Through the Years

Curfews

"Aw, c'mon Zero!" You complain. "No-one's even here yet!"

"The rules are that minors have to leave at nine p.m." Zero reiterates serenely, like it was the first time you were hearing that rule. "And you fall into that category."

"But I live here!" You argue. "Plus it's not like you're going to serve me."

"Miss Star." Kurogiri warns gently. "Go upstairs now."

"You don't want to be around drunk, loud men anyway." Zero points out, annoyingly accurately. "I can see you tomorrow."

"But I wanted to learn more about-" You begin.

"Don't make me call your father." Kurogiri interrupts, a little more firmly.

You 'hmph', but slide off of the bar stool, plucking Cloud off the countertop with a pointed look at the mist-like man.
On your way to the stairs, the door opens, and Shuuichi comes through with Uncle Jin close behind.

"Oh! Hey Star." He greets, smiling genuinely at you and reaching to scratch Cloud's head gently with his taloned fingers.

Cloud meows contentedly, as though he didn't hiss at Shuuichi for months when you first got him. Jin kisses your head affectionately, and scratches under Cloud's chin, making the little attention-loving cat purr immediately and half-shut his eyes in contentment.

"Hey darlin'! Long time no see." Jin grins at you. "How are ya? Look at ya! All grown up."

He then goes to punch your arm playfully before managing to stop himself, giving you an apologetic smile.

"Guys, Star needs to go upstairs." Zero calls.

Jin boos loudly and sticks his thumb down at Zero, which makes you snicker a little to yourself, but he does follow Zeros instructions to leave you alone, promising to come upstairs in ten minutes and kissing your cheek before joining Shuuichi at the bar.
You carry Cloud upstairs despite him getting incredibly heavy these days, and push the door open with your shoulder, accidentally hitting Tomura with it as he pulls his boots off.
Red eyes narrow at you before they relax again, and he gives you a soft smile.

"Hello, Starfire." He greets, giving you a once over and then his smirk grows a little more playful. "You look flustered."

"Don't start." You groan, dropping Cloud to the floor from a safe distance.

The tri-coloured cat immediately rubs against Tomura, purring madly, making sure to bump his head against Tomura at least five times before he's pet by the long-haired man, and then promptly picked up and held over Tomuras shoulder as he walks further into the house.
You follow behind, scratching Cloud's head while he's being carried.

"Uncle Jin's going to come up in a bit." You tell Tomura.

"Okay." He agrees, and then pauses. "Jin, huh? Interesting progression."

"What?" You ask with a frown, confused.

"Hey guys." Dabi yawns, coming into the living room, his hair messier than usual, shirtless and his sweatpants covered in what looks like little patches of soot.

"Another productive day I see." Tomura quips dryly.

"Drop it." Dabi says in a strained voice, avoiding greeting Tomura like he usually would, coming to give you a hug instead.

You wrap your arms around him automatically, the movement as natural to you as breathing after so many years of being held by everyone. You press your face to his gnarled chest, squeezing him tight for a moment before letting go again, his hand going to your hair.