The lair hums with its usual chaos, but the voices you hear as you approach the main room make you slow your steps.

“I’m telling you, it’s me,” Raph says, his tone full of cocky certainty. “Who wouldn’t pick the guy who always has their back?”

Leo responds with that sharp-edged calm of his. “Strength isn’t everything, Raph. Maybe they prefer someone dependable, someone who can lead under pressure.”

“Oh, come on!” Mikey’s voice cuts through, playful and exaggerated. “Obviously, I’m the favorite. I mean, I’m funny, I keep things light, and I’m the pizza guy! You can’t beat that.”

“Right,” Donnie says, his tone dry. “Because shared interests and intellectual compatibility aren’t important. Clearly, someone who appreciates a functioning GPS is going to choose me.”

You pause just outside the room, stifling a laugh. They don’t notice you yet.

“Pfft, compatibility?” Raph scoffs. “Yeah, because nothing’s hotter than someone geeking out about circuits and wires.”

“Better than a short fuse and a bad attitude,” Donnie fires back.

“Enough,” Leo says firmly, trying to regain control. “This isn’t a competition.” Then, after a pause, he mutters, “But if it were, I’d probably—”

“You?” Raph interrupts. “No way, fearless leader.”

“Guys!” Mikey yelps. “What if they hear us? I can’t have my chances ruined!”

“Your chances?” Donnie replies, exasperated.

You can’t help it. A laugh slips out, echoing through the lair. Four turtle heads whip around to face you, their eyes wide.

Mikey recovers first, throwing up his hands with a sheepish grin. “Uh… hey! How long have you been standing there?”

Raph groans, rubbing his face. Leo clears his throat, trying to look composed, while Donnie mutters, “Oh, fantastic.”

“Okay,” Mikey adds quickly, stepping forward, “just so you know, we were definitely not arguing about who you like best.”

The groans and glares from the others make you laugh again, and Mikey just shrugs. “What? Worth a shot.”