Sibling Rivalry

To ask why we fight, is to ask why the leaves fall; it is in their nature. To my people, there is a better question: What is worth fighting for?

-Chen Stormstout

Life, Kazuma reflected, had a stupid habit of repeating itself. Here he was, doing manual labor once more. A dedicated, lifelong NEET, who should have had soft hands and perhaps a bit of a gut, was once more clearing rubble and laying bricks as he'd done for weeks back when he'd first arrived back in Axel. He'd even developed calluses.

"This is demeaning," Megumin grumbled as they worked. "I was a goddess! And I am a magical prodigy, an Archwizard! I should not be reduced to such trivial tasks!"

"Well then next time, don't blow up a city block," their supervisor, who looked like a living slab of concrete and was named of course, Cementoss, informed them. He was also their modern literature teacher, which both Kazuma and Megumin should have been totally lost in, as neither of them knew a damn thing about "hero literature." However, Kazuma's BS abilities, combined with Megumin's propensity for overly dramatic literary analysis seemed to be working, at least so far.

"This is the training ground! You didn't make Midoriya or Iris work when they leveled a few buildings!" Megumin argued.

"True, but they did that during the course of training. You blew up these buildings after the training exercise had ended," Cementoss pointed out.

"Just give it a rest," Kazuma sighed. "We're making good progress anyway."

"Mr. Cementoss, look, I rebuilt the building!" Aqua called.

Cementoss sighed and turned around. "Aqua, you've only had an hour, how could you…"

He trailed off as Kazuma and Megumin smirked. He'd been watching them instead of paying attention to what Aqua had been doing. She'd earned a punishment for "giving the teacher a migraine" with her antics. What Aizawa and Cementoss didn't know was that as a Muse of the Arts, Aqua was both an expert builder and architect.

The building she'd been assigned to repair had been not only rebuilt and remodeled in the short time, but also completely repainted in a stunning art deco style with vivid yellows and bright oranges contrasting with darker blacks and deep purples. Indeed, the entire three story building was now a masterwork of craftsmanship, which made it a bit of a shame that it was only here to be destroyed in training exercise.

"How...where did you find the materials? The paint?" Cementoss asked, sounding utterly baffled.

"I just used what was laying around. You have to be creative when it comes to construction materials!" Aqua said happily. "As for the paint, I just mixed a few ingredients I found in the storage closet. I made a brush out of that old broom. Looks pretty good, huh?"

"You...you're all dismissed for the day," Cementoss said, sounding as though he needed to sit down and have a very long think, and possibly a few beers. "I...good work, Aqua."

"Thanks! It was actually sort of fun, once I got into it! I call it, Casa de Amanecer," Aqua said, looking back at her work with a satisfied expression.

"Great, I'm up for knocking off early," Kazuma agreed. "Come on, Megumin, let's get a shower then find something to eat."

Unfortunately, Cementoss made sure Kazuma and Megumin went into the proper facilities to shower, but that was fine. Once they were changed, they headed back towards home, stopping in at the corner store below their apartment.

"Well, the prodigal son who exchanged his team's pride for carnal pleasures returns!" Vanir's voice called when they entered.

Kazuma looked up, scowling. "Oh great. I take it this is your new shop? Sheesh, what, are you selling snacks instead of magical items now?"

"We do have some support gear!" Wiz said, bustling up and smiling at them. "My order just came in from Detnerat! We've got clothes for avian, quadrupedal, and even multi-limbed people!"

"Well, that doesn't sound so bad," Kazuma said slowly, waiting for the catch.

Vanir sighed and rubbed at his mask's forehead. "Except that all these clothes glow in the dark, and have flashing safety lights."

"They said they were the new hot item in the catalogue! They were even on sale! I got such a good deal!" Wiz said cheerily. "Come on, look at my new snack orders, I'll let you have a free sample!"

"Salami flavored kit-kats?" Kazuma asked, incredulous at the candy he was offered. "Who eats these?"

"Not bad," Aqua mused after having taken a big bite. "Can I try the mint flavored potato chips too?"

Megumin took a hesitant nibble of the offered bag, then made a face. "Wiz, this is hideous. Don't you have something regular, like Doritos and Mountain Dew?"

"Oh yes, I have chocolate flavored Doritos, and limited edition Popeye's Mountain Dew!" Wiz said, offering Megumin a bottle.

She eagerly took a swig, only to cough and spit it out. "This tastes disgusting, Wiz!"

Kazuma took the bottle and turned it, then groaned. "Wiz, this says it's iron rich and spinach flavored."

"But, Spinach is good for you!" Wiz protested. "And all these snacks were so cheap from the distributor!"

Behind her, Vanir rested his head on the counter and let out a strangled sob.

"Yeah, because no one wants to buy them, they're gross!" Kazuma said. "Right, Aqua?"

"Huh?" Aqua said, lowering her bottle of spinach flavored soda and wiping her mouth. "Kazuma, I need some more cash, I spent mine, and I want to get more of these snacks, they're great! I've never tasted anything like them before!"

"Have you had any customers besides us?" Kazuma asked, pulling out a few of the yen bills they were getting from the government as a weekly allowance and handing them to Aqua. He felt sort of bad for Wiz, and maybe Vanir too, so he was willing to let Aqua buy some of their ridiculous products.

"People keep coming in, taking one look, then leaving," Wiz sighed. "I don't understand! It's been a long time since I was a human, but I remember liking chocolate and salami. I just don't recall tastes properly…"

"Well, maybe you should ask someone with actual taste buds before you order a bunch of stuff next time," Megumin said, wrinkling her nose at snack cakes with cream cheese and mustard filling. "Where'd you get the money for this, anyway?"

"Oh, well, when we arrived, we had a catalog and a line of credit to go with the store, so, well, I thought, maybe we could make some money!" Wiz explained, looking hopeful. "If we can sell some of this, I could get more money to buy other products, but right now…"

"I don't know how you'd manage to move this," Kazuma said, shaking his head. "You'd have to have an incredible constitution just to try this stuff."

"What you need is advertising!" Megumin proclaimed. "I don't know if you know this, but I once helped the Axis Church pioneer their tactics for recruiting members! You just need a marketing campaign. Maybe a celebrity endorsement!"

That made Kazuma chuckle "Right, like some celebrity is just going to walk through the door, and shout-"

"I AM HERE!" All Might boomed, popping through the door. "To say hello!"

"Oh!" Wiz said, a smile blooming on her face. "All Might, you're just the hero I needed!"

The large man seemed concerned by this. "Really? You seem rather a capable fighter yourself, Miss Wiz. What concerns you? Don't tell me young Kazuma has already gotten into more trouble…"

"Oh, no, I just want you to try some of the snacks we're carrying!" Wiz explained. "You're a well known local celebrity, right?"

"Er, you could say that," All Might agreed hesitantly.

"Perfect! Here, these are some chocolate flavored Doritos, give them a try!" Wiz said, thrusting a bag of the alleged chips at the pro hero.

Suspiciously, All Might examined the supposed treat. "Well, I'm not usually much of one for junk food. I have to be constantly training, and fuel my body with only the most-" He paused as Wiz's hopeful expression fell. Taking another look at the chips, All Might swallowed, then opened the bag. He popped one in his mouth, chewing. Kazuma and Megumin watched expectantly, certain the big man would gag or try to spit out the chips somehow.

"Why, these are quite good!" All Might suddenly said, a huge smile blooming on his face. "They're like nothing I've ever tried before." He eagerly shoved another handful of the chips in his mouth, making little grunts of pleasure.

"Right? This stuff is great!" Aqua said, a huge armfull of snacks in her hands. "And Kazuma and Megumin don't like them, so I won't have to worry about them stealing it!"

Vanir sidled over, rubbing his hands eagerly. "Good sir, might moi convince you to make a statement or two that we could use for our promotional materials? Perhaps a line or two."

"Oh, er, well, usually my Agency handles that sort of thing," All Might said, but a single look at Wiz's earnest and hopeful expression made All Might relent. "-but I suppose that a few pictures or a line or two won't hurt anything."

"Come on," Megumin said, taking Izuku's shirt sleeve. "Let's get something to eat that doesn't turn my stomach. Then we'll have time to look for a good MMO to play."

They headed up the stairs, Aqua munching on a stick of grape and sauerkraut flavored processed meat. Kazuma swung the door open, and froze, as Megumin sucked in a breath.

"What? Who is it?" Darkness's voice called as Tokoyami froze in the sudden glare in the darkened room. Thankfully, the monster sized Dark Shadow blocked most of the view, but Kazuma didn't have to have much of an active imagination to realize what was happening. "Oh, are we being caught in the act? This is so embarrassing! Oh, the humiliation the-"

Kazuma slammed the door shut.

"What?" Aqua asked, apparently not having seen anything with the others blocking the doorway. "Kazuma, I need to put my snacks somewhere!"

"Yeah, er, why don't you go give some to Eris or something?" Kazuma said, shoving her towards the apartment next to theirs. "In fact, why don't we all go visit our friends? It's been too long since we've seen them!"

"But we just saw them at school! I want to go home and relax, not share my snacks!" Aqua argued.

"You really don't want to go home right now," Megumin groaned, her eyes haunted. "I'm going to need a lot of Explosions to help me forget that."

"Remind me to send Darkness a text the next time we're coming home early," Kazuma muttered as he banged on the next door. "Hey, anybody home?"

The door clicked open, and the irritated face of Katsuki Bakugo scowled out. "The fuck do you extras want?"

"Forget that, what are you doing in my little sister's apartment?!" Kazuma demanded, summoning his sword. He growled when he saw that Bakugo had on a dress shirt and slacks, and was about ready to stab him when he felt Megumin's hand on his arm.

"He was Komekko's friend," she said quietly.

Kazuma looked at Megumin, and saw the pain in her eyes. Reluctantly, he dismissed his blade, just in time for Bakugo to step aside as Iris came to the door.

"Big bro? This is perfect! You should come with Katsuki and I, he was going to show me the town! Since Megumin is your intended, she should accompany us! Ashido tells me this is called, 'a double date.'"

"What?! We're not getting married!" Kazuma cried, taking a step back, then pointing at Iris "And neither are you! You're way too young to get married, and I-OOF-"

"What do you mean, we're not getting married?!" Megumin shouted, punching Kazuma in the gut yet again. "Do you think I'm that easy?! That I'm just going to shack up with you forever and be your live-in waifu!?"

Kazuma tried to reply, but Bakugo was shouting so loudly he could barely hear himself think.

"-not a damned date! You just said-"

"Katsuki, are you denying you wish to take your beautiful queen on a date, as is required of your station?" Iris asked in a calm voice, cutting Bakugo off. Her eyes, however, reminded Kazuma of Megumin right before she unleashed an Explosion.

"Look, Megumin, I just-" Kazuma swallowed, realizing that Megumin had that dangerous glint in her eyes now. "I didn't...I didn't want to assume, that, you know...you wanted to marry me…"

"Well maybe now I don't! Do you not love me?! Are you not my destined soulmate?!" Megumin demanded, grabbing Kazuma's shirt collar and dragging him down to her height.

Kazuma and Bakugo's eyes slid towards one another, but both boys quickly looked back to the deadly women who had them by the proverbial short hairs.

"We'll go on a date," Bakugo agreed, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Look, let's...why don't we go with Iris and Bakugo? You know, a date, like a real couple. I'll er, buy you something nice," Kazuma offered.

"No you won't, you gave all your money to me for snacks," Aqua said. She slid between the two couples. "Hey, Eris, want to try some food? The mortals are making doe eyes at one another again and it's really gross."

"Aqua, you do realize we're mortal now, right?" Eris said, stepping out of her room. "And you do recall I was mortal once, don't you? I know what it is to feel love and passion."

"Yeah, but have you tried some of Wiz's snacks?! These are great! I've never had anything like them, they're a brand new sensation!" Aqua set the snacks down on the table, rustling through them and handing some to Eris, who appeared intrigued.

"A date would be nice," Megumin sniffed. She made a face then. "I, um, don't have any nice clothes with me, however, and I am not going back to my apartment to look."

"It is fine, I am simply wearing my school uniform as well as I lack a proper wardrobe," Iris said, stepping out of her doorway, Bakugo half a step behind her. "I er, hope you knocked? I saw Lalatina and, ah, Tokoyami enter, and while I did not wish to make any presumptions-"

"Let's just not talk about it," Kazuma said. "Ever."

"Ah. Well then. Megumin, you simply must tell me of your trevails in this other world you visited. What was it like?"

The two girls started chatting as the boys followed a few steps behind them. Kazuma found himself slouching slightly, unsure of what he was doing, and shoving his hands in his pockets. Why did Megumin have to get so upset? He just hadn't thought that far ahead. Most games ended once you unlocked the H-Scene. He really wasn't sure what came after that. He glanced at Bakugo, scowling and wondering if he thought he could get away with trying something on Iris.

Kazuma met Bakugo's eyes, and they both started to realize that they were aping one another's posture. Quickly, each straightened and took their hands out of their pockets, glaring at one another. They walked like that for several seconds, before Iris interrupted their staring contest.

"Katsuki, where is it that you are taking us? This is your home, after all, and we strangers in it."

"Dunno. You said you needed clothes and sh...stuff, so, I guess, the mall? We can get something to eat too. You ain't really had anything but school meals so far, yeah?"

Iris gave Bakugo a dazzling smile. "While I appreciate the effort, Katsuki, Kazuma is practically family, and Megumin is a dear friend. The strictures on your language can be relaxed around them."

"Thank fucking Christ," Bakugo growled. "I ain't cut out for this prince shit. You really should drop that bullshit."

"Yeah!" Kazuma agreed, surprised that he and Bakugo were on the same page on the matter. "Bakugo isn't suited for being royalty at all!"

"And you are?" Iris inquired, her eyes sparkling.

"Hell no," Kazuma and Bakugo said at the same moment, then turned and bared their teeth at one another.

"Now boys, behave," Megumin sniffed. "This is a date. We expect you to treat us like ladies. Even if I do have to buy Kazuma dinner, since he is broke."

Bakugo led them to the train station, where it turned out their UA student IDs offered a rather significant discount on a train card. That was fine with Kazuma, as he was down to his last 1000 yen. At least the currency seemed relatively stable, unlike his life.

Megumin and Iris ended up taking a seat by themselves, leaving Kazuma and Bakugo to stand together nearby. They spent the journey very obviously not looking at one another, though Kazuma found himself smiling faintly at being aboard a subway again.

At the station, they got off, and Megumin and Iris excused themselves to the bathroom. Kazuma leaned against the wall, eyeing the oddly familiar station. It was essentially how he remembered such a place, but it was just...off. For one thing, the abundance of mutant types meant that it was almost as though he were back in a fantasy world, and subways in Belzerg just wasn't right.

"You think I'm fucking stupid?"

Kazuma looked up to see Bakugo slouching next to him, his eyes straight forward.

"No, I think you're an asshole," Kazuma retorted.

"Takes one to fucking know one," Bakugo snorted, then spat into a nearby trash can.

"I know what I am, but I ain't trying to get into the pants of the damn queen!" Kazuma argued. "Besides, Megumin knows I'm an asshole, so does Iris. I ain't trying to fool anybody."

Bakugo turned to glare at Kazuma. "And you fucking think I am? That I'm just doing this so I can screw Iris and make a notch on my damn bedpost?"

"I, well, um," Kazuma's mind blanked. Why was Bakugo doing this?

"Shit. Iris knows what I'm about," Bakugo muttered, turning back to watch the passers by. "I've told her I ain't some damn knight in shining armor or some bull like that. I'm a fucking asshole. God damn it, you ever had a literal god tell you you're going to hell? Because I fucking have."

Kazuma considered that. "No. But they told me my parents laughed at me when I died."

"What, really?" Bakugo asked, scowling at Kazuma. When he nodded, Bakugo laughed. "Ha! I knew you were a pathetic nerd, but that takes the cake!"

"Piss off, pal. I left those bastards behind, so screw 'em. I've got real friends and family now. And in case you hadn't noticed, Iris is one of them. And I don't take kindly to some no-account asshole trying to horn in on my little sister! She's a good person! She's smart, and kind, and brave, and she's going to be a damn fine ruler! And what are you? Just a jerkoff who knows who to break things!"

Bakugo grunted, but didn't say anything, and Kazuma frowned at him. They stood for a few moments, then it dawned on Kazuma.

"You know, don't you?"

"Like I asked, you think I'm stupid or some shit? I know. Fuck. I don't deserve to be in the same room as Iris. Why she thinks she's gonna marry me or some shit...I dunno. It was bad enough when she made me her shield. At least that shit I understood. She needed a bastard, someone who could fight, could break Demiurge and his little friends. And I'm fucking great at blowing shit up."

"This was her idea," Kazuma realized. "She said you defeated the Demiurge with her...which means…"

"Like fuck I did. I croaked. Pretty sure we both did," Bakugo said, and once more, he looked pained and remorseful, almost as though he was on the verge of tears. "Knowing I failed her...I can't do that again. She needs a better man. Someone who can actually guard her back. And that ain't me." Then he turned to Kazuma, his eyes blazing with fury. "But it sure as hell ain't you!"

"I know," Kazuma admitted quietly, looking away. "I failed her, once. I failed everyone. It's my fault Belzerg fell in the first place. If I'd just managed to defeat the Lord of the Tomb…"

"Oh that's horseshit and you know it. Iris and me couldn't beat his damn minions, not even with Komekko. Shit, not even if we'd brought Sero, Yunyun, Ashido, Kirishima, and the fucking Salvation Army. It was bad enough fighting Demiurge. You actually fought this Ainz bastard?"

Kazuma let out a bitter laugh. "Fought? He only showed his face to end me once everyone else was dead. I couldn't do anything. We couldn't even beat his minions. I watched Chris get eaten alive by cockroaches. I saw Darkness exsanguinated. Yunyun was butchered when she ran out of spells and those undead overran us. Then they saved Megumin for last. Out of mana, her spine broken by those twisted elf kids. Then, He showed up. He just looked at me, pointed, and I died. I didn't do anything, I just clung to Megumin's corpse. Didn't even put up a fight. I could have. I still had some MP. But I didn't even care anymore."

Bakugo was silent, and so was Kazuma. After another minute, Megumin and Iris walked out of the bathroom. Bakugo started forward, but Kazuma reached out, grabbing Bakugo's arm. "Would you go back with her? Really? Knowing...he'd probably be there, waiting for you?"

Bakugo brushed Kazuma's grip away. "I don't care where she goes. I'll be there with her. And I'll die before she does. Just like last time."

Bakugo started away, but Kazuma nodded. "Then I guess you're a better man than I am. She's yours."

Bakugo glanced over his shoulder, his eyes blazing with rage. "Piss off. She's no one's to give away. She's no weakling."

The mall wasn't far, and this time Iris put her arm in Bakugo's. Megumin did the same to Kazuma as they trailed a little behind the other two.

"So, what'd you and Iris talk about?" Kazuma demanded. "Swapping stories about your stupid boyfriends?"

"Don't flatter yourself. Iris wanted to know about the forces of the Tomb we fought," Megumin said. Then, she paused, looking guilty. He might not have noticed, save for the fact he'd literally known her for centuries.

"I know when you're hiding something," Kazuma said. "Come on, spit it out."

"She...she wants us to come with her," Megumin said quietly. "When she goes back to Belzerg. She wants our help, Kazuma."

"Why? Belzerg's toast. Everyone we care about is already here," Kazuma said with a shrug. "Plus, the internet's way better here."

"Perhaps," Megumin said, looking away.

"What?" Kazuma demanded. "Why would you want to go back? It can't be because you liked the place. Everyone there was just as much of a dick to you as they were to me. They called you the crazy weird one, even in your village."

"That is true," Megumin admitted. "But...Kazuma, I...I have family there, still alive."

That took Kazuma aback. "What?"

"Komekko. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. My….my nieces and nephews. They still live."

"Oh." Kazuma considered that, unsure of what to say. He looked down at Megumin, and saw the pain. It was a sadly familiar sensation by now. He knew better than to say anything, but pattered her arm, and kissed the top of her head. "I do love you, you know. I'd even marry you."

"If you wish to marry me, you shall have to ask properly, for I am a true Crimson Demon," Megumin sniffed.

"Oh I see how it is. You're just nervous. Getting cold feet?" Kazuma teased.

"No, but I am going to insist that you ask properly," Megumin stated. "Now come. I wish to learn more of your culture. You know of mine."

They ended up having quite the enjoyable evening, shopping at a few stores for clothes, toys, and whatever else caught their eyes. Kazuma and Megumin got a few manga volumes and a some games to play at home, along with a bell for Chomusuke and clothes for the both of them.

Iris purchased a few practical items for school, as well as one or two outfits, though she didn't appear to have much interest in entertainment. Bakugo was mostly silent, apparently slightly uncomfortable in a group that knew each other well already. It had been a long time, but it was easy enough for Kazuma and Iris to fall into their old ways of teasing one another.

"Hey, an arcade! Oh man, it's finally my turn to beat you at games, little sis," Kazuma laughed. He dug out the few remaining coins he had. "Come on, play me at a round of Street Fighter!"

"Ha, I know these games! Come on, I'll show you how to get a high score, Bakugo!" Megumin cackled, digging out her own meager change and hurrying over to a cabinet.

"What? How the hell do you even know what these are?" Bakugo demanded.

"Aqua had a cabinet in the Divine Realm! I am especially skilled, for Crimson Demons are naturally talented at DDR!" Megumin proclaimed. "You are worthy to hold my jacket while I display my superior talents!"

"Oh fuck you, ya pint sized rat! I'll kick your ass!"

"You think so? Very well! I shall wager the title of true master of explosions! If you lose, you must tell all that I, Megumin, am the TRUE mistress of Explosions, and that you are barely worthy of licking my boots!"

Kazuma grinned and turned back to Iris, who was seriously studying the combo directions. "This is...one of the video games you have spoken of?"

"Yeah, pretty cool, huh?" Kazuma asked. "I looked it up online. Here, in this version, Vile is basically the top tier, with Zangief and-"

"I like her," Iris proclaimed, and locked in Karin. "She appears to be a lady of some skill."

"Um, yeah, OK. I guess I'll just play Dan," Kazuma said, wincing and locking in the joke character.

Even with Dan's pathetic arsenal, Kazuma dominated. It was quickly clear that Iris hadn't a clue what she was doing. though she still seemed to be having fun, and even managed to pull off a couple of basic combos when Kazuma walked her through it.

"So, you like Bakugo, huh?" Kazuma asked quietly as they played.

"Hmm? Why do you think that?" Iris asked, her attention mostly on the game.

Kazuma was so shocked that Iris actually managed to get in a few hits before her recovered. "Geez, I mean, you're going on about marrying the guy! So, you know, I figured, you like him, and whatever." Kazuma could not bring himself to say "love" in regards to Bakugo, even if he seemed to have at least reached a temporary understanding with the other boy.

"Kazuma, liking someone has nothing to do with marriage," Iris said, sounding slightly exasperated.

"What?! Of course it does! I mean, I liked Megumin before I, you know, loved her and stuff. I still do. She's my best friend. Even more than Aqua and Darkness, she's the person I want to just hang out with. So, you know, you like Bakugo, want to be with him and stuff. You're always together at school, and he walks you there and back."

"Kazuma, that is because you and Megumin are commoners. I mean no insult, that is simply the nature of the world. Someone of my position has not that luxury," Iris said, turning away from the game.

Kazmua gave up as well, as the match's outcome was obvious. "Oh? So, what, you're going to force yourself to marry the guy, even if you hate him?"

"I don't hate Katsuki," Iris said patiently. "He is my Shield, and my strong right arm. I shall marry him to bind him to me, so that Belzerg might be saved, and my children might be strong enough to rule it. I suppose I am fond of him after a fashion, but 'like' and 'love' have no place in a queen's affairs, save when it comes to her duty, and her people."

"So, what, you couldn't have married me because I'm weak?" Kazuma demanded, folding his arms over his chest.

Iris giggled. "I could have, had you not hastened into a relationship with Megumin, though I imagine she would have had something to say about it. You're not weak, Kazuma. That is why I want you at my side when I reclaim my kingdom."

Kazuma felt his heart start to beat rapidly, the icy hands of fear gripping it and squeezing. He tried to control himself, but by Iris' expression, he knew he hadn't managed it. "Iris, I-"

"You don't plan on returning?!" Iris demanded, her eyes going wide. "You would abandon our kingdom, our people?!"

"Iris, everyone either of us knew is dead, or here with us. Why go back? It's just land. We can have a home here. Hell, Bakugo lives here, you and him can-"

Iris' slap was enough to send Kazuma flying. If it weren't for his Acrobatics skill, he would have crashed through several arcade cabinets, then the window. As it was, he managed to tumble along the floor and come to a stop next to the wall, his head ringing.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing!? You dumbass kids using quirks in here? I'm calling the cops!"

"No, it's fine, I just slipped," Kazuma said, getting shakily to his feet, his ears still ringing. "My sister, she's just, er, you know. I said something stupid about her boyfriend, and she was a little upset. Um, it was my quirk that activated, you see. It's nothing."

"Get out," the manager growled, and pointed to the door. "I don't care if you are UA students. I don't need the damn cops coming down on my head cause you idiots think it's funny to use your quirks in public!"

"Fine, your games suck anyway," Kazuma grumbled. "Megumin, come on, we're leaving."

"Ha! Victory is mine!" Megumin proclaimed, then looked over and saw the handprint on Kazuma's cheek. She rounded on Iris, her eyes flashing.

"Not the time," Kazuma said quietly, taking her by the arm. "Come on."

"Katsuki, we are departing," Iris said, her voice ice. "Where is a place we can train?"

"Dojo where I practice and shit ain't too far. Got to be careful about using quirks there though. Sensei's OK with it if you keep to the back and don't get too crazy," Bakugo said, eyeing Kazuma. "Or do I need to bust some heads?"

"It is a disagreement between siblings. Come. I need to blow off some steam," Iris growled, grabbing Bakugo's hand and leading him away.

Kazuma and Megumin watched them go, then Kazuma sighed. "Well, I'm broke now. You?"

"I am hungry. I saved enough for us to eat. Yen is much like Eris, yes? Three thousand should be enough."

"Yeah, it's plenty. Come on, that looks like a ramen place. You'll like that."

They got their meals to go, heading back to the apartment. Kazuma had a decent enough natural sense of direction that they were able to walk, finding a park to sit and eat in as the sun set. Megumin eagerly slurped up her own food, and borrowed a fair bit of Kazuma's. He didn't mind, he wasn't that hungry, and besides, if she got fat, maybe she'd quit worrying about how small her boobs were. He liked them, but he knew it had bothered her to see how much bigger Iris' bust was when they were trying on outfits.

"You really want to go back?" Kazuma asked as they walked along the darkening streets.

Megumin glanced at Kazuma, then shivered and pressed herself to him. "I don't know. I...I watched you die too many times. And...and Aqua isn't a goddess anymore. I would like to help my Clan and family, but…"

"Darkness is gonna go. So will birdbrain, if she asks him. Iris is dead set on it too," Kazuma said quietly. "I almost think I could sit this one out. Live here, where it's quiet."

Megumin nodded, and they walked along the street, holding hands. They got back to their apartment complex, and this time, they knocked before they entered.

"Um, come in," Tokoyami's voice called. "We're, er, finished."

Cautiously, Kazuma and Megumin opened the door, finding a flushed Darkness and an embarrassed Tokoyami sitting on the couch together.

"Sup, bitches?" Dark Shadow squawked. "You like what you see?"

"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami hissed, but his quirk just chuckled and hid under the furniture.

"We did not expect you back so soon," Darkness said, smoothing her skirts. "We, ah, you see, both of us needed to relieve some tension and-"

"We don't care," Kazuma said bluntly. "Next time, put a sock on the door or something. What you two do is your own damn business. Just clean up after yourselves."

"Yes," Megumin said, and started dragging Kazuma towards their own bedroom. "Now I suggest you give the two of us some privacy."

Later, when Kazuma woke up in the middle of the night, he found Megumin whimpering in her sleep, crying out for her dead sister. He sighed, and pulled her close. He didn't know if he could go through all that again. But he sure as hell couldn't let his friends go alone.

"We'll go," Kazuma whispered, kissing Megumin's forehead as she jerked awake. "Together."

Megumin didn't speak, instead grabbing Kazuma's head and forcing her lips onto hers. For a little while, they could have peace, here, together. But it always ended too soon.