TMNT One Shots

I'll Treasure These Forever (A Gender fluid Mikey Story)

For aaliwarrior20 <3

In this AU, Mikey is genderfluid ^^

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Leos POV

I'm worried about Mikey. He's just seemed so...off lately. Something's clearly on his mind. I can even see him trying to work up the courage to say something whenever's he's around us. But he always backs down. I wish he'd tell us. It's obviously eating him up inside.

After seeing him struggle for days now, I finally brought it up to Donnie. He said all we could do though was wait until he was ready. It's not like we could force him. Wich, if I'm being honest, wasn't the answer I wanted to hear. He's right of course. But a part of me was hoping he'd come up with some elaborate plan like the genius that he is. But, as he said, it's all up to Mikey.

I may not be able to push him to tell us what's wrong. But I can remind him that he's supported. We'll always support him. We love him no matter what. Unfortunately, that could be easy to forget when you have intrusive thoughts yelling the opposite to you on a daily basis. I know that feeling all too well. And I know Mikey goes through something similar given how much anxiety he can have. So it's important we remind each other how much we're loved.

"Hey, Mikey?" I said from just behind his bedroom door. "Can I come in?"

I heard a sniffle, then some shuffling around in his bed. Footsteps slowly approached, then the door opened just enough for him to peek out.
"Hey...what's up?" He asked sounding hesitant.

"I uh..." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I came to talk. I noticed you haven't been yourself lately.." His eyes widened and he quickly averted my gaze. He was scared. Something was defiantly going on. "Mikey, if something's wrong, you can tell me" I promised. "I'm here for you. We all are".

Mikey was quiet for a few moments, seemingly thinking it over. Then, he finally opened the door a bit more and stepped back to let me inside.
I walked in as Mikey retreated back into his room and sat down on his bed. I walked over and had a seat next to him.

"So.." I said looking over to him. "What's going on baby bro?"

He smiled a little. I could still see the nervousness in his eyes though, and his smile went as quickly as it came. He let out a long sigh. "Leo...I..." He started. His leg started to bounce and his hands got shaky. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder to help ground him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Have you ever felt...different? Like...you've found out that your identity isn't..." He couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't have to though. I think I might have known what he meant.

"Mikey, are you questioning your gender identity?" I asked placing a hand over his. Mikey teared up again. I felt his hands start to shake. "Hey" I spoke softly and pulled him into a hug. "It's alright Mikey. I promise".

Mikey pulled away and took a deep breath "I think...I'm genderfluid" He finally said before exhaling. "I-I found out a few weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys earlier I was just-" he buried his face in his hands and started to sob. "I was just so scared! I'm still scared.." he cried.

The sight broke my heart. I hated seeing Mikey upset. I pulled him into my chest and wrapped my arms around him. "Shh, it's okay Mikey. You don't have to be sorry" I whispered softly to him. "I get it. It's scary coming out. Remember how terrified I was when I came out as gay to you guys?"

Mikey sniffled and smiled thinking back to the occasion. "Yeah...Ralph asked if you had a crush on Usagi. It caught you so off guard and you inhaled your noodles" he giggled. I laughed along with him.
"Then you got really pale. You were terrified...but then you told us".