Merry Christmas

Estelle solely experienced confusion when her feet finally stepped into the living room. Decorations she had never seen surrounded every inch of the place, coloured in green, red, white and gold. The room was pretty, but it didn't answer why the space suddenly changed from its usual state.

Directing her stare from all the bright shades, Estelle focused her eyes on the students crowded around the room, happily shuffling next to each other as they continued to hang up the shiny foil scarves they held in their hands. She noted the quiet music in the background, her mind whirling on the tune before realising that she didn't recognise the melody.

Estelle stood quiet, observing as the teens happily chattered away to one another, eager looks on their faces as they continued to place ornaments and foil around the room. It was clear that they were all excited, her eyes zoning in on Momo, who was humming along to the music absentmindedly with a soft look on her face.

The appealing picture warmed her heart but felt conflicting as it began to ache. She had never seen anything like this, and she had to wonder what else she had missed out on during years of servitude to her duty. It made her feel like an outsider; before she knew it, her feet were taking her out of the room. She didn't want to intrude.

It was too cosy, and it felt hard to breathe.

"Estelle!"

Scrunching her eyes at the fact she had been noticed, Estelle slowly turned around at the entrance to find twenty pairs of eyes looking back at her with so much happiness that she didn't know what to do. Feeling her heart twist, Estelle lifted her lips at the scene, but it came out more of a wince, which had caught their attention.

"Where are you going?! We were waiting for you!"

Stunned by Kirishima's words, Estelle furrowed her brows, evident perplexity in her eyes as she asked, "You were?"

"Of course we were! This is a class activity!" Ochako chimed in jovially, walking up to her to place the foil scarf in her hands.

The discomfort within her soul continued to simmer, a whirlwind of confusion continuing to throw her thoughts for a loop. Estelle wasn't just baffled at why they were decorating in the first place, but she was also perplexed at why she felt this way. Why did seeing them all like that hurt so much?

Not wanting to downpour on such happiness, Estelle allowed another soft smile to enter her lips, but she failed to hide the turmoil within her eyes. Gazing at the shiny material in her hands, she had missed the glances between the students, filled with worry due to her sombre expression.

"I..."

Patiently, the class waited for Estelle to continue.

"I have things to do. I'm sorry, but you'll have to finish without me. Don't worry, though. I'm sure you'll do a splendid job!" Estelle tried to cheer at the end, her hands placing the decoration back into Ochako's hand before turning around to leave.

Concern instantly filled the students once again as all their eyes drifted to Katsuki. He seemed to have gotten the message before they sent it because his feet were already moving to grab onto her arm. Turning her around, they were all met with an unsheltered view of Estelle's expression, a wave of pressure hitting them to relieve whatever was causing her discomfort.

"The world won't crash and burn if you miss a day. You told me that, didn't you?" Katsuki uttered, a knowing look in his eyes that threw the rest of their classmates in for a loop.

Silent, Estelle knew that despite what she was experiencing, she didn't want to make their joyful day sour. The view from before remained in her mind. Regardless of the pain it brought, it still made her content. She didn't want to be the reason it was no longer there. So, she bobbed in answer.

Satisfied that she had agreed, Katsuki leaned over to take the material Ochako held out with a nod. Handing her the long golden scarf, Estelle stared down at it with perplexity.

"What is it?" Katsuki demanded, feeling his patience waning at her uneasy body language. He had been roped into this by his classmates too, but he could tell she wasn't annoyed, just hesitant. Thankful Katsuki was always straight to the point with his words. The class leaned over to listen, only to find themselves surprised at her unsure and timid response.

"Um. What are we doing?"

Stupefied, Iida answered, "We are decorating!"

"But why?"

The class of 1A were stunned at the innocence of the question. It hit them like a truck; how disconnected she must have felt to walk into the room without knowing what was happening. Regardless of the purity, it held an iceberg underneath; how privileged they were to experience holidays when all Estelle had even known was battles and death.

She had no idea what Christmas was.

How must it have felt for her? To walk into the room and see everyone excitedly celebrating something she had never even heard of? Had she ever celebrated anything in her life? Was the notion so far-removed that it made her want to leave?

The class steamed in a plethora of questions in silence. The more they asked, the more their hearts fell into despair for the girl. It just wasn't fair; nothing Estelle had encountered was. It made them want to bundle her up into blankets and shower her with love. It urged them to fill the voids she had never experienced and show her the wonderful holiday of Christmas.

Feeling embarrassment rise as the silence continued, Estelle began to feel uncomfortable as the students shuffled on their feet. Her previous urge to run had returned with a vengeance, and all Estelle could do was mutter, "Oh. I'm sorry I asked. I can leave?"

Straightening their backs from the meek tone, the class instantaneously vocalised at that moment. "No! Don't go!"

"Yeah! We were just surprised, is all!"

"We have to teach you everything!"

Startled by the yells, Estelle jumped before forcing her body to relax. Giving a slow nod, she waited for an explanation. Izuku was the one to step up, his voice soft and gentle as he gave a sweet smile to the girl.

"Today is a holiday called Christmas. Christmas holidays are about spending time with the ones you love! You spend the day together and give each other gifts to show appreciation! We usually decorate at home, but we thought it would be nice to spread the Christmas cheer to the dorms!"

Estelle couldn't deny that the idea was perplexing, so she prodded. "But, wouldn't you show love all the time? Why dedicate the day to it?"

Sweatdropping, the class knew she was right in a sense, but it was difficult to explain the nuances of the holiday without giving a whole history lesson. However, Momo replied, "Of course you would, but it's still nice to have a day to celebrate each other."

Nodding, Estelle could understand that. Eyeing the decoration in her hand, she muttered, "I've never celebrated something. I'm not really sure how to do that."

The arrow to their hearts was deep. Kaminari was the one to fall from the brunt of it, his butt landing on the floor as he held his heart like he had been mortally wounded. "What?! Not even your birthday?!"

Tilting her head, Estelle murmured, "I don't know the date I was born. Besides, there were much more urgent things to think about."

Souls continued to break at the admission, but it was thought they had assumed to be true the moment she began asking questions. It made sense, but it didn't stop the situation from being distressing. The class felt heartbroken for her, unable to comprehend the idea of fighting for your life daily that it didn't even matter what date you were born.

"I'm not going to stand for this!" Ashido shrilled out, her hands on her hips. "We will have the best Christmas with you, and you will treasure it!"

Estelle broadened her eyes as the rest of the teens agreed. Excitedly waving their fists around, Estelle couldn't help her lips from stretching from the determination.

"And it doesn't matter what day you were born! We can pick a day for you! I'd say we choose the day we started the hero course because it was the first day you entered our lives!"

"Yeah! Great idea, Toru!"

"Awesome! We can celebrate her first birthday too!"

It took a few moments for their words to register, her face turning void of emotion as her stomach leapt to her throat. When had anyone ever shown her this much care before she arrived in the world? Was this place so good that her reality seemed so cruel in comparison? They wanted to celebrate her birthday...on the day she joined the class? Estelle was struggling to do anything in response, the bottom of her lip beginning to wobble as she sucked in a deep breath.

Estelle would probably question why they tried so hard for her for the rest of her life. She knew she didn't deserve this kind of treatment, so it hurt like hell when it happened. One part of her mind outright rejected the notion, unwilling to falter in the fact that they were too good for her, but the other, it yearned for the care she had never received. That duality tore her apart.

The class could see the emotion lining her face and did everything they could not to show that they noticed. Blatantly ignoring the wetness in her eyes and the expansiveness of her soul in full showing, they ushered her to join.

She followed them quietly, walking towards the tree they had purposefully left some space on. Nodding along as they directed her what to do, Estelle remained in her state of emotions, with a tight throat as she decorated the tree.

Eventually, it began to loosen, the warmth starting to grow within her core the more the students laughed around her. Their charming grins balmed her pain; the humming tunes cleansed her mind, and the mindless chatter soothed her soul. Eventually, she returned to herself enough to turn to the male next to her. "What is this called?"

Grinning widely, Iida responded with a happy chop, "It's called Tinsel!"

"Tinsel... It's pretty."

It wasn't long after the decorations were complete that the girls had wrangled her into a red coat and hat. They stated something about tradition, but the colouring was so out there that Estelle was left utterly bewildered at how this was incorporated into sharing love with others. What did it matter what she wore?! How did it make any sense!?

Admitting defeat by the time the hat was placed on her head, Estelle ambled into the room with a sour look as she noted that the guys had also dressed. Her eyes fell onto Katsuki, who somehow managed to escape the outfit, wearing his favourite skull t-shirt that clashed with everyone else.

Ambling over to him, she ignored his amused expression, unabashedly scouring over her in appreciation as he grinned. "Look at you, stunning girl."

Scowling, Estelle's tone was more whiny than she intended. "How the hell did you manage to get out of this?"

Letting out a cackle, Katsuki grinned smugly as he leaned back on his chair. "I'll chew their faces off, that's why. Plus, I'd look ridiculous in that get-up. Somehow, you've managed to pull it off."

Folding her arms, Estelle pouted as she looked away. "Don't lie because I feel like a disgrace in this thing. I'm a warrior, dammit. Why am I wearing a red hat?!"

Falling into another round of laughter, Katsuki gazed at her fondly before shaking his head. "Shut up, you adorable cretin. Just enjoy the holiday."

Before Estelle could open her mouth to respond, Katsuki immediately shot up from his chair, barking like a rabid dog, as he intimidated those trying to sneak up on him with a red hat. Deadpanning as he continued to scream, Estelle sighed as he growled to himself. It wasn't fair that he got to run around looking good whilst she looked like a tomato with mould.

Smirking as the idea hit her, Estelle leaned over the chair and batted her eyelids. Surprisingly, the action had worked too well, instantly catching his attention as he gazed at her like she was an angel before narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Katsuki..."

"What?"

"Put on the hat?"

"Hmph, no."

"Why not?"

"I told you I don't do that."

"Even if it makes you look handsome?"

Pausing, Katsuki stilled like a statue. Honestly, he looked like he was debating on it but was entirely unhappy about the situation he ended up in. He managed to scrounge up some courage to decline, but as soon as his eyes clashed with hers, it was as if his willpower had suddenly withered away. Scowling, the male screeched, "Dammit! Give me the damn thing!"

Grinning, Estelle wasted no time taking the extra hat from her classmate before returning to the vexed blonde. Ignoring his pouting, she leaned over to place it on his head, fiddling away with the white fluff at the bottom, so it situated nicely.

Estelle was so concentrated that she hadn't even noticed that Katsuki was watching her like a hawk. Now that she wasn't batting her eyelashes at him, he suddenly discovered that this was the first time she had done something like that.

'Dammit! This is so lame! She'll use it against me forever!'

His internal moan disappeared as Estelle finally stepped back, eyeing his face as she took him in wearing the hat. Unable to stop her cheeks from lifting, Estelle wondered if there was anything in the world that would make him look unattractive. "And you say I pull it off."

"Tch, how annoying."

"Hey, look! Katsuki's finally joined us!" Ashido yelled merrily, her eyes observing the two with layers of disbelief and joy. How Estelle had managed to do that, they had no idea. But they took a mental image of the blonde regardless, wondering if they would ever see it again if Estelle was no longer around.

After stuffing their faces with food, Estelle found herself uneasy as the students eagerly directed her to the couch. They were brimming with anticipation, practically falling over themselves as they rushed to the boxes underneath the tree. Watching how they pulled out parcels left and right, Estelle learned they were gifts.

Shit.

She had nothing to give them; it was too last minute.

Eyeing the door, wondering if she had broken some kind of tradition she had no idea about, Estelle had no idea how to bring up the conversation. Thankfully, Shoto was the one who had approached her, the students falling around him in a circle as they held their gifts.

Shifting uncomfortably under their knowing grins, Estelle jittered as she reminded herself to be patient. Were they expecting her to give them something? Opening her mouth to apologise, her eyes darted towards the two-toned male's hands when it suddenly hit her.

He was holding out a box for her.

Looking back at him, Estelle was clueless about what she was supposed to do. The students beamed, their eyes urging her to take it, but the feeling that she shouldn't be there to receive anything stayed, so she didn't move.

"We ain't got all day; take it, dumbass!" Katsuki growled, immediately garnering looks from the others.

Hesitantly accepting the gift from Shoto, Estelle listened to Iida speak as she began to take apart the neatly wrapped paper. The bow reminded her of Katsuki's earlier gift, taped just as intricately as the last. "It's a gift from all of us."

Nervously biting her lip as she finally lifted the lid, Estelle furrowed her eyes at the box before her. Her eyes broadened, and words failed to leave her lips as she stared at the item. Her sights instantly drifted to the lettering on the front of the package, and Estelle felt the world closing in around her.

'Polaroid camera.'

She did feel the question rising up within her throat, unable to comprehend their reasoning for such a gift when she had her phone. She felt grateful that she was even gifted something regardless.

"You have no idea what it's for, do you?"

Flushing lightly, Estelle nodded as she glanced at their aware eyes and soft smiles. "Well, let us explain!"

"Yeah! So you know how you told us before you wouldn't be able to take your phone back with you since there's no electricity?"

"Hmm."

"Well, an old-fashioned polaroid doesn't need electricity! It takes photos and prints them onto special paper to keep forever! We put a few extra rolls so you won't run out."

Staggered, Estelle observed her classmates and the enthusiastic expressions on their faces. It was apparent that they were proud of the idea they had come up with, and the fact that it was so thoughtful wasn't lost on Estelle.

This was the second gift she had ever gotten. It brought back the turmoil simmering in her soul, but this time it felt a little easier to disregard. They could have given her a shoe, and she would have been happy.

"Sooo! You can take as many as you want, and you'll always have them with you! You could take the camera back and use it there!" Kaminari jumped in, ignoring the faces surrounding the room on the reminder of Estelle's leaving.

'If she goes back,' They all seemed to think, not allowing their thoughts to remain on her departure. They couldn't stay on that thinking even if they tried, not when Estelle examined them like they had just gifted her the stars. It bolstered the needy feeling they had to lean over and coo over how her innocent disbelief and glee looked.

"I...Thank you, guys. Really. This gift means a lot."

"It's honestly no problem! Merry Christmas!"

Pausing before she returned the affection, Estelle drifted her eyes back onto the camera before frowning. "I..didn't get you guys anything, though."

That was expected; Estelle just learned about the holiday today. Plus, they had never provided her with the item for the sole purpose of receiving something. They just wanted her to have the ability to take memories with her because if she decided to leave, they didn't like the idea of her forgetting their faces in time.

Opening their mouths to object to her upset, the class paused when Estelle suddenly brightened, her eyes dancing as something entered her mind. It didn't take long for her to start moving, the box still in her hands as she began to leave the room.

"I'll be right back!"

"Huh? Okay!"

The students nervously skittered around the common room as they waited for Estelle to return. They should have started opening their presents while waiting, but they couldn't help but boil in anticipation. They murmured to each other in theory, wondering what had caused the female to suddenly up and leave, and it was only when they heard footsteps arriving that they whirled to face the entrance.

Forcing themselves not to crowd around and suffocate her, the class quickly scanned her nervous expression. She was biting her lip, her movements unsure as she gripped onto a big so tightly that her knuckles were beginning to turn white. They observed the bag in curiosity, unable to comprehend what could be inside of it that would cause such a reaction.

"Are you okay, Estelle?" Tokoyami questioned quietly, troubled as he checked over her frame.

Taking a deep breath, Estelle let out the air with her words. "Yeah, I'm fine. I have a gift for you all. Can you please line up?"

Glancing at each other, the student's apprehension diminished as the excitement bloomed within their bodies. Before Estelle could blink, each person was already standing before her, grinning widely as they began to bounce on their heels. They hadn't been expecting that at all, considering the short notice, but it was such a pleasant surprise that they couldn't help but internally scream at the knowledge that Estelle was gifting them something.

Estelle felt the heat begin to shower her skin, unable to keep eye contact with such eager expressions as they made her heart jump out from her body. The otherworldly female had no idea how they would react to what she held in her hands, but she hoped it wouldn't be bad. Estelle knew she probably would hide in her room for days to get over the mortification. Never mind the embarrassment her body was already feeling at the moment.

Gritting her teeth to manage the internal frenzy her insides were experiencing, Estelle lowered her head to try to hide the blush that remained in view. It was futile, and they all noted the effort, nearly bouncing off the walls as they waited.

Rubbing the back of her neck to try to alleviate the tension, Estelle growled in frustration at her lack of confidence before muttering, "Don't say anything yet, or I'll melt into the ground."

The teens gave an exaggerated nod of understanding, fully aware Estelle was on the verge of giving up and running with her tail tucked between her legs. They didn't want to frighten her off, and it was clear that this was a big step for her to take in general.

Taking a step forward, Estelle met Izuku's eyes since he was the first in line. Slowly opening the bag, she held it out for him before murmuring, "Take one each."

Izuku nodded, his hand dipping into the bag as he reached for one of the items. The rest of the class leaned over each other, practically vibrating as they tried to catch sight of the gift. It was only when he held it up that they were stunned silent, just like Estelle was previously. A few beats of nothing entailed as sights zoned in on the item like they couldn't comprehend what they were witnessing.

He was holding a promise bracelet.

Estelle's whole body felt tight as gasps sounded around the room, her eyes unable to look up from the bag in her hands as her grip tautened around the handles. She felt vulnerable, standing there speechless as she lingered for a response. It was like she had been laid bare, a quiet admission of something Estelle would never vocally admit. The knowledge felt overwhelming, her body alert as she waited for things to go wrong.

"Estelle..." Izuku finally managed to wobble out, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to say something - anything at all.

Estelle peeked from her lashes, instantly catching the glossy eyes directed at her. Her breath quickened from the image, the tightness of her body making her on the edge of bursting. She could only shake her head in reply, her throat too clogged up to respond coherently.

The implications of what she was giving them weighed heavy on her mind. She had created the bracelets not long after the attack on the dorms, and the students had nearly gotten themselves killed by disregarding her orders. The sheer turmoil she experienced for days felt traumatising, and the only thing Estelle could do was buy materials and assemble them. The bracelets had been hidden under her bed ever since because after she created them, she didn't know how to give them.

The conflict she had was frustrating; even though it was an instrument of safeguarding them, there was a different meaning behind them; there was so much history, and they knew about it. Estelle had promised to protect them and would do it to her dying breath. She wouldn't be able to rest easy, knowing she could have done more to shield them, especially when her entire soul urged them to be safe. It was the right thing to do.

The class remained quiet, their eyes observing the evident emotions crossing Estelle's and Izuku's faces. The voices of Estelle's memories rang out in everyone's mind as she continued to travel down the line one by one.

"It's a bracelet! A promise! That one day, I'll protect you just like you have done for me!"

"You don't need to do that."

"I want to! Look, I'll show you how to make it. You can give it to your precious ones!"

"Precious ones?"

"Yeah, the ones that you care for! The ones you want to protect!"

Each individual was mute, unable to vocalise the depths of their emotions from such a profound gift. It wasn't just a piece of handmade jewellery; it was the memory of her first friend Kiko, it was the promise of protection, and it was a show of how much Estelle had come to care for them despite her refusal to vocalise such a thing.

The bracelet was proof that their efforts had been worthwhile. It was clear the more they looked at the intricate bindings that Estelle had put a lot of work into each one, and it made their cores clench, their throats constrict, and their eyes water.

Finally reaching the end of the line, Estelle seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as she straightened up her back. Reigning her emotions in the best she could, Estelle murmured, "These are protection bracelets. I had them charmed by some Elves, so I'll breathe easier knowing you have some cover if a spirit ever attacked one of you."

As if the gift couldn't get any better, the class enlarged their eyes at what she had done. It was one thing to declare them as precious and another to go out of her way to add magical protection to keep them all safe.

"We don't know what to say..." Momo muttered.

"Then don't say anything," Estelle rebuked, not knowing if she could handle any reaction to what she had just done. Feeling the redness continue to stay on her face, Estelle shuffled awkwardly when nobody responded but instead gaped at her in shock. That was the last thing she had been expecting, so Estelle hadn't prepared herself for this situation.

Cringing when they didn't stop, Estelle felt her previous worry of mortification becoming a reality at that very moment. Biting back her groan, she turned, muttering, "I'll be going now."

"Hey! No, wait!" Kirishima cried, chasing after her to pull her back. Holding a shark-like grin on his face, the redhead failed to hold back his teary globes as he asked, "This is seriously for us?"

Turning another shade of red, Estelle nodded meekly as she responded, "Yeah."

Letting out a startled noise, Estelle tried to regain oxygen when twenty bodies suffocated her to the point of passing out. Peering over multiple shoulders, she realised they were all holding onto each other, with Estelle smack-dab in the middle. Feeling her shoulders unwind from the hug, Estelle closed her eyes and gave a smile to those peering over at her with so much emotion it was unfathomable. The grip around her taughtened from the image, and Estelle chuckled from the softies surrounding her.

"We love you, Estelle!"

"Guys..."

"Don't worry! You don't have to say it back!"

It was true. The bracelet did all the talking for her.

Stepping into her bedroom, Estelle's eyes unconsciously searched for Katsuki before she recognised that he hadn't arrived yet. Shrugging the thought away, she figured he must be tired after spending the whole day with everyone for Christmas and decided to leave him be.

Strolling towards her bed, Estelle instantly paused at the box lying on the sheet, her eyes widening at the colours she had become familiar with. He had given her a few more flowers since the initial invitation, usually lying on her bed for when she returned after a long day.

She was surprised to find another gift this time, and her hands quickly reached for the item. Wasting no moment to open it up, Estelle found herself lost in her lungs as she gaped down at the jewellery before her.

It was a ruby necklace.

Her eyes scanned over the pendant, enjoying how simple and beautiful it looked. The gold chain was attached to an authentic ruby stone carved into a heart. The image of it had stalled her thinking, the only chattering in her brain, marvelling over how stunning it was. How he had managed to buy such a beauty was beyond her, it seemed too much to accept.

Taking a moment to pull out the letter tucked underneath it, Estelle felt like she was sitting by the fireplace as her eyes took in the handwritten lettering.

My Lioness,

You once told me that rubies reminded you of me, so forgive me for being selfish by desiring your thoughts to be on me as much as possible. It represents how much you hold of me, so much so that I want you to have a piece of me no matter where you are. I never want you to doubt or forget how much I fucking adore you. So, here's a shitty rock so you never forget my shitty feelings.

Yours, Ruby.

"So, do you like it?"

Jumping where she stood, Estelle whirled around only to find Katsuki staring blankly at the wall next to him. She hadn't even felt him entering the room, probably too focused on what was in her hands to pay attention. The grip of his fist let it slip how edgy he was, and it only furthered the bloom within Estelle's core as she smiled softly.

"I don't just like it. I love it."

Snapping his head up to hers, Katsuki finally unwinded as relief subtly hit him. He refused to let it show, stepping forward from the wall to walk up to her. "Turn around."

Following his instruction, Estelle pulled her hair to the side as Katsuki pulled the pendant from her grasp. His hand stroked the choker that Tokoyami had given, but he ignored it in favour of clipping the chain behind her neck. The audible click sounded in her ear, his hand trailing from the chain and to her shoulders, rubbing down her arms in quiet affection as Estelle glanced down.

Grinning at the pendant on her chest, Estelle slowly turned around, her eyes displaying so much ardency that they emanated from her body. Katsuki stared, his vision drifting across her face before reaching her neck with satisfaction.

"I didn't get anything for you, though," Estelle pouted, a twinge of disappointment that she wouldn't be able to return it with something equally lovely.

Katsuki halted, his head tilting back as he gave a pondering expression. Estelle scanned him, her back straightening when he finally murmured, "I can think of a few things."

Estelle perked a brow, her sights searching as she questioned, "What is it?"

The thoughtful look was quickly taken over by a vast and menacing grin. Whatever Katsuki had come up with had certainly sparked his eagerness, as his voice was strong when he finally voiced what he wanted. "A kiss, right now, and a date."

Estelle stilled, her hand holding the ruby on her chest in trepidation as she tried to respond. "W-what?"

"You heard me, sweetcheeks. I want a date. No holds barred, no walls raised, nothing. One day of you not thinking about leaving or suppressing your emotions. I want you to treat me like you want to but refuse to. I want one proper date, with you."

Blood rushed to Estelle's brain, her mouth slightly open as she eyed Katsuki like he had just asked her for the world. "Katsuki...I-"

Her words stopped when she felt fingers gently brush through her hair, drifting down to place his hand on her face. She watched as he leaned forward, his voice raspy as he whispered, "You can give me that, can't you?"

Estelle met his stare, her pulse quickening as she fell into pools of red that soothed the thrumming of her mind. She could not argue with herself when he gazed at her in such a way; it was a talent that Katsuki only got better at the longer they spent together. Yet, an integral part of her wanted to fulfil his desire, the usual conflict wavering under his hopeful watch.

Maybe it was because, despite the brief flashes of heartache she experienced today, it was nothing compared to how she felt around the class. Estelle had been content; she had enjoyed every moment, and Katsuki's letter, his gift, had only succeeded in increasing the emotion to new heights.

Disregarding the alarm bell in her mind, Estelle smiled, complete and genuine, with so much gratitude that Katsuki nearly buckled. Something inside her refused to voice her agreement out loud; it was like a layer of protection, unable to admit that she was willing to give him what he asked for. Yet, Katsuki didn't need it, his lips matching Estelle's as her hand reached up to cup his own on her face.

Their bracelets brushed against each other, a clicking noise filling the air as Estelle leaned forward to place a kiss on the side of his lips. Leaning back, a pink bloom beginning on her cheeks, she chuckled when Katsuki grunted, "You missed."

Estelle didn't have the will to argue, her teeth still showing from the remnants of her laugh as the room felt clouded with summer rays, which was enough to scare away any thoughts of the consequences. She could give him what he asked, just this once.

So, she did.

Her body felt light, uplifted by the bubble of comfort his presence seemed to bring. The press of her lips instantly made the blonde groan, his arms reaching out to engulf her whole as he pulled her in deeper. The gentleness of the embrace was smouldering, each light brush echoing the breeze in July.

The urge to keep going lingered in their veins, but as Estelle leaned back, with a joyful look on her face as her hand moved to cup around the ruby necklace again, Katsuki quickly stopped caring about his need for more.

It was enough. Seeing Estelle look at him without a care in the world was enough.

He didn't want to think about the fact that Estelle would probably attack herself for this later because right now, she was glowing, a picture of a free animal that had just broken out of her cage, even if only for a moment and he wanted to soak it all in. It was enough.