Archive of Our Own ^beta

This might’ve been the happiest Leo’s ever seen his counterpart. 

And he thought alternative him could get giddy when he asked him to show him some of his ninja moves, but he was completely blossoming now. Lying on the floor with him talking about some old TV show. 

Asking him if he had a favorite show might’ve honestly been a mistake. If he had any plans for the next 3 hours. 

“Then in episode 65 this very point comes BACK and nails the theme of community and trust. And Captain Ryan does- ah man you gotta get your own copy of the series, I’ll lend you my spare, tell me what you think but give it back” Leonardo rambled on completely immersed. 

Leo…honestly didn’t really like it, it was awkward and cheesy really, and it screamed ‘product of its time’. Dated animation and plot points and all.

He zoned out for a good chunk of his Cowabunga cousin’s rambling admittedly, but he felt like it was a good time to add to the fire. 

“Only if you promise to rightfully immerse yourself in the pure peak of Jupiter Jim,” he said with a wide grin. 

“It’s like Space Heroes right?” 

“Yeah but almost better in every way, ask any of my bros” he sat up cockily. 

“Me and my bros even met the titular man himself once! Well, he was actually a cosplayer that genuinely believed he was Jim and he like, kidnapped people and kept them as displays and we had to stop him and…ehh wacky story for another day” he waved. 

Leonardo looked off, “…well it’s cool your brothers actually like it at all, let alone as much as you. My brothers can’t stand this show” he huffed. 

“Whaa? The show animated at 10 FPS, super predictable plot lines, and horribly written female characters isn’t all the rage over in your dimension?” He asked, earning him a scoff.  

Leon chuckled. He turned his head back to his other. “But you have an online club or something, right? Or some discord chat with SH oomfs?” He shrugged. 

“I told you to stop making up words to confuse me” 

“I’m serious! no way you enjoy this all by your lonesome!” 

Leonardo shrugged, “it’s life. I’m used to it” 

A tinge of guilt. A punch to his heart. 

Fav shows were sacred, and to be enjoyed by all, no matter how objective the show itself was. Although he totally understood why his other brothers made fun of him for it. 

The slider thought for a minute before pulling out his phone and typing. 

His relentless typing and scrolling eventually got the attention of his counterpart. “Do you wanna watch it or not?” 

“Huh? Oh, it’s not that I just…AHA!” He yelled. A flash of brilliance overcame his face. 

“What?” 

“Come on get up and grab your historic tech too! We’re bouncing!” He boldly announced jumping up and pointing towards his brother. 

“It’s called a DVD and it’s not historic! But what are you even on- 

“No time!! Hurry hurry!!” Leo urged rapidly moving his hands in a luring fashion. Leo pulled out his blades and made a portal before quickly dashing through it. 

‘What was he doing now??’ Leonardo thought. 

He sighed, this him could be so much sometimes. 

But whatever it was, it seemed pretty important. But what other him deemed could fall into an array of things. But he was probably overthinking it. 

He shrugged to himself, grabbing the DVD and the set case and hopping through the portal. 

He was met with an array of bright lights, loud endless noises, and his other standing over the edge of the building. What was he doing? 

“Uhhh why are we here!” He stepped closer to the edge. 

“For that, Hombre '' the slider replied, pointing off the building. Leonardo peered over the building and landed his eyes on a huge round building with a city full of people lined up outside. Almost all of them were in costumes and get up. The lights were beaming through the huge windows except for the center one which was covered by a huge cover that read, 

“ComicCon?” Leonardo was puzzled. He had heard of it before but he wasn’t sure what Leo was getting at with it. 

“Yeah, man!” Leon slapped the back of the shell, “There are toonnnsss of nerds in there just as interested in Space Legends as you are! We’re going in” the (slightly) taller turtle exclaimed boldly. 

“What? Like…now? Us?” He stared at Leo like he had three heads. 

“No duh” he rolled his eyes, “come on me and my bros go all the time! Haven’t y’all?” 

“Uhh no??” 

Leo laughed, not taking him seriously. But his alternative’s silence spoke a thousand words. 

Leo craned his neck and looked at him like he had 5 heads, “wait for serious?” 

“Yes, ‘for serious’” Leonardo lamented, “we can’t go in there! We’ll get seen for sure! Are you serious?” He was baffled. 

“It’s a cosplay event dawg, it’s like are calling card.” 

“Still wayy too risky.” Leonardo huffed, “If we get discovered we could get caught! By an enemy to drag us somewhere where we’ll never be seen again and no one will find us. Or by government agents who’ll experiment and dissect us like lab rats for the rest of our lives. Or everyone will see and kill us on the spot!” 

Leo blinked. 

“Uhh- save those issues for later” he shook his head. “Come on you’ll have fun!” He continued, “You said you wanted more people who shared your interests” 

“I never said that.” 

“You said it with your eyes” 

Leonardo was just about through with this. 

“Alright-stop.” Leonardo said, “I’m not doing this! If you wanted to do something else you could’ve just said so.” He sighed frustrated. 

“Let’s go back. Now.” 

Leo starred through him. But Leonardo stood his ground on this, glaring back. Leo ultimately sighed, hanging his head in defeat. “Alright short me, ya win.” 

Leonardo eased up, “great, let’s get going then” he nodded. Leo nodded back, standing up. He pulled out his katanas, “Oh!” He added. 

Leo raised a brow as he spoke, “About wanting to do something else, how abbbbooutt,” he stretched his words extra long. 

“Tag!” He shouted before snatching Leonardo’s DVD set case and pushing him to the ground. 

Before Leonardo had time to process the betrayal Leo was already through a new portal. 

“HEY!” He screamed, bouncing up and dashing through the opening without a second thought. That proved to be his downfall because he tripped through it and fell headfirst into the parking lot on the other side. His face and arms skid across the concrete. He groaned, turning his head up to see a crowd of particularly dressed people all around him, but not for him. They were all waiting and pushing each other to get into the building. Too busy to even notice him. 

He pushed through the pain and stood up. That little..

Dammit, why did he have to tell him that set was a collector's item with blu ray extras! Whatever he’d curse himself later. 

He knew exactly what he was doing. Leonardo wanted nothing less than to play into his ploy. But Leo had dragged him to the middle of the city, in a dimension he wasn’t familiar with whatsoever. Even if he left now it’s take forever to get back home, and who knows how long it'd be until he saw that set again. Leo could hardly remember to brush his teeth let alone carefully take care of a rare piece of Space Heroes merch. He’d toss it in his room and rub his crummy hands all over the- NO

Leonardo couldn’t let that happen. No way. 

He hesitated about going in full throttle. As determined as he now was this still went against every Master Splinter taught him. But seeing every causally pass by him with so much of a glance encouraged him enough to go for it. With a deep breath, he dashed through the crowd (rather difficulty) making his way into the building. A wall full of security guards blocked his way, he leaped over them definitely causing a commotion. 

He ignored it and scanned the crowd more. Leo was nowhere to be seen. He gritted his teeth. 

This place was a total sea. He can’t remember if he’s ever been around so many people before. It would’ve been unnerving if he wasn’t so angry. 

Leonardo felt something smack the back of his head, whipping around to see no one. He darted his eyes all over, eventually looking up to see a familiar figure on the ceiling pillars. Leo. 

He wore a shit-eating grin, taunting him before dashing off. Leonardo followed suit. He was gonna kick his ass. 

He marched through continuously, keeping an eye on his enemy as he bounced and portaled his way through the top. 

A spark of hope. Leo jumped down and landed on the floor. He couldn’t see where he landed due to the crowd of people blocking his view but he had him. Leonardo dove through the crowd like water, catching his other on the other side of a room, seemingly speaking to someone. 

As he pursued him he turned around with a bright smile, “Ah! Hombre, you wouldn’t believe who I was jus-AcHK!!” He gagged as Leonardo grabbed him by the throat and shook him mercilessly. 

“You little.. TWERP ! I'm gonna-

Leonardo's eyes glanced over his shoulder. 

“Gonn-gonna…uhhh” he had lost his words and his train of thought. 

Behind Leo was a booth with a particularly pale and muscular man sitting in it. He could make out those dazzling eyes from a mile away. 

“C-Captain Ryan?..” he stuttered. 

He didn’t even realize Leo had slipped from his grasp, politely putting the DVD case back in his hands. Leo wore a cheeky grin. 

“Don’t be shyyyy” he lightly elbowed him. 

Captain Ryan shot him a look and Leonardo cleared his throat. Stepping towards the booth. 

He could hardly feel his legs. His whole body was shaking. Was this real?

“Uhh- hey-hey…I’m a huge fan…could you uh..” he shakily handed over the case. 

Ryan smiled and nodded, taking the case set and signing it. 

“Love those costumes by the way” he spoke, “what series is that from?” 

“Uh-uh I don’t..I- Leonardo forgot how to speak. 

Leo dropped over his shoulders, “Jupiter Jim! Ya might’ve heard of it!” 

“Don't think I have actually is it new?” 

“Wha- haven’t heard of it?? It’s a pop culture phenomenon What are you-

“Thank you so much!” Leonardo grabbed the case back. A huge smile plastered all over his face. 

He bowed, earning him a rather awkward welcome from the man himself. But he didn’t seem to notice. 

“Err, welp we gotta get going Captain!” Leo claimed, wrapping his arm on his counterpart tighter, edging him away. 

The two turtles stepped out of the room. Leonardo’s anger completely flushed away as he stared at the signature. 

“He even put a cute little star next to it! He's so cool” Leonardo mumbled. 

“Wha? What was that dearest Me? Wanna speak up?” Leo put his hand to his imaginary ear. Leaning onto his counterpart. 

Leonardo gave a blank stare. 

“You need to stop pushing your luck. It’s gonna get you killed” he said. 

“It’s what keeps me alive!” He declared. 

Leonardo rolled his eyes. 

Leo put his arm over his shoulder, “So ya down for that Jupiter Jim marathon? That is if you’re ready for true peak.” 

“Peak of what?” 

“You are soon to find out” he laughed. 

Leonardo’s attention was taken when he saw a group of security guards searching through the crowd, badgering and pestering every guest that came their way. Leonardo cringed turning back to his brother. 

“Let’s go out the back, I think they’re after me.” He said. That information earned him another smug grin from Leo. 

“Let’s go slick” Leo leaned his head in the other direction and walked off. 

Leonardo cracked a smile, “this better not be another trick, weirdo”