SCOUT/YUUTA - WEEK THREE

Flush with the exertion of a good workout, Yuuta and Scout bowed to each other in respectful conclusion of their spar. They'd started reviewing basics and katas, but she'd picked it up again so quickly he'd had to move on to including sparring before he knew it.

It had been so long since he'd fought another person, that he'd forgot how enjoyable it was to pit his wits and skills against another. Especially one so capable of offering up a good challenge.

He tossed her a water bottle before cracking open one of his own. She grabbed it out of the air and downed half in a single go. Much more like herself than she'd been in a while. Except in one thing.

Setting down his bottle, he signed. "Have you spoken with your parents yet?"

She froze briefly, before letting out a breath and responding. "No. I can't. I don't know what to say. What if they... No. I just can't. Not yet."

There was more than she was saying, could say. He admitted it would be awkward and her fears weren't baseless. Though, he was fairly certain the only thing in his siblings' minds was getting their daughter back rather than judging her actions. Perhaps he could pass on some of the wisdom he'd received.

"My dad, he wouldn't talk about it much or easily, you know how your Sofu was, but he did tell me a little about his father. It was back when you're Grandmere wouldn't let me go to school. She thought I'd lose it when they tormented me and I'd hurt someone."

His hands stilled as he reflected, heart sinking. "I guess she was right."

Get over yourself. Scout doesn't need your self pity.

He pushed down his morose sentiments, locking them away for the moment. "I was so angry with her and hurt that she didn't trust me, that I shunned her. Completely blocked her out.

"My dad said that, back when he was human, he had a serious disagreement with his father. He wouldn't elaborate, but it had something to do with my father's future. I guess my grandfather wanted one thing and my father wanted another. Shortly after, everything went to hell and my dad was the only survivor. Well, I guess Karai did too, but that's not pertinent to the story. My father said that he regretted not the fight, but missing the chance to make it right. That's how he got me to let my mom back in. You still have a chance to make things right with your parents too."

Scout nodded, but her eyes looked worried and distant. She wasn't going to see them.

He wished it were as easy for her to talk to them as to him. As he pondered why that might be, an idea struck him. There was more than one way to communicate.

YUUTA

Pria sat at her desk, across from Yuuta, tapping her pencil on the desk as she thought. "It's irregular, particularly the idea of bringing in weapons and outside clothing. And I'm not sure about springing it on her. Why do you think this will change her willingness to speak to her father?"

Yuuta scribbled his explanation on his notepad, tore the sheet off and handed it to Pria.

She isn't unwilling. Not completely anyway. She just doesn't know how to speak to them, to explain herself, right now.

Pria frowned. "And you think she'll be more open to talk while training?"

Scribble. Tear. Pass.

No. But her dad will understand her anyway. It's always been her safe space.

Pria sighed. "Very well. I'll take a chance on this."

ALLI/ANTON - WEEK THREE

Alli frowned at the scale as Anton looked over her shoulder.

"92, that's great, Al."

She grimaced. "Yeah, great."

But why didn't it feel great? At long last she had Anton. Even if they hadn't been intimate, beyond some serious make-out sessions. It was clear they were together and they were doing nothing to hide it. Although, they hadn't exactly come out to their family yet. Still, details and timing aside, she felt whole for the first time in as long as she could remember. So, why did 92 make her feel… fat?

She rubbed her palms against her yoga pants, resisting the urge to squeeze the skin over her hips. Anton would notice. Then as if reading her mind…

"Bet your feeling off right about now, huh?"

Her brow furrowed as she made herself look at him. She frowned. "I kind of want to not eat, work out for half the day, and measure the amount of skin I can squeeze up." She swallowed hard as tears pricked her eyes. "And I don't know why. I mean- I have you and I'm happy- but every bite my brain is like, don't swallow it, screaming calories, then reciting the number of calories-" She threw her hands up in the air as she stepped off the scale. "I don't understand."

Anton reached for her, pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "Sure, you do, Al. It's a disease, and it ain't gonna go away. But yer winnin' right now and that's what matters. An' I've got yer back."

She peeked up at him. "This is hard and I'm tired."

"I know." He nodded. "But you've got this. You're going back to work today at the restaurant, right?"

"Yeah, I want to help out my mom and dad. They're really having a hard time. My dad is lost without Scout." She stepped away from Anton, heading into the hall. "I mean, I knew they were close, but-"

"He was just as sick over you, Al. Trust me. All that cooking he does when he worries." Anton followed her down the hall, placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "All that cooking could put a grocery store out of business."

"I'm not jealous, Anton. This is- different. And it's not just because he's her bio-dad. It's- it's like he's missing a limb or something. They spent a lot of time together, in the dojo." Alli reached for her shoes, tugging them on. "She's always gone there when she's upset. I think that's part of why she's so good. She trained more than any of us. Her not hearing, didn't bother our dad beyond the fact that she wanted to and he couldn't fix it for her. That and he couldn't find anyone who could. He loves her just the way she is. I mean we all do. But he's good at helping people forget they're different. It's like one of his many gifts or something." She shook her head. "I bet you anything he thinks this is somehow his fault and that is why he's been acting so weird."

Anton's brow furrowed. "Weird how?"

Alli frowned. "He's being- serious. It's- scary."

Anton stared at her, seconds passing as he appeared to attempt to digest this newfound impossibility. His mouth opened and closed like a starving baby bird, before he finally formed words. "I'm sorry, did you just say your dad, Dr. Prankenstein himself, has been being serious?"

"Not a prank in twelve days running, no new pizza creations, and he stopped cooking." Alli nodded. She reached for her purse, paused and looked at Anton. "Scout refuses to see either him or my mom when they come to visit her. But he still goes, every single day, right on time. He waits the entire time visitation is available, in case she changes her mind. It-" Tears pricked her eyes. "It pisses me off that she's treating our parents this way." Her mouth set in a determined line and she stood tall. "In fact, I'm going to pay her a visit right after my shift."

"Alli-" Anton's fingers swept over her hand, rubbing soothing circles over the back. "Are you sure you want to do that? Whatever she's going through is part of her healing process, not yours."

"Maybe not, but I've been to rehab-"

"It's not the same, Al. You never fought being there. You knew you were going to die, you believed it." Anton frowned as she tugged her hand away. "Alli, let her process this on her own, she'll get there."

"And watch our parents suffer in the meantime?" Alli crossed her arms.

Anton's lips formed a flat line as he nodded. "Yeah, actually. It sucks, but it's part of it. And him going there every day screams that he's still there for her no matter what." He hesitated to touch her, knowing she was defensive and understanding her frustration. "Visit her as her sister, because you want to see and support her. But let your parents work through their relationship with her on their own. Everyone's feelings are justified right now, even yours, and this isn't even about you."

She stared at him, her lip quivering. Tears filled her eyes as she looked away. "If I'd been healthier, had my shit together, maybe I would've been a better sister and she wouldn't be there right now and no one would be hurting."

"You know better than that, Allison." He set her straight. He set her straight and kept her in line and she adored him for it. Everything was blurry, her eyes hot. He was right. He was right about so many things. She swiped at her tears, looked at him. "How did you get so smart?"

His mouth slipped into a crooked grin sending a jolt of heat through her. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms and she savored the feel of his plastron against her cheek. "Lots of practice," he murmured into her hair. "Lots and lots and lots."