For the Weekly TMNT Drabble - 23-06-19

Theme- Escape

-TMNT-

Mikey slumped in the bathtub idly blowing at the bubbles that he'd filled the hot water with. He always used to enjoy bubble baths as a tot but the only association he had with them now, was an escape. He wouldn't deny that the past few months had been tough. They'd been down right brutal. Losing Splinter, for real, well, he'd never know pain like it. However the clash with the Demodragon had given all of them some well needed closure and they all got the final goodbye they desperately needed. The warm afterglow didn't last long though.

Mikey leant back his head, trying not to feel the bruising he had acquired from his most recent sparring session. He really shouldn't have wound Raphael up like that. He just couldn't help himself. It was the only thing that took his mind off the lingering grief. There were always repercussions though and Raph's automatic response to Mikey's taunts and pranks was to get even more heavy handed. Mikey was pretty sure Raphael didn't even realise he was doing it. Well as far as he knew.

Michelangelo raised a hand from the bubbles staring almost vacantly at the bruises that had been hidden by the protective bindings. Being quite 'fresh' the welts were vivid red pink starting to bleed into purple, fading paler at the edges. Mikey sighed deep and long. He was going to have to apply extra bindings to hide at the very least the injuries on his hands and forearms. Hiding the black eye? Yeah well, at least he could hide the worst of it with his mask.

Leo called a stop after Raph took that swing at him. He never heard the reprimand the hothead received. He laughed it off as Donnie approached and hightailed it out of there. The smile remained on his face until the bathroom door closed behind him and he slapped the bolt lock shut. If they only knew the truth. He just couldn't retain his happy go lucky persona a solid twenty four seven. They should know though, they were his brothers for pizza's sake! They knew he had down moments but they only ever seem to have taken notice when times got really tough and they were all suffering in one way or another.

Things should have been great, finally there was no great threats any more. No life threatening situations, aliens from other dimensions, big doomsday ring to destroy the entire freaking planet. So why was he so, he shuddered at the word, miserable? Because he was, wasn't he? He wasn't happy although it was the facade he put on everyday. He honestly didn't know how he managed it. He needed a really good hug, not a stolen one when he seized the opportunity. He wanted to actually receive one without any prompting or action on his part. Was that too much to ask? Just one genuine hu-

BANG! BANG! BANG! "Mikey!! Get your shell outta that tub! You've been in there for over an hour!"

Yeah. Too much to ask.

"Quit hogging the tub! And leave me some freaking hot water!!"

The swelling rose all to easily to the back of his throat. The tears welled and poured out without any attempt to dam them. Some escape from reality this bath was turning out to be. Mikey pulled himself to the edge of the tub, summoning a smile which at some point Donnie had told him made people who couldn't see you know that you were smiling, they could hear it? If that made any sense.

"Yeah dude, be out soon bro! Just lemme turn the hot tap back on!"

It had the desired result. "Mikey don't you dare you little-!"

At this point Mikey turned said tap on before slumping back over the side of the bathtub bringing a hand to his face and pushing the mask he still wore off of his eyes. The smile vanished instantly, the youth tightening his bottom lip to stop any sorrowful sounds escaping.

"Turn that damn tap off Mikey!" Raph bellowed, slamming a stone fist on the door again.

Mikey allowed a shuddering sigh to escape before hauling himself out of the tub. He towelled him down and hastily donned his gear. Still the tears flowed, eyes red rimmed as he reseated his mask. He gripped the edge of the bathtub as the hammering continued. To escape Raph and the bathroom every move had to be planned perfectly.

The tap was running, pouring steam into the room and causing the bubbles to foam. It was all set up and one last thing to do. Mikey scooped up a hand full of towering bubbles and silently slid the lock open. Here Mikey paused his freckled cheeks still wet from the continuous tears that refused to stop. Raphael couldn't see them, hence the foam. He took one last deep breath and summoned another smile. He waited for another blow to hit the door and yanked it open.

Raph instantly fell into the bathroom receiving a face full of bubbles as Mikey leapfrogged over him. "All yours dude!" He cried as he hared away.

"MIKEY!!"

Michelangelo let loose a laugh, knowing how much it would wind his older brother up. He was in his room before Raphael took chase, leaving him more than enough time to lock his door before his brother pounded angry fists against it. Mikey let him take out his frustration before deciding that that was enough.

"Hey bro! Did you turn the tap off?"

The hammering and shouts immediately ceased. "Oh crap!" And just like that he was gone.

Mikey stared at the door. A small smile emerged through the onslaught of tears. This was so messed up. A giggle thrust up his throat, developing into a laugh that lasted way too long. He caught sight of his teddy bear staring up from his barely made bed. A gasping breath in and a sob burst through the sad laughter turning the smile upside down with each proceeding sorrowful jolt to his rib cage.

He snatched up the beloved toy and collapsed on the bed hugging it like a lifeline now truly crying his heart out. There was no escape from this vicious circle. Every few days this would happen again, laughing through his tears alone unless he got the hug that he desperately needed.