That same night found Mac in Griddlebone's bed, his nose pressed against her hair as he looked across the room toward the window. His arms were wrapped securely around her waist and he was mumbling something inconsequential.

She sighed, tilting her head back to rest against his shoulder. Her fingers traced over his knuckles, "Mac...we..."

"Hm?" he hummed, hand turning over to interlace their fingers. "What about us?"

"I love you."

That made him pause a long moment, before he dropped his hand to gather her closer against his chest. "Love you too, Grids," he mumbled into her hair.

"I just worry, I suppose. I guess it comes with the territory though, huh?"

"It comes with the territory," he agreed, a pang in his stomach after yesterday's conversation with Cori. "Hey, Grids?"

She tilted her head to look at him, "Yeah, Mac?"

"Do you ever think about what life would be like, if we... got out? Stopped fighting or whatever and actually tried to do what those damn adults keep telling us to? Clean up, get a job, things like that?" His thoughts were scattered but he anchored them in stroking Griddlebone's wrist.

She closed her eyes, thinking about it, "Well, maybe once in a while..."

"What do you think about it?" he asked softly.

"I think it might be nice someday to maybe think about settling down. With you, I mean. But I don't know if this is the place to do it."

Macavity swallowed. "Yeah, who else would you settle down with anyway?"

"No one. I love you, Mac. You alone."

Macavity bit his lip, nuzzling against her blond hair again. Damn, Cor had been putting all sorts of thoughts in his head and his worldview was still trying to make space for all of it. He considered the slants of light from the streetlamps coming through the blinds again. "Where would you want to settle down?"

"I don't know. Somewhere safer to raise kids if we ever wanted them? I mean, for now we could settle anywhere, but we'd need somewhere safer if we wanted kids."

The tall teen blinked rapidly. "You want kids?"

"Someday?" she offered.

He fell silent for a moment, trailing his hand along her arm again. "I've never even thought about kids before."

"What do you think about the future, Mac?"

"I haven't," he replied. "It just, getting past tomorrow was always enough for me."

"Well, what happens when the fight ends tomorrow?" she asked.

"Donno. There's the day after that, and the day after that. But, I'm starting to think about weeks, months, years even," he paused, kissing her neck behind her ear. "I just don't know anymore."

She arched her neck to let him have better access, "I mean in the short term. If you win, if they win. What happens?"

"Donno that either. We have a deal about walking away from the territory but I'm not sure either side could keep it. Me and that 'Straps guy, we have a good handle on both our gangs. I'm just not sure it's enough."

"What do you think about him?"

"Who, 'Straps?" Macavity drew his neck back slightly. "I don't know. He's always just sorta been the enemy on the other side of a line."

"What if he wasn't?" She pressed quietly.

"I don't know," he repeated, scowling. "As I said, I never paid him much mind. I don't know that much about him. I mean, he seems competent enough, he can fight, I'll admit he's not a terrible dancer but... anything beyond that I've never given a damn to find out."

"Crazy idea, but hear me out. What if you tried for an alliance instead of a rivalry? I mean we all need somewhere that's ours, but..."

Macavity sighed. "Alliance. Don't that sound grand..."

She frowned slightly, "It was just a suggestion."

"I know, love," he said, drawing her close again. "I know. I even appreciate it. Don't mean I like it right now."

Grids curled against him, "I just...I hate seeing you hurt."

"Not sure I much like getting hurt," he assured her.

"Just...be careful, and think about it?"

"Me, careful? Don't you know love, I'm always careful," he chuckled into her hair.

She smiled, "Good. Keep it that way."

"Not aiming to change it any time," he replied, leaning over to kiss her. Grids leaned up to kiss him, pressing against him.

Pulling her closer, he rolled them over. "Any other plans for the night?" he teased, drawing back slightly.

She smirked at him, "Oh I can think of some things, but nothing pressing that requires you to leave."

"Good," he rumbled, the sound coming from deep in his chest. "Exactly what I would like to hear."

Grids pressed into another kiss, languidly. Arms going around her again, Mac returned the kiss, hand running down her side. "So, I can stay the rest of the night?"

She arched at that, "Of course you can. Why wouldn't you?"

He chuckled. "I don't know, other things to do, something like that," he smirked. "But don't' worry, if you had said no, I would have put up a fuss."

Grids grinned, "Good." Still grinning, he leaned down to kiss her, letting himself meld against her.

w.w.w.w

Munksutrap watched as the last of the Sharks left the roof. He knew Bomba was still there, but he hadn't yet spoken. He'd hoped to distract himself, but he kept playing the conversation with Mistoffelees over in his head. He turned, looking at the lights up and down the street in the windows of the other apartment buildings, "I'm out of my mind, aren't I?"

Bomba looked up in some surprise from her skirts that she was arraying as she sat down nearer to him. "Out of your mind?" she asked with a head tilt.

"I...I'm trying my best. What I think is the best for us. But I can't seem to get it right."

Even after the fuss she put up over her skirts, she rose again, moving over to him. "What aren't you getting right?"

"This thing with the Jets. Mistoffelees. Us."

"We're doing just fine. Can't say the same of Misto, all things considered, but what worries you about us?" she asked with a frown, hand on her arm.

"Maybe nothing, but...I seem to have done well enough ruining other things at this rate."

"You worry," she said, hitting his arm. "I don't approve of this rumble business, but as you've said several times it's just a skin fight. So why are you worrying?"

"Because it's what I do. I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want Mistoffelees to get hurt, but I'm terrified that you both will."

She shrugged. "We're strong. I am at least and I'm not sure you give him enough credit."

"He's seeing one of them."

"Them? You mean an American?"

"Yes, I mean an American. I mean the lieutenant of the Jets."

Her eyes darted down and then back up. "And you do not approve." It was not a question.

"I don't trust the American. I've fought him. I don't like him."

"But what does Misto think of him?" she asked.

"...He says he loves him."

That brought Bomba up short a long moment. "Loves him?" she repeated in shock.

Munkustrap nodded, "That's what he says. I don't...I can't..."

"Can't what?" she asked softly, leaning against his side.

"I don't know what to do," he wrapped an arm around her gently. "I don't trust the American. I don't trust him with my brother, but Mistoffelees thinks he's in love and that terrifies me. I just...I have no way to say that to him. Instead I lose my temper, I yell, we fight."

"You and your yelling," Bomba said fondly. "Can't you just explain that you're scared? He thinks you're treating him like a child and he resents it."

"How am I supposed to explain that?"

"You could just say it," she said with a huff of laugher. "Rather than trying to act so tough."

"It won't change what he thinks he feels. Can someone be in love that fast?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I wouldn't be inclined to believe it. But I would hate anyone trying to tell me otherwise. I know it's hard, but maybe you need to let him see that for himself?"

"This is Mistoffelees. He can be impulsive. I don't know if I want to know what he might do if he thinks he's in love..."

Pursing her lips, Bomba nodded. "You're right. It would probably be better to stop this now before it gets anywhere out of hand. He'll resent it, because who wouldn't? But it would be better than the American revealing his character or some other travesty."

Munkustrap looked at her for a long moment, "I'm too tired to sort out whether you're being sarcastic or not, mi amor."

"I'm mostly not," she said, leaning up to kiss him. "I worry for Misto too. I'm just not sure which is more dangerous-banning him from the American or letting them destroy it themselves."

He kissed her gently, "I tried banning Mistoffelees and he's still managed to see him. Have you met the American?"

"Briefly," she admitted. "He showed up at the shop, looking for Mistoffelees."

Munkus tensed very slightly at that, but nodded, "What did you think?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I hoped that seeing him again would cure Misto of his romantic notions but I guess it hasn't."

"I beat him home today. It's how I found out."

Bomba's eyes widened. "My god," she said carefully in English. "Did you figure out where he was?"

"No. Just that he was out with the American. I..." He sighed, "He tried to tell me work had run late."

"So he's hiding it," she sighed.

"And I think that may be what frightens me the most. I know I'm hardly being receptive to it, but for all I knew he was lying bleeding in a back alley somewhere!"

She sighed again and nodded. "God..."

"I don't know what to do..."

"I don't either," she said, squeezing his arm. "I wish I had a good answer for you."

He drew her into a full embrace, leaning down to kiss her, "Thank you. I...should go talk to him."

"You should," she agreed. "He probably needs it."

"I...can try to come by later if you like?"

She smiled. "You could sneak in the window."

Munkus laughed quietly at that, "I might just do that. I'll see you later, mi amor."

"Until then, love," she said, kissing him quickly. "Go comfort your brother." She paused for a moment after saying that though. "That rumble tomorrow, it's just a skin fight?"

"It is. A one on one fist fight, that is all."

"Good," she said, nodding firmly. "Now go comfort that poor soul that calls himself your brother."

He kissed her lightly, "I'll see you later."

"I'll be waiting up, so don't take too long," she said, trailing a hand across his chest and descending the stairs in a ruffle of her skirts. He watched her go appreciatively before heading downstairs himself and quietly entering the apartment he and his brother shared.

Mistoffelees was still at the table, though he had spread homework out in an attempt to do it. He hadn't eaten but the half started dinner was carefully finished and packaged away in the fridge, the dishes cleaned and put in their homes. His head snapped up when his brother entered, and he swallowed hard.

Munkustrap paused at the sight of his brother. He hesitated for a long moment before moving over and kneeling down to embrace the other where he was sitting, "I am sorry for how I left."

Folding himself into the embrace, Mistoffelees just held on a long moment. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"I know. We..." Munkustrap closed his eyes, drawing Mistoffelees as close as he could without pulling the smaller teen off the chair, "We do need to talk."

His younger brother nodded, but slid off the chair of his own accord. "Okay. We need to talk."

Taking a deep breath, Munkustrap spoke quietly, "I want to hear what you have to say first, and then I'll explain my side, alright?"

Mistoffelees drew back slightly. "What I have to say?"

"You said you love him, I...I'm trying to figure out why. I was hoping you could explain to me."

"Oh," he said, voice small. "I just... I can't explain it to myself. The whys or whens or hows. But I just, I feel like I love him so much. It's like I always have and always will."

Munkustrap sighed, "I...see. Or I think I do."

"Really?" Mistoffelees asked, brightening somewhat.

"It does not mean I approve," the elder brother warned. "Now it's my turn. I've already told you I don't trust him, but apparently banning you from seeing him does not work. I don't understand why you've fallen for him, or whether it really is more than an infatuation which feels like love. I am laying ground rules here, though. You are not to be out with him after dark. And you are not to go into Jets territory alone with him. I would lock you up like Rapunzel if I thought it would help, but..." He sighed, shakily.

"Do you disapprove that much?" Mistoffelees asked, voice small.

"I don't know. I...perhaps? I just cannot connect the Jet I know of with someone you would fall in love with." He looked around the small apartment, "And I do not ever want to go through the panic I did when I got home tonight again."

"I'm sorry," Mistoffelees said automatically but still meaning it. "I didn't realize I wouldn't be home before you."

"And that somehow makes this better? For all I knew you were bleeding to death in an alleyway somewhere."

"It won't happen again," Mistoffelees said softly. "Maybe in time you'll come to see-"

"Come to see what, Mistoffelees?" Munkustrap cut him off, his tone somewhere between wary and irritable.

"That maybe he's not as bad as you think," Mistoffelees said finally.

His brother considered him for a long moment, "Perhaps."

"H-hopefully," Mistoffelees managed, looking down.

"I am sorry for leaving like I did earlier, but I am still not certain I approve of him. And I'm not sure if I will. I just...God Mistoffelees, I'm scared, well and truly. For you, about you."

"I," Mistoffelees finally nodded. "Alright," he said meekly.

"I love you, hermano, and I want to protect you from anything and everything. I know I do a poor job of it sometimes, often even, and I know I've made a mess of it this time, but I do."

Mistoffelees let his head fall against his brother's shoulder. "I know," he said softly. "I know. You do a good job." He didn't say that sometimes he had to take his own falls, but instead ran a hand up and down his brother's back. "I won't make you sorry so much."

Munkustrap drew his little brother close again, "And I will try to remember that you aren't a child anymore."

"Alright," Mistoffelees said with a shaky smile. "That would be nice."

"Have you eaten?"

"No," Mistoffelees admitted quietly.

"Then maybe we ought to try that?"

"Yeah," Mistoffelees said with a short laugh, finally drawing back. "Let's eat."

Munkustrap offered his brother a smile, rising to his feet finally, "What homework were you working on?"

"History," he replied, and sighed. "It wasn't going very well." He paused on his way to the kitchen, turning back. "I love you, brother. You know that, si?"

"Si, hermano. I know. I love you too, it's why I worry."

"Yeah," Mistoffelees offered him a smile. "I know."

w.w.w.w

The next afternoon, Mistoffelees found himself constantly look at the clock, mouth twisting each time the hand didn't change. Bombalurina gave him a long look. "You waiting for someone?" she asked, voice a little hard and his shoulders hunched.

"Bomba..."

"If you are late tonight, it will be your hide, not mine," she said. "Especially with this fight. Fifteen minutes, Misto, and you should use that to back away."

The smaller teen couldn't help but scowl at her. "I thought you..."

"What did I tell you about passionate love?" she returned. "It only leads everyone toward pain."

Mouth twisting, Mistoffelees returned to sewing, trying to ignore her.

A quiet knock came at the back door not long after closing time and Coricopat slipped inside. Bomba gave him a long piercing look. "Remember what I said," she said to Misto. "And get home." Without even looking at Coricopat she strolled out.

The American watched her go, blinking, "Do I want to know what she said?"

"Be home in fifteen minutes after last night and that I should use the time to back away," Mistoffelees muttered, still angry as he went to put the sewing away.

"I...She...I do need to be going after not all that long myself."

"Because of the fight tonight?" Mistoffelees asked, closing a cabinet and looking down.

Coricopat nodded very slightly, "Yes. I have to be there."

Mistoffelees sucked in a deep breath. "God," he said, turning finally.

"I...would miss it if I could, but I can't drop Mac like that..."

"I know," he said and sighed. "I know. But I still..."

"But…?"

"But I can't help but think something horrible is going to happen and..." he took another breath, trying to calm down.

"And if you're packed, we'll leave right afterwards. I'll be fine, Munkustrap will be fine. We can take care of ourselves. It's a fist fight."

Mistoffelees paused a long moment, his stomach twisted. "I..." he realized he had no idea what to do with his hands and braced them on the counter he was leaning against. "I don't, I don't know if I can just leave my brother like this..."

Coricopat drew a deep breath at that, "Then what are we to do?"

"I don't know. He was home before I was last night and we..."

"...You?

"Fought. He walked out for hours." The smaller teen looked down. "I don't know what to do."

"I...can't ask you to leave after that," Coricopat sighed. "I can't do that to you."

"God," he said looking away again and finally saying, voice soft. "Would, would your parents like me?"

The taller boy considered that before nodding, "I think so. My old man might not come around for a while, but he would eventually. My mother would love you thought I think."

"Really?" he asked, voice small.

He nodded, "I think so, yes."

Swallowing, Mistoffelees took a deep breath. "My brother still hates you," he said. "He said he's seen how you fight and doesn't trust you."

Coricopat dropped his gaze, "Not trusting me doesn't mean hating me...there's a possibility of eventually mending that, isn't there?"

"I don't know. I hope so," he finally stepped forward, reaching out for the other and pulling him into an embrace.

He wrapped his arms around the smaller teen, holding him close, "We'll figure this out. I don't want to lose you."

"I can't lose you," Mistoffelees murmured, pressing against him.

"I'll be fine, we'll be fine. We're going to make it through all of these hurdles."

"Okay," Mistoffelees said, nodding against his chest. "And after tonight..."

"I pull out and try to make peace with your brother. Let Mac take of that what he will."

"Okay," Mistoffelees said again, voice thick. "And then maybe someday we won't hide, and, and I could meet your family, and..."

"And I would love for you to meet my parents. And we can plan a future."

"I love you," Mistoffelees murmured, pressing closer.

"I love you too, so very much," Coricopat leaned down to kiss the other.

Pulling Coricopat hard into the kiss, Mistoffelees whimpered softly, trying to put as much as he could into the motion. Coricopat pulled the other flush against him, pressing desperately into the kiss, one hand cupping the back of the other's head.

Finally Mistoffelees drew back with a deep shuddering breath. "I need to get home..."

"And tonight I..." He drew a deep breath, "I can't walk you home. I'll be by afterwards? Just to see you."

"Okay," Mistoffelees said. "Tonight then." He gathered his things quickly, kissed Coricopat and fled out the door before he was too tempted to stay. Coricopat watched him go, slipping out and heading for Jets territory and whatever the night would bring.


Hey folks, Meadowlark here! Now, those of you who read our authors' notes are probably at least partially aware that I rarely if ever contribute to the notes at the end of the chapters. I am going to write the one for this chapter, though, because I feel like I actually have something that needs to be said.

This is a really important fic for both of us authors, but especially for VS. It's tied to a lot of aspects of her childhood and family things and I know she'd really appreciate hearing what you think about it. Four reviews on five chapters is disheartening, when we know the last two haven't gotten any at all. It's been a rough year for your author team and it really does brighten our days and give us something to look forward to when we get reviews. So, as the author you rarely hear from directly, I'm coming out of the shadows to ask you all to please take a couple extra seconds and just let us know if you liked it or not. We have anonymous reviews enabled and we do try to respond to our reviews.

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