Hi everyone!
So, I did finally decide on making this story a multichapter one. And I did decide to continue it in 3rd person, so I feel like this perspective works better for this type of story. And I want to branch out and try different POS since I've written in 1st person for so long.
I'm also gonna apologize for how long this chapter is ^.^", I seriously didn't mean for it to happen but sometimes story chapters just get away from me. But, hopefully, you all like it and like where I'm going with this story.
Anywhos!
Happy Reading!
0o.o0
0o.o0
0o.o0
Michelangelo stands in the doorway of the kitchen, peeking inside from the shadows as he watches his father standing in front of the stove. There is a minute hunch in his father's shoulders and a sense of upset that hangs over his father's head.
A tiny frown tugs at Mikey's lips as he slowly backs away and heads for the back door. The door barely creeks as the orange-cladded slips out of the farmhouse, his toes wiggling in the damp grass and Mikey shoots a look at the grey sky.
Looks like it might snow.
Dropping his gaze, Mikey jogs across the lawn and slides up to the slightly ajar barn doors. Peering inside, his blue eyes land on the shell of his brainiac brother. Donnie has his goggles on his face and a small blow torch in his right hand. Sparks fly around his brother as Mikey slips inside, shivering a little as the damp air follows him from outside.
Fiddling with his fingers, Mikey waits patiently for his smart brother to notice him. He has almost caused Don to burn himself one too many times by just shouting his name for him to be comfortable doing so here. Considering that they are in a WOODEN barn. That JUST got repaired. Don't think that Casey or Mama Jones would appreciate him burning their barn down. It's not like Mikey means to. A lot of the time, he is just too excited to think about checking to see if Don is using one of his more dangerous toys.
But right now? He's okay with waiting. This isn't really something he's in a rush to speak about but he really needs to know if his brothers have noticed the same thing he has.
Ever since his father came rushing into the kitchen last night (this morning?), he's been acting strangely. And not his normal "I'm Sensei and your father and I was raised by an ancient being and a group of aliens that crash landed on Earth hundreds of years ago" type of weird.
No. This weird has Splinter being spacy, his ears twitching minutely, appearing out of nowhere the moment he or his brothers go to a different room. Pretending that he needs to be in there but secretly checking on him and his bros.
Almost like he just can't relax and is terrified that they won't be there if he isn't in the same area as them.
Like he's waiting for something bad to happen, Mikey thinks as he rests his hands on his nunchakus.
Pursing his lips, Mikey shakes his head. They came up to the farmhouse to relax and celebrate April and Casey returning from their honeymoon. So, there's no reason for Splinter to be stressed. Shredder isn't even around anymore!
Mikey's eye ridges furrow.
Maybe that's it? The Shredder… Saki…was Splinter's brother after all. Maybe it's just starting to hit him now that the one that he used to call brother is now gone? Especially now that their family is on good terms with Karai and the Foot. And maybe he's starting to miss him?
I mean, I would miss one of my brothers if they died, even if they turned evil, Mikey thinks with a soft sigh, throwing a sad look over his shoulder back toward where the farmhouse is obscured by the closed barn door. It's only fair for Sensei to miss his.
"Is there something you need, Mikey?"
Jumping, Mikey's attention snaps forward once more. Donnie is no longer hunched over whatever it is that he was working on and is now facing toward him, goggles resting on his forehead as he wipes sweat from his cheeks. Hazel eyes furrow as Mikey doesn't answer right away.
"Mikey?"
Jerking, Mikey lifts his gaze before sighing. Does he really want to be bothering Donnie with his possibly nonexistent fears right now? When he's in the middle of a project? That just doesn't seem fair.
Donnie frowns, unused to his little brother being so solemn.
Realizing that he's freaking his brother out, Mikey clears his throat and walks further into the barn until he's standing next to his immediate older brother.
"Whatcha workin' on, bro? A new toy?"
Don frown deepens but turns back toward his current project. When it comes to Mikey, if he doesn't want to talk about something, it is like pulling teeth to get him to say what's on his mind. It's always a waiting game with the youngest, but the older three turtles have learned that they need to wait. If they push too hard or ask too often, the youngest clams up and they'll never figure out what's wrong until it boils over. And a stressed and upset Mikey is not one that he or his other brothers enjoy dealing with. Because Mikey will either be overly obnoxious or he gets quiet and hides away.
Mikey licks his lips as he waits for his bro to answer, shivering a little more. April and Casey just had to get married in the fall. A warm arm lands on his shoulders and Mikey lifts his eyes to meet Don's gaze.
Concern swirls in the brainiac's eyes but there is a soft smile on his face.
"It's nothing overly special, Mikey. Merely trying to fix one of the generators that got destroyed during April and Casey's wedding when Shredder attacked. Mrs. Jones mentioned it and with how close winter is getting, I thought I could fix this up for her so that she doesn't need a new one."
Mikey nods, looking at the still slightly mangled piece of equipment. He tilts his head.
"Looks like you've gotten pretty far on it."
Don nods, eyeing his little brother. Mikey flashes him a smile, hoping to clear the concern from his bro's face for the moment.
"It wasn't completely destroyed and most of the parts were salvageable." The olive turtle gestures to an old red tractor. "And Mrs. Jones gave me permission to use whatever I needed from this old tractor here. Said she was just gonna scrap it anyways."
Mikey remains silent as he listens to his brother talk. Completely in his element and, for the most part, quite relaxed. He bites his lip, wondering if he should even mention what he's noticed about their father. For all he knows, it could be in his head. That Sensei isn't acting any different and he's only just noticing his father's quirks now.
"Mikey?"
A squeeze on his shoulders brings Mikey away from his thoughts. Glancing up, he meets Donnie's gaze. His brother's eyes flicker around his face, searching for something. Mikey isn't sure if his brother found it when a deeper crease between his eye ridges forms on his bro's face.
"What's wrong, little brother?" Don asks softly, pressing Mikey closer to his side. "You're awfully quiet."
Sighing through his nose, Mikey drops his gaze once again. Fiddling with his fingers, Mikey contemplates his options. Him bringing this up WAS the whole reason he came in here in the first place. So, would it really HURT to bring it up? And if maybe his bros haven't seen anything, then he can just let it go?
Though Leo might be the better option to ask, Mikey thinks, leaning against his immediate older brother.
It's not that Donnie isn't perceptive. None of them ever truly miss anything. Donnie almost always knows when one of them is trying to hide an injury or is sick. But when he is absorbed by a project or experiment it does tend to take him a little bit longer to notice certain things. It's not really his fault, he just gets hyper-focused on what he's doing and Mikey can't fault him for that. Not when he does the same thing with his drawings.
Mouth twitch, Mikey peers up at his much taller brother.
"Uh, well, this might be silly. But, um, have you noticed Dad acting weird?"
Donnie's eye ridges furrow and Mikey's stomach sinks at the confused look on his purple-cladded brother's face.
"'Acting weird'?" He echoes back before humming, rubbing his chin. "Not that I can recall. I mean, him sprinting downstairs was pretty weird last night but other than that…" Donnie shrugs with a sympathetic look on his face as he shakes his head. "Sorry, Mikey. But then again, I have been out here since breakfast so, maybe check with Leo or Raph? I think Raph said he was gonna help Casey reinforce the dock. And I think Leo was going to meditate for a little while."
Nodding, Mikey swallows another sigh as he smiles at his brother.
"Sure, Don. I'll go ask them. Thanks. Sorry to bug you."
A giggle escapes the smaller turtle when Don wraps both arms around him and squeezes, lifting him off of his feet. A slight weight lifts from Mikey's shoulders as he looks down at his brother.
"Donnie! What are you doing?" He asks, laughing as Donnie spins them.
"Hugging my baby brother," Donnie states cheekily, squeezing another giggle from Mikey. "Is there something wrong with that?"
Mikey laughs, squirming around.
"No! But you're crushing said baby brother!"
"Oh? I didn't notice." Donnie smirks, placing Mikey back onto his feet but not letting him go.
"Meanie," Mikey states, faking a pout. "Doooonniiiiie, if you don't let go, I can't go and both-er-talk with Leo or Raphie."
Donnie cocks a single eye ridge as he stares down at his little brother, pleased by the amusement swirling in those ocean blue eyes.
"Hmm, I don't know, maybe that was my plan all along?" The olive turtle grins. "Keeping you all to myself, trapped in my lab as my personal little lab assistant."
"And surrounding me with shiny buttons to push?"
Don opens his mouth before pausing. Mikey snickers as he sees the wheels turning behind his big brother's eyes as he rests his chin on Don's plastron. Finally, after a beat of silence, Don releases Mikey, who whoops and rushes for the door.
"Freedom!"
"You better run, chucklehead!" Don calls after him. "Or I might keep my word!"
Pausing at the door, Mikey sticks his tongue out at his big brother. Don shakes his head with a fond eye roll before turning back to his project at hand.
"Hey, Don?"
Said turtle turns back around and Mikey bites his bottom lip at the questioning gaze.
"Thanks," Mikey says before quickly escaping back out into the yard not giving the purple-cladded turtle a chance to respond. Once far enough away, Mikey slows his pace. He stretches his arms into the air and sighs.
While not exactly getting the answer he was hoping for, Mikey can't help but feel a little better. It's not often that his bros mess around with him. Well, they do, but it's been a long time since they've initiated something playful like that. Usually, he's the one to start everything but it always lifts his spirit when one of his bros gets playful with him.
Loud cursing drags Mikey from his thoughts and he cautiously follows the sound, rubbing his arms when another breeze rustles the grass around him. Amusement hits him as he spots Raph and Casey down at the dock. The blackette is currently dancing around, his thumb in his mouth while the other hand waves a hammer around. Raph is standing nearby watching with a smirk. He says something that causes Casey to flick him off but Mikey is too far away to make out the words.
"Funny dance you got goin' there, Casey," Mikey says, chuckling as he stops next to his brother. "Is that your mating dance? The moves you used to entice April into marrying you?"
Icy blue eyes glare at the seafoam green turtle. Raph snickers, slinging an arm over the shorter turtle's shoulders.
"Nah. Da knucklehead smacked his thumb with da hammer after I told 'im ta be careful."
The two turtles snicker as the human gives them the bird. Raph walks forward and takes the hammer from him.
"Gimme dat before ya hurt yerself further and Ape has meh head 'cause ya can't be trusted with tools."
Mikey bites his lip to keep his snickers at bay as Casey glares at the red-cladded turtle as the hammer is taken from his hand.
"I woulda been just fine if ya didn't distract me!" Casey growls, studying his thumb. "Damn, it's already bruisin'. I better not lose meh nail 'cause of dis."
Raph waves a dismissive hand as he kneels next to the dock and finishes hammering the nail down.
"What are ya complainin' about? Yer already married, so what if ya lose a nail? I don't think Ape married ya for yer hands." Raph shoots a smirk over his shoulder. "Ta be honest, I'm not sure WHY someone as smart as April would marry ya."
Casey glares at the emerald green turtle before turning toward Mikey as he opens his mouth.
"If ya don' want me shovin' yer ass in da water, I'd keep meh mouth shut," Casey warns and Mikey snaps his mouth shut. "Dat's what I thought. Now, I'm sure ya came over here for more den ta listen ta da brat over dere raggin' on me."
Instantly, Mikey's mood dampens and he glances over to Raph's shell before glancing out at the lake. Shuffling in place, he tilts his head.
"Oh, uh, I heard a commotion and wanted to see what was going on." Not a lie. "Don mentioned you dudes were fixing the dock?"
Raph and Casey exchange a look but Mikey keeps an innocent look on his face. Golden eyes narrow behind a red mask as he sits back on his heels.
"Yeah, da Shredder really did a number on it. Many of da boards were cracked and ready ta bust."
Casey rubs the back of his head as he picks up an extra plank, studying it.
"Also been promisin' Ma I'd fix da dock fer awhile now. It was startin' ta mold. Pa built it back when he was a kid with my gramps, so it was about time. Shredder just gave Ma da excuse ta finally get me ta do it. Without complainin', as she put it."
Mikey's lips twitch as he walks closer to the broken dock. He can see that many of the planks are indeed broken and there are a few spots where the planks are discolored, obviously ready to go if any weight is put on them.
"And you're gonna fix it before winter?"
Casey sighs and rubs his face.
"Dat's da plan, at least. But I heard we're supposed ta get some snow here in da next couple of days. And if dat happens, might have ta wait again." Casey's nose wrinkles. "I just don't like da thought of Ma comin' up here and tryin' ta use da dock to get to da lake when it freezes over. I don't think it'll hold da snow this winter."
Nodding, Mikey moves to poke at one of the damaged planks only for a warm hand to catch his bicep.
"Watch yerself, Mike," Raph warns, tugging the younger turtle away. "Case thinks dat da supports have also been damaged so don't go walkin' out dere like a knucklehead. Da water is too cold fer ya."
Pouting, Mikey allows his brother to lead him away from the dock.
"I wasn't gonna walk out on it," he huffs, shivering slightly as another breeze floats by. "I was just looking."
Raph snorts as he eyes his little brother critically.
"Yeah, well, yer lookin' and everyone else's lookin' are two separate things. And why are ya out here without a sweatshirt? Yer gonna get sick."
Mikey rolls his eyes but doesn't step away from the heat that his much bigger and buffer brother is radiating.
"I told you, dude, that I just came from the barn. I don't need a sweatshirt to just go like ten steps from the house to the barn to see Don."
"Then don't complain if ya get sick," Raph states dryly, shrugging as blue eyes glare at him. "Just sayin', bro. And ya know Leo is gonna have a cow if he sees ya shivering da way dat ya are."
"I'm not—" Mikey starts before a harder breeze hits him and he shudders. Subconsciously, he leans closer to his brother, jaw clenching to keep his teeth from chattering. He narrows his eyes when Raph cocks a single eye ridge, a smug look on the older's face.
"Ya were sayin'?"
Mikey purses his lips and glances off to the side. He flinches when a warm hand lands on his head and he side-eyes Raph as his brother studies him closely.
"All right, Mikey," Raph says, sighing. "What's eatin' ya? Yer obviously stallin' on goin' back inta da house, so what is it? Did Dad throw you out fer a little bit?"
The corners of Mikey's mouth twitch at the mention of their father and he shuffles in place. He did tell Donnie that he would go ask Raph but there's nothing saying that Raph would know or have seen anything either.
But…I guess it doesn't hurt to ask at least, right? Won't know if I don't try and all that, Mikey thinks, fiddling with his wrist guard before shooting Raph another look.
The taller turtle is watching him closely and he can feel Casey's eyes also on him. He knows the longer he takes to respond the more likely that Raph will get annoyed and just shoo him away, but, well, he can't help it! There has been many times that he's brought something up to his brothers only for them to dismiss it or tell him that it's just his imagination only for what he saw to actually be what he saw and nearly kill them. But…what if this is the one time where he really is just seeing things that aren't there? That there isn't anything wrong with Sensei and that he's just overthinking everything?
"Mikey-"
"Can I ask you dudes a question?" Mikey blurts out, cutting Raph off.
Raph and Casey exchange a glance as Mikey watches them, biting his bottom lip nervously. After a beat, Raph and Casey focus on him once more and Mikey swears that his heart is pounding so hard that both of them can hear it. Raph's hand falls from his head and lands on his shoulder, the two older males shrugging.
"Sure, Mike."
"Fire away, squirt."
Swallowing thickly, Mikey nods and glances off to the side. Why is he so nervous? He managed to ask Don no problem. It's just a simple 'yes' or 'no' question. If they haven't seen anything then they haven't seen anything. And if that's the case then he'll just move on and ask Leo.
Mentally nodding to himself, Mikey releases a breath of air that he didn't realize he was holding and looks back at the two waiting males. They're wearing matching frowns and Casey has stepped closer, obvious concern written on his face.
Mikey wets his lips and rubs his palms on his thighs as he clears his throat.
"Have…Have either of you noticed Chichi* acting weird today? Or…well…weirder?"
Silence follows his question and Mikey quickly drops his gaze, allowing his eyes to drift over to the backside of the farmhouse. He frowns when he spots a curtain shifting in one of the attic windows but he quickly shoves it away. April had mentioned going up there to try and find some old documents that Mama Jones wanted and she didn't trust Casey to not accidentally destroy them. And with April's history in antiques, she was the perfect choice to locate and possibly preserve the old documents.
"Mikey?"
Jumping, Mikey looks back at the two older males, almost forgetting about them.
"Y-Yeah?"
Raph's golden amber eyes flash as he glances up at where Mikey was just staring. His little brother is known to be a little bit of an airhead but even this is a little weird for him. And for him to look so serious and nervous? It just doesn't sit right in the older turtle's gut.
Flashes of last night flicker through Raph's mind as he studies his little brother. The way that their father just flew down the stairs, practically tackling the youngest in the kitchen who was only getting a glass of water.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Raph sighs as he glances over at Casey. Confusion is swirling on the blackette's face as he offers a shrug. Considering that nobody told him about what happened last night, it isn't all that surprising. The emerald turtle lowers his hand and shakes his head.
"Sorry, squirt. But I haven't really noticed anythin'." Raph eyes Mikey as he wilts and stares down at the grass. "Is dat what ya were talkin' ta Don about in da barn?"
The seafoam green turtle nods, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he yanks on his wrist guard. Shell. He was really hoping that Raph noticed something. Considering that Raph had been with him during one of Father's 'Oh, I forgot my book in here' episodes before leaving to come outside.
"Yeah, but Donnie said that he hadn't noticed anything either," Mikey mumbles, rubbing his arms when another, stronger breeze hits him. "He suggested for me to come out here to see if maybe you or Leo noticed anything."
Strong arms tug him closer and he allows himself to be maneuvered until his face is tucked into a broad shoulder. The smaller turtle frowns as another shiver wracks through his body. How is it that Raph is so much warmer than he is? Raph's been outside far longer than he has!
"Well, ya still got one more turtle ta ask, bro," Raph says gruffly, tugging gently on the back of Mikey's mask to get the smaller turtle to look up at him. "Leo would probably be da best ta ask about dis anyways. Ya know how Don gets while workin' on a project and, well," Raph glances back at the blackette who shrugs as Mikey pouts. "Case and I have been out here since little after breakfast. Only ya and Leo have been in da house with Sensei. And I think dat ya should be headin' back inside anyways. Yer shiverin' somethin' bad, Mikey. And anymore and we all know dat yer gonna wake up sick tomorrow."
Mikey's eye ridges furrow as both Casey and Raph start walking him back to the house.
"But Donnie said that Leo was meditating."
A large hand lands on his head and he can't help but smile as Raph wiggles his head around.
"We all know dat if it's ya interruptin' Fearless's meditation session, he's gonna be just fine with it." Raph bumps Mikey so that he runs into Casey, who is now on Mikey's right side. "And, if ya bat yer baby blues at him and complain about bein' cold, he'll drop everythin' fer ya."
Mikey frowns as he glances at his brother. He's not entirely sure that's gonna be how it's gonna go down. What more than likely will happen is that if he bothers Leo while meditating, his eldest brother is going to tell him that he's busy. Then, if that doesn't work and he tells Leo that he's cold he's gonna be mother-henned and then forcibly put into a sweatshirt. Another shudder courses through Mikey, one that he can't really tell if it's because he's cold or from the thought of telling his aniki* that he's cold.
And I'll be in for lecture after lecture after lecture, Mikey thinks as he huffs quietly, watching the grass as he walks up to the house. He hisses when his toes catch on the steps up to the porch, the cold making the pain sting worse than usual. Shell. He didn't think he was out here that long!
Raph and Casey both catch him as he stumbles and he swears that he hears Raph curse under his breath.
"Sorry, I tripped on the stairs," Mikey states softly as Casey opens the door.
Raph doesn't reply, save to snort and guides the younger turtle back into the warm farmhouse. They pause by the kitchen, soft clinking catching the three males' attention. April is standing near one of the counters, pulling down two mugs. As if sensing their stares, she glances back over her shoulder and smiles.
"Hey, guys! How's the dock going?" Her green eyes flicker down to the smaller turtle as he shivers and her smile slips. "Mikey? Sweetie? What's wrong?"
Before Mikey can respond, Raph catches him in a headlock and gives him a noogie. Mikey whines and shoves at his older brother.
"Raaaaaphie! Stop!"
"Da squirt decided ta go outside without a sweatshirt," Raph states, ignoring his younger brother's whining. "Came down ta see what we were doin' and wouldn't stop shivering."
Concern flashes on the redhead's face and she abandons the mugs on the counter to reach the three males. She gently pries Raph's arm from around Mikey's throat and presses her hands to his cheeks. A deep frown forms on her lips as she scans the youngest.
"Mikey, you know that you shouldn't be going outside without some sort of layer on," she scolds softly, rubbing at his freckles with her thumbs. "It's much cooler up here than it is down in the city."
Dropping his eyes, Mikey squirms at the scolding.
"I'm sorry, April," he mumbles. "I didn't expect to be outside for so long. I originally just went out to talk with Don. And since he was in the barn, I thought I'd be fine."
A small smile tugs at April's lips and she leans down to kiss the top of Mikey's head.
"Barn or not, I don't want you leaving this house again without a sweatshirt of some kind, am I clear? You get sick far too easily. And you, of all your brothers, could easily get pneumonia. So, next time you go out, you'll be wearing a sweatshirt. Actually," April pauses and straightens. "I want you to go put one on right now. According to the weather, we're expecting a few inches of snow tonight, so it would be smart for you to start wearing one in the house and to bed." A pout forms on Mikey's lips which earns him squished cheeks that causes him to giggle. "Don't you pout at me, young man. You know that your father and Leo will force you to wear one anyways. So, go put one on and I'll make you some hot chocolate. That sound like a good trade?"
Perking up at the mention of hot chocolate, Mikey nods and is about to move when he pauses.
"Oh, uh, hey April? Where's Father and Leo?"
April straightens and taps her chin in thought.
"Well, Leo should be up in the loft meditating, if I remember correctly. And I think Splinter went up into the attic to read for a little bit as to not disturb Leo."
Mikey's face scrunches up in confusion as April walks back over to the mugs and pulls another four down.
"Wait, weren't you just in the attic?"
The redhead nods as she replaces the kettle on the stove.
"Yup, but as I was coming down I ran into your father and he was holding a book in his hands." She glances back at Mikey over her shoulder. "Outside of saying 'hi', I didn't ask him what he was doing. But I knew that Leo was meditating in the loft so I just assumed he was looking for another place to read without being disturbed. Casey? Would you go get Donnie from the barn? I'll make everyone some tea or hot chocolate before supper."
The blackette nods before departing. Mikey watches him leave, rubbing his arms as some of the chill from outside enters the house when the door opens. He jumps when a warm hand cups his elbow and tugs him along.
"C'mon, twinkle toes," Raph says gruffly. "Let's go get ya a sweatshirt before ya turn inta a popsicle."
Knowing better than to argue, Mikey allows himself to be tugged along, extra mindful of where his toes go as they ascend the stairs. (He's only got four and he already banged one of them, he really isn't in the mood to bang another.)
As they walk, the back of Mikey's neck prickles, as though somebody is watching him. He glances off to his right, studying the living room as they slowly head up to the loft. As his eyes drift over to the basement door, he blinks as he spots Splinter standing there watching them.
"Chichi?" Mikey calls out before stumbling on the stairs.
"Geez, klutz! Whaddya trying ta do? Crack yer head open?" Raph grouses as he yanks his little brother back to his feet.
"Wait, Raph!" Mikey says, reaching out for the railing to peer back down into the living room. "Father's in the…living room?"
Mikey's mouth falls open as he stares out into the living room but the spot where his father had just been standing is vacant. Reaching up, he rubs his eyes and looks again. Still empty.
Raph appears at his side, glancing down as well. His gold eyes scan the room before glancing down at Mikey, who peers up at him with wide ocean blue eyes.
"But he…he was just there!" Mikey stammers, gesturing toward the spot where he saw their father. "Dad was standing right there! Right in front of the basement door. Honest!"
Nerves dance in Mikey's stomach as Raph glances back down into the room before skeptical eyes land on him again. He hunches into himself, wrapping his arms around his torso.
"He was there."
He flinches when Raph sighs and two muscular arms wrap around him. Not one to waste a Raph hug, Mikey leans into his brother's hold. Two hugs from Raph in one day? This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
"I ain't sayin' dat ya didn't see 'im, Mike," Raph mumbles. "But, if Sensei was standin' dere, well, he's a master ninja, it would make sense dat he would move before I could see 'im. But…" Raph hesitates, causing Mikey to lean back and stare up at him with a frown. "Don't ya think dat if Dad WAS standin' dere and saw ya trip dat he'd just leave and not at least come over ta see if ya were okay?"
Mikey's eye ridges furrow as he thinks his brother's words over.
Raph's right. If their dad was standing there and witnessed Raph not only helping him up the stair but also catching him when he almost fell, he would have surely rushed over to make sure they were okay. So then…what or who did he just see?
Biting his lip, Mikey glances back over the railing into the empty living room. Raph gently tugs him along.
"C'mon, bro. Let's get ya a sweatshirt and by den, maybe April'll be done with da drinks. And ya can ask Leo yer question."
"You have a question for me?"
Mikey squeaks as both he and Raph jump. The hothead's eye ridge twitches as he glares up the stairs. Their eldest brother stands there, amusement on his face at having surprised his two younger brothers.
"Thought ya were meditating," Raph grumbles as he readjusts his grip on the smaller turtle.
Leo nods as he descends the stairs, reaching out for his youngest brother, his amusement long gone as he studies the orange-cladded turtle.
"I was, but then I heard somebody stumble on the stairs and the two of you talking. What's going on? Mikey? Are you okay?" Chestnut brown eyes scan the youngest of the three. His frown deepens when he takes hold of Mikey's arm. "You're freezing! Mikey, what have you been doing?"
Mikey wilts under his aniki's upset stare and stares down at the wooden steps. Leo helps Raph guide the seafoam green turtle the rest of the way into the loft when the youngest doesn't respond right away. Mikey shivers again, throwing one last look toward the living room before he's led toward his bed near the window.
"Da knucklehead went outside without a sweatshirt," Raph states, earning another pout from the smaller turtle.
"Tattle-tale," Mikey mumbles before shrinking into his shell a little at the hard glare his eldest brother is giving him.
"Michelangelo, you know that out of all of us, you need to layer up when it starts getting cold," Leo says, voice edging toward his 'Leader Voice' as he pulls Mikey's backpack from the floor and yanks out a navy blue sweatshirt. "And that goes for just going to the barn. You KNOW that you get sidetracked easily. So, even if you're only going to the barn, you might end up doing something else either before or after. So, you NEED to wear a sweatshirt. Arms up."
Sighing, Mikey begrudgingly lifts his arms and closes his eyes as soft fabric is yanked down over his head. Even with his shell, this sweatshirt is a little too big for him, the sleeves easily falling over his hands and the bottom of the sweatshirt stopping right above his knees. And the hood is so massive that if he doesn't put it just right, it'll fall and blind him.
When his head finally pops through the correct hole, he offers his two big brothers a smile. Raph rolls his eyes, smirking as Leo returns his smile before digging around in his bag again. Mikey leans forward curiously, peering inside the bag.
"Whatcha looking for, bro?"
Instead of answering, Leo pulls out a pair of rolled-up fuzzy orange socks and smirks at the youngest. Mikey stares at the bundle with a light frown on his face as he tilts his head.
"Where'd those come from? I don't remember packing those."
"That's because you didn't," Leo states, grabbing one of Mikey's ankles and resting the heel on his thigh. "I did. I knew that there was going to be a chance of it getting a lot cooler up here than down in the city and that you'd be more affected, so I tossed these in here just in case. And because you insist on sleeping next to the window, I want you wearing these to bed, got it?"
Mikey stares down at the brightly colored fabric now covering his feet. They're very warm and incredibly soft and he can feel the little grippies on the bottom of the socks that will keep him from sliding all over the place.
Why do I have a feeling that Leo got this type on purpose so I can't just go sliding all over the place?
Wiggling his toes, a smile spreads across his face as he looks at Leo.
"Sure, bro! Besides, they're super soft! I love 'em!"
Chuckling, Leo pats Mikey's knee as he stands, his chestnut brown eyes softening as he studies his little brother.
"I thought you would."
"Mikey…"
Chestnut brown and ocean blue eyes turn toward the emerald turtle standing just behind the eldest turtle. Mikey shrinks down as golden amber eyes stare him down as Raph crosses his arms.
"Wasn't dere somethin' else dat ya wanted ta ask Fearless?"
Leo blinks before turning back toward Mikey, his eye ridges furrowing in confusion. He tilts his head when Mikey drops his gaze, his bright smile from earlier gone. There is a certain air of nervousness and uncertainty radiating from his baby brother that wasn't there before. Concern bubbles in the eldest's chest and he sits on the bed next to the smaller turtle. He reaches out and grasps the slightly smaller hands and ducks his head so that he can meet the ocean blue orbs.
"Mikey?"
Mikey stares down at their joined hands, soaking in the warmth of his eldest brother for a moment before lifting to meet his aniki's gaze. Concern swirls in those chestnut orbs causing Mikey to look back down at their joined hands.
"Mikey, if any of us will have da answer dat yer lookin' fer, Fearless will," Raph states, squatting in front of the two sitting turtles and resting his hands on seafoam green knees. Mikey nods his head, mouth twitching.
So far he's been 0 of 2 with his bros. Who's to say that Leo will be any different? Shell. He just thought he saw Master Splinter in the living room! What else is he seeing that no one else is seeing? How does he know that Master Splinter's behavior isn't just a piece of his imagination as well? The only comfort he's been feeling is that his bros haven't just outright called him crazy. But that doesn't mean that they're not thinking it.
A hand gently squeezes his causing Mikey to look up at Leo. A soft smile forms on the older's face as his eyes flicker around the freckled face.
"What do you need to ask me, Mikey? You know that I'll try my best to answer it for you."
Mikey's shoulders slump a little and his own lips twitch into an almost smile. What is it about his eldest brother and just radiating calm and making him feel better just by sitting here with him?
Just ask him. If he doesn't know, he'll say so and you can just drop all of this, Mikey thinks, wetting his lips as Leo starts to rub his hand with his thumb.
"Promise you won't make fun of me?" He asks shyly, peeking up at his brother.
Leo's eye ridges furrow as he shoots a look down at Raph before returning his gaze back to his baby brother. He squeezes the smaller hand in his again.
"Of course, I won't make fun of you, Mikey. This obviously means a lot to you," Leo says, voice firm, and Mikey relaxes a little more as he fully looks at his brother. "And if it means that much to you, I won't make fun of your feelings on it. So, what's going on, little one? What do you have to ask me?"
Mikey shoots Raph a look, who nods. Breathing in deeply, Mikey releases it slowly before resuming eye contact with Leo.
Here goes nothing.
"Have…Have you noticed anything weird with Chichi*? Like, him doing things that's weird even for him?"
Leo tilts his head as Mikey speaks, a slight frown forming on his face. He slowly nods. He has noticed. Ever since their father went sprinting downstairs to find the youngest, Leo has noticed a strange air of…SOMETHING surrounding their father. He was hoping during his meditation to figure out what exactly that SOMETHING is. But…apparently, he isn't the only one who has noticed. And it appears that it's bothering his baby brother. A lot. If the concern and worry shining in those bright and vibrant ocean blue eyes is anything to go by. And the anxious look on his face just doesn't look right on his usually happy-go-lucky brother.
"I have," Leo admits softly and Mikey practically sags into him in relief. He lifts his arm to allow Mikey more access to his side. "He's been on edge ever since we got up this morning."
"Like he can't relax," Mikey adds quietly and Leo rests his cheek on the top of his head, nodding.
"Exactly. I was hoping that during my meditation I could figure out what exactly it is that's bothering him but nothing came to mind."
Sitting up, Mikey fiddles with his sleeves as he shoots the stairs a quick glance before looking up at his two brothers.
"What…What if Father is missing Shredder?"
"What?!"
Mikey wrings his sleeves in his hands and shrugs.
"I mean, think about it. The Shredder was his big brother. Someone he was raised with for years. And now he's gone. Forever." Mikey ducks his head. "I…I don't know about you dudes, but I know that I'd be pretty upset if one of you were evil and I had to kill you. Knowing that you're no longer here. Wondering if maybe there was something I could have done to have prevented or changed it. Ya know?"
Mikey lifts his head, eyes stinging as both of his brothers stare at him with wide eyes and open mouths.
"Just because the Shredder was evil and tried to end the world doesn't make the knowledge of him being Father's bro any less valid. So…maybe it's just hitting him now? Since…well, ya know, we're back at the place where the Shredder was killed. And, yeah, he has Karai as a way to remember Shredder, but doesn't that also kinda stink? That he was able to get his niece to see the way but not his own bro?" Mikey swallows thickly as he tries to keep his emotions in check. "It's just not really fair, ya know? Chichi has lost so much and now he just lost another piece of him not even a month ago."
Two pairs of warm arms wrap around Mikey causing him to tense before he glances at his two brothers.
"Dudes?"
Leo presses his forehead against the side of Mikey's head. A huff of a chuckle has the youngest frowning.
"What?"
"Sometimes we forget just how perspective you truly are, little brother," Leo states, chestnut brown eyes soft as he studies his baby brother. "And, honestly? I hadn't even thought about the Shredder being Father's brother in a long time. Sometimes I even forget."
Raph gently bops Mikey's snout as he releases him from his grasp to resume kneeling in front of him.
"I mean, it's ain't hard ta forget dat sometimes," Raph admits. "With Dad bein' a rat and da Shredder was human. We've known Dad as a rat our entire lives dat remembering dat he was once human can be easy ta forget. And da Shredder had absolutely no honor compared ta Dad who hammered da importance of honor inta us since we could walk."
Mikey frowns.
He understands where his brothers are coming from but still. How can they forget something that was such a big part of their father's life? Or the fact that he was their uncle? And Karai's father? She's their cousin for crying out loud!
A yelp escapes Mikey when Leo squeezes him against his side. The leaf green turtle smiles down at his youngest brother.
"Don't make that face, Mikey. It's not like we do it on purpose. But, if you think that this is what is bothering Father, we could always try talking to him."
Mikey's lips purse as Raph snorts and stands.
"What?"
Raph cocks an eye ridge at their older brother.
"Ya really think dat Dad would just gonna tell us what's goin' on?" He snorts again as he crosses his arms, his amber eyes narrowing. "Yeah, right. It took us bein' 15 fer him to tell us dat he even HAD a brother. And dat da Shredder was his brother. AND only after da tin can kicked our shells! And dropped a fuckin' sign on Mikey! What makes ya think dat Dad is gonna be willin' ta tell us dat he misses his murderous brother?"
Leo and Mikey exchange a glance.
Mikey drops his eyes to his lap and sighs. Raph is right. Again. Their father has this nasty habit of keeping his emotions inside or pushing them down to deal with theirs.
Which isn't fair, Mikey thinks.
He glances sideways as Leo shifts and stands before grabbing his wrists. Mikey allows Leo to pull him to his feet. He giggles when he feels the grips on his socks catch on the boards.
"But that doesn't mean we can't at least let Father know that we're here for him," Leo stated, wrapping an arm around Mikey's shoulders and looking at their hotheaded brother. "We can't force him to tell us but just having that option of talking with us could help him relax." He smiles at the smaller turtle. "But, for now, let's head back downstairs."
Nodding, Mikey leans into his brother's side as the three of them head back down the stairs. He bites his lip as he glances out over the living room but the space is still empty. A gentle tug on his mask ties has the smaller turtle squawking and flailing his arms around.
"Raaaaph!" Mikey whines as he clings to Leo to keep his balance. He pouts at his snickering brother. "I've already tripped going up the stairs, dude. I don't really wanna end up as a pancake at the bottom."
"We wouldn't let you fall, Mikey," Leo soothes, righting the smaller turtle as he shoots the red-cladded turtle a look. "Right, Raph?"
Raph grabs the hood of Mikey's sweatshirt and pulls it up over the seafoam green turtle's head before trapping him in his hold as they continue moving.
"My sons?"
Mikey grasps the front of his sweatshirt as he and Raph jump. Mikey secretly croons when he feels Leo twitches and the three turn to find their father standing there, book in hand. There is a light frown on his face as he studies the three of them and Mikey can't help but fidget with the pouch pocket on his sweatshirt.
"Is something wrong, my children?"
Mikey peeks up at his father, not liking the concern on his face. Putting on a smile, Mikey leaves his brother's grasp and takes his father's hand in his.
"Nah! We're okay!" Mikey tugs lightly on his father's warm free hand. "But c'mon, Chichi! April is making hot chocolate and tea before supper! Raphie and I just went up to get Leo."
Master Splinter's face softens as his youngest tugs him along, still slightly concerned about why his youngest is so bundled up. But seeing his ocean blue eyes sparkling excitedly is enough for him to let it slide for now. He allows himself to be led, smiling when he spots the amusement on his eldest 2 sons.
"And is your other brother aware?"
Mikey nods his head, flashing another 'Mikey Smile' at his father.
"Yup! Casey went to go get him!" Mikey states as they enter the kitchen. "April! Look who we found!"
The redhead turns, three mugs in hand. A smile spreads across her lips as she watches Mikey tugging his father further into the kitchen. Raph rolls his eyes as he sits at the table.
"We didn't find 'im, knucklehead. HE found US."
Mikey sticks his tongue out at the emerald turtle before sitting across from him with Splinter sitting on his other side. He smiles up at the older mutant as the once-human reaches over and fixes the floppy hood on his smallest son's head.
"We found each other," Splinter states, cupping Mikey's cheek.
A confused smile forms on Mikey's face, unsure what his father means by that. Not sure what to say, he merely leans into his father's hand.
"Were you cold, my son?" Splinter questions as he strokes the warming cheek with his thumb.
A sheepish look morphs onto Mikey's face and he squirms in his seat under the intense stare of his father. If Leo's fussing is bad, then Master Splinter's is like triple that.
"Mikey decided ta wander around outside without a sweatshirt on," Raph states, gratefully taking the mug from his eldest brother. He grins as the youngest whines.
"Raaaaaaaph! Uncool, dude!" Mikey says, pouting as he's handed his own mug of liquid deliciousness. He shrinks under his father's hard gaze. "It's not like I meant to be outside that long, Father. Honest! I was just going to see Don and then I went to go see what Raph and Casey were doing. It wasn't even all that cold when I first left the house."
The seafoam turtle shrinks further as his father sighs.
"Michelangelo, Watashi no nikkō*, you KNOW that you cannot be wandering around outside without some sort of light shirt on. Have you warmed up enough?"
"Hai*, Chichi," Mikey answers, sipping on his too-hot chocolate. "The sweatshirt and the socks that Leo gave me are great!"
Mikey grins up at his father, happy to find him relaxing even more. He hates seeing his father tense. And as much as he wants to ask Sensei what's wrong, he doesn't want to ruin this moment of calm that his father appears to be having. A small smile forms on the older mutant's face and he sips the tea that Leo placed in front of him.
"That is good to hear, my son. Let us keep you that way."
Nodding, Mikey watches him from the corner of his eyes for a moment before his eyes land on the book his father had been carrying.
Dreams, Premonitions, and Bad Omens.
Confusion and concern rises in the small turtle and he quickly sips his drink. Why is Master Splinter reading about dreams? He sneaks another glance at his father as he laughs about something April said that Mikey didn't quite catch.
Maybe it has something to do with what happened last night? Maybe Master Splinter had a nightmare? And now he's trying to see if it could mean something?
The orange-cladded turtle's finger flex on his mug. That isn't out of the realm of possibilities. They have all learned by now to not take anything too lightly. Like when he had that dream about Shelby and the others in that strange underground Atlantis only to end up meeting them and going to the very city he dreamed about.
So, maybe Father had a nightmare last night? But about what? And what could freak him out enough to need to locate me? Mikey's eye ridges furrow in thought. Maybe something happened to all of us and me not being in bed scared him?
He sips his drink again, head perking up when he hears the door open and close and the voices of Casey and Don waft in the kitchen. The olive turtle grins as he rubs his arms and takes a seat next to Raph.
"Brr! It certainly cooled down out there! Good thing you came back inside, Mikey. I think it's going to snow tonight."
Hazel eyes land on the seafoam green turtle. Mikey smiles sheepishly as his brother raises an eye ridge as he takes in the sweatshirt. Donnie glances over at Raph. The emerald turtle takes a big swig from his mug, cheeks puffing out as he meets his immediate younger brother's gaze. Amber eyes blink in question causing the purple-cladded to laugh. Leo and April join them at the table, placing Casey's mug down in front of him as he takes the remaining open seat.
"Mikey got a little chilled from being outside," April explains as she nurses her cup of tea. "So I had him go upstairs to put a sweatshirt on before making some hot chocolate." The redhead turns to the blackette as she sips her drink. "If we want to go get pizzas for tonight we might want to leave soon, Casey."
Mikey instantly perks up, eyes wide.
"Pizza? Now you're speaking my kind of language, April!"
The redhead laughs, her green eyes sparkling as she watches the youngest wiggle happily.
"I thought it would be a good treat for all of us to have. But we would have to go into town to get it."
"Yeah, we're too far out fer them ta drive out here," Casey adds, downing his drink in one go. "But I'm down ta go now, Ape, if you are. With da temp dropping and how cold da water has gotten, we're gonna probably have ta wait."
April nods as she also finishes her drink and brings her and Casey's mugs to the sink. Mikey quickly finishes the rest of his drink and hops up from his seat and also placing his mug in the sink.
"Cool! Then while you dudes are gone, I can do the dishes," Mikey states, peering down at the growing pile of dishes that has been growing since this morning.
"Actually, let me do the dishes, my son," Splinter says, also standing. "These old bones can only sit for so long without stiffening up."
Mikey steps aside as his father approaches, peering up at him.
"I mean, if you're sure, Chichi…"
A soft smile forms on his father's face and his hazelnut eyes gleam in the artificial light. He rests a hand on his son's head.
"I am sure, Michelangelo. Besides, they are merely dishes. I think I can handle them," Splinter says, chuckling as he strokes his son's cheek before turning toward the sink and starting the water.
Mikey stands there for a beat long, mouth twitching into an almost frown as he watches his sensei and father roll up his maroon sleeves. He glances back at his brothers. All four are watching them and Mikey makes a face. Donnie responds by shrugging and finishing his own mug. Raph rolls his eyes, already in the process of standing. However, unlike the other 2, there is a slight frown on Leo's face as he stares at his father's back. Mikey can see the wheels turning behind his eldest brother's eyes as he studies their father.
An emerald arm wraps around Mikey's shoulders once again as Raph leans around him to place his mug in the sink as Splinter busies himself with everything else.
"C'mon, baby brat. Sensei don't need a chaperone. He's a big ninja."
Mikey rolls his eyes but allows Raph to steer him out of the kitchen. April and Casey are already by the front door, pulling out their jackets and hats. April peers up from her spot on the floor as she ties her boots and offers the two turtles a smile.
"Why don't the four of you decide on what movies you want all of us to watch when we get back? I think we all deserve a good movie night, don't you?"
Mikey breaks away from his brother, bouncing up to April.
"Shell yeah! I can't remember the last time we had a family movie time! What are you guys in the mood for? Action? Comedy? Or something a little more spooky?" Mikey wiggles his fingers, earning himself a laugh from April and a snort from Casey.
Standing, April places her hand on a seafoam green head.
"Whatever the four of you decide on, I'll watch. Even horror related. But it would be nice to make sure EVERYONE will enjoy the movie, not just a select few, okay?"
"And if ya want more ta choose from, Ma put some of Pa's DVDs downstairs next ta da washing machine." Casey scoops up his keys and opens the front door. "C'mon, babe. Da sky's gettin' darker and I know ya don't like drivin' in da snow."
April rolls her eyes again, patting Mikey on the cheek before walking over to her husband. She cocks a red eyebrow at him before plucking the keys from his hands.
"Nope, but like shell am I letting you drive, Casey Jones. I want to make it back in one piece."
The blackette squawks indignantly as he follows April out the door, calling after her.
Mikey shivers as a particularly strong gust of wind manages to slip past the door before it fully closed. He throws his red-cladded brother a look over his shoulder only to receive a shrug in response. Mikey glances back at the door one last time before shrugging as well.
"Humans are weird," he comments as he follows Raph further into the living room, ignoring the weird twisting in his gut as he passes the basement door.
"Yeah, well, yer weirder so dat ain't sayin' much."
Mikey whines when Raph punches him in the arm just as Donnie exits the kitchen.
"Doooooonnie! Raphie called me 'weird'!"
"I'll call ya more den dat if ya continue callin' me 'Raphie', baby brat."
"C'mon, you two," Donnie says, placing a hand on Raph's shoulder when he moves to punch Mikey again, who shrieks and ducks behind the purple-cladded turtle. "I literally just got out here. Raph, stop punching Mikey. And Mikey, well," Don pauses with a lopsided grin. "You're just being sensitive. I heard April mention something about a movie, why don't we grab all of our options and lay them out and when Leo and Sensei are done with the dishes they can help us choose."
A pout forms on Mikey's lips and crosses his arms.
"I'm not 'sensitive'!"
Don and Raph exchange a skeptical look before Donnie places his hands on his little brother's shoulders and turns him toward the basement.
"There's nothing wrong with being sensitive, Mikey," Donnie says soothingly as Mikey huffs, not even bothering to walk, just allowing his taller brother to push him across the wooden floor on his heels. "But the faster we collect the movies, the faster we can choose one and wait for April and Casey to get back. I'll go upstairs and grab the DVDs we packed from the lair and Raph will grab the DVDs up here. Why don't you go down and grab the DVDs that Casey mentioned? And the 3 of us will reconvene here. Sound good?"
Mikey bites his lip as he and Donnie stop right before the basement door. Donnie pats his shoulder and moves away. He stares down at the brass doorknob. The image of his father standing here, staring up at him fills his mind causing his snout to twitch in discomfort.
"Awe, is widdle Mikey scwared of da basement?" Raph teases as he starts pulling DVDs from their home.
Mikey glares at him over his shoulder as Don sighs.
"Raph, don't…"
"I'm not scared!" Mikey denies earning a cocked eye ridge and amused smirk from his hotheaded brother. "I'm not! I…I was just thinking about what movie we could watch and just forgot to move!"
"Well den, if yer not scared, hurry up and go down and get da movies," Raph states, gesturing toward the door as he reaches for another basket of movies. "'Cause at dis rate, Don and I will be done before ya even get da doorknob turned."
Pursing his lips, Mikey turns back toward the basement door. It's not like he's never been in the basement before. He's helped Mama Jones with laundry and has grabbed stuff for Casey when asked. But usually, somebody is with him.
One would think that with him living underground his entire life, going down into a basement would be second nature to him, but his entire family knows that he can't handle dark places. That he needs some sort of light source at all times. It's why he has a Silver Sentry nightlight in his room and why Donnie has flashlights hidden all over the lair. Just in case.
It's also why he asked to sleep near the window.
The moon is almost always out when they're up here but there is this porch light that he can see and it acts like a makeshift nightlight without asking for one and bothering his family. He knows that Sensei and Donnie would be fine sleeping with the extra light but Leo is already a light sleeper and Raph purposely shoves a towel between the door and floor to make his room as dark as possible. It's why they sleep the furthest from the windows. Sure, sleeping near the window makes him kinda cold but Mama Jones specifically made him that fluffy quilt to use while up here after they had been up here to let Leo heal. During a bad bought of below zero temps, Mikey got too cold and got super sick. He had a 103 temperature and could barely keep anything down. The high fever also left Mikey confused about where he was and what he was supposed to do. That was also how Mama Jones ended up learning about them. Because Mikey was too sick to know any different and wandered downstairs to ask April for another blanket. Mama Jones took it like a champ though and ended up taking over helping Mikey get better so that Splinter could focus on Leo. And then, when Mikey got better, she forced Casey to peel apples for 2 days straight for trying to cover up their existence from her. She's dubbed the four of them as 'her turtle boys' and Splinter is 'her rat brother she always wanted'. Turns out rats are her favorite animals and turtles had been her mother's.
"Mikey," Don says, his voice jerking Mikey from his thoughts. "If you're really that uncomfortable going downstairs by yourself, I can go after I get the movies from my bag."
Swallowing thickly, Mikey forces a laugh and waves a dismissive hand.
"Nah, Don. I totally got this. I just—"
"Got caught up thinking again?" Donnie finishes, a teasing smile on his face. Mikey pouts at him as Raph snickers behind him.
"Maybe…"
"Well, stop thinkin' and go, numb-nuts!"
"I'm going! I'm going! Yeesh!" Mikey grumbles as he reaches for the doorknob and pulls it open.
His jaw clenches as an unsettling darkness stares back. Creeping a little closer, Mikey reaches for the light switch and flicks it on. He holds his breath as golden light illuminates the space, allowing him to see the rest of the wooden stairs and cement floor. Cement bricks line the wall and old canning equipment rest on the ledge to the left.
Fiddling with his sleeves, Mikey slowly creeps down the stairs. His shoulders stiffen as the stairs creak with each step that he takes.
This isn't so bad, he thinks as he finally reaches the bottom and glances around.
A single light hangs directly above his head and another is resting above the not quite ancient washer and dryer. Old toys and furniture litter the space, doing nothing more than collecting dust and giving spiders places to live.
The grippies on Mikey's socks squeak with each cautious step he takes and he shoots a distrustful look at the open hole housing the water pump. Casey and Donnie have had to come down here more than once after a heavy rain storm to get the water pump up and working again so that the basement doesn't flood. Donnie has offered to build Mama Jones a new one but she declines each time, stating that she likes having the excuse to force her son to come up to the farmhouse.
Like Casey would say 'no' to his own mother, Mikey thinks, amusement easing his unease as he works his way to where Casey said the DVDs are hiding. The seafoam green turtle rubs his nose as it starts to tickle and he's silently grateful for Leo's foresight to make him wear these fuzzy socks. He can already feel that there is about a massive temperature difference between the living room and the basement and he can just imagine how cold his feet would be if they were making direct contact with the cement floor.
Cautiously, Mikey steps around two unlabeled boxes before finally reaching the washer and dryer. Ocean blue orbs flicker around, scanning for anything that remotely looks DVD-like or a box labeled DVDs.
"If I was a box of DVDs where would I be hiding?" Mikey mumbles, reaching up toward a shelf next to the washer and tilting a slightly smaller box toward him.
He frowns when he spots no DVDs but, instead, he notices a broken hand mirror resting at the bottom, cracks spidering out across the mirror surface but the main housing of the mirror is still intact and beautifully crafted. Silver roses line the oval portion of the mirror and the handle is like a single leaf curving down and to the left.
Carefully, Mikey lifts the mirror from the box, intrigued. About five different Mikey's stare back and he tilts his head, grinning when all of his reflections mimic him.
"Why would anybody abandon this down here?" Mikey wonders out loud as he tilts the mirror around. "I'm sure there's a way to fix the mirror or replace it. Shell, I bet Donnie could fix this easy. I wonder whose it was…"
Flipping the mirror over, a large R made of vines sticks out of the back but that's it. Huffing at the unhelpful information, Mikey flips the mirror back over and holds it up to look at himself again.
He freezes.
In the reflection behind him stands Master Splinter. The older mutant is watching him but there is something unsettling about his stare that has cold sweats spreading across the young turtle's body. Frozen, Mikey watches with wide eyes as his father lifts a hand and extends it out to him, as if silently asking him to take it. His heart pounds as he merely stares at his father in the reflection, unsure what to do. His mind is telling him to turn around and take his father's hand but something deep in his heart is saying that this isn't right.
"F-Father?"
Splinter tilts his head but remains silent. He extends his hand further out, fingers spreading a little more. Mikey swallows thickly, doing his best to keep his panic at bay as his instincts tell him something isn't right about his father. But, this is his father! He shouldn't be scared of him! He's one of the few people that makes him feel secure and safe. So, why is he hesitating in turning around and taking his father's hand?
Why…Why isn't he saying anything?
Mikey opens his mouth to call out again when a sound from upstairs cuts him off.
"Michelangelo?!"
Gasping, Mikey jerks and fumbles with the mirror for a second before finally clutching it to his chest. Realizing he just heard his father's voice, Mikey's gut twists. That voice didn't come from behind him. His father's voice came from upstairs. Spinning around, he finds nothing but old furniture and dust settling behind him. Panic and alarm rises in Mikey's chest as he shoots the mirror in his hands a terrified look. If Splinter is upstairs, then who did he just see? And why did they have his father's face? However, before Mikey can think of a solution, movement on the floorboards above him spurs him into motion. Swift footsteps closing in on the stairs has Mikey fumbling to put the mirror back into its box, something telling him that he shouldn't be caught holding the small object.
Once safely back in its box, Mikey's eyes scan the other boxes around him, mind racing until he finally spots a box with DVDs written on the outside.
That was just a figment of your imagination. Your brain wants to freak you out. Father is obviously upstairs. Not creepily standing behind you, asking to hold hands. Get yourself together.
Shaking his head, Mikey hurries toward the box he came down for. He pouts as he realizes just how far away from the washer it is.
"Casey lied! These aren't next to the washer at all!" Mikey grumbles, willing his heart to stop racing as he picks the box up with shaking hands. He frowns as he spots some weird black marks on the cement floor just behind the box.
Almost like drag marks…
"Michelangelo, answer me!"
Jumping, Mikey turns toward the stairs. Wetting his lips, he shoots the marks one last look before shrugging it off and hurrying away.
"I'm right here, Father!" Mikey calls out just as his father appears at the base of the steps, chest heaving minutely and there is a tension in his father's body, as if ready to spring into action.
Concern bubbles in his chest at the alarmed look on his father's face and he quickens his pace.
"Chichi? What's wrong?"
Relief spreads across the older mutant's face as he hurries forward, crossing the remaining distance in seconds. His maroon robes flutter around him from the swift movement and Mikey swears that his father is gliding across the cement. Warm hands catch Mikey's face and hazelnut eyes flicker around as if scanning him.
"Oh, Michelangelo. Thank goodness," Master Splinter breathes out, stroking a freckled cheek. "Are you all right? Why are you down here?"
Confused, Mikey tilts his head into his father's hands, allowing himself to finally start relaxing now that someone his heart has dubbed a protector is nearby. Soaking up the warmth radiating from his father, Mikey shuffles closer as he hugs the box of DVDs closer to his chest. Unsure what to say, the smaller of the two shrugs and smiles.
"Uh, yeah, Father, I'm okay. I came down to grab this box," Mikey says, lifting the DVDs for his father to see. His smile slips a little when his father's frown deepens. "Father?"
"You are awfully pale, my son," Master Splinter mutters, tugging Mikey closer. "I do not want you coming back down here, am I clear?"
Bewilderment shoots through the nunchaku welder and he stares up at his father with wide eyes.
"What? But wh—"
"It is far too cold for you down here," Master Splinter states, cutting off his son's question with a stern tone. "And it is already affecting you. I can feel how even more chilled you have become compared to how you felt upstairs."
Almost on cue, a chill runs down his spine causing Mikey to shiver harshly, the DVDs rattling around in their home with force. Tsking, Splinter places his hands on his youngest's shoulders and guides him toward the stairs.
"I want you to head upstairs and warm up."
Mikey flinches and nods, knowing better than to argue with his father when he uses THAT tone. He starts walking up the creaky stairs when he realizes that Master Splinter isn't following behind him. The older mutant is staring off into the rest of the basement. His shoulders stiff.
"Father?" Mikey calls out, worry mixing with his earlier unease and fear. "Is there something wrong?"
Splinter's ears twitch in Mikey's direction and he slowly drags his eyes away from the darkness of the basement. Hazelnut eyes meet ocean blue and he shakes his head.
"No, Watashi no nikkō," Splinter says, briskly walking back toward the stairs. "Merely making sure everything is still in its place. I would not want us accidentally rearranging Mrs. Jones's basement and making it difficult for her to locate things."
Mikey nods as his father joins him on the stairs and resumes his ascent when his father motions for him to move. A frown tugs on the youngest lips as another shiver hits him right at the top of the stairs and the back of his neck prickles. He starts to turn around but a warm hand catches the back of his neck and he glances up at Splinter. Concern radiates from the older mutant.
"Give me the box of DVDs, my son," Splinter says softly. "I want you to go grab a blanket and then sit on the couch until you have warmed up. I shall let Raphael go through these."
Mikey resists the urge to protest at letting Raph of all people to choose the movies for them to watch. But there is a looking in his father's eyes that has any protest dying in his throat.
He's worried, Mikey realizes as he slowly starts for the stairs leading to the loft. However, before he can make it very far, Leo materializes next to him, a large knitted dark green blanket in his hands. A grateful smile forms on the youngest face as the older turtle steps closer and wraps him in the soft fabric.
"C'mon, Otōto*, let's get you warmed up."
Nodding absentmindedly, Mikey allows Leo to lead him over to the couch. The eldest sits first before patting the spot next to him which Mikey gladly plops down on. His big brother chuckles as Mikey curls closer to him, lifting his arm to allow the smaller turtle more access to his side. Too cold to care about how clingy he might look, Mikey tucks his head under Leo's chin, pressing his cold snout into the warm skin. Shell. He didn't realize just how cold he got down there, but Leo feels like a freaking heater against him!
"Shell, Mikey!" Leo says at the first initial touch of his cold face. "Was the basement really THAT cold already?"
Mikey shrugs, watching as Splinter approaches a concerned-looking Raph and hands the hothead the box that Mikey brought up. He quickly drops his gaze when his father turns toward them. He doesn't hold back the content sigh that escapes him when Splinter approaches and gently rubs his head.
"I shall go make you some nice warm tea," Splinter mutters. "Let us know if you start feeling sick, Watashi no nikkō."
"Hai, Chichi," Mikey mumbles into Leo's shoulder, who tightens his grip on him. Splinter nods before walking away.
Another set of footsteps approach and Mikey spots Donnie appearing at the end of the couch. There is a confused frown on the genius's face as he stares down at the four DVDs in his hands.
"What's wrong, Donnie?" Leo asks gaining the olive green turtle's attention.
"Did any of you go into my bag recently?"
The other three turtles exchange a look and Mikey lifts his head to frown at his immediate older brother.
"Uh, not that I'm aware of, dude. Why?"
"Hmm. Weird." Donnie hums as he holds up the DVDs in his hands. "I could have sworn that I grabbed more than just these movies before we left the lair. Because these were in that stack of movies that I asked you to put together, Mikey. But, well, these were all that I could find in my bag."
That catches Mikey's attention and he sits up further.
"Wait, what? That's impossible! I literally watched you put the stack into your bag, dude!" Bewilderment courses through the smaller turtle as his brother shrugs. "We arrived yesterday! And we haven't watched a movie yet! How are they not in there?" An upset whine slips from the youngest. "My horror movies! My poor, poor horror movies!"
He burrows back into Leo's hold, an upset pout tugging on his lips as Leo wraps his arms around him.
"It's okay, Mikey," Leo says quietly as he fiddles with Mikey's mask ties. "We'll find your movies."
"And it's not like dat we won't be able ta watch some horror movies," Raph adds, as he holds up a few from the box from the basement. "It looks like Casey's dad was quite da horror movie buff as well an action and comedy buff. Dere's quite a few titles in here dat I know we don't have at da lair. Like, dis one here. 'Behind Da Open Door'. Da cover looks pretty creepy. Right up yer alley, Mikey." The emerald turtle tosses the DVD to Leo, who catches it with one hand. "And dere's another called 'Mirror'. Dis one looks kinda old but still up yer alley, bro."
Mikey pulls his arms from his blanket and catches the second DVD as Raph tosses it to him. He stares down at the cover. A young woman stares, her reflection splintered into five different versions of her in a hand mirror. Her blue eyes are wide and her mouth is open in a scream, except for one. In the upper right-hand corner is a smiling version of the woman but her eyes are completely black with black liquid spilling down her face and out of her open, smiling mouth.
Images of what Mikey saw downstairs flicker into his mind and he quickly passes the box to Leo, who takes it. He's about to hand Mikey the other box, but the youngest pulls up his blanket and buries his face into the crock of Leo's neck, shivering.
"Don, can you turn up the heat?" Leo asks, setting the two DVDs down before wrapping both arms around the youngest. "We will have to wait to watch these until after Father goes to bed. You know how he doesn't like horror movies."
Raph grunts as he returns back to sorting the movies, shooting Mikey a glance. Leo, however, minutely shakes his head as he shifts to pull the youngest further into his lap. Mikey allows himself to manipulated, soaking in the safety and security that he feels being surrounded by his brothers. Whatever he saw in the basement, it obviously wasn't his father. But, how can he bring it up without his bros thinking that he's crazy? Raph already was skeptical about him seeing their father in the living room and he was standing right next to him!
They'll probably just say I was seeing things because I was freaking myself out, Mikey thinks, pouting as he snuggles closer to his leaf-green brother. And maybe I was. But even if it was my imagination, at least Chichi banned me from the basement so I never have to go back down there again. Sighing, Mikey relaxes on Leo's lap, peeking an eye open when the couch bounces as Donnie joins them. The genius rubs his head with a concerned smile but otherwise doesn't say much as he glances back at their brother kneeling on the floor, throwing out movie suggestions as Raph holds them up. Through half-lidded eyes, Mikey watches them with a smile.
Everything is gonna be just fine.
0o.o0
0o.o0
0o.o0
Watashi no nikkō - My Sunlight
Otōto - Little Brother
Hai - Yes
Chichi - Dad/Daddy
Aniki - Big Brother (formal)