Ichijiku (Tigress)

"Hello? Earth to Ichijiku?" Shinsou tugs me out of my manic writing frenzy with his dulcet tones.

I blink and he's blurry. One more blink and he comes into focus. Damn. Was I really that out of touch with reality? I turn back to my computer where ten new pages of content look back at me from my word processor.

"How long have I been brain dead?" I grunt, stretching over my chair and popping my back.

"Almost two hours. How the hell did you manage ten pages?" He gapes, looking at the screen as I scroll.

"The characters wouldn't stop yelling at me." I whine.

I tilt my head back and he looks down at me with that sleepy smile. When he kisses me, all of the tension in my muscles melts away. Everything feels serene and pleasant.

"You look like you could use a break from all their rambling. Want to come to the coffee shop with me?"His fingers graze my cheek.

"As if that's a question."

. . . . .

Winds whistle through buildings and serenade my ears with another story. You'd think stories would stop floating around in my head after two hours of writing, but alas, no such luck.

Not that I mind.

"Do you think it'll snow today?" Shinsou hums.

"I sure hope so." I smile. "You know winter is my favorite season."

"It's starting to become my favorite too."

"You just like seeing me in sweaters."

"It's not just that." Shinsou huffs, hiding his smile in his scarf. "I also like that it's cold enough that I can cuddle you everywhere I go."

"If you're trying to earn brownie points and make me buy your coffee…it's working." I laugh taking his hand and swinging it as a tinkling bell announces our presence in the shop.

"I'm trying to earn brownie points because you're my girlfriend and I like seeing you smile." He chuckles.

We step in and he kisses my cheek, making my eyes sparkle up at him. Coming from a family that neglected my need for physical touch makes these little micro-affections that much more meaningful.

"Hi, how can I help you?" A familiar voice asks as the barista turns around. Her eyes brighten. "Ichan!"

"Hana-chan! Hey!" I beam. "How have you been? I didn't expect to see you here!"

"I've been great! I landed this job as a way to make a little extra cash. They pay my bills on the Support Team but you know I like to keep myself busy." She laughs, making someone's drink and then calling out the order. "How have you been, Shinsou?"

"Ichan still keeps me around, so life couldn't be better." He says casually, leaning his head on mine as he wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"You two are disgustingly adorable." Hanayuki smiles, stepping behind the register. "What can I get you cuties?"

"A peppermint hot chocolate, please." I say.

"And a hot coffee with cream and two sugars."

Once our orders are put in and served, we thank her and head to a quiet space in the corner by the window. I take a sip of my hot chocolate and promptly singe the entire surface area of my tongue.

"A-Ah…" I splutter, swallowing and feeling every hot drop of liquid as it slides down my throat like scalding magma. "I have made a mistake!"

Shinsou's lips twitch as he fights a smile, taking a sip of his hot coffee like it's nothing and then setting it down as he raises a challenging eyebrow. Cheeky jerk.

"Don't look at me in that tone of voice, Mister!" I squeak, swallowing a few times as the heat from my drink slowly dissipates. "Now I'm sad and demand cuddles!" I pout.

"It's not my fault you can't handle the heat." He taunts.

"I mean, there's a reason winter is my favorite season." I crinkle my nose at him and stick out my tongue.

"Aw, want me to kiss it and make it better?" He puckers up.

"Gah!" I smack his arm playfully and then hide my face in my hands as I flush.

"Hey, don't hide that cute blush from me." Shinsou purrs, combing his fingers through the ends of my hair as he whispers in my ear. "If you hide, I'll be forced to tickle you." His hand skirts at my side.

"Don't you dare!" I squirm, already feeling the tingling sensation even though he barely touches me. "You know how ticklish I…snow!"

All antics disappear as we gaze out the large window. Even though it's outside, the falling flakes have a way of quieting the daily buzz of background noise. My shoulders slump and a smile settles on my face. Shinsou's arm comes around my waist and pulls me close. For a while, we just watch and sip at our drinks - of course, I wait until mine will no longer scald my tongue.

When we're both finished with our drinks and a thin white blanket covers the street, Shinsou grunts and shuffles to the end of the table.

"Ready, Sunshine?"

"Ready."

We toss our trash and head out the door when I hear a faint cry. No, a sort of whine? At first, I ignore it, scanning the area as I thread my arm through Shinsou's as we move along.

Meow!

"Do you hear that?" I gasp, turning and looking around for a little bundle of fur.

"Hm? Hear what?" Shinsou asks, but his eyes light up when the sound gets louder. "A cat?"

"A kitten! We have to find it."

I scour a set of nearby bushes, but there's nothing of note. Shinsou looks around the dumpsters near the coffee shop.

"Psst, over here, Sunshine!" He calls out, crouching down near the dumpster. "Hey there, buddy. Come on out. We won't hurt you."

I'm slow and methodic in my movements as I end up crouched at the other side of the dumpster. A tuxedo kitten pinballs between Shinsou and I, peeking out at one before crawling to peek out at the other.

Trying to coax the little kitten out, I imitate the sound of a chirping mom cat, extending my hand low to the ground. Shinsou continues using his soothing voice to our advantage as well.

I don't know how long we both crouch out by the dumpster trying to coax the kitten over when a familiar, droning voice interrupts us.

"What are you two troublemakers up to?"

"Oh, hey, Mr. Aizawa. Didn't expect to see you here." Shinsou responds, his attention quickly distracted by the sight of his old mentor. "There's a kitten behind the dumpster. We were just convincing it to come out."

"Mm. You might do that easier with a little cat food."

The sound of rustling grocery bags tickle my ears as I edge closer and closer towards the little tuxedo. Eventually, I plant my bottom in the freezing snow and patiently hold out my hand.

A moment later Shinsou hands me a tin of wet cat food. I sit the open can beside me, watching the tuxedo venture closer at the promise of food. All three of us barely move a muscle as he creeps over to us, eyes wide as he debates whether or not to trust us.

Finally, he's there. The sound of moist munching breaks the quiet of the falling snow and I slowly reach out to pet him. He snaps his head to me and I pause, but he lets me touch him when he turns back to the food.

"There you go, cutie. You must be freezing cold. We'll find you someplace warm to stay, lil buddy." I coo, feeling warm as he starts relaxing around me with every stroke of his fur.

When he finishes off the can, I scoop him up into my arms before he can run away, and squirm until I get my feet under me to stand.

"Look at 'im, Hitoshiii." I step closer to him and let him get in a few head pats before turning to Aizawa. "Would you like to pet him, Mr. Aizawa?"

Our expressionless teacher seems less than thrilled with the little animal, but if we learned anything from our time at UA, we know he's got a soft spot. For his students and cats alike. So I'm not surprised when he scratches the little guy behind his ear and he starts purring.

"Aww, he likes you." I giggle.

"I've already got four, I don't need another." Aizawa drones.

My eyes immediately find Shinsou and I put on my biggest pair of kitten eyes, holding the little tuxedo beside my face to soften him even more.

"No."

"Pleeeasseee, Hitoshi-kun?" I plead. "At least let's take him for now while it's cold?"

"What will Fauna have to say on the matter?"

"You and I both know he's small enough that she'll treat him like her own."

I don't miss Aizawa hiding a smirk in his scarf as Shinsou sighs, pretending like he doesn't want the kitten just as much as I do.

"...fine."

"Yes!"

In the following weeks when I've got a cold and a sinus infection, I still don't regret it. Especially when I find the little tuxedo - Kakure - napping with Shinsou, cuddled up on his chest.