"Ei-chan? That was your nickname? Makes sense that I'm not the only one to use it." Tatami ruminate on the revelation of her partner's middle school nickname.

"Sheesh. No need to laugh so much about it." The boy frowned and furrowed his brow, though a grin started to tug at the corners of his mouth.

"I like it though. It actually kind of...makes this more special if that makes sense? Like, I get to see your natural hair. Find out more about middle school for you. I must sound like a dork. But this means a lot...Ei-Chan." The slightly older girl grinned and teased while rustling her boyfriend's hair.

She loved stuff like this. She loved training to be a hero. She loved fishing with Yo when he wasn't on his jealous jerk kick. Hopefully they could have a nice chat and be buds like old times. Things were different know but she missed her friend, asshole or not.

She loved her little Herp crew with Setsuna, Habuko, and Tsuyu. They sometimes let Rin from Setsuna's class participate in their meetings with his bearded dragon, Xiangshi. They even had a new recruit from Tatami's school. She was an underclassmen but large enough to carry some of her friends. The girl, named Emi, was dating another of Tatami's friends and was very sweet.

She loved getting to work with icons like Ryukyu and Miruko, she loved her mom, and she loved her tortoise Shelly's little shell wiggled when it was grooming time.

But what she loved above all that right now was hanging with this boy. His smile was like sunshine, his drive to be a hero was sturdy and even with his insecurities, Eijirou was going to make one hell of a hero. She saw it in his mannerisms and in his fighting style and heard it in his laugh.

"Hey now. Cut it out, Tam! You'll mess up the do." He Teased back. There was no "do" anymore and really, There was no actual embarrassment. Eijirou was enjoying this. He felt closer to this girl and was ready to fully embrace those two relationships: the one with Tatami and the one with himself.

Sitting in the blonde's room, the young couple relaxed, with the Ketsubutsu student taking out a photo album she had nearby and showing off some old memories, from her kappa themed 5th birthday to her first turtle, Polnareff (bless his shell).

Taking out his phone, Eijirou showed off some recent photos as well. There were a lot with his friends, whom he had saved to a contact folder labeled "Riot Squad".

Images of him and Tetsutetsu, Sero, Denki, and Mina were on display, as well as a few with Izuku and others.

A few of the young toothy couple were in there as well, including some at the aquarium and one at a pride event. The two were adorned in matching "mlm/ wlw solidarity shirts" and had painted their hands in the colors of the pan and bi pride flags, arranging two halves of a heart to make a whole one. It was a fond memory, if not a recent one.

As they scrolled through the photos, one in particular caught the blonde teen's eye. She did a double take as she observed a bottle adorned with the likeness of her boyfriend, dressed in hero garb and flexing a video.

"Hold the phone!"

"That's what I'm doing."

"No no no. What. Is. That?"

"Oh...my homemade marinade." The boy shrugged, hiding a bit of bashfulness. He didn't know why though. There was nothing to be embarrassed of. DIY kitchen creations were the height of manliness.

"Did you really make and bottle your own marinade?" Tatami asked taking her boyfriend's phone and gawking at a photo if a bottle in awe.

"You make it sound weird."

"A little, but it is mostly cute. Like you."

"I'm manly, not cute." The boy tried to sound tough, but he had a soft spot beneath his hardening quirk: that big old heart of his.

"You can be both. See?" The turtle girl flexed before giving a peace sign and a wink.

"You're better at that than me."

"Guess your Senpai will have to teach you, little Ei-Chan. I will keep my Ei on you." Tatami wiggled her eyebrows and winked, causing her boyfriend to nearly choke while laughing.

"You're such a nerd." He shook his head and looked at her affectionately.

"You sound like that Bakugou guy. The one who won your first sports festival."

"Well he is one of my best friends." It felt strange admitting that, but relieving in a way.

Tatami stopped, eyes growing wide along with her smile. She let out a squeal.

"You made up! Finally!"

"Yeah. Maybe best friends is overstating it right now on my part but it's a start...wait. Finally?"

"I knew you used to be friends, almost more. But things got weird. You kind of got weird for a while so I am happy to hear you call him your friend. You are at peace with yourself now."

"Well I wouldn't say that just yet. I still have a way to go."

And he certainly did, at least until he could stop bringing it up all the time. Man, it was ridiculous. He was insecure about his insecurities at this point.

"Pfft. You always say you came this far. Slow and steady, right? Sorry. That must sound cliche. It is true though. I am proud of you."

"Thanks. But if you are going to call me Ei...call me Ei-kun."

His cheeks flushed as he looked down with a hint of embarrassment.

Tatami let her long blonde hair down, deciding that if Eijirou was going to let loose, so would she. Besides, if her boyfriend was going to be himself, so would she, though he seemed to have pretending more than she was.

"Wow!"

"I know, right? It is so weird letting my hair down. We both like our product. But you inspired me a bit."

"Tam...you look beautiful." Eijirou stated, eyes meeting hers.

"I...oh...well I should hope I always...look…"

Their eyes met, sparkling like a flash of sharp teeth or the sheen of oiled up muscles. Gender wasn't the limiting factor for the two teens. In some ways it made the field wider, some would say. That was one way of looking at it, flawed as it was. Nevertheless, these two souls had found each other. Whether soul mates were even a thing was beyond them, but when their lips met in this moment, it was like a wave had hit them both.

"Tam?"

"Yeah?"

"I...I'm not good at this. I'm young, you know? I mean, you are too but...god, punching things is easier...I guess I just want to say...I love you."

The blonde's eyes widened. She was struck by a double whammy and could only stare blankly while her face flushed intensely. A painted on smile accompanied the girl's stare as her lower body swallowed the rest of her.

Not long after that, a high pitched squeal escaped from the sinkhole left in Tatami's body. It sounded like a kettle going off.

Before Kirishima could reach out and ask if she was ok or if he had said it too soon, the blonde girl had rocketed out like a jack-in-the-box. Her lips met his own once more, but with more passion this time.

The two spend the next hour or so styling each other's hair, with Tatami now sporting her boyfriend's usual spike hair. It looked a bit odd on her, as did her style on him. Still, it was a bit of fun in their down time, with no villains or drama or exams to worry about. All they had was each other's company.

"Is it anti-manly if I paint your nails?"

"Depends. Will you draw little red R's on them?" He chuckled. He was already trying to work on larger worries of self worth. Nail art wasn't even on his radar now.

"I will now." The blonde perked up, hair still spiked up into horns. She felt like Gamera in this moment. Teen girl Gamera. She even wore a turtle themed headband around her hair now to seal the aesthetic.

"There we go! Manly nails for the manliest man." The Ketsubetsu student beamed.

"Awesome. Good job, Kamebebi." The boy touched his forehead to Tatami's making sure to let her handiwork dry before he used his own hands again.

A knock came at the door.

"I'm gonna make this quick as we both have things to do. I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Yeah. Not going to say it twice. I guess...I didn't want to wait or say it over the phone. I got you at A bad time but...I miss my friend, ok? And I want to be happy and to go fishing with you again. I was being…"

"Kind of a jerk? More than usual."

"Yeah. That. I'm going to get some ice cream. I'd ask you but I don't date girls in relationships. Not interested in being a third wheel."

"You are bad at this."

"Pardon?"

"Being sincerely charming. When you are being sneaky, you are all smiles and excitement."

"I learned from observing someone good at it. Just kind of aped her movements."

"Yo?"

"Yeah?"

The turtle girl hugged her friend then punched him in the arm. It was the kind of rough housing employed by friends siblings when one was being annoying or stubborn and this was no different.

"Ow! What the fuck."

"I am glad you are done being all moody and jealous. Two for flinching by the way"

Shindou rubbed his arm where the girl laid her playful blows.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever. I was getting sick of it. Anyway, I'm gonna roll, but we should go to the fishing hole sometime. The three of us."

"Come again? I thought you didn't want to be a third wheel?" The shorter student teased, bouncing on her heels. There was a time when this would have been so cute it made his heart skip a beat. However, there was no point holding out for something that wasn't going to happen.

"I don't. But If this rockhead is important to you then…"

It sounded too stupid and out of character for him to finish but Tatami got the message. She couldn't help but smile. Yo was one of her best friends, though he could be sneaky and kind of an asshole. And yet he was like a brother to her. She could not help but think how he saw her and now she was getting more insight through context clues, not just into how he viewed her before, but what he was willing to do now.

"Anyway, yeah. Gonna go. See ya."

"I'm not your dream girl, Yo."

"That's been established. I'd rather not chase dreams anyway. Not unless it's to be a better damn hero than some of those UA dorks. Besides...There is plenty to appreciate that I can hold in my hands. Like a fishing rod."

The dark haired boy looked wistfully to the sky before waving to his friend without looking back.

The two friends parted ways for the time being as the blonde headed inside once more.

X

It wasn't long until the young couple were digging into the meal prepared by the lady of the house. It was a mixed meat and seafood curry she prided herself on since her days in college and in the navy. It was an acquired taste but it became a fave if her late wife.

"Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Nakagame! May I have seconds?"

"Wow, Tatami. You certainly picked a boy with a healthy appetite. As long as food is the only thing he gets hungry for."

Kirishima nearly choked on his this a while the turtle girl snapped at her mother.

"MOM!"

"What? It's a common worry among parents. I'm not ready for grandkids yet. Besides Shelly I mean"

"Nope. Nope. No...pe…" the folding girl collapsed in on herself in a bid to escape while her blushing boyfriend instinctively tensed up.

"Relax, kids. I trust you. Better safe than sorry though."

"My mom really likes you, despite her attempts to embarrass you right out the door."

"It's cool. I like your mom. Besides, I could just sneak through your window."

"Not very heroic of you, Mr. Riot."

"Please, Mr. Riot is my father. Call me Red."

"Sorry, your hair is black so it doesn't work anymore. Also that joke is so corny."

"Dang. I thought it was a winner. You win some you lose some. I probably hang with Denki too much."

"Maybe. You could always spend more time with me" the girl flashed a smile and fluttered her eyelashes.

"I mean I see him everyday on campus...um… I could sneak you in my backpack."

"Why would you sneak me in? Embarrassed of me?"

"No! Not at all! You're amazing, Tam. I just think it would be easier than explaining the upperclassman from another school living in my dorm"

"That is super sweet, Ei. Plus that prank never gets old. But we will have to wait I suppose...OH! HOLD ON!"

The turtle girl perked up.

Getting off of her bed and walking over to her dresser, the girl dug through socks and panties, looking for something. What it was, Eijirou had no idea, but he would wait while she retrieved it.

Returning to the bed, she pulled out a small box.

"So my mom and...my mom met in college. They didn't get married until after but their first year, they started dating...and well, try it on."

The former red-head's eyes sparkled as he beheld a modest yet important looking ring. It seemed to be silver but metal wasn't really his field of expertise unless one was referring to the music. It could have been stainless steel. He would ask Tetsutetsu but this was hardly the time.

"It's a promise ring...my other mom died years ago… when I was a baby...but I think her and my other mom...sorry. I must sound so confusing. I want you to have it though, and I am sure they would too."

"Tam… holy shit...this is…"

"If it is too soon I understand. Sorry. I didn't mean to overwhelm you. Ugh, I moved too fast. Not enough like a turtle, I guess. I have to slow...down?

Eijirou gently grabbed his girlfriend's hand and guided her to slide the promise ring onto his finger.

"Tam. It's fine. More than fine. It's just...wow, you really throw a guy for a loop. Just going with your heart...caution to the wind...I'm glad I have such a manly girlfriend...that came out wrong, didn't it?"

"So you-"

"Only if you promise to as well, Kamebebi" The boy with black hair, now styled in fins and a fringe, flashed a bright smile. This prompted a giggle and a blush.

"Staaaaahp...please don't stop. But if you're gonna call me Kamebebi, you're now Sharky."

"I...look nothing like a shark."

"Sure you do. We've been over this. Sharp teeth, rough skin with your quirk, and you're cute and awesome."

"Sharky it is." The boy sighed as he hugged his girlfriend, her slightly shorter frame curling around him as if to lock him into place.

"This is nice.

"You're telling me. Just don't get too comfortable. I have to get up soon. I have curfew soon in an hour and I still have to get-"

But it was too late. Tatami was out for the count. Sensing no point in resistance, the boy sighed intently and settled in for the night. He was flushed for sure. What if her mom walked in? What would Aizawa sensei do? But truth be told, he wanted this anyway. Even the unbreakable needed a break and even those who were hard needed to be soft at times.

Kissing her on the forehead, Eijirou soon joined his girlfriend in slumber.

X

Tatami's mother peered in on her daughter as she walked through the hallway. If her wife had still been among the living, there would have been words. That's for sure.

Tatami looked so much like her, those blonde tresses and eyes that smiled just as bright as her teeth. Aiku's hair was more strawberry blonde however as opposed to her wife's more platinum blonde.

"That's weird. But sweet. You are such a dork"

Memories crashed like the waves of the beach they had their first date on. They ebbed and flowed and left Tamiko feeling sore and raw, years creating down her cheek like the day they fell in the waves or the day she and Tatami laid their beloved Aiku to rest.

At least her daughter was carrying the legacy on. She never got the big to-do about boys but whoever her daughter loved, she would support, though not without a little teasing. Aiku would have been a bit more bombastic and accommodating. Not that Tamiko wasn't but she was also the more relaxed one. Having to fill both those roles hurt at first. Even now they stung. However seeing their daughter grow up, train to be a hero, and fall in love, was something she took a world of pride in.

If it weren't for the dates being off and how creepy it sounded, she liked to think this Kirishima boy carried on her wife's put it. But no, this love was new and lovely and she would nurture it. However, as a single mom and former sailor, the middle-aged woman would still keep an eye out.

Eijiro's phone rang like crazy. Tamiko assumed family at first until she realized the boy formed. It was a possibility he checked in with them, but it was more likely to be friends or staff.

"Kirishima, this is Aizawa. May I ask why you are violating curfew?"

"Hi...I have to apologize to him when he wakes up but he seems to have dozed off and my daughter seems to be clinging to him like a belt."

A sigh escaped on the other side of the phone, as well as incoherent mumbling of frustration and exhaustion.

"Right. Thank you. Remind him not to do this again. At least he didn't start a fight. Damn kids. So illogical."

And with that, the gruff man hung up, leaving Tamiko to watch the two sleepy heads before closing the door just a smidge. She didn't want to leave them unattended for too long but something told her they would trip over their cleats and stumble into the dugout before even approaching second base after her jokes during dinner.

"Still got it."

And with that, the woman headed down to the kitchen to put some tea on. She would keep an eye out for another hour before following the children's lead. Protectors all, they had something or someone to cherish and something to keep them secure.

In years to come, the memories of this early courtship would be just as cherished, as well as what came after, though not without a fair dose of adversity.

That however, was a tale for another time.

Once again, this is a shorter chapter that took too long but also probably came off as rushed, but I decided to end it here for a few reasons. One being a thematic one...a MAthematic thing! Walk ended at chapter 20, Reptile will end at ch 15, and now we end MaG (ha! My name kinda) at 10.

But nah. That is mostly coincidence. Fact is, while I like this pairing and these characters, I wrapped most of the plot threads up. Only main one is probably anything with the NeXT gang and honestly that can just be a fix on its own. I would rather not drag my already ambling slice if life stuff out too long. Better to end it at a semi-natural point.

Also my plate us getting full and I want to clean it. After I wrap Reptile and my commissions up, I think I will take a hiatus from MHA fics for a bit. I have other ideas and priorities and want to do more of those. Actually get those ideas out and not just remain in the MHA mines forevs.

I will still be involved in some ways but not on an ongoing basis. Not for a while.

Anyway, you know the drill. Leave feedback please. Or not. Your choice. Either way, hope you enjoyed this and that you enjoy what comes next as well. For Kirishima and Tatami, for the backstory if their families, for other characters, and for me as a creator.

Xoxo

Peace

P.S

Almost named this chapter Back in Black but Fade to Black seems more fitting as a finale, I decided. Either way, it's dad rock references from your weird rare pair auntie. Is that ok? I know there is a lot of discourse surrounding aunties and their aunties in turn.

I should stop being silly and wrap this up for real.

July is when I wrap all my stuff up. Except for one thing. One neglected thing unrelated to MHa that is long fucking overdue. Stay tuned. See ya later, gators.

PPS. I like this little girl's club (plus Rin) I assembled themed after reptiles and amphibians. Just saying.