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aloneindarknes7Chapter Title: Chapter 12: Getting Acceptance
Author: Jordan Herbert
Warning: None except for talking about past situations
Pairings: Mikey!darkClone/Leo!darkClone, Raph!darkClone/Mikey, Don!darkClone/Don, Raph/Leo
Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Fast Forward)
Rating: Pg-13 for swearing
Word Count: 6,824
Chapter Summary: Splinter has a talk with Rafieo..
It was as if the reaper himself came to collect his soul. Rafieo could swear he saw his life pass before his eyes when Leonardo knocked angrily at their door and ‘requested’ that Rafieo came with him. Rafieo knew it was a request he didn’t really have the option of turning down.
Rafieo was a little surprised when Leon offered to go as well. It made him feel like Leon actually cared about him and didn’t want to see him killed. Still, he turned his brother’s offer down and followed Leonardo alone. If he was going to die, he didn’t want Leon to die too. Michael wasn’t fit to live on his own and Rafieo wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he was responsible for his entire family’s death.
“But I’d be dead already,” Rafieo muttered aloud. Leonardo looked over his shoulder at him and he ducked his head shyly. Leonardo’s eyes narrowed and he quickened his pace as they arrived in front of O’Neil Tech towers.
Rafieo swallowed as he looked up at the high building. Leonardo led him to the elevator and they quietly rode up to the top floor. He relaxed then, knowing that he wouldn’t die after all. Rafieo chuckled nervously as he took a shot at trying a conversation. “For a second there, I thought you were just gonna take me up to the roof and push me off.” He continued to chuckle nervously as he didn’t get a response right away from the other.
“I still might.” Leonardo growled dangerously.
Rafieo’s laughter stopped. So much for thinking he wasn’t going to die. The elevator pinged as they reached their destination and they stepped out. Rafieo’s eyes widened as he looked at the large room they had entered. There was a huge, open kitchen, a large television, a couch that looked able to actually fit an entire family on, and so many other marvelous things he just didn’t have.
“Follow me,” Leonardo snapped as he began to lead him out of the main room.
Rafieo swallowed and began to follow when he heard a voice he had missed so much it had hurt. Mikey was close. Leonardo must have heard it to because he cursed lowly and growled. “Follow me, quickly.” He started to jog but then a door across the room opened and there stood an angel, Rafieo’s angel; Mikey himself.
Mikey spotted him instantly and whatever he was talking about to Raph was suddenly unimportant. “Rafieo?” Mikey asked, taking a step forward carefully as though he was afraid that he was seeing things. Rafieo smiled and his left hand touched the orange bow still wrapped around his right wrist.
Mikey’s face grew into a large grin, reassured that Rafieo was real and indeed standing before him. He broke into a sprint and was across the room instantly, launching himself at a befuddled Rafieo who still managed to catch the little turtle in his arms.
Leo’s glare intensified and was aimed straight at Raph. He stormed over to him but ended up meeting his brother in the middle of the room since Raph had casually strolled closer.
“I specifically told you to keep Mikey out of the main room for two hours.” Leo hissed accusingly.
“Two hours ya said? I only heard one.” Raph smirked. Leo opened his mouth, ready to lecture, but Raph interrupted before Leo could begin. “I just wanted to prove my point ta ya, Leo. Did you see Mikey right then? Do ya see him now?” He asked as he looked at Mikey smiling with his arms wrapped around Rafieo’s neck, hugging him tightly. “It’s like he’s the old Mike again.”
Leo frowned, unable to deny that the turtle jumping recklessly into another’s arms just a moment ago was a harsh reminder to the little brother that hadn’t been around in a while. “That’s beside the point,” Leo sighed. He started to Mikey and Rafieo, clearing his throat. Mikey blinked and looked at Leo, his smile instantly disappearing. Leo felt a stinging sensation in his chest but he pushed it aside. He had to follow orders. “I’m supposed to take Rafieo to Master Splinter. Sensei wishes to have a few words with him, a lot of few words.” Leo informed.
Mikey frowned and slipped out of Rafieo’s grip to the floor. He fingered the orange bow on Rafieo’s arm. “You kept it still.”
Rafieo nodded, his face feeling warm since he knew Leonardo was still evaluating him with hate filled eyes. “It kept reminding me that you had actually come back to me.”
Mikey beamed happily. “You know, there’s this myth about some red string bound between two people that symbolizes fate that the two are destined to be soul mates.” Mikey straightened the bow. “Orange is close enough to red, don’t you think?”
Rafieo smiled and nodded again. “It’s my second favorite color too.”
“Let me guess, your first favorite is red, right?” Mikey guessed.
“No, I hate red.” Rafieo frowned. “My favorite is blue,” he looked at Leo.
Leo frowned. “Don’t try to suck up to me, it won’t get you anywhere.”
“He’s not sucking up,” Raph defended. “Rafieo’s just saying that because blue’s my favorite color.” Raph crossed his arms over his chest and pointedly looked everywhere but at Leo.
“Really?” Leo asked. Raph only shrugged. Leo frowned and then cleared his throat again as he put on his leader face. “Rafieo, follow me. It’s rude to keep Sensei waiting.”
Rafieo nodded. “Right.” He started to follow Leo but Mikey grabbed his arm.
“I’ll wait for you after, okay?” Mikey reassured with a grin. “Just tell Splinter the truth and,” he paused for a moment. “And make sure you tell him what’s in your heart.”
“Right, okay.” Rafieo smiled as Mikey hesitantly released his arm and watched him walk after Leo. He turned to Raph as his brother walked to him and stood by his side. “That’s why you kept looking out the window, huh?” Raph smirked a little and shrugged his shoulders again. Mikey smiled and wrapped his arms around him. “You’re an awesome big brother.”
“Well, yer my only little brother so I spoil ya a little.” Raph amended. “‘Sides, someone’s gotta take care of ya.” It went without saying that no one else was prepared to do such a thing at that time.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Splinter sat in the middle of the virtual dojo. The setting was that of his old room. It was for the best since his old room was where he made some of the biggest decisions in his and his sons’ lives. He knew he was about to make another big decision.
He heard loud footsteps behind him and knew it was Raphael’s clone since Leonardo hardly made any noise.
“Sit there, in front.” Leo pointed to Rafieo as he took his designated seat behind Splinter and to the right.
Rafieo gulped nervously and looked at the aged rat sitting peacefully on a cushion with his eyes closed. There were two sticks burning something with an intense but a scent unknown to Rafieo. He saw that the rat and Leonardo sat in the same manner; on their heels. He knew that he wasn’t able to sit like that and sat down the only way he really knew how to; Indian style.
“I, um, hope I’m not being disrespectful sitting like this.” He murmured a quiet apology to the rat. “I just don’t think I can sit like,” he trailed off as the rat’s eyes opened suddenly and narrowed at him. Rafieo gulped and bowed his head slightly.
“You are fine,” Splinter commented quietly. “I hope you have some idea of what I wish to discuss with you.”
Rafieo nodded. “It’s Mikey, right?”
“Yes,” Splinter nodded. “My son Michelangelo has told me enough about you that I have formed an opinion on you. I’ll inform you now that my opinion on you is not a favorable one.” His eyes narrowed again and Rafieo frowned. “From what I know of you, you have caused more damage than good in my son’s life.”
Splinter inhaled the relaxing scent of sandalwood through his long snout and exhaled three counts. “And yet, Michelangelo seems to have fallen in love with you.”
Rafieo jerked his head up and stared at Splinter with wide eyes. “Love?” He whispered the word, as though he couldn’t believe it. The thought of Mikey being in love with him filled him with warmth.
Splinter nodded solemnly. “I do not approve of it though because I do not approve of you.” Rafieo’s face instantly dropped. “But I trust my son’s judgment, all of my sons’ judgment. Raphael has also come to me and spoken favorably of you, which is why I am willing to hear what you might have to say to me. I also hope that you will answer a few questions that I have.” Rafieo nodded.
“First and most importantly,” Splinter’s tail twitched behind him. “How do you feel about my son?”
Rafieo fidgeted with the orange bow wrapped around his wrist. He looked up and gulped at seeing Splinter staring at him so intensely as well as Leonardo’s eyes burning into him. “I know you’re not gonna like my answer, but I love him. I truly do. That’s why,” he closed his mouth quickly.
“That’s why what?” Splinter inquired, his ears falling back on his head, displeased that Rafieo was trying to keep sudden hidden from him.
Rafieo inhaled deeply. “That’s why I wanted you to rescue Mikey.” He admitted.
“You wanted us to take my son away from you because you love him?” Splinter asked for clarification even though it still confused him.
Rafieo nodded. “Yeah, I, well, I kinda have a lotta Mikey’s stuff, mostly his old stuff from, well, your time.” He tried to explain. “Like, I’ve got his old cell phone.”
“His shell cell,” Splinter corrected.
“Um, yeah, I got that. And, well, after Mikey had to kill Donnie, I knew Mikey was better off without me ‘cause I only caused him pain.” Rafieo frowned and ducked his head, ashamed. “That’s why I took his shell cell and tried to call you guys so you could get him. But none a you answered.”
Splinter’s eyes narrowed. “But young Cody was finally able to track down your location due to a strong transmission being sent out.” He turned his head to look at Leo. “Leonardo, do you believe that Michelangelo’s old shell cell would have been able to send out a strong enough signal for us to follow?”
Leo sighed, his eyes narrowed. “Yes, I think that is why we were finally able to find Mikey and Don.”
Splinter nodded and turned back to Rafieo. “Thank you for clarifying that you were the reason why we have my sons back.”
“I helped take them away in the first place.” Rafieo frowned.
“I am aware.” Splinter glared. “Why exactly did you wish for Michelangelo to be returned to us though?”
“Did you just not want to deal with him while he mourned for Don?” Leo added with a growl.
Rafieo frowned. “No, it wasn’t that. I mean, I didn’t like seeing Mikey crying like that but I woulda dealed with it if I thought I could.”
“Dealt with,” Splinter corrected.
“What?” Rafieo asked.
Splinter closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to understand that the monstrosity before him had never been taught how to properly speak. In fact, he had to bear in mind that Rafieo had never been taught anything. Despite that Rafieo had hurt his son in an intimate way; Splinter had to judge him with an unbiased opinion, or at least, a more understanding one. Rafieo was practically a hatchling in a giant’s body.
“Never mind, please just answer my question.” Splinter asked.
Rafieo rubbed at his neck nervously. “Well, I just didn’t want Mikey to be around me anymore since it seemed like my idea wasn’t working.”
“What idea was that?” Splinter asked.
“My idea that we’d be happy together; I wanted to be happy with Mikey, I still want to, but I’m,” Rafieo paused and sighed sadly. “I’m not right in the head,” Rafieo admitted with a frown. “I can’t read and I don’t understand a lot a things people say; I’m just not smart and I make dumb mistakes ‘cause a that. And I’m emotionally unstable due to those pills Donald was giving me.” Rafieo shrugged his shoulders. “Honestly, Mikey’s better off without me. He would have been better off if he’d never known me as anything more than Raph’s clone.”
“It’s a little late for that.” Leo bit out.
“I know.” Rafieo frowned. “And I would stay away from him now but he says it hurts when he’s away from me.” Rafieo gently touched Mikey’s bandana on his arm again. “And I can understand that because I feel it too when he’s not near me. But the hurt doesn’t hurt as much when I think a him.”
Splinter nodded and inhaled the sandalwood scent once again. “What you have told me, Rafieo,” Splinter closed his eyes. “Is that you love my son enough to give him up in an attempt to make him happier and that you believe yourself to not be good enough for him.” Splinter opened his eyes and looked at Rafieo, really looked at him.
He stared at the red skin, the yellow, pupil-less eyes, the pointy spikes on his face and shell, the larger frame, his bulky muscles, and the odd markings running up his leg and arm. “You are exactly what every father hopes his children will find in another. You are caring, modest, and sacrificial. You have earned yourself a second chance with Michelangelo.”
Rafieo’s eyes widened. “You, really? You really mean it?” Splinter nodded calmly. Rafieo smiled widely. “I won’t take this chance for granted,” Rafieo promised. He stood up and then quickly dropped to his knees, the dojo quaking with his heavy weight hitting the floor so suddenly. “Thank you,” Rafieo bowed before the small rat, expressing his gratitude.
“Do not thank me for this is only fair. But I will warn you,” Splinter’s eyes narrowed threateningly, “this will be your only second chance. If you ever hurt Michelangelo again, you will suffer a father’s wrath.”
Rafieo nodded, understanding the threat. “I won’t hurt Mikey again, I promise I won’t. I know better now.” He rose from the floor, a huge grin still on his face. He was given permission to be with Mikey and nothing was going to ruin that mood.
“You have permission to leave. I trust that Leonardo does not need to lead you back?” Splinter asked.
“Nah, I’ll find my way back.” Rafieo bowed his head to Leo but the turtle only continued to glare at the floor. Rafieo paid little attention to the evil look but paid it no heed as his good mood remained intact.
“You believe my decision to be a mistake,” Splinter stated calmly once he was alone with his son. It wasn’t a question; he knew how his eldest felt.
Leo sighed. “Yes,” he answered. Splinter spun around on his knees to face his son. “I don’t believe he deserves a second chance, Master. He hurt Mikey once, he can hurt him again.”
“You gave your own clone a second chance. Why should Raphael’s clone not receive the same chance to prove himself?” Splinter asked.
“My clone showed us his true nature; what if Rafieo shows his own?” Leo questioned. “I don’t want to take that chance. He messed Mikey up in the first place and he might just make him worse.”
“But what if Rafieo’s true nature is something good? And what if he can only make Michelangelo better?” Splinter argued back. “Are you willing to decline any chance of something good to ensure that nothing bad will happen?” Leo frowned, not sure how to answer. “Meditate on it,” Splinter suggested. The two both closed their eyes and pondered over the risks and possible benefits.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
“I think it was this way,” Rafieo frowned as he rubbed at his neck and stared at the fork in the hallway he had stumbled upon. He had a problem remembering which direction he came from. But then he picked a smell out from the air. He sniffed loudly and hummed approvingly as he followed the smell down the hallway and into the kitchen where Mikey was.
Rafieo smiled as he stared at Mikey. He was allowed a second chance with him! It was a dream come true for him. Mikey didn’t judge him, didn’t think ill towards him despite all the good reasons that he had to do just so, and, best of all, Mikey wasn’t frightened of him. Mikey was perfect. And perhaps just too good for Rafieo; he had a second chance, but it might just end up with him hurting Mikey a second time. That wasn’t what Rafieo wanted at all.
Inhaling deeply, Rafieo smelled Mikey’s scent mixed in with the food he was currently cooking. He fingered the bow on his wrist and took a step back, planning on leaving with only memories of Mikey to remind him of his perfect being.
But he only stepped back into a wall and hit it with a thump, causing Mikey to look at him instantly. Mikey grinned and quickly turned the stove to a lower setting as he ran over to Rafieo.
“How’d it go? What did Splinter say to you?” Mikey asked as he grabbed Rafieo’s hand and looked up at him, excited but a little frightened to hear of what events were planned for the future.
“I, um, your dad gave me a second chance.” Rafieo admitted.
“That’s wonderful!” Mikey exclaimed and jumped up to wrap his arms around Rafieo’s neck and hang there for a moment until Rafieo looped his arms around Mikey to hold him against himself.
“What if I hurt you again?” Rafieo murmured his concern quietly.
Mikey was quiet for a heartbeat as he pondered the question. “You won’t.” He stated easily.
“How do you know?” Rafieo questioned and squeezed Mikey a little tighter. “I don’t wanna hurt you again.”
“And that’s exactly how I know.” Mikey pulled away from Rafieo’s neck to smile up at him. “You don’t want to hurt me and you didn’t realize that you had hurt me before. Now you know what can hurt me and you’ll be extra careful to not do any of that.” Mikey jumped back down to the ground and clapped his hands. “Now then, no more talk of the past. You have a fresh start and we’ll use it.” He stuck his hand out. “Hi, I’m Mikey. You’re cute, want to be my boyfriend?”
Rafieo chuckled and rubbed at the back of his neck as he kicked at the ground, bashful from the compliment. “Um, hi, I’m Rafieo.” He took Mikey’s hand and shook gently. “And I’d love to be your boyfriend.”
Mikey beamed. “Wonderful! Then you should stay for dinner. We’re having spaghetti.” He didn’t release Rafieo’s hand and instead used their connected grip to pull him towards the kitchen. “I was just thinking to myself how I needed someone big and strong to open up the tomato sauce.” Rafieo grinned widely as he followed after Mikey. He honestly thought that things could go well the second time around.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Rafieo set the table after Mikey sat one place setting down first as an example for him to copy. He managed to do it correctly and didn’t even drop anything. “Should I do more to help?” He asked Mikey.
“No, dinner is just about ready. I already hit this neat button that Cody set up to announce meal times in all the rooms.” Mikey explained as he pointed to a small red button to the side of the stove. “You can go ahead and take a seat. Oh, wait, you should pick out what you want to drink first. Check out the fridge. We have some OJ, milk, I made lemonade the other day, and then there’s always water.”
Rafieo nodded and looked into the large refrigerator. He found a picture of pink lemonade and sniffed it. Deeming it drinkable, he grabbed it and started to pour it into a cup, then placed it back into the refrigerator.
“Why are you still here?” Rafieo tensed and turned around to face Leonardo. The turtle had the same cold, glare on his face. His disdain for Rafieo was still in his voice.
Mikey quickly intervened on Rafieo’s behalf. “Because he helped me with dinner and he’s going to enjoy his hard work. Besides, I think I’m entitled to have my boyfriend eat over every now and again.” Mikey crossed his arms over his plastron, challenging Leo to argue back.
Leo frowned but didn’t say another word as he took his seat at the table. Mikey smiled at Rafieo and nudged him forward. “Go ahead and take a seat. Just leave the head of the table for Sensei; it’s a head of the household thing.” Rafieo nodded and took a seat across from Leo but over one so he didn’t have to stare directly at him.
“Um, can I get you something to drink?” Rafieo offered.
Leo looked at Rafieo pointedly as though he suspected him to poison the drink. “No, thank you.” He gritted out, his manners set into him too well. Master Splinter walking into the room at that time might have had something to do with it too.
Splinter stared at Rafieo for a moment before turning to look at his youngest son as he finished preparing dinner with a swing of his hips as he hummed to himself, indicating his good mood. Splinter smiled as he spoke. “Rafieo, you are joining us for dinner?”
“Mikey asked me too.” Rafieo ducked his head. “But I could leave,” he offered.
Splinter held out one, furry paw. “Nonsense, our dinners have been quiet lately. I hope your attendance will add to our discussion for tonight.” Splinter took his seat at the head of the table just as Mikey placed a large bowl of spaghetti out onto the table with two swerving spoons to help scoop the pasta. He also set out a salad and a plate of garlic bread.
Serling groaned as he entered the room with Cody. “Another one of those miscreant clones are staying with us again?”
“He’s not staying here.” Leo growled out quickly.
Splinter cleared his throat and sent a warning look to his son. “What Leonardo meant to say is that Rafieo is merely a dinner guest tonight.”
“Although he will be making more appearances here more often since we’re dating and all.” Mikey announced as he fetched himself a drink and a glass of water for Splinter as well. Leo’s eyes widened and he quickly looked at Cody to gauge his reaction.
Cody simply smiled, unfazed at all. “Okay. It’ll be nice getting to know Rafieo. I just hope his eating habits are better than Leon’s.” He joked, only half kidding.
Leo frowned. “You’re not shocked or upset about Mikey being homosexual or dating one of our enemies?”
“It’s a new century, Leo, people aren’t homophobic anymore. At least, I hope not.” Mikey wondered aloud as he placed Splinter’s glass down and took his own seat across from Leo and next to Rafieo, of course.
“Plus, Rafieo isn’t really an enemy if he’s dating Mikey instead of fighting him.” Cody grinned. “And you have to remember that I already know everything about you guys so there’s no surprise for me.”
“So yer sayin’ that ya knew we would end up in the future ‘cause of ya goofing around with yer tech but ye still brought us here?” Raph growled as he made his entrance. Don was holding his hand and trailing after him although he seemed distracted with the squishy ball he held in his other hand.
“Well, I’m not allowed to tell you guys anything or stop anything from happening or else it will mess with the time stream. But yeah, I did know that you guys would come here and that Mikey would meet Rafieo.” Cody replied tensely.
“If you could only see our past, how did you know about Rafieo? Rafieo is only in this time period and will stay in this time period, right?” Leo’s eyes narrowed accusingly. Cody fidgeted in his chair, next to Mikey, but luckily Raph came to his rescue.
“Ah, leave the little ninja alone, Leo. He ain’t supposed ta talk about it. Besides, I’m starving and so is Donnie.” Raph helped Don into his seat and then took the ball away from him to replace it with a spoon. Even though Don couldn’t feed himself, he liked to hold a utensil just like everyone else.
Raph sat between Don and Leo so Don had him and Sensei to help him eat. Although Raph tended to help him eat more and more each day since Don seemed to fuss less with him.
“Alright, dig in.” Mikey clapped his hands together and grabbed the salad bowl to serve some to himself. “Want a salad?” He asked Rafieo, knowing that he felt out of place since he was simply sitting and not reaching for any food like the others. Rafieo nodded and Mikey dished him out a serving. “I hope you like Cesar ‘cause that’s the dressing I used.”
“I’ll eat anything,” Rafieo shrugged, not really having any food preferences.
“Including cracked open turtle shells, if I remember correctly.” Leo spoke even as he only stared at his task of dishing out some spaghetti. “That is what you said while battling Raph, right?” He asked, pointedly staring at Rafieo. “Or were you kidding about your cannibalistic behaviors?”
“Rafieo’s not a cannibal, Leo. Or else he wouldn’t have eaten any of the non-turtle meals I’ve made for him.” Mikey hissed out.
Leo shrugged his shoulders. “He sounded like he could have eaten anything. I mean, from what we learned from my clone--”
“Leon, your clone has a name and it’s Leon.” Mikey scowled.
“Told us during his stay here,” Leo continued as though Mikey hadn’t said a word. “You all fought for whatever food you could manage. I’m sure a meal of our size would have been quite a treat.”
“Except, he didn’t try to eat any of us, even when they did have us captured and at their mercy,” Mikey reminded. “So why don’t you stuff it?”
“Michelangelo,” Splinter frowned even though he quickly turned his stern face to Leo as well.
“I was simply suggesting that Leo should eat his food before it grows cold.” Mikey replied innocently as he began to eat his own food. The table grew quiet for a few moments as everyone simply focused on their plates.
Don stared blankly at Rafieo the entire time. Rafieo shifted uneasily under the empty gaze. Don wasn’t trying to figure him out or anything, he was simply staring while drool trailed out of the side of his mouth. Rafieo couldn’t help but feel guilty, knowing that he had played a part in Donald’s plan.
“Donnie, look here,” Raph tilted Don’s head toward him, forcing him to look away from Rafieo for a moment. He wiped at Don’s mouth with the drool rag he constantly kept on him. Since he had Don’s attention he quickly brought a forkful of spaghetti to his mouth. “Open up, Donnie.” Raph smiled as Don’s mouth parted in a wide grin.
Don eagerly ate and clapped as he slurped the last of a long string of pasta into his mouth, flicking some sauce onto the top of his beak. Raph chuckled but wiped the sauce away. Don continued to clap but he accidentally dropped his spoon and it landed on the ground with an echoing clang. Don’s eyes widened at the noise and he covered his head as he stared worriedly at Rafieo.
Everyone at the table frowned. That had seemed odd, even for Don’s current state.
“Here, Donnie,” Raph easily picked up the spoon and handed it back to his brother. He gently patted Don’s arms and forced them back to his sides. “Eat some more. You like spaghetti.”
“S’ghetti,” Don mumbled as he stared at Raph and a smile formed.
Raph nodded. “That’s right,” he fed him a few more forkfuls.
Rafieo swallowed tightly. “Is he,” All eyes turned to him, most of them unthreatening stares, and he continued. “Is he gonna be okay?”
“You care?” Leo hissed.
“Stop giving him crap, Leo.” Raph growled. “Rafieo ain’t the creep that did this ta Donnie.”
“No, he’s just the creep that raped Mikey and made him a shadow of himself for weeks.” Leo snapped back, making Rafieo’s hands clench nervously, bending his fork.
“That’s not true, Leo.” Mikey stood with a shout. “I was acting hollow because I was partly responsible for what happened to Don. None of that was Rafieo’s fault. I was over the rape, I accepted it. You would know that if you had bothered to actually try to talk to me at all during those weeks but no. Poor Leonardo, he can’t stand seeing his family as anything but perfect so he just hides away until they’re better.” Mikey growled. “Too bad that doesn’t help anyone.” He glared as he sat down again. “You have no right to point a finger at Rafieo since there’s one aimed right back at you.”
Leo’s eyes were wide and his mouth was open with shock. Hurt was clearly written over his face but Mikey ignored it as he shoveled mouthful after mouthful of spaghetti into his mouth.
“Um, Donnie’s gonna have an operation soon that’ll fix all the brain damage and he’ll be back ta normal.” Raph stated to fill in the empty silence. “Ta answer yer question, Rafieo.” Rafieo nodded and worked on trying to bend his fork back into shape.
_-_-_-_-_-_
Dinner was quick and awkward after that. Mikey stood without a word and started to collect some of the empty dishes. Rafieo stood to help clear the table as well. The moment he stood up, the room was filled with a howling scream from Don.
Don stumbled out of his chair and landed on the floor, clenching at his head and screaming his lungs out as he stared straight at Rafieo. Raph and Splinter were at Don’s side instantly, trying to calm him. Rafieo moved away from the table with his hands up, looking at Mikey for help. He didn’t know what he was doing wrong.
Raph finally just decided to pick Don up and moved him out of the room, Splinter and Cody following after. Serling sighed and picked up the squishy ball Don had been playing with earlier as he trailed after them. Leo quietly left the room to head straight to the dojo for more training.
Rafieo frowned. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I did, but I swear I didn’t--”
Mikey cut him off with a shook of his head. “No, Rafieo, don’t worry about it. Donnie’s really messed up right now. It’s nothing personal. He screamed at seeing Sterling at first too. It’s just odd little quirks. He won’t even pay attention to you the next time he sees you.” Mikey assured. Rafieo didn’t believe him but he nodded his head anyways.
“Here,” Mikey handed him a plastic container filled with spaghetti. “Take that back for Leon and Michael. I bet they haven’t eaten anything decent lately.”
“Michael’s been trying to cook again.” Rafieo told and Mikey grimaced, making Rafieo chuckle.
“Exactly what I said, they’ll need this.” Mikey grinned and took Rafieo’s hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Don’t you want help with the dishes?” Rafieo asked.
“Nah, there’s a robot for that.” Mikey brushed off easily. “Sometimes, the future is pretty cool.” He swung their connected hands as they walked to the elevator. “So,” Mikey started once they were in the elevator heading down. “I hope to see you tomorrow. Maybe a little after noon?”
Rafieo frowned. “I can’t read time.”
“Oh,” Mikey frowned for a moment before his face lit up with an idea. “Then take this.” He took off his wrist communicator and gave it to Rafieo. “I’ll contact you with that. I have spares,” he quickly told to block any denials.
“Okay,” Rafieo smiled. Mikey fingered his bandana on Rafieo’s wrist some more.
“I could probably teach you to read.” He offered. “We got all of these beginner books for Don but they’ll be kind of useless in another week once Don’s all better. Would you like to learn?”
“No one’s ever bothered to teach me before.” Rafieo whispered. “They said I didn’t need to know how to read.”
“Do you want to though?” Mikey asked. Rafieo nodded and Mikey squeezed his hand. “Then it’s settled; I’ll teach you how to read. I always thought I could be a pretty good teacher.” He grinned just as the elevator pinged and came to a stop. “You do know how to get back to your lair, right?”
“I can smell it,” Rafieo assured although that earned him a confused look from Mikey.
“Okay.” Mikey grinned. “Good night,” he tugged Rafieo down and pressed a quick kiss to his beak.
Rafieo beamed and ducked his head shyly. “G’night,” he murmured as he stepped out of the elevator. He turned around to watch as Mikey waved before the doors closed. Rafieo sighed happily and started back to his home.
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