Chapter two:
"You're the one who opened the portal?" Our Donnie questions the other Donnie, who I'll call Donatello to not confuse them.
Donatello nods his head. "Yeah. It was unstable but it opened. I was trying to stabilize it when you all came through.
"The portal sucked us through to this world. Is that machine able to reopen the portal?" I question giving a questioning look to Donatello. I want to get Leo home because we still have to work on recovering.
Without having to worry about being stuck in another world.
Though I suppose we were kind of asking for this to happen since we dared to try the machine.
Donatello blinks realizing we would probably want to be in our own world. He checks and frowns. "A few chips got fried. I'd have to replace them before we can try to open up a way back home for you."
I groan to myself as I guess it figures that we're stuck in another world.
"I can help repair it." Donnie offers to Donatello who smiles appreciatively.
"Dee!" Another Mikey, who I'll call Michelangelo, comes into the lab then stops with wide eyes at us.
"Mikey. I opened a portal to another world and accidentally brought them here." Donatello is quick to explain to the other making Michelangelo's eyes shine.
"Whoa! Really?! That's so cool! You have to tell me all about your world!" Michelangelo begins, before Donatello speaks up to stop him from going on forever.
"Lets not pester them too much about things. I guess we can let them hang out in the lair until we can get them a way home." Donatello suggests and moves to Michelangelo. "Come on. I'll explain to the others about the situation."
We follow him and Michelangelo out of the lab.
I make sure to stay by Leo. I am feeling a little cautious about this. Plus I want to be ready to help my love if the need arises.
The version of me turns to look at us as we come over. "What the fuck did you do?!" He questions causing this worlds Leo, I'll call Leonardo, to come over from the dojo.
Leonardo and Raphael both turn to Donatello for answers.
Donatello explains to them what had happened.
I let him do so as I glance around. I spot that Leo is focusing on the others right now. I don't blame him as the healing is still new, plus we don't know what's different here. I spot that Splinters room isn't boarded up. I make sure to keep alert just in case. I turn as Leo responds to something Leonardo had said. I was so focused on checking if Splinters room was closed off that I didn't catch it.
"Thank you. We won't cause problems for you while we are here. We'll stay here in the lair to try to help with that." Leo tells Leonardo who nods in thanks.
The familiar sounds of footsteps and a cane is heard exiting what could be the kitchen. "What is all this here?"
I turn as do my brothers and confirm that it is indeed Splinter or well this worlds Splinter. I quickly move to protectively put myself between him and Leo. I move a hand back to pull Leo close, while staying as a shield, and I can feel that Leo has tensed up. I do notice Mikey and Donnie shifting closer in a protective way. I see confusion on Splinters face, and can feel the gazes of the others of this world.
"Um. Is everything okay?" Donatello questions sounding rather puzzled by our reaction.
Donnie turns to me to which I look to him. He gives me a look to tell me to lead Leo away. He and Mikey can handle this.
I nod as I want to get Leo away from here right now. I turn gently nudging Leo away until we disappear into the lab. I hug him close as he tries to shake off his tension in his body. "It's okay. We won't let anything happen."
Leo nods softly and presses against me as much as he can. He takes a few breaths to try to calm himself down.
"That's it. Just breathe. You're safe. Promise." I won't let that Splinter hurt Leo. I am not going to let Leo go through any of that again. I know that Mikey and Donnie won't let it happen either. I do stay alert just in case but I also put focus into helping Leo. I place a tender kiss on his head as I work on trying to help him.
...
Donnie turns to the group as Mikey does too now that Leo and Raph left. "I don't know how things are in your world but things are complicated back home." He begins as they listen to what he has to say. He's glad that Mikey is letting him speak on this. He suddenly finds he isn't even sure how to explain what had happened. He tries to think of how to explain it.
"Is your home safe?" Splinter inquires watching the two that had stayed.
"Well other than enemies attacking the city it is safe. It just wasn't always that way. It has become safer just recently. So it's fine. Just still working on the whole not having to worry about things anymore." Donnie admits as he still thinks he has an idea of how he could explain it.
"What do you mean? What was causing your home to be unsafe?" Michelangelo questions blinking in worried curiosity.
"Things could be different in your world. So don't take this whole thing the wrong way." Donnie wants to make sure he gets that said. "It's just. Our Splinter made things a bit unsafe. With one of us having to deal with the worst of it." He can see their surprise at hearing this.
"Please do explain." Splinter requests of Donnie. "We won't get upset about anything you say. It appears that things are different where you come from."
Donnie takes a breath. "It isn't an easy thing to say. It's just that behind closed doors our Splinter wasn't so nice. He um..." He shifts his feet still feeling scared to admit it. "Liked to deal out punishments if he felt like it."
"You're not saying he would hurt you!?" Donatello questions which Donnie feels makes it a little easier.
"Not all of us. Just Leo, our Leo. Honestly we didn't even know for the longest time. It was all kept hushed and behind closed doors. But we did find out." Donnie can see the shock from those of this world they're in. "Honestly Raph was the first to find out and well he tried to help stop things. When he came to believe Splinter was planning to kill Leo to escalate things." He pauses for a moment as Michelangelo collapses from the shock. He sees Donatello hug his brother, while Raphael growls quietly for a brief moment. He does also notice that Leonardo stares wide eyed in shock. He continues to explain as the surprised, and horrified, Splinter gives him a nod. "They had to hide out at Casey's for a bit, since when it was revealed that Raph knew... Well Splinter wanted to kill them to stop them from telling us. Our Splinter passed away just recently making home much safer. It's just still too recent and we're all still working through everything. I mean it took two weeks before Leo and Raph actually returned to the lair. Even though it was already safe to do so, as our Splinter was dead by then."
"Well I can assure you none of that goes on here." Leonardo informs the two who are glad to hear it. He looks completely serious about that which does help. "Our Splinter would never do anything like that."
"I am deeply sorry that your Splinter was not the mutant he should have been for you all." Splinter speaks up actually sounding upset that such a thing took place. "Thank you for at least letting us know. We'll do our best to help you all feel comfortable during your stay here. Just let us know if you need anything. I will understand if you don't come to me to request help with anything. Or if you don't wish to be around me. Just let me know if you need me to leave a room or anything. I won't be upset in the slightest."
"Thank you." Donnie nods appreciatively. He does feel a little relaxed, as he can tell they're truthful about no such thing taking place here, but a part of him is still tense around Splinter. He can't fully shake the feeling his worlds Splinter caused by his actions.
At least they all are understanding why the two of them are not fully relaxed.
"Would it maybe be okay if I spoke with your Leo?" Leonardo speaks up to which Donnie glances to him. "Just maybe hearing from me that this place is safe might really let it set in that it's true."
"I suppose it is worth a try." Donnie agrees with the idea. "We don't want them just worried about things the whole time. Just don't try to push things. It's still only the beginning of the recovery part."
"I won't." Leonardo agrees in an understanding tone. "And it'll just be me. To not overwhelm him." He says which does make Donnie feel thankful for that added bit.
Donnie leads the way, having an idea where the two may have gone, as Leonardo follows along with Mikey. He's not surprised that Mikey is coming since he is worried about Leo.
...
I turn while still holding Leo close, my back leaning against a wall with Leo leaning into me, as I hear footsteps. I see Donnie and Mikey come over with Leonardo following. I glance past them confirming that it is just them. I am glad that it is and turn to focus on them.
Leo shifts to turn to them still staying close to me. He does shift as of thinking he might have to move.
Donnie and Mikey head closer to make sure Leo is okay.
"It's okay. Your Donnie explained things." Leonardo explains to us. "You don't have to hide anything, even how you're feeling. We don't mind at all."
I nod softly in gratefulness to this.
"I just wanted to let you know a little about our world. I'm sorry you had to go through something like that. You are safe here. I can assure you all that nothing like that goes on here. We will understand if you're still not comfortable around our worlds version. I just wanted to make sure you knew that he's nothing like what I've heard of your worlds version." Leonardo tells us and I can tell that he is being very serious about this. He isn't trying to hide anything that is going on.
"Well that is good to hear." I mention and I feel Leo relax a little in my arms.
"I just wanted you to know that. And we will all understand if you'd still rather not be around our version. Just let us know how we can help while you stay here." Leonardo tells us and this time it's Leo who responds.
"Thank you. We'll see how we feel about being around your version knowing that he's not the same."
"I'll stay close by you to help when we do. No rush. Just let me know if you need to get away from him." I whisper to him to which he nods softly to me.
"Take your time. I'll let you all relax a little." Leonardo heads off back to where the others are.
We can now just focus on making sure that Leo is okay.
"How are you feeling?" Donnie inquires to Leo as he and Mikey stay close to us. He does seem to watch for any of the little signs that could tell Leo's state.
"I'm doing better." Leo tells Donnie wanting to assure him while still being honest. He glances to Mikey when the other hugs him, while I keep my arms still around Leo myself.
"Take all the time you need." Mikey tells him giving a comforting smile.
We stay there for a little longer before Leo nods his head.
"Okay. We can go back out there."
"Are you sure?" I inquire wanting to make sure he is indeed ready.
"Yeah." Leo confirms so we head back out there as I keep one arm around him. I do see that he seems to be doing better than before. So I do think it is okay.
Raphael and Leonardo are standing beside the couch, where Michelangelo is playing a game.
Donatello and Splinter are not seen anywhere.
Raphael and Leonardo turn as we come over. They head over to us after spotting us.
I give them a slightly questioning look wondering where the others went. I feel like it'd be good if we knew. I want Leo to relax.
"Splinter went to his room and our Donnie is in the kitchen planning the repairs." Leonardo tells us to which I nod to this. "If you want you could go sit with our Mikey. He's playing a game. He doesn't mind the company when doing so. He could probably do multiplayer if you wanted to join." He offers clearly not wanting to really bring up anything that might bring up bad memories.
Raphael looks like he probably wants to say something about how our world is. He holds his tongue probably having had a talking to by Leonardo, perhaps even Splinter as well.
"I think that is a good idea." I agree with Leonardo as Leo even nods his head to the idea.
We turn as Donatello comes out of the kitchen. He approaches holding a notebook. "Well once I confirm I have all the parts I'll need listed I'll have to go to the junkyard." He tells Leonardo who listens to him. "I don't have extra of some of the parts that I need."
"Alright." Leonardo agrees before glancing to Donnie. "Do you want to stay here or go too? You could even find things you'd want for your world." He offers to Donnie who glances to Leo who nods a go ahead.
Donnie turns back to Leonardo. "Yeah sure. I don't mind helping." He agrees so he heads to the lab with Donatello.
I lead Leo to the couch where we sit side by side to watch Michelangelo play his game.
Mikey stays to talk with Raphael and Leonardo a little more.
I glance to what Michelangelo is playing to see if I know it or not. I can see that he is playing Watch dogs 2 which I've played myself. I slightly glance to Leo who is watching Michelangelo play.
Leo seems to notice that the other is stuck on a certain part so he gives advice.
Michelangelo follows it and turns to smile at Leo when he gets past that part. "Thanks so much!"
Leo smiles softly and waves it off.
"Do you want to play multiplayer?" Michelangelo invites looking at Leo curiously. "Donnie made sure that we could do it with a controller each for when we wanna play together."
I subtlety nudge Leo to go ahead and enjoy a game.
"Sure." Leo moves to sit next to Michelangelo who gives him the controller.
They set up the multiplayer game and select their characters.
I can't help but smile as I watch the two work together on video game missions. I glance away and notice Splinter coming out of his room. I look away to not just stare at him. I keep reminding myself that this Splinter is not a threat.
We've been very much assured of that.
I don't have to keep an eye on him. I turn again as I hear Splinter approach. I do notice that Leonardo, Raphael and Mikey have moved off probably elsewhere by now.
Splinter stands by my spot but behind the couch, watching the two game. He seems to be wanting to make sure Leo is okay while giving him space. He doesn't hide it on his face.
I partially wonder if it's to help us feel at ease with anything he does.
"It is good to see you both have relaxed." Splinter mentions softly meaning for only me.
I nod my head. "Yeah. It is nice. Your world so far really is nice." I agree to which I get a small thank you from Splinter.
"I don't know if you'll think it's a good idea but perhaps I could try to talk with him at some point? Maybe when you all settle in a bit more." Splinter inquires. "I'd understand if you said no. I just wanted to see if there was maybe a way I could help in the healing process." He actually looks like he slightly feels responsible for what had happened.
I am a little surprised by this. "You do know that ours isn't you right?" I don't want him to feel guilty for what another worlds version of him did. I may hate our worlds version, however even I know that it's not fair to place blame on another worlds Splinter, at least not one that's confirmed to not have done anything.
"Yes. Though a part of me still feels like I need to help fix things. Even just a little. You all remind me of our worlds version so much. It's hard to not see you all as like more of our family. Which you are. Another world or not that's how I see you all. So I thought I'd just see if you think that perhaps it'd be a good idea. I don't want to do anything without talking with any of you first. I also don't want to ruin any healing that you all have managed so far. Do not feel bad if you think that it isn't a good idea. Just let me know your thoughts on it."
I turn to look to Leo a little thoughtful. I try to think of this would be beneficial for him. I don't want to overwhelm him with the idea of doing it. I just also think that it could potentially have some good effect. "We can try it. But I'll have to be there. It'll go a lot better than an alone one." I glance back to Splinter.
"I don't mind." Splinter agrees with a nod. "I'll make sure to be careful. For now we'll let you all relax a bit more."
I nod and Splinter heads off with that. I look back to Leo hoping I didn't make the wrong choice. I let out a quiet breath telling myself that I need to have faith in Leo.
As much as he is still healing he is strong.
Plus me being there, where I'll make sure I'm very visible to Leo, will most likely help. I glance to the dojo where Splinter went for now. I still am a little worried though I want to help Leo as much as I can. I almost think that maybe us getting stuck here was perhaps fate trying to give us some help. I mean out of all the worlds we get one where the Splinter is not like the one back home. I guess it is worth a try if there is a chance it'll end up helping Leo. I try to focus on the two playing the game for now. I don't really need to overthink this.