Thursday, July 6, 2023

Birthday 7/7/23

 Toshinori, Aizawa and the star of the day - Yamada Hizashi, birthday boy -- had gotten off work at nearly the same time this fine, sunny day. They had perhaps unconciously grouped together, each dressed casually as they relaxed on the couch in the teacher's dormitory.


Yagi leaned over intently. "Well, what <i>do</i> you want for your birthday?"

"I dunno." Hizashi sat slumped over, looking bored as he flipped through channels on the television. "Yer still takin' me out for karaoke later, right?"

"Yes."

"That's fine." He shrugged. "I, uh..." He glanced over his shoulder at the kitchenette, his ears burning faintly. "That's all I want. My friends with me."

Aizawa grunted faintly, and though most people couldn't discern his emotions through subtle sounds like this Hizashi knew his friend. He shot the sleepy bundle a warning look.

"Your birthday is on one of the most romantic days of the year," Yagi sighed. His sunken eyes followed the Voice Hero's in a knowing fashion.

"Yeah, <i>tanabata</i>."

Elly rummaged around in the cabinets, cursing a little in English as she searched for the tea she'd bought. "Aha!" She exclaimed as she dug the tiny tin out of the corner of the drawer it had somehow manifested in this time.

A shadow had been hovering in the hallway watching her and Eri appeared, her curiousity overcoming her shyness at last.

She scrunched her nose up and tugged at Elly's shirt sleeve. "E - excuse me, Miss Kitty..?"

The counselor bit her tongue to stifle the giggles that almost burst free at the child's nickname for her. "Yes, dear?"

"Why does Mr. Mic call you 'babygirl'?"

There was movement from the couch, a few intakes of breath and one snort as the teachers resting there overheard. Elly closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pouring hot water over her tea. "He's just being silly, that's all." She smiled down at the little girl. "Besides, that's the way he speaks. He called Eraser <i>baby</i> the other day, too."

"Nuh uh," she insisted vehemently, shaking her head. "That's <i>different</i>. He calls people listeners and sometimes, um, baby. But he only calls you baby<i>girl</i>."

"He - he does?" Elly couldn't control the blush that spread across her cheeks. She looked over at the couch this time to see who was sitting there.

Toshinori was huddled down trying to hide, though he was too tall and she could clearly see him shaking with excitement - he was a romantic at heart and spoke with her previously about the other man. Aizawa couldn't care less, his eyes closed and head tilted far back as he rested, but the man beside him was bolt upright with a blush on his ears that rivaled her own.

Their eyes met and he blinked rapidly several times before he jumped over the couch and darted down the hall into safety.

"Coward," she muttered, though not crossly.

"Yeah, he does," Eri insisted.

"Well, I <i>am</i> a girl, right? That's probably why."

Eri let out an exasperated sigh. "Noooo, he only calls <i>you</i> that. Not other girls, either."

"Hey, little listener!" Hizashi popped out from the hallway surprising them both. "I heard you got a question that involves me, yeah?"

"Mr. Mic!" She hopped with excitement. "You can answer me, can't you?"

"What's the question?"

"Why do you call her -" she gestured to Elly, "babygirl?"

"Ohhhhhh, that's <i>easy</i>!" His smile grew, though the blush had spread from his ears to across his nose and cheeks. "I do it 'cause Ches is my most super-special pretty city kitty."

To say that Eri was irritated wouldn't do the emotion justice - she blew out her cheeks and stomped one foot, a pout crossing her sweet little face. "<i>That's just more nicknames</i>!"

Hizashi chuckled awkwardly and took a deep breath. "Eri," he said in a low, serious voice.

"Huh?"

"It means she's very, <i>very</i> special to me." He reached out and took Elly's free hand in his while she carefully set the suddenly wobbly teacup on the counter. "Not like anyone else in the whole world."

"Ohhhhhhh." Eri absorbed this information and with the utter innocence of a child blurted out the inevitable. "Are you in love with her?"

He choked on a shaky inhale of air, his eyes wide. "I, uh... uh. Oh. <i>Wow, you're fulla questions today, huh</i>?! Did you write your <i>tanzaku</i> yet?" He pointed to the large bamboo branch decoration near the windows.

"Oh! Nuh uh, not yet." She looked at it and shook her head. "Someone has to help me -"

While she was distracted Hizashi tugged gently on Elly's hand, leading her off down the hall to dissapear in a room nearby. When Eri turned back she found herself abandoned and she groaned and stormed over to the couch.

"Why won't anyone answer me right?" She complained, crawling into Aizawa's lap. "Did I do okay? I don't get how that will make Mr. Mic have a happy birthday."

He cracked an eyelid to make sure she was settled and then shrugged. In his one hand he held a brightly colored strip of paper with neat writing on it which he handed to Toshinori. The tall man got up to place it back on the leafy branch beside another written in English.

"Trust me."


BONUS:



"What was <i>that</i> all about?" Elly asked breathlessly as she sat on the edge of Hizashi's Western-style bed. 

"Was all what about?" He'd pulled her to the safety of his room without thinking and though she appeared confortable he was a mess. She'd seen his suite in the city during group outings and parties but never where he slept. Since the dorm only had single rooms with a bath in each she was literally in his bedroom and the thought burned into his brain, flashing like a neon sign and distracting him from anything else. "Whuh - ah... hey, babygirl, yer comin' tonight, yeah?"

"It's your birthday. I'd never miss it." She patted the sheets with a sly grin. "Silk?"

"It's for my hair," he said absently while he searched his desk. "I don't think I hung that up yet. Where the hell did it go?"

"You didn't answer Eri."

"Sure I did!" Hizashi jolted upright, his necklaces jingling. 

"Were you going to ignore what you said and then not answer the other part?" She cocked her head up at him, eyes wide.

"No! Well, what I said, when I meant, I mean what I meant, I ..." He spluttered, stammering and slowly faltering to a stop. Hizashi sat on the bed next to her, his voice dropping lower than his usual tenor. "Okay, yeah. I've fallen in love with you. Was gonna tell you on a date if you said yes, someday, I don't know. I thought maybe after my birthday. But now, uh. I guess it's out." He rubbed nervously at the back of his neck.

"I'm so happy," she sighed, then added, "Despite the fact that it ruins the gift I was planning."

"Gift?"

She kissed him.

Hunger, 5

 Hizashi woke when he heard the toilet flushing in the bathroom. He glanced over at the large-numbered digital clock on the nightstand to see that only a half an hour or so had passed.


"Hey, beautiful," he crooned as Elly shuffled out yawning. She looked wonderful to him with her hair lightly disheveled and sleepy-eyed. Her light skin was flushed in a few places and he worried if he'd been too rough.

She gave him a sour look but smiled nonetheless. "I just looked in the mirror," she grunted, rubbing her face with a shaky hand. "I definitely don't look beautiful. Besides, it's only a matter of time before I'm a raging hormone monster again."

"Don't dis yourself," he reproached gently.

"Bad habit." She shrugged.

"Yeah, well. I think you're beautiful." He yanked the covers back, patting at his thighs. "C'mon over and sit on my lap, babygirl."

"I might be too heavy for that." She tentatively sat and he scooped her up in a big hug facing him.

"Nah, yer fine." He stroked her back and she sighed, then arched into the light caress. "See how nice this is?"

She shivered and kissed his neck. "How's this for nice?"

"Ahhh, you know my weak spots already." Hizashi rolled his head back, letting her lick and tease the skin around his Adam's apple and creeping towards his right ear. "So affectionate," he moaned, his fingers sliding down to grasp the base of her striped tail. "So ...so <i>damn</i>, baby, that feels good."

Elly nuzzled him when he rubbed the fur, stroking up the proper way. "Want you to feel good," she purred. "Love you."

"I love you, too." He tilted her chin up to face him for a kiss, long, slow and deep. "Mmmnnn, thank <i>fuck</i> I was too sexy for you to resist. Was it all the leather? Lotta chicks dig guys in leather."

She snorted laughter. "It looks uncomfortable more than anything."

"Do I look like a big ol' tasty cock -"

"<i>Hizashi!</i>"

"- atiel?" He finished with a sly grin. "You know, with my hair up? Kitties like birds, right -" The air whistled out of him as she pushed him, growling in mock anger.

"You've got a real dirty mouth on you when you're in the bedroom, Mr. Voice Hero."

"And you liiiike it," he sang, his smile showing all his teeth.

"I like <i>you</i>, you idiot. You could dress up as a big banana and I'd still think you were adorable." His answering grin grew ever wider, and she groaned. "Hizashi -"

"Okay, okay! No banana suits." She gave him a stern look and he giggled. "No banana <i>anything</i>, I promise."

"That's better." She kissed his nose. "I know you."

"Aw, that's the <i>friend</i> version. Better than most, but not everything. <i>Now</i> you get an <i>upgrade</i>, baby."

"Mnn." Elly nuzzled closer into his arms and he draped them loosely around her lower body, one hand still rubbing her back. "Is this upgrade for all of you? I mean - what I mean is, ahhhh. Shit." She buried her face in his neck, growling softly.

"Uh oh, you're getting hot again. Ask me quick."

"Yeah, about that. I want... mine. You're mine. I want all of you. Want. <i>Want</i>."

"I read some stuff that said you'd get possesive," he murmured. Then, louder, "it's okay. You've got me, I promise you that."

"...Mic?"

"Hmm?" Hizashi cocked his head to the side, puzzled for a moment. Then it dawned on him. "You want both of me." He scratched his head, patting the damp hair. "Uhhhh... except we didn't bring our hero outfits. You can call me Mic if ya want, though."

She nodded so hard he caught her head in his hands. "Whoa! Yer gonna get whiplash, babygirl. Okay." They swapped positions and he crawled on top of her, naked but different, his attitude amped up as Present Mic. "Hey, pretty kitty. I hear you requested a special setlist? One to <i>rock yer world</i>."

She shivered all over and reached for him, swallowing hard when he deliberately loomed over her, grinning in a demented way with one eye squinted over a raised eyebrow.

"<i>Mic</i>." She moaned the name so urgently he blinked.

"Damn. I was kinda joking before, but my persona really <i>does</i> turn you on, doesn't it?"

"And the outfit's so tight," Elly sighed as she squeezed his rear in one hand, picturing all that leather in her mind.

"That's <i>really</i> hot," he groaned. "Now that I know you were staring at my ass it's gonna be hard to think of anything else at work."

"Not just ass," she husked, licking her lips with her gaze dropping.

"Ohmigod," he wheezed, clutching dramatically at his heart. "You're tellin' me you - you fantasized about my <i>dick</i>? Are you serious right now?! I swear any minute I'm gonna wake up, this can't be real. <i>I'm living a horny teenager's fantasy</i>!"

"Ugh."

"Yeah, fair, but I'm not a kid any more and look at you, nearly passin' out at the thought that this is gonna be in you." He rubbed the firm length on her inner thigh and she shuddered all over with pleasure. "Yeahhhh, you like?"

"Take me, Present Mic," she moaned, her eyes half-lidded and heavy. "<i>Breed me</i>, Voice Hero."

"Whhhhhhoa!" His eyes widened, huge and shocked.

She whimpered and bit her lip shut, shaking her head. Her expression and the thin cry that forced its way out of her throat was an obvious apology.

"No, no! It's okay. Sorry, I was just, uh... don't be scared. Tell Mic the truth, <i>honey</i>." He stressed the last word in English and she melted. "You want my baby, yeah?"

She slowly nodded, fearful of making him upset. But Hizashi only stroked her cheek with the back of one hand. He reminded himself this was what her hormones wanted and that deep down, she knew better. He was supposed to satisfy these cravings and cater to them, not upset her. It's not that he didn't want kids, and he <i>did</i> dream about having them with her, but not, you know, immediately.

He could play into the fantasy for her benefit.

"Lay back," he told her while pushing firmly down so she wouldn't struggle and strain herself. "Lay back and let Mic make you a mommy."

Elly inhaled so sharply he worried for a moment but her ears stayed calmly at the sides of her head. Hizashi smiled, kissed her briefly on the forehead and began.

He could tell he wasn't going to come this time but the sex was still pleasant enough for him to respond to it with low pants and cries. Hers were significantly louder, however, and when he felt her tightening around him he dropped one hand to her hip, slapping lightly to make sure she felt it. "That's it," he groaned when she cried out. "<i>Louder</i>, baby. If you get nice an' <i>loud</i> I'll give you an extra treat."

Hizashi waited until she screamed his hero name in ecstacy before biting the mark he'd made on her neck earlier. Her screams dissolved into a babbling gush of praise, her body shaking underneath him. It was strange to not have one himself, but he'd rather skip a few than get injured.

She was still breathing hard after her eyes opened again, and when their eyes met he saw she was frightened.

"Still?" He asked in a soft voice filled with awe, and, when she nodded, he took a deep breath. "You're okay, we knew this might happen. Let's go to the bathroom again - I've got an idea."

















Monday, May 22, 2023

Hunger, 4

 Elly was exhausted afterwards. She couldn't even cling to him like she wanted, her arms dropping to the bed at the slightest movement. Hizashi wiped her sweaty cheeks and leaned over to dangle off the bed for a moment. Ordinarily she would have teased him about his bare ass wiggling comically around as he crawled, but all she managed was a weak chuckle. There was a mini fridge beside them under a nightstand, and he opened it to find energy drinks and bottled water.


"Sorry 'bout mooning you there, but you'd have seen my scrawny ass up close soon anyway." He unscrewed a water and handed it to her. "Drink a little for me?"


"Mmn." She sipped until it was half empty and he drank the rest. 


Hizashi ran a hand through his ponytail and winced at the sticky feel. "I think it might be a good idea to freshen up, too."


"'Kay." She blinked owlishly up at him when he stood, stretching. He carried her in his arms again, though the room had a wheelchair he could use. Elly noticed this and smiled. 


"All righty - uh, okay. You can sit here." He placed her on the wide edge of the tub and drew the shower curtain back to turn the water on.


"Ouch." Elly squirmed uncomfortably, not wanting to fall.


"Hmm? Whoops, sorry." He helped her uncurl her tail out from under her leg. He seemed distracted for a while, his normal flow of almost constant dialogue away dying down as he scurried about setting the warmth and grabbing toiletries for them.


Elly let her face rest on his hip as he turned back towards her. "Y'okay?" It was a question and he understood immediately. Although too tired to form complete sentences she was still worried about him.


"Heyyyyy." He rubbed her furry ears which had drooped in concern. "Of course I'm okay!"


She snorted, unconvinced. "Zashi."


"All right, um. I've never had a dry orgasm, that's all. It was... different. Not bad," he rushed on to reassure her when she frowned. "It wasn't painful or anything!"


"Oh." The ears didn't move and he bent this time to look into her eyes.


"Our first time was <i>very</i> good for me, baby."


"Oh!" She brightened considerably, her ears perking back up. 


Hizashi chuckled. "You shouldn't be worrying about that," he scolded gently. "Let yourself go, Ches. I mean it. I <i>want</i> to take care of you. Be greedy. Ask for things whenever you want."


She thought for a moment. "Kiss?"


He cupped her chin in his palm and kissed her, a sweet, short kiss that ended up with both of them smiling in a goofy manner at each other. "Man, I think I'm just as addicted to you right now, you know?"


"Good."


"More like <i>awesome</i>," he sang out, enthusiastically adding the last word in English and wiggling his eyebrows at her. He paused for a moment, then gestured grandly at the running water. "And the shower is ready for you, beautiful lady."


Inside the shower Hizashi had to support her often, but it was built for this and had railings and seats inside so it wasn't as much of a hazard with the slippery conditions. He lathered up as fast as he could so he could help her finish what she couldn't reach. The smell of calming lavender soap filled the stall as he rubbed her skin, massaging tired muscles she'd been tensing for hours. 


"Feel better, babe?" He trained the showerhead on her back, rinsing the bubbles away. "Aww, cute. I guess purring means yes."


"Mm hmm."


"We're clean, get ya dried off next and do my hair, then we can relax for a bit." He shook out a big, fluffy cloth rectangle out for her to step into and started with her own shorter purple tresses.


"M'tired," she sighed wistfully after a few minutes, staring at the bed in the other room with undisguised longing. 


Hizashi nodded. "Yeah, me too." He finished towelling her dry and bent to plant a kiss on her nose. "You <i>really</i> don't wanna sleep next to all this wet hair of mine, though. Trust me. Gimme a few minutes an' I'll tuck you in." He snapped his fingers as he stood. "Gotta get my hair dryer."


"They prolly have one."


"Yeah, but mine's better."


She shrugged and watched him while he dried his huge mass of hair. It was interesting to see it turn a lighter color as it dried and began to fluff out. "Pretty," she murmured to herself.


"What's up?" Hizashi snapped the dryer off and ran a hand through before producing a comb from somewhere. He combed and pulled it back into another loose ponytail. 


"Nothin'."


"Oh. Well, in that case, d'ya wanna sleep naked? Or we could wear these robes they gave - oh." He laughed when she hugged him close, rubbing her cheek on his belly. "Naked it is, then."


"Uh huh." This time she stumbled forward when he reached over to get something off the counter, walking on her own willpower. She was determined to reach the safe haven of the bed. It looked terribly inviting and she almost made it before stumbling forward with an irritated huff. 


"Gotcha." Hizashi caught her, swinging her onto the mattress in a single movement. "Don't push yourself, babygirl."


"Meh." 


"I know, I know." He giggled and climbed in beside her, pulling the sheets up on top of them. She immediately curled into position with him as the big spoon, making him smile. "There, snuggle up and we can have a nap." He yawned hugely, reaching around to drape his arm protectively around her waist. "Wake me if you need anything, okay?"


Elly mumbled something in agreement and lay there listening to him rumbling softly behind her until she, too, drifted off.






























































Elly was exhausted afterwards. She couldn't even cling to him like she wanted, her arms dropping to the bed at the slightest movement. Hizashi wiped her sweaty cheeks and leaned over to dangle off the bed for a moment. Ordinarily she would have teased him about his bare ass wiggling comically around as he crawled, but all she managed was a weak chuckle. There was a mini fridge beside them under a nightstand, and he opened it to find energy drinks and bottled water.

"Sorry 'bout mooning you there, but you'd have seen my scrawny ass up close soon anyway."  He unscrewed a water and handed it to her. "Drink a little for me?"

"Mmn." She sipped until it was half empty and he drank the rest.

Hizashi ran a hand through his ponytail and winced at the sticky feel. "I think it might be a good idea to freshen up, too."

"'Kay." She blinked owlishly up at him when he stood, stretching. He carried her in his arms again, though the room had a wheelchair he could use. Elly noticed this and smiled.

"All righty - uh, okay. You can sit here." He placed her on the wide edge of the tub and drew the shower curtain back to turn the water on.

"Ouch." Elly squirmed uncomfortably, not wanting to fall.

"Hmm? Whoops, sorry." He helped her uncurl her tail out from under her leg. He seemed distracted for a while, his normal flow of almost constant dialogue away dying down as he scurried about setting the warmth and grabbing toiletries for them.

Elly let her face rest on his hip as he turned back towards her. "Y'okay?" It was a question and he understood immediately. Although too tired to form complete sentences she was still worried about him.

"Heyyyyy." He rubbed her furry ears which had drooped in concern. "Of course I'm okay!"

She snorted, unconvinced. "Zashi."

"All right, um. I've never had a dry orgasm, that's all. It was... different. Not bad," he rushed on to reassure her when she frowned. "It wasn't painful or anything!"

"Oh." The ears didn't move and he bent this time to look into her eyes.

"Our first time was <i>very</i> good for me, baby."

"Oh!" She brightened considerably, her ears perking back up.

Hizashi chuckled. "You shouldn't be worrying about that," he scolded gently. "Let yourself go, Ches. I mean it. I <i>want</i> to take care of you. Be greedy. Ask for things whenever you want."

She thought for a moment. "Kiss?"

He cupped her chin in his palm and kissed her, a sweet, short kiss that ended up with both of them smiling in a goofy manner at each other. "Man, I think I'm just as addicted to you right now, you know?"

"Good."

"More like <i>awesome</i>," he sang out, enthusiastically adding the last word in English and wiggling his eyebrows at her. He paused for a moment, then gestured grandly at the running water. "And the shower is ready for you, beautiful lady."

Inside the shower Hizashi had to support her often, but it was built for this and had railings and seats inside so it wasn't as much of a hazard with the slippery conditions. He lathered up as fast as he could so he could help her finish what she couldn't reach. The smell of calming lavender soap filled the stall as he rubbed her skin, massaging tired muscles she'd been tensing for hours.

"Feel better, babe?" He trained the showerhead on her back, rinsing the bubbles away. "Aww, cute. I guess purring means yes."

"Mm hmm."

"We're clean, get ya dried off next and do my hair, then we can relax for a bit." He shook out a big, fluffy cloth rectangle out for her to step into and started with her own shorter purple tresses.

"M'tired," she sighed wistfully after a few minutes, staring at the bed in the other room with undisguised longing.

Hizashi nodded. "Yeah, me too." He finished towelling her dry and bent to plant a kiss on her nose. "You <i>really</i> don't wanna sleep next to all this wet hair of mine, though. Trust me. Gimme a few minutes an' I'll tuck you in." He snapped his fingers as he stood. "Gotta get my hair dryer."

"They prolly have one."

"Yeah, but mine's better."

She shrugged and watched him while he dried his huge mass of hair. It was interesting to see it turn a lighter color as it dried and began to fluff out. "Pretty," she murmured to herself.

"What's up?" Hizashi snapped the dryer off and ran a hand through before producing a comb from somewhere. He combed and pulled it back into another loose ponytail.

"Nothin'."

"Oh. Well, in that case, d'ya wanna sleep naked? Or we could wear these robes they gave - oh." He laughed when she hugged him close, rubbing her cheek on his belly. "Naked it is, then."

"Uh huh." This time she stumbled forward when he reached over to get something off the counter, walking on her own willpower. She was determined to reach the safe haven of the bed. It looked terribly inviting and she almost made it before stumbling forward with an irritated huff.

"Gotcha." Hizashi caught her, swinging her onto the mattress in a single movement. "Don't push yourself, babygirl."

"Meh."

"I know, I know." He giggled and climbed in beside her, pulling the sheets up on top of them. She immediately curled into position with him as the big spoon, making him smile. "There, snuggle up and we can have a nap." He yawned hugely, reaching around to drape his arm protectively around her waist. "Wake me if you need anything, okay?"

Elly mumbled something in agreement and lay there listening to him rumbling softly behind her until she, too, drifted off.























































































Monday, May 15, 2023

Hunger, 3

 He tried to drive carefully but Hizashi did admit to himself later that he probably took a few chances he shouldn't have onnthe way to the Mating Center. Chiyo had given him directions since Elly had been going already for some time. He also didn't dwell too much about this information until they were in a room being seen by a specialist.


The man was small and quick - a rabbit-headed anthro that wasn't effected by feline heats but could still very much appreciate the driving need for sex in animal-human hybrids. 


He checked a tablet he held in one hand and nodded. "We have to move fast - according to her records, she's had many already. Multiple heats can be incredibly painful."


Hizashi whimpered but said nothing, only tightened his grip on her for a moment. She groaned loudly as the doctor checked her pulse and ran a few minor physical tests. 


"We didn't wait too long, did we, doc?" Hizashi's face twisted with worry. "I wasn't sure, but then she said we had to come here."


"No... no. She's far along, but fine." He stood and addressed the blond-haired man with a keen eye. "It's <i>you</i> I'm more concerned about. Sit."


"What? Why?"


"Yamada Hizashi... a.k.a Present Mic. The Voice Hero." He raised a bushy eyebrow as the hero shrugged. 


"Uh huh."


"You took a dampener already, yes? You sound strained."


He nodded. "Yeah. Pro strength; it should last a few hours. No shouting for me."


"We won't administer another yet, then. You <i>do</i> need another type of restraining medicine, however." He reached into a drawer and pulled out a pre-filled syringe. "You signed the paperwork but I doubt you read it all due to the hasty nature of your entrance. Did you notice the section on male orgasms?"


Hizashi coughed lightly. "I read enough to see that you gotta stop some, otherwise, uh, it's bad. I don't know how you can, though..?"


The doctor held up the needle. "Quirk infused medicine, like your dampener. You'll have dry orgasms until it wears off." He flicked it once, then administered the shot in Hizashi's hastily offered arm. "Otherwise you'd hurt yourself. Be careful and aware - if, at any point, you see blood in your semen, notify us straight away."


"Does that happen?!" He sounded horrified and Elly fussed a little, reaching blindly out for him in concern. 


"Zashi..?"


"Sorry. M'okay, babe." He took her hand in his and squeezed it.


"It would definitely happen <i>without</i> the shot. With it now, you should be fine. Just be alert. The medicine has the added effect of upping your own libido as well, so your turn around time will be faster. Think back to when you were a teenager, for instance. You'll be able to easily keep up with her."


"Uh huh."


"Ready?"


"I - I guess." He picked her up and the furry-headed man smiled. 


"Don't worry. You're both in good hands. We've done this countless times before and our staff is discreet."


"Thanks."


"We're putting you in one of our more heavily soundproofed rooms. Ito? <i>Ito!</i> There he is. Take this couple to B-3, yes? Thank you."


"Thanks again," Hizashi called out before dashing after the nurse that appeared. 


It was a bit of a walk to their rooms although they hurried. Ito had a mass of tentacles below a white lab coat and his fingers ended in long, green tendrils as well. These undulated restlessly as they made their way down the halls, passing fewer people as they neared the patients' wing. Once inside the man sighed and glanced around to make sure they were alone. 


"I'm glad she finally came here with someone," Ito told him confidentially, dropping his voice low just in case. "She's been having heats for months now, and they get worse every time she's not mated." He cleared his throat then, gesturing at the door in front of them. "All righty." The nurse tucked the tablet away as Hizashi carried her inside. "Your medicine should be kicking in and this suite has everything you two need. If you want anything or have questions, use the panel over here by the door. We'll buzz the intercom here if we need to administer medicine or are delivering stuff. Okay?"


"Thanks, man." He flashed the guy a full-on Present Mic smile and he seemed relieved. 


"No problem. Good luck."


The door latched shut behind them and Hizashi took a deep breath before poking his head in the back rooms. One was a gigantic bathroom set with a double wide shower, seats included set into the wall and a handheld showerhead. There was a huge whirlpool tub as well and lots of towels stacked up on the counter. He passed this into the other room which had the bed. It was king-sized and looked comfortable and brand new.


"There we go," he sighed as he hefted her up onto the plain cotton sheets. Elly winced, clutching her lower stomach for a moment, and he blinked as he recalled what everyone had been telling him. "So you've been having these by yourself. You've been here before. You - you, but they both said - an' Chiyo, too -- how painful it... is..." He trailed off when she let out a needy whimper. 


"Please."


"Yeah." Hizashi pulled his shirt over his head, modulating his voice very carefully as he spoke. Gentle and honey-smooth, it flowed over her as he stripped. "Yeah, no more fussin', baby. You're not alone anymore; I've <i>got</i> you." He reached for her, soothing her while her clothing was removed with loving hands. When she was finally nude she started squirming, twisting the sheets underneath as she writhed uncontrollably. 


Hizashi put a stop to this by simply laying on her. "It's okay," he crooned, kissing the mark on her neck. She grew still with a gasp and he kissed her again before shifting his weight around. "Wrap your arms an' legs around me, okay? <i>There</i> you go. H - hold me." He drew in a shaky breath. Having her this close at last while she trembled, frightened by the intensity of her needs but <i>trusting</i> him was almost too much. This was having an effect on him as well.


"<i>There</i>."


He thrust carefully, moving slow until he bottomed out and their bellies were touching. "Oh, babe..." He closed his eyes, mouth parted while straining to control himself. "Fffff<i>uck</i>."


"Yes!"


He laughed despite himself. "Okay, okay."


Hizashi knew sex was different when you were in love. He'd never been this committed, however, this <i>certain</i>, of his partner being the one he wanted forever. It shocked him as he moved to a steady beat, thrusting as evenly as he could while his brain struggled to make sense of the overload of stimuli. 


He gave up as his inevitable orgasm began crushing him, the familiar pressure mounting as he neared release. 


"You close, baby?" He shuddered and dropped his head to hers, trying to read the pleasured contortions of her face. When that didn't work he tried another tactic. "C'mon, sweet listener, come for Present Mic."


She twitched, startled, and then froze for a moment. "H - Hih... oh god, <i>Mic</i>!"


Hizashi cried out as her body tightened around him. "Oh shit, me too!"



Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Hunger, 2

 Hizashi took her to his home in heart of the city - a huge floor above the agency he and Aizawa worked out of. He parked in the underground garage and tried to move as quickly as possible so no one would notice. It was the most secure place but not the best for privacy, as he had to carry her past a few people coming to work. Thankfully no one said anything although he could feel the weight of their stares as he made his way to the elevator.


<i>Might have to question a few people tommorow if photos get leaked</i>, he thought, distracted, as he pressed the number to his floor. Once inside he went directly to the bedroom and sat her on a comfortable chair. 


"Just a minute, okay? I gotta get the bed ready." He dug around in a nearby cabinet and tossed a pair of sheets on the night stand.


Elly stared at him for a moment with hooded eyes, watching him carefully as he ripped the top layer off the bed and started tucking in a new one. And then, as he bent to throw another blanket on, she hesitantly moved towards him.


"Not yet," he snapped. She blinked at him, startled. Her eyes narrowed and she reached for him again. "<i>Not yet</i>. You need to wait. I'm more than happy to fuck you silly, but at least let me change the bed sheets. I sleep on silk, and we'd definitely ruin 'em with, ah, assorted bodily fluids."


She sat back, her tail whipping around in agitation. "Ugh."


"Sorry." He smoothed the sheets one more time and looked back over his shoulder, his expression softening. "That wasn't very cool of me to lose it like that. Plus it ain't your fault." Hizashi sat and rested his elbows on his knees, slowly sinking his face in his hands. "I just don't know why you chose <i>me</i>," he groaned. "I've been too <i>busy</i> to <i>get busy</i>, babe."


She gave him a puzzled look. "You mean..?"


"I'm not very experienced," he clarified flatly, sitting up.


She stayed still, though her ears slowly laid back.


"It sucks to hafta admit this, but I haven't even had sex in a couple years." He scratched the back of his neck where wispy blond hairs feathered down to tickle. "Two years and six months, to be more exact."


Elly's expression grew conflicted. He saw something like shock flicker in her dark, purple eyes and then sadness and resignation. "Oh."


"Jealous? I mean, ya didn't expect a thirty-year-old virgin, right?" He arched an eyebrow curiously, surprised when she nodded in a grudging manner. "Hey, that's super flattering. C'mere." He patted the bed invitingly but she remained where she was. 


"What's wrong, babe?"


"I need -" She shook her head and tried again, her voice strained, "Zashi, I <i>want</i> you."


"That's why we're here!" He gestured grandly around them. "I want you, too, yeah? Why're you suddenly shy?"


"I can see clearly, now," she muttered to herself, rubbing at her eyes. "I should've recognized the warning signs and stayed away."


"Uh..."


"It hurts. Sorry, but this is so hard -" Elly took a very long, deep breath and forced herself to look directly into his eyes. "Hizashi," she said quietly, "If you're not in love with me, drop me off at the center. Please. My want for you goes deeper than just sex."


He blinked at her, struggling to think past the scrambled thoughts and emotions rushing to the surface.


<i>Love. Of course. But - how can she think I don't</i>love <i>her</i>?!


Hizashi Yamada was a clever man, but he'd never seen this coming. They'd spent a year working together, and, unlike how he treated his other colleagues, he crammed extra time into an already tight schedule to see her. Lunches and hurried breakfasts together, dinners even when they were working late. And there was more, for he'd gone to counseling sessions that he admittedly needed but never bothered with until she came along. They also enjoyed casual, fun nights out with the other teachers where he sometimes forgot to mention no one else was coming so they could be alone... sure, they weren't together all the time, but he made certain he was with her every chance he got.


"I thought you knew how I felt," he said simply.


"Wh - what?"


"I thought you knew." He shrugged and smiled at her, a hint of exasperation showing in his tightly drawn eyebrows. 


"I knew we were friends -"


"Only thing I didn't do was yell it from the rooftops, baby."


"I can see why <i>you</i> wouldn't do that." She got up and sat on the bed, though her body language showed she was tense.


His smile grew mischevious, and he stood up and walked over to the patio doors that led to a small balcony outside. A quick click to unlock and glide of the heavy door was all it took for him to lean out into the bright, sunny afternoon. Plenty of people were milling around on the streets below the agency, as this was an active neighborhood, and the businesses around them and across the street were full. 


"<i>Hey hey, you ready to hear some big news, listeners</i>!?" He waited a fraction of a second before taking a deep breath to use a voice that could be heard across the neighborhood but carefully modulated so as to not be disruptive. "<b><i>I'M IN LOVE WITH CHESHIRE</i></b>!"


She sat there, stunned into insensibility with her eyes wider than wide. "<i>Hizashi</i>!"


"What?" He waved at the people who stopped to clap or cheer, grinning hugely. "I'm proud of the choices I made in my life and <i>you're</i> -" He pointed at her nose, wiggling his finger and grinning like a madman, "one of the best."


"No one's ever done anything like that for me before," Elly said slowly. She watched him with a puzzled frown. "You - you really <i>want</i> people to know we're together?"


"Sure, babe." Hizashi sat beside her, his features mirroring hers in confusion. "Why wouldn't I?"


"I don't know," she murmured. "I guess... no, later. I - I trust you. I'm scared, but I know you're telling the truth."


"Scared?" He framed the word as a question, not really getting it.


"I love you so much it hurts," she said with a little shrug. "And, uh, speaking of hurt, I'm starting to cramp up. I think it's wearing off."


"Chiyo said once I make a move, you'll lose your inhibitions again." He paused to lay a hand over his heart. "I understand you're scared, but is it okay? Are you ready, babygirl? I promise I'll do my best to take care of you."


Elly swallowed very deliberately, concentrating on her breathing before looking him in the eyes. "Yes. I want this. You."


"A'ight, then." He took a deep breath and reached out, cupping her chin in one gloved hand. "Hang on, 'cause I'm about to rock your world."


She giggled despite her nerves. "Hizash -"


He moved swiftly, cutting her off with a quick but gentle brush on her lips. When it was received with a sigh and arms sliding around his neck he pressed longer, then harder, faster until they were kissing deeply and passionately.


"Yes... Zashi yes, mnn, <i>yes</i>."


"Holy shit, babe," he gasped, parting slightly to whisper in awe. "These're just <i>kisses</i>. How wrecked are ya gonna be when my mouth is busy someplace else, hmm?" He trailed lower, nibbling gently along her jawline as he continued. "Like your neck? All <i>kinds</i> of stories told about how sensitive that gets. That true?"


Her breathing heavy, she nodded and turned in response to grant him access. Hizashi saw a blotchy, red patch on the pale skin and kissed it lightly.


Though warned, he was unprepared for her reaction. One hand tugged hard on the long leather collar of his jacket, pulling him closer. The other caressed the back of his neck, urging him on. The act of giving herself to him so completely was ecstacy and she grew limp in his arms, eyelids fluttering as he kissed her cheeks and mouth, lips trailing back to the blush on her neck again.


"<i>Bite</i>," she pleaded in a thick, syrupy voice. 


"That's what you need, hmm? You want my mark on you?" He pressed his teeth on the spot and she shuddered violently. "How hard, lover?"


"Don't," she took a quick, tearing gasp, "know."


"Right," he murmured. "You're mine, yeah? That's what this is all about?"


"Yes."


"Am - am I your first marking?"


"<i>Yes.</i>" 


Hizashi groaned, his eyes squeezing tight. "Sh - shit. My special, my only babygirl."


"<i>Yes</i>!" The bite was minimal but served its purpose; she trembled all over underneath him as he bent over her on the bed, teeth sank lightly into her skin. The mark darkened where his teeth touched but the rest of the blush faded away, leaving an imprint he knew was traceable back to him. Hizashi murmured softly and kissed her, nuzzling with affection. 


"It's done," he cooed in a soothing tone. "I hope it was good for you, babe."


She nodded in a daze. "Want..." Elly trailed off, whimpering and upset she couldn't communicate properly. "Zashi..."


He ran a hand through his hair, bringing some of it down, and watched her try for a few minutes before stepping in. "Lemme guess. You're a fidgety, clingy mess - grabbing at me with yer arms 'n legs..." He whistled lightly when she dug at his back, tearing at his jacket. "Hmm! I'm not <i>naked</i> enough? Takin' a little too long for you?"


"Off," she growled, irritated she couldn't touch skin. 


Hizashi laughed and sat up, tossing the coat easily and smirking as he grabbed the bottom of his white t-shirt. He tugged where it was tucked into his leather pants, revealing a creamy strip of skin. She lay there, her eyes locked onto him, while he smoothly pulled it over his head and arms. More of his hair fell down around him as he did and he absently ran his fingers through as he reached on the night table for a band to tie it back.


He worked out, of course, as most heroes did. It was a necessity they be in prime physical condition for the job. Hizashi wasn't built like a weightlifter, but he had firmly defined muscles that protruded enough to be impressive. His costume was bulky and hid this, with the top loose and tighter clothing black, giving him a more lanky appearance to most people.


But Elly knew.


She'd seen him with just a shirt quite a few times, even though he dressed in layers even when casual. His shoulders and the way the shirts rode tight across his chest had been a giveaway, and she had been right. 


What she <i>hadn't</i> known was how much body hair he would have, and ended up pleasantly surprised. Between the rounded pectorals lay a fuzzy, small mat of gold, slightly darker against the pale skin. As her gaze wandered, she saw more, a light dusting that began at his navel and trailed down into his pants. 


Her breathing grew rougher and she swallowed hard once. She said the only thing that came to mind, that everything about the moment and him was -


"Perfect."


He actually blushed; a burn that started at his ears and crept down his cheeks to his neck. "Aww, no way."


"<i>Yes.</i>"


"Well I guess you got a strong opinion - hey, whoo!" He sucked in a huge gasp as her hands began to grope him. "Okay, yeah, I get it. Yer not lyin', ohhh. Oh god. Fuck, yeah, <i>feel me up</i>." He moaned as she continued her exploration of his body, entranced by his scent and starting to lick and kiss as well as touch. He yelped once when she bit down on a nipple, but after that she was considerably gentler. 


Elly was intoxicated; she could have easily gotten drunk on his smell and taste alone. The cocktail of hormones inside her had a lot to do with getting her into this situation, but she knew she would have felt the same being this close in the end. Nothing mattered but <i>Hizashi</i> and her love and desire for him. She became far bolder in heat than she might have been for their first time, and he writhed and whined under the onslaught of affection.


He was, well - loud.


And maybe that wasn't the best way to describe it, but rather <i>talkative</i>, though he did rattle the windowpanes a few times early on. 


"H - huh - <i>holy shit</i>!" He exclaimed in English when her hands cupped the bulge in his tight leather pants. "I can't - I'm gonna come in my pants like a kid, wait!"


Amazingly this got through to her and she fell back, panting with her hair mussed and her eyes half-lidded. "Kiss me," she begged, and he was happy to comply. However inexperienced he claimed to be Hizashi was an excellent kisser and she was lost within seconds. He parted at last with a satisfied hum, caressing her cheeks with his palms. The leather hindered his feeling her skin and he nodded to himself.


"Gotta get rid of these gloves," he muttered, nipping the material with his teeth. "Gloves, glasses an' pants. Then <i>you're</i> next." The first two were easy but it took awhile for the last. The pants were tight and she watched, amazed, as he peeled them off like shedding a second skin. His lower half was rather impeccably groomed, but at the moment all she was focused on was his sex. He was on the long side, fairly large but slender with his erection curling up towards his belly in the most photogenic manner. She wildly thought of some classical sculptures she'd seen before she was brought back to reality by him swearing faintly at a packet of pills. Elly touched the box beside them and he shrugged. 


"Quirk dampener. I doubt I've got the restraint to be quiet an' I don't wanna blow out your eardrums." Hizashi paused, scratching his chest absently while he thought. "Uh... I'm not sure, but do we hafta do this without condoms? <i>I'll wear 'em if you want me to, I swear</i>," he rushed out as fast as he could. "I'm not that kind of ass."


"S'okay," she muttered, shivering at the thought of him losing control. "We're both clean."


"Good," he whispered in a low, sultry voice. "Then the dampener's all the protection you're gettin', babygirl. I'll fuck you raw until you're full of me."


His choice of words, however, had an unexpecred effect on Elly. Her entire body jerked and she hissed sharply. "Wait!"


Hizashi swore as he threw himself to the side, pulling a calf muscle in the process. "Ches? Oh no. <i>No no no no no</i>..." He stroked her cheek, hazel eyes filled with worry. "You okay? What d'ya need?"


"Need," she ground out between clenched teeth. "Need..."


"Mating center?" Hizashi dropped his hand to massage his leg with a grimace, struggling to work out the cramp as fast as possible.


"Yes." She nodded and then flopped on the bed face down, the effort to communicate so difficult it drained her for a moment. 


"Okay, yeah." He got up and yanked a pair of sweatpants on, rushing to grab his overnight bag. A check of texts on his phone showed Aizawa had thoughtfully dropped one off for her sometime during their frantic lovemaking. "Clothes, clothes..." Hizashi popped the front door, grabbed it and dug through the bag, dressing her much the same. As he was pulling the shirt over her head Elly batted his arm weakly.


"Zashi."


"What ya need? Oh!" She licked the underside of his wrist, staring at him with pleading eyes. "I'll kiss ya in the elevator. We gotta go, yo. The docs will know what to do." He shrugged the two bags onto each shoulder and picked her up since she was weaving unsteadily on her feet. Once inside the elevator, Hizashi pushed a button as she clung drunkenly on him, pawing at his chest.


A couple minutes later the doors opened and they didn't notice at first, mouths and hands far too busy to care about anything other than the exploration of each others' bodies. It wasn't until a loud cough broke the silence that they paused for a moment to face the open doors.


They were at the wrong floor.


It was <i>not</i> the garage.


They were at the <i>work</i> floor this time.


Employees stared at them in various stages of shock, hands held loosely with coffee cups dripping onto the floor and papers scattered they'd dropped. One even had a donut hanging from his mouth mid-bite.


Hizashi's glasses slipped, his eyes wide under the lenses with a blush spreading across his nose and cheeks. "Fuck," he muttered crossly.


Hunger like no other, 1

 A small group gathered in the teacher's lounge one morning at U.A. It was spearheaded by the gossipy Midnight - aka Kayama Nemuri -- and unfortunately the school's counselor found herself part of it. Kayama steered the conversation unerringly towards the latest hero romances, picking apart those she considered unworthy and praising others.


Elly wrinkled her nose. "Uh, guys... can we not talk about this?"

Kayama's gleefully focused on her. "Oh? I guess we could talk about the guys we work with... <i>how about Yamada</i>." She spoke this last so quickly it was clearly planned ahead of time.

"Uh!"

"Talk about what?"

"I don't know." The dark-haired woman lounged casually on her side of the couch, tapping her bright red nails on the arm. "How bad do you think he is in bed?"

"Kayama!"

"The cat's tail puffed out," Ryo muttered, snickering before adding, "C'mon, Midnight. Not cool."

"He probably has sex on his back." Kayama chuckled, ignoring them both.

Elly frowned at this, her cheeks already burning so hot at the thoughts rising unbidden in her mind she took off her gloves to cup them in her palms. "What?"

"Because he can only fuck up!"

The counselor's mouth dropped open and her prolonged wheeze could have been heard if Kayama hadn't erupted in raucous laughter.

"I bet he's an <i>excellent</i> lover," she countered firmly when she could speak, her ears laying back into her hair. "He's kind, so he'd care about a - a partner, and he's fun to be around -"

"Don't forget <i>loud</i>."

"Hound Dog!"

"Ha!" Kayama pointed at her with a wink. "I bet he doesn't even -"

Elly shook her head, letting out a harsh cough that caused them all to jump. Anan, who had not been participating in the chat and was sitting quietly in a corner mending a tear in her space suit, suddenly spoke up. "Hey, uh... you all right, Cheshire?"

"Nnrgh," came the pained reply. The purple-haired woman pushed her chair back and stood, her eyes scanning the room. Her cheeks were fully flushed and her tail fluffed out in all directions as she started to sway drunkenly back and forth.

"What's wrong?!"

"Allergies?"

"Aroof! The <i>hell</i> is going on?!"

At this point the door at the end of the room opened and the subject of their lively discussion strolled in, casually shooting finger guns at them all. "Hey," he called out cheerfully. "'Sup everyone?"

He got no farther before Elly pounced at him, grasping the huge collar of his jacket and entwining her legs with his. They collapsed to the floor, Hizashi yelping in shock. Everyone else rushed out the door in confusion to watch from a safe distance.

He managed to buffer the fall at least, and, gathering his wits about him, turned his attention to the counselor.

"What's wrong with -"

She kissed him, and for several seconds his mind went completely blank. The kiss was somewhat fleeting because their neck gear prevented them from coming fully together, but she managed. He clutched at her waist, his fingers spasming with every desperate lick and nibble.

"<i>Mic</i>." Elly growled irritably under her breath, biting at his speaker until he reached up with a shaking hand to unfasten it. Once removed, his neck lay completely bare. Upon witnessing the pale, smooth expanse of skin she gave a tiny mew of pleasure before nuzzling close. He noticed she was feverish to the touch and seemed intoxicated, her body tense and clingy.

Hizashi suddenly realized why Aizawa had been sending him emails and text links about anthro heat cycles lately.

Good thing he'd read most of them.

"Oh. <i>Hey</i>, now."

"Is everyone all right? What happened?" A cough introduced Yagi, peering around the door behind with the small group cowering behind him. Elly bared her teeth and Hizashi tightened his grip.

"I'm okay. Ches is, ahhh... indisposed, though." He figured the best tactic was to treat the situation as if she would attack and planned accordingly. "Bell's rung, after the halls clear we're gonna go see Recovery Girl. The rest of you," he placed his hand very carefully on top of her head, stroking gently before continuing, "do <i>not</i> make any moves toward us, yeah? 'Specially Thirteen an' Midnight."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Kayama took a nervous step back. The cat woman's eyes were fixed on her at the moment and they did <i>not</i> look friendly.

"I'm hetero, yo." Hizashi shrugged. "She knows that, and I'm guessing from her reactions it makes her want to claw ladies' eyes out to keep 'em all from me."

"How very romantic," Yagi murmured.

"<i>Romantic</i>? I'd call it barbaric!"

"Well, yes. Err... you're the one she's going to attack. I can see that."

Anan giggled faintly from inside her helmet. She rightly assumed she'd be pretty safe as she hadn't been antagonizing her colleague. She held back as they passed, however, not wanting to chance the wild look in Elly's eyes.

Though it was mostly empty in the halls, Hizashi did come into awkward contact with a few students. He offered a flashy smile and hurried explanation that he was taking the counselor to the nurse and she'd be fine. He bundled her in his jacket for safety's sake, and she was quite happily purring, surrounded by his scent and warmth.

At last they reached the nurse's office and he barged in without knocking. "Hey, I gotta problem here!"

The old woman took one look at the situation and nodded. "Ahhh, induced heat. She warned me that this might happen."

Hizashi sat heavily in a chair, hands splayed over the lump he was carrying. "She what," he said flatly.

"Oh, relax. You both needed some time off, anyway. You're workaholics by nature."

"Uhhh, that's not what I was confused about. She knew this might happen? So she told you she liked me?"

"Everyone knew but you!" She handed him a pamphlet and he shrugged as he glanced at it. "Read this."

"Aizawa already sent me a ton of stuff."

"Good. Then you're ready. Take breaks," Chiyo told him brusquely as she was stuffing bottles into a bag for them. "<i>Hydrate</i> and make sure you both eat enough <i>real food</i> - not just junk! I'll get staff to periodically drop supplies off at your agency. That's where you'll go, right?" He nodded and she continued on. "I sent a link to your email telling you approximately how much she needs to eat. It's a lot more than normal, don't be surprised." She paused, her concerned frown growing deeper. "You really should go to a mating center, you know. They can help better."

He made a face. "They monitor the couples, don't they. I'm not sure I like that..?"

"Shyness," the old woman grunted. "From you, of all people."

"I'm not shy," he snapped, angrily snatching the proferred bag. "It's normal not to want others to watch <i>that</i>!"

"Just make sure she's responding to you," she warned. "If she starts sleeping too much or passes out, <i>go to a center right away</i>."

"Yeah," he nodded, agreeing with her. "No, I won't risk her health. I love her, yo. I'll do anything... even that."

She ignored his heartfelt confession. "This," she said, holding up a needle, "is a shot to hold it at bay for a bit. In a little while she'll be able to talk coherently and make decisions - that is, until you make a move on her or it wears off."

Elly hated drugs of any kind but was too entranced with Hizashi to care. She didn't flinch when the shot was administered and he murmured soft encouragement.

"Brave baby," he told her proudly. Then, to Chiyo, "How long 'til it wears off?"

"You planning on keeping her waiting?" She tapped her syringe-shaped cane on the floor and gave him a pointed look. "Heats hurt, you know - especially triggered attacks like this."

"No <i>way</i> I'm gonna let her hurt." Hizashi whined at the idea of Elly in pain. "I just wanna know how long I got!"

"All right, calm down." She pursed her lips, thinking. "Maybe half an hour. As long as you don't rile her up, like I said. Once you start, you better be prepared to see this through."

Friday, March 24, 2023

Shopping

 The Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall boasted a new gift shop that had a knack for finding "perfect" gifts for the special people in your life. 


Hizashi was impressed with the selection both in the store and the console catalog, but wanted to see if he could up the ante a bit. After waiting patiently for awhile a clerk was finally free and she smiled at him to indicate she was ready to help.


He flashed her his own winning smile and added a finger gun for good measure. "Hey there! I'm looking for some gifts for my girl and hope you can help me out."


"What does your girlfriend like, sir?"


"She really likes <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> stuff." Hizashi paused, then added quickly, "but not anything relating to the hero Cheshire. Just the characters in the book. Maybe, uh, movies too."


A young woman nearby turned to give him a sour look. "Doesn't like the hero? Why not? Because she's a woman?"


He blinked, startled, and opened his mouth to reply ...only to close it again just as fast. <i>Shop's fillled with people and people don't know about us yet - careful.</i> "Um."


"Women need to support, not to tear each other down," she insisted, frowning. The embarrassed clerk didn't know which way to look and Hizashi was wondering how he could get out of this situation gracefully. 


She wouldn't let him get a word edgewise in, however, and started asking more questions. "If she's jealous of a hero that you'll never meet is she the right one for you? Huh?"


He chuckled, a flush burning across the bridge of his nose. "I, uh, doubt she's jealous of her."


"Oh? Have you ever told her you think she's hot?"


"My girl? Of course -!"


"No. Cheshire! Have you ever said that in front of her?"


"Ahhh..." He started to sweat. <i>There's no way this doesn't end up with me outing we're a couple. Like, no freaking way.</i>


"So you told your girlfriend you think another woman is attractive, and you think she's not jealous." A small crowd had gathered around them by now, attracted by the woman's wildly gestulating arms and her loud voice. 


"Aw, c'mon," he tried a different tactic, smiling as much as he could under the circumstances. "Lyin' ain't a good look on anyone, right? And it's not what you think. Really." 


She cut him off on another tirade. Now some young folks off to the side were recording, certain they might have a potential viral hit on their hands. 


<i>And they do,</i> he thought, <i>but it's<i> not <i> what they think.</i>


Hizashi sighed, seeing that there was no avoiding the confession without creating further mayhem. He reached into his back pocket and took his wallet out while she stared accusingly at him. 


"I'm sorry you feel that way, <i>listener</i>," he stressed as he showed her his hero I.D., "but my girlfriend doesn't want to collect merchandise of <i>herself</i>. It's kinda tacky, yanno?"


Baffled, the woman blinked several times at the photo and then at him. Long blond hair, doubled - no, tripled -- into a bun at the back of his head, the spiralling hazel eyes, sunglasses... and one very recognizable mustache. 


There <i>it is</i>. He groaned inwardly as recognition flooded her taught features. 


"Oh!" She paused, and then, incredibly yet inevitably added, "Can I get your autograph?"