Chapter 14: Surrender

Toshinori stood on the balcony of the night club, powered down to his thin form now and breathing in the night air, trying to relax a little. For some reason he was feeling overwhelmed, something he really wasn't used too. Being number one hero for so long with the entire world counting on you tended to make you used to the constant pressure, but Maddie seemed to escalate everything one hundred-fold. He was startled by a sudden crash and turned to see her arrive on the balcony, announcing her arrival by falling over a table.

"Shit," she grumbled, "who put that there."

Toshinori walked over to her and helped her up, righting the table in the process. "Are you alright," he asked.

"Yeah, sorry, Midnight shoved me out here and I guess I fell over that table," she lightly chuckled.

"Did you drink too much again?"

"Haha, yeah, I usually never do this. Must be something about this country," she looked up at his concerned face and felt guilty about trying to wash him away with alcohol. "I'm sorry, I'll try and do better. Anyway, you wanted to talk?"

"Uh, yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at her swirling eyes. "Though I don't really know how much you're going to remember. You look pretty drunk."

"Then it's perfect," she smiled

"This is serious, Maddie."

"Oho, now it's serious? Ok, you want to get serious, well tell me why then. Why are you so damn frustrating? I can't figure out what the fuck you want. First you try and kiss me, then you tell me to back off, then you dance with me, and then you pull back, and now you want to be serious?"

"Ever stopped to think you may be doing the exact same thing to me?"

"Well I don't see how that's possible when everyone keeps telling me I'm a perfect angel and I should stop doubting myself," she nearly yelled. "I have news for you all, I'm not fucking perfect! I've got a lot of issues. Why do you care so much anyways? You're All Might! You should be in there talking to all the famous people where you belong. Not out here, worrying about a drunk, crazy, anti-social support hero." She spun around as she ranted, coming close to the edge of the balcony and looking down into the street. She immediately collapsed to the ground, head spinning with the sudden realization she was up high on the second story of the club, her fear of heights enhanced by the alcohol in her bloodstream. She couldn't take it anymore. She had tried to stay strong and tried to keep her promise to herself that she wasn't going to cry in front of him, but she broke and the tears started flowing.

Toshinori was immediately at her side. He put his arms around her and drew her in close to his thin frame. "It's alright, I'm here," he said softly. "I'm so sorry if I caused any of this self-doubt you're experiencing. But I do care, and I can't stop caring for you. I think you're perfect just the way you are, flaws and all, no matter what you feel about yourself. It's not about being something you're not, it's about accepting and loving yourself for who you are."

She threw her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shirt and he held her, trying to pour all his feelings for her through their embrace. She pushed her face into his neck, breathing heavily and trying to slow down her crying. "Will you take me home? I don't want to be here anymore. It's loud and... high," she managed to whisper.

"Ok," he said, "Hold on tight."

He powered up then and there. Using the last of his strength to lift her into the air and take off from the balcony. He didn't have much left in him, so he took her to the closest place, his penthouse apartment.

It was at the top of a nice apartment building downtown. He had his own private elevator and front porch, so most people wouldn't see him coming and going. It was mostly for show and because he had to have some sort of address. The truth was he hardly ever used the place, preferring to hang out at his hero agency or go on patrol. Though recently, with his power levels being reduced so drastically, he had frequented it more often. He landed on the front porch and unlocked the door with the hand print lock panel. Once inside, the automatic lights came on and he set Maddie down on the couch and powered back down to his true form with relief.

"Is this where you live?" she asked, looking around and distracted from her feelings by his apartment.

"Uh, sometimes," he shrugged. "Sorry, I didn't have enough power to take you home. Let me rest up a little and maybe I can manage it later."

"I can always take a cab," she said.

"Oh yeah," he chuckled nervously. "Um, would you like something to drink? Some water? I can show you around first before you go?"

"Sure, I'll take some water, thank you."

He got up and went to the kitchen and she had a better chance to really take his apartment in. It was beautiful. She could probably fit ten of her apartments in it. It was so spacious and clean cut, no clutter, everything crisp and new and in its place. Almost like a museum, like no one lived there. On one wall there were massive ceiling to floor windows that looked out over the city. She could see the twinkling lights of Musutafu City at night far below her. So enchanting. She didn't feel afraid of how high up the apartment was, it felt safe, and she gazed in wonder at the view.

She turned to him as he came out of the kitchen with a glass of water. "It's so beautiful. How do you ever leave this place?" she said, taking the offered glass.

"Well, to be honest I'm never really here. Uh, feel free to look around though," he offered.

She walked casually around a bit, still staggering a little from the alcohol. "You have a wall of fame," she lightly laughed, coming to one side of the room where he had his hero awards, posters, and news clippings posted on the wall and cabinets.

"Yeah, the decorator who did this apartment put all that up for me. I have the more personal thank you notes and cards in my bedroom. Kind of silly huh?"

"No, it's not silly to be proud of what you've accomplished," she said.

She moved on to the den area and he followed her nervously, elated she was here and showing so much interest in his home, yet nervous she was acting so calm. The den had some very modern yet plush looking couches and a fireplace with a mantle. Something caught Maddie's eye as she looked around the room and she moved to the mantle for a closer look. Right in the center of the mantle, in a place of honor, was a fragmented shell. She picked it up and turned it, watching the colors catch the light.

"Is this the shell I gave you on the beach? You kept it?" she asked, turning to face him and searching his shadowed eyes.

"Yes, of course I kept it," he said, staring right back at her. "Maybe it's the best way I can explain how much you mean too me. You've done more than you know, my life is better than it ever has been because you came back into it. Please don't look down on yourself or feel you aren't good enough. He took her hands in his and moved closer to her. You're a better person than I am. You're so beautiful, kind, and strong. Maddie, I'm in love with you," he finished quietly, daring to search her face for her reaction, fearing rejection, but fearing even more what would happen if he never told her. "I've wanted to tell you that for so long now."

She stared back at him for a split second before letting the sudden warmth and passion that blossomed in her heart at his words explode out of her chest. She leaned her head up and kissed him, pulling him close, pressing into his thin body and pulling his face down to meet hers. Her fingers threaded into his messy hair, pressing him closer and drawing in his warmth.

Toshinori's eyes widened in surprise, but it didn't take him long to reciprocate her sudden kiss. His arms were around her in an instant and he kissed her back, pulling her in a passionate embrace. His heart raced as her essence infused with his and his body was heated, longing for more of her. Her smell filled his senses and the taste of her lips and tongue made him feel drunk. Head spinning with passion and fireworks, he continued kissing her, not believing this was finally happening after wanting nothing else for so long.

She pushed him back onto the couch, just letting her passion and heart take over her logic. He fell backwards and she was immediately on top of him, kissing him heatedly, running her hands under his shirt and feeling his thin but firm chest under her fingertips. He pulled her down, pressing up into her and moaning at her touch. His big hands ran down the backs of her legs and up to her shapely butt.

Kissing her and drinking her in was the only thing on his mind, so it took him awhile to finally notice the blue swirling light surrounding her hands and the energizing feeling he was receiving from her healing touch. Then he noticed the glowing dancing streams of water swirling around his apartment and it dawned on him that she was losing control of her quirk. He did the hardest thing he had ever had to do and broke the kiss, bringing his hands back up to her face and breathing heavily with desire, trying to hold himself back. He had just remembered she was drunk and probably not thinking clearly. As much as he'd love to see where the rest of the night led too, it wouldn't be right to take advantage of her in this state, and it wouldn't be what he wanted. She wasn't sober enough to give herself over to him willingly with consent. He had too much honor to just take it.

"Maddie," he whispered her name, opening his eyes and trying to get her attention. "Hey, your quirk is getting out of control," he managed to say as she continued to push him and grind on him, arousing him and continuing to make his task damn near impossible.

"It's ok," she mumbled. "I don't want to stop." Her lips locked with his again and he started giving in, but managed to push back though her intoxicating aroma, breaking off from her again.

"I don't want to either, but I don't think you're thinking clearly. We should probably get you home, ok?" he breathed.

She breathed out a heavy sigh, eyes half lidded and smiled. "Ok, anything for you, Toshi," she said and then promptly passed out on his chest.

His head was swimming with disappointment and relief as he lay on the couch with Maddie sleeping on his chest. The swirling water had splatted to the floor. After a minute of catching his breath and slowly trying to cool the heat in his body down, he let his hand that was still up her dress trail lightly down the smooth skin of her leg and smiled to himself. He couldn't believe she had made out with him! He hadn't even been in his more attractive form! It had been incredible, a moment he would remember forever. His heart still beat with the passion he felt for her.

She snored softly on his chest and he figured he better get her somewhere more comfortable. She was out cold, nothing was waking her up, so he decided he better not try to get her home. Besides, she'd probably feel sick in the morning and she may need him. He managed to pick her up off the couch and take her to his room, laying her gently down on the bed and taking off her shoes. He covered her with the blanket and stroked her hair from her face, kissing her on the forehead before leaving the room and closing the door. He'd sleep on the couch.

The next morning Maddie woke up to a splitting headache. She whimpered in pain and began immediately using her quirk to draw in water to rehydrate her dried up brain. Once the pain was slightly more manageable, she slowly opened her eyes to the morning light and groaned again as it hit her pupils. She squinted, but then her eyes immediately shot back open and her heart skipped a beat as she realized she had no idea where she was.

What had happened? Why did her head hurt? Where the fuck was she? She racked her brain trying to remember what had happened last night in a panic. There was a party, Midnight's party...she sang a song...she danced? Toshinori was there? A warm feeling in her chest washed over her when she thought of Toshinori. Now why was that? Wasn't she upset with him? She glanced around the room, taking in the blue-gray sheets and comforter that were not hers on a very large king-sized bed that wasn't hers. The room wasn't as cluttered as hers either. Everything looked clean and neat and fit together nicely. She glanced to one of the walls and saw that it was probably the most disorganized thing in the room. Hung all over it was what looked like a collage of thank you cards, notes, and pictures, all addressed to...All Might. She heard sounds beyond the door of the room like someone else was there...but just as she started making sense of her surroundings, the extreme need to expel the insides of her stomach arose and she bolted out of the bed and into what looked like a restroom. She proceeded to barf up everything in her stomach into the nearest toilet, groaning in pain in the process with tears pouring down her face. This had to be the worst hangover she had ever had!

Soon, footsteps came hurrying towards her and she didn't have time to find out who it was or defend herself before thin gangly arms were wrapped around her shoulders and someone had pulled her hair back from her face. She leaned back into the strangely familiar thin frame and breathed in the familiar scent of Toshinori Yagi as he spoke soft encouraging words to her while she was sick. Her mind couldn't register what he was saying, all it could do was wonder over and over why he was here and why her body and senses seemed so familiar and connected with him.

When she was finally done being sick, she leaned back from the toilet with her eyes closed and let him hold her on the bathroom floor, beyond grateful for the comfort he was providing though her mind still couldn't comprehend why.

"You alright now, Bubbles?" she finally heard his words forming in her head and she opened her eyes to see his gaunt face so close to hers.

She nodded slowly, lifting her head off his chest to rub her eyes out a little. "Toshi? Where are we? What am I doing here? What happened?" she said wearily.

"You don't remember," he said with a voice filled with sadness, and downturned eyes.

"I'm sorry, I don't," she said a growing feeling of dread that something had happened filled her mind. "I know there was a party and I remember singing for the audience and dancing with you, but not that much after that. Just feelings, you know? Did I pass out and you had to take me here? Is this your house?"

"Yeah, it's my apartment," he sighed heavily. "I didn't think you could go home so I let you sleep here. Basically, what you said is what happened, though you were awake for a little while when I brought you here."

"Uh oh, what did I do?"

"You just toured my place a little and then...uh, you know what, let's get you some coffee, it will brighten you up."

He stood and lifted her up off the floor with him, guiding her to the kitchen. As she moved through the apartment, feelings from the night before began to come back to her. The view from the big windows was beautiful at night...the wall with his trophies felt somewhat silly but honorable. They walked into the kitchen and she inspected it as he poured her some coffee. It was very big and modern with all the latest tech. It was also very clean. If this was what he was used to, he must feel kind of grossed out whenever he visited her apartment.

"Here," he said, handing her a Plus Ultra mug, "Cream and sugar, right?"

"Right? How did you know?"

"I've seen you make it in the teachers' lounge before."

Toshinori got his own coffee and stood across from her, taking a sip. He seemed a little moody and disappointed for some reason, but she could tell he was trying to cover it with a happy smile.

"Your place is beautiful," she said, watching his reaction and drinking her coffee. "Makes mine look like a dump," she smirked.

"Well, I am the number one hero," he chuckled, "but I like your place better, it's homier. This place feels so lonely sometimes, like a museum."

"I've been getting these feelings when I'm in certain places here, like I remember the way I felt, just not the events. Like your windows, I remember feeling awe, like I thought they were really beautiful," Maddie said, bringing up the topic.

"Hmm, that is interesting," Toshinori replied to his coffee mug.

"Maybe if I walk around some I can try and remember more," she suggested.

"Uh, you don't have too, but I won't stop you," he said, seemingly flustered.

She began walking around the room pausing at different places and running her hands over things. He followed her when she got too the den. The couch looked disrupted, like he had slept on it last night...and then she saw the shell fragment on the mantle.

"The shell..." she said picking it up and feeling it. "I remember this..." She turned around and he was right behind her, that familiar feeling rushed through her...warm...close.

"Do you remember?" he almost whispered.

She backed off, now that she was thinking with her head and not her heart things were getting complicated. She was here asleep in his bed, he had held her in his arms while she had been sick and he had felt so good and familiar. He had seemed sad when she had told him she couldn't remember anything and flustered when she had tried getting her memories back. Something had definitely happened and he didn't want to tell her, but she could see it in his eyes.

"I kissed you, didn't I?" she finally said. He swallowed and nodded. Looking back up at her, searching her face for any clues as to how she was feeling.

"Well," she let out a sigh, "was that all I did? I'd kind of like to know how crazy I got," she asked, trying to make light of the subject with a little laugh. "Was I any good?" Oh god did she sleep with him?

He laughed nervously and went to sit on the couch, thankful she seemed to be taking it well and not blaming him. "All we did was make out a little until your quirk started going crazy. Then I stopped us and you passed out. But, uh, you were really good. It took all I had to stop it before it went any farther."

She swallowed too, thank god that's all it was. "Well, thank you for stopping me. Not that there's anything wrong with you, but I wouldn't have wanted to go too far without being in my right mind. That was very honorable of you. I'm sure most men would have just let it happen."

He smiled unsure of what to say.

"And uh, I'm very sorry. I wasn't in my right mind. That was completely inappropriate of me to get so drunk that I don't remember half the night and then make out with a friend and co-worker, not to mention the most well-known hero in the world, haha!" she nervously laughed at herself and started pacing. She was never going to get drunk again!

"You don't have to apologize. You didn't do any harm. Besides, there's no law that says you can't make out with the number one hero," he smiled trying to calm her down.

"Yeah well, it just feels wrong for some reason."

"Well it was the alcohol, right? Maybe you just have a drinking problem?" he said in jest.

"Drinking problem? Ugh, no I don't have a drinking problem, I have a Toshinori Yagi problem."

"What?"

"Sorry, my head just really hurts. Look this is a little awkward for me, I should probably just go home so I can try to sort it all out. Sorry, I'm really sorry," she said, suddenly feeling like she needed to get away before she said or did something she would regret.

"Maddie, I want to help you," he said grabbing her wrist as she moved to pick up her things.

"I know you do Toshi, but sometimes I need to help myself first," she said sadly. "Thank you for everything...and again, I'm sorry for last night."

"I'm not," he said as she moved towards the door.

She turned back, looking him in the eyes, slightly startled by his abruptness. He wasn't lying or saying it to make her feel better. His eyes were begging her to stay, but ultimately her flight reflex took over and she knew she had to run again. She took a careful step towards him and lifted her hand that he was still holding up to his face, stroking his protruding cheekbone with her thumb. Her blue eyes looked into his, willing him to understand, she just needed to be alone for a while. His sadness was overwhelming, his need for her to stay pressured her, but she ultimately dropped her hand and then left out his front door. She guessed she wasn't brave enough after all. She was only a support hero.

Toshinori sighed, sitting on the couch and putting his face in his hands. Wow, he had really screwed that up, he sarcastically chuckled to himself. His heart hurt, he needed to clear his head. How many more times was she going to reject him like that? He realized suddenly that he didn't care. He wasn't going to give up on her, he was in too deep. He loved her. Besides, a hero never gives up.

A/N: ;)