Love In Uncommon Places

by Neutral03

Summary:

Leo's been struggling a lot more with the death of their father than what he's been letting on. He's been trying for months to keep everything together so that he can take care of his family. In the process he's been neglecting himself. Without him realizing though someone has taken notice of his struggles and is determined to help the blue banded turtle learn to cope.

Notes:

So I know this isn't that common of a ship, but I stumbled upon a couple of stories awhile ago with this, and actually enjoyed it. I kind of wanted to take a stab at this ship myself, and see what would happen, so bare with me here as I am getting the feel for the ship. This isn't exactly tied to my TMNT Universe fics that I've written before, it's more of a stand alone, but if you would like to read it as them all being tied together go for it. You all know the drill, if I forgot to tag something just remind me and I'll go and fix it. Other than the fact that the only thing I own in this is any OCs and the plot, I'll shut up now, and let you all get to reading. Have a nice day and a Happy Pride All!
-N.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

 

Leo stood at the edge of the rooftop, staring out at the city stretched beneath him. The skyline flickered with neon signs and distant headlights, casting a dull glow over the streets, but he barely registered any of it. He was supposed to be patrolling, keeping watch, making sure the city remained safe, but tonight—tonight, he felt heavier than usual, the weight pressing down on his chest in a way that made breathing feel like a conscious effort.

 

It had been almost a year.

 

A year since everything changed.

 

A year since their father had been taken from them.

 

Leo had spent nearly every day of that year pretending he was fine—pushing forward, making decisions, training his brothers, keeping their lives as structured and functional as possible. Because if he stopped, even for a second, then the grief might swallow him whole.

 

But he wasn't fine.

 

He hadn't been fine since the moment he had sprinted toward his father's falling body, barely catching him before he hit the ground. He hadn't been fine since he'd pressed his hands against a wound he already knew was fatal, choking out broken prayers for just one more moment , one more second .

 

He hadn't been fine since Splinter's heart had stopped.

 

And Leo had heard it.

 

Some nights, he still did.

 

He'd never forget the way the world seemed to fall silent in that instant—the way the sounds of battle blurred into nothing, drowned out by the sudden absence of the one heartbeat that had always been there.

That silence had followed him ever since, lingering at the edges of his mind, creeping into his dreams, stealing what little sleep he had left.

 

Leo had always been able to endure a great deal. He was strong, disciplined, and responsible. He had spent his whole life preparing for the possibility of leading, for the moment when his father would pass the mantle to him. He just never thought it would happen like this—so soon, so violently.

He wasn't supposed to have to do this alone.

 

But there was no one else.

 

Their father was gone. Their mother had never been in the picture. And their relationship with their sister was fragile at best. He didn't don't really talk to Kirby. And Kurtzman wasn't someone he felt comfortable enough with to burden.

 

So it was just him.

 

He and his brothers.

 

And they were all depending on him to hold everything together.

 

There was no room for failure.

 

No space for weakness.

 

No time to grieve.

 

Because if he broke—everything else would, too.

 

So he swallowed it all down—the exhaustion, the grief, the guilt, the fear. He buried it beneath the responsibilities that had been forced onto his shoulders, convincing himself that as long as they were okay, then he didn't matter.

 

Except—he did matter.

 

Didn't he?

 

Leo exhaled sharply, rubbing his fingers against his temple as he tried to will away the thoughts that threatened to spiral out of control.

 

It was hard being the eldest.

 

It meant carrying more than anyone else, shouldering the blame when things went wrong, and making sure everyone was okay, even when he was falling apart.

 

And the worst part?

 

No one saw it.

 

Not because they didn't don't care—because they did. His brothers loved, relied on, and trusted him.

 

But he never let them see it.

 

He was too good at hiding things.

 

He had perfected the art of keeping his suffering silent.

 

He smiled when he was supposed to. He kept his posture straight, his tone calm. He made sure his voice never wavered when giving orders and made sure his exhaustion never showed when his brothers needed him to be strong.

 

But it was showing.

 

In small ways.

 

He didn't meditate anymore. His mind was too restless.

 

He didn't really read—not at all. His focus wouldn't hold.

 

Even Space Heroes —his most consistent comfort, the one thing he always turned to—felt hollow.

 

And it wasn't like he hated taking care of his brothers.

 

He loved them. He would give anything for them, would die for them without hesitation. He wanted them to be happy and feel safe.

 

But there was no one to do the same for him.

 

That was the reality of leadership—of being the eldest, of being the protector.

 

There was no space for vulnerability.

 

Not for him.

 

Leo dragged in a slow breath, pressing his hand against the rooftop railing.

 

He was tired.

 

Not just physically but in a way that no amount of sleep could fix. 

 

Because even when he did manage to sleep, it wasn't restful.

 

It wasn't peaceful.

 

It was haunted by things he couldn't change.

 

And maybe, deep down, he knew—this wasn't sustainable.

 

He knew something had to give.

 

He just didn'tdidn'tdidn'tdidn't know how to let it.

 

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Casey was worried.

 

And that was saying something, coming from someone who never worried about anything.

 

Casey had always been the kind of guy who just went with the flow. He had to be. Being the eldest child in a single-parent household meant learning early on how to fend for himself, how to shoulder responsibilities without complaint, and how to prioritize what mattered most. Over the years, his focus had narrowed to just a few things—his family, his closest friends, hockey, and mechanics. Simple. Straightforward.

 

But when something did manage to shake him, when something dug deep enough to truly concern him, it was always bad.

 

And for the past year, that concern had settled fully on Leonardo.

Casey wouldn'twouldn'twouldn'twouldn't say they were close friends. Sure, he had bonded with Raph right away—hot-headed, aggressive, always looking for a fight. Raph had been easy to get along with. Then came Donnie, who took a little longer, but once Casey cracked through that nervous exterior, they found their own rhythm. Mikey had been instant—like stepping into a storm of relentless energy that never let up, but Casey wouldn't have had it any other way.

 

Leo, though?

 

Leo had always kept people at arm'sarm'sarm'sarm's length.

 

It wasn't personal, and Casey knew it. Leo wasn't cold, he wasn't rude—he just never connected with people in the same way his brothers did. He was cautious and calculated, always carrying too much on his shoulders. If Casey hadn't known better, he might've assumed Leo just didn't like him . But that wasn't it.

 

It was something more profound.

 

Something broken.

 

And Casey understood that better than most.

 

He knew what it was like to be the eldest, to be the one expected to shoulder responsibility when the people who were supposed to do it weren't there. When his mom walked out, he had been forced into that role, taking care of Angel, making sure she ate, ensuring she got to school, and making sure their dad didn't buckle under the weight of being a single parent.

 

It hadn't been easy, but at least he'd had his dad. At least when things got terrible, he had someone to turn to.

Leo didn't have that anymore.

 

Splinter had been everything to them. Not just their sensei, not just their leader—but their father . Casey had respected the guy, even if, at first, he had freaked him the hell out. He'd never been a fan of rodents, and nothing was going to change that, but once he got past that initial reaction, he saw how much Splinter cared for his sons.

 

And now, Leo had lost that.

 

More than anyone, Leo had been closest to him. He had modeled himself after their father, had taken his words to heart, and had carried that legacy with pride. And now, that connection had been severed in the most violent, irreversible way possible.

 

Casey had watched it break him.

 

It had been almost a year, and Leo was still not Leo .

Mikey had bounced back the fastest—he still grieved, but he carried it outward, wore it in his expressions, and shared it with his brothers. Donnie had shut himself away, but they managed to get him out. Raph had bottled it up, but even that had been expected.

 

Leo, though?

 

Leo had collapsed .

 

Not in an obvious way—not the way others might see it. But Casey saw it. April saw it. He wasn'twasn'twasn'twasn't talking the way he used to. He wasn't laughing. He wasn'twasn'twasn'twasn't living, not really. He was doing what needed to be done—training, leading, protecting—but there was nothing left for himself. It was like watching someone disappear in slow motion, slipping further and further into the weight of responsibility until he was barely recognizable anymore.

 

And Casey hated it.

 

Hated watching Leo suffer in silence, hated that Leo thought he couldn'tcouldn'tcouldn'tcouldn't lean on anybody .

 

But that wasn't even the worst part.

 

Because the worst part—the thing Casey had been trying so hard to ignore—was the fact that his concern for Leo ran deeper than simple friendship.

 

At some point, without realizing it, he had developed feelings for him.

And it wasn'twasn'twasn'twasn't some stupid crush, wasn't something that was just going to go away. He had been carrying this for months, and with every passing day, it only got heavier.

 

It wasn't just admiration.

 

It was something more substantial, something real, something terrifying.

 

Because Leo wasn't the kind of person Casey could just throw a pickup line at and expect things to happen.

 

Leo didn't let people in.

 

And even if Casey wanted to tell him—what would be the point?

 

Leo had way too much on his shoulders already.

 

He wasn't about to add himself to the pile.

 

So he kept quiet.

 

For now.

 

But the worry never left.

 

And no matter what, he wasn't going to let Leo go through this alone.

Even if he had to break through that wall himself.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Now, you may wonder why Casey has taken such an interest in the blue turtle. Especially if, while they are friends, they've never really been that close before. Besides the fact that Casey is a decent enough human being who cares about others regardless of how close he is to them, he's had a major secret that he's been keeping for almost a year now. He's developed just the tiniest bit of a crush on the eldest Hamoto brother.  

 

At first, Casey didn't think much of it.

 

Why would he?

 

Leo wasn't exactly the easiest guy to get close to—hell, even after nearly two years of knowing each other, Casey wouldn't say they were tight . They were teammates, they had mutual respect, and yeah, Casey thought Leo was cool as hell, but it wasn'twasn'twasn'twasn't like they had ever had the same kind of connection that he had with Raph or even Mikey.

 

Leo had always kept people at a distance as if there was something constantly weighing on him , something that made it impossible for him to fully relax. Casey noticed it early on, but he didn't question it—he didn't don't need to.

 

Leo was the leader. The big brother. The guy who had always been the responsible one, even when things got tough. It was just who he was.

 

And that was fine.

 

But then, things changed .

 

When Splinter died—when the world got darker, when their whole family felt like it had cracked down the middle —Casey started paying more attention to Leo.

 

Not because they suddenly became best friends overnight, nor because Leo reached out or made any effort to let Casey in.

 

No—it was because Casey couldn't ignore it .

 

The way Leo withdrew, the way he buried himself in his responsibilities, the way he stopped smiling, stopped joking, stopped being himself.

 

Leo had always carried a lot, but now?

 

Now, he was drowning , and no one seemed to see it. 

 

Casey hated it.

 

Hated the way Leo thought he had to handle everything alone . 

 

Hated how no one else seemed to realize that he was hurting .

 

Hated that Leo was actively disappearing into himself , and nobody—not even his own brothers—could pull him out of it.

 

So Casey started watching him more closely. 

 

Started lingering a little longer during patrols. Started offering to help out when he could. Started paying attention to things no one else seemed to notice.

 

It was subtle at first, but the more he watched, the worse it got.

 

The way Leo barely ate.

 

The way he barely slept.

 

The way exhaustion seemed to weigh heavier on him every single day , but he refused to let it show.

 

And somewhere along the way, concern turned into something else .

 

Something Casey hadn'thadn'thadn'thadn't expected.

 

Something Casey wasn't ready to deal with.

 

Because the problem wasn't just that he was worried about Leo.

 

The problem was that he had a crush on him.

 

A full-blown , undeniable, totally inconvenient crush.

 

And God , did it mess with his head.

 

Casey had never been good at keeping secrets, but this was —

This was one he was taking to the grave.

 

Leo had too much on his plate already—he didn't need Casey dropping something like this on him.

 

So Casey kept his mouth shut.

 

He pretended it didn't exist.

 

Ignored the way his stomach twisted every time Leo was near him. 

 

Ignored the way his pulse spiked when Leo actually looked at him, actually talked to him in that quiet, serious voice of his.

 

Ignored the way he caught himself wanting to be around him more than before—wanting to be the one person Leo could lean on.

 

Because that's the thing, isn' it?

 

Leo doesn't lean on people .

 

He never lets himself be vulnerable.

 

So even if Casey wanted something more, even if he could imagine a world where maybe—maybe—Leo needed him back…

 

It wouldn't matter.

 

Leo wasn't looking for anyone to take care of him.

 

He was too used to carrying everything alone .

 

And that?

 

That was precisely why Casey was keeping this crush locked away, buried so deep that hopefully— hopefully —he'd get over it someday.

 

Until then?

 

He'd keep watching from the sidelines.

 

Keep worrying.

 

Keep caring.

 

Because Leo needed someone to look out for him.

 

Even if he never asked for it.

 

Casey sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the rooftop railing.

 

He really didn't-didn't  know how he had gotten himself into this mess.

 

He wasn't supposed to feel this way about Leo.

 

But it was already too late, wasn't it?

 

It had been a year.

 

And he still hadn't stopped caring .  

 

And what most people would say is that it wasn't just a phase or that he wanted to mess with Leo. He knows that for almost two years, he has been driving everyone crazy with his feud over who gets to be with April. And besides the fact that they shouldn't have been treating April like a prize to be won, he never showed any interest in anyone but April that his friends had seen.

 

And yeah, he fully admits that he was head over heels in love with April there for a little bit. Who wouldn't be? April O'Neil is a force to be reckoned with and one of the greatest, most amazing people to exist. He'll admit that anyone who ended up with April would be the luckiest person alive, but that person wasn't wasn't him. He realized a while ago that, although he loved and cared for April very much, he wasn't in love with her. He viewed her more as a friend and a sister-like sister-like figure than a possible romantic interest. He realized this long before he and Donnie reached a truce on their so-called rivalry-called rivalry, but he kept it going for a bit. Was that a crummy thing for him to do? Yes, but he never claimed to be the smartest or greatest person alive.  

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

After he realized his feelings for April were merely platonic, Casey went on with his life. They still talked, they were still friends, and that'sthat'sthat'sthat's all he really cared about. He treated April like he usually would and resigned himself to the fact that he hadn't found the one for him yet. Besides, this was during their time at the Farmhouse Farmhouse Farmhouse during the Invasion. Hence, they had bigger fish to fry and more things to worry about than Casey's nonexistent love life. For a good part of this realization, Leo was still out of commission and comatose in the bathtub upstairs. Casey would never say this out loud, but he was terrified out of his mind during this period.  

 

He only consciously acknowledges his feelings for the younger teen about a year ago, but Casey is mature enough to admit that it's probably been way longer than that. Watching Leo be thrown through April'sApril'sApril'sApril's apartment window, Casey could have felt his heart stop. He can remember every minute detail about that day. The shattering of the glass, Leo lying there prone on the floor, not breathing.

 

The pure terror, fear, and adrenaline rushed through his veins, trying to get everyone out and in the van before someone else could get hurt. Driving around the city trying to find his own family, Leo lying unconscious in the back, hoping that by the time he met up with the others, at least Leo would still be alive. Those 3 months that Leo spent in a coma were some of the hardest in his life. They were arguably harder than the first couple of months after his mom skipped town, and those were rough.

 

For 3 months, Casey held his breath, hoping and praying that Leo would be okay. And he wasn't a particularly religious person. Still, he would spend hours at night praying to anyone who would listen that his best friend wouldn't have to bury both his father and his older brother.

 

Once they got to North Hampton, Casey had to play the hurry-up-and-waithurry-up-and-wait game for over 3 months, and it was agonizing. At the time, he had just chalked it up to being worried about his best friend's brother, who was also sort of his friend. Looking back on it now, though, Casey realizes that was probably when it all started. Ever since he admitted his feelings to himself, Casey wonders sometimes what he would have done with himself if Leo had died, and he was always too scared to answer that question. But he's sure of one thing now, though, he hasn't been this worried about the eldest Hamoto in a long time, and he's scared of what's coming next.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Summary:

A little bit more of Casey's perspective of things.

Notes:

Here's the next chapter. It's mainly Casey focused, but we get a little bit more in depth perspective on Leo's mental state and how people are starting to get concerned about him. Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you all get to reading. Have a nice day and really, stay safe out there!
-N.

Chapter 2

 

After a long, miserable day at school—after an even longer, grueling night of patrol—Casey was ready to call it quits on the whole concept of being functional and collapse straight onto the lair's couch.

 

The thought of lounging back, throwing on some mindless television, and letting his friends' familiar presence ease the weight of his exhaustion sounded like the best idea he'd had all day. He wasn't picky about what was on—just as long as it wasn't another documentary that Donnie insisted was "actually fascinating" because Casey swore his brain would melt straight out of his skull if he had to process one more piece of educational material today.

 

It wasn't just today, though. The school had always been rough for him.

 

He had never had a stellar relationship with it—never quite found a rhythm that made it enjoyable, never figured out how to care about test scores and assignments when everything outside of those walls felt so much bigger, so much more important. And lately, it had been worse than usual.

 

Senior year was supposed to be the time when things started feeling exciting when the horizon of adulthood stretched out in front of him with endless possibilities. But Casey mostly just felt like he was dragging himself toward graduation, one exhausting day at a time, counting the moments until he could throw his backpack in the trash and never look back.

 

It wasn't that he didn't want a future. He did. He just wasn't sure what that future looked like.

 

There were days when he entertained a dozen different ideas—things he could do, places he could go—but none of them ever solidified into a concrete plan. The only certainty he had was that he wanted to keep moving forward, that whatever came next would be better than the monotony of sitting through lectures he barely paid attention to.

 

And, if he was being honest with himself, school wasn't just bad because of his general disinterest.

 

It was bad because of Leo.

 

Casey hated feeling helpless.

 

It was one of the worst feelings in the world—watching someone you care about struggle, seeing the weight on their shoulders grow heavier, knowing they were barely holding it together but not being able to do anything about it.

 

Leo had been different lately. Not just tired, not just overworked—something more profound. The kind of exhaustion that didn't just come from lack of sleep but from carrying things alone, from shoving problems so far down that they started eating away at you from the inside.

 

And Casey had seen enough of the world, enough of people to recognize when someone was drowning.

 

Leo might've been good at pretending, but Casey wasn't stupid.

 

There was a tension in him that never seemed to ease, a sharpness to his expression that hadn't been there before. Some days, he was almost normal—laughing, making sarcastic remarks, and going through the motions of leadership with the same confidence he always had. But on other days, Casey could see the cracks.

 

The way his eyes lingered too long on nothing, in particular, lost in thoughts he wouldn't voice.

 

The way his shoulders stayed stiff, his jaw clenched like he was holding something back.

 

The way, when he thought nobody was looking, the exhaustion in his face became so painfully evident that Casey almost wanted to shake him and make him talk about it.

 

But Leo wouldn't.

 

Because Leo never talked about it.

 

And that scared Casey more than anything.

 

He let out a long sigh, shaking his head as he turned the corner and headed deeper into the sewers toward the lair. The exhaustion in his bones wasn't just from school, nor was it just from patrol.

 

It was from carrying this weight, too, from caring too much.

 

And Casey had never been great at just sitting back and watching. 

 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Casey took off like a shot out of his last class.

 

Math had been the final hurdle between him and freedom, and he had barely endured it without losing his mind. Whoever decided that calculus needed to happen at the end of the school day clearly had a vendetta against teenagers. He wasn't even sure if he had absorbed anything from the lecture—something about functions, maybe? Who cared? Not him.

 

He had already made the executive decision that whatever homework had been assigned today wasn't going to happen. His teacher had barely finished yelling at the class to remember it before Casey had bolted, weaving his way through the flood of students spilling into the hallways, all equally eager to escape.

 

It wasn't just any weekend—it was a long weekend.

 

He still wasn't entirely sure why teacher workdays existed, but honestly, he wasn't asking questions. If it meant an extra day off, he was entirely on board. And with his dad out of town for work and his sister pulling off another masterful con to get herself invited for a whole weekend at her friend's place, he had the perfect excuse to spend all his time at the lair with the guys.

 

That thought was enough to give him an extra surge of energy.

It took him less than thirty seconds to toss his books in his locker, slam the door shut, and officially free himself from any obligations that required him to think about school until next week. He didn't even bother taking anything home. He was caught up in everything except math, thanks to April, so in his book, he basically had a free pass to enjoy the weekend without any lingering school stress.

 

Speaking of April—he needed to find her before heading out. They had already planned to go to the lair together, but he had gotten out of class first and was now on a mission to locate his best friend before she ended up leaving without him.

 

It wasn't difficult.

 

April wasn't exactly hard to spot with that bright red hair of hers, and sure enough, she was at her locker, packing up her things, wholly absorbed in organizing her books.

 

Casey grinned, a mischievous idea forming immediately.

He hadn't done anything stupid in the past hour, and that was just too long.

 

Quietly, he snuck up behind her, lowering his voice as he leaned in just slightly. " Boo. "

 

April didn't even flinch.

 

Without missing a beat, she reached back, elbowing him in the ribs hard enough to make Casey stumble a step backward.

 

" Ow! " he yelped, clutching his side.

 

April sighed, shutting her locker before turning to him with a deadpan look. "You have got to stop trying that, Casey. It never works."

 

"I was so stealthy this time," he protested.

 

"You were not."

 

"You didn't even see me coming!"

 

April raised a brow. "I knew you were coming. Big difference."

Casey opened his mouth to argue but then closed it, choosing to accept defeat.

 

Shaking his head, he nodded toward the doors. "You ready to go?"

 

April slung her bag over her shoulder. "Yeah. Let's get out of here before the hallway gets clogged up."

 

They fell into step beside each other, weaving through the crowds and making their way toward the exit.

 

For a while, they talked about nothing in particular—weekend plans, random complaints about school, the weird lunch options the cafeteria had been pushing lately. It wasn't until they finally stepped outside, breathing in the crisp air, that Casey felt the weight pressing on his shoulders again.

 

And without thinking, he voiced the thought that had been gnawing at him for days.

 

"Hey," he started, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Have you noticed anything… off with Leo lately?"

 

April frowned, giving him a sideways glance. "What do you mean?"

 

Casey exhaled, kicking a stray pebble as they walked. "I dunno. He's just… different. Not in a huge way, but something's off."

April was quiet for a moment as if processing the thought.

 

"He's definitely been more serious," she admitted finally. "But that's not unusual for him, is it? I mean, he's always carried more than he lets on."

"Yeah, but it's more now, " Casey said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Like—he's trying too hard to seem normal, but you can tell he's not. And I don't think it's just the usual leader stress."

April bit her lip, thinking.

 

"I guess I have noticed that he doesn't joke around as much as he used to, " she said slowly. "And he zones out sometimes like he's thinking about something heavy. "

 

Casey nodded. "Exactly. "

 

They reached the subway entrance, pausing at the edge of the steps.

April sighed, turning fully toward him. "Have you talked to him about it?"

Casey grimaced. " Tried. But you know how he is—he dodged it, said he was fine, changed the subject. Typical Leo stuff. "

 

April crossed her arms. "He's not gonna admit something's wrong unless he has to. "

 

"That's what I'm afraid of. "

 

April studied him for a moment, then placed a hand on his arm.

"We'll keep an eye on him, " she said gently. "If it gets worse, we don't let him shove us out. "

 

Casey nodded, grateful for the reassurance.

And as they headed down the steps, disappearing into the subway tunnels toward the lair, he silently hoped Leo would let them in before things got too bad.

 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

Leo lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling of his room.

He had been there for hours now, unmoving except for the occasional slow blink, just existing.

 

Sleep had refused to come to him the night before—something that had become far too common these days. He had tossed and turned for what felt like hours, staring at the faint glow of the digital clock on his nightstand, listening to the distant sounds of the city above them. But no matter how exhausted his body felt, his mind hadn't let him rest.

And now, with their monthly movie night coming up, he had figured he might try to sneak in a quick nap before everyone showed up.

But even that wasn't working.

 

His body was heavy with fatigue, but his mind remained alert and restless.

Movie nights used to be one of his favorite traditions. He had always looked forward to them—and counted down the days until the next one.

 

Mikey loved them more than anyone, of course—his youngest brother had always been a walking encyclopedia of movies and television, his enthusiasm boundless. He could watch movies for hours without needing a break, endlessly fascinated by cinematography, storytelling, and any unusual trivia he could uncover about each film. Leo used to joke that Mikey had seen more movies than actual sunlight.

 

But what people didn't realize—what Leo had never actually said out loud—was that movie nights had always been one of his favorite things, too.

Not necessarily because of the films themselves but because of what they meant.

 

Their father had always insisted on making them a tradition. Even when they were young—even when they were still figuring out life in the sewers—Master Splinter had placed a quiet importance on it.

 

It was one of the few times that all four of them sat together in one place without fighting.

 

There was something deeply comforting about those nights—something about the way the world felt a little smaller, a little safer when they were tucked into their makeshift theater, bathed in the soft glow of a screen, surrounded by snacks they probably weren't supposed to have.

Their father had cared about it—not necessarily about the movies themselves, but about the togetherness.

 

Leo remembered the way Master Splinter would sit with them, watching with quiet amusement as Mikey rattled off excited commentary, Raph argued over plot points, and Donnie made overly analytical observations that made absolutely no sense to anyone but himself.

 

It had been a rare moment of peace. A moment where they weren't training, weren't running, weren't fighting.

 

Just being.

 

Leo had loved those nights.

 

But now…

 

Now, it was hard to summon that same enthusiasm.

 

He felt off —not just tired, but disconnected.

 

The things that used to bring him joy felt distant now, as if he were watching them through a pane of glass—aware of them but not fully able to reach them.

 

And movie nights were no exception.

 

Lately, they felt like just another thing on the list.

 

Something he was supposed to enjoy. Something he knew he should be happy about.

 

However, the energy was no longer there.

 

He would sit there, listen to the conversations, watch the movie—but none of it felt the way it used to.

 

None of it felt real.

 

His fingers twitched slightly where they rested on his stomach, a faint flicker of frustration surfacing.

 

He knew he should get up soon, at least make himself look a little more presentable before everyone showed up. But the thought of moving felt exhausting in itself.

 

Still, not going wasn't an option.

 

Even if he wasn't feeling it, they were.

 

Mikey would be over the moon about the movie choice tonight—he had been talking about it all week. Raph would grumble about something, Donnie would analyze the special effects, and Casey would throw popcorn at someone halfway through.

 

It was familiar.

 

It was something that had been a constant since childhood.

 

And maybe—just maybe—that was enough of a reason to show up, even if he didn't feel like himself anymore.

 

With a slow sigh, Leo rolled onto his side, finally willing himself to move.

Whether he wanted to or not, movie night was happening.

 

And maybe—just maybe—it would remind him of something he used to love.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

Casey and April walked into the lair that Friday afternoon with a little more weight on their shoulders than usual.

 

Usually, stepping into the lair was easy—it was familiar and comfortable, a place where they could shed the stress of the outside world and settle into the presence of their friends. But today, there was a heaviness between them, unspoken but understood.

 

Leo had been off lately.

 

It wasn't immediately apparent—not the kind of change that smacked you in the face. But over time, Casey and April had both started noticing the little things—the way Leo held himself, the way he spoke less, the way he seemed to zone out more often than usual.

 

And tonight, during movie night, they would pay close attention.

Not in a way that would make Leo feel cornered. He wouldn't respond well to that. If anything, he'd just shut down further, retreating behind that well-crafted leader persona that kept people at arm's length when he didn't want to talk.

 

But they would watch.

 

They would pick up on what he wasn't saying.

 

As they stepped inside, they were immediately met with Mikey's usual high-energy greeting—something about how he had made special popcorn this time (which probably meant it was drenched in way too much seasoning) and how he had meticulously selected tonight's movie for optimal enjoyment.

 

April managed a smile, nodding along, while Casey ruffled Mikey's head on his way past, letting him ramble without interruption.

 

Raph was already settling onto the couch, arms crossed, looking like he was preparing for an argument over the movie choice before the screen even turned on.

 

Donnie, as usual, had a commentary prepared.

 

And then—there was Leo.

 

He was already sitting in his usual spot, but there was something about the way he held himself that made Casey's stomach clench slightly.

Leo had always had a particular posture—a way of sitting that conveyed control without looking too rigid. But tonight, his shoulders seemed a little too stiff, his focus a little too detached, like he was present in body but not entirely in mind.

 

Casey exchanged a glance with April, who caught the shift immediately.

They both took their seats, easing into the casual atmosphere, pretending like nothing was wrong.

 

The movie started, and for the first half hour, things seemed normal enough—Mikey laughed at every joke, Donnie made occasional remarks about the cinematography, and Raph grumbled about something irrelevant.

 

But Casey watched.

 

And as he did, he noticed the way Leo barely reacted to anything.

No amused smirks at Mikey's enthusiasm. No side comments about the action sequences. No tired complaints when Donnie started analyzing the technical aspects.

 

Just silence.

 

A few nods and a few hums in response, but nothing beyond that.

At one point, Casey shifted slightly, nudging April subtly, and she nodded in silent agreement. She had noticed it, too.

 

Leo was there, but not really there.  

 

It wasn't until a theatrical scene played—a moment designed for tension, one that usually would've gotten some kind of reaction—that Casey saw it.

 

The tiniest flinch.

 

Barely noticeable.

 

But there.

 

And it wasn't from the movie itself—it was from whatever was running through Leo's mind.

 

Casey exhaled slowly, looking away so Leo would miss him staring.

Yeah.

 

Something was definitely going on.

 

He glanced at April, who was watching Leo with quiet calculation, clearly deciding how best to handle this.

 

Eventually, she leaned slightly toward Casey and murmured, "We should talk to him. But not now. "

 

Casey nodded.

 

Not now.

 

But soon.

 

Because whatever was going on—it wasn't just nothing.

And there was no way they were going to let Leo carry it alone.

Notes:

So what did you all think?
-N.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Summary:

Leo has a bit of a heart to heart with a couple of people.

Notes:

Here's the next chapter, enjoy!
-N.

 

 

Chapter 3  

 

The movie had ended an hour ago.

 

Mikey had declared it "a cinematic masterpiece," Donnie had launched into a ten-minute breakdown of the film's inaccuracies, and Raph had grumbled something about wasted time before stalking off to the training room. April had lingered just long enough to help Mikey clean up the popcorn disaster before slipping out with a quiet glance toward Casey.

 

Now, the lair had settled into its usual late-night hush. The kind of silence that wasn't empty, but packed—full of thoughts, of tension, of things unsaid.

Casey sat on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, staring at the dim glow of the TV screen as it looped through previews. He could hear the soft hum of Donnie's tech in the background, the occasional clang of Raph working out, and the distant sound of Mikey humming to himself in the kitchen.

 

But Leo hadn't moved.

 

He was still in his spot, with the same posture and the same distant look in his eyes.

Casey had spent the last hour watching him out of the corner of his eye, trying to figure out how to approach this without making Leo feel like he was being interrogated. Because Leo didn't do well with direct confrontation—not when it came to his own emotions. He was the leader, the protector, the one who carried everyone else's burdens. Letting someone else carry his? That was a whole different story.

 

Casey stood slowly, stretching his arms overhead before walking toward the kitchen. He grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, cracked one open, and took a long sip. Then he walked back, stopping just short of Leo's spot.

 

"Mind if I sit?" he asked, voice low.

 

Leo blinked, as if coming back to himself, and nodded once.

Casey sat down beside him, leaving a bit of space between them. He handed Leo the unopened bottle, which Leo accepted with a quiet "thanks."

 

For a while, they just sat there.

 

No words. Just the soft sounds of the lair around them.

Casey wasn't in a rush. He knew better than to push. Leo needed time and space to feel like he wasn't being cornered. So Casey waited, letting the silence stretch out and settle.

 

Eventually, he spoke.

 

"You ever get that feeling," he said slowly, "like you're underwater? Not drowning, exactly. Just… everything's muffled. Like the world's moving, but you're not really in it."

 

Leo didn't respond right away. He took a sip of water, eyes still fixed on the screen.

 

Then, quietly, he said, "Yeah."

 

Casey nodded, not looking at him. "Been feeling that way lately. Not sure why. Just… off."

 

Leo shifted slightly, his shoulders relaxing a fraction. "It happens."

 

"Yeah," Casey said. "But it's been happening to you more than usual."

 

Leo's grip on the bottle tightened, just slightly. "I'm fine."

 

Casey didn't challenge it. He just let the words hang there.

 

"I know you don't like talking about stuff," he said after a moment. "And I'm not here to pry. Just… I've been noticing. So has April."

 

Leo's jaw tensed, but he didn't speak.

 

Casey leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees again. "You don't have to tell me everything. Hell, you don't have to tell me anything. But I just want you to know—you don't have to carry it alone."

 

Leo was silent for a long time.

 

Then, finally, he said, "It's not that simple."

 

"I know," Casey said. "But maybe it doesn't have to be complicated either."

 

Leo let out a breath, quiet and shaky. "I don't know how to talk about it."

 

Casey turned to look at him. "Try me."

 

Leo hesitated, then shook his head. "It's not one thing. It's… everything.  

The pressure. The expectations. The way I'm supposed to have all the answers, even when I don't."

 

Casey nodded slowly. "You don't have to. Nobody expects you to be perfect. "

 

Leo gave a bitter smile. "They don't say it. But they do. "

 

Casey leaned back, letting the words sink in. "You ever think maybe you're the one expecting that of yourself? "

 

Leo didn't answer.

 

Casey continued, voice gentle. "You're allowed to be tired, Leo. You're allowed to not have it all figured out. That doesn't make you weak. It makes you human. "

 

Leo looked down at the bottle in his hands, fingers tracing the ridges in the plastic. "I don't know how to stop. "

 

"Start small, " Casey said. "Start here. "

 

Leo glanced at him, eyes shadowed but searching. "Why do you care so much? "

 

Casey gave a half-smile. "Because you're my friend. And because I know what it's like to feel like you're falling apart and nobody notices. "

 

Leo looked away again, but his posture shifted—less rigid, less guarded.

 

"I've been having nightmares, " he said quietly. "Not every night. But enough. "

 

Casey didn't speak. He just listened.

 

"They're not always the same, " Leo continued. "Sometimes it's the team getting hurt. Sometimes it's me failing. Sometimes it's just… darkness. And I wake up, and I can't breathe, and I feel like I'm still in it. "

 

Casey's heart ached at the confession. "That's a lot to carry. "

 

Leo nodded. "I didn't want to worry anyone. "

 

"You already did, " Casey said gently. "But not because you're broken. Because we care. "

 

Leo was quiet again, but this time it felt different. Like something had shifted. Like the wall wasn't gone, but it had a crack in it now.

 

"I don't know what to do, " Leo admitted.

 

"You don't have to know, " Casey said. "Just… let us be there. Let me be there. "

 

Leo looked at him, and for the first time that night, there was something real in his eyes. Something raw.

 

"Okay, " he said.

 

Just one word.

 

But it was enough.

 

Casey nodded, settling back into the couch. "We don't have to talk more tonight. We can just sit. Watch dumb previews. Pretend we're not both emotionally wrecked. "

 

Leo gave a soft laugh—barely there, but real.

 

"Sounds good, " he said.

 

And they sat there, side by side, in the quiet between.

 

Not fixed.

 

Not healed.

 

But not alone.

 

Not anymore.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------  

 

The movie had ended, but Leo hadn't moved.

 

He was still in his usual spot on the couch, posture straight, eyes fixed on the screen as it cycled through previews. Mikey had declared the film "a triumph of modern storytelling, " Donnie had launched into a critique of its scientific inaccuracies, and Raph had grunted something dismissive before heading off to the training room.

 

April had lingered for a moment, her gaze brushing over Leo with quiet concern before she slipped out, leaving the lair in a hush that felt heavier than usual.

 

Leo didn't mind the silence. In fact, he had recently preferred it. It was easier to manage than conversation, easier to control than the unpredictable weight of emotion that had been pressing against his ribs for weeks now.

 

He didn't know when it had started—this feeling of being slightly out of sync with everything around him. As if he were watching his life from behind glass. Present, but not really participating. He could still lead, still fight, still make decisions. But the part of him that used to feel connected to it all had gone quiet.

 

And then there was Casey.

 

Leo didn't look at him, but he could feel him nearby. That was the strange thing—he always could. Casey had a kind of presence that was hard to ignore. Loud when he wanted to be, sure, but more often than not, it was the quiet moments that stuck with Leo. The way Casey moved through the lair was like he belonged there. The way he listened. The way he looked at Leo was like he saw something beneath the surface.

 

It made Leo uneasy.

 

And it made him feel something else, too—something he hadn't quite named yet.

 

He heard footsteps, then the soft hiss of the fridge opening. A moment later, Casey was standing beside him, holding two bottles of water.

 

"Mind if I sit? " he asked.

 

Leo nodded, not trusting his voice.

 

Casey settled beside him, close but not too close. He handed Leo one of the bottles, and Leo accepted it with a quiet "thanks. "

 

They sat in silence.

 

Leo found himself counting the seconds between each breath, trying to keep his thoughts from spiraling. But Casey's presence was grounding in a way Leo hadn't expected. Not intrusive. Just… steady.

 

"You ever get that feeling, " Casey said eventually, "like you're underwater? Not drowning, exactly. Just… everything's muffled. "

 

Leo's grip tightened on the bottle. He didn't look at Casey, but he nodded.

 

"Yeah. "

 

"Been feeling that way lately, " Casey continued. "Not sure why. Just… off."

 

Leo swallowed. "It happens. "

 

Casey didn't push. He just let the words settle.

 

"I know you don't like talking about stuff, " he said. "And I'm not here to pry. Just… I've been noticing. So has April. "

 

Leo's jaw tensed. He hated being noticed when he wasn't ready. But Casey's voice wasn't accusing. It was gentle. Concerned.

 

"You don't have to tell me everything, " Casey said. "But I just want you to know—you don't have to carry it alone. "

 

Leo stared at the screen, but the images blurred. He felt something shift inside him—something small, like a thread being tugged loose.

 

"It's not that simple, " he said.

 

"I know, " Casey replied. "But maybe it doesn't have to be complicated either. "

 

Leo let out a breath. "I don't know how to talk about it. "

 

"Try me. "

 

Leo turned slightly, just enough to see Casey's profile. The way his brow furrowed, the way his eyes stayed soft. There was no judgment there.

 

Just patience.

 

And something else.

 

Leo didn't know what made him speak, but the words came anyway.

"It's not one thing, " he said. "It's… everything. The pressure. The expectations. The way I'm supposed to have all the answers."

Casey nodded. "You don't have to. Nobody expects you to be perfect."

 

Leo gave a bitter smile. "They don't say it. But they do. "

 

"You ever think maybe you're the one expecting that of yourself?"

 

Leo didn't answer. He couldn't.

 

Because Casey was right.

 

And that realization hit harder than he expected.

 

"You're allowed to be tired, " Casey said. "You're allowed to not have it all figured out. That doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."

 

Leo looked down at the bottle in his hands. His fingers trembled slightly.

 

He hoped Casey didn't notice.

 

But then again, maybe he did.

 

And maybe that was okay.

 

"I've been having nightmares, " Leo said quietly. "Not every night. But enough."

 

Casey didn't speak. He just listened.

 

"They're not always the same, " Leo continued. "Sometimes it's the team getting hurt. Sometimes it's me failing. Sometimes it's just… darkness."

 

He paused.

 

"And I wake up, and I can't breathe."

 

Casey's voice was soft. "That's a lot to carry."

 

Leo nodded. "I didn't want to worry anyone."

 

"You already did, " Casey said. "But not because you're broken. Because we care."

 

Leo looked at him again.

 

And this time, he saw it.

 

The way Casey's eyes held his. The way his expression didn't waver. The way he didn't flinch from Leo's vulnerability.

 

And something inside Leo shifted again.

 

A realization.

 

A quiet, terrifying, beautiful realization.

 

He cared about Casey.

 

More than he'd admitted to himself.

 

More than he'd let himself feel.

 

And maybe—just maybe—that feeling was love.

 

It wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic. It was just there, like a steady heartbeat beneath everything else.

 

"I don't know what to do, " Leo said.

 

"You don't have to know, " Casey replied. "Just… let us be there. Let me be there."

 

Leo's throat tightened. He wanted to say something—anything—that would explain the storm inside him. But all he could manage was a single word.

 

"Okay."

 

Casey nodded, leaning back. "We don't have to talk more tonight. We can just sit. Watch dumb previews. Pretend we're not both emotionally wrecked."

 

Leo laughed softly. It surprised him.

 

But it felt good.

 

Real.

 

And as they sat there, side by side, Leo felt something he hadn't felt in weeks.

 

Safe.

 

Not fixed.

 

Not healed.

 

But safe.

 

And maybe—just maybe—that was enough.

 

For now.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The lair had finally gone still.

 

Mikey had crashed in his room after a sugar-fueled monologue about the movie's "emotional resonance. " Donnie had disappeared into his lab, muttering about recalibrating something that probably didn't need recalibrating. April had left with a soft goodbye and a lingering glance toward Leo that said more than words could.

 

And Casey—Casey had left last.

 

He'd clapped Raph on the shoulder, exchanged a few jokes with Mikey, and then turned to Leo with a quiet, "Take care of yourself, yeah?"

Leo had nodded, heart thudding a little too hard in his chest.

Now, the only sound was the low hum of the lair's ventilation and the distant clink of weights from the training room.

 

Leo stood in the hallway for a long moment, debating whether to retreat to his room and pretend sleep would come. But something tugged at him—something unresolved.

 

He turned and walked toward the training room.

Raph was there, of course. Sweat glistening on his arms, punching the bag like it had insulted his mother. The rhythmic thud of fists against canvas echoed through the space.

 

Leo leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

 

"You're gonna break that thing, " he said.

 

Raph didn't stop. "It's built to take it."

 

Leo watched him for a moment. "You always train this late?"

 

Raph shrugged, landing another punch. "Helps me think."

 

Leo hesitated. "Mind if I join you?"

 

Raph paused, then stepped back and grabbed a towel from the bench.

 

"You don't usually come in here after hours anymore."

 

"I don't usually need to, " Leo said, walking in and picking up a pair of gloves. "But tonight's different."

 

Raph raised an eyebrow but didn't press. They trained in silence for a while—Leo working the bag, Raph spotting him, the rhythm of movement grounding them both.

 

Eventually, Leo slowed, then stopped, pulling off his gloves and sitting on the bench.

 

Raph sat beside him, towel draped around his neck.

 

"You gonna tell me what's eating you? " he asked, not unkindly.

 

Leo stared at the floor. "You noticed?"

 

Raph snorted. "You think I wouldn't? You've been walking around like you're carrying the weight of the world. Again."

 

Leo exhaled. "It's not the team this time."

 

Raph turned to look at him. "Then what is it?"

 

Leo hesitated. This was the part he wasn't sure how to say. The part that felt too big, too vulnerable.

 

But Raph was his brother.

 

And maybe that meant he deserved the truth.

 

"It's a bit of everything " , Leo said. " Ever since Dad died, it feels like I've been shoved underwater, and no matter how much I try, I can't get back to the surface. " He said.  

 

"You know that you don't have to bottle all of this shit up, right? Raph asked him.

 

Leo just shrugged in response at first. "I know that " , Leo said. " But after everything, it's just hard to find the right words to explain everything to myself, let alone to you all or someone else. " He said.

 

Raph could understand that, but he knew that wasn't the only thing that was bugging his brother.  

 

"What's the other part of it?" He asked in a tone that meant he wasn't going to take whatever bullshit excuse Leo was going to come up with. He wanted the truth.

 

"It's Casey, " Leo said quietly.

 

Raph blinked. "Casey?"

 

Leo nodded. "I think… I think I'm falling for him."

 

Raph was silent for a long moment.

 

Then he leaned back, arms crossed. "Huh."

 

Leo glanced at him. "That's it? Just 'huh '? "

 

Raph shrugged. "I mean, it's not exactly a shock."

 

Leo frowned. "It's not?"

 

Raph gave a half-smile. "You think I haven't seen the way you look at him lately? You go all quiet and thoughtful every time he's around. Like you're trying to solve a puzzle that's already solved."

 

Leo flushed. "I didn't think it was that obvious."

 

"To most people? Maybe not. To me? " Raph tapped his temple. "I know you, Leo."

 

Leo looked down at his hands. "I didn't mean for it to happen."

 

"Feelings don't ask permission, " Raph said. "They just show up and wreck your plans."

 

Leo let out a soft laugh. "That's exactly what it feels like."

 

Raph leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "So what's the problem?"

 

Leo hesitated. "He's your best friend."

 

Raph snorted. "And?"

 

"And I don't want to mess that up."

 

Raph turned to him, expression serious now. "Leo, Casey's not some fragile thing that's gonna break if you feel something for him. He's tough. He's loyal. And he's not stupid. If he didn't want to be close to you, he wouldn't be."

 

Leo swallowed. "I just… I don't know what to do with it. I've spent so long being the leader, being the one who keeps everything together. I don't know how to be the guy who falls in love."

 

Raph was quiet for a moment.

 

Then he said, "You don't have to stop being the leader. You just have to let yourself be a person, too."

 

Leo looked at him. "You ever been in love?"

 

Raph gave a crooked smile. "Once. Didn't end well."

 

Leo nodded. "That's what I'm afraid of."

 

Raph leaned back. "You're always afraid of things ending. But you never think about what could begin."

 

Leo stared at him.

 

"You think Casey feels the same? " he asked.

 

Raph shrugged. "I think he cares about you. A lot. I think he sees you in ways most people don't. And I think if you gave him the chance, he'd show you that you don't have to carry everything alone."

 

Leo's chest tightened.

 

"I don't know how to tell him, " he admitted.

 

Raph stood, tossing the towel onto the bench. "You don't have to make a speech. Just be honest. Say what you feel. That's all."

 

Leo nodded slowly.

 

"Thanks, " he said.

 

Raph clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're my brother. I want you to be happy. Even if it's with my idiot best friend."

 

Leo laughed, the sound light and real.

 

"I'll try, " he said.

 

Raph grinned. "Good. Now get some sleep before Donnie starts running diagnostics on your emotional state."

 

Leo stood, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.

 

As he walked back to his room, he thought about Casey's voice, the way he'd said, "Take care of yourself. " The way his eyes had lingered was soft and steady.

 

And for the first time, Leo let himself imagine what it would be like to reach out. To let Casey in. To stop pretending he didn't feel what he felt.

 

Maybe tomorrow.

 

Maybe soon.

 

But tonight, he let the possibility settle into his chest like a quiet promise.

And it felt like hope.

Notes:

So what did you think?

Chapter 4

Summary:

We have a little Hamoto brother bonding and a little shovel talking.

Notes:

Only one more chapter to go!
-N.

Chapter 4  

 

It was late—later than usual.

 

The movie night had ended hours ago, and the lair had settled into its usual post-midnight quiet. But Raph couldn't sleep, not after the conversation he'd had with Leo in the training room. Not after the way Leo had looked at him—like he was finally letting something crack open.

 

Raph had been pacing the hallway for a while, trying to decide whether to keep it to himself or bring it to the others. Eventually, he turned toward Donnie's lab. If anyone could help make sense of things, it was Donnie.

He knocked once, then pushed the door open.

 

Donnie was hunched over his desk, surrounded by glowing screens and half-assembled gadgets. He looked up, blinking behind his goggles.

 

"Raph? It's almost two in the morning. "

 

"Yeah, " Raph said, stepping inside. "You busy? "

 

Donnie sighed and pulled off his goggles. "Not anymore. What's up? "

 

Raph leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "It's Leo. "

 

Donnie's expression shifted instantly. "Is he okay? "

 

Raph shrugged. "Not really. But he's trying to pretend he is. "

 

Donnie nodded slowly. "I've noticed. He's been… off. Quiet. Detached. "

 

"Yeah, " Raph said. "And tonight, he finally admitted it. "

 

Donnie sat up straighter. "Admitted what? "

 

"That he's been having nightmares. That he's feeling the pressure. That he doesn't know how to talk about it. "

 

Donnie frowned. "That's… big. Leo doesn't open up like that. "

 

"I know, " Raph said. "Which is why I'm telling you. I think he's been carrying too much for too long. "

 

Donnie rubbed his temples. "He always does. It's part of how he sees himself. The leader. The protector. The one who doesn't get to fall apart. "

 

Raph nodded. "But he's falling apart anyway. Just quietly. "

 

There was a long pause.

 

Then Donnie said, "We need to do something. "

 

"Yeah, " Raph agreed. "But I don't know what. "

 

Just then, the door creaked open again, and Mikey poked his head in, eyes wide and hair tousled from sleep.

 

"You guys talking about Leo? " he asked.

 

Raph raised an eyebrow. "You eavesdropping? "

 

Mikey stepped inside, clutching a half-eaten cookie. "I was getting a snack and heard you say his name. Figured it was important. "

 

Donnie sighed. "It is. "

 

Mikey sat on the edge of the desk. "He's been weird lately. Like, not in a fun Mikey-weird way. In a sad, quiet way. "

 

Raph nodded. "He told me he's been having nightmares. "

 

Mikey's face fell. "Oh. "

 

"And he's feeling like he's failing, " Raph added. "Like he's supposed to have all the answers and doesn't. "

 

Donnie leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "That's a lot. Even for Leo. "

 

Mikey looked down at his cookie, then set it aside. "I wish he'd told me. "

 

"He didn't want to worry anyone, " Raph said. "Typical Leo move. "

 

Donnie tapped his fingers against the desk. "We need to find a way to support him without making him feel like he's being watched. "

 

"Exactly, " Raph said. "He hates feeling cornered. "

 

Mikey tilted his head. "What if we just… hang out more? Not like movie night, but like, real hangouts. No pressure. Just us. "

 

Donnie nodded. "That could help. Make him feel connected again. "

 

Raph hesitated. "There's something else. "

 

Both Donnie and Mikey looked at him.

 

Raph exhaled. "He's got feelings for Casey. "

 

Mikey blinked. "Wait—Leo and Casey? "

 

Donnie raised an eyebrow. "That's unexpected. "

 

Raph shrugged. "Not really. I've seen the way he looks at him. And tonight, he admitted it. "

 

Mikey grinned. "That's kinda sweet. "

 

Donnie looked thoughtful. "It makes sense. Casey's grounded. Loyal. He challenges Leo, but he also listens. "

 

Raph nodded. "Leo's scared, though. Scared of messing things up. Scared of feeling something that big. "

 

Mikey leaned back. "Love's scary. "

 

Donnie gave a small smile. "Especially for someone who's used to being in control. "

 

Raph looked at both of them. "So what do we do? "

 

Donnie tapped his chin. "We don't push. We don't tease. We just… make space. Let him know we're here. Let him know it's okay to feel things. "

 

Mikey nodded. "And maybe we can talk to Casey. Just casually. Let him know Leo's going through stuff. "

 

Raph hesitated. "You think that's a good idea? "

 

Donnie shrugged. "Casey's smart. He'll pick up on it. But a little nudge wouldn't hurt. "

 

Mikey smiled. "I could do it. I'm good at nudging. "

 

Raph chuckled. "Just don't make it weird. "

 

Mikey held up his hands. "No weirdness. Promise. "

 

Donnie stood, stretching. "We'll figure this out. Together. "

 

Raph looked at his brothers—at the concern in their eyes, the quiet determination.

 

Leo had always been the one to carry them.

 

Now it was their turn to carry him.

 

"Thanks, " Raph said quietly.

 

Mikey grinned. "We're a team. That's what we do. "

 

Donnie nodded. "And Leo's not alone. Not anymore. "

 

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling around them.

 

Then Mikey stood. "I'm gonna make breakfast early tomorrow. Something comforting. Maybe pancakes. "

 

Raph smirked. "You just want an excuse to use whipped cream. "

 

Mikey winked. "Guilty. "

 

Donnie chuckled. "I'll help. Maybe we can get Leo to join us. "

 

Raph nodded. "Yeah. Let's start there. "

 

As they left the lab together, Raph felt something shift inside him.

Hope.

 

Not loud. Not dramatic.

 

But real.

 

And maybe that was enough.

 

For now.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the lair.

 

Leo blinked awake to the sound of laughter echoing from the kitchen. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. It was rare for him to sleep in, but last night's training had left him drained—emotionally more than physically.

 

He padded toward the kitchen, still groggy, and paused in the doorway.

Mikey was flipping pancakes with dramatic flair, tossing them into the air and catching them with exaggerated bows. Donnie was slicing strawberries with surgical precision, and Raph was leaning against the counter, sipping coffee and smirking at the chaos.

 

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss a holiday? "

 

Mikey spun around. "Leo! You're awake! Welcome to the first-ever' Brother Bonding Brunch Bonanza. '"

 

Donnie looked up. "We figured you could use a morning off. "

 

Raph nodded. "No training. No patrol. Just us. "

 

Leo hesitated. "You guys didn't have to— "

 

"We wanted to, " Donnie said firmly.

 

Leo stepped inside, the warmth of the kitchen wrapping around him like a blanket. He sat at the table, watching his brothers move around with practiced ease.

 

Mikey slid a plate in front of him, stacked high with pancakes, whipped cream, and strawberries arranged into a smiley face.

 

Leo chuckled. "You're ridiculous. "

 

Mikey grinned. "Ridiculously thoughtful. "

 

They ate together, the conversation light and easy. No pressure. No expectations.

 

After breakfast, they moved to the living room. Mikey had set up a cozy corner with beanbags, blankets, and a stack of old movies. The lights were dimmed, and the atmosphere felt like something out of their childhood—safe, familiar.

 

They watched a cheesy sci-fi flick, laughing at the harmful effects and quoting lines in exaggerated voices. Leo found himself relaxing, the tension in his shoulders slowly melting away.

 

Halfway through the second movie, Mikey paused it and turned to Leo.

 

"Okay, serious moment, " he said.

 

Leo blinked. "Uh-oh. "

 

Raph leaned forward. "We've been talking. About you. "

 

Leo's posture stiffened.

 

Donnie held up a hand. "Not in a bad way. Just… we've noticed you've been carrying a lot. "

 

Leo looked down. "I'm fine. "

 

Mikey scooted closer. "We know you're trying to be. But you don't have to do it alone. "

 

Raph nodded. "Just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you have to be the strongest all the time. "

 

Donnie added, "We're a team. And you're our brother first, leader second. "

 

Leo swallowed hard. "I didn't want to burden you. "

 

Mikey frowned. "You're not a burden. You're our heart. "

 

Leo looked at them, eyes shining. "I've been scared. Of failing. Of letting you down. "

 

Raph's voice softened. "You never let us down. Even when you're struggling, you're still showing up. That means something. "

 

Donnie leaned in. "We want you to come to us with anything. No judgment. No pressure. "

 

Mikey reached out and squeezed Leo's hand. "We've got you. "

 

Leo's walls cracked, just a little.

 

"I've been having nightmares, " he admitted. "About losing you. About making the wrong call. "

 

Raph nodded. "We figured. "

 

Leo looked at him. "I don't know how to stop feeling like everything depends on me. "

 

Donnie said, "It doesn't. We're all in this together. "

 

Mikey smiled. "And we're not going anywhere. "

 

Leo exhaled, the weight on his chest lifting slightly. "Thanks. I needed this. "

 

Raph smirked. "We know. "

 

They sat in silence for a moment, the kind that felt full rather than empty.

Then Mikey clapped his hands. "Okay, now that Leo's emotionally cracked open like a fortune cookie, can we talk about Casey? "

 

Leo groaned. "Seriously? "

 

Donnie grinned. "We're not teasing. We're strategizing. "

 

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Strategizing? "

 

Raph leaned back, arms crossed. "We're just saying… if you're gonna fall for someone, we need to make sure they're worthy. "

 

Leo blinked. "You're not— "

 

Mikey nodded solemnly. "Shovel talk. "

 

Leo stared. "You're going to shovel talk, Casey? "

 

Donnie adjusted his glasses. "Hardcore. "

 

Leo buried his face in his hands. "You guys are the worst. "

 

Raph chuckled. "Nah. We're the best. Being protective. "

 

Mikey grinned. "I already have a speech planned. It starts with 'If you hurt him, I know where you sleep. '"

 

Leo groaned louder. "Please don't. "

 

Donnie smirked. "Too late. Operation Shovel Talk is a go. "

 

Leo looked up, exasperated but smiling. "You're all insane. "

 

Raph shrugged. "We're your insane. "

 

Mikey threw an arm around Leo's shoulders. "And we love you. So Casey better be ready. "

 

Leo laughed, the sound genuine and light. "You guys are ridiculous. "

 

Donnie smiled. "Ridiculously loyal. "

 

Leo leaned back, letting himself sink into the moment. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he could breathe.

 

His brothers were here.

 

And he wasn't alone.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

It started with a whiteboard.

 

Donnie stood in front of it, marker in hand, sketching out a flowchart titled Operation Shovel Talk: Casey Jones Edition . Raph leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Mikey bounced on his toes, munching on a granola bar.

 

"Okay, " Donnie said, capping the marker. "We need to be strategic. Casey's not exactly the most emotionally intuitive person. "

 

Raph snorted. "He's got the subtlety of a hockey puck to the face. "

 

Mikey grinned. "Which is why we go in hard. But also soft. Like a pillow full of bricks. "

 

Donnie nodded. "Exactly. We need to make it clear that Leo matters. That if Casey's gonna be part of his life, he needs to understand what that means. "

 

Raph cracked his knuckles. "I'll handle the intimidation. "

 

Donnie raised a brow. "No surprise there. "

 

Mikey threw up jazz hands. "I'll be the emotional chaos. Keep him off balance. "

 

Donnie tapped the board. "And I'll be the voice of reason. The one who lays out the expectations in clear, logical terms. "

 

Raph smirked. "So we're doing good cop, weird cop, terrifying cop? "

 

Mikey gasped. "I love that. "

 

Donnie adjusted his glasses. "We'll catch him after sparring. He'll be tired. Less likely to deflect. "

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Casey wiped sweat from his brow, tossing his gear into his duffel bag. The sparring session with Leo had been intense—more focused than usual. Leo had seemed lighter somehow, like something had shifted.

 

Casey liked that shift.

 

He was about to head out when he turned the corner and stopped short.

Raph, Donnie, and Mikey stood in a perfect triangle formation, blocking the hallway like a trio of judgmental statues.

 

"Uh, " Casey said. "Hey? "

 

Raph stepped forward. "We need to talk. "

 

Casey blinked. "Did I do something? "

 

Donnie gestured to the side. "Come with us. "

 

Casey hesitated. "Is this about the pizza I stole last week? Because Mikey said— "

 

Mikey cut him off. "This is about Leo. "

 

Casey's face changed instantly. "Is he okay? "

 

Raph nodded. "He's fine. But we need to make sure he stays that way. "

 

They led Casey into Donnie's lab, where the whiteboard still stood like a monument to overthinking. Casey glanced at it, then back at the brothers.

 

"Okay, " he said slowly. "What's going on? "

 

Donnie stepped forward. "We know you care about Leo. And we know Leo cares about you. "

 

Casey's ears turned red. " I—uh—yeah. "

 

Raph crossed his arms. "So here's the deal. Leo's been through a lot. He's strong, yeah, but he's not invincible. He's got walls, and he's finally letting some of them down. "

 

Mikey leaned in. "Which means if you hurt him, emotionally or otherwise, we will make your life very, very complicated. "

 

Casey blinked. "Wait, is this a shovel talk? "

 

Donnie nodded. "Precisely. "

 

Raph stepped closer. "I've got a metaphorical shovel and a real one. Don't make me use either. "

 

Casey held up his hands. "I'm not trying to hurt Leo. "

 

Mikey grinned. "Good! Because if you did, I'd cry. Loudly. In public. And then I'd make you feel things. Deep, uncomfortable things. "

 

Donnie cleared his throat. "Leo's not just our brother. He's our anchor. When he's off, we're off. So if you're going to be part of his life—romantically or otherwise—you need to understand what that means. "

 

Casey nodded slowly. "I do. I mean, I'm trying to. "

 

Raph narrowed his eyes. "Trying's not enough. You need to be all in. "

 

Casey met his gaze. "I am. "

 

Mikey tilted his head. "Do you love him? "

 

Casey's eyes widened. "I—what? "

 

Donnie raised a brow. "It's a valid question. "

 

Casey looked down. "I don't know. I mean… maybe. It's new. But I care. A lot. "

 

Raph studied him. "You'd better figure it out. Because Leo doesn't do halfway. "

 

Mikey softened. "He's scared. Of being vulnerable. Of losing control. "

 

Donnie added, "And when he lets someone in, it's because he sees something real. "

 

Casey nodded. "I get that. I do. I've seen how he carries everything. I want to help him carry it. "

 

Raph's expression shifted, just slightly. "Good answer. "

 

Mikey clapped. "You passed phase one! "

 

Casey blinked. "There are phases? "

 

Donnie pointed to the whiteboard. "Three, to be exact. Phase two is ongoing observation. Phase three is long-term evaluation. "

 

Casey laughed. "You guys are intense. "

 

Raph smirked. "We're protective. "

 

Mikey grinned. "And nosy. "

 

Donnie smiled. "And loyal. "

 

Casey looked at them, then nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. I care about Leo. I want to be someone he can lean on. "

 

Raph stepped back. "Then we're good. "

 

Mikey threw an arm around Casey's shoulders. "Welcome to the chaos. "

 

Donnie erased the whiteboard. "Operation complete. "

 

As they left the lab, Casey glanced back at the brothers.

 

He'd known they were close.

 

But now he understood just how deep that bond ran.

 

And he was honored to be part of it.

 

Notes:

So what did you all think?
-N.

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Summary:

We finally reach a mutal understanding between the two.

Notes:

Here it is, last chapter! Thank you all so much for the support you guys have shown this work. I really appreciate it!
-N.

Chapter 5

 

The lair was quiet.

 

Too quiet.

 

Casey had just survived the most intense shovel talk of his life—Raph's glare, Donnie's logic, Mikey's emotional chaos—and now he was left with one undeniable truth: he needed to talk to Leo.

 

Not just about the shovel talk.

 

About everything.  

 

He wandered through the lair, checking the usual spots. Leo wasn't in the dojo, wasn't meditating in the quiet alcove near Donnie's lab, wasn't in the kitchen nursing tea like he sometimes did when sleep wouldn't come.

Eventually, Casey found him on the upper platform near the exit tunnel, sitting cross-legged, staring at the wall like it held answers.

 

"Hey, " Casey said softly.

 

Leo turned, surprised but not startled. "Hey. "

 

Casey stepped closer. "You busy? "

 

Leo shook his head. "Just thinking. "

 

Casey hesitated. "Wanna run? "

 

Leo blinked. "Run? "

 

"Rooftops, " Casey said. "Clear our heads. Get some air."

Leo studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. That sounds good."

They geared up in silence, slipping out into the night like shadows. The city was quiet, the kind of calm that only came after midnight—when the chaos had settled and the streets were mostly empty.

 

They ran side by side, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, the wind cool against their skin. Casey kept pace easily, matching Leo's rhythm without pushing. It wasn't about speed tonight. It was about presence.

 

Eventually, they landed on an expansive rooftop overlooking the East River. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and the city lights flickered like stars.

 

Leo sat on the edge, legs dangling over the side. Casey joined him, close but not too close.

 

For a while, they just sat there.

 

Breathing.

 

Listening.

 

Existing.

 

Then Casey spoke.

 

"So… your brothers cornered me. "

 

Leo groaned. "Oh no. "

 

Casey laughed. "It was intense. There was a whiteboard. "

 

Leo buried his face in his hands. "Please tell me Mikey didn't threaten to cry. "

 

"He did, " Casey said. "Loudly. In public. "

 

Leo sighed. "I'm so sorry. "

 

Casey nudged him gently. "Don't be. It was kind of amazing. "

 

Leo looked at him. "Amazing? "

 

Casey nodded. "They love you. Fiercely. And they wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. "

 

Leo's expression softened. "You already knew. "

 

"I did, " Casey said. "But it made me realize something. "

 

Leo turned to him, eyes searching.

 

"I care about you, " Casey said. "A lot. More than I've let myself admit. "

 

Leo's breath caught.

 

"I've been dancing around it, " Casey continued. "Trying to play it cool. Trying not to mess things up. But the truth is—I think I'm falling for you. "

 

Leo stared at him, heart pounding.

 

"I know you've been carrying a lot, " Casey said. "And I know you're scared of letting people in. But I want to be someone you can lean on. Someone who sees you—not just the leader, not just the guy who holds everything together. You. "

 

Leo swallowed hard. "You don't have to say all this."

 

"I want to, " Casey said. "Because I mean it. "

 

Leo looked away, eyes fixed on the river. "I've been trying not to feel it. "

 

"Why? "

 

"Because it's messy, " Leo said. "Because I don't know how to be vulnerable without feeling like I'm failing. "

 

Casey reached out, gently touching Leo's hand. "You're not failing. You're feeling. That's human. "

 

Leo turned back to him. "I'm not used to being seen like this. "

 

Casey smiled. "Get used to it. "

 

Leo laughed softly, the sound shaky but real.

 

"I care about you, too, " he said. "I think I've been trying to ignore it. But it's there. It's always been there. "

 

Casey's grip tightened slightly. "So what do we do? "

 

Leo looked at him, eyes clear. "We try. We take it slow. We figure it out together. "

 

Casey nodded. "I'm in. "

 

Leo leaned his head against Casey's shoulder, just for a moment.

 

And Casey let him.

 

They sat like that for a while, the city humming quietly around them.

 

Eventually, Leo spoke again.

 

"Thank you. "

 

"For what? "

 

"For seeing me, " Leo said. "For not running. "

 

Casey smiled. "I'm not going anywhere. "

 

Leo closed his eyes, letting the moment settle.

 

For the first time in a long time, he felt like he could breathe.

 

And maybe—just maybe—he didn't have to carry everything alone anymore.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The lair was quiet.

 

Too quiet.

 

Leo sat on the upper platform, legs crossed, katana laid beside him like a silent sentinel. He wasn't meditating, not really. He was just… sitting. Trying to breathe through the noise in his head.

 

Raph had been unusually cryptic earlier. Mikey had given him a thumbs-up that felt suspiciously loaded. And Donnie had muttered something about "emotional volatility " before disappearing into his lab.

 

Something was up.

 

And Leo had a sinking feeling it had to do with Casey.

He didn't know what they'd said to him. Didn't want to know. But he could feel the shift in the air, like the moment before a storm breaks.

Footsteps echoed softly behind him.

 

"Hey, " Casey said.

 

Leo turned, heart skipping in a way he hated and loved. "Hey. "

 

"You busy? "

 

Leo shook his head. "Just thinking. "

 

Casey stepped closer, hesitant. "Wanna run?"

 

Leo blinked. "Run? "

 

"Rooftops, " Casey said. "Clear our heads. Get some air."

Leo hesitated. He hadn't run rooftops for the sake of it in a long time. Usually, it was patrol, reconnaissance, or escape. But this—this sounded like something else.

 

Something simple.

 

Something real.

 

"Yeah, " Leo said. "That sounds good. "

 

They moved in sync, slipping through the tunnels and into the city like they belonged to it. The night was incredible, the wind sharp against his skin, and for a while, Leo let himself forget everything. The weight. The expectations. The fear.

 

Casey ran beside him, steady and quiet. Not pushing. Not pulling. Just there.

 

Eventually, they landed on an expansive rooftop overlooking the East River. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and the city lights flickered like distant stars.

 

Leo sat on the edge, legs dangling. Casey joined him, close but not too close.

 

The silence was comfortable.

 

And terrifying.

 

Then Casey spoke.

 

"So… your brothers cornered me. "

 

Leo groaned. "Oh no. "

 

Casey laughed. "It was intense. There was a whiteboard. "

 

Leo buried his face in his hands. "Please tell me Mikey didn't threaten to cry. "

 

"He did, " Casey said. "Loudly. In public. "

 

Leo sighed. "I'm so sorry. "

 

"Don't be, " Casey said. "It was kind of amazing. "

 

Leo looked at him, confused. "Amazing? "

 

"They love you, " Casey said. "Fiercely. And they wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. "

 

Leo's chest tightened. "You already knew. "

 

"I did, " Casey said. "But it made me realize something. "

 

Leo turned to him, heart thudding.

 

"I care about you, " Casey said. "A lot. More than I've let myself admit. "

 

Leo's breath caught.

 

"I've been dancing around it, " Casey continued. "Trying to play it cool. Trying not to mess things up. But the truth is—I think I'm falling for you. "

 

Leo stared at him, the words hitting like a wave.

 

He wanted this.

 

He wanted this so badly it scared him.

 

"I know you've been carrying a lot, " Casey said. "And I know you're scared of letting people in. But I want to be someone you can lean on. Someone who sees you—not just the leader, not just the guy who holds everything together. You. "

 

Leo looked away, eyes fixed on the river. "You don't have to say all this."

 

"I want to, " Casey said. "Because I mean it. "

 

Leo's throat felt tight. "I've been trying not to feel it. "

 

"Why? "

 

"Because it's messy, " Leo said. "Because I don't know how to be vulnerable without feeling like I'm failing. "

 

Casey reached out, gently touching his hand. "You're not failing. You're feeling. That's human. "

 

Leo turned back to him, eyes burning. "I'm not used to being seen like this. "

 

"Get used to it, " Casey said, smiling.

 

Leo laughed softly, the sound shaky but real.

 

"I care about you, too, " he said. "I think I've been trying to ignore it. But it's there. It's always been there. "

 

Casey's grip tightened slightly. "So what do we do? "

 

Leo looked at him, heart pounding. "We try. We take it slow. We figure it out together. "

 

Casey nodded. "I'm in. "

 

Leo leaned his head against Casey's shoulder, just for a moment.

 

And Casey let him.

 

It was terrifying.

 

It was everything.

 

Leo didn't know how to do this. He didn't know how to be someone's something without losing the parts of himself he'd spent years building. But Casey didn't ask him to change. He just asked him to be.

 

And maybe—just maybe—that was enough.

 

They sat like that for a while, the city humming quietly around them.

 

Eventually, Leo spoke again.

 

"Thank you. "

 

"For what? "

 

"For seeing me, " Leo said. "For not running. "

 

Casey smiled. "I'm not going anywhere. "

 

Leo closed his eyes, letting the moment settle.

 

He was scared.

 

But he was also ready.

 

And for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't alone.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The walk back to the lair was quiet.

 

Not tense—just full. Like the air between them had shifted, like something had settled into place. Leo could feel it in the way Casey moved beside him, relaxed but alert, like he was ready for whatever came next.

 

Leo wasn't.

 

Not entirely.

 

He was still scared. Still unsure. But he'd made a choice on that rooftop, and he wasn't going to back down now.

 

They reached the lair entrance, and Casey paused.

 

"You ready? " he asked.

 

Leo exhaled slowly. "No. "

 

Casey smiled. "Me neither. "

 

They stepped inside.

 

The lair was louder now—Mikey's music thumping from the standard room, Donnie arguing with Raph about the structural integrity of some new training equipment. Normal chaos.

 

Leo almost wanted to turn around and run.

 

But Casey nudged him gently. "We've got this. "

 

Leo nodded. "Okay. "

 

They found the others in the standard room, sprawled across couches and beanbags. Mikey was upside-down on the couch, feet in the air. Raph was sharpening a sai with theatrical menace. Donnie had a tablet in one hand and a mug in the other. April was there too, curled up with a book.

 

All eyes turned when Leo and Casey walked in.

 

Mikey sat up instantly. "Ooooh. They're back. "

 

Raph narrowed his eyes. "You two look… suspiciously calm. "

 

Donnie didn't look up. "Statistically, this is either good news or a breakup. "

 

Leo cleared his throat. "We need to talk. "

 

Mikey gasped. "Is this a family meeting?! "

 

April raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried? "

 

Leo glanced at Casey, who gave him a slight nod.

 

Leo stepped forward. "We're together. "

 

Silence.

 

Then—

 

Mikey screamed. "I KNEW IT! "

 

Raph dropped his sai. "You what? "

 

Donnie blinked. "Define 'together. '"

 

Casey stepped up beside Leo. "Like… together together. "

 

April smiled. "Finally. "

 

Splinter nodded slowly. "Ah. "

 

Leo braced himself.

 

Raph stood, arms crossed. "So this isn't just a phase? "

 

Leo met his gaze. "No. "

 

Raph looked at Casey. "You serious about this? "

 

Casey nodded. "Dead serious. "

 

Raph stared for a moment, then grunted. "Okay. "

 

Leo blinked. "Okay? "

 

Raph shrugged. "I already threatened him. He passed. "

 

Mikey launched himself at them. "I'm so happy for you guys! This is like—like—my favorite fanfic come to life! "

 

Leo groaned. "Please don't say that. "

 

Donnie finally looked up. "I have questions. "

 

Casey sighed. "Of course you do. "

 

Donnie tapped his tablet. "When did this start? What are your conflict resolution strategies? Have you considered the psychological implications of dating within a high-stress team dynamic? "

 

Leo stared. "Donnie. "

 

"Yes? "

 

"We're dating. Not merging corporations. "

 

Donnie nodded. "Fair. But I will be monitoring emotional fluctuations for team cohesion. "

 

April laughed. "You two are adorable. And brave. "

 

Leo felt his shoulders relax. "Thanks. "

 

 

Casey rubbed the back of his neck. "We just wanted you all to know. We're figuring it out. But we're in it. "

 

Mikey bounced on his heels. "Can I throw a party? "

 

"No, " Leo said.

 

"Yes, " Casey said.

 

Leo glared. "Traitor. "

 

April grinned. "I'll bring cupcakes. "

 

Donnie sighed. "I suppose I'll build a mood-lighting system. "

 

Raph rolled his eyes. "You people are exhausting. "

 

Leo looked around at his family—his chaotic, brilliant, overwhelming family—and felt something shift inside him.

 

He was still scared.

 

Still unsure.

 

But he wasn't alone.

 

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

Notes:

So what did you think?
-N.

Notes:

So what did you all think?
-N.