Breathe

We'd Never Hurt You

The three stood outside Mikey's door. They had to talk to him about this...his behavior was concerning and they needed to find out what was wrong.

"Mikey?" Raph called. "It's us, can we come in?" Mikey opened the door, a nervous look on his face.

What were they doing here? What now was the moment they were going to hurt him?! What if...

"Mikey, are you ok?" Leo ashed, breaking through Mikey's thoughts. Mikey looked up. "Huh?"

Leo looked at him concerned. "You were standing there staring off into space." He pointed out.

Mikey gulped. "Oh yeah...um I'm fine...what do you guys want?" He asked them uncertainly.

The brothers exchanged worried glances. Did Mikey really think they wanted to hurt him? Is that why he was acting so nervous?

"Mikey, sit down a moment....we just want to talk to you." Donnie spoke, a reassuring smile on his face.

Mikey hesitantly sat down, but he was very anxious. He fidgeted every once in a while. What was he supposed to say?

"Mikey...you know we'd never hurt you, right otouto?" Raph asked softly. Mikey froze. His face turned panicked.

Did they know?

How?

"Mikey?" Leo spoke quietly. He reached out to touch Mikey's shoulder, but Mikey flinched.

"It's ok little brother, we're not going to hurt you...we never have before and we never would, we love you."

Mikey looked up, his eyes teary. "W-What are you dudes talking about?" He asked, playing dumb.

Donnie frowned. "Please little brother? Talk to us...we're all worried about you, dad is too."

Mikey sat in silence. He wanted to tell them...but what if it was all just trick? A trick to kill him or hurt him?

"Do you at least what to talk about your nightmare? It really seemed to upset you...and that's when you started acting different."

"Yeah, you were really overworking yourself during training...and we were worried you'd overexert yourself." Leo added.

Mikey sighed. He decided he had to come clean. "O-Ok...I'll tell you but...you promise you won't hurt me?"

They moved closer. Leo put his hand on Mikey's shoulder. "We'd never hurt you, little brother...we promise."

Mikey took a deep breath. He was about to remember the whole horrible dream...he hoped he wouldn't break down crying.

"Ok...well uh I was in the dojo and Leo was there, and he told me that I was u-useless." Mikey began softly.

Leo froze. He'd never say that to Mikey. Why would he say something so hurtful?

"Then I went to Raph and he smacked me and said that no one wants me around and that I hold you back."

Raph stood with his mouth wide open. He'd never tell that to his precious little brother.

"Then....Then Donnie said you guys always have to wait for me because I'm so slow and....he slapped me!"

Donnie gasped. He wouldn't never hurt his little brother...and Mikey wasn't slow...he just needed time to catch his breath.

"And....dad said that I was useless and t-that he was ashamed to have me as a ninja and as a son...and H-He said I was no longer his son!"

The brothers exchanged looks of horror and shock. Master Splinter would never say that. He just wouldn't...

"Then...you all called me names and I s-started having trouble b-breathing...and I c-couldn't find my inhaler."