Work Text:
Stitches & Sutures
(Stitches)
Goretober 2023 - Piece 13
✦
Mikey's hands trembled as he tried to thread the needle.
It was just him and Raph in the medbay, and Raph’s dominant arm was doused in blood, a large laceration running through the length of it, the other limb shivering with effort, his saturated skin beginning to lose its luster due to blood loss.
Leo and Donnie were both unconscious, resting fitfully on the couch with the careful gaze of Splinter over them, chanting mantras to help soothe their minds. He’d rest his palm over their foreheads, bare of masks, repeating some Japanese line Mikey couldn’t be bothered to make out from the medbay.
And although he was glad his father was taking care of his other two siblings, it also meant that, unfortunately, Mikey was left as the medic.
The room was brightly lit-
(“Mikey, we don’t need all them lights.”
“But what if I make a mistake? And you lose an arm or something? I need them to see!”)
-and the atmosphere was heavy with the scent of antiseptic. Raph lay on the makeshift operating table, wincing occasionally as Mikey's shaking hands approached his wound.
With quivering hands and tears in his eyes, Mikey carefully positioned the needle near the gaping gash on Raph's arm. He took a deep breath, willing his nerves to calm. Slowly, he pushed the needle through the flesh, the sensation of resistance making him flinch.
Raph took a deep breath, providing a subtle encouragement, "You got this, Mikey. Just remember, slow and steady. We ain't in no rush."
Mikey sniffled, wiping away tears that blurred his vision. "I know, Raphie, I just... I don't want to kill you."
Raph managed a soft laugh, grunting in pain at jostling the wound(s).
"You won't kill me, Mikey."
Mikey nodded, taking another shaky breath, and continued stitching up Raph's wound, his brother's encouraging words guiding him through each careful movement.
As the needle emerged on the other side, Mikey tried to maintain a steady hand. He looped the suture thread through the needle's eye and gently pulled it until there was an even length of thread on both sides of the wound.
Taking a moment to steady his hands, he began the first stitch, and with an almost alien meticulous care, he inserted the needle back into the skin a short distance away from the exit point. He moved deliberately, ensuring that the stitches were evenly spaced and parallel to the wound.
(Or at least, best he could, with his trembling hands and wavering vision.)
As he pulled the thread taut, the edges of the wound came together. Mikey couldn't help but wince in empathy for his brother's discomfort. Raph, however, remained remarkably composed, offering Mikey reassuring words.
His finger catches the thread, pulling it, needle piercing Raph's skin too quickly in a short moment of surprise.
Mikey winced, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I- I’m sorry, Raphie. I- I didn’t mean to. I didn’t-"
Raph reached up with his non-dominant arm, the limb shaking with effort, as he squeezed Mikey's hand gently. "It's ‘kay, Mike. You're doing great. I've 'ad worse."
He attempted to return to his previous ministrations, each subsequent stitch followed the same method, the needle piercing the skin, passing through, and then emerging slightly ahead of the previous entry point. He kept his breath steady and his focus unwavering, despite the tears streaming down his cheeks and shuddering shoulders.
Once the final stitch was in place, Mikey tied a secure knot, ensuring that the wound was closed properly. He wiped his tears away and let out a shaky breath, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. Raph, despite the discomfort, offered a proud smile.
“See?” Raph grinned, patting Mikey's back, “Told ya' that y'could do it, dude."
Said turtle only responded with a teary-eyed smile, glad it was finally over, wheezing out another breath of exhaustion, “Thanks, dude.”
“‘Course bro, now for my leg-”
Mikey nearly faints.