Fanart

Again just because I can

Just Imagine

Wanted to try something a little different today, a pick your own vibe kind of adventure if you will.

Before reading, please pick one of these song to set the mood of your choosing Rise Raph ❤️🧸:

Bayverse Raph ❣️💪🏼:

“Give me a few days of peace in your arms-I need it terribly. I'm ragged, worn, exhausted. After that I can face the world. “ ~Henry Miller

Just imagine It had been a long day. A long week even, and Raph was was feeling drained.

He glanced at the city that never slept below him as he lurked in the protective shadows from his position on the roof. The pulsing city lights and the intense scents of food vendors, car exhaust and just that oh so “homey” NYC street stench wafted around him like a pungent punch to his senses. Usually he loved sitting up here and watching the hustle bustle of just a normal crazy NYC night, but for whatever reason, it all just seemed like too much today. Everything seemed too much of late.

He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders dropping with the action, and ran a weary hand down his face.

Raph was tired. Tired of holding it in, holding it back and just tired holding it together when once again the overwhelming feeling of everything felt like it was falling apart. All he wanted was just a little peace and quiet, a warm place to safely break down. Somewhere he could rest before having to pick up all the pieces, face this cold heavy world and do it all over again. Unbidden, your face came to mind as it often did when he was left alone with his musings. Your soft smile, the one that caused that little twinkle and the wrinkles at the corner of your eyes, beckoned to him.

And all at once Raph was hit with a moment of clarity. He didn’t have to hold it all together.

What Raph needed right now was to hold you.

Just imagine His heart thumping at a thundering pace, each beat echoing with your name as Raph raced along the rooftops at a dizzying speed. Raph jumping from building to building, ninja skills fueled by the heady thought of having you in his arms again. Just imagine

Raph finally making it to your building and climbing through his signature window without even a second thought. By muscle memory alone, Raph traced his path through the apartment towards you, not even needing to think. This was home, you were his home.

And he’d always find a way back to you.

Imagine

Raph finding you in the kitchen and without hesitation, stepping up behind you. Gently sliding his arms around your waist, and pulling you back flush up against the rough keratin of his plastron.

Silencing your squeak of surprise by pressing his beak to the nape of your neck underneath your hair where your scent was the most potent. Relishing in said scent, and felt it work it’s magic as his pounding heart rate began to slow.  Tightening his arms around you in a protective embrace. Whether for your security or for his, he didn’t know. What he did know was that he needed you in his arms, right now.

Needing the peace and warm that he could only associate with you when you were close to him like this. Just needing you. Just imagine

Raph slow dancing with you in the lowlight of the kitchen.

Raph turning you to face him, wanting, no needing to see that smile that had been haunting his thoughts that night. A slow almost hesitant finger coming up to stroke the curve of your beginning to pink cheek. An almost relieved sigh when you leaned into his touch with curious eyes. A tenderly aware hand sliding from your waist to the small of your back and pulling you further into his embrace to rest against his chest. Gently rubbing said hand in a slow rhythm up and down the notches of your spine and shoulders as the other hand gently wrapped around yours. Holding it in a soft fist close to his heart as he began to dance with you in his arms.

Well, it wouldn’t be much of a dance per se; your kitchen really wasn’t equipped to hold the giant turtle. So it was more of a small shuffle as Raph gently led you around the perimeter in small circles as he swayed back and forth with you held snug in his arms. There was no snarky trash talk, or signature playful joshing around. Just Raph resting his cheek against the top of your head, his slow breaths puffing against your hair. The sensation would tickle a little bit and make you shiver slightly. The movement would cause Raph to peak down at you with a fond smile quirking the corner of his lips. Prompting him to instinctively pull you closer, making sure to nestle your head under his chin so you could rest over his beating heart. Raph using the beat of said heart to set the rhythm of his sways as he whispers these lyrics in your ear

Rise Raph ❤️🧸:

“When I think of you sometime And I wanna spend some time with you

Just the two of us We can make it if we try Just the two of us”

Bayverse Raph ❣️💪🏼:

“I take your hand, hold it closer to mine Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind

My heart's a stereo It beats for you, so listen close”

Imagine

Raph wanting nothing more in this moment than to be soft with you. Going against his baser instincts and just wanting you close. He just likes these small moments where he can let down his guard and drop all the weight of the world and just be soft.

Being soft and gentle because he knows that it makes you feel safe with him.

Churring softly with the feeling of you being close to him because that means he finally feels safe with himself.

Just…Just imagine.

Thanks for the proofread @doreen090 💜

Dedicated to @anobodyinabog and @lotus-sunn

Thinking about y’all lovelies 🧡🫰🏼

a HA! THE REAL REASON CHESS TELLS US TO STAY AWAY FROM COVERT LEON IS REVEALED

Man’ s a simp! We have two sources now to back it up! Chessman just wants Leo aaaaalllllll for himself, dontcha buddy?! (for legal purposes this is an affectionate joke, please don't hurt me) It was reverse psychology all along! I knew it!

Apologies everyone... I fear I have accidentally killed him. Who knew a cryptid could be so powerful...

YOU ARE NOT SORRY IN THE SLIGHTEST--

DON'T EVEN--

THIS

Papa Leo is my most favourite thing in the world

Good gravy this one hit me. This one hit me hard. The words just….Ugg I’m in Spain without the S.

(text from this post, fic is little kid with a big death wish by @remedyturtles)

i'm genuinely not sure where to start here - ig first of all this fic is absolutely incredible and if you somehow haven't read it yet you absolutely should!

okay. man. rem, this fic means so so much to me and i'm so glad i got to be here for it. i think this is one of those fics that'll stick with me years down the line even if one day i'm not into tmnt anymore, one i'll come back to over and over again

your writing has touched so so many people myself very much included, and i just. want to thank you so much for writing this fic and thank you for sharing it. you're an amazing writer and an amazing person and i'm lucky to know you. i can't wait to see what you do next

Hewoo! 👋🏼

I hope you had the most fantastic Christmas this year because I know I did after reading your adorable little one shot about toddler Leo. Most wholesome 🤌🏼✨

And I was wondering if you had any additional thoughts or possible headcannons to add about if Y/N happened to turn into a toddler for a day and how the turtles react? 👀👀👀

No worries if you don’t, just thought I’d ask cuz you got me thinking! Thank you again!

This is super rough, but I think it needs to be. There was a lot more that was supposed to happen, but when I got to the nitty gritty of it, some of it just got taken out. I hope this is to your liking, anon.

Rated M, Rise Leo, post Krang invasion WARNING: Panic Attacks, mention of mental and emotional abuse

When Leon hears the shout, he's already rushing down the corridor. By the time he hears his name, the lab door is opening, and he's making his way to the back. But no matter how fast he runs, no matter how quickly he tries, there is no making it in time. There is no help or fix because when he gets there, he can only notice his brother unsure of how to approach the child on the floor of his chemistry lab. He can only watch and half-hear Donnie swear to oblivion as he tries to figure out how they got here… and what to do.

"I thought you agreed not to store anything this volatile near the sink?"

"Gasp! You had to drink it for it to have any effect!"

"Her skin isn't as tough as ours!"

"I wasn't aware that the keratin levels would change things this greatly!"

Only to realize by the whimper he hears next that he fucked up.

It's so small. It's so goddamn tiny. He knows you to be soft-spoken at best, quiet at worst, but he — he can't have this argument with his brother, not now.

He carefully, deliberately approaches the bundle of clothes you're in. He watches you shift within, trying to hide in plain sight as he asks Donnie to get you some clothes.

"Estrella? Mi…" he starts only to trail off, realizing he can't, that it's inappropriate.

You're a child. You're a kid. You might be the love of his life, but you're no longer…

"Sweetheart?" he tries, hoping that you come out.

You don't. If anything, you flatten to the ground, almost disappearing in that pretty dress of yours. He can only watch you curl into a ball and flinch as he moves your shoes aside to sit in front of the mess. He hopes to coax you with the gentle, kind tone he knows you usually respond to, if only with a little hesitance, but his heart breaks when you whine and back away from his hand. And he's not sure how to deal with the way his brothers stampede in to help, and only Mikey, Mikey gets a positive response.

-xxx-

Donnie promises a fix and locks himself in his lab. He watches his older brother try to interact with you only to realize that it's taking everything out of you to stay put and not cry. And he has to watch you being held by his baby brother, who keeps telling you story after story.

According to what his genius twin figured out, you should be around four or five. You should be able to talk, hold a conversation. It's why Mikey keeps talking to you, keeps telling you stories. He's trying to get a reaction, something out of you. You're not giving him anything back, though. You might as well be mute. And it worries Leo. It scares him. It makes him wonder if you lied about your time with your aunt or if he severely underestimated the damage that was left behind.

He wants to say neither. He's scared it's both, certainly when he can look up from his phone and find your gaze straight on him.

That's another thing. You have not stopped staring. He's not allowed to touch you or be alone with you, but you refuse to let him out of your sight. Each time he tries to leave, you fuss. Hell, one of your most recent attempts led to you nearly hurting yourself since you'd tried to leave the counter, forcing him into action and getting the beginnings of an answer he wishes he didn't have.

Your eyes filled with tears. You looked at him in fear, absolute panic, before you struggled, and he let you go. Leo attempted to make his exit then, seeing that you weren't going to be running around for who knows how long in their ratty old clothes. However, the second he moved, you held on. You clung to his legs and hid your face in his jeans. That was when he knew he couldn't leave you, even if it somehow hurt you.

He hates it. If there's one thing he's been priding himself on, it's the fact that he's been your shield, your shell throughout the entire time he's been with you. He strives to keep you safe, keep you secure in their dangerous world. And yet now… he's become the biggest source of pain, of anguish, and he doesn't know why.

If only you would talk. If only you would say something. He would stop hurting you, eliminate whatever it is of him that hurts you. But removing himself gets you upset, touching you makes you cry, and you won't talk.

Maybe he's blowing this out of proportion. Maybe he's seeing things that don't exist. Maybe he just needs to concentrate on what must happen and leave everything behind.

-xxx-

Leon enlists Casey's help to take you to the store since Mikey can't come along to buy you clothes. He's grateful for the young man's arrival, even if it pains him to watch you hold the latter's hand instead of his own. And he can't help the smile as you all walk in, and curiosity immediately lights your eyes.

He knows this. He recognizes this. He might even say that he'd hoped for this. He remembers your face as you looked through his things, and he's glad to find it well and alive in you, even if you're still behaving extremely well. It even tempts him to speak in hopes that he gets an answer.

"See something you like?"

However, when all he gets is hesitation, he immediately remembers what exactly happened and what might just happen now. Worry sprouts at the forefront of his mind as you refuse to move and even cling to Casey, although you let him go the second he starts agreeing with Leo. And it blooms to annoyance, almost anger when no amount of coaxing, no amount of gentleness gets you to grab anything to wear for yourself.

Is this how they treated you? Did you not get to choose, or were your choices criticized before they were ripped out from under you, and you were told it wasn't okay? Are you doubting your own choices because of it, or letting them choose? Does it matter? Do you even — NO. No. He can't just… but how? How can he make this better? He's not an expert when it comes to children. He doesn't understand any of this.

But he can try, can't he?

He looks at a distressed, unsure Casey, who seems ready to rush into the aisles just to get something. He watches you, stiff and near tears, probably just as frustrated as he is.

"Hey," he voices and sees you turn to him. "Are we doing something wrong?"

And he can't help but smile as you vigorously shake your head, the water in your eyes fading with a few blinks. You might take a step back as he sets a knee down in front of you, but he still smiles, hoping that this… is the start of something.

"Well, in that case, I want you to know that we're letting you choose because we don't know how long this is gonna last, and we don't want you running around in just those clothes, certainly when they might cause you trouble. So… can you help us find clothes for you? Stuff you either need or want to wear?"

It feels like it is when you hesitantly reach for his open hand only to change your mind and head for Casey's the second your fingertips brush his palm. It almost feels like a win when you start bringing them into the aisles, not quite heading for the clothes but heading for something far more important as you point to two bags he picks up only to smile at the content as you look for another bag. Underwear. He puts them in the cart before welcoming the socks with a chuckle and moving on to shoes.

The step back you take worries him a little, but Leo can only breathe as Casey takes over. Since he's closer, he can see you hesitate over the ones that tempt you, and he gets you to try them on. The little scowl when they feel uncomfortable makes Leon snort, but nothing equals the moment when you find your shoes. While there's no real smile on your face, the way you tap along the floor and even spare him a glance tells him everything he needs to know. The little pair ends up in the cart before you all move back to the clothes.

This time, even though you still hesitate, when Casey pulls you into the racks, you follow and you look. Your gaze is everywhere, and your hands touch everything. Case even tries a few times to give you options he thinks you might like, and while Leo worries when you look at the price tag, the thing that makes him realize that this might not be about the price is when you touch the fabric and your face scrunches. You're definitely looking for something specific, and nothing tells him that more than when you stop.

You hesitate before pulling it off the rack. He holds his breath as he watches you trying to decide whether to approach him or not. You eventually do as he swallows, eyes darting around. It's not the most expensive thing, but it's not the cheapest. The garment, the dress, is adorable and reminds him of the clothes you made for yourself. There's… just one problem.

It's white. That white won't last long in the Lair. However, as he's looking around and asking questions, he's realizing there's nothing else like it in the store. There's a reason why you zeroed in on this dress, and he doesn't have it in him to tell you no, not with the courage it took you to even look.

However…

"Considering how long white would last in the Lair, you against modifying it so it lasts longer?"

He blinks and immediately brings up a hand when you jump before giving a small glare at Casey, who looks sufficiently cowed but still insists, earning him a look he's almost too familiar with.

"Grab a few more and then lead the way," is the only reasonable answer and he knows it, just like he knows he'll never forget that smile.

-xxx-

Your laughter is an explosion. It brings a smile to Leo's face and a chuckle to his throat. Your squeals make him lightheaded and joyful, certainly when it's accompanied by both his youngest and oldest brothers' laughter as your face gets streaks of paint on it. After watching you reconcile and try with Raph with a piece of ribbon you've put around one of his teddy bears' neck, it's been nothing short of amazing. It's to the point that Leo has caught himself multiple times with his phone out, recording the moments and wondering what you'd think, if you'd enjoy looking back on this as much as he would.

Because this is the most lively he ever remembers you being. Through all the tickle and pillow fights, he doesn't remember you squealing or your voice carrying so far, even his softshell brother can only wander down in wonder. This is you in your purest form. With the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

He expects you to crash. You don't. Instead, he gets to watch you dawdle around as dread seemingly sinks into you, and he's reminded of something… highly uncomfortable when your eyes meet and you stop for a moment, gaze almost pleading.

This is not a single fight. This is a war. And the next tide… is tonight.

It takes a moment, but he manages to wrestle you away from his youngest brother. He then has to wrestle with you so that you can have the bed while he settles into a recliner you usually use when you're having a migraine and need to relax. And, when he notices you stay awake for longer than you should, he suggests a tale. One he weaves himself with memories and a bit of imagination until you fall asleep when you nod and your eyes slowly drift close.

One more wave broken before it batters your shore. He hopes he has the energy in him to keep it up.

-xxx-

The dresses that await you in the morning immediately cheer you up. Your enthusiasm as you put on the one you all tie-dyed makes him chuckle as you rush upstairs to show it off to Mikey, who coos and makes you twirl a few times to show it off. And he can't help the half-smile as you insist on helping with breakfast, even if the best you can do is get everyone their drink of choice.

… You're cute. Your smile is the most adorable thing he's ever seen. He wonders if you were ever told, if you were ever –

His eyes widen as you trip. He sees your own do the same before you hit the floor with a crash. He tries not to flinch when the carafe that was once in your hands shatters. But he can only watch you pale and your eyes mist over before you look at both of them in expectation… and terror.

… No…

He moves. One second, he's seated at the island, the next, he's holding you against his chest. He feels you struggle, beat your tiny fists against the hard keratin, but all he can do is look at Mikey who only nods before he leaves with you in his arms. He can only hold you close as he zips his way to the med bay to check for any injuries. And he can only walk his way back to his room when he finds nothing, and your reaction starts changing.

Quiet little sounds climb and climb until it's all he can hear. Tiny fists that beat on his plastron now cling to the robe he puts on all while holding you close. And it's hard not to notice, not feel the damp spot that immediately forms as you sob, near wail through years, nearly a decade of pain that you struggled with.

Now, he gets it. Now, he understands. He wishes he didn't, but he does.

"Leo?"

He lifts his head. He can barely see his oldest brother through the mess that is his vision, but he tries as the latter approaches. And he can only chirp gratefully as he's lifted from the bed into Raph's arms while he tightly holds onto you, trying to soothe you as best he can. He doesn't need to see where he's going, his brother has that covered, he just — he just…

The settling in the TV room feels all too soon and all too late as you hiccup in his arms. He only shifts towards his brother, though, while the latter calls for the rest of the family. Just like he can only breathe when you slowly settle into uneasy sleep and he thanks his brothers for helping.

The tsunami might have hit, but they're not letting you get taken by the wave.

-xxx-

It's not a simple wave. It's a storm. It's a hurricane of incredible proportions that shakes you to the core. And he hates it. He hates it. Not because he wants to stop it, but because it's there in the first place.

From the day Leo first met you, his biggest fear has been ruining you. That he would somehow, some way, destroy the light that he could see within you just by being himself. That fear nearly ate him alive as he concentrated on a light he thought he could only admire, never understand.

Yet now, he does, and he realizes something that makes him bleed.

He could never ruin you.

… No, he could. He could hurt you beyond repair. They all could. The fact that this was caused by your own family is proof that anyone could take what you'd built and destroy it. But he couldn't get himself to. He would never go that far. No one in his family would. Because to snuff out the light… was to destroy the one who gave birth to it.

And he loves you too much to even think he could do that. He loves you so much that he soothes you every night with a story. That he keeps close and, the second you ask for him, he's there, holding you tight and letting you cry. That, by the end of the week and Donnie finally finds a remedy for you, he knows exactly what to do.

He smiles as you come out. He lets you distract yourself with work and conversation that you smile during with that ever soft, recognizable smile. He lets you help, be the tool you think you are. It's only at nightfall, after patrol and telling his brothers what might just happen, that he acts, and it starts with him finding you in their bed and joining you in a way he knows is going to get a response as long as you're awake.

"I'm sorry, Leon. Not tonight."

"I know."

Because he needs you to be for the next step.

"Then what –?"

"You're safe."

He schools his mouth as he feels you freeze.

"… Wha –?"

"You're safe here."

He keeps you in place as you try to shift.

"Leo, what –?"

"You're safe."

"Leo –"

"You're safe with me. With us. We'll always keep you safe. Your future is in my hands, and I'll make sure it's as bright as I can manage. And if your past tries to find you, I will personally take care of it. So you're safe. You're so incredibly safe. I've got you, mi estrella hermosa. Te tengo, amor de mi vida."

"Leo… Leo, don't…"

And something finally, finally clicks into place as he smiles at your trembling tone, delivering the same answer you still barrage him with.

"No."

He lets you shift. He welcomes your face burying itself in the hard keratin of his chest and the quiet sobs. He even welcomes his own tears and his oldest brother lifting both of you out of bed and into the TV Room for a pile up, having waited for his cue.

Because Leo gets it. He finally gets it. And while he can't erase the past, he can make sure it never happens again.

You are his friend. You are his love. You are his mate. You are family. And you will never be alone ever again.

taglist:

@silverwatergalaxy @thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos @thelaundrybitch @luckycharms1701 @thepinkpanther83

@avery73 @the-cauldron-witch @redsrooftopprincess @iridescentflamingo @ninnosaurus

@milykins @yorshie @justalotoffanfiction @truffle-reblogs @adebauchedsloth

@raphsmuneca @theanonymousninja247

LEO LEO LEO LEO

Was thinking about this again

@avery73 sorry I know this is random but I just had the craziest feeling that you needed something soft today for whatever reason?

Random Turtle Thunks: Kisses

*adjusts my sunglasses* It'd be softboi hours folks. Tonight I'm thinking about the Rise Boys and their favorite places to kiss you.

*Cookies and Cream Rating: 16+ please*

Raph 🧸♥️:

•Forehead Kisses. Lingering ones right at the tip of your hairline. It's often because its the only place he can reach without having to shift too far down. Often brushing your hair back, cradling your cheek in the palm of his hand and tilting your head back juuuuust a little to get that perfect angle for a small smooch. The type of kisses that are full of tender promises and small wholesome moments where he just longs to be soft with you.

•Your shoulder. Chaste presses of his lips to your skin to the crook of your neck. This young Atlas knows a little something about carrying the weight of the world and often that weight settles on the shoulders. These type of kisses serve as a reminder that he understands the struggle, the weight and promises that you don't have to carry it all by yourself anymore. A somewhat protective kiss, reminding you that nothing can hurt you when you're this close to him. That he's here for you, he’ll never leave you and will forever have your back.

Donnie 🤔🟪

•Your nose. I really don't see Donnie being really big into kissing. Like think about it. Kissing is literally just the process of swapping saliva. How uNsAnItArY. *shudders* “Just where has your mouth been? Did you even brush your teeth?!” That being said, a quick peck to your nose is a simple way to fulfill the “touch of the day” box without having to get unnecessarily close and personal. There is work still to be done after all. Not to mention the cute little face you make when you go slightly crossed-eyed at his affectionate gesture is somewhat endearing. It is a very understandable reaction after all. He too would go speechless at such attention from a genuis like himself.

•Behind the corner of your jaw. Donnie doesn't like kissing. That being said, if he is going to engage in such an act, he's going to want to do it right. Never mind him looking up the most sensitive parts of the human body to make sure he plants his affection in the most effective locations. Nevermind that at all. Besides, kissing here that little bundle of nerves seems to do the trick most adequately.

Leo✨💠

•Your lips. “My Lady, if the kisses are words, c’mere. I’ma give you a speech.” No. Like seriously. I know Leo is considered the “medical expert” of the family, but the amount of times this turtle has given you some serious mouth-to-mouth should be illegal. In all honesty though, it really does mean something special to him. For this smooth talking turtle who always knows just what to say, it’s a way for him to shut up and learn how to put some action behind those words. For once, he wants to show you that he means what he says. Because for all the silliness, it was never a joke, his feeling for you.

•Your knuckles. Leo is a one-stinking suave gentleman when he wants to be, and he's not going to let you forget it. Not to mention it’s an easy, inconspicuous way to keep you close so long your hand is entertained with his. Not that he worries when you're out of reach or anything. The cute little increase of color right there on your cheeks as he presses a slow kiss to each fingertip and between your knuckles is also a nice touch. Just lets this face man know he's on the right track or whatever.

Mikey🎨🧡

•Your cheeks. This bundle of affection will give you some sugar anytime, anywhere without hesitation. You can not stop it. It is inevitable. He's so close to you all the time anyway that it just seems second nature to have his cheek squished against you somewhere. He also just loves getting close enough to see your eyes. They really are like windows to the soul, and you have a soul he wouldn't mind getting lost while exploring. So it makes sense to decorate those “windows” with some “Angel Kisses” (He does put the angel in MichelANGELo after all) You know. Just while he's close to you like this. Never mind the heat from your cheeks underneath his hands as he tries to hold you still for your daily barrage of affection is comforting to his scared hands. Never mind that at all.

•Your tummy. There is something incredibly magical about the way you giggle shriek as you try to writhe away when he kisses your tummy. It’s the kind of laugh that means you are happy and in the present moment with him and currently the furthest away from something that hurt you. He just wants you happy and hearing that laugh heals something inside his heart. He loves the way your tummy its so squishy underneath his kneading hands and he can't help but bury his face in your soft skin. Be warned you will not escape without some raspberry blown kisses. Mikey ain't letting you leave without being properly adored that is both a threat and a promise.

🫢🤯🥹

This…this literally blew me away like…I have no words to express how beautiful this is…

I Want Something Just Like This

Collaboration with the lovely @tapakah0 thanks for working with me ｡(TヮT)ﾟ｡

@somerandomdudelmao hope you feel better soon Cass ( -_-)＼(0-0 )

Song: Something Just Like This by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers

My 12 reaction photos to this comic because I swear I love this a normal amount

The eye of the hurricane. I like to think Cassandra sometimes called the brothers by the nicknames their dad used, given they were probably pretty close before his passing.

BEGINNING || PREVIOUS || NEXT (SOON) MASTER POST

Man oh man, this one was way messier and off model than my last few updates but whatever, we got to keep this ball rolling! Life's been crazy so I've had to take some unwanted breaks in between updates. Thanks everyone for your patience as always!

One thing I wanted in this flashback was to really get a sense of how the brothers worked as an experienced team with Leo at the helm as a proper leader. It's something we never got to see much of in Rise and I felt it was important to include since half the team is already gone by the time of Replica. Team Dynamics Ted Talk under the cut!

We know from Casey Jr that Leo stressed the importance of listening to your team. A big part of that also means knowing how to communicate with them in general.

With Michelangelo, he keeps it short and succinct, trusting his brother to know what he's doing when in his element. This trust goes a long way with Mikey, having spent years of his youth as the baby striving for the respect he felt he deserved. Leo knows it's best to not bog Mikey down with details, allowing him to improvise as needed. This unspoken freedom has only grown over time as Mikey has dipped deeper into spiritual arts that, frankly, go completely over Leo's head.

The greatest sacrifice Leo has ever made was read Donnie's Big Book of Bad Guy Codes. While he doesn't remember ALL the numbers, he has memorized the ones that matter and it has helped tremendously in avoiding miscommunication with his genius brother. More importantly it silenced any of Donnie's usual belly-aching. As Leo's "twin"/"equal" the two still butt heads from time to time. Donnie respects his brother's authority (mostly) but will still push the boundaries of what he's allowed on a semi-regular basis. Give Donnie an inch and he will take the mile and then find a loop hole that allows him to go twenty miles more. This is partially due to him often being the one left behind at HQ, making the turtle just a TAD stir crazy. Leo does his best to keep him in line regardless.

Big brother Raph will forever and always be big brother to Leo. As such he holds a place of authority in Leo's heart and is someone he still regularly seeks counsel from in both the ways of leadership and more. Raph is always happy to support his younger brother and does a surprisingly good job (albeit after years of practice) of walking the line so as not to step on his brother's toes in the process. At least not since the secret of "the Key" blew up in their faces several years ago. They don't talk about that anymore. Leo is the leader now and he's done a great job in recent years as far as Raph is concerned. He trusts him to make the right call. The two have a close bond and regularly use mind meld to quickly communicate rather than speak ...this will be important to remember for the future.

Hope that overall feeling came through for this group!

*through gritted teeth and weepy eyes*

It's fine, I'm fine.

I don't need a heart.

Toooootally fine

“Future you would be so proud on how far you’ve come.” …. “We all make mistakes, but that’s what makes you person.”

“You learn and develop over time, don’t be TOO hard on yourself okay??”