There were almost ten more floors to get out of here. All I wanted was to go home, take these clothes off, and bury myself in my blankets until morning or until I'm old enough to die – whichever comes first. I can't take a break! This entire night was a disaster from the start! I was too hopeful. I was too optimistic for humans to accept me like my friends. I know not everyone's thrilled about mutants or yokai... I thought – or hoped – that they would give it a chance, especially since I go up top more often than I stay home. I guess everyone is not thrilled with the change. Maybe Draxum wasn't far off from the truth...

I shook my head. What was I thinking? I get humans are afraid of mutants, but everyone is different. Everyone has their own opinions. If they like mutants, then I can accept that. Even though Merrill and I saved the day, I hate being viewed as the bad guy. Instead of praising us, the manager accused us of destroying his precious restaurant. He called me a freak. I just had to leave.

The elevator ride felt uncomfortably long, especially when surrounded by whispers describing me. I know they're talking about me. I'm out of place—a weed in their perfect rose garden. Just keep looking down and don't speak. There were almost ten more floors to get out of here, I mentally repeated. All I wanted was to go home, take these clothes off, and bury myself in my blankets until morning or until I'm old enough to die – whichever comes first.

'Leo!' I clutched my head. Please leave me alone, Merrill! I want to go home! 'Not until I see you! Call me a stubborn bastard; I don't give a shit! I want to make sure you're alright! Please stay in the lobby until I get there!' I clenched my jaw. I'm going home whether you're there or not. 'Leo... please...'

I blocked out any more words. The elevator dinged for the lobby. I couldn't be happier to get off there. I pushed through the crowd and headed for the front door. When I arrived, my hand was already on the handle when a voice rang throughout the lobby. "Leo!" I glanced behind me to see Merrill catching his breath. I pushed the door open and ran into the pouring rain, which I didn't realize would rain tonight.

It was the sky's way of saying rain on my parade.

I kept running through the rain, pushing through people who already had their umbrellas out. My clothes clung to my body. Strands of hair stuck to my face. I stopped running in the middle of the night-rush crowd. I can't return home like this. Dad'll ask questions. He already hates Merrill. If he realized I was on a date with him, I'd be on house arrest for a year! Going home wasn't an option, and I wasn't keen on calling my friends. I didn't want to waste their hard work for nothing.

With no other option, I ran over to an alleyway, summoned my wings, and flew. I took off without caring if anyone saw me or not. I wanted to be somewhere where I could breathe... somewhere to settle my mind...

I could fly above the clouds, all over New York, then head to Katie's place. Maybe I could ask if she doesn't mind me sleeping over. No, she'll know what's up the moment she sees me.

I do know one place I could go to...

I headed uptown throughout the dazzling city lights, so bright it'll burn your eyes out. My eyes locked on my target and flapped harder. I landed on the top of the Empire State Building. My back rested against the rod as my body slowly slid down. My wings wrapped around my body like a blanket while I hugged my knees. It helps shield me from the cool air of November. I'll stay here for a few hours and return to Katie's afterward.

I just wanted to be alone right now.

I felt a shift beside me. I lifted my left wing to glimpse Merrill looking over the city. He was near, but there was a small space between us. His back rested against the rod; one leg was raised and bent, with an arm resting on the kneecap. He didn't look my way or say anything when he sat down. He just... stared.

"I want to be alone, Merrill," I told him.

"I figured," he replied with a shrug, "but I felt like we have a discussion to settle."

"What's to be settled? I told you this was a bad idea, and you wanted us to date anyway. Our so-called normal night turns out to be not-so-normal. Even when we saved the day, we got the short end of the stick. I mean... I was okay if we went to Run of the Mill's again. At least there, I feel more welcome than here."

I heard him releasing a soft sigh. I couldn't tell either from exhaustion or annoyance. "Lee, I get it-"

"Do you?" I cut him off. "Do you know what it's like to be different from other people?"

"Yes", he reasoned. "I know what it's like to be criticized by people. Everyone assumed I'm this bad boy with a smoking addiction when really, I'm an otaku with a crossdressing fetish."

"That's different."

"How so?"

"For starters, you're human."

"And? You don't think humans accused other humans of dumber reasons. We have racists, specists, homophobic, sexists; the list goes fucking on. Just 'cause you're a different species doesn't mean you're any less human than any of us."

"Merrill... I'm a turtle!"

"I'm a boy."

"I'm a mutant!"

"I'm bisexual."

I shifted over to glare at my date. How can he be okay with THIS?! "Would you stop being a smartass for FIVE MINUTES!" He calmly glanced with a calm look. "There is a BIG difference! You're human, I'm not! You're a boy; I'm a turtle! You may be alright with it now, but who knows how long your interests will last? People will be like, "Oh, look! The first human to date a mutant! Let's post it on TikTok to see the trend!" I'll be ashamed while your popularity skyrockets over the sky!" I huffed after my mini rant.

And Merrill... just stared at me, but this time... his eyes widened, hearing me vent. I knew he was piecing the puzzle together. Shit! I've said too much! Why is it so hard to control my emotions around him? "Wait... you think I'm that shallow... Lee, after all we've been through, you think I would be sick and tired of you?"

I felt my jaw clench, almost breaking my teeth. Don't you dare turn this around on me! "You say that now, but what would happen if a week passed? A month? A year? Would you still be happy with a 'pain in the ass' like me? How about when you disappeared? I'm sure you'll see better-looking men and women worldwide... better than me..." I'm talking too much! Stop talking too much! The more I speak, the more I'll slip up! "That's why I keep telling you we're better off as friends! It's less stressful and has a low chance of heartbreak." Especially from me...

Merrill's eyes hardened. "You don't think I'll be as heartbroken as you when I disappear. The life I wanted to build. The friends I cherished. I wanted to finish high school, go to college, get my performing arts degree, and live a nice, quiet life after I finished, and I want you in it... you... the one who has my heart."

My heart skipped a beat. I have his heart? No! He's just saying that to make me change my mind! We're friends, Merrill! I said my piece; now drop it! I turned my head away. I couldn't bear looking at him.

"Listen," he continued, "there's a high possibility I will disappear. No matter how much I called her, my aunt didn't call back after all the voicemails I left. This means... the day will come as scheduled, no matter how much I want to deny it. It's going to happen. Even if that were true, I want to spend as much time with you as possible, even if I become one of those clingy boyfriends.

"You already have permission to hunt me down and pull me back home by my hair, which is still hot." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Jokes aside... I mean it when I say you mean so much to me. I told your dad I picture our life together; when I said I wanted a quiet life away from the city life, I meant every word."

If that were true... "Why didn't you say it at our wedding?" I managed to say."When we were trapped in "Beauty and the Beast," we said our vows, but I was the one who said, "I love you." I wanted to spend my life with you even if everything and everyone was a part of the story. As long as you were with me, I was fine with it. You kissed me – which I'm NOT complaining about – but I get that you don't feel what I feel. I'm okay with us being friends. It's just safer for both of us..."

I heard him huff. He's finally getting it. Good. I hate reexplaining him. Why do I get the feeling he's not letting it go? I mean – this is MERRILL we're talking about. He's just as stubborn as I am... probably worse! I dared to glance his way, but I was surprised at how calm he was. No argument. No disagreement. Nothing. It was a little unsettling.

I jumped a bit as he stood up. My black-haired friend dusted himself off. "I hate everyone thinking what's best for me," he muttered. It's like no one's listening. Not even Lee." I'm not listening! Do I have to repeat myself in Spanish? "No... I heard you loud and clear." I blinked. He did? Merrill gave me his hand, which I grabbed. He gently pulled me up.

"You do?" I repeated with a raised eyebrow. With our close contact, I tried to find anything out of the ordinary mentally. I couldn't find a single lie or mischief. I stared deep into his blue eyes. He looked tired. "You're okay with us being friends?"

"Hell no," Merrill quickly answered with no hesitation. Why am I not surprised? "I still want us to be together. I know you also want to, but you're afraid of the risk."

"But... at the wedding-"

"Just because I never said those three words doesn't mean I don't feel anything for you." I still didn't believe him. Would hearing him say those three words make it any better? I don't know. Maybe I wanted closure.

Let's say we continue our relationship. What would happen? My dad had already met him, and he downright hated him. I haven't met Merrill's parents or the rest of his family. Would they be okay with... us, the whole 'human-mutant' relationship? We have friends who support us. Would Merrill's family be with or against us? I don't know anything about his family other than his mother being as strict as a drill sergeant, and his aunt is just as much a genius as my brother, Donnie. Other than those two, nothing. I'm afraid even to meet his family if the time comes.

"...you still didn't say it..." I whispered.

"I guess I have to prove it to you."

Before I knew it, Merrill pushed me. It took my mind a whole minute to realize he was falling. "MERRLL!" I jumped after him, wings extending. Our eyes locked. Merrill's hand extended. I flapped harder. I won't let him be a cyborg pancake. The next thing I knew, I managed to catch and grab him midway. I flew us to the closest building.

I glared up at my date. His hair was all over the place, like he just got out of bed. Even though dark circles were underneath his eyes, his eyes were brighter than his activated scanning. His smile was more colorful than his eyes. This was the first time I've ever seen him so... lively. He even laughed as if jumping off the building was the best thing he had ever done. I shook my head. "Are you out of your mind?!" I yelled. "I swear you're not THIS stupid! What were you thinking?!"

Merrill wasn't bothered by my outburst. It wasn't his sarcastic, rude-as-fuck laughter; it was... joyful. I almost wanted to join him if I wasn't too pissed off at his suicidal act. He finally calmed down and looked gave me a soft look. "I thought you, of all people, would know I've fallen for you."

Fallen? Well, duh! He fell from a fricking building, and just any building but the Empire State Building! He would've dug his prosthetics into a window or used his powers to turn into he's expressing his feelings of falling for... me?

"Finally clicking in, huh?" Merrill teased with a head tilt. "I've fallen for you. I'm falling in love with you." He said it. He said it! My heart pounded so hard I was afraid it might burst out of my chest. No! No! He wouldn't do something like that! He's bullshitting me! Yeah, that had to be it! There's no way Merrill – the guy who had thirteen dates with humans – would say he loves me, a mutant turtle. I focused on his eyes, focused hard on our telepathic link, and studied his expression to see if he was lying.

Either Merrill was the best actor I've ever met or...

Everything he said was true.

"Not convincing enough, huh? Hold on." What is he doing? Why is he standing on top of the rail? Why was he taking a breath? Is henot thinking of what I think he's thinking? He's not THAT crazy stupid!"GOOD EVENING, NEW YORK! I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY! I BEEN IN LOVE WITH LEONARDO HAMATO! AND I'M HAPPY, AND I'M PROUD!" After he (literally) yelled his heart out, I couldn't help but stare. I should feel embarrassed. Merrill yelled my name to the entire city to hear (probably a quarter of it). He said he's happy and proud... he said he's in love with me... he's in LOVE with ME. My stomach was full of backflips, forefronts, and cartwheels. Igot to be dreaming! This was too good to be true!

Merrill jumped off the rail. His face was flushed from yelling or... embarrassment? No, it was something warmer. His soft gaze met my eyes. I studied his eyes, focusing on my reflection.

He's too good, too dedicated! I waited patiently for the punchline, waited with bated breath (and a heavy heart) to hear him say, "PSYCH!" But nothing. My heart was going wild! He was driving me crazy!

I clasped my hands over my chest in case my heart popped out and started dancing the World's Most Embarrassing Victory Dance. "Do you mean it?" I whispered. I was afraid of saying it out loud. If this was a dream, I didn't want to wake up. "Do you mean it?"

Merrill walked closer. I stood there. I wanted to run. Run from this poor excuse of a joke... but I didn't. I wanted to see this through. How far are you willing to take your gentleman act, Merrill? You don't have to go far to make me feel better. He gently grasped my wrists. He placed one hand on his cheek and the other over his heart. He nuzzled my heart as his heartbeat moved in unison.

...he wasn't lying...

He meant it... every word...

"More than anything," Merrill answered.

My eyes began to sting. Don't be a sap! Your delivery was sappy! I hate you! But... "I love you," I said honestly.

"I love you, too." Before we knew it, our lips locked. There weren't any interruptions. It was just us, his lips over my beak, kissing alone on a random rooftop of an apartment. For some reason, we made it work.

This night, even with its faults, was perfect.