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Dear Reader,
This is part two of the story, please make sure to read ‘Cupid is an Asshole’ Part One!
This is Tomura Shigaraki's 'happy ending' I hope you enjoy it! It’s still in progress.
Izu dreamed about Shigaraki that first night. She woke up at dawn, shaking. She threw off the covers and ran to the bathroom. A shower...maybe that will help.
Why can't I get Tomura out of my mind? He's a villain. He's a murderer.
Izu got into the shower, but found herself sitting on the tiled floor, water pouring over her head, and hot tears burning down her face.
Tomura...I can feel how sad you are, how much you miss your sister. Even if no one else knows the truth, I do. I know. I'll hold it for you. I'll carry the truth with me in my heart forever. No matter what everyone else thinks.
Only when the water turned cold, did Izu realize how long she'd been crying.
So cold! Izu turned off the water. It's true that water helps purify. I feel a little better. She shivered, teeth chattering as she got dressed.
Aizawa was already up when Izu went downstairs at five am.
"Hey..." He said, not meeting her eyes.
"Hey."
Aizawa silently poured Izu a cup of coffee. Izu added a few drops of milk and watched the black coffee swirl with puffy clouds of milk.
She met Aizawa's eyes. "This is going to be the best part of my day."
Aizawa blinked at her.
"Or maybe I just like coffee." Izu left the kitchen without another word. In fact, she did not speak much at all for the rest of the day.
Katsuki stood next to her desk a few hours later. "Hey nerd...I brought you some of those lollipops you like." He set the caramel-apple lollipops on her desk. "Nerd!"
But Izu's head was on her arms, her eyes fixed on the clouds outside the window.
Katsuki frowned. Fuck...not even her favorite lollipops are helping.
The bell rang that afternoon, but Izu stayed at her desk lost in thought.
Shit. Aizawa exhaled and walked over to Izu's desk. "Hey. School is over."
Izu looked up, surprised to see the classroom empty. "I want to go see Shigaraki once my perfume wears off."
Aizawa's eyes flickered, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. This kid. She's always so damn conscientious. That's what she's been worrying about all day? That fucking loser?
"You know that's going to be unpleasant, right? Shigaraki's going to want to murder you. Eat your entrails for breakfast. Boil your blood."
Izu burst out laughing. "Eat my entrails...?" She grinned up at Aizawa. "Yeah...that sounds exactly right."
Izu got up from her chair, "But that would be better. More honest. I just don't think I'll be able to sleep until I see him again. I need to explain. I need to show him, I'm just another girl. I'm no one special. It was just my quirk."
Not special huh...? Right... Aizawa exhaled.
"Is it possible to visit that prison?" Izu's haunted green eyes met Aizawa's.
"I'll see what I can do."
Izu smiled up at Aizawa.
Yep. I'll do just about anything to see you smile like that.
Later, in his office, Aizawa picked up the phone. "I need a favor."
"I need to get into Tartarus."
"I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't fucking important."
The next week was hard for Izu. There was no word about visiting Shigaraki, and the press was relentless. The image of Izu licking the lollipop had made its way into a sex toy advertisement, and any number of online ads. It was everywhere.
Midnight spent hours on the phone with a lawyer, but there was nothing to do. Midnight set down her phone one evening. "We don't own the original."
"But it's me! It's my face on those advertisements!" Izu said.
Midnight shrugged. "It's a massive company who used it. They aren't based in Japan. We can fight, but the lawyer said we will be throwing money away. Even if we win, the image has been spread so wildly we won't get it taken down, and we won't see a penny."
"Look on the bright side sweetie, you've been offered like ten modeling contracts, and candy manufacturers keep sending free candy. And you've got so many contracts offers for mates...I think it might be a record." Midnight motioned to the boxes of mail stacked near the front door.
They had so much mail, the mail carrier had started delivering entire boxes.
"They sent candy?"
"I think they're hoping for another viral photo of you 'enjoying' something."
"Ugh! It's so unfair! It's my face! How can they use it without my permission!?"
Izu was angry, but there was nothing to be done. They simply couldn't afford to hire a lawyer for such a longshot court case.
A few kids teased Izu at school, mimicking fellatio when she passed. Katsuki, Kirishima, and Todoroki were like guard dogs, keeping the loudest kids away from her. More than one student ended up iced into their locker or in the sick room with scorched skin.
Izu kept smiling, and laughing pretending it didn't bother her, nut her face felt like a frozen mask at the end of the day. She felt shriveled up inside, and numb.
The only thing that vented the anger was running. Izu ran for hours listening to loud music. The sensation of her feet hitting the pavement was the only thing that released her frustration.
Izu always wore a shapeless hoodie and baseball hat so she wasn't harassed. She had learned the hard way, after a group of middle school boys started chasing her one morning. Luckily, she was a fast runner.
Izu was sitting on a park bench one evening looking out over a field of kids playing soccer. She had run so far, she was exhausted.
A stranger sat down next to her.
He had a hoodie pulled low over his eyes.
Izu turned. A hiss escaped her lips. "Oh...!" Medical staples and his skin is...missing. That purple stuff looks unnatural. So painful looking...
"Go ahead and stare. You're not the only one." The man crossed his long legs. "I'm a wreck." The man's patched face was angry purple and stapled in place. He smelled faintly of burnt flesh.
"Please excuse me." Izu bowed her head. "I didn't mean to be rude."
"Tch...so you're the lollipop girl huh?"
Izu's eyes flew open. Oh no! Izu jumped up.
"Sit down. I'm not a creep. My name is Dabi. I'm a friend of Shiga's"
"Tomura...?"
"Pfft...I didn't know you were on a first name basis."
"Right! I mean Shigaraki-San."
"You're not what I expected." Dabi leaned back on the bench, a smile tilting his expression from anger to amusement. "So, he's in love with you? Do I have that right?"
"Um...it's my quirk. People fall under my spell, but it will only last about thirty-six more hours."
Dabi blinked, "Thirty-six hours...? Kinda specific."
Izu lowered her head. "I usually go see people when the time is up. I'm just an ordinary girl. I'm not special."
"Sure. Not special." Dabi glanced at Izu's long legs in her running shorts.
"Have you heard from him...? Is he okay?" Izu asked.
Dabi turned, "I came here to kill you."
Izu jumped back with a hiss.
"I've been following you for days." Dabi said and exhaled. "Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. I just meant he's obsessed. Shiga used his one phone call to send me to see if you were okay. He wants your phone number."
Izu exhaled and hung her head. "He really doesn't. It's just my quirk. But it's not real. It's an illusion." Izu's eyelashes were wet with tears.
She's devastated. How fucked is that? Dabi grinned. She may be fucked, but I can see why Tomura likes her. Shit. I think I like her.
"But please don't worry about Tomura. I already made plans to go see him."
"Huh...?" Dabi blinked. "Do even know where that prison is? It's on a damn island."
"Yeah. I know. It will be a brief visit. But once he sees me, he'll get over me right away."
"Are you sure you're a hero...?" Dabi asked.
"Huh...? I'm a UA student."
"You'd fit in pretty great with us. Your quirk is fucked. Love. It's more powerful than just about anything. You totally fried his brain. You're evil.
Izu met his eyes. "You get it. You understand."
Oh...shit. Those green eyes. This girl has no idea how pretty she is. "Listen...Shiga is a nice guy. Don't hurt him."
"Oh! I won't hurt him...! That's why I'm going to see him! So he knows it was just an illusion."
"Tch..." Hands shoved deep in his pockets, Dabi stood up, and started to walk away.
"Wait!" Izu called after him. "Does he have a favorite food!? Or something I should bring him?"
Dabi shrugged. "Junk food maybe? All I ever see him eat is crap from the seven-eleven." Dabi gave Izu a tilted smile. "But right now, he just wants to see you."
Izu's shoulders slumped. Me too. Too bad he's going to hate me. He might even try to kill me.
"Oh right. Here." Dabi reached into his pocket and pulled out a video game. "He wanted you to have this." He smiled. "You like video games, huh...? You're kinda his dream girl."
Izu gasped as the game she’d been waiting months for, was handed to her.
"Be seeing you."
It took over a month to make the arrangements to see Tomura in prison. Aizawa and Midnight both accompanied Izu on the helicopter to the island. Midnight was flirting with the guards and signing autographs.
Aizawa glowered at Nemuri. "She's probably worried too."
Izu glanced up. "Aunty is just Aunty, don't try to change her. I love her just as she is."
"Yeah...I guess. Aizawa was watching Izu's hands. She keeps pinching herself. She's scared. Who wouldn't be. Shit. I feel scared.
They were searched and led through a series of bleak waiting rooms. The desolate concrete buildings echoed with cold and endless grey despair. An hour later Izu was shown into a prison visiting room.
Tomura's turquoise hair was the only color in the stark-white room. A metal, brace-like mechanism was surgically embedded in his arm.
Oh...that looks so painful. Like an experiment or something from a science-fiction movie.
There was a thick glass window between them. The metal chair was ice-cold as Izu sat down. The entire room felt like a freezer compartment. Shigaraki stared at Izu with his arms crossed as she sat down. It was clear 'Cupid' had worn off long ago. His eyes were narrow and cold.
Izu slid open the narrow glass door and pushed a box of homemade mochi across to Shigaraki.
Izu swallowed nervously. "I made these for you."
"I hate you! I fucking hate you for stealing my dream! Bringing me this worthless shit!" Shigaraki flung the plastic container against the glass and the mochi went flying.
"I can't even think straight! You raped my mind!"
I did. He's right. That's exactly what I do. Izu bowed her head. "I'm very sorry. But that's why I came today. It's better if you know that it was just a drug. If you know that I'm just an ordinary girl."
Shigaraki leaned forward, the tendons in his arms tightening like wire. She's so small...but when I held her...she felt bigger in my arms. She felt grown-up.
"I also wanted to tell you I won't repeat anything you told me. I haven't told anyone about your history." Izu bowed her head. "About your family. It's still your story to share if you want. I promise."
Tomura stared at her. She won't repeat it? She hasn't told anyone?
"My quirk is evil. And..."
"Evil...Pffft! Self-gratifying bullshit." Tomura crossed his arms and turned away. "Get out of here...lollipop girl!"
Izu gasped and covered her mouth. "Did that...reach the prison...?"
"Yeah...well if you pose for pornography, it fucking ends up in prisons. What do you expect?"
"I didn't pose for it." Izu lowered her head. "It was a photo someone took without permission."
Izu's voice was soft, but a world of anguish resided there.
Tomura was silent. Ugh....I hate this world. She looks like she's going to cry. "The world is fucked. Isn't it."
"The world has always been good and bad. Nothing you or I do will change that. But yeah...it really does feel that way sometimes." Izu said.
Tomura just stared. She's devastated. Why do I feel like crying? He reached down and picked up one of the mochi off the ground. He unwrapped the wax paper wrapper and took a bite.
"Dabi said you liked junk food."
"You spoke to him...?" Tomura asked.
"Yeah."
"Hmph. Did he scare you...?" He grinned.
"A little."
She's honest. I like that. She must be scared. A kid coming to a place like this. She doesn't belong here.
"What is it like here...?" Izu's eyes flickered towards the row of security cameras watching them.
"Cold. Boring. No video games."
Izu looked down at her hands. "Oh."
"But it's not that bad. I know a few people from when I was a kid. Fellow orphans. And we all have private cells. So... I guess that's fine."
"Does that hurt?" Izu's eyes flickered toward Shigaraki's arm.
"Yeah. They drilled into the bone."
Izu winced and squeezed her eyes tightly shut.
She cares. That part wasn't an illusion.
When she opened her eyes again, Shigaraki's hand was pressed to the glass.
Izu touched her hand to the glass. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I deserve much worse."
Izu swallowed.
"I saw the papers. Everyone thinks we're dating." He said.
Izu nodded. "Sorry about that. Do you have someone...? Someone you need me to talk to or...?"
"Me...? A girlfriend?" Tomura laughed. "Shit...I think you're it. My first love." Probably the only person I'll ever love.
Izu's eyes met Tomura's.
She is fucking beautiful. Those big green eyes. That wasn't an illusion either.
A guard opened the door with a loud clank. "Times up."
"Oh..." Izu sighed. "Thanks for seeing me. I appreciate it."
Tomura was quiet as Izu got up, but when she was at the door, he said, "Izu Kayama...?"
"Hmmm...?"
"You still don't date villains...?"
Izu grinned. "Nope! Better choose another career!"
Tomura lay awake in his bunk that night. A row of green tea mochi was lined up on the pillow next to his head. Tomura picked up one of the wax paper packages and held it to his nose. A career huh...? That doesn't sound too bad.
Izu got a phone call a few weeks later. She was at her desk in her bedroom, doing her homework.
"Izu...?"
"Tomura? How...? How are you calling me?!"
Tomura laughed. "I get phone calls. One a month, if I'm good."
"But how did you get my number?"
"You had to fill out paperwork to visit. It's all part of my permanent record now." Tomura said.
"Oh! But should you really waste a call on me?"
Tomura snorted. "I don't exactly have anyone else to call. How are you? I only get ten minutes. Tell me something interesting."
"Hmm...? Interesting...?" Izu scrambled to think of something.
"Where are you? What are you doing?" Tomura prompted.
"I'm sitting at my desk at home studying for a history test."
"What's your room like?"
"It's pale blue, and there's a big window. And I have an All Might bedspread."
"Another reason to hate that guy."
"Huh...? Why?"
"He gets to sleep with you. I fucking hate him."
Izu snorted. "Well...if it makes you feel better, it's the hello kitty All Might version. So..."
"You like that hello kitty crap?"
"Yeah...I do."
"What else do you like?" Tomura asked.
"Um...I like coffee, and cats, and video games. I love the game by the way."
Tomura smiled. Oh...that feels good. She got it.
"What about you? Did you like the mochi?"
"Yeah. But I'd like black sesame next time."
"Next time...?" Izu chuckled.
"I'm allowed two visits a year. More if I'm a good boy. And if you'll visit me, and bring me treats, I'll be good."
Izu grinned. "Okay Tomura...if you're good I'll come visit and bring you black sesame mochi. Anything else you want?"
"Say my name again. Please...?"
Izu paused. "Tomura..."
He inhaled. Oh...that's so fucking good. I love her voice. "Tell me about school. Your friends, your classes. Just talk to me...? Please...?"
"Mm-Kay..."
Izu told Tomura all about her classes, the problems with the lawyer who was trying to get the lollipop image taken down, and all her upcoming tests. She talked so easily she was shocked by the robotic recording that broke through the call.
"Thirty seconds remaining."
"Oh...!"
"Bye Izu." I miss you already.
"Bye Tomura...I hope you sleep well, and you stay out of trouble. I'll bring you the..."
The call cut off mid-sentence. And Tomura clenched his fists. Urgh...not enough...not enough time...Still she talked to me. and she said she'd visit.
A burly guard grunted as he unlocked the door to take Tomura back to his cell. "Fucking worthless villain." The guard shoved Tomura so hard his head knocked against the cement-block wall.
"Tsk tsk. Awfully moody today." Tomura's red eyes gleamed. "Your time of the month?"
"You don't deserve phone calls. Scum."
Oh...I see. He's picking a fight. Trying to get me to hurt him. Hmm...Tomura’s eyes narrowed. "Do you know who I was talking to...? Is that it? Feeling jealous...?"
"Why would she fucking talk to you...?"
Tomura smirked. "My good looks, I guess. Or my irresistible charm." Seriously though, why does Izu talk to me? Is she just nice? Or does she feel sorry for me? That would explain a lot.
The guard shoved Tomura forward so he tripped over his leg shackles and slammed into the ground. "Ouchie. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."
Tomura wiped the blood from his nose when he got back to his cell, but he was smiling. He touched a piece of wax paper that had once held Izu's mochi. Before, I would’ve decayed that mouth-breather, decayed this whole place, but now I've got other things to do, other plans to make. A life of my own to live.
He got out a notebook, and began to furiously scribble down every detail of Izu’s conversation he could remember.
Tomura spent most of his days studying and exercising. And at bedtime he thought up questions to ask Izu. He could still remember the sensation of her hands stroking his hair, of his head resting against her leg. If I get out...That's what I want most. I want to lay my head on her lap and have her stroke my hair.
Izu was also thinking about Tomura. The next day as she walked to the library with Katsuki, she asked. "Kacchan...?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know how to make black sesame mochi?"
"Why the fuck would I know how to do that? You know I hate sweets."
Izu asked Aizawa next.
"Nope. Sorry. I don't know anything about mochi."
Izu was left to figure it out herself. She watched cooking videos, but she couldn't quite get it right. Is the sesame paste supposed to be this thick? Izu took a tentative bite. It's wrong. Blech! I burnt the sesame seeds!
After the third batch of mochi Izu finally got it right. Oh! Super yummy! I see why Tomura likes these!
Five months later, Izu was escorted to the island prison on a rainy afternoon. Aizawa sat silently by her side, reading the news on his phone. She was grateful he didn't speak. Just like before, Aizawa accompanied Izu to a grey waiting room, but a guard stopped them. "She can't go in."
Aizawa sighed. "She did before."
"She's underage." The guard looked Izu up and down. "Are you a biological relative or mate of the prisoner?"
Izu wilted. "No. But I went in before. I'm fifteen and a half. Please...? We came so far."
"Not happening. But I'll take that into him if you like." The guard gave Izu a lecherous smile and reached for the container in her hands.
Izu glanced down at the box of black sesame mochi, but she didn't let go.
"Izu...?" Aizawa asked. "You worked hard to make those. It's better than nothing."
Izu nodded and reluctantly handed over the box.
Aizawa glanced at the guard. Shit. I think I might be grateful. We can't keep coming here. This is a mess. Does she feel guilty? Or does she really like that hand guy?
Tomura sat waiting.
The chair opposite was empty.
She didn't come. This is what happens. I'm forgettable. A villain.
Why did I let myself believe she cared about me? Why did I think she was any different from everyone else in this horrible world?
Tomura sank.
My blood feels like cement. Tomura's breath stilled as he stared across at the empty chair. She should have just killed me. I'd have preferred that. Stomp on my face, crush me. Put me out of my misery.
Tomura's hand inched towards the glass. I could just... end this...Tomura touched the glass partition. I could destroy this entire world. I could take her...but...Tomura closed his eyes. That's not going to help. That's not what I want. And so, Tomura just sat, buried under his thoughts.
Later, Tomura walked back to his cell, head down. I can hardly lift my feet. And I’m so cold. What is this...?
The guard was whistling. Tomura's eyes flickered up. He could smell black sesame paste. Black sesame paste? What...!? She was here...!?
Once they were out of sight of the security cameras, the guard pulled a familiar wax paper package out of his pocket and took a bite. "Delicious." He sniffed the dumpling. "I can almost taste her pheromones. A virgin omega."
Tomura's red eyes glowed. Oh...well shit...
This prick really wants to die, doesn’t he...?
As the guard took another bite, he licked his fingers. He grinned at Tomura, challenging him to start something.
She was here. Izu was here. They didn't let her in. That's what this means. Tomura hid his smile. This asshole wants me to attack him so he can beat me to a pulp, or worse...extend my sentence. But he just extinguished my anger. Izu came. She made me mochi.
I guess I can be good a little longer.
Izu was quiet the next few weeks. She was worried. But one afternoon as she was jogging through the forest behind UA, she got a call.
"Izu...?"
"Tomura...!? I'm so sorry! They wouldn't let me in! I..."
"I know Izu. Don't be troubled. The guards know who you are, that's all."
"Huh...?"
"You're famous. That picture."
"Well...shit."
Tomura burst out laughing. Oh Izu...cursing. Could anything be cuter...?
"Did you get my mochi at least?"
"No... but I saw it."
"No...!?"
Tomura chuckled. "The guard seemed to enjoy it, though."
"Urk! That's so annoying! And after the third batch I finally figured out the sesame paste!"
"Third batch?" Third batch...she made more than one...? Tomura felt like he was floating.
"Yeah...I kept messing up the sesame seeds. I'm sorry you didn't get to taste it."
"Just eat some mochi for me...I don't care. How have you been? Pass your physics test?"
Izu started talking, and far too soon the recorded voice broke in.
Tomura spoke quickly. "Izu...next time I see you, will you use your quirk on me again?"
"Nope. You might lose control and turn that prison to dust. But I will, when you get released for good behavior."
"Awfully confident." Tomura grinned.
"I am. Be good Tomura. When you get out, I'll make you as much mochi as you like...and I'll..."
A metallic click cut her off mid-sentence.
Urgh...! She'll do what...? I can't wait to find out. Izu...
A few months later, just before Izu's sixteenth birthday, the news was filled with reports of a prison riot at Tartarus. Izu was constantly looking at her phone, waiting for any news.
But none came. It was just the same few headlines over and over.
'Riot at jail.' 'Break out!' 'Eight dead.'
Izu could hardly sleep, she just kept reading the same reports and sighing. Midnight got out of bed late one night and found Izu sitting at the kitchen island. She was pouring over the news on her phone, a bowl of melted ice cream in front of her.
"Izu...sweetie, it's late. You have school tomorrow." Midnight began to turn out the lights, when she saw the article about the prison riots on Izu's phone.
"Do you like the hand guy? Or do you just feel sorry for him?"
Izu looked up. "His name is Tomura."
"Right. Tomura. You didn't answer my question. He's a villain. He's ugly. Why do you care?"
"He's not ugly."
"Fine, his eczema is captivating. And his bloodshot eyes are like flames of fire flickering in my heart."
Izu burst out laughing. "Okay...so maybe not, but..."
"But what...?"
"He makes me feel something. Something I've never felt before."
"That's pity Izu. You feel sorry for him."
"It's more than that."
Izu swirled the puddle of melted mint chip ice cream in her bowl around with her spoon. She was searching for words to explain. "I feel.... I feel...I don't know exactly."
"But something about him feels big. It's like staring out at the ocean. You know how nice the water is...especially when you haven't seen it for a while? It's scary, but beautiful." I want to breathe him in.
Shit...I hate that. Midnight leaned against the counter, at a loss for words.
Izu continued. "When I'm with him, I feel warm and happy. It might just be his pheromones. I know that...but I sort of...just..."
Izu sighed, "I like him."
"No! No way! You're not allowed to date a villain! I may be open-minded, but I draw the line there!"
Izu giggled. "I told him that. So... it's just a matter of time. He will choose a path, he will either turn towards me or he won't. You know he could flatten that entire prison."
She's more mature than I am. She sounds just like Yukito right now. "His quirk is dangerous. Even if he becomes a waiter, or a shoe salesman, he'll still be a risk to you."
"I know. I know that." Izu sighed and brought the melted ice cream over to the sink and rinsed out the bowl. "I wish I could tell you something comforting, but I can't. I just feel the way I feel. I'm sorry Aunty. I wish I could change it." I think I love him.
Midnight took a deep breath. "I'm glad you told me the truth. So... what do you think about his skin...? He needs a dermatologist right...? You can't let him walk around like that."
Izu giggled. “Yeah...I’ll take good care of him.” If he’s still alive...that is...
A few days later Izu's phone chimed as she was getting dressed for school. Izu lunged for it. "Tomura! Are you okay?"
Tomura smiled. "Yeah." Oh...she's worried.
"What happened?"
"No idea. I stayed in my cell. I was a very good boy. Don't you want to kiss me and pat my head?"
Izu giggled. "I'm so glad you're safe. The news said eight people were killed in the riot. I...just..." She exhaled.
Tomura scoffed. "Like any of these idiots can touch me. Don't worry about me. Focus on school." And grow up just a little more.
"Can I visit? I'll be sixteen soon."
"No. All visits are canceled."
"Oh..." Izu was disappointed.
Her voice is so nice...I can almost see her playing with her ponytail. Mhm...Izu...
"Do you get extra phone calls?"
"No."
"Mhm..." Izu made a grumpy sound.
God that's cute. She's pouting. "Tell me something about your day. Something different."
"Oh...well...we just found out we have another internship. Which is nice except my aunt is insisting I go to Hawks, but that's a terrible idea. I can't fly. And he's sort of...too friendly..."
Urk! I'll kill that fucking bird! "Where do you want to intern?"
"Oh...um..." Izu was suddenly shy.
"All Might...?" Tomura guessed.
Izu giggled. "Yep! But he doesn't accept interns. So, I was thinking maybe Endeavor...? He's kind of a jerk but..."
Six weeks after the prison riot, calls and visits were suspended indefinitely.
Izu followed any fragment of news about Shigaraki, but there was little concrete information. Shigaraki had survived the riot, and his seven-year sentence had not been extended, that was all she knew.
Chapter Two
A few years later, Izu graduated UA and got a job working at Endeavor's agency. Not long after her twentieth birthday, Izu got her first apartment.
It was a one bedroom, with a view of a park, and even though it was on the sixth floor and the elevator was perpetually broken, she loved being close to the agency.
One rainy evening, Izu came home late from work, ate some take-out, got in the bath, and was sitting on the living room floor wrapped in a towel, about to start playing video games, when there was a knock at her door.
"Coming!" Ugh! It's probably my neighbor wanting to borrow my wifi password again.
Izu threw a huge t-shirt over her head.
Her hair was up, a curly tangle from the humidity of the bathtub, and she was holding a pint of mint chocolate ice cream, as she opened the door.
Shigaraki took one look at Izu and grinned. She really is my dream girl. Ice cream... and is she even wearing anything under that t-shirt...? Oh Izu...this is even better than I imagined.
Izu gasped. "Tomura...!"
Tomura held out a bouquet of pink tulips. "I got out of jail this morning. You said if I stopped being a villain you'd date me."
"But... Izu's eyes were round as saucers. "Can it be real...? You have another two years...!?"
"I got out on good behavior."
Izu stared in shock. "No way...You did!?"
"Um-hmm. I've been a very good boy."
He's here! He's really here! Izu drank in Tomura. It had been almost four years since she had seen him last.
Tomura looked taller, though it was just his posture. The hunch of his shoulders was gone, and his lanky figure was roped with sinuous muscle. Tomura was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. He had no coat even though it was a rainy night, and his wrist was swollen and bloodied. He was cradling his arm, gingerly.
A drop of condensation rolled down the side of the pint of ice cream and fell on Izu's foot, pulling her out of her revery. She blinked and opened the door. "Come in."
Shigaraki paused.
"Izu...all I have in the world is this paper bag and these flowers. I have nowhere else to go. But if you tell me to go, I'll go."
"Why would you go anywhere else?" Izu's eyes widened. "You belong to me. You said so."
Tomura felt years of suffering fall away. I belong to her.
I belong.
Tomura smiled. His face felt stiff, almost like wood. Shit. It's been a long time since I smiled.
"Come inside. Are you hungry?"
"I could eat."
The first thing Tomura noticed was how warm he felt. Is it because of Izu...? Or is it just warm in here...?
His arm is a mess! That's where the quirk inhibitor was. It's all bloody. They didn't even bother to bandage it! Like he's not human. Like he doesn't feel pain. Izu felt like her blood was boiling.
Well...I'll take care of it. I'll take care of him. He's here...he's actually here!
Izu quickly popped some leftovers in the microwave and took a bottle of green tea out of the fridge. Touching Tomura's shoulder, she guided him to the kitchen table and got out a first-aid kit.
Tomura looked around Izu's apartment and smiled.
There was a minuscule dining room, and in the living room he could see a square kotatsu coffee table, on a thick white rug next to the couch. The paused frame of a video game was frozen on the tv.
A kotatsu...and video games. It's perfect here...or maybe it just smells like Izu. Tomura glanced at Izu, who held his arm. She leaned over him, carefully painting his wounds with antibiotic salve.
She's so round...even in a baggy t-shirt. And her hair is just a mess of curls. She's the most beautiful thing in the entire world. Tomura hissed as Izu gently dug out a fragment of metal.
"Sorry! I know it hurts."
"It's fine Izu." Tomura watched as Izu focused. She was being as gentle as possible.
"You're too trusting. I could hurt you."
Izu just smiled and began to bandage his wounds. "You could have walked out of that jail at any time. Flattened it to dust."
"I had a quirk restrainer."
Izu met Tomura's eyes. "It was on the wrong hand."
Tomura snorted. "It fucking was...right...?" He burst out laughing, his laughter welling up like a river overflowing its banks.
"All this time...You knew?"
Izu nodded, "Yeah, I knew."
"Izu." His eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell anyone? I could have hurt people."
Izu blinked innocently. "I didn't think it mattered. You chose a different path, didn't you? If you wanted to leave, you would have done it after 'Cupid' wore off. I was counting down the hours that day, we all were, but nothing happened. You chose a different future."
She leaned forward, and for a moment, she looked as playful as Midnight. "You're walking the path I'm walking now."
Izu smiled, "Or at least, walking in my direction."
Tomura's breath caught. His hands itched to hold her, to own her. "I'm never going to be a hero."
"I know." Her voice was soft.
"We'll find you something to do. A job. You may need to have low expectations at first." Izu swallowed. "You have a record."
"Oh...I have something in mind."
"Something in mind...?"
Tomura reached for the paper bag he had set on the counter. He handed Izu a diploma. "I just graduated law school."
"What...!?" Izu shrieked and fell sideways off her chair, sending the ice cream spoon flying.
Oh yeah... that was worth it. Tomura grinned. I have a feeling it's all going to be worth it.
Tomura helped her up off the floor and picked up the dripping spoon.
"You're...a lawyer...?" Izu was beyond shocked.
"Well. Not yet. I still have to pass my exams, and that's going to be a total bitch, but...you said to find another career. And becoming a lawyer just seemed the most evil I guess..."
Izu laughed. Her entire body felt light, as though Tomura was radiating happiness. A lawyer...the most evil. Hehe! This might actually be okay. I know what I feel. And maybe I won't need to be so afraid of it anymore.
With a silly smile on her face, Izu scrambled to dish up left-over katsu-don, and she cut up an apple. He must be hungry. It takes forever to get off that island.
"Bunny ears...?" Tomura ate an apple slice.
Izu had cut slivers out of the peel to shape them like bunny ears.
"Oh! Sorry! My aunt cuts them that way!"
Tomura chuckled. My mom used to do that. I like it. It feels...like home. "Do you feed all your villains bunny rabbits...?"
"All my villains...? That sounds like a bad movie. But so far, I've just got the one." Izu suddenly felt shy. "Do you...like bunny rabbits?"
Tomura took an apple slice. "Yeah...I like them. They make me happy." Anything you do makes me happy.
After Tomura ate, they sat on the couch and shared ice cream. Izu was tired that evening, her eyes blinking closed. They curled up on the couch and played video games, but Izu's head was sagging. Before long, she was asleep, her head resting on Tomura’s leg. She was using his lap as a pillow.
For so long I've dreamed about resting my head on her lap, but this might be better. Tomura played with a strand of Izu's hair. I love her. Even without her quirk. I just love her.
Izu woke up the next morning alone in her bed, the covers tucked around her. She jumped up. Was it all a dream!? Tomura!
She ran out into the living room. Tomura was asleep on the couch, her All Might bedspread wrapped around his shoulders.
Izu got out her phone. Oh! That is the cutest thing I've ever seen! As she was about to snap a photo, Tomura sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"You're evil. It was the only blanket I could find."
"Hehe! You're so cute! My two favorite guys! I love seeing you wrapped in All Might's arms!"
Tomura threw off the blanket. "Fucking hell Izu! Don't make me kill All Might! I'm trying to be good! I don't want you sleeping with him anymore."
Izu bit her lip, Tomura's shirt was off. And he was...breathtaking. He's...so...gorgeous...I think I'm drooling.
Tomura had dedicated hours every day to exercise behind bars.
His ribs...his abs...his shoulders. I don't know which part is nicer...Izu felt like she had swallowed a firefly, she was choking and glowing at the same time. She felt heat rising up through her body.
Suddenly, she shook herself and ran for the bathroom.
"You okay...?" Tomura followed her.
"Oh..." Izu was injecting a suppressant. "I...I..." Izu blushed.
Tomura grinned. She likes me too. This is happiness. Izu in a bathroom in a damn t-shirt.
Tomura stepped closer. He gently touched Izu's face, then bent down and kissed her. It was a butterfly's kiss. Hardly a whisper of touch. But it felt like a wave breaking over Izu.
This feels right. How is it possible this feels so right...? Izu rested her hand against Tomura's rib cage, and she shivered.
Tomura's eyes dilated. He could smell her pheromones concentrate as a tremor ran across her skin.
"You're beautiful. I can't believe you're here. I can't believe I get to touch something so beautiful." Izu stroked the length of Tomura's angular ribcage.
Beautiful. She's the only person who will ever say that about me. The only person who will touch me without any fear. Then again, she's the only one I will ever let touch me. The only person I will ever let get close enough.
It was Tomura's first kiss.
He had been waiting years for this moment, this closeness.
As his hand touched Izu's back, she gasped. Her t-shirt scattered to dust.
"Eep! Tomura!"
Izu crossed her arms over her naked chest. All she was wearing was a pair of purple lace panties.
Tomura jumped back.
"Izu! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that! I..." Tomura blushed beet red. He was horrified and also transfixed by the sight before him.
Izu burst into giggles. "I'd ask for your shirt but...you're not exactly dressed either."
Tomura stared at Izu. She's not mad...? Or scared...?
"It's probably good we got interrupted, I'm going to be late for work if I don't hurry." Izu shoved Tomura towards the door. "I need to take a shower. Are you...? Okay...?"
Tomura smiled, and glanced down at Izu's hands. They weren't offering very much coverage.
"I'm fucking great, Izu. I'll make something to eat yeah...? Do you drink coffee?"
Izu grinned. "Yep!"
Tomura heard the shower turn on as he went into the kitchen. He couldn't get the image of Izu in her underwear out of his head. Purple lace...Shit. I think I forgot how to walk. Tomura took a deep breath and slapped his face. Okay...I can handle this. Food. Coffee.
There was coffee and cinnamon toast waiting for Izu when she came out of her bedroom.
"Oh shit." Tomura saw her hero costume and grabbed the counter. Oh...That is...nice.
"It helps me work. It's...distracting." Izu's eyes were huge. Oh...please don't let him be upset about it...please...
"Distracting...you could say that." Tomura smiled. " Though...I think I prefer you in purple. The black is fine, I guess."
Izu exhaled. "You don't hate it...?"
Izu had briefly dated Todoroki after UA, and he had never stopped complaining about her hero costume.
Tomura smiled. "My girlfriend wears little straps and knee-high boots around...? Yeah, no I'm not exactly sad about it."
"Girlfriend." Izu said.
Tomura handed Izu a mug of coffee. "Girlfriend." He repeated. "We're dating."
Tomura sipped his coffee. "You're going to be late."
"Oh! Eep! You're right! Will you be okay here alone?" Izu quickly gave Tomura a key. "There's not much to eat...um I'll bring something at lunch okay...?"
"I'll be fine. There's coffee. I don't usually eat much breakfast anyway."
Izu ran for the door, but Tomura caught her hand. "Izu..." He kissed her. "Have a good day."
Izu beamed. Oh...why is that so perfect...? He tastes like coffee. This is the most delicious kiss ever!
Tomura braced himself against the door after Izu closed it. That costume...I...oh...man. I'd better take a shower. Relieve some tension.
But Tomura only made it as far as Izu's bedroom. Her bed was filled with her pheromones, and for just a moment he lay face down on the sheets and inhaled. Oh shit...I've really got it bad. Fucking sheets are getting me all excited. That's new. Still. I can't believe I'm here.
I can't believe she needed a suppressant. Hell...I can't believe she opened the door. And those purple panties...The purple bra was bad enough. I’m glad I didn’t see it before. I would have deleted that prison, if I had seen her in those panties. Nothing would have fucking stopped me.
Chapter Three
When Izu unlocked the door at lunch time, Tomura had his shirt off, and was stretched out on the living room floor doing a plank, staring down at the law book between his flexed arms.
Oh...that’s nice to come home to. Izu grinned. Geez, I’m jealous of a rug, I wish I was under him right now. Izu drank in the angular lines of Tomura’s back. Ugh...I wish I didn’t have to go back to work.
Tomura stood up and took one of the seven-eleven bags Izu was holding.
“Did you buy out the store?”
“I just want to make sure you’re fed! And I don’t know what you like.” Izu began to unpack sandwiches, onigiri and every sort of salad and snack.
“I’m not picky. I don’t eat much meat. I like fish though.” Tomura picked up a salmon onigiri, and wrapped his arms around Izu from behind.
Izu turned and rested her face against Tomura’s chest. “Mhm...you smell good.”
“Do I...?”
Izu felt the world fall away. He was scenting her. Oh...if only I could stay in his arms like this forever.
Time ceased to exist for Izu. Tomura was still holding her in his arms, when a timer dinged on her phone.
Ugh...! That can’t be fifteen minutes! All we did was...Izu blushed. hug...
Tomura handed Izu a katsu sando. “Eat something before you go.”
“Don’t have time!” Izu grabbed her bag. “Sorry! It’s just a busy day at work. And we have a staff meeting in ten minutes. Todoroki-San is kind of uptight about being on time!”
Tomura tucked the sandwich in her bag. “Eat it as you walk.”
Izu smiled. “Kay...”
That evening, just as the sun was setting, Tomura heard the clack of Izu’s high-heeled boots running down the hall. With a grin, he got up. Oh...that is the best fucking feeling. She’s running.
Tomura opened the door. “Hi.”
“You’re here!?”
“Where else would I be...?” I belong to you.
Izu looked around, the apartment was clean, and a stack of thick legal tomes sat on the living room rug. “You...have more books?”
“Yep. I got a library card after lunch. My exam is in a month. I need to study.”
Izu inhaled. My entire apartment smells so good. I love this. Izu set down her bag. I wasn’t sure if he would still be here. But this is so good. So right. “This is better than I imagined.”
Tomura nodded. “Yeah...it is.”
After Izu showered and changed into cozy clothes, the new couple made dinner together. Tomura was shy at first. Izu had handed him a cleaver to chop veggies, and he froze.
“Do you hate cooking?”
“I have no idea.” He said.
“Oh...right...well let’s go over some basic knife skills.” Izu got closer to Tomura and began to show him how to mince the garlic.
I like this. It feels so normal. So peaceful. Tomura contentedly chopped and diced while stood at the stove stirring.
“Oh wow! You are so good with a knife!” Izu ate a sliver of cucumber off the salad.
Tomura smiled. “I think I like cooking.” At least with you by my side.
Tomura had just set a plate of stir-fried green beans on the table, when absentmindedly, his hand touched the wood. The entire table, dinner and all, dissolved into a shower of dust and fell to the floor.
Oh. Fuck. I can’t. I just can’t...
In the time it took Izu’s eyes to trace the falling dust, Tomura opened the door and ran out into the night.
“Tomura...wait!”
It was pouring rain outside, but Izu only stopped long enough to grab a pair of shoes. The streets were dark and empty. Izu scanned the alleys looking for any sign of Tomura. Oof...where would he go? Maybe the library? Is it open this late?
As Izu circled the blocks near her apartment she caught a faint hint of his pheromones near the park.
Shit. She found me. Tomura ducked into a metal culvert near the pond. He stood up to his knees in freezing water, as he watched Izu walk past twice. She’s worried. But I just...why...? It’s been years since that’s happened. Is it some sort of sign?
Tomura heard Izu calling his name, but he remained silent.
It was only when Tomura saw Izu leaving the park ten minutes later, that he came out of the metal culvert. Shit. It’s cold. I can’t stop my teeth chattering.
The rain had started again, and Tomura walked faster to keep warm. He was walking a familiar route up a desolate hillside. The shack. It’s worth a shot.
Tomura walked uphill, until he reached a broken-down shack at the edge of a forest preserve. The tumble-down hut glowed with eerie blue light as Tomura approached.
“That looks fucking dangerous.” Tomura said, as he opened the door.
Dabi was cooking dinner, using a jet of blue fire to warm up some dashi stock. The walls behind the blackened pot, were blistering with heat. Dabi turned, palms erupting with menacing blue fire.
“Shiggy!” Dabi’s fire extinguished. “You’re out!? You have two more years!”
Tomura smirked. “Good behavior.”
“No shit...?”
Tomura nodded. “Yep. What’s for dinner?”
Dabi hugged Tomura. “Soba. Put on some dry clothes before you get sick. The fuck are you doing here anyway? What happened to Kayamachan...?”
Tomura sucked in his breath.
“That bad huh...?” Dabi sighed. “Let’s eat first then. Bad shit’s a little easier to face when you’re warm and fed.”
Dabi handed Tomura a bowl of steaming noodles after Tomura changed into some dry clothes.
There was an old sagging bench on the porch outside the shack, and it offered a bird's eye view of the city, sparkling in the distance like jewels.
“It’s kinda fucked that you have this view.” Tomura said and slurped up some noodles.
“I burned an entire forest down to get that damn view...” Dabi chuckled. “Myself with it.”
Tomura met Dabi’s eyes. “Shit. It’s good to see you.”
“You’re looking pretty good yourself.” His eyes look different. Less haunted. “All that muscle suits you. Does Kayamachan like it?
Tomura looked away. “Yeah. She does.”
“I thought for sure you’d break out of that shithole. What the fuck happened to you?”
“Izu happened.”
Dabi met Tomura’s eyes.
Tomura sighed, and warmed his hands on his soup bowl. “I never wanted anything before. I just wanted the world to end. And now...” Tomura exhaled. “Well...now I want a backyard and shit. I want Izu.”
“A backyard...? Like kids? A family...?” Dabi was shocked.
“A life.” Tomura smiled. “I don’t know. Just a life, with Izu.”
Tomura stared down at his hand. “It’s stupid. I spent the last five years dreaming about her. But I just can’t figure myself out.”
“She’s not what you expected...?” Dabi looked up. “Is that it?”
“No. She’s good.” Tomura felt heat creeping into his cheeks as he thought about Izu in her purple underwear. “It’s me. I’m fucked. I dissolved her kitchen table tonight, dinner and all. I didn’t even get a single green bean, and it looked fucking delicious.
Dabi burst out laughing.
“I just ran like a little kid. But...I don’t think I can face it if she’s scared of me. I can’t face messing this up.”
“Was she pissed?”
“No idea. I fucking ran.”
Dabi snorted.
Tomura covered his face with his hands. “The thing is...I don’t know why Izu likes me. She should hate me. That’s the normal response. Does she just feel sorry for me? Is that it? She’s nice enough to confuse love and pity.”
Dabi exhaled. “Shit. That sucks.” He looked at Tomura. “You told her the truth...? She knows what happened when you were a kid?”
“Yeah. I told her everything.”
“And she’s still talking to you...?”
Tomura nodded.
“No wonder you’re fucking confused.”
Tomura laughed.
“You can stay here as long as you like...but if it was me, I’d go back right now. Tonight. It was a table. You didn’t hurt her.” Dabi collected their bowls and headed inside.
Tomura sat staring up at the stars, wondering if Izu was home yet. Is she soaked...? Has she eaten? Tomura took out his phone. It was Izu’s old phone. The screen was shattered, and it had a hello kitty sticker peeling off the back.
At that same time, Izu had just unlocked the door to her apartment. The first thing she saw was the empty spot where the table had once stood. Oh...Tomura...where did you go...?
Izu found herself laying face down on the couch, her face pressed to the cushions where Tomura had slept the night before. It’s so cold outside. Where will he go? He’s gotta be soaked through by now. Oh...Tomura...why did you leave...
As Izu fretted about Tomura, her phone chimed.
Tomura texted: ‘Sorry I ran away. I need to get myself together. A few days. I will come back. I promise.’
Izu smiled and her phone chimed again. Tomura’s second message read: ‘Also, I’m fine. Not cold and wet or anything. Staying with a friend. Stop worrying. I’ll use the damn lotion you gave me.’
Izu hugged one of the couch pillows. Oh...I could cry. I’m so glad he’s okay.
She texted back: ‘I miss you, but I understand...Goodnight Tomura. Be good.’
Tomura touched the broken screen, and smiled. I’ll try Izu.
Dabi was back, he had a six-pack of beer in his hand. “Beer...?”
“Nah.”
“You find religion or some shit?” Dabi cracked open a beer.
“Nope. I just want my first beer out of prison to be with Izu.”
“Oh...fuck. Shiga.” Dabi shook his head. “You’ve got it bad.”
“Yeah...I know...” I love her. And the best thing I can do is stay away.
Tomura slept on a broken-down couch in Dabi’s shack that night. But he was up at first light. He went for a run, and watched the sunrise. In prison he had only glimpsed the sky twice. He had missed it.
Izu texted at seven: ‘Eating cinnamon toast and coffee for breakfast. I’m going to return your books to the library on my way to work. If you need them, they will be there.’
Tomura grinned and ran back to the shack. He got his hoodie, and headed for the door.
Dabi opened one eye...and groaned. “Fucking early...”
“Got stuff to do.”
“You sleeping here tonight?”
Tomura shrugged. “Maybe.”
Tomura went to the library branch closest to Izu’s house. He could smell Izu’s pheromones. The books were on the shelf.
She put them back herself. Tomura picked up a book and held it to his nose. Mhm...and she scented them.
There was a sticky note in one of the books. It was Izu’s work number...and a sketch of dancing toast.
Oh...that’s fucking cute.
‘Thanks for the books. I love the toast.’ Tomura typed the text, then deleted it. Shit...if I keep texting, I might as well go back. No. I need to get myself together. I need a plan. Proper gloves at least.
Tomura spent the next few days studying for his exams, and doing some minor stalking.
There she is... It was about nine in the morning, and Tomura had just ducked into an alleyway near Izu’s apartment. Even from here she smells so delicious. I want to decay that jacket...I want to see her hero costume again...watch it fall to dust... Tomura shook himself. Fuck...I need to stop.
But he just kept following Izu at a distance. Once Izu walked through the massive chrome and glass doors of the Endeavor agency, Tomura smiled, and turned towards the library.
Tomura repeated the same routine when Izu got off work. I’m just making sure she’s safe. That’s all. Yeah...and I guess I like to see her freckles.
Tomura followed Izu to a grocery store that evening, and watched her choosing apples from the display out front.
Izu’s eyes flickered with recognition as she added a pear to her basket. Tomura’s close. I can smell him. I’m not going to chase him...but, I don’t want to make it easy for him either.
Izu unzipped her jacket, revealing her hero costume in its full glory. Jacket off, she scented the air. Then, with a wicked smile she went inside to finish her shopping.
Oh shit. She totally knows I’m here. Tomura braced himself against the alley wall. Ngh...how can anything smell so good...? She’s torturing me...He grinned. It’s fucking nice.
As Izu left the grocery store, she balanced a box of black sesame mochi on top of a nearby mailbox. “These are for you Tomura.” She said.
Tomura watched Izu walk away. She never looked back, even as Tomura came out of the shadows and picked up the box of mochi. What am I fucking doing? He grinned. Izu...you’re evil.
Izu texted Tomura every night.
That night, Izu pulled the down comforter over her head. I hate this. Living for the word ‘read’ to appear. I know he’s struggling...but I want him here. Izu stared at the text she had just sent. It was just the words ‘Goodnight. Was the mochi good?’
Where is he...? He said he was safe and warm, but an old friend has to be a villain, right...? Oh, please Tomura, don’t go back...please...don’t leave me.
As Izu was about to set her phone down on the nightstand, the word read appeared. And Tomura texted an image. A mochi with a bite taken out of it.
Izu smiled.
One morning, a week or so after Tomura had left, Izu was standing in an alcove in the agency waiting for a file to print, when Katsuki came up behind her.
“The fuck? You’re sighing and staring at your phone. What’s wrong with you lately? You never answer my damn texts.”
Izu shook her head. “It’s nothing. Why are you here?”
Katsuki and Kiri had started their own agency, it was small, but Katsuki was quickly climbing the hero ranks.
“Don’t fucking change the subject. You’re all gloomy and shit.”
“I’m...”
“Tch...don’t you dare lie to me. I know that look. You have a bad rescue or something?”
Izu shook her head. “It’s complicated.”
Katsuki snorted. “You get dumped?”
Izu sighed.
Katsuki’s pupils dilated. Shit! Is she dating someone!? No way! No fucking way! “Tch...let’s go get drinks tonight. There’s a class 1A meet-up. Mina keeps nagging me to get you to go.”
“Shitty hair, Kaminari, and Iida’ll be there. They ought to be good for a free drink each, two if you wear that damn costume.”
Izu giggled.
“And Momo. You like her right...? Girls need to talk, and she’ll listen way better than I can.” And maybe she’ll be able to figure out what this is...
“Um...” Izu grabbed her documents from the printer. “I don’t really want to go out.”
“Tch...just go. I’ll buy your damn drinks.”
Izu’s eyes widened. Kacchan must be worried. “Just an hour...?”
“Fucking fine with me. We can share a cab home.”
In the locker room after work, Izu changed into black jeans, a skin-tight turtleneck, and added some bright red lipstick.
Katsuki was waiting in the lobby. He looked Izu up and down as she walked up to him. “Shit. Red lipstick...? Maybe I won’t need to buy any drinks for you after all.”
Izu giggled. “You don’t look bad yourself. Should we have a contest...? Who can get the most free drinks?”
“Sure nerd...let’s do that.”
Tomura was slouched in an alleyway as Izu left the agency. He was there every night, just to make sure she was safe, of course.
Oh fuck. Red lipstick...? Is she trying to kill me? Then Tomura saw Katsuki. A low growl escaped his lips. His eyes glowed, and a section of the wall he was leaning against crumbled to dust.
Izu inhaled as they walked. Tomura’s here. She turned and scanned the dark shadows of an alleyway. There. He’s there somewhere. Izu winked into the darkness.
Tomura’s fury evaporated. Izu is too much. She just fucking winks...? Does she trust me that much? I could delete that little blonde asshole. Tomura chuckled. But I won’t...not unless he touches her.
The bar was on a rooftop under a canopy of striped umbrellas and strings of softly glowing paper lanterns.
“This place is amazing!” Izu had walked past the nondescript building every day without knowing the bar was on the roof.
Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Do you live under a rock or some shit? How is it possible you’ve never been up here?”
Kiri joined them at the bar then, a huge grin on his face. “Kayama-chan! You look great! Love the red lipstick!” He pumped his fist.
“Hey Kiri.” Izu grinned. It was impossible not to smile when Kiri was smiling.
“Let me get you a drink! I totally saved you a seat!”
“Um...sure.”
Bakugou frowned, but just watched Kiri lead Izu over to a booth.
Momo came up to Bakugou at the bar. “Is Kayamachan okay? Shigaraki was released.”
Katsuki’s head jerked sideways. “What...?!”
“A few days back. He got out on good behavior.”
“No shit...?” Well, at least that explains why she’s being so damn weird. Katsuki stared across the crowded bar at Izu. Is she scared...? Or what...? “Good behavior...? The hell? I expected that freak to crumble that place down to bedrock.”
“Everyone did! It’s a miracle! But...” Momo looked towards Izu.
Izu was sipping a lemon drop and listening to Kiri talk about his agency, or at least trying to listen. It’s taking everything I have, not to get out my phone and text Tomura. But Kiri is so excited about the agency. Izu smiled. I do love him. I’d forgotten how sweet and wholesome he is.
Later, Izu excused herself, and went to the ladies room. As soon as the door shut, she leaned against the sink and began to type.
‘Out for drinks. I won’t stay too long. Friends from high school.’ She hit send.
‘Do you drink? I don’t do it very often. But I’d like to buy you a drink tonight. I’d like to do a lot of things with you tonight.’
Izu waited for the word read.
At that moment Tomura was pacing in the alley behind the bar.
Tomura had read endless articles about Izu and Katsuki while he was in prison. The gossip columns all ran stories about them dating, since the pair were often seen out together.
Tomura had accidentally decayed more than one magazine in the prison library.
Shit. I want to be with her. I want to have a damn drink. That guy she’s with...her best friend. I hate everything about him. I’d like to wipe him off the face of the earth...I hate his smug face.
Tomura saw Izu’s text, and he stopped pacing. In his pocket, his hand closed around the tube of lotion Izu had given him, and the container fell through his fingers, just another shower of dust.
Shit.
Tomura shuddered as he remembered the sensation of the table decaying, of the past...of his dog and his sister.
He stopped cold. I can’t. I can’t be with her. I...can’t risk killing her. Fuck! I hate this!
Tomura once again didn’t reply. He just pulled his hood over his head and slid further into the shadows of the alley.
Izu waited for a response. I know he’s outside. Why won’t he talk to me...?
After waiting a little longer for a reply, Izu went back to the bar and shared an order of fries with Momo.
Momo detailed all the horrible dates she’d had lately. But as time trickled past, Izu got her bag and slipped outside. She texted Katsuki. ‘Heading out. Night.’
Katsuki was arguing with Kiri over gym equipment when he saw Izu’s text. ‘Be careful nerd.’
Izu replied. ‘Be careful yourself. I’m the number eight hero. Last time I checked you were number eleven.’
Katsuki grinned, and turned back to Kiri. Shit...I hope she knows what she’s doing.
Izu walked out into the night and hugged herself as the cold air hit her. I could release some Cupid. I wonder what would happen...?
As Izu passed the alley she caught a hint of Tomura’s pheromones. There...there he is.
Izu turned towards a brick stairwell leading down to a basement. The streetlights didn’t reach the inky gloom of the basement stairwell, but Izu knew Tomura was there.
“It’s cold tonight.” Izu said, and leaned her elbows on the railing above the stairwell.
Tomura smiled. Of course she knows I’m here. Why am I fucking pretending?
“I thought maybe you’d join me.” Izu said. “I don’t like this. I miss you.”
I miss you too.
“Good night, Tomura. I hope you sleep well.” Izu turned and started walking.
Izu walked home through the park near her house. I thought he’d follow. What is wrong with me. He doesn’t owe me anything, but I hoped... Izu looked up. She had reached a pond edged with weeping willows.
Oh...that’s pretty. A shower of leaves had just scattered in the wind, sending ripples cascading outward across the moonlit water. It matches my mood perfectly. Moonlight and falling leaves.
As soon as the sound of Izu’s footsteps faded from the alley, Tomura ran after her, keeping to the shadows. He followed her scent to a local park, but when he got to the pond, he froze. Izu, was sitting on a bench, staring out over the water illuminated by the moon.
Izu felt like crying as she caught a glimpse of Tomura’s turquoise hair in the darkness. “Hey.”
Tomura stared. She’s so pretty. Even in this light I can see the red lipstick. Does it feel different to kiss lipstick? I’d love to feel it against my skin. To have a receipt of her kisses.
Tomura sat down near Izu on the bench.
“You okay...?” She asked.
“No.”
“I hated that table. It creaked.”
Izu shivered, and before Tomura could stop himself, he was unzipping his hoodie and tucking half over her shoulders.
Izu inhaled as Tomura’s warmth surrounded her. Mhm...he smells so clean and pure. I want to stay here forever. I love his scent.
Tomura was silent, but Izu didn’t mind, she just leaned her head on his shoulder enjoying his warmth.
Five minutes later Tomura spoke. “This is a dream. It isn’t going to work.”
Izu tried to take Tomura’s hand, but he shook her off. “Stop. We shouldn’t be together. It’s wrong. I can’t be near you.”
“I love you.”
Tomura hissed. “Izu...don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s true. I love you.”
“But why the fuck?! Are you an idiot...!? Why do you even like me? Most people run away at first sight. Do you just want to fix me or some shit? Am I a project? A villain you fucking saved?”
Izu burst out laughing. “Is it that hard to believe I like you...?”
“Yes. I’m a loser. And I could fucking hurt you.” Tomura closed his eyes. “I could kill you. One careless touch.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
Tomura looked at Izu from the corner of his eye. “But why? Why do you even talk to me...?!”
The question had been boiling in Tomura for years. In his prison bunk, he had spent endless nights, tossing and turning, trying to understand the tangle of emotions that knotted them together.
“I told you. I love you.”
“No Izu. Why do you love me? You should hate me. I fucking hate myself. I hate my quirk...I hate it so much...” Tomura’s body was shaking. He was crying.
Izu put her arms around him. “I know. It took everything from you.”
A misty rain had started, but Tomura’s tears kept falling. Izu just held him, and stroked his hair, waiting for the storm to pass.
“I’ll bring nothing but ugliness into your life.” He said at last.
“You won’t.”
Tomura’s voice was soft. “Izu, you’re too fucking pure, you don’t understand. Once people find out about us, they’ll reject you, and that’s the least of it. I'll hurt you... or kill you accidentally.”
“Tomura...”
“No. We can’t be together.” That table proves it. I’d rather fucking die than watch that happen to you.
Izu took a deep breath. She had never told anyone before. “I’m not pure. I’m not innocent. When I was eleven, I used my perfume in a department store. A man old enough to be my dad tried to rape me in front of his wife and kids.”
Tomura hissed, his hands tightening into fists.
“I remember it so clearly. I was in the perfume department. I had just gotten off an escalator. It smelled like so nice with all the perfumes blending together, and I wondered what my perfume would smell like mixed with the other scents. But I knew better. I did. I just didn’t care.” Izu exhaled. “His wife divorced him after.”
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah. I tried so hard to explain.” Izu turned away, her fingertip tracing a knot in the wooden bench next to her leg. “I tried Tomura. I tried so hard. It wasn’t his fault. He just inhaled too much cupid.”
“Oh Izu...I’m so sorry.” Tomura stroked her hair.
“The man threatened to kill me after. He snuck into my bedroom. He was waiting there one day after school He had a knife. I knocked him out and Aizawa helped me get him back to his apartment. We never told anyone. I had already messed up his life enough.”
“You should have fucking killed him.”
Izu shook her head, “I drug people. I rape their minds. That’s what you said to me. And it’s true. That’s what my quirk does. I ruined his life.”
“Oh...Izu...I didn’t know.” Tomura wiped a tear from Izu’s cheek.
“I loved you for saying that. For being honest about who I am.” Izu looked up. “You’re the first person to see me clearly.”
“I was just being mean.”
“Maybe. But sometimes the truth feels good.”
“I’m a rapist and you’re a murderer. We’re well matched.” Izu spoke lightly.
“You’re not a fucking rapist!” Tomura’s eyes glowed like embers in the moonlight.
“I am. It’s not the only time that’s happened, and it won’t be the last.”
“You can’t help what your quirk does!”
“Neither can you.” Izu said softly.
Tomura gasped. He felt like he was choking.
“You would give anything to have your family back.” Izu said.
“What is this...? What is this shit...?! You hardly know me!”
“I know that the first time you were given a chance, you took it. You got a law degree, Tomura.”
“That doesn’t mean shit. I was bored.”
Izu chuckled. “If you say so.”
"I’ll accept it, if you decide you don’t want this...but I can’t explain it to anyone else. I can’t expect anyone to ever understand. To feel what I feel.” Izu met Tomura’s eyes. “But you understand. I hate that part of myself. I wish I could cut it away. I wish I could stop hurting people.”
Tomura turned away.
Izu continued. “When you told me about your family...I could feel how buried you were under all that regret. I don’t know why, but I felt like I was part of you. Ever since that day that feeling hasn’t changed. I belong to you just as much as you belong to me.”
“Shit!” Tomura exhaled and closed his eyes. “Izu...I don’t think I’m strong enough. I will hurt you. I’m a violent person.”
Izu shook her head. “You’re not. People have very different reactions to my perfume. It’s like seeing someone drunk for the first time.” Izu exhaled. “That man in the department store, he was a violent person. He threw me up against a wall the second my perfume hit. He was a lot bigger than me. He ripped the buttons off my shirt...he pulled up my skirt, his hands were...rough.”
Tomura’s arm tightened around her.
“You were different...you were sweet. You held me. All you wanted was for me to stroke your hair. That taught me all I need to know about you.” Izu smiled. “And I’m selfish. I want you.” Izu took his hand. “I want you to be my home in this world.”
Tomura’s eyes flew open. Her home in the world?
“Fucking hell, Izu.” I was gentle...?
Tomura had never considered that people could react differently to Izu’s perfume. I knew something about me made her feel good, but I thought the love went one way. I thought she felt sorry for me.
Oh man...it feels good to be wrong.
Tomura gave Izu a tilted smile. “You’re asking a lot of me.”
Izu turned sharply. Was it too much for him? Does he feel the same way?
“A home in this horrible world.” Tomura took her hand. “Okay...Izu. I’ll be your home, but only if you promise to be mine.”
Tomura slept next to Izu’s side that night. They didn’t do more than hold each other, but it was the best night of Tomura’s life.
A sliver of the night sky was visible as Izu lay asleep next to him. Tomura lay stroking her hair. It’s real. She’s by my side. She needs me just as much as I need her. I have a future...if I can just make it work...ugh...can I do it? Can I be normal...?
Fucking hell...what did I get myself into...Tomura grinned.
Chapter
The next morning, Tomura brought Izu coffee in bed. “I want to go to the doctor. I want to see if I can get another quirk restrainer.”
Izu blinked. “Your arm is barely healed from the last one and it didn’t work.”
“I want to touch you...but I feel...” Tomura exhaled. “I can’t live with hurting you. A doctor might be able to help.”
Izu nodded. “Yeah...okay. It’s a good idea. Maybe something can help. Something that makes you feel safer.”
A few days later, Izu and Tomura were sitting in a quirk specialist’s office.
“Not much you can do but amputate the hand.”
“What...?!” Izu was horrified, but Tomura nodded.
“No! No amputations!” Izu said and glared at the doctor.
“We do have inhibitor shots, but with your type of quirk...” The doctor shrugged. “They’re practically useless.”
“What does that mean his type of quirk...?” Izu asked.
“He’s overpowered. It’s an S plus grade quirk.” The doctor met Tomura’s eyes. “In terms of raw strength, you’re probably more powerful than All Might.”
Tomura closed his eyes.
“We do however, have an injection that stops a quirk for about a half an hour. For you, ten minutes I’d guess.” The doctor wrote out a prescription. “It’s better than nothing. It will keep you safer when you are...intimate.”
Tomura blushed beet red, and Izu grinned.
Out in the street they were walking through a busy shopping district, towards the subway, when Izu said, “That wasn’t so bad! I liked him.”
Tomura grunted.
“The glovemaker he recommended isn’t too far...” Izu smiled, “...and I have the rest of the afternoon off. We could shop, and get your glove fitted. And maybe go out to dinner?”
Tomura exhaled. “You’re not disappointed...? A boyfriend who can’t touch you?”
“You can touch me. You just need to be careful.”
“Careful.”
“Careful.” Izu repeated. “I’ve been thinking...we ought to get one of those old-fashioned metal bedframes.”
Tomura stopped walking. “What...?”
“So I can handcuff your dangerous hand to the bedframe. Aunty has lots of spare handcuffs.”
Tomura blushed to the roots of his hair. “Urk!”
Izu burst out laughing, and leaned closer. “She even has purple ones, lined with fur. I promise you won’t hate it. If you can’t touch me, you can’t hurt me.”
“Oh dear god...I love you.”
Izu giggled. “Let’s get bubble tea. I think this train line will take us out to Ikea. They’re sure to have a bedframe that would work.”
Tomura was still blushing as they got on the train. I love my life. Handcuffs.