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 "Mic, you gotta see this before you go!" The woman at the radio station ran up to the startled Voice Hero, brandishing her phone around like a deadly weapon. "Oh. My. Godddd!"

Hizashi raised his eyebrows. "What is it?"

"Just look!" She squealed loudly and thrust the screen in his face.

The image was of a custom stuffed toy, a likeness of him in a much larger size than available in stores or other promotions. It looked similar to a Cabbage Patch Kid, but much bigger with adult proportions.

"So weird!"

He jumped back, eyes wide. "Ah, holy crap! That's way bigger'n the ones they sell."

"I knoooow, right? Ew."

"Ew?" He frowned, squinting at the text below yhe image. "Why ew? And, uh. The comments are gettin' really harsh."

<i>Do you, you know. Do you... do you, uh...? I don't wanna know forget it lol</i>

...

<i>This is an abomination and should not exist. Destroy it. Now.</i>

...

<i>You fuck that thing, don't you.</i>

...

<i>y Mic tho?</i>

He snorted and finally pushed her hand with the phone away. "People can be a buncha weirdos."

"I <i>know</i>, right? They paid somebody to make that thing!"

"That's not what I - ah, hell." She wasn't listening and was already out of sight, scampering down the hall. 

When he got back to the campus later he noticed the school counselor wasn't around to greet him like usual. She slept poorly and often would still be awake, coffee in hand seated on the couch ready to talk. He frowned, hoping she was all right.

"Maybe I should check," he muttered to himself as he walked down the hall. His light knock on her door produced no response, but it wasn't locked and swung open easily. Alarmed, he tensed in preperation for what might be on the other side. 

Elly was on her bed curled up in a ball. She stood up when she saw who it was, rubbing at her eyes with her hands. Her cheeks were pink and stained wet from crying, her purple eyes bloodshot and miserable.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I mean... not really. But I will be."

"Well, if ya need a good laugh - check this out!" He showed her the Mic doll on his phone, hoping at least for a smile. 

She did not smile. 

In fact, her face paled considerably and she clapped a hand over her mouth. 

"Holy shit! You okay?" Hizashi watched her transformation in dismay. She'd looked bad to begin with, but now she appeared to be sick. "You need to go see Chiyo, babe -"

"No."

"But you look like you're gonna barf!"

"I'm - I'm not," she said weakly. "I promise I'm not, it's, um. Oh..."

"That's it. Nurse. Now." He made as if to reach for her and she shook her head wildly.

"No! It's mine."

"Ehhh?"

"The Mic plushie," Elly clarified. "I had it made. That's why - I didn't want you to know..." 

He looked around, confused. "But -"

She pointed to her closet with a shaky finger. "I - I hid it in there."

Hizashi sat heavily on the bed and blew out a huge gust of air. "Why, Ches?"

"I posted on a therapy group," she explained weakly. "I wanted to share with other fans so they wouldn't be scared to use plushes. But I forgot to make the image private." She rolled her eyes, brushing her side locks away from her cheeks. "My account is vague and I'm on a VPN, so no one knows it was me. But the pic... ugh. This is why people are scared to try different comfort techniques. I mean, I tried to help but it backfired."

"Um, babe?"

"Yeah." 

There was a beat of silence, and then he gently turned her to face him. "Why d'ya have a plush <i>me</i>? Why not a teddy bear or somethin'?"

"Oh." Elly made a face, wrinkling her nose. "I guess everything's gone to shit so I might as well fess up. I fell in love with you a long time ago."

His face immediately blossomed into color and he stared at her in shock.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't going to tell you, it's unprofessional and <i>creepy</i>. I realize it's creepy." Her ears twitched and she sighed sadly. "I just really want to be held. I had it made life-sized so the arms could - could... hug me. Plus, studies show it's good for adults, it was published in 2013 in the journal Psychological Science that simply holding a plush could reduce existential fear in people with low self-esteem -"

"Whoa, hey now."

"Sorry!" She grimaced. "Sorry... I know."

He shook his head, his huge plume of hair rustling. "Nah, babe, don't be sorry. I get it, yeah? I mean, I was freaked out at first, 'course I was! They sell other ones of me, though. There's tons of merch. I think I even got on a bubblegum wrapper once. That's weirder, right?"

She sighed. "Maybe. I'm still sorry, though. And embarrassed. Let's put it past us so we can still be friends?"

"Past us?"

"Please. I'll get rid of it, I promise."

"Ches -"

"I never should've had it made." Elly shook her head. "I wanted to imagine what it felt like when someone loved you unconditionally. But it didn't feel like anything. It's not real."

Hizashi shook his head slowly, huffing under his breath. "Damn, girl. No wonder you wanted a hug." He stood, popped his neck gear off and carefully set it by his feet.

"I'm also sorry I dumped all that on you." She opened her mouth to apologize more but found herself enveloped in a tight embrace that smelled mostly of leather. Hizashi was much taller than her and she came up to around his chest. That meant she was snuggled against firm pectoral muscles and could feel the wild beating of his heart.

She stiffened, gasping out loud, but he didn't let go and she eventually relaxed a little. "You don't h - have to do this!"

"I know." He swept her off her feet and into his lap as he sat on the bed. "It's, you know. Unconditional."

Caught in the act

 There was a close and friendly darkness to the room they chose that day. It was one of the inner, smaller areas of the ship that the crew normally didn't congregate in so they had every right to believe they would be alone.

"We only have so much time," Elly whispered breathlessly as they rushed inside. "It's almost lunch and they'll come looking for us."

Zoro chuckled wickedly. "More than enough time if you shut up."

"Bastard." She stuck her tongue out, tugging on his haramaki to pull him closer.

Zoro quickly stood over her, bending so their lips could meet. He placed his palms on the wall on either side of her head, his stance possesive. This was something she told him she enjoyed, so he'd taken to playing it up more. He growled low in his throat before pressing his mouth to hers.

His broad shoulders concealed her completely above but her tail curled around his left leg, a clear indication of who he was with. He'd just deepened the kiss and moved closer, his hips jerking in anticipation of touch, when the door suddenly opened. A shaft of light from the other room flooded in and they were seen by three astonished crew members at once.

Chopper clattered to the ground as he sat in shock. Sanji choked out loud and Luffy gagged violently as he shoved a hand over his mouth.

"<i>Ewwwwww</i>, Zoro, what the hell are you doing!"

Sanji immediately froze in place by the scenario in front of him, but soon recovered enough to slap his captain over the head. "We had this discussion, idiot."

"Yeah, but his <i>tongue</i> was in her mouth!"

"'Cooties' don't exist!"

Elly bit her lip and nodded when Zoro motioned for her to escape off to the side. She gratefully melted into the darkness, hiding in a corner waiting to be forgotten or at least for them to leave.

In the meantime Sanji and Chopper were both stressing there were no major health risks to kissing ... none of which involved a fictional bug, anyway. 

"Okay, okay!" Luffy crammed his hat tighter on his head, pouting. "I didn't really think that. But it's still gross." However, now that his initial disgust was over, he saw a rare opportunity to roast his first mate. "Besides, we all saw it," he informed him smugly. The huge grin on his face grew wider, testing the boundaries of his stretching capability. 

The door opened again and Usopp's long nose preceeded him as he poked inside. "Hey, what's all the yelling about?"

"We caught moss head making out with Angel." Sanji paused, then did a double take as he remembered. Outraged, he stomped forward. "What were <i>you doing</i> kissing her like that?!"

"Ah haaaa!" Luffy laughed out loud.

"What?" Zoro glared at him but to no avail; once his captain had an idea in his head he was going through with it.

"Not just kissing!" Luffy howled with glee, pounding the decking with his feet and fists. "You were practically sucking her face off!"

"Ew, Luffy," Ussop groaned. "I wasn't there. The visual was <i>not</i> needed."

"Why didn't you tell anyone you were a couple?" Sanji huffed angrily. "I'd have been shouting it off all the rooftops."

"Maybe she's not that into him."

"Or <i>he's</i> not."

"Uh, guys," Usopp pointed out nervously, "we're talking about Zoro... and he looks kinda angry. Maybe we should go?"

"You're all fucking nuts." Zoro waved a hand dismissively at the group and was about to leave when Chopper blocked his path. He raised an eyebrow, his face like a thundercloud but starting to burn red across the bridge of his nose. "Don't -"

"Uh, Zoro are you being, you know, careful..?"

"Damn it!" He spun around and stormed off without answering.

Elly had long snuck out through another door at the end of the room. She was standing at the bow watching the sea birds fly around their ship when he found her. 

"Stupid cat!"

"Hmm, what?" She didn't move but her ears perked up.

"Everyone saw us," Zoro snapped.

"I know."

"Well?!"

She thought about it for a little while, changing her view to watch the waves break against the hull instead. "Are you ashamed of me?"

"<i>What?</i>"

"You never wanted anyone to know we were together."

"Look what happens," he grunted.

"Okay." She took a deep breath and placed a hand on his arm. The touch was light and he noticed it felt different right away, reacting with a deeper frown than he intended. Elly let the hand fall, her smile faltering with it. Yet her voice remained firm and unwavering when she spoke. "I'm sorry. If you want to end whatever we had, let me know. I... well, honestly, I knew this would happen. I just didn't know when."

"Whatever we <i>had</i>?" 

"I was hoping for a little more time," she admitted softly, a breathy catch finally creeping into her speech that hinted how near to tears she was.

"What the <i>hell</i> are you talking about?" The big man caught her by both shoulders and spun her sideways to face him. "Why are you being so fucking dramatic?!"

"I am <i>not</i> 'being dramatic'," she hissed, the first tears springing into the corners of her eyes.

Zoro shook his head crossly. "You're crying and it has something to do with me. Spit it out already."

"I'm telling you, that's fine!" Her voice raised until she was nearly shouting, fists clenched at her sides. "<i>I know I'm not important to you</i>! I <i>knew</i> we were just having fun and now it's over because we got caught. Now go away before I actually start crying because I <i>don't</i> want you to <i>see</i>!"

Zoro stood there impassively for a long moment - too long, because she couldn't hold it in anymore and started weeping. He scratched his chest, staring off into the sky while a slight burn spread across his ears and nose. "You idiot," he finally sighed in a resigned tone.

"I know! Just go!"

"I <i>said</i> you're an idiot. I <i>didn't</i> say you were right. Get over here."

"Wha - hey!" He reached out and pulled her into his arms, enfolding her in them and pressing her to his upper body. She struggled but he tightened his grip ever so slightly and she realized she wasn't going anywhere. It didn't hurt; she was embarrassed more than anything and wanted to escape. "Hey," she spluttered, half-crying and half-angry, "let me go!"

"No." He casually glanced around, noticed a flurry of activity on the top deck nearest them, and sighed. "Quit trying to hide, you suck at it," he called out to his eavesdropping crewmates. 

Several heads popped up one after the other. "Sorry Zoro!" Chopper scrambled to jump up on the railing so he could talk. "Luffy said you were acting funny, I thought you might be sick!"

Elly giggled faintly through her tears. Zoro shot her a look that clearly said <i>I'm so tired of this shit</i> and then shook his head, addressing the little reindeer. "I'm fine. It's almost lunch, we'll be there in a minute."

Chopper hesitated, looking at Elly's flushed face and wet cheeks with concern. 

"It's okay," she told him with a weak smile. He pouted a little but nodded and walked off, his hooves clopping lightly on the deck. The others hesitated, but seeing the big man was fully intending to stay still until they left, soon followed suit.

"I'm gonna clobber Luffy," Zoro muttered when they were alone again. He let her go and she took a wobbly step back.

"Yeah, yeah. You <i>were</i> bright red, though."

"The sun is hot."

"We only just came outdoors."

Zoro groaned, his hand coming up to rub at his remaining eye. "Shut up, cat."

"Yeah."

"Not like <i>that</i>," he ground out between clenched teeth with a look of absolute frustration. "I need to say something."

Elly looked up while bracing herself and watched the big man struggle to express what he wanted to say. He thought for several minutes and she hardened her heart with each second lost, fearing the worst. 

She finally gave up. "I think your silence is just about as good as words, yeah?" Her voice was quietly regretful. "I'm sorry."

He made a strangled sound and grabbed her arm when she tried pushing past. "Wait!"

"<i>No</i>!" She hissed, tearing out of his grasp. "I thought, I don't know, you were so gentle sometimes, what I thought I saw... I thought..." Elly shook her head, closing her eyes tight against the memories. "It hurts but I'll be fine."

"The fuck..?" He watched her leave, more confused than ever.

Lunch was awkward that day.

Elly sat beside Sanji instead of him, and the usually amorous chef knew not to bother her as he normally would. He attended to her carefully, noting she wasn't interested in eating and pulling out real cream to make a small drink she could sip instead. She was the first to leave, pleading a headache, and there were a few glances cast Zoro's way that he steadfastly ignored.

He continued to act as if nothing was wrong, even when anyone tried to talk to him on her behalf. 

After the third time Elly fled from him when she noticed his approach, however, he was anything other than indifferent. 

Sanji raised one curly eyebrow when the swordsman barged into the kitchen after dinner. People usually left him alone when he was washing up because they'd get roped into helping. He calmly rinsed a couple more plates off, the only sound the water rushing from the faucet and dinnerware clanking together.

It took several minutes for Zoro to speak. "Is there any more of that cold beer?"

"Maybe." Sanji wiped his hands dry on a towel and grabbed a bottle from the fridge. "Here."

"Thanks." He grunted and drank. 

"I don't know how the fuck you landed that woman, but you sure screwed it up." He started stacking the dry plates, his back to the other man.

"I didn't 'land' shit!"

"Obviously!" He turned his head to snarl at him.

Zoro slammed the bottle down angrily, but his tone changed when he spoke next. "She keeps running away from me," he muttered.

"Of course she does!" Sanji finished putting the dishes away, shutting the cabinet door much harder than usual in exasperation. "She likes you, <i>why</i> I can't <i>possibly</i> understand -"

"You sonofa -!"

"Shut up!" He kicked the bench near the swordsman for emphasis. "You didn't tell her you loved her back, right?"

"She knows." Zoro grunted sourly. "What's that got to do with anything."

"She <i>doesn't</i> know, you idiot! She won't let herself be alone with you because she thinks all you want is sex and she's afraid she'll give in when you try again."

Zoro sat without so much as blinking for a few seconds, completely stunned for once while his crew mate lit a cigarette.

"I know 'cause I've done that," Sanji admitted. "Not my finest fucking hour, but I knew I had a shot. The woman told me afterwards and I felt like shit since we were leaving the next day."

"I wasn't going to -"

"You weren't?"

"No!"

"So." He lowered his cigarette to blow a cloud of white smoke out in a long, even breath. "You wouldn't have made some half-assed attempt at an apology and thought everything was immediately better? Better enough for a fuck?"

Zoro's lower lip thrust out pugnaciously. "Bastard," he growled under his breath.

"Don't push her." The blond-haired man shrugged, brushing his bangs into place with his free hand. "Say whatever you're feeling and then back off."

Zoro waited until he found a chance to speak with her alone. After patiently tailing her all day, he noticed her going into the bottom half of the ship and heading for the aquarium. He caught up with her but simply stood for a long minute, watching her stare at the fish darting amongst the waving kelp strands.

"I know you're there."

He grunted, moving to stand beside her. "Yeah."

"What do you want?"

"You're upset."

"Really?" Elly's ears flattened back. "No, really? Did you figure that out all by yourself?"

His frown deepened. "You don't have to be an ass."

"Maybe I don't, but I'm <i>upset</i>, and someone won't let me chill the fuck out." She pushed away from the tank and made as if to storm off. He grabbed her arm in desperation and she stopped to stare at him in disgust. "Again?"

"Sorry," he muttered, relaxing his hold on her. Elly immediately slipped away and out into the night. He followed quickly and found her staring up at the crow's nest where they usually slept, her eyes far away.

"It's not going to make everything perfect immediately again even if you apologize."

"I <i>know</i>." Zoro slumped against the mast, swearing sulfurously under his breath for a minute. Then, so low she almost didn't hear, "I fucked up and I'm sorry. I get why you don't want to, but you can come up whever you want. To sleep. Just sleep."

Her ears perked and she stared at him, amazed. But before she could say anything he pointed up at the crow's nest. "Good night, cat." He turned and gripped a rung on the ladder, but there was a long, awkward pause as he held the position. Elly waited, and while she was bewildered by his grudging apology she staggered at what came next. 

He turned his head, his body visibly tensing as he flexed powerful muscles in preparation to climb as fast as possible. "I love you."

And he was gone, pulling himself up to his room and slamming the door.

She stood there letting the sea breeze whip her short, purple hair around her ears. One hand reached out to grasp the railing and she leaned against it for support. "What the <i>hell</i> just happened?"

Wanting to clarify and needing to hear those words again, she clambered up the mast to their room.

"All right, you big brute, why?"

"What." He rolled out the futon with a raised eyebrow.

"Did you mean it?"

He held up one hand. "I didn't say it to get laid."

"Oh." She sounded uncertain but rested her head on the pillow. His tone was one she was familiar with: he was done answering questions. "Well, then, good night."

Zoro snorted and rolled over away from her. 

Feeling hurt all over again she curled into a ball and tried to force herself to sleep. It didn't come easy, but she eventually drifted off.

Elly woke up as the morning sunlight bathed her face in warmth. She stretched carefully, frowning when she didn't feel Zoro's large presence beside her. She turned sleepily around and her brow furrowed harder when she saw she really was alone.

"Where'd you go," she mumbled.

"C'mon, cat." He grunted as he dug around through the dresser for fresh clothing. "You're pissed at me. Why would I risk a faceful of claws? I told you we were only sleeping."

"Yeah. You did." Elly sighed, but shook herself and then stood up. "But you also said..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "Maybe I imagined it."

Still, she sat with him at breakfast instead of avoiding the big man, which he considered a win. He was also much quicker to pick up on the fact that he'd better keep making an effort or he'd lose all his momentum.

Zoro finished his plate and pushed it back, picking up his mug instead. He took several large swallows, set it down and scratched his chest, looking around. "Hey, cook - is there more coffee?"

Sanji was about to let fly with a snarky comment when he saw the big man curl an arm casually around Elly's shoulders. She glanced up at him quickly, surprised, but he was staring blandly at Sanji. Elly sighed and relaxed comfortably against his side, something they had been doing for months but never in front of the crew. 

"Here," the chef muttered instead, shoving the half-empty pot at him. 

"Thanks." 

Elly kept staring at him after that. He noticed but said nothing, preferring to work out in silence while she lay nearby in the sun. Afterwards, however, he approached her with a questioning look in his eye.

"Can we maybe... <i>don't laugh</i>," she warned him. 

"I won't."

"I want you to hold me like you used to. If it's okay," she rushed on. "If it's something you want, too." 

Elly was enfolded in a tight embrace almost before she'd finished talking. "That's good," she sighed happily. "That's a good start again."

Just do it

 "You just gotta <i>do</i> it, Aizawa." Hizashi rolled his eyes. "Go for it. If it happens, it happens."

"Sure," his friend grunted sourly. "And, if it doesn't I'm failure of the year." He shook his head in disgust. 

"Pffft! You'd only be hot goss until the next disaster. Not forever. And imagine if it <i>worked</i>. I mean, she's worth it."

"Yamada -"

"No, man, I'm <i>serious</i>. I've been a good friend about this, but it's been ages and you've never made a move. I like her too, yo, and I'm not gonna wait forever."

"She's not interested in me."

Hizashi snorted loudly. "Yeah, well, you think she wants <i>me</i>?"

"Why try if you think that?"

His hazel eyes misted over for a brief moment as his imagination took over. Then he shrugged. "Because sometimes we're in our own heads."

At this moment the person in question walked into the room and made her way directly to the fridge. She poked her head inside, striped tail lashing lazily at her legs, and uttered a rather unladylike curse.

"Who drank my milk?!"

They watched her partly in amusement but also with the affection of a couple of older men with crushes. Hizashi was the first to shake himself free of his love-induced stupor.

"So... want me to show you how it's done?"

Aizawa snorted. "You? Seriously?"

"Oh, that's it." He got up and brushed off his khakis with a disdainful flap of his hands. "Watch and learn."

"Damn it, if I catch the asshole that's doing this I'm gonna -"

"Hey, babygirl."

"Hizashi?" Startled at his sudden approach and the nickname she almost dropped the cup she held. "Hey."

The blond-haired man swept a practiced hand around, checking his bun for strays and brushing a few back before stepping behind her and leaning down. Their bodies were suddenly so close the warmth was maddening, but they were not quite touching. He placed his hands carefully around her, laying his palms flat on the counter on either side. She became very still but he noticed her breathing grew quicker; her chest rose and fell in harsh little pants that excited him.

Hizashi dropped his voice low and sensual, lips barely an inch away from her furry ear. "<i>I want you in my arms tonight</i>," he hummed seductively.

She didn't move and he tensed in expectation of a slap, thinking he'd pushed things too far for sure. But after awhile Elly's body relaxed and she turned around to face him, sliding her arms around his neck. They stared into each others eyes and he swallowed hard when he felt her fingers ghost across the feathered, lower part of his hair.

"Just tonight? Or more?" She watched him intently.

He shook his head, smiling. "More. You want a loud-mouthed boyfriend, just say yes."

"Perfect," she purred happily. "Yes. What time, handsome?"

"Ten minutes," he answered promptly. Everyone will have gone to bed or be out working by then, and they could slip out unnoticed. "I'll drive us to my place in the city, yeah?" His eyes focused on her flushed face, mouth parted in a smile. Hizashi licked his lips, imagining their first kiss, and decided to press his good luck further by going for it right now. It was brief but electric, causing his heart to beat crazily in his chest and her tail to fluff out in all directions.

"I'll go get ready," she whispered. They parted, her walking back down the hall to change and him stumbling back to the couch.

Hizashi flopped heavily down, his face bright red and his eyes wild. "I... I didn't think that would work. I really didn't think it would <i>work</i>!"

"<i>What the hell</i>!"

"Uh, I'm sorry dude, but, erhm... I'm gonna get laid tonight."

"Understandable," Aizawa said through clenched teeth. 

"Should I just -"

He didn't let him finish. "No. It's her choice, and she clearly wants you." Aizawa squeezed his eye shut tight. "Very, very <i>clearly</i>. Just make sure she knows it's not a one-night stand."

"Already did 'cause I'm not a one-night kinda guy. I'm serious about her."

"Good. Make her happy."

"Hey, boys." Elly walked over to them, radiant in an off-the-shoulder top and flowing skirt. "What're we talking about?"

"Mnn. Stuff that reminded me of something, beautiful. I'll be right back," Hizashi crooned, blowing her a kiss before dashing down the hall. She grinned and sat down to wait.

Aizawa sipped his coffee, staring at the TV in front of him. They sat quietly for a few seconds before he spoke.

"Make sure you use protection," he said in an offhand tone.

Her ears perked, cheeks flushing slightly before she replied. "We're all on quirk-controlled birth control. Is there some reason I need more?" 

Aizawa glanced at her, his expression amused. "I'm not talking about <i>that</i> kind of protection."

"Wh - what?" 

The object of their discussion came bounding back with a triumphant grin on his face.

"Did you get what you needed?"

"Oh yeah." He held up a small plastic container. "This is for <i>you</i>, babe." It was tossed into her hands.

Elly opened the case. Inside were a brand-new pair of custom-fit earplugs. 

Hizashi grinned wickedly at her and wiggled his eyebrows. "Protection," he explained.

 

I like em chunky

 Hizashi's small eyebrows drew his expressive forehead into a worried point. "What the hell's happening to me?!" 

His lower belly was swollen, hanging over his belt like he'd suddenly gained thirty pounds or more overnight. He winced and poked at it with a finger. The skin sunk in where he jabbed, a soft, malleable substance.

Fat.

"Hey, Hizashi - you okay?" 

He jerked around at the sound of the voice and then froze, his ears and neck flaring in shame. Of course the first person to see him like this was the school's counselor, a close friend and his <i>fucking crush</i>.

"Ack!"

"Ohmigod, Zashi!" Her cat's ears popped straight up in shock. "That's not natural!"

"Ya think?! I must've got hit with some weird quirk."

She fussed over him, running a hand gently over the bulge and causing him to simultaneously lock up and shiver in different areas. "You have to get checked out. I don't know how that could be medical, but if it is, it's serious!"

"Yeah. Yeah, m'going right now."

The clinic ran tests and confirmed that it was not natural weight gain. He was sent home with a () diagnosis and no treatment. Elly was waiting anxiously for him and followed him to his room when he got back.

"Zashi..?"

"They don't know whose quirk did this," he mourned in an oddly quiet voice. "I don't - they don't know if I can go back to normal, either."

"Does it hurt?" 

"Nah. I look... well, different, is all." He looked away, blushing.

"You don't look <i>that</i> different." Elly sat beside him on the bed and rested a hand on his shoulder. "You're still handsome, for one." He snorted and she shook her head, violently dismissing his unspoken protest. "No, honest! I still think you're hot. Um. I mean, I know we're just friends but - but..." She trailed off awkwardly. "Oh, dear."

He turned to stare at her incredulously, his one eyelid drooping in that way he had. "You think I'm <i>whaaaaat</i>?!"

"I think you're hot," she shrugged. "I guess I have to own up to it now that I blurted it out."

He bit his lower lip, staring at her hand in consternation. "Uh, but, well - shit, Ches. Ya can't really think that?"

Elly sighed and reached out to touch his belly, trailing gentle fingertips ticklishly up and down the fine line of blond hairs rolling over it. He used to be able to see the hair vanish into his pants, but now all he could see was that bump of fat and her hand, dipping lower, circling his navel...

He gasped and flinched a little, jerking away at the intimate touch. "Whoa-whoa-whoa-<i>whoa</i>!"

She immediately snatched her hand back, face flaming with embarrassment. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I just assaulted you, I don't know why I thought that was okay. Please don't hate me."

Hizashi gaped at her, his golden eyes wide. 

She squeezed her eyes tight and jumped to her feet, bowing low in apology. "Sorry," she repeated. "I'm w - worse than horrible. That was uncalled for and I'll leave -"

"Nuh uh," he choked, grasping her hand as she turned away. "Don't go!"

"You don't hate me?"

"I mean, uh, a little warning woulda been nice! Ya startled me, babe. But I, um... I like your hands on me."

Her smile was radiant. "We need to start way slower than that, though. Here." She settled back on the bed and gestured for him to come close. "Lay your head against me, okay?"

Elly ran her hands gently through his long hair while he rested and stroked his forehead and cheeks. As he grew more relaxed she massaged his shoulders, easing the strain of the day away until Hizashi was humming with pleasure, his quirk vibrating in the air between them.

Eventually he raised his head, eyes glazed, and tugged on her shirt to indicate he wanted her to bend down. When she did he caught her lips with his in a serious kiss that took her breath away.

"<i>Hizashi</i>," she gasped.

"Ohhhhh," he whined softly. "Woooowwww."

"Yeah." 

"You sound happy. But what if..." He fidgeted, pressing his fingers together and trailing off shyly.

"What if, what?"

He sighed. "What if it keeps going? What if I get even bigger an' I can't stop it?"

"You're not going to die," she said firmly.

"No-o-o-o, but..."

"Zashi?"

"What if I look really-really different," he blurted out all at once. "Like, I get so big that I change?"

"Hizashi, I'm in love with <i>you</i>. Not your weight. Yeah, I think you're sexy as hell now, but as long as you're you, nothing else matters."

"You'd want me even then?"

Elly kissed him softly. "Yes. I'll always love you."

"<i>Oh</i>," he whispered, eyes widening as they grew shiny from unshed tears. "Can we - do you wanna, maybe..?"

"We can, and I very much do." She paused. "I - I really want - oh, geez, how the hell do I say this?"

"I love you, baby."

"That," Elly gasped, tears budding in the corners of her eyes. "I needed <i>that</i>. Oh, thank god. I love you, Zashi. Now make love to me."

"<i>Yeah</i>!"

The problem was his proportions were off. After several misses Hizashi started to get upset.

"I know, it's okay," she murmured. "I'll help."

He tried again but once he found her warmth there was another issue.

"It's gettin' in the <i>way</i>," he panted, frustrated. 

"No, sweetie, it's okay. Look." She raised her hips and he sank further in with a gasp. 

"Oh, <i>baby</i>!"

"That's good," she agreed with a moan. "That's so good."

"K - keep your legs like that," he groaned as he thrust. "That's perfect."

"I <i>know</i>," she agreed dreamily. "Don't stop sweetie, I'm close!"

He grunted with effort and kept going until she buried her face in the crook of his neck to muffle a scream. Proud of himself for making her feel good, he kissed her sweaty brow before continuing.

Elly took a minute to recover from her orgasm. Dazed and happy, she wanted to help him along so she did something she'd read about a few times. Threading her fingers through his long hair, she got close to the scalp before carefully grasping and tugging. 

Hizashi pulled up sharply, his mouth open in a loud gasp. "Whoa, <i>babe</i>!"

"Did I hurt you? I thought it might feel good."

"N - no, it wasn't painful. I think... do it again?" He bounced experimentally a few times. She waited until his eyes started to slip closed in bliss before pulling again. 

His reaction was electric.

"I'm gonna come, I'm gonna come <i>I'm gonna come</i>," he whined, his voice rising an octave each time with pleasure. 

"Awesome," she panted, holding tightly on to his shoulders while he thrust into her so her deeply she was pushed into the mattress. "Guess that did feel good!"

It took him a little while to come down from his high but when he did he carefully pulled out of her body. "Y - yeah." Hizashi exhaled softly against her sweaty neck, rolling over beside her. "Well, babe, some things can hurt in a good way."

"Mm hmm."

"But not for you, not right now. <i>You</i> get nothin' but sweet, sweet love and cuddles." He nuzzled her cheek with his nose and she giggled. "Yer in for a helluva surprise when I'm back to my normal self again, by the way," he promised with a mischevious twinkle in his eye. "I'm so much more agile when I'm fit."

Retreat (Aizawa)

 Elly kept arguing against these "togetherness" retreats, but someone higher up the school chain of command loved them. Both her and Hound Dog's protests were ignored, as usual, and here they were... again.

He took it in stride. The cat counselor, on the other hand, was furious. She made sure <i>everyone</i> knew that she found these oversharing and forced bonding sessions ridiculous for any number of reasons.

She knew she was letting it get to her too much, however, when Aizawa opened his eye to glare at her. This effectively silenced her at any moment, even mid-tirade, since she hated when that disapproving look fell on her.

Elly had to admit they <i>did</i> choose wonderful resorts and sites for these, though. Even if she didn't like the reason she was there she enjoyed her stay every time. This one was a sumptious five-star hotel with a great restaurant, beautiful suites and a spa, which is where they were currently. The teachers settled into a room surrounded by windows built for meditation or perhaps yoga. She looked around and chose a sun-warmed spot, curling her tail around her and sighing with only a little irritation.

Her annoyance faded when Aizawa strolled in and made for the space beside her right away after only a cursory glance around the room. He sat next to her on a floor pillow and immediately dropped his head down into a slouch as the head of this area set up the next exercise.

"Geez, Aizawa," Hizashi laughed at his friend from where he sat cross-legged in front. "You just woke up! I thought you said this was one of the only times you got rest, yo."

"I am rested," came the grumbled reply. "I don't want to be here."

"Tell me about it," Elly snorted.

"Okay!" The person in charge walked in the middle of the pillow piles and smiled. She was a small, middle-aged woman wearing a tie-dyed shirt and khaki pants with woven sandals. "My name is Uchi Tokeru, and my quirk is going to help us understand each other better today."

"Good luck getting some of these guys to open up about anything," Chiyo cackled. The school nurse always came along for safety's sake and she was loving every minute of this.

Uchi's smile grew wider, and she winked at her. "You'll see," she promised.

"This won't be the constructive session she thinks," Elly predicted.

"Now, for this first exercise you're gonna show your colleague how you feel about them by touching anywhere on their face."

Aizawa immediately turned to his partner and caught the right side of her face in one rough palm even as she moved towards him. His other hand did the same to her left cheek and they trembled as he held them in place. Though rigid, his touch was gentle, silently begging her to stay when he was certain she would flinch backwards, because that wasn't the only touch he wanted to initiate.

He'd been afraid for nothing.

She faced him, met his lips with her own and even pressed harder when his uncertainty held him back. The couple was soon deeply invested in each other, tongues meeting softly, slowly and with an intensity that startled their colleagues.

"<i>Holy shit</i>!" Hizashi nearly fell over when he looked up.

"Aizawa! Ms. Elly!" Yagi coughed up a gout of blood in shock. "Oh... oh, my."

"What the hell is your quirk?!" Ken choked. He was another having a difficult time accepting what was happening. He kept averting his eyes and blushing despite being made of cement.

"It causes people to react truthfully to my suggestions," their guide said with a shrug. "The stronger the emotion behind them, the more power it has."

Hizashi let out a long, low wolf whistle.

The sound broke the couple out of their romantic trance. They realized what they were doing at approximately the same time and jerked quickly apart.

"What..." Elly's hand slowly lifted to wipe the trail of saliva that snapped onto her chin. "What just <i>happened</i>?"

"I assaulted you." Aizawa's voice was gruff and lower than usual, the tired, flat tone completely gone for once. Instead he sounded horrified. His cheeks flushed an alarming, brick-like red and he refused to look anyone in the eye, turning so his patch faced the group. In doing so his good one zeroed in on Elly, however, and he swore under his breath. "That was completely unprofessional and -"

"Shota."

Everyone jumped a little at this - <i>no one</i> called him by his given name -- but no one was more shocked than the man himself. His eye widened when she reached out and took his hand.

"Ches?"

"It's okay. We have to talk, though."

"<i>Talk</i>?" Hizashi chuckled and was about to say more but noticed his friend's burning red eye directed at him.

Elly touched his floating black hair and it immediately fell down about his shoulders. "Yes, talk. Among other things."

"All right." He sighed, sounding drained of what small amount of energy he'd mustered up that day. "Let's go to my suite."

No one argued for them to finish the exercise. They watched them leave in silence until the door clicked shut.

"So... <i>that</i> just happened," Hizashi drawled after they were gone. The statement shook rest of the staff out of their daze and they huddled together to gossip.

Meanwhile, Aizawa led her straight to his room, which was far away from the others due to his sleeping habits and requests for privacy.

"This will do," she murmured, locking the door after placing the <i>do not disturb</i> sign over the knob.

As soon as she turned back towards him he raised a hand. "I apologize ag - agai -!" He flailed wildly about, his eye bulging as she threw her arms around him. "<i>What are you doing</i>?!"

Elly smiled while hugging him. "No apologies necessary," she told him firmly. She reached around to caress the back of his neck in one hand. "We're both adults that work in a highly stressful, tight-knit group. We know each other, and I want you - all of you. Do you want me?"

"Yes." He answered quickly without thought, his arms wrapping around her.

"Then kiss me again... and this time, <i>don't</i> hold back."

Aizawa made sure to take her request seriously. His hands slid low and he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss held for some time until she dropped her hands to grasp his firm rear. He groaned and his hair flew up when she groped him hungrily. Elly found this highly flattering and a sign, maybe, that he was so turned on he couldn't help himself.

"Bed," he said shortly when they parted for air. She glanced behind her and nodded briefly, sitting on the edge and holding her arms out. Aizawa shed his black shirt in one smooth move, exposing his fit upper body flexing with light effort. He had a patch of dark hair that trailed messily down his belly and continued under his slacks.

"Oh, <i>my</i>."

"Wait." He held up one hand as he sat beside her. "I have to take this damned leg off."

"Oh? I thought it would help you balance."

"You're right that balancing is a key factor for sex, but I'm sure we can figure something out." He unlatched the metal upper part and set it carefully aside.

Elly watched him peel the soft silicone sleeve off the stump where his leg used to be. "Should I drop the subject?"

He shrugged, then grunted. "It's not an emotional thing. It's... look, I got my balls caught in it once." He paused. "<i>Once</i>. Never again."

She clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter that was bubbling up and he gave her an impressive side eye.

"Not a joke," he grumbled, rubbing the rough skin. "It happened."

"I know, I'm sorry. Really. You just looked so -"

"Yeah, I know." This time his lips twitched in a small smile. "It's funny <i>now</i>. It certainly wasn't funny <i>then</i>." He lifted himself up and shimmied out of his pants next without warning, causing her eyebrows to shoot up. Aizawa wore snug, black boxer briefs with grey trim - much like his outer outfits. They fit snugly on his skin, showcasing his prominent erection.

Aizawa turned smoothly at the waist to face her. "You're next," he told her with a much wider grin.

They wrestled together on the bed until both were nude. His palms were calloused but gentle, his touch eager though he held himself back - she could tell by the way he trembled.

And when he finally entered her it was a shocking, electric thrill she did not expect.

"Oh god, baby <i>yesss</i>!"

Aizawa paused and squeezed his eye shut tightly, breathing hard. "Kitten," he hissed through clenched teeth, "if you make sounds like that I'm <i>not</i> going to last long."

"Sounds? What... oh. Ohhh." She laughed weakly, shivering in anticipation of his next move. "Look, I'll try, but I can't control that. Especially not when you're making sounds I like, too!"

He grunted then took a deep breath. "Fair enough. Can you raise your left leg here?"

Elly lifted where he indicated, then gasped. "Oh!"

His grin was fierce. "Thank you. Now that I've got my balance back, you might want to hold on." He took a long, deep breath, bunching all of his muscles to prepare himself to go all out.

She swore softly as her orgasm burst through her. It was quick but strong and she was left bewildered, clinging to him in the aftermath. It took Aizawa a few seconds more, but when his release came he gasped, stuffing his hot face in the crook of her neck as he shuddered through it.

They paused for a moment, locked together and breathing hard as their bodies cooled. Eventually the harsh pants stilled into regular breathing and Aizawa lifted his head to look into her eyes. His gaze was by far the softest she'd ever seen and she smiled back.

"I think this was a <i>very</i> constructive session," he said with a perfectly straight face.

Elly blinked in surprise at the joke and whapped him gently on the arm. "Shota!"

"What?" She watched in amazement as he flashed her a very real, rather handsome smile. "I could get into therapist on a regular basis."

"You mean therapy!"

"I know what I said."

Into your Arms

 It was early morning at U.A, the mist from sunrise hardly cleared and birds just starting to chirp in the cool air. The students were still asleep, but the teachers were slowly waking to get ready for the day.

Present Mic banged open the door to the teachers' office with unnecessary force, trying to act more awake than he felt. This usually worked for him, not counting the tall cup of coffee he held in one gloved hand. Today, however, he could tell something was off as soon as he greeted the room.

"Morning, everyone!"

Silence.

No... there was a faint sound. He spotted his friend at the desk section but the sound came from the right. The head counselor was leaning against the coffee machine, slumped over oddly. Her purple striped tail lay listlessly on the floor and her eyes were unfocused.

"Hey." She tried what might have been a wave but her hand flopped at her side as if she couldn't quite move it.

"Ches? You okay there?" He set his coffe down, his eyes not breaking contact.

Elly did not look okay. She wobbled unsteadily back and forth, frowning lightly in confusion. "I don't know," she mumbled, blinking as she struggled to focus. "I can't... I'm so hot -"

Hizashi exclaimed in surprise as she staggered forward. He moved fast, gripping her under the arms when she might have fallen. "Whoa there!"

"Mic..?"

"You almost ate shit there, babe." He glanced around but it was only Aizawa, who stared blandly back at him. "Okay, okay, I'll take you to the nurse. C'mon."

"Nurse?" Her head lolled forward and came to rest on his chest as he picked her up. He could feel the heat through his shirt and winced; she was far too hot.

"Yeah. S'okay, we'll get you checked out and make sure. Then you can nap."

"Nap..." She sighed and closed her eyes.

To his complete astonishment the counselor actually did fall asleep on the walk to Recovery Girl's office. He found out when he was about to place her on one of the cots and decided to keep holding her instead. 

Chiyo's side-eye was strong as she approached them, speaking volumes without saying a word as he cradled her in his arms. She did, however, have to ask medical questions. "What's the story, Mic? Did she pass out?"

Hizashi shook his head. "Nah, she fell asleep, I think. She was really hot and kept wobbling all around when I got in."

"Hmmm." The elderly nurse checked her pulse and then temperature. "She's skirting the edges of a high fever - high enough for concern, but..." She checked her tablet, nodded, and sat back on her desk chair to think.

"Is she gonna be okay?"

Chiyo smiled at him. "Yes. She's got some autoimmune diseases and they can cause this sometimes, especially if she's stressed. It looks like she pushed herself too far this time. Probably didn't get enough sleep."

"Whew," he let out a relieved sigh. "I thought she was worse. That's good to hear."

"So! She's going to need to stay hydrated, and eat on the regular like any other day even if she feels like she doesn't want to. Snacking will be fine, you need to make sure she doesn't pass out with her blood pressure being low."

"But - what, me? I can't leave --"

"I'll excuse you <i>both</i> for the day," she went on as if she hadn't heard him, "so you can look after her. That's all right, isn't it?"

Hizashi grinned hugely, cuddling the warm bundle in his arms. "Perfect. Thanks, Chiyo."

"Yeah, yeah." She flapped a hand at him dismissively. "You're young and in love. You'll take care of her just fine."

His face turned bright red. "<i>What</i>?! I'm not, I mean, she's not, obviously..."

The nurse gave him a hard look. "Don't bullshit me, Mic."

"But -"

"I'm old, Yamada, and I've seen this play out a million times. Go make her feel better."

Hizashi sighed, giving up. "Yeah. Yeah, okay." He gently picked up the limp body of the counselor, careful to drape her tail over so it didn't drag on the ground. As he was leaving he paused at the door. "Was I really that obvious?"

She gave him an amused look. "Everyone knows except you two."

He thought about that while he drove them home. It was probably true and he knew the others would tease him after today. What bothered him wasn't that - everyone always ribbed on him -- but he was angry that he'd <i>waited</i> this long. 

He parked, got into the elevator and rode up to his suite with the lightly snoring woman held carefully in his arms. It was only when he set her down in his bed that she stirred, opening her eyes.

"Mic..?" She blinked blearily up at him. "What?"

He gently pulled the covers up around her. "You're at my suite in the city, babe. You passed out or fell sleep or something."

"For how long?!"

"Long enough to make me worry." He smiled reassuringly at her when she stammered an apology. "No, babe, it's not yer fault and I don't mind. I want to help you."

She flopped down on the pillow, her ears askew. "Ughhh. This is <i>not</i> how I wanted to end up in your bed."

Hizashi's ears turned bright red all at once. "Excuse-me-<i>what</i>?"

"You heard me." She shrugged. "I was in your arms and barely remember, now your bed and nothing's gonna happen."

"Whoooooa, you really lose your filter when you feel bad, don'tcha? You're not even like this drunk."

Elly snorted, shaking her head. "You haven't seen me really drunk."

"Wh - but..?"

"Can't get too drunk in public. Sober is safe."

He looked a little sad, then thinking of drinks he remembered, reaching for a bottle of water on the nightstand. "Speaking of - Chiyo said you gotta stay hydrated. There's water in the pitcher on the table there."

"Thanks."

"All right, you get some sleep. I'm gonna clean up." He slapped his knees getting up and walked briskly towards the hallway. "Oh, and ...Ches?"

She yawned, her voice distorted by the sound. "Myeah?"

"I'll always make sure you're safe." He snapped the light switch off and closed the door behind him as he left.

Hizashi changed out of his hero outfit and showered, preferring to wash his signature spike out instead of leave it to be touched up the next day. The fact that Elly loved his hair was a big factor in his decision, and he wondered as he dried and looped it into a loose ponytail how she might react. He didn't have too much time to reflect, however, because when he opened the bathroom door he heard muffled sobbing coming from the bedroom. Alarmed, he rushed over to check on his patient.

"Babe? You okay?"

She whimpered and shook her head. "<i>Can't</i> sleep."

He looked worried. "Have you not slept this whole time?"

Elly shook her head. "Everything hurts."

"Ohhhh noooo." He sat beside her and stroked her ears back. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize."

"Not your fault."

"You want me to stay this time until you fall asleep?"

"Yes." She blinked back exhausted tears. "Please?"

"I'll do whatever it takes." Hizashi pursed his lips. "Hey, uh, ya wanna listen to some music? I can find some relaxing stuff." He dug around in his pocket for his phone, but stopped when she shook her head again.

"Your voice is better."

"Ohhh..?" He blinked, startled. "You want me to keep talking?"

Elly let her head fall fully back and scooted as close to him as she could get. She reached out and placed a shaky hand on his leg and closed her eyes. "Talk to me," she muttered.

"Uh, okay. Would a story do? I dunno what to say -"

"Yeah."

"Okay..." Hizashi rubbed his mustache points with a hand, thinking. "So, I guess, one day a really pretty lady that had furry little cat ears and a stripey tail got sick. Like, nothing that serious! Just a little fever from workin' too much, ya dig?

"She keeled right over in front of her friend, who rushed her to the nurse where they worked. That's how he knew she pushed herself too hard, but it was nothing bad... she just needed rest. 

"So he, ah, took her home. It was quieter here - <i>uh, there!</i> -- and she could sleep better. But it turns out she still had trouble."

Elly sighed and tugged on the leg she was holding. He gently removed her hand and replaced it with a piece of bedsheet for her to clutch instead. 

"When she woke up after finally fallin' asleep she saw there were flowers on the table next to her. She was shocked, 'cause that seemed weird, but..." He trailed off as he heard her snoring and tiptoed quietly out.

Elly woke up in a cool, dark place with the soft, golden glow of a lava lamp nearby the only light. She was laying on silk sheets that smelled in her sleepy, not-awake brain like comfort and ...flowers?

<i>What</i>? <i>Why the fuck did I think th</i>-

There was a gorgeous bouquet of flowers sitting on the nightstand near the lamp. 

She jolted upright, the sheets sliding off her as she gasped. "Hizashi?!"

"Heyyyyy, there she is!" Hizashi was right there smiling broadly at her. "Feeling better? That yell certainly sounded healthy." He chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How - how did I..?"

Instead of answering, he reached out and gently held up the sheet for her with a light cough. Elly's bodysuit had shifted during sleep and was exposing the upper swell of her cleavage. She grasped the fabric and, blushing, held it there clutched in both hands before she remembered the zipper.

He waited until she fixed herself before nodding. "You got woozy at school and Chiyo told me to take care of you."

"Oh." She paused, her tired brain struggling to catch up. "<i>Ohhhhh</i>. Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a pain."

"Pain?" He frowned.

"You know, in the ass," she added drily.

He laughed loudly, slapping the bed with an open palm and rolling his eyes for good measure. "Ha! Babe, there's <i>no freakin' way</i> you could possibly be a pain to me. You needed help! I'm just happy you're not mad."

"Mad? Why would I be mad?"

"Well I, uh." He blushed a little harder than when he'd offered her the sheets for her modesty before. "You're in my <i>bed</i>."

"Yeah, but <i>you</i> weren't in it or anything." She paused, then her ears slowly lowered until they were sticking out sideways. "You weren't, were you?"

Hizashi jumped guiltily. "Nuh-uh! Nope! I only sat on the edge - <i>like this!</i> -- to make sure you were okay a few times." He bounced a little as if to prove his point.

"Of course you weren't." She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I know you're a good person. I'm just weirded out that I was helpless and it's messing with my head."

He nodded rapidly. "It's okay, babe. You got heated up and started talking funny. I figured you were out of it."

Elly slowly turned to him. "I did <i>what</i>," she asked in a flat voice.

"Nothing..."

"<i>What did I</i> say, <i>Hizashi</i>?"

He gulped. "Kinda, um. Insinuated that you wanted me in bed with you and... stuff."

She went absolutely white all at once, a startling contrast to her flushed cheeks. "Ohmigod."

"Uh... it's okay!" He placed his palm on the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "You didn't realize what you were sayin', I, uh, won't hold you to it or nothing. Really." He paused, spinning the red bracelet he was wearing on one wrist. "You were dazed and stuff, plus it's not like you actually <i>like</i> me."

"Whaaaat?"

"C'mon," he laughed nervously. "We're close enough you realize the way I am. Nobody gets <i>closer</i>. I always wondered when you'd start pushing me away like everyone else does. I'm a lot to handle," he rushed on, his voice strained. "I know that, I work too much, get bombed on my only days off and I'm, well, fuck. Annoying."

"<i>What</i>?" Her frown grew deeper.

Hizashi ignored her, caught up in his thoughts. "You're the only one that goes with me to lunch an' stuff. The only one that listens to me." He laughed, a strange, soft chuckle that sounded more like a gasp for air than mirth. "And that's your job, so of course ya do."

"I spend time with you because I like you."

"You do? For real?"

"Yes!"

"Oh." He grimaced, running his hand through his hair. "Well. Uh... ignore the pity party I dumped on you, then? Shit. I sound like an idiot."

"It's okay. I didn't know you felt that way, though. I thought I was being way too obvious about how much I like you." She decided to change the subject when she saw his eyes widen in shock. "Did you get those flowers because of the story you were telling me? And how does it end, anyway? I fell asleep before you finished!"

"Well, then..." He took a deep breath and handed her the spray. There were many beautiful flowers but she noticed something odd. 

"One of these is fake? That's weird."

"It'll make sense, I promise." He took them from her and placed them safely back on the small table. "So, yeah, there were these flowers and it was weird, 'cause one of them wasn't real. So she asked him what was up with the fake one?"

"Uh huh."

"He solemnly told her he would love her until all the flowers in the bouquet died." Hizashi sat back and waited with a wildly beating heart while she processed this information. Eventually he saw that her eyes were filled with tears when she looked up at him.

"That's... that's so..."

He leaned close without realizing, drawn in by her expression with his ears starting to burn. "So what, babe?"

Elly's lips twitched and she flicked him on the nose with a finger. "...cheesy, you dork!"

He started laughing. "Hey!"

"You could've just told me."

"Yeah, but you deserve more attention... 'specially after dropping like that on me!" Hizashi paused. "I guess I better start keeping an even closer eye on you, huh? Don't want my girl hurting herself."

"I feel better already."

Petrichor

 Elly sat on the long couch in the teacher's dorm living room doing nothing but staring wistfully out the window. It was raining, a soft, spring rain that came steadily down while the sun was still peeking out.

Hizashi came by and glanced out the window. "Fox's wedding," he noted in passing before sitting down.

"Yeah," she sighed.

He raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"The weather is making me meloncholy."

Hizashi tilted his head to the side. "Why's that?"

"The sound is so soothing. Plus I guess, well, it reminds me of this silly daydream I have."

He leaned over, wiggling his eyebrows rapidly. "Ohhhhh? Is it a sexy one?"

"No." She stuck her tongue out at him. "It's really tame, actually. Plus, is that what you think I'm fantasizing about when I say 'daydream'?!"

"Is it about a guy?"

"Well, yeah, but..." She trailed off. "Not like <i>that</i>. It's more than just that."

"Sorry, I was being a turd." He leaned back, trying to look more serious. "You still wanna spill it?"

Elly shrugged. "I guess, if you want to hear? I mean, it's not interesting or anything." She looked out the window at the rain lightly pelting against the glass. "We're sitting on a porch quietly watching the weather. He's behind me on a bench, his strong arms around me and his body is warm even in the very slight chill of the breeze whipped up by the storm. I can feel his necklaces on my back and my hand is lightly resting on his wrist, toying with the bracelet he wears.

"I feel safe and comfortable and <i>happy</i> -" here her voice broke and she waved a hand in front of her face, trying to stave off tears. "I feel... um. It's nice," she finished in a hoarse voice. It was clear she'd cut off what she wanted to say but he caught the idea.

"Damn," he said, awed. "That sounds deep. Strong."

"Yeah, I can almost smell the rain." She paused, wrinkling her nose. "Of course today I actually do."

"Can I ask, well..." Hizashi fidgeted with his hands, folding and unfolding them on his rapidly shaking leg. He frowned. "Who is it?"

"I tried to tell you -"

"Oh," he cut her off. "But you didn't. I thought we were tight, yo. I'm sorry."

"Hizashi."

"Nuh uh, it's totally okay! I get why you don't want anyone knowing."

"No, Zashi, it's not that..." Elly shook her head. "Okay. I guess it's for the best." She reached out and gently squeezed his hands for a moment before standing. "Good night."

Hizashi stared stupidly after her and then his hands that she had touched, his mind racing. He knew he hadn't understood something important, but wasn't sure what. It was all he could do to fight back the irrational surge of jealousy anyway, and he had been proud of himself until now.

<i>The hell am I missing?</i>

He started to fidget again and his eyes happened to fall on the red beaded bracelet he was wearing. His brain slowly registered that he also wore a couple of necklaces as part of his casual outfit. "Oh, shit!" He exclaimed, jumping to his feet all at once. "Oh shit it's me? <i>It's me</i>!"

Hizashi rushed to her room in a panic, tapping on the panel with his heart beating rapidly, worried she wouldn't open.

But she did.

"Listen, I'm sorry I was so dense." He sighed in relief and rested his forehead on the door. "I was too busy tryin' not to look jealous that I didn't get who it actually was."

The door opened wider. "...you got jealous?"

"Batshit crazy jealous," he admitted solemnly. She giggled quietly and he raised his eyebrows. "So, uh... can I come in, baby?"

"Um, yeah." Elly blushed several shades harder and swung the door open. He walked in with a little swagger, his confidence boosted by her shyness.

"Hey," he crooned softly, catching her cheek in one hand. "D'ya wanna cuddle? The bed's close to the window, and we can listen to the rain. Might be a little corny, but I wanna make your dream come true."

She smiled and nodded.

They climbed onto the bed and he braced back against the headboard and pillows, helping her crawl onto his lap. When she was settled he carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"This is nice," Elly sighed.

"As good as you imagined?"

"Better," she said, snuggling closer. "This is real. And you smell so good."

He choked a little at that. "I do?"

"Uh huh. Like leather and sweet..." Her voice dropped off and she started to purr.

Hizashi's ears were already burning and he felt his cheeks flush as well. "Oh, hell," he muttered and leaned back, relaxing as he listened to the patter of drops on the window outside. 

<i>I want to do this again</i>, was his only thought before he fell asleep with a smile on his face.