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After the intense session, Toji figured you’d need some proper aftercare. Food, water, something sweet. Basic survival supplies. So he dragged himself to the nearest store, hands shoved in his pockets, grabbing whatever looked decent.
Chocolate muffins. A sports drink. Some pain relief cream.
As he reached for the muffins, a woman slid up beside him.
She was slim, well-dressed, and smiling in that very deliberate way people do when they already think they’ve won.
“Hello, handsome~” she said, leaning against the shelf. “You got a girlfriend?”
Toji slowly turned his head and looked down at her.
His face didn’t change.
No smile. No interest. Nothing.
“Yeah,” he said flatly. “I do.”
The woman blinked but kept smiling. “Oh? She here with you?”
“No.”
He grabbed the muffins and tossed them into his basket.
“She’s at home waiting for me.”
The woman crossed her arms, amused. “That so? Doesn’t mean you can’t talk a little.”
Toji finally gave her a full look.
It wasn’t a kind one.
“Not interested,” he muttered.
She scoffed lightly. “Wow. Harsh.”
He shrugged.
“She’s better than someone who looks like they’d snap in half from a light breeze.”
Her smile cracked.
Toji continued casually, already stepping around her.
“My girl’s a boxer,” he added. “Got fire. Strength. Real bite to her.”
He glanced back once.
“You just smell weak.”
The woman’s face flushed bright red.
“Excuse me?!”
“Move.”
His voice didn’t rise.
He just walked past her like she was a cardboard display.
A few minutes later he paid for his stuff and headed home, completely unbothered.
______
When he opened the door, though…
That’s when his heartbeat stuttered.
You were sprawled across the bed, half-dressed, hair messy, sheets tangled around your legs. Faint marks decorated your skin like evidence of a very chaotic crime scene.
Toji set the grocery bag down slowly.
“…damn.”
You glanced over lazily.
“Took you long enough.”
He approached the bed like a predator stalking something soft and defenseless.
Which, to be fair, you absolutely were right now.
One quick movement and he pinned you to the mattress, arms braced on either side of your head.
Your eyes widened.
“Toji.”
“I feel like I could take you again,” he murmured, leaning down.
He nipped lightly at your neck.
You jerked.
His hand slid down your side, resting on your thigh. The moment his fingers brushed your skin, your leg twitched hard.
Toji froze.
Then slowly looked down.
“…Was that because of me?”
It wasn’t really a question.
More like stunned disbelief.
You groaned and turned your face away. “Don’t start.”
Too late.
He leaned down again, pressing a lazy kiss near your collarbone before planting a small hickey.
You made an annoyed noise.
Which, unfortunately, only made him more affectionate.
“My cute s/o,” he murmured, playfully biting your cheek.
“Stop treating me like a chew toy.”
“Can’t help it.”
Then, almost as an afterthought, he added,
“Oh yeah. Some chick tried hitting on me at the store.”
You instantly looked at him.
“…What?”
His tone stayed completely casual.
“I told her she wasn’t my type and that my girl’s better.”
You squinted.
“That’s it?”
“She was annoying.”
You folded your arms.
“Good. You better not entertain some random bitch. Ever.”
Your voice sharpened.
“And if you do, I’ll put her in a ring with me and box her.”
Toji stared at you.
Then slowly grinned.
“This,” he said, voice dropping slightly, “is why I love you.”
You narrowed your eyes.
“You’re so-...”
He paused, searching for the word.
“Fiery.”
His grin widened.
“…And sexy.”
Before he could say another word, your hand shot down and smacked his bulge.
Hard.
Toji immediately folded forward with a sharp gasp.
“AGH!”
He clutched his crotch, face twisted in pain.
“You literally just demolished me not that long ago!” you snapped. “SO NO. STOP GETTING TURNED ON.”
Toji looked genuinely wounded.
Both emotionally.
And physically.
“Why did you have to hit it?” he groaned, still hunched over. “That hurts… especially coming from you.”
You crossed your arms.
“Good.”
He stared at you like a kicked dog.
“…You’re cruel.”
You rolled your eyes.
“And you’re insatiable.”
There was a pause.
Then Toji slowly reached into the grocery bag beside the bed and pulled out the chocolate muffins.
“…Peace offering?” he muttered.
You grabbed one instantly.
“…Accepted.”
He relaxed slightly.
Then you added with a glare:
“But you’re still not getting round two.”
Toji sighed dramatically and flopped onto the bed beside you.
“…Tragic.”
A moment later he stole half your muffin.
“HEY.”
You were still glaring at him while chewing your muffin like it personally offended you.
Toji laid there beside you, one arm behind his head, watching you with that lazy predator look of his.
“…You look cute when you’re pissed,” he muttered.
You immediately kicked his leg.
“Stop flirting. I’m still mad.”
He snorted softly but didn’t argue. Instead, he pushed himself up from the bed and grabbed the grocery bag again.
“Hold still.”
You blinked. “What?”
He pulled out the sports drink and twisted the cap open before holding it out to you.
“Drink.”
“I’m not a toddler.”
“Drink.”
You stared at him.
Then slowly took it and drank anyway.
“Good,” he said, satisfied.
He grabbed a small container from the bag next.
You squinted. “…What’s that?”
“Muscle cream.”
Your eyes widened slightly.
“You’re sore,” he said bluntly. “Don’t pretend you’re not.”
You opened your mouth to argue.
…then closed it.
“Yeah,” you muttered.
Toji shifted behind you and gently tugged your arm.
“Turn around.”
You hesitated.
“Toji-...”
“Relax.”
His voice was softer now. Not teasing. Not cocky.
Just calm.
You slowly turned, letting him sit behind you while you leaned against his chest. His large hands scooped some of the cream out and rubbed it between his palms.
The room filled with a faint minty smell.
Then his hands settled on your shoulders.
You flinched slightly when he started massaging.
“Damn,” he muttered quietly. “You’re tense as hell.”
“Whose fault is that?” you grumbled.
“Fair.”
His thumbs worked slow circles into your shoulders, careful but firm. The man who could crush skulls with his bare hands somehow had absurdly precise control.
The tension in your back started melting almost immediately.
You sighed.
Toji noticed.
“Better?”
“…Maybe.”
“Liar.”
His hands moved down your back next, kneading the sore muscles with surprising patience. Every time you twitched, he adjusted pressure like he was mapping out exactly what your body needed.
“Didn’t think you’d be this good at this,” you mumbled.
“I’m not,” he replied.
You raised an eyebrow.
“I’m just good at taking care of what’s mine.”
You rolled your eyes.
“…You’re such a caveman.”
“Still works.”
His hands eventually slid down to your thighs, carefully massaging the muscles.
Your leg twitched again.
Toji chuckled quietly.
“Relax, boxer.”
“Shut up.”
He kept working the soreness out slowly until your body was basically melting against him.
At some point he grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around both of you without breaking the massage rhythm.
You leaned your head back against his shoulder.
“…You’re being suspiciously nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
You turned your head to look at him.
He stared back with the most deadpan expression imaginable.
You burst out laughing.
“Okay yeah that’s a lie.”
He smirked faintly.
After a few minutes he stopped and reached over to grab another muffin, breaking it in half and handing you a piece.
“Eat.”
You took it automatically.
“…You’re weirdly good at this aftercare thing.”
Toji shrugged.
“Not complicated.”
He gestured lazily.
“Food. Water. Warmth. Make sure you’re not hurting too bad.”
Then his hand gently brushed a strand of hair out of your face.
“…Stay close.”
Your heart did a stupid little flip.
You tried to hide it by stuffing more muffin in your mouth.
Toji noticed anyway.
He always did.
A quiet moment passed.
Then he muttered,
“…Still not getting round two though?”
You immediately elbowed him.
“TOJI!!”
He laughed under his breath, pulling you closer against his chest anyway.
_____
Afterward
The movie was loud.
Explosions, gunshots, cars flipping through the air—typical action movie chaos blasting from the TV.
You were trying to focus.
Trying.
Toji, however, clearly had other priorities.
You were leaning against him on the couch, wrapped in the blanket he’d stolen from the bed earlier. His arm was around your waist, big hand resting on your stomach.
At first he was watching the movie.
At least… you thought he was.
Then his fingers started wandering.
Slowly. Absentmindedly.
Tracing little patterns along your side.
Your shoulder.
Your arm.
Like he wasn’t even thinking about it.
His lips brushed your temple.
Then your cheek.
Then your neck.
Soft, lazy kisses.
You shifted slightly.
“Toji…”
He hummed against your skin.
His voice dropped low, almost sleepy.
“…You’re so damn beautiful.”
You tried to keep watching the movie.
On screen, the hero was jumping off a collapsing building.
Behind you, Toji pressed another kiss against your shoulder.
“…Can’t believe you’re mine.”
Your ears warmed.
You shoved his head away from your chest with a hand.
“I’m trying to watch the movie.”
You shot him a glare.
Toji blinked.
Then slowly smiled.
The kind of smile that usually meant someone somewhere was about to regret their life choices.
“Oh?” he murmured.
Before you could react, his arm tightened around your waist and he pulled you sideways.
You let out a startled sound as he lifted you easily and planted you right onto his lap.
“Toji!”
He leaned back into the couch like this was the most natural thing in the world.
One arm locked around your waist.
The other resting along the back of the couch behind you.
“Feeling feisty?” he said, voice dipping into something low and teasing.
His thumb brushed along your side.
“Don’t be a bad girl now~”
You narrowed your eyes at him.
“No round two,” you warned immediately.
You shifted slightly, settling into his lap anyway.
“Not for another week until my legs work again.”
Then you jabbed a finger lightly at his chest.
“Jerk.”
Toji stared at you for a second.
Then he laughed.
A real laugh.
Low and warm.
“Whatever you say, my love.”
He lifted your hand and pressed a slow kiss to your knuckles.
You froze.
“…Wait.”
Toji raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
You stared at him.
“…Did you just call me my love?”
He shrugged like it was nothing.
“You’re shocked?”
You blinked.
This was the same man who could dismantle an entire room of assassins without blinking.
The same man with a reputation terrifying enough to make grown fighters reconsider their career choices.
And right now he was sitting on the couch…
Holding you like you were something fragile.
Something important.
Something he refused to lose.
Your brain short-circuited a little.
“…You’re weird.”
He smirked.
“You like it.”
“…Maybe.”
Toji leaned forward slightly and pressed a kiss to your temple.
His hand rubbed slow circles on your back while the movie continued exploding loudly in the background.
“You know,” he muttered casually, “I used to think relationships were a pain in the ass.”
You glanced at him.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He shrugged.
“Too much effort.”
His fingers brushed through your hair.
“But then you showed up.”
You snorted softly.
“And ruined your peaceful life?”
“Nah.”
His voice softened slightly.
“Made it better.”
You stared at the TV again, trying very hard not to react too much to that.
Another explosion lit up the screen.
Toji rested his chin lightly on your shoulder.
“…I even stopped gambling for you.”
You turned your head slowly.
“Yeah.”
He gave a small smirk.
“Still miss it sometimes.”
You elbowed him lightly.
“I will throw you out the window.”
He laughed again, tightening his arm around you.
“Relax.”
Another kiss landed on your shoulder.
“I’m exactly where I want to be.”
For once, the infamous assassin looked completely at peace.
Right there on the couch.
Holding you.
While the movie kept blowing things up in the background like it was jealous of the quiet moment.
The movie kept blasting explosions across the room, but at this point neither of you were really paying attention.
You were still sitting sideways on Toji’s lap, blanket draped over both of you. One of his arms was locked around your waist like a seatbelt he had no intention of undoing.
His thumb slowly traced idle circles on your hip.
Your eyes were on the TV.
His eyes were very much not.
Another car exploded on screen.
Toji leaned down and brushed his lips along your shoulder.
A slow kiss.
Then another.
You tried to ignore it.
“Focus on the movie,” you muttered.
“I am.”
“You’re literally not.”
His nose brushed against your neck.
“Looks like a lot of explosions.”
“That’s the whole movie.”
“Mhm.”
Another kiss landed right under your ear.
Your shoulders tensed.
You tilted your head slightly away from him.
“Toji.”
He hummed softly.
“Yeah?”
“Behave.”
He chuckled quietly against your skin.
The sound vibrated through your chest.
“Relax,” he murmured. “I’m behaving.”
His hand slid slightly along your side, fingers resting comfortably against your waist.
You squinted at the TV like it had personally betrayed you.
“You’re distracting.”
“That’s the idea.”
You turned your head and glared at him.
Toji stared back completely unbothered.
Dark eyes. Lazy grin.
The kind of expression that made it very clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
Before you could respond, he leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to your collarbone.
You inhaled sharply.
“Toji.”
He pulled back just enough to look at you.
“What?”
“You’re pushing your luck.”
A smirk tugged at his mouth.
“Oh?”
You pointed a finger at his chest.
“No round two.”
His grin widened.
“Yeah, yeah.”
You narrowed your eyes.
“I mean it.”
He leaned back into the couch again, hands lifting slightly in mock surrender.
“Didn’t say anything.”
You huffed and turned back to the TV.
A minute passed.
Two minutes.
Then his fingers started tracing your arm again.
Slow. Careless. Like he couldn’t help himself.
You didn’t react.
He leaned down again.
This time his voice dropped to a low murmur against your ear.
“You smell good.”
You immediately shoved his face away again.
“TOJI.”
He laughed.
A quiet, rumbling sound.
“You’re the one sitting on me,” he pointed out.
“You put me here!”
“True.”
His hands settled firmly around your waist again, pulling you just a little closer.
The movement made you shift slightly in his lap.
He froze for half a second.
Then exhaled slowly.
“…Careful.”
You glanced back at him.
“Careful with what?”
His eyes met yours.
That feral look flickered there for a moment.
The same one that probably terrified half the criminal underworld.
But right now it was aimed only at you.
“Keep moving like that,” he murmured, “and you’re testing my self control.”
Your cheeks warmed instantly.
You crossed your arms.
“Not my problem.”
He snorted softly.
“You say that now.”
You leaned back against his chest anyway.
Because despite all the teasing…
Despite the danger in his voice…
Toji’s arms around you felt stupidly safe.
Like a wall.
Like nothing in the world could reach you here.
His chin rested lightly on your shoulder again.
After a moment he muttered quietly,
“…You’re lucky I like you.”
You scoffed.
“I’m lucky?”
“Yeah.”
He pressed a soft kiss against your temple.
“Anyone else would’ve been tossed off my lap by now.”
You tilted your head back just enough to look at him.
“And yet I’m still here.”
His grin softened slightly.
“Yeah.”
His hand brushed your side again.
Gentle this time.
Like he was reminding himself you were real.
“Because you’re mine.”
There wasn’t anything threatening about the words.
Not controlling.
Just quiet certainty.
Like a guard dog deciding exactly which human it was protecting.
The movie kept exploding in the background.
But neither of you moved.
Toji just held you there.
Warm.
Content.
And trying very hard not to start round two despite how much he clearly wanted to.
_______
4 days go by.
The air in the room felt different. Not soft. Not lazy. Sharp. Focused. The kind of tension that sat right under your skin before a real fight.
Your fists came up again, breath steady, eyes locked on Toji. He stood across from you like it was nothing. Barefoot. Relaxed. Hands loose at his sides. Like you weren’t a threat. Like you couldn’t be. That alone pissed you off.
“What’s the matter, my love?~” he drawled, easily leaning out of the way of your next punch. “You haven’t hit me since earlier.”
Another swing. Miss.
“Are your legs still wobbly?~”
“Shut up!” you snapped, stepping in faster this time. “I’m gonna wipe that smirk off your face!”
You threw a clean shot to his midsection.
THUD.
It landed.
For a split second, everything paused. Toji actually blinked. “…Huh.”
You froze too. Because yeah… That one hurt him. Not enough to drop him. Not even close. But it wasn’t nothing. A slow grin spread across his face.
“There it is.”
Before you could pull back, his hand caught your wrist. Not rough, just firm. Grounding. Then he pulled you slightly closer. Your breath hitched.
“If you are able to hit me 5 times,” he murmured, eyes locked onto yours, “in our spare match…” His other hand came up, patting your head in that annoyingly affectionate way. “I think you’ll win.”
You stared at him. Then narrowed your eyes. “Oh you think so?” Your free hand shot forward.
THUD.
Another hit. Cleaner. Faster.
“Toji.”
He exhaled a quiet laugh.
“…Make that six times,” you said, a cocky smirk pulling at your lips.
For a second, something in his expression shifted. Not playful. Not teasing. Proud. Dangerously proud.
“That’s my fighter.” He let go of your wrist, stepping back this time, not dodging immediately. Inviting it. You noticed. Your stance adjusted. You moved in again.
Punch.
He tilted his head, barely avoiding it.
Another.
He blocked, but you felt the impact travel through his arm. You were getting faster. Sharper. More precise.
Toji’s grin widened. “Good,” he muttered. “Again.”
You lunged.
He sidestepped.
But this time, you anticipated it. Your fist curved mid-motion.
THUD.
Hit 3.
Toji’s head tilted slightly from the impact. Now that one had some weight. He let out a low whistle.
“…You’ve been holding out on me.”
You were breathing heavier now, but your eyes were lit up. Focused. Alive.
“Four more,” you shot back.
He chuckled, rolling his shoulder like he was warming up now.
“Alright.” His stance shifted. Subtle. But serious.
“Show me.”
The next few seconds were faster.
You struck.
He blocked.
You pivoted.
He countered lightly, just enough to test you. You slipped past his guard.
THUD.
Hit 4.
Toji laughed under his breath.
“Damn.”
You stepped back, breathing hard, sweat starting to form. He looked at you differently now. Not like something fragile. Not like something to protect. But like something dangerous. Something his. He stepped forward this time. Faster than before. You barely reacted in time, blocking his arm as it came near your side.
“Stay sharp,” he muttered.
“I am!” You twisted, slipping out of his reach and striking again. He caught your arm mid-punch. Not stopping you. Just redirecting. Pulling you closer. Again. Always closer. Your chests nearly brushed. Your breathing mixed. His grip tightened just slightly.
“Two more,” he murmured.
Your heart was pounding now. Not just from the fight. From him.
“Don’t distract me,” you warned.
He smirked.
“Then don’t get distracted.”
You shoved off him, fast.
Another punch.
He leaned back.
Barely missed.
You chased it.
Adjusted.
Struck again.
THUD.
Hit 5.
Toji’s head turned slightly with the impact. Silence.
Then…
A low, impressed laugh.
“…One more.”
You were grinning now. Wild. Confident. “Yeah.” You circled him. He watched you like a predator watching something equally dangerous.
“Come on then,” he said softly.
You moved.
Fast.
Clean.
Focused.
This time, no hesitation. No overthinking. Just instinct.
Your fist drove forward.
THUD.
Hit 6.
Dead center.
Toji didn’t move for a second. Then slowly looked back at you. There it was again. That look.
Pride.
Something deeper too. Something almost… possessive. “Yeah,” he muttered. “You’re winning that fight.” Before you could react, his hand came up and grabbed your chin lightly, tilting your face up toward him.
A quick kiss. Not soft. Not gentle, earned.
“Good work.”
You blinked.
“…That was cheating.”
He smirked.
“You landed the hits.”
His thumb brushed under your lip briefly. “Rest.”
You rolled your eyes, but didn’t pull away right away. “…You better be in my corner.”
His expression sharpened slightly. “I will be.”
No teasing. No jokes. Just fact. Then, quieter, “I don’t miss things that matter.”
And you believed him.
_______
The arena wasn’t just loud, it was pulsing.
Every shout, every stomp, every echo of gloves hitting flesh somewhere in the building blended into a constant roar that pressed against your ears and settled deep in your chest. The lights overhead felt too bright, the canvas beneath your feet too real.
Your name was called. You stepped forward, rolling your shoulders once, breath slow and controlled despite the adrenaline clawing through your veins.
Across from you stood your opponent, focused, guarded, experienced. Not Toji. But not easy either.
The bell rang.
DING.
You both moved at the same time, circling, measuring distance. Their gloves twitched first, a testing jab snapping toward your face. You slipped it cleanly, head tilting just enough.
From the crowd, low, grounded, familiar. “Don’t bite yet.”
Toji.
You didn’t look. You didn’t need to.
Your opponent pressed forward again, more confident this time, jab, step, another jab.
You blocked the first, let the second glance off, then shifted your weight and drove a counter straight into their guard.
THUD.
Not clean. But enough to make them rethink.
“Good. Now sharpen it,” Toji called.
You exhaled slowly through your nose, resetting your stance, feet light as you circled again. Your opponent came faster now, irritation creeping into their rhythm. A hook came wide. You ducked under it, pivoted on your lead foot, and snapped your fist forward.
THUD.
That one landed. Clean.
Their head jerked slightly, their footing adjusting half a step too late. The crowd reacted instantly.
“There it is,” Toji’s voice cut through. “Again.”
You didn’t hesitate. You stepped in, pushing the pace, forcing them to react. They threw a quick combo, jab, cross, hook. You blocked 2. The third clipped your ribs. Pain flared sharp and immediate. Your breath hitched.
“Guard!” Toji snapped.
You corrected instantly, tightening your stance, shaking off the hit before it could settle. Your opponent saw the opening and lunged again. Too eager. You slipped left. Then right. Their momentum carried forward just enough. You pivoted around them and struck.
THUD.
Another clean hit. Now their rhythm was breaking. Now they were reacting.
“Yeah,” Toji muttered, louder now, more alive. “They don’t like that.”
Your pulse pounded harder, but your movements stayed controlled. You circled, baiting again, shoulders loose, eyes locked. Your opponent rushed. You feinted, they bit. You shifted angles. And drove your fist forward.
THUD.
A sharp, snapping impact.
They stumbled back this time. The crowd roared louder.
“Don’t admire it!” Toji barked. “Move!”
You moved. Immediately. Because standing still gets you hit. They recovered fast, anger flashing across their face as they came back swinging harder, faster, desperation creeping in.
A punch slipped through. Your head snapped slightly to the side. The world tilted for half a second.
“Hey!” Toji’s voice cut through like a blade. “Stay with me.”
You steadied. Right. You weren’t losing focus now. You slipped the next hit, then the next, your body reacting faster than thought. Your breathing evened out again as you found your rhythm.
You stepped inside their guard.
THUD.
Another hit. Closer. Heavier. Your opponent staggered.
“Now they’re cracking,” Toji called, a grin in his voice. “Keep going.”
You pressed forward, your movements sharper now, more confident. You feinted high, they raised their guard. Too slow to adjust when you shifted low.
THUD.
A brutal body shot. Their stance faltered. The crowd surged to its feet. Toji was already standing. You could feel it.
“Finish it.”
Everything narrowed. The noise dulled. Your opponent tried to reset, to regain footing, but you were already moving, already closing the distance before they could breathe. You slipped one last desperate swing. Stepped in, and drove your fist forward with everything you had left—
THUD.
Dead center. The impact echoed. Your opponent dropped. The canvas shook beneath them as the ref rushed in, counting, the crowd exploding into chaos around you. You stood there, chest heaving, gloves still raised, adrenaline roaring through your system.
DING DING DING!
It was over.
For a second, everything blurred together, the lights, the noise, the voices. Then suddenly. Hands were on you. Strong, familiar, Toji.
He was already in the ring, ignoring literally every rule that existed as he grabbed your face between his hands, turning your head slightly, checking you over like you were the only thing that mattered in the entire building.
“You good?” he asked, voice low but intense.
“I’m good,” you breathed, still catching air.
His eyes scanned you once more, searching for anything off. Then. That look. Sharp, proud, possessive in that quiet way of his.
“That’s my fighter.” He pulled you into him without hesitation, one arm wrapping tight around your back, holding you there for just a second longer than necessary. Grounding and certain. Like he needed to feel you were still standing.
“You listened,” he muttered near your ear. You let out a breathless laugh. “…Yeah. Guess I did.”
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at you again. Then leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to your forehead. Earned.
“Damn right you did.”
The crowd was still going insane around you. But honestly? None of it hit the same as the way he was looking at you right now. Like you didn’t just win a match, you proved something.
And he knew it.