Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The Hidden City buzzed with its usual chaos—vendors shouting prices over steaming food carts, mystic lanterns flickering from stalls, strange creatures weaving through the crowd. The Hamato brothers have gotten used to coming here now, post-invasion, when things had begun to settle. Today was supposed to be simple: a supply run, maybe some browsing, and a chance to enjoy a world that wasn’t collapsing.

Leo walked with his usual swagger at the front, mask tails flicking dramatically even though no one was really watching. Donnie trailed beside him, tablet in hand as he catalogued materials they needed. Mikey and Raph brought up the rear, Mikey marveling at the rows of food and Raph making sure no one got too close.

It was normal—until it wasn’t.

“LEO!”

The voice cut through the crowd, desperate and ecstatic all at once. Before anyone could react, a green blur barreled forward. Leo barely had time to blink before a pair of arms wrapped tight around him, lifting him half off the ground.

“I can’t believe I finally found you!”

Everyone froze.

The one hugging Leo… looked exactly like him. Same build, same light green skin tone—though a shade deeper. He even had red stripes on his face just like Leo. The only difference about this turtle was that he had no mask on and no swords. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses, similar to what Donnie had at home, slid slightly down his snout, and his shell looked scuffed and worn. He was breathing hard, like he’d been running forever, but his face carried a radiant grin as if his whole world had just fallen into place.

Leo flailed, startled. “Wh—hey! Personal space! I don’t even know you!”

Raph lunged forward, muscles tense, and yanked the stranger off him. “Get your hands off my little brother!”

The look-alike stumbled, hands up in surrender, glasses crooked. “Wait! I’m not here to hurt anyone, I swear!”

Donnie’s instincts went white-hot. His staff slid into his hands without him thinking, slamming down with a threatening clack against the cobblestone. He moved to stand in front of Leo, blocking the stranger’s path. “You’ve got about five seconds to explain why you’re impersonating my twin before I turn you into mystic dust.”

The stranger blinked at him, confused, then looked back at Leo, eyes shining with something that made Donnie’s stomach twist—hope.

“It really is you,” the stranger said softly, voice trembling with emotion. “My brother.”

The word landed like a bomb.

“…Excuse me?” Leo croaked.

The stranger straightened, tugging his glasses into place with shaking fingers. His smile widened, nervous but radiant. “I’m Samuel. Sam for short. And you—you’re my long-lost brother. I’ve been looking for you for years.”

Leo froze, staring at him like he’d been struck. His brain scrambled for words, but all that came out was a helpless, “Huh?”

Mikey gasped. “Waitwaitwait—did he just say brother?”

Sam nodded eagerly. “When I saw you fight the Krang, when I saw how you led, I knew it. I knew you were my brother. We came from the same nest—I know it.”

Leo’s hands twitched at his sides, heart pounding. Same nest? That wasn’t possible. Was it? But those eyes staring at him… they weren’t mocking, or cold, or manipulative. They were real.

Raph growled, taking a step closer with his sais drawn. “This some kind of trick? ’Cause if it is, you picked the wrong family to mess with.”

But Donnie’s fury cut sharper than Raph’s blade. “Brother?” he spat, disbelief dripping from the word like venom. His shell prickled with heat, every nerve screaming at him to get Leo out of here. “Don’t you dare.”

Sam blinked. “I—I’m telling the truth—”

“You’re lying.” Donnie’s voice cracked like a whip. “Obviously. You probably saw him fight, got some sick idea, and now you’re here spouting nonsense to wedge your way in. We are leaving. Now.”

“Donnie—” Leo tried, his voice uncertain, but Donnie snapped to him like lightning.

“No.” Donnie’s mask tails jerked as he shook his head, violet eyes blazing. “We are not entertaining this circus act. We are not giving him the time of day. He is not—”

“Maybe we should hear him out,” Leo interrupted softly.

The words dropped like stones in Donnie’s chest.

He turned on Leo, his throat tight. “What?”

Leo looked uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck, gaze flicking between his twin and the stranger. “I mean… what if he’s telling the truth? Don’t you think we should—”

“NO.” The word exploded out of Donnie before he could stop it, louder than he intended. His hands shook where they gripped his staff, nails digging into the wood. His pulse roared in his ears. “Absolutely not. This is absurd.”

Sam flinched at the volume, but his eyes didn’t waver from Leo. He looked at him like he was something precious. “Please. Just give me a chance to explain.”

The crowd around them was beginning to whisper, onlookers drawn by the tension. Raph muttered a curse under his breath, glancing around.

Mikey raised his hands quickly, trying to play peacemaker. “Okay, whoa, whoa! Let’s not do this in the middle of the market, okay? People are staring. Why don’t we, uh—why don’t we take this to Draxum? He’s the one who did all that weird science-y stuff with our DNA in the first place. If anyone would know the truth about this guy, it’s him.”

All eyes swung to him.

Raph exhaled hard through his nose, but finally lowered his sais. “Fine. Draxum it is. Let him sort it out.”

Leo’s shoulders dropped in relief, though unease still churned in his gut. He risked one more glance at Sam—who, despite Donnie’s venom, still looked at him like he was something miraculous.

Donnie, however, never let his glare soften. His mind screamed a single refrain as he stepped closer to his twin, close enough their shoulders brushed.

He’s not your brother. He can’t be. You already have one. Three in fact

And Donnie wasn’t about to let anyone take that away.

Chapter Text

Draxum’s lab was quiet save for the hum of machines and the bubbling of vials. The yokai scientist was hunched over a microscope, muttering to himself when the lair door banged open.

He looked up, irritation flashing across his features—then froze. His eyes narrowed, fixed on the turtle standing awkwardly behind the Hamato clan.

“You,” Draxum rasped.

Sam stiffened under the weight of that gaze.

“You know him?” Raph demanded immediately, his sais already halfway drawn.

Draxum straightened slowly, wiping his hands on his lab coat. His expression was unreadable, but there was something like guilt buried in his eyes. “Yes,” he said. “I know him.”

The words hit like a hammer.

Leo felt his chest tighten. So he’s not lying…

Donnie’s face darkened, but he didn’t lower his staff.

Mikey tilted his head, curiosity shining. “Okay, okay, somebody better start explaining because my brain is about to turn into a pretzel.”

Draxum walked closer, hooves clicking softly on the stone floor. His gaze flicked briefly to Leo, then back to Sam. “When I acquired Leonardo, I acquired this one as well. They were part of the same… batch.”

“Batch?” Leo echoed weakly.

Draxum continued without meeting his eyes. “In the early stages of mutation experimentation, I performed various tests. Samuel…” His lip curled faintly, as though the name tasted bitter. “Failed. I sold him to buyers in the Hidden City. A mistake, in hindsight—though I did not realize it until much later, when I discovered my formula had been stolen and used by those very same people.”

Leo’s stomach twisted. He couldn’t look away from Sam. “So… you’re saying…?”

“You and Samuel,” Draxum said flatly, “may not share the same human DNA as you do with your other brothers, but you do share the same turtle DNA, which you do not have with your other brothers”

The room went quiet, every Hamato brother processing the words differently.

Sam rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I told you. I knew we were brothers.”

Donnie made a low noise in his throat, somewhere between a scoff and a snarl.

Leo felt dizzy, questions whirling. He had wondered about their beginnings, about what Draxum had really done to them—but hearing it said aloud made it sting. Still, Sam didn’t look broken. He looked… steady. Whole. Somehow thriving despite everything. That tugged something warm in Leo’s chest.

Sam shifted under the attention. “After I was sold off, I… ended up with Big Mama. She—” He hesitated, shoulders tightening. “She called me her son. But really I was just another fighter in her Battle Nexus. I wasn’t… very good at it. Failed her a lot. And when I did—” His voice faltered. “She made sure I remembered it.”

Mikey’s face fell, sympathy overflowing. Raph’s fists clenched at his sides.

Sam continued quickly, as if trying to brush past the pain. “When I turned fourteen, I ran away. I found a place here in the Hidden City. Built a life for myself. Got a job, studied on my own. I’m hoping to go to college someday.” His smile brightened. “So yeah. I… made it work.”

Leo’s throat tightened. The image of Sam in the Battle Nexus—small, younger, punished—made his stomach churn. But the pride in his voice now, the way his eyes lit up talking about college, made Leo’s heart lift despite the ache.

“You…” Leo started, words fumbling. “You made a life for yourself.”

Sam shrugged, almost bashful. “Had to. Nobody else was gonna do it for me.”

Leo felt a tug of admiration. He survived. He thrived. That’s… incredible.

But just as quickly, he felt the heat radiating from his side.

Donnie hadn’t spoken in minutes, but his glare could have burned a hole through the wall. His arms were crossed tight over his plastron, staff gripped so hard his knuckles trembled. Leo knew that posture. He knew that simmering storm in his twin’s chest.

Without thinking, Leo stepped slightly forward—subtle, but enough that he placed himself between Donnie and Sam. A barrier.

Donnie’s eyes flicked to him, narrowing.

Leo forced a smile, trying to lighten the air. “Well. Guess we’re learning new family secrets every day, huh?”

Mikey, always eager to soften the mood, beamed at Sam. “You’re like… the red-eared slider version of Donnie! Down right to the glasses”

Sam blinked, startled—then laughed. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

The comparison made Leo grin for half a second—until he glanced at Donnie. His twin’s face was carved from stone, stiff and sharp.

And for the first time, Leo wondered if hearing those words had cut deeper than he’d realized.

.

.

.

Donnie’s eyes were flinty and dark, his jaw locked so tight it looked painful. The muscles in his arms trembled where he gripped his staff, like he was forcing himself not to lash out.

Then Donnie spoke, his voice sharp as a blade.
“Don’t.”

The room went still.

Mikey blinked. “Huh?”

“Don’t compare him to me,” Donnie snapped, volume climbing despite his usual composure. His mask tails bristled as his gaze seared into Sam. “Because he’s not me. He’s not some discount knockoff version of me. He’s not anything like me and he certainly not anything to me.”

“Don—” Leo began, but Donnie cut him off, words pouring out hot and fast.

“You can laugh all you want, but you don’t know him. You don’t know what he wants. He shows up out of nowhere, looking like you—” he jabbed a finger at Leo, voice cracking, “—and suddenly everyone thinks it’s cute to call him your brother? Your other me?”

Sam’s smile faltered. “I didn’t mean—”

“You didn’t mean,” Donnie repeated, bitter. “Of course you didn’t mean. Because that’s easy, isn’t it? Walk in here, spin some sob story, and hope we all clap and welcome you into the family. Well newsflash, glasses: this family isn’t something you get to walk into. It’s something you earn.”

The words were venom, harsher than even Donnie realized until the silence that followed pressed in on his ears.

Sam’s lips parted, stunned. He looked between Donnie and Leo, his eyes wide behind his glasses.

“Donnie…” Leo’s voice was soft, pleading. He stepped closer, carefully putting a hand on his twin’s shoulder. “Hey. Easy.”

Donnie flinched at the touch, but didn’t pull away. His chest heaved, anger masking the shaky, fragile thing beneath.

Leo squeezed gently, lowering his voice so only Donnie could hear. “I’m right here. Okay? I’m not going anywhere.”

Donnie’s eyes flicked to him, searching, desperate.

Leo offered the faintest smile. It was half for himself. Half for his twin.

Sam swallowed, lowering his gaze. “I… didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just… wanted to meet him. That’s all.”

The rawness in his tone tugged at Leo again, but he forced himself not to show it—not when he could practically feel Donnie’s tension radiating beside him.

Raph finally cleared his throat, cutting through the heavy quiet. “Enough. We’re not gettin’ anywhere by fighting each other.” He turned to Draxum, scowling. “You did this. Fix it. Tell us what it means.”

Draxum crossed his arms, expression cool. “What it means is simple. Leonardo and Samuel share identical genetic markers. They are from the same nest. That is not in question.”

Sam’s eyes brightened again, hopeful. “See? I told you.”

Donnie’s grip tightened around his staff until the wood creaked. He bit back the scream rising in his throat, his heart pounding against his plastron.

Leo could feel it—the way his twin was trembling beside him, like a dam about to burst. Instinctively, he shifted again, subtly aligning himself between Donnie and Sam, absorbing the tension into himself like a buffer.

This is getting messy, Leo thought grimly. And it’s only just beginning.

Chapter Text

Donnie’s voice cut through the tense silence like a blade.
“Do a DNA test.”

The others turned toward him, startled. His tone wasn’t calm—it was tight, brittle, almost desperate. His fists were clenched so hard that his knuckles had gone pale beneath his scales.

Leo blinked, startled. “Dee—”

“No.” Donnie cut him off, his voice sharp, trembling. “I need proof. Physical proof. Otherwise—” He stopped himself, jaw snapping shut like he’d nearly revealed too much. “Otherwise I’ll never believe it.”

Sam glanced between them, frowning slightly. “A test? I mean, sure. If it makes you feel better.”

Leo nodded, giving his twin a small, tentative smile. “Yeah, Dee. Let’s do it. No harm in getting some answers.”

Donnie swallowed, still tense, and gave the smallest nod.

The lab was quiet except for the hum of Draxum’s machines running the genetic sequences. Leo leaned against a counter, arms folded loosely as he watched Donnie pace back and forth like a caged animal. Sam stood across the room, hands shoved into his pockets, looking strangely calm for someone about to get confirmation of his parentage.

Leo’s gaze softened as it fell on Donnie. “You okay, Dee?”

Donnie didn’t answer immediately, eyes fixed on the monitors. Then, finally, his voice came out low, raw.
“I’m your twin, Leo. Your other half. I can’t—” His hands clenched tighter. “I can’t just stand here while someone else waltzes in and claims that spot.”

Leo’s chest ached. He pushed off the counter and crossed the space between them, gently putting a hand on Donnie’s shoulder. “Hey. Listen to me. No matter what those results say, you’re my twin. You always will be.”

Donnie’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He gave a shaky exhale, nodding a little as he put his hand over Leo’s—but his eyes flicked over to Sam, suspicious, guarded.

Leo sighed softly. He could feel the storm brewing under Donnie’s shell.

The machine beeped. Results flashed onto the screen.

Raph leaned closer, squinting. “So… uh… what does that mean?”

Draxum stepped forward, adjusting his spectacles. “It means,” he announced with certainty, “that Samuel and Leonardo share the same genetic origins. They are brothers, hatched from the same nest.”

The lair fell silent.

Leo’s stomach flipped, his thoughts spiraling. Brothers. That word—it normally meant love, safety, and comfort. Now the word felt heavy, confusing, and bittersweet. A part of him wanted to smile, to celebrate that Sam had been right all along. But another part twisted in grief—because hearing it out loud made him think of all the years lost, all the what-ifs that could never be undone.

Sam, however, lit up like a firework. “I knew it!” He spun to Leo, grinning ear to ear. “I told you! We’re brothers!”

Donnie stiffened. “No.”

Sam faltered. “...What?”

Donnie’s voice was sharp as steel. “It’s a mistake. The test is wrong. Run it again.”

“There is no mistake,” Draxum countered firmly. “The data is clear. Repetition would change nothing.”

Donnie’s throat worked as his breath grew heavier. He barely heard Raph’s muttered, “Oh boy,” or Mikey’s nervous shuffle. His world was narrowing—shrinking down to Leo, and Sam, and the title he felt slipping from his hands.

Leo pressed a hand to his plastron, struggling to steady himself. He didn’t even know how to feel yet, and his brother—his twin—was unraveling in front of him.

Sam stepped forward, his excitement brimming over. He grabbed Leo by the shoulders with both hands, looking him in the eye.
“Leo—don’t you see? We could even be twins!”

The room froze.

Leo blinked. “Wait—”

Raph and Mikey both winced. They’d seen the look flash across Donnie’s face—the way his eyes went wide, then narrowed with a fury they’d rarely seen in him.

“Sam—” Mikey started, too late.

Donnie lunged.

He grabbed Sam by the arm, yanking him away from Leo with enough force that Sam stumbled back. “NO!” Donnie’s voice cracked, loud and furious. “You can’t be twins. Do you hear me? You can’t. Because Leo is my twin!”

Sam stared, stunned.

Donnie’s chest was heaving now, years of love and pain spilling out of him in raw shouts.
“That’s not just some word you get to slap on because of a test! Just because you look alike! That’s a lifetime. That’s everything we’ve built together. The bond, the fights, the stupid inventions, the nights we stayed up fixing each other’s mistakes. The love that only comes from being a twin. You can’t take that from me! You don’t get to!”

He turned to Leo then, desperate, voice breaking.
“Tell him, Leo. Tell him he can’t be your twin. Tell him that’s our bond. Ours. Tell him that I am your twin, not him”

Draxum’s lab fell into silence, the weight of his words hanging heavy.

Leo looked between Donnie—his lifelong twin, trembling with fear and rage—and Sam, wide-eyed and hopeful, still gripping his shoulder where Donnie had shoved him.

For the first time in his life, Leo didn’t know what to say.

And he hated himself for it.

Chapter Text

The silence stretched thin, like a wire ready to snap. Leo’s eyes darted between Donnie—his twin, his anchor—and Sam-his new brother-who looked so bright and sure, like he had just been handed the answer to his lifelong question.

Sam broke first. His smile softened, hopeful but cautious. “Look, I—I didn’t mean to step on anything…or anyone. I just… I’ve always wanted a brother. A-A family. And now that I know I have one, maybe we could spend some time together? Just us. Or even with your other brothers, if you’d like. I just… want to know you, Leo.”

Donnie’s shell practically rattled as he jerked forward. “No.” The word was sharp, cold, final. “You don’t get to just waltz in here and claim family just because you share the same turtle DNA as Leo. You are not Leo’s twin. You never will be.”

“Donnie—” Leo reached toward him, but Donnie shook his hand off, glaring daggers past him at Sam.

Sam blinked, shoulders drawing in as if struck. “I… wasn’t trying to replace anyone. I just thought—”

“You thought wrong,” Donnie snapped, his voice rising, though his hands trembled at his sides. “Family isn’t something you get just because a test says so. Family is built. Earned. Fought for. You haven’t been here, you haven’t bled with us, you haven’t—” His throat caught, and he clamped his jaw shut before the crack in his voice could escape.

Leo’s chest twisted. He could feel Donnie’s pain in his own bones, the silent plea hidden behind the fury. He wanted to reach for him, to calm him, but then Sam’s expression pulled at his heart in a different way—wide-eyed and aching, like he had just been told he didn’t belong anywhere.

“I don’t want to take him from you,” Sam said quietly, his voice trembling. “I just… I just want to know him. That’s all.”

“Don’t you get it?” Donnie shot back, his tone laced with venom that came more from fear than hate. “Every second you spend with him—every word, every smile—it feels like you’re stealing him away from me. And I’m not going to let that happen.”

Leo’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He wanted to shout, to make it stop, but no words would come. He was torn in two, caught between his twin’s desperation and Sam’s yearning.

“Okay, enough,” Raph’s deep voice cut through, firm but calm. His arms were folded, his brow furrowed. “We get it. Everyone’s emotional. But Donnie—maybe you should at least let Leo and Sam have some time. Doesn’t mean that Sam is replacing you. Just means Sam and Leo are figuring this whole ‘brother’ situation out together.”

Mikey, quieter than usual but steady, added, “Yeah. Sam’s not trying to hurt you, Dee. He just… wants a brother. He just wants a family. That’s not the worst thing in the world. In fact, it’s something that we all want…even you can’t deny that”

Leo glanced at his brothers, grateful for their helpful and kind words. However, guilt gnawed at him when he saw Donnie stiffen. His twin didn’t move, didn’t shout again—but Leo could feel the storm boiling beneath his shell.

“Fine,” Donnie said at last, voice tight, clipped, like metal strained to its breaking point. “Do whatever you want. But don’t expect me to play along.”

He turned sharply, his back rigid, and Leo could practically feel the fury radiating off him as he walked away, waiting for Leo to portal them back home.

Sam looked after him, then back at Leo, guilt flickering across his face. “I didn’t mean to upset him.”

“I know you didn’t mean to Sam,” Leo murmured, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling like the ground was slipping out beneath him. “Donnie has just…always been protective of our twin bond. It’s something that is special to him. Don’t worry…he’ll come around eventually”

But inside, Leo’s thoughts spiraled. Donnie was his twin. His other half. The one person who had always been there when it mattered most. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—lose him. And yet, here was Sam, blood of his blood, looking at him with the kind of hope Leo had once wished for himself.

And Leo hated that, deep down, he wanted to give him that hope.

Donnie’s hands shook where he had a tight grip on his arms, trying to steady himself. He didn’t look back, didn’t let them see. But in his chest, the fire burned.

Leo was his twin. Always had been. Always would be.

And no red-eared slider Leo knockout was going to change that.

Chapter Text

The walk back to the lair was… tense, to say the least. Sam walked close beside Leo, glancing around curiously, drinking in every detail of the tunnels, while Raph and Mikey whispered back and forth about how “wild” this all was. Donnie trailed behind, silent, his expression locked in something unreadable—but the hard set of his jaw betrayed him.

Leo noticed. Of course he did. He always noticed Donnie.

Still, he kept his attention on Sam for now. “Don’t, uh… freak out when you meet our dad. He’s… different.”

Sam raised a brow. “Different how?”

“You’ll see,” Leo said with a lopsided grin.

By the time they reached the lair, Splinter was already in the main room, seated in his chair with the television humming faintly in the background. He turned his head lazily at the sound of his sons returning—then froze when he saw Sam.

His brows furrowed. “...Leonardo?”

Sam stiffened under the weight of Splinter’s gaze, not really bothered by the fact that he was a mutant rat. “Uh… not quite?”

Splinter slowly stood, shuffling closer until he was right before Sam. He looked from Sam to Leo, back again, his whiskers twitching. “Who is this?”

Leo swallowed, stepping forward. “Dad… this is Sam. It’s… kind of a long story, but short version? He’s my… brother. Or, well, our brother.”

Sam shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. Leo and I came from the same batch…same nest. However, Draxum sold me due to failed tests. I was raised by someone else. Found out the truth just recently.”

Splinter’s eyes softened. He studied Sam in silence for a long moment before reaching out a small hand.

Sam blinked, uncertain, but carefully lowered himself to one knee so they could be eye-level. His much larger hand settled into Splinter’s.

“Despite not being related to me by blood due to you not having my DNA,” Splinter said softly, voice carrying a warmth that silenced the whole room, “you are related to my son. That is enough. From this day forward, I will consider you my son as well.”

The words hit Sam like a punch to the gut. His face crumpled, tears spilling freely as he choked out, “I—I don’t… I don’t deserve that…” But Splinter pulled him close, wrapping small arms around Sam’s neck.

Sam hugged back tightly, sobbing into Splinter’s shoulder.

Raph and Mikey glanced at each other, eyes wide, awe painting their faces. Leo’s own chest tightened with something he couldn’t quite name—something warm, but also complicated.

But his gaze flicked immediately to Donnie.

Donnie hadn’t moved closer. He stood far off, arms crossed, expression dark. He hadn’t said a word.

Leo’s heart sank. ‘He’s hurting. And Dad’s words just made it worse’ Leo thought sadly

Still, Donnie didn’t budge, so Leo forced himself to stay quiet—for now.

After Sam finally pulled away, wiping at his eyes, Raph and Mikey instantly pounced with their usual excitement.

“Dude, that was beautiful!” Mikey sniffled, clasping his hands dramatically.

“Yeah, dude, welcome to the family. Happy to have another little brother” Raph added with a grin, clapping Sam hard on the back.

Sam chuckled shakily. “Thanks… I really appreciate that.”

Leo, however, motioned for Sam to step aside with him. They moved toward the corner of the room, away from the bustle, though Leo’s eyes kept darting toward Donnie—who had inched closer now that Sam was near him.

Leo’s instincts screamed that Donnie was tracking their every move.

“Listen,” Leo said quietly to Sam, “this… is a lot. For everyone. Especially Donnie. He and I… well, we’re twins. That bond means everything to him. So… don’t take it personally if he seems—uh—frosty.”

Sam’s smile softened. “I get it. I don’t want to take you away from anyone. But I… I still want to be your brother. You’re important to me, Leo. Even if it takes time for everyone else to accept me.”

Leo exhaled slowly, relief and guilt battling in his chest. “I want that too. But we gotta keep things balanced. I can’t—” his voice faltered, and he glanced at Donnie again—“I can’t afford to lose him. Not ever.”

Sam nodded in understanding, though a faint stubbornness lingered in his eyes. “I get it. I’ll… stay here for a while. A few days, a week. See how things go. And hey—” he smiled again, a little brighter this time—“maybe I’ll spend more time with you, since… y’know… we’re technically the ones who are actually brothers.”

Leo gave Sam a bit of a side eye “Technically, you are just as much my brother as the other three. We are all half-brothers. While you share the turtle DNA, they share the human DNA. Henceforth, they are my half-brothers…just like you are my half-brother”

Sam chuckled softly “Alright…fair enough. But since you treat the other three like your actual brothers, I hope that I can be like that to you someday”

Leo’s heart both soared and sank at once. I do want this. I want him… but not at Donnie’s expense.

“Yeah,” he murmured, forcing a grin. “That… sounds good.”

When Splinter, overhearing, nodded and said, “Stay as long as you need, Sam,” Leo nearly laughed with relief. He pulled Sam into a quick hug.

Raph and Mikey cheered again, clearly already ready to show Sam around.

But Leo saw it—Donnie’s face tightening, his fists clenching. No smile, no words. Just raw hurt and anger bottled behind his glare.

Leo swallowed hard. This… is going to tear us apart if I don’t find a way to fix it.

.

.

.

From the shadows of the lair, Donnie watched.
He watched the way Leo’s face lit up when Sam laughed. He watched how their father, without hesitation, had extended his hand and claimed this stranger as a son. He watched as Raph and Mikey leaned in, all curiosity and warmth, like Sam belonged.

But most of all, Donnie watched the way Leo leaned into it.
Into him.
Into Sam.

His hands curled into fists at his sides, the ache in his chest threatening to crack through his armor. No. This stranger doesn’t get to do this. He doesn’t get to slide into our lives like he’s always been here. He doesn’t get to look like him— Donnie’s eyes darted to Leo, —and sound like him. And laugh with him. He doesn’t get to take my place.

The thought burned, hot and raw, searing deeper with every second Leo stayed close to Sam’s side.

Donnie pulled himself further into the shadows, unable to stand in the open where his trembling lip and glassy eyes might betray him. It felt childish. Petty, even. He knew it did. But logic, his greatest weapon, was crumbling against the weight of fear.

Because beneath the jealousy, beneath the anger and barbed thoughts, there was only one thing screaming inside him:

What if I lose my twin?

The world had already taken so much. The Kraang, the Prison Dimension, the scars they all carried—they had survived that by clinging to each other. By clinging to Leo. Leo, who had nearly been lost three times in as many weeks. Leo, who was his other half. His twin. His everything.

And now this… intruder… had appeared. Not an enemy, not a monster. Worse. A “brother.” A “twin.” Someone who could claim Leo, and Leo might let him.

Donnie’s throat tightened. He pressed a hand to his plastron, like he could hold the panic down by force. He’s mine. He’s my twin. Not his. Mine.

From across the room, Leo laughed again—bright, warm, unguarded. With Sam.
And Donnie, silent in the shadows, felt the crack inside him deepen.

Chapter Text

The lair had gone quiet. Dinner was finished, Splinter had retired early with a smile that still lingered in the corners of Leo’s mind, and the brothers were left trying to sort out the most basic problem of all: where Sam would sleep.

The issue? There were no spare bedrooms left.

Raph rubbed the back of his neck, glancing around. “Well… we could clear some space in the common room. Throw together a bedroll—”

Sam held up a hand, smiling politely. “No need for all that trouble. I don’t mind sharing a room. Maybe… with Leo?”

The words froze Donnie where he stood.
He didn’t even think, didn’t even weigh the reaction—his voice was sharp before the air could settle.

“That’s our room,” Donnie said, stepping forward, arms folded tightly. His eyes cut to Sam like sharpened blades. “A shared room. Between me and Leo. You don’t just—move in there.”

Sam blinked, caught off guard by the immediate pushback. He glanced between Leo and Donnie, uncertain.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “Technically… Donnie hasn’t used his bed in weeks.”

Those words stung.

Harder than Donnie expected.

His jaw clenched as Leo continued.

“Look, it’ll only be for a few days, maybe a week tops. After that, Don, you can come back. Promise.” His voice softened, coaxing, almost pleading. “In the meantime, you’ve got options. You can crash in your old room or even the lab. I mean you basically been sleeping there anyway.”

Donnie’s pulse thundered. The lab. His fallback place. His solitude. But this wasn’t about him, was it? It was about Leo. It was always about Leo. And Leo was looking at him now, eyes wide, silently begging him not to make this harder.

It was unfair. Utterly unfair. Because Donnie had never been able to withstand that look.

And he loved Leo too much to upset him and make him disappointed

He swallowed hard, forced his gaze away, and muttered, “Fine. But only because you’re asking.”

Leo’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thanks, Dee.”

Sam smiled faintly, but Donnie didn’t return it. He turned on his heel and stalked away before his expression cracked.

That night, Donnie lay on the cot in his old room, staring at the ceiling. The silence pressed in on him, heavier than the hum of the lab’s machines or the distant rush of lair plumbing. He couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, the image came unbidden: Leo, sharing a room with someone else. Laughing with someone else. His space, their twin-space, occupied by a stranger.

He didn’t spy. He told himself he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t stoop that low.
But the temptation coiled in him like a snake, whispering. You should know. You should make sure he’s safe. You should make sure he’s not replacing you.

By the time exhaustion finally claimed him, it was shallow and restless.

When Donnie woke, his limbs felt heavy, his head aching with the weight of unrest. Dragging himself to the kitchen, he half-expected the quiet of morning to soothe him. Instead, he stopped dead in the doorway.

Sam was at the table, chatting animatedly. Mikey laughed, Raph smirked, and Splinter listened with quiet amusement. And there was Leo—sitting close, shoulder nearly brushing Sam’s as if they’d known each other forever.

The sight cut deeper than Donnie expected. Like watching his worst fear taking shape in front of him.
Like watching himself get replaced.

Donnie’s hands curled into fists at his sides. His jaw tightened. He didn’t say a word. Just stood there, the familiar ache in his chest spreading until it hollowed him out completely.

Donnie’s chest burned. He forced his body forward, mechanical, as though his legs were operating on programming rather than will. He slid into a seat at the far end of the table, quietly. Away from Leo and Sam

“Morning, Dee!” Mikey chirped, still cheerful from Sam’s story.

Donnie gave a stiff nod, reaching for a mug. He didn’t look up.

Leo noticed. His eyes flicked to his younger twin, eyebrows pinching slightly. “Hey, you okay?”

“Fine,” Donnie muttered, pouring himself coffee.

“Did you sleep alright?” Leo pressed, voice softer now.

Donnie paused just a fraction too long. “…Passably.”

Leo frowned, leaning forward a bit, trying to catch his younger twin’s eye. “Don, if it’s about last night—”

“It isn’t.” Donnie’s reply came sharp, almost biting. He took a slow sip of his coffee, deliberately not looking at Leo.

Sam glanced between them, sensing the undercurrent but wisely staying quiet.

Leo’s smile faltered. He wanted to say something else, to bridge the gap he could feel widening, but with everyone at the table and Sam right there, his words caught. He forced a light laugh instead, though it sounded strained even to his own ears. “Alright, if you say so…”

Donnie hummed noncommittally, the sound clipped and hollow.

The table returned to chatter, but Leo barely heard it. He kept stealing glances at his younger twin, at the wall Donnie was building brick by brick. Each glance came back unanswered.

Donnie never lifted his gaze from the mug in his hands.

.

.

.

Donnie didn’t last long at the table. The laughter, the casual conversation, the way Sam slipped so easily into the flow of things—it all pressed on his chest until he couldn’t breathe.

He set his mug down a little harder than intended, the clink drawing a couple of glances. “Excuse me,” he muttered, already standing.

Leo’s head snapped up. “Don—”

But Donnie was already moving, shoulders stiff as he strode out of the kitchen. The silence he left in his wake seemed louder than the chatter before.

Leo half-rose from his chair, torn. His baby twin’s retreat cut deep, the worry gnawing at his chest. He wanted to follow, to sit Donnie down and demand the truth, to get past the brittle “I’m fine” and back to something real.

But then Sam tugged at his arm, excitement bubbling in his voice. “Leo, c’mere—Raph was just telling me about the time you guys fought that giant earthworm. You have to tell me your side of the story.”

Leo’s eyes lingered on the doorway Donnie had just left through. His hands twitched with indecision. But Sam was smiling at him, Raph and Mikey leaning in expectantly. Leo forced his lips into a grin and slid back into his chair.

“Later,” he promised himself, mumbling his words so that his other brothers wouldn’t hear. “I’ll talk to him later.”

The lab door sealed behind Donnie with a hiss, and only then did he allow himself to breathe. The sterile, familiar walls of his sanctuary felt safer than the suffocating warmth of the kitchen.

He gripped the edge of his workbench, knuckles whitening, head bowed.

Leo hadn’t followed.

Of course he hadn’t.

Why would he, when Sam was right there to distract him? Sam, with his look-alike face and easy charm. Sam, who could slide into Leo’s world without effort, as though he’d always belonged there.

Donnie’s throat tightened.

He wanted to believe Leo when he said nothing would change, when he promised there was room for both him and Sam. But Leo hadn’t pushed. He hadn’t chased after him. He hadn’t even tried.

And if Leo wouldn’t fight for him now… what would happen when the choice between Donnie and Sam became real?

Donnie pressed his forehead to the cool metal surface of his desk, squeezing his eyes shut against the sting.

Because deep down, he already knew the answer.

Leo would choose Sam.

And Donnie would be left behind.

Chapter Text

The hum of machinery filled the lab, punctuated by the sharp clack of keys and the occasional irritated hiss from Donnie’s throat. He hadn’t really chosen a project—he was tinkering, poking at circuits, pulling apart things that didn’t need pulling apart. It was busywork, a way to drown out the echo of laughter that still rang in his ears from the kitchen.

If his hands were moving, if his mind was calculating, then maybe—just maybe—he wouldn’t hear Sam’s voice in his head. Wouldn’t picture the way Leo had leaned in, smiling, shoulders relaxed in a way they hadn’t been in months.

Not with him…his own twin/other half

But with Sam…a stranger that the only thing he had in common with Leo was that they were the same species of turtle and therefore shared the same turtle DNA

Donnie’s jaw tightened.

A knock rattled at the door. He froze.

“…Donnie?”

Leo.

The sound of his older twin’s voice stirred something fragile inside his chest. For a split second, Donnie wanted to throw the door open, to let the floodgates of all his fear and fury burst free. To tell Leo he was hurting, that he couldn’t stand this, that he didn’t want to lose him.

But his pride was sharper than his longing, so he stayed silent.

Another knock. A little firmer this time. “Don, c’mon. Can we talk?”

Donnie’s hands flexed uselessly over the tools scattered on the workbench. He almost answered—almost—

Then another voice chimed in.

“Yeah, Donnie! Let us in, we wanna hang out!”

Donnie’s stomach dropped.

Sam.

Of course Sam had followed.

He swallowed hard, bile rising at the back of his throat. Us. We. Let us in. As if Sam had any right to stand on the other side of that door beside Leo.

Leo sighed, the sound muffled through the metal. “Just for a few minutes, Dee. Please?”

Donnie’s breath shook. His chest felt like it was collapsing inward. He wanted to give in, because it was Leo. He always gave in when it came to Leo. But not like this. Not with Sam at his side, waiting to wedge himself deeper into what had always been theirs.

“No,” Donnie said flatly. His voice cracked on the single word, but he forced strength into it anyway.

There was a pause. He could practically feel Leo’s hesitation pressing against the door. And for one aching heartbeat, Donnie thought maybe—maybe—Leo would send Sam away, would insist this was between the two of them.

Instead, Leo’s reply was quiet. “Okay. We’ll… try again later.”

Donnie’s eyes burned as their footsteps retreated.

Donnie knew what the word ‘we’ meant. ‘We’, for the first time in a long time, didn’t mean Donnie and Leo. No… ‘we’ meant Leo and Sam.

Like Leo wasn’t doing anything without Sam

That was something that only belong to Donnie as him and Leo did almost everything together

Donnie clenched his fists until the edges of the tools dug into his palms. It hurt, but not as much as the hollow ache in his chest.

Because if Leo couldn’t even come to him alone… then maybe he already had been replaced.

.

.

.

Leo walked down the hallway with Sam at his side, hands shoved deep into his hoodie pockets. His shell felt heavier than usual, weighed down by the muffled “No” still ringing in his ears.

Donnie never told him no. Not like that. Not with that edge, that coldness.

Leo glanced sideways at Sam, who was chatting about something—Raph’s cooking? Training? He wasn’t sure. He couldn’t focus. His mind was still behind that door, wondering what Donnie was doing. If he was angry. If he was… hurt.

“Hey, you okay?” Sam asked, breaking into his thoughts.

Leo forced a smile. “Yeah. Totally. Just… y’know, Donnie being Donnie.”

Sam chuckled. “He’s intense, huh? Guess he just needs space.”

Space.

Leo’s steps faltered, just a fraction, but enough that Sam noticed. He quickly covered it by shrugging and forcing the grin wider. “Yeah. Space. That’s all.”

But in his chest, doubt curled like smoke.

Because hadn’t he given Donnie too much space lately? First the bedroom—Leo had promised it was only temporary, but still. Then the kitchen, where Donnie had barely said two words before vanishing. And now this.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck. He hated this gnawing uncertainty. Normally, he could read Donnie better than anyone. They were twins—mirror halves, two sides of the same shell. But lately, every time Leo reached out, it felt like Donnie slipped further away.

Or worse—like Leo was the one slipping away, being tugged down some new current he couldn’t quite fight.

And Sam… Sam was good. Easy to talk to, fun to spar with, someone who got him in a way that was refreshing after so much weight pressing down since the invasion. Leo liked that. He needed that.

But every time Sam stood beside him, Donnie stood further apart.

Leo hated feeling torn in two. He didn’t want to choose. Didn’t even think he had to. But if Donnie kept shutting him out, if he kept turning away…

Leo exhaled sharply, shoving the thought down before it could take root.

He wasn’t going to lose Donnie. No way. He’d figure this out. He always did.

…didn’t he?

Chapter Text

The days that followed were fragile ones.

Leo tried to balance his time between Donnie and Sam, but no matter what he did, it seemed like the gap between him and his twin stretched further each day. Sam wasn’t perfect, but he tried. He asked Donnie questions about his projects, offered to help in small ways, even laughed at Donnie’s dry quips when they slipped out. But Donnie wasn’t interested. He avoided Sam, brushing off every attempt at kindness with clipped words, cold stares, or silence.

It ate at Leo.

One night, when Donnie pushed past Sam with an audible scoff, Leo couldn’t take it anymore. He followed his twin into the lab, determination written all over his face.

“Don, we need to talk.”

Donnie didn’t even turn from his workstation. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Yes, there is!” Leo’s voice rose, startling them both. He hardly ever raised his voice at Donnie. “Sam’s been trying, Don! He’s been bending over backwards to be nice, and you’re just—what? Shutting him out? Acting like he doesn’t exist?”

Donnie’s hands froze mid-keystroke. His jaw clenched. “Because he doesn’t belong here.”

“Donnie…”

“No!” Donnie whipped around, eyes blazing. “He is not my family! He will never be my family!”

Leo staggered back a step. The words sliced sharper than expected. But his stubbornness roared louder. “That’s not fair! Sam is family—whether you like it or not. And you should at least try. For me!”

Donnie’s chest heaved. His throat felt raw, but the words tumbled out anyway. “Try? You want me to pretend he’s family just because you say so? You don’t get it, Leo! You don’t see it—every second you spend with him, I feel like I’m being replaced!”

The accusation hit like a sucker punch. Leo’s hands curled into fists, angry tears welling in his eyes. “Paranoid! That’s what you are! Selfish and paranoid! Why can’t you just let me have this? Why can’t you trust me enough to know I wouldn’t leave you behind?”

“Because one day you will,” Donnie shouted back, his voice cracking, “and I’ll be nothing but a shadow you left behind!”

The words hung in the air, jagged and trembling. Both of them stood, shaking with the weight of years of love and fear colliding head-on.

Then Donnie’s voice dropped to a whisper that cut sharper than a scream. “You need to make a choice, Leo. Him or me.”

Leo’s stomach dropped out. His heart thrashed violently in his chest. “That’s not fair, Donnie. You can’t—”

“You heard me,” Donnie snapped, though his voice wavered. “Him or me.”

Leo’s tears spilled over, hot and angry. The words tore free before he could stop them.
“You know what Donatello? I pick Sam. And you want to know why? Maybe because Sam would be a better twin than you!”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Donnie’s face crumbled, the hurt too deep to mask. His worst fear—the one that had been gnawing at him in shadows—had finally been spoken aloud.

Leo’s breath caught, regret surging instantly, but before he could take it back, a bellow shook the lair.

“ENOUGH!” Raph shoved between them, glaring at Leo like fire incarnate. “Do you even hear yourself right now?!”

Leo’s eyes darted to Donnie—saw the devastation in his younger twin’s face, the way he stood rooted like he’d been struck down. It was unbearable. He turned and ran, tears blinding him as he fled the lab.

“Donnie—” Raph reached out, but Donnie jerked away, bolting for his room.

He slammed the door behind him, chest heaving as the bond between him and Leo splintered violently inside him. He clutched at his plastron, stumbling to his bed. The pain was suffocating, worse than anything he’d felt before.

Donnie collapsed face-first into the sheets, broken sobs tearing free from his throat. They were loud, raw, unrestrained—heart-wrenching cries of a twin who believed he’d lost half of himself forever.

And in that storm of grief, guilt wormed its way in too. He had pushed. He had demanded. He had forced Leo’s hand.

And now… maybe it had cost him his twin.

.

.

.

Raph lingered in the hallway, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He could hear it—every ragged, broken sob spilling through Donnie’s door, every gasp of breath like it was being torn out of him. The sound rooted Raph in place, heavy and crushing, because he knew nothing he could say would fix this.

His baby brother was in pieces, and his other baby brother had just run away in tears.

Raph swallowed hard, guilt and helplessness burning in his chest. He wanted to pound on the door, to gather Donnie up and shield him from the world like he always tried to do. But this wasn’t a wound he could cover with his arms. This was deeper. Something only Leo could heal—and right now, Leo had been the one to cut him.

All Raph could do was stand there, listening, heart aching, as the sound of Donnie’s heartbreak filled the lair. He pressed a hand to the wall beside the door and let his forehead rest against it, whispering a shaky promise to himself.

They can’t stay like this. I won’t let ‘em.

But for tonight, he had no answers. Only the crushing weight of how far his twin brothers had fallen apart, and the helplessness of not knowing how to bring them back together.

Chapter Text

Raph finally tore himself away from Donnie’s door, shoulders sagging under the weight of the muffled cries still echoing inside. He padded down the hallway, steps heavy, until he found himself in the common room again.

Mikey was already there, sitting cross-legged on the couch. His face was pale, his eyes wide and glassy.

Raph stopped short. “…You saw him?”

Mikey nodded. “Leo ran past me. He was—” His voice broke, and he swallowed thickly. “He was crying so hard, Raph. I’ve never seen him cry like that. He wouldn’t even look at me. Just went straight out of the lair. Probably going to his and Donnie’s favorite rooftop spot.”

Raph closed his eyes, dragging a hand over his face. “And Donnie… he ain’t doin’ good either.”

Mikey hugged his knees tighter to his chest. “I don’t understand. They’re twins. They’re supposed to be… y’know. Untouchable. Inseparable”

The weight in his tone made Raph’s chest ache. He sat down beside Mikey, the couch dipping under his bulk. “They are, Mike. They just…” He trailed off, fists tightening in his lap. “…they just forgot it for a minute.”

Mikey’s lip trembled. “A really bad minute.”

“Yeah.”

Silence fell between them, broken only by the low hum of the lair.

After a long pause, Mikey whispered, “What if they don’t come back from this?”

Raph turned, eyes widening. The fear in Mikey’s voice twisted his stomach. He reached over, squeezing Mikey’s shoulder. “Don’t say that. They’ll come back. They just gotta… work through it.”

“But what if they don’t?” Mikey pressed, his voice shaking now. “What if Leo really meant it? About Sam being a better twin than Donnie?”

Raph’s throat closed. He thought of Donnie’s sobs, of Leo’s shattered expression, and for a split second, he had no answer.

“…Then we remind them,” Raph said at last, voice firm even though his chest hurt. “We remind them who they are. And we don’t give up on them. Not now, not ever.”

Mikey blinked back tears and nodded, leaning into his big brother’s side.

Raph wrapped an arm around him, staring at the darkened hall. He wanted to believe his own words. He had to. Because if the twins couldn’t find their way back to each other…

Then their whole family risked breaking apart.

.

.

.

The lair was quiet. Too quiet.

Up above, the city stretched endlessly, the hum of traffic and distant sirens weaving through the night air. Leo sat on the roof’s edge, knees drawn up, his arms loosely hanging over them. His mask tails fluttered in the wind, but he barely noticed.

His eyes were red and swollen. He hadn’t stopped crying until the cold wind forced the tears to dry. But the ache in his chest wouldn’t ease. It only grew sharper the longer he sat with the memory of Donnie’s voice ringing in his ears—choose, him or me.

“Not fair,” Leo muttered hoarsely, scrubbing at his face. “It’s not fair…”

The argument replayed in his head, each word slicing deeper. Donnie’s accusation. His own retorts. The look on his younger twin’s face when he’d said the one thing he never should have—Maybe Sam would be a better twin than you.

Leo’s stomach turned. He hadn’t meant it. Not really. But the words were out there now, poison in the air between them.

And maybe… maybe it wasn’t entirely untrue.

He winced at the thought, guilt stabbing through him. Still, a part of him couldn’t help it. Sam was… easy. Sam wanted to know him, wanted to be with him. Sam didn’t look at him with suspicion or fear of replacement.

“Maybe…” Leo whispered, voice unsteady, “Maybe I should take him up on it. Just… stay with him for a while. Clear my head. Get to know him.”

The thought twisted like a knife. Could he really leave the lair, even for a short while? Could he leave Donnie—broken, furious Donnie—alone after all they’d survived together?

His heart wavered, torn between blood and bond. Between guilt and the desperate, dangerous longing for peace. He buried his face in his arms, trembling, terrified of what awaited him below.

Meanwhile, behind locked doors in the lair, Donnie sat on the edge of his bed, his hands gripping the sheets so tightly the fabric nearly tore. His whole-body shook, the sound of his own ragged sobs echoing back at him from the walls of his lab/old bedroom.

He’d thought he’d known pain before—injuries, failures, losses. But this? This was worse.

Because it wasn’t just anyone. It was Leo. His twin. His other half.

And Leo had said it. The one thing Donnie never thought he’d hear.

Maybe Sam would be a better twin than you.

The words burned into him, deeper than any wound. He pressed his fists to his head, desperate to drown them out, but they only grew louder.

Sam. Sam. Sam.

A bitter thought crept in, unbidden, tearing him apart from the inside. What if Leo leaves? What if he decides Sam is the better twin? His forever brother instead of me?

Donnie’s breath hitched, and his vision blurred with fresh tears. The image was unbearable—Leo laughing with Sam, trusting him, choosing him. Leo walking out of the lair and never looking back.

His chest caved in on itself. The bond he had always counted on, the unshakable thread between them, felt thinner than ever—fraying, snapping strand by strand.

“No…” Donnie choked out, collapsing back onto the bed, clutching his plastron like he could hold the bond together with his bare hands. “No, he wouldn’t—he can’t—he wouldn’t…”

But doubt dug its claws in deep.

And Donnie sobbed until his body gave out, curling in on himself, shattered by the one possibility he couldn’t face: a world where Leo chose someone else over him.

Chapter Text

The next morning, the lair was heavy with silence. Even Mikey’s usual humming and clattering pans were absent. The kind of silence that pressed on everyone’s chest and made the walls feel too tight.

Leo hadn’t come home, apparently spending his night out in the city. Raph would have freaked out if not for the fact that he said that he was crashing at Run of the Mill, getting permission from Hueso. Raph even called Hueso to confirm it and it eased Raph's worries, if only by a little bit. Donnie’s door was still locked. And Sam—new to this family, already feeling like an intruder—sat at the kitchen table, fidgeting with his hands as the weight of it all sank in.

Finally, he looked at Raph and Mikey, his voice small.
“Did I… did I do this? Did I drive them apart?”

Raph sighed, rubbing at the back of his head. “Kid, this ain’t on you.”

“But—” Sam’s eyes were glassy, full of guilt. “All I wanted was to have Leo as my brother. To finally have some kind of family. I didn’t want this to happen. I never wanted to hurt anyone.”

Mikey slid into the chair beside him, giving his arm a gentle pat. “We know, Sam. You didn’t mean any harm. Donnie and Leo… they’ve been through a lot. Their bond’s really strong, but sometimes strong bonds get tested the hardest.”

Sam’s shoulders slumped. “I feel like if I wasn’t here, none of this would’ve happened.”

Raph leaned forward, his expression softening. “Or maybe… if you are here, you can help us fix it.”

Sam blinked, surprised. “Me? How?”

“Me and Mikey will try to get through to Donnie,” Raph said firmly. “But Leo? He might listen to you right now. You’re not tangled up in all the yelling and history between them. You’ve got a clear shot.”

Sam hesitated, then nodded slowly. “…Alright. I’ll try.”

.

.

.

The lock on Donnie’s door gave way with a soft click—not forced, but coaxed with Mikey’s gentle knock and quiet, “Don, it’s just us.”

Inside, the room was dim, cluttered with blueprints and half-finished projects. Donnie sat on the bed, his knees drawn up, his mask pulled loose and crumpled in his lap. He looked nothing like the sharp, confident brother they knew. His eyes were red, his face streaked with exhaustion.

Mikey’s heart cracked in two at the sight. “Oh, Dee…”

Donnie tried to hold himself straighter, his voice brittle. “Don’t look at me like that. I—I’m fine.”

Raph crossed the room in two strides and crouched down in front of him. “No, you ain’t. Talk to us, little bro.”

For a moment, Donnie’s lips pressed tight, as if he’d clamp the words down forever. But then, the dam broke.

“He’s leaving me,” Donnie whispered, his voice shaking. “Leo’s leaving me for him.” His hands clutched the fabric of his mask tighter. “I told myself it wasn’t true, that I was just… paranoid. But then he said it—he said maybe Sam would be a better twin than me.”

His voice cracked, and tears spilled over again, no matter how furiously he scrubbed at them. “I can’t lose him. I can’t—he’s my twin, he’s my everything—and what if he chooses Sam instead? What if I’m not enough anymore?”

Mikey immediately wrapped his arms around him, tears in his own eyes. “Donnie, no. No, no, no—Leo loves you. He would never replace you. You hear me? Never.”

Raph pulled both of them into his massive arms, holding Donnie tight against his chest. “That knucklehead got a sharp tongue when he’s mad, but he don’t mean it. You’re his younger twin. His other half. He ain’t walking away from that. Not ever.”

Donnie buried his face against Raph’s plastron, sobbing hard. For the first time since last night, he let himself be held.

.

.

.

Sam found Leo exactly where he guessed he’d be—on the roof of an old building a few blocks away, legs dangling over the edge. Leo didn’t turn when he heard footsteps, but his voice was tired.

“Let me guess. Raph sent you.”

“Actually,” Sam said quietly, sitting down beside him, “I volunteered.”

That got Leo to glance at him, surprised. “…Why?”

Sam shrugged. “Because you look like you needed someone.”

For a while, they just sat, the city buzzing beneath them. Finally, Leo broke the silence. His voice was raw, almost childlike. “I think I want to take you up on your offer. To stay with you. Just for a while.”

Sam’s brows shot up. “Leo, I… I didn’t think you’d want that. What about your family?”

“You are my family,” Leo said, with a brittle edge of defiance. But his mask tails trembled in the wind.

Sam shook his head gently. “We might be biological by our turtle DNA, sure. But those guys? They’re your real family. Bonded by love, not just DNA. Especially Donnie.”

At Donnie’s name, Leo’s face crumpled. His throat bobbed as he whispered, “Donnie hates me now. I saw his face, Sam. I ruined everything. Maybe it’s better if I just… go.”

Sam frowned, then placed a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Listen… maybe what you want isn’t what you need right now. Running away won’t fix it. Talk to them. Talk to Donnie. Give him the chance to forgive you. Because trust me—he wants to.”

Leo swallowed hard, eyes shimmering. “You don’t know him like I do…”

“No,” Sam said softly. “But I know what it’s like to want a brother. And I can see how much he loves you.”

Leo stared down at his hands, shaking. Then, after a long silence, he gave a tiny nod.

“…Okay. I’ll go back. With you. I’ll try.”

Sam smiled faintly and squeezed his shoulder. “That’s all anyone can ask.”

Together, they stood, the weight of what awaited them pressing heavy—but Leo knew, deep down, what he had to do

Chapter Text

The lair was quiet when Leo and Sam returned, the kind of silence that gnawed at Leo’s chest. His steps faltered as they entered the living room—because the sight before him shattered him into a thousand pieces.

Donnie was curled tightly in Raph’s lap, swallowed by his big brother’s arms. For once, Donnie didn’t look sharp or untouchable. He looked small. Fragile. His shoulders trembled with silent shakes, his face buried against Raph’s plastron, faint sniffles escaping as his swollen, red-rimmed eyes squeezed shut.

Leo’s heart cracked wide open. I did that. I hurt him like this.

Raph and Mikey looked up when they noticed him. Relief flickered in their eyes—relief that Leo was safe and came home—but it was guarded, protective. They both held Donnie closer, like Leo was a threat to the brother…to the twin he had once sworn to protect above all else.

And Leo couldn’t even blame them.

“...Donnie,” Leo whispered, his voice cracking on the name.

But his twin didn’t move. Didn’t even look at him. Instead, Donnie buried himself further into Raph’s chest, his shaking intensifying like he could block Leo out if he pressed close enough.

The rejection stabbed deep, but Leo pressed on, forcing his voice soft and steady. “Can… can I talk to him? Alone?”

Mikey and Raph exchanged a look, both uncertain. Then Donnie shifted, finally making a sound—his voice was so small, so broken, it barely carried across the room.

“You hurt me, Leo. Badly. I… I’m not ready to talk right now.”

The words cut like knives. Leo felt his chest cave in as tears pricked his eyes, heavy and hot. He glanced helplessly at Raph and Mikey, hoping for something, anything, but Raph only shook his head, tightening his hold around Donnie’s trembling form.

“Give him some time, Leo,” Raph said quietly, his tone firm but not unkind. “He’ll talk when he’s ready.”

Leo swallowed hard, fighting the lump in his throat. He knew he wouldn’t win this—not here, not now. So he did the only thing he could.

He dropped down onto one knee, keeping distance but lowering himself until he was level with his twin. Even if Donnie wouldn’t look at him, he wanted him to hear the truth.

“I know I hurt you, Dee,” Leo said, his voice thick with tears. “And I know you don’t want to talk right now. But if there’s one thing I’m one hundred percent sure of, it’s this—I love you. With all my heart. I love you more than anything, and I always will. You are my twin. You’ll always be my twin. Nothing will ever change that.”

Donnie didn’t stir, but Leo thought—just maybe—he saw his twin’s fingers twitch, curling tighter into Raph’s bandages.

Leo’s chest heaved as he stood, blinking furiously to keep his tears from spilling. “I just wanted you to know that. And whenever you’re ready to talk, I’ll be waiting. I’ll always wait for you.”

With that, Leo turned. His hand found Sam’s wrist, tugging him gently. The two walked away, their steps echoing hollow in the lair.

Mikey and Raph exchanged troubled glances but said nothing, both helpless to stop what was happening.

And in Raph’s arms, Donnie finally shifted, his glassy eyes following the trail where Leo had just disappeared. His throat bobbed as a shaky hand lifted, reaching toward the empty space his twin left behind.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, so soft it was almost swallowed by his own sob. “I love you too. Please… come back.”

His hand dropped back into his lap as the tears flowed anew, his voice breaking apart like his heart had.

The lair was quiet that night, too quiet.

Donnie lay curled on his side in the dark, the shadows of his room pressing in like a cage. His plastron ached with every shallow breath, his eyes burned from crying, and yet sleep would not come. The silence made it worse. In the stillness, his thoughts had room to fester, louder and crueler than any voice outside.

He was right there.

Leo had knelt in front of him. He had apologized. He had reached out, offering Donnie the chance to bridge the gap between them. And Donnie—Donnie had turned away. Too stubborn. Too wounded. Too afraid.

“I’m such a coward,” Donnie whispered hoarsely into the pillow, the words breaking apart.

The truth gnawed at him: his fear, his jealousy, his anger—he had let them rule him. He had clung so tightly to his terror of losing Leo that he hadn’t noticed how he was pushing him further away. Sam hadn’t taken Leo. Donnie’s fear had.

And yet… Leo’s words earlier still cut deep, replaying repeatedly in Donnie’s mind like a cruel recording: “Maybe Sam would be a better twin than you!”

His throat tightened, fresh tears stinging. Forgiveness sounded simple in theory, but when the wound was this raw, it felt impossible. Still, he wanted it. He wanted his twin back more than anything.

I just… I just want him back. I don’t care about Sam. I don’t care about any of this. I just want Leo.

He thought about getting up, about going to find Leo right then. He imagined knocking on his door, begging him to stay, to never even think of leaving. But Donnie’s body was too heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and heartbreak. His limbs wouldn’t move. So instead, he lay there in the dark, crying softly, wondering if things would ever be okay again.

If he hadn’t been so afraid… maybe none of this would’ve happened.

On the far side of the lair, Leo sat on the edge of his bed. His face was buried in his hands, his body trembling in silent sobs he hadn’t wanted Sam to see.

But Sam was right there beside him anyway, hand resting awkwardly but firmly on Leo’s shoulder.

“Hey,” Sam said gently, his voice uncertain but kind. “Raph was right. Maybe Donnie just needs more time. You know how he is—he builds walls, but… he always finds a way back to you.”

“I know,” Leo croaked, lifting his head. His eyes were red, his mask damp from tears. “I know. But how long, Sam? A day? A week? What if… what if it’s never?”

Sam’s brow furrowed, glasses catching the dim light. “You don’t really believe that.”

Leo’s throat tightened. “I don’t want to. But… he wouldn’t even look at me, Sam. I broke him. I did that.” He dragged his hands down his face, guilt gnawing deep in his chest. “If I hadn’t said those words, if I’d just shut up for once, none of this would’ve happened.”

Sam let out a small sigh. “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

But Leo wasn’t finished. His heart was a storm, his thoughts pulling him in two directions.

“If I go with you… if I leave for a little while… I want things to be okay between me and Donnie. But even if he forgives me, would he let me go? He’ll think I’m abandoning him for good. And that’s the last thing I want.”

The admission broke him, his voice crumbling. “I don’t want to lose him, Sam. Not ever.”

Sam gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. “Then maybe the answer isn’t leaving. Not yet.”

Leo’s eyes glistened, his guilt twisting tighter. Torn between two brothers, two choices, he felt like no matter what path he chose, someone would get hurt. And the worst part was, Donnie’s face—red and trembling and breaking—wouldn’t leave his mind.

Chapter Text

The lair was silent, save for the low hum of the pipes and the occasional drip of water echoing through the stone. Sam sat on the couch, staring into the dim light of the TV screen—muted, flickering images playing without sound. His mind wasn’t on it. It hadn’t been for the few days that he had been here.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw it again: Leo’s face streaked with tears after Donnie’s rejection. Donnie’s trembling voice, cracking as he whispered, You hurt me, Leo. I’m not ready to talk. The words had lodged themselves in Sam’s chest like a knife.

And it was all his fault.

If he had never stumbled into Leo’s life, none of this would be happening. The twins wouldn’t be ripping apart at the seams. Donnie wouldn’t be hollow-eyed and broken. Leo wouldn’t be questioning himself at every turn. Sam chewed the inside of his cheek, debating. He could just leave. Slip away before dawn and spare them the pain of his presence.

But then he thought of Leo. The look on his face if Sam disappeared without a word. The betrayal. The loneliness. No—he couldn’t do that. Running would only make things worse.

So Sam made a choice. If he couldn’t fix everything, maybe he could at least help. Push, even just a little, in the right direction.

Leo had finally cried himself to sleep, curled against the armrest of the couch, his shell rising and falling with soft, uneven breaths. Sam glanced at him once more before slipping quietly off the cushions. His feet padded softly across the floor as he made his way down the hall.

He hesitated at Donnie’s door, listening. Muffled breaths, uneven—like someone trying not to cry but failing. Sam steeled himself and gently knocked before easing the door open.

Donnie jerked up from his bed, eyes puffy, cheeks streaked with drying tears. For a split second, hope lit his gaze, raw and fragile, because he thought that it was Leo at the door. But the moment he realized it was Sam, his shoulders slumped. His mouth twisted into something between annoyance and exhaustion.

“…What do you want?” His voice was hoarse, scraped thin from crying.

Sam swallowed. “To talk. Just…hear me out, okay?”

Donnie turned his face away, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders. “I don’t think I have anything to say to you.”

“Then don’t,” Sam said gently. “Just listen.”

There was a long silence, the kind that pressed heavy in the air. But Donnie didn’t throw him out, so Sam stepped further into the room.

“I never meant to take Leo from you,” Sam started carefully, hands fiddling at his sides. “When I said that we could be twins, it wasn’t meant to replace you. It was just—because we look alike. Because it felt…nice. Like I finally had family again. I never thought it would hurt you this much.”

Donnie’s hands tightened in his blanket, but his gaze flicked back to Sam’s face, cautious, listening.

“I know now how it looked,” Sam continued, voice trembling with honesty. “How it felt. But Donnie—I need you to understand. I just want Leo as my brother. That’s it. Nothing more and nothing less. I never meant for this to happen.”

For the first time since Sam had entered, Donnie’s expression shifted—softening, if only slightly. His throat bobbed as he whispered, “You…you really didn’t mean to?”

Sam shook his head firmly. “No. Never.”

The words landed, sinking into Donnie’s storm-tossed mind. And for a flicker of a moment, he believed them.

But then Leo’s earlier words stabbed back into memory—Maybe Sam would be a better twin then you. Fear surged through him again, sharper than ever. Donnie’s voice cracked as he whispered, “Maybe…maybe you would be better as Leo’s twin. You fit. You don’t…hurt him like I do. You two even look alike…well minus the glasses and mask”

The admission nearly broke Sam’s heart. He rushed to sit at the edge of the bed, leaning forward earnestly. “Donnie, no. You’re his twin. You have been his twin ever since you hatched together...ever since you got mutated together. Nothing changes that.”

But Donnie’s wide, fearful eyes searched his face. “Has he…has he said anything? About leaving?”

Sam froze. He didn’t want to answer, but Donnie’s gaze—pleading, desperate—left no room to lie. “…Yeah. He has.”

Donnie’s face crumpled, devastation pulling every ounce of strength from him. “So it’s true,” he whispered.

Panic flared in Sam. “Wait—listen. I’ve been telling him not to. I don’t think it’s a good idea. For him, or you. Or me. I’ve been trying to stop him.”

Donnie blinked, confused. “But…you were the one who mentioned it first.”

Sam hesitated, then nodded shamefully. “I was. But that was before I saw what this is doing to both of you. Before I realized how much you need each other. You’re miserable apart. I can see it. And now—I don’t want him to leave. I don’t want to be the reason you lose each other.”

Donnie’s lip trembled. His mind was a storm—hurt, fear, anger, guilt—but beneath it all, there was still the ache for Leo. “…I don’t know where we go from here,” he admitted brokenly.

Sam placed a steady hand on Donnie’s shoulder, grounding him. “Start here. Leo is waiting for you. Talk to him. Get your twin back. Show him how much you love him. Trust me—he wants you back more than anything. He’s hurting too.”

The sincerity in Sam’s voice cracked something open inside Donnie. Tears welled up again, but this time they weren’t only from fear. With a shaky sob, he reached forward and hugged Sam—clumsy, awkward, but real.

“Thank you,” Donnie whispered, voice breaking.

Sam hugged him back, relief flooding through him like a weight lifting off his chest. For the first time since he’d arrived, he felt like maybe—just maybe—he’d done something right.

The push was there. The rest…was up to the twins

Chapter Text

The lair was hushed in the early morning, the kind of quiet that made every sound sharper. The pipes gurgled faintly overhead, and somewhere, Mikey’s alarm chimed faintly before being silenced again.

Donnie sat on the edge of his bed, staring down at his hands. They were trembling, though whether from nerves or exhaustion, he couldn’t tell. He hadn’t gotten much sleep—too many thoughts, too many tears—but Sam’s words from the night before still echoed in his ears.

Leo is waiting for you. Talk to him. Get your twin back. He wants you back more than anything.

Donnie’s chest tightened. He had been so scared—still was—but maybe the fear wasn’t worth losing Leo. Not when every part of him ached for his twin. Not when he knew, deep down, that he didn’t want to live in this silence anymore.

Pulling his hood over his head, Donnie pushed himself up and padded quietly into the hall. His stomach twisted with every step toward the living room, where he’d last seen Leo.

Sam was there first, half-asleep in a chair with his arms crossed. His eyes blinked open when Donnie appeared, and for a second they just stared at each other. Then Sam gave him a small, encouraging nod as he left the room, knowing that this needed to be a private moment between the twins.

Donnie swallowed hard and kept walking.

Leo was curled on the couch, blanket draped around his shoulders. His mask tails were loose, his face turned toward the back cushion, still asleep. The sight nearly undid Donnie—the softness of it, the vulnerability. His twin, right there. So close and yet impossibly far.

Donnie’s breath hitched as he knelt beside the couch. He hesitated, every instinct screaming to retreat, to wait until later, to avoid rejection again. But Sam’s words pushed at him, steadying him.

He reached out with a trembling hand and brushed Leo’s arm lightly. “Nardo?” His voice was a whisper, hoarse from the night before.

Leo stirred, eyes fluttering open. When his gaze landed on Donnie, there was a flash of surprise, then cautious hope. “Tello?”

Donnie’s throat closed up. He forced himself to keep talking, voice shaking. “I…I don’t know if I can say everything right. Or if I’ll even make sense. But… I can’t keep running away from you.” His breath wavered, tears already gathering in his eyes. “I don’t want to.”

Leo pushed himself up, heart pounding. He didn’t dare move closer, didn’t dare scare Donnie off. “You don’t have to run,” he whispered.

Donnie’s lip trembled as the words spilled out. “I was so scared. Scared of losing you. Scared of you leaving me for someone else. Scared that I wasn’t enough. And instead of telling you that, I let it eat me alive and push you away. But I don’t want this anymore, Leo. I just want you. I just want my twin. My big brother”

The dam inside him broke, tears spilling freely as he choked out, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for pushing you away.”

Leo’s vision blurred instantly. He reached out, cupping Donnie’s cheeks as his hands trembled. However, he didn’t close the distance as he was waiting and hoping. “Donnie…you don’t ever have to be sorry for feeling scared. I’m scared too. But none of that—none of that—means I don’t love you. You’re my twin. My…my baby twin. You always have been and you will always be.”

Donnie’s answer wasn’t words but rather it was with trembling lips and tears running down his face. Leo’s heart broke in two as his own tears fell and he opened his arms, inviting Donnie in for a hug “Come here baby”

With a broken sob, Donnie closed the gap, clutching Leo like he was afraid he’d vanish. Leo wrapped him up instantly, burying his face against Donnie’s shoulder, their tears mingling in the silence of the lair.

For the first time in days, the heaviness between them cracked, even if just a little. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t healed. But it was a start.

And that start was everything.

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The lair had been awake for hours, but Leo and Donnie had slipped away quietly, retreating to the safety of Leo’s room. The door slid shut behind them, muffling the hum of pipes and the distant clatter of Mikey’s cooking.

Neither spoke at first. The silence was thick, heavy with everything left unsaid. Leo sat on the edge of his bed, hands clasped together, while Donnie lingered by the wall, arms wrapped around himself like armor.

Finally, Leo broke the silence. His voice was soft, shaky. “Dee…we need to talk. Really talk.”

Donnie nodded, though his throat felt tight. He crossed the room slowly and sat beside Leo, though not too close. For a moment, they just stared at their knees, gathering courage.

“I’ll go first,” Leo whispered, lifting his head. His eyes were wet already. “I said something to you that night—something I can never take back. And I hate myself for it.” His voice cracked. “I told you maybe Sam would be a better twin than you. And Dee, I swear, I didn’t mean it. I was angry, I was scared, and I just wanted to hurt back because I felt cornered. But those words…” His breath shuddered. “Those words weren’t true. They’ll never be true. You’re my twin. You’re my everything.”

Donnie blinked rapidly, his own tears building. His voice was small, almost childlike. “But what if they were true? What if…what if you really thought it, even for a second? Because that second nearly killed me, Leo.”

Leo’s tears spilled, and he reached out, hesitating before brushing Donnie’s arm. “I know. And I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I wish I could take it back, but all I can do now is prove to you every single day that you’ll never be replaced.”

Donnie finally looked at him, eyes wide and raw. “That’s just it. I was terrified you’d replace me. That you’d see Sam, and…and decide he’s the twin you were meant to have. He’s got glasses like me and he is probably as smart if not even smarter then me. Not to mention that he’s a red-eared slider like you—it felt like fate wanted him to be the one instead of me. And then you said you might leave with him…” His voice broke, a sob escaping. “Leo, I thought I lost you. I thought I wasn’t enough anymore.”

Leo’s heart shattered hearing it aloud. He scooted closer, cupping Donnie’s shoulders. “Dee, listen to me. Sam is…Sam’s family, yeah. But you’re my brother in every way that matters. You’re the one who’s been by my side through every stupid plan, every mistake, every victory. You’re the one who knows me better than I know myself. You’re the one I chose—and keep choosing—every single day to be my twin. That’s something biology could never decide for me.”

Donnie trembled under his touch, his breath hitching. “You’d never leave me?”

“Never,” Leo said firmly, though tears streamed down his face. “I was hurting, and I thought maybe leaving would make it easier. But the truth is, Dee, it would’ve destroyed me. Because you’re my other half. And I can’t exist without you.”

The words cracked something open in Donnie. With a sob, he collapsed into Leo’s arms, clinging desperately. Leo pulled him close, holding on like his life depended on it.

Tears soaked into Leo’s plastron, muffled sobs breaking in Donnie’s throat. Leo cried too, their voices blending into a symphony of grief and love. Instinctively, the softshell clicked and chirped against Leo’s shoulder, and Leo answered with low, soothing purrs. The sound filled the room, instinctual comfort weaving them together.

Leo pressed his forehead to Donnie’s. “I love you, baby. More than anything. More than anyone. You’re my twin, my partner, my family. Nothing—nothing—can break that bond. Not Sam. Not me. Not even us.”

Donnie let out a broken laugh between tears. “I love you too, Leo. Always. Even when you’re a complete idiot.”

Leo smiled through the wetness. “I’ll take that.”

They held each other tighter, the weight of their fears finally spilling out and melting into the warmth of their embrace. Their bond, bruised and battered, thrummed alive again, stronger for having been tested.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the twins knew: they were whole

Chapter Text

For the first time in days, the lair was quiet. Not the heavy silence of tension, but the kind of quiet that came after a storm.

In Leo’s room, the twins lay curled together on the bed. Donnie rested against Leo’s plastron, his cheek pressed to the steady rise and fall of his older twin’s chest. Leo’s arms wrapped around him protectively, as if daring the world to try and separate them again. Their tears had long dried, replaced by soft clicks and quiet breaths.

It wasn’t long before sleep claimed them both, their bodies naturally curling closer until they were inseparable, one shell molding into the other.

Hours passed. When the others realized they hadn’t heard a peep from either twin, worry started to rise.

“Think they’re still fighting?” Mikey whispered, peeking down the hall.

Raph shook his head. “Nah. Something feels…different. Let’s check.”

Sam trailed behind, unsure if he should even be part of this. But he followed anyway, drawn by the same knot of concern.

The door slid open with the faintest hiss, and the three of them froze at the sight inside.

Leo and Donnie were tangled together on the bed, breathing slow, perfectly in sync. Donnie’s face, usually tight with worry and guardedness, looked soft, peaceful. Leo, whose bravado always hid his cracks, held his baby twin like he was the most precious thing in the world.

Mikey’s eyes shimmered, his hands clasped under his chin. “Oh my gosh…they made up.”

Raph’s chest loosened in relief, a grin spreading across his face. “About time.”

Sam just stood there, his throat tightening at the sight.

Raph stepped over and gave him a hearty pat on the back. Mikey followed it up with a quick, tight hug.

“You helped them, Sam,” Raph said softly, his voice thick with gratitude.

Sam shook his head, shrugging lightly. “Nah. They did all the work. All I did was…push them in the right direction.”

Raph and Mikey shared a look, then smiled at him, wordlessly acknowledging how much his presence had mattered.

They backed away quietly, sliding the door shut to give the twins their space.

Inside, Leo shifted slightly in his sleep, his grip tightening as Donnie made a soft, content noise and burrowed closer. The bond that had frayed and nearly snapped was strong again, glowing in the way their bodies naturally sought each other even in dreams.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the Hamato twins were whole.

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The soft glow of morning filtered into Leo’s room, spilling golden light across the floor and warming the edges of the bed. The twins stirred slowly, tangled together beneath the blankets.

Leo blinked awake first, groggy but immediately aware of the warmth pressed against him. His gaze fell on Donnie, still nestled against his plastron, his face peaceful in a way Leo hadn’t seen in far too long. The sight alone made Leo’s chest ache and soften all at once.

Donnie shifted, eyelashes fluttering as he woke. His eyes met Leo’s, and for a long moment they just stared at each other, last night’s tears and confessions hanging in the space between them.

Leo’s hand rose instinctively, cupping Donnie’s face with a tenderness that carried all of his regret and love. He leaned their foreheads together, his voice a whisper.

“Good morning, Dee.”

Donnie’s lips twitched into a small, genuine smile. He nuzzled forward, letting their foreheads press more firmly. “Good morning, Nardo.”

With a quiet sigh, Donnie nestled back into Leo’s shoulder, his arms winding around him loosely. Leo’s fingers drifted in calming circles across the curve of Donnie’s shell, grounding both of them in the simple comfort of touch.

It was then Leo noticed the faint, dried tear tracks staining Donnie’s cheeks. His throat tightened. “...You okay baby?”

Donnie hummed softly, pulling back just enough to meet Leo’s eyes again. “I’m okay… because you’re here.” His smile was small but sure. “I know I’m safe with you. Loved with you. That’s all I need.”

Leo swallowed against the lump in his throat, his arms tightening just a little more. “Same here, Dee. You’re my home.”

Donnie’s face softened further, his hand squeezing Leo’s arm. For the first time in what felt like forever, he believed it again—really believed that Leo wasn’t going anywhere.

After a few breaths of silence, Leo tilted his head. “Maybe we should join the others. They’re probably worried.”

But Donnie shook his head quickly, tightening his hold as though afraid reality would swoop in too fast. His voice was small, but steady. “Not yet. Can we stay like this a bit longer?”

Leo let out a quiet laugh, pressing his chin to the top of Donnie’s head. “Yeah, Dee. We can stay as long as you need.”

With that, he wrapped his arms more securely around his baby twin, pulling him closer until they were completely cocooned in warmth and familiarity. Donnie let out a soft, content chirp as he burrowed into Leo’s plastron, finally letting his body relax.

They stayed there, the outside world and all its complications waiting just beyond the door—but for now, nothing mattered except that they had each other again.

Chapter Text

It took some convincing.

Donnie had burrowed so firmly into Leo’s side that it almost seemed like he was trying to fuse them together, his muttered protests muffled against Leo’s plastron.

But Leo had been patient, coaxing him softly, his hand rubbing slow circles on Donnie’s shell. “Dee, I promise—I’m not leaving you. Not now, not ever. But the others are waiting. Let’s go see them, yeah?”

Eventually, Donnie gave the faintest nod, though his arms never fully loosened. Leo kissed the top of his head before gently guiding them out of the room.

All the way down the hall, Donnie clung to him—one hand gripping Leo’s wrist, the other curled into his plastron as if afraid the world might separate them. Leo bore it without complaint, adjusting his stride to keep them steady.

When they entered the kitchen, the warm smell of pancakes and eggs filled the air. Mikey was at the stove, humming cheerfully, while Raph and Splinter sat at the table, already waiting. Sam, perched near the counter, looked up first.

“Good morning, my sweet twin babies,” Splinter greeted, his voice low and full of warmth.

Raph gave them a grin. “’Bout time you two came up for air.”

Mikey spun around with a plate in hand, his smile bright. “Morning, sleepyheads! Breakfast is ready!”

Sam didn’t say anything—he simply gave a quiet wave and a knowing smile, his gaze flicking between the twins.

Leo guided Donnie to the table, making sure to ease him into the chair right between himself and Sam. Donnie stayed close, shoulder pressed to Leo’s, his hand still lightly hooked around his twin’s arm.

Once Donnie was settled, Leo turned toward Sam, sincerity clear in his voice. “Hey, Sam… thank you. For helping me patch things up with Donnie. I don’t think I could’ve done it without you.”

Sam’s smile warmed. He shrugged lightly, as if it were nothing. “I was more than happy to help.”

Donnie, to Leo’s quiet surprise, chimed in next. His voice was soft, but steady. “Me too. Thank you, Sam… for helping us find our way back to each other.”

Sam glanced at him, expression softening even further. “Anytime, Donnie. That’s what family’s for.”

Leo’s chest swelled, his smile gentle as he looked between them—his twin and his new brother finally connecting. For the first time in what felt like forever, the heaviness in his chest eased.

Breakfast continued, laughter and warm chatter filling the lair. Donnie stayed pressed against Leo, but his grip loosened just enough to let himself breathe. And Leo? He sat there quietly, grateful, soaking in the simple joy of having his family whole around him.

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Breakfast was lively in the way mornings always were in the lair—Mikey cracking jokes about “secret ingredients,” Raph groaning at his theatrics, Splinter humming contentedly over his tea.

But for Leo, the noise faded into a gentle backdrop, as his focus remained fixed on Donnie.

Every so often, he slipped his hand under the table, brushing his fingers against Donnie’s, grounding him. When Donnie’s fork hovered midair, Leo nudged his plate a little closer. When Donnie’s shoulders tightened at a burst of laughter, Leo leaned in, murmuring something quiet just for him. And when Donnie finally relaxed enough to nibble on a pancake, Leo smiled, proud of him for simply being here.

It was these small reassurances—the steady hum of twinship—that kept Donnie’s heartbeat from spiraling into panic. He clung to each one like a lifeline.

But then Sam’s voice cut through the warmth. “I should probably tell all of you that my time off is almost up. I told my job it was a family emergency, but I can’t stretch it much longer. I’ll need to head back soon.”

Everyone looked sad to hear this, but they fully understood

Then Sam turned to Leo with a sad smile. “Leo…I know that you and Donnie just made up and while I am not asking you to decide right now, I just want to let you know that if you want to come over to my place and stay for a few days, or maybe a bit longer, then I would be happy to have you over. Again, if you want to wait a long while before doing so, I completely understand. I don't want to have you come over unless you are ready” Sam then looked at Donnie with that same sad smile "And when Donnie is ready to have you come over as well"

Leo’s chest dipped. The words were heavier than he expected. He’d gotten used to Sam being around—to his steady presence, the strange comfort of discovering this whole other side of himself. A small part of him wanted to keep Sam here, to hold onto this new connection before it slipped away. And deeper still, another part whispered—maybe he should go with him. Just for a little while.

Leo lowered his gaze, torn. “Can… can you let me think about it?” he said at last, voice quiet.

Sam gave him a soft, understanding smile. “That’s all I ask. And please, take all the time you need Leo. If you and Donnie still need to work things out and talk things over, then by all means do so. I'll be wating for you whenver you are ready”

Leo got up from his seat to hug Sam “I’ll miss you Sam”

Sam hugged Leo back “I’ll miss you too Leo”

The family wiped away tears before the two red-eared sliders broke their hug and Leo went back to his seat beside Donnie

The table chatter carried on, but Donnie’s mind was spinning. He felt Leo’s sadness like it was his own, an ache under his shell. And with it came a thought that gutted him: maybe he should let Leo go. Even if it shattered him. Even if it meant being left behind.

Because if it made his twin happy… wasn’t that what mattered most?

Donnie leaned closer into Leo’s side, burying the turmoil under a calm mask. But inside, his heart was cracking all over again.

Chapter Text

It had been a couple of days, going on day 3, since Sam left to go back to his job and apartment. Leo managed to get Sam’s number and he been texting him pretty much every day since. There were times that he even called him, but those were times when he wasn’t with Donnie…which was not very often…not since the two of them made up

He was glad to stay connected to Sam, but he missed him…like a lot. It felt weird not having his new brother in the lair anymore. Not having that extra presence next to him

Thankfully, he still had Donnie, who managed to make things a bit easier for him. The two spent every moment that they could together, making up for their mistakes. Leo loved his twin so much and was happy that things were ok between them

But…every time that he got a text or call from Sam, he wished that he could have best of both worlds and have Donnie and Sam next to him. Having both his twin and look-alike brother with him would make Leo super happy

The reality was that Sam couldn’t stay and it broke Leo’s heart more then he wanted to admit

This did not go unnoticed by Donnie who could see how unhappy and upset his older twin was whenever Sam texted or call. Even though Leo was trying so hard to not let it affect him, Donnie could see how bad Leo was hurting on the inside

Donnie had been given it a lot of thought after the past couple of days, and while a part of him was screaming at him to not let Leo go as he just got him back, maybe letting Leo stay with Sam for a little bit might be good.

After all, Donnie did always value Leo’s happiness above his own

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Leo lay awake, eyes fixed on the ceiling, sheets tangled at his waist. Sleep refused to come. His thoughts swirled too loudly—Sam’s soft smile, Donnie’s tense shoulders, the tug-of-war inside his chest.

Stay, and risk losing this chance with Sam. Or leave, and risk breaking Donnie all over again.

Neither option felt right. Neither option felt fair.

A knock, gentle and hesitant, broke the silence. Leo sat up immediately, padding to the door. He opened it to find Donnie, wrapped in his favorite purple weighted blanket, eyes rimmed with exhaustion.

“I… couldn’t sleep,” Donnie whispered, voice rough.

Leo sighed, his own fatigue heavy in his bones. “Me neither.” He stepped aside, holding the door wider. “Come on in”

Donnie shuffled in, his blanket dragging along the floor like a cape. He perched on the edge of Leo’s bed, looking small in a way Leo hated to see. Leo sat beside him, shoulder brushing his younger twin’s.

The quiet stretched before Leo finally broke it. “…I’ve been thinking the past couple of days. I don’t want to leave you, Dee. Not after everything we’ve been through. Not after almost losing you. The thought of walking out that door without you—” He cut himself off, running a hand down his face. “I just don’t know if it’s worth it.”

Donnie swallowed hard. “I don’t want you to leave either,” he admitted, words trembling. “I want you to stay here, with me. Forever. But—” His voice cracked, and he took a shaky breath. “I’ve also been giving it some thought. It wouldn’t be fair to you, Leo. Not to finally find Sam and then never get that time with him. Away from all of us. Away from… me.”

Leo turned sharply to look at him, pain twisting in his chest. “Donnie—”

But Donnie pushed forward, before fear could make him take it back. “I’ve made my decision. You should go with him. Even just for a few days. I can see how much he means to you. And I—I can’t be the one to keep you from that.”

Leo stared, stunned. “Dee baby…are you sure?”

Donnie’s own tears welled, though he tried to keep his voice steady. “It’ll only be a few days. I’ll be fine. We can still text. Call. It’ll be the same way that you and Sam are doing right now. I’ll make you give me hourly updates if I have to.” He attempted a weak smile.

But Leo wasn’t smiling. His eyes were glassy, his throat tight. “What if it’s more than a few days? What if a few days turns into weeks? Months? I…I can’t do that to you Don”

Donnie’s tears slipped free at last. He cupped Leo’s cheek with one shaking hand. “…If it comes to that, then you and I will have another talk. But I trust you, Leo. I trust you to know where your heart truly belongs.”

Leo covered Donnie’s hand with his own, pressing it firmly against his cheek, while his other hand settled over his heart. His voice broke as he whispered, “My heart will always belong to you, Donnie. No matter what. Even if I let someone else into my life, you’ll always—always—have my heart. Because we’re two halves of the same whole.”

The words shattered the last of Donnie’s defenses. He leaned into Leo, arms wrapping tightly around him. Leo held him just as fiercely, their tears mingling, broken whispers of “I love you” exchanged in the quiet of the room.

Eventually, Leo eased them down onto the bed, tugging the blanket around them. Donnie curled up against his chest, tucking his face into Leo’s plastron. Leo stroked his shell slowly, pressing soft kisses to his forehead whenever Donnie trembled.

The rhythm of Leo’s heartbeat, the warmth of his arms, the steady hum of love wrapped around Donnie like armor. Fear still lingered in the shadows, but safety and love won out. It lulled him at last into sleep, his body relaxing fully against his older twin.

Leo stayed awake a little longer, watching the way Donnie clung to him even in slumber. Grateful. Worried. Fiercely protective.

He was thankful Donnie was willing to let him go, even just temporarily. But he hated the idea of leaving him behind. A future without Donnie was one he couldn’t imagine, couldn’t survive.

They were twins. Always. Forever. No one could take that away.

As his own eyelids grew heavy, Leo pressed one last kiss to Donnie’s temple, whispering into the dark.

“We’ll be okay, baby. I promise.”

And with his precious baby twin safe in his arms, Leo finally drifted into uncertain sleep.

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Donnie was the first to stir. His eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the dim light of the room. The first thing he registered was warmth—the steady heartbeat under his cheek, the arm draped protectively across his shell.

Leo’s grip had loosened slightly in sleep, but it was still there, still holding. Still keeping him safe.

Something soft and warm bloomed in Donnie’s chest. He sighed quietly, eyes crinkling, and nuzzled his twin’s cheek. “I don’t deserve a twin as wonderful as you,” he whispered, his voice almost lost to the silence.

The fond ache in his chest lingered as he slowly, carefully, untangled himself from Leo’s arms. He paused when Leo stirred but didn’t wake, then slipped away, tucking the blanket back over him. Donnie padded out of the room with one thought: I’ll do something nice for him.

The kitchen lights were already on, and Mikey was there humming to himself as he plated something for Splinter. His face lit up when Donnie walked in. “Morning, Dee! You’re up early.”

“Yeah,” Donnie said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I, uh… wanted to make Leo’s favorite breakfast. And his tea.”

Mikey’s grin widened, warm and knowing. “Ohhh, breakfast in bed for Leon, huh? That’s sweet. Come here, I’ll help.”

Together, they moved through the motions. Mikey handled the seasoning and plating with practiced ease while Donnie measured carefully, making sure everything was just right. The smell was warm and familiar, comforting in a way Donnie didn’t realize he needed.

In no time, the tray was full—Leo’s favorite breakfast, steaming tea set beside it. Donnie smiled faintly at the thought of Leo’s reaction.

Then his wrist tech buzzed.

Donnie glanced down, and his stomach dropped. Leo’s vitals were spiking—his heart rate skyrocketing, breaths coming rapid and shallow. Panic clawed at Donnie’s chest.

“Leo—”

He grabbed the tray, nearly sloshing the tea, and bolted down the hall.

When he burst into the room, the sight broke him. Leo was sitting up in bed, wide-eyed and trembling, chest heaving like he couldn’t catch his breath. His hands clawed at the sheets as he gasped desperately—calling out Donnie’s name.

Donnie set the tray down in a rush and scrambled to his twin’s side. “I’m here, Nardo—I’m here!” He caught his brother’s shaking hands, squeezing tight. “Breathe, it’s me. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

The instant Leo’s eyes locked onto him, the panic in them cracked. His breath began to slow, shaky and uneven, but no longer desperate. He leaned heavily into Donnie’s touch, shoulders trembling.

Donnie gave him a soft smile, relief flooding through him. “Hey… I made this for you.” He reached for the tray, pulling it onto the bed. “With some help from Mikey.”

Leo’s eyes watered as he looked at the food and tea. He took the cup with shaking hands, holding it like it was something precious. His voice cracked. “I don’t deserve you, Dee. Not as my twin.”

Donnie leaned his head against Leo’s, shutting his eyes. “…I don’t deserve you either.”

Leo let out a shaky laugh, then set the tea aside, gripping Donnie’s arm like a lifeline. “I had a nightmare. Something happened to you. And when I woke up and you weren’t here—” His voice broke, and he shook his head. “I panicked.”

Donnie’s throat tightened. “I’m sorry—”

“No.” Leo cut him off firmly, eyes shining. “You don’t have to apologize. You already made up for it by doing this. By just… being here.”

Donnie rolled his eyes, but the fondness in the gesture softened the sting. He pulled Leo into him, letting his older brother rest against his shoulder.

The silence stretched, comfortable but heavy. Then Leo spoke again, voice quieter. “…Dee, are you really okay with me leaving? With me going with Sam?”

Donnie sighed, his whole body sinking under the weight of it. “…No. I’m not.” His voice cracked, tears pricking at the edges. “I’ll miss you like crazy. Every second. But—I’ll manage. You deserve this, Leo. Even if it hurts me, you deserve this.”

Leo hugged him tight, his own tears slipping free. “I love you so much, Donnie.”

Donnie pressed his face into Leo’s shoulder, arms wrapping tightly around him. “…I love you too.”

Leo sniffled, voice muffled into Donnie’s shell. “I’ll miss you like crazy, too. But I’ll call. Every day. Text, too. It’ll be like I’m not even gone. And then I’ll be back before you know it. I promise.”

Donnie didn’t answer. He just squeezed Leo tighter, as if afraid to let him go.

The tray of food sat forgotten, steam curling into the air. The tea cooled beside it. But the twins stayed locked in their embrace, holding onto the only certainty they had: each other.

Neither wanted to face the harsh reality of separation—not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.

So they didn’t. They just held on.

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When the twins finally emerged from their room later that morning, the lair felt quieter than usual, as though even the walls were waiting for something to be said. Leo kept close to Donnie’s side, brushing their shoulders together here and there in soft, sneaky reassurances, almost like he could feel the tremor of Donnie’s unease beneath his shell.

Everyone was gathered—Raph, Mikey, Splinter—around the kitchen table. Leo had called Sam earlier if he could come to the lair as he had news. Thankfully, it was the weekend and Sam was able to come.

Breakfast was casual with bowls of cereal, cups of coffee, and scraps of toast, but there was a subtle tension humming in the air, like they all knew something important was about to happen.

Leo cleared his throat, standing straighter. “So, uh… I took a couple of days to think about it. And… I decided that I’m going to stay with Sam for a few days.”

The words hung in the air. Raph blinked. Mikey froze mid-bite. Splinter’s ears twitched.

But Sam… Sam frowned, leaning forward on his elbows. “Leo…” His tone was gentle but questioning. “Is this really what you want?” Then he looked at Donnie "Is this what both of you want?

Leo glanced immediately to Donnie. His twin was trying—desperately—to keep his face neutral, but his eyes betrayed him. Fear and resistance flickered there, wrapped up tight in love. Donnie swallowed hard, then gave a tiny nod. It was stiff, but it was real.

Leo’s chest eased. He smiled, just a little, and looked back at Sam. “Yeah. I’m sure.” Leo then grabbed Donnie's hand and squeezed it "We're sure"

Sam’s expression softened, and in an instant he was up, pulling Leo into a hug. “That’s great, Leo. That’s really great.”

Donnie stood to the side, watching the embrace with an ache that settled like a stone in his stomach. The sight of his twin in someone else’s arms tugged at something raw inside him, but before he could retreat, Sam turned and opened the hug wider, pulling Donnie in too.

For a moment, Donnie stiffened, unsure. But then Leo’s arm came around him, anchoring him in warmth. Donnie let out a shaky breath and allowed himself to sink into it—the press of Leo’s shell against his, Sam’s steady presence bracing them both.

“Group hug!” Mikey cried, bounding in and wrapping his long arms around the three of them. Raph followed, careful but firm, his large frame practically engulfing them. Even Splinter joined last, patting Leo’s shell before Splinter was lifted up into the hug

“You will be missed, my son,” Splinter murmured, squeezing tightly. “But remember—home is only a portal away.”

Leo swallowed, overwhelmed. His family’s arms were warm, grounding, safe. He felt blessed—achingly so. To have come this far, to be here, surrounded by people who loved him more than he thought possible… it filled his chest to the brim.

And it made the thought of leaving—even for a little while—so bittersweet.

For now, though, Leo let himself breathe it all in. Their warmth. Their love. Their strength. He would carry this with him, no matter where he went

Chapter Text

The lair felt heavier as Leo moved through it, suitcase tucked away in his room, mind caught in the in-between. Excitement stirred faintly in his chest—Sam was offering him something new, something outside these walls—but every step he took closer to leaving seemed to tighten the invisible string tethering him to his twin.

Leo waited until after breakfast before asking Sam for a favor. “Hey, think you can keep Donnie distracted for a bit? I, uh… need to talk to the others.”

Sam glanced between them, then gave a small nod. “Of course.”

So while Sam steered Donnie into the lab for “tech talk,” Leo slipped away to where his family waited.

Raph was the first he found, working out in the training room. When Leo explained, Raph just stared at him, silent for a moment before pulling him into a crushing bear hug. “You’re my baby brother, Leo. Don’t forget that. Doesn’t matter where you are, you’re always mine to protect.” He slipped something into Leo’s hand—a red cloth, stitched into a small armband. “Made it myself. For luck.”

Mikey intercepted him in the kitchen, beaming through his obvious sadness. “You’re, like, the light of this family, bro. So… take this.” He handed over a tiny jar of golden glitter stars. “A piece of stardust, for the nights you can’t sleep. Just shake it, and boom—instant Mikey magic.”

Splinter waited in his room, sitting cross-legged on his mat. “My sweet baby blue,” he said simply, “you walk into the world, and the world changes. Do not fear leaving home. Home will always wait for you.” He pressed something into Leo’s palm: a small, carved wooden turtle. “A reminder. Of who you are. And who loves you.”

By the time Leo returned, his eyes were misty, his pockets a little heavier with love.

Meanwhile, Donnie sat stiffly in the lab with Sam, pretending to listen as Sam asked him about the functions of half-built gadgets. His voice cracked when he finally spoke the truth. “I want him to go with you, Sam. I do. But the anxiety of him leaving…” He swallowed hard. “It’s eating me alive. I know it’s just temporary, but it feels like my world is tipping on its axis.”

Sam listened quietly, then rested a steady hand on Donnie’s shoulder. “Then maybe tonight, you and Leo should have one last night together. A twin night. Make it count.”

When Leo reappeared, the weight of the goodbyes still heavy on his chest, Donnie glanced at him, almost hesitant. His voice was quiet, nearly fragile. “Nardo… can we… have a sleepover tonight? One final night before you go?”

Leo softened instantly. He gave a small, reassuring smile and looped his arm around Donnie’s shoulders. “Of course. Let’s go.”

Back in Donnie’s room, Leo immediately set to work, pulling out the little projector they always used for “twin nights.” Stars spilled across the ceiling, soft blue light wrapping the room in calm. But Donnie’s eyes went first to the suitcase in the corner.

The sight hit him like a blow. His throat tightened, tears welling before he could stop them.

“Don?” Leo’s voice cut through the dim. He crossed the room in an instant, guiding Donnie gently toward the bed. “What’s wrong baby?”

Donnie shook his head, voice breaking. “Seeing the suitcase… it makes it real.” His hands trembled as they closed around Leo’s. “I still want this for you. I do. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I’m going to miss you so much.”

Leo’s own eyes burned. He pulled Donnie into a fierce hug, burying his face against his younger twin’s shoulder. “I’ll miss you too. So much. But thank you, Donnie. Thank you for letting me do this.”

Donnie squeezed him tightly, tears wetting Leo’s plastron. “I just want you safe and happy. That’s all that matters to me.”

Leo pulled back just enough to wipe Donnie’s cheeks, then swiped at his own. “You’re my baby twin Dee. That’s all I want for you too.” He smiled shakily. “Let’s make tonight special.”

They crawled into bed together, Leo stretching out first and Donnie curling up against him, cheek pressed over Leo’s chest where the steady heartbeat played a lullaby just for him. Above them, constellations swirled in soft blue light, stars spilling endlessly into the darkness.

Donnie nuzzled closer, voice sweet and tired. “I love you, Nardo. More than anything.”

Leo kissed the top of his head, smiling through damp lashes. “I love you too, Don-Tron. You’ll always be my little twin. My heart. No matter what.”

Donnie’s breathing slowed, his tears easing into sleep. Leo stayed awake a while longer, staring at the stars, heart torn between excitement and fear. Leaving the lair. Leaving Donnie. Even if it was only for a little while.

He pressed Donnie closer, as if to etch this moment deep into his soul, and whispered into the quiet, “I’ll come back to you. Always.”

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.

The soft hum of the projector still filled the room when Donnie stirred, eyes blinking open to the faint glow of stars still scattered above. He shifted slightly, realizing Leo’s arms were still around him—looser now, but steady, protective even in sleep. Warmth bloomed in his chest at the sight.

He lifted his head just enough to look at his older twin. Leo’s face was peaceful, lashes resting gently on his cheeks. Donnie reached out, brushing the edge of Leo’s mask tails, and sighed. I don’t deserve a twin like him.

As if sensing his gaze, Leo stirred awake. His eyes opened, a little bleary but softening instantly when they landed on Donnie. Without a word, he reached up and cupped Donnie’s face, his thumb brushing gently across his cheek. He gave the smallest, most tender smile. Donnie returned it, though his heart twisted—because they both knew. Morning meant goodbye was drawing near.

The weight of it broke Donnie’s fragile calm. He pressed forward, burying his face into Leo’s plastron, clinging tightly as though the strength of his arms alone could keep his twin from leaving. Tears slipped free, wetting the fabric, as his breath hitched.

Leo’s own chest ached. He wrapped Donnie up tighter, rocking them both gently, pressing soft kisses against Donnie’s forehead as his baby twin trembled in his arms. A low, instinctive chirp slipped out of him, a soothing sound he didn’t even try to stop. He wanted to keep Donnie like this forever. He wanted to stop time.

But he couldn’t.

Together, they looked up at the glowing stars. Tears glimmered in their eyes, caught in the light. Donnie’s voice broke the silence, soft and shaky as he sang:

“Take my heart, don’t break it. Love me to my bones…”

Leo’s eyes widened slightly before softening with recognition. Their song. One of their favorites. His voice joined Donnie’s, low and steady through his tears:

“All this time I’ve wasted, you were right there all along…”

Their foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling, voices weaving into one as they sang in harmony:

“You and I stargazing, intertwining souls.
We were never strangers, you were right there all along…”

The words dissolved into the quiet, leaving only their breathing and the closeness of their embrace. Leo kissed Donnie’s cheek, then nuzzled against it, whispering against his skin, “I love you, Donnie. Thanks for being my twin.”

Donnie whimpered softly, pressing his face into the crook of Leo’s neck. His reply was a whisper, raw with emotion. “No… thank you for being my twin, Nardo. I love you so much.”

The world could have ended right then and they wouldn’t have cared. In that cocoon of warmth and tears and stars, they could have stayed forever.

But then came a gentle knock at the door, followed by Mikey’s cheerful-but-soft voice. “Hey, bros? I made a goodbye breakfast for Leo and Sam. Come eat while it’s still warm.”

Leo’s heart cracked at the sound of Donnie’s pitiful whimpers and quiet chirps. He pressed a steadying kiss to his temple and called back, “We’ll be there shortly, Mikey.”

Mikey hummed in understanding and padded away.

Donnie lifted his head, eyes glassy and pleading. “Can’t we just… stay like this a bit longer?”

Leo’s chest tightened. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to ignore reality, shut the door, and keep Donnie in his arms until the world forgot about the fact that he was leaving. But instead, he cupped Donnie’s face again, eyes soft but firm. “We need to eat breakfast. And… face this. Together.”

Donnie’s lips trembled as he sighed heavily, defeat lacing his breath. “…Then will you at least carry me? Just… a little longer?”

Leo let out a quiet chuckle, affectionate and pained all at once. “Of course baby.”

He shifted, lifting Donnie with ease, adjusting him carefully until his baby twin was curled against him. Donnie wrapped his arms and legs tight around Leo’s torso, burying his face into the crook of his shoulder.

Leo held him close—closer than close—as though Donnie was the most precious thing in the universe. And to him, he was.

As they walked toward the kitchen, Donnie clung tighter, and Leo tightened his grip in return. Neither spoke. Both just breathed each other in, silently acknowledging the truth:

Leo leaving was going to be harder than any of them thought

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No one said a word when Leo carried Donnie into the kitchen, arms locked around his twin like he was the most precious thing in the world. Donnie clung tighter for a moment, refusing to let go—until Leo gently eased him down into a chair.

The soft whimper Donnie made at losing his older twin’s embrace broke every heart in the room.

Mikey, with a quiet, sympathetic smile, slid plates across the table. “Eat up, bros. Made it special.”

Breakfast passed quicker than anyone liked. Conversation was light, Sam chatting with Leo about plans and details while Raph, Mikey, and Splinter chimed in here and there. Donnie stayed quiet, methodically eating small bites while his free hand remained firmly in Leo’s. Their fingers were threaded together the whole time, Donnie’s grip never loosening.

When the dishes were cleared, Leo stood, preparing to fetch his suitcase. Donnie froze, realization striking him like a blade. The gift.

“I—wait,” he blurted, bolting from the table.

Leo frowned but let him go, disappearing into his own room to grab his packed bag. As he stepped back into the hallway, suitcase in hand, Donnie came skidding around the corner, clutching something close to his chest. His cheeks were pink, his eyes watery.

“Donnie?” Leo tilted his head.

Donnie swallowed hard, holding out the object sheepishly. “I… I made this. For you.”

Leo took it carefully, eyes widening at the sight of the intricately crafted piece—every detail precise, unmistakably Donnie’s handiwork, but filled with something more. Care. Love. Home.

Tears welled in Leo’s eyes. His throat tightened as he set the suitcase aside and threw his arms around Donnie. “D, it’s beautiful. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Donnie squeezed him back, whispering into his shoulder, “Only the best for my twin.”

Leo held on for a long moment before reluctantly pulling back. He grabbed his suitcase again, but didn’t let go of Donnie’s hand as they walked into the living room together.

Raph, Mikey, Splinter, and Sam were waiting. Sam smiled at the twins, then glanced at the bag. “You ready?”

Leo nodded, but his hand still lingered in Donnie’s.

Sam moved toward the entrance of the lair, but paused, nodding toward the family. He knew this wasn’t his moment yet.

Leo started with Splinter. He dropped his suitcase and fell into his father’s arms. Splinter squeezed him tightly, his whiskers trembling as he whispered, “I love you, Leonardo. I will miss you, my sweet precious baby blue, so very much. We will be right here waiting for you”

A lone tear slipped down Leo’s cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”

Next were Raph and Mikey. They both pulled him into a crushing hug, holding on as though they could keep him there by force. “We’ll miss you, bro, but like Dad said, we will be right here waiting for you” Raph rumbled.

“Love you, Leo,” Mikey added, sniffling.

“I love you both too,” Leo said thickly. “Promise me you’ll keep an eye on Donnie, yeah? Don’t let him spiral and remind him that this is only temporary?”

Raph and Mikey exchanged a look, then nodded firmly. “We promise.”

The three of them held each other one last time before a soft sniffle drew Leo’s attention.

Donnie stood a few steps back, shaking, tears streaming silently down his cheeks. He wasn’t sobbing—yet—but his face was crumbling fast.

‘Oh baby’ Leo thought sadly to himself

Leo dropped everything and crossed the space in seconds. He cupped Donnie’s face with both hands, chirping and purring softly to calm him. Donnie’s breath hitched as he collapsed forward into Leo’s arms.

“Don’t go Nardo,” Donnie choked, voice trembling. “I-I know that I said that I wanted this for you…but I am so scared. I-I don’t actually want you to go. I-I don’t know how to live without you.”

Leo exchanged a look with his family and they had sad, heartbreaking looks on their faces. Sam looked guilty and he looked like he was just going to tell Leo to forget about it and stay with Donnie, if all of this was causing so much heartbreak

However, Leo shook his head at Sam, his silent way of saying, ‘It’s ok. I got this. I want this. We need this’. That was enough for Sam to back up as he let the twins have their moment

Leo’s own tears spilled freely now. He rocked Donnie gently. “Shh, little bro. I’ll be back soon, I promise. It’s just temporary. I’ll text you the second I get to Sam’s. I’ll call you every morning and every night. I’ll remind you every day how much I love you. Nothing can break what we have. You hear me? Nothing.”

Donnie clung to him desperately, sobbing quietly until the storm eased into sniffles. His voice was hoarse when he whispered, “I love you more than anything. I’ll miss you so much. I’ll be counting down the hours until you’re home again.”

Leo squeezed him tighter, kissing his forehead. His voice cracked as he whispered back, “Me too, little bro.”

Neither wanted to let go. But eventually, Leo pulled away, tears still in his eyes. He grabbed his suitcase, wiped his face, and turned toward Sam. Leo took out his katanas and made a portal. The portal shimmered to life, glowing blue.

Sam stepped closer, but waited.

Leo waved to everyone, trying to smile. But before he could take a step, a hand clutched his wrist.

He turned to see Donnie, trembling, lips quivering. Before he could ask, Donnie yanked him into another hug, fierce and desperate.

Leo dropped everything—suitcase, even Sam’s hand—to wrap both arms around his baby twin, rubbing soothing circles into his shell.

Donnie’s voice was a whisper, raw and pleading, directed past Leo’s shoulder to Sam. “Please… take care of him for me. Bring him back in one piece.”

Sam’s expression softened. He nodded firmly. “I will. I promise, Donnie.”

Donnie pulled back just enough to press a kiss to Leo’s forehead, whispering, “See you soon, Nardo.”

Leo smiled through tears and kissed Donnie’s cheek. “See you soon, Tello. Love you baby bro.”

Finally, reluctantly, he let go.

Sam took his hand. Together, they stepped through the portal. With a shimmer, it closed behind them.

Donnie stood frozen, eyes glassy, body trembling. Raph and Mikey each placed a hand on his shoulder. Splinter stood behind him, silent but present.

“You okay, bro?” Mikey asked softly.

Donnie shook his head, voice breaking as he whispered, “No. I miss him already. And I don’t think I’ll be okay until my twin is back home safe in my arms again.”

Chapter Text

The portal shimmered shut behind him, leaving the lair and his family on the other side. Sam’s apartment was a bit bigger than Leo thought and it looked nice too. Kitchen and living room were about the same size as the kitchen and living room back at the lair, and Leo could see two bedrooms coming off of the living room, one of those was probably a guest room

Sam’s hand landed gently on his shoulder.
“Welcome home—for a few days, at least,” Sam said warmly.

Leo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and forced a grin. “Guess this makes me officially your roommate.”

Sam laughed, leading him down the hall to the guest room. Leo’s new space was simple but cozy—clean sheets, sunlight filtering through the window, and a desk where Sam had already set out a spare charger and a notebook. The thoughtfulness made Leo’s chest ache in the best way.

Still, even as he set his bag down, his first instinct was to pull out his phone. He typed quickly:

Made it, Don. Everything’s good. Don’t worry. I’ll text you a ton. Remember—you’re stronger than you think, and I’m so proud of you. Love you

He hesitated, then added a string of emojis only the two of them used. His thumb hovered before hitting send.

Sam peeked over his shoulder. “Texting Donnie?”

“Yeah.” Leo pocketed the phone, smiling faintly. “Gotta make sure he knows I didn’t vanish into another dimension again.”

Sam’s expression softened, no teasing in it. “We’ll keep busy. Movies, games, maybe I’ll drag you out for real food that isn’t pizza.”

Leo chuckled and nodded, sinking into the bed. He wanted to be present—he was excited—but his mind kept tugging back to Donnie. Was he pacing? Was he curled up somewhere, hiding? Was he holding it together, or falling apart already?

Leo pushed the thought down and smiled at Sam again. “Yeah. Sounds perfect.”

.

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.

The silence was unbearable.

Donnie sat on his bed with his knees pulled to his plastron, arms locked around them. The faint hum of the lair carried through the walls—Mikey humming in the kitchen, Raph moving weights around in the gym—but none of it filled the hollow absence where Leo should’ve been.

His phone buzzed beside him. A message.

Made it, Don. Everything’s good. Don’t worry. I’ll text you a ton. Remember—you’re stronger than you think, and I’m so proud of you. Love you

Donnie’s throat tightened. He read it three times, his eyes burning. He wanted to reply with something witty, something lighthearted. Instead, his fingers hovered and then curled into fists.

Because the truth was, he didn’t feel strong. He felt like half of him had been peeled away, leaving raw edges behind. It had only been an hour, and already he was pacing, curling up, and pacing again, unable to settle without the warm, steady presence of his twin.

He wiped his eyes roughly, scolding himself. It’s just a few days. You’re being ridiculous. But the ache wouldn’t go away. He wondered how much harder tomorrow would feel. And the day after that. Would it stretch on forever until Leo came back?

Donnie curled under his blanket, burying his face in it, whispering softly to the emptiness of the room, “I miss you already, Nardo.”

And in the silence, his own words only made the ache worse.

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.

.

After a quick tour of Sam’s place, Leo found himself sitting cross-legged on the floor of his temporary room, unpacking the small bag he’d brought. A couple of shirts and hoodies, his favorite comics, and the framed photo Donnie had slipped into his bag without asking.

He set the frame carefully on the nightstand. It was the four of them—him, Donnie, Raph, Mikey—with Splinter half-caught in the background. But his eyes went straight to Donnie in the picture. His twin’s smile wasn’t forced. It was real.

Leo touched the glass with his fingertips, an ache pulling at his chest.

“Hey,” Sam’s voice broke through the quiet. “You want me to grab some snacks? We could set up a marathon tonight. Sci-fi, superhero, your pick.”

Leo blinked, then grinned up at him. “Superhero. Always.”

Sam rolled his eyes affectionately before heading off. Leo leaned back against the bed, closing his eyes for a moment. He could almost feel the bond tugging, like Donnie’s absence wasn’t just emotional but physical.

He checked his phone again. No reply yet. That was fine. Donnie wasn’t a fast texter when he was upset. Leo typed another short message:

I’ll call later, promise. Breathe, Dee. You’ve got this.

He pressed send, forcing himself to stand. Sam was right—keeping busy would help. Still, part of him wondered if Donnie was curled up right now, waiting for a presence that wasn’t there.

.

.

.

Donnie tried everything.

He worked in his lab for a while, hands moving mechanically through a half-finished project. But his focus slipped every few minutes, his mind replaying the moment Leo stepped through the portal.

He tried watching something on his tablet—one of their shared shows—but it only made the absence sharper. Every line that would’ve made Leo laugh fell flat.

Finally, he retreated to his room, clutching Leo’s blanket to his chest. The fabric still smelled faintly of his older twin—soap and city air. Donnie buried his face in it, breathing deep as if he could anchor himself there.

The phone buzzed again.

I’ll call later, promise. Breathe, Dee. You’ve got this.

Donnie’s lips trembled. He wanted to text back No, I don’t but he couldn’t bring himself to make Leo worry. Instead, he typed three words and erased them. Typed them again. Erased them again.

Eventually, he sent nothing at all.

A low, helpless sound left his throat as he curled smaller, clutching the blanket tight. The hours crawled by, the silence pressing in heavy and suffocating. Already, he wasn’t sure if a few days apart was survivable.

For Donnie, it wasn’t just separation. It was like losing oxygen. And he didn’t know how long he could hold his breath.

.

.

.

The night stretched longer than Leo expected. He and Sam settled on the couch, popcorn between them, watching an old superhero flick that had aged… poorly. Sam cracked jokes, Leo laughed in all the right places, and for a little while, it was easy to slip into that old rhythm—just two friends…no, two brothers hanging out.

But every time Sam turned away to grab a drink or refill the bowl, Leo’s smile would falter. His mind drifted, unbidden, back to Donnie. He wondered if his twin had eaten. If he was curled up somewhere, fighting to breathe through the silence.

When the credits finally rolled, Sam stretched with a yawn. “I’m calling it, man. You’ve got the room down the hall—bed’s already made. Tomorrow, we hit the city.”

“Sounds good,” Leo replied, keeping his voice light. He waited until Sam disappeared into his own room before retreating to his, shutting the door with a quiet click.

The moment he sat on the bed, he pulled out his phone. His thumb hovered over Donnie’s contact for a second before he tapped call.

The ring felt endless. Then—

“Hey.” Donnie’s voice, small and hoarse.

Leo smiled softly, though his chest tightened. “Hey yourself. You hanging in there, Dee?”

There was a pause, too long. “I’m… fine,” Donnie said eventually. But his voice wavered, thin and fraying.

“Donnie,” Leo murmured, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “Don’t do that. Don’t hide it from me. I know.”

A sharp inhale crackled through the receiver. For a moment, Leo thought Donnie would hang up. Instead, a broken whisper: “I just… I can’t stop missing you. It’s already too much, Nardo. It feels wrong not having you here.”

Leo shut his eyes, throat burning. “Do you want me to come home early?” he asked quietly. “Say the word, Dee. I’ll pack right now.”

The line went still except for Donnie’s uneven breaths. Then, after a long hesitation, “No. You… you deserve this. Time with Sam. Don’t cut it short because of me.”

“Baby…”

“No,” Donnie insisted, though his voice cracked. “I’ll be fine. Just… stay. Please. For me, too. I don’t want you to regret missing this.”

Leo’s heart ached. He knew the words were brave, but he could hear the trembling underneath. Still, he let out a shaky laugh. “Alright, alright. I’ll stay. But you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“If it gets bad—like really bad—you text me. Call me. Anything. Doesn’t matter if it’s 3 a.m., I’ll pick up. Deal?”

“…Deal.”

“Good,” Leo breathed. “That’s my baby twin.”

They stayed on the line longer than either admitted they should, talking about small things—an idea for a new battle bot, the ridiculous villain in the movie, the way Mikey probably overdid the goodbye breakfast pancakes. It wasn’t much, but it kept the ache at bay for a little while.

Eventually, though, the yawns snuck in.

“Alright,” Leo sighed, stretching. “We should probably crash. I’ll call you in the morning, promise.”

“Ok, Nardo.” Donnie’s voice wavered again. “Good night. Love you.”

Leo smiled, soft and certain. “Love you too, Dee. Have a good night.”

He lingered on the call for just a second longer before hanging up, setting the phone carefully on the nightstand. He lay back in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow would be good—he’d make sure of it. But his mind kept tugging back to Donnie, that hollow ache threading through his chest.

.

.

.

The moment the line went dead, Donnie’s composure shattered. He lowered the phone slowly, staring at the screen until the last glow dimmed, and then let it slip from his fingers onto the sheets.

The tears came hot and fast. He curled onto his side, hugging Leo’s hoodie tight against his chest. The fabric was too big, hanging off him awkwardly, but it smelled like home. Like Leo. Like everything he needed.

Donnie pressed his face into the fabric, muffling the sobs. His breaths hitched, shallow and broken, and he tried to do what Leo had told him—breathe, calm down, hold on. But it was hard without Leo’s steady presence, without the chirps and warmth that usually soothed him.

He tugged the blanket tighter around his shoulders, cocooning himself in every scrap of blue he could find. Still, the emptiness stretched around him, heavier than the dark.

“I miss you,” he whispered into the hoodie, his voice breaking. “I miss you so much.”

Eventually, exhaustion pulled him under. Donnie drifted to sleep with tear-stained cheeks, clinging to the scent of his twin. The warmth wasn’t the same, but it was enough to carry him through the night.

Chapter Text

The sunlight streaming through the blinds was the first thing Leo noticed when he woke up. The second was the comfortable silence of Sam’s apartment, so different from the chaos of the lair. For a moment, he just lay there, letting the warmth sink in.

Then instinct tugged at him—his hand reached automatically for his phone on the nightstand. Sure enough, there was no missed call from Donnie. Relief mingled with worry as he tapped the contact.

The line rang only once before Donnie picked up.

“Nardo.” His twin’s voice was thin, trembling—like he’d been holding his breath all night.

Leo sat up straight, heart clenching. “Morning, Dee. You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m—” Donnie paused, clearing his throat. “I’m fine. Really.”

“Baby.” Leo’s voice softened, insistent. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

There was a beat of silence, then Donnie sighed, sounding defeated. “…I just didn’t sleep well.”

“Bad dreams?”

“…Maybe.”

“Oh Dee.”

Another pause. Finally, in the smallest whisper: “Yeah. I kept dreaming you left me. That you weren’t coming back.”

Leo shut his eyes, guilt slamming into him. “Oh, Donnie baby…”

But before he could say more, Donnie rushed on. “Don’t feel bad! It’s fine. Just a dream. I’ll be fine, I promise.” His tone was sharp, almost desperate—like he needed Leo not to carry the weight of his suffering.

Leo swallowed hard. He wanted to push, to insist, but he could hear how fragile Donnie already was. So instead, he asked softly, “Okay… so what’s the plan for today?”

Donnie hesitated, then let the subject shift. “What are your plans?”

Leo smiled faintly, leaning back against the headboard. “Sam wants to do breakfast, then maybe hit the arcade or check out that new rooftop view he’s been hyping up. Just… regular brother stuff.”

“That sounds… good,” Donnie murmured, his voice steadier now.

“Yeah,” Leo agreed. Then, softer: “Hang in there, Dee. It’s only a couple more days. And I’ll call again tonight. Okay?”

“…Okay.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Nardo. Be safe.”

They lingered for a second before ending the call. Leo stared at his phone afterward, thumb brushing over Donnie’s contact picture. His chest felt heavy.

A vibration snapped him out of it—Sam was calling from the kitchen. “Breakfast, Leo!”

“Coming!” Leo pocketed his phone, but before leaving the room, he fired off a quick group text to Raph and Mikey:

Keep an eye on Donnie today. He’s not coping well.

Raph’s reply came fast: We got him.
Mikey added: Don’t worry, Big Blue. We’ll keep him busy. Promise.

Leo exhaled slowly, some of the tension easing. He smiled as he walked into the kitchen where Sam was already plating breakfast, eyes bright with excitement.

“Got the whole day lined up,” Sam said with a grin. “You ready?”

Leo smiled back, letting himself match Sam’s energy. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

But even as he sat down to eat, laughing at Sam’s enthusiasm, his thoughts wandered. He just hoped his little twin could get through the day without breaking. And if he couldn’t… Leo might not be able to stay away much longer.

.

.

.

Sleep had been nothing but torment. Every time Donnie closed his eyes, he was back in that same dream—Leo walking away, the portal closing, the silence afterward. Each time, Donnie woke up gasping, reaching for a presence that wasn’t there. By morning, his body ached with exhaustion, his head pounding from lack of rest.

The call from Leo was both salvation and torture. The second he heard his older twin’s voice, relief flooded him, but it was tangled with the raw ache of how badly he missed him. He tried to mask it, but his words kept catching, his tone unsteady.

When Leo pressed him, the truth slipped out. The nightmares. The fear. And the guilt that came with making Leo feel bad for leaving. Donnie shut it down as quickly as he could, forcing the conversation elsewhere.

It helped—hearing Leo’s voice steady and warm, talking about silly plans with Sam. It grounded him, even if the hollow ache never left. By the end of the call, Donnie could almost breathe again. Almost.

But when the line went dead, the silence of his room pressed in on him once more. He curled into his chair, pulling Leo’s hoodie tighter around him. His heart still hurt, heavy and raw, and he wondered how long he could keep this up. Two days? Three? Each hour already felt unbearable.

He whispered into the empty room, voice trembling, “Please hurry back, Leo…”

And then he buried himself in his work, desperate for distraction, even as the loneliness gnawed at him from within.

.

.

.

The Hidden City was alive with color, sounds, and energy. Leo couldn’t help but grin as he followed Sam through the crowded streets, weaving between yokai vendors and mystic performers. For the first time in a long while, he felt… normal. Just a brother spending the day with his long-lost brother.

Sam was in his element—pointing out the best food stalls, cracking jokes, and dragging Leo into one experience after another. They tried skewers sizzling over mystic flames, competed in rigged carnival games (which Sam somehow still managed to win), and even haggled over trinkets at a marketplace.

Leo found himself laughing. Really laughing. It was good—better than he thought it would be. Sam had a way of making the world feel lighter.

Still, every so often, Leo’s gaze would wander. A purple scarf on display reminded him of Donnie’s favorite hoodie. The smell of ginger tea brought back the mornings they shared together. Even in the middle of excitement, his heart tugged in another direction. Toward home. Toward Donnie.

“Hey,” Sam nudged him as they left a crowded stall. “You good?”

Leo blinked, then smiled quickly. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”

“About Donnie?” Sam asked knowingly.

Leo hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Always.”

Sam clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Leo. He’ll be fine. You both needed this.”

Leo smiled again, but the knot in his chest didn’t quite ease.

By the time they got back to Sam’s apartment, arms full of snacks and souvenirs, Leo’s phone buzzed.

It was Raph and Mikey.

Donnie tried hanging with us. We thought doing one of your favs would cheer him up. Backfired. He’s in his room now. Really upset.

Leo closed his eyes, guilt hitting him hard. He typed back quickly: Thanks for trying. Please keep an eye on him. I’ll call him soon.

Sam noticed his shift but didn’t press. Instead, he queued up another movie and tossed Leo some popcorn. Leo smiled, grateful, and let himself sink into the couch. But half his mind was already elsewhere—on the call he knew he needed to make.

When the movie ended and Sam headed for his room with a yawn, Leo retreated to his own, heart pounding as he dialed.

The sniffle and soft crying that he heard on the other line broke Leo’s heart into a million pieces

“Nardo?” Donnie’s voice was thick, cracked from crying.

“Hey, baby. I’m here.” Leo kept his voice soft, pouring every ounce of comfort he could into the words. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

“I’m sorry,” Donnie whispered.

“No, no, don’t apologize. Just talk to me. What happened?”

There was silence, then a shaky inhale. “Raph and Mikey tried to do something… one of your favorite things. And it just—it just wasn’t the same without you. It made everything worse.”

Leo’s chest tightened. “Oh, Donnie baby…”

“I didn’t want to ruin it. I tried, I really did. But—” his voice broke, and Leo could practically see him curling into himself—“I just want you back.”

Leo closed his eyes, his throat burning. “Do you want me to come home early? I’ll do it, Dee. Just say the word.”

There was a pause. A long, heavy pause. Donnie’s breathing was uneven. “…How many more days?”

“Tomorrow’s my last full day with Sam. I’d come home after that. Unless you tell me otherwise. Just say the word and I will come straight home”

Another pause. Then, in a tiny voice: “I can wait one more day. I’ll be fine.”

Leo bit his lip. He didn’t believe that for a second. But Donnie was stubborn—once he decided something, he wouldn’t budge. “Alright,” Leo said softly. “But promise me this, Dee—you’ll call or text me if you need me. Anytime. No matter what.”

“…Okay.”

They talked for a while longer, Leo filling the silence with stories of his day with Sam. He exaggerated his victories at the carnival, described the wild food they tried, even joked about Sam nearly falling into a fountain. Donnie chuckled faintly here and there, which was enough to make Leo’s chest ease.

When he felt his own eyelids growing heavy, Leo sighed. “I should let you sleep. I’ll call you in the morning, alright?”

“Wait.” Donnie’s voice was soft, vulnerable. “Can you… sing? You know…the song that you used to sing to me when we were younger?”

Leo felt a tear slip free as he smiled. “Of course, baby”

He sang a lullaby they both knew well, his voice low and gentle. On the other end of the line, he heard Donnie’s soft chirp—fragile, but there.

“Sweet dreams, Dee,” Leo whispered. “I love you… my precious baby twin.”

“Goodnight, Nardo,” came the sniffled reply. “Love you too.”

Leo lingered after the call ended, phone still in hand. The apartment was quiet, Sam asleep down the hall. Leo lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, torn between excitement for tomorrow and the ache of knowing Donnie was unraveling without him.

Just one more day, Leo told himself. One more day. And then he’d go home. Back to Donnie. Back to where he belonged.

.

.

.

The day was a blur of misery.

Raph and Mikey tried—Donnie knew they did. They dragged him into the living room, insisted on hanging out, even set up one of Leo’s favorite activities.

That was the mistake.

The moment Donnie saw the game laid out, the space meant for his twin glaringly empty, something inside him cracked. It wasn’t the same. It would never be the same without Leo’s laughter filling the air, his snarky comments, his bright energy pulling them all together.

Donnie froze. Then quietly excused himself.

By the time he reached his room, the tears were already falling. He collapsed onto his bed, curling into himself, suffocating under the emptiness that filled the lair. Raph and Mikey’s muffled voices reached him from the hall, but he couldn’t bear to answer.

It wasn’t their fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. But it hurt. It hurt so much.

Hours later, his phone rang.

Leo.

Donnie answered instantly, even though his voice was raw, his throat aching.

“Nardo?”

“Hey, baby. I’m here.” The sound of his twin’s voice was a balm, and yet it broke him all over again.

Leo’s sweet reassurances, his soft chirps—it soothed something deep in Donnie’s chest. He admitted why he’d been upset, expecting frustration or disappointment. But Leo only responded with heartbreak, with love, with the willingness to give up his time with Sam just to come home.

That offer nearly undid him.

But Donnie forced himself to be strong. Just one more day. He could survive one more day. For Leo.

And when Leo sang to him, the tears finally slowed. Donnie clung to the sound of his twin’s voice, the lullaby wrapping around him like a blanket.

When the call ended, Donnie held the phone to his chest for a long time, listening to the silence.

He curled tighter into Leo’s hoodie and blanket, burying his face into the familiar scent. “One more day,” he whispered to the empty room, his voice trembling. “I can do one more day.”

Sleep came slowly, tears still streaking his cheeks, but eventually exhaustion dragged him under. His last thought was of Leo’s arms around him, holding him safe and whole.

Chapter Text

Donnie woke with his throat raw, his pillow damp, and his chest hollow. The emptiness beside him screamed louder than any alarm could, and he dragged himself upright, eyes sore from another night of tears. His body felt sluggish, uncooperative, but then his phone buzzed across the nightstand. His heart jolted.

Leo.

Donnie scrambled for it, pressing “accept” with trembling hands. “Nardo?” he whispered, relief flooding his chest. But instead of Leo’s warm voice greeting him, there was muffled shuffling. Then a laugh. Leo’s laugh.

Only—it wasn’t meant for him.

Donnie froze, confusion weighing him down as Leo’s voice drifted faintly through the speaker, directed at someone else. Sam. The two were mid-conversation, and Donnie’s stomach twisted when Sam asked—clear as day—

“So… what do you think about maybe staying another week?”

Donnie’s blood ran cold.

No.

No, Leo promised.

It was just a few days.

His mind screamed that Leo would shut it down, laugh it off, tell Sam he had to get home to Donnie.

But then—silence. A pause. Hesitation.

Tears welled hot in Donnie’s eyes. That hesitation was enough to shatter him.

“LEONARDO HAMATO!” he screamed, his voice cracking through the phone.

On the other end came a startled yelp, the clatter of fumbling. “Dee? Oh my gosh—I must’ve—Donnie!” Leo’s voice was suddenly sharp, desperate, but Donnie’s heart had already tipped over the edge.

“You—” Donnie’s voice shook with fury and grief. “You butt-dialed me. I heard you! You and Sam—you were actually thinking about staying another week!”

“Wait, Dee, listen—” Leo scrambled to explain, panic clear. “I wasn’t going to say yes! I swear, I—”

“Don’t!” Donnie’s shout cut him off. His breaths came jagged, tears rolling unchecked as his chest heaved. “Maybe you should just stay there! Maybe you should never come back! You—you love Sam more than me!”

The words tore out of him, vicious and broken, and the moment they left his lips, regret followed—but it was too late to stop them.

On the other end, Leo went silent, his mind flashing back to that awful fight weeks ago. He could hear the same fracture in Donnie’s voice, the same hopelessness, and it cut him open.

“No, Dee, please. That’s not true—I love you. You’re my baby twin. You’ll always—”

But Donnie’s sobs drowned him out. His voice came again, quiet, shredded.

“Maybe we aren’t twins anymore… if you’d rather stay there than come back.”

Leo’s world stopped.

And then came the knife: “Goodbye, Leo.”

The line clicked dead.

“DONNIE! WAIT!” Leo shouted into the silence, immediately calling back. Once. Twice. Both rejected. He stared at the screen, his reflection blurred with tears, as despair swallowed him whole.

Back in his room, Donnie hurled the phone, watching it disappear behind the bed. His whole body shook as he screamed into his pillow, rage dissolving into heartbreak until nothing but raw sorrow remained. He wished he could take it back—every word. But now he was certain: Leo would never come home. And it was all his fault.

Leo sat hunched over Sam’s kitchen table, the phone heavy in his hand. Two missed calls. No answer. His heart ached like it was physically tearing in half. He’d broken Donnie. Again.

“Leo?” Sam’s voice was soft, careful. He’d been there the whole time, wide-eyed at the outburst pouring through the phone. Now, compassion replaced shock. “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean to come between you two…again”

Leo shook his head as he wiped away his tears “No Sam. It’s not your fault. My fault for butt-dialing Donnie. My fault for even making Donnie think that I would stay. My…my fault for leaving him in the first place” Leo whispered the last part

Sam sighed sadly, seeing just how upset his brother was “Maybe you should… go home. Patch things up with him before it gets worse.”

Leo wanted nothing more than that. To run. To portal. To hold his baby twin tight and close and fix this mess. But he also knew Donnie—knew how fiery his hurt could be, how long it took him to cool down. If he showed up too soon, it might only explode further.

He exhaled a shaky breath. “We’ll still spend the morning and afternoon together, Sam. But I’ll head home tonight.”

Sam hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Leo tapped out a quick text to Raph and Mikey, thumbs trembling:

Big fight w/ Dee. Coming home tonight. Don’t tell him. Keep an eye on him.

Both brothers replied instantly with worried promises.

Before following Sam out for the day, Leo pulled up Donnie’s contact again. His chest tightened, but he typed anyway:

I’m sorry, Donnie baby. For everything. I wasn’t going to stay longer, I promise. I love you, my baby twin.

The message sent. A glowing thread cast across the chasm between them. Leo tucked the phone into his belt and forced himself to step outside with Sam, his heart heavy, his mind tangled in the mess he’d left behind.

He just prayed Donnie would forgive him.

Chapter Text

Leo tried to keep his smile steady as he and Sam wandered the Hidden City streets, weaving through stalls, colors, and sounds that should have thrilled him. Sam kept up the chatter, pointing out this shop and that food stand, recounting memories of when he was younger. Leo laughed when he was supposed to, nodded when the story called for it, but the heaviness never left his chest.

Donnie’s voice still echoed in his ears. “Maybe we aren’t twins anymore if you’d rather stay there than come back.”

The words cut deeper than any blade.

Sam noticed the way Leo’s gaze lingered on nothing, how his steps slowed when the crowd grew too loud. The guilt pressed down on his brother’s shoulders, and Sam couldn’t stand watching it eat away at him.

“Leo,” Sam finally said, tone gentler than usual. “You’re not here, not really. You’re somewhere else—and I think I know where. You should go home.”

Leo blinked, startled. “Sam, I don’t want to cut this short. You’ve been looking forward to this—”

“I was looking forward to spending time with you,” Sam interrupted, steady and kind. “But right now, you’re breaking apart. You don’t have to hide it. Go home. Donnie needs you—and you need him.”

For a long moment, Leo said nothing. Then, slowly, he exhaled, the corners of his mouth turning up into the smallest, most grateful smile. “…Thanks, Sam. You’re right.”

They turned back toward Sam’s place, the air quieter between them but easier somehow. But as fate would have it, peace never lasted long.

A shadow fell across the alley. Someone stepped out—broad, scarred, with eyes narrowing the second they spotted Sam.

“Well, well. Look who crawled back.”

Sam stiffened, every muscle tense. Leo’s hand instinctively went to his swords. “Friend of yours?”

“Not even close,” Sam muttered, but the other mutant was already charging.

Leo didn’t hesitate. He shoved Sam back and blocked the attack, katanas clashing against claws. The fight was rough and dirty, with Leo’s body still sore from the strain of the last few days. He fought well, every strike meant to protect Sam, but the opponent was relentless. A well-placed blow slammed into his side, another across his shoulder. His knees buckled.

“Leo!” Sam shouted, lunging forward, but Leo gritted his teeth and pushed back, finishing the fight with one last desperate swing. The attacker retreated, but victory came at a price.

Leo staggered, blood dripping from more than one wound. His vision blurred at the edges, and the alley tilted dangerously.

“Sam…” His voice was faint. “Think I…overdid it.”

Sam caught him just as his legs gave out. “Hang on! Don’t you dare pass out on me!” He fumbled for his phone, fingers shaking as he dialed Raph.

“RAPH!” Sam’s voice was panicked the second the line connected. “It’s Leo—he’s hurt bad. I’m bringing him back to the lair! Prepare you guys med bay. I'll be there as quickly as I can”

.

.

.

By the time Sam emerged from the sewer entrance, Leo’s body was slumped against him, unconscious. Raph was already there, eyes wide with fear as he rushed forward.

“Give him here—”

Sam passed Leo into his arms, heart racing. “He fought for me—he wouldn’t stop—”

But Raph wasn’t listening anymore. He was sprinting through the tunnels, voice booming, “SPLINTER! MED BAY! NOW!”

The lair erupted into chaos. Splinter was already on his feet, rushing behind Raph, while Sam stumbled after them, breathless and pale. Mikey skidded in from the kitchen, taking one look at Leo’s limp body and snapping into action.

“I’ll call Draxum. And CJ. We’ll need extra hands.”

They reached the med bay, Raph laying Leo down on the cot with shaking hands. Blood stained his plastron, an oxygen mask was fitted over his face, and monitors beeped as Splinter worked with frightening precision.

And then—

“Leo?”

A voice broke, small and trembling. Donnie.

He stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes locking on the cot. The world tilted beneath him. Oxygen mask. Heart monitors. Blood.

Donnie was then brought back to the day of the invasion. Leo, his twin, barely breathing. Donnie clutching his hand, praying he’d hold on.

“No—no, no, no—”

Donnie’s legs carried him forward before he could think. “NARDO!” His cry cracked as he lunged toward the cot, desperate to reach his twin. He needed to touch him, hold him, prove he was still there.

But strong arms caught him mid-stride.

“Don, wait—!” Raph’s voice shook as he restrained him.

“LET ME GO!” Donnie clawed at his big brother’s arms, thrashing with every ounce of strength he had. “I NEED TO BE WITH HIM! HE NEEDS ME—RAPH, PLEASE!” His sobs were raw, animalistic, tearing through the room.

“Dee—!” Raph’s voice broke, helpless, his own tears burning as he held him tighter.

Donnie’s cries grew wilder, calling Leo’s name, each word splintering with grief. “NARDO! PLEASE—DON’T LEAVE ME AGAIN!”

Mikey’s hands glowed faintly as he exchanged a pained look with Raph. There was no other way. With a whisper of apology, he pressed his palm against Donnie’s shell.

The calming magic washed over him. Donnie’s fight drained, his body slumping against Raph’s hold. His breathing hitched once, twice—and then a small, broken chirp escaped his throat, soft as glass shattering.

And then he was asleep.

Raph cradled him for a moment longer, his own chest aching as the sound of that last chirp lingered in the air.

Leo lay still on the cot. Donnie lay limp in his arms. And the whole family stood caught in the storm, hearts breaking all over again.

Chapter Text

The med bay was tense and buzzing with quiet urgency. Splinter, Draxum, and CJ all moved in careful synchronization, their hands steady as they worked on Leo. Splinter’s years of experience showed in his methodical stitches, while Draxum applied salves and bound wounds with practiced efficiency. CJ hovered close, passing tools and supplies the moment they were needed, his face pale with worry but his movements precise.

Sam lingered off to the side, Mikey at his shoulder. Neither of them spoke, both too afraid of breaking the fragile rhythm in the room. Sam’s arms stayed folded tightly across his chest, fingers digging into his arms as he watched Leo’s still body on the table. Every shallow breath the blue-loving turtle took was a small mercy.

Meanwhile, Raph moved quietly down the hall, his massive arms carrying Donnie’s limp form. His little brother had finally fallen into a mystic-induced sleep, Mikey’s powers soothing him after his panic had spiraled out of control. Raph set Donnie gently on his bed, brushing a hand over the back of his head before whispering, “Rest up, genius. Leo’s safe now.”

Back in the med bay, the last bandages were secured. Splinter let out a low sigh of relief, his paw briefly lingering on Leo’s plastron. Draxum stepped back, muttering something about “stubborn sons,” while CJ finally allowed himself to sit down, exhausted from the intensity of it all.

Then, slowly, Leo stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, and his gaze darted around the med bay until it landed on Sam.

“...Sam?” his voice cracked, rough with exhaustion.

Sam leaned closer, his lips curving into a small smile as he gently held Leo’s hand. “Yeah, it’s me. You’re home now.”

Relief softened Leo’s expression. He let out a shaky breath. “Thank you… for bringing me back.”

“Anytime, bro,” he said warmly.

Sam and Leo quickly fell into explaining—haltingly at first—what had happened on their way back. The story came out in fragments: the close calls, the fights, the moments where it felt like they wouldn’t make it. The others listened intently, but Leo’s words faltered when he realized who he didn’t see in the room.

“Where’s… Donnie?” His voice dropped, heavy with sadness.

Raph, who had just returned, stepped in immediately. “He’s okay, Leo. He’s in his room. I just lay him down on his bed as he needs to rest”

Leo frowned, guilt flashing across his tired features. “Why… why isn’t he here?”

Mikey’s voice was soft but honest. “Because I had to put him to sleep. He freaked out when he saw you unconscious, Leo. It—it broke him.”

Leo’s heart clenched. He gripped the sheets beneath him. “I want to see him. Please, Raph—bring him here.”

But the medicine coursing through his body tugged him back under before Raph could answer. Leo’s eyes slipped closed, his last thought bitter in his chest: This isn’t how I wanted our reunion to go.

Raph quietly slipped away again, padding back toward Donnie’s room. When he opened the door, he found his little brother stirring, mismatched eyes darting around in faint panic.

“Easy, Dee,” Raph rumbled gently, crouching beside the bed. “Leo’s fine. He’s in the med bay now and he is resting. Actually… he asked to see you.”

Donnie froze. His breath caught before he scrambled upright, legs shaky beneath him. Raph steadied him with one massive hand and, despite Donnie’s obvious impatience, guided him carefully down the hall.

When they entered the med bay, Donnie’s gaze immediately locked on the cot. Leo lay there, peaceful in sleep, chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. The sight unraveled something inside Donnie.

He surged forward, but Raph’s hand caught his shoulder. “Careful, bud. He’s all stitched up—don’t hurt him.”

Donnie’s pace slowed, but his trembling legs carried him to Leo’s side. His hand reached out, clutching Leo’s with desperate strength as his tears fell freely. His chest shook as sobs escaped, his voice breaking on a small, involuntary chirp that nearly shattered Raph’s heart.

The big brother in Raph couldn’t stand to watch his little brother collapse alone. He stepped forward, scooping Donnie up with practiced care and laying him down gently beside Leo.

Donnie wasted no time. He buried himself against Leo’s side, arms curling tight as though afraid his twin would vanish if he let go. His cries grew louder, ragged and aching as he pressed his forehead to Leo’s shoulder.

“This is not how I wanted us to be reunited,” he whimpered, voice breaking. “I’m sorry, Nardo.”

He leaned up just enough to press a trembling kiss to Leo’s cheek, his breath hitching against the sob that tore through him. “I love you. Please don’t leave me again.”

Exhaustion finally claimed him. His cries softened into hiccupping breaths, then into silence as his body relaxed against Leo’s. With one last shaky nuzzle, Donnie let his eyes fall shut. For the first time in days, he allowed himself to rest—safe, curled beside his twin once more.

Chapter Text

When Leo’s eyes fluttered open again, the first thing he felt was warmth. His chest rose and fell beneath a smaller weight pressed firmly against him, arms tucked tight, head nuzzled against his plastron.

Donnie.

For a long moment, Leo just stared down at his baby twin. Donnie’s face was relaxed in sleep, tear tracks faintly visible against his cheeks. His breathing was slow, steady, and the tiny noises he made in his sleep made Leo’s heart ache with something fierce and tender all at once.

Relief swelled in Leo’s chest, almost overwhelming in its force. Donnie hadn’t pushed him away. He hadn’t turned his back on him. Even after everything Leo had done—even after the pain he’d caused—Donnie was still here, curled against him like he belonged there.

But that relief didn’t last. Guilt came crashing in next, sharp and unrelenting.

He remembered Donnie’s panicked eyes, his broken cries, the way Mikey had said he’d collapsed when he thought Leo was gone. And it hit Leo all over again: I did this. I made him think I’d abandoned him. I made him suffer like this.

Leo’s throat tightened. The thought of staying away at Sam’s for longer—of making Donnie believe, even for a second, that he’d chosen someone else over him—burned like acid in his chest. The truth was, Leo hadn’t meant to stay away. He hadn’t meant to hurt Donnie. But intentions didn’t erase the fact that he had.

And worse than that… he had left him in the first place.

Tears pricked his eyes. Leo pulled Donnie just a little closer, careful of both their injuries, and pressed his lips near his brother’s ear.

“I’m so sorry, Dee,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I never meant to hurt you. I’ll never leave you ever again.”

He tilted his head down and kissed Donnie’s forehead, lingering there for a beat before pulling back just enough to look at him. “I love you, Don.”

Leo settled in then, one arm wrapped around his baby twin, the other hand gently stroking the curve of Donnie’s shell in slow, soothing motions. He kept his gaze fixed on his little brother’s sleeping face, his heart aching with everything left unsaid.

So he waited patiently.

For the moment Donnie’s eyes would open—so that this time, he could say it all properly.

.

.

.

Leo stirred awake to a sound that pierced him deeper than any blade could—soft, broken whimpers.

His gaze snapped downward, finding Donnie shifting restlessly in his arms, face twisted in distress.

“Please… no…” Donnie whimpered, his voice trembling even in sleep. His fingers twitched against Leo’s plastron as if grasping for something that wasn’t there. “Come back, Nardo… Don’t leave me…”

Leo’s chest tightened, the breath catching painfully in his throat. He could handle his own wounds. He could handle a hundred more fights like the one that landed him in the med bay. But this—hearing his baby twin beg for him in nightmares—this was unbearable.

“Donnie… Dee, wake up,” Leo whispered urgently, shaking him gently, careful not to startle. “I’m here, baby bro. I’m right here.”

Donnie gasped awake with a choked cry, eyes wide and wet with panic. His breathing was ragged as he looked around wildly until his gaze landed on Leo—on his older twin, alive and holding him.

“Hey, hey,” Leo soothed, brushing a shaky hand along Donnie’s shell. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe. I’m safe. I’m right here.”

For a long moment, Donnie just stared at him, trembling. Then his gaze dipped, lingering on the bandages peeking through Leo’s plastron, the bruises, the stitched-up cuts. His hand twitched as if to reach out, but it froze halfway, curling in on itself.

“You’re… hurt,” Donnie whispered, the words breaking apart in his throat.

Leo gave him the gentlest smile he could muster. “It looks worse than it is. Minor stuff, really. Couple days and I’ll be back on my feet.”

Donnie sniffled, pressing his lips together until they trembled. “That’s… good.”

Silence settled thick and heavy between them, the kind that felt full of everything they hadn’t said in days. Both twins opened their mouths at once—

“I’m sorry—”
“I need to—”

They stopped, startled, then looked at each other.

Leo’s lips tugged into the faintest smile. “You first, Dee.”

Donnie hesitated, his chin wobbling. Then the words tumbled out, raw and desperate. “I… I’m sorry, Nardo. For what I said. None of it was true, not even a little. I just—” His voice cracked. “I was scared. Scared you were gonna leave me, and that’s my worst nightmare. I lashed out, and it was stupid, and I thought… I thought I drove you away for good.”

Tears spilled down his cheeks as he shook his head. “I wish I could take it back. I wish I hadn’t said it. Just… please, please forgive me, Leo. Don’t hate me. Maybe… maybe you’ll still take me back as your twin.”

The dam in Leo broke. His eyes blurred as he cupped Donnie’s face in his hands, thumbs brushing the wetness from his cheeks.

“Dee… oh, baby bro,” Leo whispered, voice thick with tears. “You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing. And I could never, ever hate you. Not in a million years.” His own tears slipped free, dripping onto Donnie’s skin. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry for making you think I’d stay longer with Sam. I’m sorry for leaving at all. And I’m so sorry for being a bad twin—for not being here when you needed me most.”

Donnie shook his head fiercely, even as tears kept coming. “You’re not a bad twin. You came back home to me. That’s all that matters.”

A sob escaped Leo as he pulled Donnie tight against him, holding him as if he could fuse their shells together. “I’m staying, Dee. I swear it. Forever. I’ll never leave you again.”

Donnie clung just as tightly, his fingers curling into Leo’s bandages, not caring if it hurt. He buried his face against his older brother’s chest, letting the warmth and love sink deep into the cracks of his heart.

“Good,” he whispered between hiccups. “Don’t let go. Please, just… don’t let go.”

“I won’t,” Leo promised, pressing his cheek to Donnie’s head as they both cried. “Not ever.”

For the first time in days, Donnie let himself believe it—let himself feel it—safe and wrapped in the arms of his other half again.

The storm of tears had finally ebbed, leaving only the sound of steady breaths and the gentle thrum of a heartbeat. Donnie lay curled against Leo’s chest, cheek pressed close as if he could will his ear into the warmth of his brother’s plastron. Each beat beneath his skin soothed him, the familiar rhythm he had feared he might never hear again.

Leo’s arms remained steady around him, one hand idly rubbing along Donnie’s shell in slow, grounding circles. His own eyes were heavy, not from exhaustion but from relief—relief that Donnie was here, safe in his arms, clinging to him like the anchor he had always been.

The silence between them wasn’t empty. It was full of presence, of comfort, of all the words they didn’t need to say.

But eventually, Donnie’s voice cracked the stillness. Small. Fragile. Afraid.

“…Nardo?”

“Yeah, Dee?” Leo tilted his head down, brushing his lips against the top of Donnie’s head.

Donnie hesitated, his grip tightening almost imperceptibly around Leo’s side. “…are you… are you planning on going back? With Sam?”

The question lodged itself in Leo’s chest. He could feel the tremor in Donnie’s body, could hear the sharp edge of fear hiding under the whisper. His little twin was bracing for the worst.

Leo’s answer came soft but sure, the weight of his truth tucked in every syllable. “No, Dee. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here—at home, with our family.” He pulled Donnie a little closer, whispering the words into his brother’s bandana. “Right here, beside you. Where I belong.”

Donnie froze, and then the tension shattered like glass. A sob escaped him, but this time it was light—happy, relieved. He hugged Leo so tightly that Leo had to bite back a laugh at the pressure against his bruised ribs.

“Thank you, Nardo,” Donnie whispered fiercely, over and over, as if saying it enough times might make it permanent. “Thank you… I love you so much.”

Leo’s heart swelled, laughter bubbling warmly through his chest. He kissed Donnie’s head and tucked him closer still. “I love you so much too, Don. More than anything. And I promise—” his voice grew thick, steady with vow, “—I will never leave you again.”

A joyful chirp slipped free from Donnie as his tail wagged against the cot, unguarded and pure. He nuzzled into Leo’s plastron, his tears dampening the bandages but neither of them cared. Leo dipped his head down to nuzzle back, the contact so instinctive, so natural, it felt like breathing.

The twins melted into each other, the special bond that tied them humming bright and alive between their hearts. For this moment, the lair beyond the med bay didn’t exist. The family would come soon—Leo knew that. Soon he’d have to share his space, share his twin.

But right now? Right now, all that mattered was Donnie. His precious baby twin, safe in his arms, burying himself deeper into Leo’s side like he never intended to let go.

And Leo, holding him close, silently promised he never would.

Chapter Text

The soft cocoon of quiet around the twins didn’t last much longer. The med bay door creaked open, and Leo glanced up to see Splinter, Raph, Mikey, and Sam slipping in.

“Leonardo, Donatello…” Splinter’s voice was gentle, full of cautious warmth. “How are you both feeling?”

Donnie shifted immediately, pressing himself tighter against Leo’s side. A low hiss and a small whimper escaped him before he could stop it, his eyes flicking toward the others.

Leo stroked his younger twin’s shell, grounding him with touch. “Hey, hey—it’s okay, Dee,” he murmured softly, leaning close. “I’m not going anywhere. No one’s taking me away from you. I promise.”

Donnie’s breathing steadied, though his hold on Leo didn’t lessen. Leo just kept rubbing small circles, giving his little twin the reassurance he needed.

Sam stepped forward, his expression heavy with guilt. “Leo… I’m sorry. For everything that happened.”

Leo smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Sam, don’t. You saved me. You brought me home. That’s family.”

“Yeah,” Raph rumbled in agreement, arms crossing firmly. “Family looks out for each other. Always.”

Mikey nodded, his smile warm and sincere. “What he said. You’re one of us now, Sam.”

Even Donnie, still tucked against Leo’s plastron, gave a small, tired nod. “Family,” he whispered.

Sam’s eyes softened, his shoulders easing. “Thank you. Really. For letting me be part of this family, even if it was… rough at first.”

Leo squeezed his arm, grinning. “You’ve more than earned your spot.”

Sam chuckled, but his gaze turned apologetic. “I can’t stay much longer. I’ve got work to get back to.” He glanced at Leo, hesitant. “Are you… coming back with me?”

The question hung heavy. Leo looked down at Donnie, who was curled so protectively against his side, his face still damp with earlier tears. One look was all it took.

Leo wrapped his arms tighter around his baby twin. “No. I belong here. Right here.” He kissed Donnie’s temple, his voice steady. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Sam exhaled, a smile tugging at his lips. He wasn’t upset—he understood. “I figured as much.” He looked around at the family. “You’re all welcome at my place anytime.”

Splinter stepped forward, his expression filled with pride. “You are family, Sam. This lair is your second home, should you ever wish to visit.”

Sam nodded gratefully, his chest full as he bid his goodbyes, giving a special goodbye to Leo as he hugged him tightly.

That night, no one strayed far. The family set up in the med bay, pulling in spare blankets and pillows until the room became a soft sea of comfort. Splinter sat near the doorway, Raph stretched out against the wall, and Mikey cocooned himself in a nest of sheets. Within minutes, they all slipped into sleep, their breathing steady and even.

Only the twins stayed awake. Donnie was firmly anchored against Leo’s side, refusing to move an inch. Leo had no problem with it. In fact, he held his younger twin closer, his own eyes soft with affection.

There was nowhere else he’d rather be.

Donnie let out a sleepy hum, nuzzling closer. His words were slurred but heartfelt. “I love you, Nardo…”

Leo felt a swell of warmth so strong it nearly hurt. He kissed the top of Donnie’s head, holding him tight. “Sweet dreams, Donnie baby,” he whispered, his voice thick with love. “I love you more than anything.”

And with his twin’s steady breaths lulling him, Leo finally let himself drift to sleep.

Chapter Text

The lair was quiet the next morning. The hum of the med bay machines provided a steady background, but everyone else was still asleep on the floor, piled in blankets and makeshift beds. Raph’s soft snores rumbled from one side of the room. Mikey was curled up in a cocoon of blankets, only the tip of his tail sticking out. Even Splinter was resting in a chair, head tilted to the side, his cane resting against his knee.

Leo stirred first. He blinked sleep from his eyes and instantly felt the weight pressed against him.

Donnie.

His younger twin was still clinging tightly, cheek squished against his plastron, fingers curled into Leo’s bandages as if afraid he would disappear.

Leo smiled faintly and let his hand rest on Donnie’s shell. He didn’t want to move, didn’t want to disturb him—but Donnie stirred anyway, making a small noise as his eyes opened.

“Hey baby,” Leo whispered softly.

Donnie blinked at him, disoriented for a second before tightening his grip. His throat bobbed as though he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

“You don’t have to worry,” Leo said gently, brushing the edge of Donnie’s bandana tails back. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Donnie’s lip trembled, and suddenly the dam cracked. “You almost did.” His voice was hoarse, strained, heavy with all the nights of terror and all the days of fear. “You almost left me. Again.”

Leo froze. His chest tightened, guilt hitting hard. He swallowed, choosing his words carefully. “I know. And I hate that I put you through that.”

Donnie’s eyes watered, and he buried his face into Leo’s plastron to muffle a sob. “Do you have any idea what it felt like? Watching you slip away? I couldn’t—I couldn’t fix it, Leo. I couldn’t stop it. I thought I was going to lose you forever.”

Leo’s arms wrapped around him tight. “Donnie baby… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to ever feel like that again.” He pressed his cheek against Donnie’s head. “You’re my other half. My anchor. You’ve always been. I swear, I’ll fight with everything I have to stay by your side.”

Donnie pulled back enough to look at him, tears streaking his face. “But you can’t promise that. You can’t control everything. You—” His voice cracked. “You can’t leave me.”

Leo cupped his baby twin’s face, thumbs gently wiping the tears. “I can’t promise forever, Dee. None of us can. But I can promise this—I’m not giving up. I’m not walking away. I’m not letting go of us.” His voice thickened with emotion. “If I have to crawl, fight, or claw my way back to you, I will. Always.”

Donnie’s eyes squeezed shut as a sob tore out of him, and he lunged forward, clutching Leo tightly. “Don’t you dare break that promise,” he whispered against his plastron. “Don’t you dare.”

Leo held him close, rocking him slightly. “Never,” he whispered. “I swear it on every part of me. I’ll never leave you.”

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other, the heaviness of everything spilling out into the quiet. And when Donnie’s sobs finally softened into hiccups, Leo kissed the top of his head again.

“You’re safe baby,” Leo murmured, voice steady, sure. “We’re safe. Together. That’s all that matters.”

Donnie nodded, eyes closing as he nestled closer, exhaustion pulling at him. Leo leaned back against the pillows, his twin curled against his chest, and for the first time in a long time, the weight in his heart lifted.

Because no matter what had happened, no matter what was still to come, they had each other. And that was enough.

.

.

.

The med bay was still quiet, the world reduced to the soft hum of machinery and the gentle breathing of their family sleeping nearby. Leo thought for a moment that Donnie had drifted off again, but then he felt the subtle tension in his twin’s body. Donnie wasn’t relaxed—he was holding back.

Leo rubbed slow circles on Donnie’s shell. “Talk to me, Dee,” he whispered.

Donnie hesitated. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes staring at the floor. When he finally spoke, his voice cracked like fragile glass. “I’m… terrified.”

Leo’s hand stilled. “…Of what?”

Donnie’s lip trembled, and he finally looked up at Leo with eyes full of raw, unguarded pain. “Of being alone.” His words tumbled out too fast, desperate, like he’d been holding them in for far too long. “Of waking up one day and you’re not there. Maybe it’s because you decided I wasn’t worth it anymore. Maybe because you got hurt and I couldn’t save you. Either way, I’m left behind, and I—I don’t know how to survive that, Leo. I can’t. You’re my twin. You’re—” His voice broke into a sob. “You’re my everything. And the thought of you leaving me—through choice or through death—it kills me before it even happens.”

The confession shattered something inside Leo. His own tears welled up as he reached out and pulled Donnie into a fierce embrace, holding on like the world might split apart otherwise. “Oh, Don…” His voice shook. “I’m so sorry you’ve had to carry that.”

Donnie clung to him, fists curling into Leo’s bandages. “I hate it,” he whispered, tears streaming down his face. “I hate feeling this way. But it’s true. I can’t—” His words dissolved into broken sobs against Leo’s chest.

Leo pressed his forehead to Donnie’s, their breaths mingling. His own tears slipped free. “And I hate myself for making you feel like that.”

Donnie froze, eyes flicking up at him.

Leo’s chest ached as he forced the words out. “I keep replaying everything. The fights, the invasion, every reckless choice I made. And every time, it’s you I see crying. It’s you I see falling apart. And I think—what kind of brother does that? What kind of twin makes the person he loves most suffer like that?” He sniffed hard, guilt thick in his throat. “I keep blaming myself, Donnie. Because if I had been stronger, smarter, better… maybe you wouldn’t be so scared.”

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, raw and exposed in a way neither of them had dared to be before. Then Donnie shook his head, tears dripping down his cheeks. “Don’t you dare take that blame, Nardo. You are not the reason I’m afraid. Life is. Circumstance is. But you? You are the reason I can keep going despite it. You’re my safe place. You’re… you’re my home.”

Leo’s breath hitched, and his arms tightened around Donnie. “You’re my home too. Always.” His voice broke into a whisper. “And I promise, I’ll spend every day proving to you that I’m not leaving. Not by choice. Not ever.”

Donnie tucked himself closer, burying his face in Leo’s shoulder as the last of his tears shook through him. “You’d better,” he mumbled, voice muffled but fierce. “Because I don’t think my heart could survive otherwise.”

Leo kissed the top of his head, rocking him gently. “You’re stuck with me, Donnie baby. For as long as I breathe.”

The heaviness in the air began to ease as their tears slowly subsided, leaving behind something softer—an unspoken promise woven between their heartbeats. Leo brushed his thumb along Donnie’s cheek, catching the last of his tears, and whispered, “We’ll face it all together. Always together.”

Donnie sniffed, nodding faintly, his grip still firm but less frantic. And as he finally let exhaustion take him, curling up against his twin, Leo held him close, guilt and fear still present but no longer crushing. Because now, instead of being buried in silence, they were shared—carried between two halves of the same whole.

Leo pressed one last kiss to Donnie’s temple, whispering into the quiet: “I love you, Dee. More than anything.”

And this time, when he closed his eyes, peace followed.

.

.

.

The rest of the lair was hushed in sleep, but for Leo, time felt suspended. He didn’t dare move, not when Donnie was curled against him like he was afraid letting go might make Leo vanish.

Leo shifted just enough to rub soothing patterns along Donnie’s shell. The rhythmic motion calmed him as much as it did his twin. Donnie’s breathing had evened, but Leo knew from the faint twitches in his fingers and the tiny huffs of breath that his mind was still awake, still clinging.

“You’re still thinking,” Leo murmured softly, breaking the quiet without breaking the calm.

Donnie hesitated before giving a tiny nod, cheek pressed against Leo’s plastron. “My brain doesn’t… shut up. Not when it’s about you.” His voice was fragile, stripped down to something Leo rarely ever heard. “I keep replaying the bad scenarios. You leaving. You getting hurt. Me waking up to nothing.”

Leo tightened his hold, lowering his head so his nose brushed against Donnie’s. “And what if, instead of bad scenarios, you let yourself imagine the good ones? Us still here, still together. Every morning we wake up, every night we fall asleep knowing the other is close.”

Donnie’s throat hitched. “That sounds… too good.”

“Not too good,” Leo countered gently. “Just… real. Because it is. It’s what I want. It’s what I’m choosing.”

Silence lingered, but softer now. Donnie’s tail flicked, betraying his emotions, and Leo smiled faintly at the little tell. He wrapped his own tail around Donnie’s and Donnie let out a content sigh as he curled his tail around Leo’s, their tails now intertwined with each other

After a long pause, Donnie whispered, “Can I ask something selfish?”

“Always.”

“…Don’t let go tonight. Not even for a second.”

Leo’s chest ached at the quiet plea, but in a way that felt warm instead of heavy. He kissed Donnie’s temple, pulling him impossibly closer. “I won’t. I promise.”

They lay like that for a long while, the sound of their shared breaths filling the room. Donnie’s fingers had uncurled, no longer clawing for reassurance but resting lightly against Leo’s side, as though he’d finally believed he wasn’t slipping away.

“You know…” Leo whispered after a while, “I used to think strength meant handling everything alone. Taking the hits so you guys didn’t have to. But now? Holding you like this? I think maybe real strength is letting myself be needed. Letting myself need you too.”

Donnie’s breath caught, and he tilted his head up just enough to look at Leo through damp lashes. “You… need me?”

Leo gave a soft laugh, brushing a thumb across his baby twin’s cheek. “More than you’ll ever know, my little genius. You’re my other half. Without you, I’m not me.”

Donnie blinked hard, and his lip wobbled before he ducked back into Leo’s chest, clinging again but with a different kind of desperation—softer, almost relieved. “Good. Because I’m not me without you either.”

Leo smiled through his own tears, pressing his cheek to the top of Donnie’s head. “Then we’ll stay us. Together. Always.”

And in the quiet, their bond—scarred but unbroken—stitched itself a little tighter.

Chapter Text

Morning came quietly, the soft hum of the lair waking with life. Leo stirred first, blinking his eyes open only to find Donnie plastered firmly against him, arms locked around his middle like a vice. The warmth, the weight—it almost made him want to drift back to sleep. Almost.

The door creaked, Donnie stirred beneath him, and Splinter’s gentle voice cut through the stillness. “My sons… it is time we check on Leonardo.”

Donnie made a low whine in the back of his throat, clinging tighter. “No,” he mumbled, face pressed stubbornly into Leo’s plastron.

Leo winced at the sudden squeeze, a small hiss of pain escaping before he could stop it. Donnie’s head shot up immediately, panic flickering across his features. “I hurt you?”

“No, no, no,” Leo rushed, brushing his hand along Donnie’s arm soothingly. “You didn’t hurt me, Dee. Just a little tender, that’s all. Promise. They just need a quick look, then it’s straight back to cuddles. Okay?”

Donnie’s lip wobbled, but after a long hesitation, he reluctantly loosened his hold. He didn’t go far though—hovering at the edge of the bed, watching like a hawk as Splinter and Raph checked Leo over.

The exam was quick, and when Splinter finally leaned back, he gave a satisfied nod. “He is healing well. Perhaps one more day of rest, and then you will be good as new.”

Leo gave a little salute, grinning. “Thanks Dad.”

Raph rumbled approvingly, giving Leo’s shoulder a careful squeeze before stepping back. But Donnie wasted no time climbing right back into Leo’s arms, curling in as though the brief interruption had been a monumental sacrifice.

Leo chuckled softly, kissing the top of Donnie’s head. “Told you. Back to cuddles.”

Mikey bounced to his feet. “Perfect timing—breakfast!” He zipped out before anyone could protest.

Splinter and Raph lingered a moment longer, trading quiet looks at the sight of the twins locked so firmly together. But neither said anything—just a fond smile from Splinter and a thoughtful grunt from Raph—before they followed Mikey out.

The med bay settled into silence again. Donnie burrowed closer, letting out a soft hum of contentment. “You’re okay,” he whispered, as if needing to hear it again.

“I’m okay,” Leo echoed, holding him tighter. “We’re okay.”

And for a while, that was enough. They stayed there, arms tangled, the world shrinking down to just the two of them.

Eventually, Mikey returned with a tray balanced precariously in his hands. He grinned at the sight of them, pressed together like they hadn’t moved an inch. “Breakfast in bed for my two favorite geniuses.”

Donnie barely lifted his head, and Leo laughed at the way Mikey rolled his eyes. “Okay, this is adorable,” Mikey admitted as he set the tray down. “But, uh… maybe a little codependent?” He said it lightly, but his eyes flicked toward Leo with meaning.

Leo caught the look, but didn’t respond—just rubbed Donnie’s shell in slow circles, knowing he’d address it later.

For now, the family gathered in close, voices low and warm as they shared food, laughter, and quiet joy at being together again. From the doorway, Splinter watched them all, his expression soft and proud. His sons were safe, his family whole.

And in the center of it all, Leo and Donnie stayed entwined, utterly unwilling to let go

Chapter Text

The next morning, Leo was officially released from the med bay. His injuries were mostly healed, and the Hamato family wasted no time in celebrating his freedom. Mikey whipped up a “Welcome Back to the Land of the Living” breakfast, Raph clapped him on the shell so hard Splinter scolded him, and even Donnie cracked a real smile as he stayed glued to Leo’s side, practically his shadow.

No one commented on it.

Not yet.

“Gonna have a private Facetime call with Sam later,” Leo announced casually, grinning at the way Donnie perked up but didn’t protest. “Catch up, you know?”

Raph and Mikey shared a look, then shrugged with small smiles. If Donnie could let Leo out of his sight for an hour, that was progress.

Or so they thought.

Not long after, Mikey passed through the living room and stopped dead at the sight before him. Leo sat comfortably on the couch, phone propped up, chatting away with Sam. And plastered to his side like a stubborn little barnacle was Donnie—curled up so tightly he looked more koala than turtle, head tucked against Leo’s shoulder, one hand clutched in his hoodie.

Leo didn’t say anything about it, just kept talking to Sam like this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yo, Sam!” Mikey waved, forcing cheer into his voice. “What’s up, dude?”

“Hey, Mikey!” Sam grinned from the phone. “Good to see you all again.”

Mikey smiled back but his gaze slid toward Donnie. The way he was clinging—like letting go wasn’t an option—made something uneasy settle in Mikey’s chest. He tried to play it cool. “Hey, Donnie, wanna help me with something in the kitchen later?”

“No.” Donnie’s voice was quiet but firm, eyes locked on Leo. “I’m staying here.”

Mikey’s smile faltered. “Right… okay.”

He didn’t push it, but the unease only grew.

Later, Mikey found Raph and unloaded everything he saw. “He’s glued to him, Raph. Like, literally wrapped around him. That’s not normal.”

Raph sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Mikey, those two were joined at the hip since they were tots. And Donnie thought he lost him—for good—twice. It’s natural he’s stickin’ close now.”

“But it’s not just close. It’s—Raph, it’s clingy. Like, borderline codependent.”

Raph’s gaze softened, though his tone stayed firm. “Then talk to Leo. You know he listens to you. Tell him your worries.”

The suggestion stuck.

The next day, April came by, effortlessly distracting Donnie with a new tech part she brought for him. With Donnie preoccupied, Mikey caught Leo alone.

“Can we talk?”

Leo raised a brow but nodded, setting his comic aside. “What’s up, sunshine?”

Mikey hesitated, then blurted, “I’m worried about Donnie.”

That got Leo’s full attention. “Why?”

“He’s too clingy, Leo. He won’t leave your side for even a second, and—look, I get it. You were gone, he freaked out, but this? This isn’t healthy. It’s like he thinks if he lets go of you, you’ll disappear.”

Leo was quiet for a moment, then let out a small sigh. “I know he’s clingy. But… it’s not a bad thing. This is how he’s coping. Healing. If he needs to be around me 24/7 right now, I can handle that.”

Mikey frowned. “Leo, that’s fine for now. But if it keeps going? Codependency isn’t just cute—it’s unhealthy. He’s gotta learn to deal with the fact that you’re not leaving him. Otherwise he’s never gonna stop being afraid.”

Leo ran a hand down his face, feeling the sting of truth in Mikey’s words. “…I hear you, Mikey. I really do. And I’ll keep an eye on it. But right now? He just needs me. And I’m not gonna push him away.”

Mikey nodded slowly. “Okay. I trust you. Just… promise me you’ll watch it. For both your sakes.”

“Promise.”

The talk ended there, but Leo carried it with him.

When April eventually returned Donnie to him, Donnie wasted no time latching on. He hugged Leo tightly, shoulders shaking, whimpers breaking through his throat.

Leo froze, startled. “Dee?”

Donnie clung harder, trembling.

And in that moment, Leo realized just how deep the fear ran. Donnie wasn’t just clingy—he was terrified. Terrified of being left alone. Of being twinless.

And Leo’s heart broke all over again.

As he held his baby twin close, Leo knew he had to find a way to help Donnie heal. Not just let him cling. Not just soothe him in the moment. He had to help Donnie believe—truly believe—that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Because if he didn’t, they’d both end up trapped in this cycle.

And Leo refused to let either of them fall that far.

Chapter Text

Donnie wasn’t sure how long he and April had been walking. The air outside the lair was warm, tinged with the faint hum of New York at night, but Donnie couldn’t focus on any of it. April was talking — about some new gadget idea, maybe a funny story from her journalism work — and Donnie was trying, he really was, to keep up. He nodded when she did, laughed when it felt right.

But his mind was miles away.

Every few seconds, he found himself glancing back toward the direction of the lair. His hands fidgeted with his wrist tech. His throat felt tight. What if Leo needed him? What if something happened while he wasn’t there?

The thoughts looped faster the longer he ignored them. He knew it wasn’t logical — Leo wasn’t in danger, not right now — but logic had never stood much of a chance against the raw panic that curled in his chest.

“Hey,” April said suddenly, stopping mid-sentence. “You good, D?”

Donnie blinked, realizing he’d stopped walking entirely. His breathing was shallow, hands trembling before he could shove them into his hoodie pockets.

“I—yeah,” he said too quickly. “I’m fine, April. Perfectly fine, actually! I just—uh—need to… recalibrate my internal compass.”

“Donnie.” Her voice was gentle but firm, and it broke through his spiraling. “You’re shaking.”

He looked down. She was right. His hands trembled so hard it hurt to clench them. He hated that she saw.

“I just… I keep thinking about Leo,” he admitted, voice quiet and trembling. “I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s stupid. I was doing so well and now—”

“Hey, hey, it’s not stupid.” April reached out, resting a hand on his arm. “You’re having a separation thing, huh?”

Donnie nodded weakly, biting back a frustrated sound. “I thought I was past this. I should be past this.”

April smiled softly. “Then let’s go see your twin, okay?”

He didn’t even try to argue. He just nodded again, grateful and embarrassed all at once.

When they got back to the lair, the relief that hit him was almost physical. The second Donnie saw Leo — alive, healthy, right there — his knees went weak.

Leo turned, sensing the movement, and before he could even speak, Donnie was in his arms.

“Whoa, Dee—hey,” Leo murmured, steadying him. Donnie clung to him wordlessly, trembling as if he’d just come in from the cold.

April’s eyes softened. “He was really missing you,” she explained quietly. “Couldn’t focus on anything. I think he just needed to see you.”

Leo nodded, rubbing a soothing hand over Donnie’s shell. “Thanks, April. I’ve got him from here.”

Donnie didn’t let go, not even when Leo started walking them back toward their room. His grip only tightened.

Later, when they were getting ready for bed, Donnie still hadn’t released him fully. He stayed close, pressed into Leo’s side as if contact alone could anchor him. Leo didn’t push.

They lay there in the soft dim of the lair lights, Donnie’s breathing finally starting to slow.

Then Donnie asked, quietly, “What did you and Mikey talk about?”

Leo hesitated, glancing down. “You noticed?”

“I always do.”

Leo sighed. “He’s… worried. About you.”

“About me?” Donnie frowned. “Why?”

Leo hesitated again before finally saying, “He thinks your clinginess is starting to look a little like… codependency.”

Donnie froze. “What’s wrong with that?” he snapped, voice sharp with hurt.

“Hey, nothing’s wrong with it,” Leo said quickly, trying to soothe. “I get it. I really do, Don. You’re coping, and after everything we’ve been through, I can’t blame you for holding on.”

That helped — for a moment. But then Leo added, gently, “I just think… if it keeps going like this, it might start to hurt you. Or us. You have to be able to stand without me sometimes.”

The words landed like a physical blow. Donnie turned away sharply, moving so that he was a few inches away from Leo. Donnie was now facing the wall, curling in on himself and fighting the sting in his eyes. “I can’t believe you think I could just let you go after everything. After—” His voice broke.

Leo exhaled softly, regret flickering across his face. He knew he’d gone too far.

“Hey,” he murmured, reaching out to rest a hand on between Donnie’s shoulder and his shell. “I'm sorry. You mad at me, Dee?”

Donnie sniffled, shaking his head. “No. I’m not mad at you, Nardo. I’m just… mad at the situation. I hate this.” His voice cracked, small and broken. “I hate feeling like this.”

“Oh, Don…” Leo whispered.

He shifted closer, opening his arms. “Come here, baby.”

Donnie turned, eyes glassy and wet. He didn’t hesitate. He crawled his way over to his older twin and folded into Leo’s embrace, shaking as the tears came again.

Leo wrapped him up tight, one hand on the back of his head, the other rubbing soothing circles along his shell. “Shh… I got you. It’s okay, Dee. I’ve got you.”

“I’m sorry,” Donnie sobbed against his plastron.

“None of that,” Leo whispered, pressing a kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “No apologies. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But you said—”

“No,” Leo interrupted softly, cupping Donnie’s face. “Don’t worry about what I said right now. I didn’t mean it like that. I love comforting you. If you need me, I’ll be here. Always.”

He pulled Donnie close again, pressing his head right against his heartbeat. “We’ll talk tomorrow. For now… just rest, okay?”

Donnie let out a long, shaky sigh, going limp against him. “Alright. I love you, Nardo,” he mumbled sleepily. “I don’t deserve a twin like you.”

Leo smiled faintly, pressing another kiss to his forehead. “I love you too, Dee. Always and forever. Never forget that.”

He watched as Donnie’s breathing evened out, the tension slowly fading from his body. Leo stayed awake a while longer, his baby twin held securely in his arms.

He knew this wasn’t “fixing” anything — not yet. But for tonight, it was enough. Donnie was safe, calm, and warm in his embrace. That was all Leo needed.

Tomorrow could wait.

Chapter Text

The morning light was soft when Leo woke.
For a few long seconds, he didn’t move — just breathed. Donnie was still wrapped up in his arms, head tucked under Leo’s chin, his soft breaths brushing against Leo’s plastron. The sight made Leo smile faintly, but it also twisted something deep in his chest.

Mikey’s words from last night wouldn’t stop echoing. “He’s scared, Leo. But if you don’t help him work through it, it’ll only get worse.”

Leo sighed quietly. He knew Mikey was right. Donnie couldn’t keep depending on him like this forever. But looking at his baby twin now, curled up so small, so peaceful — Leo wasn’t sure if he even wanted to change this yet.

Still… he had to try.

Maybe I’ll just ease into it, Leo thought. If it gets bad, then I’ll bring in Raph and Mikey.

Donnie stirred then, mumbling something soft and half-dreaming before blinking up at him with bleary eyes.

“Mornin’, sleepyhead,” Leo said softly.

Donnie hummed, rubbing at his eyes. “You’re still here.”

“Of course I’m still here,” Leo said with a small grin. “Where else would I be?”

Donnie smiled sleepily at that, and for a fleeting moment, Leo almost let himself drop it. Almost. But he had to be the big brother right now — even if it hurt.

“Hey, Dee?” Leo started, voice gentle. “Can we talk a bit about last night?”

Donnie groaned, burying his face against Leo’s plastron again. “Do we have to? I just want to stay like this. Forever.”

Leo exhaled slowly, brushing his fingers along the back of Donnie’s head. “Dee… that’s not really healthy. This is not really healthy”

Donnie’s voice came out tired and small. “I don’t really care.”

That hit Leo like a punch to the gut. The sheer exhaustion in Donnie’s voice, the quiet resignation — it told Leo just how deep this had gone. He swallowed hard, knowing this wasn’t a conversation he could handle alone.

So, as Donnie nestled closer again, thinking the matter had been dropped, Leo subtly reached for his phone and sent a quick text.

Need your help. My room. Now.

It didn’t take long for soft footsteps to approach. When the door slid open, Donnie stiffened immediately.

Raph and Mikey stood there, looking unsure but concerned.

“Leo…” Donnie’s voice was low, almost wounded. “You didn’t.”

Leo winced. “I just thought maybe—”

“Maybe what?” Donnie said, voice cracking as he glared at Leo. “That I needed to be ganged up on?”

“Dee—” Raph started carefully, but Donnie cut him off.

“No, it’s fine! Go ahead, all of you. Tell me how I’m wrong for wanting to be close to my twin!”

Mikey stepped forward first, hands raised. “Donnie, we’re not saying it’s wrong to love Leo. You just—dude, you haven’t given him any space to breathe.”

Donnie let out a sharp, bitter laugh that broke into a sob halfway through. “I don’t want space. I don’t want distance. I love my twin, okay? I’m just—” His voice cracked. “I’m just scared of being alone. Of being twinless. Is that really so bad?”

The words hung heavy in the air.

Leo’s heart sank. He could see it now — the root of everything. This wasn’t just fear. It was trauma, buried deep and festering in the cracks between what they’d survived and what they’d never talked about.

He reached out, placing a hand gently on Donnie’s shell. “Oh, Dee baby…” Leo whispered. “This… this is my fault. You feel this way because of me.”

“Leo—” Mikey began.

But Donnie spoke over him, voice trembling. “It is your fault.”

Raph’s eyes widened, anger flaring instantly. “Donnie—”

“Raph, don’t,” Leo said quietly, stopping him with a raised hand.

Donnie wasn’t shouting. His voice wasn’t harsh — it was small, hurt, and full of raw honesty. “Every time you left… every time you nearly died, or did die, or threw yourself into danger without thinking about how it would feel to lose you—what was I supposed to do, Leo? Pretend it didn’t matter? Pretend it didn’t break me every single time?”

The words hit Leo harder than any blade could. His throat tightened painfully.

Without another thought, he slid closer and laid down beside Donnie, wrapping his arms around him from behind. Donnie tensed for a moment, then broke — a choked sob escaping as Leo whispered, voice shaking, “I’m so sorry, Dee. I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I never wanted to make you feel like you’d lose me again. Please forgive me.”

Donnie turned in his arms, burying his face into Leo’s plastron, his tears hot and fast. “I forgive you,” he choked out between sobs. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to say that, I just—I’m so scared, Leo. If I let go, if I stop holding on, then what if you leave me again? What if one day you don’t come back?”

Leo’s own tears finally fell as he held his trembling twin tighter. “Oh, Dee…” He pressed a soft kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “I’m not going anywhere, baby brother. I promise. I’ll never leave you again. If you need to hold on for a while, then hold on as long as you need. Screw codependency.”

Donnie let out a small, broken chirp, clinging tighter as he nuzzled into Leo’s plastron. “I love you so much,” he whispered.

Leo smiled through his tears, pressing a kiss to Donnie’s cheek. “I love you too, Dee. More than anything.”

When Leo finally glanced up, Raph and Mikey were still standing there, eyes wet and full of mixed emotions — sympathy, heartbreak, and a quiet understanding.

They’d gotten to the heart of Donnie’s pain, but none of them could say it was truly fixed. Maybe it wouldn’t be, not for a while.

But right now, Leo didn’t care. Donnie was safe, held tight in his arms, and that was enough.

He’d deal with the rest later. For now, his only mission was to protect his baby twin — even if that meant protecting him from his own fears.

.

.

.

The morning after their talk was quiet.

Donnie hadn’t let go of Leo once since waking, but the energy around them was different now — softer, calmer. There were no tears, no trembling, no sharp pangs of panic. Just quiet touches, content sighs, and the gentle rhythm of two heartbeats syncing together.

Leo didn’t mind. He didn’t think he ever could.

They spent most of the morning together on the couch, Donnie pressed snugly into Leo’s side as he tinkered lazily with a small piece of tech, his hands moving automatically while his head rested against Leo’s shoulder. Leo absentmindedly rubbed Donnie’s shell as he watched the light flicker across his younger brother’s calm face.

For the first time in a while, Donnie looked… at peace.

But Leo’s chest felt heavy.

As much as he adored his little twin — as much as he loved the closeness, the warmth, the way Donnie melted against him like he belonged there — he knew this couldn’t last forever.
Not like this.

It wasn’t sustainable, no matter how much he wanted to freeze this moment in time and keep Donnie safe in his arms forever.

“Temporary,” Leo whispered under his breath. “It has to be temporary.”

Donnie stirred beside him. “What’s temporary?” he mumbled, voice soft.

Leo froze for a split second before replying, tone casual. “This moment, baby bro. You’re getting too comfy.”

Donnie just hummed, eyes half-lidded. “Good.”

Leo couldn’t help but chuckle softly, brushing a hand through Donnie’s bandana tails. “You’re impossible.”

“I learned from the best,” Donnie replied sleepily, earning another quiet laugh from Leo.

The rest of the morning passed peacefully. Donnie followed Leo everywhere — from the couch to the kitchen, to the training mat, to the lab, and right back again. It was cute. Maybe a little suffocating, but mostly cute.

By afternoon, Splinter appeared in the doorway, cane in hand and a gentle look in his eyes. “My sons,” he greeted softly. “Perhaps Donatello could help me with a small project in the dojo? I could use his brilliant mind.”

Leo’s brow quirked. Splinter didn’t really need Donnie’s help for dojo maintenance. It was a distraction, and Leo knew it.

Donnie looked hesitant immediately, clutching the edge of Leo’s shell. “I can’t. I’m—”

April stepped in from behind Splinter, smiling warmly. “Hey, Don! I’ll be there too. I need your input on something for my next gadget project. Just for a few minutes, promise.”

Donnie looked between them, then at Leo, clearly torn. Leo gave him a soft, reassuring smile. “Go ahead, Dee. I’m not going anywhere, okay? Promise.”

After a long beat, Donnie nodded reluctantly, giving Leo one last squeeze before following Splinter and April out.

The lair was suddenly quiet.

Leo exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay,” he murmured, “Showtime.”

He pulled out his phone and shot off a message. Raph, Mikey — my room. Now. Sam too, if he’s free.

Within minutes, his older and younger brother filtered in, and soon, Sam’s face popped up on Facetime, the familiar static hum echoing softly through the room.

“Hey, Leo,” Sam greeted, smiling lightly. “You look better.”

Leo smiled back faintly. “Yeah, healing’s been good. Physically, anyway.” He sighed and sat down, phone balanced on the table. “Emotionally is a whole other story.”

Mikey leaned against the wall, arms crossed, concern already etched on his face. “How’s Donnie?”

“Clingy,” Leo admitted softly. “Still glued to me. He’s calmer, but I can tell he’s holding on because he’s terrified of losing me again.”

Raph frowned, arms crossed. “That’s understandable. You two’ve been through hell and back. But Mikey’s right — if this keeps up too long, it’ll mess with both of you.”

Sam nodded through the screen. “Leo, I might not know everything you guys went through, but I can tell that Donnie loves you more than anything. Maybe the best thing you can do is show him that love doesn’t have to mean constant presence.”

Leo hummed thoughtfully, absorbing Sam’s words.

Mikey nodded in agreement. “You just gotta remind him that you’re still there even if you’re not right next to him. He’s scared that space equals abandonment. You need to help him unlearn that.”

Raph sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Start small. Let him go off and do his own thing for short bits. Slowly build that trust again. Donnie’s smart. He’ll get it — eventually.”

Leo exhaled slowly, processing. For the first time in days, he actually felt… hopeful. “Thanks, guys. Really. You’re right. I’ll take it slow.”

Sam smiled softly. “You got this, Leo. Just remember — love isn’t proven by never letting go. Sometimes it’s proven by trusting that even apart, you’re still connected.”

Leo smiled faintly at that. “Yeah… I’ll keep that in mind.”

The conversation drifted toward lighter topics — how Leo was healing, Sam’s next project, Raph teasing Mikey about breakfast disasters. It felt good. Normal.

But that good feeling didn’t last long.

As the laughter softened and the room grew quieter, Leo felt it — that tug in his chest. That familiar, unspoken pull. His twin sense.

It wasn’t panic. It wasn’t fear. It was… hurt. A quiet ache. A sadness that wasn’t his.

Donnie.

Leo’s stomach dropped as realization dawned. His gaze darted toward the open door, then toward the hallway beyond. They hadn’t exactly been whispering during that conversation, and Donnie’s curiosity was legendary.

“Oh boy,” Leo muttered, dragging a hand down his face.

Raph blinked. “What?”

Leo groaned softly. “I think Donnie might’ve heard… all of that.”

Mikey winced. “Ohhh no.”

Sam chuckled softly through the screen. “Good luck, man.”

Leo could already imagine Donnie’s expression — the pout, the wounded eyes, the silent glare that said how could you?

“Yeah,” Leo sighed, already feeling the dread creep in. “This is gonna be harder than I thought.”

Chapter Text

Evening had fallen gently over the lair, draping the halls in soft shadows and a kind of hush that felt both comforting and heavy. It should’ve been peaceful—the kind of night that followed a day of laughter and tentative normalcy—but for Donnie, peace was the last thing he felt.

He sat at his desk, the glow of his monitors casting a dull blue hue over his face. His hands were idle on the keyboard, tapping absently without purpose. His head felt foggy, full of words that weren’t meant for him—words he wished he hadn’t heard.

He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Truly. But when April and Splinter distracted him earlier, something in his gut told him that Leo was talking about him. His twin instincts—those unexplainable, powerful senses that tied him and Leo together—had pulsed like static in his chest. He’d told himself he wouldn’t snoop. That he’d trust Leo.

But then curiosity, fear, and that gnawing ache that whispered he’s going to leave you again got the better of him.

So he’d listened.

Now, hours later, Donnie couldn’t shake the sting. He knew Leo hadn’t said anything cruel—his twin wasn’t like that. But hearing his brothers and Sam discuss how to “help” him, how to “manage” his clinginess, how “unhealthy” it might become—it felt like being dissected while still breathing.

He swallowed hard, curling into himself as his mind replayed every word.

“This is Donnie’s way of coping and healing,” Leo had said. “If Donnie needs to be around me 24/7 for a little bit, I have no problem with it.”

A little bit.

The words had sounded so casual, so temporary.

Donnie’s chest ached. Temporary. Like everything else good in his life had always been.

When Leo found him later that night, the door to Donnie’s lab was half-open, the air inside heavy with quiet and faint hums of machinery.

“Hey, Dee?” Leo’s voice was soft, careful—the same voice he used when approaching a cornered animal.

Donnie didn’t look up. “Hi.”

Leo frowned, stepping in. His twin looked small, shoulders hunched, eyes red-rimmed but dry. “You okay? You’ve been quiet all evening.”

A pause.

A breath.

Then—“I heard you.”

Leo froze. “…Heard me what?”

Donnie’s hands clenched in his lap. “Talking. With Raph. And Mikey. And Sam.” His voice wavered but stayed level. “About me.”

Leo shut the door behind him, heart sinking. “Dee…”

“I know,” Donnie interrupted, voice trembling now. “I know I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to. I just—” He bit down hard on his lip, shaking his head. “I just wanted to understand. To know what you were planning to do about me like I’m some…problem you have to fix.”

Leo crossed the room, kneeling down beside his chair so they were eye to eye. “Hey, no—no, Dee, that’s not what this is.”

Donnie finally looked at him then, and Leo’s heart cracked. His younger brother’s eyes were full of that fragile mix of hurt and fear he hadn’t seen since the invasion—raw, real, and impossible to ignore.

“Then what is it, Leo?” Donnie whispered. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you’re all worried that I’m broken again. That I can’t handle being on my own.”

“Donnie…”

“I just—” Donnie’s voice cracked mid-sentence. “I can’t lose you again, Leo. I can’t. I know I’ve been…clingy, and that it’s probably annoying, but I need you. You’re my anchor, my balance, my—my twin. When you’re not there, I feel like I’m—”

He stopped, words breaking apart as tears finally escaped.

“Like you’re slipping?” Leo offered quietly.

Donnie nodded, silent tears streaking down his cheeks. “Yeah. Like I’m slipping.”

Leo reached up, cupping his little brother’s face gently and brushing away the tears with his thumb. “Dee baby, I never said you were broken. None of us think that. We just…want to help you breathe again. You’ve been holding your breath since the invasion, and I think you’re scared that if you let go, I’ll disappear.”

Donnie’s lip trembled. “You almost did. No, you did disappear. And I…” His voice cracked again. “I didn’t know how to exist without you. I don’t want to go back to that.”

“I know,” Leo whispered. “And I hate that I made you feel that way.”

The silence between them thickened with emotion—mutual pain, shared understanding, the kind of quiet that only twins could exist in without words.

Leo took a slow breath. “I blame myself too, you know. For a lot of things. For not being there when you needed me most. For making choices that hurt you. For…scaring you.”

Donnie blinked, surprised by the raw honesty in Leo’s tone. “Leo…”

“I get it now,” Leo continued softly. “You’re not clinging because you’re weak. You’re clinging because you love me. Because you’re scared. And honestly?” He gave a small, watery smile. “I love you for that. I really do.”

Donnie let out a shaky breath, half-laugh, half-sob. “That’s so unfair. You’re supposed to be mad at me for eavesdropping.”

Leo chuckled quietly, resting his forehead against Donnie’s. “I’ll save the lecture for later.”

They stayed like that for a while—no words, just the steady rhythm of their breathing syncing up, the twin bond humming quietly between them.

When Leo finally spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper. “We’ll figure it out, okay? Together. We’ll find a way for you to feel safe again, without you needing to hold on so tight. I’m not going anywhere. But I also want you to have space to just be you.”

Donnie sniffled softly. “…Promise?”

Leo smiled gently. “Promise, Dee.”

Donnie leaned forward, resting his head against Leo’s shoulder. “Then I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask.”

And for the first time that night, Leo felt a quiet peace settle between them—not because the problem was solved, but because they were facing it together.

Even if tomorrow brought new challenges, tonight, they were okay.
Twin hearts, steady and strong.

.

.

.

The heaviness in the air lingered long after their talk had quieted into steady breathing and a few stray sniffles. Leo stayed crouched beside Donnie’s chair, thumb brushing gently over his twin’s cheek until the trembling subsided. The exhaustion on Donnie’s face was clear — not just physical, but deep and bone-tired, the kind that came from too many sleepless nights and too much fear packed into one fragile body.

Leo exhaled softly, the weight of their shared emotions still sitting thick in his chest. “You know what, Dee?” he murmured, brushing a hand over Donnie’s shoulder. “We can start everything tomorrow, okay? No plans, no serious talks tonight. You’ve had enough for one day.”

Donnie blinked at him with watery, glassy eyes. “You sure?”

“Yeah.” Leo smiled, gentle and sure. “Right now, I just want you to rest.”

Before Donnie could respond, Leo slipped an arm beneath his knees and another behind his back. Donnie let out a small gasp as Leo lifted him with ease, his lean strength making it seem effortless. Donnie automatically clung to him, thin arms winding around his neck, face burying into his plastron as a tiny, broken chirp escaped.

The sound made Leo’s heart melt on the spot.

“Hey now,” Leo whispered with a little laugh, adjusting his hold as he began the quiet walk down the corridor toward his room. “You’re supposed to be the genius one, not the baby. Though…I guess you are my baby twin, so…”

Donnie only tightened his grip, muffling a tiny, sleepy protest against his shoulder. His soft whimpers and chirps—the kind that only surfaced when he was too tired to filter himself—filled the quiet lair. Leo’s chest ached, not from pain, but from the warmth that spread through him like sunlight after a storm.

When they reached his room, Leo kicked the door open gently and made his way to the bed. He lowered himself carefully, still holding Donnie close, refusing to let even an inch of distance come between them. Donnie instantly curled against his chest, face pressed against the blue fabric of Leo’s hoodie, knees tucked close like he was trying to make himself small.

Leo chuckled softly and rested his chin atop Donnie’s head. “You really are my little koala, huh?”

Donnie gave a faint hum in reply, already half-asleep, one hand fisted in the fabric over Leo’s heart.

Leo adjusted them both until they were comfortable, pulling a blanket over them. His arms stayed around Donnie, one hand stroking lazy circles along his shell while the other rubbed slow lines down his arm.

He began to hum—soft, tuneless, something instinctive and soothing. It wasn’t a song so much as a sound, the same low vibration he’d used when they were kids and Donnie had bad dreams or late-night panic attacks. The sound made Donnie relax immediately, his breathing syncing with Leo’s as he nestled closer, small chirps turning into quiet, content trills.

Leo smiled into the top of his head. “That’s it, Dee. I’ve got you.”

Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the soft rhythm of breathing and the faint hum of Leo’s voice. Donnie trembled once, then let out a tiny, broken whisper.

“I love you so much, Nardo.”

Leo’s heart clenched, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. He kissed Donnie’s forehead first, then his cheek, lingering just long enough to make sure Donnie felt it.

“I love you so much too, Dee,” Leo whispered back, voice cracking slightly. “More than you’ll ever know.”

Donnie gave a small, sleepy hum, nuzzling closer against his chest. His breathing slowed, his grip loosened, and soon he drifted off—safe, warm, and finally at peace.

Leo stayed awake a little longer, one hand tracing gentle shapes along Donnie’s back. Watching his twin sleep like that—trusting, calm, and vulnerable—made something inside him ache in the best way.

He leaned back against the pillow, eyes soft and tired. “We’ll get there, Dee,” he whispered. “Tomorrow’s a new start.”

Donnie shifted slightly in his arms, a small trill of contentment vibrating against Leo’s plastron. Leo smiled at the sound, pressing another kiss to his twin’s temple.

Then, as the warmth of the moment wrapped around him, Leo finally let his own eyes close. With Donnie’s heartbeat steady against his own, he drifted into sleep—ready to face whatever tomorrow brought, as long as they faced it together.

Chapter Text

Donnie’s dream started soft—warm light, laughter, and the faint echo of Leo’s voice somewhere close. But like a candle snuffed out, it shifted without warning. The warmth drained away, replaced by a heavy cold that sank into his bones.

“Leo?” Donnie’s voice trembled, echoing into a vast, empty space. His breath came out in ragged gasps. “Leo!”

The silence stretched until it hurt. Then—faintly—he saw Leo’s silhouette, turning away, stepping into the dark. Donnie’s legs wouldn’t move no matter how hard he tried. His throat burned as he screamed his twin’s name.

“Leo, please don’t leave me!”

But Leo kept walking. The shadows swallowed him whole.

Donnie jolted awake with a strangled cry, his entire body shaking. His chest heaved as panic clawed through his throat.

Instantly, strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him close. “Hey, hey, it’s okay, Dee—shh, I’ve got you,” Leo’s voice murmured, rough with sleep but soft as silk. He pressed Donnie’s head against his plastron, rocking him gently. “It was just a nightmare. You’re safe, you’re here with me. Nothing’s gonna happen, I promise.”

Donnie couldn’t answer. His breaths came in broken hiccups as tears streamed down his face. He clung to Leo’s hoodie with trembling hands, curling in on himself. The quiet, desperate chirps that slipped from his throat shattered Leo’s heart into pieces.

“Oh, Don…” Leo whispered, holding him tighter, one hand rubbing slow circles against the back of his shell. He began to let out soft, soothing chirps of his own—low, rhythmic sounds that vibrated in his chest. Their tones mingled, creating a fragile harmony that filled the room.

Donnie eventually calmed, though his face remained pressed to Leo’s plastron, his eyes swollen and glassy. “You left me…” he mumbled, voice muffled.

Leo’s breath caught. “No, baby,” he murmured, kissing the top of Donnie’s head. “I’m right here. I’m never leaving you, okay? Never again.”

Donnie whimpered softly, shrinking even smaller in his older twin’s arms. His breathing slowed as he nuzzled into Leo’s chest, still clinging tightly.

Leo sighed, his own eyes burning. This was not how he wanted the day to start. They had planned to make real progress today—to talk, to take careful steps forward—but right now, none of that mattered. His baby twin needed him. That was all that mattered.

So Leo just held him. Minutes turned into hours, the two of them lying there in silence, trading warmth and reassurance. Donnie’s hand occasionally twitched, gripping tighter every time Leo shifted. Leo didn’t move unless he absolutely had to.

It wasn’t until a gentle knock came at the door that Leo stirred. Mikey’s head peeked in, his expression softening instantly at the sight before him—Donnie wrapped up in Leo’s arms, tear tracks still drying on his face.

“Hey,” Mikey whispered, keeping his voice low. “Breakfast is ready. You guys okay?”

Leo gave a small nod, stroking a thumb along Donnie’s arm. “We’ll be there soon, Mikey. Just… give us a minute.”

Mikey’s eyes softened further. “Of course. Take your time, bros.” He smiled faintly before disappearing back down the hall.

When the door clicked shut, Leo tilted his head down to look at Donnie. “What do you say, Dee? Think we can go eat? You must be starving.”

Donnie just shook his head weakly, curling closer. “Don’t wanna,” he mumbled, voice small.

Leo smiled gently despite himself. “Yeah, I figured.” He brushed a hand along Donnie’s cheek, wiping away the last of his tears. “But I promise I’ll stay right beside you the whole time, okay? You won’t be alone.”

That seemed to help. After a moment, Donnie gave a tiny nod.

“Atta boy,” Leo murmured. Without warning, he slipped an arm under Donnie’s knees again and lifted him up, holding him like he weighed nothing.

Donnie made a small noise of protest, but he didn’t fight it. His arms looped around Leo’s neck, face burrowing into his shoulder. The comfort of being held quieted him enough to let Leo carry him to the kitchen.

When they arrived, the smell of Mikey’s pancakes filled the air. Raph and Splinter were already seated, their conversation halting when they saw the twins.

“Morning, boys,” Splinter said softly, his gaze tender. “Rough night?”

Leo sat Donnie down beside him and offered a tired smile. “Yeah. Just a nightmare. But we’re okay.”

Donnie kept one hand fisted in Leo’s hoodie, eating slowly, wordlessly. The family didn’t push; they filled the room with light chatter instead, giving him space. Mikey even set an extra plate of pancakes near Donnie just in case.

By the end of breakfast, Leo brushed a hand over Donnie’s arm. “Hey,” he said gently. “How about after this, we have a talk? With the family.”

Donnie froze, fork halfway to his mouth. He didn’t meet Leo’s eyes. “…About my healing?”

“Yeah.” Leo’s tone was soft but steady. “I think it’ll help.”

Donnie’s chest tightened, the dread pooling heavy in his stomach. He wanted to say no—to tell Leo that he didn’t need anyone else, that he only needed him, that he only wanted Leo—but the hope and care in his older twin’s expression made the words die in his throat.

He forced a small smile instead. “Okay.”

Leo squeezed his hand, smiling warmly. “Thank you, Dee.”

But as they stood from the table, Donnie’s grip on Leo’s hand didn’t loosen. In fact, it only tightened—his fingers locked, his arm linking tightly with his twin’s as though letting go would make Leo vanish.

Leo felt the tremor in Donnie’s touch and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Deep down, though, he could feel the weight of his twin’s fear—an ache that wouldn’t be easily soothed.

And as Donnie leaned into him, clinging like a lifeline, Leo realized just how difficult this next step was going to be.

Chapter Text

The morning light spilled softly through the lair, warm and golden against the metal and stone. The family had gathered in the main room—Splinter sitting cross-legged in his armchair, Raph leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Mikey bouncing slightly in his seat, and Leo sitting on the couch with Donnie pressed firmly against his side.

No one had said anything yet. The quiet stretched between them, heavy but not unkind.

Finally, Splinter broke it. “My sons,” he began gently, his tone calm and measured, “we are here today not to scold or to blame, but to help.” His eyes softened as they landed on Donnie. “To help you, Donatello, find peace again.”

Donnie’s throat tightened. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of Leo’s hoodie, twisting the fabric like a lifeline. “I—I don’t need peace,” he mumbled. “I just want...no I need Leo.”

Raph sighed, stepping closer but keeping his voice careful. “We know, Don. And we’re not saying you can’t have him around. But we just want to make sure you’re okay even when Leo’s not right next to you.”

Donnie’s grip on Leo’s hoodie tightened. “But why wouldn’t he be next to me?”

Mikey offered a kind smile. “Because, Dee, there’ll be times when Leo’s gotta go do his own thing. Or you do. And that’s okay, y’know? You two are still connected even when you’re not in the same room.”

Donnie’s jaw clenched as he shook his head. His voice came out small, trembling. “No, it’s not okay.” He looked up at Leo, tears welling in his eyes. “You don’t understand. When I can’t see you—when I can’t feel you—it’s like…” His hand went to his chest, pressing against it as his breath hitched. “It’s like my heart skyrockets and I can’t breathe. If I can’t see or touch you, then you might as well be gone.”

Leo’s heart broke. “Oh, Dee baby…”

Tears slipped free, and Donnie ducked his head, ashamed. “I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help it. I just—” His voice cracked, raw and fragile. “I can’t lose you again.”

Leo didn’t hesitate. He pulled Donnie into his arms, holding him close. “Hey, hey, look at me,” he whispered, pressing his forehead against Donnie’s. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, okay? Not now, not ever. You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

Donnie let out a shaky sob, clutching Leo’s hoodie like it was the only thing anchoring him. “Promise?”

“I promise,” Leo said firmly, his tone full of quiet conviction. “I’m not leaving you again. You’re stuck with me for life, baby twin.”

That earned a watery laugh through Donnie’s tears, small but genuine.

Splinter waited until the twins had settled before speaking again. “My sons,” he said softly, “I think we can all agree that Donatello’s heart needs healing—and we can all help him.”

Leo nodded, still keeping an arm around Donnie’s shoulders. “Yeah. I think we can come up with a plan. Something small. Baby steps.”

Raph straightened, already thinking. “Okay. Step one—Donnie spends a few minutes each day without Leo right beside him. Like, just short breaks. Maybe Leo’s in another room but close enough to check in.”

Mikey jumped in enthusiastically. “And step two! When Donnie feels okay with that, maybe he tries doing little projects again without needing Leo right there. Like tinkering or building, but with Leo checking in every so often!”

Leo smiled at his brothers. “That sounds good. We can make a whole system. Gradually building trust and comfort back up.”

Donnie sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “You guys really think this’ll work?”

Raph’s grin was soft but confident. “Yeah, little bro. It might take time, but we got you.”

Mikey beamed. “Totally! You’re not alone in this, Dee. You’ve got all of us.”

Donnie looked around at his family—at their smiles, their steady presence, the unconditional love in their eyes—and felt something fragile and warm spark in his chest. He managed a trembling smile. “Okay… okay. I’ll try.”

Leo gave his shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all we’re asking, Dee. Just try. We’ll do it together.”

Donnie leaned into him again, resting his head against Leo’s shoulder. “Together,” he echoed softly.

The mood in the room lightened, everyone exchanging smiles and nods. The first step had been taken, and for a brief, shining moment, hope hung in the air.

But as they all began to disperse—Raph going to the kitchen, Mikey chattering about celebratory smoothies—Donnie stayed right where he was, pressed close to Leo. His smile stayed, but it wavered. Beneath the brave face, the doubt lingered, twisting quietly in his chest.

What if this didn’t work? What if he couldn’t do it?

What if, no matter what they planned, the only way he ever truly felt safe… was here in Leo’s arms?

He tried to shake the thought away, snuggling closer as Leo rubbed his shell gently.

Leo smiled softly, unaware of the storm still brewing inside his younger twin.

“Tomorrow’s a new start,” he murmured.

Donnie nodded faintly, resting his cheek against Leo’s plastron. “Yeah… a new start.”

But deep down, he wasn’t sure he believed it.

.

.

.

Leo could tell the others were cautiously hopeful after the meeting — each of them promising to help Donnie take his first steps toward healing — but he also saw the way Donnie’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. The poor guy was trying so hard to look brave, his hand still clutching Leo’s like it was his lifeline.

When everyone finally went off to bed, the lair grew quiet again. Leo glanced down at his baby twin, who hadn’t let go of his arm once since they left the kitchen.

“Hey, Dee,” Leo began gently, brushing his thumb over Donnie’s knuckles, “what if—just as a small test—we try sleeping separately tonight?”

The effect was instant. Donnie froze, then his grip tightened until his knuckles turned pale. His wide eyes shot up to meet Leo’s, panic flashing in his eyes. “No,” he said immediately, voice small but sharp. “No, I’m not ready for that. Please don’t make me, Leo. Please.”

The fear behind those words pierced Leo right through the chest. He didn’t push further. Instead, he nodded softly and stroked Donnie’s arm. “Okay. We don’t have to. Not yet.”

Guiding Donnie toward his room, Leo settled on the edge of his bed and helped his trembling twin crawl under the blankets. Donnie instantly burrowed into him, curling up against Leo’s plastron like a frightened child seeking warmth. Leo wrapped his arms securely around him, his hand rubbing soothing circles over the smooth curve of Donnie’s shell.

The soft chirps that escaped Donnie made Leo’s heart ache. He could feel how hard his little brother was trying not to fall apart, how the tension in his frame never quite melted away.

“What's the matter baby? Why aren't you falling asleep?” Leo murmured softly after a few minutes of silence.

Donnie’s head shook weakly against his chest. “I’m… I’m scared,” he admitted in a whisper, his voice muffled. “What if tomorrow doesn’t work? What if I can’t do it? What if you—” He cut himself off, but Leo already knew what he meant.

“Hey,” Leo interrupted softly, pressing a kiss to the crown of his little brother’s head. “None of that. We’re gonna go as slow as you need, okay? There’s no timer on this, no finish line we have to reach. We just… take it one breath at a time. One step at a time.”

Donnie sniffled, pressing his face closer to Leo’s shoulder. “I know,” he murmured. “I just… I don’t want you to ever let go.”

Leo smiled sadly, tightening his embrace. “I’m not letting go, genius. I’ll always be here to guide you, even when you take those steps on your own. I promise.”

The words must’ve sunk in because Donnie’s body finally relaxed. His breaths evened out, the tension in his muscles loosening as his eyelids fluttered shut. Leo kept up the slow, steady rhythm of rubbing Donnie’s shell and humming softly, watching as his baby twin drifted off to sleep.

He didn’t sleep right away himself. Instead, he lay there staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the day settle over him. This was just the beginning — and he knew it wouldn’t be easy. There would be tears, fear, maybe even anger. But if it all led to Donnie finally healing… if it helped his little brother find peace again…

Then Leo would carry him through every step of it.

He leaned down one last time, pressing a gentle kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “I love you, Dee,” he whispered. “We’ll get there. Together.”

Only then did Leo let his eyes close, holding his baby twin just a little tighter as sleep finally claimed them both.

Chapter Text

Morning came slowly. The soft hum of the lair’s ventilation filled the quiet space, mingling with the faint smell of something warm and sweet. Donnie stirred first, his face still pressed against Leo’s blanket. The spot beside him was empty — and for a single, heart-stopping second, his chest clenched.

Leo wasn’t holding him.

His breathing quickened, panic threatening to rise until a gentle voice broke through his thoughts.

“Morning, Dee.”

Donnie’s head snapped up. There, just a few feet away, was Leo — very much present, very much real, very much alive— sitting cross-legged with a tray balanced on his knees. He smiled softly, his expression warm and calm in that effortlessly steady way that always soothed Donnie’s nerves.

“Hey,” Leo said, setting the tray beside him on the bed. “I figured you might like some breakfast in bed. Mikey made it, special delivery for the genius of the family.”

Donnie blinked, his heart still trying to slow down. “You… made breakfast?”

“Correction — Mikey made breakfast. I just carried it.” Leo smirked, gesturing toward the plate piled with small pancakes shaped vaguely like turtle faces, topped with fruit and syrup.

Donnie felt a small, reluctant smile tug at his lips. “That’s… actually kind of sweet.”

“I have my moments.” Leo winked, handing him a fork. “Eat up, Dee. You need your energy.”

Donnie muttered a quiet “thank you” — to Leo, and silently to Mikey — before starting to eat. The food was warm and comforting, a brief bubble of normalcy in the sea of uncertainty that had filled his chest since yesterday.

But the peace didn’t last long.

The soft sound of approaching footsteps made Donnie pause mid-bite. When he looked up, he saw Raph, Mikey, April, and Splinter entering the room together. Each of them carried a different kind of expression — gentle smiles, patient eyes, the kind of look that said “we’re here for you.”

And that’s when Donnie realized what was happening.

They were going to start the plan. The healing plan.

His heart dropped.

Suddenly, the food felt heavy in his stomach. He wanted to crawl across the bed, to grab Leo’s arm and bury his face against him, to hide from all of this. He wasn’t ready. Not yet.

“Morning, everyone,” Leo greeted softly, giving Donnie’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before standing up.

The moment Leo’s weight shifted off the bed, Donnie’s breathing hitched. His fingers clutched at the sheets, his wide eyes following Leo’s every move. “W–Wait,” he whispered, voice trembling.

Leo’s chest tightened. He crouched beside the bed, resting a hand over Donnie’s trembling one. “Hey, I know. I know this is scary,” he murmured, keeping his voice low and even. “But I’m just stepping out for a little while, okay? Thirty minutes, tops.”

Donnie’s head shook frantically. “No—Leo, please, I—” His voice broke off into a soft, desperate chirp that hit Leo like a blade.

Leo squeezed his younger twin’s hand gently, refusing to let go. “It’s okay. Look at me, baby.” When Donnie finally met his gaze, Leo gave him a reassuring smile — small, but steady. “It’s just half an hour. I’ll be back before you know it, and then we can cuddle all you want. Promise.”

“B-but—”

Mikey stepped closer, his tone soothing. “We’ll stay with you, D. Me and April. You’re not gonna be alone for even a second, okay?”

April nodded in agreement, smiling warmly. “We’ve got you covered. Think of it as… the first step, not the whole marathon.”

Donnie swallowed thickly, tears threatening to spill. His body still trembled, but he nodded — hesitant, small, but genuine. “Okay…”

Leo reached up, cupping Donnie’s cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing away a tear. “That’s my brave little genius,” he said softly before pressing a kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “You’ve got this, Dee. I love you.”

“Love you too, Nardo…” Donnie’s voice cracked as Leo stood.

Leo hesitated at the door, glancing back one more time. Donnie’s wide, watery eyes followed him until he disappeared around the corner, and a faint, broken chirp escaped before he could stop it. Leo’s jaw clenched as he forced himself to keep walking.

He needed to trust this process.

While Leo joined Raph and Splinter in the training room, the world felt quieter. Raph handed him his training katana, his usual grin dimmed to something gentler. “You sure you’re up for sparrin’, little bro?”

“Yeah,” Leo said, spinning the sword once and forcing a smirk. “Better than sitting around overthinking, right?”

Raph chuckled, raising his sai. “Fair enough.”

They began to spar, slowly at first. Leo tried to focus — on his footing, his form, the rhythm of their movements. But his thoughts kept flickering back to Donnie. Was he okay? Was he breathing too fast? Was he panicking again?

A light tap to his plastron brought him back.

“You’re distracted,” Raph said softly. “Thinkin’ about him?”

Leo lowered his katana and exhaled. “Yeah.”

“’Course you are,” Raph murmured, resting a heavy hand on his shoulder. “But you’re doin’ the right thing. Baby steps, man. You’re helpin’ him remember it’s safe again.”

Leo nodded, his throat tight. “I just hate hearing that sound. The way he chirps when I leave…it breaks my heart every time” A lone tear escaped and Leo wiped it away quickly "It's just makes me want to run up to him and hold him. To protect him from all of those bad, horrible thoughts that I know must be plaguing his mind"

“I know, little bro.” Raph squeezed his shoulder. “But he’s gonna learn. ‘Cause you’re gonna make sure of it.”

Leo nodded his head. He knew Raph was right

That didn't mean that Leo didn't like it and made the heartbreak any easier

Meanwhile, in the common room, Donnie sat between Mikey and April, his hands fidgeting restlessly in his lap. His eyes kept darting to the clock, counting down the seconds.

“Hey, D,” Mikey said gently, sliding a small tray in front of him. “Want to paint something? Or maybe we can tinker with some of your gadgets?”

Donnie hesitated. “I don’t… know.”

“Whatever helps you calm down,” April added, handing him a brush. “You can even just doodle. Doesn’t have to look like anything.”

The quiet rhythm of painting — soft strokes, bright colors, and the hum of Mikey’s occasional chatter — slowly began to steady Donnie’s breathing. His chest didn’t feel as tight anymore. He even managed a small smile when Mikey joked about how Leo would probably make his paintbrush into a sword if given the chance.

And just like that… thirty minutes passed.

The sound of familiar footsteps made Donnie’s head snap up. The moment Leo entered the room, Donnie’s brush clattered to the floor. He was on his feet in an instant, rushing forward and practically colliding into his older twin’s chest.

Leo stumbled back with a soft laugh, arms immediately wrapping around Donnie as the younger turtle buried his face into his plastron. A few tears slipped free, soaking into Leo’s bandana strap.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Leo murmured, holding him close. “You did it, Dee. You did so good.”

Donnie sniffled, his voice muffled. “Thirty minutes felt like forever.”

“I know baby.” Leo smiled, brushing his fingers through Donnie’s headtails. “But you made it. I’m proud of you.”

Donnie pulled back just enough to look up at him, his lips trembling but a shy, proud spark flickering in his eyes. “Maybe… maybe it wasn’t that bad.”

Leo grinned. “See? Told you you could do it.”

Still, as Donnie clung tighter, Leo could feel the tremor in his hands. For all the progress made, there was still fear hiding beneath it — fear of tomorrow, fear of what came next.

If this was only day one, they both knew the road ahead was going to be long. But for now, Leo just hugged his baby twin tighter, letting him know that every step, every breath, every heartbeat — they’d take it together.

.

.

.

The lair had gone quiet for the night, the lights dimmed to a soft amber glow that painted the walls of Leo’s room in warmth. The day’s noise and activity had faded, leaving only the sound of faint city hums through the distant pipes.

Leo lay on his side, one arm draped loosely around Donnie, who was curled up close against his chest. The air smelled faintly of lavender from Mikey’s calming diffuser and of metal and disinfectant that always clung to Donnie’s skin. Leo didn’t mind. It was home.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Donnie’s head rested right below Leo’s chin, his fingers toying absently with the hem of Leo’s blanket.

Leo tilted his head slightly, whispering, “You’re awfully quiet tonight, Dee.”

Donnie hesitated, his voice small when he finally answered. “I don’t want to go to sleep yet.”

Leo smiled softly. “Oh? What’s going on in that beautiful big brain of yours?”

A shaky sigh left Donnie. He shifted, tucking himself a little closer until his shell brushed against Leo’s plastron. “I let my fears get the better of me today,” he murmured. “Even though it was… nice, hanging out with Mikey and April, I couldn’t stop worrying about you. I kept thinking something happened or that you wouldn’t come back. It felt like my chest was caving in.”

Leo’s grip around him tightened instinctively. “Donnie…”

“I know, I know,” Donnie said quickly, voice cracking. “You did come back. But if I can’t even handle thirty minutes without losing it, then—” His breath hitched, the next words trembling. “How am I supposed to heal from this?”

Leo pressed his snout gently into the top of Donnie’s head, holding him firmly. “Hey, none of that,” he murmured. “You made great progress today, Dee. You really did.”

Donnie sniffled, shaking his head. “It doesn’t feel like it.”

“It is,” Leo insisted, his voice soft but steady. “This was only the first step. We’re going small and slow, remember? Healing doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t have to be okay tomorrow. Or next week. Or even next month.”

Donnie blinked up at him, his mismatched eyes glassy. “What if it takes me forever?”

Leo smiled gently, brushing his thumb along Donnie’s cheek. “Then I’ll be right there with you. Every single step. However long it takes.”

A quiet, broken sound left Donnie’s throat as he pressed his face into Leo’s plastron, his tears dampening the fabric there. “Thank you, Nardo,” he whispered. “For not giving up on me.”

Leo’s chest ached in the best kind of way. “Never, baby bro,” he said softly, kissing Donnie’s forehead. “Not in a million years.”

Donnie let out a tired hum, his breathing beginning to slow as he leaned into Leo’s warmth. Within minutes, the tension melted from his body, replaced by the soft rhythm of sleep.

Leo stayed awake a little longer, rubbing gentle circles along Donnie’s shell. His baby twin looked peaceful now — small, safe, and loved.

Tomorrow would bring the next step, the next challenge. Donnie might not be ready, and maybe Leo wasn’t either. But they’d face it together, side by side, like always.

As Leo’s eyes finally began to drift shut, he whispered into the dark,
“Small steps, Dee. We’ve got this.”

Chapter Text

Morning sunlight streamed through the cracks in the sewer grates, falling in soft gold strips across Leo’s bed. The room smelled faintly of mint toothpaste and warm fabric — signs that both twins had finally started to settle into something resembling normal again.

Donnie stirred first, his face pressed against Leo’s plastron. For a moment, his sleepy brain didn’t process that he was awake; it just felt right — the familiar heartbeat beneath his ear, the warmth radiating off his twin.

A quiet hum left him, small and content.

Leo’s voice followed, groggy but teasingly soft. “Morning, sunshine.”

Donnie looked up, his mask slightly askew, blinking owlishly. “You’re still here.”

“Of course I am,” Leo chuckled, brushing Donnie’s mask tails back into place. “Where else would I be?”

Donnie let out a relieved chirp, one that made Leo’s heart squeeze. “I just wanted to make sure.”

They stayed like that for a few moments longer, wrapped up in quiet, sleepy warmth — two halves of a shell, perfectly in sync. Leo rubbed gentle circles against Donnie’s shell as his little twin started to fully wake, the steady rhythm grounding them both.

That peace didn’t last long.

A soft knock came at the door before Mikey poked his head in, followed by Raph and Splinter. April trailed close behind, holding two mugs of tea. The sight of the whole family made Donnie perk up slightly, though his shoulders tensed as he sensed what this visit was about.

“Morning, bros!” Mikey said cheerfully. “How are my favorite twins feeling today?”

Leo gave a lopsided grin. “Refreshed. You?”

“Great! Because we’re moving on to step two.”

Donnie froze. “Step two?”

Raph crossed his arms gently, smiling down at him. “Yup. Thought maybe we’d stretch things a bit today. Maybe an hour this time, little bro.”

Donnie’s eyes widened. “An hour?” His voice cracked slightly. “That’s… that’s double yesterday.”

April smiled reassuringly. “We think you’re ready, Don.”

Donnie’s gaze flickered to Leo, desperate, pleading — Please don’t make me do this.

Leo’s heart squeezed painfully, but he still smiled softly, leaning down to press a kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “You’ll be fine, Dee. Promise. You can hang out in your lab or chill with Mikey, Raph, or April...you can even hang out with dad if you want — your choice. The hour will fly by.”

Donnie looked at him like he’d just said the sun might stop shining. “It doesn’t feel like it’ll fly by,” he mumbled.

Leo’s hand squeezed his shoulder gently before he stood up, slowly pulling away. “It will, trust me.”

The moment Leo left the room, the ache started. Donnie could feel it in his chest — a dull, hollow throb that made his hands twitch. He tried to distract himself by heading into his lab, muttering, “Just one hour… I can handle one hour…”

But the silence pressed in fast.

Donnie sat at his desk, staring at one of his monitors for a moment before his fingers began to move automatically. Within seconds, he had pulled up the lair’s security feeds — all of them — until he found Leo in the living room.

Leo was sitting comfortably on the couch, face lit by his phone screen. He was laughing — bright, carefree, that signature Leo laugh that filled the room like sunlight.

And on the screen was Sam.

Donnie’s throat tightened.

He knew better now. He and Sam had talked. They’d made peace. But that ache — that tiny sting of jealousy and fear — still flickered in his chest. What if Leo still preferred Sam over him? What if Sam was the one who got all of Leo’s smiles now instead of Donnie?

Donnie’s hands curled into fists. He didn’t even realize tears had begun to gather until a familiar voice startled him.

“Donnie…”

He jumped, slamming his laptop shut. Raph and Mikey were standing in the doorway, both looking less-than-thrilled.

Raph sighed. “You spying on Leo again?”

Donnie’s face flushed a deep red, about as red as Raph’s mask. “I wasn’t— I just—”

“Don…” Mikey’s tone was gentle but firm. “That’s not healthy, dude.”

Donnie scowled. “Well, I can’t physically be with him, so this is the next best thing!”

Raph rubbed the bridge of his snout. “Come on, genius. You know better. Get outta the lab. You’re coming with us.”

Donnie huffed, glaring half-heartedly, but Raph’s arm around his shoulders made it impossible to resist for long.

“Fine,” he muttered, crossing his arms.

Mikey grinned softly. “You’ll thank us later.”

Raph sent a quick text to Leo: Found Don spying again. We got him.

Leo’s reply came seconds later. Thanks. I’ll talk to him later.

Despite the grumbling, Donnie eventually found himself sitting in the common room with Raph and Mikey, surrounded by snacks and half-finished board games. He tried to focus — to smile, to laugh — but every so often, his gaze would wander, his chest tightening with that familiar ache.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Donnie muttered absently, fiddling with a game piece.

“Probably nothing serious,” Mikey said with a shrug. “Sam’s chill.”

“Yeah, chill,” Donnie repeated under his breath, though it didn’t sound convincing.

But then Raph started telling one of his ridiculous training stories, and Mikey’s laughter filled the room, and for a little while — just a little while — Donnie’s mind stopped racing.

When the hour was up, Leo appeared in the doorway, still smiling from his earlier call. Donnie’s head snapped up instantly.

“Leo!”

He practically launched himself across the room, wrapping his older twin up in a fierce hug. Leo caught him with a soft grunt, chuckling as he steadied them both.

“Hey” Leo murmured, rubbing Donnie’s back. “See? You survived.”

Donnie nodded into his plastron, voice small. “I didn’t like it.”

“I know,” Leo whispered. “But I’m proud of you anyway.”

As Donnie clung to him, Leo looked up at Raph and Mikey over his younger twin’s shoulder. They exchanged a look — part understanding, part worry.

Leo knew what they were thinking. This wasn’t over. The conversation tonight was going to be hard, but it would have to happen.

For now, though, Leo just held Donnie close, his hand resting protectively on his little twin’s shell. One step at a time.

.

.

.

Night had settled softly over the lair, the city hum muffled by the concrete walls and the familiar quiet that always came once everyone started turning in. The twins were tucked away in Leo’s room, the soft blue glow of Leo’s lamp washing over them. Donnie was unusually quiet as he adjusted the blanket around himself, pretending to scroll through his wrist tech. Leo knew that look—the fidgeting, the too-casual stillness. His little twin was avoiding something.

“Alright, spill it,” Leo murmured after a few minutes, his tone light but firm as he stretched his arms behind his head. “You’ve got that look. What’s going on in that beautiful big brain of yours, huh?”

Donnie didn’t look up. “Nothing,” he said too quickly, voice small.

Leo hummed softly. “Right. Because you always act like an awkward spy-bot when it’s nothing.”

That made Donnie’s lips twitch, but he didn’t meet Leo’s eyes. He turned on his side instead, pulling the blanket higher. “Can we not talk about this? I just… I’m tired.”

Leo sighed, rolling to face him. “Donatello…”

The gentle use of his full name made Donnie flinch, and Leo knew he had him. He reached out, fingers brushing Donnie’s arm until his younger twin finally sighed and sat up halfway, avoiding Leo’s gaze.

“I know Raph told you,” Donnie muttered. “About me… checking in.”

“Checking in,” Leo echoed softly, the corners of his mouth curling in a bittersweet smile. “You mean spying.”

Donnie’s head snapped up, eyes flashing. “It’s not spying!” he protested, tone cracking halfway through. “It’s— it’s monitoring! I just needed to make sure you were safe! You were gone, and it was an hour, Leo. Sixty minutes! Do you know how long that felt?!”

Leo’s face softened, but he stayed firm. “I know why you did it, Don. I do. But that doesn’t make it right.”

Donnie’s breath hitched, his body curling slightly in on itself as the words hit harder than he expected. “So you think I’m wrong for caring about you?” he said quietly, voice tight.

Leo immediately shook his head. “No. You’re not wrong for caring. You’re wrong for hurting yourself trying to control that care. You’re doing so good, Don. You’re healing. But this—” He reached out, resting his hand gently over Donnie’s trembling one. “—this is a step backward, not forward.”

Donnie froze, then turned away from Leo, lying on his side with his back facing him. His voice was muffled against the pillow, thick with emotion. “I never wanted to do this in the first place,” he said, frustration bleeding into the tremor of grief beneath. “I don’t see the problem with how I’m coping. At least it works.”

Leo let out a slow breath, his chest aching at the sheer exhaustion in his twin’s voice. He could see the tension in Donnie’s shoulders, the way his hands fisted the blanket.

Then came the soft, brittle words that made Leo’s heart clench

“Just go. If you’re against me, just… leave me alone.”

For a second, Leo said nothing. The air between them hung heavy. He knew better than to take Donnie’s words at face value. He heard the fear beneath the anger, the cracks in the armor.

He scooted closer, voice gentle as his hand rested against Donnie’s shell. “I’m not against you, Don. And I’m not leaving.”

Donnie’s body stiffened. “Why not?” he whispered, voice trembling.

Leo’s thumb traced slow circles along the familiar grooves of his shell, grounding. “Because I know that the second I do, you’re going to panic. You’ll come running, eyes wide, heartbeat racing, begging me not to leave. You’d cry out for me, Dee. And I’d come running right back. Every time.”

The silence that followed was sharp and fragile. Donnie’s breath caught, his shell rising and falling unevenly as his emotions tangled inside him. He hated that Leo was right—hated how well his twin knew him. But there was a small, quiet part of him that loved that too. That Leo understood every corner of him, even the broken ones.

“Am I right, Dee?” Leo asked softly, voice a whisper meant only for him.

Donnie’s throat tightened. He curled up tighter, voice small and cracked. “Mhm.”

Leo’s chest ached. He gently reached over, guiding Donnie to roll over so they faced each other. The sight nearly broke him—his twin’s eyes red and glistening, tears already streaking his face.

“Oh, baby…” Leo murmured, his voice low and tender as he opened his arms. “Come here.”

Donnie hesitated for barely a second before crawling over and collapsing into Leo’s embrace. His body trembled violently as he sobbed into Leo’s plastron, gripping his shell like a lifeline. Leo’s arms wrapped tight around him, one hand rubbing slow, soothing lines up and down his back.

“Shh, it’s okay. I’m not mad, Dee. I’m not mad at all,” Leo whispered, pressing soft kisses to the top of his little brother’s head. “Just… disappointed you felt you had to spy. That’s all.”

Donnie hiccupped between sobs. “I didn’t mean to— I was just— scared. Hurting. I saw you laughing with Sam and—” His voice broke again. “I know it’s stupid and I know that we have already address this so many times before, but I got scared that maybe you’d rather be with him than me.”

Leo’s heart clenched painfully at that, and he hugged Donnie tighter, his own eyes glistening now. “Oh, Donnie baby. No. Never. Sam’s great, but he’s not you. You’re my twin. My other half. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Donnie’s cries came softer now, but they didn’t stop. He clung tighter, whispering broken apologies between shaky breaths.

“’M sorry, Leo… I’m so sorry…”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Leo murmured, rocking him gently. “I’ve already forgiven you, okay? You’re safe. You’re loved. I’m right here.”

Bit by bit, Donnie’s sobs turned into soft sniffles, his body finally beginning to relax against Leo’s warmth. The exhaustion from the emotional storm soon pulled him under, his breathing evening out against Leo’s chest.

Leo didn’t move. He kept his arms around Donnie, fingers tracing mindless patterns on his shell as he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

This setback wouldn’t define them. It was just another bump on the road to healing. Donnie would get there, even if it took time— and Leo would be there, every single step of the way.

He pressed one last kiss to his baby twin’s head, whispering softly, “We’ll take it easy tomorrow, Dee. Maybe wait on bringing Sam by. One step at a time.”

Then he closed his eyes, letting sleep take him too— his arms still locked protectively around the little brother he’d never let fall again

Chapter Text

The lair was still quiet when Leo stirred awake. For a moment, he wasn’t entirely sure what had woken him — the soft hum of Donnie’s tech, the faint buzz of city life beyond the walls, or the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of the body pressed against him.

Donnie was still fast asleep, his face buried against Leo’s shoulder, breath soft and even. His hand was curled loosely around Leo’s plastron, as if even in dreams he refused to let go. The faint remnants of dried tears still clung to the edges of his mask.

Leo’s chest tightened. He brushed his fingers gently along the back of Donnie’s shell, his thumb tracing slow circles. Rough night, he thought. He deserves this peace.

The door slid open quietly, and Leo looked up to see Raph and Mikey slipping inside, voices hushed. Mikey carried a small tray with tea, while Raph peeked in with that protective big brother look he always wore when one of them was hurting.

“How’s he doing?” Raph whispered, eyes softening as he took in the sight of the twins tangled together.

Leo’s voice was low. “Better now, but… last night was hard. He cried himself out. I don’t think pushing him today is the right move.”

Mikey nodded immediately. “Yeah, bro. He deserves a chill day. Poor Donnie’s been fighting his own brain nonstop.”

Raph crossed his arms but didn’t argue. “I get it. But don’t make this a habit, Leo. He’s gotta learn to stand without clingin’ to you every second.”

Leo smiled tiredly. “I know. But I can’t make any promises, Raph. You know how he gets.”

Raph gave him a look but didn’t press further. He knew that tone — the one that said Leo would burn through every ounce of patience and comfort just to make sure his little twin didn’t crack.

After a small pause, Leo sighed. “I was actually thinking about inviting Sam over… maybe tomorrow. Or sometime in the next couple days.”

Mikey perked up. “That could be really good for him! A healthy challenge, you know? He likes Sam, even if it’s complicated.”

Raph nodded slowly. “Yeah. Might help him start dealin’ with that whole fear of losin’ you. But you gotta tell him ahead of time, okay? No surprises. He doesn’t handle those well.”

Leo’s gaze flickered toward the sleeping Donnie, his voice softening. “Yeah. I’ll tell him. I just… need to pick the right time.”

Raph patted his shoulder. “Then wait ‘til he’s ready. But don’t wait too long, either.”

With that, Raph and Mikey left the room quietly, heading toward the kitchen. Leo watched them go before looking back at his twin.

Donnie stirred, a faint chirp escaping his throat as he slowly blinked awake. His eyes, still hazy with sleep, focused on Leo.

“Morning, sunshine,” Leo said warmly, smiling down at him. “Sleep okay?”

Donnie mumbled something that sounded like “Mhm” and nuzzled closer, rubbing at his eyes. “Still tired,” he murmured.

Leo chuckled softly. “You can sleep in a bit longer if you want. But I was thinking…” He brushed a hand over Donnie’s shell, feeling the tension there even as Donnie relaxed under his touch. “We take it easy today. No separation. Just us.”

That got Donnie’s attention. His head lifted slightly, a hopeful light flickering in his eyes. “Really?”

“Really,” Leo confirmed with a grin. “Doctor’s orders. You’ve earned a day off.”

Relief flooded Donnie’s face as he melted into Leo’s arms, hugging him tightly and pressing his forehead to Leo’s shoulder. “Thank you, Nardo,” he whispered, his voice small and earnest. “I just… I needed this.”

Leo hugged him back, resting his chin on top of Donnie’s head. “I know, Dee. I know.”

He hesitated for a brief moment, thinking about Sam — about the conversation that would eventually have to happen. But then Donnie’s little contented chirp broke through his thoughts, and Leo’s heart softened again.

Not yet, he told himself. He looks too happy right now. Let him have this.

Leo gently pulled back, giving Donnie’s hand a squeeze. “C’mon, my little genius. Mikey made breakfast, and I’m starving. Bet you are too.”

Donnie nodded, still half-drowsy but smiling, and slid his hand into Leo’s without hesitation. His fingers tightened, grip warm and unyielding, as if he feared that even this small distance between rooms could break them apart.

Leo didn’t mind. Not today.

The two of them walked down the hallway side by side, Donnie pressed close, their hands still linked. Leo smiled faintly, hiding the small knot of nerves that curled low in his stomach.

He would have to tell Donnie soon — about Sam, about what came next. But for now, as his twin leaned against him with sleepy affection, Leo decided that today would be about peace.

Tomorrow could wait.

Chapter Text

After breakfast, Leo had a plan — one that he hoped would ease the tension lingering from the night before. No separation talk, no healing steps, no tears.

Just him and Donnie.

The day was filled with laughter and a little chaos — exactly what Leo wanted. They spent the morning racing through the tunnels, testing out one of Donnie’s hover drones that only half-worked (“A minor malfunction!” Donnie protested as they spun out into a wall). After that, they worked together on an old repair project, shoulder to shoulder, soldering and tinkering like they hadn’t done in weeks.

By the time lunch came around, Leo had coaxed a real smile out of Donnie — not the soft, fragile ones he’d been giving lately, but a bright, genuine grin that made Leo’s chest ache with relief.

It felt like old times again.

Just the twins, together.

And yet… even in the middle of all that joy, Leo couldn’t quiet the thought circling in the back of his mind — the conversation he needed to have. The one about Sam.

He hated the way his stomach twisted whenever he thought about it. He didn’t want to ruin Donnie’s day, but he also couldn’t put it off forever.

When evening came, and Raph suggested a movie night, it felt like the perfect moment — or at least, the least painful one. The family gathered in the common area, Donnie perched close beside Leo on the couch, chattering about which movie they should watch.

Mikey and Raph had gone to the kitchen for snacks and blankets, leaving the twins alone in the soft glow of the TV. Donnie was mid-sentence about how “statistically speaking, my movie choice is always superior” when Leo spoke.

“Hey, Dee,” Leo said quietly.

Donnie looked up, that familiar sparkle in his eyes dimming slightly at the tone. “Yeah, Nardo?”

Leo hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I, uh… wanted to talk to you about something. About tomorrow, maybe.”

Immediately, Donnie’s posture changed — shoulders stiff, fingers twitching where they rested on the couch. “Tomorrow?”

Leo nodded, keeping his tone soft and careful. “I was thinking of inviting Sam over.”

There it was. The words hung heavy in the air between them.

Donnie blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Oh.” He stared at the floor, his voice small. “Why?”

Leo leaned forward slightly. “I thought it might be a good next step — for you. For both of us. Sam and I can hang out for a bit, and you can spend time with Raph and Mikey. Just like we did before, only a little longer this time.”

Donnie’s brows furrowed, and his throat worked around something he clearly didn’t want to say. “I don’t know, Leo… I don’t really think that’s a good idea.”

Leo’s heart pinched at the soft tremor in Donnie’s voice. “Hey,” he said gently, brushing his fingers against Donnie’s arm, “It’s okay. Sam’s not replacing you. He never could. But he is family, and spending time with him might help ease you into this healing thing. I really think it could help.”

Donnie shook his head, his voice rising just a little. “But what if it doesn’t? What if you—” He stopped himself, biting his lip, eyes glistening faintly. “What if you forget about me?”

“Donnie baby…” Leo’s voice broke slightly as he reached out, taking Donnie’s trembling hand in his. “You’re my twin. That’s never going to change. Sam’s great, yeah, but you’re my other half, Dee. There’s no one else like you.”

Donnie’s eyes dropped to their joined hands. His thumb brushed over Leo’s palm in slow circles, as if trying to ground himself in the touch. “…You promise?”

“Always,” Leo said softly as he kissed Donnie's forehead. “You’re my number one. I swear it.”

For a long, fragile moment, neither of them spoke. Then Donnie sighed and gave a small nod. “Okay. If you think it’ll help.”

Leo smiled, though the expression didn’t reach his eyes. He could tell Donnie wasn’t truly convinced — that this wasn’t agreement born of belief, but of love. Donnie was saying yes for him.

Before Leo could say anything more, the sound of footsteps filled the room. Raph and Mikey returned with a mountain of blankets and an armful of snacks.

“Movie night’s back on, dudes!” Mikey cheered, flopping down beside Donnie.

Leo opened his arm automatically, an unspoken invitation for Donnie to come close like always. But to everyone’s quiet surprise, Donnie hesitated — then slowly turned toward Mikey instead.

He slowly moved away from his older twin and curled up beside the youngest turtle, leaning into his baby brother's shoulder without meeting Leo’s gaze.

Raph raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he took his seat. Mikey, though startled, immediately softened, adjusting his blanket so Donnie could tuck in comfortably.

Beside his two youngest brothers, Leo froze. The spot beside him felt impossibly empty, a cold ache blooming in its place. He tried to hide the flicker of hurt behind an easy smile, focusing his eyes on the TV instead.

But Mikey noticed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the tension in Leo’s jaw, the way his hand lingered halfway toward where Donnie should’ve been.

No one spoke about it.

The movie started, laughter cues playing softly in the background, but the air was thick — quiet, uneasy. Donnie barely moved the entire time, eyes unfocused, as though caught somewhere between fear and guilt.

And Leo… he just sat there, smiling faintly when the others looked his way, pretending everything was fine. Pretending that the distance between them didn’t feel like a canyon.

They just sat — two halves of the same soul — separated by a few feet of couch and a silence that neither of them knew how to fill.

.

.

.

The movie’s credits roll quietly, the light from the TV flickering over the brothers’ relaxed forms. Raph stretches with a sleepy groan before slumping down onto the floor, announcing that the couch is officially closed for the night. Mikey immediately dives beside him, giggling as he wriggles under Raph’s arm.

“C’mere, my little brothers,” Raph mumbles, voice thick with drowsiness. “Big brother pillow duty starts now.”

Donnie lets out a soft huff, but there’s no real protest as he settles down near Raph’s middle, his shell pressing lightly against their eldest’s plastron. Leo hesitates for a moment before following suit, sliding down on the other side, next to Mikey. The four of them quickly form a comfortable, familiar turtle pile — something they hadn’t done in far too long.

Within minutes, Raph’s snores fill the room, low and rumbling. Mikey’s breathing slows too, his hand twitching slightly as he slips into sleep. The lair falls into a peaceful stillness, the only light coming from the dim glow of the TV screen saver.

Leo’s eyes, however, remain open. He turns his head slightly, spotting Donnie curled up tight — too tight — his knees tucked in, hands gripping Raph’s tail like a lifeline.

Their eyes meet.

It’s brief, quiet, almost fragile — just a glance, but enough for Leo to see the faint shimmer of wetness gathering at the corners of Donnie’s eyes. His heart clenches.

“Hey,” Leo whispers gently, his tone soft and coaxing, the way he used to when Donnie would stay up late with nightmares as a kid. “There’s still room, Dee. You can come over, if you want.”

For a second, Leo hopes. But then Donnie turns away, his shoulders trembling slightly as he buries his face into Raph’s tail instead.

The rejection is silent but heavy.

Leo’s lips part to say something — anything — but he stops himself. He exhales slowly, fighting the ache building in his chest. Instead, he shuffles closer, just enough to lean over the small gap between them.

With gentle care, he presses a kiss to the back of Donnie’s head, whispering so quietly it’s barely audible even to himself,

“If you need me, Dee, I’ll just be a few feet away. Sweet dreams. I love you so much.”

There’s no response.

Leo lingers for a moment, hoping maybe Donnie will turn around — maybe he’ll whisper something back. But nothing comes. Only the faint, uneven rhythm of Donnie’s breathing fills the silence.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Leo retreats to his own spot beside Mikey. He curls in slightly, staring at the ceiling as tears pool and slip down his cheeks one by one. He tells himself that this space is supposed to help Donnie heal — that the distance is good. But right now, it just feels like punishment.

He wipes his eyes, forcing his breath to even out before finally closing them. The last thought that drifts through his mind before sleep takes him is that maybe tomorrow, things will hurt a little less.

A few feet away, Donnie lies awake too. His chest feels tight, his throat burning from holding back quiet sobs. He can still feel the ghost of Leo’s kiss against his head, still hear that soft “I love you.” But the worst thing was hearing Leo's quiet sobs from behind him and knowing that he was the reason that his older twin was crying

It hurt so bad as his heart was begging to go over to Leo and apologize for making him cry but his body was refusing to move

He wants nothing more than to crawl those few feet back and tuck himself under Leo’s arm, to feel his older twin’s warmth and hear his heartbeat. But he can’t. Not tonight. He tells himself that it’s for his own good — that this space is supposed to help — but deep down, it feels like he’s punishing himself for hurting the one person he loves most.

Sniffling, Donnie wipes at his eyes with the edge of Raph’s tail and curls tighter around it. The room is quiet again, the soft hum of the lair’s air vents filling the silence.

By the time he finally drifts into a restless sleep, Leo’s quiet sobs have long since faded.

Two twins — only a few feet apart.
But tonight, it feels like miles.

Chapter Text

The lair was quiet in the soft haze of morning. The faint hum of the vents mixed with the gentle rhythm of sleep-breaths, the comforting stillness of a home not yet awake.

Leo blinked his eyes open to the dim light filtering through the cracks in the curtains. His body felt heavy — not from rest, but from exhaustion. His muscles ached with the kind of fatigue that came from emotional weight, not battle.

He shifted slightly, realizing he was still caught in the turtle pile from last night. Raph’s arm was slung over his plastron like a protective anchor, and just a few feet away, Donnie remained curled up tightly, still clinging to Raph’s tail like it was his lifeline. Mikey was gone, the faint clatter of pans from the kitchen confirming he’d already gotten up to make breakfast.

Leo sighed softly, rubbing his eyes. His chest still felt sore — not physically, but somewhere deeper. He hadn’t slept much. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Donnie’s tearful look from last night, seeing him turn away from him. The ache hadn’t eased overnight; it had settled in, a dull, familiar throb.

Turning his head, Leo’s gaze softened as it fell on Donnie. His little twin looked so small, curled tight with Raph’s tail hugged against his plastron, his face half-buried in the fabric of Raph’s blanket. For a moment, Leo thought Donnie was awake — but then he saw the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest, each breath deep and even.

Carefully, Leo shifted, crawling a little closer until he could see Donnie’s face more clearly. That’s when he noticed the faint, silvery streaks running down his cheeks. Tear stains.

Leo’s throat tightened.

He sat there for a long moment, just watching his twin sleep, his heart cracking a little more with every breath Donnie took. The guilt pressed down on him like a weight — heavy, suffocating. He thought this was helping. He thought distance would be good. But all he saw now was pain — pain that he caused.

His hand moved almost on instinct, trembling as he brushed his thumb across Donnie’s cheek, wiping away one of the dried trails.

“You awake, Dee?” Leo whispered, his voice soft and hopeful.

No response. Donnie didn’t stir, didn’t move. Just breathed. Peaceful and unaware.

Leo’s lips trembled as he stared down at him.

“I’m so sorry that I keep doing this to you, Tello,” he whispered, voice breaking on his twin’s name. “I don’t mean to. I hate seeing you like this.”

He paused, swallowing hard as his vision blurred. The tears he had held back all night finally spilled, quiet and unchecked.

Leaning down, Leo pressed a soft kiss against Donnie’s cheek — tender, trembling. A lone tear slipped free and landed beside it.

“I’m sorry, Dee,” he murmured brokenly. “But this is for your own good. I hope in time you can forgive me. And remember that I’m doing this because I love you… so much.”

The words barely made it past his lips before his voice cracked completely. He bit back a sob, forcing himself to stay quiet so he wouldn’t wake Donnie.

For a few seconds more, Leo stayed there, just listening to Donnie breathe, memorizing the sound like it was something precious — something he feared might fade if he wasn’t careful. Then, slowly, painfully, he began to pull away.

He carefully climbed out of the turtle pile, glancing back one last time. Donnie hadn’t moved.

Leo inhaled shakily, squared his shoulders, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. The day had to start — Sam was coming over soon, and Leo needed to be ready.

But as he walked down the hall toward his room to change, the ache in his chest didn’t ease. His steps felt heavy, his heart heavier.

Because even though he told himself this distance was for Donnie’s healing…

…it sure felt like it was breaking them both

.

.

.

The faint scent of breakfast hung in the air — eggs, pancakes, and something sweet Mikey must’ve experimented with again. Donnie’s nose twitched, but it wasn’t enough to pull him all the way awake. He lingered in that half-dream space, where warmth and weight pressed against his shell and soft sounds floated in from the lair beyond.

In his dream, there had been a voice. A voice that trembled but still spoke with love. It said I’m sorry and I love you so much. The words wrapped around his heart like a blanket, a phantom touch of comfort that felt achingly familiar.

When Donnie finally blinked awake, the dream clung to him like mist. His chest felt heavy, his throat tight — like he’d been crying in his sleep. He slowly realized that his face felt tacky with dried tears. He reached up and touched his cheek. It was true.

Raph was still next to him, snoring softly, his huge frame curled protectively. Donnie smiled faintly at the sight. But when he turned, expecting to see a familiar blue bandana nearby, his heart dipped.

Leo wasn’t there.

The ache that always seemed to live in his chest these days swelled painfully. Even after everything, after how he’d pushed Leo away — twice — his first instinct was to look for him. And when he didn’t find him, it hurt.

He sat there for a few long moments, just staring at the empty space where Leo should’ve been. His mind replayed the last few days — the talk, the spying, the rejection, the distance. He knew Leo was only trying to help him heal. And for the first time, Donnie started to see how his fear — the very thing that was supposed to protect him — had started to hurt Leo instead.

He was making progress, sure. He could go longer without panicking. But what good was progress if it was breaking his twin’s heart in the process?

Donnie’s throat burned. He pressed a trembling hand to his chest and whispered to himself, “I never wanted this.”

Carefully, he slipped out from under Raph’s arm and stood. He didn’t want to wake his older brother — not yet. He needed to find Leo first. To make it right.

He padded quietly down the hallway, his movements instinctive — drawn toward where he knew Leo would be. Somewhere deep inside, he could feel his twin’s presence, like a pulse that called to him.

Then he heard it.

Laughter.

Leo’s laughter.

It was soft and genuine, echoing down the hall from the dojo. The sound should have made Donnie smile — it usually did — but today it only made his stomach twist with a mix of longing and guilt.

He followed the sound until he reached the entrance of the dojo, stopping just short of stepping inside. What he saw froze him in place.

Leo wasn’t alone.

Sam was there.

They were sitting across from each other on the floor, the two of them mid-conversation. Leo’s smile was gentle but tired — that kind of smile Donnie recognized from nights when his twin was pretending everything was fine. Sam said something quiet, something Donnie couldn’t catch, and Leo’s face faltered for just a second before Sam reached out and pulled him into a comforting hug.

Donnie’s breath hitched.

His first instinct was jealousy, a sharp twist in his chest — but it faded almost instantly, replaced by something much worse.

Sadness.
And guilt.

That should have been him. He should have been the one comforting Leo, holding him when he was hurting, being the twin that Leo could lean on. But instead, Leo had turned to someone else — because Donnie had pushed him away.

Tears welled up again, blurring his vision. He pressed a hand to his mouth to keep quiet, to muffle the small, broken sound that threatened to escape.

He took a small step back, ready to leave, to retreat before anyone noticed him—

“...Donnie?”

Leo’s voice was soft. Surprised.

Donnie froze.

He didn’t turn around. Couldn’t. His heart hammered in his chest as he stared down at the floor, trembling slightly.

The sound of Leo’s voice — warm, gentle, uncertain — wrapped around him, holding him in place.

And for the briefest, most painful moment…

Donnie wished he could disappear

Chapter Text

Sam’s arrival brought a soft ripple of warmth through the lair — the kind that came with open smiles and familiar faces. Leo’s smile was bright as he greeted his look-alike brother

“Hey, Sam! You made it!” Leo greeted, his tone carrying that same effortless cheer he always used to mask what churned underneath.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Sam replied, grinning. His gaze flicked briefly around the lair before landing back on Leo. “You look tired, bro.”

Leo chuckled, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… sleep’s kind of optional lately.”

They moved into the dojo soon after — a quiet, familiar space where conversation came easier. Sam took a seat on the mat, legs crossed, and Leo joined him, the air between them calm but heavy.

“So,” Sam started gently, “how’s Donnie doing?”

Leo’s smile faltered. He let out a slow breath and looked down at his hands. “He’s… trying. We both are.”

He leaned back slightly, eyes clouding with thought. “I just don’t know if what we’re doing is helping him or hurting him. This separation stuff — it’s supposed to help him get used to being without me for short periods, right? But all I see is him crying and shaking and… blaming himself. Every time I have to walk away, I feel like I’m tearing us both apart.”

Sam listened quietly, giving Leo space to speak.

Leo’s voice grew softer. “Last night, he… he wouldn’t come near me. Twice. He curled up with Raph and Mikey instead, and I told myself it was okay. That it was progress. But it hurt, Sam. I know it’s not about me, but it still hurt.” His voice cracked then, raw and weary. “I just feel lost. I don’t know how to fix this without breaking something else.”

Sam reached out, steadying a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “You’re doing the best you can, Leo. Healing isn’t clean — it’s messy and painful, and sometimes it looks like it’s getting worse before it gets better. Donnie’s not rejecting you. He’s just...scared. But he loves you, man. Probably more than anyone.”

Leo blinked quickly, throat tightening.

Sam brought Leo into a hug. “He needs you more than ever, even when he pushes you away. Especially when he pushes you away.”

Leo nodded faintly, the words sinking deep. And that’s when he saw movement — a flicker in the doorway.

Donnie.

He stood there, half in shadow, eyes wide and wet. His posture was hesitant, guilt curling through every line of his body. He turned as if to retreat—

“Donnie?” Leo’s voice came out soft, almost a whisper.

Donnie froze.

Sam caught Leo’s look and understood immediately. He rose quietly, giving Donnie a small smile as he passed him. “I’ll give you two some space,” he murmured. As he left, he patted Leo’s shoulder once more. “Good luck, bro.”

The dojo felt impossibly still after Sam left.

Leo drew in a slow, shaky breath. “C’mere, Dee. Sit with me?”

Donnie hesitated but eventually obeyed, padding over silently before sinking down beside Leo. His body turned slightly away, head bowed, hands fidgeting with the edge of his knee pad.

For a long moment, Leo said nothing. Then, gently, he reached out and placed a hand over Donnie’s trembling one.

“Dee,” he began softly, “I need to talk to you about last night.”

Donnie flinched, the tension in his shoulders sharp. Leo saw the guilt flicker across his face — the pain of it — and he swallowed hard before continuing.

“When you pulled away from me… it hurt. Not because you didn’t want to be near me, but because I didn’t know how to reach you anymore. I’ve been trying so hard to help you heal, but sometimes I feel like I’m just… watching you fall apart.”

Donnie’s breath hitched. His eyes stayed downcast.

Leo squeezed his hand. “I hate seeing you cry, Dee. I've always have. I hate feeling like I’m part of the reason you’re in pain. I keep wondering if I’m doing this right — if pushing you to face your fears is the right thing, or if I’m just making it worse.”

Silence fell, broken only by the sound of Donnie’s shaky breathing. Then, in a whisper so small it almost vanished—

“I can’t help it, Nardo…”

Leo blinked.

Donnie turned slightly toward him, tears welling up fast. “Every time you’re not near me, it feels like my chest’s caving in. I know it’s irrational — I know you’re safe — but my brain just won’t listen. It tells me you’re gone. That you’re not coming back.” His voice cracked into a sob. “And now with Sam… I know he’s good for you, and that you love him like a brother, but part of me can’t stop thinking you’ll realize you don’t need me anymore.”

Leo’s eyes softened, tears threatening his own vision.

“Oh, Donnie baby…”

He reached forward and pulled his trembling baby twin into his arms. Donnie didn’t resist — in fact, he broke completely, sobbing hard into Leo’s plastron.

“I don’t want to feel broken anymore!” Donnie choked out. “But if I do… I’d rather be broken with you than alone!”

Leo’s heart shattered. He tightened his hold, rocking them gently as he whispered, “You’ll never be alone, Dee. Never. I promise.” His tears slipped freely now, dripping into Donnie’s bandana. “You hear me? I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be with you every step — every fear, every panic, every tear — until you don’t need me like this anymore. And even then, I’ll still be here because I want to be. I want to be here...with you. No one else but you”

The twins clung to each other, shaking and crying until their tears began to slow. The weight between them began to ease — not vanish, but lighten, just enough to breathe again.

A quiet knock came at the door. Sam peeked his head in, concern in his expression. “Hey… you guys okay?”

Leo looked up, eyes red but smiling faintly. “Yeah… we’re okay.”

Donnie sniffled, rubbing at his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered to Sam. “For being there for Leo. For… being a good brother.”

Sam smiled warmly. “That’s what brothers do. But don’t worry — you’re Leo’s other half. No one could ever take that away.”

Leo’s heart swelled. He looked down at Donnie, brushing away the last of his tears before pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“You hear that, Dee? Even Sam knows — you’re my twin. My other half. And I’ll never leave you.”

Donnie’s lip wobbled, but he smiled faintly. “Promise?”

“Promise,” Leo whispered, holding him close. “You’re my Donnie. My baby twin forever”

Donnie’s voice came out small, but certain. “And you’re my Nardo. My big brother. My...my older twin”

They stayed like that, wrapped up in each other’s arms, the ache in their hearts quieting under the rhythm of shared breathing.

They still had a long way to go — the path ahead uncertain, the work far from over — but as long as they faced it together, they’d find their way through.

Because the Disaster Twins had always been strongest as one.

And that would never change.

Chapter Text

The lair felt alive that morning. The smell of Mikey’s pancakes wafted through the air, laughter echoing down the halls as the brothers prepared for a much-needed family day.

Leo did his best to split his attention evenly—talking with Sam about missions and small upgrades they could try in training, then turning to Donnie to check in, to share little jokes and soft smiles. Donnie stayed close—close enough that his shell sometimes brushed against Leo’s arm—but he didn’t cling. He didn’t interrupt conversations or pull Leo away. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.

And Leo noticed.

Every small gesture—the way Donnie laughed at one of Mikey’s puns instead of retreating into silence, the way he actually accepted Sam’s offered high-five without hesitation—it all filled Leo’s chest with quiet pride. His twin was trying. And for the first time in a long while, Leo allowed himself to hope that maybe—just maybe—Donnie was finding his balance again.

The day carried on in bursts of light and laughter. They played games, sparred gently in the dojo, and even managed to get Splinter to participate in a round of karaoke (“Papa Splinter’s Greatest Hits” was, as always, a chaotic masterpiece). Donnie even smiled through the chaos, his laughter coming easier as the day went on.

By nightfall, everyone was comfortably exhausted. The lair glowed soft under the dimmed lights. Leo and Donnie retreated to Leo’s room, the familiar comfort of the twin space wrapping around them like a blanket.

Leo collapsed onto his bed with a happy sigh, patting the spot beside him. “You, my dear twin, were amazing today,” he said, his voice warm and proud.

Donnie chuckled softly as he joined him, leaning his head against Leo’s shoulder. “I… tried,” he admitted, voice small but genuine.

“Tried?” Leo nudged him gently. “You succeeded, Dee. You were brave today. You let people in, you let me go a little. I’m so proud of you, baby bro.”

Donnie’s heart swelled at the words, eyes glistening. He turned slightly, curling closer into Leo’s side. “Thank you, Nardo… I’m glad I did it too. Being with everyone again—it felt… good.”

Leo hummed, wrapping an arm around Donnie’s shoulders. “Yeah. It really did.”

For a moment, they sat in quiet peace—the kind of silence that only existed between them, where even their breathing synced up. Then Donnie spoke again, hesitantly.

“Leo… I’ve been thinking.”

“Uh-oh,” Leo teased lightly. “That usually means trouble.”

Donnie gave a soft, amused huff before continuing. “Tomorrow… you should have a day with just Sam.”

Leo blinked, surprised. “Wait, really? You mean—without you?”

Donnie nodded slowly, though his hand instinctively tightened around Leo’s forearm. “Yeah. I mean, I’ll still be here—with Raph and Mikey and April. But… you deserve time with him too. I’ll be okay.” He paused, meeting Leo’s gaze earnestly. “Just… promise me you won’t go too far. And not for too long, okay?”

Leo’s chest ached—pride and tenderness twisting together. He reached up and brushed Donnie’s cheek with his thumb. “Okay, Dee. I promise. Not too far, not too long.” He smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to Donnie’s forehead. “You’re doing so well, you know that? I’m really proud of you.”

Donnie’s eyes fluttered shut as a soft smile curved his lips. “Thanks, Nardo… I’m glad I have you.”

Leo chuckled softly, settling back as he gently rubbed circles into Donnie’s shell. “Always, my little genius. You’ll always have me.”

Donnie’s breathing slowed, the rhythm of Leo’s heartbeat grounding him. “Good,” he murmured sleepily. “Because I don’t ever want to lose you.”

Leo’s eyes softened. “You won’t,” he whispered. “Not in a million years.”

As Donnie drifted off, curled securely against him, Leo stared at the ceiling with a peaceful smile. His heart felt lighter tonight—like the universe was giving him a small break, a tiny victory in the endless war against fear and guilt.

Tomorrow would bring new steps, new challenges. But for now, Leo just watched his baby twin sleep, feeling grateful for every quiet breath Donnie took.

Because after everything they had survived—every wound, every tear—Leo knew this truth deep in his soul:
as long as they were healing together, they were going to be alright

Chapter Text

Morning light filtered through the lair’s skylights, painting the floor in soft amber hues. The air buzzed with anticipation — Leo was heading out with Sam for their “brother day,” a plan that Donnie himself had suggested the night before. He tried to focus on that fact — that this was his idea, his choice — but the tightness in his chest said otherwise.

Leo bounced on his heels near the entrance, twin katanas strapped loosely to his shell. “Alright, Dee,” he said, flashing his signature grin. “You sure you’re good?”

Donnie stood a few feet away, arms crossed but not out of irritation — more as a self-hug. “Positive,” he said, forcing a confident tone. “You’re allowed to have fun, Nardo. I’m not going to spontaneously combust in your absence.”

Leo smirked softly. “Well, let’s not test that theory.” He stepped closer, dropping the bravado as his expression softened. “I’ll text when we get there, okay? And I’ll be back before dinner. Promise.”

Donnie nodded, his throat bobbing. “Okay.”

There was a small, awkward pause — the kind that existed between two hearts that didn’t quite know how to say I’m scared. But Leo broke it first, pulling Donnie into a tight hug that left no room for air, just warmth and heartbeat and brotherhood.

“Love you, Dee,” Leo whispered into his shoulder.

Donnie squeezed back just as tight. “Love you too, Nardo.”

When Leo finally pulled away, Sam gave Donnie a reassuring nod. “We’ll be back soon, Donnie. Take care of yourself, okay?”

Donnie mustered a small smile. “You too, Samuel.”

Then they were gone. The door closed, and the quiet that followed felt heavier than it should have.

The day passed in waves.

Raph, Mikey, and April had all made it their mission to keep Donnie busy — movie marathons, a quick run to the surface for supplies, a round of video games, and even an impromptu sparring session with Raph that left the dojo echoing with laughter.

Donnie laughed too, genuinely. But every so often, his eyes drifted toward the lair’s entrance. The space beside him always felt a little too empty.

He tried to keep his hands busy — tinkering, adjusting, anything to distract himself — but the moments of stillness were the hardest. That’s when the panic tried to slip through the cracks, whispering what-ifs into his mind.

What if something happens? What if he doesn’t come back on time? What if—

No. He stopped himself. He wasn’t going to spiral. Not today.

But even with all his logic and reason, the ache in his chest stayed.

It didn’t take long for Raph to notice. “Hey, genius,” Raph said gently, nudging him with an elbow as they sat together on the couch. “You okay?”

Donnie hesitated before sighing, “I’m trying. Really trying. But it’s… harder than I expected.”

April, sitting cross-legged across from them, gave him an encouraging smile. “You’re doing amazing, Donnie. The fact that you can admit that you’re struggling? That’s huge.”

Mikey chimed in, leaning forward with his usual soft energy. “Yeah, dude! You didn’t call or text him even once — that’s major progress!”

Donnie blinked at them, surprised by the pride in their voices. “I… suppose it is.”

Raph slung an arm around his shoulders. “You’re not gonna fix everything overnight, bro. Healing’s not a sprint — it’s a marathon. You just gotta breathe through it, yeah?”

April nodded. “When the panic starts creeping in, try grounding yourself. Remind yourself where you are — who you’re with. You’re safe, Donnie. Leo’s safe. You’re both okay.”

Donnie nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. “I’ll try.”

“Atta boy,” Raph said, ruffling his head.

And so they spent the rest of the afternoon together — laughing, snacking, talking. The ache never fully went away, but it dulled. And for the first time since the invasion, Donnie felt like he wasn’t battling it alone.

By the time Leo and Sam returned, the lair was calm and warm. Leo’s laughter echoed through the hall as he put up his swords, looking around for his baby twin.

He spotted Donnie first — sitting with Mikey on the couch, mid-discussion about some new upgrade for the Battle Shell.

“Hey, Dee!” Leo called.

Donnie turned, and for a brief moment, Leo expected his twin to rush him, to cling to him like before. But Donnie just smiled — small, but real. He didn’t move.

It was Leo who crossed the room instead, wrapping Donnie in a hug before he could react.

“I missed you,” Leo said softly against his shoulder. “But I’m so proud of you, Don.”

Donnie exhaled shakily, returning the embrace, his lips quirking up in a small smile. “I missed you too. But I… managed.”

Leo pulled back just enough to look him in the eye, a radiant grin spreading across his face. “You did manage. Look at you — I leave for a few hours and you didn’t implode. You even had fun!”

Donnie rolled his eyes but his cheeks were warm. “Well, I had good company,” he said, glancing toward their siblings, who were all quietly grinning.

Leo laughed softly and cupped the back of Donnie’s head, pressing their foreheads together. “You’re doing so well, Dee. One step at a time, yeah?”

Donnie nodded. “Yeah. One step at a time.”

He knew he wasn’t cured — not even close. The fear was still there, the guilt still clinging quietly to the corners of his mind. But tonight, as he leaned into his brother’s arms surrounded by warmth and laughter, he allowed himself to believe that maybe — just maybe — he was moving forward.

And for now, that was enough.

.

.

.

The lair had fallen into its soft nighttime rhythm — the hum of the lights dimmed, the distant whir of the filtration system echoing through the tunnels, and the comforting quiet that always followed a long day.

Leo’s room was a sanctuary in the dimness, washed in the cool blue glow of the string lights that trailed along the ceiling. The twins were curled up together on Leo’s bed, the twin-sized blanket barely containing the two of them. Donnie lay with his head tucked under Leo’s chin, listening to the slow rhythm of his older brother’s heartbeat — steady, grounding, real.

For a while, there was only silence. Then Donnie spoke, voice soft and fragile in the stillness.

“I’ve been thinking,” he murmured.

Leo hummed in response, a quiet “Mm?” against Donnie’s head.

“About today,” Donnie continued. “About… being apart from you.”

Leo’s arms instinctively tightened around him, but he didn’t say anything yet. He waited — letting Donnie find his words, as he always did when it came to serious conversations.

“It was hard,” Donnie admitted finally. “Harder than I expected. There were moments where I wanted to call you, or text, or… do something to make sure you were still out there.” He paused, breathing out shakily. “But I didn’t. I stayed with Raph and Mikey and April. I distracted myself. I even had fun, Leo. Real fun. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop feeling this—” he pressed a hand against his plastron “—this constant ache here. Like a part of me was missing.”

Leo nodded softly, his chin brushing the top of Donnie’s head. “That makes sense,” he whispered. “You’ve been through hell, Dee. Heck, we both have. You’ve had to live with the fear of losing people — especially me. It’s not something you just… turn off.”

Donnie’s voice trembled. “I thought it would feel like progress, but it just felt like distance. And I hated it. I know I’m healing, and I know I need to learn how to exist without panicking when you’re not next to me, but…”

He swallowed, his eyes glistening as he turned slightly to look at Leo. “What if I can’t ever get there? What if I’ll always need you this much?”

Leo’s expression softened, his heart aching at the vulnerability in Donnie’s voice. He reached up and gently cupped his baby twin’s cheek, thumb tracing small circles against his skin.

“Then I’ll always be here,” Leo said, voice thick with emotion. “Because needing me isn’t a weakness, Donnie. It’s just love. And love doesn’t have to be logical or convenient. It just… is.”

Donnie blinked at him, tears welling but not falling. “You make it sound so simple.”

Leo smiled faintly. “It’s not simple. Not even close. But I meant what I said — we go slow, and we go small. If it takes weeks, months, years — I’ll walk every step with you. You don’t have to force yourself to be okay just because you think you should be.”

Donnie’s lip trembled. “You really mean that?”

“I really mean that.”

The silence that followed was tender, filled with everything words couldn’t carry. Donnie let out a long, shaky sigh and leaned forward until his forehead pressed against Leo’s.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “For today. For… everything. I don’t think I would’ve made it through without you.”

Leo smiled gently, brushing a tear off Donnie’s cheek with his thumb. “You give yourself too little credit, Dee. You made it through because you’re strong — not because of me.”

Donnie gave a soft, watery laugh. “Maybe. But it helps when my other half is cheering me on.”

Leo chuckled quietly, tugging him closer until Donnie was snug in his arms once more. “Then I’ll keep cheering until you don’t need me to anymore.”

Donnie’s voice came out muffled against Leo’s chest. “That’s never going to happen.”

“Good,” Leo said with a sleepy smile, pressing a kiss to the top of Donnie’s head. “Because I like having you around.”

Donnie snorted softly, his body finally relaxing as the tension began to fade. “I like being around too.”

“Glad to hear that baby,” Leo echoed again, his voice gentle, rhythmic — a lullaby more than a word.

They lay in silence after that, the faint hum of the lair blending with the evenness of their breathing. Donnie’s eyelids grew heavy as Leo absentmindedly rubbed small circles into his shell.

“Night, my Nardo,” Donnie whispered, barely conscious.

Leo smiled, eyes half-lidded. “Night, my Donnie. My precious baby twin”

And just like that, they both drifted off — two halves of the same heart, wrapped in warmth and trust, ready to face tomorrow’s steps together.

Chapter Text

Morning came slowly and quietly.
Golden light filtered through the cracks in the sewer grates above, casting soft streaks across Leo’s room. The air was calm, the kind of peace that only came after a night of emotional exhaustion.

Donnie stirred first, the faintest of sleepy chirps leaving him as he blinked awake. He felt warmth pressed against his side — Leo’s arm, draped loosely around his middle, rising and falling with steady breaths. For a moment, Donnie didn’t move. He just… breathed.

It had been a long time since mornings felt like this — soft, still, safe.

He tilted his head slightly to look at Leo, who was already half-awake and watching him with a sleepy smile.

“Morning, Dee,” Leo whispered, voice still rough from sleep.

“Morning, Nardo,” Donnie mumbled, smiling faintly back.

They stayed like that for a little while longer, neither of them ready to break the quiet. Leo’s thumb brushed over the back of Donnie’s hand in slow, absentminded circles, and Donnie couldn’t help but lean into it.

“You sleep okay?” Leo asked softly.

Donnie nodded. “Better than I thought I would,” he admitted. “Guess having you close helps.”

Leo chuckled quietly. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Eventually, the sound of voices and clattering dishes from the kitchen called them out of their cocoon. The smell of breakfast — courtesy of Mikey — drifted through the lair, warm and familiar.

By the time the twins made it to the kitchen, Raph, Mikey, April, and Sam were already gathered around the table. Sam waved cheerfully when he spotted them.

“Morning, you two! Sleep well?”

Leo grinned. “Like babies,” he said, elbowing Donnie playfully.

Donnie rolled his eyes but smiled, sitting down next to Leo. Breakfast passed easily enough — pancakes, laughter, small chatter — but Donnie couldn’t help but notice the way Raph and April kept glancing at each other. And at him.

When the plates were cleared, Raph leaned forward, his tone careful but kind. “So… we’ve been talking,” he began. “About Donnie’s healing. You’ve been doing great, Dee. Real great. But we think it might be time to take things one step further.”

Donnie froze mid-sip of his coffee, eyes flicking to Leo in alarm. “Further? How much further are we talking?”

April offered him a soft smile. “We were thinking maybe you could spend the day with me. At my apartment.”

Donnie blinked. “Without Leo?”

April nodded gently. “Just you and me. We can do whatever you want — work on some projects, go for a walk, grab smoothies. Nothing too stressful, promise.”

The words hit Donnie like a wave. His stomach flipped and his throat felt tight. He wanted to be brave — he did — but the idea of spending an entire day away from Leo made his pulse spike.

“I…” he stammered, looking down at his hands. “That’s… that’s a big step. What if something happens? What if Leo needs me? What if—”

Leo reached over, his hand finding Donnie’s and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Hey,” he said softly. “It’s okay, Dee. Nothing’s going to happen. I’ll be here, and you’ll be with April. You’ll both be safe.”

Donnie’s lip trembled slightly as he looked up at him. “But what if I panic again?”

“Then you breathe,” Leo said firmly but warmly. “You remember what we practiced. You ground yourself. You let April know what is going on. Or you can even call Raph or Mikey. You’re not doing this alone, Dee — you’re just doing it without me. And I know that is scary and something you don’t want to hear, but I promise you that it will all be ok”

Donnie’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He could see how much Leo believed in him — how much he wanted him to succeed.

“You think I can do this?” Donnie asked quietly.

Leo smiled, brushing his thumb over Donnie’s knuckles. “I know you can. You’ve already come so far, Dee. This is just one more step forward. And when you come back home, I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

Donnie looked at Leo with shining eyes. “Promise?”

Leo smiled softly as he placed a kiss on the top of Donnie’s forehead, “I promise baby”

The others watched quietly as the twins shared the moment, their connection almost tangible.

Finally, Donnie took a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay,” he said softly. “I’ll do it.”

April beamed. “That’s the spirit!”

Raph smiled proudly, though his tone stayed gentle. “You’re doin’ great, Dee. We’ll all be here when you get back.”

Leo squeezed Donnie’s hand one last time before letting go. “See? You’ve got the best support system in the world.”

Donnie smiled weakly, trying to steady the anxious flutter in his chest. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I guess I do.”

And though the fear still sat heavy in his stomach, Leo’s reassuring warmth beside him made it a little easier to breathe — and a little easier to believe that maybe, just maybe, he really could take this next step.

.

.

.

Donnie stood by the lair’s entrance as his overnight bag sat by his feet—packed neatly with a few gadgets, snacks, and a tablet he likely wouldn’t use. His fingers fidgeted against his sides, his heart heavy and fluttering at the same time.

He tried to breathe slow, to remember everything his family had told him earlier—how proud they were and how Leo would still be here when he came back. But logic and comfort didn’t always play by the same rules, and right now, his chest was full of a restless ache that logic couldn’t touch.

Just then, Leo appeared from the hallway, hoodie in hand. The familiar soft blue fabric made Donnie blink.

“Hey,” Leo said gently, his voice carrying that steady warmth that always cut through the noise in Donnie’s mind. “Before you go—here.”

Donnie tilted his head, taking the hoodie from him. “Your favorite hoodie?”

“Yeah. I figured you might like… a little piece of home with you. A little piece of me with you” Leo’s smile was easy, though there was a glimmer in his eyes that Donnie couldn’t quite read. “You know, just in case you start missing my awesome face too much.”

Despite his nerves, Donnie snorted softly. “You’re so selfless.”

“Always,” Leo replied, mock-bowing before straightening and gesturing at the hoodie. “Put it on.”

Donnie obeyed, slipping it over his head. The soft cotton swallowed him up—warm and familiar, smelling faintly of laundry detergent, Leo’s soap, and a hint of peppermint tea. It was ridiculous how much calmer it made him feel in seconds.

When he looked up again, Leo was watching him fondly. “There you go. Looks better on you anyway.”

Donnie smiled, shy and grateful, before stepping forward and hugging his big brother tightly. Leo’s arms came around him in an instant, firm and grounding. Donnie felt Leo exhale against his shoulder, and for a moment neither of them said anything.

Then Donnie moved to pull back—but Leo didn’t let go.

Donnie blinked. “Leo? Is something wrong?”

Leo’s grip softened, but didn’t release. He leaned back just enough to cup Donnie’s cheeks between his palms. His thumbs brushed slow, soothing circles over Donnie’s skin.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Leo said quietly when Donnie’s worried eyes searched his. “I just… wanted a second.”

The world fell still for that second—just Leo’s voice, the faint hum of the lair, and Donnie’s uneven breath.

Leo smiled, soft and a little sad, before leaning forward until their foreheads touched. “I’ll miss you, Dee.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “But I know this’ll be good for both of us. You’ve got this.”

Donnie’s throat tightened. He couldn’t trust himself to speak, so he just nodded, eyes burning.

Leo pressed a kiss to his forehead, lingering there. “Be safe, okay? I love you baby bro. And I’m so proud of you.”

A tear slid down Donnie’s cheek before he could stop it. “I love you too, Leo,” he whispered back, voice trembling. “You be safe too.”

Leo smiled again, gentle and brave, and they shared one last hug—tight, unspoken, full of warmth that Donnie carried with him long after he let go.

“Go have fun,” Leo said softly as Donnie followed April out. “I’ll see you soon.”

April’s apartment was warm, a little messy, and filled with comforting noise—music from her speakers, the hum of the city outside.

But for the first hour, Donnie couldn’t shake the constant pull in his chest. Every few minutes, his brain whispered, What if Leo needs you? What if he’s hurt? What if—

April noticed. “You doing okay there, genius?” she asked gently, setting two mugs of tea on the coffee table.

Donnie blinked and forced a smile. “I’m… adjusting.”

April gave him a knowing look, settling beside him. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Dee.”

Donnie sighed, rubbing at the sleeve of Leo’s hoodie. “I know it’s irrational, but… it’s hard. I keep thinking something will happen and I won’t be there. Or he’ll need me and I won’t know.”

April reached out and placed a hand over his. “You’re doing great, though. You’re here. You’re breathing. You’re trying. That’s huge.”

Donnie exhaled shakily, then gave a small nod. “It just feels weird not… being near him. He’s like—my gravity, I guess. When he’s gone...or if I'm away from him, I don’t always know how to be.”

“That’s okay,” April said softly. “But maybe today’s the day you learn you can still float a little, even without him right next to you.”

Her words sank in slowly. Donnie leaned back against the couch, staring at the skyline outside her window. The world didn’t feel as sharp as it had an hour ago. He still missed Leo, but the panic had dulled to a quiet ache—something he could sit with, rather than fight.

They spent the afternoon watching movies, making snacks, and laughing at the terrible dubbing of a sci-fi flick. By the time the sun began to dip, Donnie found himself genuinely smiling.

He realized something.
He was okay.

Not perfect. Not cured.
But okay.

Later that evening, as April tidied up, Donnie spoke up, voice soft but sure. “Apes?”

“Yeah?”

“I think… maybe I can be okay being away from Leo. Not forever, obviously—but for a while.”

April’s face lit up with pride. “That’s amazing, Dee. You gotta tell him that when you get back.”

Donnie smiled, warmth swelling in his chest. “I will.”

They shared a small fist bump before turning back to their movie. Donnie tucked himself deeper into Leo’s hoodie, the faint smell of his twin still clinging to the fabric—but now, it didn’t sting. It comforted.

He missed Leo, yes. But for the first time, the distance didn’t feel unbearable.
It just felt like another step forward

Chapter Text

The walk to the lair was quiet, save for April’s occasional hum as she scrolled through her phone. Donnie stood beside her, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands, heart beating a steady rhythm that was neither calm nor anxious — something in between.

He felt tired, but not the heavy kind of tired he used to feel after being apart from Leo. This was different. It was gentle...a bit more peaceful.

Still, the moment that Donnie inputted the code and the familiar smell of the lair hit him — metal, ozone, pizza, and home — something in his chest loosened.

“Go on,” April said, nudging him lightly. “He’s probably waiting.”

Donnie smiled, a quiet blush rising to his cheeks. “You think?”

April raised a brow. “It’s Leo. Your own twin brother. Of course he’s waiting.”

Sure enough, Leo was.

He was sitting on the couch in the living area with Raph, Mikey, and Sam, but the second he saw Donnie step into the lair, his entire face lit up.

“Donnie!” Leo was on his feet in an instant, crossing the distance between them before Donnie could even set his bag down.

Donnie barely had time to blink before Leo’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a warm, solid embrace.

“Welcome home,” Leo murmured against his shoulder.

Donnie froze for a heartbeat — and then melted, his own arms slipping around Leo’s middle as his forehead pressed against Leo’s plastron. The contact was grounding, familiar, and more comforting than he’d even realized he needed.

“I’m home,” Donnie whispered back, the words carrying more meaning than either of them could articulate.

When Leo finally leaned back, his hands stayed on Donnie’s shoulders, eyes bright with pride. “You did it.”

Donnie blinked. “Did what?”

Leo smiled, soft and warm. “You spent a whole day without me. And look at you—still standing, still smiling.”

Donnie gave a small, embarrassed laugh, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Barely.”

Leo’s grin widened. “Nah, you did great. April texted me a picture of you laughing at some bad sci-fi movie. That doesn’t scream ‘barely.’”

Donnie groaned, cheeks turning pink. “She did what?!?”

April waved her phone from across the room, laughing. “It was a good moment! Had to commemorate the progress!”

The others chuckled, and Donnie rolled his eyes, but the sound of his family’s laughter — light, easy, happy — filled him with a sense of peace that hadn’t come easy in a long time.

Leo reached up and tugged lightly on the hoodie’s sleeve. “You even kept my hoodie on the whole time?”

Donnie smiled, small but sincere. “It helped.”

Leo’s gaze softened even more. “I’m glad.”

The two of them stayed close through the rest of the evening — Leo telling him about the chaos that was hanging out with Raph, Mikey, and Sam (“I swear, I turned my back for two minutes and Mikey was trying to mystically deep-fry tofu.”), and Donnie sharing how April got him to relax through tea and bad movies.

The family dinner that followed was loud and warm — Raph’s jokes, Mikey’s giggles, April teasing Donnie for his snack choices, Sam joining right in as if he’d always been part of the family. Donnie found himself smiling more than he’d expected, genuinely happy, even as his hand occasionally brushed Leo’s arm just to reassure himself he was really back.

The lair was quiet that night, the kind of peaceful hum that only came after a long day of laughter, progress, and gentle exhaustion. The lights in Leo’s room were dim, a soft blue glow spilling across the floor from the night lamp in the corner.

Leo sat cross-legged on his bed, shell resting against the wall, while Donnie lay beside him, fingers absentmindedly tracing the seams of the blanket. They’d already talked about their day — the laughs, April’s support, the movies — but Donnie had fallen quiet now, clearly turning something over in his mind.

Leo watched him for a moment before softly asking, “What’s going on in that noggin of yours, Dee?”

Donnie hesitated, his fingers stilling. “I’ve been thinking,” he started slowly, voice small but steady. “About… taking things a step further.”

Leo’s brow furrowed slightly. “Step further?”

Donnie shifted, sitting up beside him and wringing his hands together. “Yeah. I think… maybe we should try spending a night apart.”

The words hit Leo like a quiet, unexpected wave. He blinked, turning to face Donnie fully. “You mean—like you spending the night at April’s?”

Donnie immediately shook his head, his eyes wide. “Oh—no, no, not yet. I’m not ready for that.” He took a breath, calmer this time. “I just mean… maybe we should sleep in our own rooms again. For one night. See how it feels.”

Leo stared at him, the words sinking deep. On the surface, it sounded right — progress, a healthy step forward. Donnie had come so far already; it made sense.

But deep in Leo’s chest, something tugged sharply.

He wanted to smile and say yes right away. He wanted to be proud.
But instead, his heart twisted.

He knew Donnie still relied on him — that having Leo beside him at night was more than habit; it was comfort. Safety. Healing. Leo had been there through every nightmare, every tremor, every late-night panic that left Donnie clinging to his arm and whispering his name.

And if Leo was honest with himself, a part of him wasn’t ready to lose that closeness either.

Because when Donnie curled up against him, when his baby twin’s breathing evened out and his hand unconsciously found Leo’s — that was when Leo finally felt at peace, too. It reminded him that Donnie was alive, safe, and home. That they both were.

The thought of not having that — of lying in bed alone, wondering if Donnie was okay — made Leo’s stomach twist.

He opened his mouth to say no, to gently suggest they wait just a little longer.
But when he saw the quiet determination in Donnie’s eyes — the way his younger twin’s shoulders squared, the hopeful tremor in his voice as he said, “I think it’s time, Nardo” — he couldn’t do it.

He couldn’t let his own selfishness get in the way of Donnie’s healing.

So instead, Leo forced a small smile and nodded. “Yeah… okay. If that’s what you want, then we’ll try it.”

Donnie’s expression softened, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over him. “Thank you,” he whispered, leaning forward to wrap his arms around Leo’s middle. “I know it’s not a big deal, but… it feels like one to me.”

Leo hugged him back, holding him tightly for a moment longer than usual. “It is a big deal,” he murmured. “And I’m proud of you, Dee. I really am.”

When they finally pulled apart, Donnie smiled — that small, pure smile that always made Leo’s chest ache in the best way.

“Goodnight, Leo,” Donnie said softly. “I love you.”

Leo returned the smile, though his throat felt tight, as he kissed Donnie's forehead. “Goodnight, Donnie. I love you too.”

Donnie padded out of the room quietly, the sound of his retreating footsteps echoing faintly down the hall until they faded into silence.

Leo stayed sitting on the edge of the bed for a long moment, staring at the door. The space around him suddenly felt bigger — and emptier.

He exhaled slowly, leaning back against the wall, staring at the soft blue glow that danced across his ceiling.

He wanted to believe this was the right thing. That giving Donnie this space meant helping him heal.
But deep down, as his fingers brushed over the empty side of the bed where Donnie usually slept, Leo’s chest ached with the quiet fear that maybe this was the beginning of letting go.

And that was the last thing he wanted.

Still, he whispered softly into the still air — words meant for no one but himself.
“You’re doing the right thing, Leo. You’re doing the right thing.”

But even as his eyes drifted shut, he wasn’t sure he believed it.

Chapter Text

The lair had long since fallen silent. The soft hum of the city above barely reached Leo’s room, and for once, that silence wasn’t comforting.

He lay flat on his shell, eyes open and unfocused, staring at the faint glow of his night lamp painting pale blue streaks across the ceiling. Normally, by now, Donnie’s quiet breathing would be a steady rhythm beside him — a grounding melody that lulled him to sleep. But tonight, the space beside him was cold.

Leo turned onto his side, then back again, restless. His hands fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, his plastron rising and falling with uneven breaths. Every few minutes, his eyes flicked to the door, half-expecting to see it crack open and Donnie’s sleepy face peek through.

Maybe Donnie would realize this was a mistake. Maybe he’d come back, crawl into bed, and everything would fall back into place.

That was the selfish hope he clung to as the minutes dragged into an hour. Then two.

But the door stayed closed.

The clock on his wall ticked quietly, tauntingly. With each passing minute, the space between Leo and his baby twin grew heavier — a chasm that felt far wider than a hallway.

Finally, Leo sat up, exhaling shakily as he rubbed at his face. He reached for his phone, the screen’s glow harsh in the dim room. His thumbs hovered for a moment before he typed, hands trembling slightly.

Leo: Hey Dee. I just wanted to say… if you can’t sleep, you can come back to my room anytime, okay? No pressure. Just… if you need me. Even if it’s just to talk…or if you have a nightmare. I’m here. Always. Love you

He hit send before he could overthink it, then stared at the message thread, waiting.

Minutes passed. His heartbeat filled the silence.
Then, finally — the faint ping of a reply.

Donnie: Thank you, big bro. I’ll be okay tonight. Promise. Sleep well, Nardo. Love you too 💜

Leo’s chest tightened painfully. His thumb hovered over the screen, wanting to respond, but the lump in his throat made it hard to breathe, let alone type.

He set the phone down, staring blankly at it as his reflection blurred in the faint blue light.

Donnie wasn’t coming back to his room tonight. His twin said no.

It was the right thing — the healthy thing — and yet it hurt more than Leo could have imagined. Even though his younger twin was only a few feet away, safely in his own room, Leo felt… miles away from him.

He told himself this was necessary. That it was good. That this ache was part of letting Donnie heal.

But how could something that hurt this much be good?

The need to check on Donnie — to see him, to make sure he was really okay — overwhelmed him before he even realized he was moving. Quiet as a shadow and as a ninja, Leo slipped out of bed and padded down the hall, his heart pounding softly in his chest.

When he reached Donnie’s door, he hesitated only a second before pushing it open just enough to slip inside.

The sight that greeted him stole his breath

Donnie was fast asleep.

He was curled up on his side, Leo’s blue hoodie still draped over his frame like a blanket. The faint rise and fall of his plastron was slow, even. His expression was peaceful — the softest hint of a smile tugging at his mouth, his fingers loosely clutching the edge of the pillow.

Leo’s heart cracked and melted all at once.

He couldn’t wake him. He couldn’t ruin this.

But the emptiness clawed at him, that gnawing loneliness refusing to let go. So instead of leaving, Leo quietly sat at the foot of the bed, careful not to disturb his baby twin. He tucked his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them as he leaned forward, chin resting on his folded arms.

The quiet hum of Donnie’s breathing filled the room. And though Leo knew it wasn’t the same as holding him, it was enough to soothe the worst of the ache.

A few tears slipped down his cheeks before he even realized it, dripping onto his forearms. He wiped them away quickly, whispering hoarsely to the sleeping form before him.

“Sweet dreams, Donnie baby. You’re doing amazing, okay? I’m so proud of you.”

He smiled faintly through the tears, his voice breaking. “I just miss you, that’s all. And I love you. So so much”

Leo stayed like that for the rest of the night — watching, protecting, loving from afar. The ache in his chest dulled into something gentler, something quieter.

And though he never closed his eyes, peace eventually found him in the steady rhythm of Donnie’s breaths — the soft reminder that his baby twin was safe.

Donnie dreamed sweetly, unaware of the quiet vigil just a few feet away — unaware of the tearful smile that stayed on Leo’s face until the first light of dawn crept through the cracks in the lair’s walls.

Chapter Text

Morning sunlight filters through the curtains of Donnie’s room, soft rays falling across Leo’s slouched form at the foot of the bed. Donnie stirs slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep before his eyes focus — and what he sees makes his breath hitch.

Donnie’s older twin is curled in on himself, head resting against the side of Donnie’s mattress, his face still damp from tears. His arms are wrapped loosely around his knees, shoulders slightly trembling even in rest. He looks utterly spent.

Donnie’s chest tightens.

It doesn’t take a genius — though he is one — to piece it together. The red rims around Leo’s eyes, the tear stains streaking down his mask line, the exhaustion that seems to cling to every inch of him. Leo must’ve been up for hours… crying, worrying, maybe even watching over him.

Donnie swallows hard, his heart aching and touched all at once. Leo had come here — not to scold him, not to disturb his progress, but to be near him. His older twin had chosen to watch over him in silence rather than risk waking him.

“Oh, Nardo…” Donnie whispers, voice soft as a sigh.

Carefully, so carefully, he shifts on the bed and reaches down. He doesn’t want to wake Leo, not when his older brother finally looks like he’s gotten at least a shred of peace, even if it’s at the cost of his own comfort. Donnie slides down just enough so that he can rest beside him, their faces level now.

He studies Leo’s sleeping face — the faint lines of strain, the way his lips tremble every now and then like he’s still caught between dream and ache. Donnie reaches out, thumb brushing tenderly along Leo’s red stripes in a feather-light touch.

“I hate that you do this to yourself,” Donnie murmurs under his breath, voice catching. “You’re allowed to miss me too, you know.”

He leans forward until his forehead rests gently against Leo’s, their breaths mingling in a quiet rhythm that settles something deep in his chest.

Donnie closes his eyes. He feels the warmth of Leo’s skin, the soft rise and fall of his breathing — reminders that his big brother is here. That despite the separation they’re both trying so hard to adapt to, the bond between them is still strong, still real.

He thinks about last night, about how determined Leo had been to let him try sleeping on his own, even though it was obviously tearing him apart. Donnie knows this isn’t just about him — it’s affecting Leo too, maybe even more than Leo will ever admit. His older twin has always been the protector, the caretaker, the one who carries everyone’s burdens but refuses to show his own.

Leo had always been like Raph in that case, even though the red-eared slider would never admit it

Donnie exhales shakily, pressing his forehead closer in silent promise. “We’ll talk when you wake up,” he whispers. “I see you, Nardo. I see how much this hurts.”

For now, though, words can wait.

He lets his hand linger against Leo’s face, thumb still tracing lazy, gentle circles across his skin before slipping his fingers into Leo’s. His older twin instinctively tightens his grasp, even in sleep — like his body knows what his heart’s always known.

That they belong close.
That distance doesn’t mean disconnection.

Donnie stays there for the rest of the morning, quietly watching over Leo the same way Leo had done for him. The cycle of care between them continues — twin to twin, heart to heart — unbroken even in silence.

.

.

.

Leo wakes slowly to the warmth of sunlight on his shell — and something else. A familiar warmth pressed gently against his forehead. For a brief, blissful moment, he thinks he’s dreaming.

Then he opens his eyes and finds Donnie there.

His baby twin’s eyes are soft, glistening in the morning light. Their foreheads are still touching, and Donnie’s hand is curled in Leo’s, fingers intertwined like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Leo blinks, confused and drowsy. “Dee…?” His voice is rough with sleep.

“Morning, Nardo,” Donnie whispers, his thumb brushing over the back of Leo’s hand.

Leo shifts, sitting up a little, embarrassment flickering across his face as he realizes where he is. “I— uh— guess I didn’t make it back to my room.”

Donnie offers a faint, knowing smile. “No, you didn’t.”

Silence stretches between them, filled with everything they aren’t saying. The air feels fragile, like one wrong word could make it crack.

Finally, Donnie breaks it — softly, gently. “You stayed here all night, didn’t you?”

Leo glances away, his throat tightening. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Nardo,” Donnie says, voice even softer now, “you don’t have to hide it from me. I can see it.”

Leo tenses. “See what?”

“That this is hard for you too,” Donnie murmurs. “That it’s not just me struggling with the distance.”

Leo laughs under his breath, though it sounds more like a shudder. “You’re doing great, Dee. You made it through the night. That’s… that’s progress. I’m proud of you.”

“I know,” Donnie says, eyes searching Leo’s face. “But that’s not what I asked.”

Leo tries to smile, but it falters halfway. He looks away again, jaw clenching. “I’m fine, really. I just—”

“Leo.” Donnie reaches out, laying a hand over his twin’s trembling one. “You’ve always been the strong one. You’ve always taken care of me — of all of us. But you don’t have to pretend with me. Please don’t.”

That plea — quiet, earnest — cracks something open in Leo’s chest.

He exhales shakily, his head bowing. “I just…” He swallows hard, voice breaking. “I didn’t think it’d hurt this much.”

Donnie squeezes his hand, waiting.

Leo’s tears start to fall before he can stop them. “I told myself it was the right thing — that giving you space was good for you. But when you didn’t come back last night, I…” His breath hitches. “I felt like I was losing you. And that scared me, Donnie. It really scared me.”

Donnie’s eyes glisten, his throat tightening. “Oh, Leo…”

“I know it’s stupid,” Leo rushes out, shaking his head. “You were just across the hall. But it felt like you were miles away. I kept waiting for you to come back, just like I always do. And when you didn’t, I— I didn’t know what to do with myself. I wanted to be happy for you, but all I could think about was how quiet it was without you.”

Donnie doesn’t hesitate. He moves closer and wraps his arms around Leo, pulling him in tight. “It’s not stupid,” he whispers fiercely. “Not even a little. You’ve been protecting me since the day we were mutated. It makes sense that letting go feels wrong.”

Leo clings to him like he’s afraid he’ll disappear. His body trembles against Donnie’s, soft sobs breaking through the silence. Donnie holds him through every one, hand rubbing gentle circles into his shell.

“I just don’t want to lose this,” Leo whispers, voice raw. “I don’t want to stop being the one who keeps you safe.”

Donnie pulls back slightly, just enough to look Leo in the eyes. “You’ll always keep me safe, Leo. You always have. But keeping me safe doesn’t mean keeping me small. It means helping me grow — and trusting that I’ll still come back to you.”

Leo sniffles, his lips trembling as Donnie wipes away one of his tears.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Donnie continues softly. “I promise. You could send me halfway across the world and I’d still find my way back to you.”

That earns a weak laugh from Leo — a wet, broken little sound, but genuine. “You’d probably build a teleporter just to do it.”

“Obviously,” Donnie says with a watery smile. “Can’t let my dramatic older twin spiral without supervision.”

Leo laughs again, the sound dissolving into another choked sob as he hugs Donnie tight, pressing his face into his plastron. “You’re such a brat.”

“And you’re an overprotective sap,” Donnie whispers fondly, hugging him just as tightly.

For a while, they just stay there — tangled together, the morning light spilling around them. The kind of quiet where everything unspoken finally feels understood.

When Leo finally pulls back, his eyes are still wet, but the exhaustion has softened. “Maybe,” he murmurs, “we take this slow. A night apart occasionally, but… we talk about it first. No pretending it doesn’t hurt.”

Donnie nods, thumb brushing the last of Leo’s tears away. “Agreed. We do it together.”

Leo smiles weakly, his heart full. “Together.”

They sit there for a long while after, foreheads pressed together again — two halves of the same heart, still learning how to grow apart without breaking.

Because even in their steps toward independence, they know one truth will always remain:
They’ll never have to face any of it alone.

Chapter Text

Morning light filters through the lair, gentle and golden, chasing away the last traces of the restless night. The world feels quieter today, softer somehow — like everyone is exhaling at once.

Leo and Donnie emerge from Donnie’s room together, shoulders brushing. They’re both a little bleary-eyed but calm, the warmth of their earlier conversation still clinging to them like sunlight.

When they reach the kitchen, the rest of the family is already there. Mikey is flipping pancakes. Raph is humming something under his breath as he arranges fruit. April sits at the counter with her tablet, while Sam sips coffee with a fond, half-sleepy smile.

“Morning, sleepyheads,” April says teasingly, looking up. “Rough night?”

Leo chuckles softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Something like that.”

Donnie gives her a small smile, choosing the seat beside Leo. For a few blissful minutes, it’s normal. Laughter, teasing, the smell of pancakes. Donnie insists on putting too much syrup on Leo’s plate; Mikey swats him with the spatula. April makes a dry remark that makes Sam snort, and Raph can’t stop smiling.

It’s the kind of morning that makes Leo’s chest ache in the best way.

But when breakfast ends, and everyone begins to scatter — the calm shifts.

Donnie lingers by the counter, glancing at April and Sam, who both exchange a quiet look before nodding. “Hey,” Donnie says, voice tentative. “Can I talk to you two? Privately?”

Leo looks up immediately. “Everything okay?”

Donnie hesitates. “Yeah. Just… something I’ve been thinking about.”

Before Leo can press, Raph claps a large hand on his shoulder. “Hey, little bro, c’mon — help me fix the shelves in the storage area. They’re leaning again.”

Leo frowns. “Can’t it wait?”

“Nope!” Mikey chirps, grabbing Leo’s arm with a grin that’s way too eager. “It’ll take, like, five minutes tops. Promise!”

Leo narrows his eyes. He can tell — something’s up. Raph and Mikey are never this enthusiastic about cleaning or fixing things. But before he can argue, Donnie shoots him a small, reassuring smile.

“I’ll find you later, okay?” Donnie says gently.

And that’s all it takes for Leo to sigh, shoulders dropping. “…Fine. But if you’re plotting without me, I expect a full debrief.”

Raph chuckles, steering Leo toward the hall. “Sure thing, Fearless Leader.”

Half an hour turns into a full hour, then two. Leo helps Raph with the shelves — though his focus drifts often. Mikey keeps him distracted with chatter and “accidental” snack breaks.

But Leo sees through it. He’s not stupid. They’re keeping him busy.

He doesn’t like it — not one bit — but he goes along with it anyway, mostly because Donnie asked him to. Still, his stomach twists with unease. He hates not knowing what’s being said, hates not being in the loop when it comes to his own baby twin.

He keeps telling himself it’s nothing serious. That Donnie’s probably just talking about next steps in his healing. Maybe new boundaries or some therapy ideas. That’s all. That’s good. That’s progress.

So why does it hurt so much to be left out of that conversation?

It’s a little past lunch when everyone finally regroups in the living room. Leo feels relief wash over him the second he sees Donnie — safe, smiling, and chatting softly with Sam.

He looks… happy.

Leo smiles automatically, though something twists inside him at the sight. Donnie and Sam whisper something to each other, both quietly laughing, and it’s… nice. It’s good to see Donnie opening up to someone else. Especially opening up to Sam who Donnie was rather standoffish with at the start

Still, Leo’s chest aches. That’s his baby brother — the one he’s supposed to comfort, to protect, to understand better than anyone. And yet, lately, Leo feels like he’s standing just outside a glass wall — close enough to see, but not quite close enough to touch.

‘Huh…guess that is how Donnie was feeling in the beginning’ Leo thought to himself

He shakes off the thought as Donnie turns to face him, his expression suddenly more serious.

“Leo,” Donnie starts softly, “can we talk for a minute? All of us, actually.”

The whole family quiets as Leo sits down across from him, a faint frown on his face. “What’s up?”

Donnie glances at April, then at Sam. They nod encouragingly.

“Well,” April says carefully, “we’ve all been talking about how well you two are doing — especially after last night. You’ve made huge progress, both of you.”

Leo feels a flicker of pride, but it’s quickly replaced by cautious confusion. “Okay…”

Sam clears his throat. “We think it might be time to take things one step further.”

Leo blinks. “Further how?”

Donnie exhales slowly, his fingers fidgeting in his lap. “We think… maybe we should try spending another night apart.”

Leo’s brow furrows. “We already did. Last night.”

“Yes,” Donnie says softly. “But… we think we need to go a step beyond that.”

Leo tilts his head. “…How far are we talking?”

April exchanges a look with Sam before saying gently, “A night outside the lair. Just one. Donnie would stay with me at my apartment. And you’d stay with Sam. Just like we did before”

Leo is surprised. "But we try that before and it didn't work" Then he turns to Donnie "You freaked out last time"

Donnie breathes before responding "Yes I know. But...we all agree that I have made some major improvements since then. I want to try again"

For a moment, Leo doesn’t breathe.

“…You’re kidding.”

Donnie shakes his head, voice small but firm. “It won't be like last time. It’s only for one night, Leo. Just to see how we do.”

Leo’s throat goes dry. He looks at Donnie — really looks at him — and all he can see is every time his baby twin had clung to him after a nightmare, every time Leo had stayed awake just to make sure he was breathing, every time Donnie had whispered his name in fear.

“You really think that’s a good idea?” Leo finally asks, trying to keep his voice steady.

“I do,” Donnie says quietly, though his eyes flicker with nervousness. “I think it’ll help us both.”

Leo stares down at his hands. His heart is pounding too loud in his ears. He knows they’re right — knows that healing means taking steps like this — but all he can feel is panic clawing at his chest.

He forces a shaky breath. “Can I… think about it?”

April nods immediately. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

“Yeah,” Sam adds gently. “No pressure, Leo. It’s just an idea.”

Leo nods, though he can feel Donnie’s gaze on him — soft, understanding, and far too knowing.

Donnie can already tell. He can see right through the brave face Leo’s putting on. He knows that Leo’s first instinct will be to say no, to protect, to hold on.

And Donnie knows what he has to do next.

He’ll talk to Leo tonight. He’ll help him understand.

For now, though, Donnie just slides closer to his older twin, offering a small, reassuring smile as their shoulders brush.

Leo doesn’t say anything, but he leans into the touch — just slightly — as if grounding himself in that familiar presence.

And for the rest of the day, Donnie stays by his side.

It’s as much comfort for Leo as it is for him.

.

.

.

The lair was quiet. The kind of quiet that stretched long after the laughter faded, leaving only the hum of the tunnels and the soft echo of running water.

Leo didn’t say a word as he turned toward Donnie, his expression unreadable. Then, in one smooth motion, he reached out and gently took Donnie’s wrist.

“Leo?” Donnie blinked in surprise.

“We’re spending the night in my room,” Leo said softly — the tone gentle but final. He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t sound angry, but there was a firm edge there that told Donnie this wasn’t up for debate.

Donnie opened his mouth, ready to argue — but the look in Leo’s eyes stopped him. Not commanding, not cold. Just… tired. A mix of love and something heavier that Donnie couldn’t name.

So he didn’t fight it.

“Okay,” Donnie said quietly, letting Leo lead him down the hall.

When they reached Leo’s room, Leo moved with quiet urgency — pulling out fresh blankets, taking off his gear, avoiding eye contact. It was obvious he was trying to busy himself, to avoid something.

Donnie watched him for a moment, then sighed softly. “Leo…”

“Mm?”

“We need to talk.”

Leo froze halfway through straightening his bed. “…About what?”

“About tomorrow night.”

Leo turned to face him, brow furrowed. “Tomorrow night?”

Donnie nodded. “About us… spending it apart.”

Leo stared for a long moment, processing, before he frowned. “That was your idea?”

Donnie tilted his head, a small crease forming between his brows. “Yes. Why?”

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I’m stunned, honestly. I didn’t think you’d even suggest that.”

Donnie’s eyes softened. “Why not?”

“Because—” Leo hesitated. “Because you’ve been… you know… clinging lately. You hate being away from me.”

Donnie crossed his arms gently. “And now you’re the one who doesn’t want to let go? That’s strange, isn’t it? You were the one who wanted me to heal, to stop relying on you so much. I thought you’d be all for this.”

The words hung in the air like fog.

Leo’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He looked away, shoulders slumping as the silence stretched between them.

Donnie sighed quietly and stepped closer, reaching out to take Leo’s hand. “Nardo… please. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.” His voice softened, filled with gentle concern. “Why are you suddenly against this? I just want to help you the way you’ve helped me.”

Leo closed his eyes, his throat working as he swallowed hard. He could feel the pressure behind his chest — the emotions he’d been burying finally cracking through the surface.

“I…” He exhaled shakily. “I’m not ready for this conversation.”

Donnie gave his hand a small squeeze. “Then let’s take it slow. I’m right here, Nardo.”

The nickname cracked something open inside him.

Leo’s lips trembled as he finally lifted his gaze, glassy eyes meeting Donnie’s patient ones. “It’s not that I don’t want you to heal,” he whispered. “I do. More than anything. And it’s not that I’m fully against this idea of separation…”

He paused, struggling to find the words.

Donnie squeezed his hand again — silently telling him it was okay to keep going.

Leo’s voice broke. “…It’s just— I guess I’ve been feeling this way because of my overprotectiveness.”

Donnie’s expression softened, but he stayed quiet, letting Leo speak.

Leo’s breathing hitched as his tears began to gather. “Every time I look at you, Dee… all I see is my baby twin. The one who used to follow me everywhere. The one who couldn’t sleep without me nearby. The one I could always talk to and the one who truly understood me, even when nobody else did.”

His voice wavered as a tear rolled down his cheek. “We used to be inseparable. Almost always joined at the hip. It was always us — the disaster twins — against the world. And then we got older, and we started drifting apart, and I hated it.”

Donnie’s eyes shimmered, his heart twisting at the rawness in Leo’s voice.

“I missed you,” Leo continued, his voice breaking completely now. “I missed us. I missed the way we used to be when we were little — before things got so complicated. Because back then, at least I knew you were safe. I didn’t have to worry every second of every day.”

His tears began to fall freely now, streaking down his face. “That’s why when you started clinging to me again after the invasion… I didn’t mind. I adored it. Because it felt like old times — like maybe, for a second, things were right again.”

Leo’s breath hitched as he reached up to cup Donnie’s face, his hands trembling. “But that’s selfish, isn’t it? Holding onto something that’s gone. I’m sorry, Dee. I’m sorry for being so stubborn and— and selfish. I know you’re grown now, and you don’t need me to protect you all the time, but I just—”

His voice cracked into a sob. “I can’t help it. You’re my little brother, my baby twin. I love you so much. And when you’re near me, I know you’re okay. That’s the only way I feel okay too.”

Donnie couldn’t hold back anymore. His eyes blurred as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Leo, holding him as his big brother cried against his shoulder.

“Oh, Nardo…” he whispered, his own voice breaking.

Leo clung to him, shaking, the dam finally breaking.

Donnie rubbed slow circles into his shell, his own tears falling freely now. “You don’t have to apologize, Nardo. I understand. I really do.”

Leo hiccupped softly, his grip tightening.

“I miss those days too,” Donnie continued quietly. “When we were little and everything was simple. When all I needed to do to feel safe and loved was crawl into your arms. But you don’t need to protect me anymore. I can take care of myself.” He leaned back just enough to meet Leo’s eyes, smiling through his tears. “All I need from you is to keep being my older twin. Be there when I need you. That’s enough.”

He sniffled, voice dropping to a soft whisper. “Because I’ll always need you, Nardo.”

Leo let out a choked, miserable chirp — the sound full of love and pain all at once — and pulled Donnie into another crushing hug.

“I love you so much, my sweet precious baby,” he whispered brokenly. “You have no idea how much.”

“I love you too,” Donnie murmured, hugging him just as tight. “Always.”

The twins stayed like that for a long time, holding each other as their tears slowly subsided, the weight between them finally lifting.

Eventually, Donnie spoke again — his voice soft but steady. “Leo… maybe we should still try it. Just one night apart. I’ll be with April, and you’ll be with Sam. It’ll only be for a night. A trial run.”

Leo hesitated, his chest tightening. “I don’t know, Dee…”

Donnie gave him a small, reassuring smile. “We’ll both be safe. And you’ll still know where I am. You’ll be okay, and so will I. We’ll just… take it one night at a time.”

Leo was quiet for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “…Okay. Just for one night.”

Donnie’s smile brightened instantly. He chirped softly, throwing his arms around Leo again. “Thank you, Nardo.”

Leo hugged him back, his chest tight with love and fear all tangled together. “You’re welcome, Tello.”

When they finally lay down, Donnie curled up close to him, his head resting against Leo’s plastron. “Goodnight, Nardo. I love you.”

Leo smiled faintly, pressing a kiss to the top of his younger twin’s head. “Goodnight, baby bro. Love you too.”

Donnie drifted off quickly, safe and warm.

Leo, however, lay awake long after. His hand rested over Donnie’s shell, feeling the slow rise and fall of his twin’s breathing. His mind spun, his heart heavy but resolute.

He was doing this for Donnie. For his happiness.

Even if it broke his own heart a little to let go.