"April! Casey!" He's pretty sure they fell back through this hole. He feels bad leaving Splinter on the surface, but the glowy vortex and shocked screams required his attention now that the Foot had retreated. "You guys okay? Are you-"
"We're fine!" April announces as Leo pulls his grapple back. They're running up to him, and behind them is- "And we made a friend!"
It's a turtle.
"You're a mutant," Leo blurts, cringing inwardly directly after. "I mean- I mean you're a-"
"I know, I know." He's running his hand over the portal. "Mutant turtle, shock and awe, but why don't we focus on the- oh."
He turns and they lock eyes.
"Hi," Leo says, waving his three-fingered hand. The turtle is looking around and behind him, which is kind of offensive, considering Leo is struggling to tear his gaze away. "I'm Leo."
"I'm..." The turtle groans airily. "Going to be in so much trouble."
He goes to untangle the wires around his chest, and April offers, "His name is Toshi. He helped us get rid of the worms and stopped us from getting sucked into the portal. Really saved our butts."
"He's got a knack for the Kraang stuff." Casey grins like it's a personal brag. "Like Mikey but nerdier."
Toshi is searching around his feet.
Leo steps forward, "Do you need help?"
"I think my clothes were taken by the portal," He mutters, giving him a side-eye. "I really liked that jacket to..."
"Your... clothes?" Casey asks, rearing back. "Does that mean you're naked right now?! Gross!"
"It's uncomfortable to fight in them with the shell." He snaps back, putting disgruntled hands on his hips. It's then that Leo sees the technical gun holsters, strapped running over his shoulders and down his plastron, securing the guns at either side. The leather is a similar color to his plastron. "Besides, I'm not more naked than he is."
"I'm wearing gear," Leo points out. Toshi rolls his eyes, "Right, because those elbow pads are the highlight of modesty."
Leo blinks blankly, and he only shakes his head, "Nevermind. Doesn't matter."
They sit in awkward silence for a moment.
"You- uh... You helped my friends," Leo says finally. "Thanks."
"Yeah, well," He looks at the portal. "I didn't intend to. When I started investigating the earthquakes, I didn't think-" He gestures thoughtfully, "Alien brains. Alien worms."
"Who could've?" Leo steps a bit closer, trying not to come off as eager. "But you still chose to stop them."
"I'm going to be here a little while," The mutant admits, looking deep in thought. "Better make sure this city stays intact until..." He glances at Leo, and he can see the uncertainty blossom. "I should go."
"Wait!" April blurts, "You should stay! There are others-"
"That's okay." Toshi says quickly. "I don't like groups."
"It's a very small group." Casey pushes. "Of mutant turtles, like you! You'll want to meet them-"
"I really, really don't-"
"No, no, you do-"
"I don't!" He shouts, voice pitching. "I don't want to meet them! I'm not supposed to be with him, much less his brothers!"
Leo feels like he's been dunked in water. "Do you- does that mean- you knew about us? You've known about us? But how- and from who-"
Leo reaches out, and the turtle suddenly has a gun pointed at his chest. The leader throws his hands in the air and steps back rapidly. Sharp brown eyes are narrowed, finger over the trigger.
"Woah, there's no need for that." April tries to soothe, hands patting the air reassuringly. "Trust us, Toshi-"
"I just met you." He snaps. "You're welcome for the assistance, but I have somewhere I'm supposed to be. So let me go."
"We're not trying to keep you here," Leo insists. "We just... My brothers and I... have never seen another mutant turtle before. Like us. Like you. Can't we talk?"
"I have nothing to say to you." He says quickly. "Now I'm going to walk out of here, and you're going to let me."
"Okay," Leo promises, "You're free to go."
He makes it a few paces away, before he turns and sprints into the tunnel. Leo watches his carapace until he disappears.
aughhh 2007 donnie is so sweetie pie,,, just,, the constant, never ending list of things to do. The knowledge that you have to do it all, and have to do it alone, not because you are the only one who can, but because you have to. Because its expected of you. Because no one else will.
Working past exhaustion not because you like your job but because you have to. You have to or youll let everyone down.
Hes not working to earn anyone's favor, hes working because if he stops for a moment he'll dissapoint them. Possibly put them in actual danger due to thwir financial situation. Hes in a losing battle- hes in a position where he cant go up, he just has to scramble and fight to not go any further down.
And Splinter wants him to be Leo. Leo who's perfect, and strong, and a leader. Leo who's respected and confident and everything Donnie isn't. And every day he has to atuff down the resentment and anger about how unfair it is, and at Leo for leaving him and pushing this responsibility on him. And be has to try his hardest to fill those shoes. To be that person.
And he doesnt have raph either. Because raph isnt on his side, anymore. He doesnt get to just be donnie, anymore. He has to be the one who replaced leo. He has to be the one that gets compared to the ghost. And raph doesnt like him as much as the real leo. And no matter how hard he tries, he doesnt get to be the loved little brother anymore, he has to be leo. And raphs angry at him for that, and for not doing it good enough.
And hes angry at himself. Because he ISNT like leo. And he cant be the leader they need. And hes mad at Splinter and leo and himself because he never wanted this. Splinter wanted a new leo and raph wants the old one and no one asked him what he wanted.
Hes just so tired. So so tired, all the time. Hes just drowning, and no one thinks to be there to help him because leo knew how to swim.
I think raph is obviously comparing him to leo, sure but,,
I imagine he starts comparing himself to leo. How would leo do this, what would leo do? And i mean, this is donnie so hes likely always done that, to a degree, but now its so unhealthy.
It gets to a point he cant make a decision without triple guessing himself, not knowing if its because HE thinks its the right thing to do, or if its just what he think the version of leo in his head would do.
Somethings he doesnt even remember what he used to be like.
aughhh 2007 donnie is so sweetie pie,,, just,, the constant, never ending list of things to do. The knowledge that you have to do it all, and have to do it alone, not because you are the only one who can, but because you have to. Because its expected of you. Because no one else will.
Working past exhaustion not because you like your job but because you have to. You have to or youll let everyone down.
Hes not working to earn anyone's favor, hes working because if he stops for a moment he'll dissapoint them. Possibly put them in actual danger due to thwir financial situation. Hes in a losing battle- hes in a position where he cant go up, he just has to scramble and fight to not go any further down.
And Splinter wants him to be Leo. Leo who's perfect, and strong, and a leader. Leo who's respected and confident and everything Donnie isn't. And every day he has to atuff down the resentment and anger about how unfair it is, and at Leo for leaving him and pushing this responsibility on him. And be has to try his hardest to fill those shoes. To be that person.
And he doesnt have raph either. Because raph isnt on his side, anymore. He doesnt get to just be donnie, anymore. He has to be the one who replaced leo. He has to be the one that gets compared to the ghost. And raph doesnt like him as much as the real leo. And no matter how hard he tries, he doesnt get to be the loved little brother anymore, he has to be leo. And raphs angry at him for that, and for not doing it good enough.
And hes angry at himself. Because he ISNT like leo. And he cant be the leader they need. And hes mad at Splinter and leo and himself because he never wanted this. Splinter wanted a new leo and raph wants the old one and no one asked him what he wanted.
Hes just so tired. So so tired, all the time. Hes just drowning, and no one thinks to be there to help him because leo knew how to swim.
Non-human whumpee rescued by a team of humans. But because of whumper they think all humans are dangerous and is always on their toes/really aggressive to the team until they discover someone on the team is also not a human !! So now everyone is confused as to why the new rescued who wouldn't look anyone in the eyes now follow caretaker like a baby duck
tmnt au but April is just a regular teenager with pet turtles,,, and she has Casey over and obviously just has to tell him all about their personalities and favorite things and he’s like… uh,, ok,, they’re literally like,, just lizards or smth but ok.
Just,, one au where they aren’t in danger and just live chill lives as regular turts.
like im imagining she mentions she has turtles and Casey's like oh ok sounds chill,,
He is not expecting a massive tank spanning a whole room, and he is definitely not expecting her to take the turtles out one by one to introduce them 😭
April, holding out the angriest looking turtle Casey has ever seen: yeah this is Donnie hes usually really sweet but I guess youre new so :/
Casey, who thought she was being flirty when she asked if he wanted to come over to meet her pets, and isnt really looking forward to being bit: uh okay
turtle dee, missing out on pre scheduled shell scritches because april brought some smelly guy over: >>>>>:[
tmnt au but April is just a regular teenager with pet turtles,,, and she has Casey over and obviously just has to tell him all about their personalities and favorite things and he’s like… uh,, ok,, they’re literally like,, just lizards or smth but ok.
Just,, one au where they aren’t in danger and just live chill lives as regular turts.
