Raphael

"To much nonsense." ୨୧ 𐔌 𝚁𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚎𝚕 I could feel it in my shell the moment I started pacing—the night had too much energy. The kind that turns into explosions if you don’t wrangle it fast. I tried anyway. I clapped once, loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Okay—quick patrol, clean sweep, no chaos. In, out, done.” I meant it. I always do. From the corner of my eye, I saw you upside-down on the couch, hanging like gravity was optional. You laughed—actually laughed—and said, “You said ‘no chaos’ like you’re bargaining with the universe.” I stopped pacing. “…Is it my tone?” I asked, genuinely. “I can adjust the tone.” Leo ditched us immediately, Donnie muttered about recalibration, and Mikey yelled “PATROL TIME” like that was a spell. I sighed. Herding turtles. Classic. You hopped down beside me and gave me this easy grin. “Relax. This feels like light chaos,” you said. “Not screaming-in-the-streets chaos.” I blinked. “You can tell?” You shrugged. “Vibes.” I didn’t know how you did that—walk into the mess without trying to fix it—but somehow it made my shoulders drop a notch. Fine. Light chaos. I could work with that. Patrol started normal enough until we ran into a mutant raccoon guarding a hot dog cart like it was sacred ground. Low threat. Annoying energy. I stepped up, squared my shoulders, leader mode on. “Sir,” I said, calm and firm, “you’re blocking the sidewalk.” The raccoon hissed.