"Mommy's gonna be back soon, my sweetie-pies." Mikey cooed into the crib in their living room.
The babies were smiling widely at him, reaching for him and squirming with joy. "Aw, maybe I shouldn't go."
"It's fine, Mikey. We can handle them a few hours." Raph leaned against the back of the couch and rolled his eyes with good humor.
Kion had thought it would be good for Mikey to have a little time for himself, just a few hours.
Raph, Leo and Don had whole-heartedly agreed, none of them wanted him to exhaust himself so much again.
Elia was staying home with Telon, while Mike's mates would take care of the triplets. It was Bogen's day off, and he promised to stay with Kion and Mikey, to make sure they weren't attacked or anything.
"It's one thing to be gone an hour for grocery shopping, I'm not ready to leave them for longer." Mikey nuzzled Ky's face and tickled Nix' tummy, giggling when Amy grabbed his other hand to chew on his finger.
Leo shook his head with a chuckle and grabbed Mike's shoulders, steering him to the front door when their doorbell rang.
"It's only a few hours. Enjoy the freedom, get some ice-cream, think about yourself. Everything's gonna be fine."
Mikey sighed and returned the nuzzle Leo gave him before they opened the door. Kion greeted them with a grin and a wave, while Bogen just nodded.
Mike pouted as he looked back to the crib, whining when Kion grabbed his hand to pull him outside.
"Come on, Mikey, we're gonna have so much fun!" Bogen chuckled at his mate before turning to Leo.
"I'll have him back at six."
Leo nodded gratefully, waving a goodbye at Mikey's and Kion's retreating forms.
He closed the door with a sigh and smiled as he walked over to Raph and the crib. Nix was chewing on his snuggle blanket, while Ky had a tight grip on Raph's finger, also chewing.
"I think they're hungry." Leo mused.
"Donnie is already preparing their bottles. This is gonna be a piece of cake."
"He finally gone?" Donnie came inside, holding the three bottles. They split up the triplets, each feeding one.
Leo had Nix in his arms, the baby frowning at him as he ate, but he didn't cry. Slowly but surely he got used to being carried by them. Sure, he didn't like it, and he didn't smile at them, but – and that was a big achievement – he didn't freak out anymore.
"Yeah, he wanted to stay here, though."
"Kion will distract him enough. And it's not like we couldn't handle them. Especially since Nix got used to us."
For a few minutes it was really peaceful, the babies drank as their parents settled on the couch.
"Princess, stop chewing the bottle..." Raph frowned, trying to take the half empty bottle away. Amy pouted when she couldn't chew anymore and put her hand in her mouth, downright glaring at her daddy.
"Come on, Ky, eat." Donnie sighed, trying to get their firstborn to drink more of the formula, but the baby kept turning his head away. He grimaced and whined, kicking his feet in protest.
Nix was gnawing on his bottle quietly, only sucking every few seconds. When he was upright for a burp he looked around the living room over Leo's shoulder, frowning. He started to whine, some of his food spilling out when he burped.
"Why won't you eat? The bottle is always empty when mommy feeds you!" Donne frowned in frustration. He put the bottle down for a second to lift Ky to his plastron. Maybe a burp was bothering him already? But Ky just drooled on his shoulder as his mouth closed over the olive skin, the gums grinding on it.
Amy was kicking in Raph's arms now, trying to turn onto her belly and whining when her dad put her on his plastron too. He patted the small carapace rhythmically, but Amy whined, putting her fingers into her mouth.
Leo cleaned his youngest's mouth with the burp cloth. Nix worked his tiny body to look around with a frown, not accepting the bottle anymore. Where was his mommy? Why wasn't he here? His green eyes were wide and filled with tears as he looked up at Fafa.
Leo blinked at his son and put him on his plastron again, bouncing him before he could get himself worked into a crying fit.
"Nonono, Nix, it's okay... no need to cry..." He soothed when Nix whimpered.
Donnie trying to get the bottle into Ky's mouth again, cursing when the baby hit his hand with his wiggling, sending it tumbling to the ground. His cerulean eyes were rapidly filling with tears, surprising Donnie. Ky usually wasn't one to cry easily.
"Why won't you burp, princess? Come on, you have to or your tummy's going to hurt." Raph coaxed, sighing when he heard her burp. The relief turned to surprise when Amy started to cry.
Encouraged by their sister's wailing, Ky and Nix started wailing too.
"Don't cry!" Leo panicked, standing up to walk with Nix, bouncing him as he searched for Mike's sweater.
"What's wrong with them?" Raph asked with wide eyes, looking between Ky and Amy.
"No idea! They usually don't cry when we feed them!" Donnie was nuzzling Ky, trying to soothe him, but the baby was kicking and wailing, face red as fat tears ran down his cheeks.
"Oh my shell, the pullover isn't working!" Leo had the woolen sweater over his shoulder, Nix against it. The baby still cried as if he was being tortured.
xxxxx
"This is where I got Elia's headband from." Kion chatted happily, guiding Mikey to a shop.
"Aw! Look at this! Amy would look so cute in this!" The darker turtle grinned at Mikey's enthusiasm and pulled him inside the shop.
"Weren't you supposed to distract him?" Bogen followed with a suffering sigh, but had a smile on his face as he looked at a pink bracelet near the entrance.
"As if we'd let ourselves be distracted from our children." Kion said in a 'duh'-tone. "Here, you're gonna need a few of those soon." He grabbed a few rubber rings, putting them in a basket. Mikey frowned as he took one.
"What for?"
"They're gonna start teething soon. They can chew on them to relieve the pain. It's best if you put them into the fridge for an hour before that."
"Oh wow, thanks. What else can I use?" Mikey asked with wide eyes.
"Well, I massaged Elia's gums before feeding time until the first two teeth were out. After that hurdle it gets easier on them too."
They walked through the aisles. Kion smiled as he grabbed a few colorful plastic spoons. They were wide and short enough so a baby wouldn't be able to shove it far enough into its mouth to choke.
"You can start trying solid food when they're strong enough to sit. Until then you should let them play with a spoon so they can get used to the shape. They can also chew on them."
xxxxx
Leo, Donnie and Raph were all pacing the living room, bouncing their babies to get them to calm down.
Leo put Nix' pacifier in the infant's mouth, relieved when he quieted down, mouth working on chewing on the rubber. He was satisfied for the moment, looking up at Leo with wide eyes.
When Donnie had Ky upright again the baby started gnawing on his skin again with his gums, settling down when he found a good spot, drooling all over the shoulder.
"Oh my god." The genius chuckled as he shook his head. "I think they're teething!"
Raph frowned, putting his finger to Amy's mouth. She immediately accepted the digit, her jaw strong as her gums squeezed the finger.
"Does it hurt?" He asked, glad that the crying stopped for now.
"I guess, yeah. It's probably itching too." Donnie cradled Ky again and put his finger in the infant's mouth, massaging the gums with it. He grimaced a little with the drool running over his shoulder, but then couldn't help but smile at the content look on his baby's face.
"Try massaging their gums, it helps."
Raphael mimicked Donnie, chuckling when Amy practically crushed his finger in her mouth, gurgling happily.
Leo eyed their most difficult baby, meeting a stare that was so similar to his own. He seemed content with the pacifier, taking it away could start a crying fit.
As if Nix could hear his thoughts, he spit the pacifier out, not satisfied with the material to chew on. He began fussing already, prompting Leo to offer the tip of his finger.
The blue-banded turtle began putting pressure on the gums, pausing when he felt something.
"Hey, I think one is already poking out!" Leo exclaimed, feeling for the hard nub.
Nix hummed in appreciation. This one wasn't so bad. It wasn't his mommy, but he made the pain lessen.
Donnie came over, feeling for the tooth too. He grinned and nodded.
"Yep, that's a tooth. I guess that's why he's been so fussy the past days."
"He's always fussy with us." Raph commented, hissing at an especially hard squeeze of his daughter, who giggled around his finger when he frowned at her.
"Lately it's been worse. Even with Mikey."
Leo cooed at Nix, still working on the gums and was grinning from ear to ear when his youngest smiled at him.
"He smiled at me! Oh my shell, he's smiling! At me!" Leo paused when he realized he was acting like a schoolgirl. He cleared his throat with a blush, avoiding the smirks coming from his mates.
"I mean... looks like he's getting used to us."
Donnie and Raph exchanged amused grins, their babies gnawing happily on their fingers.
xxxxx
"I wonder how my babies are doing..." Mikey sighed, stirring the spoon in his cup of hot chocolate.
He had a large bag full of baby stuff, and after leaving the shop they decided to sit down for coffee/hot chocolate before resuming their shopping.
"The guys are great daddies, they'll take good care of them. Don't worry." Kion soothed, cursing when he burnt his tongue trying to sip from his tea.
Bogen tried to suppress a chuckle, earning a glare from his mate.
"What? I just think it's hilarious that you tell him not to worry." The larger turtle turned to look at Mikey, an amused gleam in his eyes.
"When Elia was younger, Telon was taking care of her while Kion and I took the afternoon off, just like now, to reduce his stress. I had to cuff him to my wrist so he wouldn't sneak off to go back home."
Mikey couldn't help but giggle at the image, totally unfazed by his friend's glare.
"Oh shut up, I just didn't want to go to your stupid museum."
"Yeah, the museum you picked." Bogen said dryly, ducking when Kion slapped the back of his head.
While their bickering was quite amusing, Mikey found his mind wandering. Something in his peripheral vision caught his attention. He frowned at the mouth of a dark alley, the afternoon sun barely reaching it.
His intuition told him he needed to go there, his ninja senses tingling. With a frown he got up.
"Where are you going?" Kion asked when Mikey took his first step.
"Uh, I just need to check something."
"You're not thinking about running off, are you?" Kion chuckled. "Bogen has his cuffs with him." The dark turtle tilted his head when Mikey barely reacted. Something seemed to be wrong.
Bogen grabbed his wrist before he could walk further.
"What is it?"
"That alley... I think someone is in trouble."
The two other turtles also twisted to look at said alley. Bogen grimaced and pushed Mikey to sit down.
"Stay here, I'm going to take a look."
"Bogen, I can help." The larger male rolled his eyes.
"I promised your mates I'd make sure nothing happens to you. Stay here." He waited for Mikey's reluctant nod before walking off to the direction of the alley.
Kion watched him go with an unhappy expression. He forced himself to relax, turning to look into his cup of tea.
"He's a cop. He's gonna be fine. He can take care of himself." He said more to himself, blinking when Mikey stood up again.
"Hey, he knows what he's doing. The guy's are going to kill him if you get hurt."
Mikey rolled his eyes. He had waited for Bogen to reach the alley before he made to follow him.
"I'm not going to get hurt." He said confidently. "Though my gut tells me someone is."
Kion bit his lip in thought. "Okay, wait for me." The dark turtle quickly paid for their beverages and scooped up their bags. He had to hurry to catch up with Mikey.
Even though his mate was a cop, he couldn't help but worry.
"That alley leads to a dead end..." Kion muttered, recognizing the surrounding houses. "Shady businesses always take place there."
They heard a pained groan. Alarmed, they sped up towards the sound. Around the corner a heavily pregnant female ran to them, crying hysterically.
Mikey's eyes widened when he saw Naroy and Erion, both punching Bogen who tried his best to defend himself. However, with two against one...
The female babbled and cried, Kion trying to soothe her.
"Kion, get her to the hospital."
"But-"
"Go!" Mikey growled, not looking back as he approached the fight.
Erion was grabbing a pipe from the ground, a sick grin on his face. Blood was oozing from the corner of his mouth from where Bogen must've hit him.
Seeing the pipe, Mikey felt his stomach knot. Those bastards. From a dumpster close by hung a chain. He made short work of grabbing it.
"Hey!" He announced his presence. All three alphas turned to look at him. Naroy was holding Bogen's arms behind his back.
"Oh look, it's my cutie! All alone!" He grinned, pulling painfully on Bogen's arms. The cop's face was swollen on one side from a few punches, his other eye wide.
"Mikey, no! Run!"
"Shut up, cop." Erion snapped, cracking his neck from side to side. "Stupid of your idiot mates to let you wander around alone. So close to mating season."
"Let him go." Mikey demanded.
Erion slapped the pipe into his other palm, chuckling.
"Oh, I don't think you're in the position to demand something, babe."
"Leave him to me, Erion. The other bitch almost crushed my dick."
Mikey calmly played with the chain in his hands. The padlock hanging at one end was perfect.
"And it seems you still didn't learn your lesson. Maybe it would be best so castrate you once and for all."
Bogen blinked with his one good eye. Was he mental?! No wonder his mates were overly protective, apparently Michelangelo had no sense for self-preservation.
The two perverts laughed out loud. That little shit, a shuddering mess during their last encounter, was taunting them?
"What, did the damsel in distress finally grow a pair?" Erion and Naroy laughed again, not noticing Mike's smirk.
Suddenly the pipe was pulled from Erion's hands as the chain wrapped around it. Mikey flung it to the side carelessly, before resuming his calm rotating with the weighted end of the chain.
Erion was the first to realize they might have a problem. He narrowed his eyes at the much smaller turtle.
"You know," Mikey started, coming closer, "the damsel has some sick moves. Without eggs weighing it down." The chain snapped forward again, wrapping around Naroy's leg and pulling it from under him.
The pervert hit the ground, Bogen using the chance to free himself.
Naroy tried to get up, but a good punch from the cop sent him to dreamland. Bogen used his handcuffs to tie him up. Once he was sure he wouldn't be able to free himself he turned around to attack Erion. However, he could only watch with wide eyes at the scene in front of him.
Mikey was a blur around Erion, dancing away from the kicks and punches directed at him, using a short held end of his chain to hit the darker green skin painfully. All the while the longer part of the chain wrapped around the larger turtle, as if it had a mind on its own.
Finally the chain tightened, surprising Erion. Mikey swept the idiot's feet from under him with his more slender legs. He grinned at his handiwork, the big turtle wrapped like a present with several dark bruises littering the skin.
As if on cue two other cops entered the alley.
"Bogen! What happened? Kion stopped us from patrol and said you needed help!"
They took in the scene, blinking when Bogen's beat up face turned to a laughing grimace.
"Your timing is horrible, guys. Call in back up, those are the perverts that were after the pregnant females and subs. They're gonna be locked away for a long time."
xxxxx
Donnie, Leo and Raph were sitting on the thick baby blanket in their living room.
They had pulled it to the window, where the afternoon sun was hitting them full force.
Ky and Amy were laying there completely still, having fallen asleep only minutes after being exposed to the sun. Nix was in Leo's arms, not affected by the warmth, but fussing at the light hitting his face. Leo smiled and scooted back so they were out of the sun.
"Mh, s'what I thought." Donnie found himself yawning. "Telon said something about the babies needing to bask from time to time. Until they're about two years old."
"Why only until then?" Raph rubbed his eyes.
"They need it so their bodies learn to regulate their temperatures right. After about two years they know how, that's why the other turtles in this dimension don't feel all that sleepy in the sunlight." Donnie explained, another yawn forcing its way past his lips. "Normal turtles bask all their lives." He supplied.
"They got the right idea... this feels nice..." Raph mumbled, finding himself laying down on his side, curling up around Ky.
Leo smiled at the sight. He watched Donnie also lay down on their babies' other side, trying to blink the drowsiness away.
With a quiet chuckle Leo got up with Nix in his arms, moving to the kitchen. Last year during spring and summer they didn't have time to just lay and bask, they've always been busy with work, their move, the pregnancy. It was such a cute sight, his mates on that blanket with their babies.
Leo found one of their old shellcells on the kitchen counter.
Donnie had modified them so they could be used as baby monitors too, but the camera was still working. Bouncing Nix in his other arm, he quickly made a few shots of the turtle pile on the blanket.
The infant in his arms was sucking on his pacifier again, eyes wide as he tried to grab the interesting device. Leo turned it around to snap a picture of Nix too. The green eyes blinked in irritation. Leo laughed quietly and nuzzled his son's little face.
The baby yawned, clearly tired, but wouldn't settle down. He twisted around in his father's arms, turning his head around to find his mother. Did he abandon them? Why wasn't he here?
Leo picked up the sweater from where he had flung it on the kitchen table earlier and hung it over his shoulder. This time Nix snuggled into it, his tiny hands holding tight onto the fabric.
Now that they all were asleep, Leo yawned too. He glanced at the clock, it was one hour before Mikey would be home again. There was no harm in laying down for a while.
He placed Nix on the blanket, so his head was out of the sun, and curled up around him. His legs entangled with Don's while his head rested on Raph's calf. He nuzzled the skin and felt himself dozing off.
xxxxx
"No seriously, you should've seen it. It was like watching a fly defeat a bull." Bogen was babbling to an amused Kion as they left the hospital.
Kion had insisted he'd let the wounds be treated, or Telon would've lectured his ass once they got back home.
"It was nothing. Back at home we'd fight way harder enemies."
"You were fighting crime back in your dimension?"
"Yeah, you could say that. Not like the police, though. We're ninjas. Shadow fighters."
Bogen shook his aching head with a chuckle.
"We could really use turtles like you on the force. It would make things so much easier."
Mikey grinned widely, and then shook his head. "The guys would trounce me if I became a cop. I can already see Raph and Leo's heads exploding."
"If you're such a good fighter, why are they so overly protective of you? Clearly you can take care of yourself." Kion asked, swinging his shopping bag while his other hand was in Bogen's grip.
His mate squeezed the hand, answering before Mikey could.
"Nah, I understand them. No offense, but even if you could fight like that, I wouldn't want you exposed to danger. Maybe it would make me feel better to know you could defend yourself, but in the end I'd rather make sure you're save myself."
Kion frowned, both he and Mikey had a thoughtful expression on their face. Bogen sighed.
"Just imagine Elia," he looked at Mikey, "or Amy, Ky and Nix. Let's say they know how to fight and defend themselves. And they start roaming around alone while perverts or other crooks are out. Would you let them?"
Mikey clutched his bag of baby stuff to his chest at the thought. His babies, in danger?
"... We can't shelter them forever, though." Kion mumbled, but also couldn't help but agree to that. He'd want to stay close to his daughter wherever she went.
"Exactly. It's pretty hard finding the right balance. Think about that next time you scold us for being overprotective bastards."
"When you put it like that it kinda makes sense." Mikey admitted. Being the youngest he never had to think about that, he's always been babied and sheltered, even before they got together.
Now that he knew what it's like to have someone to look after, he finally understood how his brothers have been feeling all their lives.
They walked in silence for a while.
"So, now that the worrisome pervs are locked away, we could try for another baby, right?" Bogen spoke up.
"Did Telon set you up to this?" Kion deadpanned, frowning in annoyance.
"We talked about it months ago. He agreed to let up on it because we didn't want you to become a target to those perverts. In a few days the mating starts..."
"I told Telon before that Mikey and I want to be pregnant together. And he certainly won't have another baby just a few months after giving birth."
Mikey nodded, helping his friend.
"We got the suppressants from Telon, it's too soon. Maybe next year." He said, even though he was sure it won't be next year.
He still didn't know if his mates have been joking back then, but he had a say in this too. Being pregnant wasn't a walk in the park, he's been sore for over two months after laying the eggs, not to forget his horrible hormones, which he was still fighting to control from time to time.
Maybe, maybe in three or four years. When he forgot how much it had hurt.
"Fine. Next year. You're lucky Telon's a doctor. Otherwise you wouldn't have another choice." Bogen shook his head, wincing at the spike of pain.
"What do you mean?" Mikey asked. Of course Kion had a choice. His friend sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I know. You stupid alphas have no idea what strain a pregnancy is."
"That's why the suppressants are free the first season after giving birth." Kion bumped his shoulder before turning to look at Mikey.
"The government is pro-baby. The mayor is striving for a bigger population, the snakes and rabbits are gaining the upper hand. Females get preservatives for free for a year so their bodies can recover. We are lucky that we can only be impregnated during the few hours of mating season. We get free heat suppressants for the mating cycle after giving birth."
Kion sighed.
"Telon is a doctor, and Bogen a cop. These are high-ranked jobs here. Because they'd be off duty for a while to be there for me and the baby, I get the suppressants until we decide to get another baby. You're lucky Donnie's working with Telon, that gives him a high rank too. Though I'm not sure if that's enough, because you have two other mates to take care of you."
Mikey blinked at that onslaught of information.
"Wait, so you're telling me that the turtles are forced to be pregnant?"
Kion averted his gaze.
"There's always a chance that the sperm doesn't reach the uterus. Or that the male isn't capable of impregnating, or the female is the problem." Bogen shrugged.
"There were several protest rallies the past years. Sure, the mayor does his best to help out. Why do you think baby stuff is so cheap? In school they get good meals, breakfast and lunch. There are many playgrounds and such. Those who are too old to get pregnant again or are infertile take over daycares, some are sent to private households to help care for twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc."
Kion explained.
"Still, it's not right to take that decision away from the parents. They should be able to decide whether they want more babies or not."
"... This is seriously twisted..." Mikey muttered, lost in thought. There was it, a downside to this dimension. He knew it. It was too good to be true. He was happy to have his children, but practically being forced to breed was really disconcerting.
"So... If Leo and Raph were cops, like you, I'd be..."
"Yeah. Do you think they'd be interested?" Bogen asked, perking up. He himself didn't mind the rule all too much.
"Oh, Raph would love to get some action I bet." Mikey sighed. "But I'm not sure about Leo. He loves the dojo."
Bogen scratched the back of his head in thought.
"Well, I could talk to the chief. Knowing how to fight would be a great advantage for our forces. Leo could teach the force at the dojo. He'd be part of the police, and still keep his other job. You know, one or two afternoons per week for the children, and the rest for us."
"That's possible?"
"I guess, yeah. Talk to them, and I'm gonna talk to the chief, and then we'll see."
xxxxx
Donnie was the first to blink awake when the sun had set. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Amy was still sleeping peacefully, along with Raph, while Ky was cooing and trying to roll around in between him and Amy. His little bare feet kicked his dad's plastron from time to time, but the red-banded turtle slept like a rock.
Donatello scooped him up.
"You little rascal, are you trying to wake them up?" He said, grinning when Ky giggled cutely and reached for his beak. Donnie blew a raspberry on his belly, eliciting a delighted squeal from his oldest son.
"Uh-oh, someone needs a fresh diapy." He said, scrunching his beak at the smell.
He placed a few pillows from the couch to Amy's other side so she wouldn't roll off if she woke up. Though she seemed to have inherited Raph's ability to sleep through an explosion.
Wondering where Leo and Nix were, Donnie went upstairs. He peeked into their bedroom, smiling when he saw his oldest mate on the balcony. The genius stepped out too, after grabbing a blanket from their bag to wrap Ky in it, to protect him from the chilly spring breeze.
Leo glanced at him when Donnie stood next to him. Nix was still sleeping, wrapped snuggly in Mike's sweater.
"Done basking?" Leo teased, nuzzling his mate's face.
"Yeah. Raph and Amy are still sleeping like rocks." Donnie examined Leo's face. "What's wrong?"
"It's already half past six. Mikey should've been home half an hour ago."
Donnie blinked and squinted to see the big clock on the city hall in the distance.
"I'm sure he's alright. Kion and Bogen are with him. Maybe they got distracted in a shop or something."
"The shops close at six, Donnie..."
"Then maybe they're getting dinner. Come on. Ky needs a fresh diaper. And by the smell of it, Nix too."
Leo sighed, but followed his brother to their changing table. While Donnie changed Ky's diaper, Leo unwrapped Nix and put the sweater to be washed later.
The infant fussed when he woke up. Sure, he's got a clean diaper now, but he finally wanted his mommy. Why was he still not here? The other warm turtle looked worried. It scared Nix.
He started wailing, not reacting to the pacifier or Leo's finger. He's been patient for so long, he wanted his mommy! Now!
Ky watched his brother with wide eyes little hand reaching out for him. Nix whimpered at the touch and stared at his older brother next to him on the changing table. Then he cried out loud again.
As if they've been communicating mutely Ky wailed along with him.
Donnie and Leo looked at each other with a sigh and scooped them up. Leo grabbed the jacket from the rocking chair, making a mental note to scold Mikey for leaving without it, and tried to soothe Nix with it. However, the infant didn't care for the jacket. He was no fool! This wasn't his mommy!
Ky really liked his daddy, papa and fafa. He really did. But he hasn't seen his mommy in a long time. Where was he? Did he leave forever? His brother seemed to think so.
From downstairs another wail joined theirs. Leo and Donnie carried their babies downstairs, where a sleepy looking Raph was sitting on the blanket, trying to soothe their daughter.
"Come on, princess. It's not so bad." He massaged her gums, but she continued to cry, edging her head away.
He looked up when his mates came in, glancing at the clock.
"Where's Mikey?"
"Not home yet. I swear, if something happened to him I'm gonna castrate Bogen." Leo spat.
Raph got up, heart pounding with worry as he looked through the window.
"Do you think something happened?"
The babies' cries grew more high-pitched, their faces reddening. Donnie blinked down at Ky in his arms.
"Guys, calm down. Your worrying makes them even more anxious."
When the front door opened, all of them hurried to their hallway. Mikey blinked at their bewildered faces and at the crying babies.
Raph was about to blow when he caught a glimpse of Bogen's beat up face. His heart dropped into his stomach.
Donnie's eyes were already scanning Mikey for injuries, but he appeared to be fine.
"Sorry I'm late... we got a little... caught up." Mikey said, putting the shopping bag to the side.
At the sound of his voice the babies ceased their crying, all of them reaching out to him. Mikey forgot all the worry he had for his mates' wrath at the sight.
"Aw my babies, mommy's here." He cooed, grabbing Amy as Raph was standing closest to him.
"What happened?" Leo asked, finally finding his voice again as he tried to calm Nix.
"Eh yeah, let's sit down and we'll talk." Bogen nodded towards the living room.
Mikey settled down on the blanket on the ground with the babies, all three of them making noises as if telling him how worried they were.
Donnie handed Bogen an ice-pack before sitting down next to Leo. Raph was staying by Mikey, an arm around him while the smaller male tended to their babies.
"Mikey had a gut feeling about an alley." Kion started, and the three banded turtles narrowed their eyes at their youngest brother. Of course.
"I told him to stay put and went to have a look. Those perverts we've been hunting for a few months now were molesting a pregnant female. I fought them, but they overwhelmed me." Bogen explained.
"We followed him, and when the female came, crying, I brought her to the hospital. On the way I met two other cops patrolling and told them to help Bogen." Kion continued.
"Mikey stood there with a chain from a dumpster and went ballistic on them. I've never seen something like this." Bogen chuckled at the memory. "Thanks to him we managed to bring them in. And well, Kion insisted I go to the hospital. That's why we took so long."
"So you're not hurt?" Leo asked, directed to Mikey. Raph's grip tightened when Mikey sighed.
"No, I'm completely fine. They are worse fighters than the Purple Dragons. Dee beat them up last time, he knows how stupid they are."
Don's mouth twisted at the reminder, but he nodded. And Mikey has even had a weapon. He and his mates sighed in relief.
Mikey chuckled, cooing at the babies.
"Psh, your daddies are worrywarts. Mommy's totally fine." The babbling from his kids almost sounded like they were scolding him. As if they could understand him, they frowned and squealed.
Mikey mimicked their frown, tilting his head.
"... Are they... scolding me?" Mikey asked in disbelief.
"You bet they do. You scared the shit out of us." Raph's grip tightened around him. Mikey felt the worry ooze from all of them and smiled, snuggling into Raph's embrace.
"I'm sorry." He soothed. With how edgy he's been lately, he should've exploded from their stupid overprotectiveness. They can see he's fine, and still they're so high-strung. Still he couldn't help but find it funny. After that talk with Bogen, he felt he understood them a little better now.