Two Years, Two Keys

by Purpleandbluelove24

Summary:

Two years after the near Krang invasion and the eve of their 19th birthday, Donnie notices that Leo is not himself, becoming quieter and more distant. With some gentle coaxing, Leo finally breaks down, confessing that he has felt trapped and tired, the trauma from his near-sacrifice and the invasion not leaving him even after two years. Donnie decides to do something about and surprises Leo with an apartment that the two of them can share together

-or-

A series of stories of Leo and Donnie sharing an apartment in the Hidden City together, full of laughs, tears, and healing that can only be shared between two twins

Notes:

This story has been sitting in my drafts for a long time and I finally finished it. I am so excited to be sharing this story with you guys as I just can't get enough of these twins!

Everything in this is strictly platonic. TCEST you stay out of here. You are not welcome here! Pure brotherly love/affection here people

Hope you guys the twins adventures in an apartment

Chapter 1: The Weight of Silence

Summary:

The lair is buzzing with excitement for Leo and Donnie's 19th birthday, but Donnie can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Leo is quiet, withdrawn, and distant. When Donnie tries to bring it up, Leo pushes him away—but Donnie stays. Leo finally breaks down, confessing he feels trapped and tired, the trauma from the invasion keeping him locked away from the world. Donnie holds him as he cries, heart aching.

Donnie wasn’t sure when it started

When Leo’s vibrant spark began to flicker.

Maybe it had been slowly dimming over the past two years, a gradual erosion hidden beneath sarcastic jabs and quiet smiles. Or maybe Donnie had just missed it, too wrapped up in his own projects, too convinced that Leo had pulled through the worst already.

After all, Leo was the miracle case. Two years ago, he had come back from the edge of death—comatose, battered, broken, and somehow still breathing. His recovery had taken everything from all of them, but especially Leo. The pain, the rehab, the scars, the silence—it had drained him.

And now, as their 19th birthday approached and the lair buzzed with preparations, Donnie couldn’t ignore what had become obvious:

Leo hadn’t left the lair in over two years.

Not even once.

He wasn’t cracking jokes like he used to, barely showed up to family hangouts, and spent most of his time in his room. When he did emerge, there was a heaviness to him. He smiled when spoken to, but it never reached his eyes.

Tonight, Donnie had enough of pretending not to notice.

He hovered outside Leo’s door, holding two mugs of hot tea—one blue, one purple. They had always had tea together around their birthday. A twin thing. But this year, Leo hadn’t even mentioned it.

Donnie knocked twice before nudging the door open.

Leo was sitting on the floor, his back against his bed, one leg pulled up and the other stretched out. His hood was up, casting a shadow over his face as he stared blankly at the opposite wall.

Donnie didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“I brought tea,” he said softly, closing the door behind him.

Leo didn’t look up. “Not in the mood.”

Donnie frowned, setting both mugs on the desk. “You haven’t been in the mood for anything lately.”

Silence.

Donnie sighed heavily as he whispered “I’m worried about you.”

That got a reaction. Leo’s shoulders tensed, and he finally turned his head slightly, just enough for Donnie to see the dark circles under his eyes.

“I’m fine.”

Donnie crossed the room, ignoring the warning in Leo’s tone. He sat down beside him, mimicking his posture.

“No, you’re not.”

“I said drop it.”

“I’m not going to.” Donnie leaned back against the bed. “You haven’t been on the surface since the invasion. You don’t train. You barely eat with us anymore. And you keep saying ‘you're fine’ like it’s a spell that'll make me go away.”

Leo clenched his jaw. “Maybe I want you to go away.”

Donnie didn’t flinch. “Too bad. I'm not leaving. I’ll never leave you Nardo. You are stuck with me whether you like it or not”

A long beat passed before Leo huffed out something like a bitter laugh, his voice cracking slightly. “Why do you even care so much?”

“Because I’m your twin…your older twin…your big brother, whatever you want to call me” Donnie said simply. “Because I love you. And because watching you shrink further into yourself every day is killing me.”

That broke something.

Leo’s hands balled into fists, his body trembling as he turned toward Donnie, eyes filled with anguish. “I’m tired, Donnie.”

Donnie didn’t speak. He just rested his hand over Leo’s and waited.

Leo’s voice cracked again, raw and uneven. “I’m so... tired. Of this room. Of this lair. Of waking up every day and feeling like I’m stuck in the same loop. Like I’m trapped in my own body. Like I’m failing everyone just by being here.”

Donnie swallowed the lump in his throat.

Leo looked away. “You guys got to keep living. I didn’t. I was in a coma. Then healing. Then too scared to go outside. The last time I was up there… I almost died, Donnie. I almost got all of you killed. And now every time I think about leaving this place... I feel like I can’t breathe.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, and then his face crumpled. “I feel like I’m drowning.”

Donnie reached over without hesitation and pulled Leo into a hug.

Leo didn’t resist.

He collapsed into his older twin’s arms, fists clutching the back of Donnie’s hoodie as if it were the only thing anchoring him to reality. Silent tears soaked Donnie’s shoulder, and Donnie closed his eyes, holding him tighter, as if he could physically shield Leo from the weight of his trauma.

“I’m sorry,” Leo choked. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Donnie whispered. “You’re just hurt. And you’re allowed to be.”

They stayed like that for a long while, the only sound in the room was Leo’s quiet crying and the distant hum of lair life beyond the door.

Eventually, Leo's sobs faded, his body going limp with exhaustion.

Donnie shifted just enough to lean them back against the bed, letting Leo curl up beside him like they used to when they were kids. Leo’s breath evened out slowly, falling into sleep.

Donnie stared up at the ceiling, mind racing.

Leo needed a change. A shift. A chance to breathe.

And Donatello Hamato was going to give it to him.

Notes:

This is only just the beginning

Next chapter: Donnie starts making his plans to give Leo the second chance that he deserves

Chapter 2: Midnight Blueprints

Summary:

After Leo falls asleep in his arms, Donnie stays up all night looking through listings for apartments in both New York and the Hidden City. He remembers a dream they once had—to live together on the surface, free and independent. Donnie finds the perfect spot and starts making plans.

The moment Leo finally drifted off in his arms, Donnie didn’t dare move.

He stayed still, listening to the gentle rhythm of his younger twin’s breath—slightly uneven from earlier crying, but soft now, at peace. It was the most relaxed Donnie had seen Leo in months. Maybe longer. And it shattered him.

Donnie gently pulled the blanket off Leo’s bed and tucked it around his twin’s shoulders, before lifting him up and putting him back on his bed, careful not to wake him. Leo did let out a small whimper and Donnie gently shushed him, urging Leo to go back to sleep, which he did as he sank into the comfort and warmth of his sheets and blanket. Donnie lingered for just a second, brushing a thumb along the side of Leo’s cheek, wiping away the last of the tear tracks.

He planted a small kiss on the top of Leo’s head before whispering “Sweet dreams Nardo. I love you” Then he stood, silent and smooth like a shadow, picked up his tablet, and slipped out of the room.

 

Back in his lab, the soft blue glow of the holoscreens lit up the space like stars.

Donnie perched on the edge of his seat, hands clasped together as the tablet scanned through apartment listings with mystic encryption to avoid suspicious landlords. Some were too small. Others were overpriced. A few were clearly scam listings posted by “Steve” the vampire who still owed Donnie money.

But he kept going, driven by a deep, aching need to fix this.
To fix Leo.

He remembered it clearly now—years ago, before the invasion, he and Leo had talked about getting a place of their own someday. It was one of their many late-night conversations, back when they’d sneak cookies and lie under fort-made stars.

“I want a giant window,” Leo had said. “So we can watch the sunrise.”
“I want reinforced soundproofing,” Donnie had countered. “Because your snoring is an affront to my sanity.”
Leo had thrown a pillow at him.

But they had meant it—deep down, both twins wanted that freedom.
A place away from responsibility.
A place just for them.

And now? Now it was necessary.

Donnie’s eyes scanned a new listing, something that hadn’t shown up on the public feed.

Hidden City apartment .
Two bedrooms. Modern mystic-suppressed infrastructure. Soundproof. Secure rooftop. Luminous windows.
Pet-friendly.

He tilted his head, opening the gallery.

The photos made his breath hitch.

The living room was spacious and open, with high arched ceilings and tall enchanted windows that let natural light filter in but blocked detection spells. The kitchen had a sleek, minimalist design—even a built-in tea brewer. The bedrooms were side by side, mirrors of each other. There was a shared balcony, complete with a small garden nook and just enough space to set up one of Donnie’s telescopic rigs.

It was...perfect.

Donnie checked the rent. Reasonable. Especially with his endless supply of income that was coming from a place that his family didn’t really need to know about.

He slipped out of his lab and went to the living room, where Splinter was sitting in his chair. He wasn’t asleep just yet, but he was close to it as a Lou Jitsu movie played in the background

“Papa?” Donnie whispered.

A tired grunt came through. “What time is it, Donatello?”

“Time for a small heart-to-heart.” He lowered his voice. “About Leo. And a surprise I want to give him.”

 

Ten minutes later, Donnie was seated on the tatami mat floor of the dojo, showing the apartment layout projected from his tablet.

Splinter rubbed his chin, studying the design. “You believe this will help him?”

“I know it will.” Donnie’s voice cracked slightly. “He told me tonight that he feels trapped. This place… this could be his way out. A chance to start healing. And he won’t be alone as I’ll be there with him.”

Splinter was quiet, but there was emotion behind his gaze. “You are both nearly nineteen. I knew this day would come.” He gave a tired smile. “You have my blessing.”

Relief washed through Donnie like a crashing wave.

 

The next day, Donnie shared the plan with Raph, Mikey, and April.

They were stunned at first.

Raph’s arms crossed tightly, but his voice was soft. “He really said he felt like that?”

Donnie nodded.

“Then yeah,” Raph said after a beat. “He needs this. And I’ll help you move every piece of furniture you own, Dee.”

April clapped her hands. “Oh! I can design the layout! I’ve got a few interior ideas saved just for Leo’s aesthetic—blue, chill, minimal chaos.”

“Can we paint the walls?” Mikey asked excitedly. “Make it feel like home? And maybe enchant the bathroom to always smell like lavender?”

“...Why lavender?” Donnie blinked.

“Why not lavender?”

 

The following days were a whirlwind of quiet planning. Donnie arranged the paperwork under an alias through a Hidden City realtor he trusted—one of Draxum’s reformed old contacts. Everything was done in secret. He even bribed their security system so Leo couldn’t pick up on the activity logs in his boredom.

Every evening, Donnie would return to Leo’s room with tea, curling up beside him and keeping him company. Leo hadn’t cried again since that night, but his sadness remained visible in the slowness of his movements, the way he stared too long at the floor.

But every time Donnie came in?

Leo’s shoulders dropped just a little.
His breathing eased.
He let Donnie stay.

And that was enough—for now.

Because soon, Leo would have something to look forward to.

Another thing that belonged only to the two of them

Notes:

Donnie is just the best twin you guys!!!

Next chapter will be the twins' birthday. How will Leo react to his surprise?

Chapter 3: Operation Birthday Key

Summary:

On their birthday, Donnie brings Leo topside for the first time in years, guiding him to the new apartment. At the door, Donnie places a key in Leo’s hand. When Leo realizes it’s theirs, he breaks down in tears and pulls Donnie into a tight hug, thanking him repeatedly.

Notes:

And here comes the surprise!

Let's see how Leo reacts to this very special birthday gift!

Operation: Birthday Key was officially underway.

And it was being executed with the precision, secrecy, and manic devotion of a mad genius/older twin brother—which, of course, meant Donatello Hamato was in his element.

The apartment was secured. The digital paperwork had been filed through the Hidden City's lease network. The down payment was made in full. Donnie had even triple-encrypted the contract so Leo wouldn’t stumble across it by accident during one of his bored code-dives that he sometimes did whenever he came to Donnie’s lab.

All that was left was the reveal.

The key.

The dream.

The freedom.

In the days leading up to their birthday, Donnie had shifted into full-on covert op mode. Every moment Leo wasn't looking, Donnie was at their new apartment in the Hidden City furnishing it with help from Raph, April, and Mikey.

April handled the design—with Leo in mind, of course. The color palette was soothing: soft blues, warm neutrals, touches of dark wood and metal. She added ambient mystic lanterns, floor cushions, a new hammock for the balcony, and shelves that could display Leo’s small collection of comics and medical books.

Mikey insisted on baking the apartment a “blessing cake.” Which was… not a thing. But no one questioned it.

Raph moved heavy furniture with ease, helped install a punching bag in Leo’s room, and even carved a small nameplate to hang on the door that simply read: "Twinspace."

It was slow, careful work. Done in silence.

 In loyalty.

In love.

 

The night before their birthday, Donnie sat in their shared room, assembling a gift box for Leo. Inside, he placed a replica of their old star projector. It had been one of the only things Leo smiled at recently. Under it, he tucked a folded note:

"For all the stars we haven't seen yet.
Happy birthday, mellizo.
—Donnie."

He stared at it for a moment, then reached into his hoodie pocket.

The apartment key, engraved with a glowing mystic sigil, shimmered under the dim lamp.

He nestled it in the box and closed the lid.

Tomorrow was the big day

Tomorrow Leo would have his first step toward the surface again.

Tomorrow, Donnie would give him everything.

 

The morning came with little fanfare.

The lair was decorated for a small birthday brunch—streamers (mostly blue and purple), a hand-painted banner that read “LEVEL 19 UNLOCKED,” and a pile of presents Mikey had insisted on wrapping even if half of them were just “coupon books” promising hugs, tea, and breakfast in bed.

Leo emerged late, hood up, eyes sleepy, but smiling faintly at the scene. Donnie was already there, sitting beside his usual spot at the table, like he always did.

“Morning, birthday boy,” Mikey grinned. “Or should I say men? You guys are ancient now!”

Leo snorted. “You’re one year younger, Mikey.”

“Still thriving, unlike some old folks here.”

Donnie gently nudged Leo’s side. “There’s cake after breakfast. And before breakfast. Technically, it’s the breakfast.”

Leo blinked. “You guys didn’t have to go all out.”

“We did,” Raph said firmly. “You deserve it, bro.”

Leo gave a faint smile, but there was still that dullness in his eyes. The part that hadn’t healed. The part that might never…at least not here. Not while he is trapped in the lair.

Donnie waited until brunch was over and the others had drifted off to prep a movie marathon before standing and stretching.

“Hey, Leo?” he asked casually, gripping the gift box behind his shell. “Come with me?”

Leo blinked. “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

 

The portal opened to the Hidden City skyline.

Leo hesitated the moment the breeze hit him. Even down here, surrounded by mystic buildings and strange glowing flora, the air still felt different than the lair. Less stale. More real.

He looked uncertain.

Donnie stepped out first and turned back to him with a gentle smile. “You trust me, right?”

Leo swallowed. “Always.”

Donnie held out his hand.

Leo took it.

 

They walked through the quieter parts of the Hidden City—Donnie guiding him through winding streets, past shops and markets, past warm lights and soft music from nearby taverns. Leo didn’t ask questions. He just followed, quiet, contemplative, hand still barely brushing against his twin’s as they walked.

Then Donnie stopped in front of a modest building nestled on a corner overlooking a rooftop park.

Leo blinked. “What is this place?”

Donnie handed him the box.

“Happy birthday.”

Leo hesitated, then opened it.

He saw the projector first—his breath caught. His fingers brushed over it like it was something fragile, something sacred.

And then… the key.

“What—?” His voice failed. “Is this—?”

Donnie nodded once as he held up his own key. “It’s ours.”

Leo stared at him.

Donnie’s voice was soft as he gently grabbed Leo’s hands. “I got us an apartment. Just you and me. A new space. Somewhere we can breathe. Where you can go at your own pace. Where you’re not stuck.”

Leo’s mouth opened, but no words came.

“I wanted to wait until you were ready,” Donnie continued, “but I realized… maybe you’ll never feel ready. Maybe what you needed was a door. So I’m giving you one. And a key. Happy Birthday Nardo”

Leo was shaking.

Then, without warning, he shoved the box into his hoodie pocket and launched into Donnie’s arms, holding him so tightly that Donnie nearly lost his balance.

“Thank you,” Leo whispered repeatedly, voice cracking. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Donnie’s arms came around him instantly.

“I love you,” Leo said, breathless, tears falling freely now. “I love you so much. You’re the best twin ever”

“I love you too, Leo,” Donnie whispered back, gripping the back of Leo’s hoodie. “You’re not alone. You never have been. I’ll always be here for you Nardo”

They stayed there on the sidewalk for a long time.

And for the first time in two years, Leo didn’t feel stuck.
He felt like he was finally moving forward

Notes:

Leo loves it! Yeah!

Now begins the moving in process

Chapter 4: Unpacking and Unwinding

Summary:

The Hamatos all pitch in to help the twins move in. Their new space reflects both of their personalities: sleek tech blended with calming blue accents. Leo begins to feel like he can breathe again. That night, he and Donnie sit on the balcony and look at the stars, sharing quiet hopes for this new chapter.

Notes:

The twins have their apartment. Now they just need to move in and begin this new journey together

The next twenty-four hours were a blur.

Donnie had, of course, planned for every variable. He had a list, a backup list, and a color-coded moving schedule (with approximate emotional response tracking charts) tucked into his holopad. But what he didn’t expect—what none of them expected—was just how quickly Leo lit up once the dam finally broke.

The second Donnie placed the key in Leo’s hands, the younger twin seemed to change.

Not instantly, not completely. But the difference was obvious. There was color in his face. A new light in his eyes. He wasn’t fully healed—not even close—but for the first time in what felt like years, Leo was looking forward.

He was excited, but still a bit nervous. Laughing softly with his brothers again. Touching everything in the apartment like he was afraid it wasn’t real.

Donnie caught him lingering in the small kitchen, fingers brushing over the counter edge, staring at the built-in tea brewer.

“You okay?” Donnie asked from the doorway.

Leo turned, and his voice cracked just a little. “I—I don’t know how to say thank you enough.”

Donnie smiled. “Don’t. Just help me unpack.”

Raph was the first to arrive the next morning, hauling a mini fridge on his shoulder and a duffel bag filled with Leo’s gear. Mikey arrived shortly after with paint cans, stencils, and a canvas labeled "Wall Mural Vibe Check #7."

April showed up an hour later with command hooks and fairy lights

Splinter didn’t come in person—he had quietly opted to stay in the lair, knowing the twins needed space—but he sent over a care package with tea blends, incense, and a handwritten card that read:

“May your new space be filled with love, laughter, and peace. And minimal explosions.”

–Dad”

The moving process was chaotic but fun. Raph and Donnie handled the heavy lifting. Mikey arranged the kitchen, giving it a "bake-me-now" vibe. April styled Leo’s bedroom with blue hanging tapestries, a calming light orb, and a window seat she insisted he would cry in one day.

Leo followed them around at first, overwhelmed.

Donnie kept a close eye on him—subtle, not smothering—waiting for that moment where it might all feel too big.

But it never came.

Instead, Leo eventually jumped in with a grin and a “Hey, Mikey, where’d you put the tea stash?” and from there, it was like old times. He was directing layout decisions, arguing playfully over paint swatches, dragging a hammock onto the balcony like it was the most important mission he’d ever undertaken.

By evening, the apartment looked lived in.

Warm.

Theirs.

 

Later that night, after the others left with hugs, well-wishes, and promises of monthly visits, the twins were finally alone again.

Leo flopped onto the couch with a soft groan, arms spread wide, legs hanging off the edge. “I’m never lifting another box again.”

Donnie walked in with two mugs of chamomile and passed one over. “We’ll unpack the rest tomorrow. Priority now is ‘recovery and ambient lighting.’”

Leo smiled around the rim of his mug. “You really did all this... for me.”

“I did this for us,” Donnie corrected gently. “But yes. I would have done it just for you, too.”

Leo was quiet a moment, then asked, “Do you think this will help? Being here. Starting over.”

Donnie sat beside him, shoulder to shoulder. “I don’t think healing is about forgetting the past. But I think having somewhere new to grow helps. Somewhere safe. Somewhere you chose to be.”

Leo stared at the ceiling. “It’s strange. I didn’t realize how much I missed the sky. Even the idea of it.”

Donnie reached into his bag and pulled out the star projector.

Leo’s eyes lit up.

He didn’t say anything—just watched as Donnie set it up on the coffee table, angled it toward the ceiling, and switched it on.

Stars burst across the room in quiet motion. Slowly swirling galaxies, constellations dancing in muted violet light.

The projector’s glow shimmered over Leo’s face, reflecting in his eyes.

He laid his head on Donnie’s shoulder, and Donnie leaned back into him.

No words were needed.

They just sat there, under their own tiny universe, in their own space, wrapped in quiet peace.

For the first time in two years, Leo didn’t feel stuck.

He felt safe.
He felt home.

Notes:

Sorry for the short chapter but things will be picking up from here as we see the twins get into all sort of adventures in their new apartment

Chapter 5: Midnight Kitchen Disasters

Summary:

Leo attempts to cook dinner. Chaos ensues. Donnie regrets everything and also nothing.

Notes:

And so begins the twins adventures in their new apartment

First up, Leo tries to cook...which goes about as well as you expect. HORRIBLY...but don't worry, Donnie is there to help

Donnie had just drifted off on the couch when the fire alarm went off.

The one that screeched like a banshee being strangled by a blender.

Donnie jolted upright, nearly sloshing his half-finished mug of tea all over the couch, and reached instinctively for his bo staff, which wasn’t even in the room. Heart pounding, he shot a glance at the kitchen doorway where an eerie orange glow was flickering just beyond the corner.

“Leo!”

From the kitchen came a voice that could only be described as the guiltiest attempt at casual Donnie had ever heard.

“Everything is totally, absolutely, and mystically under control!”

A beat.

A crash.

A muffled curse.

Donnie groaned, dragging himself off the couch and into the kitchen.

What he found was nothing short of culinary Armageddon.

The stove had somehow produced both fire and ice at the same time. One side of the counter was covered in flour and eggshells. The other was littered with sliced vegetables and—was that a can of whipped cream next to a block of tofu?

Leo stood in the center of it all like a war general surveying the battlefield. He held a spatula in one hand and a flaming oven mitt in the other.

Donnie blinked. “...What exactly were you trying to make?”

Leo gave him a sheepish grin. “You remember those breakfast wraps April used to bring over? I was trying to recreate them.”

Donnie looked at the stove. “And the whipped cream was…?”

“A creative addition.”

Donnie opened his mouth. Closed it. Pinched the bridge of his nose.

Leo set down the spatula, clearly embarrassed. “Okay, look—I just wanted to surprise you. I know you’ve been doing a ton for me lately, and I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I should do something nice for my genius older twin who gave me a home and basically saved my emotional state. Who gave me a second chance”

He kicked at the floor awkwardly. “Turns out, I’m more dangerous with a skillet than with my sword.”

Donnie sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “It does smell like burnt shame and good intentions in here.”

Leo grinned sheepishly. “So... you’re not mad?”

“Mad? No.” Donnie grabbed a dish towel and tossed it to him. “But you’re cleaning this. I’m not risking a grease-based fire because you had a post-midnight craving.”

Leo caught the towel. “Deal.”

They got to work together, side by side, like they had done a thousand times before on missions and projects and chaos cleanups.

Halfway through, Donnie looked up from scrubbing a mystic scorch mark off the backsplash. “Hey, Leo?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m proud of you.”

Leo froze with his hands in the sink. He looked over his shoulder, confusion flashing across his face. “For almost burning down our brand new apartment?”

“No,” Donnie said softly. “For trying. For living. A week ago, you barely got out of bed. And now you’re lighting the stove on fire and nearly poisoning me.”

Leo huffed a laugh, eyes watery. “You really know how to make a guy feel special.”

“I try.”

 

Once the kitchen was safe again (or, at least, no longer actively threatening their lives), Donnie pulled out his emergency meal rations: a couple packets of microwavable dumplings and a pouch of mystic instant noodles. He made tea while Leo zapped the food in their enchanted microwave that Mikey had enchanted to scream “YAS CHEF!” every time it finished a cycle.

They sat on the floor in the living room, tired but happy, wrapped in fuzzy blankets as they ate.

“This is nice,” Leo said between bites, leaning his head back against the couch.

“Simple pleasures,” Donnie agreed. “And fireless food.”

“Low bar, but fair.”

They both laughed quietly, and for a while, the apartment was filled with only the sound of crickets from the open balcony door and the low hum of the projector throwing stars onto the ceiling.

Leo turned his head toward Donnie. “Thanks. For not freaking out.”

Donnie nudged him with his foot. “You’re learning. That’s what this place is for.”

Leo looked around the apartment—the hanging lights, the soft blue walls, the little trinkets that already made the place feel like theirs.

“It really is a new beginning, huh?”

Donnie nodded. “And you’ve already made your mark on it. With whipped cream and fire.”

Leo chuckled, eyes drifting closed. “Think I’m gonna like it here.”

Donnie smiled.

“So am I.”

Notes:

Thank goodness for Donnie. They have avoided burning down their apartment...for now

Next chapter will show Leo going out in public for the first time in two years, but it won't go the way that the twins had hoped. What's going to happen? Stay tuned!

Chapter 6: Surface Tension

Summary:

Leo ventures out into the city for the first time since the invasion—with Donnie at his side. It’s overwhelming, but his twin helps him through it.

Notes:

Leo tries to be brave and ventured out into the city. However, trauma comes back to bite him and Donnie has to take him out of the situation and bring him home

This will be the first of a few times Leo goes to the surface as part of his recovery. I don't plan on doing the same thing everytime but the premise will be similar. Leo tries to go out with Donnie, it doesn't go well and he gets overwhelmed, forcing Donnie to step up and take Leo home

Hope you guys enjoy!

Leo hadn’t stepped foot outside in over two years.

Not really.

Sure, he’d wandered the upper levels of the Hidden City with Donnie now and then. A short stroll to the rooftop. A quick teleport to April’s place for birthdays. But the surface? New York? The open air, the crowded streets, the towering buildings and flashing lights?

Never.

Until today.

Donnie had picked the time carefully: mid-morning on a weekday. Less traffic. Less noise. A quieter part of Manhattan where few people ventured, and even fewer cared to notice two hooded figures slipping through the alley shadows.

It was supposed to be simple. A short walk. Fresh air. A chance for Leo to see that the world didn’t bite.

And at first, it went... okay.

Leo walked beside Donnie in silence, hands tucked into his hoodie, eyes glued to the sidewalk. His breath came fast but steady. He flinched at every passing car horn and avoided eye contact with the occasional pedestrian, but he didn’t retreat.

Donnie kept talking—light things. Star charts. A new project idea. Something Mikey had done with pancake batter last night that defied both science and morality.

Leo didn’t say much. But he stayed.

Until they passed the alleyway

The alley was nothing special. Just brick and shadows and a rusted dumpster.

But something about it—maybe the angle of the light, maybe the smell, maybe the way the wind funneled through it, maybe it was just the mere fact that they were a few feet away from Metro Tower—something triggered a memory.

Leo stopped in his tracks.

Donnie turned, realizing too late.

Leo’s shoulders tensed. His breathing picked up. Fast. Too fast.

His pupils shrank. His fists clenched.

“Leo?” Donnie asked softly.

Leo staggered back a step. “I—I can’t—”

“Breathe,” Donnie said quickly, stepping in front of him. “It’s okay. Just breathe, okay?”

But Leo didn’t hear him.

The world had already closed in.

He was transported back to that day. Trapped. Krang’s voice ringing in his ears. The metal of the blade digging into his plastron. The cold, sick feeling of helplessness, knowing his family was behind him, screaming his name, and he couldn’t stop what was coming.

His knees gave out.

Donnie caught him by the arm before he hit the pavement. “We’re going home,” he said, voice firm. “Right now.”

 

They didn’t talk on the way back.

Leo walked like he was sleepwalking—shaky, silent, pale.

The apartment door clicked open and Donnie guided him in gently, like he was handling glass.

“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay to sit?”

Leo nodded numbly, stumbling to the couch. But the second he sat, he curled in on himself—knees to chest, arms wrapped tight, breath catching in his throat.

And then the tears came.

Not the quiet kind. Not the slow kind.

The full-body kind.

The sobbing, shaking, gasping kind that only come when you’ve held something in too long.

Donnie froze at first. His heart pounded. His hands twitched with uncertainty.

He’d seen Leo cry before—but not like this. Never like this.

Whenever Leo did cry, it always broke his heart. He hate to see his baby twin cry

“Leo…?” he tried, keeping his voice level. Donnie hope that the emotions would stay at bay so that he can comfort Leo as he kneeled in front of his younger twin, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. “Talk to me, please.”

But Leo only shook his head, pressing his fists to his eyes, trying to muffle the sound. “I—I’m sorry—”

“Stop,” Donnie said firmly. He reached out, hesitated for a second longer, then wrapped his arms around Leo and pulled him close.

Leo stiffened. Then collapsed into him.

“I’m sorry,” Leo sobbed again. “I ruined it—I’m trying, I swear—I just—I thought I could—”

“Shhh,” Donnie whispered, stroking the back of Leo’s head and shell. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

Leo shook his head, still gasping. “I wanted to be better—I wanted to do it—but I can’t—I’m so tired of being scared—”

“You’re allowed to be scared,” Donnie whispered. “You’re healing, Leo. It’s not linear. It’s not instant. And it’s not something you do alone. And that’s why I am here Nardo. I am here for you and will never let you go through this alone again”

Leo’s sobs quieted just a little.

Donnie kept holding him, voice low and gentle. “You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’re not a failure. You’re healing—and we’re doing this in baby steps. Together. Like we always have been”

Leo gripped Donnie’s hoodie, fists trembling. “I don’t want to be like this forever.”

“You won’t be,” Donnie promised as he kissed the side of Leo’s head. “But it’s okay that you’re like this right now. This is still progress, Leo. It’s messy, but it’s real.”

The words hung there, warm and heavy.

Eventually, Leo’s breathing steadied. His grip on Donnie loosened. His tears slowed to a trickle.

They sat like that for a while, tangled on the couch in the silence of their new home.

Safe.

Together.

 

That night, Donnie was in bed, tablet resting on his chest, when he heard the knock.

It was soft. Hesitant.

The door creaked open, and Leo poked his head in, eyes puffy but calmer now.

“Hey,” he said sheepishly. “You still awake?”

Donnie sat up. “Yeah.”

Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “Can I... uh. Sleep in here tonight?”

Donnie didn’t say a word.

He just scooted over and pulled the blanket back in silent invitation.

Leo smiled, tired but grateful, and slipped into the bed beside him. He laid on his side, facing Donnie, eyes heavy already.

“…Thanks,” he mumbled.

Donnie watched him for a moment, then rested a hand on his twin’s shoulder, using his thumb to rub small, soothing circles.

“Always.”

 

Leo was asleep within minutes, breathing slow and even for the first time all day.

Donnie stared at the ceiling, mind racing—but in a different way this time.

Maybe the surface wasn’t next. Maybe they didn’t need to rush into crowds or coffee shops or the noise of the world.

Maybe what Leo needed… was this.

Just them.

Their space. Their pace.

And for now… that was more than enough

Notes:

Like Donnie said, baby steps

Next chapter will sort of pick up from this and show Leo having a bad mental health day

Chapter 7: The Lost Day

Summary:

Leo has a rough mental health day and Donnie gently pulls him out of it

Notes:

This is a sort of continuation from the previous chapter. Because of the scare and panic from yesterday, Leo is just having a bad day. Thankfully, Donnie is there to help out

Hope you guys enjoy!

The apartment was quiet.

It was the kind of quiet that clung to the walls—too still. No humming gadgets, no music playing, no Leo muttering sarcastic commentary from the couch.

Donnie noticed it the moment he woke up.

The sun had barely risen. Soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains and dusted everything in faint gold. He reached over to the other side of the bed instinctively, but the space was empty.

“Leo?”

No answer.

Donnie got up immediately.

 

He found Leo curled up on the couch in the living room, wrapped in a blanket, hood up, head tucked into his arms. He hadn’t touched the tea Donnie had left on the coffee table last night. He looked tense—like he’d been sitting there for hours.

Donnie stepped closer, crouched beside him, and spoke in his soft voice that he only reserved for Leo.

“Hey.”

Leo didn’t look up.

“…Bad day,” he mumbled.

That was all he said. Just bad day. His voice was hollow, almost flat. Almost like he was on the verge of tears

Donnie’s heart squeezed. He knew this kind of day. He’d seen them in others. Seen them in himself. A day where everything felt too heavy, too loud, too much—even though nothing had happened.

However, in Leo’s case, Donnie could take a very good guess on what was causing Leo to have a bad day. Yesterday was rough for his twin and it seem like it was bleeding over into today

He didn’t say “you were doing so well,” even though the words wanted to slip out. He didn’t say “what happened?” or “you were fine yesterday.”

He didn’t say anything judgmental at all.

If this was pre-invasion Donnie, he probably would have

But the past two years have changed Donnie. He knew his twin better then anyone else and he knew that saying anything judgmental would make the situation worst

Donnie loved his twin too much to make the situation worst. That is why he was here. To make Leo feel better and to help out in anyway that he could

So what did Donnie do?

He just sat down beside Leo and gently rested his head on his twin’s shell.

“I’m here,” he whispered sweetly into Leo’s head as he placed a soft kiss on the side of Leo’s head

Leo’s lip trembled, but he didn’t speak. Didn’t move.

So Donnie stayed.

Minutes passed. The light shifted. Donnie’s legs started to cramp, but he didn’t move. Eventually, he reached for the folded blanket nearby and gently laid it over Leo’s lap before grabbing a second one for himself.

The entire morning passed like that.

Quiet.

Still.

Together.

 

By late afternoon, Donnie finally moved—but only to get up and make soup.

Not synthetic vitamin packs, not energizing protein cubes. Real soup. With ingredients Mikey had stashed for “emotional emergencies.”

He didn’t ask Leo if he wanted it. He just made it. Slowly. Gently. The way Splinter used to do when they were younger and Mikey had fever spells. The smell filled the apartment—ginger, garlic, mushrooms, and warm broth.

When it was ready, Donnie brought the bowl over and set it down on the table in front of the couch.

Leo peeked up, eyes rimmed with exhaustion.

“You made soup,” he whispered.

Donnie nodded.

Leo slowly sat up, took the bowl in his hands, and just held it for a moment. Like the warmth alone was something sacred.

“…Thanks,” he said, voice hoarse.

Donnie sat back down beside him. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do.” Leo looked over at him, finally meeting his gaze. “You didn’t try to fix me today. You just… let me exist.”

Donnie smiled softly. “Some days, you don’t need fixing. You just need someone to be there.”

Leo stared at him, lip quivering again—but not from pain. His eyes were glassy.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he whispered.

Donnie reached over and gently bumped his forehead against Leo’s, cupping his cheeks and brushing away the lone tear that was falling down his face.

“You didn’t have to do anything. You’re my twin. My other half. You don’t have to earn my love and care. I give that out willingly. You deserve all of the love and care Nardo and I plan to give it to you”

Leo sniffled, setting the bowl down and quickly swiping at his eyes. “You’re gonna make me cry again and I just got out of that hole.”

“Good. Crying’s healthy,” Donnie said matter-of-factly, then handed him a tissue from the ever-present emergency stash. “You can file a complaint with the Department of Emotional Expression if it really bothers you.”

Leo chuckled weakly. “You’re the worst.”

“I try.”

 

That night, Leo lingered in Donnie’s doorway again.

He didn’t need to ask this time.

Donnie was already scooting over, pulling the blanket back.

Leo smiled faintly and climbed into bed beside him. They lay there in silence, staring up at the glow-in-the-dark constellations Donnie had stuck on the ceiling last week.

Halfway through the night, Leo whispered, “You really think this’ll get easier?”

Donnie shifted closer. “Not all at once. But yeah. We’ll build it. One day at a time. Some days we’ll go out. Some days we’ll stay in. And some days we’ll just… be.” Donnie then grabbed Leo’s hand and squeezed it “But no matter what we do, we will always be us”

Leo turned his head and looked at him.

“You’ll be here for all of them?”

Donnie reached out and cup Leo’s cheek, gently stroking his red stripes.

“Every single one.”

Leo didn’t say anything after that.

He didn’t need to.

He just curled up beside his twin and finally—finally—let himself fall asleep with peace in his chest instead of panic.

And Donnie, watching him breathe easy for the first time that day, realized something:

Before they faced the world, before the surface walks and neighbors and bustling sidewalks—

They just needed to be here.

Together.

And that was more than enough

Notes:

We love some Donnie comforting a depressed Leo

Next chapter will see the twins interacting with their new neighbors

Chapter 8: Neighbor Trouble

Summary:

Their upstairs neighbors are loud mystic creatures

Notes:

Donnie and Leo meet their neighbors but it doesn't go like they expect

Leo was feeling better.

Not completely—not fixed, not all better—but better enough to wake up with a joke on his tongue and a faint smile in his eyes. Donnie noticed it immediately when Leo shuffled into the kitchen wearing a blanket like a cape and said, “Captain Blue needs caffeine, stat.”

It was progress.

They’d had three days of calm. No panic attacks. No nightmares. No breakdowns. Just quiet mornings, late-night TV marathons, and a growing pile of tea mugs left on the counter.

Donnie was cautiously optimistic.

So when Leo asked that morning, “Wanna explore the building with me?”, Donnie said yes without hesitation.

 

It was a relatively tame goal.

Their apartment complex was hidden on the far edge of the Hidden City, tucked between mystic street vendors and a cursed laundromat. The building itself had four floors, two stairwells, and one cranky sentient elevator that only worked if you complimented it first.

“Looking lovely today,” Donnie muttered as the doors opened.

The elevator purred.

Leo stifled a laugh. “Flirt.”

 

They didn’t make it very far.

Just one floor up, a door swung open as they passed, and a tall, blue-skinned Yokai stormed out holding a dripping garbage bag in one hand and what looked like a screaming rubber chicken in the other.

“Oh COME ON!” the creature yelled. “Again with the mystic mold?! I just purified the kitchen!”

Leo instinctively stepped behind Donnie.

Donnie stood firm, ready to walk past quietly.

But it was too late.

The Yokai turned, spotted them, and narrowed their eyes. “You two new?”

“Uh—yes,” Donnie said, defaulting to neutral politeness. “Just moved in. Apartment 3-B.”

The Yokai snorted. “Figures. Mold never acts up unless someone new’s moved in. Watch yourselves. This place is cursed. And don’t touch the mailbox on the left. It bites.”

“Noted,” Donnie said, tugging Leo gently by the elbow to keep walking.

But the Yokai kept talking. “Also, if you’re the one who left mystic feathers in the stairwell, that’s my thing. I’m a ritualist. Don’t step on my aesthetic.”

Leo blinked. “We literally just got here.”

“Uh huh,” the Yokai said suspiciously. “We’ll see.”

The door slammed shut.

Leo stood frozen for a beat.

Then, slowly, he whispered, “…What just happened?”

Donnie sighed. “That’s Kaz. They’re one of the more dramatic tenants. Might be allergic to sunlight. Or decency. Or social cues.”

Leo let out a short laugh—but it was real. He relaxed a little, the tension rolling off his shoulders. “Remind me to never bake cookies for them.”

“Already noted.”

 

They made it back to their apartment without further incident, but Leo was noticeably quieter now.

Not upset. Just thoughtful.

Donnie set the kettle on and glanced over. “You okay?”

Leo sat on the couch, arms resting on his knees. “Yeah. Just… I forgot what it was like. Being around people again. Even weird ones.”

“Especially weird ones,” Donnie corrected with a soft smile.

Leo chuckled, but it faded quickly.

“I got nervous for a second. When they started talking. Like I’d say the wrong thing. Or do something wrong. Or... freeze up. It was like my face-man persona just vanished in that moment”

Donnie walked over and handed him a mug of tea. “That’s ok. You really haven’t been ‘the face-man’ for like two years now. And you didn’t say anything wrong or freeze up”

“I almost did.”

“But you didn’t,” Donnie repeated gently, sitting beside him. “And you’re allowed to be nervous. It’s okay if it’s awkward or messy. It’s okay if we need to try again later. There’s no scoreboard here, Leo.”

Leo sipped his tea in silence for a moment, then whispered, “…Thanks for coming with me.”

Donnie bumped their shoulders together. “Where else would I be?”

Leo gave him a small smile, eyes shining with quiet gratitude. “You’re... kind of the best.”

Donnie gasped, hand over his heart. “Was that a genuine compliment from Leonardo Hamato?”

“Shut up.”

“Hold on—I’m writing this down in the official twin log.”

Leo snorted. “You have a twin log?”

Donnie tapped his temple. “Mentally. It's color-coded and everything.”

Leo rolled his eyes, but the warmth in his expression didn’t fade.

 

That night, Donnie caught Leo doodling on a sticky note. When he left the room to brush his teeth and came back, he found the note taped to his laptop:

Thanks for today.
Thanks for every day.
– Love, Your Twin (the less dramatic one)

Donnie read it twice.

Then carefully folded it and placed it inside his desk drawer—right next to his blueprints, project notes, and tech gaunlet.

Because for all the chaos and uncertainty they were navigating—

These small, quiet moments were the foundation they were building from.

And Donnie wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Notes:

We won't be seeing those neighbors again but I still wanted to write about the twins interacting with other people other then themselves and their family

Next chapter will be the first of many that dive into Leo's childhood fear of thunderstorms

Chapter 9: Rainy Day Fears

Summary:

Leo’s childhood fear of thunderstorms makes an appearance and Donnie is there to comfort his twin

Notes:

This will be the first of many chapters where Leo's fear of thunderstorms takes a focus, which adds to his anxiety. Of course, he's got an amazing older twin in one Donatello Hamato who is there to comfort him

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

The rain started in the late afternoon.

It was soft at first—just a hush of drizzle that tapped politely at the windows, filling the apartment with the kind of lazy comfort that made tea taste better and blankets feel heavier.

Donnie had always liked rain. The white noise helped him focus, and the gray skies dulled the overstimulation of city life. Leo didn’t mind the rain as he always enjoyed dancing in it and splashing in puddles. It was when the thunder and lightning came that was the problem as the loud noise always scared Leo

Right now, the rain was light so there wasn’t any issue. Donnie lit a few candles and curled up at his desk, tinkering with a mini drone prototype while Leo napped in his room, door cracked open as always.

The soft patter continued for hours.

Then, the storm hit.

Thunder cracked loud and sudden, a deep boom that shook the walls and rattled Donnie’s mug. The sound reverberated through the apartment, louder than it had ever been in the lair. Which made sense since they were closer to the surface

The lights flickered. The windows creaked.

Donnie barely flinched as thunderstorms never bothered him.

But from down the hall—he heard it.

A sharp, stuttered whimper.

Followed by quiet, choked sobs.

His heart sank.

How could he forget?

Leo had always hated thunderstorms.

Even as a little turtle tot, he’d run through the lair during storms, dragging his favorite blanket behind him, eyes wide and wet as he searched for someone—anyone—to hide with. Usually Donnie. Sometimes Raph. Always ending up tucked in someone's arms until the sky calmed again.

He’d outgrown it over the years. At least, that’s what Donnie thought.

But here, so close to the surface, where the thunder echoed like an explosion just outside the window—

It was like Leo had been thrown back in time and was reverted to when he was a young child.

 

Donnie quietly set his tools aside and made his way to Leo’s room. The door was ajar, and what he saw made his chest ache.

Leo was curled in on himself, wrapped tight in his blanket, shaking. His hands were over his ears, but the thunder still made him flinch violently every time it hit. His eyes were squeezed shut, tears slipping down his cheeks, and he was muttering under his breath.

“No no no, make it stop—please stop—”

Donnie didn’t hesitate.

He stepped inside, crawled onto the bed, and gently reached out. “Hey, Leo. I’m here.”

Leo jumped at first, but the second Donnie touched his shoulder, he clung to him like a lifeline.

Donnie pulled the blanket up and bundled Leo into his arms without a word. He cradled him gently, rocking him back and forth like he used to when they were younger.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “It’s just a storm. I’ve got you.”

Leo sobbed into his chest, gripping Donnie’s hoodie like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“I hate this,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I hate how scared I get.”

“I know,” Donnie murmured. “But you’re allowed to be scared.”

Another clap of thunder shook the room. Leo let out a choked cry and buried himself further into Donnie’s arms, his whole-body trembling.

Donnie just held him tighter.

“No one’s gonna make fun of you,” he whispered. “Especially not me. Not ever. You hear me?”

Leo nodded against his chest, too overwhelmed to answer aloud.

Donnie adjusted them both so they were lying down, Leo tucked firmly in his embrace, blanket cocooning them from head to toe. He pressed his forehead to the top of Leo’s head and continued whispering soft, steady things:

“You’re safe.”
“I’m right here.”
“No one’s going to hurt you.”
“The storm can’t reach you while I’m here.”

Every time thunder rolled, Donnie felt Leo flinch, sometimes muttering, sometimes just shaking. Once, Leo whimpered something that broke Donnie’s heart:

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry—don’t hate me—”

Donnie’s arms tightened instinctively as he pressed a kiss to Leo’s forehead. “Shhh, no. Never. There’s nothing to be sorry for. I love you baby bro”

Leo fell into a restless sleep not long after, his face still damp, breath hitching every so often with leftover fear. Donnie didn’t dare move.

He stayed up all night, holding Leo in his arms as the storm raged outside.

Whenever the thunder struck hard, Donnie pressed his cheek to Leo’s head and whispered, “Still here. You’re okay.”

And when Leo muttered more sleepy apologies—soft, slurred, ashamed—Donnie only held him closer, occasionally planting a soft kiss on the top of Leo’s head.

Because it didn’t matter that Leo had reverted to his smallest self. It didn’t matter that he was shaking, crying, or afraid.

All that mattered… was that Leo was safe.

And Donnie would make sure he stayed that way.

No matter what.

Notes:

Poor Leo baby. I just love writing older twin Donnie as he so loving and gentle with Leo

Next chapter will follow up this chapter as Donnie continues to take care for Leo as the rain continues

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 31 of I love the disaster twins