I open my eyes to find a vaguely familiar room around me. I sit up and wince at the sting from my jaw before I get up off the couch and find my way to the bathroom to look at the bruise I had acquired from the night before and the horridly puffy state of my eyes.

"What happened last night? Minoru!"

A door opens and he pokes his head out, "Souma? How did you get in? When did you get in?"

"I thought you could tell me that, I woke up on your couch."

He looks back toward his room and closes the door. "I didn't even know you were in town."

We walk to the living room and I rub my arms. "It's freaking cold in here." I look over at the curtains that billow in the wind coming through the open balcony door. "Oooh. . ." I vaguely recall the karaoke session and patchy spots of finding someone who didn't really hang around my other friends. Someone who wouldn't utter a word that I had been in town.

"I live on the third floor So-chan! How did you even, you know what, I'm too tired to care."

"Minoru?" A soft voice calls out and I look over and smile.

"Hi, Himeko, sorry to barge in on you guys." She smiles sweetly back at me. "I drank a little too much last night at the party thing. . ."

Yes, I just lied to my friend's girlfriend and my friend. I look at him as he closes the door.

"You're fine, it's nice to see you. It's been a long time since you've been over." I nod and she takes my hand and we sit on the couch.

"Congratulations, on the engagement." I give her hand a squeeze and he proudly puffs out his chest.

"You've been gone so long I asked Kaminari to be my best man." I glare at him.

"Best man, you hear that right? You say I act like a dude and I'll kill you."

"Please don't harm him too badly, wouldn't want our baby to Have no father."

"Baby?!" I look between them and at her belly. "No way!" We share a squeal and she looks to him.

"We announced the engagement and then a week later my doctor told me, so no one else knows yet, but I want my wedding photos taken before I start showing. Do you think you can come?"

I look between them, the air around them was warm and happy, truthfully something I never expected for him, but people can surprise you.

"Yeah, I look amazing in a tux." We share a laugh as I extend my hand, "May I?"

She nods and I give her tummy a soft rub. "You a very motherly look about you."

I look up at her. "Thanks, I always wondered what it would've been like to go through this adventure you're embarking on."

"You have to get a boyfriend before you could." Minoru says and I nod.

"You're right, being a mother is hard work, maybe I'm not cut out for it."

She swats him as she stands, "Don't listen to him, when you settle down and have children, I have no doubt you'll be the best mother they could have asked for."

"I want to believe that, thank you." I step back from them and cross my arms over myself, "I should leave soon, I'm sorry again for barging in."

Exchanging goodbyes was simple and I walked down the streets trying to get a reign over myself, I was still wearing that wig, but I had changed out of the dress at some point last night.

My phone buzzes in my pocket so I fish it out and answer. "Hello?"

"Morning mama!" They cheer in unison and I stop at a crossing light.

"Morning, my loves." My chest warms. "You're being your very best for Memaw and Papa, I assume."

"Yeeesss!"

I cross at the signal with the crowd as they explain in a cluster of them talking over each other excitedly. I step up and slam into a jogger as the group rushes behind me.

"Ow," We twist and look up at each other and my heart bottoms out of my stomach. "Katsuki?"

"Souma?"

8 years ago

Out of breath, drenched in sweat, and no matter how I pivoted or twisted he found yet another way to keep me from weaseling my way free.

"Do you give?" I look up into those eyes and narrow my own.

"Dude, I thought your eyes were amber this whole time."

"What?" He frowns as I blow hair out of my face.

"I give," He lets me go and gets up, "Anyways, I never noticed they were red I always thought they were more amber.

"Hm." I accept his help up and we head over to our bags. "How's Misty?" I ask as I use my towel to dry up my sweat.

"Sora's likes to cuddle and climb on everything."

I look at him. "Did you rename my cat?"

"She wouldn't listen to Misty, beside Sora suits it better."

"Whatever just admit you like her already." I snicker and get a towel to the face. "Aye!"

"B?!" I look at him knowing it wasn't me who called out to him, but there was something familiar about that voice.

"Camie?" Katsuki and I say in unison as the blonde bounds in and sets her bag beside ours.

"That's me, fam." She smiles and him and spares me a glance before doubling back wide-eyed. "Yamazaki? You know B?"

"You know each other?"

"Yeah, Mcspoldes the first of your name; Hero of the city," I say and look at Camie again. "We went to high school together."

"Trill." She forces a smile at me, so I force one back.

"I never knew you went to Shiketsu, Souma." He makes a face. "You weren't with them at the Hero License Exam."

"How do you even remember who was all there?" I ask and he shrugs. "Well, you're not wrong, I was in bed with a fever that week. So, I was permitted to take it with the other group." I toss everything in my bag wanting to get away from her. "Um, I'm going to head out. I'll see you later, thanks for the workout. Oh, and Happy Halloween."

Don't get me wrong, she's a good person, but we just didn't click, we had tried.

I head out of the gym and return home to wash off this morning.

The day had drifted into the night and I made way to my favorite spot, a simple call securing my usual room. I was alone, most of the gang was busy or I was avoiding them completely.

I walk past the dressed-up adults before dipping into the alley and entering the building.

I was ready to enjoy my night.

.

.

.

Ringing reverberates across the coffee table as my eyes open and I look around the living room. I must have fallen asleep watching the horror movie marathon as we were into the 4th movie already.

When I reach for my cell the vibration ends and I look at the missed call from Supporting Character. I hadn't heard from her since the gym, what did she need so late?

It lights up again and I answer with a yawn. "Hello?"

"Hey, uh, this is going to sound weird, but can you come down here and get So-chan?" Why do I know that voice?

"Where's my phone!?" Souma sounds off and another person mumbles in the background to her about singing another song till her head clears.

"If Souma needs a ride them why are you calling me?" I look over at the time and furrow my brow. Everyone else in the gang had patrols tonight, but, I'm not a fucking taxi. Music starts to pour out of the speaker, and he curses before it gets muffled meaning he moved to a quieter area.

"Sorry, I'd take her myself, but she refuses to leave till the time runs out."

"What?! Throw her over your shoul- er," I pause as I recall that he was smaller in stature and I could already see the disaster unfold.

"Fine," I stifle the laughter the images gave me, "That little hole in the wall joint, right?"

"Yeah, Thank you Ba-"

I end the call and decide I would go pick up our weirdo.

.

.

Entering the building, the girl at the front desk gives me a wave before pointing down the hall, and like almost everyone tonight, she too was dressed in a costume.

I open the third door from the end and Souma's voice envelops me as I step inside as she pours her all into the words.

"-'ve been the strong one for so long, but I was wrong." She smiles as she notices me. "Does it make you weak if you needed someone? I'm not holding back, and I know what I want!" She walks over to me in that noodle leg saunter alcohol caused. "I am beautiful with you," Sapphires sparkle as she says the words to the song. "I am beautiful with you; you want me for myself. . ."

Her singing trails off as the music keeps on in the background.

"What are you wearing?" I inquire as we both look at her outfit.

"Can't you tell?" She gives a spin before dropping onto the couch. "I'm my favorite hero." She unrolls the sleeves and extends her arms to show off the half sweater designed to mimic my winter hero costume.

"I am a great hero, but why the hell did you pick me?"

Curling into the cushions she closes her eyes. "Hmm~" Sapphires greet me with a coy smile. "Cause I look better in it?" That melodic laugh of hers always cause the corners of my mouth to rise before I walk over and give her knee a tap.

"You wish, come on now, your time is up." She puffs her cheeks before stretching and hopping to her feet. She glides quietly from the room humming a song I can't place, and we head out of the building.

Cars pass us as I lead her down the sidewalks before she stops and looks over at me. "Did you walk here?"

I lift a hand and press it to her back as I keep walking and she starts to walk again. "No, I took my invisible jet and forgot where I stuck it."

"Tsk, blondes."

Like running into a wall my body halts as I look at her baffled. "You're fucking blonde too!"

Ahead of me, she turns to face me as she keeps walking and fluffs her locks, "Take a joke, Kaachan."

Warmth floods my face as the nickname catches me off guard, "Don't call me that."

There's that pout is again, "But everyone else does."

"I don't care; Souma!" The sidewalk dips and she yelps before I catch her wrist and stop her from hitting the ground, "Watch where you're walking goddammit!"

"My badness," She chortles and covers her mouth as we stand up straight, "I'm sober and I'm sorry." Porcelain skin no longer present beneath rosy cheeks and averted eyes.

"Forget it," I release her wrist and face the light, "Let's get you home."

As we cross the street, I tense as soft fingers wrap around my hand, "I'm going to see Sora." She declares and just short of drags me back to my place. We get there and climb the steps before reaching my door.

I clear my throat, "Can I have my damn hand back now?"

Again with the rosy tint, she lets go and tucks her hands into her pockets, "Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing you idiot?" I open the door and wave her in. We step out of our shoes and into the slippers when small meows greet us as the kitten saunters over. She swoops her up and they nuzzle each other as Souma coos sweet nothings to Sora.

I head in and pick up the dishes I left on the coffee table as she takes the kitten to the couch and cuddles up with her.

I walk over and drop down beside her and Sora climbs from Souma's lap and over to me, "Looks like she likes me more."

Souma giggles as she looks to the tv, "Sora is tough competition, I better watch out." I look at her, placid and almost too bright to be in any room. "Isn't this that movie where stupid teens keep camping near the abandoned Camp Sparkle Pond and get murder?"

"Camp Crystal Lake."

"Mmm~" She watches a teen gets butchered and glances at me. "Yes?"

My damn heart hiccups and I look away from her to the screen, shrugging, "Nothing." Shit, what the fuck was that.

"Okay, can I borrow a top?"

I point to my room. "You know where they are."

She saunters off as I get up and walk out to the balcony and make a call.

The phone rings for a moment before it is picked up.

"Hello?"

"You still on patrol?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Damn," I look into the apartment. "You guys need a second pair of hands?"

"We're fine at the moment, but what's up with you? You sound funny man."

I exhale and keep watch for Souma. "Nothing's wrong. Can't I just fucking ask a question?"

"Oh, defensive. Let me guess," He clears his throat. "It's Souma."

Click.

I glare at the phone and up at our friend as she wanders out dressed normally in my shirt which always seems too long on her. When my cell vibrates, and I answer.

"Don't hang up on me, dude!" Kirishima chides me and I huff.

"I wouldn't if you didn't make assumptions."

"Assumptions? Ha, you're funny bro. I'm not the one who doesn't realize he has a crush."

"Like hell I do!" I shout.

"You have a soft spot for her, Bro." He is exasperated. "When you're with her you are just short of Plus Ultra calm. You prefer to hang with her alone but go out when she asks. Right now, you would be asleep, but something to do with Souma has you awake. Come on dude, read the signs. You've had a crush before, haven't you?"

I scowl as Souma looks over at me and sticks her tongue out me before facing the tv again.

"I hate you."

"Glad I could be of help, I have to get back to my patrol, but I'll swing by in the morning." He hangs up and I tuck my cell away before reentering the room. She pats the couch before resuming her playful game with the kitten as Sora tries to capture her hand in between its paws.

After about fifteen minutes of silence between us, she scoots closer before setting Sora on my chest, sparing a glance at her cell. "Halloween is almost over." She sighs before tossing it onto the coffee table. "Hey."

"Hmmm?" The teens flee from the placid murderer on the screen.

"Do you like anybody?"

I look over at her baffled by her question as she watches the movie, unmoving. "What?"

"Ya'know, like how Mina and Kirishima have a crush on each other or like Deku and Uraraka, who should just admit they like each other." Thin fingers slip pale locks behind her ear.

"Kirishima and Mina like each other?"

"Yep," She looks over finally. "It's cute to watch."

"Weirdo," I look back to the tv and Sora jumps down saunters to my room. "But, no."

"Mmmm~" She hums. "Katsuki."

"You ask me one more strange thing I'm goi-"

Shock floods my system with the foreign feeling upon my skin before it fades, and a chill remains in its place.

The silence was only broken by the shrill scream of another teen from the movie.

"Katsuki?" Sapphires so close I could drown within their depths, "Uh oh, I broke him."

"When did you get into town?"

I stare at hot tea in my hands before meeting that crimson stare, glad to be sitting as my knees kept turning into jelly or trying to carry me away from him and the inevitable subject I had to bring up any moment now.

"I came for the event last night; I was the representative for my boss."

A half-truth, but not a lie.

Kami-sama this silence between each answer was torture.

We sat there sipping our beverages, neither willing to speak as my cell vibrates the table. I check it to find a text from my father and I stare at it before closing my cell.

I clear my throat, "Bakugou, uh," My mind scrapes for a way to say it.

"What?"

Goddamn heart get out of my throat! "I heard another of our friends is starting a family."

There that look was, "Deku gets hitched and everyone seems to follow in suit."

"How old is their kid now?"

"I don't know, 2?" He downs his drink and stands. "I should go."

"Did you," I close my eyes. "Do you want kids?"

He scoffs and shakes his head. "No, I don't want any."

I stare at his shoes and stand. "I see," I meet his line of sight, but he refuses to meet my gaze. "I never got to congratulate you."

"For?"

"You reached your goal," I give a soft bow, "Congratulation, Mr. Number One Hero. Farewell, Katsuki."

"Thanks. . ."

I dispose of my cup and smile at him before walking away humming to keep that smile in place till I was far from his sights.

Once we've both said our goodbyes. . .

Tears fall like rain as I tuck myself into an alley to keep out of sight from all those who passed by.

Let me let you go . . .