Chapter 64: Plush

Mikey sobbed as he looked down at his plush teddy bear. Splinter had given him the bear after finding it while scavenging for food and had thought the plush toy would help Mikey feel better after being sick.

His brothers often made fun of him for still sleeping with a stuffed animal at his age, but the bear was special to him and he just couldn't let it go.

He heard a knock on his door and Leo poked his head in.

"Mikey, how are you holding up?" he asked his younger brother.

Mikey sniffed. "Not that good," he answered. "I thought snuggling with Mr. Bear would help, but it just makes me sadder."

Leo took the bear and studied it. "I remember Splinter gave it to you after you were sick," he reminisced.

"Yeah, and then when I got older, you guys tried to get me to stop sleeping with it at night 'cause you said I was too old to sleep with a teddy bear."

"Yeah, I know," Leo said. "I'm really sorry about that, Mikey. I never should have teased you like that. This bear gives you comfort so you should be able to sleep with it as long as you want to no matter how old you get."

"You seriously think so?" Mikey asked.

Leo nodded. "Yeah."

"And if Raph makes fun of me, will you protect me?"

Leo rubbed his brother's head affectionately. "You know I will."

"Thanks, Leo. You're the bestest big brother ever."

"Do you feel better now?"

"I think so. See you tomorrow, bro."

"Sweet dreams, Mikey," Leo said, kissing his brother on the forehead.

The next day, they went to the farmhouse to bury their father. Mikey took his teddy bear with him to keep him company and no one said a word about it. He fell asleep and as he did, he felt a presence near him as though Splinter was watching over him to protect him. The feeling made him feel better and helped him to get through the days to come without his father.

Mr. Bear would always be a reminder of how Splinter comforted and protected him and as long as he had the special toy, he was comforted and protected forever.

A/N: I enjoyed writing this little drabble and I hope you liked it too. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and my own plush Leo who comforts me when I am feeling upset or sad.