[Audio]

[brain_behind_purple]

[Donnie had had a very rough week. The first day of the dark incident, his partner was killed by Fearless, Hiccup's partner. He had spent the next few days hiding in his apartment, only going out on occasion. He also left today for work, but that was it. He wasn't willing to be seen right now, he just wasn't up for it.

Still, he did have people who did need to know that he was mostly okay. Plus he was planning on leaving soon, so he supposed that he should tell everyone. But he felt better using the audio feed.]

Umm... hi guys. Sorry to bother anyone, but I just want to tell my friends that... I'm going to be leaving in about a day or two. I need to Primary Village to fetch my Digiegg. I just wanted to let you know so that anyone who went looking for me wouldn't be worried.

[He almost said 'as if anyone would anyways', but he resisted.]

So ugh... I guess that's it. Thanks guys. I'll hopefully see you when I get back.

Comments

[brain_behind_purple]

[Being Leo was hard, and Donnie knew that he wasn't Leo and couldn't do this for long. Sure, he had provided mental support for his brothers and he was used to caring for their needs, but being the emotional support when he himself was a wreck was hard. Really hard.

But what Mikey was saying, he didn't know how to answer. He wanted Mikey to stay in the city where he'd be safe. At least Leatherhead could protect him if he stayed here. But he also didn't want to leave Mikey, he needed his brother. He needed the younger teen to distract him from everything and make him feel better like he did back home. But he'd rather be an emotional wreck than to endanger his brother.

Then again, he knew that Mikey could handle himself despite his childishness. He had already proven that a good while ago. So maybe...]

Okay, hypothetically speaking lets say that I do let you come along. If I do, then you would have to listen to me. If I tell you to keep away from something or to not touch something, you would have to do it. If I give you certain and very specific instructions, you need to follow them. Would you be able to do that Mikey?

[He knew that Mikey could, he did so against the wasp virus. But he wasn't sure if this Mikey was from the same time period as him. He hadn't had a chance to question it yet. So this would have to do for now until he could.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

[Even just hypothetical meant that Donnie was actually considering it, which helped him to calm down a little bit, not that it stopped his tears, the crying needing to come out now that it had started. He listened to the question and though about his answer before giving it, honestly thinking and trying to prove to Donnie how much this mattered to him.]

Yes. I'd listen, and do what I'm told... I know I'm not the best at it all the time... but for a bit... I know I can.

[He wasn't about to say that he was the best at it all the time, but he knew he could do it if he had a reason to do it.]

[brain_behind_purple]

[Donnie pondered his brother's words. He supposed that Mikey would listen to him in a situation like this. Plus Mikey could protect himself and he had Leader with him. So...]

Well... okay, I give up. You can come Mikey. But you need to do exactly as I tell you, no getting overly-distracted. Is that clear?

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

[Mikey nods, but unlike when he is stressing his upset his eyes stay wet and the strained look on his face only relaxes, rather than being replaced by some excited express.]

Yes Donnie, thank you.

[brain_behind_purple]

[Donnie sighed when he saw little change in his brother's expression. He couldn't take seeing Mikey like this anymore. He stepped into the tub, reaching down and then pulling Mikey into a firm embrace. It wasn't something that he did normally, but Mikey needed it right now. Donnie wanted him to now that he was here for him, that he would be okay.

Despite his own pain, he woukd do whatever it took to rid Mikey of his sadness.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

[If Mikey realized how much it weighed on his brother at this moment he would have forced a smile. Instead he held onto Donnie in the embrace and just held there for a moment, quiet and still, taking in the moment.

After a little bit he realized where they were and couldn't stop a lazy laugh.]

Think we should get out of their bathtub?

[brain_behind_purple]

[Okay, laughing was a good sign that things were improving. So Donnie pulled back and stood up]

Yeah, I guess that might be a pretty good idea.

[He stepped out before offering a helpful hand to the younger teen.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

[Mikey accepted the hand letting himself be helped to get out of the tub and giving it a soft squeeze.]

Sorry... for being a brat there... I bet I sounded like a whiner Raph.

[brain_behind_purple]

Nah, you had every reason to whine. Besides at least you didn't start kickig and screaming like Raph does

[He laughed there as he squeezed Mikey's hand back, hoping to lighten up the mood,]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

Heh, that's true... probably would have hurt myself on the bathtub anyway. Can't go with you if I get myself all hurt.

[He was already feeling much better, showing his normal resilience in bouncing back now that he had been reassured that Donnie wasn't as distant to him as he had feared.]

[brain_behind_purple]

Okay bro, you think that your'll be okay for the rest of the night? If so, I guess I should head on back.

[He started to head out the bathroom door, getting ready to head back to the Love Crest District.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

Yeah, I'll be okay! Now if I could find water balloons I would be fantastic.

[He made the comment to test the waters, as it were, and see if Donnie could handle some pranking.]

[brain_behind_purple]

[Yep, he was fine]

Yeah, good luck with that bro. I better head back now, I gotta get things ready for the trip. Later bro, keep out of trouble. [Starts to head for the door]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

I will...

[Before Donnie leaves Mikey gives him a sudden hug from behind.]

[brain_behind_purple]

[Donnie stopped in his tracks at the sudden hug from behind. But it didn't take him long to turn around and return it.]

You know I'll always be here for you otouto. No matter what, I will always be here.

[It was rare for Donnie to call his little brother by the Japanese term. he only did it when Mikey was really broken down, which was rare. But he felt that ti was an appropriate time to use the term, considering what had happened.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

[Mikey let out a small, happy sigh, it always seemed to make everything better when he was called that. It was such a funny thing to find comfort in, but it did.]

Yeah, thank you ani.

[brain_behind_purple]

[He held his brother tight for a minute or two longer before at last pulling away and giving him a headrub.]

I'll call you later and tell you when we're leaving. Love you bro, I'll see you later.

[He gave Mikey one more warm smile before at last leaving the room. He still felt stressed, but being able to help Mikey made him feel better. What would he do without his brother? He knew, and he never wanted to know again.

He would never leave his brother alone. Never.]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

See you.

[Mikey watched his brother leave the room, smiling. It was good to know he had a brother who he could depend on here, someone he could trust without question.]