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Mikey was the only one who saw it that night.
While on patrol, Mikey and his brothers had been ambushed by the Foot.
During the scuffle, Raph had nearly taken a devastating blow. But he had dodged it, by accident, at the last second.
Only Mikey had seen it. Raph himself didn't even notice.
But the image was forever ingrained in Mikey's mind. The thoughts of what could've and almost happened…
He would never forget it.
Nightmares became nightly after that.
Horrible nightmares that left Mikey sobbing when he awoke.
To Raph's displeasure, Mikey became increasingly clingy.
Which brings us to the present.
It was bedtime for the youngest turtle, enforced by Leonardo and Splinter since the youngest turtle could be absolutely evil when he didn't get enough sleep.
But Mikey was wrapped around Raph like a very sleepy, emotional octopus, begging Raph not to leave him.
Slowly, the rest of their family gathered around, deeply confused. It had been years since Mikey had done something like this. The last time he was about ten, whimpering about the monsters under his bed and in the dark.
But he had stopped doing that once his big brothers promised to protect him. That Mikey only needed to scream and they would come running. And they did, not even getting upset when Mikey revealed he was just testing them more often then not.
So it wasn't exactly a new sight to see, but it was an old one.
Now they could only wonder what had happened to make Mikey upset enough to go back into old habits.
Raph was honestly reaching his limit. He loves his baby brother, he's not even annoyed with him right now. He knows Mikey is just feeling a lot of feelings.
But his personal ‘touch bucket’ for the day is getting full and he would very much like to be released.
Unfortunately, Mikey didn't seem like he would let him go anytime soon.
Thankfully, Leo seemed to notice Raph was reaching his limit. So he reached out for Mikey, “Come here, Mikey. Let's give Raph a break, okay? You can sleep with me tonight.” He offered.
But Mikey clung tighter to Raph, shaking his head with a whine.
Now this was strange.
In the past, Mikey would happily change. He's always been hyper-aware of everyone's wants and needs, so he must know that Raph is reaching his limit.
Which is what makes it so strange. He would happily go to a different brother, because he never wants to make anyone uncomfortable.
But not this time apparently.
“Mikey, what's wrong?” Donnie asked, leaning down slightly to try to see Mikey's face.
Mikey grumbled an incoherent response.
The purple-masked turtle sighed and stood straight, looking at his oldest brother and father helplessly. He was at a loss.
Splinter hummed and stepped forward, raising a hand and gently resting it on Mikey's head.
“My little one, what has you so distressed? Why will you not release your brother?”
Again, Mikey grumbled his response, though a bit louder.
This time, Splinter heard it.
He snapped his gaze to his oldest son who flinched at the sudden look.
“Leonardo, why was I not made aware that Raphael was nearly killed?”
Poor Leo's eyes went wide, “Raph..what?” He looked at his immediate younger brother, but Raph looked just as confused and horrified as he did.
Donnie crossed his arms nervously, “Mikey, are you sure?”
The youngest nodded, “Saw it…” He croaked, on the verge of tears.
“What did you see, Mike?” Raph asked, his touch bucket suddenly empty as he held Mikey impossibly closer.
“Saw a kunai almost go in your head..you dodged it on accident..on accident, Raphie.”
Raph went pale. He had no idea how close he had been to death. He couldn't imagine how horrified Mikey must be.
He was terrified himself. But right now, he needs to focus on Mikey.
“Oh, buddy. Okay. Okay, that must've been scary, huh?”
Mikey nodded, and Raph started to feel tears drip onto his shoulder.
With a sigh, he began making his way to his room, “He can sleep with me tonight.”
Leo went to move forward, but Splinter rested a paw on his shoulder to stop him, “No, Leonardo. Raphael has made his decision, they will be okay, my son.”
Hesitantly, Leo nodded, “Hai, Father.”
He looked at Donnie, “You didn't see it either, did you?”
The tallest turtle shook his head, “I did not.”
The remaining brothers reluctantly went to watch TV while their father retreated to the dojo.
Meanwhile, Raph had settled on his bed with Mikey.
“Okay, Mike. We're in my room. Let's calm down and talk about this, okay?”
Mikey clung tighter, “You didn't even know.” He whispered, “Raphie, you didn't even know. You lived because you just so happened to move at the right moment, but if you hadn't- if- oh, Raphie!” He sobbed.
Raph winced, tightening his grip as tears filled his eyes, “I'm here, Mikey. I'm right here. It didn't hit me, see? I'm okay. I promise, Mikey. I'm right here.”
For a long time, only quiet sniffles and soft cries could be heard from both brothers.
Mikey crying because he had nearly lost Raph, the nightmares, the horrible possibilities…
Raph crying because Mikey was crying and it was contagious, and he hadn't realized he had nearly lost his life. And that was a horrifying thought, because he didn't want to die, he wasn't ready.
From then on, both brothers became nearly inseparable. They couldn't bear to be apart for long after that night.
Because it had been enlightening in the worst way possible.
Of course, Leo and Donnie weren't left out either, and all four of them had a big cuddle and cry party once the two had managed to process the fact they nearly lost a brother.
And not just that, but they had realized that there had likely been other times when they or another brother had nearly died and no one realized, which had only made them cry and cling harder to eachother.
Because the mere thought of losing a brother? They couldn't stand it.
Splinter is getting older, he won't be around forever.
And sure, they have friends! But they won't be around forever either. Whether they die, abandon them, or move on with their lives is unknown. So they can't fully trust that they'll be around forever.
So they could truly only rely on eachother.
Losing even one brother was unacceptable.
So they would protect eachother with everything they have, because living in a world without their brothers? That would be Hell.