Chapter Text
Mikey didn't spend much time with his older brother Leonardo. They were different and preferred to spend their free time where they would be calmer or, in Mickey's case, more fun.
But all this did not mean that the cheerful turtle did not want to spend time with the elder, on the contrary, he really wanted to, the only thing that prevented him was a stupid choice that just haunted him whenever he wanted to get close to the elder. a turtle in a blue bandana.
The choice of where to go or what to do to please not only him, but also his brother. He knew that Raf likes to run around the city with him, watch some match or just fool around, and Donny likes to go to the dump with him, because the younger sometimes gave him invaluable help, they came up with brilliant jokes together against their mutual friend, a hockey player, but the older brother didn't like it all, because- which always raised the question: what would Leo want?
No, Mikey couldn't say he didn't know his brother, he definitely did!
He knows his brother's habit of always putting all his things in perfect condition and if they cannot be replaced, he knew that Leo loves coaching not only because it can be better, but also because it helps him let off steam, he knew Leo loved Japanese culture and knew that sometimes Leo's sapphire eyes can sparkle with happiness, and sometimes fade, as if his eyes are a mirror letting in the rays of the sun.
Mikey knew a lot, but it wasn't enough, he wanted to know more about his brother's interests. Much more than he has in his head right now.
Getting up from the sofa, the turtle stretched his stiff limbs, stretching in different directions, straightening up and looking around their living room, trying to find at least some detail that would give him a really worthwhile idea.
- (Offer to eat? Uh, why did I even think of that? I won't be able to run on the surface, Leo will remember my ankle to me... damn him, I didn't really get into a crack in the ground yesterday… Just think stretching, I'm walking like new) — indicative of my thoughts, the merry man began to wind circles around the living room, gesticulating with his hands and sometimes starting to speak out loud. He would have been winding circles if he hadn't tripped over the figures of heroes, which he scattered, almost falling, quickly regaining coordination, jumped back, accidentally twisting his ankle again, abruptly lifting his leg and squeezing his foot.
- Yes, well, that's it! Just stopped hurting! — whimpering, the younger one whined, feeling as if his own foot was buzzing, giving needles of pain somewhere in the knee.
Releasing his limb, he cautiously stood up, groaned and limped a little towards the kitchen, glancing briefly at the dojo, where the clang of metal could be heard.
How he just wants to be around and hug.
***
The ringing of the chains was heard not far from the ear and each time after that followed a thud on the unfortunate punching bag.
Boring programs and series for old ladies were on TV, and all the channels with animated series showed the same type and not interesting characters for turtles. They know a lot about animated series, especially the younger one sitting on the couch.
After taking a heavy sigh, the turtle leaned back on the back of the sofa, and then threw his head back, looking at the elder, who seemed to be somewhere in his thoughts, beating the pear purely reflexively.
- (Pf, it's funny to see him with such a face) — the merry fellow giggled, watching his temperament for a while, later starting to look around the room from boredom, which has been scratching him since yesterday.
Sighing noisily, the merry man jerks when he hears the click of the opening door, after which a turtle in a blue bandana appeared from his room, correcting his own uniform, slowly walking towards their living room.
Miki was just about to call out to the elder, as he quickly darted to the partition between the subway and the lair, jumping over them with such ease and speed, standing up straight and without looking back, said loudly enough:
- I went for a walk — then disappeared into the old subway tunnels.
Shaking his head in confusion, Mikey looked back at Rafe, which was purely instinctive, nodded and said something like "yeah, come on, fearless," clearly not even knowing what their leader said in the end.
- I'm with Leo! — suddenly, the boy shouted extremely sharply and at the whole lair, jumping off the seat, jumping over the sofa and rushing past Rafe, thereby hitting him and taking him not only out of his thoughts, but also out of himself.
- Aargh, Mickey! Look at the road! — shouted the elder, hitting the pear harder than usual, sniffed the air loudly with his nose and, frowning
, retreated to the kitchen, but would have something to drink.
There is no peace in this house.
***
Stars.
Leo loved the stars.
It is almost impossible to pass unnoticed behind a sensitive and attentive elder, and to escape from him beyond the bounds of reality and understanding.
And he was sure Leo knew about the surveillance and let him go quietly and maybe it would have embarrassed him, but... he was amazed.
It never occurred to him that Leo really loves the sky and everything on it. He began to realize why they could sometimes stand idly on the roof, why Leo sometimes carried a telescope with him, and why he was so absent or began to go for an evening walk.
And now Mikey felt like a fool more than usual.
Running into the den, the boy slipped past his older and evil brother again, accidentally tripping over his leg, but immediately skipping off to his room, slamming the door and falling to the floor, reaching under the bed in search of his box of spray paint.
- If he pushes me again, I'll blow his brains out — temperament snapped, shaking a wet hand. He spilled soda on himself because of this fool, all sticky and sweet and it's so disgusting, but he had only recently been in the shower and didn't want to go there again.
- You did it two hundred times in the last week, you would have taken pity on the poor guy — The Genius snorted, sitting on a clean place on the sofa, poking at his favorite tablet with his finger, constantly scrolling through some diagrams or delving into them.
- What if I don't want to? — temperament asked indignantly, approaching his brother with a half-empty bottle, smiling slyly.
— Well, then I won't be able to help with anything when Leo comes from a walk, and then screams and screams of horror - the smart guy raised his head at Rafe, smiling and showing his gap in his teeth, arrogantly stamping his foot. He knows where to hit.
The hothead snorted, then left in the direction of the bathroom.
I didn't really want to.
***
Shaking his hand, a clicking sound was heard inside the canister, vigorously echoed from the iron walls, after which the sprayer was pressed again, bringing the container to the wall, slowly changing the position of the hand, listening to the paint coming out of the hole sizzle and smoothly lay down on the rough walls of the sewer, creating a trail of bright yellow paint that mixed with a darker color on the previous layer.
Taking a deep breath with a whistling sound from behind the mask on the muzzle, the mutant finally moved away from the wall, resting his hands on his sides with the outside side, clutching the can still in his hand, considering his own efforts.
Part of the walls were covered with dense dark blue paint, which smoothly turned into lighter shades to the floor, and against this background small yellow and white stars stood out, along with an indistinct circle of the moon among this illustration. All this took all the blue paint that he had, a huge amount of time, constantly searching for new materials and clashes with unpleasant personalities during this time, but he absolutely did not regret it.
But that wasn't even the most important thing. Far from it.
And in the picture that was in the midst of all this heavenly chaos. A warm smile under a black and special mask got on his face, not wanting to slip, from overflowing emotions, his heart beat furiously under the plastron, threatening to break through this semblance of armor.
Shaking his head quickly, taking a deep breath, so as to sober himself up, the turtle looked back at his own already empty cans, which were lying in huge numbers on the ground near the drain, which most likely people would soon come down.
It's worth getting out of here before they notice him, otherwise there will be problems later.
And let them just try to spoil his wonderful creation, he will then find them and hang them on a lamppost.
It wasn't for nothing that he tried?
***
- Well, soooo, will you explain to me where we're going, Mikey? — the gnashing of rats and the bathing of water from pipes was diluted by the quiet and velvety voice of the Leader, who did not stretch the letters much, hinting at his slightly tired state.He walked slowly behind his younger brother, not squeezing his palm much, looking around, so that he could remember their small but intricate route. The far part of the sewer was never used by them, which caused a lot of questions to their own relative.
- We're going to a wonderful point, you'll like it there, Big broo — the boy laughed fervently, letting go of someone else's palm and abruptly turning to face the interlocutor, starting to walk backwards, throwing his hands behind his head, showing his smile in all 32 teeth, looking with crystal clear eyes at the elder, waiting until he finally builds his dissatisfied face.
And it didn't take long to wait, Leonardo frowned, looking straight into someone else's eyes, not looking away even when it would have been worth looking around the area for danger after they turned the corner.
He doesn't like being in the dark. And Mickey knew it like no one else.
- Oh, come on, Leo, don't worry, I know this area, I've been here many times, or don't you trust me anymore? — Miki jumped on the spot, starting to laugh merrily, after which he touched a jar with his foot, losing his balance for a second, forcing him to stop, swaying on one leg with a slightly dumbfounded face, abruptly standing on his two and holding his arms outstretched in two directions.
- I trust you, but your little shell likes to get into trouble — a smile appeared on fearless's face again, he squeezed his own sword belts not much, laughing softly to himself, noticing how orange puffed out his own cheeks, brightening his arms on his chest and stamping his toe on the ground.
- We're going to a wonderful point, you'll like it there, Big broo — the boy laughed fervently, letting go of someone else's palm and abruptly turning to face the interlocutor, starting to walk backwards, throwing his hands behind his head, showing his smile in all 32 teeth, looking with crystal clear eyes at the elder, waiting until he finally builds his dissatisfied face.
And it didn't take long to wait, Leonardo frowned, looking straight into someone else's eyes, not looking away even when it would have been worth looking around the area for danger after they turned the corner.
He doesn't like being in the dark. And Mickey knew it like no one else.
- Oh, come on, Leo, don't worry, I know this area, I've been here many times, or don't you trust me anymore? — Miki jumped on the spot, starting to laugh merrily, after which he touched a jar with his foot, losing his balance for a second, forcing him to stop, swaying on one leg with a slightly dumbfounded face, abruptly standing on his two and holding his arms outstretched in two directions.
- I trust you, but your little shell likes to get into trouble — a smile appeared on fearless's face again, he squeezed his own sword belts not much, laughing softly to himself, noticing how orange puffed out his own cheeks, brightening his arms on his chest and stamping his toe on the ground.
- Oh no, don't even think, baby, I won't take my own words back, especially since didn't you say, I quote, "they don't take offense at the truth"? — the grin on someone else's face did not want to come off, Leonardo only covered his own mouth, trying to stop laughing from someone else's offended and already a little red with shame face. This child does not like defeat, as well as his older temperament. None of them liked to lose at their own game.
Having sucked in the air noisily with his nose, the merry man was a little depressed, slouching, taking his own gaze away and pursing his lip, he simply nodded.
- I admit defeat… But only this time! — the old despondency disappeared, as if it had been shaken off by a hand, and the old fervor with anticipation returned to its place.
Miki grabbed his brother by the palm, abruptly turning around, walking forward at a fast pace, pulling blue with him, which frankly was a little shocked, not immediately moving from his place and almost meeting the dirty sewer tracks with his own nose.
- Mikey, be careful! Where did you take off so abruptly? — The elder slightly squeezed someone else's palm, looking back, yes, to check if something had happened behind his back, but finding nothing, he frowned, returning his gaze to his brother, and then looked forward, from where he could see muddy pictures and bright enough moonlight, which was definitely absent in the dark sewer, where everything else and the flashlights even burned out.
- We're almost there, you'll like it, Leo! — the turtle's voice radiated so much warmth and happiness, he himself seemed to be trembling with impatience, but to know someone else's reaction, and real lights shone in his eyes.
A smile crept onto his face by itself, and his eyelids drooped a little. He, too, will probably tremble with someone else's anticipation.
Stopping right at the end of the tunnel, Mikey walked around Leo's back, pushing him forward.He first looked at him, after which he frowned at the slightly bright light after the darkness, covering his face from the rays, walked forward and frowned began to inspect the room around.
It was a place somewhat similar to the descent of waters, most likely it was, but ... it was different.
The walls were covered with layers of paints that depicted a starry sky, hiding almost every brick. All this seemed to surround him in reality, and not in drawings, involuntarily he even took a step forward, looking around every star, catching only quiet rustles from behind, such awkward, waiting for an assessment.
The eye clings to a colorful picture, a little sloppy, but still pretty enough. A smile spreads on his face, happy as a cat's, as if he now saw not just a drawing of themselves, so unlike themselves and only distinguishable by the expressions of their faces and the colors of the masks, but as if he had plunged into his own world.
This is what describes their family. So strange, emotional, barely discernible in other people's shadows, but still unique and so strong that it would be difficult for others to understand them.
- Mikey, this is… That's just fine. How long have you been ... — the former eloquence seemed to have left him, he turned to his younger brother, squeezing not much the straps of his own knives, looking for an answer in someone else's eyes. He was really impressed. It all looked like an amazing work of a street artist, whom Mickey himself loved to distraction. And here was something that was dear to him and liked him. It all seemed like an amazing surprise. He wasn't ready for something like this when Junior said he would take him "somewhere."
- Well... maybe less than a month?.. You know, I really wanted to spend time with you, but our interests, to put it mildly, do not coincide well… And I thought, "Hey, it would be cool to follow and find out something new"! — A little embarrassed and moving on to more active gestures, Mikey began to dance a little on the spot, trying to calm himself down, as if. He definitely didn't think he would be so worried.
- And... I followed, huh, I think you noticed me perfectly then, but I think it doesn't matter… I honestly… I was surprised that you like stars, of course it sucks that I didn't know this before ... — the merry man froze in place, biting his lower lip, awkwardly looking at his socks, shuffling his foot, thinking about something of his own.
Sometimes it's hard to keep your attention, especially when you're worried.
Leo came up to him, put his hands on his shoulders, smiling gently, from which the old excitement dissolved, leaving behind only a residue that also left. Angelo made a small leap forward, hugging his brother tightly, putting his head on his shoulder, I feel so safe, which always came from the elder. As if nothing bad can happen to him, he will always be protected in these arms and comforted when needed.
- And you know, although I was surprised, but I was so caught up in inspiration and overwhelmed with ideas that I rushed to some secluded place. A place where you can see real stars in the sky and a place where you can create your own stars. I wanted to create something where you could be alone and with us at the same time. And where am I… Could have just been there. — The turtle hid in the curve of someone else's shoulder, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, concentrating on the sound of the wind walking through the sewer and how the water was flowing.
There was such a cozy silence. They gave him so few answers, but they were still enough to know that HE liked it, that all this was not in vain and he did not suffer from nonsense again, as Raphael always liked to say. Even so few words gave him the right goosebumps.
- (I feel like a very small child ...) — the merry man flashed through his head, which caused a quiet chuckle to be heard. Perhaps he is a small child.
A child who talks too much and does things, but he is still listened to and encouraged. It's terribly pleasant and it makes you want to do even more.
-T-shirts. You're doing great. Thanks. Leo rested his chin on the top of someone else's head, closed his eyes and listened to someone breathing. It was as if he knew what Mikey was really thinking, starting to slowly stroke him on the shell, opening his eyes again, watching his own movements, then raising his head, looking at the real stars that were visible from the through hole in the ceiling. They are probably somewhere in the area of landfills, where they didn't even bother to put up grilles, but no one would have fallen.
That's better, no one will come here and spoil this wonderful place.
***
- Are you talking to me about the stars?..
- Of course, what do you want to know, honey?
- Everything.