0.14 [Closed Commentlog]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don had made a run for the infirmary, and had nearly dashed all the way back to Mike's room]

[Mike, who hadn't been sleeping properly - hadn't been sleeping at all - since his return.]

[When Don reaches the room again, he's panting a little harshly, but doesn't fumble Mike's keycard as he slides it into the lock and opens the door.]

Comments

[thepartydude]

[Mike's tired.

Actually no, scratch that. He's exhausted.

It's not that his mind has been caught on what happened, that he can't stop thinking about his death. It's that he's so determined not to, that he's not thinking about much of anything. Like if he does, he won't be able to stop, that he'll relive it.

Splashing his face with cold water for the hundredth time that day, he blots it dry with a hand towel and trudges back out into the main area, just in time to see Don close the door behind him. His chest clenches at the idea of being alone -- that's how it happened, he was overwhelmed, it was too much for him -- but he knows his brothers need to return to their own rooms sometimes. Logically he knows this. Emotionally? Ehhhhhhhh he's working on it.

He forces a superficial smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

[thepartydude]

[This setup is strange. It's definitely suspicious.

Thankfully, Mike is too exhausted to realize it, and he takes the glass and drinks from it. The chocolate flavor hides the bitterness of the pill, and despite his lack of actual appetite, once he starts drinking he finds he can't stop until the whole glass is gone. Apparently he was hungrier than he thought.

Grimacing, he belches. Some things will never change.]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don is very aware of how suspicious this set-up is, and that Mike was too out-of-it to notice was something he'd been leaning on.]

[He makes note of how fast the glass disappears, and decides he'd probably better find a way to force more food down his little brother's throat as well.]

[He doesn't even mind the belch. Now all he had to do was wait for it to kick in.]

Good? I thought I might have added a little too much powder...

[thepartydude]

[Setting the glass on the bedside table, Mike runs his tongue over his teeth, then nods slightly.]

It was kinda grainy.

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don nods thoughtfully, as though taking the most important of mental notes.]

I am a bit out of practice. I might have to start making them more often.

[thepartydude]

I could deal with that.

[Mike leans against his brother again, pulling Pandaman into his lap and letting out a sigh.

Things are weird. Different.

It's not like when Raph died. That was Raph. Raph came back.

Dealing with a brother's death was one thing. But his own? Mike doesn't even know where to begin. He's the sheltered one, still a little naive despite his obsessive digestion of all things Hollywood. There are so many things his brothers protected him from, keeping him safe despite their dangerous work.

While his mind runs on a tangent, Mike doesn't even notice his head starting to nod.]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don does, and carefully shifts a little closer, lifting one hand just slightly to grab Mike if he goes forward or back instead of to the side.]

[He doesn't say anything that could distract Mike or keep him awake longer. Just hums in an obligatory long-suffering manner that was also known as agreement, and waits.]

[thepartydude]

[Mumbling something under his breath in response, Mikey yawns and leans even more against Don. He's struggling to keep his eyes open now. The pill is just the last push he needs to fall asleep and stay there, and he's so exhausted from fighting it that he doesn't have any reserves left.]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don makes a real note this time, as he lets Mike rest against his shoulder for a few seconds, content in feeling his brother - warm and alive - beside him.]

[Then he, very carefully, shifts around and half stands, tucking an arm around Mike to keep him from moving too much as Don attempts to maneuver him more comfortably on his bed.]

[If Mike doesn't wake up, there's a blanket Don had folded back, and he'll grab that and pull it up around Mike's shoulders.]

[thepartydude]

[Stirring slightly as Don lays him down, Mike's eyes open, then immediately slide back to half-closed, then finally shut again. He shifts and pulls Pandaman closer, curling around him with his knees tucked up.

Any thoughts of fighting sleep have been lost.]

[tic_tech_turtle]

[Don can't help smiling a little, before it's tinged with some sadness.]

[He'll sit down on the floor beside Mike's bed with his body angled toward the door, legs crossed and head tilted back so he can monitor Mike's breathing and his movements, and he'll settle.]