Survivors

The beast whirled over Estelle's head as she slid to the ground to dodge the claws heading right for her.Her katana was strangled within her grip as her body instantly turned to slice the creature's leg. When hearing a loud wail, Estelle wasted no time standing up and darting away.

Rushing through the debris, Estelle's eyes flitted to her comrades, who were ahead of her. Hundreds of creatures were racing behind her, catching up as they bounced off each other from the lack of space.

"They're here, General!"

Her eyes flickered to the squad a mile ahead, their screams causing her feet to push onward. There were too many trees clustered around her to fly, and Estelle felt that if she looked up, she would be gifted with the sight of soaring spirits.

Grunting, Estelle's mind quickly computed a plan as her feet pattered on the twigs scattered on the muddy ground. "Line up, arrows at the ready!" She screamed, knowing they were probably already prepared for her order.

Letting out a harsh breath, Estelle understood it would be risky to let them fire whilst she was close to the darklings, but it was one she needed to take. She knew the spirits they rescued would be too injured to fight or move swiftly, so they needed to deal with the hoard before retreating.

"Draw!"

Her hands lowered to the ground, moving the mud, so it was solid and ready for her subsequent action. Flicking her eyes to the side, Estelle could only scowl as she was only met with salivating werewolves. Determination fired within her stomach as she readied herself for the following command.

"Loose!" Estelle finally hollered, her hands raising to lift the earth and surround her whole. Estelle winced as spirits crashed into her shields like a hurricane, holding onto the form with her might. Gritting her teeth, she could hear the sounds of rallying cries and arrows as more attempted to break the barrier she had created.

It was beginning to get too heavy for her, and Estelle knew she was probably surrounded by beasts trying to break into her cage. Holding out one hand to keep her earth bending in place. Estelle forced the other to fire bend. It wasn't something she often did because she hadn't masted duel bending, but it didn't need to be good; it just needed to do its job.

Which was to burn them all to hell.

Letting out a yell of frenzy, Estelle dropped her shield as her body let out waves and waves of fire. She hadn't wanted to use her fire because it would damage the woods, but she was still too outnumbered to think of anything else.

She kept going, maybe longer than she should have, but she needed to ensure that the majority was gone. Ignoring the crackling flames around her for a second, Estelle breathed a small moment of relief that the number of enemies had become more manageable.

Her companions rushed in now that it was more secure, handling the strays scattered around the area and dashing their way towards her. Knowing her comrades could take them, Estelle didn't want to leave the fire unattended.

Quickly shedding water on the terrain, Estelle's heart ached slightly, and the dead blackness surrounding her before she forced her mind to snap out of it. Lifting her katana that she dropped when she made her shield, Estelle moved in to support her team.

Finally, as the last creature dropped, Estelle rushed towards the survivors as the spirits followed behind. An average person would have dialled back and fallen in shock from the amount of injured light spirits in front of her, but Estelle could only feel numb.

It was a dull numbness, a plain noise in her ear as she computed that this was happening again, and these poor souls had been dragged into it. It wasn't fair, but now wasn't the time to dwell; they needed her.

Immediately turning around, Estelle's mind was on autopilot as she ordered. "Go back to base and gather the rest of them. We need them all here for support! Now! The rest of you split up; we need to heal them enough so that they can get back to base! If they are fit to move, get them back to base! Anybody on red, you bring them to me!"

"Yes, General!"

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"Ah, Estelle. I was about to label you as a no-show," Hound-Dog answered in surprise, his sharp eyes gazing up at Estelle with an emotion she couldn't pinpoint.

"Yeah...sorry. I got held up on a mission. Is it too late?" The female replied, her eyes on the floor as she waited for her answer.

"No, of course not. I'm free for the rest of the day anyways; take a seat," He waved away before gesturing to the couch opposite him.

Loosening the Saya strapped to her back, Estelle sat on the couch before placing it, so it rested against her leg. The metal of the handle caught the light as she got comfortable, and Estelle noticed how the hero lingered on the katana for a little too long.

"How was your mission?"

"It was okay. The spirits are safe. Thankfully," Estelle muttered back with a shrug.

"So it was a rescue mission?"

"Yes, they had been trapped and surrounded by dark spirits for a long time. A few were heavily injured, but I healed them before I left, which was why I was late."

"How do you feel now?"

"About what?" The female wondered aloud.

"About the mission."

Quiet, Estelle moved her mouth to answer the question before quickly snapping it back shut. Suddenly feeling a wave of regret flood her system, she wondered if sitting in this room was the right thing to do. It felt wrong for her to complain about anything, and wasn't that what she was doing? What gave her the right?

Observing her, Hound-Dog could see the purse within her lips, the terseness of her shoulders, and the apparent unease within her eyes. The katana right next to her gave him an unmistakable message that her guard was high right now, her body ready as if she was going to spring into a fight at any moment.

It was transparent already that the female was finding the counselling situation difficult. The reason behind it wasn't as easy to figure out, but he hoped that would be a potential topic of conversation. No person should feel the need to be defensive about their own experiences and emotions.

Realising he shouldn't have jumped too quickly, the guidance counsellor decided to try a different route. "Let me ask something else. What do you not want to talk about?"

"My past, my emotions, my troubles or my losses."

'That was quick.'

"Why is that?"

"It's a burden I bear alone. Why would I talk to a stranger about it?"

"Isn't that precisely why you should?" The hero contested, his head tilted like a puppy.

"What?"

"Isn't it easier to tell someone separate from your life, completely unbiased, and unable to tell another soul? Isn't that why Aizawa referred you to me?" He continued to explain.

"You... can't tell anyone?" Estelle clarified, her body leaning forward intently as her shoulders finally relaxed slightly.

Figuring he should have started with that instead, Hound-Dog nodded in accord. "It's only between us unless you tell me you're going to hurt yourself or someone else. That's the only instance I would need to break our agreement."

"I see..."

"So have no fear, Estelle. You can say anything, and everything and I won't tell a soul. I can even pull out a contract to sign if it helps?" He continued, hoping to finally rid the tension within her that had already begun to fade.

"Okay."

"Alright, Sign here," The hero established, his hand taking the paper lying at his side and placing it in front of her.

It was clear and concise, only holding a few basic rules that Estelle could find no wrong in. Signing the paper and handing it back to the hero, Estelle was surprised when he marked it himself.

Noticing the question within her expression, the man grumbled, "I said it was an agreement, no? It's not just you or me; it's the both of us."

Nodding, Estelle leaned back on the couch with a sigh. It put her at ease, knowing nothing could be said without these four walls. She would have hated to have found out he could freely talk about her troubles to whoever he wanted. Even though it was a struggle, the idea that it could be spread felt a hundred times worse.

Noticing that he placed the sheet of paper on the table between them, Estelle realised he did that, so it was a reminder for her to speak freely. She didn't know how to feel but guessed that time would tell.

"We don't have to jump into everything; we can take it at your pace. So, let's start lightly. How did you feel about the mission?"

Groaning a little, Estelle muttered, "That's not light at all."

"How so?"

"How would you imagine it feels to see survivors of a battle they never wished to be in?"

"Not great, of course, but I'm asking you, Estelle?"

"I...hate it. It feels like I accomplished nothing in the last war. They're traumatised all over again because of me."

"Because of you?"

"Yes, well, it's the beginning of a second war after many lifetimes of peace. A year apart, and my face on the forefront."

"But that doesn't make it your fault, does it?"

"Yes, well, of course, it does," Estelle rebuked as if it were obvious.

"What about your previous guardian? Wouldn't it be his fault?" Hound-Dog countered seriously.

"I..."

"But the thought didn't even cross your mind; why?"

"I...don't know."

"Is that something you often do?"

"I guess?"

"You don't sound so sure about that."

"I don't know," Estelle repeated, her tone a little more frustrated than before.

"You seem to really dislike talking about yourself or your emotions."

"Am I that obvious?" Estelle grunted, her eyes focusing on the roof as she wondered what had tipped him off besides her cluelessness on how she was supposed to feel.

"Is there a reason behind that?"

Finally feeling as if she had an answer, Estelle bluntly answered, "Because emotions were belittled as I grew up. If I handled growing up without talking about it, why do I need to do it now?"

"Because you're human."

"No, I'm not."

"Ah, so you're playing that card. You're half spirit and human. I read the notes you gave the school. You still have human in you. Why are you distancing yourself from that?"

"Tch, why are you analysing me?" The female scoffed, suddenly feeling bare in front of all of the questions.

"How else am I supposed to help? Do you think that because you handled emotions so well when you were younger, that's why you distance yourself from the term human?"

Taking a deep breath, Estelle willed herself to find the strength to explain some of her misgivings. "Look. My guardian raised me to kill. Do you think emotions were included in any part of that? Do you think I figured out what sadness, happiness, and joy were whilst I was trained? No, those sentiments came after I started mentally breaking out of his chains. But I still hate talking about it. I still dislike experiencing an emotion I don't know how to label. Does it even matter in the grand scheme of things?"

"What do you mean?"

"If I were raised differently, I might have had a happier life. But, without it, we would never have won the war. I would have crumbled under the pressure and emotions. Now, I'm forced to confront them amidst another war, where I could just ignore it and do what I've always done."

"So why are you here then?"

"Because my mind won't let me be."

"Why do you think that is?"

Sigh, Estelle knew where he was going with this. "Because I never dealt with any of it."

"So, do you think what had worked before will work again? Now that you're experiencing everything in the last war and this one with your emotions fully intact?"

"No."

"So why do you tell yourself that?"

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"It'll be a work in progress for a long time. These things don't come easily, but Estelle, you are a survivor. You've pushed through growing up, the war and everything else and lived. Doesn't that mean you have the strength to work with this? You've taken your katana out to beat your enemies, but when they're in your head, you only have yourself to fight with."

"I see. Okay then, ask away."

Walking into Heights Alliance, Estelle lifted a small smile as the students around the living room greeted her happily. Katsuki had texted her on the way back that the food was getting cold, so she wasn't surprised that her food was already at the table once she reached the dining room. She was a little late since the session with Hound-Dog had run over, but by the annoyed look on the blonde's face - he wasn't pleased she was late.

"The hell were you?"

"With Hound-Dog."

The male quickly covered his expression of surprise as he whirled his head over to the now sitting female. "You actually went?!"

"I told you already that I would."

Coughing slightly to pull himself back together, he mumbled, "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting you to go that easily, if I'm honest."

"Well, neither was I. But it wasn't bad, I guess. Just tiring."

"Tch, we'll eat up. You need your energy."

"Yes, sir."

Blushing slightly, Katsuki scowled as he leaned back on his chair aggressively. His foot landed on the table and swung back and forth on his chair. His eyes surveyed Estelle as she dug into her food happily, a sigh of joy on her lips as he ate.

He couldn't help but smirk slightly at how much she relished his food. It was a small satisfaction that refused to fade every time he saw her eat his food. Watching her shovel down his meal, he had the urge to pry into her session but figured she had probably done enough talking for the day.

He could already see her closing off in front of him, and as much as he wished it was an easy fix, he knew it would take a lot of time before Estelle's internal wounds began to heal.

"You're staring, Ruby."

"Wha-? No, I'm not! Shut up and eat your damn food, Woman!"

Smirking, Estelle taunted, "Your red face says otherwise. Spill."

Knowing two could play that game, the blonde snickered back as he slumped against his chair. "Tch, I was just wondering how you still looked this good after a day's work."

His satisfied grin didn't help Estelle's blush as she grunted, "That was sudden. Are you feeling okay?"

"Pfft, why the hell wouldn't I be?!"

"Clearly, symptoms of the flu had begun to set in. I should go make you some soup."

"Hah?! Is being complimented that ludicrous?!" Ruby barked back, internally cringing at the monstrosity of a soup she would create.

"If it's my fighting style, maybe not. But my face? That's a new one, especially by someone who looks like you."

"The hell you mean someone like me?"

Quiet, Estelle tilted her head as she took in his features. It was a wonder how someone who furrowed their brows so aggressively twenty-four seven still looked appealing. Never mind that if his personality wasn't so explosive, she could imagine him getting plenty of invitations to enter a courtship.

"You've never been complimented on your looks?" Estelle challenged innocently after taking another bite.

Startled slightly, Katsuki's foot that was leaning against the table slipped. Quickly gaining the balance of his chair, the blonde scowled as if it were a trick question. "Not often. My quirk is the thing people pay attention to. Why?"

Estelle's lips titled down at the reminder that quirks came first in this world. The hierarchy they had created always irritated her and was the main thing people paid attention to, which bothered her. Katsuki was more than his quirk, and even though he was praised by the heavens for it - he was still human.

He should have been treated like anyone else, but instead, he was taught to constantly prove himself. Even though looks didn't matter in the grand scheme of things, why did they ignore everything else about him apart from his power?

Sighing, Estelle slowly built up her courage in the silence. She felt the need to do this, and she couldn't be bothered to think about why too much. Regardless, he shouldn't just base his own worth on his power. "Because you look like you belong on those magazines I've seen Hagakure carry around."

Choking on his own spit, Katsuki couldn't believe his ears as he registered her words. Sometimes when he walked past the living room, he would just see a magazine floating in the air with a pair of gloved hands and was forced to remind himself that one of the extras was actually fucking invisible. The memory of the magazine rose, and his eyes widened as the tips of his ears began to feel hot. "Magazines?! With all of those shirtless men?! Me?!"

Watching the warmth across his face was like a candle lit in her stomach. Biting back her smile as her head nodded in concurrence, she hummed, "Yeah, I'm surprised you haven't noticed your attractiveness."

Dying, Katsuki wondered if he was still in the land of the living hearing Estelle say those words out loud. Was this actually his reality right now? Feeling his chest tighten and the sentences becoming ineligible within his own head, he was suddenly hit with the facts. He felt his quirk go off as he exclaimed, "Hold on a sec! Are you saying you find me attractive?!"

"Wha-? No! I'm just saying that objectively, you are an appealing person! Why are you turning this around on me?!" Estelle sputtered out quickly, practically choking on her own tongue as she wondered why this had suddenly backfired on her. What did it matter, how she thought? Yet, the fact that he asked made her feel like he was too close to the truth.

The flush across his cheeks only furthered the sudden turmoil she was experiencing, and it was only when a broad and confident smirk began to rise within his lips that she realised she needed to abort quickly. Focusing her eyes on her food, Estelle started eating rapidly so she could leave the conversation. The blonde clearly had other ideas.

"Hah! You totally do!" Katsuki started, his enthusiasm increasing as Estelle withered in front of him. Observing her cringe in front of him only furthered his resolution that he was correct, and he couldn't lie; he was over the moon.

Yes, Estelle had made slight comments about his appearance before, and he had mainly put them down as her way of throwing him off his game when he least expected it. But, he had undeniable proof now that shefound himattractive.

Katsuki had been told many times that his brash words and harsh personality would deter anybody from being close with him. He didn't mind it, as the blonde preferred people to think twice before approaching him. Katsuki could imagine that anybody who appreciated his appearance would change their mind instantly from the moment he opened his mouth, and he didn't care in the slightest.

Why would he? He was going to be number one, so these thoughts never even entered his mind.

Until he met Estelle.

He would never change himself for anyone, not on purpose. If it took energy doing it, then it wasn't for him. His aggressive personality didn't put Estelle off for a moment, most likely because she was too busy pushing everyone else away to care about that. Yet, would they have ever gotten this far if he wasn't himself? That was a hard no. They wouldn't have and despite it all.

She still found him handsome.

And fucking hell was she beautiful.

The knowledge that an otherworldly beauty like her was sitting in front of him, and it was mutual, made him sit straight. It was a chance, an absolute goldmine of a path opened up in front of him. He always wondered if the cherished moments they shared together had any splinter of an impact on her like it did him, and even though it didn't answer the question completely, it responded to her confusion about the two of them. And how it might not be platonic like he feared.

A fire crackled in his eyes as he leaned forward, suddenly looking like a man on a mission as he grinned with promise.

Freezing from the heat in his eyes, Estelle remained still and unsure as she eyed the male in front of him. Forcing her sights to flicker away, she was compelled to gaze back at him when he smoothly demanded, "No, look at me, sweet cheeks."

Estelle's breath hitched from her body's immediate reaction as soon as her eyes met rubies again. As his stare intently observed her, seemingly filled with an objective she could not recognise, she identified his grin.

Mirroring the days of the sports festival and the final exams, Katsuki grinned as if he was ready for combat. Every nerve within his being seemed to be struck alight as he slowly leaned forward, eagerly watching her for every tiny action she made.

Tightening her fingers on her utensil, Estelle bit her tongue as her mouth began to dry. For some reason, the expression was a hundred times more alluring than it had ever been before.

"Tell me, Lioness, do you find me attractive?"

"As I said, objectively-"

"Nuh-uh, that wasn't the question. I could give a rat's ass what anybody else thinks. I want to know if. You. Find. Me. Attractive?"

Estelle felt his warm hand on her face, leaning across the table, his thumb brushing against the side of her lip roughly. Estelle's heart skipped a beat when she noticed his finger actively trying to be softer. After a few attempts, he seemed satisfied with the gentleness he was treating her and darted his eyes back to hers as he patiently waited.

Her voice came out timider than she would have liked, but her embarrassment didn't linger as he grinned as if he had won the fight fair and square.

"Yes."

Silent, the blonde continued his gentle caress, his eyes warming to her quiet agreement. Unable to remove her eyes from his features, Estelle noted how utterly soft his stare was, her insides clenching as her mind scrambled under the moment. What made him look at her in such a way? Like she was the only flicker of light in a dark room.

Tilting his lips up, a soft gleam lighting up his face, he muttered, "You are a treasure. You know that?"

Barley recovered from the situation; Estelle could only flush pink in response. Her mouth couldn't form words, and his smile broadened at her subtle reaction.

Still leaning over the table, Katsuki pulled Estelle forward so he could brush his lips on her forehead for a brief moment and stood up before she could melt in front of his ruby eyes. His cheeks remained the same as hers as he eyed her empty plate. "I'll get this washed up; I'll be back, little red."

As soon as the kitchen door closed, Estelle could only hunch over the table to regain proper breathing. What the hell was he doing to her?