4. Tsuyu (1/2)

tsuyu asui.

if there was anything anyone had to say about her, it was that she was agreeable. an oddball at first, her large eyes, peculiar posture and frog-like tendencies made her someone who made a lasting impression. getting to know her always made for a change of the better. tsuyu's caring nature, curiosity and honest demeanor, also made her someone people liked having around. the other thing people noted, especially the men around her, was that she was quite the looker. despite her oddities, her large eyes and soft features were cute. and her shapely body hidden behind her posture was the likes that most men couldn't forget. she was extremely popular, even when she was taken. she was beloved, but if there was one word katsuki would use to describe her.

irresistible.

in all sense of the word, he could hardly put up a resistance against her. it wasn't like he would try to begin with. she could argue, she could flatter, she could guilt, she could convince like nobody's business. he wasn't easy to sway, yet she could do it like it was second nature. a change of tone here, a grimace there and he was putty in her hand. but hell would freeze over before he ever let it show. his pride was his greatest motivator, but it also destroyed him at the same time and she could play to it without fail. was she always this good? no… but maybe he just wasn't as closed off as he used to be. time can be the best teacher and time has taught him to trust, to listen, to cooperate. time also taught him loneliness, it taught him the need for others, it taught him the value of having another person's time.

he wanted her time.

despite their lack of any kind of prior relationship, he knew he could trust her, they would listen to each other, they could work together. whether it was on the job or at the bar, she could be a confidant, an ally, even a friend. he heard it time and time again, how he needed to work with others, that working alone would never work. he would

ush it off in his youth, but without a web of people to work with, he had no real means of

anching out. he could listen and cooperate with his fellow pros, but that was a means to an end. he didn't trust them as anything more than a source of information. they were allied by convenience but not by camaraderie, they were fair-weather at best. not her, there was no reason for her to associate with him at all, yet she did. and he wanted her to know it was appreciated.

he wanted her trust.

despite himself, his general anti-social behavior and lack of delicacy in most situations, he knew just how much a little trust could go. what few friends he did acknowledge were people he couldn't picture life without. and though there was less than no chance that'd they'd hear him say it, his actions always displayed his loyalty. they could count on him, because he would absolutely make good on his promise, just like all might would do.

katsuki was many things. wild, arrogant, frustrating, intimidating. every single one of his flaws bared on his sleeve, but the same was to be said for his virtues. anyone with any familiarity of him could see that. but it took the very special few to be able to

ing them out. and how, in such a short frame, had she become that, he could never know. but that structure in his life was something he sorely needed.

once again on patrol, he'd gotten used to the antics of his laid-back apprentice. the way the kid always lingered of the sight of a pretty woman, the sloppy form of his left hook, his pension for copying techniques of other pro heroes. he seemed like the kind of person young katsuki would scream his head off at. but he had changed, he was tolerant of the childish way the boy dived headlong with a wildly impractical entrance when encountering a villain. his seemingly savant knowledge of the same rules he hardly ever followed. it was seemingly like he was created specifically to piss katsuki off.

yet he was still here.

soon enough tatsuya was inserting himself into katsuki's life. and though it was never appreciated, he was never tossed out. whether it be when katsuki arrived first thing in the morning, or when he was on

eak, or on his way home. tatsuya was annoyingly present. katsuki tolerated it, sometimes it wasn't even that much of a problem. but there is one time where katsuki wished the boy would just get lost.

when he went out drinking.

for the third time this week, tatsuya had followed him to his usual spot and all but chained himself to katsuki's table. tsuyu would arrive a little later and without fail tatsuya would order the first round effectively, inserting himself into the chat. he would twist and turn the conversation to his whim, he would joke about the day's patrol or start some stupid drinking game. being polite, tsuyu would play along, to an extent. katsuki however was not enjoying it. there were a lot of things he in his personal life he'd rather not have mix with his professional life and tsuyu was excellent at keeping confidentiality. with tatsuya however he might as well be sharing secrets with a megaphone.

he really didn't like drinking with the guy.

"so boss… we going drinkin' tonight too?" it was an especially slow day. nothing going on, hardly even an infraction in sight.

"who is this 'we' you're talking about." katsuki was in a bad mood, falling into some old habits. his hands were stuffed into his pockets, he hunched over and trudged about like a thug.

"you, me and froppy!"

"who said we were going drinking tonight?"

"dude, you two have been drinking all week."

"and who said you were invited."

"come on, it's like you don't want me around." tatsuya huffed, pouting and stamping his foot.

"i don't." katsuki growled shoulder checking his protege.

tatsuya looked at him with a discerning eye. studying his mentor. the next few minutes were quiet as katsuki kept the two on point. minutes turned to an hour of near silence between the two before tatsuya

ought the topic back.

"so that's how it is..." tatsuya smiled throwing his hands behind his head.

"what's how what is." katsuki was back to his upright posture.

"i'm in the way, aren't i?"

"you're always in the way. you should keep your eyes roaming, instead of chasing every skirt you pass by." katsuki scolded continuing his scan of the horizon. "first off, that's cold boss, cold. second, i meant about you and miss froppy."

"what are you talking about, you idiot?"

"you don't want me getting in the way of your little drinking party."

"with the dumb crap you pull, i don't think anyone would.

"so we're playing that game, huh? real mature, boss." tatsuya rolled his eyes before shooting a knowing look. "fine. i'll leave you two be alone tonight."

"good."

"but i want to hear about it tomorrow."

"i don't need to tell you squat." katsuki walked away without another word. but body language told a different story. tatsuya smiled following katsuki the way back.

that night was peaceful. katsuki and tsuyu were alone. a huge weight felt like it was lifted from katsuki's shoulders. he was free to speak candidly as he pleased, there was no distraction from their chat and that was just the way he liked it.

"i swear to god the next time he screws around and let's a lady distract him, i'm gonna wring his neck."

"maybe try something not so extreme."

"like what."

"is he dating anyone?"

"why would i know that?"

"he's pretty talkative."

"that's an understatement." katsuki rolled his eyes.

she giggled. "the old you would have just called him an asshole and tried to fight him."