hoara

I mean, I know everyone at this point knows about Leo hugging Mikey hiding in his shell to protect him (and didn’t let go no matter what)…

But Leo also…

…had the ultimate dad reflex. As soon as he realized that Mikey retracted into his shell out of fear, even before Mikey really fell off, he reached out and grabbed him before he could tumble off.

…grabbed Mikey when he became too frozen in fear to move and continues to lead his little bro to safety while being chased.

….threw Mikey to cover first before jumping behind cover himself. He straight up grabs Mikey’s leg as soon as he found cover and yeets Mikey  to safety first before diving after him.

…picked up Mikey and carried him to safety. When machine Gumbus attacked, Leo tackled Mikey out of the way and picked him up and away to safety. Might I also add that it looks like Leo’s holding Mikey so hard, Mikey looks like he’s choking from Leo’s tight grip on him.

These moments happened so fast, with so much content going on that sometimes I didn’t really notice until the fourth or so viewing and I had to watch it frame by frame. The amount of detail in such a short span of time is astounding as it is adorable, high props to Kevin Molina-Ortiz for another amazing choreographed action scene.

I haven’t really seen Leo do much of this sort of this more protective behavior with his other older brothers. Of course he’ll love, protect, and defend them all the same, but Mikey is his only younger brother, he’s gotta feel some sort of responsibility for that. And it shows. And it’s so bloody adorable.

On another note, I really think that one of the reasons that Leo brought Mikey along for the ghost hunt (other than to rub it in his face to prove him wrong) is to show to Mikey that there was nothing to be afraid of, so he wouldn’t have to be so afraid.

Leo may not be the oldest anymore, but he still has his older brother protective tendencies to his only littlest brother.

You don’t have to hold the world in your hands, You’ve already shown me that you can.