So…. I'm super-duper sorry for posting this chapter so late! To be fair, I've been struggling to stay awake during the day, and I recently found out that I'm celiac. But that's not an excuse, I promise to post more :). This chapter is more focused on the emotional side of the situation (Raph isn't in it), but next chapter…stakes are going to change. More drama *evil chuckles*. Thank you so much to everyone who is currently supporting me, I appreciate it so much :). Please R&R!

*I own nothing*

Reviews:

Guest: Thank you so much for all the feedback! I promise to update more, I wouldn't abandon this story. I hope you enjoy this next chapter :).

Ms. Nick Jones: That is a really good idea! I'll hide it somewhere in my chapters (look for it). I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Warning: This story contains eating disorders and will be played out. If this triggers you in ANY way, please do NOT read this story.

TMNT

It had been over three hours since the Homato family heard about their youngest member being in a coma. That single word had devasted them, destroyed them, and made Raph pass out. Due to the red-masked brother being out cold, the doctors dragged him for tests, and then some rest.

Overall, they confirmed that Raph had gone into shock. But Donnie was far worse. He had screamed bloody munder and sobbed continuously on the floor until the doctors were forced to remove him from the hospital.

Leo drove him home, and now was currently gathering up stuff for Mikey's hospital room. The eldest brother told Donnie to go to bed, but the younger brother didn't want any of it.

*Cue the flashback*

"I want Mikey to feel as comfortable as possible," Donnie reasoned. But Leo shook his head, "Donnie, you need rest."

"Leo, let me do something!" Donnie sobbed, "This helps me overcome my worry. Please Leo…I need this."

Leo looked at his younger brother, Donnie looked so broken, fragile and without rationality. The news had crushed them, and without question, brought a sense of impending doom. But everyone needed an outlet.

And this was Donnie's

"Fine, I guess you can help," Leo sighed. Donnie smiled wide and gave Leo a bone-crushing hug.

"Thanks Leo! You wouldn't regret it!"

Maybe it was that his younger brother was happy, or there just wasn't anything to lose. But Leo didn't care either way, he needed the help. He couldn't do it alone.

*End Flashback*

"Do you think he'll like this?" Donnie asked holding up an orange teddy bear, "He used to say he was too old for it."

"Nah he'll like it," Leo replied as he grabbed a few piles of blankets. He chose the most comfortable ones, Mikey needed warmth more than ever. And maybe Mikey wouldn't feel so alone when he could reach over and smell home from miles away.

Donnie reached over and grabbed the lunchbox. "Huh, it's still filled. It's crazy to think that only a few hours ago, I was lecturing him on not eating his lunch."

"He'll get better Don, I promise."

"But what if…. he doesn't?"

Leo didn't know how to respond to that. In all fairness, if they lost Mikey, there wasn't a purpose to family anymore. Mikey was their light, their heart, and the only thing that kept Leo alive when he felt like giving up. They couldn't lose Mikey….it just wasn't something they could afford.

"Don't think like that, Mikey will get better. We just have to have faith." Leo responded. He clutched the orange teddy bear tightly as he placed it inside a cardboard box, the blankets went on top along with a few pillows.

Leo asked Donnie to look around for anything else, the younger brother agreed and left the room to check their rooms for anything Mikey might like. While Donnie was gone, Leo allowed a few tears to fall. It was a miracle that he hadn't broken down yet, and he was struggling to keep that up. It was as if a dam was slowly breaking, water seeping though the cracks until it eventually broke.

Except unlike any other time, Mikey his sealant wasn't around to seal up the cracks breaking down his composure. He had to be strong. But as a few tears came rushing down, his dam broke.

Openly sobbing, his heart clutched, his hands shook. It wasn't fair, IT WASN'T FAIR! Everything was so perfect only yesterday, but all it took for was one day for it to all fall apart.

And to break his promise.

*Sad Flashback*

"Leo! Mikey's taking his first step!"

Leo raced down the hall and watched Mikey take one step, he giggled as he took another.

"Come on Mikey, come to Raphie," Raph encouraged.

Mikey took another step; he was only a few steps away from Raph. His smile grew with each passing moment, he was so close!

But then he fell. Hard.

Landing on his stomach, Mikey almost immediately begun to cry. He was so close…but failed. Even to a three-year-old, the young child felt so hurt.

Donnie got up, but Leo pushed him back down. "Let me try," he whispered. Walking over to his younger brother, Leo picked up Mikey and set him on his lap.

The younger toddler melted into his brother, crying on Leo's chest. Leo looked at Mike, he lifted his head.

"Hey Mikey? Can you hear me?" Leo asked.

The youngest brother looked up with tears still streaming down his face.

"Did you make it to Raphie?"

Mikey shook his small head.

"Did you make it to Don?"

Once again, the young toddler shook his head.

"Did you fail?"

Mike didn't know how to respond.

"The answer is no Mikey, you didn't fail. You won!" Leo said happily, "And you know what?"

After a moment of silence, Leo went on.

"If you ever fall, I promise to always catch you."

*End Sad Flashback*

Mikey had fallen, and Leo didn't catch him. He had failed. But this was more…this wasn't just about taking a single step. It was about life and death.

Leo didn't realize he had begun to hyperventilate, or that the door opened, and a pair of hands wrapped around his torso.

"It's not ok Leo, but it will be," Donnie whispered in his ear, "You're not alone."

"I know" Leo voice cracked with pure emotion, "I've failed!"

More sobs escaped his throat, "I promised to catch him, but I DROPPED him! I'm horrible!"

Donnie held his brother tight as his body shook. "Your wrong Leo, we've both failed him."

Their situation was far from being ok, having an emotional crisis was only part of their problems. Their brothers survival was the second part. Raph being unconscious was the third part. The list could go on.

"Let's go," Donnie said softly, he picked up the box of stuff while supporting Leo. Walking over to the car, Leo didn't even attempt to sit in the drivers seat, he wasn't mentally stable for that yet.

Donnie drove them to the hospital and checked them in. Donnie went to check on Raph while Leo went to the ICU. It wasn't long before Leo stood in front of room 1487.

He opened the door and walked inside, with the box securely in his hands.

This next part was going to be really hard.

TMNT

There it is! Next chapter will be out hopefully really soon. Also..if anything does not add up, I'm sorry. It's late over here. Anyhow, thanks so much for reading :). Please R&R!