It all started during the last few weeks of school, nearing graduation. Izuku listens to his classmates talk during vacant periods; about their plans, which hero agency they'd be going for, if they should hold a reunion sometime soon.
Izuku observes, and notes how some of them are more apprehensive than eager to get out there and fulfil their life-long dream. He understands, having experienced several life-threatening scenarios first-hand. They're far from ready. No one is. But heroes are shaped by circumstance, and no amount of readiness can truly prepare them for the worst . They'd make a name for themselves, or they'd retire regretfully – joining the other heroes who just didn't make it. For people like them, they just have to mess up once, and they're done for.
At some point, their excited chattering turns more solemn, their confidence waning; self-doubt and inexperience bubbling into the surface.
Izuku opens his notebook, and writes. Not about quirks this time. He recalls the conversation from earlier, about aspirations and dreams; another way to remember them by. A hopeful part of him thinks that maybe, just maybe , he'd be able to hear their feats being reported in the local news. And he'd be able to confidently remind himself, that yes, that's my classmate who once jokingly told the class he'd take down a villain whose quirk would counterfeit his own, believing it's the best way to show the masses that he's capable.
His mind drifts, to the girl who told him in freshman year about her dream, shy and embarrased about how trivial it seemed, but also fiercely determined. He remembers it, and quickly jots that down, smiling. His gaze wanders without his consent, and he finds himself looking at Uraraka, who beams at him brightly.
A moment later, Tsuyu snickers, and Izuku turns his gaze away, having just realized that he was staring.
His chest feels light and leaden all at once, and he considers telling Uraraka to maybe tone down her smiles cause it's making him feel weird , maybe a little sick to his stomach but it's nothing he couldn't deal with. He wonders if Uraraka might have a quirk she's not aware of, with how disarming her smile is, but holds back the urge to ask her about it. Something tells him it might not go over well.
He turns back to his task, his scribbles starting to look wonky with how jittery he's feeling.
Maybe Uraraka does have a second quirk.
The last week of class rolls around. Izuku is fairly resigned to the fact that his days in UA are numbered when Yaoyorozu makes an announcement after homeroom on a Thursday.
"I'd like to invite everyone to a week-long stay at my family's resort. All accommodations are provided for. I'd appreciate it if you're all able to come." Momo finishes stiffly, feeling unsure of herself.
"Pfft." Jirou covers her mouth with a hand, trying to muffle her giggles. Momo looks at her in question, brow raised.
"Sorry, it's just – why do you sound so formal? We've all known each other for years . Loosen up, geez." Jirou explains with a small smile on her face.
Todoroki clears his throat, "So when is it?"
Momo visibly relaxes, "Two weeks after graduation, if that would be okay with everyone?"
"Sure."
"Hell yeah."
" Whatever, ponytail face"
"I'd be glad to."
"Sounds fun – ribbit."
"The beach! GIRLS IN SWIMSUITS! Count me in!"
"Mineta, didn't you just say you have a family reunion to attend around that time?"
" Argh! Why did you have to remind me!?"
"I don't know about you guys, but that would be fucking lit. I'm coming."
"Do we bring beer?"
"As class representative, I forbid anyone from bringing liquor or any kind of alcoholic beverage. We have to uphold – "
"Uh... I'm sorry but I might not be able to go." Deku fiddles with his fingers.
"But why? It wouldn't be fun without you, dude."
"Yeah, you should totally come."
"Midoriya, is something wrong?"
Deku shakes his head frantically, "No, it's not anything like that! I swear I'm not keeping things, it's just... I have my hands full around that time. I'm really sorry! I'd love to go but..."
"It's okay, Deku. We understand. But if you change your mind, you can show up anytime. Don't worry about it." Momo reassures him, but Deku can't help but feel upset.
A pair of brown eyes look at him worriedly from across the room, dropping the eraser that she had been floating moments ago.
"Izuku, someone's asking for you on the phone." A voice chimes from the hall.
Midoriya sits up from the bed and pads slowly across the room, he squints at the wall clock. It reads 7:40 pm.
"Great. I slept the whole afternoon." Izuku mutters to himself, and turns for the door.
Moments later, he is pressing the phone close to his ear – hears a familiar voice greet him.
"Midoriya, my boy. I've been trying to contact you but you haven't picked up any of my calls."
I began to worry remains unspoken, but Izuku picks it up from Toshinori's voice nonetheless.
"Have I interrupted something?"
Midoriya fumbles for a response "Uh, no no, it's fine... I just woke up, actually. Do you need something, All Might?"
"I've heard from Iida that Yaoyorozu invited the whole class to her resort as some sort of celebration. Why didn't you tell me?"
Izuku halts, trying to form words. He sighs, "We're supposed to train out of town next week with sensei for a month. I can't go and join them... I have to make good of the months ahead. I am not ready enough, I have to – "
"Listen to me, boy. It wouldn't hurt to spend a week with your friends. I can talk to sensei about it, move your schedule."
"B-but I already told them that I won't be going. It's okay, All Might... You don't have to worry about me." Izuku's voice sounds tight and forced, even to his own ears. He knows what he needs to do, but he's never been good at ignoring what his heart wants.
All this blind longing, to be a hero – to be like All Might – led him here. And yet, he couldn't have imagined that he'd be forced to choose. Being a hero always came first, but now, he wants a lot of things. Some of which he remains oblivious to.
He hears a distinct sigh from All Might, "I admire your dedication, young Midoriya. But allow yourself this chance to be you. After all, you have years ahead to dedicate yourself to being a hero."
It's with begrudging realization that it hits Izuku. All Might – with all his grand exclamations and speeches about youth could've been lonely with his. Deku swallowed, suddenly overcome with the urge to ask about it, but held back.
"Thanks, All Might..." He says instead, "I'll be sure to tell Iida about the change of plans."
"Make the most of it, young Midoriya! I'd be working you to the bone when you get back, those muscles aren't going to train themselves."
"Right..."
"I can't fucking believe Deku's coming." Bakugou sneers, glaring at a fluffy tuft of green hair a couple of seats in front of him.
The boys all agreed to meet at the train station, before heading off together to Momo's. It's been at least 5 minutes since they're seated in the train, which is too early to be putting up with Bakugou's whining.
"Blasty, let's play Uno."Kirishima grins, taking out a deck of cards from his bag and places it on the table between them.
Kaminari is quick to join them, exclaiming something about how the ride is going to be boring anyway since the girls are enjoying the plush ride in Momo's limousine.
"That reminds me, Jirou seemed rather happy about it. Says it's a good thing that Mineta and Kaminari isn't there to ruin everything there is to enjoy in a car ride." Oujiro says, scrolling down his phone.
"I don't think she's into guys. She may or may not have stated that Momo's legs are as gorgeous as Momo herself."
Kirishima laughs, "I'm not the only one who noticed then."
Grinning, Sero quips "I know of one girl in our class who definitely has it bad for Midoriya."
Bakugo groans, and Kirishima playfully pats him on the back.
Meanwhile, Deku is having quite some trouble sitting still. Todoroki has graciously offered him the window seat but it hasn't done anything to calm Midoriya's nerves.
"Is there something bothering you?" Todoroki asks, unsure of how to handle a fidgeting Deku.
"U-um, not exactly! But I was wondering if we'd be safe in such a remote area. The signal there isn't good to begin with, and usually, villains try to jam communication lines to prevent any call for back up. I know we're all strong and capable, don't get me wrong, but what if someone gets held hostage? What if – "
"It will be fine. There's no need to panic. Besides, it's uncharacteristic of you to be this worried. You're usually excited, not that I get what's so great about these trips."
Deku worries his lower lip, "Well, isn't this like the last time we'd ever get to bond as a whole class? I just don't want it to end on a sour note... I guess. I just can't seem to relax lately."
Todoroki hums, "I've heard that walking across the beachscape can be pretty relaxing."
Deku chortles at that, "Why do you talk as though it's a vague thing you picked up from someone else ? Haven't you tried walking across the beachscape?"
Todoroki frowned, "I have. But it wasn't fun. People would constantly point at me or my scar and say something about Endeavor. I just happen to stick out like a sore thumb wherever I go."
He continues with a sigh, "Enough about that. I've heard that Uraraka plans to take a stroll at the beach with some of her friends. You should join her."
Deku beams, "Actually, she once told me she'd like to take her parents to Hawaii, when she earns enough money. I wonder if they'd stay there for good or if it's just a vacation kind of thing."
Todoroki smiles slightly, "Why don't you ask her, then? I don't think she'd mind telling you."
Deku looks out the window, deep in thought.
"It feels like I'm intruding, sometimes. But yeah , she wouldn't mind." Absently, he plays with the string of his hoodie. Izuku's penchant for hooded sweaters and cargo shorts remain unchanged. He remembers his classmates teasing him about it. Kaminari told him during their second year to start dressing more maturely or Izuku would never have much luck with girls.
Uraraka was quick to gale that criticism with her own, "They suit Deku just fine! He looks cute in them."
Izuku remembers blushing furiously before promptly hiding his face in his hands, only slightly offended by Kirishima's "Hang in there, dude."
That's the other weird thing, Uraraka always makes him feel like his plain, average self is more than enough. It's rather cruel, how she constantly says these things without batting an eye, when Izuku tries yet fails to compose himself every time. Midoriya is fairly easy to fluster with compliments, no matter who says them. But there's something about Uraraka that makes him burst with energy, that sets him alight with unbridled happiness.
She's so different from Kacchan after all, who's been the only friend Deku had prior to U.A. With such contrasting personalities, it's no wonder Deku's unsure of how to deal with her. Uraraka is such a nice friend, he should have warmed up to her by now. Yet the weird stirring in his gut doesn't die down, and continues to get worse as time passes.
He doesn't notice that they'd arrived at the train stop until a hand pats his shoulder.
"Midoriya, we're here. Hurry up and gather your stuff. Everyone is planning to search for the best room, and I'd rather not have someone else beat me to it."
Izuku gathered all his belongings as fast as he could, and grins "The three of us are rooming together right? You, me and Iida."
Todoroki shrugs, "Apparently, Iida thinks it'd be safer that way. There's no telling what would happen once we're asleep."
Midoriya nods, as the people start to filter out the train. "Everyone gets to room with two other people as a result, although Momo reminded us that there's enough rooms to accommodate everyone individually. "
Todoroki snorts, "No one wants their own room, and I doubt they'd be sleeping anyway. Not if they can help it."
Once Midoriya steps out and lands his feet on the ground, the excitement from earlier washes over him.
"This is really awesome! And we're not training for once." Izuku exhales, taking everything in.
He'd remember to thank All Might later through email. He can't believe he almost passed this up.
"Get moving Midoriya or I'm leaving you."
He catches a small smile playing at Todoroki's lips as he takes a couple of strides forward.
"As if. We both know you're terrible at being a jerk ."
Todoroki doesn't reply, just continues to walk forward.
"Really now? Way to leave a bro hanging." Midoriya grins as he watches his friend stank on ahead. Oh well.
The sound of a car engine roaring to a stop catches Izuku's attention. He looks around and sees a long car being parked. Momo steps out of the vehicle, the other girls following after her.
"Deku! You actually came!" A bright voice exclaims, and Izuku responds to the voice immediately, knowing who it is even before he turns to meet her gaze.
"Yeah. Uhh... Todoroki left me and I uh..."
"Let's walk together then!" Uraraka beams as she takes his arm and pulls him to her side, humming cheerfully.
Izuku doesn't even bother to hide how ecstatic he is to have a girl grab him by the arm. He decides today is a good day. Until he hears someone clearing their throat.
"You two are cute and all but I think you should at least acknowledge we're here, Deku." Tooru teases.
Izuku flushes a bright red, " Right. How rude of me."
"Nah, it's cool." Jirou says, walking ahead of them. "Just remember to walk at a decent pace or you're both going to miss lunch. It's a long walk from here."
Uraraka scans the area and looks at Izuku. "Where are the others?"
"They went on ahead." Midoriya sighs, and reaches out his hand to carry one of Uraraka's luggage but the girl only shoves his hand away, smiling. "I've got this."
After that, they all walk in relative silence. Izuku finds himself listening aptly to Uraraka's excited chattering, but half of the time, he takes the time to look . It still takes him by surprise whenever he goes to urban places. The lush trees, the farm animals, the simplicity of it all makes for a relaxing walk. A cute sheep walks on the grass, seemingly lost. It scares off a few birds but trudges on ahead like it didn't notice them.
Whether Uraraka had been staring at him instead of the unusual scene playing out, well , Izuku is none the wiser. They continue like this until they reach the lake, taking a 20 minute boat ride to Momo's place.
Izuku finds the peace and quiet relaxing, the gentle swish of the water calming. Yet, he feels his nerves set alight, a gentle simmer of excitement and something more. It's probably just him looking forward to the trip. What else could it be? With that, he puts these feelings past him and tries not to think very hardly on how Uraraka's eyes seemed to glow brighter that day, and how the flush on her cheeks seemed to flatter her features – as though he was looking at her for the first time. His chest starts to swell, with endearment maybe . This is strange, really strange.
Just like this, Izuku ponders and has at some point concluded that he might be ill with something.
I better ask Momo later.