The school had arranged to host several guest speakers for a special assembly. As usual, the teachers stood along the sidelines while the students filed slowly in. Hizashi, Nemuri, Aizawa and Elly were standing together in a loose group when there was the loud sound of laughter from behind them.
"Hey, look who's here!" Present Mic snickered when he caught sight of a flash of green hair.
Aizawa glanced up and his face absolutely fell. He looked like he had swallowed a stink bug the way his features twisted.
The woman Hizashi had pointed at flung herself at him, giggling with glee. Elly's eye started to twitch and she stepped back from the crowd.
"Oh, dear." Midnight sighed.
The green-haired woman wore garish orange clothing resembling a jester's costume. She linked her arm with the scowling Erasure Hero. "My handsome man!" She crowed loudly.
Every bit of Elly's fur on her tail fluffed out and her ears snapped back so flat against her skull they folded completely into her hair. She bared her fangs as she growled. "Who the hell is that?"
Present Mic cleared his throat and spoke in a deep game announcer's voice resembling the one from Mortal Kombat. "Emi versus Elly. Fight!"
Midnight elbowed him in the ribs, though she had to press a hand tightly over her mouth to stifle her laughter. "It's Ms. Joke," she explained to the distraught counselor. "She, ah... has a thing for Aizawa."
Meanwhile, the newcomer was continuing to harass him. "I thought we could go to Hawaii for our honeymoon! Wouldn't that be sweet?"
"Not marrying you," he declared flatly, and crossed his arms, hoping she would drop off. She only tightened her grip, however, causing him to scowl harder in disgust.
"You want to skip right to the having kids part? That's okay too!"
Elly growled. The paw gloves on her hands tensed, and a deadly steel sound accompanied the metal slivers resembling claws as they unsheathed. She stood still for a moment, her head down, before starting to walk towards the other woman.
"If anyone even mentions 'cat fight' I'll clobber them," Nemuri warned. She held her arms out to block the male heroes, who were clearly panicking at the Insanity Hero's expression. "She's not gonna actually kill her."
"I hope you're right."
"Our babies would be so cute..." Unaware of her possible impending doom, she kept babbling.
Aizawa didn't even dignify the woman latched onto him with a reply. He glanced up as the cat woman walked past, his eyes widening slightly. "Hey, Ches, are you -"
"Dropped your guard, sweetie!" Ms. Joke took this extremely rare opportunity to quickly dart over and kiss his cheek.
"Ouch," Mic murmured. His green eyes filled with sympathy. "That was uncalled for."
"Oh, my." Midnight sucked in a breath of air, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "She might maul her a little now, and I might agree with her."
She did neither, but what occurred was upsetting nonetheless.
Elly's head suddenly and shockingly vanished. She was not one to use her quirk like this, and it came as a surprise to all of them. She brushed past the teachers and hurried down the hall, flickering completely out of sight as she did.
Aizawa pushed away from the woman clutching him, crying out and scrubbing at his face. "Damn it, woman - back off!"
"Aww, cute."
"What the hell? Where did Cheshire leave to?"
"Uh, we don't know."
"Yeah."
"She could be anywhere, Eraser."
Ms. Joke scrunched up her face. "Why're we talking about her? She probably had to pee really bad. That's what it looked like..."
"Well, she needs to be here for the assembly," he said firmly, ignoring her again.
"Yeah, but who's gonna find her?"
"True. She's invisible and knows how to stay silent." He scratched the scruff on his chin.
"I'm not so sure she's going to be so quiet, Shota." Midnight shook her head. "Or hard to find, even... especially if you're doing the searching. I bet if you listened a little harder, you could find her easily."
He went to her office first, thinking that was the most logical place for her to hide. Of course nothing could be seen, but when he entered quietly he heard a faint noise.
There was a muffled sound of sobbing coming from the corner of the office. He frowned and walked over as if he was going to look out the window, and as he got closer it stopped all at once.
"Don't make me use my quirk, Ches."
"Please don't." She gasped raggedly for air.
He shook his head and trained his burning eyes on her, canceling her invisibility. What he saw when she came into view caused him to falter. She was crying, but he had known that. What he hadn't expected was the amount of pain in her large, purple eyes. She flinched and tried to cover her face with her hands, but he reached out and brushed them away.
"The hell's wrong?"
"Nothing!" She launched herself past him, desperately trying to get away. Aizawa swore and jumped nimbly after her.
Ms. Joke had followed after him despite the other teachers warning her that she might be better off leaving him alone. It was just as well, for when they burst out of the counselor's office the small group was just around the corner.
"Uh, I kind of don't want to be the bad guy, but you may want to look over there." Midnight reached over and physically turned Joke's head so she faced the hall where Aizawa had grabbed hold of Elly's arm.
"Let me go," she pleaded, tears falling messily everywhere. She really hated crying and it was so much worse doing it in front of the unflappable homeroom teacher.
"Come here," he grunted shortly and tugged so she spun around into his waiting arms. "Look. Look at me."
Elly cringed but did as he asked. "I didn't do anyth -"
He pointed at his cheek. "Make it better," he snapped.
"I don't..."
He sighed wearily. "Just kiss me. Don't argue."
She lightly brushed her lips on his stubbled cheek, trembling as she did. Aizawa, however, turned in the middle of the kiss so their mouths met. He rumbled with approval and heard her start to purr. Elly threw her arms around his neck as her tail lashed wildly behind her. They stayed that way for a very long time, and eventually his hands cautiously wrapped around her lower waist to hold her tight.
Joke stared blankly at the sight, the smile fading from her face for the first time since any of them had known her.
"Fatality," a voice snickered softly on her left. Then, seconds later and a lot louder, "ouch!"
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Short Hair (Zashi)
"Oh, honey," Elly sighed weakly as she ran her hands through her boyfriend's long blond hair as he lay facing her. "You're so gorgeous it kills me."
Hizashi snorted laughter, gently taking hold of her wrists and placing them on his shoulders. "Babe. Seriously."
"I am serious!"
"Aww." He kissed her on the nose. "You can't keep your hands off my hair lately. What's on yer mind?"
Elly blushed. "Oh, that."
His mustache wiggled. "Yes, that."
She giggled good-naturedly. "I wish... I sometimes wish I had longer hair. I'm always playing with yours and you say it feels good."
He grinned mischievously at her. "Feels good when you tug on it when we're foolin' around, too."
She yelped when he tickled her ribs lightly, and slapped at his hand. "Zashi! I mean it."
"So do I, love." He paused. "Do I not pamper your little head enough?" He pouted sadly. "Poor thing. Here, look - I'll wash it for you tonight."
She must have stared at him oddly, because he burst into laughter. "No, really! It's one of the best things you do for me. You'll enjoy it, I promise."
"If you say so, sweetie."
"Hooray." He stood, stretching his arms over his head with his fingers interlocked. "Hmm, let me just get ready." He unlaced his fingers and held a hand out to her to help her up. As she stood, he tilted his head down to kiss her softly. "It'll be just a minute."
He called her in shortly after she heard the squeaky tap turning. Hizadhi had taken his shirt and socks off, so the only thing he had on were his piano key sweatpants. His hair was tied back in a long, flowing ponytail.
"Hey, babe," he welcomed her with a crooked grin. "You wanna take your top off too, so it doesn't get wet?"
She smiled and did so, sitting down where he indicated on a surprisingly comfortable bathing seat. "It smells good in here," she commented lazily, sniffing at the sweet steam filling the room.
"I added something I use to the water," he admitted. "It won't leave a lingering scent, but it smells nice when you use it." He lifted her neck, stroking the short hair so it didn't get caught under the curve of the hair washing bucket.
He rinsed with warm water, getting most of the product out before gently massaging the shampoo in.
Elly leaned back with her eyes closed in bliss as his fingers delicately rubbed. "My god."
He grinned and kissed her forehead, still rubbing. "Told you."
"How is this somehow one of the sexiest things you've ever done for me?"
He smirked. "You think it's an accident that we make love every time you wash mine?"
"I guess I never realized." She laughed a little. "We do that a lot, you know."
"Mm, well, now you know. Here, baby, I gotta rinse you. Then you're done."
"Aww."
"Don't worry," he hummed seductively in her ear. "I only mean your <i>hair</i> is done. I'm far from finished with you."
Hizashi snorted laughter, gently taking hold of her wrists and placing them on his shoulders. "Babe. Seriously."
"I am serious!"
"Aww." He kissed her on the nose. "You can't keep your hands off my hair lately. What's on yer mind?"
Elly blushed. "Oh, that."
His mustache wiggled. "Yes, that."
She giggled good-naturedly. "I wish... I sometimes wish I had longer hair. I'm always playing with yours and you say it feels good."
He grinned mischievously at her. "Feels good when you tug on it when we're foolin' around, too."
She yelped when he tickled her ribs lightly, and slapped at his hand. "Zashi! I mean it."
"So do I, love." He paused. "Do I not pamper your little head enough?" He pouted sadly. "Poor thing. Here, look - I'll wash it for you tonight."
She must have stared at him oddly, because he burst into laughter. "No, really! It's one of the best things you do for me. You'll enjoy it, I promise."
"If you say so, sweetie."
"Hooray." He stood, stretching his arms over his head with his fingers interlocked. "Hmm, let me just get ready." He unlaced his fingers and held a hand out to her to help her up. As she stood, he tilted his head down to kiss her softly. "It'll be just a minute."
He called her in shortly after she heard the squeaky tap turning. Hizadhi had taken his shirt and socks off, so the only thing he had on were his piano key sweatpants. His hair was tied back in a long, flowing ponytail.
"Hey, babe," he welcomed her with a crooked grin. "You wanna take your top off too, so it doesn't get wet?"
She smiled and did so, sitting down where he indicated on a surprisingly comfortable bathing seat. "It smells good in here," she commented lazily, sniffing at the sweet steam filling the room.
"I added something I use to the water," he admitted. "It won't leave a lingering scent, but it smells nice when you use it." He lifted her neck, stroking the short hair so it didn't get caught under the curve of the hair washing bucket.
He rinsed with warm water, getting most of the product out before gently massaging the shampoo in.
Elly leaned back with her eyes closed in bliss as his fingers delicately rubbed. "My god."
He grinned and kissed her forehead, still rubbing. "Told you."
"How is this somehow one of the sexiest things you've ever done for me?"
He smirked. "You think it's an accident that we make love every time you wash mine?"
"I guess I never realized." She laughed a little. "We do that a lot, you know."
"Mm, well, now you know. Here, baby, I gotta rinse you. Then you're done."
"Aww."
"Don't worry," he hummed seductively in her ear. "I only mean your <i>hair</i> is done. I'm far from finished with you."
Short Hair (Shota)
"He looked so incredibly sweet, Nemuri - you should have seen it." Elly sighed and propped her face up on her palms, her elbows on the table. She stared so lovingly at Aizawa that the other woman groaned.
"Ugh."
"Eri's so much happier now. I'm glad. But I can't help but be the tiniest bit jealous that he doesn't play with my hair. It's too short."
Midnight pursed her lips and stared appraisingly at the woman mooning over the Erasure Hero.
Elly eventually went back to her office to do some filing and talk with students that needed her counseling. Around lunchtime there came a knock on her door.
"Come on in."
Aizawa poked his head around the door. "Hey. What's this about your hair?" He walked in and frowned at the shiny purple style, swept up from the bottom.
"Oh," she muttered. "Midnight told you."
"Well?" He laid both hands flat on her desk, his gray eyes boring into hers.
"It's really nothing," she coughed. "I just... wanted you to do my hair. Or just play with it like I do with yours." Her voice trailed off with embarrassment.
He shot her a withering look. "Cheshire, please. That's ridiculous."
Her ears wilted. "I know. I'm sorry."
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it." Aizawa huffed impatiently, gesturing with his hands. "Come here. You asked for this."
Some tome later, Elly was beaming as she bounced down the hallway like a schoolgirl, her tail and ears perky and alert. She had a huge grin on her face and a light blush staining her cheeks.
Hizashi blinked several times, rapidly, as she passed by. "Ah... you wanna tell me why Cheshire's got rat tails dangling on either side of her face?"
"Shh," Midnight poked her head out of a nearby classroom, covering her mouth to stifle her smile. "Her side locks were the only hair she had that was long enough for him to braid."
"Ugh."
"Eri's so much happier now. I'm glad. But I can't help but be the tiniest bit jealous that he doesn't play with my hair. It's too short."
Midnight pursed her lips and stared appraisingly at the woman mooning over the Erasure Hero.
Elly eventually went back to her office to do some filing and talk with students that needed her counseling. Around lunchtime there came a knock on her door.
"Come on in."
Aizawa poked his head around the door. "Hey. What's this about your hair?" He walked in and frowned at the shiny purple style, swept up from the bottom.
"Oh," she muttered. "Midnight told you."
"Well?" He laid both hands flat on her desk, his gray eyes boring into hers.
"It's really nothing," she coughed. "I just... wanted you to do my hair. Or just play with it like I do with yours." Her voice trailed off with embarrassment.
He shot her a withering look. "Cheshire, please. That's ridiculous."
Her ears wilted. "I know. I'm sorry."
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it." Aizawa huffed impatiently, gesturing with his hands. "Come here. You asked for this."
Some tome later, Elly was beaming as she bounced down the hallway like a schoolgirl, her tail and ears perky and alert. She had a huge grin on her face and a light blush staining her cheeks.
Hizashi blinked several times, rapidly, as she passed by. "Ah... you wanna tell me why Cheshire's got rat tails dangling on either side of her face?"
"Shh," Midnight poked her head out of a nearby classroom, covering her mouth to stifle her smile. "Her side locks were the only hair she had that was long enough for him to braid."
Monday, August 26, 2019
The Clean Apartment
"Is she okay?"
"Ms. Cheshire?"
"She hasn't moved for fucking three minutes. Call the nurse or something."
"Maybe she's doing it because we're not speaking English, ribbit? It's Mr. Mic's class, after all."
"He's not here yet. We don't have to do squat. Plus, why's she <i>bleeding</i> then?" Bakugo pointed.
Mineta squinted professionally at the older woman's face, especially the trickle of blood running from one of her nostrils. "I recognize that look, you guys."
Everyone ignored him.
"I'm going to go see." The girl with the light blush staining her cheeks approached the counselor carefully. "Ms Cheshire? Do you need us to call the -"
As soon as the student got close enough to her, Elly moved, snapping the phone she had been staring at flat on the desk to hide it. "Yes! Uraraka! I'm fine!" Her ears had a crazy skew to them and her purple eyes were glazed over, but at least she was talking.
Present Mic showed up and, although a bit confused at her dazed expression, his enthusiasm snapped her out of it enough to get through the class. Elly hurried off to the bathroom immediately after, however, to splash cold water on her face.
Her phone buzzed silently in her belt again and she picked it up with trembling fingers. She gulped and looked down. There it was, the image he had texted her that had shown unexpectedly up right before class.
Aizawa wasn't <i>completely</i> naked. He was laying on their bed wearing a black mesh shirt and a black bow tie. The fine webbing had been pulled up to expose his muscled abdomen and his erection below, which laid heavily on his thigh. He held one finger crooked at the camera in a "come hither" gesture and was grinning that evil grin of his.
He had sent her a message after the photo, and she read it now, her heart hammering heavily in her chest.
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>I cleaned the entire apartment today so I could fuck you on any surface without hesitation</i>
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>I'm ready</i>
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>come home soon</i>
"Ms. Cheshire?"
"She hasn't moved for fucking three minutes. Call the nurse or something."
"Maybe she's doing it because we're not speaking English, ribbit? It's Mr. Mic's class, after all."
"He's not here yet. We don't have to do squat. Plus, why's she <i>bleeding</i> then?" Bakugo pointed.
Mineta squinted professionally at the older woman's face, especially the trickle of blood running from one of her nostrils. "I recognize that look, you guys."
Everyone ignored him.
"I'm going to go see." The girl with the light blush staining her cheeks approached the counselor carefully. "Ms Cheshire? Do you need us to call the -"
As soon as the student got close enough to her, Elly moved, snapping the phone she had been staring at flat on the desk to hide it. "Yes! Uraraka! I'm fine!" Her ears had a crazy skew to them and her purple eyes were glazed over, but at least she was talking.
Present Mic showed up and, although a bit confused at her dazed expression, his enthusiasm snapped her out of it enough to get through the class. Elly hurried off to the bathroom immediately after, however, to splash cold water on her face.
Her phone buzzed silently in her belt again and she picked it up with trembling fingers. She gulped and looked down. There it was, the image he had texted her that had shown unexpectedly up right before class.
Aizawa wasn't <i>completely</i> naked. He was laying on their bed wearing a black mesh shirt and a black bow tie. The fine webbing had been pulled up to expose his muscled abdomen and his erection below, which laid heavily on his thigh. He held one finger crooked at the camera in a "come hither" gesture and was grinning that evil grin of his.
He had sent her a message after the photo, and she read it now, her heart hammering heavily in her chest.
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>I cleaned the entire apartment today so I could fuck you on any surface without hesitation</i>
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>I'm ready</i>
<b>Aizawa</b>: <i>come home soon</i>
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
"Happy birthday!" Toshinori leaned in and hugged the Insanity Hero in a genuine display of camaraderie.
Aizawa groaned lowly at his computer, not really paying attention and still half asleep. Great, now he was going to have to acknowledge this. And why was All freaking Might holding her that long..?
He looked over and froze, the drink pouch he had been slowly draining falling from his slack-jawed mouth to bounce off his keyboard unnoticed.
The bastard kissed her!
His brain didn't quite register what had happened enough until the tall man walked out of the room. Elly was chatting with their colleagues about something, and he just sat there in his chair with his bloodshot eyes huge.
Maybe he had just whispered to her. It could have been that. He had nearly convinced himself of this when Midnight strolled past.
"A smooch from Toshinori, hmm? Most ladies I know would die for that kind of birthday gift."
Aizawa squeezed the empty drink pouch into an unrecognizable wad of foil. One of the edges cut his palm and he didn't even notice.
She went on, apparently oblivious. "I mean, now that they know who he is. Or was. Can you imagine how she must be feeling right now? Must be why she left so quickly."
Hizashi frowned, bending over to peer at his friend's face. "Uhhh... you okay, Eraserhead? Shota?"
"Coffee." He stated this single word firmly and loudly, then got up and stormed out of the room.
Midnight waited until the door swung shut behind him and then let out a whoop. "Hooked him! Now let's see if he does anything about it."
Elly had been surprised when Yagi had kissed her on the cheek, but figured it was a touching yet purely platonic gesture from a friend. She left afterwards because Aizawa was looking uncomfortable and she had to use the bathroom. He wouldn't want to have to take part in any of the office banter and he didn't care for birthdays. She yawned, stretched, and washed her hands before heading out to grab a can of coffee from the machine.
She was intercepted by another teacher before she could get there, and stood chatting around the corner. Aizawa, in the meantime, had shuffled over and stuck his coins in the slot.
"Hey there, purty lady. I noticed Aizawa looked pretty pissed that Yagi gave you some sugar back there." Snipe leaned on the wall. He was grinning, and in on the whole deal as well, but she couldn't tell behind the mask he wore.
Aizawa cracked the can open, his face like a thundercloud. That fool cowboy was about to get an earful from him about talking behind his back...
She sniffed. "Oh, please. It's not like he's jealous or gives any percentage of shit at all. I mean, I'd much rather have gotten a kiss from him anyway."
He stopped just as he was raising the can to his lips.
"The hell with propriety, too - I'd like a knock down, hold me up against the wall tongue wrestling match. Now there's a birthday gift I could get behind."
Her voice vibrated with intensity as she spoke this last and with growing nervousness he realized why.
She was purring.
Purring at the thought of him kissing her. And not just the peck on the cheek type, either - she had been rather blunt about her desire.
Holy crap.
He got through the rest of the day on autopilot, which worked well because his normal mode was deliberate and his voice monotone anyway. He paid very careful attention to when the cat woman left her office at the end of the day and followed her back to her apartment, staying close and using his capture weapon to hover out of sight occasionally.
When she turned her back to him to fumble her keys out of her bag, he slipped from the shadows and caught her unawares. Elly's ears shot up when she saw who had snuck up on her.
"Um... hey, what's up, Aizawa? Need something?"
He said nothing and moved fast, grasping both her wrists and pushing her up against the door. She flickered out of sight almost immediately, but he used his own quirk to cancel hers out and she reappeared. Just as quick, before he lost his nerve, his mouth was crushing onto hers, his tongue meeting her own when it thrust past her lips. She gasped loudly and sagged in his hold, closing her eyes but pressing into the kiss as feverishly as he was.
It was a very passionate kiss.
And that was going to be it; his idea was to surprise her and then wish her well on her day. Later, they could discuss what this had meant. Possibly at her party, which would be at the bar the teachers frequented tonight.
When she mewed softly in the middle of it, however, something simply snapped in his mind. The laconic man groaned in the back of his throat, a deep, resonant sound, and moved to her neck.
Elly cried out, her eyes widening, as he latched on to the most sensitive area of her throat where the pulse was beating wildly under the skin. "Wuh - wait," she choked. "Everyone will see..!"
"Waited too long," came the reply. "Now you're mine."
Her knees gave completely out and he caught her completely in his arms, nibbling and sucking. There would be a mark, and he knew she would not hide it. Oblivious to the world around him, he teased the pale skin until it turned red in an impressive love bite. Only then did he step back, panting hard, to admire his work. She was teary-eyed and blushing, her chest rising and falling in a rapid rhythm and her ears askew. The mark seemed to glow on the very light skin of her neck.
He wiped the corner of his mouth with a thumb, nodding in a pleased sort of way. "Happy birthday."
She stared at him as if he'd gone mad. "That was my gift?!"
"No." The biggest, creepiest grin she had seen yet crossed his features. "We can talk about that after the party." He gave her a rather scrutinizing look. "You may want to wear something simple. I dislike things with too many buttons and hooks."
The blush on her face deepened as he walked off to his own apartment.
Aizawa groaned lowly at his computer, not really paying attention and still half asleep. Great, now he was going to have to acknowledge this. And why was All freaking Might holding her that long..?
He looked over and froze, the drink pouch he had been slowly draining falling from his slack-jawed mouth to bounce off his keyboard unnoticed.
The bastard kissed her!
His brain didn't quite register what had happened enough until the tall man walked out of the room. Elly was chatting with their colleagues about something, and he just sat there in his chair with his bloodshot eyes huge.
Maybe he had just whispered to her. It could have been that. He had nearly convinced himself of this when Midnight strolled past.
"A smooch from Toshinori, hmm? Most ladies I know would die for that kind of birthday gift."
Aizawa squeezed the empty drink pouch into an unrecognizable wad of foil. One of the edges cut his palm and he didn't even notice.
She went on, apparently oblivious. "I mean, now that they know who he is. Or was. Can you imagine how she must be feeling right now? Must be why she left so quickly."
Hizashi frowned, bending over to peer at his friend's face. "Uhhh... you okay, Eraserhead? Shota?"
"Coffee." He stated this single word firmly and loudly, then got up and stormed out of the room.
Midnight waited until the door swung shut behind him and then let out a whoop. "Hooked him! Now let's see if he does anything about it."
Elly had been surprised when Yagi had kissed her on the cheek, but figured it was a touching yet purely platonic gesture from a friend. She left afterwards because Aizawa was looking uncomfortable and she had to use the bathroom. He wouldn't want to have to take part in any of the office banter and he didn't care for birthdays. She yawned, stretched, and washed her hands before heading out to grab a can of coffee from the machine.
She was intercepted by another teacher before she could get there, and stood chatting around the corner. Aizawa, in the meantime, had shuffled over and stuck his coins in the slot.
"Hey there, purty lady. I noticed Aizawa looked pretty pissed that Yagi gave you some sugar back there." Snipe leaned on the wall. He was grinning, and in on the whole deal as well, but she couldn't tell behind the mask he wore.
Aizawa cracked the can open, his face like a thundercloud. That fool cowboy was about to get an earful from him about talking behind his back...
She sniffed. "Oh, please. It's not like he's jealous or gives any percentage of shit at all. I mean, I'd much rather have gotten a kiss from him anyway."
He stopped just as he was raising the can to his lips.
"The hell with propriety, too - I'd like a knock down, hold me up against the wall tongue wrestling match. Now there's a birthday gift I could get behind."
Her voice vibrated with intensity as she spoke this last and with growing nervousness he realized why.
She was purring.
Purring at the thought of him kissing her. And not just the peck on the cheek type, either - she had been rather blunt about her desire.
Holy crap.
He got through the rest of the day on autopilot, which worked well because his normal mode was deliberate and his voice monotone anyway. He paid very careful attention to when the cat woman left her office at the end of the day and followed her back to her apartment, staying close and using his capture weapon to hover out of sight occasionally.
When she turned her back to him to fumble her keys out of her bag, he slipped from the shadows and caught her unawares. Elly's ears shot up when she saw who had snuck up on her.
"Um... hey, what's up, Aizawa? Need something?"
He said nothing and moved fast, grasping both her wrists and pushing her up against the door. She flickered out of sight almost immediately, but he used his own quirk to cancel hers out and she reappeared. Just as quick, before he lost his nerve, his mouth was crushing onto hers, his tongue meeting her own when it thrust past her lips. She gasped loudly and sagged in his hold, closing her eyes but pressing into the kiss as feverishly as he was.
It was a very passionate kiss.
And that was going to be it; his idea was to surprise her and then wish her well on her day. Later, they could discuss what this had meant. Possibly at her party, which would be at the bar the teachers frequented tonight.
When she mewed softly in the middle of it, however, something simply snapped in his mind. The laconic man groaned in the back of his throat, a deep, resonant sound, and moved to her neck.
Elly cried out, her eyes widening, as he latched on to the most sensitive area of her throat where the pulse was beating wildly under the skin. "Wuh - wait," she choked. "Everyone will see..!"
"Waited too long," came the reply. "Now you're mine."
Her knees gave completely out and he caught her completely in his arms, nibbling and sucking. There would be a mark, and he knew she would not hide it. Oblivious to the world around him, he teased the pale skin until it turned red in an impressive love bite. Only then did he step back, panting hard, to admire his work. She was teary-eyed and blushing, her chest rising and falling in a rapid rhythm and her ears askew. The mark seemed to glow on the very light skin of her neck.
He wiped the corner of his mouth with a thumb, nodding in a pleased sort of way. "Happy birthday."
She stared at him as if he'd gone mad. "That was my gift?!"
"No." The biggest, creepiest grin she had seen yet crossed his features. "We can talk about that after the party." He gave her a rather scrutinizing look. "You may want to wear something simple. I dislike things with too many buttons and hooks."
The blush on her face deepened as he walked off to his own apartment.
Moy Mell 46
Sanji leaned back on the wall of the entrance hall and blew a cloud of harmless, flavored water to one side. He had taken the final step and removed the addictive tobacco, swapping it for various fruit flavors and spices instead. It was some time after breakfast and he was about to leave to head over to All Blue on the dock.
"So he keeps bugging her."
"And there's no way to contact him unless he answers to his name." Aizawa grimaced, one hand stealing around to rub at the back of his neck under his scarves. "I have a hunch he doesn't want to see me just yet."
"He'll come when he's ready."
"Yes. But then I have to be as well, don't I?"
Elly was on the phone with her girlfriend as Aizawa discussed matters with the cook inside. She was lounging by the pool, exhilarated by yesterday's events yet nervous as well.
"He told me he loved me yesterday."
"That's great!"
Elly fidgeted on the edge of the chair. "But Bella, I'm so freaking scared. What if he sees me - the other me -- and everything changes?"
"Someone that really loves you will love you no matter what," her friend insisted. "All those others said they did but they were liars! Besides, if you're so scared just let him see. You said he likes cats."
"You know I don't look like a cute little kitten," she said acidly. "Unless, of course, I want to."
"I really think this guy's different. It's something in his eyes when he looks at you."
She groaned loudly, then waved to reassure the guy that was helping Shaggy with his pool duties that afternoon. "We're talking about looking at me. You think he would have the same eyes for me with my hideous demon face?"
She took a deep breath. "No, I know - I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell at you. My emotions are all over the place and ... what's going on over there? The hell?" Elly paused, her ears alert as she heard yelling inside the house. "I'm going to have to call back. Something's happening!"
Sanji left for the restaurant with a casual wave, and Aizawa was about to join Elly on the deck when he heard a low voice nearby.
"We need to talk."
One glance at the man pulling himself to his full height in the corner and he knew talking was not what he had in mind. Aizawa dropped into a crouch, his eyes narrowing. "Go on."
"I saw you two yesterday."
"Great," he said drily, blinking his bloodshot eyes. "So you saw us kiss, I presume? And you're jealous."
Things went progressively downhill after that. Elly heard the screaming and ran inside to find a horrifying sight.
Aizawa stood his ground, his hair waving upright as the scarves around him floated in readiness about his shoulders. He had a cut on his cheek that was bleeding and his bodysuit was slashed in several areas, but he was smirking.
Zoro was standing in a familiar pose in front of him, all three of his swords out with a vein pulsing in his neck that spoke eloquently of his rage. He had dirt on his robes and the black bandanna he wore. Elly doubled her speed when she saw it, knowing he only wore the cloth over his hair when he was deadly serious. She strained to hear so she would know what was going on.
"There's no need to fight," Aizawa was insisting. "You're being foolish."
"The hell I am!"
The smaller man ducked neatly under a slice from all three blades and countered by whipping his thread out, wrapping around the swordsman's arms in an attempt to incapacitate him. Zoro snarled and was about to use the one he held between his teeth to cut himself free when she threw herself between them.
"What are you doing?! Her scream was understandable, given the situation, yet her glare was directed at her former guard only. "Stop fighting!"
He relaxed, and Aizawa unraveled his weapon, drawing it back to lay calmly about him again.
"As you wish."
Fuming, she turned to him and saw his injuries. Her face grew several shades whiter very quickly and she mewed with anxiety, her hands lightly touching near the cut on his face. "No," she whimpered.
"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just a few nicks and bruises."
Her ears folded back all the way and he was touched to see how upset she was at his injuries. "Doctor's," she commanded brusquely, pointing in the general direction of the on compound clinic.
He nodded and started to walk. Elly turned around and crooked a finger at Zoro, who was standing there with an enraged expression, as if he were being insulted. "You," she hissed. "Follow."
Black Jack was in the office today. The patchy man took one look at both men and laughed out loud.
"Finally decided to have it out?"
Elly gave him a scathing look. "Shut up, Jack, and make sure Sho's okay."
"What about..." He jerked his thumb at Zoro, who was standing there frowning.
"He can go later. Besides, we need to have a talk."
Aizawa looked like he wanted to say something, but he was ushered inside before he could speak. The door closed behind them and she whirled around, hissing with anger.
"What is wrong with you? I - I'm so angry I can't even see straight!" She directed the full force of her fury at the big man, shaking and upset. "Why did you hurt my Shota?!"
Zoro regretted it later, but he had reached his breaking point upon hearing her speak his rival's name that way. He leaped from the chair and, catching her by the upper arms, swept her around until he pinned her to the wall. Several things inside the medical cabinets rattled or fell and there were cries of alarm in the back. Instead of fighting she became terrified of the man she had been so close to only a few months ago. She struggled futiley in his grip but froze when he shouted at her.
"Because I fucking loved you for fourteen years and he comes along and steals you away in a damned month!" His single brown eye was filled with a hopeless, searing agony.
Elly became completely immobilized by his startling confession, coming so soon after the other man's yesterday. She simply sagged limply in his hold, her purple eyes blank as she struggled with what he had just told her. She hadn't much time to consider, however, as Aizawa slammed the consultation room door open, his weapon out and his eyes ablaze.
"Let her go!"
Zoro was rattled by the force of the scruffy man's blow. Aizawa punched him almost as hard as he could, blinded by the sight of him holding his beloved so roughly. He was ready to do more damage, but the other man let go immediately, registering that he had failed. Not only that, he had scared and upset the woman he professed to love.
Elly was gathered up in her bodyguard's arms and he scanned her for injuries, breathing easier when he saw there were only a few red marks where the big man's fingers had sank into her arm. He kissed her cheek and she simply fell apart.
Zoro flinched when she started to cry. These were not ordinary tears, either, but terrible, wrenching sobs that came from deep within. Too much had happened and she was overwhelmed, unable to stop as she trembled and clung to Aizawa tightly. He stroked her hair and murmured quietly to her in a soothing voice.
"This isn't good," he said after several minutes, so worried he slipped unconsciously into his native language. "Can't you give her something to help calm her down?"
Fortunately Jack knew Japanese and understood him. He nodded. "She has to be still enough to inject her, though," he warned.
Aizawa stepped things up, kissing her forehead and rubbing her ears. "You need to calm down enough so the doctor can help," he pleaded softly. "You'll feel better, and I won't leave you, my queen, I'll hold you for as long as you want. There... shhh. I love you, I've got you. You're doing great." He jerked his head at the doctor when she quieted slightly and he stepped up and administered the shot in a single swift movement.
"Shota? Shota, b - but Zoro said..."
He shook his head. "No. Calm down first, then you can think. Right now you concentrate on me, okay?"
"But -"
He kissed her so fervently that she relaxed and responded, her senses taken over completely by him. He stood, and, still kissing her, walked over to a chair and sat down. "That's better," he husked when she started purring. "No, look at me, not over there." He stroked under her chin.
"Over there" meant where the fully shamed Zoro was hunched in the corner. The extra security guards that were always following her had detained him easily but they were allowing him a moment to pull himself together before escorting him to the head office. He said nothing, since he knew it would be useless now. He only grunted when he stood up to indicate he was ready to leave.
Aizawa made sure she was distracted so she didn't see the once proud man's disgraceful exit.
"So he keeps bugging her."
"And there's no way to contact him unless he answers to his name." Aizawa grimaced, one hand stealing around to rub at the back of his neck under his scarves. "I have a hunch he doesn't want to see me just yet."
"He'll come when he's ready."
"Yes. But then I have to be as well, don't I?"
Elly was on the phone with her girlfriend as Aizawa discussed matters with the cook inside. She was lounging by the pool, exhilarated by yesterday's events yet nervous as well.
"He told me he loved me yesterday."
"That's great!"
Elly fidgeted on the edge of the chair. "But Bella, I'm so freaking scared. What if he sees me - the other me -- and everything changes?"
"Someone that really loves you will love you no matter what," her friend insisted. "All those others said they did but they were liars! Besides, if you're so scared just let him see. You said he likes cats."
"You know I don't look like a cute little kitten," she said acidly. "Unless, of course, I want to."
"I really think this guy's different. It's something in his eyes when he looks at you."
She groaned loudly, then waved to reassure the guy that was helping Shaggy with his pool duties that afternoon. "We're talking about looking at me. You think he would have the same eyes for me with my hideous demon face?"
She took a deep breath. "No, I know - I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell at you. My emotions are all over the place and ... what's going on over there? The hell?" Elly paused, her ears alert as she heard yelling inside the house. "I'm going to have to call back. Something's happening!"
Sanji left for the restaurant with a casual wave, and Aizawa was about to join Elly on the deck when he heard a low voice nearby.
"We need to talk."
One glance at the man pulling himself to his full height in the corner and he knew talking was not what he had in mind. Aizawa dropped into a crouch, his eyes narrowing. "Go on."
"I saw you two yesterday."
"Great," he said drily, blinking his bloodshot eyes. "So you saw us kiss, I presume? And you're jealous."
Things went progressively downhill after that. Elly heard the screaming and ran inside to find a horrifying sight.
Aizawa stood his ground, his hair waving upright as the scarves around him floated in readiness about his shoulders. He had a cut on his cheek that was bleeding and his bodysuit was slashed in several areas, but he was smirking.
Zoro was standing in a familiar pose in front of him, all three of his swords out with a vein pulsing in his neck that spoke eloquently of his rage. He had dirt on his robes and the black bandanna he wore. Elly doubled her speed when she saw it, knowing he only wore the cloth over his hair when he was deadly serious. She strained to hear so she would know what was going on.
"There's no need to fight," Aizawa was insisting. "You're being foolish."
"The hell I am!"
The smaller man ducked neatly under a slice from all three blades and countered by whipping his thread out, wrapping around the swordsman's arms in an attempt to incapacitate him. Zoro snarled and was about to use the one he held between his teeth to cut himself free when she threw herself between them.
"What are you doing?! Her scream was understandable, given the situation, yet her glare was directed at her former guard only. "Stop fighting!"
He relaxed, and Aizawa unraveled his weapon, drawing it back to lay calmly about him again.
"As you wish."
Fuming, she turned to him and saw his injuries. Her face grew several shades whiter very quickly and she mewed with anxiety, her hands lightly touching near the cut on his face. "No," she whimpered.
"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just a few nicks and bruises."
Her ears folded back all the way and he was touched to see how upset she was at his injuries. "Doctor's," she commanded brusquely, pointing in the general direction of the on compound clinic.
He nodded and started to walk. Elly turned around and crooked a finger at Zoro, who was standing there with an enraged expression, as if he were being insulted. "You," she hissed. "Follow."
Black Jack was in the office today. The patchy man took one look at both men and laughed out loud.
"Finally decided to have it out?"
Elly gave him a scathing look. "Shut up, Jack, and make sure Sho's okay."
"What about..." He jerked his thumb at Zoro, who was standing there frowning.
"He can go later. Besides, we need to have a talk."
Aizawa looked like he wanted to say something, but he was ushered inside before he could speak. The door closed behind them and she whirled around, hissing with anger.
"What is wrong with you? I - I'm so angry I can't even see straight!" She directed the full force of her fury at the big man, shaking and upset. "Why did you hurt my Shota?!"
Zoro regretted it later, but he had reached his breaking point upon hearing her speak his rival's name that way. He leaped from the chair and, catching her by the upper arms, swept her around until he pinned her to the wall. Several things inside the medical cabinets rattled or fell and there were cries of alarm in the back. Instead of fighting she became terrified of the man she had been so close to only a few months ago. She struggled futiley in his grip but froze when he shouted at her.
"Because I fucking loved you for fourteen years and he comes along and steals you away in a damned month!" His single brown eye was filled with a hopeless, searing agony.
Elly became completely immobilized by his startling confession, coming so soon after the other man's yesterday. She simply sagged limply in his hold, her purple eyes blank as she struggled with what he had just told her. She hadn't much time to consider, however, as Aizawa slammed the consultation room door open, his weapon out and his eyes ablaze.
"Let her go!"
Zoro was rattled by the force of the scruffy man's blow. Aizawa punched him almost as hard as he could, blinded by the sight of him holding his beloved so roughly. He was ready to do more damage, but the other man let go immediately, registering that he had failed. Not only that, he had scared and upset the woman he professed to love.
Elly was gathered up in her bodyguard's arms and he scanned her for injuries, breathing easier when he saw there were only a few red marks where the big man's fingers had sank into her arm. He kissed her cheek and she simply fell apart.
Zoro flinched when she started to cry. These were not ordinary tears, either, but terrible, wrenching sobs that came from deep within. Too much had happened and she was overwhelmed, unable to stop as she trembled and clung to Aizawa tightly. He stroked her hair and murmured quietly to her in a soothing voice.
"This isn't good," he said after several minutes, so worried he slipped unconsciously into his native language. "Can't you give her something to help calm her down?"
Fortunately Jack knew Japanese and understood him. He nodded. "She has to be still enough to inject her, though," he warned.
Aizawa stepped things up, kissing her forehead and rubbing her ears. "You need to calm down enough so the doctor can help," he pleaded softly. "You'll feel better, and I won't leave you, my queen, I'll hold you for as long as you want. There... shhh. I love you, I've got you. You're doing great." He jerked his head at the doctor when she quieted slightly and he stepped up and administered the shot in a single swift movement.
"Shota? Shota, b - but Zoro said..."
He shook his head. "No. Calm down first, then you can think. Right now you concentrate on me, okay?"
"But -"
He kissed her so fervently that she relaxed and responded, her senses taken over completely by him. He stood, and, still kissing her, walked over to a chair and sat down. "That's better," he husked when she started purring. "No, look at me, not over there." He stroked under her chin.
"Over there" meant where the fully shamed Zoro was hunched in the corner. The extra security guards that were always following her had detained him easily but they were allowing him a moment to pull himself together before escorting him to the head office. He said nothing, since he knew it would be useless now. He only grunted when he stood up to indicate he was ready to leave.
Aizawa made sure she was distracted so she didn't see the once proud man's disgraceful exit.
Moy Mell 45
The day had been one to remember, with Aizawa declaring himself and offering to become even more than her boyfriend. He suggested gently that it might be a good idea to unwind before bed by watching one of her favorite nature documentaries, and she agreed. They sat on the couch in the living room, only half paying attention to what was on the television since they had seen it before. The soothing music and voice of the narrator had lulled her into a sleepy state, and he was very warm beside her.
He grunted and reached into a drawer in the table beside him, bringing out a bottle of eye drops.
"I have to pee. Be right back," she yawned.
He shrugged and let the drop fall into his left eye. "All right. I'll pause it so you don't miss the part with the jellyfish."
"Thanks." She stretched a little and walked down to the bathroom. When she was washing her hands she noticed a shadow in the mirror and groaned. "What is it?"
Her public relations manager was distraught yet again. It seemed to be his natural state these days.
"He spoke your <i>name</i>," Neuro grated. "I heard it! You know we can <i>all</i> hear the echo when that happens, especially when it's used by a promise-bound human."
"He told me that he loves me." She spoke calmly but there was a flicker of panic in her eyes.
He actually squawked again in his rage, the sound even more horrifying when it came out his human mouth. "And how many times has a human told you that? Starting with the <i>bitch</i> that stood by and let you be killed while she was already picking out a replacement for you?!"
Elly flinched. "Sumi sama."
"Ah yes, the black-haired cunt. Isn't it odd that the trash claiming to love you now has the same long, black hair?"
She cringed and just as suddenly snapped at the air inches in front of his face, her head a furry, bristling mouth full of fangs and wild, rolling cat-slit pupils. "<i>Stop it!</i> Stop trying to ruin him for me! And <i>leave me alone</i> before I crunch that nasty smile <i>right off your face!</i>"
He fled in a wisp of smoke and she realized she was gripping the counter so hard her knuckles were white. Elly shook herself back to human form and washed her face, trying to calm herself down before walking back out.
She thought of her boyfriend sitting on the couch, his gray eyes bloodshot and always tired looking. Of that terrifying yet somehow handsome grin and his dry, coughing laugh. She was even fond of the habit he had of rubbing at the back of his neck with one hand.
Aizawa did have long, black hair like Sumi, though his was shorter by far. He was the same nationality. What if he saw her in her true form and changed his mind? If his love turned to fear and loathing, he would want her dead like so many other humans. It had happened many times before.
Could she handle that if she opened her heart all the way one more time?
Elly jumped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a cry when she heard a light tap on the door. "You okay in there, Ches? I heard talking, but it sounded muted and strange."
"Yes!" She dried her hands and opened the door to find him standing there looking slightly concerned. "It was Neuro again. He, uh... oh, hell. I don't know."
"I think I might have a discussion with him later," he said quietly. "He's been upsetting you a lot lately."
She sighed and nodded. "He's been pushing me quite a bit."
Aizawa curled a protective arm about her shoulders. "You want to finish the show or go right to bed?"
"You know, I think I want to sleep more than anything."
"All right." He bent and picked her up without asking, and she purred with contentment, forcing the jumbled mess of insecurities away in her mind. He was warm, smelled good, and she loved him. Tomorrow she could focus on what had happened, but she was too weary right now to care.
He grunted and reached into a drawer in the table beside him, bringing out a bottle of eye drops.
"I have to pee. Be right back," she yawned.
He shrugged and let the drop fall into his left eye. "All right. I'll pause it so you don't miss the part with the jellyfish."
"Thanks." She stretched a little and walked down to the bathroom. When she was washing her hands she noticed a shadow in the mirror and groaned. "What is it?"
Her public relations manager was distraught yet again. It seemed to be his natural state these days.
"He spoke your <i>name</i>," Neuro grated. "I heard it! You know we can <i>all</i> hear the echo when that happens, especially when it's used by a promise-bound human."
"He told me that he loves me." She spoke calmly but there was a flicker of panic in her eyes.
He actually squawked again in his rage, the sound even more horrifying when it came out his human mouth. "And how many times has a human told you that? Starting with the <i>bitch</i> that stood by and let you be killed while she was already picking out a replacement for you?!"
Elly flinched. "Sumi sama."
"Ah yes, the black-haired cunt. Isn't it odd that the trash claiming to love you now has the same long, black hair?"
She cringed and just as suddenly snapped at the air inches in front of his face, her head a furry, bristling mouth full of fangs and wild, rolling cat-slit pupils. "<i>Stop it!</i> Stop trying to ruin him for me! And <i>leave me alone</i> before I crunch that nasty smile <i>right off your face!</i>"
He fled in a wisp of smoke and she realized she was gripping the counter so hard her knuckles were white. Elly shook herself back to human form and washed her face, trying to calm herself down before walking back out.
She thought of her boyfriend sitting on the couch, his gray eyes bloodshot and always tired looking. Of that terrifying yet somehow handsome grin and his dry, coughing laugh. She was even fond of the habit he had of rubbing at the back of his neck with one hand.
Aizawa did have long, black hair like Sumi, though his was shorter by far. He was the same nationality. What if he saw her in her true form and changed his mind? If his love turned to fear and loathing, he would want her dead like so many other humans. It had happened many times before.
Could she handle that if she opened her heart all the way one more time?
Elly jumped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a cry when she heard a light tap on the door. "You okay in there, Ches? I heard talking, but it sounded muted and strange."
"Yes!" She dried her hands and opened the door to find him standing there looking slightly concerned. "It was Neuro again. He, uh... oh, hell. I don't know."
"I think I might have a discussion with him later," he said quietly. "He's been upsetting you a lot lately."
She sighed and nodded. "He's been pushing me quite a bit."
Aizawa curled a protective arm about her shoulders. "You want to finish the show or go right to bed?"
"You know, I think I want to sleep more than anything."
"All right." He bent and picked her up without asking, and she purred with contentment, forcing the jumbled mess of insecurities away in her mind. He was warm, smelled good, and she loved him. Tomorrow she could focus on what had happened, but she was too weary right now to care.
Moy Mell 44
She squeaked faintly. "What."
"I assumed you knew." He shrugged, pulling back to look directly at her.
"I - I didn't..." Her breathing hitched sharply, and she covered her mouth in one hand.
"No one's told you that in a long time, have they." It wasn't really a question but she nodded anyway, tears pouring over her fingers. "Then I'll have to make sure I repeat myself often." He fixed her with an unusually intense gaze, his eyes glowing red.
"Sh - Shota..." The demonic cast to his normally human features further confused her and she stuttered, shaking. He saw this and reverted back, reached up and held her chin in one hand.
"Stop," he pleaded, "please stop destroying what's left of your heart by clinging to the things that have broken you. I want to help you, but you <i>must let go</i>."
"I'm <i>scared!</i>" Her pupils had contracted in her extreme fright, but it was not him she was afraid of, and for that he was hopeful.
"I know." He kissed her briefly, wiping her tears away with gentle swipes of his fingertips. "It's not going to be easy for you. All I can do is promise I'll be here." He added her real name in a low tone, reminding her of the nature of that promise.
Elly had begun to move, nothing more than a tensing of her body in preparation for the shift of weight towards the man in front of her. But before she could accept or reject him, a parrot head burst out of the ground beside them, burning the tiny flowers and grass around it in a foot long radius. They both jumped and she rolled off his lap.
"Dinner's ready!" Neuro squawked in as loud and grating vouce as he could manage. He clucked once or twice, then suddenly and shockingly screeched. "Get back to the house before the blond one kicks your asses!"
Aizawa rubbed a tired hand across his eyes, grinning ruefully. "Bastard," he said under his breath.
Elly shook her head. "I'm going to pluck that bird bald," she hissed. "He damn near have me a heart attack!"
"Yes." He held a hand out to her and helped her up. "I assume he thinks it's amusing."
"I'll bite his tail off," she growled.
He chuckled. "Don't let him get to you. By the way, my offer stands. It's your choice, my queen. It has to be. For now, though..." He dusted his pants off and looked in the direction they had come from. "We don't want to anger the cook by letting dinner get cold, do we?"
"I assumed you knew." He shrugged, pulling back to look directly at her.
"I - I didn't..." Her breathing hitched sharply, and she covered her mouth in one hand.
"No one's told you that in a long time, have they." It wasn't really a question but she nodded anyway, tears pouring over her fingers. "Then I'll have to make sure I repeat myself often." He fixed her with an unusually intense gaze, his eyes glowing red.
"Sh - Shota..." The demonic cast to his normally human features further confused her and she stuttered, shaking. He saw this and reverted back, reached up and held her chin in one hand.
"Stop," he pleaded, "please stop destroying what's left of your heart by clinging to the things that have broken you. I want to help you, but you <i>must let go</i>."
"I'm <i>scared!</i>" Her pupils had contracted in her extreme fright, but it was not him she was afraid of, and for that he was hopeful.
"I know." He kissed her briefly, wiping her tears away with gentle swipes of his fingertips. "It's not going to be easy for you. All I can do is promise I'll be here." He added her real name in a low tone, reminding her of the nature of that promise.
Elly had begun to move, nothing more than a tensing of her body in preparation for the shift of weight towards the man in front of her. But before she could accept or reject him, a parrot head burst out of the ground beside them, burning the tiny flowers and grass around it in a foot long radius. They both jumped and she rolled off his lap.
"Dinner's ready!" Neuro squawked in as loud and grating vouce as he could manage. He clucked once or twice, then suddenly and shockingly screeched. "Get back to the house before the blond one kicks your asses!"
Aizawa rubbed a tired hand across his eyes, grinning ruefully. "Bastard," he said under his breath.
Elly shook her head. "I'm going to pluck that bird bald," she hissed. "He damn near have me a heart attack!"
"Yes." He held a hand out to her and helped her up. "I assume he thinks it's amusing."
"I'll bite his tail off," she growled.
He chuckled. "Don't let him get to you. By the way, my offer stands. It's your choice, my queen. It has to be. For now, though..." He dusted his pants off and looked in the direction they had come from. "We don't want to anger the cook by letting dinner get cold, do we?"
Moy Mell 43
Zoro had decided a few days ago to work in the gardens to keep busy. He didn't want to go back to security just yet, but needed something to fill the hours in his day. As he was rounding a corner with a large sack of wildflower seeds slung over his back, he heard a familiar laugh and paused.
Creeping forward through the neatly manicured bushes, he followed the sound until he saw Elly and Aizawa sitting in the middle of a small flower field in a clearing. It was far enough away from the compound so they had privacy, or so they had thought when they chose it, and yet close enough to get back before it got too dark.
He shook his head and started to turn away when the dark-haired man pulled her into his lap and kissed her. It was not a small peck on the cheek or lips, either, but a very long, very warm open-mouthed kiss. The easy, familiar way he did it proved this was not their first as well.
The sack seemed to grow heavier all of a sudden, but he grimly re-shouldered it and moved away from the scene unfolding in front of him. A lot of people had tried to warn him about this. He had known it might happen. But the swordsman had foolishly thought things would somehow stay the same even after he had changed them.
He did not blame her.
The cook was one of the strangest and strongest advocates for his cause, yet even he had gotten fed up with his friend's inability to express himself. Evidently the red-eyed rat bastard - there was where the anger had fallen, he felt it boil up inside -- did it better than he ever could.
Well. Looks like he was going to stay on as a groundskeeper for awhile longer. It was much safer than being in security.
The couple had decided to take a walk before dinner and found this small open patch of meadow by accident. Aizawa flopped onto the ground and held his arms out.
"Mmn. C'mere." He pulled her smoothly onto his lap and kissed her seriously, causing her to grow limp. She slid down against him, relaxing in his arms so much that he took a chance and moved his hands lower on her back.
Elly shivered. "Getting close to my tail," she husked. The striped fur ruffled in the breeze as she waved it to one side.
He gave her a very steady look. "Is that a warning?"
"I've mauled people for less."
His grin turned feral. "And me?"
Her ears pointed directly at him. "It's a huge sign of submission for me to let anyone touch it. No one has ever gotten permission yet. "
His hands tightened, then dropped. "I understand you don't want me doing that just yet."
She shook herself. "I didn't exactly say you couldn't."
He rubbed under her chin with one hand. "Is threatening to maul me a sign of affection, then?"
She flicked her ears back. "I didn't... oh, hell. Then apologize better."
"Hmm. Like this?"
"Yes," she breathed as he mouthed her lips, whispering that he was sorry. "Much better."
"You're insatiable. For kisses, that is," he quickly clarified.
"M'never thought of that, but I guess so."
"I suppose you never got many before?"
"That's true. People were afraid of me after I came back changed." She shrugged and tucked a strand of purple hair back that was tickling her cheek. "I like the closeness. I also like being held for that reason. I used to be held ... before."
"I'll remember that."
"Good," she sighed.
"Can I ask you a question?" He stroked her hair in a calming manner, knowing he was going to bring up a sensitive topic.
"About what?"
He thought for a moment. "You mentioned how rare it is that you date. No one can remember you being serious with anyone past the cook."
"And he wasn't really my choice. I'm still upset about my actions there." She huffed, tail thumping on the grass. "Oh. What's your question? Though I could guess."
He raised his eyebrows. "When was the last time you were in a committed relationship?"
"Does it matter?" Elly toyed with his ponytail, deep in thought. "Every time I tried I've been hurt somehow. Sanji being the exception, but again, to be fair, I didn't love him that way." His arms twitched around her. She felt it and pulled slightly back so she could look into his eyes. "You're not the same," she said quietly.
"I know." But he looked concerned.
"I mean it," she ventured, sounding injured. "I know I keep bringing that up and how I didn't love him and all. I - I was attracted to him and I got confused, I think. It's been so long... I thought maybe if I went along with it, that would be enough."
"Hmm."
"To answer your question, I don't remember. It's been such a long time ago and I haven't, ah, been with a man for so long my body stopped some of my natural processes. That's why Bella was getting involved when she saw we liked each other."
He coughed dry laughter, surprising her. "That's what all the texting was about."
"Yeahhh. She's a sex demon. She was really concerned."
"I am as well. Both as your partner and head of security in charge of your well-being, I want to know more about what you mean by 'natural processes'."
Elly's face colored rapidly. "I started out a cat," she blurted out, "and cats get heats. I don't anymore. It hurts."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's important to me if you're in pain."
She laughed abashedly. "I'm not in pain now," she told him truthfully. "Besides... wh - what are you doing?!"
Aizawa did not look up from where he was kissing her jawline. "Helping," he stated calmly.
"You don't know what you're do..." She faltered, rolling her head back as he continued and reached her neck. "You do know what you're doing. How - how ..?"
His answer was cryptic. "Research." His lips trailed over to where her pulse was beating crazily under her skin.
"Wait..."
"Mm hm." He bared his teeth on the spot, rubbing them gently and then licking. "I need consent, please."
"And I need to hear you say what you think you're doing!"
"Marking you."
"Do you understand what it means?"
"Yes. And it will start your heats again, which I will also be glad to help you with."
She choked on that but filed it away for future reference. Right now she could barely breathe with his arms around her and his mouth teasing her sensitive neck.
It meant trusting him more than she had been; a mark was a visible sign of a coupling. There was no way to be coy about this and everyone would be absolutely certain they were together. Demons would understand it meant a little more, and she was likely to receive criticism for mating with a human from most of her peers.
This was commitment, not play.
Shaking all over, she whimpered and tried to think. But though he wasn't moving his stubble scratched gently and she could feel his warm breath, his dry lips pressing on her skin. It would be so easy to give in. She wanted to give in.
It was his remark about helping with her heats that had destroyed any semblance of rational thought. He was promising to mark and then mount her, to take her as a mate. The fact that he knew what it meant and his calmness about it was reassuring.
Aizawa's heart started to beat faster when he felt her relaxing once more. Despite how calm he may have sounded and even looked, his throat was dry and he was sweating a little. This had been a risk, but the reward would be worth it. What had pushed him into moving faster had been her mention of pain. His original plan was to wait much longer, but he couldn't bear to know she was suffering more than he originally thought.
"Would it help if I mentioned how illogically, ridiculously in love with you I've become?"
Creeping forward through the neatly manicured bushes, he followed the sound until he saw Elly and Aizawa sitting in the middle of a small flower field in a clearing. It was far enough away from the compound so they had privacy, or so they had thought when they chose it, and yet close enough to get back before it got too dark.
He shook his head and started to turn away when the dark-haired man pulled her into his lap and kissed her. It was not a small peck on the cheek or lips, either, but a very long, very warm open-mouthed kiss. The easy, familiar way he did it proved this was not their first as well.
The sack seemed to grow heavier all of a sudden, but he grimly re-shouldered it and moved away from the scene unfolding in front of him. A lot of people had tried to warn him about this. He had known it might happen. But the swordsman had foolishly thought things would somehow stay the same even after he had changed them.
He did not blame her.
The cook was one of the strangest and strongest advocates for his cause, yet even he had gotten fed up with his friend's inability to express himself. Evidently the red-eyed rat bastard - there was where the anger had fallen, he felt it boil up inside -- did it better than he ever could.
Well. Looks like he was going to stay on as a groundskeeper for awhile longer. It was much safer than being in security.
The couple had decided to take a walk before dinner and found this small open patch of meadow by accident. Aizawa flopped onto the ground and held his arms out.
"Mmn. C'mere." He pulled her smoothly onto his lap and kissed her seriously, causing her to grow limp. She slid down against him, relaxing in his arms so much that he took a chance and moved his hands lower on her back.
Elly shivered. "Getting close to my tail," she husked. The striped fur ruffled in the breeze as she waved it to one side.
He gave her a very steady look. "Is that a warning?"
"I've mauled people for less."
His grin turned feral. "And me?"
Her ears pointed directly at him. "It's a huge sign of submission for me to let anyone touch it. No one has ever gotten permission yet. "
His hands tightened, then dropped. "I understand you don't want me doing that just yet."
She shook herself. "I didn't exactly say you couldn't."
He rubbed under her chin with one hand. "Is threatening to maul me a sign of affection, then?"
She flicked her ears back. "I didn't... oh, hell. Then apologize better."
"Hmm. Like this?"
"Yes," she breathed as he mouthed her lips, whispering that he was sorry. "Much better."
"You're insatiable. For kisses, that is," he quickly clarified.
"M'never thought of that, but I guess so."
"I suppose you never got many before?"
"That's true. People were afraid of me after I came back changed." She shrugged and tucked a strand of purple hair back that was tickling her cheek. "I like the closeness. I also like being held for that reason. I used to be held ... before."
"I'll remember that."
"Good," she sighed.
"Can I ask you a question?" He stroked her hair in a calming manner, knowing he was going to bring up a sensitive topic.
"About what?"
He thought for a moment. "You mentioned how rare it is that you date. No one can remember you being serious with anyone past the cook."
"And he wasn't really my choice. I'm still upset about my actions there." She huffed, tail thumping on the grass. "Oh. What's your question? Though I could guess."
He raised his eyebrows. "When was the last time you were in a committed relationship?"
"Does it matter?" Elly toyed with his ponytail, deep in thought. "Every time I tried I've been hurt somehow. Sanji being the exception, but again, to be fair, I didn't love him that way." His arms twitched around her. She felt it and pulled slightly back so she could look into his eyes. "You're not the same," she said quietly.
"I know." But he looked concerned.
"I mean it," she ventured, sounding injured. "I know I keep bringing that up and how I didn't love him and all. I - I was attracted to him and I got confused, I think. It's been so long... I thought maybe if I went along with it, that would be enough."
"Hmm."
"To answer your question, I don't remember. It's been such a long time ago and I haven't, ah, been with a man for so long my body stopped some of my natural processes. That's why Bella was getting involved when she saw we liked each other."
He coughed dry laughter, surprising her. "That's what all the texting was about."
"Yeahhh. She's a sex demon. She was really concerned."
"I am as well. Both as your partner and head of security in charge of your well-being, I want to know more about what you mean by 'natural processes'."
Elly's face colored rapidly. "I started out a cat," she blurted out, "and cats get heats. I don't anymore. It hurts."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's important to me if you're in pain."
She laughed abashedly. "I'm not in pain now," she told him truthfully. "Besides... wh - what are you doing?!"
Aizawa did not look up from where he was kissing her jawline. "Helping," he stated calmly.
"You don't know what you're do..." She faltered, rolling her head back as he continued and reached her neck. "You do know what you're doing. How - how ..?"
His answer was cryptic. "Research." His lips trailed over to where her pulse was beating crazily under her skin.
"Wait..."
"Mm hm." He bared his teeth on the spot, rubbing them gently and then licking. "I need consent, please."
"And I need to hear you say what you think you're doing!"
"Marking you."
"Do you understand what it means?"
"Yes. And it will start your heats again, which I will also be glad to help you with."
She choked on that but filed it away for future reference. Right now she could barely breathe with his arms around her and his mouth teasing her sensitive neck.
It meant trusting him more than she had been; a mark was a visible sign of a coupling. There was no way to be coy about this and everyone would be absolutely certain they were together. Demons would understand it meant a little more, and she was likely to receive criticism for mating with a human from most of her peers.
This was commitment, not play.
Shaking all over, she whimpered and tried to think. But though he wasn't moving his stubble scratched gently and she could feel his warm breath, his dry lips pressing on her skin. It would be so easy to give in. She wanted to give in.
It was his remark about helping with her heats that had destroyed any semblance of rational thought. He was promising to mark and then mount her, to take her as a mate. The fact that he knew what it meant and his calmness about it was reassuring.
Aizawa's heart started to beat faster when he felt her relaxing once more. Despite how calm he may have sounded and even looked, his throat was dry and he was sweating a little. This had been a risk, but the reward would be worth it. What had pushed him into moving faster had been her mention of pain. His original plan was to wait much longer, but he couldn't bear to know she was suffering more than he originally thought.
"Would it help if I mentioned how illogically, ridiculously in love with you I've become?"
King of my Heart 23
It was late in the evening and Hizashi was getting ready to head out for one of his extra jobs.
"I'll wait up for you tonight, sweetie. Just let me know if your gig is going to run late." He bent down slightly as he was fixing his hair and she kissed him on the cheek.
"'kay. It shouldn't, though. This place is usually good at keeping strict closing times." Hizashi frowned, tapping his tub of hair wax on the counter.
"Stuck again?"
He nodded in frustration. "Damn thing. I ran hot water over it before."
"Well, if it's dried up I bought you another yesterday - it's behind the other stuff in the cabinet."
"Oh, word?" He dug around for a moment and popped up, beaming, with the fresh tub in hand. "You're awesome, babe!"
Elly chuckled and watched from the door, still fascinated at the way he could turn his soft, long hair into a gigantic cockatoo plume with a single handful of goop and some spray.
"Okay! Gonna get some water in my bottle, and my other gear, and then I'm set..." He pulled his boots on and grabbed the handle of the huge bag that held some of his equipment. The bigger items were stored locally and moved ahead of time to where the venue was. He grabbed an umbrella as well, since it was storming outside.
"Oh! Almost forgot the most important thing." He leaned over and hugged her tight, kissing her noisily on the cheek and making her giggle. "Now I'm ready."
"Hydrate, Mikey," she told him, reverting naturally to his other name since he was in costume. "Remember this time!"
He waved his water bottle at her with a grin as he left.
She settled down for a quiet evening of book reading. Over the course of several hours, the storm outside grew worse. She started to worry about Hizashi getting safely home when a huge crack of thunder split through the air. Elly's ears snapped up as she heard a loud crackle and a low, whining sound. "Uh oh," she murmured.
The lights went out all over the campus.
Sighing, she walked over to the closet and grabbed a rain coat. She knew she was one of the only heroes in the vicinity that could partially see in the dark, and she would be needed.
Of course the school had backup generators, but they could only be set up in one of the largest gyms. She gathered up students and teachers alike that hadn't managed to make it there yet. After around a quarter of an hour, she noticed someone was missing.
Shota Aizawa had a secret that only one close person to him knew.
He was afraid of the dark.
It was easy to hide because there was always some sort of light available - street lights, candles, even the faint glow of the moon. But the storm had caused complete darkness to settle all around him, and he was horrified.
He hated the paralysing, irrational terror the absence of all light caused in him and he always had a contingency plan for emergencies. Unfortunately, he had been busy with work and hadn't checked the batteries in his flashlights for some time. He also had the suspicion that Eri might have worn down a few while playing, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was he was stuck, in the dark, and completely unable to move.
When there was a light tapping on his front door he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who is it?" He managed to keep his voice even with a mighty effort.
"Elly." She paused. "It's Ches, Shota. I've got the skeleton key and I'm coming in."
He panicked further, but there was no time to cover up for his condition before she shone a light in the corner of the bedroom, exposing him curled into a ball in his fear.
"Oh, Shota. I'm sorry -"
"No. Don't come closer and do not attempt to comfort me." He must have realized his voice was shaking even in his determination and added in a softer tone, "Please."
Elly focused on him and saw the raw fear in his eyes. "I tried to get them to send someone else. I can see better in the dark, plus we're neighbors. They picked me."
"You didn't want to ..." He flinched as the storm brought another large branch down and there was a crackle of electricity from the fallen lines. "Of course you know. You have a degree in psychology." Aizawa hung his head between his knees, his hands clasping the back of his neck. This was now officially one of the worst days he had experienced in a while. "I tried to hide my feelings for you. I apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It happens; there's a reason there are so many books, movies and songs devoted to such a scenario." She rummaged in a bag she was carrying and handed him another flashlight and some extra batteries.
"Ugh," he grunted at her response and then nodded. "Thank you."
"Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." The obvious pain the next statement caused him made her cringe slightly. "But you should."
"I understand. You want to put distance between us? And Hizashi, too, for awhile?"
His bitter sigh floated up out of the darkness. "It's necessary."
"All right." Elly nodded. "I'll go back and let everyone know that you're okay, just busy." She held back, knowing any gesture might be seen as encouragement. It was frustrating because she really did care for the man. He was her second best friend here, her boyfriend's best pal for ages that had always been his rock. His voice cracked as she got up and it was very difficult to not comfort him with a touch.
"Thank you." It didn't help that she could see the yearning in his weary face as he looked in her direction. Knowing he would be separating himself from his friends clearly pained him even more. Others thought him antisocial; yet even the most dedicated loner craved some human contact.
"You're welcome, Shota." She touched his shoulder briefly, unable to leave the frightened man without a token act of human kindness.
He drew in his breath sharply and caught her hand in his. It was clammy and cold, the tremors running through his body causing it to shake as well.
"Ches, I..."
A loud knocking at the front door cut off whatever he was about to say.
Hizashi stumbled clumsily in, fumbling around in the dark. He held several glow sticks in one gloved hand which didn't really illuminate much farther than the tips of his fingers. "Hey hey, I heard you talkin' and it's so dark out! I know someone has an issue with that. S'everything okay?"
Aizawa jerked himself away from the cat woman, slamming himself into the wall in his haste. He hissed with pain and swore.
"Hey, there you are." He stepped into the bedroom and handed his friend the party sticks. "No reason you can't have some festive light too, hey?"
Elly smiled at him and wrapped an arm about his waist, causing him to exclaim with delight. "I was just telling Shota I'm going back to the main hall to tell everyone he's all right. He wants to stay here."
"Oh. Too many people. Okay, then - if you're sure!"
"I'm fine. Go."
They walked back out into the wind and the rain, shutting the door tightly closed behind them.
Hizashi looked back over his shoulder once. "Hey, babe, I don't think he was fine."
"I know. But it's what he wanted."
"I'll wait up for you tonight, sweetie. Just let me know if your gig is going to run late." He bent down slightly as he was fixing his hair and she kissed him on the cheek.
"'kay. It shouldn't, though. This place is usually good at keeping strict closing times." Hizashi frowned, tapping his tub of hair wax on the counter.
"Stuck again?"
He nodded in frustration. "Damn thing. I ran hot water over it before."
"Well, if it's dried up I bought you another yesterday - it's behind the other stuff in the cabinet."
"Oh, word?" He dug around for a moment and popped up, beaming, with the fresh tub in hand. "You're awesome, babe!"
Elly chuckled and watched from the door, still fascinated at the way he could turn his soft, long hair into a gigantic cockatoo plume with a single handful of goop and some spray.
"Okay! Gonna get some water in my bottle, and my other gear, and then I'm set..." He pulled his boots on and grabbed the handle of the huge bag that held some of his equipment. The bigger items were stored locally and moved ahead of time to where the venue was. He grabbed an umbrella as well, since it was storming outside.
"Oh! Almost forgot the most important thing." He leaned over and hugged her tight, kissing her noisily on the cheek and making her giggle. "Now I'm ready."
"Hydrate, Mikey," she told him, reverting naturally to his other name since he was in costume. "Remember this time!"
He waved his water bottle at her with a grin as he left.
She settled down for a quiet evening of book reading. Over the course of several hours, the storm outside grew worse. She started to worry about Hizashi getting safely home when a huge crack of thunder split through the air. Elly's ears snapped up as she heard a loud crackle and a low, whining sound. "Uh oh," she murmured.
The lights went out all over the campus.
Sighing, she walked over to the closet and grabbed a rain coat. She knew she was one of the only heroes in the vicinity that could partially see in the dark, and she would be needed.
Of course the school had backup generators, but they could only be set up in one of the largest gyms. She gathered up students and teachers alike that hadn't managed to make it there yet. After around a quarter of an hour, she noticed someone was missing.
Shota Aizawa had a secret that only one close person to him knew.
He was afraid of the dark.
It was easy to hide because there was always some sort of light available - street lights, candles, even the faint glow of the moon. But the storm had caused complete darkness to settle all around him, and he was horrified.
He hated the paralysing, irrational terror the absence of all light caused in him and he always had a contingency plan for emergencies. Unfortunately, he had been busy with work and hadn't checked the batteries in his flashlights for some time. He also had the suspicion that Eri might have worn down a few while playing, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was he was stuck, in the dark, and completely unable to move.
When there was a light tapping on his front door he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who is it?" He managed to keep his voice even with a mighty effort.
"Elly." She paused. "It's Ches, Shota. I've got the skeleton key and I'm coming in."
He panicked further, but there was no time to cover up for his condition before she shone a light in the corner of the bedroom, exposing him curled into a ball in his fear.
"Oh, Shota. I'm sorry -"
"No. Don't come closer and do not attempt to comfort me." He must have realized his voice was shaking even in his determination and added in a softer tone, "Please."
Elly focused on him and saw the raw fear in his eyes. "I tried to get them to send someone else. I can see better in the dark, plus we're neighbors. They picked me."
"You didn't want to ..." He flinched as the storm brought another large branch down and there was a crackle of electricity from the fallen lines. "Of course you know. You have a degree in psychology." Aizawa hung his head between his knees, his hands clasping the back of his neck. This was now officially one of the worst days he had experienced in a while. "I tried to hide my feelings for you. I apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It happens; there's a reason there are so many books, movies and songs devoted to such a scenario." She rummaged in a bag she was carrying and handed him another flashlight and some extra batteries.
"Ugh," he grunted at her response and then nodded. "Thank you."
"Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." The obvious pain the next statement caused him made her cringe slightly. "But you should."
"I understand. You want to put distance between us? And Hizashi, too, for awhile?"
His bitter sigh floated up out of the darkness. "It's necessary."
"All right." Elly nodded. "I'll go back and let everyone know that you're okay, just busy." She held back, knowing any gesture might be seen as encouragement. It was frustrating because she really did care for the man. He was her second best friend here, her boyfriend's best pal for ages that had always been his rock. His voice cracked as she got up and it was very difficult to not comfort him with a touch.
"Thank you." It didn't help that she could see the yearning in his weary face as he looked in her direction. Knowing he would be separating himself from his friends clearly pained him even more. Others thought him antisocial; yet even the most dedicated loner craved some human contact.
"You're welcome, Shota." She touched his shoulder briefly, unable to leave the frightened man without a token act of human kindness.
He drew in his breath sharply and caught her hand in his. It was clammy and cold, the tremors running through his body causing it to shake as well.
"Ches, I..."
A loud knocking at the front door cut off whatever he was about to say.
Hizashi stumbled clumsily in, fumbling around in the dark. He held several glow sticks in one gloved hand which didn't really illuminate much farther than the tips of his fingers. "Hey hey, I heard you talkin' and it's so dark out! I know someone has an issue with that. S'everything okay?"
Aizawa jerked himself away from the cat woman, slamming himself into the wall in his haste. He hissed with pain and swore.
"Hey, there you are." He stepped into the bedroom and handed his friend the party sticks. "No reason you can't have some festive light too, hey?"
Elly smiled at him and wrapped an arm about his waist, causing him to exclaim with delight. "I was just telling Shota I'm going back to the main hall to tell everyone he's all right. He wants to stay here."
"Oh. Too many people. Okay, then - if you're sure!"
"I'm fine. Go."
They walked back out into the wind and the rain, shutting the door tightly closed behind them.
Hizashi looked back over his shoulder once. "Hey, babe, I don't think he was fine."
"I know. But it's what he wanted."
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Wonderland 21
It was a good thing that the school supplied them with chauffeured vehicles for transportation. Aizawa showed no outside excitement, but he was openly smiling as they pulled up to the airport to pick her up. Yagi and Hizashi had come with him as their closest friends and the Voice Hero made up for any seeming lack of enthusiasm on his part anyway. He talked the whole way there, bouncing in his seat like a schoolboy and elbowing his friend at times, laughing and happy.
Aizawa got out and simply waited by customs at the gate, standing straight for once and not slumped over. His gray eyes were penetrating as he appeared to try to look through the crowds to find her. After half an hour a flash of purple rushed their tiny group.
"Oh my god, <i>Shota</i>!" Elly cried out, forgetting herself so much she pounced like the partial cat she was straight into his arms. He caught her and spun about to stabilize them both, hugging as tightly as he could.
Yagi brought out a wisp of tissue again to blot his sunken eyes with.
Hizashi was grinning like a loon. "We brought the real welcome wagon this time!" He hugged the couple, laughing like crazy.
"So good to have you back," Yagi beamed, also going in for a hug.
The two other men let go first. Hizashi gave his friends an enthusiastic thumb's up. She was so happy she was nearly crying. There were a few people standing still, shocked at the open display the four heroes were creating. Aizawa did not mind for once. He refused to let go, standing in the middle of the now thinning crowd of departures with his head bent to hers. He was, for once, smiling freely and hugely.
The trip back to campus was noisier yet as Hizashi continued to fill the limousine with good-natured chatter and laughter. After he and Yagi had left, the two stood at Aizawa's apartment door, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden silence.
"He was really excited you were coming back," he explained dryly as he pushed the door open.
"Yeah, I could see that!" She giggled. "Oh! I didn't think to ask. I don't have a room booked anywhere, and I haven't been assigned one on campus yet. Where am I going to stay?" She dropped her bag by the door and removed her shoes.
His grin grew positively ferocious.
Elly blinked, then blushed bright red all over. "<i>Shota Aizawa!</i>"
"Heh."
"Wait." She squinted at him, poking him in the chest with one finger. "Nezu doesn't forget details like that. He even had me scheduled for a layover so UA could take me back."
"What are you saying?" Somehow he managed to grin even creepier, grabbing her hand to kiss her fingers.
"This isn't chance!" She burst out laughing. "He did this on purpose. There's no way he 'forgot' I would need a place to stay the first night."
"Oh? He should help me out for all the bullshit he put you through. I'm still pissed. Although," he added grudgingly, "I see the reasoning behind it."
"Um, Shota?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I have my hand back?"
He pondered for a minute, really dragging it out. Then he shook his head, pulled her hand all the way up and kissed the palm. "No. This is mine now."
"All of me is yours, you idiot."
"Oh?" His voice raised with interest. "Is it now?"
"Oh, um." She laughed a little. "Shota..."
"What do you say, Ches?" He pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her lower waist. "Want to share the futon tonight?"
Elly smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Carry me over there and you've got a deal."
"Hnnf." He hefted lightly, and she was lifted easily in his arms. "I wasn't expecting this," he admitted as he walked into the spartan bedroom. "I don't own much."
He was not kidding. She had seen his living room, but the bedroom had even less. There was a single futon, unfolded on the wall near the window where a tall lamp stood nearby. There was nothing else in the entire room. Aizawa laid her on the bedding and knelt on top, propping himself carefully on his elbows so he didn't crush her with his weight.
"You don't need much," she murmured.
"Not right now," he agreed. "Now I've got everything I need."
Aizawa got out and simply waited by customs at the gate, standing straight for once and not slumped over. His gray eyes were penetrating as he appeared to try to look through the crowds to find her. After half an hour a flash of purple rushed their tiny group.
"Oh my god, <i>Shota</i>!" Elly cried out, forgetting herself so much she pounced like the partial cat she was straight into his arms. He caught her and spun about to stabilize them both, hugging as tightly as he could.
Yagi brought out a wisp of tissue again to blot his sunken eyes with.
Hizashi was grinning like a loon. "We brought the real welcome wagon this time!" He hugged the couple, laughing like crazy.
"So good to have you back," Yagi beamed, also going in for a hug.
The two other men let go first. Hizashi gave his friends an enthusiastic thumb's up. She was so happy she was nearly crying. There were a few people standing still, shocked at the open display the four heroes were creating. Aizawa did not mind for once. He refused to let go, standing in the middle of the now thinning crowd of departures with his head bent to hers. He was, for once, smiling freely and hugely.
The trip back to campus was noisier yet as Hizashi continued to fill the limousine with good-natured chatter and laughter. After he and Yagi had left, the two stood at Aizawa's apartment door, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden silence.
"He was really excited you were coming back," he explained dryly as he pushed the door open.
"Yeah, I could see that!" She giggled. "Oh! I didn't think to ask. I don't have a room booked anywhere, and I haven't been assigned one on campus yet. Where am I going to stay?" She dropped her bag by the door and removed her shoes.
His grin grew positively ferocious.
Elly blinked, then blushed bright red all over. "<i>Shota Aizawa!</i>"
"Heh."
"Wait." She squinted at him, poking him in the chest with one finger. "Nezu doesn't forget details like that. He even had me scheduled for a layover so UA could take me back."
"What are you saying?" Somehow he managed to grin even creepier, grabbing her hand to kiss her fingers.
"This isn't chance!" She burst out laughing. "He did this on purpose. There's no way he 'forgot' I would need a place to stay the first night."
"Oh? He should help me out for all the bullshit he put you through. I'm still pissed. Although," he added grudgingly, "I see the reasoning behind it."
"Um, Shota?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I have my hand back?"
He pondered for a minute, really dragging it out. Then he shook his head, pulled her hand all the way up and kissed the palm. "No. This is mine now."
"All of me is yours, you idiot."
"Oh?" His voice raised with interest. "Is it now?"
"Oh, um." She laughed a little. "Shota..."
"What do you say, Ches?" He pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her lower waist. "Want to share the futon tonight?"
Elly smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Carry me over there and you've got a deal."
"Hnnf." He hefted lightly, and she was lifted easily in his arms. "I wasn't expecting this," he admitted as he walked into the spartan bedroom. "I don't own much."
He was not kidding. She had seen his living room, but the bedroom had even less. There was a single futon, unfolded on the wall near the window where a tall lamp stood nearby. There was nothing else in the entire room. Aizawa laid her on the bedding and knelt on top, propping himself carefully on his elbows so he didn't crush her with his weight.
"You don't need much," she murmured.
"Not right now," he agreed. "Now I've got everything I need."
Moy Mell 42
"You got lucky," Neuro commented acidly. He shook the paper in her direction. "Some singer eloped, and this other celebrity family adopted a baby. You and your scruffy boyfriend ended up with only a blurb on the second page."
Aizawa stared at him over the rim of his coffee cup but said nothing.
"That's good," Elly shrugged. "I had enough with people telling me what they thought last night." She made a face.
Aizawa snickered softly. "She about disemboweled a few socialites. You would have enjoyed yourself." This last was directed at the bird demon.
"Oh, really?"
Elly paused in the act of gathering up a forkful of bacon. "Um. Yeah. Well, a few of them had rather unflattering things to say about my date."
This time both of the males chuckled.
"M'serious," she grumbled around a mouth filled with crunchy meat. "What is it about famous people and beings that we can't even fart without others criticizing us?"
"You had less resistance when you dated the cook."
"Mnn. I know."
"I'm more socially acceptable," Sanji chimed in from where he was cleaning dishes. "Except for my smoking, they had nothing to pick me apart over." He dried his hands on a towel and walked over. "You, on the other hand - well."
"I look like an unwashed hobo?" His tone was amused.
Sanji grinned suddenly. "Your words, not mine."
"Ugh." Elly flicked the paper far away from her. "I'm not going to read it. Thanks, Neuro. You've been doing a great job despite how you feel about the whole thing."
"Yes, well. You deserve representation. All our kind do." He shook his head before sinking into the floor with an oddly vacant expression. "I'll keep you updated..."
"Annnnd he's gone." Sanji stared at the spot where he had disappeared. "The hell is it with that guy?"
"He's been upset for good reasons. Demons don't mix well with humans. We usually get hurt."
"Hurt." The blond chef took her bodyguard's empty plate. "This guy would light himself on fire before hurting you. Just like..." He choked back what he had been about to say when he saw her expression and turned quickly around.
Her ears dipped slightly and they finished breakfast in silence. When the plates had been cleared away she sighed and stood up.
"I have to get a disguise on."
"I've never seen you wear one," Aizawa said curiously. "Don't you normally go out as you are?"
"Yeah, but this is a way to check on stuff without being bothered by the press or fans. I need to go over some of the attractions." They were talking as she walked over to a bag in the corner she had set down earlier. With a small grimace she took out a large piece of cloth. "I hate this the most," she admitted, and curled her tail around her midsection. Once that was done she wrapped the cloth securely around and fastened it.
He watched closely as she transformed herself from half human to all, pinning down her ears and adding a cap that had rather convincing fake ones attached. The lumpy tail cover got extra padding added underneath and she donned another shirt on top.
"Your nose is still visible," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but no one looks that close." She shrugged. "And I'm not covering that up. Yuck."
He frowned thoughtfully, eyeing her with just the tiniest bit of amusement. "Should I change, as well?"
"You're gonna have to." She grinned, careful not to show her fangs, and pointed at the bag. "There's extra stuff in there."
Several hair ties, some fake sideburns, and a pair of sunglasses later she was the one struggling not to laugh. Aizawa's mouth was set in a thin line of disapproval. "I look ridiculous."
"I think it's cute," she snickered, tugging at a fuzzy chunk of hair on his cheek. "It's softer than the stubble, anyway."
He sighed. "Where are we going?"
"Around. I want to check out the new aquarium addition, for one."
They set out, walking quickly down the pebbled drive to hop into a bullet car in front of the mansion.
"You know what it looks like."
"Yeah, but from the, you know, customer's point of view." She gave him a sly look. "Think of it as a date."
He raised one eyebrow at her and snorted. "I'm working."
"I know." She patted him on the shoulder. "But we're supposed to look like a married couple. The least you can do is act accordingly."
"Fine." He grumbled, but a twitch of his lips showed he wasn't as discontent with the arrangement as he acted.
They got out in an area where there weren't any patrons and walked along the main road until they got to the gate and blended in with a set of specially designed tickets. They looked like ordinary ones but scanned a certain code to let the staff know who they were. After receiving their passes for the day in a like vein, they mingled with the throngs of people, holding hands and chatting. When they got to the ever popular superball machine, Aizawa smirked a little and bought her one.
True to the nature of the dispenser, the ball he received was black with something that lit up red inside when you bounced it. Elly smiled and got one of the bags to hold it in that they sold on the side. It was a bright purple woven sack with a strong, striped necklace cord.
The aquarium was fantastic, and the perfect place to end their day. They listened to some complaints around them but mostly everyone was having a good time like they were. The new exhibit featured abyss creatures, and it was pitch black inside the hall. The only guide to the exits were little red lights on the floor so they didn't disturb the sea life within. Aizawa slipped his arm around her waist in the dark, and when she sighed happily and faced him his eyes flashed red for a moment. He slowly winked at her and kissed her softly full on the mouth.
It was a very good day.
Later that night they met up at her door like usual, but she paused before opening it and looked down, blushing. "Could we, um... maybe change the bedtime process again?"
"Sure." He shrugged. "What do you have in mind?"
She floundered about, unsure how to express her desire and more than a little embarrassed by it. He watched her struggle with herself for a minute or so, then took matters literally into his own hands. Aizawa placed one palm on each cheek, cupping her face gently as she shyly refused to meet his gaze.
He very slowly and gently kissed her, starting with the lightest of touches and letting her show him what she wanted with her response. His stubble had grown in again so he was scratchier this time, the scruff rasping on her skin. But the contrast of his dry lips, the rasp of facial hair and his tongue when he licked her own was amazing.
He drew back and waited several moments for her to catch her breath. "Was that perhaps what you had in mind?"
Elly nodded with a little gulp.
"Good. Sleep well."
Aizawa stared at him over the rim of his coffee cup but said nothing.
"That's good," Elly shrugged. "I had enough with people telling me what they thought last night." She made a face.
Aizawa snickered softly. "She about disemboweled a few socialites. You would have enjoyed yourself." This last was directed at the bird demon.
"Oh, really?"
Elly paused in the act of gathering up a forkful of bacon. "Um. Yeah. Well, a few of them had rather unflattering things to say about my date."
This time both of the males chuckled.
"M'serious," she grumbled around a mouth filled with crunchy meat. "What is it about famous people and beings that we can't even fart without others criticizing us?"
"You had less resistance when you dated the cook."
"Mnn. I know."
"I'm more socially acceptable," Sanji chimed in from where he was cleaning dishes. "Except for my smoking, they had nothing to pick me apart over." He dried his hands on a towel and walked over. "You, on the other hand - well."
"I look like an unwashed hobo?" His tone was amused.
Sanji grinned suddenly. "Your words, not mine."
"Ugh." Elly flicked the paper far away from her. "I'm not going to read it. Thanks, Neuro. You've been doing a great job despite how you feel about the whole thing."
"Yes, well. You deserve representation. All our kind do." He shook his head before sinking into the floor with an oddly vacant expression. "I'll keep you updated..."
"Annnnd he's gone." Sanji stared at the spot where he had disappeared. "The hell is it with that guy?"
"He's been upset for good reasons. Demons don't mix well with humans. We usually get hurt."
"Hurt." The blond chef took her bodyguard's empty plate. "This guy would light himself on fire before hurting you. Just like..." He choked back what he had been about to say when he saw her expression and turned quickly around.
Her ears dipped slightly and they finished breakfast in silence. When the plates had been cleared away she sighed and stood up.
"I have to get a disguise on."
"I've never seen you wear one," Aizawa said curiously. "Don't you normally go out as you are?"
"Yeah, but this is a way to check on stuff without being bothered by the press or fans. I need to go over some of the attractions." They were talking as she walked over to a bag in the corner she had set down earlier. With a small grimace she took out a large piece of cloth. "I hate this the most," she admitted, and curled her tail around her midsection. Once that was done she wrapped the cloth securely around and fastened it.
He watched closely as she transformed herself from half human to all, pinning down her ears and adding a cap that had rather convincing fake ones attached. The lumpy tail cover got extra padding added underneath and she donned another shirt on top.
"Your nose is still visible," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but no one looks that close." She shrugged. "And I'm not covering that up. Yuck."
He frowned thoughtfully, eyeing her with just the tiniest bit of amusement. "Should I change, as well?"
"You're gonna have to." She grinned, careful not to show her fangs, and pointed at the bag. "There's extra stuff in there."
Several hair ties, some fake sideburns, and a pair of sunglasses later she was the one struggling not to laugh. Aizawa's mouth was set in a thin line of disapproval. "I look ridiculous."
"I think it's cute," she snickered, tugging at a fuzzy chunk of hair on his cheek. "It's softer than the stubble, anyway."
He sighed. "Where are we going?"
"Around. I want to check out the new aquarium addition, for one."
They set out, walking quickly down the pebbled drive to hop into a bullet car in front of the mansion.
"You know what it looks like."
"Yeah, but from the, you know, customer's point of view." She gave him a sly look. "Think of it as a date."
He raised one eyebrow at her and snorted. "I'm working."
"I know." She patted him on the shoulder. "But we're supposed to look like a married couple. The least you can do is act accordingly."
"Fine." He grumbled, but a twitch of his lips showed he wasn't as discontent with the arrangement as he acted.
They got out in an area where there weren't any patrons and walked along the main road until they got to the gate and blended in with a set of specially designed tickets. They looked like ordinary ones but scanned a certain code to let the staff know who they were. After receiving their passes for the day in a like vein, they mingled with the throngs of people, holding hands and chatting. When they got to the ever popular superball machine, Aizawa smirked a little and bought her one.
True to the nature of the dispenser, the ball he received was black with something that lit up red inside when you bounced it. Elly smiled and got one of the bags to hold it in that they sold on the side. It was a bright purple woven sack with a strong, striped necklace cord.
The aquarium was fantastic, and the perfect place to end their day. They listened to some complaints around them but mostly everyone was having a good time like they were. The new exhibit featured abyss creatures, and it was pitch black inside the hall. The only guide to the exits were little red lights on the floor so they didn't disturb the sea life within. Aizawa slipped his arm around her waist in the dark, and when she sighed happily and faced him his eyes flashed red for a moment. He slowly winked at her and kissed her softly full on the mouth.
It was a very good day.
Later that night they met up at her door like usual, but she paused before opening it and looked down, blushing. "Could we, um... maybe change the bedtime process again?"
"Sure." He shrugged. "What do you have in mind?"
She floundered about, unsure how to express her desire and more than a little embarrassed by it. He watched her struggle with herself for a minute or so, then took matters literally into his own hands. Aizawa placed one palm on each cheek, cupping her face gently as she shyly refused to meet his gaze.
He very slowly and gently kissed her, starting with the lightest of touches and letting her show him what she wanted with her response. His stubble had grown in again so he was scratchier this time, the scruff rasping on her skin. But the contrast of his dry lips, the rasp of facial hair and his tongue when he licked her own was amazing.
He drew back and waited several moments for her to catch her breath. "Was that perhaps what you had in mind?"
Elly nodded with a little gulp.
"Good. Sleep well."
The Jackpot
"I feel <i>terrible</i>," Elly said in a weak voice, covering her mouth as she burped. "Ugh, Chiyo, I've been like this all day."
"Hmm. Anything else? What was the rest of your week like?" She unwrapped the blood pressure cuff from her patient's arm.
"Well, I guess I was tired a lot. I took quite a few naps when I could. Nothing too odd, though. I get like that sometimes."
"Mm hmm. Here, I'm going to take some of your blood for a quick test... ah."
"Ow."
Recovery Girl laughed. "Easy, there. Here - no band aid needed." She used her quirk, enabling the pinhole to heal over quickly. "Eat a pez while I check this out in the back," she called over her shoulder.
Elly shrugged and shot a tiny candy out of an All Might pez dispenser, munching absentmindedly on it. She sat, idly twitching her tail as she stared out into the hallway and waited for the nurse to return.
She waited for several long minutes when she heard a soft whistle from the back. Her ears perked, and she turned to see the older woman smiling kindly at her.
"Hey, is that scruffy boyfriend of yours on campus today?"
"Aizawa's with his class right now. Said they had to work on some desk stuff."
"Oh, good." She reached for the P.A. system, clearing her throat. "Eraserhead to the nurse's office, please." She paused. "That means <i>now</i>, Mr. Aizawa."
Elly scratched her head, confused. "Uh... is it that bad? Am I okay?"
"You're fine, dear. Here, let's get your neck gear off the cot so you can have room."
"But - but calling Shota..."
Aizawa knew she had gone to the nurse that afternoon and he surmised what the call was about. He was rapping on the door in no time, his face flushed from running down the halls. "Ches? You okay?"
"I don't know what's going on. Chiyo won't say."
He walked over and placed an arm around her waist. "All right, I'm here. How sick is she?"
Recovery Girl shook her head, still smiling. "She's not sick, Aizawa." She pursed her lips, considering the laconic man for a moment. "I'm just gonna ask you to sit, too..."
"Oh my god," Elly said with an odd tremor in her voice, "I'm <i>pregnant</i>, aren't I?"
Aizawa stared first at her and then at the beaming nurse.
"Chiyo?"
"She's right."
"Ufff." He sat heavily down, having luckily been positioned above a chair so he didn't fall to the floor. "How did this happen?"
The older woman raised an eyebrow at him. "If I need to explain <i>that</i> to you..."
He waved one hand in the air, cutting her off. "I know how it occurred. What I don't understand is that Ches is on the pill <i>and</i> we were using protection. Aren't the odds stacked pretty high in that case?"
She nodded. "Yes, but there's always that little chance. You two hit the baby jackpot." She cackled like this was the joke of the century. Or perhaps she was just looking at the Erasure Hero's face, which was finally stunned beyond his capacity to react. His bloodshot eyes were huge and he sat slumped over like he always did, but he was twitching slightly all over.
"Shota?"
He turned to find his girlfriend absolutely terrified. She was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes teary and her cheeks stained pink from holding in as much if not more emotions than he was dealing with. He mentally scolded himself. Of course she was scared, it was her body and here he was, too stupefied to support her.
"Sorry," he apologized, shaking his head to clear it. "I ... oh." His arms were suddenly full of shivering, sniffling cat woman. "Ches, calm down! I was just surprised, that's all."
"I'll leave you two for a bit," Chiyo murmured and slipped into the back again.
"Look," he said as calmly as possible. "This happened early, that's all. Weren't we headed in this direction in the long run?"
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing something incoherent.
He took a very deep breath and kissed the top of her head. "<i>Calm down</i>," he repeated firmly. "All this excitement can't be good for the little one."
She sat up, nestling in his arms as he rocked her gently. "It's just that I wasn't prepared for this!"
Aizawa nodded solemnly. "We knew there was a chance, however slim. But I never thought it would happen. Are you happy, Ches? You seem frightened more than anything else."
"Wha?" She seemed taken aback at the question.
"Are you happy?"
She stopped shaking and burped ahain, groaning softly. "Aside from the nausea, you know, I was too caught up in everything to think for myself."
"You've got a lot going on," he murmured.
"Yeah. Oh... Shota. There's a little us-baby in here. H - holy shit." She placed a hand on her stomach protectively. "We're going to need a bigger apartment."
He sighed with relief as she started to smile. "I think that's only the beginning of what we're going to need."
"Hmm. Anything else? What was the rest of your week like?" She unwrapped the blood pressure cuff from her patient's arm.
"Well, I guess I was tired a lot. I took quite a few naps when I could. Nothing too odd, though. I get like that sometimes."
"Mm hmm. Here, I'm going to take some of your blood for a quick test... ah."
"Ow."
Recovery Girl laughed. "Easy, there. Here - no band aid needed." She used her quirk, enabling the pinhole to heal over quickly. "Eat a pez while I check this out in the back," she called over her shoulder.
Elly shrugged and shot a tiny candy out of an All Might pez dispenser, munching absentmindedly on it. She sat, idly twitching her tail as she stared out into the hallway and waited for the nurse to return.
She waited for several long minutes when she heard a soft whistle from the back. Her ears perked, and she turned to see the older woman smiling kindly at her.
"Hey, is that scruffy boyfriend of yours on campus today?"
"Aizawa's with his class right now. Said they had to work on some desk stuff."
"Oh, good." She reached for the P.A. system, clearing her throat. "Eraserhead to the nurse's office, please." She paused. "That means <i>now</i>, Mr. Aizawa."
Elly scratched her head, confused. "Uh... is it that bad? Am I okay?"
"You're fine, dear. Here, let's get your neck gear off the cot so you can have room."
"But - but calling Shota..."
Aizawa knew she had gone to the nurse that afternoon and he surmised what the call was about. He was rapping on the door in no time, his face flushed from running down the halls. "Ches? You okay?"
"I don't know what's going on. Chiyo won't say."
He walked over and placed an arm around her waist. "All right, I'm here. How sick is she?"
Recovery Girl shook her head, still smiling. "She's not sick, Aizawa." She pursed her lips, considering the laconic man for a moment. "I'm just gonna ask you to sit, too..."
"Oh my god," Elly said with an odd tremor in her voice, "I'm <i>pregnant</i>, aren't I?"
Aizawa stared first at her and then at the beaming nurse.
"Chiyo?"
"She's right."
"Ufff." He sat heavily down, having luckily been positioned above a chair so he didn't fall to the floor. "How did this happen?"
The older woman raised an eyebrow at him. "If I need to explain <i>that</i> to you..."
He waved one hand in the air, cutting her off. "I know how it occurred. What I don't understand is that Ches is on the pill <i>and</i> we were using protection. Aren't the odds stacked pretty high in that case?"
She nodded. "Yes, but there's always that little chance. You two hit the baby jackpot." She cackled like this was the joke of the century. Or perhaps she was just looking at the Erasure Hero's face, which was finally stunned beyond his capacity to react. His bloodshot eyes were huge and he sat slumped over like he always did, but he was twitching slightly all over.
"Shota?"
He turned to find his girlfriend absolutely terrified. She was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes teary and her cheeks stained pink from holding in as much if not more emotions than he was dealing with. He mentally scolded himself. Of course she was scared, it was her body and here he was, too stupefied to support her.
"Sorry," he apologized, shaking his head to clear it. "I ... oh." His arms were suddenly full of shivering, sniffling cat woman. "Ches, calm down! I was just surprised, that's all."
"I'll leave you two for a bit," Chiyo murmured and slipped into the back again.
"Look," he said as calmly as possible. "This happened early, that's all. Weren't we headed in this direction in the long run?"
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing something incoherent.
He took a very deep breath and kissed the top of her head. "<i>Calm down</i>," he repeated firmly. "All this excitement can't be good for the little one."
She sat up, nestling in his arms as he rocked her gently. "It's just that I wasn't prepared for this!"
Aizawa nodded solemnly. "We knew there was a chance, however slim. But I never thought it would happen. Are you happy, Ches? You seem frightened more than anything else."
"Wha?" She seemed taken aback at the question.
"Are you happy?"
She stopped shaking and burped ahain, groaning softly. "Aside from the nausea, you know, I was too caught up in everything to think for myself."
"You've got a lot going on," he murmured.
"Yeah. Oh... Shota. There's a little us-baby in here. H - holy shit." She placed a hand on her stomach protectively. "We're going to need a bigger apartment."
He sighed with relief as she started to smile. "I think that's only the beginning of what we're going to need."
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