No good day at work ever started with a co-worker looking you dead in the eye and asking, 'are you high or having a mental breakdown?' of course, this is exactly what David asked (y/n) when she walked through the front doors of Tsuki no Hana eyes locked on the floor. She hadn't lifted her head since she left her apartment. It felt too heavy. Like her thoughts were weighing her down. On The street, on the subway, even now, standing in the main ball room all she could think about was how empty her apartment would feel when she arrived back home.

It was the right choice, she reminded herself, Leonardo deserved to be with his family. He was never supposed to be a house pet. Of course, that thought only brought a new one to her mind. Was Leonardo ever really a house pet? The answer came shockingly fast, of course not. Leonardo wasn't a pet. He never was. He was always something more. What that something was, worried her.

(Y/n) really worried about bonding with the people around her. Sure, she knew that friendships and eventually relationships would be something she could experience but it was hard to understand. After all, she skipped a grade for the first time when she was three, jumping over four-year preschool to kindergarten. She made it to third, only for her state test scores to move her up to sixth. They wanted her to move up again when she made it to high school. Graduated in two years, but she already felt like an outcast. Being eleven and going to high school made her weird enough.

No one wanted to be friends with the child prodigy unless she agreed to do their homework. When's he was fifteen, in her senior year, she learned very fast that no one wanted to date a nerdy girl. It was ingrained so intently in her mind that in college she didn't try. Then she went to work, and working with a thirty-five-year-old man who flirts nonstop didn't leave a good taste in her mouth.

Looking at the big picture the first real option for her romance wise was David. Not that they didn't try, but after a month of dating and their first time sleeping together, he came out to her in a tearful confession. Confidence went to an all-time low as she questioned how she was so bad at everything that it turned someone gay, until she realized that that wasn't how sexuality worked. Even so, she figured love wasn't worth trying for. She ignored the idea, so when the bubbling of emotions appears in her stomach while caring Leonardo's wounds, she ignored it.

Her heart hurt. She ignored it too long, and now he was leaving her. Forever. But he doesn't belong to me! Her mind screamed. With a groan she pushed the heels of her hands against her eyes. The actions caused David and Jamison, who were watching her trudge to incessantly exchange a concerned glance.

Under his breath David muttered. "Damn, didn't think she was actually having a breakdown."

"She looks like she just got dumped." Jamison whispered back.

"She doesn't have a boyfriend she just has..." David began before the realization finally hit him.

Without any hesitation the young man jumped from the stand and rushed to his friend. Gripping he shoulders, he forced (Y/n) to look up at him. When she did, his heart broke. It was obvious that she had been crying.

"Is Leonardo ok?" He asked calmly, pulling her close when instead of an answer fresh tear appeared in her eyes. "Okay, easier question. Did anyone die?"

"No." She whimpered into his shoulder.

The man smiled as he carefully ran a hand through her hair. "Then we fix it."

We can fix it. That was always David's problem whenever anything happened. At first it was used mainly when they broke a vase or a microwave caught on fire, or an oven caught on fire, or a coffee machine caught on fire. (David is no longer allowed to cook for himself without supervision). Lately it has been used in a more social context. She made the promise herself after David got on Jamison's bad side. (Jealousy took over when the blond went on a date with Pinocchio's understudy back when he was in Shrek the musical). Of course, every time in the past one promised that they could fix a problem, the problem was ultimately solved. Super glue worked vase's, baking soda on stove tops, and apology cookies with friends. But nothing could keep Leonardo with her, at least not with filling her with guilt. Pushing away, (Y/n) forced a quick smile before stepping out of her friend's arms.

"Look, I appreciate that, but...we can't fix this." She sadly admitted as she made her way to the stage and reached up. Taking his cue, Jaimeson grabbed her outstretched hand and pulled her on to the stage beside him. "I could use the distraction though, so let's rehearse then get ready for tonight ok?"

Her words rushed towards her partner's ears desperate for interpretation. She needed them to understand her tone, and her desire to not have them push it today. Luckily, they understood. The boys shared a silent glance followed by a nod. Something was wrong, their eyes communicated, but now wasn't the time. They could figure it out either after the show or tomorrow, but not tonight, not when whatever was wrong was still fresh.

(y/n) instantly began warming up with vocal trills while twisting the ends of her hair between her fingers. If it wasn't for her red rimmed eyes you could almost think that everything was as it should be. The girl was even slightly twisting her hips, just enough to make the skirt of her black midi-length dress to swirl around her calves. (Y/n) looked beautiful, and completely at ease. It was...jarring really. How the air around her could change on the dime. The boys had just watched her walk in, eyes on the floor, on the brink of tears, and now, she looked almost peaceful. Almost as if she has tucked her problems away in the back of her mind to worry about later.

Which is exactly what she had done. (Y/n) knew she had no time to sulk. She was at work. It was time to focus and be the perfect performer she was paid to be. So, she pushed her problems to the side for now, and tried her damndest to not think about the turtle who wouldn't be waiting for her at home. Eventually, David joined the others on stage, jumping Ing up with unnecessary flare, before walking up to (y/n) and raising his hand on the small of her back.

With a stained smile, David spoke. "You heard the woman. Let's do this!"

***

Rehearsal rushed by, as did the beginning of the show. The club was packed, every chair was full, the walls were lined with people, and based upon the applause so far, everyone had been enjoying it. They open the set with It Only Takes a Taste sung by Jamison and (Y/n). Jamie then took the stage for his solo, singing Build a Wall so well that Brian D'Arcy James should be jealous. The leading lady returned to the stage to sing with David, their favorite song and dance. It was a special duet arrangement of Together Wherever You Go, from Gypsy. She stayed close, to sing support vocals for David's solo, Wonderful.

Finally, Jamison joined the pair on the stage once again to sing their group number, the same one they practiced proudly at her apartment, She Loves Me Not. When the applause for the number finally faded, (Y/n) curtsied before taking her leave, allowing the boys to banter while annoying their duet. When the back track to What You Own began, (y/n) smiled from the wings. The boys always did great when they sang from Rent. Hell, they always did great when they sang together in general, their tones simply blended well. It was so easy to get sucked in. It was the perfect distraction from everything else going on within her head, creating a protective bubble around her.

The problem with bubbles is that they unfortunately pop, very very easily. The delicate surface of (Y/n) personal world quivered when she heard someone approach, but it only shattered when someone suddenly touched her. No... someone groped her. A hand landed on her ass, squeezing it as if they owned her. In a sentient her bubble shattered, and with it her peace.

"Move the hand or lose the hand." The girl grumbled, knowing that her assailant had to be one of two walking cease pools as Leonardo calls them.

"Now, now, there's no reason to talk so mean." Fa. It was Fa who decided to grope her.

Nope, she thought, that was the wrong response. Throwing any concern or desire of self-preservation out the window (y/n) grabbed the man's wrist in a death grip and began to fling him around like a rag doll. She spun on her heel, twisting his arm with her and pressing it painfully against his back. Feeling as if that still wasn't enough, she rushed them towards the nearest wall and slammed him against it. Fa hardly had enough time to turn his head, the only thing that saved him from a broken nose.

"Listen you pitiful excuse of a man." (y/n) hissed. "I might put up with your bullshit most of the time, but you picked the wrong fucking night."

"Get off my you crazy bitch." Fa all but shouted causing (Y/n) to pull his body back just enough to slam him against the wall for a second time.

"Shut your damn mouth." She was keeping her voice low, thankful for the heavy drums of the boy's back track. "If you try to touch me again I will break your fucking arm. Then you'll scream and ruin my show. If you ruin my show. You learn just how capable I am of taking care of myself. Do I make myself clear?" 

Fa hesitated at first, grumbling under his breath. As if testing if she was serious the man chose to squirm and try to get away. In response (y/n) simply shoved his arm up further making the man release a pitiful moan. Driven by anger, the sound made the girl smirk, and she was tempted to push his arm further. Would it really be that bad to break his arm? She asked herself before the angel on her shoulder stepped in. You're better than this. It reminded her, just in time for Fa to respond.

The man attempted to make himself sound tough when he replied "Crystal."

"Good," (Y/n) cooed before forcing Fa away from the wall and all but throwing him to the floor towards the dressing rooms. "Now fuck off."

Time was on her side, for as soon as the man scrambled away, the audience began to applaud. The boys had finished their song, and it was time for her solo to end the show. Filled with a new pride, that overrode her negative emotions and distracted her from her most likely empty apartment, (Y/n) managed to force a confident smile as she strutted to the stage and prepared to sing her heart out.

***

"Great job beautiful girl!" David praised and he wrapped his arms around (y/n) shoulder as she stood in her dressing room brushing out her hair. "That was one of our best shows ever! Everyone loved it!"

"Yeah," she smiled. "They did."

It wasn't a lie. They had a huge crowd cheering them on song after song. Not ever her run in with Fa could overpower the pride she felt while in that spotlight. It certainly did its job well. Afterall, it wasn't until she was alone in her dressing room pulling out bobby pins from her strategically twisted curls, that she remembered what was waiting at home, or rather, who wasn't waiting for her anymore.

The clock on the wall read 10:35, her shift had ended a mere five minutes ago, and if she rushed she could make it across town by eleven. But did she really want to rush? OR was it better to prolong the enviable. No. definitely not that option. With a heavy sigh she leaned into David's touch, trying to find some sort of comfort in his arms, but it was almost too hard to grasp.

"I think I'm ready to go home." (y/n) laughed sadly. "You have no idea the mental strain this day has had."

"I can kinda tell." David muttered, before meeting her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. His concern was evident as it had been most of the night. Every moment they had he was looking back at her with a gentle gaze, prompting her to open up, reminding her that he cares. "What's going on inside that big brain of yours?"

She hesitated for a moment, while lovingly griping David's wrist. "I'm just struggling to accept that even though it hurts, I made the right choice."

That's a good summary, she thought to herself. It hurt, but it was right. Keeping Leonardo would have been wrong. Deep down she knew that ultimately, keeping her pet, keeping her friend, wouldn't have made her feel better. In the end the guilt would consume her.

Humming in her ear David tilted his head, "What choice was that..."

"I let..." (y/n) stopped herself. She couldn't say it. If she did she would cry and there wasn't time for that. Not here at least. "I'll tell you tomorrow... once it sets in more."

David knew he wanted to press her more but decided against it. Instead, he gave her another quick hug and a kiss on the head before wishing her a goodnight, promising not to be too far behind her. With a smile, she bid him ado, and finished tending to her hair. Once detangled the girl grabbed her back and went to leave. Much to her dismay, (Y/n) only made it halfway down the hall when she was stopped once again.

"Hey (y/n) wait!" At least it was Jamison, she thought before turning to him with another forced smile. "David said you're leaving already. You sure you don't want to stay for some drinks?"

"Thanks, but no thanks, I really just want to go to bed." (Y/n) said with a laugh hoping she sounded convincing.

"Alright, as long as you're taking care of yourself," Jamison smiled sweetly as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. (y/n) returned the expression and prepared to leave only for the blonde to suddenly stiffen. "Wait!"

His hand scrambled towards his back pocket, fitting for a moment, before he pulled a wrinkled white envelope out. Jamison then held the letter out for (Y/n) who grabbed it with a confused expression. "It's for Leonardo, a little gift is all. He's a good guy."

"Yeah," she whispered, fingers gliding over a crease on the envelope. "He deserves the world."

Jamison hummed thoughtfully before chuckling. "Living with you, he already has it."

***

The trip home took a little longer than usual, but not by much. She made the train just fine but stopped at every intersection to wait for a walk sign. On a normal night, she's probably risking it. Sprinting through New York traffic at night, hoping she didn't get hit, but tonight, she wasn't in a rush to get back. When she finally did make it to the top floor of their apartment building however, she forced herself not to linger.

One deep breath later, she entered the apartment only to find it pristine. A sliver of hope wiggled its way into her mind. No mess, must mean, not break in. Leonardo could still be here. Moving fast, she went from room to room, checking all of the turtle's favorite places to lounge while she's away. After finding an empty kitchen, dining, office and living room, she used her final ounce of hope to speak.

(Y/n)'s voice was shaking as she called out, "Francoeur?"

Clearing his voice, Leonardo knew he needed to speak. "Welcome home, Finch."

"Your home," (Y/n) practically sighed, making Leonardo look at the ground.

"They're on their way." He responded simply, making her heart sing.

(Y/n) nodded before making her way towards the turtle. As soon as she was close enough, she reached out and took his hand in hers. Without a word, she guided him back into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them. They stood in silence for a few moments before (Y/n) finally turned and stood wither back towards Leonardo.

"Will you..." She was hesitating, it was a strange ask, and she knew it, but (y/n) wanted something, anything, that would keep them close together. "Will you help me change?"

Leonardo's whole body stiffened at the request. "Are you sure?"

Once again, the only reason was a nod, this time, with the addition of her pulling her hair out of the way of her zipper. The turtle was frozen in place as he processed what was going on. Prior to (Y/n) he had never spent this much time alone with a girl, let alone seen one naked, and now there was a girl who already caused his mind and heart to run rapid circles of confusion around each other, asking him to help her change. He wasn't sure what force it was that finally got him to move, but eventually Leonardo reached out and pinched the tiny zipper pull between his fingers.

With a shaky breath, he pulled down on the zipper slowly exposing her back. In an instant, (Y/n) moved her arms to hold the fabric against her chest while she waited for a signal that the redress was fully undo. When he reached the end of the teeth, Leonard pressed the pull gentile against the small of (y/n)'s back before placing one hand flat between her shoulder blades.

"Thank you," The girl murmured before wandering towards the closet.

Carefully she pulled out some shorts and a t-shirt. For a moment she attempted to step into the shorts with her heels still on, and one hand holding her dress, but Leonardo quickly stepped in. In an instant he knelt on the floor in front of her, and began unbuckling her heels, pulling them from her feet one by one. The turtle then helped her step into the shorts and pulled them to her knees, leaving the rest for (y/n) to do one her own. After all, they had managed for create a new form of intimacy between the two of them. Sharing a moment so personal, in near silence. He didn't want to ruin it. So, when (Y/n) reached down to fix her bottoms Leonardo quickly stood and backed away.

They held eye contact for a few seconds after her shorts disappeared under her dress, before (Y/n) turned around and finally let her dress fall. Leonardo couldn't help but stare at her bare back until the girl finally pulled the t-shirt on. Her head popped out from the top of her shirt, and Leonardo quickly moved to pull her hair out of the collar as well. He placed it against her back, he allowed himself the luxury of rubbing her shoulders before finally stepping away. A moment later, (y/n) turned to him, eyes on the look as she thought of her next request.

"Can it...can I just..." Her mind was running, but she couldn't even ramble. Words just didn't want to work. But Leonardo wasn't a mind reader, she had to say something. "I want to just hold onto you. For as long as I can."

"I'd like that..." Leonardo responded quickly, before carefully scooping her hands into his larger ones. "Come on Finch."

Silently he led her over to the bed and sat on the edge. (Y/n) just looked at him for a moment before indicating for him to scoot in further with her head. He opened, moving himself to the center of the bed, sitting up against the headboard while watching the girl curiously. Her eyes simply followed him for a moment before settling on his plastron, examining the rise and fall. She didn't even know why, up she was drawn to his chest.

As if being pulled she approached him, crawling onto the bed, until she finally straddles his legs. Her eyes never left Leonardo's chest while she settled. Eventually (Y/n) reached out her hand and placed it down. His shell was so thick that she could barely feel his heartbeat, but it was there. The proof that she wasn't making this up, that this crazy month had been a reality, giant turtle included.

(Y/n)'s breath was shaky when she finally met her turtle's eyes once again. Looked so patient. He wasn't going to interfere with whatever it was she needed to do. Mentally, he had decided that the second his hands landed on the zipper of her dress. While unorthodox in comparison to other types of comfort he's witnessed, this ritual of closeness was soothing (Y/n). And that's all that mattered to him. So, she leaned forward, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He was quick to return the embrace, strong arms looping surly around her waist.

For a moment they sat in simple silence. Their minds were racing beyond interpretation. Wanting to help in some way, Leonardo began to run his hand up and down (Y/n)'s back. She jumped at first but soon leaned into his touch, basking in its consistency. Feeling her relax in his arms, prompts the turtle to do the same, and before he knew it a low churr admitted from his chest.

"Why." (y/n) whispered, tears finally falling.

His haze suddenly faded as he felt tears land on his shoulder. "What?" Leonardo whispered.

"You're churring." the girl explained simply while pushing back against Leonardo's shell to look him in the eye. "Turtles only churr when they relax or are happy. Why are you churring when you're going to leave me?"

His heart panged at her words. He wasn't happy because he was leaving. He was content being with her, more comfortable than he had ever been before. Besides, he couldn't control when he churred, it just kinda happened. Still, she was staring at him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she waited for his answer.

"I..." Leonardo hesitated, "I'm just so comfortable here. With you, with me."

(Y/n) seemed content enough with that answer, quickly leaning back in to hold Leonardo close to her again. It took a few moments, but eventually, the girl stopped heaving. Her breath began to circulate with the rhythm Leonardo created while rubbing her back. He grounded her in the only way he could.

The silence was deafening. Talking had stopped, churing had stopped. Even (Y/n)'s sniffles had faded into nothingness, and it was beginning to drive Leonardo mad. He needed to break it somehow. In a way that would only provide comfort. That's when he remembered her cellphone's lock screen. They were happy then. Thursday. Just being themselves, together, having sung that duet.

That's when the idea hit him. Taking a breath, he attempted to recreate that moment in the office, while singing under his breath.

"And if I'm gone tomorrow, what was ours still will be." Leonardo sang against her hair. "I have something to believe in, now that I know you believed in me."

Holding him closer, Y/n pushed down the inclement tears with a breath, she joined him. "Do you know what I believe in, look into my eyes and see."

As if prompted by the lyrics Leonardo carefully gripped the girl's head to guide her back just enough to look at her. What he saw made his chest tight. This girl whom he'd grown so close to, so fond of, was on the brink of tears at the idea of him leaving. But there was nothing he could do. He had spent all evening weighing his options, and he knew that leaving was the right choice, no matter how much his heart fought.

The turtle's heart screamed out at him again, as if attempting one last plea to be obeyed. It wanted him to stay. It wanted him to hold her longer, tell (y/n) that he'd stay. In her life, in this apartment, just stay with her. He just couldn't. His head reminded him. Leonardo knew he wasn't made to be cooped up somewhere for the rest of his life. He needed freedom. Not only that, but he had a family outside of the confines of this penthouse. Little brothers who looked to him for guidance. A father who trusted him to take care of the family. Friends who loved him unconditionally. Could he really give all of that up for one girl that he's known for less than a month? It was illogical.

"Please stay with me." she whispered, tears finally escaping her eyes to run silently down her cheeks.

That was it. The one question with an answer to change everything. Leonardo's heart pounded so aggressively he wondered if (y/n) could hear it. I will! I will! I will! It shouted at him, just barely peeking over the deafening ringing in his ears from his own mind. I can't! I can't! I can't! It insisted. The conflict made his throat tighten, and the turtle feared that his own tears may start to fall. In order to hide them from (Y/n) he pulled her close once again. Her hands pressed against his shell, as her body shook.

Taking a deep breath, Leonardo said the only thing he could manage. "I'm sorry, Finch."

In an instant (Y/n)'s arms broke free from between their bodies and wrapped around his shoulders, giving her leverage to hide against his neck and she tried to contain herself. She felt childish, and weak. She desperately wanted to not cry, but she couldn't stop herself. It felt like her heart was being torn from her chest. Why does it hurt so much? She asked herself. I knew he was going to leave. Knowing and accepting were two different things, the world aggressively reminded her.

There was nothing she could do, nothing she could say to change his mind, and (y/n) knew that. Of course, this only made it hurt more. So, she decided to simply make the most of whatever time they had left. Let it be hours, minutes. Anything. Tightening her grip, she pressed her body as close to Leonardo's as she could. Her legs unfolded and wrapped around the back of his shell; his arms protectively coiled around her body. The pair had found themselves fully intertwined. Close to the point they feared that Leonardo's shell would cut (y/n)'s thighs, but they didn't care. Instead, they stayed that way, until they heard the shattering of glass followed by three heavy thuds.

His brothers were here.