Surprise Houseguest

There was a lot to be worried about.

The mysterious quirk-induced illness released onto U.A's campus had to be stopped from spreading into the city at all costs. Nezu had issued a hasty but firm order that everyone stay right where they were at the time. No one was allowed out.

But he wasn't worried.

Hizashi knew they wouldn't run out of food or water. Some of the students here had food-creating quirks and the cafeteria was fully stocked besides. The staff in charge said they knew how to supply them with food without endangering anyone. As his colleagues both in the school and professional heroism, he trusted them.

He wasn't even worrying about living with the woman of his dreams for an unknown amount of time. Elly had been visiting him when the order had come through, and it was now evening. The blond man sat stiffly on his couch with his eyes wide and showing a lot of the whites.

He.

Wasn't.

Worried.

He was downright petrified.

Although...

Panicking is a much better word, he thought as he stared moodily at the glow from his phone.

Mic: So cause of the quarantine we're stuck together! She's showering right now!

Eraserhead: People normally do that, Hizashi.

Mic: She's gonna wear my clothes!!!!!!!!!

Eraserhead: I think you missed a few exclamation points on that last text.

Mic: I'M SERIOUS!

Eraserhead: Relax. So she wears your stuff. What's wrong with that?

Mic: Nothing! But you idiot, you know how HOT she's gonna look wearing one of my shirts???!!

Eraserhead: You're too loud even when you text.

Mic: HELP MEEEEE

Eraserhead: Think about bugs then.

Mic: That's not helping! :c He tossed his phone onto a nearby table, groaning.

Okay, okay ... don't freak. Hizashi tugged at the collar of his tank top, fidgeting as his mind raced. I gave her an old pair of sweatpants, s'not like she's gonna be n - His mind went blank when the door opened and she walked out.

Elly's short, layered purple hair was damp and laying down instead of winged out at the sides like he normally saw her. It gave her a softer look as she stood there in the hallway. She was holding his pants out towards him with an apologetic look.

"They, uh... they just wouldn't stay up."

She was decently covered, but his Justice Radio t-shirt was so large it slipped down on one shoulder, exposing a smooth expanse of creamy skin. Her legs were bare and he jerked his gaze away, blushing, when he realized he was staring.

"We'll think of somethin'," he managed to croak out of his rapidly tightening throat as he took the pants from her.

"Mmmn, yeah." She rubbed the back of her head and looked around. "Anyway... you have that extra blanket on the couch. I'll sleep out here."

"Wha - no way." He shook his head rapidly, dismissing the idea. "Nuh uh, babe. My house, my rules - guests get the bed. 'Specially smokin' hot ones wearin' my old shirts," he added under his breath.

Her ears twitched, brows drawing together in concern. "We don't know how long this will be. I don't want you sleeping on the couch. We could just share the bed."

His heart nearly stopped beating, and then it jerked crazily in his chest as it began to pound.

Reject that! It's just her being kind!

"Uh, nahhh... that's okay. I have a really comfy couch. It's, uh, totes okay. See?" He stretched out, grinning abashedly when his long legs stuck far off the end.

"Yamada." Elly smiled and tried another tactic. "I don't mind. I trust you."

"Ughhh," he groaned miserably. "I guess I'm just so safe." His mustache wiggled as he pouted outrageously with his lower lip thrust out. He folded his arms and huffed in annoyance. "I am a man, you know."

One eyebrow shot up at his comment. She walked closer, bending down to sit slowly beside him. "I know. You're a good man."

"Doesn't mean I don't get tempted," he grumbled under his breath with his eyes downcast.

"Would you rather me be afraid of you?"

"Oh! No, I just ... crap." He rolled over and sat up, placing his head between his knees. "M'tired of bein' treated like I'm such a good guy -"

A smile curved her lips up partway. "Says the Pro Hero."

Hizashi's head snapped up, his eyes suddenly dangerous. Her smile froze as he stared hard at her, one eye squinted and the other wide with intent. "Yeah. But when I'm like this, I'm just a man, babe. Especially with you."

Her ears flicked back as her cheeks started to flush with color. Hizashi watched with interest; he wasn't sure if she was angry or embarrassed. Either one might earn him a slap, though, so he winced when she raised her hand towards him.

"Hey," she said quietly. "I'm not gonna hit you, Mr. Man." Her fingertips grazed his cheek. "I promise."

"Heh." He cleared his throat. "I, uh - guess I expected it. Pushin' my luck too far is kinda my thing, ya know?" His foot tapped nervously on the floor in a restless staccato.

"Uh huh."

"Errr... so, with that in mind, I'd really like it if you'd call me by my given name. 'Specially since we're going to be roommates for awhile."

She blinked, startled at last. "Hizashi?"

"Yeah."

"I can do that." Elly stood up and walked back to the hall. Once innthe opening she turned and smiled sweetly at him. "Good night, 'Zashi."

She gave me a nickname already!

He sighed wistfully and yanked the polar fleece blanket from the back of the couch over himself. It depicted two wolves howling at a full moon in all its glowing glory. "G'night."

Hizashi knew he was going to dream this night.

He was woken up minutes, maybe hours later - he wasn't sure which -- by someone calling his name.

"Z - Zashi? You up?"

He rubbed at his eyes, confused, then remembered Elly was staying over. She sounded scared and that triggered a crushing wave of protectiveness to sweep over him.

"Ches? M'here!" He stumbled up, cursing when the blanket tangled his legs, and rushed towards her shadowy form standing nearby. Elly immediately wrapped her arms tight around him the second he was close enough. He gasped loudly, his eyes popping wide open. "Ches?!" He could feel her whole body quivering and squeezed tighter in comfort.

"I'm sorry... I get night terrors. Waking dreams and a lot of horrible things," she confessed with a shudder. "I - I just woke up, and -"

"This isn't yer home, s'confusin'." His speech was slurred with sleep.

"I could smell you, but you weren't there."

Hizashi frowned a little, thinking. "So ... you'd sleep better if I was with ya?" He blinked. "That sounds like the world's worst pickup line," he mourned. "M'not tryna' be a dick, honest."

"I would, though," she answered quietly.

He paused. "Mwha?"

"But you don't want to, and it's okay," she murmured. "I understand you don't feel that way about me."

He pulled back, still holding her, so that he could stare incredulously into her eyes. "What the hell, babe?! Where'd ya get that idea?"

"Y - you didn't want to before..." Elly swallowed hard. Those green-gold eyes with their concentric circles seemed to spin as he directed all his attention on her. Hizashi's face was bare; having been asleep he'd placed his red-rimmed glasses aside on the coffee table next to the couch. She must have alarmed him so much he hadn't grabbed them first. Maybe he couldn't see her properly and that was why he was squinting like that...

"Hullo? Ches? Els?" He leaned in, concerned. "Yer spacin' out on me here." His nose was almost touching hers. She tensed on instinct, not moving for fear of bumping into him and initiating an even more awkward encounter. But Hizashi shook his head. "Uh huh, I think I finally get it. Sorry for being kinda dense."

He cupped the back of her neck in one warm palm and pulled her closer. Her expression grew nervous, and he paused before they made contact. Instead of going right in, he brought one hand up to rub his thumb over her lips, lightly parting them. One raised eyebrow was all the question it took; she realized his intent and nearly melted in his arms.

Hizashi kissed her.

It was as good or better than both had imagined; sweet and full and soft. Neither pressed too hard or got greedy, for this kiss wasn't about lust but love. His mustache brushed her face and she giggled, the fear in her eyes completely gone.

"Okay, up." He scooped her into his arms and she squeaked faintly, surprised by this sudden show of strength. Grinning, he plucked his glasses from where he'd set them before and headed back to the bedroom.

"Oh, hey. You picked the perfect spot on the bed." He set her down where the sheets had been yanked back. "I usually sleep on the left."

"Good," she muttered, distracted now that he was climbing in with her. He flopped onto his side, facing her as she lay on her right.

"Well, c'mere."

Blushing, she inched closer and he chuckled and reached out to pull her into the warmth of his body. "Don't be shy now, babe. Do whatever you need to get comfy."

Elly took a deep breath and, her whole body tingling with anticipation, cuddled into his curved form. She rested her head under his chin and clutched his soft t-shirt in one hand with a shaky sigh. "Thank you," she whispered so low it was almost inaudible.

Hizashi nuzzled into her hair, inhaling deeply. "Mmmn," he hummed in a sleepy voice. "Thank you. Just don't hold it against me if you, ah, get a little more than you bargained for. I won't act on it, but - errr, well, you know..."

Her smile was hidden but he heard it when she spoke. "'Cause you're a man, right Zashi?"

"Mmn hmm. But not just any man. M'all yours, if I read that kiss right." He yawned, settling further into the pillow. "We'll work it out in th'mornin'."

"We've got time," she agreed sleepily.