Afterglow

Rated: T

Happy Halloween!

Chapter Summary: It's Halloween at the Hamato Residence!


Enjoy an extra long chapter. I have no idea how or why this chapter got away from me but it was a lot of fun to write regardless. Have a fun and safe Halloween, y'all! xoxo


"Ugh. I swear, sometimes you're worse than Mikey, O'Neil." Raphael grumbled, placing more packages of candy into a bright orange tote bag.

"Raphael, you're such a party-pooper! It's Halloween for cripes sake! Lighten up!" April replied cheekily, a bright toothy smile lighting up her face as she closed the tupperware filled to the brim with Halloween themed cookies.

"I still don't get it." the green-eyed terrapin grumbled more to himself than anyone else.

In reply, all he heard was an overly dramatic sigh leave his pretty girlfriend's lips. He stole a glance as she continued packing away the cookies she'd been working on the better part of the morning on while he was left to entertain her father. He was perfectly fine with the kind middle-aged man, but sitting down with his girlfriend's dad and watching boring science programming was hardly summed up as an afternoon of excitement. During said programming, Raphael's palms were profusely sweating in anticipation for the man to change the topic of fair-weather conversation to his activities and intentions regarding his daughter. Thankfully, that awkward discussion never came up even up until the time came when Mr. O'Neil left for his company's Halloween convention across town.

"Raphael, it's Halloween. We can't spend it here alone." April sighed, placing the cookie-filled tupperware into a plastic sack.

"I'm just saying, this is probably the only night we'll be alone for weeks! Instead, we'll be spending it with my dad and brothers... Ya know, since yer dad went to a party, we could stay here and put that skin-tight Cat Woman suit you bought to a much funner use." Raph grumbled, putting the filled tote bags to the side before walking up behind her to rub his snout against her neck.

"You're disgusting." April said, not bothering to camouflage the laughter escaping her lips at his actions.

"Yeah, you'll be Cat Woman, I'll be Batman... We'll pretend I just saved your ass from the 'll be extremely thankful for me saving your life that you can't seem to control your overwhelming sexual urges toward the studly mutant turtle wearing a Batman costume... Oh, yeah, that'll be hot as fuck." Raph growled, reaching down to pinch her ass, only to get thwacked on his plastron when she quickly turned around to face him.

"You're sick. Seek help." April tried to discipline him but couldn't deny how temping his offer was - those images conjured in her head not helping matters by how quickly her cheeks flushed and how she subconsciously bit her lip.

"Ooh, even better! Dr. April, I need your help! My girlfriend is so horny all the time I don't know what to do..." he mumbled, kissing her neck. "She's wearing me out, I'm worried my dick might fall off."

"Don't even joke about that." April laughed, nipping at the thick corded muscles of his shoulders. Truthfully, she was incredibly horny but since her dad got a long vacation off from work, leaving them both completely sexually frustrated as of late. She couldn't deny the fact that she wanted him so bad that she physically ached for him. The soft yelp that left her lips involuntarily was ignored when he picked her up to sit on the counter, placing himself right between her parted legs. It didn't take long until April couldn't help but kiss that adorable smirk right off his face; cradling his head in her hands as she pressed her lips firmly over his.

Raph smirked against her mouth, hoping she'd forget all about the party in favor of just staying in and -

Those musings were rudely interrupted by an overly annoying ring-tone that could only signify the youngest brother's call.

April laughed loudly at the frustration etched over every inch of her boyfriend's adorable face as he fumbled his leather pouch for his shrilling T-Phone.

"Dammit, Mikey, what?!" Raph growled into the receiver once he managed to press the right button.

"Dude!" Mikey replied, no one mistaking the pout and big baby blue eyes accompanying his voice on the other end of the line. "You promised you'd be here at 5 o'clock SHARP! It's already 5:03!" the youngest brother pouted, using every ounce of his 'adorable younger brother' wiles to get his way even if every fiber in Raph's being would rather strangle the lil' goober right now.

"Fine. We're on our way." Raph grumbled, hanging up the phone before Mikey had a chance to respond.

"We're going?" April asked, happily swinging her legs from her perch on the counter.

"We're going." He acquiesced, angrily placing his phone back in his leather pouch.


"Mikey, I hate to break it to you, but like every other year, there's not going to be any kids coming to knock on the manhole cover...So, why is it that every year, do you still insist on making all of your treat bags? They're just going to end up going to waste." Donnie commented from his position on the kitchen bar stool where he was fiddling halfheartedly with a mutagen tracker.

"Dude! Seriously, you need to get out of your lab once in awhile. It's Halloween! Halloween is the one time a year Splinter lets me make excessive amounts of sugary goodies! Also, concerning my treat bags, I don't see you turning them down - not only that, I found a few of them missing last Halloween and suspiciously found the wrappers when I was cleaning our your lab's garbage can..." the youngest turtle admonished his older brother with an accusing finger.

"What!? That wasn't me! It must have been Leo, you know he..." Donatello mumbled before realizing how futile that lie was as he tried in vain to hide the flush in his cheeks at his brother's truthful insinuation. It was quite unsuccessful as Mikey gave him a smile and the devilish look in his baby blue eyes told him that the youngest turtle saw right through his lies. His musing and near confession was thankfully interrupted when he heard shuffling from the lair's entrance; turning his head only for the sight of April and Raphael entering through the turnstiles filled his vision.

Donatello would be lying if he said he wasn't still too keen on seeing his red-banded brother and his former crush walking hand in hand. Donnie pursed his lips slightly at the scene of the two lovebirds talking back and forth seemingly in a world of their own as they made their way through the living room toward the kitchen. In the back of his mind, he berated himself for thinking such thoughts.

Truthfully, he was pretty much over it.

Donnie would describe it much like a phantom pain that still popped up every now and again when he saw their obvious love for each other through their googly eyes and barely concealed affection. Donatello knew he should be thanking them that they were very a private couple and any public displays of affection were rare, which was considerate of them concluded by the fact the two had in fact been together for over a year and a half already.

"Hey!" April said cheerily from across the room, letting go of Raph's hand in order to wave at the two turtles in the kitchen - the other arm occupied with a huge bag attached at the wrist.

"APRIL!" Mikey shrilled, throwing the wooden spoon back on the stove with a loud clunk before running at breakneck speed toward the redhead. Smashing into her only to twirl her around and give her a massive bear-hug.

"MIKEY!" April said happily, returning Mikey's enthusiastic hug much to Raph's annoyance when April's flailing leg nailed him in the plastron.

"Hey, numbskull. Let me get out of the way before ya go twirling her around next time." Raph growled, walking toward the kitchen.

"It's your fault you keep hogging April to yourself! She needs a proper Michelangelo greeting!" Mikey growled, hugging April tighter against his plastron.

"Yeah, Raph! Mikey gives the best hugs! He could teach you a thing or two!" April prodded, making sure to wink at the red-banded turtle before turning her attention back to who she referred to as her own little brother.

Raph just rolled his eyes as he continued the distance into the brightly lit kitchen.

"Oh, hey, Donnie. What's up?" Raphael asked once he noticed the genius terrapin fiddling away at the kitchen island.

"Nothing too productive I'm afraid, Raph. I'm just keeping myself occupied by building another mutagen tracker since Mikey broke the previous one." Donnie replied, still not looking up at his older brother. The genius terrapin's hands worked steadily with the red and blue wires poking from the device.

"Cool... So, um - think you'll get enough mutagen to help Karai eventually change back to normal?" Raph asked, the obvious interest in his voice making Donatello curious enough to look up at him and quirk an eyebrow ridge.

"Not sure. Hopefully, but all we can do is try. We should find out soon enough."

"Hmm... That's good..." the red-banded terrapin muttered, placing the bag he'd carried into the lair upon the counter before reaching into the fridge to pull out a soda. "...So, where's ol' Fearless? Sprucing up his last minute Space Heroes costume from last year?"

"Probably. He asked me to help him find some sturdy cardboard rather than the construction paper from last years model." Donnie chuckled, his gap-toothed smile forming easily.

"Oooh, Mikey! You're making your famous vampire-bat brownies?!" April shrilled suddenly behind a glowing Michelangelo, breaking the quietness of the kitchen. The redhead eagerly grabbed one of the bat shaped brownies decorated with candy corn teeth and RedHot candy eyes.

"You know it, girl! They go along perfectly with my G-G-Ghoooost Gummies!" Mikey replied, enthusiastically waving his fingers in a phantom expression toward the tray with homemade gummies shaped like happy chubby ghosts.

"Those look amazing, Mikey! You've really outdone yourself this year! Oh, hey, Donnie! What are you dressing up for this Halloween? I loved your Einstein get-up from last year!" April said excitedly, placing more bags upon the counter.

"Nah. We're all nearing 19 years old. Don't you think we're a little too old for this?" Donnie chuckled nervously.

"I second that." Raph said between sips of the cold soda.

"Raph. You're going to have fun, like it or not." April said, giving her boyfriend a 'don't fuck with me' look before turning back to Donatello. "Oh, come on, Donnie! It'll be so much fun! It's not like we're going trick-or-treating topside - we're just dressing up to have a good time! You know, wear costumes, dance to lame Halloween soundtracks, watch a horror movie marathon, and eat goodies til we puke our guts out."

"AWESOME!" Mikey yelled enthusiastically, pumping excited fists into the air, nearly socking his red-banded brother in the face.

"So, what do you say, Donnie?" April continued, big sky blue eyes staring down the purple-banded turtle.

"Um... I dunno..."

"C'MON, Donnie! You need to get some air, brah! You've been doing nothing but piddling in your lab for weeks! You need to get out and live a little! Come on! PLEASE!?" Mikey pleaded, using his big baby blue eyes and pouting lip to his every advantage.

"Uh-oh, he's using his Bambi eyes, Donnie. You're toast." Raph chuckled, leaning across the counter to grab a brownie along the two sets of big blue eyes and freckles staring down the brown-eyed turtle.

"Fine. But I need to get some coding done first. Give me thirty." the genius turtle grumbled in admission, jumping off the stool to head to his lab.

"YAYYYY! I need to go finish my costume! C'mon, April! Mikey-nard the Barbarian needs your help!" Mikey screamed happily before heading over to his room in a full sprint.

"Oh, Raph, this is going to be so much fun!" April giggled, pecking her boyfriend on the lips before following after Michelangelo.

"God, what have I gotten myself into?" the red-banded turtle groaned, plopping himself in a stool before reaching for yet another brownie. "Aw, hell, at least it's only once a year..."


An hour later, it was full on pandemonium in the Hamato Household.

Mikey had gotten a hold of black and orange streamers, propping them up around the lair under the watchful eye of Leonardo and Raphael who still weren't sure about the whole deal.

Splinter had gone off for the evening rather than being subjected to the loud music and screaming caused by jumpscares from the horror movies they'd be watching well into the wee dawn hours. All of that punctuated by six teenagers all hopped up on way too much sugar and adrenaline made leaving the lair in favor of spending some time at Leatherhead's lab much easier.

After all, there was only so much a middle-aged rat could take...

"Who ever thought this was a good idea?" Raph groaned from his spot on the kitchen stool where he still had yet to leave from.

"I don't know. At least it keeps Mikey occupied for a little while." Leo replied with a shrug, adjusting the painted cardboard that made up his Space Heroes costume. The leader stole a quick peek at his immediate younger brother. Ever since that awkward night of walking in on him and Apri's, let's say, intimate, moment, their relationship had been a little weird but they had no choice but to put it behind them. After all, it had been over a month since said incident, and it was nice to see his brother regardless. Ever since his hotheaded brother and April had been together, the red-banded brother was not present as much as any of them would like. He'd still train and attend patrol almost daily, but seeing him outside of those instances was a nice change even if it was only for tonight.

"So... Where's April?" Leo asked suddenly, breaking the silence that had been occurring far too much during this conversation.

"She's helping Donnie put together a costume." Raph replied in a bored tone, reaching for what had to be his tenth brownie tonight. Leo wanted to say something reprimanding his consumption of too many sweets before dinner, but he reminded himself he was already treading on thin ice with his hot-headed brother. The last thing he wanted was to give Raphael more fuel for the fire.

"So um...h-how are you two doing?" Leo asked, appearing nonchalant as possible, helping himself to a single decorated brownie.

"Pretty good." Raph replied, seemingly uncaring or even noticing the nervousness emitting from his older brother in waves.

"Good." Leo said with a genuine smile. "You both seem really happy."

"We are."

"Great...Er...Um... Ya know, Raph...It's - It's really nice to see you." Leo said suddenly, wiping non-existent crumbs from the corners of his mouth.

Raph finally peered over at the blue-banded turtle, his eyes questioning any motive that could be found by peering at his older brother's face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Dammit, Leo muttered inwardly, being sure to take a deep breath and swallow before answering. "We just don't see you much anymore. I mean, you know, you're basically living at April's place. You only come over to train, eat, occasionally sleep, and go on patrol - which is fine - it's just - ya know..."

"So, you're keeping tabs on me all of a sudden?" Raph growled, tossing down a half-eaten brownie back on the once clean counter-top.

"Raph! I'm just saying it would be nice to see you outside of training every once in awhile! I mean, gosh, we hardly even see April anymore and whether you like it or not, we're still your family and I don't know, it feels like you're avoiding us!"

"I have a life outside of this family now, Leo. April's my family too, or have you forgotten that? We're together and we do like to spend a lot of time with each other. You're acting as if I'm never here, yet I'm home almost every single day! When you call, I answer and most of the time, always come back home when asked or needed- what more do you want from me?"

"I don't know - Mikey's more of a loner than ever, Master Splinter asks about you all the time, Donnie's stuck in his lab constantly! I'm just - uh - I just want my brother back!" Leo shouted before he even realized the words left his lips. Immediately, his mouth closed and he stared in utter disbelief at his brother - not wanting to believe those telling words left his lips.

Leo was never more thankful to see the female redhead approaching. He didn't bother hiding a smile as April stood behind Raphael and easily slipped on a Batman mask upon his face. Leo took notice of how Raph didn't even flinch at her contact in the least; instead, the red-banded terrapin turned a bit in the stool to wrap an arm around April's small waist. All the tension that was seeping into his younger brother's muscles just melted away at her contact. For all of half a minute, he felt like the biggest third wheel in history as he watched them together. Raph smiled easily at the girl as she adjusted the mask upon his face. There was such a visceral chemistry between the two, he couldn't believe he'd missed it before they made it official.

The moment ended before he had time to realize what was happening.

"Hey, Leo, awesome costume! Much improved since last years model!" April said excitedly, leaning over the counter to reach into one of the bags she'd brought.

"Thanks." Leo smiled at the redhead.

"So... What's going on?" she asked, removing Raphael's attention from his girlfriend back to his older brother.

"Nothing." Leo answered her with a chuckle, drawing his eyes back to Mikey who was hanging from some piping on their tall ceilings. "MIKEY! Get down from there!" he continued frantically, running out into the living room before his youngest brother became a green pancake on the cement floor.

"Hey, Raph. Is everything okay?" April asked softly once Leo had vacated the kitchen.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, of course." Green eyes finally looked back at her and an involuntary smirk raised his lips even though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. April noticed his continence was guarded - a look she hadn't seen on her boyfriend for quite some time. Whatever they were talking about wasn't just 'nothing' like Leo had said. She opened her mouth to try and interrogate him for some more details, but it was interrupted once again.

"The party can now start! The main attraction has ARRIVED!" Came the screech of the one and thankfully, only, Casey Jones into the lair.

"CASEY!" Mikey immediately left his perch to greet his other human companion, catching the vigilante off guard and knocked him to the floor.

"Ugh! Can't breath!" the roguish human groaned from the weight of the orange-banded turtle on top of his lungs.

April was about to ask Raph more about his conversation with Leo when she suddenly realized he wasn't sitting next to her anymore. She lifted her head and saw as Raph helping Casey up and the two began immediately exchanging playful blows back and forth like the two best friends tended to do. Rolling her eyes at their childish antics, she sighed before going back to unloading the candy she'd brought into large bowls.


"You're so lucky, dude." Casey commented.

"Fuck, Casey! Get yer bony ass off the counter. I eat there!" Raph groaned with disgust when he noticed his best friend's perch.

"Aww, shut up. Ya know you love it." he replied with a devilish smirk, rubbing his ass harder into the counter to make his point.

"Ugh, you sick bastard! Cut that out!" Raph said with a groan and his tongue sticking out.

"Aw, hush! But seriously, dude. Damn! You're so fuckin' lucky." Casey sighed emphatically, staring at the gorgeous redhead who was helping set up the buffet table with the rest of the turtle brothers.

Raphael glanced out to take another look at his girlfriend. She smiled brightly at Mikey who was setting up the tablescape full of cobwebs and goblets of questionable green liquid. They were speaking back and forth but Raphael wasn't really paying much attention to the words shared between them.

That Cat Woman suit was definitely a great idea, he mused silently; taking in her gorgeous figure in that skin tight black dress. Took in the rare sight of her with hair loose around her shoulders and make-up applied in darker shades to match her costume.

"Yeah. I know. She's amazing." he replied. "But if you value your life, keep your eyes and hands to yourself."

"Don't worry, wouldn't dream of it. I do enjoy living, thank you very much." Casey chuckled, putting hands up in a sign of surrender.

While Raphael could spurt praises about his girlfriend's good looks all day, he knew exactly what Casey meant. April was something special - the young redhead just wasn't a pretty face and killer bod. She had a heart of gold, fiery spirit, and the most loving, kind soul anyone could ever hope to meet. Raphael wasn't a fool and knew just how lucky he was to have someone like her even take notice of him - much less fall in love with him.

"I wish I could find a girl like her. She's one in a billion, dude. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you two, it's just - damn - girls like her ain't easy to find... I just hope I'm lucky enough to find my own one day."

"Don't worry, dude. Some girl will come around, hopefully tough enough to put up with all the bullshit you get yourself into. Blind would work too, ya know, for her sake." Raph laughed, punching his thin friend in his arm only to be flipped the bird from his human companion.

That just made the hotheaded terrapin laugh harder.


Mikey had never been more proud of himself. He was the first to admit, maybe not all of his dishes and culinary creations were masterpieces, but whatever the orange-banded turtle did, he did it with lots of love.

But this creation -

This was his Sistine Chapel.

I'm a genius, he sighed inwardly, a proud smile upturning the corners of his mouth as he enjoyed the sight of his latest culinary creation. A warmth spreading throughout his chest as he started placing the pots, pans, and platters upon their completed Halloween Tablescape, which Mikey deemed 'The Graveyard'.

The bright blue eyes turtle returned to the kitchen and retrieved an old bell from the cupboard, ringing it to get his brothers, Casey, and April's attention.

"I, the incredible Michaelangelo present to you -

Bloody Spaghetti with Eyeball Meatballs and Bone-Shaped Breadsticks!"

Pulling open the lid to unveil his greatest creation, he was met with looks of confusion and more speechlessness than the youngest turtle was used to. His countenance fell slightly when he was not met with immediate praise for nearly two days worth of blood, sweat, and tears he'd put into this meal. The hours of carefully rolling and creating the meatballs, frying them separately before gently stirring them into the sauce, which alone took twelve hours of gentle simmering and carefully measuring spices.

"Oh, Mikey! It looks wonderful!" April said suddenly, breaking the youngest turtle out of his uncharacteristic funk. His eyes locked onto April's, taking in her bright eyes and genuine smile. He waited for a moment to see if any more compliments would follow hers.

He didn't have to wait long when the redhead quickly turned back to where her boyfriend stood nearby and swiftly elbowed him hard in the chest.

"Ooh - what the - " she hit him again, praying he'd get the hint. "Ow! Oh... Um, yeah, Mikey, it looks..." a meatball with a cut green olive, looking much like an red eyeball decided to make it's presence known by floating to the top of the bloody cauldron "um...great..." he finished, giving a forced smile to his oblivious younger brother.

"Really?!" the orange-banded turtle asked excitedly, never expecting a word of praise from his hotheaded brother.

"Yeah, Mikey. Great..." murmurs from around the room started once April made sure to glare at each and every one of the quiet occupants of the room.

Completely undeterred by the lackluster reaction from his brothers and human companions, he knew once they tasted it, all their first-impressions would change.

"Well, what are you dudes and dudette waiting for!? Let's dig in!" Mikey chirped, beginning to eagerly spoon out servings for each of the occupants of the lair.

Once the youngest turtle was occupied, April flashed the unconvinced fellow dinersa glare that told them they would eat without complaint. She knew as well as each of them that Mikey worked hard and anything he made had to be better than the worms and algae the turtles were raised on.

Reluctantly, each of them obliged and took a plate, sitting at the table with little to no complaint. Raph didn't immediately take a bite, staring at Casey from across the table, daring the hockey-masked vigilante to see how it effected him before he dared to try any.

Suddenly, the feeling of April's thin elbow piercing the sensitive plates on his sides told him he didn't have the luxury of waiting to see if Casey died from eating the food. With barely a glance to his girlfriend sitting close by, Raphael took one bite.

That was all it took.

Within minutes, all of the occupants were chowing down on what had to be one of the most amazing meals they'd ever eaten - pizza included.


Maybe this wasn't the best idea...

As much as she was used to scary instances happening in everyday life, there was something about scary movies that still freaked the usually tough April O' Neil. She didn't outwardly show it though worrying about a reprimanding from her stoic boyfriend who just rolled his eyes even as her and his youngest brother jumped out of their skin at nearly every scary moment showcased on the brightly lit screen. April prided herself on being the calm, levelheaded one, but something about seeing a creepy little ghost children running toward the television screen freaked her the fuck out.

Of course, Raphael grabbing her and poking her at random times when the music would tense up and the scene took a dark turn didn't help matters. She lasted all of three times before she ended up socking him in the nose.

April didn't miss how Casey howled in laughter at that only for Raphael to seek his own revenge by pulling the human male into an unbreakable choke hold. The roughhousing did break some of the tension caused by creepy ghost children, cannibal mutants, or snarling demons.

"Shhhh! It's a good part!" came the voice of Leonardo from a bean bag close by. It shocked the redhead to know Leonardo enjoyed horror movies - she thought it was more caused by the large amount of sugar he'd eaten tonight than anything, but it was still nice to see the normally calm and stoic Leo get excited about something other than reruns of Space Heroes or Crognard the Barbarian.

Her eyes sought out Donatello, who, big surprise, she mused sarcastically, was fast asleep on the love seat. The late nights and tedious projects on too little sleep was bound to catch up with the genius terrapin eventually. April was pleased to see he at least was getting some much needed rest for once.

April reluctantly drew her attention back to the screen only in time for a masked killer to leap from the shadows and upon the helpless teenage babysitter. Mikey threw himself toward her and screamed in a higher octave than she could even muster. In the back of her mind, she heard Raph and Casey laughing their asses off, which provoked her to throw a bowl of hard candy at them. It didn't have the intended effect when the boys instead said a quick 'thanks' before digging into said bowl.

'This is going to be a looong night...' April groaned inwardly, hoping Mikey's grip around her didn't fracture a rib.


One by one, the brothers began falling asleep during the horror movie marathon.

Donnie has passed out during the first twenty minutes of the first one, but that was expected - horror movies never held his attention for too long and the genius terrapin mostly just scoffed at the effects and his firm belief in 'ghosts don't exist' mantra rather than just enjoying the movie for what it was.

Leo curled up on a beanbag during the third movie, sleep finally claiming him after his sugar high wore off.

Mikey and Casey made it to the opening credits of the fourth movie. Mikey curled up in front of the television, sleep baring away at him until he had no choice but to close his eyes and give in. Casey passed out upon the couch, loud snores puncturing the quietness finally developing in the Hamato household.

Raphael lay on the floor on his side, halfway watching the new movie when all of a sudden, April lay down next to him, pressing herself firmly against his plastron as his brother's slept on either side of them. Considering his unrelenting teasing and scaring her to near hysteria - followed by the angry looks she'd given him afterward - he fully expected her to be infuriated and to teach him a lesson, she'd sleep elsewhere and probably ban sex for a year. He shuttered the thought. So, the green-eyed turtle was just as shocked as much as anyone when she sought him out on the floor. His girlfriend had gone even as far as wrapping an arm around his side and pressing a leg between his. Not wanting to punch this gift-horse in the mouth, he'd eagerly pulled her close, gathering plenty of pillows and blankets to make her as comfortable as possible.

As much as he had complained about staying with his brothers for Halloween, he even had to admit it turned out to be a fun evening. The spaghetti with eyeball meatballs and bone-shaped breadsticks for dinner - whoda thunk? - not to mention the countless sweets and brewed fruit drinks were all amazing. Raphael couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten so much. It's been nice to hang out with Casey and his bros outside patrolling and training for a change - so getting to sleep curled up next to his gorgeous girlfriend was just the icing on top of the cake. He'd stole a quick glance at her face, which was already relaxed in sleep, and indulged in the beautiful sight. She was still wearing her costume even if he'd abandoned his mask and cape long before dinner. Leaning down to kiss her face, Raphael relaxed in the warmth of her form and the soft hum of the voices on the television to begin luring him to sleep.

The fading of consciousness signaling sleep setting in was soon broken by his youngest brother wiggling his way in between himself and the warm feminine body that was rudely pushed away from him.

"What in da hell?" Raph yelped sleepily only to see a terrified wide-eyed Michelangelo curled against his plastron. Blinking away the residue from upcoming sleep from his eyes, he was temped to growl and yell at the youngest brother to get lost, but those feelings faded once he locked eyes with April on the other side of his brother.

The pleading in her eyes to comfort his orange-banded brother was obvious and he knew pushing Mikey away wouldn't help anyone get any form of sleep tonight. Taking a necessary calming breath deep into his lungs, he wrapped a heavy arm atop his brother, softly nuzzling the youngest turtle's head affectionately.

"I'm here, Mike. What's wrong?" he grumbled against his youngest brother's head.

"There were so many monsters and I was alone, and then this freak with a red demon mask came out of nowhere! I didn't have my nunchuks, so I tried running away, but my feet wouldn't move, a-and, and..." Mikey mumbled, the soft tremors in his body being chased away by the comforting embrace of his older brother.

"It was just a dream, numbskull. No one's gonna hurt you...not while I'm around." the hotheaded turtle admitted against his brother's head.

"P-Promise?" Mikey squeaked, the hopefulness in big blue eyes staring straight into the soul of his red-banded brother.

Raph took a deep breath before pressing Mikey just a little closer. "I promise." he whispered just loud enough for the orange-banded turtle to hear. Instantly, he felt Mikey melt into his arms, nuzzling deeper against his big brother, the sleep coming swiftly. Raph stared at the top of the youngest turtle's head for awhile. Earlier words shared with Leonardo fresh in his mind.

Maybe ol' Fearless was right, the musing in his head told him even if he didn't care to believe it.

It was that moment he promised himself to be there for his family. As much as he pretended he didn't need them and was doing fine on his own and living with his girlfriend - this was his family. They'd always been there for him; the least he could do was spend more time with them - especially Mikey.

Looking up, he noticed April smiling warmly at him from over the top of his brother's head. He couldn't help but return the gesture April beamed over at him at hearing his softly spoken words of encouragement to his youngest brother.

"Happy Halloween, Raphael." April whispered softly, reaching over to touch the hand that was resting on the edge of Mikey's shell.

"Hmm. You too, O'Neil." Raph chuckled softly in response, grasping her small hand for only a moment.

It shocked him even more when he witnessed her mouthing the words, "I love you." before her big blue eyes slid shut and she made herself comfortable against his brother's carapace.

Raph stared at her face for a moment, an involuntary smile lifting the corners of his mouth. Soon, sleep fell upon him as night progressed. With the warmth of love between family and friends, nightmares didn't bother to invade any of their dreams this Halloween night.