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truths33k3r4 · 2 months ago

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CHAPTER 14 - Only a Teacher, Never a Father

For most of Mikey’s childhood, Splinter’s bedroom solely remained ‘off limits’ to the brothers. And on the rare occasion that they did find themselves in the mysterious nook, it was most likely for the purpose of awaiting a punishment. Despite the soft, crimson carpet and the smoky scents of flickering candles spread out the room, the space never felt warm. Even the majesty of the hand-painted mural on the wall did nothing but remind them just how small they truly were.

Mikey winced at the sensation of sweat seeping into his jittering palms, his darting turquoise irises finding their home everywhere except his father’s face. He was sure he’d picked and pulled at every stray thread on his hand wraps, causing the ends to fray. He couldn’t help it! Energy always had a special place in his soul, usually stemming from joy, laughter, or a good beat. But the adrenaline causing his palms to become the ickiest of slip-n-slides was foreign and very much unwelcome.

He hated not knowing what to do. And when he was unsure, he would fidget; That was something he could pour the nervous energy into, by twiddling with his fingernails, picking at dry skin, or pulling and twirling material around his fingers. Sure, it would leave his wraps a glorified ball of yarn encasing his arms, or his nails would get a little too short, but it was better than catching himself spouting off random words in a chaotic mess that barely resembled a sentence. They had Don for that, and the youngest would never steal an iconic habit from his temperamental, genius brother.

The stress building inside of the youngest wasn’t helped at all when he saw how his older brother had handled training. Raph was rarely one to make a verbal sound during exercising, always keeping his pain just as secret as his bleeding heart. So it really threw Mikey for a loop when his fiery brother had not only groaned loud enough to be heard, but had also somehow injured himself before a spar even broke out. It twisted the youngest’s tender heart when he saw his tough brother whimper through the pain that had pulsed through his arm. And when Mikey had asked what happened, his older brother bit his lip and shoved his discomfort back into unseen shadows. Just like always.

After Splinter had caught them talking, things just went downhill from there. The dojo became as silent and cold as falling snow as they finished their stretches and tumbles. Not a single diss was given from Raph as the brothers exercised, which twisted Mikey’s brain and gut even more; Instigation and insults were as common as bruises in their home. Especially in the room where they trained and sparred. So that further proved to the youngest how unwell his fiery sibling really was.

A determined scowl grew on the youngest’s face.

He’s got another thing coming if he thinks this is over. Soon as I’m done here I’m gonna drag his berry-hued butt to Sensei. Or Leo. Maybe both.

“Ahem.”

Mikey flinched at the seemingly calm and patient sound that rumbled through his father.

Oh crud. I totally got lost in my head again.

“S-Sorry, Dad!” The youngest whimpered, as he straightened his posture and did his best to give his full attention to his waiting sensei. He purposefully placed his hands at his sides, hoping that would be enough to keep himself from picking at his wraps. With a forced breath he lowered his shoulders as his father knelt down in front of him. Mikey inwardly struggled not to rise up and help his aged sensei when the master let out a strained grunt as he knelt on the mat.

“Now that I have your undivided attention,” Master Splinter spoke with faded brows raised and the glimmer of an amused smile, “We can finally begin. Firstly, I will start by telling you that you are not in trouble.”

Mikey couldn’t help but sigh in relief at the news. “Oh, good! PHEW!” He nervously laughed, dramatically swiping his hand across his forehead and flicking off beads of sweat.

“Yes.” Splinter softly chuckled along, most likely attempting to soothe the frayed nerves of his youngest son. “There is nothing necessarily wrong, but there are… changes that will soon be happening to you.”

His father’s gentle but worrying words felt like a stone with soft, smooth edges but a staggering weight hidden within. Part of Mikey wished his father just acted like Raph sometimes, and replaced the babying tones with iron, blunt force. At least that way the pain would be over quicker, and the youngest wouldn’t be left anxiously waiting for the bombshell to go off.

He tried to swallow the girthy stone of his father’s words, nearly making him choke as he squeaked, “What do you mean by ch-changes?” He asked cautiously, waiting for the rock in his gut to become a stick of dynamite.

His father’s face shifted, conflict pulling taut every wrinkle. Mikey unknowingly tensed as a decision was made behind his sensei’s mossy irises.

“I shall start with where you are in your training.”

Oh. That’s it? Really??

“That’s it?” Mikey asked, bringing volume to his inner thoughts without realizing it. A stern glare from his father silenced both his mind and his words.

“No, it is just where we will start.” Splinter corrected with a subtle twitch of wavering patience from one of his ears. “Do you recall what your older brothers did when they turned thirteen? How their training and passions intensified?”

…Uh… That’d be a nope.

“Um… Not really, Sensei…” Mikey admitted, his gaze straying to the floor. “I was kinda in my own world back then.”

It was true. He’d always been a bit more of an “airhead” as Raph so gently put it. When he was a kid, his world consisted of drawing, singing, and watching movies. When he wasn’t doing those, his time was put into schoolwork and hanging out with his brothers.

Things didn’t begin to change until Leo and Raph turned eleven and twelve; One fateful day they both emerged from Sensei’s room, Leo sobbing and Raph bleeding from a deep cut across his right eye.

Ever since that accident their father changed; Bed times became more strict, schoolwork was watched with a prying eye, and laughter became scarcely heard from their dad’s mouth. He especially became really hard on Leo, pulling him aside all the time for Bible Study and training rather than allowing the oldest to just… be a kid. There was no doubt that Leo had messed up that day when he cut Raph, but part of Mikey really wondered if Sensei had gone too far with the rigorous spiritual and physical exercises he had put the eldest through.

If Mikey could look through his oldest brother’s eyes, would he see Splinter as Father, or would he only be known as Master?

“Mm.” Splinter thoughtfully hummed as he began stroking his beard, “It is true you were not the most observant of my students… Which is part of what makes it further frustrating when your raw talent is squandered with childish behaviors. If you truly put your all into your studies and training, I could one day see you as a master yourself.”

Mikey’s posture struck rigidly at the combination of his father’s insult and compliment as if he were hit by a flash of lightning. “T-Thanks?... I think?” He shrugged, dazed from the aftershock.

Master Splinter sighed as his ears drooped. This was not going according to plan at all. “The purpose of my words, Michelangelo, is not to uplift, but rather determine.” He stated, lighting a spark on the wick of dynamite wedged between Mikey’s heart and lungs. “Like your brothers, you will soon have to decide a role in your team. Can you recall the positions they chose?”

The flickering sparks traveling through Mikey’s gut made his heart rate pulse uncomfortably. He had to make a conscious effort to not grip his chest to slow it down, for fear of revealing his anxieties to his already patience-challenged sensei. Regardless of the discomfort attacking his body, he tried his best to push through.

“Uh, let’s see… Leo obviously chose Team Medic and Leader,” The youngest recalled, tapping one of his fingers as if counting, “... I’m gonna say Raphie went with Team Tough Guy?” He asked mischievously, as he tapped a second finger.

“Not quite.” Splinter monotoned, as he softly shook his head. “Raphael chose the role of Team Strategist. You out of everyone in this household are aware of his skills in recognizing weak points, as well as always being aware of his surroundings.”

Fair. The jerk’s gotten way harder to sneak attack thanks to his newly found spidey-sense…

“Yeah, he can always tell if you busted your ankle or slept on your neck wrong-” Mikey drawled, swaying his head, “- and then he’ll wait till you’re out of breath or distracted to deliver the final blow like BAM!” He shouted, emphasizing the onomatopoeia by slamming his hand into his opposite palm.

“Yes…” Splinter hesitantly agreed with another tired sigh, rubbing at the fur below his graying eyes. “Which is why he now plays the strategist of the team. And what about Donatello? What role did he choose?”

“Haha, probably Team Egghead.” Mikey spouted jokingly, to which his father responded by releasing another, heavier sigh.

“Michelangelo…” The great Master exhaled, his patience now wearing as thin as the frayed strings hanging from Mikey’s arm wraps.

“Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t resist!” The youngest weakly defended, quickly scrambling to reach and catch his train of thought. “I bet he chose to play Team Tech Wizard or something like that? Oh wait! Is Team Brain a thing?”

“That’s…” Another exhausted sigh huffed through Splinter’s nostrils. “...Close enough. Yes, your brother became the Brain of the group, using his intellect and common sense to guide his team through difficult decisions and situations.”

Mikey paused, letting all the information settle and flutter back down to solid ground. “So… what’s left?” He asked, genuinely considering the fact that his brothers took the best jobs offered on the team.

“The choice you must make does not depend on the options, my student. It depends on who you are becoming, and where your best qualities lie.” Master Splinter corrected, his tone heavy with the seriousness of a samurai, but soft with the care of a loving teacher. “I could already tell what roles your brothers would choose far before I began training them. It was evident through their individual skills and souls.”

Mikey shifted where he knelt, continuing to make a conscious effort to focus on the words being told to him no matter how heavy, serious, and scary they were becoming. “How could you tell?” He asked timidly, afraid his father would chide him for not knowing the answer himself.

Instead of judgment or annoyance billowing onto his father’s expression, there came a gentle, reminiscing smile.

“Your brothers made it very easy. Donatello has always been a logical soul, seeking knowledge for the purpose of winning arguments or protecting himself from anything that would harm him or his philosophies. I would catch him late at night with his nose buried into the pages of a book, even as a toddler. This natural yearning for knowledge pushed him to grow academically.”

“That’s why he was able to get a job, right? Cause he was smart?” Mikey asked, though this time he did already know the answer.

The soft expression gracing his father’s face twisted, whiskers twitching as the Master scrunched his nose. “Your brother earned his profession by his cleverness just as much as his intelligence. He succeeded in deceiving the eyes of his employer… as well as me.” His brows descended, creasing with conviction. “Had I known what he was up to I would’ve put a stop to it.”

“Why? Doesn’t he pay for a bunch of stuff? Why wouldn’t you want money?” The youngest inquired, confusion clear in his large irises and tilting head.

“It was not about the income.” Splinter replied, his voice withering. “Truly, we do need the money if we are to continue eating a healthier diet, but I am still wary of the dangers of being revealed to the-”

“-Wait.” The youngest interjected with a raised hand, his expression turning sour and offended. “Are you seriously telling me that the only thing Don gets with his money is VEGETABLES?!”

Another, long, exhausted sigh weaseled out of his father. “Yes, Michelangelo. If it weren’t for the hard work of your brother we would solely be living off of the dry, stale pastries from the bakery down the street.”

“Why’s that a bad thing?!” Mikey burst out, his hands waving in all directions like the stray sparks of a firework. “Those snacks are so good! Why give em’ up for… for…” Mikey failed to hold back a sudden gag, “-Healthy stuff??”

The wrinkles etched into the great Master’s face suddenly became more prominent.

“As I and Donatello have been trying to convince you of for the last thirteen years- you, my son, need vegetables in your diet. Living off of baked goods will not equip your body with the nutrients it needs.”

Mikey’s offended expression smoothed out to be more placid as he huffed, “That’s why you eat the pastries with the fruit filling. Duh!”

“We are getting off topic.” Splinter deadpanned, his pointed ears dropping lower with every second that passed.

“Okay, suuure,” Mikey hesitantly retreated despite his strong feelings on the matter, “Don’s always been a nerd and Raph’s always had a good eye at spotting weakness, but what about Leo? With how stressed out he is all the time, it’s hard to imagine he chose to be Team Medic and Leader…”

…It’s almost like he was forced to. Mikey silently finished in his mind.

With how hard their father became on the oldest, it really wouldn’t come as a surprise if in the end Splinter just decided to pawn off the positions on Leo, whether he wanted them or not.

“Your oldest brother was not so obvious in his skills, but over time it became clear to me by Leonardo’s tenderness and care that he would make an excellent healer.” Splinter admitted after taking a moment to think. “How he would dress you and your brothers’ wounds after training, or would always have a first-aid kit nearby, it made it obvious to me of his skills in caretaking for his family.”

That tracked. As far back as Mikey could remember, his oldest brother was always standing nearby, bandages and hugs at the ready. It didn’t matter if the boogeyman appeared in the shadows of a dark room, or if you scraped your hands raw sliding down rope. Leo was always there, ready to help and heal what had been hurt.

A slight twinge in the youngest’s right ankle forced him to reposition on his mat as a faint mist of guilt draped across his heart.

No matter how many times I’ve messed up, Leo’s always been there.

“Despite the anxieties that drown your brother constantly, he is always able to do what needs to be done.” Splinter continued, his thin voice slowly gaining strength.

Mikey thought back to the moment when Leo told him how Lotus’ surgery went, or rather how it had quickly gone dreadfully wrong. A pang of sympathy burst in his heart when he saw the shadows under his oldest brother’s eyes, the trembling of his gloved hands, and the telltale weight of crushing guilt weighing his shoulders down. His brother’s haunted words echoed back like the whispers of a ghost.

“She felt… everything.”

Not only had the oldest been forced to do a surgery for the first time, but he did it alone. The pressure that Leo always carried to be perfect and do his best must’ve flattened him once he realized the mistake he had made. However, Mikey had made it clear to him what happened was just a really bad accident.

He was still waiting to see if the oldest had accepted that fact or not.

“As for his bestowed role of Leadership,” Splinter went on, “that came to be as naturally as his birthright of eldest. From a very young age, Leonardo would always pester and direct you and your brothers. Even when you would play together, he would give you the imaginary roles you were to act out. And you all, not quite having wills of your own yet, would willingly take his commands.”

Mikey couldn’t help the grin blossoming on his face as those warm memories filled his vision and steadied his heart. “Haha… yeah, I remember those days.” He said with a gentle fondness of the times long past, when life was just a little less complicated.

“It filled my heart when I watched him guide you all, protecting you from unknown dangers and becoming a foundation you could rely on.” Master Splinter reminisced with a similar smile. Then the vibrance decorating his aged face faded, a troubled expression quickly taking its place. “But, as with all strengths and skills, it all depends on how you harness them… I wish I had been quicker to recognize that Leonardo’s leadership had twisted into manipulation.” An unseen weight pressed down on the Master’s shoulders as he hid his face within his palm.

Mikey’s irises shrank as his eyes widened in surprise, his breath stuttering in his throat. “Th-That can’t be true.” He whispered in unbelief, brows creased and a slight quiver to his lip. “Leo wouldn’t trick us like that!”

“By God’s grace and teaching, he doesn’t anymore.” His father replied, words heavy with exhaustion. “But for far too many years he would use you and your brothers to do his bidding, getting Donatello to secretly finish his homework, or causing Raphael to lose his temper so he would be forced to his room, leaving the television solely to the eldest.”

That… can’t be right.

“But, Sensei… I don’t remember any of that! Are you totally sure?” Mikey asked, trying to keep his voice from going too high and causing another embarrassing squeak.

His father lowered his hand revealing his weary face. “The worst of sins, my son, are the ones done in secret, to the point where even the bearer does not know what they are doing.”

“No, that- that isn’t right!” Mikey defended, passion to defend clear in his growing tone, “You just don’t know him! The Leo I know wouldn’t do that! He’s always been kind and caring and c-compassionate!”

“-Michelangelo.” Splinter warned, his voice low and singed at the edges.

“-No!” Mikey cried, his tongue sharpening as his words continued to point accusing fingers, “No, you’ve never seen the true Leo. You just think of him as -as something you need to fix!”

His father’s irises shifted, a hardness suddenly overtaking the moss-like hue. In an iron tone demanding resolution of the subject he stated,

“Sacrifices had to be made for the good of your brother’s soul.”

… Even if that means you stole someone’s childhood from them?

That they’re always stressed and worried that they’re not enough?

That they can’t ever FORGIVE THEMSELVES?

Mikey’s fingers curved into fists as a small, dark seed began to sprout within him. His gaze fell to the floor, dragged down not by guilt but something else; Something planted and sharp like a thorn crawling its way up a rose.

“That’s not enough reason to break him!” The boy’s fists began to shake as he remembered the dedication forced into his oldest brother, and how through the years it wore Leo down. Where once a mischievous and silly boy played, now stood a teen with anxiety and pressure; Always building and never soothed.

All by the hands of his sensei.

His father.

Just say it.

“... Why did you train him instead of love him?” Mikey hissed, his turquoise irises igniting with anger like heat fueling the rays of the sun.

The hurt bleeding into his Sensei’s eyes was quickly flashed over by a flame of indignation.

“Michelangelo.” The great Master’s voice rumbled in whispered threat like a storm brewing in the distance. “Do not act as if you understand the decisions I have been forced to make as teacher and father. Your brother chose that road himself, and I had to discipline him accordingly. Leonardo was traveling down a path of selfishness, and it needed to be pulled from its root.”

The flame of his father’s words burned the youngest like a branding iron on delicate skin. The dark seed within him was engulfed by the blaze instantly, leaving nothing but ash and fear. Guilt and shame quickly followed, rattling Mikey’s body like the turbulence of a fierce gale. His jaw fell slack, hanging from his chin and gathering spit. His turquoise irises were nothing but pinpricks trembling at the kindled anger burning within his father’s words.

“Dad, I-I’m…” Mikey choked out, finally grasping his purloined breath and voice. His hands trembled in his lap as his face burned with shame. He whimpered, bowing his head in a silent plea for forgiveness. His eyes squeezed shut, no longer able to stomach his father’s wounded expression. “I’m s-sorry.”

Another sigh, this time steadying and cleansing, left his father. A calloused but soft palm again planted itself onto Mikey’s quivering shoulder, causing a small jolt out of the distressed child as he raised his head.

“I forgive you, my son.” His father’s voice gently soothed, the flame within still flickering but nearly quenched. “But I never want you to speak to me like that again. Am I understood?”

“H-Hai.” Mikey squeaked, his voice pulled thin from the guilt and shame tugging at both ends of his windpipe.

An uncomfortable silence sucked the life out of the room, leaving Mikey and his father in an awkward limbo, neither knowing what to do or how to save the conversation. Instinctively, Mikey began to pick at his nails as he pushed back the brimming tears in his eyes.

Dad’s never yelled at me like that before…

The unnerving chill of discipline loomed in the air, causing a slight shiver through the youngest.

Finally, thankfully, Master Splinter spoke up. “I need you to be thinking and praying about what position you shall take on your team. You will not be allowed on any missions until your decision is made. Is that clear?”

Mikey silently nodded, his expression scrunched and movement slow; The charred burns from his father’s words still stung the child’s heart, leaving him uncharacteristically speechless and still.

“There is some good news as well.” Splinter added with brows raised, “After your role on the team has been chosen… you will be allowed to pick your very own weapon.”

Mikey’s picking fingers froze instantly.

Wait, WHATTT???

“Dude- er- Dad- WHAT?! I’m gonna get my own sword or bow? Aw, SHELL YEAH!” Mikey cheered, his signature grin returning in all its bright glory. He leapt off his mat, prancing around the room, kicking and punching into the air with an invisible weapon. “H-YAH! HEEYAH!”

When Mikey caught the gaze of his father’s regretful eyes he stopped prancing around, returning to his mat sheepishly. “Haha… Sorry…” He shrugged, still wearing his shining smile.

On the outside, Mikey was using every acting skill he knew to appear calm. But on the inside was a different story.

LET’S GOOO!!! I’m gonna FINALLY go on missions too!!! HAHA YES! No more hanging back at the lair~ I’ll officially be part of the team! Well- Okay, I still gotta pick a role, but it can’t be that hard, right? I just gotta go with my gut! My personality and soul~

…Okay, how do you figure out what kind of soul you got? Do you just describe yourself and go from there? I can do that! Okay, I’m bright, and cheery, and fun, and optimistic.

So… what role would be best for someone with the personality of the sun?...

Hmm.

…This might not be as easy as I thought…

“Michelangelo Hanten, are you listening to me?”

Oh Frosted Flakes I did it again.

“S-SORRY!!” Mikey cried out, raising his hands defensively in front of his face. It offered him a clear view of his hand wraps- frayed and worn.

GUHH MAN! Another set of wraps ruined! DANG IT!

“Now…” Splinter huffed, the annoyance on his face quickly shifting to uncomfortable dread, “There is… one more matter we have to… discuss.”

Mikey couldn’t help but tilt his head, his brows slanting in question at the sudden strange behavior from his sensei. Master Splinter always spoke and moved with precision and dignity, never slurring his words or tripping on a single step. So at the sight of his master becoming tense and shifting in his seat, it really made Mikey start to freak out again.

“Okay?…” The youngest whimpered.

Master Splinter cleared his throat, straightening his robe with soft swipes of his hands. “Now um…”

Master Splinter just said “um”.

It’s the END OF THE FRIGGIN’ WORLD. EH- EH- EH- ABORT! ABORT!

“... There comes a time in every person’s life when their body…”

What’s happening?

“...begins...”

WHAT IS HAPPENING.

to change.”

Mikey’s eyes widened, a look of growing dread smearing his once excited smile like rain over chalked pictures. Without realizing it, his body’s natural response to his growing distress and embarrassment was to begin pulling his head into his shell.

Now he knew why Raph was laughing.

ABORT! ABORT! SAVE YOURSELFFF!!!

Anddd that's all for this chapter! XD

A lot of you had commented your theories of what Splinter had to talk to Mikey about, (most of you landing on the dreaded TALK from a parent), but I wanted to do just a bit more than that in this chapter. :) In my story, each of the brothers had to go through this rite of passage with Splinter when they turned thirteen. Splinter, being the wise master that he is, chose to begin "the TALK" with more pleasant news to keep his sons calm and less nervous. His hope was to excite his sons with the choosing of their roles and weapons and then... eventually deliver the SLEDGEHAMMER of discussing other certain aspects of growing up that aren't so pleasant...

(Also what Mikey said yelled to Splinter about being so hard on Leo- I may or may not have just been using him as a microphone to voice my own scolding of how Splinter, *COUGH* 2012 *COUGH* , is normally shown to treat the oldest of his sons. Like- bro- HE'S MORE THAN JUST A STUDENT, DANG IT. Yes, there are times where we got to see a more gentle side of the ratman, but CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH- Okay rant over... XD)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reblog!

A BIG THANK YOU TO @poetique823 for reviewing and critiquing my chapter! <3

@indieyuugure @writer-in-wonder @allyheart707 @oddartistl3 @risebabyx2 @joyjoygorl @carrots-bear @imagionationstation @howtotrainyourdragonprince @jasminegazer @brightonstudios @ninjaturtlefan-dee @rottmntlover14 @eggbem @lydjachan @sashatrout @chaosborb

If you want to be tagged in the next chapter, comment down below! (That way when I post the next chapter you'll get the notification!)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

MASTERPOST <- PRIOR CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER ->

#tmnt #the strength in weakness #SIW Splinter #SIW Mikey #SIW Leo #SIW Raph #my version of tmnt!!#Splinter and Mikey have a very important chat #that will not be awkward at all #Nope #Splinter is too often placed as a teacher rather than a father #fight me #what would you guys say your favorite version of Splinter is?#As much as I complained about him 2012 is mine XD But 2003 is close #youngest sibling perspective

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sunsetsandsunshine · 7 months ago

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~ 𝙸 𝚜𝚙𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚢𝚎… ~

❤️👻💜👻🧡👻❤️👻💜👻🧡

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚𝚃𝙸𝙲𝙺𝙻𝙴𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝙳𝙰𝚈 𝟷𝟹: 𝙲𝙰𝚁 𝚁𝙸𝙳𝙴˚*•✩•̩̩͙*＊·̩̩̥͙

𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: 𝙵𝚕𝚞𝚏𝚏

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜: 𝟷,𝟾𝟺𝟻

𝙻𝚎𝚎: 𝚁𝚊𝚙𝚑 🐢❤️

𝙻𝚎𝚛’𝚜: 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎 🐢💜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙼𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚢 🐢🧡

𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: 𝚁𝚊𝚙𝚑, 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙼𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚛 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝙳𝚊𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝙻𝚎𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙰𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚕 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝…𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎…

(𝙰/𝙽: 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚢: 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚞𝚢! 𝚃*𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚔/𝙽𝚂𝙵𝚆 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚜 𝙳𝙽𝙸!!!)

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝙲𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚓𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚍𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚜 👁️👄👁️…

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚𝚂𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚍𝚗𝚍𝚑𝚜𝚓𝚓𝚜˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙

“Are we there yet?” Mikey whined loudly.

“Uh…no?” His immediate older brother said, sighing impatiently.

“…Are we there yet now?” Mikey whined louder.

“No, Mike.” Donnie huffed through his palm as he rested his cheek on his hand, effortlessly playing his Nintendo Switch as he started to drown out his younger brother’s consistent complaining and restlessness.

Which…you would think he got used to by now.

The orange cladded turtle let out a short grunt loudly and dramatically, dragging his hands down his face, “Are we there yet now—?”

“Mikey, I swear to God if you ask that question one more damn time I will not hesitate to open the car door and throw you into ongoing traffic.” Raph growled lowly at the youngest.

“Boys…be nice to each other, please…” Splinter exclaimed from the front seat as he drove.

“But Dad! Mikey’s being annoying!” The tallest turtle moaned and groaned as he sunk in the middle seat.

“When is he not?” Donatello mumbled under his breath.

“Boys…” The rat said warningly.

“…Sorry, Dad…” The teenager’s grumbled collectively as they glared at one another.

The rodent father sighed, plugging his phone into the car unit as he stopped on a red light. “…Why don’t we listen to some Podcasts on the radio?” He offered, trying to find something that his boys would enjoy that didn’t involve ripping each of their tails off.

“Yohou listen to podcasts?” The purple banded teenager exclaimed curiously as he took off his headphones.

“Of course!” Splinter announced proudly, “I’ve been listening to this one that Spy-itify recommended me…it’s really good and well thought out!”

“It’s…It’s…'Spotify', Dad…” The hazelnut eyed teen corrected.

“That’s what I said; 'Spy-itify'.” The father said simply, causing Raph to facepalm and stuff his face right back into his phone.

“What’s the podcast about?” Michelangelo asked as he leaned his head on the closed window as Splinter started to drive again once more.

“It’s about this man talking about nature…it’s extremely interesting; I think you three will enjoy it.” The charcoal eyed rat explained.

“Huh…sounds cool enough.” Donnie snickered, “What’s the guy’s name? Like, the one who mainly talks in the podcast and stuff.”

“Zach Green.” The rat said.

“He sounds like a drug dealer…” Raphael mumbled under his breath, earning some small snickers from his younger brother’s as their Dad started to play the podcast in the vehicle.

A guy, most likely 'Zach Green', started singing as there was a ukulele playing in the background…

…And he sang…

…And sang…

…And. SANG.

And the three teenager’s wouldn’t have minded if the dude sounded…y'know, good!

But he didn’t sound good.

At all.

“Grass is green~! The green is the grass~! The grass is the green and the green itself is greeeen~!” The speaker’s sung as the three teenagers collectively sighed as the Podcast continued to play amongst them.

“…How about we play 'I spy' instead of listening to Shaggy get high?” Mikey suggested as his Dad hummed along to the tune…

Poor soul probably knew this song from heart…

“Anything but this.” Donnie agreed.

“Best idea I’ve heard all day.” The second oldest murmured, crossing his arms as he looked at the youngest expectantly, “Well? You gonna say 'I spy' or what?”

“Let a guy think for a moment!” Mikey shrieked, “Okay, okay, okay…I spy with my little eye—”

“—More like pink eye.” The turtle with glasses giggled under his breath, trying to cover it as a cough as he saw his younger brother side-eyeing him. “Y'know, Dee…we could really go.” The orange banded teenager glared.

“Bet. Catch me outside. 3:30 on the dot.” The purple cladded mutant threatened.

“Bet.” The youngest repeated.

Donatello raised an unamused brow, “I already said 'bet' you phrase snatcher!”

“You don’t own the word 'bet', you four-eyed freak!”

“God— 'BET' YOURSELVES!” Raphael snapped, taking a deep breath as he pinched the bridge of his snout, “I swear to literally anything and everything holy I am completely envying the fact that Leo doesn’t have to suffer in this freaking hell-hole with me.”

The second oldest leaned forward and tapped his Dad’s shoulder, “Speaking of which…how come Leo got to study with April while I—”

“We.” Donnie corrected swiftly.

“—I had to stay with these two excuses for mutants, Dad?” Raphael continued, frowning deeper as his Dad became unresponsive and became completely entranced by the radio, “Dad? Dad? Dad? Daddy? Father? Dad— aaaaand you have your 'I’m locked in to this music' face…gotchu...” The tallest turtle huffed as he sat back down in the middle seat.

“As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted.” The youngest huffed, “I spy something…grey/gray.”

“Grey/Gray? Grey/Gray as in ashy? Ashy as in you?” Donnie smirked, his smirk turning to a smug grin as the orange banded teen glared back at him with a mix of disdain and pure disgust.

“Donnie, I swear—”

“Is it the car seat?” Raph muttered, dying in complete humiliation about the fact that this was his onlysource of entertainment.

Michelangelo shook his head, crossing his arms as he leaned back on the seat, “Nope. Try again.”

“Is it…Dad’s fur?” The turtle with glasses guessed.

“Nooooooope!” The smallest mutant dragged out, sticking his tongue out at the second youngest causing Raph to just sigh, slumping in the chair further.

This car ride was going to be his 13 Reasons Why…

“Okay…seriously, though. Raph-Taff, what’s up?” Mikey asked carefully, looking over his older brother’s stiff and utterly overall unhappy demeanor.

The second oldest just grunted, glancing away and his frown drooping as he locked eyes with his immediate younger brother, “You can tell us anything.” Donnie assured.

“Well…not everything. Almost everything. Semi-everything.” The genius clarified, “Buuuut you get the point…”

“No, no Ihi really really dohon’t...” The red banded teen grimaced.

��What Egghead Humpty Dumpty is trying to say is that you can tell us what’s bothering you. You haven’t been your usual…let’s just say 'Sarcastic Sappy Self'.” The hazel eyed teen confirmed, biting back a chuckle as he saw his purple themed brother gasp in offense.

“I just needa get out of here…” Raphael emphasized, rubbing his temples like he’s seen centuries worth of knowledge, “School was rough. School is annoying. Kids are annoying. Y'all are annoying— no offense.”

“None taken.” The two youngest said in sync.

“And I just need to distress…” Said the older turtle, going on his phone only to be met with a completely pitch black screen, “And my phone is dead. Yip dee doo da fuckin' day…” He cursed.

Mikey rubbed his chin in thought, leaning on the inside door hand rest, “I have an idea for that, actually. Just trust me.”

“'I have an idea' and 'just trust me'…two words I never want to hear come out of your mouth ever again.” Donatello insisted almost immediatelty.

“Shut up.” The smallest mutant exclaimed to his immediate older brother, inhaling and exhaling loudly before continuing, “Okay…so I spy with my little eye—“

“Seriously?” The elder mutant deadpanned.

“Trust me, I said!!!” The younger shouted once more to try and get his point across, “I spy something…black.”

“…Black?” The second youngest asked, tilting his head.

“Black.” Mikey confirmed.

“Ohooo…black.” Donatello snapped his fingers, nodding as he relaxed in his seat.

“Black!” Michelangelo beamed as Raphael looked around in confusion, wondering if his younger brother’s were going to elaborate on this whole 'black' nonsense or if they were just going to communicate via gibberish.

The red banded teen scratched his head in confusion, “…What is happening…?”

The youngest gave his red cladded older brother a knowing look, causing the red cladded mutant in question to just simply sigh longly, “Right riiiight…trust. I got it…”

“Uhhh…” Raphael hummed, looking around the car for something…well, black; as his little brother’s so veeeeery clearly stated.

The chocolate eyed teen raised an uncertain eye ridge, pointing at his own black sweatshirt that he was wearing.

The purple and orange duo nodded, “See? Black!” Donnie grinned, poking his older brother’s sides and causing his older brother in question to shriek loudly and try to cover his middles, wiggling his way over more to Michelangelo.

Whiiiiiich…was a first.

“Yeah! Black!” The smallest mutant smirked cheeringly, prodding the other side of the black sweatshirt wearing boy, “You got it?”

“Ihihi gohohot ihihat I-Ihi gahat ihat!!” Raph said immiediatley, kicking his legs on the car floor as he pushed on the other two’s shoulder’s. “Ehhhhh…I don’t think you do…” The young genius teased lightly.

“Dohon’t a-act smahart with me yohou l-lihittle shIHIT NO!! Mihikey nonononohoh!” He said as he saw Mikey wiggling his fingers near his neck, causing him to try and hide his face in Donnie’s shoulder, swatting the youngest away.

“D'aww~! Hey, big bro! Need a hug~?” The scientist said innocently, wrapping the taller in a hug as the shortest of the three skittered and scratched the red banded mutant’s shell lightly; almost barelytouching it.

The red banded mutant in question wheezed loudly, banging his fists on the car seat whilst his legs stomped up and down, “Wohohoah! Mr. Deflating Balloon Man— yohou okay?” Mikey teased, making sure to trace the patterns on his elder brother’s shell in a very veeeery mean manner.

“Are you boys alright back there?” Splinter asked, getting out of his trance as the podcast soon and finally ended.

“We’re fine!” Donnie beamed, wiggling his fingers into the crooks of the chocolate eyed teen’s neck right beside him, “Right, Raph?”

Raph squealed loudly with laughter, not answering.

Well…not answering in word form, perhaps.

The Father rolled his eyes fondly at his son's, looking away from the rearview mirror and focusing back on the road.

“See!? He agrees.” The youngest beamed, “We’re perfectly fine and dandy, Dadio.”

“'Fine and dandy?'” Donnie repeated in amusement, causing the orange banded teen to almost laugh as loudly as Raph currently was.

Key word: Almost.

“Fine and dandy.” Michelangelo confirmed, kneading his hot-headed brother’s hips and sides as the taller leaped like a drunk frog, “STAHAHOP!! HIC LEHEHET HIC HIC GOHOHOH!!!”

“People are gonna think we’re beating you up or something by the way you’re squirming, bud.” The purple banded turtle joked, letting go of the taller teenager as the smaller teenager spidered his fingers all over his tummy.

“MIHIHIHIKEY!!!” The older wailed, pushing the other’s hands away as they slowly but surely stopped.

The two youngest’s giggled, fist bumping each other for successfully turning Raph’s frown upside down.

Splinter drove into the O’Neil’s driveway as Leo walked out of the front door to the apartment, waving his goodbyes to April as he got into the car.

The eldest sat in the front seat, buckling up as their Dad drove to their home.

The blue banded teenager let out a small snort, looking towards the back to see his immediate younger brother’s face the exact same shade as his own bandana, “Jeeheez..whahat dihid I miss?”

“I daha— hic don’t wanna tahalk ahabohout it…” Raph grumbled, his beet red blush deepening on his face as Donnie and Mikey snickered slightly, giving each other one last fist bump of victory.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚𝙵𝙸𝙽˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙

(𝙿.𝚂.: 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚌, 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐!!!)

#Mutant Mayhem tickle #Mutant Mayhem tickle fic #Mutant Mayhem tickle fanfiction #Lee!Raph #Ler!Mikey #Ler!Donnie #TAG TEEAAAAM BACK AGAIN 😙✨‼️#I love writing for Mutant Mayhem if you couldn’t tell #Speaking of…I need to finish TOTTMNT 🫥…#I got to the episode where Raph was fighting those sea fish thingies and I just got bored LMFAOOO #The movie is way better than the series I’m gonna give it a buck #AND THERE WAS NO THEME SONG⁉️⁉️⁉️#WHERE ARE MY HERO’S IN A HALF SHELL 😭😭😭#But I feel like Raph gets overstimulated PRETTY quickly #Especially when it comes to enclosed spaces…so my boy was somewhat overstimulated in this one but dw his bro’s helped him out :3 #AND I NEED MORE REP OF THE YOUNGEST SIBLINGS #WE BICKER 24/7 #Grass is green you guys ☝🏾🙂‍↕️#Grinding on homework and tests and essays #I refuse to have a grade lower than 80…that’s the goal 🤞🏾🤞🏾#ADHD is a biiiitchhhhhhh I can’t focus for shit 😪#BUT ONE MORE WEEK AND THEN ITS THANKSGIVING BREAK OH ORAISE THE LORD #😎CUZ🥳IIIIIII🙂‍↕️AAAAAMMMMM😩FREEEEEEE🥸#Whoever gets that refrence ilysm ^

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