Chapter Text
Tsuyu couldn't tell you exactly when it happened.
That wasn't so strange though, right? Being in love was kind of like wadding through a pool. If you go slowly, you can build up your courage, make your way further in. By the end of it, you wouldn't even realize you were in the deep end.
Well, until you started drowning.
All of that was besides the point, though. The important piece was she complete understanding of the moment, the exact second she realized she was in love. That was just as good right?
Honestly, the day had been like any other, all in all average. Of course, she may have been so far gone with Toga that she didn't realize how bad things were getting but...never mind. To skip to the point, she was out at the movies with Toga when it happened.
"Tsu," Toga whined, "Let's see a romantic comedy!"
Tsuyu looked at the movie her girlfriend was pointing at with such fervor, "That movie looks awful, ribbit. Are you joking?"
"Wha...I would never! It's a story about an avocado and a banana falling in love! How could you not want to see it?"
"I regret coming here with you."
"In all fairness, what did you expect?" Toga hums, smile playing across her lips.
That...wasn't quite wrong. What was Tsuyu expecting?
Ah yes, she knew now, "To watch a good movie?"
"Okay, I get it," the blonde snickered, "but think about it. An avocado and a banana."
"Thought about it. Answer's still no, ribbit."
"I don't think you get my point. An avo "
Tsuyu frowned, "I think I do. What about a horror?"
It wasn't quite a question. She knew her girlfriend well enough for her to know that that even the potential for a gory mess would draw her in. Was it enabling her to suggest such a movie? Maybe. Was it worth it?
Most certainly.
"Ooh! Yes! What about...er, 'Zombie Deathstorm Two?' We can cuddle during the scary parts!"
"Sure."
Toga sighed, "Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a wall. Have some more passion!"
"This, 'wall,'" Tsuyu made a point to roll her eyes as dramatically as possible, "is paying for all of our snacks."
Suddenly the other is grinning, giggling, "Have I ever told you how how I respect and appreciate you?"
"Flattery isn't going to get you anywhere, Himiko."
"Aw...Tsu...please?"
Stupid Toga and her stupid gorgeous eyes, "Fine, c'mon. You go get your snacks, ribbit."
Toga was all too happy to oblige, instantly spouting off item after item she wanted. Tsuyu didn't usually liked it when people talked that much. She was straight to the point, and she wasn't a fan of anyone who spent more time than necessary to get their points across, and yet...she couldn't quite mind it right then. Toga's voice was just too sweet, too excitable, too charming. Toga was all those things in general. She loved her.
Her ah, voice that is.
It wasn't long before they had settled into a pair of seats, all but drowning in snacks.
"You know, I'm a little worried I won't be able to watch the movie, "Toga snickered softly, "Sorry, darling."
Tsuyu put a finger to cheek, "Huh? Why?"
"I don't think I can look away from someone as cute as you, even if for a moment."
"Himiko..."
"Aw, is my little hero blushing?"
"Quiet. I don't want to miss the previews, ribbit."
"Way to change the subject! At least let me stab you!"
"Himiko!"
The movie was over almost deceptively quick. It was over two hours, and yet time flew by.
That always seemed to happen when Toga was by her side.
"Not enough gore!" Toga groaned, dragging Tsuyu along with her, "When you rip off someone's arm, way more blood comes out!"
"Your speaking form experience, aren't you?" she cannot tell you when that became normal to fathom.
"No comment. Anywho! The night is still young and that movie was garbage! I say we head to the arcade!"
"Do I have a choice?"
"If that choice is yes, then sure."
Tsuyu couldn't help her smile, Toga had a way of bringing out the lightheartedness in her, "That's the exact opposite of having a choice, but I'll humor you."
"Yahoo! Whoopee! I'll win you something real special, Tsu!"
True to her word, the second they found a arcade, Toga instantly ran over to the claw machine.
"Those are rigged," Tsuyu warmed, as her girlfriend slid some (probably stolen) money into the machine's slots.
"Pah! Clearly, you've never met Toga Himiko, the claw master extraordinaire!"
"I guess I haven't. Tell me, oh powerful Himiko, what's your secret?"
"Can't tell you."
"Why?"
"I need you to be extra impressed, my dear! Tell me, which plushie do you want?"
Tsuyu glanced over the stuffed toys, eyes landing on a pink penguin, "How about that one, ribbit?"
"Consider it done."
In mere moments, Toga had the claw positioned over the toy, picking it up. In a few more seconds, in had been dropped into the slot and shoved into Tsuyu's arms.
"Ta-da! I know, I know, I'm great!"
Tsuyu looked at Toga's face, "You really are."
She wasn't saying it only to fluster the other. Well, that was one of the reasons, but not the only one. She had issues, sure. Lot's of them, but there was a tenderness she showed Tsuyu that made her heart spin. She almost felt stupid to be so easily manipulated but it was true. It was how she felt.
Damn feelings.
Toga's face was more flushed than normal "...You really think I'm great?"
"I don't say things I don't mean," came the response, "You know that."
"Well...duh!" Toga stammered, "I, uh, just...I like hearing it. You care about me, right?"
Oh, she understood now, "Of course."
Toga shuddered, "Say it again, please."
Tsuyu grabbed her hands, "I care about you."
It was then, in that one awful, amazing moment, with Toga, no, Himiko's hands in her's that it really clicked. Looking at her soft eyes, warm smile, she could separate herself from all the bad things the girl in front of her had done.
She loved her, after all.