We entered the classroom minutes before the bell rang. Most of our classmates were already there, cramming some last-minute info before our math test. Math was one of my weaker subjects but after the study session we had with Yaomomo, I was pretty confident that I could get a passing grade.
I scanned the room as I headed for my desk, searching for a familiar mop of dark hair. Warmth spread all the way down to the tip of my fingers when I found him in his seat. Fists clenched atop his empty desk, Sero seemed to be staring out into nothingness. I frowned, somehow doubting that it was the upcoming test that put him in this state.
A peal of laughter on the other end of the classroom had him stiffening and I finally connected the dots. It was our first lesson for the day which meant that this was the time he usually went to Ochaco for a pen. I wondered if him not going meant that he was trying to give up on his crush. My pulse quickened and I chastised myself for my uncharitable thoughts. I knew first-hand what he was going through and should be more sympathetic.
I reached his seat in five steps. "Hey."
He glanced at me, his lips curling into a smile that woke the butterflies in my stomach. "Morning."
There was an awkward pause that I hurried to fill with small talk. "So, you ready for math?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Another pause. This was not going very well.
"You, um, got everything you need?"
A small crease appeared between his brows as he tried to make sense of my question. A blush crept up my neck and before it could reach my cheeks, I slammed the pencil down on his desk and scurried back to my own. I was saved from further embarrassment by the bell.
As Ectoplasm strolled in and told us to put our things away, I couldn't help but remember my proud proclamation from the previous night. For someone who'd said she was "going to go all out" I sure did a poor showing today.
Ectoplasm left the classroom with our tests and I stretched my arms above my head. Yaomomo turned around in her seat.
"How did it go?" she inquired, the worry melting from her features when I gave her two thumbs up.
"Obviously I'll never rank first in math but I did great, all things considered," I elaborated.
She nodded then faced Todoroki who seemed to have something to ask her. I leaned over to fish out my bottle of water and when I straightened, it was to find Sero standing by my desk. He was peering down at me, a hint of curiosity in his eyes and I automatically straightened under his perusal. He thrust his hand in front of me and I noticed my pencil clasped in his fist.
"Thanks," he said.
"You're welcome," I answered with a weak smile.
There was a moment of silence then I saw him unfurl his fingers. My chest constricted as I looked at him.
"Don't you," I asked as my smile fell. "need it anymore?"
His eyes flickered away from me for a brief instant and he hesitated before saying, "I guess I do."
"You can keep it then."
He raised his other hand to sheepishly rub at his neck. "Thanks."
Sero pocketed my pencil and exited the classroom, probably to find his friends. I waited until he was out of sight before raising my hands to cover the lower half of my face. My heartbeat picked up as I replayed the scene in my mind. Did I just make some progress?
I struggled against my bindings but it was no use – the tape wouldn't give. A shadow fell over me and I peered up to see Sero standing there with an apologetic smile. I scowled at him, more out of embarrassment than anything else. I'd allowed myself to get distracted during our training exercise so my current predicament was well deserved. Still, laying on the ground like stringed up ham was humiliating.
"I got her Kaminari, go ahead," Sero called to his partner before glancing down at me again. "Sorry."
Shooting his tape to a nearby tree, he pulled himself out of danger as Kaminari was about to unleash one of his indiscriminate shocks. He didn't need to be able to see Toru to put her out of commission that way and considering my proximity to him, I'd probably get hit as well. From the very beginning, the set-up of our teams was unfair but then again, that had been the objective.
Grumbling, I watched as Kaminari raised his arms. There might be a way for me to break free but that would require trying something I never had before. If I succeeded, I could take Sero down but if I failed… well I'd face humiliation like none before. Gritting my teeth together, I focused on myself.
I teleported away the second Kaminari activated his Quirk and appeared behind Sero. Performing a mediocre roundhouse kick, I managed to knock him off the branch he'd perched atop. He recovered quickly, using his tape to catch himself with another branch and land safely on his feet. I'd teleported again and he whirled around, anticipating that I would attack from behind. I'd been hoping for that as I reappeared in front of him, just out of reach.
His eyes bulged and his hands flew up to cover them, a deep blush staining his cheeks. Smirking, I knocked him off his feet and settled atop him, using my weight to keep him pinned. Panting, I was about to ask him if he would surrender when he spoke up.
"I give up," he said, his breathing as labored as mine.
Smiling triumphantly, I got off him and extended a hand to help him up. He accepted it but still avoided looking at me.
"Team Hagakure wins," Mr. Aizawa said before shooting me an unimpressed look. "Put some clothes on."
Chuckling sheepishly, I returned to the discarded pile of tape that still contained my gym clothes. It was my first time trying to teleport in a way that left the upper layer of my clothing behind and I was happy that I'd succeeded. Sure, I was left in nothing but my sports bra and boy shorts but a victory was a victory.
Crouching beside the pile, I tried to untangle my clothes but only ended up with tape all over my hands. This was troublesome. I had no spare and my uniform was back in the school building, where we'd gotten changed. I glanced over my shoulder at my classmates, most of whom were doing their best to look elsewhere. I was glad Kaminari had put himself out of commission and that Shoji had a firm hold on Mineta. Maybe Yaomomo could make me a cloak until we got back?
Something soft was dropped on my head, blocking my line of sight. Reaching up to tug the material down, I realized it was a gym shirt. Sero was standing next to me, eyes averted and a finger awkwardly rubbing his red-tinted cheek.
I pulled it on without hesitation. It was made of the same stuff as mine yet it somehow felt softer and more comfortable against my skin. I stood, and pulled it lower, the hem reaching just below my panties.
"Thanks," I breathed.
He nodded then added, "Sorry about your clothes."
"It's fine. It comes with the job."
Sero chuckled weakly as he turned around to head back to the group. I followed him, allowing myself to take a quick whiff of his shirt. Beneath the faint smell of sweat, there was something distinctly Sero and it made me feel safe and warm.
Sero was sitting by himself on the couch, fiddling with his phone. It was now or never. Stopping right in front of him, I thrust a lollipop between the screen and his face. He blinked a few times in surprise, then his eyes traveled up the length of my arm until they found my face.
"Thank you gift for the shirt," I said.
"Oh."
He glanced back down at the candy and it was hard to miss the conflicted look on his face. I snorted and his attention snapped up to my face. I used my Quirk to switch the lollipop with the bottle that I held hidden behind my back.
"Freshly pressed orange juice. I made sure to pick the healthiest fruit," I said, voice laced with amusement.
He took the bottle from me and my fingers tingled from where they touched his. "Thanks. Why, though?"
"You like healthy stuff, right? This was all I could think of," I said with a shrug.
"How did you know?" he asked as he took a gulp.
"You probably told me at some point," I answered, taking note of the quick grimace that flashed across his features. "Should I have added some sugar to soften the taste?"
"No, it's good. Thanks."
I smiled then plopped down next to him. "Whatcha doing?"
"Hand-eye coordination exercise," he answered as he picked up his phone.
I leaned in to catch a glimpse of the screen. "That's a game."
"It's not," he insisted.
"Liar," I teased.
"I'm not lying. It's too hard to be a simple game," he said, missing some of the sparkly circles and losing the game. "Want to try?"
I nodded and he handed me the phone. We were sitting close enough that our shoulders were touching, my knee bumping his as I settled more comfortably on the couch. My entire right side was warm from where I had touched him. I started the game and despite our proximity, I managed to pass the first seven stages in one go. Sero leaned in closer to get a better look.
"Wow, you're good," he said, his breath fanning my cheek.
My fingers froze above the screen and I lost seconds before reaching the eighth stage. My entire face was aflame as I slowly turned my head to face him. He was close enough that my nose practically brushed against his. Noticing our proximity, he pulled back.
My fingers curled into the front of his T-shirt to keep him there. His eyes flickered to my hand then back to my face. Pink dusting his cheeks, he opened his mouth to say something but I beat him to it.
"I like you."
I find Sero adorable and I'm a little worried that I'm not doing him justice.
Anyway, at ten chapters, this fic is complete - it just needs a re-read and some editing. I'll be posting a chapter a day.
Thank you for reading, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
