Work Text:
Mikey loved painting.
Colors swirled with colors to form something new, something people hadn't seen before, color combinations no one had tried before.
He loved the idea of creating something entirely him, entirely new, entirely meaningful.
Hidden in the whirlwind of color was ideas, meaning, and secrets only Mikey knew about. He put them there for his own enjoyment, reminders of what meant the most to him.
He shook a can of spray paint absentmindedly, dreaming up what he was about to plaster on the empty wall in front of him.
Endless possibilities filled his brain, swatches of colors filled the canvas of his mind, new ones blanketing over the parts he didn't like. Shapes filed in, stamping the shapeless colors into set positions. Every option was wonderful, and each would get a chance in turn once Mikey got to them.
Making up his mind, he set down the can and picked up another. Shaking it thoroughly, he began to paint, jumping around to reach higher places, teeth gently biting his lip in concentration.
Red was a favorite color of his, and it belonged everywhere. It was confident, filled with righteous rage and energy. It was passionate, deep and understanding. It was big, and Mikey liked it that way. So it filled his canvas, as he knew it should.
He paused for a moment, inspecting the shapes he had made. It was time for another color.
Blue was next, a stable and reliable calm energy that stood firm. It was coolly reserved, a conventional yet diverse variable. Mikey loved Blue for its unshakable and steady nature, and knew he could depend on it when options ran thin.
Mikey wasn't sure if he was making the right choices with the painting, but the artist in him told him that it was a process, that he would love the outcome if he kept going. He knew that it would turn out okay in the end, so he picked up his next color.
Purple was a beautiful color in his mind. The color of wisdom and bravery, with a one of a kind distinctive quality that made it stand out in its own way. It was royalty, and Mikey loved what made it unique, because that's how it became radiant.
As Mikey gave Purple its moment to shine, he began thinking of what other colors his painting needed. After a momentary pause, he snatched the green can from its spot in his bag.
Green was climbing its way up Mikey's list of favorites, and although it was never at the bottom, it was never too significant either. But it started changing, and to Mikey it meant renewal, a fresh take on something old and ordinary, like grass regrowing in the spring after a long winter. It was calm and the best for relaxation, and it meant safety.
With only a few more color choices, Mikey went for vibrancy, shaking the yellow can as he mapped out his masterpiece.
Yellow was loud, easily seen and made people take notice. It was a happy color, full of friendly vibes and high energy. It was optimistic, keeping spirits high when the situation was low. It was also caution, careful when things mattered the most. Mikey loved Yellow because of its brightness, and he never wanted to see the day that brightness diminished.
With a step back, Mikey peered at his work of art, tilting his head back and forth and tracing every line with his eyes. It was still missing something, and it wouldn't be complete without it.
Mikey grinned suddenly. How could he forget? Swiping the can from his bag, he began to add the finishing touches with his favorite color.
Orange was his favorite because it was bright, it made heads turn, it was attention-grabbing. It was excitement. It was happiness in a different tone from Yellow, feeling like warm sunshine and energetic optimism. It was high energy, playful and creative in fantastical and whimsical self expression. It was confident and the color of sunsets, one of Mikey's favorite aspects of nature.
With one final splash, Mikey took another look at his work, standing back to view it all. It was breathtaking in his eyes.
Red swamped the base of the painting, ever-encompassing and sturdy in the background, holding the other colors together with a strong grip and wide reach.
Orange spiked and dotted around the entire piece, being everywhere and involved with every color. It brought out some of the other colors, complimenting them and pulling them from the background.
Yellow similarly added a unique pop of striking bright vibrancy to the cooler colors. It was just as sharp as Orange, but with a slightly different vibe. It was bright in just the right ways and lifted the whole tone of the mural.
Green was the second biggest color after Red, similarly reaching for every color and holding them with a steady grounding. It curled to the edge of Red, cradling it too, even though it wasn't as big.
Blue was electricity, lines flowing from smooth and rounded to sharp and unpredictable, though its hyper-saturated and flamboyant color never faded from its blazing, brilliant flame. It weaved between every color, keeping them all connected through a common cord.
Purple was just as noticeable, with its sharp edged shapes but soft undertones. Geometric figures and straight lines filling the gaps between colors wherever the boring wall behind the art showed. It intersected frequently with the Blue zig zags, causing a small yet refreshing clash between the two very different yet very similar colors.
Mikey loved every bit of it, each color making him happy in its own special way. He stood and stared and took in every aspect of the masterpiece he had just made with his own hands, feeling the satisfaction and giddiness at being able to create wonders such as this.
As he slowly descended out of the flow state, he realized he could hear footsteps approaching down the tunnel. He began putting his paints away, repacking his bag with his cans and the tarp he put down to protect the floor.
Leo sauntered in, blue mask tails waving behind him and hands on his hips. He stared in awe at Mikey's newest work.
“Wow, Mike, that's amazing!” He praised, gazing at it just as Mikey had just a few moments ago.
“Thanks, Lee!” Mikey grinned proudly.
“What is it?” Leo asked, tilting his head to look from a different angle.
“I was just experimenting with colors and abstract shapes.” Mikey told him, sliding his bag over his shoulder. It meant more to himself than that, but Leo didn't need to know. This was his secret.
“Okay, well, it's almost dinner time and Raph and I are hungry. I didn't ask Donnie, though, he's shored up in his lab again.” Leo stretched his arms up over his head.
“Alright. I guess I'll have to make dinner.” Mikey sighed sarcastically.
“Would you?!” Leo gasped in mock gratitude and surprise. “We aren't going to starve today?”
“I feed you every day!” Mikey retorted, playfully shoving him.
Leo laughed, then got a small glint in his eyes that Mikey knew spelled trouble.
“You've got some paint on your face, Mike, lemme get it off for ya.” Leo smirked, then to Mikey's horror and disgust, licked his entire hand and brought it towards Mikey's face.
“EEW!” Mikey shrieked and sprinted away from him. “GET AWAY FROM ME!” He giggled as Leo chased him down the tunnel.
“Come back! I just want to help you!” Leo cackled evilly.
The two turtles’ shouts echoing down the tunnel faded, and the abstract mural was left to dry in the half-lit sewer tunnel.