Iris
Estelle headed to Height's Alliance with her classmates without a care in the world. Despite having so much to think about, she appreciated the time to allow her mind to blank, focusing on her steps the whole way back.
Iida was holding the door open for everyone, his hands chopping away as he yelled at the top of his lungs. No doubt he ordered them to rest after the long morning they had training with Class 1B. But, instead of focusing on his words, Estelle could only hear the sound of faint buzzing in her ear. Pausing from the noise, she furrowed her brows are recognition crawled up her neck.
"Estelle?" Iida questioned, motioning her to come in since she was the only one left outside. The class took note of the gentleness in his tone and groaned internally at how they had never been given that treatment as often as Estelle had. However, they could understand why since it was hard to tell sometimes if Estelle was mentally present. Yelling in her ear would not gain any favours; plus, it was downright mean to do so.
Crowding round the door with avid concern, the students kept their eyes on Estelle as she focused on the bushes near the front entrance. She was still ignoring them, but they were relieved when her eyes narrowed, noting how the blankness wasn't there.
"It's cold. You shoul-"
Estelle cut Sero off with a snarl as she turned around, immediately making a beeline for the coppices. Her feet stomped on the withered grass so loudly that it made everyone watching a little nervous about what they were about to witness. Observing how Estelle stuck her arms into the greenery, disregarding the twigs that had dug into her arm, they could only simmer in bewilderment once she began to pull.
Her entire body weight was leaning back, Estelle's heels digging against the mud with such determination that they nearly missed the sound of a meek whimper. Whatever was hiding in the bushes was doing its best to fight her off, the sounds of frantic shuffling reaching their ears with the light wind.
"You pesky little thing, come out!" Estelle barked, her teeth glinting in the light as she bared them. The dispute lingered for another minute, the sounds of a female's shrieking filling the atmosphere before the intruder finally started to reveal themselves.
Not by choice, though, because the more Estelle managed to pull her into view, the more ferociously the tiny body fought back. Her wings were the first thing that caught the students' eyes, shining brightly as if they were a sheet of ice shimmering in the sun. After one last forceful tug, the tiny silhouette finally fell to the ground in defeat, and they realised just how small she was.
It was a spirit who was the size of a toddler. The wings were nearly double her size, and they wondered how she had managed to fight well when no muscles could be seen on her body.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" The spirit eventually whined, shuffling her knees to look up at her comrade.
Estelle felt the dark shadow rise above her head as she tried to reign her emotions in. Staring down at her, she barked, "The hell are you doing here? And why are you sneaking around?!"
The innocent face pouted, her arms folding as she turned her head away like her favourite toy had been stolen. "I heard what happened to Wolf. I wanted to see the humans you care so much about."
Tipping her brows, Estelle shuffled on her feet as she tried to gauge the answer. "Why didn't you just ask me instead of crouching behind some leaves like an idiot?!"
The winged spirit shot up to her feet from the question. Her finger raised to a point as she whined, "Because you never talk about anything! The only option was to come and see by myself!"
Estelle held thunderclouds in her eyes as she glared, her subconscious rising in agreement with her words. Hissing through her teeth in vexation that the spirit was right, Estelle wasted no time grabbing a wing in her hand and heading towards the entrance. She ignored her complaints as she trudged to the doors, raising her high like a piece of meat as she stalked inside.
The stunned classmates parted at the entrance to allow Estelle the room to enter. They watched as Estelle let her go above the ground, Izuku squeaking in concern before he fell into embarrassment over the fact that he had forgotten she had wings. The spirit floated in the air instead of dropping and looked up at Estelle expectantly for a response.
Not happy with the new development, Estelle folded her arms, turning away from them slightly as she mumbled. "Well, you wanted to meet them. Don't be rude by not introducing yourself."
A loud and joyful cry left the mouth of the miniature spirit, and it was only a moment later that she was in front of Momo's face. Staring into her eyes like a bit of candy, she cheered, "Hello, my name is Iris! I'm one of Estelle's lieutenants!"
It took a few seconds to register her words, unable to compute that the child-look-alike was a hardened soldier who had been through a war. Her exterior was so different from Estelle's and everyone else they had met from her world that it gave them whiplash. They forced away the daze in their minds as they brightened up, talking over each other as they offered their introductions.
Iris zipped to each person, practically in their face, as she managed to confront everyone who had spoken their names. Her skills in her speed were instantly noticed by them, her wings attracting their awe from her swift movements. She looked at them as if she was committing their names to memory, and Estelle stood behind her, watching the scene with hidden unease as she waited for the other shoe to drop.
Light spirits from Estelle's world were calm and peaceful, but they never had the mental capacity for war. It was never in their nature, yet they forced themselves to commit such actions because they had no choice if they wanted to survive. Most of them made it out scarred but were still able to maintain their previous natures.
The ones who had to take the most significant burdens did not. Estelle witnessed her lieutenants bend and break for the cause, unable to pass along the weight of it to another. Estelle saw Wolf descend into further bloodlust, watched Iris mate over and over and Libra unable to utilise his power.
Her squad was broken; honestly, Estelle had left them to pick up their pieces because she had to move on to the next thing, which was working for humans. She hadn't noticed it because she left as soon as the battle was won. But wondering what the hell had changed in Wolf had made her pay attention to the changes. She held some guilt over it, but she had to remind herself that this was not her fault. Aite had started this, and her squad and comrades were forced to finish it.
So, having Iris here instantly put her on the line of caution. As much as Iris was the friendliest of spirits, the tiny female could snap at a wrong word, and she didn't have much control over herself when it happened. So far, it seemed to be going well, and she ultimately relaxed when Iris returned to her side.
"There. You've met them. You can now leave, Lieutenant."
"No way! Not yet! I haven't gotten much information besides the fact you are protective over them!"
Unable to comprehend how she had come to that assumption so quickly, they observed how Estelle returned the sentiment with a scowl. Broadening their eyes at the slight fluster on her face, Estelle eventually shifted her eyes to the roof in irritation. "I am not protective."
"You've been reading my vibrations since I entered this place!"
"Shut up."
Taken aback by Estelle's feeble retort, the students slowly felt their hearts glowing from the look on her face. She was embarrassed about being exposed, but they felt a niggle of gratitude from hearing the little piece of information Estelle had never told them. Wondering what else the spirit was willing to say, they felt their curiosity rise at the possibilities.
"So, what else can you tell us about yourself?" Momo started, her eyes brightening up as she leaned forward.
Iris preened under the question, her wings batting hastily behind her as she flew forward to speak. "Estelle took me in when my parents faded at the start of the war! I've been by her side ever since; I usually train the other spirits and help Libra with mission management!"
"Oh, we're sorry to hear that."
"No biggie! They returned not long ago!"
Estelle jumped, intrigued by the new information, as she whirled her head to Iris in surprise. "Already?"
"Hmm-hmm!"
"They must have been strong to return that quickly," Estelle murmured in return, her gaze falling to the floor in contemplation.
Strangely, Iris didn't respond, and everyone wondered if her focus was diverted since she was around a bunch of creatures she had never spoken to before. Their assumption was proved correct when she continued as if nothing had happened. "Anyways, I wanted to see why humans were taking up so much of Estelle's attention, but I can't find anything of worth! Estelle! You should hang out with me more; my pet is boring!"
Scowling, Estelle opened her mouth to scold the spirit but never got the opportunity as Kaminari slumped, whining, "Hey! That's so mean! You need to get to know us more!"
Deadpanning at his exaggerated upset, they all watched as Kirishima patted his back slowly before turning to Iris in agreement. "Yeah, he's right!"
"Ugh, fine then! Show me watch'ya got!"
To Estelle's utter disbelief and annoyance, the students immediately headed out of the hallway and into the living room, Iris fluttering behind them giddily. They were speaking over one another, a low buzz of excitement filling the room in a way she hadn't expected. Estelle halted at the joy, noting how their excitement was due to them finally speaking to someone who seemed normal from her world.
Unable to destroy that for them, Estelle internally pleaded that this conversation would go well and they could have at least one instance without her feeling the need to apologise. She trickled in after her internal beg, remaining quiet as she attended to the questions shooting back and forth in the room. Most of them were average, but it was only when it began to alter that Estelle lifted her head in intrigue.
"What powers do you have?!"
"I have the power to use frost! I usually team up with Libra since he had powers with water, so it goes well together! My wings are fun too!"
"So cool!"
"What was Estelle like when you met her?!"
"A big bully!"
"What do you mean?" Koda instantly questioned, the soft male unable to fathom that the woman who had spent time with him surrounded by animals could have been mean to someone else. From the look on everyone's faces, they also had the same question.
Iris fluttered her wings, her eyes trailing to a quiet Estelle in hesitation. The students watched the silent exchange, noting how Estelle had straightened her back in preparation for what was about to be said. Her face said it all; she wouldn't hide from it.
"When she found me after my parents faded, the flames surrounding the hut hadn't even gone out. She walked in, looked at me with no emotion and said, "Foolish child, get up."
The students stilled, their eyes widening at the darkness surrounding the small frame. It only lingered for a moment before the sheen returned to her eyes as if it had never existed.
"I was so angry at her for saying that after what happened! I shot up to my feet, and bam! Socked her in the face! She barely moved; she just stared at me like I was dirt. My neck nearly broke from how quickly she grabbed me, saying, "If you want to wither away and let their pain be for nothing, continue to stay here like the pitiful spirit you are. Come with me if you want to slaughter the ones who got away." There was nothing else to do but follow! She continued to bully me, though!"
"You were pitiful," Estelle interjected, ignoring the admonishing looks from those around her. "Though, I do apologise for not being more sympathetic."
"Wow, I never thought I'd hear that from you; no worries! I was grateful later on when I killed them! You were mean to everyone, so I didn't take it personally anymore!"
Estelle visibly winced, dialling back as if she was struck. Her face fell, her eyes fading slightly as she reviewed her previous memories. "I know. I had to-"
"-To win. We knew; that's why you were General. Nobody else could whip us into shape. You had to be all scary and stuff!"
Katsuki interrupted, his tone verging on annoyed, yet the perplexity remained. "Why the hell would it be scary when you were fighting in a literal war?!"
Iris paused from the question, her head slowly turning to the blonde with intrigue before she visibly perked up. Darting forward to close the space between them, she answered, "Because light spirits were never built for fighting! We usually used Cambions to do the dirty work for us, but because the bridge between the realms was cut off, we only had a few left, nowhere near enough to fight, so we had to step up!"
Leaning back to get some space between them, Katsuki glowered at the answer, his lips curling up in disgust as he regarded the tiny female. "That's despicable. You're essentially forcing others to fight for you."
Estelle stopped at the answer, her mind unable to register his words for a moment until they genuinely sank in. Cambions was practically bred to fight for them, it was true. The light had never been forced to take up the mantle until the previous war, and it was because they had no other choice. They didn't decide to do it out of the goodness of their hearts; they did it because Estelle couldn't fight alone. It was her duty; she had never questioned why it was even the case in the first place.
Iris jovially fluttered her wings despite the conversation suddenly taking a dark turn. Her eyes never left Katsuki's, slowly inching herself closer as if she was trying to be discreet. The action instantly caught Estelle's attention, her eyes zeroing in on her Lieutenant whilst listening to the response. "That's true! Because it's not in our nature, Estelle had to push us to the brink. Without her brutal actions, we would never have won!"
Estelle flinched at the blunt word choice, hesitating that it may not have been a good idea, after all, to have Iris remain to chat with them. She was saying too much. Even though Estelle had voiced how cruel she had to be in the war, she had never explained such things in detail for fear of ripping their innocence away. Iris was beginning to tear into that conversation without regard for the consequences. Estelle could only tighten her fists to try to hold herself back from dragging her out of the room to stop her, but she knew it would only emphasise the guilt she was feeling inside.
"She would never have to have made those choices if you all got up from your asses and sorted out your problems yourself! I don't give a damn if it's not your nature! Screw nature!" Katsuki barked, his body shifting towards Iris aggressively, contradicting his previous actions of moving as far away as possible. He had always been disturbed that Estelle took everything on herself, and Iris's words had aggravated him further.
It meant that it had always been drilled into her that it was her responsibility to fix messes. It was continually her that had to selflessly take on roles she should never have to obtain to save others. No wonder she always spoke about duty and never thought about herself; these damn creatures were entitled to think they needed someone else to do it for them. Estelle was always being used for something; the damn girl never got a break.
Nyx treated her like she was property to be used for his bidding, and Estelle had been brainwashed from a young age to follow his orders. She had told him about the damn prophecy, which informed her that she would have to fight a war she had no clue about, and the woman just did it! She never questioned it! Just accepted it and led a whole fucking army! Then, when she finally thought she had a break, she joined humans who restricted her in ways that made him want to go feral.
And to top it all off, she is thrown into another world and forced to fight again.
"True! But that was her responsibility!" Iris giggled, eyes observing rubies with unmistakable fascination. Her cheeks reflected his, but it was apparent to everyone watching that it was for different reasons. Katsuki was heated, his anger lashing out, causing the blood to rush to his face. Iris...was blushing?
Katsuki was going to lose it, his frustration over her words leading him to miss what was happening in front of their eyes entirely. "Why?! Because of how she was born!?"
"Well, yes. But also because of the prophecy-"
"Grrr! Shut up! It was probably made up by a lazy fuck who didn't want to do his job!"
Turning around to Estelle, Iris made no effort to respond to Katsuki. The flush stayed on her cheeks, her eyes flickering back to the blonde repeatedly, making her blood turn cold. "I can see why you are so interested in them. His anger is so inviting~."
"Hah?!"
Turning around to face him, Iris beamed at the astonished look on Katsuki's face. Estelle stilled from the glance, a flood of recognition filling her brain as it fell to a sudden stop. But, before she could be given time for it to register, Katsuki dumbly responded, "What?!"
Her eyes glistened with indulgent fascination, peering up at him in a way that made him want to vomit. It was only when Katsuki's eyes scanned her in return that she preened under the look, her wings jittering eagerly. "Do you have a mate?"
"The fuck?!" Katsuki instantly baulked, his eyes practically leaving his head as nausea lingered in his stomach.
"That's not an answer!" Iris sing-songed, ignoring the flabbergasted looks around the room. The students were lost for words, their mouths dropping from such a shameless public declaration. All Katsuki had done was spit at her like a dog and argue over Estelle. There had not been any hint of affection, so why was she offering an invitation like that? "You haven't given me an answer, which means you don't! What a fine specimen you are! No wonder you want to be tamed like a brat~."
"Wha- Excuse me?"
Estelle was stunned, utterly frozen on the spot as she observed the scene like a television show. It didn't even seem real, most likely because this was a turn she hadn't expected. Her mind cried at her to move, but Estelle could only stare as if someone had spat in her tea. Her stomach churned, her body tensing as if she had just been electrocuted, and Estelle gritted her teeth to try to bare the aftershocks.
"I could collar you up and mate you like a little pet. Would you like that? My old one no longer satisfies me, " Iris continued, ignoring his baffled answers as she placed a hand on his shoulder, her finger stroking him in a way that made him want to scream. He was going to rip her apart; he could feel the last strands of his sanity snapping the longer her hand rested against him. His body jittered like a bomb that was about to detonate; he could already see the walls crumbling from the proximity of it all.
"Iris. Enough. What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Katsuki visibly slumped when the hand finally jerked away from him, his body relaxing now that Estelle had finally stepped in. Honestly, that took way longer than it should have. What the fuck was she doing all this time?! Just watching for funsies!?
The questions running through his mind halted when he finally got a good look at her. Like a live wire cut short, Katsuki stared at the cold gaze, which resembled the darkest night. He avidly stared, unable to part his sights from such fury. The snarl on her face dominated her expression, making everyone's blood turn cold at the fact it was headed in their direction.
The room's temperature dropped, reaching below freezing from her icy look, and they winced when she opened her mouth, her fangs bared in a way they had never seen before. It felt suffocating; it was like a dominating presence had just entered the room, and all they could do was wither under the thick air.
Iris, who had been so confident moments earlier, shivered under the regard that promised pain. Her wings dropped behind her as if she was submitting to the most powerful presence in the room, and they realised she was doing just that. "C'mon! Why can I not have my own human? They seem so submissive! It's perfect!" Iris moaned, her head tilted to the ground like a child who had been given a time-out.
Estelle tightened her fists in response, her body ready to throw hands on this bitch. Every fibre screeched to remove Iris from her presence or to have her completely annihilated on the spot. She attempted to control herself, her step faltering as it tried to move forward. Her eyes never waivered through, pinning her Lieutenant in a way that caused her to tremble. "They are not property!"
Stomping her foot against the floorboards, Iris gained the courage to look directly at the barely restrained female. Her wings perked up a little, her little head moving forward as she slyly enquired, "Is that why you haven't claimed one?"
The heavy fog surrounding the room only deepened from the question, causing the students to gasp when they tried to intake air. They refused to allow their eyes to depart from the two females, observing their standoffish body language directed at one another. The distance between them crackled with tension, refusing to back down from the staredown they were engrossed in.
Estelle felt regret rise to the surface from allowing the damn horny spirit to linger around the class. She had never cared for Iris's mating lifestyle, no matter how unhealthy, because it had never interfered with her mission. But, right now, Estelle felt like it was a downright menace. Maybe she could have done something in the past to stop her path before it became a problem, but Estelle didn't care at the time. Why would she when she had many battles to win? Their bodies were just a means to an end.
Ever since she arrived, it was like remorse, guilt, and every negative emotion you could think of had been added to Estelle's pallet. She had never thought about the past so much until now, and it was so chaotic that Estelle wished she continued to remain numb. It was too late now because Estelle felt it all, and there was nothing she could do to return to the way she was.
Spirits were only supposed to mate for life, but Iris had broken bonds left and right, torturing the poor souls within her grasp before discarding them when she was bored. She kept her happy-go-lucky attitude wherever she could, but with her partners, she only responded with malice. Estelle had never expected her sights to turn to humans; those types of relationships were non-existent nowadays; that's why the number of Cambions was so few. Humans weren't built for those types of dynamics.
Katsuki would not be one of her playthings. She outright refused the notion, and the disrespect of Iris to even offer was something Estelle couldn't ignore.
The picture of Katsuki on her leash made her positively irate. Estelle could feel the thrumming within her body, like a symphony of crashing waves battling against the rocks. Its size only continued growing, rising high enough to flood the entire country if unleashed. Estelle was entirely prepared to let the water fall in hopes it would scrub it away from her memory, the disgust at even thinking of Katsuki as property causing bells to chime in her ears.
"That's none of your fucking business. I suggest you remember your place, Lieutenant."
Iris winced from the tone in Estelle's voice, knowing she didn't have enough power to combat the beating strength that was being pushed against her. Ignoring how her knees shook ever-so-slightly, she pouted, "You've never interfered with my business before!?"
Estelle was in front of Iris like she had just teleported. Her gaze continued to dagger into her, narrowed as if she were a viper about to strike. The class hesitated from the countenance, fully aware that she had annihilated Wolf the last time her anger reached this height. Towering over the tiny female, Estelle hissed, "Because I never thought you would stoop so low as to target my comrades. I suggest you leave before I rip out the wings you cherish and remind you exactly why I was elected General in the first place."
Iris puffed up her chest from the threat, her eyes attempting to hold the same amount of pressure but failed miserably compared to Estelle. The woman was like toxic gas, suffocating the room and breaking her opponent down molecule by molecule. The poison in her eyes promised pain, and they wondered how Iris was stupid enough to try to retort. "Just because your scent was all over him-"
Estelle didn't allow the spirit to finish, her hand darting into the female's short hair before pulling her up to eye level. The grip on Iris's scalp was enough to jerk a tear into her eye, a whimper leaving her lips as her small hands gripped Estelle's wrists desperately to try to pull away.
Estelle refused to give Iris the pleasure of breaking out of her hold, her fingers tightening even more as she jolted her to attention. Iris cried in response, her hands waving into the air frantically as she wailed, "I submit, I submit!"
Estelle didn't respond for a moment; her throat wound up from how tightly she tried to force down her rage. Iris's cry of submission helped ease the tsunami inside her, and Estelle slowly tilted her head as she allowed the guttural rasp to escape her lips, filled with so much twilight that it caused everyone's eyes to broaden.
"Leave. Now."
Iris was gone as quick as she came, her wings moving just as impressively as they had seen before as she darted out of Heights Alliance like she was saving her last breath.
The students peered up at Estelle in trepidation, her vengeful movements disintegrating as soon as Iris's body disappeared. The class could only goggle at her, their mouths agape as they tried to comprehend the scene they had just witnessed. They knew Estelle did whatever she could to hide the shadiest parts of herself; she had shown that with her reaction after she battled with Wolf.
But they only felt relief when she turned back to them, her body loosening as if she had no care in the world. They had done whatever they could to reassure her that whatever they heard or saw, their opinions wouldn't change. It was the truth; Estelle responded to situations in a way that resembled her world. Regardless of their approval, it was never her fault for using the cards she was dealt. The fact that she didn't have a panic attack over the situation meant that it was finally beginning to sink in that she didn't need to be scared of a scenario where they would shut her out, and they wondered if she even realised it.
Giving her a soft smile, the class gave an awkward chuckle as they tried to figure out what they should say after that. Thankfully, it was Kaminari who spoke. "Oh, man! I would kill for women to fight over me like that!"
Estelle, who had a slight tilt on her lips from the class's smiles, instantly dropped it at the sound of his words. She tried to hide the evident pout on her lips as she turned her head away. "It was disrespectful of her to request that. I was putting her in her place; she'll be over it by tomorrow."
"That quickly?"
"They don't do well-holding grudges. Plus, spirits usually resolve issues through dominance. I reminded Iris of her status, and she submitted. She's fine. I apologise; I hadn't expected her to turn her sights on you guys. I had hoped the meeting would have ended peacefully."
Noting the sincerity in her voice, the students could see that Estelle was a little upset at how everything had turned out. The fact that she even tried to ensure they had a good meeting meant more than the fact it had gone wrong. It reminded them of how much Estelle had changed from when she first joined the hero course; the difference was beautiful.
They couldn't wait to see what else was in store for her and them.
"Ah, no biggie! You keep things interesting around here, and we wouldn't have it any other way!"
Katsuki's footsteps pounded on the ground as he rushed through the corridor, his eyes unflinching from the figure in front of him. The grin plastered on his lips was wide enough that his cheeks began to ache from the brunt of it, yet it didn't impact his current mission.
The light giggle exacerbated the problem further, but Katsuki didn't care as he raised his arms, ready to grab the running female like it was the final round of a game. Even if it were a small chase, Katsuki would never allow himself the chance to lose. So, when his limbs finally wrapped around her waist, Katsuki let out a yell of victory, his hold firm around her body.
Peering down at the grinning female, Katsuki tried to fight off his sore face as he attempted to glare at her. Practically pushing his temple against her own aggressively, he yelled, "Repeat it, brat!"
Estelle gave a cheeky smile as she ploughed against the arms pressing down on her, but the action furthered his embrace's tight grasp. Wheezing slightly from the squeeze, Estelle chimed, "You heard me!"
The noise that vibrated out of Katsuki's chest was familiar, and Estelle chuckled at how predictable he could sometimes be. She was unwilling to admit defeat so easily, readily prepared to pull his strings just a little further before she gave him the words he was so ready to hear. "Repeat it!"
Chuckling at the stubbornness he so frequently had, Estelle struggled to respond appropriately through her laughter. The words had managed to get to the blonde, as breathy as they were. "You sucked-"
Letting out a yell, Katsuki wasted no time pulling out the big guns. Since his hands were already placed on her body, it was no issue for him to dig his fingers into her side. He knew that Estelle had figured him out, her movements getting more frantic as she tried to escape his next move, and the blonde smirked when his fingertips began to wiggle. Cackling when Estelle's uncontrollable laughter blessed him, he shouted, "Wrong! Tell me, dammit!"
Estelle choked on her air, desperately pulling at Katsuki's body as she responded, "Okay-okay! Hah! Stop! I'm impressed; okay, I said it was impressive! Stop now! Hahaha!"
"That's what I thought!" Katsuki jeered, the evident glee of victory in his voice from hearing the words which had given him so much satisfaction. After Iris had left, Estelle departed the room soon after. The teen had watched the scene with mind-boggling disbelief, but he had a different priority which needed to be fulfilled first. He had wanted to know her opinions that she refused to voice during the training matches, unable to simmer in the curiosity longer than he had to.
Usually, Katsuki didn't care much for feedback unless it was from the right people. Estelle was one of the few that he was willing to listen to since she was one of the best, and Katsuki would never settle for anything less. Her immense skills in fighting made her criticism more impactful and her compliments more meaningful. Her praise was a high Katsuki was happy to die on, though he would never admit that to the female, knowing she would find that admission far too soft to handle. He could already see her flustered face, unable to respond coherently.
Estelle was breathing heavily as she recovered from her forced laughter. Her chest raised up and down as she gathered her bearings, not noticing that Katsuki had turned to face her directly, his hand trailing to her neck, the soft tips of his fingers brushing behind her ear softly. It was only when Estelle dropped her head that she was met with eyes filled with mischievousness.
Feeling a thumb stroke against her pulse, the tender action caused her to be still, her eyes staring into rubies, watching her so intently that the room stopped. The tilt of Katsuki's lips broadened when he felt the throbbing of her heartbeat quicken, finding himself unable to stop leaning down to speak directly into her ear.
The question in Estelle's mind disappeared when he spoke, the guttural tone shooting through her body like a tiny glass of expresso. "You liked my moves that much, pretty girl?"
A knot immediately tightened in her stomach from his intense words and closeness; his scent beginning to make her head swim so deliciously that Estelle had to lean back on the wall to gain her sanity. Turning her head away with a meek mutter, she forced her words out with as much controlled calm as she could muster, "There were some improvements I could name."
Scoffing, Katsuki internally knew it was just a way for her to get him to move away. Wholly dissatisfied by the answer, he refused to falter away from her, his chest bumping into hers as he snarked, "Tch, of course, there was."
Noting the disappointment on the blonde's face, Estelle abhorred how her mind urged her to rectify it. She simmered in the feeling, the itch crawling through her body until it became unbearable. Unable to manage the impulse, she persisted, "But it was still impressive."
Katsuki straightened his shoulders from the response, his front puffing proudly as he bolstered, "Hah! Of course, it was! Who do you take me for?!"
Although he was currently flourishing under the praise Estelle so rarely bestowed on him, Katsuki took note of her words, his brows furrowing for a moment like he was making an anecdote. "Show me what you meant later, alright?"
Estelle bobbed her head, her upper lip stiffening as she answered with a resolution that warmed his insides. "I'd never keep those ideas from you."
"Damn right, you wouldn't! You could say that you helped the future number-one hero become the best!"
Smiling softly, Estelle was reminded of the fact that she wouldn't have anybody to tell it to. Regardless of the depressing thought, she quickly bit back, "I'm sure they would be more impressed if you said The Guardian helped you become number one."
The ruby-eyed male tutted at the implication, his eyes staring at the wall like it was a news reporter who had said the words. He overlooked the amused glint in Estelle's eyes as he tilted his head to the ceiling with a groan, "Tell them yourself."
Disregarding the pinch she felt at being reminded again, Estelle leaned forward into his chest lightly, a playful pout on her lips that succeeded in softening the male in front of her. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she innocently questioned, "So, you wouldn't credit me?!"
His stare snapped back to Estelle, his face contorting like he had sucked a lemon. "Hah?! Not for everything! Those idiots would act like you were there for my first steps! Eugh! Disgusting!"
Finding his disdain hilarious, Estelle's body trembled slightly as she attempted to stop the howling cackle from leaving her lips. However, she knew he was right, which only furthered the humorous nature of his previous comment. Shaking her head, she declared, "But I was."
"Hah?! Shut up! Idiot!"
Letting the laugh she was holding back loose, Estelle fell into a fit as Katsuki continued to stare at her like she had gone insane. Hunching in a futile attempt at calming herself, Estelle's sights quickly drifted down to the thumbs stroking her hips, her mind clicking on the fact that they were now tangled in each other's embrace.
Katsuki followed suit, his eyes following hers to their joined bodies but having a completely different reaction. Using Estelle's surprise to his advantage, Katsuki closed the tiny distance between them so she couldn't escape. His eyes were smug as the wall, and his body kept her enclosed in one spot, and he wasted no time ducking his head to ask, "Soo, Iris?"
Estelle deadpanned at his decision to bring the spirit up. Eyeing the male with contemplation, the female took the moment of quiet as her time to strike. Jerking within his hold, Estelle flung her body to the right hoping it would break his limbs' barriers. It ultimately failed, considering that Katsuki had prepared for the inevitable, staring at her panicked expression as she tried to bolt like she was on fire and needed water.
The female internally cried in embarrassment, the previous scene playing out in her head as she witnessed what it may have looked like to the teen. Pushing even harder, she disregarded Katsuki's grunt of determination as he battled her in his hold. She cursed Ruby for bringing it up; why couldn't he have just pretended like the whole thing never happened? All she wanted to do now was hide under a pillow and never leave.
"Oh no, you don't!" Katsuki screeched, his arms caging her by the wall with all the strength he could gather as he glowered with fierce determination. Estelle, the stubborn woman she was, continued to try to fight the best she could before eventually slumping in defeat, allowing him to continue. "Come on; there's nothing to be ashamed about."
Averting her eyes from his searching globes, Estelle tried her hardest to avoid the grin of achievement that covered his entire expression. She knew there was no ignoring this conversation, especially when he was adamant about getting an answer. All she could do was mutter, "What do you want me to say?"
"That you were jealous as fuck."
Straightening her shoulders defensively, Estelle's tone followed suit as she hissed, "Huh?! No, I wasn't!"
"You didn't like it when she propositioned me, did you?"
Gritting her teeth, Estelle felt a flare of aggravation as she rebuked, "It was unprofessional."
"You were jealous, cupcake."
The urge to flee returned with a vengeance, and Estelle gave a little shake to see if his grip had loosened. It hadn't. Tilting her head away, her tone reflected all of her obstinacies as she argued, "I wasn't."
Katsuki scowled when he realised she would refuse any admission by simply asking her. He knew it would have been too easy for her to admit it, but seriously, he had already figured out she was jealous. Why was it so difficult for her to say it to him? Pondering on the thought, Katsuki wondered if there was another way he could approach this, and he was ready to pull it out of her by any means necessary.
"So, if I went to find Iris right now, you wouldn't care?"
The resolve flooding Estelle zapped out of her body like lightning. Feeling the blood rush to her head with how quickly her head snapped back to him, Estelle bit back her sizzle of annoyance that he could ever wonder about such a thing. She had to question if he had lost his mind and could not comprehend the gravity of what he had just asked.
Forcing the frustration over the question into a tight-lidded box, Estelle consciously forced her body to relax under the tension his words had brought her. She didn't want him to know how much it had bugged her, knowing that saying words like that wasn't light on the mind. It was hushed between them, the air beginning to crackle around them before Estelle shattered it, muttering, "If you want to accept her invitation for a collar, go ahead."
Katsuki took a moment to scrutinise her. He had caught the brief flash of anger before it faded into existence, finding himself wholly discontented with her response. It was evident from how her face scrunched up from the words initially that she disapproved of his comment, but she couldn't hide the way her body remained tense like glue she could not shake.
She had been agitated by the question, and that was enough for Katsuki to soldier on. The brief fire in her eyes was enough to spark intrigue in Katsuki, his mind wondering how much he would need to push her before he got an answer that wasn't shielded by her ten-foot-tall walls. But he was surprised by the words which slipped past his lips before he could stop them. "You wouldn't care if she collared me up?"
Katsuki had no idea what a collar meant, but considering the significance of what Wolf and Iris had said previously, he felt as if he knew the implications. Yet, he locked onto the intensity returning to her eyes, his heartbeat quickening under the hardened glower she was providing him.
Estelle couldn't fathom that Katsuki was even saying the words out loud, never mind pondering on them in such an ignorant way. He didn't know the significance behind the collar or the sobriety of the situation if he decided to accept one, yet he was considering taking it from a stranger, no less. The idea felt maddening to her, and she resisted the urge to yank him by the shoulders and shake him until he came to his senses.
The flare in Estelle's eyes was enough to keep him going, his mind urging him to continue to see how deep it went. It caused the heat to strike down his back, the hair on his arms raised as he pressed into the emotions Estelle was trying to maintain. He could see right through her, though, the stormy gaze giving him enough to know that he was right. Estelle had been jealous, even if she didn't know it.
"Mind getting me in touch with her?"
Estelle let out a hiss through her clenched teeth, feeling the anger she was boxing up beginning to bubble out of her like he had thrown down a match onto gasoline. Her eyes directed everything she felt, a complete and unfiltered view of how much his prodding had gotten to her. She was pissed, and Katsuki looked at her like he was expecting an agreeable answer, making her nostrils flare.
Estelle had anything but.
The growl that left her lips was more animalistic than she intended, and her mind zeroed in on the fact that Katsuki was thinking about submitting to an otherworldly being. Yanking him to the side, she ignored the shocked noise that slipped past his lips as she manoeuvred to switch places. Estelle held him against the wall, her forearm on his neck as if warning him not to push it. His rear pressed against the cement with force, Estelle staring into his soul with so much venom it made his chest tighten.
He failed to utter a word, unable to draw himself away from the entrancing sight of Estelle. He could only describe the look as silent but deadly, a slow seeping of murderous intent oozing out of her pores and right onto him. It caused the air to catch in his throat, his adam's apple bobbing as he tried to get a grip of himself. He had seen Estelle furious before, filled with so much killing intent that it suffocated the room, but he had never had her anger directed at him like this, but by god, was it fucking irresistible.
She leaned forward, her head inching like a predator sneaking on its prey. Her heavy breath entered the space, and it clicked for him that she was doing everything possible to keep it together. The words came out slow, clashing against the hostility in her eyes, "You want to be collared?"
His mouth turned dry from the question, his body responding in a way he couldn't even comprehend. Katsuki didn't even dare try, unable to remove his focus from Estelle, who was looking at him in such a way, it made him feel weak. He had never expected her to react like this, and now that he was given the pleasure of seeing her this way, it made him want to preen, and he honestly would have if his sanity was still intact.
The silence seemed enough for the otherworldly female, her eyes broadening as her chin dropped slightly from the disbelief inside her. Every part of her control was waning whilst Katsuki continued to stare at her, utterly mute to her questions. Pressing her arm further into his neck, Estelle had to ask one more time to give him a chance to take back his words before she fell into the red of her mind. "By her?!"
The frail threads of her sanity began to snap as Katsuki remained still with no intent to answer in his eyes. Pressure built behind her temple as her thoughts rampaged on the idea of Katsuki willingly entering a bond with a stranger. She couldn't believe it. Katsuki was not someone to be owned. He was human and not property; Katsuki wasn't even the type to submit to someone's whims. He did whatever the fuck he wanted and was always vocal about his opinions.
Being mated would take his ability to choose away from him, and Katsuki would be nothing without his personality and choices. Estelle refused to accept that this was something he wanted, yet he had made no effort to refute that. It only furthered the assailment of delirium pulsing through her veins.
The knowledge that he was willing to throw his life away like that was infuriating, her outrage rising to new heights under her thoughts. She could feel her breathing turn heavy from the onslaught of her agitation. Estelle felt wild, the air in her lungs turning jagged, the picture of a collar around his neck turning her positivity feral. "You think I would allow that?!"
Katsuki's breath caught in his lungs, his mouth falling slack under the hands that were now possessively gripping his shoulders. She was seething, practically spitting out red hot lava with every word, and Katsuki was too busy spiralling to notice that her knuckles had turned white from her locked grip.
The emotion frazzled his interior, buzzing from the intense rush that ploughed its way through his body; he could only gasp from the feeling. It knawed at him, every part of his skin chanting to the symphony of Estelle's unbridled emotions. He wanted it all. God, he did. Seeing Estelle looking at him with such domination felt like she was towering over him despite her more diminutive stature. The fact that it was because of him made the adrenaline in his veins thrash even harder.
Clearing his throat, Katsuki spoke through his dry mouth, his tongue noisily smacking against the roof as he tried to return some moisture to his mouth. He knew he was in deep waters, but Katsuki was willing to fucking drench in it to experience the exquisiteness of Estelle's wrath. "Why does it bother you?"
Estelle let out a growl as she seized her hands from his shoulders, her body whirling around as if she was about to walk away. Her hand quivered slightly, the sound of her beating heart humming in her ears as she took multiple breaths to press down on her vexation. She was too emotional, she knew that, but she didn't know how to contain the beast he had suddenly released inside her.
Unable to handle the emotion internally, Estelle hadn't even recognised that she had begun to pace in front of the male, a frustrated look plastered on her face. It was like a rabid animal inside a cage, ready to burst open and attack as soon as she was given an entry point. It alerted Katsuki as if he was some makeshift prison guard keeping watch as his eyes followed her body.
Ignoring the blonde as he stared at her intently, Estelle pulled at the threads in her mind hoping it would help rationalise her thinking. But before Estelle could even begin, Katsuki was gruffing out words that only succeeded in worsening her state. "Is it because you would prefer to have me collared?"
Estelle turned limp for a moment as if she had taken a blow. The brief reprieve from her turmoil didn't last long as the words finally hit her, and she nearly smacked into his face from how rapidly she entered his personal space. Snarling, Estelle battled within the chaos of her wrath as she gritted out, "You don't know what you're talking about. Shut up!"
Katsuki's eyes searched her, his mouth moving as he ignored her yell. "Or, would you prefer to be collared?"
A noise of irritation tore through Estelle like a tidal wave; her face scrunched up so viciously that it made him second guess if he was making the right choice. Despite the fact he was enamoured with Estelle's blaze, he never wanted it to reach the point that it damaged what the two had. But he couldn't help it; every fibre of his being desired to know what she thought, and she was never the type to voice them out loud. "Shut up, goddammit!"
Noticing how she instantly disregarded both questions with disgust, Katsuki quickly added, "Maybe both?"
Estelle dialled back like she was dodging an attack, her mouth dropping open from utter bewilderment as she regarded Katsuki in a way that made him feel self-conscious. The blonde held back the urge to yell, his face the epitome of seriousness as he stared back tight-lipped.
Estelle never thought she would hear those words out loud. Equal bonding was never on the cards in the spirit realm; it was taboo. She had remembered asking why that was the case when she initially found out about it, but Estelle had simply been told that it was the way of the world. It was then she decided that if that was the case, it only solidified that her remaining days would be spent alone. But Katsuki wasn't a spirit, so he had no idea how the suggestion had hit her so profoundly that she nearly toppled over.
Katsuki bit back his rising smile, knowing his intuition had just hit the jackpot from Estelle's reaction. The withheld expression seemed to pull Estelle out of her astonishment, her face returning to her dark expression as she roared with aggravation, "Shut up! For fucks sake, Katsuki! Stop talking about things you know nothing about!"
Feeling more confident after Estelle's emotional slip, Katsuki tilted his head, a thoughtful hum leaving his lips before he innocently questioned, "What's wrong with Iris?"
Estelle felt threadbare by the time he finished his question, acid seeping past her lips as she internally screamed about why he was so invested in her. Why was this bothering her so much that she craved to find the tiny spirit and rip her apart?
Her face contorted from the emotion, her lip curling upwards, her fangs bared as she heatedly gazed at Katsuki with sheer darkness. Her hand darted to grasp onto Katsuki's hair, his locks tangling between her fingers as she yanked him down to eye level. She felt the blonde shiver within her hold, his breath quickening on her face as he visibly submitted to her actions.
Katsuki felt vulnerable within her hold, his body tensing slightly as he held the feeling of uncertainty in his veins. He had never been put in this position before, and he had no idea what to make of the churning heat of his stomach. It wasn't uncomfortable since he trusted the woman, but knowing that those hands holding him down so viciously had wreaked havoc on battlefields was exhilarating. He was scalding under her intense watch, the roar of his ears becoming all too prevalent as he tried to listen to her speak.
"You think she deserves that honour after one meeting? Huh, Katsuki? Don't make me laugh. Your standards must be low."
The mocking contempt in her tone nearly made him groan, it was as if her viciousness had been covered in sweet honey, and the duality of it all darkened his eyes. She was the epitome of fire and ice, his body stilling like it had turned into the volcanic rock from the fallout. He battled with himself, a profound urge lurking in his mind to return the intense emotion with his own; morbid curiosity about what the aftermath would become. Her anger effortlessly matched his, and he could imagine it would be enough to raze the whole damn country to the ground if they were villains.
Licking his lips, his eyes trailing downwards despite her hand tugging at his hair, Katsuki lingered on the two soft pillows stretched wide around her teeth. They were so close that their uneven breaths were beginning to mix, a deep tension brewing between them that it felt so damn suffocating. Only when his eyes met hers and the words breathed past his lips did they feel everything stop.
"My standards are you."
Neither of them knew which one moved first.
Urgency filled their entire beings as their lips met with a growl and a crash. They pressed against each other with such ferocity that neither of them cared when their teeth clashed. Their eyes closed as they finally simmered in the sweet, toxic relief of the static pressure between them, unable to form a coherent thought as they clung onto each other with tenure that would have shattered the average person.
Katsuki gripped her waist tightly, his lips moving in sync with hers as he tugged her body closer. His head spun from the sensation, his thoughts utterly silent as he focused on the feeling of Estelle surrounding his entire being. It was as if the gap he had desperately been clawing at all this time had finally relaxed, closing ever so slightly the longer they connected. He could only groan as he boiled under the company, his hands attempting to pull her closer like he was trying to absorb her very soul. He nearly felt delirious from how fucking good she felt pressed against him like this, his essence chanting away selfishly to keep it forever.
They kissed as if it would be the last time they would ever see each other.
Estelle's body kept him pinned up against the wall, her arms drifting around his neck to keep him locked. Like a volcano that had erupted, she couldn't stop the molten heat from pooling within her stomach, unable to break away from the delicious burn that continued to seep into her bones. The sounds of short pants entered the atmosphere between them, seemingly growing more frantic as the moments continued. It was as if each second apart, simply breathing in the oxygen, was too much to bear. It was a minor pain compared to the heaven of their embrace.
The shredding of her rage fuelled her, the intense weight of their conversation leaving her with so few options. She had wanted to rip Katsuki apart for his suggestion, but Estelle knew she would never bring herself to do that. But, as she simmered in this strange out-of-body experience, it was as if every facet of her anger had poured into the kiss, her rationale completely decimated within the splintering heatwave between them. His guttural groan vibrated through her body, shooting electricity down her spine and to the bottom of her stomach.
Their lips battled, pushing against each other with increased force as they refused to back down from their argument. His leg shuffled, so it nestled right between her legs to give her more stability, and Estelle unconsciously leaned some of her weight onto his leg as she gripped him tightly, her fingers on the back of his head as he continuously pulled her to him, jerking her as if there was still space between them. The action made her shiver, the desperation within his movements furthering the sweltering heat inside of her.
Katsuki's hand felt wet. The mighty sun the duo were in was becoming too much for him, and he turned his head away, huffing to return air into his lungs. The blonde's mouth tipped open further when he realised his movement had caused her lips to trail from his and land directly on his neck. His approval shuddered throughout his whole body, his hazed mind turning mush as her lips attacked his channel like a warrior completing her mission.
Estelle was virtually sitting on his leg, which he had stuck out for her, her persisting annoyance lingering in her veins as she bit down onto his neck in punishment. She growled when he had the opposite reaction than she intended, his hands drifting under her shirt to the small of her back, grabbing onto her skin in silent approval.
Katsuki was drowning, and he was thrilled to be there. His eyes rolled to the ceiling as her teeth tugged into his skin, and the male attempted to pull her further up his legs, completely unwilling to let the feeling go. His thoughts chanted selfishly, his hands roaming every inch of her back like a greedy child opening up a present. Unable to detach from the desires currently being fulfilled, Katsuki could only think about what he would do to keep her there, straddling him forever. It didn't take long for him to decide that there were no rules if it came to Estelle, not if she could destroy anybody else for him so easily.
Once Estelle opened her mouth to suck on the skin, did Katsuki know his previous thoughts were entirely correct. He unconsciously bucked his hips forward, letting out a quiet moan, his mind screeching to a halt when blinding white heat flashed behind his eyes. A gasp accompanied him, and it was only after he blinked a few times that he realised that he wasn't the only one affected by his motion.
Peering down at her, the air still leaving his lungs in quick succession, he groaned at the image she had gifted him. With a pretty blush crossing her face, her hair all mussed up, her eyes hazy and drunk on conflicting emotions; Estelle looked like a sin he could commit a hundred times over. The glimpse of her made his heart full, on the verge of bursting, that he had to tauten his grasp to maintain his sanity. Everything about her was frustrating, yet he adored her all the same, and that enough was intoxicating.
Taking her chin, Katsuki wasted no time directing her lips back to his, a growl leaving his lips that Estelle seemed to return. As much as he wanted her to keep going, if he had to save one thing in his mind, it would be her mouth on his. The urgency they were feeling before was beginning to fade, and the male feared the outcome of the kiss once Estelle started thinking with the left side of her brain. He didn't want her to, but he wanted to take everything he could whilst it lasted. Right now, they were both taking everything they wanted without regard for the consequences. How could they when everything about it felt so fucking right?
Parting his lips slightly, Katsuki swiped at the bottom of hers, his body begging her to open up, just this once, without a fight. His frustration spiked when Estelle didn't get the message, her lips persisting in the kiss despite the alluring wetness on her lips. It was only after his third attempt that he wrenched his lips back, his voice a deep snarl, that it made her toes curl.
"Open up for me, dammit."
Confused, Estelle felt her mind start to form coherent thoughts as she questioned what he was talking about. But before she could ask, his lips were back on hers, his tongue licking at her lip to let him in. She gasped when Katsuki tugged at her hair, the buzz of the kiss amplifying when he used it as an opportunity to nudge his tongue against hers. Trembling from the fact her feet nearly gave out as her body surged from the action, Estelle's mind stopped her before the sound of enjoyment left her lips.
She had no idea what to do. The conflicting bubble of affection was addicting; she didn't want to move, but her mind was returning, telling her to remove herself before she fell even further into the abyss that was Katsuki. The thought disappeared as her stomach tightened, his hands drifting over her frame like an addict getting his next fix.
If only.
If only.
The damn elevator didn't go off.
Estelle and Katsuki jumped away from each other as if they hadn't just spent the last few moments being all over each other. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough time to gather their bearings, their chests moving as if they had just run a marathon and with their hair messily scattered on their heads. They stood still as statues as their wide eyes stared at the elevator doors, awaiting the devastation of who could be on the other side.
They hadn't moved a muscle as the doors slowly slid open to reveal Shoto. The two-toned male held no expression as he regarded the duo, a deathly stillness filling the atmosphere as they waited for someone to make the first move. They had expected Shoto to start firing questions, the ever-inquisitive male. Unfortunately, his following actions only deepened the uncomfortable situation, and Estelle wished she could teleport.
Mute, Shoto decided to emulate his best version of a sloth. As his eyes darted to the two standing in the corridor, the male lifted the drink in his hand, slowly taking a significant slurp of his drink like he hadn't just walked in on something he shouldn't have. The sound was the only thing between them; they found themselves unable to breathe as they stared at the male like he was insane.
His eyes finally averted to the ground after he scrutinised their dishevelled states, his free hand inching towards the elevator buttons to make his escape. He refused to meet their eyes again, his mutter barely reaching them before the doors started to close. "I saw nothing."
Sputtering, Estelle had the urge to shout an explanation, but as the door dinged to signal its closure, the female could only slump in defeat as she watched the numbers above the door begin to lower. Glancing to her left, Estelle was quick to dart her eyes away when she found Katsuki staring at her; his eyelids drooped as he took in her frame like a fine dessert.
Flushing under the look, Estelle found her cheeks turning pink as the realisation of what just happened settled in her brain. Not knowing what to do, the laugh that left her was shrill as she turned around to go, her footsteps pattering on the ground as she focused on her escape.
Katsuki was quick to speak up. His sights dialled onto her as satisfaction flooded his gut and the warmness of their kiss blanketed his body. He knew if he left her now, she would panic, fall into herself, and possibly even regret it. Katsuki had no plans to allow such a thought to happen, aware she would likely overthink everything to the point it took them multiple steps back. "So much for ignoring it."
Turning around sharply at the smug tone, Estelle glared as she snapped, "Shut up."
Taking his time to reach her, Katsuki leaned back, his hands in his pocket as the admission carelessly left his mouth. "I was teasing. You know I only want you."
The flush returned with ferocity as Estelle turned her sights to the ground. She still hadn't gotten used to his blunt honesty regarding the topic of his feelings, and it always threw her off guard. Her world never divulged that much; you kept things to yourself and dealt with things alone. Spirits weren't highly emotional creatures, as peaceful as they were. Unable to give a proper response, she mumbled, "Hm."
His heart squeezed as she tried to hide the impact of his words, and he was swift in wrapping an arm around her waist, his head leaning down as he puckered up for one last quick peck. Estelle caught onto him, her palm slapping against his mouth harshly as the adorable squeak slipped past her lips. "No! No kissies!"
Laughing into her hand, Katsuki narrowed his eyes at her as if to say, 'As if that will stop me.'
Seeing the challenge in his eyes, Estelle found that he quickly followed through on his words when she realised what he was doing. Feeling her body melt at the fact he was pressing kisses into her palm, Estelle felt the air around her warm as she internally berated herself for being too soft.
Attempting to move her hand away, Katsuki was fast as refuting it, grabbing onto her fingers as he forced her to stay in position. His eyes never waivered as he gazed into her own, each press of his lips only furthering the liquid pooling in her stomach. She suffered in silence, unable to respond reasonably to such an affectionate action, and his words only prolonged the torture. "But you look so pretty like this."
"Katsuki..."
"I'd let you collar me any day."
Estelle's breath stopped entirely at the earnest admission, unable to move her eyes from Katsuki in amazement. Her heart pummeled, the pounding becoming so loud she wondered if he could hear it. She gaped as he leaned in closer, the red of his eyes portraying the depths of the truthfulness of his words as he continued. "But, If you get to own me. I expect the same in return."
She wiggled to relieve some of the strain inside her, unable to fathom his words which held so much more than Estelle was ready to see. She wasn't sure if she could believe him, but one look at him told her that his words were the truth, which befuddled her mind more than any other mission ever had. "It's a lifelong commitment, Katsuki. You shouldn't talk like that."
"You don't think I'm prepared for that? Well, I am.
If it's you."