(A/n): YUP, that's right, because there is no way they're all some prince charming type. I know for a fact they do shit that makes you roll your eyes or have to turn away, so let's talk about it. I can't remember if I've ever made a post like this before but eh, whatever, this is an updated version. (They all have one major issue sprinkled with silly shit). Also, you can thank @moxfirefly for contributing to this post and helping me. I swear we just run this thing together atp 🤣
- I would LIKE to think out of them all Leo is probably the more tame... but we know that's not true.
- While Donnie would probably be the one to come off as know-it-all, I'm actually gonna give that title to Leo. Not in an academic sense, but a life experience sort of way. He forgets his older sibling status doesn't really hold with other people so sometimes he can come off as micromanaging or sometimes even condescending. It's pretty easy to snap at him and resolve that with a little redirection but if you're softer or even a little younger than him, it's not entirely gonna go away.
- In addition to this, Leo has an annoying habit of butting in and taking over. Doing something he considers "the wrong way"? That's okay, he'll do it. You insist on wanting to do it? Then let him show you how to do it. Did it wrong? Okay, let's try 5 more times. Weeks later he comes across the thing done again in a different way? Give him 5 seconds, he'll do it the right way.
- That's the ick, there isn't his way, there's the right way. There isn't your way there's the wrong way. He is impossible when it comes to teaching him that people have different ways of doing stuff and that is okay.
- Can't cook, is actually kind of pathetic at it, don't ask him for help, he'll just be in the way. Best you can do is make him cut up some veggies or fruit.
- Knicks fan. Don't plan NOTHING the day the game comes on because he's gonna be checking his phone (that he conveniently remembers he has) continuously for stats. I think the only time he won't do that is your wedding day.
- Has some OCD thing about being on time and being on schedule. And yeah, that's nice, but not so much when you want to be a little spontaneous or something happens and throws him off. He actually gets quite pouty and his mood slowly gets worse and worse the longer everybody is off track.
- Sensitive.
- I hate to use that word with Raphael, especially in terms of calling it an ick. Men, anyone in general, are allowed to be sensitive by nature. That's okay.
- But damn, there are some days where you can't joke or tease for nothing. If someone has put him in a bad mood, or he's had a bad day, you can kiss your good day out the window. If you want to be around him, it's gonna be spent with him stewing and groveling and quiet. Nothing is worse than when he's quiet.
- That's not to say you can't have a good day! You can stay home or make some space until he chills out, if anything he prefers you do. But it's really annoying when the one thing you want to do is spend time with him and it turns out he had an argument with one of his brothers, or Splinter was on his ass, or Murphy's law was real that day. You can't win.
- Has a habit of leaving clothes on the floor, toothpaste in the sink. Hampers could be everywhere, it doesn't matter, you'll find his shorts and breeches somewhere like he got taken in the rapture.
- Touchy, like overwhelming touchy. You could be trying do some chores or in a life or death situation, and you'll feel his hand inching up the back of your thigh to cup your ass. Sometimes sweet, sometimes a nuisance. And he'll be such a sour puss if you remind him that you're elbows deep in a sink of dishes.
- Also a Knicks fan. Yells at the TV. Pretty okay if he misses a game though, thank god.
- He has no icks, he's perfect. That's it.
- JOKING! Obviously.
- This was one I had to sit on, for a second, had to consult some people, had to go on a quest.
- Donatello, for all of his perks, has one distinct thing that can drive any partner crazy. And that is poor time management.
- He doesn't mean to do the things he does, especially being late to something or taking so long with what was supposed to be a 3 minute task. He gets lost in his head, elbows deep into something, and just loses track of the clock. You can already go ahead and stop asking where he was because you'll get a sheepish shrug and a long spiel about something on his to-do list.
- His behavior radiates inconsiderate but this applies to anything in his life. Too long showers spent thinking and problem solving, forgetting a warm meal in favor of some coding, having another cup of coffee right after one because he forgot when he drank it. He is hilariously the most prepared for any situation yet devastatingly off-time. The best solution is getting his brothers in on whatever he needs showing up for because only then will he actually get up from his desk.
- Leaves his boots wherever for you to find and trip on. Wouldn't be terrible if it weren't for the fact he shares a shoe size with big foot. You sprained your ankle once.
- sweet treat thief. Yup. Guard your cookies and cake, because if he sniffs it out you'll find him stuffing a cupcake in his gob.
- Also yells at the TV as a Knicks fan. Yes I'll keep adding this tidbit, because I know they're insufferable.
- Like a gamer boyfriend but can actually reason that he's keeping New York safe... Mind you marvel rivals is on behind him.
- This feels both tremendously hard but also tremendously easy. I don't think Mikey necessarily has one big ick, but rather a ton of little icks. He's attentive, empathetic, and a total kind-hearted goofball. Of all the brothers he's the one you can come to on an emotionally vulnerable level.
- The biggest ick about Mikey is that even though he can drop a revelating truth bomb or some really solid advice, he doesn't apply it to himself. I don't think it's a "holier than thou" situation but more so "I am not worthy of this advice. I'm fine. I'm okay." And he's actually not fine.
- Now the way that this can be an ick, is he's a pretty open book. If you're together, he tells you everything. But after awhile he's kind of complaining in circles and he has an inability of stepping forward and making change. Any luck he does have usually befalls onto him in a comedic or emotionally stressful way. He takes that going with the flow thing too deeply.
- So if his brothers are a problem? Or something jumps in-between the two of you being able to relax and enjoy each other? He can be kind of a pushover because he doesn't want to take a step forward.
- Dutch ovens and fart jokes at the worst times. You could have had a very intimate moment and suddenly you hear the muffled sound of him laughing and the worst smell imaginable hitting you
- Knicks fan. He isn't even really a bad one. I just hate sports television.
- Can not leave food alone. Always has to add something to it. Sauce, lemon juice, tajin. While typically that's okay, he adds it to things that really don't need it, constantly making a concoction or experimenting. Even to things that are perfectly delicious on their own.
The link I am providing will send you directly to my Ellipsus doc so you can read my story. I think I might start doing my posts this way for the sake of saving a few spoons.
ANYWAY
➡️ Aged-up, adult turts
This is a choose-your-own-turt story. Hopefully it's not too biased with my own turt of choice 😅
TW: Mating Season mentioned. Other than that, your regularly scheduled shenanigans.
Scent of a Mate
Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.
Please don't steal my work. Reblogging for others to enjoy is highly encouraged, though🤩
I have fallen into the 2012 Raph well. I'm deep. There's no escape, I fear.
So now y'all be getting some quality Raph fics on top of the millions of Leo ones I like to pump out.
Here's the first experiment. Hopefully, I did him some justice.
➡️ Aged-up, adult turts
TW: Reader doesn't like thunderstorms. Mutual pining idiots. Soft Raph.
April dlh prompt
Please don't steal my work. Reblogging for others to enjoy is highly encouraged, though🤩
Not gonna lie, no matter how hard I try pictures don’t do it justice. To hold it in your hand is to see the up -close colors expertly used. To stand far away captures the light as if you are looking at a photograph. I love this art piece. Thank you my friend @angelicdavinci
he’s perfect! 😍 I can’t wait to frame it and add it to my collection. ❤️
I actually participated in my own prompt challenge this month LOL
This month's prompt was Halloween Party.
This Halloween special is brought to you by the Leader in Blue (big fucking surprise).
➡️ Aged-up, adult turts
TW: fluff, pining, and Leo being a dumbass
You'd had a crush on the leader of the city's vigilantes for a long time.
Since they'd come out of hiding after the alien invasion, actually.
And that had been nearing close to two decades at this point.
They'd quickly become huge celebrities, getting interviewed and asked to attend events across the world.
He was perfect. The strong, quiet type. A little shy and bashful over the attention. And forever a gentleman.
But this man didn't just have a sea of people to choose from; he had all the seas to choose from.
So in your heart of little hearts, you knew - you had nary a chance.
And as it goes, you never found a partner who could measure up to "Leonardo" standards - I mean, how? No human could.
You remained single, and you weren't unhappy about it. Lonely? A little. But you'd rather do without than settle.
It was nearing Halloween, and you'd decided to dress up as the leader himself. Pay a little homage to the man you'd been in love with for more than half your life. The man who didn't even know you existed.
Little did you know, that he did, in fact, know who you were.
He knew exactly who you were.
As it turned out, you lived on the street that housed the manhole cover they used most frequently.
And they ALL knew who you were.
You were kind and caring. You helped your elderly neighbors. Volunteered for the local homeless shelter and soup kitchen. You fostered small animals that the humane society needed help with.
And you always stayed safe. Never got into any trouble.
Thus, Leonardo they never had a reason to introduce themselves.
Leonardo had been watching you for years. Even when you'd lived only a few neighborhoods over with your parents. You'd still been his age - early teens - when they'd taken out some scum bag who was trailing you home one night after a late-night study session, and had tried to nab you to do only God knows what. He'd jumped into action quickly and successfully taken out the guy, without you seeing him.
This was before they'd revealed themselves to the world, unfortunately, so he'd remained anonymous. And was now kicking himself in the ass for it.
You'd started to run, but stopped and turned, and thanked him, despite his refusal to show himself or explain why he'd saved you. And then, respecting his anonymity, you'd turned and walked home.
Of course, he'd followed you and made sure you made it home safe that night.
But then he also started trailing you every time you had to walk home after dark. Even if you were walking with a friend or parent.
Listening to your conversations, Leonardo soon felt a kind of kinship toward you.
He's a fucking liar. He liked you and wanted nothing more than to be a normal teenage boy who could date you.
But alas.
And here he was, more than two decades later, still trailing you home to keep you safe.
Still too afraid to introduce himself. Because there was always that possibility of rejection.
💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙
Instead of going the usual route and getting a store-bought costume, you decided to make your own.
You wanted to honor Leo, but with some feminine flair.
A cute V-neck tee, a pair of darker green pants, and a green handmade tutu. Topped off with a silk wrapped belt, a mask, and a pair of cute flats - all in Leonardo Blue. The carapace on your back you had made yourself from your lucky green backpack and foam mats. It fit snuggly against your back, lightweight, so it wasn't heavy and you didn't look too bulky. Twin plastic Katanas you had ordered online had hilts garnished with the same blue silk ribbon that was around your waist. And of course, a green and blue bow with an "L" on it to bring it all together.
You stood, looking at yourself in the mirror, proud of your handiwork, and excited to hand out candy to all the little ghouls and goblins who were about to come knocking at your door for candy.
Just at dusk - and just as expected - little knuckles rapped at your front door. Excited exclamations of "Trick or Treat!" rang through your hallway as you opened the old, heavy, wooden door. Crazy masks, funny painted faces, and spooky costumes - parents and kids alike - thank you for the candy while complimenting your costume.
As the night came to an end, and the older crowd of kids - the teens who were still brave enough to go trick or treating despite their ages - waned, and you decided it was probably time to call it a night.
However, before you could, you had some clean up to do. One of the little shits had come by with silly string and sprayed it all over your car that was parked on the street right out front of your apartment. You knew if you didn't get that crap off, the paint would suffer the consequences.
With a sigh, you grabbed your broom and headed out, sweeping the mess of colored string from its windows, hood, and roof.
Standing on your tippy toes to reach the rest of the rooftop, and almost done, your body was suddenly pressed against your car, and a set of hands grabbed at your waist.
"I've been craving turtle soup all night." The voice was low, and the breath that made it to your nose from where he was whispering into your ear reeked of alcohol.
"Get off me!" you growled, bringing your elbow down and back to catch him in the gut.
But as it turns out, a carapace makes that little maneuver impossible.
The man chuckled as his hands moved lower to under your tutu to get access to the waist of your pants.
You started to yell for help, but the weight behind you disappeared with a shocked cry of pain.
Spinning, eyes wide, and with the broom at the ready, you found one of the vigilantes - standing on one foot with the other resting on top of your attacker.
His eyes slowly raked over your body from top to bottom, only to make their way back up to meet your eyes with a sassy smirk on his scarred lip.
"Cute costume. Wrong weapon, though," he chuckled, nodding to the broom.
Coming to your senses, you lowered the broom, shaking just a little as you looked at the oversized turtleman sporting a red bandana.
"Oh, god. I'm sorry. Thank you. Holy shit. Thank you for saving me."
He cocked his head and squinted at you, smirk spreading. The man under his foot squirmed and started to complain, but Raphael stooped down and squeezed the top of his shoulder until the man passed out.
Taking his foot off the man, he walked over to you and nodded at the mask, "Take that off for a sec?"
You do as he asked, and his smile widened. "Huh. It's you."
"It is definitely me," you told him, "but I'm not sure, exactly, what that might mean."
Raph extended his hand to formally introduce himself before asking if he could take a picture with you to send to his brother.
"Oh god, please don't-"
"Mikey," he clarified, "Tha one who wears-"
"Orange. Yeah. That's ok then."
Mask returned to its spot on your face, he leaned down with you, and you both smiled as he took a snapshot.
Sending it off, he excused himself for a moment, making a call to the NYPD to come pick up the scum from in front of your apartment.
Almost the moment he was off the phone, it was ringing. With a chuckle, he answered.
"YOOOOOOO!" You could hear a very excited Michelangelo on the other end of what must've been a video call, as Raph was looking at his phone screen with a smile so big it threatened to split his face in two.
"It gets bettah," he said, walking over to you. He flashed the phone in your direction, and Mikey gasped.
Raph turned the phone back to himself and laughed. "I'm invitin' her down to tha pahty."
Mikey let out a whooping laugh, exclaiming he couldn't wait.
"The party?" you inquired as he hung up.
"We have a pahty every year in our home," he told you, pointing to the street. "Only people we know personally are invited, so it's not like a huge pahty."
You were quiet for a moment as you contemplated. "But we just met."
He huffed out a laugh and shook his head. "Ya dressed like the stick in the mud 'imself. I think it might cheer 'im up to see ya, honestly."
Your eyebrows kissed the sky at this news. Curious as to why he needed cheering up. And more so, why he'd been referred to as a stick in the mud.
With a slight nod, you agreed. While Raph waited for the NYPD, you ran into your apartment to freshen up, put your broom away, and lock your doors.
Raph was just finishing up the statement with one of the officers as you came out of your apartment. The police asked you some questions, and you corroborated Raph's story.
"C'mon, kid," he said with that sassy smirk, nodding towards the end of the alleyway.
You followed him and your eyes rivaled the size of Jupiter as he squatted down to open the oversized manhole cover.
"Is this a joke?" You asked him, pulling another chuckle from him as he shook his head and signaled for you to go down the ladder first, like he was some kind of gentleman.
Looking down into the void, you hesitated.
"Not afraid of the dahk, are ya?"
You gave him a dirty look and moved to the ladder, carefully watching your footing so you wouldn't fall.
A few steps down, and lights popped on before another voice greeted you.
"I'm going to touch you. Your waist. The last few rungs aren't in the best shape."
A glance over your shoulder told you that the purple-banded one had joined you.
"Sorry it took so long," Raph said, pulling the cover over the hole and dropping down to the floor. "Kimberly was workin' and wouldn't stop asking questions," he emphasized with his brows.
The genius made an eek face before Raph continued.
"Until this one swooped in and saved the day," he said, pulling a chuckle from the pair of them.
"I didn't do anything?" you admitted, a bit confused.
Honied eyes moved up and down your body like Raph's had. "You did plenty, believe me. By the way, I'm Donatello. Don or Donnie works just fine, though."
You reached out and shook his hand, giving him your name even though you were still a bit confused. But you nodded and followed them as they headed down the tunnel.
"So. Leonardo?" Don asked, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
A bashful smile graced your lips as you looked down at your feet while you walked.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho!" Raph laughed.
"Blue wouldn't happen to be... your favorite color, per chance, now would it?" Don asked through a bit of a snicker.
You nodded and felt heat flood your face.
"It's a good conversation starter," Don paused, before continuing, "Leo's favorite color is also blue."
You couldn't help the laugh that fell out at his statement.
"I guess it would make things pretty awkward if it were red or purple, huh?" you sassed him back, making the pair laugh.
By the time you'd gotten to the lair, they knew almost everything there was to know about you, since they had asked you just about every question under the sun.
And you were now much more relaxed than you had been when you first came down into the sewer tunnel.
As you approached, you could see the spooky, yet club-like lighting adorning the lair. Halloween decor, both bought and crafted, was littered strategically around the place so it was tasteful and not over the top. Music was bumping, and a small group of people were talking, while others stood at a long line of tables full of food. Some people were dancing in the center of the open space under a shining disco ball.
"There she is!"
You looked over to find the orange bara running at you with his arms spread wide like he might bowl you over with a hug.
He didn't, though. He stopped just in front of you as he held out a hand for you to shake, and so you did.
"Michelangelo. You can call me whatever you like, though, sweetcheeks," he flirted, making his two brothers behind you groan. He wiggled his brow ridge as he took in your outfit, then asked you to spin so he could see the whole thing.
"You look amazing. I think you're the exact remedy for Cowabummer Leo."
You smirked at his overdramatics and clever use of his signature word.
"You really think this will cheer him up?" you asked, glancing around at the three of them. "I mean... I've never even met him..."
"Unequivocally. You dressed like that will certainly cheer him up."
Your brows furrowed as you squinted a little at the purple-banded brother. He sounded a little too sure. Ambiguously so.
Your accusatory gaze moved from Donatello and skimmed the room, but there was no sign of the turtleman in question.
"He's in the kitchen," Mikey informed you, that sharklike grin of his still plastered across his face.
And before you could ask, Don answered your question, "He's not big on crowds."
With a nod, you looked to the big brute, and he motioned for you to follow him.
Sticking close to the edge of the room to avoid being seen or nabbed by someone to chat and compliment your costume, Raph all but covered you in the shadow of his breadth as he delivered you to a small "hallway" where he pointed to a double-action door.
"Ignore 'im if he gets mouthy when ya first walk in. He ain't had the greatest week."
You took a deep breath and smoothed your hands over your outfit, being assured by Raph that you looked perfect.
With that boost of confidence, you strode forward, not even pausing at the door, and walked right into the kitchen.
"Go away."
Your heart broke a little at the sight of the leader slumped forward, his carapace towards the door that you'd just come through.
Without a word, and as quietly as a ninja, you moved towards him, walking around his side to look at him.
Elbows sturdied his forward position so he could shield his face while resting his forehead.
"I was told I might find you here..."
The sound of your voice brought him to an upright position, and he moved his hands away from his face. His eyes went comically wide as he got a glimpse of the pretty face staring back at him through a mask identical to his own.
It took him a few blinks before his brain seemingly returned to his noggin, and his jaw - which had made itself comfortable in his lap - had finally returned to its regularly scheduled position.
A shy smirk tugged at the corner of your mouth, and you shrugged in uncertainty.
His gaze dropped, and he took in your full appearance, his facial expression beginning to soften.
You were adorable.
He cleared his throat and forced himself to look back at the beautiful eyes staring at him.
"I heard you had a difficult week... and I know you don't know me, but I was hoping to at least make you smile," you explained, your hands grabbing one another and wringing each other.
wait... he knows your voice...
Realizing he was being rude to company, he stood up from his seat, towering over you, but smiled kindly.
"May I?" he asked, holding out his hand like Prince Charming, that boyish smirk making your stomach do backflips.
You placed your hand in his, only to be spun slowly. By the time you were facing him again, his grin had taken over his entire face - the smile reaching the shine in his eyes.
"You look amazing," he told you, still holding your hand. "Do I get to see who's behind the mask?" His eyes squinted, and a teasing smirk graced his pretty lips, "Or is this a secret identity situation?"
Heat flooded your face with the way he was looking at you. Reaching up with your other hand, you pulled your mask down and met his gaze.
For a moment, his smile faltered, and he had to resist the urge to pull you closer. A hard swallow followed his accusation.
"It's you."
His voice sounded almost devout as his hand tightened around yours.
"It is me," you said for the second time that night. "And just as I told your brother earlier, I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean." Your voice was soft, just above a whisper, as if you spoke any louder, you might frighten him away.
This pulled him from his reverie. "My brother?" He inquired, his hand loosening just a bit. "Where- How ..." He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath as he regrouped. "Who invited you to the party." It wasn't so much a question as it was an accusation.
"Raph?" You informed him, slowly gathering that it might be a problem.
Leo's jaw clenched, and he started to pull his hand from yours, but you held tight and wouldn't let him.
Relaxing, he looked back down at you - you with big doe eyes that were pleading for him to listen.
He nodded, and you continued, "He saved me from being..." You paused for a moment and thought about your next sentence. "From being another man's treat for the evening."
Leo's hand tightened around yours again, and this time he pulled you closer.
"Someone tried to hurt you?" He was on high alert, his eyes scanning you for injuries, vigilant and piercing. It was almost like he was trying to find traces of this man for vengeful purposes.
"Hey." He'd pulled you close enough now that you could rest your free hand on his chest to grab his attention.
Which absolutely got his attention, and his free hand moved to cover yours immediately.
"I'm ok. The worst he did was trap me against my car for less than fifteen seconds," you reassured him.
It took him a minute, but he nodded and refused to let you go.
"I just happened to still be dressed up in my costume from handing out candy to trick or treaters," you confessed with half an embarrassed smirk.
That devastating smile crossed his face again. A smile that screamed he found your dressing up for the kids adorable.
"And, I was your choice of costume?" He inquired, one brow quirked, making you huff out an embarrassed laugh.
His hand lifted from where it was resting atop yours on his chest, and he hooked a finger under your chin to lead your eyes back up to his. "I'm unbelievably flattered," he said softly.
"Really?" Your eyes searched his face for any signs of teasing, but you found none.
His eyes left yours, and he swallowed. His hand moved from your chin to tug at the mask hanging around your neck, pinching it between his finger and thumb.
"You have no idea."
His voice was so low. So soft. And you hoped, hoped that whatever he was holding back from saying was exactly what your dressing as him said.
But how could it?
You scolded yourself over the little fairytale you'd been having in your head, and instead allowed all the mean voices to remind you of all the fish in all the seas. And how he didn't even know you. And that clearly it was just a huge compliment to have someone dress up as him, like he was a superhero. Because he WAS a superhero.
He saw the sudden change in your demeanor, concerned.
"Well, I'm glad I was able to cheer you up," you told him, feeling your heart fall out of your chest.
However, he held you steady as you tried to pull away from him.
"You," he said quietly. "I, um... This is probably going to sound insane — Make me sound insane… but I was the one who saved you back in high school that night. The night that creep tried to –"
A small gasp left your lungs without your authority to do so, and the words tumbled from your lips. "That was you?!"
He was the one embarrassed now as he huffed out a laugh. "Yeah. After that, I kinda took to making sure you got home safely every night."
It was your turn to have your jaw make itself comfortable on the floor.
"All through high school. Into college. All those years you worked the swing shift for the hotel... Every time you walked down to Joe's to get takeout... After every date stupid enough to make you walk home alone... and maybe after every date in general…" he mumbled that last bit so soft you almost missed it.
But you hadn't missed it.
And you stood there, dumbfounded.
"I may or may not have threatened that Craig guy... You know... the one who tried to kiss you multiple times even though you told him no over and over..."
You wanted to kiss him.
He had been your knight in shining armor without your knowing. And for how long?
However, you were also incredibly annoyed with him.
"Wha —" you paused for a moment and collected yourself. "Why didn't you ever introduce yourself?!" You practically scolded him.
Eyes wide, he stumbled over his words a bit. "Well... I mean..." Gesturing to himself, he gave you a pointed look.
"Yeah. I see you. You're an enormous hot ass turtleman," you complained, giving him the same pointed look in return.
The look of surprise as his eyebrows hit the ceiling told you everything. He clearly didn't see himself how you saw him.
"I wanted to keep you safe... I didn't want to scare you!" He bargained, pulling you against him so he could move his hands to your waist.
Pouting up at him with a scowl and furrowed brows, he bit back a smirk.
You were absolutely adorable.
Then he watched as your brain calculated all the information he'd just spilled to you in his moment of panicked confessional to keep you from running away.
"Wait, wait, wait," you said, thinking back and counting how many years he'd apparently been following you. "You've been keeping me safe for... for like… TWENTY SOMETHING YEARS???"
Leo huffed in embarrassment and nodded.
"YOU." You closed your eyes and thunked your head against his plastron. "I appreciate you keeping me safe. But also, fuck you."
Leo pulled you back and looked down at you, concerned.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, 'Fuck. You.'"
"Yes. That I heard. Now, why?" It was a demand.
"You prevented me from meeting the man I've been head over heels with for most of my life," you whispered, looking down at the floor.
"Most… Most of your life?"
"I've been… Yeah. Most." You decided against telling him the obscene number of times you'd watched and rewatched every interview and talk show he'd appeared on since they'd revealed their existence.
"How long is most?"
It appeared he wasn't going to let it slide.
"Right after that alien invasion," you confessed, still refusing to look at him.
He was quiet. Too quiet.
Devestatingly beautiful blue eyes stared down at you with the intensity of a category five hurricane. Lips descended on yours, stopping a hairbreadth apart to whisper, "This ok?" before capturing your lips when you nodded.
Warm.
Gentle.
Sensual.
Clinging to him, you tried to pull yourself closer as he silently communicated the feelings he'd held in for decades.
He was the one who broke the kiss, nuzzling you as you chased his lips, wanting nothing more than another taste of his sweet affection.
He chuckled. "So, I take it that you're not seeing that guy anymore?"
His odd question made you yank away from his nuzzling. "What guy?"
Leo furrowed his brow ridge, "The one you've been going on dates with for the last six weeks?"
"Leo… I… What are you talking about? I haven't dated anyone… In years. Probably more than a decade at this rate," you mumbled the last sentence to yourself. And now you were really confused. "Who in the world? You sure you were trailing the right person?" You teased him, biting back a smirk.
A crease formed as his brow ridge furrowed further. "Not me…" he said, "My colleague Kim-" He stopped himself before seemingly coming to a realization. "I've been busy across the city helping with a special project with the homicide team, so I asked someone to keep an eye on you while I couldn't watch over you…"
Your heart was slamming so hard you were afraid it might actually crack a rib.
"…But I think I may have been given some incorrect information. For reasons I suspect may have been for selfish gain. But that doesn't matter right now. I will deal with that later," he said, his eyes softening again as they roamed your features.
He leaned forward, pressing his lips to your forehead.
"Can I ask why you were in such a sour mood?"
A self-depreciating huff of laughter left him, and he squeezed you tighter. "Because it was the longest you'd dated someone. I thought I'd really lost my chance… Usually by the third date, you were apologizing and telling them things weren't going to work out."
"Wow, you really are a big creep, huh?" you sassed, squeezing him.
Prince Charming made an appearance again, and the smile he gave you made you weak in the knees.
Literally.
Luckily, he'd decided to stoop and scoop you up like a princess.
"Yup."
His unapologetic admission had your head thrown back with laughter, as he rumbled a laugh himself.
Regaining composure, you turn your million-watt smile and sparkling eyes back at his handsome features.
He searched your face for a moment before he confessed again, "But only for you." The severity of his earnestness was sobering. "Ever."
Had he not been holding you, you would have melted in a little puddle in front of him.
"Now. Enough sulking. It's time for some fun."
Without waiting for an answer, he swept you out of the kitchen and to the party for a couple of hours before his brothers started their relentless suggestive comments, which had your face hotter than lava while you laughed at their bold stupidity at their attempts to embarrass the blue bara.
His eyes rarely left you all night — even now, as he sat beside you in a circle that consisted of you, him, and his brothers. And he always kept one hand touching you — like he was trying to make sure this was real, or maybe ensuring you wouldn't run away. Either way, the soft expression on his face clearly proved his brothers weren't having any effect on him. Actually, the smirk playing at the corner of his mouth almost implied he was enjoying their shenanigans.
A glance at his watch had Mike commenting how shocked he was that Leo was still up since it was way past his bedtime.
Pulling his hand from yours, he stretched his arms above his head and rolled his shoulders before standing up.
"You're right. It is bedtime."
You deflated a little, having hoped you could spend a little more time with him tonight, but you understood the necessity of sleep. Especially for him, since he had to remain vigilant working with the police department.
"Oh man," Mike commented, realizing he was the cause of the disappointment on your face. Then he smiled like a wolf and took one last shot at embarrassing his eldest brother, while trying to make amends. "Not even gonna see if she wants to try on the real thing?" He asked, nodding at Leo as the other two shook their heads.
Your eyes went wide, but you couldn't disguise the hope that shone in your eyes as you turned and looked at Leo.
"Well… I already know I look good on her," he declared, gesturing to your costume. A sultry smirk crept across his face as he glanced at each of his brothers before landing on you. "Now it's time to find out how good she looks on me."
He gave you a quick wink before reaching his hand out to you, asking you to join him.
"Trick or treat?" you asked him with a hint of sarcasm.
His smirk only grew wider with your playfulness.
"Treat. But I definitely have a few tricks up my sleeve if you're interested."
You slid your hand into his with a telling giggle, and as he led you towards his room, he yelled over his shoulder, "If you hear moaning… We're just getting into the Halloween spirit."
Please don't steal my work. Reblogging for others to enjoy is highly encouraged, though🤩
*If you aren’t on this list, please let me know if you want me to tag you in my other work or if you prefer me to not tag you 😘
As soon as I saw @girl-loves-nerds's Sleepy Heads drawing, I knew I wanted to have a go with my own. Thank you for the inspiration! I hope you don't mind.
I will continue to tweak this thing until the cows come home, so I'm posting it so I can call it.
For Dog Days followers, this isn't chapter art...but I guess it could be for some future date. TBD. Unknown.
The smell of pizza and burnt garlic knots filled April’s apartment. Mikey’s chaotic playlist blared from a speaker on the shelf, and somewhere in the background, Casey was yelling “NO FAIR!” at Donnie after losing a racing game for the third time.
You were perched on the couch with a soda in one hand, casually chatting with April about her latest job debacle, when the cushion beside you dipped.
“Still stunning as ever, babe,” Vern said with a smug little grin.
You blinked slowly. “Hey, Vern.” Flat tone. Minimal effort.
He leaned his elbow on the back of the couch, inching just a little too close. “I must say, you’re the only person I know who can make sitting under fluorescent lights and talking about sewer monsters look hot.”
You resisted the urge to sigh and glanced at April, who gave you a subtle smirk before disappearing into the bathroom. Traitor.
“I’m pretty sure I just ranted about my laundry issues for ten minutes,” you said, unimpressed.
“Doesn’t matter,” Vern replied. “You got that effortless cool thing going on. Must be tough, hanging around these four oversized reptiles all the time. You know, if you ever want a break from… mutant drama, I do have a pretty decent car. And no shell.”
You arched a brow. “How is that a selling point?”
Before he could answer, a familiar shadow loomed at the edge of your vision.
“Aw, don’t let me interrupt,” came a deep voice, low and flat.
Raph.
He crossed his arms over his chest and stared Vern down with all the warmth of a brick wall. The tension was instant. You didn’t even have to look at him to feel it.
Vern turned with that awkward laugh of his. “Hey, man! Just, uh, talking to your girl here. Didn’t know you were around.”
“Uh-huh,” Raph said, deadpan. “Well, now you do.”
“Relax. I was just keeping her company.”
Raph’s lip curled slightly. “Sure. ‘Company.’ You tryin’ to sell her a used car next, or just your ego?”
You stood up and slid between them before the sarcasm turned into something heavier. Vern might’ve been annoying, but you weren’t about to let Raph go full “intimidation mode” in the middle of April’s living room.
“Hey, Raph,” you said lightly, placing your empty cup in his hand. “Mind grabbing me a refill?”
He didn’t move at first, still glaring at Vern. Then he gave you a look - half questioning, half knowing - and jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Yeah. Come with me.”
You walked with him past the TV, where Mikey waved two pizza slices like pompoms. “Oooooh, Raph looks spicy!”
“Shut it,” Raph muttered.
Once in the kitchen, he set your cup down on the counter a little harder than necessary.
“So,” you said, casually leaning on the fridge, “that was subtle.”
“He was flirting with you,” Raph snapped, turning to face you. “Right in front of me.”
“He flirts with everything. He’d flirt with Donnie’s tech if it had a decent set of speakers.”
“That ain’t the point,” he said, voice low. “He was lookin’ at you like… like you were up for grabs or somethin’.”
You crossed your arms. “Do I look like I care what Vern thinks of me?”
He hesitated. “…No. I guess not.”
You stepped closer, nudging his side with your elbow. “Exactly. I didn’t flirt back, Raph. I wasn’t even interested in talking to him. He parked himself next to me like a lost poodle and started trying to be smooth.”
His jaw shifted, still tense, still chewing on the weight of his mood.
“Seriously,” you added. “Do you really think I’d waste time with Vern when I already date the one guy who can bench-press a dumpster and make sarcastic brooding look hot?”
That got a snort out of him, just barely.
“Don’t like the way he talks to you,” he muttered again, quieter now. “Like you’re just some… option. He knows we’re together.”
You shrugged. “Then let him embarrass himself. You don’t have to puff your chest every time someone tries to get cute. I’m not interested. Never was.”
He didn’t reply for a moment. Just stood there, eyes down, frown still tugging at the corner of his mouth.
You nudged his arm again. “You good?”
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I just don’t like anyone thinkin’ they can take what’s mine.”
You raised an eyebrow. “I’m not your bike, Raph. I’m not something to ‘take.’”
He looked up fast. “That’s not what I-”
“I know.” You cut him off gently. “I’m yours because I choose to be. And no smooth-talking, hair-gelled local reporter’s gonna change that.”
“…Okay. That was kind of hot.”
You grinned and finally stepped back to grab your drink. “Now c’mon, let’s go back out before Mikey starts pretending to be our couples therapist.”
As the two of you stepped back into the living room, Vern glanced over from his spot - now safely across the room - and gave a sheepish little wave.
Raph stared at him. Silent. Stone-faced.
Vern cleared his throat. “Okay, okay. I get it. Loud and clear.”
Raph smirked.
“Say that again,” he said.
And this time, you didn’t stop the laugh that escaped.
did i hallucinate or is there a piece of rottmnt concept art out there with a little footnote that says Leo’s leadership style is similar to Starlord’s?
cuz that makes total sense to me.
…so much sense that i can’t help but wonder if my delusion-addled brain just made it up.
Here comes trouble 😈 @rebel-hamato - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
