"I can't take it anymore…!" Anguished, Bombarda cries plopping back behind her desk drained.
"Take what?" Han asks by her side tending to some paperwork she handed her.
"Those god damn apples…" Bombarda curses cross.
"Oh but little Eri was so happy she won the lotto for you." Han reminds Bombarda.
"And I'm happy for her don't get me wrong…" Bombarda brushes her fingertips through her hair.
"But…" Kane strolls up hands in pockets plopping down on her desk.
"But I can only take so many apples!" Bombarda complains.
"But look at pretty your skin is!" Han compliments.
"I sweat glycerine." Bombarda deadpans.
"Oh…right…" Han deflates.
"Well the staff can only take so many apples." Kane shrugs.
"Urgh I know…wait a minute…" Bombarda's eyes expand at the thought.
"Hm?" Humming, the two turn to her.
"I got an idea!" Bombarda smirks smugly at her lightbulb moment, taking out her phone for the perfect person for her problem.
"Tch those pesky heroes sniffed us out!" The leopard looking thief curses with a woman by his side, the two taking chase with the purse glaring at the trio behind them consisting of Mineta, Midoriya and Tokoyami.
"For this team up mission we're taking down a gang of thieves the lineup this time? Me, Tokoyami, Mineta…
"Crap dead end!" The two curse at the dead end.
"We've got them cornered!" Midoriya smiles.
"Now grape juice!" Tokoyami calls out.
"In one fell swoop with…grape rush!" Mineta goes to finish it when…fierce feathers shoot down, ending it.
"Annnd we're done here." Hawks swoops down.
"And…Hawks, the number two hero!
"Hey it was my chance to shine!" Mad, Mineta yells.
"Let's hurry to the next district Hawks!" Midoriya goes to make a dash for it but…
"Hmm? Oh sorry way ahead of you." Hawks admits as the police surround the feather pinned group of thieves.
"Too fast as always!" The police couldn't help but stare stunned at his work.
"I think the cops can finish up here…so that's all for today. Another job well done." Hawks happily clasps his hands together.
"Can I get a selfie Hawks?" Girls rush over to Hawks.
"Hawks I saw you in action back there!" Another of the girls add.
"Sure line up for pics folks." Happily, he takes photos with girls either side of him.
"Wish that were me…" Mineta growls glaring with envy at Hawks happily talking to the girls gushing over him as after he tends to the line of girls.
"Where are you headed?" Deku couldn't help but ask Hawks stretching.
"Hm…probably go bother Katsu for a bit then head home to rest my wings." Casually, Hawks stretches smiling.
"Hawks place, uncharted territory even for me how does he live I wonder? Tokoyami wonders at the thought.
"I bet he's hiding the secrets to his luck with the ladies now we're curious! Mineta smiles.
"Can I come too! I wanna see your place!" Mineta says what everyone else is thinking.
"Huh? You want to tag along? No skin off my back." Hawks agrees.
"ALRIGHT!" Mineta cheers.
"Do you mean it!? We'll have to bring some snacks!" Midoriya reasons.
"Great just follow me then!" Hawks smiles.
"Okay!" The group agree as they follow him off the roof however…
"Hawks! Y-You're too quick!" Midoriya cries out to the man flying high in the sky.
"Keep up or you'll never see my place!" Hawks challenges coyly, the boys taking chase after him.
"Thanks for coming like this Tai." Relieved, Katsumi smiles softly at Tai.
"Hey what are friends for?" Tai happily takes the crate of apples.
"You seriously don't mind taking these?" Hopeful, she smiles.
"Kat I know you, for you to withdraw from the battle it must be something." Snickering, he chuckles.
"I swear if I eat one more apple I'm going to be sick." Honestly, Katsumi admits.
"Hah! Hey…is that a new jacket?" Tai takes note of.
"Hm? Oh right yeah." Simply, she shrugs.
"What happened to your old one? The lucky one?" Tai furrows his brow befuddled.
"I was actually going to ask if I left it at your place." Honestly, she admits to him.
"No I would have told you if you did." Tai tells her.
"Yeah…I haven't seen it since and with winter I had to get ask dad to make a new one for me." She says to Tai.
"Yeah it is part of your costume, I doubt you could find it in some random store." Tai tuts clicking his tongue.
"Yeah urgh it sucks I've had that thing for years too." Katsumi sighs sadly.
"Hey out with the old in with the new." Tai reminds her.
"Yeah I guess…but anyway thanks again for this I know they don't give you much in terms of calories but…" Katsumi thanks him again.
"It's fine nothing some chocolate coating can't fix." He smiles.
"You're my hero Tai I mean it." Katsumi smiles just as a figure of raw red appears.
"Oh ho never thought I'd hear the day Bombarda would call someone her hero." The two perk up at the voice turning to the bird boy above them arms crossed over his chest smiling.
"…Hawks…" Katsumi furrows her brow at him, fatigued from the sheer sight of him when…
"What's up Hawks?" A group of girls rush over.
"Just a game of tag." He looks down at the girls below.
"Cool wish we could play a game of tag with you!" The girl giggles winking at him. Tai turns to Katsumi looking just done drained by him.
"Hnnhg he's toying with us? Oh he ain't getting away! It's on for real now!" Mineta seethes shakes scowls at he uses his balls to bounce from one wall to the next, Midoriya doing something similar as Tokoyami files in the air towards Hawks.
"Dark shadow!" Tokoyami calls out.
"Aye aye!" Dark shadow lunges at Hawks still in the air.
"Yeah good just how I like it!" Hawks praises after avoiding said strike.
"What's he doing?" Katsumi couldn't help but ponder perplexed as to why the hero students were attacking him.
"Nice flying there!" He smiles at Tokoyami.
"I've improved on my talents!" Tokoyami tells his mentor.
"I'm still faster though." Hawks smirks smugly avoiding another hit.
"What's he trying to accomplish here?" Katsumi couldn't help but ponder perplexed.
"You really don't know?" Tai couldn't help but chuckle at the oblivious Katsumi.
"Hey Is that Hawks? It totes is! Love that guy!" The girls gush over him eager to take photos.
"Thanks Chickakee!" He smiles at them.
"The terrain's on my side gotcha now." Mineta goes to strike reaching for his back but…
"Too bad my wings don't count buh bye." Hawks deflects him off, crossing his legs as he smiles taking off or trying to at the least.
"He left himself open…Midoriya! Tokoyami turns to Midoriya.
"Midoriya…" Katsumi perks up at the sight of the boy but…
"Huh-uh." Hawks flawlelslly dodges Izuku's attempt as the boy falls into the trash cans below in the alleyway.
"Izuku! Tai hold these!" Katsumi rushes over to the boy's side.
"Hawks we love you!" The girls squeal smiling at him.
"Hawks what kind of girl do you like?" Another of the girls record him.
"Hawks marry me!" Another squeals smiling however Hawks doesn't bat them an eye when…
"Izuku!" Katsumi calls out rushing over to the boy's side.
"Kat…?" Izuku looks up at the worried Katsumi.
"Are you alright?" Katsumi frets over him unaware of Hawks watching on.
"I-I'm fine." He smiles strained.
"Are you sure?" She couldn't help but worry.
"Kaaat." Midoriya draws out.
"Urgh I'm sorry you're just so cute!" Katsumi couldn't help but hug him fussing over him.
"Deku's so lucky…" Mineta couldn't help but grumble pouting at the sight of Katsumi fussing over him, him not being the only one as Hawks tends to his fans, Fatgum watching on could see Hawk's eyes sharpening scowling at the sight of Katsumi tending to Izuku…
"Well chickadees it's been fun but…" Hawks takes off.
"And there he goes." Tai remarks box in hand.
"So noisy…" Kat tuts tiredly as the crowd disperses.
"Kat…" Izuku calls out to her.
"Hm?" Katsumi turns to him.
"You know where Hawks lives right?" Izuku assumes.
"…Why would I?" Katsumi blinks befuddled.
"Huh?" Izuku and the boys do a double take.
"Why would I know where that guy lives?" Katsumi repeats lost.
"Well aren't you…?" Mineta begins but…
"Izuku did we lose him?" Tokoyami rushes over.
"Tokoyami?" Katsumi says surprised to see him.
"Can't believe he's got the luxury of chatting with fans!" Fuming, Mineta huffs.
"Right, you guys have fun with that." Katsumi takes her leave.
"What was that about?" Tai couldn't help but ask.
"No clue…" Katsumi admits lost to what had just happened.
"He dealt with us handily like this was mere child's play." Tokoyami bows his head.
"We're never gonna catch the guy what now?" Mineta sighs sadly
"Let's keep calm and think this through." Midoriya argues.
"Hawks once gave me a valuable piece of advice, being up in the sky gives you a birds eye view of the world." Tokoyami recites as they go up to the roof.
"Any leads to follow?" Midoriya asks.
"We gotta spot something! Urgh nope! Nothing but randos walking around!" Annoyed, Mineta complains as they look down at the people below going about their day.
"That's it!" Tokoyami realises.
Welp…I'm nearly home did I make them eat too much dust? They'll probably be searching from high up might as well head down and give them a chance…Hawks reasons to himself as he looks down at the people below until…
"Hawks I'm a big fan of your heroics can I get an autograph?" A voice calls out with a pen and paper.
"Sure who do I make it out to?" Hawks asks.
"Minoru Mineta!" Mineta, Midoriya and Tokoyami arrive.
"Huh? How'd you know where I was…? I was sure you'd be searching up high." Hawks couldn't help but ask impressed.
"We reached you down on the ground actually." Midoriya admits.
"Hawks yeah we ran into him! We even got this sweet selfie! See! See!" The blushing girls with feathers in their hair show said selfie off.
"Where did he go after that?" Tokoyami asks.
"Didn't tell us where he was headed but he flew towards the station." The girl answers.
"We kept asking around and found other fans you stopped to chat with. They helped us trace your route..." Tokoyami explains to his mentor recalling the numerous girls they had to talk to.
"Using my fans against me…well done! I'm a guy of my word so c'mon." Hawks gives in.
"Cool!" The group cheer as they follow him.
"My pad's really nothing special." Hawks dismisses.
"I'm freaking pumped to see the number two's hero's place! The secrets to his success are mine! All mine! It's so…normal!" Mineta gasps at the empty room of sorts.
"I'm kind of a minimalist…since I'm not at home too often." Hawks smiles.
"Hawks…he's got the skills to be number two…yet he's such a stoic hero…Midoriya couldn't help but stare at Hawks.
"Want something to drink?" Hawks offers.
"No that's okay. Sorry to introduce on your downtime…" Midoriya smiles.
"We'll take our leave." Tokoyami adds as they do just that.
"Man that was not how I expected it at all. I was picturing flashy décor. Lots of swag." Mineta complains.
"Heroes come in all shades." Tokoyami adds.
"It makes me want to work even harder that said…some popular heroes have multiple homes so they can avoid their more passionate fans, maybe Hawks is one of them…?" Midoriya considers, he recalled his mother telling Katsumi to do the same though Katsumi would refuse, refusing to run away from some creep she would deal with.
"Darkness shrouds the truth." Tokoyami exclaims.
Sure I do use that apartment since the commission pay for it but at the end of the day there's no place like the home I choose for myself…Hawks thinks to himself as he flies high in the sky, glancing over at Katsumi on the phone pleading praying begging for her auntie to take another crate of apples amusing Hawks, smirking slightly at the sight before heading back to his own place…
"Good to be home…" He huffs, removing his jacket sitting down in the barren room of plank flooring and wall with a simple table with a cup of coffee and three sugars. He takes out a familiar bomber jacket of olive from the cabinet of sorts, softly placing it down similar to a pillow almost as he lies on his side, curling cuddling, nuzzling into it, inhaling the soft scent bringing a wave of comfort to him.
"You're my hero Tai…" His fingertips tightens tenses around the fabric from her words.
"Why do you keep coming here? You know you have a place of your own right?" Katsumi's words echoes in Hawk's head, her leant against the side of the TV.
"Yep." Hawks smiles slouched on the sofa, his head nuzzled into her side silently watching the TV, wings fanning over them both.
"And you still come here causing a mess." Katsumi plucks a stray feather from her hair.
"Yep." Hawks smiles nuzzling into her side.
"Least you cold do is clean up after yourself sheesh…" Katsumi turns back to the TV as present day Hawks grimaces at the pain in his clenched chest curling further into the fabric below before enjoying his down time…
"I'm here to visit Eri!" Togata declares determined, afro on proclaiming it to the just done drained Aizawa and Katsumi.
"…We can see that." Tiredly, Katsumi sips her coffee cup.
"That you Togata? Thanks for coming as always." Aizawa plays polite host.
"Well I'm still on leave and hanging out with Eri is a blast for me too." Mirio assures the adults.
"Amajiki and Hado are already here so go join them." Aizawa tells Mirio.
"But before you do. Care to explain…that?" Katsumi couldn't help but point to the elephant in the room that is the afro.
"This? Just my latest laugh out loud gag!" Mirio shows said afro off with the ducks in them.
"Get rid of it, it's too much." Bluntly, Bombarda orders.
"Aw that's mean Bombarda!" Mirio whines.
"You'll scare Eri with it." Bombarda states the firm fact.
"Agreed it's too much take it off." Aizawa nods his head in agreement.
"Aw…you guys don't know how to have fun." Mirio does just that.
"You try eating apples for weeks on end!?" Enraged, Bombarda snaps snippily.
"…Is that why you dumped them here?" Aizawa assumes eyeing the mess of a woman.
"No I just had a car full of apple crates in my car…" Dryly, Bombarda sneers.
"Someone's cranky." Mirio chuckles coyly.
"I miss meat okay!? I miss spice!? I miss food that doesn't have apple in it okay!?" Bombarda stresses scowling.
"Just go on ahead Togata." Aizawa advises as he does just that leaving the adults to it.
"We've got a mountain of apples!" Nejire cheers as Mirio comes in to see his fiends cutting apples for Eri at the table, numerus boxes of apples behind her.
"Whoa what's the occasion? I didn't know they started an orchard at U.A." Mirio says surprised.
"Nah nuhuh remember when you and Eri entered that giveaway contest from that apple orchard?" Nejire reminds him.
"Oh snap did we win Eri?" Mirio asks hopeful.
"Yeah thanks for helping Lemillion." Eri confirms.
"Hang on though Eri and me could never eat all these apples by ourselves I know you should eat a bunch yourself Tamaki since your quirk turns food into power." Mirio turns to Amajiki but…
"Sorry Mirio but that won't help much. This is about all I can do with apples." Amajiki sighs sadly curled up in a corner crouches down depressed by the lone sapling formed from his hand.
"The apples were grown with lots of sun…and lots of love…Eri thinks to herself munching down on the apple slices before her.
"This apple is so yummy…it's why I gave some to Bombi these apples were grown with love and care like she gave me…I wanted to give it back to her." Honestly, Eri explains to the big three.
"Aw that's so sweet Eri!" Mirio smiles.
"…It's Bombi's birthday soon." Shyly, she admits.
"Huh? How'd do you find that out?" Mirio asks astonished.
"Well…" Eri trails off.
"Another year without a granddaughter…" Mitsuki sighs sadly folding some laundry.
"Mitsuki…" Masaru sighs softly at his wife while holding Eri.
"What? It's her birthday in a week here I hoped she'd find some stability." Sighing, she tries to explain to her husband.
"And she will in her own time." Tentatively, he reminds her.
"I know I just…with how much danger she puts her body through I'm worried it could cut out that option for her. Not having the option is just…" Mitsuki tenses up briefly by the thought unaware of Eri listening in.
"It's Bombi's birthday soon?" Eri shyly speaks up.
"Oh Eri, yes it this, this weekend." Masaru confirms for her.
"Are you guys going to do something?" Eri wonders.
"Probably. Have dinner tonight like last year." Masaru answers.
"Oh…" Eri exclaims just as a glint gleams in Mitsuki's eyes.
"Say this year how about you tell my daughter you want a daddy." Dubiously, Mitsuki tells Eri.
"Oh um…okay…" Eri nods.
"So you want to celebrate her birthday?" Nejire assumes snapping Eri out of her brief walk down memory lane.
"Yeah I want to thank her too for saving me." Eri admits.
"So you want to use the apples to help make something…" Mirio assumes.
"Yes she likes apples, she eats lots like I do!" Eri points out, she had seen Katsumi eat tons of apples when she brought some of the crates over.
"Alright we'll say its an apple birthday when in fact it's a secret surprise birthday party for Bombarda." Mirio decides.
"But…what is one?" Eri ponders perplexed.
"Ah lemme explain a birthday party's when you call over your friends, chat and joke, eat and drinks, play games and so all sorts of fun stuff to celebrate the birth of that person we are all celebrating to be alive, we even given gifts to them." Nejire explains to Eri.
"There are a lot of foods you can make with apples." Tamaki shyly speaks up.
"Let's…let's do it!" Eri declares.
"You're down for it Eri? Then we'll pitch in however we can." Mirio promises.
"To live up to our title as the big three isn't that right Amajiki?" Nejire turns to him.
"Urgh…the pressure" Amajiki folds fearful.
"…okay!" Eri nods determined.
"Yes what can I…it's Eri and the big three!?" Sato says surprised to find them at his door with some boxes of apples.
"Sorry to barge in but we've got a favour to ask." Mirio admits as he leans against the box.
"Weird his room smells all sweet and stuff." Nejire sniffs said room.
"Huh? A favour from me?" Sato says surprised setting some plate of cookies down as they fill him in.
"So you want to cook up a bunch of apple based cushions for everyone for Bombarda's birthday?" Sato summarises.
"Bingo Eri tells us you're a man to call for cooking stuff!" Mirio smiles.
"Bombi always makes me yummy treats but since she can't know I thought you could you always make yummy treats too." Eri recalls.
"Gosh you're making me blush Eri." Sato shyly smiles.
"So? Help us cook?" Mirio munches on some cookies.
"I'd be happy to help but the issue is…" Sato sighs.
"Huh? What's the problem?" Mirio ponders perplexed.
"I'm just saying such a fun plan…is gonna fire up the whole class." Sato warns just as the door opens…
"WE HEARD EVERYTHING!" Class A rush in, Denki, Mineta, Mina and Sero leading the charge.
"A party planned by Eri for Bombarda!? Heck yeah we're in!" Denki smiles.
"Why didn'tcha come right to us!?" Sero asks.
"Gotta borrow some supplies!" Mina goes to do just that as class A prep for the party.
"Bombarda calmly patrols around the city, hands shoved into her pockets calmly going about her day when her phone rings. Silently, she takes it out to answer.
"Happy birthday sweetheart." Smiling, Masaru greets her.
"Thanks Dad so what's up?" Katsumi asks as she flinches from the brisk breeze brushing through her hair.
"Your mother wanted to know the time for tomorrow's meal." Masaru admits.
"Ah right I'll talk to Aizawa and see when I can pick up Katsu then text you the time." Katsumi promises.
"Good how are you by the way? Having a good day?" Masaru wonders.
"Yeah it's alright." Katsumi nods at a few fans waving at her.
"Any plans tonight?" He wonders.
"Well Kane and Han are taking me out to drinks probably bring Tai and Ken…" Katsumi looks up at the fluffy clouds above.
"That sounds like fun just be careful." Masaru warns.
"I always am dad besides I got a new father on my side, he'll probably stop me at two at best." Bemused, Katsumi argues.
"Hah! Oh heads up your mother's getting a bit…" Masaru begins but….
"Pushy?" Katsumi assumes smiling sadly, she knew how her mother was especially when it came to her birthday.
"Yeah…" Masaru sighs smiling strained.
"She always is during this time of the year." Katsumi argues.
"You know she cares about you." Masaru reminds Katsumi.
"Of course I do doesn't mean I need another lecture of her wanting a grandkid I mean I thought Eri was enough." Katsumi ruffles her spikes, surely she thought she'd be let off the loose by now with Eri…still she got why her mother was like this most heroes tended to get hurt pretty badly and with her habit of getting hurt, she understood her mother's fears for her.
"Oh she is, trust me when I say your mother loves Eri I think your mother just worries that you'll lose the chance to have kids of your own with your job…to lose the option then choosing to not have one…it can be a cruel pain I think your mother thinks." Masaru tries to explain making Kat sigh.
"…I know and I love her I do I just…there's a lot going on right now dad and I just…" Kat furrows her brow stress seeping out of her tense tired tone, a headache already forming from her earring alone.
"You don't have to explain anything to me." Masaru assures Kat.
"Dad…" Kat begins brow furrowed fatigued, she wished she could tell him truly but for his safety she just couldn't.
"Just do what makes you happy Kat." Masura tells her.
"Thanks dad…love you." Katsumi smiles softly at her father.
"Love you too you have a good birthday Kat." Masura smiles back.
"I will see you." Katsumi hangs up continuing on her patrol…
"Now we have a suitable labour force for the task at hand!" Ida smiles happily all dressed up helping prep for the party.
"Where do you want these apples?" Shoto asks box of apples in hand.
"Here's good." Mina smiles.
"Hey no snacking!" Hagakure calls out to Sayako but…
"You'll never take me alive!" Syaako flees with the apple.
"They're all so into it…" Nejire smiles helping put Eri's hair together.
"Um…Deku?" Shyly, Eri calls out to the boy.
"Oh did you want to do it all yourself." Midoriya frets holding the bowls in his hands.
"Nuh uh this is like getting ready for a school festival everyone so was bus like whoa!" Eri couldn't help but compare.
"So what is it Eri?" Midoriya asks Eri.
"You…you know Bombi best right?" Eri asks him.
"Best? I'm the blood relative dumbass!" Katsuki barks from the back.
"Kaachan! What Kaachan means is we did grow up with her yeah, why do you ask?" Midoriya frowns at Katsuki grumbling going back to peeling while Midoriya turns back to Eri.
"It's Bombi's birthday soon but…I don't know what to get her." Eri admits to Midoriya.
"Oh…" Midoriya sets the bowls down on the counter.
"I don't have much money but…" Eri bows her head sadly.
"Eri whatever you get Bombarda she'll love." Midoriya assures.
"What did you get her?" Eri queries.
"Cards." Katsuki grunts grumpily from the back.
"Hm?" Eri blinks befuddled.
"Wait you mean…" Midoriya asks the silent message.
"Of course I do dumbass." Katsuki growls glaring at him.
"Hm?" Eri still lost eyes the pair.
"When Kaachan and I were little we would make cards for Bombarda." Midoriya explains to Eri.
"Cards?" Eri says softly surprised.
"Yeah see there's these training cards for heroes we'd make one for Bombarda. We'd also make her design like what'd look like as a hero." Midoriya explains.
"Really?" Eri whispers.
"Yeah so maybe try that." Midoriya suggests.
"O-Okay…" Eri nods.
"All right let's dive into this prep for real! Sato teach us how to make a cake okay?" Mirio calls out to him.
"Yo Todo what you doing?" Sayako spots her friend to the side on his phone.
"I had thought to phone my father." Shoto admits.
"…why?" Sayako frowns.
"He seems to know Bombarda well perhaps he would have some ideas." Shoto says phone ringing.
"Are…are you sure you want to…and he's doing it anyway…" Sayako sweatdrops at Todoroki having done just that.
"Shoto…is phoning me…!?" Endeavor stares stunned at the buzzing phone below baffled.
"Shoto…what is it? Is something wrong?" Endeavor clumsily answers astonished amazed that this was even happening.
"Um no…I was just wondering since its Bombarda's birthday do you know what drinks she would like…" Todoroki admits as Sayako moves from side to side.
"It's Bombarda's birthday?" Endeavours' eyes expand at the news.
"Did you not know that?" Shoto says surprised.
"She…Bombarda isn't the sort to tell us of such details." Endeavor admits awkwardly astonished at the news.
"Right well…" Todoroki trails off awkwardly, a still silence between both of them, not quite sure where to go from it as Todoroki calmly hangs up astonishing Endeavor.
"…Burnin'!" Endeavor calls out to her.
"Hm?" She turns to him.
"Go buy some whisky!" Endeavor orders her.
"H-Huh? But why?" Baffled, Burnin' blurts out however…
"Just do it!" Endeavor commands cross.
"Yes sir!" Stunned, she goes to do just that.
"So what's everyone cooking?" Nejire asks looking around.
"Candy apples, Bombi likes them too." Eri speaks up.
"I know how to make those first take a wooden chopstick and…" Midoriya shows Eri how to make them.
"Deku what was Bombi like when she was little?" Eri asks as Midoriya makes said apples for Eri.
"She was…a hero." Midoriya smiles softly thinking back to his tearful youth, her rushing over, berating Katsuki as she would save him time and time again from the other kids.
"Really?" Eri says softly in awe almost.
"Yep even when I was young she'd always look out for me and Kachan, saving me from bullies she's like an older sister to me." Midoriya admits.
"She saved you too?" Eri says softly.
"Yep. Heh. She'd always come running whenever I was in trouble or upset or if I was being bullied she's scare the bad guys away." Midoriya smiles softly at the memory of it all of his snot nosed self crying in her shirt as she would calm him down.
"She was amazing even back then…" Eri says softly staring at the bare apple.
"She really was." Midoriya nods.
"Oh…like this?" Eri notes her peeled apple.
"Yeah nice job Eri!" Midoriya compliments her.
"Ooh make one for me please!" Hagakure calls out as prep continues.
"I'll go get the car." Haneul wearing a black mini dress with green accents goes off to do just that as Kane and Katsumi in their casual clothes come out of the agency, having left Ed to be in charge. Katsumi wears a leather jacket with ripped jeans and a distressed shirt with combat boots. Kane wears a light blue with black accent tank top with purple demin jeans and blue and white trainers matching his light blue shades.
"Alright…hm?" Kane looks in his compact before taking note of the tall man waiting outside.
"Endeavor?" Katsumi does a double take at the sight of the man in his casual clothes confusing the group.
"…Bombarda." Endeavor holding his present presents it to her.
"Wha…what are you doing here?" Katsumi couldn't help but ask astonished.
"Yeah what's going on big guy?" Kane couldn't help but wonder.
"I just…" Endeavor begins but soon stops struggling almost at trying to find the answer.
"…A present?" Katsumi perks up at the wrapped up present.
"I heard it was your birthday." He shoves said present towards her again.
"Whoa how'd you find that out?" Kane couldn't help but ask amazed alarmed almost as he looks over at Kat, looking just as perplexed.
"…I have my ways." Endeavour shrugs aloofly.
"Wow thank you…" Touched, Katsumi smiles at the present opening it up to see said bottle of whisky.
"Whisky?" Kane frowns at the bottle.
"I recall you having a bottle on your desk." Awkwardly, Endeavour admits.
"Yeah…that was good while it lasted." Katsumi gives Kane quite the look.
"I said I was sorry okay!?" Kane whines.
"I like the cup it's nice." Katsumi tells the clearly uncomfortable Endeavor.
"…I'm glad." Endeavor bows his head.
"…" A still silence falls between the trio.
"Well we were about to head out…get some drinks." Kane hints.
"I see…" Endeavor simply stares at the two.
"…would you like to join us?" Katsumi offers quirking her head to the side swearing Endeavor looked a bit like a puppy pleading to come shyly.
"Kat!" Kane hisses harshly at her however…
"I…if that would be alright?" Endeavor asks almost anxiously astonishing the two.
"Sure!" Smiling strained, Katsumi agrees as Kane gawks gapes at the sudden added party member.
"Hey Togata's here we hear you were dropping by school today man!" Two guys come into the dorm.
"You gotta give your business course pals a visit!" One of the guys call out.
"Who're they?" Kirishima ponders perplexed.
"Some business course students we met at the festival." Midoriya recognises.
"Haha sorry guys but hanging out with Eri takes priority!" Mirio apologises to the two.
"Some pal you are Togata!" One of the boys holler.
"All play and no work huh? Don't get rusty while you're on leave!" Another adds jokingly.
"Rusty huh?" A glint gleams in Mirio's eyes.
"Oh no…" Sayako spots said glint.
"I'll make you eat those words!" Mirio swears stabbing the whisk into the mixing bowl.
"Togata don't!" Sayako tries to warn him but…
"POWER!" He stirs said cream getting it all over the place.
"…Idiot." Sayako sighs at the mess of the room.
"Oops. Guess I went a bit overboard." Mirio smiles sheepishly when finally noting the mess.
"Ya think!?" Sayako snaps scowling at the moron that is Mirio.
"Is Ken here?" Casually, Katsumi asks after exiting out of the car knocking on the door to be greeted by a familiar blonde woman.
"Ah Katsumi come in come in." Ken's wife warmly welcomes Katsumi inside.
"Thanks." Katsumi smiles sheepishly glancing over at Endeavor, Kane, Tai and Han in the car, looking awkwardly around attempting to make conversation with the number one hero…
"No thank you, the apples you sent helped a lot when it comes to baby food." Ken's wife admits to her.
"Really? I'm glad." Katsumi smiles relieved.
"Happy birthday by the way." She tells Kat.
"Ah thanks I won't take Ken out for long." Kat promises.
"No it's good he works so hard it's nice to see him relax sometimes outside the family Ken." Ken's wife admits.
"Hm? Oh Kat…" Ken comes in.
"You ready to go?" Kat asks him.
"Yeah…just got to say one last goodbye." Ken goes back into the room.
"Ah okay." Kat nods in understanding.
"You want to see him?" Ken's wife offers.
"Oh uh…" Kat flinches freezes from the thought tensing up.
"Come on it'll be fine." Ken spotting Kat's nervousness drags her in.
"O-Okay…guess this is happening now." Kat mutters going along with it.
"He whipped up the cream in an instant!" In awe, the guy from the business course says in awe after cleaning up.
"Like a human stand mixer!" The other amazed business course student says stunned.
"Wow!" Eri too couldn't help but be in awe.
"Even if I'm on leave I keep up with my training." Mirio admits.
"The heck we cant afford to be slacking off either then!" The two from business realise.
"Say since you're here why don't you join us?" Mirio drapes his arms around the two.
"We've been drafted!" The two say stunned by the development.
"Fine by you right Eri?" Mirio turns to Eri who simply nods.
"It is what it is." The guy from business says.
"Let's show em how the business course rolls!" The other rolls up his sleeves.
"Isn't he adorable?" Ken couldn't help but coo smiling at his son in his crib.
"Yeah…he really is." Katsumi couldn't help the strained smile towards the infant within the crib simply staring at her.
"…You wanna hold him?" Ken asks her.
"H-Huh?" Katsumi does a double take.
"You heard me." Ken remains resolved.
"Ken I don't think that's a…" Anxiously, Katsumi tries to explain sweat sliding down her tense temple at the thought trailing off anxiously thinking back to her younger self, holding her baby brother before…
"Just do it." Ken takes his son handing him over to her.
"O-Okay…guess this is happening now." Katsumi shakily stares stunned down at the baby simply staring straight faced at her.
"Now was that so hard?" Ken smirks smugly at Katsumi.
"Mmm…" Katsumi makes a strained sound, shaking.
"You don't like kids or something?" Ken raises a brow.
"No just…don't have a good memory with them." Tense, Katsumi smiles strained shaking.
"…You seem alright with little Eri…" Ken hums leant against the cradle.
"That…that's different…" Katsumi tries to argue but…
"How so?" Ken argues.
"I…I just don't think I'd be good mother material…" Katsumi sighs softly, anxiously eyeing the child in her hands.
"I won't ask but you're a good mother to Eri." Ken admits to Katsumi.
"Huh?" Katsumi blinks befuddled.
"I saw the way that girl clung to you, heck how you talk about her when we hang out you care for her." Ken tells Katsumi.
"Course I do I just…" Katsumi looks away anguished.
"…Like I said I won't ask but you should give yourself more credit than that." Ken takes his son from Katsumi.
"Ken…" Katsumi says softly touched by her friends words watching him tuck his son in.
"We'll be heading out." Ken tells his wife, pecking her cheek before leaving with Kat, the two heading to the car where they all head to the bar.
"Having fun Togata?" Nejire asks Togata tending to the baking.
"Mm-hmm I might've lost my quirk and had to take time off from school but it's not like anyone treats me any different. It's reminded me…that U.A is where I belong." Togata explains to Nejire.
"You're the same guy deep down we all know it Mirio." Amajiki shyly speaks smiling.
"You can't take the Togata out of Togata." Nejire adds amused.
"Thanks…you two!" Togata thanks his friends as the big Three go back to their respective task for the party.
"So Kat right? Sees this huge ass guy and just goes for it!" Tai chuckles continuing the tale to the others of their younger years.
"What else was I meant to do?" Kat argues amused.
"Wait for back up?" Han suggests smiling making the group burst out laughing, the group smiling sharing their drinks when Katsumi spots the lone fire bender at the bar counter, silently sipping his drink.
"Endeavor having fun?" Katsumi makes her way over to him.
"Enji." Endeavor grunts glancing down at his drink.
"Hm?" Humming, Katsumi takes a seat.
"Enji Todoroki that's my name." Endeavor tells her.
"That so?" Katsumi smiles.
"You call the others by their real names." Endeavor points out.
"Huh I do don't I? Never noticed that before…" Bluntly, Katsumi admits as she looks down at her drink.
"…I visited Rei." Enji admits to Katsumi.
"…that right?" Katsumi hums staring down at her glass.
"…I left her a flower." Enji bows his head staring down at his glass.
"A flower? How…romantic?" Unsure, Katsumi offers not quite sure what to say.
"…They…they were her favourite…" Enji whispers weakly to Katsumi.
"Endeavor…" Katsumi's brow furrows at Enji.
"I…I couldn't face her." Enji bows his head anguished.
"…" Katsumi stares silently down at her glass.
"The idea of her cracking breaking…just from the sheer sight of me…just from what I did…" Enji whispers weakly, his tone trembling terrified even as Katsumi silently sips her glass.
"You gotta face it eventually." Katsumi reminds her.
"I want it on her terms…not mine." Enji admits.
"Fair enough." Katsumi shrugs.
"Don't you hate me?" Endeavor's grip tightens tenses around his glass.
"Hm?" Katsumi hums sipping her glass.
"I mean…" Enji begins but…
"Your past is your past as my past is mine. I may not condone your actions of the past and you may not condone the actions of my own past I know I don't…regardless its good of you to not push it…" Katsumi gives Endeavor that, thinking briefly back to her own time, snapping scowling shouting at Katsuki, the tears freely flowing from her armless form as she screamed sobbed her heart out, hitting, punching walls…yelling at her teary eyed parents painted to see her in such a light, her body screaming, shouting, screeching as the tears freely feel from her drained defeated form…
"Thank you for inviting me." Endeavor says softly to her.
"Hey it's cool sorry I didn't invite you beforehand the idea to go out drinking came out of nowhere to be honest." Honestly, Katsumi admits.
"I see…you seem rather close with them…" Endeavor looks over at the conversing heroes.
"Well Han and Kane went to U.A with me, Ken and Tai I've known from a few underground missions before becoming one of the top tens." Katsumi admits.
"And you still keep in contact with them…?" Enji says surprised.
"Course I do, they're good friends besides they keep me grounded amongst the crazies in the top tens." Teasingly, Katsumi tries to lighten the mood.
"I am right here." Enji huffs giving her a playful glare, fierce flames erupting from his moustache making Katsumi smirk smugly.
"I know alone." Amused, she playfully points out.
"…" Fierce flames further erupt from him however…
"You don't have many friends do you?" Katsumi continues adding fuel to the fire.
"Do you want to get burnt?" He growls playfully at her.
"I'm not shaming you I'm just saying being at the top…gets pretty sucky…or well lonely." Katsumi sighs softly staring down at her glass briefly seeing glinting gold in her glass.
"…" Endeavor silently watches her.
"It's why I'm grateful for having my friendships with the guys, Ken and Tai, Han and Kane too…they treat me like they did before, they treat me like I'm normal I'm still their friend…I appreciate that…" Truthfully, Katsumi admits as she turns to her friends still conversing.
"You've changed." Endeavor hums.
"Hm?" Katsumi raises a befuddled brow.
"You were never this open before." Bluntly, Endeavor states stoically.
"Yeah…guess I never really appreciated them as I should have." Honestly, Katsumi shrugs.
"…I mean before you were focused solely on work, calling people by their hero names, you were formal, kept everyone at a distance but now…you've changed Katsumi." Endeavor admits to her.
"…Huh…guess I have…" Katsumi swirls the glass in her hand thinking back to a certain bird boy teasing her, dragging her into all sorts of situation…
"…" Endeavor notes the strained smirk of Katsumi, a forlorn look in her sorrowful scarlets.
"Come on stop slumming it here join us. Promise they won't bite." Katsumi smiles standing up from her seat.
"Hm…" Endeavor grunts turning away but…
"Alright if they do you can burn them how about that?" Teasingly, Katsumi offers.
"…alright." Enji grumbles making Katsumi chuckle, guiding him over to the group just as Kane takes a photo eager to show the world them having a good time.
Quietly, the low hum of the phone in the gloved hand of Hawks glows a light shining upon the face of Hawks silently sat down curled in a familiar bomber jacket, his golds widening when looking up at the picture before him. He stare stunned at the tag of happy birthday Bombarda, a fair few wishing her a happy birthday as she sits amongst the group of heroes, Endeavor included smiling as they all share drinks together, his heart clenched constricting at the sight, silently turning it off, a heavy look on his furrowed features before taking off…
"Sato taught us how to make…apple pie and pound cake! Just gotta serve it up now!" Ochaco explains, Asui by her side setting said plates of food down.
"Whoa!" Eri in awe with a piping bag in hand stares stunned at the food.
"The business course boys told us that good planning is key to making it mouthwatering." Ochako tells Eri.
"Moufwater?" Eri tries to pipe on them but…
"What's that sweet aroma drifting our way?" The doors burst open to…
"No…" Sayako steps back horrified.
"Smells like a showdown against class B!" Monoma appears arrogantly cackling.
"Stay back demon! We do not welcome your kind here!" Sayako suddenly throws something in Monoma's face.
"Pff! Did you just throw salt at me?" Monoma spits out repulsed.
"Aww…Shoto you told me that was jalapeno you cut!" Whining, Sayako frowns at Shoto.
"You were going to throw that at me!? What is wrong with you?" Monoma demands from Sayako.
"What's wrong with you?" Sayako barks back before both are bonked in the head.
"Not the time." Together, Shoto and Kendo chorus taking their respective idiot away from each other.
"Class B!?" Ochaco says surprised.
"We heard you were up to something fun so we'd like to pitch in too." Kendo smiles.
"Sure thing when preparing a surprise party, the more the merrier!" Mirio agrees.
Sato worriedly looks over, giving commands to the issues raised as Amajiki shows Eri the rolled up dough for the cookies, eager to choose which cookie cutter for which. Sato smiles amazed at Bakugou's long peel of apple skin comparing it to Shoto's small line as Sayako swiftly shoots past, biting away at the line making it smaller than Shoto's. Screeching, Katsuki chases after the agent of chaos that is Sayako.
Kirishima and Tetsu with ease crush the apples with their bare hands forming apple juice into glasses, Eri tires the same with both hands. However it barely does a dent only bringing a rush of blood to her head struggling shaking in her attempt to copy both boys. Mirio watches on at the rather cute sight.
"Ooh one after the other a whole menu of creative apple based dishes!" Shishida says stunned at the plates.
"Fist squeezes juice full of manliness!" Kirishima shows said glass proudly to the rest.
"Wild!" Sero smiles.
"We're not done yet there's more cooking to do before Bombarda gets here grab some apples Midoriya, lend a hand Sato." Mineta calls out as Sato approaches but…
"Okay huh? There's no more apples!" Midoriya realises.
"Ack we started with so many!" Mirio says stunned.
"With everyone who joined…I guess there weren't enough. No prob though! We'll just buy some more!" Kirishima concludes as he and a fair few go to head out.
"Those who are fleet of foot come with me!" Tenya calls out whistle in hand.
"This apple…is so yummy…" Eri's words ring in Mirio's head watching on.
"It was specifically these apples Eri wanted to give to Bombarda. Mirio thinks to himself looking over at the disappointed Eri trying to hide it but…
"We shall return shortly." Tenya assures but…
"Wait. What are you shopping for?" Tokoyami enters.
"Hey Tokoyami." Midoriya greets him.
"We have a sudden need for more apples." Tenya tells Tokoyami.
"Then you needn't buy more just use those." Tokoyami gestures to the crateful of apples behind him.
"The same brand you won Mirio!" Amajiki recognises.
"Yeah clearly." Mirio confirms.
"Where'd they all come from?" Sayako holding her head with the bump ponders.
"This windfall came from a giveaway held by an orchard but they delivered more than I could ever consume in solitude." Tokoyami explains.
"…you'd think we notice those boxes…" Sayako frowns.
"Just like Togata!" Nejire smiles.
"Truly a forbidden fruit. Use them as you will." Tokoyami allows.
"Thanks Tokoyami." Midoriya smiles.
"I think we've got enough for everyone to enjoy Eri!" Mirio tells Eri.
"Even Bombi?" Hopeful, Eri asks.
"Especially Bombi." Mirio smiles.
"…Um…I…love apples too." Bravely, Eri turns to Tokoyami.
"Birds of a feather." Tokoyami nods in approval.
"Feather?" Eri ponders perplexed.
"He means you're buddies!" Mirio translates.
"Oh buddies!" Eri gathers.
"Yeah Eri this guy may seem all emo but he has a soft centre deep down." Sayako smoothly steps in, arm draped over the bird.
"I can hear you." Said bird boy frowns at the smirking Sayako.
"I know." Sayako snickers letting go of him.
"You will be the death of me one of these days." Tokoyami tuts tiredly.
"Alright everyone Bombarda's going to be arriving soon so we need decorations out!" Mirio announces.
"On it!" Mina, Shoji and some of class B go to do just that.
"Alright guys while this has been fun I really should be heading home." Katsumi smiles slightly buzzed but…
"Hold on we got one more stop." Tai stops her.
"We do?" Endeavor says surprised as next Katsumi knew…
"Good we're almost done." Tai smiles as after getting out the car Han and Ken guide Bombarda towards a familiar dorm.
"Okay guys what's going on? What's with the blindfold?" Katsumi frets frowning arms out in the air as Endeavor watches on lost while Kane records it all.
"You'll see soon enough. Just mind your step." Smiling, Han promises as Katsumi does just that just as Endeavor awkwardly follows Tai's lead, opening the door to…
"Happy birthday!" Katsumi flinches from the gentle pull of the blindfold from the fierce flash of light and chorus of voices greeting her.
"W-What the….W-What is all this?" Baffled, Katsumi stutters shocked rubbing at her face flabbergasted trying to adjust to the light the people before her.
"What's it look like dummy?" Tai chuckles coyly.
"H-Happy birthday Bombi!" Eri rushes up to Katsumi plate in hand.
"Eri…?" Katsumi does a double take at the young girl.
"To thank you for being born." Eri smiles showing said cake to her.
"Eri…wait what is this?" Katsumi smiles stunned at the cake until…
"Apple cake." Eri answers as Katsumi feels her heart drop, her stomach shifting to stone as her friends from behind couldn't help the look of sympathy sent her way all except Endeavor looking lost to the look of pure dread hitting Katsumi smiling strained despite her internal screams.
"…huh?" Katsumi's voice cracks begging beseeching praying pleading she misheard however…
"You love apples so we made everything from apples!" Mirio steps up smiling showing the array of apple based foods for her.
"…Is…is that so…?" Katsumi couldn't help the tears of pain pour out of her.
"She's crying!?" Sato says shocked.
"Are these tears of joy!?" Tetsutetsu wonders.
"…Sure…it's that…" Haneul smiles sadly semantically at her friend internally screaming at the apples being thrown her way just as the party begins everyone digging in as Katsumi swiftly snatches Aizawa by the collar.
"Let's have a little talk." Bloodlust oozes out of the bloodthirsty Bombarda, Aizawa looking like he has a look of pure dread as next he knew…he was hung upside down, no one saying a word, too terrified to ask. Katsumi sits down, smiling by the presents Ken and Tai had handed her to…
"Present time!" Kane cheerily declares as Katsumi smiles at the sleek black chocker Tokoyami gives her to Jiro handing her some headphones making her raise a brow impressed by the quality to then Sayako shoving Monoma out of the way, the two bickering between themselves before being separated, handing her some weights and some high-quality clothes.
"This is from us!" Kane smiles, phone in hand happy to record it all as Han slides the present over.
"That so?" Katsumi opens the presents to…
"Rocks?" Sayako peers over the couch confused.
"Crystals actually. They're supposed to give you good energy." Han smiles.
"I didn't believe it at first either boss but with my music I've gotten some real inspiration from it." Kane admits.
"Riight…" Katsumi draws out.
"Here." Katsuki soon tosses a wrapped up present before her.
"This is…" Katsumi's eyes expand at the high quality hiking books.
"You're boots looked shit when we last went hiking." Katsuki huffs hands shoved into his pockets.
"…we need to go again." Katsumi gets the message.
"So I'll beat you?" Katsuki smirks smugly.
"We'll see who makes it to the top." Katsumi smirks back.
"Um…Kat…" Midoriya shyly approaches.
"Ah Midoriya you didn't have to wait…this is…" Katsumi's eyes expand at the present.
"I noticed you didn't have your iconic jacket but I asked someone from support to make one similar." Izuku admits.
"Thanks Midoriya." Touched, Sayako smiles it wasn't the original but it'd due, it was better than the one she was currently wearing anyway.
"Um Bombi. H-Here you go." Eri hands her present over.
"W-What's this?" Katsumi stutters shocked at the small slip of paper.
"It's you, your training card." Eri admits shyly.
"…Eri…" Katsumi smiles softly down at her.
"D-Do you like it?" Eri asks anxiously.
"I love it Eri." Katsumi happily hugs her.
"Really?" Eri perks up hopeful.
"Really." Katsumi cheerily confirms.
"Enough to get me a daddy?" Eri asks as just like that…
"…" Everyone falls silent from Eri's words, Katsumi doing a spit take, spewing out the apple juice falling flat to the ground, Kane cackling in the back, recording it all.
"Kat!" Tai calls out concerned to the fallen figure.
"Don't go into the life Bombarda!" Sayako calls out.
"Stay with us!" Midoriya cries as they all try to awaken the fallen form of Bombarda…
"Urgh…." Katsumi groans rubbing her head aching at the searing sensation in her tired tense temple, she swore if she ate another apple, she was going to be sick. She slides her hand over her mouth mortified, a part of her pondering if this was the alcohol or the apples, Kat had no clue herself however as she approached her bed…
"What the…?" Katsumi whispers picking up the small black box befuddled, where did this come from? Kat looks around the place, it didn't look like anyone entered, Kat couldn't help but frown as she opens the black box. Her eyes expand at the familiar scarlet studs before her.
"Keigo…" Katsumi groans craning her head back conflict clear on her fatigued furrowed features from the studs, she knew why they looked familiar, why his? Why did he drop them off…unless…Katsumi takes out her phone frowning at the group photo of her at the bar with her mates making her sigh, she didn't have time for it, it was late and she was just…so tired. If he wanted to talk he'd be here…
"I like Rody don't get me wrong but with my whole situation…I don't want to throw that on him not to mention he keeps asking about my life which I get but I just…I don't want to throw that on him. He has so much on his plate as it is…hell I wouldn't even know where to begin, how he'd even react…" Sayako's words ring in Katsumi's head as she sets the box to the side and begins changing, taking off her arm.
"Sometimes…people need time to be ready to tell them things and sometimes people just don't say. You're not obligated to tell him as he isn't obligated to tell you stuff." Struggling, Katsumi fiddles with the wheel brow furrowed as she glances over at a certain ruby red feather earring of hers.
"…But he's told me so much about him…his situation. Hiding so much may hurt him…" Sayako frets unaware of Katsumi's heavy expression.
"…Hiding stuff can be painful but…I'm sure they have their reasons…you'll be fine." Firmly, Katsumi promises Sayako, briefly fiddling with her earring.
Sayako's words echo throughout Katsumi's head making her groan, rubbing at her fatigued face before plopping down, ignoring the conflicted feelings freely flowing through her, heading to bed for the night.
*Right so...I know there's a volume 5 but I really want to get to a certain bit of the story so look forward to that I guess, what did you think of this chapter? Of Bombarda and Endeavor's dynamic? Of their talk? Of Bombarda and Hawks? Of Bombarda and Eri?*