MAPS [Tamaki Amajiki x OC]

Chapter 12 - A Letter

[unsure of original artist; found via pinterest]

🧭

The envelope waited for Haru on her desk.

Her first day back after three days of working from home and catching up on assignments from other hero agencies, Haru was fully prepared to be drowning in stuff to do. Usually she had at least one pair of Kirishima's pants waiting for her because of his quirk (and she was working on creating a more durable fabric that wouldn't rip when he activated it), but when she entered her office, there was a disturbing lack of projects cluttering her table.

The thing that drew her eye was a stark white envelope, gilding on the front glinting in the sunshine cutting in between her blinds. Haru hung her purse and her peacoat in the closet and moved toward the envelope as if she was in a trance, transfixed by its bizarre and unnatural appearance. She weighed it in her hands, admiring the careful golden calligraphy that read her name across the front, and tore the wax seal open.

Inside, a clear slice of acrylic was engraved with details for the annual Support Awards, along with a note saying that Haru had been nominated for two of them: Innovator of the Year and Young Innovator Spotlight.

WHAT IN THE FUCK?!

Who had nominated her?

Why?

Why her? What support tech did they even use as evidence?

Holy shit. Holy shit.

Haru wasn't sure when Tamaki showed up, but he was suddenly there, his careful hand on her shoulder, tugging her from her messy thoughts.

She gasped, looking up and finding a confused frown on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, hand hovering over her shoulder. Thrusting the invitation and nomination notification at him, Haru waited impatiently while he read it, Tamaki's eyes slowly widening with understanding. "Haru, this is great," he smiled at her, handing the invitation back.

"Be my plus one?" Haru said, her mind slowly turning back on and forming coherent thoughts.

Tamaki's brain, on the other hand, slammed to a stop, mental whiplash settling in. "I- uh-," he stammered, trying to process, "Yes?"

"Perfect. I'd rather go with you than anyone else," Haru grinned, turning back to the invitation. "It's not until next month, so we have time to find fancy clothes. HEY!" Tamaki froze as she whipped her gaze up to him, focusing her startling eyes on his, "We should open the champagne tonight!"

Her smile and excitement overrode Tamaki's meager attempt to turn her down. He swallowed, cheeks burning with her proximity, and nodded. "Sure, champagne to celebrate."

Shimmying, Haru did a happy dance and threw her arms around Tamaki. He stiffened, blush intensifying, and returned the embrace once he was sure his heart could handle it. Tamaki could feel his heart slamming around in his ribcage, only worsening when he caught the scent of Haru's shampoo - lavender and lemon.

His mind drifted back to Mirio's response to his texts the night before: If you like Haru, then do something about it, Tamaki.

...But what?

🧭

When Tamaki finally got home, well past dinner time, the first thing he noticed was the music. He hung his drenched coat in the closet and stowed his shoes away, shaking out his wet hair in the hall before combing it back into place with his fingers. "H-Haru?" He called, confused at the noise level. "Everything okay?"