Work Text:
Mikey put the finishing touches on his brand new drawing, before stepping back to look at it. Something was a bit off, probably some proportion issues, but Mikey honestly wasn't concerned about it right now. He'd been working on it all afternoon and his wrist was kinda hurting, which didn't feel great. But, it was finished, and he was excited.
Mikey picked it up to go show his brothers. He'd shown some of the initial sketches earlier that day and they'd all said it looked interesting. Mikey felt himself beaming as he went to the living room, running into Raph first.
Raph was sitting on Splinter's easy chair, working on a knitting project. Mikey walked up beside him, letting Raph notice him before speaking.
"Hey Raphie, I finished it!" Mikey said happily holding up the drawing.
"Whoa Mikey, that looks awesome! The colors really pop!" Raph gave a big, snaggled-tooth smile, brightening Mikey's mood more.
"You think it's good?"
"Of course big man! Your art is always super cool," Raph assured, standing up to give Mikey a big hug. Mikey giggled a bit, he couldn't help himself, and bounced happily when he was set down.
"I'm off to show Leo!" Mikey yelled, running up the stairs. Raph waved bye, before returning to knitting.
Mikey skipped a couple steps on his way up, only tripping once, before knocking on Leo's doorframe.
"It's open," Leo called. Mikey slid the curtain to the side, bouncing up to Leo. He was sprawled on a beanbag chair, playing on his DS. Leo looked up and caught sight of the drawing.
"Mikester, that looks sick! The colors are really bright; I love it!" Leo set his DS aside, holding the drawing when Mikey handed it to him. Mikey smiled widely, bouncing in place.
"You really like it?"
"I really really like it, little bro. Seriously, it looks great!" Leo assured, patting Mikey's arm as he returned the drawing. Mikey gave Leo a squeeze hug, which he happily returned, before letting go and bouncing off.
"Gonna show Dee next!" Mikey said happily, already halfway out the door.
"Bye dude!" Leo called, picking up his DS again.
Mikey paused for a moment to take a picture of the drawing and sent it to April, before starting towards Donnie's lab again.
"Can I come in?" Mikey asked, knocking on the door. It slid open, so Mikey went it.
"Hello Mikey, what do you require?" Donnie asked, setting down the project he was working on.
"I finished that drawing," Mikey said happily, shoving the drawing into Donnie's hands.
"Hmm...interesting composition. The colors are a bit grading on the senses put together, and that part right there is a bit missized, but overall quite good. Not the best you've shown, but that's to be expected of a one day project." Donnie handed back the drawing, before turning his chair back to the desk and picking up his project again.
Mikey, meanwhile, felt his good mood completely sap away. "O-oh, th-thanks Donnie. Um, I'll be going now."
"Remember to close the door on the way out," Donnie reminded, not looking up from his project.
Mikey shut the doors with a little more force than necessary, before sulking back to his room. He didn't notice passing Raph or Leo, who both noticed his bad mood immediately.
"What happened to him?" Leo asked, concerned.
"I dunno. He was just showing off his drawing to me, super excited," Raph replied, worry creeping into his voice.
"Should we go find out?" Leo suggested. Raph hesitated, before nodding, and the two headed to Mikey's room.
Meanwhile, Mikey was sulking in his hammock, having stashed the drawing in a random folder. He glanced at his phone, seeing a "Good job!" text from April. He shut off the phone and threw it onto a pillow pile, turning around in the hammock. He didn't even notice Raph and Leo coming in.
"Hey bud, what's up?" Leo asked quietly, slowly approaching Mikey. He didn't answer, and instead crunched farther in on himself.
"Mikey, we can't help you out if we don't know what's wrong," Raph said quietly, sitting down by the hammock.
Mikey stirred, before turning over. He didn't look at his brothers, but at least they could see his face.
"Do you know what's wrong?" Leo asked, joining Raph on the floor.
Mikey shook his head hesitantly, then shook his hand in a "so-so" motion.
"Can you give us what you know?" Raph asked.
Mikey stayed quiet for a minute or so, before finally responding. "I don't know. I went to Donnie to show the drawing like I did with you two, but he just told me what was wrong with it before turning away."
"...did he make fun of it?" Leo asked, confused. Donnie could be a snit, but mostly to him and almost never to Mikey. Raph also looked concerned by this prospect.
"...no...it was probably a critique since he said a couple good things too..." Mikey said softly.
"You usually go to Donnie for critiques, right? So he probably was just following his usual procedure for you showing him a drawing," Raph said, petting Mikey's head to comfort him.
"Don't think it's your fault, though, Mikester. It seems like neither of you realized you didn't want critique," Leo added, petting Mikey's shell.
"I'm usually fine with critique! But for some reason it really hurt today..." Mikey sniffled, feeling like he was about to cry.
"You were a bit more anxious when you were showing me your drawing today. I mean, you asked if I for sure liked it after I told you I did," Leo said.
"So maybe you just wanted compliments today. It's not a bad thing! I guess you just didn't realize it," Raph reassured.
"But why did it have to hurt so much?" Mikey asked, crying softly. Neither Raph nor Leo could answer that, so they just continued to comfort Mikey physically.
The three of them stayed there for a while, before Mikey waved for them to stop and sat up.
"I'm gonna talk with Donnie. Hopefully he'll apologize," Mikey said, but his face was filled with concern.
"Hey, if he hurts your feelings again, tell me. Shelldon owes me a favor," Leo joked, but gave a genuine although concerned smile.
Mikey mustered a giggle, before getting off the hammock. Raph looked at him concerned, but Mikey wiped his tears and started off. He paused at the doorway, grabbing his phone from where he threw it.
"Mind texting April what happened? I sent her the picture and she responded, but I didn't say anything after that which'll probably worry her." Mikey walked out the door as he finished talking, obviously set on his goal.
As he walked through the lair, he couldn't tell if it felt like the walls were closing in or the path to the lab was becoming farther and farther away. But, he persisted. Even though he wanted to turn back at one point. Or multiple points.
Mikey knocked on the door, a bit less firm that earlier. He was already starting to doubt if this was a good decision.
"Come in," Donnie said simply. Mikey opened the door, then approached Donnie. Donnie set his project down, but looked at Mikey confused.
"You were just in here. Did you forget something, or...?" Donnie asked.
Mikey took a deep breath, before talking. "I- I did not appreciate it when you critiqued my drawing as harshly as you did. A- and I didn't realize I just wanted you guys to compliment me today. Um...s- so I'd like you to say you're sorry."
"...For what, exactly?" Donnie asked, genuinely confused. "You showed me a drawing and I critiqued it; that's our usual routine. I didn't know I needed to say something different. Why would I need to apologize?"
"Because it hurt!" Mikey yelled, crying again. "Look, I know I didn't say anything and I can't expect anyone to just read my mind, but it still hurt and I want an apology. I know that seems lame, but-"
Mikey couldn't even finish his sentence, he started crying so hard. Donnie looked at him extremely concerned. He stalled for a moment, before getting out of his chair and walking up to Mikey. Donnie hesitated, before hugging Mikey tightly.
"I'm still not sure what you want me to apologize for, but I am sorry for not understanding. And I'm sorry I made you upset enough to cry. And I'm sorry for not paying attention and I'm sorry I didn't say sorry sooner. I know I can be harsh, even on accident, but no matter what I say, I'll still love my little brother. I never mean to hurt you, and I can promise that."
Mikey cried harder into the hug, squeezing back, but Donnie could see a smile flooding back onto his face.
"Hey. We can work on this. If you can tell me when I just need to compliment your work, I will do so to the best of my abilities. I just need some help figuring out when to do that."
"Th-thanks Dee. I'm happy you aren't mad at me for being soft o-or not communicating earlier or needing so much reassurance."
Donnie started to pet Mikey's head soothingly, helping calm the younger turtle. "You are not soft for having emotions. You aren't bad for needing time to figure something out. And you definitely aren't bad for being young and needing reassurance. You're just being Mikey. And I'd never want that to change."
Mikey sniffed back some tears, looking up to give Donnie the best smile he could muster.
"Thank you."
"No problem. Now, could I see that drawing again? I have some compliments to give out."
Mikey laughed, the sound still wet with tears, but happy nonetheless.
"It's in my room."
"Perfect. There's more art to compliment you on in there."
Mikey gave a mushy, happy smile, hugging Donnie again.