"He's usually so gentle, but he kicked all of our asses today. Then he just... expelled us."

Tatsumaki stayed silent as Charanko explained what he was doing here. In the years she and Fubuki spent with Bang, she doesn't remember him ever being harsh to his students. Not even when he had to kick him out. Hell, Charanko looks like someone's personal punching bag. What could have caused him to do something so drastic?

"At first I didn't know what to do, then Mutsuko told me to find the bald guy." Charanko pointed to Saitama, who winced at his description. "I didn't know where to start, but then I remembered Fubuki knows ya."

"Why me?" Saitama asks.

"Uh... Mutsuko thought you'd be able to convince Shishou to take us back. Dunno why."

"Why didn't the others come instead?" Genos asks. "They are by far the better choice." he bluntly states, not caring if the statement would hurt Charanko's feelings.

"They said something about finding out what happened?"

"I thought no one in the association likes them though." Fubuki interjects. "At least, don't trust them just because they're monsters. I doubt they'd get anything."

"True." Genos puts a hand to his chin. "Perhaps we should contact them, save them the trip. It's more likely for one of us to get an answer."

"Oh, maybe they went to ask the Takoyaki guy!" Saitama exclaims like he just made a revelation, but it only confuses everyone else.

"What are you-What Takoyaki guy?" Tatsumaki asks, her brow raised.

"The guy who made them, he makes Takoyaki now, some kinda charity."

That... raises more questions than answers, and Tatsumaki facepalms internally. A real wise guy, her boyfriend. Goes from someone respectable to this in one day. Maybe kicking his ass at video games broke him.

"Why do you think Genus would have information, Sensei?" Genos asks for her.

"He was hired by the association, and he knows that guy who-" Saitama's eyes narrow, and he hesitates before continuing "interviewed me."

"...Shouta you motherfucker." Tatsumaki curses to herself. Of course the morons hire the criminal they've been chasing. Fucking Takoyaki is probably poisonous and egghead is somehow immune and doesn't know it. Why didn't Shouta tell her? It's not like he sanctioned it, right?

She glances to Genos, who suddenly looks ready to kill a man, and she isn't sure if she wants to stop him considering he entered a relationship earlier and likely knows exactly what Saitama meant by 'interviewed'.

Fubuki makes the choice for her, grabbing Genos by the arm. His eyes somehow narrow further when Fubuki shakes her head at him, and even then Tatsumaki can see the movement in those 'irises' perfectly. He drops his glare and sighs.

"Sensei, I will punish the imbeciles severely-" Fubuki scowls at him, "verbally, for invading your privacy and insinuating you could be anything but heroic. For now though, I will spare them, if only so they give us answers more willingly."

Her sister facepalms at that, muttering something about Genos being the most stubborn bastard in the universe. Genos seems to pick up on it too, shooting Fubuki an apologetic look.

"Uh..." Saitama replies as he rubs his neck. "the guy who asked me stuff didn't look like he wanted to, so don't go murdering em with your mouth, k?"

"But-"

Fubuki pressed a hand against his mouth, and steals one of his signature glares. It shuts him up. Tatsumaki almost smiles with pride.

"Guys."

King suddenly spoke up, and all eyes faced him. He slowly lifted his head from the phone in his hand, turning it around for the others to see.

"Maybe it has something to do with this." He stated, the King Engine getting louder.

Monster association kidnapped an executive's child.

Self proclaimed 'human monster' Garou on the loose.

Your assistance is required.

For a moment, Tatsumaki was catatonic. Then her blood started to boil, and her face contorted with anger. Not only was she not contacted about this, but a name she never wanted to see or hear again is somehow involved? Her eye twitched, and her powers activated, ready to blow up whatever came between her and her prey.

Comforting hands suddenly intertwined with hers, and she stopped seeing red, now aware of Saitama calling her with a worried expression on his face.

"Tats calm down. What's wrong?"

She couldn't respond.

"Come on, you look like you're about to kill someone." Saitama gently tugged her sleeve.

"I'm definitely killing someone." Tatsumaki growled as she levitated herself back down.

"Is that... who I think it is?" Fubuki muttered. Tatsumaki nodded in confirmation.

"Shit," Charanko gulped. "it's really him?"

"Who?" Saitama asks.

"That fucking bastard." Tatsumaki responds. "Garou."

"Uhm. I never heard of him."

"He... was Jii-san's best disciple." Fubuki hesitantly answered, knowing full well how close to the edge her sister gets at the mention of Garou. In fact, if it weren't for Saitama holding her hand, she likely would have caused quite a few casualties by now.

"Was?" Genos repeats like a moron despite his analytical self, completely ignoring the tension in the air. Fubuki braces herself for whatever her sister was about to do. But nothing came.

Saitama felt Tatsumaki's grip tighten.

"There was... there was an incident." Charanko continued. He knew from past experiences to tread lightly around this subject.

Genos seemed to get the gist of it, nodding at the vague explanation. That, or he finally realised that Tatsumaki was not willing to discuss it.

Saitama glanced at Tatsumaki when he felt her hand shaking. She was taking really deep breaths, eyes shut tight as her free hand clenched and unclenched repeatedly. And she wouldn't. Stop. Shaking. He did what his instincts insisted and threw the cape of his costume over her, glad that not bothering to change out of it was useful for once.

Tatsumaki faced Saitama with eyebrows raised when she felt the cape droop over her. He simply shrugged, pulling his cape, and subsequently her, closer. She couldn't be bothered trying to fight it, having focused herself on controlling her temper, so she let herself rest on her boyfriend's shoulder. A small comfort, but she appreciated it nonetheless and grumbled to tell him so.

At such a sight, Charanko did a fantastic job imitating a goldfish, his finger pointing questioningly at the couple as he looked to Fubuki for an answer as to how and why this was happening, and if he was simply dreaming all of this, all without speaking a word.

Fubuki, unable to read minds, only gave an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, recent development so I forgot to tell you."

"You got a problem, mophead?" Tatsumaki demanded, raising a finger as a threat.

"W-what?! No! I just-since when?" Charanko stammered, shaking his head vigorously with his hands up.

"None of your business."

"But-"

"That's final." She glowed green momentarily, but stopped when Saitama squeezed her hand. Moving her head back to where it was, she sighed, rolling her eyes when Saitama smiled softly at her.

"It's getting late." King suddenly stood, the King Engine roaring to life. "I should get going."

"I suppose I should go too." Fubuki stands with the unnecessary help of Genos, holding her by the arm like she's his grandmother.

"I will escort Fubuki home, Sensei. I shall be back in time to prepare dinner." Genos states, completely ignoring Fubuki trying to yank him off her and punching his arm.

"I swear to god, let me go or I'll make you, borgy!" Fubuki threatens to no avail. She gives Saitama a look, hoping he understands.

"Yea, listen to your girlfriend dude. I think she can walk on her own." He thankfully does.

"Of course Sensei." Genos finally lets go. "And please do not call me borgy, buki."

"Ugh, get out of my sights, both of you." Tatsumaki grimaces, her eyes shut while she sticks her tongue out mockingly, as if she just consumed a bottle's worth of syrup.

King basically bolted out, followed by Charanko, while Fubuki stopped by the door to put on her boots, Genos standing by the side like some kind of castle guard. Noticing her sister didn't follow, Fubuki turned around.

"You aren't coming?"

"I'll stay for a bit."

Fubuki smirks before leaving the apartment with Genos behind her. She takes the time to lecture him about treating her like some fragile ancient artifact, and he gives a lame excuse about it being proper etiquette. Truly a magnificent specimen of old teachings in a very modern person in terms of tech and fashion.

With everyone gone, the couple sit in a companionable silence. After some time, Tatsumaki had calmed down almost completely, partially thanks to the surprisingly relaxing bobbing of Saitama's shoulder. She might've fallen asleep, were it not for his constant nagging at her to go home.

"Do you just want me gone, baldy?"

"Never. I just think you shouldn't sleep here." Saitama explains.

"Yea? Why is that."

"C'mon, it's a dump. My apartment ain't good enough for ya Tats."

"Mm. But you are."

"Eh, arguable."

Tatsumaki scoffs. "No it's not."

"Yea it-"

"No, and that's final."

"Ok."

Minutes later, Saitama has yet to nag again. Tatsumaki sighs.

"Don't tell anyone I said this baldy, but I trust you. That's why you're good enough. Better than good enough. Fucking deal with it."

"...Thanks Tats."

"Don't mention it. Literally. Don't tell anyone or else."

Saitama goes back to smiling, and the esper relaxes against his shoulder again. It's only later when Saitama ruins the silence once more.

"Tats? Can I, uhm. Can I put my arm around you?"

"Huh? Why are you asking?"

"Cuz I dunno what you're comfortable with. And I wanna be comfy."

"Pshh. You're ridiculous. Whatever, go ahead."

Saitama does so, pulling her closer to him. She readjusts to a more comfortable position, humming in content when she finds the sweet spot.

"Hey Tats?"

"What."

"I'm serious, don't fall asleep here. I only have two futons. One for Genos and mine is bad."

"I'm not gonna fall asleep." Tatsumaki insists, annoyed by his nagging.

"If you say so."

"...Hey Saitama."

"Hm?"

"Thanks for askin'."

"No probs Tats."

Her full weight lays against him, and she begins to snore. Saitama sighs. At least she sounds... less sad than when she first fell asleep in his arms. With a chuckle, he carefully carries her piggyback, willing himself to remember where she lived. He returned much later than planned, having spent quite some time getting to Tatsumaki's apartment, trying not to wake her up, tucking her into bed and having to sit by her side when she clung onto him. So late that Genos had dinner prepared and was waiting patiently at the table.

"Why did you wait dude?" Saitama asks, sitting himself down to a bowl already prepared.

"It was Sensei who taught me that food tastes better with others." Genos explains.

"Tastes better fresh too dude."

"I suppose. By the way Sensei, I'm curious what took you so long."

"Had to get Tats home dude."

"I figured that much, Sensei. But I know you are much faster than the speed of sound. What kept you?"

"Eh. When someone asks you to stay with them in their sleep you can't exactly leave."

"Oh." Genos blinks. "Apologies Sensei. I did not mean to intrude on your love life. Had I known you and Tatsumaki were intimate I-"

"What the f-dude no! She fell asleep here and I had to carry her home. She linda latched onto me when I was about to leave and asked me not to leave her alone. In her sleep. Got it?"

Genos blinks again. "I see. I am sorry, Saitama-Sensei."

"Whatever. Eat up dude."

"Yes Sensei."

After that awkward conversation, the last thing he needed was King's text proclaiming how cute he and Tatsumaki were, and that he's inspired to write a fanfiction about it. He knows exactly how kinky King is after all, having stumbled onto him while he was writing. He texts him to drop the idea, before tossing his phone to the side.

She may be comfortable now, but she won't be later when she realises how dead inside he really is.

With a smack to the head, Saitama retracts that thought. No, he isn't dead emotionally. That much was proven to him the day he fell for Tatsumaki. He promised to be her shoulder to lean on, how could he be when he's already dismissing himself?

"That's right. More confidence in yourself. For Tats."

With a resolute nod, Saitama goes to sleep. This Garou guy is gonna get his ass kicked.


I would've had this up 24 hours earlier if FF mobile didn't screw me over by deleting it.

I'm going to make shorter updates to make things easier for me and so I don't upload every once in 2 months. Not gonna respond to reviews or have A/N in every one, too short to justify it.

Hope you enjoy.


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"You're not a fan of mine?"

"Help me become a true monster." He demanded with a smile.