Chapter Text
"That was pretty cool back there. You know, the whole 'crush enemies into the floor' thing? Yeah, that was awesome. You, leaving before we even got to say hi though? Not so awesome. That's actually kinda rude. Normally, I'd like to meet the people who I rely on to guard my back."
Mika, better known as his hero name Sylph, glared at the figure casually leaning against the door on the rooftop. Yuu, aka Striker, was not-so-subtly blocking Mika's entrance to the building.
"What do you want?" he growled. He was tired and sore from the fight just an hour ago, and he wanted nothing more than to enter the building, go to his penthouse, and collapse in his bed.
Yuu pushed himself off the wall, brushing off imaginary dust. He smirked and held out a hand. "Striker, leader of the Imperial Warriors. Just Warriors for short."
Mika responded with a dead panned stare, before replying. "Sylph." He ignored the offered hand and instead tried to step around Yuu. "Now, if you'll excuse me-"
Yuu used his superspeed, grabbing his arm and pushing him against the wall before he had a chance to react. "Cutie, we've only just met. Don't tell me you're getting tired of my company?" Yuu asked with a taunting smirk.
Mika glared at Yuu. "Actually, I am." He tried to shove Yuu off of him. "I don't appreciate being blocked from entering my own home"
Yuu stared at Mika's face, gauging his reaction. Hm, lots of irritation, and... a bit of blush? Interesting.
He chuckled and stepped back. "Oh, you're pretty feisty. Not bad, I totally dig that."
Mika growled at Yuu, although it looked more like a pout. He crossed his arms, hoping the red on his cheeks was hidden by the night. "Aren't you supposed to be some great hero leader? Striker, the idol and role model of children everywhere? I'm not sure being an overly pushy flirt matches your public image."
"Hey, no one said I couldn't have some fun. Besides," he leaned closer, his mouth right next to Mika's ear. "It's not like you mind, do you?"
Mika felt blush take over his entire face. He stepped back, looking away. "S-Shut up! I helped you guys out, and in return you're blocking me from entering my own home? If I knew this was how you were going to respond, I wouldn't have bothered saving you guys earlier."
Yuu mock-pouted. "But Syyylph," he drew out Mika's name, whining like a child. "You wouldn't really have let us get killed by that monster-freak, right?" He batted his eyes, pulling an exaggerated frown.
Mika sighed. "No, I wouldn't. But," he raised a hand to stop Yuu from interrupting. "That's only because I'm a hero, and it would go against my moral code to stand back and watch while you got smashed to a pulp."
Yuu put a hand over his heart in mock-offense. "Excuse you! I could've kept myself alive just fine."
Mika nodded. "Sure. And that's why I had to step in just in time to keep you and your teammates from getting a super-strengthened fist through the head."
Yuu grinned. “Yeah, that was awesome. Well, not the near death experience, those are way too common to be excited anymore. Honestly though, I've never seen anyone appear out of thin air and summon a miniature tornado, and believe me, I’ve seen a lot of impressive stuff in my time as a hero. ”
Mika turned away, flushing at the sincere praise. "I-It wasn't much..." He scratched the back of his head, not sure how to respond. Yuu and his team were well known and loved among the people, so it was completely normal for them to show up at public events, get attention, and greet civilians. Mika, on the other hand, was more of a solo, ‘keep-to-myself’ kind of guy. Besides a few photos and news reports, the public rarely ever saw or met him.
Yuu laughed. "Not much?" He lightly shoved Mika's shoulder. "You kicked butt back there. You used your cool wind strength to literally rip a warehouse off of the ground!”
Mika felt himself flush even more. "Y-Yeah, well...um..." He shoved Yuu away. "I'm going inside now, so stop bothering me and don't you dare follow me!" He turned away, intent on heading towards the rooftop entrance.
Yuu followed after him, poking Mika's cheek with a finger. "Aw, you're blushing. Cute." Mika looked at him, mouth open and about to yell. Yuu continued before he got the chance though. "Hm, not used to compliments, are we? That's a shame, the whole world should be in awe of you...ah, but I guess it's better for me. The less people see you, the less people there are to compete with." He smirked at Mika's flustered expression.
"I-I...erm...wh-what do you want? Why are you even here to begin with?!" Mika pointed a finger at Yuu accusingly, glaring. "And don't say it was for introductions. I may not get as much media attention as you guys, but I’m sure you already knew who I was before you got here!"
Yuu backed up, raising his hands in a surrendering pose while laughing. "Alright, alright, you caught me. I came because I just had to get a closer look at that fine-"
Mika’s face turned beet red and he screamed. "FINISH THAT SENTENCE AND I'LL LEVITATE YOU OFF THE ROOF!"
"Okay, okay, geez." Yuu kept laughing. "You're really fun to tease, you know that?" He stopped laughing and instead offered Mika a more serious smile. "But in all honesty, I came on behalf of the Warriors to ask if you were interested in being part of the team."
Mika stared at Yuu, blinking. That had definitely been unexpected. "...um...What?"
Yuu sighed in mock exasperation. "You're not deaf. I asked if you wanna join the Warriors."
Mika continued staring at Yuu, before slowing shaking his head. "Um, sorry but no. I'm fine with working solo."
Yuu frowned. "But -"
Mika shook his again, more firmly this time. "I don't do 'teams', so as much as I appreciate it, I'm going to have to reject the offer."
He looked at Yuu, and almost immediately felt bad for his response. He looked really dejected.
Working with others hadn’t been bad...as a matter of fact, although he’d never admit it aloud, he actually found it kind of fun. He didn’t want to be restricted by commitments to a team, but…
Mika clenched his fists, coming to a decision.
"Here." He thrust a metallic black object at Yuu.
Yuu blinked at it in confusion, before hesitantly accepting it. "What is it? It's not one of those fancy explosives, right? Or the heat activated taser? I know those gadgets of yours are mainly based on rumors, but- Wait, did my visit really annoy-"
Mika crossed his arms and turned away. "It's not a weapon. In case you forgot, I fight on the side of justice too. Even if you annoyed me a lot, I wouldn't blow you up, stupid," he huffed. His face was probably doing a really good impersonation of a tomato right now. "It's a communicator."
"A commun-,” Yuu looked up at Mika with wide eyes. “So, you're willing to-"
"Only in emergencies!" Mika interrupted. "I-If it's not an emergency, don't bother me with it!"
Yuu grinned. "Got it. You're officially my unofficial partner!"
Mika's eyebrows crinkled in confusion. "Your partner?"
Yuu smirked. "Yep. Because there's no way I'm letting the rest of my team take you. Call me selfish if you want, but when it comes to certain more precious things..." He leaned in to whisper into Mika's ear. "I don't like sharing."
Mika felt his face heat up for the millionth time that hour. "You-!"
Yuu ran over to the edge of the roof, waving at Mika. "See you soon, cutie!" He called out in a singsong voice.
With that, he was gone, speed running through the night.
"STRIKER!!"