Elliot had been working on his new novel for the past few months. Because of his dedication, he had become more and more closed off the closer he came to finishing it. He always pushed himself too hard when it came to his books. He thought that if he didn’t finish them that he would be a failure and the entire reason that he moved to the small town would be a waist. He also thought that he would be a bad husband to you if he wasn't able to provide funds for your crops for the coming season. Of course, you could hold your own, you were good with saving and your crops always sold for a pretty penny because of the new fertilizer that you were able to get. It was safe to say that you were financially in the right place, however, Elliot always concerns himself with the “what ifs”

What if you get into an accident on the bus? What if your crops die earlier than they were expected. What if the fertilizer stops working? What if your animals weren’t able to provide enough milk this week?

The what-ifs consumed him and pushed him to continue writing. But the progress he was making on each chapter, caused you two to grow further apart.

Some days you two would barely speak. Others, you could not get a single word out of him. He would always forget to eat so you had to make sure he was doing that while also taking care of the farm. You were getting exhausted. And today caused you to pass out.

You decided to get your farm duties done early so you could get something nice for Elliot in the mines. You know he doesn’t like to show it, but the man loves being spoiled. Especially with crab cakes and some jewels. So, that’s what you decided to get. You understand his determination to get books done when he has the idea in place. You’ve seen him when he has to discard a book because of the loss of direction and you never want him to be that sad again. Even if it costs you quality time to spend with him. You have your farm to distract you anyway.

While thinking about your darling husband, you got distracted and a slime snuck up on you. While you attacked it, there was another that snuck up behind you. You managed to fight both of them off but they messed you up pretty good. Your body was torn and your energy was depleted. You need to go home. You don’t need another $1000 charged because you wanted to complete a task. That would be the tenth time this month and you know Harvey would scold you until your ears bleed. Plus, there is always someone stealing in the mines. No one knows who but if you pass out, you wake up with less than you had before. You found that out the hard way and there is no way you are going to let that happen again.

So, you dragged your sluggish body back to your house. Your feet cried at the fact that your house was so far from the mines. Your stomach yelled at you for not eating before coming here. You thought it would’ve been a quick trip. Didn’t realize that crabs were so hard to come by. Then again the TV did say that your luck would not be good today.

You didn’t even notice that you got home until your head banged against your front door. You opened it and suddenly your legs gave out as soon as the indoor breeze hit you. You didn’t even care at this point, your body was just so exhausted.

In your fog of exhaustion, you didn’t notice that your husband was trying to get your response to see if you were okay. He heard the bang at the front door and knew it was you, what he didn’t expect was the collapse that followed right after that. He knew you worked yourself hard but this was going too far. What could you possibly need that you would risk passing out in a place like the mines?

Once you gave your husband a quiet whisper that you were okay, he walked you over to your shared bedroom and set you on the bed. He pressed his fingers on top of your forehead to see if you had run a fever but everything seemed fine. So he ran to the kitchen to grab you some food that you left in the fridge for him. You did not hesitate to eat it. You didn’t even realize how hungry you were until the plate of food met your eyes. Once you were finished, you set the plate aside and tried to sit up only to be pushed down by the ginger.

“Darling you need to rest”

“I’m okay Elliot, really. I just need to remember to bring some more food with me when I go to the mines. And I probably need to go the adventurers guild to see if I can get a new weapon. Who knew slimes could be so-“

“My love,” he places a hand on your cheek and a thumb on your lips to stop you from talking. “I don’t want you out of my sight for the rest of today, okay? My eyes need a break from the screen and you need to rest. Why not help each other out hm? How does that sound?” You couldn’t help the smile that crawled onto your face or the heat that spread across your cheeks as you looked at the man you loved. “Depends, do I get a kiss out of this deal or?” He only chuckled before pressing his lips to yours, filling the kiss with passion and love, something you both have needed for the past few months. Once he pulls back, he moves into the bed next to you and pulls you close to him, playing with your hair gently to try and lull you to sleep. Of course, it was working.

After a few moments of silence, you can hear the hesitation in his voice. The way he opens and closes it prompts you to ask what is on his mind.

“I am sorry for my neglectful behavior these past few months. It’s just…I feel that if I do not make this book better than my last, I won’t be able to financially support the farm and I would eventually become a burden to you.”

You look up at him and see that his eyes are full of tears and his breath has quickened. You move your hand gently onto his face and slowly make him look at you, giving a small kiss to his nose to try and ground him from the thoughts that continue to rack his mind.

“Elliot, we are fine financially. You know this. You are not and never will be a burden on me. The house is already paid for, the farm is just something I feel the need to do. There is nothing you need to worry about when it comes to finances my darling. Everything is covered. You do not need to worry.”

Though you said this, a smile did not appear on his face like you expected it to. So you did what you know would bring a smile onto his face. You moved your hand into your pocket and felt around for the receipt that Pierre provided when you sold your crops. You showed it to your husband and his eyes lit up in surprise.

"How- you made all of this from the farm? Was this from this month?"

"Darling...that was just from today." You didn't think his eyes could get any bigger, but they did. He sat in shock, looking over the numbers that were inked onto the small piece of paper. The guilty feeling lifted away as you slipped the piece of paper onto the night stand next to you.

"If you ever need help on the farm. Do let me know. Maybe if you showed me how then we can make even more than that."

You giggled at his excitement, moving you hands around his waist and pulling him in closer to you as you close your eyes.

"Yea but you have to learn to remember to water your crops every day my love. And not with salt water..."

Before you could ask, the blonde walked away from you, getting away just as you blinked. Whether this was a date or not, you need to figure out what to wear. Your panic made you call Mina instantly, she would be able to decipher this madness…right? Wrong. When you told her the situation, she brought along the rest of the group, and the five of you could not figure out the blond’s true intentions. The first time looking at the drawing, they said that it was “obviously a date.” However, looking at it a second, third, and fourth time, the group became more confused. 

"Is that a blush on his face?"

"No, he must’ve done that by accident."

"Why would he keep it if it was by accident? It must be a date."

"Look at how he is dressed, it’s too casual. It can’t be a date."

"That’s just how he dresses, plus, it looks like he tried a little more than usual."

The contradicting thoughts made your head swirl. You were so panicked that you didn’t even notice the time. It was just thirty minutes before you had to meet up with the male, and no one could decipher the picture. So, for your sanity, you shoved everyone out and decided to go with the flow. You looked at the drawing, saw what you wore in it, and tried to match it as best as you could. Not too much, but something that shows you still put in the effort. This should be fine...right?

There was no time to debate because as you finish, you look at the clock and realize you’re a minute late. You grab your phone and wallet, then zoom out of your room at a speed that would make Allmight jealous.

As you walk up to the entrance of the dorms, you notice the blonde instantly and he is dressed in the same fashion as you are. You let out a breath that you didn’t realize you were holding and speed walk up to him.

“I’m so sorry I’m late I-“

“Just shut up and let’s go.”

The abruptness of his speech made you turn silent. You decided that talking wouldn't be best until you made it to the cafe.

Little did you know that the crimson-eyed male in front of you was sweating his ass off. Without you talking, his thoughts were going wild. He was so nervous and the fact that you were not your usual chatty, funny, and extroverted self made him doubt if you really wanted to be here. Obviously, you did or you wouldn't be here...right?

He had to try something, anything to get you to talk again. To hear that sweet voice that he subconsciously wishes he could hear forever.

"What the hell did you put on? It's making my nose bleed."

You look up at him and roll your eyes, a small smile plastered onto your face as you walk up beside him. You pinch him a little before responding. "For your information, this is actually my favorite scent so watch what you say next firework."

That nickname. That goddamn nickname. Besides the fact that it is meant to be an insult. It makes his stomach do small flips every time he hears it. The usual nicknames or insults that were thrown his way were never creative enough or personalized to make him care. They were often repetitive of what someone else said or just basic. Maybe Kirishima's was also different but that doesn't count at this moment.

"Oi are you listening" you smack him on the shoulder as you notice the blonde was staring into space.

"Of course I was."

"Then answer my question."

"What question?"

You roll your eyes for the second time that afternoon and ask him once again. "Why are you bringing me here?"

You decided to get the question out into the open so you know what to expect. Whether you were going to be disappointed, surprised, or excited by his answer you couldn't wait all night to hear what it was.

"Because I fucking felt like it. It's your birthday stupid. Plus, you like this shitty cafe, and it's not that expensive."

He shrugs and looks ahead of him again. Of course, he didn't answer your question. Why were you expecting a response outside of that one? He's Bakugou Katsuki.

The rest of the walk to the cafe was quiet. Mixes of small jokes and jabs at each other were sprinkled in every now and then. But that didn't stop the anxiety that settled in the pit of both of your stomachs.

Upon entering the cafe, you hear a mix of coos and meows. This is where you belong. You take a deep breath and smile down as you feel something brushing up against your leg. When you look down you expect to see the cat that always greets you, a cute blue-eyed Birman that you have fallen in love with. However, you are met with a gray British Shorthair in its place. While this has caused you slight shock and panic, you pick up the cat anyway and give it the attention it deserves before putting it back down.

When you're seated at your table, you keep looking around for the cat that was dear to your heart and after looking around you decided that asking an employee would probably be more efficient than looking around. So, you grabbed the attention of the closest one to you and asked where the cat named Harvey went.

"Fortunately, Harvey was adopted! It was just yesterday too." The employee left with a smile on their face while a frown took over yours. Harvey felt like your personal cat. While you knew that he was at risk of being adopted every time you left the shop, you felt that because he was there the next time you arrived, meant that you both shared some sort of connection and that you both belonged together. But that is only wishful thinking.

"This is turning out to be a shitty birthday."

You didn't notice the concerned face that Bakugou wore as you read the menu. You already knew what you wanted, of course, you just like to see the drawings that cascade the menu. Mixes of pinks, greens, and oranges fill the menu in the shapes of vines, hearts, and roses.

"What can I get for you today?"

The voice of your waiter pulled you out of the trance that you were in. Looking at the male, you smiled as you noticed that he wore the signature cat ears that some employees choose to put on. Most don't but some do and it was cool to see that some of the employees put in the extra mile that makes you smile.

The smile that you showed the waiter made Katsuki bawl his fits a little. He took a quick look at the menu and interrupted the small moment by ordering.

"Get me a BL kitty with a black paw-ffee." (Get it? BLT but its BL kitty? No? Pawffee? Okay ill stop

He felt stupid for saying such childishly unfunny puns but he said it now, he can't take it back. The way you giggled made it worth it though.

You know he hated every second of it but he still did it. You thought he wasn't going to order anything or make you order for him but his stubborn nature took over. You turned to the waiter and told him what you wanted. After taking your menus, he strolled off to the back to tell the staff what you want but not before sending you a small smile.

Your face heated up a little bit as you went to go look down at your phone. Seeing that you were added to a group chat named "Bakugou & y/n sitting in a tree", you rolled your eyes and opened it and were overwhelmed with a bunch of text messages asking how it was going. You gave them a quick "it's going okay" before looking up to see that Bakugou has become a favorite for the cats. He had at least three on him in total. One brushing against his leg, one on his lap, and another on his shoulder. He mumbled about how big the one on his shoulder was but didn't move the fur ball. You took this opportunity to snap a picture and send it to the group chat, not noticing their text messages about the sketchbook. You muted the chat because the buzzing was becoming distracting and looked back up to see another cat that had moved against the blonde's leg.

"Damn firecracker, you gettin' all the pussy today." He looked up at you and scoffed, rolling his eyes before moving the cat on his shoulder down on the floor.

"Tell anyone about this and you'll be turned to ashes."

You decided not to tell him that their friend group already knows about the love he's getting. Knowing that it would be much funnier to watch the embarrassment as they bombard him when they get back.

Over the course of three hours, you both make conversation over anything. Training, homework, extra curricular's, your friends, previous birthdays, etc. You were both enjoying yourselves, to say the least. You shared some laughs, especially when Katsuki spat out his drink from how much sweeter it was than usual. Maybe you added some sugar in there while he was in the bathroom...who's to say? When you both finished eating you decided that it would be best to leave. The question was, who was going to pay the bill?

You tried and failed to pay for the entire thing but argued with him over splitting it. He couldn't take your nagging anymore so he agreed to split it with you. When you both got up, you didn't notice the 4,000 ¥ he slipped into your pocket with a small smirk. He knew you were gonna chew him out for it later but he couldn't care less.

The walk back to the dorms was slow. You both didn't want this day to end yet but you were both too afraid to express that to the other.

"I didn't like how that scummy waiter was eyeballing you. I was gonna punch his lights out if he kept looking."

This took you by surprise. Not only did this subject come out of nowhere but the possessive tone behind it made your heart flutter a bit and your brain confused.

"So what if he was looking at me? Not like I'm off the market." He stood dead in his tracks. Looking down at the ground with his hands in his pockets, messing with the loose thread that was in them.

You stopped a few feet ahead of him, looking back when you noticed that the second set of footsteps stopped.

"Kat-"

"So I just wasted my fucking time?!"

His tone was strong and aggressive, masking the hurt and dread that he felt inside.

"What are you talking about?" You were more confused than ever. Your stomach turned and your mind raced at what you could've said wrong.

"This whole thing. Me asking you to come to this stupid place as a fucking date. Just for you to say you want to fuck with a cat boy"

"Wait, date?" Your eyebrows came together and your hands started to shake as you thought about the word that just left his mouth. He was kidding. This was a joke right?

"Yea date you simpleton. Can't you read? Or are you too stupid to read my perfect handwriting?"

"Kat...I don't remember reading anything about a date in your drawing."

His eyes widened slowly as he realized that he both exposed himself and yelled at you for not knowing that this was a date. All because you didn't read his note.

"You're a moron. I put a note on the last page. You didn't fucking read it?"

You shook your head slowly as the beats of your heart began to go faster. This was a date? There was another page after the picture?

"I'm sorry. After I saw the picture I didn't look through the rest of it...guess I should've."

"Yea you should've."

He brushes past you and continues walking towards the dorms. All you could do was sit there in silence. Both shock and fear keep you from joining the blonde. Did you just fuck up your chances?

He stops after getting a few feet away from you and turns around, scoffing at the fact that you are not able to keep up with him.

"Are you coming dipshit? I'm not repeating what I said in that letter. Come read it for yourself."

You snap out of the trance you're in and jog up to where he is and join him in walking back to the dorms.

As soon as you got there, your four friends came up to you bombarding you with questions about how the date was and what you guys talked about.

"Wait- how did you guys know it was a date? I didn't even know."

They handed you the sketchbook. It was opened to the last page that you neglected.

Dumbass,

I guess you're not as bad as the other idiots we're acquainted with. You better read this shit because I am treating this as more than just friends hanging out. I know you like me. You can't even hide it well. But I guess I like your stupid ass too.

This made your heart flutter like he wrote the most beautiful poem for you. You turned around and saw the small blush that started to build on the blonde's face.

"Seems like someone isn't able to hide it anymore." He scoffs and crosses his arms, looking over to the side of him.

"If you would've read it in the first place then we wouldn't be in this situation. But you didn't because you're an idiot."

You walked over to him and caressed his arm gently, trying to alleviate the 'anger' that he was throwing at you. "I know. I'm sorry okay? I'm an idiot I will admit it." You decided to throw away your pride for a second so you can see that grin that he wears when you admit to him being right (which is very rare). It is a special grin that makes his eyes sparkle and his face light up a little. You hate that you have to say that he is right about something for it to show but you didn't care at this moment. You were happy that your feelings are out in the open and you want him to be happy too.

He looks past you to see the audience that was still there and grabs you by the arm to take you to his dorm. He still had one more present for you and he didn't want to have an audience while you both were having your moment.

Once you both were in his room, he flicked on the lights and you immediately heard shuffling. "Is there a rat in here or something dude?"

"After I just admitted my feelings to you, you're gonna call me dude?"

He chuckled and walked over to the source of the noise, picking up what seemed to be a carrying case for an animal...he didn't.

"Kat-"

"Open it. Don't argue with me."

And so you did. You opened the box to see your favorite cat stretching his legs out from being in the same position when he was napping just a few minutes ago. You called out his name and his eyes immediately darted to you, widening slowly as he realized who you were. He jumped out of the box and walked to you slowly, sniffing your arms before he crawled into your lap and sat there. Small tears ran down your cheeks at a rapid rate as you pet him, looking up at the blonde and whispering a quiet thank you. He nodded and knelt down, burning this moment into his brain forever.

"You're lucky you have someone like me around. Those shitty T-shirts could never compare to my amazing gift."

Your eyes roll at his comment, "The T-shirts weren't shitty, asshole. I thought they were cute. But, you and Harvey here are the best gifts I have ever gotten by a landslide. Best birthday ever."

The blush on the blonde's face grew. He was one of the best birthday gifts you've gotten?

"Of course I make a great birthday gift. Who wouldn't want me? Happy birthday, dumbass."

You decide to do something that you've been thinking about doing since becoming friends with the blonde. You move a hand to his face and kiss his cheek, quickly looking back down at Harvey to hide the embarrassment on your face.

"Thank you firework."

You caused this man to malfunction. The mix of the kiss and the nickname has sent his brain into overdrive. The only thing he could get out was

"Whatever ya idiot..."