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English
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Part 38 of I love the disaster twins
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Published:
2026-06-02
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2,870
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1/1
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4
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31
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You'll Never Be Alone

Summary:

After an accident in his lab, Donnie thinks that he is a failure and runs away from the lair, hiding up on a rooftop. Leo finds him and comforts his younger twin, reassuring Donnie that he is still loved and still part of the family

Notes:

A two-shot that I've had in the works while I am working on my other fics

Hope you guys enjoy!

Work Text:

The rooftop was freezing.

Rain from earlier still clung to the concrete in slick puddles, reflecting the neon lights of New York in blurry streaks. The city hummed beneath the silence, distant sirens echoing far below.

Donnie sat curled against the wall near the edge of the building, knees pulled tightly to his chest. His goggles were crooked and one of the lenses (the blue one) was cracked. One of his sleeves was singed black from the explosion earlier, and soot still streaked across his plastron.

He hadn’t bothered cleaning up.

Didn’t deserve to.

The image replayed over and over in his mind.

The smoke.

The fire.

Mikey screaming.

Raph trying to put the flames out with a couch cushion.

Splinter’s horrified expression.

And Leo...gosh Leo. The look on his twin's face would haunt Donnie for the rest of his life. His twin looked so upset and disappointed

His lab nearly collapsing because he forgot to recalibrate the fuel cells.

One stupid mistake.

One stupid, reckless mistake.

And suddenly everyone was in danger because of him.

Donnie buried his face deeper into his arms, shoulders trembling violently.

“I’m such a bad person…” he whispered brokenly.

The words dissolved into another sob.

He didn’t hear the portal open behind him.

Didn’t notice the soft footsteps approaching until a familiar voice cut through the cold night air.

“...D?”

Donnie stiffened immediately.

Leo stood a few feet away, swords clipped to his belt and hoodie thrown hurriedly over his shoulders like he’d left in a rush. His markings glowed faintly in the dark as his worried eyes scanned over his baby twin.

The moment Leo saw Donnie’s shaking shoulders, his expression crumpled.

“Oh, Don…”

Donnie quickly turned his face away.

“Go away.”

“No.”

“I mean it, Leo.”

Leo slowly approached anyway, careful like he was approaching a frightened animal.

“We’ve all been looking for you for two hours.”

“Congratulations.” Donnie’s voice cracked harshly. “You found the family disappointment.”

Leo flinched.

“Donnie—”

“I almost burned down the lair!” Donnie snapped suddenly, finally looking at him. Tears streamed down his face unchecked. “Mikey could’ve gotten hurt! You could’ve gotten hurt!”

“But nobody did.”

“That doesn’t matter!”

Donnie stood abruptly, backing away as panic overtook him again.

“It was my fault! I always do this! I make things worse and worse and—”

His breathing hitched violently.

“And I just—I just ruin everything…”

Leo’s chest ached.

Because this wasn’t frustration talking anymore.

This was guilt. The kind that sank deep into the bones. The kind that convinced you everyone would be better off without you.

Leo knew that feeling far too well as he had that feeling after the invasion one too many times

But...his family brought him out of that spiraling hole and has been thriving ever since, with Donnie being the main reason that he was still here

Now, he was going to do the same thing that Donnie did for him

“D…” he began softly, before Donnie shook his head hard.

“No. No, don’t— don’t do that.”

Leo was now confused “Do what?”

“Talk to me like I’m worth comforting.”

Leo’s face fell completely.

Donnie’s voice broke into pieces.

“I don’t deserve to be part of this family anymore.”

Silence.

The city noise below suddenly felt very far away

Leo stared at him in disbelief.

“Donnie…”

“I’m serious,” Donnie whispered, sobbing harder now. “I almost destroyed our home because I couldn’t get my head together for one week.”

His hands clawed at his own arms.

“I’m dangerous.”

Leo stepped closer to his twin, reaching out to remove Donnie's hands from his arms as he didn't want his baby twin to hurt himself “You are not dangerous.”

“I am!” Donnie cried as he backed away from Leo, which broke Leo's heart a little. “I keep messing up and everybody has to deal with me and I just—”

His voice cracked sharply.

“I don’t know who I am without you guys…”

Leo’s heart shattered as Donnie’s knees finally gave out beneath him.

“I’m nothing,” he sobbed. “I’m nothing without my brothers…I-I'm nothing without you”

Leo crossed the space between them instantly as he couldn't take the sight of his baby twin crying anymore.

“Hey. Hey, no.”

Donnie tried to pull away when Leo knelt beside him, but Leo grabbed him gently and firmly by the shoulders.

“Look at me.”

Donnie couldn’t. Tears blurred everything.

“I said look at me, Dee.” Leo repeated sternly, but not unkindly

Well, Donnie could never say no to his twin

Slowly and shakily, Donnie lifted his head and he hated the sight before him. Leo’s eyes were already wet and Donnie always hated it when his twin cried. Especially when he was the reason for it

“You are not nothing.”

Donnie’s lip trembled violently.

“You hear me?” Leo whispered. “You are my brother. My younger twin. My family.”

“I almost hurt you…”

“But you didn’t.” 

“I could’ve—”

“But you didn’t.”

Donnie broke again with a choked sob.

Leo couldn't take it anymore and immediately pulled his crying baby twin into his arms.

Donnie folded instantly. Like his body had finally given up pretending to hold itself together.

He clung desperately to Leo’s hoodie, sobbing against his shoulder so hard he could barely breathe.

“I’m sorry,” he cried. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—”

“Shhh…” Leo shushed him as he held his precious twin tighter. One hand cradled the back of Donnie’s head while the other rubbed slow circles against his shell. “It’s okay.”

“No it’s not…”

“It is.”

“You should hate me…”

Leo’s breath caught painfully.

Donnie’s voice dissolved into raw panic. “Please don’t hate me, Leo…”

That did it.

A single tear slipped down Leo’s face.

“Oh, Donnie baby…”

He pressed his cheek against Donnie’s head as he closed his eyes, hopeful that the rest of his tears won't flow down his face. “How could you even think that?”

Donnie just cried harder. “I don’t wanna be alone…” he whispered miserably. “Please… I don’t wanna be alone…”

“You will never be alone baby. Never again. I promise.”

The words came out fierce.

Certain.

Absolute.

Leo pulled back just enough to cup Donnie’s face in his hands.

“Listen to me carefully, okay?”

Donnie sniffled shakily.

“You will always have a place in this family.”

Another tear slid down Leo’s face without his permission.

“I don’t care what happens. I don’t care how badly an invention blows up. I don’t care if you accidentally launch my favorite hoodie into space.”

That earned the tiniest, weakest huff from his twin and Leo smiled softly through his tears. “You are stuck with us forever.”

Donnie’s eyes squeezed shut.

“You’re my baby twin, D.”

The words completely broke the younger twin. A wounded sob tore from Donnie’s throat as he collapsed against Leo again.

“There is nothing—” Leo whispered shakily, holding him close, “nothing you could ever say or do that would make me stop loving you.”

Donnie clutched him tighter.

“You could never be disowned. Never.”

Leo pressed a gentle kiss against Donnie’s forehead. “I love you so much, Donnie.”

Donnie trembled in his arms.

Leo kissed his forehead again. “And I could never hate you.”

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

The city lights blurred around them while Donnie cried quietly against Leo’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Leo kept rubbing his shell gently, murmuring soft nonsense under his breath every few seconds whenever Donnie started spiraling again.

Eventually Donnie’s death grip loosened slightly. Not because he wanted to let go, but because he finally believed Leo meant every word.

Leo rested his chin on top of Donnie’s head and held him tighter against the cold night air.

And for the first time all evening—Donnie stopped feeling alone.

.

.

.

Leo stayed where he was for several more minutes, letting Donnie rest against him while the city lights shimmered around them.

Eventually, he felt Donnie's shivers return.

The rooftop air was getting colder.

Leo rubbed a hand over Donnie's shell.

"Hey, D?"

A sleepy hum answered him.

"I think we should head home."

Donnie didn't move.

Leo smiled softly.

"It's getting late. And you still need to get cleaned up."

For a moment, Donnie looked like he might protest.

Then his shoulders sagged.

"...Okay."

The answer was quiet and small, but there was something else underneath it.

Leo felt Donnie tense against him.

"What is it baby?" he asked gently.

Donnie's face immediately buried deeper into Leo's plastron as he murmured out "I'm scared."

Leo frowned as he continued to rub Donnie's shell gently "Of what?"

Donnie swallowed hard. "Raph and Mikey." The words came out muffled. "What if they're still mad?"

Leo's heart squeezed painfully.

"Oh, baby..."

Donnie's fingers tightened in his hoodie. "What if they look at me differently?"

"They won't."

"What if they should?"

Leo immediately shook his head.

"No."

Donnie sniffled.

"But—"

"No."

Leo tipped Donnie's chin upward. His eyes were firm, but still loving all the same.

"They love you...just as much as I love you"

Donnie looked unconvinced.

Leo sighed.

Then he reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out his phone.

A few quick taps later, he sent a text to Raph.

Found him on the rooftop. I am going to bring him back and clean him up. Give us some space tonight. Much needed twin time.

Almost immediately, Raph responded.

Got it. Be safe coming home. Love you both.

Leo smiled and showed the phone to Donnie

"See? He said he loves us."

The scientist's eyes immediately filled with tears again.

Leo quickly stood. "Nope."

Donnie blinked. "What?"

"No more crying on rooftops."

Before Donnie could react, Leo carefully slid an arm under his knees and another behind his shell. Donnie let out a startled noise as he was lifted effortlessly into Leo's arms.

"L-Leo! I'm perfectly capable of walking."

"I know."

"Then why—"

"Because I want to."

Donnie immediately turned bright red, making Leo chuckle

A portal opened beside them and blue light washed over the rooftop, as Leo carried his twin through

 

Donnie expected the living room, or maybe his lab.

Instead—

"...Bathroom?"

Leo grinned as he closed the portal. "Bathroom."

Donnie looked around in confusion. "Why are we in the bathroom?"

"Because I'm helping you clean up."

The flush that spread across Donnie's face could probably have been seen from space. "W-What?"

Leo blinked innocently. "What?"

"Leo!"

"What?"

"I can clean myself!"

Leo laughed softly. Then gently cupped Donnie's cheeks. His voice immediately softened. "I know you can."

Donnie's expression faltered.

"But I want to help."

His thumbs brushed away lingering tear tracks.

"And honestly?"

Leo smiled sadly. "I don't really want to leave you alone right now."

Donnie's eyes widened.

The warmth that spread through his chest almost hurt.

"...Oh."

A few minutes later, Leo had Donnie sitting on the closed toilet lid while he adjusted the bathwater.

The steam slowly filled the room.

Leo tested the temperature with his hand.

Perfect. Exactly how Donnie liked it.

The scientist watched quietly while Leo moved around the bathroom.

His chest felt warm as Leo prepared his bath

Leo helped him remove his gear.

His battle shell.

His goggles.

His gloves.

Then the rain-soaked clothes.

The entire time Leo never rushed him. Never made him feel embarrassed. Never acted annoyed.

Just gentle, patient, and loving

The same way he always was when Donnie needed him most.

The realization made Donnie's throat tighten.

He loved his older twin brother so much.

Eventually the bath was ready.

Leo carefully helped him stand. "Easy."

"I'm fine."

"You almost fell over three seconds ago."

"...That was one time."

Leo snorted.

Then helped his younger twin step into the water.

The second Donnie sank into the warmth—He melted. A content chirp immediately escaped him.

Leo laughed. "There he is."

Donnie sank lower. Another chirp escaped his lips.

Leo handed him his favorite soap, then settled beside the tub.

The next half hour passed peacefully.

Soap.

Warm water.

Steam.

Gentle conversation.

The dirt disappeared.

The soot vanished.

The smell of smoke washed away.

By the end, Donnie was finally clean.

Leo leaned against the tub.

"Ready to get out?"

Donnie immediately shook his head. "No."

Leo chuckled. "Okay."

The silence stretched comfortably.

Then Leo asked softly, "Want me to stay or leave?"

Donnie looked at him like he'd asked whether breathing was optional.

A tiny chirp escaped him. "Stay. Please'

Leo smiled. "Okay."

Donnie hesitated.

Then—

"...Actually..."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

Donnie suddenly found the water very interesting, as his cheeks turned pink.

"...Do you..."

He swallowed.

"...Want to join me?"

Leo blinked and Donnie immediately regretted everything.

"We don't have to."

"Donnie."

"I know it's weird."

"It's not weird."

Leo's heart melted.

Because beneath the embarrassment—Donnie looked hopeful. Like he wanted comfort. Like he wanted his twin.

Leo smiled as he made his way to the edge of the tub "Move over."

Donnie's entire face lit up as he made room for Leo, both of them squeezing into the oversized tub.

The warm water lapped gently around them.

Leo splashed Donnie and Donnie immediately splashed back.

A small water battle followed.

Neither acknowledged that both of them were smiling.

Then...without warning...Donnie started crying.

Leo froze as they were having such a good time. Why the sudden shift?

"D?"

Donnie wiped at his eyes, but the tears kept coming.

Leo immediately shifted closer. "Hey. What's wrong?"

Donnie shook his head.

For several seconds he couldn't answer.

Then—

"I'm just...so grateful" His voice cracked.

Leo's expression softened as Donnie stared down at the water. "You didn't have to do any of this." A tear slipped down his cheek. "You didn't have to stay." Another one followed. "You didn't have to come find me."

Leo's heart ached.

"But you did." Donnie's voice trembled. "You always do." More tears spilled over. "I love you so much."

Leo felt his throat tighten.

"And I don't deserve you."

Immediately Leo pulled him close and wrapped both arms around his crying baby twin. Donnie buried his face against Leo's chest, as Leo held him just above the waterline, with one hand slowly rubbing circles over Donnie's shell and the other cradling the back of his head

"Don't you ever say that again" Leo responded back with a hitch in his breath

Donnie sniffled.

"But—"

"Donnie."

Leo kissed his forehead. It was soft, gentle, and full of affection. Just like Leo

"I would do this a thousand times." Another kiss on the forehead. "You are my baby twin."

Donnie immediately broke into fresh tears.

Leo smiled through his own. "And I'd do anything in this world for you." His voice softened. "I mean that."

Donnie clung tighter.

Leo rested his cheek atop his head. "I love you with my whole heart." The words were barely above a whisper. "And I am so unbelievably lucky to be your older twin."

Donnie cried quietly against him. Not because he was hurting anymore. But because the love felt too big to contain.

Eventually his arms wrapped around Leo's waist and his head settled over Leo's heart.

Listening.

Feeling.

The steady rhythm beneath his cheek.

Safe.

Alive.

There.

Donnie closed his eyes and silently prayed that heartbeat would never disappear.

Because he genuinely couldn't imagine a world without Leo in it.

 

The crying slowly faded into sniffles, before dissolving into the occasional sleepy chirp.

Leo glanced down and noticed that Donnie's eyes were half-closed.

"D?"

A sleepy hum answered and Leo smiled.

His baby twin was exhausted.

Carefully, he reached over and pulled the drain plug.

The water slowly began to disappear.

A few minutes later he stood.

Immediately Donnie whimpered in his arms. The sound was tiny and heartbreaking.

Leo instantly nuzzled him, before kissing his forehead

"Shh. I'm right here baby. We need to dry off."

Donnie answered with another sleepy whimper.

Then Leo whispered, "And I'm staying with you tonight."

Donnie relaxed instantly as a content chirp escaped him.

Leo smiled. "There he is."

The blue towel was waiting nearby and Leo wrapped Donnie in it completely, like a giant burrito, drying him off

Donnie barely seemed aware of it. He was already drifting. Lost in warmth. Safe beneath Leo's scent. Safe beneath Leo's hands. Safe beneath Leo's love.

By the time Leo carried him toward his room—Donnie was asleep.

The bedroom was dark and quiet.

Leo gently removed the towel and replaced it with Donnie's softest blanket.

Carefully, he settled them both onto the bed.

Donnie immediately rolled closer. Instinctively seeking warmth and seeking Leo.

Leo wrapped an arm around him and his heart nearly burst.

Because for the first time all week—Donnie looked peaceful. No guilt. No fear. No tears. Just sleep.

Leo brushed a hand across his twin's forehead, before leanind down and pressing one final kiss there

"Sweet dreams, baby brother. I love you so much. To the moon and back"

Donnie gave a sleepy chirp in response, which made Leo laughed softly, before pulling his baby twin closer and holding him securely against his chest.

Before long, the older twin drifted off as well. With Donnie safe in his arms.

Exactly where he belonged.

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