Well, I did say this was a multi-fandom blog... Alright, let's do this.
The Qing Jing Peak Lord's Bamboo House
(and the symbolism therein, as recorded in the donghua)
I was snooping through the establishing shots of the Qing Jing Peak Lord's Bamboo House, and had to laugh as I always do at all the gay symbolism that managed to sneak its way inside. But then I looked a little closer, and was floored by just how much passive storytelling was packed into background assets. I talked about it at length over discord, and at the urging of others decided to make a shareable post on social media as well.
First, the shots which first piqued my interest in this topic years ago:
Shen Yuan transmigrates into the stallion-genre webnovel entitled ็ๅฒไป้ญ้ (translated as Proud Immortal Demon Way). The author's and his own usernames are dick jokes.
Notice the chrysanthemum vase, the cock vase, and the stallion statuette.
The stallion and cock are obvious nods to these jokes on their own, but for the uninitiated, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of gay sex between men, as the asshole itself is often euphemistically referred to as a chrysanthemum. This should have been Shen Yuan's first clue that not all is as it seems here! These are the personal quarters of Shen Jiu โ the original Shen Qingqiu!
But let's move to the main room you first walk into upon entering the bamboo house.
There it is: the writing on the wall.
As the Peak Lord of strategy and the scholarly arts, Shen Qingqiu would naturally have calligraphy and paintings hanging everywhere! So let's break it down.
On the top we have ้ใณ่ช็ถ ("Dao Follows Nature"), which comes from a Dao teaching by Laozi (founder of Daoism) meaning that life, death, the entire universe, the heavens and earth and everything outside and inbetween, all follow a set of laws referred to as the nature of things. Although unrelated to the Buddhist couplet below, it's certainly relevant!
Originally hanging in right-to-left order, I've arranged them to read left to right here to make things easier to keep track of. The calligraphy reads ่ฅฟๆน็ซน่ๅๅนด็ฟ ๏ผๅๆตท่ฎไนๅ้ฆ and is a couplet commonly found in Guanyin temples. My classical chinese is not as strong as I'd like, but this translates roughly to "The bamboo leaves in Paradise are green for a thousand years / The fragrance of lotus flowers in the South China Sea is as thick as 9 sticks of incense."
The character ่ฅฟ for West is used to denote the destination of enlightenment/purity: the buddhist Paradise (think Journey to the West). The South China Sea is where Guanyin was born. Upon the Lotus flowers is where Guanyin is commonly depicted as sitting. The "9 sticks of incense" though literal can also refer to the 9 tiers/grades of reincarnation lotuses with the 9th tier being the lowest, meant for those who in life committed the most evil of crimes โ the 4 parajikas โ and who can only manage a sincere Amitabha recitation 10 times and no more than this.
To put this in context with Shen Jiu (the same jiu as in 9/ไน), the 4 parajikas committed by the 9th Tier Lotuses Reborn (officially entitled the Lowest of the Low) are:
Sexual Intercourse
Stealing
Murder
Claiming attainments of stages of pure mental concentration that have not been achieved (in other words, rushing or lying about your cultivation/enlightenment, or maybe even becoming a Peak Lord without having formed a golden core beforehand).
From what we know in the context of the novel, Shen Jiu is innocent of at least the first of this parajikas, but the overall view of Shen Jiu in the eyes of others in the story is that he is guilty of them all. This calligraphy can be seen as a condemnation or a reminder for the character Shen Jiu, who even as the Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu is widely thought of as a scum villain and the lowest of the low.
Phew! That's a lot to unpack.
But if you turn your gaze to the original screenshot, you'll see to the right that there's a vase painted with a blue bird. This vase appears in several rooms of the bamboo house, and seems to be the image of a qingniao (้้ธ; lit: Qing bird, wherein ้ can mean blue/green/clear-but-brackish black).
These qing-coloured birds are messengers and foragers of the Goddess-Mother of Paradise (Xiwang-mu ่ฅฟ็ๆฏ, the "west/paradise" character from before, lit West-King(unisex)-Mother). They're a highly intelligent species who are exceptional in song (a good representative for Qing Jing's scholarly arts and pursuit of qin!), and the older ones might learn to speak human tongue. As a subspecies of luanniao (้ธพ้ธ lit: luan bird), they're thought to be related to The Phoenix and indeed thought to be the lifetime/samsara just before being reborn as a Phoenix.
If given to a "master" they don't like, the qingniao may refuse to pass messages or sing until they're set free, but if they do get along with you then they're loyal to the end.
As a point of interest, the Qing generation of Peak Lords uses the character ๆธ
, which is ้ ("colour of nature; brackish black, blue, green; young) + the radical for "water," resulting in the meaning of clear (as in water or heart; see-through); distinct; quiet (as in still); just and honest; pure; to settle or clear up; to clean up, expunge, or purge.
And as a bit of trivia, Liu Qingge's sword Cheng Luan ไน้ธพ means "to ride the luan, take flight on the back of a luan." (Relevant, because the qingniao is considered a subspecies of luanniao).
With the Lords of both Qing Jing and Bai Zhan referencing this bird, I really wonder about its significance! It's spawning plenty of theories and headcanons for me.
Heading back outside for a moment, you'll find that in the Quiet Pool (ๆธ
้ๅฐๆฑ qingjing xiaochi (yes, the same Qing Jing the peak is named for)), there are lotuses, and on land there are flower shrubs which are either wide-petaled chrysanthemums (gay bottom jokes ahoy), or a type of peony, the king of flowers demarcating wealth and prosperity. Either way, a blossom fitting of our Qing Jing Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu!
My one regret is that I cannot get a clear shot of the fan hanging on the wall to try and translate the calligraphy on it. If anyone can snag one, please tag me! I also couldn't translate the paintings with poems hanging in Shen Qingqiu's bedroom (it's just too small and blurry for my bad eyes to make out). If I make another post attempting these things, I'll append them to this initial post in an edit afterwards.
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Hey!! For your next fic could you do Leo and Mikey angst
It came be 2012, MM or rise
~ย ๐๐๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ย ~
๐๐ข๐งก ๐ต๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข: @tmntalways ๐๐ข๐งก
ยทฬฉฬฉฬฅอ๏ผ*โขฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*ห๐ท๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!!! ๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ โน๏ธ๐โฆ๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐ธ ๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฉท!!! ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ธ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐
๐๐พ! ๐ธ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ซ โฆห*โข ฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*๏ผยทฬฉฬฉฬฅอ
๐ถ๐๐๐๐: ๐ท๐๐๐/๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐:ย ๐น,๐ธ๐พ๐พ
๐ป๐๐: ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ข ๐ข๐งก
๐ป๐๐: ๐ป๐๐ ๐ข๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข: ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ขโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ '๐๐'. ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐? ๐ท๐ ๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ขโฆ
๐๐๐๐: @shut-up-jo @someone1348 @saturnzskyzz
@savemeafruitjuice @rice-cake-teen10 @mistyandsnow
@skyloladoodles @itzsana-kiddingmenow @titters-and-tingles
(๐ฐ/๐ฝ: ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐โฆ๐๐๐ *๐ฐ๐ท๐ด๐ผ* ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข: ๐ณ๐๐โ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข! ๐*๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐/๐ฝ๐๐ต๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐ฝ๐ธ!!!)
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐ป๐ด๐ฐ๐๐ด ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐!!!
๐๐ด๐ผ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ณ๐ด๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ท๐ณ ๐๐๐/๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐!!! ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข โบ๏ธ๐๐๐๐
๏ผ*โขฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*ห๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐พโจ๐๐ถห*โขฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*ห๏ผยทฬฉฬฉฬฅอ
Mikey couldnโt do anything right now. Likeโฆanything.
Wellโฆperhaps he was being aย bitย tooย dramatic.ย He wasย breathing.ย And he wasย fidgeting with his squishy cube.ย So saying he wasnโt doingย 'anything'ย wasnโt entirely true.
Right now he justโฆcouldnโt do anythingโฆproductive.ย
For example, the box turtleย triedย making his favorite dishes and deserts! Butย thatย endeavor just ended up being aย hugeย messย in the kitchenโฆandย leaving the youngest turtle with aย bunchย of unappetizing food.ย
Which he fed all to Raph by the way.ย
Some would call that choice of action cruel but Mikey would just call itย 'using his resources'.ย
Besides, itโs not like the eldest minded at all. He said, and I quote:ย 'It has a niceโฆcrunchyย feeling to it. Did you put some of Donโs inventions in this?'
Which honestly got a couple of chuckles out of the smallest turtle teen of the bunch.
Then, Mikeyย triedย skateboarding! But for once in all his 14 years of livingโฆit was just utterlyย boring.ย
And after all of that nonsense, Mikey thenย finallyย triedย reading a comicโฆbut he was too unfocused to even get to theย second pageโฆ
But what wasย reallyย new? Mikey could never focus on jackshit even if said jackshit hit himย rightย in the shell.ย
His brothers and sister would always have to remind him toย stay focusedย orย 'not do this'ย orย 'not do that'.
For example, a couple days ago Donnie had toย kindlyย remind the box turtle (wellโฆas kindly asย Donnie could be anywayโฆ) to brush his teeth.
To. Brush. His.ย Fucking. Teeth.ย
And honestly? Having to be reminded to do that wasย reallyย embarrassing. And the orange banded teenย knewย his brother didnโtย meanย to humiliate him internallyโฆbutโฆyeah.
And itโs not like the softshell wasย wrongย either! The youngest turtle just couldnโt freaking accept that he himself couldnโt do such a simple task in the morning.ย
But literallyย every taskย heย completely fails to doย is justย utterly simple ones!
Like cleaning his room or not forgetting things or even keeping track of time!ย
โฆAnd the sad part about all of it was Mikey justย honestlyย couldย notย understandย how his family havenโt gotten sick of his annoying tendenciesโฆ
And letโs be for real hereโฆthat was basicallyย allย of his tendencies.ย
The box turtle groaned loudly in his room, slamming his whole body on his bed as heย screamedย into his pillow.ย
There had to beย somethingย he could do instead of just wallowing in his own self pityโฆ
And one of those options couldย notย consist of bothering his family with his random bad mood. They had to put up with him 24/7โฆtheย leastย he could do was give them some space.
The youngest then glanced at his drawing notebook hopefullyโฆ
โฆOne little sketch of something random wouldnโt hurt, right?
The amber eyed teen reached for his notebook, grabbing a pen from his drawer as he started to sketch his desk becauseย why the absoluteย fuckย not?ย Based on the objects heโs drawn in the pastโฆsketching a simple desk should and will beย easy,ย right? Right.ย
Thatย wasย until the orange banded teenโs pencil tip broke.ย But it wasย fine!ย He could just re-sharpen it,ย right?ย Right.
Thatย wasย until the youngest realized he had absolutely no clue where his sharpener was due to the fact his room looked like a pig stie. And there wasย no wayย he was looking for it inโฆthat whole situation.ย
โฆThe situation he created in the first place.ย
Michelangelo layed on his bed with his face staring at the ceiling in frustration, he ran his fingernails along his arms, not making really deep cuts with them but going deep enough for it to hurt a bit.
Like a reasonable turtle would, Mikey should probably get one of his stress toysโฆor better yet,ย another pencil!
But letโs be for real hereโฆheโd most likely find a way to fuck that up too.
Suddenly, there was a small, quiet knock on Mikeyโs door butโฆin all honesty? He just wanted to crawl into his shell and sob for the next hour and a half. Letting out a niiiiice and quick 'come in' would takeย wayย too much energy.ย
The box turtle let out a soft grunt, letting whoever was on the other side know it was a-okay to come in.
Abruptly, Leo peeked in the room, a wide smile plastered on his face as he closed the door, โDamn, Mikesterโฆit looks like every single natural disaster went through your roomโฆโ
โIโm cleaning it.โ The youngest grumbled to his brother.
โReally?ย Youย sureย about that, little bro? Because if my memory serves me correctย (which it in-fact does), you said thatย last week.ย And the week before thatโฆand the week beforeโโ
โI SAID IโM FUCKING CLEANING IT!!!โ The orange banded turtle snapped, sitting up on the bed to glare at his immediate older brother before slowly realizing what he just did.ย
The youngestโs heart dropped as he looked away from his brother. The orange banded mutantโs eyed widened as silent and small tears ran down his face. He covered his mouth as his other hand turned to a fist, his nailsย unforgivinglyย digging into his palm.
โI-Iโm sorryโฆIโm s-sorryโฆI-Iโm so s-sorryโฆ!โ He started, rocking himself back and forth before stopping as he was met with a warm embrace. Leonardo hugged him gently but firmly, rubbing the otherโs shell in a comforting hold. โWoah woahโฆ! Bud, you have nothing to apologize forโฆโ The slightly older teen said as he rested his chin on the top of his baby brotherโs head.
โL-Like h-hell I donโt. I-I just screamed a-at y-you forย noย reasonโฆโ Michelangelo wobbly said. โYou were just trying to lighten the mood but I justย hadย to make everything harder like I-I always doโฆ!โย
โMikeyโโ
โI-I alwaysย do this.ย I-Iโm so f-fucking s-sorry Leoโฆโ
โMikesterโฆI-I appreciate the apology but it seriously isnโt necessaryโโ
โYouโre probably soย sickย of me and soย angryย at me. I-Iโm sorry I justโโ
โMikey!โ Leo gently yelled to get the otherโs attention, squeezing the smaller turtleโs hands as he stared straight at him with pleading eyes. โDo Iย lookย mad?โ
โโฆN-No.โ
โDo Iย soundย mad?โ
โโฆNo.โย
The second youngest sadly smiled, โSo what are you apologizing for, hm?โ
โโฆI-IโฆdunnoโฆI-I justโฆI just felt I needed to apologizeโฆโ The box turtle mumbled as he looked at his hands. The blue banded turtle sighed, slowly getting out of the hug so him and his little brother faced each other. The slider rubbed the other turtleโs palm with his thumb comfortingly, โโฆDo you wanna talk about it, baby bro?โ
The leader in blue was just met with silenceโฆwhich he could honestly work with.
โAngeloโฆyou know you can tell meโฆanything,ย right? Likeโฆanything.ย Although, it doesnโtย haveย to beย meย you talk to about it. It could be Raph or Don or April or even Dad or Draxum! I justโฆdonโt want you sitting here and bottling up the way you feelโฆโย
Silence. Leo continued.
โYouโre always there when we need you, Angel. Whether itโs to vent or to just ramble about shit, youโre justโฆalways there.ย We donโt tell you this enough but we appreciate you always being someone we can lean onโฆโ
Silence. Leo continued.
โButโฆyou do know you can lean on us too, right?ย Comfort goes both ways and I can see youโre hurting, buddy. Soย pleaseโฆif you need to talk to meโฆIโm right here.โ
Mikey sniffled, squeezing Leoโs hand, โI-I d-dunno. Today is justโฆweird.ย This wholeย weekย has just beenโฆweird.โ Leo nodded, giving his brother his full undivided attention, โHow so?โ
โI justโฆhavenโt been able to do anythingโฆโ The smaller teen admitted.
โWhat do you mean?โ The taller teen inquired.ย
โI havenโt been able to doโฆanything.ย Like, I canโt draw, cook or even skateboard!ย Me!!!ย Not being able toย skateboardโย isnโt that crazy?!โ The amber eyed turtle laughed bitterly.
โAnd itโs not like Iย canโtย do it. Iโm perfectly freaking capable of doing it in the right amount of time I want but my brainย just. wonโt. let. me!โย
โI keep procrastinating and not doing the stuff I want to do and I have no ideaย why!ย Iโmย tiredย of just putting things off and being this way! I want to do thingsย withoutย having to ask you guys for help or to remind me or to relate it with a hyperfixation that I have!โ Mikey hiccuped, a new wave of tears rolling down his face as his hands shook.ย
The amber eyed teen sniffled, refusing to look at his immediate older brother at all right now becauseโฆholyย shitย he just overshared a whole lotโฆ
Likeโฆaย whooooooooooleย freaking lot.
โโฆThat sounds like you.โ Leonardo shrugged.ย
In a state of just shock and confusion, the box turtle pulled his hands away from his brother, looking up at him as lime green eyes met amber ones. โIโฆwhatโฆ?โ Michelangelo murmured.
โIย saidย that sounds like you.โ Leo said again casually as Mikey glared at him, โYeah. Iย heardย what you said but that isnโt helpful.โ
โIโm just being honest with you, Mikester.โ Leo said, โJustโฆlet me explain, okay?โ
โโฆYou have five minutes before I kick you out of my room.โย
โDeal.โ The lime green eyed mutant commented, โYou canโt draw, cook or skateboard right now. Youโre procrastinating and not doing the stuff you want to do in the time you plannedโฆis that correct?โย
Michelangelo sent deathly daggers to his brotherโ which the other wasnโt phased by at all. This time was probably theย best timeย to crawl in his own shell and just sob his eyes out becauseย what kind ofย dumbassย question was hisย dumbassย brother asking him?!
โโฆYes.โ The orange banded teen mumbled.ย
โAndโฆwhy are those bad things?โย
โWHY?!โ The box turtle huffed out a laugh of annoyance, โPfftโย youโre asking meย why.ย Maybe itโs because itโsย annoying?!ย Maybe because itโsย frustratingย to deal with and Iย donโtย want to burden you guys withย myย problems?! Maybe because I donโt want to fucking feel orย beย this way?!โ The youngest shouted, breathing heavily as he finished his rant.ย
The box turtle looked away again, silently cursing at himself for getting annoyed so easily. โMikey.โ Leo started again, โYour being too hard on yourself, okay? No one is expecting you to be at your 100% all the time.โย
โWhat you just described to me; you being able to not focus or you getting bored easily or procrastinating with stuff isโฆliterally you.ย Youโre just being you.โ The slider explained as he held his baby brotherโs hand in his. โAnd I get it.ย Itโs hard to deal with it sometimes and itโs going to be hella frustrating. Likeโฆsuper borderline frustrating.ย But you canโt shun them away and justโฆtry to ignore them, bubsโฆโ
โLetโs takeย moiย for example. Iโm impulsive, I talk loud and lose thingsย daily.ย Those three things donโt make up my whole personality but it would be super weird and off-putting if I justโฆdidnโt do or have those three things, right?โย
The youngest giggled wetly, โYeahโฆit would. A-And by the way, Iโm still waiting for you to find that glittery pen kit I gave youโฆโ
Leonardo groaned loudly and dramatically, causing the other teen to giggle louder, โIโmย lookingย for it, okay?! Itโs in my roomโฆsomewhere.โ The taller mutant mused, โBut anywaysโฆback toย you.ย You procrastinate, you relate things to your hyperfixations and you canโt do some of your favorite tasks from time to timeโฆthose are some traits that make up you, is it not?โย
Mikey sniffled, rolling his eyes playfully due to the fact he knewย damn wellย where this was going, โYeahโฆโย
Leo smiled softly, seeing his younger brother was starting to get his point, โI wouldnโt change a single thing about you, okay? I know sometimes itโs hard to deal with the things you described but you haveย usย for that.โ He said as his smile turned to a grin.ย
โYou can come toย meโย toย usโย anytime.ย We love you for who you areโฆyour flaws and all and we justโฆI-I need you to know that we love you so so muchโ!โ The slider was cut off by a sudden abrupt embrace from the box turtle. The orange banded teen sobbed into the otherโs shoulder, clutching the taller turtle like a lifeline.ย
โT-Thank youโฆโ The box turtle wobbly said through tears.ย ย
โOf course, Angel.โ Leo said as he hugged his baby brother back, โI love you.โ He said as he kissed the other teen on the head.
โI-I l-love you tooโฆโ
.
.
.
.
.
.
โTell your thoughts to shut up.โ Leo said as he lightly poked Mikey in the forehead numerous times. The two were sitting on the box turtleโs bed just simplyโฆrelaxing and enjoying each otherโs company.ย Michelangelo was sitting in between his older brotherโs legs as he had his shell to his brotherโs plastron.
Leonardo hugged his brother protectively, resting his chin on the top of the box turtleโs head. โWhat do you mean?โ The youngest giggled out. โI canย hearย your thoughts, man. Youโre not bothering me or disturbing me in any way, shape or form, alrightโฆ?โย
The amber eyed turtle nodded, squeezing Leoโs hand, โY-YeahโฆI know...โย
โIโmย choosingย to be here becauseย I love you.ย I donโt feel obligated to be here, okay? Youโre not annoying and you, neither your problems are a burdenโฆokay?โ The slider said reassuringly, โItโs okay to ask us for helpโฆand we donโt mind reminding you to do thingsโฆokay?โย
โYouโve said โokayโ like,ย fifty timesโฆโ
โMikey.โย
โMhmโฆyeah yeahโฆI gotchaโฆโ
The elder looked at his brother skeptically, resting his chin on his little brotherโs shoulder so they made solid eye contact, โI want you to say it.โย
โโฆSayย whatย exactly?โ
โI want you to say that you are anย amazing personย and you donโt need to change aย single thingย about yourself.โย
โYouย are an amazing person andย youย donโt need to change a single thing aboutย yourself.โ Michelangelo grinned smugly. Leonardo glared at the youngestโs interpretation to his statement, โMikey, you know exactly what I meant.โย
โI said what you wanted me to sayโฆsoโฆโ The amber eyed teen trailed off.
โMichelangelo.โ The slider said in a warning tone as he poked the otherโs side. The box turtle squeaked at the unexpected touch, trying to stop his immediate older brother from doing it again but his brother had a strong but gentle grip on himโฆ
Then the smallest turtle came to recognition that he was stuck in aย potentialย tickle hug with no way outโฆ
โฆHow wonderful.ย
โL-Leeheeoโฆdoohooย nahat.โ The orange banded mutant warned through his giggles, said warning not seemingย tooย threatening due to the fact he was already laughing up a storm. The leader in blue raised a brow, poking the otherโs side repeatedly, โI just want you to repeat what I saidโฆin theย first person.โ The taller teen specified.
The smaller turtle squirmed in the hug, small frantic giggles pouring out of his mouth.ย Thisโฆreally wasnโt how he was expecting his day to go.ย Just about an hour ago, he was wallowing in sadness about the stuff he hated about himself, toย talking about itย with his brother, to now gettingย tickledย by his brother.
โฆSo could heย reallyย complain about how things turned out?
โฆYes. Yes, heย absolutelyย could.ย ย
โLeeheeon!ย Plehease dohonโt!โ The youngest squealed as one of his brotherโs hands hovered over his stomach. Mikey held onto the otherโs wrists, trying to stop his elder brother from tickling him but his small attempts ending up to be all for nothing as Leo effortlessly tickled his stomach with one hand.
โLEEHEEHAHAHA!!โ Michelangelo laughed wholeheartedly, swatting at his brotherโs arms. The lime green eyed turtle cooed at the gesture, now using both of his hands to attack the youngestโs plastron, โD'awwโฆlook at you giggling your head off~! Youโre my adorable little bundle of amazingness, arenโt you~?โ
The smaller teen shook his head, a faint blush appearing on his face, โSTAHAโ squeal N-NAHAHA!โ
โWhat~? What was that?โ The blue banded mutant asked as he kneaded the box turtleโs hips. โGYAHAHโ squealย SHIHIHIT!ย COHOME OHAHAN!!!โ The amber eyed turtle cried frantically as he kicked his legs on the mattress slightly.ย
The youngest squealed with laughter, curling in on himself as he slumped in his big brotherโs hold. Leonardo just sighed fondly at the action, wrapping the other in another hug as he raspberried his neck. โLEEHEEHEE!! PLAHAHโ squeak NAHAHAT THEHERE squeak PLEHEASE PLEHEASEโ squeak!!!โ
โNot there~?โ The elder lightly mocked, โWhat aboutโฆhere~?โ He mused as he used his hands to scribble all over the younger turtleโs ribs. Mikey cackled, shaking his head to try and atย leastย subside the tickly feelings.
โNAHAHAโ squeal AHAHAHA!! NAHAHAT THEHEHERE EHEโ squeal EHEHEITHER!!! LEEHEEO!!โ The orange banded turtle squeaked as Leo stopped for a second, โIโve triedย soooooย many spots, buddy! How many times are you gonna say not there, hm?โ
Mikey genuinely squawked louder than a firefighter siren, squirming so much it looked like he was actually being electrocuted. โPLEHEHAHA LEEHEEO NAHAHAT THEHEHE RIHIHIBS!!!โ He cackled.ย
โNot the riiiibs~? Why~? Is it because itโs yourย tickleย spot~? Yourย tickletickletickleย spot~? Because youโreย ticklish~?โ Leonardo asked as he lightly nibbled the crook of Mikeyโs neck.ย
Michelangelo screamed in laughter, scrunching up his shoulders as he dug his heels on the bed, a couple of his plushies sadly falling on the floor (R.I.P. manโฆ) โEEEHEEHEEP!!!ย S-STAHAP BEEHEEING MEEHEAN!โ Mikey said as he thrashed on the bed.ย
The slider said nothing, his hands sneaking up to the box turtleโs underarms. โAAAAHAHAHA!ย OHO NOHOHOโ squeak SHIT! SHIHIHAHAT!โ
Happy tears slowly begin to appear in the smallest teenโs eyes, he weakly hit Leoโs arms as a last attempt to be set free, โLEHEHEMME squeal GOHOHOHO!โย
โOhonly if you sahay it, bubs.โย
โIHIHIโ SQUEAK!! LEEHEEHEEON!!!โย
โYeeeees, baby brother~?โ The elder dragged out as he kneaded the otherโs hips.
โIHIโLL SAHAY IHIHAT I-IHIHIโLL SAHAHAY IHIT!!โ The amber eyed teen squealed.ย
โAnd you promise not to be a sassy little shit about it~?โ The older teen asked.
โSQUEAK YEHAHAHAโ SQUEAK YEHES YEHES I-I PROHOHOMISE!โย
Leo stopped tickling his little brother, hugging him protectively as the youngest caught his breath slowly but surely. โW-Wahaitโฆwhahat squeak wahas ihihat yohou eeheeven wahanted me squeak to sahay again?โย
The taller turtle pondered for a bit, thinking to himself before loudly groaning, โThatโsโฆa good damn question. I donโt really remember exactly what I wanted you to say in the first placeโฆโ The lime green eyed turtle sighed, โForgetfulness at its finest...โย
The red eared slider adjusted himself, making sure the other was comfortable before starting to speak again, โWellโฆbased on what we talked aboutโฆcould you maybe justโฆy'knowโฆโ Leo gestured with his hands before groaning, โDo you get what Iโm trying to say, man?โย
โโฆI thihink I have ahan ideaโฆโ Mikey giggled as he fiddled with his hands, โI shouldnโt beat myself up so much because of some of my traits or quirks. And Iโmย allowedย to feel frustrated and/or upset because things donโt go my way because of them. ButโฆI shouldnโt allow those things to put me down...โ
Michelangelo smiled softly, rubbing his palm with his thumb, โThey donโt define me as a person but theyย makeย me a person. I donโt need to be at my best 100% and Iโmย allowedย to have bad days. And if things get too overwhelming or difficult I can just go to you guys.โย
Mikey hugged himself, letting out a small laugh as his happy tears welled up in his eyes, โIโm justโฆbeing me.ย And thereโs nothing wrong with that.โ Leonardo teared up at his brotherโs words, hugging him tighter than he ever had before and burying his face at the back of the youngestโs head.
โNever forget that, Miguelitoโฆnever forget that.โย
ยทฬฉฬฉฬฅอ๏ผ*โขฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*ห๐ต๐ธ๐ฝห*โขฬฉฬฉอโฉโขฬฉฬฉอ*ห๏ผยทฬฉฬฉฬฅอย
(๐ฟ.๐.: ๐ธ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐!!!)
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idk who said it, but someone was like "what happened if the main peculiar children just lost their peculiar abilities" and i- i desperately need go make a one shot for this so here y'all go :)
*this takes place around a map of days bc that's the book I've gotten up to at this point*
*third person*
Jacob woke up feeling quite odd, though he hadn't the faintest idea why.
He went out into the living room where all of his friends we're already up. They had all became quite time blind in the mornings due to the loop switchings, so they often woke up fairly early.
Olive and Claire were watching cartoons,and had made Bronwyn watch with them.
Millard was on a different couch reading a book with Hugh stumped against him attempting to read the novel as well.
Jacob smiled at his friends before walking into the kitchen where there was a wonderful aroma of pancakes and syrup.
It seemed that Miss Peregrine had forced Enoch, Emma, and Horace to help her cook breakfast. Though Jacob was fairly certain that Horace was willing to make it and had forced Enoch to help.
"Morning all," Jacob said as he started getting plates out of the cabinets to set the table with.
Emma brighten and quickly hugged him. "Morning!"
"Miss. Bloom," Miss Peregrine called out from the stove. "Can you keep these pancakes warm while I finished making the rest?"
"Course!"
"Mr. O'Connor, can you please finish the fruit salad instead of mopping around?" Miss P sighed.
Enoch muttered something under his breath but started cutting up fruit nonetheless.
Horace was humming a tune as he cooked the sausage.
"What on earth?" Emma's sudden outburst brought Jacob's attention to her.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Emma rubbed her hands together and then held them our through the already baked pancakes and frowned. "My fire isn't working!"
Miss. Peregrine's brow furrowed. "Perhaps you used too much fire yesterday?" She suggested.
"Maybe..." Emma said but she's didn't sound sure.
"MISS. P!!!" Hugh came running into the room dragging Millard behind him.
At first Jacob didn't know what was wrong with Millard. The boy was just staring at his hands. Then Jacob remembered that Millard was supposed to be invisible, and you shouldn't be able to see his hands.
The other's in the kitchen seemed to realize it at the same time he did and they all gasped.
"You're hands are visible!" Horace exclaimed, stating the obvious.
"No shit," Enoch muttered and Horace elbowed him in the rib.
Millard ignored Enoch and nodded. "And my feet!" He sounded more amazed than concerned.
"Oh dear," Miss peregrine mumbled. "What day is it?"
"Um," Jacob checked his phone before saying, "October 13th, why?"
"Oh this is bad. I completely forgot." Miss peregrine stressed.
"Forgot what?" Emma asked, now concerned.
"Gather all of the others, I'll tell you all over breakfast."
...
By the time everyone got into the kitchen, they all has seemed for realize that something was off.
Hugh hadn't seen his bees all morning, Olive wasn't floating, Claire's back mouth was completely gone, and Bronwyn was having trouble lifting the things she would normally be able to lift.
"What's going on? !" Asked Olive as she took off her metal shoes and didn't start floating.
"Children calm down please," Miss Peregrine set the food on the table and then sat in her seat. "I will explain what's happening but I need you all to stay calm."
There was a chorus of "Yes Miss. Peregrine"s as everyone helped themselves to the food.
Miss. P started explaining. "Every five years on October 13, peculiars lose their peculiar abilities for 24 hours."
"Why?" Asked Millard. "And why hasn't it happened before?"
"It happens so that peculiars don't overwork their abilities. It's never happened before because it only happens after you've been in a loop for a long period of time, but it was always September 3rd in our loop so it never happened before today."
Everyone was quiet until Olive jumped out of her seat, excitedly. "I wanna go to the beach! I don't have for wear my metal shoes so I can go swimming!"
Claire perked up at that. "Can we?"
Soon most of the children were coming up with things to do.
Miss P hushed everyone and then faked a exasperated sigh. "I suppose you can do something fun today and skip the lesson, but finish your breakfast first!"
Everyone continued eating, but now there was much more chatter.
Olive and Claire were trying to convinced Bronwyn to taks them to the beach. Millard, who was rapidly becoming visible, had decided that he wanted to go to a book store, and had begged Hugh to go with him (he said yes of course). Emma and Jacob planned a day of just hanging out together and doing normal teenager stuff. Enoch complained to no one in particular that he had nothing to do so Olive (being the sweetheart she is) invited him to go to the beach, to which he reluctantly agreed.
At some point Miss P turned to Horace and asked what he was going to do because he hasn't said anything.
"I," he replied, motioning to himself grandly, "am going to take a nap, because I haven't had more then 4 hours of sleep all week due to these stupid nightmares."
Olive giggled at his over dramatics (though all of what he said was true).
By the time everyone finished breakfast Millard was completely visible.
Hugh, who was sitting right next to him, grabbed a handful of millards hair and examined it. "I never realized how long your hair is!"
Millard just shrugged. "It's not like there's a barber shop that cuts the hair of invisible people!" He joked.
Emma who was sitting on the other side of Hugh, scrunched up her nose. "It's a dreadful mess, that's what it is!" She exclaimed.
"Oh please, " Millard said, pushing a lock of hair behind his ear, "it's no worse than your hair on a day to day basis, and you can see what you look like!"
Emma gasped. "You take that back!"
"I won't," Millard huffed.
"Children, children! No fighting!" Miss peregrine clapped her hands to get everyone quiet. "Now, considering that it seems all of you already have your day planned out, you can go get ready and then do what you have planned, but no fighting please!"
By the end of the day Millard had gotten his hair brushed and bought six new books, Hugh had got a few new plants for a round the house, Olive and Claire had a wonderful day at the beach and had even gotten Enoch to crack a small grin at one of their jokes while Bronwyn made sure none of them hurt themselves. Emma and Jacob watched some of Jacob's favorite Disney movies and just had a calm afternoon. And Horace got to sleep for the whole day which he was happy about. All in all, everyone was happy that day even though it felt weird to not have their abilities for a while.
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