Michelangelo, over the Shell Cell: [nervously] Leo…
Leonardo: [already suspicious] Yeah, what is it, Mikey?
Michelangelo: Hypothetically—
Leonardo: [interrupts, already grabbing his weapons] I'm on my way.
Michelangelo: [under his breath] …should probably hurry.
I'm trapped by these two
[How I expect Gi-hun reacted after learning that "Young-il" or In-ho is the Front Man.]
Gi-hun: Would you like some coffee?
Front Man (In-ho): I’d love some.
[Gi-hun hurls the coffee pot at him.]
Front Man: …I prefer mine in a cup.
[Gi-hun chucks a mug next.]
Front Man: No cream?
[Gi-hun lobs a creamer container at his head.]
Front Man [dodging]: Maybe a little sugar—
[Gi-hun, with deadpan intensity, launches the entire sugar bowl at him.]
in sleep, he sang to me.
idea from @grimeshound
I’m not sure if it was intentional, but this art brilliantly captures how young and terrified Leonardo is in this moment. It’s easy to forget, given how badass this iteration of Leonardo is, that he was only fifteen years old during this fight—fifteen, staring death in the eye and refusing to back down. This really brings that vulnerability to the surface, and it hits so hard. Amazing work—I absolutely love this!
This is an art collab between me and @atomicmindz! I did the composition and draft and she did the rest!
Honestly, the colors came out so good for her part, I'm really happy with it! :D
I thought Leo always chose to make sacrifices for his brothers and protect them? Sorry I am trying to understand the must I always suffer in your place line. Like didn’t he always choose to do that? He didn’t have to do anything for them. Then again I am a middle child so I guess I don’t get it.
In the 2003 iteration, Leonardo’s role as the eldest and leader is deeply tied to self-sacrifice. Throughout the series, it’s shown and even outright stated that he carries a heavier burden than his brothers. He’s held to a higher standard by both his master and himself, pushing him to train harder, expect more from himself, and make decisions that prioritize his family above all else. In the series, this responsibility is something he accepts willingly—he views it as his duty and his way of protecting his clan.
For the story, however, I wanted to explore what happens when that unwavering sense of duty is pushed too far. Being resurrected as a flesh-eating monster by his own brother becomes a breaking point for him. It’s not just the horror of what he’s become, but the deeper betrayal of his own values—sacrificing his humanity to save his brother.
The line “But now, it seems like for so much of our lives, I must suffer in your place” reflects that shift. It’s Leonardo recognizing how often he’s had to endure pain, not just for the sake of his family but in place of them. This moment of clarity is not about resenting his brothers but realizing the toll of always being the one to bear the burden, the consequences, or the suffering so they don’t have to. In this particular context, it cuts even deeper because his younger brother’s decision to resurrect him—despite knowing there would be consequences—was ultimately driven by not wanting to endure his own suffering.
I hope this helps clarify the meaning behind the line and the emotions it’s meant to convey! Thank you so much for the ask—it’s always wonderful to dive deeper into these moments!
We don’t talk about how impactful the ending to season 1 was.
I think we can all agree that when the Hwang In-Ho | Frontman x Seong Gi-hun fics hit 1,000 on AO3, it is officially time to throw a party.
@thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos
Oh my goodness 😂 😂 😂 I love all of this so much! Now I really want to write this now, with Leonardo staying shrunk for an entire month, leading to chapter after chapter of endless hijinks. Just imagine the hilarious scenarios—Donatello carrying Leonardo around in a little sling, Raphael trying to act tough but secretly fretting, and Michelangelo relentlessly trying to use him as a toy.
I think a really underrated trope is "character gets shrunk to adorable size and hijinks ensue," and I especially want to see this used in the 2003 iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Picture this: Leonardo, either through some villain of the week, freak accident, or alien technology, gets shrunk down to roughly the size of a Barbie doll.
Donatello calls Raphael and Michelangelo into his laboratory, looking all grim and serious. The absence of their eldest brother has the younger two convinced that something horrible has happened.
Raphael: [bursts in, all worried] Donny, what the shell happened? Where's Leo?!
Michelangelo: [close on his heels, equally concerned] Yeah, where's Leo? Did something happen?
Donatello: [holding up his hands to calm them] Yes, but it’s not what you think! He’s fine. He's just... gone through a bit of a change.
Raphael: [squints] What kind of change?
Donatello: [sighs] Now, I’m going to bring him out, and you two better be on your best behavior. No laughing—this is serious.
Raphael: [crosses arms, suspicious] Serious how?
Donatello gives them a look that screams, "You'll see." He reaches under the table, carefully picks up something (or rather, someone), and gently sets Leonardo down on the table. Leonardo—now barely the height of a Barbie doll—straightens his gear and adjusts his mask, trying desperately to maintain his dignity.
Raphael: [silent, staring] ...
Michelangelo: [jaw drops] ...
Raphael: [deadpan, trying not to laugh] ...I’m not supposed to laugh, right?
Michelangelo: [slowly grins] He...is...so...AWESOME! Dude, he’s like the ultimate, super-realistic action figure! [jumps excitedly] Let me hold him! Let me hold him! Please, just for a minute!
Leonardo: [scrambles to climb up Donatello’s arm, in full panic mode] DO NOT let him hold me! DO NOT let him hold me!
Crying over little green guys again.
"Not Enough"
Actually the most lethal things in squid game are Seong Gi-huns pathetic puppy dog eyes
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