Author's note: I couldn't get some scenes off my head, so here is an early update, thanks to a little respite at work that granted me time.
The next chapter will maybe be posted this weekend: it seems that this story inspire me quite much.
Also, I guess the rating may go up in later chapters, since I want to explore some intimate aspect of their relationship: i'm not experiences in writing smut, but I'll see it as a challenge :)
Hope you'll enjoy !
SPOILER ALERT: i'm following the manga's development, so be cautious of this chapter, and the next. I'll take some freedom next, but for now, I'll follow the PNL arc.
All Might dismissed the class, every improvement on tape for Aizawa-sensei to see. Each of them had grown in their own way, some of them had visibly experienced hardships. Young Jirou especially seemed to have a new found resolve: he has yet to read the report Gang Orca gave the school staff on the events that took place during the internship.
The students were heading back to the dorms for the night, excitement running through the crowd: their last class of the day left a great impression on them, every one of them proud to show their new moves and to see how much each of them had stepped up. Izuku and Ochaco were animatedly talking about how they both inspired the other to improve their skills and equipment, Tenya and Tsu giving their advice here and there on possibilities they could explore. The Bakusquad chatted loudly about how Bakugou was a different man, as Mina and Eijirou exchanged their impressions on her new move.
Denki was the last in, watching with a kind smile the huge and chaotic family his class was becoming. They really came a long way, especially the two childhood friends: they were able to talk without Bakugou throwing death threats every two words after all.
His golden eyes drifted to the petite silhouette of Jirou, her short purple hair fleeting softly in the cold winter wind. He immediately noted the light in her eyes as she demonstrated her search technique with Shoji. A determined and serious glint that relieved him. Since that night, they had called each other or texted each day, not really breaching the subject of her grief again. He trusted her to come to him when she was ready to talk: that was one of the thing he learned while away with the Lurkers.
She was chatting with Momo, obviously sharing how they handled everything search related, her friends relating how her own training went. The tone of her voice was light, she even laughed when the vice-president told her how Majestic asked his team to always had a bag of snacks ready for her to eat in case of emergency: she had been so embarrassed that she never dared to ask for it.
Todoroki waited for the girls to catch up with him, asking Momo about what kind of preparation Majestic used to enhance predictive ability. The black-haired girl happily obliged, her attention focusing on her classmate. Kyoka smiled slightly as the way her best friends lightened up with the conversation, watching how seriously Shoto listened to Momo's explanation. She slowed down her pace, looking back at Denki and waving at him.
His smile grew wider as he closed in, and they walked side by side, a comfortable silence making his way between them. She suddenly let her head fall on his arm, making him look down at her. He lifted an eyebrow in confusion, as she showed him her phone. She had typed something on her note app: "feeling kinda tired, need a breather."
His eyes lingered on her dark ones, as he deciphered her gaze; he nodded in understanding, fishing his own phone and earphones. He gave her one as he launched the playlist, sliding his arm behind her shoulder in a one-sided hug. Their classmates far ahead of them, they strolled at a slow pace, humming the lyrics together, her head bumping from time to time against his warm chest.
…
The common room was a noisy mess as the whole class was planning a shared celebration with class 1-B. Since the joint training, the bond between the two classes got stronger, friendships being born since then. As the end of the term drew near, they all felt the need to get together after their time apart, enjoying some of their youth. The weight of their future responsibility became clearer with the internships, and with the troubled times they all felt coming, sharing good moments with allies was necessary.
Denki suggested sharing a hot-pot, the chill of winter appealing to eat warm meal under a kotatsu. His classmates agreed, and everyone got his head in the game, volunteering for handling the different preparations. Katsuki ended being the kitchen manager, the condition being that he got to choose who will be working with him. In a blur, the living-room was flooded with people happily chatting around the pot, Sero and Eijirou fighting for the best piece of meat, Momo adding vegetables in all the boy's plates while chastising them for their unbalance diet.
Denki patted Shinso's back as he sat down beside him.
"Hey pal! How's the next class 2-A star?"
The lavender-haired boy choked on his food and coughed, swallowing hardly his mouthful.
"I'd appreciated if you could avoid killing me… Besides, I'm not sure I'll integrate 2-A."
"It would be a shame, I don't want to be apart of my new friend! You'll have tons of fun if you stick with us!", Denki said, grinning like crazy.
Shinsou sighed loudly. Here he was again, claiming to be his friend. Well, he had been warned by Earphone Jack, so he should have seen it coming. He took a look at the bustling room, filled with laughter and playful banter involving students from both classes. If he was honest, he didn't fell THAT out of place. It was a nice atmosphere, being able to share with people in the same line of work, being able to trust people.
"Why do you keep being friendly like that? Even if I stated clearly that I have no intention to make friends?", he asked while retrieving some shiitake from the nabe pot.
Denki munched on his food, collecting his thoughts. Something about Shinsou drew his attention, and he wanted him to be wholly a part of whatever they were building. He felt how dedicated and sensitive he was behind the cool and distant exterior he was putting up. And in the hero world, having allies, bonding with people was a way to survive and endure all the pain and harshness.
"Well… I'd say that It is because I realized that human can't really live alone. You can survive, yeah, but something will always be missing. And we are meant to live fully, and not only survive. I… I'm convinced that it is our only duty as human being."
Hitoshi let the words sink in, thoughtfully eating his vegetables. It was surprisingly philosophical and deep, coming from someone who was labeled as a dumb playboy throughout the campus.
"And I think that it is a selfish wish too. I mean, having a world where people can be kind and friendly to each other without second thoughts. I just want to be able to protect what I care about", the blonde boy softly whispered.
How is this wish selfish?
His train of thought was interrupted by Sero, who was trying to hide from Momo's vegetable charge. He jumped behind Kaminari's chair and forcefully turned it, trying to use him as a human shield. Mina and Hagakure were sneaking behind the tape hero, attempting to ambush him.
"Well, I should get going before they knock out the table in their food war," said Denki with a forced smile, "see ya around Shinsou!"
He bolted from his chair, leaving Sero hanging between their three female classmates, a mountain of mushrooms, cabbage and carrot awaiting him in the plate Momo was holding.
…
"So, I've heard from Gang Orca about what happened during the internship…"
Aizawa-sensei had been looking for Kyoka in the mess the dorm had become, only to find her sitting on the porch, wrapped up in a deep purple scarf. His husky voice made her jump, unaware as she had been of her surrounding.
She sighed, not feeling ready to talk about it to her teacher. She knew it was bound to happen, but she wished she had time to collect her thought, maybe to talk to Kaminari about it. She had sought the stillness of the winter night, hoping it would help with the mental exhaustion she felt since the end of their last lesson. The walk back home with music and Denki's warmth had eased her mind, but she still felt it was difficult for her to return to her usual routine, to interact with her classmate. She had yet to talk to Momo about what happened, and even Shoji, who was in the same agency during the internship wasn't aware of everything. She had asked Gang Orca to keep silent, and he respected her wish to be the one to talk about it. In the end, only Kaminari and her parents were fully informed about her mental state.
She got up to stand next to her teacher.
"I see… I still have nightmares sometimes, but I guess I'm managing the best I can."
Aizawa hummed his approval. "You've always struck me as a level-headed girl, but don't hesitate to ask for seek help if needed. I advise you to take an appointment with Recovery Girl for some counseling. There is no shame in it."
She nodded and looked at him silently. He was worried, a frown displayed on his usual calm face.
"Thank you Sensei. I have talked about it to a classmate right after it happened, and I promised him that I'll do exactly what you advised. Even if the guilt is not as strong as before, I know that I'm not at peace… If one can be at peace with such things."
He ruffled her hair affectionately, the pride of being the teacher of such great teenagers welling up silently in him. He wondered who was the classmate she reached out to, but in the end, it wasn't that important. The solidarity that has been forged inside that class was maybe what could be a game changer.
"Whoever it was, he did a good thing. I was afraid that you'd give up on being a hero, which would be very understandable: it is hard to accept the fact that we can't save everyone."
She snickered at his statement, "Really, sensei? I've been aware of what is awaiting me since I chose a hero career over music. Not gonna lie, I've been shaken up, but I never thought of quitting. If anything, it made me more determined than ever."
"Snarky as ever, I see. Anyway, if you want to eat something, you'd better hurry up. It is a real battlefield inside."
They went back to the common area, welcomed by the warmth, the noise and the scent of stew invading their nostrils. She hadn't been aware of how hungry she was. Her phone buzzed suddenly, as Aizawa-sensei sat beside Eri and Mirio.
I've managed to salvage some food, I'm in the kitchen.
She put down her coat and scarf and made her way to the kitchen, watching the chaos unfolding: when Eraserhead talked about a battlefield, she didn't think that it would be that accurate. A pot had been overthrown, Bakugou barking about the waste of food it was, as Sero, Momo, Mina and Tooru were apologizing and trying to clean their mess, under the mirthful gaze of everyone.
Denki was waiting for her with a bowl full of stew, the broth smelling wonderful. He winked at her as she took place.
"I didn't see you for a while, so I thought you went to get a little rest. I convinced Bakugou to set aside some nabe since you were probably a bit sick."
"He bought it?"
"You know he wouldn't let any one of us with an empty stomach, and you really were tired in the first place. Wasn't really a lie, huh?"
She gave her thanks for the food and began her meal, eyeing him. He obviously wanted to ask her something, but refrained to do so. He was grinning to himself, tapping his fingers lightly on the kitchen table in a rhythm she recognized well, since it was his favorite song in the playlist. She had seen the light worry in his eyes when she sat down, noticed how he bit his lip after finishing his explanation. She knew why he was giving her space, against his own feelings, and she felt herself melt from how cared of she was.
"Aizawa-sensei came to talk to me about the internship. I think that I'll go see Recovery girl tomorrow to see where I actually stand."
His tapping came to a stop, his honey eyes brightening and his true smile taking over.
"I'm glad to hear that. I… I couldn't bring myself to talk to you about it, but I'm relieved to see that you'll get another person supporting you in this process."
"I knew it, you've been fidgety ever since I put a foot in the kitchen", she smirked, pointing one of her chopstick teasingly at him.
He pouted, his cheek resting against his closed hand. "Now you're going to blame me for trying to be a good friend."
"No, I'm teasing you for believing it was a problem to let me know that you were worried. I'm not made of glass you know. And if that wasn't clear enough," she paused, taking another bite of meat followed by a huge chunk of mushrooms, "you're already a good friend, a very good one even."
More than a good one: she trusted every of her classmates with her life, but he was the only one she was willing to trust with her heart and soul. It just wasn't an information she was ready to disclose to him yet.
He felt heat rose to his cheeks, a blush that he tried to hide by dramatically let his head fall on his crossed arms that rested on the table, shouting a "Jirou killed me with kindness!". The amount of emotions was a bit too much to handle between the semi-hug that occurred this afternoon, and this proof of how important he was to her. The relative darkness of his arms grounded him a little, as he heard her snicker at his antics.
Bakugou angrily stepped in, muttering to himself how idiot these extras were, Eijirou tailing him with pieces of broken dinnerware. He glanced at the pair, raising his eyebrow.
"Oï, you feeling better, Ears?"
Jirou pulled a thumbs up. "Yeah, thank you for saving me some, Bakugou. It is really good!", she replied with a grin. He grunted a "You're welcome", as he disposed of the trash. "Hey Dunce Face, we need a hand to clean that mess."
Denki took a deep breath to recollect his thoughts, hoping to get his overflowing feelings at bay. He lifted his head, grinning madly to Kyoka, who understood immediately that he was up to some mischief. "Aye aye Kacchan, on it!". He bolted from the kitchen before Bakugou had the time to intercept him, his departure filled of the girl's laughter.
…
He wondered what he was doing here. Truly.
Him, on the front lines? This had to be a sick joke.
What could he accomplish, when his power could put allies in danger? When he could fried his brain at any moment?
But here he was, dispatched with others students and running toward the mansion. The briefing was still in his head along with the uneasy feeling. Why me? Why can't I stay to protect my friends? To protect her?
He knew Kyoka wasn't totally over her trauma, and he feared that her being exposed to another potential dire situation could end up to something bad. But… he was primarily worried about his weaknesses. What if he lost control? What if he overused his Quirk? What if his fear and his self-doubt got the better of him?
What if?
What if?
The familiar stifling sensation began to invade his lungs as they arrived at the rendezvous point.
Breathe in, breathe out. Not the time, not the place, but I'll manage.
Midnight came to check on the students, reminding them of their roles in the attack. They were not to stay too long on the battlefield, but their Quirks could give a huge advantage to the pro Heroes.
He couldn't help but scoff discretely, not convinced of his usefulness. As the others students advanced, she stayed behind.
"I want to go back, sensei, to be with my friends. I'm no use here, I swear", he dejectedly said, looking back to where the rear guard was stationed.
"We need your Quirk though, so we can take the advantage and not drag this battle longer than necessary."
"But, there is too much downside. I could hurt our allies, or become useless in the blink of an eye. I'm more a hindrance than anything."
She ruffled his blonde hair, sighing. "You really only see your weakness, so much that you forget your strength. I assure you that if you were assigned on this team, it was not by chance. We need you."
Tokoyami patted him on the back. He had sensed Denki's discomfort and overheard their conversation: hearing him belittling himself that much saddened him, as he considered the electric hero as a good person, who cared for people. "You are amazing. Like at the school festival where you gave it your all. It is not that different."
"Well, I managed with a guitar, but we're talking about a bloody battle here."
As Fumikage tried to explain himself, a loud rumble echoed as the front of the villa cracked open. Denki's eye widened as the realization that there was no coming back. Everything felt blurry, his ears overwhelmed by loudness, his eyes dazzled by the various Quirk effects.
Midnight held his arms, shaking him slightly. Her voice was as soft and low as possible, almost inaudible in the ambient chaos that brimmed. But it seems like her voice was the only thing he could hear at the moment, her words shifting his entire being.
"Chargebolt. If you need a reason to go there, do it for the person you care for the most."
His thoughts went to the rear guard, to the friends that became a family he had chosen, opening their arms for the oh-so imperfect self. Kyoka's face and voice filled his brain, his skin tingling everywhere they had touched, his inner voice humming every song they listened to together.
It made so much sense. It felt so right for her to be that person. He stood still for a second, a peaceful quietness chasing the random thoughts that clattered a few seconds ago.
His amber gaze was freed from the doubt that clouded his eyes, and he stood straight, nodding to his teacher. She smiled proudly at him, as she began to run towards the battlefield, shouting at him, "In the end, strength and weakness are two different sides of the same coin: they will always co-exist. But you get to choose which one you grow."
He took his first step, shouting a "Thank you sensei!" back, as his focus went to the fight ahead. As he stood to absorb the villain electric discharge, he knew he would get this mission done, at all cost.
…
Hidden in the wood, Momo's team was silently keeping an eye on their surrounding, even more so focused after the words the pro-Hero addressed them.
Silent glances were exchanged, their classmates send on the front lines on their mind. They all felt this strange mix of trust and worry, knowing their comrade's abilities and wits, the hardships they all shared, but the powerful foes they were against.
Kyoka expanded her jacks as far as she could, surveying every corner of the forest. She had detected the enemy's move prior, and she tried to remember the sound's feeling, like she did with Kaminari's heartbeat.
She said that she wasn't worried about Fumikage, and it was true: his Dark shadow was powerful, and he was very level-headed in stressful situation. As for Kaminari…
She bit her lips worryingly: it wasn't that he was weak, but he didn't handle pressure well, and she knew how his self-esteem could drop low. She felt like reviving the panic attack episode, only this time their was a real chance that he wouldn't make it back. She had been fighting this fear since Midnight announced that some of them will be assisting the pro-heroes on the front lane, focusing all she had in her task.
They all knew what they signed for, enrolling in this school, embracing this career. It was a hard task, protecting everyone, being a beacon of light in dark times, and sometimes she felt that their generation had to shoulder it a bit too soon.
"You'll end up bleeding if you continue like this", a soft voice uttered next to her ear.
Momo was crouching next to her, smiling. She stopped at once, wiping her bottom lip with her thumb.
"You know, if you're worried, you can talk about it. It's better to let it out of your mind.'
'I'm not all that worried for the others, I'm worried for him. He can manage, he will manage, but…"
"No buts. He will be fine, and you know he'll be back. He won't be on the front line for long, and he has improved a lot since USJ. As all of us."
"I know you're right. It's just that…, "she paused, searching for the right words. "It's just that you don't want to lose him, right? I can understand that, but we have our share to do, and we only can believe in them and in everyone who's fighting alongside", her friends finished for her.
Kyoka nodded, knowing they both shared the same thoughts, the same worries. Momo was on another team than her precious person, and had to lead them to victory. Their family was in danger, but each one of them was ready to put their life on the line, only to return safe and celebrate together around a good meal and a crazy video game night.
She got up, extending her hand to her friend. As she looked at the mountain behind the villa, she swore that she heard Denki's voice calling her, feeling his own worry and insecurity.
"Go and get it done Chargebolt!"
So we can reunite and stand together against all odds.