Blended Family: New family
A/N: Kikide has graciously permitted me to write a story based within her own Blended Family Universe (Check them out, even if you're like me and dislike Leo, you'll love them). A kind of spin off from her last story thus far 'BF: Same As It Never Will Be', where the whole family of seven were catapulted into the SAINW universe and met their counterparts. I came up with this little niggling idea, what if the older them joined said family? When you think about it, it is kind of permitable given they all died in the episode, so obviously they really weren't needed anymore. And they all really need some healing.
The Lair was becoming a mite crowded, now that there were ten turtles and one rat living there. The three new arrivals, returned with them after the defeat of the Shredder of their world. As they had stood, watching the younger ones leave, their eyes lingering on Donatello and Donny, their hurt, and pain from the loss of their brother had shone through, and Leo could not find it in his heart to leave them behind. It was a vote that was over before the words had been said; none of them could leave them behind. So ten of them had returned through the inter-dimensional portal Leo had created and back to the Lair, shocking Master Splinter in the process.
The older turtles had vanished into Master Splinter's room almost the instant they had returned, and had remained there for two days. The other's had speculated about this, until Donatello had mentioned Splinter's death and the fight The older Leo and Raphael had had when they had first met them, and everyone had understood and quietened down.
Until Mikey had voiced his and Michelangelo's shared question. "What are we gonna call them?"
"Well the older Leo can be Leonardo." Donny offered, smiling at Leo, who nodded and gave a small smile back.
"And me?" asked the age and experience laden voice of the older Michelangelo, who had just emerged from Splinters room and was leaning against the wall, a smile playing on his lips as he regarded the younger turtles, reminiscent of the smiles Michelangelo and Mikey were sporting.
"How about Michel," Michelangelo suggested.
"Or Angelo?" Mikey added.
"Or Mike." Leonardo said, stepping out from behind the one armed turtle.
"Or Idiot." the older Raphael snickered joining them.
"Hey!" All three Michelangelo's protested, earning a resounding snicker from the three Raphael's, smiles from Donatello and Donny, while Leonardo and Leo just shook their heads, though Leo was grinning as he did.
"I like Mike." the older Michelangelo said after a moment when the amusement had died down.
"Then Mike it is." Leo smiled, clapping his hands together. "What about you?" he asked, directing his gaze towards the older Raphael.
The older Raphael shrugged. "Only so many things ya can do with a name like Raphael."
"I'm sure we can come up with something." Donny told him.
Leonardo made his way to his younger counterpart. "Might I speak with you?"
Leo looked up, a little surprised, but he nodded. "Sure. We'll go to my room if you want to talk privately."
"Thank you."
Leaving their respective siblings discussing names and teasing each other, Leo lead Leonardo to his room, seating himself on his bed and leaving the chair free for his older counterpart. Leonardo took the chair and sat. Silence hung between them for a long moment.
"Is this about why we asked you to come with us?" Leo began gently, giving Leonardo time to collect his thoughts and frame them into a relevant state. Leo knew, from his own thought process, that he needed to settle himself on a suitable explanation before he began.
"Yes." Leonardo responded finally.
"We asked you to come with us because we wanted you to. Wanted you here." Leo cocked his head a little to the side and smiled sadly. "And I think you maybe needed us."
There was no response, and Leo let his counterpart consider his words before adding, gently. "I don't know what it's like to lose a brother, and I hope I never will. But I do know that my brothers, all of them, know what it's like. I also know that you needed our help, you need us. We're not a replacement for your Donatello, and we never will be. But I hope you can find some happiness with us."
"And your brothers, they feel the same way?"
Leo grinned. "Technically they're your brothers too, just because we're from an alternate reality to your old one hasn't changed that much. At least not that I've noticed really. How do you think they feel?"
There was a prolonged silence, but Leo's smile did not fade, he merely waited for Leonardo to realise the truth. Finally Leonardo nodded, and caught Leo's eyes, despite the dark glasses covering them. "Thank you."
The silence then was more companionable, just the two of them sitting, enjoying the quiet company of the others. The sounds of laughter drifted from the main room to them.
"Will it not be strange, having not only another one of yourself here, but an older version?" Leonardo asked causally. "Will that not upset the applecart? After all, we are a lot older than the rest of you, with a lot more experience."
Leo shrugged. "The others have managed well enough with another one of them. It will be nice to have someone who can understand exactly what goes on in my head sometimes. And as for the others. Well, I'm sure we can handle anything that happens."
For the first time in what felt like an age, Leonardo smiled.
"Hey guys!" Donny said quietly, standing in the doorway. "We're ordering Pizza. You guys want any?"
"Finished the naming already?" Leo asked.
Donny shook his head. "When I left they were still squabbling over it, Mike and the brats are having a field day. Raphael wants to thump them. Donatello suggested we have some dinner. It's about the only thing they can all agree about. So, do you want any?"
Leo laughed a little at the image Donny's words conjured in his head, sharing an amused look with Leonardo he nodded. "We'll be there in a minute."
"Sure." Donny turned and left.
Heading to the doorway Leo turned to glance at Leonardo. "Welcome to the family." was all he said before he left.
Leonardo looked at the empty doorway, and smiled again, slowly. Leo was right, they needed this. He and his brothers. And he was not about to let the chance pass him by. Beside's which. He hadn't had a Pizza in years.
Umm, I think I have satisfied my own craving for this idea. But I can make it multichaptered if you'd like. Just let me know. And please review.