Trigger Warning:

- sexual harassment

- slurs

- drunk misbehavior

- minimal blood

- mention of trauma

- PTSD

- panic attack

New Year's marked the beginning of new beginnings.

And starting it off with a party was a classic, memorable way to go.

Going with a partner made it even better.

Shortly after his Christmas date with Kamiko, Izuku got a phone call from Kacchan. His irate, grumpy doggy of an ally complained of getting an invitation to a New Year's get-together slash school reunion. Kacchan, who always disliked his classmates and resented public gatherings even more. There was no way he was going to manage five minutes into the party without someone physically pulling him away as soon as his temper flared.

It only helped matters that Izuku had also received the same invitation.

Izuku decided that he should finally introduce Kamiko to his own friends. He had met her circle already; Etsudo on more than one occasion. It was only fair that he share with his girlfriend an important aspect of his social life.

So he picked up his phone and dialled the third number on his Favorites list: Furukawa Kamiko. Why was she third and not first or second? Because the first was his sweet mother and the second was the prickly puppy who required chaperoning even past the legal age of adulthood. A few seconds later, the dial tone ended.

"Hello, Izuku!" Kamiko greeted warmly on the other end. "Happy early New Years!"

"To you, too! Hey, I actually wanted to ask you something," Izuku replied. And he brought up the get-together details. Although Kamiko listened patiently, she was far more expressive with her enthusiasm.

She said, "I would be delighted to meet your classmates."

"Wonderful! I'll pick you up from your place then. Two days from now. 5:30 sharp."

Wallflower.

Someone so shy at events that they stand or sit alone rather than intermingle with the people.

Wallflowers were people of a calm demeanor.

So what term would aptly describe Katsuki?

Katsuki, who was leaning against a wall by himself, a glass of cheap liquor in one hand and a refreshment in the other. Sure, he was not twenty years just yet, so technically it was illegal for him to consume alcohol. However, did that law ever stop minors from getting their hands on the stuff? He was a college first-year. Of course, he had ample opportunities to experiment with various kinds of liquor. Find out the one he liked. The one he hated. The perfect combination of soda and neat and water. Besides, Kaminari and Mineta had managed to smuggle in bottles inside the party, with Kirishima covering for them. As much as Katsuki found his former schoolmates irritating, he quietly admitted to himself that some of them were useful. The three idiots had put enough brain cells together to bring in the kind of alcohol that was colorless or clear gold.

If anyone asked Katsuki what he was drinking, he could easily lie to their face and say it was apple juice.

However, he hoped that no one would approach him about it. In fact, he hoped that no one would approach him at all. He was physically present. That should have been enough to count for attendance and participation.

If he was a wallflower, then he was one with a center riddled with thorns and a noxious miasma from the petals.

A rafflesia.

There. The perfect word to describe him. Katsuki emitted an aura so hostile that the attendees unconsciously gave him a wide berth. He was going to wait for Izuku to come with his girlfriend, hang around with them for some time, then be the first guest to call it a night. In the meantime, he would sample every delicacy this party had to offer because who in their right mind would reject free food?

Katsuki had made it a habit to head straight for the food counter at any social gathering to get the best quality items. Now, however, he was down to his last snacks and would need a second serving soon. Problem was, the girls were congregated there, piling their own plates high with food and others' too. The fact that they could not choose between selecting dishes and talking and opted to do both simultaneously meant that they were going to hover there for a long time.

If he approached the station now, they were bound to trap him with their questions, pleasantries and reprimands alike. He would never hear the end of it. No. Better to bide his time here, take micro-sips of the alcohol so as to not seem like dead weight, and wait for the girls to leave. As long as that would take.

However, even when he deliberately took his time finishing his drink, the crowd had not dissipated. Damn, when were they going to leave? And how long was Izuku going to take? Katsuki felt his anger levels rising. Before he erupted, he needed another swig of liquor. Something stronger. Sneaking into the storage room and taking a few surreptitious turns, he found the crate of cheap booze. After finding another glass and popping a bottle open, he returned to the party with two cups filled to the brim. It should have been enough to subsist for a while.

Occupying the same spot against the wall, he felt the bitter pang against his tongue before the burn that trailed down his throat. Ah, much better.

His relief did not last for long.

God knows how or when former Mr. Class President with exhaust pipes in his legs spotted him. Katsuki internally groaned. Great. Iida Tenya, the uptight stick of Class 1-A, was making his way toward him, no doubt to chastise Katsuki on his rude behavior. It was pointless to try to escape, either.

So just before said uptight stick could say a word, Katsuki took a long gulp of the acrid liquid.

"Bakugou," he began. "We're meeting after such a long time. You should be mingling with our classmates." In response to that, Katsuki quietly drank another sip while levelling a narrow glare above the glass rim. He expected Iida to get the message, but then again, Uptight Stick was one of the most dense people in class at times. Now was one of those instances. Iida continued, undeterred, complaining about how the entire point of a party is to socialize, interact, and catch-up; not lean against a wall and broodingly stare at everyone.

Katsuki did his best to tune out his words. In one ear; out the other. Until Iida brought up the beverage. "By the way, what are you drinking?"

"Apple juice," Katsuki replied automatically, before swallowing ostentatiously to erase any doubts.

Uptight Stick furrowed his brows. "Really? I don't smell anything fruit-like in there. Mind if I inspect?" And he bent closer to the glass, trying to catch a whiff.

Katsuki moved the booze away from Iida's nose and snarled, "Go get your own!" If Uptight Stick figured out that it was definitely not apple juice he was drinking, then he would get busted. Not just him, but Kaminari, Kirishima, and Mineta, too. Like hell, Mr. Class President was going to let them get away with underage drinking.

So to be on the safe side, Katsuki gave up his precious spot against the wall and began the search for another. Fortunately, it was closer to the food station. Unfortunately, the girls still had not left. Suck it up, Katsuki told himself. Better this than getting caught by Iida. He was standing close enough to easily eavesdrop on the conversation the girls were having. Something about someone getting engaged.

"Oh my god! When did you get engaged? I want full details!" a chipper voice shrieked so loudly, it could be heard down the street. Katsuki recognized the owner immediately. There were only two people who talked that animatedly, and one a tad bit more than the other. Invisible girl. Hagakure, he thought, was her name.

Another girl, much more sober than the first, sheepishly replied, "Two months ago." Katsuki managed to catch a glimpse of the newly engaged. Pale grey hair grown chin-length with equally pale eyes. She was from Class 1-B. She had telekinetic abilities. He believed her quirk was called Poltergeist. But Katsuki had a hard time remembering her name. He went through his mental list of nicknames and actual names, but came up with a dud. Until the same over-hyper Hagakure gave him the answer he was looking for.

She shrieked, "Reiko, that's so sweet! You and Shinsou make such a cute couple. You have to invite us to the wedding!"

Katsuki ruminated over the two names. Shinsou, as he recalled, was the guy with the voice brainwashing quirk. He had perpetual eye bags, as though the last time he slept was when he was an infant. So a boy who looked like a living ghost and a girl whose ability was literally named after a type of ghost were about to get married. How fitting, Katsuki thought, downing some more liquor. A match made in the afterlife.

While he was at it, he imagined how their wedding venue would look like. Would the ceremony take place in a hall or in a cemetery? Would a priest officiate the marriage or a funeral spokesperson? Would their vows involve making promises to live a happy life together, or threats to haunt each other even after death? Katsuki found himself smiling at the notion. He began to concoct a whole parody when he distinctly heard a third name being brought up by the girls.

"Did you hear? Midoriya is dating someone." Katsuki's ears perked up immediately.

Another girl exclaimed, "Who? Do we know her? Is she someone famous?"

It had been almost a year since Izuku and Furukawa met on that beach, so it only made sense for the news to get out. He was grateful that at least her identity had not been publicly disclosed thus far. It would have done no favors for her. Although he would never admit it, he wholeheartedly wished for Izuku and Furukawa to come clean about their relationship when they wanted to, not when the world compelled them to.

In this world of heroes, privacy was expensive to keep. If Katsuki had learned anything from spending so many years in the hero industry, it was that secrets had the capability of making or breaking you. And one day, they were bound to come out. Better to reveal them yourself than letting someone else do it for you. His eyes found their way toward Todoroki, who was attentively listening to something Iida was saying. It was Todoroki's father who taught Katsuki that lesson.

So when he heard the girls discussing asking around from Izuku's closest friends, Katsuki became adamant to protect his ally's personal life.

The girls split up. The one who approached him were none other than Hagakure and Ashido. Just great, he complained to himself. Of all the ones to reach out to him, it just had to be the two most extroverted people on the planet. He felt so annoyed that he did not even deign giving a simple "Hey." Just a curt nod and single glance before focusing on his drink again.

Ashido greeted, "Hi, Bakugou! What's up? It's been a while."

Katsuki gave her the same cold treatment he gave Iida: absolute silence.

Hagakure decided to give it a try at attempting to break his walls. "Come on, Bakugou. You have to tell us something. What's it like working with Best Jeanist? Do you have a girlfriend? Do you know if anyone else does?"

He could not help but raise an eyebrow. If these girls were thinking they were subtle, then they most certainly were not. But he would not reveal his cards just yet. "It's alright. Lots of bad guys to catch and beat up. Can I leave now? I've been waiting forever to get my hands on that takoyaki." To make his dismissal clear, he began to walk toward the food counter, disposing both empty cups in the glass waste bin on the way.

But neither girl would leave him alone. They followed him back to the station. He noticed that even though the girls had spent so much time huddling over there, very few of them returned to their seats with copious amounts of food. In fact, both Ashido and Hagakure were sharing chips from a single plate. Then what was the point of meeting up over there?!

Katsuki felt stupid for having fussed at being unable to get seconds earlier. And because he was feeling stupid, his anger rose. And because his anger rose …

"I guess it's too much to hope that you have a girlfriend, Bakugou," Ashido teased, all too happily crunching on a potato chip. "But what about Midoriya? Do you know if he's seeing someone?"

He finally had enough. Rounding on the two of them, he shouted, "Get lost! Go find some idiot who'll humor you! What makes you think I care about someone's love life?! Romance is crap! A waste of time!"

Before Ashido or Hagakure could retort, Katsuki filled his plates at a speed rivaling that of light and found an unoccupied table. It did nothing to calm his ire, though. Damn them! Damn Iida! And damn Izuku! Why the hell is he so late?!

After so many berations, his wish was granted.

Three emergency outfit adjustments, two broken pairs of shoes, one makeover redo, and countless red lights later, Izuku and Kamiko had arrived at the get-together.

Kamiko tried to reassure herself that they were not late enough to have missed the whole event. But that was easier said than done. Two days ago, she had so readily agreed to accompanying Izuku as his date. Only within the past few hours did the anxiety kick in. She was going to meet strangers. Lots of strangers. A whole room of them. More than she usually met. Moreover, she was unaware of their attitudes toward mutants.

Sure, being Izuku's friends, she could have expected them to be nice to her. Or, at least, keep their racist thoughts to themselves and tolerate her. Was not that what people working in such a highly televised field had to do? Speak carefully? However, what guarantee was there that everyone would maintain that polite behavior in front of her. It was likely that someone might tread the line of decorum and hostility by making a backhanded barb about her. And that would have been it. The whole party ruined.

No, Kamiko reminded herself. She was not going to let someone's bigot attitude ruin this evening for her. Izuku had invited her in the hopes of introducing her to his world. For his sake and her own, she was not going to let his aspirations be for nothing.

Her anxiety must have been palpable because Izuku began stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. She glanced down at him. His gaze full of confidence. "Have faith. You'll do great, and no one is going to judge you." Time and time again, it amazed her how he well he understood her. She squeezed his hand in return.

"Okay. I believe you."

Together, hand in hand, they entered the main hall.

Silence fell upon everyone. Everyone turned to stare at the future Symbol of Peace and his plus one for the evening. She sniffed the air, searching for any hint of detest or scorn. To her surprise, Kamiko found none. Actually, the silence was not uncomfortable at all. It was one of awe.

One of the girls present were the first to break it. Bubblegum pink hair and skin, contrasted with black sclera and yellow irises. "Hello! I'm the host of this school reunion, Ashido Mina. Although, you may know me better as Pinky." Ashido-san extended her hand, and Kamiko tentatively accepted it. Her grip was firm and friendly. Even the girl's smile was welcoming. Following their host's lead, the other women approached Kamiko.

"Nice to meet you, Ashido-san. I'm Furukawa Kamiko."

One of them remarked about her height. "Wow, you're taller than Mezou. Almost twice as much. Midoriya is a midget compared to you." Were it not for the impressed look in this woman's dark eyes, Kamiko would have thought that was the subtle comment she had been dreading facing.

Another girl was even bolder. This one was completely invisible. "Your figure is freaking amazing! The curves, the hips, everything! Your cup size has to be bigger than Momo's." Kamiko had no idea who Momo was, but she assumed this was a compliment, too. Hesitantly, she thanked the invisible girl. Emboldened, the girl continued, "I would kill to have a body as awesome as that!" Oh, so it definitely was a compliment.

Rather than getting backhanded taunts, Kamiko was getting backhanded compliments.

She figured it was an improvement from her expectations. The women's observations were not incorrect, either. Being part fox, she had the height and metabolism. Save for a few foods, her body could break down anything without gaining significant weight. As for the hyper-feminine figure, that was also courtesy of being a vixen and lately, the mate bond as well. On more than one occasion, she had caught Izuku react to seeing her body. No doubt, he loved her for her character, but knowing that she was physically attractive in his eyes was not an undesired thing.

Kamiko was enjoying herself in the company of these women. Somehow, without her realizing, she had been separated from Izuku. She found herself immersed in the girls' clique, and Izuku - seeing that there was no reason to intervene - went off to catch up with his old schoolmates.

"May I touch your fur?" one girl requested. She oohed and aahed at the softness of the fur. Another's gaze fell upon the small pads on Kamiko's fingertips. She marvelled at the sturdiness.

Being surrounded by these Pro-Heroes reminded Kamiko of her own friend circle. Different personalities but the same warm vibe.

That was until her worst fear came to fruition.

A boy the size of a toddler with dark purple balls for hair on his head and bubble-like eyes stumbled toward the girls. His face was red as a cherry, and his movements were sluggish. The stench of alcohol reeked from him, irritating Kamiko's nose.

"So you're Midoriya's girlfriend," the boy hiccuped. Kamiko did not like the sideways smile on his mouth one bit. "Guy's lucky to have landed an absolute bombshell."

One of the women, Asui-san, thought Kamiko was her name, reprimanded the boy. "Mineta, we're in public. Behave yourself or just leave."

The boy - Mineta-san - did not pay heed. Instead, his lecherous grin became even wider as he scanned Kamiko up and down. She felt her hand instinctively rise to pull up the collar of her dress. Kamiko even let out a low growl, praying that the dwarf would get the message. "What I wouldn't do to get my hands on those knockers. Hey, would you mind-"

Kamiko heard enough. Though it repulsed her to have any sort of physical contact with him, if she did not stop him, his harassment would take no name of ending. Bending down slightly and flashing her claws, her hand grazed his cheek. A thin streak of red bloomed on his face, darker than the flush-faced expression he wore.

"What was that for?!" he shrieked.

He was not even worth answering to. Apparently, none of the girls thought he was either. They resumed their conversation, pointedly ignoring the miniature pervert and his complaining.

Izuku had already rolled up his sleeves, preparing to get Mineta away from Kamiko, but she handled it before he could. And she managed the situation much better than Izuku would have. He did not like hurting his own classmates, but when it came to protecting his girlfriend from U.A.'s most notorious pervert, he was more than willing to spill a few bowls of punch and create a few holes in the wall.

One scratch and Mineta's ego crumbled to pieces. The pervert bawled his eyes out, screeching and complaining about being unable to land any girl. Izuku had always been told that his and his mother's crying geysers were a marvel to behold, but it pleased him to know that there was someone else more befitting of that title. Served him right. For his attitude toward women.

However, Mineta was not the only one who was bitter at being single.

Kaminari slung an arm around Izuku's shoulder, speech slurred and pupils wide. "You're so damn blessed, Midoriya," Kaminari whispered. Although, it came out more as a wheeze. "U.A.'s cherub face snagged a hottie." Izuku agreed, but not for the reasons Kaminari was thinking of.

"Honestly, it's the reverse. I'm blessed that Kamiko chose me. She's the epitome of sweetness. Meeting her was one of the best things that happened to me, and I'm just trying to be a guy worthy of being called her boyfriend."

"Typical Midoriya. Never accepting the praise for himself," Kaminari muttered.

Just then, Izuku noticed Katsuki leaning against a wall past Kaminari, boring daggers into his forehead. Right, he had promised Katsuki to keep his temper under control. It was not that he had forgotten; it was just that they met more often than their other classmates. Now was the time to fulfill that promise.

Izuku slipped under Kaminari's arm, excusing himself to catch up with the others. But as he made his way toward Katsuki, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Uraraka.

She was approaching him.

Ever since that rejection last April, he and Uraraka had talked a few times, but neither had ever brought it up. Now here he was, introducing his girlfriend, much to everyone's shock. He did not how she would react. There was a small smile on her face, but was it genuine? Izuku did not think that Uraraka was the type to brag over past crushes, but he braced himself nonetheless for whatever she was about to say.

"Congratulations, Deku" she said, extending her hand. "You found someone you enjoy being with. I'm really happy for you."

Oh. This was better than what he had expected. No malice in her tone. No hostility in her eyes. Izuku felt slightly guilty for assuming bad about Uraraka. He gratefully accepted the handshake, and replied, "Thanks. I do like spending time with her. By the way, I heard that you got a promotion. Great job!"

Katsuki watched Izuku and Uraraka converse.

He knew that Izuku was the type to let his guard down more easily amongst friends. Not Katsuki, though. Although everything about Uraraka's demeanor belayed amiability, he could not help but narrow his eyes.

Izuku had told Katsuki that Uraraka admitted to liking him but was not looking for a relationship at the time. That's why when Izuku and Furukawa arrived, he had been paying close attention to Uraraka's behavior. Inclined to assume the worst in others, Katsuki waited for Uraraka to snap from jealousy and cause a scene. Sure, that was actually more his kind of thing. Projection, or whatever it was he was doing … it did not change the fact that he was suspicious of her.

She was smiling widely. Her eyes were brimming with joy.

How much of that was a mask?

Katsuki imagined how he would feel if he were in her place. Astonishing behavior from a guy with a massive ego. All jokes aside, he imagined that he would feel mixed. On the one hand, he would be wholeheartedly glad for his crush to be in a healthy, loving relationship. On the other hand, bitterness at himself for taking action too late would consume him. Well, as long as Uraraka did not openly express her dismay, all was good. It was not like she dumped for a stupid reason.

At some point, Izuku and Uraraka finished their conversation and parted ways.

"No, no. Go talk to her some more," Katsuki snarked as Izuku finally reached him. "The dude who hates parties has been waiting for the past one-and-a-half hour. What difference does it make to have him wait some more, right?" Izuku opened his mouth to retort, but Katsuki interrupted him. "Go talk about how you're going to climb up the corporate ladder, how many interviews you'll give on camera, how much the public will go feral over you."

Izuku frowned at him. "Kacchan, there was traffic and some last-minute problems. Besides, you've been managing just fine the entire time. I can smell the same alcohol from you as from Mineta and Kaminari. How did you smuggle it in?"

Katsuki grabbed Izuku's arm, pulling him beside himself. "Don't talk about that so loudly," he hissed. "Also, I didn't bring it in. Those two did, and Kirishima is their alias. So don't say anything."

Izuku raised his hands in a placating manner. "Alright, alright. It seems like you're the only one can seem to hold his alcohol."

And that was when Katsuki gave him a shit-eating grin. "You're talking to the master of beer pong and the holder of the record of drinking the most shots at once."

"Is that really something to be proud of," Izuku muttered, unimpressed.

"Of course it is. By the way, how are you faring? With that whole conversation with your ex-crush, I mean?" Katsuki spotted one of the caterers bring out a tray of chicken drumsticks. He grabbed Izuku by the collar, dragging with him. "Tell me once we get our hands on that meat!"

Izuku and Bakugou were deep in discussion when Kamiko finally joined them at their table.

They were talking about former crushes when they finally registered her presence. When Izuku saw her, he was quick to rise out of his seat to pull hers out.

"Would you like some chicken?" he asked, once both of them were comfortable. "Kacchan and I robbed the entire food counter of the drumsticks." Indeed, that seemed to be the case. The table was laden with plates and cups, all of which contained meat and juice. Bakugou, who had the largest serving and was holding one drumstick in one hand and munching on the other, glared at Izuku. He pulled his platter closer to him with both occupied hands.

Izuku returned the stare. "Sharing is polite, Kacchan. You won't be able to finish all this by yourself."

Kamiko distinctly heard Bakugou grumble something along the lines of packing and sneaking the chicken out for later, but he jutted his chin out toward a plate closest to her. "Help yourself."

"Thank you," Kamiko responded, timidly.

An awkward silence fell upon the three of them. Izuku was the first to break it. "So Kamiko, what did you think? How's the get-together?"

She went into detail about her experience. Overall, she liked it. He kept good company. Mostly. Well, a few bugs in the lot could not be helped, she supposed. "I noticed that you were getting ready to stand up for me. Thank you for that." Izuku's cheeks tinged baby pink.

Kamiko was about to tease him for his blush when neon lights flashed and speakers blared. The disco area lit up like a nuclear reactor, making spots appear in Kamiko's vision. Ashido-san took the disco jockey position and shouted into the microphone, "Now that everyone's in the mood, let's turn this party up a level! It's break-dance time!" Sound waves literally passed through Kamiko's body. She could feel her heartbeat rising.

Lots of guests went to the disco floor, cooing at the color-changing panels that glowed under their feet.

It was meant to excite people; it had the opposite on Kamiko. Panic rose inside her. Familiar panic. The last time Kamiko had been this afraid was when she was at a busy street. The hectic nature of the setting had triggered her panic attack; another one was coming now.

The bright colors of the disco floor warped into a kaleidoscope of stinging pain. Each beam of light pricked her eyes. The vibrations from the loudspeakers sent blood rushing to her head. A pulsating headache soon formed. Voices echoed in her head as intense as the sounds from the disco. Taunts. Insults. Scorns. Voices of the masked men who hurt her. They mocked her for daring to be happy. Chastised her for mingling with non-mutants.

She had no right to enjoy herself. Kamiko was a blight on society. An aberration that needed to be eliminated because she was inhuman. That was only the tamest of the slandering. Otherwise, the slurs they called her would make even the strong-hearted cry.

By chance, her eye landed on the heroes dancing. She regretted it instantly. The people who had been so welcoming toward her morphed into monsters. Ashido-san's blackness of sclera trickled down her eyes like tears. It spread like an infection, coloring the rest of her pink skin in that darkness. The back of her skull elongated, and her body began to emaciate to bones. Skeletal hands played with headphones and the music apparatus. Smiles became menacing, teeth turned to fangs. It was not just her. Everyone else also contorted into that monster with scorpion stingers protruding from their tailbones.

Kamiko no longer heard loud music. Instead, the reptilian clicking and clacking echoed, composing a cacophony of terror.

Her mind twisted a pleasant party into a gathering of demons.

Izuku felt the atmosphere around him change.

The source was coming from his left.

He looked at Kamiko who had fallen strangely quiet. Pupils blown wide, tears dripping from the corners. He called out her name but received no response. Even Katsuki was suspicious of this sudden change in behavior.

That was when Jirou approached their table, inviting Kamiko to join them on the dance floor.

Everything turned to chaos.

Kamiko snarled, before slashing her claws toward Jirou, who barely managed to avoid the attack in time. Jirou stumbled back, stunned at what just happened. At the same time, Izuku and Katsuki jumped out of their seats and grabbed Kamiko by the arms. She screeched and hissed, thrashed around in their grips. Together, they dragged her toward the storage room. Kamiko turned into a feral animal in every sense of the word.

Both boys nearly lost their fingers several times as she snapped her teeth at them. Somehow, Katsuki pushed her into a chair and Izuku restrained her hands behind their backrest with Blackwhip. For safe measure, the tendrils wrapped around her waist, securely restraining her.

"What the hell was that?" Bakugou shouted.

"I think … she had a panic attack," Izuku replied, rather shocked by the recent change. "Do you remember when she had a public breakdown? You were chasing away spectators? I think it's gotten worse this time."

Bakugou's eyes narrowed to slits. "That was months ago. You told me that therapy was going well for her since then. Then how?"

Izuku was just as unsure himself. He tried explaining what his own therapist had told him: trauma healing varied from person to person. Sometimes, months of progress could disappear in an instant because of a trigger. Medications could only do so much. He remembered his own journey, contending with trauma. "You've seen me have flashbacks and nightmares for no feasible reason at all. Maybe it was the dance announcement. Kamiko was doing perfectly fine before the disco area became accessible."

The explanation sounded unconvincing to Izuku's ears, and it was no better for Katsuki. Still, Katsuki did not push the matter further. "Well, do you know what to do?" he asked instead.

Kamiko's struggling had not lessened. At the rate she was jostling from side to side, the chair was about to topple over and break. Then there would be no opportunity to hold her back.

"Yeah … Part of the reason we were running late was because of Kamiko's medicines. She wanted to pack some with her, just in case. One of them is a sedative."

Again both boys looked at Kamiko. The medicines were in her purse, which was slung around her shoulders. She bared her fangs at them. One of them was going to have to take the plunge and risk amputation. Katsuki volunteered to do it. "Sorry for going through your belongings without your permission, but this is for your own good," he said before crouching beside Kamiko and opening her purse. Kamiko tried to bend down and bite his head off. She failed. Izuku told him the name of the medication, and Katsuki kept one eye on Kamiko while keeping the other on said bottle.

Slowly, he retreated, bottle successfully retrieved. He passed it to Izuku, who knew the dosage required. As Izuku occupied himself with pulling out tablets, Katsuki searched for something to shield his hands. Pulling open random drawers and cabinets in the storage room, he came across two oven mitts. And he wasted no time to put them on.

Together, both of them encircled Kamiko, Katsuki from behind and Izuku from the front. Izuku tried to console Kamiko, but his words had no effect. If anything, her frenzy intensified. She would have toppled over, had it not been for Katsuki slapping her temples with the mitts and stabilizing her. Izuku reached for her mouth, hoping to toss the pills down her throat. But when his hand was no more than a centimeter away did Kamiko snap her jaw shut. A resounding clack immediately followed. Had his fingers just traversed past her lips, he would be missing a few phalanges.

Kamiko opened her mouth, bracing for another chance to attack.

Katsuki chose that moment to shove his palms inside her mouth. One against each corner of the mouth, he forced her jaw open, immobilizing her. She tried to chomp his fingers, but the thick material of the mitts cushioned the impact. "Do it now!" he screamed. "These gloves won't last indefinitely!"

Izuku was quick to react. Dropping the tablets into her mouth and tightening Blackwhip's coils around her just slightly, he and Katsuki shared a silent conversation. One second of eye contact, and both knew what to do. On the mutual count of three. Katsuki retracted the mitts just as Izuku clamped his hands on her snout. He held it closed until the lump of her throat rose and fell, signifying that she swallowed the medicine. Even then, he did not release her. Not until her pupils began to shrink. Her eyelids drooped and motions slowed. Eventually, Kamiko's head lolled over, deep in unconsciousness.

Finally, Izuku let her go.

"I'll take her home," he declared.

Katsuki immediately replied, "I'm coming with. I overextended my stay anyway." He removed the mitts and threw them in the nearest dust bin.

Izuku shook his head, saying that he was going to have to book a cab large enough to accommodate Kamiko. Katsuki told him that there was no need. "We'll go in my van. The back seat can be folded down, so Furukawa should have enough room."

"You've been drinking," Izuku countered. "It's not a good idea for you to drive."

Which is exactly when Katsuki rummaged his pockets and tossed something at Izuku. Izuku caught it singlehandedly, inspecting the item. Car keys. "That's why you're going to take the wheel. You have a driver's license. I don't get why you insist on taking public transportation anymore. Besides, someone's going to have to make sure your girlfriend doesn't get another fit after waking up."

Izuku sighed, reluctantly agreeing. He gazed at the door through which he and Katsuki had brought Kamiko in through. Sound were coming from outside. His friends were trying to come in. "I can't take her out there. Kacchan, can you help Kamiko into your car? I'll go back and defuse the situation and meet you soon."

Katsuki nodded. "Also tell Kaminari that I'm bringing the remaining alcohol with me."

Kamiko was fast asleep by the time the trio arrived to her home.

Izuku suggested escorting Kamiko inside by himself, lest her parents be taken aback by Katsuki's personality. The situation was bad enough as it is, and truth be told, Katsuki lacked diplomatic skills. His brashness could easily rub the wrong way.

So while Katsuki climbed into the passenger seat, Izuku helped Kamiko out of the backseat. Were she awake, he would have supported her weight by slinging an arm around her waist. The best option right now was to levitate her.

Having already been informed on the way here, Kamiko's parents opened the door before he crossed the threshold of their property. They followed him to their daughter's room as he removed Kamiko's shoes, gently set her on the bed, and pulled the covers up. They were desperate for an explanation, and so he gave them nothing but the truth.

When he finished, grim expressions marred their faces.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm going to call the psychiatrist. He has to know what transpired," decided Kamiko's father, watching his daughter snore softly.

Her mother, who was sitting on the bedside and stroking her daughter's hair, murmured, "I'll make her something nice when she wakes up. We also need to have a talk."

Relieved that Kamiko could manage without him anymore, Izuku believed his role here was done. "I'll take your leave then. My friend is waiting for me."

"Wait!" Kamiko's mother said. "Give me five minutes to prepare something for you and your friend. Both of you managed to calm Kamiko and bring her safely home. Any reward is insufficient, but I have to try."

Although he wanted to protest, Izuku acquiesced. Already exhausted from the ordeal, he did not want to engage in a pointless, polite argument. He turned around to exit the bedroom when suddenly Kamiko grabbed his arm. His alertness levels rose again, fearing that the effects of the subduement had vanished. For sure, he was a goner when she yanked him toward her.

He was remiss in doing so, but Izuku summoned Blackwhip again. If she had become violent again, then not only was she a threat to him, but to her own parents as well. This time, he was ready to confine her to the bed.

Black tendrils hovered over his head, aimed toward Kamiko when her grip eased. Her hand slipped from his arm to his stomach. It wrapped around his waist. Soon, her other hand joined until she was hugging him like a teddy bear. Kamiko curled into a ball around his body, purring softly. Her features were a complete contrast to her past behavior. Serene. Tranquil. As though she never knew what terror was.

Cautiously, Izuku slipped out of her embrace. As much as he would have loved to stay, he still had responsibilities elsewhere. Namely, ensuring his alcohol-loving compatriot enter his apartment without tripping over, as much as he boasted of being a heavyweight.

"I'll meet you downstairs, Uncle and Auntie," Izuku swallowed. Sparing a single glance back to ensure that his girlfriend was all right, he exited the bedroom and descended the stairs.