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MHA-FF-Full

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Chapter 1:\nI'm hungry...\nEveryone hungers for something. Fame, money, love, food. Me right now though, I'm hungry for a delicious snack of a man tonight and I am ravenous.\nThis is taking too long.\nIt's got to be something like 10 o clock. If I don't find someone soon I'm gonna have to call it a night and just go home.\nI sit at the bar and tap my nails on the empty glass in front of me. I've been here for two hours already and there have been no prospects.\nDoing a visual sweep of the room, nothing has changed. Some businessmen sit at a table drinking and having a good time of it. A few scattered couples take up some small tables here and there and the one other guy at the bar has already tried to shoot his shot with me but just looking at him told me that he wasn't my taste.\n"Another Mai Tai?" the bartender asks and I consider it for a moment. Another drink means I'll commit to probably another 20 minutes sitting here, trolling the waters for someone to catch my eye and right now that just seems so unlikely.\n"No thanks," I sigh, leaving my empty glass on the bar and sliding off the barstool, pulling my short black dress down to cover my thighs a bit more and get the slit cut in the back to stop bunching up under my tail.\nI should just give up for now. I'm not desperate for crying out loud, just... frustrated.\nI haven't tried this bar before, but I thought a new hunting ground might be perfect to get me out of this rut I've been in the last few weeks.\nAll of the men I've taken to bed lately have all seemed like they might satisfy me but they've all been disappointments. Every single one of them ending up being rather bland.\nNow this place is a bust too.\nShouldering the strap on my purse, I throw a tip on the bar and head out the door into the warm summer evening.\nI give another disgruntled sigh as I make my way down the sidewalk, heels clicking on the pavement as I go.\nI have a job scheduled for tomorrow and a few more for the next few days. Meaning I'll have to take a train to Tokyo in the morning. Tonight was my last chance for the next four days to sate my craving and not a single guy has even remotely interested me. Ugh.\nA lot of eyes, of all genders, turn my way as I head back toward my apartment.\nIt could be due to my small dark purple bat wings and slim tail of the same color peeking out from the back of my dress and ending in a neat spade shape, but odd body features are rather common in this quirk laden society.\nIt could be the fact that I put on makeup today, enhancing my already high cheekbones and amethyst eyes. But it's most likely the fact that I tower over most of them, being 5'11" to begin with and sporting four inch heels on top of that. I like these shoes, though. They're my man-hunting shoes. I'm not gonna stop wearing my favorite shoes just because it makes people stare at me. My height is what netted me my sweet modeling job after all.\nSuddenly, a clammy hand grabs at mine and roughly pulls me into a smaller, far less populated alleyway, making me stumble as it nearly drags me a few feet in.\nI viciously snatch my hand away and glare at the offending party. A businessman. One of the men from the bar, possibly? He reeks of alcohol and I've already got a discomforting feeling about him.\nIt's too bad he decided to make the mistake of trying my patience today. I hadn't noticed him before but he could've been to my taste.\nHe's taller than me, although with these shoes on, he just meets my height. He's thicker than me, a decent layer of muscle under that business suit. He must work out. And he's definitely strong with the way he clamped down on my hand and dragged me over here.\nThose are my three criteria that are most likely to suit my tastes.\nUsually the thicker part isn't an issue. I'm not muscular. Most men would end up meeting that criteria easily. Same with being stronger. I'm not a fighter. I work out to keep my figure as tight as possible, but nothing past that. I mean, that's what heroes are for, right? To keep us safe and fight for us?\nTaller than me, though. That's the tricky part. I don't hate men shorter than me or anything and I've given some a go even, but a lot of them get inferiority complexes for being shorter and the bigger men just have something extra I can't quite put my finger on.\nI have a small taste for women sometimes too but... that's even more complicated.\nThis guy touched me without my permission, though. And not only that, he dragged me over here? Is he out of his mind? He could be with all that alcohol wafting off of him.\n"Can I help you?" I ask, disgust curling my lip.\n"I noticed you sitting alone at the bar,"- so he is from the bar- "and you looked like you were waiting for someone who never showed up so I figured I could come and see if you needed any company."\nHis voice has this low, rough quality to it. Does he think he sounds seductive?\nI give him an appraising look, making it obvious that I find him lacking and say, "Thanks but no thanks." Which is probably one of the nicer things I could've said, in my opinion.\nI turn to leave back the way we came- are there fewer pedestrians out there than there were a moment ago?- but then I feel that firm clammy hand wrap around my tail and I whip my head around to see him right behind me, my dark purple tail clenched in his fist, his face a mask of rage.\n"You could at least not be a bitch about it," he seethes through gritted teeth and fear begins to seep through my veins before I tamp it down. I can handle this.\nHe tugs on it roughly, making me stumble back a pace, my small wings flaring, flapping slightly to rebalance myself.\nThis bastard! Who the hell does he think he is?\nI slowly reach my hand into my purse at my side, digging around.\nSometimes men think that my rejecting them gives them a right to manhandle me, as if that's going to somehow change my mind.\nI know that random hookups can be dangerous. As I've said before I'm not strong, but I do need to defend myself should the need arise. Which is why I have- Ah! There it is!\nMy fingers wrap around the zap stick (as I like to call it) I always carry with me. It's like a taser, but it extends for better reach, so I don't have to be within grabbing distance in order to use it on someone.\nI bought it for situations just like these.\n"Now get the fuck back here," he snarls.\nWith my silence and stillness he must think he's cowed me.\nHe issues another vicious tug on my tail and I pretend to stumble again. In reality, he's not gonna surprise me like that twice. As my right foot moves back and hits the ground, leaving some slack on my tail for movement, I spin on it, my wings flapping to assist in what puny way they can, and I swing my arm around, extending the zap stick.\nHe hasn't seen it until it's too late and it's already punching him in the chest, charging him with enough volts to stun a baby elephant.\nHe makes a whimpering sound as I hold the button down, immediately releasing my tail, and I whip it back behind me, flicking it in irritation.\nWhen I let the button go, he collapses to the floor, curling up in a ball and I stare down at him unsympathetically.\n"You're disgusting," I tell him, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. A part of me wants to kick him or something while he's down there. No one touches me without my permission\n"Are you okay?" a concerned sounding masculine voice comes from behind me.\nSeriously? Another one?\nI whip around, my zap stick still extended, raised at the ready to deal some more pain, but I stop short, sucking in a shocked breath.\nThe man I'm facing now is tall. Like really tall. Possibly as tall as All Might even (A mountain I've wished I could climb for a while now). I don't know if I've seen anyone without a gigantification quirk- or similar- who was taller.\nHe has his gloved hands raised up, palms out, in a placating gesture, as if he were dealing with a wild animal.\n"Sorry! Sorry to surprise you!" he says quickly, taking a step back.\nI just stare back at him, my mouth agape.\nI can already tell he means me no harm. His flashy outfit, although torn down the front, revealing his- phew, WOW- absolutely stellar muscled torso, indicates that he's a hero.\nHis short, curly blonde hair is a mess all over his head and his bright golden eyes behind his black mask reflect the concern that sounded in his voice.\nI hastily retract the stick with a soft snick and lower it, retraining my face into a more assured, calmed expression.\n"I'm fine," I say, my voice cracking from how parched my mouth has suddenly become.\nThe man looks more relaxed now, seeing that I no longer intend to attack him, and breathes a sigh of relief.\n"Oh good. I was just about to step in. He was getting pretty rough with you," he glances at my tail briefly and it curls under his gaze as if it has a mind of its own and likes the attention. Thanks for telling on me, tail...\n"No, I had it handled," I assure him, finding my voice again, "It's why I always carry this." I spin the shortened stick in my hand before I place it back in my purse.\n"That's why you always carry that?" he asks, like he didn't understand the statement, "Does that happen often?" he motions toward the man still splayed out in the alleyway.\n"It happens sometimes," I reply with a shrug. When you look the way I look, dress the way I dress sometimes, and do the things I do, of course you're gonna attract negative attention that you have to fight off sometimes. That's a bullshit fact of my lifestyle. I'm not gonna tell him that, though.\nThe last thing I need is a hero- and a really delicious looking one at that- lecturing me on how "I'm asking for it." Would this guy actually say that to me, though? I don't know. I'd rather not even risk it.\n"We should have him arrested," the large man says, his brows turning down in distaste, "he assaulted you."\nI could do that. After all, I have a hero as my witness. He could possibly face jail time. But another part of me says it's not worth it. I have to get home and go to sleep for work tomorrow, not spend hours filling out police paperwork and going over the story again and again just to have this guy- what- fined? Given community service most likely?\n"I don't want to deal with the police," I tell him and the groove between his brows grows deeper, "but I do know what we should do with him."\nA few moments later, the businessman's buddies from the bar are all in the alley and picking him up, looking at him with expressions ranging from disapproval to disgust. His work life just got a whole lot worse, it seems.\n"I can't express how sorry I am for my colleague's behavior," one of them says, bowing deeply to me.\nI nod in thanks but the tall, appetizing man next to me speaks up.\n"Your buddy's lucky he didn't get arrested. Make sure he knows it and that if he tries it again, he'll be going to jail," he says seriously, his golden eyes glinting a warning.\nThe bowing man bows deeper still, "Yes, sir. We will sir. Thank you, sir."\nAnd, without further words, the group of men set off.\nI turn to my tasty-looking hero when they're out of sight and offer a small smile, "Thank you. For at least attempting to help me."\nHe gives me a wide, unreserved grin that lights up his whole face in return, his golden eyes crinkling under his mask, "Not a problem, miss."\nMy heart gives a small pulse upon witnessing that face, my wings fluttering slightly in response. Miss? How is this giant of a man so adorable?\n"Would you like me to escort you home?" he offers, his hand outstretched, less an offer for me to take and more to emphasize that he's offering his services to me, "I would definitely feel better if you let me."\nI make a show of considering his offer. Like I'm gonna say no? I just struck out sitting at a bar for two hours and the holy grail of all tasty man-snacks approaches me, looking all battle torn. I'm gonna jump on that opportunity like a kitten in a milk factory.\nHe's tall, he's strong, and he is thick enough to make a girl's mouth water. Not to mention the fact that he's clearly a total sweetheart. Fucking yikes, I might be in trouble with this one.\n"Okay," I finally answer, trying to ignore the way my tail curls in delight when his smile returns, "I live in that high rise over about 10 blocks away." I point toward a tall building in the distance, not easy to miss. It's one of the tallest in the area.\n"Let's get going then," he says with no hesitation, turning and heading in the direction I indicated.\nI catch up to him and do my best to match his strides. This has to be the first time I've ever had to walk quickly to keep up with the person next to me.\nOn the way, we pass by a takoyaki stand and he stops for a second, his stomach grumbling loudly.\n"I... am starving..." he says with a bashful smile, a light blush spreading across his cheeks, "I just finished with a mission and it's been a rough day. Do you mind if I grab something to eat on the way?"\nHe jabs his thumb toward the stand and I shrug, "Sure."\n"Do you want anything?" he asks, his eyebrows lifting in offer.\n"No," I shake my head, "I'm fine." I'm not really allowed to eat food after 8pm anyway... Model bullshit.\nHe steps up to the stand and when he turns away again a few minutes later, he's holding a large box of takoyaki, sauce poured generously on top with all the fixings. Is he planning on eating all of those by himself?\nOne is already missing and I can see the stick they usually provide to eat with protruding from his mouth. I guess he was hungry...\nHe seems pleased and more energetic now that he's wolfing down these little batter balls like they're M&Ms.\nWe walk in relative silence for a couple blocks, sounds of my heels clacking on the concrete mixing with the heavy thudding of his footfalls and the little munching sounds he's making while eating what is likely his dinner.\nSo I had been right, he does intend to eat that whole box. And he's already a quarter way through as I glance over at it feeling mildly puzzled at how he maintains that body with eating habits such as this. Well, he is a hero after all. He probably burns it all off in training or combat. Who knows?\nHe sees me eyeing the box and holds out the stick with one of the little balls on it. It looks so small in his huge fingers, like they'd handed him something sized for children.\n"You sure you don't want some?" he asks.\nI shake my head, wings fluttering again at how kind and considerate he is.\nThey need to cut it out.\n"I'm alright," I say, "I've already eaten."\nWhich is partially true, I ate dinner before I left. But I am hungry. Just not for food.\nHe withdraws the proffered ball and pops that in his mouth too, the munching sounds returning as he goes to stab another.\n"So you just finished with a mission?" I ask interestedly, "I guess it was pretty grueling for you to end up like that."\nI motion toward his shredded jacket and dirty, disheveled pants.\nHe looks down at himself as if he's somehow forgotten he looks like he's gotten in a fight with a lawnmower.\nA chuckle, authentic and carefree, comes from him, "Yeah, it was. I had to use one of my ultimate abilities which is why I look like this."\nHe also motions at himself.\nI don't want to hear more about this mission or ultimate ability, though. My questions were actually leading to this next one.\n"So since you're saying you just finished, does that mean you're off the clock?" I ask, finally getting to the crux of this line of questioning.\nHe thinks for a moment, his brow furrowing, as though this is actually a hard question...\n"I guess you could say that," he finally responds, that candid smile reaching his lips again, "but I don't mind helping you if you need it. A hero's never really off the clock."\nSo essentially the answer is yes. Perfect.\nMy feet have been feeling pretty uncomfortable for a while, walking from my apartment, then dealing with that asshat back there and having to go back and forth to the bar again. We have to have travelled five blocks at least by now and my feet are not having it. Now I'm regretting the shoes.\nI have to stop in my tracks, I can't take another step. My feet are killing me.\n"Hang on," I say, wincing as I lift my foot up to undo the buckle and remove my shoe, then do the same for the other.\nBoth of my feet have blisters at my heels and toes. Annoying...\n"You okay?" he asks with concern, looking down at my blistered feet, "I was wondering how you were walking in those. Do you need help? I can carry you on my back if you need. I wish I could do more but my quirk is kinda low on fuel if you know what I mean."\nThis. Gigantic. Beautiful. Teddy bear... He looks so beat up and he still offers to carry me?\nBe still, my beating heart! And shut up, wings, I can feel you fluttering back there!\nYeah, I'm gonna get in this guy's pants if it's the last thing I do.\n"Are you sure?" I wonder tentatively. He does look pretty rough. And he's holding a box of takoyaki. Which, upon closer inspection is over halfway empty now. Geez, this guy can eat.\n"Yeah," he answers with that same adorable smile, "The takoyaki got me some of my energy back at least. But you have to do me a favor."\nHe holds out the box.\n"I need you to hold this for me while I walk."\nI nod in agreement and shove my clunky shoes in my purse, then straighten up to grab the box.\nHe squats down a little bit so I can climb on his back, then grabs onto my legs to keep me steady as he stands again.\nLeaning forward, I pressing my chest into his back so I'm also holding the box at the front of his body now, practically in front of his face.\nWow, this is really amazing! I haven't gotten a piggy back ride since I was a child! Guys, even those taller than me, don't usually end up being able to give me something like a piggy back ride. Now, look at me! I feel like a teenager in one of those romance anime whose crush is carrying them home with an injured foot.\nMy face feels hot and everything. And is my heart beating faster?\n"Do you want me to keep feeding you?" I ask, half-joking, but also willing to do so since he's being this generous with me.\nHe laughs! Rich and hearty, full of genuine delight. I can't help but smile too and my wings go fluttering again.\n"No," he finally replies after calming down enough, "I think I can make it the rest of the way. We're almost there."\nHe nods to the large building rising up in front of us. Only about two blocks away now. It feels like we got here so fast. Too fast. Damn his long strides... But on second thought, those long legs are heaven-sent. I'll forgive them.\nI nestle down into him for as long as the rest of this walk is going to last, resting my head on his shoulder.\nHe smells... kinda sweaty actually, which is understandable. But underneath that is something else. Something that tickles my nose and makes my naked toes curl.\nI want to move closer to his skin, inhale his scent deeply, preferably get a taste of whatever that delicious aroma is emanating from him, but that would be a little too familiar. Besides, I'll probably get the chance at that later if I play my cards right. And I usually play my cards right.\nAll too soon we arrive at my building, garnering stares from the door man and the few people we pass by in the lobby. I'll assume it's the height thing again but it may also be our precarious positioning. My tasty hero doesn't seem to be bothered by it, though, thankfully.\nHe sets me down at the elevators after hitting the button to call one and I think for a second he might turn back, which would ruin all of my plans- though I wouldn't be above asking him now to come up- but he steps onto the elevator with me when the doors slide open.\nSo he truly means to deliver me to my door... I would say "that's a hero for you" but it's really not. Heroes can be self-important and dickish sometimes. I think a lot of them care more about their next villain bust or their air time than actually helping civilians. But not him...\nI punch the button for my floor- the 32nd. Not too bad of a view from up there- and we start to rise.\nI realize I'm still holding onto his takoyaki box as the floor numbers ascend and hand it back to him\n"Thanks," he says brightly before digging back into his meal. Are men eating supposed to be this endearing?\nI take another good look at him now, in the stark bright light of the elevator and am still not disappointed. Although, he does seem like a hot mess with his hair looking like he's been through a wind tunnel and every single piece of clothing has some amount of damage, his jacket worst of all.\nBruises and scratches litter his torso I see now and it's a little shocking. He must've been in a real fight. Why did he feel compelled to walk me home in this state? And carrying me on his back no less?\nHe sees me eyeing him and I must have a horrified look on my face because he grins at me again and says, "Don't worry, the other guy looks worse."\nPfft. Cheesy. But also probably true.\nI quirk my lips up in response. He acts like he's perfectly fine. He has to have enough energy, right?\nBy the time we reach my floor, he's finished the rest of the box and stuffs it in a trash receptacle just outside the elevator when we exit.\nMy apartment is at the far end of the hall, unfortunately, but there's no helping it. I begin tiptoeing my way down, wincing slightly when I find out that the ball of my foot is incredibly sore. I hope this is better by morning or I'm going to be in a world of hurt for my appointment tomorrow.\n"I hope this is okay," he speaks warmly into my ear from behind before sweeping me up in his arms, carrying me forward like I'm a princess.\nMy face burns hot and I don't think I've ever felt so school-girl-ish in my life. I thought the piggy back ride was swoon-inducing...\n"I-its fine," I stutter, having to concentrate all of my willpower to keep my wings- which his arm is resting under- from outright flapping as though they would carry me off into lala land. What has gotten into me?\nHe's truly so massive, I almost seem like a child in his arms. I doubt it's even an effort for him to do this.\nOh, I'm definitely in trouble here. I was just looking to sate my hunger and now here I am with a budding crush on this beautiful man whose name I don't even know yet. I want to know it, though.\nBut I know maybe I shouldn't learn it. One night is usually for the best. I've tried hooking up with the same person more than once... It didn't end well.\n"Thank you for carrying me all this way," I say shyly because something is clearly wrong with me.\n"It's no problem, miss," he tells me for the second time tonight, "I'm happy to help."\nI need to pull myself together. I'm supposed to be the one making him blush.\nSo I swallow my pounding heart and this warm feeling pulsing in my chest so I can have the courage to look up at him.\nThose shimmering golden irises are already on me, silently watching my every move, a charmed smile playing at his lips. And now I need to stomp my nerves down so I can find the words to speak to him again.\n"Even if you're off the clock?" I inquire, an unnecessary amount of hopefulness in my voice.\n"Well, as I said before, a hero is never really off the clock," he answers looking as though he were trying to reassure me.\nBut that wasn't at all the answer I was looking for.\nMy lips turn down in a disappointed pout as I continue to gaze up into those enchantingly honest eyes.\n"I was... kinda hoping you were," I murmur quietly, finally seizing this opportunity to place my palm on his broad, powerful chest.\nHis smile slips and I can actually feel his heartbeat pick up under my fingertips. I see his eyes widen slightly, pupils dilating as he begins to get the whole picture.\nHis skin under my hand feels hot and it's like there are a hundred times as many nerves reacting to him than I usually feel. It's exhilarating.\nThings get eerily quiet between us and I'm not quite sure how to take it. I can't deny that my own heart pounds in my chest just as strongly as his does.\n"Um," I break the quiet gently, "my apartment... it's right there."\nI point to a door that is only probably two of his long strides away and he halts in front of it just a couple seconds later, letting me down again.\nDigging in my purse for my keys, I can hardly even look at him. I can feel him still standing there, though I'm not sure if it's because he's waiting for me to go inside or waiting for me to invite him like I'd implied I wanted to.\nWhen I get the door open, I finally gather my courage within me to look over my shoulder at him again. I think... he might be unsure of why he's still there too.\nHeat rises even more fiercely on my cheeks and my stomach clenches, unable to control the fluttering of my wings as I breathe out the words, "Do you... want to come in?"\nNow he blushes a bright pink color that is absolutely breathtaking. He looks unsure how to answer. Could he be trying to figure out how to turn me down?\n"Do you... not want to?" I ask, turning my body completely back to face him, brows turning down in a question.\n"I..." he rubs at the back of his head, "I don't want to... take advantage of you."\nMy brows lower further and I tilt my head, a little confused, "Like... because you're a hero and I'm not?"\nHis face deepens to a further shade of red.\n"I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything because I helped you..."\nFor such a behemoth of a man, he acts so mild when it comes to this and it allows me to regain my composure at last. He is interested, but he's nervous.\nI take a step toward him, the pain at my feet dampened by the intense focus I have on the body in front of me.\nI can hear him audibly swallow and that scent I picked up on earlier catches my nose again suddenly. It is mouth-watering.\nAnother step and his breath hitches, his gigantic hands balling into fists.\nOnly one more and I'm standing in front of him, tilting my head back to look up at his flushed face, lips parted as he takes shallow breaths.\nThat scent only grows stronger and, now that I can better fill my nose with it, I find it reminds me of cinnamon. I've never encountered a scent like this before. It just makes me feel even more famished.\nTaking either side of his shredded jacket in my fists, I give it a soft tug, willing him forward more than forcing him.\nHe's more than capable of standing still or pulling away if that's what he wants but instead he takes a step forward as I take one back, pulling him toward my door.\nI tug him again, getting another step closer and I can see his eyes shifting quickly between my assured face and the darkened apartment behind me.\nAnother step. Just one more and we'll be through the doorway. I've got him. He wants to come.\n"Are you-"\n"I'm sure," I purr and I can tell he's finally lost any interest in resisting now.\nHe takes one more step with me and I nudge the door closed with my foot, swinging and snapping shut just behind him.\nOnly my hall light just around the corner barely illuminates our shadowed figures but I can still see those golden eyes, dark with desire, pupils blown.\nHis jacket is still clenched in my fists and I pull on it once more, easing him down slowly, carefully until his face is right in front of mine, flushed and wracked with anticipation.\nMy heart still races too, every inch of my skin prickling and aching to be touched as I move forward and softly press my lips to his.\nI hear a small intake of breath and then he's responding, his warm lips moving against mine.\nThat cinnamon aroma washes over me and all at once I'm struck by the most unimaginably delicious taste I've ever encountered in my entire life as I run my tongue across the seam of his lips and he opens for me timidly, allowing me entrance.\nI suck in a sharp breath and pull back, shocked at the sensation of his taste on my tongue.\nSee, I've missed an explanation here. I don't pull people into my bed just because they're fun- although they are that too. I do it because- through my quirk- I gain an incredible amount of energy from their sexual desire. I can scent it on them when they're close, but I absorb it when I can taste them. No matter where I put my tongue, if they have sexual energy for me, I'm able to absorb it. And no matter what food you eat, there is just no better taste in the world than hot-blooded lust on your tongue.\nThe drawback to this is that I'm literally sucking the energy out of them. They don't notice during the act, but they usually wake up feeling exhausted the next morning and have no clue why. I don't stick around for them to figure it out.\nEvery person has a particular flavor and all of them are as indescribable to someone normal as it would be to describe a rainbow to a dog. But some taste good and some taste great.\nThis man however...\nI can hardly control myself as I lunge for him, obviously surprising him when I crush my mouth against his, my tongue finding his to tangle with it and gather more of that unnamable flavor.\nI release his jacket, certain he'll be staying put, and press my chest to his, arms wrapping around his neck.\nHe lets out a deepthroated groan and the frenzy I feel at that noise is overwhelming. I've never tasted a man so enticing in my life!\nHis massive hands move delicately to my waist and I love the weight of them, his fingers lightly curling in the fabric of my dress.\nIs he afraid he'll break me if he's rough? I'll have to see if I can disabuse him of that notion...\nI can feel my wings extending and folding repeatedly at my back as if they were hands trying to grasp at him as well, my tail practically whipping back and forth in delight at this embrace.\nI break our kiss and pull away quickly to shove him back, his giant body hitting the door with a loud thud.\nWhen my eyes meet his again in the low light, they look like they're shining as he drunkenly rakes his eyes over my body. He may just now be realizing what a treat he's in for.\n"You're beautiful," he says, his lips pulling up at the corners into a tiny smile and I think my heart's about to melt right out of my chest. Of course I've been told that countless times before but the way he says it and how that tiny smile says that he knows just how fortunate he is, it makes my heart ache with how truly wanted he's made me feel.\nI'm gonna blow this man's mind tonight.\nLetting my hands begin roaming that incredibly chiselled torso, I coax his mouth back down to mine.\nHis hands still circle my waist but I want more. The thought of them on my breasts, my ass, between my legs, drives me wild and I need to figure out a way to tempt him into it.\nMy hands leave his body so I can hook my thumbs under the thin straps of my dress and begin pulling them down, over my arms then peeling the tight stretchy fabric away from my upper half.\nHis breaths pick up in speed when he notices what I'm doing and he moves his hands away to allow me to finish pulling the garment off.\nNo no no, sweetie. That's your job.\nStopping with my dress partially down my torso, lacy bra freely available to see, I break our (really awesome, by the way) make out session to take his hands in my far smaller ones, bringing both of our attention to just how different we are in size.\nI want to feel the skin of his palms and fingertips on mine. So I delicately slip the gloves from his hands. First one, then the other. Then I place them back at my waist to the fabric bunched up there, guiding him as much as necessary to see that he's the one meant to finish undressing me.\nHis giant fingers are trembling slightly as he grips the soft, stretchy fabric and slowly pulls it down, his breaths coming harder and harder.\nWhen I look up at him again, he's watching his hands pulling my dress lower and lower, drinking in every inch of skin being revealed. And when it's most of the way down my hips, he crouches, allowing me to step from the garment, being careful to mind my tail when he finally pulls it away from my body.\nI realize I'm breathing heavily as well as his eyes move up and down me in once more, standing only in my black lace bra and panties- matching because I already knew what I was out to get tonight.\nI can't hold myself back any longer and pull him toward me, not allowing him to stand up completely before shoving his face into my chest.\nHe freezes, sounding like he's not even breathing for a second, until he finally melts into me, his lips kissing at the valley between my breasts as his massive hands, gloveless and warm, return to my body far more eager to touch and caress.\nI sigh, my fingers tangling in his light blonde hair, accepting for now that my tongue can't be pressed to any part of him.\nI feel his fingers at my back, wrestling with the hooks of my bra. Now he's definitely getting more comfortable.\nWhen he's finally able to unfasten the tiny hooks, he quickly pulls the fabric from my body and immediately returns his attention to my breasts. Each of his humongous hands cups either mound of soft flesh from underneath, squeezing gently, his fingers digging in a little.\nI can't bite back the soft moan that escapes my lips when I feel his tongue, broad and hot and wet, trailing up the soft underside of one breast and ending at my already peaked nipple, pulling it into his mouth to tease.\nHe squeezes a little tighter at my tiny cry of pleasure, pulling me in closer and sucking in a shaky breath.\nWhen I think I might want to rip his face away to feel those lips on mine again, he moves to my other breast and I fall back into the pleasure anew.\n"Fuck," I whisper lightly, fingernails digging into the nape of his neck. And he groans that deepthroated groan that absolutely undoes me.\nI have to taste him again. His scent and the sounds and the way he's touching me is driving me out of my mind.\nI push him back again, allowing him to stand. His back once more pressed into the door.\n"I hope you're ready for this," I purr, gazing hungrily into his half-lidded eyes. He swallows thickly, his chest heaving, and gives a small nod as though he's scared but braving it. Well... he won't be nervous much longer.\nI press my mouth to his chest, that unknowable taste hitting me all over again, sending me into another frenzy and I grind my hips against his thigh. His come up to my lower belly but I can feel his arousal throb when he feels my groin at his thigh. I wish he could feel how wet I am for him.\nMy lips travel down the center of his chest, toward his abs, kissing and licking as I go, savoring the rich flavor dancing on my tongue as he reacts to me.\nHis head tilts back on the door when I lay my hand on the thickness I can feel in his pants, my tongue travelling along the valleys of his abs.\nI move my hand along his length, getting an idea of just what I'm working with. He's big, no doubt about that. Not terrifyingly big, though. I can still handle him.\nI've had all sizes before and none have truly disappointed me. It's more disappointing when a man doesn't know what he's doing.\nThe way he rocks his hips into my touch tells me he knows exactly what he's doing and what he wants from me.\nI finally get to pulling at the button of his pants and unzipping them, my mouth below his belly button now, moving along the thin line of hair leading under the waistband of his boxer briefs.\nHe hisses in a breath and makes a long grunting sound when I pull that elastic down and wrap my hand around his- um... considerable- girth. My fingers don't even come close to meeting at the tips.\nHis taste is stronger than ever as I drag my tongue ever lower and it sounds like he's practically panting in anticipation now.\nGripping him at the base, I level my head with his cock, positioning him at my lips. As the rest of his body suggests, his cock is deliciously large, starting the same color as his skin at the base, then darkening to a pink color near the tip. Thick veins are running along his shaft and he twitches, anxious to get started.\nDon't worry, sweetie. I'll take good care of you.\nI slowly slide him into my mouth, tongue stroking along the underside and he sucks in a huge breath, letting it out in a growl that makes me shiver to the tip of my tail when he hits the back of my throat. Then I begin drawing my head back.\nI hear his fingernails scratching at my door as he digs into the wood, probably trying not to grab my hair. He's still holding himself back, afraid to be rough. It's adorable but also misguided. I'm at my most invulnerable when I'm absorbing this energy and his is feeding me better than any ever before.\nMy wings flare out behind me. They feel stronger, more powerful and I have to tuck them back in before they start doing something really embarrassing, like flapping.\nI move my mouth over him, bobbing back and forth in long, slow motions, edging him so he doesn't explode all at once when I start moving faster.\nHis panting gets louder and another growl escapes his lips as I stop for a second to swirl my tongue around his tip before taking him as far as I can again.\n"So... good...." he breathes, hardly able to get the words out.\nI inwardly smile. So he's a talker....\nI reach toward his hand, fingernails still digging into the door, and take it in my own, guiding it to my head.\nI want to feel just how much he appreciates this. And damned if I don't love me some hair pulling.\nHe doesn't even hesitate at my invitation this time and grabs a fistfull of my deep violet locks, gripping hard.\nI moan onto his cock, letting him know that's exactly what I like and he whines in response, melting under that vibration.\n"You're... so gorgeous..." he pants out and I look up at him to find he's watching me, his eyes practically glowing with pleasure, blonde curls hanging in his face damp with sweat.\nI don't look away, excited by him enjoying the sight of me.\nPulling my mouth from his cock, he grunts his displeasure, until I settle my tongue at his base, gliding it all the way back up to the tip and sucking him slowly into my mouth again inch by inch.\n"Fuck... yes.... just like that," he groans, his eyelids fluttering. This is the first time I've heard anything remotely like a curse word come from his mouth and something about that dirty word drenches my panties.\nIn return, he gathers more of my hair in his gigantic fist, gripping it even harder this time and I break the seal of lips on his shaft to cry out, finding an intense pleasure in the mild pain.\n"You... you like that?" he asks, his eyes glittering and I raise my eyebrows at him in affirmation.\n"I like... when you make that sound..." he sighs leaning into me as I begin moving my mouth against him once more.\nI like his voice too when he sounds wrecked like that.\nHe pulls at my hair again, eliciting another moan from me that makes his cock twitch in my mouth and he bucks his hips, pushing a little further than I have up until this point.\nHe quickly stills and relaxes his grip, thinking he's gone too far.\n"Sorry," he whispers.\nThis is what I've wanted all along, though. Push me. Take me. I can handle it.\nI don't know how else to tell him that this was the right move without pulling my mouth away from him so I dig my fingers into both sides of his hips and move them forward again, like he'd just done.\nHe groans again, his fist tightening once more.\n"You're..." he struggles to catch his breath, "You're fucking amazing."\nUgh, does he know what he's doing to my panties right now?\n"I want you," he breathes out heavily and I meet his eyes again, telling him I agree.\nThen his eyes darken and his face goes from overwrought with pleasure to assured confidence. He's finally decided to see how far he can go.\n"I don't want to hurt you," he says carefully, "So push me away if I do."\nMy eyes widen and I give him the tiniest of nods before he's wrapping his hand around the entirety of my hair and twisting it a couple times around his fist, securing it tightly.\nOhhhhh... I've brought out an animal now.\nI hold onto his hips for dear life as he thrusts into my mouth, pushing at the back of my throat.\nHis fist at my hair pushes and pulls my head in time with his hips and I have to concentrate now, keeping my gag reflex in check.\nHe knows exactly what he wants, exactly how to move me, and the waves of energy coming off of him are intoxicating.\n"You feel... so... damn... good," he grunts out, thrusting into my mouth faster, pushing further.\nI'm so glad my throat's been trained for this because I am drowning in my own juices pouring down my legs as he pants heavily, plunging into my mouth over and over.\nAt some point my eyes begin to water but I just don't fucking care. This is fucking amazing. The way he feels. The way he tastes. The way he sounds.\nEvery single one of my senses is filled with him.\n"I'm gonna... cum..." he warns me, still slamming his cock down my throat.\nI can feel the moment he reaches his climax as he brings his other hand to rest at my head and holds me still, his cock throbbing, then shooting streams of hot cum into my mouth.\nThe deep, rumbling growling sound he makes as he explodes on my tongue is music to my unimaginably horny ears.\nI have never wanted to climb up on a man so bad in my life and I can't stop my wings from flapping now.\nThey move back and forth, catching at the air but hardly able to even begin lifting me.\nHis breaths slow and eventually even out as he pulls away, looking down at me with concern.\n"I didn't... hurt you? Scare you?" he asks, somewhat back to his more reserved self.\n"No," I say as I stand again, wiping away a droplet of cum that dribbled out of my mouth with my finger and placing it on my tongue, "I liked it."\nHis eyes widen with something between shock and reverence and a whole new wave of that sweet, thick cinnamon aroma washes over me.\nI smile wickedly at him and he comes back with his adorable sweetheart grin that makes my heart and wings do their little flutter thing.\nBut then it dies on his lips as he droops against the door, sliding down it to sit on the floor.\nHorror fills me and I'm too afraid to even touch him. Did I do this? Did I hurt him? Was I so excited that I somehow absorbed more energy than I thought I was? This has never happened before!\n"A-are you okay?!" I ask, my voice sounding panicky, kneeling next to him.\nHe brings his hand to his head, covering his eyes briefly.\n"Yeah," he breathes out, "I... just feel really tired all of a sudden."\nOh shit! Oh fuck! Oh shit! I did do this to him! How? Why is this happening?!\n"I'm sorry," he says, sincerity and regret edging his voice, "I don't think... I can stay."\n"No! No! It's okay!" I say hurriedly, almost slipping out an apology of my own but I'm able to hold it back. I can't have him realizing what I've done.\n"I didn't think my energy would run out like this," he continues on, "But my day was hard. I shouldn't have come in."\n"No!" I say, chancing a hand on his knee and leaning toward him, "I'm glad you came inside. I wanted you to."\nWhy am I saying this stuff to him? He's gonna leave and I'm never gonna see him again. I can't.\nHe takes his hand from his face to look into my worried eyes, giving me a weak smile.\n"I wanted to, as well," he says and it warms my heart to hear him admit it. His expression becomes a little more forlorn, "I don't even know your name."\nI didn't want him to. I shouldn't want to know his either. I wanted this to be it and then we went our separate ways. But I'm crushing hard and I can't help myself when I utter quietly, "It's Aiko... Fujisaki Aiko."\n"Aiko," he sighs my name out and it feels like a wave all its own surging through me, "Im Toyomitsu Taishiro. Since I'm off the clock."\nHe grins widely again, looking like he's regaining some energy at least.\nTaishiro...\n"I want to see you again," he says suddenly and my heart stutters. Names are one thing but actually seeing him again? I don't know if I can do that...\nBut I've never tasted anyone like him. If I could have him again- and maybe control myself better next time, when he's not battered from a mission- I can't deny that I would want that.\n"I have to go to Tokyo for a few days," I tell him, probably the flimsiest attempt at discouraging someone ever, "I have work there."\nHe nods in understanding, "That's okay. I won't be back to normal for a few days anyway."\nHe looks like he's got some of his color back now he's been sitting there for a few minutes and he pushes himself up to his feet, grabbing his gloves from the floor and putting them back on.\nLooking down at me, he pulls off his tattered jacket and covers me with what little scrap there is of it.\nHa! I'd forgotten I was practically naked in front of him.\nBut now his entire upper body is exposed, reminding me of how unsatisfied I still am. I can't ask him for anything, though. Next time...\n"Next time, I'll make sure you're pleased as well," he says in a velvety voice, a small smirk playing at his lips.\nDammit. I am gonna see him again...\nHe turns toward the door and opens it after making sure his jacket is pressed against my chest.\n"When you get back in town, come see me at my agency," he pulls a cute little card, yellow like his jacket. "Fat Gum Agency" it reads across the top and gives a phone number and address.\nThat address is nowhere near here. I think it might be on the other side of Osaka. That's probably why I've never even seen or heard of him or this agency before.\nI clutch the card in my hand to my chest and nod, "Okay."\nHe smiles widely at that and walks out the door, closing it softly behind him with a soft click.\nWell shit... I don't know what exactly I've gotten myself into but it's midnight now and I have to get up early to catch the train in the morning.\nI don't bother putting on any nightclothes but I scrub what makeup is left on my face off and just plop into bed, still holding onto Taishiro's jacket.\nIt smells like him. The sweaty him, not the cinnamon him. Those scents don't linger on clothing for some reason... But it still smells like him and I'm still horny as hell despite the fact that I got the energy I'd been hoping for. That hunger is sated at least.\nI search in my side table drawer and finally draw out my vibrator, a trusted old friend who's never left me unhappy.\nIt's not the satisfaction I was hoping for tonight, but it's at least a release for now until I can get back in town and climb on top of that giant of a man finally.\nI fall asleep, covered in that musky yellow garment.\n--\nIt's been a long four days at underwear shoots (what I mainly model) in Tokyo when I get back to Osaka and I tell myself I am not at all being desperate or thirsty or needy when I decide I'll pay Taishiro a visit at his agency right away.\nI'm not that excited to see him all healed up and no longer exhausted. And I'm definitely not also made up to look really nice with my violet hair styled in waves and a cute crop top matched with high waisted shorts.\nDefinitely. Not.\nThe energy I absorbed from him was some of the strongest, most long-lasting I've ever had. No wonder it tasted so amazing! It made me feel refreshed when I woke up the morning after, despite going to bed so late, and has kept me feeling peppy for days on end. I'm just now getting to the dregs of it, the itch to absorb more barely even noticeable right now.\nThe heels of my boots click neatly on the tiled floor of the Fat Gum Agency as I enter, looking around at how pristine it all looks. This place is nice. So Taishiro must work for a pretty prominent hero....\n"Hi there! Can I help you with something?" the clear bright voice of the receptionist asks, a polite smile crossing her face.\n"Hi," I say to her, a responding smile on my own, "I'm looking for someone. His name is Taishiro? He's really tall, blonde, gold eyes, super nice? I don't know his hero name but he mentioned that he works here."\n"Sure," she nods and gets up from her desk, "this way please."\nWell, that wasn't too hard. I guess he's pretty well known here. I mean, how could he not be, right?\nShe leads me up some stairs and to an office near the back.\nKnocking lightly on the door, she opens it to poke her head in, "Fat Gum, there's a visitor here..." and she hesitates.\nFat Gum? Like the owner of the agency, Fat Gum? Why is she leading me here?\n"Send them in," I hear a rich, highly expressive voice say.\nShe retracts her head and pushes the door open the rest of the way, "In here, miss."\n"In here? But-"\nShe sweeps me into the room and closes the door behind me before I have a chance to react and I'm feeling a little off kilter here. Why am I in here?\nThere's a huge- and I mean HUGE- man behind the desk in a yellow hoodie, the hood fitting tight to his head. Fat Gum is... fat. Yeah, ok, that makes sense. I didn't realize there were even any fat heroes out there...\nHe smiles widely at me, his mustard yellow eyes glittering with recognition.\n"Hi," he says almost like he's holding back intense excitement, face looking bright and cheery.\nOh no... Does he really recognize me? Is he a fan? Is he a pervert who collects underwear magazines?\nI give his gigantic frame a once-over and struggle to put a polite smile on my face but I can't quite seem to make it look genuine.\n"Uhhhmm... hi..."- that's a good start- "I was looking for Taishiro. He's a hero but I don't know his hero name. He said he worked here. Do you know him? I don't know why that lady led me here."\nHis smile slips a notch but he does his best to recover.\n"Yes, he works here," he says with a little less mirth but still friendly, eyes not leaving my face, like he's assessing me.\nI have difficulty keeping my lip from curling. He's making me uncomfortable. Those yellow eyes in that chunky face are on me, probing, watching my every move, every facial expression.\n"Okay.... Well can I see him? He told me I could come visit when I got back in town today."\nHe can see now how I'm looking at him, how uncomfortable I am with him and his smile falls further, a slight crease forming between his masked brows.\nIt's the same kind of mask Taishiro was wearing I think. His jacket is similar too. Is there some kind of uniform to work here?\n"Well it's complicated," he tries to explain, standing from his chair.\nHoly guacamole he's more than huge! He's far taller than All Might or Taishiro and he's got to weigh more than the both of them combined.\nMy wings droop as something close to terror pulses through me. Does he mean to approach me? I step back a pace, my eyes darting around wildly.\n"Aiko," he says informally, as if he's familiar with me. So he is a fan...\n"Excuse me? Do I know you?" I snap, reaching into my purse, ready to grab my zap stick. I don't know if I'll be capable of fighting off all of that bulk. I swear to sweet holy All Might, he better not come near me.\nHe sees my hand in my purse and his serious expression has now become offended.\n"No," he says flatly and I can see in his face that he's hurt. He wasn't expecting this kind of response from me, "No, you don't."\nWe're quiet for a few seconds and he looks contemplative, like he's trying to puzzle something out in his head.\nHis mouth turns down in a distasteful frown and he keeps that flat, emotionless edge to his voice when he finally speaks again, "I'm not gonna touch you, you don't need to pull that thing out."\nI start. How did he know I was reaching for the zap stick?\nThen it hits me. He's probably spoken to Taishiro. He's told him about me. Maybe that was how he knew my name. How he recognized me. Maybe I misjudged him.\nI pull my hand out of my purse.\n"Sorry," I say awkwardly, "I'm just used to- I don't know you- I- Can you please just tell me where I can find Taishiro?"\nBut the damage is done, it seems. I don't think Fat Gum likes me much anymore.\n"He's not here," he replies, voice still detached and his chubby face full of displeasure.\nMy heart sinks and I think I see his face fall in response to my own.\n"I don't understand," I say glumly, "He said I could come see him today."\nHe heaves a great big sigh with that massive body of his.\n"Plans changed. I don't know when he'll be back but it won't be today. You should leave."\nThat prickles at me. He was so polite and kind just a moment ago. Now he's telling me to leave without even telling me anything about who I came to see.\n"Can't I just-"\n"This is a hero agency, miss," he says with an authoritative voice, "Not a dating service."\nMy mouth drops open at his jab and I glare at him.\n"Excuse the fuck outta me," I snarl, my tail whipping at the ground like an irritated cat, "He told me to come here. He said it was okay! I can't help that I didn't know things had changed!"\n"Fat?" I hear a knock at the door and a spiky head of red hair pokes in the door, "I thought I heeeeaard..."\nHe drifts off when he spots me, his jaw slackening.\nOh great... I'm not interested, kid.\n"Red," Fat Gum says, his voice getting softer toward the obviously teenaged boy, "Everything is fine. I'm just having a disagreement with Fujisaki-san here," I whip my head around to sneer at him. He should've started with that name if he knew it. "She'll be leaving soon."\n"The hell I am!" I spit out, feeling indignant about being dismissed so readily, "I just came to see Taishiro. I didn't realize it would be a big deal! Can't you at least just... tell me where he lives so I can visit him?"\n"Taishiro?" little red-headed kid says, "But he's-"\n"Red!" Fat Gum cuts him off, giving him a pointed stare and a shake of his head.\nI look between them quickly, my eyes narrowing.\n"What the hell is going on here?" I ask, my wings flaring with rage as my tail snaps at the ground.\n"I said he's not here," he reiterates, his stare shifting to me, "He's not home either and even if he were, we don't give out information like that to just anyone."\n"I'm not just anyone! I know him! He gave me his jacket!" I feel as stupid and childish as that statement came out and hang my head at that.\nThe red-headed boy looks confused and concerned and I guess he just doesn't know when to butt out.\n"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Fat Gum says with more regret than I would've expected, his eyes looking momentarily disappointed as well and I just feel more confused and frustrated.\n"Whatever," I shake my head, rushing out the door and forcing the boy- Red I guess- to stumble back quickly as I pass him by.\nHe's heading into Fat Gum's office when I stomp down the stairs and out the door, feeling pissed off and dissatisfied.\nAm I ever going to see Taishiro again? For some reason the thought of not doing so is actually pretty upsetting.\nI have a couple weeks before my next photoshoot and probably only a couple days before I start feeling sluggish and in need of energy again...\nStanding outside the Fat Gum Agency, the front of the building looking incredibly like the founder, I come to a decision and set my jaw, determination rising inside of me.\nI will see Taishiro again. I have to. I don't know what Fat Gum or anyone else in there is hiding but I'll find out if they're keeping him from me for some reason, that's for sure.\n

Chapter 2:\n"I know you don't usually do these things but I thought you might be interested this time," my manager Tomoyo says over the phone as I sit with my weekly planner open, going over my schedule for the following week.\nI make a tsking sound and roll my eyes. Every time she says something like this it's for something I have absolutely no intention of doing. Things like commercials or full nude shoots.\n"I know, I know," she placates me. We've done this dance a thousand times, "But this time I really think you will."\n"Okay, I'm listening," urging her to continue.\n"The actress for a commercial just had to cancel on a shoot last minute-" but I've already stopped listening. A commercial. She knows I don't do commercials.\nI tilt my head and stare off into the distance, letting her finish her spiel.\n"-and I know you were looking for more information about the Fat Gum Agency so-"\n"Waitwaitwait," I stop her, "What's that about the Fat Gum Agency?"\n"You're a brat," she admonishes, "If you'd been listening instead of ignoring me because I said the word commercial, you would know."\nI swear this woman thinks she's my mom sometimes...\n"Okay, whatever, I'm sorry. Now tell me about the commercial," I push her, falling into the bratty role she so likes to place me in.\n"Like I was saying," she goes on, "The actress for this commercial had to cancel and they're looking for last minute replacements for tomorrow. It's for an energy drink and the Fat Gum Agency is going to have representatives there. I know you were looking for information on them, so I figured you'd want the part."\n"Well, do you know who all is going to be there?" I ask hurriedly.\n"No, I don't know that kind of information, Aiko. The director isn't going to care if you want to meet one hero or another," she says with annoyance.\nI'd asked her a few days ago if she knew anything about the agency and she hadn't known much either. None too surprising considering she's located in Tokyo.\n"Does that mean I would have to head to Tokyo in the morning?" I wonder, already feeling weary just at the thought of such a long unplanned trip.\n"No, actually," she replies chirpily, "It means I would be taking the train to you in the morning because it's over in Osaka."\nWell, that's a relief at least.\nI rub at my forehead, considering my options. I don't like to do commercials because I hate the fake voice and bouncy attitude they want every woman in every commercial to have. But this is an important opportunity.\nI've spent the past three days, after essentially getting booted from the Fat Gum Agency, doing as much research as I possibly could. Turns out that heroes' real names are confidential information. You have to have a certain security clearance to see them or have been following the hero from their school days back when they didn't go by their hero names all the time. That or they can give you their name.\nIt warms my heart to think that Taishiro offered me his so freely. I just wish he'd also stopped to give me his hero name too.\nIt's also impossible to get a roster of employees at hero agencies for obvious reasons. The last thing any agency needs is for a full list of the employees to be readily available to the public.\nSo finding out more about Taishiro through those means has been a complete bust and finding out anything about the Fat Gum Agency hasn't been much easier. Heroes like their privacy just like everyone else, I suppose.\nSo I've come to the conclusion that I'll either have to ask around about them (which I've already done a bit of, to no avail) or I'll have to go back and try my luck again.\nIt's occurred to me as well that Taishiro knows I'm back at home by now and he hasn't come to see me either. I don't like to consider that he might've changed his mind after all. But maybe this commercial is my chance to either see Taishiro again or to find out from the heroes there how I might be able to.\n"I'll do it," I tell Tomoyo, "Tell them I want to do it."\n"Okay!" she says excitedly. She's been trying and trying to get me into commercials for years. Now she'll never stop pestering me about it, I can tell, "I'll call you back when I get confirmation on it!"\n--\nThe next day I'm up bright and early in the morning and readying myself for my very first commercial. It was almost frightening how fast I was accepted.\nI won't say that I'm a well-known or celebrity model by any means but I am sought after in the industry. I have a steady stream of jobs and walk every single show for a good handful of lingerie designers. Tokyo Fashion Week is a busy time for me.\nSo the director jumped at the chance to have me and now here I am, taking the train across town to the production studio where we'll be shooting for most of the day.\nI don't really have much in the way of lines to study. Just the one.\n"Surge. For the hero in you."\nAnd they're actually paying me a fair amount of money for this... Maybe I should've considered commercials a little earlier.\nAs I'm taking the short ride to my destination, I go over how I want to play this. If Taishiro is there, I should try to get his hero name and hopefully a better way to reach him than "visit me at my agency where my boss will promptly kick you out." (And probably have to fight the urge to not to drop to my knees in front of him right then and there. Not for begging either. Although, I can't say I'm above it if he's into that... My hunger has, obviously, been getting a little overbearing lately.)\nIf he's not there, I need to try and talk to whoever is and see what information I can get about him.\nI also have to consider the possibility that Fat Gum might be there. If he is, I'm not quite sure what I should do. But he and I will be on even footing this time. Both of us on a job. We'll both have to act professional and courteous. I guess I'll have to start with that.\nI make my way to the studio after getting off at my stop and I'm greeted with a whirlwind of activity. There are people running here and there, getting props and chairs and lights ready.\n"Aiko! Great! Right on time," Tomoyo bounds up to me, waving, "Let's get you into makeup while they're still getting the set ready."\nShe leads me into a room with multiple chairs and vanities, a stylist already waiting.\nI'm used to all this, including the people running around like chickens with their heads cut off. At least it's not like at a runway show where twenty other women are running around half naked, trying to jump into their next outfit and hogging the stylists for touch ups.\nI'm feeling pampered and relaxed, almost done, when the door to the room slams open and in walks that Red boy I saw at the agency last time. He's followed closely by a silver haired boy around the same age and another boy, a bit older than the other two, drifts in behind them looking extremely anxious.\n"We wouldn't have been late if you hadn't forgotten your stupid phone and made us run all the way back for it!" the silver haired boy shouts at Red.\n"I needed it! I forgot it was charging! So what?! You've forgotten plenty-"\nHe halts, much like he did the last time we "met" when he sees me in the chair at the end.\n"Hey!" he says excitedly, a good-natured smile coming to his face, "It's you! From the agency!"\nOf course he remembers me... I'm surprised he has such a positive response to seeing my face after how rude I was to him last time.\n"Hi," I respond as warmly as possible, "What a coincidence!"\nThis isn't so bad. Two kids and a guy who looks barely out of high school. It's not exactly who I'm looking for but at least Fat Gum isn't here. I know I probably owe this kid an apology. I didn't directly yell at him but I know I wasn't polite.\nHe comes to sit in the chair next to me and I meet eyes with him in the mirror as the stylist continues on my hair.\n"Hey, I... just wanted to apologize for how I behaved when we met last. I know I wasn't being very mature. Some stuff happened..."\n"Ah don't worry about that," he shrugs it off, "It seemed like you were pretty stressed. It's fine."\nI give him a small thankful smile, appreciating him letting me off the hook like that.\n"You're all set," the stylist says, finishing up with flat-ironing my hair and giving it a onceover.\n"Thank you," I say courteously as she moves on to Red, who looks a little bit nervous about having makeup applied to his face.\n"I'll see you on set," I tell him, glancing briefly at the other boys as well, "I look forward to working with you."\nThey give the customary response to this statement and I flash a small smile as I exit the room. When I do, I can hear them already returning to their rowdy conversation before the door shuts completely.\nMaking my way down the hall towards wardrobe now, things look a lot less hectic. The set must be near ready. My sympathies for that poor stylist if she's the only one who has to work on those three. They were late and they'll probably end up holding up the whole production but the onus will end up being on her if she doesn't rush them out of there fast.\n"Fujisaki-san?" I hear a man say behind me and I turn to see someone I assume is a PA, based on his outfit.\n"Yes, that's me," I smile politely, "Am I needed for something? I was headed to wardrobe right now. I'll only be a few minutes."\n"Oh no no no! Don't worry about that. They don't need you yet," the middle-aged man says, looking me over.\n"Okay," I say, starting to get a weird vibe from this conversation, "Then what..."\nI lift my hands, palms out, to emphasize my confusion.\nA blush spreads across his cheeks and he looks a bit nervous but he still finds it in himself to speak, "I-I just wanted to tell you I'm a really big fan of yours."\nAh shit...\nSo this guy is a pervert who collects underwear catalogues....\nI take a calming breath and try to keep that smile on my face, "Well, I really appreciate that. Thank you for your support."\n"Oh it's no problem," the PA steps forward, reaching out to take my hand, "You are so beautiful and I just wanted to get a chance to meet you in person."\nI snatch my hand away quickly, nearly forgetting myself. Now I'm feeling extremely uncomfortable.\nWhy do people have such a hard time keeping their hands off of other people?\n"Thank you again," I say, still keeping as polite of a voice as I can. I'm on a job. I can't just start trashing someone I'm probably going to be working with all day, "I should really get to wardrobe."\n"Wait! Wait!" he says, coming toward me again and I'm at an impasse here. This guy needs to be put in his place but what if that gets me fired? I can't risk my reputation like that...\n"Fujisaki-san," a familiar voice calls to me from an adjoining hallway not far from where I'm standing.\nFat Gum, in his usual bright yellow jacket, strides up to us, looking at me like he's known me his whole life.\nSo he is here after all...\nI look him up and down. He's still intimidatingly huge, although the pleasant look on his face is a little bit disarming.\n"They're waiting for you in wardrobe," he says calmly, mostly ignoring the man in front of me.\nHe's... he's saving me.\nDid he see this entire interaction or did he just happen upon me? I don't know, but I do know that he wouldn't be greeting me this way if he didn't know I needed help.\n"Oh," I say quietly, somewhat shaken by both this encounter with this fan and what Fat Gum has just done for me, "Okay. I'm going now. Thank you."\nI give him a meaningful glance as I walk past him that he doesn't respond to. The man doesn't try to stop me this time.\n--\n"SURGE!" the Red kid yells from in front of the camera and I have to clamp a hand to my mouth to keep my laughter in. This commercial... It is so incredibly ridiculous and it will probably sell like hotcakes.\nThe premise is that I offer these normal, average-looking guys cans of this energy drink, they drink it, and then they morph into heroes and use their really cool quirks. My line comes in at the end, when the camera cuts back to me. The most hilarious part of this whole thing is that they have to practically scream the name of the energy drink before they transform and I am dying every time they do.\nRed and Silver (as I will call him until I learn his real name) are plenty enthusiastic. Anxious guy is... Well he's anxious and doing horribly but his quirk is fascinating. He's able to sprout tentacles from his arms!\nI have no clue why he was sent here, though. He looks like he's about to have a breakdown and it seems the director notices this as well because after he cuts, he calls for a lunch break a half hour early.\n"This is probably the worst day of my life," anxious guy complains as they move off of the set.\nI feel bad for him. He could be great if he could overcome his anxiety. He's even got a perfect face for being in front of a camera.\n"Ah, don't worry, Suneater, you'll do fine after the lunch break," Red tells him, hooking an arm around his neck.\n"I doubt it," he mumbles, his tone forlorn.\nI want to say something. I should say something. Right? The commercial's success depends on him just as well as me or the other two.\n"You're good enough for this commercial," I interject as they walk past and the three boys stop to look back at me.\n"You were watching us?" Red scratches at the back of his head a little flush spreading across his cheeks.\n"Did you not want me to? I can go somewhere else-"\n"No!" he waves his hand in front of him, "It's fine."\nI glance back toward the downtrodden guy, offering a bit of encouragement, "Your look is really great for the camera and your quirk is fantastic. I've never seen anything like it."\nHe slouches a little bit more, eyes shifting uncomfortably. He doesn't take compliments well. He'd probably take criticism worse.\n"What's your quirk called?" I inquire, urging him to speak.\n"Manifest," he sighs dramatically, still keeping his eyes glued to the floor.\n"What does that mean?" I ask again, looking around at either of the other two boys as well.\nHe answers- more strength to his voice now- before the other two can open their mouths, "I can manifest whatever I eat from my body."\n"What, so you make those tentacles because you ate... octopus?" I wonder, genuinely intrigued.\n"Yes," he replies, demonstrating his tentacled appendages, "We eat a lot of takoyaki at Fat Gum's."\nThat sparks a memory in me. Taishiro bought takoyaki that night he took me home. And, now I recall, Red had been about to say something about him before Fat Gum cut him off.\nI look around discreetly. Fat Gum's not here right now. Maybe I can coax more information out of them.\n"Does he like takoyaki or something?" I say nonchalantly, just making conversation.\nAll three of them exchange glances. I'm not sure what that's about exactly.\n"It's pretty much all he ever eats," Red comments as if this were common knowledge.\n"And that's what lets you manifest all of those tentacles?" I move on, I have to try to be subtle, "Can you manifest things like plants and rocks and stuff too?"\nSuneater grows a vine from his wrist in answer to my question, more confident still.\n"I can combine traits from different things too," he shows me an example by manifesting a crab-like shell on the vine.\nIt's really an impressive and powerful quirk. It's no wonder he's a hero.\n"That quirk is perfect for this shoot," I try to build him up further, "You'll look really awesome transforming with all those tentacles. Are you struggling being in front of a camera?"\nSuneater looks more willing to discuss his misgivings with me now and shakes his head, "There are too many people watching."\nHuh... Not the cameras? That's what usually gets to most people.\n"But... you work in front of people all day," I say, somewhat perplexed.\n"He doesn't do well with civilians watching him work as a hero either. He freezes up after we've taken the villain down," Red tells me from behind his hand but loud enough for everyone to hear anyway. He's not the most subtle person...\n"Okay but you face villains easily enough, right? They're people. Why not just think of the crew as villains?"\nSuneater's brow furrows as he contemplates my suggestion. The other two boys make faces at each other that say they think this isn't too bad of an idea.\n"I'll try," he acquiesces, toying with a lock of hair in front of his face. That's all the answer I'll get out of him.\n"Thanks for the advice," Red comes forward now, flashing a sharp smile at me.\nI shrug, trying to play it off, "I've been doing photoshoots for a long time."\nActually, I really enjoy helping my juniors. I've mentored a few younger models in the past and I found I was actually pretty good at it. It makes me wonder if- when my modeling career is over- I should go on to coach aspiring models.\n"Oh, we never formally introduced ourselves," Red notes with a hint of apology, "I'm Red Riot."\nAhhh... thus Red. Like he called Fat Gum "Fat" for short.\n"I'm Real Steel," Silver- probably actually Steel- says, pointing at himself with his thumb.\n"You already know Suneater," Red refers to their cohort, who's dismissed himself and wandered off toward the buffet.\n"It's nice to formally meet you," I reply respectfully as one should to their juniors, "I'm Fujisaki Aiko. Feel free to call me Aiko."\n"Is Ai-senpai okay?" Red grins at me, full of boyish excitement.\nI haven't been called something like that since high school at least. But it's a cute enough nickname.\n"Yeah, sure," I allow, giving him a kind smile.\n"I've been wanting to ask about your quirk," Real Steel says, pointing at my wings, and I turn to him, not sure if I'm ready to answer any kind of inquiry.\n"Okay..." I say apprehensively, not hiding that fact.\n"Why are your wings so small? Can you even use them? What's your quirk?"\nI feel my face heat and I press my lips into a thin line because this is a sore subject for me.\n"Well..." I trail off. It's always an embarrassing thing to admit, "They 'work'," I spread them out at different angles to give an example, "but I can't fly, if that's what you mean."\nHis brows crease in confusion, opening his mouth to ask the next question I already know so well. So I cut him off before he starts.\n"Yes, they're completely useless," I say with annoyance, more for the hateful appendages at my back than the boy. I flap them as hard as I can, catching the air in them in an attempt to fly. But they don't even get me to my tiptoes. Pointless.\nThe two boys look kinda sad for me and I quirk a brow at them, "Does that make me deficient or something? I'm not a hero. Why should I care?"\nI brush it off but I actually do care. I hate these offensive things. I was bullied in school for my "useless quirk". And even being the only person who knows the full extent of it, I'd still say this quirk is pretty useless. What has it gotten me so far except having to push every person I want to be intimate with away?\n"You're not deficient," I hear that deeper, expressive voice come from behind me and we all jump as if we'd just been caught doing something bad.\nI whirl to find Fat Gum walking up to us leisurely, multiple sandwiches and snacks in his robust arms. He moves pretty gracefully for someone so large. A lot of fat people waddle around. A lot of tall people will take loping steps. Fat Gum strides as though the weight on him is no issue for him whatsoever. I know the ease and speed with which he rose from his seat the last time we met was part of what startled me.\nHis mustard eyes meet mine as he begins handing off food to the boys, "You just haven't had a chance to explore your quirk like students in hero courses do.There's probably more to it than you think."\nI eye him suspiciously and my tail twitches. He can't know that... right?\nNodding warily, my gaze falls to a sandwich he's holding out to me as well.\n"Are you hungry?" he asks kindly.\nWhy is he being so nice? He doesn't have to pretend to like me in front of that creep anymore.\n"I'm fine," I reply quickly, knowing I'll have to make myself a salad instead.\nFat Gum withdraws the offered sandwich and starts eating it himself, making little munching sounds.\nIt's eerily familiar, this awkward moment between us and a suspicion begins to build in my mind about him. I have to look away to keep from narrowing my eyes at him.\n"What's... what's your quirk?" I blurt out, focusing my gaze on Tomoyo over in the corner conversing with the director like they're old buddies- who knows, maybe they are.\n"Me?" Fat Gum asks, looking around like I might be asking someone else.\n"She definitely means you, Fat," Red snorts from behind me, mouth full of food.\nI refocus my attention on him again, sure I won't be making any untoward faces this time, and I see him watching me, his own look of uncertainty in his eyes.\n"Fat Absorption," he answers at last, his deep yellow gaze piercing me.\nI don't know why being under Fat Gum's watchful stare makes me feel so exposed and vulnerable. It seems like he always sees right through me and I don't like it. Especially since I wish I could do the same to him. I want to know what he's hiding.\nI resist the urge to fidget, crossing my arms over my chest. I need to stand my ground in this impromptu staring contest between us.\n"So... you absorb things into your fat?" I ask, refusing to look away from him. Am I even acting like an adult right now?\n"Exactly," he confirms with a friendly smile like he's not at all a part of this match.\nSo that's why... Why he's fat. It's not for any other reason than the fact that the more fat he has, the better his quirk works.\n"Do you absorb... people?" I question, somewhat nervously.\n"It doesn't hurt anyone," he explains, laughter in his eyes, "It's more like when you get stuck in those foam pits at kids' play gyms. And it also absorbs shock so punches and bullets don't work either."\nI'm about to ask about Taishiro's quirk next but Tomoyo lays a hand on my shoulder and I tear my gaze away from his, effectively losing the staring match.\n"You'll be up next after lunch," she says, pulling me from the group of heroes I'd been surrounded by, "Let's finish and get you something to eat so we can touch your makeup up before the shoot."\nI nod a polite farewell, and let her drag me away.\n--\n"Surge. For the hero in you," I drawl out, leaning over the prop bar I'm standing at, letting my wings flare minutely behind me as I give the camera a flirty smile.\nI gotta give this director one thing. He did not force me to be bubbly or cute. I don't pull either of those things off well and he understood that I could sell with my own particular assets.\n"Cut!" he calls out and I stand up straight again, "Perfect, Aiko-chan! I think we got all we needed!"\nOnly 3 takes. That was easy enough. I really should consider more commercials I suppose...\nI can leave now if I want to- my part is over- but I kinda want to see if Suneater takes my advice.\nI watch a couple of his takes and his confidence is definitely improved. He looks like a real hero now and it's impressive.\nA large, looming figure steps up beside me close enough I can tell that, even at my height, I don't even reach close to his shoulder.\n"Thank you for helping the boys," Fat Gum says flatly, not looking away from the shoot taking place on set, "I brought them here to give them some experience with things like endorsements. Especially Suneater. He's gotten quite a bit better from his debut as a hero but he's still got a lot of anxiety. You helped him instead of getting frustrated with him."\nI don't know exactly how much Fat Gum does or does not like me- especially after rescuing me from that fan and our short conversation earlier- but I feel like saying this must've been hard for him if he dislikes me as much as I suspect he does. He seems to really believe in giving credit where credit is due, even when he disapproves of the person.\n"I'm not just gonna leave him to struggle. We'd be here all day," I say with an aloof tone, flicking my tail peevishly.\nI see Fat Gum nod, accepting this answer and I abruptly feel annoyed at myself. He gave me a compliment. I know I'm still distrustful of him but he just attempted to believe something good about me and I let my opinion of him control my reaction. I should want him to like me. I do want him to like me.\n"And they're good kids. They're kind and respectful," I add a little begrudgingly seeing as how that's a compliment to him as well. He's their mentor after all.\nHe just nods again, "They are."\nWell now that I'm here and we're talking, I should give him his own credit where it's due. I can be as mature as he is. Probably.\n"Thank you... for helping with that fan before," I say past a tightened jaw. But quickly follow up with, "I could've handled it but he's my senior and I might've gotten fired for being rude on a job so-"\nI shut my mouth. That was more than enough information.\n"I was just getting you for wardrobe," he dismisses my thanks.\nHe's saving me once again. From my own embarrassment. From admitting I needed help. But he knew I needed it. I'm sure he did. Why is he being kind like this? Is he... always kind like this?\nThe impression I've had of him in my head up until this point doesn't match anything I've seen from him today. I'd thought he was overbearing and kind of a jerk. The brief spat we had at the agency was all I'd been able to judge him by.\nNow I'm starting to think that maybe I brought those reactions out in him with the way I treated him. I showed up at his agency demanding to see someone and making brash assumptions about him.\nI think back to the open and excited smile he'd had when I first walked in and how it had slipped from his face as I kept looking at him like a creep.\nDamn. I'm the asshole here...\nI huff out a quick sigh and turn to Fat Gum before I lose my nerve.\n"I'm sorry," I say in a clipped tone, not really looking him in the eye, "...for being a bitch before. I was rude."\nI don't really know what his reaction is because I can't see his face but he doesn't laugh at me at least. More proof of his non-jerk status.\nChancing a glimpse at him, I can see that his face is pensive, once again assessing me like I'm some kind of puzzle he can't quite figure out.\n"You're not. I never thought you were one," he replies and I feel taken aback. How could he not? I yelled at him and practically threatened him in his own office. "You were surprised by me. I get it. I shouldn't have been so short with you. You just got back in town and you wanted to see him. You like Taishiro, right?"\nThis question catches me off guard and my face heats, that same school girl crush type of energy coming over me again.\n"I do like him," I admit shyly, my eyes lowering to the ground.\nThere's a minor pause and his voice sounds a little softer for some reason when he asks, "a lot?"\nGirl, you're so damn obvious.\nI swallow thickly. "Maybe. There are a lot of factors to it..." I reply, suddenly finding the cleaning of non-existent dirt from under my nails to be extremely important.\nFat Gum chuckles. A low sound that sends familiar shivers down my spine and brings my eyes back to his face. That suspicion that had begun budding within me gets a little stronger.\n"I'm sure..." he comments with a wide grin that he hasn't given me since the first time I met him.\nA small weight lifts from my chest upon seeing it, my guilt at how I treated him loosening.\nI see it now. Why Taishiro works with him. They're the same kind of person. Kind, understanding, considerate, kinda funny.\nRealizing that stabs at my heart a little. I do like Taishiro.\n"I want to see him again," I admit, closing my eyes to better remember the feel of his lips on my heated skin.\n"I know," Fat Gum says so damn gently, as if he can relate.\nBut nothing more is said after that and I don't push because I feel like I've just made a lot of headway with him. I've gained more of his respect and he mine. I can't push further unless I want to just go back to square one. So we leave it at that for now.\n--\nThe hunger is really starting to get at me the next day.\nEven after eating a full meal, I'm feeling empty and sluggish. It's taken longer than I expected but my energy is finally running out.\nUnder normal circumstances, I would've gone out to try and pick someone up a day or two ago so I'm really trying my luck waiting around for Taishiro. I don't know what happens when I starve myself of energy. Based on how tired I'm already feeling, I don't think I want to.\nI'll go back to the agency today. I don't know if it's the best idea. Fat Gum might not react kindly to it, much like last time. But I have to give it one more go. He seemed sympathetic the last time we talked. Hopefully he'll understand my being there.\nIf I get turned away and I can't see Taishiro again today, I'll have to go out and find someone else.\nI hate the thought of that. I've never hated the thought of that.\nAs necessary as absorbing energy is, it's never felt like a chore for me. I've enjoyed this lifestyle. I have fun. Even if it weren't for my quirk, I probably would have ended up living much like this in the end.\nNow, picking someone up feels like something I don't look forward to all of a sudden.\nMaybe it's because I still can't erase the memory of that delicious taste on my tongue, knowing that the next won't be quite as savory.\nThat's most likely the case. Who would want to go back to hamburg steak when they've had wagyu after all?\nSo here I am, standing in front of the Fat Gum Hero Agency once again, dressed as cute as I can be without it seeming like I put in a whole bunch of effort. (A difficult skill to master.)\nI don't even know if it's open. I can see through the doors that the receptionist isn't perched at her spot at the front desk.\nSo that must mean...\nI see a figure approaching from the back in the dim light of the morning.\nWell someone's in there at least.\nMy tail flits about impatiently as I squint, trying to make out who it might be.\nLifting my hand to tap on the glass, hoping to get their attention, I halt, my breath catching in my throat.\nA tall, broad figure with mussed blonde hair is making his way toward the front.\nHe's dressed in civilian clothes today instead of a hero costume. A sleeveless grey shirt over black mesh, drawstring shorts. A workout ensemble.\n"Taishiro," I breathe aloud for no one else to hear save my own ears, the name curling within them and burrowing down deep.\nOur eyes meet as he draws closer and I feel frozen in time under that golden gaze, remembering the brush of his fingertips on my waist, the way he smiled at me when he told me I was beautiful. It burns a deep hole of want- need- in my chest, my wings rustling behind me in anxiousness.\nHe reaches the door, our eyes never leaving each other's and I can hardly take a breath when he finally opens it.\n"I was looking for you," I barely wheeze out from the pressure on my chest.\n"I know, I'm sorry," he says in a voice that sounds strained, like he's having difficulty taking deep breaths as well.\nWhy do I feel like I might cry right now? Am I sad? Am I happy? Why do I not know?\n"Come in," he offers, pulling the door completely open and I step inside before he closes it again, turning the lock.\nSo the agency wasn't open...\n"You want anything? Water? Coffee?" he asks me, leading me toward the back of the building, considerate as always.\nThere's a break room back here with vending machines and tables and I sit with him at one of them now.\n"I'm okay," I lie, my tail flicking at it.\nNo I don't want coffee or water, I want you.\nI had questions for him, didn't I? I have a million questions. Why can't I remember even one of them when I'm watching the smooth, beautiful planes of his face?\n"Are you not working today?" I ask apprehensively. Definitely not one of the questions I needed to be asking.\nOne side of his mouth draws up in a lopsided smirk, "No, not open today. I've gotta take some days off."\nHe runs a hand through his thick light blonde locks.\nI want to do that...\n"But you haven't been here," I point out, sort of wishing I'd gotten a drink after all. Then I'd have something to do with my hands.\nHe doesn't answer that directly.\n"I'm sorry for what you went through," he says mildly, "I didn't think- I did want to see you again."\nDid?\n"Not anymore now?" I grit out, fighting this awful clenching in my stomach.\n"No, no!" he corrects quickly, "I do, I just- things happened."\nThe clenching dissipates but I'm still left with more questions than answers.. He's not gonna tell me what things came up, I can already figure that much out. It shouldn't be surprising. Heroes have secrets they have to keep.\nAnother massive hand rakes through his hair, "I wanted to see you- I want to see you but I don't know if it's as easy as I thought it might be."\nMy eyes go to my fingernails, how they're turning white at the edges as my fingers press against the table.\nThis is a rejection. I think.\n"What do you think of Fat Gum?" he asks abruptly and I'm thrown completely off guard. Why bring him up all of a sudden?\n"I don't know," I say honestly, fidgeting in my seat, "We had a spat the first time we met and I thought he was a jerk. But I met with him again and he was kind to me. He was like you. I realized then that I was the jerk. So... I'm sorry if he told you bad things about me."\nHe takes this in, a thoughtful expression on his face.\n"Does he scare you?"\nI frown. These are weird questions to blindside me with, "I don't care who you work for if that's what you're asking. Fat Gum did scare me at first. He's huge after all. But if you're asking if I'm afraid he'll hurt me then the answer is no. He doesn't scare me like that."\nTaishiro nods and considers this as well, his fingers running through his hair once more.\nI can't take it anymore. I lean forward, reaching my hand out and push my fingers through that gorgeous flaxen hair myself.\nHe jumps at my contact and I have to stifle a laugh at the startled expression on his face.\n"I'm sorry," I say lightly, smiling with humor, "I just wanted to touch you."\nSomething burns deep in those bright amber irises then, making heat rise throughout my body and my smile subsides.\nBefore I can even think about what's happening, he's gripping the front of my shirt, hauling me over the table, pushing his lips against mine and his scent crashes into me like a wave.\nThe power behind that lift, picking me up, pulling me as if I weighed no more than a doll does, is fucking hot.\nMy tail immediately whips side to side as I perch on the table, knees bent to either side as I lean into his kiss, my hands freely running through his loose curls now.\nHe makes a light moaning sound and my heart leaps, our tongues twining and dancing together.\nOne of his hands is still fisted in the front of my blouse, pulling me closer as the other that he'd used to grab me under my arm and lift me now travels boldly along my side.\nI whimper and draw closer when he reaches my hip, pulling the bottom of my blouse up, then dipping his fingertips under the waistband of my jeans.\nEvery place his skin meets mine feels like it's lighting up with flame.\nHe breaks our kiss to trail his mouth along my jawline, nipping at my ear.\n"I've been wanting to touch you again since I left your apartment," he sighs, blowing hot breath across the curve of it.\nI arch my back at that, tail curling as the shiver those words elicit reaches the very tip.\nI'm so glad this is a sturdy table. The way I'm leaning almost all of my weight on one side of it just to get even a little closer to him would topple most others.\nJust that one delicious kiss has given me enough energy to feel stronger, fiercer, and hungry for more.\nWithdrawing his fingers from under my waistband, he slides his massive palm along the curve of my ass until he's cupping an entire cheek and squeezes gently.\nI gasp, grasping at the collar of his shirt and pushing back against his hand, demanding more contact. He knows I want more than playful pawing.\n"You said I'd be pleased this time," I hiss at him before claiming his mouth with my own once more and laving the decadent flavor of him from his own tongue.\nThat sensual growl that always makes me so hot for him issues from his throat and he lifts me again, gripping my ass to bring me into his lap.\nA startled yet excited cry is pulled from me and I let out a small giggle when I land straddling his hips.\nHe's still so much taller than me he has to bend his head down to meet mine but he does so readily, not letting go of his firm grip on my ass. His fist in my shirt loosens and travels greedily to my breast, thumb running over my hardened nipple through the thin fabric.\nA desperate moan escapes me. He is so much more bold this time than last. He's not afraid to touch me this time. To control me.\nI can feel his arousal twitch in reaction to the sound and I can't help but grind my hips into his. It's right there, already between my legs. I wish these damnable pants were off so I could be riding him already.\nIt's his turn to moan now, his hand at my ass pushing me harder into the mouth watering thickness in those shorts.\nI don't know who's driving who more crazy. This feels like a dangerous game where we tease at each other until one of us snaps and tears the other's clothes off. I bet I'd win that game, though...\nWe push and pull and move against each other, my panties becoming more soaked by the second, his length throbbing and straining against his shorts in what I can only imagine to be a painful manner. I need him out of them as soon as possible.\nI haven't been keeping my tail in check and have unknowingly allowed it to curl around his arm, the spaded end caressing his bicep playfully.\nHe's just now noticed it and stills for a moment, pulling away to look down at it.\nI freeze, pausing my ministrations and pulling my tail away from him, kicking myself mentally.\nI never know how anyone will react to the tail so I try to keep it as controlled as possible. I've had some be weirded out when they found it snaking around their leg as I rode them.\n"Sorry," I whisper before returning my attention to him and running my tongue along his throat, lapping at the heavenly flavor emanating from him.\n"No," he says roughly, his voice deep with the lust that floods my tongue, "it's okay. I like it. It's beautiful. I want to... touch it."\nI stop again, frowning up at him with uncertainty, "You- you do?"\nHe nods once, still somewhat breathless.\nWell that's new. Maybe he has a thing for tails?\n"You can do what you want to me," I purr, dragging my painfully needy slickness along the length of his arousal once more and I revel in the barely restrained growl that comes from him.\n"Don't tell me that," he groans out, "I want to do a lot to you. Every time I look at you, I think of something new."\nMy heart quickens at those words and a fresh wave of cinnamon reaches my nose. I want him to do everything to me. Just the feel of those enormous hands on my body tells me that. I know he would care for me every step of the way.\nAnd all of a sudden I'm imagining all of the most dirty, obscene, amazing things he might do to me.\n"What do you want to do?" I ask him with undisguised interest, pulling back to look in his eyes.\nThey are smoldering with pent up desire and now they're staring down at me with a far away look, probably thinking of the exact same things I am.\n"Right now?" he finally responds in that deep, velvety voice, "I want to do this."\nHe pulls his hand from my backside, and catches my tail, which had already begun its lazy swishing side to side, his fist wrapping easily around the small circumference.\nI gasp, my eyes widening at him in genuine shock when he slowly yet firmly tugs on my tail.\nHis grip loosens as he watches my reaction, "Does that hurt? Do you not like it?"\nMy heart aches when he asks me things like that. He always checks to make sure everything is okay. He never wants to hurt me unless that's what I'm asking for. It makes me wonder if I could try new things I've never done before with him eventually.\nEventually?\nIs eventually a good idea? Is next time a good idea?\nI can't think of those things. I want to focus on Taishiro now while I have him.\n"No," I reassure him, "No, it didn't hurt. It's just- not many people want to touch my tail. It's more like something they wish they could ignore."\nThe pressure of his powerful fist returns to the base of my tail and he's pulling at it once more, then cupping my ass with his other hand to push me back up, grinding my aching slit along his hardness the entire way.\nI bite my lip and let out a tiny whimper every time he does this.\n"I hope you're planning on fucking me this time," I pant out fiercely, dragging my nails down his still clothed chest.\nHis eyes darken, pupils dilating rapidly as his breathing picks up.\n"That's what you want?" he asks, as if his intention of doing so weren't already obvious in those molten orbs.\n"What I want," I grunt out, shuddering as he roughly pulls me by my tail down his length again, "is to already be fucking you."\nHe goes deathly still, blinking at me as he searches my eyes while I stare back at him from under my lashes.\nThen he's exploding with action, gripping my hips to lift me and set my feet on the floor. My god, he makes me hot as fuck when he picks me up like it's nothing.\nI slip quickly out of my flats as he deftly unbuttons, then unzips my jeans, shoving them down my legs, careful to pull my tail from the altered slot I get put in every piece of clothing I own. I shiver as he loosely strokes a hand down to the very tip before moving on.\nNow his fingers are at the buttons on my blouse, unfastening those in record time as I shimmy the rest of the way out of my pants.\n"Were you trying to tease me as much as possible by making it this hard to get you out of these clothes?" he growls, wrestling with the last button of my blouse before hastily ripping that away from me as well.\nI hadn't even been thinking about it. I was just trying to look enticing enough to get to this point at all. I'm not telling him that, though.\n"You have to work for what you want," I purr, tail lightly brushing along his calf as he sweeps his hungry eyes over my disrobed form, only clothed in a dark blue bra and thong.\nHe doesn't hesitate when he closes the distance between us again, lowering his mouth to mine in a fiery kiss.\nThe fingers of one hand dig into my hair as he lets the other glide down my back to settle at the bottom of my ass, thick digits probing lower and lower until I gasp and writhe under his touch when they brush against the drenched fabric covering my sex.\nTwo fingers hook into my thong, dragging along the thin strip of cloth all the way to the top, then all the way back down, pulling another tiny cry from me when the warmth of them slides between my folds.\nI break our kiss, panting heavily as I push my hips against those brazen digits, practically begging to feel them inside of me.\nI'm afraid he'll make me wait, knowing that he could tease me and make me sob and beg for him if he wanted to. When he pulls his fingers away, I whine wantonly, thinking that's exactly what he intends to make me do.\nBut instead he's turning me so my back faces him and pushing at my back between my wings so I'm bending over for him, my hands on the table in front of me now.\nThen, those fingers are back and just as audacious as ever as he slips my thong down my legs, dropping it to the floor, and slides them along my folds once more.\n"Taishiro," I whimper, grinding myself into that heated caress.\nThis time he obliges, pushing both fingers inside me at once, easily gliding in to his second knuckle and the carnal sound he makes when he feels my walls contract around him sets my entire body aflame.\n"Oh... fuck...," he barely breathes out and I hear him swallow thickly before trying to speak again, "You are... so wet."\nI move my hips against him, my tail curling around his arm once more and he hisses in a breath.\n"Weren't you going to fuck me?" I tease, slowly working myself up and down his fingers that have stilled- I think possibly because he's trying to keep from cumming in his shorts right now.\nHis breaths come heavily, blowing hot streams of air along my back and wings.\nHe abruptly withdraws his fingers, leaving me feeling empty and cold.\n"Yeah," he says in a dark, sultry voice and I hear fabric rustling behind me, "I am."\nAnd I jolt when he wraps a strong hand around my tail again, yanking me backward a couple inches to meet the hot, throbbing length of his arousal, finally freed from his shorts.\nTaishiro groans animalistically as he guides me by my tail along his thick shaft, twitching when his broad tip reaches my opening.\n"You want this?" he asks, letting the hand not gripping my tail slide down the soft skin of my back until he pulls it away, most definitely to hold his cock at the ready to fuck my brains out the second I give the word.\n"You know I want this," I answer, tilting my hips higher for easier access.\nHe blows out a massive breath before saying, "You're so damn gorgeous." Making my wings flare with pride and affection just before he pushes into me.\nI'm so wet that he effortlessly sinks deep into my cunt, filling me completely and I cry out, not even caring about the volume because I know he probably wants to hear it all.\nThere's only the barest of pauses as he shifts his hand to grasp my hip, then he's rocking his hips backward just to push into me again and that animal he cages within himself is let loose once more.\nTaishiro grunts ferociously, picking up speed at a breakneck pace.\nHe knows exactly how I want him as he slams into me, his thrusts just as hard, if not harder than the night he pushed his cock all the way down my throat. His fingers dig almost bruisingly into my hip as that hand at my tail yanks it back every time he thrusts into me.\nIt hurts a little, but I love that it hurts. That pleasure tinged with an edge of pain makes me feel wilder and more needy.\nI can't kiss him. I can't even lick him anywhere but I'll be damned if I'm even a little bit upset about it as his luscious cock drills into me over and over, plunging straight to my core and leaving me dizzy with pleasure.\n"Oh- my god... you feel... so amazing," he groans, through his vigorous thrusts.\nI can hardly even respond, my fingers digging into the table, trying to just hold onto my sanity. I don't even have to scream at him to go faster or fuck me harder. He's right where he needs to be. He knows he can push as hard as he wants.\n"Kiss me," I demand breathlessly, "Kiss my mouth while you fuck my pussy."\nHe acquiesces without question, not missing a beat as he pulls back to release my tail and flips me to face him, using that thirst-inducing strength to lift me swiftly back onto the table.\nOur mouths meet again in a passionate kiss full of my desperate craving for his lust and his intense desire to please me.\nHe leans me back onto the chilled table, softly pressing my back against it, making sure my wings are smoothed out, his mouth never leaving mine. Then he scoots me all the way to the edge, lifting my legs to rest on his shoulders and leaning his weight on one arm as the other hand guides his cock back into my waiting heat.\nHe lets out a long sigh as he pushes back into me, as if just these few seconds were long enough to make him miss my warmth painfully.\nThen he goes right back to fucking me senseless, this time with the added bonus of tasting the delicious desire that pours out of him.\nNow I can start moving against him too, rocking my hips up to meet his in tandem and I can tell he loves this new development.\nBreaking our kiss, he stares drunkenly down at my flushed face through half-lidded eyes.\n"I- dreamed- of you- like this..." he pants out between fevered thrusts, "every.... day..."\nA feeling curls in my chest. One that I haven't felt in a long long time.\nHe's just talking dirty to me, telling me how he thought of fucking me every day. Why is it affecting me like this? Why am I enjoying it so much?\n"Taishiro," I whisper, a whine creeping in at the end, "Fuck me every day. If it's like this, I want you every day."\nIf it's possible, I'd say his pumping becomes even more frantic as he sighs out, "I want to... I want to so- fucking- bad."\nThis way we're talking is... not how I usually talk dirty to people. But it still thrills me from head to toe. I want more.\nThe table I'm laying on I had once thought was so sturdy is shaking with the power of his hips slamming into mine. This man is a fucking monster. My monster.\n"Aiko," he groans, golden eyes still watching my face with rapture, "I'm- gonna- cum..."\nHis muscles are tensing and I can tell he's near his limit.\n"I want you... to cum first," he grits out, slowing minutely, trying to stem the rise of his orgasm, "I promised."\nHe did promise... I'm surprised that matters to him right now, though.\nI push his hand down, guiding him to where I want him to touch and he does so eagerly, circling my clit with his thumb, then stroking at it slowly.\nMy back arches off the table. I'm so sensitive and ready for release. I didn't realize how close I really was.\nMy orgasm rises up so fast with him pounding into me and the way his thumb moves across my clit, I'm almost taken completely off guard.\n"Yes, Taishiro!" I cry loud enough for it to echo around the room, "Fuck yes! Fuck me just like that!"\nThe world turns to indescribable shades of colors as my body tenses, my walls clenching around him and my wings fighting to be free to catch the air in their tiny sails, though I feel like they might actually be able to with how I'm soaring through the stars.\nTaishiro picks up his speed again and I open my eyes once more to watch his euphoric face as he quickly finds his own release, pulling out of me to shoot his hot seed all across my abdomen.\nI can't resist the craving and drag his trembling lips to mine to taste the last waves of his euphoria. It's as intoxicating as a drug to me and also I don't mind the way his lips meld against mine in a more gentle kiss now, the frenzy dissipating.\n"I... have never done anything like that before," he puffs out, his breaths slowly returning to a normal speed.\n"You've... never had sex?" I ask teasingly. It's damn near impossible that he hasn't. Not with talent like that.\nHe looks up at me, those golden orbs glittering with faux outrage, "Does it seem that way to you?"\nI flash him a flirtatious smile that he returns with that silly grin of his. How is someone so gigantic so adorable?\nAfter a long moment of relaxation in each other's arms, Taishiro stands again, readjusting his shorts and pulling his shirt off, which now has a large wet spot along the front where I pulled him down into his own cum.\nI'm not sorry, though. It was worth it. And he doesn't seem to mind as he uses it to wipe the rest off of my belly, running his large, rough palm across the silky skin there for a second to make sure he got it all.\n"Fat?" I hear a call from the front of the agency and we both jump, immediately springing to action.\nI'm still practically naked!\nNow I'm really regretting my outfit. I'll never get everything back on in time before whoever is at the front follows the light on back here.\nScrambling, I decide my pants are most important and shake them out, shoving my legs through the leg holes and zipping them up hastily.\nI stuff my thong into my back pocket and have just thrown my blouse on, buttons still undone, when the voice comes again, just around the corner, "Fat-sensei?"\nSuneater steps into the doorway of the room, dressed in casual clothes and freezes, his eyes going wide as he easily takes in our disheveled appearances and the fact that I'm holding my shirt together.\n"Oh!" he turns his back, "Oh. Sorry... I didn't know you were here..."\nWith his back turned, I speedily fasten the buttons of my blouse and make sure the rest of my clothing isn't unbuttoned or out of order.\n"It's okay," I tell the awkward hero, although I can tell he's probably not going to be turning toward us again any time soon with the way he's trembling, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I'll go."\n"No," Taishiro says abruptly, "You don't have to. You can stay if you want."\nI can see Suneater's head turn, casting an appraising eye on me now.\n"No, I should go," I say uncomfortably, feeling awkward that I was just caught half-dressed by one of Fat Gum's pupils with another employee. And after helping him through his stage fright and everything... I really hope he doesn't judge me for this...\nTaishiro looks rather disappointed at my rejection. But can't he see how ill at ease Suneater is? He's the one who works here. I'm the one who doesn't belong.\n"I'll come see you again," Taishiro says abruptly, "It might be a little bit but.. You don't have to come here. I'll come see you."\nGoddammit, he always gets me with these sudden declarations and I always end up saying-\n"Okay," I murmur, sliding on my flats again and practically bolting for the door.\nI pad my way down the hall and am halfway toward the exit when I hear them striking up a conversation, getting the feeling I should listen. After all, I didn't end up with a single answer to any question I had intended to ask. Maybe some will be answered now. Like where Taishiro was this whole time.\n"You told her?" Suneater's subdued voice carries down the hall from the room I just exited.\nI still and my breaths go shallow. Tell me? I wait and listen for more information. Tell me what?\n"I was about to," Taishiro's richer voice comes now, "I tried and then-"\nHe cuts off and a couple seconds later Suneater picks up, "No. Please. That's good enough, thanks."\nThere is silence between them for a good handful of seconds, then Suneater speaks up again, "And now what?"\n"Now I don't know. She's so hard to read," Taishiro grumbles, "But I have to tell her. I don't want to just keep secrets, even if she won't see me anymore after I do."\nWhy wouldn't I want to see him? Has he done something? What could he need to be telling me? Maybe it's what I've been suspecting about him in relation to Fat Gum since yesterday...\nThis raises more questions for me than gives me answers. I almost want to walk back in there and ask him right now but I doubt he'd like that I was listening in.\n"I'm exhausted," he says with a long yawn, "That fight yesterday took a lot out of me. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed it with a workout this morning."\nDammit! I thought I'd had more control this time. How am I sucking so much energy from him? I'm hurting him...\n"Let's go get some takoyaki," Taishiro's voice comes again and I jump. If they're going to get food, they'll be coming my way soon.\nI bolt for the door, being quiet as possible, and step out into the clear, sweltering light of the day.\nMaking my way down the street, I feel somehow unsatisfied despite the fact that I got to see him again and am no longer starved. I'm satiated for now and by the feel of it, I should be for a good long while. Something is pulling at me, though, wanting to go back there. Yes, part of it is the many questions I didn't get the chance to ask. Another part is something else. I think I'm upset I didn't get to spend more time with him.\nBut that's my own fault. I chose to leave when Suneater showed up. Taishiro would've probably let me stay. He looked like he wanted me to stay.\nMy tail flits back and forth as I consider what I'm really doing. If I see him again and I end up taking too much energy, he'll probably figure it out. Then, he won't have to worry about me not wanting to see him, he'll run off. History has proven that to be the case.\n

Chapter 3:\nA camera shutter clicks rapidly as I kneel in the sand, holding two strings of my bikini bottom up as though I've just untied it. It's a classic pose for swimsuit magazines.\n"Gorgeous, Aiko!" the photographer yells, "Give me those bedroom eyes! You're being flirty! Show me some wing action!"\nI lower my lashes just a tad and put a tiny playful smirk on my lips, bending my wings forward as if to caress my arms with the tips.\n"Ooohhh! Perfect, darling!" he shouts again, taking more shots.\nThe sun is really beating down on me and I can feel my skin heating up under those intense rays. I think I might be sweating profusely but the waves lapping at my skin make it hard to tell for sure.\n"We're good, darling," he finally says, handing his camera off to his assistant. He approaches me as I tie up my bottoms again and I look up when I'm sure they're secured.\n"That went well," I tell him, pushing myself up to a stand. The poor guy comes up to my chin.\n"Yeah, it was great! I don't know how the editors are going to be able to choose from your shots. It's such a pleasure watching you work."\n"Thanks, Jared," I say, wings flaring with pride.\nHe's American but he's one of the best swimsuit photographers in the world and travels all over shooting spreads for magazines.\n"Have you considered my offer from last time?" he asks with pointed interest.\nI sigh inwardly, putting a hand to my hip, "I don't know. I'm still not sure."\nA couple months ago, Jared asked me to come to America for some shoots for lingerie designers there. America is a whole new ballgame though. The models there are on a different level. I've been safe modelling here for all of my career. The thought of changing it up now and possibly failing is terrifying.\n"Well, you have my number, Aiko," he reminds me, "call me- soon- if you decide you want to. I have the perfect thing for you."\n"I will," I nod at him, giving a polite bow, and move off to allow for the next model and a change of scenery, trudging back up the beach.\n"Hey, I heard you did a commercial last week," Mizuki, another girl from my agency says, handing me a water bottle as I head under the blessed shade of the tent set up for us to rest. She's a bit of a gossip, it's no wonder to me that she's heard about it.\n"Yeah, it wasn't too bad," I tell her with a shrug, "I had one line and the rest was looking pretty, handing the heroes energy drinks."\nMizuki scrunches her face up like it's the most distasteful thing she's ever heard of. I can't blame her. My face would've been the same only a couple weeks ago.\nShe looks glossy from head to toe, subtle sunscreen probably completely covering her porcelain white skin. Too bad it still makes her have that odd sheen to her. Guess they'll fix that in retouching. I feel a little bad for her. My light tan skin is just darkening in this sunlight.\nHer smirk grows, "Is this your contingency plan when you retire soon?"\nI know she's mostly joking. After all, she's only a year younger than I am. If I'm headed to retirement soon, then so is she.\nI throw a superficial glare her way, "I'm twenty-fucking-four, bitch."\nShe laughs lightheartedly and pats my arm with her- ew- greasy hand before moving off to take her turn in front of the camera, "Don't let that bitterness give you early wrinkles."\nI can't help but roll my eyes. This is how my "friendships" with most other models go. We joke with each other about looking old and retiring... in our twenties...\nIt's no wonder I'm not all too close with any of them.\nI chug half the contents of the water bottle and let out a satisfied "ahhh" afterward. This heat is ridiculous! Summer should be coming to a close soon but we're still getting scorching days like this. I can't wait to start pulling out the long sleeves and cardigans.\n"Jared ask about America again?" my manager asks, walking up to the tent having just ended a call.\n"Yes," I sigh, pouring a bit of that ice cold water into my hands so I can press it to my face and neck.\n"I think you should take it," she says with a shrug, "It could be fun. You could love America."\n"Yeah. Sure." I respond smartly, turning away so she doesn't see my mocking face.\nShe knows I'm being facetious, though. "Why not? You too smitten with your hero boyfriend now? Can't go a month without seeing him?"\nMy head snaps in her direction at that, "I don't have a boyfriend. I dont have boyfriends."\n"No? You just did that commercial and completely stopped talking about the Fat Gum agency, why? Because you're just over it now?" she gives me an unbelieving look over her thick-rimmed glasses, "Which one was he? The shy boy? The big guy?"\nShe almost got me. She almost made me say "neither," but I hold my glare on her, "You know I don't have boyfriends. I'm not interested in any of that."\nHer stare doesn't change either though. She knows when I'm not being completely truthful.\n"And if I told you that you just got a call from a hero at that agency wanting to speak with you?" she asks, holding up my phone with a smirk.\nI jolt upright, knocking the water bottle over as I do, "And? Who was it? What did they say?"\nIt's been over a week since I last saw Taishiro. "Saw"... I did a lot more than seeing.\nHe said he would come around again but it would be a while. I don't know how long "a while" is, though, so I left my number on my door when I left for Tokyo.\nThe moment the words leave my mouth I know I've been duped because her expression of pure victory is brutal.\n"You're fired," I tell her, turning my back on her with a whip of my tail to head off and change.\nShe just laughs because she knows I don't mean it.\n--\nIt's now been two weeks and two days since I was last with Taishiro.\nI got back from Tokyo five days ago and still no word.\nI still go about my business because I'm still feeling fine. The energy is running a little low but I manage and I'm definitely not pacing my apartment sometimes trying to figure out why he hasn't come by yet...\n--\nTwo days after that, I'm starting to feel truly sluggish again and I'm wondering if I should go to the agency after all.\nBut Taishiro told me not to. He said he'd come see me. If I show up again unannounced, I don't know how he'd react or if he would even be there... I didn't think it would take this long, though.\nMaybe he's changed his mind... Maybe I should go find someone tonight...\nNo. I can wait another day. I'm fine.\n--\nA day after that and I think I might've made a mistake.\nI should've gone out after all...\nI feel so tired, I just stay in bed all day and conserve my energy.\nI don't think I can even go out and be in any presentable state to attract someone.\n--\nWhen I wake up the next day, I feel mildly surprised that I even woke up at all.\nI want to go back to sleep right away but there's some kind of self-preservation in me that says I can't do that.\nI don't have a choice, I have to go to the agency. I dont have the ability to pick up someone new right now.\nPlease let Taishiro be there...\nMaking myself a large cup of coffee to go, I head out of the apartment, sans makeup, sans cute hairstyle, in just some leggings and a tank top.\nI take the train to the other side of town, keeping myself upright through practically chugging my coffee every time my eyelids start feeling heavy.\nWhen I finally make it to the station, I'm out of coffee and I have to focus almost entirely on putting one foot in front of the other until I see that familiar Fat Gum-shaped building in front of me at last.\nI feel so relieved when I enter those doors; like I'm safe; like I'll be okay.\nThe receptionist isn't at her desk again and I wonder at that for only a moment. They're definitely open, I was able to walk through the front doors.\n"Hello?" I call weakly, not even recognizing the sound of my own voice, "Taishiro? Fat Gum?"\nNo one answers as I walk further in. Where are they? Could they be out patrolling?\n"Suneater! Red! Steel!" I cry out, but it's hardly audible in the room I'm standing in.\nBreathing heavily, I make for the stairs, taking them one painstaking step at a time.\nI'm hoping Fat Gum is in his office. It's my last ditch plan. Hopefully he can help me find Taishiro or get me someone to feed me at the least. I don't care who knows my quirk right now, if I go to sleep again, I think I might die.\nAs I reach the door and push it open to find no one, I want to cry but I don't even have the energy for that.\nI fall to my knees on the cold floor in front of his desk, my torso soon to follow and I can't get up after that.\nI'm stuck laying on my side staring at the desk, fighting for consciousness every second.\nThis isn't what I wanted...\nI don't know how long it's been when I hear someone far away- downstairs I think- but I'm still just barely clinging to consciousness.\nThen, someone is making their way up the stairs, the sounds echoing in the hallway. I'm focusing all of my effort on mentally crying out for those feet to find me.\nI feel footsteps on the floor.\nThey're large with long strides. Could it be Taishiro? I need it to be him.\n"Aiko," a tender voice says, the footsteps quickening, reaching me now, and someone leaning close.\nI moan because that's all my energy allows as they roll me onto my back. I feel so awful and out of it, I can hardly see straight.\nWhy did I allow this to happen?\n"Aiko, what happened? Are you hurt?" the voice sounds scared, worried.\n"Help... me..." I say to the massive form swimming before my eyes. I'm so desperate. I'm afraid I'm dying. How can a quirk do this to someone?\nHe leans closer and I smell the clean scent of whatever soap it is he uses. It's so comforting...\n"What do you need?" he asks, panic creeping up in his voice.\nI feel a giant hand at my hair, brushing it back, away from my face.\n"My tongue..." I breathe out, unconsciousness looming closer. I'm so so tired....\n"Your tongue? You need something on your tongue? Is it in your purse?"\nI can see the huge form sit up and I think he might be looking for my purse. His head is swiveling around urgently.\nMoaning again to get his attention, I feel such immense frustration. If he could just come a little closer....\nThe gigantic, clean-smelling man leans close again.\n"What is it," he croaks out desperately.\nI have to try to communicate better.\nI pull every ounce of energy I have left together to say, "Touch my tongue.... no glove."\n"That'll help you?" he asks, hastily pulling his gloves off, "Is this something to do with your quirk?"\nBut I can't answer him anymore. My eyes close at last. My consciousness is fading.\nPlease help me...\nI don't even care who it is anymore. Anything- anyone will help.\nHis giant hand is at my jaw then, pulling my mouth open and I want to cry. He gets it. He'll help me. I'm not going to die...\nI hear a shaky breath and feel it blow across my face, he's so close.\nThen I feel a finger, large enough to be the size of two of a normal person's press down on my tongue.\nI breathe a tiny, infinitesimal sigh of relief. Nothing's happening yet. He's too worried and scared to feel anything but those emotions for me right now. Which is heartwarming in and of itself I suppose.\nBut when I close my mouth around that finger and move my tongue slowly, exhaustedly along it, I hear a mostly silent intake of breath. Then the smallest note of cinnamon reaches my nose and the rough pad on my tongue becomes slightly more savory.\nI already feel his energy seeping into me but it's slow, just a trickle.\nI wait for it to peter out before I test my strength once more.\nI'm able to graze my teeth along the digit, my tongue pressing more firmly to it now.\n"Aiko..." he breathes, his voice less worried, deeper, "Is this helping?"\nI have enough energy to give a tiny nod and pull in another lung full of his sweet aroma now shining through the clean one.\nBetter. So much better.\nMoaning, I coax more of that finger into my mouth, able to properly glide my tongue over it now. The taste...\nA small grunt comes from above me and I'm able to open my eyes again, although they're still unfocused and my eyelids are droopy.\nHe's so close to me, I think I can feel the heat emanating from him.\nSighing again, I release his finger and he quickly pulls it away, his breaths shorter, more shallow.\n"Did that help? Are you okay?" he asks me again.\nI don't answer him though, I'm not done. I need more.\nDigging my fingers into his jacket hood and gripping it, I pull his face to mine roughly, finding his lips with ease.\nThey're so pillowy and soft as I run my tongue across them and he gasps in surprise. But I know it's not an upset surprise as cinnamon floods my nose, making my hunger spike.\nI take this opportunity to push my tongue into his mouth, probing, toying with his own.\nFinally he responds, tongue moving against mine, his desire- and therefore his flavor- growing stronger.\nAnd I know it for sure now. I know this taste. I know this smell. I've missed it and craved it for days on end.\nTaishiro...\nMy energy is steadily growing as I stroke my tongue along his, pulling his delicious essence into my mouth and I begin to writhe under his massive body, pulse quickening.\nI push his hood back, hands brushing through that soft, thick hair and I get a thrill as he softly groans when I roll my hips upward, clearly in desire of contact.\nI smile against his mouth as he gasps for breath.\n"Aiko..." he whispers, "I-"\nI don't let him finish, pulling him back down to meet my lips once more.\nI want him to touch me, to fuck me, to want me more.\nHis hand is already resting delicately at my neck and I take it in both of my smaller ones, leading it gradually to my breast and I can hear his breathing pick up as I do, his desire growing stronger still.\nIt pours out of him like a waterfall when my breast fills his palm and he slowly kneads the ample flesh.\nAnother moan escapes my lips, this time one of pleasure and not desperation, as I pull back from him again.\n"Taishiro," I groan, bucking my hips again. I want him on top of me. I want him inside of me.\nHe pauses then abruptly pulls away, eliciting a little grunt of disappointment from me.\n"Aiko," I hear him say gently, his breaths labored and jittery, "I don't think you want this."\n"Yes I do," I whine, needy for his attention, "I want you to fuck me Taishiro. Please. I need it."\nI try to pull him down to me again but he doesn't budge, even as I pull with all the strength I can muster.\nA hard breath blows out of him and he backs up even further, even though his scent slightly intensifies. Why? How was that not an answer he wanted to hear?\n"Aiko," he says again, his voice clearer this time, "Look at me."\n"I am looking at you," I grumble, but it's true that my eyes have still been fuzzy up until this point. I'd been losing control of all of my senses.\nA large hand cups my face, smooshing my cheeks a bit to get me to focus in on the face in front of me.\nMy vision starts to clear. I've absorbed enough to function again, although I'd say I need more in the next day or two to keep myself from starving again.\nAs focus returns steadily to my eyes, I try to keep them trained on the figure looming over me. Why does Taishiro think I wouldn't want him?\nBut I freeze as a rounded, chubby face comes into view, looking down at me with deep concern.\nCrying out, I push back, scooting as far as I can, but my limbs are still sluggish and I nearly fall over as I attempt such abrupt movement.\n"Aiko," Fat Gum reaches a massive hand out to catch me as I nearly collapse back onto the floor.\nI'm still weak. I need to give my body a few minutes to restore proper function to all of my limbs. All I can do is sit here and suffer through this intense embarrassment and shame.\n"Fat... Gum..." I feel my face heating and tears spring to my eyes. Huh. I can cry now. "I'm so sorry. I thought you were- I was delirious! I couldn't see!"\n"About that..." he says sternly, "I need to know why you weren't okay before and why you are now. Don't worry about anything else."\nHow can he say that? I just... assaulted him!\n"Why are you being so nice?!" I snap, blinking rapidly to push back my tears, "I just- I just..."\n"Aiko," he says, making sure I can sit up on my own before releasing me, "Is it okay if I call you that?"\n"You just saved my life so I guess," I grumble, just focusing on staying upright. I really might have almost just died there...\n"Okay, see I need to know why that is," he says kindly, "You didn't hurt me. You were never forcing me to do anything. If anything we're even on blame. But I don't think you're comfortable even talking about it so let's move on to what's most important right now: Why were you laying on the floor looking like you were dying?"\nI clench my jaw trying to fight back my own frustration with myself. He's right. And now I have to tell him something I've never told anyone. Only one other person even has an idea I have this quirk...\n"I was starving," I reply solemnly.\nHis brows knit together at that, "You didn't look emaciated. You don't look like you're starving now."\nMy eyes move to his and I have to search them for a long moment. Can I trust him truly? Only a few weeks ago, I was yelling at him in this office and he was kicking me out. Now I'm contemplating telling him my most private secret.\n"I was starving for energy," I reply, picking at my nails to distract myself as I launch into an explanation of my quirk and how it works.\n"That's... that's a pretty incredible quirk," he says with amazement.\nI look at him like he's out of his mind. He must be.\n"Were you not even listening? Do you not remember what just happened? My quirk almost killed me! I need to absorb sexual energy to survive."\nHe nods, agreeing with me, "Yes, but as I told you before, you never got formal training on this. How did you survive as a child with this quirk?"\n"It didn't exist as a child. I had my wings and my tail. I was registered as a demon quirk. I didn't know I had this ability until I had sex for the first time."\n"So you're saying you survived without this energy before then. And, I assume, after then too. You didn't start suddenly needing this energy as much as you do now after your first time," he points out.\nI have to think back on this. He's right. "No, I... just started needing it more and more until I got to this point."\nHe nods again, his brow furrowed as he stares at the floor, deep in thought.\nHe looks kinda... cute like that. Like a frustrated hamster or something, especially in his mask.\nI have to push that thought away. How rude is it to think of a grown man as cute?\n"Have you ever tried to control it?" he asks abruptly and I look at him confused. He clarifies, "Have you ever tried to not absorb it from someone while... you know."\nNo. He is cute. There's not a better word for his shyness about this topic.\n"While having sex?" I ask with an arched brow.\nIs it wrong that I'm entertained at his slightly flushed cheeks when he answers, "Yes. That."?\n"No. Why would I ever purposely not absorb it? I need it."\nHe runs a hand through his light blonde hair, a bit mushed down on his head due to the hood that had been over it.\n"Just to see if you could control your quirk. Otherwise, you're letting it take control of you," he explains, "It's difficult for you that it was impossible to know this quirk's full potential at an early age. You're given counselling and ample opportunity to figure it out. But since this was developed or discovered so late, you weren't able to."\nHe's silent again, going back to his angry hamster face and I just watch him puzzle this out. Why is he so interested?\n"Have you ever tried to take more? Not just what comes from them willingly, but tried to pull more unwillingly?"\nHonestly, I'd never even thought of it. I never thought it might even be possible. But now that I am thinking of it, it seems dangerous.\n"No," I answer seriously, "and I don't want to. You said yourself I have no control and no training. I could kill someone."\n"You could," he agrees and there is no "but" statement after that.\nI feel stronger now. My limbs seem to have regained their strength and mobility and I push off the floor, attempting to stand.\nNot bad. I only feel a little wobbly.\n"So now that I answered all your questions, now what?" I wonder, watching him rise as well, as gracefully as the first time I'd seen. He does not move like he's carrying a lot of weight...\n"Now I think you should properly register your quirk," he suggests and terror rips through me like a bolt of lightning.\n"No," I say quietly but firmly, "No one knows about this. I can't have everyone knowing that I'm like... this."\nFat Gum reaches a hand out to me but I jerk away quickly. I'm not letting him take me.\n"Aiko, that's the whole point," he says calmly, ignoring my violent reaction and the fact that my wings are spreading out in preparation to flee. "Your quirk is unique. But other people may end up having it and they might want or need the information you have about it. You could save people's lives. What if your future children- "\n"I'm never having children," I stop him rudely, "I'm never doing that to them. No one else should have this quirk, most especially my children."\nHis face doesn't change but I see the most minute shift in his eyes.\nHe must feel bad for me. He saw how I treated his pupils. He knows I like mentoring. He must've figured out I like kids. But he must also know it's not his business because he moves on without commentary.\n"And if you have siblings or cousins? You said your father was a one night stand with your mother. Doesn't that seem familiar?"\nI've considered the possibility that I might have siblings. It's a high likelihood, especially if my father was at all like me but also a prick who didn't use protection.\nCould I be leaving those siblings to suffer? To die?\nShit. He's right again. Why does he always make me realize what an asshole I am without ever saying a single bad thing about me?\nI fold my wings back in and relax my stance, crossing my arms over my chest.\n"What if they look at me like I'm a freak?" I ask, uncertain and looking for any reason to get out of this, "What if they treat me like... I'm gross or something?"\n"It's not like you'll have a sign on you saying what your quirk is. No one has to know in your personal life unless you want them to," he tries to reassure me.\n"I kinda meant the people who work at the Quirk Registration Office," I amend, chewing at my lip.\nFat Gum looks like he sympathizes with me.\n"I could go with you to register... if you want," he offers, extending a hand to exemplify this offer more as a gesture than asking me to take it.\nI frown at that gesture. It's so familiar. Some weird deja vu...\nI eye his proffered hand- still ungloved from earlier- and then the sincerity on his face.\nIf I had to make a choice between being alone and having someone with me to register, I would prefer not to face their judgement alone; especially if that person is a giant hero who seems to be well respected.\nMy tail is twitching nervously as I take my first measured steps toward the door after my collapse and turn back to him to make sure he's following.\n"Fine."\n

"Chapter 4:\\nI'm so tempted to chew on my thumbnail right now.\\nMy wings are quivering with some o(...TRUNCATED)

"Chapter 5:\\nI get to the agency around noon. I didn't allow Aiko to see how exhausted I was becaus(...TRUNCATED)

"Chapter 6:\\n\"Oh, hi, Aiko right?\" The receptionist at Fat Gum's agency says with a friendly smil(...TRUNCATED)

"Chapter 7:\\nIt's Saturday and I'm, once again, going over my schedule for this upcoming week with (...TRUNCATED)

"Chapter 8:\\n\"I'm beat,\" I say, wiping sweat off of my brow as I head back inside the agency clos(...TRUNCATED)

"Chapter 9:\\n\"Okay. Walk.\" I turn on loud electronic music with a beat that's impossible to miss (...TRUNCATED)