-x- Izuku -x-
School was safe. Nobody had forgotten Shoto and Kacchan's rescue. So the vampire was not bullied. He wasn't super popular, but he wasn't hated. Everyone saw his kindness, and didn't bother him. But he was still quiet and to outsiders seemed extremely boring and emotionless. Only his foster family, friends and their families knew he was not emotionless. He felt emotions a lot, he just didn't convey them outwardly.
Izuku wouldn't have it any other way, because it was Shoto, and he was perfect in his own way. Kacchan was, too. They were so different but their threeosme still worked. The perfect balance it seemed. Bakugo and Izuku's parents believed that Shoto was the catalyst for their friendship to blossom into something much healthier than before.
It was only when he came that both found friends. And it was true. Izuku knew that. Shoto didn't look like he tried too hard, he was awkward, but he really was the one to be the glue. Simple but honest and nice. A good listener to both of them, and Bakugo loved to talk. Shoto was never bothered with Izuku when he spoke of his insecurities, and vice versa. Izuku was always there for him.
While Kacchan wasn't as good with feelings, he didn't mock them if they had weak moments. When Shoto had a nightmare and woke screaming, both of them worked to calm him down, or get him tissues to wipe his good eye. Izuku knew he was embarrassed about those moments, but was still grateful for all the support he got.
"What's wrong?" Izuku asked one day at lunch, Shoto seemed more down, poking at his tasty food. Bakugo looked up from his own lunch.
"I wish I would get adopted by them…" he confessed. Izuku frowned, knowing this already. "I feel bad for not trying to talk… to my birth mom."
"She's the one that failed you, Shoto," Bakugo said sharply. "It's not the other way around."
"But she was abused, too…" Shoto replied weakly.
"She was the mother, it was her duty to protect her kids from the abuse you sustained. There's no reason for you to feel guilty," Izuku said firmly, but in a softer level.
Shoto was unconvinced, and shut down. So they stopped the conversation so it didn't upset him, when they knew his cues and always respected them. But Izuku knew they'd talk about it again. Yes, Rei had been abused and battered into mental illness, but still. She should have left before then.
He knew Shoto thought Endeavor was the abuser, but also held a grudge against her for not saving him. It was a delicate issue that they both had to be careful what talking about. Kacchan let the hybrid do most of the talking about it. He was softer with feelings, even if Bakugo was the one who also had an abusive home.
Mostly verbally abusive, not the violent and physical abuse Shoto sustained. Not the starving. Bakugo's parents kept him fed and in shelter. Gave him normal comforts that every child should get. Not be starved until the mind shattering and egging on the insanity that boiled over and ended in four murders.
When lunch was over, they headed back to class, Shoto still closed off, probably regretting bringing the topic up.
-x- Shoto -x-
Shoto sat at his desk, his pile of chocolate candy on it, him munching on it carelessly. It was Valentines day. His locker had been overflowing with chocolate and candies. Bakugo kept laughing about it. Shoto didn't realize fully that the chocolates were gifts as crushes. They were just chocolate and he wasn't going to waste it.
"Do you like it? Did you eat mine already?"
"I dunno."
"You don't read the cards with them?"
"They're not tags?" Then he opened one of the letters. "I don't like anyone, though," he said honestly, in his simple tone.
"Then you shouldn't eat them," he was told by a sour girl.
"Okay. Izuku, Bakugo, do you want some?"
"You shouldn't eat them at all!" she snapped. He was confused, and so he gave all of the leftover chocolate to his friends, who were laughing about it all. The class thought it was funny, and Shoto didn't know what he was doing wrong. Valentines day had been useless to him for the previous two school years.
So he was a bit embarrassed. At least the chocolate tasted good, though. Izuku put some into his bag for Shoto to enjoy later and not be seen with ire. He kept looking at his best friend with this fond, warm look. It was a nice expression.
-x- Izuku -x-
Izuku and Bakugo glared hatefully at the number two hero they saw on the street. He was surrounded by fans, and looked angry about it. Both of them were shopping for a gift to be kind on the anniversary of the day Shoto was turned. It was sensitive day that he wanted to be alone for. So they'd bring the gift to him and give it to his family to pass it to him.
Endeavor noticed them glaring, and Bakugo gave a double flip off. It got Endeavor annoyed. "You shit father!" Bakugo called loud enough for him to hear. Then he walked over, neither teen afraid. Both fourteen year olds stood their ground. Izuku had gotten more confident and brave in himself, as he no longer needed to be protected by others.
"What did you say?" he asked. "Who are you?"
"Did you have fun, starving your son in the basement?" Bakugo snarled. Endeavor's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure his screams sounded like music to your ears. Punishment for not being the perfect tool." Izuku didn't stop him, even if he knew this was a bit pointless.
"You know Shoto?" he asked.
"What do you think?" Bakugo sneered. "I was all your fault those people died," he hissed. They were causing a scene, but talking quiet enough to not be completely overheard.
"How is he?"
"Go fuck yourself, you shit head," Bakugo said, giving him another middle finger, and the two walked away. Izuku could tell he hadn't left that spot. "We're not telling Shoto about this little encounter."
"Agreed," Izuku said in a hard voice. Endeavor looked the part. An angry, bitter man. He looked like the type of father he had been.
-x- Shoto -x-
Dear All Might, I haven't spoken to you in a while, and just wanted to update you. This is Himura Shoto, the one who you helped, the vampire. I wanted to let you know that the equipment you made me still works flawlessly. They don't need to activate anymore. I'm under control around my friend besides on one day every nine days, and I stay away from him on those days. I haven't attacked anybody in years.
I also wanted to tell you that I no longer hate heroes. I actually want to be one with my best friends. My quirkless friend isn't helpless anymore and I know he'll make a great hero. We're planning on trying to get into UA next year.
Izuku said that's where you went, and wants to follow in your foot steps. Thank you for telling me a vampire can be a hero, he was very happy to hear it. So, things are much better now. I just wanted to update you, since it's been so long, and I feel I was ungrateful for your help.
Thank you for everything
-Himura Shoto
He sent the text he proofread six times, no errors in spelling or punctuation. He put his phone in his pocket, and returned to swinging on the swing in public. At the park. It was evening, the sun setting. He was enjoying the peace and quiet, the nice breeze and the slow rocking on the moving seat.
He was in a good mood. Izuku finally beat him, was able to land solid hits. He was proud of his friend. He'd done so well in just a few months. He would catch up soon, or already had, they weren't sure. He hadn't broken anything in awhile, only when he got shampoo in his eyes, and hurried for the towel too fast and ripped the towel rack out of the wall. But other than that, he was in control.
Though for him, since his healing was slower than Shoto's, he was very sore after the intense practice. Getting better, but still sore afterwards. Though the hybrid liked the burn because it told him he did his best. As he swung, a little kid and his mother came over. He took the other swing, and Shoto watched as he was pushed gently by his mother.
Lately, he was dwelling on the fact that his family hadn't tried to make contact with him. Not once. He didn't like them, didn't love them, but it did hurt a bit. Only recently, after Maya was adopted. He'd been so sad to say goodbye, but she was lucky to have a family now. No new vampire had come yet, so it was only Shoto and Haru.
Luckily for them, the majority of child vampires were brought back to their families. After all, someone had to have put them into rehab because they cared. And most of the vampires that were put in foster care had just come from the facility. So it was only him and Haru.
But seeing her leave, seeing Asahi and Mikaela happy she was going away, it hurt. Would they be happy when Shoto left? If he left? He wasn't sure, but the thought was upsetting. When the little boy fell off the wing and started crying, the mother picked him up and comforted him.
Looking at his feet, he frowned and left. Why couldn't he have been born from a family that loved and cherished him? Who stuck together? While he was walking home, he decided to try. It probably wouldn't change anything, but he decided to go see. He knew where it was, and was not too far from where he was.
Nowhere near his original home, because Endeavor didn't want them contacting Rei at all. He told his foster parents he'd be back in a bit. They let him stay out, knowing he could protect himself and stay out of trouble. Walking down the sidewalk, the sun was lowering quickly. He knew that the place was open during the night on Sundays, and it was a Sunday.
As he walked, he noticed a family with their car broken down on the side of the road. The little kids were standing by the doors as the man he assumed was the father was trying to fix the engine himself, the front hood propped open. The mother was on the phone, calling for professional help. He got a bad feeling, and when a truck came speeding at the kids, the man on the phone, visible through the front window, he jumped to action. As the kids wandered into the street to chase a butterfly, both of the young twins, Shoto put himself in front of the truck.
It slammed into his back and he dug his heels into the road, his shoes being shredded as the truck slowed to a stop, the kids barely safe. The parents and everyone around who'd seen were in awe. Shoto stood up, the truck undamaged. He left before he got a thank you, taking his shoes and socks off now that they were ruined.
He hurried away, the mother shouting thank yous. Shoto just put a hand up to show he heard them, being polite. He was glad he had a hat on. A baseball hat that covered most of his hair, and the darkening sky didn't show his face too well.
When he made it to the hospital, he stood outside for a long moment. He took a deep breath, and walked inside. He had an ID with him, and walked to the front desk. Since there was a sign saying nobody was welcome without a shirt or shoes, he put them back on. The were ruined, though, and he would need to wear his other, older pair of shoes.
"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"I'm here to try and visit my mother."
"What is her name? And yours?"
"Her name is Himura Rei, I'm Himera Shoto- previously Todoroki Shoto," he explained, and took his wallet out, handing her the card. She replied, and nodded. He could go see her. He held his breath for a moment, wondering if he should back out. But he didn't, taking a deep breath. She lead him through the hospital. It was quiet and peaceful. Some music was playing in a few rooms, but otherwise, it was quiet. Not a deathly, uncomfortable silence, though.
When they reached the room, Shoto couldn't tell if it was his mother. After all, he was turned after she was put here. Seven years ago, soon to be eight. The door was knocked on, and a familiar voice opened it from inside. She saw Shoto, and her eyes widened. He walked inside, and she hugged him tightly. He didn't hug her back, unable to bring himself to. She pulled away and touched his face. He… he felt nothing. It was disturbing. He was looking and being touched by his long lost mother than he once adored, but there was nothing there but a hint of bitterness. His face did not show it.
"Shoto… how are you? I've missed you," she said, sounding teary.
"Fine," he mumbled. "A lot happened since you were sent off."
"Will you tell me all about it?" she lead him to the bed. He couldn't sit, he couldn't do it.
"I'm sorry, I can't do this," he said, face crumpling. She looked confused and hurt. He backed away to the door. "I-I'll visit another time. I'm not ready. I'm sorry," and he hurried out, feeling awful.
"Shoto!" she called. "You don't need to see me. I - I know I failed you and your siblings... Can you write letters?" she asked, her voice sad, but not too hurt. He thought for a moment, stopping. Her confession, knowing she hadn't done what was needed, made him nod. He hurried away, and took the bus back closer to home and walked the rest of the way.
"Where were you? It's late by now," Haru said from the couch.
"A long walk," he said, and went to his room, closing his door and flopping onto his bed. His phone beeped, a good distraction. He didn't plan on telling anyone about his trip.
Young Shoto, it's good to hear from you! I'm very glad to hear that things are working out well for you and your friend. I'm also pleased to hear you no longer dislike heroes! Though it wasn't wrong to not like them, many people feel that way. I did indeed got to UA, but there's nothing wrong with other schools with hero courses. UA is especially hard to get into, but I hope you try, even if it's only to test yourself.
Don't feel bad about not contacting, we all have busy lives and things often slip through our minds without us even knowing. I hope to see you again some day, perhaps as a hero or another surprise encounter on the street.
-All Might
Shoto send the messages to both of his friends, who were livid or excited that he got to talk with All Might and they didn't. It was kind of funny, but also made him feel sorry for them. Both of them were the All Might stans, after all. But it was nice that the pro hero above Endeavor was nice to him.
-x- Izuku -x-
Bakugo slammed an explosion into Izuku's back, throwing him to the ground, the burn healing. It was night time, so destroying his covering clothes was not dangerous. They were at the park, Shoto out of town for a doctor's appointment to check up on his medications, needing to take some blood tests to see how it was going.
So the other two were practicing by themselves. Izuku landed some good hits on Bakugo, but was pulling his punches while the other was not. His shirt was in tatters already, singed around the edges of the holes. They were fighting and it had already been an hour. Kacchan's arms and hands were burning from being overused, but he wanted to push his limits, needing to know for the entrance exam next year.
Maybe it was over kill to practice so soon, but they wanted to be prepared. It was hard to get in, and they were both deadset on UA. Shoto was fine with any hero school as long as they stayed together. Out of the three of them, he was currently the strongest with the combo of his ice and vampire strength.
Who knew that Kacchan wouldn't be strongest in a group, and would would not be bitter about it? Another hour in, and both were exhausted. Bakugo finally collapsed from the tiredness. Izuku could still walk, having used his arms most of this time. There were charred bits of grass and damages to the ground, holes and dents in it.
When they were planning on heading to Kacchan's house, which was nearest, he accepted being carried on Izuku's back since he was so tired and sore. "I never expected this," Izuku said to break the silence.
"Having powers?" Bakugo asked.
"Being friends with you. So much has changed since I was turned. Everything's been turned upside down," he said. Bakugo was quiet. "Shoto helped us both so much, even though you were the first to help me. Who knows what would have happened if you weren't the one to find me?"
"Don't know. I didn't expect to ever be friends with you either. Ever respect you. You were always just a useless pebble on the side of the road," he replied bluntly. "I didn't expect to be friends with someone like Shoto, either. He was the opposite of me." His voice was quiet and tired, but sincere.
Izuku said he'd never expected friends. "But being friends with you guys means more to me than not being weak anymore. I'd rather be helpless than friendless," he confessed. "We've changed so much in the last two years."
"Us two. Shoto's still the same person. He just has more support now." Izuku nodded. "I feel sorry for him sometimes. I try not to show the pity, but it's there."
"Because he's still broken in some places?"
"A lot of fucking places. It's not my job to fix him, but I try to be careful with what I say sometimes."
"I'm the one who tries to fix him, aren't I? But it's not like I don't love him as my best friend just because he needs help and support. He helped me, and I'll always do the same. I think he's perfect in his own way, but could become more if he wants. I think he wants."
"He just wants to be normal. Didn't he say the thing he wanted most in life was to be human again? And it's not like he's a normal vampire, either. His control can be shit, he has all that fucking trauma from his family and then what happened when he got out of that hellhole. He needs so much more blood than anybody else, and if he doesn't get it, he feels sick and cranky. It hurts more."
"He always hurts, he just hides it, and says he doesn't notice it. I believe he's being honest about that. After awhile, it's kind of easy to ignore it, or at least be so used to it its not noticeable. I wish he didn't need to wear the collar or wrist bands. But they make him feel safe," Izuku said. "I'm glad he's never jealous, too. I'm at least sometimes human. I'm not as easy to be found out, and when he did, he never wanted me to take the burden with him."
"You mean selfless?" Kacchan asked. Izuku nodded. "Guess he'll be a 'gentle' hero. Saved those kids the other day and didn't even wait to be praised or thanked. Well, that's much better than following in Endeavor's footsteps. I hope that loser fuckin' chokes on a hotdog. On camera." Izuku laughed, and the rest of the walk was quiet.
-x- Shoto -x-
Rei, I have a lot to say. And explain. So much happened since you were carted off. A lot of bad things. I was attacked by a vampire. Instead of feeding me and going through the natural, required steps, Endeavor locked me in the basement to starve, telling me I could get through it on willpower.
When it was too long, when I hurt so much the screaming didn't matter, I got out and went on a rampage. I hurt people. Then I was taken away from Endeavor. Fuyumi and Natsuo never helped me, they abandoned me down there. I was taken to rehab, and was stuck there for nearly nine months.
I still have control problems sometimes, but I have fail safes, and take medication to keep me from being moody and mean. I want to be honest. I feel bad about it, but sometimes I blame you for it. That you didn't get me out of there. But I know that isn't fair, because you were abused, too.
I just needed to get it all out so I'm not faking anything. I live with a foster family I really love. They're all vampires, too, and helped me and my friend I met at rehab. I have two really good friends. And I'm planning on trying to get into hero school with both of them. And not be the hero Endeavor wanted.
I'm sorry if my words have hurt you. I just needed to be honest.
-Shoto
He put the folded piece of paper in an envelop and put it in the mailbox outside to be sent. He never would have said all that in person in one sitting, so the letter was the better option. He didn't go back out and revise it. Didn't burn it. That was what he was sending, the blunt truth. Explaining it all quickly. He was good at summarizing and paraphrasing now, so he didn't write this rambling and long message.
Straight to the point was what he was aiming for. He didn't tell anyone about it, and would be the one to get the mail from now on. He knew his foster parents wouldn't be upset, but that might hurt, too. He wasn't sure.
It was two days later that the response came. He was training with making large chunks of ice in the massive backyard and then quickly melting them. Then he heard the mail man come, his car. Shoto ran and jumped the fence to get there first and saw the response letter.
He hurried inside and up the stairs, putting the rest of the mail by the front door. Opening the letter, he read it at light speed but then reread it once his heart stopped hammering in his chest.
Shoto, I understand why you feel that way. I failed you all. I regret it every day, just like I regret the burn I put on your face, which will always remind you of how bad of a mother I was. And I'm so sorry to hear about your vampire experience. I can't imagine how upsetting it was, or the trauma it must have left behind.
No matter what, you're my son, and it doesn't bother me you are no longer human. I'm also very happy you made friends that support you fully, no matter any differences. I couldn't be happier that you have a support group, and are no longer in the clutches of Enji.
I am very saddened to hear your siblings did not help. I haven't seen or heard from them, so you're the first. I'm so happy to write to you, and understand you not being able to speak to me face to face. I am so, so sorry for everything. I wish you were all born by another man, and we could have been a family.
But I am partly at fault for that never happening. Thank you, for being honest. I hope we can continue to talk.
-Rei
Shoto was very satisfied with the response. She didn't shame him for his feelings, or guilt him. She agreed with what he'd said, proving to Shoto that he wasn't in the wrong. His feelings about it all were valid. And one thing that mattered a lot, was that she did not sign it as "mom". She used her first name.
It meant a lot, just that small thing. She was giving him time and space to heal, if he could. If he wanted to keep talking. He slipped the paper back into the envelop, and tucked it into a book on his shelf. His room was much more colorful now than in the beginning. He'd developed interests and a personality.
At least in the inside, even if he seemed boring to outsiders. He was in a good mood the rest of the day, satisfied as he chugged his blood with some chocolate syrup mixed in.
-x- Izuku -x-
"Let's see this new move," Bakugo said, standing beside Shoto, ready for whatever Izuku was going to send at them. It was night time again, the lights around the backyard lighting up it just fine enough. Plus, Shoto and Izuku could see perfectly fine in low light. Both others were not sied by side, but standing across from Izuku.
He was in vampire body right now. He put his hands up, and pulled a finger back with his thumb, before flicking it hard. A burst of wind came at them, and the both of them were punted across the yard before Shoto made an ice wall behind him to stop him. Izuku was grinning like a mad man. It worked! He didn't need to get close to them to fight!
"A long range attack? I've never even thought of that," Shoto said, sounding impressed.
"I have no quirk, and I want to branch off from every other strong vampire with my own moves. I would try with a full arm, but I don't want to wreck the yard," he said. His finger was sore a bit, but there was no visible damage. He was smiling, so proud and excited that there were new things he could think of. Right now, he didn't have any more ideas, but this was a big step in his eyes.
He'd done something Shoto could not. Had not thought. "I'll let that be your move. I don't want to copy you."
"Yeah! I gotta stand out somehow," he said brightly. Bakugo sat up, grinning, too.
"You're fuckin' crazy. I never thought of there being a long range attack."
"Heh… I was actually thinking of All Might when it came to my head," he said shyly. "How he can create winds by his punches. But I thought of the fingers. Less damaging and faster. And I can aim better this way," he explained, not quite bragging, but still impressed.
Haru was watching from his window. "Awesome, Midoriya! That was so creative!" he called from his window. Izuku felt blood rush to his face, and he turned red. The praise felt very good. He felt wonderful, accomplished. He'd never been bothered by Shoto having the strength, too, but he wanted to branch out and make his own moves.
They all camped in the backyard that night, the projector coming out and playing a movie on the flat side of the house. Their neighbors were spaced away a bit, so making noise there wasn't that bothering to the others living in the vicinity.
"You guys are crazy. Though your moves are the least interesting," Bakugo said to Shoto.
"It doesn't matter," Shoto replied lightly.
"His ice is flashy enough anyways," Izuku said. "Do you ever think you'll use your fire, Shoto?" he asked, more softly. Shoto just shrugged. He didn't know, not right now. After the trilogy of movies was over, they brushed their teeth inside, and then brought the sleeping bags to the roomy tent. It was nice outside.
As Izuku laid there, he heard both of his best friends start to snore. Rolling over, he looked at their sleeping faces. It was no secret that Shoto drooled in his sleep. He knew this, and didn't care. "As long as it's not pouring from my mouth like when I'm in a frenzy, it's fine," he'd said.
Kacchan often talked in his sleep, mostly arguing with his mom in his dreams, but Shoto and Izuku were used to it and didn't wake from them. He was too hyped up from his success that he couldn't sleep for awhile. He woke up when Bakugo, also infamous of tossing and turning, smacked him in the face.
Izuku gently moved it. "Don't… fukcin' touch me… mom," he mumbled. The hybrid snickered. He loved his friends. Maybe, if they all made it into hero school, they could start an agency, or at least work in the same one. Izuku didn't know which one, but he'd like to stick together with them. He loved them both dearly.
He knew the feeling was mutual, even if one felt he didn't need to and the other refused to say it. Izuku had said it once, and both had turned red, though a small smile was on Shoto's relaxed face.
-x- Shoto -x-
"Sorry. It hasn't happened in a long time," Shoto said in shame while wiping his mouth. Bakugo had activated the equipment to stop Shoto's frenzy. Izuku, one day after turning back into a human, cut his arm, a bad one on the edge of Shoto's desk, and he'd gone crazed. He had enough sense in him not to attack immediately, so it gave time for Bakugo to stop him. His heart rate hadn't skyrocketed fast enough for the choker to activate in an instant.
Izuku rubbed his back. "It's okay. If you did attack, I would have just shoved you. I'm stronger now. Besides, it's stressful right now, right?"
"I can't just turn crazy every time we have finals," Shoto mumbled.
"Well, at least now we know you're not in the all clear and should still be careful," Bakugo said bluntly, earning a glare from Izuku. "What? It's true."
"Still…" Izuku mumbled. Shoto wondered how he'd be accepted to UA when he acted that way. But he still wanted to go really bad. They would be putting in applications soon. It took a long time for the school to process all the applications, as thousands and thousands of students applied every year.
The other two options were the second and third rated hero schools. It was a hero school or nothing. Shoto was bummed the rest of the day, so the two left early, able to tell Shoto totally shut down and wasn't going to talk or contribute to anything. It was best to give him space, which he was grateful for. That they could read him despite his calm and constant demeanor.
It was the next day that Izuku was the only one to come over. Haru was there, but both adults were shopping for presents for the older vampire foster kid. He was turning 16. Still not adopted, but he said he didn't mind. He had inheritance to scoop up once he was too old for foster care. He'd be quite well off, and planned on staying in touch.
He'd been with them for five years by now. Shoto had been nearly two. Nobody wanted him so far. He was still talking to Rei, with nobody knowing, but he would still be under someone else. It was unlikely he could go into her custody after she burnt him so severely and was in a mental hospital.
He felt he had two moms right now.
The two were in his room, playing video games with Shoto, both on the floor, backs against his comfortable mattress. It really was nicer having a mattress than a futon mat. Less effort to get out of bed to use the bathroom. Didn't need to stand up from the floor. Izuku had the first player controller, so he paused the game himself.
"What's up?" Shoto wondered.
"I want you to try and drink from me." Shoto turned stiff. "As I am now, I can fight you off, even in close quarters. I can also heal and replenish my blood easily. Maybe doing it would stop the frenzies, because you'll already know the taste for real." Shoto did think it was a good idea. If he knew already, then he wouldn't have the urge to find out what it tasted like.
And it was true that Izuku was strong enough to get him off, even if it was just throwing him down and pinning him to stop him. He was stronger physically than Shoto was by now. He swallowed, and nodded. "I'll hold the phone and press on the app if you don't stop. I would rather… not hurt you directly," Izuku said.
"Okay." Shoto was already watering at the mouth, growing excited but not out of control or a frenzy. "Okay," he repeated quietly. "Uh, where?" he asked.
"The upper arm, like before." It was so long ago that he'd bitten on accident. Back then, Izuku's blood hadn't smelled so potent, and hadn't tasted it. Now it might be different. He held out his arm, and Shoto rubbed the spot for a bit. That's what his foster parents had said. To massage the bite point so it hurt less.
"Ready?" Shoto asked. Izuku nodded, and Shoto sunk his teeth into his skin. The taste was like fireworks in his mouth. It kind of tasted how wonderful his first try was. After starving, any blood would have been heavenly. That was why his very first victim had died of blood loss. He'd drank so much because it was so addicting.
He grabbed Izuku tightly and continued to drink heavily. "Okay, enough, Shoto," Izuku said. Shoto bit harder before squeezing his eyes shut and pulling away. Some blood dripped down his chin. He was breathing heavily, eyes still squeezed shut. Izuku's arm slowly healed, but Shoto was still catching his breath.
But he'd controlled himself! He pulled away. "How do you feel?" Izuku asked. He wasn't scared, as his finger was not hovering over the app to control him.
"Uh… it was good," Shoto said, cheeks flushed. "I-I didn't take too much?"
"Nope. And you stopped when I said so," Izuku said, sounding proud of him. "It didn't hurt, actually. The bite, it kind of felt… numb. If I didn't know, didn't see you, I may not have even noticed." Shoto smiled, so glad he didn't hurt him. "You might want to go clean your face and mouth. Dripping blood a bit," he said, gesturing to his own mouth.
He got a paper towel on his bed from their snacks, and wiped his mouth, there indeed being blood. He got his bottle of gatorade spiked with some blood and swished a mouthful around his mouth to try and clean off the teeth. "Um…" Shoto didn't know how to ask, but his friend already knew.
"I'm fine doing that again. It didn't hurt, and you seemed to really like it," he said with a light tone. Shoto had never felt so elated in his whole body than after he drank from him. It had been a long time since he really fed off a human directly. And this time, it was consensual and he had self control. The two necessities to safely feed.
Shoto thanked him. "You're sure it didn't bother you? You weren't scared?"
"No, I trust you," Izuku said. He glanced down, and the bite was already gone. Only some blood was around it, so he took the paper towel already bloodied in the middle, and wiped away the only proof of what happened with the edge. "Should we tell Kacchan?"
"This… seemed kind of private," Shoto mumbled.
"Then it'll be our secret," Izuku said easily. The permanent and very satisfied vampire nodded. Izuku was a great friend. Friends liked making each other happy, and this sure did so for Shoto.