"Come on, we have to hurry to catch up." Album grumbled, turning around.
"Wait are we walking?" Monoma asked.
"Yeah."
"Like, the entire way?"
"Like, yeah." Album said, raising his eyebrows. "If that's a problem you can turn around."
"No problem." Monoma said quickly. "Just a little surprised, that's all."
Album tugged Monoma forward and they all started walking, "Why would you be surprised."
"Don't know, just am. How can anyone walk so far? On their own feet."
"Well, some people have something called endurance and you should get it sometime." Adrien smirked at Monoma's displeased expression.
"Whatever you say." He grumbled and soon fell behind Adrien and Album. Midoriya walked with him though.
"Monoma-san—I mean sama, um, I hope I'm not being too nosy…"
"Out with it Midoriya."
"But back there, when you and Album-san were talking, were you… were you flirting?"
Monoma scoffed, "Flirting? No, we were arguing. You need to learn what flirting is, Midoriya."
"It's just that the two of you seem rather close."
"What do you mean?"
"I've noticed for a while now." He said. "You two are always together, talking or… arguing, or doing whatever it is you're doing. But I have to say that sometimes the level of sexual tension between you two makes me uncomfortable."
"Sexual WHAT!" Monoma screeched hoarsely, causing Album and Adrien to turn around and look at them strangely.
Midoriya blushed and stared tentatively at his knuckles like they were something very interesting. "I'm sorry, did I misinterpret?"
"Yes! You misinterpreted everything."
"Whoa, wait, did I hear right? Sexual tension?" Adrien snickered. "Between you and Album!" he laughed harder.
It was Monoma's turn to flush red with anger and embarrassment, he glared at Adrien. "Sexual tension?" Album asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry… I guess I was wrong." Midoriya said.
"Yeah… wrong." Album turned to face forward again, his expression unreadable. Monoma bit his lip and stared at the back of Album's head. What had that tone been for?
They moved faster than the group ahead of them and easily caught up. All of them got stares, both confused and defensive. But no one said anything while they were walking.
Album had a feeling he was going to get a lecture when they took a break though, as if their nosiness was somehow his fault. The walk was long, and the temperatures somewhat icy. It definitely wasn't the easiest trek of Album's life.
Album twitched slightly when Monoma leaned into him. He probably did it for some extra body heat, because he was cold. Snakes were cold blooded after all.
Monoma should've brought gloves, or a warmer jacket, or even a hat. But he didn't have all that stuff. He didn't have the money for it. All he had was a jacket, he couldn't really afford much else.
Monoma felt something warm shoved on his head and glanced up at Album, and then touched his head. It felt like Album's hat.
Monoma sensed warmth inside him start to grow, but stomped it out just as fast as it had appeared. No, this was not the time for that. It never would be. He didn't like Album, and Album didn't like him. Plain and simple. He wasn't going to let something as stupid as his feelings get in the way of that simplicity. And he wasn't going to let those feelings rise because of a stupid hat either.
He made a point to not say thank you.
After a couple hours of just walking, they all decided to take a break. This was when Album got the ear full he had been waiting for. "What were you thinking, they can't come along!"
"Why not? It'll be fine." Album said. He didn't really care at this point, he just wanted to get everything over and done with.
"Because outsiders aren't supposed to know what happen. Our mission isn't to bring what this school has done to light, it's to bring this school to the ground. And that's all that matters."
"Well if that's all that matters why are you so pressed about a couple tag alongs. What are they going to do anyway? It's not like the damage we do will be reversible. Even if they do tell, no one knows who we are, we all gave ourselves fake identities to get away from this, no one will believe them. Simple, okay? Now we've been walking for a while and if you don't mind, I'd actually like to get some rest."
Ila huffed and crossed her arms. "Fine then, we'll rest. I still don't agree with this though."
"You don't have too. Just accept it."
Album turned and walked away, heading back to the group. They were all sitting alone and as Album got closer, he could hear one guy talking to Monoma. "So you're one of Malcom's buddies. That's pretty cool. He and I didn't know each other well, what's he like?"
"An asshole, that's what."
"Oh… well then maybe we could talk about—"
"—Look, Romeo, if I was interested, we'd already be fucking in a bush. But we're not, are we? So that means, I don't give a fuck. Go bother the nerd, he'll entertain you."
Album rolled his eyes and the guy's mouth just hung open for a bit. "Oh uh… okay." He murmured, and scooted off to go talk to Izuku.
"Are you always that rude to strangers." Album asked, hands in his pockets as he walked towards Monoma.
"Short answer, yes."
"What's the long one."
"Don't have one. So anyway, what did your girlfriend say about us?"
"She's not my girlfriend and she basically said okay."
"I'm pretty sure it was more than that. It was probably an 'okay, I don't care, your choice.' When actually she does care and now she will hunt you down, make you regret ever breathing."
"… Really?"
"Just sayin."
"Uh, I'm pretty sure it was actually an 'okay', what you just described sounds like something you would do."
"Why would you ever say that, Aldumb, I am always completely straight forward."
"Haha, funny." But Album didn't say it like he found it funny.
"So anyway," Monoma looked away but Album could see the small blush on his face, "About that deal thing."
"You're not backing out, because I will throw you."
"Oh wow, I'm so scared." Monoma said sarcastically, "But no, that's not what I'm talking about. I just figured we should lay some ground rules."
"What do you think I'm going to do? Have you parade around the streets naked or some shit."
"Well, I honestly don't expect very much from you, and while I don't think you would order that, I wouldn't be completely against it."
"Okay if you're not against that, then what are you against."
"First of all, don't expect me to give you any blowjo—"
Album slapped a hand over his mouth, "If your ground rules are all about having some form of sex with me, keep them to yourself cus I don't want that anyway."
"They're not ALL about sex… but most of them were."
"Then what are the others?"
"I refuse to share any secret I might have with anyone at all. I refuse any public humiliation at school, and I refuse to sit with you, anywhere."
"Uh… okay I guess."
"I also reserve the right to refuse any additional command that makes me uncomfortable as they come."
"You're kind of missing the point of doing anything I ask, but fine, whatever."
"And I will not allow you to negotiate any of these—wait you agree?"
"Yeah." Album didn't even care if Monoma was his slave for 24 hours or not. It would be nice, but it didn't bring the kind of overwhelming satisfaction it might've brought a week ago.
Album didn't really understand it, but he figured he didn't need to. Monoma wasn't his main priority anyway.
Soon, it was time to get moving again, and they kept going, Monoma and him still walking side by side and Adrien and Midoriya hanging more in the back.
As they walked, Monoma shivered beside him and Album smirked, "Still cold."
"Any normal human would be. You're just not cold because you have all that gorilla hair to keep you warm."
"Actually, it's a coat, but go off I guess."
"I will."
As much as he hated to admit it, Monoma wished he could buy something like Album's coat. Wouldn't that be nice to have.
Still, Monoma felt Album's hand wrap around his shoulder and bring him closer to Album's natural body heat. Suddenly, Monoma wasn't very cold anymore, and his face lit up, the tips of his ears turning red. "I thought… I thought we weren't ever going to—"
"Shh," Album said, "Let's not talk about that right now and just focus on walking."
Monoma stared from under Album's arm, up at his face, and eventually gave up for the time being. But no way was he going to let it drop.
So he decided to play the 'how far can I push Album' game. He reached up and put a hand on Album's chest. Album didn't move, so he lowered his hand a bit, inch by inch until it rested on Album's lower stomach.
Still, he didn't even flinch or give any effort in pushing Monoma away. But he did turn to look him straight in the eye with this 'I dare you' look that Monoma didn't like.
They stared at each other for several minutes before Monoma let his hand drop with a muttered, "Bastard."
Album smirked a little and turned back forward.
Meanwhile, Midoriya was watching them, but also looking away, but he also couldn't help but watch them. He wasn't sure if they realized the indecency of their behavior or not, but it felt awkward to Izuku and he wished they would stop.
"Disgusting isn't it." Adrien said out of the blue. "How can two people so obviously want each other but still convince themselves they don't." Izuku wasn't sure he had an answer to that. "Well they'd obviously both have to be dense idiots, and that's kind of what we're looking at right now."
"I just wish they weren't so public." Midoriya sighed. "I don't want to see Monoma… Monoma's hand where it was, nor do I want to be involved in their sexually tense arguments either."
"Neither do I." Adrien grumbled. "Next time I see it I'm gonna go tell them to just get it over with in a bush or something, so the intimacy dies down a little."
Midoriya nodded, "You do that. I just want to enjoy walking without having to see something like that."
"For once we agree on something I suppose."
Midoriya laughed nervously, shrugging. "Um, yeah…" Midoriya turned back to watching them argue. And while it did make him uncomfortable, he had to admit that it was nice to see them getting along somewhat. It was better than before when they simply beat each other up and such. Though those old days were fun too. As the school year wore on, Izuku felt like everyone was starting to get along far better than before. Even he and Kacchan a little bit. "I mean if those two can get along, I'm pretty sure anyone can." Izuku commented.
"I guess you've got that one right." Adrien smirked. Then he glanced at Izuku before continuing thoughtfully. "So, what did you tell your mom? When you told her you were leaving for the weekend."
"Oh um… I told her that I was going on a trip with some friends so… basically the truth I guess. What did you tell Chonice-san?"
"God you have such good morals even when you're supposed to be sneaking away. It's disgusting. And if you must know, I didn't tell him anything."
"Oh, but won't he get worried about you?"
"So? Who cares, it'll be fine." Adrien rolled his eyes. "I mean, sure he might worry a little but it's not like we'll be gone forever. Just a couple days. It's nothing to worry about."
"Still…" Izuku frowned. "And it doesn't seem like Chonice-san would be the kind of person to stop you guys."
"Maybe not Album, but he probably would've tried to stop me. Besides, if he knew the details I doubt it."
"But I didn't tell my mom the details. You can always just leave them out, right?"
"Whatever. It was better not to tell him. He worries too much as it is."
"That's because he cares about you."
"Oh well, doesn't matter." Adrien said. "I didn't tell him, and now we're here, so, you know, whatever."
"Yeah…" Midoriya trailed off and they kept walking for several more hours.
Eventually they decided to stop and sleep for the night before continuing the rest of the way.
Monoma set his sleeping bag, that was actually Izuku's because he'd brought it, down beside Album, warmth emanating from simply being close to him.
That sensation helped him fall asleep all the faster.
A/N Hey, hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'm on vacation at the moment so the next one might take a few weeks as I don't have a lot of time to write. Regardless, thank you so much for reading, reviews are love!