, thumping his chest. "I got you so good, boy! I can't wait to tell dad about that one!"

Dean shakes his head and looks away, continuing to hobble down the sidewalk. The other cousins hide their laughter at Mitch's antics.

"Ha, you're hilarious," Dean grumbles.

Mitch sighs dramatically and drapes an arm across his forehead. "Everybody's a critic."

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

The school looks a lot more intimidating than Dean remembers. He swallows, trying to put on his brave face as his cousins form around him. They all look up at the front doors with anxious eyes.

"Ready?" Dean asks.

"Shell yeah," Copeland answers.

"Indubitably," Asher and Dakota utter.

"Meh, it's school. I'm never ready," Mitch comments.

Dean takes another deep breath, pushing the doors open. Asher and Dakota hold them open, allowing him entrance to the building a little easier.

It must be break, because most of the students are wandering the halls before class starts. Dean's hands go white against his crutch handles, his stomach churning.

"Um...you know, maybe we should-"

Copeland grabs his shirt collar and stops him from moving. "No way, Leo Jr. You're the one who wanted to come back. Here we are."

"DEAN!"

Elisabeth smiles brightly, her coffee brown eyes seeming to sparkle at the sight of her best friend. She dashes towards him, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his without a moment's hesitation. The other cousins chuckle awkwardly and look away, whilst Dean blinks in shock as she pulls away.

"Oh sorry, you're still hurt," she apologizes, her face flushed.

Dean stammers for a second, opening and closing his mouth. "I...uh...I honestly forgot about that for a second."

"Lovebirds," Copeland coughs.

Dean rolls his eyes at her, focused completely on Elisabeth.

"You're back, though. All of you...that's really great," she says, smiling lightly.

"It's terrifying," Asher whispers.

"I guess we better get to our lockers," Dakota points out, not sure what to do or where to go.

"GUYS! HEY!"

Tiki appears around the corner, followed closely by Nixie and Lukas. They grin upon seeing their friends, rushing forwards. Lukas scoops Dakota into a hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her a little.

"It sucks around here without you two," he complains as he sets her down, glancing at Asher.

Asher chuckles. "You missed her more than me?"

Lukas blushes a little and looks down. "No...I just haven't gotten to hug her in a while."

"Aw, you cutie," Dakota coos, leaning up and kissing his cheek. He proceeds to grin like he just won the lottery.

Tiki hugs Copeland tightly, ignoring her complaints about being hugged. If he was in his dog form, his tail would be wagging like crazy.

Nixie, on the other hand, is giving Mitch one of the longest kisses he's ever received. When she finally pulls away, he looks dazed yet stupidly happy.

"Hehe...missed you too," he squeaks, nearly falling over.

Asher sighs, feeling completely out of the whole love thing. His heterochromic eyes fall to the floor as he scoops up his violin case.

"Asher! Hey!"

He nearly drops the case as his head snaps up, seeing a familiar grade ten with curly blonde hair. Ruby grins, dashing towards him. He places his violin down and meets her halfway, scooping her into a hug.

"Ruby," he whispers.

She laughs and hugs his neck. "You have no idea how much I missed you! Especially after I heard about the accident and Kelly and..." Her pale green eyes grow almost sad. "Oh Asher..."

He flashes his gappy grin, his cheeks pink. "I've gotten better at violin. Levina's really starting to sing."

She smiles and hugs him again, her head only reaching the middle of his chest since he's so tall.

"You're amazing," she murmurs.

His heart rate speeds up against his will, and he knows she can hear it. He laughs nervously and returns the hug.

"You too," he squeaks awkwardly.

"SMOOTH, ASHER!" Copeland shouts.

He rolls his eyes, bringing Ruby back to their group. Dean manages a half-smile, adjusting his crutches.

"Let's do this."