Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"You only pass through this life once, you don’t come back for an encore." — Elvis Presley

February 10th, 2021- Hidden City - 2:33pm

It was early February into the new year a few months after Kraang had invaded. New York was slowly was getting back on its feet from the invasion that only lasted a couple of hours. There was a lot of  rebuilding still going on even months down the line.

Everyone was affected by what had happened that day.

But no one was as affected as the four turtles that had been at the forefront of the invasion.

The four had to be confined to the medbay for awhile, especially Leo. He was the worse off when they were all brought home. While Raph had a punctured carapace and vision impairment in his right eye. Donnie had severe damage done to his shell that could easily be treated while Mikey sustained nerve damage so severe he’s needed a special brace on his hands from now on.

Leo’s brothers were able to recover within a week or so while Leo had been cooped up in the medbay for almost two months. He’d had a split down his shell, fractured ribs and a broken leg; combined with all the bruises and lacerations he got too. He’d been forced to stay in bed to recover from his injuries especially his internal and shell ones by his brothers.

Now that it’s been a few months since the invasion Leo can leave the medbay and with this he made his first trip to the Hidden City. His first stop was Run of the Mill to grab a slice of pizza, but to also give Heuso a heads up that he was okay. 

Next, he wanted to just wander around for a bit now that he could actually do that again without his brothers hounding him.

He stretched, wandering down the crowded streets of the Hidden City with a grin on his face.

It felt great to be out of the lair.

Out of the medbay.

He could finally go back to his usual routine from back before the invasion.

This didn’t mean he couldn’t be serious now.

He just wanted to goof around and explore the Hidden City for a bit like before.

The invasion had brought another side to him he didn’t realise he had until now.

It’s not like he didn’t like that side of himself, but he just didn’t like how irrational it made him.

How it drove him to commit the very thing his family kept bringing up not to do again.

He had no plan on how to stop the Kraang in that moment and that was their only way to try.

He hates that it was, but it got the job done.

So, why was everyone still bringing it up?

The slider paused for a moment, frowning, turning his head to look behind himself but saw nothing there. His frown remained on his face, scanning the groups of Yokai that irritably walked around him. He couldn’t see anything that set his paranoia sense off.

He didn’t know why, but thanks to the invasion he got a bad case of anxiety. 

Even worse than Raph or Donnie’s.

He already had a sense for this type of thing, but now it went absolutely bonkers if he felt something was least bit off.

It’s helped him out in certain situations like their first meeting with Big Mama.

But now he couldn’t walk anywhere without looking over his shoulder, thinking he was followed by Kraang One in his giant mechsuit ready to pummel him again. It was why he needed to sleep with a nightlight now because if his room was pitch black he’d believe he was still there with the Kraang.

It was another reason why he had to sneak away from his brothers to come out here. His brothers didn’t want him to be alone due to his condition.

He was okay, physically.

However, mentally, he still had a lot of healing to do.

And he really didn’t want to deal with Dr Feelings all the time.

Leo turned back around, taking in a deep, shaky breath before continuing on his way. The slider rounded a corner, turning another, trying to lose whoever was following him before rounding into an alleyway. He hid in the shadows, using what he was taught of ninjutsu.

His breaths coming in short, sharp bursts as his eyes flicked every which way, trying to find his stalker.

However, they found him first.

He was grabbed by his mask tails and yanked against the wall. He groaned, blinking the haziness from his eyes to see a young woman probably around his age, glaring at him in a witch’s hat. She had mauve skin and wore a typical witch outfit.

“Owww!” He cried out, playing out the dramatic card. “Did you really have to throw me so hard?”

Her eyes narrowed at him, eyes glowing as she spoke. “Leonardo Hamato…” She mumbled his name under her breath, causing him to flinch. “…you have chosen to look at life through a pessimistic lens…”

“I wouldn’t say that…” Leo rolled his eyes as the girl continued on. “Look, I don’t know how you know my name, but can we pretend this never happened? I gotta get home before my bros freak.”

Before he could move to leave the alleyway the girl moved and her lips were on his. His eyes shot open, fingers twitching in irritation at the sudden touch.

He now understood why Donnie hated unwanted touches.

That was his first kiss.

And she took it from him!

For what?!

What was the reason?

However it was certainly not a kiss he had expected to taste like. It tasted like molten rock and ash. The feeling of lava burning his throat and beak was insurmountable. 

When was she going to stop?

It hurts.

It burns.

It wasn’t just his beak and throat, but his whole body felt like it was on fire.

What was going on?

Was this really what kisses did to people if so he hated the feeling.

He lifted his arms up to try and push her back when suddenly, like she had jumped him in the alley before she removed herself from his beak, wiping her lips and nodding. “Live everyday like it’s your last, Leonardo. You never know what will happen next.” With that she tipped her hat down and ran out of the alley, vanishing amongst the crowd of Yokai outside.

Leo stared after her with wide eyes, wiping his beak, furiously with the back of his hand, spitting and sputtering as he did so.“What? Was …. that supposed to be a threat?” He coughed, trying to get the taste of hot, molten ash out of his mouth. “Yuck!” He grasped at his throat and wheezed. “It’s totally not like I wanted my first kiss taken so soon … oh no…” He muttered to himself, sarcastically. He took his hands away from his throat, sighing in dismay. The slider took his phone out of his belt pouch and winced at the time. “Crap! I’ve been out for over two hours! I’m definitely gonna be turtle soup when I get home.”

He grabs one of his katanas off of the sheath on his shell, slashing a portal in the air before jumping through. The portal closed up behind him, leaving no trace that the turtle or witch had ever been in that alleyway.

Chapter Text

February 10th, 2021 - Sewers; Turtle’s Lair - 4:23pm

Leo stumbled out of the portal he had made as it slowly closed shut behind him. The slider looked around at where in the lair he had landed himself in. He was currently in the entrance to said lair, wincing at the fact that he’ll have to sneak inside and into his room without being seen. The blue turtle peeked around the corner of the large archway that led into the sewers before quietly making his way towards his train car, tiptoeing as he did so.

He was just in front of his train car when he heard the telltale loud thuds he recognised as his older brother’s footsteps. He swallowed, taking in a deep breath before whirling around and allowing a large grin to spread across his face.

“Raph, buddy, what’s up? Is that a new bandana style your trying out? That looks sick, man!” Leo commented while trying to hide his nervousness.

Raph had his arms folded over his plastron, eyes narrowed at the younger turtle in front of him. “Where have you been, Leo?” His voice came out like an annoyed growl.

“What do you mean? I’ve been here the whole time.”

“Don’t…” The snapper let out a frustrated sigh. “…play dumb, Leo. Donnie has trackers on us, remember.” Leo instantly knew he was caught after hearing that, practically cursing his twin for having said trackers. “You only just got out of the medbay and now your fooling around on the surface!” The large red turtle made hand gestures towards the ceiling as if indicating to what was above them.

“Raph, I’ve been down here for two months. You have to understand I’m feeling a little antsy to get out of here,” Leo tried to explain to his older brother.

Raph brought his hand up to his face, punching his brow and groaning. “That’s not the point, Leo…”

“Then what is it?” Leo exclaimed, starting to get frustrated at the constant questioning.

Why couldn’t he go up to the surface?

He was better now.

It should be fine now.

Why couldn’t his family see that he’s fine.

He’s had over two months of a recovery period, so he should be well and truly alright to go up top.

“You almost died Leo! How can you not understand that’s why we’re so…” A loud growl erupted from Raph as he turned around and stormed off. “Just forget it…”

Leo watched his older brother storm off, unsure if he should go after him or not. The slider shrugged his shoulders and headed inside of his room, closing the sliding door behind him. He let out a groan, rubbing his face with his hands and leaning against the door.

What a day it has been…

“I can’t believe this…” He took his hands away from his face and stared up at the ceiling of his train car. “The day started so well too. Now I’m one short a first kiss.” He pouted, wobbling over to his bed and flopping down on it. 

He wouldn’t cry.

Even though he felt the hot, sting of said tears.

He wouldn’t.

He totally didn’t need that kiss for someone in the future.

He didn’t have anyone yet, but it would’ve been nice to have it and call it ‘a first kiss’ still.

No way, can he do it now…

He grabbed his pillow and held it close to his plastron, frowning.

Yes, the fact his first kiss was taken bothered him immensely however what did that girl mean?

That also bothered him…

And why did she have to kiss him?

Yokai were weird…

“I’m looking at life through a pessimistic lens? What does that even mean? And live everyday like it’s my last?” He lifted his head up; a frown marring his features. “Is this some type of code or … something else?”

Leo lay on his bed, holding his pillow to his chest, thoughts going haywire about the words he was given until he fell asleep. His mind in dreamland which allowed his scattered thoughts to wander. 

Thoughts which were full of the feeling of ash and lava.

A weird tingling all over his body.

No, it was on fire.

Just like when he was kissed.

It felt like something was wrong, but he didn’t understand what it was.

What it meant.

What was happening to him?

It wasn’t long until Mikey came to get him for dinner, shaking him awake from his slumber, “Leo, come on. It’s time for dinner.”

Leo groaned, rubbing his eyes of the sleep in them. He looked up at his little brother with tired eyes, causing the box turtle to give his older brother a look of concern.

“Leo, are you alright?” He asked, voice tinted in concern. “You looked like you were having a nightmare.” Mikey’s face changed to one of fear. “Was it about … ‘Them’ again?”

Leo sat up in his bed, shaking his head as he did so. “No, Mikey. I’m fine, really. It was just a really weird dream.”

Ever since the invasion the brothers had all had their own nightmares from their experiences during it, but none more so than Leo.

The slider had constant nightmares during his time in the medbay about the Prison Dimension and Kraang One.

Sometimes when he woke up he still believed he was there until his vision cleared more and he realised where he was. He would most often wake up screaming, causing his family to run to his aid and comfort him.

His nightmares had dwindled down since he left the medbay, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still have them. It also didn’t mean he wasn’t affected by them either. He just tried to keep it to himself so that his brothers wouldn’t worry about him as much anymore.

He already had to sleep with a nightlight.

They didn’t need to know he was still tormented by the nightmares.

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

Leo inwardly winced at that question.

He really didn’t want a session with Dr Feelings right now.

He was hungry and Mikey said dinner was done.

“No thanks. You said dinner was on?” Leo asked, quickly changing the topic off of himself.

Mikey smiled and nodded, heading out of the train car as Leo followed his little brother out to the kitchen while also leaving the pillow behind. The two made their way to the kitchen where the rest of the Hamatos were sat. Leo sat beside Donnie while Mikey sat down beside Raph and Leo really didn’t like how the snapper was still giving him the stink-eye.

They were having chicken noodle soup and cheese bread. A different blend than the usual pizza they always have. The box turtle wanted to spice things up a bit with their diet. The group ate without starting any conversations. It was like the other three could sense the tension between Leo and Raph and didn’t want to mention it, especially at dinner.

As the group ate Leo began to get more and more annoyed at the continued looks he was given by his older brother.

The disappointment.

The disapproving glare.

The huffing.

Raph was obviously frustrated with him, but was just as stubborn about their disagreement as Leo was.

It finally caused Leo to snap, standing up from his seat and glaring at the snapper across the table from him. “WHAT?!”

“I’m not doing anything, Leo…” Raph retorted back, giving Leo the same treatment he does to him.

Donnie and Mikey glance at each other while Splinter grabs his bowl and scurries off, thanking Mikey along the way for dinner. 

It didn’t help that Leo had a short temper.

He was usually really good at handling it, but sometimes that lid will pop off, especially if he’s been holding in a lot of things.

A snarl crossed Leo’s face as he pointed at his older brother. “DON’T GIVE ME THAT! YOU’VE BEEN GIVING ME LOOKS ALL THROUGHOUT DINNER!”

Raph glared back at the younger, standing up as well and Leo didn’t stand down no matter the height difference between the two of them. “I still think you should’ve given going to the surface another week. We’re just worried about you, is all.”

Leo scoffed, turning his head away. “This again…” he mumbled to himself. “…I’m fine. You want to know why I went to the surface. It’s because you guys have been floating around me since the invasion! You haven’t left me alone at all! So excuse me if I wanted to get away from you and the lair! It’s suffocating here!”

With that Leo stormed off out of the kitchen and back towards his train car, slamming the door behind him. Leo flopped back onto his bed, rubbing his hands over his face.

“I get their worried. I almost died, but…” Leo took his hands away from his face and stared at them. “…I need time to myself. I’ve been down here for so long … I need air. They don’t … understand that…”

A long, drawn out sigh escaped his beak as he rolled over onto his side. Hopefully things would be better tomorrow. 

Things wouldn’t be as messy as they were today.

Things will get better tomorrow.

Hopefully…

Chapter Text

February 11th, 2021 - Sewers; Turtle’s Lair - 8:38am

Leo woke up the next day, feeling sore all over his body. A loud groan escaped his beak as he slowly got up and out of his bed, stretching and letting out a long yawn. He stood up to his feet, heading out of his train car, catching his reflection in the mirror briefly. He frowned when he noticed that he had forgotten to change into his pyjamas the night before. So, that meant he basically slept with his belt and sword sheath still on.

It was no wonder he was sore.

However he just shrugged it off and made his way past the main area and towards the kitchen.

Donnie was already up, leaning against the wall outside of the kitchen, fiddling with his phone. He didn’t notice the slider walk past him until he spoke. “Morning D…” Leo mumbled out, tiredly.

“Morning Lee…”

Donnie frowned, lifting his head up from his phone and turning around to face his twin once Leo had walked past him into the kitchen. He followed Leo into the kitchen as Leo made himself some coffee as his body was currently on autopilot. The softshell squinted at his older twin, mouth pressed firmly into a thin line.

Leo turned his head, finally noticing Donnie staring. “Is something wrong?”

“Have you by any chance…” Donnie put a hand to his chin as he continued to eye his brother with a critical eye. “…gotten taller?”

Leo stared at Donnie for second before barking out a loud laugh. “Good one, Don! But there’s no way! I’m pretty sure I can’t grow overnight…” He took a small sip of his coffee however his younger twin wasn’t deterred.

Donnie’s eyes stayed on how his twin was in fact an inch taller than how he remembered him.

His brother was wrong.

He’s read studies that said kids grew half an inch during the night.

But his brother grew a whole inch.

That would make him 5’6”, but how would that be possible?

That would mean the studies he read were wrong.

Unless something else is going on with his twin…

Then there was also the faint line of yellow stripes next to his red ones on his eyes. He knew for a fact that those were not there at all yesterday.

What was Leo hiding from them?

“Leo, what is…?” He cut himself off, biting his hand to hold himself back from questioning his brother further.

How would he even go about this?

Something was definitely off here and either Leo knew or didn’t realise it yet.

Many thoughts ran through the softshell’s head.

What should he ask?

How should he ask it?

Before he could ask his brother had finished his coffee and left the kitchen, heading for the lounge where Mikey currently was. This left the softshell puzzled and frustrated that his questions wouldn’t get answers any time soon, so he just made himself a coffee and pouted.

The box turtle was sitting on the couch as one of Splinter’s soap operas played on the TV projector. Leo came up behind the couch, leaning on the backrest behind Mikey.

“So, what’s for breakfast, Mikester?”

“I was thinking maybe scrambled eggs…” the orange turtle mumbled to himself as if he was still thinking it over.

“Ohoho! Sounds good!” Leo let a grin spread across his beak. “But I know whatever you make will be amazeballs!”

“Aww! Thanks Leo!” Mikey exclaimed, turning to face his older brother. He blinked, staring at Leo, tilting his head in confusion.

“What? Is there something on my face?”

“No…” The box turtle pointed beside his eye. “…but have you always had those extra yellow stripes beside your eyes?”

Leo let out a laugh. “Very funny, Mikey! First Donton, now you! Is this some elaborate prank you guys thought up? You trying to tell me how handsome I am thanks to my gorgeous stripes?”

The orange brother groaned, turning back around to continue watching the movie. “Forget I asked…”

This comment caused the slider to pout and huff. “Fine! I’ll just skip breakfast then!” Leo exclaimed, huffing, turning his back on his younger brother. 

Mikey turned back around to stare at his older brother in astonishment. “Huh?” His expression soon changed to concern. “No, you shouldn’t skip breakfast. It’s one of the most important meals of the day!”

Leo chuckled, putting a hand on his brother’s head to relieve him of worry. “Don’t worry, Miguel, I’m just teasing you. Though I’m not really in the mood to sit at the table right now…” He winced, remembering his argument with Raph yesterday. “You mind leaving my food at my train car door? I’m feeling kinda sore today and I just wanna lie down.”

Mikey blinked up at Leo before understanding flashed across his face, nodding. “Sure, Leo.” He received a grateful smile from the slider only to frown back. “However I’ll only do it if you and Raph make up soon. I…” The younger looked away. “…I hate seeing you two fight…”

Leo took his hand off of his brother’s head, breathing out through his nose in a sort of sigh. “I can’t promise anything...” It was Mikey’s turn to pout now. “…but I can try. I just can’t promise I won’t make it worse…” He winced at the thought of doing so.

He would hate to somehow turn their argument into something worse.

He’d hate it if their argument got so bad they’d never talk to each other again.

And Donnie and Mikey would be caught in the middle of it.

They already kinda are, but right now the argument isn’t that bad, but if it got worse…

He certainly didn’t want them caught in the middle and he’s sure Raph wouldn’t either.

Mikey grinned, jumping over the couch and hugging Leo in the process. “Thanks Leo! I’ll go get started on breakfast, okay?” The box turtle ran off towards the kitchen, leaving the slider alone in the lounge with his Father.

The slider glanced over at the rat; who was still watching the projector in his armchair. Leo took in a shuddering breath before turning and leaving the projector room, heading back to his train car.

“Orange is right, Blue.” Leo froze in the archway, leading out of the lounge. “You boys need to make up or your little spat could end up worse down the track…” Splinter’s eyes turned sad as if he was remembering something from his past.

Leo stiffened, turning his head away from his Dad, nodding. “Sure Dad. And like I told Mikey I can only try. Raph just … makes me so angry sometimes…”

“It’s understandable to have fights with family, but don’t let them tear your relationships a part,” Splinter responded sagely.

Leo blinked at the wise words his father had just given him. “That’s … actually some really good advice…”

Splinter barked out a laugh. “I know! I read it on a mint wrapper!”

Leo stared at his Dad before letting out another sigh in disappointment. He should’ve known that his Dad wouldn’t think up advice from his past experiences or on the spot for him. It’s just how he is.

The blue turtle turned and headed towards his room, noticing Raph exiting his own train car and sped up. Raph briefly noticed Leo before the slider entered his car and slammed the door shut, locking it behind him. Leo approached his bed, grabbing a comic off of the large comic pile beside his bed before laying down and reading. He could wait until Mikey was done with his breakfast, grab it and eat in here.

It was the perfect plan.

He didn’t need to see Raph until he was ready to make up with him.

He didn’t want to see Raph really right now anyway…

So, he just lay on his bed and read his comic.

The next hour drifted by rather quickly and he jumped when a sudden knock came at his door. He put his comic down and slowly approached the door. He peered out one of the windows, breathing out a sigh when he saw that it was just Mikey with his breakfast. He unlocked and opened the door for the younger turtle, taking the plate of scrambled eggs.

“Thanks Mikey.”

“No problem, Leo, but you should sort this out with Raph soon. He really didn’t like that you weren’t at breakfast,” Mikey told his older brother.

Leo winced, hunching his shoulders up as he did so. “I know, but I’m … just not ready to talk to him yet…”

Mikey let out a sigh, shaking his head. “I know you like to take your time with this type of thing, but don’t let this fester, okay?”

“Sure…”

Mikey left and Leo went back into his room, closing his door and locking it once more. He sat down on his bed, grabbing his fork and eating the scrambled eggs.

They tasted delicious.

His little brother always did make such great food.

He didn’t know how Mikey did it, but he was able to do it.

It certainly helped when they were low on money that they couldn’t afford a pizza.

He finished up the eggs and placed his plate on the desk beside his bed where more comics sat piled on. He groaned, stretching his arms up. His body was still sore and that little lie down didn’t help at all.

“Maybe a nap will help. It’ll mess up my already screwed up sleep schedule but … oh well…” Leo muttered out to himself.

He stood up, opening his wardrobe and taking out his pyjamas and nightcap. He slipped his belt, gloves and socks off to slip into his pyjamas. He placed his nightcap on his head, yawning as he pulled the sheets of his bed back and crawled in. Leo snuggled into his comfy blankets, letting out a small purr as he slipped into dreamland once more.

February 12th, 2021 - Sewers; Turtle’s Lair - 3:01am

The slider let out a snort as he slowly woke up. He groaned, grabbing his phone from his bedside table and looking at the time. He winced when he saw the time.

Yep, going to bed in the morning definitely didn’t help his sleep schedule.

How’s he going to get back to sleep now?

The only option was for him to stay up and hang out in the kitchen with a cup of coffee and hope Donnie was up.

He got up out of his bed, stretching and yawning. He contemplated taking his pyjamas off or leaving them on, but decided against it. He might come back to bed to sleep the rest of the night away.

He passed his mirror like he had done the day before and caught a glimpse of his reflection, turning to face it with a frown on his face.

Wait … did he always have those extra stripes by his eyes?

Mikey mentioned that yesterday.

And was it him or … was he nearly eye level with the top of the mirror now? 

It was a full body mirror that he had wanted to obviously look at himself with, but his head never reached the top before.

Until now…

What was going on?

Why was his appearance changing so much?

And was it going to change more than this?

Leo certainly didn’t like where this was going…

Chapter Text

February 12th, 2021 - Sewers; Turtle’s Lair - 3:08am

Leo couldn’t move his gaze away from his reflection, staring at the red-eared slider in the mirror. The only problem was that this turtle that looks like him … isn’t him?

He’s not that tall.

He doesn’t recall growing, especially not that fast.

He also doesn’t remember ever having those extra yellow stripes on his face.

When did he get those?

He definitely wouldn’t have gotten them overnight.

The slider’s eyes roved over the reflection, trying to find anymore differences in his appearance, but he couldn’t find anymore. He let out a small sigh, guessing that it was going to be like that for now.

At least he hoped so…

For now he turned on his heel and headed out of his train car and towards the kitchen. He passed the by the main area, glancing over at Raph’s train car before shaking his head and continuing on. He’d make sure to make up with his older brother later, but not now as it was way too early for that. Raph would just get mad that he was woken up at such an early hour of the night and then it would cause their fight to become even worse than it already was which Leo honestly didn’t want.

Once he entered the kitchen he paused at the archway, noticing his twin at the table with a cup of coffee in hand. The softshell glanced up, frowning at the slider as the slightly older twin entered and began to make his own cup of night drink.

“Leo…” Donnie started, trying to figure out how to word his sentence.

Leo turned to face his brother, holding a hand up to stop the scientist from continuing. “Alright…” he rolled his eyes while letting out a frustrated sigh. “…you and Mikey weren’t joking earlier.”

Donnie was dumbfounded by the fact his brother had just outright admitted that he was wrong. He shook it off and bore a small smirk on his face to rub it into his twin’s face. “Yes. Which is why while you were having your little nap today I went ahead and built something.” Leo lifted an eye-ridge as Donnie smugly picked up a devise beside his person. “This. It’s not like the scanners in the medbay. This one will allow me to scan everything.”

That came out of nowhere…

Why did he have that just randomly sitting next to him?

Did he think Leo would get up in the middle of the night, so be brought it with him as a precaution?

“Everything?” This made Leo a bit unsure.

“Yes. As in DNA, bloodwork, bone density and so on. All without the need for me to withdraw it. No need to thank me,” the smugness in Donnie’s voice made Leo roll his voice in amusement.

“How did you make this do quickly?” Leo asked, suspicion tinting his voice.

“I’ve been working on it for a while now. I thought…” Donnie looked away from his twin, suddenly seeming nervous. “…ever since the invasion and with how injured you were … it would’ve been great to have something to help that could see everything in the body to note down straight away instead of waiting for test results.”

Donnie put the machine down on the kitchen table, switching the machine on once the right side was facing Leo and looked over to his twin who suddenly froze on the spot.

Did Donnie honestly think he was going to do this now?

He wanted his coffee already.

Couldn’t this wait?

“Hey D, could this wait?”

“Nope. We wait any longer and you’ll just keep prolonging it. That’s what you do. Just remain still.”

Leo huffed, folding his arms across his plastron. Donnie flicked the switch for the whirring machine to start and Leo stiffened as it started scanning him. Leo tried his best to remain still while Donnie was looking over the long sheet of paper that was coming from the machine. 

A deep frown growing on his face as he continued reading. “This can’t be right…”

The machine kept scanning his body for another minute before it finally stopped scanning and Leo felt like he could finally breathe again. “What is it?”

“Leo, somehow…” Donnie paused, either to give it dramatic effect or to reread what was in front of him. Leo couldn’t tell. But his brother seemed genuinely bothered by what he had read. “…the information here stated that your body is now in adulthood.”

“Adulthood? Huh, that can’t be right. I know for a fact that I’m sixteen. The same age as you!” Leo exclaimed, surprise and horror written across his face.

What was happening?

“That’s not what it says here,” Donnie stated as he continued to read off of the paper in front of him. “You’re still growing, so you’re probably around the age of eighteen. It explains the extra stripes and height, but what I don’t understand is … how…”

Oh, he knew how…

He knew very much how this was probably possible.

Or even happening right now.

Leo bit his bottom lip before sitting down opposite his now younger brother, releasing an exhausted sigh. “I thought I could keep this to myself, but apparently it’s come back to bite me.”

Donnie lifted his head up to face his brother. “What?”

“You know how I went out two days ago?”

“Without telling Raph and you two got into a fight equalling into what is happening right now between you two,” Donnie retorted with a snort causing Leo to scowl.

“Well, I was followed while in the Hidden City by what I presume was a witch from that Witch-town you told us about.” Donnie nodded, motioning for Leo to continue. “She was saying some weird stuff about ‘pessimistic lens’ and ‘live life’…” Leo shook his head with a groan, shuddering at the thought of remembering that night. “… then she kissed me before disappearing.”

Donnie blinked and stared at his brother before letting out his own groan, resting his face in his hands. “I can’t believe this. You were ‘cursed’ by a witch!”

It didn’t help his brother was kissed without his consent.

That just got under Donnie’s scales a little too much.

He shivered at the thought and instantly regretted it.

If he was repulsed from the thought of non-consensual touching then how would Leo have felt?

Leo is usually a lot more clingy than he is, but not to strangers, so he can see Leo definitely being affected by this.

Especially if it was his first kiss and it was taken from him like that.

It didn’t help Donnie already didn’t like the witches and that he and his family are forever banned from Witch-town doesn’t help matters.

“I don’t know if it’s actually a curse yet…” Leo tried to bring his brother out of his thoughts by suggesting something.

“Of course it is!” Donnie cried out, glaring at Leo. “You’re aging at a rapid rate!” The softshell put a thumb and forefinger to his chin, thinking. “I think you should write in a journal every morning. Just as a precaution. We don’t know exactly what this is doing to you yet, but writing down the date and if you age more could help us figure something out.”

Leo lowered his head, playing with his fingers under the table. “Right. I’ll do that…”

“We need to tell the others about this as well.”

“NO!” Leo stood up from his seat, scaring Donnie with the sudden rise in his brother’s voice. Leo took in a deep breath and let it out, checking behind him to also make sure he hadn’t woken anyone up. “No. Not yet. I want us to learn more about this first before telling them…”

“Leo…”

“Donnie, please…”

The slider gave the softshell a pleading look which made the purple turtle cringe before turning away from the blue one. “Fine…” Leo silently celebrated but not before Donnie turned back with a glare. “Don’t leave this for too long. As I said we don’t know how this ‘curse’ affects you yet and leaving it too late could be a bad idea. Also, they might figure it out like I did given time...”

“Right.” Leo nodded, but also worried about that last part. However he grinned before hurriedly making his way back to his room.

Donnie turned his head to notice his brother had left the kettle on the stove and scoffed. He dragged himself off of his chair, over to the stove and poured himself another cup. “Dumb-dumb came out for a cup and didn’t even use it. Oh well, more for me then.” He took a long sip of the newly rejuvenated mug of coffee, sighing in pleasure. “Hits the spot…”

Leo entered his train car, closing the sliding door behind him and locking it. He turned around to face his room before falling to his knees, grasping his head and letting out a silent scream.

Why did this have to happen?

He didn’t understand why this was happening to him.

What did he do to deserve this?

How was he going to fix this?

Was there even a cure?

Did he need to find the witch to cure it?

How would he be able to find her now?

All these thoughts kept circling around and around inside of his brain and wouldn’t stop.

Maybe he should do what Donnie said…

The slider lifted his head up towards his desk, getting up off of the floor from his pathetic position and approached it. He opened one of the drawers, taking out a brand new notepad; wincing as if looking at it made him uncomfortable. He was given this journal a month after the invasion; after he was healed enough to move his arms around. Mikey had given it to him to help write his emotions down to help vent instead of locking everything away.

However, Leo had just hid it in his desk drawer after he was released from the medbay and hadn’t touched it since.

Now he feels it would be good to use to write on especially about the days, his changes happen and so on. It wouldn’t just help him try and figure this curse out, but it’d help out Donnie if he kept a log with him too.

Leo took in a deep breath, opened the journal to the first page. He grabbed a pen from nearby that he usually used for writing notes on medical textbooks he’d asked April to get him.

“3:27am — Day 2:-

I woke up today noticing extra stripes on my face and that I was slightly taller than usual. What my brothers told me yesterday was true. Donnie gave me a scan with a new machine and we found out I’m now eighteen somehow. We’re going to wait and see happens with this curse, but I’m still quite a bit anxious about it. I hope his machine was just faulty.

— Leonardo…”

Leo closed the journal, letting out a long sigh and collapsing in front of his desk while also releasing a small whine. Even if he wrote that he hoped that his brother’s machine was faulty it didn’t erase the growing unease in his mind that maybe … this curse he has is maybe increasing his age for real…