Michelangelo grinned as he stared out across the rooftops below them. Honestly, it wasn't rare for him to come topside (though at least this time he didn't have to wear that stupid costume head) and it wasn't unusual for him to be out with his brothers, but this time was still special. Raph had invited him on a patrol run...without telling Splinter or Leo they were going. They had been best friends once, only to drift apart when Raph became Nightwatcher and he became Cowabunga Carl. Which proved that life wasn't fair, since Raph got to be the awesome, kick butt superhero type and he had been nothing more than a glorified clown. But that was a concern for another time, because he and Raph were out, and together, and nothing could bring him down tonight!

Raph smirked as he watched his brother enjoy the night. Okay, maybe, possibly, he missed hanging with Mike the past few years. He didn't regret becoming Nightwatcher, but maybe he shouldn't have gone quiet so dedicated with it. Those were worries for another time though. The "team", as Leo insisted on calling them, was back together, everyone was back to being one happy family (or as happy as thier lives let them get at least), and Raph was working to reforge the bond he and Mike once shared. If that meant having a non-Casey partner for a night, he'd live with it.

He was jerked out of his musing by Mikey grabbing his hands and pulling him into a weird dance-type thing. Raph would've jerked away, but Mike kept spinning him, left and right, keeping him off balance, and wearing that dopey, way-too-happy-for-anyone-to-be grin that had been missing from thier lives for way too long. How could he refuse? At least no one was around to see them.

They slowed as Mike's burst of energy faded so Raph was able to regain his footing and guide them a bit, planning to break away at the first oppotunity. Mike's hands tightened on his, blue eyes wide with trust and curiousity and...something else, that had never been there before. Whatever it was made Raph's belly clench in a pleasuable pain.

"Dance with me," Mike whispered, suddenly feeling butterflies in his stomach. Something was here, something that had never been here before, and it made him scared and hyper all at once. He watched Raph's eternal debate. Nervous, but not wanting to show it, which means he'll do it. Mike knew better than to grin; though it was nice to know he could still read Raph when he wasn't in a temper (anyone could read Raph when he was mad!)

No words were spoken between them when Raph slid his right hand free and set it on Mike's waist, refusing to look at the other turtle. Mike stared a moment, surprised at the shivers dancing over his skin, before slowly lifting his now free hand to Raph's shoulder while thier left hands remained clasped nearer to his body than Raph's. Slowly, carefully, they swayed to the music that played in their minds. Later, Mike would swear the city stopped moving, stopped it's eternal symphany of cars and shouts, but right then all he knew was the way the moon reflected off Raph's skin. The glow made his brother seem complete, as if the night was where he belonged more than anywhere else. It was hard to reconcile this Raph with the fierce warrior or angry hot-head Mike was used to. He'd never know how long they danced before Raph dropped his hands and stepped back, but he knew it wasn't long enough.

An idea drifted through his brain and he acted on it without thought. He gripped Raph's shoulders and pressed a quick, fleeting kiss to his brothers lips only to grin and dart away, jumping to the next rooftop. Raph caught up momentarily, eyeing him warily.

"What was that about?"

Mike laughed at the question, twisting through the air, unable to contain his pleasure at his newly found knowledge.

"I wanted to."

"Why?"

"Because I love you!"

Raph gave him an odd look before shaking his head and muttering, "Nut." There was a pause that took them to another rooftop before he reluctantly added, "Love ya too Mike. But geez." Mike snikered. Raph didn't get it yet. They were talking about different kinds of love. Glancing up at the night sky, Mike promised himself that he'd get Raph to see the truth.

And we'll live happily ever after!