#but if we can acknowledge that it's messed up for leo and the others to over rely on raph to fix their problems

[strlvvr]

my best friend’s brother (is the one for me) - part two

part two!! i’m so excited for this series guys

word count: 945 words

read part one here !

⋆｡˚ ⋆｡˚ ⋆｡˚ ୭ৎ ⋆｡˚ ⋆｡˚ ⋆｡˚

all i’ve been able to think about is the interaction between me and matt. the way he whispered in my ear, the hand on my back, the way he played with my hair, how he got up to “go to the bathroom”. i knew exactly why he had to get up. it was kinda hard to ignore honestly.

“i’m going to bed, you coming?” nick asked me as he was getting up and putting his blanket away.

“no, i’m not too tired yet,” i moved over on the couch a bit to grab my drink, trying to ignore matt’s stare.

“well i’m gonna go to my room for the night.” chris said, also putting away his blanket and grabbing his drink, heading down the stairs to his room.

me and matt stayed quiet for a couple more minutes, just watching whatever was on after the crow. 

“just us now…” matt said quietly, grabbing the remote to put something else on. he decided on inception, another one of my favorite movies, which he knew.

“2010 was leo’s best year for movies,” i moved to face matt to debate with him over this.

“oh yeah? and why’s that?” matt asked with a smile. this is a topic we discuss often.

“well he had inception AND shutter island come out that year. arguably two of his best movies.” he just watched as i ranted about leo dicaprio and just movies in general. chiming in with yeahs and acknowledgments, but letting me talk. i swear for a second, i almost saw a look of love in his eyes. 

i quickly dismissed the thought and let myself get lost in the movie after my rant. i moved over to back over to matt, missing the comfort of being in his arms. he gladly pulled me into him and we sat like that for most of the movie, only moving to grab more snacks or our drinks.  

as the movie started ending, i felt matt’s breathing get slower, subtle snores leaving his mouth. i looked around and saw the mess left by nick and chris and sighed, knowing we had to clean it up. i started to get up to get a start on the cleaning, but matt, half asleep, pulled me back down, mumbling something i didn’t quite hear. 

“mmm stay here.” he grumbled, tightening his grip on my waist.

“matt, we have to clean up the garbage..” i whispered, hoping he wouldn’t hear me and let go. unfortunately he did and loosened his grip, letting me get up. he slowly got up, grabbing the candy wrappers around him and followed me towards the kitchen.

“nick’s probably asleep already.” he pointed out, grabbing more garbage from the table. 

“yeah..” i put away our blankets and fixed up the couch.

“you can always come sleep with me.” he said quietly, watching me walk around the living room to find the remote. “it’s over there,” he pointed to where we had just been sitting. 

i chuckled, grabbing the remote and turning the tv off. 

“i think i might take you up on the offer,” i said, searching for any sign of regret on his face, finding none.

he put the last piece of garbage away and started walking to his room, stopping and looking back to see if i was following him. once i grabbed our phones, i headed toward him and his room.

no matter how many times i’ve slept in here, it always feels awkward at first. he always points out how i sleep better in his bed, and i always blame it on how comfy his bed is, even though it has nothing to do with his bed but everything to do with him. 

he walked over to the bed, pulling back the blankets and getting in. i stayed put by the door, just watching him awkwardly.

“are you just gonna stand there all night?” he questioned me, pulling the blanket off the other side of the bed for me.

“i was thinking about it,” i walked over to my side and got in, immediately being met with the softness of his blanket and the smell of his cologne. i grabbed his remote to put on some random show. we debated on a couple before deciding on family guy. staying on our respected sides while intently watching the show we’ve both seen hundreds of times, not daring to move closer to each other. as if we weren’t just cuddling on the couch and falling asleep together out there. 

it was different in his bed though. almost like it was too intimate to cuddle in a bed. we wouldn’t dare take that step in our friendship, even if we would wake up like that anyway. the more tired i got, the less i cared. i moved closer to him, feeling him do the same. he put his arm out, signaling for me to lay on him. none of us said anything, we stayed watching the tv. there was an understanding between us that it was a comfortable silence.

‘this is normal, there’s nothing deeper to this. just two friends cuddling and watching tv.’ i thought, feeling him play with my hair and rub the leg i snuck onto him. i was trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach with every move of his thumb on my thigh and pushing away all the thoughts that snuck into my mind. 

slowly i started to fall asleep in matt’s arms. right before i fell asleep, i felt him reach for the remote to turn off his tv.

“goodnight baby.” he whispered, before kissing the top of my head and falling asleep himself.

tag list:

@beersangel @whoseyouare @wh0schl0 @st7rnioioss @slutsformatt @h3arts4harry

[bomber-grl]

Leo Valdez relationship hc♡

₊˚⊹Pairing(s): Leo Valdez x Gn!reader (no pronouns/no specific godly parent)

₊˚⊹Warning(s): Some cringe things so proceed with caution 😭

If you thought he was annoying he gets 100x worse

Like you know that one friend that gets a lil too comfortable around you?

Yea well that’s him except he’s your boyfriend

Now, I kinda sorta imagine diff sides of him as ur bf

So the most obvious way is him acting annoyingly clingy and such

He’s always cuddling up to you, calling you cringe nicknames/pet names, and just being so clingy and affectionate

Not that you hate it

He’s so sweet too, like he knows he’s annoying and stuff but for the most part it’s just to tease or mess with you

And when it comes to the more emotional part of the relationship, he’s there

You can only guess it’s because of how he always tries to hide his true feelings behind jokes and humor

Due to your relationship you two began getting closer and thus conversations of his true feelings and thoughts were revealed along the way.

So it just makes you sad that not enough people realize how sad and miserable he can be sometimes.

The reality of this slaps you in the face when you accidentally stumbled into him bawling his eyes out and very obviously going through something serious, then starts laughing and throwing out jokes at his own expense

Like why??

All you could think of doing was hugging him. Really settled in stone that y’all are 4lifers

Continuing from that, he really does like you

Like all his life he was literally “the other woman” in the sense that no one ever wanted him back.

So once you return his feelings he’s bamboozled

He genuinely takes a step back and tells you to stop joking around.

That’s how bad it was

Well, because of how taken back he was he not only made jokes but eventually realized there was no reason to use them as a cover anymore and just hugged and thanked you.

Yea, thanked you for liking him

Most times you enjoy each-others company in either your cabin, if not in bunker 9

While you’re just chilling in there practicing or doing whatever and him just working on a project he asks what makes him so attractive to you

Of course he drops jokes like “ofc I’m super sexy” or “how could u resist me?”

But when you ultimately tell him what you liked about him and how cute you found him-

He flusters

Badly

How easy it is to fluster him is one thing you absolutely love about him

He’s always getting overly cocky and flirting with you like there’s no tomorrow while dropping the most down right horrendous pet names known to man

(Ex: pookie wookie bear, sugar booger, etc)

Most times when Leo would flirt with girls in the past they’d ignore him and basically look down on him. ( which we all know)

Well when your lovely ass comes around he does the same routine

But unlike before, you actually reciprocate this flirting

And he combusts on the spot

*leo exe has stopped working*

Quite literally

He’s so unused to his affections being returned it’s literally whiplash the second it is

Gets to the point where he’s so embarrassed from your constant harassing teasing and flirting that he covers his face and basically whines out, begging for you to stop.

What a simp

(This statement is quite literally acknowledged by everyone else too LMAOO)

aside from that, he’s super hot

Literally

Concerningly so, especially during the summer

And it’s the absolute worse

Not only do you have to worry over him potentially over heating and passing out -

But also worry about yourself passing out CUZ THIS MAN DOES NOT KNOW PERSONAL SPACE!!!😭😭😭

He’s always clinging onto you and it could be 100 degrees outside and he truly does not give a flying fuck

It gets to the point where you have to peel him off of you, or at least beg someone else to do so in your place

And then he pouts and acts upset like??

Would he rather you die of over heating??😭

Like sorry we all ain’t fire resistant 🙄

Your personality takes a whole 180 during winter

Sure, they have the weather controller dome at camp but during missions that’s when you cling to him.

He always just lets you because of how touch starved the poor guy is.

(You probably are too if we’re being real here)

In the case that the weather controller isn’t working and it starts snowing then you most definitely sneak him in your cabin or bunker 9-

(I firmly believe he would build beds or sum shit for y’all to hang there and eat snacks)

And y’all would cuddle. You’d be warmly tucked under the sheets away from the harsh winds and hearing nothing else but each others breath.

Going back to physical affection in your relationship- home dude would be stressingggg

He’s be so nervous and his heartbeat would speed up anytime you’d hug and hold his hand.

Again, he gets way clingier and once y’all kiss there ain’t no going back.

He’s stuck to you forever.

If you ever want to cuddle or sleep in the same bed as him for a “sleepover”-ish thing then best believe dudes gonna be the worst sleepover- partner??

Just imagine this-

Leo, you ,both laying side by side under warm sheets on a dark winter night.

No light besides that of the moon and y’all have been pretty intimate and emotional. Just getting to know each-other on another level

Finally you’re falling asleep, your lids are drooping and you breath calms down after Leo shed a few tears.

Then all you hear is-

“Bro imagine if-“

Literal slap to the face

Like you can’t tell me he doesn’t say the most random shit and stops yall from actually sleeping. Literally has y’all giggling and shit all night.

If you’re in your cabin and you have siblings- they literally tell you to shut the fuck up and be grateful they let ur lil boyfriend sleep there without snitching.

Like goddamn

Never have y’all once slept in Leo’s cabin because how how fucking weird his siblings are-

Anyway 🙃

Bro is always showing you off

He has you on his arm and always saying shit about how he pulled a baddie

Like, sir, you’re the baddie

Anyway

Best believe home dude spoils you

Like sure, sometimes he’s a lil broke but he’s always making and buying you little things

Which is honestly so sweet 😭😭

Especially when you react by cuddling him and just peppering his face in kisses

He’s glad to have you as his significant other

I mean in his own words

“All da ladies love Leo”

(Ofc replaced w a Gn term cuz I’m sure everyone loves Leo lmao)

[cabbt]

You know, I'd watched every single TMNT show that existed multiple times. I know the lore, the mini episodes, most of the external content for every single one of those shows... But there was one show that I had never had the guts to finish, one show that I'd only watched 6 episodes before giving up on it for multiple years.

Until now.

And that was Next Mutation, the show nobody wants to acknowledge its existence. And I wanna talk about it real quick. Not just the bad, but the good as well, because as substandard as it was, there were some elements I genuinely liked about it. Not a lot, but gotta take what we can find. So if you'll indulge me, let's get started.

I mean, there's a reason nobody talks about it, and that's because it's hot garbage lol. There's a LOT wrong about that show, from the acting, to the stupid sound effects they added everywhere, to the "fight scenes", if I can even call them that, to even the fact that the costumes for the turtles and splinter in action scenes couldn't even close their mouths anymore, so they look idiotic. I'm not gonna spend too long on the bad because I'm sure it's all been said before, but I will summarize what I found the worst of it.

Spoiler alert that you learn in the first episode, but if you didn't know, this show has an extra turtle, Venus the Milo, who is honestly the only good friendly character in that entire show. She's not perfect in any way, but she is the only one to have character growth and any sort of maturity in that group, Splinter included. But adding a female turtle means they felt the need to make all the male ones macho and gross. Like stuffing their faces right next to her boobs and shaking their booties in her face type of gross.

The poor girl lost her master, her only family, and seaked a connection with the others so badly throughout the show, meanwhile the others were quick to tell her they were not sibblings (they never even used that term past the first 2 episodes, instead refering to each other as "friends") because they wanted to go out with her (spoiler alert, she never did, with any of them).

They also loved to make fun of disabled people, specifically this poor blind guy that played chess with Splinter in the park. For an entire episode, they just made him the dumbest, clumsiest blind person to ever exist, and it was just sad, for a lack of a better word. He didn't just bump into things, the moment he was in their lair, he decided it was a good idea to grab everything without asking and mess around with everyone's equipment and toys with no care in the world. He almost whacked Venus in the face, managed to ruin a smoke bomb by tossing it on the floor and even fired an arrow near his face before thinking it was a hook for his hat, despite his hands literally brushing over the feathers of the arrow. He thought Leo's sword was just a kitchen knife and used Raph's sai to remove his socks, without asking for permission for any of those things I might add. It was an excruciating episode and I really did not enjoy it at all.

In another, they refused to consider that a dragon (nothing to do with purple dragons, they are legit dragon people, the main enemy group of this show) could ever be good, because "all dragons are bad" until realizing that one of them "wasn't like the others", and it just felt pretty racist to me. Oh and they also killed the Shredder before bringing him back as a hobo to clean garbage trash with the turtles.

You get the gist, there's a lot I could say about the bad, and I could rattle on about it all day, but that's not what this post is really about.

No, what I want to talk about is the ONE episode I found legit interesting. Calling it "good" would be an overstatement, but there's a few main things I really like about that episode. And it's episode 12: Turtles Night Out.

But first, a very quick backstory. In a previous episode, the turtles met a hunter guy (very caricatural, but if you can get past the clichés, he's actually kinda funny sometimes). This guy was trying to illegally sell an endangered species of turtle (I believe it might've been a red-eared slider, but I don't know for sure, maybe you can tell from the picture).

Of course, the turtles wouldn't let him have that baby turtle, which led to this incredible ending.

Anyway, it seemed that that turtle really marked Mikey, because in episode 12, we learn that Mikey actually hosts an illegal radio channel, where he talks, plays music and even answers calls (we later learn that a lot of those dragon enemies actually love that radio show and regularly listen to it, which is admittedly pretty funny). While he's driving in their truck and talking to his audience, back at the lair, Splinter has this quick exchange with Donnie.

Splinter: "Donatello, tune in Michelangelo's show." Donnie: "But you hate that show." Splinter: "I don't hate Michelangelo. Tune it in."

Which is very cute imo. It means that despite hating the show, he will still make an effort to listen to what his kids make. This is one of the traits I really like the most about a Splinter, so it was fun to see it here (and only here, he never does anything like that again sadly).

They turn the radio on, and Mikey tells his ever growing audience that he's organizing a rave party. Using his popularity, he decides to hosts a costumed party, where people can come in disguised as their favorite animal, to raise money for endangered species. This is the only time in that entire show where we see any of the turtles have any sort of mature hobby or activity. Seriously, throughout the show, outside of Donnie sometimes making some machinery and the guys fighting once in a while, all these dudes ever do is chat online, cook food, and make all the mistakes dumb teenagers ever do. Leo will sometimes read books or train and Venus meditates, but that's it. So this episode was a real breath of fresh air to see that Mikey not only manages an entire radio show, but also took the time to plan and organize a rave party just to raise money for a good cause. Good on him.

I will mention though that Mikey and his brothers/friends kept making weird flirty comments to all the girls at the party, so that did put a damper on my enjoyment of that episode, but still, at its core, the radio and raising money trait fits perfectly for a Mikey and it was really interesting to see. They also had to fight the hunter guy and some thugs, who were angry that someone dared making money in their turf without their approval, and had to pretend to be clumsy or dancing while kicking those guys' butts so the rest of the crowd wouldn't freak out, a bit like they did in one of the 90s movies. It was pretty enjoyable, one of the rare fights that didn't feel overly ridiculous to me. Too bad all the other episodes sucked ass lol.

There's a LOT more I could say about that show. I didn't even mention the last episode being a flashback episode instead of a real ending, or that regularly, one of the turtles would want to save the life of a dubious person (enemy, half enemy, unknown, whatever), because it's the right thing to do and they might get an alliance out of it, but the others just... refuse to help, honor be damned (and yes, I very much include Leo in that, he refuses to help almost more than the others), or even talk about that human scientist working for the dragons (think Baxter Stockman but more excentric and much less charismatic), who was so infatuated with Donnie that it gave me some gay vibes in one episode

But this post is already way too long as it is, so I will end up by saying that according to Donnie, in that show, their body temperature is around 63.2F/17.3C (instead of 97.6F/37C for humans), and does not seem to shift depending on the outside temperature, unlike cold-blooded creatures, so... mesothermic confirmed?

[afreakingdork]

Hey Dork! I've been rereading the newest chapter of Soft Spot over and over again, and now I need to ramble. I hope you don't mind, and I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense 😅 I have a hard time organizing and articulating my thoughts.

I think it's interesting how you went about showing different kinds of parenting from the perspectives of someone who wanted to be a parent (Donnie) and someone who moreso had the responsibility thrust upon them (Splinter, and on a lesser note, Raph)

We've seen Donnie go through the motions throughout the entirety of Soft Spot. We see the initial desire, the highs and lows throughout trying, the joy when it eventually happens. And then we hear his thoughts about whether he's even worthy of such a gift! But he wants this, and he's willing to take the bull by the horns so to speak.

Now with Splinter, there's no denying he loves his sons. If push came to shove, he absolutely would lay down his life for them. But when it comes to actually parenting them... yeah, there's much to be desired there.

But I can sort of understand both sides of the situation. For Splinter, after a life as a movie star, getting kidnapped and enslaved twice and then turning into a rat is definitely going to have a negative toll on your mental health. And not being able to talk to anyone about the trauma was going to leave it unresolved for a very long time. So you can understand why he'd be deeply depressed after the fact.

But he also had three children at the time. And it's super obvious that he just wasn't emotionally ready for that. So Raph, being the oldest, had to pick up the slack. And while Splinter and his boys have a good relationship now, it left all of them with some baggage.

And what must Donnie think about that whole mess? For years, he had heard Splinter talk about how much he wanted him, how much he loves and cares about him even after all his misdeeds. And then, for the first time, he's finally hearing about the kind of father Splinter actually was.

It gets Donnie, someone who wanted a child in the first place and fought to get it, thinking. And there's a certain catharsis when he gives Splinter his verbal smack down, even if you still feel some sympathy for the rat man.

And then the acknowledgement of Raph's efforts 😭 He's not technically a parent, but there's no denying the role he played in his brothers' lives. Leo and Mikey, while still not the greatest, are better for having Raph play that role for them. Donnie already had it in his head that Raph was the only option for the role of godfather, hearing about his efforts just further solidified it.

I don't know how to conclude this, so I think I'll just stop here. But just know my brain is full to bursting with so many thoughts 🤯 I shall make you some art later, when my brain is a bit clearer.

I never mind! Please feel free to ramble to your hearts content; I love to read it!!! 💞💞💞 Also, who made all y'all so self conscious about this 'making sense' concept! I will take them down!! Every single one of you is insanely eloquent and I won't have you talking yourselves down!!

This chapter being called piecemeal was very purposeful. We are seeing a ton of fragments of things we've never seen before. From the other side of Splinter's supposedly amazing parental skills to what happened from the final as of yet unknown side the night Raph got acid dumped on it, it's all about perspective!

I cannot tell you how perfectly you've captured my intention. This is everything I hoped to convey in my writing and more. I never mean to condemn Splinter's parenting. As reader said, Splinter did the best he could with what he was given. It goes all along with the larger schemes of Weak/Soft Spot still toying with that concept of what really is evil or good.

UGH!! Reading this was truly such a pleasure. I can't thank you enough for analyzing my work. You are truly such a pleasure, meg! Feel free to drop by anytime and WAH THANK YOU FOR EVEN THE IDEA OF FANART!!!!

[nerdthatsiriuslylovesteaxx]

Helpless part 36, sorry for the wait, here is a long chapter as payment

Nico woke up after three hours with a splitting headache, he felt nauseous, where even was he? He spotted the blonde boy sitting on the chair next to him reading a book, he was surprised that he wasn't off with ten other patients by this point. "You okay Neeks?" Will said putting his book down and walking over.

"I've got a headache."

"Nauseous to?"

"How'd you know?"

"It's normal, I'll go get you some water." Will walked out returning with a glass and handing it to the Hades kid, he started taking small sips from it, letting the cool water run down his throat, when even was the last time he drank water? "Would you be open to talking to someone? I know you don't like opening up to people but it could help."

"Are... are you forcing me to?" Nico asked so softly Will could barely hear him, he sat down next to the whispering boy.

"'Course not Neeks, we just want you to get help."

"Please don't make me talk to people." He whispered back, curling up.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to." Nico mentally laughed at the irony of Will telling him that when he was being kept in the infirmary which he really didn't want to do. The son of Apollo grabbed the small boy's hand and started rubbing the back of it in circles, "You could try a journal? I've heard that helps."

"Maybe... can we leave this for now?"

"Sure, anything in particular you want to talk about?"

"Can we finish our game of twenty questions?"

"Okay."

"Who's your favorite siblings?"

"Don't you dare tell any of them but Kayla, Austin will kill me if he finds out." Will laughed, "Least favorite of the seven?"

"Valdez, he's annoying as fuck also I fucked him that one time so it just makes everything awkward."

"Wait what?!"

"We were both bored and drunk, we never talk about that day. Anyways, have you ever dyed your hair?" He decided to let Will come to his own conclusions on that one, especially because Leo was too drunk to actually remember it, or he was just a very good actor. He remembered that night, it was the anniversary of when Bianca had died, while he last memories with her weren't the best he still loved her. He still wished he'd died instead of her. He was drinking himself numb, standing outside on the deck in the darkness when Leo walked, well walked was being generous, stumbled down the stairs, so drunk he could barely stay up right. He remembers thinking 'well might as well do it, haven't got anything to loose.' He remembers grabbing his shirt and smashing his lips against his.

"Why are you so drunk Valdez?" He muttered into his ear, trailing up kisses

"None ya business Shadow boy."

"Fine." He pulled away,

"Hey!"

"No sympathy sex if you don't tell me."

"My mom died today."

"I'm sorry."

"Di Angelo I seem to realise you are also drunk, would you care to explain why?" His words were practically just slurs, fuck it, he thought, they'd both just never acknowledge it again.

"My sister died today."

"What? But Hazel-"

"My other sister, Bianca, died when I was ten."

"I'm sorry."

"Can we just fuck senseless I can't take processing this anymore."

"Fine by me." And then that was it, they never spoke of it again and went back to hating each other, honestly it was a disaster that they we're probably never going to unpack.

"Nope, I was going to dye it brown again when I saw my mum but then she didn't talk to me for years so never really did that."

"That is messed up but in a desperate attempt to keep this light hearted we will unpack that later. Now, I will be kidnapping you and dying your hair every colour imaginable."

"Can I ask why?"

"You're blonde, what else would I do?"

"Umm... okay then, have you ever watched Star Wars?"

"Nope."

"What! How? I'm putting Kay or Aussi on tomorrow night and we are binging all of Star Wars together."

"Please no."

"Too late Angel boy." Nico sighed in defeat, shaking his head but accepting his fate.

"Why didn't you tell me you could speak Italian?"

"I didn't know, I mean the song I learnt a while ago but actually speaking it's like how Aphrodite kids can speak French because it's the language of love, Italian's the language of music."

"That makes a lot of sense."

"Speaking of Italy, do you miss it?"

"Yeah, but when I went back there with Jason on the Argo II I didn't really feel anything, everything there changed so much, it barely feels like home now. What's something no one or only one person knows about you?" Will could tell him so many different things, he had so many secrets but was it safe to share them? He could do the easy thing and say that he glows in the dark, he could talk about his mom or the things he does at night when he's sure no one's watching him.

"I can glow in the dark." It was too soon, he'd tell him... eventually.

"YOU'RE A PORTABLE SUNSHINE!!!" Nico cringed at himself mentally but it was so easy to get lost in conversation with Will, just about fun shit, not worrying about everything all the time. I mean he'd had his fair share of hard conversations and lectures from the blonde boy but it was still so easy to relax around him. That wasn't good, he couldn't let his guard down, especially after those kisses. He said he loved him, he kissed him after the first one, he didn't pull away but that didn't mean anything. He would leave after realising that he was worthless and didn't deserve love, he wanted to let him in but his brain wouldn't let him, the only reason he'd said half the shit he had now was because of Reyna.

"Shut up Doom and Gloom." He laughed, messing up Nico's hair.

"Don't think I will, Care Bear."

"Really?"

"You love it, be honest." Fuck, he shouldn't be letting himself get this comfortable, he shouldn't be getting this relaxed with anyone. But it was living sunshine, cinnamon roll, Will Solace, he could trust him... right? Will rolled his eyes in defeat,

"...Will you be my boyfriend...?" Fuck, why did he do that? What if he- his thoughts were cut off with Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, ambassador of Pluto smashed his lips against his own, grabbing his blonde hair. He wrapped his arms around the small boy's neck, pulling him as close as he possibly could until they broke the kiss.

"I'd love that Sunshine." Here goes nothing, at least he'd be happy for a day or two, he didn't want to build hope of Will liking him for any longer than that, but at least there would be some temporary happiness. A moment of silence passed until Nico asked the next question "What's going on with your mum?"

"Well- Umm.." Will struggled to hold back tears,

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to."

"I want you to know, it's just... hard."

"Take a deep breath, it's going to be okay." Will shook before a tear fell from his eye as started to talk.

"Well until I was eight she was amazing, honestly the best parent I could wish for. But then after that she became really busy, working two jobs to pay for the album she was writing. Then when I was nine she dropped me off a my aunts, said it was for a few days, three months later I ran away. Her house... it was a nightmare, constantly called the unwanted child, yelled at for getting in trouble at school and not paying attention. And for anything that went wrong... ever and well let's just say she wasn't the nicest overall. Food once a week and if I was in trouble once every three weeks and well she hit hard. I don't think mom knew how bad she was, at least that's what I used to think, now I'm not so sure. I ran away which is when I found camp, just wandering around aimlessly until I was attacked by symphalian birds and I just ran until they couldn't find me. I was in the infirmary for two weeks, which was when I met Michael... first time someone cared about my existence in a few years. I was claimed the first campfire I went to; I wrote to mom so much those first few months... poured my fucking heart out, never got a goddamn response. Well she sent me a letter yesterday... wanted to meet up next week, don't even know how she fucking found out where I was. Didn't even bother asking the fuck had happened." Will didn't realise he was crying until Nico wiped a tear from his cheek and kissed him on the forehead,

"I'm so sorry."

"I'm going to go there next week and say every fucking word I want her to hear." He said in a broken voice, he pulled him into a hug.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Will just nodded, sinking into the smaller boy's arms, slipping his hands into Nico's.

"Why do you always wear that ring?"

"Bianca gave it to me before she left, it was my mothers; nearly got it stolen at a club a when I was twelve."

"Why were you...?"

"Addicted to more things than I would be willing to admit, easiest way to get them. Cats or dogs?" A look over uncomfort washed over his face as he quickly changed the subject; Will knew he wouldn't get any more information on what had happened, at least any time soon.

"Cats and that is objectively the correct answer, also I already asked you that."

"Firstly, I don't care. Secondly, you're wrong. Thirdly, you are a golden retriever but you like cat's!? How?? Why??"

"Cat's are just better, and anyways you are the definition of black cat but preferre dogs."

"Cat's aren't 'just better' why do you think we have three headed dogs but not three headed cats?"

"Simple, a single cat is already perfect, why add two more when you've already got perfection?"

"Shush, dogs are still better."

"Whatever you say Neeks, just know that your opinion is wrong." Will teased, patting Nico on the head, covering his hand with his mouth to stop any protests. "Who's your favorite Mean Girls character?"

"Regina, what kind of a question is that? How much longer do you think Jason and Piper are going to last?"

"What?"

"His much longer will they last? It's doomed, my bets are another week or two before one of them snaps." Will thought back to the two of them, he didn't know either of them that well but he normally never would have guessed they're together.

"Umm... I haven't really thought about it but I guess another month maybe month and a half. Favorite book?"

"Ernesto, it was impossible to find and even harder to read since it was all in bad handwriting and dyslexia didn't exactly help. Also if I was caught with it I would have to spend months in the church but I still managed to get through it." Nico remembered finding the first page somewhere on the floor and picking it up, desperately trying to find out where it was from. It took him months to find one and about a year to read that one but he remembered the plot word for word. He could remember sneaking out at dawn to read it before anyone else was up, it was like that for half a year, waking up every morning to read it and then hide it from his mum and Bianca, he didn't know how he never got caught. "Do you like being in the infirmary all the time, I swear you never take a break."

"Yeah, I like being able to help people. Also I'm the only healer so I try to not put anyone else in the Apollo cabin have to be in here too much, I mean normally it's Kay and Aussi but sometimes we have other people in here. What's your favorite season?"

"Winter, I love the rain also I hate the sun."

"Heyyy!"

"Sorry Sunshine, it's the truth, when have you ever seen me outside willingly? What's your favorite song?"

"Probably... Pretend."

"Sing it?" Nico said laying down on his lap, looking up at him.

"Tonight my self-respect went out the window

It didn't stay for long

But I figured I'd be wrong

So, don't come close

My heart is rather clueless

I don't know why I do this But just once more

Let's close the door and play pretend

More than a glance

More than a friend

I'll close the door and play with you

Is that what you want me to do I'll do what you want me to do

Hit me up

It's fine, Mil pause my healing

It's all part of our truce

Oh, the sweet smell of abuse So, please don't go

My life is going backwards

No room in it for you But this bed fits two

Let's close the door and play pretend

More than a glance

More than a friend

I'll close the door and play with you

Is that what you want me to do I'll do what you want me to do

Why do I want it too?

I should be running from you

Why do I want it?

Oh, I want it too

Let's close the door and play pretend

More than a glance

More than a friend

I'll close the door and play with you

Is that what you want me to do

I'll do what you want me to do" Nico stared into his eyes, mesmerised by the blonde boy's voice. Will smiled, planting a kiss on his forehead."If you could have one wish, what would it be?"

"I'd bring Hazel's mother back, she deserves to see her again."

"Not your own?"

"I'd rather make her happy; do you play any sports."

"I love playing soccer but there isn't really time with being in the infirmary."

"You mean football?"

"No I mean soccer...?"

"Soccer is football, the abomination of a sport you have here that you call football is rip off rugby."

"I would argue with that but I really can't, there's basically no difference between the two sports. But it's definitely soccer."

"All Americans are dumb and that is the hill I will die on, you kick the ball with your foot, that's why it's called football. Where did soccer come from?"

"I don't know but it sounds better."

"It really doesn't Solace; just ask the next question, I can't afford to lose any more brain cells."

"Rude, but what's your favorite time of day?"

"Sunset, who's your favorite out of the seven?

"Probably Annie, but I talk to Leo a lot, mainly because he's here a lot."

"Can't imagine why." Nico said speaking in fluent sarcasm,

"What's your fatal flaw?"

"Holding grudges."

"How am I not surprised? Also that was the last question."

"Good, I was starting to run out of ideas."

"Same though," Will glanced down at his watch, "Neeks, it's almost lunch time. I want you to try eating just a tiny bit, stop whenever you feel sick, but could you try?" He half nodded, dreading what would come next.

***

______

Sorry again for the wait, I got distracted

I'll be honest I was running out of questions at the end

If you're still reading comment your Hogwarts house

May the odds be ever in your favour

-Siri

Xx

[pawprintreblogs]

Tbh we can talk about Raph’s struggles without tearing Leo down. Every time I see hate for Leo, especially 2012 Leo, I just immediately think you’re just a bitter person. Leo is not at all a bad guy. He wants to care for his brothers and keep them safe. He’s inspired by the heroes from his fav shows and wants to be like them. He’s just a nerdy fella who wants to be a good leader. He and Raph fight a lot, but they don’t hate each other. They’re brothers. They’re gonna fight and pick on each other. You try living in a confined environment with your siblings for 16 years and never leave. Shit’s gonna get annoying.

People act like Leo is the whole reason for Raph’s struggles, and he’s really not. Raph DOES have anger issues and to blame the others for it just… no. I’m someone who gets angry like Raph does. I have a hard time containing my own emotions like he does, but I don’t blame everyone else for it. Raph wants to be in charge, but he’s not mature enough to handle it. I’m sorry, but he’s not.

I just feel like hating any of the characters is weird. If you’re gonna blame anyone, blame Splinter. The brothers are all in the same boat here. Let’s stop pretending Raph is the most mistreated poor baby ever. Yes, he’s mistreated. Yes, he’s often blamed for things BECAUSE his anger makes it easy to blame him. But he’s blamed for things due to his anger the same way Mikey is blamed for messing stuff up due to his lack of thinking. The way Donnie is blamed for being self-centered. The way Leo is blamed for not doing a good enough job protecting everyone.

This is just a pattern I’ve noticed in general with characters like Raphael. It’s okay that characters just ARE assholes sometimes. It’s fine to acknowledge that. It doesn’t always have to be a case of mistreatment or something. I’ve noticed this with Leona, too. I’ve noticed the fans of him just refuse to acknowledge that the reason he isn’t king isn’t just due to age… genuinely he couldn’t handle it. He’s not mature enough. And then people make assumptions that obviously Farena has to be a bad person, right? And these guys will go on to hate Malleus. It’s so weird to me to hate fictional characters so much. But like particularly someone like Malleus who kinda just struggles to regulate emotions. And then like with Bakugou, people won’t just let him be a jerk. He’s majorly jealous. That is his problem. That’s not anyone else’s fault.

Basically this little ramble is just me being annoyed at how quick people are to jump on a hate train for the rival version of their fav characters. In particular, I’ve most noticed it with the fans of characters like these guys. No hate to anyone who is a fan of those characters, btw! It’s just something I’ve noticed in general. I just think we should all be kind a treat each other with respect.

[shanmthebrave]

“Are you ready, Leo~?”

“I’m always ready, Azucena.”

“Hehe, great!”

The literal definition of Yapper x Listener - An Leo x Azucena (AzuLeo appreciation/persuasive post) -TEKKEN 8-

~TW - HE/HIM LEO~

Like, Azucena would yap about coffee and Leo wouldn’t mind :)

His laugh and the way he casually answers Azucena that he’s from Germany WHILE IGNORING THE FACT THEY’RE IN A WAR-ZONE BECAUSE THAT DON’T MATTER WHEN YOUR FAV COFFEE CELEBRITY IS IN FRONT OF YOU

Bro she’s gonna send you coffee for being a fan, like a good celebrity doessss

Also he’s ignoring the fact for a moment that she’s with G-Corp…and also also asking at the end what her true purpose was…

Tbh to me Azu’s purpose with this sudden conversation was either:

She really wants to promote her coffee ☕️

Or she finds Leo interesting (Whether Platonic or Romantic)

Either way, we can leave it to imagination :) but I’d always pick red or both

CAN WE ALSO NOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT SHE GAVE LEO A WINK AND BLEW A KISSSSS?! ACKKKKKK

Their only interaction in the story has implied that Leo already knew Azucena before their canonical encounter. Their lines during chapter 10 are proof contributing to this:

Observation from their Chapter 10 interaction:

An instant recognition, Leo’s got good observation skills. He’s kinda shocked that she’s with G-Corp. Understandable, since the people in G-Corp are pretty bad people, and seeing Azu, a person who he knows well for her coffee (only revealed after the fight), working for them, his shock becomes understandable.

Azucena’s motives confuse Leo, as she’s promoting her coffee by working with G-Corp, the company that well, 💀 his mom. Ouch.

Despite that, after their fight, Leo reveals that he’s a a fan of her coffee. AND AZUCENA FINDS HER FELLOW COFFEE DRINKER!

She offers to make a special order for him, and LEAVES THE FIGHT WITHOUT CONSIDERING ITS A WAR-ZONE, IS SHE EVEN OKAY?!

Well she is seen in the good ending so we can assume that yes she did make it

Leo is just standing there, confused as to what her real purpose was (which I covered in the point above)

Now, let’s talk about their lines during their fight and their meaning behind it, and compare this interaction to Leo’s fight with Jin:

When Leo successfully lands a hit, he says lines to try and diffuse the fight, rather then try to continue the counter offensive, unlike what he did with Jin, where his distrust in him is evident.

He says: “Open your eyes!” And “There’s no reason for us to fight!” Clearly showing that he doesn’t wanna fight Azucena. Rather, to convince her to stop siding with G-Corp.

Unlike his fight with Azucena, his interaction with Jin is a tad more hostile, as we know Jin did some pretty messed up stuff, which provoked Leo to initiate a spar with him. However, Azucena chose to fight Leo instead, when he clearly didn’t want to.

Now, let’s chat abt Azucena’s POV. She really just wants to promote her coffee, but also broaden her horizons for new blends, perhaps. Maybe find a fellow coffee enthusiast or a strong opponent (latter is the most likely motive).

When Azucena lands a hit, she only has one line: “Come on, let’s have some fun!” AS IF THIS ISNT A WAR ZONE AND ITS A FRIENDLY SPAR.

She seems to enjoy fighting Leo. This is especially shown when she gets defeated and flips back, exclaiming “You’re pretty good!” As if acknowledging his skill.

This pretty much shows that the entire time, she was fighting for fun, forgetting that she got herself into a war. It makes me laugh inside tbh. Haha.

Oh you think we’re done? Nope cuz we’re covering a lil bit about their character episodes too!

Leo meets Azucena in the final stage. Huh. What a coincidence.

There’s not much to say in this, other than the fact that both of them fight Yoshimitsu in the first stage. lol.

✨Special Interactions!!!!✨

Is there really any points we can make?! It’s so cute! And random…but funny and quite welcoming.

It’s not everyday someone encounters you and declares themself the coffee queen and tries to KICK you while you try to process everything (lol)

The pure surprise in Leo’s face never fails to make me laugh. Bro looks so perplexed and afraid 😭

And Azucena kicking him without warning is so random and even more silly, like give this man some time to process you woman 😂

When Azucena wins, she tells Leo that a good coffee takes time to brew, as if encouraging him that he’s doing great and he will get better, like a sparring partner that gives him feedback.

On Leo’s end, he’s awfully happy he won and says it’s time for a coffee break, something he says ONLY when he wins against Azucena. It’s as if fighting her reminds him of his liking for coffee.

Now, I will give my reasons why I love shipping Azucena and Leo together.

They have cute/canon interactions

The relationship has potential

Special intro pass

They relate over the one thing that got them together: COFFEE

Leo likes her products and is a big fan of her.

Azucena seems to enjoy his presence and wants to encourage him to get stronger.

Even tho Azucena sided (formerly) with G-Corp (not confirmed if she stopped working with them), Leo’s pretty chill and is willing to forgive her (Seeing as he forgave Jin, a literal war criminal)

It’s just cute. It’s so random, it’s adorable

It also just works in a way. They’re the literal definition of Yapper x Listener

She would yap to Leo about coffee and whatnot and he’d be so chill with her.

A cute, energetic girl with a shy, gentle boy trope, dominant girlies with gentle boys are just so funny and adorable to watch.

Welp, I can’t add any more photos and I’m running out of ideas, so in conclusion, the points I want to make is:

- AzuLeo is a very cute ship

- It’s hella under appreciated

- It may be random, but who says we can’t ship what we want and promote them?

- I love these two coffee lovers

- BANDAI NAMCO, GIVE THEM MORE SCENES TOGETGER, AND I WILL BE HAPPY. PLEASE!

- Azucena is overhated. Period.

- The creators of Tekken said we can call Leo any gender we want cuz Leo is…Leo. So I’ll call him a male.

I don’t rlly expect people to like the ship after this post. And that’s okay with me. As long as I’m happy and passionate posting what I like. ❤️

If you made it here, thanks for reading through my entire ship post haha. I hope you will start to like this ship or perhaps tolerate it if you hate it. Whatever happens, or if your opinion doesn’t change, at least I’ll be happy, cuz I spoke my mind on something I like :)

[ironinkpen]

idk Leo’s attitude during the chase scene at the beginning of the movie makes total sense if you have siblings tbh

Leo’s unresolved character arc in the show is feeling like his family doesn’t trust him. part of this is his own fault bc he withholds information from them and acts like a goof even when he’s secretly taking things seriously (like in Many Unhappy Returns), but sometimes he DOES act serious and is still brushed off. In Bug Busters, he pulls Raph aside multiple times to try to talk w him about Big Mama, no joking around, but Raph dismisses his concerns bc.... idk? it’s Leo??

I say this with all the love for Raph in my heart, but if my big brother, who is 2 for 2 on Not Trusting Me When I’m Right, came up to me saying I’m not taking things seriously enough (the exact same thing he said the LAST time I was right) I would ABSOLUTELY risk starting an apocalypse to prove him wrong lol

[jamiesfootball]

The super longest post about Keeley and her relationships: featuring interesting parallels between Keeley and Jamie, how her and Jamie's perspectives on their relationship is an inverse mirror, why Roy Kent, and other ramblings.

Heavy on the Keeley.

(woohoo boy this is a super long one I am not kidding. this is so long i busted out the laptop so I could add a readmore for you fools. you’re welcome)

Starting with the depressing bottom:

Jamie having a bad sexual experience with an adult that he didn’t choose in a very male-specific situation.

Keeley choosing something sexual with a teacher in a very woman-specific situation and the adult teacher not only letting it happen but also making it worse.

So we have two people with… not great experiences in their history, and their experiences are layered like a burrito in how other people perceive them through the lens of their gender. And yet somehow our cute little muffins battled on, and by the time the show starts they are 1) together and 2) freaking adorable, but 3) have a tendency to put sex first in a relationship (more on that later).

It’s adorable, flirty, fun sex definitely, but it also collapses pretty quick when Keeley begins starts making a relationships with what are arguably two of the most important people in her life: Rebecca and Roy.

First - Rebecca.

One can extrapolate from the context given in the show that before Rebecca, the friends Keeley had were industry-related acquaintances and other famous people. Not serious, sensible people. No disrespect to Sally, but while Silly Rebecca is a delight I think what drew Keeley in her general awe of Rebecca was how inner strength and outer persona were so intertwined. She was a formidable, self-sufficient, boss-ass-bitch. While Keeley clearly possesses an enormous amount of inner strength, she (as the script says) is used to people judging her book by her cover.

It's as she gets to know Rebecca - who is kind and thoughtful and caring behind that initial cold exterior - it's Rebecca who asks Keeley the probing, important questions, like why she's settled for messing around with someone who on the surface makes for a very shallow relationship.

Keeley's answer? For shallow reasons. Jamie is young and fit and fun, and Keeley's been stuck in the cycle of finding young-fit-fun for so long that she's actually lost track of the fact that one of those is beginning to not apply to her. Her joke about being Leo DiCaprio isn't entirely a joke - in industries of fashion and fame, it's pretty common for people to stop emotionally maturing around the age that they get famous.

So Rebecca asks 'what about accountability?' and that's the true start of Keeley's journey, because until someone said it, she didn't know how to put to words what it was she needed. And what she needed was room to grow, room to have a stable, normal, and dare I say adult relationship.

Enter Roy Kent.

Their initial interactions are loaded with fun, flirty chemistry, but two instances in particular resonated with Keeley: the scene in the club and the scene where he told her he didn't appreciate being used as a pawn in her relationship at the auction. And while the club is pivotal for Roy as a leader, I think the moment that sunk Keeley was when, amidst all of the team drama going on, he took a second to just stop and... acknowledge her. He didn't come there for her, she wasn't in his direct focus, but she was there, and for someone who's probably used to feeling a bit like arm candy? It felt like respect. Score a point for Roy Kent.

The second scene is a case of Roy 'accidentally putting his best foot forward at the right time' because she's pissed at Jamie, arguing about accountability, and then there's Roy demanding the same accountability from her. He challenges Keeley and Keeley does not back down. She jumps head first into accountability and it fits like a glove.

And just like that, it's over between her and Jamie.

BUT. BUT. Keeley and Jamie have been broken up since episode 4 and we’re still getting new facets to their relationship!

One of those interesting facets that’s come to light is that Keeley has a habit of downplaying to other people that her and Jamie's relationship had any emotional components at all. Before and after they break up, she always refocuses any mention of Jamie in the conversation towards the sexual:

“Now I’m in my 30s and I’m still dating a 23 year old footballer.”

“[To Jamie] Babe, if [bankers] looked like that, then we wouldn’t be together.”

“I just wanna know if I can bang him.” “Well you’ll have to ask him, it’s his dick, isn’t it?”

“Five out of five: would break again.”

And like, she tells Roy that she hooked up with Jamie to get back at Roy because she was hurt that he left her on read after a really fucking good kiss, but then you look at her face in that scene and that's not entirely true is it Keeley?

When Jamie stops by her house, Keeley's face is NOT that of someone plotting anything. That is not the face of someone who's bummed their crush might not like them and is looking for a rebound (well it is at first a bit).

But Jamie comes over and she. is. CHARMED. He's here to thank her for being so excellent to him all the time, and taking him to plays, and putting work into him that he didn't appreciate before. He's not even here for a hookup - she offers him a drink and he's just like 'nah, thanks tho'. He's basically out the door before he realizes what she's implying.

And that's the thing - the second sex is off the table between them is when their relationship actually begins to shine. She’s constantly charmed by his total… Jamie-ness. Like saying ‘you’re welcome’ when she says he made it easy to break up. Like seeming ambivalent about the break up, but then cheering when Keeley is still willing to help with his beer ad campaign. Stripped of the sexual connotations of a relationship, his honest appreciation of her is endearing. But that's it. She's refocused on Roy, and she's not looking at Jamie anymore as an option. That book is closed.

Now. Jamie.

Poor fucking Jamie, who has a history of losing a good thing right when he was starting to understand that he had one to lose (see: getting transferred from Richmond, losing Keeley).

Where Keeley has spent most of their post-break up intellectualizing that her relationship with Jamie was mostly just a sexual fling, Jamie has spent more of their post-break up time realizing that not only was their relationship was more emotional than he thought, but that its the kind of connection he wants in the first place. It's clear from post break-up day one that he still wants Keeley around, even if it's not as a girlfriend. Where she's dismissing things between them as having been shallow, Jamie is sitting there going 'she took me to plays, she listens to me when I talk about what's bothering me, she gives me advice. She's kind. I could always turn to her when I needed help. I miss her.'

It's as if before, they both found comfort in focusing on the sexual aspects of their relationships, so neither of them really tried for anything more.

And then Keeley went off to have an emotional relationship with Roy, and Jamie had to come to terms that that’s….what that is. That’s what a real, emotional relationship looks like. And it turns out he wants that. He feels left behind. And yeah, he was jealous. Why wouldn't he be jealous? He's never had anything like that before, and now it looks like the person he used to be with actually wanted that the whole time and he was just too. Fucking late.

So he's just been a big old confused ball of feelings since they broke up. They broke up, and then they slept together. His hopes got up a bit, and then she's dating Roy Kent. At some point he deletes her number. Then he's confused and alone, and he tracks her down to a cafe in London and she gives him good advice about talking to Ted to get back onto the team. And then he's confused again, because what's the trick? He's alone and everyone at Richmond hates him. He goes to Keeley for advice, and this time she doesn't talk to him- she drops him on a therapist instead. Maybe it's not a trick then. Her and Roy actually seem fucking happy. What the fuck?

And I know it in my bones that the moment he decided to delete rest of the pictures? Had to land square between The Hug at Wembley and confessing to Roy that he told Keeley he loved her. Because at some point him and Roy Kent came to a tentative understanding, and Roy started treating him like a real human person, and then it wasn't just about being hung up on his Keeley. Because there was someone else involved, and that person could get hurt if Jamie didn't back all the way off. It occurred to him that there was something to destroy, and he didn't want to be that person. He had to stop lying to himself that things were ever gonna go back. He deleted the rest of the pictures and videos of her, and he just has to live with the fact that he likes her, yes. But he also likes Roy now too.

And THAT'S how you be accountable to the people around you. Not just by stepping up to do the right thing, but by stepping back and making sure you don't do the wrong thing.

Like deciding to follow Roy instead of Keeley when he finds out they've broken up.

Jamie knows he's charming, and he knows that Keeley finds him charming. But he also knows that Roy is hurting. How could he not be? Keeley just broke up with him. Except she didn't, he broke up with her. And yet Roy's still hurting.

And Jamie. Sweet fucking Muppet he is. Decides to do the right thing. He empathizes with Roy. Let's him lick his wounds. Takes him to see a fucking windmill. And he stays away from Keeley, who's already told him before that she has trouble turning him away. He doesn't even tempt that.

For Keeley and Roy, I think it's fair to say they were each other's first real, serious relationship. And they grew and learned together as a couple. But without Roy, Keeley has new eyes for what she wants, and she can't help but notice now that some of what she wants? That's in Jamie now.

She doesn't go there either. She maintains her distance. Why wouldn't she? She's never the one that goes to Jamie.

Now. The rebound.

Keeley did the bravest thing a person can do after a break up. She took a new road. She met someone she had a good feeling with. They hit it off.

Jack. Jack who is fun and fit and makes her laugh. Someone who's a bit cheeky, sometimes a little inappropriate, assertive about what they want, and fucking hot in a suit jacket without an undershirt. Intense eyes.

Checkmarks all across. Exactly Keeley's type. But it wasn't quite working.

Keeley was going through the all the motions of an emotional connection in the hopes that it would bloom. But she's playing the game one handed. She's still got her heart in her hand over Roy, and then there's Jack and she wants it to work with Jack, she does, because on paper Jack is great! Sure Jack doesn't challenge her the way Roy did, never frustrates her like Jamie did, never seems to need anything at all from Keeley really. But Jack is full of big romantic gestures that make Keeley feel adored! With Jack she can just have fun and relax! Jack's a great rebound.

But Jack doesn't make her feel like she's been struck by lightning, does she? Maybe she could have, one day. And Keeley is willing to try - that's all you can do after a break up, is try. But she's trying to make it work with someone who is very much the Type of Person she used to like and there's something missing.

And then there's these little moments. Where the differences creep in and in until things split apart.

Jack takes Keeley out to fancy restaurants. On their first date, Roy took her home to cook for her.

Jack's 'that was so fucking hot' moment was telling the office that her and Keeley were dating when Keeley said she was feeling unsure. Roy's 'that was so fucking hot' moment was listening to Keeley when she said she needed space and going to read his book on the couch.

Jack says about the video leak 'I will take care of this' and Keeley believe her. Then she gave Keeley a press statement and an disbelieving 'how would i get it down? it's the internet'. The lawyers helped, but Keeley would have to do all the work.

On their first date, Roy threatened a paparazzi and stole their sim card.

(He also held her hand. It’s such a simple, almost childish gesture but he really did love holding her hand all the time.)

Jack prioritized social appearances over her relationship with Keeley. Roy once gave Keeley a video of him crying at a press conference just so she could have a wank.

Roy fucked up when he asked who the video was for. But you can not say that if it were him in Jack's position, that he would not have gone through ridiculous extremes to have made Keeley feel better. Whatever she fucking wanted. He'd probably release a video of himself masturbating if it he thought it'd take the pressure off of her. When that man is committed, there is no half measure.

But he doesn't have the right to that anymore, does he? And it's his doing. And all he can do - the most he can do without crossing any boundary - is '''''casually''''' run into Keeley in the parking lot and try to offer a quick word. He's dying inside that he can't do more.

And he fucks it up so bad. Ironically, his fucking up this time is what allows Jamie to put his best foot forward.

Keeley Jones. Hurting. Single again. Bitter. Let's be real - fucking traumatized. Because that shit hurts, and it's happened before when she was younger, and it's happening again. She was shaking when she first saw the leak. Couldn't even finish the video. And she's right on the money when she says she feels like she's fifteen again - because she's reliving the same damn bullshit and she's still having to argue for her own autonomy.

And who shows up at her doorstep (shaded in soft colors to match Keeley's earlier outfit, her whole aesthetic)? Jamie Tartt, the one the video was actually for. The one who is fucking kicking himself because he knows he got rid of those - even though they were special to him. He got rid of them because it was the right thing to do, and he came here to apologize because it's the right thing to do.

Jamie Tartt isn't entirely new to her - he's still painfully Jamie. He kinda drifts off on a tangent about himself for a bit. He's still so easy to read. Him showing up for her is new; but his sweetness is not. And he doesn't say the right things always. But he is there for her, and he fucking cares that she's hurting. And if part of that was on him, then he's here to claim that part and apologize. Because it's not her fault.

Again, with the words you don't know you need to hear until you hear them. This from the guy who used to have near-topless photos of her (although only her, eleven pictures all of her) all over his locker. But those are the photos that she chose to do, and she is proud of them, and they always matched sexually, didn't they?

And now they're talking again, for the first time in a while. And it's because of a sex video that she sent him. Yet somehow, for the first time in their relationship, there's....no sex. None. Not even a vibe of it. For once, they're on the same page, seeing each other clearly, and sex is off the table.

It's nice. It's a good look on them. It's downright loving.

Keeley Jones had a no good, terrible bad couple of days, but Jamie Tartt made it a little better.

Let them be close. Let them care for each other, however that looks for him. If it grows, so be it. They've all grown this season - Roy, Keeley, and Jamie. All it takes to fail is for all parties to stop trying, and there's no one here who isn't trying.

Also another bit that I couldn't quite flesh out the way I wanted to:

Jack cancelled a family meetup because of Keeley's scandal. Roy wouldn't cancel on his niece even if it meant missing Sexy Christmas. Something about the commitment of it all. Something.

[nerves-nebula]

2012 has so much room for character analysis. And analysis in general.

I watched it when It was coming out on tv and have been rewatching it for the past couple months very slowwwllllyyyy. Shshsbbdd

Anyway I'm just getting nna ramble my analysis in your direction.

Starting with Mikey! Par tof the reason people sorta cling to Mikey I think is cuz like, splinter sorta ignores him.

It's this sorta odd thing going on where we have scenes like splinter telling Donnie to act more like Mikey cuz he's thinking to much and it's impeding his abilities cuz he's overthinking. Which, is an attempt to address Donnie's anxiety albeit in not the best way but it sorta worked?

Which means splinter is acknowledging mikeys fighting prowess. And that Mikey not thinking to hard and just doing is a good skill to be able to execute.

But ALSO, we get a scene of when the boys first got their weapons, and splinter tells everyone why they're getting what weapon, and why they'll enjoy it. Except Mikey. Mikey just gets nunchucks. Which, is dead ass the hardest weapon to wield there so what the fuck dude?

And Mikey is, so fuckin smart. His brain just in Canon goes too fast for him to remember words and shit. He's so adhd frfr

But Leo is dead ass the golden child. Like, everyone asked to be leader, cuz they are teen boys, but splints chose Leo cuz "he asked for it" and then instills all his ideals in him! He's treated like he's the best at everything and is expected to be the best at everything AND to care for his brothers. And he can only feels like he doesn't really have a life. Which leads into the whole Leo develops a crush on his half sister while not knowing she's his half sister nonsense.

Donnie is just, he's the smart one. He's stressed all the time, but also a. Fucking simp who is never reprimanded by his dad for how he treats april, which he really should be! Having mindmap of every possible way an interaction could go with her is creepy! And literally stalking her!!!! Donnie's also the one who deals with Timothy and he gets in trouble for it with splints despite not even wanting to be dealing with it himself. It's a mess.

Raph has just, obvious anger issues. And splinter does not address them in a healthy way frequently. It's a lot of, "just breathe" and Raph is just: "I want to punch someone or something yesterday."

OH and splint sets his brothers shoot him with plungers while yelling at him and roah like, has a whole ass panic attack. That manifests aggressively cuz raphs anger oh so obviously comes from anxiety. But splinter like never picks up on that.

2012 splints treats the boys like students more then sons ALOT. But also cares about them enough to do shit like, break brain control cuz he didn't wanna kill them ✌️

I could probably word that better but I'm still a little high on laughing gas rn cuz I just had a dentist appointment.

yall be out here writing fandom dissertations & shit after going to the DENTIST yknow what I do after going to the dentist??? lay around in mild agony cause my sensitive ass teeth hurt...

anyway these are fun times.

i still cant get over the fact that i made my neglected turtles stay underground and never go out as a way to reflect my weird family isolation as a kid and then i watched the first ep of 2012 and it was like "yea they're fifteen and they've never left the sewers. they only know each other" and im LIKE!! WHAT!! THEY'VE LITERALLY ALMOST FINISHED PUBERTY AND THEY NEVER LEFT THEIR HOME???? THEY ONLY KNOW EACH OTHER????

i dont think the writers understand how fucked up that makes you and your relationships to people and its just like a part of the turtles story i guess???

LIKE THINKING ABOUT IT, I GET IT, and im sure thats how it is in a lot of tmnt iterations, but thats crazy. these boys would be so fucked up irl.

sorry for the ramble i just aint got much to say about ur analysis, cant say if i agree or not cause i aint even watched much 2012 lol.

[lazypanartist]

Can you tell me, do you enjoy hurting people?

I don't believe you -

Do you enjoy killing?

I'll kill you!

What? Like you did our brother?

Take his name out of your mouth.

Leo I'm -

He died to protect both of us.

You're as much to blame as I am.

-----

Based off a friend's TikTok animation!

Here's the video

⚠️ Warnings ⚠️: mentions of death, dysfunctional family dynamic, shifting blame, no resolution, angst

-----

Donnie's fingers clenched with the memory. The familiar weight of his staff sat in his hand, but the rest of it was still.. there. The smoke, the dust, the screaming.

Raph's sacrifices were never just for himself, and oftentimes, for more than just his family. Risking his tail for Cassandra and her child, the chipped edges of his shell reminding everyone of every time he leapt in the way of danger. His arm, dutifully crafted by Donnie after Raph dragged Mikey out of the path of a building's fall, was specifically armored to help prevent further injuries.

But his final moments couldn't have been avoided with any amount of armor or padding. Leo's plan, his own role.. Raph's body on the crushed pavement..

Donnie jerked with the weight of a hand on his shoulder, turning to meet Mikey's eyes. The movement grounded him, just barely enough to feel his own hands shake. The younger turtle offered a smile, if only to help calm him down.

Donnie paused, turning back towards Leo. He had turned away. Ever the headstrong leader, he still loathed confrontation of the emotional sort.

"He would have done it for anybody." Leo murmered. "Risk his arm, his shell, his life." He whipped back around, brow furrowing.

"So why try and blame me?"

"Calm down, please!" Mikey stepped between the pair now, bands stretched between them. "It wasn't the fault of either of you!"

Donnie scoffed, face tensing from upset to steeled. "Of course it wasn't. Because the four of us together lasted this long, saved so many others because HE was there to protect us! And now HE'S GONE. Because Leo's plan fell through, AGAIN." He gave his twin a pointed look, watching with empty satisfaction as the leader's expression twisted into a scowl. "And now, we're screwed."

"Because YOU didn't warn any of us about the Kraang's movements!" Leo pointed at him, finger wavering. "If you had told us that Sister left her post.." his voice was wavering now. "We might have stood a chance. HE might have stood a chance."

Mikey's arms had fallen to his sides sometime during the twins' argument. Even older, wiser, leaders of war.. once the family was outside the eyes of those they had helped or led, they devolved back to this.. mess. Barely functional adults with the military power to lead.

It would have been funny, if it wasn't so.. pathetic.

"He died because he was shielding you!" Donnie's voice was less accusatory now, shaking even more terribly than his hands.

"He and I were only open like that because Sister knew it'd be an easy shot." Leo shook his head, his own hand falling now. "And she was right."

The siblings were all silent now. The tension the twins had held for one another was gone. Mikey no longer needed to stop their childish bickering.. at the cost of several minutes of screaming and fighting and finger pointing.

His hands were still, unlike those of his older brothers. A quiet voice in the back of his mind mentioned it may have to do with his gift, and he pushed them aside. His subconscious voice could wait.

"I'm sorry." Donnie mumbled. Leo nodded in acknowledgement, sighing deeply as a hand came up to flick his mask tails over his shoulder.

"We're a mess." He glanced up, grinning. Mikey laughed quietly. "Complete and utter disasters."

"The pinnacle of leadership, really."

Donnie huffed. "Honestly? I'm surprised we all made it so far. I thought you'd die first."

"Hey!" Leo's grin widened for a moment before falling completely, the family falling into silence once again. None of the brothers knew what to say..

But nothing they could possibly say would ever bring Raph back.

[crossdressingdeath]

The thing that bothers me most about the fandom acting like Percy and Nico have this really close, sweet, mutually supportive relationship that's usually actually Jason and Nico's relationship with Percy slapped on top but never mind that is... honestly for me the most compelling part of their relationship is just how incredibly fucked it is? It's this one-sided unhealthy mess that's leading Nico further and further down a path of self-destruction and the whole time he knows he is never going to get out of it anywhere near what he's putting in but he can't stop himself (even though some of his thoughts in BoO suggest he wants to) and Percy seems at best only vaguely aware of how badly he's hurting this person who's only ever wanted to help him, but neither of them are bad people. It's an unhealthy relationship where both the people involved are fundamentally good people who do not want to hurt anyone. Their relationship is not mutually supportive or even all that close, and is frankly hanging on by a thread made entirely of messy history that occasionally feels like the aftermath of a bad breakup without them ever actually dating (you can't tell me that Percy talking shit about Nico while the Argo II was en route to rescue him and despite the members of the Seven who didn't know Nico already distrusting him doesn't have just a few "ex-boyfriend who's still kind of bitter about it" vibes)! And neither of them are happy with this situation, but neither of them know how to take the first step towards fixing it! That's something you don't see very often in kids' media!

Now, I don't know how much of that was intentional on Rick's part (the bit where the writing lowkey suggests that the only thing messing up their relationship is Nico not having told Percy that he used to have a crush on him makes me just a little uncomfortable and I hope TSatS goes more into all the other stuff between them, for example Percy making zero attempts to defend Nico when Leo and Jason question his loyalties and in fact almost certainly making things worse with the disturbing stories he canonically told them about Nico, which I am literally never going to be over). But I find Nico and Percy's canon dynamic fascinating, because it shows sides of them that we don't usually get to see. Percy's treatment of Nico shows a dark side to his devotion to His Group Specifically (what happens if you're not considered part of Percy's group specifically? Percy's got some really strong "fuck you, got mine" energy at times that does not get acknowledged enough) that can only be showcased with a character like Nico who's vitally important but not technically part of the group! Meanwhile Nico's unfaltering loyalty and devotion to Percy even though he knows it's bad for him and even though he hates himself for it says a lot about him as a person (and I'd argue gives more of a hint about his actual fatal flaw than Bianca's little talk about grudges does; this boy's fatal flaw is self-sacrifice, not holding grudges, and I will die on this hill)! And it just feels like a shame to drop that for your standard protective older brother dynamic that doesn't fit the established relationship at all, especially when half the time it feels like the people doing this just don't want to acknowledge that Percy isn't perfect all the time outside of minor Protagonist Flaws like being mildly insecure at times and being a little dense. Basically I want more fucked up relationships where both parties are good people who haven't got a single solitary idea how to fix it but don't want to take the massive step of cutting the relationship off entirely and trying to rebuild it from the ground up! Stop taking away one of the really good examples of that I've got, dammit!

[obsidiancreates]

The Fourfold Tap Liveblog

I just realized that I'm almost done with Season 3 already, huh.

Oh, starting with Raph having the brain damage this time? Oh he's been kidnapped. Is he in Saw? THEY'RE COOKING HIM NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OH THIS IS A SAW EPISODE ISN'T IT WHYYYYYYYYY ARE THERE SO MANY HORROR INSPIRED EPISODESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Oh god Raph still had Brain Worm Juice in his blood?

Lol everyone was waiting for it to explode

DONNIE IT'S OKAY SWEETIE IT'S OKAY DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP

Awwwww Splinter, thank you for being understanding an patient with Donnie. That was nice, "At least I have four wonderful sons." Good Parenting Moment, Splinter

UM LEO?!?!?!?! WHAT ARE YOU DO- TRY HARDER?!?!?!?!?! YES DONNIE SHOUT HIS ASS DOWN

YEAH LEO YOU'RE THE LEADER YOU FIND THE ANSWER DONNIE MAY AS WELL BE THE FUCKING LEADER WITH HOW EVERYONE'S ALWAYS LOOKING TO HIM FOR ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS ALL THE TIME

Donnie should get to run away, I think. Let Donnie quit the team for once. Let him run away and make some other friends for a bit. Engage in some teen rebellion. This is why my OC for this show befriends Donnie and he becomes second-in-command of her Mutant Rights Activist Group (they're trying to force New York to acknowledge Mutants as citizens openly, Donnie really believes in the cause but Splinter and his brothers are afraid it'll bring the heat down on them and want the whole group to stop, Donnie can't believe it and leaves to full-time help with the protests)

Aw, he calmed down for April. ... I don't trust April's call, something's wrong

HE DID RUN AWAY YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY HE DITCHED THEM

An effective team thinks as one, you mean Make One Do The Team Thinking

Oh yeah, that was a Kraang clone, wasn't it? Poor Donnie...

PFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTT SPLINTER HAS A GIANT RAT WHEEL, I WANNA BELIEVE THEY STOLE IT FROM SHREDDER

If those fuckin' magic scrolls cure her I'll be so pissed.

ICE CREAM KITTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY OH THEY'RE PLAYING POKEMON YAYYYYY AWWWWWWW SHE WONNNNNNNN NO MIKEY LEAVE HER ALONE

Oh no, whatever got Donnie is using him too! Is it mind control or cloning?

Oh god, Mikey was poisoned!!!!!!!! NO THEY GOT MURIKAMI NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOO NOT MURIKAMIIIIIIIIIIIII

Yeah exactly it's a fuckin' tra- guys maybe call Casey? Clearly Casey hasn't been targeted by whoever this is, so he's your Ace In The Hole. They won't expect him. I miss Casey.

LOL KARAI USED DONNIE'S VOICE FOR THE THING SORRY THAT'S HILARIOUS BECAUSE I IMAGINED SHE JUST FORGOT TO TURN THE VOICE MODULATOR OFF AND WENT "Gah, that ruined it" IN HER HEAD

Okay so are Donnie and Mikey Brain-Wormed, then? No, those were holograms, okay.

Yeah, I'm bored of The Foot. I want The Kraang back. They were a lot of fun.

OH SHIT SHE BROKE BEEBOP'S NOSE YES GO APRIL LOVE YOU

OH NOOOO WE'RE BACK TO RAPH BEING COOKED shit she even said it's a game, it's Saw for real- WHATTTTTT DO THEY HAVE HOOKED UP TO DONNIE'S HEAD

Pfffft "Bake my foot up your ass"

This is lame. This is a lame episode now. ... They trapped Donnie in Tetris? OH FUCK THEY STRAPPED HIM TO AN ELECTRIC CHAIR SHIT

AGAIN HIS BRAIN IS GETTING MESSED WITH FOR FUCK'S SAKE STOP MESSING WITH HSI BRAIN HE NEEDS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Mikey one doesn't work for me. A mutagen one would fit Donnie better, given his fears of being a freak. I think Mikey's trap would be better served as a threat of immobility, like he's weighed down in some way or otherwise unable to move his limbs, or maybe a threat of if he doesn't get out they'll make him unable to ever speak again. But the mutagen just feels kinda... "Oh we couldn't think of a thematic thing for him" cop out.

ROCKSTEADY I LOVE YOU

God this Karai Villain shit is stale. Ah, return of The Cheese Phone.

FUCK DONNIE GOT SHOCKED AGAIN GEEZ HE AND RAPH HAVE IT THE WORST RIGHT NOW I THINK THEY'RE BOTH ACTIVELY BEING HARMED THE MOST

FUCK 'EM UP SPLINTER WHOO

Are you... shitting me, Leonardo? Raph asks you what to do and you immediately pass it on to Donnie? Whom you can hear screaming in agony in the room next to you? Whom you just got into a fight with because you won't stop pressuring him? You pass along the buck? This is why you feel like being a Leader doesn't mean anything sometimes, Leonardo, because you aren't one.

Sorry sorry, Mikey is afraid he'll... mutate into himself but a girl? What kinda transphobic nonsense are the writers on right now? Unless he's already FTM, in which case yeah valid fear.

GET FUCKED BRADFORD

Hey finally Xever uses being a fish to his adva- SPLINTER KILLED HIM

Tigerclaw... why do you want Splinter to pay? What is your stake in this?

RAPHHHHHHHHH HE'S DYING NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OH NO BLOB OF MUTAGEN OVER MIKEY NOOOO FUCK DONNIE IS STILL BEING SHOCKED

AND ONCE A-FUCKING-AGAIN DONNIE SOLVES THE FUCKING PROBLEM AND LEO JUST GOES ALONG BECAUSE DONNIE'S THE REAL GLUE KEEPING THE TEAM TOGETHER HERE

Raph... oh he's gonna be so sick and fragile for so long after this...

GOD DONNIE'S ONE IS SO FUCKED UP

OH SHIT MIKEY TO THE RESCUE- DUDE HE ENTERED THE SIMULATION?!?!?!?!? MAGIC FUCKING MIKEY DUDES

B-TEAM FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR B-TEAM FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Sometimes Splinter makes Sonic Adventure 2 Eggman noises.

THIS MAGIC SHIT BETTER NOT FUCKING WORK OR I'LL BE SO PISSED- GOOD IT DIDN'T WORK- NOOOOOOOOOOO FUCK IT DIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Well there she goes again. down one of the giant toilets. This is getting real old, dudes. Just let her go home with them, for fuck's sake, I'm so tired of this. It's a sweet moment here but I'm tired.

Okay OH FUCK EW EW EW HER VOMITING IT UP EW

[white-light-on-my-prism]

Tagged by the lovely @letters-from-transylvania 🤍🤍

Name: I go by Lavanya(he/she/they) in the football fandom because why not? Also because she's one of my favourite fictional characters moulded by the one and only Rabindranath Tagore, the love of my life.

Birthday: 28th of May!

Zodiac sign: gemini according to western astrology and leo according to Hindu astrology, but I am way too ignorant about astrology to understand what either of those mean for me.

Hobbies: wayy too many holy shit, can you tell I'm neurodivergent? I LOVE MUSIC, so... it's not a hobby it's worship for me, and I don't care if it sounds corny. I was pursuing fashion as a career but now I've switched my majors so I guess it's a hobby? And writing is a hobby which I want to transform into a career going ahead. Nail art is a proper hobby though. It just exists and I do it and I enjoy it thoroughly. Picking out gay subtext from every piece of literature I ever– *gets shot*

Favourite colour: Blue and pink on the main, but I find anything softly vibrant to be visually appealing.

Favourite book: Sherlock Holmes. Everything of Sherlock. Everything of Poirot except 'Curtain' because spoiler alert he dies and he's not allowed to do that. I'm quite into Greek myth though a lot of that shit is messed up, but so am I. Recently read the second book of 'Aristotle and Dante' series, those two books SLAY SO SO HARD.

Last song I listened to: 'Still Alive' by Demi Lovato, it just came out and it's a punk rock masterpiece. Demetria🤌✨️

Last movie I watched: 'Is love enough? Sir' directed by Rohena Gera. It's in hindi and the artistry in the film it top notch. An excellent commentary on societal class divide, privilege, dreams, hopes, love and the complications that arise when all these intersect.

Something that helps people: Some wisdom I gathered from recent personal experience– acknowledge the negative impact of other people's actions on your life, and do not be afraid to take steps accordingly. Doesn't matter if the person did it completely unintentionally, doesn't matter if everybody around you says that they're "an angel" and they would "never do that to anyone" even though they did it to you, doesn't matter if even you genuinely believe that they're a good person and they didn't mean it. It still happened. And it affected you negatively. People can be the best people ever and still act in a shitty way on occasion because we are humans, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't be held accountable. So don't be afraid to admit it to yourself, or call it out, don't feel compelled to accept their apology, especially if their behavior doesn't change going forward, and don't shy away from drawing boundaries. You may lose friends in the process, people may attack you to defend them and it may hurt a whole lot, but, you owe it to yourself to not put up with bullshit, including unintended bullshit.

Meaning behind my url: I used to be a passionate science gay bb as a middle schooler lol. Had to let go of that part of me because of some traumatic experiences which are ☠️☠️ better not talked about but... I've always thought of the dispersion of light by prism experiment as a symbol of queer liberation for obvious reasons. That's where the url is from :)).

Tagging: @neyxmessi @ispeakmorelanguagesthanyou @dykes4neymar @emmacarsword @krocodilf if y'all haven't already done this, I'd love to get to know you but nothing compulsory. And anybody else seeing this, you're tagged!

[im-a-mint]

the big gestiona difference i see between rottmnt splinter and 2012 splinter is that rottmnt splinter had his actions justified, called out, and was actually acknowledged he wasn’t a good parent, while 2012 splinter’s weren’t. to not cause that much confusion between the two im going to call rottmnt splinter “splints” and 2012 splinter well, splinter. (whole study under the cut(yes i am writing this on the computer))

lets start with splinter. splinter didn’t exactly act as a father in any way but more like a teacher who really cherished and cared of his students but who didn’t exactly see them as their children. of course, he called them “my sons” because he knew that he was pretty much the only parental figure the turtles had, but in terms of treatment, he did treat karai more like a daughter even though he didn’t raise her and didn’t even know she was alive until leo mentioned her, all while having actual fucking teenagers that he actually fucking raised with no one else other than him to look up to. kind of a jerk move. then theres also the fact that, even while caring for the turtles, he still abused them. yes, someone can love someone else and still treat them like shit have you not heard of toxic lovers. some of the stuff he did that caused a lot of were:

telling leo that, if he wanted to win the battle, he would have to either sacrifice himself or his brothers and that the world depended on him. basically saying “you have to end your life or sacrifice the lives of people you care about to save people who will never even know you exist”. what did this leave leo with? the atlas complex, which then led to the whole…mess he became by season 5.

neglecting donnie of stuff he enjoyed and ignoring what he had to say as seen in the episode where he created metalhead. the way he expected to receive a negative response is an actual leftover from emotional trauma that even i have from being constantly ignored and told no to even the slightest of things, which in the long run can lead to a complaint and toxically non-confrontational nature in the victim.

using humiliation therapy on raph and clearly showing a difference between the way he treated leo and helped him with his issues and the way he treated raph and helped with his issues. humiliation therapy can leave many consequences and leftover trauma on the victim, and can actually worsen complexes the person already had such as inferiority, superiority, or even god complexes. the first is a clear leftover that makes the person believe they are not worth enough like others, a clear sign of emotional damage, while the other two work as a defense mechanism to make the victim protect themselves to ever believe in what they were told. it also worsened raphs anger issues, too. ironic.

keeping mikey hidden up in his own bubble of everything will be fine, nothing is ever wrong type of world but then ignoring how much this ended up hurting him once he was set out into the actual world. the little we see of his personality from before being released to the surface is oddly similar to the personality we see across the show, but still has something off about it. i have a personal theory that once he began suffering from anxiety and night terrors because of all the traumatic things he was exposed to at just the bare age of 16, he began using this happy-go-lucky personality as a defense mechanism against what terrified him alongside his goofy dumb nature, which also explains how quickly he became an expert in dimension X since it was everything but the terrifying world he had been exposed to before.

and guess what? this is never acknowledged by anyone and actually excused by many just because of some clips where hes shown to care for the turtles. repeat after me: you can love someone, but also abuse them. and all that i mentioned that he did that hurt them dearly? yeah, thats just the top of the iceberg.

aNYWAYS, lets head over towards splints that's objectively a better dad in comparison to the absolute jerk of a bitch splinter is because yes i am biased and yes i will always be.

while splinter is...really fucking bad, splints is no saint. it is explicitly said and sometimes even shown that he neglected the turtles full on. no sugar coating. full on neglect. sometimes it is shown in a subtle way such as with the way that mikey's the one who does the cooking of the home while being *drum rolls* 13. 13 years old. hes the youngest and yet the one who has to do the cooking and all of that which is good since he can be pretty independent but concerning since, well, a thirteen yearold shouldn't be doing the cooking for a family of 5.

and then there's the explicit call out to his neglect from donnies part in that race car episode where he even cries after realizing that splints didn't want to spend time with him and mikey because he wanted to make up from the neglect, but just because he needed someone to use for his own selfish motivations.

but he actually shows that he cares for the turtles in the way a father actually cares for his children. he actually worries about them even a little and worries about them in a way a father does, not in the way a mentor does that. it is also understandable his neglect because, like many fathers in the real world, the introduction of children and the new big responsibility ripped him from his glory days, making him constantly ache for a way to get them back. in many cases this leads to substance abuse, and in splints it led to him neglecting his sons and constantly watching the movies of his glory days yet not losing the love and care he had for them.

anyways this is long enough already, love yall. live and let 2012 splinter apologists die

[official-virtual-hug-dealer]

Warning: rant upcoming

I know you guys have been hearing a lot about this lately from me but please stop whitewashing HoO characters. This is a huge problem, especially with 'dream casts'.

For example I just saw one where apparently Piper, and Leo are both white?

Piper being routinely portrayed, especially in fancastings, as white is an issue I've already ranted about multiple times tonight so it's not too far away if you really want to read that

And Leo in this one- and this was a top Google search result- is a young Harry Styles? Wtf? What about Leo Valdez- in appearance or in character- makes you think of Harry? Yes they both have curly hair and I guess Harry can sorta channel that chaotic energy... sometimes... sorta, but like honestly wtf was this person thinking?

Not to mention the incredibly light-skinned casting of Hazel.

And that's just one example. This is incredibly widespread stuff. And it's not just in the Riordanverse fandom, but it is in the Riordanverse fandom and we have to acknowledge and fix it.

I've seen a couple things giving Sadie Kane as an example of 'well technically this character is mixed race so it's fine.' Mostly for Hazel and Piper. No.

First off, The only "mixed race" argument for most of these characters comes from the godly side which is obviously very different from Sadie who had a mortal black father and a mortal white mother.

Furthermore, Sadie is very clearly stated to be white-passing whereas these other characters are very clearly stated to be non-white-passing. I mean, it is right there in the books. This shouldn't have to be said.

And please draw Sam with her hijab on. Guys. Please. I don't care about 'but hair flying looks better' or anything like that. The hijab stays on. It is a religious thing (sorry for bad wording here, it's 1:00 A.M), not some stylish accessory.

Oh, and Piper with feathers and stuff in her hair is a no-go too. That is just a rude and disrespectful stereotype.

A lot of these things I've mentioned are things I have seen people in the fandom who are hurt by these things talk about.

And yes, Rick messed up with some of these, but we as a fandom can do better.

We need to do better.

Let's do better.

(P.S. If you have anything you would like to add or if you see something I got wrong, don't hesitate to add on or message me)