The Turtles' Lair. Evening.

You stood nervously at the entrance to the lair. Next to you stood your partner. A human. Tall, strong, confident. He held himself calmly, but it was still obvious that being underground among mutants wasn't the most ordinary encounter in life.

"It's okay," you said quietly. "They're... strange. But they're ours."

He chuckled. "I'm not afraid."

Oh, yes. If only you knew who heard that just now.

*Everyone was already in the lair's living room: Leo stood calmly, arms crossed. Donnie tried to appear neutral, but studied his guest with interest. Mickey had already whispered something to Casey and was chuckling. Casey grinned, as if he was expecting a show. April smiled softly at you.

And in the shadows, leaning against the wall, stood Raph.

He was silent.

And that was already alarming.

"Guys, it's James. We're dating."

Silence.

"Ooooooh..." Mikey said with a wide smile.

Donnie smiling calmly. "Donnie."

Leo nodded. "Nice to meet you."

And Raph slowly pushed himself away from the wall.

"So..." his voice was even, but too even. "You're her boyfriend?"

Your partner extended his hand. "Yeah. Nice to meet you."

Raphael looked at his hand. Then at you. Then at his hand again.

And shook it. Too hard.

The guy tensed slightly, but didn't pull his hand away.

Raphael narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Not bad," he muttered.

The competition started almost by accident.

Casey, of course, added fuel to the fire:

"Hey, since you're here, let's see how tough you are? You know, who can take a punch, huh?"

"Casey, don't..." you said, but it was too late.

Raphael had already stepped forward.

"Yeah, we'll see," he said calmly. "Just as a friend."

Your boyfriend chuckled. "I don't mind."

Leo sighed. "Raph..."

"What?" — he snapped. "I just want to know who's protecting our friend."

"Our."

He emphasized it deliberately.

They walked out into the training area.

You stood next to April, arms crossed. "He can't be serious..."

"Oh, he's very serious," April said quietly.

Raph stood opposite your partner.

"The rule is simple," he said.

"One hit. Then we switch."

"Go ahead," James replied calmly.

James struck first.

The blow landed on Raphael's shoulder. A dull thud. He didn't even stagger.

"That's it?" he chuckled.

Now it's his turn.

You knew that look. You knew that tension in his shoulders. You knew he might misjudge his strength.

"Raph..." you said warningly.

He glanced at you.

And struck.

James flew back a few steps, but remained standing.

The room fell silent.

Raph narrowed his eyes.

"Not bad," he repeated. But there was no longer the same mockery in his voice. There was something else. Irritation. And... jealousy.

"What do you do?" Raph suddenly asked.

"Sports. And a little martial arts."

"A little?" Raph chuckled.

"How much is a little?"

"Enough."

And then Raph did what he always did when he was provoked.

He came closer. Too close.

"Listen," he said quietly, "if you're going to be close to her... you're going to have to be stronger. Because the world we live in isn't a walk in the park."

James didn't back down.

"I know."

"Really?"

You stepped forward. "Raph. Enough."

He looked at you. And then everything became clear. It wasn't just a challenge. It wasn't just a test. It was: "You don't choose me anymore."

When the guy was distracted by a conversation with Leo and Casey, you approached Raph.

"You're acting like a child."

"I'm just testing him."

"No. You're jealous."

He fell silent. His jaw tensed.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you're looking at him like he stole something of yours."

Raph looked away abruptly.

"You're not a thing."

"Then what?"

He was silent for a long moment.

Then quietly. "You've always been there. We've been through a lot. And now some... guy shows up."

You softened. "Are you afraid I'll disappear?"

He snorted. "I'm not afraid of anything."

But his eyes said something else.