Chapter Text
If you were to ask Leo why he decided to become the team medic, he'd probably lie to you. He'd shrug his shoulders, put a shit-eating grin on his face, and confidently say "There are things the rest of the team can't do, I had to beat them at it."
Leo knew that wasn't true, not at all, at least. From the bottom of his heart, he was so sure his brothers actually could, even now, he knew for a fact that they were capable of basic medical aid, but he didn't want to give them that responsibility, especially considering how he felt when one of his brothers got hurt.
When they were younger, they all had their own conflicts, Raph was the unofficial leader from the start, he was older and bigger than the rest, and he took on his own hands the job of protecting his younger brothers, even more so when their father stopped being around as much as he used to, and started to pass more and more time watching tv, to afflicted with his own grief to properly take care of them.
Mikey was so small and needed a little more attention in certain areas, he should and could not fulfill the medic role. And his twin, Donnie, was too occupied, dealing with constant overstimulation, Leo remembers clearly how much they struggled and how easily they used to get overwhelmed.
That’s when he understood that it had to be him, because Donnie has always been tech-smart, but things like blood, vomit, and other substances were too much for him.
It started small and innocent at first, he learned how to treat cuts correctly, and, when any of them scraped a knee he would take care of it. Mikey has always been the one most likely to have this kind of accident, and Leo would always smile at him as he put a band-aid on his wound.
The first time he tried to, Raph didn't like the idea, he said something really close to “I’m the oldest, I should take care of it” and Leo stopped listening, cutting him off by saying “But I reaaaally want to help Mikey!” While pouting, it eventually worked, and every time some accident happened after that Raph reluctantly stopped doing anything to stop Leo.
Leo knows that Raph did not ̷ ̷t̷r̷u̷s̷t̷ ̷h̷i̷m̷ ̷a̷t̷ ̷f̷i̷r̷s̷t̷ wanted to burden him with that responsibility, so he did not want to let him deal with any of their injuries, but he gained the title of medic by real merits, and Raph didn't have that decision anymore, he was their medic now, and he was proud of that.
His journey continues as he reads more and more related books (They went from human to turtle biology, as well as different medical books, all focusing on different things).
This, once again, seems to be helpful, as their precious baby brother breaks his arm once while trying out a new skate trick. Mikey got a clean fracture, and his arm needed to be immobilized for a few weeks, Leo remembers that they had to go to the surface for medicines and equipment they didn't have in the lair. Even so, his injury had a very quick recovery, within two weeks he was moving his arm perfectly fine, and while Leo was a little worried, he didn't say anything to anyone and decided not to think about it anymore than that.
̷T̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷d̷i̷d̷n̷'̷t̷ ̷s̷t̷o̷p̷ ̷h̷i̷m̷ ̷f̷r̷o̷m̷ ̷w̷a̷t̷c̷h̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷M̷i̷k̷e̷y̷ ̷m̷o̷r̷e̷ ̷t̷h̷a̷n̷ ̷n̷e̷c̷e̷s̷s̷a̷r̷y̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷n̷e̷x̷t̷ ̷f̷e̷w̷ ̷d̷a̷y̷s̷.̷
He now knows why his brother healed that quickly, but he didn't at the time. And even when he tried not to, that was all he could think about at the time.
Since then, Leo hasn't stopped studying and reading, he wants to be useful, and, more importantly, he knows that he will probably need said knowledge, as the adventures he and his brothers have embarked on become more and more dangerous.
Yet... Leo feels his heart break every time one of his brothers gets hurt, he has vivid memories of how he struggled when he saw blood, even in the slightest amount, but he persisted because he needed to ̷b̷e̷ ̷u̷s̷e̷f̷u̷l̷ ̷f̷o̷r̷ ̷o̷n̷c̷e̷ be able to help his brothers.
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Leo was actually really selfish, and he (Surprise!) knows so, that’s why not ever in a million years would he say ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷m̷a̷i̷n̷ the last reason why he continued learning medicine.
He had a tough time growing up, ̷h̷e̷ ̷s̷t̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷g̷o̷e̷s̷ ̷t̷h̷r̷o̷u̷g̷h̷ ̷b̷a̷d̷ ̷t̷i̷m̷e̷s̷ ̷s̷o̷m̷e̷t̷i̷m̷e̷s̷, but medicine, along chess, Jupiter Jim, and many, many other things keep him going. As pathetic as it was, Leo needed them, he needed an external something that could bring him peace ̷o̷r̷ ̷s̷o̷m̷e̷t̷h̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷c̷l̷o̷s̷e̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷t̷h̷a̷t̷.
At first, it was something someone had to learn, but as time passed he started to take a genuine interest in medicine, ̷i̷t̷ ̷b̷e̷c̷a̷m̷e̷ ̷h̷i̷s̷ ̷t̷h̷i̷n̷g̷. Along with that any remaining doubt or struggle disappeared.
So, all the countless sleepless nights he spent reading more for his own sanity than for the physical health of his brothers... That was, of course, unless the ever-present emptiness in his chest was so big that he couldn't force himself to even hold a book.
That eventually changed, and he started to spend those nights on his phone.
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The day they got their mystic weapons was a roller coaster, they discovered the hidden city, new enemies, and brand new powers to conquer. This just seemed to be the universe trying to tell them they were destined to be heroes, and he didn't like it in the slightest.
Leo wasn’t really sure of how he was supposed to do so, he had no idea how these weapons worked and it didn’t matter what he did, he just seemed to not be able to make his Ōdachi listen to him. The first time he made a portal was when they were in that Baron something creepy lab, and all it did was mock him.
Unlike him, Mikey quickly figured out how to make his weapon work, he was the one who noticed their weapons were not just normal weapons, after all. Raph quickly followed him, and both of them just started to get better and better with the whole mystic powers thing.
So Leo, as always, played it cool, he ignored the weird feeling that was cripping deep buried inside him and continued with his life.
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Leo has come to a conclusion, as much as he hates to train, he needed to, desperately might he add. His brothers seemed to understand and control their new weapons in a way he could only wish.
And, don’t get him wrong, he was so happy for them, really!
It’s just that… He didn't understand. What was he doing wrong? Were there special rules that he didn't know of? ̷W̷a̷s̷ ̷h̷e̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷p̷r̷o̷b̷l̷e̷m̷?̷ …
At first, he didn't care about it, but he started spending more time with his twin, Donnie, as he was the one who didn't get a new weapon ̷h̷e̷ ̷h̷a̷t̷e̷d̷ ̷h̷o̷w̷ ̷p̷u̷r̷e̷ ̷e̷n̷v̷y̷ ̷r̷a̷n̷ ̷t̷h̷r̷o̷u̷g̷h̷ ̷h̷i̷s̷ ̷v̷e̷i̷n̷s̷ ̷i̷f̷ ̷h̷e̷ ̷s̷p̷e̷n̷t̷ ̷t̷o̷o̷ ̷m̷u̷c̷h̷ ̷t̷i̷m̷e̷ ̷w̷i̷t̷h̷ ̷M̷i̷k̷e̷y̷ ̷a̷n̷d̷ ̷R̷a̷p̷h̷. He didn't know if Donnie knew the reason he started to spend his time with them, but if he had to guess he would say no, his twin always had a hard time with emotions, feelings, and reading other people, and that was a relief in many situations…
But having a hard time with feelings and emotions does not mean being an idiot, and Donnie eventually asks what is wrong with him.
They were in his twin lab, Leo was playing a crappy game from an even crappier ad, and he was sitting in a spare chair that his brother began to reach out once he realized his twin wouldn't leave. Donnie was doing something, he could hear the sound of the keyboard, he didn't bother to ask, sometimes all you need is to be in company.
Donnie kept typing, there was absolutely nothing indicating that a conversation would suddenly start. And just like that, they break the silence.
“So, ‘Nardo, I have noticed you do not spend the time you used to with Angelo, why?”
“And why would you think that, dear twin?” This was ok, he just needed to play his cool.
“I don’t just quote-unquote ‘think that’ Leo, I know so” Donnie didn't look away from his keyboard as he said this, but made quotation marks with both hands.
“Can’t a turtle start spending more time with his favorite twin, you wound me, Dee” As Leo said this he dramatically put a hand on his chest to show how hurt he was.
“Oh please, as if that were enough reason for you to treat Mikey that way, I don't really care about it, but please do talk to him, I can't stand him being sad about something stupid like you and your new love to my lab, not that it’s that surprising, it is amazing after all” They ended with a smirk on their face and Leo couldn’t help but soften his eyes to his dork brother.
“Whatever you say, Don”
The conversation died there, but he made sure to spend a little more time with his younger brother after that ̷,̷ ̷n̷o̷t̷ ̷w̷a̷n̷t̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷m̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷d̷i̷s̷c̷o̷v̷e̷r̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷h̷o̷r̷r̷i̷b̷l̷e̷,̷ ̷a̷g̷o̷n̷i̷z̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷f̷e̷e̷l̷i̷n̷g̷s̷ ̷t̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷r̷i̷p̷p̷e̷d̷ ̷h̷i̷s̷ ̷s̷o̷u̷l̷ ̷e̷v̷e̷r̷y̷ ̷t̷i̷m̷e̷ ̷h̷e̷ ̷t̷h̷o̷u̷g̷h̷t̷ ̷o̷f̷ ̷M̷i̷k̷e̷y̷ ̷o̷r̷ ̷R̷a̷p̷h̷ ̷a̷n̷d̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷i̷r̷ ̷c̷o̷n̷t̷r̷o̷l̷ ̷w̷i̷t̷h̷ ̷m̷y̷s̷t̷i̷c̷ ̷p̷o̷w̷e̷r̷s̷.
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Leo liked to think he had his own kind of smart, ‘cause, yeah, he couldn't do impressive machines or had a great understatement of technology, he couldn't understand or successfully help other people with their emotions and feelings, and he couldn't have the constancy or sheer willpower to maintain or follow rigorous training sessions.
But he was the faceman for a reason, none of his brothers could hold conversations the way he did, because not only did he talk, he knew how to guide the conversation the way he wished to get whatever was needed or wanted at the time. He knew how to make connections, and contacts and how to move in those waters.
For that specific reason, he didn't need to think about it too much before starting to go to the hidden city on his own, and, in his defense, it totally made sense, if they wanted to keep this whole hero thing they probably would need information sooner or later, it was just to be safe!
Besides, he was pretty good-looking if he said so himself, knowing the yokai kind just boosted his confidence as his looks alone helped him forge the connection he would much need in the future.
It didn't matter the fact that he did, most definitely, not want to be a hero, if Leonardo was something aside from selfish, was a coward. These two were just the perfect combination for someone who didn't have the heart, honor, ideals or values of selflessly helping people, because the hero work was dangerous, and he, the medic, would feel his heart flutter at the slightest injury his brothers received.
But he went through with it because if Leonardo was anything other than selfish and a coward, was stubborn, and, why hide it, he loved attention ̷h̷e̷ ̷d̷o̷e̷s̷n̷'̷t̷ ̷k̷n̷o̷w̷ ̷a̷t̷ ̷w̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷p̷o̷i̷n̷t̷ ̷h̷e̷ ̷s̷t̷o̷p̷p̷e̷d̷ ̷c̷a̷r̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷w̷h̷e̷t̷h̷e̷r̷ ̷i̷t̷ ̷w̷a̷s̷ ̷b̷a̷d̷ ̷o̷r̷ ̷g̷o̷o̷d̷ ̷a̷t̷t̷e̷n̷t̷i̷o̷n̷.̷ So he would keep up with his brothers, doing hero work with them while showing off.
If he couldn’t keep up with his brothers with his mystic weapon he could at least try to make up for it. He may not have many skills to be proud of, but he obviously wouldn't waste the ones he did have.