My dear Leonardo,
I hope everything is going well for you over in Africa. I bet it's really warm, unlike over here. It's starting to get pretty chilly. Don't get a sunburn, alright?
Honestly, it's slow around here. Donnie and Sarina decided to take a University course, so they left a day or two ago. I'm sure they're doing well, being the geniuses they are.
Mikey...oh, sweet little Mikey. He's incredibly lonely, and although I wish I could help, the truth is that I'm lonely too. The only time he feels truly happy is when he's talking to Annalise over video chat or on the phone. Her being gone is hard for him, as with most of the family missing. At least he understands how I feel, what with you being gone. It is hard for me, I'm not gonna lie.
Taylor is doing alright, perhaps the best out of all of us. She's teaching kids guitar and voice lessons, getting some extra money coming in. It's nice to hear her stories in the evenings about the children and their excitement. It makes me wish I could go above ground more often.
Raph and Casey have gotten back into doing their vigilante gig in the dead of night. They're keeping the streets safe from the Purple Dragons and various burglars. They're being heroes again. I like to believe that they're doing well, especially since April is busy with her journalism. I see them sometimes when I go flying, which doesn't amount to that often anymore. You know Diaval went completely off the grid? I haven't seen him in a while.
So...what do I end up doing with my days? I help Splinter out with chores and continue on with my training.
I hope you write again soon. I'll keep on keeping you in my thoughts, not like it's a hard thing to do.
I love you, Leo-baby.
Yours,
Destiny

Leonardo reads over Destiny's words, looking over the savannah once he finishes. Although he's thankful for the experience he's been having so far, his heart aches to be with her again.

He shuts his eyes, leaning back against the acacia tree branch he's resting on. He can almost hear her voice, smell the strawberry citrus scent on her hair, and feel her arms around him.

"I miss you too, angel."

-------------

My sweet Destiny,
Africa is beautiful. I have helped out the locals immensely with some of the violence they have been experiencing. I use the human patches in moderation, using them for when I need to buy food and such.
I am glad to hear that my brothers and the girls are keeping themselves busy. Yet, it seems you haven't told me about how you are doing, save for minute details. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing about my family...but I want to know about you too. You are, after all, incredibly important.
Diaval went missing? I'm sorry, I know how much he means to you. I hope he turns up again soon.
I miss you every day. I hope you remember that. I see you everywhere around here, just in the way things work. Every time I see the rolling savannahs or the graceful animals, I can't help but think of you and the way you run in your wolf form. I saw a sleek black bird fly past the trees the other day and I could only think of your beautiful wings. When the wind rustles the grass, it's like I can hear your voice on the wind. I'd give anything to have you here with me, to hold you in my arms, to kiss you and whisper sweet nothings in your ear...
I'm sorry for having to go, but I will be back soon. My duty lies here, but my heart remains with you.
I love you, Destiny. So much.
Always,
Leonardo

Destiny sits down on her bed, hugging the letter to her chest. She never wanted to be the kind of girl that loses herself when she's away from her boyfriend, and she isn't completely like that. Even so, she feels like a part of her is with him, and as cliche as it is, she feels this is because Leo is her mate. Him being gone leaves a hole in her heart. Everyone else being gone doesn't make it any easier for her.

Half her family is missing, thus, half her heart is hypothetically missing too.

"I'll wait for you, baby," she whispers, pressing the tails of his mask to her mouth.

--------

Outside the prestigious University, the only sounds are that of the distant vehicles and crickets chirping. Inside one of the couple dorm rooms, the silhouette of Donatello can be seen hunched over his desk, cramming in some late night studying. Both his and Sarina's store of human patches remain tucked inside their bedside table. Inside their dorm is the only place where they can truly be themselves.

Donnie's phone buzzes and he ignores it, not wanting to lose his focus. It goes off again.

He glances over at Sarina, who sleeps soundly in their double bed. He grabs the phone, surprised to see an incoming video call from Leonardo.

He slides it open and his brother's face appears on the screen. It's the middle of the day over there, by the looks of it, and the blue-masked turtle's face breaks out in a wide grin.

"Donnie! I knew you'd answer!" he says happily.

The intelligent turtle blinks a few times in confusion. "Huh? How-"

"It's the middle of the night over where you are. You're the only turtle I know who'd still be awake."

He chuckles. "Point taken. Need to talk?"

"Yeah...about Destiny. I could've written but...I don't know, this is a face to face sort of thing." Leo clicks his tongue sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck.

"Ah, of course."

His face falls, a small frown on his lips. "I feel like a complete jerk."

"Why is that?"

"Because we've been together for almost six years and I haven't proposed."

Donnie's eyes widen. "That's what you're worried about? Do you know how many couples date for that long?"

"I know! But...remember when you were falling in love with Sarina?"

The purple-masked turtle takes a moment to look back at Sarina, smiling as he watches her chest rise and fall steadily.

"Of course I remember," he says.

"You came out of Destiny's room, floating on air for whatever reason. You told me that I needed to 'marry that girl'." The eldest turtle smiles a little. "You're right."

"Well, I have a good history of being correct."

"But...I'm scared."

"Leonardo, she's in love with you. She's kind of...mopey without you, or so Raph tells me." He frowns. "It's weird...Des never seemed like the kind of girl who'd fall apart without her boyfriend."

"Yeah...but her situation is different." Leo's face twists with guilt.

"How so?"

"Well...we mated. Wolves mate for life, so she's basically committed herself to me for her entire life. It's the kind of thing that, should I ever die or break up with her, she'll most likely die of a broken heart."

Donnie's eyes widen. "And you still did it?"

He sighs. "Yeah, but because I know that I want to stay with her forever." He shakes his head. "But...how is she otherwise? She's kind of vague about her own feelings in her letters."

"I'm just going to relay what Raph told me. She keeps the lair going, cooking and cleaning." Donnie purses his lips. "She smiles and tries to cheer them up, especially Mikey, but half of her is missing, and most of it is with you. She won't wait around forever."

"I know...and I'm in love with her too. I want her to be mine, forever."

"So why the shell do you even think that she'd say no?"

"Because it still boggles my mind that someone as amazing as her loves someone like me."

Again, Donnie smiles as he glances back at Sarina. "I know that feeling."

Leo sighs, looking as if a huge weight has been lifted off his chest. "Thanks for talking with me, Donnie."

"That's what I'm here for."

"I'll keep writing. Did Mikey and Raph like their letters?"

"Of course. Raph won't admit it, but Mikey called to tell me about how excited they both were."

"I miss you guys."

"We miss you too, Leo."

"Video hug?"

They laugh as they hug their phone screens.

"Goodnight Donnie. Don't stress yourself too much."

"Looking out for us even overseas?"

"Someone has to." Leo smirks.

"Goodnight Leo. Come back soon, and when you do, marry Destiny."

"That's my plan." There's a brief pause where neither turtle wants to sign off just yet. "I love you, Don."

The intelligent terrapin smiles. "I love you too, you big sap."

"I'm proud of my sappiness."

With one more chortle, they sign off. Donnie yawns, realizing just how tired he is. He switches off his desk lamp before he climbs into bed next to Sarina. He wraps his arm around her waist, snuggling closer to his cyborg girlfriend.

"You give good advice," she mumbles, a small smile on her face.

He kisses her cheek, shutting his eyes.