I'm thinking about them again so have this drawing, annnnd I wrote some character analysis too! it's under the cut!!! (The pic is dramatic but the writing is solid I prommie.)
As much as I love the fluffy interpretations of the afterevents, I think Raph would actually be angry at Leo after the invasion. For lots of stuff. For endangering them all in the first place. For not listening to him, before and during the events. He will be mad at Leo for throwing himself in the Prison Dimension and for putting them all in the position where they thought they won't have a Leo anymore. He got them feeling that black and all encompassing dread of it - something that made Raph's very core feel like it was falling into itself. That is exactly what he was afraid of the whole time: one of them getting hurt, seperated from them, one of them dying. And that's almost exactly what happens. That is why he went after Leo's tail with a higher and higher intensity as his panic grew with time at his neverending antics. Raph was cornering Leo to try and make him understand just how serious this all could be and then it happened exactly the way he feared it would. But then, Raph will be mad at himself for being mad. Because actually, he understands Leo better now, too. He sees him better. So he gets it. How unfair all of it was on him as well. How he was just trying to cope. And maybe Raph should've seen that sooner. But it won't stop him from having feelings, u'know? They are messy like that, and he's just been through an enormous amount of stress. On top of all of this, though, he just feels the overwhelming relief that Leo is okay. And that's his biggest feeling. The most important one.
In conclusion before another big chunk of text: Raph loves his brother too much to really care about his anger at him. He feels it, but to Raph it's more of a secondary thing - something to work through with time. And that is, in Leo's humble opinion, is unfair. His big brother won't bring him the retribution he deserves, won't give what's coming to him because Raph's too much of a softie for his family. And that's somehow worse. It makes the fact that he let him down hurt a lot more. Sure, Leo fixed it, and he understands now, but he didn't fix all of it. He didn't prevent harm, just made sure the worst of it wouldn't come. He still feels guilt for not understanding sooner, because the pain was still caused. Why did it have to take the absolute worst scenario unfolding in front of their eyes for him to finally get out of his head? Obviously he won't take into account the fact that he's 16, that's something only an adult would think is a comforting explanation for mistakes. So all in all, Leo does feel immense love for his family, and that, combined with a sobering taste of reality, probably makes him feel like he has to pay some sort of retribution. Be better. He has to be better. And that urge isn't necesserilly a bad thing all in itself, but I have a hunch he'll lean into it way to much, his love and fear and responsibility for his family making him put his own feeling on the sidelines. Like, completely. His own feelings were what caused this mess in the first place, right?
Because of that even though Raph is trying to be nicer to him, but Leo isn't really feeling it. He's kinda checked out of feeling things for now. His head is a hot mess after the invasion, but he's very determined to be a better person now, riding out all those sweet benefits of his rampant perspective change. He's determined to keep "fixing" things, and he won't really be considerate of his own inner state while doing that, since we've already established his own inner state was what started this all in the first place. He has to learn a lesson here somewhere, right? And he won't give himself the benefit of the doubt (obviously, look where that one led him) he won't stop and think that the world is chaotic as hell and sometimes you're just very, very unlucky. What he will internalise is that he should grow up, like, right now and be responsible and get in touch with reality already and be the person who is enough to stop these unlucky events from happening ever again. And he should, well, sacrifice his self and his behavior patterns to achieve that. He already knows how to do that, after all. So listen to your team, Leo. Don't focus on that zippy lighty thing in your brain, don't freeze up, don't be too tired - don't let yourself get distracted. You're learning to be enough now. You know how to perform that. Just keep going and be competent.
I think it'll be easy for Leo to kind of try and put his personality on the back shelf to really lean into this character growth spurt he wants to have so badly. It'll cause him to get more and more frustrated with time because, unfortunately, that is not how human (or mutant) psyche works. A lot of "why can't I just do this" coming for him in the future. And meanwhile there's Raph who sees all that shit and is like "nuh-uh, not on my watch", but sadly we've already established that his compassion kinda makes Leo feel more uncomfortable. So that's gonna put some bumps on the road. But honestly, I think they'll figure it out.
I have many favorite characters, but none of them holds the same space in my heart as Albedo does. he's my comfort character, my muse, and my supportive light through hard times. when I first started genshin back in 2021 I only thought he was a pretty boy with many features I used to enjoy (it was easier to recall all the characters back then, they were less), but once I got to know him better within the progress of the story I noticed how many things we have in common, I have never felt so understood from a character and thus made me bond with him deeper. usually, my obsessions for fictional characters last weeks, maximum months, but now it's been almost five years since I fell in love with Albedo, and I've even got a tattoo dedicated to him. probably he will always be my favourite character, and a part of me too. I went through the lowest moments in my life, and his presence made it easier, even when I wanted to disappear, or I lost my mother due to cancer. Albedo still inspires my art and creativity, though I've learned to give enough space even to my real life and my irl relationship. sometimes, I still yearn for him because he's not real, but maybe that's what he was made for; his fictionality helped me cope with reality, and he automatically became a role model to me. I will forever be glad to Albedo for that, even if it's just the mental version I've built of him in my head; but who cares anyway? sometimes selfshipping and closing up to our own little worlds It's healthy, and I'm so happy that even imaginary characters can guide us through life.
Everyone needs a token gay cousin, and that's why I'm here ;]
Like all good friends and family members, I'd love to hear about your day and all the cool (and totally normal!) things you get up to, dish out my best support and encouragement, or just have a chat. Fun stories always welcome!
Inspired by other queer family member blogs like @your-queer-lil-sib, @your-queer-dad and @your-bigender-big-brother
..I'm THIS close to finishing part 5 of my cal x mc series. It's over 5k, and I'm missing just the last bit to complete it. I think after the next chapter - the crossover part of my series that would kind of include bloodbound will happen. BUT - we'll see if I can get there. I am praying to the writer gods for mercy and inspiration. 🙌🏽
