Since they set off that morning after choosing their next mission, Rosie had been chattering away, filling the air with her usual small talk. The three of them were headed east, towards the renowned Gypsy Bazaar, where the owners had been plagued by monthly raids from mercenaries. The job promised a hefty reward of 6,000 gold pieces if they could capture the bandits and bring them in. Katsuki had initially scoffed at the simplicity of it, but Rosie had been excited—her energy was as infectious as always.

Rosie turned in her saddle, her bright eyes focused on Izuku. "So, Izuku," she began, her tone curious and cheerful, "have you been traveling alone all this time?"

Izuku laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Y-yeah. I've been traveling solo for a while. I was actually planning to head to the Adventurer's Guild to find some companions for my next mission when, well, I kind of stumbled into your camp after my last job."

"We're glad to have you with us," Rosie said warmly, flashing him a smile that radiated genuine kindness.

Izuku's cheeks flushed slightly, and he smiled back. "Thanks, Rosie. I really appreciate it."

Katsuki, riding just behind them, grumbled under his breath, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He shot an irritated glance at Rosie, clearly unimpressed by her friendliness toward Deku.

Rosie, well-accustomed to his grumbling by now, ignored him entirely and kept talking. "This mission seems pretty straightforward. I mean, we have to capture them, not kill them. But I wonder why they're targeting the bazaar so often."

Izuku nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe the mercenaries have a specific reason. It could be something beyond just money."

"Or," Katsuki finally spoke up, his voice gruff, "they're just greedy bastards who think they can get away with robbing the place every month."

Rosie glanced over her shoulder at Katsuki, her expression softening. "Maybe. Either way, we'll get the job done."

Katsuki grunted in response but didn't say anything more, his gaze focused on the road ahead. Rosie knew better than to push him when he got like this. Instead, she simply nudged her horse closer to Deku's and continued making small talk, the warmth of her voice keeping the atmosphere light despite Katsuki's usual grumpiness.

As they continued their journey eastward, Rosie found herself growing more comfortable with the dynamic between the three of them. Deku, with his bright optimism and genuine nature, balanced out Katsuki's gruffness. And despite his constant complaints, Katsuki hadn't left—he still traveled with her, still watched her back, even if he pretended not to care.

Maybe, just maybe, they were becoming a real team.

"Why are you so mean to him?" Rosie asked Katsuki later that night when they made camp. Deku had left to go clean his wounds in the nearby river, leaving the two of them in camp, alone.

Katsuki just stared at her, hoping she would drop it.

She didn't.

"It's just how I am," he shrugged.

Rosie frowned, "you're nice to me."

"It's because you've saved my life." He lied, "Nothing else to it."

"I feel like that's a lie." She crossed her arms, "would it kill you to be a bit nicer to him?"

He deadpanned, "yes."

Rosie shook her head, "you're being ridiculous. He's a part of our team now, it's best that you learn to get along with him."

Katsuki stopped brushing Dynamite, before he stood closer to her. He leaned his face towards her, noticing how her ears started twitching with her face growing pink. "And if I don't?"

"I won't talk to you." She stood her ground despite the fact he could tell she was embarrassed.

Katsuki stood still for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowing as he watched Rosie cross her arms defiantly. Her face was pink, her lips pressed into a determined line, but her twitching ears betrayed her flustered state. He smirked, noticing how she tried so hard to maintain her composure. It amused him, and the temptation to push her just a little bit more was too strong to resist.

Leaning in even closer, he let his smirk grow wider. "You won't talk to me, huh?" he teased, his voice dropping to a low, almost predatory tone. "That's some punishment. You think I can't handle a little silence?"

Rosie's ears twitched even more, and she shifted her weight, refusing to back down. "You think I'm bluffing, Katsuki?" she shot back, her voice firm despite the blush deepening on her cheeks. "I'm serious. If you keep being mean to Izuku, I won't talk to you."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying how her confidence wavered under his gaze. "Oh yeah? And how long do you think you could keep that up, huh? You like talking too much." His voice was soft but challenging, almost daring her to prove him wrong.

Rosie glared at him, though she could feel her resolve slipping under the intensity of his stare. He was too close—she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, his breath faintly brushing against her skin. Her heart raced faster than she wanted to admit.

"You underestimate me," she shot back, her voice slightly breathless. "I'm perfectly capable of ignoring you for as long as it takes." She was proud of how steady her voice sounded, but internally, she was a mess.

Katsuki stopped brushing Dynamite, letting the brush fall to his side as he slowly approached Rosie. His eyes narrowed, watching the way her arms were crossed defensively in front of her, how her lips pressed together in that stubborn pout. He could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, and he knew she wasn't as confident as she was trying to appear. Her twitching ears gave that away instantly.

Leaning down, he closed the gap between them, his face just inches from hers. His intense crimson eyes locked onto her, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Rosie's heart skipped a beat as she stared back at him, her face growing hot. She swallowed, trying not to let him see how flustered she was, but it was hard to hide when he was this close—too close. She clenched her jaw, refusing to back down even as her blush deepened.

Katsuki leaned in a fraction more, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched her squirm under his gaze. "You really think you could ignore me? You'd miss me in less than a day, princess."

Rosie's ears twitched again, betraying her nerves as she clenched her fists tighter. "D-Don't call me that," she stammered, her blush deepening to a shade that matched her hair.

"What, princess?" he repeated, dragging the word out just to get under her skin more. "It suits you."

Rosie's eyes narrowed in frustration, her embarrassment giving way to irritation. "I'm not a princess, and you know it. And you're avoiding the point—be nicer to Izuku."

Katsuki scoffed again, standing up straighter but still keeping his smirk in place. "I'm not avoiding anything. He doesn't need me to be nice to him."

Rosie huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Well, I need you to be. He's a part of this team, and I don't like seeing you treat him like that."

Katsuki stared at her for a long moment, his smirk fading slightly. "You really care that much, huh?" His voice had lost some of its teasing edge, replaced by something quieter, more serious.

Rosie blinked, her frustration slipping away at the shift in his tone. She hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I do. He's… he's a good person, Katsuki. And so are you, even if you don't want people to know it." Her voice softened as she spoke, her earlier determination melting into something more genuine.

For a brief moment, Katsuki didn't say anything. He just stood there, staring at her with an unreadable expression. Then, finally, he let out a low grunt and looked away. "Fine," he muttered, turning back to Dynamite. "I'll be nicer."

Rosie blinked, surprised by how easily he conceded. "Really?"

"Don't make me say it twice," he growled, though there wasn't any real anger in his voice.

Rosie smiled, her ears twitching again but this time out of relief. "Thank you."

Katsuki didn't respond, but she could see the way his shoulders relaxed slightly as he continued to brush Dynamite. Despite his gruff demeanor, she could tell he was trying, even if it was just for her.

And that, more than anything, made her feel warm inside.

The bazaar was eerily quiet as they arrived in the late afternoon. Sunlight bathed the empty stalls in a golden hue, but the usual bustle of traders, customers, and performers was nowhere to be seen. The place felt almost abandoned, with only the distant sound of a wind chime breaking the stillness. Rosie's gaze shifted between the closed tents and dimly lit pathways, her curiosity piqued. She had heard much about the gypsy bazaar of the east—how it thrived during the night, a marketplace of mystery and magic. But seeing it like this, with everything shuttered, gave her an uneasy feeling.

Katsuki walked ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the area. Behind him, Deku followed, a little more relaxed but still attentive to their surroundings. Rosie, who had been trailing behind them, was suddenly drawn to a figure approaching from the shadows of a large, ornate tent. The woman who emerged was striking, her tan skin glowing against the fading daylight. Her dark, mysterious eyes caught Rosie's attention immediately, and the long, flowing fabrics of her traditional gypsy dress whispered softly as she walked toward them. There was an air of grace about her, but also one of caution.

"Elywne, right?" Katsuki spoke up first, his voice gruff, breaking the silence as the woman approached.

Elywne nodded, offering a faint but warm smile. "Yes, I am Elywne," she said, her voice smooth and calm. "Welcome to our bazaar, though I wish it were under better circumstances."

Rosie studied the woman as she greeted them. Her features were striking, with long black hair braided down her back and an intricate silver necklace adorned with gemstones resting against her chest. But it was her eyes that stood out the most—dark and full of secrets, the kind of eyes that had seen much more than they let on.

"The owner of the bazaar—your grandfather—he's the one who hired us," Deku added, stepping forward politely.

Elywne nodded, her expression growing somber. "Yes. My grandfather, Aramis, has been running this bazaar for decades. But in recent months, we've been plagued by these mercenaries. They come every month, like clockwork. They watch the performances, as if they're just customers, but at one in the morning—without fail—they strike."

Rosie frowned, glancing between her companions. "Do they always come in a large group?"

Elywne shook her head. "No. That's what makes it difficult. It's never the same people twice, and they vary in numbers. Sometimes there are five, sometimes ten. But they all bear a strange insignia on their inner wrists, and that's the only consistent thing about them."

Katsuki's gaze narrowed. "Insignia, huh? And you're sure it's always different mercenaries?"

Elywne's lips pressed together in a thin line. "Yes. We've tried to catch them, to find out who's behind these attacks, but they're clever. They never send the same group twice. And no one outside this bazaar seems to know anything about the insignia. It's like they vanish after they rob us."

Rosie's brows furrowed. "And what do they take?"

"Everything of value," Elywne replied with a sigh. "Jewels, rare artifacts, money. They've crippled our business. We barely make enough to get by now, and the fear is starting to drive people away. If this continues, the bazaar will have to close."

A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of the situation sinking in. Rosie could feel a twinge of sympathy for Elywne and her family. The bazaar was clearly important to them, not just as a business but as a way of life.

"When's the next attack likely to be?" Katsuki asked, his tone growing more serious, all business now.

Elywne hesitated for a moment before responding. "Tonight. That's why we reached out for help. They've been striking at the same time every month. We've learned their pattern. They'll be here at one in the morning, just after our main show finishes."

Deku folded his arms thoughtfully. "And they always come during the show?"

"Yes," Elywne confirmed. "They blend in with the crowd, watch the performance, and then, when we're distracted with packing up, they strike. They've become so bold that they even sit front row, knowing no one can stop them."

Katsuki clicked his tongue, irritation crossing his face. "So we let them think it's business as usual tonight. They won't know we're here."

Elywne's eyes brightened slightly at his words, though there was still a lingering fear in them. "That's what we were hoping for. We don't want more violence, but we can't let them keep destroying our livelihood."

Rosie glanced at Katsuki and Deku before speaking again. "We'll help you, Elywne. We'll be ready when they come tonight."

Katsuki grunted in agreement. "And we'll make sure whoever's behind this pays." He turned to Deku, who nodded back in silent understanding.

Elywne gave a soft, grateful smile. "Thank you. I'll take you to where you will be staying."