Loose Ends
"Don..listen. Just in case this doesn't go the way we plan can I get you to do me a solid?"
Donatello turned around a chill creeping up his spine at the words, 'Just in case'. How many times had he heard those words said over the last couple of days? He was sick of hearing those words—that phrase. Sick of this horror story world the Shredder ruled.
It's Mikey. Your brother, he tells himself as he looks upon the figure below the ladder he's perched on. It's Mikey. Humor him. Nothing he could want from you—nothing your brother could ask of you would be too much. It's Mikey.
But it's not.
He's scarred. His shell is broken. A split here. A split there. He's missing an arm. He's missing his smile. His charm. He's led a hard life.
It's Mikey. Humor him.
But it's not. I don't want to!
Donnie reaches his hands up and pulls his goggles down, forces a smile. He wonders if Mikey can tell it's not genuine..that he doesn't mean it.
"Everything's going to be fine! We can do this!", he says, hating how high pitched and fake he sounds. His voice echoes throughout the chamber, repeating his words over and over, each repetition more faint than the last.
Mikey looks at him..for what seems like forever, without saying anything. Smiling in that somber way he has now. It doesn't fit. He's supposed to be Mikey. Michelangelo. Mikey has a goofy, open mouth grin that makes you laugh when you don't feel like laughing. He has a smile that brightens rooms.
"I know we can.", he says finally, nodding slowly, looking down at his feet, still smiling in that sad way. "I have every confidence in you bro…in Leo and Raph, too."
He looks back up.
"But just in case.."
That phrase again!
"There's somebody I…need you to find for me. No one..special. Just a loose end I need to tie up."
No one special? Fuck you Michelangelo.
He keeps smiling. He humors him. Nods.
"Sure Mikey."
"There's a girl. Name's Carol. She lives..not too far away from the park."
Please don't Mike…don't.
Donnie nods. His smile falters. His eyes begin to water.
"She comes to the old thicket. Place with the old stone benches. Remember? Well…we meet there sometimes. Not a lot.."
Sure Mike.
"If anything happens…will you go for me and…tell her?"
No.
But he says yes anyway…a tear sliding down his cheek he hopes isn't noticeable in the dim lighting. He knows now…sometimes family can ask too much.
"Thanks Don! You're the best!"
((A/N: Because the FEELS okay?))
