Ha! Tried to breathe but I can't
'Cause the air she feeds me is damned
Got a touch like a thorn
'Cause the girl she's hiding horns - Horns by ARC North feat Bryce Fox

Shoto

I called her and asked that she meet me at a cute little cafe I'd spent all day looking for online. It was close to a dessert parlor and a park that was nestled near by. All of it was within walking distance of the train station for me and her apartment building.

By the time I arrived, my palms were sweaty, and my ice was trying to freeze over. It had been a long time since I'd had a date, and an even longer time since I'd gone out with the intention of having sex. It wasn't particularly gentlemanly, but there it was. I stood outside the cafe with a bunch of red camellias wrapped in baby pink.

When I saw her approach, I nearly lost the war over my ice. She was wearing a cropped mohair sweater that covered her womanly charms in a skim of fluffy white. Her skirt was short, but the top hid the skin that should have been showing under the sweater. She came closer on heels that clicked on the sidewalk in a tattoo that drowned my hearing. A tiny purse that swung on a golden chain caught my eye with a smile. She was stunning.

Ochaco executed a small pirouette, and gifted me a dazzling smile, "It's good to see you. How'd you find this place?"

"It's beyond good to see you; you look amazing!" I smiled back with a small bow in her direction, extending the flowers. I straightened, catching her holding the red blossoms to her chest, her eyes half-closed in obvious enjoyment.

"Shoto, they're lovely! Thank you!"

"I'm glad you like them." I held out my hand, a blatant invite which she reciprocated by intertwining her fingers with mine. Her hand was warm and smooth and I could feel a nervous heartbeat in her fingers. "Everything is findable on the internet these days." I chuckled at her moment of surprise.

She shook her head, "I should have known."

We entered and were seated right away. Ochaco's voice was the only one I heard. When the waitress came I had to be prompted to give her my order. Being on a date with her after years of fruitless daydreaming was almost too much to bear. If I didn't know if I loved her - these few minutes, or was it hours now? I had no idea - now I know. The feeling tickled through me, it was ridiculous. I love her.

After dinner, we walked toward that park, and she knew the one I was talking about. You could see a sliver of the bay from her favorite bench. We almost passed a mochi shop when I remembered that she loved the treat.

"Want some mochi for the park?"

Her smile was radiant, "Yes! You remembered? It's been years, Shoto!"

I stopped her, gripping her wrist, "Not for me. Those days stood still. I am still ashamed that I didn't do more." It was time to spill my guts. "I had a crush on you. I was too inexperienced with those kinds of feelings then, but I've had some practice with them. Thank you for agreeing to come on a date with me, Ochaco." I felt awkward suddenly, like I'd said too much, or not enough.

"I had no idea." She laughed under her breath, "About your crush back in school. It's been pretty obvious these last few weeks though."

"Have I? I'm sure Katsuki would fall over laughing to hear you say that."

She lay a single digit over my lips, "It's our secret. Besides, I feel the same way."

The temptation to kiss her finger, to taste her skin, to drown in the sensation of her made my heart thump painfully. She pulled away, and opened the door to the mochi shop. I snapped back to reality just in time to hold the door for her.

We each got one, strawberry for her, French vanilla for me. She ate hers so quickly while I took my time, savoring the sweetness. We walked back toward her apartment and the park when she stumbled. A crack in the pavement which we both glared at.

"Oww," She frowned. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you help me to my apartment? This ankle is going to swell if I don't put it up soon."

"I'm sorry. Will you be alright?"

She elbowed me playfully, "It's a little twisted ankle. I'm already fine!"

"Then let's get you back." I smiled, and hoped that our date hadn't been ruined. Especially since I am certain that I've been charming. We'd been touching each other in small ways all evening. I decided the clencher would have to be the good night kiss. I've been told it's my best move with clothes on. We walked on.

"This is it," Ochaco pointed at her nameplate. It was golden, and had a lick of soot running up the side, as if I'd put a flame-laced fingertip to it. A mystery for later, perhaps. "Well…" She cut her eyes away, "Did you want to come in?"

I held her hands, "I want to kiss you." I wanted to do more than that. Start small, work big. Her liquid brown eyes came back to me, and they drifted closed, a silent acceptance of my words and the actions they'd inspire.

I touched her lips with mine, hers were plump and silken. Like the most expensive dessert. She tasted of the strawberry mochi we'd eaten first, then her lips parted, and our tongues tapped together. Delicate heat flared in my stomach, sending its tendrils to wrap lower. She was suddenly the most delicious tea. As if the sight and scent of apple blossoms could be tasted. As if apple brandy could be a kiss.

I broke away first, my entire body electrified by her touch. This seduction was almost over. If the kiss was as amazing for her as it had been for me, she would not deny me anything tonight.

Ochaco

"I suppose that means you did want to come in?"

Shoto's eyes said plainly that he'd like to be invited in, so I opened the door and he slid around me, and his hero training seemed to take over. I could see him cataloguing my home like he'd need to describe it later for a crime report. Just imagining it helped me to vent some nerves with a laugh.

"Don't just stand there." I couldn't get the feel of his lips off my mind as I watched him, "Can I get you a drink or something?"

"Something." He said, his voice low and sexy, "I'd like a little more of you."

This was too fast, wasn't it? God knew I wanted him, my body was flooded with a raw need to touch his skin. I'd wanted to run my fingers through his hair, to let him kiss me in places usually covered by clothing. I'm a grown woman. If I wanted to let Shoto do what was so obviously in his mind to do, then, "My room's there."

I took one hand in mine and led him further into the apartment and to my room. I opened the door, and he took a step inside. I tugged again, and led him to my bed. It was a nice bed and didn't squeak or do anything else embarrassing as I climbed onto it and sat, waiting for him to join me.

It wasn't a long wait. He stripped off his shirt, and I could feel the heat in my body ratchet up another notch, and my breathing shifted. I was starting to feel wonderfully dizzy. He smiled, it was nothing like anything I'd received from him before. He hooked a thumb into his jeans and slid it to the front where the button popped like magic. The sound of the zipper was overloud to my ears. He slid them down slowly and my eyes widened. I hadn't contained a soft gasp.

"Are you scared?" His entire countenance shifted to concern as he seated himself on the edge of the bed.

I swallowed, I couldn't admit that now. "Anxious, maybe."

"Then let's both be anxious. Take off your shirt."

I gathered the plush wool in my hands and pulled it over my head, making my hair static. Shoto's eyes lowered, and it wasn't my hair that he was thinking about. His tongue slipped out to moisten his lips as he watched me breathe. I pulled the hem of my skirt out from under my leg and pulled the zipper with a slow rattle. The skirt fell away to reveal that I hadn't thought that this date was going to end with him seeing my underwear.

I blushed hotly. My bra was edged in lace, but it was plain and white. My panties looked like I'd had them since I was twelve. I was suddenly mortified that I was wearing my favorite cotton panties with the cute bunny print. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He scooted closer, gathering my sweater and skirt, tossing them aside. "Just seeing you like this…" He smiled; his shy, sweet smile, "I've never been happier."

My throat closed, sure he'd lied to protect my feelings, "You don't have to say that. I've had a baby. I have stretch-marks and fat rolls. I'm nothing like a fantasy."

"You're my fantasy." He leaned forward, cupping my face in strong hands, "And now you're mine, and I am going to make you know that I mean what I say." He pressed his lips on mine, and his breath warmed my skin. "Mine." He said it against my mouth, leaving faint traceries of heat and moisture.

I kissed him then, tentative, a soft question. Did he really think I was a fantasy? His answering kiss, just as tender, answered a resounding positive. His mouth was hot, a pulse point against my own, and his lips parted, allowing him to apply gentle bites on my bottom lip. If I thought I was ready before, this heated me from the inside out. A fire I couldn't stop even if I wanted to.

My hands reached to stroke over his chest, his bi-colored hair and eyes a clue to what I'd find. His skin had two different textures. Both smooth and warm to the touch, but his ice side felt thickened, though I could not explain how so. I ran nails over his nipples as my hands slipped even farther up his body. Running over the insistent heartbeat in his arching neck. I cupped his jaw with my fingertips, holding him as delicately as you might a piece of spun glass.

He relaxed, and his fingers explored my body as I draped my arms over his shoulders, massaging his skin with reverence. His kisses moved lower, freeing me to minister to his ear and upper cheek. He opened my bra, spilling me against his skin like a splash of color on a blank wall. I moaned in his hair, and couldn't help but bite the top of his ear.

He gasped, his kisses becoming more urgent as I could feel his passion growing against my thigh. One breast was trapped in his gentle grip as his other hand trailed down to my panties.

"You're so smooth and perfect, Ochaco." He started laying me down, his fingers finding my sex, where he paused and smiled, "Smooth everywhere."

I could hardly breathe, "I remembered that a week ago…" I lifted my hips, an invitation that he did not turn down. My underwear went flying off into the night.

Shoto's eyes, even darkened with lust, were serious as he lay me down and gazed at me. As if he could already see a path that would lead to every good thing. He only needed me to take that path with him. His need filled me and it was suddenly no longer about sex, it was actual making love.

It was a slow discovery. A painstaking journey that only started tonight and could last a lifetime if I were inclined. I had to make the choice to be with him in every sense of the word. Not just now, but he offered himself forever. I could feel his possessiveness, and it made me feel safe and adored.

I sunk into that deep well, and let him fill my body. Quick pain that dissolved into pleasure like thick, sweet honey. I could have covered myself in it, and I allowed Shoto's love to sweep away all thoughts. With every touch, stroke, kiss, he cleared away the debris of my life, making it feel like it was full of new possibilities, and my old memories were just that… old. Unneeded now.

How long we made love, I couldn't say. I thought I should feel exhausted by our effort, but all I felt was happy. I knew I could wrap myself in him, and Shoto wanted me to. It was mine for the taking.

I lay there, allowing my fingers to trace the hard planes of his chest. The skin was smooth and warmer than mine on this side. I knew that were I to move my hand, the skin would be slightly cooler. I could feel his heartbeat under my questing fingers. The exploration went on up, gooseflesh rising in the wake of my touch as I made meaningless patterns over the warm skin.

Then a small jolt, I'd done this before... Not this, exactly, because Shoto had confirmed we'd never had any kind of fling, but...

My hand flattened over the breastbone, where he trapped it under his fingers. Four fingertips on his cool side making a delicious contrast. That's when the spark went to a lightning bolt that seared the fog of my memories. My head started to pound, and I bolted up and away. Rough! The skin is rough! Not smooth, not warm and soft as silk, but hot and ragged! No! I could hear my whimpering even over Shoto's agonized questions.

I clapped my hands over my ears, holding the bones together as I felt the memories submerging and crashing into my consciousness. No soft prompts, no half-formed inferences. Skin hot as sin under fingers that loved the contrast of his burns. I squeezed my eyes shut, 'you're the absolute worst liar'. The nightstand. I scrambled to it, Shoto watching me with shock writ large on his features.

"I think I remembered something," That was an understatement. I looked at him even as I pulled the drawer completely free of the stand. "I think I have something important here."

I dumped the contents. Tsu and I had turned my room inside out, so I'd thought, but we'd missed a crumpled note that had been wedged in the very back. I plucked it away from the wood and carefully opened it. 'My dearest…'

I read the note, my heart thumping, my eyes running tears I couldn't stop. I read it again. Kai's father had not signed his name, but he left clues. His mother, and a father he hated. I lifted my eyes to Shoto; a brother that would kill him. Wordlessly, I handed him the paper.

He read it, his hands shaking. Again, his eyes moved over the paper, this time, his breathing was uneven as he studied the words.

"Rei is my mother's name." He looked at me, "Kai-chan's father…"

"Please, Shoto. I have to know."

"My brother's name was Toya." He frowned and gave the paper back before pulling the blankets over his nudity, "You would remember him as Dabi." He could no longer meet my eyes, "I killed him."

With that he stood, tall and gloriously nude, and he turned away from me, dressing in his jeans and throwing the shirt he'd worn on top. Wordlessly, he walked out of my room. I started sobbing into my hands as I heard my outer door open and slam closed. I couldn't help the wail that escaped me as I sat in the aftermath of our love-making.

AN/ The big reveal. I knew it was coming and it still hit me like a truck. Thank you all for reading! For my beta, Mosevic, a heaping portion of thanks. By all the levels of hell, you put up with a lot.