Top pic credit: unknown

Ari POV:

The smell of food caused me to start stirring around in the big, comfy bed.

I groaned tiredly, as I began waking up....expecting to feel the warm presence and wings of a certain overgrown pigeon, next to me.

I'll admit, I was disappointed when I felt nothing but cold, empty sheets covering my body instead.

Rolling onto my back, I forced my tired eyes open, rubbing the glazed sleep out of them. I began groggily looking around the room, noticing Keigo was nowhere to be found.

Hm, whatever. Maybe he's already at work-

AH!!! OH NO!!

WORK!!

WHAT TIME IS IT?!

My half lidded eyes flew open now, as I quickly shuffled to the edge of the bed, grabbing my phone. I needed to check the time.

8:32 am

"Oh shit! I'm so late." I groaned, stumbling out of the bed, and making my way towards the door.

Throwing it open, I flew out of the bedroom, immediately running over to the couch to pack up my backpack. I had to hurry back to my dorm, change into my hero suit, and head to the Hawks Agency immediately-aghh, wait. I can't go back to UA in my casual clothes from yesterday. Nejire already covered for me last night, and told Aizawa I went to bed early. If I show up now, when the work day has already started, it will look suspicious-

"Woaaah, Hey, hey, hey! What's your rush there, Speedy McSpeedy?! You really tryin' to one night stand me, when we haven't even banged yet? C'mon, at least have breakfast with me, before you go." Keigo called out from the kitchen, over the sizzling of something on a frying pan.

I whipped my gaze towards the kitchen in shock, seeing Keigo moving at a sloth's pace. He was still in his pajamas from last night, whisking up some type of batter in a bowl. He had some laidback music playing on his speaker system, as he casually whistled along to the tune of the song.

I looked at him, completely dumbfounded by what the hell was happening.

"Wha-but, I-I'm so late for work-"

"No way. Really?! That sounds pretty serious. What did your boss say about it?" Keigo asked in mock curiosity, clearing just trying to fuck with me a little.

Remembering who the hell I was talking to, I felt myself starting to relax.

I rolled my eyes at him, feeling an amused smile starting to grace my face, as I carelessly dropped my stuff back on the floor.

Slowly making my way into the kitchen, I noticed he was cooking up a delicious looking meal.

"Hmm. I don't know. What does my boss say about it?" I smirked, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, while he cut up some strawberries.

Keigo's melodious, beautiful laugh filled my ears, as he stopped cutting to turn around in my arms.

His smile was bright, as he looked down at me warmly.

"Dunno. Never met the guy. He sounds like a real tool. But, if you want my advice....I think this should be enough to win him over." He grinned, before dipping his head down for a kiss.

I giggled softly, immediately kissing him back.

"Hm....this wasn't in my employee handbook." I teased against his lips, pulling him back to me for more.

"Ah, it was actually. You just didn't read the fine print." Keigo mumbled into my mouth, already smirking as he knew that comment would annoy me.

"Watch it, bird." I groaned, giving his bottom lip a soft bite.

Keigo hummed in content at my action, grabbing both sides of my face, as he kissed me soft and slow.

My fingers snaked into his messy, blonde locks, starting to deepen the kiss, before he quickly pulled away in panic.

"Mm, wait! Wait! Your pancake smells like it's starting to burn!" He pouted, racing back towards the stove to quickly flip the beloved, slightly smoked food.

My brows raised in shock at his choice of breakfast, as I now studied the cooking mess, scattered around Keigo's kitchen.

"Did you say pancakes? As in....something that's not chicken?!" I asked in mock shock, plucking one of the cut up strawberries from the cutting board.

Keigo grinned proudly, as he tossed the pancake from the pan, onto a stack of already cooked ones.

"Mhm! That's right. While I could eat one of those delicious egg and chicken sandwiches everyday, I'm sure you're sick of eating them by now. And well, you've got a sweet tooth, and so do I...so I thought pancakes would do the trick. I even tried to prepare them the "American Way," so you'd feel more at home. Ya know...slop a ton of oil in the pan and fry those fuckers up, and then...." He explained, starting to have a one sided conversation with himself, as he went on and on....and on.

I always found these moments funny. When Keigo would be talking to me, but really he's just talking to no one. Depending on the day, he could talk for hours about absolutely nothing. Honestly, I found this blissful, because I liked hearing how relaxed his voice was, and I liked the fact that he wanted to proudly explain to me how he prepared all of this.

"-which is great, too. Oh! Also, I just wanted to do something nice for my girl, since I know she had a rough day yesterday." Keigo finished an eternity later, handing me an assembled plate of pancakes, strawberries, and syrup.

I took the heavy plate of food to the table, immediately starting to dig in.

Keigo watched me like an adorable puppy, clasping his hands together in anticipation as he waited to hear my verdict.

"Mm-Keigo!! This is amazing! Oh my gosh. Where did you learn to cook?" I exclaimed, my words muffled by the warm clouds of pancake heaven that danced around in my mouth.

His grin got impossibly wider at my words, as he grabbed his own plate, quickly taking a seat next to me at the table.

If I were being honest, I didn't actually expect an answer to my question. I figured Keigo would just change the subject to something else, the way he usually does.

But, instead...

"Eh. Cooking is kinda something I picked up on my own, actually. A...hobby, I guess is what you'd call it. I don't have a lot of those. But you see, growing up, I always had a fascination with food, because I could never afford to eat much of it. During the rare times I was full, I'd still always finish the food on my plate...and other people's plates, too. Hah, I guess I still do that. Anyways, I thought food was like...a precious gem. Once the commission took me in, I was in awe at how much food was at my fingertips, constantly. Not just the amount, but the variety, too! I'd start playing with my food, and making flavor combinations and shapes out of it, and eventually I started cooking. Guess it's just something that stuck with me, ever since." He explained, surprising the absolute hell out of me with that thorough answer about something from his past.

I continued silently chewing, trying to gage Keigo's reaction on what he just said. Anything Keigo told me about his past usually seemed very uncomfortable, and forced, for him to talk about. The very little things he's told me about his childhood, either slip out when he's distressed, and needs to lean on me for support, or when he feels he's being too distant and needs to share something with me about himself.

But right now, he simply carried on...happily eating his pancakes, not giving his words a second thought.

It made me so happy. He finally opened up to me, willingly, and seemed completely okay with it. Sure, it was about something small. But, the fact that he did it...the fact that he felt comfortable enough to share something important to him...

It makes me think I'm finally starting to break Keigo's emotional barriers, that he always holds up so strongly.

It makes me think he's finally starting to let me into his soul a little more.

"Well...I think that's great, Keigs. You should cook more often, if it makes you happy. I'd be more than willing to be your taste tester." I smiled gently, placing my hand on his wrist comfortingly.

He met my gaze for a moment, quickly averting his eyes back to his plate. A sheepish chuckle escaped his lips, as his cheeks turned slightly pink.

Now, he was a little embarrassed.

"Y-Yeah, I'd like that. We'll make a day of it, sometime." He uttered ever so softly, intertwining my hand with his, as he kept his gaze on his plate.

My heart melted at another rare, flustered moment from Keigo, loving that he occasionally showed me these sides of him. The sides that he doesn't allow anyone else to see.

I gave his hand a light squeeze to get his attention, causing him to direct his gaze towards me.

"Hey. I also wanted to say thank you for last night. For being there for me. It really meant a lot to me, Keigo. It's like...you just always know what to say. You always know what to do to brighten up my mood." I said, feeling myself starting to become shy now, as his eyes studied me intensely.

He was quiet for a moment, letting out a small sigh.

"You shouldn't be thanking me. I'm just sorry you had to go through that, chicky. I'm sorry for everything. It's all my fault." He stated clearly, not breaking away from my gaze as he said the words.

Typical Keigo. Always trying to put the weight of everyone else's problems on his own shoulders.

"No. It's not your fault. I knew there'd be possible consequences we'd have to face, if we started dating. I make my own decision too, Keigo. I knew what I was getting into, when I started dating you. I'm okay with it." I smiled reassuringly, watching him press his lips together tightly at my words.

Keigo was quiet in thought, as I continued eating my breakfast.

By the time he spoke again, I was practically done eating.

"Ari....I have secrets, you know." He stated clearly, hovering his eyes to meet my gaze after he spoke the words. Now, those words from him did seem forced. That was a statement that looked almost physically painful for him to say.

I looked at him in question, not expecting such a weird answer. Not knowing how to take it, I simply remained silent....hoping he would expand on that very vague sentence.

Luckily, he did.

"You said....you knew what you were getting into, when you started dating me. But...there are things....there are things I haven't...told you about myself. Things I want you to know, b-but I just..." He choppily explained, clearly having a hard time expressing what he wanted to say.

I understood, though.

Obviously, he's just referring to his past. He's gotta be. His entire past. His story. He hasn't told me much about little Keigo Takami, and we both know it.

"You just....can't tell me yet." I stated matter of factly, trying to help him finish his words.

He swallowed thickly, simply letting out a defeated nod in agreement with my words.

"Hey, it's okay. I know there's some sensitive stuff that might be hard for you to talk about, Keigo. I don't want you to feel forced to say something you're not comfortable to say. When you're ready to tell me, in your own time....I'll be here." I replied, watching his jaw tense subtly at my words.

He set his fork down, balling his fists together in frustration with himself.

"Ugh, but....I...I don't have enough time. We don't have time. That's the problem. I'm running out of time." He sighed anxiously, sweeping a stressful hand through his hair.

Hm?

"You don't have enough time? Why is that?" I asked in confusion, starting to become lost with where this conversation was heading.

Keigo closed his eyes hopelessly, giving up on the topic, once he heard my phone start ringing.

"I...I don't even know what I'm saying. Hah, sorry for babbling. Don't worry about it, chicky." He smiled weakly, watching my phone lighting up on the table.

I looked at the caller id, seeing it was a client with the Hawks Agency. But, even so...I chose to ignore the call. This moment seemed important.

"Keigo, don't worry about the phone call. If there's something you want to tell me, don't be afraid to tell me-"

"Nooo. No, no. We can talk about it later. Seriously, okay? I've gotta head out too, actually." He muttered dismissively, standing up from the table at lightning speed. He used some of his feathers to clear away the dirty dishes, before sauntering into his room to change.

"Oh? Well, then I'll just wait for you, and we can head to the Agency together-"

"Ah, I won't be at work today. I'm calling out sick!" He said from his room, as bits and pieces of his hero uniform landed in a slump on his bed.

He's literally his own boss. He's calling out sick to himself-

"Uh, okay. Whatev. Where are you going, then?" I asked curiously, hearing Keigo mutter profanities at the fact that his aviators slid off the bed.

"There's someone I need to have words with. The Hawks Agency needs their help. Unfortunately." Keigo sighed, before walking back out of his room a few moments later.

He began tucking his muscle shirt into his baggy pants, quickly fastening his belt, as he tried to find his boots.

Watching him run around the apartment, trying to find his suit like a crazy hobo, made me realize I should probably head out, sooner rather than later.

"Okay. Well, I'll run things at the Agency today. I'll text you later-" I started saying, before Keigo's eyes shot back to me.

"Oh! Uh-wait!" He exclaimed, looking at me in blank question.

"What?"

"I was just wondering if.....maybe you'd like to wear one of my feathers today! You know, since I can't be at work with you." He asked nonchalantly, his voice cracking slightly at his words.

I let out a small laugh, thinking he's probably joking.

"Hah! Miss me that much when I'm away, bird boy?" I smirked, giving him a wink before continuing towards his door.

"Great! So, you'll do it!" He exclaimed, as I felt a soft, red feather on my shoulder not a moment later.

I furrowed my brows in confusion now, trying to brush his feather off me.

"Wait, you're not serious!" I laughed.

Keigo telekinetically kept it firmly planted on me.

"What's not to be serious about, chicky?! I-It's cute and romantic. You can think of me, when I'm away, and I'll be able to feel you. You know....your pulse, your vitals...I'll be able to know where you are at all times-Not in a stalker way, or anything. Just like, I'll know you're not being kidnapped, or murdered by anyone while I'm gone-Okay, that sounded worse, but-"

"Keigo, this is ridiculous. I've been working with you for six months, and my safety has never been an issue. Get this thing off me." I retorted in light amusement.

Not budging his feather, he simply spoke again.

"Well, yeah. But...with...oh! With everything that happened with you and Diane, while I was away, I just want to make sure nothing like that ever happens again." He smiled, already starting to float me out of his apartment.

I quickly planted my feet on the ground, causing his telekinetic movements to stop.

I get it now. He's worried about me, because I had an emotional breakdown last night. I was a hot mess of snot, tears, and sobs. Whoops.

"Well, that's very sweet of you, but you don't have to worry about me. I realize you saw me in a pretty weak state last night, but I can promise you...I'm not that fragile." I reassured, pecking his lips quickly before making my way to the door.

"Now, get it off!" I chirped out, motioning to the feather that was still on my shoulder.

"Ugh. But, chicky!! I just want to make sure you're safe out there!-"

"Now..." I groaned in mock annoyance, finally feeling the fuzzy feather float off my body.

"Fine. Just....please don't hesitate to call me if you need me." Keigo mumbled in anxious defeat.

"Appreciate that, but I'm a big girl, Keigs. I can take care of myself."

A/N: next chap will be out within the next few days. Hope you guys are enjoying the story <3