Switches & Spices

Chapter Three

"No way... Butterfly? Is that... you? Tama?"

My voice was uncertain, though, by the sudden sputtering choke that came from Suneater, I must have been right.

I didn't pay attention to the real names in the reports, even opting to censor them if possible, not wanting to invade any more privacy than I already had to without their consent. How could I have not realized it before?

His continued coughs dragged me out of my thoughts, a wing stretching out and curling to gently hit his back a few times, my brows furrowed. I could always just pull the water from his throat, but that wouldn't stop the agitation, let alone using my Quirk on others without consent wasn't exactly kosher. I opted instead to gently whack his back with the stiffened feathers.

"I'm sorry, I probably should've waited till you swallowed..." A soft apology given, I watched him as he cleared his throat a few times, seeing the adorable, familiar blooming of a blush at his cheeks. His ears even turned red at the tips! How adorable was that?! The sight made my heart melt.

He opened his eyes, peeking back at me, and gently set the cup down, looking at my wing. I retracted it from his bubble soon as his breathing evened out, snugging it behind my back while rubbing the back of my neck a little, before moving my hand to rub at my tensed shoulder to idly massage it out.

"I hadn't heard that name in years... I-Izu? Izumi Ayumu? How even... Wings? I thought you didn't..." Tamaki Amajiki's brows were creased now, a small spark in those usually dull, uncertain eyes of his. The feathers on my wings fluffed slightly, a wide smile taking my face over reflexively. 

Holy... He remembered me? My heart hammered in my chest as I nodded, before faltering at his question of my wings. I glanced to the feathers, inhaling slightly before shaking my head, looking back to him as I picked up my cup again.

"It's been a long time, huh... Um, the wings came later! Yeah. Kinda a surprise, huh? But yeah, this is me! A-And look at you! The amazing Suneater... Hah, I'm sure those jerks are eating their words now, huh?" I couldn't help the excitement that came back to my voice, seeing him stifle down a small chuckle, his hand tentatively reaching out to press his fingertips against the back of my free hand.

I felt my cheeks heat up at the gentle touch, wings fluffing again. He had done that years back, the soft warmth of his fingertips comforting my cooler, almost clammy hands back then.

"It's good to see you again. After you disappeared so suddenly, I was worried... What happened?" His voice was full of a mix of relief and concern, even as he kept his small smile. My wings wilted a bit behind me, before I shook my head, taking another drink of my tea. I needed to redirect this quickly. 

A brief sensation of concern from Mana filtered through my consciousness, but I ignored it. I was alright, sending a calm flow back through our link to reassure her.

"W-Well... A lot. But that's not important! We're both here again, right? After how many years? And we're both heroes! Definitely better than some sad past shit, right?" I tugged my hand back to wave it off like it didn't matter, an absent pang in my heart as his gentle warmth was removed.

Typical touch-deprived bullshit. That's all it was, wasn't it? His smile was gone, a frown in its place. Shit. That pang grew in my chest, making me curse internally again. I probably should've just come up with a lie. It was so easy for everyone else, so why not him?

"You were... Never the best at lies, you know? Like me. It's been tough for both of us, hasn't it." He looked down at the murky tea, taking a careful sip, grimacing at the slight burn from his former coughing fit, though his shoulders dropped as he felt the agitation soothed. I took a breath, admiring his softened face, vague little memories of younger, happier times. Gods, those seemed so fucking far away...