#tmnt hc

[dysfunctional-doodle]

Physically a Leo, spiritually a Mikey.

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I want to reiterate the fact I think that Rise Leo and 2003 Mikey are eerily similar in a lot of ways. To those who write Leo as all silent and a shell of himself after krang- I respect you but here me out: he still is a flamboyant king with Issues ™️ and very much in denial/uses humor as a coping mechanism…kind of like 2003 Mikey, right?

(Sorry for the sketch lines and untidiness overall! I don’t have much time rn to do proper art 😓)

[pillowdrawz]

ROTTMNT HC TIME!!

WEIGHTED BLACK WRAPPING LIKE ROCK LEE or the Blue samurai ft. MILES btw I imagine the rottmnt turtles kr Cassandra and April having this. They have to carry this with both their leggs and arms to either hold back their strenght and become stronger i think its a cool Idea for them to have weighted wrappings like they can use mystic to have weight on that item it doesn't look like its very heavy but when they remove it Boom rock lee moment fr.

Also like the scene in the blue samurai.

[melancholysway]

Friendly reminder that Raphael and Casey take "the walk" before eating with everyone at Thanksgiving~

and you should too ;)

but imagine them two seriously

coming in snickering and wondering if anyone knows

they all do btw

going straight for the water because they got cotton mouth

making their plates first because of the munchies

eating 2x more than everyone else because of that LMAO

they want to bring mikey next year but he definitely won't be able to hide it as good as they think they do

if raph's s/o smokes, he's definitely bringing them along for the bromance walk before they eat

casey and raph give each other "the look" when it's about that time

"i need some air-"

"yeah- uh- me too"

"Me three!"

"NO Mikey." - casey and raph scurrying away

happy turkey day yall! hope you ate good lol

[luternity]

he is such a neat guy i luv him

[incognito-duo]

MUTANT MAYHEM HCs!!

Leonardo

The turtles and Splinter all call him Da Vinci, hated it at first but then grew to love it.

Loves watching Octonauts, and made a video essay about it.

Likes going to Walmart

Watches Vine compilations at 2 am when he can’t sleep

Color codes his candy, for example, only eats all of the red Skittles then the purple ones then green, etc.

Cried over Roblox VC once, and his brother verbally harassed a 5-year bc of it.

After Scumbug got with Splinter, Leo tried to encourage his family to learn the language she spoke. He is the most fluent, but as good as Splinter.

Even though he's a snitch, Leo has blackmail/secrets that are brothers only. (Some things are sibling code fr)

Favorite Dcom is Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, and looks up to Zed.

Loves cheesy Rom-cons, and has a Tubi account just for it.

Donatello

Head of movie nights, mostly watched anime movies but tried to find one the whole family would love.

Has his tent because he owns a bunch of merch, and needed a place to put it.

Simon, from Alvin and the Chipmunks, kinnie. Had a massive childhood crush on Jennet.

Def a Disney Kid, TOH, Molly McGee etc.

Got into Anime, and other fandoms, bc of AMV's.

Fandom wiki user, and a Tumblr user.

Studio Ghibli GEEK!! Made many video essays.

Chapped as hell lips, carries small Vaseline around (Forgets to use it)

Owns a diary

Info dumps and long study sessions a lot

Michelangelo

Only wants bubble tea for the pearls

Had a small wig era... failed, and never did it again. (He only wears wigs in secret)

Has the best handwriting

He could wing a test if he paid attention in class because IMPROV!!!

HAS to sleep near one of his brothers, hence why he has a bunk bed.

Has glow-in-dark stick stars on his wall!!

Number one hypeman when you wanna ask your crush out. Definitely helped Leo with April

Writes in orange glittery pen

Likes to style his mask in bows or fun edges

Over thinks with giving others gifts, decorating, and hosting parties

Raphael

He HATES the dentist

He is actually a big softie and dork (like we all know), so he yaps a lot with April, his brothers, and the people he's REALLY close with

Likes a few musicals because of Mikey, like CryBaby and Ride of the Cyclone

Loves to show off, mostly to impress people

Plays Valorant with Casey

Bullies little kids on Roblox voice chat

Childhood crushes were on Liv from Liv and Maddie, and Cat from Victorious

Likes to munch on waffle cones when bored

He's too loud or too quiet when speaking during certain times without knowing

Owns a journal, and has the most outrageous handwriting

April

Kids still bully her, but a lot have stopped after the events of the movie

She slowly learns how to get over her stage fright

the CUTEST handwriting when taking notes, the aesthetic school notes with the pastel highlighters

Doodles during class, and tends to doodle Leo when working on her newspapers (AprilNardo>>>)

Lowkey hated Casey before they became BFFs

Goes to her apartment roof when she needs to relax, or when bored

Listens to Lofi Girl when studying

Likes to make small, silly comics for the school newspaper

Loves tot bags, or duffel bags!

She is an only child, but loves to hang out with her parents and relatives. Every weekend, she goes to IHop with her family and invites the turtles and Irma sometimes

[oozedninjas]

2007 TMNT GROWN UPS HC

Because they have a life outside of crimefighting, you know?

sfw

----

DONNIE

He got into college, got a degree in systems engineering and works from home as a programmer for an important corporation.

Uses an IA to generate a human-Like appearance for work meetings.

He’s the one with the highest income and the most uninterested in money. Donnie supports his family a lot in that sense.

After Leo, Donnie is the one who takes good care of Master Splinter, who fortunately never falls sick, but they worry nonetheless.

Donnie spends almost all he makes on his lab, and what he’s left he invests it on their home, which means: new, much more comfortable furniture, a new security system to protect the lair, escape routes in case of needing to, he made sure each of them had a comfortable space to sleep.

RAPHAEL

When learnt how to take care of his bike when working as the night watcher, so I picture him making money as a mechanic.

When he’s not fighting crime at night, Raph tends a mechanical workshop he build in association with Casey. It’s located in an abandoned garage near the lair.

Generally, Casey makes the deals, brings the clients, and delivers the vehicles back to them once they’re done, while Raph does the mechanics and fixes everything.

The place is a nice distraction and thanks to the marvelous work they make, it’s a nice business.

MIKEY

I think he would most likely be a TikTok celebrity.

It all started with couple of videos that he published by mistake and went viral.  

He constructed his personal brand around body painting, animal-care, and skateboarding.

Mikey’s a hit, seriously like he would get nice brand colabs and receive a bunch of free stuff for him to test and provide online opinions.

Master splinter wasn’t happy about it, but given that everyone thought it was a costume, he allowed it.

Donnie was commanded with the task of making an IA human-like appearance for Mikey, tho, just to be sure.

LEO

The turtle team still exists, fewer times now than before, cause life changes and they don’t have as much time on their hands now as they did when they were younger. Yet, Leo can’t help but feel lonely at times.

Training at the dojo and glimpsing back to see the Lab’s lights on and meet the silence of the house without Mikey and Raph.

Master Splinter’s no. 1 caretaker.

I think that as all his brothers progressively grew older, Leo started to note his only purpose until now had been his brothers: standing as a leader for them, protecting them, taking care of them, and being responsible for them.

What does he truly enjoy? Leo starts to wonder.

And this is Leo's best age to discover what he's into and show a wilder side of himself. He feels complete.

He loves exploring new things!

Leo became a teacher after settling down. He teaches Japanese history and martial arts online.

Donnie helped him develop an app, and everything's going alright.

[olive-garden-hoe]

Man when 2012!Splinter said “you are who you choose to be, not what others made you” that really hit my little non-binary heart

[bonefanatic]

this doesn't happen often but-

thinking about size difference with peepaw leo.

nothing necessarily sexual, tho he is a big fan of it in the bedroom.

im talking, his mugs are huge, you can't finish a cup of coffee without sharing it with him.

his bed is huge, bc he's a big boy. he cuddles you, keeps you tucked under his chin and your barely touch the tops of his thighs.

he makes huge plates of food, and you can't eat it all, so you have to share with him.

your palms are barely bigger than his face markings, and he's obsessed.

his clothes are huge on you, so big, more like a blanket than a shirt or dress.

[cheezyratz]

Rottmnt Leo agere headcanons

🐢 I feel like he’d be an infant regressor

💙 after the events of the movie, he’d start regressing as a way to help cope with what he went through (both voluntarily and involuntarily)

🍼 he has a baby bottle covered in Jupiter Jim and Lou Jitsu stickers

🛹 He has a bag full of comfort snacks and agere items (pacifiers, a very fluffy blanket,

🐢 the first time he regressed was one night when he was trying to sleep, the darkness reminded him of the prison dimension and caused him to regress.

💙 when regressed, Donnie is most likely to be his caregiver

🍼 he has a collection of toy trucks, cars, and other automobiles he likes to play with

[superherogeeky]

So here are my ALTA hc for 2003 tmnt:

Warning I get controversial

Leo: Fire

Explanation- Leo is driven by his ultimate goal of protecting his family. His training and dedication to his role as leader shows that. His will is strong and is ultimately what pulls him through.

Donnie: Air

Explanation- PUT THE FRUIT DOWN THIS ISN’T EVEN THE ‘BAD’ ONE. Iroh once said that air is the element of freedom, and what embodies freedom better than Donnie? He’s an inventor and he’s always the first one to fight for freedom (SAINW, the Kirby episode etc). Also he’s funny.

Raph: Earth(possibly Fire)

Explanation- I debated this one a lot because putting him as fire along side Leo would be great to look at how their personalities and goals mirror each other (both will driven) even if they think differently. But Raph is incredibly strong and that trait should be given it’s due. He’s the most emotional one anger is a secondary emotion it comes from something. And being able to weather those strong emotions his whole life? That takes strength. Plus he’s stubborn. Never gives up for good and ill (read: petty arguments).

Okay so here’s where I’m probably going to lose everyone.

Mikey: None

Wait!!

I went over and over in my brain and no bending style really makes sense for Mikey. 2003 Mikey’s strength lies in his natural talent for martial arts and fighting improv (a super high level skill most people struggle with). While in Rise they pivoted to having Mikey be the most naturally talented with Ninpo that doesn’t fit 2003 Mikey’s character,

He’s fun loving but he’s perceptive able to see what Leo’s responsibilities must weigh like on his brother’s shoulders. The ability to bend would not make Mikey a better fighter. In many ways I think the reliance on it would make him worse off. And he doesn’t really fit the bill for any of the elements.

And oh my fucking god he’d probably learn chi blocking and further the practice why did it take me so long to think about that.

[dysfunctional-doodle]

Don’t you just hate it when your youngest brother lights himself on fire if he isn’t getting enough attention?

Based on a hc I have that Rise Mikey’s powers evolve to the point where he can summon fire. Sounds very cool, but he’s also the youngest sibling. He does shit like this. He absolutely abuses it.

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[tmntxthings]

Heya! Do you think you could maybe do how Mikey would help with a panic attack?

一∑ I’m Here。・゜・

author’s notes: grace here, just wanted to say I’m winging it, I don’t think I’ve had a full blown panic attack before so maybe this is more just towards Mikey helping with anxiety?? hope you enjoy~ <3

warnings: fluff, hurt/comfort, angst, anxiety, panic attack? established relationship & platonic relationship:D (both cause why not) unedited

—————————————————————————

Mikey is a helper

Plain and simple, he was raised to be that way partly because of Raph (in my humble opinion) but mainly because that’s just who Mikey is as a person, he’s kind <3

If the two of you are friends and he sees you not doing so well in a crowd, say at a party. Lots of people, dim atmosphere, flashing lights. He would approach you carefully, making sure he’s grabbing your attention by waving his hands

“Hey, are you alright? Wanna take a breather with me outside?” He’s immediately offering up an exit from the situation. If you say no, he’s sticking by your side! Not in an uncomfortable way, but just in case you need him. Plus he’s a great conversationalist & dancer so it’s a win-win

If you say yes he’s leading the way, holding out his arm/hand for you to take if you are comfortable enough. Plus he wouldn’t want to lose you in the crowd, he doesn’t force his touch though.

He’d only do that if he felt like he had to protect you from something. Like someone dancing a little too obnoxiously, big movements, taking up too much space and almost hitting you as you try to pass by, he’ll get into your personal space so he can make sure you don’t get hit, he’ll act as your barrier

It doesn’t matter if he’s smaller/shorter, he shall make sure you don’t get hit one way or another. Even if that means pulling you close just in the nick of time! Once outside he’s talking a lot, his voice is light trying to distract you from your inner turmoil or if the two of you are close friends he would ask if you wanted to talk about it

He is Dr. Feelings after all! Certified c; “Dr. Feelings ready to help!! Let’s start from the beginning!”

If the two of you are dating or on the more romantic side he’s much more willing to hold you close. Very much initiating contact right away.

“Everything okay? Is it a panic attack?” He knows your signs already so it’ll only take a certain look of confirmation or a small nod on your part to get him into action. He’s pulling you close into his plastron, rubbing soft circles into your back. Whispering sweet affirmations into your ear, swaying slightly back and forth, it may look like the two of you are just slow dancing in the middle of the party!

If it’s more serious he’s grabbing you by the hand, keeping you close to his side as he navigates the crowd to the nearest exit. Once outside he’s helping you regain control of your breathing. “Alright babe, in and out, c’mon baby do it with me, you can do it,” his tone is so warm, so caring. He’s worried about you!

Once you’re breathing is back to normal he’s asking if you want to talk about it, he mainly wants to know what triggered the attack <3 bc maybe he can watch out for those warnings in the future! He’s a thoughtful bf through and through, “Do you need some water? Something to snack on?”

If you get emotional or start to cry he’s got the saddest smile. He wants nothing more than to turn that frown upset down. He hated to see you cry! No crying!! But as Dr. Feelings he knows its healthy so he just tells you to let it out, “It’s okay, I’m here, I’m here with you angel”

Soft kisses on your cheeks, wiping away those salty tears, telling you how beautiful you are! Shooing away all the bad thoughts and all the negative energy. Quite literally being a little silly, flicking away imaginary bad vibes around your head, “Get away from my partner!!” “Don’t worry babe I’ll protect you!” *insert dramatic ninja skills here*

“Wanna head out? I’m down to do whatever you wanna do!” Again letting you decide what you rather do. Options!!! “We can head home and snuggle up? Movie marathon?? I’ll bake you some cookies <3”

Mikey’s a foodie soooo yeah he’s gonna try and settle that stomach of yours. You want soup? Done! You want sweets? He’s baking! You want a full course meal? Well.. that may take the rest of the night cause you know this turtle is an overachiever but he’s absolutely whipping it up in the kitchen for you

[melancholysway]

Serendipity (2007!Raphael x Fem!Reader) 10

Chapter X: Home

I can cry yall I'm so sad this is ending LMAO

--------

"Jesus Mikey, in my ear?!" The red-banded turtle scolds his little brother for yelling (once again) about the road trip to Casey's grandmother's farmhouse.

This was a sacred trip, filled with family bonding and alone time together. It was a trip of serenity and calmness that was unmatched by living in the city. Upstate New York was indeed an experience to remember. Northampton was a quiet place, with the population barely reaching 2,500 citizens. So, yeah, the turtles (and Splinter) loved going up there. There were no sewers, Purple Dragons, or Foot Ninjas. They were able to…exist. 

You were lucky enough to be tagging along; you were on spring break, and you needed this well-deserved week-long vacation. You weren't sure what the guys usually did when they went upstate, but it had to be relaxing. 

"What are we doing first, dud- ow!" Mikey asks from the backseat, earning another glare and smack from his older brother.

"I mean," Leo begins, "Get settled in, the usual. Relax, swim-" "Train." Master Splinter interrupts, earning a groan from Mikey.

"Sensei! It's vacation!" 

"Very true; however, the Foot will not take what you kids call a 'vacay,' correct?" 

Okay, so train. How…exciting. How fun to train…on your whole free week of no ninja-ing.  

"Woo-hoo." Donnie cheers flatly.

"Yay." Raph follows suit.

Leo can hear his younger brothers' fake enthusiasm, and he can't help but chuckle.

"Can't wait ta train on my week off, Masta Splintah," Raph says, earning a snicker from Donnie.

The drive was a good one. It was your first time in the ShellRaiser, and Donnie spent half an hour giving you a tour and showing you all the remarkable modifications and weapons he attached to it. You were driving around in a military-grade vehicle. 

Let's move on to more exciting matters, like your relationship. 

It was great. What more could you ask for? You got the turtle (who you didn't know was a turtle in the beginning) that you wanted. 

So it's no surprise that Raph asked if you wanted to come on this trip. Besides, he knew you needed a break. It also wasn't a surprise that his brothers, especially Mikey, were excited for you to join. 

---

"Dudette! We can finally hang out outdoors in the daylight! I can, like…get a tan!" Mikey almost jumped out of his shell when he heard the news. After a quick thought, you were in. You'd already planned on Jade checking up on Stella that week and leaving her a few 20s for the deed (though she strongly disagreed with you paying her, seeing Stella was enough payment.) 

So it was settled: You would be going for an entire week. Unsure of what to pack, you jumped off what April told you she usually brings on the trip: the basics: clothes, toiletries, a first-aid kit just in case, and herself (obviously).

Mikey was going to be attempting to get a tan. So, you had something to look forward to seeing the result of. 

---

Due to the long trip, you utilized Raph's shoulder and slept for the last part of the ride. It wasn't until you felt a flick on your nose that awoke you that you had made it to the farmhouse. 

"Ya still snore like a grown-ass man." Raph jokes, only for you to protest that you don't snore again. But you may never know for sure. 

Looking through the window on your right, you can see the beautiful ivory house with at least eight rooms and three floors. It seems incredibly well-kept, with no visible signs of wear or tear. Casey's relatives enjoyed this house and spent much time ensuring it was in excellent condition. 

You can see the excitement in all of the turtle's eyes and Master Splinter's. This must be their most anticipated event during the springtime. As you get closer to the driveway of the house, you can see a large lake in the distance, along with a dense forest surrounding the property that seems miles deep. Don't tell Casey to freak him out, but this would be a great Fallout location. 

You could go into great detail about everything you guys did together, but that would take forever. 

To make the long story short, it was indeed an unforgettable time. While you already felt close with the rest of the Hamato brothers, you were one big family by the end. 

Now, Master Splinter doesn't use the word "family" lightly. Family has such a deep meaning for him. It took April and Casey a while to be considered family. However, they were so in debt to the turtles from all the times they saved them that they owed them nothing but trust and loyalty. When Splinter recognized this, he accepted them into their home and family. 

From watching you interact with his sons and having a caring attitude toward them, Splinter accepted you into the family. You were a Hamato. Err, figuratively, not literally. His number one reason is the way Raphael was when he came around you. He watched how his most temperamental son became caring and loving toward someone in a romantic way. He had told you over a cup of tea that you gave him hope for Raph's brothers. That in this unbelievable world, there was a chance there would be someone for each of them. 

Speaking of Raph, a week-long getaway was just what the two of you needed to get closer to each other. When you all began the road trip, Raphael went to work, mentally planning things for you both to do outside (ooh, romantic~).

When you weren't with the entire crew, you were with your boyfriend- just how you and Raph liked it. Don't get me wrong- Raphael loves his alone time, but this trip allowed him to do things he usually wouldn't get to do with you in the city. The biggest one is going outside in the daylight. 

And, of course, there were plenty of times you two were intimate. And boy were those moments especially unforgettable. Raphael had this unspoken sexiness to himself and the way he presented that caused your brain to produce the nastiest thoughts- and when you let him know what you were thinking, he would give you that lustful smirk he always does before picking you up to set you down on the bed- effortlessly managing to close the door and lock it behind you two in the process. 

~

The whole trip had been a wonderful experience. If you were being honest, you didn't want it to end. But sadly, it had to. The city needed protecting, and you had to go back to work. It was no surprise that saying goodbye to the home you'd become accustomed to for the past 7 days was hard; it was a haven. Before leaving, you silently waved at each piece of rustic vintage furniture.

~

Moving on to the present time, you couldn't be happier now. After the week at the farmhouse, you were ready for the best part about Spring: The fiery Aries zodiac season. It is also known as Raph's birthday season.

Since so much time has passed since Leo's return, and since Raphael put away his Nightwatcher persona, things have returned to normal. 

The question was: would it last?

You wouldn't be in college forever, and your parents wouldn't be renting that apartment you lived in forever. College was quickly coming to a close, and you would be finishing up your undergraduate degree soon.

You also had it made. You had your own space and cat—you get the idea. You felt ready to spread your wings and leave the nest your parents crafted for you, unbothered by what may come soon. The present was just so beautiful and full of wonderful experiences that the future's problems were minuscule. You'll find a career and stable income with time.

As melancholy as it may sound, you couldn't return to your life before Raphael. You couldn't imagine what it would be like after graduation; would you stay or return home? Your parents would only pay your rent for a while, mainly because you would finish your undergraduate degree. 

After much time and consideration, you and your parents came to one conclusion. One that you all could agree on. 

Once this agreement was settled, you thought of ways to tell the turtle in red. You knew that Raphael also thought about you leaving. He had this small doubt in the back of his head that you would go back home, never to be seen again. However, you did not intend to leave him or the relationship you two had built.

As Raphael's birthday came closer and closer, you got all your ducks in a row. Everything was finalized, and there wasn't any turning back. But you didn't want to turn back. You weren't going to turn back. Ever.

By the time his birthday rolled around, you were ready.

~

"Hellooo~!" You sing as you enter the turtle's home. You're first greeted by Mikey, who is cooking in the kitchen. Mikey turns to face you with a "kiss the chef" apron on. You can't help but giggle.

"Hey, dudette!" Mikey greets. "Whatcha got there?" 

"It's Raph's surprise birthday cake." You grin. You make yourself comfortable, lowering the white box to take off your black vest. Then, placing it along with your purse on the coat hanger adjacent to the kitchen, you turn the cake around to show Mikey.

"Red velvet?" he muses. You nod. You had the baker write "Happy Birthday Raph" in red icing, and the rim and top of the cake were also decorated with red icing. You knew Raph would enjoy a simple cake.

"With cream cheese frosting?" A new voice enters the conversation. You turn around, nervous to see if your surprise has been ruined. Luckily, it was only Leonardo.

"Don't worry, Raph's not here right now. He's with Casey at their apartment; he should return in an hour." Leo reassures you, noticing the anxious look on your face. Feeling relieved, you put your guard down for now. 

"Yes, and shell yes! I took a trip down to Times Square at this popular bakery to get it. I told them not to make it too sweet. It's the best bakery around!" You say. Mikey makes some room in the fridge for you to place it inside. 

"He's gonna love it," Leo smiles, acknowledging your efforts. The trip to Times Square is not for the weak. Especially during the spring. "Might not say it, but it'll show when he cuts himself a piece." 

"Dudette, I saved a lot from my Cowabunga Carl business! I got him a new punching bag!" Raphael always complained that the punching bag in the dojo was getting weaker, and you would always tell him to go easy on the poor thing. 

"Eh, they're meant ta be punched." He would say, "But still, I mean, who the shell would make something so…" and he would complain about the fabric being cheap, etcetera, etcetera. You get the idea. 

"What about you, Leo?" You ask. The brown-eyed turtle grins before pulling out an elongated brown case. Opening it up, you see six silver shurikens propped up by a felt. Engraved on top of the inside was the phrase, "Para mi familia." It looked carved by hand.

"I was able to get these during my time in South America. I brought back a ton of trinkets and items, but I made sure to keep these safe. I wanted to give them to Raph, and now is a great time to do that, don't you think?" Leo says. He also says he added the wording on the inside; rather than being in Japanese, he thought it would be nice to write it in Spanish- a language he had always been interested in learning.

"Leo…these are beautiful." You comment. Leo places the box on the dining table while you take a walk to see what the new punching bag looks like. 

Peering into the dojo, you see Splinter meditating. Across the dojo are the weights and an obvious new addition to the equipment. It's a large black bag hanging from a holster. It appears to be nailed to the floorboard. It's clearly bigger than the last bag Raphael was using, and this one also had a big red bow wrapped around it. 

Not wanting to interrupt Splinter's meditation, you quietly step away and walk toward Donnie's lab (or nerd cave, as Raph has named it).

"Knock knock." You say to the purple-banded turtle hunched over something. From what you can see, it appears to be Raph's bike. Donnie stands up and stretches, "Hey, Y/n! Wanna see what I got Raph?" You nod, and Donnie steps away from his current project.

"Ta-da!" He reveals Raph's baby, his prized possession: Roxanne.

"Aw, Donnie…" You say as you walk toward Roxy. Only this time, Roxanne had some new upgrades. Her ruby red paint was beautiful and scratch-free, the coating adding shine. Her tires looked brand spanking new, as well. Her tires had some more grooves, probably for when Raphael goes a little crazy on the streets with Casey or you.

"I hope he likes it. I think this bike needed some TLC." Donnie says.

"He'll love it," you say. You loved how all the brothers went out of their way for Raphael's birthday. Seeing how they all chipped in to get him gifts was adorable. 

It might put yours to shame.

"What'd you get him, Y/n?" Donny asks, grabbing a towel from the table to wipe his sweat.

“Compared to you guys…it’s not much…” You say. Donnie sighs, and he puts a supportive hand on your shoulder. He looks down at you and smiles.

"Comparison is the thief of joy, you know."

"Thank you, human fortune cookie." You joke.

"Donatello is right, Y/n." A new voice emerges from the doorway. Turning around, you see Master Splinter. His short figure was wrapped up in his red robe. 

"I'm sure my son will appreciate anything you get him. Although he might not say it, he will show it." Splinter's words help you feel better about your gift. As you bow, you gather Mikey and Leo to share the gift you got for the red terrapin.

"Are you kidding?" Leonardo blurts out, and your facial expression turns into shock. Is it that bad?

"He's going to wanna marry you after you give it to him." The rest of the family shares a laugh together, and you now have a newfound confidence in your surprise gift for Raphael. 

With the validation from Raph's brothers and sensei, you couldn't wait to give it to him.

~

"Are you one? Are you two? Are you-" "That ain't part of the song, Mikey." Raph grumbles as he cuts himself a hefty piece of red velvet cake, his favorite. He didn't have a sweet tooth, and after taking his first bite, he thought it was perfect. It wasn't too sweet, just the way he liked it.

He deserved this after enduring "Happy Birthday" surrounded by family, friends, and his girlfriend. He felt so awkward when people sang Happy Birthday to him that he kind of just sat there waiting to blow out the candles. He wasn't about to sit here and wait until Mikey counted from one all the way to his new age.

You watched as the gift-giving commenced.

Master Splinter had given Raphael a new pair of practice sai for when he sparred. He needed another pair since his old one had a few hundred miles on it, and the wear and tear was obvious. 

April got Raph a brand-new hammock for his room. She remembered him saying he wondered if they had bigger ones that held two people because he wanted to share them with you.

Casey gave Raph a brown bag. Jones said it was some sparkling cider. However, the way his hand gripped the head of the bottle and handed it to Raph with a wink while April rolled her eyes, you knew it had to be Casamigos or Hennesy—both being Raph's favorites. 

Master Splinter decides to let it slide and save the "drink responsibly" lecture for after the celebration.

Mikey went next and told Raph to look in the dojo. He raised an eyebrow at him suspiciously. After a trip to the dojo, he returns and gives his baby brother a noogie. 

"...appreciate it, lil bro."

Next went Leo, and once Raph opened the box, his amber eyes looked admirably at the shurikens inside.

"What's it say?" He asks as he inspects the engraving inside of the box.

"For my family."

"Ey, thanks, Fearless." Leonardo and Raphael give each other a "bro hug," as they would call it. Master Splinter smiles; seeing his two eldest sons get along and embrace each other warms his heart.

Next was Donnie, and everyone went to the garage. Raph's bike was covered with a cloth, waiting to be unveiled. 

"I thought your bike needed some shine." The tech wiz smirks. Donatello quickly takes the cloth off to reveal Roxy. She's as beautiful as you remember her being an hour ago.

Raphael's eyes went wide as he walked around his motorcycle to examine its new appearance. 

"Don, ya amaze me- ya know dat?" Raphael's hands grip the handlebars, and then he uses his fingers to feel the ridges on the new tires. He couldn't wait to feel how she drove.

"I know," the turtle in purple says matter of factly.

You walk toward Raph and grip his bicep, "I didn't forget about yours; it's at my place," You wink and kiss his cheek only to hear an "aww!" from Mikey, followed by a "Can it!" from Raph. 

Once you all made your way back to the living room, you began putting everything away. April and Casey said their goodbyes and headed back to the surface to return home, and you were preparing to leave with Raphael.

"I won't keep him long, guys. I'll see you all soon, okay?" You give warm hugs to Raphael's brothers and sensei (you loved how his fuzz tickled your skin.)

"Good luck and congratulations, Miss Y/n." Raphael's eyes narrow at his father's comment, wondering what you had up your sleeve. Splinter retreats to the kitchen to fix himself and Leo some tea, and Donnie goes into his lab, taking Mikey with him since he needs a lab assistant.

~

"Ya ain't gonna kidnap me are ya?" Raphael jokes, opening up your bedroom window. He steps in first, then takes your hand and helps you inside. 

"If I could, I would." You muse, "I'd put you in my pocket and take you out whenever I needed a bear hug, Big Red." 

"I ain't fittin' in that tiny pocket o' yers, princess." Raph smirks.

You roll your eyes playfully as you take Raph's left hand and lead him into your living room. His mind runs through all his ideas of what else you've gotten him. If he was being honest, the cake was enough- you got it made just the way he likes it- which, by the way- he wasn't sure how you did that until he thought back to a year or two back when Mikey was bringing cake slices home from birthday parties.

Mikey would always try to get a piece of red velvet cake, and Raphael would always scrape away the extra frosting because it was just too sweet for him. You must've asked his brothers about his semi-sweet tooth for cake. That alone was a thoughtful gift in itself.

As you walk toward the couch, you two are greeted by Stella as she brushes against your legs as a greeting. She mews in excitement that you're back and the familiar mutant is too. She couldn't wait to perch on his shoulder and get her chin scratched. 

Sitting on the couch together, Raphael notices the red folder on the coffee table in front of him. He snakes his arm around your shoulders to pull you close. Resting your head on his shoulder, you also look at the folder you placed there strategically to catch the turtle's attention.

For Raphael

"Go ahead, open it, " you say as you notice Raph's attention on the file, his mind wandering to what it could be.

He grabs the red folder, opening it with one hand while the other stays wrapped around your frame. Soon, it reveals two pockets: the left one empty and the right one containing a single sheet of paper that appears to be some sort of contract.

After taking the paper, Raphael skims it, rereading the phrase in bold at the top of the page:

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

He begins to reread it, only this time word for word. Are his eyes deceiving him? Is he really reading what he thinks he's reading? 

Were you…

Were you really…

"I saved enough to put the apartment in my name—my parents agreed to be cosigners."

"So that means…" Raphael reads over the lease again, only this time, he sees your name signed at the bottom. 

"It means I'm staying here. For good. Remember when I said you can't get rid of me easil- mmph!" Raphael shuts you up with a kiss. You drop what's in your hand and feel as time seems to stretch during this moment. 

Raphael deepens the kiss by leaning into you, his calloused hand sliding down from your hair to the back of your neck. Your free hands cup his cheeks, tilting your head and commencing a French kiss. Your tongues dance to the familiar song they always did when you shared a romantic and steamy kiss. 

You snap back to reality when you realize you have one last surprise for the red-clad turtle. 

"Hey," you pull away, gasping softly for air. I still have one more thing to give you."

"One more? Babe, ya didn't have to." Kissing your forehead as his hands rest on your hips, you can't help but look up at your boyfriend with a grin, your laugh lines around your lips growing heavier. 

"Ya stayin fa good, that's all I need" You lightly push Raphael's plastron away from you to grab the other part of his gift. He watches your figure move around your apartment living room, going toward the kitchen table and returning with your hands behind you.

You give your lover a mischievous look, and as you return to him, you reveal what you're hiding 

behind your back.

"Open it," You say, placing a small black box in his large hands. Raphael opens it slowly, unsure what tricks you might have up your sleeve. 

Well, he wasn't sure if this was a trick at all. As his golden eyes scan the shiny object inside, he isn't sure what it's for, although he has a few ideas. 

Not wanting to get ahead of himself, he asks for some clarification. "What's it for?" He asks, cocking a brow at you. 

"Let me show you," taking the small gift from his hands, you stand up from the couch and walk toward your front door to exit. Locking the door behind you, you wait a few seconds before unlocking the door and re-entering your apartment. When you come back in, Raphael is still where you left him. Only now, he has a smirk on his face. 

"Now I know what you're about to say," 

Before he can object, you telepathically read his mind. 

"And don't worry, it works for the window, too." You return the gift to the amber-eyed turtle, who quickly catches it.

He decides to inspect it again before putting it back in its spot. He brushes his green thumb over the metal, feeling all its rough edges. His calloused hands take turns fiddling with it, almost as if Raph is trying to see if he is dreaming.

"You have a home on the surface, too." Raphael's flat lips curl into a small smile. However, you were shocked by what you were seeing. 

Raphael was grinning.

Smiling right back at him with your toothy grin, he stands up, embracing you in a tight hug. You both stand like this in silence. Neither of you said a word for what felt like forever. It isn't until Raphael breaks this silence between the two of you. He brushes a finger across your cheek and then puts it under your chin. Soon enough, your eyes met- and his amber ones seemed to twinkle as he spoke.

"Thanks… fa this. Fa everythin’." 

The hoarseness in his voice indicated that he was almost at a loss for words. Raphael was new to this. He wasn't used to someone other than his brothers or Splinter doing nice things for him. He wasn't used to anyone caring as much as you did. 

Unlike Leo when he went to South America for training, you took much time and thought into how you could continue to include him in your day-to-day life. And unlike Sabrina, you weren't going to just up and leave. You wouldn't go away and lose all contact with him, either. You wanted to include him as much as possible.

You were so much different than Sabrina. In fact, you were nothing like her. Raphael knew that.

This small act of selflessness not only reflected how much you cared about him but also how much you wanted to be with him. He knew that you didn't care about his appearance, where he lived, or who—or what—he was living with. You loved and embraced all the baggage he came with. 

Raphael isn't good with saying "thank you" or verbally expressing his gratitude, and this was one of the rare times he did so.  

Words didn't need to describe the way Raphael felt about you. He had no issue with showing it.  

It might've been just a key, but this meant more to him than you could imagine. It meant you were here to stay. You weren't going anywhere, and that thought caused Raphael's stomach to churn with significant anxiousness for what was to come in the future. Not in a million years did he expect to be where he is right now. So as he places his lips on yours to share yet another romantic kiss, he can’t help but smile into it. His kisses were always good, but this one was different. This one had a lot of emotions behind it. He deepens the kiss, picking you up and letting you wrap your legs around his waist. As you giggle into the kiss, he leans into it some more, exerting all of the passion and love he has for you.

While Raphael had a place to call home in the sewers, he now had someone he could call home as well. 

For the first time in all his years of living, he loved being a turtle. 

--------------------------FIN-------------------------------------------

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: HERE

CHAPTER LIST: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9.5 10 (current) // Taglist: @bee-1n-space @ducky-died-inside @xnorthstar3x @miss-andromeda Masterlist D I S C O R D

Listen to the Serendipity playlist linked below!

[mycatateit]

rise headcanon: mikey was the first to trust draxum obviously but donnie was the second cause draxum complimented his tech squilz. raph held off awhile longer and leo's still undecided if not outright antagonistic (because he got thrown off a roof)

[incognito-duo]

HC TIME!! Scumbug probably knows how to calm Raph down/comfort him after he gets all angry because he had to do the same growing up with Superfly- Scumbug is a real one. I LOVE HER!!

Both Scumbug and Splinter get parent self help books!!

[oozedninjas]

We're +700 here now! Thank you very much for your support. When I started this I never thought my silly hc and ideas could reach that many people, I feel really touched! 💜