hersaladdeer

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 31: Terminal

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"You are so stubborn." The casual insult from his father caught Hitoshi off guard. Usually the man was posed, and chose his words carefully. "With your hero status, you could push our family into notoriety. What is it you're looking for?"

Hitoshi had tried to ignore the rhythmic noise from the woman sitting next to him. He knew Takara was nervous, although the why remained a mystery.

Still, he had found the limit of his patience. Hitoshi reached over to place a steadying hand on Takara's jean-cladened knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Why are you nervous?" He asked, looking up at the display of flights scheduled to arrive. The waiting area was filled with people meandering about, occasionally glancing up at the display. The word "DELAYED" remained beside the plane that Takara's parents were arriving to Japan on.

"I dunno." Takara admitted with a sigh, lifting her gaze to the board. "You've met my mom at least through the phone. My dad is more..." Her voice trailed off as she tried to find the words to describe her father. "Eccentric? Emotional?"

Hitoshi stayed silent, which prompted Takara to continue. "He knows about us by now, I'm sure my mom has told him everything. But I don't know how you two will get along. You're too... Opposite."

"It'll be fine." Hitoshi assured her, his signature smirk plastered across his face as he turned his attention toward the woman seated next to him. "If he's anything like you, I'm sure I'll win him over." Takara smiled at the comment, although there was still an air of uncertainty about her. Hitoshi didn't get the chance to further assure her, his attention pulled away by his phone vibrating in his pocket. He reached to retrieve it, startled to find that it was not the hero agency calling him.

"I'll be right back." Hitoshi stood, ignoring the questioning gaze in Takara's eyes as they followed him. He strode quickly towards the exit, hoping the cool air would help subdue the stress he felt rising inside him.

"Hello?" Hitoshi lifted the phone to his ear as he pushed the door open, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"Son." Hitoshi felt his jaw tighten at the tone in his father's voice. Somehow, the man had a way of making him feel small and insignificant with one word. "You will be joining me for dinner tonight."

Hitoshi suppressed the sharp words that threatened to fly from his mouth. "Unfortunately, that's not possible. I have other commitments."

He heard his father tsk through the phone, a dismissive tone to the familiar sound. "I can put this off for one evening. Tomorrow, then. Mr. Yagi will be joining us for dinner. As will his daughter." Hitoshi's brow furrowed at the detail.

"I will have to catch up with them another time-"

"This isn't up for debate." Hitoshi's fist tightened at his side as he bit back a sigh, wrangling his annoyance and forcing calm into his voice.

"I will not be in attendance." Hitoshi didn't squirm under the pregnant pause that followed his words, opting to wait for his father to respond.

"I will tell them your work schedule could not accommodate their visit." Hitoshi ignored the forced calmness in his father's voice. "But his daughter is now of age to be married. Her quirk-"

"I'm not interested." Hitoshi had grown annoyed at his fathers attempts to set him up with his affluent friend's children. His father had tried various phrasings - sometimes highlighting the girls figure, other times the family name that they possessed.

The quirk approach was new, and Hitoshi felt disgust at the implication that he would take a wife to improve his theoretical children's quirk. He opted not to escalate the issue in the moment.

"You are so stubborn." The casual insult from his father caught Hitoshi off guard. Usually the man was posed, and chose his words carefully. "With your hero status, you could push our family into notoriety. What is it you're looking for?"

Hitoshi couldn't find any words. Although he'd known his father's intentions, hearing the man clearly state then was shocking. It had been something his father had alluded to everytime he called to invite Hitoshi for dinner. It had let Hitoshi pretend that maybe his father wasn't just trying to exploit his hard work and hero name, that maybe - maybe - he was doing this out of some sort of twisted love for his son.

"Nothing." Hitoshi said with a small laugh. "Give Mr. Yagi and his family my regards. I have to go." Hitoshi didn't give his father the chance to protest, ending the call as he made his way back inside to where Takara was sitting. He knew giving his father time to rebuke the excuse was a mistake that would only lead to a dragged out verbal battle, which he did not have the energy.

"Everything okay?" Takara asked as Hitoshi lowered himself into the seat beside her, pulling her attention from the mindless scrolling she had been doing. "Is it work?"

"No." Hitoshi had quietly rearranged the schedule so that he wouldn't be disturbed. "It's fine."

Takara wasn't sure if she should pry further, not accustomed to the short explanation Hitoshi had offered her. "Denki?" She questioned.

"My father." Hitoshi offered after a beat. "He wanted to go to dinner with me."

"Oh." Takara's response felt flat as it left her lips. Hitoshi hadn't spoken much about his parents. "Well, you can just do dinner with my parents tomorrow, if you wanted to go. We have two weeks -" Takara cut herself off at the soft shake of Hitoshi's head. He gazed up at the sign suspended above them - her parents plane had been updated to "ARRIVED", but it would likely take some time for them to clear customs and retrieve their luggage.

"We're not close." Hitoshi knew the explanation was lacking but didn't offer any details. "I'm where I want to be."

"He could come to dinner with us, if you wanted." Takara offered with a shrug. "Grandma always likes having guests. And we have space at the table for a few more." Hitoshi raised his eyebrow as he thought back to the small table in Kiyoko's shop. He wasn't sure how Takara thought there would be extra space.

"No." Hitoshi felt Takara deflate at the curt tone he rebuked her with. Guilt crept in at the defeated sag in her posture. "He wanted to set me up with his friends daughter." Hitoshi added, hoping that it would prompt Takara to withdraw her offer.

"Well, don't bring them." She said with an easy laugh. "I don't think grandma would like that. But if your father wants to join..." Takara let her offer trail off, not wanting to make Hitoshi uncomfortable. She handed her purse to him as she stood, stretching from the poorly designed chair she had been sitting in for the past hour. "I'll be right back." Takara explained as she left to seek out a bathroom, leaving Hitoshi with his thoughts.

After a moment of consideration, Hitoshi lifted his phone and drafted a text to his father which included Kiyoko's store address.

I'll be there tonight, having dinner with my girlfriend and her family. If you want to join you're welcome to. Bringing Mr. Yagi and his daughter would be disrespectful in light of our earlier discussion.

Hitoshi hated how he had to craft the message, to be respectful and firm with the man. Since his mother's death, his father had pulled away from him, only contacting Hitoshi to try and move himself up the social ranks.

It had infuriated the young hero.

Hitoshi was pulled from his musings as he spotted a familiar figure with birdlike features that entered the waiting area from the walkway, being dragged along by an older man. His red hair had streaks of grey around his temples, his eyes scanning the room frantically.

"Honey, we really should wait for our luggage-" The woman was protesting, her strides long in an attempt to keep up with her husband's movements.

"I don't need clothes, I need to hold my baby girl in my arms!"

"Yes dear, but I still think -" Hitoshi furrowed his brow as he watched the interaction unfold. The woman was undeniably Takara's mother. "We should wait-"

"TAKARA!" The booming, frantic voice pulled Hitoshi to his feet. He quickly made his way over to them. "Uh, hi, she just stepped away for a moment-" Rubbing the back of his neck, Hitoshi offered a bow to the man. "I'm Hitoshi-"

"Cheese grater!" Hitoshi found himself enveloped in an embrace. The feathers that caressed his cheeks were incredibly soft, almost silken in texture against his skin. Unsure of what to do, it took a moment for Hitoshi to embrace the woman back. "See dear, she'll be here in a moment. We should pick up our baggage-"

"I absolutely refuse until I see my babies freckled face!" The man declared, not bothering to look at Hitoshi. The hero wasn't sure if the other man had registered his presence.

With a sigh, the woman began turning away, deciding to retrieve the luggage alone. "Cheese grater, don't let him wander into traffic." She requested over her shoulder.

"Why would he-" Hitoshi no sooner had looked back to where the man had been standing, only to discover that he had vanished. Blinking in surprise, Hitoshi looked around to discover he had lost sight of the man completely.

Shit he muttered to himself with a sigh. Despite the oddity of the situation, a smile graced his lips as he set out to find his girlfriend's father.

Thanks for reading, and an apology for the lack of updates! I can't promise it won't happen again. Life got in the way, but hopefully I'll have more mental energy to put into this.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 32.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 30: Edge🍆

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

As Takara watched Hitoshi's abs flex, his hips pushing up to try and chase the delicious warmth that it craved, she leaned away and stopped all her ministrations. The shuttering groan that left Hitoshi was delicious. She watched the man squeeze his eyes shut in disappointment as he worked to regain his self control. "I did say I wanted to tease you." Takara reminded him, her voice filled with a teasing edge.

Hitoshi had begun practicing yoga shortly after he started training with Aizawa. He wouldn't consider himself particularly passionate about it - he viewed it as a tool to keep his body limber, not as a means to enlightenment. But he was grateful for one lesson he'd taken from the time he spent stretching and twisting his body-

Stay with your breath.

Hitoshi tried to quiet his mind of the racing and lewd thoughts as Takara straddled him, lean thighs landing on either side of his torso. He exhaled slowly, letting the temptation of running his hands up the pale skin drift away into the back of his mind.

"Why do you look like you're in pain?" The gentle melody of Takara's voice had Hitoshi snapping his eyes open. The amber flecks of her eyes danced with curiosity, her hands hesitant to continue their exploration.

"I'm not." Hitoshi assured her, his signature smirk appearing instantly. "Just trying not to think too much." While Takara's head tilted in confusion, she seemed to accept the answer, humming in acknowledgement before her fingertips grazed the crook of his neck. "What are you looking for?" Hitoshi questioned, his eyes closing as he relaxed into her touch.

"Anything." Takara shrugged as she took in the man beneath her - the dark circles under his eyes were prominent. The pair had been spending the nights together and it seemed that the lack of sleep was more apparent on the mans face. She suspected it was due to years of abusing his sleep schedule, as opposed to her handful of days. She made a mental note of the small twitch one spot next to his clavicle elicited before seeing if repeating the motion on his other side would yield the same.

"So vague." Hitoshi said, smirk still plastered across his face. Takara leaned down once she observed that the other side was not as sensitive. She ran her tongue across the area, intrigued to see the response it would pull from the man. Takara watched as his amethyst eyes opened slowly, the even breaths he had been taking suddenly hitching.

"I didn't know what I was looking for. But I wanted to see what that spot would do." Hitoshi let out a low moan as Takara began gently suck the sensitive spot she had discovered. He found himself hoping the smell of strawberries would linger around his apartment, his hand forgetting to stay at his side and beginning to roam up the woman's legs. "But what else is there?" Hitoshi let out a sigh as Takara sat up, her hand continuing to roam his body. He felt her fingertips begin to flutter across his sternum, goosebumps rising in their wake.

"I think you just want to feel me up." Hitoshi teased, a chuckle escaping his lips as he felt Takara pause briefly. "Are you complaining?" Takara's tone was equally teasing, deciding to trail her fingertips lower. Before he could respond she captured his lips in her own, the kiss immediately deepening as she leaned her weight against him.

Takara felt the man relax beneath her, arms wrapping around her back as he pulled her closer, anchoring her against him. He jumped slightly as she lightly grazed her nails down his ribs, the sensitive area at his sides feeling like a pleasant shock to his system. "Interesting." Takara mused as she broke the kiss. This time, Hitoshi didn't miss the smirk across her delicate features as she retreated, leaving his torso once again exposed.

Takara had neglected Hitoshi's dripping cock - he had stripped naked to let Takara do what she wished with his body. She had pointedly ignored when it brushed against her backside or twitched as she had begun teasing him. She shifted so his cock sprung forward between them, allowing Hitoshi to briefly graze the accumulating heat from between her legs. He groaned at the feeling, the warmth extending an invitation that was quickly snatched away.

The disappointment was short lived as Takara wrapped her hand around his length, giving it a long, firm pump. Hitoshi groaned, savoring the image presented before him. Takara, face flushed, a sly smile on her face and a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she observed him. His cock enrobed by her palm, so close to her enticing center.

Hitoshi felt himself begin to buck into her hand, earning a chuckle from Takara. "Needy." She chastised, reaching forward to slowly scratch down the mans ribs. Hitoshi moaned, the throaty noise rumbling beneath Takara. She felt powerful as she continued the languid strokes - she remembered the motion from when Hitoshi had performed them himself. The image of Hitoshi moaning beneath her as his fingertips began to dig into her thighs spurred her on.

"You minx." Hitoshi had meant the comment to be whispered, instead he mewled the words as Takara rubbed her own slick down his cock, leaning back to grind her core against him. "At least let me cum on you-"

As Takara watched Hitoshi's abs flex, his hips pushing up to try and chase the delicious warmth that it craved, she leaned away and stopped all her ministrations. The shuttering groan that left Hitoshi was delicious. She watched the man squeeze his eyes shut in disappointment as he worked to regain his self control. "I did say I wanted to tease you." Takara reminded him, her voice filled with a teasing edge.

Stay with your breath.

Hitoshi forced himself to relax - to ignore the tightening of his balls, the ache that the denied release brought forth as Takara giggled. A moment passed between them before Takara began to tease him again. This time, her movements were precise, sharpened from the exploration she had conducted. Hitoshi found himself bucking against her eager palm, his cock wet with a mix of her slick and his own precum.

Takara stopped her strokes along his cock, much to Hitoshi's dismay. "Your thighs flex when you get close." Takara's observation caused Hitoshi to open his eyes, letting out a long exhale. "So I've been stopping when I feel you flex. It's fun-"

Hitoshi rolled Takara onto her back in one swift movement, sliding his knee between her legs to spread her wide. "Is that the game were playing today?" The growl caught Takara off guard.

She hadn't expected Hitoshi to fully sheathe himself inside her - the stretch was sharp, the jolt of briefly lived pain priming her nerves for the imminent pleasure. He chuckled lightly at the hiss through Takara's teeth before capturing her lips, his greedy tongue coaxing her to relax. "Still not used to my cock, huh?" The man teased, nipping lightly at her lower lip. Takara moaned, pulling the man down into another kiss.

He knew he wouldn't last long - not with the teasing Takara had done. But he was determined to return the favor. Snaking a hand between them Hitoshi moved his hips in long, slow thrusts, losing himself in the warmth as his hand worked slow circles around her clit.

Takara gripped the sheets, her breath coming in shallow pants as her body began to stiffen. As Hitoshi felt her back arch he stopped his movements, pulling his hand away from her engorged lips. He watched as her hole gaped and shrunk, desperately seeking his cock. His cock ached to fill it but he held steady, knowing how close Takara had been to her climax. The frustrated growl from the woman beneath him pulled a chuckle from the man.

"I'm just returning the favor." Hitoshi teased, pumping his cock with his fist. The view of her hole desperate for him made his balls tighten dangerously.

"That's unfair-"

"Is it now?" Hitoshi cut off Takara's complaint as he filled her with his cock once more, her hips moving forward desperately in an attempt to chase her own release. "You started this, remember?" Takara's hands slid up his torso, desperately clawing at him. She found the sensitive spot on his side and raked her nails down it, earning a feral groan from the man.

Hitoshi found himself moving slower than he wanted to, savoring the frustration Takara voiced, begging him for more. Knowing his own end was imminent he pushed Takara's legs back towards her chest, exposing her cunt to him. The circles her traced across her sensitive clit became more furious, pushing her closer into bliss with practiced ease. When he felt her back arch against the bed, he stopped his movements.

"Goddess, please -" Takara found her voice filled with a pleading edge as she looked at the man, the waves of pleasure that had built up receding quickly.

"I like it when you beg for me." Hitoshi groaned, pulling out to stroke his own cock as he watched her pleas. The ones falling from her mouth were almost as delicious as the ones her body sang - the gaping of her hole, the blush crawling up her chest and onto her cheeks - all sent a twitch to his cock. "Keep it up and maybe I'll let you cum."

"Please, 'Toshi." The ache between her legs had become all encompassing, her entire focus shifting to chase the release Hitoshi promised her. Hitoshi allowed her a few strokes, observing the way her fingers moved across her sensitive nub. "I want you to make me cum." The plea broke his resolve and Hitoshi sheathed himself inside her, watching as Takara continued to touch herself. The moans that filled his room were like music.

He felt her back arch again, the flush on her chest darkening. "Beg for me, Takara." The instruction was firm, the warning clear - he would stop again if she didn't oblige his request.

"Please, please, I want to cum all over your cock." Takara's voice rose as she clawed at his arms her self control shredded by the man looming over her. "Goddess, you feel so fucking good, please don't stop." Her words devolved into mindless babbling as Hitoshi felt her squeeze around his cock, the gummy, spasming walls pushing him into his own orgasm. Be bucked helplessly against her as he came undone, the orgasm powerful enough that he had to take a moment to catch his breath. A giggle from Takara brought him back to the present. She settled into his side with a contented sigh. Hitoshi watched as her breath evened out, her eyes slowly closing as she began to drift off.

He really hoped the smell of strawberries would linger on his sheet as he found himself relax into the arms of sleep.

Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 31.

[hersaladdeer]

Not dead, just

-starting a new job

-dealing with a depressive episode

-prioritizing time with an aging pet

But ya peep is still kicking

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 29: Almost

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic. Some spicy moments, but I don't think it is worth the eggplant.

"Does that mean you want me to stay over?" Hitoshi smirked at the question, meeting Takara's curious gaze.

"No. Just him."

Hitoshi realized he hadn't slept in his own bed in a handful of days, and had slept alone only one.

The night he had invited Takara to sleep at his apartment instead of staying at hers, she had adamantly refused his offer. Kiyoko had already gone to bed and Takara had been worried that Ash would be "sad" if left alone.

This information had hatched a plan, which is how Hitoshi found himself staring at the various kitty litter options available at the pet shop. He hadn't managed to get a good look at the brand Takara used, and knowing Ash, he likely had a favorite.

"Is your cat picky?" The shopkeeper's voice interrupted his thoughts, the friendly old man's face cracking into a smile as he looked at Hitoshi. "We carry everything you can think of. Unscented, premium -the milling is more uniform, you see, and some cats find it easier on their paws." The man explained at the puzzled look on Hitoshi's face, the idea of premium cat litter not registering in his brain. "We have pellets, and litter that will change color depending on if your cat is hydrated enough." The old man pointed out each box as he spoke, clearly knowledgeable in the different brands.

"Do most cats have a preference?" Hitoshi questioned as he tilted his head at the premium cat litter - the box featured a small, white kitten on the front. He had mostly been around street cats, never needing to cater to their bathroom habits.

"In my experience, each cat is as unique as each person. Some will be particular about their litter, some will be particular about their food, some will be particular about everything." The man trailed off with a laugh. "If you're not sure, try this one." The man gestured to a white box on the shelf. "It's soft and unscented, easy on their feet."

Hitoshi thanked the man after purchasing the box, along with a few other accessories that he assumed would appease the kitten. As he loaded his purchases onto his bike he felt his phone buzz from his pocket.

I think Ash misses you.

It was a picture of Ash, orange eyes looking up into the camera lens as he held the scrap of Hitoshi's capture weapon in his mouth.

Hitoshi sent back a quick picture of his bike, loaded with various cat accessories.

I'll need help assembling the tree for him.

Ash circled the pair, supervising them as Hitoshi and Takara sat on the floor, reading the assembly instructions for the tree. Takara had made the journey over with a cat-pack, the sight of Ash tucked inside, staring at the world making Hitoshi laugh. The kitten had wasted no time examining every corner of Hitoshi's apartment before the siren song of opening boxes summoned him back to the pair.

"This one is taller than the one I have at home! He's never going to want to leave." Takara commented as she examined one of the corded pieces, Ash's tail swishing back and forth restlessly as he watched her rotate it in her hand. "Oh and it has an extra cave! We can put it at window height..." Hitoshi paused, the happiness he felt dimming under the realization that he may need to find a new owner for these things in six months.

But then Takara smiled up at him, and he knew the effort had been worth it.

"He just thinks everything is meant for him." Hitoshi reached over to pet the void, who swatted the hand away as though annoyed with the slow assembly from the pair.

"Don't be mean! He did all of this for you." Takara said, her words chastising as she affectionately pet the cat. Unlike Hitoshi, Takara's hand didn't receive a swat - Hitoshi struggled to not take it personally.

"You didn't have to do this." Takara said after a moment of silence. Her hand twisted nervously around the base of the tree as she held it, unable to meet his gaze.

"You didn't want to leave him. So now he can come over with you. He doesn't seem to mind being here." Hitoshi answered with a shrug. Ash and Hitoshi had curated an odd bond. The cat was smarter than many that he'd met, and was as stubborn and endearing as his owner. The sound of little paws across the apartment had him grinning. It made the space feel more lived in.

"Does that mean you want me to stay over?" Hitoshi smirked at the question, meeting Takara's curious gaze.

"No. Just him."

Takara laughed, looking towards the kitten with a grin. "Hear that? Hitoshi wants you to spend the night here." Ash continued glaring, his tail movements becoming more annoyed with each passing minute. He nimbly hopped up onto the seat of Hitoshi's mounted bike as though the additional height would make him more intimidating.

"But really. I appreciate it, and even if he's being impatient -" Takara glared up at the cat, before returning her attention to the man across from her. "I know he does too."

"I always wanted a cat." He confessed, reaching for the drill that sat between them and the piece clutched in Takara's grip. "Ash has a lot of personality. I wouldn't trust him to be left alone either-hey!" Hitoshi's words were cut off as the kitten reached down, both paws stretching towards the hero's purple locks. Hitoshi tsked, continuing to work on the cat tree. Takara began assembling the upper area, the pair working in a comfortable silence under Ash's watchful eyes.

The moment the tree was assembled Ash launched himself at it, climbing his way to the highest point as he peered outside the window. "I think he likes it!" Takara said as she stroked the cat affectionately, a smile on her face. Hitoshi felt his heart lift at the sight of the two of them in his apartment, the embers of hope daring to flare. "You're hard to understand, 'Toshi." Takara said after a moment, turning towards him.

"I'm not." Hitoshi said with a chuckle, pulling Takara into an embrace. He breathed in her familiar scent, hoping it would linger in his apartment. "You wouldn't leave him, now you don't have to." Takara shook her head, wrapping her arms around the mans waist. "It's almost as though I like having you around."

"Almost?" Takara repeated, gazing up at him.

"Almost." Hitoshi repeated before pressing a kiss to her lips. As Takara wrapped her arms around his neck, Hitoshi felt the need behind her deepening the kiss. He matched her passion, teeth gnashing together as the pair fought for control. The cat tree box lay in the floor forgotten as Hitoshi began directing Takara to his bedroom, pushing her through the doorway.

The kiss only broke when Takara reached to take her shirt off and resumed quickly, Hitoshi groaning into her mouth as he palmed her breast through her bra. He felt his cock spring to life at the feeling of her hardened nipples beneath his palm, cursing his choice to wear jeans. He pushed Takara back onto the bed, earning a giggle from her before he made quick work of his pants and underwear.

"Your bed is as hard as you are." Takara commented, readjusting herself on the mattress, giggling as Hitoshi pushed her back further before yanking her own pants off with a flourish and tossing them aside. "You're exaggerating. I'm much harder." Hitoshi smirked before crawling on top of her, catching her lips once again. Takara groaned as she spread her legs, relishing the feeling of Hitoshi's cock sliding against her already wet entrance.

"So wet." Hitoshi murmured, briefly breaking their kiss to hook an arm under Takara's leg, pushing it towards her chest.

"W-what's on the table today?" Hitoshi slowed his movements as the question broke from Takara's lips. He looked down at her, her eyes filled with lust and a dreamy smile on her lips as she gazed up at him.

"I don't want to play today, I just want to feel you wrapped around me." Hitoshi confessed as he dragged his cock along her slit, the warmth from her core begging to be explored. The groan it pulled from her made him repeat the motion. "Is that okay?" He questioned after a moment of silence.

Takara bit her lip in consideration. He watched the embers of mischief blossom into a fire in her eyes. "I'm fine with that. But-" Takara lifted her hips, using the momentum to flip Hitoshi onto his back. As he met the mattress he did have to concede thag Takara was right - compared to her bed, his was quite firm. "Maybe I just want to tease you for a bit, then. Is that okay?" Hitoshi suppressed the urge to say no that seemed to come from his cock, begging to be inside the woman, and nodded instead.

"Whatever you want." Hitoshi confirmed, smiling at the woman who sat perched on his lap. "I'm yours." The words sprung from his mouth, the horny part of his brain overriding the normal filter he had in place. If Takara was reading into the statement, nothing on her face gave it away as she leaned down to kiss him deeply.

Is this where I'm ending the chapter? Yes. Will the next chapter be pure smut? Also yes. You've been warned.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 30.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 28: Bleed

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"Speaking of parents, mine are flying in next week." Takara made a point of avoiding eye contact as she said it, grabbing two boxes and making her way towards the checkout. "I know you agreed to meet them, but I know it's really soon..."

For the time Hitoshi had known her, Takara had been a bit of a night owl. It was one of the things Hitoshi had grown accustomed to - no matter how late he ended up at her apartment, she was always awake.

He was struck with worry when he entered into the dimly lit living room and finding it unoccupied. She had left a candle on the table next to a deck of tarot cards, the candlelight illuminating the glossed edges. Hitoshi chucked to himself as he reached forward, drawing a card from the stack.

At first he thought he had drawn the card upside down. However the writing was oriented correctly. The Hanged Man was scrawled across the bottom. Hitoshi made a mental note to google it later, returning the card to the stack and reaching to extinguish the candle. He was relieved to find the candle was LED and that Takara hadn't left a candle burning while she was asleep.

Ash didn't make a noise before he pounced, catching the man off guard. Hitoshi cursed as he tried to quietly wrestle the fabric around his neck from the felines claws. The movement only encouraged Ash to dig his claws in deeper, desperate to seize the opportunity that had presented itself. Hitoshi lifted the remaining length over his head and unceremoniously dropping the bundle onto the floor. Ash buried himself into it in victory, tail moving rapidly from side to side. "You win this time." Hitoshi conceded as Ash rolled around in the grey scarf, showing off his stomach to the hero. Hitoshi considered petting it but didn't trust the kitten to not bear trap his hand.

Hitoshi meandered his way towards Takara's bedroom. The quiet of the apartment unlike what he normally found when he visited. He navigated in the dark, opting not to turn on the lights in case she was asleep. Sure enough he spotted Takara passed out on her bed, blankets pulled up to her chin, a book forgotten on the bed next to her as she slept soundly.

Takara stirred under his gaze, eyes slowly opening as she gazed around the darkened room. She screamed as she spotted the shadowed figure in the doorway. Instinct took over as she grabbed the book next to her and flung it at him, the novel colliding with his chest, catching him off guard.

"It's me!" Hitoshi's frantic voice stopped Takara as she reached for the next closest thing - her pillow - as she turned to the dark silhouette she now knew was Hitoshi. "Oh!" Takara dropped the pillow with the exclamation, her free hand rubbing her eye.

"I didn't think you'd be asleep." Hitoshi explained as he closed the distance between them. Takara felt the weight on the bed shift as he sat down, her eyes still not adjusting to the limited light of the room. Hitoshi began to strip out of his hero attire, placing the folded clothes on the floor. His eyes had already adjusted to the lack of light and he found himself smirking at the t-shirt Takara adorned. "Someone's a thief."

"I didn't steal it. You forgot it." Takara's voice was filled with exhaustion as she fluffed her pillow with a faux angry flourish at the accusation, laying back down with a huff.

"It looks better on you anyway." Hitoshi conceded as he sat on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed. "You feeling okay?" He spotted the bottle of Advil he had left the previous night on her end table, his brow furrowing.

"Just tired." Takara's voice was as heavy with exhaustion. "It was weird getting back into everything at work. Being hungover didn't help."

Hitoshi chucked as he remembered the previous night, smirking as he lifted the duvet. He paused when he spotted a strange dark spot that he didn't remember being there before.

"Hey.... Takara?" Hitoshi's voice was gentle as the situation set in, Takara oblivious to his discovery. "Do you have any spare sheets?"

There was a pause as Takara rolled over in bed to look at him, her eyes still heavy with fatigue. "I think I do under the bed. Why-" Takara looked mortified as she looked between them, spotting the stain on her bedding.

"Go get cleaned up, I'll swap the bedding." Hitoshi's voice was gentle as he laid a hand on her hip, pulling her out of her shock.

"Goddess. I don't have anything to-." Takara sighed as she stood, her face flushed with embarrassment as she looked between the man and the stain. Hitoshi had already began pulling the pillows off her bed before Takara's hand shot out to stop on him. "I'll change them. I really don't think you need to help. You can sleep on the couch if you want-"

"It's no big deal." Hitoshi said with a laugh. Blood didn't bother him - he'd been desensitized through his hero work, and his time in the dorms had shown him how common it was. More than once he'd awoken to the shuffle of tired feet down to the shared laundry, late in the night. It had always been one of the girls shoving their bedding into the wash angrily.

"No I don't have...pads." Takara whispered the word as though she was telling him a secret, pulling an empathetic smile from the man.

"I can go get some." Hitoshi whispered back as he pulled the sheet off her bed, tossing it into a corner to deal with later. "Do you use the winged ones, the overnight ones?" He'd bought them for the girls in the dorms many times, and had learned the different offerings the stores carried.

Takara shook her head, dismissing the idea. "I'll come with you. It's a short walk." Hitoshi's shrug was non committal as he reached under the bed, pulling out what he suspected was a sheet.

"This.... Is Pokémon?" Hitoshi looked at the faded coloring on Pikachu, the bright yellow creature now more of a pastel shade. "Yeah! The were my bedsheets growing up." Takara's voice was excited as she looked at the well worn fabric with nostalgia ladened eyes.

"Go get cleaned up." Hitoshi reminded her as he set about reassembling the bed. "That way you won't bleed all over Magicarp."

"I didn't think you'd be so comfortable with.... Well..." Takara's voice trailed off as they made their way inside the convenience store, gesturing towards her pelvic region.

"Plenty of the girls in the dorm would sneak down to wash their bedding. My room was right by the laundry, so I ended up helping out with running errands a few times." Hitoshi said explained, holding the door open for Takara.

"Aww! That's sweet of you." Takara cooed, pulling a blush to the man's cheeks. "I've heard horror stories from my friends about guys who would freak out at even the mention of it." Hitoshi shrugged as he spotted the correct aisle.

"It beats the alternative." Hitoshi said as they passed by the various pregnancy tests that the store stocked. He gestured towards the pads and tampons, waiting for Takara to make her decision.

"Speaking of parents, mine are flying in next week." Takara made a point of avoiding eye contact as she said it, grabbing two boxes and making her way towards the checkout. "I know you agreed to meet them, but I know it's really soon..." Takara's voice trailed off as she placed the items in the counter, the man behind the register unbothered by the items as he scanned them. Hitoshi tilted his head in response.

"We have six months. I'm fine with meeting them whenever you want me to." Hitoshi knew how important it was to Takara, and given their arrangement waiting wasn't an option for him.

"It just seems fast." Takara grabbed the bag off the counter, turning towards the exit. "We just started dating." Hitoshi trailed behind her, a yawn bursting forth from him.

"Your mom seems nice. Do you want to have them over for dinner at yours? I can cook." Takara laughed at the suggestion, the image of Hitoshi in a kitchen apron springing to her mind. "I don't have any cooking equipment!" Takara reminded him, the cold air hitting her face as they exited onto the dimly lit street. The late hour didn't deter people from meandering about under the streetlights. "You're not worried?" Takara pried, taking Hitoshi's hand into her own.

"Should I be?" Hitoshi turned the question around on her with a smirk.

"I don't think so. I like you, so they probably will too."

"Oh, you like me now?" Hitoshi teased, nudging the red head lightly with his elbow. Takara giggled at his antics. "I do." She confessed, here voice quieter as she looked away from his eyes. They were too filled with hope.

Pulling myself out of this funk by brute force. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 29.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 27: Pieces 🍆

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

She's my girlfriend. You all gossip like teenagers.

Takara woke up to her blaring alarm, the noise as sudden as it was unwelcome. She became immediately and unfortunately aware of the headache that pounded behind her eyes and into her head.

She looked over, half expecting Hitoshi to still be in the bed next to her. In his place was a bottle of water and a bottle of Advil. Snoozing her alarm, Takara chastised herself for going out drinking the evening before she was returning to work. Nothing helped a headache really take hold than staring at multiple screens all day.

Rolling out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom. Passing by the kitchen she noticed faint footprints on the floor. Apparently Hitoshi had neglected to take off his boots before stepping inside.

A memory unearthed itself from her alcohol muddied brain.

"What do you mean you don't know how to dance?" Takara had laughed at the man when they entered her apartment, the woman making no attempt at keeping her voice down despite the early hour.

"It's never appealed to me." Hitoshi confessed with a casual shrug, closing her apartment door behind the pair. He had been tempted to let her use the stairs on her own and climb onto her balcony, but the concern for her tripping up the stairs had made him second guess it.

The alcohol had brought a flush to Takara's face, and Hitoshi couldn't help but enjoy the spattering of freckles that made their appearance. "But not even the basics? Like the waltz?"

"No idea-" Takara grabbed his hand and pulled him forward out of the entranceway.

"It's easy! Here!" Takara pull him into her, lifting their joined arms and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Put your other hand on my waist." Hitoshi's mouth opened to protest but stopped when he looked down at her. Between the smile on her face, the blush on her cheeks, and the joy in her eyes, he felt the refusal die on his tongue. He lifted his other hand to her waist obediently, a smile of his own growing on his face.

"I'll lead. First, back-" Takara used the grip on his shoulder to gently guide the man backwards. To her dismay, Hitoshi moved back quickly, both his legs meeting before she had stepped forward fully. "Nope, not quite." She laughed before pulling him forward, resetting their stance.

Takara shook herself from her daze, making a mental note to borrow her grandmothers mop when she visited the crone on her lunch. Making her way into the bathroom she turned on the tap, splashing some cold water on her face and working a brush through her hair. As she turned to grab a face towel another memory pushed out of her vodka infused brain.

"You can start leaving it unbandaged." Hitoshi advised as he looked over her arm. Takara continued staring at the wall ahead of her, not meeting the mans eyes. "Hey." His tone took on a gentler cadence as he used a hand to guide her gaze to him. "You're going to have to look at it eventually." Hitoshi informed her, his tone carefully neutral. He wasn't sure how she would react. Takara grimaced as she slowly lowered her gaze to her arm.

It...wasn't as bad as she had expected. It would leave a scar, but the outline of a hand was less obvious than she had feared. "I'll get a tattoo and cover it up." Takara mumbled to herself, not daring to rub the fresh flesh.

"I hear it hurts more over scar tissue." Hitoshi offered as he placed the bandages back into her cupboard. "What would you get?"

"Maybe an otter in a rain jacket."

Takara snorted, making a note to write the idea down. It would be much cuter than the pink, blotchy area that was displayed on her arm. She made herself some tea, feeding a screaming Ash before turning towards the small desk she'd set up off of the living area. She froze, mug of steaming liquid in her hands as another memory pushed to the front of her mind.

"I don't think your neighbors appreciate how loud you're being." Takara straddled the man on her office chair, praying that her assembly was secure enough to hold their combined weight. She ground slowly against him, pulling a low groan from the mans throat. "They can wear earplugs." Takara whispered, her voice hitching as Hitoshi pinched one of her nipples, playing with the firm bud. His calloused fingers only added to the sensation, her hips sliding forward once more as she found perch on his shoulders.

"Or, you can be good and stay quiet." The man smirked before tracing his hand lower, its path stopping between them. He began tracing slow circles where they were joined. He reveled in the wetness his hand found, evidence of the orgasm he had pulled from her with his tongue earlier in the night. "Think you can be good?" Hitoshi questioned, his voice coming out as a growl as she continued to move against him. He could watch her cunt swallow his cock with her movements. The sight drove him wild, making it difficult to keep his hips still.

"I-I don't-" He felt her squeeze his cock, her thighs beginning to tremble as another orgasm approached. Instead of trying to silence her he pulled Takara closer, capturing a whine that threatened to escape her with his mouth. He kissed her furiously, a hand tangling gently in her hair to keep Takara glued to him as she spasmed around his cock. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders and he knew there would be half-moon marks carved into them when he woke up. Her hips slowed, her breath coming in as greedy pants as they separated.

"C'mere, good girl. I'm not done making you cum for me." Hitoshi lifted himself, Takara wrapping her legs around him to steady herself. She giggled at the display of strength as he carried her to the bedroom.

"Goddess spare me." Takara popped two of the painkillers into her mouth before opening her laptop, a slight flush on her face as she did so.

Hitoshi was a patient man.

He had reminded himself of that a few times throughout the morning. He had been anticipating a text from Takara - maybe a thank-you for leaving Advil (in a lidded container, after he'd noticed Ash stalking him) and water. Maybe for piggy backing her halfway to her apartment when she'd drunkenly requested it, squealing with glee when he'd agreed. Maybe for the genuine attempt he made at learning the waltz.

Instead, no notification had come through. It was nearing 3 o'clock and he was starting to wonder if she'd ever get into the habit of contacting him.

"Earth to Hitoshi." Denki's voice pulled Hitoshi out of his annoyed musings. "What were you saying?" He questioned the blonde as he uncrossed his arms, running a quick hand through his hair as though to pull the thoughts from his head.

"I was saying how we should do some patrols, maybe pop down to see Tao. Apparently she's been helping coordinate things at her church with the head leaving." Denki said, his tone enthused. With the closure of the Nagati clan case, the pair were left to return to their more regular duties.

"Why would we do that?" Hitoshi questioned, his eyes narrowing. "The case is done. It's not like she's working for the commission-"

"Well, she might be. Who knows." Denki shrugged. "She was working exclusively with Eraser for so long. Maybe we wouldn't know if she still was."

Hitoshi felt his phone buzz, distracting him from the thought of Tao.

Did you actually carry me home, or was that a weird dream?

Hitoshi smiled before beginning to type a reply. "Is that witch girl?" Denki asked eagerly. "Can you ask her if Venus is in retrograde?" He requested, trying to get a better look at the screen to ensure the message made it through. Hitoshi tsked before raising an eyebrow at his friend.

"Since when are you into astrology?" He questioned as he typed the response into his phone, hitting send.

"I'm not. But this girl I'm seeing said it would be soon. I can't remember if it's today." Hitoshi decided it wasn't worth pressing the man for details on why it mattered to the man.

I did, how are you feeling? Also, Denki wants to know if Venus is in retrograde.

"You two went out last night, right? Eijirou got a good picture-"

"Yeah, I saw." Hitoshi cut off his counterpart before he could elaborate. "I don't know why he sent it to everyone."

"So you saw all the speculation? People are a bit shocked." Hitoshi shrug was non-committal when Denki paused. "Shoji is pretty insistent he's seen her with you before. Kats asked if Eijirou is scoping out sloppy seconds for when you dump her."

"He what?" Hitoshi's voice was sharp as his eyes met Denki's. To his credit, Denki looked uncomfortable at bringing up the exchange. Hitoshi hadn't looked closely at the various theories the group chat had offered, opting to wait until something new caught everyone's attention before posting anything.

Pulling out his phone, he skimmed the chat, noticing Bakugo's crass comment quickly followed by Iida's scolding. Iida had gone on to ask if it was possible to delete someone else's message, earning a snort from the purple haired hero.

She's my girlfriend. You all gossip like teenagers.

Hitoshi sent the message before seeing Takara's response pop up.

No? It's not. Why does he need to know?

"It is not in retrograde." Denki nodded, and Hitoshi noticed a smile cross the mans face. "Okay sweet, maybe I can hit it tonight then." Hitoshi furrowed his brow, still determined not to question the odd dynamic the blonde found himself in.

Something to do with his fuck buddy.

"It's nice to hear your voice." Takara poked at the bowl her grandmother had handed her with her chopsticks. It smelled spicier than what her grandmother normally made.

"No need to flatter. But it is nice to talk to people, I admit." Her grandmother stood on the other side of the counter that Takara was leaning against. "You started back at work?"

"Yeah. Miro finally unlocked all my access, so I'm just getting caught up on things for now." Her grandmother nodded along as Takara spoke, the shop quiet as the pair spoke. Kiyoko had taken the quiet time as an invitation to serve the pair lunch.

"Did you book next week off?" Takara tilted her head in confusion. "Why would I do that? I'm just getting back-"

"Your parents fly in next week. Did they not tell you?" Takara thought back to her last conversation with her mother, grimacing slightly. "I guess it didn't come up." Kiyoko was no stranger to the strange relationship between Takara and her mother, opting not to press her granddaughter further.

"This boy. He stays off the roof while they're here." Takara laughed at the serious scowl across her grandmothers face. The woman's brows were furrowed together as she glared at Takara. "You tell him."

"Okay grandma, I'll tell him to stay off your roof." Takara mentally cursed her mother. She had requested that Hitoshi meet her parents, but this all felt too fast. She would need to think about how to broach the subject. Maybe he could come more towards the end of their visit.

"Your parents know? About roof boy?" Her grandmothers scowling face was replaced with amusement at the blush the question. "Mom and him spoke." Kiyoko waited for Takara to elaborate, who instead popped some food into her mouth with a shrug. Takara took her time chewing under the intense gaze of the older woman, who waited patiently.

"I'm worried about him meeting dad." Kiyoko's laugh was dry and sharp, dismissing in it's tone. "My son is many things. Scary?" Kiyoko shook her head, a chuckle escaping her lips at the thought. Her son had never hurt a fly.

"He's just...a lot. And Hitoshi isn't a lot."

"But roof boy likes a lot."

"What do you mean?" Kiyoko raised an eyebrow at Takara's question before clearing her throat, as though preparing to give a speech. "You take after your father." She said simply, as though it was obvious.

Takara slammed her bowl onto the counter between them, her mouth dropping open in shock. "I am NOT-" Takara cut herself off, mouth closing with an audible noise as she slowly reached for the bowl. "I am not....as much." She conceded, pulling a laugh from the woman across from her.

The world is in a weird place, and so is my brain. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter twenty eight.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 26: Energy

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"Sorry man, but capacity is capacity." The man did seem sympathetic when Hitoshi had explained why he needed inside, but had adamantly refused his entry.

"I know. But I'll just be a minute."

"I don't make the rules-" Hitoshi felt an inkling of guilt as the man fell under his control, his eyes glassing over. He opened the front door and shuffled inside quickly, releasing his control over the man once he was out of sight. His guilt doubled as he took in how full the bar was. The bouncer had a point about capacity.

"So you disappear for almost a month-"

"I did not disappear!"

"-And then you just show up, no heads up, no appointment, just walk in the front door and ask me can you wash my hair?" Orina's voice went up an octave in an attempt at mimicking Takara.

Orina's salon was quiet, the sound of running water from the tap creating a relaxing backdrop to their conversation. Takara had shown up just before closing, smiling meekly at her friend. Orina had been in the middle of ushering their last client out the door.

The woman had glared at Takara before rolling her yellow eyes and breaking out into a smile. She wasted no time in locking the door and throwing a cover at her. Takara was left staring at the obnoxiously pink ceiling which she had helped paint when Orina had acquired the small unit while Orina gathered her supplies.

"Hair holds energy, and I just need todays energy off of me." Takara explained as she leaned her head back into the sink, Orina wasting no time in wetting her hair. Takara looked up at the woman - her long, pink hair has been pulled into what looked like an effortless high ponytail that swung down to her mid. Takara had always admired how effortlessly put together the woman was. Orina got to work with massaging shampoo into her scalp while Takara hummed in appreciation. "I'll have to take your word on that one." Orina had learned not to question the logic that Takara sometimes followed.

"I just didn't want to be alone." Takara confessed as Orina rubbed her scalp with her fingertips, easing the tension in her head. "It's been a long month."

"I'm sorry about your grandfather. I know you two were close." Orina offered, her voice more gentle than it had been a moment earlier. "But disappearing for a month was.... Well, it's hard not to worry about you." Orina thought of herself as a hard working, capable woman. She had been raised by a single mother who had taught her the importance of hard work and consistency. Orina had opened her own salon after years of effort, building her clientele, and making a reputation for being able to give people the hair they always wanted.

Takara was...not quite as capable. Her mother and father had coddled her, her grandparents had doted on her. That's not to say she wasn't smart, but she was a different smart. Book smart. She was good with math and numbers, making calculus look as natural as breathing when she had tutored Orina in the subject.

But Orina knew that Takara was a bit of an air head when it came to basic tasks. Takara had dyed her socks pink, prompting Orina to teach her to do her own laundry. She was confident that Takara had never managed to cook anything other than instant ramen, often floating between her and a few other friends houses for dinner or relying on ready made meals.

Orina loved her regardless.

She rinsed the suds from Takara's hair before going back into the red locks with more shampoo. "What have you been up to? How's work?" Takara cringed at her friends questions. "I took some time off. I was helping grandma at the store, it was eating up a lot of time, so I was falling behind. They actually sort of insisted I do after I cried in a meeting." Orina shook her head. "They said something that reminded me of grandpa...." Takara confessed to her friend. The manager of a different department had said something her grandfather often did ("well, no harm in trying") and Takara had begun sobbing uncontrollably on the video call.

Miro had personally locked her out of all their databases and submitted the appropriate paperwork on Takara's behalf, telling her to contact him directly when he was ready to return.

Orina sighed, a smile on her face as she shook her head at her friend. "And I moved closer to my grandma." Takara decided to fill her friend in on the highlights. "And there's a boy."

"A boy?" Orina questioned, pausing her scalp massage. "What happened to the arranged marriage thing?"

"It's complicated." Takara commented, enjoying the scalp massage Orina's talented fingers provided once they began moving again. "I might still go."

"How serious are you about him?" Orina questioned, once again moving the tap to rinse the suds from Takara's hair.

"How do you measure that?" Takara refused to meet her friends eyes, which was a feat given that the pink-haired woman was standing directly over her.

"You don't. You don't measure feelings. You feel them." Orina chastised, beginning to rinse the suds from Takara's hair. "I mean, has he met your grandmother?"

"Well, yeah. He climbed in through my window-"

"I'm sorry, what?" Orina's hands paused their movements to look down at Takara with narrowed eyes. Takara smiled sheepishly up at her. "Okay, I'm finishing this up, drying you off, and we're going drinking."

"No, I can't-"

"I absolutely need to hear what's happened the last month. I'm finishing this up and rolling us a joint." Takara' rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue. "Fine, fine." She conceded, pulling a snort from Orina.

"So, wait-" Orina was on her third drink and seemingly immune to its effects. Takara had downed her first drink with haste, the dry mouth she was experiencing urging her to drink deep. The pair were perched on stools, their white upholstery contrasting with the dark bar table. Takara suspected it was a bar Orina frequented as the pair had skipped the line with a quick wave to the bouncer. Takara had been feeling cheeky and tried to wink, but was pretty sure she just blinked at him like a cat.

"So festival, freaky skeleton, boy -" Orina counted on her fingers before throwing her hand up. "It's been a month for you, girl."

"Yeah." Takara confirmed as she sipped fruity cocktail Orina had assured her she would enjoy. "So this guy crawled through your window?" Orina pressed her friend, still not sure if Takara was playing with her.

"Yeah!" Takara replied enthusiastically. She had always been a bit of a lightweight, something that Orina was well aware of. "It was raining and he knocked - He'd been in the shop earlier, and apparently was just hanging out on the roof-" Orina paused Takara before downing her drink. She grabbed her now empty glass and moved towards the bar. "Where are you going?" Takara called out after her.

"I'm grabbing shots. This is just....too much to take in without more alcohol in my system." Orina had always been a bit of a drinker, but Takara rarely joined her. "Do you want one?"

Takara tapped the table a few times before deciding it was a good idea. "Yes!"

Hitoshi looked at his phone for the third time that hour. Day had shifted to night while he had worked. He had been cognizant of Takara not texting him, but had been busy enough to not dwell on it.

Now, as he got dressed after showering at the Commission, he dwelled and worried. As he turned to find a shirt he heard the familiar buzz of his phone and looked towards his screen.

Heyy

Hitoshi furrowed his brow. Sure, Takara had sent him a photo of Ash and a few texts after, but he still wasn't confident if the multiple y's were abnormal for her.

Make it home?

He typed back, hitting send.

No! :D

The reply was immediate. Hitoshi watched three dots appear, showing she was typing.

I'm drinknh with my friend! ! She washed my hai for me. She's coming byee

Hitoshi blinked at his phone, the dots disappearing as fast as his confusion appeared. He furrowed his brow in consideration before hitting the call button.

"Oh shit." Takara covered the giggle that erupted from her mouth as her phone screen lit up. "Why is some random number calling you?" Orina questioned as she threw back another shot, throwing her ponytail over the shoulder in the process. Takara found herself envious of the woman's generous hips and bust, silently wishing for her proportions.

"That's my....boyfriend." Takara tried the word out for the first time. It was strange in her mouth as Orina looked between the lit up screen and her friend. "Girl save his fucking number, what is wrong with you?" Orina yelled over the noise in the bar. It had been filling up steadily as the night had gotten on, and it was more difficult to speak to each other without yelling.

"Hey!" Takara plugged her other ear as she answered the call, Orina ordering the pair another round.

"Didn't make it home, huh?" Hitoshi questioned with a laugh, hearing the noise of a crowd in the background. He beat of music made it difficult to hear Takara clearly.

"No, I went to see Orina, and now we're at a bar because she missed me." She words came out as a tease to her friend and Hitoshi could imagine the grin Takara was tossing her. "And then I realized I didn't text you , so I did! So it's all good!"

"Well, I'm glad you remembered." Hitoshi said after a moment, his tone filled with amusement as he listened to Takara's excited explanation. "Do you need me to come get you?"

"No, Orina will walk me home-"

Hitoshi heard a sharp voice in the background protest. "The hell Orina will, your apartment is in the literal opposite direction-"

"Pleaaase?" Hitoshi heard Takara whine. "Give me your fucking phone-"

"Hey! You can't just grab-"

"I can and I will!" He heard what he suspected was a struggle between the pair on the other end of the phone before a new voice took over. "Listen here stone man-"

"What?" Hitoshi's face contorted into confusion at the odd greeting. "Gargoyle!" He heard Takara correct her friend through a fit of laughter. "Come get your girlfriend and save me a millions steps, kay?" The voice questioned, filled with an air of authority that Hitoshi wasn't sure was earned.

"Where are you two?" Hitoshi pulled the shirt over his head, deciding it was worth the journey to see Takara in whatever state she had devolved into.

"You know a bar called the Raven's Wing?" Hitoshi closed his eyes, clearing his head before breathing a resigned confirmation into the phone. "Good, that makes it easy. Just call when you're here." The call ended abruptly, leaving Hitoshi to gather his things before starting the walk over.

Wherever Takara was, she wasn't by her phone. That was the only explanation Hitoshi could come up with. He had called her three times and she hadn't answered any of them.

Now he stood outside the bar, trying to convince the bouncer to let him in long enough to see if she was still there.

"Sorry man, but capacity is capacity." The man did seem sympathetic when Hitoshi had explained why he needed inside, but had adamantly refused his entry.

"I know. But I'll just be a minute."

"I don't make the rules-" Hitoshi felt an inkling of guilt as the man fell under his control, his eyes glassing over. He opened the front door and shuffled inside quickly, releasing his control over the man once he was out of sight. His guilt doubled as he took in how full the bar was. The bouncer had a point about capacity. He took a quick look around, not spotting Takara's fiery locks sitting at any of the tables.

As he turned towards the dancefloor, he found Takara dancing with a pink-haired woman. The pair seemed to be in their own world as they moved to the music, laughing and yelling along to the lyrics under the neon lights.

Hitoshi watched the pair for a moment before shaking his head and approaching the bartender. He ordered himself a beer and watched the pair enjoy themselves, deciding he wanted no part in their shenanigans.

Takara had what could only be called a bad month. She deserved to blow off steam with her friend, and he had nowhere to be. He scrolled through his phone while keeping a passive eye on Takara to make sure she didn't leave without him, the cold beer in his hand refreshing after the exhausting day.

A notification from the group chat he was a part of with his old classmates popped up, with Eijiro tagging him in the chat. He opened it up and was faced with a picture of himself leaning against the bar, staring at his phone.

"Dude!" The familiar voice startled Hitoshi, almost causing him to drop his phone. "I thought you were working!" It took Hitoshi a minute to work out the unspoken question he was being asked.

"That was yesterday." Hitoshi deadpanned. The loud redhead seemed to consider the words, then shrugged. "What're you doing here?" Eijiro was undeterred, familiar with the detached way Hitoshi carried himself.

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Oh, the girl?" This time, Hitoshi was present for the wiggling eyebrows Eijiro made. "Which one?" He asked, turning towards the dancefloor. When Hitoshi didn't respond, Eijiro playfully punched his arm. "More importantly, why are you standing here? Go dance with her!"

"I don't dance. Besides, she's having fun." Hitoshi commented, sipping his beer. The pink haired woman who had been dancing with Takara approached the pair, her pace filled with determination. She scrutinized Eijiro for a moment before speaking up.

"Excuse me-" She waved at Eijiro, grabbing his attention from Hitoshi. "Whoever is dying your hair isn't doing it justice. They're either not committing to it being bright, or don't know how to make it look natural. Either way-" The woman handed him a card. "I can fix it."

"Stop telling people they have bad hair!" Hitoshi found himself smiling at the absolutely horrified look on Takara's face as she took in the exchange. "Your hair is fine!" Takara assured Eijiro, touching his arm sympathetically. She failed to notice Hitoshi standing there, too busy chastising her friend.

"I'm just saying I can do better!" Orina yelled back at the woman, gesturing openly to the mans hair.

"Hey now, I like my hair! And it's really bright! Back me up, Hitoshi!" Takara's eyes whipped towards him in surprise as he rolled his eyes. "It's fine." Hitoshi assured him, taking another sip of his beer while Takara's mouth opened and closed a few times in shock.

"Wait, weren't you supposed to call me?" Takara pulled her phone from her pocket, her face falling as she looked over her notifications. She smiled sheepishly up at him. Orina tilted her head as she took in the exchange. "Oh, is this the stone man?" She asked Takara.

"No, that's me. It's not really stone, I just harden my skin!" Eijiro cut in. But Takara and Orina paused, the pair exchanging a confused look.

"No, this is Gargoyle." Takara answered her friend after a long pause, still confused by the other red heads comment. "I don't know you. I'm Takara!" She waved politely at Eijiro, wrapping her other arm around Hitoshi's.

"Oh, shit. I have to go." Orina pulled her now buzzing phone from her pocket. "But seriously, you. I can do better." Orina restated with a quick finger gun to Eijiro. "And you. Love you." She blew Takara a kiss before making a beeline for the exit, pulling her phone up to her ear as she opened the door.

"So, Takara, huh?" Eijiro turned back to the pair in front of him as Hitoshi quickly chugged the rest of his drink, leaving the can on a nearby table. "How do you know Hitoshi?"

"Oh! Well, he actually crawled in through my window!" Takara's voice was full of drunken enthusiasm as she talked to the man.

"Nice seeing you, man. I'm taking her home." Hitoshi began dragging Takara towards the exit, hoping that Eijiro would let the pair leave. Hitoshi was banking on him being caught off-guard by Takara's explanation, a gamble which paid off.

"Tell me the next time you're coming out!" He called after them.

As the pair emerged into the night, Hitoshi bein careful to avoid the bouncers line of sight, he felt his phone buzz. "I put my phone on silent, sorry! I didn't know you called!" Takara explained too loudly, the pounding music from the bar making it difficult for her to hear herself.

"It's fine." Hitoshi assured her with a smile. "You were having fun. I didn't mind waiting." He pressed the new notification from the hero, who has tagged Hitoshi in the message again.

This time, it was a photo of him and Takara leaving the bar arm in arm. He noticed a few responses from his old classmates already, and decided to let them speculate. "We should go see Ash! He's gonna be soooo mad." Takara giggled to herself, thinking of the tiny terror who demanded his meals at the same time everyday.

"Yeah, he will." Hitoshi confirmed, silencing his phone and shoving it in his pocket.

Everyone needs to blow off steam sometimes. Including me, writing this chapter.

Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 27.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 25: Elders

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"Cool." Takara replied shortly. If Hitoshi wanted to give her short answers, she assumed she was allowed to as well. Turnabout was fair play after all. "Wait, you're not coming with me?" Her tone was accusatory as Takara turned to him, understanding finally reaching her.

"No, I'm needed here."

"You're no longer assigned to Takara." Aizawa informed the purple haired hero, not bothering to look towards the open door. Hitoshi took a breath before sitting next to his mentor. "Makes sense." He offered shortly, gazing through the one-way glass into the interrogation room.

The Necromancer - Miwa, as she had corrected them - sat, staring into a cup of tea. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she turned towards the glass, pulling out the teabag with a disgusted hand. "If you gave me loose leaf, I could at least read my own fortune. Animals." She sighed as she dropped the soaked bag onto the desk with a small splat sound. "Think she can see us?" Hitoshi asked Aizawa, crossing his arms as he watched the woman.

"No." The answer was short and definitive. "There's a problem." He tacked on as Hitoshi turned to him.

"What's that?" Hitoshi asked with a sigh. He knew Takara was in the waiting area, left alone to her thoughts. He didn't like it after how shaken up she had been.

"The lack of evidence we have to convict." Aizawa said, as though it was obvious. Hitoshi nodded - he knew that one witness account would not be enough. The head of the Nagati clan had refused to comment on the woman.

"I have something in mind. You're not going to like it." Aizawa's tone was bored, still not looking at Hitoshi. "I'd like for Takara to speak to-"

"No."

"It's not your choice." His tone continued emotionlessly, undeterred by the mans immediate refusal.

"She's been through enough." Hitoshi's voice sharpened at the dismissal, turning towards the older man. "Leave her out-"

"She can decide that for herself." Hitoshi cut him off. "If you have any other ideas, now would be a good time to lay them out."

Hitoshi sat staring at Miwa. He observed as she sipped the tea and grimaced, muttering some insult in Ruq at the taste. "Then it's only fair we warn her about the suspicions of her grandfathers' death." Aizawa shifted in his seat, pulling Hitoshi's attention. The man was uncomfortable at the thought.

"It should wait until after." Aizawa confessed. "If she goes in there angry, we may not get anything. It sounds like Takara earned Miwa's respect. If that changes she might not give us anything." Hitoshi felt his fists clench. Yes, it was important to get the Necromancer locked up. But it felt wrong to withhold the information.

"What if it comes out during their talk?" Hitoshi pressed, keeping his tone even and unattached. "Then we deal with that if it happens." Hitoshi felt a tick in his jaw as he stood to make his way out the door. He needed to move, to relieve the frustration that radiated from his gut at the situation. He noticed smoke billowing in from under the door, thickening into the familiar silhouette of Tao.

"You will need a translator." She said simply at the confused look on his face. She had already been brought into Aizawa's plan, Hitoshi realized. He opened the door and left the pair, falling short of slamming the door behind him.

"Why did you do this?" Takara asked, her arm bandage on display in the t-shirt she wore. Miwa sat across from her, her face lined with shame. Takara had brought herself a coffee and sipped the bitter liquid, grimacing as it hit her tongue. She looked at the cup in disgust before directing her attention towards the mirror embedded into the side wall, gesturing to the cup. "This is awful." She said, placing the cup down angrily.

"No loose leaf." Miwa offered, gesturing to the tea bag that had been left on the table. "No standards." Takara smiled - she couldn't help it. The woman was funny. A little rough around the edges, but funny. Miwa stayed silent for a moment surveying Takara before sighing.

"Is this what the Goddess wants?" Tao translated after a few muttered words from Miwa. Hitoshi had rejoined the pair, opting to lean against the wall further back from the glass. He watched as Takara tilted her head in consideration.

"I don't know." Tao said after Takara had concluded talking. "That's what she said, or you don't know what they said?" Aizawa asked with a sigh. "Those were Takara's words." Tao confirmed. "But I also don't know why you would do this." She continued as Takara gestured to her arm. "Or what the emeralds have to do with anything."

"With emeralds, I control the dead." Tao said after a moment, listening to Miwa speak. "Just human?" Aizawa and Tao shared a confused look - they hadn't given Takara a direction or an ear piece, opting to let the conversation unfold naturally. Apparently Takara had her own questions about the woman's power.

"No?" Tao's word came out as a question towards Aizawa, although Miwa's had the cadence of a declaration. Aizawa sat up straighter. This was new information for the pair, Hitoshi realized. "But animals are more difficult to move naturally." Tao shook her head as she translated the words.

Takara nodded as she listened to the woman before deciding to push for the main answer. "I had nothing to do with anything. I'm no one to you. Why did you attack me?" Tao said, her tone tinged with sadness as Takara stared at the woman across from her.

Tao's head tilted slightly as she listened to the woman's explanation. He watched as her back straightened, looking towards Aizawa for a brief moment. "To merge the Joining's." Aizawa levelled the tall woman with a look. "What else?"

"That she didn't have a choice. She was working with them to merge the Joining's between sects. Miwa said they were performing a ceremony to demonstrate power, to urge the other clan heads to come to a meeting."

"How does this fit into that?" Tao mirrored the gesture Takara had done, gesturing to her arm with her other hand.

"To turn you away from the Nagati, or so I was told. Apparently you had something to do with the ceremony not unfolding on time and they wanted you to look elsewhere, to scare you off. I didn't know the bones held that quirk."

"She's really trying to pin everything on the Nagati clan, huh?" Hitoshi commented. He wasn't convinced that the old woman was as innocent as she was trying to paint herself.

"How the hell does this lead to the Joining's merging?" Tao continued, not having the time to discuss the mans question. "He held power I did not. He could call a meeting of the elders. Trusted leaders amongst the sects." Tao crossed her arms as she surveyed the woman. "Does she not know....?" Tao questioned, turning towards Aizawa. "I gave them the names of people to contact, to call a meeting with. Elders."

"She might not." Aizawa conceded, his eyes trained on the talking pair.

"So you just gave them a list of people high up in the different sects?" Takara clarified, enduring another sip of the coffee. She felt small under the woman's intense gaze.

"They kept me around to collect some plants for their ceremony. Insisted it needed to come from me to work." Miwa shrugged. "Something to do with Nagati needing gifts from her elders, a sign of trust. I never knew the face of Nagati." She admitted with a shrug.

"Were they red? Sort of....furry?" Takara tried to describe the castor bean pods, her hands moving as she tried to demonstrate the approximate size. The woman nodded. "Once they had me turn your attention towards Ral mur, I knew they never intended to help me. So I left. I was going to return home, but..." The woman trailed off. "I was called to the grave and found you. I knew I made a mistake. If this is the cost, bad tea and a cell..." Miwa trailed off as she glanced at the abandoned paper cup.

"Wait, so you didn't kill anyone?" Takara questioned, her voice taking on an incredulous tone. The woman laughed, and Takara noticed how her eyes had filled with amusement at the accusation. "Anyone in our ever shrinking circles? No." Takara got the impression the woman was choosing her words carefully when she answered, the smile on her face teasing a hidden meaning that Takara didn't understand. "But my son left a mark on our name - no one would come to a meeting held by my family. I needed the Nagati head to summon the elders and plead my case on my behalf."

Takara tilted her head. "So, you didn't poison anyone, but you got the beans for them?" It was Miwa's turn to look confused at the youth. "Do you not know that the Nagati clan tried to kill a whole festival full of people with those things?"

Miwa blinked at her. "I did not." Miwa said simply, and Takara let out a long breath to calm herself. She looked towards the mirror, hoping that whoever was on the other side would be able to provide answers she could not. "Give me a moment." She stood, moving towards the door she had entered through and knocked twice. It was opened for her a moment later.

"She didn't do anything." Takara looked between Hitoshi and Aizawa exasperated. "Your arm." Hitoshi reminded her sharply.

"Okay yes that, but none of this poison stuff. Nothing with the festival." Takara clarified with a huff. "Not the ricin. All she did was try to have a meeting called-"

"Thank-you for your help." Aizawa said, cutting off her explanation. "We will take it from here." His voice was gentle despite the firm dismissal. Takara's shook her head. "No, but if she didn't know, why would you-"

"This isn't up for debate." Aizawa said shortly as he turned. "Hitoshi no longer needs to guard you. He'll give you the specifics." He wandered off into the building, turning a corner and leaving the pair alone.

"That's it?" Takara asked, her tone annoyed as she turned to look at the purple haired hero. "Apparently." Hitoshi confirmed, just as frustrated at the dark haired man. "They want me to stay here in case they need my help with the interrogation."

"I thought you were off the case?" Takara questioned as she turned to walk towards the exit. The hallway leading to the stairway was quiet, and Takara found herself walking down the stairs with the energy of an annoyed teenager. "Not anymore." Hitoshi answered shortly. He assumed it was because Takara was no longer being a person of interest.

"Cool." Takara replied shortly. If Hitoshi wanted to give her short answers, she assumed she was allowed to as well. Turnabout was fair play after all. "Wait, you're not coming with me?" Her tone was accusatory as Takara turned to him, understanding finally reaching her.

"No. I'm needed here." He confirmed, his tone detached although he felt himself clench his jaw at the end of the sentence. He was needed here, but he wished it could wait. Takara looked exhausted- the day had taken a toll on her. He felt nonsensically responsible for the way she dragged herself down the stairs, the normal light of her step and replaced by a burdened footfall.

"I'll leave the door unlocked." Takara said with a small smile, the invitation clear. Despite the joking tone of her voice her eyes betrayed the disappointment she felt. She didn't know exactly why Hitoshi leaving her side bothered her so much. Hitoshi's mirrored disappointment but sense of duty made her feel a touch guilty about her own reaction.

"Text me when you get home." He whispered as he pulled her into a hug, hand cradling the back of her head to his chest. Her eyes had been filled with sadness as he had explained why he would be staying. He felt guilty for the sudden change of plans but also knew that finishing this case would ensure her safety.

"Sure, Gargoyle." Takara said, the defeat in her voice audible. He nodded before releasing her, watching her turn and exit the building. He let himself stay for a moment, watching her disappear towards the train before walking back to the elevators.

As the sun began to set, Miwa had accepted that the Goddess had abandoned her not for trying to merge the Joining's, but for her stupidity.

The Nagati clan head had used the information she had provided to find their targets, before trying to complete a ritual to hoard more power for themselves. Miwa had confirmed amongst the provided list whom she had asked the man to contact. Her heart felt weak against the weight of understanding, the burden of knowledge threatening to collapse her from the inside.

A bloodless death Miwa thought bitterly, thinking back to the flowers she had been asked to collect. She felt tears slide down her cheeks but didn't remember shedding them. Miwa found herself falling into the embrace of sleep as she lay on the unfamiliar bed she had been escorted to, still unsure of what was to become of her.

In the night she found dreams. Dreams of her son who had passed five years ago, of her beloved husband who had left for the Goddess' domain two decades prior. She found the love of a Goddess who had accepted her in her youth, nurtured her through both the good and bad chapters of her life, and had come to comfort Miwa as she died.

Just a short chapter to tie off some loose ends. I know it's all a bit weird, but it was a story I wanted to tell. We'll get more Hitoshi and Takara stuff next chapter. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter twenty six.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 24: Grave

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"I think I've lost sight of that - what's right. Open your hand when I get on the bus, and do what you must. I will forgive whatever you decide, for it is the Goddess' wish."

Miwa silently cursed the town for building their damn graveyard on a hill. When she was a young girl she would race up stairs like these to the hot springs of her village, her friends chasing closely behind. She still remembered the sound of their laughter echoing through the forest.

But now - now she found herself pausing at each step, having to ensure her footing was grounded before she attempted to continue. Her knee ached. It was nothing new, but it certainly wasn't helped by the climbing she was doing and the cold wind that blew.

Miwa had been praying for forgiveness from the Goddess for injuring that girl. She silently cursed her stupidity - she hadn't suspected the bones she was provided to have a quirk like that. She hadn't asked - Hadn't thought to. She had never harmed an innocent before.

The dreams Miwa had received from her deity had ceased months ago. She had chalked it up to a number of things - jetlag, at first. Then it was the Goddess was busy tending to her domain. Miwa had experienced silent times before, but never this long. It had never been accompanied by a feeling of wrongness, of loneliness. Of being abandoned.

So she had made offerings - small, at first. Then meals, prayers, spells and candles. Nothing brought the dreams back. She had cut her hand and offered some blood to the Goddess in hopes of reconciliation but had been ignored.

After giving up, accepting that her acts had taken her out of the Goddess' good graces, Miwa had received a dream. A mountain, a grave, and the emeralds. Miwa had understood that she was to go to the bones of Yonai, to offer her prayers and apologies for her actions. The Goddess always worked in mysterious ways.

The Joining had to be revised to include all sects. It was the only way they could hope to survive. The different sects may all have their own interpretations of the Goddess, but they all served her. Her son had been a fool to change the rules - for the Goddess' followers to host their own ceremony - and he had paid the cost. An unhappy marriage, a drinking problem, and dead before 50.

That left Miwa to fix it. She had come to convince the head of the Nagati sect that the ceremonies should be merged, to have them support her plea to the community. They had been hesitant, claiming that some of the elders would resist the Joining. To accomplish that, they'd been to complete their own ceremony, and for that they needed Miwa's help. Only after she had been asked to attack the girl and to have her own sect take responsibility for their failed attempt did Miwa realize they had never intended to help her. They only wanted to use her for their own gain.

So up the steps Miwa climbed despite the pain in her arthritis inflamed knee. Despite the biting cold of the wind as it threw her scarf in her face, temporarily blinding Miwa as she reached for the arm rail. She almost dropped the flowers she clutched in her hands but managed to hold on.

The Goddess could be a real bitch sometimes.

It took the better part of ten minutes to complete her ascent, and the help of a passerby to locate the correct column.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Miwa squinted at the face praying before the column as she shuffled forward. Incense had been lit, she suspected by the pale blob in front of her, and Miwa had apparently interrupted the blobs prayers.

"One second." Miwa reached into her bag, shuffling the contents around. She cursed her vision. Being unable to see made it difficult to find her glasses.

"Please, I brought a cushion with me. It's yours while you're visiting." Miwa suppressed a scoff at the sincerity in the girl's voice as she stood, gesturing to a green blob on the ground. Miwa suspected it was the pillow the girl was talking about. She put on her practiced meek old lady face and nodded, moving to kneel on the green shape.

The girl busied herself with something nearby. Miwa could hear shuffling and low whispers - apparently the girl was talking to someone else.

Miwa wasn't sure what to do as she sat there, gazing at the blurred characters etched into the column. She'd never had to apologize to the remains before. The Goddess had supported her in those few killings back home. Nobody missed the lives she had taken, their own remains being used to complete her next task.

"I'm uh.... Sorry." Miwa voice was low as she whispered to the column. "To you. And to the girl I made you hurt. My goal blinded me to the damage I was causing. I never should have done what I did. My intentions were good, but my actions were not." She offered a few more traditional prayers. She took her time to try and reach out to the Goddess and the girls spirit, but Miwa didn't feel anything but the bitter cold of the wind. With a defeated sigh she went to stand. Her knee decided it didn't want to, toppling the woman over.

"Oh here!" Miwa rolled her eyes as the girl reappeared. She must have been waiting for her to finish her prayers. "Let me help you." A blob appeared ahead of her, waiting for Miwa to do something. She put on a practiced polite smile and took what she now knew was a hand.

Miwa let out a hiss as too much pressure reached her knee, a burst of pain exploding from the joint again. "Goddess' tears, my knee-"

"Are you alright? Do you need to sit?" Miwa was surprised by the fluent switch in the girl. Ruq was a dying language, there was no denying it. To find one here, when the Goddess had asked her to visit the grave...

"Can you help me find my glasses?" Miwa found herself asking, handing the bag over to the blob. "And yes, a seat. But not out here. On a bus." The girl laughed, the sound musical as it reached Miwa's ears. She had forgotten the joy of youth and the beauty it possessed merely by existing.

"Could you wait here a moment? I just have to let my friend know where I'm going." Miwa nodded as the girl rummaged through her bag, finding the glasses case with ease and placing it in her hand. She retreated quickly, leaving the bag at Miwa's feet.

Miwa slid the spectacles up her nose as she began reading the names on the column. There were so many. Their community was shrinking and fracturing, disappearing from history. All she had wanted to do was unite them. To help the next generation know the Goddess in all Her glory. She hadn't considered the cost, hadn't seen that she was nothing but a pawn before it was too late.

No wonder the Goddess had abandoned her.

"Okay, do you want me to carry you down the stairs?" Miwa turned, the girls voice pulling her from her daze. She paused at the doe-eyed face she was met with, the familiarity undeniable.

Oh, the Goddess could be a real bitch sometimes.

"Ma'am?" Takara reached a hand forward to gently take one of hers, Miwa's eyes widening as she did so. "Are you alright?"

"I-I can walk." Miwa confirmed, her jaw finally closing. "But could I borrow your arm? My balance is not what it once was." Takara smiled at the woman. Her grey hair was pulled into a tight bun at the base of her neck, her green scarf tossed casually over one shoulder.

She reminded Takara of her own grandmother.

"Of course." Takara went to offer her one arm before she remembered her injury. "Actually, could I give you this one? It's my better side." Miwa wore a neutral face as she nodded, her suspicions confirmed. It was the girl from that night.

"Whatever works best." The pair began walking, Takara slowing her pace to match the short strides of the woman. "It's not everyday I meet someone who speaks Ruq. You're very good."

Takara smiled widely at the praise. "Thank you! I grew up speaking it at home. I'm Takara." The girl offered as they began their descent down the stairs. Miwa was grateful for the girls presence - the stairs were steep, and the view gave her vertigo as she looked towards the base of the hill. "I don't know many people outside my family who speak it. It's nice to meet more." The girl continued, unaware of the internal turmoil Miwa was wrestling with.

"Yes I-yes. I understand. What sect do you hail from?" Miwa found herself asking.

"Ahl mur." Takara replied - the Ruq name for those who followed all forms of the Goddess. "What about you?"

"Ral mur." Miwa paused at a step, her knee once again causing her pain. The pair were opposites - one who worshipped all the faces, and one who worshipped one. Miwa noticed that the girl simply nodded at the revelation. It didn't seem to bother her. "Sorry, I need a minute. Old bones." Miwa explained, gesturing to her knee.

"I don't have anywhere to be." The girl was too nice for her own good, Miwa thought to herself. "Do you live around here? You should come over for dinner sometime. It's always nice to have others from our community visit." Oh, the girl was far too nice for her own good.

"I can't imagine an Ahl mur wanting to dine with a Ral mur." The words came from Miwa before she could stop them. A reflex from her youth. One that had sewn the seeds that prompted her sons actions. The girls brow furrowed at the words and Miwa wished she could take them back. Takara looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself, offering a nod instead.

"My apologies. I didn't realize you were a separatist." The girl bowed politely and Miwa wished her knee would allow her to kick herself. "You're welcome for dinner all the same." The girl added, as though it was Miwa who would be offended by dining with the red head.

"I'm not." Miwa defended, resuming their path down the steps. "But you know how it is." Takara nodded, opting not to engage the woman on the topic further. "If you have something to say, girl, say it." Miwa scolded, her anger rising by being ignored.

"I don't want to offend. It is not my place to council an elder." Takara explained, waiting for Miwa on the next step. She insisted on staying in front of the woman in case she fell. At least she could catch her should the woman fall.

"I'm not asking for council. I'm asking for your opinion." Miwa shot back, and Takara repressed the urge to point out that the woman had not asked for her opinion at all.

"I think it's sad that you won't eat with me because of something as silly as sects." Takara said gently. "I have friends across different sects, and from outside our community. I just thought it would be nice to get to know someone who shares a language with me." Miwa grumbled something non-committal. "Do you support the separate Joining's?" Takara asked. Miwa's eyes shot up to meet hers, causing the woman to almost lose her footing.

"What did you say-"

"I mean no offense. But that's really where we fractured, isn't it?" Takara went on to explain. They were approaching the last round of steps, and Miwa found herself pausing on the landing. She didn't need a rest. But she suspected the girl was the reason the Goddess had sent her to the grave today. "My mother left Ral mur because of it. She didn't support the separation. My father is Ahl mur, so I guess she had good reason not to." Miwa nodded along, her guilt rising as she listened to Takara's ramblings.

Takara took silence as an invitation to continue. "If they had separate Joining's when they went, well...I wouldn't be here. And you'd have to find someone else to help you down." Takara tried to make the last sentence feel like a joke, but the way the older woman's eyes were staring into her made her feel like it didn't land.

"I don't support it." The woman declared after a moment, once again taking Takara's arm as she began the final round of steps. "And I fear....I fear I may have made a mistake."

"Oh, did you leave something up there? I can go grab it for you once we reach the bottom, if you don't mind waiting." Miwa found her heart was heavy - heavier than it had been at the beginning of the day. She was becoming more and more convinced that she had been sent to meet the young woman, to show Miwa that the change she had killed to bring about was already alive within the community.

"No. I packed lightly." Takara nodded. "You're right, when we separated our ceremonies we separated our community. And I wanted to fix that...." Miwa trailed off. Takara bit her tongue. For someone who had refused a dinner invitation due to the sect Takara belonged to, the woman seemed adamant that she didn't support the separation of the sects. They reached the bottom of the steps in silence and Takara bowed politely, anticipating the older woman dismissal.

"Sit with me." It wasn't a question, and Takara spared a glance at the top of the hill. She spotted Hitoshi's hair easily. He looked like he was still on the phone with the commission. She sat next to the woman on the bench - she knew her grandmother wouldn't be thrilled if she found out Takara had refused the request of an elder.

Miwa looked up the street, spotting the bus she would be catching. "I wanted to help reunite our community. I thought I was doing what was best, the only path available..." Miwa said and Takara nodded, unsure of what the woman was talking about but trying to be polite. "May I see your palm? Whatever your dominant hand is." The request was so sudden that it took Takara's brain a second to catch up.

"Oh! Of course." Takara gave the woman her right hand. "Are you a palm reader?" Miwa smiled. It came about naturally, she realized. For the first time in a long time she wasn't smiling because she felt she had to, but because she felt it in her heart.

"You're something, aren't you, girl?" Miwa said with a laugh. The girls palm was an odd combination. Her life line was strong, bold, and curved so hard it almost stopped at her thumb. "You give trust away without thinking, and live with fire in your heart." Her head line started straight before taking a nosedive directly downwards. "But your future is a mix of possibilities."

"Any direction look promising?" Takara asked with a laugh as the woman stared intently at her palm.

"Don't fret." Miwa said after a moment of consideration. "Whatever path you choose is a happy one." Miwa patted Takara's clasped hand in an oddly loving gesture, so outside of the cold, distant woman she had been at the top of the hill. "I'm entrusting these to you. "If the Goddess sent me here, I think this is why. I have to trust you'll do what's right." The woman looked at their joined hands in contemplation. "I think I've lost sight of that - what's right. Open your hand when I get on the bus, and do what you must. I will forgive whatever you decide, for it is the Goddess' wish." Takara furrowed her brow. Whatever had been placed into her hand was small and hard, but not large enough to be a piece of candy like she was hoping for. The cryptic message made her doubt that the woman was giving her a sweet.

"O-Okay." Takara murmured, keeping her hand closed. "Thank-you. For the reading, I mean. And I hope our paths cross again." Miwa simply nodded as she shuffled towards the bus, not bothering to thank Takara. "They might. It depends on what you do." Miwa shuffled towards the bus before pausing, not bothering to look at Takara as she said "I'm sorry." Takara tilted her head in confusion, unable to respond before the woman approached the bus.

Takara watched the bus pull away, unsure of what to make from the encounter with the woman. She made a note to ask her grandmother if she recognized the name when she got back to the shop. Takara shook her head, as though to clear her thoughts from the strange meeting, and opened her palm. She gasped. Het stomach turned as she looked between the contents and the bus disappearing into the distance.

Emeralds. Two small emeralds.

"Are you sure that's the best idea?" Hitoshi questioned, pinching the bridge of his nose. The decision had been made to arrest the Nagati sect head. With no new movement from the Necromancer and the evidence from Tao they had to make a choice.

"I think we've waited as long as we can." Denki said with a sigh. "Maybe this will help flush them out-"

"Hitoshi!" Takara cursed her lack of exercise lately. Her rapid sprint up the stairs had winded her. "That woman- the bus-" Hitoshi looked towards the bus stop, confused. The old woman that Takara had insisted on escorting down from the graveyard was gone from what he observed. He had been keeping a passive eye on the pair but had gotten caught up on Denki's call.

"Are you okay?" Takara was paler than normal, her brow breaking out into a sweat. She shook her head in a definitive refusal. "No! No, no I'm not. She gave me a palm reading and-"

"Palm reading?" Denki blew a raspberry. "Tell witch girl I say hi." Hitoshi heard from the phone.

"I'll call you back." Hitoshi said into the phone, waiting a second for Denki's acknowledgement before hanging up. "What's this about a palm reading?"

"No, no she's...she just read my palm and gave me these-" Takara gestured to her closed palm frantically, still looking between him and the bus stop. Her voice was rising with worry. "Then she just hopped on a bus like nothing happened-"

"...Okay?" Hitoshi responded, confused at the seeming urgency that Takara was telling the story with.

"No, no Hitoshi. She-" Takara opened her hand, exposing the shining gemstones. Hitoshi's eyes widened in understanding. He turned his eyes back to the base of the hill - the woman was definitely gone. "Why, why would she do that? She was...nice? Well, she wasn't mean. But then she gave me these and I said I had to make a decision and-." Hitoshi wasn't sure she had breathed through her explanation, her eyes wide and frantic as she looked between him and the gemstones she clutched.

"Take a breath, try and calm-" Hitoshi tried to interrupt but was ignored by the stream of words that had become Takara. She was panicking. Her brows furrowed together, united in their confusion. "I just- I don't understand. Does she know something? Is this a threat? Should we leave? I didn't get the chance to offer a prayer or anything to Yonai. She didn't-" Understanding crossed her features as she turned toward the bus stop. "Is she- no. No, that can't be right. Right?" Takara's wild eyes turned back towards him, looking for some kind of confirmation.

"What bus did she get on?" Hitoshi asked, and Takara's face went slack. "I don't- I didn't - whatever one just left." The words were jumbled as they left her mouth. "Whatever one just left. It was just here. She was just-" Takara's voice was rising in panic as she tried to explain, pointing to the bus stop with a frantic gesture as she spoke.

"Okay, I can work with that. That's good." Hitoshi encouraged putting a hand on her shoulder. She shook beneath his touch. She looked lost, clutching her jacket around herself tighter. Takara couldn't discern if she was cold or if she was so shocked that her body didn't know what else to do with the anxiety the gemstones had brought on.

Hitoshi picked up his phone and dialed Denki back, looking away from Takara's pained eyes. She'd gone from rambling to silent and Hitoshi tried not to dwell on why - He needed to act before it was too late. "I need you to figure out what bus just left Myaroja temple, headed west. And I need you to get it to stop." Takara heard a rebuttal from the other end and Hitoshi nodded. "I'll explain later, but if there's an old woman on that bus, she needs to be brought in for questioning. That's all the details I have right now." A pause before Hitoshi added "Let me know what you find."

Hitoshi slid the phone back in his pocket, turning his attention to the woman before him.

"I don't know. I didn't think-" Takara cut herself off with a shake of her head, trying to organize her thoughts. "I didn't know." She repeated as she looked down at the bus stop. Her recollection was failing her, her shock at the situation and the creeping feeling of failure making it difficult to recall anything helpful. "She gave them to me and then she left. I should have gotten the bus number or the route..." Takara's voice trailed off.

"Are you okay?" Hitoshi pressed, taking her hands and looking them over. He got her to release the gemstones from her grasp, carefully placing them into his pocket before turning her shaking hands over, ensuring that there were no injuries. Takara had mentioned a palm reading and he wanted to be sure the woman hadn't done any damage.

"It's an order of operations problem-"

"Forget about that." Hitoshi let out a breath, relieved to find her hands unharmed. "Are you okay?"

"I don't understand." Takara repeated, shaking her head at nothing. "Why did she-"Takara paused at the look on Hitoshi's face. His brow was furrowed as he assessed her features, unsure of how to approach her. "No." She finally said after a moment of consideration. "No, I'm not okay. I'm..." Takara's eyes turned towards the bus stop. "I don't understand. She said her name was Miwa." Takara offered up, deciding that the detail was worth mentioning.

"You're going to need to make a statement, but I don't think you're in a good state to right now." Hitoshi admitted as he rubbed the back of his head.

"No, I want to get this over with. Then I want to go home. I just..." Hitoshi opened his mouth to refuse as her voice trailed, but the determined nod of her head left no room for debate.

"Okay." He sighed after a moment of consideration. "Okay, let's go."

This was one of the most difficult chapters I've had to write for this fic because it's hard to capture the growth without obnoxiously pointing it out. I don't even know how I feel about it, but I don't think more editing will change my thoughts at this point so have at it. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter twenty five.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 23: Marking 🍆

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic. A NSFW chapter.

"I guess I wasn't clear enough." He nipped lightly at her neck as Takara whined. She was rapidly losing her ability to articulate how badly she wanted to hear the words, the praise, from his lips. She couldn't tell him how close she was to her release, willing herself to hold out for the words.

"I could spend all day playing with you and your perfect fuck hole, Takara."

There was a clock in the basement where her nightmares began.

It's strange the details a brain will hold onto. Somewhere amongst the cluttered recollections of school classes and family dinners, there was the knowledge that there was a clock in the basement where Takara was locked in. The rhythmic tic-toc noise helped Takara stay calm for the first few seconds of darkness after the door was shut. Or maybe it was just her fight response taking a moment to kick in, her brain looking for anything to quell the panic that would inevitably overtake her.

Then the noise of the clock was drowned out by the sound of her heartbeat in her ears as adrenaline rushed through her veins. The radiating pain down the side of her hands made it impossible to focus on anything but the need to escape as she pounded on the door, only serving to further bruise her already damaged hands.

Takara found that she couldn't scream. Try as she might, Takara couldn't find her voice in this place. She knew that was wrong - she'd screamed her voice hoarse many times. But she couldn't dwell on it with danger lurking close by.

This time there was a horrible sense of knowing what existed in the space behind her - an unexplainable understanding that if she turned around she would see two green, emerald eyes slowly approaching from the dark. She knew it was a matter of seconds before she feel the vice like grip on her arm, and the sensation of her skin dissipating into nothingness would follow. She tried pounding harder but the door was unrelenting, refusing to open.

"Takara." The word held urgency, but no malice as it appeared from, behind her. Takara almost turned but found her fortitude, keeping her eyes trained ahead on the door. If she turned she might miss it cracking open. She felt something touch her hair and knew that the skeleton had made it up the stairs. Terror gripped her, the pounding in her ears suddenly slowing with the understanding that there was no escape. The world tilted beneath her as the winds of consciousness broke her free.

Hitoshi had awoken to Ash nuzzling his cheek with ferocity. The moment the kitten felt Hitoshi stir under his paws, he began licking Hitoshi's eyelids.

"I'm not dead, Ash." Hitoshi muttered with a smile, swatting the feline with a half-hearted hand. A small chirp let him know the kitten acknowledged his living status as Ash retreated, hopping off the bed to stretch on the floor. Hitoshi felt Takara's weight against him. As much bad luck Takara had with cooking, Kiyoko seemed to have a talent for it. The pair had been well fed and sent home with leftovers and a half-hearted eyeroll from Kiyoko as she pinched her granddaughters cheeks.

Apparently the cycling sleep schedule was something Takara was not accustomed to. Hitoshi had been able to stay awake without issue - in fact, he had finished most of a book while Takara had drifted to sleep. She had curled into his side after coming home from her grandmother's, her eyes heavy as she insisted she wasn't sleepy.

Hitoshi peered down at Takara through half closed eyes to see a furrowed brow, her hand balled into a fist while her body twitched lightly. Takara's breathing hitched, her lip quivering at an unperceivable fear. He watched closer - whatever dream she was having, she was not enjoying it. "Takara." He whispered as he stroked her hair, urging her to wake. A waft of guilt drifted by and he let it linger. He suspected she was dreaming of the skeletal figure, and that this would be one of many dreams that would haunt her. He'd had a few of his own after the battle with the sludge villain, the sensation of thick muck covering his body one that still occasionally woke him in the early hours.

He shifted under her, waking Takara with a jolt and a gasp. Her eyes filled with horror as she looked around the room to get her bearings. "Hey." Hitoshi ran a hand through her hair again, his voice soft as she came to understand where she was. Not trapped in the basement with a monster but safe in the arms of her Gargoyle.

The sky was beginning to lighten behind her, the warm morning glow painting her red locks in an amber light. "Do you want to talk about it?" Takara looked almost guilty as she idly stoked the now familiar scar along his chest, considering how much to share.

"It's the basement." She admitted after a moment, laying her head back down to listen to his heartbeat. Takara took comfort in the predictable noise and the warmth that accompanied it, forcing herself to draw in a deep breath as the dream floated back down into her unconsciousness. "But the skeleton was there, and then it touched me and I just....I didn't mean to wake you." Takara finished, her head heavy against him.

"You didn't. Ash did. He tried to eat my eyelids." Takara smiled as she looked up at the hero. "He's never done that to me." Hitoshi shrugged as he continued his idle strokes of her hair. "I probably move less, so he thought I died." Takara hummed in response, her eyes drifting closed before turning to look out the window. She was uncertain what time it was. They'd been abusing their sleep schedules lately and with her return to work imminent, Takara knew that she had to work on correcting that.

"We should go visit them. The bones. Maybe they're haunting me because you kicked their femur." Takara muttered as she moved to stand. Hitoshi felt the warmth the pair had accumulated dissipate with her as she exited the nest of blankets strewn across her bed.

"Today?" Hitoshi asked, confused by the muted insistence in her voice.

"I dreamt of it today, so I feel like today is the day we should visit. Do you know where they were buried?" Hitoshi was quickly realizing that Takara was determined to start the day, and that the rising sun marked beginning even if he wasn't ready to leave his cocoon yet.

"It's not like they're going anywhere." Hitoshi sat up, wrapping his arms around Takara's waist and dragging her back into the bed. The laughter that filled the room eased the guilt in his heart as her back settled against his chest. A cascade of red enveloped Hitoshi's senses as her hair fell over him.

"Weren't we supposed to test my oral skills?" The whisper in her ear was deeper with morning exhaustion, dripping with temptation as his hand snaked lower over the plain of her stomach. Hitoshi groaned as he toyed with the band of her panties, already eager to feel the wetness that lay beneath them.

"I don't think I'd count that as oral." Takara teased, pausing his hand. "Oh?" Hitoshi whispered back, pressing a kiss into her neck. The sensation of his morning stubble prickling her neck made her wonder what it would feel like between her legs. "You said my pronunciation was wrong, didn't you?" His hand slipped beneath the thin fabric, and Hitoshi felt himself grow harder as his fingertips grazed her sensitive nub. The move pulled a low moan from Takara, spurring Hitoshi on.

"Not no one." He felt Takara shake her head at the memory. He kept one arm around her waist , balancing her and keeping her pressed against his chest as Takara began moving against his hand, eager for more.

"So, what do you want me to say, Takara? Let's work on my pronunciation." Hitoshi suppressed the urge to rub himself against her, to feel those panties against his aching cock. "Do you want me to tell you how hard you make me?" He began to move his hand in slow circles, a sustained moan leaving Takara's lips as her head rolled back against his shoulder. Her hand moved upwards to tangle in his hair, the other entwining itself with his supporting hand. "No, I could just show you that, couldn't I?"

She could feel the vibrations of his voice against her back as she gently circled her hips, trying to tempt Hitoshi into giving her more. "Do you want me to tell you how all those fantasies I had about how good you'd feel wrapped around my cock didn't come close to the real thing?" Hitoshi's movements- the slow, lazy circles he had been drawing on her most sensitive part - increased their pace. He felt her squeeze his hand, a choked gasp escaping her. "Or maybe, you want me to tell you that you have the perfect little cunt." Takara shuttered. The lewd words he was whispering into her ear were setting her body alight with want. "How was the pronunciation? Or do you need me to say it again?"

"Again." Takara gasped immediately, and Hitoshi chuckled at the desperation invading her voice. His pace didn't falter as he whispered "You have the perfect little cunt to play with, Takara." Hitoshi switched to using his thumb to continue his ministration, slipping two fingers inside her. Takara gasped at the added sensation as her head rolled backwards in ecstasy. Hitoshi had known that Takara enjoyed dirty talk, but it had only been recently considered that his voice also spurred her on. "I can't wait to see what you taste like. But first-" Hitoshi set a steady pace with his fingers, the movements she and deep. Takara felt her back arch, the hand tangled in his hair pulling as her body began to tense. "You need to cum for me, doll."

Takara's moans had started flowing more freely from her lips as her hips moved against him. Hitoshi was painfully hard, choosing to ignore his own needs in favor of focusing on hers. Between Takara's moans, the feeling of her body writhing against his, and the knowledge that she was so wet for him Hitoshi was having a hard time suppressing the voice urging him to bury himself in her warm, dripping walls.

"Do you need me to say it again?" Hitoshi teased as her breathing became more haggard. "Y-yes." Hitoshi smirked at the absolute plea that flowed from her lips, the sustained whine making his cock twitch. "Cum for-"

"Not that. " The desperation in her voice briefly stumped Hitoshi, unsure of what she was looking for. His smirk grew wider as understanding hit him. "I guess I wasn't clear enough." He nipped lightly at her neck as Takara whined. She was rapidly losing her ability to articulate how badly she wanted to hear the words, the praise, from his lips. She couldn't tell him how close she was to her release, willing herself to hold out for the words.

"I could spend all day playing with you and your perfect fuck hole, Takara." The husky whisper next to her ear pushed Takara over the edge, her body shaking against him as sensation and bliss replaced her ability to think. She drifted through the waves of pleasure that his hand generated, Hitoshi's pace not faltering as she came undone. Her body stiffened and ground against him as she rode through her orgasm.

"Fuck, Toshi-" Hitoshi gently pulled Takara off of him, sliding her down as he moved to sit between her legs. Her face was flushed, her freckled face painted in a satisfied smile. "You don't need-"

"I said I want to taste you." Hitoshi said, his eyes burning with lust as he tossed her panties aside. "Unless you don't want me to." Takara shook her head. It took him a moment to make sense of her body language as she reached down between her legs, covering herself as she looked up at him in embarrassment. "I-I just feel a little exposed." Takara confessed with a shy smile. Hitoshi leaned over, bringing his lips to hers. Her hands snaked around his back as her modesty dissipated. She relaxed into the passion and absolute desire burning behind his kiss. She could feel the smirk on his face before she saw it, satisfied with how responsive she was to his touch.

"I told you, your pussy is perfect." Hitoshi nudged his nose against her cheek. "Let me show you how perfect it is. Let me taste you." Takara nodded, her self consciousness lowering it's head as Hitoshi did. He trailed gentle kisses down her neck, his palms finding her breasts and kneading, gently teasing her nipples with his fingertips. His calloused palms against her soft, sensitive flesh had her moaning, pleading with him for more. Takara found herself once again tangling her hands through his hair, the feeling becoming more familiar with the passing days.

His head dipped lower as he left a trail of kisses down her stomach. Hitoshi's hands followed, wrapping themselves around the back of her thighs, spreading her wide as he found himself level with her wet core. Takara looked down at him, his eyes briefly flickering to her center. He smiled before returning his attention to her. "Perfect." Hitoshi said simply, grinning before giving her a long, slow lick with a flattened tongue. He groaned at the taste of her on his lips, her scent shooting an ache to his cock. "You taste as good as you look." Hitoshi whispered before using his hands to pull her closer, burying his face into her slit. He sucked her bud gently, using his tongue to apply just enough pressure to clit have Takara throw her head back. She knew she was pulling his hair, pulling him deeper, but couldn't stop herself.

He felt Takara's hips moving slightly before pausing as a shaky gasp escaped her lips. He pulled his mouth away briefly to tell her "Grind my face - I want to smell you on me for weeks." Takara discovered she had been correct - the stubble on his face sent tingles down her legs as he resumed his lapping at her. "Please, more, your hand-" She was begging through her babbling, unsure if he would understand before Hitoshi returned his fingers inside her.

"Fuck, I'm going to fill you up after this." Hitoshi whispered against her slit as he moved back slightly, focusing his attention on his pumping fingers. She was desperately chasing the sensation of him - his stubble, his tongue, his hands - and he couldn't help the ego stroke it provided. Takara was begging for him. "You wrap around me like a glove. I want to bury my face, my cock- fuck Takara -" Takara felt herself shake, her muscles tightening outside her control. She knew Hitoshi was saying something but white noise filled her ears as she felt herself clench around his fingers, spasming around him. She felt a sudden spirt of liquid-

"Oh, Goddess, fuck-" Takara felt the white noise suddenly fade away from her ears like pulling out a pair of earplugs. She didn't squirt often, and she had a few bad experiences of freaking people out with the sudden rush of liquid. Takara felt disappointment at her body for doing it today despite how good it felt, hoping it wouldn't turn Hitoshi off of her. "I didn't mean to-"

"Don't you dare apologize." Hitoshi cut her off. "Had I known you could squirt, I would have done this sooner." Hitoshi growled, his rich, purple eyes filled with fire. "That was hot. I'm glad I got a front row seat." Hitoshi moved up her body, capturing her lips as he lined himself up with her entrance. Takara tasted herself on his tongue as they explored each other. Her own essence filling her mouth as she once again relaxed beneath his lust and reassurance. His morning stubble was damp with her slick, and Takara found herself wet from smelling herself on him.

"I'm not going to last long." Hitoshi whispered as he pushed inside her waiting entrance. He groaned at the sensation of her warmth, freshly swollen from her second orgasm, as he eased himself in inch by inch. Takara found herself once again lost for words - the stretch of him was delicious. She dragged her nails up his back, pausing halfway up as Takara internalized what she was doing. She'd been hesitant to leave marks on him before. It was an unclear line.

Perhaps another one of Hitoshi's partners wouldn't have appreciated the evidence of him having fun with someone else. Takara had known she didn't want to ask anything about any other people she suspected the hero was sleeping with. Truthfully, Takara had been too afraid to even have confirmation of her thoughts, instead simply deciding leaving any evidence of their time together was a bad idea and quietly training herself not to. It helped that she often played the submissive role, preventing herself from doing what she wanted to Hitoshi's body.

She felt herself approach a dangerous realization and pulled herself away, forced herself back to the present, back to Hitoshi as he sank into her oversensitive hole. As he bottomed out Takara found herself pulling him down for a kiss, one hand on his shoulder and the other on the back of his head. She wanted him closer.

Takara needed to feel that connection - that intangible pull that had made her open her window one rainy night. She found it in those brief moments. Somewhere between the desperate movements of their bodies as Hitoshi chased his own release, somewhere between the tangle of tongues tinged with her taste, somewhere between the final desperate thrusts before Hitoshi pulled out, his low moan absolute music to her ears, Takara rediscovered the thread between them she had tried to bury.

"Takara?" Hitoshi's voice pulled her from her overstimulated brain as he caught his breath. He brushed a sweat drenched lock of hair from her face, worry in his eyes as he caught his breath. "Where'd you go?" Takara hated that he'd understood how far she' had drifted into her own thoughts. She felt silly - Why was she looking for a way to hurt herself by unburying that tangled thread?

"I just..." Her voice trailed off. Takara wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer as she buried herself in his shoulders. She savored the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. It was safe, someplace she could easily sleep, where the weight of the world couldn't touch her. "I never left any marks on you before. I didn't think I should." Takara confessed, and Hitoshi understood what she meant as she dragged her hand down his back. "I didn't want to upset anyone else you were seeing." Takara wasn't sure why it hurt to explain, but she held him tighter in a desperate attempt to dull the ache the truth brought on. The marks she had left him with were incomplete and shallow. They clearly hadn't hurt him. But the act felt horribly forbidden, as though no one was supposed to know that she existed in his life.

Hitoshi felt it as she pulled him in, her explanation sounding more like a confession. He saw it for what it really was - a small crack in her walls. Takara was letting him in. She was showing him the ways she had kept herself safe, creating a distance between them with purpose. The unspoken rules she'd made to keep it clear in her mind that what they had wasn't real. To remind herself that Hitoshi wasn't something to her.

She was letting him know not only that the structure could be broken, but that she was breaking the rules that reinforced them herself.

Hitoshi closed his eyes, savoring the feeling as she clung to him. As he began to drift off he felt a little bit more hopeful that maybe - maybe - six months was enough time to show Takara that she was something to him.

"You're allowed to leave marks on me. You always were." Hitoshi whispered sleepily as he drifted off, satisfaction painting his voice. He felt Takara's grip loosen as she too felt the exhaustion pull her back into the world of rest.

I struggled for inspiration before this scene came to me at 2 in the morning, fully formed, and I had to draft it before I could sleep. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 24

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 22: Egg

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic. A filler chapter because plot isn't happening this week.

"Uhhh.... Toshi." Takara's voice drowned out Eijiro's, her tone tinged with rising uncertainty. "What is it?" Hitoshi called back as he stood, already trying to figure out what had gone wrong in the 30 seconds he'd left her unattended.

"Wait, who's that?"

"No one." Hitoshi said into the phone. "Not no one." He quickly corrected as he approached the kitchen, the sound of evaporating water reaching his ears. "How the hell-"

"Let's just get Ash's food and get out of here." Takara grumbled as she grabbed a small cart from the entryway of the store. Hitoshi gave her an inquisitive look. "You have an egg and soy sauce in your fridge. We're grabbing more than food for Ash."

"I mean sure, grab whatever you want. But I only need Ash's food." Takara began steering the pair in the direction of where she suspected she would find the pet food before Hitoshi placed a hand on the cart to stop her. It was early evening and the store was filled with people who had gotten off work grabbing what they needed for the night.

"You have a single egg and soy sauce." Hitoshi repeated. "What, exactly, are you going to eat?" Takara tried to hide the cringe her face made, knowing where the conversation was heading. "Whatever grandma makes. I'm not picky." She explained in a rush, spotting the cans of cat food the market stocked. "Do you see white fish-" Hitoshi reached up wordlessly to grab a few of the white fish feast cans before placing them in the cart. "Thanks!"

"How old is the egg?" He continued his questioning, placing a hand on the cart to stop Takara from moving towards the checkouts. While going to her grandmother's for dinner was sweet, he had a hard time believing it occurred every single night. Takara looked as though she was considering the question, her head tilting slightly before she shrugged.

"More than a week old?" He asked, scrutinizing her face. A slight blush had risen to her cheeks as she once again considered the question. "I'm sure it's still good if you want it." Takara answered with a shrug, trying to push the cart forward only to be halted by the man again.

"More than two weeks?" Hitoshi pressed as Takara began drumming her fingertips against the cart's handle, still not answering the question. "I don't know." She finally admitted, accepting that Hitoshi wasn't going to give up until she explained. Takara ignored the few curious looks from people passing the pair by, pushing carts of their own. "It came with the apartment."

Hitoshi laughed. He couldn't help but find joy in the absurdity the woman lived. "Wait, walk me through this." He held up as hand as he replayed her words. "You move in there, there's an egg-" His hand came back down on the edge of the cart as Takara tried to take the opportunity to move towards the checkout.

"And the sauce -" Takara amended, only enlarging the grin on the mans face as he surveyed her.

"The sauce isn't even yours?" Hitoshi laughed as he looked between her mostly empty cart and her eyes, his own gleaming with amusement. "You move in. There's a mostly empty bottle of soy sauce and an egg. So you keep them?"

Takara's face was approaching the same hue as her hair as the man continued his questioning. "It's not like I shove my fridge full of stuff." She explained with a shrug, her face also breaking out into a smile. "Grandma cooks for me most of the time." Hitoshi blinked at her, taking a moment to sort through the number of questions that popped into his head.

Takara cut him off when he went to open his mouth. "You know what? The moment we get back to the apartment, I'll toss the egg. We can throw it into the street."

"That egg has lived there longer than you, you can't just throw it off your balcony!" He said as Takara rolled her eyes. She fought a laugh at how worked up Hitoshi was getting about the egg that lived in her fridge. It wasn't like it had gone off.

"Don't personify my food!" She shot back, taking the opportunity while he was distracted to get the cart moving. Hitoshi followed along beside her.

"I don't think you can call it food if you never eat it." Hitoshi said with a shake of his head. "You don't know how to cook, do you?" Takara slowed her pace while she considered the question, her face a muted grimace. "Could you boil your roommate if you needed to?"

Takara laughed at the joke as she shook her head. "I mean...I could try and find a video. And borrow a pan from grandma." Hitoshi placed his hand beside hers on the carts handle, once again forcing her to stop the beeline she was trying to make for the checkout.

"Nope." Hitoshi turned the cart towards where he knew he'd find eggs. "We're grabbing a few things, and I'm showing you how to boil an egg."

"I don't have any pans!" Takara exclaimed as she threw her hands up, giving up on having any control in the situation as she quickened her pace to match his stride. He was suddenly filled with purpose as he navigated the store. "Then we'll borrow one from your grandmother." He answered simply as he shook his head, spotting the refrigerated section.

"I don't even like eggs." She muttered as she trailed behind the purple haired hero. "You liked the marinated eggs. I can show you how to do that once you master boiling."

"Do we still have to boil them if we marinate them?" Takara asked, her voice tinged with hope. Hitoshi looked at her with slightly widened eyes before he nodded slowly, only now realizing how little she understood about the act of cooking. "Don't look at me like that!" Takara whispered, nudging him with her elbow as she looked around, hoping no one had overheard what she now suspected was a silly question.

"Like what?" Hitoshi asked, picking up a carton of eggs before placing them in the cart. "Like it's so shocking that I don't know how to cook. I never said I could. Have you ever seen me cook?"

"I-No. I just have a lot of questions. Didn't you live on your own?" Hitoshi once again took over the cart, moving into the dried goods aisle with sustained purpose. "Do you have rice?"

"I had a friend who I would go see for dinner a lot. She liked having the company, and I'd fix her clothes for her. She's always ripping them. I should actually go see her soon, she mentioned there's a few items she needs fixed." Takara began rambling as she looked through the variety of rice options, unsure of where to start. "It worked for us. Listen-" Takara reached out to stop Hitoshi from grabbing a bag of grains, deciding himself that she most definitely did not have rice at her apartment. "You're not the first person to try teaching me to cook. My friend tried. My mother tried. I'm just really, really bad at it. It never works."

"Then we get you some measuring cups and a rice cooker." He said with a shrug, as though that would solve the issue. "But feeding yourself is important, even if it's basic."

Takara bit down on her lower lip as she nodded. "I'm just-" Takara sighed. "I don't want you to be upset if I can't." Hitoshi softened as he looked at her, gently grabbing one of her hands with his own. "It's rice." He gazed down at her, a reassuring smile on his face. "And a few eggs. I believe in you."

"Oh no, oh no-" Takara scrubbed at the hot plate, which was covered in overflowed starchy water and what Hitoshi suspected was egg white. She had pulled the billowing pot off of it when the fire alarm had gone off, sending Ash into a frenzied rush to retreat under the bed. "I warned you!" Takara shouted as she looked at her grandmothers pot, the bottom blackened from burnt rice.

Kiyoko had looked at Hitoshi with amusement when Takara had explained what they were cooking. She had shook her head as though to say good luck before she had handed over what he suspected was her two least precious pots. He now understood why.

"....How?" Was all Hitoshi could manage as he took in the carnage that had been created, the starchy water slowly spreading across her counter. The pair had started the rice together, Hitoshi explaining how much water and rice was required before leaving the pot to come to a boil. The eggs had been put in cold water and brought to a simmer. The rice had been turned to low to steam before the pair had been caught up playing with Ash. "The rice was doing fine five minutes ago. And the eggs-"

"I don't know." She knew the whole thing has been a bad idea, but hoped that maybe this time things would actually work. "This always happens. I don't know why. I try and follow the directions and it just-" Takara dropped the sponge and stepped back from the hot plate, suddenly filled with laughter as she accepted the absurdity of the situation. "I'm sorry." She said after a few seconds, her face breaking into a wide smile as she shook her head. "I did try and warn you. I'm going to have to replace that pot. Poor pot, you didn't deserve that."

"I don't understand." Hitoshi said with a laugh, pausing as he leaned over the pot, the contents ruined. "I'm not upset." He tried to assure her as he looked towards the hot plate.

"Well, I am!" Takara declared, throwing the sponge into the sink with an angry flourish. "I feel like all I do is throw out cookware!"

"It should work. It was put to low. It shouldn't burn that fast."

"Well-" Takara opened her arms, gesturing to the mess that had overtaken the space. She levelled him with a look that suggested he had to reexamine his statement.

Hitoshi opened his mouth, then shut it again. "Okay, let's get more basic." Hitoshi rattled his brain for something with less difficulty and came up horribly short. "I can do instant noodles. In a cup. Not the stovetop ones." Takara offered, earning an unamused look from the man.

"That's just adding water."

"That's what you said about the rice, and look!" Takara pointed to the hot plate accusingly, as though it was somehow responsible for the mess.

"Point taken." Hitoshi admitted as he crossed his arms, leaning up against the counter. He was determined to make this work. There was no reason why it shouldn't. "Maybe it was just too many things at once." Hitoshi suggested as he tossed the cracked eggs into the trash, giving the pot a cursory cleaning before refilling it. "Let's just boil an egg. One egg."

"I don't think it'll be any different." Takara muttered to herself as she opened the fridge, pulling out a singular egg. Hitoshi suppressed a laugh as she gently lowered it into the pot, as though she was concerned if she dropped it too early it would crack.

"We're going to stand here and watch this time. No getting distracted by Ash." Hitoshi leaned against the counter as he set the hot plate up, Takara looking between him and the toy she had already picked up. She dropped it after a moment, rolling her eyes and she moved to stand beside him.

"My mom used to say a watched pot never boils." Takara said as she hopped onto the counter, her legs kicking idly as she stared at the metal pot.

Hitoshi pressed a few buttons before turning to her. "My mother used to say anyone can boil an egg." Hitoshi shot back as he crossed his arms, giving her a smirk. Takara stuck her tongue out at him, a move that brought a smile to his face.

Hitoshi felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, pulling his attention away from the woman. "Don't touch anything." He instructed as he left the kitchen. "And keep your eyes on it." Takara nodded, her attention turning to the pot.

Hitoshi furrowed his brow at the caller ID. "Hello?" He said once he'd lifted the device to his head. "Hey hey!" Hitoshi could practically see Eijiro's face, bright with life as he greeted him. "Kats and I have the night off. Did you want to grab a beer and catch up?"

"Can't." Hitoshi replied shortly, sitting on the edge of Takara's bed. "I'm working."

"Dang. Denki said that you might be free tonight. Guess that didn't-"

"Uhhh.... Toshi." Takara's voice drowned out Eijiro's, her tone tinged with rising uncertainty. "What is it?" Hitoshi called back as he stood, already trying to figure out what had gone wrong in the 30 seconds he'd left her unattended.

"Wait, who's that?"

"No one." Hitoshi said into the phone. "Not no one." He quickly corrected as he approached the kitchen, the sound of evaporating water reaching his ears. "How the hell-" The pot had boiled over, a mess of egg white and water rapidly spreading across the counter as Takara held back a squirming Ash. The kitten yowled for assistance when he spotted the purple haired hero, his back legs dangling and kicking as Takara held him under his front legs.

"You said not to touch anything! Ash hopped up and I guess he pressed something, I don't know-" Takara rambled off as she tried to keep herself from laughing, bouncing the kitten in her arms.

"I was gone for thirty seconds-"

"Mreoow-" Ash yowled, not appreciating being bounced around.

"Dude, what the hell?" Eijiro's voice came through the phone with a laugh. "Who's that? Did you get a cat?"

"No, I didn't get a cat." Hitoshi spoke into the phone as he quickly darted over to the hot plate and to turn it off. He tossed the entire pot into the sink before turning to Takara. His mouth hung open for a second before she held out Ash as a peace offering, her eyes filled with amusement. The kitten seemed equally unamused by being used as a dangling bartering tool.

"Are you at a cat café?" Eijiro offered, still trying to piece together the situation that was happening on the other end of the phone.

"I can't come out tonight, I'm working." Hitoshi repeated as he pat the kitten on the head, the bitter taste of betrayal eased by his cuteness. "Who's the girl?" Eijiro pressed, and Hitoshi didn't need to see him to know he was wiggling his eyebrows.

"Just....Not no one." Hitoshi found himself grimacing as he said it, Takara's head tilting at his words.

"Wow." Takara exclaimed as she placed Ash on the floor, her mouth falling open in false shock. "That's what you're calling me?"

Hitoshi's closed his eyes as he rolled his head back, deciding he needed to get off the phone before Eijiro started asking more questions. "I'm working." He repeated into his phone with a sigh. "Maybe next time. I've got to go."

"Man, really-" Hitoshi hung up the phone and shoved it in his pocket before turning to Takara. "...Think your grandma made dinner?" He decided to regroup and try boiling an egg with her tomorrow.

"For me? Sure. For my not-no-one?" Takara gave him a scrutinizing look of consideration. "Maybe."

"Guess you heard that, huh?"

"It's just a really weird way to pronounce girlfriend." Takara shrugged, a smile on her face as she turned to grab her jacket. "But I guess you need to work on your oral skills." He didn't miss the mischief in her eyes as she looked him over.

"Let's test that after dinner."

Domesticity is intimacy, and nothing will change my mind.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 23.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 21: Temporary

Takara sighed as she noticed a purple splotch appear behind her in the video feed, Hitoshi's hair a wild mop atop his head. Her mothers keen eyes had apparently noticed him first. "Mom, I-"

"Sorry. If I had known Takara had a video call, I would have worn a shirt to bed." Hitoshi raised a hand in greeting as Takara mouthed "leave" over her shoulder to the now dressed hero. Hitoshi grinned, not listening to Takara's plea as he stepping further into the frame. "I'm Hitoshi, Takara's friend."

"What an interesting way to say you're sleeping with my daughter!"

"Crossroads? Really?" Takara sighed. She'd come to realize her lonely walk through the woods was one her mind conjured when she'd spotted a kangaroo munching on bamboo. It had waved to her before hopping back through the birch trees, the soft snow dampening the noise it should have made.

"Diverging paths that meet but do not superposition." The Other sat in the center of the intersection, legs crossed as they started down one path. Their shorts and dark tank top were contrasting to the waking world where the weather would have made the outfit impossible. "This just feels too on the nose. Aren't you supposed to speak in riddles and be super mysterious?" Takara waved her hands in a mocking gesture. The Other looked at Takara with sympathy, the golden hues in her eyes visible despite the lack of light. "I exist in the spaces between spaces, where thoughts and emotion weave themselves into the tapestry of experience." It answered, the voice echoing gently through the air.

"See, that's more what I was expecting." Takara sat across from The Other, crossing her legs in a similar fashion to the entity. She felt the small road pebbles sink into her skin, poking into the flesh on the back of her thighs. "I don't know what to do." The Other looked around the crossroads in assessment, gazing for a sustained moment between the four destinations before returning her glowing orbs to Takara. "What if I make a mistake?" Takara asked the Other, clutching her knees to her chest as she turned her attention to the gravel.

"Your ordering is incorrect." The Other assured her, a warm smile on her face. It reached its hand to bridge the space between them . "A decision preceeds regret."

"But what if I'm not sure of my choice?" The Other considered her question, turning her eyes towards the sky. Takara felt her eyes drawn upward where stars moved lazily, flickering in and out of focus as though the sky had melted into water. "Joy is found where you tend to it." Takara pressed her forehead into her knees with a sigh. "But-" When Takara looked back to the Other, she was met with a bright, white light instead. She felt the pull of consciousness tearing through the space as the snowy crossroads fell away into nothingness.

Takara's phone vibrated, the light flashing in her eyes as she fell back into her body. Through sleep deprived eyes she squinted at the caller ID. The jumbled letters didn't elicit anything in her brain, so she opted to accept the call.

"Hello?" Takara's voice cracked as she held the phone to her ear, rubbing her eye with her free hand. She heard a groan behind her and turned to see Hitoshi cover his eyes with his arm, hiding from both her movement and noise.

"Takara it's a video call, I don't need to see inside your ear." Takara pulled the phone away and glared at her mothers image on the screen. "Why are you calling me so early-"

"It is four o'clock in the afternoon here, redjyk." She watched her mother's brow furrow as she looked behind Takara. Takara was left with the image of her mothers squinting eyes on her screen. "Is that a -" She quickly realized what her mother was looking at as Hitoshi slumbered beside her. She assumed his shirt was thrown somewhere in the room, the rise and fall of his chest deep and slow despite the conversation taking place next to him.

"No, no it's nothing." Takara threw the quilt off herself as she moved to sit, trying to hide Hitoshi's shirtless form from view as she made her way towards the door. "Goddess. Takara you could grate cheese-"

"Mom!" Takara whispered into the phone through gritted teeth. "What? You're the one who picked up while you have someone in your bed. Hello handsome!" Takara felt her face flush as Hitoshi stirred, his eyes squinting from the mid daylight that peeked in through the curtains. He grinned at her, mischief overtaking his features as he processed what had woken him up. "Come back to bed, love. I'd love to talk-"

"You absolutely are not talking with my mother." Takara cut his comment short as she opened the door, throwing the man a glare over her shoulder. "Let me talk to cheese grater!" Takara heard her mother exclaim through her phones speaker and Takara resisted the urge to toss her phone out the window.

Peeking her head out into the hallway, she found the place was silent save for the movement of Hitoshi in the room behind her. The noise was quickly muffled as Takara slammed the door shut. "Is that the Gargoyle you mentioned?" Her mother wasted no time in prying into her life as Takara made her way into the kitchen, idly opened a few of the kitchen cupboards in search of a water glass.

"Yes." Takara switched to Ruq, knowing Hitoshi was likely listening. "It's... Complicated?"

"Everything is complicated until you decide it isn't." Her mother chastised with a shake of her feathers. Takara glared into her phone camera, a look that did little to deter her mother. Finally locating the correct cupboard she turned on the sink and waited for the stream to cool.

"He's a workaholic hero, and we're not serious."

"Serious enough to call you love and want to speak to your mother is serious." Her mother rolled her eyes as she sipped her drink, the ice in the glass creating a rattling noise as she lowered it.

"Well that's what we originally decided but now everything is all tangled -"

"Cheese grater!" Takara sighed as she noticed a purple splotch appear behind her in the video feed, Hitoshi's hair a wild mop atop his head. Her mothers keen eyes had apparently noticed him first. "Mom, I-"

"Sorry. If I had known Takara had a video call, I would have worn a shirt to bed." Hitoshi raised a hand in greeting as Takara mouthed "leave" over her shoulder to the now dressed hero. Hitoshi grinned, not listening to Takara's plea as he stepping further into the frame. "I'm Hitoshi, Takara's friend."

"What an interesting way to say you're sleeping with my daughter!" Takara gave Hitoshi an I-warned-you grin over her shoulder as his eyes widened, his cheeks filling with warmth at the brazen comment. "I'm Takara's mother, Nialama. You can call me Nia." Her mother raised a claw and waved politely. Hitoshi recovered quickly as he stepped closer to Takara, allowing her mother a better look at his face. "I'm not here to judge. But I'm much too young to be a grandmother so please-"

"Mother I swear I will end this call-"

"Don't speak Ruq when non-speakers are present dear, it's incredibly rude to leave your friend out of the conversation." Her mother was quick to chastise as Takara growled in frustration. Her mothers emphasis on the word friend was salt in an oddly fresh wound.

"I wasn't expecting for him to be here when you called. The day got away from me." Takara admitted as Hitoshi stole her water glass, downing it in a few quick gulps. "'Toshi." Takara whined, earning a chuckle from the man as he went to refill it.

"Well it doesn't matter to me if he's here or not. You've been busy, getting injured and not bothering to mention it." Her mother finally got to her point, earning a sigh from her daughter. "It doesn't matter-"

"You don't get to decide what matters and what doesn't. It was bad enough to land you in the hospital. I thought I was your emergency contact. Why didn't they call me?"

"It's a new hospital. I moved to be closer to grandma-"

"You moved? Why am I finding this all out now, redjyk-"

"Mom." Takara cut off her mothers annoyance with her own. "You've been busy with your coaching, dads been busy with the museum. There just hasn't been a good time to catch up." She explained, accepting the refilled glass from Hitoshi as he rethought his involvement in the conversation. "Besides, this guys been around to keep me safe. So there's no reason to worry."

"Well then he needs to do better." Her mother deadpanned, openly glaring at the man. Hitoshi wasn't sure how to respond as he rubbed the back of his head. The words were cold, but he accepted that she had a point.

"Okay well that was uncalled for." Takara swiftly corrected. "If you called to chastise me and be rude to him-" Takara swiftly ended the call, pocketing her phone as Hitoshi blinked in confusion.

"Do you always just hang up on people?" He asked as Takara began walking back towards the bedroom, stretching her arms above her head. "Call me sometime and find out." She answered shortly. Takara began undressing, intending to put back on her clothes from the previous day to wear back to her apartment when Hitoshi appeared in the doorway.

"We're something." He declared, eyes fixed on Takara as she pulled her shirt over her head. "Oh? I wasn't aware that was a unilateral decision." The words were curt and cold, Takara not bothering to look at the man as she deflated him.

"Well, you're something to me." Hitoshi amended after a moment, sounding more defeated than he had after his initial statement. Takara took in a deep breath as she turned to face him. Hitoshi leaned in the doorway, giving an air of indifference despite his declaration.

"What does that mean?" Takara questioned, annoyance rising within her. They'd agreed to the parameters. As much as he had grown on her, she wasn't sure why he was opening the conversation up when the boundaries had been made very clear. "Are you going to stop fucking other people?" Hitoshi blinked, standing straighter as the question rattled around in his head. "Do you think I've been seeing other people?" He questioned with a dry laugh. The thought was hilarious. All his spare time had been spent either with her, or watching over her.

"Obviously." Takara replied as she turned her attention back to getting dressed, collecting her haphazardly discarded socks. "You very explicitly said you couldn't be anything to me. So I assumed that meant you were seeing other people the same way you're seeing me." Hitoshi crossed the room in two steps, pushing Takara back onto the bed. "Hey-" She cried out, only to be silenced by his lips crashing into hers. Takara felt herself melt into his touch as his body pressed her into the mattress, allowing him to deepen their kiss until they were gnashing teeth and fighting for control. She tangled her hands in his hair, trying to pull him back so she could bite the spot on his neck that she knew would make him feral. Hitoshi held firm, not moving from his position over her.

"There isn't anyone else." He chuckled as they broke apart for air, using one hand to tilt her chin up towards him. Her brown orbs were filled with scrutiny and doubt as they surveyed his. "There isn't, Takara. Just us."

"Is this about the Joining?" Takara asked, her eyes still observing him.

"No. Go if that's what you want. But you have six months to start thinking about me as something. Right?" Hitoshi questioned at her incredulous look. "I won't stop you from going." It was the truth - if she was going to be with him, it had to be a well informed choice on her part. "But if it's enough to be something to someone, know that you're something to me."

"I think -" Takara's hand pressed gently into Hitoshi's chest, encouraging him to lean up and away. He obliged and rolled over onto the bed beside her, his eyes locked on her features as she continued to stare at the ceiling. It was as though she was trying to find the answer in the popcorn pattern that was plastered above the pair. "I think we're being very vague, and that's confusing us both. I think we need boundaries."

The turnabout from their first boundaries conversation was not lost on Hitoshi, but he nodded all the same. "What does this theoretical something mean to you?" Hitoshi didn't miss the dismissal in her question but opted not to detract by pointing it out.

"This something is just what we've been doing. I don't want to change anything." Hitoshi admitted after consideration. "But this isn't nothing to me. When you disappear for a week I worry about you. I sleep better with you around." Hitoshi admitted, tuning towards Takara. He noticed the furrowed brow she sported.

"'Toshi." Takara dragged a hand down her face as she sighed. "All you're saying is you've caught feelings. Which yeah, I think we both have." Takara admitted as she swallowed her anxiety. "That's something, sure. But that's not my something. I want to actually build a life with someone-"

"Just give me the six months." Hitoshi cut her off with his request. "Don't cancel anything for the Joining. But just give me six months to show you what I mean. And if that's not enough, at least we'll both know it."

Takara took in a shaky breath. "What, just be your temporary girlfriend?" Hitoshi froze at the word, fighting the urge to rebuke it. He'd never particularly liked that title - it felt too formal. Takara laughed at the pregnant pause her question elicited from the hero. She stood up, shaking her head at her own naivety. "Oh, sorry, is that just too committal?" The mocking and dismissive tone in her voice brought Hitoshi back to the moment.

"I've just never had one, okay?" He spat, his palms sweaty at the revelation. "It'll take some time for me to get comfortable with.... Everything. But sure, if that's how you want to think about it, fine. Be my temporary girlfriend."

Takara wanted to say something witty, about how if they were already calling it temporary what was the point. Instead she took in a deep breath and blew it out through her mouth. "Fine. Sure. Temporary." Takara repeated back, trying to ease the ache and fluttering in her heart. "Meet my parents." She added on after a moment. "When they fly back. For Yule." She elaborated as she turned. Her eyes assessed his closely, as if trying to determine if the request would scare him away. Instead he raised an eyebrow. "Sure. But why does your mom call me cheese grater?"

Takara laughed and Hitoshi was relieved to see she was actually happy. The conversation had been tense and terse, but seeing her laugh brought him comfort. "Because you could grate cheese on your abs." Takara snorted at the confused look on Hitoshi's face. "The hero commission hosts an annual Christmas party. Come with me." It was Hitoshi's turn to chuckle at Takara's face, hers one of surprise and excitement.

"Do I get to see you in a fancy suit?" Her excitement was palpable as her eyes filled with delight. "We'll see." Hitoshi tempered her expectations with his words. He'd normally shown up in his hero attire, if he bothered to show up at all. Takara frowned at the dismissal but didn't pursue it further, nodding in acknowledgement of the request.

"I have to feed Ash. Which I guess means we need to feed Ash." Hitoshi nodded as he stood. He was surprised when Takara wrapped her arms around his midsection, plastering herself into his chest and holding him close. He relaxed into her touch, wrapping her in his arms and laying his chin on the crown of her head. He was disappointed by only the remnants of her strawberry scent left from the last few days events. "I'm glad you asked for what you wanted. I just hope you meant it."

I just cornered myself into having to write six months of content or a time skip. Fuck.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter twenty two.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 20: Intersection

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic. A heavy bookkeeping chapter where things hopefully start making sense.

"Okay, but like, you guys are casual right?" Denki asked, confusion spread across his face.

"I-" Hitoshi wasn't sure how to answer the prompt. "Yes." He said, his voice tinged with defeat. Denki's eyes filled with sympathy as understanding slid into place. "Dang." He said simply, offering no comfort to his purple haired friend.

"So, what're you going to do about it?" Aizawa asked, his tone filled with annoyance. "There's nothing I can do about it."

"She's not a threat." Aizawa said with a sigh.

Hitoshi narrowed his eyes at his mentor. Denki had transported them all - including Takara - to a safe house. The building itself was unassuming - a few stories tall, and only a few apartments within it. The one they occupied has been painted a pastel blue, the chairs around the doily-sporting table covered in what looked like handmade pastel colored cushions. If Hitoshi hadn't been so tired he may have laughed at the site of himself, Aizawa and Denki sitting around what could have been his grandmother's kitchen table. "She was going to attack me-"

"Tao is an informant on this case. She's my person on the inside." Hitoshi and Denki shared a confused glance as Aizawa continued, hand reaching for the mug he had on the table. It steamed, filling the space with the scent of black tea. It had an odd knit fast, die warm slogan printed on it. Hitoshi suppressed a chuckle. "She's been missing. I was considering putting out a missing persons report even if that may have tipped off our suspect. I'm glad she showed up."

"How long-"

"About a year now." Aizawa cut off the question. He didn't seem to be in the mood to be with them in the dead of night, but had strolled in moments after the four of them had.

Once released from Hitoshi's control, Tao had only stopped her smoke from coalescing into a weapon after Aizawa had assured her of their alignment. The woman had retreated to the bathroom to treat her wounds and shower, giving the heroes an opportunity to speak.

Takara had made her way to occupy the small patio the apartment had to give the three heroes some privacy. She was leaning against the railing gazing up at the moon and, Hitoshi suspected, processing the nights events.

Hitoshi's mind was swimming with new information. Tao was working with Aizawa. Takara was likely going to be married to someone else in six months. He now understood why it was easier for her to keep her walls up while his had slowly been chipped away.

It was all exhausting. Adding in the late hour, Hitoshi was surprised he wasn't as tired as Aizawa appeared.

"Did Takara know?" Hitoshi questioned, earning an eye roll from Aizawa. "No." The answer was short and definitive, and Hitoshi suspected that Tao had broached the topic previously and been instructed not to. Aizawa sipped from the steaming mug clutched in his hands.

"What, exactly, is she an informant on?"

"You do know where those jewels pointed us, don't you?" Aizawa levelled him with an annoyed look, his eyes narrowing at the obvious answer to the question.

"The Necromancer?" Denki questioned, his eyes widening as he looked between the other two men. "Whoa, you think they're involved in this?" The Necromancer was Villian with a quirk which allowed them to control corpses. It extended to whatever quirk that person had during their life. There was limited information available, with only sporadic appearances through the two years they had been active.

But he had only been active in America.

"They're working with the head of the Nagati cult. But that's been incredibly difficult to prove. Those bones have actually brought us closer to showing that than anything else." Aizawa explained, taking another sip of tea. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Denki scratch the back of his head nervously.

"That doesn't make any sense." Hitoshi shook his head through his mental catalog of interactions with the tall wraith-like woman. "What does the cult have that the Necromancer wants? Why do the bones help-"

"That woman's grave hadn't been disturbed." Aizawa explained, pausing as he glanced between the two men. "That means she wasn't dug up. She had been buried under the supervision of the church - The head of the Nagati cult was present. Her real body was kept elsewhere."

"We still don't have any real motivation for this, though." Denki said, leaning back in his chair. "Like, where do followers of the Goddess fit into all this? Why target Takara after the attack?"

"Throwing a third cult in the mix was a diversion to lead us off their trail. The Nagati followers knew we were getting close after Tao decided to go off script and prevent their attack on the festival herself." Hitoshi noticed the slight shake of Aizawa's head, as though he was mentally reprimanding himself for something.

Hitoshi shook his head in defiance of his mentors statement. "Tao invited Takara there, if she knew the attack was going to happen-"

"Did Takara end up using that ticket?" Aizawa questioned with a sigh. Hitoshi thought back on the day and came up short. "Wasn't she already a vendor there?" Denki questioned. "Takara didn't need a ticket."

"The invite wouldn't have let her in. Tao was told to bring as many followers as possible - it would have looked suspicious if she didn't invite her after Takara showed up at her office. But the ticket was fake. It would have kept Takara out until after the attack had happened."

"So those people in gas masks knew Tao because she was their Priestess." Hitoshi tried to piece together the new pieces of information. Aizawa nodded shortly as he pushed away from the table and made his way towards the kettle, flipping the on switch. "We have plenty of photo evidence to prove that."

"Did she steal the castor beans that night, and leave that note?" Hitoshi questioned, the information filling the gaps in his understanding. They hadn't been able to figure out who would have been able to escape. But with Tao's quirk it would have been easy.

"Yes." Aizawa confirmed as he rifled through one of the cupboards, pulling out a box of tea. "Her translation was meant for me - admittedly I don't think she expected you to go to her for a translation. That did complicate things." Aizawa admitted with a sigh as the kettle clicked. "But that's my fault. I kept you both out of the loop. The beans were a request from the head of her sect, so Tao tried to pass along whatever information she could without raising suspicion."

Each sect slain, the head of houses laid to waste,

The beast had passed and so too did they.

A bloodless slaughter, no war declared.

With new ascension, fresh revival.

Hitoshi reflected on the message - he'd read it enough to have it committed to memory. It had been a distraction during his late-night roof stake outs. "When it said the heads of each sect, what did that mean?"

"Those poisonings - most of them were elders or people held in high regard from different sects of The Goddess followers-"

"Oh, that's smart." Denki commented as he intertwined his fingers behind his head. "At first glance they would look disconnected-"

"Unless you have visibility on all of the sects." Hitoshi finished, earning a nod from Aizawa. "We suspect there are more victims, ones who weren't declared as poisonings due to their age or complicating medical factors. We've been keeping a list to have exhumed once we have the Necromancer in custody. We don't want to tip off that we're on their trail." Hitoshi thought that over - toxicology wasn't run on everyone, only if there were suspicions. He groaned as a thought occurred to him, hoping his instincts were incorrect. "Don't tell me-"

"Aoto Mesothine is on that list. And you will keep that information to yourself." Aizawa levelled Hitoshi with a warning look, placing his mug down on the counter with a touch too much force. Some of his tea slipped out and splashed onto the counter.

The younger hero sighed as he processed the new revelation. "Who's that?" Denki asked as he looked between the pair. "Takara's grandfather." Hitoshi confirmed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, the beginnings of a headache setting in between his eyes. Aizawa sat back down, his knit fast, die warm mug steaming with refreshed vigor.

"So Tao was telling you the cult had finished killing the heads of different cults using poison. What about the rest of it?" Denki questioned, turning his attention towards the ceiling.

"It's a code." Aizawa reminded the blonde. "The Necromancer had done their part, and now the cult would do the rest."

"What, exactly, are the followers of Nagati trying to accomplish?" Hitoshi questioned. That still remained unclear, although his understanding felt less like swiss cheese than it had at the start of the night. "Typical power hungry cult stuff. They think it'll give them a boon from a God." Aizawa sighed, as though that was as obvious as the color of the sky. "It's always about power."

"What about the Necromancer?" Hitoshi pressed, his eyes turning towards the patio doors. The new knowledge on Takara's grandfather was a weight to carry.

"That's a lot less clear." Aizawa admitted, blowing on the steaming cup causing the scent filling the space. "Truthfully, I was beginning to doubt their involvement at all until Takara's attack. We didn't have much to go on other than Tao's word and a few cryptic internal memos."

"Well, lucky for Takara." Hitoshi found himself annoyed with his mentors seeming relief at the attack. "So what's next?" Hitoshi asked, diverting his annoyance elsewhere.

"Next is we get a debrief from Tao, and we continue keeping an eye on Takara."

"Why did they go after her anyway? Why use such a powerful quirk on someone who..." Denki glanced at Hitoshi nervously out of he corner of his eye, unsure if his comment would be considered an insult. "She's not exactly intimidating." Denki finished. Hitoshi didn't react.

"My opinion is twofold. One, to hurt Tao. Their breakup seems to be known, at least we've gathered that much from the followers in custody. Two, to really sell that the monotheistic sect was involved, even if it meant revealing the Necromancers involvement." Aizawa explained before taking a large gulp of tea.

"So I'm guarding her to keep up appearances." Hitoshi concluded. "We don't want to tip anyone off about how much we know." Aizawa confirmed as he swirled the remaining liquid in his mug.

"Fine. I'll go check on her." Hitoshi stood, stretching his back as he pushed away from the table. "How long are we keeping this up?" The thought of spending more time with Takara felt....torturous.

"Trouble in paradise?" Aizawa asked, levelling him with an inquisitive look. He'd never thought of Aizawa as a gossip, but the curiosity alit in the mans dark eyes made Hitoshi think the knit fast, die warm mug wasn't the only tea Aizawa was looking for.

Hitoshi considered his options. It may be good to get advice, he decided. He heard the shower running from the bathroom and could see Takara on the patio - he wasn't concerned about being overheard.

"To make a long story very, very short..." Hitoshi ran a hand through his hair as he took in a deep breath. Denki looked like he was on the edge of his seat - Hitoshi rarely talked about any of his flings. "She's probably getting married in six months."

"To who?" Denki questioned, his brow furrowed. "Are you the other man?" Hitoshi felt the urge to punch the man, but opted to envision it instead. "She won't know until she meets them. And no."

"Weird." Denki said after a long moment of silence between the three. "Okay, but like, you guys are casual right?" Denki asked, confusion spread across his face.

"I-" Hitoshi wasn't sure how to answer the prompt. "Yes." He said, his voice tinged with defeat. Denki's eyes filled with sympathy as understanding slid into place. "Dang." He said simply, offering no comfort to his purple haired friend.

"So, what're you going to do about it?" Aizawa asked, his tone filled with annoyance. "There's nothing I can do about it." Hitoshi admitted, earning an eyeroll from the exhausted man. "You could talk to her."

"That won't change reality." Hitoshi dismissed, turning to make his way towards the patio doors. He decided he was obligated to check on the red head. "Whatever. I hope you can live without knowing that for certain." Hitoshi paused, his eyes rolling towards the ceiling out of exhaustion and annoyance. He slid the door open, stepping out into the quiet night as Takara turned, jumping slightly.

"I didn't think you'd be coming out here." Takara admitted, kicking at an invisible spot on the floor under his gaze.

Hitoshi suppressed the urge to turn the conversation to work, to tell her that he was just there to check up on her. The deflection was close to instinct for him. "Of course I would." Hitoshi admitted, although his voice was filled with defeat. Takara nodded before turning her attention back to the night.

"I don't know what to say. Really." Hitoshi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck as she turned to examine him. Her eyes were guarded, uncertain what emotion she was going to be met with. "I know what we agreed on. And if you're going to go to that joining, I hope-" Hitoshi swallowed, willing himself to finish the sentence. "I hope you find someone who makes you happy." He wasn't sure how he got through the words. Takara nodded, smiling at him with what Hitoshi recognized as a rehearsed smile. Her eyes didn't light up the way they did when she was actually happy. "Thank-you." She said, her voice quiet.

The pair sat in silence for a moment before Takara spoke. "Can I tell you something stupid?" Takara asked as she shook her head. "Sure." Hitoshi said as he approached the railing. He suppressed the thought of wrapping his arms around her and inhaling her scent. In that moment, he understood why Takara wanted space after their forced time together.

"I thought you'd ask me not to go." Takara admitted with a sigh, her shoulders sagging ever so slightly with defeat.

"If you don't want to go, don't go." Hitoshi said with false simplicity, causing Takara to roll her at the words. "I guess that's not right. I keep thinking you might want to be something to me-"

"Why do you say it like that?" Hitoshi questioned, his exhaustion opening the door into his annoyance. "That's not descriptive. Something." He spat the word with venom. "Aren't we something?"

Takara's jaw had dropped open and Hitoshi briefly regretted the words. He watched as she collected herself, turning her eyes back to the moon. Her jaw clenched as she took a deep, steadying breath.

"A year ago, I was actually scared of signing up. What if I made the wrong choice? What if I tripped and everyone saw my underwear-"

"They would be so lucky." Hitoshi interjected. Although Takara smiled at the comment, he noticed a tear roll down her cheek. He felt himself soften as he reached to wipe it away, regretting opening up the conversation. Takara didn't stop his motion. "And then I was actually excited - maybe I'd be like my dad and I'd just know. He said it was just this feeling of certainty, like when I touch a card and I just know what it is. Ehk bhun. He just knew in his bones that my mom was for him."

"And now?" Hitoshi questioned as he tried to memorize the freckles on her face. Her lip quivered as she let out a shaky breath. "Now?" Takara repeated with a chuckle. "I only know a stupid way to explain it." She admitted to the purple haired hero, her eyes moving down to the street below. Despite the early hour there was movement on the sidewalks as people made their way around the city. "Just try." Hitoshi asked, his tone taking on a pleading edge as he watched her.

"I can't help but wonder if we're meant intersect, or if we're an asymptote." Hitoshi felt his brow furrow as he considered her simile. Before he could respond, the door slid open behind the pair. The two jumped apart as though they had been caught doing something forbidden.

Takara wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand. "Hey." Denki greeted Takara with a short nod. "Tao's ready to chat." Denki explained, turning to Hitoshi. "There's a bedroom if you're tired." He offered to Takara who nodded, slinking into the apartment past Denki and making her way to where she suspected she'd find the space. When Denki heard the door close he looked toward Hitoshi with a furrowed brow. "Are you guys good?" He asked. Hitoshi shrugged.

"I don't know." Hitoshi brushed past the blonde and back into the apartment, eager for a distraction from his thoughts.

-Continues insisting there's a plan-

-Continues insisting there's only a few more chapters-

Link to Chapter Index.

Link to chapter 21.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 19: Dance

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"I'll just wait for you to drift off and carry you to bed." He announced. "And I'm not pouting." Hitoshi tacked on with a sigh.

"You are. You're still upset about me asking for space after this."

"I'm disappointed." She felt Hitoshi lower his face and his chin tickling the top of her head. "I've gotten use to this.' He whispered as he squeezed her closer. He breathed in her familiar scent, trying to commit it to memory for when he was inevitably pushed out of her life.

"I am too. It'll be hard, but that's why we have to do it." Takara explained with closed eyes. "I can't get use to you, and you shouldn't get use to me."

"You're being stubborn." Takara glared at the mass of half asleep man. Hitoshi pulled the blanket over his head in response, rolling over so he faced the inside of the couch.

"Go to bed, Takara." He sighed as he readjusted his weight on the couch. "I've slept in worse places." He added, knowing the woman felt guilty for the sleeping arrangement. He knew she may not have wanted him on her couch, but going to bed with her would only make it more difficult when they went back to their normal routine.

"This is ridiculous." Takara sat on the hero knowing he would not move his feet to allow her a seat. After their talk at his apartment Hitoshi had been oddly quiet. They hadn't picked up where they'd left off. He'd followed her to her grandmothers store to fill her in on the situation, had read a book on the couch as she fluttered about her apartment, and stolen one of her spare blankets to make a cocoon on while he did so. He was pouting, she'd decided, and she was done ignoring it.

"I'm doing what you asked. You said this would make it easier for you." Takara took in a deep breath to ease her annoyance. He was right, she had asked for this. "You know what? Fine." Takara pulled the blanket off the hero, ignoring his protests as she did so. The glare he threw her filled with exhaustion and annoyance before she laid on top of him.

"What're you doing?" He asked with what could have been laugh as she buried herself in his chest, pulling the blanket over herself so only her head was visible. Her weight was welcome as it pressed against him and Hitoshi found himself reaching to wrap an arm around Takara's sleepy form. She'd taken after her grandmother and had a few LED candles left on, giving the space a warm, flickering glow in the late hour.

"I asked you to sleep on the couch. I didn't say I couldn't join you." Takara said smugly as she closed her eyes, confident in her win of the debate. His heartbeat was soothing beneath her, the warmth he radiated being captured by the blanket and quickly lulling her to sleep.

"Now you're being ridiculous." Hitoshi shook his head. Takara didn't have to look at him to know he was smiling despite the words that sprung from his mouth.

"I'm rubber and you're glue." Takara recalled the rhyme from her childhood and snorted as she recited it. "Are we going to stay here, or are you going to come to bed?"

Takara had been catching up some of her friends online while Hitoshi had been pouting with a book. She had originally let her girls chat know she would be disappearing for a while after her grandfathers death. She had almost a months worth of messages to get caught up on and had happily drank in all the goings-on from her friends. Getting caught up in others' drama was always a great way to detract from her own.

Night had settled in rapidly, as had Takara's exhaustion. Ash had been a traitor and chosen to nap on Hitoshi's lap for the evening, which Takara had found equal measures insulting and adorable. Now she was ready for bed, and the man had refused to join her.

"I'm going to stay here. You're going to bed." Hitoshi said, but the way he ran his fingers through her hair made Takara think he wouldn't make her move.

"We can go to bed when you're done pouting. For now, we stay here." Takara found her eyes closing, the movement of the mans fingers causing her to drift off.

"I'll just wait for you to drift off and carry you to bed." He announced. "And I'm not pouting." Hitoshi tacked on with a sigh.

"You are. You're still upset about me asking for space after this."

"I'm disappointed." She felt Hitoshi lower his face, the top of his chin ticklling the top of her head. "I've gotten use to this."' He whispered as he squeezed her closer. He breathed in her familiar scent, trying to commit it to memory for when he was inevitably pushed out of her life.

"I am too. It'll be hard, but that's why we have to do it." Takara explained with closed eyes. "I can't get use to you, and you shouldn't get use to me. That way it's easier when..." Breaking up wasn't quite right, but neither was moving on. The latter made it seem like someone had died.

"What if we don't?" Hitoshi questioned, his grip on her tightening. "Do you remember when I asked if you had any hard boundaries, and you said no? But then, once the situation presented itself, you realized you did?" Hitoshi ran a hand through his hair as he swallowed. His palms were sweaty, his heart beat had become faster.

"...Yeah." Confusion laced Takara's voice as she turned to look up at the man. He looked uncertain and wary, the flickering lights highlighting the deep shadows under his eyes.

"I think I did the same thing." Hitoshi said slowly. "I said we couldn't be anything, but now that we're here..." Hitoshi's voice trailed off as he shook his head, defeat settling in. "I don't know how."

He'd seen his peers juggle relationships and work, some successfully and others less so. But he'd always actively avoided them. A passing fling or an occasional hook up had kept him satisfied with his physical needs. Hitoshi simply ignored his emotional ones in favor of his bonds with his fellow heroes and peers - people who understood the sacrifices he had made to get to where he was and wouldn't ask him to compromise that. It was simpler that way, and didn't draw his attention from his work.

Now he found himself longing for her company. He wanted the feeling to be mutual, and hated how little she had reached out during their time apart. It ate away at him how wholly unaffected Takara seemed to be while he'd been worried for the week she was moving. How she hadn't bothered to text him at all when he left her his number the first time. Hitoshi knew he was attractive - Denki had made him aware of Hitoshi's inclusion in a few magazines' top 10 single hunky hero lists. He'd never had too much trouble taking someone back to his apartment when he was inclined to.

Takara had kept her walls up successfully and Hitoshi wasn't sure how to go about scaling them.

"I don't think there's a right or a wrong way to do it." Takara admitted after a moment of consideration. "My parents got married the day they met, and they're happy. My friend has been hooking up with the same guy casually for 3 years, and they're also happy. It's just what works for each person."

"Your parents got married the day they met?" Hitoshi questioned, the absurdity of the statement detracting his brain from it's own problems.

"Oh. Yeah. Here." Takara rolled off the man, landing on her feet. She'd taken the blanket with her as she did so. Hitoshi grumbled at the warmth being stripped away from him as Takara disappeared into her room, returning moments later with a photo album.

"Originally, followers of the Goddess - singular or plural - would gather and hold a dance for everyone 25 and over who wanted to participate. It was called the Joining Ceremony." Takara explained as she opened the album. Hitoshi sat up to make space for her to sit. He perched his chin on her shoulder as she gazed down at the album, an arm sliding around her waist.

"The joining song would play and everyone would dance. You'd have to learn the steps ahead of time. It doesn't change, so that way everyone does the same steps." Takara explained, flipping away from the front cover. "The idea is that you will naturally find who you are most compatible with in the movements and partner up. Once the dance finishes you talk and, if both felt it was a match, they'd get married."

"That's an incredibly fast courtship." Takara shrugged off the comment. "It's voluntary, and you can always say no if you don't like the match. You only attend if you're open to the idea to begin with."

Takara continued as Hitoshi processed the information. "The song plays three times, so if the first one doesn't work out you get a few chances." Takara explained. She stopped her flipping on a large, full page photo of two people standing an an altar. Hitoshi realized it was her parents. He recognized Takara's eyes in the heteromorph woman wearing a bright orange and black dress, highlighting the subtle blue tone of her feathers. Her talons gripped the man's hands across from her as she looked up at him lovingly. Her father had wild red curls, and had dressed in a Kimono. Hitoshi noticed the orange details that looked embroidered onto the fabric.

"My mother had gone after she had won a few big awards for her choreographies. She said she was ready to settle down and had a hard time with dating because of her looks." Takara explained. "My father went because he'd just finished grad school and wanted to fall in love, start a family, all that fun stuff."

Takara moved forward a few pages, showing a crowd of people dancing in various attire. "Their first dance they both ended up with other people. My mother had turned them down because she didn't feel like he was sincere. My father turned down his first match because he had spotted my mom while dancing. He says it was love at first sight, and he knew that he didn't want to be with anyone else."

"So the next time, he just went for her?"

"It was actually at the third dance. My fathers rhythm had been too slow, and he didn't end up matching very well with my mom the second time. So at the start of the third he just walked up to her and asked her to dance with him." Takara said with a laugh, her eyes glued to the photo in front of her. "It's not very traditional and I'm sure it upset a few people, but he knew what he wanted and decided to go for it." Takara said with a shrug. "I mean, it clearly worked out for them."

"Are these still done?" Hitoshi questioned, his curiosity peaking. "It is, but now the sects are separate. Sort of." Takara explained as she closed the book, standing to put the album away. "There was a shift after one of the singular worshipping heads refused to participate because they didn't want to marry someone who didn't share their beliefs. They hosted their own that year and have done so ever since. So now they're a more closed off community. Different sects will still join my Goddess' Joining, but those who worship only the one Goddess have their own."

"And everyone is okay with that arrangement?" Takara considered the question as she sat back down on the couch. "I don't know. I know my mother was unhappy with it - she separated from her original sect after. She felt it lessened the bonds between our community to close off one sect." Takara explained after a moment. "I guess I'll know after-" Takara cut herself off, hoping Hitoshi didn't pick-up on her words.

"After what?" He questioned, his head tilting slightly as he surveyed her. She had tensed, her back straightening as she looked away.

"After I go to mine." Takara admitted sheepishly. Hitoshi blinked as the realization sank in, his hands going clammy with sweat. He was sure Takara could hear the sound of his heartbeat with how quiet the room was. He stared at the woman sitting next to him who still avoided his eyes. Takara pursed her lips before expelling them, making a pop noise to fill the tense silence.

"When?" Hitoshi questioned, trying to shake off his shock. "The next one is in six months. I signed up for it last year." Takara admitted as she rubbed her nails together in a nervous movement, her eyes filled with apologies as she looked at him.

"So you're learning the steps?" Hitoshi found himself asking, although he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer. Takara chuckled nervously as she grimaced, kicking herself for bringing the topic up. "Well, I already know them. My mom was a dancer. Her and my dad do the dance every new moon, as thanks to the Goddess for bringing them together."

Hitoshi had been mindlessly nodding. "I didn't think it mattered." Takara admitted after a long moment passed between them. "I didn't mean to bring this up tonight-"

"Takara." Takara screamed, jumping in her seat at the sudden appearance of Tao's voice from behind the couch. Hitoshi moved faster and was on his feet, putting himself between them before Tao could get closer. He cursed his lack of preparation - his capture weapon had been set aside so he could sleep comfortably. A rookie's mistake.

The woman's shoulders were hunched, black ichor leaking from a shallow wound in her arm. "You." Tao glared at the man, her teeth clenched together tightly. "I gave you everything you needed, and yet they walk free. Are you working with them?" Tao raised her hand, the smoke she possessed thickening in it's grasp.

"What are you talking about?" Hitoshi questioned, his quirk activating instinctively. Tao bared her teeth, the smoke thickening further into what he suspected was a knife. "I mean-"

Tao's voice was cut off as her eyes went glassy, her bared teeth quickly covered by relaxed lips. The smoke dissipated from her palm as her arms relaxed by her side. Takara had collected herself and stood, eyes widening in shock at the scene before her. "Tao?" She questioned, her voice filled with concern as she moved towards the frozen woman.

"She can't move." Hitoshi informed Takara as he reached for his phone. "What? Why?" Takara's questioned before quickly realizing what Hitoshi had done. Her voice rose with anger as she stepped towards him. "She's scared and hurt!"

"She was going to attack me." Hitoshi pointed out, pulling the anger from Takara's face. "She should have been questioned today." Hitoshi surveyed the tall, pale woman with a critical eye. The wound looked fresh, still leaking blood in a slow trail down her arm. Tao looked exhausted - her hair was tangled and sweat laden against her head, her clothes torn in a pattern that suggested she had been running away from a fight.

"I've got to call Denki."

I swear I'm going somewhere with this. Slowly. Thanks for reading!

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter 20

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 18: Doors

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"I... Believed you, 'Toshi." Takara backed up an inch, then two. Hitoshi let her go as he moved back himself. "I believed when you said you couldn't be anything to me. I don't understand -"

"I know." Hitoshi cut her off. "I know you did. But-"

"You don't get to act like this just because you feel guilty." Takara stood suddenly, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to ease her nerves. "I know you feel responsible, but it's not your fault. You can't just change your mind about the boundaries because you feel guilty for me getting hurt-"

"That's not why."

"I really don't think this is necessary." Hitoshi furrowed his brow at her in confusion, the bowl of noodles that sat in front of him temporarily forgotten as the pair spoke. "It'll help ensure your safety-"

"Can't someone else do it?" Takara didn't mean for the request to come out so harsh as she reached for a napkin. They left her mouth as daggers whipped towards the hero. The pair had tucked themselves into a quiet corner of the noodle shop, leaving the Commission after Aizawa and Denki had all but forced them out of the building.

"What do you mean?" Hitoshi didn't bother looking up from his food as he spoke. They had gone over the details - a few days of Hitoshi staying close to Takara to ensure her safety while the details of the case were gathered. It would also ensure Denki could readily contact her if need be. "I'd prefer to be watched by someone I'm not sleeping with." Takara clarified after a moment of consideration, biting her lip to ebb the anxiety she felt at the confession. "I don't want to make things messy." That drew Hitoshi's attention from his food. His chewing slowed as he surveyed Takara with a critical eye trying to understand the request. Takara had decided to keep her attention fixed on her food, not wanting to meet his questioning eyes.

"It's just work." Hitoshi said with a shrug, hoping the conflicting emotions he felt were not obvious. "No, I get that you can treat it as work." Takara sighed as she tried to find the words to explain her concerns. "But this is just my life. Being locked in with you might make it difficult to remember..." Takara's voice trailed off as she tried to soften the words that came next. We're not real was too harsh to say aloud. "You're like a cat that I feed outside, if that makes sense. You're not one I take home."

Hitoshi sat for a moment, his face unreadable as he gazed at her. Takara felt the need to fill the silence, an odd anxiety brewing in her under his gaze. "Like a stray. You know, instead of-"

"I don't think there's anyone else available." Hitoshi interrupted as he returned his gaze to the dish before him. The silence sat heavy between them as Takara considered how to build space into their time together. "Can you just...." Takara knew the days would make it difficult for her. Hitoshi's didn't look up from his food as though he was indifferent to the conversation. "Maybe after, you don't come around for a while."

"I get it." Takara's eyes were pulled from her own food as the man finally spoke. "But there is no one else. I can sleep on the couch if it makes it easier." It was Takara's turn to sigh - it would be easier to have a complete stranger sleep on her couch. It wasn't that she didn't like having Hitoshi around. Quite the opposite. But she knew having him around for a few days would make it difficult to go back to their low contact, intermittent meet ups.

Hitoshi kept his focus on his food and his cup for a few moments before deciding to speak. "I need to stop by my apartment." He said after taking a sip of tea, the warm liquid helping him find his voice.

"Oh, okay. I can just wait at mine." Takara replied, her tone flat.

"I shouldn't exactly leave you alone." Hitoshi reminded her, his voice taking on a teasing tone. "I need to grab clothes and a few other things." Hitoshi felt his heart flutter - she was blushing, her freckles visible and highlighting her pale skin. He couldn't tell if she was frustrated from their conversation or excited at the idea of seeing his apartment for herself. It was as though he was inviting her to cross what he thought was an invisible line.

"Really?" Her voice had taken on that mischievous tone he was rapidly becoming enamored with. "I wasn't even sure if you had an apartment." Hitoshi understood what Takara had meant about him being a stray cat. He wasn't supposed to be around so much.

But if Hitoshi was being honest, he was surprised Aizawa hadn't removed him from the case after their talk at the hospital.

"Like I said, you're supposed to stay with me." Takara rolled her eyes as she reached for another napkin, smile still on her face. "You can just say you want me to come to your apartment, you know." Takara said with a sigh, stabbing her chopsticks into her bowl.

"I want you to come to my apartment with me." Hitoshi said. Her smile widened into a smirk as she surveyed him. "I can't believe you actually admitted to wanting something." Takara purred as she placed her head on a victorious fist, her sharp eyes locking on his. "Don't get used to it." Hitoshi warned with a laugh.

"Why would you mount it if I can't spin it?" Takara whined as Hitoshi pulled her hand away from his bike. She had spent the last 10 seconds spinning the front tire, attempting to make it go as fast as possible as Hitoshi watched the display in confusion.

"It frees up floor space." Hitoshi said with a chuckle. "Leave the bike. I just need to grab some clothes." He wandered off in the direction of his bedroom knowing that Takara would want to follow. He didn't expect her to push past him and jump onto his bed to test the springs the moment she spotted his comforter.

"Ew, it's so firm." Hitoshi rolled his eyes at her antics as he opened a drawer, pulling out a few shirts. "It's good for your back." He commented with a smile as he reached for a seldom used backpack. "I don't think I've seen you smile this much." Takara observed aloud - the smile was relaxed, easy going on the man's face. It was a contrast to the normally slightly furrowed brow he often showed up with. It was easy to forget that under it all Hitoshi was just a man.

Hitoshi looked over his shoulder at her - she had turned to lay on her stomach, chin resting on her hands as she kicked her feet behind her. The life and mischief that had been missing in her since the attack had returned and he felt a sense of relief at the sight.

"It's weird having you here. In a good way." He confessed, turning back to retrieve a few other articles of clothing. "I don't want to be at arms length with you." It was easier to confess these things when he wasn't looking at her. When her brown eyes weren't examining him and picking him apart.

"I guess identifying what you don't want is almost like saying what you want." Hitoshi closed his eyes, his smile widening. He'd missed her - the easy going, sharp as a tack girl he'd met on the roof. "Small steps." Hitoshi replied as he stood, slinging the bag filled with his essentials over his shoulder.

"You're smiling again." Takara observed, not moving from her spot on the bed despite Hitoshi turning to leave the room.

"It's good to see you be...you." Hitoshi confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. He watched her eyes flicker downwards towards her arm, her smile turning sad for a moment. "After everything that's happened, you've been -understandably- not yourself. And it's my fault-."

"It's not. I would have gone regardless-"

"Then it's my fault for not stopping you." Hitoshi cut her off. He'd let the truth escape him - he'd been replaying the night over and over, kicking himself for thinking that Takara would be safe. That he'd understood the possible dangers. He glanced at her arm with a furrowed brow and heavy heart, wishing he could go back and tie her to a chair if need be. Anything to stop her.

"Well, what's done is done and I don't regret it." She declared. "Can I tell you something?" Takara questioned, appearing uncertain. Hitoshi nodded as he sat on the bed beside her. "I don't regret it, but I can't look at it." The words were simple and easy enough to say, but that didn't stop them from getting caught in her throat. "I think of that skeleton with emeralds for eyes and I feel sick. But it's going to scar. I'll see it everyday." Takara said sadly as she twisted her arm, examining the bandages that wrapped around it.

"Would it help if we visited her? The persons bones, I mean." Hitoshi asked, unsure of what else to offer. His hand had moved on its own to grab hers, his thumb making idle swipes across her knuckles in a comforting motion. The guilt he felt only amplified at her confession. "You could leave an offering or something. She needs to be reburied-"

"You have to, don't you?" Takara said, smile returning to her face as she glanced back up at him. "You kicked her femur. You have to apologize to her for that. Can't have someone on the other side out for you." Hitoshi rolled his eyes, earning a laugh from the woman laying across his bed as he withdrew his hand to pull it through his hair. "Okay fine, I should apologize. But only if you come with me."

"It's a date." Takara confirmed as she pushed onto her elbows. "You got everything?" She asked as she sat up, the perspective as she gazed up at him reminiscent of the night they'd shared. From the smirk on Hitoshi's face Takara could tell that he was having a similar thought.

With an unexpected tenderness, Hitoshi reached down to cup her chin. His hand felt warm against her skin, a welcome feeling after walking in the brisk autumn air. Takara moved forward slowly to wrap her arms around the man's waist, taking comfort in his presence.

It was selfish. She knew it would only hurt her in the end. But maybe pretending was the best way through. She could pretend that these small moments mattered, that he wasn't just trying to comfort her out of guilt. She could pretend that he actually felt for her the way she did him, and that their connection was more than that of convenience.

"I'm going to need space after this." Takara mumbled against his abdomen. She could hear the beating of Hitoshi's heart beneath her ear. The steady rhythm helped her relax into the embrace, helped her forget that none of it was real.

"I... Don't want that." Hitoshi confessed, hands finding the sides of her face, gently encouraging her to meet her gaze.

"I can't let you hurt me." Takara pleaded with the man, her brow furrowed as she gave into his request. His amethyst eyes dissected her - she felt exposed, silly even, under his gaze. It was so easy for him. He looked at this like this as work, viewing their time together as inconsequential. But it had been becoming more and more difficult for Takara to do the same.

She needed to get those feelings out of her system.

Takara squeezed his waist - a counterproductive move, but she found herself torn between holding Hitoshi close and pushing him away. She would pretend, but she also needed to know there was an end date.

"Takara." Hitoshi's voice came out as a sigh. He kneeled down so they were eye level. He reached for her hand again which he gently held to his lips. "I haven't been fair to you. I...guess I've been a stray that's been running into your house when you leave your doors open." Hitoshi tried to help her make sense of it by building on her earlier statement but found it fell flat, although it did bring a smile to her face.

"I've never done this." It was Takara's turn to laugh. Hitoshi was struck but the surreal nature of it all - having Takara in his apartment was strange, but not in an unwelcome way.

"I find it hard to believe you've never had a casual hookup, Hitoshi." Takara's voice pulled him from his thoughts, the tone flat with disbelief as she looked up at him. Her brown eyes looked defeated, like she was fighting an internal battle and losing.

"Not that. This." Hitoshi pulled her head in so their foreheads pressed together, his hand gently pressing on the back of her neck to bring her closer. He could feel her apprehension and her confusion before he opened his eyes. He could feel it in the careful way she controlled her breathing, in the way her back stiffened, in the warmth that radiated from her neck. "I... Believed you, 'Toshi." Takara backed up an inch, then two. Hitoshi let her go as he moved back himself. "I believed when you said you couldn't be anything to me. I don't understand -"

"I know." Hitoshi cut her off. "I know you did. But-"

"You don't get to act like this just because you feel guilty." Takara stood suddenly, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to ease her nerves. "I know you feel responsible, but it's not your fault. You can't just change your mind about the boundaries because you feel guilty for me getting hurt-"

"That's not why." Takara was rendered silent by his tone, the passion and frustration mixing as he stood. "I'm not changing the boundaries-"

"You were clear that we were nothing and I agreed." Her tone made it clear that she did not see room for debate. "I'm just asking for space after because...." Takara bit her tongue, averting her gaze to a spot on the floor. She tried to slow her breathing, the frustration she felt making it difficult. "You're quickly becoming the ruler I use to measure others by, and no one compares." Her voice was shaky, the confession leaving her flustered and filled with conflicting emotions. Hope and dread turned within her, her statement leaving her feeling exposed under his gaze.

"I hate not hearing from you." The words were guarded, much like his eyes. "I know you're keeping your walls up. You don't want to form habits around me. But I also know you left your patio doors unlocked for days - which, don't do that when-"

"But you don't know how to use a regular door." Takara interrupted. The teasing tone in her voice pulled a smile from Hitoshi. Takara felt a vibration in her pocket, her phone buzzing against her thigh.

"You should get that." Hitoshi encouraged after a third buzz. "We can talk after."

"It's my mom." Takara explained with a shake of her head. "Sorry." She tacked on before accepting the call, lifting the phone to her ear.

"Why didn't you tell me you were injured? Why didn't you tell me you were at that festival-" Her mothers voice was rushed as it came through the device. Takara flinched - her mother had not appreciated being left in the dark. Takara opted to continue the conversation in Ruq so she could have some privacy.

"There's nothing to tell - It's fine. I'm fine. I know you and dad have been busy." Takara pinched the bridge of her nose as Hitoshi moved through the room, opening a few drawers and stuffing more items into his bag.

"There's nothing to tell? Did the Goddess steal your common sense and replace them with potatoes?"

"Potatoes?" Takara felt her voice rise, her tone incredulous at the insult from her mother. Hitoshi turned, his movements pausing as he raised a brow at her.

"You tell me you stub your toe but not when your arm gets ripped apart by a reanimated skeleton?" Her mother managed to go up a whole octave through the sentence. She could picture her ruffled feathers, her talons clutching the phone as she yelled into it.

"Did you just call to yell at me? Can you just type a message in caps instead? You didn't even ask me how I am-" Takara was almost shouting at her phone, her face flushed with annoyance. Hitoshi had frozen his movements entirely - he'd never heard Takara shout. Being unable to understand her added an extra layer of novelty.

"You're clearly fine! You said you were fine! Don't make me sound like some heartless mother! Goddess knows I was in labor for eight hours with your brainless head stuck in my hips-"

"It's not MY fault that your hips are too narrow for a regular sized babies head!" Takara spat into her phone, slipping out of Ruq. Hitoshi blinked at her.

"YOUR HEAD WAS MASSIVE CONSIDERING HOW EMPTY IT IS!" Hitoshi heard the response through the earpiece as Takara winced, pulling the phone away from her ear at the screech. "MOM!" Takara yelled back into the phone. There was silence from the other end before the pair broke out into laughter. Hitoshi slowly returned to packing, deciding that he wouldn't be able to understand their dynamic.

"I've given those two all the information I could. Just...stay safe. Your grandmother can look after herself, but I'll try and encourage her to not invite danger to her life." Her mothers voice was softer after their initial spat and Takara rolled her eyes.

"I will. I'm sorry. Can we video chat tomorrow?" Takara asked with a sigh. "I'm sort of in the middle of something right now."

"Who?" Takara rolled her eyes - her mother seemed to have a sense about these things.

"I call him Gargoyle. We'll chat tomorrow. Promise."

"Takara don't you dare hang-" Takara ended the call and pocketed her phone before her mother got the chance to finish her threat.

"I've never heard you yell before." Hitoshi said as he stood. "What was that one word you yelled?"

"Oh. It means potatoes." Takara waved Hitoshi's question off with her hand, moving to leave the room. "I'm going to spin that wheel. Let me know when you're done!" Hitoshi blinked at the retreating form, the answer Takara provided only leading to more questions.

Wrangling cats sucks sometimes.

Link to chapter index

Link to chapter 19.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 17: Goddess

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"We're not romantically involved." Hitoshi said as Aizawa surveyed him with a critical eye. "I don't care if you call it romantic. You're too close with a person of interest, and this has gotten bigger-"

"All the more reason to keep her close." Hitoshi cut him off. "She knows about these cults, their histories, how they connect and where to find different factions."

"Are you trying to tell me she's an informant?" Hitoshi considered the title for a moment, not enjoying the thought of Takara becoming involved in his work. "Wait, person of interest?"

"It's weird seeing you out of uniform." Takara commented as they exited the hospital onto the crowded street. Takara's wound was healing well, the doctor imploring her to keep up the wound care. Hitoshi had rolled his eyes when Takara had relayed the message.

What she didn't tell the hero was the doctor's comment on how it would likely leave a scar. While not vain, the thought of seeing the scar everyday, being reminded of that night constantly, didn't fill Takara with joy.

"I guess you've only ever seen me in my hero outfit or in juicy sweatpants." Takara giggled at the memory of when Hitoshi had crawled in through her window. She found herself admiring Hitoshi's outfit. The dark jacket he wore suited him. His hair was pulled back into a bun, unlike the unruly mop he normally sported. If Hitoshi had noticed her stealing glances while they'd travelled to the hospital together, he hadn't said anything about it.

Hitoshi's brow furrowed as he pulled his buzzing phone from his pocket, quickly pressing it to his ear. Takara heard muted words from the other end of the line. Hitoshi said nothing as he listened to the caller, a frown painted on features. "Fine, but if it can't wait I'll be bringing my friend with me."

Hitoshi hung up the phone and shoved it back in his pocket with a sigh. "Hold off on texting Tao. I need to stop off at work - apparently there's something urgent to discuss about the case. It should be quick." Takara raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in their plans. "Are you sure they'll want me there? I'm supposed to be staying out of this." She reminded the hero as they began to walk through the busy street. They had slept in, both neglecting to set alarms before falling asleep and only making it to the hospital minutes before noon. "You can wait in the lounge."

"As long as it won't cause any problems for you." Takara responded with a shrug. "I don't have much planned for the day." She confessed, knowing that she had yet to return to her work full time. Kiyoko would be able to handle the shop without her for a day.

"Do you want to grab something to eat after?" Takara's apartment had not been well stocked for food- truthfully, she hadn't thought about getting groceries, a fact that Hitoshi had noticed when he'd opened her fridge to be met with soy sauce and a single egg. Kiyoko had been keeping her fed, often sending Takara home with leftovers after her granddaughter made her way across the street for dinner. "I didn't bring any money with me." Takara confessed as she looked through her purse, only to be met with receipts and a lonely stray mint. "Is there a bank near the commission?"

"I can buy lunch." Hitoshi said, his tone implying that the fact should have been obvious. Takara rolled her eyes with a smile. "Fine. I'll get the next one." Although his collar was pulled high to keep out the fall chill, Takara saw the soft smile appear on the mans face.

"Deal." He said after a moment of consideration. "Let's go this way." Hitoshi grabbed her hand to direct her down an unfamiliar street bustling with people. "It's quicker." He explained shortly. Takara found herself looking up at the tall buildings. It was a sight she had never grown accustomed to despite the time she spent living in the city, the towering structures feeling as though they were leaning over her, peering down at her as much as she was peering upwards at them.

"Did you grow up in the city?" Takara asked as she continued gazing upwards, the buildings obscuring the sun enough that it didn't hurt her eyes. "I did, but not this one. I grew up in Saitama." Hitoshi followed her gaze upwards. "We didn't have buildings this tall."

"My dad is a museum vendor. He designs exhibitions and different interactive displays for a lot of different museums'. He travels a lot, but I only got to go with him occasionally. Every time I did it was always a city like this, with the tall buildings and people so busy they don't look at you." Takara found herself explaining as Hitoshi navigated the pair to avoid Takara being shouldered. "Whenever I come someplace like this, it makes me think of him."

"You mentioned he's in Europe." There was no question from Hitoshi, but Takara answered regardless. "Yeah, there's a museum that offered to let him set-up most of their new location. I don't think he would have taken it normally, but the offer came with a lot of creative freedom and access to their collection. He couldn't say no. I've seen some of the designs, they're amazing." Takara's gaze finally tilted downwards. "He said him and my mom are coming to visit for Yule."

"You celebrate Christmas?" Hitoshi questioned as he dropped her hand. He opened the door of an unfamiliar building, beckoning Takara through. Takara smiled as she stepped through into the lobby, the one-way windows providing lighting into the tiled space. "Sure, why not? It's a reason to spend time with friends and family. I grew up with a lot of friends who celebrated it, and my parents never cared."

"I just don't know much about your....culture. Religion." Hitoshi struggled to find the correct word as he directed her down a hallway, the space oddly empty given the time of day. "That's okay. I don't think you need to."

Hitoshi opened a door into a room as Takara trailed behind him. The far wall was made of one-way windows, allowing her to watch the foot traffic pass by. "What do you mean?" Hitoshi questioned as Takara began making her way to sit. Two couches sat facing each other, a TV mounted on the wall above one of them which had been put on mute. A small kitchenette was off to the side, a fridge bringing an artificial hum to the quiet space. Takara perched on one of the couches, the well-worn seats allowing her to sink right into the cushion.

"I mean it's not like you need to understand much." Takara looked up at the man who continued standing in the doorway, her voice filled with confusion. "I don't expect my friends to know everything about my beliefs. Mutual respect is important but I don't expect my friends to honor Deipnon or Noumenia with me." Hitoshi was silent for a long moment, long enough that Takara grew concerned. "'Toshi?"

"What if I wanted to?" Takara blinked at the question. Hitoshi watched as her face went through a few different emotions. Confusion and consideration were prominent. "Sure?" She finally said after a moment. "I don't see why not, as long as you would be doing it respectfully."

"Hitoshi." Takara recognized the voice as Aizawa appeared over Hitoshi's shoulder, causing Hitoshi to jump. "Takara." Takara waved at the man from her lounging space on the couch. "Nice to see you again!" She greeted as Hitoshi turned towards his mentor. "Let's talk upstairs." The man said as he wandered off ahead, leaving the pair alone. "I'll be back." Hitoshi said as he closed the door.

"You can't work this case." Aizawa had decided that dancing around the point would not benefit either of them. If Hitoshi was surprised his face didn't show it. He sat opposite him in the meeting room, Hitoshi's arms crossed as he listened.

"We're not romantically involved." Hitoshi said as Aizawa surveyed him with a critical eye. "I don't care if you call it romantic. You're too close with a person of interest, and this has gotten bigger-"

"All the more reason to keep her close." Hitoshi cut him off. "She knows about these cults, their histories, how they connect and where to find different factions."

"Are you trying to tell me she's an informant?" Hitoshi considered the title for a moment, not enjoying the thought of Takara becoming involved in his work. "Wait, person of interest?" Hitoshi leaned forward as he took in Aizawa's words, his eyes narrowing. "What possible motive-"

"I didn't say suspect." Aizawa pointed out shortly, cutting off Hitoshi's protesting with familiar efficiency. "The first attack didn't seem to have a target. Then it was an attack on her specifically. It may be because they believed she has her grandmothers quirk. I did read your report, but it is only a theory with very limited supporting evidence. Regardless of why, things have shifted to center on her."

"You should bring in Tao for questioning." Hitoshi knew there was no use in arguing with the man. "She gave me the information on the bones, and found the emeralds. I think she's involved but I don't know how." Aizawa nodded at the information Hitoshi provided, mentally filing it away for later.

"Takara is being questioned. By Denki." Aizawa tacked on as Hitoshi opened his mouth to protest the decision. "He knows her well enough to pry, but not well enough that he can't work the case." Hitoshi knew that Aizawa was trying to get a rise out of him. "Once he's done you two are free to go."

Understanding clicked into place as Hitoshi ignored the obvious bait. "You've been monitoring her. That's how you knew she'd be with me-"

"Yes. And I've seen you monitoring her apartment. She may be a good source of information, but you can't fuck an informant and stay on the case." Aizawa stared at Hitoshi, daring him to disagree.

"Fine. But if she's a person of interest, shouldn't there be some sort of protection in place?" Aizawa smiled, a sign that Hitoshi had learned meant the man had already thought of that, and was a few steps ahead.

"You can't be on the case, but you can stay on guard duty."

"Hey, witch girl!" Takara moved her book down at the sound of the familiar voice, a heavy blonde weight dropping onto the couch beside her.

"Did you forget my name?" Takara questioned with a laugh as Denki scratched the back if his head. "No, but witch girl is so much cooler!" Takara giggled at the enthusiasm, putting her book down next to her. "Witch girl is pretty nice. What're you doing here?"

"Catching up on some work stuff. Actually..." Denki's voice trailed off in a sigh as he smiled at her. "I'm really bad at this. Hitoshi usually does the questioning, but...." Takara squinted at the blonde sitting beside her in confusion.

"Am I being questioned right now?" Takara asked as she placed her book back into her bag. "Yeah...." Denki's voice sounded guilty as he rubbed the back of his head, a grimace on his face as he looked towards her.

"Oh." The silence dragged between them as Takara waited for him to begin. Denki looked like a deer in the headlights before shaking his head and taking a deep breath. "Listen." Denki finally said. "If Hitoshi is right, then whoever came after you will end up going after Kiyoko." Takara sighed. While that was true, and a fact that Takara had raised directly to her grandmother, the woman had been unbothered by the idea and waved her off. "It sounds like your grandmother knows a group that would have gone after you. Do you know what faction?"

Takara clenched her jaw, looking away from the mans prying eyes. "They wanted to hurt you. Not just you, but others that were at that festival. Why keep them secret?"

"I think you'll be confused." Takara confessed, her brow furrowed. "One of the reasons these factions are hard to understand is because there is nuance to them." Denki nodded as Takara spoke, her eyes lifting towards the muted TV. "They're already painting the festival attack as the work of a violent cult. They haven't put a name to it, but if they do and people don't understand, suddenly my grandmothers business fails. Or I get laid off because of restructuring. And that's a best case, assuming no one wants revenge."

Denki's eyes softened as he took in the defeated look on Takara's face. "Larger religions are more accepted - it's easier for people to differentiate between the religion and the actions of an individual. But small cases like my Goddess...The actions of an individual and the religion as a whole gets lumped together. Suddenly I'm a violent cultist, not just witch girl."

"I don't think you're a violent cultist." Takara smiled at the mans fast assurance. "I know. But it's not just you I'm worried about."

"Then help us end it before they try again." Takara closed her eyes in consideration for a moment, her brow furrowed. "The Goddess." She finally said as she met his questioning gaze.

"Your deity? What about her?" Denki asked, head tilting in confusion. Takara's shoulders sagged in defeat. Denki got the impression that he'd unwittingly proved her point.

"No. Followers of The Goddess - Singular. That's who you're looking for." Denki blinked. Suddenly, Takara's concern for the cult being publicly named made more sense.

"Where can we find them?" Denki pressed. "I don't know." Takara pulled her phone from her pocket to check the time, doing some quick mental math. "But I can ask someone who might know that in a few hours."

"Why in a few hours?" The door behind the man opened, causing the pair to turn.

"Sorry to interrupt." Takara got the impression that Aizawa was not actually sorry as he shuffled into the room, followed closely by Hitoshi. "But we have a few things to discuss. First..." He turned towards Denki expectedly. "Yeah, it's, well...." Denki turned towards Takara sheepishly, his eyes pleading with her to explain.

"You're looking for followers of The Goddess. Singular." Takara confirmed. She watched the confusion enter Hitoshi's face as he looked between Aizawa and herself. "And I don't know where to find them."

"But you know someone who might." Denki offered cheerfully, the enthusiasm causing Takara to smile. "I can ask in a few hours, but-"

"I'd prefer not to wait." Aizawa interrupted, hands in his pockets as he stared at her. Takara bit her lip, her brows furrowed in consideration. "I don't want to wake her up." Takara confessed, realizing how weak of an explanation it was as the words left her mouth.

"I think they'll understand." Aizawa said gently, continuing to stare at her. Takara looked towards Hitoshi who remained at his mentors side, not moving to defend her. Takara scrolled through her phone for a moment before pressing the call button, putting the call on speaker. The three men waited silently as the phone rung once, then twice. Before the third ring someone picked up.

"Honey?" A woman's voice came through the phone, painted with exhaustion. "Is everything okay?" Takara smiled at the voice, the words clear despite the yawn that they came through. She hadn't heard the voice in a few weeks, being preoccupied with her own work and keeping Kiyoko company.

"Hi, mom." Takara heard the defeat in her own voice as she looked up at Denki's confused face. "I need your help."

Forced proximity trope has entered the chat.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter eighteen.

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 16: Breathe 🍆

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic. This gets filthy, enjoy at your own discretion.

"Again." Hitoshi blew out a breath as he pulled Takara's hair forward, forcing her to swallow his length. He gave a throaty moan as the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat, the spongy tissue a delight to the sensitive head.

Takara obediently did not raise her hands to stop the motion, despite the gag she had to swallow. Her core ached for contact, begging her to draw slow circles around it, to chase any friction she could find. Hitoshi watched tears form in her eyes and began moving his hips back. "Suck." He instructed through gritted teeth, self control spread dangerously thin as her cheeks hollowed once more, her tongue dragging along the bottom of his cock creating a haze inducing feeling in his brain. "Breathe."

It had been two days of Takara trying to go back into the rhythm of normal. She'd answered a few work emails and attended a few meetings ahead of her going back full time. She had gone to assist her grandmother at her shop, slightly annoyed by her grandmother continuing her vow of silence.

Nevertheless, preparing tinctures and lotions with Kiyoko always brought on a strange feeling of peace. Her grandmother had insisted on preparing a lotion for her wound, but Takara hadn't been able to bring herself to apply it. Instead she'd been keeping it dry and covered to the best of her abilities, opting to hold her arm out of the shower and keep it out of frame in her work meetings.

She'd been shuffling her tarot cards in the living room when she heard her patio doors slide open and a happy chirp from Ash as he hopped down from his cat tree.

"You have to stop growing." Hitoshi said as he caught the cat midair, stopping the creature's continued conquest against Hitoshi's capture weapon. "I feel like you're just using the patio doors out of spite at this point." Takara laughed, continuing to shuffle her deck as she gazed upon the man.

"You left them unlocked." Hitoshi pointed out before producing a jingling ball from his pocket and tossing it into the room. Ash quickly gave chase to the new prey. "How's the arm doing?" Hitoshi questioned as he dropped onto the couch beside her. "Don't you always know what card you're going to draw?"

"I can turn it off, you know." Takara smirked, placing one card on the table between them. "And honestly, I don't know. I don't really want to look at it." Takara admitted sheepishly. Hitoshi looked towards her sweater in apprehension. "Have you changed the bandage at all?"

Takara sighed, shoulders falling forward. "I'm sure it's fine. It hasn't started itching, and it doesn't feel warm." Hitoshi stood, offering Takara his hand with a furrowed brow.

"You don't have to watch but it does need to be cleaned. I don't think the doctor will appreciate you showing up in the same bandages you were discharged with." Hitoshi chastised as his hand gripped hers, gently guiding her into the bathroom. Takara perched beside the sink, purposely avoiding looking in Hitoshi's direction as he began unwrapping her arm.

"Where have you been?" She finally asked. He hadn't contacted her after dropping her off at home. Admittedly, she'd left her patio doors unlocked in hopes of Hitoshi showing up, but she opted to keep that piece of information to herself.

"Working." The answer was short as he turned on the tap and began letting water run over her exposed skin, causing a sharp inhale from Takara. She instinctively tried to pull her arm back but was prevented by Hitoshi's gentle grip. "I need to talk with Tao. Privately." Takara was glad she was facing away from the man. She doubted she could hide the disappointment on her face.

"I can give you her number." Takara offered, her eye twitching as she felt Hitoshi begin to rub ointment on her arm. The feeling was unwelcome, not due to his callused hands but it made her aware of the wound. When covered she could forget it, and the creature that had caused it. "No. I....need your help. I need to meet her somewhere there won't be anyone monitoring. I need you to bring her here."

"I thought I wasn't supposed to be involved." The confusion on her face may have been hidden as she continued to stare down her shower, but Takara's voice made up for it. Hitoshi sighed as he began applying fresh bandages, dressing the wound with gentle hands, being careful not to wrap it too tight.

"I know. But it can't come from me." A few of the masked men had known Tao by name, which was not surprising given that they were attending her lecture. What had been a surprise was that they were under the impression that Tao wouldn't have attacked.

But she had given him a direction which had turned out to be correct. The bones did belong to Yonai Xie. The emeralds were a promising lead. But he couldn't figure out why Tao would help him if she was involved.

"Fine. I can ask her to come by tomorrow morning."

"Not in the morning. You have to have your wound checked." Hitoshi released her arm and Takara immediately pulled it back in annoyance. She finally met his overtired eyes with a glare. "I have what?" She questioned as she hopped off the sink, trying to move past the man who somehow took up the entire doorway.

"I'm here to bring you in the morning. I forgot to tell you when I dropped you off." Takara smiled as she shook her head - the man had been tired when he'd dropped her off, but she hadn't expected him to forget to give her the follow-up appointment.

"I can go myself. That way, I can ask Tao to come here while I'm out. You two can talk in private." It hurt to know he'd only shown up because he needed her help, but she knew how much his work meant to him. Even if the sting was undeniable.

It had been a long few days and Hitoshi's whole body felt heavy. He had been monitoring Takara's apartment from the roof of her Grandmothers shop, doing his best to hide his footsteps from the old woman. He suspected Kiyoko knew, but she hadn't opened her window to chase him away. He hadn't seen anyone scoping out Takara's apartment, no odd entities lurking about. He also hadn't reached out to her, some small part of him hoping she'd reach out to him instead.

She hadn't.

"No." The answer was short as Hitoshi wrapped his arms around her, pulling in her hesitant form to his chest. He placed his chin atop her head, taking a deep steadying breath as he did so. The inhale brought her scent - strawberries, and what he suspected was eucalyptus- into his lungs. "I'm going with you. You can stay with Kiyoko when I talk to her."

He felt Takara shake her head as she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tight. "You're confusing, Gargoyle." Takara said simply, the smile in her voice bringing a musical quality to it. The nickname stung in light of their past meeting. Hitoshi didn't feel like a protector. He felt like he was pulling danger towards her, not keeping it away from her.

"Here." Takara pulled out of his arms and reached under the sink to produce a fresh towel. "Shower, it'll help you relax." She casually tossed a purple toothbrush on top, still in it's packaging. "Toothpaste is there." Takara pointed with her one hand while she covered the yawn that was pulled from her with her other. The casualness of the action pulled Hitoshi's emotions in two divergent directions. Happy and scared, confused and hopeful. Takara shut the door on her way out, leaving the hero to his thoughts.

Takara was putting her tarot cards away when Hitoshi emerged, showered and brushed. He felt clean for the first time in a few days, the warm water relaxing his tense muscles. Seeing Takara safe in her apartment helped quiet his minds incessant worrying. He hadn't bothered getting redressed, opting to wander the apartment with the borrowed towel wrapped around his waist.

"Feeling better?" Takara questioned as he sat down on the couch beside her, the back of his head relaxing into the back of the cushion as he did so. He closed his eyes with a content sigh, pulling a giggle from the redhead seated next to him. Hitoshi couldn't help but smile at the tinkling sound. His eyes cracked open when he felt the shifting weight of the couch, his smile turning into a smirk when he felt Takara straddle him.

"That's not fair." Takara purred into his ear as she pulled his head back by the roots of his hair. Hitoshi inhaled sharply through his teeth, the noise quickly replaced with a low moan as she gently bit his neck, grinding her pelvis against his as she did so. "So pulling hair is on the table, huh?" Hitoshi questioned, moving so that he could catch Takara's eyes.

"Will it help you relax?" Takara questioned with a smirk as his hand snaked through her hair, enjoying feeling of her silken locks through his fingers. "You don't get out of this discussion just because I'm tired." Hitoshi cupped her jaw, turning her head to meet his gaze. "Is hair pulling allowed today, Takara?" The woman smiled and rolled her eyes. "Yes." She conceded with a whisper, trying to catch the heroes lips with her own. Hitoshi used the hand on his chin to hold her steady. "Name calling?" He questioned, reveling in the annoyance that Takara radiated, not allowing her to try and derail the conversation.

"I'd like that." She purred, once again trying to move closer to the man. "I won't tie you up until your arm is healed. But I expect you to listen when I say no hands." Hitoshi's hand slipped from her chin into her hair, pulling her roots back so her head tilted away from him. "On your knees." Hitoshi directed as he released her, the moan that had been pulled from Takara cut short as the tension on her head was removed. Takara obediently obliged, dropping to the floor on her knees, her brown eyes staring into his. He opened his knees wider without her thighs containing him, the towel he had wrapped around his waist concealing his growing erection. "Take off your shirt." He instructed as he reached for her, stopping the hands that Takara had begun to snake towards his waist. She rolled her eyes before grabbing the hem of her shirt, and Hitoshi could have sworn a blush was finding its way onto her cheeks. Takara perky, pink nipples hardened at the sudden exposure to the air as the fabric was torn away from them. Hitoshi reached forward and palmed the mound, the warmth of his palm and calloused hand causing a shiver to run down her spine.

"Do you still want me to show you how I like my dick sucked?" The question came out low, Hitoshi's self control beginning to slip as he took in her pale skin, the freckles that adorned her face, only visible because of the flush he had brought on. Takara nodded, a hand beginning to snake lower towards her own core, the ache between her legs demanding her attention.

"Don't touch yourself. Don't use your hands at all, you little fuck thing." Hitoshi's voice took on a teasing tone as her hand stopped moving, her brown orbs pleading with him as she lifted her lashes to meet his smoldering look. "I want you so needy you beg me to fuck you once I'm done with your throat." Hitoshi growled, his hand gripping the back of her head again, the pull on her roots deliciously mixing pain and pleasure. A needy mewl found it's way out of Takara's mouth as she obediently put her hands in front of her. "Tap my shin if you need me to stop." Hitoshi ordered as he tossed the towel aside, his cock erect from the sight of Takara kneeling before him. She tried to nod, but Hitoshi's grip held her head in place.

"Tongue out, fuck toy." Hitoshi ordered as he stood, not loosening the grip on her hair. Takara obediently stuck her tongue out as he lined his cock up with her mouth. "Show me what you do if you need me to stop." Takara's brow furrowed, her lust filled brain having difficulty processing the instruction as she gazed at the hero towering over her. The angle highlighted the mans build, the broad shoulders and pecs entrancing her, the need to feel his muscular thighs beneath her hands tempered by his instruction. After a moment she reached up and tapped his shin, the jumbled words finally registering in her brain. "You even kept your tongue out. So good for me." The praise only spurred her on, wetness building between her legs as the tension on her head briefly abating. She could feel the need between her legs radiate outwards, wanting to feel his cock fill her once again.

Hitoshi plunged into her mouth, savoring the feeling of warmth that enveloped his aching cock. "Don't look away." Hitoshi instructed as Takara's gaze turned towards his torso. "Eyes on me, toy." Her lashes flickered up as she shifted her hips back slightly, trying to follow his instruction. "Suck." Hitoshi instructed as he began backing his hips up slightly, pulling out of her mouth at an excruciatingly slow pace. Her cheeks hollowed around his length, the pressure prompting a low moan from the man as he drank in the erotic image before him. Takara's doe eyes gazing up at him threatened his self control but he was careful not to go too fast and set a pace that would hurt her. "Breathe." Hitoshi instructed, taking his own advice to steady himself. He continued holding her head steady around the tip of his cock, not letting her fully release him. He watched the confusion in her eyes dissipate as she obediently drew a breath in through her nose, eyes not wavering from his.

"Again." Hitoshi blew out a breath as he pulled Takara's hair forward, forcing her to swallow his length. He gave a throaty moan as the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat, the spongy tissue a delight to the sensitive head. Takara obediently did not raise her hands to stop the motion, despite the gag she had to swallow. Her core ached for contact, begging her to draw slow circles around it, to chase any friction she could find. Hitoshi watched tears form in her eyes and began moving his hips back. "Suck." He instructed through gritted teeth, self control spread dangerously thin as her cheeks hollowed once more, her tongue dragging along the bottom of his cock creating a haze inducing feeling in his brain. "Breathe." Takara sucked in two greedy breaths, eyes filled with involuntary tears as she gazed up at him, refusing to look away.

"I want you to go faster. Nod if think you can take it, toy." Takara's head bobbed up and down, keeping the tip of his cock within the warmth of her mouth as she did so. "Good girl." Hitoshi pulled her head forward once more, only letting his cock make brief contact with the back of her throat before pulling her off. "Suck, toy." Hitoshi reminded her with a growl, her cheeks obediently hollowing with the instruction. "I don't want to have to tell you every time. It's a simple direction." Takara hardly had the chance to draw in a breath as Hitoshi once again pulled her forward, the tears beginning to spill down the outer corners of her eyes. Takara couldn't tell if it was from the tug on her hair, the feeling of his cock against the back of her throat, or from the effort she was exerting to stop her hands from finding the nub between her legs as she gazed up at the man, his eyes never leaving her as she moved along his length.

Hitoshi pulled his cock from her mouth, a distinctive pop audible as her hair was pulled back. Takara sucked in a few deep breaths as Hitoshi stroked himself mere inches from her face, a smirk plastered across his features. Takara continued gazing up at him, ignoring the tears. "Good job not looking away. I guess you can take directions after all." Hitoshi used his spit covered hand to palm her breast, this time pulling her nipple greedily as he pulled his hand away. His smirk only grew as Takara's hips pushed forward involuntarily, desperate for any contact. The wetness caused her nipples to harden further, a pleading whine escaping her lips before Hitoshi said "Open." Obedient as ever, Takara's mouth fell open, her tongue sticking out as she gazed up at him. She watched his cock twitch as his eyes looked down at her lazily.

"Think you can take more?" Takara nodded, his grip on her head loosening enough to allow her to do so. "You feel so good wrapped around me, such an obedient little thing." Hitoshi praised as he plunged into her mouth once more, his pace faster this time. He pulled himself out for a brief moment, Takara's cheeks hollowing without the need for instruction this time. His cock didn't leave her mouth before plunging all the way to the back of her throat. Takara choked, the intrusion bringing a wave of saliva into her mouth, dribbling down her chin. "I said no hands, fuck toy." Hitoshi chastised as she moved to wipe the strands off her chin, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment. Hitoshi let her catch her breath around the tip of his cock, Takara greedily gulping the air.

"What's wrong, can't take it? Am I too much for you?" Hitoshi's mocking tone caused her eyes to meet his once more as her breathing levelled out. "No, you can take more than that. Open." His grip tightened on her hair as Takara's neck was pulled back. She stuck her tongue out, waiting for him to continue.

Hitoshi wasted no time, setting a pace that made it difficult for Takara to hollow her cheeks in time with his motion. "Your throat feels too fucking good." Hitoshi growled between clenched teeth, looking down at the ruined face of Takara. Her eyes were puffy from his thrusting, her spit dribbling down her outstretched tongue and onto her chest. Her pupils were blown as she gazed up at him, still trying to follow the instructions he'd given her. Hitoshi pulled back suddenly, releasing Takara's hair as he pulled his cock from her mouth once more. He'd been approaching his own orgasm, but didn't want the night to end so soon.

"You've earned a reward, I think." Hitoshi handed her the towel he'd discarded earlier. "Clean yourself up, and tell me what you want." Takara took the towel from his outstretched hand as Hitoshi resumed his seated position on the couch, his cock rock hard before her. Takara's core ached, begging to be touched, wanting to feel Hitoshi deep inside her.

"I just want to make you feel good." Takara confessed, wiping her chin and chest on the towel. "Use me-"

"Be specific, or I'll fill in the gaps myself." Hitoshi warned, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "I don't want to be too rough-"

Takara surged forward, capturing his lips with hers. The kiss was sloppy, rushed, the power struggle between them reflected in the desperate movements of their dancing tongues. "I can always say stop." Takara pulled away from the man, a flustered smile on her face as she met his curiosity filled eyes. "I want to know what you want."

Hitoshi gazed into her eyes for a moment as he assessed Takara. Finally he grinned, pressing a brief kiss to her lips. He quickly deepened the movement, his tongue begging for entrance into her mouth, and Takara found her arms wrapped around his neck to pull him in closer. "Get on all fours." Hitoshi whispered as he pulled away. "Lose the pants and whatever is underneath." He tacked on with a nod towards her sweatpants. Takara stood and stepped out of them as Hitoshi drank in the pale skin they had concealed. Slowly she dropped to her knees, turning to face away from him.

"You're so wet. Don't tell me you like being treated this way." Hitoshi teased as he dragged his cock between her dripping lips, Takara taking a sharp inhale at the sudden friction. "What kind of girl are you?" Hitoshi teased as he pushed Takara's shoulders towards the floor, dropping to his knees behind her. He used one knee to gently push her legs wider, bringing her throbbing core level with his cock. Takara moaned as he pressed the tip into her but the man stopped as he awaited her answer.

"What kind of girl are you?" Hitoshi repeated, dragged his fingernails up her back, the need to mark her as his hard to ignore. The thought of Takara begging for anyone other than him caused a wave of possessiveness to turn in his veins. Takara moaned, her back arching as he completed the long journey up her back, Hitoshi satisfied with the red trail left in his wake.

"I'm just a fuck toy." Takara moaned as she pressed her hips back, pulling Hitoshi deeper into her. Hitoshi gripped her hips, the tightness around him pulling his orgasm closer. He hadn't fucked her, and he'd be damned is he didn't make her cum.

"You're my filthy little fuck toy." Hitoshi corrected as he slammed his hips forward, fully sheathing himself inside her. Takara cried out in a mixture of pleasure and pain, the teasing from earlier helping her adjust to his size. She'd hardly caught her breath as Hitoshi set a brutal pace, one hand on the back of her neck, pressing her into the ground as he continued to fuck her aching cunt.

"I am, I am, I am-." Takara felt her orgasm approaching fast, the confirmation feeling like a mantra as she repeated it over and over. Between the filthy names and Hitoshi's animalistic pace after denying her earlier, the waves of pleasure and pain quickly became too much. "You can take it." Takara felt her body convulse, her back arch as her legs shook beneath her. The elastic band that had been rapidly building inside her snapped at the growled praise and she cried out. She wasn't sure if any words had come out or just an animalistic shout as she felt her mind go blank.

"Fuck-" Hitoshi pulled out suddenly and gave a few pumps, his cum painting Takara's ass seconds later. He took a few deep breaths as he admired the image before him, the fingernail marks still visible as Takara's hole gaped, as though it was still trying to milk his orgasm from him, not knowing it had already done so. He released his grip on her but Takara stayed where she'd been contained.

"Hey." Hitoshi dragged a warm hand up her back, leaning forward to wrap an arm around her torso. He pulled her into him, placing her on his lap as he stretched his legs forward. "You did so good." Hitoshi moved a strand of sweat slicked hair from her face with a gentle hand, using his free arm so she sat bridal style in his arms. Takara leaned against his shoulder, a content sigh slipping from her lips as she looked up at him. He felt his heart flutter at the sight - her body relaxed, her brown doe eyes gazing up at him in post orgasmic bliss. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and nuzzled into her, drinking in the strawberry scent. They stayed together as they caught their breath "Can you stand?" He asked after a few moments and Takara nodded, finding her footing beneath her. Hitoshi gently guided her to the bathroom, finding a stash of washcloths where she'd pulled his towel and toothbrush out from earlier and warming it for her.

"How are you feeling?" Hitoshi questioned, unsure if the silence between them was comfortable. Takara placed the towel at the edge of the sink as her eyes met his. "I don't know." She admitted after a moment, a shy blush creeping its way onto her face. She took a tentative step towards Hitoshi.

Despite mere moments earlier where they had been entangled in one another, it was when she wrapped her arms around him and burned her face in the crook of his neck that Takara felt the intimacy between them. Hitoshi hesitated only for a second before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

Takara swallowed the questions she wanted to ask - if Hitoshi would ever see her as more than just a fuck toy, if he meant anything by calling her his, if he felt the same unavoidable pull that she did. He'd been clear about their arrangement, and intimacy didn't change that. "Takara?" Hitoshi's voice was plastered with concern as he ran a hand up her back in a soothing motion.

"Hmm?" Takara questioned, his voice pulling her from her thoughts. "Let's get you to bed. Do you need water?" Hitoshi gently tugged her hand towards her bedroom as Takara felt her anxiety skyrocket. "No." Takara assured him, not moving towards the bed. "Are you-"

"Obviously." Hitoshi said with a laugh as he crawled into her bed, pulling her down with him. "I'll be here in the morning. Just relax." Takara nodded, her muscles becoming pliable under his touches, a content sigh spilling from her mouth as he played with her hair. Hitoshi felt her breathing deepen and her body relax, the weight welcome against his chest as she drifted to sleep.

Hitoshi turned when he heard a small chirp, Ash climbing on top of the pillow and making a nest against his purple locks.

Hitoshi took a steadying breath as he realized how happy he was at this moment, the feeling as sudden as it was pure. Takara was passed out against him wrapped in his arms as her loyal companion purred against his head. He sighed, reminding himself that the feeling was fleeting. It wasn't something he would be able to hold forever.

He glanced down at Takara's sleeping form, her hand over the scar on his pec as she slept soundly. Her breathing waa deep and relaxed with a sleepy smile painted on her face. It was then that Hitoshi knew he was completely and utterly fucked. He lay awake as he processed the information, trying to convince himself that he was wrong before sleep eventually took him.

I hate knowing that there's probably only a handful of chapters left in this story. But then again these two tend to do their own thing despite my direction, so who knows.

Link to chapter index.

Link to chapter seventeen.