Chapter 4: Tongue Tied

It's late afternoon, and Monday night is slowly closing in. Tomorrow is one of those hallmark holidays that either makes you jump for joy, or jump straight off a cliff and into the deepest ocean possible. And after a Christmas spent with my mother, New Years curled up in bed with a runny nose, Valentine's Day beckons the idea of a night spent drowning in cheap chocolate and pathetic whims.

Well, almost anyway.

I'm stationed at the kitchen preparing to make Valentine's Day chocolates for my class. It's become a habitual thing since I first started teaching, and the kids love it. Although they're not the only ones, since I get my fair share of Valentine's treats from them and cute little cards with excusably incoherent writing. Problem is, it's pretty sad to only receive sweets and romantic love propositions from eight-year olds. I don't understand at which point in my life I became such a repellent to all living men my age (especially my ex), but I'm slightly afraid to find out.

Come on, Sho. We both know the answer to that one.

I puff out my cheeks in response to my mocking subconscious. It's becoming that unwelcomed second opinion in my life, and I'm starting to think I need to see a professional Psychologist.

Don't even bother. Just accept the fact you're going to be a senile cat lady in the future.

I ignore it by humming an inconsistent melody to myself, and continue to organize the essential cooking materials on the counter. I'm only distracted once I hear the front door of the apartment open. Pausing, I turn and smile as my roommate enters, "Welcome back, Lee-san."

"Hello, Yamada-san," he readily greets back, closing the door behind him. He's juggling a few bags in his arms, and I notice a dazzling assortment of flowers peeking out of one of them. "Sorry for being late, I did not expect to take so long."

"It's okay, I just started prepping anyway," I reply while washing my hands. "Was the line long at the flower shop?"

"Extremely," Lee exhales with a nod, making his way to the kitchen and placing his bags on the kitchen table. "I never knew the day before Valentine's would be so busy."

"Hm, it's kind of expected though. Have you celebrated Valentine's Day before?"

"I cannot say that I have," he says with a half-hearted chuckle, "holidays tend to pass me by, since I usually spend them training. That or I am scheduled for missions during those times."

"Have you ever thought about asking for those days off?" I ask inquisitively.

"Yes and no," he replies with a genuine smile. "I do not have an immediate family and I have never been romantically involved with anyone. So there was no need to ask for holidays off, unless I just happened to be sick on those days."

"Oh," is all that I can squeeze through my pressed lips. I feel my chest ache with some regret for asking and receiving an answer. I wasn't expecting my roommate to freely express his lack of a family. And now that I think about it, he's never mentioned anything about a mother or a father. Siblings also seem to be out of the question at this point.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, sorry," I answer, stumbling on my words. I then take a glance at Lee who's now filling a vase with water at the sink; better change the topic. "I was just thinking how Valentine's Day will be different for you this year, right?"

"Yes, definitely." He smiles profoundly, returning to the table and placing the flowers in the vase. "And now that I have Yamada-san to teach me how to make Valentine's chocolate, tomorrow will be perfect."

A pink tint catches my cheeks. The thought of being the catalyst to his 'perfect day' tomorrow gives me a sense of flattery. Stop being silly, I shake my head.

"Even if I wasn't here, I'm sure everything would be just as perfect," I say, dismissing the sentiment. I need to learn how to take a compliment. "Anyway, are you ready to start?"

"More than ready," he replies with a grin, taking a spot beside me at the kitchen counter. "What should I do first?"

"Okay, this is what you're going to do…" I start by listing off the ingredients shown, explaining briefly each of their purpose. Because we're making chocolate by scratch, I warn my roommate of the tedious work involved. This doesn't persuade him otherwise, so I take this as encouragement to continue.

We start off by roasting cocoa beans on a pan at a high temperature. We wait for them to cook for a bit, and entertain ourselves by telling each other of our day. Once we hear cracking noises, we prepare to take them out. Allowing them to cool, we then begin by removing the husk of the beans. Usually, this process is time consuming, but Lee's hands are strong and skilled, quickening the process. Next is the grinding, and since we're doing it by hand, it makes it the messiest part.

"Oh no." My whine ushers a questionable look from Lee. I feel like an idiot as I try to rub my nose against my forearm, "My nose itches, really badly."

"Let me help," Lee insists, quickly rinsing and drying his hands. As he inches closer to me I stick my nose a little in the air, and he pinches it continuously. "Is that better?"

"Uh-huh, Thank you." I speak with a nasally voice, and flush when Lee begins to laugh.

"I am sorry," he apologizes between chuckles, noticing my embarrassed pouty face. "Your voice just sounded very funny, and you also have chocolate on your face."

Darn it, how did that happen? Ugh, I'm such a mess. I'm about to shy away, but freeze when my roommate runs a thumb over the side of my chin. The walls in my throat close as he proceeds to press his thumb against his lips and tongue.

What is he doing!?

"Ack! It is so bitter!" Lee gags, throwing himself over the kitchen sink and rinsing out his mouth.

"O-Of course it's bitter!" My voice is elevated with fluster, and it's difficult to hide the overwhelming heat tingling my complexion. "We haven't even added the cocoa butter, milk, or sugar…jeez."

"That would make sense," Lee admits, rubbing his mouth dry, and returning to my side at the kitchen counter. A silly grin tugs at the corners of his mouth, "I guess I did not think before I acted."

Good job, Sho. You're the only one who's embarrassed.

I try to gulp down any remaining inhibition. My subconscious is completely right, but still, he shouldn't absent-mindedly do things that would normally seduce a person!

"I'm glad we learned our lesson, but let's continue." I'm triumphant in my mask to hide my embarrassment, and allow my hands to get back to work. Lee joins me as we continue to grind the beans until they become a fine chocolate liqueur.

We pour the liqueur from the pan into a bowl, adding and mixing the following: cocoa butter, sugar, and small increments of milk. I first start off the mixing with a cooking paddle, showing the motion, which Lee must repeat. I pass him the bowl and wooden spoon, watching him as he copies my previous movements. At first he's slow, a bit unsure of himself, as his large eyes shift from the bowl to me. I support him with a smile, and he nods, picking up his stirring pace.

"Good job, Lee-san. You're doing great," I praise, my tone similar to how I speak to my students. It's even slightly humorous when Lee responds with a big smile and quickens his pace, a reaction I would expect from a child.

I guess even adult boys enjoy a little praise, I think with a small smile.

Once I signal for him to stop, it's time to start folding the chocolate. And the more it's folded, the oilier the chocolate finish will be. I take over for this task, and pour the chocolate into folds on a separate clean pan. I do this for about a good ten minutes, and Lee some how manages to watch the whole time, like I'm performing some kind of magic trick.

We finally make it to the last step, and pour the smooth chocolate from the bowl into heart shape molds I bought at a cooking store. As soon as that's done, we place the mold trays in the fridge to completely cool and harden over night.

"That should do it for now," I say, hustling over to the kitchen sink and rinsing the remaining chocolate sticking to my fingers. "Tomorrow I'll be waking up earlier to wrap and tie them. So you'll have Sakura's bag by the time you leave for training."

"I am not letting you wrap them by yourself," his voice is oddly forceful, while polite at the same time, and I'm caught a little off guard. Woah; is the only word that comes to mind. He has started to clean up, and his usual tone returns as he sends a smile my way, "I will be sure to help you in the morning before I leave."

"If that's what you want to do, Lee-san," I respond, taking the bowl we used and running water over it.

"It is." His reply is quick, compelling for the second time, and its unnerving…Oh. I can feel his gaze on me, "Yamada-san."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

I give a humble smile, "You're welcome."

o o o

The next morning follows, and it's Valentine's Day. I clamber out of bed at the forsaken hour of 5:30 in the morning, all to wrap the chocolates resting in the fridge. My mind is fuzzy with sleep, and I can barely manage to gather my work clothes needed for my shower. Luckily, once I'm finally blessed with the warm water hitting my cold and bare skin, my conscious slowly starts to wake. I step out of the shower and dry myself, following up with the ritual of tooth brushing and combing.

After I'm finished looking presentable, I step out of the bathroom and make my way into the kitchen. I'm readily greeted by Lee settled at the kitchen table having his breakfast, and the outlines of his body are blurry and inconsistent. I'm obviously not awake yet, I grumble to myself, lazily rubbing the sleep still stuck to the corners of my eyes.

"Good morning, Yamada-san." Lee's the first to address me, with an energetic pep that makes me slightly cringe. He's definitely been programmed to be a morning person.

"Good morning, Lee-san," my voice is soft, embedded with the need to yawn. My natural reflex is to make myself a cup of well-deserved coffee before anything else. Oh yes, please. I'm silent as I go through the motions of getting my favorite mug, creamer, and sweetener.

"Happy Valentine's Day."

Startled, I almost knock over my coffee brewer while placing my cup underneath it. I hadn't noticed Lee make his way next to me, placing his cleaned plate in the sink. Ugh, ninjas.

"Happy Valentine's Day," I manage to breathe out, despite my brief internal spasm. At least I'm awake now. I clear my throat, "Um, I'm just making myself coffee, but if you want, you could help me by starting to take out the chocolates."

"Roger, Yamada-san," he says with a small salute. I'm blinking the sleep out of my eyes, watching him speedily take out the trays and placing them on the counter next to me.

Someone's a little excited for today.

"Thank you, now give me one second." I flip the coffee brewer on, and take a moment to fetch the supplies needed to wrap the chocolates. Once I return, I instruct Lee to begin putting three chocolate hearts in each bag. He's eager to do so, and I continue to finish preparing my cup of coffee. As soon as I'm done, I ease right into what Lee has already started.

"Do you have any plans for today?" Lee asks, trying to start some early morning conversation.

I lightly shrug my shoulders, taking a sip of my coffee, "Nothing in particular. I was invited to a singles party tonight by a co-worker, but I'm not too sure about going."

"Why not?" He persists, glancing over at me.

"I don't know, I'm not interested in those kind of things," I speak honestly.

"I think you should go," Lee replies, placing another chocolate into a bag. "You never know, it might actually be fun. There is also a chance for you to meet someone, Yamada-san."

Great, my own roommate is lecturing me on having a good time.

"It's easy for you to say, Lee-san. You have a girlfriend."

"Sakura is not my girl friend, as of yet," Lee intercepts calmly, but from the corner of my lashes, I can see a bit of color in his cheeks. "We are simply taking it slow, and enjoying each others company."

"Oh, so you two are dating then," I confirm.

"You could say that."

"What about you, Lee-san?" It's my turn to ask the questions. And on the note of my roommate's potential girlfriend, I become ever more curious. "What are your Valentine's Day plans with Sakura-san?"

"Well," Lee hasn't even begun talking, and he's already wearing a prominent smile. Just by looking at him, I know he's imagining it, and savoring the image in his mind, "Since I knew she would be busy all day and most of the afternoon at the hospital, I made reservations to have dinner at Sukiyabashi at eight tonight."

Does he seriously mean Sukiyabashi, the five-star restaurant? My god, that place is expensive!

"Wow, I'm surprised you could even get a reservation," I say with shock sewn into my words.

"Trust me, Yamada-san," he chuckles, exhaling deeply. "It was very difficult, and that is even putting it lightly."

I'll be the first to say that I'm slightly impressed. Sukiyabashi is one of those fancy restaurants where only reservations can insure you a seat at a table. What's worse, there's even a wait list for the reservation list. So, the sole fact he was even able to make it onto the renowned list is really something.

The rest of the time spent tying the chocolate bags in pink ribbons passes with a comfortable silence. Looping the last bag, I place a smile on my lips, "That's the last one. You're free to go, Lee-san."

"Then I will head out now," he brings a smile that matches my own. "Thank you, Yamada-sensei."

"You're very welcome," I reply shyly at his words.

o o o

It's almost ten o'clock at night and I'm curled up on the couch popping obligation chocolates into my mouth. I'm wearing my favorite silk sleeping pants and matching top, watching another one of my romantic dramas. Once again, I'm spending a night indoors blubbering my eyes out over a trite movie. How did this night turn out to be so pathetic? Well, that's a story in itself.

My day started off as mundane as ever. After my roommate left in the morning, I gathered all of my belongings and headed to work. The day passed as such; take attendance, teach, share Valentine's treats during lunch, recess, and more teaching.

I saw my co-worker right after the bell had rung in the afternoon, and confirmed I would be going to her scheduled party. It was such a rush to get home, considering I tutored as soon as school had let out. So, practically tripping into the bathroom and almost strangling myself with my own bra, I managed to get ready and leave on time.

The party was held in a decently sized apartment in the upper side of Konoha. As mentioned in the description of this large get together, it was definitely what I'd call a singles party. Most of the twenty-year old women looked like over-stuffed sushi rolls with their tight holiday themed inspired dresses, and the men just drowned themselves in some sort of poignant scented aftershave spray.

I guess wearing clothes two sizes too small, and burning off people's scent receptors is considered the social norm of sexual attraction.

I kept to myself for most of the party, sipping on a weak alcoholic spritzer in a far corner by an unused bookshelf. The piece of polished wood furniture had collected dust on its shelves, and I assumed it was mostly used for decorative taste than actual literature. During my trivial observations of the party and space, I would think of Haruka, imagining all the colorful language she'd use to describe the people at this gathering. I remember giggling to myself, and missing her terribly. The whole time I wanted nothing more than to have my best friend at my side, stuffing complimentary food in our mouths and purses. Possibly even going as far as to burry some in our bras, if our clutch purses were too useless to carry more than a dumpling.

It was a slightly dismaying thought since Haruka is married and was spending Valentine's with her well to do husband.

It wasn't always like this, but as growing young adults, this was just the reality of things and I had to learn to accept it.

But during my wallflower tendencies, I was approached by a young man looking as misplaced as I was. We began chatting, and he admitted he was only there to watch over his soon to be drunken friend. I regarded him with my own reason, which was through persuasion by my roommate. Some how, even with my awkwardness (and my companies introversion), I was able to maintain a decent conversation with him. Things seemed to be escalating well until Mother Nature decided to smite me with her forsaken wrath upon all women. That's when I had to leave the party almost doubling over in pain, and fearing a potential stain brewing in my underwear.

And that's how I was forced to return to the apartment in order to flood myself with confections to calm my ragging menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, although I don't even have an incredibly heavy flow, it always feels like someone just jabbed a kunai into my ovaries. On the brightside, I've taken a few painkillers, which I chased down immediately with hazelnut truffles and feeling much better.

I hear the apartment door opening and I quickly wipe away my hormonal tears produced by the movie. I'm especially thankful for all the lights being off, giving me a nice veil to hide my disastrous appeal.

"Welcome back, Lee-san." My greeting is automatic, and I know I don't need to double-check the person who just came in. After living with a Shinobi for about six months, you come to terms with the fact that you've basically signed yourself up for a gratis home security system. Anyone who steps through the front door is either the Shinobi you live with or a delivery boy. Other than that, no one else can waltz in without his or her life being threatened first.

"Hello, Yamada-san," I hear Lee greet back as he closes the front door. I remain silent as I listen to him cross over the living floor to stand behind the couch, "Is everything alright? You do not look so well."

If I don't look good with the lights off, then I seriously don't want to know what I look like with the lights on.

"Mm, yeah, my…stomach isn't cooperating with me tonight," I reply weakly. As if I was going to be the one to explain the menstrual cycle and all its glamorous glory to my male roommate.

"I am sorry to hear that. Maybe you should stop eating all these chocolates, if that is the case," Lee proposes and I can only quietly roll my eyes. No, this is actually what's saving me. "I'm guessing you did not go to the party then?"

"No, I did, but only for a little bit," I murmur, keeping my attention fixated on the television. "I left when I started feeling sick."

"How was it? For the time that you were there," he asks further.

I silently plop another chocolate into my mouth. Ew, caramel, "It was okay, nothing to amazing. How about you, did your night go well?"

"It did actually," Lee answers, taking a seat next to my lying form. I instinctively contract my feet to give him more space on the couch. "Sakura really did love them, Yamada-san. The chocolates I mean."

"Oh, that's good. I'm glad everything went well for you," I reply, grabbing another chocolate from a heart shaped container on the floor.

"You really should not eat anymore sweets, Yamada-san. It might make your stomach worse."

I frown a little at the insinuation. Since when did my health become such an important factor in my roommate's life? I still can't wrap my head around Lee's personality quirks, but I guess the excuse of a bellyache was a fairly dumb answer to give him if I wanted to continue eating my pain away.

A small sigh escapes me, and I nod, extending my hand carrying the chocolate to him, "Okay, but I want you to have it if I can't."

"I do not think that is a good idea. I just finished eating and I am still a little full," he says while shaking his head at me.

I shrug my shoulders and motion the chocolate towards my mouth, "Okay, then this will be my last one—"

"Alright, alright. I will eat it if it means saving you from sabotaging yourself," Lee interjects, taking the chocolate from my hold.

I watch as he stares at the round chocolate ball between his fingers, carefully placing it inside his mouth and chewing it slowly. It's not like it's poison, I think playfully before tending my eyes back to the movie. Fortunately, It's not a movie I've never seen before. Crap, I hope Lee doesn't catch me crying if he plans to stay and watch it with me.

"Yamada-san, what kind of chocolate did you give me?" I hear Lee question.

It's a pretty strange question to me, chocolate is just chocolate and you can usually figure out the filling (if it has one) once you bite into it. I'm not entirely sure of the flavor myself, so I humor him and pick up the menu inside the opened chocolate box.

"Let me see," I whisper trailing my finger across the picture samples and descriptions. It's a little hard to read in the dark, but I deal with the little light given off by the television, "I think it was this one, the Guylian Praliné Cream Liqueur which has a sweet alcohol filling in the center."

Aw, I actually wanted to try that one, I sigh setting down the pamphlet inside the box.

After satisfying Lee's question I rest my head back on the seating cushion, settling into the scene playing on the screen before me. A few moments pass and I see Lee shift in my peripherals. His form is leaning forward and his hand stretches for the remote on the coffee table. I don't say anything, thinking he's going to turn up the volume. I'm more than surprised when the television turns off, leaving my sight blinded by the sudden pitch-black darkness.

"Lee-san, what're you doing?" I frown against the new situation. "I was enjoying my movie."

There's a brief silence and I'm starting to feel something is amiss. Lying on my side, I make an effort to prop myself on my elbow. My whole body tenses as a hand grips my shoulder and forces me back down. The same hand then turns me on the couch so that I'm lying on my backside. What's going on…I lay paralyzed, anxiety cultivating inside me along with the prevailing darkness. I feel the cushions beneath me move as my roommate shifts closer to me, easing in between my legs. A sweat forms at my temples, feeling the heat of Lee's body mix with my own.

It's so dark, what the hell is going on?

I'm scared to have my question answered physically. I want to speak, but my breath hitches in my throat as I feel hot fingers venture under my silk shirt, gliding up and down the length of my torso.

"Lee-san, please, stop." I'm choking on my words, trembling under this advancing pressure. Naturally, I react by bringing my hands up to push him away, but they're snatched with one hold of his hand and pinned directly above my head. All it took was one large palm of his to envelop my small wrists. And it's now that I realize how vulnerable I am under his towering form.

"You know, Yamada-san. I have noticed you tend to wear skirts a lot." His hot breath tickles my nose, and I shiver despite the warmth. "It is a shame you are not wearing one right now."

Holy shit, what does that mean?

I'm speechless; watching this shadowy figure, which I don't want to believe is my roommate, unzipping his Shinobi jacket. The sound makes all the muscles in my belly clench, masking the small fragment of pain present in my uterus.

"L-Lee-san, we can't. I'm on my-" I want to call out more, but I'm muffled as his lips suddenly posses my own. Then his free arm wraps around me, pulling me closer to him until I feel my breasts condense into his chest. I'm so embarrassed, I seriously want to cry- but everything is moving so fast that I just can't. The kiss continues to deepen, and I'm literally tongue tied as his tongue thrusts past my lips, entwining with my own. Immediately, I'm met with the taste of chocolate and alcohol.

Wait…alcohol?

I can't believe what I'm starting to formulate in my mind.

Seriously, there's just no way. It's such a small percentage; it would be ridiculous for him to…

I'm distracted from my thoughts as my tongue and lips are released, leaving me panting for air. My violet eyes are wide, now fully adjusted to the darkness. Finally, I'm able to catch a glimpse Lee's orbs, appearing covered half way by his eyelids. His cheeks, against the almost pitch-black room, are a shade darker than the rest of his complexion.

I don't believe this.

"You're drunk, Lee-san," I say weakly between my catching breath. "Please, you don't want to do this with me, at all, I'm not Sakura. I'm your roommate."

"Some of the things you say may be true, but…" I gulp hard as he gazes down at me with saucers ready to devour me. "What if I told you, that as far as I am concerned, you underneath me is all that I am interested in at the moment. So, I suggest you familiarize yourself with what I have just said, Yamada-sensei."

Holy hell, is he always this over-whelming when he's drunk?

My mouth goes dry at his words. I can't fathom the idea of going any farther than I already have with him- I'm at my limits end.

My breathing goes ragged once more as his lips take over mine. It's fevered and almost desperate, and I can barely keep up. I moan at a new arising sensation in my stomach. I flush as I feel Lee's lips smirk against mine. Oh no, I-I can't actually be enjoying this now. I gasp as my lips are set free, but are pressed to hold in the small moans urging to come out as Lee's lips meet my neck. Oh god, who taught him this? I thought he was a virgin! I bite my bottom lip, trembling at the sucking impression being made upon the side of my throat.

Please don't leave a mark, please don't leave a mark, please don't leave a mark!

I chant the not so promising words inside my head. By the way my situation is unfolding, wearing a turtleneck for about a week is becoming a plausible reality.

I squeak like a struggling mouse in a trap, feeling Lee's hot touch follow an invisible trail down my stomach towards my pelvis. His fingers play and tug at the elastic band of my sleeping pants. I-I can't do this any more; I blush considerably, assimilating his next move. His lips have left my neck, leaving it to rest as he buries his nose into my hair.

"I wonder if you know how cute and small your body is, Yamada-san." I quiver at the sensual undertone; his aroused breath against my ear, "I am thinking if there is a chance I might break you…the thought of it is driving me crazy, and I am very curious to find out."

Find out? I'm screwed; he's incredibly strong, agile, and an over all well trained Shinobi- I'm going to be torn apart by him!

I squeal, finding that my silk pants are slowly being pulled off. I'm twisting and wreathing, knowing the lace of my underwear is gradually being revealed.

"Lee-san, you light weight idiot!" I cry out in embarrassment. My sight becomes blurry, seeing traces of scorching tears stinging the corner of my eyes, "If you love Sakura…than you're the absolute worst. You're starting to remind me of the person I really hate the most."

"The person you hate the most?"

My eyes widen. He almost sounds sensible, but I can't tell. Luckily, my words some how ease his hold on my wrist, and I'm not letting this chance to escape pass me. I quickly slip one hand free and plant it firmly against his face. It's still dark, so I don't know which part I've hit, but I know the shock was enough for him to regress. My other hand is let loose, and I press both my palms against his chest and shove him away. As soon as his weight leaves me I stumble off the couch, staggering on my feet as I try to create a safe distance between us.

"Huh? Why is my lip bleeding?"

My chest is rising and sinking uncontrollably. Hearing Lee speak normally is only a minor relief after all that just happened. Thank god, I think he's sober now.

"Yamada-san," I stiffen as Lee says my name. It's still dark, I'm still shaken, and I can only make a small pathetic noise in the back of my throat. There's a pause before Lee speaks, "What…happened?"

o o o

The kitchen area is completely void of any conversation. I'm sitting in a chair directly in front of Lee next to the kitchen table, with my right arm out stretched towards him. I'm perfectly still as he quietly and slowly wraps my wrist with one of his extra bandages. Unfortunately, I sprained my wrist when I intentionally sent him a sucker punch to the face. I didn't notice when it first happened. I was so chalk full of disastrous nerves, my pain receptors had forgotten to respond at all. Gradually, after the whole frenzy had subsided, my nervous system recognized the pain in my joints and started firing signals to my brain.

I guess you could say this Valentine's Day wasn't the greatest, or one I could have ever predicted. The combination of everything that happened today has definitely thrown me into a disheartened stupor. But I don't seem to be the only one; I'm staring directly at a conflicted Lee who hasn't dared look me in the eye after hearing every single descriptive word from me.

Ouch, I flinch under his care.

"Sorry…" his voice is almost inaudible to my ears as he continues to wrap my palm and wrist. I know his apology is for multiple things, but I don't bother to acknowledge it in the slightest. Even after being showered with apologies I still can't say the simplest 'I forgive you'. I understand it wasn't completely his fault, but I'm still so frightened and angry, any forgiveness on my part would be considered a reluctant one.

"You should have told me you couldn't have any alcohol," I mutter loud enough for him to catch my comment.

His head barely tilts up, and I catch a glimpse of his slightly swollen lip, partially speckled with intense shades of red and purple. I should apologize for hitting him later. He meets my gaze for no more than a fleeting second before tending his attention back to my hand.

"I know, I should have," Lee replies with a tangible shame, finishing his work on my wrist. "I honestly did not think that would ever happen, especially with you anywhere near me. I am very conscious of my problem, Yamada-san… I just did not…I did not think that would…I am sorry."

I don't say anything. I return my hand from his hold, and place it on my lap. The mute answer I respond with doesn't fair to well with him. His head drops in clear self-loathing, staring intently down at his balled hands positioned at his knees.

"I do not know how many times I should apologize for my actions, but I will as many times as you need me to say it." His voice is shaking, and I feel so uneasy just listening to him. "I understand if you decide to move after all that has happened. But just know that I am sincerely sorry, and that there has never been a day where I have not been grateful to have been in Yamada-san's company."

My violet eyes lower solemnly. Although his jet-black hair is covering his face, I can see wet drops fall onto his wrapped knuckles. It's apparent to me that his feelings are genuine, and that his intentions were never ill from the beginning. Things just got a little out of hand way too quickly, beyond either of our control. It was simply negligence on both our parts, his part being the fact he didn't tell me about his special condition and mine, well…in hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have pressed him to eat that chocolate.

I take a solid intake of air. Okay, I think I've calmed down a bit. Time to help someone else do the same.

I stand from my chair and take a seated position on my knees right in front of Lee. His tense form doesn't budge, and I figure he doesn't want me to see his sulking face.

I'm hesitant to speak, trying to form something meaningful and coherent to say. It's definitely not as easy I want it to be. "Lee-san…hey, it's okay." I keep my voice soft and light. The last thing I want to do is speak to his sensitive nature with an iron tongue. "Everything's fine—I'm fine. I mean, I'm still a little shaken but…we've been living together for six months now, and I know you wouldn't harm me purposefully. Things just got way out of control for the both of us."

"You do not have to say all these things to make me feel better, Yamada-san," I hear Lee choke out.

"You're right, I don't have to…but I want to," I say with a small smile. I'm in the moment of comforting this suddenly delicate twenty-one year old Shinobi, and I place my good hand on top of one of his stiff palms. "It's okay to be yourself, Lee-san. I just wish you could have told me sooner about your reaction to alcohol. Those things are really important to know, not just for my safety but yours as well. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

"Yes, I understand," he nods his head feebly, and I can't help but compare him to one of my students during this moment.

"Good," I reciprocate with a nod of my own. "Now, I'm still a bit upset with you, but I'm willing to forgive you. And that's only if you stay up to watch another movie with me since you interrupted the first one I was watching."

Instead of a verbal response, which I was expecting, I'm suddenly wrapped in my roommate's arms. He's leaning over the chair, holding me securely but gently while his forehead rests on my shoulder. I'm not scared by his touch, because I know everything's fine – we're fine.

"Thank you, Yamada-san," he whispers to me.

"Mhm," I mumble, patting his large back. Is my shoulder wet? Jeez, what a big baby, my lips curl to form a simple smile.

Yup, we're going to be just fine.