It took Endeavor all of five minutes to get back to me. "I'm listening."
"If you could get past the police blackout or talk to Stain's victims for information collected about his quirk." I refused to believe none of them ever witnessed his power in action. "And draft me for this whole U.A. intern thing..."
"I've only made a request for one pick, but... I suppose you got no pro offers?"
"Only the generic list handed out to everyone."
"Fah, bottom of the barrel, every one."
I disagreed; some were high ranking, and looked almost like they were taking pity on the students that got left behind. But, then, this was U.A., and Endeavor for all his faults was successful. They might be 'bottom of the barrel' for those sitting at the top.
That, or it was asshole related bias. Could easily be both, even.
We hashed out the basics, and I went back to the usual grind of studying, building up my All Might reserve, confusing Aizawa when I handed in my list and saw it confirmed, and a few more days of training.
Ida in particular spent those days like a man possessed as I put him up against any opponent I thought might help him in his battle with this enigmatic serial killer. I had every intention of getting there first, but luck mattered.
Stain was an ambush predator at heart. He would likely avoid someone like Endeavor. For all his boogeyman status, he never seemed to target the strongest heroes. Ingenium was, as far as I could tell, a good hero and a great man, but he was no powerhouse.
So my guess was, Stain either he had a powerful ranged combat ability, which meant Pony was the best practice I could give Ida. Or he was a stealth-fighter, and most of those were agility heteromorphs, which meant Tsuyu was the best.
Both of whom could also use practice against a high speed foe like Ida.
I also put him up against Mina a bit. He could always use some practice with unsure or slippery footing.
He didn't stand out too much, in the single-minded obsession to grow. The class now had an idea of where they stood and how far they had to go (except Bakugo and Monoma, who just wanted to punch things in frustration). I gave them that chance.
In Bakugo's case, mostly fighting me. I was getting practice running my copy-charge while fighting at the same time. All Might's reinforcement coupled with Nomu-enhancement gave me a good semblance of immunity to his power.
If anything, the constant attacks was serving to charge the battery even faster.
And he was getting damn good at quirkless combat. It'd be some time before he caught up to the likes of me or Shoto, but his willingness to take a hit to deal a hit was... well, if I wanted people to die, I'd tell him to move over to Krav Maga.
A couple dates with Momo- talking about her pick, which was some gimmick hero calling herself 'Gadget Gal' who built her own support gear. It wasn't a bad pick, given Momo's powerset would be much the same thing.
She was quite excited to learn I, somehow, pulled Endeavor. I didn't have the heart to tell her the number two guy was, in fact, a number two.
The day we went to our internships, I put a hand on Tenya's shoulder. "Stay safe out there."
His eyes widened, as he realized I knew. That the look in my eyes was that of a man who once had the look in his eyes. "You're not going to stop me?"
Not like this, I'm not. "Be pretty hypocritical of me if I did, no? I'm just here to say that when push comes to shove... don't do it for yourself. Not even for your sense of justice or revenge. Do it because that's what must be done for a better tomorrow.
"His future victims, not his past, should be your priority. Nobody's going to miss Stain when he's gone. But you'll never forget what you're trying to do, or why."
"I'll... take that under consideration."
He walked off to find his fate, and I walked off to avert it.
I was not expecting to have guests along for the journey. "Shoto? What are you..."
"My internship." His eyes narrowed. "What about you?"
This was not the plan. "Same."
For a moment, I thought he was going to hit me. "I see. Somehow, I'd have thought..."
"The same thing I'm thinking?" I asked. Of all the people I expected to find here, he was the last. "Looks like we're both more complicated than we gave the other credit."
As we talked, Endeavor stepped out of the building. "Ah, I see you've both arrived."
Shoto turned away. "Looks like."
"Jealousy, huh?" Endeavor said. "That desire to come first is commendable, but one should never turn away good help. With Howard's help, I intend to give you the greatest education any intern will ever receive."
And I'll be there, too, I guess.
Endeavor led us into the building.
"It's... less spacious than I'd expected."
"Because it's not the real office," Shoto said. "In fact, I'm not sure why we were asked to meet here."
"Because I have business in the area," Endeavor stated. "Specifically as relates to you, but we'll get to that.
"Now, most of the day to day stuff, you won't need to concern yourself with for quite some time. But the heart of any good hero agency is the relationship we have with the various emergency services. I predominately manage a crime fighting agency, so the police are my bread and butter..."
Much as I loathed him, much as he only cared to teach Shoto, he was knowledgeable on the subject and gave me some insights into Japan's 'hero culture' from a no-nonsense, utilitarian, approach.
Endeavor didn't try to pretty up what he did. It was a job, with goals, there was not a flicker of idealism in a single thing he did or said.
Aside turning Shoto into his perfect robot upgrade.
"Now, ordinarily, I wouldn't accept a case like this," he said. "Small time smuggler, drug runner, and human trafficker who hides in areas with lots of potential collateral damage and hostages. But for the two of you? It will be a perfect first experience."
Endeavor was too sharp not to notice how both Shoto and I clenched when he said 'human trafficker', but he acted oblivious, even approving, of our reaction. Did he... did he not get what he'd just said? How it might relate to him?
"A test, huh?" Shoto asked.
"An opportunity," Endeavor 'corrected' his son. "More than any other hero would ever give interns. I'll observe your behavior, teamwork, and performance, then adjust your training to suit. In the event you fail, I'm there to clean up. But don't expect me to be happy doing so."
Shoto glanced at me, then back to his father. "I assume we'll have access to his file, and are we to manage our own transportation or will that be provided?"
"As a matter of fact, you'll have my secretary's assistance on the entire mission. I'll follow in a separate vehicle, to step in if I must."
That was an interesting trial by fire approach. "A question of my own: if we stumble across something else during the mission? Such as, say, an unrelated villain attack or associate of the target?"
"Good question. I'll make a judgment call on the nature of the threat. Either you'll deal with it, or I will while you continue with your original mission. Focusing on your goals during adversity is perhaps the greatest lesson an aspiring hero can learn."
Couldn't fault the logic, at least.
"Aloe, come meet your team for the purposes of the mission."
The mysterious Aloe stepped forward. She was alien in her beauty. Green skin that looked almost airbrushed, eyes the color of emerald and hair of forest green. Slender, but womanly figure, it was impossible to pin down her age. "Yes, Mister Endeavor!"
Energetic, but polite, she bowed to us. "I'm happy to meet you, Mister Howard. And to see you again, Mister Todoroki."
"And a fine hello to you, too."
Shoto said nothing. Which was awkward, but I got the feeling this was normal here.
"So... Aloe, mind if I read your quirk? I've been trying to respect peoples' privacy more when it comes to that of late." A lie, but at least I wanted them to think I was doing so.
"Oh, sure, it's nothing special, just a healing touch."
Healing quirks were anything but 'nothing special'. "We'll see." And... well, she was correct all considered. "Surface level healing, not much more than skin deep. Connected to your emotional state. You could make a killing as a beautician. I assume Endeavor employs you for when a villain takes a bit too much heat to bring down?"
"Oh, yes, but it's a temporary job while I save up to go into hero school. Business side, Mister Endeavor's promised a recommendation if I do well."
Not knowing her life circumstances, she probably made a good decision for her future prospects. As a healer, she was okay. Would be a lot better if she could handle scar tissue, would be a godsend if she could heal muscle tissue. In triage, she'd be good for sealing wounds and staunching blood loss, not much else.
"Then, do your job," Shoto said. "The file?"
"Oh, yes, of course! Sorry!" She grabbed her tablet and typed a few bits. "Mister Endeavor had me highlight the most important information."
She gave us the device and let us read through. His known haunts, associates, and in my case, his ability. "Hallucinogenic pheromones?"
"Sounds like a rare ability," Shoto said. "You shouldn't have much trouble."
"That's right!" Aloe agreed. "Umm... we can go now, I'll just go head the car if you want?"
"Sure, let's go." He didn't bother looking at either of us. "We'll meet you out front."
Aloe's smile faltered, just for a second she looked like she was about to cry. Then she turned and fled for the vehicle.
I followed Shoto outside, and had to ask the question. "So, I get why you're pissed at me, can't even say you're wrong. But... what's your story with Aloe? She seems nothing but nice to you."
"I've no desire to imagine how nice my father's mistress is, thanks."
Mistress. "I... wouldn't put it past him." The girl was more than attractive enough. "But I didn't get that vibe from her at all."
His tension shifted, less frustration and more guarded concern. "Care to share why?"
"Well, your father's got a poker face I can't read. Aloe, however... she respects your father, I think, but she doesn't particularly like or dislike him. She'd need an attitude toward sex so casual that blowjobs are how she says 'hello' to be doing anything with him and have so little reaction."
"If you say so."
"Oh, I know so, especially since I saw that look. She's far more interested in you."
He glanced over at me. "Really? Why?"
"To the first question: yes. To the second: I'll get back to you after I've done the impossible and unraveled the secrets of the female mind. But if you want that answer on a mortal timeframe, I'd suggest asking her."
"Hmm."
We waited in silence while Aloe drove around. And the drive itself was mostly quiet, as Shoto managed the map, and I watched the area for a quirk that matched. He was an active criminal who took advantage of his quirk, so he wouldn't be among the faded masses, but he also wasn't... "Hold on, I think I see something. About two blocks to our right."
"Don't turn on this street, go to the next."
"Find a place to park, please." I'd trust them with the navigation, I was the tracker. "Could you look for... someone with a quirk that lets him launch an object he's holding at speeds approaching mach one? And one who can... open any lock by touching it? In both cases, they might be women. My power reveals the quirk, nothing about the wielder."
"Ah, yeah, I found them!" Aloe declared. "One's a known associate, the other's a freelance crook and cat burglar."
"And the last one is a short range telekinetic, no more than a few feet, but could bend steel within that range. He can probably use it as a forcefield, too."
"Uh... wow... are you sure?" Aloe whispered when she stopped typing. "He's one of the big targets around here. A major enforcer for the underground. This might be something to take to Mister Endeavor?"
It might be, at that. "No, they've got captives. In a back room, but Endeavor would either be forced to back off or hurt innocent people. Besides, I think we can take them."
=====
A/N- A bit of a side quest, this chapter and the next.
But, hey, it's been a bit since Alex has gotten to punch someone for real.
"If it helps... I've pulled up the building plans," Aloe said. "They may have made some undocumented changes, but... this should help?"
She is good. "Let's look at it... Okay, so... they'd be here, on the basement level. And our hostages should be... here..." I didn't know that they were hostages, they could have been the villains' kids, hanging out in a side room. Or prostitutes, paid for their presence and service.
But 'potential hostage' gave you room to circumvent normal laws.
Shoto gave his two cents on how and where his power would be best, Aloe mostly nodded along and made the occasional compliment.
And I... got the interesting job.
Which is what led to me standing right in front of the locked door to their little gathering, tapping into lockpick-guy's power. Aaand pop. I switched to the telekinetic- his power was my best bet for this match. It was a very good power, would have made for an excellent hero if it was trained up right.
I opened the door. "Is this where the scum and/or criminals hang out? I, too, am a scum and/or criminal!"
To their credit, they didn't wait around for the punch line. The moment the door was fully open, I was shot at by three different people. One of which fired a quarter. I jumped up, avoided the initial shots, but the lockpick guy was fast enough to line up and clip me in the air with one of his next two.
Fat lot of good it did him when I had a telekinetic aura, but credit where it was due on the marksmanship.
Any further shots were interrupted by the literal wave of ice rushing down the staircase and coating every surface and person in the room. With exception to me, and the telekinetic I was copying.
I landed in front of the door to the back room. I had hostages to protect. "This would have been so much more pleasant if you'd just played along with the joke."
"Yeah, well, never did like funny guys." He cracked his knuckles and charged me.
Dude was pretty built, too. Seems he wasn't one of the ones who got a good power and decided he didn't need to worry about his body. If this fight had happened before the Nomu battle, I'd have been in trouble.
He jabbed forward, intent on forcing me to move, which meant clearing the path between me and the door. Or, y'know, rendering my skull into paste. I'm sure he would have been happy with either outcome.
But I had him beat on agility, and at a glance tied on strength. Also, he wasn't prepared at first when he thought his TK would break me, so me meeting his punch with a deflection that left his side open for a punch right below the armpit and a knee to the gut was a complete surprise.
And earned me bruises across my arms and knee.
"Quirk immunity. You literally cannot hurt me with your power." Which was bullshit- his power was better than my copy at touch. If he went grapple, I would die. Or at least be forced to expend that precious, precious All Might power.
I grinned, feigning lazy confidence. He scowled in return, unsure if he believed me.
Besides, my biggest advantage was that I had backup.
Within seconds of my punishing salvo, Shoto entered the room and blasted the guy in the face with a small but intense burst of flame.
See, he was a telekinetic, not a forcefield user. He blocked kinetic attacks, but other forms of energy could slip through. Like, for example, flame.
"My eyes!" So now he was screaming in pain, clutching his face. "I can't see!"
"Yeah, fire does that." I knocked him off his feet with a quick kick to the heel. "Now, stay down and we'll get you medical treatment."
Thawing lockpick guy was safe enough. Just had to leave his hands frozen while we bound him up, then disarm him. Fucker had a gun.
Projectile-guy came next, with me holding his hands together and mine overtop. "Now... you've already seen I'm immune to quirks... so if you fire off that attack, you'll blow off your fingers, and I'll be fine."
Because I'm still copying a powerful telekinetic.
"Be smart and drop it. Prison is bad enough when you have hands."
Fortunately for him, he obeyed. Our next step was Shoto melting a path and warming the area, then I opened the room to those in the back.
Three women, two no older than twelve, and one woman who could be their mother. She said something I couldn't understand. Based on limited knowledge, it was probably Korean, but again, limited knowledge.
"You're safe, now." I tried in Japanese. Then I repeated it in English.
"Safe? No police?"
Really had to hand it to Britain. Centuries after the height of their empire, and theirs was still the lingua franca of the world. "Safe." I repeated. I said nothing about the police, because, well, they wouldn't take long to be here.
Shoto led them and the other captives out, leaving me alone with our quarry. Whose quirk I now copied, and began breaking him out of confinement. "Once again, immune to quirks, turn yours off or I'll have to do it manually."
"You can't do that." He growled at me.
"Sure I can. Your power only works while you're conscious. Would you prefer asphyxiation or concussion? Because both have their own unique health risks."
"... Fine, I'll cooperate."
Outside, Endeavor was already waiting, and supervised while the villains were properly chained up.
Aloe, on the verge of tears, was treating the girls and their presumed mother. She couldn't speak their language, but was doing her best to sound reassuring. Our target, my captive until they got specialized gear on him, had some fascinating new profanities to mutter, some of which I was pretty sure were in Russian.
All told, it was a pretty successful mission... though I couldn't help but pity the captives, who would probably be shipped back to their country of origin within the week. Japan did not fuck around with their border security.
In a different scenario, I would have tried to help them.
"Not bad for beginners," Endeavor said. "You played to your strengths, used each other to cover your weaknesses, even protected bystanders. However, it was sloppy work where the guns were concerned. I know they're rare in Japan, but you must remain alert to the possibility. Especially when dealing with smugglers."
I had accounted for the risk of firearms. But I couldn't say that without admitting to my actual powers, so I nodded and accepted the admonishment.
"Now comes perhaps the most difficult part of your mission: allocating pay," Endeavor stated. "Shoto, that will be your task. Fifteen percent always goes to the agency, which will be used to cover insurance and base operating costs. And, for the purposes of this exercise, we will ignore my presence. Backup of my caliber costs more than the bounty from this operation could afford.
"Oh, and you'll be making that decision on your own. A leader needs to have his own vision, and while a final decision should always take everyone into account, any negotiation requires a starting base. If you lack a vision, you are chained to the whims of others. Walk me through your logic as you go."
Of all the lessons I expected from Endeavor, payroll wasn't one of them.
Shoto took it in stride. "I see. The most obvious answer would be a three-way split, but we didn't have equal responsibilities or risks. Howard could, arguably, have handled the entire mission on his own, if not for the guns or hostages. He also did get shot at. And was crucial to controlling the two most dangerous villains. At the very least, hazard pay.
"And without my battlefield control, the attack would have put civilians at risk, which itself is worth a share. And without Aloe to heal injuries, it would have necessitated even further caution and holding back. Her computer work was also critical in planning.
Aloe looked like the praise meant more to her than the money.
"Including Howard tracking them down in the first place? My conclusion would be four shares for him, three for myself, and two for Aloe. Though I can see how this can get complicated in large groups."
"Perhaps a little generous," Endeavor stated. "But it doesn't hurt to be generous with reliable allies, especially early in your career when goodwill is at its most valuable. Aloe, run the numbers, what will the bounty track to?"
"Umm... tentatively? The total bounty is eight hundred and seventy five thousand yen. Less any destruction of property fees- which should be minimal- plus an unpredictable bonus for any evidence in closing other open cases or leading to further arrests. It may take weeks before those come in."
"Very well, that bounty is yours. To be split as my son declared."
Aloe gasped. "Thank you, Mister Endeavor, Sir!"
"It's nothing. Most of the top agencies never take on bounties of under a million, or we'd drive lesser heroes out of business."
Endeavor didn't strike me as caring about money or his competitors. My guess was that there was a prestige angle, that picking up low value contracts would make him look weak or desperate or something.
And to be fair, without the right quirks, this was a slim picking for a mission. We could have been driving around all day, maybe all week, canvasing and asking questions. And then only gotten to snag the one bounty, rather than the four we got.
"Now for another lesson in leadership. Managing your team post-mission. I'll expect you back in an hour."
Endeavor left us alone.
And Aloe jumped Shoto. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" And hugged him like she was clinging to a life raft in a storm.
Shoto did exactly what I would do: froze like a deer in the headlights. He looked at me like I should come to his rescue. Good luck with that, buddy.
And then his face started to glow. Specifically, the scar tissue on the left side of his face.
Startled, Shoto stepped back, breaking the hug. "What did you do!?"
Even Aloe was shocked by what was happening. "Sorry! I didn't mean to! I don't know what I did!"
Moments later, the effect faded, but Shoto's scars had faded significantly. Still visible, but now you had to get close to do so.
Holy shit. I elevated the usefulness of her power. "Uh... remember when I said Aloe's power was emotions based? Apparently when she's really emotional, it's enough to work on scar tissue."
"I didn't mean to, I swear!" Aloe shouted. "I normally ask permission, but, I was just so happy and I..."
"It- it's fine," Shoto said. "It's perfectly fine. But I didn't think that little bit of money meant that much to you. Isn't my father paying you well?"
Dumbass. I didn't know much about women. Or a measurable fraction about women. But even I knew the money had nothing to do with her reaction.
"N-no, he pays fine! Better than fine! Among the best in the industry and I'm thrilled to have the job." She struck me as genuine in her claim. " But I've always wanted to be a hero, even if my quirk's not strong, so I focused on business, helping other heroes? And today I got a taste for what it's really like, and it's every bit as exciting and gratifying as I'd hoped! And, well, I got ahead of myself. Sorry."
I kept quiet. Some days, you were the leader, others the supporter. Today was my day to play support.
"I see, that's why you're employed by my father," Shoto said. "For what it's worth, you did good work out there. You'd make for a pretty good hero, I think. And I'm sure you'll get the most glowing recommendation it's possible for my father to give."
Damn, Shoto can be smooth when he doesn't realize that's what he's doing. He just needed to leave out that last sentence.
There was no more hugging, but after Aloe wiped the tears from her eyes, she thanked Shoto and we went back to the vehicle.
"Now, in the interest of learning more about the rest of the team dynamic." Shoto turned to look right at me. "Why are you here, Howard? The real reason, this time."
That was fair. "Long story short? Tenya's planning to hunt down and kill Stain. My best shot to stop him is to track Stain down first. Endeavor is my best means toward that end. And I am his best means toward his end of capturing Stain."
"Tenya?" Shoto muttered, then considered everything. "Of course, Ingenium was the most recent victim, and my father would go after Stain with or without your help."
"Well, it only makes sense," Aloe said. "That the strongest heroes would go after the most dangerous villains. And your power is perfect for tracking. I bet this was his way of testing your abilities."
There wasn't any 'bet' to it. But at least Shoto seemed happy knowing it was as much me being tested as him.
"That's my guess." Stain was, however, tomorrow's problem. For now, Aloe was more interesting. "And... Aloe, since you want to be a hero. Assuming Endeavor's not putting us through the ringer after work, I could show you a few tricks to get an early start on your future career."
"Don't say that! I can't drive if I'm crying!"
=====
A/N- A fun cutesie chapter. Bad guys go down pretty easy, but let's be real, it takes a particular tier of badass to give Todoroki a run for his money. And Alex isn't exactly a slouch.
And there's a reason Endeavor said he wouldn't ordinarily bother with such a small fry.
Becoming the Aloe Show at the end? Unexpected, but not unwelcome.
Hosu City, current haunt of the serial killer Stain. The mission was clear- I knew Stain had some sort of paralysis power, though its nature eluded us. It could be a form of mind control, poison, even some strange telekinesis or worst of all biokinesis.
More than that, what I was looking for was trained quirks. Stain was an accomplished fighter, who took down admittedly b-list heroes on the regular. Whatever his quirk, it was going to be developed.
And so we drove along the streets of Hosu, stopping as I identified powers that might do what Stain did.
This time, without Aloe's presence. Much as I loathed to agree with him, Endeavor was right that this battlefield was no place for her. And she was better off back at base using the full of the agency databases to identify for me as I went.
"Huh, there's one over there... electric type quirk. Generates stun bolts at a good range, can probably stick to metal with a form of self-magnetism?"
"That... is Araneae, who is both female and a hero. Definitely not her."
Such was the downside of this method. But each sweep narrowed down our search that much further, at least eliminated targets I needed to focus on.
"No paralysis, but unnatural accuracy in hand to hand combat, might be able to do something with pressure points or nerve cutting?"
"That would be Doctor Matsuno, I think. Who is a renowned surgeon, and his schedule certainly doesn't line up with Stain's attacks, or the cities he's been in."
Long story short, this went on for a while. Quirks that could disable others in a manner resembling paralysis were rare, in the sense that only a small percentage of people had them. And common, in the sense that there were a lot of rolls of the metaphorical dice to choose from.
"This, too, is the nature of hero work," Endeavor stated. "Most heroes find it their least favorite part of the job. Waiting and searching, dependent upon the whiles of chance to find one's quarry. I typically use that time to focus and visualize the battles to come. If you must spend your time waiting, don't waste it as well. I suppose that meditative ritual of yours would also work."
I hated how often Endeavor had a point. I practiced my focus and breathing and went back to the search. Our best lead was some former mob enforcer who was crippled by a rival villain. He had a vertigo-inducing vocal power that wasn't quite paralysis, but would make it hard to move.
Upon investigation, he turned out to still be crippled. Working at an outdoor snack vendor, the Japanese equivalent of a hotdog stand.
He glared at Endeavor when we approached. "Unless you're here to buy somethin', I ain't got a thing to say. I've done my time, didn't rat then, won't rat now. Besides, I've been out of the loop so long I don't know nothin' you'd care about."
Endeavor let him have his rant, then said one simple sentence. "We're here to talk about Stain."
"Oh, that I'd talk about, if I knew anything," the former mobster said. "Crazy fucks like that make life harder on everybody, both sides of the law. Not that I know anything, but my old buddies would already have dropped anything they knew to the cops, which means you know more than I do."
"Your quirk... is similar to the description we have of Stain's."
"Hey now!" He raised his hands. "I ain't been able to stand up in twelve years, and I'm sure I can provide alibis for whatever time his attacks occurred. I ain't even been out of town in a year, no way I'd be able to get halfway across Japan and back."
Endeavor's eyes narrowed. "I believe you, but an officer will come by to ask some questions later, to be certain."
"Sure, whatever you want. Now go on, you're scaring off actual customers."
"It's about time for a break," I said after the third hour. "I'm reaching my over-use point."
"You have one of those?" Shoto asked. "You always seemed capable of keeping your power running as you liked before."
"Yeah, well, 'before' was when I wasn't trying to sort half the city." I rubbed my temples- which did nothing for my over-stressed quirk, but it helped the coming headache. "I'll be ready again in a bit, but it's about time for lunch regardless."
I'd expected some fast food joint, but Endeavor had other ideas. He popped one of the storage boxes and took out a few metal containers, which he proceeded to heat up and, after a few minutes, popped open.
The meals some sort of rice and beef mix. "Eat up, it's never good to work on an empty stomach, and I don't tolerate junk food. Especially not on the job."
So we ate, and I had to give Endeavor credit. While it may have been precooked and frozen, it was good food. And didn't taste like salt and preservatives. Might have been high on the fat content, but considering a hero's active lifestyle, that was beneficial.
With time for my head to recover, I began to scan a- "Oh shit, I think I've found him! We have to hurry, there's another quirk near him and the wielder is dying!"
"Where?" Endeavor jumped out of the vehicle, leaving the remnants of his meal to spill on the floor.
"Three blocks down, probably in an alleyway. His quirk is vampiric. If he drinks your blood, it'll paralyze you. Plus the standard vampire combat instincts."
I couldn't speak for Japan, but it was widely held opinion in America that 'predator' quirks were the biggest pain in the ass, since the possessors always seem to have preternatural combat skills. Vampires worst of all, because they preyed on humans.
Endeavor ran ahead- and with his quirk to empower his speed like a rocket engine, he was far faster than we could drive in city traffic.
For that matter, we were faster on foot, so we chased behind. I wasn't too bothered by slowing to remain at Shoto's speed- Endeavor was still faster than my best, and if he couldn't beat Stain, there wasn't much we could do to help.
And if the pro hero felt the need to rush ahead, who were we to argue?
A plume of flame washed out of the alleyway. Didn't need my quirk to see our destination.
"He's pinned in the back!" I shouted to Shoto. "But he has a victim."
When we turned the corner, we found our serial killer, and he sure looked the part. Tattered cape, a mask that looked more like bandages, and knives all over the place. One arm had some nasty blistering, and with that part of his outfit blackened or burned off, so it seemed Endeavor got in a glancing burn.
In front of Stain, what I presumed to be a hero. With an attempted Native American theme that came across as more than a little offensive. Not so offensive that I was okay with guy being held hostage by a serial killer, but still.
"- doesn't matter to you at all, huh? To think, someone like you, driven only by pride and ambition, could be the number two hero. You don't care about anyone but yourself. You're not worthy to call yourself a man, let alone a hero. I could not imagine greater proof of the corruption of this system-"
See, this is why everyone hated vampires. They just knew things about people. Not out of any psychic power, but because they could cold read your fucking life story.
But while they were there, I had an idea. "Shoto, can you get us up to the roof?"
"Sure... I take it you've got a plan?"
"More like an idea, but I don't think we'll be useful here."
On the roof, we moved around, staying quiet as we could. This vampire didn't have tracking powers per se, only some stupidly good instincts and senses. "He'll react if you target him, but can you ice the hostage?"
Shoto hesitated a moment. "I... yes, I can. I'd rather not, but I can."
"If we need to, then." I was emulating Stain's own power, trying to read him as he read Endeavor.
Endeavor stood there and took it. And even with Stain's power, it seemed like he was unconcerned with a damn thing the villain said. He may as well have been ranting at the sky.
But, that was the plan, wasn't it? The longer Endeavor stood there, the longer Stain ranted, the more likely something would go wrong for the serial killer. And everyone knew it.
Stain moved his hand away, goading Endeavor. If I had to guess, trying to get him to burn the hero and thus risk severe damage to his reputation. But I could be wrong... as serial killers went, Stain didn't seem the most stable. He was trying to talk his way out of the hostage situation.
And then he moved a little further. "Now!"
The hero was frozen, and because of that Stain no longer had a vulnerable throat to slash.
Endeavor held back when he used his flame, but forced Stain to retreat. He jumped onto the alley wall, then bounced a couple more times until he got to the roof. Our roof.
Shouldn't be doing this. I got ready to pounce, but before I had a chance Endeavor had jumped to the roof as well, keeping up with the serial killer. But, no... Stain wasn't as fast in a straightaway as Endeavor, but his agility and willingness to endanger others would let him escape.
"You'll never be able to hide!" I shouted after them. "I know your quirk! I can track you wherever you go, vampire!"
He would otherwise have fled the city, now that he was the prey instead of predator. But with my declaration, and his vampiric senses... I was too great a threat. He'd never be able to find a moment of rest while I still breathed. I made myself into his problem.
It was, of course, at this moment that inky portals opened near us, and a bat-winged creature lunged out. Shoto was fast enough to shield us with ice, but against a Nomu... that wasn't going to last long.
Another, one with a similar black coloring to the original Nomu, but with no upper skull at all, went after Endeavor. A third was content to ignore us and jump off the building.
"Friends of yours, Stain?" Endeavor blasted the thing with fire, driving it back. While Shoto was holding ours off.
"They're called Nomu!" I shouted. "They're living machines made by a terrorist group calling itself the League of Villains!"
"Terrorists?" Endeavor considered the word as the regenerated Nomu went for him a second time. A rocket-boosted jump, and then a further boosted kick to the back of the Nomu's head blew its skull clean off. "Machines?"
It began to heal. Endeavor didn't give it the chance, and broiled the flesh off its bones. "I want details."
"The first super-Nomu we saw was made to kill All Might. It carried several quirks for super strength, toughness, regeneration, and that one was able to absorb concussive force. These are... maybe a fifth as strong as that one. With different quirk layouts, but they all have strength and regen."
"I see..." Endeavor focused, and the stream of fire turned into a plasma torch, melting away flesh and then bone. The creature didn't even scream.
Ours, meanwhile, had been encased in layer after layer of Shoto's ice. Where it broke free, it did so only by sacrificing a limb. And was soon frozen again.
Endeavor jumped off the building and went after the third. Shit. I ran to the edge of the roof. "That one has energy absorption and reflection! Don't use your fire!"
I looked back. "Shoto, can you hold that thing? How long?"
One of the creature's wings broke free. Shoto blasted it with flame until it was ash and bone, then froze it back.
"Maybe an hour."
That was good- its battery shouldn't last an hour.
I went the other way, jumping into the alleyway and grabbing hold of the emergency stair railing to descend fast, but not just eat the pavement. I wasn't supposed to be that tough, not until Shoto could do the same.
There was a frozen hero down here. I grabbed one of the knives Stain left behind, and used its handle to help break chunks of the ice off, and dropping them to the side. Medicated bandages were part of my hero loadout, courtesy of U.A.'s support contract giving them out for free.
He was unconscious for the process, but his breathing was fairly strong and I had high hopes for his survival. Not so much his recover- at least one of those knife wounds had to have pierced his lower spine. Up to him to figure out what that meant in the future.
And fuck. I just spotted Ida's quirk... in close proximity to Stain's.
=====
Shoto had his Nomu pinned, but wasn't good for much else. The hero I patched was stable, those bandages something of a mini miracle of the support community. I hit my 'hero rescue' pager and set it next to him. GPS would lead the first responders here.
We weren't supposed to leave these things behind, but given the circumstances...
The thing hadn't even landed in the hero's lap before I was running toward Tenya and Stain at top possible speed.
Stain had a several minute head start, and was outside my copy-range, which meant about six blocks at current strength. I knew how fast he was, and had a damn good idea how dangerous he was. Ida didn't stand a fucking chance.
Hell, I didn't stand a fucking chance. But I could run distraction, buy time, make enough noise to scare him off for fear of other, stronger, heroes arriving.
I didn't hide my Nomu-enhanced strength this time, and I took that further by tapping into the All Might reserve. Muscles bulged, fatigue washed away, this could get addictive.
They were off at an angle compared to the streets, so I jumped. Thanks to the Nomu, I could clear a two story building enough to catch the roof. With All Might's power behind it, that went to about six stories.
Now was not the time to give a fuck who saw me.
I ran, and watched the flickering of the quirks, indicating injuries and health. Neither looked to be in good shape, but both were still alive. One further jump and I cleared a street, and then a hop into a side street.
I was not prepared for what I found there.
Stain laying on the ground, leg and arm twisted in a way that would require surgery before a healer could be brought in. If one was brought in- Japan didn't often do that for criminals, I'm not entirely sure they'd even bother to set the bones.
Not that he deserved better, just saying.
Ida knelt above him, holding Stain's katana right above his neck. At some point, the blade had snapped in two, don't ask me where the other half was.
Above them was a crater in the brick wall- my guess was Stain was fleeing this way by rooftop, when Ida got the drop on him with a kick that sent him into the wall.
Which I didn't think would normally work- Stain at his best should have been able to avoid Ida at his best, even with the element of surprise. But Stain was not at his best, Stain had just had his ass beat by Endeavor and only managed to escape because the Nomu ran interference.
Yet their emotional disposition was about the opposite one would expect.
Stain remained still, but also defiant. There was no sign of fear in his body language, a total willingness to go to his death believing in his cause. Not even flinching at the tears dripping on his face.
Tenya trembled, unable to hold the blade steady, crying in rage and frustration.
"Ida..." I spoke slow while approaching.
"I... how did you do it, Howard?" He choked out the words. "How do I?"
"I never had to." I knew what he meant, how could I not? "The heat of battle is one thing, where you strike and then think. But... this isn't battle, it's not self defense, this is an execution. I don't know what that's like."
"But he does!" Ida shouted. "He's killed and cripped good men and women, so why can't I... I... it'd be so easy..."
"For a certain type of person? Yes, it would. You're not one of them." I stepped closer, slow and soft approach. "That doesn't make you weak, nor does it make you strong. No matter how many armchair philosophers have argued both cases for thousands of years."
Another step forward. "What makes a man strong is understanding himself, and standing up for who he is, damn the consequences." Much as his 'philosophy' disgusted me, Stain had that sort of strength. "And... I don't think this is you."
Ida relaxed his muscles, which was exactly the worst thing he could have done.
Somehow, in spite of half his body being busted, Stain managed to spin on the ground and knee Ida in the side, with a spike that was hidded in his knee pad. He rolled to his feet, having snatched his sword back from Ida's grasp.
Fucking damn it. I grabbed my batons. Given his injuries -don't ask me how he could move, every breath had to feel like getting kicked in the solar plexus-, and my strength... if I ran through All Might's reserve while using Stain's own combat instincts against him, I could win this.
Probably.
Fuck.
Evidently Stain came to a similar conclusion and jumped up to the fire escape. Somehow.
He was choosing to run. And I chose to let him, because I had higher priorities.
Instead, I ran to Ida. A quick check of the wound showed exposed rib bone, but that was better than the alternative.
"Okay, I know it hurts, but it's shallow, and maybe a broken rib." I pulled another bandage from the pack. "Hold this to the wound, and the disinfectant and clotting agents will be more than enough until the ambulance arrives. Honestly, you probably don't even need the bandage."
"I'm sorry. He got away because of me."
"Got away?" I laughed. "Did you forget my power? You crippled him, and he can't hide from me. I'll have him before you stop bleeding."
As I got up, I brushed my hand against the wet spot where Stain's burnt arm had been.
Forget a blood test, I'm gonna need the whole fucking hazmat experience. I waited for Stain to jump, then licked my finger.
Then I jumped up the fire escape. Not a difficult feat for someone who didn't have half his limbs and ribs busted.
Stain had managed to clear the street with his jump, before I paralyzed him with his own power. I didn't waste any time- he was with the League of Villains, and that meant he had a teleporter on call. Don't ask me why they hadn't come to get him, yet.
Stain knew what was coming. He saw it in my eyes, my body language. I pulled one of his many knives out of a holster under his arm. A good combat knife, almost a foot long and curved. If I had to guess, Stain must have spent hours grinding the blade of some off the shelf knife into a blade with exactly one purpose.
"H-how can you call yourself a hero?" His last ditch effort to save his own life.
I said nothing when I stabbed this weapon of his own devising right into his diaphragm, up into his heart. I felt his power vanish. Only then did I dare speak. "I don't."
I guess he got to die believing he was right. Hell, he might even be right. Japan's system was clearly not a healthy one.
I left the weapon where it was and walked away. This kill was, as I'd said to Tenya, an execution. The moment I used his power on him, I didn't have much choice. He was too skilled, too alert, his power too refined. Chances were good he realized my power before he even hit the ground.
Like a good soldier, I killed to protect my country, her secrets. As well as Stain's future innocent victims, since I couldn't know when the League of Villains would pick up their pet psycho to patch up and unleash elsewhere. Japan was no longer the effective vassal of the 20th century, but it was still an ally. We defend our allies.
Tenya was standing, leaning against the wall of the alley, when I returned. He looked at me, and he knew. "I'm sorry. If I'd... then you wouldn't..."
"Don't be," I said. "You did your right thing. I did mine. Besides, if you hadn't fucked him up, I wouldn't have stood a chance." Even now, I was a liar. "But thanks to you? Not a scratch on me." I spread my arms to show that I was unharmed.
Maybe Ida wouldn't notice how my hands trembled. How fake my smile was. I'd killed a man in cold blood, and that was going to stay with me for a long, long time.
The lie was that Ida deserved the credit. Endeavor did ninety percent of the job before either of us got involved. I held no illusions about being able to take Stain on my own.
I went with Tenya to the hospital. I may have been uninjured, but he needed someone to sit with him. The doctors did their thing, as they do and he was up and out within a couple of hours.
"How bad was it?" I asked.
"Like you said, the cut was shallow, only needed two stitches." He flinched in pain. "But my floating ribs are cracked, and I've got bruising on a kidney."
Ouch. "Small price to pay as a hero, I'd say."
He smiled. "Yeah, I guess so."
A dog-heteromorph, whose head resembled some sort of beagle or maybe coon hound with a white muzzle and forehead stripe, approached me. Between the suit he wore, and the badge he flashed, I assumed he was someone important in the police. "We'd like to speak to the two of you in a private room."
Yep, that was expected. "Lead the way, officer."
The cop claimed one of the hospital rooms. Perks of the office, I guess. "I'm Kenji Tsuragamae, chief of Hosu's police department."
Fuckers. I stepped in front of Ida. "Pursuant to Quirk Usage Statute under Japanese national law, I am claiming exemptions as laid out under subparagraphs four and six. Nobody else had anything to do with it, other than Endeavor who obviously has permissions."
The officer hesitated a moment. "You're claiming the heteromorph exemption?"
"Ah... did they change that passage? I'm claiming the passive quirk exemption. As well as the harmless ability exemption."
I'd been forced to memorize those laws before being allowed into Japan. Their borderline totalitarianism on quirk usage was a matter of no small concern for my parents.
"You'll find under the files for my passport, my quirk comes in two parts. The ability to see quirks and understand their general function. And resistance to the effects of quirks as directed at me.
"By law, as my quirk only functions when I am the target of another quirk, I have passive and harmless exemptions. And my scanning quirk, I was using under the auspice of Endeavor during my internship with U.A.. I was led to believe he has the authority to permit my use of my quirk for the purposes of training and education."
The dog-faced officer 'woofed' at my statement. "I see I don't need to educate you about Japan's laws and customs on this subject. And you're claiming to have done all the damage to Stain?"
"No, most of it was done either in his fight with Endeavor, or were inflicted when he fell, likely due to said injuries fighting Endeavor."
Was I throwing Endeavor under the bus? No, not really. He was legally permitted to use necessary force, at his discretion. Stain was the sort of asshole nobody cried police brutality over.
"After Endeavor was distracted by the terrorist attack with the Nomu..."
"Terrorist attack?" The police chief asked. Evidently he hadn't realized that's what the attack was, or perhaps he just wanted to know what I knew.
"Well, whatever you choose to call it. In America, those things would absolutely be considered weapons of terror. Though... I'm not sure what you're cleared to know on the topic. Suffice it to say, this is the second League of Villains attack I've witnessed using those weapons, and the first was a failed attempt on All Might's life."
"I see... and this one?"
Good question. "Either Stain is a member of the League, and they were operating to rescue him from Endeavor. Or, Stain was incidental to their plans, and this was an attempt on Endeavor's life. Killing the number two if they can't get the number one. Or maybe it's all one huge coincidence, but... I doubt it."
"I will certainly take that information under consideration. These Nomu- what are they?"
"The freaky guys with exposed giant brains? Those are Nomu. Don't ask me how, but they each possess multiple quirks. I assume your government knows everything I know and more, and will tell you what they feel you should or should not be aware of."
He growled at that, but accepted my answer. "But to you, you claim full responsibility for Stain, after he fled from Endeavor?"
"I claim responsibility for his death, if that's what you mean. I didn't witness any other harm that may have befallen him before I got to him. But... it's all secondary to the knife in I put in him, isn't it?"
Worst case, I was shipped back home. They wouldn't try me- that meant a jury, and a jury meant publicity. Japan wouldn't want the Nomu secret known to the public.
"I... suppose so." He sighed, which came across as a whine. "Well, today is your lucky day, kid. Endeavor and people higher than me on the chain have agreed to call Stain's death a suicide."
What?
"The official story, which it is very much in your best interest to follow to the letter, is that after Stain escaped during the Nomu attack... he was cornered by Endeavor and, rather than be taken alive, he stabbed himself in the heart. I must ask... did you imitate that barbaric old Japanese custom intentionally?"
"Ah... no, it didn't cross my mind. Too busy fighting for my life. Even crippled, Stain was an incredibly capable fighter. I'd be dead if I went for anything less than the kill."
What bullshit levels of corruption was this? Stain's beliefs didn't justify his actions, but it was clear the rot in Japan's system ran deep.
He growl-huffed. "I see. Well, you're both free to go, but be aware I'm not the only one with an eye on you from now on."
"Understood, Sir."
I left the building, with Tenya by my side. We both kept quiet. Outside, Endeavor and Shoto were waiting.
Endeavor walked up to me, looked me square in the eye. "I no longer owe you a damn thing."
=====
A/N- There we go. My own little twist to Ida's character development.
Endeavor may have declared us 'even', and may have put most of his focus on Shoto, but that didn't make him any less a mentor during the rest of our intern week. During the day, we were either receiving expert training, being taught the basics of the hero business, or going out on hunts.
Seemed clear that Endeavor had me for a week, and he was going to use me for all I was worth. During our after-work training sessions, Aloe confided in us that thanks to me, Endeavor pulled in more villains that week than he had the month prior. Which had been a good month, as these things went.
Bit annoyed by the lack of credit going my way, but, it was probably best for me to be a hidden benefactor so anyone wanting revenge went after him, instead.
And people did want revenge. Apparently, with Stain's 'suicide' came people looking into his rants, finding manifestos online I was pretty sure weren't written by him. He was fast becoming a martyr for a certain type of psycho.
Outside of that, I did homework and spent time with Aloe and Shoto. Her little crush was full on infatuation, now. And with the training we'd given her, she was confident enough to apply into U.A. the next school year. Still for the business side, yes, but also with a focus on the quirk training side of heroics.
Neither of them said anything about my fight with Stain, which also suited me fine.
I was just looking forward to going home, but I'd have to settle for some apartment. And so on the last day there was no fanfare. Endeavor gave me and Shoto promises of excellent reviews of both our skills and workplace demeanor.
I imagined he would, at that. Dude was a damn slave driver, but he got everything he wanted out of this alliance except the prestige of taking Stain alive. But the bounty made it quite clear they didn't care how Stain was stopped, only that he was.
So I crashed. And awoke to a sound at my apartment door- I was up and had a baton in hand before the lock fully clicked open. Then I recognized who it was from her quirk.
"Wow." Momo managed a smile. "I know you said Endeavor's training was rough, but to have you this jumpy?"
"Rough doesn't begin to cover it..." I hadn't told her about Stain, any more than what the news told the world. I wasn't ashamed, but she didn't need to carry that burden. "Had me running around over half of Japan tracking high value targets."
"I know, I was watching on the news... I don't think you'll have any trouble finding anyone you want as a mentor next year."
Right, still have to do this two more times. "Maybe."
"Did you at least get a quality education out of it?"
"I got exactly the education I expected out of Japan's Number Two." And I only half meant that as an insult. "How about your adventures with Gadget Gal?"
"Oh, it was great!" Momo jumped in excitement. "She seemed more interested in gossip than work, but she showed me all kinds of ways to use toys in unusual ways to get the job done."
Don't say it, don't even think it. "Good. Versatility is your strength in particular." Mine, too, and now I was picturing what our quirks might do in our children.
"I know that look, Alex." Momo gave me a similar look. "Do you have so little self control that you can't last one week?"
"With a woman like you, I'm lucky to last one min... I did not think that line through."
She laughed, and then we kissed. "If it makes you feel any better, sometimes I don't last a minute, either."
"Yeah, it does, actually." I picked her up. "But I must still assert my masculinity the best way our species knows how."
I carried her to the bedroom, and dropped her on the bed.
She giggled. "You brute."
She did not bother to hide her admiration as I tossed my clothes in the corner. Nor did she bother hiding herself as she slipped out of her own.
Our treebound adventure, and several less adventurous but no less pleasurable event since, had burned away any of that early awkwardness. She knew I wanted her, I knew she wanted me, and there was no shame in it.
So when I pounced, she wrapped her arms around me and we kissed while hands roamed wherever they liked. She had a fondness for my arms and abs. I for here breasts and thighs.
"Mmm." Momo broke the kiss a moment. "I love you."
Oh, now we're-. The words hit me like a Nomu, but my reflexes came in clutch. "I love you, too." Before I could think about it, let alone stop.
Only after did I consider what we said. I couldn't bring myself to regret it, however. Were we going too fast? Probably. Was that going to stop either of us? No.
"You're all I thought about while we were apart." She continued talking while I was busy processing the last ten seconds. "That and Gadget Gal kept pestering me about every little detail."
Wow. "And here Endeavor showed precisely zero interest in my personal life." Or Shoto's, for that matter. "But trust me when I say I missed you, too."
"Well... while I was thinking..." She blushed and looked down. "Well... you never told me which you would prefer... the condom, or, the alternative?"
Oh. Oh! "Uh... lady's choice?"
She chuckled. "Really? I didn't think you'd wimp out like that."
She's wise to my ways! Quick! Think of anything! "Both." Refuge in audacity. "First the one, then the other. But if forced to choose... let's start with tradition."
"That's better, I think." She smiled, then kissed her way down my chest. "I want to try something I saw in a movie."
When her lips ran over the tip of my cock, I began to wonder if this was some sort of hypothetical question. She kept moving down, until I was pressed up against her throat, and then I felt a tightness around my base, and as she withdrew, it followed.
She drew her head back, leaving me with a latex reminder of her little journey. I needed to send her favorite porn studio a Christmas card.
She put her hand to her throat and rubbed it. "I... was under the impression that women found that uncomfortable."
I bet they'd find swallowing a whole chicken leg more uncomfortable. "There's not much people do that you won't find exceptions. And I'm not gonna complain."
She smirked. "I bet you won't. Now... what's next?"
I pushed her back. "Well, I did say 'traditional'... we can try the crazy stuff later." I got no objections as I started kissing her, then grinding against her.
She joined the motion, and for a time that was all we did. Then I slid back and down just a little, and reached between us to line myself up. I went slow- the first inch, then the second, and kissed her while she grew accustomed.
"Take all the time you need."
Plus, I needed some time to recover, before I put truth to that earlier verbal flub. She was a virgin, and also an athlete. That combination made for a very snug fit.
"Okay." She kissed me again. "I knew that the bleeding was more myth than reality, but... it's still very large."
As we lay there kissing, I cupped her face, massaging her cheek with my thumb. She was beautiful, sweet, and brilliant. I was lucky to have her, and I wanted her to feel that I felt that, more than merely me saying it.
When she started rocking her hips, I took that for the permission to move again. I sank as deep as I could, then gave her a few more seconds to adjust before I withdrew.
"Oh!" She gasped in pleasure. "It's so good!"
Maybe she needed to work on the dirty talk a little, but the sound in her voice was music to my ears regardless of the words she chose.
"Don't stop!"
I, in contrast, wasn't much of a talker. But I had a gasp of my own when she locked her legs around my hips and pulled us tight together. With tremendous willpower, I held back while she rode out her first climax.
"I-" She glared at me. "One of these days, I'm going to make you finish first."
"If you wanted a chance, you shouldn't have made it a challenge." I kissed her adorable little pouty lips. "Besides, I finish first lots. Whenever you break out these beauties."
She gasped when I squeezed her breast. "That's not the same and you know it!"
"If you say so." I pushed her legs up to her chest and then picked up my pace.
"Oh~! What are you-"
"They call it 'mating press', and if it wasn't for this condom..."
She gripped my arms as I continued my pace- I wasn't going to last much longer like this, but I wanted her to cum a second time first. Unfortunately, she realized what I was doing and this was officially a competition, now.
... Was such a thing as being too competitive? Only if you lost, and I knew her weakness. I pressed down on her, kissing her as I pounded her into the mattress. "You're so beautiful when you cum."
"Alex!" She clenched down. "I'm cumming again~"
And that's all I could handle. The condom had its work cut out for it, as I did my best to flood her womb.
She cried out moments later, her muscles clamped hard to milk me of every last drop, a futile effort to do what nature wanted done, but we modern folk deemed must wait for the right time.
I rolled over next to her.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered.
"Yeah, you tricked me, and I'm very upset." I wasn't, how could I be?
"I meant your arms."
I lifted an arm up, and saw the little crimson streams from her fingernails. "I don't care about that at all."
"Weirdo."
"Kettle." Afterglow infused teasing, was there anything better? "What kind of girl turns sex into a competition, and then has the nerve to lose?"
"Hmph." She smiled at me. "The kind of girl who does this."
She rolled on top, then kissed her way down to my softening member. "I didn't see any video for this, but..."
Then she engulfed my cock a second time, and after a few moments I felt the condom slip off, where it promptly slid down her throat. She kept sucking, however, massaging me back to fully erect with her lips, tongue, and throat.
"Biodegradable, so, digestible." She smiled at me when she pulled away. "Stunned speechless again, I see... but don't worry, this time I know you liked it."
She squeezed the base of my shaft.
"Don't mind me," I found my voice finally. "I'm just waiting until I inevitably wake up from this dream."
"I think I pinched you enough earlier to prove you're very much awake," she said as she climbed on top of me. "Now, since I found the cure to refractory periods, I believe you said something about doing both? Or did I wear you out?"
Holy hell. If I couldn't sense her quirk, I might be afraid Momo had been switched out by a shapeshifter. Now all I had to worry about was mind control.
"Let me check something, first." I put a couple fingers on my wrist and acted like I was paying attention. "Yup, still have a pulse. The one condition that would have a chance of stopping me isn't in effect."
"You're still a weirdo." She said as she positioned herself above me. "Now, you lay back and let me do everything. You're a bit bigger than anything I practiced withhhh..."
She hissed when the pressure of her sitting back pushed her sphincter open and let me inside. If I hadn't been so fresh off the last round, that alone might have set me off.
I thought she was tight before. I didn't know what tight was.
"Oh... that's going to take some getting used to," she said.
"We don't have to do this, I don't want to hurt you." Which I very much meant- as fun as this was, I was more than happy with everything else.
"It doesn't hurt," she said. "Never did, I was more careful than that. It's just a little weird, and big, and... Oh! That's the angle I was looking for..."
She reached down and fingered herself while controlling the pace.
I let her have the control to effectively treat me like a sex toy, but still brought my hands up to fondle her magnificent breasts. Make things as fun as possible for her while she rode me while insisting that she was enjoying herself.
This time, I didn't fight my impending orgasm.
I was surprised when she came with me. Leaving me uncertain if I overestimated her discomfort, or she enjoyed said discomfort. Either way, knowing she liked it too was a relief, because I really wanted to do it again.
=====
A/N- Between life and rereading MHA because I need to get an awful lot sorted out before the next stage of this story, I only managed to find time for one chapter a day the last couple days.
My shame is... who am I kidding? I barely know what that word means.