[There is a brief pause before Leo texts Mikey back.]
No food allergies, but he's a vegetarian.
I guess? I wanted to thank him for his help. He's been good to Casey and I, so, it felt right to return the favor. He doesn't seem the grilled cheese sandwich type, which is what Donnie and I have been living on recently.
[Don't worry about us, he says! Grumble, grumble. All the spirits at the market are going to get an earful of Mikey complaining about his stupid, stubborn brothers as he pointedly leaves Leo on read during his supply run.
He shows up at the apartment a couple hours later, actually going for the door instead of the window since he's loaded down with enough bags to look like a traveling merchant. With his hands occupied he doesn't knock on the door so much as kick it a couple times.]
[Mikey leaving him on read is not the greatest sign. Leonardo decides he's going to just... clean up the apartment. For no reason. They are cleaner than teenagers, but also depressed enough things get messy in a different way.
Maybe yell at Donnie to be less stinky. NORMAL.
The kick-knocks are met by the door being opened by a bemused turtle.] Honestly thought you'd come in through a window, but, I see why you didn't.
[He does indeed hold the door open for the grumpiest little brother.]
Oh, we're way past windows. [This is a red alert nutrition emergency.
Don't mind Mikey as he strolls on in like he owns the place, making his way over to the kitchen where he drops off his many, many bags. He fishes two from the pile and puts them to the side.]
These are for your dinner. [Sourcing the ingredients himself was easier than giving Leo a list of a dozen different shops to hit up.] There's extra in case you wanna do a practice round.
[That said, he goes back to rummaging, first through the bags that clank like pots and pans. He does not trust the old men to have appropriate cookware for food prep.]
[Leonardo closes the front door as Mikey strolls in. He shakes his head a little, well aware Babbiest of Brother invasion isn't going to end anytime soon.
The kitchen thankfully looks cleaned, but lived in.
A drying rack is set up next to the sink itself, a few dishes set out drying. A dish towel laid next to it. A half empty mug alongside a pen and notepad have been forgotten on the kitchen table. The fridge has pictures pinned on it of their immediate bubble. Pictures Leo got from Casey, others taken of the two older turtles on their little trip. More than a few of Casey and Leo together. Someone is an embarrassingly doting father.
A mid-sized schlumbergera sits on the windowsill of the largest window in the kitchen. A tiny turtle shaped watering can seated next to it. A gift from Cad that is being well cared for.]
Gracias, Miguel. I'll test out the meal and see how well it works.
[He snorts at the pots and pans being pulled out. He and Donnie inherited the apartment from Casey & Hunter, so they're at least prepped for feeding themselves easily enough.
Low bar, Leo. [A balanced diet is even more important when you're fresh out of the apocalypse, probably.
The doting dad photo collage is pretty cute--cute enough to stop Mikey from scoffing too judgmentally at the contents of the fridge when he goes to stash a few items. Most of what he brought, though, is getting steadily spread out across all the available counter space.]
I'm gonna make some stuff you guys can just throw in the microwave over the next couple days. Even less work than grilled cheese.
Considering my bar was in the dirt before, I think this is progress. [He bats back, just watching the teenager all but take over his kitchen. Everything has a high chance of being re-arranged by Leo or Donnie later when the wrath of Michael isn't upon them.
He sighs a little.] I'd like to tell you 'We got this', but, I can see when I'm losing a battle.
Glad your old age hasn't made you senile. [Mikey grins over his shoulder, but he's more relieved Leo isn't pushing back than the self-assured act lets on. Things between the future twins and the rest of the family are... strained at best, to the point where Mikey's not exactly how he fits in beyond wanting to help Casey share in the awkward responsibility of making it better.
The countertop takeover, at least, is only temporary. Mikey's setting up like he's going to prepare several different kinds of meals at once, but it's totally gonna be fine. A lifetime of watching cooking shows has prepared him for every challenge.]
If it helps, you can think of this as doing me a favor. I'm not the only cook in the lair these days, so I don't get to show off as much.
I'll keep saying forty isn't old, but, I doubt you'll believe me until you get there. [He hangs back just watching Mikey for a moment longer, putting together the teenager's plans given the array of ingredients he's splaying out around him. It distantly reminds Leonardo of holidays long gone. The memory leaves an uncomfortable nostalgic feeling lodged in the back of his throat. He misses his baby brother. He misses Mikey so badly-
But this isn't the same man he knew. This is the start of something new. Someone who is Mikey, but growing into someone else. Someone unburdened by Krang or war. That is a victory in itself. Leo won't spoil that.
He manages to push that aside, keeping focused on the moment now. He manages to keep his tone friendly as he steps up to join Mikey. Even if he's just patting the teenager's shelled back fondly. The gesture unintentionally parental out of ingrained habit.]
Oh, that's how we're framing it huh? You wanna flex and impress two alleged old men?
Like you two haven't always been the hardest ones to please? [Granted, when the competition is Raph that isn't actually saying much.
Mikey steps aside just enough to make room for Leo at the counter. He might be too much of a kitchen control freak to let Leo do more than follow his instructions, but the thought is (more or less) there. The dad-like mannerisms are a little weird, sure, but it feels like an improvement over their first interaction where Leo was calling him kid and distancing himself. Being allowed to help, even in such a small way? That's something Mikey can work with.]
I'm keeping it simple for now since I bet Old Donnie is even pickier than ever.
[Years of the Apocalypse Diet would do that to anyone.]
Miguel, I can't help if we have refined tastes naturally. I know you can keep up, though. [Enough time to settle, and have more than a few heart-to-heart talks with Casey have done a number on Leonardo.]
His diet is... interesting. We'll say that. [Someone was eating a can of corn earlier today, his name starts with a 'Dona' and ends with a 'tello'.] Am I allowed to pass you things, or am I just on watch?
[He accepts his assign task, dropping veggies into one of the pots.] Love to tell you this, I'm in great shape. I can handle any dish I set my sights on. [The Leonardo Bluster hasn't changed, apparently.]
While, I'd give you a maybe. [Wow actual progress.] I don't think that'll work out. The two Donnies got into some physical fight, and I'm not sure that we want a repeat over mashed potatoes.
They can't just avoid each other all the time, either. It's not good for anybody, and a supervised environment is the best way to ease them into getting along.
[Twirling a spoon around in his hand with a knowing look.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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lmk what he says
we're aiming to impress, right?
noodles are a safe bet
a crowd pleaser you can dress up without a lot of extra work
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No food allergies, but he's a vegetarian.
I guess? I wanted to thank him for his help. He's been good to Casey and I, so, it felt right to return the favor. He doesn't seem the grilled cheese sandwich type, which is what Donnie and I have been living on recently.
1/3
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and you're living on GRILLED CHEESE??????
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give me 2 hours
and send me your recipes
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[They also eat frozen food, so, not technically a lie.
It is already too late to derail Mikey, unfortunately, but he has to try.]
You don't have to worry about us. We got ourselves covered just fine. Save yourself some time.
Alright, I liked these ones.
[As promised, he links to two recipes he found on folkmores version of the internet.]
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He shows up at the apartment a couple hours later, actually going for the door instead of the window since he's loaded down with enough bags to look like a traveling merchant. With his hands occupied he doesn't knock on the door so much as kick it a couple times.]
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Maybe yell at Donnie to be less stinky. NORMAL.
The kick-knocks are met by the door being opened by a bemused turtle.] Honestly thought you'd come in through a window, but, I see why you didn't.
[He does indeed hold the door open for the grumpiest little brother.]
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Don't mind Mikey as he strolls on in like he owns the place, making his way over to the kitchen where he drops off his many, many bags. He fishes two from the pile and puts them to the side.]
These are for your dinner. [Sourcing the ingredients himself was easier than giving Leo a list of a dozen different shops to hit up.] There's extra in case you wanna do a practice round.
[That said, he goes back to rummaging, first through the bags that clank like pots and pans. He does not trust the old men to have appropriate cookware for food prep.]
no subject
The kitchen thankfully looks cleaned, but lived in.
A drying rack is set up next to the sink itself, a few dishes set out drying. A dish towel laid next to it. A half empty mug alongside a pen and notepad have been forgotten on the kitchen table. The fridge has pictures pinned on it of their immediate bubble. Pictures Leo got from Casey, others taken of the two older turtles on their little trip. More than a few of Casey and Leo together. Someone is an embarrassingly doting father.
A mid-sized schlumbergera sits on the windowsill of the largest window in the kitchen. A tiny turtle shaped watering can seated next to it. A gift from Cad that is being well cared for.]
Gracias, Miguel. I'll test out the meal and see how well it works.
[He snorts at the pots and pans being pulled out. He and Donnie inherited the apartment from Casey & Hunter, so they're at least prepped for feeding themselves easily enough.
He hovers in the doorway of the kitchen.]
We aren't starving to death, big man.
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The doting dad photo collage is pretty cute--cute enough to stop Mikey from scoffing too judgmentally at the contents of the fridge when he goes to stash a few items. Most of what he brought, though, is getting steadily spread out across all the available counter space.]
I'm gonna make some stuff you guys can just throw in the microwave over the next couple days. Even less work than grilled cheese.
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He sighs a little.] I'd like to tell you 'We got this', but, I can see when I'm losing a battle.
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The countertop takeover, at least, is only temporary. Mikey's setting up like he's going to prepare several different kinds of meals at once, but it's totally gonna be fine. A lifetime of watching cooking shows has prepared him for every challenge.]
If it helps, you can think of this as doing me a favor. I'm not the only cook in the lair these days, so I don't get to show off as much.
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[He hangs back just watching Mikey for a moment longer, putting together the teenager's plans given the array of ingredients he's splaying out around him. It distantly reminds Leonardo of holidays long gone. The memory leaves an uncomfortable nostalgic feeling lodged in the back of his throat. He misses his baby brother. He misses Mikey so badly-
But this isn't the same man he knew. This is the start of something new. Someone who is Mikey, but growing into someone else. Someone unburdened by Krang or war. That is a victory in itself. Leo won't spoil that.
He manages to push that aside, keeping focused on the moment now. He manages to keep his tone friendly as he steps up to join Mikey. Even if he's just patting the teenager's shelled back fondly. The gesture unintentionally parental out of ingrained habit.]
Oh, that's how we're framing it huh? You wanna flex and impress two alleged old men?
no subject
Mikey steps aside just enough to make room for Leo at the counter. He might be too much of a kitchen control freak to let Leo do more than follow his instructions, but the thought is (more or less) there. The dad-like mannerisms are a little weird, sure, but it feels like an improvement over their first interaction where Leo was calling him kid and distancing himself. Being allowed to help, even in such a small way? That's something Mikey can work with.]
I'm keeping it simple for now since I bet Old Donnie is even pickier than ever.
[Years of the Apocalypse Diet would do that to anyone.]
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His diet is... interesting. We'll say that. [Someone was eating a can of corn earlier today, his name starts with a 'Dona' and ends with a 'tello'.] Am I allowed to pass you things, or am I just on watch?
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You can help. We've gotta get you back in top shape if you're gonna be out there cooking for other people.
[He turns to go back to work himself, but hmm. As long as Leo is being indulgent, he'd might as well push his luck.]
...Not that I mind making house calls, but you know you guys could come eat with the rest of us sometimes too, right?
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While, I'd give you a maybe. [Wow actual progress.] I don't think that'll work out. The two Donnies got into some physical fight, and I'm not sure that we want a repeat over mashed potatoes.
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[Twirling a spoon around in his hand with a knowing look.]
Like cats.
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The two need to be on... better terms first.