#empath raph

[brightlotusmoon]

They're so good together. They're fire and air and different types of the same chaos.

[sacredartist33013]

I don't think i remember linking this fic

One of my recent fics i made last month.

I've recently been thinking of editing it up. Wondering if I'm going too fast or should have done things differently.

[cadoodledoodleydoo]

If I'm understanding this correctly, then Gah... with a dash of Oh!!

Get creatured!!! You're a lil plant guy now!!! Hey so the feelings stated above are extremely mutual fam????? Jix introduced me to your blog via the HEM/SAINW powers posts and I LOST MY EVER LOVING MIND!! Youre writing and understanding for the brothers is god tier. Poetic and beautiful and paints gorgeous visuals IN MY MENTAL THEATRE I HAVE SO MANY THINGS I NEED TO DRAW BECAUSE OF YOU HECC!! I would absolutely love to chat and hang and get to know you better! Please please please feel free to message me whenever you want! Lets chat turtles and aus and ocs and whatever else comes to mind! Lets be cool little creative creatures together!! Thanks for sending me all of these lil ask memes too???? I feel so loved haha!! ‎٩(⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝)و̣̩₊⊹♡

[dontlookatmytmntcollection]

SOCIAL BATTERIES

Do the boys REALLY like people that much?

Character studies.

Going from the most Extroverted to the least.

- 🟠 -

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

[brightlotusmoon]

YAY HUG.

he got his hug!

fic | comic

[lactoseintolerentswag]

Rise Characterizations Pt. 4!!!!

Nearing an end with writing notes for turtles. Thinking of posting about April and Splinter separately, and then a big post for side characters.

Raph, Leo, and Donnie here. Now let's start with

Mikey Character Notes

Language Habits:

Catchphrase: "razzmatazz"

Tendency to "hoo-ha!"

Uses aave/bae

Like Raph and Leo, he will verbalize his attacks, but notably less than the aforementioned two. His most common phrases: "power whip jitsu" (chain moves), and "power fun jitsu" (use of his fire)

Shortens words/phrases in his excitement (i.e. the famous omigosh), but lengthens words in his wonder/amazement like drawing out wow into wooooooow

Uses a lot of idioms, i.e. "give us the 911", "hit the bricks", "you've been workin' a nerve"

Uses a lot of alliterations, especially when describing something

Refers to splinter as "pop" or "dad", with the rare "father" (usually for dramatics)

Will refer to others using "chico", "dude", or "man"

Answers the phone with "shell-o"

Personality:

Oblivious. A lot of stuff goes over his head, or he'll pick on the wrong thing to focus on. Like thinking they're part imitation crab men

Passionate. He throws himself into everything, whether that be cooking, fighting, or art. Sometimes this focus comes at his own detriment (i.e. forgetting to tell his brothers that Meatsweats mutated on t.v. bc he was cooking his pork risotto)

Optimistic, a dreamer. Not one to back down from doom and gloom, and is often among the first of the brothers to take action. Has a lot of perseverance

Believes the best in everyone. He can easily connect and empathize with others, most notably Draxum

Blunt, he doesn't hide his opinions and can accidentally be a little too harsh. On the other hand, he uses his persona of "Doctor Delicate Touch" to purposefully use his bluntness. He doesn't really much to hide on what he thinks about people

Sensitive, he's easily swayed by the emotion or pathos of others (read: gullible). This also mean his ego is easily damaged, which can contribute to his competitiveness with Leo at times and his inferiority complex with Raph babying him

The emotional heart of the team, he keeps the brothers grounded in empathizing with others

Energetic. Mikey's the wildcard. No one can guess what's coming out of his mouth next, and his fighting style is very innovative. All his energy gives him a charming amount of "razzmatazz"

Firey. Mikey's a pretty expressionate guy. He doesn't hide his emotions, and he doesn't really hide his anger. Sometimes this comes out in his bluntness, and sometimes this comes out in strained rage that has a boiling point

Looks up to his brothers. He has a lot of admiration for his older brothers. Whenever he's put in a corner he thinks what would Raph do, he's grateful for Leo's advocacy, and likes spending a lot of time with Donnie and his inventions. He also has a need to prove himself to his older brothers due to his admiration

Miscellaneous:

First to unlock mystic powers

Nicknames/code names: "Doctor Delicate Touch" and "Doctor Feelings" are self-proclaimed titles, "orange pawn" code name by Donnie, "Michael" nickname by Donnie, and "Flavortown" is his video game handle

Named his piggy bank "Mrs. Porky Coin"

Only chooses scissors in rock, paper, scissors

Has the top score in "Pance Pance Revolution" (rise's equivalent of DDR)

Well that's all the turtles for reference notes. I think I'll post Splinter next :)

[noirleo]

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.

[fjsjjgnnfjdjf]

I think it's because, despite the fact that everyone recognizes Splinter's negligence, it seems that he is not given the opportunity for forgiveness…

Still, we must not forget that Splinter is a father, not a god who can be perfect; no, he is not the best father (not by a long shot), but he is not the worst father in the world either (as much as some people would like to see him that way).

Maybe some years ago I would have been in Raph's position (I had dramas with my parents like anyone else), but now that I am more adult, I understand the pain in the soul that can generate that a person you love tells you in such a hard way your truths, it's heartbreaking and I don't wish it to anyone.

In summary: Although the discussion is completely justified, it is impossible for me to ignore Splinter's pain, as I have felt it myself.

Here's a chart of all the polls we've been doing lately on Kid Leo!!

Raph was consistently high, but 'It's Complicated' won out in the end. I'm surprised it won. Actually, I figured that last update would have sealed Raph as the 'winner', but I guess it's more complicated than that :)

Splinter ofc was consistently low, even before 'it's complicated' became an option, but who's surprised?

Anyway do with this data what you will. Also I used Canva to make it cause idk how to make charts on excel anymore :/

[raeofsunshine-ew]

*Deep inhale* this is gonna be a LONG list-

Have all my current headcanons for physical and mental health for the following TMNT groups.

(I like to imagine age wise, 03 are all 23, 12 are 20, 14/16 are 19, then you have the Rise with Raph being 18, Lee and Dee being 17, and Mikey 15 just barely about to be 16)

2003 Turtles

Leonardo

Physical:

-Large scar on left shoulder

-Chunk of shell missing on left side

-Scattered small scars across body

-scarring over eyes (losing sight)

Mental:

-PTSD

-Suppressed emotional processing

-Occasional dissociative episodes

Raphael

Physical:

-Multiple scars, both large and small, from countless fights

-Scars on arms, legs, and shell

Mental:

-Anger management issues (historically severe, improving)

-PTSD

-Hypervigilance

Donatello

Physical:

-Burn scars on hands (tech-related)

-Jagged scar on leg

Mental:

-Neurodivergent

-Suppressed emotional responses

-PTSD

-Survivor's guilt

-Despression

Michelangelo

Physical:

-burn scarring over the right side of the body

-lost right arm

-lost right leg

Mental:

-ADHD

-Depression

-Anxiety

---

2012 Turtles

Leonardo

Physical:

-Damaged left knee (permanent)

-Scarring around throat

-Extensive shell scarring (back)

Mental:

-PTSD

-Depression

-Sleep issues and recurring nightmares

Raphael

Physical:

-Covered in scars

-Missing piece of upper shell (right chest)

-Faded scar around right eye

Mental:

-Intermittent Explosive Disorder

-Deep trust issues

-Prone to isolation

Donatello

Physical:

-Light scarring on hands

Mental:

-Neurodivergent

-PTSD

-Depression

-Color Blindness

Michelangelo

Physical:

-Faded facial scars

-Jagged scar on left arm

-Shell scarring (back)

Mental:

-ADHD

-Autism

-Disassociation

---

2014/16 (Bayverse) Turtles

Leonardo

Physical:

-Numerous small/light scars

Mental:

-C-PTSD

Raphael

Physical:

-Chronic back pain

-Several large scars

-Small scar on upper lip

Mental:

-Suppressed emotional vulnerability

Donatello

Physical:

-No major visible scarring

Mental:

-Neurodivergent

-Prone to detachment

Michelangelo

Physical:

-Spider web-like scars on shell

-Chronic back pain

Mental:

-ADHD

-Depression

-major empathic sponge

---

Rise Turtles

Leonardo

Physical:

-Missing right arm

-Light scattered scars

-Jagged scarring on back shell

-Jagged scarring along plastron

Mental:

-ADHD

-Dissociation

-Survivor’s guilt

-Anxiety

Raphael

Physical:

-sight problems in right eye (progressively worsening)

-Heavy scarring around right eye

-Shell damage on left shoulder, extending into deeper scarring

-lightening like scarring going up left arm, weakness in left arm

Mental:

-Separation anxiety

-PTSD

-DID

-Neurodivergent

-Suppressed sensory issues

Donatello

Physical:

-Scarring over soft shell

-Light burns on hands (tech-related)

Mental:

-Autistic

-Possible behavioral disorder

-Seizures

-Hyper sensory issues

Michelangelo

Physical:

-Lightning bolt scars on arms to fingertips

-Suffers from hand tremors

Mental:

-Diabetic

-Emotional sponge; hyper-empathetic

-ADHD

[brightlotusmoon]

This has become one of my top favorite TMNT fics. It has everything I want: Empath Mikey projecting at his brothers while being greviously wounded, his brothers coming to the rescue while thinking MURDER, the cuddly sobbing angsty fluffy comfort, Mikey being disabled, Mikey being Mikey, everyone loving Mikey.

Did I mention that I really like the 03 brothers goofing around?

Ironically this is actually from a pretty angst fic. I finished the last chapter yesterday so if you want to check it out it’s here

[the-peak-tmnt]

So i've been rereading Reprocity and i have a dumb question but im wondering, is Leo going to have dissociation issues after he's rescued? Honestly im SO excited for the eventual recovery arc. I love your fic sosososo much.

Ahh!! Thank you for the ask! Not a dumb question at all!

I am ALSO so excited for the recovery arc, and its driving me insane I'm not there already!

I might be giving away too much here, but post-rescue Leo is absolutely going to struggle with staying present. He's spent so much of the last two years hiding from his own reality in Raph's head, and it's gonna be hard for him to give up the relative safety & comfort he feels when he's mind melding with Raph. There's definitely some depersonalization/derealization/codependency issues in poor Leo's future...

Beyond the complications of his more advanced empathic/mind meld abilities, Leo's also going to be saddled with a lot of the typical psychological repercussions of abuse & prolonged isolation. I'm working on Chapter 20 right now, which is where we're gonna get a peek at some of the stuff he's been going through.

Anyway, rest assured that the credits aren't gonna roll the second Raph finds Leo. I know this fic is from Raph's POV and so far has focused on his personal struggles. But this is Leo's story, too.

They're in this together, after all 😉

PS: Sorry I'm not more active here! This ask made realize I have a few more unanswered ones! I'll go through the rest of my inbox soon!

[qoldenskies]

Okay okay I'll yammer about Rise!Splinter in your ask box because oh my god I cannot STAND people who legitimately villainize him on main. Like, alright, you can call him an emotionally unavailable or even slightly neglectful parent all you want, because even the show itself makes it clear that his parenting style wasn't exactly PERFECT and probably left the boys with at least a SMALL myriad of issues (Raph's parentification and Donnie's constant need for approval come to mind, though I can't say for sure whether those are entirely borne of Splinter's parenting style lmao). But I feel like so many people through trying to villainize his actions deliberately gloss over the fact that he was probably struggling with hardcore PTSD after spending a decade or more basically being forced to fight in a DEATH ARENA, not to mention probably having a good deal of body dysmorphia because he's suddenly been kind of forcefully shoved into a body that he can't even recognize as his own anymore. PTSD is a genuinely crippling condition to struggle with at times. On top of the depression he more than likely had, it'll make you not even want to get out of bed some days, and to struggle with that AND take care of four INFANTS that you've basically suddenly found yourself the sole caretaker of HAD to require a great deal of both mental and physical strength from Splinter. I'm sure he had his hard days, and the show points that out, but he was still trying his damn hardest to be there and be present for these kids, even if he fucked it up at every turn, even if he was far from the BEST parental figure that they could have had.

People can critique his parenting style as they wish (hell, even I do it), but so many depictions of him as an awful parent feel like they're glossing over the legitimate mental issues that he more than likely has, and idk sometimes I just feel like yammering about it on main

yeah like, a parent can seriously fuck you up completely unintentionally and have understandable, sympathetic reasons for it (while still not being in the right! a kid is never in the wrong for being hurt by an adult who failed them! but they're also well within their right to understand and empathize with a complicated parent who loves and changes for them!). generally im sure a lot of people who write abusive parent splinter genuinely had horrendous and abusive parents and are venting, which is why i tend not to be judgemental to people who do. characters are ultimately devices to drive a plot and if they're writing a story where they want to put them through some shit, that's one way to do it. aus are aus and allat

HOWEVER. lord does it frustrate me when people act like his behavior in the show itself is actually like that. i think its really uncharitable and unsympathetic. like if you want to see some of the things he did to them as potentially unforgivable thats fine, because if they're upset with him they dont have to forgive him, but him dealing with crippling ptsd and depression while being someone who goes out of his way to parent and change and grow while handling it just makes it idk nasty to me ,,,,

and also maybe this is just a hot take but esp. when it comes to raph and donnie i think them having more complex feelings about him makes for more compelling angst. its juicier, and i love to read stories that are empathetic towards everyone involved.

i am not a splinter defender but i will still fight splinter haters (not actually. dont fight me i will cry, i dont main tag most things anymore for a reason lmao)

[amethystgoldenwind]

The Turtles' Blood and Gore Tolerance Headcanon

I did this for no reason. Worthless ruminating. I do not have any evil plans no, not at all.

In all due seriousness, this was a legitimately fun exercise to do and was definitely a helpful thing for me to do as an angst writer.

This really isn't based off much in canon itself (since there are very sparse instances of blood) so you're free to have different opinions on this. This is just for me! And for fun.

Raph is pretty fine with it— he doesn’t mind most violence in movies, nor does it bother him to brutalize a villain a little bit. If they deserve it, they earn it. What he can’t stand is seeing his own family badly hurt— this is when he’ll freeze up and get squeamish. He does not like this reaction since he wants nothing more than to help them, but can't bring himself to.

Leo is cool with it. Blood doesn’t bother him. Graphic scenes in medical dramas don't bother him. He finds that stuff fascinating in a controlled, safe environment. Sometimes he might wince during a particularly rough scene, but he doesn’t necessarily have to look away or anything. He of course has sympathy for real people, but can handle hurting villains (to a certain extent). He's the one who can keep his cool when his family gets hurt, no matter what's required of him.

Donnie can watch pretty much anything. It doesn’t bother him, in part due to his low empathy. He’s the guy who watches someone get torn apart and doesn’t bat an eye. Maybe he even laughs (but it's also fiction), if he feels comfortable enough with the movie. Real injuries aren't too different. He feels no sympathy towards villains, concern for an innocent bystanders, and an urge to 'fix' his family's injuries. However, blood is an unfortunate sensory issue for him, so he can't touch it without gloves on.

Mikey is the most sensitive all-around. As an empath, he hurts along with people and has, at times, almost felt phantom injuries just from seeing things. He's had to ease into more violent things and even then sometimes has to leave. He's the most likely to cry along with someone, but does not get nauseas, so he can help with the actual medical stuff. But he prefers to provide the comfort and the nourishment rather than the procedures. As for villains, he believes in hurting them JUST ENOUGH for them to learn their lesson.

(headcanon masterlist)

( @sinnbaddie, since he was interested)

[miggymikey]

Hummingbird

2012 Raphael x reader

You hummed a lot. You used humming to express laughter, 'aww's, and even anger sometimes. Raph wasn't sure if you were dropped as a baby and you just become a dunce when faced with strong emotions. However, he can't deny that it is kind of cute.

Whenever he says a sarcastic comment and you give a mirthful hum in return, it makes him want to pinch your cheeks. Aggressively. Perhaps tear your cheeks right off, in the most loving way. Your big smile when you do it is just so squashable. Note how that's not the same as squishable.

You often do it when watching movies or media you like. Something particularly cute or funny comes on and you will hum and run over to give him a suffocating hug before returning to your show as if nothing happened. He can't deny that he likes those hugs. It makes him happy that you're happy.

It's not often you get angry at him. Mostly, you empathize with his brothers or he takes a sarcastic joke too far. Sometimes when that happens, you hum, like a warning. He would almost relate it to you growling at him. If he weren't a little nervous about getting bitten, he might pet you on the head when you give him such an adorable warning. Still, he will end the argument if it gets to the point where you can't express your emotions in words anymore. He might pick you some flowers or knit you a sweater as an apology.

Raphael loves your little humming habit, and he wouldn't change it for the world. He will cherish your little quirk for as long as you let him. Even if he sometimes annoys you to death to get it out of you.

[shadows-shells]

On the topic of sibling dynamics. Like with Leo and Mikey, I noticed Donnie gets away with doing things that annoy Raph, vs. say if Mikey and Leo did those things, he would argue with them. But Donnie, he doesn’t argue. Like how Leo is much nicer to Mikey, and Mikey is nicer to Leo, while he purposely antagonizes Raph and Don, especially Raph. I used to believe he didn’t like Raph with how much he antagonized him, but I see why he does it, but I still feel bad for Raph, lol. I empathize with him being a middle child myself. My youngest brother got away with everything. If I dared lash out at him, I was the one to blame. So Raph is in a tough spot, especially during season 4. Mikey taking Leo’s side like that while being dismissive of Raph and Don’s feelings had to hurt, and Leo got help for his anger, while Raph got a lecture. At that point, Don was the only one Raph had in his corner since he was getting the same treatment. Remember when Mikey set the battle shell onto the lair? Who did Splinter blame? Don, even though it was Mikey’s fault. I am not bashing, btw. I am just saying Mikey gets away with a lot because he’s the youngest. Sorry for this long essay of an ask lol.

Haha my friend lots of loaded statements in here to unpack!

i think for me personally, ultimately i choose to engage with 2k3 in the manner that their biggest enemies are the Shredder/their own character flaws, and their familial relationships are their emotional rock and not a source of pain (which is very different from how i engage with some of my other fandoms).

eg placing more weight on the show portraying that Leo floated into caretaking/leadership as a turtle simply because he loves his family and that is how he expresses his love, that he clearly trusts and loves each brother and his father throughout the show and thinking of them gives him comfort...instead of reading a pattern of unfair blame and over-responsibility, from that one single time Splinter blamed him for not stopping his brothers from coming to the Battle Nexus. 

i strongly suspect that one can read any manner of conflict and pain into any of the brothers in any incarnation, depending on their own history. 

After all - no familial relationship is perfect, and those imperfections can be read as proof of deeper pain and conflict. 

i've seen ppl say 2k3 Don is neglected and overworked and lonely, or that 2k3 Mikey is overlooked and dismissed and lonely, too. Combined with the ones for Raph and Leo - we could alr say that the entire 2k3 family is full of lonely neglected ostracised brothers..but ultimately that's not the direction i prefer to take for 2k3. 

(im an eldest child but consider myself estranged from my sibling)

i don't read malice or resentment in Mikey's relationship with Raph and Don from that interaction. Raph softened toward S4 Leo after Mikey's speech in later episodes - he thought about what Mikey said, and agreed. iirc it was Don in earlyS4 who still remained fairly detached from Leo. 

also 'Splinter neglected Raphael's struggles with anger and dismissed his feelings' is a stance im not prepared to take. 

I don't think Raphael getting too rough one time with an equally-skilled brother (and there is no trust or respect lost there afterwards with them making up) is the same as literally drawing a live blade (the very same blade you used for killing and the blood feud with the Shredder) AND landing a hit on your own parent - especially in a Japanese family, and for someone of Leo's skill and general control. 

There was just no bigger taboo for Leo commit, either as a son or as a martial artist. 

Leo was simply out of control, gone much farther away from his natural emotional baseline, and dangerous in a way Raphael never even got close to. 

Raphael expresses himself directly and honestly pretty consistently, and he's the one who cries the most - he deals with his emotions far better than Leo was managing to in earlyS4. 

People keep saying 2k3 Raphael is angry all the time and so violent/dangerous etc but i just don't agree. He's a lot more level-headed, thoughtful and selfaware than some fans claim.

"Mikey gets away with a lot" -> i think there can be smth to be said for this (esp with that FF episode in which basically Mikey gets a makeup test for chuunin despite apparently 'skipping a whole month of strength training sessions' right before the exam)...but ultimately, with how Mikey is consistently shown to be pulling his weight in fights and how his brothers still trust him with their lives? 

im reading that episode as a one-time thing and a product of FF's lighter less-gritty-realistic tone: that the whole family is coming together to give an ultimately-deserving Mikey a lil helping nudge - rather than actually taking it seriously as toxic favoritism 😂 

That it is meant as a cute quirk of the family like 'oh everyone is a lil bit softer on the heart of the team' than 'youngest sib gets away unfairly with things just coz they're the youngest', LOL. 

(Imagine Leo or Raph or Don skipping a whole month of strength training? Portrayed in the more serious tone of S1-5? Leo would (rightfully) be stripped of leadership. Raph and Don would've been grounded at the very least for their own safety. But i don't think favoritism is the point FF is trying to make, and im choosing to not read it that way haha)

That said - i empathise how hard it can be to see bad-faith takes in the fandom (or even just takes we don't agree with), especially when it hits on painful personal history. i've just stopped engaging with those takes i dun even think abt them at all lmao life is too short for that 😂 

Thanks for the ask!

[tinyowlthoughts]

"I can divide by biographies!"

My favorite episode. Donnie is such a patron, and I empathize with the librarian so much. So, a librarians view of the library episode:

-Donnie is so fucking excited to be at the library. Mood. -Inhaling that bibliosmia, which is the proper term for 'old book smell'. -He has opinions on the nonfiction area. ("Geology stinks.") -Is absolutely IN LOVE with the idea of being IN a book. -"Holy Gutenberg." I'm stealing this to use with my coworkers. -Patron is asking for something but doesn't come right out and say it, instead rambling about personal stuff instead of making it easy for both of them. -Doesn't actually ask the librarian for guidance to the information, instead strikes out on his own to find it. (aka Ignoring a resource right at his fingertips, one of the biggest reasons large, high-traffic libraries employ professional, master's degree holding librarians) -Knows what the Dewey Decimal system is and how it works. -Intuitively figured out the mystic library cataloging system, which is hella impressive. -Doesn't write down the call number of the book, thus leaving his brothers in a lurch when he gets blasted into the baby zone.

And can I just say, the book being part of a display was my absolute favorite part. The name of the display, the beautiful display shelf - peak librarianship right there. Making displays is one of my favorite things to do.

Feel so bad for the Bat Librarian (who deserves her own name for the BS she had to put up with!). Like - the wreckage, the destruction, the falling books? Do y'all have any idea how long it would take to collect, organized, catalog, and reshelve those thousands of books?!?! And then the work that would pile up since she has to focus on that? I didn't notice any other librarians in the episode, and it is a well known fact that if you're not a librarian, page, or trained volunteer, we would prefer you put the books on a cart instead of shelving them yourself because there are many nuances to both Dewey and the alphabetical order (St v Saint, etc.). Also it's a mystic library, so maybe there's no need for other librarians because if everything is running smoothly, Ms. Bat can handle it.

I'm fairly certain that if Donnie showed up to apologize, he would be put right to work assisting her in the mundane shelving task. And let's be honest, he would adore it. Raph might be granted the chance to help, since he's such a softy and would likely be genuinely apologetic for the mess now that Mayhem is out of danger. I could see him using his powers to help hold the larger stuff in place for repairs to the shelves, walls, etc., or moving large pallets of books around for Donnie to shelve.

Leo and Mikey? Straight to the kiddie room, if not outright banned from ever entering the mystic library again. (Yes, libraries ban patrons. It happens all the time - when you enter a library, you are agreeing to follow the Code of Conduct. You break it, we ban you, from a month to life.)

Such a good episode. One of my all-time faves from the series.

Honestly, if I made an OC for this world, it would probably be a library manager for a smaller branch of the Mystic Library that is more present in NYC, likely disguised as a 'used book store' that is more public library and less academic library, and more easily accessible for the Yōkai living in the human realm. Instead of hush bats there would be a big, fluffy library cat named LoC who sits on you if you're being too loud.