Hello!
So here's chapter 2. Chapter 3 will be coming out in a couple days (and I'm really excited about it).
Chapter 2
Tokoyami and Momo sat outside a burger joint. Their legs hung over the embankment of an elevated parking lot. They talked together and enjoyed their meals, chatting away in the evening. The sun was setting in the sky.
"When did you get the new outfit?" Tokoyami asked as he sipped his soda.
"Oh, this thing?" Momo placed a hand on her chest, "It's called Rescue Armor. My family got me in touch with a weapon's development company called Hero's Armory. They create all kinds of weapons, tools, and armors made specifically for heroes. This was custom made."
"Any other features besides protection?"
"It provides me with a decent strength boost, but not All Might levels. I'd rather not rely on it since it drains the suit's battery life faster. It's more for escapes, and if I have to save someone in a precarious spot."
Tokoyami nodded. You couldn't always rely on another strong hero to lift rubble for you. With Dark Shadow, he never had to worry about that. Not usually, that is.
"Do you miss the old costume?"
"Not really," she shrugged, "This one is much more convenient. Besides, I got tired of passing eyes getting glued to my chest."
Fumikage laughed at that. He remembered all the nosebleeds Minata got, and the beatings that typically followed. Momo chuckled with him.
"Having it open up on command is much more convenient," she continued, and glanced down at his belt, "That sword looks new."
"A gift from Hawks," Tokoyami grabbed the blade, "Nothing extraordinary, but it's nice to have. Though it's really only useful with Dark Shadow."
"Did a number on that villain back there."
"It helps me focus his power when I need to," he looked at her, "though I must say, I was much more impressed by your performance. You have quadrupled your skills since we last met. Your creation time has improved dramatically."
"Well, you know what they say," she winked, "practice makes perfect."
They sat in silence for a few more moments. Tokoyami couldn't believe what was happening. Not only was he talking to an old acquaintance, he was enjoying himself! Something about Momo made it so easy to talk with her. Tokoyami felt his confidence growing until he asked,
"I noticed you weren't with Todoroki or your old team. How's he doing?"
Momo's smile instantly vanished, and she looked away. Fumikage felt his heart catch in his throat. He'd seen that look on her face before.
He'd seen it every morning in the mirror for the past month.
"Oh…" he cleared his throat, "I apologize. Have you two split?"
She huffed at that.
"That easy to tell, huh?" she sighed, "Yeah, we broke up. I ended it."
"I see. When did this happen?"
"A couple months ago," Momo took a bite of her burger and dusted off her hands. She laid back on them, "I tried staying with the team, but things got too awkward and heated between us. I finally let myself out. I knew it was only a matter of time before one of us was kicked out, and...well, I didn't want him to lose his team over my breakup."
Tokoyami closed his eyes.
"I am terribly sorry. That must have been very painful."
She shrugged.
"I mean it hurts," she admitted, "It hurts real bad. On the bright side of things, it's been nice working alone these past few months. It's given me a lot more experience. I feel I have more freedom, and way more time to myself."
"I haven't been in a team since my internship with hawks," Tokoyami admitted, "I always preferred working alone."
Momo raised an eyebrow at him, and sat up straight.
"I thought you and Tsu worked together."
Tokoyami cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.
"No we...work independently," he said, "She worked with a team, and I worked solo."
Dark Shadow echoed in his mind,
"Why on earth don't you tell her?"
"Because she didn't ask," Tokoyami answered, "I don't wanna spill out all my problems to her."
"But you two can bond over this!"
The conversation was cut off as Momo smiled and said,
"How are you and Tsu doing?"
Tokoyami's beak closed. Dark Shadow growled in his mind. Fumikage knew he couldn't weed his way out of that one. He let out a heavy sigh.
"We...split up a month ago."
Momo let out a gasp. Fumikage closed his eyes.
"Oh Tokoyami," her eyes filled with sadness, "I'm so sorry."
"I'm alright." he smiled, "I'm alive. I'm grateful for that."
The second part was more true than the first. Though she could see right through him. Momo placed a hand on his shoulder. He glanced at it.
"You don't have to lie," she said, "I know how badly it hurts."
Instinctively, Tokoyami grabbed her hand and held it tight. It felt so warm. He took a deep breath. Dark Shadow popped out and bumped his head beneath his master's chin. Fumikage scratched it.
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it," Momo said, "But if you think it'll help. I did that a lot, and it's helped me...if only a little."
Tokoyami realized she had a point. The only people he'd spoken to about it were Dark Shadow, and Hawks. And Hawks didn't have much advice to offer his old student.
"Why didn't we become friends?" he asked.
That question took her a bit off guard. She removed her hand. Dark Shadow backed away and looked at both of them. Tokoyami almost regretted asking it, until she answered,
"That's...a good question actually," she pondered his words.
"We battled against each other," Tokoyami mentioned, "We fought on a team. We studied together. We even trained, if only occasionally. So why didn't we become friends?"
Momo hummed as she thought it through.
"I think...maybe we were just on completely different paths," she answered, "I'm not sure if that's a good answer or not."
"No, that's good enough," Tokoyami nodded, "I always appreciated your professionalism. And your dedication. After our first battle, you really pushed yourself to become stronger. I admire that about you."
She blushed a little, and grinned.
"I'm not gonna lie," she began, "I always liked how mysterious you were. I think that's partly why I never approached you. I wanted you to remain a secret. It attracted me, in a way."
Tokoyami flinched at that.
"You were attracted to me?" he asked.
"Is that so hard to believe?" she held her smile, "You're a handsome guy, Tokoyami."
"Even with this?" he held his head.
"That's just what makes you mysterious," she chuckled, "It's exotic. I like that."
Tokoyami didn't know exactly how to respond. Dark Shadow answered for him,
"We thought you were sexy too!"
Tokoyami growled at his quirk,
"Be silent!" he barked.
Momo burst out laughing. Tokoyami turned back to her, feathers turning red.
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok, Tokoyami," she recollected herself, "There's nothing wrong with attraction."
He let out a sigh of relief, seeing how well she took it. She placed her hand on his.
"Besides," she began, "if anyone is gonna be attracted to me...I'd prefer a gentleman like you."
Tokoyami felt his heart race. This way she was looking at him right now. Was she interested? Or was it just an innocent joke? She let go and wiped crumbs off her suit.
"Well, being here now," he said, "I certainly regret never building a friendship with you. I feel that was a wasted opportunity. You are a very charming person, Momo."
She looked back at him.
"Who says we can't start now?" she smiled, "Who says we can't be friends as adults?"
Tokoyami took those words very carefully. Dark Shadow shouted in his mind,
"Invite her over tonight!"
"No way," Tokoyami answered.
"But she's totally into you." he continued, "And you're so lonely. And she's so hot!
"Dark Shadow, please-
"If you don't ask her, I will!"
Tokoyami had to hold in his voice,
"Oh alright, fine!"
Tokoyami cleared his throat as Dark Shadow cheered in his mind.
"Would you like to spend the night over at my place?"
Momo blushed and her eyes widened.
"Oh! Really?"
"It's not far from here. I've got drinks. I still feel a little shaky from that battle."
Momo blinked a few times, and then let out a small laugh.
"Yeah...you know what? Why the hell not?"
They finished up their meals and threw their trash away in the nearest bin. Fumikage offered to fly her, and Momo gladly accepted. Dark Shadow hoisted them both up together, and carried them to the apartment complex.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the second floor door. Dark Shadow set them both down, and Tokoyami invited her in. Unfortunately, he'd forgotten it'd been a month since he cleaned his bedroom. He grimaced in embarrassment when he switched on the light.
"Ah, my apologies," he said as he guided her over the clothing, holding her hand like a princess, "This place hasn't seen cleanliness in some time."
"Eh, I've seen worse," Momo looked around, "Where are all of your gothic decorations?"
"Stored away. I never planned on staying here long."
He guided her downstairs, where it was much cleaner. There was a living area connected to the kitchen, separated by a doorless wall. Momo stretched her arms over her head and let out a satisfied grunt.
"Anywhere I can take off this outfit?"
"We have an empty bedroom upstairs. You can store it there. There's a bathroom connected to it, but you might need a towel."
Momo thanked him and headed up the staircase. Tokoyami grabbed a half-full bottle of saki from the cabinet, along with some saki bowls. He took off his cloak, goggles, and sword, and laid them in a pile beneath the table. He sat down on the couch, and rested the bowls and bottle there. Tokoyami hit the radio, and let some soothing jazz play. He heard the shower going, and decided to flick on the TV while he waited. He took a shot on his own.
Momo came back downstairs dressed in a white t-shirt, and some black short shorts. Tokoyami flicked off the TV when he heard her coming. She reached the bottom of the stairs. Fumikage took in her newfound beauty.
She'd grown into herself since highschool. She looked older, more mature in face and body. She was taller, standing half a foot over Tokoyami. She had built up some muscle, and her abs were starting to show. Her legs and arms were smooth as butter. Her thighs and waist were perfectly round. Tokoyami couldn't tell for sure, but he swore her breasts even got bigger, impossible as that seemed. Her hair was tied in a ponytail still, shining from the recent shower. She wrapped an arm around her stomach and smiled at him. Tokoyami held up the bottle.
"Saki?" he asked.
"Sounds wonderful." She stepped over and sat down next to him.
The next hour was spent drinking, talking, and laughing as Tokoyami filled up their bowls. It felt incredible just to loosen up and hang out, especially after such an intense day. Tokoyami never did things like this on his own. As the night drew on, they seemed to be scooting closer and closer together, until Tokoyami had an arm over her shoulder. She rested her head on one of his pecs. Momo relished the feeling of his chest. She missed the wonderful, blissful strength of a man. She looked up into his eyes, those gorgeous red orbs, and he brushed her hair. They weren't drunk. Not yet. Just a bit tipsy.
"You've got pretty eyes," she giggled.
"Your hair is majestic," he added.
She hummed at that. She closed her eyes, as she realized just how much things had escalated.
"What are we doing, Tokoyami?" she asked.
"Enjoying ourselves," he tilted his head, "Isn't that what these sort of things are all about? Enjoying each other's company?"
"I guess so. But is it going too far?"
Tokoyami stopped stroking her hair as a hint of worry struck him. Was he making her uncomfortable somehow? Had he pushed her?
"Relax," Dark Shadow calmed him down, "She's just testing you. Respond appropriately."
Tokoyami asked,
"Am I making you uneasy? Do you not feel safe here?"
She opened her eyes, and looked right into his. In a split second, she reached up and pecked him on the beak. Her lips felt so soft. His beak was so warm. Fumikage didn't react. The alcohol had calmed his nerves. It felt totally natural. He just smiled at her as she sat up.
"No," she answered, "in fact, I haven't felt this safe in a long time."
He leaned close, and rested his forehead on hers. She wrapped her hands around his neck.
"You're...not drunk are you?" she asked.
"I don't imagine so," his eyes drifted down across her body, "and unless I'm mistaken, you just planted a kiss upon my beak."
"Did it feel wrong?" she tilted her head.
"The void of guilt is a sensation I am all too familiar with," he rested a hand on her cheek, "Yet I feel none now."
She felt her heartbeat quicken. She grabbed his wrist and gently pulled it away, along with her forehead. She checked the bottle of saki, and noticed it was empty.
"I'll go get us some more." She grabbed the bottle and stood up.
Momo stumbled a bit as she walked, and cursed her half-drunken clumsiness. She tossed the bottle out, and made her way to the kitchen. She looked through cabinet after cabinet for about a minute, rummaging through various kitchen wears, until she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. She froze in place, and her hand slowly returned.
"It's the one on the top left," Tokoyami whispered in her ear.
Momo licked her lips. She reached for that cabinet, but Tokoyami gently grabbed her wrist and pulled it away.
"I don't think we should intoxicate ourselves anymore."
Momo slowly turned around to look right in his eyes. His hands moved to her waist.
"And why is that?" she whispered back.
He interlocked his fingers with hers.
"Because I am already intoxicated with you," he responded, "And I want to enjoy this night, as we are now. Between the realms of black drunkenness and sobriety."
Momo closed her eyes as she drank in his words. How she'd longed to hear such things from Todoroki, who knew very little, if anything, about love or romance. She wanted a hero, and a gentleman. She did not know if Tokoyami was truly either of those things.
But today, on this very night, he was both for her.
"What do you want, Fumikage?" she asked.
He nuzzled her. She closed her eyes as she pushed her cheek against his.
"You know what I want...and you want it to."
Momo pulled back and grabbed his cheeks. She passionately kissed his beak, only to awkwardly withdraw. He smiled and chuckled as she placed a finger on it.
"I know, it's a little strange to work with," he grabbed his beak.
"No…" she rubbed it back and forth, her fingers gracing against his, "It's beautiful. You're beautiful, Tokoyami."
That turned Tokoyami's fire into a bursting flame. In a single move, he swept her off her feet, and carried her into the middle of the living room. Their hearts pounded as one.