Chapter Text
Michelangelo screamed as he frantically pushed buttons, trying to delay the inevitable. but all good things must come to an end, as Master Splinter likes to remind him. and deep down he really did know this. it’s just sometimes you can’t accept it, but it’s all right, it will happen whether you accept it or not, in the end.
“nooo!!!” Mikey cried as the screen flashed to black, then in big blocky lettering it read ‘GAME OVER’.
“level 15! i was on level 15!” from his place sitting on the floor Michelangelo rolled onto his back, swaying from left to right with the help of his shell, and hiding his face in his hands.
when he received no reply he peeked thru his fingers, but he couldn’t see much, laying on his back and all, so he lifted his head to look around, and realized why no one was listening.
it was one of those moods.
‘one of those moods’ being when no one could sit still.
Raph and Casey were in a fierce sparring match, although it was more of a anything goes match by the looks of it, Mikey flinched as Raph’s fist barely missed Casey’s left eye. Casey dropped to the ground just in time and kicked the red clad turtle’s legs out from under him. seems like Casey is paying attention to Splinter’s lessons after all. Leo seemed to be in the middle of a kata routine and was very focused. Donnie is in the living room with them for once, but seemed to have brought part of his lab with him. he was sitting crossed legged on the ground and had two screens set up, with three neatly stacked piles of bright green panels that had dots of color all over them.
Mikey had no idea what they did but they looked cool, so he put his hands flat on the ground just above his head and rocked forward. swiftly pushing onto his feet and standing up straight he walked over to his older brother.
he walked lightly so the other didn’t notice him right away, until he was right behind him and picked up one of the panels to look it over. from this close he saw that it was much more than just dots of color. there were lines of lighter green all over it with pin prick holes and round parts that came off of it at different heights, it also looked like there were chips and other parts tied down with tiny wires on all sides.
Mikey made a little “ooh” noise as he ran his hands over the source. once he looked all of it over he pulled it away from his face, holding it at arm's length and looking it over from far away. then he gasped, causing Donnie to jump, finally realizing the other standing behind him, Mikey closed one eye and turned it to the side, “it’s like a little town!” he said happily.
“Mikey!” Donnie said angrily as he stood up, “that is not a toy!”
the younger brother stepped back. “i know that! i was just looking.”
Donnie huffed, reaching for the panel. “then stop messing around and give it back, I’m trying to work.”
Mikey hugged the panel to his chest, and turned so the other couldn’t grab it. “I’m not messing around! and you weren’t using it, just let me look at it!”
this seemed to be the wrong answer because Donnie looks mad now, “Michelangelo Hamato!” he growled, jumping forward to try to take the green board once again.
the blue eyed turtle quickly spun out of reach and took off running, “the full name thing only works if Splinter or Leo does it, sorry Donnie!” he yelled back.
really he doesn’t know why Donnie always makes a big deal out of everything, why can’t he just look at what his brothers were doing for once without getting yelled at?
the tallest brother didn’t give up just because the other ran off of course, he was right behind as Mikey made a beeline for somewhere safe, he saw something close enough. really beggars can’t be choosers when you have an older brother after you.
“Casey!” Mikey yelled as he ran past the water and tire wing, Raph and Casey had been fighting over were Raph kept his punching bag. they seemed like they were taking a small brake, lucky timing.
“Mikey don’t you dare!” Donnie growled, saying it quietly so only Mikey heard him.
the human teen turned hearing his name, and Mikey quickly ran and hid behind him. Casey was like a bodyguard when it came to Donnie, there was no one who could get under his skin like Casey could, and no one that could shut him down like Casey. so whenever Mikey had a problem with Donnie now a days he would go right to him.
Donnie was not happy about this being that Mikey had started winning fights thru Casey.
Casey lifted his arm to look at Mikey, who smiled up at him in a very ‘i didn’t do anything wrong, please help’ way. he seemed to get it because the teen replied with a wink, then turned to Donatello who had come to stand in front of him.
“something you need Bill Nye?” Casey asked, crossing his arms.
Donnie took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he rubbed his temple. signaling he has a headache. “yes, the circuit board Mikey took. i need it for a new… thing, I’m working on.”
Casey hummed, “and he can’t just hold it because…?” he asked.
“because I’m using it!” Donnie yelled.
Mikey suddenly poked his head out from behind Casey, “lair! it was just sitting there, and i just wanted to look at it!” he defended.
“well don’t! it’s mine, i don’t have to have a reason for not letting you see it!” the tallest of the group seemed to be done with talking, because he once again pulled forward to grab at the circuit board.
Mikey yelp and grabbed the back of Casey’s shirt dragging him around to block the others hand and using him as a human shield. which Raph thought was really funny apparently, because he started laughing. Casey pushed Donnie to arms length, but it didn’t stop. and soon they were all stumbling in a circle, Donnie, trying to reach around the black haired teen. Casey, trying to push him back. and Mikey dragging him around and blocking his brother. they were all yelling.
and to top it all off Raph had fallen to the floor, holding his stomach as he laughed and tried to watch at the same time.
“that’s it!” a voice cut thru all of theirs, and they all fell silent. save for Raph’s laughing.
they all turned to see a very mad looking Leo, Mikey forgot he had been doing a kata and suddenly shrunk in on himself a little. Leo hates when people interrupt his routines.
the oldest walked over to them, pulling the circuit board out of his brothers hand. he turned to Donnie first, “you weren’t using it right at that moment, you could have let him look at it.” he scowled. the brown eyed turtle huffed and looked away, but nodded. he then turned to Mikey, “you purposely snuck over and looked at it without asking, when you could have just asked to see it.” Mikey blushed, oh yeah, he didn’t think of that. so he nodded in reply.
Leo sighed, then looked at the human, “and Casey..” he said. to which the teen just grinned in reply. “...hold on to this for me, for an hour. Don’t. brake. it.” he said handing over the circuit board.
Donnie made a “wah..?” noise, then threw his hands up and walked away. angry words falling behind him while Mikey aww’d.
Casey just smiled and took the offered tech, “will do, my dude.” he replied happily.
everyone went back to their activities without any more fighting, and Mikey was left without anything to do it seemed.
he huffed, kicking up some dust and looked at the floor.
suddenly a light happy noise caught his attention so he followed it into the hallway that led to all of their bedrooms. he realized it was laughing as he walked past Leo’s room, Then Raph’s, Donnies, and even past his own room. it got louder and finally he was at the last door of the hall.
he suddenly remembered that it was no longer a storage room, it was now Karai’s. she had only been here for a little over a month, so sometimes Mikey forgot. mostly in the mornings, and after just waking up, it’s a little shocking to see someone new eating cereal at the table. it was also the room April used when she had to stay with them, so it had already been clean and open.
but Mikey liked having a sister, loved it actually. it was like having a new brother, but she was kinder about somethings. now if there was something Mikey wanted to talk about but was a tough subject he went to her.
she was a good listener, and always had an answer to what he asked. to her no question was a bad one.
even though the door was open a little he knocked. Karai had made it clear that they all were to knock, wait for an answer, and if the answer said so they could go in. a rule Mikey was proud to say he always remembered. he wanted his new sister to like him after all.
it only took a second before he heard someone say “come in.” so he smiled and pushed the door open to step in.
Karai’s room was nice and well put together, it seemed everything had a home, but it didn’t feel strict. once Karai had told Mikey that when she lived with Shredder she wasn’t aloud to leave anything out. it all had to be put away or she would get in trouble. Mikey couldn’t image that, sure they had to keep the lair uncluttered, but Splinter never told them to keep their own rooms a certain way. he believed their rooms were just that, theirs. and that if it made them happy and no one was getting hurt by it, it was fine. so not everything in Karai’s room was put away at all times, and she seemed happy about it.
although this day it seemed nothing was put away. April and Karai were sitting on the bed, surrounded by small objects, brushes, and things that looked deadly to the young turtle. Karai was holding what looked like a pen to Mikey up to April’s eye and he was worried for a moment, until he watched a thin black line aper over her eyelashes, and come off to the corner, then swept off in a point.
“woah! what are you doing?” the blue eyed turtle asked, hopping over to watch Karai work.
Karai laughed lightly, “hi Mikey.”
“isn’t it cool?” April said, excited. “Karai’s teaching me how she always has perfect winged eyeliner.”
Karai laughed again, “perfect? no. but whoever said liquid eyeliner was harder than pencil or gel should be put away for his crimes against humanity.” she hummed putting the cap back on the pen-looking-thing.
Mikey smiled and nodded for a minute, “i have no idea what you just said.”
the black haired girl rolled her eyes, but she was smiling so Mikey didn’t mind. “we’re doing each others makeup, you know. eye shadow, blush, foundation? things like that.”
“oooh.” Mikey said. he knew a little about that, not much though. which for some reason just recently has been bugging him. sometimes the things the girls said and did seemed like much more fun than what his brothers and Casey were doing. and Mikey would be lying if he said he didn’t want to be more like them sometimes. “i know what makeup is, but.. does it really do anything?”
April nodded like she was a bobble head, and she was about to say something, but Karai put her hand over the other girls mouth. then looked at Mikey, “yes, it does. but one thing you always have to remember about makeup; Makeup makes people feel better. not look better.”
April seemed to have calmed down and this time was slowly nodding in agreement. Mikey scrunched up his face and was quite for a long time. “i don’t think i know what that means either.” he finally replied.
Karai looked at April for help and it looked like the redhead realized something, “i know!” she said happily. she then pulled Karai so they were sitting side by side. “ok, I’m wearing makeup and Karai’s not. so, who’s prettier?”
Michelangelo was taken aback by this question. he had never compared the two girl’s before. why would he? they were both very cute and nice in their own ways, “uhh.”
“it’s fine Mikey, just tell us what you think. we won’t get mad.” April promised.
“um.” the youngest swallowed, and looked from April to Karai and back again. “both of you look nice, why would one of you not look nice?” Mikey asked. he didn’t want them to get mad if he did or didn’t pick, even if they said it was fine.
“exactly!” April said smiling.
“some people would say April looks better because she’s wearing makeup.” Karai nodded.
“why?” Mikey asked before he even knew he was talking.
“well,” Karai crossed her legs, “i have some reddening on my cheeks, and a few scars. some people would say that’s ugly, and if i wear makeup to cover it, I’ll look better.” she shrugged.
Mikey didn’t know what to say, he was suddenly angry and confused at the same time. which happened a lot when he was in battle, but this was new and he didn’t like it.
how could someone call his sister, or anyone for that matter, ugly for something they couldn’t help and was so small? Splinter always said, for every fault, you have a refine. and even though Mikey didn’t know many girls, for the ones he did, this seemed true without question. so what if her face was a little red in some places? didn’t you put color on your cheeks when doing makeup anyway? and who cares if she has a few scars? it just shows what shes been through, and how strong she is. the whole idea seemed dumb if you asked him.
“but that's ok Mikey,” Karai said, placing a hand on his shoulder to pull him from his thoughts, and he looked at her with a sad face. “you can’t help what other people think.”
“she's right,” April joined in with a small smile. “we didn’t mean to upset you. all we were trying to say was that makeup makes people feel good about how they look, but it doesn’t change them, it just.. helps them see their beauty a little more.”
Mikey looked at both of them for a little longer before letting a big smile cover his face, “i get it now! thanks for explaining it to me.” he replied with a light laugh.
the girls looked happy that the youngest of them was smiling again, and April said it was no problem at the same time Karai said it was her pleasure. Karai also said he could stay and watch if he wanted, to which Mikey happily agreed, and they cleared a spot for him to sit on the bed with them.
Michelangelo watched his sister uncap the pen-looking-thing again and begin working once more. she told him it was eyeliner and Mikey felt his cheeks heat up for not making that connection, he’d obviously heard of eyeliner before, he should have figured out that's what it was. they let him pick out the color for her lips, and as he pointed to the peachy pink lipstick, and they told him it was a really good choice, he felt himself having more fun then he's had in a long time. it was more than fun to sit and talk with them about makeup, and to learn and joke as they laughed and tried new things, it felt.. right. it felt like he’s wanted something like this for a long time but didn’t know this is what he wanted. it was all really confusing but he was so happy that he tried not to think about it.
he wished they could stay like this for longer, and he really, really hoped this wasn’t a one time thing.