[65] If it Isn't Love
My fingers trace patterns on the soft comforter. Care, certainly. I care for them both. But love? That's... complicated.
I close my eyes, picturing Momo's smile, the way her eyes light up when she talks about her latest creation. Nejire's laughter, her endless curiosity that matches my own. Warmth spreads through my chest.
But is it love?
The only person I've ever truly loved is my mother, and even those feelings are recent developments. Before, she was just another piece on the board, a necessary part of my cover. Now... now I find myself genuinely looking forward to her calls, cherishing the moments we spend together.
I try to compartmentalize, to separate my feelings for Momo and Nejire into neat little boxes. Strategic assets. Valuable allies. Potential weaknesses.
But it's not that simple.
I imagine Momo injured on a mission, Nejire captured by villains. My heart races, hands clenching into fists. The thought of losing either of them...
I shake my head, trying to clear the images. It's natural to be protective of useful resources, right? That's all this is.
But what if they were with someone else? I picture Momo laughing with Todoroki, Nejire holding hands with Mirio. Something ugly twists in my gut. Jealousy? Possessiveness? Or just the fear of losing valuable pieces in my game?
The bathroom door opens, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. Nejire steps out, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her hair cascades down her back in damp waves, and there's a heat in her gaze that makes my breath catch.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asks.
I force a chuckle. "Just thinking about the internship. Miruko's training is... intense."
Nejire raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. She sits next to me on the bed, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin. "Come on, Izuku. I know that look. What's really on your mind?"
I hesitate, weighing my options. Honesty could be dangerous, but Nejire's always been perceptive. Lying might do more harm than good.
"I've been thinking about... us," I admit. "You, me, Momo. This whole situation."
Nejire nods, her expression softening. "It's complicated, huh?"
I let out a breath. "Yeah. Complicated is one way to put it."
She takes my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine. "Talk to me, Izuku. What's going on in that brilliant head of yours?"
I stare at our joined hands, gathering my thoughts. "Momo told me she loves me," I say quietly.
Nejire's grip tightens slightly. "And how do you feel about that?"
"I don't know," I admit. "I care about her. I care about you. But love? I'm not sure I even know what that means."
Nejire's quiet for a moment, thinking. "Love doesn't have to be this grand, all-consuming thing," she says finally. "It can be simple. It's caring about someone's happiness as much as your own. It's wanting to be a better person because of them."
I mull over her words. "By that definition... maybe I do love you both," I say slowly. "But is it fair? To either of you?"
Nejire cups my cheek, turning my face towards her. "Life isn't fair, Izuku. We're heroes-in-training. Our lives are dangerous, unpredictable. If we find happiness, real connections... shouldn't we hold onto them?"
I lean into her touch, my eyes meeting hers. There's wisdom there, beyond her years. "When did you get so insightful?" I ask, a small smile tugging at my lips.
She grins. "I've always been insightful. You've just been too busy being a brooding genius to notice."
I laugh, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. Nejire has that effect on me, lightening the load I carry.
"So what now?" I ask.
Nejire's gaze intensifies, that earlier heat returning. "Now," she says, her voice low, "I think we should stop overthinking things."
She leans in, her lips brushing against mine. I respond instinctively, one hand tangling in her damp hair as I deepen the kiss.
Our lips connect with an urgent intensity, tongues exploring and caressing. I can taste the sweet cherry gloss she always wears. Nejire's hands claw at my shoulders, nails digging in ever so slightly as she arches into me. I capture her bottom lip between mine, eliciting a soft gasp.
The kiss grows messier, wetter, our breath coming in short pants and moans. I run my hands down her sides, feeling the curves of her body as our mouths move together desperately. Nejire's tongue wrestles with mine, the sensations electric, dizzying. Drool leaks from the corners of our mouths but I don't care - I want more of her.
Nejire's hands wander lower, fingers dancing along the hem of my shirt. I lift my arms without breaking contact, allowing her to tug it off. As soon as the fabric is gone, Nejire pushes me back onto the bed, straddling my hips.
"Someone's impatient," I tease, my voice low and gravelly.
"Oh, hush," Nejire murmurs against my lips. "We've waited long enough."
I can't argue with that logic. My own hands trail down the curve of her spine, slipping beneath the towel still wrapped around her body. Nejire lets out a gasp at the skin-on-skin contact, eyes fluttering closed.
Nejire begins to rock her hips, grinding against the hardness she's awakened in my sweats. Each roll of her body sends pleasure pulsing through me.
My lips leave hers to blaze a trail down her jaw to the tender skin of her neck. I nip and suck, encouraged by the soft mewls falling from her kiss-swollen lips. Her nails rake down my back, spurring me on. When I look up, her eyes are dark, clouded with lust.
"Izuku..." she breathes, "I want you..."
That's all I need to hear. In one smooth motion I lift her up and flip our positions, pressing her into the mattress beneath me. Her legs wrap around my waist as I rock against her. I want her, I need her, I can't get enough.
My hands undo her towel, caressing the soft skin of her stomach before slipping higher to cup her breasts. Nejire arches into my touch, head thrown back in ecstasy. Our lips crash together again in a clash of tongues and teeth.
It's frantic, messy, desperate - and perfect. And then I'm inside her, thrusting rhythmically as whimpers of pleasure tumble from Nejire's kiss-swollen lips. Her nails rake down my back, urging me deeper, faster.
I oblige, building up a steady pace. The musky scent of our lovemaking fills the air. Nejire's nails leave stinging trails on my skin that I'm sure will bruise later.
I slip a hand between us, finding the sensitive nub at the apex of her thighs. Nejire gasps, inner walls clenching around me. "Izuku, I'm so close," she pants, eyes glazed with pleasure. I increase my pace, driving into her relentlessly as my fingers work their magic.
Nejire shatters first with a keening cry, her body going taut as her pleasure crests and breaks. The feel of her pulsing around my length hurls me over the edge right after, a guttural groan torn from my throat.
For a long moment we simply cling together, hearts hammering in tandem as we float back down from the high. Eventually I shift us onto our sides, pulling Nejire close. She drapes a leg over my hip possessively, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. I feel the press of her lips against my skin followed by a hint of teeth.
"Mine," she murmurs, the single word heavy with meaning. Her mark. Her claim.
And I don't argue or resist. I trace nonsense patterns along her back with a lazy smile. Because it's true - in this moment, in the tender afterglow of passion, my scheming mind finally stills. No pretense, no ulterior motives, just this stunning goddess tangled around me.
We share a slow, languid kiss as sleep's embrace beckons.
I wake to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Nejire's still asleep, her blue hair fanned out across the pillow. I carefully extricate myself from her embrace, trying not to disturb her.
Pulling on my clothes, I slip out of the room and head towards my own. The penthouse is quiet, save for the low murmur of the TV in the living room. As I pass by, I spot Miruko on the couch, a steaming mug of coffee in her hand.
Her ears twitch as I approach, and she glances over her shoulder. "Morning, kid. You're up early."
I shrug. "Habit, I guess. What are you watching?"
Miruko gestures to the TV with her mug. "Just catching up on the news."
I nod, about to continue on my way when Miruko speaks again.
"By the way, impressive stamina last night. Didn't think you had it in you after our training session."
"I, uh... what?"
Miruko snorts. "These ears aren't just for show, kid. Next time, maybe try keeping it down a bit, yeah?"
"Right. Um, anything interesting on the news?"
Miruko mercifully allows the deflection. "Not really. Some minor villain activity in Hosu, but nothing the local heroes can't handle."
I perk up at that. Hosu. That's where Iida's interning, isn't it? And where the Hero Killer was last spotted.
"Well, I should go get ready," I say, edging towards my room.
Miruko nods, her attention already back on the TV. "Meet me at the warehouse in an hour. We've got a busy day ahead."
I step into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body. As I scrub away the evidence of last night's activities, my mind drifts to Nejire. Her soft skin, her breathy moans, the way she clung to me as we—
I shake my head, forcing myself to focus. Now's not the time for those thoughts.
Finishing up, I grab a towel and wipe the steam from the mirror. My eyes are drawn to a small mark on my neck, just below my jawline. Nejire's "claim," as she called it.
Thankfully, my enhanced healing is already at work. The mark's barely noticeable now, and I estimate it'll be gone completely within an hour or two. Still, I make a mental note to be more careful in the future. Can't have visible evidence of my... extracurricular activities.
I throw on some workout gear – a plain white t-shirt and black shorts. Nothing fancy, but it'll do for Miruko's brutal training regimen. As I exit my room, I nearly collide with Momo in the hallway.
"Oh! Good morning, Izuku," she says.
"Morning, Momo," I reply, suddenly hyper-aware of the fading mark on my neck. Does she notice it? Should I say something?
Before I can decide, Momo's eyes flick to my neck, lingering for just a second too long. Her smile falters almost imperceptibly, but I catch it.
"Sleep well?
I nod, "Yeah, pretty well. You?"
"Mm, not bad," Momo says. She steps closer, her hand coming up to rest on my chest. "You know, Izuku... I meant what I said before."
My breath catches in my throat. "About...?"
Instead of answering, Momo leans in and presses her lips to mine. It's a soft kiss, gentle but full of meaning. When she pulls back, her eyes are intense, boring into mine.
"Remember what I said," she whispers. "Tenfold, Izuku."
With that, she steps back, composure perfectly intact. "Have a good training session," she says, voice back to its normal cheerful tone. "I'll see you later."
Momo gives me one last smile before continuing down the hallway.
These girls will become the death of me.