Disclaimer: Tmnt is owned by Eastman and Laird
"Raph, just go in already." I sent a glare through my phone, hoping it reached a certain bonehead on the other line.
"How do you know I-"
"Because you've been silent for the past few minutes. I can see you standing in front of your door as if I was there. You've gotta talk to him, Raph. This has been bothering you for days." Damn Casey for knowing me so well. I took a deep breath and marched myself inside. The lair looked recently cleaned up, I heard Leo doing his katas in the dojo, and Don was watching Jimmy Neutron while fiddling with some gadget. I walked to the kitchen and casually got a drink of water as Mikey seasoned the stew. He taste-tested the soup and offered me a sip. I shook my head and he gave me a concerned look.
"You okay? You've been a little down since Leo and I got back from the Membership Drive." Why did it have to be the emotionally adept brother? 'May as well get it over with. He knows something's up.' I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down at my feet.
"I need to know, Mike. And be completely honest with me, kay?" He nodded, then turned around briefly to stir the stew one last time before turning the stove off and moving the pot to a cool spot. "Why didn't you join the Justice Force? I thought you'd jump at the chance to be Turtle Titan and all." He blinked once, then gave me a soft smile.
"I still think superheroes are cool and I enjoy fighting beside them, but I'd pick you guys over them any day." I met his eyes but couldn't bring myself to say what I wanted. "Raph, look at me. Why is this bothering you so much?" I met his eyes.
"Listen, Bro. I know we teased you about being Turtle Titan and weren't very supportive a lot of the time. If you really want to be a superhero, then go for it. Don't let what we said or whatever hold you back." Mike's baby blue orbs widened. Before I knew it, he had me in a tight hug.
"Raph, you guys already apologized for the teasing, Heck, I wasn't even that mad at you beforehand. I don't even want that life anymore." He backed away, releasing me
"Really?"
"Remember when I ran off and created Turtle Titan? I ended up helping Silver Sentry. I wanted so badly to be like Silver Sentry and the other superheroes because I thought if I followed in their footsteps, I could inspire others and maybe work towards us being accepted. I do admit that the fame and stuff was a part of it too. I wanted to be appreciated and feel good about myself." I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Nothing wrong with wanting recognition, Mikey. Sometimes you need to be told you are good, right?"
"Exactly. I guess I also wanted to prove to you guys I wasn't being a baby and that I can be serious."
"So what changed your mind?"
"Being in the Justice Force would take a lot of my time and I'd hardly see you guys. I don't want to have to choose between them and my family, Raph. You guys will always come first." I pulled him into a loose headlock and gave him a noogie.
"So you're okay with staying in the sewers with your boring older brothers and Sensei?" Mikey rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
"I've thought long and hard about it, Dude. Silver Sentry and I even talked about it a few times." He shifted on his seat. "I wanted to do more for you and the world. I wanted my family to be proud of me and prove that I can be relied on."
"But Mike, you already do that. You don't need a cape or spandex to be a hero." Mikey beamed.
"I just need to be my glorious self." I punched him lightly on the arm.
"Don't push it."
