#kittyphie

You put on the new combo with little hesitation. Tenya’s always getting nice things for you— little gifts here and there. A bag or two. Shoes, dresses, skirts. But makeup is always in passing. 

The assistant who sits in the desk across from yours, a middle aged woman named Saeko with some sort of bubble quirk, types away on her computer. 

She doesn’t comment on your tardiness. She doesn’t wear labels. 

“Iida needs you to accompany him on his lunch,” she says, looking away from the computer and over her glasses. “You’re going to Yoko with Uravity and Deku.” 

“Oh!” Your eyes light up. “I didn’t know Yoko did lunch. When did that start?” 

“A few weeks ago. He’s also asked that you pick out a birthday present for his grandfather.” 

“Oh! How sweet, Genshiro is so nice,” you hum, and open your laptop. It never comes home with you. “Where is he now?” 

“He’s talking to some sidekicks in the Action Room.” 

“Genshiro’s turning 88 this year, isn’t he?” You wonder out loud, opening up the internet browser. 

“That’s your job to keep up with.” 

“I think he is, because he was born in the year of the Snake,” you continue. “Hm, what would an 88 year old man want…” 

“Your job to figure out,” Saeko reminds you. 

Today, Tenya Iida is in a custom made suit in his preferred shade of navy blue. His tie is striped, fun for today, alluding to his good workout that morning. He comes up to his office and nods at you and Saeko, before turning to you. 

“Let’s get to lunch early,” he suggests. 

“Oh!” You close your computer, from where you’d been knee deep in Rolex’s website, with no hesitation. “Sounds good!” 

You open your bottom drawer and procure another, smaller bag. She’s Coach, with a little cherry charm on her. As you transfer your essentials from your larger work bag, Saeko takes Tenya’s ear. 

“I left files for you of some prospective work study students…” she drones on. How boring. 

The minute you stand, Tenya’s eyes are back on you. “Thank you, Saeko,” he’s saying. 

“Is this a business lunch?” You ask as you step into the elevator with him. 

“No,” Tenya says, pressing for the ground floor and then hitting the door close button repeatedly. The second they close, Tenya wraps an arm around your waist and places a chaste kiss against your oiled lips. He pulls away as quickly as it happened, lest someone else come in. “I just wanted to get lunch with you and my friends.” 

“Are we not friends?” You pout. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Tenya replies. “Do you like the lip products?” 

“They’re very trendy,” you say. “How did you pick them out?”

“The sales associate,” Tenya says. “I thought the color would look pretty on you.” 

“And? Were you right?” 

Tenya smiles softly. “I was.” 

You grin widely. The two of you step out of the building, heading towards the restaurant. Yoko is in the area, does simple, homemade meals that taste good with a beer. 

The two of you do not hold hands on the street. As you pass a jewelry store, you linger in the window. Tenya pauses alongside you.

“Those diamonds are gorgeous,” you say, pointing at a pair of earrings. “It looks like they have peridot with them.” 

“Duly noted,” Tenya says. 

You smile up at him. “You’re so sweet to me.” 

Tenya hums. “I’ll fire you soon.” 

Giddy, you turn back to the showcase. “Will you do it before summer? So we can go to Fiji? I don’t know if you saw— I sent you the excel sheet of that trip I planned.” 

“I saw it,” Tenya says, ushering you along with a hand on your lower back that lingers for only a moment. “It looks like a relaxing time, but you know I can’t take off work like that.” 

“That’s no way to live,” you frown. “When we go back to the office, I’m going to book you something to do.” 

Tenya leans down to whisper in your ear as you enter the restaurant. “Just make sure you book for yourself too.” He rises, addressing the hostess. “Iida, for four. We’re a bit early.”

Once you’re seated, you launch into telling him about how you found these nice lacquered wood chopsticks that would be perfect for his grandfather.

“That sounds great,” Tenya says, looking over the menu. “Just get whatever you think he’d like.” 

“I’ll make sure he has a nice note, too. I’ll write it and then you can put it in your handwriting.” 

“He won’t notice if it’s in your handwriting.” 

“It’s the thought that counts!” You insist. “Would you want your grandchild to handwrite you a card?” 

That brings pause to Tenya. He looks up from the menu, then looks over your body. He opens his mouth to say something, reconsiders, and chooses: “I suppose I would.” 

Ochako arrives in tandem with Izuku. When she sees you sitting at the table, she lights up. 

“Oh! I didn’t know we were bringing our partners! I would have brought Miko.”

“[First] isn’t my partner, she’s my assistant,” Tenya says. 

Izuku shares a look with Ochako, who rolls her eyes. She reaches her hand over to place it atop of yours. 

“Don’t listen to him, he doesn’t mean it,” she says with determination. 

Tenya looks at Ochako tiredly. She ignores him. 

“So, how is the painting going?” She asks you, remembering your hobby from last time. Ochako and her girlfriend, Miko, both like you. Like you. They make it known every time they see you. 

“It’s going really well!” You say excitedly. “Tenya got me in an exhibit! It opens on Thursday. At Palais.”

“Miko and I will be there! Will you send me the ticket information?”

“Oh you don’t have to pay,” you say. “I’ll let you in for free.” 

“Don’t be silly! Just text it to me!” 

You do, just as Izuku strikes up conversation about the latest development to his hero suit with his old friends. It’s hard to jump into the middle of, but you’re saved when the server comes over to take your order, causing an abrupt end to the conversation. 

Of course, Tenya orders for you. A nice little salmon dish with… you’re not sure. You never looked at the menu. 

After the meal, you and Tenya head back to the office. It’s rather warm out, so he gets you a taxi. Once you’re seated back at your desk, placing your small purse back in its spot and putting your belongings back in your work bag, Tenya speaks. 

“Place the order for the chopsticks, and then go home. Use my card.” He gets his wallet out and hands over the mirrored card, which you accept gladly. 

“Can I buy wrapping for it as well, and a card? Maybe Genshiro needs some teacups to go along with it? Maybe a tea pet?” 

“Whatever you want,” Tenya says. 

“Whatever I want?” You press the card against the fat of your cheek. 

Tenya takes his eyes over you. “Just bring it to me when you’re done and then go home.” 

“Okay!” You chirp. He turns to head back into his office. 

You order all the bits and bobs you need for Genshiro’s gift, sending them to the office. When they arrive, you can wrap them for Tenya. Drumming your nails on the Amex, you wonder what you’re going to get. 

fleurdumal .com. The babydoll you buy is a sheer light blue with embroidered hydrangeas on the bust. You send it to your apartment. 

Then, you stand and head to Tenya’s office, not bothering to knock. He looks up from his work. 

“I have your card,” you say, holding it out. 

Tenya looks at the card, then looks at your nails. Heating up from embarrassment at how grown out they are, you set the card on his desk. He picks it up and hands it back to you. 

“Go get your nails done, and then meet me at Yallah at eight.” 

You blink at him. “But we’ve already had a meal together today.” 

He blinks back. “Can we not have two?” 

“I— I suppose we can…” you trail off. Then, you blurt out: “I just spent a lot of money on your card.” 

Tenya stands up, and your breath hitches as he does, as you have to tilt your head back to look up at him. He reaches for your hand, taking it in his, palm up. He places the card back in your hand closes your fingers around it. 

“Go get your nails done, and then meet me at Yallah at eight.” 

You squeak a little bit at the moment, but then nod quickly. He’s so tall. You turn on your little heel and clop out of the office, the back of your mule lightly tapping against your pantyhose-clothed foot with every step. 

“Oh, [First]?” Tenya calls, your hand on the door. 

You turn. “Yes, sir?” 

For one awful, horrible moment he’s back in your father’s office, closing a business deal. Your father has one of those offices with dark oak and cognac leather, shelves lined with books he’s probably never read and a stash of bourbon. 

And you’re there in a pretty little sundress to as your daddy— you were grown— some mundane question. In turn, he had turned you away and then stopped you— prompting the yes, sir?— and asked for you to get them some ice. 

And in that awful, horrible moment that he remembers the past, he likes the way those two words make him feel. 

Tenya flicks the edge of the folder he’s looking over. 

“Get them done French.”