5

Melody Abyss

Izuku and Momo were walking side by side, they were slightly closer together than friends would consider normal, but neither of them were bothered by the shared space, if anything they wanted to be closer but were too shy, having their faces turned away to the side. Yaoyorozu had called her driver, saying she wouldn't be needing his services, but still thanking him.

They had arrived at a train stop, waiting. They both wanted to talk like they did last night but it was a bit more overwhelming than they had thought it would be face to face. They were sitting next to each other on the platform, along with other pedestrians waiting for the train.

"It looks like it might rain." He mumbled trying to get a conversation going.

"If it does, I can just make an umbrella." She attempted to keep it going but was drowned out.

They were always able to talk so casually with each other before, yet now it was awkward and forced between them. Although, it was uncomfortable in a good way, the silence was seemingly able to convey how they felt. They caught a glance at each other before looking away just as quickly, both hiding a small smile as the train came into view.

They both panicked a little when they saw how crowded it was. Izuku and Momo had to huddle next to each other as the mass of people entered and exited the train. Izuku was able to get through the mob and secure a spot for them at the corner, at least giving Momo some breathing room. She apologized and thanked him as she leaned on the corner, facing him. He told her not to worry about it, as the crowd shoved and moved against his back. Even though they were forced to be pressed together from the motion of the train, they did their best to stare at anything except each other because every time they locked eyes their cheeks would heat up a bit more and the space between them would feel even smaller. He did his best to ignore her accidental pants of anxiety from the congested room. She did her best to ignore the warm breath that would beat against her ear every time he grunted or groaned from having to oppose the weight forced on him from the crowd.

They didn't know if they were relieved or upset when their stop arrived. They stepped out onto the platform, both having flushed faces. He tried to say something along the lines of continuing their walk. She could only nod, firmly holding on to her school bag with both hands. It became less awkward as they walked through the chilled breeze, cooling their heated bodies down. At least it gave him the opportunity to attempt to talk again. He decided he failed enough with the small talk and just went for earnestness.

He rubbed the back of his hair, staring up at the gray sky as he spoke. "You know, Y-Yaoyorozu, last night," He could feel himself tense and see her shift a bit as well from his peripheral but he kept on, "I was just wondering, I heard music in the background, it sounded familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it, haha."

"Oh, th-that," She combed a hand through her hair, up to her ponytail. "Actually, it was the music they played at the ball, just a music box version of it. I created it." Whispering the last part out, hoping he did and didn't hear.

"Really? You make some impressive things, Yaoyorozu." With his freckled toothy grin.

"Thank you, Midoriya..." Whispering again, returning to that bashful, looking-away smile.

They reached her residence and it never ceased to amaze him how big the place she lived in really was. The gates opened upon her arrival as if aware of her presence. She led them through a side path, away from the ones that the cars took. This path led through her garden. He let out a breath of awe as he looked around at the pleasant scenery, but his eyes grew vivid and a voiceless gasp escaped his parted lips. "...Wow."

The colorless sky contrasted the lively garden and to him, it looked like she was in the middle with a distinct shading of the sky conflicting with the radiating glow from the plants and flowers around her. She noticed his fixated stare and turned to him, "Ne, is something wrong?"

"Huh?.. Eh, no, nothing. It's just... N-Nothing." He uttered without being able to express himself.

"Oh, really?" They stopped walking as they reached the front door of her home, she glanced to it before looking back at him. "Would you like to come in for some tea? I c-can show you the music box."

Izuku was surprised by her question, he glanced at her and then at the huge place, but agreed. "S-Sure, Yaoyorozu."

She led them inside, through the spacious halls. "The housemaid is on her day off so I'll prepare the tea, please make yourself at home." She informed as they reached the living room. It was decorated with a high-class flare as he recalled from his last visit, there was even a piano placed on a platform to the side. He sat on the couch and looked around. He noticed that although it was littered with expensive things it didn't have the feeling of a home, it was more like an art exhibit, the walls were even white as to not distract from the displays. He didn't know why but it bothered him.

Not long after, Yaoyorozu returned with a tray and tea set he recognized from their time at the dorms, seeing it, instantly reminded him of the time she brought tea to his room the day he was sick and she took care of him. He never realized how Momo was always the one who was there until now and it disheartened him a little but he shrugged it off as she set everything down on the coffee table, sitting next to him on the couch. He thanked her for the tea as he reached out and grabbed a mug after she poured it. He blew on it before taking a sip feeling his insides warm. She also took a sip before placing it down.

"I also went to get this. I... I modeled it after our night at the ball." Revealing the music box she created. She hesitantly opened it, letting him see it, placing it on the coffee table.

His eyes widened, mesmerized by the detail and emotion captured in the figures. "You even gave me my red shoes."

She covered her mouth wanting to hide a giggle. "You would notice something like that, wouldn't you, Midoriya." She shook her head with a sigh. It was a comfortable atmosphere as they heard the music box seeing their miniature versions twirling.

"Can you play it on the piano?"

"I can. Do you want to hear it?"

"Can I?"

She sat in front of the piano, readying herself. The position of it meant he was staring at her back from where he was sitting. She waited as the melody prepared to repeat itself. She closed her eyes as she began to play, her shoulders and wrist going up and down as she hit the keys. He was captivated by the hauntingly tranquil rhythm opposing the twinkling lullaby.

He didn't know what to say when she finished.

"How was it?" She wondered about his opinion as she sat up from her seat in front of the piano walking back to the couch to sit by him. She placed one hand on her lap and reached for her teacup with the other as she was about to fully sit down but was stopped before she could.

Her fingers were only able to graze the handle.

"Yaoyorozu, I-..!"

He couldn't express himself with words, not able to hold back how he had been feeling anymore. He clasped his hand over the one on her lap and leaned forward to her, not hesitating to capture her lips.

The clouds, for a moment, parted as glimmers of light snuck into the hollow living room, basking around them but it was fleeting just as quickly.

Her eyes widened with a muffled squeak before they softened and eventually closed, letting her lips be moved and starting to move along. The hand that had reached for her cup, instead had landed on his shoulder, before sliding up, cupping his cheek as she let herself be laid back on the couch as they embraced each other in an endearing lip locked make out.

"Oh, Midoriya..!"