Chapter 8

Meanwhile, in the infirmary…

'Ugh…What happened…?'

With his eyes still closed, Mikey tried his best to remember what had happened before everything went dark. It was then that he suddenly remembered that he was getting up to head back to the lair when everything around him began to spin before he blacked out.

'Oh yeah, now I remember…' Mikey confirmed in his thoughts as he now realised just how tired and drained he was feeling right now.

However, he had just enough strength to slowly open his eyes half-way. Whilst doing so, his vision began to turn from blurry to slightly clearer and he could just make out where he was, which was the lair's infirmary room.

'I'm guessing Raphie must've carried me back and brought me in here…'

"Mikey?"

Seconds later, a blurry green and purple-coloured figure appeared in Mikey's line of vision, whom of which he recognised as Donnie. It was then that his vision returned to 100% clear and saw Donnie's guilty but relieved face.

"…Don…?" Mikey said in a raspy tone due to his dry throat and mouth.

A glass of water with a straw in it was instantly placed close to his mouth thanks to Donnie after he helped him sit up slightly straighter before doing so. Mikey took a few slow but big sips of the water before it was taken away and placed on the table next to the bed.

"How are you feeling, Mikey?" Don asked gently.

"Tired… and drained…but not as dizzy as I was before..." Mikey replied slowly.

"That's normal, Mikey, you should feel better after some food and a good night's sleep..." Donnie explained before he moved on to the matter at hand.

"Mikey, I-" but he was cut off instantly by Mikey.

"Don...I'm so sorry for not being the brother and mate that you needed me to be...You were right about how I act childishly around everyone and during missions...I really am immature and no help to anybody, and I should have done more to stop Viral from taking our father away from us...I-It's all my fault, not yours…"

By the time Mikey had finished his speech, tears began to appear in his eyes before he bowed his head and started sobbing.

Donnie sat still on the edge of the bed, staring at Mikey in shock with his mouth and eyes wide open after hearing what he just heard from his young mate, before snapping out of it and wrapped his arms around Mikey to give him a tight but gentle hug.

"Shhh, Mikey… it's okay…I'm the one who should be apologising to you for being such a selfish and horrible person to you...I should have realised sooner that Viral was the one to blame for all that had happened back then, but instead, I threw all of the blame and my frustrations onto you and pushed you and everyone else away because I blamed myself and felt like it was my mission alone to bring father back..."

Don slightly released Mikey to look at him before placing a comforting hand on his cheek and said, "I'm really sorry, my love… please forgive me…"

Mikey looked into Don's watery eyes, which were shining with unfallen tears of regret and sadness, and suddenly developed a small but warm smile and spoke.

"It's ok, Babe…You weren't yourself...I already forgave you shortly after you yelled at me..."

Don was surprised by the way Mikey accepted his apology, but he chuckled nevertheless and gently leaned his forehead against Mikey's with his eyes closed, with Mikey closing his own immediately after.

"I love you, Mikey...so much...You mean the whole world to me and to everyone else in the family. Your light helps to guide us through the darkest of times and you always tried your hardest in keeping everyone positive when things got tough. Also..." Donnie opened his eyes and placed his other hand gently over Mikey's lower plastron. "You are the carrier of our baby…which our love created together..." He stated, ending with a warm smile.

Mikey looked at him and gave him a shy smile. "So, you're happy that I'm having our baby?"

"Yes, I'm really happy!" Donnie answered ecstatically before he gave him a soft kiss on the lips and said, "Thank you…"

"Anything for my Donnie…!" Mikey said with a bigger smile.

Donnie let out a small laugh at the comment before getting up and tucking Mikey in after noticing him trying to keep his eyes from closing and a yawn from coming out.

"You've had a tiring day, Mikey...I'll leave you to rest for a little bit longer...I'm going to go check on the others; we're going to have a takeout tonight..." Donnie said soothingly to his mate.

"But Donnie, I keep throwing up every time I eat. What if I can't keep my food down again?" Mikey said worryingly at Donnie.

"Don't worry, I know a good dish that is suitable for those with your condition. I will wake you up when it arrives, ok?" Donnie said in the same tone before kissing Mikey softly on his forehead. "Sleep well..."

"M'kay…" Mikey said faintly before falling asleep seconds later.

Donnie checked on Mikey's vitals and IV bag one more time before leaving the infirmary to let Mikey sleep in peace and check on how the preparations for the surprise party were going.