Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Kids Say the Darndest Things

The first years dorm was pretty barren as everyone got ready for bed. Only two students sat on the couch in the common area talking in low voices.

"He could be in love with her," Mina insisted. She clutched her fists to her chest and stared imploringly off into the distance, where she knew Aizawa sat in Eri's room brushing her long hair before bed.

"Look, I know the guy's got emotions, but, like, barely!" Kirishima shrugged, pointing. "I overheard Midnight telling another teacher she's never seen him date anyone."

"But -"

"And I mean, really look at him. If he wanted her to like him, wouldn't he try more? He's so scruffy, and with his bloodshot eyes and rumpled hair and clothes from sleeping in that bag everywhere, he looks like a vagrant. I doubt she likes him, even if he does." He shoved a bit of his chunky red hair away from his forehead impatiently when it tickled him.

"Ms. Joke liked him!"

"I almost believe that's the joke," he said, snorting. "Really, though, you see anyone lining up for him? And did you see how he looked at Joke?"

"Yeah," she agreed, rubbing her arm. "He looked sick when he saw her coming over. But there's another point: he doesn't do that to her."

"She doesn't tease him like Joke does. Of course he doesn't. "

"Oh." She looked crestfallen.

"Face it, Mina," Kirishima sighed. "There's nothing there. Mr. Aizawa doesn't like her that way. And I really doubt Ms. Cheshire's got a crush on him."

"Are you two done discussing my personal life?" The tone was icy cold and threatening.

"Eek!" Mina looked behind them, cowering, to see Aizawa standing with his eyes blazing and his hair straight up. He was so furious his capture weapon was swirling about.

"Oh, shit!" Kirishima scrambled to his feet. "Sorry, sir! I was trying to convince her that she, well..."

"I'm well aware of our resident 'shipper', as I believe it's called," he said firmly.

"What's a shipper?" Eri asked, her voice faint as she hid behind the couch. She edged away from him, her eyes apprehensive.

Aizawa immediately de-quirked, his hair falling messily down about his shoulders as his eyes faded back to his usual tired gray. He grimaced, inwardly swearing at himself for frightening her.

"It's from the word 'relationship'," Mina explained to her, smiling. "It means I like seeing people happy when they get together, as couples. You know, fall in love."

"Oooh." She crept closer, and Kirishima lifted her onto the couch between them. Aizawa slouched there awkwardly, not knowing how to halt the discussion without further terrifying his ward. "Then why was he mad?" She whispered, crouching down so he couldn't hear.

Aizawa heard anyway. He winced.

"He - uh, well, honestly, Eri, I thought Mr. Aizawa and Ms. Cheshire would like to be with each other." Mina was honest and Aizawa could hardly fault her for that, though he wished she would have kept quiet. "I guess I was wrong."

"No you're not." Eri's reply was quick and sure.

Aizawa started to sweat.

"What?!"

"He likes her," Eri said in a manner of fact way, swinging her legs. "When went out to get ice cream the other day he got her some, too."

"Eri," Aizawa coughed lightly, "that was common courtesy -"

"Did you bring other people ice cream too?" Mina asked shrewdly. "Or just her?"

"And the other day," Eri continued innocently, looking up at him in confusion. "The other day you were asking on the phone if roses were the right flower to get if you had - if you had..." She wrinkled her nose, trying to remember. "Ro-man-tic feelings for someone. And then Ms. Cheshire had a whole bunch of pretty flowers in her office the next day."

He stared at her in stunned disbelief, his ears burning. The teenagers blinked in equal astonishment. They remembered the roses, too. It had been a huge, elaborate display that had flustered Cheshire even more when she couldn't find out who had sent them.

"Eri, please don't tell people that."

"But I was just saying you like her. It isn't a bad thing." She frowned, starting to get upset. "Why don't you want her to know?"

"Adults are complicated," he said sourly. "I'm not angry at you, but please promise not to tell anyone else."

"Tell them what?" Someone new asked off to the side.

He snapped at the question, not realizing it had come from a new source. "That I'm in love with Cheshire!"

There was a thump, and they turned to see the woman in question frozen near them. Her tail, which was almost always up and waving around, had fallen limply to the floor. Elly's left eye twitched as she opened her mouth, then closed it. She shook her head instead and leaned against the wall for support.

"C'mon, Eri," Mina whispered. She gestured to her red-haired friend and he nodded. They crept quietly out of the common room to leave them alone.

"Aizawa..." Elly's voice was weak.

The exhausted man ducked down into his scarves, his entire face aflame. "You should ignore that."

"Why?" She asked, confused. "I came down here to see if you wanted to go get drinks at the bar after she was tucked in."

Aizawa rubbed the back of his neck, watching her carefully as he straightened. "Why?" He echoed her previous question perfectly.

"I was hoping you sent the roses."

He really had no response to that but a soft grunt. The scruffy teacher nodded, checking his watch. "Eri's ready for bed if she gets a bedtime story read to her." He turned to glare in the general direction his two students had dashed off to, knowing they were still there snooping.

Mina squeaked faintly.

"No problem, sir!" Kirishima called out.

Aizawa sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. He left with the counselor, his tired shuffle a little more spry than usual.

"Did I do it right?" Eri whispered loudly to the pink-skinned girl.

Mina's huge smile was infectious. She winked at her. "You were perfect!"

Thunder Snow

"It's just weather," Aizawa announced wearily, glaring at the cluster of students packed tightly by the windows on the far side of the classroom. "Get back to your seats before I -"

He didn't have to finish the threat; the teenagers were seated before he finished. The scruffy man nodded and shuffled to the blackboard to outline the lesson plan for the day.

To be fair to the kids, the weather outside was fascinating. It was dark and dreary, yet millions of cheerfully flickering snowflakes filled the air. Everything seemed ordinary for a winter day, except for the fact that there were rumbles and cracks of intermittent thunder. It didn't do this often.

After a few hours the school grounds were covered in a soft blanket of snow. A couple more and the fluffy white stuff was beginning to worry Aizawa. Not for him, but for his rather heavily pregnant wife.

Elly's posture was starting to resemble his on a good day; the weight she was carrying was immense and caused her to move at a snail's pace. She was also incredibly awkward and much more prone to stumbling, which was his main concern in the slippery conditions. He hurried over to the lounge when work was over, hoping to get there before she did and minimize the amount of any accidents.

"Geez, where's the fire?" Present Mic stood still, amazed at the speed his normally leisurely paced friend rushed by.

"Ches?" Aizawa asked in a quick grunt. Mic pointed at the room he was headed for, nodding. He reached the lounge and went quickly inside.

"I don't believe you got this big," Midnight was chuckling at the size of the counselor. "Don't they say that means it's a boy or something?"

Elly groaned. She was thankfully stationary, sitting at the table in the middle of the room. There was a bottle of water close by her hand she was poking at from time to time. "I don't care what it is, as long as it gets out. You can not believe how hungry I am all the time."

He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I can," he said drily.

"Shota!" She would have gotten up but it took several tries and she gave up after two, ears flattening with annoyance. She held her hands out instead, stretched imploringly out for a hug.

He walked over and bent to embrace her in the chair, sighing a little at her familiar smell. "You're not going out there by yourself," he commanded firmly, getting right to the problem he'd been worrying about all day.

Midnight started to laugh, hanging on to the lockers where she had been pulling out her purse and keys. "Didn't you text her that like, five times already?!"

Elly held up her phone with a wry grin. "Seven. The threats got better, though. The last one reads almost like a bribe: 'Stay put until I can escort you home. I'll buy you meat buns later.'"

He snorted and pulled back to get their things, yanking the lockers open and handing them to her. "I promised, and I will deliver. The sooner I get you home, the sooner I can go out and pick them up."

"You don't have to get food, dear," she told him. "It's terrible out there." She sighed and began the laborious task of getting to her feet.

Aizawa half supported, half carried her the short distance to their apartment. Once he was sure she was safe and secure he kissed her and left despite her arguments that he shouldn't go. He wouldn't listen, of course, and told her not to worry.

Elly shook her head and waddled into the bathroom to shower and slip on a soft, oversized shirt and pants. This all took significantly more time than before her pregnancy, so it was about an hour later when she was clean and had gotten a thick, fluffy blanket out to snuggle down with and watch television. She would have been more worried but she knew he was a careful man.

Sure enough, in a couple of minutes the doorknob rattled and Aizawa stumbled in.

"I'm back," he announced tiredly. He did his best to shake off the snow that had accumulated on his head and shoulders before stepping inside.

"Oh, my poor baby. I wish you'd have stayed here. I didn't need those, really. Look, you're soaked!"

He tossed the takeout container on the kitchen counter and sneezed. "Nonsense. You're eating for two, and I promised. If you want to help, though, get my belt please? The clasp froze and I'm having enough trouble with the scarves."

Between the two of them they wrangled him out of his outfit and he immediately headed to the bathroom to take a hot shower and change.

When he came back to the living room he was dressed more comfortably in a simple black v-neck shirt and sweatpants. His favorite pair of fuzzy, cat-faced slippers were on his feet and his damp hair was tied back in a ponytail. He found Elly sitting on the couch under a fuzzy blanket, the meat buns warmed back up and a pot of tea and two cups on the table in front of her.

"C'mon over. It's cold out and we have warm food and a big blanket..."

He grinned and slouched next to her, yawning hugely and slipping an arm about her shoulders. "Nice," he commented softly.

"Yep." She hiccupped, then frowned at her stomach. "Cut it out, food's coming!"

Aizawa watched her as she grabbed a bun and bit ravenously into it. He reached under the blanket with his free hand and laid a hand on her belly.

Elly glanced over, startled. He didn't usually initiate contact with the baby yet, seeming to be almost afraid. But his hand was steady as he gently rubbed. "You take it easy on your mom," he chided in a voice she recognized as his teacher tone. "It's hasn't been easy carrying you around all this time."

Aizawa flinched and she chuckled, her heart overflowing with love as the baby kicked his palm. "Looks like someone heard you, daddy."

His expression was priceless.

Post Gig Special



Elly thinks there is nothing like Hizashi when he's cranked up to the max and excited in his Present Mic guise, thrumming with energy. His costume is slick and tight, the exciting smell of leather mixed with the mass amounts of hair product used to gel his blond hair backward. As the Voice Hero, his words don't just titillate, they inflame his girlfriend, every pitch and tone causing her sensitive ears to flick and perk.

She can't keep her hands off him when he comes home after a gig like tonight, and he knows it.

From the moment he steps in their home she's on him, arms wrapped around his waist. Elly knows to aim low; his neck speaker can bruise if one runs into it fast enough or has it bang against them repeatedly.

The night is upon them and it will be a good one, simply because they are together.



-




Present Mic opened the door to his home with a huge smile. He knew what lay beyond those wooden panels and was looking forward to a night of wild lovemaking. As soon as he stepped inside he was accosted by his warm, soft girlfriend grabbing him around the waist in a hug.

"Hey, babe, wait a sec." He laughed lowly, slipping the catch free on his speakers with a sigh and popping the heavy gear open. "There." He placed it carefully aside on the counter.

"Much better," she agreed happily, throwing her arms around his neck. "Now, you want to decompress or should I start doing it for you?"

Hizashi sat in a large, plush chair they had in their bedroom, pants and briefs shoved down around his ankles. She hadn't even let him take his boots off before dragging him here and stripping him just enough. Elly knelt before him on a pillow, kissing and toying with his stiffening penis.

He gasped, hips jerking as she circled the tip of his member and tugged gently. She knew just how to touch him, all his favorite spots and when to get mean with it, giving him a hard little squeeze that brought him around until she worked him back up again.

"Baby, please," he whined anxiously. "Be a good listener and get me off, hmm?"

Elly's ears snapped up, her breathing hitching wildly in her chest. "Mic," she gasped. "Just can't wait, can you?"

"Not when you touch me like that!" He bit his lip, grinning sheepishly at her as she sat on the arm of the chair to talk.

"Okay, sweetie. What would you like? I'm very much in a giving mood." She toyed with his mustache points, swirling them about with a fingertip amd then kissing them.

Hizashi's breathing grew hoarse. "I want you to ride me."

"You want it fast?" She licked his lips, purring lowly.

"Yeaahhh," he ground out roughly. "I want you to go wild, baby."

"Easy enough when you're sitting here with your pants around your ankles, still dressed from work."

He grinned roguishly at her. "I know, I'm so sexy you can't stand it."

She rolled her eyes and stepped out of her jeans. "At least your speaker is off." They had been too excited once and attempted sex with it on. The results had been several bruises for her, and an extremely apologetic Hizashi who had pampered her outrageously until they had faded.

"Oh, baby," he sighed as she climbed on him and sat slowly down. "Was lookin' forward to comin' home the whole ride home."

"I watched you on tv," she said, her breath hitching as she wriggled her knees and body around to find the most comfortable position to begin. "I ... god, there's the spot."

"Aw, yeah." He sighed, leaning his head back. "Do me, Ches."

The position was awkward and very difficult for her but he bucked with every movement she made, helping penetrate as fully as possible. They soon found a rhythm with the best friction and Elly whimpered, torn between her straining leg muscles and the pleasure this angle stirred in her belly with each thrust.

"Oh, god, baby, harder... h - harder!" Hizashi's volume increased enough to rattle the furniture around them, and she placed a warning finger on his lips. His orange sunglasses were askew and his waxed plume of blond hair bent forward, pushed up by the back of the chair.

"Inside voice," she panted, concentrating on working her hips to move not up and down, but rather in and out. Elly raised herself and began using her weight to her advantage in an effort to give him what he wanted.

"Sorry," he panted breathlessly. "But isss' sooo good..!"

"Present Mic." Her tail hit her back as it fluffed out in excitement. "Come inside me, hero," she whispered in his ear.

"Yes!" He clutched her rear hard all of a sudden, stiffening underneath her. "Im -!"

"Let go, sweetie," she gasped, grabbing his face and kissing him deeply, messily, the way she knew he loved as he was losing control. He shut his spiralled eyes in bliss and sank his fingers into her skin, gripping even tighter, thrusting his tongue in her mouth deeper than he could manage his member into her body at the moment. She held grimly on though her legs were almost played out, waiting until he came back around. When he opened his eyes again, she smiled and climbed off, stumbling a little as she stood fully on her weight.

His hand shot out and grasped her around the waist, supporting her firmly. "Careful, princess," he smiled at her. "I haven't taken care of you yet."

Elly smiled and waddled to the bed to sit heavily down. "Ugh," she grunted. "Can I request a leg rub, then?"

Hizashi tucked himself in and zipped. "You want me to, ah." He nodded on the floor in front of the bed. "You know. Give my number one listener the Present Mic special?"

She shivered, her tail curling up lazily on the bed beside her. "If you're sure you want a messy, limp girlfriend to clean up later, then abso-freakin-lutely."

He grinned hugely at her and took his prescription shades off. "Us heroes can handle all sorts of things, babygirl."

Photo Shoot

"M'sorry, babe." Hizashi sighed as he held the door open for her. "They wanted us here really early."

"Ughhh." Elly's ears flicked in opposite directions as she struggled to get out of his car. It was built low to the ground and that made things a little difficult. "It's okay, I know."

He offered her his hand and pulled her up beside him. "They are payin' us quite a bit, though. S'nice deal, and we get the publicity."

"Uh huh." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I hope they have a good caterer. I desperately need caffeine."

"They're totes gonna want ya awake, don't worry." He chuckled as they offered their licenses to the guards at the front of the office. They were escorted immediately into their respective makeup areas, where the artists were determined to make sure their features showed up well on camera. The man doing the interview during the shoot popped in on both of them briefly.

He was nervous when he stuck his head in Mic's room, his hands rubbing together as he fidgeted with a device that protruded from his throat. It appeared to be an audio recorder, clearly his quirk that made it easier to store information for his job. He was average height, which meant Hizashi towered over him at six foot one inches.

"Excuse me, Mic," he asked anxiously, "but is Cheshire okay? She seemed a little upset."

Hizashi nodded, motioning that he thought that was more than enough powder. He stood and gave the guy a thumbs up before following him to the set. "My babygirl's just not a morning person, is all," he said with a tolerant shrug as they strolled past others in the crew rushing about.

"I can understand that. Hi, I'm Vernon Nelson. I'll be doing the interview for you both." He ran a hand through his short red hair.

One of the camera crew passed by and called out, "Hey, Scoops! You gotta work with Snaps today? Bettter play nice."

Hizashi raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Yeah, the guys around here call us by those silly nicknames." Vernon rubbed the back of his neck. "Snaps - Johnson, his name is -- is the photog. He doesn't talk much but he can be pretty demanding about his shoots."

"Aw, that's all right. We want to do this up good 'n tight."

"Mikey!" They both jumped a little at her voice coming from right behind them. Elly flickered into view with a wicked giggle. "Sorry. I hate makeup, so I sort of endured as much as I could before creeping away."

Hizashi laughed and put his arm around her. "S'okay, princess. You feelin' better, yeah?"

"Yep. Still sleepy, but more awake than before."

"This is Vernon. He's gonna be interviewing us."

They shook hands and the other man couldn't help smiling at how attached they were to each other. Hizashi's arm rarely left her shoulders, and if it did it dropped to her waist. On the occassions when he didn't have his arm around her at all, they were holding hands. It didn't matter if he wore fingerless gloves and she had large, cat's paws on. They probably couldn't feel their actual hands through them but the gesture seemed enough.

Even Snaps was shaken by their genuine feelings for each other. The photographer started taking pictures before the set was ready, as they were being interviewed.

"You two met when Cheshire started working at U.A, correct?"

"Yeah." Hizashi beamed, his eyes alight at the memory. "It was awesome! A few of us went out for karaoke so we could, yanno, all get to know each other."

"I wore a PYHUR jacket," Elly admitted, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.

"She did." Hizashi's grin was huge.

"So embarrassing."

"Were you a big fan of Mic's from before you came here?"

She sighed and nodded. "Back in the States the times matched up so it's not late at all when his show airs. I used to listen all the time, because he played music I liked. I sort of ... well, loved his voice, too."

Her boyfriend squirmed around, obviously thrilled that she was praising him. "You never told me that."

"I told you this morning I love waking up to you saying my name, you big dork."

"Yeah, but I didn't know you liked it before."

Vernon smiled, trying not to burst out laughing at their antics. "You two are living together, then?"

Hizashi bit his lower lip. "Ah, heh heh."

"Yes, we are. I just blurted it out, didn't I?"

"Well, it's obvious how much you two love each other. That's the side the public really wants to see - they're captivated by your romance. It's just so utterly wholesome. Makes others feel wonderful watching you."

"That's wonderful. I wish..." Elly tensed slightly and Hizashi straight up pulled her into a hug this time.

"Don't dwell on it," he murmured. Then, turning to Vernon, "See, ah, some folks had their heart set on seein' us hook up with others. They've been pickin' on her a bit, so she got off all social media for awhile."

"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that. There's always going to be those out there to target heroes and celebrities. But I don't understand the ones that bother themselves about other people's love lives."

"They're not all bad, just... when anybody makes my girl upset, I get so freakin' angry. An' I'm a little, err, hasty with my actions."

She flicked her ears, groaning. "Oh, god, he made a mess that one time telling off someone that said I should be dating a friend of his - ours -- instead!"

"That lady was crazy! No way yer better off datin' Sh - ahhh, yeaaahhh. There I go again." He took a breath, smoothing the back of his furiously bristling blond hair down with one hand. "Sorry."

"No, don't apologize! See, that's why people love you so much. What you showed was a very honest reaction to that situation that our readers can identify with. Who wouldn't get angry if somebody was intentionally making jabs about your significant other? Especially such targeted attacks."

"Yeah." He squeezed her once more and let go. "Some want us to be a certain way. But we're our own selves, not imaginary characters you can force into doin' stuff in real life. They wanna write or draw stuff, I get it. S'fine. Just ..." He made a face. "Please, don't insist we hafta be like that for real."

Elly rolled her eyes, her ears laying back. "Don't get me started on that! No, people, he doesn't have freckles on his face. Or any tattoos or piercings! I'm sorry. He just doesn't."

"Do people really ask that?"

"They don't ask, Vernon. They demand. It's like it will ruin their whole perception of this sweet, outgoing hero if he isn't pierced a whole bunch."

Hizashi pursed his lips for a moment, holding his hand up to stare at it. "I will have a tattoo at some point, though."

Her striped tail flipped up and hit him in the back. "You want to spill that so quickly into the interview?" Then she laughed fondly at the face he made. "Oh, all right."

Vernon watched, intrigued, as she tugged her glove off. On the left hand - his eyes widened as he realized a second before the ring came into view.

"Oh, my goodness... congratulations!"

Chaos erupted upon the crew hearing him, the entire staff bursting into cheers and applause at the announcement that they were engaged.

The photos surrounding the interview were so well done the couple even requested a few professionally printed for their home. There were a few during the interview with them seated on chairs chatting with Vernon. In each of the smaller shots they were close, hands touching or, in the case of the one, Mic holding her in comfort.

The larger ones done on the white drop sheeted set were amazing, but their favorite was the one where he was kneeling on one knee, her left hand in his and a smug little smirk on his face. It clearly showed the ring on her finger from an artistic angle and her answering smile was alight with love and happiness.

Lost and Found

The school needed a student file, the hard copy that was in the counselor's office. Ordinarily this would not be a problem.

Cheshire, however, was in the States visiting her family on a small holiday. And not only that, she had forgotten where she the keys were. Present Mic had been pressed into the task of texting her and searching her apartment while she was away. He really hadn't argued that much, seeing as he was happy to have a legitimate excuse to contact her. Getting to see her place again was a bonus. He'd been there a couple times, but it always thrilled him.

After searching her office to no avail, he took the skeleton key Nezu gave him and entered her apartment.

The kitchen and living room search came up empty - for the key, that is. He had searched her pantry for what she liked to eat, making notes on his phone and blushing. Her entertainment center had undergone the same treatment, though a little more intense. Hizashi loved music and television, and he was ecstatic to see her taste in both was wildly eclectic just like his.

In his haste to check everywhere he entered her bedroom as well, and happened to open her nightstand drawer. He immediately froze, his green eyes bulging, as he took in the contents that he could see. Laying on top was the most recent photo shoot he had done for a celebrity hero magazine. It had been a little racy, he remembered, but nothing he had felt uncomfortable about. The magazine was very well rifled through, the pages bent from wear. He took it out and wasn't surprised to see it fell automatically open to his page.

Hizashi choked in embarrassment when he saw what lay underneath. There were a few copies of magazines, an extra of the one he held, brand new in shrink wrap and many others. He was dying to see if they were all ones him in them but couldn't touch the surprise sitting out in the open now: a modest but lifelike dildo. A container of what he assumed was lubricant sat beside it, but he wasn't sure because after seeing the sex toy he guiltily replaced the magazine, his face burning bright red all the way from his ears down into his neck speaker.

The connection was obvious.

But how had he not seen this before? If she was attracted to him wouldn't he have noticed? Wouldn't she have flirted?

Hizashi's mind was not focused on finding the keys anymore. His heart felt like it was going to burst through the thin white tank top he wore under his jacket. He sat down at the edge of her bed, breathing slowly and struggling to calm down.

"She didn't say not to search that drawer," he said out loud.

Had she wanted him to see?

His phone buzzed and he scrambled to tear it out of his pocket.

CheshireHey, did you find it? If it's not in the main house you can go in the bedroom and check my wardrobe in the closet, they might be in a pocket someplace. Just don't open any drawers, lol.

"Oh my god," he groaned, slapping himself in the face. "Of course I shoulda known better than to run into her bedroom! She shouldn't have had to tell me that. I'm - I'm a pervert!" His voice climbed effortlessly into higher octaves as he whined, his brows tightly drawn up on his forehead.

Mick, will look there then!

Elly breathed a sigh of relief from the couch where she was texting him in her parent's living room, so many miles away. She was lucky he hadn't gone in there without thinking, then. The impetuous Mic would be the type to open every drawer, not thinking about things like bras, panties or ... her hidden stash. Her face burned though his text had been innocent. That last magazine interview and photo shoot had been distressingly hot. Nithing that most of them hadn't already done, sometimes more than once. He was fully clothed in his hero costume in every photo, except the few where they had him remove his neck gear. The expanse of milky white skin on that long neck flanked by the huge collar of his jacket caused her heart to race. Her eyes grew dreamy as she recalled the interview, which she knew by heart.

They had asked if he was still single, and he had answered yes. He'd mentioned having "his eye" on someone, but he thought they weren't interested in him. Still, the interviewer had pressed and he laughed and said if she ever found out how he felt he would probably die of embarrassment.

She knew how he felt.

Reading that part - or thinking about it -- always caused a bitter surge of jealousy to well up in her throat like bile. She forced it down, frowning, and thought of the more pleasant answers he'd given.

He was a cuddler, and she thought that suited his personality well. Elly longed more than anything to feel those strong arms around her, to smell the soft, well-cared for leather of his jacket.

He mentioned he liked American television, but she knew that. In fact, she was buying a few blu-ray sets while she was here for his birthday in July.

She jumped, startled out of her reverie when her phone chimed with another text.

Micfound it, babe! Was in one of your jackets

"Oh, no," she choked, realizing her mistake. "Not that jacket!"

Mic...

MicI didn't know you had one of my replicas!

Her hands ice cold and her ears laid all the way back in panic, she texted as fast as she could to try and minimize the damage.

Cheshiresorry about that, I ...

"I, what?" She gasped in horror, staring at her phone.

Cheshirelike your jacket

That was lame, but the best she could do. Now she waited, chewing on her cuticles as she worried he might think it was weird, or worse yet, proof. It took her brain a few minutes to go back and replay the messages in her mind, and she almost dropped the phone when he realized.

"Did he call me 'babe'?!"

Her phone displayed a new text almost as if he had heard her.

Micif you like it that much, baby, I've got the real thing right here for when you get back

Her heart nearly stopped... and then she yelped out loud in utter shock. He had sent one more text.

Mic: ♡

moy mell 55

They thought they were prepared for the interview, but the demons at Infernous were shocked beyond what they imagined.

As they entered the main building, the receptionist sniffed, then stared at them strangely the entire time she brought up their appointment and called the reporter up to escort them to the set. Aizawa stood protectively close to her as Elly pretended not to notice, looking around at the decor and awards lining the walls. When the reporter assigned to them stepped out of the flame-enameled elevator doors, however, things took a turn for the worse. The demon was a Japanese woman wearing a beautifully painted mask. She floated over the floor to them and took her hands in greeting.

"My name is Akako, Elly," she introduced herself with a bow. "I'm looking forward to working with you."

Elly smiled and bowed back. "It's an honor to be interviewed." She paused, then slipped her arm around his. "This is Aizawa Shota. He's my bodyguard-"

She got no further before the masked woman gasped harshly. "You've taken a human mate!" Akako cocked her head at him and took a step backward in shock.

"- and mate," Elly finished drily, her ears flicking.

Aizawa nodded at the masked demoness and bowed. "We should probably get to the set. Causing a distraction in the lobby isn't a good idea."

Akako adjusted her crimson-flowered kimono and glanced quickly around. Many visitors were standing around, some waiting for tours and others to buy subscriptions. Elly's extra bodyguards were lingering about the entrance as well, casting questioning looks at their boss.

Aizawa shook his head calmly. The reporter saw this and led the way to the elevator. Unfortunately, she started talking as soon as the doors closed.

"This is real, isn't it. You've really taken a human mate."

"Yes," Elly said firmly. "But why make such a big deal about it? I was with humans before. A lot of us have dated them."

"The cook you briefly 'dated' wasn't scented, and you didn't allow him to mark you," she scoffed. "Everyone in the demon world knew he was a ruse. But this one ..." Akako shuddered, placing one delicate, long-fingered hand on her mask. "How could you submit to a human? After all they've done to you - to us?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it," she said quietly. "Shota's there for me in ways that no one else has been. He hasn't done me wrong, and he only makes me feel good." He reached out to hold her hand and gave it a squeeze in appreciation.

"You're a marked anthro demon. How can a human fulfill that need when the time shall come? And if he can't..?" The doors opened and they walked out into a quiet set with a photographer in one corner.

"We're working on that. We do have a large, well-trained staff at Moy Mell, and with their help I'm sure it will be fine."

"I have exemplary stamina," Aizawa added with a perfectly straight face.

"You need to be certain about this," the reporter stressed. "We can't have an incident. The humans would use it as hate fuel for anti-demon propaganda."

"Is this an interview or an intervention?" Elly laid her ears back. "We will take all the necessary precautions and more. I have my bodyguard not only to protect me, but to protect others from me. As you well know."

"My apologies." Akako sighed and shook her head as she led them to three simple chairs in front of a red sheet backdrop, one in front and two near the colorful photo area. Aizawa waited until Elly sat before sitting down, then casually reached over and curled an arm about her shoulders.

"I know it's unusual," Elly said carefully.

"This is - is just so unheard of -- it's caused me to become rather uncouth. I still have many questions, however!"

She grilled them about how they met, how they fell in love and, in between, asked more mundane questions about the park and events coming up. These were the questions she had written down and probably the guideline for the original interview, but the love between the juman and demon was far too interesting to pass up reporting on.

The photo session after was even more intense, as the photographer wanted sexy couple shots. Aizawa seemed amused more than offended at some of the racier suggestions, but the one that really caused a stir was a reenactment of her marking. It was taken at at angle the mark could clearly be seen. He held her close, and they were gazing as lovingly into each other's eyes as they could manage while being photographed.

When it was all over, they fell into the car waiting to drive them back home with nearly identical sighs.

"Ugh," she groaned.

"Agreed."

"That was grueling. I knew it would be hard, but she opened my eyes. I'm not sure how my kind is going to feel about this, but at least this day's PR work is done."

"It also seems we need to discuss your heat in detail," he remarked mildly as their car pulled into traffic. "Miss Akako was very disturbed by it. I wasn't aware things might get that dangerous."

"That's only if I, uh. Can't be satisfied," she said in a near-whisper.

His eyebrows raised. "Is it that much more difficult?"

"During, yes. I'll be very demanding." She faced him, taking his hands in hers. "You want to talk a little now?"

"I'm curious. Yes."

"You won't be able to keep up. It's not humanly possible and could hurt you if you try. We can work around that with specialized items."

His expression didn't change. "Toys?"

"Yes, but not like you know them. There have been humans before that wanted to try mating with demons in heat. We've since developed sleeves that can be worn so you don't orgasm, lubes, and more. They're demonic in nature, so some have magic as part of the basic components. There's also an option for me so my hormones disperse more evenly, too, making it last longer but less harsh."

"Are we settled on a place? Or do we just do this at home?"

Elly shook her head. "Can't at home. Too messy, loud, and we'll need security, cooks and doctors on standby. I own a hidden retreat that I haven't had to tell anyone about for a long time. We can move staff there for a couple of weeks and then go back home."

"That's very hidden if I know nothing about it." He looked startled, but nodded. "But that's good. I picked the best options from my staff already."

The car drove up to the mansion drive and began circling up to the front door, wheels crackling pleasantly on the pebbled drive.

She sighed as she saw home. "I'm going to spend some time in my bath," she murmured dreamily. "Haven't done it in awhile, but you've seen how big the pool is. I set it to warm while we were out, and I have a scented bubble bath all picked out."

He chuckled as they got out. "Sounds like you have a plan."

"Uh huh. I knew it was going to be a little rough today."

He leaned over and kissed her neck, then moved up to whisper in her ear. "Do you want some company, or is this a solo soak?"

Her eyes lit up. "I could definitely use some help. You offering?"

His cheekish grin spoke loudly enough.

moy mell 54

True to his word, he woke her with a soft kiss a few hours later.

"Nmm... Sho? What time's it?"

"Five, Ches. I get up much earlier than you to start the day." He brushed some tangled purple hair off her cheek. "I'll see you at breakfast."

"Aw." Her sleepy brain didn't want him to go but he had to, so she just sighed and nodded.

"Good," he murmured and kissed her again, this time lightly on the mouth. She rolled over and watched as he left the room.

As soon as he walked across the hall and stepped foot in his own suite, he had a rather unwelcome visitor. Neuro exploded out of his floor, the hellfire circling his portal crackling higher than usual around his towering, parrot-headed demon form.

"Do you know what you've done?!" He listed off a catalogue of offenses, some which were obvious and others that were clearly infernal in nature and the meaning was lost on the Chief of Security. It all boiled down to the same thing, anyway: humans and demons didn't mate. They fucked, they dallied, they joked. But never seriously.

Aizawa raised his eyebrows and waited. When the demon didn't shut up, he stepped calmly around him and proceeded to gather his work clothing from out of a dresser drawer nearby.

"What on this festering eyesore of a planet are you doing now?!"

"Getting ready for work." He took his clothing and walked into the bathroom to shower.

Neuro snapped his beak, his head twitching on his neck as he stared, unbelieving, at the nerve of this human.

"Feel free to keep going," Aizawa called back over his shoulder.

"You piece of monkey filth!" He squawked indignantly and burst into flame, disappearing into a cloud of smoke. Aizawa shrugged and turned on the water. He left off shaving, since he had the other night, and pulled his tracksuit on before he dried his long, dark hair.

His staff knew better than to press him about what happened, but they could find nothing to tease him about. The capture thread around his neck safely hid any marks he had from their first time together. When he was examining himself in the mirror this morning he'd found a few hickeys on his neck and collarbone, and one on his hip that he was quite fond of. It ached slightly when his pants leg rubbed against it, reminding him of last night.

When they met up an hour later for breakfast, she flew into his arms with loud, happy purrs that filled the room. He discussed the day's events with her while they ate, told her who was going to be covering her along with him and suggested the safest routes they could take driving outside the park. Their relationship had changed, their touches more frequent and body language warm and inclusive. The closeness was not lost on the cook, who tried his very best to keep his expression normal.

"The biggest task is an interview - for Infernous, that demon magazine -- along with a photo shoot before lunch." He took a sip from his coffee cup.

"Ohhhh, crap. I almost forgot. Um, Shota, they're going to know. Like, right away. You'll probably be dragged along into everything."

He laid an arm about her shoulders. "That's fine. I knew what I was getting into."

"I hope you do," she fretted.

"Of course I do." He laid a finger under her chin and tilted her head up, kissing her lingeringly when she met his eyes.

James was outside on the deck watering the potted flowers and he glanced inside just as they kissed. His jaw dropped as the hose fell from his fingers. Water sprayed everywhere and he quickly forgot the couple and instead began chasing after it, swearing colorfully. Sanji saw the blue-haired man's reaction and snickered softly to himself as he began collecting their empty plates.

Elly sighed and looked around the kitchen when they parted from the kiss. "Where are you, bird? I can smell you."

For once Neuro walked in from the hallway instead of using a portal. He sniffed once, then stood beside the human and cat demon as they sat so close together.

"I was merely waiting to warn you about the magazine," he said through clenched teeth. "Speaking of smells, as you mentioned, we can all smell it out on you. Both of you. Be prepared to answer the questions I've been asking you for weeks now, but in public and for an interview other demons will see."

"I know."

"You know, there are demons that think this kind of thing is okay." Elly stared directly at him. "Bella wasn't concerned - she was more worried we wouldn't get together, in fact. Things won't be all terrible. Maybe the world is ready for a change."

"We've made that change," Aizawa told her. "Neither one of us is less or more than the other. When we're together we're more, better."

"Don't make me vomit," the parrot demon snarled, his teeth clacking together like when he had a beak. It was discerning, to say the least, but they both ignored him. "Just try to ease into it at the very least? Don't make her a promise or invoke her commitment by telling her you -" Here he paused and twisted his human face into a truly inhuman grimace, "love her, while other demons are around."

"How can we come out as a couple if we don't say we're in love?"

"Let her do it. If you do, it'll cause those horrid truth ripples. I felt them happen last night. Be glad I'm the only demon besides her within miles of here."

"But -" Aizawa frowned.

"Trust me at the very least on this. Let some of us believe she's just saying you're in love. Besides, time will tell." He sank into the floor, his eyes curiously blackening. "Time will tell."

wonderland 23

Elly was trying very hard to stifle laughter as he slumped back into the bedroom.

"You heard, I assume." Aizawa sat on the edge and slipped easily under the covers.

"I'm sorry, but I just kept picturing your <i>face</i> -"

"Hilarious," he said drily.

"Adorable is more like it." She fondly stroked the stubble on his cheek.

"Here," he snorted, and proceeded to toss her the handful of condoms Kayama had shoved at him, one by one.

Elly's laughter grew as the prophylactics began sliding down the sheets and piling up between them. "Did she <i>give</i> you all these? What, does she walk around with ...?!"

"This one says it glows in the dark," he commented blandly, holding the small packet up. "What practical use does that have?"

"It might be interesting," she ventured with a smile. "But you're right; this plain one would get the job done just fine."

"Hnnf." He tossed the glow-in-the-dark one on the floor and stared at the one she held in his hand. "You're worth more than just getting the job done," he mumbled, voicing his main concern about his inexperience.

Elly sighed. "You are way, <i>way</i> too cute." She threw her arms around him and kissed him.

Although he had some reservations about being called 'cute', Aizawa was more than pleased with the kiss. Her body was warm and pliant under his hands, and the short break and laughter had reset their moods. Elly clung to him when he got serious, his hands pulling her toward him.

"Shota, you're  -"

"Ready again?" He kissed her neck, licking with light, short strokes. She purred and wrapped her legs around his. "I am. Are you ready for me?"

"What -"

"I want you. I don't want to wait anymore." He thrust a hand down to her remaining underwear and slipped it down. Elly helped, and soon they were naked for the first time, together in a tight embrace.

"Oh, Shota, I do want you."

"Good." His breath hitched as he started to breathe faster, and he swallowed very hard. "Condom?"

She tore it deftly open and gave it to him silently. It took him awhile to slide the tube over his length, his hands shaking and unsteady. Once he was ready he kissed her, relishing the way she threaded her fingers through his hair.

"Just take it slow, okay?"

"Please help me."

"Over here," she murmured.

"Here?"

"There... oh, that's so good." She rolled her head on the pillow, panting. "Are you - are you gonna..?"

Aizawa rested the tip of his penis on her warmth and was rolling it on the top of her sex experimentally. He was astounded to feel that his powerful and heavily muscled arms and legs he worked so hard to keep in shape, were <i>trembling</i>.

"This might be harder than I thought," he gasped apologetically. "It appears that y - you make me weak."

Her eyes grew gloriously wide and filled with tears. "Make love to me."

"Yes!" The cry was torn from his throat as he thrust, echoed by her own as well. His hips jerked crazily forward as he felt her heat even through the condom and he fell upon her.

It was sweet, and though he had come once before, still short. He would have felt ashamed, not worthy of her affection for such a short session, but the pleasure was so intense he lost himself. It was only a couple minutes before he threw his head back. His dark mass of hair whooshed upright for the second time as he released the pressure built within him.

As for Elly, the delicious, rubbing friction that had been slowly building up to electricity in her lower belly broke when she saw him. Aizawa's eyes were squeezed tight, wrinkling at the corners and his mouth open in a soundless cry. He was gorgeous in his ecstasy, losing himself in her and only in her, she remembered, as she was his first.

She clutched his shoulders and wept his name quietly, shuddering as the shock pulsed through her. Aizawa must have pulled out of her and tossed the condom while she was recovering her wits because he was now fully embracing her, their bodies slick from their efforts.

And then, the biggest surprise of all: the tight-lipped, stoic man had grown wildly emotional after their lovemaking.

"Oh, my queen." She came back to reality still dazed, her heart full and growing fuller as she heard his softly whispered praise. "Beautiful woman, I'll never let you go."

"Sh - Shota..."

"Shh." He kissed her lightly on the mouth, cupping the side of her head. "If I don't let this out now, my heart -"

"Oh!"

"You're my first and last," he husked passionately. "Only you, Ches. I want only you." She was speechless and he didn't mind, he slid off from atop to beside her on the mattress and pulled her close.

Exhausted from the events of the last few days and their recent exertions, they fell asleep not too long after. 

Thursday, January 9, 2020

31 Flavors of Embarrassment

The students at U.A. had just finished a huge ice cream party. It had been a special event for them, hosted by a local place that was known for having many different flavors of the cold stuff.

After the kids had departed, the teachers came in to clean up the rest. The owners were a wonderful couple and they made sure to restock flavors they ran out of when the staff arrived in their casual clothing. Introductions were made, not a few autographs given, and then they settled down to chat and eat.

Elly's tail was flicking lazily back and forth with pleasure as she munched on a small bowl of the one flavor no one had touched: vanilla with lobster chunks. She also had a scoop of bubblegum beside her and a cup to deposit the gum chunks in as she ate.

Aizawa sat on one side of her with a bowl of sea salt and Hizashi on the other. The monstrous mound of scoops in the Voice Hero's dish was nothing short of amazing, and she glanced over and laughed.

"Huh?" He looked at what she was eating and covered his mouth with one hand. "Oh, shit Ches. Barf."

"Honestly, Hizashi..." She sighed, although she was grinning. "You're going to make fun of my choice? How many do you have in there? All at once?"

"Uh." He stared down at his bowl. "Seven? Eight. It's eight."

"He has a notorious sweet tooth," Midnight commented from across the table. She dug in to her bowl of cherry with relish. "Probably doesn't even care what flavor he's eating, as long as he gets his sugar rush."

Hizashi stuffed his spoon in and dug out a huge bite covered in marshmallow. "I want you to know I have a refined palate, okay? I won't eat ... that." He glanced aside at Elly's choice once more.

Aizawa snickered. "That's only because lobsters look like bugs."

Hizashi cringed, his forehead drawing up tight. "Ewww, c'mon, I'm tryna eat!" He paused, then, seeing she had finished hers. "Hey, you wanna try some of mine? I bet it's way yummier."

She narrowed her eyes at him, and then the mountain in his dish. "Only if you'll try some I pick."

"Aww... damn it. Okay, go get 'em."

Aizawa snorted, and Midnight raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Elly jumped up to go get a bunch more. Yagi had just arrived, much to the shop owners' delight. They had been posing for pictures with the weakened form of All Might as the rest of the teachers smiled tolerantly. The tall blond man smiled at her as he walked past to get a seat and she chuckled at his choice of plain vanilla.

The counselor returned, triumphant and beaming, a few minutes later with eight scoops to match Hizashi's. They were much smaller, however.

"All right."

He pointed at a glob of tan colored confection on the side. "Start with that."

She tasted it, wrinkling her nose in thought. "Butterscotch?"

"And little chunks of Butterfingers in it." He sighed happily.

"I don't know how to tell you this, Zashi, so I'm just going to come right out and say it..."

His green-gold eyes behind the glasses blinked innocently at her. Midnight's eyebrows raised even higher at the little nickname she let drop. It was one thing to call the man by his given name, another to make that even more personal.

Elly held her breath. "I don't really like chocolate."

His mouth fell open. "Whaaat?!" The red-rimmed glasses he wore slid down his nose and he stared incredulously at her from over them.

She shrugged, her ears twitching shyly. "I just don't. Look, try this one. It's called Blue Heaven."

Hizashi took a tentative bite. "Are all of yours gonna have fruit?" She whacked him lightly on the arm and he cringed playfully. "Ouch! Okay okay! S'not bad."

"Isn't that a flavor from... um." Thirteen tapped a spoon against her helmet. Elly wondered vaguely how she was eating, as she always did when the Space Hero joined them. "Australia! That's it, right?"

"I think so. I do know that it's blue raspberry and vanilla, though. Really tasty."

"Your turn!" He chose more carefully, picking one without chocolate in it, and scooped a little on his spoon. "Open up!"

She dutifully complied, purring when she tasted this one. "Oh, hey. Birthday cake?"

"You like that one?"

"Yeah! Okay, now try this one. It's strawberry cheesecake..." Taking her cue from him, she lifted her spoon to his lips and he chomped down on it.

"Ohmigod," he said dreamily around the spoon in his mouth. "Thas' sooo good."

"Um, you got a little on your mustache." Elly's fingers gently stroked the points clean while he swallowed, his face burning and not breaking eye contact.

"Oh my god, just fuck already!" Midnight slammed her bowl down with an impatient snort.

"Kayama!"

"Holy shit!"

Elly and Hizashi blinked back at her with identical wide-eyed stares. He still had the end of her spoon in his mouth and her fingers rested on his upper lip.

"Well?" Midnight crossed her arms, her cheeks puffed out in a pout. "You two need a room, not ice cream."

The spoon in his mouth clattered to the floor as Hizashi's face turned several shades of red in his embarrassment. He choked awkwardly. "Kayama-a-a!"

Elly covered her face even as it vanished from sight with her hands. "I have to go," she announced hastily, jumping up and dashing out the door.

Ectoplasm, Snipe, Hound Dog and the others stared hard at Midnight from the end of the table but said nothing. They watched the distraught counselor rush out into the hall, her face invisible as she used her quirk to effectively hide.

Yagi sighed deeply. "Look what you did to that poor woman," he chided the 18+ Hero gently. "Yamada, why don't you go after her and see if she's okay? We'll take care of the cleanup."

"I, uh... d'ya think?" Hizashi pointed somewhat stupidly at the door. He seemed dazed and uncertain.

"Kayama might be a bit brash about it, but she means well."

She crossed her arms again. "I mean for them to get some. Do you all want to keep gagging every time they start flirting with each other?"

Aizawa shuddered at the thought and pushed the rest of his to the side. "Please," he muttered painfully.

"She likes you," Thirteen told Hizashi gently. "Go."

He got up abruptly and awkwardly rushed after her, his ears burning.

Hizashi wasn't sure if he could find her, especially if she chose to use her power fully. He was a little surprised to see she had collapsed on the floor right outside, her now-visible head between her knees.

"Hey," he murmured quietly. "Ches? You okay?"

"No," she groaned.

He slid down the wall next to her, stretching his long legs out in front. "Yeah, I kinda understand that. Me, too. That was pretty mean." She sniffed softly, and he frowned. "Uh! Are you cryin'? I'm - I'm really... I'm gonna show her some freakin' scream!" He grit his teeth at the rage he felt boil up inside.

Elly jerked upright, grasping his arm when she felt him start to move. "No! Zashi, don't take it out on her. She's right... I was being stupid."

"Huh?"

"I was flirting with you. I thought, I don't know. I know, it's highly unprofessional and bad for morale, too, and I really should know better because I'm a therapist -"

"Ches."

"And you probably won't want to even hang out with me anymore, or -"

"Ches!" Hizashi touched her shoulder, jerking his hand back guiltily when she froze. "It's, uh, okay." He pressed his two pointer fingers together and fidgeted, poking them at each other while the redness of his ears matched what had begun creeping out of the collar of his shirt. "Um. I was flirting, too."

Her ears slowly unfurled to perk in his direction. "You were?"

"Yeah." He coughed, his entire face now flaming. "I really like you."

Elly gasped. "Zashi?!"

"M'serious."

She reached out and lightly grasped his twitchy hands. He curled his palm around hers and they stared at their entwined hands for a long, drawn out minute.

"I like you, too." She swallowed, her throat making an audible clicking sound. "I wouldn't mind seeing more of you."

He giggled suddenly. "Not like Kayama suggested, though, right?"

The pause was so long that he looked up to see what was keeping her from answering. Elly's face was as red as his, her eyes downcast with a small, secretive smile barely curving her lips.

"No way," he whispered.

"Yes, way," she responded shyly.

The door cracked open and Aizawa stuck his head out, glanced down and spotted them. "Hey, you two. She's doubling down in there. You may want to hide before she starts trying to bash your heads together."

They nodded and stood up, still holding hands.

"My place?" He suggested.

"All right. It's closer." She rested against his warm side as they strolled casually away in the direction ofvthe teachers complex.

The scruffy man stared after them and nodded, then slipped back inside. Everyone watched him breathlessly as he slouched back to his place and picked up his spoon. He ate quietly for several minutes before the silence was broken.

Surprisingly, it was Yagi. "Aizawa? What happened?" He asked in a tense voice.

He shrugged. "I think Kayama is wrong. They're going to be worse after they have sex."

Midnight threw her hands up in the air. "Eraserhead, you ass! That's not what he asked!"

Aizawa's dry glare pierced them all as they hovered around him, some grinning and others clearly emotionally invested. Blood King was the only one who wasn't paying attention to the drama and had gotten up to get more cherry syrup on his ice cream instead.

"Fine," he sighed, defeated as he realized they wouldn't leave him alone. "They were headed to his place, holding hands."

He grimaced at the raucous laughter, cheers and applause this statement set off in the hall. He knew his original statement had been correct.

Those two were a pain in the ass even when they weren't here.

The Language of Love

Elly tapped the table in front of her student. "Pay attention. All right, let's try again. <i>I (blank) my cat in the (blank), before I eat (blank).</i>"

Aizawa Shota sat at the opposite end of her dining table dressed in dark civilian clothing. He looked more tired than usual and he whuffed air out between his lips, clearly frustrated. "You're using 'cat' a lot."

"Of course I am," Elly said matter-of-factly, twitching her ears. "It gets your attention. Now, fill in the blanks with any word that makes sense."

He groaned. "I'm never going to learn English."

"Didn't you keep up after school? You went here, for god's sake!"

"I just did enough to pass. Didn't care."

"It shows," she told him gently but firmly. "Look, Nezu said everyone has to have a better understanding of the language. Yamada's busy, so he can't coach you right now."

He muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I said, it's okay. I prefer you."

She raised her eyebrows slightly. "Okay, then. Do you need me to repeat -"

"I feed my cat in the, uh, morning. After I eat -" He frowned, struggling to remember the word. Elly waited patiently, not pressing him. After a few minutes he laid his arms on the table and sank his head into them, defeated.

"Breakfast," she murmured.

"Breakfast," the grumble came from somewhere in the tangle of arms and dark hair splayed over them. His pronunciation was horrible, but he dutifully repeated the word.

"Oh, Aizawa. It's not that bad. You just need a motivator. I used to give myself a point every time I got a sentence right when studying Japanese, and I added up so many for a treat I liked."

"M'not a child, Cheshire." He managed to sound indignant as muffled as he was.

She reached out and touched the top of his head. He flinched, then relaxed as she hesitantly threaded her fingers through the shining, dark tresses. "I think I may have an idea. Please look up."

His gray eyes were wary as he straightened slightly. "Fine. What is it."

"Try the sentence again." She scooted her chair beside his. He gave her a suspicious look, but then repeated it once more.

"I feed my cat in the morning. Before I eat breakfast." Though his R sound wasn't that good, it was correct. She leaned close and lightly kissed his stubbled cheek.

Aizawa pulled away as if in slow motion, his bloodshot eyes huge. One hand came up and touched where she had kissed him. "What - what did you..?"

"Motivation." Elly blushed, but pressed on, "If you get better, you get rewarded."

He scowled at her, his brow drawn. "How can you be so sure <i>that's</i> a good incentive for me?" He realized his fingertips still rested on his cheek and he yanked his hand back to lay on the table. "It's highly unprofessional and we're colleagues."

"I'm sorry," she said sadly, her ears folding backwards. "I took a chance and it didn't work out. It won't happen again."

She started to move her chair back, but his hand whisked out and grasped her forearm. "No need to be sorry. I ... you were right."

Her eyes twinkled as she smirked at him. "I know."

"What." He spoke the word flatly as he watched her move back to his side.

"Because I apologized in English. You didn't even notice, but you understood."

His forehead hit the table. "Shit."

"I can teach you more swearing, if you're interested," she said cheerfully. "Let's just stick to basic communication for now, though." 

Campus Piece, 4

Zoro sat on the concrete steps leading up to the campus library with his girl in his lap. They were unabashedly close, his hand resting on the small of her back both protectively and affectionately. The place was quiet and they had a few moments to spare between classes.

"She said she wants to go out on a double date," Elly giggled. She couldn't hold her mirth in knowing the big man would make such a comical face at the thought of going somewhere with Sanji one more time.

He didn't disappoint. "Ah, crap, cat, again?! Didn't we just see them?" His brow furrowed. "I wanted to be alone with you."

"I know. But this time I think they're scheming something bigger than usual."

"So we should go?" He sounded dubious.

"Well, if they've planned something out they'll pester us until we say yes... right? Plus, how bad can it be? We've had fun in the end every time." Zoro grunted and shifted her about in his lap, pulling her in for a kiss. "Hey! I'm serious."

"So'm I." He kissed her again. "If I don't do this now I won't get to later."

"Aw." She toyed with the hem of his shirt. "You might. We're on break, remember? We could stay up if we wanted to."

"Don't tease me, cat." He grinned at her, then jerked his gaze towards the clock tower when he heard the bell. "Shit! I'm gonna be late." Elly slid off his lap and stretched, waving to him as he darted up the stairs to class.

They decided to go with them in the end, but where they ended up was not what they expected. It was a large, opulent house, like a hotel but it seemed there wasn't anyone around.

"What is this place?" Elly gasped. Her eyes were giant as she tried to take in all the splendor around her.

"It's a lovely night out for both of you," Sanji smirked. He shoved the big man into a nearby room and closed it behind them. Zoro didn't even protest. He scratched his chest absently and stared around, turning in a circle.

"I think we were set up," she said quietly. Zoro stalked over to a door on the side of the room and peered in cautiously. Apparently nothing was amiss, so he went in and started rummaging about. She could hear his boots clomping on the floor and scraping sounds as he opened drawers and shut them.

"That little bastard." Her boyfriend poked his head into the room she was in and gestured for her to join him. She shrugged and went in. While the main room was extravagant, this other was a bit more barren. A chest of drawers sat flush against one wall - the one she'd heard him looking through -- and there was a cream colored rug covering part of the wooden floor underneath a very, very large bed. Yet another door led off to the side but she wasn't interested in that now. What held her attention was her very embarrassed, very adorable man standing in front of the bed and plucking at the pillows.

"Zoro?"

"Look," he hissed. Elly did, and choked back an inappropriate burst of laughter that would have upset him more. Sanji had placed a full spread of condoms there - every type, color and size, she imagined, that he could find. She reached out and scattered the pile a little, discovering scent and even flavor were among the varieties. Finally she held one up to the light, squinting at it.

"Do these glow in the dark?!"

"Erk," Zoro managed a tiny little sound before stumbling to the other door. He opened it and sure enough, it was a bathroom. He ran the cold water in the sink and splashed his face, trying to breathe normally. As he was groping blindly about for a towel he felt her hand on his shoulder.

"Here." Elly pressed the fluffy cotton swatch into his hand.

"Thanks." He dried off and then sighed heavily, placing his hands on the vanity and staring hard into the mirror. His girl wormed her arms about his waist and nestled her head into his back. "It's my fault," he said as he placed his hands over hers.

"Hm?"

"I told him I didn't want to do it at my apartment. To get him off my back."

"Ohhh... because he kept ripping on you about it?"

"Yeah." He thrust his lip out in a pout. "I'm an idiot."

Elly snorted. "No, no you're not. Cute as heck when you make that face, yes. An idiot? No."

"Cute?" He asked in dismay.

"Yes," she told him firmly. "Cute."

"I can't wait to see the look on his face when I give him back all of this crap," he snarled. Then he paused. "Um. Maybe not a good idea, huh?"

"Well," Elly drawled, "if you really want Sanji to get off your case about this, then no. The idea would be to make him believe we finally did it, right?"

"Damn it," he huffed. "I do want to do it. I just fucking don't wanna be manipulated by some horny pervert that's sticking his nose in my love life!"

She sighed and squeezed him once, then dropped her arms. "Yeah. I want you, too. But..."

"Well, shit." He followed her back out and stood close while she scooped up the packets and dumped them in a nightstand drawer.

"Yep!" She closed the drawer and nodded. "That's that. Now maybe we can watch some TV or something?"

Half an hour later she had started to doze off against his side during a commercial break. He muted the television and stared down at her, snuggled into his side and sighing softly.

Without really thinking, he placed a finger under her chin and urged her face up. When she murmured and did, her eyes dreamy and dazed, he bent and mouthed her lips very gently. Elly hummed in pleasure and parted her lips, moving against him, her arms curling around his waist. The kiss deepened, and he found himself far more aroused than he had been at any other time they had made out. Panting, he cupped her breast through her shirt and ran his thumb over the hardened nipple, smiling when she moaned.

Zoro rolled her over on the bed, placing his knees on either side of her and sliding both his hands under her top to unhook her bra. He kept kissing her the whole time, his mouth nibbling on her ears, her throat, the side of her neck. Inevitably her entire upper body was exposed as she woke, freed from all clothing.

She wasn't sure what to expect, as she thought they wouldn't fool around at all but he growled under his breath and proceeded to tease her like never before. He suckled one sensitive nipple until she cried out and then he switched to the other while his fingers pinched and pulled. The more he interacted with those firm nubs of flesh, the more her pleasure grew. She was breathless from the heights she was achieving simply through play, begging for more and struggling to touch him, though he kept his body just out of reach.

He licked just lightly on the tip of her most sensitive nipple, then kissed it. "Feel good, kitten?"

She arched her back, whimpering. "Please don't stop."

"Don't wanna stop." He gave her a meaningful look.

"Zoro..?"

He slid a hand inside her pants, rubbing on her damp panties. "Do you want this?" His fingers found what he was looking for and he slipped inside, pumping gently.

"Oh god, yes... yes."

"You know I'm thicker," he whispered in her ear. "If this were my cock, it would slide right up here each time I thrust." He demonstrated by swirling a finger on the little bundle of nerves that made her squeal. "And I might be able to hit your other spot at the same time."

"Z - Zoro!"

"We've never managed that before, huh."

She swallowed hard. "Oh, god, you really want to?"

"Told you I did." He dropped his gaze. "I was being stubborn earlier. I - I can't hold back anymore, kit. I want you."

"Yes!"

He grinned at her. "Yes?"

"Grab a condom and get back here, quick," she told him, squirming about as she unfastened her pants. "I want you now."

He stuck his hand in the drawer and randomly picked a packet, then tossed it on the bed. His shirt and pants were pulled off and he didn't pause but yanked down his underwear as well. When he joined her on the bed they were both fully naked. She blushed and he kissed her, rolling her onto her back again and rubbing his slick erection on her thigh.

"Shit," he choked. "I'm not gonna last."

"Whatever happens, happens. This is our first but there'll be more." She placed a hand on his as he opened the prophylactic. "Let me."

Zoro threw his head back, straining. The condom was a tight fit but was lubricated, and she didn't slide it on as much as give him a slippery handjob as she rubbed it on down his pulsing length.

"I - I have to..!"

"Yes."

She gasped as he entered her, her nails digging into his broad back.

"Kit? Ok?"

"I'm ok. I'm... you're just very different from a couple of fingers. Bigger."

He tried to laugh but a moan fell out from his lips instead. "This is very different," he agreed. "You're so hot."

"Oh my god," she choked suddenly, her body stiffening under his. "That. Do that again!" He bucked up, a quick, snapping movement of his hips, and she cried out, her eyes wide. "Don't stop, don't - I don't know what, but it feels so good!"

Zoro arched his back and let go, bucking into her hard and fast. The weight in his groin intensified and he knew he wasn't going to last long at all but he couldn't help himself. He grabbed her, holding her close with one arm as the other propped his weight off her.

"Sh - shit, yes! Oh, kitten!"

"Zoro!"

Later they would discover mutual orgasms were rare, but fir now it seemed natural. He groaned deep in his throat as his body emptied itself into the condom. She clung to him a moment longer and then collapsed onto the bed.

It took him a minute to figure out how to slide out of her body without losing the condom, but her finally slipped free and peeled it off. He made a face and tossed it in the wastebasket, then joined her as she lay on her back staring blissfully at the ceiling.

"Was it good?"

"I wouldn't have scratched your poor back up if it hadn't been." She smiled.

"Yeah," he grunted. "Now that pervert will definitely know when we go to the gym." Zoro shrugged. "Don't care anymore. I finally figured it out. He doesn't matter, you do."

"I think that's one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me."

The Bet (Shota), 2

They kissed several times, each growing more serious than the last until they were moaning and breathing hard, their tongues entwined and their bodies falling together onto the couch. Elly's hands caressed his face, then lower, rubbing his neck and shoulders. She shivered when she felt his back surge powerfully under her palms.

"A - Aiza ..."

"Shota," he cut her off breathily, biting her tender neck.

"...wha?"

"I insist the woman I love call me by my given name from now on, especially while we make out."

Elly gasped at that, clinging to him. "The - the what!"

"Oh, come now," he whispered in her ear, his voice low. His hands traced the curves of her body with an eager touch. "Surely you knew? You've been teasing me all night."

"I didn't know!"

He parted slightly from her so he could gaze into her eyes. "Now you do. And?"

"Kiss me again," she pleaded.

"Gladly." He brushed her lips in a teasing manner, backing off when she would have presses forward for more with a shake of his head. Elly relaxed in his embrace and let him lead her into a steamy, soulful kiss that left her shaking all over.

"I love you."

His body went limp quickly, falling on hers with just enough space so she wasn't crushed. "Oh, Ches," he sighed, relieved. "You had me worried..."

"You?"

"Yes," he groaned. "Yes, me, damn it. I'm not without feelings, I simply don't care for most people to witness them." He nuzzled deeper in her neck, licking her collarbone, buting at the tender flesh while she writhed under him. "I only want you to see," he panted breathlessly.

"Oh god, Shota, that's good."

"You like biting, hmm? Or maybe it's the cat in you." He dragged himself up on his arms to tower over her, dropping his head with his eyes darkly mischievous. "You want your big, strong mate to mark you?"

Oh god, he really is so fucking strong, she thought deliriously as his hands pulled her shirt off and his hot mouth sucked a line down her neck to her heaving chest. He popped the catch on her bra and paused to admire her as he tossed the undergarment away.

Elly gulped loudly. Her nipples were extremely sensitive, already achingly hard while she awaited his touch. He stroked her breasts gently, hefting them and feeling the soft, heavy weight. Then he rubbed a careful thumb across one. She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes more tightly shut, her tail lashing wildly about on the floor. When his mouth closed around one of the nubs of flesh she cried out, bucking against him and wrapping her legs around his. Aizawa was pleased she was responding this well and experimented, licking gently and growing more aggressive when she didn't protest. A few judiciously placed nips and bites caused the crinkled bits of skin to grow even more sensitive after a long, ardous session of teasing. He would sink his teeth in and suck, hard, then ease up as she began to whine only to come back with tiny, feather-light plucking kisses.

Her jeans were too tight below and she could feel the throbbing pulse in the plumpness between her legs. At some point he had grasped her wrists loosely and held them up so she couldn't touch him. This was purely strategic on his part and not mean; he wasn't sure how well he could hold out if she decided to start stroking him. Yet after some time she started to tug, indicating that she wanted to be set free. He watched her closely when he denied her, gently pressing down just a little harder.

Her breathing quickened and she moaned. "Sh - shit, baby, that's so hot."

Baby. The name sent a jolt down his spine right down to his overstimulated cock. "You like when I use my strength against you, huh?"

"You're so strong," she breathed. "But also gentle. It's driving me crazy."

"Me, too," he murmured. "We need to pause for a moment, before I lose too much control."

"Mmn." She blinked blearily as he helped her up. He sat with her, their foreheads touching, and twined his fingers in hers.

"Birth control?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Mandatory for all working heroes that might get pregnant."

Aizawa hummed affirmatively and kissed her. "Just checking. Would you like to see my latest test results?"

"Do you need mine?"

They stared at each other, grinning in that heady, stupid way new lovers had. "No. I trust you."

"And I trust you. I wouldn't take just anyone else at their word on this, you know."

"That goes for me as well. That's good, since I, ah. Didn't bring any condoms."

"Yeah," she laughed, "I don't have any in the house, either. No use, you know?"

He sighed lustily. "Are you then amenable to the idea of me coming inside you, my queen?" He freed one of her hands and traced her cheek with a fingertip.

"Oh, more cat trivia. A mature, sexually active female, huh?"

"And my queen."

She giggled, looked surprised that she made such a sound, and then threw her arm around him. "Carry me to the bedroom, Shota baby. I want you more than anything right now."

He picked her up at once, cradling her to his chest as he stood. "First door on the left?"

"Uh huh. Same floor plan, huh."

"Mmm."

He strode confidently in and deposited her in the middle of her bed. Then he stopped for a moment, looking around for the light switch. He flicked it on and smiled at her as she lay waiting for him.

Aizawa stripped.

Elly watched with wide eyes as he pulled his shirt off with ease, exposing his lightly scarred and washboard stomach to her view. She sat up, ears pricking, and licked her lips as she followed the trail of dark chest hair down past his navel. He grinned at her and hooked his thumbs in the elastic of his pants, jerking them efficiently down in one swift movement. He wore red boxer briefs, tightly molded to his body and there was a dark patch spreading on the strained fabric.

"That's enough for now," he smirked and crawled on top of her on the bed. "I want to feel your skin against mine."

She wrapped her arms around his upper body, humming in agreement. Aizawa kissed her neck once, then sighed.

"What is it, Sho?"

His lips twitched. "I haven't done this in quite a while," he admitted, palming the length of her tail as she lay on her side. "Do you have any preferences I should know about?"

"I'll just go with the flow," she murmured. "Don't worry, though - I'll let you know if I'm not into anything." Elly paused. "You use safe words?"

"Hmm. Good idea. Stop light colors?"

"Yeah."

"So." He trailed a finger to the hem of her panties. "Let's see how excited you are."

He thrust a hand inside without taking them off and she gasped, then smiled. "Your palm is kind of rough."

"I don't moisturize often," he said drily. She giggled, then moaned as he stroked the curls of hair and dipped inside. "Part your legs more for me," he whispered in her ear, and she did. He knew the swirling motion that got the best reactions from her on top of her sex, and he gently rubbed her to a state of writhing, panting distraction.

Every time she reached out for him he moved smoothly back until she was pleading. "Please, Shota. I want to see you - touch you."

Aizawa slipped her underwear off and nodded, removing his well. He then knelt on either sides of her knees and watched her reaction to his body. His hefty penis laid against his thigh, twitching as she touched it. She gently peeled the skin back over the sensitive head, exclaiming softly.

"I didn't know you were uncut."

He grunted, not trusting himself to speak.
There was already a copious amount of pre come dripping from the darker head, and she rubbed it around and underneath, using her palm to grip lightly and her fingers to generate light pressure on his responsive underside. He groaned and his hips bucked up into her touch, sliding his penis through her palm. They continued like this for a couple of minutes, him thrusting up into her hand, the sound of his harsh breathing filling the room.

She stopped when he placed a hand on hers. "I need to be inside you," he said so intensely that she shivered.

Aizawa laid on top of her, kissing her deeply while he found his angle with one hand. She hiked her legs up around his waist and he whistled lowly with pleasure as the tip of his member rested on her heated sex. All it would take was the slightest of movements...

He closed his eyes, savoring the moment for another few seconds with his forehead resting on hers. Their eyes met and held, and they kissed again as he slipped sweetly inside her body. Aizawa moaned into the kiss, mouthing her lips and slowly moving until their stomachs were touching. Then he pulled almost all the way out before snapping his hips forward with a satisfied hiss.

"Ches, you're so hot."

"Don't stop, baby," she husked, her eyes glazing over with pleasure.

He grinned and moved faster, then even faster when she cried out and clutched his back. It had been very long, like he had told her, but his body was fit and eager. He held her and strove for that spot arched inside her that would make her scream. When she kept moaning but not quite as excited as he hoped, he backed up, panting, and wriggled his hips, entering her from a kneeling position. His first few strokes were awkward but he soon found a rhythm, jerking forward and back, his abdomen flexing powerfully. On one thrust he reached down to scratch his leg and the imbalance did it; she clawed at his thighs, trembling all over.

"Yes! There! Right there!"

"Aaah," he wheezed. "To the side, huh?" Propping himself with the help of his enormous strength, he changed position yet again and this led to the most arousing, indulgent praise he had ever gotten.

"God, baby, you're the best I've ever had ... oh god, Shota, baby, harder!"

"Ches!" He choked, faltering, and shook himself, letting his willpower go just enough. His thrusts became mindless rutting, angling deep and to the side as she cried his name over and over again. She came, tightening around him, and it didn't take much longer before he threw his head back, straining, chest heaving with sweat beading all over his rough, scarred body. The pressure burst out of him in long, pulsing bursts that caused him to close his eyes so tight he saw spots.

When he came to, he was flopped beside her on the tumbled bed, one arm possesively wrapped low around her waist.

"Holy shit," she said, breathing hard.

He grinned. "Good bet," he said. "I'll wear whatever you want me to in the morning."

She smiled and kissed him on the nose. "But will you make me breakfast?"

He snorted. "I don't cook," he told her firmly. "I can, however, buy breakfast at that cafe you like if we get up and ready early enough."

"Deal," she yawned, snuggling against him.