Chapter Text
The lair felt heavier as Leo moved through it, suitcase tucked away in his room, mind caught in the in-between. Excitement stirred faintly in his chest—Sam was offering him something new, something outside these walls—but every step he took closer to leaving seemed to tighten the invisible string tethering him to his twin.
Leo waited until after breakfast before asking Sam for a favor. “Hey, think you can keep Donnie distracted for a bit? I, uh… need to talk to the others.”
Sam glanced between them, then gave a small nod. “Of course.”
So while Sam steered Donnie into the lab for “tech talk,” Leo slipped away to where his family waited.
Raph was the first he found, working out in the training room. When Leo explained, Raph just stared at him, silent for a moment before pulling him into a crushing bear hug. “You’re my baby brother, Leo. Don’t forget that. Doesn’t matter where you are, you’re always mine to protect.” He slipped something into Leo’s hand—a red cloth, stitched into a small armband. “Made it myself. For luck.”
Mikey intercepted him in the kitchen, beaming through his obvious sadness. “You’re, like, the light of this family, bro. So… take this.” He handed over a tiny jar of golden glitter stars. “A piece of stardust, for the nights you can’t sleep. Just shake it, and boom—instant Mikey magic.”
Splinter waited in his room, sitting cross-legged on his mat. “My sweet baby blue,” he said simply, “you walk into the world, and the world changes. Do not fear leaving home. Home will always wait for you.” He pressed something into Leo’s palm: a small, carved wooden turtle. “A reminder. Of who you are. And who loves you.”
By the time Leo returned, his eyes were misty, his pockets a little heavier with love.
Meanwhile, Donnie sat stiffly in the lab with Sam, pretending to listen as Sam asked him about the functions of half-built gadgets. His voice cracked when he finally spoke the truth. “I want him to go with you, Sam. I do. But the anxiety of him leaving…” He swallowed hard. “It’s eating me alive. I know it’s just temporary, but it feels like my world is tipping on its axis.”
Sam listened quietly, then rested a steady hand on Donnie’s shoulder. “Then maybe tonight, you and Leo should have one last night together. A twin night. Make it count.”
When Leo reappeared, the weight of the goodbyes still heavy on his chest, Donnie glanced at him, almost hesitant. His voice was quiet, nearly fragile. “Nardo… can we… have a sleepover tonight? One final night before you go?”
Leo softened instantly. He gave a small, reassuring smile and looped his arm around Donnie’s shoulders. “Of course. Let’s go.”
Back in Donnie’s room, Leo immediately set to work, pulling out the little projector they always used for “twin nights.” Stars spilled across the ceiling, soft blue light wrapping the room in calm. But Donnie’s eyes went first to the suitcase in the corner.
The sight hit him like a blow. His throat tightened, tears welling before he could stop them.
“Don?” Leo’s voice cut through the dim. He crossed the room in an instant, guiding Donnie gently toward the bed. “What’s wrong baby?”
Donnie shook his head, voice breaking. “Seeing the suitcase… it makes it real.” His hands trembled as they closed around Leo’s. “I still want this for you. I do. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I’m going to miss you so much.”
Leo’s own eyes burned. He pulled Donnie into a fierce hug, burying his face against his younger twin’s shoulder. “I’ll miss you too. So much. But thank you, Donnie. Thank you for letting me do this.”
Donnie squeezed him tightly, tears wetting Leo’s plastron. “I just want you safe and happy. That’s all that matters to me.”
Leo pulled back just enough to wipe Donnie’s cheeks, then swiped at his own. “You’re my baby twin Dee. That’s all I want for you too.” He smiled shakily. “Let’s make tonight special.”
They crawled into bed together, Leo stretching out first and Donnie curling up against him, cheek pressed over Leo’s chest where the steady heartbeat played a lullaby just for him. Above them, constellations swirled in soft blue light, stars spilling endlessly into the darkness.
Donnie nuzzled closer, voice sweet and tired. “I love you, Nardo. More than anything.”
Leo kissed the top of his head, smiling through damp lashes. “I love you too, Don-Tron. You’ll always be my little twin. My heart. No matter what.”
Donnie’s breathing slowed, his tears easing into sleep. Leo stayed awake a while longer, staring at the stars, heart torn between excitement and fear. Leaving the lair. Leaving Donnie. Even if it was only for a little while.
He pressed Donnie closer, as if to etch this moment deep into his soul, and whispered into the quiet, “I’ll come back to you. Always.”
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The soft hum of the projector still filled the room when Donnie stirred, eyes blinking open to the faint glow of stars still scattered above. He shifted slightly, realizing Leo’s arms were still around him—looser now, but steady, protective even in sleep. Warmth bloomed in his chest at the sight.
He lifted his head just enough to look at his older twin. Leo’s face was peaceful, lashes resting gently on his cheeks. Donnie reached out, brushing the edge of Leo’s mask tails, and sighed. I don’t deserve a twin like him.
As if sensing his gaze, Leo stirred awake. His eyes opened, a little bleary but softening instantly when they landed on Donnie. Without a word, he reached up and cupped Donnie’s face, his thumb brushing gently across his cheek. He gave the smallest, most tender smile. Donnie returned it, though his heart twisted—because they both knew. Morning meant goodbye was drawing near.
The weight of it broke Donnie’s fragile calm. He pressed forward, burying his face into Leo’s plastron, clinging tightly as though the strength of his arms alone could keep his twin from leaving. Tears slipped free, wetting the fabric, as his breath hitched.
Leo’s own chest ached. He wrapped Donnie up tighter, rocking them both gently, pressing soft kisses against Donnie’s forehead as his baby twin trembled in his arms. A low, instinctive chirp slipped out of him, a soothing sound he didn’t even try to stop. He wanted to keep Donnie like this forever. He wanted to stop time.
But he couldn’t.
Together, they looked up at the glowing stars. Tears glimmered in their eyes, caught in the light. Donnie’s voice broke the silence, soft and shaky as he sang:
“Take my heart, don’t break it. Love me to my bones…”
Leo’s eyes widened slightly before softening with recognition. Their song. One of their favorites. His voice joined Donnie’s, low and steady through his tears:
“All this time I’ve wasted, you were right there all along…”
Their foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling, voices weaving into one as they sang in harmony:
“You and I stargazing, intertwining souls.
We were never strangers, you were right there all along…”
The words dissolved into the quiet, leaving only their breathing and the closeness of their embrace. Leo kissed Donnie’s cheek, then nuzzled against it, whispering against his skin, “I love you, Donnie. Thanks for being my twin.”
Donnie whimpered softly, pressing his face into the crook of Leo’s neck. His reply was a whisper, raw with emotion. “No… thank you for being my twin, Nardo. I love you so much.”
The world could have ended right then and they wouldn’t have cared. In that cocoon of warmth and tears and stars, they could have stayed forever.
But then came a gentle knock at the door, followed by Mikey’s cheerful-but-soft voice. “Hey, bros? I made a goodbye breakfast for Leo and Sam. Come eat while it’s still warm.”
Leo’s heart cracked at the sound of Donnie’s pitiful whimpers and quiet chirps. He pressed a steadying kiss to his temple and called back, “We’ll be there shortly, Mikey.”
Mikey hummed in understanding and padded away.
Donnie lifted his head, eyes glassy and pleading. “Can’t we just… stay like this a bit longer?”
Leo’s chest tightened. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to ignore reality, shut the door, and keep Donnie in his arms until the world forgot about the fact that he was leaving. But instead, he cupped Donnie’s face again, eyes soft but firm. “We need to eat breakfast. And… face this. Together.”
Donnie’s lips trembled as he sighed heavily, defeat lacing his breath. “…Then will you at least carry me? Just… a little longer?”
Leo let out a quiet chuckle, affectionate and pained all at once. “Of course baby.”
He shifted, lifting Donnie with ease, adjusting him carefully until his baby twin was curled against him. Donnie wrapped his arms and legs tight around Leo’s torso, burying his face into the crook of his shoulder.
Leo held him close—closer than close—as though Donnie was the most precious thing in the universe. And to him, he was.
As they walked toward the kitchen, Donnie clung tighter, and Leo tightened his grip in return. Neither spoke. Both just breathed each other in, silently acknowledging the truth:
Leo leaving was going to be harder than any of them thought
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No one said a word when Leo carried Donnie into the kitchen, arms locked around his twin like he was the most precious thing in the world. Donnie clung tighter for a moment, refusing to let go—until Leo gently eased him down into a chair.
The soft whimper Donnie made at losing his older twin’s embrace broke every heart in the room.
Mikey, with a quiet, sympathetic smile, slid plates across the table. “Eat up, bros. Made it special.”
Breakfast passed quicker than anyone liked. Conversation was light, Sam chatting with Leo about plans and details while Raph, Mikey, and Splinter chimed in here and there. Donnie stayed quiet, methodically eating small bites while his free hand remained firmly in Leo’s. Their fingers were threaded together the whole time, Donnie’s grip never loosening.
When the dishes were cleared, Leo stood, preparing to fetch his suitcase. Donnie froze, realization striking him like a blade. The gift.
“I—wait,” he blurted, bolting from the table.
Leo frowned but let him go, disappearing into his own room to grab his packed bag. As he stepped back into the hallway, suitcase in hand, Donnie came skidding around the corner, clutching something close to his chest. His cheeks were pink, his eyes watery.
“Donnie?” Leo tilted his head.
Donnie swallowed hard, holding out the object sheepishly. “I… I made this. For you.”
Leo took it carefully, eyes widening at the sight of the intricately crafted piece—every detail precise, unmistakably Donnie’s handiwork, but filled with something more. Care. Love. Home.
Tears welled in Leo’s eyes. His throat tightened as he set the suitcase aside and threw his arms around Donnie. “D, it’s beautiful. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Donnie squeezed him back, whispering into his shoulder, “Only the best for my twin.”
Leo held on for a long moment before reluctantly pulling back. He grabbed his suitcase again, but didn’t let go of Donnie’s hand as they walked into the living room together.
Raph, Mikey, Splinter, and Sam were waiting. Sam smiled at the twins, then glanced at the bag. “You ready?”
Leo nodded, but his hand still lingered in Donnie’s.
Sam moved toward the entrance of the lair, but paused, nodding toward the family. He knew this wasn’t his moment yet.
Leo started with Splinter. He dropped his suitcase and fell into his father’s arms. Splinter squeezed him tightly, his whiskers trembling as he whispered, “I love you, Leonardo. I will miss you, my sweet precious baby blue, so very much. We will be right here waiting for you”
A lone tear slipped down Leo’s cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”
Next were Raph and Mikey. They both pulled him into a crushing hug, holding on as though they could keep him there by force. “We’ll miss you, bro, but like Dad said, we will be right here waiting for you” Raph rumbled.
“Love you, Leo,” Mikey added, sniffling.
“I love you both too,” Leo said thickly. “Promise me you’ll keep an eye on Donnie, yeah? Don’t let him spiral and remind him that this is only temporary?”
Raph and Mikey exchanged a look, then nodded firmly. “We promise.”
The three of them held each other one last time before a soft sniffle drew Leo’s attention.
Donnie stood a few steps back, shaking, tears streaming silently down his cheeks. He wasn’t sobbing—yet—but his face was crumbling fast.
‘Oh baby’ Leo thought sadly to himself
Leo dropped everything and crossed the space in seconds. He cupped Donnie’s face with both hands, chirping and purring softly to calm him. Donnie’s breath hitched as he collapsed forward into Leo’s arms.
“Don’t go Nardo,” Donnie choked, voice trembling. “I-I know that I said that I wanted this for you…but I am so scared. I-I don’t actually want you to go. I-I don’t know how to live without you.”
Leo exchanged a look with his family and they had sad, heartbreaking looks on their faces. Sam looked guilty and he looked like he was just going to tell Leo to forget about it and stay with Donnie, if all of this was causing so much heartbreak
However, Leo shook his head at Sam, his silent way of saying, ‘It’s ok. I got this. I want this. We need this’. That was enough for Sam to back up as he let the twins have their moment
Leo’s own tears spilled freely now. He rocked Donnie gently. “Shh, little bro. I’ll be back soon, I promise. It’s just temporary. I’ll text you the second I get to Sam’s. I’ll call you every morning and every night. I’ll remind you every day how much I love you. Nothing can break what we have. You hear me? Nothing.”
Donnie clung to him desperately, sobbing quietly until the storm eased into sniffles. His voice was hoarse when he whispered, “I love you more than anything. I’ll miss you so much. I’ll be counting down the hours until you’re home again.”
Leo squeezed him tighter, kissing his forehead. His voice cracked as he whispered back, “Me too, little bro.”
Neither wanted to let go. But eventually, Leo pulled away, tears still in his eyes. He grabbed his suitcase, wiped his face, and turned toward Sam. Leo took out his katanas and made a portal. The portal shimmered to life, glowing blue.
Sam stepped closer, but waited.
Leo waved to everyone, trying to smile. But before he could take a step, a hand clutched his wrist.
He turned to see Donnie, trembling, lips quivering. Before he could ask, Donnie yanked him into another hug, fierce and desperate.
Leo dropped everything—suitcase, even Sam’s hand—to wrap both arms around his baby twin, rubbing soothing circles into his shell.
Donnie’s voice was a whisper, raw and pleading, directed past Leo’s shoulder to Sam. “Please… take care of him for me. Bring him back in one piece.”
Sam’s expression softened. He nodded firmly. “I will. I promise, Donnie.”
Donnie pulled back just enough to press a kiss to Leo’s forehead, whispering, “See you soon, Nardo.”
Leo smiled through tears and kissed Donnie’s cheek. “See you soon, Tello. Love you baby bro.”
Finally, reluctantly, he let go.
Sam took his hand. Together, they stepped through the portal. With a shimmer, it closed behind them.
Donnie stood frozen, eyes glassy, body trembling. Raph and Mikey each placed a hand on his shoulder. Splinter stood behind him, silent but present.
“You okay, bro?” Mikey asked softly.
Donnie shook his head, voice breaking as he whispered, “No. I miss him already. And I don’t think I’ll be okay until my twin is back home safe in my arms again.”