#for raph and leo's relationship especially
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
qoldenskies · 3 months ago
Note
idk i think the off characterisation was because of the shredder. after the shredder it became clear that they couldnt just be kids fooling around and getting into insanely stupid situations anymore and thats why donnie was more serious? keep in mind its clear that raph and leos arguing has been going on for a while at that point so ig they were all fed up with leos bs (said with much love) but other than that idk?? i feel like raph really got into the "we cant just be kids anymore" with them
i think that's just a way of connecting to the show to the movie, im not sure if that was the intent-- the way i see the movie personally was like. it's meant to be removed from the show a little bit, because iirc it was somewhat intended to be an introduction to rottmnt for older tmnt fans? it's why draxum isnt there, or mayhem, and there's no mention of the hidden city and etc. it might even explain the choice to include specifically casey jr in the way they did. really they go out of their way not to mention things that happened in the show. they don't even call their powers ninpo iirc. i do love the karai parallels with the pd scene dont get me wrong, but they're easy to miss!
^^^ i think this applies to a lot of characterization choices as well, especially for leo. i think he's the most off out of the four because like, while he can be a brat going to that extent, with the world on the line, doesn't feel,,, idk fitting? it's definitely hammed up for the sake of drama and it does feel like regression, but i think that's just because they needed an open-and-shut arc for him. if the movie was more connected to the show and was banking on only rise fans seeing it, i think it would have been written WAY differently, for raph and leo especially.
21 notes · View notes
noirleo · 2 years ago
Note
Oooo, can i plz hear all your jealousy HC for the bayverse boys? :3 hope ur week is going well!
oh my god yes
jealous turtles from most to least ◡̈
(all turtles + reader are adults ♡)
1. raph
c’mon, did you expect anyone else?
being a middle child with three brothers, raph grew up sharing everything he had—his food, his clothes, his personal space. so when he finds someone he has feelings for, he makes a point that he’s not going to share with anyone.
his brothers prefer to take more subtle, graceful methods of claiming their s/os when they feel threatened. raphael does not have a subtle bone in his body.
if someone tries to hit on you while he’s there, he will physically put himself in between the two of you, glaring down at his prey target until they take the hint (and probably flexing his crossed arms as he does so. he doesnt do all of that lifting for nothing).
vern tried to chat you up, once, when you first met. raph swiftly handled it, and you’re not exactly sure what was said, but vern now makes a point to keep a very conservative amount of space between you and him at all times.
a lot of his jealousy comes from insecurity—he definitely thinks you could do better, find someone you could actually walk around with, show off to your friends and go on vacations with.
so how does he cope? by proving his indispensability to you. when you date raph, you don’t lift a finger. need something from the top cabinet? he’s got it in his hands before you even have to ask. want to see a sold out concert? how convenient, he just managed to find some floor seats for you and your friends
don’t ask how he got them, it’s really best for everyone if you don’t actually know (both legally and ethically speaking).
asking someone else for help (god forbid you ask vern or one of his brothers, especially leo) will probably end up in some icy silent treatment and very short yes/no answers to questions that can only be cured by insistent apologies and lots of kisses
2. mikey
oh, our beloved little mikey
mikey spouts confidence, but much like raphael, he is deeply afraid that you’ll leave him for someone whose complexion is a little less green
while raph’s jealousy is defensive, mikey’s is pleading. he needs a lot of verbal reassurance that you’re his, nobody else’s
even when he’s not feeling jealous or insecure about the relationship, he just likes to hear you say it—and once you do, he’ll believe it wholeheartedly, all doubts and anxieties set aside (for the time being, at least)
when you’re around others (and even when you’re not) mikey is extremely physically affectionate, and probably will mention to anyone who will listen in a very unsubtle manner that the two of you are dating and really, really happy together, thank you very much
if you’re sitting, you’re sitting on his lap (or so close that you might as well be). if you’re standing, you can bet that he’s got an arm slung around your waist or your shoulder—just so everyone in the room is clear who you came with and who you’re leaving with
3. donnie
donnie’s jealousy is quiet. he’s much less outward about his feelings of jealousy than raph or mikey, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
when you mention a creepy guy from one of your classes getting a little too close for your comfort, he’ll nod and empathize; little do you know, he’s got the guy’s social security number, address, and name of his childhood pet pulled up on his laptop within seconds.
mysteriously, he doesn’t really show up for class anymore. rumours float around about some pretty shady things hes done being sent to the dean, president, and every RA on campus.
you confront donnie, and he just shrugs innocently. huh, weird, guess it’s a good thing you guys don’t hang out anymore then right? and then he’ll change the subject, but the triumphant gleam in his eye doesn’t go unnoticed
if someone starts to get flirtatious with you while donnie’s around though? all bets are off.
standing at 6’8 and made of pure lean muscle, donnie is fully aware of how intimidating he is, and it radiates off of him.
all it takes is one glare, leering from over your shoulder, and suddenly the person trying to flirt with you has some very important business to handle on the opposite side of the room for the rest of the night.
when you turn around to see donnie standing behind you, one hand on the small of your back, he’s back to his relaxed, smiley self
4. leo
leo is definitely the least jealous of his brothers. he’s confident, bordering on arrogant, and knows what he brings to the table.
i mean, c’mon. the barista who wrote their number on your coffee cup may be cute and share your taste in music, but how many times have they saved new york from an alien invasion? can they do anything to protect you in the event of a foot clan takeover?
didn’t think so.
communicating and trust are monumental to leonardo. right off the bat, he’s very straightforward about his intentions with you, and expects the same level of loyalty from his partner
leo’s trust isn’t easily earned so if he trusts you, then he does so completely and wholeheartedly. if you say that you and someone else are just friends, then he won’t think twice about it
that’s not to say he never gets jealous though. he’s just much more lowkey about it than the others
if you mention offhand being catcalled on your way to the lair one night, you’ll have a private escort for the foreseeable future
hes not big on pda, but you can bet that if he catches someone else’s scent on you, especially another guy, he’ll be extra cuddly when he sees you
he’ll for sure try to play it off though and subtly give you something that smells like him. oh, you seem cold, here’s one of his hoodies that he conveniently had on hand. go ahead and put it on. he’s just looking out for you, no ulterior motives here.
you see right through him, but you’re willing to look the other way for some extra snuggles.
1K notes · View notes
sloppy-syrup · 2 years ago
Text
Mikey telling his brothers absolutely everything:
DUDE I KEPT FORGETTING TO POST THIS ONE BUT IM FINALLY DOING IT!!
Also omg super proud of the last frame (ᗒヮᗕ)՞
246 notes · View notes
familyofpaladins · 8 months ago
Note
What are some of your favorite character relationships/dynamics in TMNT, and why? Is there anything that you particularly like seeing explored with them in fan works (art, writing, comics, etc)?
Thanks for the ask! Great question!
Oh man, theres so many dynamics I like!
Let's see...
Well. I guess first off, I love the dynamics between all four brothers as a whole! When one gets separated off, both sides work so hard to get back to the other(s). Doesnt matter who it is, its "gotta get back to them" "gotta bring him home". They love each other so much and would do anything for any one of them. Any one of them would probably sacrifice himself to save the rest of his brothers of he thought it was the only way (some more likely to do that than others *coughleocough*), meanwhile the rest of the brothers would be like "uh no. Stop that shit right now. You're not allowed to die". I just love how dedicated they all are to each other and the ends they're willing to go to to keep each other safe.
A little more specifically, I like Leo and Raph's dynamic/relationship. They're like two sides of the same coin. They're so similar, but their methods/approaches to situations are a little different so they end up clashing a lot. But like I said before, they love each other would do anything for each other. No matter the iteration, and how big/bad of a fight they've had, they're always gonna have each other's backs.
Like, for example, in the 2003 series, one of the few times they actually clashed angrily (and not just momentary sibling bickering) was in season 2, the 3 part episode arc "City at War". During that time they've defeated(or so they think) the shredder, and differnt gangs are fighting over who gets control of the parts of the city that the foot used to control. Leo and Raph argue about whether or not they have a responsibility to stop the gangs from taking over the city.
At one point during their arguing (and fighting other gangs) Raph crashes a bus and gets trapped in it, and fire is about to light the leaked-all-over fuel. Leo immediately jumps into the over turned bus to get his brother out while they're still arguing!
Like!!! Its truly a moment showing their dynamic. It's one of the few times they're really pissed at each other because they cant agree on what they should be doing, and they're pissed at the actions the other is taking, but when there's danger, they're going to run in and save the other! It's not even a question. Saving each other/having the other's back is such a part of who they are, that not even their biggest fight can (which is still going!) can stop them from helping each other.
(And sometimes the dynamic between Leo and raph kinda feels like the relationship me and my sister have. We annoy each other and can get on each others nerves. Or one of us assumes the other is mad and gets upset when it was actually fine. Sometimes my sister is in a mood and I have to be careful how I approach her or ask her a question otherwise she snaps. And I can see it being like that for Leo when Raph is in a mood. ((And that goes vice versa)) Its common across many iterations for Raph to think Leo is too rule-abiding, and Leo thinks Raph is too impulsive/hot-headed, and that feels like very familar arguments between me and my sister lol)
I also like the dynamics between April and the turtles, and how she's their friend/sister. And how she'll do just about anything for them and vice versa just like how the brothers are to each other.
As for fanworks, I guess I like anything that really shows how close and important they all are to each other. Whether that's whump fics where they rescue/take care of each other, or art of them in a sleepy turtle pile.
Honestly anything that just shows how much they all love each other, whether is mundane or high stakes situations, is really nice. :)
11 notes · View notes
kaysdenofchaos · 9 months ago
Note
Oh God I already love this new intellectual AU! How would you say that changed Donnies relationship with his Brothers? Did he get closer to April because of it? Does he still make the turtle tank? Is Splinter also smart? How does them being smarter go with the problems in the episodes?
Rahhh ty! Though the love between the brothers is unaffected, there’s definitely a big strain in his relationships, especially with Raph, causing him to be a bit distant. Hes very close with April as a result, whose presence provides a sort of escape from the comparisons and feeling of falling below expectation.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Though he does help acquire the tank with Mikey following canon, he does NOT make the turtle tank, with that being a collaborative effort between Raph, Leo, and Mikey. While severely tempting, he hasn’t touched mech in a long while, especially anything his brothers are/has worked on.
Tumblr media
Splinter is also smart— think like typical Asian immigrant household lmao. He’s big on science and innovation. As for how this all affects their missions, well.
They can be book smart while also be dumb as shit lmao
Tumblr media
890 notes · View notes
iscdisc · 2 months ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
I'm bringing back this conversation because I will forever defend Y'gthba ("Mona Lisa") within the context of the episode, "Evil of Dregg"-
I know it was kind of annoying to have Y'gthba and G'Throkka ("Sal Commander") written to be so gullible with both the Kraang and Lord Dregg / Armaggon, but I still think the dilemma Y'gthba was faced with in this episode was valid. I think this was an extremely difficult and debilitating decision she had to make, a choice she honestly shouldn't have had to make in the first place. But it didn't surprise me or shock me to see her choose her home planet over Raph.
Like, let's be real, everyone and their Mom acknowledges that 2012 RaMona was super rushed by the writers. So I think it makes sense for their relationship to have been super new as well, meaning that it would be illogical for Y'gthba to choose a guy (And his team-) that just barely knows / just met over her ENTIRE PLANET AND SPECIES OF PEOPLE. This is something Donnie even acknowledges by the end of the episode when she ultimately chooses to rectify her mistake of betraying Raph by helping them escape.
I'm not saying that Raph wasn't entitled to be in his feelings about her betrayal, since that doesn't necessarily not make sense to me, but I feel like how the show sort of weaponizes Raph's emotional distraught over the situation towards Y'gthba is really annoying. I feel like if the context was reversed, everybody would be gaslighting Raph about how unreasonable it was to choose Y'gthba the over saving Earth?? Even if that wasn't the case, I'm sure the writers would come up with some way to make it seem like the main characters did nothing wrong because they "didn't actually give up their friends" / "it was all an act, regardless of the fact that their allies thought it was real" or something- My point is, I feel like if Raph was the one betraying Y'gthba, the show would definitely portray this entire thing differently and make it seem like Y'gthba was being overly reactive. 💀
That's also why I added the last image with Raph, because I wanted to show him really pondering and questioning what he would do if he was in her position- I'm sure his go-to answer would be, "To save you, obviously!", but I feel like it wouldn't take him long to realize how complicated this dilemma actually would be. I also hate that the show didn't draw this parallel, because this is the entire point of the Space Arc?? I wish their rekindling at the end of the episode was handled differently, with Raph genuinely acknowledging why she did what she did and forgiving her from that standpoint rather than Y'gthba saying, "I love you" for the first time resulting in Raph completely disregarding everything.
I just feel like this is another example of the 2012 writing loving to villainize the female characters for things that they would not villainize the male characters for doing / going through (i.e. If Karai and Leo's situations were swapped, I highly doubt they would have villainized Leo as much as they did Karai, especially during his redemption-). I don't know. 🙃 Lmao
224 notes · View notes
Text
SOCIAL BATTERIES
Do the boys REALLY like people that much?
Character studies.
Going from the most Extroverted to the least.
Tumblr media
- 🟠 -
Mikey is THE definition of an extrovert
Suprise, suprise.
I keep thinking about him making fun of Casey constantly, and his fist bump with Vern, or him working the crowd on Halloween. And his eye rolls at Raph and Leo
Can be annoying af and play dumb, but half the time he knows way more than he let's on. And it's SUPER hard to get him angry.
Would be in a fraternity tbh. And like, seven sport teams.
The world is a lesser place with him cooped up away from it.
He's a HUGE teaser and talker. Loves to flirt and prank and play the vibes.
He's a NATRUAL at it
Give him ONE conversation. ONE chance, and he can get literally anyone out of their shell.
Loves having April or Casey or Vern around. Loves teasing them or harassing them tbh.
The bigger his social circle, the better his life.
Is usually a HUGE buffer between humans and his grumpy, tired brothers.
He would be the LIFE of the party. Would be an excellent host of an event, because he'd be everywhere talking to everyone. Remembering everyone by name and face, introducing people to one another, so on and so forth.
He would have multiple friend groups everywhere he goes, with all sorts of different types of people.
Out of his brothers, I see Mikey having the body count tbh
Also probably jumped into a relationship too soon and got hurt early on. He'll be way more ready for the next one.
He has SO MUCH TEXTING TO DO.
His favorite is snap chat.
The BEST out of all his brothers at reading social cues and body language. By FAR.
Can find something to talk about with ANYONE
He's been wishing to socialize his WHOLE LIFE. So he DO!
Probably the only one that can confront and process trauma in a healthy manner.
Not at all afraid of deeper, more meaningful conversations.
Often finds himself the one initiating deep conversations with people who need it the most (his brothers).
He knows there is a time and place for problem solving. And sometimes you just gotta sit with your feels.
Something his brothers STRUGGLE WITH
- 🟣 -
Donatello might not be EXTROVERTED but he is outgoing.
Second to Mikey, everyone in his family has a close relationship with Donnie.
Super caring and fun and inquisitive with everyone he meets.
He'll be down for ANYTHING. Sports, games, cooking, drives, crafts, working out, adventures or pranks or geeky movie nights.
He might not always be good at INICIATING these with strangers but he loves going along with stuff.
Loves showing people his projects and stuff and letting people use them or have them.
Will be there for his friends the instant they ask.
At a party he'd be in another room having a conversation with two or three people.
But I also see him hanging around girls a little more than guys. Finds the girlies to be easier company than guys.
He's been on discord for YEARS. He had human friends before even Mikey did.
But.
He's HYPERVIGALANT of the vibe
Extreme empath.
He does NOT like confrontation.
A HUGE people pleaser.
Feels he's stepping on eggshells around his loved ones and friends. In an effort to keep them happy.
He's a sensitive guy.
If he's told to shut up or be quiet, especially if he's excited or talking outloud- he's modified. He WILL shut up. For a while.
His brothers know this. While they get exasperated sometimes, they rarely interrupt him.
Does NOT like gossip. Don't gossip with him, he hates it
Makes him feel gross and mean.
Hates when people are upset or sad in any way.
When vibes get rough he does not cope well. Often chooses to avoid or straight up leave.
When things get heated he gets overstimulated quickly.
If he can't leave, he shuts down. He won't talk and if he does it's very quiet
Doesn't know how to help or address emotional things either. He prefers to let it go and just move on, leaving stuff unaddressed.
He's an outgoing and pleasant guy, but he definitely doesn't mix with everyone.
- 🔴 -
Meeting Raphael is a terrifying experience.
Because he talks and looks at you like he hates you already.
But he doesn't hate people.
He just sucks at them.
Raph wants a normal life just as badly as Mikey does.
Raphs love language is harassment???
He shows his love by annoying his loved ones. Or through teasing and banter. Or wrestling his bros to the ground or pull them into rough hugs.
However
When he meets new people he isn't there to make FRIENDS.
He's there to let you know that if you bullshit with his family you're gonna get whooped.
So he will posture and glare and tower and maybe even roll his neck or crack knuckles to anyone.
Literally anyone.
Remember how rude he was to April?
So when he can't do any of that- no banter, no pranks, no wrestling and no INTIMIDATING-
He is COMPLETELY at everyone's mercy
Put him in a group of girls, or take him to a party or a bar. ANYTHING out of his comfort zone.
He's very awkward.
Only because he's kinda quiet
And honestly SUPER shy.
Wants to be liked SUPER badly.
He doesn't know how to make friends. At all
Flirt with Raph. I dare you.
You'd terrify him
Is the type of guy at a party to stick to the side of someone he knows and never. Leave. It.
But he finds out he gets along with blue collar guys the most.
And Raph has this super power
He can detect if you're a good or bad character super quickly. Much quicker than everyone else in his family. Like, one conversation in.
Not that he really believes himself. He thinks everyone's out to get him. or his family
If he's not making fun of you, you know he doesn't like you.
Is the type of guy to have quality over quantity relationships.
Hates texting. Honestly hates social media and technology beyond like...insta reels or something. He doesn't like sitting on his phone or video games all the much. Half because he breaks things easily or gets easily frustrated at leaning how to work it.
Rather be doing something active or working on a car or build something or carve stuff.
Might not be as outgoing as Donnie or Mikey, but if people manage to ACTIALLY get him to do something fun, he is ALL IN and having a BLAST.
The kinda guy to crash at his friends house and just chill.
He recharges when he's in proximity of his loved ones. Not always SOCIALIZING but having his people close.
-🔵-
Our REAL introvert
He struggles to socialize even with his BROTHERS
Who are the only people in the world he allows himself to be even semi relaxed around
A conversation with anyone other than his dad and brothers is the opposite of a relaxing/easy activity.
He's honorable, polite, and formal.
But Leo is and EXTREMLY cold character.
Sometimes even a bit cruel and scary to strangers.
Has a weird habit of wrapping his arm kindly around someone he's about to hurt
Struggles to see even April as more than an 'asset' or 'person dad holds dear'
Doesn't see Vern as a friend. Doesn't see Casey as a friend.
Leo is the only turtle April doesn't have a strong connection to. Not out of lack of trying.
Tolerates social situations only if he falls into a leading (controlling) role.
Doesn't like large groups of people.
Very quiet otherwise.
Struggles to initiate activities with his brothers.
He sucks at it.
He is always receptive to when they reach out to him though
And kinda has a fear of getting turned down. Getting turned down by his brothers makes him sick to his stomach.
Not that he admits it.
He also doesn't handle rejection with any grace. Gets just a LITTLE pushy to make you either feel bad or like he's in charge
His brothers still gotta tolerate him being a little bossy and stuck up and a fun-sucker while they hang out with him. They know he can't help it.
But Leo is super relieved every single time they invite him to do something.
What would Leo be like at a party? Leo never WENT to the party. And if he DID, he'd be outside, trying to soak in the quiet. Listening to the party from out here.
or hug him, or just express somehow they still want him around or like him. Or love him. Because those moments are getting rarer and rarer the older they get.
He's completely alone other than his dad. At least he's thought so his whole life
Would be the one petting the cat. Or dog. Not the type to go LOOKING for it, but if it came to him, he would.
Yes, he texts, but never outside of absolute necessity. Or if his brothers remind him of April's birthday.
He likes to read
Even if Donnie, Mikey and Raph are together in the lair having fun, Leo is often by himself somewhere else.
He recharges alone. He does calligraphy and he sketches SOMETIMES. Little stick figures fighting with space guns or something.
But a lot of what he reads are super geeky stuff. Like star wars novels or manga.
But don't tell anyone.
Splinter is his preferred company. He adores time with his dad. He'll spar and train and talk with his dad often.
Doesn't care about having friends but he wants a girlfriend SUPER badly. More than all three of his brothers combined
Being alone with him sucks if you like to talk. He gives you a LOOK that SCREAMS shut the fuck up.
It takes EXTREMLY specific personalities to get Leo a little soft for them. A quiet person with a good sense of humor.
And the likely hood he'll ever get out to find and meet them is next to none existent.
But hey
Even after like, ALL OF THIS
It's not hard to get Leo to smile
1K notes · View notes
forgetful-nerd · 3 months ago
Text
Tumblr media
I have a small fanfic I want to write thats post-tmnt 2012 where Raph, Donnie, and Mikey get a bit caught up with their new relationships, projects, and friend groups for a little bit.
Realizing how much time they’ve spent away from home, they feel just a tad guilty for not keeping in contact with each other (but especially for not checking on Leo).
So one day they all decide to drop in to surprise the eldest, just to find him in the middle of teaching several 5th grade girls how to break the arm of a full grown man.
298 notes · View notes
imababblekat · 10 months ago
Text
Bayverse TmnT X Reader; Injury HC's
Tumblr media
@hellhound911 ,"Hello I love your writings! I was wondering if I could request with the Bayverse turtles where the reader is in a relationship with the turtles (not all at once, but the little scenarios you do) and they come home hurt really bad and the reader begins to help bandage them up and they are trying to keep it together but they let tears flow and they were worried what would happen if their special turtle died and despite being hurt, the turtles comfort their lovers and say that they love them and they aren’t going anywhere? Things like that? Just a thought whenever you can/want. Thank you!"
◉Story Notes: character injury(nothing explicit), tiny bit of angst with added comfort
~xXx~
Leonardo:
Leo’s used to putting on a strong façade for the sake of his brothers, but when he’s with his s/o he feels that he can let that all go and show how hurt he truly is
Yet, the second he sees his s/o’s eyes start to glisten he’s already gently grasping their cheek, worry drowning out any major pain his body was in
He hates that he made them worry so much, and feels guilty at not realizing sooner how coming to them so completely battered might affect them
Leo gets it though, he could never even begin to imagine if something happened to his s/o, which is why he’s out there every night kicking bad guys to the curb
He’ll spend the night at their place, offering them comfort and making them both tea despite his injuries, just so they can hold onto him as much as they need for reassurance that he’s safe, and also so that he may hold them tightly as well
Raphael:
This turtle is constantly getting himself into sticky situations that him and his s/o have a running joke of “x amount of days since Raph got his butt kicked”, that it’s never occurred to him what kind of toll showing up to their place at o’ dark hundred, bruised and bleeding would build up to
It’s not till after one particular bad patrol that his s/o, furious and tear stained while cleaning his wounds, breaks down and practically shouts at him for his carelessness
He’s so confused at first, but once things calm down and his s/o can properly explain how worried sick they are all the time that there will come a night he’s not knocking at their window does it hit him how serious this is
Raph makes his s/o a promise that “ain’t nothin’ stopping me from seen’ your pretty face, doll”, and while he’ll be out there still playing rough, he's definitely more conscious about his actions
Donnie:
Before his s/o, Donnie was always the one to fix his own wounds, but now he had someone he could go to for help
It was still rare that he ever had to, but the few times he did he had always had the sneaking suspicion that it bothered his s/o
He didn’t understand why till he asked one night after a heist gone wrong, and his s/o, bleary eyed and holding back choked sobs, admitted how they were terrified of there coming a time where his wounds were so great they couldn’t do anything to help him
It hit him hard, because if something serious happened to his brothers, they could always count on his expertise medical skills to fix them right up
Now, in holding his crying s/o close to his plastron, his brain was already kicking into gear plans to teach them all he knew, so that should a time ever come, not only his brothers, but his s/o would be ready
Mikey:
Mikey’s not exactly careless, but he is free spirited, and sometimes that would get him into trouble
Before his s/o, his brothers always made sure that he was tended to first if injured during a fight, but when his s/o came into his life he was always quick to run to their place to be doted on
However, one night Mikey is getting a nasty gash sewn up on his bicep and despite still having the energy to crack some light hearted jokes, his s/o is uncharacteristically silent
It takes a bit of prodding but eventually they tearfully admit that, especially after the Kraang incident, they’re terrified that someone will take him, their shinning ray of light, away from this world
Mikey’s heart is so absolutely broken hearing this; he’s so quick to pull his s/o in for a hug, shushing their cries and swearing to the heavens that nothing would take him from his loving angel
~xXx~
581 notes · View notes
delulu-julia · 3 months ago
Note
Hi! This is my first time requesting on this blog, so I hope I do it right 🙏
I have two requests but you can choose whichever you want and go from there!
First one: TMNT 2012 boys and what would their type be? I know all of them had at least one love interest in canon, but I'm wondering what do you think that would both be good for them and/or that they would find attractive.
Second: What would a foreigner reader dating/being in a relationship with TMNT boys include? I would really appreciate an 'as long as it goes' kind of hc post with lots of fluff, but please don't force yourself to meet those!!
Good day/night/noon and happy writing hehe 👉👈
Tmnt 2012 boys and their Ideal type
I LOVE both ideas, so I might do the second one when I’ll get more time, thank you for requesting!! Also, it’s just my opinion, nothing more but silly headcanons, I can be wrong
But let me be clear here. It seems to me that love is a very vague feeling that consists of many factors. First impression, further interaction, your role in the story, attitude to things and so on. As for me, it is impossible to fall in love AT FIRST SIGHT ,, I don’t know why I write this, nobody cares about it anyway. So, enjoy!!
Tumblr media
Leonardo
Tumblr media
What he needs:
Leo is very responsible, and he always thinks for others. He carries the weight of leadership on his shoulders, so he needs someone who can ground him—a partner who is patient, understanding, and can remind him that he doesn’t have to bear everything alone. Someone who respects his dedication but also encourages him to relax
What he finds attractive:
Confidence, but not arrogance. He admires people who are sure of themselves. Also he respects those who are self-assured without feeling the need to announce it constantly
Graceful, composed individuals who can keep their cool in stressful situations immediately catch his attention. He is drawn to people who can think rationally, understand others emotions, and avoid impulsive reactions. He doesn’t mind disagreements, but if someone starts yelling and throwing words around in anger, it turns him off immediately. He needs someone who can have a conversation, not just try to “win” an argument
Small gestures of affection — a hand on his wrist, a soft gaze, a gentle smile in his direction — ignite a deep sense of warmth inside him
He’s not looking for a genius, but he appreciates a natural curiosity about the world. If someone shares new knowledge with enthusiasm, he’ll listen with genuine interest. A love for reading, deep thinking, and exploring different cultures (especially Japanese culture) will immediately intrigue him
Leo is used to being responsible and needs a partner who trusts his decisions but isn’t afraid to speak their mind. Respecting his role while also being able to gently point out his mistakes earns his deep admiration
A partner who isn’t afraid to challenge his ideas also captivates him. Hearing “Are you sure about that? What if you look at it this way?” never fails to impress him. He doesn’t want someone who simply nods and agrees with everything he says. He seeks balance — a calm but confident individual.
At first, Leo might be seen little cold, but he’s not. He’s just reserved. The ability to bring out his genuine smile leaves an unforgettable impression on him
He especially enjoys witty humor—clever jokes and light sarcasm. Mikey’s silly memes? Not his thing. But sharp remarks and playful teasing? He notices them, and he might even return the favor
His ideal partner is someone who is emotionally mature but has a playful side when he needs a break. Leo values depth—in both emotions and thoughts. He needs someone who can be strong yet gentle, confident yet understanding, intelligent yet humble. And if you can make him trust you and smile, he’s not going anywhere
Raphael
Tumblr media
What he needs:
Raph needs someone who can stand up to him but isn’t reckless. He’s drawn to people with a backbone—someone who won’t let him push them away when he’s frustrated but also won’t enable his worst habits
What he finds attractive:
He’s used to people being intimidated by him, so when someone doesn’t flinch at his temper and instead calls him out on his nonsense? Instant attraction. Meeting his fiery nature with a smirk instead of fear or annoyance instantly catches his attention
Passion. Whether it’s for fighting, art, music — just something that drives you
He lives for banter. Matching his sarcasm and teasing him back earns his silent respect. He might roll his eyes or pretend to be annoyed, but if you catch him smirking afterward? He loves it.
Raph is protective to a fault, but he’s not looking for someone fragile. He wants a partner who can stand on their own, who doesn’t need him but chooses to be with him. Handling your own battles while still allowing him to step in when things get really tough is a quality he deeply admires
Loyalty is everything to him. When you prove that you’ve got his back, no matter what, he’ll be hooked
He’s drawn to people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty—someone who won’t hesitate to jump into battle beside him or stand up for what they believe in
If you ever physically shield him from danger, even for a second? Expect his heart to race in ways he won’t say.
Initiating affection casually, without making a big deal about it, completely melts him. Just don’t expect him to ask for it outright — he’ll stubbornly wait for you to do it first
Protective instincts. Raph is usually the protector, but when someone looks out for him? Yeah, he’s gone
Raph doesn’t just want anyone—he wants someone who can handle him, who can stand beside him, not behind him. Someone who gives as good as they get, but also brings out his softer side. If you’re loyal, strong, playful, and willing to call him out when he’s being an idiot — congrats, you’ve just won over the hot-headed tough guy with a heart of gold
Donatello
Tumblr media
What he needs:
Donnie isn’t someone who falls in love easily, but when he does, he falls hard. He doesn’t just want a pretty face (let’s just ignore the “April incident” here, mmokay? I'm inclined to think that Donnie fell in love with April JUST because she was the first person he saw, and like she was in trouble and he wanted to save her and blah blah so on. He didn't fall in love, but wanted to be something important and necessary for her. But I think, love is not built on the desire to save someone, but on deep mutual understanding. Donnie paid attention only to how he felt next to April, but not to how she herself thought, how she treated other people, what her dreams, values, and outlook on life were. Over time, it became clear that they didn’t have much in common. If Donnie were really looking for love, he would choose it not by first impression, but by the criteria that are important in long-term relationships. I will write about them below, but this applies to all turtles. Each female character in the show, in my opinion, was not love, but simply a first crush, and these are different things. As i wrote above, donnie's love for april is empty, like a soap bubble, there’s no good intersection, just good first impression. That’s why i call it “April incident”. Because april was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, by incident, and ended up in donnie's attention. if it was any other pretty girl/guy in her place, donnie would have been so crazy about them too. It’s wasn’t April, it’s was his inexperience. But If we're talking about the real slow burn without external factors, and the deep, strong love, then) —he’s drawn to depth, intelligence, and a connection that stimulates both his heart and mind. He’s spent so much time feeling like an outsider that finding someone who truly sees him? That’s what will steal his heart.
What he finds attractive:
Being a genius isn’t necessary — having a deep passion for something is more than enough to captivate him. He loves deep conversations. If you randomly drop a philosophical question or nerdy fact into a conversation? He’ll notice it. He finds it insanely attractive when someone can keep up with him mentally — or, even better, teach him something new
Donnie pours his heart into his inventions, and nothing makes him feel more valued than someone who cares about what he creates.
If you ever watch him work, ask him questions, or genuinely compliment his skills, he’ll get all flustered. Bonus points if you say something like “You’re a genius, Don! ” with total sincerity — his cheeks will glow
He’s used to being the ‘background guy’ — the one who isn’t as loud or attention-grabbing as his brothers. He needs someone who sees his worth without him having to prove it. If you’re the kind of person who listens when he rambles about science or tech, who waits for him to finish his thoughts instead of cutting him off, he’ll treasure that
He’s attracted to kindness, to people who have a warm and understanding aura. As long as you’re patient with his occasional awkwardness, you will have a special place in his heart
Donnie is a thinker, but he also wants someone who helps him feel more. If you’re open with your emotions, he’ll admire that. When you get vulnerable with him, or you trust him with your deepest fears or hopes, he’ll cherish that trust more than anything
He won’t say it, but he loves being taken care of, even in small ways. It makes him feel safe. He’s always looking out for his brothers, always overworking himself. Someone who gently reminds him to rest, eat, and breathe? He melts.
You place a snack near him while he’s working, drape a blanket over his shoulders, or run your fingers through his bandana when he’s stressed — he’ll fall for you so fast.
He acts like he’s fine without it, but if you casually touch him — placing a hand on his shoulder, brushing his fingers when handing him something — he’ll get flustered. He’s not great at asking for affection, so if you initiate it, he’ll be so happy. The first time you hug him without reason, just because you felt like it, he won’t know what to do with himself
Donnie is drawn to intelligence, kindness, and emotional depth—but more than anything, he falls for someone who makes him feel understood. Someone who listens when he speaks, encourages his passions, and reminds him that he doesn’t have to carry everything alone. If you do that, congratulations—you’ve just stolen the heart of the most inteligente turtle in New York
Michelangelo 
Tumblr media
What he needs:
Mikey may seem like the type to fall for anyone who gives him attention, but in reality, he craves something real. He wants a love that’s fun, passionate, and full of life, but also one that grounds him. He falls for someone who embraces his playful nature but also understands that beneath all the jokes. He has a heart that loves deeply
What he finds attractive:
Mikey needs someone who gets his jokes, or at least enjoys them. You actually match his humor, throwing back jokes and playful teasing? He’s already crushing. He’ll adore you even more when you can keep up with his energy—whether it’s dancing, parkour, or spontaneous fun
People often underestimate Mikey, treating him like just the “goofball” of the team. But he’s more than that — he’s creative, emotional, empathetic and incredibly loyal. He’s drawn to someone who sees his depth, who recognizes that his joy isn’t just silliness — it’s his way of dealing with the darkness around him
If you ever say something like “You’re not just comic relief, Mikey. You’re the heart”—he might actually cry
Being an artist isn’t necessary. Mikey just loves people who appreciate creativity. If you enjoy street art, cool music, or even just doodling on napkins, he’ll feel a special connection with you. Even join him in one of his creative hobbies —painting graffiti, cooking weird food or writing dumb rhymes —he’ll be smitten
Mikey wears his heart on his sleeve, so he’s drawn to people who aren’t afraid to express their feelings
If you’re the type to openly tell him you care, give him random hugs, or shower him with compliments, he’ll thrive. If you ever casually say “You make my life better just by being in it, Mikey” — expect him to cling to you forever
Mikey’s life is unpredictable, and he loves people who can roll with the chaos. If you’re open to trying new things —whether it’s exploring abandoned subway tunnels, testing out crazy food combos, or pulling harmless pranks — he’s all in. When you say “Let’s do something fun and kinda reckless” he’ll grin and respond something like “You’re speaking my language, angel”
For all his confidence, Mikey does get insecure sometimes—about being the youngest, about not being taken seriously. He needs someone who reassures him without making a big deal of it.
You just sit with him when he’s feeling down, no pressure, just presence? He’ll remember it forever. You casually run your fingers through his bandana while cuddling? Yeah, he’s in love.
Mikey lives for unexpected moments, so when you do something totally random —like breaking into dance in the middle of a fight or making up a ridiculous nickname for him — he’ll adore you. You’re the type to start a food fight just because? Or you wake him up at 3 AM just to say “Mikey, do you think pigeons have deep thoughts?” — he’ll be like “We’re soulmates”
This boy loves for physical touch. Hugs? Yes. Hand-holding? Absolutely. Cuddling? Mandatory. If you randomly tackle him in a hug, drape yourself over his shell, or hold his face in your hands? Prepare for giggles and happy squeals. If you ever kiss his cheek and say “You’re my sunshine” he’ll be so gone for you.
Mikey doesn’t just fall for someone fun — he falls for someone who sees him, someone who embraces life the way he does but also makes him feel safe. A playful, affectionate, and slightly chaotic nature, combined with kindness and understanding, is enough to steal his heart
236 notes · View notes
theyhavetakenovermylife · 6 months ago
Note
Could we get a 2003 Raph x reader where reader is super sweet and easygoing, like to total opposite of Raph…and the others are so confused/shocked?
Opposites Attracts (Fluff)
2003!Raphael x reader
Tumblr media
A/N: Yes you can. It’s a little on the shorter side, but I hope you’ll still enjoy it❤️
Tumblr media
Warning: None❤️
Tumblr media
When you and Raph first made your relationship public, the others were - at a lack of better words - shocked. The two of you could not be more different, with absolute opposite reactions to the world around you. So when you and Raph one day came down to the lair, hand in hand, on your way to tell Splinter that the two of you had in fact been together for a couple of months, you could see how the world that the turtles knew, changed in front of their eyes.
Raph had a tendency to get annoyed rather quickly, finding it much easier to lash out at others, instead of having to face his strong emotions head on. He could get rather negative, focusing his attention on smaller things that annoyed him, letting them blow up with ease as he complained about them. It could be anything from the weather to Leo’s leadership, and he could go on for hours, tiring out anybody that was there to listen. How and why you would want to be with someone so different from you, left many confused.
It has been mentioned quite a few times at this point, but you were the exact opposite of Raph. You were like day and night, with Raph being night and you most definitely being the day. You were like a walking ray of sunlight, brightening up the whole world around you. You were probably the most easy going person the turtles and their friends had ever met, even giving Mikey a run for his money. While Raph would get furious, and lash out at the world around him whenever he got annoyed or mad, you rarely got mad. Sound you ever get close to anger, you were amazingly good at verbalising your feelings, starting a calm conversation. You rarely complained, and lived with an understanding that the world wasn’t perfect, and that we can’t always get everything exactly the way we want it. Yet you always lend an ear to anyone that needed to get something off their heart, especially Raph. April and Donnie speculated that that was how you and Raph’s relationship first came about. Leo and Splinter believed it was nature balancing itself, while Mikey and Casey believed that either you or Raph had been charmed by something.
But no matter how shocking you and Raph’s relationship might have been for the others, there was no doubt that it was actually a well functioning relationship at that. You were a calming factor in Raph’s life, providing with a space and a kind of understanding he had been looking for all his life. After Leo and Raph had had a particularly intense verbal altercation, Raph did something he had never done before. Normally he would yell, call Leo names, and maybe even try to land a punch at him or a wall. But instead Raph just left for his, clearly still fuming as he mumbled all sorts of things to himself. When Leo then passed Raph’s room 30 minutes later to apologize and talk about what had happened, Leo found Raph laying in his hammock, the phone to where his ear would have been, talking calmly to you, telling you what had happened. Leo was even surprised to hear Raph admit that he might have overreacted. Hearing that, realizing that you might be what Raph needed the most at that moment, Leo left, letting you and Raph have you conversation in private peace.
Later that day you arrived in the lair, before spending the night with Raph. You didn’t do much other than talk. Talk about Raph’s feelings regarding what had happened between him and Leo that day. It was something you had been practicing with Raph for some time now. Putting words on his feelings or helping him do so, while learning to take certain things less seriously and letting what isn’t helping him emotionally.
The next morning, many were surprised when Raph pulled Leo to the side, in order to give him an apology, along with an explanation. There was no doubt anymore - you and Raph may be very different, but you were good for each other - especially you for Raph. Who knew, maybe Raph helped bring out parts of you that you had buried deep within you. Only time would tell, and many were excited to see where this would lead you and Raph.
243 notes · View notes
raphaelsrightarm · 2 years ago
Note
For bayverse turtles head cannons could you do their kinks, like top 3 or top 5 kinks please if you’re comfortable with that? Also love you and your work! 🥰🥰🥰
Long time no see haha I appreciate your patience with me for all this time but here are some of my ideas for them...
I kept most of these gender neutral but there are a few that are gendered a bit more for a female s/o
Tumblr media
Warnings: NSFW 18+ ONLY
Leo:
Voyeurism- consensually of course - Leo loves watching you touch yourself, plain and simple. Especially when the two of you first started being intimate. It showed him all the ways you like to be touched, showed him what feels the best to you. The further the two of you go into your relationship, it turns more into him simply loving the way pleasure looks on you. It doesn’t matter if you use your hands or a toy, he loves watching you get yourself ready for him.  
Tantric Sex - He loves intimacy, and he sees sex as a way of really feeling close to you. And yeah sometimes he needs the relief that a good fuck can give, there are nights when he just wants to feel you. To have you wrapped around him, arms looped around his neck to pull him closer  telling him of your adoration for him and him telling you the same. The journey for him can be as satisfying as the destination. 
Edging - This can go both ways for him, he loves both bringing you to brink before denying you, only to continue building you up before he finally makes you cum. But he also loves to do the same to himself, mostly by pleasing you. Whether it’s with his hand or mouth, you’ll notice him slowly stroke himself, never fully giving into his own pleasure until he absolutely can’t take it anymore. He loves to make that high even more intense when he finally chases it.
Bondage - This guy loves control. He also loves this because it shows how much trust you put in him. He sees it as its own unique form of intimacy, to allow him to tie your wrists above your head and to know that he wouldn’t do anything but please you. Afterwards, he always feels closer to you knowing how deep the trust runs between the two of you.
Heels - I’ve always thought he is a fan of legs. Doesn’t matter how thick or thin, short or long, he loves legs. Which is part of the reason he loves to see you in heels so much. They just bring out your legs in a way that drives this poor guy insane. He also secretly loves the sound of heels against the floor
Raph:
Biting/Giving Hickies - He is obsessed with seeing anything on you that marks you as his. He may not be able to be beside you at all times to keep others away, but a nice hickey on the side of your neck would work just fine. He's possessive
Spanking - Because he is an ass man, expect him to be touching the butt, a lot. He loves watching it jiggle after he smacks it and to feel how soft you are under his hands. He may also spank the kitty, if you're down with that of course…
Degradation - This will only happen to the extent that you allow it. Though he would never make fun of your body or anything like that. He loves to call you 'his whore' while he's fucking you so good the only thing you can do is agree (there are also times when he would ask for you to say it yourself).
Thigh-fucking - I'm not gonna lie, this man has an obsession with thick thighs. I'm talking cellulite and stretch marks. He loves all of it. This would be used mostly when the two of you start having sex, because let's be real this guy is PACKING so it'll be best to take things slow. He'll lift your legs up to his shoulders, and you'll cross your ankles together and just watch him get off, bonus points if you tell him how sexy he looks while he does it.
Facials - This one can go along with his obsession with giving you hickies, though this one obvisouly is much more private. He just loves the visual of it all, ya know? Staking his claim, basically. He's a possessive guy, and he tries to tone it down outside the bedroom, but he allows it to come through HEAVILY behind closed doors, and this is one of his favorite ways, by having you on your knees in front of him, his cum traced across your mouth ........
Donnie:
Sex Toys - This can span all the way from vibrators to restraints even, when he has the time to go all out with you he will absoluately take advantage of that if you're down. One of his favorites is to use a vibrator on your clit while he fucks you slow, so slow that it drives you isane, but believe that he'll have you taken care of multiple times before the night is over
Overstimulation - So this can go hand in hand with the passage above, he wants to see how much you can take, and all four of them were blessed with a high sex drive, he can go as many times as you need him to honestly. He loves the nights that leave you in a trembling mess underneath him, your nails digging into his skin with tightly you're holding onto him. It also secretly brings a swelling pride to his chest to know that he's capable of bringing you there
Phone Sex/Nudes - Let's be real this guy gets busy; there are times where he can't see you in person but trust that he won't let that complicate things too much; he loves to hear you say the filthy things you want him to do next time he's with you as he strokes himself, legs spread wide. If you were also comfortable with sending him pictures he would be ALL over that; even has a seperate folder for them that is heavily locked down
Thigh riding - Imagine sitting on his lap in his desk chair, kissing him as his hands roam up and down your body before they land on your hips, guiding them back and forth but not allowing you to go any faster than he wants you to, all the while he's whispering all the things he wants to do to you while you whimper into his ear, pressure building up higher and higher; yeah, he's a fan of this one
Choking - He'll usually only do this when his focus is completely on you, one hand between your legs while the other is squeezing the sides of your throat. Breath play can intensify an orgasm, and he loves watching it race through you even stronger. There are even times when he's alone that he'll do this for himself but you don't find that out unitl later
Mikey:
Praise - This can go either way for him, honestly. He loves to praise you but loves even more to be praised himself. He needs to know how good he's making you feel, and for you to vocalize that to him would only make him want to go even harder. Complimenting his body especially would drive him insane.
Begging - OOOO boy, this one kills him. He loves hearing you ask for what you want, it helps him feel much more confident in whatever it is the two of you do knowing just how badly you need it; also to hear the person he loves beg him to touch them, kiss them, fuck them, it drives him absolutely inSANE
Massages - His love language is touch, so being able to run his hands over your skin is quite possibly his favorite thing to do anyways, but having you laid out before him, whining the longe rhe goes on, though the both of you know he won't be able to deny you for long...
Face-Sitting - This one I feel a bit self explanatory, this guy is a munch, any possible way you let him eat you out he's going to go for it
Semi-public - A secret part of him loves watching you try to stay quiet even when your on the brink of your orgasm. He also enjoys the risk that's involved with possibly getting caught in the act especially when your legs are on his shoulders and all you can do is whisper broken up words begging him to go harder ahdkashdkjaskdfskj
2K notes · View notes
penpassthepen · 2 years ago
Note
no thoughts only rise donnie being soft for his s/o 😭😭😭
any soft/affectionate donnie hcs please 🤲
HEHEHEHEHHEHEEEHEHHEHWHWHH
Rise! Donatello x reader
Soft Donnie hcs 🥹
fluff:D gn reader, romantic
not proofread
Tumblr media
My baby :(
- Donnie makes you gifts all the time! It’s one of his ways of saying he loves you since he’s not too experienced with this whole feelings stuff. He also just loves to see you get excited over something that he made.
- will help fix the little things for you! (that maybe he wouldn’t do for others djjdjdkdkd) Your computer isn’t working? Give him 5 minutes and it’s working just fine. Leo’s phone is bugging? He can wait, Donnie is a busy man after all.
- Someone knocks over his staff?! …oh it was you? well, accidents happen I suppose.
- Will absolutely brag about anything he helps you with, it makes him feel good. You could have asked someone else, but you asked him. Not Raph, not Mikey, and why the hell would you ask Leo? (JK I LOVE HIM😭)
- Does NOT let his brothers (mostly Leo) drag you into their tomfoolery if it’s dangerous. (Long story; you got portal-ed to New Jersey one time *COUGH*LEO*COUGH*)
- Fairly confident, he knows you love him and he loves you. Heartfelt and vulnerable moments just aren’t his thing, so when they do happen you know he really means it because he’s doing it just for you.
- you have your very own special seat in the turtle tank <3
- definitely the type to remember all of your favorite things (snacks, drinks, movies, anything)
- you’re basically Shelldon’s other parent and he treats you as such. -> “Do not talk to your mother that way, young man! I mean, uh, Y/N! don’t tal- HOLD ON-“
- will talk to you for hours and hours about new projects he’s started or wants to start and is really, really excited that you care about his interests. (Two reallys)
- would NEVER admit it to anyone but really likes to hold you entirely or just your hand, especially while he talks to you ^lectures
- probably needs a few visits with Dr.Feelings (Mikey thinks you guys are so cute)
- would kick his brothers out and only allows you in his lab if he’s really busy and into working on something. would gladly let you assist him if you pinky promise to be really careful, but doesn’t trust anyone else around his precious tech.
- sitting in his lap??? while he works??? I think so.
- Wants to watch all of his favorite Jupiter Jim movies with you! + Would show you all of his favorite games and comics. Might even actually let you borrow one or two if you swear they will return to him in mint condition.
- 100% denies it if anyone (fucking LEO) were to ever point out your special privileges even though he knows it’s true and you most definitely do. He just wants to avoid the teasing if he can.
- But it’s inevitable (*COUGH*LEO)
- it’s not that he’s embarrassed, he just isn’t used to that kind of relationship and he really appreciates your understanding, even if he doesn’t say it.
- when you cuddle he likes to lay his head on your chest, it’s the most comfortable for him. esp if you give VERY gentle shell scritches
- I REPEAT, GIFT GIVING. TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIS GIFTS, HE MELTS.
- hide all of your purple clothing bro
-“your sweater? the gorgeous, perfect, dazzling purple one? …haven’t seen it.”
- would call you “darling” or “dear/dearest” when he feels like it
- overall, very whipped 👍 very sweet silly boy :(
2K notes · View notes
fabuloustrash05 · 4 days ago
Text
I think one of the main reasons Raph x Mona Lisa in TMNT 2012 were so well received by fans is because they were never the main focus of the plot.
Donnie’s crush on April was a well known part of his character and motivation especially in the earlier seasons. Leo’s feelings for Karai connects to the drama with the Foot Clan and the war against Shredder (and the Splinter thing but that’s another can of worms I’m not opening rn). Often there were episodes where these pairings were the focus that drove the plot along.
Raph and Mona Lisa were more of a background decor, not the main focus of episode plots, maybe their relationship and dynamic with one another will help move some scenes/conflicts along (EX: the Dregg betrayal and escaping the ice planet), but overall they weren’t the main driving focus for the series as a whole unlike the others. They were just a fun cute couple we got to see be a fun cute couple while all the craziness happened around them.
Tumblr media
As much as I would’ve loved more Raph x Mona Lisa focus in the 2012 series, especially with giving them more story and development in their relationship, I also think that if the writers did give them more focus, I’m scared fans would’ve thought they were over staying their welcome. It’s a weird tear between “we got just enough” but also “not enough of them” at the same time in regards to Raph x Mona Lisa.
65 notes · View notes
mrabubu · 1 year ago
Note
How do you think the turtles from ROTMNT would deal with their feelings if they were in love with someone (be it human, mutant, Yokai, etc.)?
Oh man... Hmmm...
I really hope that wouldn't be a problem if I mostly ramble about Leo (I'M SORRY GUYS THE BLUE TURTLE LIVES IN MY MIND RENT FREE), and maybe a couple of words about the rest. I'll also be talking about both young and adult Leos, so, here we go.
I'll give short opinions on other turtles before Leo:
Tumblr media
Donnie: Would be neglecting his feelings and emotions at first. Even though, in my opinion, he was established as the one prone to romance, I think when he'd actually feel anything towards anyone, he'd be really conflicted, because it's one thing to see this stuff on the TV and all, and another when it's in real life. But once he'll deal with all this mess in his head, he's a real gentleman.
With Raph and Mikey I'm going to refer to @souperwrites words, I hope they don't mind xd
Tumblr media
"Mikey is confident and lovey dovey." And I totally agree with it. I feel like he would be the one who'd have the least problems with his feelings.
Tumblr media
"Raph is shy but very genuine in his affection but also super nervous because of his size and the potential harm he could cause without meaning to." But honestly, I think my friend @daysofmoron could also give their opinion, since they love the red turtle. xd OKAY, NOW MY BOY LEO.
Tumblr media
If start with young Leo, in the show he was always all "EWW!" whenever any sign of romantic love is shown, be it Big Mama and Splinter or Warren and Hypno (at least I remember them being all cuddly, and Leo's was just barfing at them on the background), but I imagine once his own heart goes "doki-doki" for Y/N (let it be Y/N or "you" for now), he's a total mess at first. Remember that episode when they met Jupiter Jim actor, and Leo couldn't even put the syllables together? Yeah, that's him at the start, especially if Y/N doesn't know about his feelings towards them. He'll be trying to impress Y/N but since his emotions are all over the place, he messes up more than usual, maybe even ending up hurting himself (like, he'd try to impress you with his skateboarding skills, but ends up eating concrete because he's too distracted).
And here I'm going to add a bit of my own ideas, because I've been thinking of some scenarios, like, if taking that previous idea with skateboarding, or, more easily, let's take the episode "The Longest Fight" when he fell, I imagine if on the contrary from others you'd actually show any genuine concern about if he's hurt, he'd be like "Oh..." and blushing, because usually his brothers would make fun if him, and here comes in you who doesn't laugh at his failure and worries if he needs help. I think after a moment like this he could begin to feel something.
Tumblr media
And with Future Leo HO OHO I have an entire game reference on how I imagine him handling a romance.
First of all, I think as an adult he would be more confident with his feelings if he ever feels anything towards anyone, because, well, he's an adult now, and because when you at war you kinda already went through a lot to be all this blushing mess over feeling butterflies in your stomach.
So, as a reference, whenever I thought of him in a relationship, I though of a romance with Garrus from Mass Effect. I imagine Leo being kinda awkward, trying to make jokes at first that are much more sloppy than usual. Especially if talking about Garrus, I always think of that scene from Mass Effect 2, when he comes into Shepard's room before the final mission, trying to lighten up the mood, flirt and all, but ends up just being an awkward (but adorable) mess, and saying: "I've seen so many things have gone wrong... I want something to go right. Just once. Just..."
And it's just really easy for me to imagine Leo say that. And instead of touching scars you touch his prosthetic.
youtube
And also that dialogue with Liara after "The Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC, when she asks if you fight for giving Garrus some peace, and you say that he's been hurt and deserves something better.
youtube
But once Leo's over all the awkwardness and let himself relax, he's just enjoying this new experience with you, having fun.
This scene with Garrus and Shepard trying the "first date" thing which ends up them dancing tango together. With all the teasing and all, I can easily imagine Leo would do something like that.
youtube
Honestly, I think that's it? There are more scenes in Mass Effect with Garrus and Shepard where I could easily imagine Leo would do something like that, but it's a lot. If you know, you know, If don't, well, I hope I was able to gave you an idea.
302 notes · View notes
stellaspectral · 2 months ago
Note
Now for my second request: I don't know if you're comfortable writing love triangles (the first one was kinda a triangle too but well…) but this time I would like a 2007 Raph x Reader x Leo where they both fall in love with her at the same time and she has to choose who to be with in the end (let's make their relationship in that movie even messier and with another thing to argue about! I love drama!😈). This triangle started before Leo went to South America but back then no one ever knew about anyone's feelings and they were all just acting like normal friends. Then Reader was just as disappointed and angry as Raph when Leo didn't want to come back and stopped sending them letters (the reader received also secret personal letters addressed only to her and Raph realizes from this that Leo might be interested in the Reader romantically just like him), and Raph and her got really close and bonded because of that. Reader was also the first one to find out that Raph is the Nightwatcher and offered her apartment as a second shelter when he wanted a place to sleep, be away from his brothers or just hang out with her. During this time Raph also thought about confessing his feelings to her but here comes Leo back from South America to complicate things again! (I love 2007 Leo just as much as 2007 Raph I promise, that’s why this is a love triangle. I genuinely can’t choose between them). I’ll let you choose how you want the story to end again (who will the Reader choose? Will Raph and Leo kill each other? Find out next episode lmao) and I apologize again if my English is not the best!
A/N: Oh-ho-ho *rubs hands together* I love myself a juicy, tense love triangle 😈 But ya’ll are getting both versions of the ending.
Enjoy! 💖
Collateral Hearts (angst)
💙 2007 Leonardo/Female Reader ★ Raphael/Female Reader ❤️
Tumblr media
CWs: Angst, love triangle, themes of abandonment, sibling conflict, jealousy, brief descriptions of fighting and injuries, multiple endings (you choose!). All characters are aged-up.
Tumblr media
Before Splinter sends Leo to Central America, back when the four brothers were still a fractured—but whole—unit under the city. You’re there, woven into the fabric of their strange, hidden lives.
You train with them, spar sometimes (mostly with Mikey, who doesn’t mind losing), patch up scrapes after patrols, and share greasy pizza on movie nights in the lair. Even then, there’s an invisible current pulling you towards two specific points in this constellation of brothers.
Leo. His gaze often finds yours across the room—intense, analytical, yet softened with something unreadable when it lands on you. A shared glance during Splinter’s lessons, a quiet question about your day that feels weightier than it should. Looks that linger just a few beats too long. Not that you minded.
Then there’s Raph. A tumultuous, rough sea of energy. But around you, there’s a specific turbulence—a protective warmth that flares unexpectedly when someone gets too close. Even one of his brothers. He’s the one who walks a little closer when you navigate the darker tunnels, the one whose shoulder bumps feel more deliberate than accidental.
But you’re still friends. Allies. Confidantes. That’s the story you all stick to, the safe label taped over a box of much more complicated feelings.
Then Splinter made the call. Leo must go to a foreign country for a year of leadership training. The thought of his steady presence vanishing left an immediate, aching void. You saw the conflict in Leo’s eyes, duty warring with reluctance. He promised to write, his gaze pausing on you for a fraction longer than on his brothers.
He kept his word, at first. Letters arrived addressed to the lair. You gathered with Donnie and Mikey to read them aloud. Leo’s careful script detailed grueling training regimens, encounters with unfamiliar wildlife, and the strange beauty of the jungle. Donnie and Mikey would talk about the letters, but Raph—he only listened. Jaw tight.
Especially after you started getting letters only for you.
In these, Leo was different. More personal. He shed the leader persona. Asked about your life, your classes, even the most mundane details. Shared doubts, frustration, moments of quiet contemplation he’d never voice to his brothers. He recalled a joke you made months ago, mentioned dreaming of sparring with you, specific conversations you had late at night.
It all sent a confusing jolt through you, making your heart beat faster, chased by a prickle of guilt. You still keep the letters hidden, tucked away in a shoebox under your bed. But you had a feeling Raph already knew about them, even without him having to resort to snooping around.
Then the letters stopped. All of them. Silence stretched from weeks into months. Worry festered, then soured into a shared bitterness, particularly between you and Raph. He often paces, slams his fists into the punching bag harder than necessary, his already short fuse burning down to nothing.
“Guess Fearless Leader’s too good for us now,” he snarled one evening, smacking the bag hard enough to break it. “Suppose he found better things to do than write to his family.”
You nodded, the shared sense of abandonment a bitter taste in your mouth. “He could at least tell us he’s alive,” you murmured, picking at a loose thread on your shirt. “Or that he’s okay, or … something.”
The disappointment became a strange, potent glue. You and Raph gravitated towards each other. You trained together more often, pushing each other, the physical exertion a release for the pent-up anger. For hours, you would talk. Sometimes in the lair, other times huddled on your fire escape, sharing frustrations about Leo, about the team falling apart. Everything.
You see past Raph’s rage, glimpse the aching vulnerability beneath the shell, the deep-seated fear of not being enough. He sees your disappointment, your confusion, your own quiet hurt.
One night, when you were walking home, you heard the unmistakable sounds of a scuffle. Not the usual mugging, but something more brutal. You peeked cautiously around a dumpster—and there he was. A figure clad in armor taking down a group of thugs with terrifying efficiency.
The Nightwatcher.
Your breath caught. But there was something familiar about the way he moved. After he disarmed the last thug, he turned, glimpsing you in the shadows before vaulting onto a nearby roof. And you knew who it was.
Raph had started sleeping all day, becoming distant—almost as if he was hiding something from everyone. But you didn’t confront him immediately. The next time he appeared near your neighborhood, though, you didn’t hesitate and called out his name. He froze on the fire escape opposite yours, silhouetted against the moon.
Then he pulled off his helmet, his eyes locking onto yours, full of defiance and exhaustion.
You simply gestured towards your open window. “Come in. Before someone sees you.”
Your apartment became his haven, his second shelter. A place disconnected from the lair. He crashes on your couch sometimes after rough evenings of vigilantism and you tend to his wounds. Other nights, he just shows up, shedding the armor—but not the weight on his shoulders, needing a place to just be, away from his family’s expectations.
You listen. You don’t judge.
Over time, your bond deepened. You see the way he looks at you when he thinks you’re not watching, a mixture of longing and frustration. A comfortable silence often settles between you now, charged with unspoken desires that flicker in the periphery of your awareness. Becoming stronger by the day.
By the time Leo’s been gone a year, you and Raph are practically inseparable, a constant presence in each other’s lives that has evolved beyond mere companionship.
Tumblr media
Tonight, Raph sits on your closed toilet, his armor piled haphazardly in the tub. He still breathes raggedly, the adrenaline from his patrol slowly leaving him. You sit on the edge of the tub, dabbing carefully at a gash above his brow ridge with a cotton pad.
“Hold still,” you murmur as he flinches from the sting of the antiseptic.
A low grunt escapes him, but he obeys, his gaze fixed somewhere on the linoleum floor. You’re used to caring for his wounds, but something feels different this evening. There are more cuts, deeper bruises blooming on his knuckles. And he’s quieter than usual, the typical simmering anger replaced by a raw exhaustion that seems to seep into the very air around him.
You reach for a butterfly bandage, peeling off the backing. Your fingers brush against his rough, green skin as you position it over the cut on his forehead. He doesn’t pull away. Instead, his head tilts slightly, his gaze lifting from the floor to meet yours.
The proximity is suddenly overwhelming. You can see the flecks of gold in his eyes, the slight tremor in his hands resting on his knees, the way his throat works as he swallows. That look is there again. Your breath hitches.
The silence stretches, filled only by the distant hum of city traffic and the frantic thumping of your own heart. It feels like standing on the edge of a cliff, the ground shifting beneath your feet. Years of friendship, shared grief over Leo’s silence—it all swirls between you, threatening to tip you over the cliffside.
He leans forward almost imperceptibly, his rough knuckles brushing against your knee. The contact sends a jolt, sharp and warm, straight through you. His eyes search yours, questioning, demanding something you aren’t sure you can give. Images flash through your mind: Leo’s steady gaze, the careful script on his hidden letters, the confusing warmth they’d sparked. Guilt pricks at you, sharp and unwelcome.
Raph must see the flicker of conflict in your eyes. The intensity in his gaze wavers, replaced by a familiar frustration, which is quickly masked. He pulls back slightly, breaking the spell. The air rushes back into your lungs, leaving you feeling shaky.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, finally breaking the silence. His voice is rougher than usual.
“Anytime, Raph,” you reply, your voice steadier than you feel. You stand up, gathering the used cotton pads and wrappers. The moment has passed, the fragile connection severed. But the echo of it remains, hanging heavy in the air.
He finishes wiping the lingering grime from his face and arms, avoiding your eyes now. “Donnie’s been askin’ questions,” he says abruptly. “Where I go. Why I’m so beat up all the time.”
You nod, busying yourself with tidying the small bathroom counter. “What have you been telling him?”
“Same old crap. Extra training. Fell down some stairs.” He snorts, a humorless sound. “Mikey just thinks I’m sleepin’ all day ‘cause I’m lazy.” He pauses, then adds, quieter, “Easier that way.”
He stands up, stretching gingerly. The movement pulls the muscles taut across his shoulders and back. He’s still Raph—volatile, protective, a storm contained within a powerful frame. But here, in the relative safety of your apartment, the cracks in his armor show. You see the vulnerability he fights so hard to conceal, the fear of abandonment that fuels his anger.
He goes to collect his stuff. As he passes, his hand brushes yours again, lingering for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary. Then he gathers the rest of his gear, gives you a nod, and slips back out the window, melting into the pre-dawn gloom.
You stand there for a long moment, listening to the fading sounds of his departure, the silence of your apartment feeling both emptier and more complicated than ever before. You go over to the couch, sinking into the cushions. Exhaustion finally begins to claim you. The emotional whiplash of the evening, coupled with the late hour, makes your eyelids feel like lead weights.
You don’t bother changing; you curl up, pulling a throw blanket over yourself. Your thoughts drift, a jumbled mess of green skin and intense eyes—
—then the sudden, shrill ring of your phone jolts you awake. You blink, disoriented; you must have dozed off. Who would be calling at this hour, anyway? You fumble for the phone on the coffee table, checking the caller ID: Donnie. Anxiety spikes. He rarely calls, unless it was urgent.
Had something happened to Raph on his way back?
“Donnie?” you answer, your voice thick with sleep and apprehension. “Is everything okay? Is Raph—”
“He’s back,” Donnie’s voice comes through the line, cutting you off. He sounds breathless, wired, a mixture of disbelief and frantic energy buzzing through his words. “He’s back. Leo’s back!”
The world tilts. You bolt upright, the blanket pooling around your waist. “What? He is?” The words are barely a whisper. Leo. Here? Now?!
“Yeah,” Donnie confirms. “Splinter’s with him now. It’s really him!”
You feel as if someone punched the air out of your lungs. The nearly year of silence, worry, frustration, anger. And the comfort you’d found in his absence with Raph—all of it crashes down at once.
Leo was back.
You grip the phone tighter. “I … okay,” you manage, the words feeling inadequate, hollow. “Okay, Donnie. Thanks for … telling me.”
You hang up, the phone slipping from your suddenly nerveless fingers and falling to the floor. The silence in the apartment roars back, louder than before, saturated with the impossible news.
Leo. Back.
The two words echo in your skull, bouncing off the walls of your mind. Back from the jungle, back from the silence. Back from the place he’d occupied in your memory, like a photograph tinged with resentment and a persistent ache. He was supposed to be a ghost, a problem deferred, a complication locked away with those hidden letters.
Not anymore.
Your heart hammers against your ribs, a frantic rhythm completely at odds with the numbness spreading through your limbs. You stare at the opposite wall, unseeing, the pattern swimming before your eyes. Just minutes ago, the world had felt compressed, focused down to the charged space between you and Raph in your bathroom.
That moment now feels like a scene from someone else’s life, blurred and distant.
Raph.
A wave of something akin to panic washes over you. Raph, who had just slipped out your window. Raph, who had listened to you rail against Leo’s abandonment. Who had shared his vulnerability with you. Whose frustration and longing had been so palpable. How would he react?
Donnie’s call meant the news was already spreading through the lair. Would Raph feel blindsided? Betrayed, even, by the universe suddenly dropping his long-lost brother back into the mix just as something fragile and tentative was solidifying between you?
Guilt twists in your gut. Not just for the hidden letters anymore, but for the intimacy you’d shared with Raph, forged in the crucible of Leo’s absence. Did you build it all on a foundation of shared resentment? Was the comfort you found in his presence just a reaction, a way to fill the void Leo left? Or was it something real, something separate, something that now felt impossibly complicated?
You push yourself off the couch, pacing the confines of your living room. Your thoughts race, colliding like billiard balls. Leo’s return changes everything.
You wonder what Leo is like now; a year is a long time. Would he still be the same thoughtful leader? Or would the jungle have changed him, hardened him? Why come back now, without a word? So many questions, and the thought of facing him, of navigating the tangled web of unspoken feelings, makes your head spin.
Two brothers. Two intense, complicated connections.
Before, the choice felt hypothetical, distant. Leo was gone, a memory wrapped in unanswered questions. Raph was here, solid, intense, a growing certainty in the chaos. But now, Leo is back—and the choice is suddenly very real. You close your eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. You have to choose your next move.
And you have no idea which way to turn.
Tumblr media
Just like that, the fragile bubble bursts.
The reunion in the lair is strained, fraught with tension. The arguments start almost immediately, old wounds ripped open, new ones inflicted. Leo tries to step back into his role as leader. But Raph bristles under his command, the resentment now fueled by more than just brotherly rivalry.
Those old wounds aren’t just reopened; they’re ripped wider, doused in the salt of the past year’s bitterness. And you? You’re caught squarely in the middle.
Leo seeks you out, his gaze earnest, apologetic. He tries to explain the silence, the overwhelming nature of his training, the isolation. “I messed up,” he admits, “not writing. And not writing to you, especially, is unforgivable. Being away, being alone … it made me realize things. What I’d left behind. Who I’d left behind.”
His eyes plead for understanding, for a return to the tentative connection forged through those hidden letters. He’s the prodigal son, the steady leader trying to find his footing, reminding you of the intellectual spark, the shared ideals you once admired.
Simultaneously, Raph’s presence becomes fiercely territorial. His jealousy is no longer a subtle undercurrent; it’s a tangible force field. A possessive hand landing on the small of your back when Leo approaches. Standing deliberately between you and his brother. His voice drops to a low growl when Leo addresses you directly. His glares are daggers.
He reminds you, wordlessly and sometimes explicitly, that he stayed. He endured the silence with you. And more than ever, he seeks refuge in your apartment; being in the lair is physically unbearable for him now. “Can’t breathe down there with him acting like nothing happened,” he mutters, collapsing onto your couch.
The arguments between the brothers escalate, and you know, with a sickening certainty, that you are part of the fuel for their fire.
You hear snippets: “Stay away from her, Leo!” “You think I didn’t notice how close you two got while I was gone?” It tears you apart, watching them fight, knowing your feelings are a wedge driving them further apart. The pressure builds, an unbearable weight on your chest.
They both corner you at different times, the words tumbling out.
Leo finds you on the rooftop, the city spread out below. “I know this is complicated. But what I felt then, what I tried to tell you in those letters—it wasn’t just about missing a friend. It was more. It is more. Coming back, seeing you … it confirmed everything the jungle taught me about what truly matters. I want a chance to prove I can be the man you deserve, the partner I should have been all along. I messed up big time, and I’m so, so sorry.” His eyes search yours, full of hope and regret.
Raph confronts you in your apartment after another explosive fight with Leo. He paces your small living room like a caged tiger before stopping right in front of you, his eyes blazing.
“I can’t do this anymore. Watching him look at you, talk to you and pretend like he didn’t just abandon everyone, abandon you. You know me. All of me.” He takes a ragged breath, the vulnerability stark on his face. “Is this real? What’s been growing between us? Tell me. I need to know if I have a shot, or if I’ve just been fooling myself.”
Your heart feels like it’s being ripped in two different directions. But you must choose. Closing your eyes, you take a deep breath …
Do you invite Leo over?
Or Raph?
Tumblr media
💙 LEO ENDING 💙
Tumblr media
The faces of both brothers flash behind your eyelids.
Raph—the raw, protective energy, the shared struggle through the lonely year, the fierce vulnerability he showed only you. The palpable connection forged in late-night talks and frustrations, the almost-kiss in the bathroom. Choosing him felt like picking the present, the tangible, the fire that burned bright and hot right beside you.
But then there is Leo. The quiet intensity, the exchanged glances that spoke volumes before he ever left. The thoughtful leader who, even in his absence, reached out through letters, revealing a depth of feeling that had resonated long before Raph became a constant presence. His apology felt genuine, steeped in the weight of his realization.
Choosing Leo feels like picking a path started long ago, interrupted but not erased. Like choosing the steady mountain, the man who saw you clearly even from afar. The guilt over the shared intimacy with Raph while Leo was gone gnaws at you. But the foundation with Leo felt older, deeper, somehow more right for you, despite the hurt his silence caused.
Maybe the bond with Raph, as intense as it was, had been born more of circumstance and shared abandonment than a true meeting of souls. It’s a painful thought, disloyal even, but it felt true. Your heart aches for Raph, for the pain this would inevitably cause him. You know his reaction wouldn’t be quiet or easily managed.
But you couldn’t base your future on preventing his anger, nor could you deny the pull towards Leo that had existed long before the complications arose.
With trembling fingers, you retrieve your phone.
It rings twice before he picks up, his voice cautious. “Hello?”
“Leo,” you begin, your own voice barely a whisper. You clear your throat, trying to sound stronger. “Can … can you come over? To my place. Now.”
There’s a pause on the other end. Then, quietly, “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up feels like sealing a door shut.
You stand in the middle of your living room, wrapping your arms around yourself, bracing for the conversation to come, and the inevitable fallout that would follow. The weight of the decision settles heavily in your gut, a mix of terrifying clarity and profound sadness for the friend you were about to wound deeply.
Later, a soft knock echoes through the apartment. Not the impatient rapping Raph sometimes used, but a hesitant, measured sound. You slide open the window, seeing Leo looking uncertain, his wary but hopeful eyes searching yours.
“Hey,” he says softly, stepping inside when you gesture him in.
The air crackles with the history between you, the year of silence. You lead him to the couch, but neither of you sits immediately.
You turn to face him, needing to get this out. “Leo, I …”
He holds up a hand gently. “Let me,” he says, his voice earnest. “Before you say anything. I need you to understand. Going away—it wasn’t just training. It was … breaking myself down. Splinter knew I needed it. I was becoming rigid, losing sight of what mattered. The isolation was brutal. At first, writing helped. Writing to you especially helped. It was the only time I felt … normal. Connected.”
He takes a breath, his gaze unwavering. “Then it got harder. The training intensified, the self-doubt … it became overwhelming. I convinced myself I wasn’t worthy of leading. That silence was easier than admitting failure, even in a letter. Especially to you. I thought I needed to come back whole, fixed. So I shut you out. It was cowardly and selfish, and I regret it more than anything.”
He looks around the small apartment, his eyes lingering on the couch. “I know things changed while I was gone. I see how close you and Raph got. And I don’t blame either of you.”
Tears prick at your eyes, a mixture of relief at his honesty and residual pain. “It hurt, Leo. The silence. We thought … everyone thought something had happened. Or that you just didn’t care anymore.”
“I always cared,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “Being away, especially being silent, only made me realize how much I cared. About my family. About …” He pauses, his gaze locking with yours. “About you. Those letters—they weren’t just letters, not for me. They were me trying to hold on to the most important thing I’d left behind.”
You finally meet his gaze fully, seeing the sincerity, the regret, but also the steady conviction that had always drawn you to him. “Raph …” you start, the name tasting like guilt on your tongue.
“I know,” Leo nods, his expression pained but resolute. “This is going to be hard. For all of us. Especially for him. But I needed to tell you how I feel. And I needed to know …” He trails off, waiting.
Taking another deep breath, you finally make the choice concrete, speaking the words aloud. “I needed you to come back, Leo.” It’s not a perfect declaration, but it’s the truth. “What I felt before you left, and when I read your letters … it’s still here. Underneath everything else that happened this year.” You step closer, the space between you shrinking. “It’s complicated. And I’m scared. But … it’s you. Always has been.”
A wave of relief washes over Leo’s face, so profound it seems to physically lighten him. He reaches out, his hand hovering for a moment before gently taking yours. His touch is warm, steady. It feels different from Raph’s rougher, more demanding touch. It feels like coming home, albeit to a home that needs serious rebuilding.
“Okay,” he murmurs, squeezing your hand gently. “We can figure out complicated. Together.”
Understanding passes between you. This is not the end of the struggle, but the beginning of a different one. There will be shouting matches in the lair, hurt feelings, tough conversations. Raph’s reaction looms large and ominous. But in this moment, standing in your apartment, hand-in-hand with the brother you chose, there’s a fragile sense of hope, a quiet determination to face whatever comes next, side-by-side.
The path ahead is uncertain, likely painful, but for the first time since Leo’s return, you feel like you’re finally facing the right direction.
You stand there for a long moment. His thumb brushes gently over your knuckles, a small, grounding gesture. You watch the movement, then lift your gaze back to his eyes, which are filled with the look of someone who had almost lost something precious and was only now allowing himself to truly believe it might still be within reach.
He hasn’t let go of your hand, and you find you don’t want him to. He takes a step closer, the space between you shrinking until you can feel the subtle warmth radiating from him. The air feels electric, just like it had in those stolen glances years ago. But amplified now by everything that has happened since. His gaze drops briefly to your lips, then flickers back up to meet your eyes, a silent question asked.
Your breath hitches. This is it—the culmination of those letters, the late-night thoughts, the ache of his absence, the confusing swirl of emotions upon his return. The guilt over Raph still lingers, a dull ache in the background, but it’s overshadowed now by the undeniable pull towards the man standing before you. This feels … inevitable. Right.
He lifts his free hand, slowly, and cups your cheek. His touch is comforting, though slightly calloused from his training, but infinitely tender. You lean into the contact, your eyes fluttering closed for just a second. And when you open them again, his face is closer, his expression soft.
He doesn’t rush. He simply tilts his head, his gaze holding yours until the last possible moment, before closing the remaining distance. The first touch of his lips is soft, hesitant almost. Tentative as if testing a fragile ground after an earthquake. But then, as you respond, pressing back gently, the kiss deepens.
It isn’t explosive; it’s a slow burn, infused with a year’s worth of longing and regret. Tasting of relief, of apologies accepted. There’s a quiet strength in it, a steadiness that mirrors Leo’s very core. It’s like finding shelter after being lost in a storm, a sense of clicking back into place. Months of worried silence melt away, leaving only this.
Him.
When he finally pulls back, it’s only slightly, resting his forehead against yours. His eyes remain closed for a beat, his breathing a little unsteady now. You keep your eyes closed now too, savoring the closeness.
“You have no idea,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion, “how long I’ve thought about …” He doesn’t finish the sentence, didn’t need to.
You open your eyes to find him watching you. You reach up, tracing the line of his jaw. “Me too, Leo,” you whisper, the admission feeling momentous.
He smiles then—a genuine one that reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners. It holds the weight of your past.
And the hope for the future.
Tumblr media
❤️ RAPH ENDING ❤️
Tumblr media
The faces of both brothers flash behind your eyelids.
Leo—the steady gaze, the potential promised in those hidden letters, the man you thought you were waiting for. His apology felt sincere, his explanation plausible. Choosing Leo feels like picking up a thread from the past, acknowledging a connection that had deep roots. Like choosing the calm harbor, the thoughtful partner.
But then there is Raph, who stayed. Weathered the storm of Leo’s absence with you. The one whose rough edges soften only for you, revealing a fierce loyalty and a depth of feeling that resonates in the here and now. The almost-kiss in the bathroom wasn’t just a fleeting moment; it felt like the culmination of a year spent leaning on each other, seeing each other’s true selves laid bare by frustration and vulnerability.
Choosing Raph feels like picking the present. Leo’s return feels like an echo from another time, while Raph is the solid, breathing reality right beside you. The bond with him isn’t just a placeholder; it has grown into something strong and vital on its own merit. Choosing Leo now would be betraying not just Raph, but the truth of the past year.
Your heart aches with a different pain—the sadness of letting go of the ‘what if’ with Leo. The knowledge that you are choosing a path potentially filled with more immediate conflict, given Raph’s nature and existing tensions. But the thought of turning him away after everything feels wrong, a denial of the connection that has become your anchor.
With trembling fingers, you retrieve your phone.
He answers on the first ring, his voice tight, guarded. “Yeah?” Like he was expecting bad news.
“Raph,” you begin, your voice steadier than you expected, fueled by a sudden certainty. “Can … can you come over? To my place. Now.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end, followed by a loaded silence. Then, rougher than usual, “You sure?”
“Yeah, Raph,” you say, the conviction solidifying in your chest. “I’m sure.”
“On my way,” he grunts, and the line clicks dead.
Hanging up feels like sealing a door shut.
You stand in the middle of your living room, wrapping your arms around yourself, bracing not just for the conversation. But for the intensity Raph would bring back with him. The weight of the decision settles, heavy but clear, a choice made for the present. For the man who had stood by you, fire and all.
Later, there’s a familiar, slightly impatient thudding sound at your window—his usual way of announcing himself. You slide it open, and Raph vaults inside. He stands there, filling the space, his eyes narrowed, searching yours, braced for impact.
“So?” he asks, his voice low, challenging. Ready for a fight, or maybe just protection against getting hurt again.
You don’t hesitate. You walk right up to him, stopping just inches away. “So,” you echo softly, meeting his intense gaze. “Leo came looking for me. He apologized. Explained things.”
Raph’s jaw tightens, a muscle flexing. He doesn’t look surprised, more resigned. “Figured.” He looks away, before muttering, “Good for him.”
You reach out, placing a hand gently on his arm. He flinches slightly but doesn’t pull away. “Raph, look at me.” He drags his gaze back to yours, his eyes guarded but showing a flicker of the vulnerability you know so well. “What happened this past year. Between us. It wasn’t just because Leo was gone. And it wasn’t just filling a space. It was real. Is real.”
His breath hitches. The guarded look cracks, showing the desperate hope beneath. “Don’t mess with me,” he growls, but there’s no heat in it, only a raw plea.
“I’m not,” you insist. “Yes, Leo’s back, and it’s … complicated. I won’t lie. I had feelings for him before he left. Those letters—they confused things. But you were here. You saw me through it. We saw each other. What grew between us …” You inhale a shaky breath. “It’s you, Raph. You’re who I want.”
For a moment, he just stares, processing. Before he lets out a ragged breath, a sound heavy with a year’s worth of tension, frustration, and longing finally being released. He closes the small distance between you, his hand coming up to stroke your cheek. “You mean it?” he whispers, his voice thick, searching your eyes for any hint of doubt.
“I mean it,” you whisper back, leaning into his touch.
He exhales. “Thought I lost you…” he murmurs. Relief washes off him in palpable waves as he pulls you closer, wrapping his arms around you tightly as he buries his face in your hair. It’s a desperate hold, almost as if he needs to physically feel the reality of your choice.
You hold him back just as tightly, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against yours. This is it. The choice made. The path chosen.
And it won’t be easy. Leo’s return has already guaranteed conflict. The brothers are fractured, and this may deepen the cracks before any healing can begin. Raph’s possessiveness and temper will be tested, as will your patience. But here, wrapped in his arms, feeling the undeniable strength of the bond you forged in the loneliness, it feels right. It feels real. You chose the fire, the storm, the beating heart that stayed.
And together, you’ll face the fallout.
The two of you remain in an embrace. You can feel the tension slowly ebbing out of his shoulders, replaced by the sheer force of his relief. He holds you like a lifejacket, like you’re the only solid thing in a world that has just tilted violently off its axis and is only now beginning to settle.
Finally, he loosens his hold just enough to pull back slightly. His hands move from your back to frame your face, his thumbs brushing rough calluses against your cheekbones. A touch that is both possessive and tender. His eyes search yours with an intensity that robs your breath.
“You sure?” he asks again, his voice low and gravelly, needing the reassurance one last time. Because it isn’t a question of your feelings anymore, but of your understanding of what this meant—what choosing him entailed.
“I’m sure, Raph,” you breathe, meeting his gaze without flinching. You raise a hand, covering one of his, pressing his palm more firmly against your skin. “This. Us. It’s real.”
That’s all it takes, the last shred of restraint in him snapping. With a low growl deep in his chest, he claims your mouth. The kiss isn’t gentle or hesitant. It’s demanding, a raw outpouring of a year’s worth of pent-up longing and frustration. It’s the heat of the forge, the pressure of the dam finally breaking.
His lips are firm, insistent against yours, moving with an urgency that borders on overwhelming. But it feels undeniably right.
You kiss him back with equal fervor, winding your arms around his neck, pulling him closer still. This isn’t about forgetting about Leo or erasing the past; it’s about embracing the present. The tangible, fiery reality of Raphael. The kiss deepens, tasting of relief. And beneath it all, the undeniable taste of him. It’s grounding and exhilarating all at once, a confirmation that the intense bond you’ve built is exactly where you belong.
When he finally breaks away, you are both breathless, foreheads pressed together. The air is thick and charged between you. His breaths come ragged, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He doesn’t pull away completely, instead keeping you caged gently in his arms.
“Mine,” he rasps, the words possessive but stripped of its usual anger, spoken like a statement of fact. A prayer answered.
You don’t argue, don’t make a move to escape. You just nod, a smile touching your lips. “Yours,” you agree, planting a chaste kiss on his cheek.
A rough chuckle escapes him. “Good,” he grunts, pulling you back into a secure hug, burying his face in the curve of your neck.
The storm isn’t over. Leo is back, and the fights are inevitable. But here, secure in Raph’s arms, feeling the unwavering beat of his heart—you know you’ve chosen the eye of your storm.
And you wouldn’t be facing it all alone.
83 notes · View notes