-x- Shoto -x-
Shoto sat down in his seat, looking out the window. He'd been driven there that day, as he was exhausted when waking uP and needed more sleep, so he didn't leave for the train, Mikaela just drove him. She was so nice. Shoto was contemplating coming clean over the letters he'd been exchanging with Rei. it didn't feel like something he should keep secret anymore.
He wasn't sure, but was thinking about it. But the vampire knew nobody would be upset he kept something so private… private. It did feel nice, to do something completely on his own.
Yaoyorozu tried talking to him again when he got there early. "How are you doing?"
"Okay."
"What did you think of Aizawa-sensei so far?" she wondered. She gave him a few long seconds to answer, patient. Shoto liked her so far. He did respond, though. He wasn't just going to ignore her and be rude.
He replied, "Strict but caring."
"Caring? I wouldn't have thought that."
"He was nice to me…" he said. "Met him before."
"Oh, I see. I'll take your word for it and not judge too soon," she said lightly, and then there was a comfortable silence as the rest of the class filed in. Izuku sat in front of him, and muttered, "Did you get an email?"
"Yeah. Sunblock," he whispered nearly too silent to be heard. It looked like he was just mouthing something, but only would be seen if somebody was looking really close. They were both messaged by All Might to make sure to put a lot of sunblock on on days with hero training, as it spent much of the time outside.
Shoto had put on a lot of sunblock but would put one more layer on his face once everyone was out of the training room. Izkuk was a vampire now, too, so he needed to extra care as well. Aizawa walked in and the room silenced. It seemed they were good enough that day to not get a second scolding about wasting time.
The first thing he said was, "Today you're picking the class representative and vice representative. I don't care how you figure it out, just complete it by the end of the day." They didn't really know much about one another, so it was sort of a mixer. Those who wanted to be elected raised their hands, and went up in front of the class to explain what they'd do.
Like a real election. Out of them all, Iida seemed the most diligent. Some just were clearly not suited for the position. Since he didn't really like Iida much, as he was stiff in a different way than Shoto, as in a noisy and forceful way, he would not vote for him. Yaoyorozu had already been very nice to him, and patient. She was smart, the only other student in the class to get through on recommendation as well.
Her quirk was quite useful, being able to create objects from her body. Though it required her to be very book smart and have a good memory. Every quirk had its drawbacks, though. Shoto had worked on not getting frostbitten, but sometimes still was too hot and burnt himself, though it healed on its own, as it was a regular, light burn.
So when they were voted, he chose her. Each person got a vote or two, but it seemed like not everyone voted at all, so it was a skewed result. Iida ended up winning by one more point, with Yaoyorozu getting second place. It was better than nothing, but Shoto didn't really want to be yelled at every morning. So he was bummed about the results a bit.
Aizawa had sat in the corner the whole time. It was nice being near the window, and he was glad it stayed open, even a little bit. Izuku's scent was dull as a vampire, and nobody else had a strong scent that made him thirsty more than usual. He was fine to be around, though. No danger, even if someone started bleeding.
For lunch, after the normal classes -which Shoto did well in, like usual, but did not flaunt or answer questions, as he didn't want the attention - his threesome was surrounded by other students. Shoto felt kind of left out, as Kirishima was talking with Bakugo, and Izuku was talking with Iida and Uraraka.
So he sat kind of awkwardly, eating his perfect lunch. "Can I have some, Shoto?" Izuku asked, eyeing his special food with a hungry face. It did smell very good to other vampires. He nodded, and Izuku took some of the blood marinated salmon bits. He sighed at the taste. Mikaela was always happy Izuku liked her cooking. That it wasn't just their household being nice.
"Is it good?" Iida asked.
"Shoto's mom is the best cook." He was glad he didn't say foster mom, or it may bring up unwanted questions now or in the future. "I've never tasted better food," he bragged for Shoto. He let out a tiny smile, planning on telling her about this. Shoto was conflicted lately. After getting to know his mom again over the past few months, he felt a sort of guilty for wanting to be adopted by his foster mother when he had his biological mother getting out of the hospital in a few months.
He just wasn't sure, and felt bad on both sides. Feeling pulled in two very different directions. It was just hard, and emotionally draining. "Are you not going to eat the UA food? Even though it's so good?" Kirishima asked. Shoto shook his head.
"I'll eat my mom's food because its good," he replied, and ate some more. He looked at Izuku eyeing it. "Trade?" he asked. He had more at home to eat. Izuku jumped on this and nodded. So they traded plates, and Shoto ate the rest of his curry. A simple dish but cooked very well. The meat was juicy ahd sauce not too spicy, but flavorful.
Uraraka looked… annoyed with this. Shoto didn't really understand why, as she'd gotten the same thing as Izuku. So it wasn't like they could have traded food. Once they were done, they traded the plate and container. Shoto took a drink from his diluted blood water. It looked like pink water, gatorade, if the bottle was clear. It wasn't, though.
The taste was pretty dull with being so diluted, but still good. When lunch was over, Shoto washed out the plastic bento box and put it back in his backpack before heading back to class next to Bakugo. "I don't like her."
"I know," Shoto said.
"Do you agree?"
The vampire was still for a moment before he decided to be honest. She didn't seem to like him at all. So he nodded.
"Good, we're on the same page," he said gruffly.
"Kirishima seems nice," Shoto said, speaking more because it was to his best friend.
"He's tiresome."
"But nice."
"I guess. Don't know why he'd want to hang out with me."
"Your hair is similar."
"Dude, how many times do I have to tell you you don't need to be friends with someone just because they have something in common?" Bakugo asked, but sounded lightly amused. It might sound angry to anybody else, but not to Shoto. He just shrugged, and they entered class. The rest of the day was hero training, which sounded the most interesting out of all the classes, of course.
Shoto heard All Might coming, as did Izuku. His face lit up in excitement when the man burst through the door. "I have come through the door like a normal person!" he shouted. Shoto would always be so grateful for his help to this stranger, this kid who admitted he wasn't even a fan. He went out of his way to help him to keep his best friend safe. So, Shoto would never forget that influential deed.
The class cheered, buzzed about him being their teacher that year. They were lucky. Some only applied so they could be taught by All Might. "Hahaha! Welcome to hero training, fledgling heroes! As you know, I'll be your hero basics teacher this year! I'll get right into it! Heroes must be good at many important things, but one of the most has to do with your skills with quirks and your bodies. That's what my course it about!
"To give your bodies rest between hard exercises, there will be two or three classes a week. Never disregard your body's limit if you can! Now, today, we'll be doing this!" He held up a car that start "battle training". Sounded fun. Bakugo was especially excited. "Now, go get dressed in your costumes and meet me at ground beta!" and he left.
They went to get their cases, numbered based on their class numbers. Shoto was number 15. He got his case, and noticed some of them had huge cases. Iida and Bakugo's were the biggest, holding large things. He didn't know what Iida's costume was, but he'd seen the design for his friend's.
They all headed for their changing rooms, where they dressed. For many, this was the first time they were trying on their costumes, so they needed some assistance or took a little longer. Izuku and Shoto's were simple, so they were easier to get on. After he was dressed, Shoto went back to their rooms and got a packet of blood powder, putting it into his little pocket on the belt. He also but some sunblock in there, and he and Izuku rubbed it on their faces and necks. Nobody was in there to see.
Aizawa had said All Might would have a cooler with blood for them, though both were sure it would be unnecessary. When they headed out, they saw how unique everyone's costumes were. It was interesting. They all took the long walk to the destination they were told, a huge city. How did they make this? Seriously, how much money did UA have to spend like this? It was incredible!
Uraraka walked over, and Yaoyorozu stood next to Shoto. "Your costume is so simple and looks so comfortable," she commented on Shoto's.
"Yours looks uncomfortable," Shoto replied honestly. She was easy to talk to because she didn't press and didn't stare. Uraraka was telling Izuku about hers being a body suit on accident.
The vice class rep said, "I need a lot of skin showing so my quirk can activate. I'm not exactly the most comfortable, you're right. But it's necessary," she explained. Shoto nodded, and All Might spoke, giving them a briefing on the activity they'd be doing. It was simple enough. Teams of two, in matches of two. One team were the villains guarding a fake bomb, and the hero team had to go and capture the bomb or subdue both villains to win in the given time.
It sounded interesting and not too hard. They'd get to see how others worked. He hoped his partner would be easy to deal with and he didn't get paired with someone really loud. They picked balls from two boxes, and it was great that he ended up with Izuku. He gave the vampire a high five. They were great together, knew all about each other's capacities and skills.
Bakugo got stuck with Iida, which would be hard as they'd already argued in class and it was the second day. And not an argument like with Kirishima, who laughed it off. Iida got angry, too. Not a good team up. Izuku and Shoto were up against Sato and Uraraka. They knew her quirk already, but not Sato's.
They headed to their building. "We should stay quiet. They already know my quirk is loud and obvious." Shoto nodded.
"We should try and find the vents. Lure Sato or Uraraka to a lower level, and seal off the staircase for them." Izuku nodded. They slowly removed a window on the first floor to head inside silently. They went in the opposite direction of the staircase, looking up at the ceiling before finding a vent large enough for both of them to fit through just fine.
Shoto made a ladder and they removed the vent. Izuku climbed in, and helped Shoto up, who climbed up and evaporated the ladder before putting the vent back into place, sticking it into place with ice. They headed to where they sensed fresh airflow. They made it to the stairwell, and waited for Uraraka's sound to be gone.
Dropping out, Shoto caught Izuku to not make noise. They hurried up the stairs before Shoto sealed it off with a huge block of ice. They climbed to the third floor before entering the vents again, and crawling through. Since their costumes were almost exclusively fabric, they were quiet.
Finding Sato in the room, his back to the bomb and where they were, Shoto shot ice out and froze the floor, the ice climbing up to Sato's thighs, locking him in place before they dropped down and captured the bomb.
"Hero team wins!" All Might's voice called. Izuku gave Shoto a high five, who melted the ice to release Sato. It felt great to succeed. Sato was surprised they were there, not even hearing them.
"Our costumes are nearly completely fabric, so he made no noise," Izuku said brightly. The three headed down, no hard feelings, and melted the ice. Uraraka looked frustrated, having done nothing. Neither of the villain team had even seen them. They left zero damage to the building. It felt good.
That was all their plan, no influence from Endeavor's teaching. Both of them were smart, and Izuku was always good at strategizing. It was fun. They returned to the hub, and everyone complimented their teamwork. Even though Shoto was the only one to use his power. He was just going to refer to Izuku's vampire powers as a quirk to himself, as that's what it was to everyone else.
"Fantastic job! You did zero to the damage and avoided any contact with the villains! Who came up with the plan?" All Might asked. The praise felt good. They set the bar pretty high.
"We both contributed," Izuku answered.
"Full points to both of you!" Izuku beamed and Shoto looked satisfied. Uraraka was at least a good sport, even if both of the villain group had been useless. Maybe they thought, with Izuku's quirk, that he'd go full force. But he didn't.
The other matches played out much differently. Nobody took their method, because they were checking the vents just in case. A few were good at sneaking, scouting. Bakugo and Iida were a nightmare, as Bakugo went off on his own and aggressively attacked Shoji and Sero. They were able to dodge a few explosions and avoid serious injury, but they did get hit and outted.
Bakugo's team won, Iida doing nothing but guarding, though that wasn't that shameful or anything. Shoto only knew he was fast with his engine legs. He probably had strong kicks, as well. So, the three friends all won. Though Bakugo destroyed part of the building, going all out, and was docked a few points for that.
It was interesting, and Shoto was glad he didn't seem useless. They hadn't seen the extent of his quirk's control, but they did see he'd make a makeshift ladder. He was able to make projectiles and throw them, or use his ice as a bat or sword. It was fun, being better.
On their way back, they mingled together, all on a high after the fun activity. They had a day break, and Shoto appreciated the classes were staggered. He wouldn't get tired or sore easily, but a break day was a considerate thing to have. Aizawa talked like it would be hell there, but they took a healthy approach to the training.
Neither Izuku or Shoto needed any blood. It was fine.
When they were changing, Mineta showed he was a real jerk. Sero asked Shoto, "Hey, what's the leather choker on your neck?" His voice was curious. Shoto didn't really know what to reply, so he said, "Present from family."
"I bet it's a bondange thing given to him from his dom." Bakugo had to be held back by Izuku when he was about to attack him. The class were startled by the reaction, but Shoto was already changed, and left the room, not really wanting to get tangled up in drama. He didn't feel like picking a fight or anything.
He had gathered his things before the others were changed. He walked down the hall and out of the main building before sitting on a bench to wait for them. "Where are you?" Izuku asked.
"Outside, waiting," he said, his best friend able to hear inside the building just fine, tuned into one another's voices. Bakugo was jealous he couldn't communicate like they could, but only a little. He was rarely jealous anymore, having gotten used to it and knowing the cons enough to not be too envious.
When both of them came out, it was only those two, not followed by any others. "You don't need to fight my battles for me," Shoto said bluntly.
"You won't fight your own," Bakugo shot back.
"I don't want to make enemies."
"You should still stand up for yourself!"
"...I'm not good at confrontation. You know that."
"Then don't get fuckin' angry when I back you up," the explosive teen said. Shoto sighed, but agreed. His friend could back him up if he wanted. Besides, it wasn't as if him telling him to stop would have any affect. He'd always been protective over the other two, and just requesting he stop wasn't going to change something ingrained in him.
They went to the park to hang out for a bit and work on homework, sitting on the grass in their usual spot. Under the shade of a tree on soft grass. Nobody ever bothered them there. It was always quiet, too.
"I'm glad I'm not alone in this," Izuku said.
"I'll always help in math," Shoto stated. His friend chuckled.
"I mean in general. For school."
"You have Ura-bitch now, though. And that one with a stick shoved up his ass," Bakugo said. Izuku frowned, and asked why they didn't like Uraraka. He could hear them talking before, when Shoto admitted he didn't like her either.
Shoto honestly said, "She doesn't like me. She keeps glaring at me. Like when we swapped lunch." Izuku frowned.
Bakugo finished a math problem, and without looking up, said, "She's jealous you already have best friends." Izuku clearly didn't want to believe that, but he trusted what they were saying. At least somewhat.
"I'll keep watch about it, now."
"I don't want to mess up your friendships. I trust you won't leave us behind," Shoto said, checking the row of questions Bakugo had done, all of them correct.
"It doesn't mean I want to have friends that disrespect my loved ones, though. Yeah, I won't leave you guys behind… but I want to have friends that like you guys, too," Izuku said firmly. "Like Kirishima and Yaoyorozu are nice to all of us. Though less Kacchan for obvious reasons." He knew this and didn't blow up about it. "I'll keep an eye out, and if I see it, maybe I'll say something. It's only day two, I'd rather not let it fester if there is a problem," he explained.
Shoto smiled at him and nodded.
-x- Izuku -x-
"Midoriya," Ectoplasm called during math, ths students trying to do their best and seem smart. Only a few didn't seem to care. He recited his answer, but it was wrong. Shoto whispered to him the right answer. But he didn't raise his hand, keeping his intelligence to himself. When Ectoplasm gave the answer, with nobody else getting the right answer, but Shoto. He had it perfectly.
Izuku wished he could be that smart. He was amazing! But he hid it all the time. Citing past issues with everyone knowing he was smart and asking for help he didn't want to provide. After the lecture part, they all worked on their classwork, if unfinished would become homework. The pages were long and full of complex problems.
He was sure that it wasn't only being a vampire that had to do with Shoto's intelligence. He didn't convey it outwardly with his plain demeanor. Izuku wished he could, but knew his medication kept him comfortable and in control.
Though over the years, the dose had actually been lowered. He stayed the same, just took less pills. Izuku felt that this was who he was, it wasn't just the medication that mellowed him out. Shoto finished the math pages before Izuku got halfway through his own first page. He could tell most of the class was struggling, though Yaoyorozu was breezing through as well.
Shoto had 100% on the pages, and was told he could do other homework while they waited for class to end. Not long later, the other recommended student brought her paper up and got a 96%. She walked to her desk, and quietly asked for Shoto's help. He explained it and she finished.
He then moved onto his school work from other classes. Reading and writing the prompts as he did his english homework. Izuku could see longing expressions or irritation on some of the students faces. But it wasn't only directed at Shoto, but Yaoyorozu, too. Once class was over, a handful had finished, including Izuku.
At lunch, Yaoyorozu sat with them, which made Izuku happy, that Shoto made a friend. And he was keeping an eye on the Uraraka problem. If there even was one, but he trusted his friends' opinions. "You two are the smartest in the class, huh?" Izuku said proudly.
"Even I couldn't get all of it done!" Iida praised. Izuku glanced to Uraraka, who looked a tad sour.
"We were both recommended. Though I took the test, too. But it wasn't something everyone would know every answer to unless they were lucky. I got a 91% on it. I wish it was higher, but I'm not disappointed," Yaoyozoru said honestly. "How about you Shoto-san?" Shoto really was having everyone call him by his first name.
Shoto swallowed his bite and said, "I got a 93%."
"I got a 94%," Iida said. "Though it's not too surprising since I come from a pro-hero family. My idol is my older brother. He's an amazing hero! I'm so proud of him," he bragged. "Do come from a pro-hero family, Shoto-kun?" He shook his head. "I see. Did you study a lot?"
"I just used common sense…" he mumbled.
"Shoto already has done some hero shit before," Bakugo said. This got everyone's attention. Izuku wasn't sure if Shoto wanted that to be talked about, but he made no show to stop him. But maybe he didn't know how to shut it down. Iida was very curious. "First year of middle school, there was a fire in the building. He shattered some windows and created ice slides for the students to evacuate. I helped, blew up the floor so he could get to the one below. Then he saved some kids from being hit by a truck."
"Wow! That's admirable!" Iida said, making Shoto flush brightly. He nodded, and didn't look up from the table.
"So you wanted to be a hero for a long time?" Kirishima asked. Shoto shrugged, shutting down. Uraraka looked annoyed but it seemed everyone else at the table weren't bothered. It was only the fourth day of school, but Shoto was nearly mute. Didn't make conversation with others, only responded if spoken to by some people.
Nobody had actually been a jerk about it but for Mineta, for no reason. And perhaps Uraraka. "Got a problem?" Bakugo finally asked, looking straight at the gravity girl. She looked surprised to be called out, and shook her head. But she didn't speak again, and ate in silence. Maybe that would fix things, and the rest of the day, Izuku did not see any glares.
On their way out, Shoto couldn't walk home or to the station with either of them since he had a check up on his medication. "Tell us results," Bakugo said, and Shoto nodded, getting into Asahi's car to be taken to the doctor. Hopefully he could reduce the meds some more. Though would he be the same Shoto as before?
When he was home and exercising with the couches moved out of the way, he got a message from Shoto. Lab results will take a few days. So they wouldn't know the situation for a bit.
The message was sent to Kacchan, too.
Ok.
He went back to exercising. Not that it really did anything to help him get fitter, it just felt good. The week was nearly over, and it still hadn't really sunk in that he was attending UA. With both of his best friends. It felt like a dream. A very realistic feeling one. He'd exchanged numbers with everyone.
When they needed help, they asked through Izuku. Asked him to ask Shoto. And Izuku was glad for that, that most of them who messaged were giving Shoto space. It wasn't like he wasn't completely obvious with his lack of people skills and strong personality.
The next day, Izuku would be turning back into his human body. He was at school when it happened. He felt it, the very dull ache in his throat leaving, his body feeling heavier just barely. He watched Shoto's reaction in front of him. He stiffened, his whole body going tense. Izuku planned on getting up to leave, but Shoto did it first.
It was during Aizawa speaking, early in the morning, and he'd said nothing, hadn't raised his hand to ask to leave, he just got up and left. Aizawa followed after he was done speaking, giving them the explanation that the next week they'd be going on a field trip. It was Friday on the first week.
He listened in on what was going on outside. "Why did you leave?" he didn't sound accusatory or angry. Maybe trusting that Shoto had a good reason.
"Izuku just turned human. It makes me uncomfortable on the first day."
"I didn't notice anything," Aizawa said, sounding mildly surprised.
"Only he and I can tell. The scent changes. I… will be okay in a few hours," Shoto said.
"Would you rather just go home for today? If it involves the safety and comfort of my students, I will gladly let you leave." Izuku smiled lightly to himself. Aizawa was a good person, he seemed to care about them both from the start. From the first time he met both of them in those required meetings.
Izuku assumed that Shoto nodded, as he came back inside and collected his things, leaving without a word to anybody. Kacchan, of course, knew the schedule, what day it was, and so wasn't an ounce surprised or concerned with his leaving. Some seemed to wonder why he left, but didn't ask right now, as class was in session.
At lunch, they were asked if he was okay. Bakugo answered before he could. "None of anybodies business." He was so protective over Shoto especially. They backed off. At least those sitting at the table and who had heard the answer. Nobody seemed invested enough to push for a more satisfactory answer.
Izuku got his homework and took notes for him, as it was technically his fault Shoto was missing school. After hero training, which was physical exercise, running a mile, as All Might insisted being fit was a requirement to be a strong hero, he was taken aside by Aizawa into his office after changing out of his hero costume.
They stayed at school to be dry cleaned every week.
"Should I have any preparations for every nine days?" he asked. "Is he a danger?"
"No. He's been in my presence many times when this happens. It just makes him uncomfortable, but fades by the next day." Of course he did not give him the reason for his safety, which was already feeding from him directly. Which nobody else knew about, besides Kacchan, of course.
"Very well. Does it affect you in any way?" He shook his head. He was used to it by now, it had been years. "Very well. I'll keep it on schedule from now on. Nine days, right?" Izuku nodded, and Aizawa put it in his phone. "What time of the day?"
"It varies, it's never the same." The teacher nodded, and Izuku left. Tomorrow he'd let Shoto have some blood. When it's fresh but safe for Izuku fully. Not that he couldn't protect himself, he had vampire strength as well. Shoto was no danger to him. Though he could actually hurt Kacchan. Not that he ever would.
And, though he wouldn't like it, Bakugo would defend himself if threatened. It wasn't like Shoto couldn't heal from normal burns not from the sun.
-x- Shoto -x-
"Do you think Aizawa would be mad about this?" Shoto asked in his bedroom, thoroughly massaging Izuku's neck despite it not hurting when he bit down. His contacts were out right now, as it was the weekend and he wasn't going anywhere, so his eyes were red at the moment. Izuku did think the red was a pretty shade.
Deep red, not bright and obnoxious. It might be passed off as brown by some people, but it was more red than reddish brown. "Everyone would be mad. Well, my mom. Your family knows, Kacchan knows." He didn't wince when Shoto bit down in the usual spot, on his neck, but not the throat. The base of it.
Like usual, he grabbed Izuku a bit roughly, but never enough to hurt even a normal human. More just a strong grip. But he followed the ritual, always knowing when to stop. Izuku froze when Shoto softly kissed the spot. But he looked too distracted to realize what happened. Usually a bit out of it for a few minutes after feeding directly.
He'd never kissed it before. Izuku's face went a bit pink, but he didn't say anything about it, sure it would embarrass the permanent vampire, and he was high when it happened. As he drank, his pupils were blown wide, but when he pulled away, it rapidly faded from the feeling of being a drug.
The current human got a tissue and wiped the blood off, and then off of Shoto's mouth. After he came back to himself, he clearly didn't remember or realize he'd planted a kiss there. Izuku wouldn't even know how he'd react, or what he'd feel. Not that he'd show his inner turmoil if he realized what he'd done.
Yeah, Izuku would keep it to himself. "You good?"
"Yup, all healed. It's gotten faster, I think," Izuku said, the bite mark gone after a few moments. Shoto nodded and went to wash out his mouth with his blood cleaning toothbrush. It was a great idea, so Izuku also did the same thing after drinking. While the blood powder did give the same nutrients, it didn't stain the teeth, which was why Shoto could drink it in public just fine, without anyone seeing his mouth and teeth stained red with blood.
When he came back, they played some video games. Izuku still thought about the kiss, but thought it was just a sweet gesture over anything else.
