Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mikey peeked into Donnies lab, his eyes adjusting to the dark lighting.

“Knock knock”

Donnie didn’t look up from the tablet cradled in his lap as he sat cris cross in his large lab chair.

“Come in Mikey”

He absently said. Smiling Mikey entered careful not to spill the warm tea in the mugs he was carrying, the box turtle settled down on the edge of Donnies desk holding out the warm beverage.

“Hay D want some tea?”

Donnie looked up, Mikeys heart dropped as he took in the exhausted face of his brother, this wouldn’t do Mikey thought. Donnie accepted the tea taking a tentative sip.

“Mmm this is some superb tea Anglo, do I detect a spot of honey?”

Darnit Donnie was too good at acting like he wasn’t exhausted. Mikey sipped his own tea planning his next move, after a few minits of comfortable silence and the tapping of Donnies tablet, Mikey hoped off the desk leaving his mug behind, he pulled out his phone as he flopped onto the big purple bean bag in the corner surrounded by boxes and other miscellaneous inventions and tools in Donnies lab. The scientist himself simply turned his chair so the two could still face each other if they wanted to talk. He sipped his tea eyebrows furrowing slightly as he tapped the tablet a bit too hard. Hoping he wasn’t sounding to suspicious Mikey said

“Yo D I found this cool mix between dub step and instrumental it sounds awesome”

He welcomingly patted the empty space on the bean bag, he was small enough that there was room for someone else to settle in next to him. Donnie looked up again his eyes analyzing Mikey then the bean bag.

“Sigh… alright”

Lazily setting down his mug Donnie moved to the bean bag with Mikey, flopping down and re opening his tablet

“You may play it I’m listening”

yes he fell for it! With a cheeky grin that Donnie luckily didn’t notice Mikey selected the playlist titled “Beats to beat Donnie to sleep with ❤️” the Dub step instrumental combo flowed out of the speakers filling the cluttered space. The warm weight of Donnie agenst the box turtle made him smile even more, hoping this would work. After 10 minuts of music and Donnies tapping become less and less frequent eventually his tablet slipped onto his plastron.

“Ops”

Wispered Mikey quickly scooping up the device. He then carefully stood up inspecting his work proudly. Slumped on the bean bag mask and battle shell still on slept Donnie. The soft shell breathed easily, his legs pulled up underneath him, a calm exspretion on his face.

“Good”

Mikey said gently, felling content with the status of his older brother Donnie needed this sleep he works too much.  Leaving his phone quietly playing the music, Mikey turned to leave his peaceful brother, buuuut not before fixing up this place.

-----

Twentey muinits latter Mikey cheerfully left Donnies lab. The small turtle meandered towards his room, a small yawn escaping him, it had been a long week, Raph and Leo where fighting more and more since dad just decided Leo was the leader now. Of course Mikey didn’t really care who the leader was as long as his brothers were safe and happy, this change felt sudden and he didn’t blame Raph and Leo for struggling with the change. Mikey did wish that they would not yell so much, he knew they both had the same goal: keeping everyone alive during mission’s and keeping the city safe. Sometimes Mikey thought they just liked yelling at each other, but that couldn’t be true he thought, hugging himself slightly, thinking about this always made him worried. What could he do to help them? Doctor Feelings was always available, but the two where both awful patients never wanting to talk or so confident they could handle something that they definitely couldn’t on their own. Mikeys stomach began to churn as he walked, stop thinking about this ok, you need to help them even if they don’t listen to you all the time even if you yell for them to stop but they keep screaming keep arguing keep feuding.

A tiny whimper escaped the turtle who had slammed his eyes shut carefully breathing, calm down Mikey, stop overreacting you need to help them, they need you.

“Stop try’n to do this by yourself Leo!”

Mikey flinched all thoughts sinking into his stomach like a stone. They were fighting again. Mikey creped towards the clashing argument following the angry sounds down the hall into the living room. Raph and Leo faced each other down both gesturing furiously as they argued. Raph looked mad shoulders drawn high, Leo folded his arms, turned half away spitting comebacks. As he peeked in the weight of negative emotions overwhelmed Mikey, his eyes stung. No keep it together Mikey, brake this fight up, neither of them should be fighting it wouldn’t fix anything they needed to discuss this like civilized mutant turtles, breath.

Breathing deeply, feeling the cool air flow down his throat easing his turbulent stomach the box turtle stepped into the warm default projector light, leaning on the chair in between the steaming brothers.

“Quiet down you mad dogs!”

Both Raph and Leo paused mouths open, they turned to Mikey,

“Good”

Mikey fixed his perfeshnal “Doctor feelings” face.

“Now guys, take a breath,” He paused breathing deeply “ Want to Talk about what happened?”

He put extra emphasis on the talk part. Raph heavily sighed exhaustion and guilt coating his words

“Sorry Mikey we’er just trying to plan the next mission, we’ll be quieter.”

Good thing Mikey had been hear Raph was on the edge of a freak out, before Mikey could address him Leo jumped in annoyed

“Its already planned Raph, we don’t need to make it complicated. I’ve got it covered.” Raph tensed, turning to the slider exasperated “No, Leo how many time have I told you, where a team and we do this as a team!”

There arguments where starting to sound like a broken recered. Leos face twitched he flung his arms out

“I said I got this, I’m the leader now right!?”

no no no no, we are not starting this again if they cant talk it out now maybe tomorrow?? He hoped, scrambling to interject again.

“Guys please stop. We don’t have to talk about it now, ok?”

The angered brothers paused for a moment before begrugenly nodding. Leo being the first to turn away with a exasperated sigh. Now to do damage control. Silently thanking pizza supreme in the sky that they had stopped yelling. Mikey took a silent steadying breath letting his own boiling stomach of emotions settle for a moment before, moving from the chair to Raph who was now crouching down fiddling with something on the ground.

“Hay Raph”

He carefully sat next to his big brother, voice bright but gentle. The red bandannaed turtle turned to Mikey, all anger seeped out of his exspretion replaced by tired guilt hidden by a weak smile.

“Sorry Mikey”

He glanced away, following his eyes, Mikey saw the mission planning bord a ware-house floorplan displayed on it. Raphs large hands where ajedtativly fiddling with a pawn peace, the knight bishop king and queen fallen across the bord.

“You feeling ok? Wana talk about it?”

Mikey asked sympathetically watching as the tension in Raphs shoulders slowly loosened every second he wasn’t arguing with Leo. After a moment of loosening silence Raph rose Mikey following sute.

“Raph appreciates the offer, thanks for knocking a some sense into us lil bro” with a small smile Raph gently patted Mikeys head “ But Its getting late we should both get some Zs”

Without waiting for a response the snapping turtle turned away quickly shuffling to the hall.

“G’night Mikey”

His voice sounded strained, forced into cheeriness. Stunned at the speed of his exit Mikey barley managed a

“night”

Before Raph disappeared. Not a great start, Mikey shook his head bending down to fix up the mission table, stay Doctor positive, he’ll try Raph again in the morning, maybe with some renowned “Supper Dupper Mikey Style Strawberry Muffins^TM”.

-----

Finished with the clean-up, Mikey turned to the train car faint light emanating out of its windows like a faint candle in a storm. . Leo might need someone to talk to, or just someone to lend an ear. A bit of urgence was added to his moving feet. Tap Tap

“Leo it ok if I come in?” silence followed the box turtles words “umm. totally cool if you wana be allow. Just wondered if you wanted some componey.”

Silence. Was Leo ok, what if he was sad and angry and alone. Anxiety slithered under the silent doorway coiling its way into Mikeys stomach. Please say something Leo so I know your alight, let me help, please. Why where his hands trembling, poised to knock again. What will I do if you never talk to Raph again, what will I do if Raph never lets the weight off his shoulders?  How could Mikey help them? could he? Panicked thoughts swirled around Mikey in the dim light in front of Leos door, hands trembling.

A swooshing sound, then Leo

“Mikey ha- whoa you alright?”

The slider had been leaning agenst the door when he stepped closer, catching sight of the smaller turtles wide watery eyes. For a split-second Mikey froze brain desperately shoving away the coiling panic. He was here to help Leo not uselessly freeze up. Fixing his exspretion to a big smile Mikey nodded, taking a second to prosses Leos disposition. His mask was off, dark lines circled under his eyes witch were vaguely squinting at Mikey in concern. Cheerly as possible Mikey spoke

“Sorry Leo, I’m fine. Just wondering if you wanted to talk?”

Leo once again slumped agenst his doorway

“Its late Mikey soo just let this one go ok?”

What was with the “its late excuse”, tonight Mikey thought peeved. With how tired and done Leo looked Mikey didn’t want to make him talk when he wasn’t ready, but he wanted to help Leo out somehow.

“We don’t have to talk about the fight, we could just play Maro or something”

A complicated something flashed across Leos face before he responded sounding remorseful “Not tonight, you should go to bed Mikey, we can hang tomorrow hermano”

What?! how was he supposed to help either of these hard heads when they didn’t even want to hang out with him? He’d have to give them time then, Mikey hated waiting. Pouring as much patients and cheer as he had left Mikey nodded

“‘K, ill hold you to that bro, G’night”

Leo gratefully returned his nod shutting the door.

-----

A gargantuan sigh puffed out of Mikey as he plopped onto his mattress, landing on the soft oranges and reds of his blankets. His room was silent and dark, only the soft lighting from his purple lava lamp casted odd shapes on the celing Usually bedtime would come and Mikey would still be full of energy, needing to calm himself down before feeling truly tired. Recently it had been the opposite. It was strange to feel so drained flopping into bed, like some alien from a Jupiter Jim move had sucked out all his energy. Shutting his eyes, curling into himself, the box turtles drained mind reviewed the eventful days worrying encounters.

Donnie exhausted, at least he had gone to sleep well done me. Raph and Leo fighting. They stopped but are they ok? Probably not. Are they furious with each other? Did they need another seminar on communication?  Mikey mentally kicked himself for the failed attempts to help either of them. Just give it time, they won’t be mad at each other forever. They can’t be. The all to familiar chill of worry ran up the small turtles skin making his stomach churn with a racking cold. Desperate for the feeling to leave Mikey scrambled under the covers, slamming his eyes shut.

“It’ll be ok It’ll be ok It’ll be ok”

His whispering sounded small and lonely in the quiet room. Anxiety creeping through Mikeys faint mental defenses. The box turtle buried his face into the plush pillows. Mikey wished for Raphs strong hugs, Leos familiar voice, Donnies reliable weight. Mikey wanted to comfort them, he needed to support them, keep them together. He had to keep them together, or who else would?                 

Chapter Text

Groggily Donnie woke up stretching his legs out, Maybe not the best idea to fall asleep on a bean bag, the turtles sore muscles weekly protested as he stood. Sleep was sleep though and he already felt better than he had for at least 2 days. How long was I out an- A unpleasant jet of panic shot into Donnies foggy brain. My tablet did I save the work or is it- no. Fumbling hands grasped the tablet flipping it over. Donnies dismayed expression reflected back at the purple bandanaed turtle, a bright orange sticky note covered his right eyes reflection. Donnie sighed as he read it, tense muscles relaxing, panicked thoughts returning to rational ones. Scrawled in big poor print read

“Saved your files D, Hope you sleept well” accompanied by a big drawn on smile and a three fingered hand pushing a square “save” button.

Mikey is becoming scaryly good at this, Donnie thought partly amused partly worried how many times Mikey had to plan ways to part him from his work. Donnie switched his tablet for Mikeys phone casually checking the time: 8:25 AM, actually ok, 10 hours. The scientist stretched, walking to his desk which was as he left it, neat and orderly, what did clock his slowly waking eyes was how neat and orderly the rest of his lab was. All the boxes where tucked away and all the tools where shelved or in crates. Definitely getting too good at this.

Before Donnie could conclude what to make of, in his opinion, Mikeys overachieving deeds, a heavy bang sounded from the hallway. If someone already broke something today, I will have some serous words with whoever dared to make such a racket this early in the morning. Donnie stepped into the hall irritated, as he turned the corner to enter the kitchen hall way, his grumpy expression vanished, replaced with first shock then alarm. Directly outside the kitchen doorway slumped agents the wall was Mikey.

The box turtle was staring straight ahead, his breathing unsteady with one hand tremulously clutching his left arm. Donnie rushed forward panic so much worse than in the morning overtaking him, his feet flew down the hall. As the scientist crouched down hurriedly next to Mikey, a faint sound dragged his scanning eyes from his little brother. Inside the kitchen Leo and Raph both stared eyes wide, different versions of the same horrified expression painted on their faces. For a stunned moment not a sound was uttered, Donnies thoughts darted to and fro in a panicked hurricane logic and irrational worry swirling together, despite the winds nothing escaped the turtle except for a tight

“What happened?”

Raph stepped back looking like he had murdered someone as he stared past Donnie, for once Leo was speechless. Anger rippled though him what did they do?.. I don’t have time for this, he steadied his eyes back on Mikey who’s breathing was consistently inconsistent, hitching in odd places or to quick. His round eyes had been darting between Raph and Leo ping ponging back and forth.

“Its ok Anglo. Breath everything’s ok.”

Donnie tried his best rembering what had worked in the past to calm the turtle down. He reassuringly held onto one of Mikeys hands. Mikeys eyes finally locked on to Donnie

“Yes. Ok follow me”

Donnie breathed in exaggerating the action so Mikey could follow. After a minute of copying Donnies breathing Mikey seemed to calm down his eyes returning to normal size, his body untensing. Behind him Donnie heard Leo let out a quiet sigh of relief. What could have happened to get Mikey so panicked?  A flash of anger mixed inside Donnies head as a rageful half-baked theory formed Those utterly idodic stupid dum dums better have a good explanation.  

“Alright Mikey, good job. I am going to check your arm.” Scooting closer, as gently as he could Donnie began inspecting the limb, “Some bruising already, Its difficult to determine wether its sprained or..”

His diagnosis was cut off by the smaller turtle clumsily springing forward wrapping his un bruised arm around Donnie and burring his damp face in Donnies neck. After a surprised moment Donnie carefully returned the hug. Perhaps this will help Mikey calm down further. Just barely above a whisper, Donnie caught

“ Sorry if I woke you up”

Donnie could hear the genuine guilt in his brothers voice along with feeling a wet sensation on his neck.

Donnie was not amazing at emotions, his logical approach seemed to fall short when it came to the purely illogical nature of emotions. Lately the B team had been spending more time than Donnie would call usual with each other. Sometimes it was annoying, when Mikye spilled his paints in Donnies room, or when trying to constate on a project being constantly distracted with a hyper little brother swinging from the celing light going on about a cartoon. Other times Donnie was grateful for the company, when his sleep deprecation and Leo and Raphs arguing finally pushed him over, Mikey was there, helping him breath and offering comforting words. Mikey making just the right tea to put Donnie to sleep after a long day. Mikey listening without judgment when Donnie ranted maybe a little to angerly about some mishap or mistake.

So when Donnie felt Mikey start to cry he didn’t care what those two in the kitchen had to do with it, he just cared about fixing it.

Suddenly the quivering turtles grip hugging Donnie loosened, the panic that had been settling jumped back up, quickly the scientist checked Mikeys pulse. The soft trum of Mikeys sleeping heartbeat calmed his fear slightly.

“He’s asleep.”

There was an audible exhale. Cautious not to jostle the sleeping turtle he scooped Mikey up, was he always this light?  “I am taking him to the Med Bay.” Donnies voice was flat as he turned to face the two in the kitchen. Unpleasant boiling anger blinded the soft shell to the crushing guilt on Raphs face, or the still shocked expression on Leos.

“When I return, I want a complete and extensive explanation” 

Donnie left the two, for once silent turtles. Cradling his little brother, Donnie was determent to fix this.    

Chapter Text

The kitchen was smothered in a tense silence, the yellow light illuminated the two turtles who both stood in the kitchen but who’s minds where anywhere but in the present. Raph’s spiky shell rested against the fridge his arms wrapped around drawn up knees eyes firmly shut. How? How? How? stupid stupid, this is why you’re not the leader you can’t keep them safe, never could. Stupid… Tears stung at the edges of Raphs eyes his brain threatening to swallow him alive with guilt and regret and self-loathing. What kind of big brother was he? How could he make such a stupid mistake? How could he have hurt Mikey?

“Raph.”

The voice dove through Raphs thoughts. The blurry image of Leo stood next to him.

“Leo?” his own voice sounded weak and flimsy like a underbaked slice of thin crust pizza. Raph rubbed his eyes watching Leo flop down next to him. He felt a modicum of relief having one of his brothers there even if they had just been furiously arguing minutes before.

“I think we need an intervention”   

Raph hiccupped “Wata y’ mean?”

“We, us. Raph we gata stop fighting like this. It-it gets worse every time.”

Raph listened, the feeling that Leo was being deadly serious made something in his brain focus intensely, Leo ment this. The slider rubbed his head expression all serous and concerned.

“What just happened.” He paused guilty eyes meeting Raphs “That was both of our faults.”

Raph nodded, hating the wrenching shame and guilt he felt 

“Leo” he breathed in, eyes not leaving the other turtles “I’m’ sorry if it seems like I don’t respect your leading style, its just, I want to..” He trailed off eyes braking away. How can you protect them when you’re the one hurting them. Stupid, not strong enough not..

“Protect us. I know Raph.”

Yellow light shown down on the two. Raphs eyes now blurring with un shed tears, Leos face pinched with unexpressed emotion.

“I want that to, Its-Its scary this job, being the “leader”” Leo hugged his arms “I don’t know how you do it big brother” a tentative pause filled the kitchen. “I’m sorry for fighting you Raph. We both just want to keep them safe, I shouldn’t hav-“ Leo was cut off by Raphs entire form colliding with the slider.

“Thank you, Leo that’s all I wanted to hear.” Raphs voice quivered while his hold was tight.

“I’m still sorry bro” The blue bandanaed turtle relaxed into the embrace curling his lean arms around as much of Raph as he could.

“I’m sorry to”

The two hugged letting there miscommunicated, pent up emotions go, so instead of yelling they just held each other, taking momentary comfort in the finally spoken shared goal.

-----

Raph had stopped crying. Leo had stopped crying. Now with the waters mostly cleared, there was still some work witch both knew needed to be done, things had been said that needed entirely separate apologies. Still the snapping turtle felt a burden lift as the relief of finally seeing eye to eye with Leo on something this important soaked in.

Around 15 minutes had passed. The two where now standing at the kitchen island, although things with Leo had gone surprisingly well Raphs hart still ached and his stomach seethed over what he had done. A flash of Mikeys shocked face flashed inside Raphs head parades of guilt ridden thoughts trailing behind it. What had he done? Was Mikey hurt? Was he furious with Raph? Was he ok? W-  

“Hay Raph, Raph,” Leo leaned over patting Raphs arm “Its ok big guy Donnie will’ be back soon, he’ll give us the run down ok? Mikeys guna be fine he’s a tuff turtle.”

Amidst Raphs growing panic he looked at Leo whose face was a resuring smile.

“Maybe I should just go check”        

Raph turned to make for the door, his feet stopped when he saw Donnie leaning against the door frame.

“Whoa Donnie!” He paused seeing the unreadable expression Donnie was giving them. “Is Mikey ok?” please say yes, please say yes, please.  

“No”

----------

The med bay doors smoothly opened with a his, Donnie hurried in, gently placing the sleeping Mikey on the closest medical bed. Mikey pooled onto the white covers his bright oranges clashing with the sheets. I’m going to plant viruses in there phones and hot wire there showers to only be cold. Donnie thought furiously. Not right now, I need to fix this first then I’ll give those dum dums a good long lecture. The scientists hands hovered over Mikeys bruised arm, his goggles fell into place with a nod of his head. After inspecting the appendage Donnie turned to the medical cabinet. He rummaged through the contents mildly annoyed that Leo never took the time to properly organize the creams and bandages properly, not like Donnie would have.

“Finlay” he muttered. When he turned around the puddle lying on the bed was stirring.

“Hay Anglo, how are you feeling?” Donnie moved to sit on the edge of the bed. His fingers fiddled with the banges worriedly.

Sitting up Mikey looked around eyes scanning the empty room like a dear watching for something. For what though?

“Is-is everyone ok?” Or who?

Donnie hopped his face was reassuring, “Our brethren are fine, they stopped arguing.” The injured turtle breathed out softly, shoulders relaxing. “Do not worry about them right now, your arm sustained a near sprain, I will bandage it to prevent further damage. “

Mikeys face dropped slightly, he didn’t meet Donnies eyes. Worry danced through the purple bandanaed turtle as he silently wrapped Mikeys hurt arm in bandages. The worry only increased at the uncharacteristically quite demeanor of his patient. Anxious theories formed as to the reason of Mikeys disposition, How does Mikey always do this, He wondered He’s always assisting us and being “Doctor feelings” a sudden unpleasant data point clicked into place and Donnies assumption shifted. Donnie let go of Mikeys arm, the orange bandanaed turtle pulled his legs up hugging them with his good arm, his unhappy face buried.

Donnie recalled how much time Mikey had spent cooking, cleaning, helping Donnie or making him tea, preparing and giving family seminars, braking up countless small fights with the A team. Donnie couldn’t even remember the last time Mikey had thrown something up in the lair.

A sad look of recognition crossed his face as Donnie completed his hypothesis. His little brother was overworking himself. That’s not right. We don’t need more workaholics in this house. Donnie thought ruefully. Guilt stabbed at him. This much stress and work isn’t good for anyone but its especially bad for Mikey. His face hardened. Those two are going to have to pull themselves together. It’s about time.

The scientist was yanked out of his spiraling mind by a tiny sniff. His eyes whipped up from the ground to the curled up turtle next to him. Mikeys was shaking like a leaf, small sniffles emanating from him. Sympathy and regret surpassed Donnies uncertain brain. Donnie folded his arms around the tremoring turtle, hugging him with all Donnie could. He felt so stupid for not noticing the obvious red flags sooner.

Mikey leaned against Donnie, small sobs floating into the med bay. “’m sorry D,’’

Donnie shook his head “There is nothing to be sorry for. I should have deduce something like this would happen."

Mikey was quiet for a moment resting in Donnies hug. “Are we going to be ok?” his voice was quiet and wet with tears.

“Yes. We will be ok” Donnie didn’t know what Raph and Leo where thinking right now or what they would do after this, but he knew, he’d make sore that, things would be different.

And they would be ok. All of them.   

Chapter Text

The med bay doors slid shut, Donnie had left Mikey to rest promising his swift return. Now what really happened? Donnie wondered, bringing up the security cam footage on his wrist. Cool air flowed through the large common aria, warm lazy beams of light shining down. Donnie leaned agents the wall near an old decommissioned turbine. Weeks of footage flew by as Donnie skimmed, scenes of Mikey kept standing out to the soft shell. Never before had he seen Mikey look so tired, the lack of energy frightened Donnie as he watched yet another image of Mikey dragging himself to his room, at 1:00 AM.

Donnie sighed disappointed How had I really not noticed this?  that was the question he had been asking himself constantly after he left Mikey in the med bay. Finaly Donnie landed on the kitchen camera, just before he had arrived. The cameras didn’t have sound but Donnie didn’t need any to understand instantly that the little version of Raph and Leo where arguing. There mouths moved violently and there expressions where furious. Donnie disliked seeing his brothers bicker like this, it remined him of how much was weighing on both of their shoulders, making him wish he was better, could do more. Pushing away the sudden surge of unpleasant thoughts Donnie refocused Not right now.

After a minute Mikey popped into frame, his shoulders drawn tight, nervous, he was clearly trying to intervein. The two fighting turtles didn’t even turn a glance to Mikey. A foreboding sense of tension filled Donnie as he waited, he knew the outcome but could only guess the situation. Mikey seemed to droop when the two kept yelling, then suddenly he moved towards Raph, hands reaching to hold the distressed brothers fist. Don’t do that he mi- Donnies warning thoughts where forgotten the moment the image of Raphs fist shot up in a exasperated gesture, Raphs elbow collided with the smaller turtle , instantly Mikey flew across the frame, disappearing out of sight.

The cameras kept recording the horrified reactions but Donnie already knew this part.

The feed snaped shut.

Donnie breathed in slowly, processing the data, his hypothesis had been correct, but all this did was make the terrible situation worse. Raph was most likely taring himself apart with guilt.

“Well maybe he should have thought of this before he goes ignoring his brothers” Donnie muttered, bitterness and anger crowding his head, he knew he was being unfair though. Raph didn’t mean to of corse, he and Leo might finally quit arguing every day over simple matters. Donnie hatted that these were the circumstances that he had to work with. Any situation that had his brothers hurting especially his little brother, made Donnie itch to fix it.

Donnie stood up mind coming to a conclusion, at last he had all the facts, everything seemed to settle into place in his mind. The turtle took a final moment to be upset at Raph and Leo, frustrated at his own inaction, anxious for Mikey, before breathing it all out, focusing his genius mind. Time to get to work.

-----

“No. No he’s not ok, Raph. His arm was nearly sprained and there is sizable bruising.”

Raphs desperate expression crumpled into one of utter guilt. Donnie was standing in front of Raph and Leo, in the kitchen, the air felt drowned in guilt making Donnies lingering sense of ager die down. He stared down imperiously, determined to set these two dum dums right. Leo scooted closer to Raph, comfortingly patting his spiky arm whilst also looking like he had drop kicked a kitten.

Donnie raised an eyebrow “Did you two reconcile?”

Leo snorted halfheartedly “Yah, we apologized if that’s what you mean.”

Donnie held Leos gaze for a moment, calculating, “Good you two shells for brains have made a sizable mess of this whole leader.. situation”

Both turtles nodded Raph pulled himself up slightly “I know. And where both sorry D, really this ant ok”

Raph was always honest and the earnest look on his face convinced Donnie to relent a little.

“I don’t think Mikey blames either of you.” He sighed stance morphing into something more tired “Honestly I don’t know what he thinks.”

Silence was his only response. Donnie looked up to see the faint hope on Raphs face. Leo seemed to regain some confidence from the soft shells words, because he also drew up to his full height, stepping forward. “Weve got it from here, thanks Donnie.” Leo smiled, determined.

Donnie knew he meant what he said. A wash of relief soothed his anxiety. Anxiety he hadn’t even noticed was creeping back in. Donnie relaxed a modicum

“ Much appreciated, Leo I’m slightly out of my depth on this one.” Leo and Raph moved for the door both with facing turning to determination. “buttt no” Donnie turned to follow them, I am not about to let Mikey deal with this alone. Not again. “I’m going to oversee your deep and heartfelt apologies” not an ounce of humor could be found in the scientist’s voice.

Donnie trusted his brothers, knew they genuinely regrated their actions and only wanted Mikey to feel better, but that didn’t mean one apology was going to convince Donnie that they had a handle on the situation, not for one second.

----------

The med bay was silent and cold.

Mikey shivered wrapping his good arm around himself. He winched when he brushed the blue and purple bruises. The uncomfortably familiar feeling of fatigue pulled at his body demanding he lay down and let all the swirling thoughts fly away in sleep. But no, he needed to stay awake needed to know what was happening. The nervous turtle stranded his hearing trying to make out anything beyond the transparent doors. Mikeys brain hadn’t stopped churning out “what if” and “worst case scenarios”. His brain didn’t usually do that.

He remembered how the wind had been knocked out of his chest, the pain that had shot through his arm, the moment breathing became tricky and his brain started drowning in a horrid panicked feeling, his stomach stabbing in protest, his sore body slumped against the wall.

Another sickening shiver raked Mikeys body as he recalled what had happened nearly half an hour ago. Where was Doctor positive? coffee break. Mikey curled further into himself wishing for all the negative nervous thoughts to leave, hoping for something warm to hold on to so his stomach would stop hurting. Where is Donnie? He said hed be back for me, where is he? Is Raph sad? Leo upset? No! D said that everything would be ok, he said they were ok. Desperate for something to cling to Mikey internally repeated There ok, there ok, there ok. Silently whispering it to himself, struggling to keep his nervous mind clear.

Suddenly the hiss of transparent doors broke Mikeys silent mental mantra. His three brother trailed into the med bay. Get yourself together Mikey he scolded himself feeling helpless with all the emotion running through his head.

Raph stepped up resting a large had on the side of the bed, for a moment he didn’t meet Mikeys eyes. Mikey was about to apologize. For what? Or ask if he was alright but Raph spoke first staring straight at Mikey, the snappers eyes wide and brimming with remorse.

“Mikey I’m so sorry for hitti’n you. It was an accident that’ll never” Raph empsised the “never” more to himself than to Mikey “Never, ever happen again. I swear”

The cold loosened its hold on Mikey as the words rushed over him

“Really Mikey, Raphs super sorry” his voice was genuine and firm, confident in his words.

For a moment Mikey could only prosses the apology, all the anxiety being pushed away further into his mind as the realty that everything was turning out ok, Raph wasn’t sad or upset, he was sorry. A moment of silence must have passed because Mikey then heard Leo who had moved next to Raph, add on.

” Where both sorry for fighting Mikey. As much as I say I do, I don’t always know what I’m doing, being leader just makes it all more complicated” he rubbed the back of his head giving Mikey a lop sided smile “We promise to figure this whole thing out a little more peacefully k’” Raph nodded along eagerly.

Mikey breathed in, all the irrational fears and worries over, for, his once arguing brothers faded away. The constant pain in his stomach reseded followed by an overwhelming feeling of relief like seeing the sun rise after a long never-ending night. The box turtle couldn’t say a thing. Raph and Leo were watching him with batted breath, hesitant to speak, nervousness obvious in there expressions. A ways behind them Donnie stood watching the apology, constantly monitoring the situation.

Finlay, tears of relief and weeks of neglected emotions bubbled up, Mikey sobbed letting the tears flow.

“Mik-“ Raph was cut off by the crying turtle wrapping around him, one arm slung over the snappers neck. The two tense turtles both sighed in relief, earning a silent approving nod from Donnie. “It’s alright, Raphs gotch ya” Raph soothed gently holding Mikey close.

The box turtle reviled in the overflowing warmth radiating from his oldest brother, a small chirp of satisfaction mixing with his crying at the warmth filling his bones.

“No hugs complete without..” Mikey felt Leos weight add to the embrace, his crying slowed a bit.

After several moments of quiet sobbing and soft words of comfort in the med bay, the turtles unraveled. Mikey was reluctant to let go not wanting the warmth and comfort gone, happly he did note that Donnie was now with them, That must have been what that random chuckle from Leo was about.

Scooting past his brothers Donnie settled next to Mikey who was absently rubbing his eyes.

“Are you feeling better Anglo?”

Mikey smiled, nodding. Mikey did feel better, he cherished the sight of all his brothers together, not fighting, or panicking, just being together. Leo and Raph both looked a little teary eyed as well, but smiling non the less.

“Good”

A long yawn escaped Mikey. Raphs smile grew softer, Leo chuckled a little, leaning over to Mikey

“You need a nap little bro?” Mikey giggled with him, the comfy thoughts mixing with the exhaustion in this body, making Mikeys logical thought prosses even more silly.

“Yes” Donnie answered “He definitely needs a nap.”

He paused, pulling the white sheets of the bed away so Mikey could get under. The drowsy turtle simply flopped down nuzzling slightly into the fabric

“So warm and fluffy.. like cotton candy” Mikey mumbled

“Mabey two naps” Donnie amended.

Mikey drowsily watched the colorful blurs of his brothers bob around the med bay. The final thoughts that floated through his mind where peaceful and happy. I’m ok. There ok. Everything’s going to be ok. And he believed it.