The new ep inspired this.
"Riddle of the Ancient Aeons"
-grungekitty
"Maybe that's because you were always Splinter's favorite!"
Leo was about to be mad, but the words hit him.
"Splinter's favorite!"
Suddenly everything, everything, made sense.
Just like that, the riddle of Raphael was solved so simply it hurt.
Leo remembered Raph keeping such careful score. It drove him up the wall at the time. He never did it with Mikey or Donnie, but he made sure he knew when he beat Leo at anything. Who did the dishes faster, who fought better, who ate more, who was stronger, who could go longer, and who was just generally better. Leo thought it was Raph being stupid and unnecessarily competitive, but what Raph really wanted to know was who deserved more love.
It was like Splinter's love was the prize Raph was always competing for. He competed with Leo so much because he was desperately trying to win when he could. He needed a victory just to see pride for him in his father's eyes.
Every time he called him "Splinter Jr." it was a jab at how good he had it. Leo never had to work for his father's love and attention, but Raph rarely got talked to unless it was a lecture.
Raph had always been jealous, but not of abilities like Leo had always assumed. Raph was jealous for his father's approval. Leo had it in spades, but Raph could never seem to go long enough without screwing up.
Looking back Leo could see that Raph's temper would flare up when Splinter ignored or shunned him. His uncontrolled rage would lead to more problems, but maybe that was what he wanted. A lecture was still acknowledgement.
Leo stretched his memory to remember a time before Raph's anger ran rapid. He couldn't find a mental picture of Raph every being picked up or praised.
Splinter was pretty hard on Mikey back then too, him and Raph were little trouble makers, but Splinter would sooth Mikey's emotions later in life. Raph was never reassured. No wonder he was still angry!
With four sons, of course Splinter dropped the ball in a few places. It would have been nearly impossible for one man to give four children the attention they all needed, even without the difficult life situation they had. When Raph felt alone, he lashed out. When he lashed out, Splinter noticed him. His anger got him the attention he so badly craved, so Raph grew to rely on it.
Being told to quiet down is better than not being heard in the first place.
Leo realized he was making the same mistake. Lately he only ever really talked to Raph one on one when he was upset with him.
Raph probably felt so alone and pathetic.
Leo was now furious, but not at Raph anymore. He was livid at himself for not seeing any of this sooner. It took Raph's harshest words for Leo to see all of the hurt his brother had been shouldering.
Raph was scared and hurt, of course he'd blown up! Throwing a temper tantrum was his way of crying for help!
How long had it even been since Raph had been told he was loved?
Dare Leo ask how long it had been since he believed it?
Leo knew what he had to do. He just wished he'd done it so much sooner.
So I got that out.
All of that was in that like two seconds before Raph charged.
I loved that scene so much!
-grungekitty