Chapter Text
It’s the morning after Raph and Leo’s fight, Mikey’s in the kitchen cooking up bacon and eggs for everyone with his free hand, Donnie is assisting him to the best of his abilities to make up for his other arm not being in use. Donnie was talking about a new perfectly preserved Japanese sword from 4,000 years ago that is currently on display in some rich museum – Mikey listened in, occasionally asking questions that Donnie gave perfect answers to.
It was nine in the morning, Leo and Raph usually get up by 9:30.
“But, when they translated it, it turns out that the writing on the handle was actually a clue to one of the old temples all the way from the Jomon period! That’s how they figured out exactly how old it was!” Donnie ranted on, flapping his hands excitedly.
“So, who found the sword? Was it actually like-, historians, or just some regular shmegular?” Mikey questions, entirely engaged with the topic.
“It was actually-” Donnie began, before being rudely interrupted by Leo’s jaw splitting yawn as he came into the kitchen. It was barely 9:05.
“Goood morning, Mis hermanitos!” Leo stretched, multiple pops coming from his back and shoulders. Donnie tossed him a glare as Mikey tensed up slyly.
“Oh, morning Leo..” Mikey said quietly. Donnie’s glare hardened at the quiet tone Mikey swapped to, burning holes through Leo’s eyes. While Mikey was busy cooking, Donnie subtly signed to Leo.
SORRY, YOU.
Leo bit his bottom lip, hesitating before taking a deep breath and walking toward Mikey, slinging a hand around his shoulder. “Mikey, I’m really sorry about Raph and me fighting yesterday. I know it feels like that’s all we’ve really been doing recently but-” Leo sighed. “The point is, I’m really sorry. And I understand if you don’t forgive me.” Leo looked away, taking his arm off Mikey.
Mikey didn’t say anything for a moment, he paused with his one hand wrapped around the frying pans handle.
Leo’s expression faltered slightly, feeling increasingly nervous by the only sound filling the room being the slight sizzle of bacon and eggs.
“..Could you pass me the pepper?” Mikey asks, avoiding eye contact even as Leo’s eyes widen slightly.
“Mikey, I said I’m sorry.”
“I heard you, I just… I don't know what to say yet.” Mikey said, staring at the sizzling bacon in front of him.
Leo sighed, turning to the cabinet and pulling the pepper down – and shaking some of it over the eggs to spare Mikey the effort.
Donnie looked at Leo, and Leo returned the glance. Donnie shrugged, hopping off the counter and grabbing some napkins down. “Go set the table.” Donnie handed the napkins to Leo, who nodded and walked off.
Next, Donnie came over to watch the eggs on a separate pan. Neither of them spoke for a stretched second, but it was less awkward than the tension with Leo.
“...You did the right thing, Mike.” Donnie offers, resting an extremely gentle hand on his injured shoulder.
Eventually, Raph exits his room around 9:35, expecting another day of unfamiliarity and being away from his brothers. When he enters the common area, he finds Leo setting the table. He peaks his head into the kitchen, finding Donnie helping to cook, Mikey humming while listening to Donnie continue on about his historic rant.
Everyone is trying.
And it’s about as awkward as it could possibly be for Raph.
He stands in the middle of the two rooms for a moment, eyes snapping between Leo setting the table with various glasses and plates, and the entry to the kitchen accompanied by an inviting aroma. But he knows he’s not invited.
It’s clear to Raph that Leo has already apologized, he wouldn’t be setting the table right now if he didn’t. Now Raph has to.
Luckily, Donnie noticed Raph when he peaked his head into the kitchen. He tells Mikey he’ll be right back, making some excuse about going to help Leo finish up the table and grabbing a stack of plates down from the cabinet. He walks to where Raph is standing and nudges the stack toward him. He doesn’t need to say anything, Raph nods and takes the plates, walking to Leo and helping him arrange everything with precision.
When the two older brothers are done setting the table, they go help Mikey and Donnie with cooking. Raph starts buttering toast, Donnie takes over on the eggs, Leo leads Mikey down to the table. Before Mikey turns, he speaks.
“You guys are gonna burn my bacon.”
All three elder brothers turn toward the actively steaming and burning pan of bacon, yelling in sync.
“THE BACON!!” they all cried, the kitchen exploding into chaos as Donnie lunged for the pan, Leo yelping and pulling Mikey back as Raph almost dropped a plate. And Mikey laughs, really laughs for the first time since the fight had begun.