#feelies

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When Raph died the first time, he hadn’t expected to be brought back to life. But before he could take Karai’s hand and pass on, Mikey’s ninpo dragged him back into the mortal world. There, he’d lived the rest of his days as a robot built by Donnie. He didn’t mind if he could continue to help and protect his family.

But when Leo dropped the question, he knew that was it. Raph was never going to refuse it. The thought didn’t even cross his mind. Their generator was failing and the only other one left was the one in his chest. 

If the Resistance was to survive, then they needed it.

Even as Leo begged him to refuse, even as Mikey cried, even as Casey plead for him to not go through with it, he knew that his days on the mortal plane were over.

Ascension to the spirit realm was a lot easier this time. He could watch for a while as the engineers hooked the robot's body up with powerlines and distributors. He watched until he sensed a presence behind him. When he turned, his Gram Gram was standing there.

She offered him her hand. “Are you ready to go?”

Raph chuckled wistfully. “I’m a bit overdue, ain’t I?” He took her hand. The pair floated away from the scene, scattering into light particles. He could still sense her. “There is someone waiting for you, child.”

Donnie.

–

Life as a spirit was quite… interesting. At least, according to Hamtato Donatello. He could watch over his brothers whenever he wanted. See, but never speak.

Yes, he had been trying to reach his brothers’ ninpo. However, something was messing with his connection. No matter how hard he focused or tried to manifest himself, it just wasn’t enough.

So when he witnessed the events surrounding Raph, he’d almost felt… relieved. He didn’t wish death upon any of his brothers, but to be able to see one of them again and actually touch him filled him with a sense of longing.

When Karai returned with his brother in tow, Donnie was already waiting. And he knew that Raph knew.

He and the snapper locked gazes. There was one beat of silence and then he felt Raph’s arms around him. And he was warm.

The genius cried. He cried his eyes out, sobbing against Raph’s shoulder. It had genuinely amazed him that spirits were able to cry, but here he was. Raph just hugged him tightly, even lifting him into the air.

After a moment that could’ve lasted years or just a heartbeat, he chuckled and patted Raph’s arm. “Okay, big guy. Can you put me down now?”

Raph stared at him, seemingly taking that in offense, but obliged. He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, Don. I promised Mikey that I would.”

Donnie looked Raph over. His brother looked so… normal. He’d returned to the Raph they all knew and loved before the incident and the consequent robot ordeal. It was almost as if the apocalypse never happened. Gone was the Raph-chasm, his worry lines having been reduced to a less intimidating size. He had his snaggle-toothed grin back and it was lighting up the entire realm.

Before the two could even calm down from the experience, a third spirit joined their side. And while Donnie had had time to adjust to this all, Raph certainly had not.

“Dad…?”

Splinter looked the same, but at the same time, he looked so much younger than Raph could ever remember him to be. Their father smiled at him and patted his leg. “Hello Red,” he said gently.

Raph kneeled and took his dad in a proper, tight, hug. He squeezed him happily. Luckily spirits couldn’t feel pain. Splinter laughed like he always did and hugged him back with his tiny rat arms. “I’m glad to see you again,” he said softly.

Raph was crying now too, an onslaught of emotions overwhelming him. For a while, he just listened to the soothing whispers of his father and focused on the gentle sensation of Donnie rubbing his shell.

“The Rising Tide” buzzes in on a breezy blast of distortion, its guitar lines flaring into droning dissonance, the drums crisp and minimal, the bass a subtle through-line in a deliriously murky roar. The sound filters Velvet Underground fuzz through the jangling exuberance of early R.E.M., and except for its fluttering, trebly vocals it could easily put you in mind of the Feelies. No coincidence there.

Indeed, Wild Carnation was one of an interlocking circuit of New Jersey bands that shared members—and a certain buzzy, drone-y, jangly aesthetic—with the Feelies. It formed around 1992, after the Feelies first hiatus and included Feelies bassist Brenda Sauter, her husband Rich Barnes and drummer Chris O’Donovan. (In terms of intricate interconnections, Sauter and Barnes already played together in Trypes, and they were also in Speed the Plough.)

pull me close under your arm, stroking my cheek while you kiss me.

Under the cut, you will find a total of 44 gifs (300*148) of Hannah John-Kamen as Wilhelmina ‘Helm’ Watson in Brave New World | S1 x E5 ‘Firefall’.

All gifs were made by me, so I would appreciate that you do not claim as your own if you use them or post in a gif hunt, thanks a lot. <3