I just wanna thank you for posting this story. You have no idea how much I needed something like this. Same As It Never Was is a great episode and I love it, but it left me incredibly sad and heavy all the same. I hadn't even realized how much I wanted hope for the turtles in that alternative future until I read your story.
So... thank you :)
Btw, all your TMNT 2003 fics I've read so far are written so perfectly in character it's easy to imagine them actually happening in the cartoon.
Can't wait to read the rest of them!

This story is so good! I really enjoyed the read.

cool

This story had far too many moments that I loved to name. That rarely happens for me, so thank you for that.

I have to admit, I was hoping for a bit more Raph and Mikey, but any objections I had were silenced with their little hug on the bed. Fantastic. I also admit to echoing Raph's final sentiment as I read the last few lines.

Extremely well written. Thank you for the inspiration.

I love what you've written so far. I hope you'll continue it eventually. :)

I finally found it! I read this fanfiction a hile back, and I really liked it, but I forgot the name and author and I've been trying to find it for a long time!
I love this story, it's going in my favorites when i get the chance. Keep up the good work, your writing is very good! :]

This is wonderful!

Longing for Leo
The best, this is THE BEST sainw story I've ever read and I cannot wait for more! Thank you for reconciling the brothers!

That was very sweet. I liked the way Leo and Raph repaired their relationship. It felt very in character, not too sappy or too distant. Mikey asking for Don was heart-wrenching and I can absolutely see him carrying guilt and/or feelings of inadequacy because of what had happened. A couple of parts were too long winded for my short attention span, but overall I thought it was a good story with good emotions. c:

I always liked the SAINW episode, but the ending was too sad for me. This, brilliantly gives much needed closure to the episode. Leo stepping down as leader, well after turning his back on his family, it makes sense. Mikey took the leader role a long time ago.

This chapter really hit home for me. Please excuse this digression, but my younger sister and I were estranged for many years... a pile of differences and grievances that all were petty individually but built up over time until it reached a point where we hardly spoke. Then my son was born very premature at 28 weeks and both of us almost didn't make it. She showed up at the hospital and never left my side. She told me that when she heard, everything fell into perspective. We both agreed our reasons for being at odds suddenly seemed so stupid, as did all the time we had wasted. It reminds me so much of the dynamic going on in this fic. They have been given a second chance and it has helped them see one another clearly for the first time in awhile. Just like Leo and Raph, we weren't sure how to converse without awkwardness but it didn't matter. It was still such amazing progress, I could only feel relieved.

You do a good job portraying Leo, especially his tendency to self-blame whenever possible. Loved the exchange where they decide to make it Mike's call whether or not they stay together...

When Mike broke down I had tears in my eyes. I can't handle Mikey suffering or feeling abandoned, even grown up jaded wartorn Mikey. And then Raph coming to Leo's aid and saying just the right thing, perfect mix of frayed emotion and gruff stoicism. Powerful stuff, to be sure.

Holy bajeezus, that was incredible! You have been on my radar for awhile now as someone whose fanfics I ought to be reading. I would definitely say that you deserve your good reputation! That scene where Leo and Raph forgave one another brought tears to my eyes, and I loved the imagery about the tuning forks. It was all really stellar.

From now on I am going to pretend this is what happened after Donnie disappears in sainw! I loved every bit of this.

I have to admit, I didn't think anyone could do a SAINW story and end it on a positive note, but you did. And realistically for the confines of this universe.
I mean really, how much happiness could you possibly find there?
So, yes, they're not exactly happy, but they do find a measure of contentment in each others company.
Which is quite a step up from the individual misery they were living in.

This is such a lovely and fitting reunion. It might be my favorite take on the aftermath for the SAINW-verse. It's definitely nice to see some hope and opportunity for growth in that bleak universe!