Chapter Text
New York City, a town that was big and busy with many people and tourists every year. Major events always happened, even if sometimes it involved unusual situations with aliens and monsters invading them. But when those things happened, something always made them disappear or leave. But as always, they don’t care as much and continue with their lives. It was enough for them to move on with their daily routines. It was enough to not even acknowledge those mysterious saviors they were blessed to have. The Hamato clan. They were the ones that always patrolled their streets at night and get rid of every menace that set foot in their town. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo were the members of that clan that always protected the Big Apple, however, understanding their situation didn’t mean it was their only issue.
The brothers couldn’t relate to any other people outside. Not allowed to skateboard with other teens, heck, they weren’t allowed to be seen in the least. Being giant talking mutant turtles gifted with ninjutsu abilities wasn’t that common. By just showing an inch of their faces to a crowd would drive them off screaming in fear, which to be saving a town where they were never be credited for. Only very few people knew of their existence. April O’Neil, a loyal friend to the family. Casey Jones, who had recently known about them and had joined their team in helping the city. And Karai, who they thought was an enemy at first but turned out to be a great ally and sister.
Hamato Yoshi had been the one to raise them as his sons, showing them the art of ninjutsu. Not only for fun and self-defense, but also to save those in need. Even if they weren’t welcome in the topside, they had friends to rely on that didn’t judge them for their appearance like some people have in the past events. Without expecting it, they had expanded their family in a positive way.
That day, the brothers were in the lair, as always. Lately, Shredder hadn’t made any attempts of terrorizing their family nor sent out any henchmen. It was strange, but they wouldn’t let their guard down.
Michelangelo had come out of the kitchen with a wide smile on his face, “Guys, admire this beauty!” He exclaimed to the other turtles and April in the living room, “A delicious pizza made by yours truly.”
“That’s just another way of saying it’s gross or probably poisonous.” Said Raph, Reading his comics.
“It smells delicious, Mikey!” Said April with a small smile.
“Thanks, dudette and come on Raph, don’t be such a grouch. You’ll love it!”
“Is that a tentacle?” Asked Leo.
Donatello had come over with the rest to see the “delicacy” from his brother. He frowned at that. “What did you use to make this?”
“It’s a secret ingredient, bros.”
“Then I’ll pass, last thing I want is food poisoning.” Said Leonardo immediately, “I’m going topside, need to check if there’s any Foot activity going on.”
“Hey, Master Splinter said to cut off on the Solo hero crap. You’ve had your shell handed to you more than once and we’re not adding another to the record.” Said Raph with a scowl.
Leo glared at his brother after what he said, he let out a growl and said, “As if any of you guys wanna come with me, then I wouldn’t have to do that.”
“I’m a little busy, dude.” Muffled Mikey having a mouth stuffed with homemade pizza.
“Come on Leo, don’t feel that way. Get over here and enjoy some pizza.” Insisted the red head with a smirk.
“I’ll go with you.”
Leonardo turned over to see that Don had said that. He stared to him honestly very confused and surprised.
“Alright, let’s go Donnie.” Said the blue clad in a calm tone. These past few days, he had been a little...off.
Both turtles left the lair letting the rest enjoy a snack. Once the manhole cover was up, they made their way to the buildings and hopped one by one to see if there was anything going on. While they checked, there was a lot of silence between the two. It was uncomfortable at first but then they remembered why they were up there in the first place. Leonardo looked around and yet again, nothing was happening.
“Well, I guess the Foot clan decided to stay home again...”
“There hasn’t been anything in months. The silence is starting to become normal.” Said Donnie with a sigh.
“And it’s not a good thing, there has to be something going on.” Pondered the leader of the group, going over to the edge of the building taking a closer look at the streets.
Donnie only nodded at what his older brother said. He glanced at where Leo was looking and remained silent once more. The times he was alone with Leo were not common and most of the time, he didn’t even know what to say. Usually their talks were about plans or prototypes for missions.
Leonardo could feel Donnie close to him, he saw him from the corner of his eyes and rubbed his arm a bit, “I was actually surprised you wanted to come with me.”
“I just wanted to get out of the lair for a minute or two...” Replied the slim turtle.
“Is there something wrong? Don, I’ve seen that you haven’t been yourself lately. You know you can trust me.” He approached his brother and rested a hand on his shoulder.
Donnie looked to him a little doubtful at the beginning. He didn’t want to sound stupid or dramatic… But knowing Leonardo, he wouldn’t leave him alone until he spoke or would bring up the subject eventually if he decided not to speak.
“It’s just that… I’m contemplating on our current situation... And the consequences aside from being nonexistent to the world.” He took a few steps back, taking a look at the city with arms folded behind his shell. “Leo... We’re turtles. Not ordinary common ones. Mutants. Beings that aren’t supposed to exist, yet here we are. To top it all off, we’re the only ones. There aren’t more turtles like us out there. The day we die it’s all over. We won’t be missed by anyone because for the same reason as mentioned. We’re nonexistent. The worst thing is that we can’t do anything about it.”
That wasn’t the type of subject Leonardo thought he’d receive from the other, it was a deep thought. “Well, I think there’s a few things we agree on. Just like you, there must be more than one mutant asking themselves that. They’re probably thinking like us now.” Said Leo, “At least we have April and Casey, even Karai. Although… I’m not sure to what point we’d be relevant to them. So I guess we all still have each other.”
“It’s always been like that, and I guess that’s how it’ll remain.” Frowned Don to his brother. “Speaking of, I’m also aware that we won’t really have someone share the same feelings as we do. Please, there was a time where you liked Karai, Mikey liked Renet, Raphael actually hooked up with Mona Lisa and… I had April. But it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Why does she do this to me?”
That was a common subject with Donatello for who knew about it. Mostly between his brothers. But in this occasion, it sounded different when he mentioned his crush. “Karai and I don’t have a future together. Not now that we know the truth and has suffered so much from it. Donnie, you shouldn’t keep frustrating yourself over this.” He went with his brother once more. “Maybe someday, we’ll find someone who shares the same feelings as us. That’ll love us for who we are.”
“Leo, for 16 years we’ve remained hidden from society. By just seeing a toe from us, people freak out and run. The only ones who don’t do that are April and Casey while everybody else tries to kill us. I had small hopes with April that maybe she would feel the same for me. But... I’ve come to realize that I’m insignificant to her. She says she loves me then she says no, she kisses me in the farmhouse and then she ignores me, she treats me nice and then she acts like I’m not even there, she’s in danger and then she gets mad and defensive that I saved her! Is she trying to play with my feelings or what is this about?!”
The blue clad approached his younger taller brother and rested his hands on his shoulders, “Donnie, look at me. For your own good, I think you should move on. It doesn’t help if you feel her rejection and I get it, completely. But sometimes, we have to find over things and other people to feel happy again. We could meet new humans. Maybe that way we can find someone new. Someone to help you forget April.”
“Easier said than done. I can’t go out and find girls like a normal person can. That’s what I mean when I said our existence is insignificant. People will never appreciate us for who and what we are. We’ll always be mutants and nothing more...” After letting all his frustration out, Donatello felt a big urge to cry.
Leonardo was concerned, his brother was really suffering these past days. Without permission, he brought his brother close, turning his gaze over to him.
“Yes, maybe the humans won’t accept us. But we don’t need them, we have each other. You have me.”
“O-of course I know. We’ll always have each other’s backs no matter what.”
He stared firmly at him for a few seconds, noticing his actions, and mostly the distance between the two. He didn’t realize he brought him so close to himself. He blushed slightly and parted from him, “Just... I think we should just forget about the solitude for a minute. We’re not completely alone.”
“I think so... either way it’s always been this way.” He half smiled to the older. “Sorry for this whole breakdown, I guess I was overthinking again.”
“No Donnie, it’s ok if you tell me these things. Don’t bottle them up like that. It’s better for you and for the rest.”
He lowered his smile just a little. Donatello really didn’t want to think about those things but it was inevitable. His life, their lives, weren’t things other people would understand.
Leonardo was very surprised after all the things his brother said, he also had a feeling in his chest, something telling him that he didn’t want Don to feel that way. “Hey don’t have a frown, brother.”
Don looked to him once more and the request from his older brother, he managed to smile at least a bit. Mostly just to satisfy Leonardo.
And it did, Leo gave him a small pat on the shoulder, “You need to have a positive view of what’s happening. Cheer up as long as you have us. Come... we need to give a last patrol before going home, it’ll help distract your mind.”
“Alright, if you say so.” Nodded Donnie looking at the distance, “Maybe there’s something at 34th street.” With that, he jumped to the other building.
Leonardo immediately followed behind him. But after all he heard from Donnie, he couldn’t help but feel weird. Some kind of feeling invaded him and he really didn’t know what it was. Even so, he shook it off and continued with the patrol.
They had to keep the city safe and their family united.