Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Hidden City’s public ice rink buzzes with chatty yokai at the benches and on the rink as Leonardo ties his blue scarf around his neck then the laces of his skates. He looks over at his friend. The white samurai rabbit asked to hang out with just the two of them for the afternoon. 

“Thank you for coming with me, Leonardo~San. Senior~Hueso will gladly appreciate the support for his fundraiser.”

Leo chuckles. “Yeah of course! Anything to support an old friend. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to go for a long time now, but none of my brothers would go with me so… Thank you for the invite!” He scratches the back of his head. “Uh… How do you do this?”

Usagi gave him a strange look. “You’ve never gone before?” Leo shook his head. The samurai stood up and turned to him and gave him a soft smile. “Let me show you! I’m a natural.” 

Leonardo laughed at the cockiness, got up and stepped on the ice. Usagi pulled him by the arm to give him a glide and they started to skate side by side. One glide onto the ice was easy, but after a few steps, Usagi became wobbly. He waved his arms to keep balance but fell forward catching Neon’s shoulders. 

“I thought you were a natural?” Nardo remarked.

Usagi nervously chuckled. “It’s uh, been a while since I’ve gone. Y’know, saving the world and all. No time for Ice Skating and Neo Edo’s winter doesn’t last long.” Leo smirked at the excuse. “But I’m still good at it!

“Sure you are. Or are you just saying that to impress?” Neon leaned in, giving a devilish smile.

Usagi blushed hard, avoiding eye contact, and blinked. He stepped forward, wobbled, flailing his arms around. Leo caught his arm, making him balance. But then the rabbit smirked, and returned his own devilish expression. Usagi took Leo’s hands and extended their arms, spinning the two of them in a circle. Everything around them blurred, but that didn’t matter to Leo. All he could focus on was the fun Usagi was finally having. Not worrying about what other people thought about his family’s past, not worried about being jumped. Just the two of them having fun together. 

The samurai let go of Leo who was still spinning, then put a hand on his chest to make him stop, causing a chill that gave him goosebumps from his soft touch. Usagi just skated around in a circle as Leo followed him.

“How’s this for impressing?” He asked, slyly. 

Leo had no words to respond. Sure the moves were simple, but they were captivating.

Usagi grabbed Leo’s hand and twirled him around. Leo felt as if he knew what to do without knowing he could do it. It just felt…

Natural.

They twirl around, skate in parallel, ignoring everyone around them. Usagi pulled Leo close, but didn’t realise it was too close. Leo’s feet tangled with his, causing him to fall, pulling the rabbit with him. 

His eyes shut tightly to the sudden pain from the fall, but when he opened his eyes all he could see was Usagi's white face staring back at him in sharp focus. Super close. His body was in between his arms as if he were caged in by them. 

Usagi’s deep brown eyes sparkled with the falling snow.

Nardo’s face heated. Everything else around him went muffled and the only thing he could hear was his heartbeat quickening. A chill went down his spine. His hands felt cold against the icy surface. 

Not this not this not this not this!

Usagi’s eyes widened. He blinked twice then eventually shook his head. “Oh- my goodness are you alright?!” he exclaimed, getting up carefully and holding out his hand. Leo hesitated, hand shaking as he reached for his paw, but got up himself. Usagi cleared his throat and tapped his fists against his thighs. “We can try this another time. Let’s do something else.” 

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Cold air brushed against Usagi’s fur caused his body to shudder. The starry sky glistened as Leo walked beside him, hands in his pocket for warmth. They’ve been outside for a few hours doing snowball fights, ice skating on the public pond and rooftop hopping. Now they’re just enjoying the night sky on one of Leo’s favourite rooftops.  The rabbit looked at him in awe as his friend took his hands out of his pocket and blew on them.  “Leo, are you okay? Do we need to go back to the lair?” He asked, concerned. 

Thing is, Nardo’s been acting weird this entire hangout. Wouldn’t allow him to help him up when he fell, more quiet than his usual loud self. But he didn’t want to question it. Could be a personal thing. But then again, he wanted to be there for him. He wanted Leo to know that. 

Leo blew another breath into his cupped hands. “W-what? No, I'm f-fine!” He stutters. 

The rabbit took Leo’s hand before it went back into hiding and rubbed the back of it. It fit perfectly with his four fingers and Leo’s three. But they were cold. Freezing in fact. Neon froze, stopping in his tracks. The two stare at each other, then Leo looks down at their hands. A minute or two passes. “Do you not have any gloves?” He asked, but Leo remained silent. Usagi grew concerned. 

“Kind of hard to find a pair for someone who has three fingers,” Leo explained, not making eye contact. Something about his voice is off putting. It shook while he spoke. Usagi looks at his hand. Leo’s fingers are purple. 

Usagi threw his hands. “You idiot! You could get hypothermia! We’re going home right now.”

Leo panicked. “No, I'm okay! We can enjoy the night-” the white rabbit squeezed his hand, causing him to stop talking. He feels him tense up through his fingers. They stare at each other for a hot- er- cold minute, Usagi giving a meaningful look. Leo’s breathing became heavy and fast.

“You don’t need to pretend around me. You can trust me,” his voice was calm and soft. “Do you trust me?” Another pause passed. Leo relaxed his hand in his, exhaling a long, shaky breath, then took out his sword and portaled them home. 

In the skateboarding room of the lair, Leo collapses on the ground as soon as he gets through the portal. Usagi lands safely. He immediately spots Raphael who had stopped mid lifting weights as they arrived. Usagi places Leo’s head on his lap. 

“The heck happened to you two?!” Raph asked, alert. 

“Leo got hypothermia. Please take him!” 

Raph’s eyes widened. “On it!” The giant snapping turtle scoops up his younger brother as if he weighed nothing and takes him to his room, Usagi following close behind. Raph takes off his winter clothes and wraps him up in a warm blanket, laying him down gently on his bed. Usagi places his paw on the red-eared slider’s forehead. Cold. 

“Want me to leave you two alone?” Red asked, pulling back the curtain of the door. Usagi snapped out of the trance he didn’t know he was in.

“Huh? Oh uh… if you don’t mind?”

The oldest brother smiles reassuringly. “Let me know if you need anything. Remember, this is your home too.”

Home. That’s something Yuichi hasn’t thought about. Ever since he’s got here he was wondering if he’d ever belong to one again. The last one he lost due to a giant yokai destroying it, and his friends and family got lost in the chaos. Though something about the eldest son of Master Splinter to allow him to call the lair a home felt special to him. 

Yuichi looked back at Leonardo. Questions ran through his mind. What if they waited long? What caused him to think it was alright to underdress? Why did he refuse his help? Did he freak out because he did? 

But as if it were magic, Leo’s eyes slowly opened. Usagi sighed in relief. What felt like two hours of worry were lifted off his shoulders. Nardo groaned in pain, placing his hand on his forehead. “How long… How long was I out?”

“Enough for me to worry. What were you thinking?”

“It’s not my fault. April can’t find three-fingered mittens!”

One of his eyes twitched. “You’re blaming April for this?”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“Then tell me what’s going on!” Silence filled the room as Usagi’s voice echoed within. Leon’s eyes widened in fear as he remained silent, turning his back towards the samurai. Usagi hummed a growl. “I can’t help you with what you’re feeling if I don’t know what you’re feeling. You allowed me to tell you things. Let me return the favour. Please.” Leonardo slowly crossed his arms.

“I don’t want people to worry about me,” he finally explained. Usagi’s ears perked. He slowly sat across from him, their backs facing each other. “Ever since the Krang invasion and I escaped the prison dimension thanks to Mikey, everyone’s been protective. Like I can’t do anything by myself. I’m here in New York! Not stuck… alone,” his voice shook at the last part. “I don’t know! When you were worried about me getting hypothermia, I guess I felt confused? Am I tired of the concern? I… I also just forgot to get them before we left and didn't want the event to end without us there,” he explained. “Why? Why were you so worried?” 

Yuichi stayed silent at his words, being careful of what to say next. “Leo, you are one who always puts others before himself. You put yourself in dangerous situations so of course they’re going to worry! Sure, I’ve just gotten to know you and your brothers know you way better than I do but you’re…” what? His best friend? No. That didn’t feel right. The person he loves? No. Way too forward. “Someone I care deeply about. You’ve helped others in so many ways but you won’t let us help you, for the reasons you said I understand. You saved my life. Twice! Of course I’m going to worry about my saviour!” 

Usagi paused at the word he just said. Can’t take it back now. “You don’t have to tell your brothers everything, you don’t have to tell me everything, but just know that we are here for you and always will be.”

The turtle laid still, only movement being his sides going up and down from his breathing. Usagi frowned. He wanted to see his face. He wanted to know if anything he said made any impact on how he felt. He wanted to make him smile and laugh. Knowing this wasn’t the time or place, he knew when to admit defeat. Even a Samurai doesn’t win every battle. 

He got up and started walking towards the door, only to be stopped in his tracks with a leg in the air by a hand grabbing his forearm, then sliding down to his hand. Usagi turned to see Leo facing him. “Please. Stay,” his voice shook. 

Yuichi let out a soft exhale as his eyes widened, seeing how longing Leo was being. His eyes were closed tightly. He’s never seen him like this before, being so vulnerable. It’s not always bad to want attention. Getting a lack of it can make someone feel… 

Unwanted. Unloved. Misunderstood.

His heart skipped a beat. He softly stroked Nardo’s back hand with his thumb, causing his eyes to  soften from the tight squeeze they were in and let out a small sniffle. Still holding him, Usagi slowly grabbed a chair up to the bed and sat down. Leo’s arm fell limp but his hand didn’t escape the grasp. Usagi felt his eyes droop, but he managed to fix Leon’s blanket before passing out. 

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The next morning came by as if it were only minutes later and Leonardo felt nice and warm back to normal. Maybe a bit too warm. He slowly stretches, only to feel something really soft. As he turns his head, he’s met by Usagi’s face super close to his. Leon’s face turns dark red and his eyes widen as he unintentionally pushes Usagi away from him harshly, causing both of them to fall off the bed and both groaning in pain. 

Usagi gets up, rubbing his head only to see Leo running out of the room.

Chapter Text

The wind blew ever so slightly it made the tails of his mask flow nicely as Leonardo rested on his knees on the glass building of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, looking at the night sky above. It was chilly, but not cold enough for him to worry about dressing warm, and it was peaceful. 

“This a nice spot,” a familiar voice spoke, making him tense, only looking around his shoulder to see who it belonged to. Usagi slowly approached next to him. “What’s this place about? If I may ask.”

 “First tell me how you knew where I was.”

Usagi blinked. “Uh… I used my senses?” His voice squeaked. Leo firmly pressed his lips together and raised an eyebrow. The rabbit cleared his throat. “Raph told me.”

The turtle slapped his hand on his face, annoyed. “Knew I was forgetting something! Told my brothers I wanted to be left alone but no! They send you!”

Usagi stepped back. “I came on my own terms,” he replied softly. “But I can go if you really want me to.” 

There was nothing but silence. Leo just stared at him then just looked down at the gardens. The rabbit sighed and rubbed his arm. Wind brushed harshly against him. He yelped as he lost his balance and slipped on the glass. A hand grabbed his, then one around his waist. Usagi and Leo fell off the roof together. “Leonardo!” He cried. Leo took out his sword and swung open a portal. 

For once, it was just the two of them. Both in another world they had no idea what it was about, but they were there together. It was blue, with cracks of black all around. No surface to land on whatsoever. Leo looked at Usagi who still had his face covered. 

“You’re okay. You can open your eyes,” he said calmly, but the rabbit shook his head, keeping his eyes shut. He pulled Leo closer to him. Leonardo stiffened. This isn’t just Usagi being terrified. Usagi trusts him. He laughs at his jokes. Genuinely. He cares about his well being-

The grip around his shell got tighter as Leo forgot how long they were in the zero-gravity dimension for. He portaled back onto the glass roof and landed safely, then gently placed Usagi down on his feet. 

“I- sorry. Didn’t mean for us to stay in there that long,” Nardo choked, rubbing the back of his neck. He clears his throat then places his hands on Usagi’s shoulders. “You can look now.” 

Usagi uncovered his eyes. He looked at Leo. “You go through that whenever you use those? How do you do it?”

Leo chuckled nervously. “Well I think about where I need to go then-”

“No, I  mean, mentally. I don’t think I could stand the floating loneliness…”

Leo blinked. He’s never really thought about it before. He only cares about getting from one place to the other in order to get a job done with his brothers. 

“You don’t like zero gravity?” 

Usagi shook his head. “Can’t stand it! I’m a runner. I need solid ground. If I don’t have that I-”

“Lose control,” The two of them finished. They both stared at each other in disbelief. 

Leo laughed slightly. “Looks like we have something in common.” 

“Haha, yeah.” 

The turtle looked at his friend who sat down beside him. If Usagi trusted him with getting home from the portal dimension, he can trust him with his inner feelings about something that’s been bugging him for a long time now. 

Leonardo shifted a bit. “Can I… tell you something personal?” Usagi blinked but nodded. He took a deep, shaky breath. “I’ve been having nightmares lately,” Leo said. “I told you about the invasion with the Krang. Ever since then, sleep hasn’t been great,” his hand shook intensely. 

Usagi sat down next to the turtle. “What are they about?”

The question made him pause. Does he want to tell Usagi what they are? He wasn’t a part of the invasion from what Leo knows.  Does he want to burden his new friend with personal trauma? It could scare him away. 

Then again, he asked. He trusts him. 

Leo walks to the edge of the building and admires the view of the garden below. “Mainly failing, feeling… alone,” he explained, shakily. “I’ve never really talked about it with anyone. Especially my brothers. With their own experiences I don’t want to pile my own trauma on top of theirs. Sure, Draxum offers therapy sessions, but I don’t trust him with my thoughts! Especially when I try to, I get choked up as if…” he trails off, not being able to finish the sentence. 

“I get it,” Usagi replied with a soft voice. “A lot of things are hard to talk about. I have that too! The most important thing though is that you know you’re not forced to tell anyone. You tell who you want to tell, when you want to tell, and when you’re ready to tell it. But remember you also have people available who are there for you. If not your brothers, your dad? This… April I’ve heard so much about? Me?” 

Leonardo stiffened and turned around in shock as if the word forced him to. The samurai rabbit smiled at him, and placed a paw on his shoulder. 

Firm but soft.

It felt… reassuring. Sure, Usagi meant what he said, but something about the physical touch made it feel real. Literally. 

Leo’s cheeks heated. “Uh- y-yeah, heh. Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

Usagi nodded. “Come on. Let’s go home. Maybe the long way? There’s so much of this city I want to see!”

Leo chuckled. “Sure. Let me text Raph to let him know I’m okay and we can go.” 

Usagi pumped with excitement and jumped in the air, making the turtle laugh. He rapidly texts on his phone replying to Raph’s multiple worried messages.

I'm safe! Usagi found me. Sorry for the worry. I'm going to show him around New York City. lyk when we're on our way home.

He takes out his swords and portals Usagi to a New York rooftop to start the tour of the city. 

Chapter Text

TW! BRIEF MENTIONS OF ABUSE BUT NOT DETAILED

“Whoa there, tiger,” Leo stopped Yuichi by pushing his chest to keep him from moving forward. “What’s going on?” The samurai didn’t answer. He headed straight to the training room and attacked the punching bag. Punches turned into kicks and his frustrations became more vocal. He takes out his sword, about to slice the bag into two, but hears the clang of another sword instead. 

His huffs of anger slowed as he’s met with green and blue eyes. Yuichi loosens up. His hands shake and the grip on the handle of his sword weakens then eventually drops. Leon puts his sword away then takes Yuichi’s sword and hides it in his sword guard on his back. The turtle goes towards the living room, turns around to motion to his friend to follow him. 

Leonardo motions to the couch and Yuichi sits, obediently. The samurai presses his hands against his face as he stares into the fire pit. The fire pit that never turns on due to being a fire hazard. The family photos that rest above it where variations of each brother would have their own photo with each other or splinter, or three human looking girls and a human boy he didn’t recognize. 

Yuichi didn’t realise he was so deep in thought that the touch of someone’s hand on his shoulder. Tensing up and freaking out he grabs the forearm of the person behind him but is stopped by another hand on his other shoulder.

“Hey, hey! It’s just me!” Leo. It was just… Leo. “You’re in a safe space with people you can trust!” His voice is soothing to Usagi. His ears went from all the way up stiff to drooping but only halfway. “You are way too tense. You helped me with my situation, so please, let me help you with yours,” there was a pause. “Only if you’re comfortable.” 

Thing was, he was comfortable. But did he really want to burden Leo with his personal problems? 

Nardo pulled him back gently to the pillow of the couch. There was a pause as if he was waiting for permission to start, and Usagi nodded. Leo started to rub circles on his shoulders, sending a sudden shiver down his spine. Even though he has thick fur he could still feel his cold touch. Slight feelings of pain here and there Usagi would hiss at a bit and Leo would apologise for. His finger circles turned into hand presses when he pushed Usagi slightly forward so he could get his back. Usagi’s ears drooped fully and he took a deep breath. 

“Where did you learn to do this magic?” He asked, desperate to change the subject.

Leo chuckled. “A few years ago, actually. Raph would always strain himself. Not that he still does,” they both laughed lightly. “So I taught myself how to do it by watching videos online. Works on Mikey like a charm too. Unsure on Donnie though. He never lets me.”

“Take the chance if you ever get it for him because you’re godly at it. Thank you,” Yuichi relaxes. 

“Anytime, conejo.”

The feeling of stress and tension lifts up his shoulders, but not fully. His thoughts racing around his mind keeps him from fully relaxing. But if he can feel loose around Leo, he can trust him with how he’s feeling. Right?

Yuichi took a deep breath. “Thing is… It’s- it’s my sensei, Leo. She’s been on my ass way more intense than ever. It’s like, one tiny mistake I make or a bad decision and she goes ballistic on me! No warning, no ‘don’t do it again, Usagi,’ just full out screaming. It’s as if she’s a ticking bomb ready to explode as if I chose the wrong wire to cut. I-I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!” The rabbit pulls his knees up higher on the couch and hides his face in his arms. “It makes me want to quit training, but I feel like I can’t.”

Leo stops the massage session and gently takes his hands off. Troubled thoughts fill his mind. “Has she… has she hurt you?” He asked cautiously. 

Usagi stiffened. “What! No. I’m fine!” Leo gave him an I-don’t-believe-you look. “Leonardo. I’m fine! There’s not a scratch or bruise on me. I know it’s hard to see because of my fur but-”

“It doesn’t have to be physical.” 

His fur stood up. “She doesn’t abuse me,” Usagi reassured as firmly as possible. Leo continues the session and carefully rubs a hand ever so slightly on his arm, causing him to shiver. The turtle then went for his head close to his ears. Yuichi’s heart pounded faster the closer he got. When Leo gets close to the ponytail, he immediately relaxes, closing his eyes.

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It surprised him when he heard soft snores come from Usagi. Leo slowly removes his hands from his head and sits on the couch beside him. Usagi rests his head on Leonardo’s shoulder, causing him to tense up a bit from the sudden movement, but is unbothered. More light snores came from Usagi. He’s sleeping.

Footsteps walked into the living room. “Hey Leo! I was wondering-”

Leo turned his head around quickly and hissed a shush at Donnie. “If you speak any louder again I will end you!” 

Donnie’s face went straight, but turned more understanding when he saw Usagi fast asleep on his brother’s shoulder. He smirked. “Well isn’t this special?” He teased, quietly.

“Usagi’s had a long day back at home. I’m just making sure he gets the rest he needs like a good friend.” 

“Friend?” The brains raised an eyebrow.  “Whatever you say, brother.” 

Leo gave him a weird look. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Donatello shrugged and stretched his arms. “I dunno. I’ve noticed you hanging out with him a lot. Attitude changes whenever you’re around him, quiet? Calm? That’s not the Nardo I know. You’re more… loud and obnoxious around us.” 

Leo ground and turned his head around. “Gee, thanks Don.”

His brother held his hands up in defence, then crossed his arms together. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. Heck it’s none of my business, but I guess what I’m wondering is… do you like him?”

Leonardo blinked in surprise. He wasn’t sure if he was surprised at the question or if it was because Donnie, the one who shows the least emotions out of everyone and never asks this sort of thing, asked this sort of thing. 

His stomach churned a bit and the grip around Usagi’s arm grew tighter. He had no right- But he’s his brother. He can trust him right?

Leo lets out a nervous chuckle. “I dunno what you’re talking about,” he replies quietly and waves his hand at him. “Now leave before he wakes!” 

Liking Usagi? That's something Leo's never thought about. But now he can't get the concept out of his head.

Chapter Text

Usagi excitedly ran to Leonardo’s room and knocked on his curtain. “Come on, Leonardo! You said we could practice some sword techniques today.”

Leo groaned. “No… Just let me sleep,” he replied. 

Usagi placed his hands on his hips and huffed. “You said we could explore more of New York after you guys got back from your mission!”

“I- right,” he pressed his lips together, “Sorry Usagi, maybe another time?” Usagi was about to protest, but Leo winced which made him put a hand on his shoulder and rolled it. Leonardo wasn’t his usual, cheery self. He was glum and slouching on his bed. His eyes were drooping tired and he yawned big. 

Yuichi tilted his head, ears flopping the same way. “Yeah, sure. We can do it another time,” he scratches his ear. A bad habit. “Can I help you with anything?” He asked as Leo rubs his shoulder while he rolls his head around.

There was a pause. “Maybe? I slept… weirdly last night. You know when you wake up all stiff?” Usagi nods. “It’s like that but painful.” 

“Need a massage?” Usagi suggested. Ever since Leo gave him one, he’s been wanting to return the favour. He was a bit nervous of asking randomly, but he feels as if Leonardo needs it right now. 

Leo nods. “Yeah, if you know how to? For a turtle that is.”

Remembering something his sensei taught him about relaxation before, Yuichi found a candle in Leo’s room and lit it up, then turned off the bedroom lights. Leo gave him a confused look, but the rabbit gave him his signature wink of reassurance, which Leo then relaxed a little more. 

Usagi sat down on his knees behind him. He cracks his knuckles and his neck as Leo turns around so he can sit between Usagi’s legs. But as soon as Usagi was about to massage Leo, he realised that he was right. How does one massage a turtle? There’s mostly his shell and it’s a bit awkward to reach over it. He’s also not on the same expert level as Leonardo. 

He was just going to wing it the best he could.

Yuichi rubbed deeply into the shoulder Leo rolled earlier after finding a knot. The red-eared-slider grunted in pain. “Sorry! It’s a nasty one. I’m not exactly… good at this,” Usagi explained. He continued to rub it until it loosened. He searched his other arms and legs for anything but felt nothing other than goosebumps on his skin. Leo looked relaxed, but Usagi didn’t want the session to be over. He enjoyed helping his friend calm down. He blinked. 

Leo shivered immediately after Usagi lightly scratched the surface of his shell and retracted his paws. “Is… is it okay that I do this?” He asked, politely. Usagi wanted Leo to feel as comfortable with him as possible.

The turtle gave a small nod in response. Yuichi continued the scratches, starting at the outer rim of his shell. He did the indent between the dark blue rim and the blue area of the shell, going up and down as he went around it. Leo shifted a bit, going crossed legged and bounces a knee. Usagi then used three of his fingers to scratch as he moved towards the inner markings of the shell, then traced the outline of the top marking. 

Leo put a hand on the bouncing knee but it still bounced.

It wasn’t until Yuichi reached the middle marking that made Leo put both of his hands behind him and lean backwards but still looking forwards and straighten his legs so that they hang over the bedside. Usagi struggles to reach the bottom marking. But as soon as he reaches it, a squeak echoes through the room. Leo tenses immediately and sits up. Usagi blinks twice, retracting his paws. 

“What was that?” Leo doesn’t say anything. His fingers rapidly tap the bed as if he’s playing the piano. Yuichi tilts his head in confusion. “Leonardo?” Still nothing except for gripping the sheets of the bed. Usagi gently places his paw on Leo’s shoulder, but he immediately gets up and runs out of the room. “Leo!” He calls, running after him, but only stops at the door frame, putting one paw on it as Leo runs deeper into the lair. 

Usagi’s ears drooped, but then stiffened. He felt a presence behind him as a shadow overtook him and he looked up.

Hamato Raphael looked down on him with his arms crossed and an expression so dead on his face you couldn’t see his eyes.

Yuichi gulped. “I- I didn’t do anything!” 

“Then why is my brother crying?” 

“Crying? I-I don’t know?” His foot thumps the ground. A nervous reaction of his. “He’s been stressed out lately. I only wanted to help. I-” his words started to choke up. 

“You wanted to help him?” he asked. “Help him with what?”

Yuichi took a deep breath. “He- he said he didn’t sleep well last night and felt stiff after waking up, so I gave him a massage in return for him giving me one. It was a bit difficult because I’ve never massaged a turtle before, but I managed. Then I scratched his shell, there was a squeak, and he freaked out!”

Raphael loosened up a bit and let out a long sigh. “It’s alright, Usagi. You’re alright. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Red motioned him forward and they started walking together. “It’s a normal turtle thing where we can feel things on our shells. It’s like part of the skin. You might’ve accidentally hit a sensitive spot or… he just isn’t used to it because we never get our shells scratched.”

The answer made him think long and hard. That’s a good answer for the tenseness but, “What about him freaking out after the squeak? It just seemed so unlike him.” 

Another sigh. He rubs the back of his head. “That I’m gonna have to talk to him about. Good ol’ Raph’s got this. How about you go home and I can tell you how he’s feeling through text. ‘Kay?” 

Usagi hesitated. He pressed his lips together and gripped the door frame harder. He wanted to be there for Leo, make sure he’s okay. But after what happened with the freak out, he’s probably the last person he’d want to see right now. “Yeah. I can go. But do let me know how he’s feeling!” He replied, pointing a finger at him.

Raph gave him a strange look. “Didn’t I say that?”

Yuichi blinked twice, then scratched the back of his neck. “Right! Right. You did say that,” he replied with a small, awkward laugh. Gosh, this whole conversation is so awkward. He felt so small compared to a giant snapping turtle, but comforted at the same time. It felt like he filled a hole he never knew he had. “You’re a good big brother, Raphael. I hope you know that.” 

Raph blinked, pausing. His eyes watered a little bit and gave a big smile. He scoops Yuichi up to cradle him close and Yuichi yelps. Raph loosens at the noise, and the rabbit pats him on the head. 

—

Raphael found Leo sitting on top of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden glass building hugging his knees. He sighed in relief that this was still his favourite place to go. He can’t blame him though. It’s a beautiful place to calm down and relax. 

Raph tried to approach quietly but his loud footsteps didn’t help. Leo stiffened immediately and stood up with a surprised look on his face as Raph saw him turn around. “Oh, hey Raph! You come here too?”

“No, but during patrols sometimes I… would see you…” he trailed off, realising what he was saying. His face felt hot from embarrassment. He tapped his thigh with a fist. “Are you okay? Usagi seemed really worried about you.”

It was Leo’s turn for his face to go red to match his markings. “Wha-wh- what makes you say that?” He stuttered. 

“You’ve been close with him, but you’re technically best friends so that’s okay,” he starts pacing. “But then there’s the stares, the tapping on tables around him, then he stops you and you immediately calm down, the time when you were alone when you got hypothermia-”

“I LIKE HIM!” Leo’s blurt caused Raph to yelp. The red-eared slider covered his mouth, eyes widened in surprise. 

It was unexpected. Raph knew there were signs but never thought it was actually how he truly felt about the rabbit. Usually when this sort of thing happens he would tease Leo about it, but seeing his younger brother’s reaction made him change his mind.

Leonardo reached for his sword but Raph grabbed his arm before he could escape and pulled him in a hug. He felt Leo shake, but didn’t let go. “I love you, brother. I always will.” He felt tears on his shoulder but didn’t care. Leo needed someone right now. The hug got tighter as Leo grabbed parts of Raph’s shell and dug his face into his arm. 

They let go after what felt like an hour. Leo wiped the tears off his face and smiled at Raph. “H-how did you figure it out?”

Raph shrugged. “You were just acting differently around him, so kind of put two and two together.”

“Wait- were you the one who put him on my bed after the hypothermia incident?” 

He blinked twice, holding his hands up and surrendering. “What? No! I left you guys alone after- he was in your bed?” 

Leo’s face went red again. The image of Usagi’s face being close to his flashed. “I- uh- woke up and he was just sleeping beside me.”

“That’s adorable. He wanted to provide you comfort!” Raph grabbed Leo and gave him a noogie. 

“Raph! Stop!”

He did. Something else crossed his mind. “Does anyone else know?” 

Leo scratched the back of his neck. “Only April. She told me this subject is difficult for others to understand, and that some people might not like the idea of it.”

Raph blinked twice again. That’s why he felt so closed. He thought Raph wouldn’t accept him for who he was. He felt so alone on this subject and scared to tell anyone because of the fear of being judged by everyone else, and even more isolated. “Leo. We go through thick and thin together. Whoever you decide to date no matter which gender they are doesn’t matter to me. Mikey and Donnie may have their own opinions so I won’t speak for them. The only thing that matters to me is if the person treats you right. If they hurt you, I will clobber them and haunt them for the rest of their life!”

Leo chuckled. Ever since the invasion everyone felt closed about their own struggles, but no one wanted to bother the other about their personal experience during the horrific event. Leo opening up to Raph helped him realise that. 

It was time he told someone.

Chapter Text

“Guys, come on, please? Not now…”

Yuichi gets pushed backwards harshly into a wall causing him to lose his breath for a moment. Two dog looking yokai tower over him, making sure he doesn’t get any sun shone on him. 

One chuckled. “Since when did the little fluff ball here get to tell us what to do, Inu?” 

Inu, a bright brown wolf with beating green eyes slapped a hand right above his ear, causing him to wince from the pain of the sound. “Never, Ōkami.” He grabs Yuichi’s shirt by the collar and throws him to the ground. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face around here, Usagi. What’s the plan? To shame your family even more?”

He gets a hard kick on the side. “My grandfather… never murdered anyone!”

“Then why is it rumoured that he has? What proof is there for his innocence?!”

“I don’t know!”

A deep scratch to the face. “Weak! Weak presence! Weak explanation! Pathetic family! Everything about you is weak! ” 

Inu picks him up by the collar again, this time he’s unable to find the strength to pull his hand away. Yuichi just feels limp. Helpless. Defenceless. His thoughts ran around like crazy. 

What if they were right? Should he just give up on his grandfather? He has no lead, no friend to help him with his problems. He felt…

Weak.

“HEY!” 

Usagi slowly looked over to where the voice came from. At the opening of the alleyway stood Leonardo. Fury burned in his eyes with a disgusted expression on his face. 

The two dogs didn’t like the new presence. Ōkami growls as he steps into the sunlight. “Move along, Kappa! This doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it does!” The turtle clenched his hands into fists as he and Ōkami walked towards each other until they met face to face, feeling the air of the other’s breath down their necks. “I wouldn’t have cared if I knew the person or not. I’d still step in. The hell is going on?!”

Ōkami scoffed and folded his arms. “What are you? His bodyguard? Or something more disgusting? Like his boyfriend?”

Inu threw Usagi on the ground by the wall and put his foot on his stomach. Usagi shut his eyes tight as the dog yokai squished him closer to the pavement as he tried to prevent it. It was painful, hard to breathe, but the words felt much worse. Like a stab through the stomach. 

“I’ve seen you two around before. Always together like you’re some sort of item. It’s disgusting. This rabbit deserves love the least out of everyone.”

This explains a lot as to why these guys have been harassing him this whole time. And now that Leonardo has heard that… Oh god how does he feel about all of this?

A punch pounded so hard it echoed through the sound of it echoed through the alleyway, causing Ōkami to fall sideways on the ground. He quickly pushes himself up, kicking Leo back in the process, making him fall on his shell.

“What’s the matter?” The wolf yokai snarled. “Struggling to get up?”

“If you think you’re tough, you’re sadly mistaken. I’ve fought way worse guys than you and managed to survive them! You’ll be a piece of cake!” Leonardo spun on his side at the end of his sentence and swiped Ōkami with his feet. He got up and snagged the collar of his shirt just before he hit the ground, raised him up and chucked him at Inu. They collided, causing Inu to fall off of Yuichi and impact on the dumpster behind them.

Yuichi couldn’t make out what was happening. Everything felt fuzzy. His heart pounded in his head, but when Leonardo came into view, everything crisped. He heard him asking if he was okay, but Usagi couldn’t respond with words, so he just shook his head.

“Can you walk?” Leonardo asked, voice echoed. Usagi responded with a nod. “Just lean on me. I’ll take the pressure off.”

Leo grabbed Yuichi’s arm and put it around his neck. They walked in sync to help balance each other out, heading towards home. 

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾  ༓ ⋆⁺₊⋆ 

Chizu swept the lobby while Gen dusted as Mikey and Kitzune picked up the kitchen and watched out for glass. Raph held Donnie up high so he could reach the chandelier to screw it back to the ceiling. 

Everything felt normal, but something was bothering Chizu. “Where’s Leonardo and Usagi?”

“I dunno. Probably goofing off somewhere and just used the ‘important mission’ excuse to get out of cleaning up this mess,” Donnie replied sarcastically while screwing in the last bolt. 

Kitzune scoffed. “That may be Leo’s thing to ditch missions, but not Usagi’s. Ever since he’s been chosen by the keystone he’s been serious about capturing yokai like his great grandfather did. He did say his yo-yo was acting up a lot more than usual, so it must’ve been a big one.”

“Let’s just hope Leo didn’t distract him too much,” Raph joked.

“Trust me, Usagi’s pretty good at getting distracted on his own.”

Everyone laughed at the joke. Through laughter, the front door opened. Leonardo carrying a limping Usagi with his arm over his shoulder, struggling. The laughter immediately stopped. 

Chizu immediately ran over to Usagi’s other side and took his other arm. She looked at Leonardo who gave her a worried look.

“I got it from here,” she encouraged, but he didn’t let go. “Leonardo!” 

Leo blinked back to reality. He released Usagi’s arm and allowed Chizu to take him to the couch and lie him down. She placed his hands on top of each other on his stomach and gave him a blanket.

“Kitzune, get me an ice pack and bandages!” She ordered. Kitzune nodded and headed off. 

Leo started to run towards them, but was stopped by Gen getting in the way, growling. He towered over Leo who stepped back. “We’re days away from travelling to the temple, and you get him injured?! ” 

“Whoa!”

“Hold up now!”

‘Oh boy,’ Chizu thought, thinking the worst. She concentrated on attending Usagi. 

Leonardo looked up at Gen in disgust. “Did you just- did you just assume I got Usagi injured on purpose?! ” He exclaimed, reasonably pissed. “Listen here, rhino man,” he pokes at his chest. “We were fighting a giant yokai. It was a flying type but wasn’t too difficult to handle. During the fight in the air we were launched in different directions by it. I tried my best to find him, but when I did he was ambushed by two dog people!” His voice cracked at the end. Gen stepped back this time.

Chizu blinked and whipped her head around to the argument. She ran to Leonardo and clamped two hands on the side of his shoulders. “Two dog people?!” She exclaimed. “What did they look like and what were their names?”

Leo’s eyes moved back and forth at her. “Uh, one was brown, the other was black and grey, and their names were Inu and Ōkami?” He answered. 

Chizu’s eyes widened, then she sighed and lightly face palmed. “Those assholes!” She cried, loud enough to spook Raph and almost caused him to drop Donnie. “Sorry, sorry,” her voice now calm. “You guys okay?” Raph nodded. He grabbed hold of Donnie more firmly and headed down the ladder. 

“Mikey and Kitzune returned with arms full of medical supplies, ice packs and a confused look on their faces as Gen stormed out of the area. They looked at each other. Kitzune gave him a ‘don’t-get-involved’ look and they gave Chizu and Leo the supplies. 

She motioned to Leo to follow her to help attend at Usagi. She gave him the bandages and she put an ice pack on his head. Usagi slowly turned his head, weakly looking at his friends, eyes slightly opened.

“Hey guys,” he chuckled, weakly . 

Leo sighed in relief. “Oh thank god you’re alright!” 

“I can’t be defeated that easy- Ow! Chizu!” Usagi exclaimed.

She chuckled. “Sorry! You need stitches.”

“Warn a guy next time!”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides it’d take me longer to get the stitches in you if I did due to you being so afraid of them.”

Usagi rolled his eyes and huffed. “It’s someone stabbing you repeatedly with needles. Who wouldn’t be afraid of them?!”

Chizu chuckled in response, shaking her head and continued with the stitches on his arm. She watched Leonardo bandage up the leg, then checked on Usagi.

He was staring at him. Not just watching him, but admiring. Chizu has never seen him like this around anyone but his ex before they broke up. Good. She’s been wanting him to find someone again for a while. He deserves it after all of this shit happening for a long while. 

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾  ༓ ⋆⁺₊⋆

He hugged his knees on the porch outside on the cold, autumn night. Leaves brushed in spirals in front of him as Yuichi sighed, longingly, planting his head on his arms. 

His ears sprung up as he heard the sliding door to the porch open. “Thought I’d see you here,” Leonardo commented, sitting next to him.

Yuichi gave him a strange look. “You’ve known me for five days, Leonardo. How could you know my personal spot?”

“Chizu.” 

“... Right.” 

There was only the awkward silence between them and the wind whistling against crusty leaves that twirled around in a small tornado, and made Leonardo’s long mask tails flow with it. The stars above spilled across the night sky, twinkling as if they were millions of fireflies. But even with the night still being young, and so much happened earlier that day, Yuichi couldn’t bring himself to think of a conversation to have with his new friend. 

“What’s going on, Usagi? You’ve been acting weird all day.”

Guess he didn’t have to.

“Again, as if you can tell. You hardly know me,” Yuichi replied, coldly. He tensed. Should’ve worded that better, but couldn’t help it. 

Leonardo only chuckled in response. “I have three brothers and a best friend who try to hide their off days, but I can always tell when they’re in a mood. Raph goes out to the Hidden City to fight some bandits to blow off steam, Mikey draws like there’s no tomorrow, April  I got good at it,” he replied with pride, flicking the tails of his mask with his hand. “Now you,” he pokes Usagi’s shoulder, “yes, I’ve only known you for a few days. Always so perky, getting distracted-,”

“I don’t get distract-!” He stops and watches as a butterfly flies down in a swirl, then lands on his nose.

“Getting distracted,” Leonardo continued, “and determined to help others by either motivating or with anything they need! You’ve been so positive since we’ve arrived. Now I see you all so droopy with your ears hanging low in which I know for a fact rabbits do that when they’re upset, and you have an attitude so sour even I’m getting a little irritated by it, but it’s fine I promise. So what’s bugging you?”

Yuichi let out a deep sigh. His heart ached, stomach felt like it was upside down, and he felt as if he wanted to cry, then slowly stopped the feeling as he felt the blue turtle sitting down next to him. He didn’t want him to see him cry. 

“Okay okay,” Usagi took a shaky breath. “This is a thing I don’t talk about with a lot of people. Not even Gen or Kitsune know. Chizu does though…” he taps his thighs rapidly. “It isn’t a big issue anymore but… today is the anniversary of losing my home,” he explained, slowly. “That’s not an excuse for my behaviour. It happened a long time ago,” he looked over, noticing Leonardo’s reaction, pupils small. Usagi’s eyes widened and breathed sharply. “It’s not a big deal now and I’m totally over it!” He said quickly, holding his hands up. “I was five. Some kids were playing in the yard next to my house with these… firecracker things. They acted… weird all of a sudden and one started to light houses on fire. A big group surrounded mine for the reason of knowing my family’s history,” he started to choke up. “I… remember screaming coming from downstairs, my mother telling me to get out of the house as fast as I could, and the last thing I can remember is jumping out a window, but then parts of the house falling on my face~” Usagi was crying now.  “It’s not a big deal anymore though! But I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. I don’t know… maybe I was jealous of how you and your brothers bond? Is it how you guys have each other? Maybe I long for the family you have? But regardless of what it is, I’m sorry.”

Leonardo stayed quiet, processing the information. This was a lot to take in. “It is a big deal though. You’re still in pain from the loss and from what it seems, the mystery as to why it happened,” he sighed. “My brothers and I lost our home once. To a demon destroying it due to a long history with our dad’s past. The place is still destroyed, but the only difference from your story and ours is that we know why it happened and stopped the problem together. You seem to still be wondering and searching for the answers for your problem. I would too!” Leo held his hands. “I can’t fully understand what you’re going through, but I do for most of it. I know you don’t trust me for being a ninja, but I want you to know I’m a friend.” 

Usagi took Leonardo’s words to heart. This whole thing between his beliefs on ninjas being evil needs to stop. Chizu betrayed him once, but is now with him and their friends. He trusts her more than anything despite her being a ninja. Sure, the blue masked turtle is cocky and full of himself, but that doesn’t make him untrustworthy. 

He tapped the wood as if playing the piano. “The feelings I have about ninjas need to change. Not fully, but I can’t keep blaming one accident by a group of them from an event that happened a long time ago on everyone. Especially from someone who’s not from here,” he smiles shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Gosh, I must’ve been the biggest jerk to you, huh?”

“Pfft! I’ve met worse people than you!” Leo waved off. “Besides. You had your reasons. Hell, I can’t trust someone who we now consider part of the family cause he’s done some pretty evil stuff in the past!”

They both laugh. “I’m glad the universe broke so we could meet.”

“Yeah,” Leo said softly. “Me too.”