I started this fic in August of last year when it was "relevant" but I still like it so I'm posting it now.

"Come on, Dew, we're too old for stuff like this," Louie protested.

"Louie, last month you made all of us dress up for the Barbie movie," Dewey pointed out.

"That movie is PG-13."

"Yeah but you were in full Barbie cosplay, so I don't think you get to say what we're too old for."

"I don't know…"

"Come on, it's a movie about badass siblings who work together to save everything they love, it's practically a biopic about our family."

Louie rolled his eyes.

"Plus, Huey's in."

"Okay, fine, I'll go. But you have to buy me popcorn."

"Deal. Probably should have led with popcorn."

Dewey didn't care much that his brothers weren't as excited as he was, he was just glad he'd gotten them to agree to see the movie with him. They were all growing up and he worried that meant growing apart, so it was nice to have a carefree night at the movies together.

He got the popcorn, as well as a blue raspberry slushie for himself and some raisinets for Huey. He didn't mind splashing out for snacks and tickets, he just wanted everyone to have a good time.

Finally, with their snacks secured, he and his brothers settled in to watch Mutant Mayhem.

And for the next 100 minutes, Dewey completely fell in love.

Louie and Huey laughed along with the rest of the crowd, but it wasn't as life changing for them as it was for Dewey.

When they got out of the theater, Dewey was vibrating from excitement.

"I'm gonna do that."

"What, make a movie?" Huey asked.

"Become a ninja?" Louie guessed.

"No, I'm gonna be a single dad and raise the next generation of crime fighters!!!"

"Well," Huey said slowly, "it's good to have goals."

"Are you gonna name your kids after the turtles?"

"Maybe. But why stop at four? I could have a whole mutant army."

"Okay, now you're starting to sound like Superfly."

Dewey laughed. "Okay, maybe not an army."

"Don't rush into anything," Louie advised. "We're still teenagers."

"You're right. We have plenty of time to become ninjas ourselves."

"That's not what I meant, Dewey-"

But it was too late. The trajectory of Dewey's life had changed forever. He might never be a ninja, but one day he would be a really good dad.

Shameless promo for Dewey and the Turtles, I swear I'll finish it this year.