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Every time the turtles got sick, it started with Mikey.
Always.
Due to Mikey being the smallest and the runt of his bale, he was always going to be susceptible to illness.
His immune system had never compared to his brothers, and it, unfortunately, never would.
Of course, it was getting better. But it would just never get to their level.
But that was okay, because he has three awesome big brothers and one understanding father.
However, there had been an incident in the past, and it was a story Mikey loves to tell.
Which is why he's surrounded by friends, already laughing while Raph turned red from embarrassment.
“Okay-” Mikey wheezed, “So, I'm just a little turtle, right? Like, five or so?”
—
It was a particularly cold day in Winter, and Splinter felt something was amiss.
By now, little Michelangelo would be running around screaming and squealing, just enjoying his life.
But there was nothing.
Nothing but the quiet drips in the sewers, the squeaking and scurrying of creatures, and the low sound of the TV.
So he rose from where he sat, quickly but calmly making his way out of the dojo.
He looked at the tire swing immediately. Sometimes Michelangelo falls asleep there and can sleep for days.
But no, there was no sign of his youngest there.
He turned his gaze to the pit next, but only Leonardo sat there, extremely close to the TV.
Normally, he would tell his oldest to back up, but he needed to find Michelangelo.
“Leonardo, have you seen Michelangelo?”
Leo looked up, a slight frown on his face, “No, father. But I heard him coughing earlier, I thought he might need some extra rest.”
Splinter smiled warmly, “Thank you, my son. I will check on him.” As he walked away, he spoke once more without looking back, “And Leonardo, please do not sit so close to the television. You may ruin your eyesight.”
The gasp and frantic shuffling made the rat chuckle.
But his humor quickly left when he heard wheezing nearby.
He moved a little faster, opening Michelangelo's door, “Michelangelo? Are you alright, my son?”
The littlest turtle looked up, clearly exhausted, “Daddy? I'm sleepy. And I feel sick…”
Splinter walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of it, “Oh, my little one..” He cooed, reaching up to feel his son's forehead.
He frowned, “You are warm. Would you like to stay in bed or go to the pit?”
“Here..” Mikey croaked.
Giving him a quick kiss on the forehead, Splinter stood, “Try to rest, Michelangelo. It will make you feel better. I will bring you food and medicine later.”
“Thanks, daddy.” Mikey mumbled, already nodding off to sleep.
Smiling fondly, Splinter tucked the blankets more securely around his son, then he left the room.
He arrived back at the pit quickly, seeing his remaining two sons had joined their older brother.
“Ah, my sons. We will not have training today.”
Leo frowned, “Why not? Is Mikey okay?”
“Michelangelo is sick, he must rest and fight this sickness.”
Donnie frowned, “Should I get the medicine, papa? Or more blankets? Or should I wet a rag for Mikey?”
“Thank you, my son. But right now, Michelangelo just needs rest. I will let you know when it is time for medicine.”
“So Mikey's fighting it all alone?” Raph asked bluntly, his face scrunching into an angry pout.
“Yes, my son. He must, as it is his body that is infected.”
“Well, I'll help!” He declared, standing up and marching off in the direction of Mikey's room.
Leo and Donnie tried to go after him, but Splinter held them back, “Hold on, my sons. Let us allow Raphael to see Michelangelo. It may help him understand.”
Reluctantly, the two turtles settled on the couch.
But it wasn't even a full minute later when Mikey cried out in pain and Raph angrily began screaming at the sickness.
Leo and Donnie fell from the speed their father ran past them, but they quickly got to their feet and chased after him.
When they arrived, they were horrified to see Mikey bleeding from a deep cut on his arm and Raph desperately trying to scratch Mikey again.
Splinter was holding the crying turtle on his hip, staring at his second oldest in pure shock.
When Raphael had been going to see Michelangelo, he felt no malicious intent. At least, none towards his youngest son.
May the lords give him strength.
“Raphael, why would you attack your baby brother?” He demanded.
The green eyed turtle breathed deeply, hands clenched tightly, “I didn't want Mikey to fight alone.”
“What?” Donnie asked, tilting his head.
“His stupid sickness!” Raph exploded, “He's too little and weak, he can't fight it alone! I was only helping!”
“Oh, Raphael.” Splinter sighed. He knew his son hadn't meant any harm, and this just confirms it. His son had misunderstood.
“Father, is Raph right? Were we supposed to help too?” Leo asked, looking up at the mutated rat.
Splinter sighed, “No, my sons. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Go sit in the pit while I calm your brother.”
Reminded of Mikey's pain, the older three turtles looked up at their brother's face, their hearts breaking.
Poor Mikey had been in enough pain from being sick, but now the pain from the scratch and the knowledge that it had been from his big brother. They can't imagine how awful he felt.
Leo and Donnie reluctantly left first, both of them giving Mikey gentle pats on the leg.
Raph stayed behind, watching Splinter sit with Mikey.
He hesitantly walked over to the pair, stopping just in front of them.
“Mikey? I'm sorry I hurt you..was only trying to help.” The seven year old muttered.
Mikey looked up, turning a bit to face Raph easier, “It's okay, Raphie.” He sniffled, “I know you were just helping.”
Splinter smiled warmly, stroking Michelangelo's head, “Alright, go join your brothers, Raphael. Michelangelo still needs to rest.”
Raph gave a small nod, quickly leaning in to hug his baby brother, “Love ya, Mikey. I'm sorry.” Then he pulled away and hurried off.
“Daddy, please don't be mad at Raphie..” Mikey pleaded, using his puppy eyes on Splinter.
The rat sighed, “I am not mad at him, Michelangelo. I should have explained your illness differently. Raphael prides himself on protecting you three, I should not have described it as you fighting the illness.”
Mikey nodded solemnly, “Raphie just needs a talk to help him understand.”
“Yes, and you need rest to feel better. You stay here and I'll go get some bandages, medicine, and something for you to eat.”
Mikey beamed, “Thanks, daddy!”
Splinter gave him a kiss on the head and tucked him in, “Try to sleep, my son. I will be back shortly.”
—
“-And THAT’S why papa panics when people say I'm fighting something off, whether it's an illness or a cute little kitty cat!” Mikey looked at the freezer where his beloved Ice Cream Kitty was.
Leo and Donnie looked haunted and amused at the same time. It had been one of the scariest things they'd ever experienced, but now that it was years later and hadn't happened since, it was a tiny bit amusing.
Raph ran a hand down his face, but he shot a look at the scar on Mikey's arm. A scar that HE had made. He always hated what he'd done, but Mikey proudly showed it to his friends, claiming it was from his big brother keeping him safe.
It warmed and broke his heart at the same time.
Leatherhead looked as though he couldn't decide if Raph was an enemy that needed to be defeated or not. Of course, he knows Raphael would never intentionally harm his dear friend in such a way. The two turtles are peas in a pod.
However, it was difficult not to feel protective of his first friend. But Michelangelo had proudly showed him the very scar given by his brother.
He remembers being told the story of how awesome his big brother is for protecting him, even if it was a misunderstanding.
However, Slash remembered that day. Not very clearly, mind you, but he remembered bits and pieces.
Mostly just the horrible scream Michelangelo let out, and that night when Raphael cried to him about how he hurt his baby brother.
It had been a horrible day and night, but little Michelangelo made it better the next day, reassuring his brother and proudly showing Leonardo and Donatello the wound that would later scar.
To this day, he can see the pride on the youngest turtle's face each time he gets to talk about and show off his scar.
On the other side of the pit, next to Raph, Casey was deep in thought.
It was absolutely hilarious that Raph misunderstood so badly, but it was also terrible that he ended up hurting Mikey over it.
Being a big brother himself, he knows how awful it is to hurt your sibling, even accidentally. Which immediately sucked the humor out of the situation.
So he wrapped an arm around Raph, “Dude.” And that was all he said. All he COULD say.
Because what are you supposed to say to that? Nothing would make the pain of hurting your baby sibling better. Nothing.
But he could just be here for Raph, that was the best thing he could do for his best friend.
Mondo, however, was a different story.
He was laughing openly, finding the story hilarious, almost as if he didn't fully comprehend what had happened.
Casey wouldn't put it past him. Not after their first meeting.
Sure, he and Mondo were chill now, but he would never forget what happened that day.
Rockwell sighed, giving Mondo a look. But the gecko mutant either didn't notice or didn't care, continuing to laugh.
Mikey, however, stood and walked over to sit with Raph and Casey, leaning against his brothers side.
“I know you don't like this story very much, Raphie. But it's one of my favourites. Because even though it was just a misunderstanding, I have visible evidence about how much you care, how far you would go to protect me. And I would never wish it any differently, bro.”
The older turtle blinked quickly, forcing the tears down as he wrapped his arms around Mikey, “I love you, bub. I would never intentionally hurt you, never maliciously. You know that, don't you?”
“Of course I do! I mean, you bonk me sometimes, but it's just that! A bonk! It doesn't hurt as much as I pretend, I promise. I just like getting you in trouble!” Mikey smirked.
“You brat!”
Mikey squealed as Raph tackled him, “Leo, help!”