Notes: Hi All! My procrastination wrote this. Hope you like.

Truthfully, this should have been split into two chapters, but the theme of 'the brightest' strings it all together. When I was hashing out the plot lines it didn't seem like this chapter would be this long but it is (20k+ words). So buckle up.

I want to say a few things about Izuku's character before you guys read: I am writing this story in mind that each character (Izuku and Katsuki) has issues that they have to work through and realize. It is a story about growing up and becoming better as a person, and how both Izu and Kat go through shit, drift apart, and then come back together more fully realized adults. I understand a lot of you are like 'fuck Baku' right now (at least the A03 people, not so much FF people) but he's struggling with his sexuality, peer pressure, and weighing out his future so he's going to be uneasy and back and forth until he understands what's really important in life (which will be next chapter).

Izuku on the other hand always runs away from his problems. His case is a little bit trickier. Avoidance is a symptom of anxiety, so please be keep that in mind when reading this chapter. He gives his anxieties what they want by running away from things that trigger him and towards things that make his nerves feel calm. Izuku arch will conclude him facing his problems straight on, and not running away from them. He'll eventually own up to mistakes he's made and the consequences they have.

Alright, thanks for coming to my TedTalk. =)

Warnings: Fluff / flash backs / Violence / Mature conversations / Explicit OverDeku scene


Chapter 7 - The Brightest

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"I'm sorry, Midoriya. There's nothing that can be done. I'm afraid that you either have to quit, or I will be forced to report this to the judges and they would retract the whole team's win since you scored the highest."

"B-But Coach, I don't remember—"

"Whether or not you remember taking it doesn't matter right now. The test came back positive. You should seriously reconsider who you're hanging around because they might have been giving you MDMA without you knowing."

Izuku could say nothing as he looked down to the ground to his white shoes. A wide variety of different emotions charged through his body. Rage, confusion but above all sadness. He couldn't run anymore. The one thing he lived to do, he couldn't do it.

"It goes without saying that I am very disappointed in you. You're my brightest star on the team."

"I'm sorry coach." Izuku's voice was above a whisper. Tears began to form in his eyes and he tried his best to recount what the hell even was MDMA?

He could hear the tall canary blonde man sigh deeply. "Look. If you quit now you can always retry out for track next semester. Think of this as an off season for you. But you need to figure this situation out because I don't want a repeat of this during track season."

Coach Toshinori kept talking, trying to give the younger boy some hope but his words fell on deaf ears. All of Izuku could hear was his heart pounding loudly in his head.

oOoOo

Izuku remembers standing there in Kai's apartment, shocked by the reality of the situation. The heart shaped pill that he had taken from the man weeks ago wasn't actually meant to treat anxiety, but it was ecstasy. The greenette remembers hearing people on the news talk about the illegal drug and how it did help calm people's nerves down, but also made them experience intense feelings of euphoria.

In reality he knew he couldn't blame Kai fully. He wanted to though, for someone else to put the blame on completely. To make him feel less like an idiot. Yes, the man should have told him what he was actually giving Izuku, but Izuku should've asked Kai initially if he could take some of the pills. Maybe then Kai would've told him no.

He recounts that night after the club, Kai had showered him with gifts and affection but Izuku felt the guilt eat away at him after calling the man the nickname that was meant for Bakugou. Kacchan. Kai had gotten increasingly nicer since the name drop, and it was hurting Izuku to no end.

The guilt had eaten him away so much that he took one of Kai's pretty pink pills without tell him and the feeling of bliss washed over him. The drug stopped the wheels on his anxious mind and he realized that maybe he needed anti-anxiety pills.

He could cope easier like this.

So, he did. Izuku took a handful of pills from Kai and took a pill every time he felt his nerves spike up, which was pretty much all the time. All the bullying from Kosei and having to see Bakugou day in and day out was pushing the small boy's nerves right over the edge. On top of that Kai insisted that he call him Kacchan and Izuku could only comply, too afraid to tell the man the truth.

Then the night of homecoming happened. Kosei had given him a bruised rib and Bakugou had given him memories that Izuku will never forget.

The weekend they shared filled the greenette with so many happy emotions that he didn't need to take one of the heart shaped pills. It was the first time in a long time that he felt his nerves naturally calm. He remembers all the things his childhood friend had told him, so many words fitting like puzzle pieces into his heart.

"I am. I'm done with wanting everyone's approvals. It's out the window. Fuck them, I want you."

"I've missed you too, nerd."

"Really. I mean it. I promise."

I promise.

Izuku was ready to cut ties with Kai instantly for the ash blonde boy. Izuku knew deep down he was harboring so many deep, raw feelings for the other and he would give anything to be with him. So he did. He gave up his virginity to the one person he always imagined having a future with.

But Izuku felt so stupid. He knew he shouldn't have trusted someone who was pushing down his emotions for so many years so easily.

"Stop with that Izuku. Enough with the whole Kacchan thing...we can't be like that."

"We can't be together."

"Maybe I realized it's not worth it to throw away my whole goddamn future for you!"

The football player had spent one day around the football team again and suddenly everything they had shared together was out the window. Izuku felt so used.

"It shouldn't have happened, we were just in the moment. We weren't thinking straight."

He was willing to give up everything for Bakugou, just to be with him but the quarterback was too concerned with being a quarterback. Was it all it all a lie? Izuku thought to himself, his mind racing. Memories of affection and kisses contradicted what the other was saying to him in the moment. All he could think is that he felt easy. Bakugou made him feel like the easy slut everyone thought he was.

Izuku snapped.

All his hurt dissolved into rage and before he knew it he was throwing the white plastic tray directly at the person who had ripped his heart out. Izuku wanted the other to hurt as much as he hurt him all these years.

"Go to hell, Bakugou."

The second after he spoke the words his mind went blank. He was stunned at himself and he remembers hearing the other yell out at the slight impact. Ashamed of himself and his behavior, Izuku packed his things and left quickly. He knew he shouldn't have thrown the tray, and he immediately regretted the action. Bakugou had a concussion for god's sake.

How had everything gotten so messed up?

And then there was Kai. He felt so guilty about Kai. He had taken the man's pills, climaxed with him while calling out for someone else, and accused him of drugging him without knowing he was the person drugging himself. He felt like he was leading Kai on and using him as a clutch for a broken, confused heart. Kai deserved better than that. Maybe it was time for him to stop being so stupid and open his eyes to what was placed right in front of him.

Kai wanted him.

Katsuki did not.

Being on the dark man's arm that night, surrounded by his coworkers opened Izuku's eyes to something that he wasn't used to: acceptance.

Kai had openly brought him around his friends, coworkers, and the man that he worked for with no issue. Everyone that walked up to them was so open and smiling. They didn't mind that Kai had brought another guy as a date, there was even another same sex couple there as well. This was so foreign to the green haired male.

And then Kai did something for him that showed Izuku he wasn't just something the other was using for sex.

"He is my significant other."

The words spun themselves around in his mind over and over again until they finally resonated deeply in his frontal cortex. It was overwhelming to get this type of label from Kai within less than a month of losing his virginity to his childhood friend.

The two men were so similar yet opposite that it kept the greenette's head hurting.

Bakugou was straight laced, focused on his future. Kai seemed to be too, but he wasn't anywhere near straight laced outside of his expensive clothes, and even then, that was contrasted with his ear piercings. Bakugou was forceful and loud, Kai was quiet yet demanding. They both held a softness to their touch that contradicted their personalities and made Izuku warm on the inside.

But the last observation is what made all the difference: Kai openly claimed in in front of everyone while Bakugou openly rejected him in front of everyone. The blonde made him feel stupid. The brunette made him feel wanted.

The truth and the easiest choice was right in front of him, and it was Kai.

But...despite all this, why did he still feel the candle for his childhood friend burn so brightly in his heart?

oOoOo

"Kosei has been missing for nearly two weeks now. They officially filed him as a missing person." Ochaco spoke. They were all currently sitting down at lunch on that following Monday, poking the lunch meat that was provided.

"Yeah, it's kind of concerning to be honest." Tenya added in thoughtfully. "How are you feeling about it Izuku?"

Green eyes lifted from the table to stare at his blue haired friend in mild confusion. "Me? Why are you asking me?"

"Because I know you have been having a pretty easy time since he's been gone." Tenya shrugged. "Figured it would be interesting to hear your opinion."

"Well, I know Kosei hates me in all...but I do hope that he's safe y'know? I don't hate him enough to wish he was dead." Izuku stated. He shrugged mildly his shoulders. Kosei probably just ran away or something.

Green eyes peered over at the football and cheerleaders. They were sitting together, chatting. He noticed a particular blonde has rejoined their group, Bakugou's ex-girlfriend. He knew that with the ginger player missing the football coach was on edge as was the entire team. They had lost the game preceding the homecoming match because of the sudden gaps in their starting lineup. Another one of those gaps was Kirishima.

He glanced at the red head boy sitting at the table, whose arm was in a sling. The bullet from the robbery had torn through his arm muscle, making him unable to play the sport for the rest of the season. Izuku felt sorry for him. Kirishima didn't deserve any of that. The reports the family had given were weary and they didn't want to increase their security despite the police insisting that they should.

Just then Izuku shifted his gaze over to Bakugou, who was overall, fine. He sported a bandage around his neck, hiding an ugly bruise and there was a white bandage around the bridge of his nose to keep the broken bone in place to heal correctly. The blonde held a deep look of exhaustion and stress underneath his eyes.

Part of Izuku wanted to ask him if he was okay, with the attempt on his life but the other half of him didn't know how to initiate that conversation. He and Bakugou never spoke again after the hospital incident, and Izuku told himself he was fine with that.

His mind still supplied him with visions and sensations of the ash blonde boy above him, gripping his hips and their bodies moving together so passionately. He wanted to feel like what they did wasn't a mistake, but with the way that Bakugou was now heavily avoiding him, and he was avoiding the other, nothing can be done.

As Izuku was looking, lost in his thoughts, Bakugou turned his head and they locked eyes for a split second. Green eyes then quickly turned away.

"When is the next meet for you guys?" Tenya asked. Todoroki finished chewing his food and answered.

"We have one this upcoming weekend." The dual haired boy provided. "Practice is going to be intense from now on, or at least that's what coach said."

Izuku said nothing. He hadn't explained to everyone yet that he wasn't on the team anymore as of this past Friday. His mom was returning this Saturday and the thought of having to hide this from her made him anxious. The small boy zoned out of the conversation with ease, lost in his thoughts.

oOoOo

The runner took himself back over to Kai's apartment via bus. He knew the way to the dark-haired man's place now by heart. Kai had left the door unlocked for him. He had texted Izuku and told him that he was out doing some 'errands' and wouldn't be back till later. Which was okay to Izuku. The small cozy apartment brought him a conditioned sense of comfort. It was his safe haven away from the world he knew, the one he was too ashamed to show his face in now.

It hurt, watching his team mates make their way down to the track field directly after school but Izuku knew it was his own fault.

When he arrived at the other side of town, he immediately took his after-school jog around the nice neighborhood. The wind blew in his hair and Izuku tried his best not to think about how he was running on concrete instead of soft brown ground.

When Kai arrived back, they talked for a bit. The brunette gently offered him a small glass of rose wine to relax. Izuku drank it down slowly as Kai poured himself a glass. Kai asked about his day and Izuku gave him an automatic smile, trying his best to mask his emotions. The two after a while got comfortable and watched some show that was on Netflex.

Izuku's body was positioned comfortably in between Kai's legs as he laid his arms and head down on strong abs that were covered with a black quarter sleeve shirt. Kai ran his fingers gently in Izuku's curls, twirling them periodically. His golden eyes were fixated on the screen, watching a scene with a drunk figure slurring out random things.

Why does that seem familiar? Izuku vaguely thought to himself.

"Izuku. Can I ask you something?" Like this, the smaller one could feel the soft rumble of Kai's deep voice in his chest. Green eyes peaked upwards towards the handsome face.

"Yes?"

"Who is Katsuki?" All of Izuku's thoughts came to a grinding halt at the mention of the boy he had been avoiding for the last week. His feet ran cold with foreshowing.

"H-How do you know that name?" Izuku asked shaky. Laying on Kai's chest with his fingers in his hair reminded him of the weekend he slept with Bakugou.

He hadn't told Kai about the loss of his virginity, feeling too guilty. The dark-haired man had taken his time with Izuku sexually, making sure not to make him feel pressured and for that Izuku was grateful.

"On Friday, you got fairly drunk towards the end when we were in the car and you mentioned being in love with your old childhood friend, Katsuki." Kai's voiced dropped a level and a subtle undertone of coldness slipped in.

"Oh." Was all the green haired boy could say. Memories of after the banquet finally were finally being jogged in his head. Shit. I did say that. He gapped at Kai, feeling unsure of what to say. Did he just blow things with Kai? Why had he taken so long to bring this up? "Um…"

"I'm sure you can understand from my position how that was a... less than ideal thing to hear. Since I am trying to date you and I've already introduced you as my S.O. to very important people." Too lost in his own racing thoughts, the younger one didn't notice how the hand in his hair tighten slightly.

"I'm so sorry, Kai. That was a mistake to say. Really." Izuku was worried about the other man leaving him. He didn't want to scare off Kai after he had finally made his decision to stay away from Bakugou for good.

"Are you actually in love with him?" Kai asked flatly. His eyes were cold, giving to no room for Izuku to interpret what the other could be thinking. The question was something he never had even asked himself.

Am I...in love with Bakugou? The thought was new, but not foreign. He had let the blonde kiss him, hold him, and he gave his virginity to the boy without much hesitation just at the prospect that they could be together. He could analyze this. He could think about what love was.

But, none of that mattered anymore.

"No. I'm not. I like you." He said with forced confidence. He wanted Kai to believe him, but above all he wanted to believe it himself.

"I like you too, Bunny. But you see my concern, correct?" The fingers tightened, making the younger slightly uncomfortable. Izuku's eyes glanced off to the side worried before looking back to Kai's unreadable expression.

"Yes, I do, Kai. I'm really sorry."

"Do you still talk to him?" Kai sat up slightly but didn't remove his hand from green strands of hair. Izuku craned his neck lightly when Kai's free hand gripped his chin.

"No. I don't. You don't have to worry about that. Him and I haven't gotten along well in years and we don't speak."

"Okay, if you say so. I would prefer...if it kind of stayed that way. I want to take our relationship serious, but I don't want the prospect of you talking to someone that you feel...felt so strongly for in the picture." The golden eyes squinted. Izuku felt the guilt of all the things he was keeping from Kai weight down on him.

"I get it. It's all in the past."

"Perfect." The fingers in his hair loosened and Kai gave tight lipped smiled. The strong grip pulled Izuku forward into a quick kiss. When they leaned back Izuku gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

"It's no problem...really, I'm sorry if that made you feel some type of way. I didn't mean for it to."

"Well, as long as what you said is true we'll have no issues." Kai then sat up all the way when the TV show ended. "Now, what do you want for dinner?"

At the prospect of food, the greenette's face lit up. "Pizza would be great!"

They walked into the kitchen and Kai pulled out one of the frozen pizza's he started buying after Izuku started to frequently come by. They talked and laughed between each other, the recent conversation forgotten.

While Kai heated up the oven Izuku found his thoughts wandering back to his mother, who would be returning back from the countryside on Saturday. Then he thought about his friends, and mainly Todoroki who would be bound to notice he was missing from practice today. A small ripple of shame echoed in his body and he thought over his assignments for tomorrow and noticed he didn't really have anything due.

"Kai?" Izuku spoke up, leaning against the counter, watching the older man put on a pastel pink oven mitt to place the pizza inside the stove. Kai looked backwards from his bent position towards the younger one.

"Yes, bunny?" Izuku felt the tickle of butterflies in his stomach at the nickname.

"Would...would it be okay if I stayed here tonight and tomorrow? I don't really wanna go to school." I don't really want to face everyone. I'm still too ashamed. Kai placed the pizza in the oven and gracefully slipped off the oven mitt and placed himself in front of Izuku.

"You should go to school, Izuku. It's not good to miss days." Izuku averted his gaze, because he knew Kai was right. While he was looking off to the side he missed the sympathetic look in Kai's eyes. "But…" the older one sighed. "If you really don't want to go. I have a free day tomorrow. We can just hang out, maybe finally go see that movie we never got around to?"

Izuku's face lit up with a smile and his heart flipped with the idea of being close with Kai.

oOoOo

Tuesday came and went. It was now night time, and Izuku was seated in the passenger seat of the black sports car he's come to know very well. He had spent all day with the older man once again and they saw the newest movie called 'Detroit Smash' about a bunch of secret super heroes who lived in North America.

Throughout the day he accumulated several texts from his friends expressing concern that he didn't have to heart or courage to reply to.

[Todoroki]: Is everything okay?

[Mother Hen]: Izuku! Where are you? Are you sick? Do you need us to bring soup for you?

[Ochaco]: Hi Izu, missed you at school. Let us know if everything is okay!

[Todoroki]: I just spoke to coach Toshinori. I think we should talk.

Izuku eyed the last text from Todoroki, fully knowing what that could possibly mean. His stomach twisted with a bad sense of anticipation. Fully prepared to ignore this and give his anxiety what it wants, the green haired boy put his phone away and look towards the ravenette that was currently driving.

"Thanks for the movie, Kai. I really liked it." He smiled at the other in a sweet manner, and in return he gained a sweet smile back from the man.

"It's no problem, I'm glad you enjoyed it." Kai took one hand off the steering wheel, and per his favorite habit placed it on Izuku's thigh.

"Do you usually like superhero movies? They're my favorite!"

"Hah. Of course, they would be your favorite. It suits you. But for me, no. I'm not really into the whole good guys versus bad guy type of themes. I feel like it's not a good representation of the real world." Kai deeply chuckled, keeping his eyes ahead on the road.

"I guess that's true. But you do think there are such things as bad guys, right?" Izuku asked, trying to make conversation. He wanted to get to know Kai better since he felt like he didn't know that much about the other.

"A little bit. I think all bad guys have a tad bit of good in them, and all good guys are corrupted by something. It's never really black and white as people think it is." Interesting response. Izuku noted. Kai was a deep thinker.

"That's true...I remember you saying your favorite genre was horror?"

"Yup. I would love to watch a horror movie one day with you, bunny." Those sharpened golden eyes looked at him like razors before the man gave him his signature smirk. "I would love for you to hide, duck and hold onto me. That way I can protect you from all the bad things on the TV screen." The words held a light playfulness and the thumb on his legs started to trace tight circles.

Izuku couldn't help but laugh at the silly image of himself acting like a child in a movie. "Who says I'd be jumpy?"

"Oh, Izuku. Of course, you'd be jumpy, don't even try to kid around. Plus, I don't think you'd pass up on the opportunity to grab onto me...would you?" The suggestive undertone was coupled with a knowing glance of eyes. Izuku could feel himself redden and recount all the times he and Kai has shared intimacies now.

"...no, I guess I wouldn't. Even if I wasn't jumpy, I think I just like the prospect of long-term cuddling." He finally answered. He saw Kai's eyebrows shoot up slightly, surprised with the teasing response back.

"Well then. It's settled. We're watching a horror movie when we get back to my place." Another beautifully deep laugh filled the dark car. "Also, what are your plans for your winter break?"

"Uh...I usually just hang out with my friends and train for track." Izuku responded, slightly confused. Winter break wasn't for another two months. The idea kind of jarred the younger one.

So much time as passed already. He thought. He didn't think much of the changing weather that went from late summer heat to early fall. It was still warm enough not to need a jacket, but he did notice little red scarfs starting to wrap themselves around the necks of the citizens in Hamamatsu.

"Would you like to spend it in Tokyo with me this time?"

"Hah?" He quirked his head at the question. "Like...a vacation?"

"Yes. Like a vacation of sorts. I have a business client I have to go visit there sometime before January and I figured why not make a trip out of it? Just the two of us."

"I-I... I'll have to think about it. I've never been out of the city before except to the countryside."

"That's okay. You don't have to give me an answer now. Just think on it. You would love Tokyo. Plus, I still know professors at U of T well enough to even get you a campus tour." Izuku felt himself gape. "It'll be like our mini adventure. First of many."

"A campus tour at U of T!? That's amazing, Kai!" The eagerness jumped out of his body before he could stop it. Then came the thought of his mom and having to tell her where he was going. Or even worse, how old the man he was actually seeing without her knowing. "...but...I don't really know if my mom would let me…"

"You don't have to tell your mom. Just say it's a training trip for seniors on the team right before track season starts." Something in Izuku cowered at the idea. He knew Kai wasn't the best of influences, but the older man wasn't a bad guy. He had his life together, and he was willing to pull strings to allow Izuku see his old college's campus, the best one in the whole country.

"Y-Yeah. I guess that could work." Izuku gave a nervous smile, the thought of lying to his mother more than he has left him uneasy. "I'll think about it."

"Take your time answering, there's no rush. We have all the time in the world." Kai reassured him. The hand squeezed his leg. Izuku watched as Kai gave him one of the sweetest smiles the other man has given him. Not a smirk, or a sideways glance, but a genuine smile.

It made Izuku's heart flutter in a familiar way.

oOoOo

When Izuku walked past the dark color doors on Wednesday morning he heard the chatter and hustle of students of Aldera high. He looked around nervously for any familiar faces but was thankful he didn't see any.

The white walls and tiles floors felt strangely different after missing his first full day in basically three years. The last time he did it was freshman year when a giant rift started to occur between him and Bakugou. He had stayed at home crying and confused.

Not the finest of memories.

The ginger football player was still missing and as Izuku walked up to his homeroom on the third floor he didn't miss the casual stares that were thrown his way.

When Izuku arrived in homeroom he slid open the door and was surprised to see two tall police officers decorated in blue. One was a built male with fierce features and brown hair, while the other was a female, just as tall with dark navy hair. Their radios beeped loudly over the silent murmur of student and Izuku ruffled thin green eyebrows when they turned their attention to him.

"Are you Midoriya Izuku?" The male officer spoke. Green eyes nervously glanced around at the room and saw that Bakugou was nowhere in sight. Ochaco and Tenya were both looking at him with sympathy, but they didn't say anything.

"Yes, I am." He replied slowly. "Is there something wrong?"

"If you don't mind coming with us to the office downstairs, we just need to ask you a couple questions about a missing person's report."

Izuku nodded blankly and allowed the two to escort him back out the tiny classroom. He walked silently between the two adults until they came to halt inside of the principal's office.

Principal Nezu was a nice, kind man. He had pale, fair skin and white hair that was always pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes were a dark chocolate that almost looked black and he sported a mysterious scar across his right eye that no one talked about. Despite the menacing scar, he was about seven inches shorter than Izuku, standing at about five foot exactly. He always wore a welcoming smile across his pudgy face and kept candy on the wooden desk.

"Izuku! Please, come sit down." He motioned to the slightly frightened boy. He held a hand out to the comfy yellow chair that was positioned neatly across from his desk. Izuku took three hesitant steps forward and seated himself down in the chair. He watched carefully when the two officers stood across from him on either side of Principal Nezu.

"We just want to ask you a couple of questions, not a big issue. Just confirming and getting information." The white-haired man gave him a small, honest smile. "As you know, your fellow classmate Tsuburaba Kosei has been missing for some time now." Izuku nodded blankly. It was hard not to know that, everyone was talking about.

"We've been doing some casual interviews with students and one thing that came up a couple of times was how Kosei had been mugged a week prior to the homecoming dance, and how he blamed you. This led to him assaulting you that night, yes?" Brown eyes looked into his and Izuku stiffened as he shuffled through his memory of that day. I didn't know he was mugged.

He cleared his throat. "I wasn't aware he was mugged. I know he showed up to school with a cut on Monday, a couple people had been talking about it. And then Friday during homecoming I-I was…" He looked down at his feet. "I was feeling kind of claustrophobic at the dance, I had never gone to one before, so I left outside to get some air and then I guess K-Kosei followed me. He grabbed me by my hair and forced me down to the ground and kicked me in my side. Then he kept screaming that I hired someone...but I didn't...I-I had no idea what was happening."

He looked up in that moment and saw the officers glanced worried at each other. The female officer shifted her body language to open and concerned. "What has your relationship been with Tsuburaba prior to this?" Izuku felt his stomach turn.

There had been several moments in school where Izuku had tried to go to Principal Nezu for bullying, but there wasn't much the man could do. Kosei would only throw verbal assaults at him, and the greenette had no proof when the ginger would shove him into lockers. The slutzuku incident and homecoming were outlier situations.

"He has always been verbally aggressive with me, but homecoming was the first time he ever...went that far." Izuku found his voice lost by the end.

"And you really didn't know what he was saying when he accused you of hiring someone to harm him?" The principle asked. His eyes were understanding and seemed saddened by the situation.

"Really. I don't know, I wasn't even aware he had been mugged." Izuku insisted, looking at all of the figures in front of him. He scanned their body language watched them shift again. The principal put his head down and the female officer spoke next.

She stared at Izuku for a moment before using a soft voice. "What would you say your relationship with Bakugou Katsuki is?" At the mention of the last person he wanted to see right now, the gears in Izuku's head came to an immediate halt.

"...Pardon?" was all that he could muster. He blinked at the three adults in confusion.

"Several students saw Bakugou interfere and pull Kosei off of you the night of homecoming. They got into a fight. Do you think Bakugou would have done anything to hurt Kosei afterwards?" The female officer continued. At the prospect of Bakugou hurting Kosei Izuku was baffled. Is that really what they think?

"No! He's not like that. He wouldn't go that far to hurt Kosei." The greenette defended.

"Not even for you?" The deep voice of the male policeman added. Izuku paused at the suggestive tone. He knew there were rumors. He knew. I guess the other students they interviewed might've suggested something.

"No. Not even for me. I am not that that special for anyone to hurt Kosei over." Green eyes couldn't hide the mild hurt. Bakugou didn't see him as special, and he never would. "Bakugou and I have known each other for a long time but we are not close. I think when he stepped in he was…" defending me. "...just trying to do the right thing, I couldn't fight Kosei off myself."

The officers gave each other looks before nodding, seeming happy with the answer. Principal Nezu reeled his head back to look up at the female officer, and then rotated his head towards the male officer. They both nodded at him, as if saying what they heard was sufficient enough. The pudgy faced man turned back to Izuku and gave him a taut smile.

"Thank you so much Izuku! You're free to go. I'll write you a hall pass for your next class."

"Is everything okay? I'm not in trouble, am I?" He questioned, unsure of what was going on.

"No, of course not sweetie. We're just trying to make sure we understand all the events leading up to the disappearance." The woman assured him. Her voice held understanding and mild tone of pity that Izuku could sense. Izuku was about to get up but one thought crossed his mind, making him stop and look at the officers again.

"What about Bakugou? Is he in trouble?" Izuku couldn't help but ask. Even though he and the football player weren't speaking, there was still a tiny bit of care in Izuku's heart.

"No, he's fine. We were questioning him right before you. Neither of you are in trouble, we just wanted to get the story straight." She finished. "Have a great rest of the day."

"Thank you, ma'am. You too. Have a great day sir and principal Nezu." Izuku finally stood all the way up and bowed slightly at the waist. Principal Nezu handed him a bright green hall pass with care and the greenette took his leave.

While walking down the empty halls Izuku's thoughts bounced all around inside of his head. Kosei was really missing, and he felt some mixed emotions about it. What kind of person would cut up someone's face and mug them? He felt almost sorry for his past tormentor. He didn't like the ginger, but he didn't condone violence. Part of him wondered what Bakugou was thinking about it and what type of stress he was under with two of the top players in the team gone. Another part of him wondered what really did happen to his bully?

Izuku was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't notice the larger figure lurking behind him. The body quickly pressed himself against Izuku and wrapped a large hand around the boy's mouth when he tried to yell out in surprise.

Izuku's vision was turned upside down as he felt himself being manhandled and shoved into a tiny dark room with a click of a door shutting behind him. He flared his body trying to twist out of the hold and accidentally stepped on the toe of his captor as they tumbled downwards into the small dark room.

"Ah, fuck!" The deep gruff voice yelled out in pain. It took Izuku a total of two seconds to immediately recognize the voice as Bakugou's. Izuku felt a mop and what seemed like the bristled end of brush rub against his body and he yelled out in surprise as they fell down, different objects like a dust pan, Lysol and various cleaning material crashing down with them.

"What are you doing!?" Izuku yelled out in surprise. He could see nothing in the pitch blackness and his senses were overloaded with the warm, toned body pressed non-too-gracefully on his.

"I'm trying to talk to you—" The baritone voice groaned then he heard the other curse under his breath when he tried to sit up, only to sit his head on the shelf above him.

"Shoving us in a supply closet is talking to me?"

"Wait you fucking nerd I have to say something—ow! Quit moving that hurts!"

"If you would just move your arm—"

"I'm trying but this space is tight!"

"This is ridiculous—quit shoving me!"

"That was my toe dumbass!"

"Ouch! And that was mine!"

"Just sit still for like one goddamn minute!" A hand pushed down hard on Izuku's chest, knocking him into the wall softly and pinning him still in place. Green eyes fully adjusted to the dark supply room and he could finally see the blonde boy above him. Bakugou was gritting his teeth, trying to readjust himself out from in between the ex-runner's slim legs and supporting himself with his other arm that was placed directly next to Izuku's head.

He also noticed a small tiny cut directly on top of the boy's jugular.

They made eye contact and both of their breathing stopped for a split second at the intimacy of the situation. The smaller one's brain immediately gave him all the visions of homecoming weekend of Bakugou, positioned exactly like this: above him, looking at him and only him.

Then he thought about what happened afterwards.

"I have to get to class." Izuku whispered and shoved his palm directly on a Bakugou's face moving him out of the way as he stood up.

The larger boy stood up quickly and pulled Izuku backwards away from the door and then positioned himself directly in front of the door and the handle. Izuku could feel his anger start to boil. He opened his mouth to say something but was beat to the punch by Bakugou.

"Why the hell did you quit the cross-country team, Deku?!"

Izuku closed his mouth in shock as looked at the other one confused. "How do you even know that?"

"Mr. Hot'n'Cold pulled me aside and told me this morning." Since when did they even talk to each other? "Like honestly what is going on with you? First you skip several meetings now you just all out quit?"

"It's none of your business!" The smaller out found a voice suddenly. All of his embarrassment and shame bubbled to his surface and he felt himself becoming increasingly defensive and cornered in this tight room.

"It completely is my business! You've been wanting to be a professional runner since we were kids, even before I had considered doing football. Something is clearly wrong, you're not acting like yourself."

Izuku clicked his tongue and looked away. "Coming from you, this is ironic."

"Excuse me?" Green eyes pointed directly at red ones, and Izuku couldn't push down his anger even if he wanted to. He was so tired of this back and forth.

"You can say that I'm not acting like myself, but you don't even show who you really are. One moment you're saying you want to be with me and the next you're trying to people pleasing everyone on the football team."

"That's not fair, Deku." They locked eyes, and Izuku found himself confused at the raw, hurt look that was covering the ash blonde's face. "It was coach Inui. He—"

"Really? So, coach Inui made you say what you said?"

"You don't know—"

"No, I don't." He interrupted the other. "But I do know that you made me feel like the slut everyone thought I was."

He watched as red eyes widened and became speechless. A soft expression graced his ex-childhood friend's face and that only irritated the greenette further.

"You're not even saying anything because you know I'm not wrong." He whispered. "I don't even care that I'm not a virgin anymore, that's not what was important. I cared about you." He could feel tears prickling the edges of his eyes and decided then that this conversation was over. It needed to be over before he started crying, or worse, triggered into another panic attack in this small space.

He tried to take a step forward and reach around the built body but the other caught his wrist.

"I wanted to say sorry about that too, and the way I handled that." The blonde gave the younger one a pleading expression. "Things are just...more complicated than that. If you could give me a chance to explain everyth—"

"No, they're not. You're just afraid of labels and being seen with me, I get it now. Loud and clear." Izuku tried to snatch his wrist away but failed and he found himself struggling against Bakugou who was drawing him closer. "Let me go!"

"That's not fucking it! Coa—"

"You shoved me in a supply closet! Why else would you do this if you didn't want to be seen together?!" He yelled, cutting the other one off. He could feel the rise of tension in Bakugou's body as he tried to get Izuku to stand still. A hand grabbed Izuku's shoulder to try to stop him from struggling.

"I'm trying to protect you!" There was an unmissable crack in the deep voice.

"From what?!" Izuku all but screamed. Feeling the other this close was doing things to his heart that he was trying so hard to attempting to forget. He had Kai now. Kai.

Bakugou tried to open his mouth again but Izuku cut him off again. "Why do you even care if something is wrong in my life?!"

"Stop interrupting me—"

"WHY?!"

"Because I fucking love you!"

Both stared at the other with wide eyes and Bakugou dropped his hands off of Izuku like he had been burned. The greenette took a mild step backwards like he had just been slapped with the words, utterly confused. He watched as the other let out a string of curses and grabbed his hair in frustration. L-Love?

"Oh fuck—no! I mean—yes, no! I did not mean that." Izuku flinched at the sudden take back. "Shit. Shit. Shit. This is coming out all wrong. Goddamn it all." Izuku watched as his ex-friend placed a hand on his hip and pinch the bridge of his nose. His expression was utterly exhausted.

Izuku's eyes were still wide as saucers and his heart was pounding in his chest. He tried his best to process what just happened, but he couldn't. He had never even thought about love and what it could mean. His mind went back to the question Kai ask him and the already tiny room felt tinier.

"Are you actually in love with him?" Kai's deep voice rang out slowly and clearly in his head. This is all wrong. I'm with Kai. I can't. We can't do this. No, no no no. He's just going to hurt me again. This has to be a joke.

"P-Please let me go to class. I can't do this." He stuttered out, feeling a single tear escape down his pale, reddened cheek. He couldn't look up at the other and kept his eyes locked downwards onto their white sneakers.

He watched carefully as Bakugou's feet moved forward and all the way right, allowing Izuku full access to the door. He stepped out without hesitation, his thoughts trying to wrap themselves around what just happened.

He didn't look back.

oOoOo

When it came time for lunch he just played off his Tuesday absence as sickness and tried his best to laugh and talk with his friends. He could feel Todoroki's mismatched eyes looked at him with suspicion, but he didn't brother prompting the other, he just ignored it. In the back of his mind he kept hearing Bakugou's voice over and over again.

Because I fucking love you!

He recounted the hurt, confused, and tired look on the other's face and suddenly found himself exhausted. He didn't even notice when the bell rang. Students started shuffling around him until Todoroki tapped his shoulder to walk to English class together.

As they walked through the crowded hall Izuku stared blankly ahead, trying his best to mentally prepare himself for seeing Bakugou again. But as they got closer and closer to the door that held the one person he couldn't face right now, Izuku realized he couldn't do it.

I fucking love you!

He turned to Todoroki slowly before speaking up. "Um, Todoroki?"

"Yes?" The kind taller one looked down at Izuku. He was holding onto the straps of his green backpack as he walked, looking relaxed.

"Can we switch seats today in English?" Izuku whispered. Todoroki's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the request.

"Why?" The brows were not furrowed together, in confusion. "Also, Izuku, I talked to the coach. He said you quit? That doesn't seem likely."

I love you.

"I promise...I'll tell you everything later, just please." Green eyes looked into dual shaded, and Todoroki felt himself soften up. "Switch seats with me today."

"...Okay." The other agreed.

They reached the pale white sliding door and Izuku took a deep breath in as they walked in. He kept his head down and walked straight towards Todoroki's normal seat in the back of the classroom. When he sat down he watched as his friend took a seat next to Bakugou.

Izuku couldn't peel his eyes away when he saw the football player do a double take at the heterochromatin teen sitting down where he usually was. It was then that red eyes peered over broad shoulders and the runner quickly snapped his head downward.

He missed the hurt look on Katsuki's face as the blonde quickly blinked away uncharacteristic tears.

oOoOo

Three weeks had passed Izuku still hadn't moved his seat back to sit next to Katsuki.

He chalked up the other boy saying 'I love you' as a slip up and never thought about it again. Izuku was tired. So much had happened with his ex-childhood friend in such a short period of time that he decided that keeping a distance between them would be good.

He kept his affections focused on Kai, who had been treating him very kind the last month. Izuku never stopped to consider the words 'I love you' again.

The boy strived for some normality in his life. He had told his friends that he left the team to focus on his grades for senior year, not wanting to admit to taking a high amount of ecstasy for crippling anxiety issues.

They didn't really believe him. But he was thankful they didn't push it. When his mom came back he didn't mention it to her. He just went over Kai's house for the duration he was supposed to be in practice.

He also stopped calling Kai 'Kacchan' and noticed that the other didn't question him.

Kai himself had been super kind and patient with him. He had gotten close to sleeping with the man several times but cut it short when he realized he wasn't ready to do that just yet with him.

He knew deep down it was because he was still recovering from the guilt from the homecoming night that was now so long ago.

But Kai did everything right, and it had Izuku's heart tugging in all-too familiar ways. Soon being around Kai made him blush, stutter and he could feel butterflies in his check whenever the man would do so much as hold his hand.

When Kai wasn't all over Izuku, the older man allowed the high school student to focus on his grades and kept proposing that Izuku apply to University of Tokyo along with Yuuei for college.

After the idea marinated in his head for such a long period of time Izuku did it.

oOoOo

The next week he bumped into Bakugou and the two awkwardly shuffled around each other. They mumbled sorrys and continued about their lives. Izuku remembers the blank look Bakugou had given him, making the blonde's emotions impossible to read.

Their moms insisted on having dinner this week. Neither boy objected to the gathering, but they ate their food in silence, only answering to each other when needed. Izuku's phone kept ringing with texts from Kai and he didn't miss the way Bakugou would tense up with every buzz of his device.

Inko and Mitsuki exchanged worried looks.

oOoOo

Another two weeks passed, officially changing the seasons. The early fall had officially faded into a brisk winter, and everyone's clothes had shifted for the appropriate weather that occurred in the middle of November.

And just like the changing seasons, Aldera High shifted into a new regular pace without Kosei.

His case was still under investigation, but the police found nothing. His phone had been left at home the day of his disappearance and his fitbit's location tracker gave out midpoint on his night run. The ginger's family was in mourning, it had officially been two months since their son went missing. Students at the school did memorial services for him this week.

Out of politeness Izuku attended them, despite the dirty looks he received from Kosei's silver haired best friend, Tetsutetsu.

As the weather shifted he would run in thermal leggings and joggers now. Still running alone around the neighborhood, the raven like man lived in. He still thought back to the morning run he had with Bakugou that once and how perfect it had been. Right before everything got messed up.

oOoOo

It was now the week before winter break, and all the students were buzzing with what they were going to do during the snowy season. Izuku was smiling more regularly now. The semester was ending, and indoor track season would be happening soon, he had no more interactions with Katsuki and Kai was being a genuine lighthouse in his life.

"What are you guys thinking of doing for the break?" Ochaco prompted. "Tenya and I are thinking about going out into the rural areas to help volunteer at a school."

"That sounds like it'll be fun!" He smiled at his brown-haired friend. "What are you up to for break Todoroki?"

"I was thinking about going to visit family out on the countryside." The other boy responded. "How about yourself?"

"I was thinking of just focusing on running to get in shape for track season." Izuku paused, a single thought crossing his mind. "But, Kai wants me to go to Tokyo with him during break. I've just been kind of sitting on the idea, but I've been considering it more and more." He watched all his friends pause for a moment before they nodded absently.

"That sounds nice! Would it just be the two of you?" Tenya asked. Izuku could hear the strain in his protective friend's voice. Tenya had his reserves about Kai but nonetheless saw how happy the older man made Izuku. Given everything had he been through in the beginning of the year his friends were warming up more and more to Kai.

"Yeah, he's even pulled strings to get us a private tour of the University of Tokyo." Izuku left out the part where he was considering attending university there instead.

"Wow!" "Really!?" Tenya and Ochaco exclaimed in shock together and Todoroki gave a surprised nod that read 'that's really impressive'.

"Yeah! It's his alma mater so he told me he could get me to meet with the director and everything." Izuku smiled as he took a bite of his sandwich. His heart was fluttering at the mention of Kai recently. He could feel warmth and blush come across his face every time he talked about the man.

"So, does this mean you two are officially a couple?" Ochaco smiled hugely. She loved Kai. She thought he was perfect for Izuku, and she liked the idea of one of her friends dating someone older. There was a spiciness factor to it that Izuku chalked up to all girls loving.

"Not yet." Izuku scratched behind his head and blushed. "If I was to go to Tokyo with him I was thinking of making it a real thing officially then. Y'know if everything goes well? It's been about three months now. That's decent pacing...right?"

"Yeah, that's a sensible amount of time to dating someone before you really put a label on it." Todoroki added. Out of all his friends, the new comer was the one who openly said he didn't really trust Kai's motives for dating someone five years younger than him. But after Izuku had kept seeing him, his friend could see how much being around Kai calmed him and decided that he would be as supportive as he could.

"Oh!" Izuku interjected a thought suddenly coming to him. "Are we going to go to the valentine's day ski trip this year?" Green eyes lit up looking at his three friends excited.

"What's that?" Todoroki asked, he titled his head in slight confusion. Izuku grinned. He grabbed his friend's shoulder and proceeded to explain one of the staple trips for seniors in the area.

Every year the seniors of Aldera High went on a ski-trip for winter break that was fully funded just for seniors. Other students from the other years were allowed to go, they just had to pay. Which usually made it a very exclusive senior based trip. Izuku always wanted to go, being a huge fan of Olympic sports and all.

"Oh my gosh, yeah! I almost forgot about that!" The petite brown-haired female gasped. She turned to her boyfriend with sparkling eyes. "I can't wait! This is going to so exciting. Iida, we have to start coordinating matching outfits."

"It's quite a bit away...but never too early to start planning!" Tenya nodded in agreeance with his girlfriend.

"That means you, Izuku, have to get a PicGram account soon!" She beamed at the soon to be track runner.

"A PicGram?" He asked confused. Izuku already had a Facebooklette and that was usually all the social media he needed. He heard of other social media platforms like PicGram, and Tweeter but the thought of keeping up with them always exhausted him.

"Yes, yes. You have to! To document the last semester, we're all together!" She held out her hand expecting. "Hand over the phone speedy. I'm making you a page right now." Izuku just laughed and picked up his phone, handing over the green device as the bunny key charm dangled in the air.

oOoOo

School let out and Izuku wrapped his navy-blue scarf tight around neck and chin. He tucked the piece of cloth gently into his light grey jacket and zipped it all the way up before placing his yellow beanie on his head. The small boy wasn't fond of winter for the number of layers he found himself having to wear to stay warm.

Today he was having another dinner with Bakugou and their moms. The two boys had stopped their interactions completely after the poorly fumbled 'I love you' situation. He was walking out of the building after this last class and heading over to the Kirishima's grocery store.

Since it was Thursday he had get pick up the grocery. His mom was still busy at work and wouldn't be home until later.

He walked in the crisp cold to the tiny supermarket on the corner near his house and walked in, He nodded and gave a soft smile to Kirishima, who was still sporting his cast. The white material was now decorated in color sharpie that held phrases of 'get better soon!', 'We all care about you!', and 'You're the awesome red RIOT!' collected over the past weeks.

Izuku gathered up all the ingredients he needed for udon ramen and a soft cake dessert. He went to check out at the counter and watched at the red headed boy slowly ring up the noodles, eggs, and green onions. Red eyes flicked up at him and Izuku gave him a small smile back, just patiently waiting.

"How are you doing little dude?" The older boy smiled his pearly white teeth at him.

"I'm doing pretty decent. Just kind of tired, getting a little burn out from the semester. Can't wait until winter break." Izuku nervously laughed.

"Oh yeah. The burnout is real." The football player shook his head and sighed. "Especially after everything you've been through this year. I can't imagine. Still sorry about everything that happened between you and Katsuki y'know?" There was a sympathetic tone in his deep voice.

"It's okay. Don't mention it." Izuku gave his automatic polite smile. He didn't really understand what the red-haired boy was saying, but he didn't think too much of it. There was a steady beep from the checkout machine as the red-haired boy rang up each item.

"Naw, really. It's not okay. What Coach Inui did was honestly disgusting." Izuku paused his thoughts.

"Huh?" He pressed, like he didn't hear the other correctly. He watched the taller boy slow his pace on ringing up the food until he came to a total halt.

"You know. The whole thing about our coach threatening him? After Kosei told him that he saw you two go home together on homecoming?" Kirishima said slowly. Then Izuku didn't say anything he tried to elaborate more. "How coach said he was going to kick both ya'll off your teams if he knew you two were a thing…?" Kirishima's voice trailed off.

Izuku felt his eyes widen and he could hear his brain making all the connections in his brain. He thought back to the day that they were stuffed tight into the dusty supply closet and all the things Katsuki had said that didn't make sense. But now everything fit together. Suddenly all the peace he had gathered over the last few weeks started to come apart at the seams.

"...You gotta be fucking kidding me." Kirishima threw his hand up and turned around to groan out loud. He placed his uninjured hand on his forehead. He then turned back around to Izuku with a tired look in his eye.

"That explosive headed mutt didn't think to tell you this whole time?"

"Um…" The greenette could barely hear his own voice as the reality of everything settled in. Coach Inui had threatened him? Is that what he was trying to say…?

"Goddamnit, I swear that dumb blonde is emotionally constipated. I told him to tell you nearly two months ago!"

"So…" Izuku paused trying to take in all the information he had just heard in. Questions raced in his mind to be answered first and some slipped out before he knew it. "He...he wanted...to be together…? After homecoming?" The words were spoken very slowly as the small teen tried his best to wrap his mind around it.

Kirishima's eyes softened. "Yeah, he really likes you Izuku."

"I-I... I should go." He quickly shoved all the items in a bag and slammed down more than the needed amount of money on the counter. He heard the other teen yell out after him, but he didn't slow down.

He pushed past the clear glass doors clutching the plastic bags full of food goods in his hands. White sneakers shuffled quickly outside into the dark evening. Izuku could hear himself mumbling out loud, unable to control his thoughts.

He likes me. Coach Inui threatened him? No. He threatened both of us. He told Bakugou that he couldn't be with me? What does that even mean? Then that means that Bakugou did want to be together. He wanted me. When I wanted him. But—But I'm with Kai now. I have feelings for Kai. Why didn't he just tell the principal? When did this get so complicated? He did say things were complicated, but I had no idea—

He collided with a hard body, ceasing all his racing thoughts. Izuku began to apologize but stopped when he looked up he saw a frightening, tall crow like man dressed in a long wool black pea coat that had the collar popped up.

It felt like a something straight out of a nightmare. The man's face was completely covered in a terrifying black plague mask and the chill of the winter night frosted over the circle lens that held his eyes.

Izuku inhaled sharply and took a large step back clutching the bags, confused at the sight in front of him. He could see in the background two other figures, one man and one woman dressed equally as strange in all black winter items with masks on. When green eyes gazed back upon the midnight figure he felt a chill run up his spine, unsure of what was going to happen next.

"Run away, little one." The distorted voice spoke. The head of the tall man tilted slightly to the right like a creepy doll and Izuku took another large step back.

Fear climbed into his chest and his heart started to race loudly in his ears. Izuku carefully walked past the ominous figure, heading in the opposite direction. His thoughts were blank and confused, and the night felt eerily quiet. When he was a good distance away, Izuku looked over his shoulder at the distant grocery store, glowing against the night underneath the moon.

He saw Kirishima opening the door for the trio with no issue. The gesture confused Izuku. But as all the bodies walked in one stopped short. The dark crow craned its neck and looked directly back at him.

oOoOo

"The moon is beautiful tonight." The warm air blew against Izuku's skin as he looked at his blonde-haired friend. The other was leaning against the wooden railing of his back porch, wearing a clean white t-shirt. Ruby eyes were fixed on the large, pale white full moon.

"Yeah, it is." The greenette smiled as he joined him against the railing. "Are you excited to start school at the end of summer?"

He watched as Katsuki looked at him out the corner of his eye. There was something underneath the blonde's tongue that he didn't let out. Katsuki just turned back around and focused back on the summer night sky.

"Yeah, I am." He answered after a beat of silence. "How about yourself?"

"I'm so stoked! I can't wait to meet new people and I can't wait to watch you try out for the football team." The blonde then turned around and smiled at the other, making Izuku's heart warm up.

"Hah." The blonde chuckled. Katsuki could feel himself smile at how excited the smaller one was for him to join football, but he still held his doubts about the whole trying out for the team. "I still don't know if I want to actually do football."

"But, Kacchan! You promised. We're gonna go to Yuuei and then go pro together." Izuku frowned, but Katsuki only found it adorable. Recently the greenette did things to his heart that he wished he could tell the other one. But instead he kept it coded and hidden. The blonde didn't understand why he felt the way he did, especially why he was feeling it for Izuku, out of all people.

"Yeah, I know, I know. No, need to remind me, nerd." He answered, while kicking his leg against the wooden planks beneath his feet. "So, you'll be there?" He studied the way Izuku's dark hair captured the bright moonlight and found himself admiring the contrast in this lighting of his best friend.

"Where?" Izuku slightly cocked his head.

"At the football tryouts. I don't think I'll be able to get through 'em...without you." Katsuki quickly darted his eyes down away from the fair skinned boy. He was lost in his thoughts, trying to still figure out why he felt so damn nervous around his best friend recently for no reason. A small, soft hand touched his foreman.

"I'll always be here, Kacchan."

"So how have practices been coming along for you boys?" Inko asked with a sweet smile. She stirred the brown colored broth around yellow noodles, mixing in all the fresh ingredients in the ramen. The smell of udon filled the small house as the four figures sat down on the ground at the dining table.

Izuku blinked once and then once again as he was torn out of his memory from the summer before high school started. The summer that he and Bakugou had spent every day together to maximize fun times together before they were too busy with school and sports.

Now that he looks at it as a 17-year-old and not a 13-year-old boy he could clearly see it now. Kirishima wasn't wrong. As he thought back to those moments he could see how bright the feelings were that the other had for him back then.

"It's coming alright, we're wrapping up the season for football and coach is starting to prep for our scrimmage matches next semester to keep us in shape and talk with recruiters." Katsuki mumbled. He kept his red eyes focused forward, making a full effort not to look at Izuku.

Green eyes looked carefully into the side of the boy next to him trying to wrap his mind around what the other's best friend had told him. Along with the shadowy figure he had encountered leaving. Izuku felt disquieted by both factors and he needed to know answers. There was so much to say to the blonde boy. So many questions to ask him.

"How about you, Izuku?" Mitsuki questioned with a sincere motherly look on her face. "You have to tell me more about track! I'm so excited for you this year, everyone is going to see you shine!"

"Oh! Practice has been coming along pretty well. Y-Yeah just training hard." Izuku stuttered out the lie. He quickly shoveled a chopstick full of noodles in his mouth and he looked at to see Katsuki looking at him in disbelief.

He gave an awkward polite smile to try to just throw off the other, then his phone buzzed. He carefully looked down in his lap at the device to see a new text.

[Kai Chi]: Hey Bunny, let me know soon about the trip

Right. The trip.

"He really likes you Izuku."

If Izuku was in the fence before, he was definitely fucking tight roping it now. He had decided weeks ago that Bakugou was an asshole and that Kai would be better for him. But, the information Kirishima had told him flipped everything.

Katsuki pushed him away to protect him.

Yes, he did it poorly, but he did it with pure intentions; classic signature move for the hot headed blonde. Which meant when Izuku was hurting, Bakugou was hurting just as much. And that also meant—

"I fucking love you!"

That he meant that.

oOoOo

When the dinner was done, the four of them found themselves in the living room watching the latest episodes of the mother's favorite show that the two were behind on.

"So, what's this about again?" Izuku questioned. He watched as the woman on screen was crying dramatically and threw herself onto the couch.

"It's about star crossed lovers. They want to be together but there's so many things getting in the way!" Inko informed her son. The green haired woman shoveled popcorn in her mouth. "It's so good but so sad. She just found out the man she's in love with sacrificed his freedom, so she could keep hers."

Green eyes glanced at the blonde boy on the other end of the couch quietly.

"There was no other way for both of them to have their freedom?" The green haired boy asked softly.

"No. The situation he was in was so terrible that he realized this was the only way." Mitsuki spoke sniffling. She had small tears forming in her eyes from the dramatic scene. "He knew they couldn't be together, but he loved her so much that he was willing to sacrifice it all, so she could stay safe. That's true love."

A long groan expelled from the ash blonde boy who threw his head back and crossed his arms. "This is so fucking stupid—"

"Watch your mouth!" His mother quickly retaliated and swiftly knocked him upside the head.

"Ouch! That hurt! I'm still recovering from a concussion in case you forgot." The football player clutched his head and gritted his teeth at his mother.

"If you don't wanna watch you can go ahead to head back to the house." She finished. Izuku could feel that there was a tension between the mother and son, but he felt like that wasn't his business.

"Fine, I'll do just that." The gruffy voice answered. The older Bakugou tossed him the keys to the home and told her son to leave the door unlocked for her. He watched as the blonde stood up and placed his hands in his dark blue jeans and left the house.

This is my chance. "Hey, mom? I think I'm going to go take a quick night run by the shore." Izuku smiled at her.

"Okay, just be careful. It's still concerning with everything that happened with Kirishima's and now that boy from your school going missing." His mother gave him a taut worried expression. "The crime rate has been skyrocketing."

He nodded, dismissing her like most teenagers do. "Yes, of course ma!" He quickly stood up and gave her a quick kiss before exiting the house.

When Izuku walked outside he just threw on his grey coat without bothering to zip it up all the way. He walked with a quickened pace across the street to the Bakugou's home. The athlete placed his hand on the silver handle and paused.

It's now or never. He told himself and rekindled his courage. He walked into the well-lit house and took his shoes off out of politeness to the wooden floors. He ascended up the stairs and found himself flashing back to the days he would spend days over here.

When he reached Bakugou's room it wasn't the same as he remembered it.

The other had rearranged the furniture so that his bed was now neatly tucked in the corner along the farthest wall and the dresser was the closest thing to the door. Superhero posters were now taken off the walls and replaced with trophies and medallions. There was a black desk on the opposite side of the room holding a new laptop computer and there was Bakugou scrolling down the web looking at what seemed like...crime scenes and symbols?

Izuku cleared his throat awkwardly. Blonde hair whipped around to look at the new comer in his room and the greenette watched his eyes widen and then glare.

"What the hell are you doing in my room, Deku?" Izuku would have winced if he didn't know the information he did.

"I…" Izuku was trying to figure out how to start. "I stopped by the Kirishima's store this evening." He saw the posture of the other change slightly.

"And?"

"I saw something concerning. A man dressed in all black and he had a plague mask on. They went into the store as I was coming out." Green eyes studied how the others poster changed to defensive and he could've sworn he saw slightly Bakugou flinch. "Is everything okay?"

"That's someone the Kirishima's got themselves involved with. Did he say something to you?" There was a mild protective tone in Katsuki's voice that Izuku didn't miss.

"No, he just...walked past me." Katsuki's shoulders visibly relaxed. "Is that the person responsible for the robberies and harming you and Kirishima that day?" Izuku's face softened.

The blonde took a deep breath in and out before speaking. "Leave it alone, Deku. Go home. That's something the Kirishimas have gotten themselves mixed up in." He put his hand in his hand and rested it on the desk, going back to whatever, he was looking at on the computer.

Izuku took the dismissively behavior as a 'yes' to his question which worried him. The man he saw was responsible for nearly killing Bakugou and shooting Kirishima. And he was still out there, and Kirishima seemingly welcomed him in with no issue? It didn't make sense.

"If he's dangerous we should act on it, please if there's something going on you have to tell someone—"

"It's out of our control!" Izuku was taken back by the sudden raise of voice. Bakugou's features were fierce but then slowly shifted to apologetic. "Sorry...just...I'm not up for this right now. Go back to watching that fantasy love show with our moms."

He stared at the other's dejected posture before deciding to drop the topic. The wound was probably still too fresh.

"Well...I would but…" The track runner nervously looked down and took a step forward. "Kirishima also mentioned something else."

"What did hair for brains tell you?" The football player stiffened his posture as if he already knew what was going to be said.

"He told me about Coach Inui." Bakugou cursed Kirishima's name immediately. Izuku could feel the temper rising in the other and tried to diffuse it quickly. "I'm so sorry. If I had known that's what the situation was we could've figured something else out."

"There's nothing to figure out." The larger boy undermined. Izuku sighed at the automatic defense mechanism from his ex-friend. He knew this is just how the blonde acted when he was hurt. He didn't come here to argue, though.

"Don't do that. Why didn't you just tell me right away?"

"I dunno, Deku. Maybe it was the fucking concussion, bruised throat and near-death experience I had? I wasn't thinking straight. I wanted to be left alone to figure shit out but instead you just threw a goddamn bowl at my head." Izuku cringed at the mention of his out lash.

"And last I checked I told you I loved you and you looked like someone burned you. Then moved your damn seat away from me." The tenor voice whispered harshly. Izuku examined the raw emotion that was in his childhood friend's eyes and he found himself feeling extremely guilty for how he handled the blonde's feelings. "That actually hurt."

A traffic jam of words to say we're caught in Izuku's throat as he struggled for what to say. He wanted to tell Bakugou that the feeling was mutual back then, but Izuku has never told anyone that he loved them besides his mother.

"Are you in love with him?" The question Kai posed still plagued him and memories kept flooding in. Memories of blonde hair and red eyes and soft smiles and gentle hair tucks. I don't know.

His mind then flashed him a vision of the gorgeous brunette he was now seriously dating.

"I'm sorry for how I acted." He finally decided on. He watched as red eyes searched his face for something, like he was expecting him to say something. To say something back.

"I shouldn't have thrown that tray and I shouldn't have lashed out like that. I didn't know you were acting to protect us." Disappointment washed over tanned facial features momentarily before being neatly tucked away behind a mask. "That changes everything. I-I was just acting out of hurt."

"Yeah, I know." The once harsh voice now answered quietly. "I'm sorry for not saying something sooner."

"There has to be something we can do about coach Inui, he can't treat you like that." Izuku tried to change the subject. Switching to the final thing he wanted to address.

"It'll be our word against his and the fact that I punched a now, presumably dead student, would only have people sympathize with him." Bakugou dismissed.

"You can't keep subjecting yourself to that—"

Irritation once again blossomed on to handsome features. "And what do you think I should do, Deku? Quit? Like you fucking did for no reason?"

At the verbal jab, Izuku corrected his posture. "...I've been having a tough time. I needed the space."

The taller of the two sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that." He finally stood up out of his chair to place himself in front of the greenette. "But there's so much going on, we just met with the recruiters and I'm like this close to having everything aligned for my future. Backing out now...that would be too much for me to deal with at once."

Izuku briefly wondered what else the blonde was dealing with. The other looked like he was carrying the weight of the world. He eyed the cut that's healing on Katsuki's neck.

Green eyes looked up into conflicted ruby red irises. When he studied Katsuki, he saw a sad, scared look. Scared of the potential, unsure future Izuku would promise him.

"If you tell me not to walk out that door I won't…"Izuku struggled for the right words."...I won't leave. I'll be right beside you. Through anything. You won't be alone."

"I wish it were that simple. I really do. But I can't...there's is too much to consider. Making a decision right now isn't smart, do you understand?" Bakugou answered with a sincere but unsure voice. "I'm not...angry at you, Izuku. I'm angry at everything else. I need time to think, okay?"

"Okay." The greenette nodded, still maintaining the eye contact. He gave a weak, unconvincing smile as he tried his best to respect the other's decision. "Would you settle for morning run partners again?"

At the light suggestion Izuku watched Katsuki's stress slightly ease.

"Yeah, sure. That would be nice."

oOoOo

"Deku, smile!" There was a giant flash of bright white that blinded young the green-eyed boy.

"Kacchan! That's too bright! Why are you taking pictures!?" Izuku scolded, squeezing his eyes shut as colorful light spots danced on the inside of his eyelids.

"This is the first day you're trying out for the high school's track team dumbass. Of course, we to take pictures, this is going to be worth a lot of cash when you become an Olympic champion." The blonde in question grinned at him. He quickly snapped another picture before laughing as a tiny pale hand tried to swipe the camera out of his hand.

"You know I don't like pictures!"

"Well, too fucking bad. I like taking pictures and you so happen to be the person I hang around with most." Katsuki then took another picture, releasing another bright flash. "C'mon chill, Deku. I want to get an actual nice one, so we can remember this day."

At the serious tone the command was asked, the greenette finally calm down his embarrassment and stood still. He gave his signature awkward smile, nerves from the day settling into his stomach. The was a quick shutter of the digital camera. Izuku watched Katsuki look down at the device. When his friend just stared at the picture and didn't say anything Izuku felt his nerves get the best of him.

"Did it come out bad, Kacchan?" He asked quickly, trying to peek around the other at the small screen.

"No, it came out perfect." The blonde answered, sounding half dazed. Katsuki looked at the pixelated screen that perfectly captured round cheeks dusted with freckles and dark green curls and he could feel his heart squeeze.

"Really? Aw, that's only because you take good pictures! I usually look terrible in photos." Izuku scratched behind his head and laughed. Katsuki quickly turned around, facing Izuku straight on.

"It's impossible for you to look terrible in photos, you're too…" His voice trailed off as he looked directly into forest green eyes.

"I'm too what, Kacchan?"

Beautiful. Cute. Handsome. Is what Katsuki meant to say. But instead he settled for: "Nothing. Never mind." Izuku gave the other boy a well-earned confused facial expression. He was going to saying something but Katsuki quickly hung the digital camera from his neck and used his hands to turn the smaller one around.

"Now get going! You're gonna be late if you keep stalling." He pushed the green haired boy in a haste to the track to quickly cover his slip up.

"O-Oh! Okay!" Izuku answered, completely distracted. When they reached the edge of the track where there was a cluster of students dressed in red and blue Izuku paused and turned around to his best friend.

"Thanks for always supporting me. It really means a lot, y'know?"

"It's no problem. I always got your back. Now go show them that ultimate speed!"

"Izuku, over here." A thick, deep baritone voice cut into his thoughts. Izuku felt himself transported back into reality as he looked around and found that he was no longer at the first track meet freshman year, but instead getting on a train with Kai heading to Fuji and then Tokyo.

"Ah, sorry Kai! I zoned out for a second." He smiled at the other and quickly stepped up his pace to catch up. Red sneakers paced quickly down the tight train isle with his bright green duffle bag Kai had purchased for him.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." Kai looked behind him and gave him another one of those sweet smiles and Izuku felt his heart leap at how handsome and relaxed the older one looked. "I'm just happy you decided to come with me." Kai motioned Izuku over to a comfortable looking set of blue cloth seats stationed perfectly next to the window.

They sat down with Izuku on the inside, closet to the large window. He looked out the window as the train started to move out of the station. Bright green eyes watched the barren winter trees pass by as fallen leaves decorated the ground of Hamamatsu. This would be his first time leaving the prefecture of Shizuoka. The thought was frightening, but it was also refreshing.

After the conversation with his childhood friend, Izuku left the other's room feeling empty. Not hurt, or angry but just in a state of limbo. Bakugou had implied that he couldn't decide then and there, which gave Izuku some hope that there could possibly be a change of heart later, but nothing happened.

They ran together every morning that week, with Izuku being the one to walk over to The Bakugou's house. They made small conversation and it felt good not to be a such terrible terms anymore. Bakugou had opened up about the coach being hard on him after Kosei disappearing, making him run extra drills and how he's been slowly taking the blonde out of plays as punishment for losing the game that followed homecoming.

Izuku felt sorry for him. He could sense the blonde was conflicted.

He moved his seat back next to Katsuki, thanking Todoroki for his patience and understanding. In public, the ex-childhood friends only spoke through hello's and nods like acquaintances would. Izuku knew it was progress, so he didn't push Bakugou any further.

The day before winter break, it was time to give Kai an answer. So Izuku took one last good look at Bakugou, who in return held his eye contact. He waited for something to come out but the other just smiled, said 'have a nice break' and waved goodbye. Izuku returned the notion and watched as Bakugou passed him out of the room.

He decided then that it was okay to let go.

They had missed their moment. The other wasn't ready for anything between them, and he was okay with that. Or at least that's what he told himself. With the threat of Coach Inui above them, he decided it was best if he let the other figure things out on his own. He had Kai now. Who was angel towards him, and Izuku was starting to develop more serious feelings for the older man. At this thought Izuku turned around and smiled at the taller man, who just smiled back.

"What are you more excited for, Fuji or Tokyo?" Kai leaned in towards him, putting an arm around his waist and pulling the younger one in closer to him.

Kai had been cutting back on his drug use, and all together stopped smoking around Izuku. The younger one noted this and felt thankful that Kai actually took initiative, but he could tell the other was having mild withdrawals. Izuku sensed newly developed irritation in the older man when they would go out places if someone would mess up an order or make him repeat himself. But Izuku didn't think much of it, he knew Kai had a long history of smoking and was adjusting the best he could.

"Both! This will be my first-time leaving Hamamatsu. It feels like a big deal." He laughed nervously. He heard Kai's deep signature chuckle and then watched as a white gloved hand slipped into a Kai's large olive-green winter jacket that was lined with black fur. He pulled out his small black device before unlocking the screen.

"Well, I do believe that calls for a picture don't you think?" Kai hummed. Izuku stared at the other before nodding slowly and blushing. He smiled as Kai took the picture and then showed it to him. It wasn't a bad photo at all. He asked Kai to send it to him and he then posted it to his PicGram. He told Tenya that he would try his best to post during the break so that everyone would know that he's safe and that Kai didn't kidnap him or something.

Which was silly to Izuku, Kai wouldn't do anything like that anyways.

"Thank you, Kai!" He said as he uploaded the picture to the PicGram platform. "What should I tag it as? I never know what to do for that part. This is why I didn't have one of these before."

"Hmmm. Well, try brainstorming."

"Uh...I guess hashtag traveling? Hashtag...love trains? Wait, God no. That sounds so dirty." Izuku quickly backspaced on that last one as they both laughed hard at the misstep.

"How about, hashtag small green bean?" Izuku turned to Kai and stared at him with a fake look of offense and surprise.

"I am not small!" He exclaimed, his voice laced with humor. "And I'm not a green bean."

"No, you're not that small, but you're one hundred percent a green bean." Izuku felt himself smile as Kai's and ran through his hair. "And it's a beautiful thing. Green is my new favorite color."

Izuku studied the sincere look on Kai's face and felt himself melt into certainty that this was okay. That it was okay to be with Kai and not Bakugou. Things were easier with Kai and he was okay with just being neutral with his ex-best friend.

He could move on.

oOoOo

When Izuku stepped off the train, he felt the excitement bubble up inside of himself. They had arrived right in the middle of the evening dusk to Fuji in the countryside. At this time of year Fuji was impossibly beautiful. The trees were coated with clean white snow, looking as if the Gods had lightly dusted the earth with powdered sugar.

"Wow!" He gawked at the scene. "It's so beautiful." His green eyes took in the beautiful scenery, missing the lovesick look Kai gave him.

"This way, I got us a hotel that's near." The older man smiled and reached down to hold Izuku's hand and lead him away from the train station.

Izuku allowed himself to be led by Kai as he watched all the beautiful people passing by in bright decorative Kimonos. Kai had told him that they should stop in Fuji for their annual snow festival, allowing Izuku to experience something new that was outside of his hometown.

When they finally arrived in the hotel Izuku admired the beautiful wooden atmosphere. The floor was a gloss wooden panel, and the walls were a cream-colored white that held expensive looking silver sliding doors. He looked at the plush fur rug that was positioned underneath the ground level table. The table itself was centered in the front of the room in front of a beautifully large window that gave them a perfect view of snowy Mount Fuji. When Izuku eyed the final object in the room, he could feel himself heat up. Positioned privately in the corner was a single queen-sized bed with a clean white comforter.

Izuku could feel himself blushing. He knew that there was a chance that he and Kai would be sleeping together over these next two weeks, but seeing the single bed made it much more real and much more suggestive.

"Do you like it?" A hand snaked its way around Izuku's slim waist. The touch set parts of his skin on fire that he was trying his best to ignore. When he looked up at Kai's sharp features, his mind flashed back to the image of that same mouth doing very very dirty things between his legs. He quickly turned away before his mind could go any more south.

"Yeah, I love it." Izuku smiled. "Should we be getting ready to head over to the festival?"

"It doesn't start till tomorrow. We missed the pre-festivities. So, go ahead and get comfortable, bunny. I'm going to go shower."

"Okay, sounds good!" Izuku nodded as Kai placed both of their luggage by the dresser next to the bed. The older man took their coats and neatly hung them up in the closet. As Kai undressed himself, Izuku found himself watching all the lines Kai's body made. He had watched the other undress, and redress countless times now but...in this setting and twilight lighting it felt different.

Izuku sat awkwardly on the edge of the neatly tucked bed with his hands between his thighs, listening to the shower run. It reminded him the first time he was in Kai's apartment and gave him the same images of the other man, but this time not as lust driven.

There was something else there.

When the shower turned off, Izuku looked out at the sky again and took in all the oranges and red that painted the atmosphere. He looked back down at his hands and finally acknowledged the growing warmth that was inside of his heart.

Kai stepped out with a white towel circling his waist and another one in his hands drying off his hair vigorously.

"I've only been here once before, but I know that there's fireworks to kick off the start of the activities and then a parade right after if you're interested." As he was drying his hair the golden eyed male didn't see how green eyes studied him in a new, bright light. When the younger didn't answer Kai finally lifted his gaze to look at him.

"Izuku?" Kai scrunched his nose in confusion at the stare Izuku was giving him. "Is there something on my face?"

"Uh, no. I'm just...looking." Izuku tried to explain but knew sounded weird. "You look really nice in this lighting. It compliments you well." Kai gave Izuku a half-surprised look as if he's never been given but a sincere compliment.

"Well thanks, bunny. That's a very nice thing to say." Kai answered with a smile. He tossed the towel drying his hair over his shoulder to walk over to Izuku. "But not as nearly as beautiful as you look right now." He gave a quick peck to Izuku's forehead. "Now, what do you want for dinner?"

"Uh, I'll eat anything to be honest," Izuku answered light heartedly.

It was then that Izuku noticed a silver chain around Kai's pale neck. It was thin with an unrecognizable pendant dangling from a small ring. The pendant itself was a sideways diamond shape encasing another sideways diamond symbol that had a straight line down the middle.

"Hah? What's this?" Izuku brought his hand up to touch the metallic item. "Is this new?"

"Ah, yes." Kai looked down to where Izuku's hand was. "It was a gift from my boss before I left for the trip."

"This is so nice. I love the design." Izuku complimented. "Your boss must be really nice to give you such an expensive gift."

Kai gave a deep laugh. "It's more a status symbol. He gives them out right before promoting someone as good luck and incentive."

"What does the symbol mean?" Izuku tilted his head as he ran his thumb over the small piece of silver. The sun reflected perfectly off the surface, making it gleam brightly.

"It's just the company logo." There was a beat of silence and the track runner missed the thoughtful look the older man gave him. "If you like it that much I can get you one too."

"Oh? No, that's okay Kai! It suits you better." Green eyes finally lifted their attention from the silver chain to gold eyes. "It matches your piercings perfectly."

Kai then kneeled down Izuku's level on the bed and smiled. "If you say so. Now, how about we find a nice sit-down establishment to go eat?"

oOoOo

When they arrived back at the hotel a dark blue hue had successfully fill up the sky. This far away from the city Izuku was hypnotized by how clearly he could see the sparkling stars.

The dinner itself had been wonderful. It was a traditional Japanese family owned restaurant, and everyone was super polite to both him and Kai. They even gave them half off their meal, which surprised the younger one. The expensive meal gave them both a sleepy sensation. Coupled with the long day of travel the pair just had they both agreed just to head straight to bed.

After about an hour of lying in bed with Kai for the first night, Izuku found himself restless. The white curtains of window peering out to mount Fuji were pulled back, and the soft light from the full moon was shining through the space.

He studied how peaceful Kai looked sleeping like this. They were laying face to face with Kai's back towards the window. The older man was sound asleep with his arm draped loosely around Izuku's waist. The pale moonlight outlined the shape of soft brown hairs in contrast with the white comforter and pillow cases.

Izuku found himself lifting up a hand and brushing the hair out of Kai's face, careful not to wake him. He looks so calm. Izuku thought to himself. He shuffled his body in closer and lightly placed a delicate kiss on Kai's forehead. When he pulled back he was surprised to see golden eyes looking back at him.

"Can't sleep?" The thick deep voice asked. Kai's vocal cords were weighed down even more with sleep, making him sound raspy.

"Yeah, I don't know why." Izuku answered truthfully. He kept studying the light and the way it curved around Kai trying to place a finger on the new, but familiar, feeling that kept knocking inside of his chest.

"C'mere." The sleepy voice spoke. "I'll tire you out." The arm around his waist pulled him in close until he was snuggly fitted against a hard body. He felt Kai start to work his free hand against his sensitive parts between his legs. Izuku bit his lip before fully grabbing Kai's wrist and stopping him.

He thought for a beat about what to do next, the tug in his heart made him want to make Kai feel good for once. The older man has always made sure he was taken care of and properly handled but he never took the courageous step to make sure the other felt good.

"I want to make you cum, please." Izuku asked softly, looking into Kai's eyes.

"We've been over this." Kai sighed and retracted his hand to sit up and loom over Izuku. "If you touch me, I don't trust myself enough to not want more, Izuku. We should wait until you're ready for what that could mean." Izuku watched as the covers fell off of Kai's sculpted body and he traced the muscles on his bare chest all the way down to black boxers.

He swallowed thickly before looking back up to golden eyes with confidence in his decision. He was done running.

"I'm ready, Kai." The greenette said without a single stutter.

"...Those are dangerous words to say to a man who wants you." Kai warned. "Are you completely sure?"

"Yes." Izuku nodded and sat up to fully face the older man at eye level. "Really. I'm ready. I want to be with you in every sense."

"Why are you so perfect...?" Golden eyes raked over Izuku's clothed body in a calculating sense.

Kai reached a hand out to touch the hem of Izuku's white oversized sleep shirt before pulling it down, exposing his freckled shoulder. He leaned down slowly to lay a gentle kiss on the sensitive junction in between Izuku's neck and shoulder.

Small hands reached up to grab onto Kai's broad shoulders and pulled him back down. Kai's mouth covered his in a slow and gentle kiss. Izuku's sense were overwhelmed with everything about Kai. His face, smile, dark hair and golden eyes. The musky cologne of the man above him completely enveloped him and Kai's mouth moved more passionately against his.

Izuku could feel a large hand grab the base of his neck, gripped his thick curls. Kai gave one solid grind against Izuku's clothed bulge and the greenette gasped loudly, giving full access to his mouth. Kai pushed his tongue into the other's wet cavern swallowing up the thick moan the younger one gasped out.

Izuku felt himself shudder when soft hands gripped his side and softly push up his shirt. He could hear Kai groan as he broke the kiss and tore Izuku's shirt from above his head and worked off the plaid pajamas that Izuku was wear. He leaned down to attach himself to Izuku's neck and spread out milk thighs.

Izuku could feel Kai's member brush against his exposed body like a warning but his body only tightened with want. He whimpered when hands started work his pink nipples, pinching and twirling as the rough body above him started to rut against him.

Izuku slowly reached down between their bodies to lightly touch Kai's member. He startled when the kissing on his neck quickly turned into a biting sensation.

"Oh!" Izuku yelped softly but held his resolve and experimentally stroked the large cock through the black silk. He could feel Kai's breathing become more ragged and the man maneuvered Izuku's head into another drowning kiss, biting, sucking, and licking more intensively as Izuku's hand massaged him.

Kai quickly reeled back to work himself out of his own boxers, fully exposing himself. Green eyes locked sight with a large thick cock the width of a coke can and Izuku couldn't help but feel himself stir sinfully.

"You like what you see, bunny?" Kai teased as he started stroking himself, he leaned back on his calves and worked himself. He didn't break eye contact with Izuku as he lifted one single finger in a 'come here' motion. Izuku obeyed getting on his hands in front of the brunette. The hand that beckoned him over lovingly grabbed his hair and lowered his face down to the level of the red shaft.

"Show me how much you want me." Kai asked with a sultry voice and smirk on his face. Izuku hesitated for a moment before reaching a hand out to grab the base. He shyly licked the head of the hot appendage and curiously gazed up at Kai. "Gotta do more than that, angel. Show me how badly you want me inside of you."

Izuku opened his mouth wider and positioned his body in a presenting position. His head worked on Kai's cock, licking and sucking it in his mouth with his ass perched upwards resting gently on his knees.

Izuku tried his best to work the large member in and out, coating it in saliva trying his best to follow the movements the hand in his hair guided him to. The older man above him groaned and hissed as he kept up his ministrations. Izuku hummed happily at the chance to finally return the favor to the dark-haired man. He glanced up at Kai's blissful face and experimentally gave a particularly long suck, hallowing his cheeks.

"—fuck." Was all he heard before Kai's fully thrusted his cock to hit the back of his throat. He tried to reel back but the hand in his curls held on tight making Izuku gag. "Shit—sorry. Surprised me." He loosened his grip giving Izuku exactly enough room to start up again. The greenette twirled his tongue around the large object in his mouth, trying his best not to let his teeth scrape the skin.

"Ah...keep going angel. You're doing so good. Being such a good boy for me." Kai complimented. Izuku felt himself keen at the praise. He marveled at how full his mouth felt.

When the hand entangled in his hair tightened Izuku suddenly felt himself jerked back with a wet pop sound. He peered his eyes upwards to Kai who looked devilishly hungry.

Fingers ran down his shoulders and then to his back leaving a ghosted trial. Kai shifted himself from off his hinds to pull Izuku up into a deep kiss and turned him around, lightly guiding green locks down onto the pillows.

From this angle Izuku could look out to the moon and see it shining brightly down on them.

Kai's strong arms position his legs wide open and propped him up on his knees. Izuku blushed at how exposed he felt but slowly relaxed when gentle hands massaged his two round cheeks, pulling them apart to expose a tiny pink hole. His breath hitched in surprised when he could feel Kai's tongue run across the entrance. He automatically leaned forward but was stopped by hands grabbing hard onto his hips.

"Don't be scared, bunny." The low voice called. "I'll make you feel good...I promise." The mouth was on him again in a second and Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, grasping tightly onto the white covers. Kai's tongue moved swiftly and sharply, licking and sucking against his hole. The long tongue dragged up from his sensitive sack up to his hole again, and gently swirled, tracing the edges. Izuku quickly found himself moaning sloppy and rocking back as Kai's tongue prodded against his backside, trying to open him up.

The hands on his hips pulled him backwards and Kai buried his face completely in between the muscular globes. The man reached one arm around and started to work Izuku neglected member.

"Aaahh!" Izuku cried as the hand twisted around the pink head and Kai's mouth continued to bite and suck into him. His body curled onto itself when Kai removed the hand from his hip to open him up for his tongue. A long slider finger worked its way inside with the help of a wet tongue, prepping him.

Izuku could have sworn he heard a low rumble emit from Kai, almost like a groan turned into a growl as he started to fuck Izuku on his finger and tongue. Green eyes rolled back, reacting beautifully to his prostate being abused without hesitation. Kai roughly pumped Izuku's swollen shaft eagerly.

The heat in Izuku's body started rising and sweat gathered onto his brow. Soon white visions flashed on the inside of his eyes when Kai picked up his speed. "K-Kai wait—" He called out. His legs started to tremble and shake buckling onto the dark hair male, but he could feel Kai huff out a hot breath against his sensitive hole and give it one lighter lick and pump his cock faster. "I'm gonna c-cum—" The hand squeezes=d his tip encouragingly.

"Fucking do it, Izuku." The rough voice hissed. Izuku gave a loud cry as he sprayed cum directly into Kai's hand. The greenette's face flushed a brilliant shade of red trying to steady his breathing but found himself not given a beat to rest as the finger inside of him curled onto his prostate again. "God, you're beautiful." Izuku cried out again, burying his face into the pillow. His pleasure button was ruthlessly stormed causing an electric sensation to rock through his body.

Izuku did his best to open his eyes to glance behind him. He stared as Kai took the cum in his hand and smeared it directly on his hole. Izuku felt him scrunch his nose at the sticky sensation but whined when two more fingers were added to the rhythm. Kai's eyes never left his backside, watching intensely as his three fingers were swallowed over and over again inside.

He paused for less than a second to reach down into his bag next to the bed to swiftly pull out lube. The dark man retracted his fingers reluctantly and rubbed cold wet fluid on himself and onto the pink hole. Once satisfied he pressed his finger in one more time, earning a whimper from the boy beneath him and retracted the digit.

Kai slowly aligned himself, pressing his tip against the hole and then bent over Izuku's shaking form. His chest pressed hotly onto Izuku, allowing him to rub his cock directly against the slick ass crack that was covered in mixed fluids. He rocked himself against Izuku, groaning in pleasure at the sensation of the tight muscles and grabbed onto Izuku's wrists, pinning him in place.

"How do you want me to deflower you, angel?" He whispered into Izuku's hear. "You want me to fuck you from the back like this?" He pressed his member harder against the twitching hole, slightly spreading it open. He pressed down onto Izuku's figure causing the small on to spread his legs wider and sink into the bed further.

Izuku felt like he was going to explode from all the sensations overcoming his body. He didn't care how Kai took him as long as he did. "Y-Yes please, Kai I just want you." He hissed when the rough head split into him slowly. He groaned at the pain that accompanied it, trying his best to manage through the burning sensation of being split in two. Kai let out a series of cursed under his breath as he grabbed onto Izuku's wrist tighter and pushed himself in slowly.

"You gotta relax, bunny. I'm too big for you to be clenching up like this. You're gonna hurt yourself." He cautioned affectionately. Izuku choked slightly as the large intrusion spread his hole wider and wider. He tried his best to relax his body and was given a kiss to his template by Kai. "Such a good boy...just like that."

The hot cock slowly fucked its way inside of his body, being extra careful until it was fully rested inside of him. Izuku felt his body jerk and shake as his prostate was rubbed gently, steadily bringing his own member back to life.

Kai let out a shaky breath into his ear before leaning back on to his knees. He positioned himself, kicking one leg up to rest on his feet and smiled when he heard Izuku whine.

There was a moment of silence right before the hand let go of his wrist and switched to holding the nape of his neck and the other grabbed onto his waist.

"Bite the pillow if you need to."

What? But before Izuku could get a moment to interpret the world Kai reeled back and slammed forward.

"Ah!" Izuku cried out and the body above him started to fuck into him at a steady pace "K-Kai!" He moaned as the shaft brushed against his prostate at just the right angle. The hands in his hips forced him back to meet each hard thrust. The pleasure shot through his body mixing in with a burning pain sensation. He tried to lift his head but the hand on his neck kept him forced down, into the pillows.

Kai slowly set a merciless pace grunting with each push into the tight body. "Feel good, Izuku? I wanna make you cum so much, make you feel so good that you'll never forget this night."

"Y-Yes, you feel amazing, Kai!" Izuku let out heavy moans and cries as his senses were tossed back and forth between a welcome heat that made his toes curl and the ache in his arched back that as Kai slammed his thick cock into him over and over again.

"M-More!" Izuku moaned and Kai complied. The stretch of his body made tears prickle at the corner of his eye and decided to take the advice given to him and bite into the plush fabric as he grasps onto it helplessly. The younger one clenched down around the hot shaft drawing a long groan from Kai.

Fingers raveled in green locked strengthened and snapped Izuku's head up from the pillows. "Look at you, taking it so well. Oh, bunny. You're so perfect for me." Kai praised. He emphasized each word with plunge into the wet heat completely unrelenting. His senses and focus completely dilated on the shaking little body under him. The bruising grip he had on Izuku only tightened more when he felt the pleasure rush through his body slowly.

Izuku bit his lip hard as his cock strained for a release, each powerful thrust hitting directly into his prostate. "H-harder! Please, Kai. Fuck—" Izuku choked when a hand grasped onto his throat pulling him swiftly against Kai chest. A cold metallic chain drug into the space between his shoulder blades as the hot shaft inside of him fucked upward forcing out a choked sob and cry.

"Bossy little thing." Teeth scraped at his ear. "But your senpai is always willing to do as you say." Kai graveled out. Izuku felt the coiled pleasure build up higher and higher like a lightning storm inside of his body. The tense feeling of pleasure was only multiple when the large hand pressed down, making Izuku gag and gasp. Kai took complete control over his body overwhelming all his sensations until Izuku could only feel Kai's heat.

He tossed his head back giving into the loss of control, rolling his eyes and biting his lip. Izuku could have sworn that his back was going to snap in two at this angle but nothing else mattered to him. Kai was all around him, kissing him, pulling at him, inside of him.

The waves of euphoria rose like a steady storm that cash down over and over with each thrust into his body until he could feel them building ready to spill over. He wanted to give a warning but could only manage light tears as his voice was suppressed by his captor's hand, making a strain high pitch moan.

Kai's movement became more frantic. His vice grip on Izuku hip started to turn his knuckles turn white as he tried his best to satisfy the green beauty. He hissed in pleasure when he could feel himself tipping over the edge. "I'm going to fill you up angel. I'm going to fill you up so fucking good." He groaned. The tight coil inside of him snapped Kai moaned loudly and choked Izuku harder, burying himself impossibly deep inside the tight shaking body.

Cum decorated the inside of Izuku's hole, making him feel even more full. Violent shudders rippled through his body when his own orgasm took over, spraying cum onto the white sheets. His vision felt hazy and he gasped hard as air rushed his body when Kai finally let go. They slumped forward together with Kai still seated deep within him.

Izuku whined out loud trying to grasp air back inside his lungs and he listened to Kai's heavy breathing as the man tried his best to regain control. After they caught their breath both of them evened out and felt sleep overcome them.

Making the first move, Kai groaned and rolled them onto their side, being sure to pull out carefully. Golden eyes watched as white cum dripped slowly out of the well-used hole and Izuku didn't get to see the possessive look that briefly flashed across Kai's face. It was then that the eldest got up and helped clean off Izuku off before laying back down in bed with him.

Izuku smiled at the man next to him softly, and Kai smiled back running his hand through his hair.

oOoOo

Izuku woke up to the soft bright warm sun caressing his skin gently.

He could feel Kai snuggled into the side of him with his face buried in between the white pillow and his green locks affectionately. The events from the night echoed in Izuku's head and he found himself feeling satisfied, and warm all at once. The passion that Kai showed him made Izuku feel like he made the right choice. There was a light rustle from behind me before he felt soft lips press against his temple, lovingly.

"Good morning beautiful." Kai spoke with his morning rasp. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel perfect." Izuku replied, shifting his body to turn to Kai. He winced at the adjustment and a wave of pain shot up from his rear side. Kai's eyes widened by a mild fraction when he saw this and he sat up and make sure Izuku was alright.

"You should take it easy today. I admittedly lost myself last night half way through." He gave Izuku an apologetic look before sighing. "I should've controlled myself better and waited until after the festival."

"No! It's fine. I thought it was perfect timing" Izuku placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder. "It was amazing, Kai."

He watched Kai relax and smile one of the happiest looks he's ever seen on the dark-haired man's face. Kai then laid back down in bed and pulled Izuku on top of him.

"Let's just stay in bed a little longer, bunny. We can take it slow today and catch the evening events at the festival."

Izuku smiled, truly happy for the first time in months.

oOoOo

"C'mon. Keep up, Deku." Katsuki's voice called out through the crowd. The two boys were in the middle of the annual Hamamatsu festival the summer directly before starting high school. Hundreds of bodies swarmed them as they tried their best to keep in reach of each other.

"I'm trying! Here I come, Kacchan!" Izuku yelled out. He smiled when he saw the ash blonde boy in front of him slow down and wait for him. The summer heat rained down on the back of his neck and he found himself thankful for the breezy blue summer yukata that he was currently wearing. When he finally caught up with Katsuki Izuku let out a huff. "Thanks again for coming with me!"

"It's no problem. We said we were gonna try to hang out every day before the summer ends, ya?" The blonde laughed as he roughly swung his arm around Izuku's tiny shoulders. The greenette joined in laughter as he leaned into the touch.

"True. I'm so excited to start school!" Smells various smells from the food and the sound of cicadas filled both of their senses as they walked through the thick crowd together.

"Yeah, yeah. I know you dork, you keep mentioning it." Katsuki dismissed non-aggressively. The boy fanned himself with the hem of his red yukata trying to get some relief from the hot June air. "I'm more excited about all the cool stuff we're gonna do together this summer."

"Hah? Really?" Izuku cocked his head in confusion at the other. However, when he turned he caught the sight of his best friend's hand peeling back his thin cotton garment. Green eyes traced the newly exposed sweaty tanned neck, and Izuku felt himself blush lightly. He quickly snapped his head forward at the sudden oncoming of heat that rushed to his face.

"Well, yeah, duh. Who wouldn't be excited about spending time with their best friend?" Katsuki mumbled before turning to Izuku. Red eyes noticed the slight pink tint that was gracing the greenette's cheeks. "Why are you blushing?" He leaned in, tightening his arm around Izuku's shoulder to make the other face him.

"Uh! No reason! I-It's just this heat, y'know?" Izuku laughed off, putting his hands up. His blush deepened even further as he tried his best to understand why the closeness of Katsuki was making him feel things he wasn't so familiar with.

"...if you're thinking about something you should tell me." The blonde whispered, out of character for someone so loud. Izuku looked again to Katsuki confused. There was a soft backdrop of white light, making his best friend's blonde hair glow like an angel. Red eyes were scanning his face and it didn't go unnoticed to the shorter of the two that the other quickly glanced down at his lips.

Neither boy realized they had stopped walking until someone knocked into them, hard.

"Don't just stand around in the middle of the walkway, idiots!" A loud rude male scolded the two. He pushed through their bodies, making Katsuki dropped his arm from around Izuku. Stunned at the sudden unwanted contact the blonde looked immediately to Izuku who was frazzled and stumbling lightly.

Katsuki quickly reached around and steadied Izuku, afraid that he would fall. He then snapped his head at the man who had just interrupted them. "What the fuck dickward!? You nearly pushed him over!"

"Whatever!" The man yelled back fanning his hand and he disappeared into the sea of bodies. Katsuki gritted his teeth before letting it go.

Izuku was more important than some rude man.

He returned his attention to the shorter male, who he knew had a mild case of claustrophobia.

"Are you okay, Deku?" He asked. Izuku straightened himself out and let go of his best friend's arms quickly, afraid of the closeness.

"Y-Yeah I'm fine! Let's hurry and go see the koi fish." Izuku finished and walked ahead. He kept his head down confused at what the exchange was that just happened between them.

He quietly thanked the rude stranger to pulling him out of whatever gravity that just hovered over him and Katsuki.

A brisk, cold wind blew Izuku out of his memories as the festival scene in front of him melted from a hot summer scene to an elegant winter setting. His blue yukata was now a green winter Kimono that held gentle golden embroidery of tree branches and flowers that stemmed up from the hems of his traditional piece. The slash was a dazzling gold that held two beaded chains that bounced as he walked.

After a third round the couple had stayed in bed, with Kai ordering food to eat in. When the bright blue sky had started to dim slowly into red and orange hues the pair finally found the will to get out of bed to head over to the village.

"How are you enjoying the scenery?" Kai asked with a soft smile looking down at Izuku. "You look a little lost in your thoughts." The older man, in contrast to Izuku's lavish looking garment, wore a simple black kimono that only had a dark purple lining around the slash and the neck. Like this, the new silver necklace Kai wore stood out against the expensive obsidian material.

"I love it. Sorry, I was thinking about how this kind of reminds me of Hamamatsu summer festival." Izuku reassured Kai. Green eyes were slowly taking in everything as they walked around the marketplace, looking at all the different people and scenes that were new. He saw couples laughing and enjoying winter street meals along with taking pictures with the mountain in the back.

"Ah, perfect. We'll have to go to that after you graduate, yes?" Kai gave his hand a slight squeeze that brought a laugh out of Izuku.

"Of course! I would love to show you around all the cool stuff in my hometown. There's a lot of fun stuff to do there in the summer."

"Can't wait then, bunny." Kai maneuvered them around a couple that was walking in their direction. "Speaking of your graduation, are you still considering University of Tokyo for college?" The older man questioned. At the mention of his college process Izuku felt himself slightly stiffen. Applications were due mid-January after they returned back to Hamamatsu, and Izuku had started filling out several applications but was still unsure of what he would really choose.

"I am." Izuku decided on. "I'm still unsure of where I'm going to actually go. There's a lot of things to consider." He said truthfully.

He always wanted to go to Yuuei University because of it being Coach Toshinori's alma mater, along with one other major reason: He and Bakugou had said they would go together their freshman year. But given everything that's happened this past semester, Izuku thought maybe it could be a sign that he should think of things differently. Plus, University of Tokyo wasn't exactly a bad choice of where to go.

Kai hummed thoughtfully. "That's true. Choose whatever is the best fit for you." He stated. Izuku watched as a deep thoughtful look crossed Kai's face right before a mask of happiness replaced it. A loose smile slipped over thin pink lips. "I still do think you would like U of T."

"Yeah of course, I really want to see it—AH!" Izuku yelped as hot liquid landed on his sleeve and exposed hand. A large body then ungracefully toppled over into him, spilling the rest of dark liquid over Izuku's slash. Izuku closed his eyes ready to brace for contact with the ground but felt himself swiftly manhandled out of the way by Kai's large hands.

"Watch where you're going." The protective deep voice hissed from above him.

Izuku looked up to find Kai glaring what felt like draggers at the person who just spilled their drink all over him. A hand roughly grabbed his kimono's sleeve as pissed off golden eyes inspected the damage. "What's your name? Do you know how much money this cost? You owe us money to pay for cleaning."

"Oh, please." The man groaned and readjusted himself. He looked inside of his cup and threw it to the ground when he realized he had spilled it all over Izuku. "I can take one look at that and see how cheap that is. I'm not paying for shit." Kai fully stepped forward to get into the man's face. The greenette wrinkled his eyebrows in worry when he saw the hostility rising in Kai.

The man tried his best to walk away but Kai gripped the material of the man's own kimono roughly turned him around. "I'm not going to fucking repeat myself." The once soft voice demanded very darkly. Izuku stepped forward in between the two when he saw Kai fully grab the man's hem and bring him closer to his face. "You spilled your drink all over him, and now you're acting rude like this? Apologize."

"K-Kai, it's okay. Really! I can pay for the cleaners if that's what you're worried about." Izuku tried to calm the dark-haired man. It was then that the boy glanced around and noticed people whispering and looking at what all the commotion was about.

"No, Izuku. It's general principle." Kai stated without looking at him. His free hand quickly shifted to twist the man's arm backwards. "Now. I'm not going to say it again."

"Kai!" Izuku yelled taken back. He grasped the brunette's shoulder trying to get him to calm down when he saw the pained look in the stranger's face.

"Let me go, are you crazy!?"

It was then that the brown eyed man finally took a good look at Kai. He looked over the muscular form and Izuku watched brown eyes widen when he looked directly at the shining, silver pendant dangling from Kai's neck.

The man's whole demeanor changed so quickly that it nearly gave Izuku whiplash.

"I-I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed out of nowhere. He dropped to his knees quickly and Kai finally let go of his arm. "Please forgive me for my rude behavior. Here, I'll pay for the cleaning bill and your next meal." The stranger fumbled clumsily with his wallet as he pulled out what seemed like majority of the yen he had.

It worried Izuku how easily Kai took the money with barely any regret. The coldness in the metallic eyes surprised Izuku since he had never seen Kai look that void of emotion, ever. Kai counted the money slowly, taking a deep breath in and then exhaling.

Gold eyes locked on to the kneeling stranger before folding the cash in half and placing it into the pocket of his black winter kimono. "Go." was the only word he spoke, and the stranger didn't need to be told twice. The brown eyed man shuffled away quickly as everyone watched him leave. Izuku felt bystanders whispering at the scene and he slowly took his hand off Kai.

"That was a bit harsh don't you think?" Izuku wearily stated. The image of Kai ruthlessly twisting back the man's arm over a spilled drink was sinking into him for what it could mean. Kai cut his eyes at Izuku and an oddly familiar shiver climbed up the boy's spine.

"Sorry." Was all Kai said. A small, tight smile slipped its way back onto Kai's face as he turned his body to Izuku fully. "You're right. I shouldn't have reacted that extreme, but what he did was rude. You can't just let something like that slide so easily."

Izuku studied Kai's expression. Golden eyes were no longer cold, but caring and warm. He could detect a mild ounce of regret in Kai's features. But Izuku could tell it wasn't for what he did, it was for Izuku's reaction.

Kai gave him another charming sorry and remorseful smile, and Izuku slowly found himself willingly ignoring the red flag he just witnessed. Maybe this has something to do with him going through withdrawals from not smoking?

"I didn't scare you...did I?" Kai whispered as he touched Izuku's hand with his own.

"No, you didn't." He spoke only half confident. "It just surprised me, that's all."

He thought back to the terrified look that engrossed the man's face when he had looked at Kai's necklace. Green eyes gave the silver piece of jewelry a meaningful once over.

"Okay, good. Sorry again about that." Was the last thing Kai stated on the topic. He waited for Izuku give him another reassuring smile before his mood switched back into place. Kai took his hand and they began to walk again. Izuku tried not to think about it anymore, summing up the visceral reaction to withdrawals.

However, he couldn't shake an ominous feeling as he listened to the metallic chain swing from Kai's neck.

oOoOo

As the two walked around more, enjoying all the festival had to offer, the incident with the man was long forgotten. The liquid had dried into a light brown unnoticeable stain in Izuku's opinion, so it was easy to push the whole thing to the back of his mind.

They played all the small games stationed up and down the streets of the town. One particular American styled game required shooting small rubber ducks off a quickly moving conveyor belt with a bebe gun. Kai had easily won, missing none of the required targets and claimed the top prize of a baby blue bunny. Green eyes lit up in excitement as the older one gave him the stuffed animal.

Izuku couldn't help but compliment how sharp the twenty-two-year old's aim was and Kai just shrugged.

It was now nearing eleven at night and a large amount of bodies were gathering near the large body of water in the center of town trying to get a good spot for the fireworks that were to come.

Izuku smiled to himself at how content Kai looked. They had gotten a perfect spot, leaning against the red railing of a bridge that was built over a small passage of water.

Golden eyes were focused on the glowing full moon above them and it made Izuku stare in awe at handsome he looked when the light touched him. The growing warmth from earlier that he felt right before he and Kai slept together returned in his chest.

He studied the dark brown locks and his mind automatically flashed him a picture of Katsuki, positioned nearly this same way when he was looking up at the moon so many years ago. He couldn't help but compare how similar the feeling he got from the both of them were.

"Ah, it's starting to snow." Kai noted, picking up his hand that was intertwined with Izuku's and pointing at the sky.

"Wow, it's beautiful." Izuku noted. The scenery itself was breathtaking, something out of a romance novel that Ochaco made him read a long time ago. The snow gently fell from the dark blue sky with the moon and the mountain softly lit in the back.

Izuku turned back to Kai who was looking at him with soft eyes. Kai opened his mouth briefly before shutting it again and he took a mild step inward to Izuku and held their hands up on the bright red railing.

"You know...long time ago, it was taboo to express deep emotions towards another person in Japan. People settled for a much more coded way of saying things, trying to uphold the conservative nature of our country." Kai looked down at their intertwined hands. His voice was soft, and It made Izuku's heart rate slowly speed up.

"There's a famous author by the name of Natsume Sōseki that once gave a student an assignment to translate something from English to Japanese. Have you heard you about this?" Kai then looked up into Izuku's spring colored eyes.

"No, but I love a good story." Izuku lightly laughed and a small smile slipped onto Kai's handsome features.

"Well, when the student translated 'I love you' word for word, Natsume told them to try again since Japanese people don't say it that often. He instructed the student that it would be better to put 'the moon is beautiful tonight' in place of 'I love you'."

Izuku paused when he felt a tiny ripple of realization trickling through his body.

"So, to you Izuku, I say the moon is beautiful." Kai softly confessed. The hand holding his squeezed and Izuku gave Kai, a deep, pensive look. "You don't have to say anything back right now, I just felt like I should tell you. After what we shared last night I know exactly how I feel about you."

The greenette softly smiled at Kai and squeezed his hand back. Kai smiled back, accepting the sincere look the boy returned to him.

Kai assumed Izuku's pensive state of mind was because the young boy was unsure of how to say 'I love you too' after such a heart filled confession.

Kai himself didn't even know how to say it properly, which is why he said it the way he did. He thought that Izuku just didn't love him back yet, which was okay because the greenette would eventually learn to love him. He could sense it.

But Kai was wrong. It went completely unaware to the brunette that the thoughtful look wasn't because Izuku didn't love him back.

No, it was the exact opposite.

It was because in that moment, with the white snow falling and the burst of bright colorful fireworks lighting up his vision, Izuku realized he did love him.

There was a new bright flame in his in heart that burned solely for Kai. It burned brightly and strong directly next to the old one for Katsuki.


Notes:

And that's it! :D I hope you like. Let me know what you think below.

This chapter was kind of hard to write for me because I used to have extreme avoidant anxiety to the point I would barely contact anyone because I would want to just disappear. It is a crippling thing until you address it properly by opening up, and seeking treatment and support. So putting myself in that headspace made this a little hard to write. Overall, not my favorite. I much prefer the next chapter from Katsuki's perspective.

Thank you again for reading and I can't wait to read your comments! I love and cherish them all.

Preview of Next Chapter:

"Bakugou!" The voice got louder, and more demanding.

Katsuki locked eyes with Kirishima who was looking at him paused with confusion while everyone else was gesturing him to hurry onto the field so the game could start.

The redhead slowly took off his helmet to get a better look at his best friend.

What is he doing? Kirishima thought to himself. He studied how the blonde's face was content and blank as if he just came to some type of sudden realization. Then it clicked. His eyes widened by a fraction at the clear resolve written dead across the ash blonde's face.

"Katsuki!" He called out with an undertone of warning in his voice and started marching quickly towards the other.

The quarterback broke eye contact with Kirishima, ignoring the caution in his friend's voice. Katsuki turned his attention to his coach before gripping his helmet tightly. He looked the man straight into his eyes.