Your Typical TMNT Fic That I Don't Want to Title

Some Wholesome Time In The 2012 Verse

 Michel passed around the kitchen with a mixing bowl in hand. An abandoned art project on the table. His hands trembled as he continued to over-mix his brownie batter. The only light filling the room was the flashlight on his t-phone. His chest is still heaving from his latest attempt to sleep.

"Mikey? Why are you up?" Leo's voice barely registered in Mikey's mind. The blue turtle walked over to the table picking up the messy art piece. Pink and black lines trying to depict something, and as far as he could tell it was nightmarish. Leo looked up watching his orange brother pace around some more still mixing away. Leo frowned as he walked over to Michel resting his hand on top of Michel's. Michel flinched away pulling back as he stared at Leo. His eyes are bright red from crying.

"Brownies," Michel turned his back to Leo pouring the batter into a pan. Leo picked up Michel's art piece.

"What were you drawing?"

"The Kraang," Michel's voice cracked a bit, placing the tray into the oven. Leo continued to stare at the piece.

"Your line work isn't this messy normally. You playing with style?"

"No. My stupid hands," Michel held up his hands showing Leo the trembling. Leo watched them with concern.

"Are you drinking enough water? Eating?" Leo carefully took Michel's hand, "Is this because of your head?"

"Ya. It's because of my head," Michel glanced away. It was close enough to the truth after all. This Leo wouldn't be seeing his trembling magic hands if he didn't fly out of the sky into the billboard. Leo sighed leaving the kitchen. Michel turned back to the oven squatting down to watch his brownies bake. Michel smiled thinking of the joy these tasty treats could bring instead of his nightmares of the Kraang. He never had to worry about them again. Heck if his brothers can defeat the Kraang in a day then surely a group of his brothers who are trained can do it half the time. He would be safe here.

"It's quite early to be baking," Splinter's voice cut through Michel's peace. Michel felt his shoulder shag. He glanced over his shoulder at the old rat. Leo came out from behind him, getting out the kettle to make some tea. Michel glanced over huffing, clearly, he never heard the phrase snitches get stitches.

"I like baking," Michel answered, ignoring Leo as he brewed three cups of tea.

"This is quite the drawing, Michaelangelo." Michel could hear Splinter grab the paper.

"I was named after an artist." Michel pushed his cup of tea away as Leo set it down in front of him. Splinter took his cup silently thanking him.

"What's keeping you up this late," Splinter held up the picture, "Is it something to do with this?"

"Yes," Michel flopped onto the ground sprawling out a bit. He turned to glare at Leo for getting Splinter; the last family member he wanted to see.

"Your first solution to a nightmare was to draw and bake?" Splinter sat down on the floor next to Michel's head. He reached his hand out drawing tiny circles on his head.

"What are you doing?" Michel started to drink his head into his shell.

"When you were a baby this is how I calmed you, boys, down after a nightmare," Splinter explained while sipping his tea, "Just because you're older now doesn't mean I will stop being a father."

Michel frowned trying to remember if his actual father ever did something like this to him. Most of his memories involved Raphael coming into his room to hug him, or him crawling into Raphael's bed. Michel didn't have many memories of his dad doing much fathering. Back then it was a miracle if Splinter got out of bed. It had been like that ever since Raphael started to take care of them. Did they all run to Splinter when they needed comfort here? Michel leaned into the touch again. It felt good to be comforted by a dad. Splinter smiled down at him, continuing to draw the circle on Michel's forehead. Slowly Splinter moved his head into his lap. Michel nuzzled closer to him welcoming the physical affection.

"Want to tell me what happened in your dream?" Splinter asked, resting his hand on top of Michel's head.

"In my dream, Leo sacrificed himself to the Kraang to everyone. I just kept dreaming of how they were torturing him. Taking out all their anger on him. His shell was cracked and he kept spitting out blood. It knew they could finish him off, but choose to make it slow and painful," Michel curled up hugging himself tightly. He felt his eyes sting from forming tears. Splinter's comforting motions stopped for a split second. Michel glanced up to see Leo and Splinter staring at each other. Leo looked rather sick at the description.

"That would keep me up to," Splinter carefully followed the pattern on Michel's shell. Michel's body relaxed some more, feeling safe.

"I keep having these dreams. Not just Leo. All my brothers being tormented by them in some way," Michel explained nuzzling into Splinter some more. He missed being held by his family.

"You are very good at hiding your emotions, Michelangelo. I don't think any of us knew you were having these dreams," Splinter held Michel's cheek smiling down at him, "But you don't have to handle these thoughts alone." Michel hummed half-heartedly leaning more into Splinter for warmth. Splinter smiled down at him, continuing to comfort Michel until he fell back asleep.

Leo looked down at Michel, his feet tapping the ground softly, "I had no clue Mikey could think like that."

"I may not be the smartest Leonardo, but he certainly thinks of you boys more than you know," Splinter started to get up, picking up Michel along the way. Leo nods as he watches Splinter hold his sleeping triplet. Leo held his teacup staring into the murky water. Leo took a deep breath getting up as well. He followed Splinter as he carried Michel to his room. The old rat tucked the sleeping teen into bed. Leo looked down at Michel before he crawled into bed with Michel, deciding his brother needed someone to protect him from any negativity to come his way. Leo hugged Michel to his body. Holding the back of his head. Michel buried his face into Leo's shoulder, naturally following the warmest spot in the bed. Splinter nodded approvingly to Leo gently stroking his head, helping the blue leader fall asleep. Once he was asleep he turned off the light.