Reacclimation
Mikey grumbled into his pillow. He was so tired, but pinching hunger pangs had woken him up. He pulled his blanket over his head and burrowed deeper under the covers, but his stomach gave a loud growl like an angry bear and he knew he'd never manage to sleep until the last quesadilla in the refrigerator was consumed.
He hopped down from his bunk and shuffled across his room, blinking in surprise as he saw the thin line of light seeping in underneath the door. Apparently someone was still awake. He opened the door and peered down into the main living area. Leo was sitting curled under a blanket in the center of the couch. The blue-white glow of the television flickered gently and mingled with the gold light from the single lamp he'd left turned on.
Mikey considered sliding down the bannister to get downstairs quicker, but when a yawn threatened to split his face in two, he decided against it. Speed was good, but losing his balance due to grogginess was bad. He padded down the stairs, face brightening when Leo looked around and gave him a tired but welcoming smile.
"Hey, Leo. What'cha doin' up so late? Just so you know, Donnie gets cranky if you spend too much time watching the shopping channel. You'd think ordering three juicers was a crime or something." Mikey grinned as he glanced at the television. An impassioned host waxed lyrical about the wonder of painting rainbows with sponges. "That lady makes a convincing argument, though. You thinking about making a purchase?"
Leo laughed a little and rolled his eyes. "She definitely gets points for enthusiasm. But no, I'm not going to buy any art supplies." He shrugged. "I just...couldn't sleep."
Mikey tilted his head curiously...but then he noticed the way that Leo was sitting, huddled in a ball beneath the blanket, not quite able to hide the little shivers running through his frame. His brows drew together in concern - it had only been a day or two since Leo had shaken off the effects of his capture by the stone generals - but he still spoke lightly, not wanting to seem like he was overreacting. "How come? Don't even try to say jet lag. I know Costa Rica is only like an hour behind New York."
Leo smiled, giving him a reassuring look, and Mikey knew that his brother had seen his worry anyway. "No, it's not jet lag. It's just…" He shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "We're a little farther away from the equator here."
"Awww...you're cold!" Mikey's shoulders slumped in relief. "Why didn't you just say so? I can fix that!" He jumped a little as his stomach snarled at him, and he chuckled sheepishly. "Uh...I can fix that in just a second. Hang on." He darted to the kitchen, yanked open the fridge, and stuffed the quesadilla into his mouth, holding it in his teeth while he poured himself a glass of orange juice. He kicked the fridge door shut with his foot, then ambled back out to the living room.
Leo's nose wrinkled in distaste. "You're eating a cold quesadilla and...drinking orange juice?"
"This from the dude who spent two years eating bugs," Mikey said around a mouthful of tortilla and cheese. He plopped on the couch next to Leo, causing his brother to bounce on the worn cushions.
"That was one time."
"You still did it," Mikey answered, taking another bite. "Once you admit to eating a bug, you don't get to criticize my dietary choices."
Leo smirked and rolled his eyes. "Fair enough."
Mikey stuffed the last of the quesadilla into his mouth and drained his orange juice in one long swig, then leaned back and patted his stomach. "Ahh, that's better. The beast is satisfied. Now…I said I was gonna fix your problem." He started plucking at the edge of Leo's blanket.
"Mikey, what are you...hey!" Leo yelped a little as Mikey yanked the blanket hard enough to jostle him in his seat.
"Dude, quit fighting me!" Mikey slapped Leo's hand out of the way and wedged himself against his side, cocooning both himself and his brother under the warm fleece. He shifted position one more time to snag the remote, then flipped channels until he found a late night "I Love Lucy" marathon. "There. Better?"
Leo still looked a little stunned. But after a brief pause, his expression softened in a fond smile. "Actually...yes."
"Told you. Mikey always knows best." He settled down and rested his head against Leo's shoulder. The brothers didn't speak again, but Mikey felt Leo relax as his shivering gradually stopped. He sighed contentedly, slumping more heavily against Leo as sleep pressed against the edges of his mind again.
"Good night, Mikey," Leo said softly.
Mikey sighed and tried to say "good night" in return, but before he could answer, he was asleep.