lucihrts

[lucihrts]

A drawing with some clothes I saw on pinterest!!

wish I could draw digitally </3

[lucihrts]

Beyond the Rift

Chapter 2: Scars Still Linger

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Words: 4,030

—

Mikey stood in a colorful room, its walls covered with splashes and strokes of paint, each intricate layer displaying a different hue that highlighted the depth of colors brushed upon the surface. Canvases filled with vibrant images sprawled across the floor and tabletops, overflowing with creativity.

In this lively space, Mikey, often seen as a ray of color himself, stood out—like he didn’t quite belong in the brightness anymore. Despite the explosion of colors around him, something inside him felt dim, hidden behind the cheerful front he kept for his brothers.

With somber eyes, he glanced down at his hands as they violently shook and trembled, disrupting the usual harmony and rhythm of his breaths as they became more ragged, filled with despair and anxiety.

Small cracks of scars danced on his skin, a cruel and malicious reminder of his inabilities—the moment where his soul had been ripped and torn apart like thin, weightless paper, where not even staples or paper clips could hold the shattered pieces together.

That particular moment when he received his scars, however, was probably the happiest he’d ever felt. His optimism had been his salvation—hope was the fuel that gave him the strength to open the portal and pull his brother from death’s grasp in the prison dimension.

He’d been overwhelmed with pure bliss when he saw his brother alive and breathing, but that joy was soon shadowed by heartache when his eyes fell on the wounds and blemishes covering Leo’s sickly pale skin.

Regardless, it was still the happiest he’d ever been. Nothing in the world could compare to that moment—but cheating death seems to come with consequences, and Mikey had become the target.

His arms were soon marked with scars, the damage to his nerves causing his hands to tremble uncontrollably.

This was when the vivid colors that usually surrounded Mikey had become mundane, though the paint itself hadn’t been changed or altered. He began hiding his inability to draw, paint, or cook from his brothers, determined to maintain peace in the household. They really didn’t need more pressure, and if he could do anything to ease the tension, he would—this was his chance to help in his own way.

But man, it really damn sucked. It felt horrible to be bad at something you were so good at. It was like reaching the final level of a video game, only to get killed and have to restart from the beginning—your skills and armor destroyed, forcing you to start from scratch.

Mikey snapped out of his consuming thoughts, releasing a heavy sigh and tearing his eyes off his hands. He decided to avert his gaze towards his paintings, where he once could feel all the emotions on each brush stroke that scratched the surface of the canvas—but now all he felt was indifference tainted with bitter frustration.

He turned away again, eyes landing on the door. Each step toward it seemed weighed down by insecurities, and as he walked out, he slammed it shut behind him. He needed to see Leo anyway, and maybe that would take his mind off things.

Mikey reached the door to the entrance of the med bay, his hand balled into a fist, pausing a second before knocking. He had seen Leo several times before, but today was different. It seemed like every misfortune and mishap seemed to align together and give Mikey the hardest time yet.

—//—

Inside, however, Leo lay sprawled across his pile of pillows, basking in the oversized infirmary bed. At the early time of day, he was endlessly scrolling through his app feeds, slipping out small giggles and snorts every time he came across a funny video.

However, he tore his eyes away from the phone, and the brief distraction faded, as reality settled back in. His body ached, each wound and bruise burned through skin and pores, emphasizing the sense of uselessness he felt towards his brothers. Basking in his own plight was not part of Leo’s particular plan in mind, but what else was there to do other than doomscrolling on social media apps?

(For two hours, of course. Thanks a lot, Donnie.)

However, he quickly got startled out of his dreadful thoughts when the door to the med bay cracked opened, revealing the figure of a small familiar turtle.

“Mikey?” The older turtle called, eyes clouding with concern. The air was thick between them, laced with unspoken words. Mikey shifted nervously, chewing on his nails before stumbling into the room, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

Leo knew something was up.

“Hey,” Mikey started, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I was just… checking in.” He hadn’t meant for his voice to sound so weak.

Leo gave him a small, reassuring smile. Mikey visited him the most, often staying for long hours or popping in and out of the med bay at least ten times a day. His little brother had become his medical apprentice, after all.

Donnie couldn’t stand the sight of blood, and Raph’s hands were too rough for the delicate work needed in the infirmary. But Mikey—Mikey had always been gentle, eager to help. He’d shadowed Leo since they were tots (much to Leo’s annoyance at the time), and now it was hard to say no to that familiar, hopeful expression. Plus, they needed a new apprentice medic now that he took on the position as the leader of the team.

“You came early today. Not making breakfast?” Leo casually asked, placing his phone to rest on his lap, willing to pause his doomscrolling for his sweetest brother.

“Not today.” Mikey replied curtly, sitting on the edge of Leo’s bed and awkwardly glancing around the room. That was weird, considering he always made breakfast for his brothers. What he hadn’t known, however, was that he’d been feeding his brothers canned food.

Before Leo could voice his worries, Mikey suddenly pulled a Nintendo Switch out from his hoodie, a proud grin spreading across his face, replacing his earlier detachment. “Soooo… wanna play some games?”

How could he say no? He considered himself an attentive leader, and trusted that he'd ask about Mikey’s strange behavior later. He quickly snatched the blue controller from Mikey’s hands, hidden behind his sleeves, and settled into position, ready to absolutely crush his little brother in whatever game they’re playing.

“Oh, you’re so on, Angelo!” They both settled on Mario Kart and played with what felt like hours, his little brother losing almost every single game. He was killing it today!

He calculated each turn, lucking out with the best power-ups, and making perfect moves.

“I’m on fire baby!” Leo whistled, winning for the tenth time in a row. Sure, he could be a sore winner sometimes, but who wouldn’t be with a streak like this? Between his cheers of victory, he glanced over at Mikey—only to catch the solemn look on his brother’s face.

“Mike? What’s wrong?” Leo’s smile faltered. “Hey, if it’s about the game, i’m sorry for showing off so much. Let’s do something else okay? Leo’s hand trembled slightly as he made soothing circles on Mikey's shell, unsure how to calm him down.

But Mikey avoided his gaze, eyes glued to the ground. “I can’t do anything good.” He whispered so quietly that Leo could almost see the words getting tangled in the air, drowned by all other sounds.

Leo blinked, caught off guard. “It’s just a game, Mikey. I got lucky with the power-ups, that’s all.”

“I’m not as good as I was before.” Mikey’s voice cracked, brushing off Leo’s comments.

“Mike, come on. What’s wrong?” Leo panicked, the rhythm of his breath picked up, seeing his brother act so strangely about a game.

Mikey suddenly snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes widening in horror as if a terrible realization had just struck him.

“My mind is ruined!” Mikey clutched his head, his fingers digging into his scalp as tears pooled at the corners of his eyes, trembling on the verge of spilling, ready to spread their bitter salt across his face.

Leo couldn’t say anything, confusion and concern freezing him in place. He had never seen his brother so petrified.

“This isn’t about the game, Leo, it’s about me.” His brother bit out harshly, tears certainly rolling freely now.

“Why?” Leo stuttered, his voice barely holding together, weak and fragile.

“I can’t draw, Leo. I can’t cook. I can’t even hold my weapon anymore. My hands are shaking—they’re shaking so badly I can’t do anything! My nerves are damaged. I’m completely useless and I will never ever be the person I was before the invasion!”

Leo remained silent, afraid to even breathe, knowing his brother wasn’t finished. Mikey released a hot breath, and continued. “Why me, Leo? Why me? What did I do to deserve this? What did I do wrong? Why is the world so cruel to me?” His breath came out in ragged gasps, tears falling freely now, as if the weight of his pain was finally breaking through.

Leo’s heart twisted painfully at his brother’s words, a familiar ache creeping into his chest. He felt it—the same sense of hopelessness, the same gnawing fear. It was the very thing he’d been trying to bury for weeks. Watching Mikey unravel before him hit too close to home, stirring a heavy weight deep inside.

It wasn’t just Mikey who was struggling. They all were. He was. Leo swallowed hard, trying to force the knot in his throat down. Leo knew he can’t keep running from his own scars.

He wanted to help Mikey, to tell him everything would be okay—but how could he, when Leo couldn’t even say that to himself? Wouldn’t believe a word that would come out of his mouth?

He squeezed his eyes shut, a heavy, trembling breath escaping his lips. “I’m sorry.”

It was all Leo could manage, but it meant the world to Mikey.

“I’m sorry about everything, Mike. I’m sorry you have to go through this, that you feel it is your responsibility and duty to comfort us when we feel sad or bothered, leaving us to completely disregard your own feelings and struggles. I’m sorry we didn’t notice sooner. I can see you are going through these internal and physical struggles, and I won’t be of much help because… well, I can’t even fix myself. But I can tell you one thing; you’ll be okay."

“You’ll be okay because you’ll heal. You’ll heal, Raph and Donnie will heal, and I will too. Sometime. Not now, not soon, but someday in a far future we’ll all be okay. You’ll draw again, you’ll cook with the same passion you always did, and you’ll kick ass.” That drew a snort from Mikey, between tears and sobs.

“And you have amazing brothers. I mean, you have Donnie! I’m sure he could make some cool tech to temporarily fix your problem. And hey, maybe if I learn how to perform surgery—“

“You will not perform surgery on me!” Mikey quickly interrupted, his words flared by the influence of Dr. Delicate Touch, but his brother continued.

“—Much of your nerve damage could be reduced! But I guess you can just keep whatever tech Donnie makes for you…” Leo playfully rolled his eyes, seeing his brother was in a much lighter mood.

Mikey shakily wiped his tears away, the corners of his mouth tugging into a soft, grateful smile. Leo returned him the same smile, slightly brighter.

“Can I see your hands?” He asked softly and carefully, measuring whether this request was too much to ask for.

After a long pause, Mikey gave a small nod, offering his trust. He stretched out his arms, rolling up his sleeves for a better view of his scars.

Leo gently took Mikey’s hands into his own, soft fingers brushing across the surface of his scars.

“These scars… they’re a part of your story, Mikey. They show what you’ve been through. And they’re like orange. Totally your color. No one could pull them off better than you. And don’t worry, Don will come up with something to help with the trembles. But scars or no scars, you’re still you.”

“Are you really sure he can help me?” Mikey hesitated, eyes darting to the side, a doubtful expression clouding his eyes.

Leo squeezed his brother’s hands gently. “No matter what, we’re in this together, okay? Scars, trembles, all of it—we’ll figure it out. Don’t look so doubtful, you’re the most optimistic person I’ve ever came across. Don’t ever lose that spark of hope. And if you do, just know your big brothers will be right here to reignite it for you.”

Leo had meant to soothe his brother’s anguish by a few heartfelt words of encouragement, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Mikey had begun crying once more, his shaky hands frantically trying to rid of the tears that flowed so freely across his cheek. He dissolved into sobs, but there was a small glint in his eye that spoke to Leo, and it seemed to tell him that Mikey was okay despite his sadness.

Leo acknowledged this peculiar glint in his eye as hope. The once faded fire had seemed to burst, its flames large and thick, sparking life back into his heart and eyes.

This was the Mikey that Leo admired, where he had a compelling desire to always protect.

Mikey’s sobs began to quiet, the tension in his body slowly unwinding. He let out a shaky breath, wiping away the last of his tears as Leo gave him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulders.

"Thanks, Leo," Mikey murmured, his voice still thick with emotion. "I… I needed that."

Leo offered a soft smile, sitting up a little straighter. "What are brothers for, right?"

For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence, the air no longer heavy with unspoken fears. The intensity had passed, leaving space for something gentler, easier.

Mikey’s eyes drifted over to the small corner of the room where a tray of untouched food sat. He gave a half-hearted laugh. “Guess I forgot to bring you something more exciting than hospital snacks, huh? Next time, I’m bringing you a real breakfast!” A proud grin spread over his face.

Leo chuckled, shaking his head. “You better. These crackers taste like cardboard.”

Mikey gave a playful roll of his eyes. "Well, I’d offer to cook, but you know... the whole shaky hands thing." He wiggled his fingers in the air, but his tone was lighter now, more like the Mikey Leo knew.

Leo glanced at his legs, then back at Mikey. “You think I’m ready to get out of this bed?” he asked.

“I’m surprised you haven’t defied doctor’s orders yet and started walking around. You do like to get all hero-y on people.” Mikey teased, deflecting the heaviness that still lingered from earlier.

“Donnie has been monitoring me like a hawk with all of this tech.” Leo pouted, glancing around at all the technology and machinery that surrounded him, curtsy of his twin brother.

“For the best.” Mikey shrugged. “But, lucky for you, I’m the cool brother.” He grinned, giving Leo a sly wink. “Being responsible is supposed to be Raph’s job, and Donnie? He’s way too paranoid, to my own surprise...” Mikey quickly whispered the last part. “So... what do you say? Wanna give standing a shot?”

Leo’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Duh! I thought you’d say something like, ‘No, Leo, you need to rest. Blah Blah Blah.’” Leo mocked, raising his voice an octave in a teasing imitation of Mikey.

“I do not sound like that!” Mikey huffed, crossing his arms and pouting. “Hey, i’m your medical apprentice now, so it’s my orders! Physical therapy starts now!” He quickly got up while finishing his last sentence.

Leo carefully swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his muscles protesting the movement. The excitement in his eyes dimmed slightly as he glanced at Mikey, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

“You got this, Leo,” Mikey encouraged, stepping closer. “No pressure. I’ll catch you if you fall.”

Leo gave him a determined nod, taking a deep breath as he pressed his hands into the mattress, shifting his weight forward. He could feel the pull of his sore muscles, the sharp sting in his side where his worst injury had been. But he pushed through it, refusing to let his injuries bring him down.

His feet hit the ground, and for a moment, Leo thought he had it. He managed to stand up—until his knees buckled slightly, sending a wave of dizziness through him. Mikey quickly steadied him, his hands gripping Leo’s shoulders gently but firmly.

“Easy, easy,” Mikey murmured, his voice calm but attentive. “Take it slow.”

Leo nodded, his face set in determination as he tried again. His legs trembled, but this time he managed to stay upright, though his body felt weak and unsteady. The burn in his muscles was a constant reminder of how much he’d been through, but it was nothing compared to what he’d already overcome.

“See? I’m standing!” Leo said breathlessly, a grin spreading across his face.

Mikey let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, wiping his brow in mock effort. “Phew! You’re not as rusty as I thought.”

Leo snorted, rolling his eyes. “Told you I could do it. ‘Hero-y’ is kind of my thing.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mikey teased, but there was pride in his voice. “Just don’t go doing any backflips or portals yet. Baby steps, okay?”

Leo took another step forward, testing the strength of his legs. His knees wobbled again, but he managed to stay on his feet. Mikey stayed close, just in case, but he didn’t interfere—letting Leo find his balance on his own.

For the first time in a long while, Leo felt a glimmer of hope stir inside him. This was just the beginning, but it was a step toward getting back on his feet—literally. And having Mikey there with him made it feel like maybe, just maybe, things could be okay again.

After a couple more of slow, painful steps forward, and Mikey’s casual interference whenever Leo stammered, he was already across the room! This was great progress after weeks of not walking. His chest swelled with pride—a feeling so unfamiliar after weeks of lying helpless in bed. It was a strange sensation to allow himself happiness, when all he’d done recently was wallow in guilt. But there it was, a flicker of pride.

“You did it!” Mikey exclaimed from his side, keeping a watchful eye.

Leo exchanged a proud smile, looking at how far he’d come.

“Hey, maybe whenever I come in here we can do this again.” Mikey suggested, determined to push on the idea of some physical activity.

“So I’ll be walking around like twenty times a day?” Leo deadpanned, knowing his brother practically lived in the med bay with him.

“Hey! Do I really visit you that much? Fine, I won’t come anymore.” Mikey teasingly crossed his arms, putting on his best bothered face.

“Noooo!” Leo said in between giggles. “I’m just kidding!”

It didn’t take long for Mikey to drop his act, and joined Leo as he snickered. “We’ll do it three times a day.“ Mikey settled, after giving it much thought.

(In reality, the decision took him all of one second. Whatever problems future Mikey had to face, that was his business.)

“Sounds perfect. Just don’t tell Donnie or Raph, okay? Snitches get stitches, remember?” Leo added, a dark grin spreading across his face as his voice dropped to a mockingly sinister tone.

Mikey gulped, knowing he was not a good liar at all. “No promises, but I’ll do what I can.” He nervously laughed, beads of sweat forming in his brow.

After a few more moments of shared laughter, the room settled into a quiet calm. Mikey had returned to Leo’s side, watching his brother with a mixture of pride and concern.

"You did really good today, Leo," Mikey said softly, his teasing tone fading into something more genuine. "I’m proud of you."

Leo’s smile faltered for just a moment. He felt the warmth of the compliment, but there was something else, a lingering doubt, that tugged at the edge of his mind. He looked down at his legs, still shaky and weak, and the smile didn’t feel as bright anymore.

"Yeah... thanks," Leo muttered, his voice quieter now, a shadow of the energy he had one moment ago.

Mikey didn’t miss the shift in his brother’s mood. "Hey," he nudged Leo gently. "You're getting stronger every day. Don’t be so hard on yourself."

“I’m proud of you too, Mikey. So proud.” Leo lovingly whispered, audible enough for the both of them to hear. Mikey’s eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly threw himself at Leo, enveloping him in a hug.

The sudden weight against his body made his wounds scream in protest, but Mikey seemed to quickly notice and hugged him gently. Leo hesitated before giving into the hug, considering whether this is truly what he deserved.

“I love you so much, Leo!” Mikey pulled away, his smile stretching eye to eye.

“‘Love you too, Mike.” Leo replied in a heartbeat, Mikey’s smile growing bigger.

“Raph is making breakfast because he’s tired of eating canned food since I haven’t cooked anything for a while. Someone has to watch over him, right? I’ll make sure he makes something yummy for you too. And, I’ll even gather enough courage to ask Donnie for help.” Mikey begun helping Leo walk back to the infirmary bed, refusing to let his brother overextend himself. Leo silently accepted the help, taking small steps back to his bed.

“You should tell them both.” Leo interjected as Mikey sat Leo down on the mattress, quickly glancing to his side, weighing down his options.

“I guess I should. And then, I’ll ask Dee for help! Yes, you’re right, I shouldn’t keep it a secret from them...” Mikey nodded, acknowledging his own shortcomings. His little brother is so smart. He really did take on after Leo, the bad and good habits.

“I want something light, not too much food.” Leo suggested, knowing that if it were up to Mikey, he’d cook him a family sized meal. He was still recuperating, and his appetite was small.

“Alright! Something light but protein-filled, coming up! Raph will have much work to do. I’ll come back in an hour or two, possibly. And don’t worry, your physical therapy won’t be that soon.”

With a quick wave, Mikey headed for the door, gently closing it behind him. Leo was left in the quiet of the med bay, the faint hum of Donnie's machines filling the space around him.

Alone, Leo stared at the door for a moment longer, the echo of Mikey’s words hanging in the air. I’ll come back in an hour or two...

Leo took a slow breath and leaned back, the room suddenly feeling a little too quiet. His legs still ached from the effort of standing and walking just earlier, but it wasn’t his body that felt tired. Shadows of doubt still lingered in his body, whispering his recent failures into his ear.

Leo violently shook his head, dispersing his negative thoughts out of his head. He refused to let that self-destructive side of him to take over today, as he had just reached his biggest accomplishment yet.

He had walked across the med bay, albeit with a little pain and discomfort on his legs and torso. but it was something. It was a start. It was the pathway to a new beginning, his journey through healing.

What he hadn’t noticed, however, was that his journey had started when Donnie paid him a visit yesterday, and today was just the slow progress through this journey he had unknowingly commenced.

He knew there was a long road ahead in the journey of healing, but he was ready to cut through all bushes and trees that grew in his way.

If his brothers were trying, so would he. And he’ll make sure to try his damn best.

———

This chapter focused on Mikey’s and Leo’s relationship after the invasion, whereas in the last one it focused on Donnie and Leo. The next one, which i’ll update pretty soon since it’s already up on AO3, will be about Leo and Raph. After that is when the story will start to pick up and their adventure begins!

Here is the fic in AO3, kudos and comments are very very appreciated! Thanks everyone for reading!

[lucihrts]

Beyond the Rift

When Leo thought he had several months to heal, the Kraang invade from a parallel universe, and now Leo and Donnie are separated from their brothers and must team up with another turtle team from a parallel universe to save both worlds.

However, their mission turns personal when they discover their own brothers are being mind-controlled and fighting for the enemy.

Yet, nothing can prepare them for the horrors that follow.

———

Chapter 1: Nightmares

Next chapter

Words: 2,544

A hitched breath echoed through the empty room, tangling itself with the dust in the air. His chest was heaving up and down, eyes were closed shut, and eyebrows furrowed. Hands were balled into fists, grasping the sweet texture of cold fabric. Beads of sweat rolled down his chin and forehead, despite the coolness of the room. Choked sobs escaped his throat before he could stifle them, and bitter tears had begun to spill from his eyes.

He’d call it a nightmare, but there was a small crack in his body that’d claim that statement false—that this was reality. And all he truly knew was that he was terrified. He’d desperately clung to the small, weak flame of hope that flickered in his heart, yearning for someone to acknowledge his current predicament.

His mind flashes back to simpler times where he was a kid once again, sleeping with his brothers after an agonizing nightmare. He’d cling to them for several days until he deemed it safe enough to return to his room, his haven. However, he considered himself too old for such comforts. He stood at sixteen years old, fully capable of taking care of himself…

…If it wasn’t for his broken legs and sprained ankles. His skin was painted with reds and purples, injuries dusting every corner of his skin. His ribs ached, and with every labored breath he took, he was rewarded with more agony.

Leo needed something.

He’d been consumed by an itch he couldn’t scratch—an overwhelming need for anything to stop the nightmares from pestering him, or his wounds from hurting him. His lesions decorated his skin like cruel reminders, mocking him for everything he’d lost and gained in a week from the Kraang Invasion.

As if to stabilize himself from the oncoming nightmare—or reality; who knows?— he’d considered his small victories. For one, he was alive and breathing. Secondly, his brothers were also alive and pumping blood. Third, they’d save New York from a deadly apocalypse. Fourth, he’d heal. He knew his slumped, useless body would recover from the trauma—both mentally and physically. Logically, there is a future where he recuperates, and that everything was okay.

But that was a distant future. Leo knew that healing wasn’t linear—never will be. He’d knew there were days ahead of him filled with pure misery and sorrow, while some others would be overflowing with joy and ecstasy.

He couldn’t wait for those days where the heavy burden would lift from his shoulders and he could just breathe. Days he could take in every sound in the bustling city, and let it fall into a calming rhythm. The constant chatter of crowds, the blaring honking of cars stuck in traffic and construction sites were all a sweet remedy to him.

Thinking of this peaceful future had assuaged his labored breathing and the tears from spilling. Unconsciously, he’d release the tight grip he had on his bed sheets, as his palms now laid gently across his stomach.

“Leo?” a familiar voice whispered to him. He gently cracked his eyes open, slowly letting them adjust to the harsh lighting in the med bay. There was a purple silhouette standing by the entrance. Leo softly smiled, relieved that someone was finally there to keep him some company, and that the someone was Donnie.

“I heard you breathing quite heavily–wait, were you crying?” Donnie hurried over to Leo, his best concerned expression straining his features. Donnie was never good at showing his emotions, so really, it creeped Leo out just how worried his brother looked.

While Donnie analyzed his tear-stained cheeks, Leo was being swallowed by the weight of humiliation. He felt too vulnerable. This feeling of exposure had silently confirmed his fears of being useless, a boy forced to depend upon others. After a tense, awkward moment, Leo found his voice and obliged himself to use it, as he finally managed a weak, “I guess. I didn’t mean to.”

Donnie pursed his lips together, clearly unsatisfied with Leo’s answer. He wasn’t the most reliable or emotionally available person, but he’d been trying to make more of an effort lately. He couldn’t simply sit and watch as Mikey drained himself, comforting his brothers when he was also struggling.

“Listen, Leo, i’m your twin, right? You don’t need to put up a front with me. You had a nightmare—I wasn’t born yesterday.” Donnie sat on the stool by Leo’s bed, crossing his arms and raising an accusing eyebrow at his brother. He’d logically used the word twin, as Leo loved to refer them as that, even though it was not accurate.

(Truth be told, Donnie actually never minded being called Leo’s twin, and very much liked the term even if it went against his science.)

Leo’s mouth gaped, and his eyes had a sort of spark in them that Donnie had not seen for several weeks after defeating the Kraang. Leo quickly sat up, whisper-yelling to his brother, “Twin? So you finally admit it when i’m on my deathbed, huh? Didn’t know this was all it took!” He showed his signature toothy grin, pushing the gnawing feeling of his nightmare into the depths of his stomach.

“Scoff. Don’t change the subject, Nardo. Do you, well, I don’t know… Wanna talk about it, I guess?” Donnie spoke with great difficulty, gathering his words as they spilled from his mouth before he could arrange them properly. He shifted uncomfortably, eyes skidding everywhere but Leo’s own pair. He’d do anything for his brothers. (He reluctantly guessed.)

Leo softly shook his head, eyes lingering towards his bruised arms and hands. “I’m fine. I guess i’m just, I don’t know, put down by the state of my body. I’ve never seen so many injuries on me before…” His voice trembled, barely above a whisper.

If it were up to him, he’d rather talk about his feelings with Mikey, albeit with a little reluctance. Donnie didn’t even have the capacity to understand complex emotions, so what could he know about Leo? Had he looked so feeble and fragile that even Donnie, of all people, was stepping in with concern?

Donnie sighed, hesitating before giving a weak nod. A pause between them stretched before Donnie spoke up with a little more confidence behind his words, “I know. I see you, Leo. I can see you’re hurt and lost… maybe even confused, too.”

Before Leo could object—deny that no, he wasn’t lost in a dark void inside his head, and no, he was okay—Donnie looked him in the eye, his hands fidgeting nervously.

“Maybe all you need is someone to just be here next to you while you recuperate, because that’s what I need too.”

It took one thing for Donnie to talk about his feelings, but it was another for Donnie to admit his own vulnerability.

Leo, stunned to silence, gaped at him. His brain scrambled for words, urging his voice to come out and say something—anything—but it failed him. He felt the urge to deflect, to make a joke or push away, but something stopped him. His fingers twitched, reminding him that he still had control, even if he didn’t have the words.

So he leaned in and hugged his twin.

Both of them were caught off guard. Leo acted on pure impulse, doing what felt right. Donnie, on the other hand, froze—eyes wide, mouth slightly parted. He never welcomed physical affection without warning, always quick to brush it off when his brothers tried. But this was Leo. Hurt, vulnerable Leo, who had just sacrificed everything for his brothers. This was the Leo who cared deeply beneath his usual clownish facade, allowing it to slip just for this moment. For Donnie.

Donnie couldn’t just leave him hanging. He hesitated, but slowly let his arms fall onto Leo’s shell, unsure but determined. His head found a resting place on his twin’s shoulder. He squeezed him tightly, and to his surprise, found comfort in the simple weight of Leo’s arms around him.

It felt almost like a warm blanket.

(He considered surrendering himself more to the rest of his brother’s affectionate touches, but he quickly decided against it. Maybe he’ll just allow it for serious moments like these. It felt nice.)

Donnie felt Leo's racing heartbeat against his chest, each beat a soft and gentle reminder that his brother was here, real and alive. No longer trapped in the Prison Dimension, no longer out of reach. With each pulse, Donnie found a quiet solace, his own tension easing as he clung to the steady rhythm of Leo’s heart.

He squeezed his eyes shut before releasing a trembling sigh. “Are you scared?” He murmured softly, the sound hardly louder than a thought.

Leo was truly, undeniably, petrified. The weight of his vulnerability made his stomach churn, leaving him reluctant to accept help from his brothers. He considered his options, ways to dismiss Donnie’s question. He settled for an ambiguous answer with a lighthearted tone, a mask for his unease.

“I have you, don’t I?” he replied, a hint of playfulness lacing his voice.

“Yes, you have me. I’m ignoring your tone of voice right now, stop playing around. Scoff!” Donnie immediately dropped the hug, giving his brother a repulsed expression. That, he was good at.

“What? We were totally having a bromance moment there, dude. You ruined it!” Leo crossed his arms, eyes closed with his face turned away dramatically.

Donnie jabbed his index finger to Leo’s plastron. “We were, until you ruined it!”

“Ruined it? You’re the one who said I was playing around after I said something totally sweet and nice to you!”

“As if! You’re just trying to run away from this conversation with jokes and your childish, jokey tone. I said I wasn’t born yesterday!”

“Ugh, Raph! Donnie’s middle child syndrome is leashing out again!” Leo hollered towards the entrance of the med bay, genuinely hoping for Raph to step in and handle his annoying brother.

Donnie loudly gasped, hand over his heart, his expression the epitome of mock offense. “Middle child syndrome?! You’re literally the middle child too, dummy!”

“Yeah but everyone’s agreed that the title goes to you. I’m just the cool guy. The face of the team, ya know?” Leo flipped his nonexistent hair, a smug look stretching across his features.

The soft shell dramatically rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say Leon. Dad thinks i’m the funniest, you’re just a nuisance who attempts to be my level of funny.”

“Don’t speak to your leader like that, Donnie!” Leo dragged out the word "leader," determined to win their banter.

“Whatever.” Donnie resigned with an exaggerated sigh. One point for Leo, zero for Donnie.

Leo softly snickered at Donnie’s defeated expression. For a moment, it felt like old times. The air around them had been heavy with tension and unease ever since the Kraang invasion. Everyone was still on edge, still processing. But this moment of banter? It felt like a breath of fresh air.

It was all over now. Sure, they all had ghosts of scars plastered across their skin and minds, but those scars twinkled like distant stars. Each one, big or small, tied them together—a reminder of what they went through and a symbol of survival.

Maybe acknowledging this was one small (or big) step for Leo toward his journey of healing. Maybe those days bursting with glee and bliss were closer than he thought.

He watched Donnie as his brother’s lips quirked up into a small, genuine smile, a soft laugh escaping him. Leo’s heart warmed at the sight—Donnie, even with the dark circles under his eyes, finally looked a little more like himself. Relaxed. Present. Leo hadn't realized how much he had missed this—his brother, simply enjoying a moment.

Before Leo could stop himself, words tumbled out.

“Donnie?” His voice was softer now, his smile fading as something heavier settled in his chest. Donnie glanced at him, his expression shifting to curiosity and mild concern.

“I missed you. Please stay.”

Tears were brimming at the edge of Leo’s eyes, his own words hitting him like a punch. He hadn't truly felt it until now—just how much he missed his brothers being themselves.

Donnie blinked, momentarily stunned. His usual sharp wit wavered. He fidgeted with the corner of his shell, glancing away before looking back at Leo. “I’ve been here, Leo. You see me every day. Why do you miss me?”

Leo swallowed, struggling to find the right words. “You’ve been here, but not really... not as yourself. You’ve been too preoccupied, too worried. You haven’t laughed in a long time or smiled. Before, you would return my teasing, but it was only out of a sense of duty, right? But this time, it felt... real. And I realized I missed that. I miss you. I want you to stay with me. Just... stay a little while.”

Donnie hesitated, his eyes softening as he processed Leo’s words. He didn’t say anything at first, the silence stretching between them, thick with unspoken emotions. His hand twitched slightly, as if wanting to reach out but unsure if he should.

Then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, Donnie finally spoke. “Okay, Leo. I’ll stay. For as long as you need.”

“Let’s watch Jupiter Jim! Get me my phone, please. Actually, where even is it? I’ve been so bored since I got to the med bay. I feel like I got grounded.” Leo’s tone shifted from excited anticipation to irritation, furrowing his eyebrows to highlight his annoyance.

“Oh. I forgot about that… Well, the LED screen is bad for you anyway. Especially since you’re recuperating right now.” Donnie objected, reluctant to give back Leo his phone when he was supposed to focus on resting.

“Uh, I’m pretty sure LED screens won’t make my wounds reopen. Now, hand over my phone—I need Jupiter Jim and Instagram reels. Unless, of course, you’re buying me a whole TV to watch those on instead?”

Leo crossed his arms, knowing he’d get his way. He always did.

Donnie groaned, lifting the covers and moving to the drawer where Leo’s phone was hidden. “Fine! But you’re getting limited screen time. Two hours a day, max. You’re supposed to agree with me, medic.”

Leo rolled his eyes. “Who says that’s stopping me?”

Donnie’s expression darkened into a mischievous smile. “Who says I didn’t put a special password on it?” Donnie stretched his arms to Leo, phone in hand.

Leo’s face dropped. “Even I wouldn’t go that far! That’s my phone, not yours!” He reached for his phone, but when he tried his password, it didn’t work. Huffing in frustration, he reluctantly handed it back.

“Please,” Leo grumbled.

Donnie grinned victoriously as he unlocked the phone. “Your two hours start now. Use them wisely, dear brother.” He whispered with a playful cackle.

“Well, are you lying down with me or what?”

Leo’s casual invite was all Donnie needed. He sighed, unable to hold back a small grin as he lifted the covers and lay down next to his brother, getting in a comfy position to watch one of the many Jupiter Jim movies.

He could hear Leo’s own heartbeat, and Donnie released a long breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

’He’s here, and he’s alive— next to me.’

———

I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter, there is a lot more to come!

This fic was posted in AO3, you could read it here if it’s better for you to directly read it from the site. Kudos and comments are deeply appreciated and bring happy tears to my eyes. They keep me going.

Updates happen on the weekends (Saturdays or Sundays), but I usually post sooner. However, don’t expect earlier updates.

This fic has a minimum goal of 30k words and 15 chapters.