Raph and Mikey Brotherly Fluff and Comfort Oneshots TMNT 2012

Chapter 27: I Forgive You, Little Brother. I Wouldn't Trade You for Anything

   It'd been a year since Splinter's death, and though the turtles had moved on, they still missed him. Things just weren't the same without him around. Tonight, Mikey was sitting in his room, sobbing into his pillow. The night before, he and his brothers had been dealing with the Krang on the rooftops again (not the first time in case you were wondering) but Mikey had made a big mistake in accidentally pushing Donnie off the roof. Luckily, he survived the fall due to landing in a dumpster, but he ended up with a broken arm. When they got home, they really laid a harsh lecture on Mikey. Mikey hadn't said anything the entire time other than he was truly sorry, though he was hurt by their words, even when they put the blame on Splinter's death on him.

    But what really hit him, though, was what Raph said in his anger: "You're the worst friend I ever had! Better if you die with Splinter than hang out with us!"

    What Donnie had said in his anger: "You could've gotten me killed today!"

    And even what Leo had said in his anger: "Splinter would be very disappointed in you."

    Mikey didn't say anything. He just went up to his room and cried for hours. He felt very ashamed and guilty for what he did. And even though a year had gone by, Mikey had kept a secret: he still hadn't moved on from Splinter's death. He had suffered from depression for a really long time. What Raph had said, though, made him even worse. He couldn't believe it. His best friend, his hero, said that it was better for him if he were dead. That alone made him feel worthless. He wanted to run away, but first, he had something to do.

    Heading up to Raph's room first, he knocked on the door. Raph opened and frowned when he saw who it was. "Look. I'm sorry about earlier, Raph," he said. "But at least Donnie's alive."

    "At least?" Raph repeated. "At least? Mikey, he could've gotten killed tonight! Gone like Splinter! All because of your idiotic clumsiness!"

    "I said I was sorry," Mikey objected. "At least you could forgive me."

    Raph tried to say something in return, but was only able to stutter out speechlessly before groaning in aggravation and slamming his head against the doorway. "I said I was sorry," Mikey said sincerely, his head down in shame and guilt.

    "Well...that just ain't good enough," Raph replied. "Goodnight." With that, he slammed the door, the sound making Mikey flinch.

    Taking a shuddering breath, Mikey talked to Leo and Donnie next, only to get the exact same result. When he arrived back in his room, he was more devastated than he'd ever been before. "Not good enough?" he echoed. "Then, they all mean that I'M not good enough. Maybe they're right. Maybe I should just...get my stuff and...go away. Yeah."

    After proceeding to write them a goodbye letter, he exited his room. "Not like there's much for me to take here with me," he muttered. "Other than my weapons and stuff. Plus my skateboard."

    He patted his belt as he said that and picked up his skateboard. When he got to the exit, he turned to look at his home for one last time. "Goodbye, brothers," he said, tears leaking out of his eyes. "I still love you regardless. And I hope you find yourselves a new youngest brother that's better and more serious than I ever was. I hope you're happy without me."

    With that said, he walked out of the lair and headed into the sewers.

    (Man, somehow, this whole thing reminds me of that scene in the second Veggietales episode's second segment of "God Wants Me To Forgive THEM?!" called "Larry's Lagoon" when the characters refused to forgive Larry for his daydreaming and therefore crashing the boat on accident, getting them all stranded on an island. Worst, Bob was one of those characters. Sure, they learned their lesson eventually, but the situation itself was so sad; Bob was so close to losing his best friend, all because they refused to accept his apology. That's just harsh, man).
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    After getting out of the sewers, he took his skateboard and raced off into the street, taking care not to be seen. Finding a passing pickup truck leaving the city, he silently jumped into the flatbed without being noticed. Luckily, he knew where he was going.