As the weeks went by, things with Deku progressed. If I had thought we couldn't have been any closer before, I was clearly mistaken. Now that we had connected on another level, the connection we shared before had opened up even further. Emotions, thoughts, memories, images, dreams, they all melted together along with something else. Our senses. Deku could already see and hear what I could, even more so at times with his Deku-dar but now a whole new frontier had opened up.

It didn't all come at once though. After sharing many make-out sessions with him he slowly began to gain a sense of taste from me. Unfortunately neither of us had noticed it outside of the world inside our heads until I ate a particularly spicy dinner and he was left red faced and crying. That was a problem and we took a break from pressing our lips and bodies together to explore this new sensation for him.

From what we learned, Deku had more tolerance now to spicy food than he did when he was alive and we both put that down to the fact that it was technically my tongue he was tasting with, which sounded kind of gross. I ate food with spice almost every day and it was mild enough to me to not create much heat. I had grown so used to eating spicier food that without any spice at all things tasted bland to me. Deku could tolerate that level without a problem but when I pushed the limit to something that did make my mouth heat up, he was weak to that and would be made to suffer until I drank a glass of milk to relieve it for him. I looked utterly stupid now when I ate something for lunch or dinner that had a little more kick to it with a glass of milk. Made me look like I couldn't handle my own meals.

Aside from the mouth burning Deku received, most other foods I ate would go unnoticed to him unless he focused on it and then he could taste it too. Sadly for me, Deku liked sweet things while I didn't. We were on totally different ends of the spectrum when it came to taste and we were both left with bland in the middle which neither of us preferred. Which is what led us to the milk compromise. I was just glad I didn't have to give up spice entirely or I would have been pissed.

Perhaps I should save the extra spicy stuff for when he annoyed me enough just so I could make him squirm and beg for mercy. A thought that made me smirk.

"You're doing it again" pointed out Dunce Face and my smirk faded in an instant as I turned my narrowed eyes to him across the lunch table.

"Doing what?" I spat back.

"You pulled a face" he answered with an eye roll.

"You're a face" I shot back.

Wow Kacchan, Deku rolled his eyes teasingly beside me as he sat in his own scape. No doubt the hill.

Shut it, I shot back at him with a snarl.

Make me, he teased and when I turned to snarl at him again I froze. He was looking to me with a playful smirk and raised eyebrow. The bastard. I made a point of turning away from him. The only times I had kissed Deku so far had been in our dreams. I hadn't tried doing it while alone in my room and I wasn't about to start now. What if my body moved on the outside world too. Then I would really be making faces.

Opposite me Tape Arms snorted at my weak come back while Spark Plug blinked at me like I had spoken another language. I ignored them both and went back to my lunch. Mild. For Deku. The others had already picked on me for having spicy food with a glass of milk, telling me that if I couldn't take the heat, that I shouldn't be eating it. It only made me growl at them.

With taste also came smell. I don't know exactly what triggered that one for Deku other than it maybe just accompanying the sense of taste when that one developed. Out of all the senses, smell was probably the most useless to Deku now and he couldn't pick anything up in particular unless it was really strong. Like Racoon Eyes burning some failed recipe in the kitchen. Sure, if Deku focused really hard on smelling things he could probably pick up anything and everything I could, but it just didn't seem to matter too much to him.

Touch was the biggest of the new senses to emerge. That one had developed after Deku and I had spent some time exploring each other's bodies one night. Now that was a night I would never forget.

Before that night our intimate time together had never gone beyond kissing and light touching. Nothing too far. Just hands running over torsos and feeling skin. Eventually it just wasn't enough anymore and while he was under me I had pulled my top off and coaxed his off of him so I could feel closer to him, bare skin to bare skin. It had only progressed from there. Shirts were gone, pants followed and underwear soon after. Now that I had him all to myself in a different way, I couldn't get enough of him and I wanted to experience everything with him. It didn't go as far as sex. Not yet anyway.

As our actions intensified and I finally took the leap to reach my hand down and caress him. It was an odd sensation. His reaction to my touch was so strong that even I felt it. As I slowly moved my hand along him and he squirmed and groaned under me, my heart was racing and I could feel his excitement and pleasure flooding into me like hot waves and I found my breath coming just as quick and short as his. Sounds escaped my own throat from just feeling what he was. It was so pleasantly overwhelming that I came from it as well without having to be touched at all. It wasn't till afterwards that it occurred to me what had really happened. At the time I thought I had just been getting carried away in the moment and getting excited just because he was reacting that way and I couldn't have known better; it wasn't like either of us had done anything like it before. But that wasn't it.

In that moment we had crossed another sort of line when it came to our connection and I had felt every sensation he had and this sense I didn't mind at all. After that, he could feel everything I did. When I stubbed my toe on a corner, he felt it. When Kirishima landed a hardened blow to my side during practice, he felt it. Whenever I touched myself, he felt it.

That was something new we had created between us too. I no longer shut him out to my subconscious when I showered and he no longer looked away when I changed. And whenever the urge hit me, whether in the shower or not, if I touched myself he felt it like I was the one doing it to him. It was like ecstasy. I got to feel the pleasure of my own hand as well as whatever Deku was feeling from it. And I just adored the way his eyes half closed, his face flushed, how he panted, wriggled and moaned when I did it. Seeing him like that was more pleasurable than the feeling itself and I felt a possessive fire burn inside me knowing that I was the only one who could do that to him. It worked both ways too. If he ever touched himself. I could feel it unless I wanted to block it out, but why would I.

As far as the touch sense went, it was the opposite to the others. Where as the others Deku would have to focus to pick up more than the standard, with touch, he had to focus to block it out. If he kept his concentration up he could ignore the blows from sparring. He would feel the contact, but none of the pain.

As our relationship progressed further Deku would get distracted in class sometimes, opting to curl up against me while we listened to lectures or to try to demand my attention during lunch by kissing me. I knew he was just playing with me though and it became a game to ignore him while he poked at me for attention in front of others. Luckily he wasn't so much a tease to take it further than that. He knew he would have me all to himself the moment I closed my bedroom door for bed each night and thanks to that he finally stopped complaining about me going to bed so early.

We had plenty of nights where we didn't do anything and they were just as enjoyable even if they didn't get the blood pumping as fast. I enjoyed going to sleep with Deku tangled around me. His head on my chest, an arm draped over me and legs intertwined with mine. Some nights when I closed my eyes to sleep I wouldn't open them on the hill as often. More and more often I would open my eyes to my own room, yet I knew I was asleep because Deku was there, in bed beside me and as much as I loved it, it was a sore reminder of what was lost. As happy as I was to be this close to Deku like I had never been before, sometimes I would feel sadness well up inside me just looking into his warm green eyes as to what I could have had if I had only realized it sooner. When I had moments like that Deku would wordlessly snuggle up closer to me and I would feel comforted, burying my face in his hair.

I tried to think positive. Plus side: no one knew about our relationship so therefore no one could be nosy and we never had to worry about teachers finding out.

My friends on the other hand continued to badger me as to why I was in a good mood more often than not and no matter how much I scowled at them throughout each and every day, they noticed the change and it pissed me off that they had to keep pointing it out. People are allowed to change, I wanted to scream at them. Deku chuckled cutely against my side.

What the fuck are you laughing at? I glared to him but he only smiled back. My glares did little to him these days unless I was seriously pissed off. Even then, he wasn't fazed unless it was directed at him, which was rare now.

Seems I'm a good influence on you, he smiled. I pushed his face away.

No you're not, I rolled my eyes back in return. He whined from being pushed away.

You have been in a better mood, he pointed out once I released him and stood. He stayed sitting but looked up to me.

So, that means you make me happy. Not that you're a good influence, I told him.

Oh, so I make you happy? He beamed as he moved to cling to my leg and I scowled down at him. I tried to shake him of and his smile only kept growing. It was almost blinding.

"Morning Bakugo" I heard a voice call and turned to see Pink Cheeks smile and nod her head to me in greeting as she moved to her desk. She had been doing that frequently and I still didn't know how to react. Rather than scowl I simply gave her a small nod in return with a flat expression. Deku blinked up at me from my leg as he took in the scene and then smiled again, but I didn't like that look in his eyes.

Argh, what? I groaned down to him.

Nothing, he answered but the expression didn't fade and he let go of my leg.

"Oh" Dunce Face spoke up close to me, "I see how it is" he grinned wildly. I knew where this was going. It wasn't the first time they had pointed out Pink Cheeks greeting me but outside of a greeting here and there, we didn't speak so I had no idea what they thought they were seeing.

"No" I tried to cut him off before he went spiraling.

"You've been in a good mood," he held out a finger, "Uraraka greets you almost every day," a second finger went up, "and you nodded back to her" a third finger went up and I moved to swat his hand away but he withdrew it before I could. I snarled at him.

"What ever the fuck you're single brain cell is thinking, you're wrong" I spat but every word that came out of my mouth only made his eyes light up brighter at the idea. I grumbled and rolled my eyes, choosing to take my seat instead.

You never know, spoke up Deku, maybe she does like you.

Fuck off, I scoffed, she liked you idiot. Not me.

And I am with you, he raised a green eyebrow.

She doesn't know that, I replied with an eye roll.

You have been in a more agreeable mood lately.

Fuck off! I bit my tongue as he looked to me teasingly and I swatted at his head lightly. He laughed.

When did you get so ballsy?, I spat.

Maybe you're a bad influence on me, he smirked and I swatted at him again, only he ducked away this time with a laugh.

Why are you so okay with this? I asked as Mr. Aizawa came into the room to start the school day.

Why wouldn't I be? You're allowed to live Kacchan. I'm not going to hold you back from anything, he replied and his response irked me.

So what, you're okay with me being with someone else? I asked with a scowl. I knew if the roles were reversed that I wouldn't be and it stung a little that he was so alright with the idea. I didn't pick up any negative emotions from him. I felt a ripple of confusion at my question.

Well I wouldn't be alright with just anyone, he remarked, but Uraraka is nice and I just want you to be happy. He offered me a gentle smile like that was enough to soothe me. He could hear my thoughts and feel my emotions and there was nothing there for Pink Cheeks or anyone else for that matter except for him so it pissed me off that he had even brought it up

I'm happy with you, I spat back.

I know that Kacchan, I'm just saying- he began seriously.

Does it feel like I feel anything for her? I hissed the question with a snarl.

No, but-

Shut it, I hissed, I don't want to talk about this shit anymore. Deku's smile dropped and he looked apologetic though he never said the words and that was fine with me. I didn't want him lame apologies. I knew he could feel he had annoyed me and he tentatively gave me space for the next few classes until the worst of my annoyance had simmered down from a boil and he crept back, being all affectionate and cutesy in a way of apology. Damn nerd. Yet his words still lingered on my mind for the rest of the day.

How are you so okay with the idea? I asked him once I had laid down for the night and stared up at the ceiling. He perked up beside me on our hill and blinked with confusion until he picked up what I was talking about. I hated to bring it up again considering how it had stung before but I wanted to know. I took a deep breathe to keep myself calm and patient.

Well, he began hesitantly. I could feel that he was worried about angering me again.
I do enjoy being with you Kacchan, I turned a sour look his way, a-and I don't want to change that at all, he added, but I don't want to hold you back from living out there. If there is someone you like I want you to take the chance to be with them.

I like you, I reminded him sternly.

I know and I like you too Kacchan, but I don't want you to be alone. You know, in the future.

That's future me's problem, I grumbled back and folded my hands behind my head and laid down. Deku smiled down to me warmly.

It's too early to be thinking about that kind of shit anyway, I added with a scowl, I just want to enjoy what I have here. I opened my arms and Deku's warm smile broadened as he leaned into me and laid his head on my chest and draped a leg over mine. I could feel the warmth, love and affection coming from him in calm waves and I could feel how much he cared for me.

I think you owe me, I spoke up again after a minute had passed. Deku lifted his head to blink at me.

You really pissed me off today, I added and Deku smiled softly as he picked up my meaning and shifted to sit on me. His knees on either side of my hips and he leaned in for a kiss. My hands went up to meet him, feeling along his torso and fingering through his hair.

As things started to heat up from there I wanted more and more from him. Not selfishly like the old me would have, but because I wanted for him to enjoy it. I recalled my dad once talking to me about how everyone had a different form of love language growing up. At the time I couldn't have cared less because there was no one I gave a damn about that way, or at least that I had been aware of.

Words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, gifts and touch were the five he had told me of and Deku was clearly a mix of several of those. Looking back that was probably why he had seemed like such a complicated mess for me to decipher. Myself, I would have to put under the touch category. I wasn't any good at putting my feelings into words like Deku and I wasn't as eager to help others as he was either. It's not like I could shower him in gifts even if I wanted to which really only left me with touch and I suppose quality time. I spent a lot of time with Deku as it was, literally almost 24/7 at this point but each night was our quality time together away from everyone else and I knew he looked forward to it every night, just being in my company with no distractions. But for me, touch was the big key. I wanted Deku to know how much I cared for him through it, my want to make him feel good and important through my touch. The touch that only he received and no one else. Other than him, I actively avoided physical contact with people where I could.

So I wanted more. I had already explored which parts of him took his breath away and made him squirm and moan. Giving him pleasure made a fire inside me burn that was only fueled further by every positive response he gave to my lips and hands. I actually had to take a leaf from his book and focus on cutting off the sensations I received from him. If I didn't I could feel every second of pleasure he did and as good as it felt, it felt so fucking good, it would distract me from the purpose of pleasuring him and not myself. So I put up a mental wall between us to dial down the feelings that I received from him, just enough for me to pay closer attention to his body and yet still feel what excited him the most.

I let my hands glide under his shirt until he lifted himself to pull it off and my hands could trail up and down his torso, feeling every muscle moving underneath as he leaned back into me. I wrapped my arms around him tightly while my tongue tangled with his and I started to press my hips up into him. I felt a flare in his chest at the motion and between kisses I could hear him trying to bite back small moans that escaped him. A wicked smirk spread across my lips as I bucked up into him and he broke away from my lips to rest his head against my collar bone to catch his breath. I moved my hold to his hips and held him down against while I lifted my own again. Anything to bring back that sweet sound.

I slipped my hand down his pants to stroke him and be bit down into my shoulder to silence himself. I growled back, enjoying the sting and pressure before he released me, his pleasure making his eyes flutter closed and pant as more addicting sounds rose from him. I lifted my head to kiss and nip at his neck enough to leave marks that no one else would ever see. My nickname escaped his lips in a whimper and it made the fire inside me burn hotter. I removed my hand, flipped us over to be above him and held him close, my teeth sinking into his neck while I pressed myself against him again and again. He gasped my name and I growled in response, leaning back just enough to tear my own shirt off and to undo my pants, wiggling out of them and Deku followed my lead, shuffling his own down. I tore them from his ankles and leaned forward again to trail my lips one kiss at a time down his torso to the hem of his briefs. Another whimper escaped him. I hooked my fingers in the material and pulled them down, lapping up the mess he had begun to make. He squirmed under me. I could feel his fluttering gut in my own from his excitement.

I had already decided. Tonight I was going to have him entirely. I was prepared to cross that line and I could feel he was anticipating it too. He made not move to stop me as I moved closer step by step and finally entered him. His sounds were pure bliss and after I had pleasured him to the point of finishing I dropped my wall of focus to embrace every sensation from both of us and it took my breath away.