A year ago today I posted a 150-word Super Turtles drabble-and-a-half that would ultimately unfold into the longest TMNT fic I've written to date, "I Can Take It". (Tumblr / Ao3)

I'd never given much thought to the Super Turtles before but seemingly out of nowhere they latched onto my heart with a burst of inspiration and they haven't let go since! Neither has this fic; I still think about it on practically a weekly basis and it's one of my personal favorites. Happy anniversary to my baby, I'm so proud of you <3

(Alternate version under the cut, more "Reality Check" compliant where they have their whiteout nictitating membranes engaged and no pupils)

Please don't repost my art; like or reblog instead.

Dragon of the Sun by @forestwhisper3

(Ch.5&6>)

You know, it was kind of weird...

Mikey sat on the living room couch, the sci-fi movie he was watching fading into the background after a really campy fight scene between two psychics reminded him of something.

The first time he'd had a freaky dream that ended up sort of true, he'd chalked it up to some weird crystal mumbo-jumbo messing with him. He figured it was a one-and-done sort of thing, especially since he hadn't had another since leaving the underground city.

But now it had happened again, and this time there were no crystals to blame.

We all know how they're usually seen with their colors. Leo = blue, cool, calm, constant, reliable, trustworthy, loyal. Raph = red, fiery, courage, drive, passion, action, strength.

Purple is said to be symbolic of mystery, rarity, royalty, wisdom, creativity and inspiration, red is symbolic of energy, action, determination, and they're both thought to represent courage. Grav wants to be that wise, brave, inspiring leader -- no surprise there for a Leo -- with just a hint of something mysterious that makes him unique. Again, he's the only one on the team who has a full-on intricate official-looking costume; if he's being a superhero he's going to get creative and full send it with a "royal", theatrical flair, even if he has no secret identity to protect under the mask XD If this is his identity, he's making it one of a kind

But purple is also the combination of red and blue, the balance. Maybe he's striving to find the balance of Leo and Raph-like traits he uses to lead, with the red accents in his costume meaning he's still working on asserting those Raph-like qualities, more overt passion and determination and strength. Building - or rebuilding - his inner fire, confidence and courage after Sliver's abuse!

And Griddex. He wears a simple unfussed blue jumpsuit, not an actual costume. Not as much to say and yet it says so much. One of the first things I read in my search of blue symbolism was this: "Many people see blue as non-threatening." My heart. He's a hulking, near indestructible giant with super strength but like all Raphs, he doesn't want to scare the people he cares about. He wants the people to see him as non-threatening. He wants to be seen as a soothing, stable, reliable, dedicated, trustworthy presence.

Blue also represents sadness, distance, depth, loneliness and cold. Raphs feel everything so wholeheartedly and, try as they might not to, often wear said hearts on their sleeves - kind of literally in this case. And it's no wonder. He's got a lot of deep feelings to process and grieve.

Anyway I love picking their brains and hearts and reading too deep into them. I love them very, very much. Holding them so tenderly <3

And not just clingy in the emotional sense. If he's feeling needy he can straight up just stick to the object of his affection and not come off

Imagining him doing that to Sliver when he was a turtle tot like that scene from Incredibles 2 where Jack Jack turns into that malleable goo form and the raccoon gets stuck to him and Sliver was just stuck like that for a day and baby Blob was like >:D

Grav has a very important meeting he can't miss but Blob really wants him now, not later, so he just glomps onto him and tags along. And everyone's like "Excuse me, Mr. Graviturtle, you've got...something? Or someone? On your cape?" And he's just fondly resigned like "Oh, yeah, I'm very well aware. Don't worry about it"

Grid probably gets clung to the most, not just out of love but to pester him as a Mikey must always traditionally pester a Raph because there's a lot of surface area like on his shell for Blob to stick to him where he can't quite reach back and peel him off hehehe

Graviturtle: Reading, because I love a Bookworm Leo. Singing, before his throat was damaged and hopefully again after recovery. Dance and acrobatics, like aerial silks; that sense of flying with suspensions and fabrics is right up his alley. Collecting antique or simply pretty dishware. Cloud spotting, stargazing. The occasional magic trick like cards and sleight of hand.

Griddex: Weightlifting, naturally. Kickboxing. Sewing, because I believe all Raphs have some form of fiber art in them. Sketching and doodling (but he keeps them pretty private, they're often vent drawings.) Drums. Rock climbing. Peoplewatching, occasionally dabbles in birdwatching too. Mrs. Morrison wants to teach him how to bake.

Shellectro: General tinkering with tech and machinery, of course. "Tightrope walking"/parkour/jumping/surfing the powerlines across the city. Synthesizer music and electric guitar. DJing. Modding (or hacking) video games. Puzzles of numerous kinds, brain teasers and word games. Collecting various magnets, stickers, buttons and pins.