Hello! Another month, another update!

Warning: Mature content, blah blah, very applicable to this chapter


SHOUTA POV

It was a short visit with Eri, a check-in due to her distress over her horn. But really there was nothing to be done but keep her calm and have her monitored. It wasn't an aspect that Alex liked to think about–the very concept of a child being monitored made her tense. But Shouta felt confident she understood. The second they understood how to help Eri control her quirk, to avoid it hurting herself or others, the monitoring would stop. No one wished to benefit from Eri's quirk beyond her being safe. It seemed to be the only reason Alex could hug the girl and say goodbye. Even so, her eyes followed her out, escorted by Mirio.

"She'll be all right." Shouta murmured, nudging Alex's shoulder, trying to bring her back into the room rather than continuing down whatever train of thought had her scowling so much.

She leaned into his hold. "Sure she will."

Something was going unsaid.

He gave a gentle squeeze. "Wanna talk?"

"Mm."

He was never sure where she went in her mind at those moments. Was it back to Shigaraki hurting her in that rusted room? Or the Yakuza, and her blindness. Maybe it wasn't always the same place, but it resulted in the same kind of scowl. One built on bitter experience.

She shook her head and looked at him properly. "But first how're you doing? Feeling any better?" She studied him in a way she probably thought was subtle, but still made him feel like he'd laid down under a microscope.

"I'm getting there, kid. Promise." He smirked and nodded to her. "So now that you know your old man isn't going to crumble, what's up?"

She seemed unsure of the words, but as she wrung her hands together, he knew she would say it soon enough. Gone were the days that Alex would hide from him behind walls of 'fine' and 'it's nothing, really!'. But as her dark eyes focused on him, he felt a sinking feeling in his gut. Dread lingered in her gaze, an apprehension. Dammit. She knew about the mission.

"It's about the upcoming mission."

"Who told you?" He frowned, fully willing to throw the book at whoever had blurted it out to his daughter, who had laid that weight on her shoulders prematurely.

She held her hands up. "No one said it without some serious persuasion from me, I swear."

He rolled his eyes. "Why? We don't tell you things for a reason, kid. You didn't need to–"

"I wanted to." She interrupted, but her voice was small. It wasn't an act of defiance. She looked nervous, but not apologetic. It was something she felt she had to do.

"Why?"

"Because now I can psyche myself up a bit, prepare myself for who I might be faced with again. I could feel something in the air, and now that I know, my imagination can stop running rampant." She took his hands tightly. "Seriously, quit glaring, would ya?"

He sighed. "Fine. But you really didn't need to know yet. It might not be for another week or more. You'll just worry yourself into a–"

"I'll be good, as long as I know I can come and talk to my old man without him crumbling." She winked and he couldn't help but give his own smirk. She knew exactly how to bring him back from the worrying brink, didn't she?

"All right, so what did you want to talk about exactly?"

She smiled in relief. "Thank you. Am I going to be near you on the day? Or are we in separate teams? I just… some kind of lay of the land would really help."

His hands clenched. How much should he tell her? We have intel that Shigaraki is being held, or somehow enhanced in a hospital somewhere, and potentially there's an underground organisation that reaches the thousands. And all wishing to undermine Hero society. He cleared his throat, deciding to stick to the facts for now. She could psyche herself up plenty, without imagining how much more powerful or deranged Shigaraki might be being made in the meantime.

"You'll be on an evac team with your work studies team, except Endeavour. He'll be elsewhere with me. We'll be… Well we'll be closer to you than Nem's team. Mic's with me as well."

She nodded and looked to the side. "So it at least involves a town somewhere, got it. Makes sense to put us on the civilian side of things I guess. Lets our numbers help the effort, but potentially keeps us from direct harm. Good plan."

He blinked. A few months ago she'd have likely flipped her lid at such a suggestion, she would have raged at the idea of not being by Shouta's side so she could protect him. Perhaps it was knowing Endeavour would be with him, perhaps it was Mic. Or maybe she had simply learned to trust Shouta more. So really, what could he do but give her the same encouragement? Even if he had to try and do so without giving her too much classified information.

"Alex… Thank you."

She tilted her head. "For…?"

"For growing up as much as you have in the past year. Can barely believe it's the same kid that gave herself a nosebleed simply to pass a school test." He tucked her hair back, chuckling as she gave that blush. "Teasing aside, I'm seriously proud of you, kid."

"We've both come a long way." She smiled. "And I look forward to seeing how much further we can go."

A tremble occurred in her hand. She was scared.

He knelt down as her eyes dropped. "Hey now, we can only do our best, right? What happens, happens. We'll deal with it either way, and do our fucking best, right kid?"

She grinned. "Damn straight. But I'll also follow orders."

He raised a brow. "Ones that make sense at least…"

"Hey, at least pretend I have faith in folks leading me that aren't you." She snorted and hugged him tightly. "I'll do my best, you do your best, and come the fuck home. Got it?"

"Mm, right back at you."

She gave a final squeeze and then headed out the door, waving her phone around as she intended to go show Todoroki the adorable drawing Eri had done. And as the door closed, leaving Shouta alone in his apartment, he perched on the sofa and looked down at his hands. They had held her so tightly for so long, but now they had to give her that freedom. To let go and trust her to walk and run on her own.

And he did.

But he was still afraid; of the things he couldn't control, the people he couldn't predict, the moments when logic abandoned him and the world to chaos. And most of all… He feared Knight-Eye's final warning. Within his vision, Alex had lost control. Tore herself apart with her own power. It hadn't been a fight on her Work Study, and it hadn't been at the Yakuza incident itself. So when was it due to occur? Or could she avoid it like Midoryia had avoided his fate?

It was possible she had outgrown that fate, that she had progressed enough in her control that it was no longer even possible for her to be driven that far. Possible, but knowing their luck, not probable. With her power progressing, that also meant it was getting stronger. He shook his head. She knew how to control it, and when to pull back. He trusted that she would do that.

Unless someone forced her to go too far?

He swallowed hard and shook his head free of such thoughts. The only person they had ever known of being able to force people to use their quirks was safely locked up. That didn't seem a likely event. And even if it did happen Shouta could cancel her quirk.

Going into this mission he had never felt more sure of something and yet so blind. His students were ready to prove themselves, and he knew they would give it their all. But he had no real way of knowing if they were ready for this challenge. After all, they didn't really know what the challenge was. Vague numbers. Theorised threats. It was all horribly up in the air. He hated it, and even more so that he couldn't do a damn thing about it.

He looked up, knowing full well there wasn't any higher being looking over them, but still he felt compelled to say it out loud. "Please? Let this work, let us all come home? Surely you… Surely you owe us that much… Right?"

Silence.

He closed his eyes and flopped back on the sofa. "I'm an idiot."


BAKUGO POV

"Would ya fuckin' leave it alone, Shit-Hair?" Bakugo huffed as he sat back on his bed, pressed against the wall, knees tucked to his chest. Anything to try and feel a little more in control. It wasn't fair that Kirishima was so damned observant, there was no way to dodge those prying eyes. Or to endure that pouty face. "Stop it."

"But dude–!"

"No."

"C'mon, you're making yourself miserable over this!" Kirishima perched on the end of the bed and just kept on staring with those imploring eyes. "You gotta tell them."

"I already told Todoroki too much after that Toga bitch cut us. I ain't sayin' more."

"You've not done anything wrong–"

"Yet!" Bakugo yelled, finally managing to cut his well-meaning but annoyingly persistent friend off. "What fuckin' right do I have to go in there and mess with their relationship? I 'like' them both, so what? It'll pass."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then it doesn't." Bakugo sighed, putting his head against his knees and holding onto himself tighter.

It was stupid of him to have even confessed to liking Alex to Todoroki after Toga's attack. It likely made Todoroki wary of him, perhaps constantly suspicious. Maybe. Then again, the guy was pretty blunt, if there was a problem, he would have just said something about it by now. But the stupidest thing of all had definitely been confessing everything to Kirishima. But the redhead caught him in a vulnerable moment, said he could tell how Bakugo was looking at the two of them when they weren't looking, and it all poured out. So stupid.

Kirishima glared. "Y'know she'd want ya to be honest."

"I know she's finally got some damn peace, so I'm not about to blow that shit up by throwing everything off balance. Leave it alone man, seriously."

"I… Dammit…" Kirishima deflated and hunched over slightly, shaking his head. Of course he would continue to try and find a solution, the idiot couldn't leave anything alone once he realised there was something to try and fix.

Just like Deku.

Just like Alex.

If she found out that Bakugo had feelings for her, wouldn't she freak out? She would think she had somehow done something wrong. Blame herself for leading him on or some crap like that. She hadn't done a damn thing wrong; all she had done was be herself and that was enough. For both of them. Somehow they had both wormed their ways into his head and his dumbass heart and taken root. He could see it now; her coffee dark eyes would glaze over, her red lips would purse and her hands would clench so hard her already pale skin would go like snow at the knuckles. She was causing someone pain. She had to make it right. Todoroki would blink, his head taking a while to process the idea of someone else being attracted to him, hell it took him a while to adapt to the idea of being friends. Not that Bakugo had made that easy with his constant stupid rebuttals. But then Todoroki would frown and look down at himself, wondering how he had been so 'selfish' or not realised so he could help. That was the only way it would go. Nothing else was possible. They wouldn't want him back. They wouldn't sigh in relief, both having been longing for him as well, stepping forward and kissing him desperately, pressing him between them and just finally–

"Dude."

Bakugo blinked, raising his head to Kirishima's worried gaze.

Kirishima continued. "I get you're nervous, but this is seriously starting to mess with you, right? You gotta talk to them before it affects–"

"It's not gonna affect me on the field, you idiot." Bakugo rolled his eyes at his best friend. "Like I would be that unprofessional. Besides anything else Alex would kick my ass if I did that, and Icy-Hot would hardly be much softer about it. You cornered me, okay? It's not as dramatic as you're making it out, it's just a crush."

Kirishima looked unimpressed. "Lying to me now, huh? Poor move, man."

"Would ya stop psycho-analysing me? You have homework or something to do, don't you?"

Kirishima stared.

Bakugo glared.

As usual, Kirishima was the first to crack. He sighed. "Fine, I'll go for now man but we're not done talking about this. It ain't healthy to keep this kinda stuff locked away, you'll only hurt them and you by doin' it."

"Whatever, go study, Cupid." Bakugo waved him off and finally Kirishima took the hint and left him alone to stew.

It had been a little time since the Work Study, but still Bakugo couldn't stop thinking about having been there, working with them every day. It had been amazing. Not only for the progress they made, or for getting to work with the New Number 1, but because he got to watch them work. Every day Todoroki got faster, his ice was stronger, his flames more controlled. Alex was stronger too, more consistent, more decisive, less afraid of her own power. They were intimidating as hell. But instead of that terrifying him, like it had when they met at the start of first year, it exhilarated him. Because he was keeping up. They were growing together. They were excited for each other, and that included him. They were a team.

But only at work.

That was all that could include him.

Right?

He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth as his mind landed on the image of Alex in his room, skirt hitched high, shirt undone. It wasn't even her. It was false, a lie. But then he swallowed, the image clearing in his mind to the true her. Dressed normally in combat training gear, a sheen of sweat on her brow, a blush of effort on her cheeks, her black tank-top on show with her sweatshirt tied around her slender but muscular middle. She cocked her head to the side and smirked. Beautiful. And Todoroki strolled up behind her, similarly in disarray, panting hard, a little fog appearing with his breath as he tried to regulate his body temperature, the droplets of sweat rolling down under the collar of his work-out top as well. He smirked too. Also beautiful. Todoroki looked at her and nodded towards Bakugo, who sat there stunned. They wanted him? They approached. His heart kicked up a gear and his mouth was suddenly dry.

Shit.

He opened his eyes and shook his head as hard as he could.

This was getting ridiculous. Kirishima was right, it wasn't healthy at all.

"Fuck." He grumbled against his knees.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Fuck off!" He grumbled louder, assuming Kirishima had had a last minute lightbulb moment about the whole situation, one that would amount to little more than wishful thinking.

"C'mon Sparkle-Fist, I got something to show you!"

Bakugo swallowed hard, staring ahead at his desk. Alex. Dammit, she had the worst timing. It was like she knew he was in the middle of a existential crisis over being attracted to her and Todoroki and just showed up to mess with his head–

"If it makes a difference, I'm also here."

Of course Todoroki had come along.

"Fine! Get in here!" Bakugo barked, wishing his heart would stop pounding so damn loudly in his ears. They were his classmates, nothing more, nothing less. Okay no, they were also his friends. But that was it!

"So what's got your cock in a knot?" Alex laughed as she came in and perched on his desk, still wearing her uniform from the day at school – though thankfully the skirt was at a perfectly normal length and the shirt was almost done to the top, just a couple of buttons undone with her tie a little loose. Not that he was looking. Not at all. "Bakugo?"

"Headache. What's this you gotta show me?"

She held out her phone and he took it, wishing he hadn't been quite so aware of how their fingers brushed.

It was a crudely drawn picture of them on their Work Study, with 'Mr Bakugo' written over the top of his head which seemed to mainly be made of yellow spikes. Cute. He simpered and chucked the phone back to her, letting her hand it to Todoroki who was perched beside her, mismatched eyes now intent on the screen. He smiled softly, probably never quite understanding how damned endearing that smile of his was.

Bakugo grinned at Alex. "So you takin' drawing classes now?"

"Oh now he's funny and grumpy?" She stuck out her tongue and bounced over to sit on the edge of his bed. "It's from Eri, she came in for a short visit as her quirk is being a bit funny, but there's nothing to be done but sit and wait. So it was… Well it was uneventful, but nice to see her. Just figured you'd like to see your first piece of fanart."

"Mm, glad you haven't told her my Hero name is Sparkle Fist." He huffed, loving how that cheeky glint appeared in her eyes when she grinned.

"Hadn't thought of that. Damn. Missed a trick."

Todoroki snorted. "It's a lovely picture. She even has the Villain crying."

"I know right?" Alex cooed. "She clearly has a sixth sense for these things!"

"So she doin' okay otherwise?" Bakugo doubted they had both come down there just to show him the picture, after all that could have just been sent over messenger.

"Yeah she's getting there." Alex played with the edge of her skirt. "I actually have something to tell you as well, if that's okay? I uh… It's kinda classified information that I've stumbled upon but I want you to be prepared, y'know?"

He sat straighter. "Uhuh… Is this why all the Teachers have been on edge?"

Todoroki rolled his eyes. "I told you he'd have picked up on something anyway."

"You hadn't, Icy-Hot?"

He shrugged and folded his arms. "Not really, no."

"Damn, to live a day in your blinkered head." Bakugo cackled and those mis-matched eyes narrowed at him, but with the smirk in place, Bakugo knew he hadn't really upset the guy. "So what's happening that has everyone so wired?"

And she told him as much as she knew. Clearly Todoroki had already been informed, as he had little to no reaction, and even for him that was a little surprising considering there was potentially a bigger attack ahead of them than Hosu or Kamino. It wasn't much to go on, but it was enough to finally sate that annoying sense of something being on the horizon.

There was quiet for a minute or so after she had finished explaining. Her eyes didn't leave him for a second, neither did Todoroki's.

Bakugo sighed. "Fuck."

"Y-Yeah, that about sums it up." She gave a dry chuckle and kept picking at the hem of her skirt. "Sorry if I shouldn't have told you, but I figured you might need some time to prepare."

"Never gonna be easy dealing with those assholes, no matter how long it's been, I guess." He ran a hand through his hair.

It didn't take much to take him back there. His mouth already itched at the echoed taste of that black ooze that teleported them across the town. His skin twinged with the thought of travelling in that swirling purple void. His throat thickened at the memory of Alex tied to that other chair, of her looking over with those glassy eyes as they tormented her with new visions of death, as they stole her away. Her eyes had gone so wide. And then when she broke her back on the field. He swallowed hard. He had been so damned powerless. Useless. Weak. And this, whatever it was, would be worse than that? He closed his eyes tight for a moment. No. It didn't mean it would be worse. They had grown since then, become a team, thrived.

He jolted. "Do you know where we'll be? Like teams or–"

"As far as my Dad knows we'll be together, they know we work well as a team due to our Work Study." She smiled. "Sorry, you're stuck with us."

He laughed breathlessly. "Damn, and here was me thinking I might get a good team-up this time."

"No such luck." She winked. "We're gonna be mainly in charge of helping evacuate, but of course we'll have to intervene if things kick off near us."

"Yeah no doubt, but we'll have that covered, we out paced the damn Number 1 after all."

Todoroki snorted. "Never going to let that one go are you?"

"Hell no!"

Alex laughed at them both and got up, brushing herself down. "All right, we won't intrude any longer, have a good night, Bakugo."

"Yeah, night." He waved, and as the door clicked he let a long breath back out.

He was totally, completely and utterly hopeless.


ALEX POV

Telling Bakugo was the right thing, wasn't it? I thought so. But he looked so distracted, so out of it, maybe he wasn't in the right mindset to have that ladled on top? Crap. Maybe I should have just stayed quiet. Shouldn't have said anything at all? But then he could have been totally blindsided by the League. There was no telling how much that might still be affecting him. After all, he wouldn't actually talk to us about that. Of course not. Was he still going to his counsellors? Probably not. Twerp. Dammit, maybe I should have–

"Hey…" Sho tapped my chin to bring my eyes back to his. We'd come back to my room to chill out before bed, but my mind was running a mile a minute. Sho smiled softly. "You look a million miles away."

"Sorry." I closed my eyes, trying not to see all the faces I can't stand to lose in this upcoming challenge. My head felt fit to burst. So much noise, worry and confusion.

Distraction. I just wanted a slice of normalcy. Of intimacy.

I curled towards him and clambered into his lap, holding tight, kissing his throat. "I'm so sick of thinking. Distract me."

"What did you have in m-mind?" He swallowed hard when I bit down a little. His arms wrapped around me tightly. "You sure?"

"Please."

"Mm, no need to beg…" He ran his hands along my back, cupping my thighs and squeezing gently. "Then again, can't deny it sounded interesting."

I laughed softly, sighing when he kissed me properly and finally shut me up. Yes. Drag me under. I threaded my fingers into his hair as he licked into my mouth, shifting us on the bed, pressing me down into the mattress. I squeezed my thighs round his middle and he groaned against my tongue. He ground down hard. I mewled and rolled my hips in return. Yes. It's just us. In our bubble. Nothing else can reach us here. Fuck. I want more.

His hand slid up my thigh, disappearing under my skirt, thumb tracing the line of my knickers before pressing playfully against my nerves. "Alex…"

"Y-Yes?" I gasped as he kneaded harder, my hands shaking as I uselessly pulled at his collar, wanting him naked as soon as possible. He pressed again. Fuck. It was still over my knickers but damn he was playing me like a pro. I faltered back against the pillow, hands just clasping at his shirt as my nerves tightened.

"Do you remember in the shower?" He breathed, voice husky as he kissed along my throat and gently stroked my core. "When I said I wanted to kiss you down–"

"Yes." I gasped, back arching at the very idea of watching him do such a thing.

"Yes you remember…" he kissed under my jaw, slowly tugging my knickers down, sliding them towards my knees, "or, yes, I can?"

"Please."

He hummed, casting aside my knickers, before he began to undo my shirt. "You sure?"

Seemed he did like the sound of me begging. I undid the rest of my buttons and his with a quick use of my quirk, and soon enough had us both shirtless. I pulled him into a fresh kiss and gave a quick suck to his tongue. He shuddered.

I grinned. "Do a good enough job and I'll repay the favour."

He stared at me with dilated pupils. "R-Really?"

"Y'think you're the only one who wants a taste?" I breathed, biting my lip as he shivered and began to kiss down my throat.

My bra came away with my power, as did his trousers and underwear with a little manoeuvring. I laid back and let him move me however he wanted, pushing my legs that little bit wider, my body responding to every knead and caress as he kissed across my chest and then along the line of my stomach. I trembled. Ever since he had said it in the shower that time, I'd wondered what it would feel like to have him kiss me there. Would it be as good as touching? Better? Would I be able to do it back properly? So many questions to be answered. But fun questions, unlike the others that had been making so much noise beforehand. He gave my hip a soft bite and I sighed into a soft laugh. Stay in the moment. Be present. Enjoy.

Lying there naked, I felt totally exposed. And yet? I was completely safe. Sho was so gentle when he needed to be, so caring in every touch. His lips travelled from my hip bone to the line where my knickers had been only moments before. That dip between pelvis and thigh. I shuddered. So close. He then kissed along my thigh, pushing my leg over a little more, his lips travelling to the inside of my knee before travelling back up. My hands clenched in the sheets, the anticipation making me fizz all over. His tongue darted along my skin. His hands kneaded at my thighs, keeping them open, grounding me.

"I'll go on instinct, but whatever you want, just say it." He breathed, biting softly so far up that I could feel his breath against my aching core. "You hear me, Alex?"

"Y-Yes." I panted, running my hands through my own hair simply to keep them busy. But as soon as he chuckled, the sound like melted dark chocolate, my whole body quivered.

And then he kissed my core. So softly at first, unsure of himself I think, despite the confident beginning to things. Then his lips moved and I sighed, the feeling strange but pleasant. His tongue lathed against me, so warm and wet, tantalising my nerves. He gave that knot of nerves some attention, licking, kneading with his tongue. Perfect. My voice began to hitch into proper moans. A hum came from him and the vibration of the sound made my spine tingle. More. My hips rolled. I looked down and couldn't help but give another long whimper. He stared right at me, eyes blazing, hair mussed, jaw working me over. How did he even look flawless at a time like this? My head fell back. It was overwhelming. Yet my nerves ached for more, for something to fill me. As if he heard me, he dipped lower, and I gasped at the sensation of something curling into me. It pulsed, writhed. Oh. It was good, but I reached to thread my fingers into his hair and encouraged him back to the knot, shuddering as he continued there.

"Here?" He husked, kissing it harder, then sucking gently.

"Fuck! Yes!" I panted, tugging on his hair, rolling my hips against him. He hummed again and his hands caressed along my thighs, one moving further as he curled two fingers into me. A moan ripped from my lips as my back arched. Perfect. Fucking perfect.

My head fell back against the pillow. "Sho… Sho!"

"Good?" He bit my thigh gently before continuing the pressure against my core making me give a giddy laugh into yet another mewl. I think that counted as answer enough, his touch pulsing in and out of me, coaxing me towards that pinnacle. My mind fizzed. My body thrummed. My nerves tightened and I bit the pillow as I began to tremble. So close. Please. One more lathe of his tongue against my nerves. Yes. Fuck yes. I fell over the edge, whimpering his name.

Damn. I had no idea that would feel like that.

Sho had the best ideas.

As I came back down to earth, he kissed back up my body, licking along the lines of my stomach, lingering at my chest to continue to coax me through the other side, while keeping my body alight with pleasure. Fuck he was too skilled.

"You good?" He asked as he nuzzled into the crook of my neck while I played with his hair.

"So fucking good."

"Mm, I'm glad. Sounded like it, but I had to make sure." He kissed just below my ear.

"Did you uh…" I had no idea how to ask this. "Was it okay for you uhm–"

"I enjoyed it plenty." He hummed. "Definitely. You looked gorgeous, and those sounds."

I giggled. "Come here." And I dragged him into a kiss. It was a little weird tasting myself on his tongue, but I just needed to feel him pressing against me. He obliged. His hands wandered all over my body and I could feel how hard he was, pressed against my thigh. "Your turn."

I moved to kiss along his throat, trying to roll him so I could make my way south, but he pulled me into another kiss and then put his forehead to mine. "Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"As much as I'm curious to know what it'll be like to have you return the favour, right now I dunno that I'll manage that and fucking you."

Can't deny it, I shuddered when he uttered the word 'fucking'. For someone that didn't swear often, my god he used it well.

I kissed the hollow of his throat. "That's all right, I don't mind if we just–"

"But I do." He put a hand to my cheek. I didn't quite understand the look in his eyes, but it was tender. Something told me that he just wanted to be connected to me in that way. Damn. Who could say no to that? "That okay?"

"Mm, of course." I kissed him again and wrapped my legs around him. "But this time, I'm doing the work."

"Huh?" He gasped as I rolled us and straddled him, bracing myself with my hands on his chest. "Oh… Wow…"

I raised myself enough to align him with me. In the aftermath of my moment, I was still shaking a little, but if I wasn't going to be pleasing him with my mouth just yet, I wanted to try this instead. And judging from how hard he was gripping my hips and biting his lip, it seemed he didn't mind.

I sunk onto him. The new angle felt so different. My head hung back as I sat flush against his hips, him reaching so much deeper inside of me in this position. Oh fucking hell. For a few seconds I just breathed. It was as if I would be able to press on my stomach and feel him inside. Of course that was nonsense, but damn it felt possible in the moment. I rolled my hips just to see what it would feel like and gasped into a euphoric laugh. So much. So intense. But this was also about him, and I tried to focus, bringing my head back up so I could see how he was feeling, and found him staring right at me. Enraptured. His eyes blazed up at me, and his grip shook a little as our eyes met. I maintained eye contact as I gave another roll of my hips, lifting them slightly that time so I could sink back down again a little harder. He moaned. His eyes rolled back for a second before focusing back on me as he breathed harder.

It was a strange kind of power I felt in that position, like his body was mine to use, and yet I was bringing him pleasure. I raised myself a little higher this time and lowered a little faster. He swallowed hard and practically growled.

Feeling confident, I tilted my head and smiled. "Good?"

"Incredible." He groaned and when I raised up again to sink down, he snapped his hips up to meet me and we both gave a soft cry. Fuck that felt good. I did it again, and so did he. A rhythm began to emerge. He looked down to where we were joined and bit his lip. My nails dug into his chest slightly, and I was about to apologise when I noted how he groaned again when they did. I tried it a little harder as I thrust back down and he keened. Damn. That was satisfying.

"Faster." He begged, snapping his hips against me harder.

I hung my head forward and concentrated on my movements, undulating my hips and maintaining that speed with him. Fuck. My body was already lighting up again, my nerves aching as they readied for another climax. But I needed something. He said to just say it, didn't he? Right. Communication. Say what I want, what I need.

I whimpered. "Sho… T-Touch me."

His thumb pressed against the knot of nerves, stroking and kneading in perfect synchronisation with our movements. It was exactly what I needed. I shivered and laughed. Perfect. Bringing my eyes back to his, I couldn't look away. He was staring at me in total admiration.

"Are you close?" He panted, pressing harder.

"Yes. Y-You?"

"Yes." He gulped. "Can I flip us?"

"Do it." I panted, thighs burning from the effort already. He nodded and pulled me down against him, kissing me deeply as we rolled. The mattress was cool beneath me, but a welcome change as my body pressed into it. And as soon as we were settled, he sped up. A lot. I gasped and clung onto him, his chest flush to mine, head against my shoulder, hips slamming into mine as he chased our ends.

"Alex, you've no idea how beautiful you looked. Fuck. Nngh… Alex!" He moaned, going harder and harder, pulling moan after moan from me. It was like my whole body was going to combust. Then finally I peaked and cried out his name. Bliss. Fucking perfect. One more snap of his hips and he was following me, gripping me so tight as his body went rigid and his voice grew choked.

We both went limp, laying in the aftermath, just breathing. I ran my hands up and down his back, slick with sweat, likely a little scratched up too. Mine. He was all mine. I kissed his cheek and he gave a soft mumble into the pillow.

I chuckled. "What was that?"

It took a couple of attempts, but he managed to prop himself up and look at me with glazed eyes. "I said, you're perfect."

"Right back at you." I stroked his cheek and he leaned into it, his hair all in disarray and a beautiful blush resting on his cheekbones. "You were amazing."

"Says you." He chuckled, leaning in to give me a chaste peck on the lips. "Are you feeling up to moving yet?"

"Mm, shower?" I traced along his scar. "Together?"

"As if I'm going to let you out of my sight."

He kissed the end of my nose before suddenly getting onto his knees, scooping me into his arms and heading for the bathroom. It was easy to forget sometimes how ridiculously strong he was. I clung to him and laughed at his ridiculousness. My heart was so full. I was loved, and adored, and clearly 'wanted' in so many more ways than I had ever imagined. I rested my head against his chest and reached for the shower controls with my power, getting it heated up while he gently set me down on my feet on the chilled tiling.

Then he jolted. "Oh shit."

"What?" I looked him over. "Did I hurt you or–"

"Condom." He gulped. "We completely forgot."

Oh.

He continued to babble. "We should make an appointment with Recovery Girl or something, isn't there a pill you can… Oh." He blushed as I laid a finger to his lips and tilted my head.

"Nothing could come of it, Sho. Remember?" The steam began to billow out of the glass doors as I let my finger leave his lips.

"Sorry, I'm an idiot." He laughed and shook his head, leading me into the torrent of water, holding me close as the water cascaded over us both. "I suppose it's not too bad if we don't bother sometimes, right?"

"Mm." I hugged him tight.

It wasn't a problem that he had forgotten, heck it was hardly something that was ever-present in our lives, but the fact he had forgotten meant I did have to check on something else. When had it slipped his mind? At what point had that fact about my body faded from his consciousness. Did he remember that before he said 'I love you'? It was silly, I guess. Why would me being barren stop him loving me? Logically, I knew that was right. It was nonsensical to think he would suddenly be bothered by it. But I guess logic wasn't on my side in that moment. My heart was in my throat. Crap. Stop freaking out. Stop it.

"You okay?" He kissed my head. "You went all quiet."

"I just… You know… If you ever do want to have kids, Sho, you can–"

"No, no, don't do that." He leaned back and cupped my face, keeping the water from my eyes with the angle of his head. Damn he was so tall now. I met his gaze, finding only worry there. "Don't go reading into it. I just forgot, I swear."

"I-I know, but–"

"I've never wanted kids, Alex. You know that."

He was panicking a bit – no doubt assuming I was viewing it as a reason to step back from him or something. But that wasn't it. I just needed him to know that if he did want kids more than me one day, I'd understand. This wasn't a bad thing to underline, it was just good to ensure we were on the same page.

I smiled. "Yeah, but one day you might. I just wanted to ensure you knew that I would respect that."

He kissed my nose. "Of course you would, you're you. But look… It's for more reason than keeping them from my Father. Regardless of how well he manages to turn himself around, it's not something I see in my future."

"Sho you don't have to expl–"

"I do, if it means you won't be worrying over it." He smirked, stroking my hair back as it stuck to my forehead. "It's for my own freedom as well. I… I didn't really have much of a childhood, so I figure I want to keep as much of my own life to myself and my choices. Does that make sense? Or… Does it just sound kinda selfish?"

He genuinely didn't seem sure about the last part. As if Sho could be any kind of selfish.

I went up on my tip toes and kissed him softly. "It makes a lot of sense, and in all honesty, almost word for word my own reasoning. Kinda moot in my case, but still. We're on the same page."

"Sorry I forgot."

I kissed him again. "I'm kinda glad you can let those things slip your mind, reminds me I'm not just a walking list of survived disasters to other people."

"You're far more than that." He smiled and got some soap, beginning to lather himself and me up. "I realise it's hardly going to help the 'distraction' factor, but I know you're going to be thinking about things the second we get back into bed anyway so…"

"What is it?" I leaned into his touch and let him turn me when he wanted to, his hands skimmed along my skin, dipping along my curves, giving small massaging presses to the small of my back. "It'll help to talk it out anyway."

"If this mission, whatever it is, is as big as you're worrying it might be… I… I just…"

I turned to him and put my hands on his chest. "Big breath, and say it. I'm listening."

"I don't want to have to keep our promise, but I will if it comes to that." He had his eyes closed, the shower water rolled off the end of his nose.

Ah. Of course. No wonder he had started to think along those lines. It made sense. The last thing we wanted was to keep that promise, to move on if one of us died on the field, but at the same time, we had to honour it if things did go that badly.

I wrapped my arms tight around his waist and put my head against his chest. "I appreciate that. We can't make any promises of making it through, it wouldn't make sense to do that as we have no idea what to expect. But… At least we have that promise to pull us through."

He hugged back. "I love you, Alex."

"Mm, and I love you, Shouto."

After that we were just quiet for a few minutes in each other's presence, softly running our hands over each other, or kissing. Simple. Quiet. Our bubble wouldn't last long, but under the warm shower spray we were utterly content. When things got hectic, or if things turned out badly, I would look back on that time and smile. Nothing could be guaranteed in this life; so much was left to chance. But I could say without any doubt, that I loved him, and that he loved me, and we were happy.

Eventually though, we had to emerge and dry ourselves off. I shrugged on a big t-shirt for sleeping in and clambered in beside him, fresh sheets feeling cool against my skin.

He spooned himself against me, wrapping an arm around my middle before he kissed my cheek. "You gonna be able to sleep?"

"I think so."

"Mm, wake me if you need to." He kissed again and then nuzzled into his pillow, out like a light in the next second. How he did that, I'd never know, but I sincerely hoped I got to try and figure it out for many more years.


And there we have it... the Battle looooms! Thanks for reading, following, faving and leaving reviews! Cya next month!

SHOUTOUTS:

Zikashigaku: Dadzawa and Alex are soooo much fun to write! I love their scenes so much, especially due to how much they have grown. Haha I like the image of Alex and Sho raising Eri, but whoooo knows. I have been looking forward to this initial fight for a long time. I only know bits of pieces what follows tbh and this will likely be where there's a fair diversion for my story from canon events. I tend to do this with my work, but I am not confirming that I won't eventually go back to the canon stuff as well ^-^ thanks for still reviewing, the story here and on AO3 has been so quiet/non commented the past few updates I've been worried people got bored. But hey ho. Glad you still seem to be enjoying!

Harleyking31: Yup! War time incoming! It's felt like a long time coming, but I am really excited to share what I have with folks. I hadn't considered Eri using her power on Kurogiri actually, that's a cool idea! I wonder what would happen... with any of the Nomu actually! Thanks for still chiming in ^-^ really does mean a lot!