Mark 10

 Hizashi rented a huge moving van and they piled her belongings in the back a few days later. There wasn't too much, though she had accumulated a lot of music from working at the record shop for so long. He had been thoroughly amused when, during the packing, he even found one of his t-shirts. Elly was wearing it now, a black top that had "PRESENT MIC" written on it in repetitive rainbow lettering.

He backed the van carefully into his driveway and she hopped out, excited and happy. "Yay!"

Hizashi stepped down out of the driver's side, arching his back with a grimace. His spine cracked and he let out a low whistle. "<i>Ugh</i>, my lower back."

"Aw, does the big celebrity DJ not like physical labor?" She flounced over and kissed him on the nose.

"The big celebrity DJ would rather work out in an air conditioned gym," he grunted as he opened the back of the van up. "Keys, keys... yeah, okay." He tossed them to her so she could open the door.

"I'm so glad they let me out of my lease early," she huffed as she lifted a small box.

"So am I." Hizashi glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "Hey! I told you <i>I'd</i> do the heavy ones!"

Elly snorted, though she was smiling. "I can lift some of them. Trust me, if one's <i>really</i> heavy I'll be glad to leave it for you." She flicked her tail in his direction as she walked past him toward the house.

"Sassy kitty," he grinned, following her in.

"I put those near the shelves."

"Oof." He set his load down near the others. "A'ight, let's get the other stuff. These were just the easies."

"Yeah, I don't have too many clothes or personal items."

"Just a ton of vinyl."

"You know it!"

He slung an arm around her waist, hugging her affectionately. "Yeah, we'll go shopping in a couple days. Yer gonna want to wear layers here. Gets colder than you think at night!"

"I thought I had you to warm me up," she teased. "Also, wait... I gotta pee real quick."

"Ya do, babe! If I'm home." He grinned as she slipped into the bathroom for a moment. "If I'm available an' not workin' like I do most nights."

"I forgot about that. Be out in a second!"

Aizawa stuck his head out his window as the blond-haired man walked back out. "Do you need help?" He asked reluctantly. "Some of those look heavy."

Hizashi sat the latest box he held down on his step and peered up in bewilderment at his cranky friend and neighbor. "Are you offering?"

"If you don't need any, fine -"

"Nuh uh, c'mon down! El's got tons of records in these boxes and we'd both be thrilled." He paused, then grinned as his eyes lit up with an idea. "You help us, I'll pay for dinner, yeah? We can get stuff from that seafood place you like!"

Aizawa shuffled over and easily lifted a large box pointed out to him. He brought the box into the townhome, set it down and sighed in irritation. Since it was warm, he began to remove his outer shirt to tie around his waist.

Outside, Hizashi heard a thump and a startled curse. He turned just in time to see the dark-haired man come rushing out the door. Aizawa's eyes were wild, though he tried to hide his mood by ducking around the corner to his place.

"I have to leave," was all he said in a strangled voice. His front door slammed behind him.

"He didn't even stay to meet me," Elly murmured as she wandered out.

Hizashi scratched his sweaty neck. "That's fucked up, yo - even for him," he acknowledged with a puzzled look.

"Is it me? Do you think he's still upset you found me?"

He scoffed. "It was never you, babe. If anything, he was upset about his soulmate. Remember, I told ya." He hefted another box to carry in.

"Yeah..." She didn't look too convinced but grabbed a small pile of clothes. "Oh, well. More food for us!"

"And alone time," he purred seductively, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

She laughed and had to grab at the hangers to keep the clothes from falling. "Zashi!"

"I regret nothing!" He called out from the living room.

Next door it was very, very quiet.

The lights didn't turn on all night, although Aizawa was definitely home. Hizashi would have brought it up again, but then Elly walked out in nothing but an old shirt of his and his mind turned to other, more pressing, matters.

Always his Princess

 "Popcorn! We need popcorn, yo!" Hizashi jumped up from the couch in the teacher's dormitory where several of them were watching a movie. He snapped his fingers and pointed at the kitchen nearby. "Think we got some instant in there. Who wants?"

"I could go for some," Elly piped up cheerfully. She spun around and threw her arms on the back of the couch.

Yagi smiled but shook his head. "I couldn't manage it right now, Yamada. Thanks."

"Make a big bowl anyway!" She called out.

"Okay!" Hizashi winked at her and threw her a jaunty finger gun and wiggle of his hip.

When Hizashi got to the pantry, however, there were so many different kinds he was at a loss. He scratched his head for a minute, thinking, and then turned to walk back towards the television. He stopped once he got there, though, staring at the empty spot where she'd been sitting between them.

"Ms. Elly left," Yagi supplied helpfully.

"Wha? Why?" The Voice Hero rubbed the back of his neck where the overflow from his bun flowed. The smaller fray of blond hair wasn't long enough to be put up with the rest, and it ended up tickling him sometimes. "Is the movie that bad?" He blinked at the screen where a father was currently consoling his children.

"I don't think so. She appeared upset about the scene we were watching." He nodded at the screen.

"I'm gonna go see if she's okay."

Elly was flopped on her back on her bed, her precious pair of Hage brand headphones on and her eyes closed. The expensive brand worked so well at noise-cancelling that she never heard the door open and Hizashi call her name. She did, however, catch the scent of leather and sweet hair product, and she jerked upright just as he was reaching out to tap her on the shoulder.

"Hey, Ches! Ya beat feet so fast I couldn't ask which type of popcorn ya wanted. Still hungry? Snacks? Maybe some takeout? Yeah?"

"Uh..." Elly choked at seeing him so close in her personal space. "W - wait a minute, I was just trying to relax..."

"Oh, hey! What type of music ya listen to?!"

<i>Oh, no</i>. Panicked, she fumbled with her phone in an attempt to mute it, but her mind was muddled with anxiety and she still had her headphones plugged in. Hizashi simply popped them out so the sound played openly. She cursed her choice of using the corded ones instead of her Bluetooth enabled buds, but it was too late.

It wasn't music. The person she was listening to had a mimic quirk and used it to record Pro Heroes saying all sorts of things. Hizashi stood, half-stooped over with his hazel eyes widening as he listened to a near-perfect imitation of his voice.

"<i>...had it rough. It's okay, just relax and let me rock you in my arms. Present Mic will make it all better for his number-one listener...</i>"

"Shit!" She swiped it off, but the damage had been done. Breathing hard with her face burning with shame she sat there trying to think of an excuse or apology that might salvage some pieces of her pride.

Nothing came to mind.

"<i>That's</i> how you relax?"

Elly made a face, scrunching up her nose like she'd tasted something bitter and shaking her head. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't think of anything appropriate to say.

"Well?"

"Well, what?" She asked somewhat crossly. Today currently ranked high in her top ten of mortifying moments her traitorous brain would use to torture her with in the future.

"<i>Do</i> you want Present Mic to make you feel better? 'Cause, yanno, the real deal is here now." She choked, clapping a hand to her mouth and staring at him in disbelief. Hizashi grinned down at her with one eye squinted and the other wide, calmly gauging her reaction. He knelt on the bed to get closer but stopped right before their noses could touch. "Why would you want a cheesy fake? All ya had to do was ask!"

"M - Mic - Hiz..." She caught herself with a gasp, mortified she almost used his given name. "<i>Yamada</i>!"

"Mic or Hizashi's fine, Ches baby." His expression grew softer, the <i>gotcha!</i> look replaced by a gentle smile and half-lidded eyes. "Anything for my super favorite, plus-ultra number-one listener." He wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

She cringed, her ears flattening further. "Please don't tease me."

"Look, I know I joke around a lot. I promise I'm not this time, 'kay?"

"You ...what?"

"I'm serious." His grip went from friendly hug to a softer, more protective cuddle. Hizashi cradled her in his arms, humming softly using just the hint of his quirk. She trembled, uncertain, as he began rocking her back and forth.

"Y - Yamada -"

"Hizashi," he told her firmly.

"Hizashi." She swallowed hard, unbelieving. "Hizashi, what's happening?"

"I guess I'm - I'm... uh, I dunno?" He shrugged. "All I know is that you feel absolutely perfect in my arms, yo." His voice drifted, becoming deeper and, she could have sworn, almost <i>dreamy</i>. "I shoulda told ya how I felt a long time ago, but, uh, I'm kind of shy." He chuckled sheepishly. "I know, I know - <i>me</i>? Shy?" He paused for effect and she relaxed a little, daring to nuzzle her head against his chest. The necklace chains he wore were cold on her cheek at first, but she barely felt that, instead focusing on the steady beat of his heart.

"<i>Zashi</i>," she whispered in awe.

"Ohoho, that's cute!" He squeezed her tight for a brief second and a miaow was startled out of her. "That's even <i>cuuuuter</i>!"

"Hizashi!"

He chuckled and placed his expressive forehead on hers. "You want Present Mic to kiss you all better?"

Elly had absolutely no words to respond to that. She couldn't even nod, because if she did, it might break whatever dream she was having and wake her up. Hizashi took her silence as agreement and kissed her lightly, not pushing hard at all and just barely mouthing her lips. The electricity in the simple touch and tickle of his furry mustache points almost convinced her she was awake.

"There, now," he hummed softly, backing up a bit to stare deeply into her eyes. "I need to tell you something, baby."

Her heartrate doubled and she couldn't take her eyes off him.

He was <i>gorgeous</i>.

Hizashi was wearing casual clothing which consisted today of a black t-shirt and faded jeans. The ubiquitous red-beaded bracelet was on his wrist and he wore a single gold chain around his neck. And although she adored his silly, pointy mustache, that wasn't really what held her attention.

No, it was his <i>eyes</i>. The hazel such a pretty, mesmerizing color. They shifted with his mood and what glasses he was wearing at the time, and the concentric circles surrounding the pupils gave him an intense stare. At the moment they were warm and gold, filled with affection as he smiled at her.

"I shoulda confessed before," he sighed. "All that time wasted pining after you when all I had to do was tell you that <i>I love you</i>." He spoke the last in English, accenting the confession with a gentle stroke of his thumb on her lips. Elly's mouth opened a little, but she was still speechless. Luckily, Hizashi saw that she was overwhelmed and waited patiently until she gathered her wits about her.

"I fell asleep." She shook her head slowly. "I'm asleep." She paused, then in a voice so wistful it nearly broke his heart, whispered, "Oh, please... I don't wanna wake up."

"Holy shit," he husked sadly, again in English, though he switched to Japanese after. "Who hurt you this bad? Who hurt my baby?"

"I'm..."

"Not asleep," he cooed in a soothing tone. "Yer wide awake, Ches. And that's a good thing, right? You can tell Mic who hurt you so he can help."

"If I'm awake," she said slowly, "then I don't want to scare you away with boring stories of my past."

"I wanna know," he wheedled with exactly the right amount of simpering puppy dog eyes.

Elly's resolve faded fast before this terrible tactic. She grew more agitated, however, her brow scrunching up and her striped tail beating wildly on the sheets beside them. "It's stupid," she tried one more time. "You shouldn't have to listen to me cry."

"There's absolutely nothin' wrong about leaning on a friend," he assured her. Then his eyes slid half-shut and he grinned slyly at her. "Or a <i>lover</i>, yeah?"

"I... Hizashi, please." Elly closed her eyes, then tried again. "It's a bit more than just airing some little problems out. I don't want to dump on you. I've got too many issues and I - I can't ruin..."

"Yer not ruining anything." He told her more firmly. "I promise. I wanna help you no matter what! Tell me what's wrong."

"Okay, you want to know?" She sighed shakily, wiping a hand over her eyes. "Shortest version, then. I had a bio father that was barely in my life, and a stepfather and grandfather I lived with from when I was like, three. The grandfather was the <i>kindest</i> to me, and he told me, among other things, that I was a 'fat fucking bitch', and like, when I was pretty young, that I 'wasn't cute anymore'."

He was silent after she finished speaking. Elly cried softly in his arms, hiding her face in his chest and twining her hands in his shirt. Hizashi realized the loving father figure in the movie had upset her, as it was something she missed out on growing up. When he'd come in and tried to soothe her, she couldn't believe a man she was in love with would treat her that way.

All she knew was hurt and rejection.

"My father - <i>fathers</i> -- and family didn't love me. I wasn't good enough for them, so how could I ever be for..."

<i>...me</i>? The blond-haired man gasped. <i>Oh, no. How can I tell you I think you're wonderful if you don't believe me</i>?

"...anyone else," she finished weakly.

She rested her head near his heart for some time, concentrating on controlling her breathing in the hopes that her tears would stop. About five minutes uses later, she shook herself as she felt a light tickle on her head.

And another.

Elly slowly lifted her head, ears twitching. There it was again - a warm, wet drop, now on her forehead as she looked up. Her bleary eyes widened and the next sob caught in her throat.

<i>Hizashi</i> was crying.

The action confused her so much that it broke through her own sorrow and the mix of joy and terror that had come along with his confession. She reached up and brushed the trail of dampness on his cheek with wondering fingertips.

"Z - Zashi?"

"I'm sorry," he sniffled. "I shoulda kept reassuring ya, I meant to, but I'm sad an' angry about how ya got screwed over."

"No, it..." She trailed off, her mind racing. "It's fine. It's - it's better than fine. No one has ever cared about me enough to cry."

"You deserve to be treated right!" Hizashi kissed her cheek and held her tight. "Every little girl needs to be treated like a princess by their parents, 'specially their <i>dad</i>! You were robbed, baby, my poor baby, they robbed you. Oh my god."

<i>His baby</i>...? Elly reeled, her mind spinning as she heard words that had never been directed at her before. "It's - it's okay," she stammered.

"It's not okay," he whined. "It's <i>not</i>." Hizashi's voice deepened abruptly, and he spoke with such determination that he lost control of his quirk. The furniture rattled as he continued. "But I can make it okay. I can try. You want Present Mic to make it all better, then you can be <i>my</i> princess, an' I'll treat. You. Right."

<i>Princess</i>?! "Hizashi, I'm not a -"

"Shhh. Yes, you are, babygirl. No arguments. Yer my pretty city kitty beautiful princess, an' I'm'a remind you all the time. Mic loves you. Hizashi loves you. <i>I</i> love you."

"Oh!" And with that, the fire in her brain was extinguished; her tears stopped completely. It wasn't as if she was one hundred percent better, but the pain diminished a great deal as she realized he meant what he said. It was as if he'd helped her unwrap a lot of ugly, painful layers, like a bitter gift that held her true self hidden inside. The last tearing away had been his heartfelt acknowledgement of her pain.

Hizashi wasn't leaving, either, nor was he laughing or mocking. He was still holding her as if he never wanted to let go and sniffling, trying to stop the flood of tears but clearly affected by the fact that she was hurt.

"Oh my god. Hizashi, you did it. You made me feel better."

He shuffled her in his arms, cuddling her sideways so they could face each other. "For real? All because I was a wuss and cried?"

"You're <i>not</i> a wuss," Elly hissed so fiercely he jumped a little. "Sorry. You're the sweetest, best man I've ever known. I was right about that," she added in a much lower voice.

"Awww." One of his hands stole up to rub her ears. "Quit it, yer makin' me blush."

"You were already blushing," she pointed out impishly.

Hizashi slowly raised one eyebrow as he broke out into a sunny smile again. "You really feel better?"

"Yes. That movie set me off. Then I got more frightened when you confessed. My - my dad, that was supposed to be a given, right? Like, unconditional love. When all of them treated me like they did, well..." She grimaced. "Ugh, that's what I didn't want to do - start babbling."

"S'okay. You're not, I wanna hear what you've got to say."

She took a deep breath and sat up, wrapping her arms around his neck. Hizashi fidgeted, looking slightly more embarrassed as she straddled his lap, but then she kissed him softly and he sighed, closing his eyes. "I love you," she whispered.

"Oh, baby you did so <i>good</i>." She shivered and he dipped under her chin to mouth her neck. "So brave for me. I'm proud of you, Ches."

"I didn't do anything!"

"You <i>told</i> me," he whispered with barely-controlled glee. "Tellin' me ya love me makes ya vulnerable, princess."

"Oh, yeah."

"I promise I'll be worthy of your love. I'll be what ya should've had, give ya what you need 'cause yer so starved for it an' I got so <i>much</i>."

"Don't make me cry again," she warned, half-joking.

"I'll <i>never</i> make you cry bad tears," he whispered fervently.

Komh 28

 Hizashi was anxious as he boarded his flight. For the hundredth time that day he wished his old friend was on their side, so that he could simply teleport where Elly was. Then he grimaced and struggled to push the dark thoughts out of his mind that came with thinking of Shirakumo. It was difficult since there was the parallel of Hatter being Elly's best friend. He hoped the man wasn't as badly injured as he feared.

Halfway through his trip his phone vibrated and he grabbed eagerly at it with shaking fingers.

<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>Just landed, parents aren't here tho</i>

<b>Mic</b>: <i>I heard the news about the others</i>

<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>It's pretty grim ...but I'm okay for now, Zashi</i>

Hizashi grinned as he typed his reply.

<b>Mic</b>: <i>I'm on my way</i>

<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>What? Really?!</i>

<b>Mic</b>: <i>I don't trust anyone else to look out for your safety. I'm worried. But, hey, semi vacay?? Right? You can show me all the places we talked about!</i>

<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>Oh my god, sweetie, I love you! How long until your arrival?</i>

They established how many hours he was behind her, and that she would come to pick him up when he texted her again. Hizashi lay back on the tiny pillow the stewardess offered him with a smile, determined to nap most of the flight.

Although he only managed to sleep for a few hours, he kept himself busy with sidewalk he'd brought along. Hizashi was terribly impatient but eventually the plane landed and he got off as quickly as he could.

She was waiting for him at the baggage claim, her ears flicking at the cacophony of sounds in the terminal and her hands clutching her luggage. Although he was wearing a cap as part of a half-hearted attempt at a disguise she recognized him right away.

"Zashi!"

"Ches!" A lot of people swirled between them, but the crowd seemed to fall away when he spotted her waving cheerfully. He brightened, though he remembered the reason they were here was a sober one. "I missed you, baby," he said warmly as they embraced.

She giggled. "We were only apart a few hours."

"Yeah, but still." He turned and snagged a bag off the rail as it passed and his long ponytail whipped about, almost smacking her in the shoulder.

"Eek! Your hair!"

"Oops!" He chuckled a little as he hefted the bag over one shoulder. "Yeah, sorry babe. TSA's gotta check under and in my hair 'cause it's so long. I hafta put it down so much I leave it simple when I fly."

"Oohh. I wouldn't know anything about that." She grinned and poked at her short hair, free of gel for once but still flipping out at the sides in a smaller, less controlled style reminiscent of her hero persona.

"An' yer lucky," he told her in a mock serious tone. Then he laughed, but seemed to realize something. "Hey, wait a minute! Did you wait here the whole time? I thought you said you were gonna go home and then come back for me."

She made a face. "I didn't want to go without you."

"Wh - they didn't come to pick you up?"

"Well, no, not exactly." She wrinkled her nose. "I called to ask and they seemed surprised I'd need a ride."

What had actually happened was that when she called, her mother insisted she should have known to get her own car and not depend on them to drive "all the way" out to the airport. Hizashi stared thoughtfully at her for a minute, seeing how embarrassed she was and knowing it would only get worse as the day went on.

"That's okay!" He injected an extra amount of cheer into his voice to help her along. "C'mon, let's see what cars they've got to rent here!"

She perked up and laughed a little. "Nothing so great as your own, I bet."

"Yeah, but we don't <i>want</i> anything that sticks out like my mustang."

"I know. We're laying low."

"I'll just be glad if it fits our gear an' stuff. Oh, and do you mind driving? I gotta orient myself, it's so different here!" His eyes sparkled a little too brightly, and he weaved to the side.

"Uh huh." Elly grabbed him to keep him from falling. "How many energy drinks?" She asked with a tone of resignation.

"Uh... five."

"<i>Five</i>! You're going to destroy your liver!"

"But it's a whole different time zone."

"For me now, too, remember? I've been living in Japan for a couple years."

"Oh, yeah." He blinked owlishly at her. "Well, what say we stop for coffee after we get a car, then?"

Half an hour later they were driving along in a small yet sturdy car with the cupholders filled with steaming to-go cups. They were taking back roads and being careful just in case the villians were tracking them, but so far it seemed to be smooth sailing... if not for the growing amount of tension. Elly grew more nervous as they got closer to her childhood home, talking less and gripping the wheel a lot tighter until her knuckles started to turn white. Hizashi laid a gentle hand on her leg when she stopped at a light on a residential street.

"I'll be there with you, Ches. We don't hafta stay long if you don't want to."

She smiled weakly and nodded. "Well... it's right down this street." They pulled in to a medium sized ranch house on the small road. It was brown with white trim and unassuming, no fence though the backyard looked big. A few trees dotted the front yard and some neatly trimmed bushes sat in front of all the windows. She took a deep breath and stepped out onto the driveway.

As she did, the front door opened and Hizashi saw her parents for the first time. The man and woman were older, of course, but the woman's voice was robust as she called her daughter's name. They hugged, and the blond-haired man steeled himself in the background.

<i>These are the people that told my beautiful princess she was ugly and broke her heart as a child</i>, he thought, but he kept his composure as he shook their hands and said hello.

"This my mom, Karen, and my stepfather Bill." Elly nodded to them. Her mother didn't seem to have feline features at all, which seemed strange. The man was taller than the woman and blond-haired with a mustache, completely the opposite of the ladies. Hizashi ran a hand over his pointed hair on his upper lip with a small frown. Both appeared to have no mutations and he wondered vaguely what their quirks were.

"Mom, dad, this is Hizashi Yamada  - Present Mic."

"Hello! It's great to finally meet you!"

"So good to see you made it! Come in, sit down." Everyone made their way into the living room while her mother looked out the door in confusion. "Why are your bags still in the car? You should bring them in!"

"We're not staying here, mom," Elly said quietly. "Zashi got us a hotel room nearby. It's too dangerous and we don't want to put you guys out."

"Oh, I'm sure it's not that dangerous!"

"Yes, mom. It is. I shouldn't have even come to see you until after this was taken care of." She sighed, knowing that she'd done so to avoid them jumping through hoops to find her in an even more dangerous fashion. "Hey, I'll go make us some coffee, okay?"

"Thanks, baby," Hizashi cooed.

His mother looked amused. "You two <i>should</i> stay here," she began anew, turning her attention to him. "You know what she's like, right?" Her mother shrugged. "She blows things ridiculously out of proportion all the time."

Hizashi was frozen in amazement. He'd heard stories but never thought they would be so bold as to say that out loud while their daughter wasn't even out of the room! He glanced back and saw Elly's shoulders drooping, her ears folded backwards into her hair. She walked slowly out the rest of the way.

He turned back, his expression carefully neutral. "There really <i>is</i> a problem here, Mrs. Sketchit. Your daughter isn't hyping this up at all; if anything, she's downplayed things. I'm here because I was worried."

Once Elly was out of the room the older couple seemed to scrutinize him much more.

"You really look like Present Mic," Karen said with an air of someone who knew a secret.

Hizashi blinked. "Ah... I am? Not always, sure, but it's my job."

She smiled knowingly, her eyes piercing into his. "I know you have to pretend. It's okay when she's not around, though. How much are you charging her to impersonate him?" Her husband looked interested but remained silent for now. The two sat staring at the bewildered Voice Hero as he struggled to make sense out of what was happening.

"Impersonate?!"

She sighed deeply. "There's no way a celebrity hero is dating my daughter. She doesn't have what it takes to attract someone like that."

"Of <i>course</i> she does!" The rattling of furniture from his quirk slipping was all it took to convince them that he was, in fact, Mic.

This brought a different set of issues, however.

"It's really you?! That must have cost a fortune! Or, wait - were you sent along with her to make sure everything goes okay?"

Hizashi straightened on the couch, adjusting his glasses before he spoke to give him time to try and calm himself. "I'm here because she's my <i>girlfriend</i> an' I'm <i>worried about her</i>." He kept his quirk in check with a great deal of effort. His eyes were dark and his lips thin with anger, however. He clutched the arm of the couch in a tight fist, his rage made worse by the fact that she was only in the next room over - she definitely heard all of this. "I <i>love</i> her, yo. I wanna be with her <i>forever</i>."

The older woman waved her hand as if brushing this aside and was about to say more when Elly appeared again with a tray of coffee and fixings. Hizashi swallowed back another retort, instead choosing to smile beautifully up at his girlfriend as she sat the tray on the table.

"Thanks, princess." He kissed her cheek softly as she sat down beside him.

Her parents exchanged a quick, amused look. Her mother was the one to speak up about the nickname. "She's a little old to be a princess, isn't she?"

"Age has nothing to do with the title," he replied promptly. Hizashi smiled his very biggest, <i>toothiest</i> smile at them then, one that specifically did not reach his eyes. "And I always treat her <i>like she deserves</i>."

"You do," she agreed softly as she cuddled close to him for comfort.

"Yeah, but it suits her personality," Bill finally spoke up. "Everything is all about her, all the time." He laughed, and Karen joined in as if this was a well-worn joke.

"That's true! I spoiled her so much as a child."

Elly stiffened beside him and he could sense how close she was to tears. Acting quickly, Hizashi curled a gentle arm around her shoulders. "So! That said, we're <i>definitely</i> gonna stay at a hotel. Plus, I mean, this is kind of like a vacay for us, even if it's dangerous. You don't want us disturbing you at night."

Elly covered her mouth with both hands to try and hold back a tremendous attack of giggles. His delivery was straightforward, but she knew he would bring out his special tag-line if pressed further. It was one of his favorite jokes, and, in this case, he would be fighting back against their assumption that he couldn't possibly want her.

"You couldn't possibly disturb us."

"Oh, no. We totes would." He paused, sipping his coffee while staring demurely over the rim of the cup with lidded eyes at her parents. "I'm a screamer."

Now I know my abcs

 The night was cool and refreshing as they stepped outside the bar onto the sidewalk.

"Soooo..." Hizashi pursed his lips and rocked back on the heels of his biker boots, regarding her with a curious look. "Coffee?"

Elly linked her arm in his with a smile reminiscent of her hero persona. "Home brewed, perhaps?"

"<i>Hey</i> now," he beamed happily. "I'll be your personal barista if that's what you want."

"Ooh, do you have a cute apron you can wear?" She chuckled.

He flashed her his biggest smile. "Baby, for you I'll bust out the <i>works</i>. I'll wear as much - or as little -- as you'd like."

Her giggle turned a shade wicked as she covered her mouth with her hand. They strolled down the sidewalk with his arm comfortably slung around her waist, taking their time and enjoying the pleasurable tension of knowing what was going to happen. By the time they reached the agency that housed Hizashi outside of school, he squinted up at the light on in the third story windows.

"Aizawa's home," he observed with a laugh. "Man, he knows I'm bringin' you home. He's done this to himself."

"I bet he has headphones or - or something. Right?" She frowned a little as he opened the doors and they made their way past the lobby to an elevator.

"I gave him a pair a few years back."

"Thank god."

Hizashi winked at her and pressed a button to go up. "I've got the second to top floor," he told her. The way he said this made her reach out and take his hand to give it a squeeze. He blinked, startled, but then smiled warmly at her. "Yeah, thanks babe. You know who we gave the last floor to. It's closest to the - closest to the sky. Where all the clouds are." His voice grew tense and he looked away. Thankfully the chime sounded and the doors slid open at that point, however, and the blond-haired man bounced out, gesturing with a grand flourish. "Welcome to the party house, hey?!"

Elly laughed when he opened the door to his suite. Once inside, however, she paused while taking her shoes off to fully appreciate his home.

It was what she had expected while still being a surprise; she'd known his style would run to older furniture and kitsch, somehow, but wasn't sure exactly how it would be put together. To the right was a clean, uncluttered kitchen with modern appliances in all black. His favorite colors were clearly yellow and black, and on the left leading into a spacious living room was a shaggy yellow rug and black leather couch with metal studs and a large, fuzzy golden blanket tossed carelessly across it. There were records lining the walls in the living room and what appeared to be a few awards as well. He had shelves with a lot of vinyl stacked along them and a very nice, obviously costly sound system below an equally large and expensive television.

"Oh my god, lava lamps!" She squealed with delight at the light fixtures and Hizashi's heart nearly melted right then and there.

"Lemme turn 'em on, then," he grinned. "They take awhile to warm up, you know."

"Yep." She sat tentatively on the couch, aware from experience that leather was not always comfortable, but the blanket and a few pillows transformed it greatly. "Your place is great," she said happily. "In fact, it's perfect!"

Hizashi carefully turned both lamps on, bending to slide the power wheels on the cords, then grabbed a remote from the entertainment center and clicked it, grinning sheepishly and blushing. Music filled the room, low strains of melodious jazz that made an absolute perfect make-out soundtrack. "You want that coffee, babe?" He turned around with a raised eyebrow. "I can go get us a couple of cups, but if you'd rather, I dunno, have somethin' a little sweeter I can manage that, too."

Elly patted the couch invitingly and he jumped to sit beside her. "You said in the bar you're an expert kisser. Do you have lots of experience?"

Hizashi wrinkled his nose, mustache points moving as he did. "Oof. Well... I'm super busy with work, but I have dated a few times. Nothing serious like I want us to be -"

She caught her breath. "Oh."

"...but I know what I'm doin'." He paused, tilting his head to the left to blink at her. "Ches? You okay there?"

"Yeah." She carefully plucked at the lapels on his outer shirt, tugging lightly. "I'm happy you want to be an item." She laughed at her own phrasing, flicking her ears as her tailtips curled beside her. "That sounds like what the tabloids will write!"

"I'm'a buy so many copies when they come out in print!" He took her hands and lifted them to lay on his shoulders. She took the hint and snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, but that wasn't enough for Hizashi. He scooped her up and deposited her in his lap where she sat sideways with a surprised mew.

"You're strong!"

"I'm a hero, baby," he hummed seductively. "You know we gotta be ready for anything."

"Ha. Well, are you?"

In response she was treated to a slow, deliberate mouthing of her lips that preceeded a chaste kiss. Hizashi waited until she chased after him for more before nuzzling and dipping deeper with his tongue.

He hadn't been lying.

He was very, <i>very</i> good.

He started so gentle, a languid, almost lazy lick and press with as much attention paid to her lips as her mouth. When he did flick inside it was lightly, teasing and toying with her tongue, not wrestling as if for dominance like so many others had done before. The fuzzy points of his mustache added to the entire experience and Elly quickly decided she was his if he wanted her tonight.

"Wow," she panted during a break in the kissing. "Oh, wow."

"Mmnnnff... mmmn." He clutched her tighter and moaned softly. "Oh, so <i>good</i>. I was waitin' all night for this."

She giggled like a schoolgirl, knowing she was acting silly despite her age and not caring one bit. "You're too damned <i>cute</i>."

"Only cute?" He spluttered a little. "Aw, I must not be doin' a good enough job. Here, lemme fix that." Hizashi slid his hands lower around her waist and kissed her again, this time adding a faint hum that caused her lips to tingle.

"Oooh, your <i>quirk</i>."

"You like that, baby?" He groaned when she tugged on the sides of his black shirt, greedy for more.

"Yes, more," she begged shamelessly. "Please, don't stop."

"Oh, yeah." He shivered with passion, the spirals in his eyes thickening with intensity. "That's better."

"God," she growled, clutching at his shoulder blades. "Your mustache is so sexy. Your lips are soft, the hair tickles and y - your quirk..."

"Whoa, princess, yer puttin' me on, holy shit. Oh, fuhh... fuck! Baby, yes!" His hips spasmed as her hand trailed low, dipping between his legs to caress the bulge there. His kisses grew more desperate as she rubbed and eventually he started to whine. "I'm gonna come in my pants if you keep that up!"

"Pause, then," she husked. "I'll feel up your chest instead." She pushed up his red shirt and purred with appreciation at how ripped he was. "Wow, Zashi, you're more squeezable than I thought."

"Mmmnn, augh! Shit, yer hands feel so good!" Hizashi gulped, then dipped his head to her neck, panting heavily. She gleefully squeezed his pecs, running her fingers across his nipples now and then. "Ya tryin' to milk me now or what?"

Elly burst out laughing. "But - but..."

He gave her a squinty look. "What?"

"Wooooow!"

Hizashi snorted laughter so hard he started to wheeze. "If you're that impressed by my pecs..." He shrugged out of his outer shirt and then lifted the t-shirt over his head. She immediately stuck her head on his chest, and what she did next caused Hizashi to shriek laughter so loud the furniture rattled. He hastily clamped a hand over his mouth.

"No motorboating! The hell, I'm a <i>dude</i>!"

"Tiddies are tiddies."

He laughed - carefully, this time -- and spun her about, picking her up and leaping to his feet in one fluid motion. "That's it, we're goin' in the bedroom."

There was a hallway between the living room and the kitchen, and he paused at a trio of doors - one on the right, left, and one front of them -- before bumping opening the right with his hip. She was unceremoniously dumped on a soft mattress and barely had time to register the fact that he had <i>silk sheets</i> before everything bounced crazily at his leap. He landed on top of her, cushioning his fall with his knees and palms.

"Yeek!"

He grinned crookedly down at her, his hazel eyes very soft. "I love you."

"I love <i>you</i>."

"Good."

She nodded solemnly. "Zashi?"

"Uh huh."

Elly lifted a corner of the fabric under them. "Silk sheets?"

He blushed and nodded, biting his lip. "I've got a lot of hair, not sure if you noticed -" A bit of tugging and the bun he'd done his blond locks in pulled free. "It's better and easier for me to sleep on silk. Healthier for hair, too."

She lifted a trembling hand towards the shiny fall of gold spilling down his shoulder and onto her chest. "I didn't know that." Then, softer, "It's so <i>beautiful</i>."

"<i>You're</i> so beautiful." He kissed her on the cheek, then sighed and began trailing lower, murmuring with affection as he peppered her neck with soft kisses.

"Nice," she purred, stroking his hair gently and marveling at how alive it felt in her hands. "I still can hardly believe you feel that way, you know. This night has been like a very long dream."

"Mmnnn." Hizashi found her pulse and licked once, lingering and tickling with the hair on his upper lip. When she moaned, shifting restlessly against him, he grew bolder and rubbed his teeth on the tender skin.

"Oh, god, Zashi..."

"Yeah, princess?" He pulled back a bit and ran his tongue seductively out to lick his upper row of teeth.

"Don't stop," she pleaded, panting. "Please..?"

"Anything for you." He shivered and bent back down over her.

"Oh, that feels good," she whispered. "Your mouth is so hot. Yeah, harder, suck h - harder. Oh, that’s it…god, you’re good at that. Keep going, please, oh <i>Hizashi</i>, leave your mark on me, baby. Give it to me. Show everybody that I belong to you."

His body convulsed in a paroxysm of pleasure from her pleasured babbling, his member harder than he could ever remember. "Sh - <i>Shit</i>, pretty kitty, you mean that?" He swallowed hard and kissed the bruise he'd nibbled onto her skin.

"I want everyone to know you're mine and I'm yours."

"That's <i>hot</i>. Fuck, that's so hot," he whined eagerly, rubbing his groin on her soft inner thigh. "And your hands, yeah, I love feelin' em on my back." His breathing picked up as she pet him, stroking down. When she reached his rear and squeezed, he gasped and doubled his efforts to kiss her into insensibility.

"I want to see you," she said breathlessly.

"Me, too," he agreed, and then huffed laughter. "I mean, you! I wanna see <i>you</i>. Here, your undies are slidin' down a bit already..." He hooked a finger in the waistband and pulled them down. Elly arched her back, lifting herself to help. When the fabric was finally kicked free from her ankles she grew shy and crossed her legs, but Hizashi broke through to her immediately with a low wolf whistle. "That's a sight to see!"

"Zashi!"

"Well, you are!"

"Being naked reminds me - we need to talk before we start anything too serious."

He swiped his hair absently back with one hand. "I, uh, it's been awhile since I've had sex. I've still got lube and fresh condoms here, so that's cool..." He trailed off, unsure just how to ask the next question but Elly answered it anyway.

"I've had the mandated hero bloodwork this month and can pull it up on my phone for you if you want. I'm clean, of course."

"Oh." He nodded. "We're both clean. Me, too, 'cause if we weren't we'd have been pulled from patrols."

"You don't need to see..?"

He shook his head. "I trust ya, babe."

"Okay." Elly smiled. "We're good, then."

"So I guess it's my turn to get naked, isn't it." Hizashi's eyes slipped half-shut and he let his tongue loll out of his mouth. "You can see from there, yeah? Got a good view?"

She nodded, her throat suddenly dry. He smirked and slowly tugged his underwear down, wriggling his hips so that when his member sprung free it immediately curved up, bouncing towards his belly. He was a decent length, normal sized if not slightly larger than most men she'd seen. It was hard to tell and honestly, Hizashi's penis was just another part of his body, and she loved <i>all</i> of him. She'd been yearning to see this secret part for so long, however, that the gleam in her eyes was not feigned.

"Oh, <i>Zashi</i>," she gasped breathlessly, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her.

The blush on his face spread at the praise, mottling down his neck as he watched her watching him. "You, ah, like it, babe?" His voice slurred with lust and he gave his hips another little wiggle to see her reaction. He moaned when she licked her lips, the tip darting out to wet them as she laid her ears back. "Fuck <i>me</i>, that's a yes if I ever saw one. So... whatcha thinkin'?"

She ducked her head with a low chuckle. "Honestly? I want that in my mouth. I want to make you come <i>really</i> fucking hard. I want to make the Voice Hero scream my name."

"Shit!" Hizashi dropped to his knees, panting and shaking. "I've got great recovery time," he husked. "If you wanna suck me off, I'll last longer inside you after." He paused, then winked slyly. "An' I promise not to hold back... <i>if</i> you can make me scream."

"<i>That</i> reminds me -"

"Quirk dampeners are in the drawer along with the other goodies," he pointed out with a grin. She scrambled to get it open and he laughed out loud, his quirk slipping the tiniest bit. Watching her fondly as she dug through the messy drawer grumbling to herself, he sat up and ran a hand through his hair. "Like I said, though, the place is pretty soundproofed. I'd rather not deafen you, though, with yer sensitive kitty ears."

Elly exclaimed in triumph as she found the small, flat box. "These are relatively new. Have you used them before? I don't want you to lose your quirk since it's your voice."

"It doesn't mute me," he assured her as he took the box and slid out a single-use pill. "It dampens my quirk to the point of normal human vocal ranges." Hizashi crunched it between his teeth and then paused, waiting for the odd tightening in his throat that signified the dampener was working. "So I can be loud but not, yanno, <i>loud</i> loud,  if that makes sense."

"That's good," she purred, trailing a finger down his abdomen and toying with the sculpted muscles there.

"Yeah," he agreed faintly. His erection twitched with eagerness as she grew nearer and he swallowed and closed his eyes with a shiver. "I - I'm ready, I think."

"No," she purred dangerously, "You're not." She sat up on her knees between his legs, which he spread so she could have access. Elly cupped his cheek in one hand and kissed him briefly, peppering a line down his chin to his throat, where she lavished attention on him for a few long minutes.

"A - a - ah, baby, what're ya doin' to me," he choked, hands spasming on her back. "My - my neck..."

"This is part of your quirk," she murmured, sucking on his Adam's apple with her eyes closed. "Zashi, I love <i>all</i> of you, and that means I love your Voice."

"Oh shit." He squeaked in a tight whisper, a weak, trembling voice unlike anything she'd heard from him before. "Nuh - no one, baby, <i>no one</i> says that to me, ever. Ya know that, I'm the annoying, loud guy!"

"Nope." She kissed him more, lingering now that she knew how it affected him. "I told you I loved your quirk, and I do. Your voice is amazing, you can do almost anything with it! You're more than just the 'loud guy' and you're not annoying at all. You lift me up when I'm feeling down."

"Babe, I -" He choked, stuttering. "I - I, you..!"

She hushed him with a long, slow kiss and he melted underneath her, sinking down onto the sheets with a moan. Elly went back to work on kissing every part of him, pausing only when she got to his thighs. He was beyond excited, hard and dripping with personal lubricant that trickled down the firm shaft. She sighed and kissed the head and he jerked once, crying out. Once he was still again she licked all around before taking him between her lips.

"Ohhhh, Ches." A steady stream of babbling erupted from him as he struggled to remain still and not force himself into the delicious, moist heat of her mouth. "F - ffffuck, <i>yeah</i>, that's really good. That's so fucking good!"

She drew back and suckled on the tip, making his thigh muscles ripple as he whined. "So... this, hmmm?"

"Ahhh, shit! Yes yes yes! It's suh - sensitive but I love it, don't stop baby. Please don't stop! Oh, no..." He whimpered, cracking an eyelid to stare down at her. "Why'd you <i>stop</i>?"

She flicked her ears once with a wicked smile. Hizashi trembled as he watched her arch her back below him, striped tail curling behind her. "I like hearing you beg."

"Please," he gasped immediately, hazel eyes round and imploring. "Please take me in your mouth again. Yer so good at sucking on me, I want more, I <i>need</i> it!"

"Sexy," she husked and rubbed at the weeping slit with a fingertip before lapping gently with her tongue. He moaned and she slowly pushed her mouth down, enveloping him until her nose was brushing his golden public hairs.

Hizashi nearly lost his mind. "That's all the way! H - huh - holy <i>shit</i>!" When she drew back and found a rhythm, bobbing her head, he strained forward, his hands clutching the sheets and twisting them so tightly they would be wrinkled later. "Wanna come," he whispered hoarsely. "Wanna come, please baby, take me there, I'm so close, <i>I'm - I'm gonna</i>!" Elly tried her best to move quicker and suck in her cheeks, tightening down on him. He tossed his head on the bed, blond hair spilling out everywhere, and cried out as his orgasm burst out of him. "<i>Yes-yes-yes-YES</i> <b>Ches</b> <i>baby sweetheart</i>!"

"Holy <i>shit</i> indeed," she moaned weakly when he came to. She had since cleaned herself up, coughing a copious amount of his ejaculate into a tissue and laying beside him at the head of the bed. "Thank god you took a dampener."

"Ungh, fuck." Hizashi shook himself all over while rubbing a hand over his eyes. "Yeah, that was incredible. I haven't come that hard in years." He nuzzled into her neck, kissing softly. "Yer amazin'. You made me feel so good, beautiful baby."

Her breath hitched, and she sniffled a little. "Oh."

"Awww. Does praise make you shy? Not used to it, hmm? That just means I hafta give you more." His kisses grew even lighter. "C'mon an' face me, okay? I wanna kiss you all over. Make you feel good, too."

"Yeah." She rolled over and wrapped her arms and legs around him, her tail thumping on the bed. "I want you so much."

"Let me know if I do anythin' you don't like, okay? I'll stop. I, uh, think I might get a little too enthusiastic about loving ya an' I've been told I can be a lot to handle." He kissed her, slowly licking into her mouth and deepening the kiss with a low, pleased hum when she responded in kind.

"I love that you're a lot to handle," she told him, but before she could say more he pressed himself against her, nipping at her neck. Elly inhaled sharply and relaxed in his arms as he seemed intent on covering every inch of her in kisses. When he got to her breasts he moaned and indulged himself, much as she had with his throat earlier.

Still...

"Is this all right?" After several minutes he peered up from between her breasts, brow furrowed. "I got radio silence here, babygirl, an' it's makin' me nervous."

Elly looked at him and his anxiety vanished. She was blushing hard, her ears laying crazily on either side of her head and her lips parted. Her purple eyes were far away, so hazy with pleasure there were tears beading in the corners. Hizashi gasped, his heart doing a little flip as he watched her nod.

"So sweet," she breathed.

"Let me hear you, pretty kitty," he cooed, blowing warm air on the tight nub of flesh he was currently teasing. "Don't hold it in. Feels good, yeah? You look positively wrecked right now. I <i>love</i> it." He wrapped his lips around the nipple again while his fingers tugged on the other. This time she let out a startled wheeze and began to pant heavily, writhing underneath him. Her hands came up to stroke his hair, cuddling him to her breast as he suckled. He hummed quietly, pleased, and switched sides, teasing more and daring to nibble when she gasped. Hizashi kept this up for several more minutes until she suddenly stiffened, clutching at the back of his head.

"H - H - <i>Hizashi</i>!"

"Wait, did you just..?" His hazel eyes grew very big. "Oooohhh, wow. Did you come from me playin' with your nipples?" He blinked. "I was plannin' on eating you out."

Her chest heaved and she shuddered all over. "Oh my god. I - I didn't know that could - oh my <i>god</i>..."

"I mean, we definitely could save that for later," he continued with a chuckle. "You startled me, though. That's awesome."

"You made me come," she said in awe. "From - from that?"

"Yeah," he sighed, cutting her off with a passionate kiss. "Imagine how much better my dick will feel, huh?"

She nodded eagerly. "I <i>want</i> that."

"Good, 'cause m'hard again." He rubbed himself on her thigh and she whimpered and clung to him. "See what you do to me," Hizashi announced lowly. "I can't believe you're in love with me. It's too awesome, too much. I gotta show you more, more than you ever got from anybody else. Wanna make you mine, all <i>mine</i>, sweetheart."

"I <i>am</i> yours, Yamada Hizashi," she told him very quietly. "I'd have been yours even if you hadn't loved me back. I think I was born like this, waiting for you."

He gaped at her momentarily, then burst out into loud, watery sobs. "Ya can't jus' <i>drop</i> that on me, yo! Yer <i>killin</i>' me here!"

"Oh my god, you really are too cute!" Elly grabbed him in a huge hug. "Don't cry, Zashi. Make love to me."

His breath hitched once, then twice, as he swallowed the rest of the tears back down. "Oh... oh, yeah." A shy smile crept upon his lips. "I, uh, almost forgot."

"Almost?" She walked her fingers down his belly, stroking the fine golden hairs that trailed towards his erect penis.

"<i>Almost</i>." Hizashi gasped lightly and caught her wrist before she reached him, fixing her with a sudden, serious stare. "Are you <i>ready</i>?"

She grinned at the use of one of his catchphrases, a shiver running up her spine at the very different intent. "Uh huh."

His first thrust was steady and he kept going until they were flush against one another, their bellies close. "Hot," he whispered into her mouth. "You're so hot inside, baby."

"Please, more - please..."

"Yeah." He moved back with a grunt, then forward, slowly gaining momentum. Their bodies tangled together and broke apart at times, squirming on the bed and shiny-slick with sweat as seconds of exertion turned into minutes. It was surprisingly quiet except for the steady thump of the frame striking the wall as they moved and some low moaning, until she gasped.

"God, oh god, yes."

"Ahh, fff... tell me," Hizashi panted, dropping to her level and kissing her firmly on the mouth. "S'better like this?"

"That angle," she moaned, raising her legs along his sides. "When you move your knees - yeah, there. There!"

He ran a hand along her waist, licking at a droplet of sweat trickling down her neck. "Ohhhh, that's <i>deep</i>. Ya want it harder? Faster?"

"F - faster!"

He broke out into a triumphant, joyous laugh. "C'mon babe, let it out!"

"<i>Oh god, Zashi, yes</i>!" She dug her nails in his back and dragged upwards, clawing him without much thought.

His response was a high-pitched howl. "Yooowww! Pause the claws, babe!"

"Sorry!"

"Nah, just lemme... I need to catch my breath. I like it." He strained, shuddering hard. "Mark me <i>up</i> so everyone knows we're doin' it!"

"Naughty," she gasped, moaning as he hit just the right spot inside of her. "They already know. Y - you really think -- <i>ooohhh</i>, they think we're just drinking coffee?"

Hizashi chuckled wickedly. "No. They know what we're doin'. Especially 'Zawa. He's gettin' an earful right now, ha!" He paused, gasped. "Babe, whatever you just did - do it again, yeah? Yeah?" She raised her legs and midsection in time with his thrusts and he let out a gusty sigh. "<i>Ooooh yeeeaaaahhhh</i>. Hang on, lover. I'm gonna let <i>go</i>!"

She learned how boundless his energy really was as he literally threw himself into their lovemaking, plunging and rearing and laughing for sheer joy when she screamed his name. Though he'd taken the dampener it was wearing off and her whole body tingled as he shouted his pleasure, nearing orgasm again. Elly gave back as much as she could and was soon clenching around him, bringing him off at almost the same time.

They dissolved into a panting, gasping mess and fell back, satisfied and more than a little sore.

"Whoooo!" He stretched his arms and legs out in a grand gesture, wincing as he pulled a muscle in his calf. "Oops, ow!"

"You okay, sweetie?"

Hizashi positively glowed at the term of endearment. "I've never been better, princess."

"Well!" She let out a gusty sigh. "I'll <i>never</i> mock those dumb internet quizzes again."

"True that!" He pulled her closer despite how sticky he was, and she hugged him. "As soon as we can move, you wanna shower? I'm kinda gross."

"Yep." She giggled faintly. "I'm rather... messy myself."

"Mmn. You'll love my bathroom, s'big. Get you used to another part around here, too, 'cause you're gonna be staying."

"Damn right I am."

Duet, minus one

 Elly entered the loud karaoke club with trepidation since she wasn't sure she wanted to sing, dance or even listen to music tonight. When she went out it was usually to a closed room bar, not these flashy places. They were noisy, for one, and attracted a lot more tourists.

One thing she was certain of, however, is that she wanted to forget her feelings for a certain colleague and somewhat friend of hers. She sighed and weaved her way through the crowd on the dance floor to the bar. A few stiff drinks and maybe she would relax - though hopefully not enough where she lost control of her quirk. She was dressed in shorts with a spaghetti strap black top, a little more daring than she normally would wear but her ears and tail were invisible thanks to her power. People were less likely to hit on her because they saw Cheshire, the Insanity Hero. If she were simply Elly, she could blend in more.

As she sat, she looked around at the other faces at the bar and drew in a sharp breath when she recognized <i>him</i>.

"Hizashi," she gasped quietly. She would never, ever presume to call him that to his face, of course, as in Japan it was considered very personal to use given names. But he was that in her heart and had been for many years.

The tall, blond-haired man was wearing a tight maroon, button down shirt with a black leather vest. Two gold chains rested on the swell of his chest - she knew from training he was built, though you wouldn't see it unless he took off his outer clothing -- and he wore a red beaded bracelet on one wrist. His long hair was pulled back into a bun and he had red-rimmed glasses on.

He was <i>beautiful</i>; so gorgeous her heart skipped a beat. But there was an undeniable sadness around him as well. Hizashi sat with his shoulders slumped, his head on his arms as he stared at his mug of beer.

Elly couldn't stand to see him so depressed. She got up and sat beside him, clearing her throat a little. "Yamada?"

He looked up, startled. "Wh - Ches?"

"Thank god." The bartender, a woman with several long tentacles alongside her two human arms, sighed. "He's got a friend. You want anything to drink?"

Elly shrugged. "Milk?" She'd been planning on getting buzzed, but it looked like that idea was deflating pretty quick.

"On the house if you take care of Mr. Mopey, there." She dipped below and soon handed her a full glass. "He's bringing everyone down."

"What's wrong?" Elly bent down to his level so she could be heard over the pulsing bass beat in the background.

"I came here with Kayama an' a few others," he muttered. "They're gone."

"Did they just dump you here? You could call a cab or something if you need to get home... he'll, it's not far. You could walk. If you <i>can</i> walk, that is," she amended.

"Nuh, that's not the <i>problem</i>," he whined.

The bartender snorted. "Now he's quiet about it. We all had to listen to a half hour rant, but no. He won't tell a friend."

"Awww," Elly spoke softly in a soothing voice. "See, that hurts. You can tell me. What's wrong?"

"Why doesn't anyone <i>want</i> me?" Hizashi sniffled, turning to her with tears falling down his stricken face. "Why does everyone <i>else</i> get to go home with someone but not <i>me</i>?"

That hurt far more.

She sighed, watching him carefully as he lifted the glass to his lips and drank. He was drunk, no doubt about it, but that wasn't what made her heart drop sickeningly in her chest and her body tense. It was his admitting that he had been trying to pick people up.

"So that's it."

Long, slender fingers tucked a strand of blond hair behind one ear. "I'm a hero! Why doesn't anyone want me, Ches?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. <i>I want you</i>.

"You hafta," he whined, clinging to her arm as he focused all his attention on her. "Yer a therapist, yeah? You know!"

<i>I do, Hizashi Yamada - oh god, I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone</i>.

"I'm just as confused as you are, Yamada. Honestly." Elly sighed a much deeper sigh and rubbed her weary eyes with one hand. "But do you really need these conquests?"

He blinked up at her through the stupidity of the beer fog in his brain. "Nuh... uh, I want," he slurred, his hand tightening on her arm. "I wanna hold someone, to be held. Izzat so wrong?"

Her ears flattened back into her hair and she shook her head, reaching out to tug him upright before he fell off the barstool. "No," she whispered faintly. "No, it's not." Then, clearing her throat purposefully she laid enough money to cover his tab on the bar along with a generous tip for the bartender. The woman had to put up with their impromptu therapy session, after all. She propped the drunken Voice Hero's arm over her side and stumbled under his weight as she got up.

"Careful," the bartender called out as a tentacle scooped up her money. "He's a lot bigger than he looks."

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Okay. It's okay. Let's just walk."

"Where you takin' me?" The cool air outside sobered him up slightly but he was still out of it.

"Home."

"I don't <i>wanna</i> go home!" It came out as a loud whine, his quirk vibrating their bodies when he spoke. "Please, baby? I don't wanna be alone!"

Elly's mouth twisted bitterly at the nickname, and she scolded him quite firmly about it. "I'm not your 'baby', Yamada," she hissed.

He drooped, dejected. "Sowwy."

"Did you just -? Nevermind, nope, not going to think about any of this. Just concentrating on <i>getting you home</i>." She trudged along, half carrying the blond-haired man as he stumbled and dragged his feet.

"Don't wanna be alone." He wept quietly for awhile until she set him down on a bench at a bus stop. A few people walked past, some glancing curiously over but most avoiding going anywhere near them.

"Yamada."

"Pease don't leave me." He refused to meet her eyes.

"I promise I won't, okay?" She patted him awkwardly on the shoulder, afraid to get more personal than that. "Now you have to help me by walking better. Okay?"

"Yeah!" He brightened noticeably, his eyes coming alight for the first time all night.

Elly shivered, a chilling premonition of heartbreak on her horizon. Still, he needed her right now so she smiled woodenly and held her arm out. "Let's go!"

Thankfully it wasn't much longer until they reached his apartment. Hizashi opened the door without fuss, though when she finally got him into bed he clung to her until she assured him she was staying.

"All right, Yamada - I'm gonna go nap on your couch. I'll be in the living room if you need me."

He grasped a fistful of sheets and wept. "M'still alone," he sulked. "No one's <i>with me</i>."

"Shit," she hissed, her heart feeling like it was ripped in two. "Do you want sex that bad, then?"

He nodded. "I wanna <i>feel</i> more than my hand," he pouted harder, his lower lip thrust out.

"Fine." Elly reached out and pulled her top off. "You can do it with me, then."

He gawked at her comically, eyes popping open and his mouth open in shock. "Ch - Ches? What?!"

"You want to fuck, right? You're desperate? I can fill that need."

"I - I want you. Yes." He reached for her, his arms sliding around her waist as he bent toward her face.

"No." She held the flat of her hand up against his chest, stopping him from leaning in further. His necklaces were cold and hard under her hand. "No kissing."

<i>Kissing is for lovers, and I couldn't stand to lose you after that. Sex may be okay, maybe, but no illusion of love. It will hurt too much</i>.

He paused, and though she could only see his shadow in the dark it was clear his shoulders sagged a little.

"Do you still want -"

"Yeah! Yeah." He coughed and nodded. "No, it's, ah. I get it. It's all right."

"Well then, strip."

Clothing fell to the floor as he yanked it off, unceremoniously tossing his shirt, vest and slacks to the floor without a second thought. Elly took hers off more slowly, placing them over the headboard for later.

"I, uh, I've got condoms..."

"I'm on the pill, and we're both clean, right? Hero mandated bloodwork monthly."

"Uh huh." He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Then it's okay." Unlike him, she averted her gaze as he climbed on top of her, wanting to see him but afraid of his beauty. He paused, his hands hovering over her breasts with a confused look in his eyes but she nodded. "Do it."

He took a breath and entered her.

<i>He's a terrible lover</i>, she thought in dismay after only a little while. Though the initial thrust had caused a wild thrill to run down her spine, the act quickly faded to a painful grind. His strokes were jerky and too shallow to bring her pleasure, his rhythm hectic.

"Ya - Yamada," she panted, then realized her question might hurt him. <i>I can't ask if he was a virgin</i>! <i>Besides, he wouldn't have lasted this long if he was</i>.

"Ches?"

But now she had to come up with something to say, and she faltered, still breathing hard. "Uh, here. Let me help."

He whimpered and his hips bucked involuntarily when she raised her legs to grip his waist. "Aaaaahh!"

"There, see? Come on." Her fingers twitched and she barely resisted the urge to stroke his hair, most of which had fallen out of the bun. "It's okay. Let go."

"Mnnn, Ches..."

"Oh god." She trembled, moaning softly as he rubbed her the right way.

Hizashi heard her and immediately gave vent to a shivering, pitiful gasp. "Sh - <i>shit</i>!" He thrust powerfully one last time, quivering with his mouth drawn into a grimace.

He was finished.

Elly's ears drooped. That was it. She'd never be this close to him ever again, and to make things worse, the sex had been bad.

His eyes met hers and he must have read some of what she was thinking from her expression, because he pulled away with a horrified look and darted out of the room. She lay there for a minute, gathering her wits about her before she realized he had locked himself in the bathroom.

"Yamada?" Elly tapped on the door, wincing as his semen dribbled out of her to run down her leg. "I was trying to help. Did I make it worse? What's wrong?!"

The only sound was muffled sobbing from the other side of the door.

"Yamada, <i>please</i>."

She heard a thump and a low whine. Then he burst out yelling, though he was careful to reign in his power at first. "Don't act like ya like me or somethin'!"

"Of course I like you." Elly's heart felt like it was on the verge of breaking. This wasn't how <i>any</i> of this was supposed to go. "We just, I mean..."

"No." He snorted heavily at her response, and quickly fired back with anguish in his voice. "Ya don't even like me enough to call me <i>Hizashi</i>!" The door rattled as his control over his quirk slipped, and he choked. "<b>Damn it</b>!"

"Open the door. Now."

The knob rattled slowly and the door swung open to reveal Hizashi, his glasses off with his head down and long, thick strands of blond hair falling out of his bun. She reached out and took his tightly clenched hand in hers, pulling him back to bed. He resisted at first, but soon followed, dropping down with a heavy sigh.

"Sorry."

"It'll be okay." Elly sat beside him, reaching out to do what she'd wanted for so long and stroke the hair back from his tear-streaked face. He flinched, and she shook her head. "Now, what's wrong?"

"I know it's stupid, but I wanted love, not just a quick fuck."

"You can't force that!" Her tail slapped the bed hard enough to startle him into silence. "If you don't feel it for me, then what happens when I give my love to you?"

Hizashi froze, his mouth open in shock. "Did you - did you say -"

"It's not fair to ask me to do that," she sniffled, starting to cry. "No, it's not fair. I did what I could to help you without breaking my heart and <i>it's not fair</i>!"

He threw his arms around her suddenly, holding her tight while pressing his mouth to hers in a fervent kiss. Startled, she kissed back and all the tension flowed out of her and into where they were locked together, panting now and grasping each other, their hands wandering. Since they were already naked there was no resistance and fingers traced and tickled intimate areas easily. He encountered wetness drying on her thighs and flinched slightly.

Hizashi had orgasmed but she had not. He knew this and guilt mixed with a little shame flooded him. "Give me another chance," he begged. "It hurt too much for me to make it good. I - I wanted to kiss you so badly, and I thought..." He inhaled shakily, struggling to take a deep breath without sobbing. "I thought you were doing it out of pity. I thought you didn't love me." He paused, hazel eyes shining down at her, pleading. "Tell me the truth now, yeah? 'Cause I love you. Please tell me you do, too."

"No fair," she whispered.

"Please don't keep saying that."

"No, but," she touched his face, her fingers trembling. "To say something like that to me with your gorgeous eyes staring into mine... I do love you, Zashi. That's why I wanted to help. I'd do anything for you and you looked sad that no one wanted you - it's not true! <i>I want you</i>!"

He was surprised at her vehemence, almost anger, then realized he'd been trying to hook up with strangers in front of a woman that was in love with him. It would have destroyed him to see her flinging herself at other people, and he was ashamed anew. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry," he whispered. "I did you wrong an' you were so, so brave for me."

<i>That nickname again</i>. She hid her face in her hands but he shook his head and pulled them away. "Zashi..." It never occurred to her that while she had been thinking of him as <i>Hizashi</i> all this time, he'd had a special name in his mind for <i>her</i>.

"S'okay now. I'll never look at anyone else again." He kissed her again, much slower and softer and <i>better</i>. "I didn't know," he mourned sadly. "Mnnn, but I can definitely make it up to you."

"Yes. Yes, I want that."

His whole approach was different now that he knew how she felt. His hands skimmed along her curves and he kissed everywhere he could reach, starved for the taste of her skin and her cries of pleasure.

"Yeah, baby, let it out," he moaned. "I love hearing you."

"Zashi, I - I want..."

"I know." He rested his cheek on her left breast, listening to the beat of her heart and trailing his finger down her side. "Trust me, I know it sucked before, but I can make you <i>sing</i>." When he moved to slide between her legs she crossed her ankles, blushing.

"I'm kind of, uh... you came in me before."

"Don't care." He kissed a wandering line down her leg. "Do you?" He stopped immediately when she nodded and sat up, tapping a thoughtful finger on his lips. "Okay! Let's get in the shower."

His bathroom was small but efficient, and they were soon freshened up under the warm stream of water.

"This was a good idea," she sighed. "It really feels like starting over with a clean slate."

Hizashi ran a hand through his wet hair, pulling it away from his flushed face. "Yeah."

Elly slid her hands up his wet body to gently caress the back of his neck. "Hold me?"

He immediately complied, bending down so they were more level, and kissed her for good measure. One kiss turned into many, and before long he'd backed her against the shower wall, licking down her stomach and making her giggle and squirm.

"Here's what I want," Hizashi moaned with delight, nuzzling at the damp patch of purple hair between her legs. She jerked them apart, shivering, and he smiled. "Yeah, baby," he whined eagerly and proceeded to kiss the quivering folds of her sex. She tottered unsteadily on her feet.

"Z - Zashi..!"

"That's music to my ears, sweetie. But I gotta fix your poor <i>legs</i>, they're all <i>wobbly</i>." He carefully lifted one and supported her while he placed it on his shoulder. "There. Now lean back, and pop the other up too."

"What?"

"Let me hold you up." He stooped and nudged her standing leg with the top of his head. "I've got you."

Elly dubiously hopped up as he ducked, so she was soon resting with her weight half propped on the back wall of the shower and half on his shoulders. Her heart started to beat faster, her throat dry at the thought of the massive strength needed to hold her this way. Hizashi didn't seem encumbered at all, grinning happily up at her as he kissed her inner thigh.

"Now I've got <i>really</i> good access, baby. You can't escape me like this, though, so be sure to let me know if it gets too intense."

"Safe words?" She asked tentatively, not knowing if he used them previously or knew what the phrase meant. He nodded, though, and she sighed, a little jealous.

"Stop light colors, yeah?" She nodded this time and he grinned. "I know what they are, but uh, only from Kayama. Not experience or anything, so don't turn so green on me, baby." He chuckled a little at the joke.

She blushed, squirming with embarrassment. "That doesn't help!"

"You know her," he rolled his eyes. "She's always giving tips to everybody." He coughed slyly. "Yanno, she was suggesting you and I should hook up when she mentioned safe words in the first place."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. Now, <i>shhhhhh</i>, babygirl, I gotta make up for earlier." He kissed a sloppy, meandering path up her thigh to her sex, where he paused with a soft sigh. "Beautiful," he murmured.

Panting hard, she flipped her head back to try and get some of the wet purple locks off her face. "I'm - I'm not beautiful <i>there</i>!"

Hizashi's look at this was not only shocked but a little outraged as well. "Of course you are!" He licked a long, slow strip up from the bottom to the tip. "Beautiful," he said again, more firmly this time. Before she could argue again he pressed forward with tiny, precise kisses that left her speechless. He was really quite good at this, and seemed to enjoy it as much as she did. What made it even better was being at his mercy resting on his shoulders, since it meant she was unable to back away or buck into his touch. His fingers circled the dripping button of flesh while he lapped tantalizingly close but not close enough. She curled her toes at the sensations, unused to a lover taking such care and time to please her. The shower pelted down, mostly on Hizashi, but there was warmth in the steam and he was making her even hotter.

"A - are you showing off, or are you always - <i>aaahh</i>! -- so, so, uh..."

"Ehh?" He raised an eyebrow at her, squinting up from his knees on the thick mat below. "I'm not showing off <i>yet</i>, babe." Hizashi licked his lips and ran his fingers back through his wet hair, pushing it away from his flushed face. "You'll know when I'm amping things up." His tongue flickered teasingly slow, just the tip, and she whimpered.

"Please, Zashi, I <i>need</i>..."

"I know what you need, but yer not gonna <i>get</i> it yet, Ches baby. Just - be - patient," here he hummed softly, the merest suggestion of his quirk directed at the edges of the folds surrounding her clitorus. She cried out in shock, and he smiled. "And I'll take you there," he said quietly with a kiss and another lick. Ten minutes later she had lost all thought from his thorough teasing; all she could do was moan and pant and struggle to hold on.

Hizashi, however, knew she was at her limit. He stopped and reached up to stroke her hair back, soothing her with his touch.

"Z - Zashi..?"

"You ready?"

"For what?"

"<i>I'm gonna show off</i>," he said in a soft, sexy growl, his hazel eyes staring hotly up at her. His voice was somehow the most erotic part yet, deeper than usual and thrumming with promise. Elly nearly lost her mind. Her wet tail flopped around, flicking water on him as it slapped his back. She screamed when he used his quirk directly on her, grasping his wet hair mindlessly but thankfully not pulling too hard. Hizashi altered the strength and speed of his gentle humming, slowing down only when she began to wilt in on herself.

"Oh god, oh my god, holy <i>shit</i> I did not think you could do <i>that</i>..."

"I know," he said with a secret smile as he bent backward, washing his face and rinsing his mouth out. He flipped his hair and helped her to a more comfortable position. "Easy, baby. Your legs are gonna be wobbly from the position they were in and, well." Hizashi smirked. "Other factors."

She rested her head on the back wall of the shower, breathing hard. "Wow."

"Wow, huh?" He winked. "That's the difference love makes. Awww, I'm sorry," he sighed, taking her in his arms for a hug when she whimpered. The water made this a slippery task but they managed. "I shouldn't have said yes before. Not until I told you how I felt. Now, let's finish up here and I can show you how much better I really am all around."

"It's my fault, too," she reminded him as she reached up to touch his wet hair. "Hey, if you turn around I can rinse this part... it's still got conditioner in it."

"Oof." He did, bending down so it was easier for her. "Thanks."

"Are you kidding? I've dreamed about washing your hair for ages. Doing things like this with you is wonderful."

Hizashi teared up a little and quickly wiped his eyes free of extra moisture. "That's sweet. You're gonna make me cry again though, if ya keep saying stuff like that."

She hugged him from behind. "Let's dry off and go back to bed."

"Right on."

He told her to get comfortable while he searched the pile of clothing on the floor for his phone. Elly settled back, snuggling into a pillow and breathing in his scent on the sheets.

"Aha!" He held it up triumphantly and swiped it on, fiddling with it until soft, sweet strains of music began playing. It surrounded them, romantic music he'd chosen with lots of orchestral background.

"That's beautiful," she whispered.

"I, uh, had a Playlist ready for us, you know." He gave her a cockeyed grin as he knelt between her legs. "I added songs to it now and then - it's pretty long. Should last far into the night."

"Long enough," she sighed as she reached for him.

"Maybe." He sank into a much warmer embrace, breathing hard already. "Maybe I'll outlast the songs. I've got a lot of pent up love in here, yanno." He tapped his chest on the left side.

"I do know." Elly gazed wistfully into his spiraling pupils, this time allowing herself to truly <i>feel</i>.

"Oh, shit," he breathed as he saw the love in her eyes. "Oh, <i>babygirl</i>, I've got you. I promise I got you an' I'm  <i>never</i> letting go."