Hi, happy new year! Hope everybody is thriving. Sorry it's taken me so long to update but I will continue to work and finish this fic, for real. Thanks for reading and reviewing, I do appreciate it.
1)The characters involved are reasonably adult.
2)I do not own BNHA.
Izuku stood outside the bowling alley, not knowing what to do or expect. I should be ready. I am calm, I am clean. I showered and put on a nice collared shirt and brushed my teeth extra hard. I flossed too, even though I never floss. But today's a special occasion – my first date. I wasn't sure it was ever gonna happen but here it is.
When Izuku told his mother that he was going out with "some classmates" she was overjoyed. She didn't ask any questions, thankful that her son was spending some time out of the house with people other than herself. She did not suspect – hair less messy than usual, a slight whiff of cologne coming from her son – that he'd be out on a date. Izuku dawdled with his hands.
So what do I do when she gets here? Do I hug her? No, that seems forced. I should just act as I usually do, right? Nothing has changed, technically. We're still friends – just inclining towards romance. Maybe, hopefully. Just play it cool. Ah, there she is!
Tsuyu walked Izuku's way calmly but inside she was aflutter. It was her first date after all. She strode through the warm spring air, her dress swaying with her steps. There's Izuku! He looks pretty good in a polo. He really fills it quite handsomely. I don't understand how I got to him first.
She stopped in front of Izuku, unsure of how to greet him, and for a few seconds they just looked at one another. Neither spoke: Izuku wore a wobbly smile, Tsuyu felt herself blush. She coughed into her hand.
"Should we go inside, kero?"
"Yes! Inside!"
He skittered over to the door and opened it for Tsuyu. As she walked past him, he noticed a delicate scent – like peaches – wafting around her. Tsuyu gussied up for our date too, huh? She's wearing a really pretty dress and perfume too. I wonder if she's as nervous as I am but I can never really tell with her – she's got such a poker face. He let the door close and came next to Tsuyu.
"That dress looks really nice on you, Tsu."
Tsuyu blinked. He thinks I look nice! Great first step. Oddly confident of you, Izuku. She tried to make a little smile – it didn't exactly show.
"Thank you."
They walked up to the counter attendant - a young man with a horn like a unicorn and bad acne.
"Um, a size ten please." Izuku said.
The attendant turned around to a enormous wall of cubbies, each slot filled with a pair of shoes. Some pairs were miniscule – the size of peanuts – others were enormous, like flippers. He set them on the counter.
"There we go. And you, young lady?"
"Do you have a size twenty-one?"
"Of course, we stock most mutant sizes, all the way up to thirty-five. One moment."
He turned to the cubbies of ordered shoes and retrieved a pair of enormous bowling shoes. He set them heavily onto the counter: they made a loud slap.
"Here you go. Lane five. Pay after your done."
Tsuyu grabbed the shoes and the two walked to their assigned lane. She glanced over to Izuku who looked between her and the shoes, astonished. She averted her eyes, suddenly shying.
"Well, kero, big feet make it easier to stick to walls and swim…" I hope he doesn't think my feet are weird. They are pretty enormous. I am technically a mutant after all, but I'm still pretty cute right?
Izuku was getting better at reading Tsuyu and he saw in her face a glimpse of discomfort. Ah, maybe she's feeling self-conscious about her feet. I should say something.
"Totally! And I bet that when you kick somebody it's like getting hit by a shovel."
Tsuyu winced. Izuku's eyes widened as he realizes what he's said.
"I m-mean that, uh, your attacks must be pretty powerful. That's great!"
She smiled politely. Izuku, I get you were trying to be nice but that was terrible. He didn't mean any harm though. They arrived at their lane and began to change into the bowling shoes.
"Buying shoes and socks is always a pain though. But I bet other people have it even worse, like how does Shoji even buy shirts if he has six arms. I think he can only wear sleeveless shirts." Tsuyu said.
"Or Cementoss. How do you fit cement legs in jeans?"
Tsuyu poked her finger to her cheek. "I have so many questions now about the mutant fashion world." This is better, this is how it is with Izuku. I can relax and joke and he jokes back. He doesn't care about my feet. He cares about me, right? That's why we're out here. He likes me, right? This is what this is about. Geez, I'm worrying about this way more than I expected.
Izuku looks to Tsuyu.
"So do you really like bowling? Or why did you suggest it?"
She exited her thoughts. "Oh, I actually kind of hate it."
Izuku made a face of astonishment.
"You h-hate bowling?! Why are we here then?"
"You seemed really excited when I mentioned it, so I thought it'd be fun."
"Bowling is fun!"
"See, I knew you'd like it."
"So why don't you like bowling?"
"It's just that sometimes bowling alleys don't carry mutant sized shoes. And when I pick out a ball I have to find one with giant finger holes because of my big hands. And usually these places are really air conditioned and the cold makes me really sleepy. It's more the environment that I don't like, I'm fine with the actual sport."
Izuku nodded.
"Next time we can go somewhere you like."
"Already thinking about the next date, Izuku?"
He flustered.
"Oh, well, you know, it's, just, um, unfair and, um, you know-"
"I'm just teasing. Of course you've got a second date."
Izuku's eyes went huge. "Really?"
"Sure, as long as this date isn't a disaster."
Izuku clenched his fists excitedly. "Then I'll make this date a success!"
He stood up. "Would you like a snack or a drink, Tsu?"
"Hmm, kero." Her finger poked into her cheek. "How about some nachos?"
"Then I'll be back promptly with nachos!"
Tsuyu watched him race off and leaned into her seat. Around her, other parties and pairs were making clatter, knocking down pins, cheering, chittering. The bowling alley was loud, but not so loud that she couldn't hear Izuku when they were speaking. But wouldn't it be nice if it was just a little bit louder? Just enough to muffle him out from a pace away, then he'd have to come close. He'd have to lean in to say what he wanted and even closer to hear my own voice. Her finger remained poised and her eyes rolled up – she was thoughtful and still. Things were going well so far, weren't they? We've both acknowledged that we're on a date and obviously he cleaned up for the occasion. I mean, me too, I'm wearing this ridiculous dress. Like, who wears a dress bowling? So, if we both understand that this is a romantic outing, then why does it feel so regular? Izuku's a little more fidgety and eager to impress, but other than that it's all the same. And that's fine, isn't it? Tsuyu looked out at the pins, standing pretty at the end of the lane.
At the snack bar, Izuku stood in line to order food. Two attendants took turns taking orders and cooking them up. He tugged at his collar. So far things have been good! You held the door and you're getting her a snack. You're not even that sweaty right now either. You also insulted her – but, you also complimented her. So, it evens out then, right? Who's keeping score, anyways? Except me, obviously.
A customer in front of him walked away with a bag of popcorn: Izuku shuffled forward. I still can't totally believe this is real. I pinched myself several times on the way here and waiting for Tsuyu too. I should try again, just to be sure. Izuku pinched himself hard on the bicep. A cashier at the snack bar made a look of concern.
I'm still not dreaming. Unless, I am very deep in a dream. Or, perhaps, in a coma. But if I was in a coma then everything about this reality would have to be questioned. Even if I was in a coma I should just enjoy my date, there'd be no point in stressing out about the coma itself. So, assuming this is not a coma or a dream, then I have done everything correctly enough to have landed a date with Tsu. Cute Tsu, pretty Tsu. Tsu, who is nice to me and makes me laugh. So far it's been good. I mean we've only just arrived – we haven't even started bowling yet. There's so much time.
Izuku was next. The cashier looked at him.
"Hi, how can I help you?"
"Some nachos, please."
"Sure."
The attendant making food dumped chips into a paper tray and drizzled it with cheese. He handed it to Izuku.
"Careful, dude, the cheese is really hot."
Izuku paid the cashier and stepped away. The cashier turned to the other attendant.
"Did you hear that guy mumbling? About this being a coma-dream?"
"Yeah. Wild."
"Wack."
Izuku walked back to his lane slowly, mindful of the nachos. He looked down into the snack: a tall, precarious pile of tortilla chips, sopped with cheese the color of a safety cone. The attendant was right – the cheese looked superhot. It was still bubbling and steaming. He saw Tsuyu sitting at their lane. She had found a bowling ball and was plugging her fingers in the holes, checking if they fit.
Here's the plan: set the nachos down, find a ball, choose fun names for the bowling display thing, laugh, banter, play, laugh, talk, banter, finish game. Then what? Do I walk her home? Is that it? Doable, definitely doable. I just have to keep my cool. The hard part's already over – we're already here, I just have to keep my cool.
"Hey, I'm back."
Tsuyu looked up from the ball. "Welcome back."
Izuku tripped on something – his toes stubbed into the floor. Despite his training as a Hero, he was still clumsy, still graceless. He threw the nachos forward – Tsuyu raised her thin eyebrows. The nachos flew into the open air. Izuku jerked his hands out and caught the nachos, but his momentum carried him and he splat the nachos against his chest. Hot cheese dripped brightly down his shirt, onto his pants. He stifled a yelp as he felt the hot cheese prickle and singe through his shirt. He felt his cheeks beginning to heat and broil. He coughed into his fist.
"Excuse me, Tsuyu. I'll be a minute." He said casually.
Tsuyu watched Izuku shuffle away, deposit the nachos politely into a trash can, and then walk into a single-person bathroom. She sighed. Oh, Izuku. I'll give him a second.
Inside the bathroom, Izuku had locked the door curtly behind him and put his face in his hands He stood very still in the middle of the bathroom, absorbing what had happened. He was in despair. I can't believe it. I just can't believe it. Why am I punished so? What did I do to deserve this? I'm dripping in cheese, dammit! My first date and I'm covered in cheese. I don't care if it's scalding, the shame I feel is ten times more painful! Tsu probably thinks I'm a freaking dork. A chump. A scrub. She probably left already and she's probably told everybody. Izuku cheesed himself! What a freaking moron! Izuku shook his fists at the ceiling. Why?! He yanked paper from a dispenser and wiped away the cheese and dumped the soiled towels into a trash can.
Outside, Tsuyu knocked at the bathroom. I hope he's alright – I wonder if that cheese was super hot. It looked molten.
"Izuku? Are you okay?" She put her ear against the door.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just cleaning up a bit."
"Can I come in?"
"Uh, sure, lemme unlock the door." He let her in and she locked the door behind herself. She looked him over. Izuku covered his face.
"I'm sorry I've made a mess of the date."
Tsuyu grabbed a paper towel and dabbed at his shirt. She looked up at him. "I think it's going well."
"You don't even like bowling."
"I like you though."
"What? Look at me – I'm covered in nacho cheese."
"Izuku, that really doesn't matter."
"Don't you want to date somebody cool?"
"You're not listening. I like you." She trashed the towel in her hand and came closer: Izuku could sense her breath on him.
"But Tsu-"
She stepped toward Izuku, jerked her head close to his face and planted her lips into his. It was graceless – they bumped noses – but it was a kiss and though there was a moment of surprise between the two, they relaxed and began to kiss earnestly. They hadn't understood how much they desired one another. They kissed sloppily: their lips began to glisten with slobber. Izuku paused and tilted his head back; his jaw was slack with astonishment.
"That was my first kiss." He said, aghast. "A girl kissed me."
"Not just a girl, Izuku. Me, Tsuyu. Gimme some credit." She blushed. "That was my first kiss too."
Her usually unmoving expression showed a hint of embarrassment and grimace; she looked away. Tsuyu took a step back.
"I'm sorry I'm being so forward. I wasn't thinking. It's just that I like you Izuku and I want to be close to you. So don't run away from this. I want this to happen."
Tsuyu came forward and held Izuku's chin gently in her hand, tilting his face down to hers. She kissed him: it was clumsy but full of intention. Their lips fumbled and touched warmly. Izuku pulled away. A little strand of spittle bridged between their mouths and then broke.
"I like you, Tsu!" He blurted out. His face went terribly red, but he was determined to say what he felt. "I really like you. And I want to be close to you too. This is all just very surprising to me."
"It's new for me too you know."
Izuku brought his face close again and they kissed slowly. He pushed his mouth into hers and she pushed back, they tilted and adjusted against one another. Izuku held Tsuyu's arm gently; he paused.
"Kissing isn't that hard now that I think about it." Izuku said.
"Not at all, you just-"
Tsuyu pressed her open mouth against Izuku's again. They tapped tongues. She made a slight moan, then stopped.
"You should take off your shirt, kero."
"W-what?" Izuku gasped.
"See, I'm wearing this nice dress and if I get too close you're gonna get cheese all over me."
Izuku thumped his forehead. "You're so right." He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor: Tsuyu smirked. "You're always thinking one step ahead, Tsu."
"Yes, I am."
She pulled him into an embrace and put a hand against his muscled abdomen. Izuku held her waist with one hand and with the other toyed with Tsuyu's hair. He could feel her breasts squeezing against his bare chest. Tsuyu reveled in the way Izuku touched her: softly, but without hesitation. Izuku paused and queried.
"Do you want to keep bowling?"
Tsuyu laughed and tapped her cheek. "No, not at all. Ideally, I'd like to keep making out, but we are in a bowling alley bathroom."
"If we stay in here too long somebody'll notice. That'd be pretty embarrassing, especially for Heroes in training." He sighed. "In America, people just make out in their cars."
"Do you have a car?"
"No, I just have a train pass. We definitely can't make out in the train."
"I mean, we could."
"No way! We'd be arrested for public indecency!"
"I really doubt that. Kero. My place is close but my little brother and sister are definitely there."
Izuku put his chin in his hand, pensively: Tsuyu touched her cheek again.
"I don't know if we can keep making out in peace tonight." Tsuyu said with disappointment.
"Let's get out of this bathroom first and then we can figure something out."'
They were reluctant to stop and neither moved from where they stood. They had started something they'd both been longing for and now that it was there – palpable, real – they were anxious to let it go even for a moment. Izuku and Tsuyu lingered, holding the other, not quite doing anything, happy to be close to somebody they liked.
Tsuyu spoke first. "Okay, I'll get out and return my shoes."
"Do you really not want to bowl anymore?"
"Really."
"Okay, okay, that's fine. You go first and I'll clean myself up a bit and we'll go from there."
Tsuyu split from Izuku and unlatched the door: she poked her head out and then exited wholly. Izuku locked the door as she left and hesitated. He let out a deep breath, still feeling overwhelmed with what had just happened. Running his hand through his hair, he thought. What a weird night.
When Izuku paid for the lane and returned his shoes, the attendant snickered seeing the orange blotch on Izuku's shirt. Tsuyu sidled up next to him and gave the attendant a glare, which wasn't very different from her usual countenance – just a slight furrow in her brow. They left and walked out into the warm spring air. Night had mostly taken the sky, yet there was a faint light over the horizon – just enough to cover the two in an orange glow.
The plan they'd decided on was to put a hold on their make-out sesh indefinitely, until the next time they could see each other in private. Tsuyu told Izuku that she'd have to return home soon – her siblings' bedtime approaching – and that their date would have to end. Izuku was still trying his best to be genteel and offered to walk Tsuyu to her train station, a proposal Tsuyu easily accepted.
Somewhere along their walk, their knuckles had grazed against each other and sent shivers through the both of them. Tsuyu, ever the more direct, asked if Izuku would like to hold hands. Izuku gulped.
"H-hold hands?" He trembled.
"Why are you nervous? We were literally just kissing in a bathroom. This is a step down in difficulty."
"I know, I know. Gimme a sec." He wiped his palms on his pant legs. "Ready."
Izuku met his hand to Tsuyu's and entwined his fingers with hers. Her hand was much bigger than Izuku's but her skin was soft: he tried his best not to let her feel his pulse racing through his body. They ambled along, no saying a word, both of them astounded that they were swinging joined hands as a couple. They strolled like this for a while until they made it to Tsuyu's station. She let go and gave Izuku a peck on the cheek.
"I'll see you in class. Goodnight, Izuku."
Her kiss was sudden and stunned Izuku: he could only muster a wave as Tsuyu frolicked off. The stars began to shine in the newly turned night.