Turtle Instincts
Series Metadata
Listing Series
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Rainy Nights by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
01 Jan 2023
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Summary
Suddenly, everything clicks into place. Why the twins have been gone so long, and why they haven’t had a phone call. They aren’t fighting for their lives, and they aren’t committing small acts of terrorism out of boredom. The answer is much more simple.
It is raining.
Leo and Donnie love rain.
~
Being aquatic turtles, Donnie and Leo love staying outside in the rain and reverting back to their more turtle instincts.Really just an excuse to write Donnie getting Turtle Zoomies.
Series
- Part 1 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 5 of TMNT Fics
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Approach With Caution by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
28 Jan 2023
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Summary
“When Leo’s claws scratch his phone screen again, he knows that it’s time for them to be trimmed.
It’s the single thought then never fails to send pure dread through his vibrant soul. Not because he dislikes it – he knows all too well the importance of trimming claws, seeing as he’s the only medic in their family – but because he knows that he has to persuade his brothers to trim theirs too.”~
Being the only medic on the team, Leo has to deal with a lot of harsh situations - but something as simple as clipping his brothers claws always sends shudders through his spine. He has the scars to prove it.
TLDR: it’s time to get their claws cut. Donnie bites, Mikey hides, and Raph is just trying to stay alive throughout the whole ordeal.
Series
- Part 2 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 4 of TMNT Fics
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Don’t Wander Off (Stay Where You Are) by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
24 Apr 2023
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Summary
“Most lessons are supposed to be learnt and retained in childhood. For Mikey, however, this one message had to be constantly relayed to him whenever he was lost.
Don’t wander off. Stay where you are.
But something clicks, and Mikey is almost pulled into a trace-like state every time. He needs to keep walking, his instincts would tell him every time. Keep walking. You’ll find home soon.”
~
Box turtles will keep walking in attempt to find their home if they ever get lost, even if they die doing it. Mikey shares that same instinct.
When he gets lost, he keeps walking. He finds home.TLDR: Mikey centric angst where he keeps walking despite growing weaker.
Series
- Part 3 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 3 of TMNT Fics
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Turtle Habits by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
07 Feb 2023
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Summary
“Sometimes, April forgets that her brothers are half turtle.
The turtle exterior has always been just that – a skin and nothing more. To April, underneath they were just hormonal, slightly feral teenagers who has an odd thirst for crime fighting in the middle of the night.
But, other times, April is sharply reminded of their reptilian genes. These times, she is convinced that the boys are just overgrown turtles sitting in the sewers who just so happen to enjoy crime fighting in the evenings.
In these situations, when their turtle origins truly take the limelight, April still can’t decide whether she finds it adorable or (most of the time in Donnie’s case) slightly terrifying.”~
April has always been aware that her honorary brothers were turtles, but only truly remembers this when they each display their own turtle habits that link close to their original species.
TLDR: Each time April sees each of the boys display a turtle instinct/behaviour and how she deals with it.
Donnie also eats a pet goldfish. By accident, hopefully.Series
- Part 4 of Turtle Instincts
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Dry Scales by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
06 Mar 2023
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Summary
The idea comes out of nowhere.
“We can always go break into the pool place I’m working at!” April suggests with a snap of her fingers.
Raph, who has Leo held by his shell in one hand and Donnie in a similar predicament in the other, pauses from trying to pry their fight apart.
“Really?” The snapper’s face brightens despite the fighting twins in his grip. April grins.
“Yeah! It will be easy, that place is never guarded, so you guys can swim all night!”
“Swim?” Donnie perks up at the word, releasing Leo’s mask tails from his jaw. Leo also turns to April the best he can with the position Raph is holding him in.
“Can we go tonight?” The slider asks. When April nods with a wink, he grins~
April knows her brothers love water. So, one night, she takes them to a swimming pool.
Donnie gets Turtle Zoomies, Raph dozes, and Mikey tries to not get thrown in by a very hyper Leo.TLDR: just the turtles and April having a much needed break at the pool.
Series
- Part 5 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 8 of TMNT Fics
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Mittens Of Shame by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
12 Apr 2023
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Summary
“Standing at the entrance of Leo’s room, expecting to see something dangerous. Or perhaps a large mess, at the very least.
Instead, she spots the slider wrapped in his blanket so only his beak his poking out. Raph is knelt at the side of the bed, trying to coax him out.
“Come on, Leo! It’s not that bad, and it happens to us all the time!” The snapper huffs but doesn’t move to snatch the blanket.
It’s then that April notices the way that Raph’s shell is slightly discoloured and out of shape. Looking closer, the human realises that it, and his skin, seems like it is peeling away from his body.
Turning her attention to the mound of blankets beside him that should be Leo, she sees that a few thin chunks of what looks like her brother’s shell are scattered on the bed.
Suddenly, it clicks.
“Wait, you guys are shedding?” ”~
Turtles, like most reptiles, need to shed their skin. Though the process isn’t painful, it can be irritating for four mutated teenage turtles.
April decides to help in whatever way she can.Series
- Part 6 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 9 of TMNT Fics
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The Shoebox by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
10 May 2023
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Summary
“Come on, Mikey. Don’t go falling asleep now.” Raph holds Mikey close, as if he can single-handedly push back the wind and snow with his bare hands. But Donnie can’t help but notice that the eldest is also blinking a little heavier than usual. In fact, Leo is also somewhat sluggish, though he only notices because he’s watched how Leo darts between actions all his life.
Okay, so maybe staying out in the cold all day and fighting a giant polar bear wasn’t a good idea. For reptiles, that is.
However, the tiredness Donnie feels buzzing in his brain is easily pushed back. They’re all much safer than Mikey, who is slipping away from them with each second.~
Post “Snow Day”, Mikey tearing his coat has drastic consequences that result in him freezing and slipping into brumation.
TLDR: Box turtles, when hibernating, can have no detectable pulse or heartbeat. None of Mikey’s brothers are aware of this and believe that they have just watched their youngest brother die.
Series
- Part 7 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 10 of TMNT Fics
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Temper Tantrums by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)
12 Jul 2023
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Summary
“There are days where Raphael really, really wishes he was a middle child rather than the eldest brother. Perhaps in another life, another time, his wish is granted and he lives happily without having to deal with his brothers having temper tantrums over the slightest inconveniences. But that reality isn’t his, so he is stuck having to master the art of “getting my little brothers to calm down before they start biting”.
Because his brothers, in all their glory, are overdramatic. In Donnie’s case, full on theatrics. And Mikey only needs to get a slight hint that he could start acting up and he’s suddenly in his shell for the next three days because you didn’t give him a milkshake.
Like Raph said. Maybe if he wishes hard enough he can pretend he is a middle child. Leave Leo to take care of this and see how he feels.”~
Raph, being the eldest sibling, is well-versed in each of his brothers’ behaviours when they lose their temper, but it doesn’t make dealing with them any easier.
TLDR: Each of the turtles’ behavioural habits when they lose their temper. Mostly fun stuff about turtle instincts.
Series
- Part 8 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 11 of TMNT Fics
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Safe by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
23 Aug 2023
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Summary
“Orange!” Something muffled cries for him. He opens his eyes and sees Red’s tearful face peering into his shell. “You okay?! You hurt?!”
His shell may be safe but big brother is crying for him. Slowly, he pulls out of his shell and hooks his arms back around Red’s neck. Red nuzzles his cheek and Mikey hums with happiness.
It’s a story that has been told many times, far into the future. Raph had slipped, and Mikey, sensing he was falling, had retracted into his shell for the first time. Mikey doesn’t remember much, only being happy when he sees Purple and Blue again, and Red’s big smile.~
Mikey, being a box turtle, instinctively hides in his shell at any signs of danger or distress. Every time, his brothers are always there to coax him out, to remind him that everything is safe again eventually.
TLDR: each time Mikey has retracted into his shell out of instinct, and how that develops over the years.
Series
- Part 9 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 14 of TMNT Fics
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Natural Gifts by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
24 Oct 2023
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Summary
It’s been common knowledge, ever since they were tots, that Donnie was the best swimmer.
The discovery had made a five year old Leo pout for a while, but it was true. There was no shell to get in the way of him diving underwater, darting like a swift arrow under the currents.
And, like it was common knowledge that Donnie was the strongest swimmer, it was made aware very early on that Mikey was the weakest.
His brothers took to water easily. They swam as they were born to do, effortless even at such a young age. Mikey, seeing his brothers having fun, had tried to do the same with a giggle and a splash.
It didn’t end well.~
After days of heavy rain, the lair floods with Donnie and Mikey still inside. Born a soft shell, Donnie can easily survive such conditions. Mikey, on the other hand, cannot.
TLDR: the lair floods with Mikey and Donnie still inside, and Donnie is the only one that can swim.
Series
- Part 10 of Turtle Instincts
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Lullabies by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
08 Jan 2024
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Summary
Rain lashes down upon them, merciless, but Orange is only aware of the acute details he takes comfort in on that first night. Red’s spikes slightly dig into his arms. Purple’s breath tickling his cheek. Blue’s claws brushing against his scutes. And, most of all, the soft vocalisations that hum in their throats like a soft lullaby. Chirps and clicks that rumble in their chests, promises of safety and love lining each vibration. They drown out the booms of thunder, wrapping Orange in his own safety net as he closes his eyes. Entirely unique, these sounds mean his brothers are here, that he is safe.
~
When they were tots, Mikey found comfort in the chirps his brothers would make to calm him. Now, faced with the destruction of their home, he seeks this comfort once more.
TLDR: An excuse to write about chirping turtles because I love the idea.
Series
- Part 11 of Turtle Instincts
- Part 20 of TMNT Fics
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Sunny Days by DysfunctionalRequest
Fandoms: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types
19 Jun 2024
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Summary
“Coming in hot!” The snapper, instead of running directly into the sea, takes a detour and jumps up one of the higher rocks. With a wicked grin, he then dives directly on top of where Donnie and Leo have just begun to bask and sends huge waves that engulf them both with ease. April bursts into laughter as she can hear Leo’s panicked shriek and Donnie’s angry hiss echo across the beach.
As Mikey continues to dig a burrow next to her, April finishes setting out the beach towels and lays down on a bright yellow one, relaxing as the warm rays of the sun seep into her skin. She lets her senses drift away a little, content on listening to excited shrieks and chirps of her brothers.
~
It’s a hot summer day in New York - a perfect day, in April’s opinion, to take her mutant turtle brothers to the beach for the first time. Shenanigans ensue.
AKA: Turtle instincts, beach edition.
Series
- Part 12 of Turtle Instincts