Chapter Text
Mikey knows he’s not in the cave anymore. He doesn’t remember all that happened in the cave, or even how his brothers got him out. But he does know he never has to spend another second in that stupid cave.
He still feels a strong impulse to run back to that cave that had him trapped.
He tries to ignore it.
It was such a relief when he first woke up back on the Ulixes with his brothers, no longer stuck in the dark by himself, and based on the pure joy on his brothers’ faces, they were just as relieved as Mikey was.
It seems the whole experience has shaken up his brothers as much as it did Mikey. All three of them started hovering around him when he first woke up back on the ship, and they haven't really stopped since, like they're afraid if they blink, Mikey will disappear into the cave again.
Which is stupid.
That planet is light years away. Mikey couldn’t go back even if he wanted to.
He doesn’t want to.
He really doesn’t.
But the impulse doesn’t go away.
“Are you sure you’re feeling ok?” Donnie asks, standing on side of the bed Mikey has been resting on since Mikey’s return and handing his baby brother another cup of water.
Donnie has been focused on making sure Mikey’s been getting plenty of rest. When he is awake, Donnie has been continuously supplying liquids and light foods to him. He might be going overboard, but who can blame him? Mikey is his only little brother.
Mikey mostly seems fine. Sometimes, when he thinks no one is looking, discomfort flashes across his face.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired,” Mikey says, rubbing a hand against his temple.
“Do you have a headache? I can get you some painkillers or-”
“Leave me alone.” Mikey’s sharp tone makes Donnie take a step back.
“Oh. Sorry.” Maybe Donnie was going overboard. He starts to leave, before Mikey leans over to grab his hand and pulls him to sit on the bed.
“Not you,” Mikey clarifies.
“Oh.” Donnie blinks.
With his free hand, Mikey runs a hand over his head. “I’m still getting the urge to run back into the cave.”
“Ok,” Donnie says, slowly.
“Which is stupid. Because I hate that place! I do! I don’t want to go back there! But there’s this voice in my head that won’t shut up telling me to grab a pod and take it back down to that stupid cave.”
"Ok," Donnie says. Damn it. He had really hoped that Mikey’s troubles would be over when he got out of the cave. Donnie isn’t immediately certain of how to fix a cave issue that actually follows someone out of the cave.
“I don’t want to go back!”
“You don’t have to, Mikey.” Donnie is certain of that. “You won’t ever get stuck in that cave all alone again. We can talk to the professor to help. We'll get you all sorted out, alright?"
Mikey looks at Donnie with trust Donnie’s not sure he’s earned and smiles, his face free of pain. “Thanks, Donnie.”