numbertwohero | Meme Carryovers

Meme Carryovers

//for when the posts overfloweth.//

[It's been a good day.

A very good day, if he's honest. When he'd first volunteered to take the midpoint, it had only made sense for it to be him. After all, his quirk had the most use out here in winter, and he had the most first aid training. It didn't really matter who else was assigned with him, because he was confident in his abilities to handle any situation that might arise.

And then Uraraka had chimed in.

'Deku-kun volunteers, too!'

He's pretty sure his heart had almost leapt out of his chest, and he's equally sure that it shouldn't have. He was allowed to be excited, because they were friends and it would be nice to work alongside a friend, but even excitement didn't warrant a response like that. Fortunately, he'd always been good at keeping his feelings under wraps. Maybe a little too good.

But it was a good day. In between visitors to the cabin, he and Izuku got a chance to talk some; in fact, Izuku carried the conversation easily, and Shouto learned as much as he wanted to about the other boy's likes and dislikes, his favorite foods and childhood memories. Well. Maybe not as much as he wanted to. He always seemed to want more. And he still had no idea...

...It was dumb. He should appreciate what he had, and that was it. And that was what he'd clung to, all day and into the night, as the sun set and the temperature dropped and the wind began to pick up.

The storm was a bad one, but at least no one was stuck out in it. And they had plenty of supplies, plenty of firewood, it would barely be a hardship at all, he'd thought. He's slept through worse. And for a little bit, he'd managed to doze, at least, the howling wind almost soothing.

It was the sound of Izuku climbing out of bed that had woken him from his light sleep. Izuku shifting in the bunk below his, quietly climbing out of bed, moving close to the fire and settling there. He must be freezing. It is pretty cold in here; when the generator went, it must have taken the heat, too.

What should he do? Izuku was clearly trying not to disturb him, but he was just as clearly freezing. Maybe he didn't want Shouto to notice. Maybe he should just lay here.

Except he's moving even as he has that thought, a blanket wrapped around him as he drops quietly to the ground, padding over to join Izuku, sitting next to him and wrapping the blanket a little hesitantly around the other boy's shoulders, too.]

...Cold?

[Izuku's so focused on trying to keep quiet that he doesn't even notice that Shouto has slipped out of bed and sat down next to him.

He jerks in surprise when Shouto is suddenly there and the first thing he does, in typical Izuku fashion, is instantly start to apologize.] Todoroki! S-sorry, did I wake you? I'm sorry, I - no, that's okay, you don't need - ! [He starts to protest once Shouto wraps the blanket over his shoulders, but once Shouto's already placing it around him, he blushes but quietly accepts the kind-hearted gesture.]

Th-thank you. Sorry, I was trying really hard to be quiet. Guess I wasn't as much as I thought I was, huh. [He gives a little sheepish smile, feeling a bit warmer already because of how close Shouto is sitting to him now.] Ah, uhm, but won't you be colder now...?

[Shouto lets Izuku get all the stammering out, shaking his head a little in response as he settles in next to the other boy.]

It's okay, really. I have a hard time sleeping in new places. You didn't bother me, so there's nothing to be sorry about. And it looked like you needed this more than me.

[He can use his quirk to stay warm. It'll be fine. As long as Izuku is taken care of. That's the important part.

Legs crossed, Shouto wraps his arms around them, chin on his knees as he looks over at the other boy. Would it be weird if he offered to use his quirk on him, too? Would it be weirder if he offered to share? He doesn't know what to do. It doesn't help that it's hard to think clearly when Izuku is blushing like that.]

Cute...

[He doesn't seem to realize he's said anything out loud, even quietly.]

[Izuku smiles while he listens to Shouto talk, glad to even gain just a tidbit of new knowledge about his friend. Crush. Interest? He's not really sure how to describe what Shouto is to him, but friend seems like a safe foundation, even though he knows it's much more than that.]

I can understand that. When we all first moved into the dorms, it was so weird waking up in a new place for awhile. The first few times, it was really disorientating. But now it feels like home, you know?

[He pulls the big comforter tighter around him, trying to wedge his legs up under it even more now, and while he's trying to readjust himself, he hears that word under Shouto's breath because there's not a lot of other sounds to drown it out besides the wind blowing. It makes him pause and his blush deepen because he can't have heard that right.] S-sorry, what?

[And now that he's looking at him, it also doesn't help that the way Shouto is sitting makes Izuku feel more flustered and his heart warm, even if he's still freezing on the outside. The way he's sitting so relaxed and at ease makes Izuku feel very happy he's able to do that now, thinking back to when they had all just gotten to U.A. and Shouto had been as nowhere close to being open as he was now.]

What?

[Shouto blinks in turn, as Izuku flushes a deeper shade of red and looks at him expectantly. Wait. Had he--oh. Oh, he had, and now he doesn't really know how to...

Say something. Anything. Don't be an idiot.]

Ah--I was just...sighing. It is kind of cold. I mean, I can use my quirk, but it's a little much, right? Maybe we could share the blanket...?

[He's not making this better, is he? How is this better than admitting you said the word 'cute,' Shouto????]

Oh! [Izuku instantly moves to pull the blanket he'd been given off and reaches over to drape it back over Shouto's shoulders. The way he does it, if he leans forward he can easily hug Shouto, but he's so focused on getting the blanket wrapped back around him that he's not really paying attention at how much closer he is now, fussing over him as he pulls it snugly around his torso and tucks in it.] Todoroki, you shouldn't have given me yours if you were already cold. Here, we can share my comforter! It's big enough for the both of us, I'm sure!

[Said comforter has slipped off of his shoulders anyway when he moved to get the blanket around Shouto's, so he picks up one side of it and holds the corner out invitingly with a warm smile.] You don't have to use your quirk, I don't want to inconvenience you. Sharing body heat should be enough!

[... And because he is a hormonal teenager in a tiny cabin with his love interest, a certain specific picture pops into his mind when he thinks sharing body heat. Is he definitely blushing again? Oh yes, he absolutely is.] Th-this is okay, right? If we share a blanket? I don't want to make it awkward for you... [Silly Izuku, he's the one who suggested it in the first place, his brain supplies. Yes but did he realize how close we would have to be to share one??? the other half says back.]

No, it's fine--

[Any protest he might make is completely cut off, first by Izuku's chattering, and then by his close proximity as he leans forward to wrap the blanket back around Shouto's shoulders, face barely inches away as he fusses. Close enough for Shouto to look at those freckles he's always thought were cute, close enough to make his heartbeat ratchet up a notch or two.

Thankfully, Izuku moves back before his brain decides to do anything too dumb, and Shouto mentally reprimands himself. Izuku isn't interested. He's sure about that. Why would he be? There's Uraraka, and Iida, and whatever Bakugou's got these days, and that girl from Inasa's class, and...and a thousand other people besides him. He probably doesn't even think about the sports festival anymore, Shouto chides himself further, and pushes all those thoughts to the back of his mind.

He's lucky he gets to spend this time with Izuku. He's not going to ruin it.]

Of course it is, I suggested it. Why would it be awkward, anyway? We're friends, right?

[Of course it is, and of course he did, and it's fine. No weirdness, no awkwardness, and he's definitely not going to think about just how close Izuku is, as he shifts closer, ducking under Izuku's arm and taking the corner of the comforter from him, their fingers brushing as he does.

Congratulations, Izuku. At least you're not alone in blushing, now. At least Shouto can try and blame it on the cold, as he settles in next to Izuku, their legs barely brushing.]

Is this okay...?

[Oh Shouto. If only you knew Izuku thinks about the sports festival and you every time he looks down at his scarred hand. It might be a reminder about how he's still striving to get stronger so he doesn't make anyone worry about him by getting hurt, but it's also a reminder of Shouto too. His hand ended up getting scarred by breaking it in order to get Shouto to embrace his fire side, but every time he looks at it, he always thinks about how far Shouto has come since that moment, about how he's been getting stronger and becoming more open, and Izuku is so proud of him for all that he's accomplished.

As far as people he's interested in... Sure, there might have been a fleeting time between him and Uraraka where they had actually gone out on a couple of dates and even kissed once before solidly deciding, nope, they're perfectly content as friends, any romantic feelings for each other settling firmly into a strong admiration. He's never been attractive to Iida in that way, nor Bakugou either, and he doesn't even know the real Camie.

Nobody has ever invaded his thoughts as intensely as the way Shouto does. Just watching Shouto sitting there with the firelight flickering against his face sends a flutter through Izuku's heart.]

R-right! We're friends, it's not awkward at all! [He puts on a smile as if to make himself prove that it's fine, everything is fine, he can sit here in this tiny cabin with the person he's in love with and everything will be. just. fine.

Oh god their legs are close enough - they are close enough - that if he just... scoots over an inch probably, they'd be touching. Does he dare? He wants to so very much, wants to press himself against Shouto's warmth and soak it in, but he's too worried about Shouto pulling away and looking at him with an expression of 'what in the world are you doing?' And given they're trapped in this cabin for probably at least the next 12 hours, that really would make things very very awkward.]

It's okay! [He's immediately quick to reassure.] It's really okay, Shou- ... Er, I mean, Todoroki! [Izuku instantly starts berating himself in his head for the slip up. He's usually so good at calling him Todoroki out loud, even though he thinks of him as Shouto in his head, but with them being so close, his mind isn't as focused as it usually is on making sure he doesn't slip up with that.] S-Sorry about that. I - it's just - I wouldn't have offered to share if it made me feel awkward. So it's okay, don't worry. I'm... I'm comfortable like this, with you. [Yep, his cheeks sure are a lovely red as he stares at the floor, too flustered to look at Shouto directly now.]

[Honestly, he probably looks at that scar himself more often than Izuku would suspect. It means so much to him. Everything Izuku had done for him, even when he hadn't done anything at all to deserve it... he'd saved him. He had. And while he might feel more than a twinge of guilt every time he looks at it, there's also something else. Something almost warm.

Izuku had done that for him.

It was possibly a mistake to look up at Izuku's confirmation of their friendship, because the second he does, Shouto finds himself completely mesmerized by that smile, frozen in place. He just lights up when he smiles like that, all but glows, and quietly Shouto wonders if he knows just how gorgeous he is.]

Right--

[He's almost put his heart back in his chest, swallowing it back out of his throat, when Izuku slips up with his name and the organ is right back there on the back of his tongue, beating with words he knows he shouldn't say, words he wants to say, words that could ruin everything. It's good that Izuku's got that tendency to apologize for existing, because it gives Shouto the necessary few seconds to restart his brain.

Looking over at the fire, he shifts his legs just slightly so that one thigh brushes against Izuku's. It's selfish and stupid, but maybe he can pretend he doesn't notice, or that it's for warmth.]

It's fine. I don't mind. I mean--you can call me Shouto, if you want.

[He is very determinedly staring at that fire, equally determined to sound as casual as he possibly can about it. Nothing weird about it! They're friends! It's not that he wants to hear how it sounds from Izuku or anything. Totally.

God, he's doomed. How is he supposed to get through this weekend without ruining everything?]

[Izuku will probably never put the word 'gorgeous' in the same sentence he'd describe himself in. He's been called plain-looking for most of his life, so that's the first thing that pops into his head. Plain-looking with curly hair that has been called a moss ball at least a couple times by others with how unruly it is. His hair isn't coarse, but it's not smooth either. More fluffy than anything else, really. Not like Shouto's, he bets. He's always thought that Shouto must have really silky hair with how much it seems to be smooth and shiny every time he looks at it. Shouto is the gorgeous one, in Izuku's mind, and in the minds of many others, he's sure.

Their legs touch, and Izuku chokes down a small squeak of surprise. Was that on purpose?! Was he just shifting?! It must have been accidental, why would Shouto purposefully touch their legs together?! But he's not... he's not pulling away...

Izuku feels like he might spontaneously combust soon if he starts overthinking it, so he firmly tells himself that it's fine, it's probably because Shouto is just trying to fit under the blanket as much as he can because it's so cold in here.]

Sh-... Sh-... Shouto... [Oh god, he can't even say his name out loud without his whole entire face heating up.] I-if you're sure? It... feels weird calling you by your first name if you don't call me by mine though so... so if you want... You, uhm... you can... call me Izuku...? O-only if it doesn't feel too strange though!

[He's not sure what possesses him to do it - maybe it's because he's already babbling a little and he just lets himself carry on - but he tentatively puts forth a suggestion.] Maybe, uhm... Maybe if we... scooted closer together, we could pull the comforter around us better? So we'd be warmer? I-it's still pretty cold in here... [Right! Huddling together for warmth, that's all it is! It's not because he wants to secretly cuddle against him, of course not.]

Edited 2020-03-15 07:55 (UTC)

Yeah. I mean, I'm sure. If you want to--Izuku. It's not a big deal. I mean, it's not weird. Right?

[Saying the name is still so very different from just thinking it, though, and even Shouto's sure he sounds weird. He has to. No matter what he says, it's a very big deal, isn't it? Even if his hero name is his given name, even if he's been calling Izuku by his given name in his head for months now, it's still different. Maybe it's just because they're here like this. No one else, no classmates to hear, no teachers--just the two of them. Together. Alone.

That's definitely a dangerous train of thought, and one he very determinedly steers away from, especially as Izuku puts forth that suggestion.]

That sounds like a good idea. I mean, if you're still cold--

[He probably shouldn't have responded as fast as he did. It's definitely weird, but he can't really help it, can he? He definitely doesn't mind the idea of being closer to Izuku, and any excuse will do. After all, they'll never have this chance again, will they? He can be selfish, just this once, and pretend it's all just to keep his friend warm. Scooting closer, he presses their legs together a little more intentionally, slipping an arm around Izuku's waist and pulling him in just that little bit closer.]

...Is this okay...?

[He can't help the tinge of uncertainty to his voice. This is definitely new and uncharted territory, and Izuku is close enough that Shouto can smell his soap, count every freckle. It's a terrible idea, but he definitely isn't going to back down now.]

[Izuku. Hearing his first name come from Shouto's mouth definitely makes his heart race in a good way, and he... really wants to hear him say it again and again and again.

Then Shouto is moving closer and they are very much pressed solidly against each other now and oh, Shouto is wrapping his arm around his waist. Izuku resists the urge to cover his face with his hands without making a sound like a tea kettle whistling, instead just reveling in the feeling of being pressed this close to the other teen and trying to keep his face from being too red. He doesn't want Shouto to think he's getting a fever or something.]

Y-yeah! This is... I don't feel as cold anymore. [He says it honestly, although whether that's because of how flustered he's feeling or because of how close they are, he's not entirely sure. It's probably a mix of both.] This is great. Really. Thank you, Shouto. It's... It's not awkward for you either, right?

[They keep on asking that to each other, don't they. Is this okay? Is this awkward? It makes his mouth curl up in a hint of amusement before a thought suddenly hits him.

Wait.

Wait a second.

If... If they're this close and Shouto really isn't uncomfortable about it and Izuku definitely isn't uncomfortable about it...

... Taking a gamble, Izuku very slowly leans his head to the side so he can rest it against Shouto's shoulder, holding his breath while waiting to see how the other reacts, praying and hoping that it won't be negative, that... that just maybe...]

[He's worried for a moment that he's gone one step too far, putting his arm around Izuku like that. After all, he can basically feel the other boy vibrating under his hand, and there's clearly some kind of tension he's holding in. But he's not pulling away, either. In fact, he's saying it's helping. That it's okay. And he's asking if it's awkward for Shouto, again, a question that gets a definite shake of his head in response as he delicately lets his fingers curl around Izuku's ribs, holding him close as he dares.]

It's not awkward. It's--kind of nice. I don't mind.

[Maybe it's weird. He wouldn't know, he's had such a limited experience with all of this, having friends, being close to people, but he's fairly certain that his heart shouldn't be racing like this for someone who's just a friend. And he's just as certain that 'just a friend' wouldn't be doing something like this. As Izuku rests his head on Shouto's shoulder, Shouto carefully lets his own head lean to the side, cheek pressed against the soft, springy cushion of Izuku's hair, breathing in a scent that's fresh and musky and clean all at once. Somehow, he even smells green.]

...You smell nice.

[Also something 'just a friend' probably wouldn't say, but it's no less true, and honestly he could probably get away with it.]

[Kind of nice. Curling up together, sharing a blanket, all but cuddling is kind of nice.

Izuku has to focus on breathing in and out steadily so he doesn't start to hyperventilate. He's wanted to be like this with Shouto for so long, but he never thought he would get the opportunity, always thought that Shouto would want to put space between them if he ever did. Shouto doesn't seem like the kind of person who would just normally want to curl up with anyone in front of a fireplace. He's usually fairly reserved.

With every little thing that Shouto does that's not pushing him away, Izuku grows a little more bolder. He crosses his arm in front of himself so he can reach to his side and hesitantly brush his fingertips against Shouto's hand before he tentatively rests his own hand over the other's, wanting to encourage the sideways embrace.

This... This is definitely way beyond what just a simple friend would do, Izuku is also thinking. Shouto might always just... say what he's on his mind, but 'you smell nice'... Would he really say that to just anyone? Izuku isn't so sure, even for Shouto.

Even with the chill in the air, he feels very warm, but not too hot. It's practically perfect, he thinks.] Th-thank you... [He's silent for a moment longer, wanting to broach a particular topic but not wanting to just come out and say it directly for fear of driving Shouto away. There has to be a way he can slowly test the waters more and more like he has been... Leaning his head against his shoulder... Touching his hand... What's the next step?

Words seem like the most logical conclusion at the current point in time, so Izuku takes in a slow breath and lets it out before speaking quietly.] ... I'm really glad we get to spend time with just the two of us like this. It's been a lot of fun. [And to try and lighten the situation, he grins a little bit.] Even if the generator's not working and we're stuck here for who knows how long. I'm... I'm glad it's you that's here.

[It is. Honestly, it's more than kind of nice, but he's always been one to understate more than overstate, and he's also genuinely worried about putting Izuku off. He doesn't think it'll be that easy; after all, with how terrible he'd been to him that first few months of school, what Izuku had gone through for him during the sports festival, he's at least a little more confident in the other boy's persistence, but what if he makes it too weird? What if the comment was too much, what if he says or does something else that shows how he really feels, and Izuku--

The touch of fingers light on the backs of his own stops that train of thought in its tracks. Scratch that, it absolutely derails his train of thought, especially as Izuku's hand slowly and apparently deliberately settles over his. There's a warmth in that hand that has nothing at all to do with his quirk, and a warmth in his chest that has everything to do with his classmate, breathing slow and steady and leaning against him and saying things like that.]

...I feel the same way. I mean, I'm glad it's you. I'm glad we're getting to spend more time together. It doesn't really feel so much like being stuck, to me.

[Maybe that's a little too earnest, a little too honest. But he's not going to lie. Even if Izuku doesn't feel the same way (and why would he? Really? Shouto's terrible at all of this, has no idea what he'd even do if he did feel the same way) he is glad he's getting to know him better, and there's a faint warmth in his words that shows through as he pulls Izuku just a fraction of an inch closer.]

[That brings a warm, content smile to his face, pressing himself closer against Shouto's side and even nuzzling his head a little into his shoulder, feeling that same warmth bursting in his chest.] Yeah... You're right. It doesn't feel like being stuck at all.

[What with all of the signs, if he adds them together, then... Then he's reasonably sure that... Does Shouto really...? This can't be just simple friends stuff. His thoughts have shifted from I wish Shouto would feel the same way to Could Shouto feel the same way? in the last few months but tonight they've shifted into Does Shouto feel the same way? and are now sliding into I... I think... Shouto might actually possibly feel the same way. It sounds crazy just thinking it in his own head and the thought of potentially questioning it out loud has his heart pounding again, but...

But if he does... and Izuku's guess is correct... then here is the perfect opportunity to just enjoy being together without having to hold how they might really feel about each other back.

Be brave, he tells himself, inwardly steeling himself to prepare for... whatever happens next, whether good or bad. He hasn't gotten this far by playing it safe. Taking risks might not always work out but in this case... he hopes so much...]

Shouto...? [He says the name so quietly it's almost a murmur.] I... I'm sorry if... I'm reading into things wrong here... but... you said you feel the same way and I was just... just wondering if you might... feel the same way that... that I feel about you...? Because... [He takes in a deep breath of courage and slowly lets it out.] Because I really... really like being with you like this... I... I like you, Shouto... As... more than a friend... A lot more than a friend... [And now he's resisting the urge to turn and hide his face against Shouto's shoulder, just in case he might push him away in the next few moments after what he's just confessed.] That's... one of the big reasons why I wanted to do this assignment with you... so I'd get to spend some time with just you for awhile...

Mm?

[It's easy to just sit there, finally warm and comfortable, his arm around Izuku and that soft, nice-smelling head just inches away. It's so much more comfortable than he'd ever imagined it might be, and honestly? He's imagined something like this so much more often than he probably should have for someone who's just a friend. And yet...here they are, and it's so nice it feels like a dream he's had before. Just the two of them, alone, together.

But it's not a dream, is it? Izuku is still talking, and Shouto realizes with a jolt that the words aren't just normal words. In fact, he's pretty sure he's misunderstood. He has to have misunderstood. Izuku likes him? As more than a friend? A lot more than a friend. And he took this assignment because...

Shouto's fingers twitch on Midoriya's waist, but it's only for a second, almost a nervous tic. He can't bring himself to look down at Izuku. He can barely breathe. This can't be happening.

But it is. And if Izuku can be this brave...]

Izuku--

[It's so easy to get distracted just saying the name he's only ever thought. The name that makes his stomach do all sorts of flips, butterflies all through his veins. But he can't stop there. So instead, he shifts his hand, tentatively, moving to lace his fingers with Izuku's as he tries to find the words big enough to hold how he's feeling.]

It's--It's not just you.

[He doesn't stutter, Todoroki Shouto. Except now he is, because he'd never thought this would actually happen.]

I was...glad it was you. For the same reason. Spending time getting to know you better. Learning everything you like, and how to make you laugh--

[He's not very good at this at all, is he? The words are so hesitant. It's Shouto's turn to take a deep breath, and he finally looks down at Izuku, an open vulnerability on his face.]

You really like me? Like that?

[Izuku wonders if his heart is beating loud enough that even Shouto can hear it, because it sure feels like it is while he waits for Shouto to finish speaking, resisting the urge to hold his breath and telling himself to keep breathing slowly in and out and in and out.

It's not just you.

He really does hold his breath for a moment at those words, daring to hope that it means what he desperately wants it to mean.

When Shouto brings up wanting to make him laugh, Izuku can't stop his cheeks from flushing a deep red. Why does hearing that just make his heart start pounding again, but in a less anxious and more completely ecstatic way? Knowing Shouto wants to hear him laugh...

Shouto is turning his face, so Izuku turns his own up to look at him directly, and the openness he sees in his expression has him feeling like he's melting from how sweet and gentle it makes the other look.

He's moving before he even realizes it because there's no way he can hold himself back. He presses himself up to close his eyes and kiss Shouto very very gently and chastely. It's just a light brush of lips, really, only lasting a second or two before he's pulling back so he can look at Shouto again with a growing fond smile, giving a single but firm nod.] I do. I really really do. It's... It's more than just liking you at this point. I've... felt like this for I don't know how many months now...

[Izuku is bright pink, but Shouto's pretty sure he's at least a little flushed, too, and not a bit of it is from the fire or the warmth of the blankets. It's from the look in the other boy's face, the way he looks at Shouto like he's something soft and precious.

And then Izuku's moving, and Shouto's too surprised to do anything but sit there, feeling like the entire bottom is dropping out of his chest, like he's falling. Except he's already fallen, hasn't he? He'd fallen ages ago. He doesn't quite manage to pull himself together in time to kiss back before Izuku's pulling away and giving him a smile that feels like the most precious thing to him in the world, and now he knows he's flushed, too, eyes wide and lips parted. As the other boy speaks, the tip of his tongue brushes over his lips, tasting Izuku on them. Months...]

Months...?

[Months. More than liking. For months. And he'd been so afraid to let Izuku see any part of how he felt, terrified of losing the person who mattered most. He's not going to be scared any more. He's not going to let himself hold back. Those mismatched eyes soften, darken, move from Izuku's eyes to his mouth, and before he knows exactly what he's decided, Shouto is leaning in, eyes closing as he presses his lips to Izuku's in a clumsy kiss, lifting his hand to cup the other boy's cheek.]

[Izuku chuckles a little at how speechless Shouto looks after he kisses him gently. Before tonight, he would have taken that speechlessness as possible unreciprocated feelings, but after this moment they've had, he's still reasonably sure it's a good kind of speechless. Shouto doesn't look like he's frozen up in stiffness; it's more that he looks like he's in wonder, what with the way he looks back at Izuku with a slightly flushed face and the way his tongue flicks over his lips, and wow, okay, that's really distracting. His eyes zero in on those lips for a moment before he swallows hard and makes himself look back up at Shouto's eyes.]

Yeah. [He confirms it quietly, as if feeling that speaking louder might break the spell.] The more time I started spending with you... The more I got to know you... Seeing how you've been working so hard to get better at not only your quirk, but yourself as well... Eventually there was this moment where I suddenly had the thought of... 'Oh. It's like that then.' You... You're amazing, Shouto.

[As he looks back at Shouto, Izuku feels like he's getting mesmerized by those eyes, and he doesn't think he could easily tear his gaze away from them. When they darken and drop down to his mouth, Izuku can't hold back of tremble of anticipation, leaning forward in an open invitation, offering himself up and encouraging Shouto to take.

He doesn't care if the kiss is a little clumsy. He presses up into it eagerly, lifting one hand to rest it over the one that's gently cupping his face because he doesn't want Shouto to let go of him, reaching forward with the other to latch on to Shouto's shirt because he doesn't want to let go of Shouto either.]

[You're amazing, Izuku says, like he isn't the amazing one, like he isn't the reason Shouto's the person he is today. Not even just half the reason. He's the reason, and he's been the reason for a while now, ever since the sports festival if he's entirely honest with himself, and he'd never said anything, but now...now he's going to say everything. He's going to give Izuku every single word he has, eventually. After this. After he gives him all the things he can't say.

Izuku doesn't seem to mind that the kiss is a little clumsy, or that Shouto's still figuring out what he's doing. In fact, he's encouraging, leaning up into the kiss, and at that Shouto's nerves ease a little more even as his heart rate ratchets up another notch or two. Izuku wants this, the hand gripping his shirt and the other over his own make that clear enough, and that gives Shouto the courage to forge ahead, tilting his head a little, seeking that comfortable angle where no one's nose is being squashed and their teeth aren't hitting one another. He doesn't quite know how he's supposed to breathe, though, which means that after a long moment he has to pull away, feeling more than a little lightheaded. At least he doesn't go far, his arm still wrapped around Izuku's waist and his thumb stroking those freckles he finds absolutely adorable.]

You know, Izuku...it's because of you. You helped me accept my quirk, and you made me want to be--better. At everything. At being a person, I guess. And then after Stain, I guess...I just kind of...knew. But I didn't say anything, because being your friend was too important to risk.

[Some people might be embarrassed, saying things like this, but with Shouto it's just as frank as talking about the weather, or a homework assignment, albeit with a softness that neither one of those things gets.]

I'm really glad you're braver than I am. For what it's worth.

[Izuku can feel the stretch from how wide the smile is on his face. He's so happy that he feels like he might explode from it. He's kissed Shouto. He's actually, finally, kissed Shouto Todoroki. And with luck, there's hopefully going to be a lot more kissing in the future.

He closes his eyes and nuzzles his cheek against the thumb that's stroking it for a moment before moving his own hand to brush his fingers against the side of Shouto's neck, letting them rest there comfortably. Leaning forward a little, he rests their foreheads together, and he really does feel like he could stay like this with Shouto indefinitely, in this quiet intimacy.

Izuku shakes his head slowly at Shouto's words, not willing to accept full credit.] I'm sure you would have gotten there on your own. You want to be a hero so much. I know you would have found your own way to accepting all of your quirk eventually. You would have realized it's the best way to becoming the best hero you can be.

[He tilts his head up to brush another soft kiss against Shouto's mouth before he pulls back a bit to look at him in amazement.] After... After Stain? You knew all the way back then? I... It took me a little while after that before I put it together myself but... [He chuckles a little, shaking his head slightly.] Wow. All this time without realizing we felt the same way... but I understand, because I was afraid of that too... Losing you as a friend if I told you the truth...

[It doesn't take too long before that bright grin is slipping right back onto his face.] Well, at least we figured it out eventually, right? And think about it! Now we still have the rest of the weekend where we can spend time together with just the two of us like this without it having to be awkward anymore. I just hope we'll be able to go outside and fix the generator tomorrow... It's still pretty chilly in here. [As if to emphasize it, Izuku gives a little shiver and presses closer to Shouto, tugging the blanket more snugly around him again because it keeps on slipping more and more off his shoulders whenever he moves his arms.]

I'm not so sure.

[The words are soft, not sad but a little introspective. How could he possibly be sad when Izuku is right here in his arms kissing him and telling him that he has feelings for him, feelings like his own? But the truth is, he's not sure. It would have been so easy to let his father drive him further and further down that path, behind so many layers of ice no one would be able to unfreeze him. He could have ended up so cold he couldn't even see if he was doing the right thing. He could have ended up a villain, obsessed with taking his father down, once and for all. It wouldn't be hard to see that future, back at the beginning of his time at UA.

But now isn't for thinking about that, especially as Izuku leans his forehead against his, and then gives him another of those sweet, soft kisses that's over way too fast.]

Mmhm. I think I felt that way even before, but...after that, in the hospital, was when I realized. The way I was worried about you and the way I worried about Iida were different. I just--I guess I never thought you'd feel the same way. You're just so good to everyone.

[He's like the sun, and it'll never make sense to Shouto the way people don't notice that more often. But he'll appreciate him enough for any number of people, especially now. Now that he knows Izuku feels the same way.

Although--Izuku also feels cold, too, and he can't have that, can he?]

I'll make sure I take care of it tomorrow. But...for tonight, maybe we should sleep together?

[The connotations of those words don't sink in until he's said them, and the moment he realizes how it could be taken can't be missed from that close, the way his eyes widen a little and a faint pink rises to his cheeks.]

I mean, share a bed. More blankets that way, and sharing body heat is supposed to help prevent hypothermia, too.

[Neither one of them is gonna get hypothermia. But the idea of curling up with Izuku and sleeping all night is definitely a compelling one.]

[Izuku listens while watching Shouto in quiet amazement, shaking his head a little in almost disbelief.] Wow... Ever since then, huh...? You really saved us back then, you know. Stain would have killed Iida if you hadn't shown up when you did... I wasn't able to do anything because I wasn't able to move... and then inspiring Iida to get up... I was honestly terrified when Stain came at you with his sword... I thought he might cut your arm off... but your words got Iida on his feet and you and him worked together and it was so cool how you guys made such an amazing team. [Izuku gave a soft, disappointed sigh.] It's a little frustrating we can't tell anyone the truth, because you deserve a lot of the credit for taking Stain down. Iida too, even if he didn't go about it the right way at first.

[He makes a thoughtful sound, a contemplative expression on his face.] I think... maybe even back then I... I don't think I realized it at the time but... When you said the way you worried about Iida and the way you worried about me was different, I... understand that, even if I was worried about you both. It was just... different. [It feels hard to put in to words, so he just gives a little nod that he gets it.

His face colors slightly when Shouto says he's good with everyone.] W-well, I try my best to be nice to everyone! But there's definitely nobody else I want to... to kiss and... you know... sit with this close and... and things... [Yep, stammering flustered mess Izuku has made a reappearance.

And it only gets worse at the next thing Shouto says, Izuku's eyes flying open wider. But then Shouto explains and Izuku's surprise fades a bit.] Oh! I, uh... Yeah, that'd be great! I'd... I'd really like that. [Curling up in a bed with Shouto for the whole night? How does one stop their brain from exploding? Izuku doesn't know.] I read that too! About sharing body heat, I mean. We'd definitely be warmer that way! [He trails off into an awkward laugh, then immediately chastises himself about it because no, Izuku, things aren't supposed to be awkward anymore! You can talk about this stuff now!]

I, uhm... [He looks down at his hands, too flustered to keep looking Shouto in the face.] I... wouldn't... mind... doing the other thing either... I don't... really feel as tired anymore...? [How can he feel tired when his heart is racing and his body feels flushed thinking about 'sharing body heat' with Shouto that is definitely not in the way that Shouto suggested?] I-I mean... ['I wouldn't mind' does it nowhere near enough justice, so he amends it a bit.] I'd... I'd really really like to... if you want to too...

[Things are still allowed to be a little awkward! They're still figuring all this out, and while Shouto doesn't know about Izuku, he's still incredibly new to all of this. Of course, it feels really, really nice to hear Izuku say there's nobody else he wants to kiss, or be this close with, but he really doesn't even know what comes next.

Except. Well. Apparently his quirk isn't the only thing Izuku goes plus ultra on, and now it's Shouto's turn to look surprised and more than a little flustered.]

You...?

[Oh. Oh. He's suddenly very, very aware of how close Izuku is, and how dry his mouth is, swallowing a little convulsively. The other thing, huh. He should...probably say something. And stop the direction his mind is wandering off in.]

I don't really...I mean, I've. Never done that before. And I don't really...have the stuff you need for it? It isn't that I don't want to with you eventually, just--I didn't even know you liked me.

[Because he definitely, definitely does want! He's maybe had more than a few dreams in that vein! More than you should have about a friend, for sure. But he's definitely in over his head here. Still, he doesn't want Izuku to get the wrong impression, and so despite his flushed face and embarrassed admission, he reaches up, fingers gentle on Izuku's cheek as he redirects his face upward, leaning in closer.]

I definitely want to do this more, though.

[This kiss is more confident than the last, a little more sure of what he's doing. He'd really like to do the other thing, too, but if they have the right supplies, and not rushing just because this might be the only chance they have. Because it definitely won't be, if he's got anything to say about it.]

Meme Carryovers

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