8 years ago

Morning light trickles into the room and I find myself in bed. I look to the clock and roll over; The welcoming scent of the sheets almost kept me there but the scents of breakfast being cooked made me rise.

As always it smells amazing as I make my way down the hall, I hear the news playing before I poke my head around the corner to watch Katsuki at work in the kitchen, it was always a wonder how he became so good at everything he put effort into.

"Good morning."

He looks over at me and instantly those cheeks were the same shade as his eyes. He returns to the task at hand.

"Morning." I walk over to the cups and pick up a glass to make myself a cup of tea. He had a cup of coffee, steam still rising from the glass.

"That smells good." I hum, sipping my tea and setting it aside. I stoop down to pick up Sora who licks her plate clean, "Does he spoil you?"

I nuzzle her before setting her back down and she weaves between my legs.

"Come eat."

I look up as his large hand pats the top of my head. "Okay."

We take a seat at the small table and as we eat, I hum my enjoyment.

I love my best friend, "Who told you to be so good at everything?"

"All I did was make breakfast."

"Ha! You don't get it; you got that Midas touch."

"Midas?"

I sink my teeth into the next morsel, "Everything you touch turns to gold."

He shakes his head and bites into his own food, "Flattery won't get you seconds."

"Killjoy."

We resume our meal in peaceful silence.

After a bit and a quick run around the neighborhood, we return and as he drops onto the couch, I take the opportunity and drop down to rest my head on his lap.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

He goes to shove my head off and I swat at his hands, "No! Leave me be, I'm basking."

Those rough hands catch my wrists as while they wiggled in the air, "Basking?"

"Don't judge me Mr. Freezes for nearly ten minutes because of a kiss."

There is that crimson flush, "Shut the hell up! I didn't freeze up; I was processing what the fuck had happened."

"Uh huh, for ten minutes."

"Why the hell DID you kiss me?!"

I look away from him, flushed, "I told you last night."

He drops my hands and grabs my face, making me meet his gaze, "Tell me again."

I bring my hands up and he shoos them away, refusing to let me hide.

It was as though my heart was performing Thunderstruck as he leans over and stares down at me, unyielding in his resolve to make me say it again, "I . . . I said I like you." I murmur.

"HUH?" He projects and makes a playful expression, it was so new I didn't know how to explain the warmth it filled me with, "I couldn't hear you, whispering and shit."

"You're so stubborn!" I meet his gaze, "I LIKE YOU, LIKE YOU!

He pinches my nose and leans back, "See, that wasn't so hard."

Oooooh, he was pushing a button, "Yeah, if it's so easy to do then do you like me back or did you just feel obligated to kiss me back last night?!"

"Do I fucking look like some loser who kisses people he doesn't like?!"

"I don't know, are you?!"

We were in a staring match when his front door opens. "Yo, Bakugou! You home buddy?"

Thud!

"Ow," I glare up at Katsuki, surprise evident from where he stood. "He's home!"

Kirishima enters the room and looks at me confused. "So-chan, why are you on the floor?"

I point to a startled Katsuki with my thumb before pushing myself up. "Somebody tossed me off the couch." I dust off the shirt and walk away from them. "My stuff should be dry."

I return redressed in my costume and I grab my phone off the charger. They were chatting about the job as I knock on the wall.

"Woah, So-chan," Kirishima smiles at me. "You look awesome, I'd even say you wear it better than this knucklehead."

I flip my hair, "Thanks, I think so too." I look down at my cell as it vibrates and read the new message with a sigh. "I gotta go and change, I have to get into the office." I walk over to Sora who stares at me from the couch and bury my face against her before waving bye to the guys. "See you losers later."

Smiling I leave the room, slightly peeved I couldn't get him to tell me how he felt after bullying me till I said it again. What a meanie.

I ruffle my hair and pout as I quickly step into my boots and open the door.

I step out when a hand pulls me back and I about melt into him before he grumbles under his breath and stomps back inside.

I lean against the wall outside his door for support as all the cells in my body do cartwheels. It took a moment before my legs could even remember how to walk as my heart sings loudly as I dance away from his place.

"Is it real or is it fantasy? Forever or just temporary?" I hum to myself as I pass other people starting their days, "OoooOoooh, what you do to me? What comes over me, OoOoh? If this is crazy there's nothing I'd rather be. . ."

"A day job? Really?"

I was surprised by the boss as he gestures to the papers, "Villains don't just work by night; a lot of their work is done when the sun is still up. Evil doesn't sleep."

Fair point, I'm just not used to being called in during the early morning unless another can't do their patrol. "You're correct, I was greatly wrong in questioning your orders, Sir."

"Good, now get out of my sight and get to work."

I leave his office quickly and head over to my small desk as I pack my mask into the shoulder bag and slip on the glasses from my work case.

Quickly making work of the screens displayed for my eyes only before I head to the changing room. I change into my costume before pulling casual wear over it and pausing to take a test photo to make certain the material stayed in top condition while it remained tucked away.

So far it has prevented the paparazzi and citizens from capturing my image which I am thankful for all the help I received when coming up with the idea to enhance the effects of reflective materials.

I take no time and head off to my assignment.

After the passing of Halloween and the colder days roll in, I find the warmest nights were the ones I spent tucked into those warm arms that I wanted to keep all to myself.

Even when we managed to get the gang together it was secret smiles and stole glances that kept me grinning from ear to ear.

When the streets filled with lights and civilians the crime got a bit worse so working constantly didn't bother me. Though it seemed my boss was throwing more and more grunt work at me.

I was beginning to miss my parents as texts weren't nearly enough, after all, the Christmas season was a sad one for them.

Finally getting half the day off I use it to find a few last-minute gifts. Ura-chan mentioned liking this perfume from the mall and Mina really wanted a jacket from that store across from our tea spot.

I go through my list and check off names as I look up to see that smile flash across the screens, he was working hard out there. I quickly send a short silly message to him before putting my phone away.

I glance over at the building I was passing when I halt and an idea pops into my head. I slip inside and after some through searching I leave with a small object in hand.

I finish with another set of presents for my parents and almost drop everything as a group of middle schoolers rounds the corner cutting off my path.

"Woah!" I gasp and just save Uraraka's bag.

"So sorry," I look up at the young boy who smiles brightly, sapphires meet and the blood chills in my veins. "We didn't see you."

"You're fine," I manage a smile, "Just be more aware next time, Asahi."

Legs keep me upright as I float away from him and after some ways, I flag down a taxi.

The sooner I got home the better.

I felt weak and colder than winter air alone could cause as I step into my place and kick off my shoes. Gliding across the area till I stumble and fall with the photos lining my wall as my whole body is riddled with the shakes and I can't breathe.

Help me. . .

Help me. . .

The tears blurring my vision were scorching as everything fades.

Mama. . .

Papa. . .

Katsu. . .

Checking my messages, I thumb through them half reading when I spot one from Souma.

*Romantical Interest ;p

I click my tongue, "She changed her name again."

3:57 PM I'm free for the rest of the day! :D

4:16 PM Guess who I just saw on the big screen 3 My Hero 3

This girl.

I tuck my cell away and zoom home, I wonder what dinner is going to be, she didn't ask so she must have planned something.

I pull into my spot and look up, but the balcony is dark, no Souma waving down at me. I head up and find the door was still locked, maybe she wasn't here yet.

As I open the door and the light comes on to show only my shoes inside.

Shit, I was expecting her to be here, though she usually was over when she had no work.

"Sora." I call out as I step out of my shoes and into my slippers as I wait for the kitten to greet me as always, "Little claw monster."

I walk further in and turn on the lights but still no little murder machine. As I step toward the couch I nearly fall, and I look at my slipper as I regain balance.

It smelt foul and looked like a small area of vomit, "What the hell?" I spot a few more spots and then I see the fluff ball down the hall. "Sora?" I kick off the slippers and step over the piles. "Hey. Cat."

Panic sets in at the unmoving form as I reach down to feel for warmth and to my relief she was breathing, but shallowly. I swoop her up and rush out of the house, keys in hand, as I zip Sora into my jacket to keep her warm as I hop back on my bike, trying to think of the closest vet to my place.

"Don't you die on me."

I sit there trying to stop my damn leg from bouncing as I wait for them to tell me why she was weak and throwing up, she was fine when I left at noon.

I pull out my cell and send a message to Souma to let her know about Sora. After what felt like the longest time of my life the veterinarian comes out and I walk over to him.

"Is she okay?"

"She's doing better, but it seems she had something stuck in her throat and couldn't breathe. We removed it, but if it's okay with you we can keep her overnight to make sure she is healthy as she needs to be. Had you not gotten her here in time, she wouldn't have made it."

I agree and they take my information down as I finish up; I check my phone again and note she hadn't opened the message yet. In fact, this was the longest she's ever gone without messaging me on her free time, she'd stay on the phone with me till she was asleep if she is being bratty.

I give her a call as I walk over to my bike, "If you're hearing this I can't come to the pho-"

I hang up and call again, and one more time before I decide to drive over, unsettled by her lack of response to the news of Sora.

The adrenaline was dying down now but I didn't want to return home so instead I head over to see if Souma was at her place, possibly buried beneath some of the moving boxes she has in the spare room.

I park and cross the street I head over to her door and fish the spare from it's hiding place. The lock clicks and I open the door and spot her shoes at the entrance, though it was dark through the apartment.

I step out of my shoes and pause to stare at the slippers available, confounded by the array of design to pick from. "Souma?" I call as I drag out the other black pair and start pause as I stare at the cell teetering off the edge of the small area next to the door.

I pick it up and stare at all the messages and missed calls, "Yo, your damn phone is blowin-" Something skitters across the ground as my foot hits into a pile of bags. "-g up. . . What the hell?"

I turn the cell and the light illuminates the scattered bags and picture frames, but it was those tiny feet just inside the phones light. I tilt the screen and there Souma lies amidst broken photos and scattered gifts.

"What the shit!" Checking on her I was startled to find her skin was on fire and her breathing was rapid. Sapphires slowly open, looking up at me confused.

I open her cell and start to dial for an ambulance when thin fingers close around it. "No, hospitals. No, doctors. Water. . . Can you help me to the bathroom?"

I lift her and shove the bags out of the way and swiftly carry her inside the room I lower her onto the stool beside the tub and she does her best and supports herself against her thighs.

"Don't you fucking die either, I'll be right back!"

I step away from her and find the medicine cabinet as she turns the water turns on. I rummage through the cabinets in search of some form of medication.

Once I locate the damn pills I return and find her curled up beside the stool as water rains down on her.

"What did I say goddamnit?!" I sit down and help her back up. She raises her face to the water. "Here." I support her as I help her take the pills.

"I'm sorry, your clothes wet now." She murmurs, but rest against me as she unbuttons her overshirt. I help her remove it and as I look back down at her it was me who felt feverish.

"What are you doing?" What the fuck is she doing?!

The sound of cloth hitting the floor drew my eyes to the wet undershirt now discarded.

"Close your eyes, but I need your help getting out of these pants. Skinny jeans and water are not simpatico."

Close my eyes, because not seeing you makes this any better.

WRONG! GODDAMNIT!

.

.

.

"Then multiply (-8x – 3) and (ax – 2), hrrmm, ultimately the answer is -3 . . ."

Solving equations to keep this from being any less awkward felt like I was one of those damn nerds. But helping her undress, cool down, and dry off was putting me through the fucking ringer, I'm a guy damnit. . . Stupid hormones.

"I'd tell you to stay, but you can't move anyways."

An almost glare was sent to me as I ruffle her hair and leave the room. I would wait to tell her about Sora.

Picking up the shattered glass and bags put her place back into order before I walk to the bathroom to toss our wet clothes on a wash cycle. The upside to her making off with my clothes is I had a pair to change into after it was all said and done.

Yeah. . .

Shaking my head to draw back the wandering thoughts I start some food. It was a simple porridge, but it was warm and thanks to me, delicious.

"Hey," Her eyes open slightly and trail up to my face, "Foods ready." I support her as she climbs from the bed, some form of control over her limbs returning to her as she leads me to the living room. She sits up before the coffee table, back resting against the couch as I set the bowls down for us.

"Thank you, Katsuki, and I'm sorry, normally it's just the panic attack and a desperate need to sleep. Who knew a fever snuck its way out."

"Just a panic attack? First off, why the hell did you have a panic attack?"

She lowers her eyes to the steam rising from her food, "Can I see my phone?"

My brows crease but I grab it for her anyways and she goes into it and slides it across the table. I look at the picture of Souma between a man and a woman, gleaming smiles on all their faces.

"Who are they?"

"They are my parents."

My brows draw even closer as I look at them, "Are you adopted?"

She nods as she takes a few bites before setting her spoon down, "They had lost their son when he was 4, he got sick and nothing worked, so they really hate the month of December."

"But that has nothing to do with you."

She holds up her hand and drags the phone back to her as she looks fondly upon the picture. "He had this spot he loved to play at, just outside of their small town, far from here and they spread some of his ashes there on his 5th birthday which was the day they had found me lost and scared and very alone."

Sapphires look past me, halting the questions I was forming. "My biological parents hadn't named me when I was born and I never knew theirs so I didn't know where to look for them when the police asked me. All I knew was the view from the small window that was in my room and the balcony in the living room.

"You see, the day before my birthday they took me on a trip, a place far away from here, to go camping. We had food and games and it was my first time to actually go outside. It was the best day ever, but the next day they said they had gone to get me my first birthday gift. I was excited since it was the first gift they'd ever gotten me and so I waited patiently assuming they would return since all our stuff was still here, but they never did."

"How long were you there?"

She makes a face as she stirs the porridge in thought, "A month and 2 days."

"Why did they leave you?"

"I can't say for certain," Hurt was in her eyes, "But after I entered high school, sometime in my second year I ran into them and they had a young boy with them. His name is Asahi and he's my younger brother."

She reaches across and taps the bottom on my jaw, and I close my mouth. "So, they abandoned you and had another kid. . . Did they say anything to you?"

She shakes her head, "Thankfully my costume hides my face for the most part, so they didn't realize who I was." Water hits the table as pale hand rush up to wipe away tears. "Today I ran into him again, and he's so big now, but I wasn't in costume and I was scared. What if he tells his parents? What if they find me? What if-"

Panic fills her features again and her breathing starts to speed up again, "Shhh~"

I move around the table and pull her into me as I soothe her hair down.

What do you say when someone bares all things they had kept locked away?

I don't know that answer so I choose instead to hold her till she can't cry anymore.

But I understand it now, the reason she hates her birthdate, and the reasons she is grateful for all she has.

I can't fathom the idea of my parents doing that to me, hell, they may be frustrating now and again, but they were there through the good and the bad.

.

.

After that, I put her back to bed and tossed our clothes over to dry head back to my place to clean up. So when the place looked and smelt clean I pull out my cell and retype the same text a million ways before I could send it.

Once it's sent, I rest my eyes.

Damn, I was more exhausted than I thought . . .

Eyes open and I look around the room to find Sora curled up beside me, not ready to be awake. I get up and opt to go for my jog early.

Gave me more time to decide if I really wanted to go to that stupid wedding or not. Some of the gang was going to be there, but so was Souma.

The last time we met she was acting weird and asking me odd questions.

Ugh!

Once I return home I shower and change, I still had a bit before it was time for me to head in so I prepare food for later and give Sora her own breakfast to which the yawning princess happily eats.

I gather my things and double check to make certain I had everything before I head back to the bathroom and grab my necklace, DON'T YOU FUCKING JUDGE ME, and yank it on, tucking it beneath my shirt.

Big pools of blue stare at me as I head back down the hall, "Don't give me that look, you still have your Christmas present." She swishes her tail back and forth judging me with those damn cat eyes of hers. "Keep guilting me and I'll feed you kibble instead."

"Meow!" She darts back to her plate, protecting it like she understood my threat. Whatever, it's time to go be the boss.

I head out and pull into my parking spot as I look at the new location of my agency. Proud at the sight as it was still one of the top 5 greatest things I've ever done.