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“Way to go D”, Leo snarked.“Thanks to you this mission has gone like every other mission you ever go on. At this point we should just get you an award, huh ?”
His words were heavily laced with sarcasm. And if the tone wasn’t enough the turtle added a bravo salute to the mix. Laying it on thick, because simple never went with the red ear slider. Oh no, it had to be legendary and stand out like an eyesore, Donnie thought bitterly.
“ Me?! The whole reason this went bad is because of you!” The taller of the two pointed out quite literally, raising an accusing finger at the culprit.
“What?! What are—”
“No you listen to me !! You’re always doing ridiculous stunts without any intellectual thought—” the soft shell cut in.
However the other teen was not willing to relent and continued with his own defense. “Well we all can’t be a smart genius like you, can we ?” Leo sneered with lowered eyes.
And that was exactly the problem. His dumb dumb brother’s doing dumb-dumb stuff. Donnie muttered “Obviously not...if only”
“IF ONLY WHAT ?..Say it!” Leo shouted while walking over to his brother. Because it was about time they had this talk out in the open.
“NO” Donnie said turning to leave but Leo stopped him with a hand to his arm and pointed a finger to his chest.
“You were gonna say, ‘If only my invention worked to make my dumb dumb brothers smart ,but not as smart as me or smarter!!!’ Leo mocks in tone of his twin’s voice.
“No I wasn’t!” The soft shell spat and smacked Leo’s hand off his arm and the other away from his chest.
“Oh? You weren’t ,were you?” A lime green nail jabbed determinedly once more. “Don’t treat me like a fool”
“That’s literally that hardest thing not to do” Don replies with a dramatic eye roll. Rolling his shoulders in an effort to dispel the growing tension.
“There you go again !” The slider called out , physically poking at the tan breast plate of the shell facing him.
Donnie felt his blood boiling, the irritation of a failed outing/mission and Leo’s resounding anger was riling him up. Perhaps there was some truth to the suppose bond that tethered between them. The breathing techniques wouldn’t help him now.
“Guys !” Mikey spoke up trying and failing to break up the argument from continuing any further. Up until now, the box turtle had kept on the sidelines, hoping his brothers would resolve their conflict without violence.
“Because of you we couldn’t get that plushie science bear for Raph” The slider rose up on the tip of his toes, using his height to talk down to his twin. Who rose up as well in a mirror of resilience.
“Yea? Well I didn’t go for the bear! That was your dumb idea” Donatello reminds.
“It’s not dumb, D. The word is thoughtful. And my idea only failed because of you!!”
“Your idea failed when you first had it” Don screams back, fed up with it all.
“You’re constantly doing that.” Leo shoved , pushing his brother away as if he brought him disgust. You keep putting us down like we’re pieces of shits” his other fist clenched tight at his side.
“I wouldn’t have to if you would stop behaving like shits !!”
And that’s when the first punch was thrown. Leo came at him with a sharp right jab. The force of it knocking Donnie to the floor but only for a moment. The older got up slightly when Leo approached him and it was here that he delivered a swift kick causing the slider to fall down on his side. A following kick came from Donnie and then as fortunate would have it ;a full on brawl happened. Kicking , slapping, biting and punching.
The twins feed off of the other’s anger and frustration. Nothing was held back in each of their attacks. And seeing that ,the youngest rose to stop the madness happening before him. They were a family and even though they weren’t a perfect one and they argued and disagreed on many things, this right here was not the way to go about resolving any issues.
So Mikey tried to stop them but he intervened at the wrong time. Right when Leo had shoved Donnie which in turned knocked Mikey to the floor from the force of the momentum. Too focused on the fight, Donnie paid no attention to his orange brother behind him, as he swung one end of his tech boa hitting Leo across his face. But he was unaware that the other end had smacked the little box turtle right across his face. Leo also paid no mind to Mikey when he used his sword to deliver a swipe at Donnie, who moved away in the knick of time.
However Mikey wasn’t so fortunate. Still reeling from the ache of the staff he wasn’t prepared and the sword sliced through the skin of his outer thigh. He let out a shriek, quickly putting his hands on the gash in an effort to stop the bleeding.
“S-Stop You guys! This isn’t helping anything!!” he cried out , but to deaf ears.
The twins were too blinded by their bloody rage to notice anything but the other as they continued their senseless brawl. Mikey started to panic. He was in pain and bleeding out. Then just when he thought things couldn’t get any worst , Donnie threw a glass vase which missed Leo and crashed right above his head breaking in sharp shards around him. So now there was another reason he couldn’t get up...just great.
“GUYS STOP!!!” Mikey pleaded with unshed tears. But his pea was disregarded just as it was before.
Donnie had tackled his twin and was now above Leo holding him in a choke hold while the slider tried to wiggle free. After delivering two uppercuts Leon was finally able to get air back into his lungs when he was let go. The slider hit Donnie again, a square punch in the middle of his face which cause the purple’s turtle nose to gush with blood.
“Ugh....oww” the soft shell groaned his hands flying to cover his bloody nose.
“Hah.. that’s ...what you get ..” Leo panted with a vicious smirk even as he tried to breathe normally.
“Let me…” Donnie mumbled moving one hand he pushed a button on his gauntlet. “Give you something back!!”
Three missiles came flying out from his lab and they were on a course straight to Leo. Donnie himself had moved out of the way as the rockets reached their target. The blue clad turtle was soon blown back against their large skateboarding ramp. After the smoke cleared Leo emerged coughing , his body flushed with stray burns from the explosion. Nevertheless he glared at Donnie and charged at him with his sword aimed and set.
“Oh that’s it. You are sooo gonna get it” he hissed using his ōdachi to swipe Donnie’s left arm damaging the sliver gauntlet and the skin underneath.
“Argh!!”Donnie hollered but it was less of the pain and more for the agony of months of work toiling away being destroyed.
“Are you beyond insane?!” The older hissed while he backed away from the next attack.
“Yes and you’re the reason why. With your dumb, stupid tech!” Leo hissed back while using the flat end of his sword to smack Donnie right across his face.
“The only stupid, dumb thing I see is you—” Donnie retorted tumbling away to grab his fallen boa. With a press of a button an energy blast came flying at him.
“OH MY GOD...shut up” Leo snapped after he jumped up missing the blow.
“MAKE ME !!Leonardo Make me” Donnie taunted
The twins glared and began to charge towards each other. Weapons raised with their target locked on, the scene looked right out of a chivalry battle ready to take place. A battle cry was shared as they rushed forward.
Only they were both yanked away and left dangling in the air , two big hands holding the cervical of each their shells .
“What in the world of Jupiter Jim are you two doing ?” Raph growled.
“He started it” Leo spoke while pointing a finger at his brother.
“No I didn’t, stop blaming me!” Donnie yelled. It was really too much now. His eyes were burning and he refused to shed tears here. Especially in front of Leo of all people and mutants.
“But it was your damn fault” Leo accused and swung his left foot up to kick Donnie right in his face again.
“AYE STOP!” Raph shouted his voice echoing in the lair and with it came resounding silence.
Everyone looked towards him. Mikey with relief and the twins with a little fear in spite of the anger that was still pumping in their systems. They each panted, bodies filled with hot pulsing adrenaline.
Mikey cried out, breaking the silence that weighed in the air. “..R-Raph .. can you help me?”
“Stupid imbecile” Don snapped under his breath. The words being muffled with the hand that came to wipe away the lingering blood dripping from his nose.
“Say it with your chest ,Donnie” Leo heard what he muttered and it riled him up further, if that was even possible. And it was ,it always would be when it came to him.
“LEAVE ME ALONE LEO” The soft shell hissed. He threw his boa down on the floor and crossed his arms tight around his aching chest.
“It would be my pleasure , I can’t stand to even look at you right now, I hate you soo—” Leo sneered
“No!, I DETEST You. I wish you weren’t my—”Donnie started with a pure hatred in his yellow tinged eyes.
Raph cut in , booming voice laced with his own frustration. “Both of you STOP. You two need to go to your rooms and stay there till I say come out. Now!!” Raph barked.
After putting the twins down away from each other the Snapper turtle made his way over to the youngest of the four. Stepping right on the broken glass without a thought or a flinch; his soles were as tough as his heart was soft. Raph gently picked up Mikey who latched on with tears in his eyes. The baby turtle hated when his brothers fought and this brawl seem like it was the worst of all.
“Shhh I got you...it’s gonna be okay” Raph said while he cradled Mikey and turned back to the twins.
“It was Donnie’s fault” Leo spat, hanging back to justify himself and most importantly get the last word in.
“How dare you blame me , when it was—” Donnie started but was soon cut off.
“ ENOUGH !!”Raph shouted “I DON’T care who started it and who’s fault it is right now”
“But—” Leo sputtered
“No. Zip it !” Raph yelled “What I need is for the both of ya to go to y’all rooms. Don’t make me repeat myself again”
With one final glare exchanged between themselves they crept to their rooms.
Raph quickly went to the medical bay ;a room that Donnie made in one of the empty tunnels. After placing Mikey on the bed he turned to wash his hands and went over to check out the marks on his younger brother’s leg. Thankfully it wasn’t deep enough to require snitches. Raph cleaned and wrapped up Mikey’s thigh and then carried him to his room. Once there the oldest wrapped a red blanket around him and placed the orange turtle to sit on his bed while he himself sat on the floor in front of his little brother.
“Can you tell me what happened ?” Raph asked softly ,the menacing growl long gone out of his voice.
“Well you know we went to the museum...to check out the new exhibit.” Mikey asked when his brother nodded he continued
“It was cool, but Leo heard a noise. Like a crash or someone fumbling. He wanted to check it out but Donnie said no. Said he was too busy with the concoction room thing so Leo and I went to the noise”
“And what happened ?”
“Those two fake imitation crab guys wanted to capture us. I guess maybe to eat us . I don’t really know they kept talking about different options of cooking preps. Which if you ask me,were all wrong”
“Ugh couple of idiots” Raph grumbled. If he ever sees them when he’s out again. It’ll be on sight.
“They didn’t get us tho , we fought them back”
“Heh they wouldn’t stand a chance against y’all three” Raph beamed, he is quite proud of his younger brother’s fighting abilities.
Mikey shifted in his spot.“But that’s ...the um problem. I think”
“Hmm, Say what now ?” the oldest lowered his proud snout.
It almost didn’t feel right to say. But that was the truth of the situation. Probably the reason for the twins to fights so brutally.
“Donnie didn’t help” Mikey spoke and yet the words felt like he was ratting out his brother. No offense dad, it’s just the term fits.
“...What? Why? Did he know y’all got caught” Raph asked, expecting there to be an explainable answer.
“Leo called him on his phone but Donnie hung up before he could tell him all the details. And when we got back to where was D , he was ready to come back home you know. He found what he was looking for..” Mikey sighed, because maybe he should have tried harder to bring the topic to the light and not listen to the hushing look Donnie gave him.
“Donnie looked shaken up though. Like he was in a battle too. And he was rubbing his left arm a lot . But Leo was so pissed off and started shouting at him”
“He didn’t ask what happened ?”
“No I don’t think he noticed” Mikey rubbed at his blanket.
“Mmm..”
“They were going back and forth the whole way home too. But it only got physical when Donnie said he wouldn’t have to put us down if we didn’t behave like shits”
“Grrrr ,watch your mouth !!” Raph snapped. His brother shouldn’t be such foul language like that.
“Hey ! I’m just saying what was said” Mikey raised his hands up innocently.
“So Leo did first hit ?”
“He was provoked , they both were provoking each other really” Mikey didn’t really like this part. Being a tattletale caught in the middle of a crossfire.
Raph was quiet for a moment, thinking things over for beat. “Alright, Imma talk to Leo first. Stay here in my room kay ?”
“Okay” The younger nodded, laying back to get comfortable, at least it was the most safest here.
Raph got up from the floor ,handing his bro a stack of comic books to read in the meantime. Then he made a quick stop to the med bay to get the first aid kit. He’ll need it when he makes his way to Leo’s room.
With a couple of knocks on the side of the door frame he moves the curtains back and steps in. Leo’s on his bed with his shell facing the entrance. Raph just manages to get a foot inside only to hear.
“It’s not my fault” being grumbled to him.
“I never said it was” Raph responded
“Then what did you come in to say then ?” He sighed, all the fight bled right out of him. Now it’s just soreness and lingering irritation.
Calmly using a voice of reason Raph explains “I just wanted to hear your side of the story and to treat those bruises and cuts”
“Oh ....I’m fine I don’t need help”
It’s only natural that Leo would feel the need to put on a brave shoulder. But this isn’t the time where the young turtle needs to act so tough and sulky.
“ Leo ” Raph calls out , a lot is said with that one word.
The slider relents turning to face his brother. With another sigh he held out his arms and let the other turtle treat his wounds. Raph was very gentle, carefully rubbing the appearing bruises with arnica cream. For the cuts he put bandages and for the slight burns he put Neosporin. Every so often Leo would flinch when a cut or mark was treated, no doubt he was starting to feel the aftermath of both fights.
“Wanna tell me ‘bout what happened ?”
“I know you heard most of it from Mikey already” Leo always hated rewatching highlights, worse was watching the people watch the highlights again.
“Just tell me what happened” Raph urged with a firm but gentle tone
“Those two crab mutants tried to attacked us. I mean like they could ever, you know? But they were actually pretty good for some crazy wacky reason. I’ll give them a point for that.” Leo rolled his arm , shifting to get more comfortable.
“So I said let me be nice and call Donnie to get in on the fun. It’s not like I needed the help or anything.” Raph nodded, clearly recognizing his bro’s ego at play. When will he realize it’s okay to need help sometimes ?
“Because at the start when we all were at the exhibit I told Donnie I heard a noise but he didn’t want to come with me and Mikey to check it out. And get this , He didn’t come to help when I called him on my cellphone either. He keeps acting like he’s better than the rest of us.”
Raph pauses before slowly speaking“Do you think he might’ve been busy with something ?”
Leo looked over at him with a puzzled expression,“Huh ?”
“When you called him , how do you know he wasn’t busy with something else ?”
“He didn’t respond to my call so I thought he was just looking at that dumb potion mixer thing or whatever”
“But he could have been fighting someone” Raph suggested “Why else wouldn’t he come to you guys when you called ?”
“Because he’s weak and a selfish dork, he barely knows how to fight” Leo snapped, just thinking about past events made him hiss his teeth. Maybe that was going a bit too far.
“But you know he stills tries. I think if anyone knows about their own shortcomings it would be the person in question”
Raph’s words were like a harsh pinch to the arm, Leo turned his head away trying in vain to keep his guilt at bay. “If he was in a fight then why didn’t he say so ?”
“Did you give him a chance to ?”
“…Well no.” Leo’s shoulders draw up, feeling a weight start to grow.
“Then how was he supposed to let you know then ?” Raph ponders aloud. Honestly it’s a good question.
“I—I don’t know” Leo sputtered, he had been so mad after being tossed around like a tennis ball for a good few minutes he hadn’t even considered that Donnie had been in his own battle. He just assumed the dorky guy was off tinkering around with his head stuck in a hard drive.
“Don’t you think he knows he’s not as strong as us , that he’s not as athletic ?”
“I guess” Leo looks back down at his pillow. As much as he finds an opportunity to point out his brothers shortcomings in a ribbing tease, he knows the extent of their differences.
“I mean he gets a reminder every time we spar and in every other battle we have he sometimes comes home more battered than we do” Raph point out with a tap to his own chin.
“So you’re saying I’m the bad guy ?” Okay okay he made a mistake but still Donnie didn’t have to act like he was all high and mighty. Turning his snout down on them.
“I’m saying Donnie is doing the best he can. He worked on the turtle tank all by himself and he made the shell hogs for both you and Mikey. He’s constantly fixing things we break and he’s also making stuff that will help us fight against the mutants”
“I know I know” Leo huffed with eye roll hoping to hide a slight grimace. The weight was growing on his shoulders and he didn’t like it one bit.
“He knows he can do better when it comes to fighting and he’s trying to make up for it with his tech, it’s the only talent he thinks he has” Raph adds somberly.
“....” Leo was silent. That’s not true at all.
“He made four different shells because he knows we all worry about him breaking his soft one. He’s trying not be a burden on us”
“He’s ..he’s not a burden” Leo mumbled “he never was one”
“He’s not...but he still thinks he’s one” Raph explains, patting Leo on his head.
“....why didn’t he just tell me how he felt” the slider said feeling guilty about his past actions.
“Why didn’t you tell him how you felt Leo ?”
That’s a good question there too. One the younger hates to admit the answer because it’s apart of the question as well.
“You need to communicate with him better. He’s shy and insecure about himself. He doesn’t know how to say what’s on his mind”
And he isn’t the only one , Leo thinks with a lowered head.“He shouldn’t be ...he’s very smart. Sometimes too smart and that gets on my nerves. He thinks he’s better than us”
“Does that remind you of anyone? Wearing another layer over their shell?”
“What?!” Leo blanched. The slider was under the impression that his brother was being an asshole because that’s how he was. He didn’t even consider the possibility that his brother was using a front. Probably out of all of them -Leo understands the feeling ; joking around and being cocky all the time to hide the insecurities.
“Ya just need ta be more patient with Donnie. And try to understand the reason why he dose what he does”Raph said looking at him with caring eyes.
Leo nodded his head ,turning to lay back down in his bed. He needed to process these thoughts and twisted feelings shifting in his gut. Raph walked out with one final nod over his shoulder before leaving Leo to his own thoughts .
On the second floor, Raph knocked gently on the side of the metal entrance to the lab. Just as he had done with Leo. Donnie grumbled a low reply, only answering because of the distinctive sound. Had it been anyone else, he’s sure he would have refused them access. The giant turtle made his way inside, politely keeping away from the scattering of tech , both incomplete and completed. Low purple lights glowed in the back where Donnie was hunched over his desk, curled protectively over his staff as he made repairs.
Raph frowned, here his brother was all banged up and he was more worried about his creation than his own skin. The older grunted low , it was the only warning given before he reached down and carefully picked up the smaller turtle, hauling him over to a clear spot in the room.
“Ugh Raph, no put me down! I have to fix my tech” Donnie hissed , but his scrambling didn’t even work.
“Well it better wait. I need to tend to those cuts you’ve got” it wasn’t a suggestion and once he was set down , Raph got to work.
The younger sighed depleted. Hanging his head as he sagged on the table. It was always like this; he’d need tending to after most fights because he’s so weak. The only one with a soft shell, the only odd one out. And that fact always gets proven again and again.
Donnie watched with heavy lids as bandages were applied and soothing cream was smooth along sore achy skin. The worst part was how nice it felt to be cared for. The medical aid prevented infection sure and was vital but there’s something to be said that his brother still takes the time to help him. It helps with the weight of inequality that hangs above his head.
“Who were you fightin’ with back at the museum, Donnie ?” Raph asked, his deep voice cutting through the fog cloudy his mind.
“H-huh ?” Donnie sputtered, tilting his head to gaze up at the taller turtle. “How’d you know I was fighting someone..? Oh” The purple clad turtle shrugs, it’s apparent whenever he fights someone.
“Well you can see that obviously”
“No , these marks I know are Leo’s” Raph gestures at his arm, the dark marks that are starting to form. “That one isn’t ,and it’s already pretty bruised up.”
Glimmering gold orbs shine like the moon in the dark night.“Who did that to ya ?” Raph pressed, looking ready to patrol after he gets a good description and more information.
“It was new mutant; a weird creature that was a jewel thief. The guy wanted to steal a crystallize atomic complex—uh a glowing rock that came from outer space” he simplifies after a raised brow.
“I went to stop him however his powers consisted of manipulating forms of earth matter. He moved the floors around and pieces in the cases ! That guy messed up everything.” Donnie huffed , becoming angry just thinking about it all over again.
“It was so organized before he showed up and worst of all that wannabe jeweler stole the stuffed—” he stopped there, unwilling to ruin the surprise Leo had planned.
“He stole what ?” Raph wondered why his brother stopped mid rant, usually he went all out till all the steam disappeared.
“…The rock and something else I needed. So I fought him. Leo called at the wrong time like he always does. I , I had my hands full dealing with that guy.”
“And you didn’t get a chance to tell that to Leo, did you ?” Donnie shook his head. “There wasn’t any point after where you could have told him you were in your own fight ?”
“No ! The moment he and Mikey came back he went on and on about me hanging up on him. Like he doesn’t do the same to me ! He’s always running in head first and never makes any sort of plan”
“And you told him that instead of what had happened..or how you feel when he acts like that” Raph calmly spoke.
Donnie stiffened , mouth open to yell some more when his brother’s word slowly drifted and swirled inside his head. Why ? No how could he ever begin to explain his feelings to that haughty immature twin of his ? And what good would that do ? Letting Leo know he stood at a disadvantage, it would only give him a ledge above him. He’d never hear the end of it.
“I need you to try , Donnie. Try and explain yourself to Leo because he won’t understand if you don’t use your words and tell him how you feel.” Raph patted Donnie’s head gently, pressing his snout against his forehead before rising to leave the room.
“Get some rest , Kay ?”
“Yea..okay. Thank you” he adds softly to the rugged shell that protects them all.
Raph was right , he had to tell Leo what really happened why he didn’t pick up the phone call. And he needed to do it now. With his determination set he hopped off the table to follow the footsteps of his older brother, running out of his lab and into Leo who stood awkwardly at the entrance, fist in the air as if ready to knock.
The twins stood still , each regarding the other with abated glances.
The air was stiff with regret and words weighed in their mouth, clogging up their throat making it almost difficult to breathe.
“I—” they both began, mind’s synced as it always seemed to be.
“No, you can go first..” Leo offered softly.
“It’s okay ,you came all the way up here. You can start first” Donnie replied just as light.
“Donnie, I’m always going first. And that’s the problem, I’m too busy running ahead that I never notice what’s , who’s around me. I want to stop and stay still and listen to you.” Leo looked at him, firm eyes holding his.
“I..I was fighting someone why I didn’t answer your call. I didn’t want to just ignore you. It’s not like the other times when I’m just busy..” the taller stared, rubbing his fingers together nervously. “But this guy…I had something that I needed for one of my inventions and also..something else”
Leo hanged his head. The anger he had remembered with a bitter sting of a slap. If he had just listened. If only he had just asked then they wouldn’t have fought like they did. They probably would have never said such words to each other that was now stuck between them.
“I’m so..so sorry Donnie, I never should have blamed you or said that I hated you” Leo was close to tears, water clouding his eyes as his throat clogged up.
Don couldn’t take it, his own pile of remorse hollowed him out and with the sight of Leo’s it was all too much. He reached out , pulling his twin into a tight embrace and squeezed out more sobs from the blue clad turtle.
“No dear Leonardo, it is I who is apologetic. I’m so t-thankful to have you as my brother. I didn’t—” his words were wet and they trembled with every shuddering breath. “-I didn’t mean it at all when I said that to you….I don’t hate you at all”
Leo wailed, stomping his foot on the floor and pulled Donnie even closer. His embrace was warm and crushing leaving no doubt about their connection. They stayed like that for a while, close together as they cried. Each sniffle and snort encouraging the other to cry some more till Donnie had enough of it all. Way too many emotions for the day and he was becoming tired.
““ I’m sorry ”” they jinx quietly to themselves.
“Oh man, look at us crying our eyes out. So uncool” Leo criticized pulling back as he wipes at his face with the back of his hand.
“Yes indeed, it’s very uncool” Donnie deadpans and it brought a small smile to Leo’s face. He raised a hand to carefully brush away stray tears on his twin’s face.
“You said the guy, uh had something you needed ? What was it ?” Leo asked curiously. If they needed to go back and get the item then so be it.
Donnie stiffened where he stood with a growing flush beginning to bloom. He rubbed at the back of his head in that awkward way like when he was embarrassed about something. Leo quirked a brow becoming even more interested. He always liked seeing whatever invention his twin brought to life. Some better than others. Nevertheless the slider enjoyed seeing the spark flash like fireworks in those usual gloomy eyes. Maybe he could stand to tell that to Donnie sometimes.
“C’mom what is it ? Tell me I wanna know” He pressed with a teasing poke.
“Fine okay, you don’t gotta twist my arm” Donnie rolled his head in faked annoyance. He took the fire steps back inside his lab stopping when he realized that Leo wasn’t following after him and so he sighed , “C’mon, don’t you wanna see what I was fighting for ?”
“Yea, but you constantly say that you don’t want anyone in your lab. That we’re not allowed.”
“I know ,but I’m making an exception. Those are allowed”
So Leo followed his twin inside. Glancing around at the bits of metal and flashing lights of purple and green. Pieces of things put together and scraps scattered about. The lighter green turtle took it all in with exploring eyes, so tempted to ask the feature of every other nicknack he saw. They stopped at the back , where Donnie opened a drawer and pulled out…
“That’s the bear we wanted to get for Raph !!” Leo gasped. He turned from the toy back to his brother and then back to the plush teddy bear amazed to see it here in the lab.
“The jewel guy stole the last one. So I stole it back. It , uh was apart of the gift you wanted to give to Raph so I thought I should get it” Donnie held out the bear , expecting Leo to grab it.
But Donnie sputtered when he himself was grabbed instead. Pulled back into a tight hug he was beginning to remember from the past when hugs were common between them.
“I love you so much Donnie.” Leo hushed by the side of his face. Squeezing tight him for emphasis. “Please don’t ever forget that”
Donnie relaxed into the hug, wrapping his arms around his brother as well. The words came easily as if they were they all along. “Don’t forget that I love you too, Leo”
The two then moved away from their embrace, Donnie was the first to speak and before the words were completely out his mouth Leo finished the sentence with his answer.
”We should—”
”—Say sorry to Mikey and show him the bear ?” The blue clad turtle asked a grin breaking out on his face.
“Yea, let’s go” Donnie returned the small smile with a mirroring nod.
….