Rating: T for occasional language. Also see other warnings.
Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon.
Summary: Bradford has always blamed Michelangelo for his misfortunes and especially for his mutation so when he manages to capture the young ninja, he's going to make sure he knows exactly what it's like. 2k12 AU.
Warning: Warnings for physical and mental torture in this story abound, as well as for implied and highly disturbing situations. Trigger warnings may apply for some chapters. There will not however, be gruesome details. Some things are best left up to the imagination.
A/N: Mikey finally cracks and talks more so...Trigger warning applies for this chapter.
You know, I probably should have mentioned this in the notes of the previous chapter but I forgot so mentioning it now since I came across my notes. Besides, it is still relevant to this chapter anyway so yeah. At some point way back when, I made the conscious decision to have all Foot OC names starting with the letter H. Hakuba, Haruto, Hideki Mai and even Hanzou. Not entirely sure why I did but I did and figured it a nice little Easter egg for the eagle-eyed. Hakuba was named after a recurring character in 'Detective Conan' and 'Magic Kaitou' that I don't particularly like, the others not so much meaning. Hanzou, however, I put some thought into when searching Japanese names beginning with H and when seeing the kanji beside it, found this as one of the options.
半三
"半" is the kanji for half and "三" is the kanji for three. So there ya go, you get the reason I chose that name for Three-Five-Eight.
NaluCelestiaDragneel: Yeah, it's about time he did, especially now he has the ability to do so.
Minnie1015: Mikey definitely had a big part in saving the day but his brothers were most definitely needed XD Yeah, I have to agree. It's not that Leo or Raph would be incapable of listening but their reactions likely wouldn't help and would likely make Mikey clam up again.
Jgrasper22: Thank you :-)
Laura: Though I do feel discouragement at times, I have no intention of stopping writing or posting, though occasionally I might decide I can't be bothered for a week, especially if I'm feeling down about other things or just caught up in something else *cough*Vampire Diaries*cough*. Writing is fun and it makes me happy in a way nothing else does. Thank you so much for your encouragement, it really means a lot and it made me smile reading it. Heh, yeah... to be honest, it was because this story was rough on Mikey that I was reluctant over whether I should post or not in the first place or just keep it to myself XD If Mikey wasn't rescued about then, it would have just become a torture fest and that I wasn't interested in. There is no reason to show every tiny little bad thing he goes through because then it just becomes depressing and overkill. However, there will be occasional flashbacks to times we didn't see as appropriate.
T420000: I love Mikey and Donnie's bond. It's so evident in pretty much all versions of TMNT but especially so in 2k12. It's the little things that prove it. The fist bumps without a glance, the little looks and so many other things. Donnie, in various versions is so indulgent of Mikey and generally more patient with him than their other brothers. Even if 2k12 Donnie does nerdrage on occasion XD
ViolaHarmony: Thanks. They tried hard but still couldn't completely break Mikey. Not where his family is concerned, anyway :-) He definitely needed to talk, especially after that visit by Three but he wouldn't have without that initial push and ignoring that Donnie's the only one that understands him easily, he was also the best choice. In his state of mind, Raph would have frightened him if he tried and Leo... well, let's just say Leo need to be especially careful how he talks to Mikey given he's the leader.
Concrit, thoughts and comments always welcomed.
How Much is that Turtle in the Window
ch 26
Groaning to himself and feeling utterly exhausted but too hot and thirsty to keep sleeping, Mikey carefully extricated himself from Donnie's arms, pushing his way to all fours. Once there and wobbling slightly from grogginess, he looked around. Raph was sleeping on the other side of Donnie and Leo was seated nearby, meditating as he kept watch.
Mikey frowned at Leonardo, wondering when they came back, when Leo opened first one eye and then the other, proving just how aware he was of his surroundings, even when supposedly in a trance.
"It was only light meditation," he smiled calmly at Mikey. "How are you feeling? Any better?"
Surprisingly, yeah, Mikey realised, quickly tapping his affirmative before looking for the bowl which was empty. {L, thirsty...}
"Hang on, I'll get you some water," Leo promised, quickly rising to his feet and rushing over to the crate storing the bottles of water. "Feel up to drinking from a cup again yet?" He asked, brow ridges raised in question.
Mikey stared at him a moment, his heartbeat rising dramatically at the thought and the accompanying memory. He quickly pushed it away again. {No,} he tapped decisively. {Bowl. Pls.}
"Alright," Leo murmured in disappointment. He walked over to empty the bottle into the bowl, then sat down, watching him drink.
"So..."
{Wot did D tell you?} Mikey asked slowly, unable to meet Leo's eyes as he continued to slowly drink.
"Not much," Leo admitted with a heavy sigh. "He told us the gist of what you told him but he wouldn't give us any details."
{Good,} Mikey wilted in relief.
"Is it really so bad if Raph and I know too?" Leo asked gently, almost begging. "You know we won't think any less of you, right?"
Mikey's eyes flew up to meet Leo's, wide in shock and disbelief. {Yes u wud. 'specially Raph, if he new how weak I was,}he tapped furiously, his heart pounding in fear of the rejection he felt certain he'd earn.
"Slow down, please. I can't keep up with you at that speed," Leo begged. "I really do want to understand and for the record, the fact that you survived proves you aren't weak."
{Rite!} Mikey snorted derisively. {Jus look at me,} he tapped before lifting a paw off the ground and twisting it side to side as if studying it in disgust.
"You were in an impossible situation and just because they put those things on you doesn't mean you're weak. In fact, it probably means the opposite. I would bet they were afraid of what would happen if they didn't do everything they could to keep you down," Leo desperately assured and Mikey looked away again, ashamed of how quickly he'd given up.
{Tried to fight... all it got me was hurt.} Mikey laid down, propping himself on his elbows and continued to stare at his paws as if mesmerised, imagining the mess that lay beneath and shuddering uncontrollably.
"What did they do?" Leo asked softly.
{Ask D. Tell him I said ok,} Mikey frowned.
"Is that about when you tried to kill Dogpound?"
Mikey shot him an accusing look. {Thought u sed D didn't tell u anything?}
Leo concentrated, trying to work out what he tapped, so Mikey breathed through his teeth and repeated more slowly.
"I said he didn't tell us any details. All he said about that was that you told him about it. We already knew you tried because Hanzou mentioned it, remember?"
Mikey frowned. He didn't actually. He'd been far too scared at the time to retain much of anything that Three had said while aboard the Umi Ryuu.
{'k,} he tapped slowly, not quite sure whether to believe him or not.
"Do you mind if I ask you something, Mikey?"
{'k,} he tapped again, this time warily, {but if I don't wanna answer...}
"Then you don't have to, I won't push you, okay?" Leo promised softly.
{'k,} Mikey reluctantly agreed. {Go.}
Leo straightened as if steeling himself. "Why do you insist on drinking from the bowl when we're all more than happy to help you drink normally?" he asked seriously.
{Nomally?} Mikey laughed humorlessly, the sound little more than huffs of air escaping his mouth. {Wot's normal about sumone else having to hold a cup or bottle to your mouth for u?}
"Surely it's better than being forced to drink from a bowl like a..." Leo fell silent, embarrassment flashing across his face.
{U cn say it. Dog. That's wot they wanted me to b. I got used to it,} Mikey tapped bitterly. {U no, Alpha once jked about having dog ears sewn to my hed but he wasn't rly jking. He asked Mai about it but she sed no so he glued them until they fell off.}
Leo stared at him blankly, thanks to him having deliberately gone too fast for Leo to keep up with.
"I'm sorry, could you please repeat that, Mikey?" Leo asked helplessly.
{No,} Mikey tapped. {Wot did u want to ask again?}
"Why you won't drink unless it's from a bowl."
Yeah, he couldn't answer that without it leading to his mortification and the 'help' from Three-Five-Eight. He scowled as he thought about how to answer in a way that would satisfy his brother.
{Control,} he finally answered slowly. {Is sumthing I cn control.}
"We let you control how much you drink from the cup too, " Leo replied, his voice and expression full of confusion.
{Not the same,} Mikey retorted a little harder than necessary, {an' I always get wet,} he pointed out, {'cause u guys nvr pull bak in time.}
"Right," Leo muttered guiltily because it was true. "So, the reason you're drinking like that is for control..."
{Hai,} Mikey tapped.
"Yet you didn't have an issue with it before Hanzou came along."
{Three, or Three-Five-Eight,} Mikey corrected hotly. {No deserve a name.}
"Okay, Three," Leo quickly agreed, looking at Mikey a little too intently for his liking. "Obviously there's more to it than just control so what's..."
{U sed u not push,} Mikey tapped, getting worked up and interrupting Leo. {I gave tru ans. B hpy I giv that much!}
With that, Mikey stood and stomped away to the pit as Leo sat there flabbergasted.
"I... have no idea what he just said..."
"Too fast for you, Leo?" Raph mocked sleepily.
"More like... a combination of too fast and chat speak. It made absolutely no sense," Leonardo exclaimed in bewilderment.
"Heh, I always knew you weren't cool, Lame-o-nardo."
"Oh, like you can talk," Leo retorted crossly. "You didn't understand a word either!"
Donnie yawned sleepily. "He was angry because you were pushing when you said you wouldn't."
"But he wasn't making any sense!" Leo protested in frustration. "You obviously heard him! Tell me otherwise!"
Donnie sighed and Mikey heard movement - his brother obviously getting up, despite being so tired from having to deal with him all the time. Mikey felt a flash of guilt.
"Mikey said he told you the truth, that it was about control. Yes, there is obviously something more to it that set off the need for control but that is ultimately what the answer to the question is. He's controlling what goes into his body as best he can because he hasn't had much control over anything since before he was captured."
"But why?" Leo persisted anxiously. "I would understand if it had been that way all along but it was just so sudden and that's what worries me."
"Well, they obviously drugged him, probably more than once."
Mikey whipped his head up in horror and groaned. Why did Donnie always have to be so freaking astute?
"I'd believe it," Raph yawned. It was obvious from the sound that he didn't bother covering it. "But what makes you say that?"
"Remember, after Three was... uh... disposed of, Mikey started freaking out about pills? I would guess his reluctance to drink from a cup or bottle has something to do with that... In fact, I would bet it's less about the cup itself as it is about it being held by, controlled by, someone else."
"Do you... think it might have been Three-Five-Eight who was drugging him?"
"I couldn't say for certain but if not, then it's likely he was related to it somehow."
Mikey stomped his way back into the main area, glaring at his brothers one by one. Donnie at least had the decency to look chagrined.
{I can't leave, u no!} Mikey stated, angrier than he could remember being for a very long time and for once it wasn't tainted with fear. {That meens I can hear u!}
"We're sorry, Mikey," Donnie was quick to apologise. "I was just trying to help Leo understand..."
Mikey turned the full force of his anger born of helplessness on Donnie and his brother wilted beneath it.
{How u s'posed to do that wen u don't und'rstand?} Mikey countered, tapping harder than he should on the word 'u' and causing his brothers to cringe at the volume.
Donnie gulped uneasily. "I know it was just conjecture but..."
{But nothing!} Mikey exploded furiously. {Don't tak 'bout me lik I'm not here in front of me! U want to no sumthing, u ask me! If I don't want to ans or can't, then too bad! If u need to tak about me, then go sumwhere I can't hear an' don't tell me wat u r doing cuz I don't want to no!}
"We're really sorry, Mikey, we never meant to upset you," Donnie repeated, paling as he realised just how much it was hurting his brother to hear them talk about him.
Mikey bared his teeth but before he could say anything in response, Raph frowned and spoke up.
"Oi, it's all well and good you apologising for us Donnie but we don't know what exactly you're apologising for as we couldn't understand him so how can we fix it if you don't explain it?"
"Right..." Donnie muttered, "sorry." Then he quickly translated as Mikey glared helplessly at the floor, clenching his fingers repeatedly and ignoring the grating feel and stiffness of the badly healed bones.
Raph's face fell as he listened and then he turned to Mikey. "Shit... I get it and I'm sorry, little brother. I won't talk about you in front of you again, okay?"
'Okay,' Mikey blinked. {Ty.} Then he looked expectantly at Leo.
"I'm not going to apologise for that previous conversation because I needed to understand and I couldn't have otherwise," Leo said firmly. "And if I can't understand in future I will continue to ask for Donnie's help until I'm good enough to understand you for myself, whether you are there or not. However, I will promise to stop talking about you while you're in the same room otherwise. That's the best I can do."
It wasn't enough! He wanted more, especially from Leo but he could see he wasn't going to get it. Mikey clenched his fingers painfully again, knowing he should be happy with getting that much but... they'd been talking about him being forced drugs and reminding him of that day and the others immediately following it...
He felt sick.
"Mikey, you can drink however you like," Donnie said gently, coming closer and kneeling down in front of him to be closer to eye level, "but you know I'd never do something like that to any of you, right?"
{Do I?} he tapped softly, unable to look up at his brother. {U guys knocked me out severel times without my ok, wot's to say you wouldn't do that to?}
Donnie sighed miserably. "I'm so sorry we had to do that to you but those times you left us with no choice. You were panicking and in a really bad state. You either would have hurt yourself or us or you couldn't breathe and yet were fighting us. It was for your own good."
{Mai sed that sumtimes too... erly on.}
"And later?" Donnie asked quietly, his heart clenching at the haunted look in Mikey's baby blue eyes.
{Stopped talking to me and just did it...}
"Because of Hakuba?"
{Hai...} Mikey swallowed painfully.
"Can I ask what type of things she gave you?" Donnie asked after a moment.
{Diffrent things,} Mikey answered. {Usually sumthing that stopped me moving and made my mind mush. Couldn't think, could barely feel, was horrible.}
"But it left you awake otherwise?" Donnie pressed quietly.
{Hai...} Mikey tapped so softly that Donnie barely heard.
"What else did that woman give you?" Donnie asked softly.
Mikey stiffened. Nope! Not going there! {Don't know,} he half lied.
Donnie regarded him for several moments and Mikey found himself turning away, not wanting to be subjected to that piercing red-tinted gaze any longer. He was only glad his other brothers were keeping their distance, though even from here, he could see they were itching to come closer to try to help him.
"Was it just her that gave them or were there others who gave you drugs too?" Donnie finally asked.
{Others,} Mikey couldn't help but answer. {Al... Dogpound, Hakuba...} he stopped himself before he could tap out Three.
"And what did they give you?" Leo asked stiffly, causing Mikey to turn, startled, to stare at him. "And who's Al? That's not a name Donnie said you told him."
Mikey cringed in fear. Bad enough he'd slipped up in front of Donnie the previous night but there was no way his other brothers would understand.
"He means Dogpound," Donnie explained simply, glancing at Leo with a look that said not to ask for more. "How about we go behind the crate wall, just you and me," he suggested, returning his attention to Mikey. "We can keep it quiet, if you like."
He didn't want to. He wanted to stop talking about this, stop thinking about this but Donnie stood and started walking to the small barricade, gently encouraging him. Mikey had always had trouble saying no to his brothers, especially Donnie, so he found himself trudging after him as if going to his own execution.
Soon they were settled down in place by the corner and Donnie was looking at him, waiting patiently. "What kinds of things did Hakuba and Dogpound give you?" he asked gently.
{Do I relly have to tell you?} Mikey asked, beginning to tremble.
"It's obviously something you need to talk about," Donnie replied carefully, "or you wouldn't be reacting this way. However, I won't force you, nor will I tell anyone else until you give me the okay if you do tell me."
Mikey bit his lip as he thought about it, then he reached a paw up to rest on Donnie's leg and quietly explained how Hakuba almost killed him by forcing painkillers on him so he could walk on broken bones and burnt hands. He couldn't bring himself to add that it wasn't just his arm that was broken but also both hands.
"That's awful," Donnie sympathised with a murmur, "but there's something else that you're trying to hide."
Mikey looked away but tapped, {U can tell that part.}
"Thank you. I know they'll be glad to hear it." Mikey looked up at his brother in hurt disbelief and Donnie blushed. "You know I don't mean it like that!" he spluttered in embarrassment. "I meant they'll be glad to hear something because they're so worried about you."
'Yeah...' Mikey blinked sombrely.
"So what is it you don't want them to know?" Donnie asked, lowering his voice again "It's obviously something you need to tell someone."
{I... M...ai wanted... sample...} Mikey reluctantly answered, shaking in fear and pain as the memory assaulted him all over again. He didn't want to be talking about this. He didn't want to remember!
"What kind of sample?" Donnie pressed gently.
Closing his eyes in pain, Mikey trembled all the harder, withdrawing his paw from Donnie's leg and curling in on himself, protecting himself in a way ever astute Donnie couldn't possibly miss. He couldn't say it, he just couldn't. His words had been taken away for so long now and the Morse just wasn't enough. Tears of shame started rolling down his face and he shook his head wildly within his arms, refusing to look up at his older brother.
"It's okay, take your time," Donnie murmured soothingly.
{Ca...n't...} he hiccuped, gasping for breath against the collar squeezing tighter into his throat.
"You can. You need to," Donnie insisted firmly, though still in that soft, gentle voice that was so unlike him normally. "You have the ability now."
{Made... mad...e me... ga...ve pills...} Mikey shuddered again. Why did Donnie have to do this to him? He didn't want to think about it ever again and yet since Three came aboard, it was all he could think about!
"What did the pills do?"
{Go...t it... up,} he tapped out in shame against Donnie's leg so their other brothers couldn't possibly overhear. {They... he... m...ilked me...}
Donnie's presence at his side darkened at the confirmation. "Did this happen just the once or more often?" he managed in a surprisingly calm tone.
{More,} Mikey finally admitted, shaking terribly and tapping softly, hesitantly.
"Did it ever go further than that?" Donnie asked, dread in his voice and when Mikey didn't answer, he added, "So it did, then."
{Di...dn't... say that...} Mikey panicked, peeking up desperately into Donnie's eyes, willing him to somehow come to a different conclusion.
"No, but the fact you wouldn't answer tells me what you couldn't," Donnie replied, struggling to contain his sudden rage.
Mikey shrank back, now unable to take his eyes off his furious brother. {I'm... sorr...y... I didn't mean t...o let him! I tried to fight, I promis but I couldn't sto...}
"Wait wait wait!" Donnie spluttered in sudden shock, staring at him as if he'd just grown a second head. "You don't seriously think... oh hell, you do! Mikey! I don't blame you for not being able to fight them off! It's not your fault! None of it is your fault!"
His eyes widened in disbelief as he watched his often volatile brother.
"What they did to you! Everything, not just that," Donnie spat furiously, "is unforgivable! But it's what they did to you, not what you did or you chose! You have nothing to feel ashamed of. Nothing, Mikey!"
Even when he finally gave up and just let them do what they wanted because it hurt less and there was no point fighting when he was trapped and chained up anyway? Fresh tears started flowing down his face as he stared up at his incensed brother.
"Do you need me to come in, Donnie?" Leo called anxiously from the other side of the barricade and Mikey quailed at the thought of being seen like this, of someone else knowing. Hell, why did he even tell Donnie! He shouldn't have! He should have taken that secret to his grave because no one should know because they'd never look at him the same again and worse, they'd know exactly how unfit he was to be their brother or even a ninja.
"N-no, Leo! St-stay out there, please," Donnie quickly replied, shocked back into the moment.
"Alright," Leo replied, not sounding quite convinced. "But if you need me..."
"Us!" Raph interjected, annoyed at being excluded.
"... us, either of you, just let us know, we're right here."
"I-I know. Th-thank you," Donnie called back. Then he turned his full attention back on Mikey, struggling to regain his composure again. "T-talk to me Mikey," he said quietly but firmly. "Tell me what happened, what's going through your mind now."
Mikey stared at Donnie, distraught. How could he when he didn't even know himself? Everything was just roiling within him, words, fear, pain, hatred, the small terrifying part of him that felt pleasure at the relief... overwhelming, overriding shame... Nothing was clear, everything was a mess so how was he supposed to articulate any of it?
Donnie took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he reached out, resting a hand on Mikey's arm. Mikey followed the movement warily, unable to take his eyes off his brother's hand that was now touching him.
{Mai wanted a sample and so forced you to take Viagra or something akin to it, yes?}
'Yes,' Mikey blinked shamefully, hanging his head though still keeping his eyes fixed on that hand.
{Then what? Did Three do it of his own accord or did she ask him to?}
{Asked...} Mikey admitted. For a moment his gaze flickered to his own metal swathed hands as he swallowed before going back to Donnie's exposed, unbroken, perfect one. He reached out shakily to place one paw on his brother's leg again. {I couldn't... no hands... not that I would've anywy. She... he wanted so she asked him to. It was horrible, D,} he sobbed, tears starting to run down his face unbidden as the feeling of helplessness, of being strapped tightly down while Three's disgusting, sweaty hand wrapped around him and roughly worked until he exploded in more ways than one washed over him again. Bradford laughing at his misery the entire time. {After... a...fter...}
{Go on,} Donnie tapped on his arm reassuringly the moment he faltered.
Mikey swallowed. {After... finished with me, Alpha came back and made me walk around, displaying me in front of everyone be...fore taking me bak to kennel. I...t was still too stiff to hide away... Evryone… saw, D. They laughed and pointed, poked me, grabbed... at me...} he sniffled, shaking ever more at the mortifying memory. {But... but... that's... not the worst,} he admitted, taking a terrified glance up at Donnie's face. Donnie was struggling to keep his face expressionless but Mikey could see the anger peeking through.
{What happened next?} Donnie encouraged gently, even as his mouth worked furiously, barely holding back his tirade.
Mikey squeezed his eyes tightly closed. {Al... Dogpound snuck more into my food or water or... or straight out shoved it down my throat... For days... I was forced to train in front of a crowd with it... all b'cuz he thought it was funny and he sed b'cuz… all the other dogs always have theirs... 'swinging in the breeze'.}
The colour drained from Donnie's face and he looked sick.
{That's... when the late-night visits started... Three started coming 'round to... bath me or... or... play,} Mikey barely managed to tap out. {Sum...times... others came with him. Even after Mai found out and stopped Alpha from giving more, they still came! Threatened... with pain and shocks if I did...n't coperate...}
"Did this happen every night?" Donnie asked softly when Mikey couldn't tap anymore, his voice and body shaking with anger.
{No... but... too often... It... was most nights at start but began to lose interest and came less... but Three always after bath day... evrytime!}
"Even once is too often," Donnie seethed through gritted teeth.
'Yes,' Mikey blinked, unable to bring himself to tap anything further as he shook all the harder.
For some time, they sat there in silence, Donnie continuing to rest his hand on Mikey's arm until Mikey finally edged closer, burying his face into his brother's plastron as he cried. Slowly, Donnie wrapped one arm around him, careful not to make him feel trapped and continued to comfort him as best he could. Finally, when Mikey had calmed down and just lay exhausted against him, he spoke up.
"The others... Leo and Raph... they need to know Mikey."
'No!' Mikey shot upright, blinking rapidly over and over. {U promisd!} he tapped accusingly.
"Not a-any details, I won't tell them any of that but they need to know that it happened, what Three did. We can't keep something like this from them," Donnie insisted, looking at Mikey imploringly. "I-I can take them out tonight, one at a time and just let them know it happened."
The tears built up and started flowing again as Mikey shook his head violently.
"Or..." Donnie swallowed uncomfortably, "I can tell them both in front of you so that you know I don't tell them anything beyond the cold fact that someone did this to you."
{They'll hate me! D, u promisd!} Mikey tapped loudly. {Pls!}
"They won't hate you for it because it's not your fault," Donnie insisted softly. "In fact, they already suspect. Raph does, at least. I certainly did, since soon after we first rescued you but you knew that already, didn't you, Mikey?"
Mikey hung his head, unable to meet Donnie's gaze again. He swallowed. {Wen?} he asked.
"When what?"
{D...id you start to... suspect?}
Donnie regarded him for a few seconds, then sighed. "It was when I had to cut that tracking device out of you," he admitted quietly. "There was some... bruising and... scarring n-nearby I couldn't otherwise explain. I-it was too dark to be sure, even with the flashlight but.. it made me start to wonder..."
Mikey closed his eyes again, feeling sick. Donnie had suspected for that long. Well before the stream when he'd been so desperate to get clean even...
"I never hated you for suspecting, did I? Or treated you any differently, did I?"
No... {But!}
"Neither Leo nor Raph are naïve, Mikey. They know some terrible things have happened to you since you were taken. They need to know but..." Donnie sighed miserably, "I won't tell them if you are that adamant that I don't but they're worried and it's better in the long run for you if they know, otherwise you'll just continue to carry a soul-destroying secret. One that you don't need to keep carrying, not when you have the ability to share and a loving and understanding family to help bear it."
Mikey peeked up, still shaking terribly at the thought of anyone else knowing. It was bad enough that Donnie knew. He hadn't wanted to tell him, hadn't meant to but did anyway.
"Please give me permission to tell them, Mikey. I'll make them promise not to ask you anything further about it until you're ready to say more but you'll feel better not having to hide this anymore."
No, he wouldn't...
"Take your time, think about it, please," Donnie implored. "Can you do that at least?"
'Yes,' Mikey blinked miserably. {I'll think about it,} he tapped shakily as Donnie's face relaxed in relief. Then, pushing himself back to all fours, he took two unsteady steps closer to Donnie and collapsed into his embrace, letting the tears run free.
-:-
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