Chapter Text
Donnie couldn’t remember exactly when he found out. It was when he was younger definitely, Splinter did not know how to restrict their internet access and Donnie would’ve been able to pass it anyways. If he had to take a guess, maybe 8? Man, anime tumblr and AO3 really did a great deal to him (and not necessarily in a good way).
Anyways, that’s not the point. Online, Donnie has actually gone by well… ‘Donnie’ since he would guess about 10 years old. A whole 5 years and he had yet to actually tell his brothers. Or his dad… and that’s about the extent of the people he knew ‘irl’.
Which is probably why, as stupid as it was, that he decided to tell his brothers the second April asked. Listen! She was the first human they ever met and Donnie wasn’t going to lie to her! What a bad impression! (He’s 100% dramatizing this a bit, but hey he isn’t an anime fan for nothing!)
“So what’s y’alls names?” April asked, not looking up from writing something down on her phone. Granted, otherwise it would look like she’s talking to no one, which would’ve been a little strange. But really, who cares in New York City.
“Oh! Well– um I’m uhh, I’m Leo, yeah.” That caused Raph to promptly burst into laughter (and Donnie definitely snickered a bit, he won’t lie) “And the one who is laughing is Raph– shut it Raph !”
“I’m Mikey!” He piped up, sensing the typical Raph-Leo argument building. “And our sist-”
“I’m Donatello!” Donnie blurted, flinching at the way his voice was a little too high. (Sometimes it’s easy to ignore, but it’s definitely not when you’re actually using your name for the first time) His brothers all halted but Donnie and April just kept going. April hadn’t looked up from her phone once, if he could remember correctly.
They were going to be such good friends. His brother’s weren’t nearly as chronically online as him and Donnie desperately needed someone (in person!) to rant to about Attack On Titan .
After a moment of silence, his brothers having fallen greatly behind, Donnie also said “You can also call me Donnie if uh, that works better.” To which, April shrugged.
“Sure dude, whatever.” She looked behind them. “What’s up with them?”
“Uhhhh no idea!”
“Okay well, we’re here so uh… I’ll meet you on the roof, I guess. Just one pepperoni?”
“Yep! See you soon?”
April didn’t reply, just waved and walked into the building. Well… he was alone. Or well, as alone as one could get when you literally just came out to your brothers, the only people you’ve really interacted with for your entire 15 years of life. But they still hadn’t moved from that ally a street or so back, so Donnie made his way up to the roof.
It would be okay! They were probably just… in shock? Or maybe they thought he was joking, they might not even know what trans means! But it would be so, so cool because they’re his brothers! Who really cares if Donnie isn’t their sister!? It would be cool. Amazing, even.
After what felt like forever, green, red, blue, and orange surrounded his vision. Damn, they came fast. He didn’t even see them heading towards him. (Totally not because he was playing Naruto X Boruto Ninja Voltage ! Definitely not!)
“Dude, what was that?” Mikey asked and Donnie immediately tensed up.
“What was what?”
“Oh I don’t know, Donatello , take a guess!” That was Raph and, as per usual, he seemed pissed for some reason.
Ah, Donnie was starting to regret all of his actions. As it turns out, he did not want to have this conversation after the first real fight of their lives. He definitely only came out because he still had an adrenaline rush.
“I just uh… wanted to go by a different name?” He said, very convincing.
Leo gave him that classic older brother look. The one that screamed ' I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work with me! ’ which is stupid because it’s not like Donnie didn’t know that. It was just always worth the shot. “And why would you want to do that?”
“...Because I didn’t like the other one?” Oh man, he should really just say it, it would be so much easier. They all stared at him, Mikey making a ‘ go on ’ hand movement. “And that’s ‘cause uh… I’maboy .” He squeaked out the last bit, head slowly sinking into his shell. Smooth Donnie, real smooth.
“Oh! You’re trans? That makes a lot more since then trying to hide your real name so April couldn’t find us anywhere.” Mikey said, all smiles like this wasn’t the biggest deal ever or anything.
“Yeah, S- , Donatello? You didn't think we would care, did you?” Leo says, awkwardly patting Donnie’s shoulder. As much as he tries, Donnie never found Leo that comforting.
“I mean… I thought it would matter a little bit! Also uh, Donnie is fine.”
“Dude,” Mikey flops down onto the roof-access stairs. “We're mutant ninja turtles and our dad is a rat! Who cares if you're a boy.”
With that assurance, Donnie took the opportunity to look back over to Raph. He was just… kind of standing there, his fists and jaw clenched like he was trying his best to not hit something. And Donnie definitely knows that look, Raph tries (and fails) to not hit things all the time.
“So uhhh, what about you bro?” Donnie tries. “You cool with… me?”
It takes Raph a second to react, but his head snaps to stare at Donnie (honestly he’s surprised Raph’s head didn’t fly off). “I’ll kill those bastards that made you think we wouldn’t lo- like you anymore.” He said through gritted teeth.
And uh… well Donnie definitely should’ve expected that. He’s still a little surprised though.
“Definitely not a single person dude, just you know, rampant transphobia in the world with the added bonus of being a mutant turtle.”
“I’ll kill every transphobe then!!” Raph screamed, his grin turning a little manic.
“I think you’re a little too high off of adrenaline dude but… thanks?”
“Anything for you bro.”
“Okay well, that’s it? You guys just accept me?” He shouldn’t be in disbelief, but also he’s been thinking about this moment for like 5 years. Donnie always thought there would be a bigger reaction, or they would make a joke about his high-pitched voice, or- or just any kind of resistance at all!
“It’s 2023, Donnie!” Mikey pipped back up. “Don’t be so surprised!”
To that, Leo gave him a thumbs up (well, sort of they do only have 3 fingers) from where he was leaning against the sign and Raph slapped his shoulder before sitting down next to Mikey.
And maybe it was the really casual acceptance or the way Mikey didn’t even think about using his actual name, but Donnie was filled with joy. Or euphoria. Whatever, doesn’t matter. It was probably the happiest he had been like, ever. Got to meet a human, have their first ever real fight, and come out to his brothers!
“Than-” He started. But April then slammed the roof-access door open, causing all 4 of them to jump (so much for ninjas).
“Alright, start from the beginning!” She declared, tossing the pizza in Leo’s vague direction. Bad choice, Leo can barely catch things when he isn’t flustered, but he managed.
Well Donnie supposed he could always just thank them later. Now all he’s got left to do…
Ah fuck, he’s got to tell dad now.