Chapter Seven: Tsu's POV
'Let's go over this one more time.'
'We've been over this two times, Katsu-chan. I'm getting tired.'
The only response was a low groan, but Tsu knew she didn't really anger the easily frustrated ash-blond behind her and remained blissfully sitting with her back to him and eyes closed as Katsuki combed her freshly washed hair.
The only sounds echoing in his room for a while were those of their breathing. Both seemed calm on the respiratory front and the rhythmic motion of the brush going through her hair as Katsuki combed it for her was creating an oasis of peace for the exhausted from a hard day at work heroine.
This is nice, she thought to herself completely honest. It was nice. She couldn't remember ever having anyone in her adult life who took care of her as much as Bakugou Katsuki did, and she rather greedily accepted all his acts of service wishing for more.
'They're gonna know,' he said after a moment, and Tsu sighed opening her eyes. She had just come out of her after-work bath and was feeling properly at peace, clean, and relaxed but even so Katsuki's nervosity was slowly getting to her and ruining her good mood for her, 'How?'
'I'm not touchy-feely and shit,' said the loudmouthed man behind her, and Tsu smiled to herself with a small sigh through her nose, 'You're touching me right now, kero.'
She didn't have to see his face to know he was giving her the Bakugou glare since the tone of his voice more than made up for it, 'This is different, Froggy.'
She smiled and shook her head.
With the dinner with their friends less than 24 hours away, Katsuki was a proper anxious mess. It didn't suit him one bit, but Tsu understood. It wasn't easy lying to their friends, but the heroine figured it wouldn't really be lying if they danced around some things and mostly kept being honest about how they felt for one another. They respected each other, cared for one another, and found each other very attractive.
Very attractive.
It wasn't a total surprise. Tsu had a good pair of eyes, and the truth was that Katsuki was a beautiful-looking man even if he would probably hate if she used such a flowery adjective. Maybe not though, he did let her get away with a lot of things recently.
But over the course of the time, they spend becoming friends and ultimately being friends, Tsu was almost thrown back at just how much more attractive he could get.
It wasn't just his beautiful physical attributes. At times his body and behavior reminded her of a hot angry Viking or barbarian which even if it wasn't her goal her partners definitely got her thoughts to linger in a rather naughty territory.
Surprisingly, what Tsu found almost heart-stopping attractive was seeing the domestic side of him. It wasn't like she knew what she was getting into. Until now, she only ever lived with Ochako and her old co-worker from the agency. Both women.
Most of her boyfriends were short affairs that never made it past spending a weekend, but even so, Tsu thought they wouldn't treat her half as well as Bakugou Katsuki had even before their first night.
Their shifts rarely aligned, so when Tsu came from work, Katsuki was either already there or on his way to pick her up before she got her car back.
If he didn't go to the trouble of getting her, he was in the kitchen preparing food for her wearing her cute green apron with frogs. He informed her when the food would be ready and that she had time for her bath. After which without a single word he took her comb and brushed her hair.
Tsu had to seriously wonder how could anyone call this man not boyfriend material when he did more for her without actually dating her than most of her short-time boyfriends did throughout the course of their relationship.
She tried not to overthink it too much though and reminded herself that despite their attraction, good chemistry, and connection, this was a friendship, not a real relationship.
Something that was easier said than done though. Still, she recognized that for both of them, it was about loneliness. She could tell that even if he would never admit it, like her Katsuki felt stuck in the emptiness that came from everyone else seemingly moving forward while they remained on their own. It was the way life was. People lost touch or didn't have as much time as they used to now that they had partners, spouses, and children. Their families didn't need them anymore either. Their job was demanding, but they still had time on their hands they didn't know what to do with. Asui Tsuyu and Bakugou Katsuki only had themselves. So why not share themselves with each other, then?
It beat coming to an empty home every day and a cold bed. No matter how cozy and cute her apartment was it couldn't really protect her from the loneliness completely. It was something Tsuyu didn't realize to its full capacity until she was staying with Katsuki.
I was very lonely too.
'Well then touch me, kero,' she said narrowing her brows at how silly and high her voice sounded when she did. She knew he understood what she meant, but even so, her heart sped up at the possibilities it could bring. Surely, Katsuki wouldn't do anything too risky of course. It would probably hold her hand or give her a side hug or something equally chaste. They would be surrounded by their friends after all, and just like her, the ash-blond wasn't one for public display of affection. If she managed to get a kiss on the lips during the whole dinner, she would consider it was a win, but, she didn't plan to get her hopes up. She would respect Katsuki's boundaries just as he had until this moment her own. She owed it that much after everything he did for her.
Katsuki didn't stop the combing, but he remained quiet for a moment before he spoke, 'So what you're just giving me permission to touch you?'
'Yes.'
Another moment of silence, and Tsu was very curious about what was going on inside the ash-blond's head especially when she heard how his voice became just a little bit lower when he spoke, 'What if I would do something you wouldn't like?'
So far you hadn't done a single thing I didn't completely adore, Katsuki, she thought, but instead went for a smile he couldn't see and a bit overly cheerful that just reminded her that she was exhausted, 'I trust you, kero.'
He hummed, and from that sound alone, Tsu could tell something was on his mind.
'If it makes you feel better, if you do something that I really won't like, I'll laugh and tell you to stop,' she said and closed her eyes again, 'But you never teased me beyond my limits until now after all.'
The comb stopped moving altogether, and Tsu opened her eyes feeling a rush of warmth enter her cheeks.
That did not come out right, she thought lightly nibbling on her tongue.
She debated whether she should correct herself or explain what she meant, but then Katsuki started to brush her hair again, and the moment was lost it seemed. She knew these word plays happened between them quite a lot, and she understood the reason behind them was the fact that they had this unaddressed chemistry and attraction, but the sea-green-haired heroine was still uncertain if she should bring the matter up or not.
After they fell into another calm rhythm the woman closed her eyes again successfully returning to her state of light relaxation. She wouldn't open the Pandora box tonight away, so there was no reason to stress herself with it.
When Tsu opened her eyes again, she knew she had fallen asleep for a bit. Although she was sure it wasn't for a very long time since Katsuki didn't turn the lights off and went to bed himself, based on how dry her throat felt, it must have been a while.
The sea-green-haired woman found herself with her head pressed against Katsuki's chest and with a muscley arm over her shoulders keeping her close to him and his wonderful to die for warmth.
Aaah his heat, Tsu thought blissfully even now. She'd never been with anyone who remained this warm even during the night and she adored every second of it shamelessly clinging to the man all throughout the night. Since the Number One Hero never full-on told her he hated that she did that or even looked too annoyed when they woke up like that, she assumed it was safe to do so. Internally, she was overjoyed by the fact.
Katsuki was on his phone scrolling through some article with his free hand seemingly just mindlessly filling his time before he leisurely glanced over at her with his red eyes, 'You up?'
So handsome, Tsu thought to herself strangely prideful about the idea that not a lot of people got to see the ash-blond like this given what he told her about his dating life so far.
'Hmmm,' she hummed and closed her eyes for a second to bury her face against his chest. So warm and nice. It also felt oddly calming and safe to have someone like Katsuki hold her – no, it felt calming and safe to have Katsuki hold her. She didn't really think she felt unsafe before, but being in his arms now, she couldn't help but soak in the difference and enjoy it. It felt like having someone else keep her safe and from harm's way. It felt good to be able to properly let loose and relax for once. Living alone and being a heroine meant that Tsu more often than not had to be in absolute control and count only on herself, body and mind, to survive a situation. She didn't necessarily mind as with the adding years it was becoming harder and harder to trust herself with anyone else. But Katsuki was strong, and big and definitely didn't lack one bit when it came to quick thinking on his feet, so submitting to him and leaving him in charge of her safety came almost naturally to the woman.
Tsu opened her dark eyes again and found Katsuki was still looking at her in that relaxed way that she found she liked quite a lot. She didn't mind that he was grumpy and foul-mouthed a lot. She liked him the way he was, but she was glad he got to have moments like this one too. Moments when there was no pressure from the job, the public or the hero association to bring him down. Moments he could let loose and relax too.
Lightly biting her tongue was the only way, the sea-green-haired heroine didn't blur out how handsome he looked right now. She always prided herself in being honest even if it came out as blunt, but over the course of the last couple of weeks mainly with their fake dating ruse, she fought against that side of her quite a lot.
'I took a picture of you while you slept like we talked about,' confessed Katsuki cutting through the quiet moment they shared while looking at one another. His voice was awfully quiet and considered though.
Tsu knew he was referring to them agreeing to occasionally take a picture with each other since it would look better if someone saw their phones.
'Show me!' she said excitedly looking closer as Katsuki swiftly went to his gallery and showed a picture of them with him looking all smug over the fact that he had her in his arms and her calmly sleeping against him.
'Oh, that's a nice one, kero,' Tsu commented genuinely. Her face wasn't making any weird expression and most of it along with her tongue was hidden against Katsuki's body.
'Who knew you would make such a good pillow, Baku-chan,' she beamed at him.
His smile was just as relaxed as the rest of him, and she found great pleasure in looking at him as the ash-blond turned to her and said, 'Do not fucking tell anyone, Froggy.'
Tsu continued to smile as she closed her eyes again and before she could probably rethink what she was going to say, she said, 'I wouldn't. Someone might try and take you from me if they found out.'
Perhaps, she didn't completely lose her bluntness and honesty just yet.
Her heart speeded up once again in the seconds she waited for Katsuki to answer, and it felt so bizarre to feel embarrassed and nervous all the while this close to him.
Once he did, she felt his chest vibrate with a burst of open laughter. It wasn't a mean one, more like a happy one, and Tsu was infinitely tempted to open her eyes and see how the ash-blond looked, 'I thought you were a good Froggy who liked to share.'
She snuggled even firmer against him almost possessively to prove her point before she confessed, 'I am, just not when it comes to personal warm pillows, kero.'
'Is that so?' he asked obviously amused, and she felt his fingers on the arm that was over her shoulders lightly stroke her side causing a shiver to run through her body and a light gasp to escape her lips. It occurred to her that it was very dangerous to be so flirty with one another while in bed like this, but it didn't mean the sea-green-haired woman was about to stop.
Katsuki shifted a bit, and in the next moment Tsu felt his mouth directly above her ear, 'Then I guess I'm your fucking personal pillow, Rainy Season Hero Froppy.'
She giggled feeling strangely happy and embarrassed at the same time, but she didn't feel the need to say anything else and remained with her eyes closed breathing in his smell and absorbing his warmth.
No one said anything else, and they remained like that.
So good, she thought as her body calmed down from their little exchange a moment ago and started to relax again. Soon enough, she felt herself getting into that comfortable place where it was easy to fall asleep.
'Oi, don't fucking fall asleep on me again. We still need to brush our teeth and turn off the lights and shit,' she heard Katsuki's voice. It wasn't too loud or demanding though, so she figured it wasn't an urgent matter.
Her plan was to rest her eyes for a bit longer with the added bonus of teasing the ash-blond, but before she knew it, she fell asleep again not at all surprised. Her Katsuki pillow was just too damn comfy to resist.
'Baku-chan, relax, please, you're making yourself more stressed than when you fight against villains, kero,' said Tsu the next day as they finally arrived in front of the Midoriya's house.
It was probably the stress and exhaustion, but they woke up much later than usual resulting in a quick lunch and a trip to the city to finish some paperwork and go buy something for Nagi. The tight work schedules didn't really allow them spare time to overanalyze or stress what they were about to do that day. But now that they finally arrived and were about to enter, it seemed everything the ash-blond was mentally worried about crashed into him once again.
Tsu bit her tongue a bit as she watched Katsuki at that moment.
He looked properly unsure and as if he would much rather be somewhere getting his ass handed to him by a villain than there at that very moment. She didn't blame him. If she was being honest, she didn't feel too confident at that moment either, but she knew her insecurities wouldn't stop her from going through with the dinner and becoming more in control as time went on. She wasn't super sure if Katsuki would too though.
The sea-green-haired woman sighed a bit before she quietly yet authoritatively requested, 'Hey, look at me please.'
She recalled how not more than two months ago, she was at this very stop trying to help Katsuki out of a panic attack, and she would rather not have him suffer through another one today of all days or ever again.
His red eyes looked down at her, and she couldn't help but smile hoping to ease his worry and discomfort as well as her own. Tsu absolutely hated to see Katsuki unsure of himself. He was such a confident and skillful person, who did so much for her and many others even if he would never take credit for it, she never wanted him to feel like he wasn't everything and more.
She took his spare hand, which wasn't holding the gift they brought for Nagi, into both her hands for reassurance, 'If you really don't want to do this, we can leave, kero.'
His eyes widened and the frown he had on a moment ago soothed itself in favor of a look of surprise, 'What?'
Tsu continued to smile and explained, 'If you really don't want to do this, we can leave and make up an excuse about an emergency or something. The investigation about the leak is still ongoing, and no one can fault us if we have other things to deal with.'
'So…,' Katsuki looked away as he was thinking about her words, 'What? We would just go home?'
Something funny happened to Tsu's heart when he said those words, but she made it slide for now.
She shrugged her shoulders, 'Sure. We can make dinner and watch a movie, or we can go sparing into your agency. I'm tempted to see your gym and training room since you praised it so hard, kero.'
The ash-blond smirked a bit at the ground no doubt thinking about it before he looked at her again, 'Fuck. Sparing and cooking sounds like a decent date.'
Tsu grinned glad she got that worried face off of the Number One Hero, 'Well, we are bound to have a second one sooner or later.'
'Hmm, that does sound almost too fucking good,' he said and leaned closer to her in a playful manner, 'But do you really think it will be enjoyable for you to get your ass handed to you, Froggy? On a date no less.'
Feeling the familiar sensation inside her stomach, Tsu refused to back away from their little game and leaned forward and up closer to him. She debated if she shouldn't wear heels today and right now, she really regretted she didn't even if usually she liked their height difference.
'You don't know what I'm into,' she knew her cheeks gave her away easily, but she still grinned and carried on, 'Maybe that's something I really like to do on dates.'
Katsuki chuckled and reached out to put his hand holding Nagi's gift around her waist just as she felt she needed to return to her heels. She wondered if he realized he did it, 'Kinky. Anything else you like to do on dates, Tsu-chan?'
She noticed it before too, but now she knew that whenever Katsuki decided to use her nickname, he purposely added a little singing tone to it. She might have assumed he was mocking her, but in moments like this one, it mostly felt playful and made it obvious they were enjoying themselves.
'Hmmmm,' she looked away and took one of her hands away from his to press her finger against her lower lip and think, 'Something tasty to eat, some fruity shit to drink,' she said earning herself one of his honest and warm chuckles as this was how he referred to her choice of drinks the night they celebrated his promotion, 'something fun to do,' her dark eyes shifted to his and she knew her cheeks were red as she confessed just barely escaping looking at his parted with a grin lips, 'Maybe even a kiss or two.'
'Oh, yeah?' he asked and with the hand still on her waist pulled her closer to him, 'That and fucking more can be easily arranged, Tsu. Just say the fucking word.'
Her body felt properly flushed and a delicious sensation settled inside her stomach. Maybe it wasn't just Katsuki who wanted to skip this dinner completely anymore because the sea-green-haired heroine almost parted her lips and whispered fucking just to see what would happen next.
Her heart was properly hammering inside her chest, and she was certain the atmosphere changed and got electric just like it did a couple of times before between the two of them.
Before things could escalate or properly shape though, the ash-blond sighed and glanced at the house, 'I'm not a coward. I already agreed to this, so I'm doing it.'
Some of the electricity of the moment faded, and Tsu returned to the ground trying to push back against her unjustified disappointment, 'Alright, but if you really don't want to, just say the word and we'll leave.'
He smirked at her with raised eyebrows, 'Yeah? You'll risk Cheek's fucking wrath? Pretty brave of you, Froggy.'
'For you, Baku-chan?' she asked and offered him another smile, 'Of course, kero.'
His red eyes softened a bit, and Tsu felt her heart speed up again in a bit different way than it had before. A moment ago, it was very playful and fun, but this? Moments like this felt a bit more serious, and as much as a part of her welcomed them, they frightened her just a tiny bit too. She could always blame attraction and sexual frustration for their playful teasing, but this, the connection between them, and the serious affection couldn't be blamed on such a thing only on the heart.
Panicking which was so unlike her Tsu snatched his palm and pressed it against her chest the same way she did almost two months ago when Katsuki had a panic attack.
The Number One Hero blinked down at where his hand was placed and the moment was thankfully gone, 'Is this your new go-to method when I'm fucking distressed or something? To put my hand on your fucking tit?'
'Don't be so vulgar!' she exclaimed, but he shot her a look, 'How am I the vulgar one when you're the one who did it, huh?' Something almost dangerous flashed behind his red eyes when he lowered his voice and asked, 'Are you really that fuckingkinky?'
She swallowed unsure if her voice would be unaffected by her internal struggles as she realized he was actually asking not just goofing around.
Before she could even think about denying anything or coming up with something to change the topic her bluntness got the better of her, 'Maybe… is it working?'
'Fuck yeah!' he said loudly although he sounded less enthusiastically than a moment ago when they were teasing one another.
When he almost absently licked his lips, Tsu's entire body warmed up, and she wondered if he would try to take things further and squeeze her breast or do something else. Something more. The idea itself didn't scare her one bit. In fact, it caused a shiver to run down her body and a thrill to enter her mind wishing he would actually do something. The lack of her own resistance and logic on her part, scared her a lot.
His eyes and hand remained on her chest along with her own hand and before she could take it off, they heard someone clear their throat.
If their plan was to convince the former Number One Hero, Deku, who was Katsuki's biggest follower since they were children and knew everything about him sometimes even before the ash-blond did himself, it would be ideal if he was the one who found them in this compromising situation.
Unfortunately, for all the parties involved, they weren't so lucky, and when Tsu and Katsuki looked toward the now-opened gate, they found their former teacher and Number One Hero, All Might standing there.
For a second no one moved or said anything until the older blond man cleared his throat again and finally spoke, 'Uh, welcome,' he raised his palm in greeting and quickly explained, 'The doorbell doesn't always work so they asked me to come and check if someone wasn't waiting. It's good to see you two, Bakugou-kun. Asui-san.'
As if a silent conversation took place between the two, they both let go of each other at the same and took a small step to create some distance.
Embarrassment was something everyone was accustomed to. Even someone like Asui Tsuyu. Humiliation on the other hand was definitely not.
Once she wasn't touching the ash-blond or being touched by him, Tsu immediately politely bowed to Yagi Toshinori feeling her face become hot and red by the second while Katsuki simply greeted the man with a nod, 'Good to see you're still breathing, old man.'
Tsu wanted to die from the humiliation alone that her former idol saw her, saw them like that. Growing up, she didn't think there was a single child who didn't adore Japan's Number One Hero, All Might. Her included.
She attempted to quickly rush into the house, hoping she would be able to look Toshinori in the eyes after she calmed down a bit, but to her surprise, Katsuki caught her wrist before she could properly slip away and quickly slid his hand into hers, 'If you want to leave just say the word and we can go.'
She blinked looking at the ash-blond, who seemed mostly bored while the tall blond man closed the gate after them. She was surprised Katsuki wasn't more upset about his former idol and hero role model catching them like that.
'Please, the others will be happy you made it,' assured them Toshinori and gestured for them to continue to walk into the house.
Tsu glanced at Katsuki again and felt him reassuringly squeeze her hand before he led her into the house.
'You made it!' called Ochako from inside the small hallway.
Seeing that her friend's stomach had a very small yet visible baby bump again, Tsu was reminded, that she had been rather neglecting of Ochako, and didn't see her as often as she used to mostly due to everything that went down with her, and Katsuki's arrangement.
Ochako was beaming at them both although something funny crossed behind her eyes when she noticed they were holding hands for a split-second.
They let go one another in order to put off their shoes and the brunette quickly explained that they would be in the backyard, so they could take the shoes with them.
They did just that and in the next moment stepped onto the patio and got greeted by the others.
'Finally, you made it!' called Eijiro, and Katsuki shot him a look and half-hearted snap, 'Oi, we're exactly on time, don't act all high and mighty just because you came early for once.'
Eijiro just grinned at the man while the others chuckled or laughed a bit.
'I told you Kachaan would come precisely on time and not a minute later,' said Izuku who was sitting next to the redhead.
Tsu looked around as Ochako and Toshinori came behind the two. Apart from Izuku and Eijiro, the sea-green-haired recognized Izuku's mother, Inko, and another woman, who she didn't know, but figured must have been Eijiro's girlfriend.
'Please sit down.'
Even if it was probably just because they arrived after everyone else had her and Katsuki ended up sitting directly opposite Izuku and Ochako who sat down on the baby monitor.
Feels like they planned this, she thought to herself the married couple gave each other a knowing look that must have made sense to them but not to anyone else.
She stole a glance at Katsuki who looked at her at the same time, and she was sure he thought so too.
They turned to look back at Izuku and Ochako.
'Are you planning to do that all evening, kero?'
'Just fucking ask what you want to and move on!'
She and Katsuki said at the same time.
When their friends started to apologize, she heard the ash-blond next to her let in a loud and deep inhale, and then snap, 'For fuck's sake!'
Tsu turned to face him at the same moment he turned his whole body toward her.
He put his hand on the back of her head with his thumb near her ear all the while looking at his typical frustrated self which forced her to giggle right before she felt his lips against her own. Even before she felt the pressure of his lips on her, she liked the way he held her. Despite how upset he was, his touch was gentle and featherlike, but still very grounding and above all warm. It was precisely why Tsu liked Katsuki's hands the most because even if he was a human radiator in general, his hands always had a certain warmth that wasn't necessarily hot but rather comforting, and homey.
Kissing Katsuki was always a bit different each time, they did it.
For all his abruptness and violence, that people always associate with him, the Number One Hero started the kiss slowly like he wanted her to get a good taste of him and get comfortable which she had rather quickly. It was hard not to when she trusted and liked Katsuki as much as she did. He tasted sweet maybe because of the nitroglycerin running through his body or simply because deep down he could be very sweet if people were willing to wait and look properly.
In the back of her mind, Tsu felt his thumb lightly stroke her skin and when he accidentally or on purpose ran across her earlobe, she let out a soft little croak-moan sound, completely forgetting she was surrounded by people, friends, and just how easily Katsuki could get embarrassed by public display of affection.
She wanted to let him lead, and even though the kiss was very tender and enjoyable, she quickly found herself wanting more and parted her lips.
Unfortunately, that must have been too much because the ash-blond left those parted lips unsatisfied and turned to the others, 'Fucking satisfied?'
'We literally didn't say anything,' said Izuku, and before Tsu could look and try to read what everyone was thinking, Katsuki turned back to her and moved his hand from the back of her head so he would be able to brush his thumb across those lips he had just abandoned, 'Don't pout. I'll give you more when we get home.'
Her heart speeded up, and she quickly felt the familiar pool of arousal gather in her lower belly.
'You better,' she said with a surprisingly steady voice and offered him the best smile she could manage.
His features softened a tiny bit, and he let go of her face but only so he could toss one arm over the back of her chair.
Without another word, he just reached for her thigh and lightly squeezed it either to reassure her or to keep up the appearance. Either way, Tsu appreciated it and offered him a more genuine smile. The pressure of his hand against her felt good and easily improved her mood. She hoped it did the same for him.
When she turned back to look at Izuku and Ochako, she noticed them sharing another look and a secret smile. Whatever those two decided obviously they must have bought at least some of their little charade. Honestly, Tsu would too if she didn't know better.
Throughout most of the dinner, Tsu could tell everyone was doing a little bit of observation and analysis on Katsuki and her. Of course, they were all being subtle, but it was still very obvious that they were doing so. Whenever Katsuki or her spoke the others would share a look or motion for someone to listen to them a bit carefully. Still, the dinner was quite lovely.
Eijiro introduced his girlfriend and was very much in love with her even if he did his best to tone it down. It was still pretty obvious, that he genuinely liked and cared for the woman with how his eyes lightened up and his smile became just a bit brighter. Tsu thought the woman was very honest without coming off as condescending and obviously matched Eijiro's enthusiasm.
Inko and Toshinori spoke of their time traveling abroad, and it was obvious they had a good time and enjoyed themselves in retirement. It warmed Tsu, and she saw that Katsuki and Izuku both seemed very glad to hear that Inko and their former mentor were doing so well. Personally, she agreed that they deserved it.
Izuku and Ochako mostly asked questions or spoke about Nagi until the baby monitor signaled that he was waking up, and Inko decided to go and get him to join them for a bit.
The conversations were light and friendly, and Tsu felt properly relaxed and in a good mood even if she decided not to drink like the others did.
Throughout the various stages of dinner, unless they needed their hands for eating, one way or another, Katsuki kept a hold on Tsu which was something the heroine wouldn't mind getting used to. He didn't go overboard like he did with their kiss, but he made it a point to hold her hand or thigh throughout the whole evening getting teased for being so clingy when drunk at one point.
'Oh, we'll get to see the baby?' asked Eijiro's girlfriend as excited as Tsu felt only at that moment realizing just how long it had been since she saw Nagi. She felt a bit guilty about the whole ordeal now and promised herself she would try and be more present in Ochako's life again.
'If he's up for it,' joked Ochako before Eijiro cut in, 'Oh, he's so handsome. I saw Bakugou's photo of him and Tsu on his phone. They were adorable!'
Tsu thought the overly enthusiastic reaction was mostly because Red Riot was rather drunk even if he was overly a happy person.
The moment those words left the redhead's mouth though, Katsuki flinched beside Tsu. He had been drinking too since they decided up front that Tsu could drive, and he needed to soothe his nerves more than she did. For most of the time, he was in a good mood, the alcohol obviously helping a lot, but now it seemed all that got washed away in an instant.
Unfortunately, it seemed those words caught the attention of Nagi's parents too because they both turned to look at the man beside her, 'You have a picture of Nagi and Tsu?'
'It's his screen saver,' said Eijiro obviously teasing the poor ash-blond, who shot him a look. Perhaps, to everyone else who chuckled or laughed, Katsuki just seemed like his usual self, but Tsu who felt his hand slip from her thigh. She instantly missed the contact and comfort it brought her.
'Show me!' demanded Ochako.
Katsuki glanced at Tsu.
She quickly offered him a smile and put her hand on his back, 'It's alright. It's a good picture. I won't be embarrassed.'
Katsuki's narrowed eyes became less so as he was clearly surprised, she wasn't making too big of a deal out of the whole ordeal.
The truth was Tsu learned of the picture only yesterday when she found Katsuki left his phone in the kitchen and a message from his agency lightened the screen up for her.
Immediately, upon seeing it she smiled thinking it was a very cute picture and that she should probably put something similar as her screen saver too.
'Oh, that's a pretty one,' agreed Ochako with a smile although Tsu thought she looked a bit sad too.
Before she could ask about it though, Inko came with a freshly woke-up Nagi who seemed surprised but excited there were so many new people around.
Most of the conversations shifted toward the baby who stole the spotlight away from the two, and Katsuki took the moment to lean into her ear and gently whispered, 'So, you knew, huh?'
Tsu quickly showed him her own phone where she saved a picture of the two of them from today when they went to buy Nagi's present, 'Just a day or two.'
He seemed like he was about to say something else, but Eijiro's girlfriend handed him little Nagi, and startled he took him without protest, 'Shi-'
'No cursing,' warned everyone in chorus before bursting into laughter which forced the man to roll his eyes and the baby to giggle in delight and reach for his face.
'He seems to like Katsuki-kun a lot,' commented Inko kindly, and everyone agreed.
The ash-blond made a face at the boy causing him to watch him with baby focus before smiling some more before he handed him to Tsu who happily took him, 'Suck it, you loser, even your kid like me more.'
'Don't even joke about that, Kacchan!' warned Izuku while Tsu cuddled with the baby a bit. She missed this. She knew she had done it before, but to finally hold the little baby she realized just how much she actually did. She really messed up when she avoided coming here for so long.
'We should all take a picture,' suggested Inko suddenly, 'It's very hard to meet up with people once they get other, so it might be nice to have a photo to serve as a memory of today.'
Everyone agreed and went to stand around or sit around Tsu and Nagi to be in a shot while Izuku prepared it, 'Uf, I don't think we can fit very well.'
'Here,' said Katsuki, and suddenly Tsu and Nagi found herself out of her chair and on the ash-blond's knees.
'Be mindful of my child, please,' warned Ochako, and although he narrowed his eyes at the woman, he didn't argue and even tightened his hold on Tsu.
At one point he leaned closer and whispered, 'Don't think you're off the hook for knowing about the picture and leaving me to sweat bullets for weeks.'
Tsu looked at him surprised by his words, 'Weeks?'
Her lips curled into a smile as she watched panic settle over Katsuki face.
Giggling she leaned forward and pressed her lips against the corner of his mouth, 'You're sweet.'
'Hey! None of that in front of my kid,' warned them Izuku and finally announced that they should smile.
They took a few pictures that came out rather well, and Tsu felt strangely touched that she and Katsuki sat together with Nagi like that in them.
Apparently, a couple of pictures were all it took for the youngest member of their little gathering to grow fussy though, 'Is it dinner time, mama?'
Ochako had a bit distant look on her face as she went to take him.
But Tsu quickly spoke again, 'I'll help, kero.'
She stole a quick glance at Katsuki who nodded moving his eyes between the two women for a moment before he turned to Izuku again. She wondered if he noticed Ochako was acting a little odd too and approved of Tsu going to talk to her in private.
The layout of Midoriya's house was something Tsu knew well since she used to come over often, but now that she was following Ochako on their way toward the baby room, she felt a bit like a stranger who was coming over for the first time.
Ochako took a sit on the rocking chair near the crib, which she usually sat on when she was feeding Nagi. Something Tsu witnessed more than a handful of times.
'Are you angry with me?' she asked as she handed the upset baby to his mother who immediately got to work.
The brunette looked at Tsu surprised before she looked back at the baby and brushed his hair, 'I wouldn't say angry, just a bit disappointed.'
'That's worse, kero,' confessed the sea-green-haired woman, and Ochako chuckled, 'It hurt a bit to find out from the media that you and Katsuki were together. I get why you didn't want everyone to know, but we're best friends.'
Tsu kneeled on the carpet in front of Ochako's chair, 'I'm sorry. It just seemed easier to keep things on the down-low. We're both private, and we wanted to see where it goes.' It felt easier to lie when she kept things blurry.
Ochako nodded, 'I get it. Really. But…when I started to date Izuku, I told you everything. Every little detail. We would talk for hours and discuss every little or big aspect of it, every encounter, every word. It just sucks and makes me feel like…you're my best friend, but I'm not yours.'
'That's not true,' said Tsu immediately, 'Ocha-chan, you are my best friend. There's no one I wanted to talk to more about this than you,' she confessed and felt she really meant it, 'I just couldn't…I couldn't risk Katsuki's reputation.'
The brunette seemed confused by her choice of words, and Tsu hoped she wouldn't dwell on it, 'Whatever it is you want to know, ask me now. I promise to answer, kero.'
Brown eyes met her own and for a moment, she thought things would remain tense forever before Ochako's face broke into a mischievous smile, 'Is he a good kisser?'
Tsu burst into a surprised laughter, 'Ocha-chan.'
'Come on. I practically wrote ballads about how it felt like to kiss Deku. I think I deserve you to embarrass yourself a bit. You need to make it up to me, alright?'
The sea-green-haired heroine started to nod, 'Alright, alright,' she put her index finger against her lower lip, 'No, he's not a good kisser. Just like everything else in the world, it seemed. Bakugou Katsuki is a fantastic kisser.'
Ochako rolled her eyes, 'Of course, he is.'
Tsu grinned and looked at Nagi who was looking at his mother with infinite and pure love that warmed Tsu's heart as well as made it ache for some reason.
She looked back at her best friend, 'If you're fishing for embarrassing stories though, kero. Would you like to hear about how All Might caught us outside with Katsuki's hand on my breast?'
'Yes, please!' demanded Ochako with a burst of laughter, and Tsu let her a rundown of what happened adding more humor into the situation than it really was glad she got through to her friend. She really missed her.
'I don't want to spoil this, but can I ask about the leak?' asked Ochako as she finished taking care of Nagi's needs and started to clean him a bit.
Tsu sighed, 'Tsukauchi-san is still working on the investigation. But he contacted me with evidence that it was an unknown woman who entered the coffee shops and leaked my address.'
'Did you have a look? Maybe it was someone from your past?'
The sea-green-haired woman felt her annoyance spike as she spoke, 'I did, but she didn't look familiar, and the footage wasn't good enough. She obviously wore a wig and glasses to hide her face so it's hard to determine at least her real age. They'll keep me in touch, but so far she hasn't done anything else so I think it will be hard to find her.' Tsu couldn't help but feel properly useless and angry that she was a heroine and yet she couldn't deal with this on her own or at least knew how. The woman looked like any woman; the sea-green-haired heroine could have passed on the street any day. She carried no resemblance to anyone who Tsu knew or at least could remember, and the whole thing was just bizarre. Was the Hero Association really behind the leak? To what end? It bothered Tsu, even more so because she knew she couldn't do anything about it. At least not until they would gather more information.
'Sorry to bring it up,' said Ochako as she must have realized she got the other woman upset, 'I'm just worried and wanted to know how you felt.'
Tsu looked at her and offered her a calm look, 'I'm doing alright. Work and having Katsuki around helps a lot.'
Ochako smirked, 'Yeah, I bet. Is his place really as fancy as everyone secretly thinks?'
The other woman grinned, 'Yup. His bathtub and view might make it impossible for me to live anywhere else from now on.'
'Alright, so when can you invite me to see it, huh?'
Tsu thought about it. She wasn't certain what was the protocol for inviting anyone to Katsuki's place, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to ask him if her friend could come. The worst he could say was no, but Tsu hoped she wouldn't.
The two women took their time getting back to the backyard. It felt far too good to spend time alone with Ochako and catch up, but she knew she couldn't leave Katsuki on his own for too long. It wouldn't be fair.
She and the brunette agreed to hang out next week though. Just the two of them, so they would have plenty of time to talk and re-establish their friendship.
Once Tsu came outside with Ochako on her heels carrying Nagi, she noticed only Eijiro's girlfriend was present by the table typing something on her phone while Izuku was showing Eijiro something by the opposite side of the property.
She didn't see Katsuki anywhere, but Ochako must have noticed she was looking for him because she leaned closer and whispered, 'He's talking to All Might.'
Tsu turned around to follow the direction of her gaze and through the window she found her ash-blond man talking with Japan's former Number One Hero. Even with Katsuki's decent height, Toshinori still towered over the younger man.
Despite being unable to hear them, she still felt a sense of dread over what they could possibly be talking about. Perhaps, the Hero Association and what happened to her? She hoped it wasn't anything that would stress Katsuki even more than he already was since he was already on edge about coming here and just like her obviously didn't expect to see All Might. Throughout the evening it really looked like he was enjoying himself, and she was so grateful, she really didn't want anything to mess it up for him. He more than anyone deserved to be able to let loose a bit. He earned it.
However, in the next moment, the taller man put a hand on Katsuki's shoulder and offered him a wide smile. No gloom or tension in sight.
He said something to the ash-blond still smiling and then walked away.
Tsu remained standing there for a good moment just watching Katsuki who didn't move to follow the older man and remained motionless in the kitchen.
When another moment passed, and he still didn't move, she decided she wanted to check up on him just to be sure he really was alright and because it was impossible not to when she felt he wasn't.
'Are you alright, Baku-chan?' she asked as she entered the kitchen looking around if anyone else was present. It seemed All Might went to another part of the house completely.
The ash-blond didn't answer at first but didn't fight it when she stepped behind him and took hold of his hand linking their fingers together just as they did several times today.
Another moment passed until he finally turned around and looked at her.
'What's up?' she asked sweetly hoping he would open up if there was something bothering him which based on the strange look behind his red eyes there probably was. She wondered what All Might had possibly said to him to get him to make such a look.
After another beat, she felt him squeeze her hand and watch him open his mouth to say something but before he could his eyes shifted to something behind her, and he stopped completely.
Tsu wanted to turn around too, but just as she was about to, he stopped her.
Katsuki growled deep in his chest for a split second before he crushed his lips to hers.
Despite the obvious surprise, Tsu let him. How could she not?
Not only that, but very eagerly kissed him back. This time, he didn't abandon her parted lips, and his tongue dived into her mouth, swirling with her own.
Fire and electricity sparked from their connected lips, and it felt like planets colliding. Like the energy was astronomical, and with every brush and every lick, a new star was being born. Time ceased to exist as Katsuki kissed her until her lips were bruised, and she was sure she would come out of this with a permanent stutter in her breathing.
Her heart was hammering against her chest to the point he must have felt it too. Especially when she felt his hands against her waist and moving higher up her sides and chest.
Another moan escaped her mouth but was immediately swallowed by his own.
This feels good…
At one point, he withdrew his fingers and cupped Tsu's face with his hands almost sweetly. It was a stark contrast to him, in general, and the way he was practically devouring her right then and there inside Midoriya's kitchen.
He tasted like alcohol, the food they had and nitroglycerin, and himself, Tsu felt she might have become an addict.
All of a sudden his hands appeared on the back of her thighs sliding between the fabric of her shorts and gripping her flesh almost roughly.
She liked it.
She didn't think she would, but she did. It felt strangely grounding to have someone be rough with her. Especially since that someone was Katsuki.
She wouldn't have minded if he always took hold of her thighs from now on.
Kissing her like his life depended on it and with ease just as he had before when he put her on his knees, the Number One Hero picked her up and settled her on a counter behind her not once allowing her lips to get lonely.
With little care for her, Katsuki's hands parted her legs from each other leaving her spread wide for him to enter and press closer to her than ever before.
Oh KAMI! Her mind mentally screamed as his fingers held her leg apart with force.
A desperate croak dived from deep within her chest, but she couldn't be embarrassed by it as she felt the sound almost fuel Katsuki to kiss her even more passionately and hungrily than before. Like he truly wished to devour her.
His hands remained warm and firm on her thighs, and the arousal she felt during their little kiss outside hours ago was nothing compared to the lust she felt at that moment. Even more so as she felt the outline of Katsuki's cock even though the fabric of his pants was so close to her core she might self-combust from that alone.
Finally, his mouth released her if only so he could nibble on the skin of her neck.
'Kat-suki!' she moaned careless about who might hear her now.
The touch of his hands was almost burning, but she couldn't get enough of it. Nothing about them seemed so homey now, but Tsu didn't care. She adored them all the same if not more in that instance.
On the counter, she had the higher grounds, so to speak, so she didn't have a problem snatching the back of his head by his ash-blond hair and pulling his mouth back to hers.
Both welcomed each other in a series of passionate kisses that made her feel dizzy and alive all at once.
When they started to ruthlessly grind against each other with moans and groans slipping free from the both of them, it was at that point, that Tsu knew that despite where they were, despite everyone so close they could hear them, see them, she couldn't find a single reason to care and would gladly give in and get fucked by Bakugou Katsuki right there on the counter.
'Oh, shit! Sorry!' she heard at one point and felt Katsuki literally yanked himself away from her to finally stop this madness.
Tsu's eyes finally opened as she sucked in deeply breathless from their kisses. Going from having Katsuki all over her to not touching her at all, felt impossibly harsh for the sea-green-haired woman in that moment.
Whoever came to the kitchen was gone, and Katsuki looked just as messed up by the kiss as she felt.
'Guess, the Nerd won't have a reason not to believe us now,' said the ash-blond and licked his lips causing her to realize it must have been Izuku who came into the kitchen and caught them.
'Oh,' she said pushing as hard as she could against the disappointment, she felt realizing Katsuki must have saw Deku approach and purposely kiss her to make it seem like he caught them very much into and horny for one another.
She shouldn't have felt that way, but she couldn't help it.
Before anything else could be said, she hopped down from the counter momentarily losing her footing, but Katsuki even drunk easily caught her and helped her get steady with a firm hand on her biceps, 'You good?'
'Yup, thank you, kero,' she said and before she could change her mind blaming it all on the whiplash, she got from what happened, she gave the ash-blond and lightning-fast chaste kiss on his cheek.
She went to leave alone, but the ash-blond followed her and put his arm around her shoulders, 'If I do something you don't like, tell me, Tsuyu.'
Tsu glanced at him as they returned to the others. He wasn't nearly as drunk as she would have thought, mostly just tipsy, and she could easily see he was worried he might have offended her. Whatever mess was inside her heart and mind should have been her problem alone, so she shook her head, 'You only ever do things I like, Katsu-chan. Don't worry.'
He seemed to have believed her because he pulled her closer and didn't allow her to sit anywhere but his legs for the rest of their stay.
Whatever annoyance or sadness Tsu felt about it all being just a charade didn't stick as it was hard to feel anything negative when Katsuki's hands constantly found their way to the back of her thighs, or his mouth whispered flirty jokes into her ear. Fake or not, it made her feel too good to care.
Even if they had a good time, it was still a bit exhausting to get home as late as they did all the while knowing they would both have work the next night, 'By the way, Ocha-chan would like to come over next week. Will you be alright with that, Katsu-chan?'
Katsuki frowned a bit as Tsu unlocked the door to his apartment, 'Here? That's fine I guess,' he then seemed to think about something before he suggested, 'Maybe pick a day when I work night, so you have company.'
'That's an excellent idea,' she said strangely glad he wasn't annoyed with the idea that Ochako would come, 'I promise to clean up and everything.'
'It's your place now too,' he said casually oblivious to how much it meant to Tsu. Over the course of the last couple of days, she truly felt like she might be a part of his household or better yet their household. It was just so easy to fall into a domestic life with Katsuki. By now she knew how he liked his breakfast, how long were his showers, what bedside he preferred, and at what height he raised his hand when he needed her to hand him something while cooking. Everything just added to think lovely feeling she got which made living in an apartment that wasn't the one she originally thought she would so much better.
He put on his home shoes before and paused, 'Tomorrow we can go get the rest of your stuff, and we can figure out what to do with the apartment.'
'Thank you, kero. Once I no longer need to pay rent for it, I can start paying you,' she said earning herself a scowl, 'Don't be stupid, Froggy. I don't care for your money.'
'But it's not fair that you pay for everything,' she complained knowing it wouldn't be right if she didn't pay at least for some things, 'Let me at least buy groceries, huh?'
Katsuki smirked looking rather fondly at her, 'You won't fucking stop until I agree, huh?'
She grinned, 'You know me so well, Baku-chan.'
'Fine. Pay for food and shit,' he said and waved his hand before walking forward into the apartment. He wasn't as drunk as she would think he was based on how much he and Eijiro drank, but he still seemed a bit hesitant when trying to get around her plants in the hallway. She already had a lot of things in here, so it genuinely started to look and feel like it was her place too.
'So you and Cheeks hashed things out? You two talked more after you came back from feeding the kid,' said Katsuki as he started to change out of his clothes.
Tsu's eyes widened and her cheeks caught on fire as the ash-blond might not have been drunk, but he wasn't in his sanest mind since he carelessly pulled off his jacket and shirt in front of her.
He glanced at her, 'Tsu?'
'Yes!' she said and quickly busied herself with her jewelry and makeup kit putting off her bracelet and then cleaning her face, 'We're good now. Uh, she was upset that I didn't tell her about you. When she and Izu-chan started dating we discussed everything for hours, so she felt hurt that I didn't do the same.'
The ash-blond stopped undressing, and Tsu wondered if he realized that she was there too.
Then just quickly he unbuckled his belt and pulled it from his jeans causing the sea-green-haired woman to croak a bit at the shift move she could see clearly in the mirror where she was currently working on her face.
She pushed ideas and thoughts about him using that belt for something other than his clothing into the back of her mind for later when she would be alone in his bathtub.
'That's good. Do you hate it though?' he asked momentarily distracting her from her naughty thoughts and causing her to turn to face him properly, 'Hate what, Katsu-chan?'
'That you can't tell Cheeks shit like… I don't fucking know what women talk about when discussing their guys,' he said and looked properly annoyed by the idea.
Tsu offered him a smile, 'That's sweet that you worry, but you really don't have to. I'm blunt, but I don't usually tell everyone everything about my partners anyway. Some things are just for me, kero.'
She turned to look at herself in the mirror again smiling, 'Besides, I can already tell her a lot of things despite this being-' fake, 'unconventional.'
'Oh yeah? Like fucking what?' asked Katsuki and his reflection crossed his arms over his hard and muscley chest.
Tsu swallowed a little bit, 'Well, like you're a great cook. You like to go to bed early,' he started to walk closer, and she found herself admitting, 'Like how you're so warm at night, I'm never cold when we cuddle. Or that when you touch me with your hands it feels very homey and comforting. Like that you're a fantastic kisser,' he got so close to her she could feel his heat jumping off his body to her own causing her face to become even hotter than before and very red, 'Or that you taste like nitroglycerin, kero.'
There was never anyone in the world who had a smugger smirk across his face than Bakugou Katsuki at that very moment, 'Oh, so you can tell a lot of juicy shit about me, huh, Tsu-chan?'
'I guess,' she admitted and wondered if he was planning to do something or say something with how he purposely put his hands on the back of the chair she was sitting on so close enough to touch her it was surreal he hadn't yet with how she just felt him.
When neither did or said anything for a while the moment passed, and Katsuki stepped away grabbing some clothes from the wardrobe and stepping outside to finish his changing much to Tsu's gratitude and disappointment. Maybe only disappointment.
When he came back, he obviously took a quick shower and was ready for bed, 'It's good you and Cheeks made up. Hope, you have a good time.'
'Thank you, kero,' said Tsu honestly, 'It'll give me something to do at least for a few hours before you get back from work.'
The ash-blond paused on his way toward the bed and Tsu stood up to grab something to wear as well, 'Shit, you better not be planning to pull an all-nighter waiting for me, Froggy. You need to sleep before your shift too.'
'But the bed gets lonely without you, Baku-chan,' she joked and moved toward the door, 'No one to keep me, hold me close, or take cute pictures of me. Among other things,' she purposely left after that catching him questioning other things and giggling to herself.
She was too tired for a bath, so she got a quick shower too. In general, in a positive mood over what happened today and trying not to dwell on what took place in Midoriya's kitchen.
Then Tsu glanced down at her legs and let out a surprised gasp. Right there on the back of her usually fair-skinned thighs were a set of handprints.
Her heart speeded up as she immediately knew when she received them and by whom. They looked so red and violent, and like them must have hurt, but in truth, she didn't even feel them.
Her fingers absently reached over and drew across them recalling the feeling of Katsuki's rough grip and how demanding his mouth was.
I never had anyone mark me, she thought feeling giddy. Her past lovers didn't really display the level of explosive passion Bakugou Katsuki could. She didn't think she would care for such a thing but biting her lower lip Tsu barely contained herself from smiling at the marks.
She should have been furious with the ash-blond, but all she could think of was how endearing she found it that she got so much under his skin he couldn't stop himself from leaving marks even if it was for Deku. He could have been sweet and soft like when he kissed her in front of everyone, yet he let loose and this was the product of that lack of control.
Pulling up her pajama bottoms again, she ignored any and all healing creams she and Katsuki had in the medicine cabinet and returned to the bedroom. She couldn't wait to get rid of the bruise on her face she got during her work days ago, but this, she wanted to savor for as long as possible.
Once she got to the bedroom, she found Katsuki was out cold obviously exhausted from a whole evening of socializing as well as alcohol and the overall stress he felt before. Still, he looked properly peaceful now which got Tsu to smile.
She turned off the lights and slipped under the covers.
Immediately, she pressed her body against his almost purring from his always-present warmth against her skin.
You always had to stand out, huh, Katsu-chan? Tsu thought as she closed her eyes thinking once again about how no one ever left a mark on her. Not even a hickey. And Katsuki wasn't even being all the rough when he left it. She didn't feel like he was hurting her. She just felt good and thrilled.
She snuggled some more against his chest. She always felt good around him. She doubted there would be a day when she wouldn't.
A.N: I apologize for not updating last month, but I got busy with work and focused on a different fandom for a bit. I hope you enjoyed this chapter though. Stay safe and have a nice day :)