The skies were gray but Tokoyami was feeling a shade of pink. Because he woke up in the tender loving arms of his new boyfriend. There was a light pitter-patter against the window though at first, Tokoyami had confused it for the beating in his chest. Then their phone alarm went off and for just a moment, he wanted to snooze it so they could stay that way for a little longer. Even if it was just for five minutes. But they couldn't.

"We have a train to catch," said Tokoyami, letting out a yawn and sitting up.

Shouji rubbed at his eyes, brushing his hair out of his face. "Not for another two hours."

They still had to pack their things, get dressed, eat breakfast, and drive to the station. So they needed that much time to prepare. But it was hard to focus on the task of folding their costumes into their cases when they kept looking over at one another and involuntarily making stupid faces at each other. It was so hard to see each other without feeling giddy about just being in the same room.

Tokoyami was trying not to laugh. "Stop."

"What?" Shouji chuckled.

"I can see your hand—mouth…," said Tokoyami, looking at the particular limb getting closer, "are you trying to kiss me?"

Shouji shrugged as he tucked his spandex suit into the case. "Maybe."

"Just ask and I might let you."

"Okay, can I kiss you?"

"Mm… No."

The rest of their belongings were left forgotten as they started running around the barren room. Shouji was chasing after the smaller boy, four mouths making smooching sounds. In the meantime, Tokoyami was doing his best to avoid them, summoning Dark Shadow to help keep him at bay. During this, they were laughing boisterously as they managed to make a mess with just the sheets and pillows.

Things finally came to an end when Shouji tackled Tokoyami to the ground. They landed on one of the futons with a heavy thud. Tokoyami was propped up by his elbows while Shouji had him trapped with a wall of limbs to either side of his captive.

"Can I kiss you now?" Shouji asked.

Tokoyami reached up, tugging the mask down and simultaneously lifting himself up. They parted their lips, tilted their heads, and yanked themselves apart when Mimi threw open the door. Tokoyami's head hit the hardwood floor and Shouji had practically jumped across the room and smashed into the wall. So they both held their bruised parts while the mother apologized for interrupting.

"But this is why I have the no lewdness rule," said Mimi. "So I don't walk in on you by accident."

Tokoyami looked at his phone, inhaling sharply through his teeth as he checked the time. "We wasted a whole ten minutes…"

"Well if you had just let me kiss you," Shouji groaned, "this wouldn't have happened."

"Don't put this one on me," Tokoyami huffed.

Mimi put a hand to her chest, gushing about their first couple's squabble. But then she reminded them that they had to hurry up or else their train would leave and another wasn't going to come until the afternoon. If they wanted time to settle back into their dwellings in Shizuoka, then they couldn't waste any time bickering.

Shouji rolled up the futons to store them back into the closet. "I hope all of our fights are that silly." He kept his back facing the other boy. "I don't think I'd be able to handle it if things were to ever get more serious than that."

"Everyone has disagreements," said Tokoyami. "Some are going to get more heated than this one…"

It wasn't a prospect that either of them wanted to delve into. A relationship wasn't without its ups and downs. They were well aware of that fact. But Tokoyami and Shouji both knew what it was like to be abandoned by someone that was supposed to love them. The pain of being unwanted was something they never wanted to experience again. Yet something about the other boy made them want to risk it.

"I didn't hurt you when I pushed you to the floor, right?" Shouji asked, wanting to change the subject.

"You're worried about that?" Tokoyami chuckled. "I'm sturdier than I look, you know."

Shouji nodded before wandering over and pulling the smaller frame into his arms, holding him there. "I know." The only sound in the entire house came from the sizzle of eggs being dropped into a skillet. "I hold your strength to high regard. You had my interest when you kept me out of the top five during the apprehension test and my admiration when you got third place in the sports festival."

Tokoyami reached up and rubbed his hands across Shouji's arms, knowing how strong they could be but how gentle they were around him. It was strange knowing that perhaps it was Shouji who started liking him first. Even if it started out as nothing more than just respect.

"Well," said Tokoyami, "I wouldn't have made it that far had Midoriya not chosen me or if I had to fight Bakugou sooner."

"I still think you're amazing."

"I think the same of you."

Mimi finished setting the plates onto the table and tiptoed back to her son's room. This time, instead of just barging in, she cracked open the door to peek in. The guys were standing in the middle of the room, making out like the hormonal teenagers that they were. Slowly, she shut the door, stealthily returned to the kitchen and pretended that she had never moved from the spot.

"Boys!" Mimi called. "Breakfast is ready!"

"Be right there!" Shouji returned. "We were just… packing!"

Mimi shook her head. "Better hurry up!" Did her son think she was born yesterday?

Tokoyami and Shouji raced to make up for lost time, haphazardly tossing their clothes and other stuff into their bags. They changed, washed their faces, fixed their hair/feathers, and quickly ate breakfast under the knowing gaze of Mimi. Finally, they stepped outside into the chilly morning, a fog from the sea settling over them and misting up the windshield of the car.

There weren't many people at the train station when they arrived and got their tickets and onto the platform. It was there that Morning Crow, Metalhead, and Aquila met up with them, wanting to say goodbye in person and give some last words of advice to the aspiring heroes. After all, the whole point of their trip was to learn about the business from actual professionals.

"The week really flew by," Crow grinned. "Sorry for not being the best teacher, kid."

"To be honest," said Tokoyami, "I got more than I expected considering my first impression."

Aquila nodded sagely. "I said the exact same thing after my first week of being his sidekick."

Metalhead shook hands with his own nominee. "I'll be sure to give you any major updates on the case if they come up." He then addressed the boy's mother over his shoulder. "I'll also keep you safe if that scumbag escapes again, ma'am."

"Though his trial will likely end in him getting the death penalty," Aquila reminded him.

"Oh, so were you just flirting with Miss Shouji?" Crow teased.

"What!" Metalhead snapped, turning a bright shade of red. "Don't compare me to you!"

The heroes talked about keeping watch over Fukuoka to finally eradicate gang activity in the prefecture. Crow said that if they couldn't get the job done by the time the students graduated, then Tokoyami should consider returning to be his official sidekick. Both Metalhead and Aquila said that it was probably a bad idea and that Crow should really think about retirement.

"You're already fifty-four," said Aquila.

Crow pounded his chest with a fist. "I'll retire when I'm sixty!"

The train came into the station though it wouldn't leave for some time. Tokoyami and Shouji couldn't bring themselves to step off the platform yet either. Not without thanking them all for taking care of them for the last few days. So in unison, they politely bowed to the adults as Aizawa had taught them to do.

"Thank you for everything," said Tokoyami. "I really am glad to have accepted your nomination, Morning Crow."

The Lightspeed Hero sniffed, wiping at a tear. "You really know how to make a grown man cry."

Shouji set down his briefcase and walked over to his mother. They arranged their multiple arms so that they could embrace one another properly. "I love you Mom, take care of yourself." He then looked up at Metalhead. "Thank you for giving me the day off yesterday. I know you did it because you thought I needed it after everything that happened."

Metalhead crossed his arms and turned his head the other way. "Well if a hero can't take care of himself, then he won't be able to take care of the public." He then sent a glare over at Crow. "You just shouldn't be spending all of your time playing around."

"Aw, just admit that you like me," Crow grinned.

Mimi finally pulled away from her son. "I love you too, Mezo. Don't forget to call once a week. Or if you have any problems you wish to talk about. Or if you just miss me." She then sent a smile Tokoyami's way. "You should call too! If my son ever gives you trouble, I'll straighten things out with him."

"Thank you, Mimi-san," Tokoyami chuckled.

Morning Crow had one other thing to say. He placed his hands behind his back and stood up completely straight to address the young heroes properly. "Tsukuyomi and Tentacole, we've only known you for less than a week, but we were honored to work with you."

Metalhead nodded along. "We know that you will both make extraordinary heroes one day."

"I look forward," said Aquila, "to seeing how much stronger you boys become next sports festival. My eyes won't miss it."

The conductor of the train made a final call for remaining passengers to come on board. So Tokoyami and Shouji picked up their things and were about to set off. But just then, almost all four of the adults called out at the same time.

"Wait," said Mimi. "I almost forgot to give you this! I went out to buy them last night."

Shouji held out a hand and received a box of condoms. The U.A. students progressively became redder the longer they stared at it. "M—Mom!"

"Are they too small for you?" Mimi asked.

"Mom!"

Crow had done the same thing as the concerned mother, stuffing a box into Tokoyami's hands. "Well, you're teenage boys so I figured you could use them. Not to mention… with no adult supervision, you'll definitely need extra." Each syllable out of his mouth was like a tomato being thrown at their faces. "Don't want to spread any viruses, you know?"

"Metalhead, Aquila," Tokoyami muttered, looking over, "don't tell me you two…?"

Aquila coughed into his fist before pulling out yet another box. "Better safe than sorry.

"For once, I agree with Crow," Metalhead mumbled, also holding one. "Growing boys…"

"We're not going to need this much!" Tokoyami practically yelled, his feathers having changed into a completely different color at this point. They hadn't attracted any attention since all the heroes were in their civilian clothes but people were certainly looking now. "This is a black carnival of shame."

"We'd have to get through all of them before they expire," added Shouji.

"Don't say that like you've accepted a challenge!" Tokoyami ran into the train, not wanting to deal with them anymore. "We gotta go!"

"Wait, Tokoyami!" Shouji called after him, bowing one more time and stuffing the 'gifts' into his bag. "Tokoyami!"

Crow let out a sigh as he waved to Tokoyami through the window. "They grow up so fast…"

"You didn't even know them a month ago," said Aquila.

"Yeah, well, still."

With Dark Shadow's help, Tokoyami got everything onto the rack overhead before sitting down. Not long after, Shouji stumbled in, storing his stuff and sliding into the seat across from the other boy. They both looked out the window, giving one last wave goodbye to their loved ones, old and new, as the train pulled out of the station.

It wasn't until the scenery changed into sea, raindrops sending streaks across the glass, that Shouji finally spoke. "I didn't mean it as a challenge…," he said quietly, "but it does feel like they would be a waste if we—."

Tokoyami's head jerked in the other boy's direction. "You actually took them?!"

"Well they bought them for us!"

"Then they can use them!"

They both froze up, realizing that they were quarrelling again about another ridiculous topic. They burst into laughter, partially relieved that it wasn't anything serious but also because they simply found it funny. Once they calmed down, they decided to push the subject out of their minds. It wasn't important at the moment anyway.

Instead, they focused on the class group chat that was starting to blow up. Everyone was excited to be seeing one another tomorrow on Monday. They were already relaying some of their more enjoyable experiences and asking what others did.

"Tokoyami," said Shouji, "what should we say?"

"What do you mean?" Tokoyami asked.

"Well, we're boyfriends now," Shouji clarified, "but our class doesn't know that."

Tokoyami hadn't really thought about it. They talked about going on dates and that it was probably best that they not thoughtlessly kiss in front of their friends. But actually letting the class in on the details of their relationship was a gray area. It was doubtful that any of them would be against the idea of them dating but he could just imagine the teasing and the prying and the noisy squealing.

"We don't have to tell them," said Tokoyami. "If they ask if we're seeing anyone or some variation of that question, then we'll indulge them with honesty. But otherwise, I think I'd prefer it if we kept our relationship hidden in the shadows." He paused. "That is, if you're okay with that."

"Of course I am," Shouji replied. "I actually think it's a good idea."

[Hagakure]: Shouji! What happened with you over at Kyushu?

[Kaminari]: Oh yeah, didn't you and Tokoyami have a run-in with a cannibal or something?

[Satou]: Whoa, what? I didn't hear about this!

This was something they knew how to answer. U.A. was already in hot water and their mentors would end up in trouble too if the public knew that two underaged students had gotten involved with a big villain attack. It would also be bad news if people knew that a hero-in-training was related to a violent criminal. So the police department, the heroes, and Principal Nezu agreed that it should be kept secret.

But Tokoyami and Shouji agreed on their own that they would tell their friends one day. At least about the blood that ran in Shouji's veins since they deserved to know about such things. They just wouldn't get to know it any time soon.

[Shouji]: Yeah, but don't worry, we're both fine.

[Tokoyami]: We got minor injuries. The pro heroes did most of the fighting.

[Ojiro]: Still, that's got to be scary.

[Asui]: We're glad you guys are okay.

[Ashido]: Sounds a lot more exciting than watching your mentor do paperwork though. I didn't realize so much of hero work involved that.

They joined in the conversation for a while before they had to put down their phones to eat lunch. Mimi had packed personalized bento boxes with their favorites. The one thing that was the same about their meals was the square of white rice with a pink heart in the center. They were going to miss the mother's home cooking.

"By the way," said Shouji, "is it okay if I come over to have some of your cooking every now and then?"

Tokoyami broke apart his disposable chopsticks, almost poking his eye out. "What? Well… I don't mind but…" He thought back to the way Shouji had reacted to his food the first time he ate it. "I was under the impression that you weren't a fan of the breakfast I made."

"I loved your cooking!" Shouji stated defensively.

"Then why did you say it so… devoid of emotion?" asked Tokoyami.

"I was… overwhelmed by how good it tasted," he confessed, hanging his head in a way that made his hair obscure his face. "And my mom and Dark Shadow were both talking about how you would make someone really happy one day with your food and I became scared that… that person wouldn't be me."

Tokoyami clutched at his chest, trying to calm his heart the same way he would a raging Dark Shadow. It was amazing how this one guy could send his entire being straight into a mad haven of love. How were they going to keep their relationship on the down-low if lines like that were going to be thrown and reactions like this would just… happen?

"Okay, fine," said Tokoyami, "but only if you agree to make me pizza sometimes."

Shouji nodded. "Done."

At some point, they got an email from Mimi. Attached to it was a bunch of photos from the other day when they were at Canal City. She even decorated the ones with just the two of them with mushy borders and a plethora of hearts. They knew that she did it to show how supportive she was of their relationship but it just made them blush. It did remind Tokoyami of something important.

"About that picture we got from the photo booth," he said, "I cut off and threw away the blurry ones but I couldn't bring myself to dispose of the one of us kissing." He had stuffed it into his wallet so he pulled it out to show Shouji. "Do you think we should keep it?"

"It'll be a good reminder of our first kiss," said Shouji. "Even if it is technically out second. So why not?"

"Well, I don't want anyone stumbling upon it…," Tokoyami muttered.

"Just keep it somewhere safe and private," Shouji chuckled. "In case you start doubting my faith in us like last night."

Tokoyami nodded before returning the picture and pulling something out from his back pocket, trying not to look directly at Shouji. Hanging from his fist and clinking against each other was two little metal trinkets. "Also… I bought these yesterday on impulse when we were at a boutique." A silver crescent moon with a gold border and a golden sun with a silver border and eight squiggly rays. "The moon for me and the sun, which reminded me of an octopus, for you."

Shouji reached over and took the sun charm, staring at it intently. "I…"

"I know you're a minimalist because material objects remind—."

"I love it," Shouji interjected. "We're matching."

Tokoyami finally looked up at Shouji and he could see the smile even through the mask. "Yeah… we're matching."

They got into the same side of the booth to share a kiss. They still had some hours before the train got into Shizuoka but that was okay. It meant more time together. The sky had also cleared up, beams of bright light washed over them, giving their bodies a little radiance. And their kiss wasn't as wet as their other ones. It was more about the closeness than the taste. And when they finished, they sat side by side in the sun.

They would have more than enough time when they got back to go on their first official date. To go to all of their favorite places. To see Karasuma and introduce him to Shouji. But for that moment, they just wanted to catch up on the sleep they had missed. Theirs fingers intertwined, bodies leaning against one another, and eyes softly shut. Dark Shadow appeared, retrieving Shouji's poncho from above to use as a blanket for them.

"Fumikage," said Shadow. In the light, he shouldn't have so much control. But Tokoyami's guard had dropped completely. "You look really happy. I'm glad."

It was one week in Kyushu when everything changed.