#bayverse Raph is so emotionally beat up and I just want to hug him too

[thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos]

@gornackeaterofworlds IM SORRY- YOU HAVE SPEARED ME RIGHT IN THE HEART

YES.

THIS.

I joked recently that I’ve been watching Raph sprint away from Rose like he’s running a 50 meter dash, but he’s a professional at putting up those defensive spikes- purposefully and intentionally. No one can hurt him if he doesn’t let them get close.

He’s always expecting the worst, preparing for it; figuring that anyone one who shows kindness just wants something from their family. It will take so much trust and care to help him chip away at the walls around his heart- something that Rose is no stranger to and understands well.

I know the bay turtles are different from the guys in most iterations I was wondering. I don’t know if your doing a love triangle fic because lol drama is fun /aff but I was wondering do you prefer Leo over raph in that iteration or is just fir drama?

YES NONNIE I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS

*cracks nuckles*

You are totally right in that the Bay boyz (hehe) are very different than most other iterations, and that is something I love so much about them. I love that they gave more playfulness to Leo and Donnie, that typically only Mikey gets because, well, it's Mikey.

I love Bayverse Leo because of the burden that he shoulders, and I love writing him as more teasing and playful because he deserves to be. He's needed to be so responsible for everything his entire life; responsible for his brother's lives, responsible for NYC (in his view), and responsible for his father. And it gets to him. He deserves some sweet, soft moments where he can have fun and fall in love.

I love Bayverse Raph because of his wall that he puts up, blocking out the world so he doesn't get hurt. All he wants is acceptance, love; but the fear of rejection is so strong that he'd rather hide behind his muscles than give anyone a chance. He does everything he can to be intimidating, scary; but deep down he's screaming for someone to see past all that and reach out. Raph wants so badly to fall in love, but that fear; that fear that keeps him up at night, that's stained his hands with blood- it haunts him.

It's the difference between want vs need. What you deserve, and what is destined.

Plus...

..I mean...c'mon. *sighs dreamily*

But yes, I do love drama. And the love triangle idea between two incredibly strong personalities, who would both respect and disrespect each other has me rolling on the floor writing it.

So to answer your question completely, I love the Bayverse versions of Raph and Leo pretty equally. In most other iterations, Raph is always my favorite. I relate to him most (the wall) and I'm a sucker for a brooding bad boy. But Leo, *sigh* Leo and his angst got to me.

Writing ERHIT has been so fun because it gave me the opportunity to showcase the jealousy and anger that these two are known for, but in a different way. I love giving Raph more angst and making Leo feel happy and carefree...for a bit.

But thank you so much for asking!! It made my morning to get this!!

I could talk about ERHIT allll dayyyy lol