Christmas Toll

 "You remember what to say this year, right Eri?" Aizawa gave her a light push towards the teenagers happily baking and exchanging gifts in the common area of the student dormitory.

Eri tugged on her red Santa hat and took a deep breath. "<i>Merry Christmas!</i>" she shouted with all her might. The students all turned around and waved or called out happily to her.

Aizawa smiled faintly and nodded to Izuku, who had rushed over at her enthusiastic greeting. "Watch her for me for awhile, please. I'll be right outside."

"Of course, Mr. Aizawa!" He beamed at the pale child as she hugged him.

The scruffy homeroom teacher slunk out the front doors of the dorm. He didn't have to wait long before he saw a shadowy figure coming at him from the path.

"Ches?"

"Hey, Aizawa." U.A's counselor stepped closer into the light and he saw she, like him, was also dressed casually. He had black on, of course, but she wore a blue sweater with embroidered snowflakes and jeans.

He raised the palm of one hand, flat out, in front of her before she could reach to open the door. "Christmas toll, please."

"Toll?" She blinked, her ears flicking in confusion. Was he - was he making <i>a joke</i>?! "Are you feeling okay? You never joke around!"

Aizawa snorted. "Who said I was joking?" He retorted gruffly. "I'm dead serious. I'd like you to pay me so we can get this over with. It's... somewhat nerve-wracking." He rubbed at the back of his neck, glancing grumpily off into the distance.

And was that a <i>blush</i> across his nose?!

Elly narrowed her eyes and carefully looked around. No one was in sight but from inside she could hear the warm laughter of good natured people. She was to watch Eri with him this night, especially since the little girl had requested her. Supposedly Elly, as an American, had an "in" with Santa and besides, Eri wanted to know about all the stories and customs she took part in when she was smaller.

<i>Customs...</i>

Elly squinted at a new decoration right above the door. A beautiful red satin bow dangled down in two parts, a line of beads sparkling in the outside light to illuminate a small cluster of familiar berries.

She raised her eyebrows at him, but he didn't relent. Lifting her chin, she gently brushed her lips across his in a warm kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close for a moment afterward, his expression enigmatic.

"Okay," she panted breathlessly, "wow. So can we go in now?"

Aizawa regarded her with a mock scowl. She could tell it wasn't real from the tiny quirk on his lips that was almost a smile. "Not yet," he told her sternly. "What was <i>that</i>?"

"A <i>kiss</i>," she retorted tartly, "it was a kiss."

"Hnf. That wasn't a kiss."

"It was, too. Honestly, Aizawa, the kids are right there!"

He pulled her close again, shaking his head. "They're busy and no one is around at this time of night. Now, pay me properly so that I can <i>let you in</i>." He placed her hand over his heart, speaking the last in a low tone while making direct eye contact. His gray eyes were dark and shadowed underneath, giving him a dusky, lust-filled stare.

Her heart was hammering in her chest and her throat suddenly dry. The meaning was not lost on her, nor was the fact that under her palm his heart was racing as well. He slid his other hand, still on her back, down further to the dip just before her tail. She gasped and he pressed forward just in time to take advantage of her parted lips. <i>This</i> time she not only had his dry lips rubbing on hers but his scruff tickled her chin and cheeks. He tasted of bitter coffee and never before had she loved a flavor so much. Aizawa's fingers tickled the base of her tail, almost touching but not quite, a tease meant to test her weakness towards him.

Elly did not disappoint. She mewed quietly, a sound that struck the cat loving man to his core. He groaned, hand spasming, while she craned her neck to whisper one word in his ear. "Later."

He nodded. "Agreed." But as she walked by he slipped an arm around her waist once more. "Not <i>too</i> much later, though," Aizawa murmured. "I may act like a patient man, but I like to tear into my gifts on Christmas."