A Little Change (Tmnt 2012)

Chapter 5

Mikey had watched his brothers for about an hour, trying to ignore his uncomfortable position and sad feelings.

Okay, guys, let's take a break. Leo said.

Mikey watched as Donnie headed over to him. Hey, buddy. Donnie cooed. You look a little shaken. What do you say we turn this off? Donnie asked rhetorically. Mikey knew Donnie couldn't understand him, but Mikey cried out with joy. The moment the bouncer was turned off, Mikey breathed a small sigh of relief. It wasn't the best, but it was better than before. Donnie smiled. There we go. All better. Donnie said in a baby voice. Thanks, Donnie. Mikey said. Donnie just smiled.

Raph came up to the bouncer and smiled. How's Mikey? He asked. Better, I think. Donnie said. Leo took a drink of water and overheard the conversation. Don't forget to check his diaper, Don. Leo called. Oh, right! Donnie said as if he suddenly remembered.

Donnie lifted Mikey out of the bouncer, and Mikey squirmed in his arms, knowing what was about to happen. It was still a shock to Mikey when Donnie casually opened up his onesie and checked his diaper. Mikey blushed in embarrassment and turned his head.

Donnie seemed happy when he saw the dirty diaper. Good boy, Mikey! Donnie praised. Mikey blushed slightly, happy about the praise.

I'll be right back, Leo. Mikey needs a change. Donnie said and picked Mikey up. Mikey didn't even protest as Donnie carried him into the new nursery and set him on the changing table. Mikey couldn't wait to be out of his dirty diaper.

Donnie made quick work of the change. He undressed, wiped, powdered, and changed Mikey in only a few seconds. Mikey didn't even fight Donnie this time. Far too happy to be out of the diaper.

He didn't much like when Donnie talked to him like he was a baby, but as long as he got out of the diaper, Mikey didn't care. When Mikey was placed in a new diaper and dressed once more, Donnie lifted him into his arms and praised him for not moving around as much. You're such a good little baby, aren't you, Mikey? Donnie asked. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Donnie answered for him. Mikey blushed and couldn't help but whine slightly. I'm not a baby, Donnie. Mikey whined. Donnie simply bounced Mikey in his arms.

I bet you're hungry, huh? Donnie asked, not expecting an answer. Mikey's stomach grumbled, and Donnie smiled. Donnie took Mikey into the kitchen and made quick work of gathering the perfect snack for a baby. He filled a bottle with water and a plastic baby bowl with cheerios.

Mikey's eyes lit up when he saw the cheerios. The bottle he was given for breakfast may have been nutritional for a baby, but Mikey needed more solid foods in his diet.

Mikey eagerly reached out for the bowl of cheerios, and Donnie chuckled. He bounced Mikey and smiled. Not yet, bud. Donnie said and carried both Mikey and the snack back into the dojo.

Hey Leo, could you grab Mikey's favorite blanket for me? Donnie asked as he walked back into the dojo. Leo nodded and headed out of the room, returning moments later with a blanket. It was indeed Mikey's favorite. Mikey loved how soft it was, and every time him and his brothers had a movie night, Mikey would snuggle up on the couch with it. Mikey couldn't believe they would remember a detail so tiny like that, but not a memory of their father dying. Their minds must seriously be messed up. Mikey thought to himself.

Leo spread the blanket out on the floor, and Donnie placed Mikey down on it.

Mikey got excited. He was finally unrestricted and could move.

Mikey thought about heading to his room but was stopped by Donnie's words. Here's your snack, Mikey. Donnie said, placing the bottle of water and cheerios on the blanket as well.

Mikey's stomach grumbled, making him remember how hungry he was, and he decided to eat first. Mikey greedily grabbed the bowl of cheerios. Where's the spoon? Mikey asked, looking around. Leo and Donnie had already walked off, and Mikey realized they wouldn't understand him even if they had heard him.

Mikey's stomach grumbled, reminding him once more how hungry he was. Mikey shrugged and shoved some of the cheerios in his mouth. Eating with his hands was already less embarrassing than the other things he had been forced to do today.

Mikey munched on his cheerios and watched his brothers return to sparring, noticing how they would each glance over at him from time to time. Mikey smirked mischievously. He decided to play a prank on his brothers. He always loved playing pranks on them even though they hated it, but this one was just too easy. Mikey knew that his brothers truly thought he was a baby, so to shock them wouldn't be so hard. Mikey wanted to freak his brothers out and have fun while also trying to spark their memories, and this was the perfect way to do it. Mikey decided that the next time one of them looked over at him, he would wave to them casually. Mikey snickered to himself, imagining the shocked looks he would see on their faces.

Mikey shoved another handful of cheerios in his mouth and cringed when his mouth felt extremely dry. Mikey swallowed and looked around for something to drink. When he realized the only thing to drink was the baby bottle filled with water, Mikey growled in frustration.

Seriously. He thought to himself. Is it so hard to trust me with a cup? He thought to himself.

His throat kept getting dryer, and Mikey glared at the bottle filled with water, a hatred so deep Mikey's faced formed a scowl. Mikey finally gave in and snatched the bottle. He immediately started chugging the water from it. He sighed in content when his thrist was satisfied and then, horrified that he had drank from it, threw the bottle across the room.

For some reason, Mikey had the childish urge to stick his tongue out at it, so he did. At that same moment, Raph looked over at Mikey, and Mikey followed through with his prank, waving, a small smirk on his face.

Raph's eyes widened slightly. He looked at Mikey closer and noticed the small smirk and almost deliberate way he was waving. In that short moment, a flash of what felt like a memory came to Raph.

In the memory, Raph was sitting on the couch watching TV when a teenage version of Mikey came into the room. Dude, guess what I did! The teenager version of Mikey said with a mischievous smile. Raph heard his own voice sigh and then ask what Mikey did. The teen version of Mikey giggled. I just covered your whole room with bubble wrap! He said excitedly. You did what?! Raph heard his own voice shout. You can thank me later, bro! Teen Mikey shouted before grinning and purposely waving with a sly smirk. Mikey! Raph heard his own voice shout before the memory seemed to disappear.

Raph was confused. Why did that feel so real? Why did that feel like a memory? It couldn't be real, right? Raph asked himself. He glanced at Mikey and only saw a small baby shoving cheerios in his mouth.

Raph shook himself out. Of course, that wasn't real. That would be silly. Besides, Mikey was his cute little angel and would never be so obnoxious. Raph thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Mikey had lost interest in his little prank on Raph the moment Raph seemed to zone out. He was completely unaware that he had managed to make Raph remember something. If only Mikey knew, maybe he could've helped Raph go back to normal.

It was too late now. Mikey had missed his chance.