"You're an idiot."

In retrospect there were a million other ways he could've phrased that. He could've asked if his brother was safe or that he was glad that he was back, he could've yelled at him for sneaking out or threatened to tell. But it would all result in the same fabricated excuse and various laissez faire hand gestures as Leo danced around any real admittance. His red striped, blue masked jerk of a roommate- family member would clearly hide behind an air of deniability and demand factual claims from the other or defer on the basis of 'demon possession' and or 'Donnie's been zoning out from proper social connection and therefore all his points are null.' And frankly he was too tired to put up with his brother's attitude and overall general delusional beliefs. He was tired. Tired of Leo and of his lies. So rather than finding an argument to prove his case he defaulted to his original defense mechanism: 'brutal honesty'.

Instead of a swift monologue of deflection with of course the reasoning of why he was wrong and the added bonus of unwanted personal spacial invasion Donnie received a surprisingly dark glare crossing his brother's face as the younger shoved passed him, their shoulders bumping against each other harshly.

"Thanks Don. Such a great brother you are," Leo practically hissed, the heavy bags barely visible beneath his mask were now noticeable as the light reflected around his sullen eyes. Internally alarm bells began to ring within Donnie's mind.

What had happened to Leo?

"-You really know how to cheer a guy up, just make him feel all better inside with your emotionless enthusiasm and blunt observational statements." Leo turned around, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he clapped out the symbols.

A flash of concern washed over Donnie's face.

"Leo-" He was cut off.

"Yeah, call me an idiot! Call me a dumbass too, why don't you? God! I feel like such a champ to be your twin right now!" His brother cursed, waving his hands above in exasperation, "You think you're so smart? You invent everything we need yet you can't even read a room? Wow, Donnie is such a genius! Donnie's so special! Oh he's definitely special! Here's your gold star for being number one! You figured out the obvious! Congratu- fucking -lations!"

His earlier worry switched to quick anger.

Grabbing Leo so that they were nose to nose, Donnie matched himself to his brother in retaliation.

"What the hell is your problem?"

Eyes narrowing with the tails of his mask whipping behind him, both boys were suddenly pressed up against each other weapons in hands, their mystic powers beginning to spark.

"Right now? Or before you got all pissy?" Leo jabbed him in the plastron, "Because at the moment you're my problem! You!"

"Oh really?" Donnie jerked his brother's misplaced finger from his chest, "How is it my fault that I'm considered smarter? How is it my fault that you can't keep up with my level, or for the matter of fact even come close to reaching my clearly superior mindset?"

His blue twin's fiery temper dropped ten degrees as insecurity replaced frustration.

"Shut up."

"Backing out of the conversation so soon, Nardo? After you started all of this, our fearless leader? My how generous you are to let your feeble brother win! How thoughtful of you to walk out of a fight because you can't come up with any reasonable excuse to refute your explanations, to exaggerate the sensational victories that should be bestowed upon such a noble warrior! To-"

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

-SLAP-

Yelping from the stinging pain flaring across his cheek Donnie toppled backwards, his hand cradling his face tenderly.

Did Leo just hit him? Hit him?

Horrified, his twin huddled in on himself, guarding and protecting what dignity he had left as shame wrapped its perverse self around the teen. His ōdachi lay forgotten on the ground where it had fallen.

What was going on? Why was Leo acting like this? His brother's usually cheerful suave mannerisms were gone, kaput, obsolete. It was as if the person standing in front of him was a stranger wearing his twin's skin. Hundreds to thousands of plausible to ridiculous answers appeared in Donnie's mind, each battling and overcrowding the space inside his head. It was too much! Too much confusion, not a single semblance of order was installed!

Near panicking Donnie felt his breath start to choke, his eyes pricked with tears. The handprint on his face was nothing in comparison to what was rising inside him. With the last perception he obtained he fought back the urge to cry; no good comes from emotional outbursts.

Slowly coming to realization Donnie stared back at Leo in shock; his brother looked battle worn.

Taking the time to notice Donnie saw the wrappings around Leo's wrists, the sunken look of his cheeks- had he been eating enough? -there were bruises lining up and down his thighs, and tears through his belt and sash.

Had he been too busy to see how much his own family member was hurting? How could he be so selfish?

Reaching over to the other Donnie placed his arm out towards Leo, but his twin stood back and curled his arms over his chest tighter as he inhaled shakily.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Donnie! I didn't mean to, I swear I didn't." Leo exhaled brokenly, his line of sight never meeting his brother's, "It's been a rough- a rough day. I just need some space, okay. Sorry."

"I-I," Donnie swallowed, ignoring the dryness in his throat, "-Understand, and I apologize too. Some of my reactions were unnecessary."

An awkward silence filled the air as both boys shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm going to go now uh back to my room." Leo mumbled, stumbling to turn away.

Donnie felt his hand moving towards the other and before he knew it he had Leo's forearm in his grasp.

"I'm here for you," The words felt foreign on his tongue, "That's if you need me, I'm here."

A warm presence laid on top of his fingers; Leo's hand was on top of his own.

"Thanks Don."

And as Leo walked off Donnie watched until his twin had completely disappeared behind the sewer walls already waiting for when he would return, for when he would be needed.