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httpvomitello · 15 days ago

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HI YOUR WRITING MAKES MY HEART SOAR! Just recently got back on my tmnt love and I was thinking. How would the guys react when they find out the woman they love also loves them back? Like they’ve been pining for months/YEARS even!! Maybe they still do or at some point they decide to abandon all feelings but then she tells them herself or maybe she or April accidentally let’s it slip to the turts. Would they immediately make a move? Would they get embarrassed and withdraw? I need to knowwwww 💙❤️💜🧡

Awwwn, thank you soooo much! Seriously, reading this makes me so happy. Hope you like it! ♡♡♡♡

Do You Like Me Too? *⁠.⁠✧

Leo had trained himself to set his feelings aside. So he kept everything bottled up—only allowing himself brief moments to imagine what it would be like if you felt the same way.

But that all changes one night while you and Leo are practicing together. You’ve been working on some new moves, and Leo’s been your patient mentor, guiding you, helping you adjust your stance.

After a particularly successful move, he gives you an approving smile. "Nice job, (Y/N). You’re really getting the hang of it."

You grin, catching your breath as you hold his gaze. But then, suddenly, your face softens, and the words slip out almost like a sigh: "Maybe I’m just trying to impress you."

Leo freezes, his heart hammering. He’s sure he must have misheard. "What?"

"I like you, Leo. Like… really like you." You smile shyly, as if the weight of your confession is finally off your shoulders. "I don’t think I could have hidden it much longer."

For a split second, Leo’s mind races. Every reason he’s ever come up with to keep his distance vanishes. His face softens, and he takes a deep breath, daring to move closer.

"I—" His voice catches, and he looks down, gathering his thoughts. "I thought I could just… bury these feelings and keep them hidden. For the sake of you, really. I didn’t want you to feel any kind of pressure…or guilt."

Your heart aches at the vulnerability in his eyes, and you reach up to gently cup his face, bringing his gaze back to yours. "Leo, you don’t have to hold back. I don’t want you to."

"I’ve loved you for so long, (Y/N)," he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. "But I thought it was selfish of me to want you in my life that way."

Your gaze softens as you lean in closer. "Then let yourself be selfish for once, Leo."

He closes the remaining distance between you, pressing his lips softly against yours in a kiss that speaks of all the months he’s held back

“I think I could get used to this,” he murmurs, his voice filled with happiness.

Raph tried to deny his feelings for you for as long as he could. Sure, he’d admired you, flirted a little, maybe even let his jealousy slip out when someone else had your attention. But he never dared to take it any further. You deserved better, he’d tell himself, so he kept his distance and convinced himself it was better this way.

April, though, had always seen right through him. She knew he was hiding a soft spot under that gruff exterior, and she'd caught on to his little glances and subtle protectiveness.

One day, she comes over to your place with a casual, “So…when are you finally gonna tell Raph that you like him too?”

You blink, stunned. “Excuse me?”

April goes still, the color draining from her face as she realizes her mistake. “Oh no, I didn’t mean to—oh man, please don’t tell Raph I said anything.”

But you’re still processing, and your cheeks flush. “Wait, he…he likes me?”

April’s eyes widen as she realizes the floodgate she’s just opened. “Um…well, yeah, he kinda has for a long time.” She winces, giving you a guilty smile. “But he’d kill me if he knew I told you.”

You can’t help but smile, your heart racing at the thought. “I think it’s time I go have a talk with him.”

Raph’s sitting in the gym later that evening, he doesn’t notice you at first, so you clear your throat, causing him to look up, startled.

“Oh, hey,” he says, masking his surprise. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

You sit beside him, watching as he fidgets with a wrench, not quite meeting your eyes. After a moment, you take a deep breath. “Raph… April told me something today. And I need to know if it’s true.”

He freezes, his grip on the wrench tightening. “Oh yeah? What’d she say?”

“She…mentioned that you might have feelings for me.”

The wrench clatters to the floor as Raph turns to you, his face a mixture of panic and frustration. “Damn it, April—she wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

You reach out, placing a hand on his arm to calm him. “Raph, it’s okay. Actually… it’s more than okay.”

He looks up at you, searching your face, his eyes filled with hope and uncertainty. “What’re you saying?”

You smile, your own cheeks flushing. “I feel the same way, Raph. I’ve been wanting to tell you for ages, but I was worried about how you’d react.”

For a moment, he just stares at you, as if waiting for the punchline. Then, unable to hold back, he pulls you into a tight hug, pressing his forehead against yours.

"Damn, I thought you’d never notice," he whispers, his voice rough but full of relief.

Donnie had always been the hopeless romantic, pining for you in ways that even he knew were a little over the top. He could spend hours in his lab thinking about you, wondering if maybe, just maybe, you could ever feel the same. But he never dared to say anything, especially when every little interaction with you made his heart race to the point he thought he’d lose all composure.

But April knew. Of course she did; she could read Donnie like a book. And on one of your usual visits to the lair, she accidentally lets something slip.

"Donnie, you’re so silly!" you laugh, watching him fumble through some tech explanation he’s giving you. The way you smile at him has him grinning like a fool, and April can't resist rolling her eyes. She's seen this situation too many times, and as she leans back, she accidentally mutters, “If only she knew how much you’re into her…”

You freeze. “Wait, what?” You turn to April, wide-eyed, and Donnie goes pale, his mouth opening in horror as he stares at April.

April realizes her slip-up too late, and her cheeks go red. “I mean—I…uh, have to go grab something from the kitchen!” she stammers, bolting before either of you can ask her another question.

There’s a long, awkward silence as you turn to Donnie, waiting for an answer. “Is that true?” you ask softly.

Donnie’s eyes dart around, searching for some form of escape, but when none appears, he swallows hard and nods. “Yeah… it’s true. I’ve liked you for…a long time, actually.” His face flushes as he finally admits it, looking anywhere but at you.

A small smile tugs at your lips, and you reach out to gently touch his arm. “Donnie… I like you too.”

The words hit him like a shockwave, and his wide eyes finally meet yours. “Wait—what? You…you like me?”

You nod, your smile growing, and that’s all he needs. Slowly, a shy but delighted smile spreads across his face, and he lets out a little laugh, his fingers brushing against yours. "I never thought this day would actually come," he whispers.

With a grin, you step closer, and he reaches out, letting his hand brush your cheek before finally leaning in, pulling you into a gentle kiss, his heart racing with pure joy.

Mikey had always been open about his affection for you. Playful, flirty, and constantly teasing, he never held back with compliments and affectionate gestures. But you’d always just laughed and brushed him off, thinking it was just part of his personality.

What you didn’t know was that underneath his bright smiles and lighthearted antics, he’d been pining for you, hiding just how much he cared. For months, he’d wondered if you could ever take him seriously, if you’d ever see him as more than a friend.

One day, you decided to finally tell him how you felt. You’d noticed he’d been holding back a bit lately, that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t want to joke around as much. So you decided to risk it, showing up at the lair to talk to him.

He greets you with his usual grin, "Hey, (Y/N)! What’s up?"

"Mikey… can we talk for a sec?"

His smile falters, and he swallows, his hands fidgeting as he looks at you. "Yeah, of course. What’s on your mind?"

You take a deep breath, your heart pounding. "I just wanted to tell you that… well, I like you. More than a friend, I mean."

For a second, Mikey’s face is blank, and then it lights up in pure, unfiltered joy. "Wait—are you serious?" He lets out a little laugh, almost like he can’t believe it. "You really like me?"

"Yeah," you say, your own smile growing as you see how genuinely happy he looks. "I mean, I thought you’d already know by now."

Mikey practically bounces on his feet, letting out a loud whoop. Without missing a beat, he pulls you into a hug, lifting you slightly as he spins you around, laughing with pure excitement.

"I knew it! I knew there was something between us!" he says, eyes shining. Then he looks at you with a playful grin, leaning close as he whispers, "Guess that makes me your favorite turtle, huh?"

With a laugh, you press a kiss to his cheek, and he turns bright red but doesn’t stop smiling.

#reader #x reader #y/n #tmnt #tmnt x reader #f!reader #tmnt 2012 #leo 2012 #raph 2012 #donnie 2012 #mikey 2012 #tmnt 2012 x reader

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tizeline · 4 months ago

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I just finished binge reading everything under your separated AU tag and I have QUESTIONS!! (that mostly just stem from me being a mikey fan) Be prepared as I will ramble.

So. My #1 burning mikey question is as follows. Why does he decide to, you know, NOT eradicate all of humanity? Does he just do it because all of his family is? Ugh it’s hard to phrase this but I’m wondering if Draxum’s word means so much to him he changes his entire world view, since draxum was the person who made him believe humans are evil, if he changed his mind he must be right? If he is the very last one to change his worldview, how does he react to the person who essentially indoctrinated him into believing humans are evil just going back on his word? Would he just, idk, try to keep going by himself (proper villain arc style!) Or does he get his own little human/outside friend to convince him, like his two other brothers do? What would happen if instead of a human/outside friend to convince him humans are okay, he gets someone like say, leatherhead, who was experimented on by the earth protection force?(Since in 2012, he was experimented on by the Kraang, but I don’t see a way of that happening when they were locked away his entire life) Huzzah for conflict! or better yet, That same leatherhead convinces him humans are okay? Though that those seem out of character…. And of course maybe it would be mondo gecko, who he befriends and then finds out was human just a few months before and still views himself as such…. So many possibilities!!

speaking of other characters, do the Drax trio have any Yōkai friends? Like one Sunita, or maybe even one yoichi usagi, per chance? Though I’m pretty sure they’d be pro-human so… idk how that would work. The question still stands.

Also, seeing as you mentioned Raph starts to hang out with Leo,Donnie and April, how does mikey react to that? Would he feel abandoned or left out? (Who am I kidding of course he would but like. It does t hurt to ask!)

And seeing as he’s alone now and he’s not training all the time (I hope) this feels like a good Segway into asking: does he have as much of a love for art as in canon? What are his and Raphs interests (since we know Leo’s!)

thanks! I love ur work and ur art and ur Au and ur mother for creating you.

P.s. I had another question I wanted to ask but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was rn so you can expect more asks from me in the near future ;)

Hoo boy, long asks mean long answers, strap in folks!

So EXACTLY what causes Mikey to change his mind on everything is something I'm still working out the details of. Draxum definitely plays a part in it, considering how much faith Mikey has in his dad, Draxum of all people changing his mind would be one of the biggest reasons for Mikey to also second guess himself. It's not like he'd instantly change his entire worldview though, after Draxum gives up on the Evil Plan, Mikey, or rather Dr. Positive, tries to motivate him to come up with a new plan for a short while. He gives up after Draxum makes it clear that they're Done™ with that, and Mikey isn't very keen on trying to do the Evil Plan all on his own considering HIS ENTIRE FAMILY decided to just give up on it. That doesn't mean he'll suddenly start liking humans, he still thinks they suck ass, he just isn't actively trying to cause their downfall anymore.

For both Leo and Raph, a big reason why they changed their minds on humanity was because they interacted with humanity and learned how wrong many of their previously held assumptions about them were. It makes sense that that's the catalyst for both of their redemption-arcs, and in that sense it also makes sense for Mikey to unlearn his prejudices against humans by interacting with them. HOWEVER! You bring up an interesting point, for Mikey specifically it would probably be more effective for another yōkai/mutant to give him a new perspective considering he'd be a lot more willing to listen to them rather than a human. I haven't been planning on including Leatherhead or Mondo, but it would be fun idea so I might do so.?That being said, getting to actually know a human later on would still be a good learning-experience for Mikey, I'm kinda tempted to bring in Woody from the IDW comics into the story too, for example.

So then we get to the topic of friends! Despite The Drax Bros growing up in yōkai society, they're still a bit isolated. They can go and hang out in The Hidden City basically whenever they want (as soon as they're old enough to do so), but when it comes to actually getting close to other yōkai and forming proper friendships...? So first of all, Draxum has a Reputation™ amongst yōkai, he's a well known figure and a lot of people are honestly a bit intimidated by him. Most yōkai thinks it's best to just stay out of his way, which includes staying out of the way of his weird kids. Basically, the bros' association with Draxum has a tendency to get in the way of them actually befriending anyone :/ Not just that, but while there are certainly yōkai who don't have the most positive feelings about humans, the Draxum family's stance on humanity is very extreme, which even most "human-critical" yōkai will find off-putting.

All of this is to say that no, they don't have a lot of friends haha. Leo hangs out at Run Of The Mill all the time, and Hueso definitely has a soft spot for him, but at most he's only acquainted with the other employees and regulars there. I'd imagine that includes Sunita, considering her dad works there and as such they've interacted on occasion. But again, Leo's extreme view on humanity makes most people uncomfortable and as such they'll mostly indulge him in civil small-talk to avoid getting on Draxum's bad side. Raph and Mikey...? They might have some casual friendly connections with some yōkai in The Hidden City, especially Mikey can be quite sociable if he can keep himself from ranting about humans for two seconds lmao. But for the most part, honestly, I think The Drax Bros are content staying a bit closed off from others outside their family. The three of them are very close and they know they can trust each other, that last part's important considering their Big Plans aren't exactly.... legal.... and as such they need to remain secretive about everything to others. I feel like they'd mostly start bothering finding new friends after they decide to abandon their Destroy All Humans Plan.

(Sidenote, I really like when Usagi shows up in TMNT stories, but I've never consumed any Usagi media myself. Almost all I know about both Miyamoto and Yuichi I know through TMNT and as such I don't feel confident enough in my knowledge about the Usagis to include either of them in the story. I HAVE been planning on reading the comics, so maybe I'll include him at a later date??)

But OH BOY Mikey's reaction to Leo and Raph starting to hang out with Donnie and April?? :D Both of Mikey's older brothers ditching him to hang out with their new little brother and his annoying human friend??? :D OH BOY YOU HAVE NO IDEA! :D

Listen, look at this from Mikey's perspective: You finally find your Long Lost Brother™ after thirteen years of him being presumed dead, great! Small problem, he's been brainwashed by the evil humans who kidnapped him and now thinks YOU'RE evil for some reason? No matter! He just needs some time to adjust! So you're patient with him, you show him kindness and understanding while gently trying to guide him back to the good side, to his REAL family. You do EVERYTHING right, and how does that bastard repay you?? HE instead turn your brothers against YOU! He ruins your plans of saving the world! Everything was PERFECT before HE showed up and started complicating things, and now your family is BROKEN and everything sucks! And it can all be blamed on Donnie.

...Hate is a very strong feeling, I don't feel like Mikey is really capable of feeling something like that, at the very least not against someone he does still technically considers family. Rather, I think the best way to describe the feeling Mikey is about to start feeling about Donnie would be bitterness. Mikey takes all the negative feelings, all the hurt and confusion about the situation he's ended up in and directs it all at Donnie. Because it all comes back to him, doesn't it? It was only after Donnie got reunited with them that things started going wrong. And from Mikey's point of view, Donnie has basically stolen Mikey's brothers from him. Needless to say, Mikey is dealing with a lot of negative emotions that he doesn't really know how to cope with them aside from taking it out on Donnie.

Donnie, who is so used to being love-bombed by Mikey is VERY flabbergasted over him basically just completely flipping a switch overnight. Mikey will just be glaring at Donnie like he's trying to explode him with his mind and Donnie's just "???who are you and what have you done with Mikey???". He starts acting really hostile towards Leo and Raph as well, it's all very weird!

Back to me not having figured out the details of the entirety of Mikey's character arc, one thing I'm contemplating is how long I wanna drag it out for. For example, I know I want to change up the events of the movie at least a bit in the AU for the sake of novelty. One way of doing that could potentially be for it to focus not on Leo's and Raph's ever growing tension in their relationship, but rather focus on Donnie's and Mikey's relationship? It'd be extra interesting if Mikey hadn't at least completely gotten over his hang-ups about humans when we bring Casey Jr into the situation. CJ looks at Mikey and sees a younger version of the man that was basically an uncle to him, like family, and Mikey looks at CJ and is just like "ew. human." and that'd be a whole dilemma to deal with. But as interesting as that could be, I'm scared that it'd just get tedious if Mikey is stuck in angst-mode for too long. We still have the entirety of season two to get through before we get to the movie, it's gonna be a while is what I'm saying. Then again, character growth takes time, maybe Mikey reconciles with his own family and starts the path to befriending Donnie by the end of season two, but they run into some roadblocks along the way. They ARE very different people, even in canon, I'd imagine it might take some time for them to properly befriend each other.

But next question - Mikey and Raph's interests! Mikey already likes to draw, but he'd definitely start doing it way more after the season 1 finale (oh wow, a healthy coping mechanism, imagine that!) Raph... Raph likes training. Even after it becomes clear that they're not doing their Big World Domination Plan anymore and as such don't really need to train as much, he still does it just because he genuinely enjoys it. He becomes proper friends with Casey the season one finale and she also really likes training, so it becomes a bonding experience for them. Leo and Donnie later on also introduces him to human media like Jupiter Jim and the Lou Jitsu movies and he gets really into it too XD Nerds!!

... Oh man, I think that's everything! Anyway, thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the AU so much :D

#Tiz Sep AU #tizel talk #tmnt #rottmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt mikey #rottmnt au

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goosewriting · 9 months ago

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Hellooo goose! it’s my first time interacting here and i just wanted to say how muuuuch i love your writing 🤍 its sooo… GOOOOOD you have no idea, i literally DEVOUR every single rottmnt masterpiece of yours 🫶🏼

with that in mind, i have a request (only take it if you feel like it ofc <3) and i can’t get this out of my head omfg and because its about to be valentine’sss…

The prompt is; you and leo being veeery close friends for a long time.

A friends to lovers situation. his brothers notice and leo asks them (one by one separately because of the teasing even tho they already know lol) to help him out for valentine’s and mikey decides to help with some red velvet choc brownies and (insert fav food), donnie and raph help keeping it a surprise and setting everything up…. (IM SOBBING THIS IS SO CUTE STWAP)

it ends up leo and reader kissing tenderly, very cute, it rises up a bit. they’re so in love. stOP.

pretty please 🫶🏼

i love your writing

-🐨

Be my Valentine 💝

summary: the turtles set a plan in motion so Leo can ask out reader on valentine’s day.

relationship: Rise!Leo x gn!reader

warnings: none! fluff, smooches, second hand embarrassment maybe lol

word count: 3.1k

A/N: welcome koala anon! tysm for your kind words and the super cute request, this thing practically wrote itself lol i missed writing for Leo 😭💙 as it wasn't specified, i set this some time after the movie. hope that works!

(english is not my first language. constructive criticism and grammar corrections are very appreciated!)

— — —

The turtle brothers and you have been friends for quite some time now, around two years in fact. And you love them all dearly and equally, except for one maybe…

Leo has always been the touchy type and isn’t shy when it comes to physical contact. You don’t mind; he’s like that with everyone, after all. Just another layer of his complex personality.

However, lately you can’t help but feel that something has changed. The passing glances, the casual touches… they feel different. You catch yourself feeling self-conscious when he’s around. And the other turtles are no help either; it’s like when Leo comes into the room, the whole atmosphere changes. Like there’s a sudden tension in the air. You’ll be hanging out with the turtles like normal, but when Leo joins you, his brothers suddenly make excuses to leave the room.

Deep inside, you suspect what they’re trying to do. You think they’ve noticed your own shift towards the blue-clad turtle, and now they probably think you have a crush on him (which in all fairness, you do), so they’re trying to get you alone with him to confess or something. While you appreciate their attempt to help or support you, it really isn’t comfortable for you, being left like that. It has already led to the occasional awkward moment between you two. You just wish it would go back to how it was; your crush is for you alone and not to be shared, as you cherish the friendship with the turtles too much to risk it over asking out Leo.

What you don’t know, however, is that Leo is inwardly freaking out every time he steps anywhere near you. For you see, he is down bad just as you are. He’s just better at putting on a façade to hide underneath.

He didn’t fall for you first, though. Your crush developed somewhat gradually over the last months; for him it was a realisation hitting him in the face all at once, like a wall of bricks. And not even that long ago. But that doesn’t make it any less brain wracking for him.

Unsure of what to do, he went to his brothers to ask for advice. No matter how much he plays the face man of the group, thinking he’s suave and all, he actually has no real experience in this. (In truth neither do his brothers, but who else is he supposed to ask, Splinter? Right.) Besides, you’re not just a passing crush or a random interesting person. No, you mean a lot to him. And he doesn’t want to ruin what you have.

At first, Leo intended to not say anything and just cherish your friendship, but no matter how much he tries convincing himself that you just see him as a friend and that you’re out of his league anyway, he still has a tiny spark of hope in him that maybe, just maybe, you feel the same.

So of course the first person he asks is Doctor Delicate Touch himself.

Mikey is delighted that his brother finally admitted to himself how he’s feeling. Truth is, the brothers noticed a looong time ago that Leo and you are into each other, but you’re both too dense for your own good. They have been itching to help out and already started scheming. Hence why they tried to give you some alone time every now and then.

But now that Leo approaches him first, Mikey essentially calls an emergency family meeting. He pulls out a full flowchart showing plans A through G to ask you out, Donnie starts his fully animated PowerPoint presentation to go with it, and Raph rolls in a whiteboard to brainstorm ideas. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it would be the perfect occasion for Leo to confess.

After sitting down a whole evening and planning everything out with his brothers, they come up with the following plan: Mikey will help Leo bake some delicious velvet chocolate brownies (because you deserve not only good, but the best!), Donnie says he will scope out some empty buildings that could be quickly remodelled into an undisturbed, cosy movie night corner, and Raph will be in charge of getting it all set up. For being the biggest and spikiest, he actually has a great eye when it comes to interior decorating.

It’s also good that the few days before Valentine’s you have several exams for your classes and some other errands to run. So you already excused yourself from not being able to see the guys as often as you’d like in that period of time, and they plan to use the time to get all preparations going.

To make sure that you won’t plan anything else that day, Mikey messages the group chat, casually asking if you’re “free next Wednesday” to watch a movie, which is something you do rather often with the guys.

Since your last test is on Tuesday, you say yes, eager to have a welcome reward for yourself for doing all your classwork. Mikey suggests a movie night, and one after the other, the different turtles’ responses pop up in the chat, all of them saying they’re free and that movie night sounds good.

It’s a date then 😉 — you reply jokingly, without thinking much of it. Unbeknownst to you, Leo almost faints when he sees your reply. Raph’s laugh at his brother’s face reverberated pretty far through the sewers, too.

— — —

After several last minute study sessions, wishing for information to travel into your brain by osmosis while smushing your face against a book, and a lot of caffeine, all your exams are done, and you’re officially on break.

That night you sleep well and long, sneaking in an extra pampering self-care bath before meeting the boys. Earlier that week you went to get some snacks, and as you look at the bag on your kitchen counter after you’re done changing, heat prickles at your cheeks.

On the sweets aisle you kept mainly gravitating towards Leo’s favourites, and only after you were done paying did you realise not only how many snacks and sweets you bought, but also that, on purpose or not, you picked most just because they were blue or had blue packaging, which reminded you of him.

With a sigh you take one last look in the mirror at yourself; the bath got you in a really good mood, and you’re honestly rocking your outfit. If the confidence continues throughout the night, maybe you’d even find it in you to tell Leo how you feel… Is Valentine’s Day too cheesy for that? And on movie night with his brothers, no less? Maybe you should have invited him somewhere else, or maybe it’s just not meant to be…

With a slight seed of doubt in your heart, you grab your things and make your way out the door, about to start the familiar trek to the turtle lair. Except that you get a message, and the sound alone makes your heart skip a bit; it’s from Leo. You know it’s him because you’ve set a special ringtone for him, a sound effect from his favourite Jupiter Jim movie. But you’d rather fall into a ditch than have him know that. He would never let you live it down. Especially if he saw how quickly you scramble to get your phone out of your pocket at the sound.

Turns out, movie night isn’t in the lair at all, it’s in a place you’ve never been, not alone nor with them. It strikes you as a little odd, but you know the area isn’t dangerous or anything, plus you’ll be accompanied by literal ninja mutants, so, if anything, your curiosity is peaked. You did notice that the last few days, there was a strange silence from the turtles. You assumed it was because they didn’t want to disturb your studies, but something was… off. There was more secrecy than usual. And now they’re meeting somewhere new? It takes every ounce of self-control not to immediately message Mikey and ask what’s up. You’d find out yourself soon enough anyway.

After taking a bus and a short walk, you arrive at the meeting point. Your eyes travel from the pin on your maps app on your phone to the run-down building in front of you several times, making sure you’re at the right location. And you are. Except that there’s nothing here. You try looking in through the windows, but they’re blocked with old wooden boards from the inside.

Just as you’re about to walk around the building to find an entrance, a door partially hidden by a pile of rubbish and debris opens with a creak, and Mikey’s head pops out.

“There you are!” he greets you with a chipper tone.

”What in the world is this place,” you rhetorically ask with a chuckle. “I thought we were watching a movie?”

“We are, we are. Don’t let looks deceive you. Come in~”

You step in, and Mikey closes the door behind you. You follow him up some dusty stairs, using your phones’ flashlights to navigate through the darkness, as whatever little daylight remains outside can’t come in through the barricaded windows, and there seems to be no electricity. The air is stale and you can see dust particles floating in the beam of your light.

“Is this safe?” You sound less amused now, starting to get actually concerned.

“Totally,” Mikey answers, completely calm.

”This was Donnie’s doing, I suppose?”

”Yup.”

”Just what are you guys up to,” you ask under your breath with a playful smile, more towards yourself than at him.

Once on the upper floor, you see light coming from under a door. Mikey opens it, letting you step in first. You enter the room, and as the turtle brothers say “Surprise!” in unison, you can’t help the gasp that escapes you. Never would you have guessed this was inside, given the state of the building from the outside.

Several low hanging lights emit a warm inviting glow, complemented by some fairy lights. The space has been cleaned thoroughly, and you spot a pile of blankets, pillows and bean bags on the floor by the projector, which is already turned on and the movie on the wall is paused at the studio intro. A little makeshift table, consisting of a plank of wood held up by some bricks, holds a variety of delicious treats, going from pizza to finger food to desserts, as well as beverages.

You let your gaze slowly pan over the place to take it all in, nodding to yourself with a low whistle.

“Not bad,” you say. “Not bad indeed.”

“Are you surprised?”, Donnie asks with a smug grin.

“I most definitely am,” you respond. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Not that I know what the place even is.”

“It’s an old office space, set to be renovated by the end of the year. I just pulled some strings to use it for tonight,” Donnie explains with a swiping motion of his hand, as if saying no big deal. “Raph here is the one who brought out the real shine. Quite literally, too, he waxed the floor.”

You look down and sure enough, the wooden boards are shiny, slightly squeaky against your shoes even.

“You really went all out, huh,” you say, and Raph sheepishly chuckles.

Smiling, your eyes jump from one turtle to the next until they finally land on Leo, and you slightly clench your jaw at the heat you know is spreading on your face, unable to stop it.

“Well, you deserve it,” Leo says with a grin.

“Especially after being done with classes,” Mikey adds.

”True, but you guys deserve this too! You’re literally helping people and protecting the city all the time.”

They look at each other and nod in agreement.

For a second, you think Leo is going to say something, as he gives you what must be the third once-over since you’ve arrived. But he remains silent. You hope your outfit choice isn’t weird…

“Alright,” you exclaim, both to distract from your current thoughts and to fill the silence. “Now that we know how proud we are of each other, how about we start? I’m actually starving.”

— — —

You take the last bite from your brownie just as the credits start rolling.

”Ah, what a classic,” Donnie says with a content sigh, and he and Raph get into an argument about what fight scene from the movie was the best.

You sigh at the delicious treat melting on your tongue, savouring it.

”You like them?” Leo asks from his spot next to you with an amused smile.

”I love them! They’re so good,” you reply, turning to look at Mikey. “Compliments to the chef.”

Since Mikey is the one to usually cook and bake out of the group, you assumed it was him who made the brownies.

“Actually,” he says as he stands up to stretch, “The chef is right there.”

You look to where he’s pointing: next to you, to Leo.

“You made them?” you ask genuinely.

“I mean, Mikey helped,” Leo says with a slight shrug.” But, yeah.”

”He made them for you,” you hear Mikey say, and your head whips around back to Mikey.

”What?” you ask.

You look back to Leo, who’s giving his youngest brother a panicked glare, while Mikey sticks his tongue out at him.

Suddenly, the room is silent. Raph and Donnie stopped their discussion and once again, the atmosphere has abruptly shifted. You open your mouth to say something, but nothing comes out, as your brain is reeling. Did Mikey just mean what you think he meant? What you… hope he meant? And what was with Leo’s reaction and lack of sassy comeback?

You turn back to the turtle in question and meet his eyes, the slightest rise of your eyebrows indicating you’re expectant of an explanation. All five stages of grief seem to pass over Leo’s face in the matter of a split second, and he looks at such a loss for words that you almost burst out laughing. The fact that he isn't teasing you or dropping some corny one-liner at his brother’s comment to play along, is proof that there’s something else there. Your confidence from earlier that day resurfaces, and as you decide to tease him a little (because those chances are rare), you lean back slightly onto your hands. One quick glance to the side and you realise the other turtles are long gone.

”For me, huh?” you say in a teasing tone. “You wanted to impress me that much?”

He wants to play along so badly, tease you back. If only he knew that just with a grin and a touch he would disarm you entirely. Instead, he goes the rare honest route, and gives you a short nod.

”I did, actually.”

That’s not the response you were expecting. You slightly lean forward to sit upright again, taking a second or two to word your response properly, unable to tear away your eyes from his.

”Well, you did. But you do know that you don’t need some grand gesture to impress me or make me like you, right?”

He chuckles, visibly relaxing his shoulders, leaning in ever so slightly.

“I’m just that extra and you know it.”

You hum, bringing your hands into your lap, and you look down at them. You really hope he can’t hear your heart pounding against your ribs.

“And is there a reason in particular you wanted to impress me?” you ask him, voice significantly smaller.

“As a matter of fact, there is,” he replies just as gently.

Leo’s hand inches closer to yours until his fingertips brush over your knuckles, and it sends a tingly shiver up your arm and down your spine. You involuntarily take in a sharp breath through your teeth and look up at him. You were not ready to be met with the sweetest, most vulnerable expression on his face. All words leave your brain.

“And?” is all you manage after a moment.

Equally unable to put his feelings into words, Leo chooses the next best thing. By now, you’re both so close to each other that you can feel his breath fanning over your cheek. He quickly closes the gap, and his lips meet yours. The kiss is soft and warm and sweet and for the amount of pining you’ve both endured, it’s not enough.

Your hands travel up to cup Leo’s face, but he suddenly goes “hm!” like he just remembered something and pulls back, holding you by your shoulders. You give him a confused pout; it was just about to get good.

”I forgot to ask: will you be my Valentine?”

That is so massively out of the blue (pun unintended), that you can’t help the hearty laugh coming out of you.

“A little late to ask that now, isn’t it?” you ask with a chuckle, running your fingers over his jawline.

”You know what they say, better late than never,” he replies with a shrug, leaning into your touch.

You lift your chin ever so slightly to look at him through half-lidded eyes.

”I bet that whoever said that wasn’t in this particular predicament.”

With that, you pull him back to you, kissing him more intensely this time, and he understands. Your tongue meets his, and his kisses taste like chocolate. You only pull back ever so slightly for a moment to take a breather, both of you panting.

“And for the record,” you say between breaths, essentially whispering the words into his skin. “The answer is yes. I will be your Valentine, if you’ll be mine.”

Finally, he sports his signature smirk.

“As if you even need to ask,” is all he remarks before capturing your lips again.

One of his hands snakes around your back, pressing you to him, while he balances the weight on the other, leaning you back onto the pillows so he can climb on top of you.

However long you have the room for, wherever his brothers are… Leo is set on using this chance with you to the fullest while uninterrupted.

— — —

Bonus:

The other turtle brothers have been spying through the crack of the door until you started making out. After carefully closing it, they move a little further down the empty hallway.

Raph pumps his fist in the air as a sign of victory, Mikey holds Donnie by the shoulders, shaking him back and forth with a silent squeal. But now that the plan worked, and you and Leo are busy… what are they supposed to do?

The three silently look at each other in the dark hallway for a moment, until Mikey looks at Donnie.

”So… you got games on your phone?”

~~~~~

🐥 taglist: [link to join in my pinned post!] @theoriginalmintyyyshake, @dybynyght, @lieutenantlashfaz, @galaxtic-writings, @Lovestruckfictionadict, @salty-s-r, @sleebykei, @miso-sopas, @duckanon, @wings-of-sapphire, @ashtheboookworm2, @xxnoxx, @crystal-crax

#🐨 anon #goose feathers #rottmnt #save rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #rise of the tmnt x reader #tmnt x reader #rottmnt x reader #tmnt 2018 #rottmnt leo x reader #leonardo x reader #rise leo x reader #tmnt leo x reader

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nerves-nebula · 8 months ago

Note

betcha thought u saw the last of me huh

been in a major writing slump for the past year, and now and conquering my writing slumo to hopefully get over all of my other ones so here u go this is inspired by a post a long time ago that i can’t find ab everyone falling back into old habits at the farm house and i can’t remember if it was april or casey who set them into shape but i needed an excuse to make it faggy

the farmhouse itself was nothing like the sewers. warm wooden walls, sunlit windows, and soft carpet were a very dramatic change from the damp, cold walls of the sewer, made colder by the presences within them.

it was a change, for sure, but raph couldn’t help but think it was a welcome one.

everyone could tell something had changed between them, between everyone. eggshells littered the floorboards during short, awkward conversations, before the occupants retreated back to their designated spaces.

some things lingered, though. what is it that people say—it takes twenty one days to form a habit? well, raph has been doing this for nineteen years, so beat that. he’s spent almost two decades walking on autopilot, not thinking twice about anything until it became a threat, picking up after everyone, cooking, cleaning. the list carried on.

and for the better part of two decades, his siblings had accepted that. some smart people online can say whatever they want, but a few weeks in the farmhouse can’t undo years of habit. but it was fine. it was fine if he spent a good few hours of his day cleaning up mikey’s paint. it was fine if donnie’s gadgets were scattered across the table. it was fine if leo left dishes in the sink from a meal he couldn’t be bothered to share.

it was fine.

raph was fine.

his brain woke him up early. it always did. he had to make breakfast and clean up the mess everyone probably made after he turned in for the night, and donnie probably hasn’t showered in awhile, so he needs to get on that and-

“you’re thinking too loud.” a voice grumbled from below him. that was odd. casey was never up this early. that was new. “quit it.”

“…sorry.” raph muttered, lifting his head from casey’s chest. that was relatively new too. he saw the way mikey looked at them, like he knew something they didn’t. he and casey were old friends, even if the bed thing was new. “i didn’t know you were up.”

“oh, im up alright. i’m up to make sure that you aren’t.”

…

“huh?” he asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he glanced up at casey’s face. his hair was tousled with sleep, leaving his eyes actually visible in the soft light of dawn. the warm sun hit the brown irises perfectly, casting them in honey.

“you heard me.” casey yawned, tossing a tan arm over his eyes. the long, thick strands of his uncut hair splayed across the pillow in tendrils. slithering out across the cotton to root their host into the mattress. “you’re sleeping in.”

…

that’s new too.

his mind screamed in protest. he didn’t do well with change; he never had. that was his routine—his new one. he woke up early, made breakfast, ate as much as his body would allow him, and then some, and then cleaned. leo would wake up next, take his fill, not clean his plate, and fuck off to god knows where. then mikey would emerge, and then donnie. april came down a few hours later, and then finally casey would wake up. it was never like this; he was never last.

some part of him, deep inside his psyche, begged for a break. sleeping in would be nice. he couldn’t think of a place he’d rather be than right here—casey’s arm wrapped around his shoulder, holding his head against the soft flesh of his stomach while absolutely shrouded in blankets. he hadn’t been this comfortable in years.

he was wasting time. dad never liked waiting for breakfast.

dad wasn’t here, and frankly, he could go fuck himself.

it took twenty-one days to form a habit. how long does it take to break one?

without a word, raph settled back into casey’s body and closed his eyes.

—:—

the next time he woke up, casey was still under him. the sun was higher in the sky, now painting the walls in golden rays as opposed to the vibrant pinks and blues of dawn. his friend's hand ran across the ridges of his shell, rendering him practically immobile. his limbs were loose with contentment, and his vision was hazy as he flicked his eyes around the room.

“mornin’. again.” casey grinned down at him, that gap-toothed smile wide, and pleased with his own poor joke. his fingers never stopped their soothing motions on his carapace, though, so raph decided to let it go.

his eyelids felt heavy as he forced them to stay open, blinking sleep away while flexing his body. every finger, every toe, arms, legs, and then finally his neck as he lifted his head from casey’s warmth.

“what time is it?” he asked, pushing his body up into a sitting position, much to his mind's dismay. everything in him was screaming to lay down again, to soak up casey’s warmth like the man was a rock in the sun. he may as well be with his body temperature.

casey helped him up, his big hands steady against his biceps as he manoeuvred raph into a sitting position in front of him. the sheets pooled around their waists as raph leaned his head against casey’s shoulder. the room was so cold now.

“c’mon.” raphs shoulder was prodded gently, and he raised his head to gaze into where casey’s eyes hid behind his hair. his voice was soft and low, like a vibration in the air.

maybe that could explain the tingling in his spine.

bare, tan feet hit the floor first, before his hand gently tugged the turtle off the mattress. still dazed with sleep, he stumbled, leaning into casey’s side to take the weight off of his unsteady legs. the stairs were the hardest to conquer, with all three of raphs fingers grasping casey’s wrist while they manoeuvred down the steps.

a muffled scolding sounded from the next room, and raph felt something inside of him freeze. it wasn’t dad splinter. splinter usually yelled, or even just spoke, but he never tried to make himself quieter. maybe the humiliation of everyone else knowing you were in trouble was part of the punishment.

“i swear to fucking god.” the voice spoke, tone controlled yet flaming. “i’m done watching him pick up after you guys. i love you, you’re my friends, but you need to get your shit together.”

his brain didn’t quite comprehend who was speaking until he heard the next voice.

“it’s not that big of a deal.” leo’s familiar tone punctured the air. raph refused to allow the sound to stab him like the knife it always was. “he’s done it forever! i’m sure he’s used to it by now!”

“that doesn’t mean it’s fine, leo!”

“april, w-we’re all getting better…aren’t we? i mean, we clean up after ourselves decently...”

“no, the house is clean because raph is still cleaning up after you guys like he’s your mom!”

casey’s hand tightened a fraction on his shoulder, and he looked back down at him with a grin. “how about we go outside, yeah? it’s s’posed to be real nice out.”

before raph could complain or comply, he was already being led in the other direction, hearing the voices fade back out. he opened his mouth, and casey cut him off. “i know you’re hungry. i’ll getcha something. wait outside for me? ‘kay?”

and like that, he was gone. the door closed behind him as raph turned his eyes to the tree line, plush with vibrant leaves and dark soil. remnants of dew still clung to the blades of grass, shining brightly in the light of the sun.

the wood of the patio was warm against his feet, and he leaned his elbows to the railing, licking his eyes into the woods. his eyes were still heavy, and the place around his neck where casey’s arm previously lay left a pleasant scorch sinking into his skin. still, the voices from inside bounced in his skull. at least the yelling was familiar.

somethings never change.

thaNKK YOUUU !!! this was SO CUTE UGH. you get the first neglected art i've been able to make in a while

#nnstuff #nnart #ask #asks are sweethearts #neglected fic #teenage mutant neglected turtles #neglected art #tmnt raph #casey jones

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soapiemomorphine · 2 years ago

Text

My Rottmnt Separated Au!// Masterpost

(*Dj Khalid voice *: Another one ) (scroll to bottom for links to other posts)

This one’s called:

How I Met Our Brothers

And it’s an au of my own inspired by all the greats, like @daedelweiss @dianagj-art @trubblegumm @red-rover-au and more! (Seriously go follow their blogs)

Mainly by @trubblegumm and by the feral Leo from @cupcakeslushie , and you’ll soon why

With out further ado;

DRUMROLL PLEASE DUN DUNNUNUUUUHHHHH

(Also dont worry ab my chicken scratch I have it all written down lol)

(Click for better quality lol)

Since my writing’s shit (lol) here’s the transcript for what I wrote: the character descriptions first, then the pluses from top to bottom

Donatello Hamato:

Raised by Splinter/Hamato Yoshi/Lou Jitsu in the sewers under Brooklyn

Started looking for his bros after his dad told him about them

Met April when he was 9 (she was 11)

He met Leo when they were both 11

Baron Michelangelo:

(I hc that Baron is a title, not a name; like Lord or Lady, so Mikey inherited Draxum’s title)

He’s been training to be a mystic warrior since he was born

Muninn (the one with a larger body and the underbite) wanted him to be named Angel, Huginn (the one with a larger head and overbite) wanted him to be Michael, so they compromised with the perfect name (don’t tell Draxum they saw it in a human pamphlet )

Raised by Draxum alone until he was seven

At 7 y/o he met Raph and ever since both Big Mama and Baron Draxum have joint custody over them

BM and BD raise them like a divorced couple, they alternate houses weekly and they celebrate each holiday twice, (Big Mama and Draxum only come together for their b-days)

Besties with Raph and Cass, (met Cass when he was 10, she was 13)

Rapheal Jitsu :

Training to be a mystic warrior since he was 9

Big Mama named him what she and Splinter would have named their first son; (he proposed to her, you can’t tell me that they didn’t talk ab baby names)

Big Mama was not the only secretive one in the relationship, she didn’t know what Splinter’s real last name was, (and as a gang leader she doesn’t use her name anymore) so yes, Jitsu is Raph’s legal last name

Met Mikey when he was 9 y/o

BM and BD raise them like a divorced couple, they alternate houses weekly and they celebrate each holiday twice, (Big Mama and Draxum only come together for their b-days)

Besties with Mike and Cass, (met Cass when he was 12, she was 13)

??????? —> Leonardo Hamato:

He grew up in the sewers in Staten Island, the one who brought him there was *REDACTED*

Staten Island is full on awful people, so nobody took him in, and he learned to fear people

Donnie found him, and named him Leonardo and gave him his birthday, making him 11

Other Info:

+ because Leonardo was hella malnourished as a growing young lad, Donnie ended up being the 2nd tallest by the time of the movie

+Splinter became more proactive in Donnie’s life ever since he lost sight of the other three brothers and became more proactive in his training when he met April because he’s more paranoid than he is in the show

+Don didn’t really care for Leo (he was comfortable as an only child and Leo changed his routine), until Leo got deathly sick and nearly died

+Big Mama and Draxum (somewhat) reformed only b/c Mikey and Raph would cry and throw tantrums (they won the moral argument slay) when they would talk ab their plans and beliefs (Draxum loves his children more that he hates humanity, and Big Mama finally learned how to love with Raph)

+Mama truly loved Splinter, but was insecure about him loving her as a Yokai (she had trust issues) and b/c her morals are hella skewed, it seemed like a great idea to keep him the only way she knew how, by putting him in Battle Nexus (and she makes bank with him there! In her mind it seemed like a win-win)

(Note: Big Mama’s and Splinter’s relationship will solely be as exes, because it would be hella unhealthy for Splints to trust her after she betrayed it like it. (They both lied to eachother during their relationship in this au) Their relationship in my comics and fanfics in this au will solely be as estranged exes, they will not be getting back together)

If this post gets like, at least 30 notes then ill post a comic on how Leo and Donnie met! (Edit: oh wow. U guys did it)

Lists of HIMOB Posts:

Disaster twins post

Sunset duo post

HIMOB Donnie meets the Canon Mad Dogs // Bonus Comic

Donnie and the Stranger: Part 1 // Part 2

The name Rapheal: Part 1 // Part 2

The Caretaker: Part 1 // TBC . . .

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turtlecleric · 8 months ago

Text

What Did I Do?

---

Rise!Raph x Reader - NSFW with HEAVY ANGST - I'm serious, there is so much hurt and NO comfort. This is not a spicy fic with a twist at the end to make it all better. No one has a good time in this. HEED THE CONTENT WARNINGS. (3403 words)

CWs: kidnapping, being drugged/forced into an altered state of mind, FORCED NON CON, shock torture, blood, murder

This is your last warning - please take care of yourself and skip this if these topics are uncomfortable for you! Especially my dears on the tag list, please please please ignore this one if these topics are upsetting!!

---

When Raphael wakes, the first thing he notices is a smell. He can’t quite place it, but it's everywhere, and it makes something stir deep in his gut, makes something primal and dangerous thrum in his veins. He has to push it down to even try focusing on anything else.

The second thing he notices is a sound. A sort of… whirring. Or maybe humming? He isn’t quite sure. The smell is really, really distracting.

Wait, what’s happening again? Where is he?

His eyes blink open. Metal ceiling. Metal floor. Metal walls. And to his right, there’s a metal table with-

No. Oh, no.

Adrenaline floods through him, memories of the fight before the tranquilizers took him down flashing in his mind. He struggles to coordinate his limbs, tries to push himself up and fails. He falls once, twice. Again. Again. He can’t think straight, can’t use his muscles like he should. When he finally manages to stand and stumble over to the table, sick horror wraps around his throat and tightens like a noose.

You’re on your back, naked except for the ropes wrapped around you and some sort of… metal collar around your neck. Arms tied behind you, legs bent and bound so that your calves are flush against the underside of your thighs. There’s a ball gag in your mouth, and a machine is steadily pumping an enormous dildo in and out of you. It’s the whirring of this machine that he was hearing when he woke up, and the smell, he realizes, is you. The smell of your slick, your sweat, your tears and spit running down your face, and then he recognizes the smell of blood-

Raph reaches for you and pulls you away from the machine carefully. Thankfully there’s nothing stopping him from doing so, but once you’re in his arms he can feel how much you’re shaking. Can see how unfocused your eyes are as tears stream steadily down the sides of your face. You’re not reacting to him. Even when he says your name, there’s no recognition, no change in your eyes. There’s only fear.

A man’s voice sounds from everywhere at once.

“We’ve been stretching her out for you. Preparing her for this.”

Raph feels his horror mix with rage. Confusion. Desperation. This is- this is sick. Whatever is happening, whatever these fuckers want, it doesn’t matter. He’s getting you out. He holds you closer to his plastron and reaches for his ninpo, tries to to breathe through the heaviness in his limbs and the fog in his brain. Latches on to his rage like a lifeline, and he’s pleasantly surprised to see red sparks start running up and down his arms.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Raph bares his teeth at the ceiling, looking around for a window, a security camera, anything. There’s nothing. Just metal. “As if I’m listening to you,” he snarls. “I don’t care who you are, when I find you I’m going to rip you limb from limb for this.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Suddenly you’re jerking in his arms, every muscle in your body tensing as guttural screams rip from your throat, muffled by the gag in your mouth. The sparks along Raph’s arms disappear as he panics and reaches for the collar around your neck. When he tries to pry it off of you, your shrieking and twisting worsen, and he pulls his hand away like he’s been burned. “Stop, stop, please,” he begs, turning his face to the ceiling. “Okay, I’m stopping, I’m not doing anything, please!”

You choke, and then your body relaxes, still trembling but no longer convulsing like before. You let out a whimper with every exhale, your chest heaving with sobs as you struggle to breathe. It’s like a gaping wound in his chest, how he feels listening to the sounds you’re making. A sharp drag of claws across the inside of his ribcage. He shakes his head weakly, watching your eyes flutter, watching you shudder as he holds you in his arms helplessly. He leans down to press his forehead to yours, closing his eyes. He can smell something burning, and when he lifts his head and looks at you more closely he realizes it must be your skin beneath the collar. The rage is still there - suffocating, overwhelming - but what can he do that won’t end with you hurting more?

“What do you want?” Raph grits out.

“I want more of you,” the voice says, seemingly bored. “It’s my job to ensure the earth’s protection, and we need some kind of contingency plan if another invasion happens. I saw how your family stepped up ten years ago with the krang. With how powerful you four are, I can only imagine how powerful any offspring would be when raised and trained properly.”

The words hit Raphael like a truck. His jaw drops, his eyes falling to your face as he tries to process the fucked up implications in them. He thinks he might actually throw up. Then a hissing sound pulls his attention, and he looks up to see that holes have appeared in the ceiling. There’s the unmistakable shimmer in the air around them that means they’re blowing some sort of gas into the room.

“We’ve noticed that you and your brothers don’t have naturally occurring mating seasons. Don’t worry, we’ve prepared for that, as well.”

The rage and panic threaten to overwhelm him completely. He’s shaking now, as well, clenching his jaw so tight he just might crack a tooth with the force of it, and almost immediately the effects of the gas hit him. His vision goes a little hazy, that stirring in his gut from earlier returning a hundred times worse. Suddenly, the feeling of you in his arms makes his chest rumble with a churr, and the smell of you has his eyes roll back in his head.

NO.

Raph shakes his head violently, his entire body shuddering as he places you gently on the floor. He needs to get away from you. Now. He stumbles to the far corner of the room, trying to breathe through the way his body is- his body is- is-

Wait. What's happening again?

He was… fighting something? Or- or resisting… something… but… he turns, taking in the sight of the room. You're here? You're here with him, and he doesn't see a threat or… it's just you. You, you, you, that's all he can think about. He can smell you. He can smell- fuck, you smell amazing. He can't quite… focus…

His mate. His mate is here. That's all that matters. You're here, and you're his, and…

Right?

Wait, this isn't… No. No, he has to stay away from you. This is all so fucked up, this isn't right. You haven't agreed to any of this, he shouldn't…

Every breath makes it harder to think. The smell of you is everywhere. His body is one enormous, pulsing heartbeat. He can't think. He can't-

Why isn't he holding you? Kissing you? You smell like sex, and you're his, so why isn't he fucking you right now? Why isn't he- he swivels, disoriented, seeking you out. There. You're right there, waiting for him. Ready and open and wet, just for him.

No, no, this is all wrong. Isn't it? Something is wrong. Raph tries to shake his head again, desperately tries, tries, tries to remember what's happening, to stay present in his own mind, but his thoughts are so goddamn scattered. He feels himself slipping, but he doesn't know how. There's this pull that he feels in every part of him, this need to be near you. Touch you. Hold you.

Why isn't he---

The relief is staggering when he cradles you against his plastron. You're warm in his arms. Smell so good. Why did he ever leave you? He should stay with you always, his perfect, pretty little mate. Pretty and warm and soft. He'll take care of you. Fill you up, fuck pretty little babies into you. You're already wet and ready for him, perfect, his, his, his, and- oh. The sound you make when he presses himself inside you only makes his spine tingle more. You feel so fucking good around him. Taking him like you were meant to, perfect thing just for him. Pretty noises, pretty mate, so pretty beneath him. He gets lost in the feeling of you clenching around him, writhing beneath him. You're perfect. Tight and wet and so, so-

Why are you screaming?

He can't stop rutting into you, but he does manage to slow the movement of his hips just a bit. Maybe he's going too fast. It's okay. It's okay, he'll take care of you, pretty girl. You're his. Nobody can hurt you when he's here. He'll go slower. Be more careful. He rubs his snout against your forehead, churrs a little louder. It's okay.

There's this burning smell peeking through the heavy scent of sex now that his snout is pressed against your throat. Burning and blood. But it's only him and you - no danger that he can see. No threats. He licks along your jaw. Nuzzles into your ear. But it's not enough, because you're still screaming, but you're safe? It's only him here. So why- he can't remember wh-

Hissing. Something is. Hissing.

You feel so good. You're so good. Good mate. Pretty, perfect thing. Letting him breed you, letting him-

Why are you crying? Why does he smell so much blood? He can't think. Can't focus past the haze in his mind and the fire in his belly and the way you feel so goddamn good around his cock. He can't- fuck, he can't help but lose himself in the feeling of fucking you.

But you- you're-

Something is wrong. You shouldn't be making those sounds. Like you're in pain, like you…

His perfect mate. It's okay. He'll take care of you. Protect you. No one will hurt you, it's okay. It's okay.

When you go competely still and quiet beneath him, his churr makes something metallic in the room rattle. You just needed time to adjust. Perfect, pretty little thing, just needed some time. Even when he starts to go faster, harder than before, you're still and quiet. Such a perfect, pretty thing taking him so well. Good mate. So good for him. Just for him, you're his, and he's going to take care of you.

The third release he spills inside of you lifts the fog enough for him to realize that your eyes are closed. Your face is slack. He starts to pull back, confusion and concern cutting through the waves of pleasure, but then there's a hissing sound. A shimmer in the air.

What was he…

You feel so good around him.

---

This Bishop guy isn't going to give them anything useful. Leo can already tell. They've only just finished tying him up and started asking questions, but Leo has learned over the years who will and won't talk. He's just spouting bullshit about protecting the earth, making necessary sacrifices, blah blah blah. And while they play at interrogation, these government guys could be doing anything to Raph. They don't have the luxury of time.

Leo turns his focus to the wall of computers and buttons behind Bishop, instead, and nods toward it. “Dee.”

Donnie sweeps past Bishop, reaching out and connecting his ninpo to the tech there. The room lights up purple, and then Donnie speaks. “Tracker was accurate. Raph is just on the other side of this wall.” One of the screens comes to life, a live feed showing the hulking figure of their brother hunched over something on the floor. They can't see his face, but the relief of seeing him clearly alive is enough to relax Leo's shoulders a bit. Still. Raph is… he's moving strangely. Almost like… “There's several safety measures in place to prevent a breach, plus some sort of gas they've been pumping in there and a remote connection to a shock collar. I've disabled all of them.”

Donnie goes on to say something about applying a virus that will shut down the mainframe for good and erase any and all information that's even remotely related to them. Leo flicks his eyes back to Bishop, smirking when he sees the man's lips and brow twitch. He's annoyed. Good. In a different situation, Leo might have fun making this bastard regret every decision he's made that led him to this moment. But they have more important things to worry about.

“Alright,” Leo says. “Let's get him out of-”

Bishop scoffs suddenly. Mikey winces in Leo's peripheral vision, knowing what's coming when Leo pauses. Waits.

“You think it's over? I've got plans, mutant. Big plans. The snapper is just the beginning.”

The rage simmers beneath Leo's scales, but he's long since learned how to breathe past that. He crouches and holds Bishop's gaze, studying what he sees there, and when Leo speaks again, his voice is flat. “You're a smart guy, Bishop.”

“Not smart enough to keep his mouth shut,” Donnie mumbles dryly. Leo continues.

“I'm sure you do have plans. But if you wanted to live long enough to see them through-” Bishop opens his mouth to reply, but before he can make a sound, Leo snaps his neck. “-then you never should've fucked with my family.”

Mikey makes a sound of discomfort behind him. Another nod from Leo, and Donnie summons an array of lasers that makes the wall in front of them turn to ash.

Leo waits for the dust to clear before he steps through the opening. Immediately, the smell of sex and blood hits him. It's overwhelming, but still Leo manages to keep his wits about him and - there. He's found his missing brother.

Raphael stares at them, his eyes completely white. His lips are tinged with red, his bloody teeth bared, and he's hunched protectively over something. A deep growl shakes the room and sends a shiver up Leo's spine. Savage, then. Whether from being alone or something else, Leo doesn't know. Yet. Donnie kept a copy of the records before destroying them, he's sure. For now, he needs to focus on helping Raph.

Leo raises his hands in a placating gesture, but the growling doesn't stop. Leo feels the movement of Donnie and Mikey behind him, fanning out on either side. Giving plenty of space so that Raph doesn't feel trapped, so that-

“Oh my god,” Mikey whispers somewhere to Leo's right. “Oh my god, Leo, it's-”

Raph shifts, and Leo spots you in the same moment that Mikey says your name. Horror rushes through him at the sight of you, and all at once Leo realizes what's happened.

He let Bishop off too easy.

“Mikey, get him away from her,” Leo barks, mind racing. “I'll portal him home once they're separated, then I'll portal you after him. Make sure he doesn't hurt himself, and try to bring him back. Donnie, distract Raph first, then I need you to focus on her.”

With grunts of affirmation, they move together. Raph's wild eyes jump between them as they circle around him. His growl gets impossibly louder, making the very floor beneath their feet vibrate. Leo waits until they're in position. Takes a breath.

“Now!”

Donnie feints forward, pulling Raph's attention and making him lunge. Glowing chains shoot out and wrap around his limbs, his plastron, his neck, catching him and holding him back, just inches away from Donnie. The resulting roar makes Leo's bones rattle, and for a moment he's afraid the mystic chains might snap from the force of his older brother straining against them. They hold, though, as they always do, and Mikey grunts as he pulls Raph far enough away that Donnie can safely make it to your side.

When Raph sees Donnie run toward you, red sparks start to jump along his body. He's not quite there enough to direct his ninpo, Leo notes, but it's enough to make things harder for Mikey. More chains wrap around Raph, Mikey grunting from the effort of containing him, as Leo slices open a portal beneath Raph's feet. As soon as Raph is through, Leo slams it closed and opens another for Mikey, who hops through with a determined nod and grim expression.

Okay. Now to focus on you. Leo runs to your side, sliding to his knees so he can start helping Donnie, but the sight of you up close makes him hesitate. You're naked, bound with ropes, and a ball gag is sitting off to the side. Leo can see the deep bruises it left around your mouth and across your face.

How could they do this to you?

Leo tries to focus, to slip into medic mode, but then he sees the blood and semen pooling between your legs, and oh my god, that's what he saw Raph doing on the monitor-

Focus. Focus.

You're unconscious. Covered in bites and scratches and bruises. Nothing deep enough for you to bleed out, though there's one on your shoulder that will probably need stitches.

Oh God. The horror swells again when Donnie gingerly pulls a metal collar away from your neck. The sight and smell of your burnt flesh is enough to make Donnie turn away and retch. Leo can't look away. He can't.

When Donnie turns back, there's a moment where both brothers are frozen. Leo glances up, finally tearing his eyes away from you, to share a look with Donnie. Leo wonders if he looks as haunted as his brother.

Focus.

Leo unsheaths one of his swords and starts to cut through the ropes that bind your legs, then asks Donnie to lift your torso so that he can cut through those, as well. Lines of black bruises and tacky blood trails criss-cross over your skin, and Leo can't help but think about how you've been missing for six days. How long did they have you tied up like this? Raph had only just gone missing yesterday, but…

How long had he been-

“I'll have to get more bandages,” Leo says, voice shaky. “We don't have enough for all this in the medbay. I'll portal you two home then meet you there once I've-”

“Leo,” Donnie murmurs. His tone makes Leo's chest tighten, makes his blood turn to ice. “We can't take her to the lair. She needs a hospital. The scans that I- She- she's gonna need surgery.”

Bishops's words echo in Leo's mind. Necessary sacrifices.

“Yeah,” Leo chokes, blinking rapidly and wishing he had something to cover you with. You hate showing too much skin. You… He takes a shuddering breath and cuts a small portal into the air. Reaches through, pulls a blanket through before closing it. “Yeah. Okay. I'll- I'll take her to a hospital.”

Donnie helps him wrap you in the blanket - careful, Nardo, one of her hips is dislocated - before Leo sends him home through a portal, as well. Cradling you close against his plastron, Leo pushes down the whirlwind of emotions and presses his forehead to yours. After he takes you to the hospital and makes sure you're taken care of, he'll come back to this wretched place.

At least Mikey won't have to watch this time when he kills every single person in this fucking building.

---

Hours later, Leo finally portals back to the lair. Washes the last of the blood from his hands, his body, his swords. Gives Donnie an update - none left alive; you're still in surgery - before he receives one of his own.

In the garage, Donnie says, avoiding Leo's gaze. They're in the garage.

Leo sees them before they see him. Raph sits in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the remnants of the destroyed room. Mikey kneels beside him, speaking softly, gently washing Raph's still-bloodied hands with a damp towel, and Leo doesn't want to do this. God, he doesn't want to-

“Leo?”

Raph's voice is so small that Leo almost misses it. Mikey's quiet words and careful hands stop, and the silence rings louder than the static in Leo's tympanum. Both brothers watch Leo with solemn expressions as he slowly approaches, and Leo knows he should say something but…

Say something. Say something.

“Leo,” Raph whispers, his face pale and eyes glassy with fear. “What did I do?”

---

tag list: @yorshie @khayalli @thejudiciousneurotic @luckycharms1701 @mxalmighty @thelaundrybitch @justalotoffanfiction

#turtlecleric scrolls #rise!raph #non con

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crowsandturtlesandbatsohmy · 1 month ago

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Okay y’all, so I know I’ve been predominantly a Haikyu!! account for a little while now (and there’s still more of that to come once I have the emotional stability for finishing season 4) but we’re gonna switch gears and talk TMNT 2012 for a change!

No season 1 Wrap-up, partially because I have 4 episodes to go and partially because it’s been months since the last time other than today that I sat down to watch it, but I do want to talk about my thoughts on each turtle, as well as April and Splinter. I’ll also rank them among the other versions of those characters to give you a better idea of my general feelings on them, with 1 being best and my fondness decreasing from there. I think it would be fun to repeat this every time I finish a season, so I’ll plan on that! :)

Splinter

I know there are a lot of people who don’t like him. But I honestly can’t see why? I love this Splinter. As far as I know him he’s exactly what my ideal Splinter would be! No spoilers, I want to go into this with as little prior knowledge as possible. But yeah, I like Splinter!

If I had to rank the Splinters, where would I put him?

2012 Splinter

Mutant Mayhem Splinter

80’s Live Action Movies Splinter

Rise Splinter

April

I’m not entirely sure what to make of her? I don’t necessarily dislike her, but I can’t say I’m super fond of her either? I think I need to give her some more time.

Where does she currently rank among the Aprils?

Rise April

Mutant Mayhem April

80s movies April

2012 April

Leo

I love him your honor. He’s such a dork in the best way possible! He was tied for being my favorite character for a while, although now he’s settled into a comfortable and consistent second place. I relate to him a lot more than I expected to, which was really cool!

Where would I rank him?

2012 Leo

Rise Leo (just barely behind 2012. They’re essentially tied.)

Mutant Mayhem Leo

Batman V.S. The TMNT Leo

80’s Movies Leo

Raph

He had to grow on me, but I love him now! Most of the time. I think he would probably benefit from more boundaries and some alone time in order to help manage his anger, but I also realize that’s not exactly possible and he’s kinda doing the best he can all things and stressors and inputs considered. Also the point at which I found out he was voiced by Sean Astin??? WHAT??? Mind blown.

Where do I rank him among the Raphs?

Mutant Mayhem Raph

2012 Raph

Batman V.S. The TMNT Raph

Rise Raph

80’s Movies Raph

Donnie

Yeah okay we all knew this was coming, but surprise surprise, Donnie is my favorite. I just love him to death! The whole April thing is admittedly irritating, and I tend to like Leo more in those episodes, but Donnie is overall my favorite because I love watching him come up with things, and I love how he genuinely seems concerned about others (Leo has this as well. I don’t really see it very much in Raph and Mikey?). Also I feel like he’s carrying a lot more weight than he ever gets credit for. Also I found out his voice actor, Rob Paulson, (who I already thought was really cool prior to this and apparently voiced my childhood) played Shreako in Scooby Doo Meets the Boo Brothers. Literally my favorite character from one of my favorite childhood movies!! This didn’t have any effect on my opinion of Donnie, of course, but it was just so neat to see my childhood interests and current interests linking like that! I love recognizing voice actors from other shows they’ve done :) [ask me about Jeffery Combs sometime. I’ve got a story to tell there!].

Anyways, back on track, where would I rank him out of all the Donnies?

Rise Donnie

2012 Donnie (again, barely behind. They’re practically tied.)

Batman V.S. The TMNT Donnie

Mutant Mayhem Donnie

80’s Movies Donnie

Mikey

I’ll be honest with y’all. I don’t really vibe with him. I love chaotic goofballs, but there is a limit, y’know? It’s gotta be combined with depth. You gotta back that chaos and goofiness up with the ability to be serious when needed, and there’s gotta be more to the character than just the goofiness. And he has yet to show signs of any of that? It feels like being silly is his only trait, and it’s kinda irritating. It makes him really one dimensional. And I want to like him! I know there are a lot of people who love him to pieces! I want to be able to see what y’all see. But I just don’t. What am I missing? (Again, no spoilers.)

Where do I rank him among the Mikeys?

Batman V.S. The TMNT Mikey

Rise Mikey

Mutant Mayhem Mikey

80’s Movies Mikey

2012 Mikey.

I really hate ending this on a sour note, so because I can I’m gonna list the iterations I’ve seen and my favorite turtle, and we’re gonna play “How many times is Donnie Crow’s favorite?”

Rise: Donnie

2012: Donnie

Mutant Mayhem: Raph

Batman V.S. The TMNT: Donnie

80’s Movies: It’s been long enough I don’t entirely remember, but it’s a safe guess to assume it’s Donnie.

Alrighty, this concludes my introductory 2012 TMNT post! If anyone has questions about my opinions on more specific things related to TMNT (not just 2012, any of the iterations I’ve mentioned are fair game), feel free to ask! I don’t bite :) I’d be happy to go more in depth!

#crow’s cawing #tmnt #tmnt 2012 #2012 leo #2012 raph #2012 donnie #2012 mikey #tmnt 2k12 #2012 splinter #2012 april

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imagionationstation · 1 year ago

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This box is getting old, guys.

*This is a more aggressive stance on a subject. If it upsets you at any point, I recommend clicking away. Coming at me with a knife will not change my mind. Taking a breather and then offering your thoughts without challenges attached may go over better*

For those debating clicking, it’s regarding Donnie’s crush on April and how the fandom needs to start looking past the “obsessive, stalker tendencies that ruins his whole character”.

“For Donnie’s honor!” (Leon, 2018)

Ya’ll can feel your feels about Donnie, but stop repeating the same ol’ message to others. It’s corruptive and makes it hard for all levels of fans to see him as a person, rather than a misused storyline.

I can’t for the life of me understand the obsession with stamping Donnie with a his character was brutally murder by the writers and he’s a stalker and his only character feature is “I love April” stamp and closing it up.

Because that fits in the same box of Casey is just a rude idiot or April is only there to be a toxic female love interest and Mikey is nothing but the butt of every joke and amounts to nothing else or Leo is just a bossy, arrogant main character who doesn’t have a personality and especially Raphael is an abusive, angry bully and he deserves to be kicked off the show.

Yes. Someone has told me that Raphael deserves no place on the show because he’s physical and loud. What? Raph’s character feature in most iterations involves anger? How dare he be angry in 2012!

Kick him off the show. Bad writers.

But anyway-

These are newbie, close-minded remarks. And they aren’t fair to the characters. There’s so much more to these guys than the fandom pet peeves and the personality that sticks on the surface.

Yes, Donnie has an intense crush, but she’s the first human girl that he’s ever met. The first anyone outside his family that he’s ever seen! The only human girl who might ever accept him as a person or boyfriend. And she’s purrty.

How can everyone in this fandom look me in the eyes and say they’ve never done anything dumb for a person they admire/are crushing on? Or that no one else in their lives have?

Yes, he tries way to hard and it is often cringe, but that doesn’t sum up the entirety of his personality!

This box that the fandom stick characters in is honestly toxic! If the fans would focus less on the crush and more on the desperate boy who just wants to be noticed and appreciated, maybe this box could finally be broken.

Did you guys miss all the moments Casey proved himself to be intelligent and caring? Or April’s entire character growth as she learns to accept that her life is never going to be as normal as she wants it to be so she might as well embrace herself and the crazy?

How did you overlook all of Mikey’s moments of being in the limelight and showing his own brand of IQ and battle skill? How about Leo’s entire character struggle through the series as he grows to understand how to lead, working up from eldest to leader to sensei as he battles the weight of the world on his shoulders?

Why are EARTH are we ignoring every single time Raph risks his life for his brothers, or comforts them in their times of need, or refuses to join his pet and “best friend” because his brothers come first and no turtle left behind and THIS BOY LOVES HIS FAMILY MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF, DANGGIT.

Donnie is more than his crush. They are all more than the labels that we are helping the writers stick on them. Every. Single. Time. We ‘wish their characters had more to them’ because they were ‘misused’. The only reason that I stuck with this show past season 2 is because of Donnie. The only reason that I love this show as much as I do is because I adore this idiot nerd who is loyal to a fault and works so hard in return for so little and just wants to make the world a better place with his family.

I can make plenty of analyses on all the moments from every episode for all the main crew. Every choice that the fandom deems ‘wrong’ can have a purpose or meaning. Donnie’s crush isn’t black-and-white or dumb and I will not hear anything otherwise.

It’s cringe, obviously, and endlessly exasperating- but there’s reason for everything if you look past the box.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. Go change lives.

Or yell at me. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

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leomeoi · 1 year ago

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Happier

The title is from the song "Happier" by Marshmello Bastille. The lyrics "I want you to be happier. Know that means I'll have to leave." spoke to me. Please read the wonderful @tapakah0's comic and watch the amazing animatic they did that this work is inspired from. (Please forgive any out of characterness or grammar mistakes, I had no Beta Reader and wrote this in one sitting.) Thank you so much to Tapakah for drawing this amazing comic and answering my questions, as well as allowing me to write a fic for their work.

Oh, obligatory warning. This is angst. There is major character death, violence, and sadness. It ends unhappy (for now.) Proceed with caution and make informed decisions!

Click here for a link to the Archive Of Our Own version!

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

Today's a big day.

Arguably, every day that they go out to fight the Krang that have infiltrated every nook, cranny, and crevice of their lives all those years ago is a big day. Raphael can't help but feel the bone-crushing load of responsibility that weighs down on his shoulders as he watches the hubbub of activity from the head. As he scans the faces of each person—human and mutant alike—with his one good eye, Raph feels as if his shell might just crack. He's not naive. There's nothing normal about this. He knows that they won't be able to save everyone, there'll be casualties. Their days are numbered, and the world just isn't fair in that way. The Krang aren't merciful. It could be anyone that they lose, there's no off-limits, and there's no way of predicting what shade of grief they'll experience today. As more and more days go by, Raphael can't shake the feeling that every victory they have is just a pyrrhic one. Even still, they fight. Everyone currently in the shelter of this hangar does. They all hope for a better future, a chance to reclaim all that they lost and there's not a single person who isn't willing to sacrifice it all. There's nothing more important than to ensure the success of this battle they're about to fight in the world war they've been waging against the invading advanced alien species.

He doesn't want to think about it. He doesn't want to think about all the people that they've lost. It sends ripples of agony tearing through his chest, a physical ache that he can feel permeate even his plastron. It's a horrid fact that death is actually the most merciful thing the Krang can gift them with. They've lost countless others to infection, the result of that blasted plague yielding pink, fleshy atrocities, the host twisted and manipulated into a mere shell of their former self. They cannot be qualified as a person by then, bestial creatures hellbent on destruction and controlled by the very violators that infected them to begin with. It's a fate worse than death, the loss of will and self; they move only to the will impressed upon them. Raph's arms cross even tighter across his broad chest, his teeth grinding. The cold metal of his right arm reminds him that he's gotten off lucky. His fingers dig into his elbows as he stands, a grim and foreboding figure against the thoughts that plague his mind. He knows that he's gotten lost under the pressure of his thoughts when he stirs only at a warm touch against his forearm.

"Raph? You okay, big man?"

The sound of Leo's voice snaps him out of it further. His tone is bright, but Raph can hear the undertow of concern. Raph tears his gaze away from the milling crowd and looks down, meeting his brother's gaze. Even though it's been years, Raphael still can't help the flare of pride every time he sees Leo and how much he's changed over the years. It seems like yesterday that Raphael had to scold, nag, and practically plead with his younger sibling to get him to take things seriously. He knows that being the leader was a pressure that Leonardo never wanted, but once he's received it, he'd learned the gravity of the role. Sometimes, Raph thinks Leonardo has outgrown him, just the way that Raphael thought he would. A lesser turtle would have broken under the pressure, but Leonardo is as strong as he is stubborn. He stands against the test of time and loss, brave and unrelenting. He now leads with a certainty that has saved them on numerous occasions, and Raphael truly couldn't be prouder of how much he's grown into the role given to him.

Leonardo must see the way Raph's eyes soften because the sharp grin on his face loses its charming edge, too. Raph's chest feels tight as if his heart would burst out from the confines of his plastron. It's an entirely different reason than just a few seconds before when the grim reality was moments from overwhelming him.

He really is so proud.

"Yeah, Raph's okay. Just thinking." Raphael flashes his snaggletooth in a wide smile, and Leo mirrors it.

Normally, the conversation would end there. Raph wasn't the best at expressing his feelings, and Leonardo was even less so. He doesn't have the same connection to Leo that Donatello seems to have—they are self-proclaimed twins after all. They communicate almost solely on looks and gestures as if that's enough to convey exactly what it is they want to say. They leave nearly everything unsaid, but that's simply not something Raph can do. It's easy to communicate with Mikey; he's the best of them all. Still, there's so much that he wants to say to Leo, but it's almost time to leave. Raph can tell by the way things are quieting, the chaos of getting prepared sinking into the hum of calm and determined poise. Even with it all, Raphael is gripped with the unshakable feeling that he simply needs to get out. He doesn't know what it is, but it's an undeniable urge.

Leonardo's about to turn away. Despite the eternity that Raph feels like he just went through in his struggle to find the right words, mere seconds have passed. Raph decides that he doesn't need pretty words like Donnie, or the innate ability Mikey has to say exactly what a turtle needs to hear. Leo will understand. He knows Raph. He knows that they're connected and understand each other in a way that only those who have and are responsible for the lives of many can.

"Leo," he starts, and Raph almost winces at how serious he sounds. Leo blinks at the sudden change in tone, but he doesn't falter. His easy grin changes almost immediately, and the fact he no longer tries to deflect serious conversation with humor when it comes to Raphael brings yet another wave of pride. Leo stands before him, waiting. He's listening.

Raphael nods to himself, lifting a hand to place on Leonardo's shoulder. He squeezes and shakes Leo lightly, a reassuring gesture. His snaggletooth makes even more of an appearance as he smiles wide. "Raph is so proud. You've kicked ass and grown. You don't need lil ol' me anymore. I could not be more proud."

Surprise flits through Leo's eyes before it's replaced by something else. His gaze is piercing, eyes dark and almost unreadable. Almost. In another time, Raph wouldn't have ever thought that he'd know Leo so well. The feeling is potent, and Raph can feel it, too. It charges him with strength, and a new lightness finds his spirit. The iron trust that Leo has in him shines in his eyes, and Raphael had almost felt too small to withstand the weight of it once. Now, it gives Raph the strength he needs to continue on.

It seems to have been the right time to say what he was thinking.

Leonardo's shoulders square, and he seems to grow even taller before Raphael's very eyes. "Don't kid yourself, Raph," Leo chuckles. He slaps at Raph's arm lightly with a pat. "I'll always need my big brother." They both laugh at that, the serious mood broken up as their chortles sound in the room. With that, Leonardo turns away, moving his attention to something else that they need to be as prepared as they ever will be. Raph doesn't really concern himself with that anymore unless Leo needs him to. Bolstered by warmth, Raph knows that he needs to make his own rounds. He walks through the crowd, and people part way for him to accommodate his bulk. He stops and talks to a few, bumps elbows with April, and high-fives Cassandra. Somewhere along the line, Cass and Raph had grown closer. Undoubtedly, it was because of a certain young individual they spent any spare moment they had with.

Somewhere in the middle of that, Raph finds who he's looking for. "Donnie," he calls, and his brother whirls towards him. Donnie's battle shell remains engaged in what seems to be furious typing, his purple holographs buzzing with ninpo. A fond smile lights up Raph's face—even in the midst of preparing for a big battle, Donatello is always moving. His mind is always working, and Raphael wonders if it's because it's so loud that Donnie rarely ever sleeps.

"Raph," Donnie greets, the lenses of his red and blue goggles whirring as they adjust to parse Raph. Then, Donnie groans. "What did Nardo break now? I swear, I told him I'm gonna kick his shell if he breaks one more damn thing, so he decides to send you to break the news? I'm gonna find him-" He starts to grouse, and Raphael is sent into a frenzy trying to placate him.

"No, no! Leo didn't break nothin'. Just... Raph just wanted to talk to you. Before everything." Raphael shrugs, his hands outstretched and spread to show his surrender. Donatello squints and it's obvious that he's suspicious. His drawn-on eyebrows arch, and Raphael can't help but laugh again. There is no doubt that Donatello is the most expressive one of them all. His eyebrows only add to his charm, and over the years, he's grown into his skin even more. Raph thinks that Donatello is also the one to hide his emotions the most, choosing pragmatism and logic over the pursuit of emotions at all times. It's also why Raph thinks that Donatello's mask—the persona that he adopts—rivals Leo's.

In truth, Donatello is generous. He's a genius, a maniacal scientist, and Raph knows that his mind works in ways unmatched. He knows that it's because Donnie is Donnie that they've been able to maintain a semblance of a life. Raph knows that Donnie works himself to the bone for them, and fixes every problem that crops up that others don't even know where to begin. The thing with Donnie is that he's so, so generous, with a heart that's about as soft as his shell. Raph knows that he doesn't want anyone to know. Donnie gives them his all every day, every minute, and every second. It's enough for Raph to worry that one day, Donnie will give, give, and give until there's nothing left. Raphael has always silenced that voice, knowing that it comes from a selfish part of Raph that wants his brothers cared for, apocalypse be damned. Now, though. Raph thinks he can convey what he wants to say to Donnie at least once in a way that he can't be misunderstood.

Taking Donnie's suspicious look in stride, Raphael reaches up to rap his knuckles against his metal prosthetic. It makes a sharp sound each time he does, and Raph grins in spite of it all. "I know I've said this already, but Dontron... Thanks again. I know that this-" Raph gestures to all around him, and then again to his arm, "-couldn't have happened without you." Donnie seems to have been caught off guard by the sincere way Raphael is saying what he wants to say. Still, he recovers fast.

"Why, of course. I'm glad you realize that you need my brilliant mind and recognize that this is all in courtesy of the great Donatello, a.k.a. moi." Donatello's eyes are half-moons, his goggles retreating to the top of his head. His grin is smug, but Raph can see the genuine curls of delight that cause the corners of the said grin to twitch into an almost smile. Donatello's arms outstretch to gesture to the entire facility, and the simple movement makes him look bigger than life. It's grandiose, enthusiastic, and just as bombastic as Raph would have expected Donnie to respond with. Raphael doesn't bother stopping the laugh that escapes him, and his deep laughter seems to infect Donnie, too. He laughs with Raph, a small rumble mixed with the beginnings of a chirp. After the laughter dies down, Donnie gives Raph another grin. "Okay, now that you have me sufficiently buttered up, what did you break?" Donnie asks, his voice teasing. Raphael recognizes it for the jest that it is, and he snorts again.

"I keep tellin' you, nothing's broke!" Raphael's hands lift and they settle on Donatello's shoulders. He can't be too serious. Donnie will be too busy trying to make light of the words leaving Raph's mouth in his mind to truly understand what he's trying to say. Raph smiles. "Just tryna say thank you, Dontron. You're right, we need your brilliant mind, but that's not all we need," he gently reminds the younger turtle. "You're our Donnie, too. Our brother. Raph just wants to make sure that you take care of yourself, too. Less coffee, more sleep." He shrugs, his voice light. For a moment or two, Donnie says nothing. His eyes are wide, fixated on Raph's. It's enough to make Raph nervous and wonder if he's gone too far, but his fears are dispelled when Donnie's shoulders slump slightly under his hands.

"When did you turn all Dr. Feelings? Isn't that Michelangelo's job?" Donnie jokes and makes a face, but his voice shakes just enough to convey that he understands what Raph is trying to say. Raphael chooses to act mock-offended, going along with the bit.

"Hey! Are you saying Raph can't say that he loves his brothers?" He huffs, and Donnie rolls his eyes. The heavier moment dispels and Donnie's attention is suddenly needed elsewhere, judging by the beeping that he can hear. Raph lets his hands fall from Donatello's shoulders.

"Duty calls. No rest for the wicked." Donnie sighs, somehow dramatic and sincere at the same time. His eyes are closed as he says this, but he peeks out at Raph. That's enough for Raph to spot the gentle glint in his brother's eye. "But..." he intones, combining the sound with another sigh. "I'll try." Raph grins.

"All I ask." He nods, and Donnie hums. He's reorienting himself, Raph has heard that noncommital hum too many times to not know. "I'll see you later, Dontron," Raphael says before he loses Donnie in a string of mutters, and Donnie gives him a wave as his goggles return to his face, already focusing on what had pulled him away.

Raphael keeps walking. He dodges children, people, and mutants. It's not easy with his build, and he sticks out like a sore thumb from size alone. Still, it's not enough to deter him from finding Mikey. Mikey's as easy to spot as it is to spot Raph in a crowd. His powerful ninpo rolls off him in waves, mysticality crackling under his fingertips. It surges through his entire body, and it's almost impossible to miss. He's often haloed in a golden light, something that's as warm as his spirit. Over the years, Mikey has only grown more powerful, but with his abilities, so does his wisdom. Mikey is no longer just the goofy turtle he'd been before; he is wise beyond his years, capable, and strong. He's the inspiration within the Resistance, the ever-burning beacon of hope. Raph has leaned on him for support more times than he can count, and Mikey has more than once single-handedly born the grief of hundreds after a bad battle. Many turn to him for guidance now.

Raph finds him in the exact position that he thought he would.

"Mikey," he says, trying to hold back laughter. At Raph's voice, Mikey looks up, expression bright.

"Raph! Hiya, bud. Apparently, my hair's getting too long!" He says, voice full of cheer and contentment. He's surrounded by an ethereal glow, and floating. His legs are crossed, and there is a gaggle of giggling children running around him. They dip below him from where he's floating, dodging each other while they play tag. The innocence of the view seems to heal all the old wounds and the scars littering Raph's heart momentarily. There's another taller child with her fingers in Mikey's hair, and upon closer inspection, she's braiding it. Mikey already has multiple little braids here and there in his hair, and it's a sight that makes Raph's caught laughter burst free.

"Really? Raph thinks it's fine." He tilts his head as he inspects Mikey, and he's sure his expression mirrors Mikey's. Raph edges closer before he sits down with a mighty groan, and maybe a bit of a heavier thud than he'd wanted. The children crow as the ground shakes a little when Raph sits down, and he's swarmed. They crawl all over his legs, chattering excitedly, and Raph sits and listens. He and Michelangelo both do. They bask in the simple joy that the children exude. They ask him all kinds of questions, and Raph answers the best he can. They tell him nonsensical stories, about everything Mikey has been telling them, stories of times before the Krang. It's a bittersweet experience, knowing that there's a chance that these children will never experience what they had. Still, the tenacity and hope these children hold to someday seeing all that they've been told of is infectious. It reminds him of something their dad has always told them.

Hope is a ninja's greatest weapon.

Eventually, the children go off to Mikey's gentle shooing, as if he knows that Raphael has something important to say. The bond they share is close to the silent bond that Leonardo and Donatello share. In the past, Raphael and Michelangelo had clashed on more than one occasion. Raph knows he could be overprotective. He had been, back then, and Raph is old enough to admit that. Michelangelo had been the youngest, and even though he still is, Raphael trusts that he can protect himself now. That he can protect all of them. More than anything, Raph trusts Mikey with the Resistance. He trusts Mikey with their family. It's an all-encompassing trust that's hard to explain, even if he tries. After the Krang, after they'd been forced to grow, their relationship had changed forever. It was for the better. They'd grown closer, and the need for verbal communication has nearly faded from existence. Michelangelo can read Raph like a book. Even now, he waits for Raphael to collect his thoughts because he knows that his older brother has something to say. Raphael is grateful for it, just like all the times before.

After another few moments of silence, Raph wordlessly leans. He leans enough that their shoulders touch. He can feel the warmth spilling from Michelangelo, and it's comforting in ways that he can't describe. Mikey hums, but he doesn't say anything. His short braids are slowly coming loose, and they both stare from the sidelines as their people gather the rowdy children, scooping them up for hugs and kisses. Raph swallows. The heavy feeling from earlier returns. How many of these children would end up orphaned after this fight? He ignores a palpable thought about Casey Jr. that flits through his mind as fast as lightning. He doesn't want to think about that now. Raphael knows that Mikey can sense the dread that is approaching, the muted fear and grief that is already threatening his horizon. In front of Mikey, Raphael doesn't really find the need to appear as strong as he feels he needs to be around everyone else. He knows Mikey understands.

"Mikey," he starts, his voice suddenly hoarse around the lump in his throat. Michelangelo doesn't respond, just nudges his shoulder into Raph's harder. Raph takes a deep breath. He needs to say what he actually has on his mind, or he might burst. He's mentioned it to Donatello before, but Donnie hadn't let him finish. He'd dismissed the notion, he'd been angry with Raph for thinking such things. Raph hadn't broached the subject again. Now, he thinks it's a good time to. "If Raph doesn't make it back, please take care of our family." He smiles, feeling a hot pressure starting to build behind his eye. He knows that it's tears. Michelangelo still doesn't say anything. Raph presses on. "If- Donnie said somethin’ before about the mission goin' wrong and said that it's likely going to be Leo who's out for the count. I dunno if Donnie's goin' to be right, but it's Donnie. He probably is." He laughs, trying to free some of the building pressure in his throat. He swallows, again. Harder this time.

"Don't let Leo blame himself. Or Donnie. An'... An' I don't want you blaming yourself either. Okay?" Raph finally turns his head to look at Mikey and finds that Mikey is staring at him. Michelangelo is looking at him with a pained expression on his face. He doesn't bother hiding it. He knows what Raph is talking about, and even if he doesn't interrupt, Raph knows that Mikey is struggling already with the thought of something going awry. "I know it's goin' to be hard. But... But you're the strongest of us all, Mikey. In here." Raph reaches over, placing a hand over his brother's plastron. "They're gonna need you. It's not fair, I know. But they are. Just... Just remember me for me, an' the good things. Keep goin'. Keep them goin'." Raph's smile is trembling, he knows. He sees Michelangelo struggle for a moment or two before he feels and sees Mikey let out a harsh, near-guttural breath. His eyes are glassy as if he's holding back tears. Then, Mikey nods.

"Okay," Mikey whispers. Raphael keeps the smile on his face and nods back. Then, Raphael pulls Mikey into a hug. He hugs him tight, and he can't help but notice just how small Mikey is compared to him. He feels even more sorrowful, knowing that Mikey is still the youngest but Raph is asking so much from him. He's come to realize and know that Mikey is incredibly powerful, and because of that, sometimes he forgets just how young Mikey still is. Raph tightens his grip. That seems to be enough for Michelangelo. He hugs back, and they stay that way for a few heartrending moments. Raphael eventually pulls back, and if he did so with a sniffle, no one is going to call him out on it.

Raph gives Mikey's shoulders one last squeeze before he releases his brother. He swivels his head back to their people, and Raph knows that they're ready. He finds his way back onto his feet and pushes through the crowd again, heading towards the front lines. He sees Leo. He's waiting for Raph. Raphael takes a deep breath to collect himself before he lets his focus overcome the dread that he'd experienced mere moments ago. He finds his rightful place next to Leo.

"You ready?" Leo's voice is quiet, a muted question. There's the slightest hint of uncertainty, and Raph knows more than anyone what Leo's feeling.

"Ready." Raphael agrees, and his response seems to bolster Leo. He grins. Raph returns it with a smirk, straightening as he turns to face the crowd. "We're moving out soon! Everyone get ready!" He rumbles, voice filling the hangar. There are a few cheers, and everyone scrambles to get last-minute preparations underway. Among them is Cass. He watches as she stoops to hug her son. Raph watches, his heart in his throat as Casey giggles in his mom's arms, his little head poking up past Cass' shoulder. He squeals when he's lifted up by his mom, and Raph feels like he shouldn't intrude on the moment. He turns away despite his aching heart. He's about to walk away when he hears Casey's unmistakable voice. It's not Casey's voice that stops him dead in his tracks. It's what he says.

"Pap?"

For what feels like an eternity, Raph's brain blanks. He stands still as his brothers all laugh, equal parts disbelief and amusement. All Raph can do is flounder. Flashes of Splinter enter his mind, memories of their father dancing before his very eyes. Suddenly, it all makes sense. It's like his world realigns. What his brothers say becomes mush, and he can't seem to process anything but the single word he'd heard. The tears that he's been holding back well up, and Raph turns around on his heels. He strides forward and then stoops down, making himself as small as possible with a waterlogged smile. "Casey!" Raph calls, and his voice cracks, arms reaching forward. His chest is impossibly tight again, but he doesn't care. This is all that matters.

Cassandra's expression melts from one of stark surprise to a quiet fondness, and she crouches to let Casey back onto the floor. Upon the sight of Raph's outstretched arms, Casey races over to him. There's no hesitation until he reaches Raph, and suddenly, Raphael doesn't know what to do with himself. He's become this small human's pap, and he loves little Case with all of his heart. His hands shake, and he can't seem to stop them. He hovers, more concerned than ever that he would somehow hurt Casey. It turns out that his uncertainty doesn't matter. Casey blinks at Raph owlishly, then turns towards the hand that isn't a prosthetic. Raph's heart clenches. Casey reaches out, settling his tiny hand in Raph's. It's barely big enough to circle around one of Raph's fingers halfway. Casey smiles, holding onto the hand even tighter. He hugs it with his whole body, and Raph can only stand so much. His throat burns and his tears make an appearance as he pulls the child—no, his son—close. He holds him against his face, eye closing. He's so small. Everything is clear now.

This war, this fight… It’s for their future. They fight for their right to hand down a world that is secure, safe, and bright. They fight for the right to live freely. They fight to ensure that their children will never have to face the same hardship that their guardians did. It's worth fighting for, down to the last drop of blood, and the last shred of breath.

Raphael doesn't want to, but he knows he has to. He pulls back, releasing Casey from his hug. Case giggles again in response, and his small hands reach for Raph's face. "Oh, Casey. Papa will be back very soon." He smiles through his tears, and Casey grows serious. Raphael can't help but be startled at the determination on Casey's young face, and he has to hold his breath as Case brushes away the tears from his face. Raph nudges his forehead against Casey's one last time, gentle and loving. He pushes his child towards the crowd that's accumulated to bid them luck and goodbye. Despite his young age, Casey seems to realize that it's time to say goodbye. He backs away, but he waves to Raphael the entire time.

With newfound strength and courage fortifying his soul, Raph can feel his ninpo practically crackling. He's going to bring down the Krang, no matter what. For his brothers. For the Resistance. For all those that he lost. For Casey. He lifts an arm to scrub at his face, getting rid of the remainder of his tears. When he talks again, his voice is strong and booms through the halls. "Let's move out!"

Raphael leads the entourage. His expression is set in stone, and his remaining eye burns with untamable fire.

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Somehow, Raph has always known that it would end this way. He's not one for grand maniacal plans like Donnie, not strategic like Leo, or even as mystically talented as Mikey. There is one thing that he knows how to do, something that he's better at than anybody else.

He knows it'll take everything he has.

But that's okay. It gives his brothers, Casey, April, and everyone in the Resistance a fighting chance. A shot at a better future.

He doesn't tell anyone that his mind is already made up. The chaos of the battle rages around them, but all sound is muffled to Raphael. There is an eerie calm descending on him. He can feel the dead weight of Leo in his arms. He glances around, and that's all he needs to conclude that they're in trouble. They're out of options. The sound of screams and cries of their people fighting—and losing—echo. It pierces through the shrouded veil that is surrounding Raphael. A newfound clarity settles, and the knowledge of what he's about to do makes him ache for all those he's leaving behind.

I'm sorry, Casey, he thinks, swallowing. Papa won't be making it home.

"Donnie. You were right," Raphael chuckles, the sound dry and wretched. He looks toward the holographic screen that has Donnie's face. "It is Leo that gets knocked out." At his words, Donatello's face twists. A flicker of understanding seems to bode before it disappears, a fierce look of denial taking over the lines of his face.

"Yes, well, I'm almost always right. 99.99% of the time," Donnie responds, his voice wrecked. It's a low sound, full of pain and a new kind of desperation.

Raphael lays Leonardo down, his ministrations endlessly careful and gentle. He forgets about his strength often because he's a tank; he's as destructive as he is obstinate. Even still, he is careful with his unconscious brother. Leo's prosthetic is destroyed. Raph glances at his own.

A Krang hound overwhelms Leo while he fights hundreds of others; it manages to sink its teeth into the metal of Leo's arm. Raph can do nothing but watch in horror as the hound shakes Leo like a ragdoll. The hound continues to slam the turtle around repeatedly with brutal strength as if it was determined to rip Leo's arm out of its socket as it had already done once before. In Raphael's hurry, he tackles the dog with his full body weight after he wrestles his way closer, sending Krang creatures sprawling from the sheer force he plows through them with. Leo slams into the ground, and the impact is hard enough to knock him out cold with a pained grunt. Raphael growls, the sound twisting into a bone-chilling snarl. His hands grasp the top of the Krang mutt's jaw in a crushing grip, the other latching onto the lower jaw. With a furious cry, Raph wrenches the dog's mouth open. Unnatural howls leave the creature's mouth as it struggles, its screams of pain growing more frequent. Raphael doen't stop there. Once the alien releases the wreckage that had once been Leo's prosthetic, Raphael gives a mighty heave accompanied by a roar of rage. How dare the Krang take Leo's arm again?

The gory sound of bones snapping and the wet, horrid sound of skin ripping fill the air until Raph releases the remains of what had been a Krang creature from his hands. He sucks in deep breaths of air, panting from the extra exertion of strength. He steps away from the bloody carnage, stumbling towards Leo. He presses his head to Leo's plastron, relief flooding in at the sound of a heartbeat. "Leo," he calls, throat hoarse. He shakes his brother, hoping to rouse him. "Leo!" There is no response. He's out cold, injured, and without an arm. Raphael has no way of getting him to safety.

His closed eye opens. Raphael shakes himself out of his reverie of recounting memories. He knows what he has to do. "Don, how long until the shuttles arrive?" He questions. He sounds calm, even to his own ears. He sees Donatello look away towards his wrist screen, and Raph knows what the answer is before Donnie even says it. Donnie's eyes are distant, his brain racing. It's going a mile a minute only to come to the same conclusion. Nothing. Donnie can't move, Mikey is overwhelmed and fighting to get people to safety, and Leo is unconscious. Raph is the last mutant standing.

"Donnie." Raph calls again. He still wants to hear the answer. His gaze is fixed on the holo screen, and Donnie looks back at him with fervent eyes.

"15 minutes." The answer is delivered in a voice that sounds small and defeated. Raphael nods. His nod is more to himself than anything. Everything comes at a price.

"Don. Remember what Raph said, okay?" That's all Raph has to say before a wretched cry sounds from Donnie.

"No! There's another way, we still have time! Raphael, don't fucking do this!" Donnie's panic, rage, and pain are imprinted clearly in his desperate plea. He knows what Raphael is about to do. Raphael only looks at him through the holo screen. He knows what he looks like. He looks grim, determined. Fierce. Donnie reads his intentions loud and clear and tries again anyway. Raph feels as if someone is twisting a katana in his heart when he sees the way Donatello's face crumples, the way his head slumps. He tips his head downwards. "Please, Raph. Please, don't do this. Please," Donnie begs, but there's nothing Raphael can give him as an answer. They have no choice. Donnie knows this. Raphael looks away from the screen. He looks down at Leonardo and the destroyed prosthetic. Wordlessly, Raphael smiles. It's soft, affectionate. Leo looks so young like this. Raph reaches over, and his large fingers find the spot he's looking for on his arm. His prosthetic detaches with a hiss. He presumes where he's going, he won't need this. He hears Donnie make a sound that sounds like a mournful, cut-off cry. Donatello is smart. He's already put together why Raph is doing this. There aren't many supplies to rebuild prosthetics anymore. Raph carefully places his metal arm over Leo. It positions over him as if it's cradling and holding the younger turtle.

"Donatello." The use of his full name forces Donnie to look up, and there are tears running down his face without reserve. Raphael grins, his infamous snaggletooth making an appearance. "Take care of yourself. Raph will always be with you. Don't blame yourself, or anyone else. I know you all, and I know you will keep fighting. Beat them for me. Then, when you win, like a boss-" Raph emphasizes, his voice trembling for just a moment, "-remember me. Tell everyone how much I love them." Donnie says nothing. He's looking away from Raphael now, and Raph understands.

Raphael stands up. The dust and wind generated by the battlefield whip the tail ends of his bandanna around. He takes a deep breath. His mind flashes to all the people he's met in his life. Behind his eyelids, all his memories play out. Mikey. Donnie. Leo. April. Splinter. Barry. Cassandra. The Resistance. Casey. His heart seems to swell. It's for them. A fierce inferno suddenly sparks to life, fueled by all his grief, love, and passion. He's doing this for them. He will protect them, even if it's the last thing he does.

When Raph opens his eye, it glows red. Surges of energy crawl over his body as electricity would, and his teeth grit. There is no more fear. He takes a step forward, and the very ground shakes from the force. Already, his ninpo has grown his size. Bigger, he thinks.

Another earth-shattering thud. Pain surges through him, his body warning him of its constraints. He ignores it. Bigger.

This time, the earth cracks open under his foot as he takes another step. The pain is excruciating. Raphael can see the red lines spidering through his flesh, the cracks he absorbs with his entire body. His form remains solid. With each movement, his body is falling apart. He knows that if he continues, his body will tear itself apart. He will break like glass, and he will die. The thought doesn't do anything for him, and it only emboldens him to go faster. "Bigger!" He roars, his voice carrying through the battlefield in a cry so searing and fierce, he gains the attention of the lead Krang.

Krang creatures scatter from under his feet. Those that don't, he crushes. He is far from caring. He moves his way forward, soul on fire. If he can protect his people, his family, Raph will gladly feed his soul as fodder to his ninpo. His eye is fixated on the lead Krang as he fast approaches. Even from this distance, he can see the way the disgusting pink flesh alien's arrogance melts away into pure, unadulterated fear. It feels good. Raph grins, and he knows that his form follows suit. By the time the Krang realizes his intentions, it's too late. The roar of rage, fear, and defeat that Raphael hears is music to his ears as he grasps the Technodrome. His sheer size dwarfs the once massive ship. It fits into his hands the way a ball would, and his sudden fury at the thought of all those he lost to this alien ship causes his fingers to grasp tighter. His fingertips dig into the ship, and the groaning creak it gives as he crushes it bit by bit is exhilarating.

Raphael lifts it above his head. His ninpo holds strong, but he can feel every molecule of his body breaking under the pressure. He looks up at the sky. He'd wanted to see the blue skies with everyone at the end. At least, this way, he could help them do that, even if it's without him. His eye closes. I'm so proud of you all. I'll see you again. For now, this is Raph out. Like a boss. With a heaving cry that threatens to cleave the sky open and rip the very fabric of time, Raph opens his one eye. Tears fall from it as he fixates it on the lead Krang, his savage smirk only growing wider. He swings his raised arms down, slamming the Technodrome ship down with all of his strength. He screams, channeling every fiber of his being into ensuring that the ship is completely, utterly destroyed. They will never endanger their people with this ship again.

There is a burst of light accompanied by an earthquake that topples buildings and splits the ground, dust clogging the sky in a dirty mist that is impossible to see through. With it, shards of red float and swirl through the air. Everyone who knows what it is also knows what it means.

Raphael is gone.

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There's nothing Mikey can do. He watches as his brother tears himself apart to fight against the Krang. He watches in horror as Raphael screams in equal parts fury and agony, destroying something that is a detrimental blow to the Krang. His hands shake, and his vision blurs, but he can't look away. A sob rips from his throat as he holds Leo, his eyes fixated on the crackling red figure in the distance. One hand cradles Leo while the other is clenched tightly on Raph's prosthetic arm. Somehow, Raphael knew. Somehow. Mikey doesn't know if Raphael is able to hear him, but he grasps the fingers of Raphael's prosthetic as if he is clutching onto his hand. "I'm here! Raph, I'm here! You're not alone, I'm here!" He screams like a wild animal; his tears and grief are unending. He screams as loud as he can, hoping, praying, willing that Raphael hears that he's not alone and that Michelangelo will keep his promise.

He looks until he is forced to close his eyes at the burst of light. There is no one but Mikey to catalog Raphael's final moments. He has to remember, to see everything.

When he opens his eyes. all he sees is a crumbling red figure. It deteriorates, shards floating in the air before it disintegrates. Almost like it never existed. As if Raphael never existed. Mikey stays where he is, too stunned and grief-stricken to even cry out anymore. He watches as Raphael's ninpo disappears. He feels reality slipping from his grasp. His mind can't help but shy away from the possibility that Raphael is truly gone. He denies such a reality, but even that comes to a stop. Something red flits down from the sky, and Mikey reaches up. His ninpo grasps the item, and when he brings it closer, Mikey feels his heart shatter. In his trembling hand is Raphael's bandanna. The only remnant of their brother's body. The only proof that he existed, other than their ashen memories. With shaky hands, Michelangelo brings it closer. He lays Leo down and looks around. Almost numbly, he takes Leo's abandoned odachi. He ties the strip of red around the handle, closes his eyes, and presses his forehead against it. He's only like that for a moment before his eyes open again. The fire that burns within is an anger that burns brighter than magma in a volcano.

In another time, Mikey hadn't understood the word hate. The concept had eluded his grasp. Now... Now he knows what hate is, and more. His loathing now knows no bounds. He hates the Krang. He loathes them. The embers of his hate lodge in his throat as he snarls silently, eyes beginning to glow a fierce yellow. He burns with the force of the sun, his usual warm rays of light turning cruel. He will destroy them all. His orange bandanna falls from his face in ashes, and with it, his hair is released. He faces the enemy that has regrouped shakily from Raph's attack. The enemy that now has set their eyes upon their allies and the rest of them. Mikey knows that the shuttles have landed. He is the last line of defense against the enemy and his allies that need time to escape.

He's never been more glad for that fact. His power crackles, surrounding him like a violent whirlwind. The power surges through his body, and he can feel it chipping away at the years he has left in his body. His hair grows longer, blowing in the wind of his rage without his bandanna to hold it back. He floats, rising higher and higher into the sky as his power builds like a hurricane. He raises his arms, and Michelangelo holds onto his ninpo with a savage ferocity that almost outweighs the pain at the knowledge that Raph is now gone. His fury reaches new heights.

The coals that burn in his throat finally give, and the scream he lets out is like a banshee's. With it, he releases his ninpo. His power is as unforgiving and brutal as the sea, waves of light matching the caliber of a primordial force perhaps as old as time. It floods over the battlefield like an ocean, golden light rolling in with the strength of a tidal wave and the speed of a riptide. He screams again, but it is a wordless cry of unmatched wrath. Michelangelo will burn them. He will destroy every single one until there's nothing by ash and death. They will suffer the way that they have suffered. The blinding wave of light engulfs the approaching Krang, and with inhuman, blood-curdling shrieks, they burn in the fire of Michelangelo's hate.

Mikey lands down, his feet on the ground. He pants as he looks at the razed land before them. Suddenly, all his strength ebbs from him as he falls to his knees. He feels empty. With a sudden hiccuping sob, Michelangelo raises his hands to his face, burrowing into them as he cries uncontrollably. Raphael is still gone.

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Donatello numbly watches as his wrist pad notifies him that the shuttle is arriving in 10 minutes. He feels detached. Everything is hazy, layered in a white fog. He feels as if nothing matters. He stays where he is, his eyes distant. His thoughts are quiet, for once. There's just... Nothing. He stares blankly at the horizon. He hadn't been able to see Raph's sacrifice. He isn't sure if he should feel grateful for that or not, so he doesn't think about it at all. There are other Krang and people fighting, but Donatello can't seem to pull himself together. It's all just so... Distant. Like he's not with this reality anymore. The logical part of his brain wonders if the powerful surges of energy and the earth-shattering showdown that has occurred have somehow transported him into a different universe. He almost laughs at the thought. Why does he feel nothing?

The shuttles arrive. The shuttles arrive but Donatello doesn't move. He watches as others run to the shuttle. He can't help but feel a little resentful towards them, a dull flare in the dark abyss. Do they know what sacrifice just occurred to save their lives? Are they grateful? A distant part of him observes from its detachment the observation he makes is unfair. Donnie doesn't care. In the far distance, he sees April looking around. He can even see her face wet with tears as she searches. Some part of him knows that she's looking for him. She's looking for Leo, Mikey, Raph, or him. His distant thoughts suddenly screech to a stop. Raph. Raphael. She... She won't be able to search for him anymore. She won't find him. Suddenly, everything becomes too sharp. Too clear. The agony that rushes in almost makes him wish for the detached daze he had just been in.

It's at that time that he hears Mikey's scream. It emotes all that he's feeling, and it delivers a blow so gut-wrenching that whatever breath is left in Donnie's lungs is stolen away. Another blinding white light envelops the field, and this time, he knows that it's Michelangelo. This knowledge makes this new reality jarringly, horrifically real.

Raphael is dead.

Just as the numb daze is about to return, Donatello is made aware of the hiccupping sobs that undoubtedly belong to Mikey. All his doubts disappear, and he is confronted with the reality that they've gone from four brothers to three. It's here that Donnie realizes—he'd never gotten to say goodbye. He'd never been able to tell Raphael that he loves him, too. Something wet trails down his face. He's shocked for a moment before he realizes, once again, that it's his tears. They run hot, splashing down his cheeks and onto his collarbone. Then, it's like the floodgates open. His shoulders shake as he wails, face upturned towards the sky as he screams, shouts, and rages. He can't breathe, but Donatello doesn't care. He doesn't. Everything hurts. Raphael had died alone, protecting them.

Donatello's sobs join Mikey's as they howl at the sky like feral, wounded animals, their grief raw and insurmountable. It presses on both of their shoulders, through their plastrons, and into their chests; the weight is so heavy that Donatello wonders if he'll ever be able to stand up again.

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aquietwritingcorner · 1 year ago

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Suppressed Suffering

Title: Suppressed Suffering Day: Whumptober 2023, Day 15 Prompt: “I don’t need you to help me I can handle things myself” Makeshift Bandages/Suppressed Suffering/ “I’m fine” Fandom: TMNT 2003 Word Count: 5786 Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl Rating: T Characters: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Splinter, Casey Jones, April O’Neil Warning: SAINW Summary: Don doesn’t remember where Draco and the Daimyo’s son sent him. He doesn’t care to, either. But suffering of that level will not stay suppressed forever. Little signs show in the ensuing weeks, until it can’t be suppressed anymore. Notes: I feel like I could have done better with the ending, but I was literally rushing this one, counting down the minutes until midnight--and I still didn't make it. AO3 || ff.net

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Suppressed Suffering

“Hey, Donnie. Those bandages look a little rough. Need help changing them out?”

“What?” Don looked over at Raph, and then down at himself. Sure enough, there were sloppily done bandages on him. He had a couple of places on his arm, and one on his leg. He blinked at them. He didn’t remember getting hurt enough to need bandages while he’d been gone.

Actually, he didn’t remember…

“Donnie?”

Don shook his head and looked back up at Raph. “I’m fine,” he said. “It was a long, uh, ten minutes.”

Raph snorted. “Ten minutes. Right. Maybe here, like Case said. But I was gone for three days.”

“Three days?” Mikey said, cutting into the conversation. “I was only gone a day! I wish I had three days where I was!”

“I was gone for two,” Leo added in.

They all looked at Don expectantly, but Don’s mind blanked. How long had he been gone? Where did he even go? He couldn’t remember.

“Mine was something like that,” he said. “I didn’t really pay attention. But my guess is that, with the time scepter involved, the normal expectations for the flow of time don’t apply. It pulled us from wherever it wanted to.”

“Well, ain’t that great,” Raph said.

Don shook his head. “I’m going to go take care of these,” he said, indicating the makeshift bandages, and headed off towards his lab and the medical supplies.

The bandages, if they could be called that, were little more than scraps of cloth that had been put over some cuts. Don looked at the cuts carefully, but he couldn’t remember getting them. One on his arm was long and jagged, like it had been caught on something. It probably could have used stitches, but it was far enough along now that Don didn’t want to do that unless he had to. The other on his arm looked more like a weapon had caught him, like a shuriken or a kunai. It was deep, but it was small, and looked like it could use a cleaning out.

The one on his leg spanned across his thigh, but it was a very clean cut, like he sometimes gave himself when working with sharp metal. Don laid his hands down on either side of the cut and looked at them. There were small, faint lines on his palms—nearly healed cuts—that lined up perfectly with the cut on his thigh. Whatever had happened, it looked like something similar to a sheet of metal dropped on his thigh. He must have been wearing gloves for his hands to be in so much better shape, but still.

What had he been doing? Don still couldn’t recall.

There was a knock on his door, and Don looked up. Leo was standing there. “I just wanted to check on you,” he started, and then grimaced as he saw the cuts. “Those are some pretty nasty cuts, Don. Want me to help with them?”

“No thanks,” Don said, the words falling from his mouth easily. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Leo said. “I don’t mind.”

“Leo, I’m fine,” Don said again, stressing it. “Look, worry about yourself first, alright? You have injuries to tend to, as well. Besides, these are already on their way to being healed. Nothing to do but keep them clean and rebandage them.”

Leo frowned. “If you’re sure,” he said.

“I am,” Don reassured him. “I’m fine. Go on, I’ll be out there in a minute to help.”

Leo reluctantly left him, and Don turned his attention back to his own injuries, frowning at them. Where had he gone to that he ended up with injuries like this that had enough time to partially heal? He wasn’t sure.

In the end, Don bandaged them up, and moved on, trying not to be too concerned about it.

~*~

“Donatello? Donatello?”

“Huh?” Don’s attention snapped back, and he blinked his attention off of Splinter’s walking stick and onto his father himself.

He was looking at him concerned, and it took Don a few moments to realize that he was on the ground of the dojo area, his brothers also looking concerned. Right. Right, they had been sparring and Splinter had brought his stick up to whack Mikey about something stupid and—

Don looked back at his father, at the concern and love in his gaze, and he immediately felt something stir deep inside him. His breath caught in his throat, and this inexplicable sense of grief welled up in him. For a moment all he wanted to do was hug his father and not let go.

“My son?”

Don shook his head. “Sorry. Guess I’m a little distracted.” He started to pick himself up off the floor. “I’m fine.”

Splinter frowned. “My son, if you are in need of some time… It has only been two days since you all returned.”

Don just shook his head and gave his father a smile. “No, thank you, Sensei, but I’m fine. I promise.”

Besides, something felt incredibly important about learning how to defend himself, and Don was going to roll with it.

~*~

“I don’t know, I just feel like some sort of change might be in order.”

Don looked over at April from where he was wrists deep in a computer. April was as well, as they were both working on upgrading her computer system.

“Are we talking a big change, or a little one?” Don asked curiously.

April shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just feel like I’m stuck in a rut. I don’t want to do something as drastic as, say, moving, or switching careers, but maybe something else. Maybe update my apartment or change up my look.”

“Those things could be good,” Don said, focusing on the work he was doing while he talked. “Sometimes a change like that is enough to satiate those feelings without doing something extreme.”

“That is true,” April said. “Maybe I should do something to my hair. I could start styling it differently, or maybe do something like curlers or a light perm.”

Don snorted a little. “A perm? I don’t know it’s hard to picture you with curly hair.”

April lightly wacked his shoulder. “Okay then, smart guy, what should I do? Cut it all off?”

Unexpectedly, Don froze. He could clearly picture April with short hair and something about it just seemed wrong. Not like it didn’t suit her, but wrong wrong. A feeling of danger and despair welled up in him and squeezed at his heart, and for a brief second, he felt like he couldn’t breathe. It echoed the feeling he had in training a few days ago, which just made it all worse.

“Don? Don? Hey, Don, are you alright?”

Don shook his head and blinked back to the moment, pushing those feelings away. “I’m fine,” he said.

April frowned at him. “Are you sure? You seemed a little on edge there.”

Don just looked at her and shot her a grin. “I guess trying to picture you with short hair made my brain short circuit.”

April put her hands on her hips. “Hey! I could rock the look if I wanted to!”

Don snorted again and turned back to the computer. “I’m sure you could, April. But I think you look better with long hair.”

~*~

“And then, Silver Sentry swooped in, and yanked Villainous up! But Villainous wasn’t through yet! He had these robots on standby, and they came in—”

Don watched as Mikey told them all about his latest adventure with Silver Sentry, complete with sound effects and hand motions. Don was relieved that Mikey was back to normal with this. Ever since his adventure in a superhero world two weeks ago, Mikey had strayed away from his superhero enthusiasm. But it appeared that it was over, and it was nice to see Mikey feeling better again. Whatever had happened had seemed to reignite his enthusiasm, and his arms were moving around quickly as he described the battle he had witnessed. Don found that he couldn’t take his eyes off of them—or more specifically, Mikey’s left arm.

He watched as his brother’s left arm moved around, going up and down, twisting and turning. He stared at it intently as his brother talked, taking note of how smoothly it moved, of how he seemed to use it with no problems at all, of how it was simply there and existing.

“Uh… Don? Donnie?”

Don blinked. “What?”

Mikey looked back at him, giving him a funny look. “Bro. You, okay? You spaced out there, hard, and you were staring at my arm.”

Don looked at him, and then glanced around at the rest of his family, who were looking at him with a measure of concern, too.

“Ah, sorry. I’m fine. I just got lost in thought,” Don explained with a smile.

Mikey didn’t look like he completely believed him, but he went back to his story anyway. Don tried harder to pay attention this time, even if he kept getting distracted by watching Mikey’s left arm.

~*~

The garage had always been a place of refuge for Don. He enjoyed working in there, banging out ideas and projects, and putting crazy ideas together. There was something satisfying and relaxing about doing this kind of work with your hands, and Don enjoyed it.

He had found, surprisingly, that Casey also enjoyed it, which had actually led to the two of them and Raph enjoying each other’s company up in the garage. They’d worked on the Battleshell, the shell cycles, the side cars and more together.

Currently, Don had some repairs to do to the Battleshell that he’d been neglecting. It was really best done with two people. Normally, Don would have gotten Raph to help him with it. However, Splinter was giving Raph some extra lessons. Fortunately for Don, Casey was looking for something to do tonight and had agreed to help the turtle out.

“Geeze, how long’s it been since you’ve checked on this?” Casey asked as he pulled himself out from under the Battleshell.

“Longer than I wanted,” Don said with a grimace and he stayed under it and kept working. “I just haven’t had the chance.”

“Yeah, I feel that. You guys have been busy lately,” Casey said. “Especially since that dragon guy sent you guys to all those places two weeks ago. I don’t think you’ve stopped since!”

“Tell me about it,” Don said, with a roll of his eyes. “I feel like every day there’s something new coming up, or like I need to get things ready in case something comes up. Can you hand me the three-quarter?”

“Sure thing,” Casey said. Don felt the tool hit his hand. “You planning on any upgrades to this baby?”

“Oh sure,” Don said. “I’ve always got ideas. The problem is picking out which ones to put into motion.”

“Donnie, I think you could probably add all of ‘em if ya wanted to,” Casey said.

“Nah, that’d be overkill,” Don said with a grin.

“Sometimes I don’t think there can be overkill for you guys,” Casey said. He stood up. “Imma grab a quick drink.”

“Sounds good,” Don said, continuing to work. “When you finish that, let’s try to finish working on this chassis.”

Casey made a noise of agreement, and Don took a second to focus on his work. He finally managed to get the stubborn bolt off, something he’d been working on for the past five minutes or so.

“Hey, Casey! I finally got it off!” Don said.

There was no answer.

“Casey?”

Still silence

Don pulled himself out from under the Battleshell and looked around. “Casey?”

There was no answer. There wasn’t even a sign of the man. Panic started to grip Don, and he fought it back as best he could, getting up and starting to look around the garage. After all, there was always the chance that for some reason Casey couldn’t respond to him. Don pulled out his bo and circled to the other side of the Battleshell. No Casey. He slowly spread out his search parameters, but he couldn’t find a trace of the man anywhere.

The panic started to bloom. Casey wasn’t here. He wasn’t anywhere around. All he had been doing was getting a sip of his drink, and now he was gone. What was this? Was it some sort of new attack? Had someone infiltrated the garage? What had they done to Casey?

“Don?”

Don whirled, his bo at the ready, only to stop when he saw Casey standing there, two drinks and some food in his hands. The man tensed up in response, looking around. “What is it? What’s going on?”

“Casey…” Don said, lowering his bo and leaning on it in relief.

Casey slowly lowered his guard and looked at Don, confused. “Don? What’s going on? You alright?”

“I’m fine,” Don said, trying to calm down. “I thought you disappeared.”

“I told ya I was going to get a drink,” Casey said, still confused. “Sorry it took me a minute. Mikey sidetracked me and sent some food and a drink for you up with me.” He peered at Don. “You sure you’re good, man?”

Don sat down on a nearby stool. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m just jumpy from everything. I thought you had a drink here and didn’t realize that you went down to the lair.”

“Oh,” Casey said. “Sorry ‘bout that.”

Don waved it off. “Don’t worry about it. I should probably just get more sleep. Hand me a sandwich?”

“Sure thing,” Casey said, handing over a drink and a sandwich.

“I finally got that bolt off.”

“Really? Geeze, that thing was stuck on tight.”

~*~

“Gah!”

Don’s head jerked up from where he had been working, whipping in the direction that Raph’s cry had come from. Don immediately abandoned his work, jerking his goggles off of his head as he ran towards it. Raph was on his knees in the dojo, hands pressed over his eye, their father and other brothers already around him.

A burst of panic went through Don, and he doubled his speed. “What happened?!” he asked.

“We—we were just training and—and it went towards his eye! I don’t—I—” Mikey sounded panicked, and it fueled Don’s own panic.

“Move!” he demanded of his family, practically shoving them out of the way to get to Raph’s side. Raph still had his hands covering his left eye. “Raph, move your hands.” Raph didn’t and let out a grunt of pain. Don felt his panic rising. “Raphael, move your hands!”

Don didn’t often raise his voice, and especially not in situations where a calm disposition would be better. But this time he did, and it was enough to startle his family into compliance, for the most part. Don reached up and tugged Raph’s hands away. There was blood. In the eye, around the eye, and Don couldn’t see all of the damage.

He felt his panic rising. Raph could lose this eye. If the damage was bad enough, then Raph could—would—lose his eye. What would that mean for him? What would happen to him? If Raph lost his eye, that would change everything.

“Don? Don!” Leo’s voice broke through his panic. “How bad is it?”

Don swallowed. “I can’t tell yet. Mikey, go get my bag. Make sure to get my penlight. Leo, warm water and a soft cloth. Sensei, just stay with him and help keep him still and calm. Raph, don’t move.”

They moved to do what he said, but Leo hesitated. “Don? Can you handle this?”

“I’m fine, Leo,” Don said, his voice tight. “Just get me what I need.”

Fortunately, the injury itself wasn’t that bad. The throwing star had actually cut Raph’s eyelid, just barely above the eyeball itself. A loose sliver of metal from it had fallen into Raph’s eye. None of it was permanently damaging and all of it would heal. A little eyelid glue and a magnet took care of the problems, much to everyone’s relief. Don felt drained by the experience, which was odd, considering that looking back at it, it wasn’t as big of a deal as it had felt at the time. But maybe it was just all of the stress from being scattered three weeks ago, Bishop’s cloning adventure, and everything else that was building up.

~*~

When Don built his vehicles, he usually built the really sturdy. He had no idea what they were going to do in them, or how much punishment they would take. But one he built a bit hardier than the other was the Tunneler. The Tunneler was built to go underground, to withstand all sorts of hostile environments and terrain. He built the thing to withstand lava, even if it wasn’t forever. The Tunneler was a very hardy vehicle.

But even hardy vehicles needed maintenance. So, every so often, Don would go over all of his vehicles to see how they were doing. He’d been working on this for the past month. For some reason, he’d been avoiding the Tunneler, but it was the only one left. It had been like a looming presence this whole time, but it was time to face it.

Don had all of the tools he needed, as well as the cleaning supplies, and he walked closer to the Tunneler. Each step, though, seemed harder than the last, and a sense of dread seemed to fill him the closer he got. He felt like a weight was being pressed into his chest, as if something about this was foreboding. He paused, staring up at it.

Anxiety seemed to grip him, and he couldn’t understand why. It was just the Tunneler. It was just routine maintenance. It was just something he’d done several times before. But the anxiety was growing, and he didn’t know why, couldn’t understand why, wouldn’t understand why, and it was all he could do to stay grounded even the small amount that he was.

“Donnie? You alright, bro?”

The moment was broken, and Don could feel it. The anxiety was still there, but the overwhelming feeling of it was starting to fade. He looked back at Raph. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said.

Raph eyed him like he didn’t quite believe him, but he nodded anyway. “Need some help with this thing?”

Don looked at his brother. “Well, your eye should be nearly healed up, so as long as you’re careful, sure.”

Raph clapped Don on the shoulder. “Where do you want me to start?”

“Start with the engine. I’ll start on the electrical systems.”

“Got it.”

Having Raph there helped, but the feeling of foreboding never quite went away.

~*~

The Foot were up to something. That much was obvious. What was just as obvious was the fact that they needed to do something about it. Of course, that meant that they needed to figure out just what the Foot was up to. And that meant a mission.

The mission was supposed to be simple. Observe. Investigate. Regroup. But nothing ever went simple for them. They had gotten noticed, and a fight had ensued.

“Fall back!” Leo ordered. “We’re not fighting this fight today!”

None of them objected. There were too many Foot, and they hadn’t come prepared for a big fight. Unfortunately, the Foot were not as eager to let them go, and while Leo was in the middle of giving his order, a Foot soldier threw something that exploded right in front of Leo’s face.

Leo cried out, a hand coming up towards his eyes, and Don felt panic rise in him.

“Leo!” Mikey called out.

Raph was suddenly between Leo and the Foot Ninja that was trying to take a swipe at their brother.

“Don, get Leo!” Raph yelled out. “Mikey, make us a way out of here!”

“On it!” Mikey said.

“R-Right!” Don rushed towards Leo, reaching out for his brother that was rubbing at his eyes. “Come on, Leo, this way,” he said, helping him up.

“Donnie?” Leo said. “Don, Don I can’t see.”

A cold terror flowed through Don, but he shoved it to the side in favor of helping his brother. “Okay, Leo, just—it’ll be okay. It will be. Just follow me.”

Don led Leo out of the fighting, through the way that Mikey made for them, Raph guarding their rear. They managed to get back to the Battleshell, Mikey driving them home while Don looked Leo over. As far as he could tell, it looked like it was maybe a simple flash bomb, but he refused to say anything definitive until he had Leo back home where he could look at his eyes more properly. Fortunately, that seemed to confirm that it was just the damage from a flash bomb and was more than likely temporary.

Still, that “more than likely” ate at Don, and he insisted on being nearby while they waited to see if Leo’s eyesight would return. At some point, he tuned out Raph’s similar story, Mikey’s outlandish suggestions, and Splinter’s words of wisdom. Instead, a sense of dread consumed him, and his thoughts started spiraling.

What if this was permanent? What if it didn’t go away? What would this mean for Leo? Being a ninja was everything to him. Sure, he could still fight, Don was sure, but it would be such a huge adjustment. Would he be able to do it well? What if something happened while he was getting used to things again? Would he blame himself? Become bitter? What would the consequences of this be?

“Don? Donnie.”

“Huh?” Leo’s voice brought Don out of his thoughts, and he abruptly realized that he was the only one left in the room with Leo.

Leo frowned. “I said you can just leave me here for now. I’m going to listen to the TV, and I’ll call if I need help.” His frown deepened. “You alright, Don?”

“I’m fine,” Don said. “Sorry, this has just got me worried. First the scare with Raph’s eye, and now this for you—it’s a little too close together, I guess.”

Leo gave him a smile. “Yeah, I understand that. This past month has been crazy. Why don’t you come sit next to me? That way if anything changes, I can tell you right away.”

“You’re patronizing me,” Don said, but he came and sat next to Leo anyway.

“Is it working?” Leo teased.

Don laughed lightly. “Maybe a little.”

The dread didn’t go away, though, until Leo’s eyesight fully came back.

~*~

Nightmares weren’t an uncommon occurrence in this household. They all had them, although what, exactly, featured in them varied from person to person. Mikey’s usually featured something happening to their family. Raph’s were usually about him not being able to protect or, worse, hurting his family. The Triceritons featured quite a bit in Don’s own nightmares. It was no secret that Shredder haunted all of their dreams, but that he haunted Leo’s worst of all.

Now that Splinter had been given a vision to stop Shredder once and for all, it was no surprise that the nightmares of Shredder had increased. It also wasn’t a surprise that the brothers found themselves all together in the living room, even though they were supposed to be sleeping.

“Bad dream?” Raph said, directing his question at Leo.

Leo always had a particular look about him after a nightmare, especially if it was one from when the Shredder nearly killed him.

“Yeah,” he said, clutching one of the throw pillows to him. “It was the Shredder.”

Mikey pulled Klunk into his lap. “Yeah. He was in mine too,” he said, curling around his cat.

“I hadn’t even made it that far yet,” Raph said.

Don shook his head. “I wasn’t asleep, either.”

“No offense, Donnie, but that’s no surprise,” Mikey said.

“I hate to say it, but Mikey’s got a point,” Raph said. “You ain’t been sleeping much for the past five weeks.

“I was working on things!” Don defended himself.

“What do you think he’s planning?” Leo said, bringing the conversation back around. “The Shredder, I mean.”

“Master Splinter saw Master Yoshi, right? And he was in a Guardian uniform, and then Splinter was wearing the uniform,” Raph said. “The Guardians guarded the Utroms. So maybe it’s something to do with the Utroms.”

Something about that made Don deeply uncomfortable, and he didn’t know why.

“He’s been stealing things from Triceriton spaceships, too,” Mike said. “Maybe he’s trying to go back to space?”

“Or maybe he’s trying to go back to the Utrom home world,” Leo said. He looked over at Don. “Do you think that’s possible?”

“Definitely,” Don said without even hesitating. Dread started to creep its way up his throat. “If he had enough materials, he has the know-how, as do Stockman and Chaplin, I’m sure. He could leave here, go back to the Utrom home world or gather allies. If he conquered the Utroms, then with their technology…”

Don’s breath hitched as the possibilities spun around in his mind. Utrom technology used against the universe. Utrom slaves. Conquering other planets. Conquering Earth. The death, destruction, and desolation that would come with that. He could picture it so, so clearly, practically taste it, hear it, smell it.

“Don? Don!”

Don’s eyes jerked up. Mikey’s hand was on his shoulder, and all of his brothers were looking at him with concern.

“You okay?” Mikey asked him.

Don nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine,” he said, although it didn’t sound as convincing as he would have liked. “It’s just—thinking about what all could happen if the Shredder gets what he wants is… chilling.”

“It is,” Leo agreed. “And that’s why we have to stop him.”

A horrible sense of foreboding filled Don, but he just nodded along with his brothers.

~*~

Knowing that the Shredder was planning something and knowing what that plan was were two different things. They needed to know what the plan was, and if they disrupted it a little along the way, well, all the better. Which is how they found themselves facing down the Karai Legionnaires again.

The robots were tough, and a few of their weaknesses had been bled out of them, making this fight even harder. Don’s brothers had been fighting hard so that Don would have the time to get the information off of the computers that he needed—and to install a virus—and Don was hurrying as fast as he could. The Legionaries had brought a much bigger sense of urgency and danger to this recon mission, and Don was more than anxious to pull his flash drive from the computer. When it was finally finished, he yanked it from the computer and whirled, bo in hand, to rejoin the fight.

Leo and Raph seemed to be holding their own against some Foot soldiers. Mike was separate from them, though, and it took Don a second to find him. His heart nearly stopped when he did. A couple of Legionnaires were closing in on Mikey, and all that went through Don’s brain was No, not again!

Without even thinking about it, a desperation and a rage overtook Don, and he raced to Mikey’s side. He came down hard on one of the bots with a yell, hard enough to break his bo staff, but also to cause damage to the bot’s shoulder. It tried to whirl on him, but Don was having none of it. He picked up a fallen sword and jammed it into the damaged shoulder, putting all of his considerable strength into using the sword to tear the damaged arm off of the body of the bot. The sword went through, and the arm clanked to the ground, its weapon falling with it. Don stabbed the bot in the stomach, and then bent to pick up the naginata that it had dropped. Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned the blade on the bot and used it to slice it to pieces.

He immediately whirled on the one that was closing in on Mikey, throwing the naginata at it like a spear, and impacting it enough to send it flying back into a wall. Don scooped up a blaster that had fallen to the ground, and immediately turned it on the third bot, blasting it to pieces before turning back to the one he had thrown the naginata at before. He ruthlessly yanked it out of the bot, and then proceeded to stab it to death as well.

“You can’t have my brother!” he yelled. “Stay away from him! Stay away!”

“Whoa—Don, Donnie! Donatello! Don! Don calm down!”

Breathing hard, Don stepped away from the mutilated bot, and turned to look at his brothers. They were all there, all with their guards slightly down, but Don only had eyes for one right now. “Mikey,” he breathed out, and then practically fell on his brother.

“Dude, Don, are you okay?” Mikey asked as he held up his brother. “The last time you hugged me like this was five weeks ago.”

“I’m fine,” he said, a roughness in his voice. “I’m fine.”

“I kinda think you’re the opposite of that, but okay,” Mikey said, giving Don’s shell pats.

“Come on, let’s figure this out later,” Leo said. “We need to get out of here while the going is good.”

Don nodded, and they all moved forward, leaving the mutilated bots behind.

~*~

“I thought you said this place was abandoned!”

“It was supposed to be!”

Don looked around. This was not what was supposed to happen. This was just supposed to be a training run. But they had stumbled onto a Foot operation, and, true to form, a fight had broken out.

“Donnie! Figure out what’s going on here!” Leo said.

“Right!” Don sheathed his bo and turned, heading back towards the computers he had seen earlier. If he could get on them, then maybe, just maybe, he could figure out what was going on. He was climbing the stairs to the platform when two figures made themselves known.

“Well, well, well. Donatello.” Stockman’s pod appeared, the eyeball in it peering down.

Don froze.

“Don’t be impolite, Hun. Say hello.”

Hun smirked down at Don. “Greetings, Donatello,” he said with a smirk.

Don’s mind blanked.

Suddenly it wasn’t Stockman and Hun separate anymore, but an amalgamation of them in a wheelchair. Suddenly it wasn’t a random Foot warehouse they were fighting in, but it was the Shredder’s throne room. Suddenly it wasn’t Foot Ninja that his brothers were fighting, but Karai and Legionnaires, and they were losing, and they were dying, and it was his fault—and there was nothing that he could do about it.

“Don? Donnie!”

Almost as if he were watching it through someone else’s eyes, Don saw Raph appear and block a blow that had been coming at him.

“Donnie! Snap out of it! Donnie!”

Don couldn’t snap out of it. He couldn’t break free. All he could see was Raph dying again, and he was powerless to stop it.

“Shell—Leo! Something’s wrong with Donnie!”

“What?”

“I don’t know!”

Raph was suddenly gone from his sight, and all he could see was Hun coming after him, Stockman peering over his shoulder—or maybe attached to it, Don couldn’t tell anymore. Hun’s hand reached out and grabbed Don, picking him up by the neck and shoulders, and Don instinctively scrambled for a hold that would take the pressure off of his neck. Hun squeezed, and the pressure increased.

Suddenly, there was a yell, and Hun dropped him, holding his bleeding arm. Leo was in front of Don, and Don watched everything as if in a daze. Arms went around him, and he heard Mikey’s voice saying something, but Don wasn’t sure what. Everything was a confusing jumble as Don was hoisted up and practically carried out by his brothers. Through the warehouse, out to the streets, down into the manhole cover, and into the sewers. Very little of the trip registered with him. It was only when he was sitting on the couch, Master Splinter looking into his eyes, that Don began to comprehend what was happening around him again.

“M…Master Splinter?”

“Donatello? Are you back with us, my son?”

Back with them? Don blinked, trying to understand what was going on. He was home. His family was staring at him. His face was wet. That didn’t explain much. It didn’t explain anything. It certainly didn’t explain the images, the sensations he was reliving.

Reliving… Don’s breath hitched. He couldn’t tell them. There was no way that he could tell them. What would they think? What would they say? Don had killed them. He had killed them! He had disappeared and failed and the worst had happened. There was no way he could tell them what he had lived through.

But as Don looked at Splinter’s worried eyes, the compassion, the love, and the concern in them, he broke. Don crumbled, curling in on himself as the sobs started. He felt more than saw his brothers closing ranks around him, trying to comfort him. He felt his father’s arms as Splinter coaxed him to uncurl and drew Don’s head to his shoulder.

Don wasn’t sure how much time had passed before the tears, sobs, wails, and apologies finally slowed, but they did, eventually. His family pulled back a little, just enough to give him space to think, clearly concerned.

“Donatello, my son, what happened?” Splinter asked. “What has gotten you into this state.”

Don wiped his eyes with a shaking hand. “I…” he started, trying to put what had happened into words. “I… I think…” he paused and looked up at his family. “…I’m not fine.”

His family drew closer around him as, six weeks later, Don finally explained where he had gone and what he had done when he was sent away by Draco and the Daimyo’s son. By the time he was finished explaining, broken and piecemeal that it was, Don was exhausted on every level. But his family was here. His family was around him, and although the memories were heavy, it still felt like something had been lifted from him.

Don wasn’t fine. He wasn’t going to be fine for a while. He had repressed what had happened, not able to face what he did, but it had still made itself known in little ways, until, finally, it had forced its way out completely. But here, with his family, his suffering could finally come out and be dealt with—and his family would be with him every step of the way.

#whumptober 2023 #no.15 #Suppressed Suffering #I'm Fine #TMNT #TMNT 2003 #TMNT 2k3 #TMNT Donatello #SAINW

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vdragon-creations · 6 months ago

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I am sorry but I don’t think you understand Raph’s character at all if you just think he’s the angry one always starting things. He’s way more complex than that and you being incredibly close minded. If you can’t see past his flaws like you can the others I feel sorry for you. You probably think Leo is flawless and can do no wrong.

Hahaha! Bruh, we got a live one here! This folks is a prime example of how folks can no longer read on the internet without either getting pissy without thinking or automatically jump to the worst conclusion about a person. All because someone out there doesn't like a fictional character the same way you do.

(Now I see why you took the time to ask this anonymously. Coward.)

Firstly, it's you're instead of you. I know you're mad, but maybe slow down a bit.

Secondly, you're actively blind if you think I said that Raph is always starting things. My exact words where "I feel like Raph tends to start them". The key word being "tends". Meaning not always, but a good amount of the time. And I feel like you're basically ignoring a lot of cases where Raph actively make things a problem when they weren't, or when there IS a problem, he just gets pissy instead of like....idk talking. (And I feel like you're actively ignoring that he's legitimately characterized to be the "Do first ask later type" in most versions! Hell, his 84 version is incredibly violent! Do you just....not know that or??? And they changed that in the 87 version where he's more sarcastic then angry. Again, something I mentioned in my Raph post.)

And way to go, assuming you know a damn thing about me! Cause guess what, I'm aware Raph is more complex. In my Leo post, I talked a little bit about how I related a lot to Leo because of the role I was forced to play as a kid. But the thing I didn't mention was that...I also relate to Raph quite a bit. I had massive anger issues growing up too. And they where due to a lot of reasons. But the two biggest ones where:

I didn't understand quite how to deal with situations were I wasn't being listened to or taken seriously.

I cared a lot about those around me, and when I felt they didn't care back, it made me feel a way.

TWO THINGS THAT I KNOW RAPH FELT IN SEVERAL VERSIONS TOO! Doesn't mean he was right to act the way he did. But he's a teenager, and I was a child. I can look past all of that. But, can't erase the fact that he could and did act like a complete shitter in a lot of situations without really...any good reasons. And it got them into some deep shit.

But, I can see that he owns up to most of it too, and apologizes when he's gone too far. I had to learn to do the same. And I will commend him for that.

And as for the Leo thing, again just proves you didn't read what I said once more in my Raph post. I outright stated "Leo does seem to be making the worse choices in those arguments (Glares at Bayverse Leo)" I'm aware he's not flawless! For fuck sake, in 2003 (Season 4), Bayverse Out of The Shadows, TMNT 2007, and in fucking RISE, Leo could be a REAL piece of work! And I feel, just like with Raph, things could've worked out a lot better if they had just....talked!

And I'm more then capable of seeing the flaws of all my favs and can still like them despite there flaws! And the opposite could be said for characters I'm not as jazzed about. Like with Raph. I'm more then capable of seeing past his flaws and can see why people like him. Don't mean I gotta tho.

All I said in my Raph post was that I don't really like him and never really have. I don't hate him, just don't like him. I saw a part of him that reminded me of some of the worst parts of myself growing up, and it can rub me the wrong way when the shows just don't let him show off his more softer side and grow as a character. (A fault of the writers you dipshit, not the character itself! He's not real so he can't actively change if writers don't let him.) And after all of this, I wouldn't wanna see him gone from the series, cause without the whole team, the TMNT fall apart.

But you saw that I don't like Raph, and immediately jumped to calling me "Closed minded" and making some pretty, gunna be honest, closed minded assumptions about how I must view a fictional character over another. Well, says more about you then it does me in the end!

Have a nice day.

#dragon talks #tmnt fandom #tmnt #tmnt 2003 #look i don't hate a lot of things #but when someone thinks they know a damn thing about me #yeah not cool my dude #a reminder to those out there #when someone says they dislike a character #it doesn't mean they hate them #and even if they do...who cares #leave people be and don't be like this goober

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dongpound · 10 months ago

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i demand to know more of your oc's (also im trying to catch up on your space au fic its been so long since i last read it)

OH MY GOD IT DIDNT GET EATEN BY TUMBLR

Anon™️ I’m using your ask as like a sticky note of oc ideas specifically Tundra dude there’s SO much I’m so sorry I got into the hyper focus zone

Tundra’s name is actually Alejandra Citlali Osorio-Cruz and through the series she’s just about to turn 16 in season 1 and roughly 19-20 by Season 5 (give or take how the fuck you think time works in 2012 bc I think it takes place over 3-4 years season 5 included)

Tundra came about as a nickname when she was a kid and got super hyper-fixated on professional wrestling and like. She made an entire persona and lore. Alec started using her wrestling name as a silly nickname and it stuck.

Yes I did come up with a stupid cute reason behind the name Tundra bc I can not handle the fact I chose such a BAD oc name for a LION but like I can’t change it NOW!! I MADE HER IN LIKE 2015 SHES TOO OLD TO CHANGE IT

Xever did just think for the longest time Tundra WAS her name. He also just assumed that Alec and Chris adopted a child for fun.

Her bio parents Ixchel and Alejandro were really good friends of Alec and Chris for like. Well over a decade. Ixchel and Alec especially. Ixchel was an actress (like I would say their worlds equivalent of Selma Hayek) and Alejandro worked in music production.

They didn’t have a ton of family they kept in contact with, so Alec and Chris were named Alejandra’s legal guardians if anything happened to them. They sadly died in a plane crash when Tundra was around 1.

This feels like SOOOO edgy and silly to me now but like I literally can’t see Alec and Chris adopting a kid any other way than the guilt of losing their friends pushing them to do it. WHICH SOUNDS BAD. AND LIKE IT IS. However they still love and raise Alejandra as their own, if anything Chris is like. Somewhat distant bc he still has his career but Alec’s like “fuck yeah I get to raise a kid again” and kinda slips from the spotlight. Which is fine by them , they’re like 600 years old they can just have messy fun in the public eye another time

Tundra goes fucking THROUGH IT emotionally through the series. Like goes from would do anything for Chris and Alec (especially Chris who. Again. Was distant and she desperately wanted his approval) to the point where like. She’s yknow. Mutated, to growing resentful of them when Hachi enters the picture (especially when she has to take care of him) to like. Low key betraying the foot and joining the mutanimals in season 3. And then having to deal w Chris being resurrected temporarily in season 5 after a really chill and happy 2 years with her mom and little brother like it’s a LOT.

In season 1 she’s very much a “mean girl” stereotype and slowly evolves into Cool And Gay (but still a little better than you)(she. She gets that from her upbringing.)

Tundra and Karai are seen as like a duo/bffs up until season 2 after the whole “I’m not shredders daughter” thing happens. They grow distant (obviously) until season 4.

So like Alec and Chris are NOT the best parents and like. They did totally just let Tundra take Hachi to live w her and the Mutanimals in season 4. She’d already been in space w him for 6 months and the poor kid really didn’t want to go live in the woods. I have such a specific scene in mind for this and I want to write it out so bad. Anyway tundra basically becomes a teen mom for a little bit. Eldest daughters am I right? *plays class of 2013 by mitski*

Tundra has a modified mini van which she does haul all of her friends who can fit in. Apologies to leatherhead and slash . No she doesn’t have a license

She also has a bike. These two vehicles she did canonically find on the side of the highway and she convinced Donnie and Casey to help her fix them

Tundras in a punk (? Maybe more Pop punk ) band called The Muties (my other characters Jack and Spinstra are in it. also Mondo. Sometimes Raph fills in on drums if Spinstra can’t make it). Tundra and Jack switch off on vocals, she’s usually on bass. They started up in the down time between seasons 4 and 5. They play in Moira’s Menagerie (a mutants only bar and hall) every week on Fridays. Alec comes to nearly all of their shows and also they bring Hachi sometimes when they practice and he’ll play his DS.

Alec will also force their friends (I.e. Apep, Anton, Ivan and Xever) to come watch Tundra w the promise of drinks and she thinks it’s embarrassing every fucking time bc they’re SO LOUD and OBVIOUS and god she could just DIE (but also. Having the support makes her happy)

Alec WILL slam back 3 tequila shots and go on about how talented their daughter is.

Chris got to see her play once. And it was when he was resurrected. And Tundra, frankly, was not thrilled. Another one I wanna write

#thanks for reading all that I love Alejandra and she deserves the world #oc tag #I’m a little embarrassed by how much I wrote but I’ve been in a big tundra mood lately

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nerves-nebula · 1 year ago

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Mikey was wearing a dress.

Leo had never been so confusingly angry before in his life.

Draxum was in the other room, arguing loudly with Dad.

Raph had employed Donnie to help him set up his new punching bag.

Mikey was fucking twirling.

The skirt technically wasn’t a skirt. It was some weird yokai fashion thing that was just long fabric draped over a pair of shorts, like a one-piece of some kind. It was fucking neon orange and Mikey was doing his weird arm shaking thing he did when he was happy, dancing in place and singing to himself.

Leo gripped tight onto the book Draxum had given him. He hadn’t even looked at the cover yet.

He heard Dad screech something that sounded like “faggot” (or was Leo’s mind just deciding it sounded like that?) and he bristled angrily.

“Did Draxum forget we’re boys or some shit?” He heard himself say, “You look like a dumb girl.”

Mikey ignored him, even spinning around to put his back to Leo.

There was a bow against the back of his neck, draping over the curve of his shell, bouncing playfully as he danced. It almost perfectly matched the color of his mask.

He thought of the dress their father tossed out a sewer grate into the street years back. It wasn’t for him. If it was lucky then some little girl would find it.

It had had a big blue bow on the back.

“Why can’t you just be happy that they’re happy?” April had asked him once, “Who fucking cares if it’s weird? Just enjoy the happiness of your family, man.”

He wanted to be happy that Mikey was happy.

He tried to force a smile.

Just be happy that Mikey is happy.

Just be fucking happy.

He looked back at his brother, the way his hips swayed to the beat of a song only he could hear, how his hands flapped at a completely different pace, how his eyes were closed with pure delight and his smile practically took up his entire face.

His little brother was happy.

He finally looked down at the book in his hands. It was a comic book, hardcover, with a yokai samurai printed on the front. It wasn’t Samurai Rabbit, but it looked similar.

He looked back at Mikey.

He could share the book with him. They could sit together and talk about samurai and how they were different from ninja and maybe the anger that still lingered in his chest would die away.

“Hey-“

“Michelangelo!”

Mikey immediately stopped his dance, freezing in place.

Splinter came over, grabbing Mikey’s arm in a hard grip, scowling, “This gift is not for you. Draxum brought the wrong thing.” He pushed Mikey off toward the bathroom, “Change and give it back. Draxum will bring you something else next time he visits.”

Mikey stumbled, his hands immediately going to the skirt (not a skirt) and gripping the fabric. He looked ready to either fight or cry.

(You’re learning to sew. Offer to take off the skirt. Offer to make it better, to make it fit. Take off the skirt (not a skirt) and the bow and make it into just a romper. You can do it. It wouldn’t even be hard, just a couple clipped strings and it would probably come apart easily. The fabric could even be repurposed.)

Leo said nothing.

Draxum left with Mikey’s gift and not another word said to anyone.

——

I’m having my own Weird Gender Times and projecting.

-Monster Anon

FUCK i forgot to release this beauty to the PUBLIC because i wanted to wait until I drew art for it but,, i dont think thats happeninga anytime soon fsadfsadhf anyway i loved it and i loved how you showed leo trying to fight against his irrational jealousy fdsfsd

#nnstuff #ask #teenage mutant neglected turtles #neglected fic #tmnt mikey #tmnt leo #transphobia tw #queerphobia tw

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memes-in-a-half-shell · 2 years ago

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Business AU - Working Late, Part 15

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 || Part 9 || Part 10 || Part 11 || Part 12 || Part 13 || Part 14

Lots of dialogue in this one 😩 sorry in advance. Gotta have some plot points once in a while heheheh.

This chapter also features a nightclub owned by Raph, the “Scarlet Underground”. It’ll probably be featured again in future chapters, idk for now (tbh, I’m really improvising the plot of this fic, you have no idea LOL). Writing a bit about nightclub settings always brings me back to my early 20′s 💅 this mama was partyin’ hard~

ENJOY!

“You think it’s the Foot clan actin’ up?”

Mikey had lowered the black cloth covering his mouth as he asked that question, looking over at his brother Donatello. Both terrapins were at the top of an apartment building, dressed in their ninja gear as they surveilled the perimeter close to Vee’s place. The tall one lowered his mouth piece as well, letting out a sigh as his brow ridges furrowed.

“Who else could it be then? ... What Vee described only brings me to that conclusion.” He paused for a brief second. “... They’re probably trying to find a way to get through us. They want to hit close once more.”

“You did install cameras and sensors close to her apartment, right?”

Donnie brought up a holo screen up from some hardware at his right wrist, confirming the active status of a couple of devices he had left around the perimeter.

“I’ve been monitoring since last week, when I saw that presence at her unit. It’s been calm so far, with a few exceptions here and there, but right now I can’t only trust my tech for this matter.”

The young one faked a gasp, amused.

“Can’t believe I’ve lived the day to hear you say you’re not only relying on your fancy tech stuff. Leo and Raph won’t believe me!”

“Leo and Raph don’t need to hear about this. At least not now...” replied the other, still frowning.

“Well it better be sooner than later!” added Mikey, slightly annoyed. “Four pairs of eyes would’ve helped tonight, rather than two. Especially if it’s Foot related stuff.”

“Whatever,” sighed Donnie, wanting to change the focus. “Let’s move. We need to get dressed.”

Both turtles put back on their mouth pieces, suddenly getting in motion as they parkoured over and around the buildings - remaining as much as possible in the shadows. For this past week Donatello barely had any sleep, yet he’d never been this alert before. The looming menace that Vee could potentially get hurt, or worse, was chewing every thoughts in his mind. Frankly, he only wanted to bring the woman to his place and keep her there, but by doing so he’d be putting a bigger target on her back - and he didn’t want to stress her any more so.

He couldn’t help this feeling that he was being selfish on her. There was finally another chance for him to better track Foot clan activity, but it was at such a risk. And at such a high price he would hope that the reward would be great....

***

It appeared Raphael had some information regarding the presence Donatello had felt at the Lowline’s construction site, thus inviting the purple banded terrapin to his personal nightclub. Vee had instinctively been asked to join, knowing she had worked on the project as well. The woman, on her end, couldn't help feeling giddy at the perspective of spending a night out with her man. Especially when it'd be in a party setting! She had some dresses in her wardrobe worthy of such occasions, nothing too extravagant. And so she opted for a short black sequin dress, the sleeves stopping at her elbows. Her hair let loose and her makeup on point, she felt ready for the evening ahead and to get a better taste of New York City's party scene. Her phone beeped to life, then a text message from Donnie flashing on the screen telling her that he was waiting outside in his car. Vee took one last look in the mirror, adjusting her hair, then headed out. Her smile was already apparent as she saw the vehicle outside, hopping into the passenger seat. Vee's gaze devoured Donnie once she was properly seated inside. He was wearing a printed short sleeved shirt, unbuttoned to the middle so it was clearly showing the upper part of his plastron and a wooden beaded necklace. His outfit was completed by tan pants and a brown belt and shoes. Gosh he looked sexy right there and then.

“Hey there, good lookin',” started Vee with a grin.

“Speak for yourself, that dress looks hella nice,” replied the terrapin with a smirk.

Vee could only reply by inching closer to him and giving him a kiss, slow and tender.

“Well, ain't you two cute,” said a voice in the back, amused.

The woman jumped a bit, suddenly shifting her attention to the backseat and noticing Mikey. The younger terrapin was wearing dark jeans with some tears here and there, accompanied by a white t-shirt and his usual gold chain.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” mumbled Vee, sitting back into her seat. “Didn’t know you were here. I just barged in and started kissing Donnie....”

The tall mutant at her side started to laugh, alongside his brother.

“Nah, dudette!” reassured Mikey. “It's chill! As long as you two are happy together, I'm happy.”

Vee smiled, although still blushing out of pure shame. She lightly slapped Donnie's arm:

“Just drive! I'll probably stop feeling like a fool once we'll get there.”

The trio was next on the move, the mood light as Donnie was seamlessly driving around the city's streets. The bespectacled mutant did bring up a subject over, regarding this evening's focus:

“Just so we're all on the same page,” he started. “We shouldn't mention anything about the Foot clan to Raph, unless he's the one to bring it. … We have yet to know what he found out, so I wouldn't want to risk our own mission.”

Vee nodded in agreement, while Mikey commented: “Bro, not gonna lie, it does feel kinda unfair to hide stuff from him and Leo...”

“I know...” sighed Donnie, slightly defeated.

“We're a team. We stay together. We work together. Y'know what I mean...?”

“Yeah, yeah. I just...-” Donnie paused, instinctively leaving a hand on Vee's thigh as he kept his focus on the road. “I have this gut feeling that they'd get in the way of my happiness only for the sake of avoiding any incident with the Foot. … I'm tired of waiting. We're stronger, we can take them head on and not just focus on their little unorganized cells here and there.”

“For sure, but the longer we keep that away from them, the more harm it might do in the end. I'm sure they just want the best for you, just like you want the best for all of us, right?”

The tall one spared a glance to his rear view mirror, crossing Mikey's gaze. He couldn't help the ghost of a smile.

“Good food for thought, Mikey. I'll make sure to remember that...”

They sure matured over the years...

After a short while the car was parked and the group walked its way towards an entry point that led to the lower levels of a building, some red neon letters spelling the name 'Scarlet Underground'. They didn't need to wait in line in order to get in, the bouncer recognizing the turtles instantly and granting them passage into the depths. Vee could already feel deep basses rumbling through her as the trio went downstairs. She unconsciously reached for Donnie's hand, seeing that the place was already packed with people. At least the terrapin was taller than most guests around – thus very easy to spot - but she still wanted to keep close, especially with the gazes she could now feel on her. The evening already seemed at its peak, the air warm and people dancing all around with drinks in hand. This whole scene brought Vee back to a time in her life when she used to go out often to such environments back in Montréal. All while she knew it could be fun, she also remembered the senseless drama that often came along – the woman slowly shaking her head with a grin, now those memories so insignificant to her. Her attention got back to the two turtles she was accompanying. Donnie was ever so gentle and polite, making his way through the sea of partygoers with a soft touch, still holding Vee's hand all the while. Mikey, for his part, was already feeling the groove and having fun as he was going forward to their next destination. Vee did notice that many people would look their way with certain admiration, also mixed with a certain desire for some. There was no denying that those mutants were always a sight to behold and somehow a promise for something different – a non-human experience. Vee could understand their curiosity. She had quenched hers and, boy, she could never go back...

There at the back of the place was a more recluse space, first guarded by other bouncers. They gave no thoughts to the terrapins, but one did stop Vee in her tracks, Donnie feeling the push on the woman as he was still holding her hand. The mutant was quick to face the man who had stopped her, his golden gaze harsh as he simply let out: “She's with me.” The guard was quick to let Vee go, stepping aside and allowing her pass. She hurried her high heels in faint clicks against the floor as she made her way closer to Donnie. The terrapin then left his hand at the small of her back, his stature somewhat taller as they continued their walk. That brought a smile to Vee, along with a quick shiver down her spine. She knew she wouldn't get into any troubles with Donnie by her side tonight.

It wasn't long until they reached heavy curtains hiding a small room. Mikey was the first one to plunge in, already letting out an “eeyoooo” as a greeting, soon replied by enthusiastic voices. The tall terrapin and Vee next made their way in, the woman’s eyes then landing on Raphael who was sitting comfortably on one of the three sofas available, cigar in hand and surrounded by two beautiful women - some other people present as well. It wasn't a large room, but there was still enough space for a handful of guests, as well as a stripper pole for entertainment.

The large turtle smirked as he saw Donnie come in, also sharing a welcoming nod to the woman by his side.

“What, is Honor Boy also gonna pop in as well?” he asked, amused.

“Nah,” replied Donnie. “Mikey came along 'cause I just happened to be with him when you called me.”

“Ay, bro, you know that even if I'm not in the picture, I'm always down to come here!” commented Mikey.

Raph only had to say “leave us the room, please” for his guests to take the hint and head to the party outside of this alcove. One woman at his side granted a kiss to his jaw, murmuring something to the terrapin before getting up – leaving the male with a renewed smile to his face. The last souls exiting the place, Raph gestured to a liquor bar nearby.

“Please, have a drink. The night is young.”

“Don't mind if I do!” replied Mikey, already on the lookout for what to mix. “I'll get something refreshing for y'all.”

The large mutant next took some time to look over at the woman, a certain amusement in his eyes, taking a drag from his cigar.

“… Feels weird to see you in somethin' else than work clothes,” he added. “I still stand by my words; my brother got some good taste.”

That caught Vee slightly by surprise, a light blush coming on her cheeks. Donnie simply tsked, moving forward so he could sit nearby his brother.

“Stop stalling time. You said you had information about that presence in the undergrounds.”

“Woah, slow down there, Don,” gently warned Raph. “My place, my rules. Let me enjoy spendin' some time with my bros, for fuck's sake.”

Vee took place right next to the tall terrapin, tenderly holding his hand and leaning into him a little.

“There's no rush, n'amour. We've got all night.”

“See, the lady understands,” added the red banded one, satisfied. “I hope you take your time with her as well.”

“Oh stop that,” muttered Donnie in exasperation, Mikey snickering in the back.

The younger mutant soon handed his concoctions to the group, starting light with some gin and tonics (maybe with some emphasis on the gin!). Just to play on Donatello's nerves, Raph did drink slowly, sparing an amused glance to his brother. The purple clad mutant exhaled, rolling his eyes as he sat more comfortably on the couch, letting out a “you're full of shit“ under his breath, next taking a sip of his drink as well. Sometimes he could just really understand Leo whenever it came to dealing with the red brute...

“Word on the street is that the thing you're lookin’ for is huge,” started Raphael, leaving his empty glass aside. “It may even be taller than you, nerd.”

“Jeez, no wonder I kinda felt threatened when I sensed its presence,” commented Donnie, frowning.

“It appears that it mostly hangs around underground subway stations and abandonned construction sites.”

“Maybe it's just looking for work,” quiped in Mikey, jokingly.

“Well it's doin' a piss-poor job,” continued Raph. “… Some people were able to get a visual on that damn thing and it appears to be a mutant – some even say it looked like a gator.”

That took Donnie slightly by surprise, the gears of his mind already at work.

“Either those damn New York legends about alligators in the sewers are true, or it's some Baxter Stockman fucked up work,” he thought outloud.

“You think he got his hands back on some purple ooze?” questionned Mikey.

“If he was able to synthesize it in any manner, perhaps. But that must have taken him some time, and it must be bound to bring some errors or undesired results...”

“I am absolutely lost,” finally added in Vee.

The mutant trio paused, looking back at the human woman.

“... There’s quite a lot to unpack there. I’ll get you up to speed later, don’t worry,” reassured Donnie.

“All you need to know is that if that fucker Stockman we’re talkin’ about is on the loose again with some fancy shit alien juice, we’ll have to expect more problems in the near future,” added Raph.

He next dangled his empty glass to Mikey’s attention, quickly adding a “if you’d be so kind” - to which the younger brother happily complied.

“I suspect by this conversation that it’s not the first time that this guy you’re talking about has done some work with that said purple ooze?” asked the woman.

“Indeed,” continued the bespectacled one. “Years ago he turned two criminals, Bebop and Rocksteady, into mutants. The results were quite impressive, but they can prove to be quite catastrophic if in the wrong hands.”

“I personally think that this Bebop guy had a nice mowhak!” commented Mikey, giving another drink to Raph before sitting back down.

“Style aside,” cut the red one. “At least those two shitheads are behind bars, so we won’t have to worry about them. ... But now if Stockman is finally out of Tokyo and ready to unleash some hell over here, we’ll need to get on the move fast.”

Donnie finished his drink, his fingers drumming against the now empty glass, frowning as his thoughts were running once more.

“... Any idea where to start in order to find that alligator?” he asked Raph.

“You really wanna get after that thing? ... Your suicide, brother.”

“If it’s really one of Baxter’s creations,” continued Donnie, not minding the other’s comment, “its behaviour just doesn’t make sense right now. Why is it not attacking? Why is it hiding? What’s its purpose - we’re not even hiding in the sewers anymore, so there’s no need to stay underground. ... I need to see for myself on what side that mutant is on.”

“Maybe it’s scared,” added Mikey. “Where was it mostly sighted? That could give us a good idea on where its home is.”

The big terrapin softly sighed, somehow conceeding.

“It seems to mostly hang uptown. No idea where exactly right now, but I can definitely get details.”

He next pointed a finger to Donnie, his gaze shifting from the purple mutant to the orange one: “And there’s no way in hell I’m letting you two go after that gator alone. I’m tagging along and you can’t stop me.”

The two others exchanged a look, Donatello then shrugging: “I wasn’t going to object anyway. We’ll need all the muscles we can get if we have to fight that thing.”

Raph paused, not expecting to be included that easily. Relaxing his posture in his seat, he grinned after taking a sip from his glass.

“Then it’s settled,” said the red one. “One underground adventure coming soon.”

“Want Leo to tag along as well?” asked Mikey.

“If he’s not too busy bossing around, we’ll see.”

Raph next spared a glance towards Vee, noticing she had been silent for some time now. He winked at her.

“Don’t worry, doll face, I won’t ask you to come and get fightin’.”

“I can’t fight, for sure,” she said back. “But if there’s ever anything else I can do to help, I’ll be glad to.”

Donnie’s traits frowned once more, stopping himself from voicing out that she’d get into renewed trouble if she was to do so. And that look did not escape Raph...

“We’ll keep that in mind,” said the red one. “But I’ll give y’all a break for tonight. Go have some fun on the dancefloor. I’ll let you all know when I have more details.”

Mikey was already on his feet: “Hell yeah! I’ve been itchin’ to dance since we set foot in here.”

As the trio was about to leave the room, Raph’s voice did rise up once more:

“Donnie, stay here for a sec’.”

The tall terrapin stopped, Vee pausing at the same moment. Donatello’s gaze on her was reassurring, a gentle touch on her arm as he asked her to stay close to Mikey. Now finally alone with Raphael, the purple clad mutant sighed before turning around and facing his brother. And boy did he look annoyed...

“... I saw that face you did when she offered to help. I swear to fuck, Donnie, if she’s already in deep shit-”

“Everything’s okay,” cut the other. “I just don’t want her to get into harm’s way, that’s all.”

“By the tired look on your face, I’d say she already got into some.”

“I’m tired ‘cause I’ve just been working a lot lately.”

“Don’t lie to me, Don, I know you. I know your different kinds of tired. And right now this ain’t work tired.”

Donnie shrugged, vaguely gesturing in annoyance: “And your point is?”

“Are you trackin’ the Foot or not?”

Silence - except for the muffled booming of a bass boosted song in the distance - deafened the place. Raphael sighed, finally standing up.

“Look, just answer me, alright,” he added, walking towards his brother. “... I promise I won’t get mad.”

“Oh, sure,” sourly said Donnie.

“I swear.”

“Then yes,” promptly answered the purple one, hoping to rip the bandaid right away and rapidly get through the hard discussion ahead. “Since our last discussion on the subject, I never stopped. ... And lately I’ve been going harder at it since Vee spotted some of their ninjas and one even broke into her appartment.”

“Shit, for real?”

“There’s no way in hell anyone’s going to stop me in my research,” continued Donnie. “And now if I have to consider Baxter Stockman in the picture as well, I need to act fast.”

“Donnie...” Raph was about to lay a hand on the other’s shoulder, but the tall terrapin was quick to push his gesture back.

“And I don’t give a shit if you want to tell Leo. I’m done hiding. I can’t stand doing nothing, sitting at the top of this goddamn city and watching the people I love get hurt by my inaction.”

“Donnie, I get ya,” interjected Raph again. “I don’t wanna fight you on this. I wanna help.”

Donatello was now visibly surprised. He couldn’t help a renewed frown however.

“... Why the sudden change of heart?”

The other showed half of a smile: “Let’s just say some stuff is shiftin’ around in my life. I won’t tell no more.”

“And what about Leo?”

“Lemme handle the shithead. You have enough to worry about anyway.”

There was this sudden wave of relief washing over the tall terrapin, a sigh escaping him as his shoulders slouched a bit. That reaction brought a soft chuckle from Raph, next moving to the small bar in the room. He poured two shots of whiskey, offering one to the other. Donnie didn’t hesitate to drink it up, then presenting the glass for another one.

“... It must have been weighin’ on ya,” commented Raphael, pouring another shot.

“You have no idea,” answered the bespectacled mutant. “At least Mikey will be happy about that.”

Raph drank in turn, his traits hardening: “Wait, Mikey’s on it too?”

“We’ve only been patrolling around these days, nothing too big,” quickly dismissed Donnie. “He was just so adamant about us four tackling this as a team... I get his point and I frankly believe that things will definitely move faster when we’re all together. I was just so pissed that Leo would have us hold back and do nothing. I just don’t understand his reasoning.”

“I’m not tryin’ to completely defend his case, but bein’ the leader and all that shit kinda makes him anxious all the time. He can’t be everywhere all at once, so he’s just worried about our family, ya know. He’s tryin’ his best...”

Donnie smirked at his brother, drinking his shot.

“Who would’ve thought that you’d be defending Leo one day.”

“Believe me, I almost puked,” joked Raph.

They both got some more shots in their amusement, Raph then leaving a friendly tap at the other’s shell, pointing to the alcove’s entrance.

“I wouldn’t want to make your lady wait any longer. Go have some fun tonight. Drinks are on me.”

“Thanks, Raph,” added Donnie as both of them walked out of the room.

They exchanged a brotherly handshake, the purple banded terrapin then making his way towards the main floor. He did not miss however when one woman present in the room earlier had now made her way back to Raphael, the red brute’s hand already at the small of her back. Donnie smiled, starting to piece everything together.

***

Mikey’s enthusiasm was definitely bringing a grin to Vee’s face, the duo lost on the dancefloor and letting the music guide their every moves. Sensing this deep bass rumble through her body brought back some old feelings and memories, trying to hush them and focus on the moment. The ghost of lips and hands on her body, the missing warmth of a body close to hers as hips were following the lustful rhythm of the night. Feeling small, helpless, like a prey for men to feast on. The sudden boiling of her blood as she had to defend herself countless times against the most mediocre specimens known to mankind...

She started to feel actual hands on her, a presence now glued to her back and following her dance. Her thoughts relaxed as she saw the three fingered green hands, promptly knowing their owner to be Donatello. She lost herself in his embrace, her arms and hands going up, instinctively finding scales at the base of his neck to tenderly nail at behind her. In this moment they were one, Vee’s eyes closed as the terrapin nuzzled her temple - the woman noticing a faint smell of whiskey. Her gasps were lost to the music as one of Donnie’s hands slowly traveled across her abdomen, a lustful pressure kneading her form, sensually flushing her ass closer to his core.

In an instant they were alone, away from the dancefloor. Intoxicated from both music and alcohol, there was this feverish need felt in their kiss - a hunger so surreal, letting go of one another would feel like the end of the world. In the shadows of a disregarded hallway, flashes of colored lights were creating a kaleidoscope of emotions, the continued music translating to the pulse of their hearts. Enclosed between a wall and the terrapin, Vee’s hand made its way across his clothes, remaining on his hidden erection as she continued to kiss him. At first, Donnie was absolutely getting lost in this feeling, but he was finally able to snap himself out of it and lift the woman against the wall. Prompting her to hold on around his neck, he got her legs to open, the rim of her dress slightly lifting. Getting her scent, the churr in his chest could easily be mistaken for some bassline vibrations. Without any thought, he got a hand to her core, pushing aside any garment he’d find with his finger, then sensually caressing her sex.

This renewed dance got him to unconsciously move his hips a little, both entranced by the moment. He easily started to finger her, a lovedrunk smile on his features as he witnessed Vee’s arousal. Her moans were barely heard, her hips following his rhythm in a grind that got her so close to the edge in no time. Her lips couldn’t stop kissing at his scales, going from his jaw to the corners of his mouth. She wanted so much more, yet the euphoria filling her could only satiate her current need. Donnie moved his attention to one side of her neck, lightly sucking and biting as he kept finger fucking the woman. Vee’s exclamation was not missed to him as he felt her walls pulse around his digit - letting her ride this wave as he stayed deep within her, his palm cupping her sex. He didn’t care that his hand was getting soaked. Right now and then that was the hottest thing he could experience. In a lustful manner, he licked from the side of her neck to her cheek, not skipping a beat as he simply said:

“We need to get the fuck out of here. I’m so not done with you.”

((To be continued))

#it's-a-moi #business au #usual sorry for any mistakes #fuckfuckfuckufkcufkcukkk #I had to stop myself at the end or else I would've written MORE #also sorry if it's a lot of dialogue #I really wanted to get some stuff moving #we should be getting some chapters with Leo as well #poor honor boi almost got none attention given to him in this AU :(((((((#also I didn't really give a description of the woman with Raph 'cause I don't know if I want to create a new character #or simply go with someone's OC .... THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN #I have some ideas in mind heurheurhuehre #shit I can't tag as mature when it's from a draft....

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