His entire body tries to curl inward at the pain and he gives a tiny, barely audible gasp. Leo’s hand shoots up immediately.
He seems to hesitate, moving slowly and oh-so gently resting it on Donnie. And Donnie’s entire body relaxes.
His shoulders stiffen as his body acknowledges sudden contact against his chest, probably because that too is causing some pain.
AND YET: His mouth falls shut. The pain on his face smooths out. His head falls forward, his shoulders rise, all angling towards Leo.
And Leo’s eyes are what tells the entire story. They (expectantly) never leave him at any point and there’s not much expression to be noted outside of a mixture of sad/guilt/worried.
Then he lays his hand on Donnie.
And his little brother leans into it. He relaxes at the touch.
AND LEO’S ENTIRE FACE FALLS.
Out of everything happening right now, THAT’S what makes him look like he’s hurting. THAT’S what stops the leader from worrying and introduces the big brother who’s beyond disappointed in himself.
That tiny bit of subconscious comfort that Donnie reveals while leaning into the touch of the person who helped hurt him.
THAT is going to be what haunts him from this moment on.
2012 & 2014/2016 TMNT Characters & The Romantic Gestures That They Do
Multi Fandom: Romantic Gestures That They Do
Raphael is defined by his "tough guy" exterior and a deeply hidden, fiercely protective soft side. His romantic gestures are often physical, protective, and intensely loyal.
Fierce Protection as Affection: Raph views keeping you safe as the ultimate romantic act. He is highly protective and will take on any threat, often getting "hotheaded" if he perceives that you're in danger.
Physical Affirmation: Once comfortable, Raph is very physically affectionate. He isn't afraid to show his feelings through frequent hugs and kisses, even in front of his brothers, despite their teasing.
"Tough Love" Nicknames: Raph shows endearment through nicknames that acknowledge your strength or spirit, such as "Tiger" for when you're feisty, or softer names like "Babe" and "Princess" when the two you are alone.
Quality Time Through Combat: For Raph, sparring is a form of bonding. He finds strength and combat prowess incredibly attractive.
Thoughtful (but Secret) Gift-Giving: Raph likely gives gifts that have practical or sentimental value, such as a specialized weapon or a "city tour" of his favorite hidden rooftop spots.
The "Nurse Raph" Routine: If you're ill or injured, Raph becomes a "bumbling mess" at first but quickly turns into a devoted caretaker. He won't let you out of his sight and will seek advice (likely from Donnie) to ensure that you get the best care.
Sharing His Safe Spaces: One of Raph's biggest gestures is letting you into his personal space, like his room or the farmhouse, where he feels free from the "cruel world" of the city.
I feel so annoying asking this lol I like how you write Raph in your fic he’s such a supportive brother so many people write 12 like a bully jerk :| so i wanted to ask how you feel about him since we know you like him in the 2k3 cartoon
OH MY SHELL, please please please don't feel annoying for asking me. You are so sweet! Thank you so much for reading my work, and for noticing how I write Raphael! 🥹🥰💖
Short answer? "I love him, your honor!"
Long answer? Hehe...
I have always always had a soft spot for Raph. Believe it or not, when I was just a kid, my friend group always designated me the Leo of the group (and I loved Leo then, too), but I always wished I was the Raph of the group. Back when I was like 14/15, I wrote this incredibly long Raph x Reader fanfiction, kind of like how I'm writing one for Leo now, but in the Bayverse turtles when the movie first came out. I was obsessed with that version of Raph!
Rewatching the 2K12 TMNT this year, since it was through Prime/Paramount, I was finally for the first time able to watch the rest of Season 4 and all of Season 5, and I realized quickly how much character development Raphael went through from the beginning of the show to the end. I mean, at the beginning, he was the classic hothead, rough around the edges, argumentative with Leo, really picked on and teased/bullied Mikey like a boisterous older brother does, etc. But by the end of the show (ignoring the weird AU episodes), Raph grew to be more gentle, apologetic without screaming, still hotheaded but his temper was definitely more balanced, he's kinder to Leo, Mikey, and Donnie, etc. He grew!
And so, since "Surface Tension" is based off of their lives at the end of Season 4, I get to have fun writing that version of Raph. I get to play around with his soft side with his brothers and friends, show his empathy and balance it with his embarrassment that he's just a little softer now than he used to be. Raphael will always be the muscle, but his biggest muscle is his heart. 🥹💖💓
Thank you for asking, Anon! 🥹 I'd talk about the turtles all day if y'all would let me LOL
Some head canons of the [2012] Turts with an s/o who has trembling hands
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Leo
Is very worried at first
As the oldest, he has a habit of overthinking... Everything
So he wonders if you're stressed, if this is a trauma response to the many things that have happened, if something has gone wrong with your health
At first, Leo tries to do things that would he assumes help you with your tremble
He'll start having you join him for meditation, journaling, and joint exercises
And after a while of doing these with no improvement, he ends up asking you gently and awkwardly let's be honest, why they tremble so much
You explain to him that, you were born that way, and there really wasn't much you could do, not any medications to take or anything of the sort
After understanding that no, this wasn't going to change, and that it was something constant and permanent, he backed off a bit
Leo didn't stop the previous activities with you if you wanted to continue doing them
He just seemed less... Intense, and much more understanding
However, he only gives you plastic cups and plates... Just in case
Also never gives you knives, even when needed
Raph
Before you're together, it annoys him
But as you two grow closer, he realizes it's something you just can't control, and that out of everyone, it annoys you the most
Will only have patience with you
You break something? He cleans it up for you
You accidently cut yourself while trying to cut your dinner?
He is ready with a bandaid and gives you his plate with everything cut up already
If you want to train, he gives you all the patience on the world
Will definitely avoid sharp weapons tho
Also, if anyone tries to make fun of you for it... They suddenly dissapear
If it was one of his brothers? They will now be living a nightmare come true
Donnie
He probably noticed your tremble before his brother's did
He felt it'd be rude to ask you about it, so Donnie took the next logical step
Studying you
He noted that, no matter what you were doing or how you were feeling, your hands didn't stop trembling
This is when he came to the conclusion that it was something chronic
Once you two were closer, Donnie would ask you if your hands ever hurt
You explained that no, it was just frustrating sometimes, doing things as simple as writing could be a bit difficult for you
He tried his best to make little gadgets to try and help you
He was able to make unbreakable glass
Made your plate and cup a purple color
Those are now your designated plate & cup
Even made metal arms to go over yours that allow you to do things with steady hands
If your hands shake even more when you're stressed or scared, he gives you a fidget toy he made that allows you to twist and tug on it without it breaking
Will still try to give you physical therapy if you let him, "just in case" he says
Mikey
Is the one who nicknamed you Dr. Shakey Shake
His brothers yelled quietly explained that that was offense
Only to hear you laughing at his nickname for you
Can and will hold your hands if he sees that they're trembling too much.
Understands your clumsiness
Feels like you two are one in the same, totally relates to his brother's not giving you glass or sharp objects
You two bond over neither of you being taken seriously
His brothers call you two the "Disaster Couple"
At first, he thinks that's just the way you are, doesn't even think twice about it
When you explain you were born with it, he wasn't surprised at all
"oh, Yea! I mean, that's just how it be sometimes, right dudette?"
Will feed you pizza under the guise that you can't hold it still long enough to bite it
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It's a little short, but I kind of lost inspiration...
Might add on to it later tbh
Anyway, I hope y'all like it!
I love y'all <3
>edit: omg, guys I'm so sorry, I was just trying to read it and everything was so out of order, I'm so sorry, I just fixed it<
