Switches & Spices

Chapter Twenty Seven

TW: Lemonade

It felt like things really were going to be fine. The doubts were so, so very quiet.

I seriously didn't want to leave the embrace, feeling so vulnerable yet utterly safe in Mana's arms, joined with Eijirou's warmth. Yet at the same time, it was stifling. So much has happened, and I didn't doubt her at all, but I needed to fly. Push all the rest of the stress out, remind myself of the freedom these wings did give for that.

My emotions were stabilizing, but I was mentally beat from the outburst and aftereffects. I was still reeling from the acceptance. The crisp air above the city would help clear my head, plus I still had to be lookout from above. My wings twitched and I looked to Eijirou, seeing his calm grin back to me, nodding and setting both of us down with care, and I let my arms fall away from Mana as my wings stretched behind me.

"A-Alright, I'm going to go back on route. Gonna fly out the last bit of stress! Enjoy the rest of your night, guys." I gave a smile to everyone, taking a steadying breath before moving back and lifting off, pushing myself a little to burn out some of the tension. Some thoughts still lingered about unresolved issues, though I felt calm with Mana.

There was still the worry about how she was strained with her Quirk, but if Bakugou had been looking after her, surely, she had gotten it under control, right? She looked happy and relaxed now past the weariness of crying, so maybe. If not, then she could take more time away. If her workaholic ass would allow it.

I was surprised – happy, but still surprised – that she took a couple of days off in the first place. We could catch up on things in the morning; maybe I could set my alarm a bit earlier to do so. With her closing the shop down, surely there were orders to take care of.

Ahh, the air felt so good up here! I beat my wings stronger, rising higher and higher, letting myself finally glide and lazily spiral the skies above the city. I felt the rest of my stress fall away, looking down at the peaceful crowd. Yeah, peaceful... It really was. Everyone enjoying themselves below, losing their own worries to the festivities.

I set down at the building where Keigo's bag was, crouching on the ledge and humming a random tune to myself, feeling my full heart swelling a bit more as I spotted Keigo's swiftly flying form shoot up the side of the building. He was smiling! I playfully sent out a thin stream of water to tease at his wing as he shot past me, though he grinned and spiraled, making me stick my tongue out at him as he dodged it. Then he spun once more, course changed, diving right for me.

Playing chicken? I grinned and stood my ground, wings outstretched, crouched as I waited on him to dive bomb me, ready to grapple and playfully toss him off the edge as we had done in the past. Though he twisted yet again, one of his wings disappearing as the feathers scattered, a laugh leaving my throat as he chose to wrap them around me instead, constricting my movements faster than I could avoid them with a water cloak. Quick as ever.

My wings tucked into my back and arms locked at my side, I pouted halfheartedly at his grinning face as he landed in front of me, blinking in surprise as he hugged and picked me up slightly, a happy laugh as he spun me. He was in a really good mood! He dropped me back to my feet, grinning as his feathers dispersed, forming back into his wing again. I flicked out a dull twinge in my wings, tilting my head curiously, his chest puffing up slightly as he pressed his fists to his hips.

"Guess who just got a hug from an angsty redhead!" I blinked at him for a moment, not understanding how Eijirou could be called angsty, before realization hit and I gasped. No... Really? Sis never hugged him back!

"She hugged you, Kei?" He beamed in pride, nodding eagerly as his feathers ruffled out in near childlike joy, looking like... Oh, I think this was the happiest I had seen him in a while! I laughed and hugged him tight, a happy penguin-like sway that he leaned into, arms squeezing me back as his feathers tickled at mine.