YUUTA/ALLI/ANTON

Yuuta scrolled through the listings on his tablet. He'd been scoping out new apartments for weeks now in the hopes of finding a decent place within his price range. No luck so far. And any Craigslist ads for roommates to defray the cost tended to fall through upon the discovery that he was a giant, non-vocal rat. He was NOT, under any circumstances, moving back in with his mom though. That would be too humiliating.

It wasn't that he wasn't happy for Alli and Anton. Far from it. The healthy glow that had returned to Alli's complexion, despite her persisting gauntness and having to force down every bite, was heartening and it was good to see them smile again.

But they existed in their own romantic little microcosm. One that was becoming increasingly uncomfortable to orbit. They were too wrapped up in each other to notice him most days. And even though he could build up a tolerance to their nauseating sweetness, the fear that he would inevitably stumble in on something he could not unsee was ever present.

It was everything he feared it would be.

"What're you looking at?"

He about jumped a foot in the air when Alli suddenly appeared draped over the arm of the couch beside him.

With her recent issues, it was sometimes easy to forget that she too was a trained kunoichi.

He juggled the tablet in a wild rush to hibernate it, but it was too late. She'd already seen the screen.

Alli frowned, her brow furrowed. "Why are you looking at apartments?"

Yuuta shrugged, signing quickly. "I thought, maybe you and Anton might want your own space now that..." He trailed off helplessly as Alli's eyes widened in surprise.

From the kitchen, Anton called out. "Dinner's on."

Grateful for the reprieve, Yuuta jumped to his feet, signing. "Great. I'm famished."

Alli followed Yuuta, continuing to stand, as he and Anton took their seats and began portioning out baked salmon, sautéed asparagus and salad onto their plates.

Anton took his first bite, noticed Yuuta keeping his head down, eyes on his food, and stopped chewing. "What's goin' on?"

Leaving her plate empty, Alli slipped into her chair on the end, Yuuta on one side of her, Anton on the other. "Yuuta's looking for an apartment."

Anton almost dropped his fork. "Why?"

"I think it's because of us." Alli answered. Then she looked right at her best friend, one vital part of their unique trio. Her voice came out soft, apologetic. "Why wouldn't you tell us how you feel before making a decision like this? How can we fix anything together if you never let us know there's a problem?"

Anton opened his mouth but Alli held up a finger. "Hang on, Bruiser."

So much for avoiding any awkward conversations. Yuuta stopped pushing the food on his plate around, and set his fork down to sign.

"There's no problem. Nothing will change between us if I move out." He hoped. "It's just...who wants a chaperone hanging around on their honeymoon?"

"It's not like that." Alli frowned. "I don't think of it like that at all. And I'm really upset that you do." She reached out wrapping her fingers around his forearm. "Yuuta, the three of us have been inseparable since-"

Her eyes narrowed. They were kids when they'd been kidnapped, her first, then them sacrificing themselves for her. After that they'd lived together in the warehouse for a while, but saw each other every day when they'd returned to their own homes. Partly because the only time she didn't have nightmares was when she was with them or in her parent's bed.

"Yuuta, please don't go." Her voice came out shaky, which surprised her. She hadn't realized the idea of them separating would rock her this much.

Anton's gaze shifted back and forth between them. "Do I get ta talk now, Bird?"

Alli didn't say anything, and she didn't let go of Yuuta.

"I'll take that as a yes. First of all, put some food on that plate. And second, whatever Yuuta decides we've gotta respect. But I'll tell you what's not gonna happen, yer not gonna stop eatin' over this." He nudged her plate closer, then shifted his focus on Yuuta. "We been that bad? Cos we can set some new rules, work it out. Ya know?"

Yuuta's eyes narrowed as he searched the distress in Alli's face, guilt and frustration warring inside of him. He felt the weight of his responsibility in creating her illness, but she was supposed to be getting better. Would it always be like this now? Her self-destructing every time she didn't get what she wanted? His refusal to do her further harm bound him, robbing him of his choices. Wasn't life already unfair enough?

He extracted his arm and filled a plate, emphatically setting it in front of her.

She frowned at it, the color in her cheeks going chalky.

He was happy for them. He really was. And, being honest, jealous too. For everything they had that he never would. What was she expecting of him? To tag a long through their marriage? As they had children? A built-in nanny, that sad, pitiful relative that they kept on as a charity case so he wouldn't be alone?

He had enough pride to refuse that. Pride and the fear that he might grow to resent their happiness if taunted with it long enough. But could he really stand being alone? The future looked in front of him like a great dark maw waiting to swallow him whole.

Alli reluctantly took a bite and he sighed. They were waiting on some kind of response from him.

He forked some of his own dinner into his mouth and signed. "I'm not trying to cramp your style. I just..." He hesitated. What did he want? "Things are changing. Life does that. I'm just trying to adapt."

Her stomach in knots, Alli shoved more food around than she ate. Of course, Yuuta would feel weird, she guessed that kinda made sense. Things had changed- were still changing. Which made her kind of sad. The three of them had something that she never expected to end. Which was silly now that she thought about it. And selfish.

But to imagine him living alone made her feel sick inside. They were safer together. What would happen to him and to their friendship if he moved out? Would he be happier? Or lonely? She guessed it would be a bit awkward if he was in a relationship with their roommate- actually- wait- Alli's eyes grew big as she stood up, grabbed her plate and put it on the counter. "Gotta go, be back later, bye!"

Anton and Yuuta's heads snapped up, Anton already complaining. "Where the heck you goin', ya ain't even finished your dinner? Alli, I swear-"

She was going to kiss his cheek but considered, perhaps for the first time, how that might make Yuuta feel. So, she waved them both off, and made for the door.

"You got yer phone?" Anton called after her.

She patted her jeans pocket. "Yep." She grabbed her house key from the coat hanger by the front door. "Key too!"

"You owe me calories, Bird!" Anton called from the kitchen.

A smirk toyed at the corners of her lips. Those could be eaten calories or worked off. Personally, she preferred the latter. But she'd deal with Antonello later. For now, she was in search of Scout's rehab interpreter, Devon.

As Alli shut the front door behind her, Antonello looked at Yuuta and sighed. "Look, I get it. I'd probably feel the same way. An don't worry about Al, I can manage her. Do what you need to." He wanted to point out to Yuuta that him looking for his own place meant he and Alli would have to start looking for a smaller one. But Alli had guilted him enough. He deserved to be happy too.

Anton collected his plate, placing it alongside Alli's. "Take yer time figuring it out. If ya decide ta stay, maybe we set new house rules ta avoid awkward stuff. If ya decide to go, well maybe we let Alli corner us into some corny friend promises." He snickered. "Then she'll feel like she's still in control of us both."

Yuuta squeaked out a scoff, but nodded, signing. "You say that as though she's not."

But Anton's support did make him feel better. Feel like he had some choices. If only he knew which were the right ones.

JEM/MIKEY

Jem was sprawled out on the couch, Mimi curled up in front of him as they watched an action flick together. Things were going as well as they could after a month of counseling, considering what she'd been through. A little jumpy at being touched without warning, she'd also set hard limits on what she was comfortable doing when they made out. But he was fine with that, whatever she needed. He kissed the top of her curly blonde head. After all he was lucky to have her.

She reached into the popcorn bowl on the floor, then peered up at him, offering him a few buttery kernels. "When are your parents coming home?"

Jem accepted her offering, indulging in the calorie and fat-loaded butter that he seldom partook in. His dad would approve. But he would've also loaded their plain buttered popcorn with at least two kinds of candy and some type of cheese. This simple version was perfect. In fact, this night was perfect. Even as she struggled to overcome what had been done to her, Mimi was perfect.

In her own way, Mimi was fighting back, by learning how to protect herself and encouraging other girls to do the same. And it showed. She was wary, yes, but she also carried herself with a new confidence and exercised good habits in times of uncertainty. Like turning around and looking at someone she suspected to be following her, rather than keeping her back turned and just walking faster. It had turned out to be a professor walking to his car, but still, she'd practiced a technique and was proud of herself for it. And he was proud of her.

"Jem?"

He was smiling at her, he realized, but hadn't answered her question. What was the question again? Oh. His parents, right. "Well, my mom's gonna be at the pizzeria until close. That is- unless my dad springs her early after he finishes the extra training session he promised Scout. They're both at the dojo. That could take anywhere from one to three hours- so- honestly, I don't know who's coming home when." He shrugged. "Why?"

Even in the flickering variances of light and dark coming from the TV, Mimi's cheeks noticeably darkened. "I'm cold, and I know one of your parent's rules is no dating teenagers under a blanket together."

Jem rolled his eyes. Ah, yes, the weirdo set of rules literally hanging on the fridge by the whiteboard with his dad's ancient Crognard figure guarding it. It was clear the list had been co-written by both his parents and that it was meant for him and Mimi. Scout only had one thing on her mind. Well maybe two, training and competition. Whatever.

It was still an embarrassing list. Some rules so crazy, they could've only been created by his dad, like, 'no cooking in romantic pairs without adult supervision, especially desserts.' Seriously? What did he think they were going to do besides lick the bowl? Maybe it had to do with eating raw eggs. They did own a restaurant after all.

But it wasn't the only absurdity, there were more. Like the one his dad hand wrote in tiny print at the bottom after its printing, 'Must include dad when playing super-fun video games.' That was never happening.

With such weirdo rules, how could he take any of them seriously? Jem sat up, grabbed the old pink and white dotted throw blanket from the back of the couch and covered them both. "Is that better?"

Mimi snuggled closer, pushing her back against his plastron. Oh my, this was a whole new level of nice. He wrapped an arm around her, then buried his face in her hair, inhaling the amazing scent of peach and something unique to Mimi.

She giggled. Then they quieted, settling back into the movie. At least that's what Jem thought they were doing. That is, until Mimi's hand drifted onto the leg of his jogging pants. She began rubbing his thigh over the material, and his shell gradually became increasingly tight. He tried to focus on the movie. But when she rolled to her back, then to face him, her breasts mashing up against his bicep, Jem wasn't sure if he could keep his tail in check. That might get embarrassing quick. "Uh, Mims, what're you doing?"

Smiling, she brought one knee over, resting it against the back of the couch, effectively straddling him. Oh, this was definitely on the rule sheet as a solid nope. He was sure of it. "Mims?"

"I've been thinking." She scooted down so she was resting above the juncture of his legs. "I'm not a virgin anymore. So, it doesn't really matter if we do it. All I've got is this nightmare of a first time." She stretched forward to kiss him, but Jem's mind was on overload. He couldn't even make his lips respond, let alone his lagging brain. Her long lashes fluttered. She was so beautiful, sweet, but something in her eyes seemed strange. Off.

"I want to be with someone I care about and that cares about me," she whispered. "I want you, Jem."

"Uhm- Uh-" Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, my gods. Oh, boy. Oh, gees. His breath picked up. His eyes grew wide, palms starting to sweat, and oh how his tail ached. "Uh-" He swallowed hard, trying to get his brain to catch up. Please, brain. Please.

Then he reached out, cupped her cheek. Looked at her. Into her. He cared a great deal for her. Respected her. And knew she was still working through something awful. That's what was in her eyes. A wall. Even if he did what she was asking, it wouldn't make her feel any better. She wasn't ready, and if he was honest, no matter what his body wanted, neither was he. "Mimi, we're not ready."

Her entire body stiffened, her face darkening into a shade of red he couldn't decide if represented anger or embarrassment.

"Mims-" He reached out for her, but she swatted him away, climbing off him.

As she stomped across the living room, snatching up her sneakers her chest shuddered, tears dawning her cheeks. "You don't want me because I'm ruined. I probably disgust you."

"What? No! Mimi, I wouldn't go to counseling with you if I wasn't serious about us." He scrambled from the couch, getting tangled in the blanket and stumbling about. As he managed to right himself one foot landed in the popcorn bowl, sending kernels flying everywhere. Whatever, he'd deal with that later, his girl was heading for the door.

Regaining some of his ninja grace, he beat her to it, dropping to his knees so he was eye level with her. "Hey, slow down. Mims, I'm crazy about you." He brushed a curl from her face, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "The truth is, I'm not ready. I want to be with you, but I'm not-"

"Neither was I." She snapped.

He nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. But I want us both to be and that's just not yet. But, we can do other stuff. And you know, you're the one who told me-" He reached for the waistband of her pants, dragging his finger along the button. "You told me, everything below here was off limits. This is a complete flip, and I think we should go slow. Make sure you're as ready as you want to be."

Tears slipped down Mimi's cheeks, her lip quivering as her eyes became puffy and red. She nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry."

He guided her to him, stood up and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay. We've got this. There's no rush." Then he let out a short tight laugh. "Maybe we'll break one rule at a time. Tonight's being blankets." He held up a finger, imitating his dad's voice. "Next, group-victory-dancing without the mandatory couple inches of separation between dancers!"

Mimi struggled to hold back a laugh, and while Jem thought himself funny, he realized her gaze wasn't on him. Oh no. Sometimes being a ninja was awesome... but being in a family full of them usually sucked. Jem sighed. "He's right behind me, isn't he?"

Nodding, Mimi burst out laughing. Jem turned to face his dad, becoming aware the blanket was still wrapped around one ankle, popcorn all around his feet.

Mikey entered the apartment just in time to hear Jem say "Maybe we'll break one rule at a time. Tonight's being blankets. Next, group-victory-dancing without the mandatory couple inches of separation between dancers!"

To his son's credit, it wasn't a terrible impersonation. Could've infused a bit more energy and excitement into it, but altogether not bad.

Jem's girlfriend saw him in the doorway and began to giggle.

Jem stilled. "He's right behind me, isn't he?"

Mimi doubled over laughing as Jem slowly turned around, wearing the expression of a condemned turtle.

So, breaking the rules, huh? Well, he could appreciate that. He'd broken enough at Jem's age. But having a systematic plan for it was so disappointingly Leo-ish.

"I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Jem asked, cringing.

Time to bring the parenting mojo.

"Yep." Mikey nodded. "Your mom and I spent a long time negotiating those rules." For some reason Denim kept shooting his suggestions down.

"But, Dad, some of those rules are ridiculous." Jem whine. "Like requiring us to share new comic books. No one buys comic books but you."

"Which I will then be obligated to share with you. See how beneficial that is for everyone?" Why did no one take him seriously?

Jem just sighed and shook his head. "What's my punishment?"

Oh shoot. Master pranker, he most definitely was. Master punisher, not so much. Blue Jeans usually figured that stuff out.

"Uh...your mom will tell you as soon as she gets home from the parlor." He should probably text Denim a heads up about that.

Mikey looked down at the popcorn and frowned. "Don't tell me this is what you offered M&M? That's no way to be hospitable. Let me show you how it's done."

Jem groaned as Mikey motioned them to follow him into the kitchen. Once he got the popcorn maker fired up, he scurried around the room, gathering up ingredients.

"So, where's Scout?" Jem asked as Mikey worked his magic.

"Out for a run." He answered digging through the candy cupboard.

"I didn't take her for a jogger." Mimi commented.

Mikey blinked. "Jog. Naw. Who jogs from or to a fight? She's running, yo. Probs be back in an hour or so."

Mimi's eyes widened. "Running? For an hour?"

"Now this is popcorn." Mikey held the bowl out dramatically, sprinkling on a dusting of snow caps and milk duds before grating some fresh parmesan over the top. "Voila."

Naturally the kids were speechless, doubtless impressed by his culinary inspiration.

He summoned them back to the living room, squirting some chocolate syrup on the popcorn for good measure, and plopped down on the couch between them, cradling the snack bowl. "So, what're we watching? Ooh, this is a Chris Bradford classic. You know, I actually met him. He's way less awesome in real life."

Mimi glanced over at him. "In all his movies, he's seems like kind of a douc...er jerk."

"Way less awesome in real life." Mikey repeated, shoving a handful of popcorn in his mouth.