Day three: tis the season for TV specials

December 16th

Leo stretched and sat up in bed to Winter Wonderland. Turning off his phone, he got up and headed to the advent calendar, opening the door for the third day.

Inside was a chocolate cover cherry wrapped in tin foil; he loved these. He picked up the paper as he ate, it was red again. Leo chuckled, noticing a theme. No doubt Mikey's idea.

The paper had a drawing of a TV with a Santa hat on the screen.

It's a special day.

Huh, so they were watching Christmas specials today.

That wasn't unusual, they did that every year, heck they'd already watched a couple. He wasn't sure why they were making a big deal of today.

Then again, they usually did make a day of it. Mikey would fix up a bunch of goodies, Dad let them have the TV for the whole day, Donnie actually went the entire time without setting foot in his lab, and they all bundled together in a fort made of pillows and blankets.

Actually, the more he thought about it, he was starting to get excited.

Leo tucked away the paper and grabbed the unicorn hoodie April got him for his last birthday, practically jogging to the living room as he put it on. He almost tripped a few times, but thankfully no one saw. He could already smell the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen, Mikey had gotten a head start as usual.

As he approached the living room, Leo's smile grew when he saw the decorations from yesterday still up. He'd half expected his family might've changed their minds and taken them down, it was a pleasant surprise to see they hadn't.

"Nardo! Perfect timing" Donnie called from where he'd already begun setting up the fort. He was clad in his favorite purple hoodie and all his tech was absent for once, minus his phone. "May I get some assistance?"

"So what makes today's binge session more special then the others?" He asked as he grabbed some pillows, eyeing his twin. He was still determined to figure out what his brothers were up too, especially now that it was clear they had accomplices.

It should be easy to get something out of Donnie, while he could keep a secret well enough, he couldn't lie to save his life.

"What makes you think todays anymore special?" He asked casually, not taking his attention off the fort's construction.

Leo shrugged, putting on his best face man act "I mean, you guys made a big deal of the last two days…"

"Did we? I hadn't noticed" Donnie replied coolly "all seemed business as usual to me. We baked, we decorated, all quite normal for this time of year."

"…April coached you on how to lie, didn't she?"

"No idea what you're talking about."

"Okay, lets try again. Why was it included in the advent calendar you guys totally put in my room?"

"Must be a happy coincidence" wow, they really weren't going to budge anytime soon if they had taken precautions to ensured Donnie wouldn't crack.

Well game on, he wasn't giving up anytime soon either.

He would've continued prodding, but Mikey and Raph entered carrying trays of food and mugs. "Round one of snacks!" Mikey announced cheerfully. They were both wearing the coziest hoodies they owned. Raphs was a plaid pattern, because only Raph would find something like that never mind wear it, and Mikeys was tie dyed.

On one tray, each of their favorite mugs sat filled with hot chocolate covered in a generous amount of home-made whipped cream. On the second was a large plate of cookies "ooh, chocolate chip" Leo said, practically drooling at the sweet aroma.

"Fresh from the oven, get em while their hot!" Mikey said proudly as he set his tray down. They each grabbed their cup, Leo liking off the cream like he'd done since he was small, savoring the taste as he grabbed three cookies.

"Mmm, delicious as ever Mikey" he said as he ate "I don't know how you do it." Mikey smiled at him with a wink, already sporting a creamy mustache "so what's on the schedule for today?" He asked, doing his best to recall which movies they'd already watched, he was pretty sure they'd seen at least three different versions of A Christmas Carol already.

"Oh, they're right here" Raph said, motioning to the collection of movies stacked up by the couch.

His brothers had already picked out what they were watching?

He kind of thought he could've had a vote, but okay.

Leo looked over the collection, curious to see what his brothers had arranged "alright, lets see…Jingle All the Way, Muppets Christmas Carol, The Year Without a Santa Claus, The Santa Clause…wait a minuet." He looked back up at his brothers "these are all my favorites."

"Are they? Yet another happy coincidence" Donnie said casually, giving his twins head a pat. Leo's speculations grew, any other year he would've chalked it up to getting his favorites out of the way so he wouldn't bug them, but after the last two days this was just too coincidental.

"So we just happen to be watching all my favorites today?" He asked skeptically.

Mikey shrugged "is that so hard to believe, dear big brother?" He asked with his best puppy dog eyes. Oh, he was pulling the "baby of the family" card, they really didn't want him catching on.

"After the last two days? Yes."

Raph snorted "you're being paranoid, Leo" he guided him to the fort and sat him down. Leo went to speak again but was cut off by Mikey snuggling into his lap, offering him a cookie. He didn't know if it was a bribe or a distraction, but Leo was ashamed to admit it was working as he took the treat. "So, which should we watch first Leo?" Raph asked, walking over to the projector as Donnie came to sit next to his twin.

Leo hummed around the cookie, oh yeah, he was totally paranoid, that's why they were asking him to pick first from his favorites that they organized.

Fine, he'd let it slide for now again, but darn it, he would get to the bottom of this! "Tsk, obviously we're starting with The Santa Clause" he said with a roll of his eyes "what kind of question is that?"

Raph snickered "what was I thinking?" That was always the first of his favorites Leo would throw on. Sliding the movie in, he took his place on the other side of Leo, grabbing a cookie and sipping his drink.

The brothers settled into the fort, snuggled up together just like when they were kids as the movie began playing. "You know what I've always wondered?" Leo suddenly spoke up a few minuets in.

"What's that?" Mikey asked.

"Well, in every movie were they debate Santa's exitance, the parents don't believe he's real, right?" They nodded "so where do they think the presents Santa leaves come from? Like, I get it when both parents are in the picture, they probably think they came from the other one, but what about single parents? What's their explanation?"

"…Huh" Donnie said after a bit, rubbing his chin. Both clear signs he was giving it real thought, which Leo hadn't actually expected. He'd kind of just thought they would laugh it off.

"That's…actually a really good point, where do they think those presents come from?" Mikey asked, stunned he'd never considered that.

"Even in the case both parents are present, assuming their spouse was the source is a bit of a stretch" Donnie mused.

"I mean if they're anything like Pops, maybe they're too tired by the big day and just convince themselves it was them and they forgot?" Raph suggested. Although he didn't sound too confidant "or maybe Santa magic makes them think they put it there?"

"My moneys on the magic" Mikey nodded in agreement "we've seen what that stuff can accomplish, why not use it to keep parents from questioning the extra presents."

Leo nodded, stroking his chin as he mulled his brothers' suggestions over. "Not bad theories" he agreed "but its still kind of silly to make such a fuss over it. That kids like eight at most, is it really that big a deal he still believes? I did at that age."

Raph nodded "same."

"Me too" Mikey chimed in.

"I mean, I was starting to have my doubts" Donnie confessed "but I still believed for the fun of it."

"Exactly, what's so wrong with him believing just for fun?"

Donnie hummed as he took a sip of his hot chocolate, a critical and somewhat judgmental look on his face. "I think it has more to do with the Father" he finally said "now granted, his sudden change in physic does appear suspicious. But he's attempted to explain that, from his perspective, its being caused by a poorly timed medical condition he has no control over time and again. Each time being dismissed. Adding to the fact that his ex and her new spouse have been openly hostile from the get-go, their strong desire for the boy to lose his childhood innocence, and that the step-Father had this plan to take away parental rights locked and loaded, I'd bet my Atomic Lass collection they've been looking for an opportunity."

"…That's a long, complicated way of calling them miserable jerks, Donnie" Mikey said uneasily. All three brothers eyeing the genius wearily.

"I stand by my statement" he replied coolly, not the least bit sorry "and I prefer spiteful and smug."

"I think you had that locked and loaded" Leo chuckled; Donnie just shrugged with a hum; his expression neutral as he grabbed another cookie. Truth be told, he'd noticed in past viewing his twin wasn't the biggest fan of those characters "well hey, at least they're better in the sequel."

"Not exactly a high bar."

"Its not that bad."

"The second one is passable, yes, but don't get me stared on the third."

"Jack Frost was good."

"Dose anyone hear me complaining about Jack Frost?"

"Hey Leo?" Mikey spoke up, his voice now softer. He tapped his mug as he stared down at his drink "what is it about this movie you like so much?" He finally asked carefully "just curious."

Leo hummed thoughtfully as he sipped his hot chocolate. "I'm not really sure" he admitted with a shrug "I mean its a struggle we can all relate with. Whether we're too old to enjoy the magic of the season. The way I see it at least, I feel like the movie does a good job showing why you should hold onto that magic at whatever age, cause like, what's the alternative?"

It was only then did he notice the way his brothers were staring at him. Understandable, he hadn't meant to get so philosophical "but I'm probably reading too much into it-"

"Nah man" Raph cut him off with a smile "you make a good point. Its too easy to be jaded and cynical from all the bad stuff, Christmas should be a time to remember the magic of being a kid."

"Here, here" Donnie cheered, holding up his mug, Mikey nodding in agreement clinking his against the genius's.

Leo smiled back "well then I guess the short answer is, it just makes me happy."

"And that's the most important part" Mikey nodded, and he meant it. If anyone deserved a happy Christmas, it was his family.

"Are you guys sure you don't wanna put on one of yours?" Leo asked, looking at his brothers over his shoulder as they debated on which movie to put on next.

"Yeah…pretty sure we've already watched all of mine" Donnie said, eyes glued to his phone. Although Leo had a feeling he was trying to avoid eye contact to keep quite. Odds were they'd only coached him on how to lie so well, he was still Donnie after all.

"Pretty sure we haven't" Leo narrowed his eyes suspiciously, which in turn made his twin shrink into himself slightly, proving his point.

"Yes, we have, stop talking" he replied far too quickly to be believable.

"Yeah, I'm good" Raph added, coming to the genius's rescue "I can wait to watch any I've got left."

"Dude, you already know the answer" Mikey tsked, shaking his head in mock disappointment. Leo snorted, yeah that was fair. He knew there was a select few specials Mikey saved specifically for Christmas Eve and day.

Mainly the classics like Charlie Brown, Rudoph, Frosty and The Grinch.

"You sure you don't wanna put on A Christmas Story, Raph?" He tried again, knowing it was one of the big guys favorites "I know for a fact we haven't watched that yet." It wasn't like they'd never had a movie day where they watched only one of their favorites, but typically that was because the turtle who suggested said movie day had arranged and picked them out in advanced.

He hadn't arranged this, his brothers had, and they'd picked all his favorites with none of theirs in sight.

Raph shook his head "another day, but come to think of it, we haven't watched Home Alone yet either." Aka, another one from Leo's list "how bout we pop that one in next, huh?"

"Yeah alright, Home Alone it is" He sighed, throwing in the towel for the time being again as he put the disk in and settled back down in the fort with his brothers, ready for some hijinks.

However, very early into the movie he noticed his brother's growing frustrated. Actually, not frustrated, downright pissed. Which was peculiar because he didn't remember any of them hating this. He distinctly recalled Donnie complimenting the handy work and craftsmanship on the inventions, Mikey laughing at the slapstick, and Raph getting teary eyed at the emotional moments "you guys wanna put in another one instead?"

They all looked at him in confusion "why" Mikey asked.

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourselves."

"Oh, no we are" Donnie assured him with that tone he had when trying to stay calm. "We just never realized before how utterly despicable this family was" he all but spat, much to Leo's surprise.

Mikey and Raph nodded in agreement "they're lucky they never crossed paths with Doctor Delicate Touch" Mikey said, starting to get a little manic "I'd give them a talking too till Christmas yet to come!"

"They got no reason to treat the poor kid so harshly!" Raph grumbled, his big brother instinct on high alert.

Leo looked between the three of them, intimidated by the sudden shift in atmosphere. Where was this coming from all of a sudden? "Cmon guys, that's part of the movie" he reminded them carefully "they all learn the appreciate each other by the end."

"They'd better" they all grumbled, not looking the least bit pacified. Leo remained quiet, deciding not to risk souring the mood further, they were trying to have fun after all.

Meanwhile, his brothers tried to sooth their newfound fury towards the characters on screen. No matter how annoying they'd been, there was no excuse to treat family like that as far as they were concerned. The three looked back at Leo as he snickered at the family rushing to get to the airport.

'Guess that's a lesson both our families had to learn the hard way' the three thought to themselves, snuggling ever so closer to Leo.

The next movie was A Muppets Christmas Carol. They all had their own favorite version of the classic tale, and this one had always been Leo's. Not that his family couldn't understand why, it was honestly very good and surprisingly accurate to the source material according to Donnie.

That said, there was one thing all versions had in common when it came to Leo that baffled them.

"Can ask you something Nardo?" Donnie began hesitantly as the scene in question played "why is it whenever we watch any adaptation of A Christmas Carol, you get annoyed whenever Bells part comes up?"

"I don't like her" Leo replied bluntly, a frown on his face as he watched the scene.

"Yeah, we got that but why?" Raph continued "I mean, Scrooge did kind of hurt her."

"But she's pointless" Leo argued "I know she's not in this version, but they should've just gone with the loss of his sister Fan as the reason he's so bitter. She was the only one who showed him love as a child and I've seen a few versions where he outright says he couldn't love anymore after her death" he explained.

"That…that makes a lot of sense, actually" Donnie admitted, stunned "especially since she died in childbirth."

"Wait she WHAT?!" Mikey shrieked in horror.

Donnie nodded "its almost never mention when she doses appear, but Scrooges sister died giving birth to his nephew Fred. You could even interrupt Scrooge pushing Bell away out of fear because of it in a sense" he explained matter of fact. "You know the more I think about it, your argument is sound" he agreed "Bell's presence is rather unneeded when you consider Fan's impact, could even be seen as adding insult to injury, which one could argue was intentional in and of itself."

"That's what I'm saying!" Leo threw his hands up, feeling vindicated "the traumatic loss of a sibling is a way more understandable reason for being bitter than a bad breakup." His attention remained on the movie, waiting for the scene to end so he failed to see the way his brothers tensed at his words.

"…Yeah, I-I guess it would be" Raph agreed, trying to keep his voice even.

"Well…this was written, what, over a hundred years ago?" Donnie reminded them slowly "things were different back then."

Leo hummed "yeah, maybe. I still think she's whinny."

Mikey gave a weak chuckle "and how many relationships have you had?" He asked, earning a snort from Leo.

"Alright, fair, I shouldn't judge her too much without experience" he confessed. This got a small laugh from his siblings, but the feelings and memories attached still lingered.

A ding from the kitchen came just as the credit started to roll. "Oh! The popcorns ready" Mikey said with a smile as he got up from Leo's lap "round two of snacks coming up" he sang as he jogged into the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go to the washroom before the next one, cool?" Leo asked as he stood as well. His remaining siblings nodded as they got up, deciding to use the opportunity to stretch and followed Mikey into the kitchen.

"You think he's having fun?" Mikey asked softly, not wanting to risk Leo hearing them. He gave a sigh as he drizzled melted caramel and chocolate onto the large bowl of popcorn "I really feel like we could've done better for today."

"C'mon Big Man. We agreed it was good to have a quiet day or two in the mix" Raph reminded him gently, hoping to reassure the young artist. Poor Mikey had been all but agonizing since the plan's formation, trying to make everything just right. Neither could blame him, but they didn't want him stressing himself out over it either.

Donnie nodded "Raph is correct, Leo certainly isn't complaining."

Mikey sighed again "your right, I know your right, I just…" his gaze became far away as memories of what he believed would be his brothers' final words echoed in his mind. Of the feeling of desperation and despair the likes of which he'd never known before, never wanted to know, threatened to consume him as a single thought circled though his head like a vicious mantra.

'Give him back!'

"Mikey?"

Mikey jumped as a gentle hand took hold of his, clutching them to stop the flickers of orange lights as he met his eldest brother's gaze. Raph didn't say anything, just opened his arms for his youngest brother, who didn't hesitate to fall into his embrace. "It was almost the three of us this year" he mumbled.

Raph bit his lip, willing himself to stay strong for Mikey "I know" he whispered, feeling something press against his shoulder. Glancing over, he found Donnie leaning on him, looking down at his feet.

They stayed like that for a few minuets, holding each other together. Leos statement about Scrooge hadn't been wrong, no doubt if things had played out differently, this year's celebration would've been very different.

Because there wouldn't have been a celebration.

They found themselves sympathizing with Scrooge in that moment. If this was even a fraction of how the man felt, no wonder he was so cruel. It didn't justify his treatment of others but how could anyone be expected to be kind and joyful when consumed by such darkness?

They had only known that pain for twelve minuets at most. The longest twelve minuets of their lives, they weren't sure they could've lived with it longer.

They could only pray it would be too long before they had to.

After a moment, Mikey broke away. "All right" he said softly, taking a breath to steady himself as he dried his eyes "this is supposed to be a happy day" he reminded them, himself included.

His older siblings nodded in agreement, straightening themselves as they took the bowl of popcorn back into the living room just as Leo repaired. "Is everything okay?" He asked "you look like you've been crying."

"Oh yeah" Mikey assured him quickly with a wide smile "just getting a little emotional about A Christmas Carol now that I know about his sister!" He snapped, glaring at Donnie.

"Literally, how is that my fault?!" He snapped back, their frustration quickly fading away as they heard Leo giggle at their antics. "Anyway, ready to put on the next one?" Donnie asked, eager to both change the subject and to brighten the mood. Preferably before Leo stared asking questions.

Leo frowned slightly "yeah but…you sure you wanna do this Raph?" The next couple of movies in Leo's favorites were all Rankin/Bass specials, and while Raph didn't mind the Muppets, he had a harder time handing the many puppets of the famous stop motion specials.

Raph took a deep breath, putting on his best game face. "Let's do this" he said in determination.

Leo was still apprehensive but reluctantly accepted his brothers answer. "Alright but feel free to bail whenever" he assured him as he put in the first one. They resumed their spots in the fort, this time snuggled a bit closer to Raph for support and comfort. Leo had selected The Year Without a Santa Claus to start with and Raph couldn't help but chuckle.

The first time they saw the special as kids, little Mikey had gotten excited about how the Miser Brothers were blue and red just like him and Leo, even called them Snow and Heat Miser. Leo had been trying to get Raph to act out their song with him ever since.

Because of this, if nothing else, Raph had to endure this one.

"You hanging in there okay there, Raph?" Leo asked, watching him out of the corner of his eye.

Raph nodded firmly "I'm good" he said as confidently as he could, just a bit longer…

"Ooh, ooh! Leo, Raph, there you guys are!" Mikey cried excitedly, pointing at the screen as the Misers showed up. His brothers laughed, even years latter, Mikey still kept it up for fun.

"Say Raph…" Leo sang to his brother, a sly smirk on his face "I'm think of a song, its a wonderful song. I'm sure your familiar with it."

"Technically, the Misers song is two songs" Donnie added but went ignored.

"I'm sure you wanna sing it…"

Show time.

Raph smiled "yeah, lets do it."

Instantly, the smile fell from Leo's face as he gawked at his older brother like he'd just laid an egg. Even Donnie and Mikey were gaping at him, which was understandable. He hadn't told them he was going to do this, if only to make it less likely for Donnie to film him and Mikey to explode from excitement.

This was his own personal contribution to the plan.

"Wait, what?" Leo asked disbelief. He must have heard wrong; he had to have heard wrong. Every other time Raph would just shove him playfully and tell him to shut up. He'd never expected Raph to actually say yes!

"Yeah, let's sing it, or I guess them" he smirked at Donnie, who was still gawking. Leo continued to stare but he could see the excitement growing in his eyes "unless you changed your mind-"

"NO!" All three cried, Leo and Mikey ecstatic while Donnie had that evil genius gleam.

A risk he'd expected but was wiling to take.

Raph chuckled, shaking his head "shall we?" Eagerly, Mikey paused the special and moved from Leo's lap so they could stand. Donnie brought up a video of the music without the lyrics on his phone. Raph was sure he was filming as well, but he could live with that, at least he could say he tried.

"S-so we're really doing this? Like, really? Like you're not messing with me, right?" Leo asked, practically bouncing from foot to foot. Raph couldn't help laughing at the sight, he couldn't recall the last time he saw him that excited, and all for a sing-along.

He wished he'd done this sooner.

"I'm serious Leo" he didn't think it was possible for his brothers smile to get any bigger, but once again he was proven wrong. The music began, and Raph was right along side Leo in singing their hearts out as the Snow and Heat Miser respectively.

It was nearing dinner when Splinter returned to the lair. He'd needed to get some shopping done, he was so grateful to April for letting him hide the boys' gifts at her place, and thought it'd be nice if the boys had the TV uninterrupted for their little plan.

He set the pizzas on the table with a slight stretch, and made his way to the living room to let his sons know he was home. It was surprisingly quiet, the only sound that greeted him was the DVD menu for Jingle All the Way, a guilty pleaser he shared with Leo.

The rat related to Schwarzeneggers plight all too well.

Although it was strange that they were just letting the menu play.

Splinter got his answer as he rounded the fort and found his sons fast asleep. A warm smile grew on his face at the sight of his babies cuddled together in their little fort. Memories of the past flooding his mind, it was like they were tots again, untouched by the world, their biggest worry being who got the first and last slice of pizza.

How Splinter wished they could've stayed that way, alas, he knew they couldn't.

No one ever did.

Splinter sighed as he reached out and stroked Leo's head. His son who never should've been forced into such a situation, to make such a decision. His brothers were all holding him closely, carefully, like when he'd found them on Staten Island. Assuring themselves he was there.

It reminded him all the more why the plan was so important.

"Dad?" Splinter jumped slightly at Leo's sleepy voice. Looking down to find his son blinking awake.

"I'm sorry Blue" he apologized quietly "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Its cool" he sat up with a yawn, jostling his brothers from their slumber. "Guess we dozed off" he chuckled, rubbing his eyes before sniffing "is that pizza?"

Splinter nodded "I just got back, so its nice and hot. Whenever you boys are hungry, feel free to dig in." From the looks of the empty snack trays and bowls, that might not be likely, but he knew his boys would never say no to pizza.

Leo smiled "I could have pizza."

"Same" Mikey agreed, already energetic despite just waking. Raph and Donnie mumbled in agreement, much to the rat's amusement.

Yep, no on could say no to pizza, least of all his boys.

"Did you have a good movie day with your brothers, Blue?" Splinter asked as they walked to the kitchen.

Leo nodded "yeah, it was great. But I always love our movie days" he said cheerfully.

Splinter smiled back, patting his sons' arm. Behind them, the others smiled amongst each other. "See? Nothing to worry about" Raph whispered to Mikey, who chuckled. His big brother was right, he shouldn't have worried, he knew better then anybody the beauty in simple things. He was the one always telling his family that after all, he just needed a reminder himself now and again.

As long as Leo was happy, that's all that mattered.

For a while I kept finding Rottmnt headphones at Winners and Marshals, it was so random.

On the subject of merch, it'd be neat to get some new 2018 merch. Don't get me wrong, love seeing all the 87 merch cause its iconic, screw the haters, but with the resurgence of the 2003 figures, it'd be nice. Plus, I was looking up pics of merch from back in the day and…ouch. Better can be done, is all I'm saying.

At least some Funko Pops.

Well maybe next Christmas. Anyway, thanks for all the nice comments so till then!