A/N: The air trek Hatsume created is from air gear. Hope you enjoy, please review!
3
Ordinary quirkless life
The door to the studio slid open and then closed. "Ribbit?" Tsuyu Asui had a perplexed look with her tongue out. Hatsume was passed out on a desk, and Midoriya was sleeping on the workbench. She politely walked to him and shook his shoulder.
"Hm... ugh... Ts-Tsuyu!" Izuku's glazed eyes shot up, seeing the frog hero. "Your suit! Don't worry it's finished!" Izuku sat up to stand.
"Good morning Midoriya. Sorry for bothering your nap. I just wanted to make sure it was ready. I really need it for today's internship."
"No, you don't need to apologize at all! I shouldn't be sleeping on school grounds anyways." He walked to a wide metal cabinet. He pulled out the briefcase that had her completed suit. "I was looking over your suit and noticed some possible upgrades we could add but given the time we were pressed for, I couldn't apply them, sorry."
"Thanks, Midoriya. You're always trying to help us with our suits, even Bakugo acknowledges it." She reached out for the case.
"Er, Kacchan is difficult sometimes but he is always genuine." He cringed. He handed it to her with his right hand.
Their fingers briefly rubbed against each other during the exchange. "Ribbit," In worry. "Midoriya, when was the last time you changed your bandages?"
"Oh don't worry about me, Tsuyu! Besides I get so busy-" He was instantly being dragged out of the studio. "Huh? Tsuyu?!"
"I get your reasons for keeping it like that but that doesn't mean you can leave it unattended. If you don't change your bandages periodically, you could develop a rash." Tsuyu was walking him to the infirmary. "I thought you knew that by now."
"I guess so... Thanks, as usual." He had embarrassed cheeks for being berated by her honesty.
"School hasn't started, so I don't think recovery girl will mind if we change them in there."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
Recovery Girl gave them permission and also berated Midoriya. "Young man, being busy is no excuse to not take care of yourself! Seriously, you are constantly wasting this young girl's time and worry. It's always something with you." And a thwack with her cane to the forehead.
"Ow, ow, ow. You're supposed to heal people not hurt them." He grumbled.
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing!"
Tsuyu had a smile at their banter.
Recovery Girl huffed and left them to head for the staff room.
"Sit Midoriya, start unpeeling it, please." As she rummaged through the supplies. "Here we go." She grabbed the white tape.
Izuku unbuttoned his shirt and pulled his arm from his sleeve. The bandages went up to his shoulder. He was left with the right side of his body exposed. He started at his shoulder and began to unwind it. Tsuyu sat on a chair in front of him. She undid the bandaged fingers, one by one. "You know, you're the only one other than Hatsume, that helps me." Izuku tried to start a conversation. The silence wasn't awkward but it also wasn't comfortable.
"Really? Wait, don't tell me, you wait for either of us to offer too-"
"N-No, Tsuyu! But the workshop keeps me busy. I only really bother to change them when there is a huge rip or something like that. You guys would just occasionally bring it up." He was unrolling his bicep. "I mean, you and Hatsume are the only ones who don't... you know, give me that look..." Izuku's eyebrows furrowed. 'Even Momo does...'
"Because there's no reason to." She always spoke her mind. She peeled the white tape off the palm, eventually unwrapping her way to Midoriya's end. "We should clean this before we bandage it up."
"A-Ah, you're right."
"Hm, Midoriya can I ask?"
"Um, ask what Tsuyu?"
"I get it if it's not my business but why didn't you come yesterday, with everyone? Kyouka said you never replied to her invitation."
"I didn't?" His head rolled back on the chair. "I thought I did." He stared at the ceiling. 'That's right... Momo called before I could reply.' He rearranged himself. "I was studying with Yaoyorozu. Sorry, I thought I replied."
"Momo has been struggling, I'm glad she asked for some company... something about her has been off lately. I tried asking but she shrugged me off. I hope you helped her."
Izuku smiled, ignoring what really happened between him and Momo to reassure Asui. "As much as you help me." With a light chuckle.
"The feelings mutual. Ribbit!" She shared his smile, sticking out her tongue in that adoring way, with a small raise of the shoulders and tilt of the head. "There you go. Let's wrap it up."
Izuku kept his head back on the chair, outstretching his limbs as Tsuyu bandaged him back up.
"Ribbit... Next time you both should come hang out with us, you know, cause we're all friends." But didn't say any more on the matter.
Izuku stared at the ceiling and luminescent lights, it was glaring back down at him. "Friends, huh?" He mumbled.
"Hm, what was that Midoriya?"
"Nothing, Tsuyu." He smiled fixing his head and gaze back at her. She finished up to his elbow. "I-I can do the rest." He took the tape from her hand.
"Are you sure, I don't mind." She stuck out her tongue in a questioning manner.
"Y-Yeah! A hundred percent sure. Besides, school's about to start, you don't want to be late." He was rolling up his arm and flashed her an assurance.
"I guess you're right, alright." She stood up and headed to the door.
"Hey, Tsuyu?"
She had her hand on the handle, she turned her head back to him. "Ribbit?"
"Thanks! And be safe while you're out interning." A genuine smile.
She gave one back, closing her eyes. "Of course!" And a thumbs up.
It was lunch. Izuku played with his food. He wasn't in the mood to eat. He glanced left then right. Uraraka and Iida. Those were the two who sat beside him. He picked at his plate with anxiety. He heard the shuffling of steps and trays being placed in front of him.
"Yo," Jirou casually greeted, sitting in front of Uraraka. Izuku's fingers tensed around his utensil. 'That means...' He had been dreading and hoping for this.
"Hello." Momo sat in front of him. She had a simple smile. That simple smile she always had throughout the school. It bugged him, especially after the one he saw when they were alone. The images flashed and he remembered why he was so anxious about this.
He smiled, trying his best to act normal. 'I can't just talk about what happened in front of everyone, but this is the first time we hang out since we did that...' He gulped making a decision. "H-Hey, Yaoyorozu, Kyouka."
An internal flinch from her that went unnoticed. Her smile everlasting in place in front of everyone. 'Yes, always keep my composure. I'm not weak.' Momo leaned forward slightly. "Ne, Midoriya do you believe you could apply those upgrades we talked about yesterday, while you have my suit?"
"Yeah, except, it might take a while. I don't think it would be ready today. Tomorrow the earliest, if I can convince Hatsume to help me. I do still owe her though. I..." He closed his eyes and accepted his fate. "I can just add more to my debt, to have her help." He didn't open his eyes, because deep down they were cringed. 'More babies!'
Momo tilted her head with a sweatdrop as he continued to ramble about the best solution. "Don't worry, I don't need it for a few days." She interrupted.
His words stopped. His eyes lit with freedom. "Are you sure?" The gratitude in his voice shining.
"I-I'm sure." Momo had to close her eyes. 'His smile is so bright!' She began to smirk at the thought, then a giggle came out.
Both of them realized how natural it was between them and they shared a resonating expression. Izuku thought that he could talk to Momo about all that important stuff later. Right now they were, 'friends, right?'
"If all goes well then your suit should be ready tomorrow or the day after."
"Talking about suits?" He began to take a seat next to Yaoyorozu. "Midoriya is the best one to talk to about that before we go out on the upcoming mission."
Momo smiled at him and they all greeted him. Except Midoriya. His eyes were wide, remembering why this was such a big deal. His throat was dry before he gulped. "H-Hey Todoroki."
"Hey Midoriya, I assume you're working hard, like always. When was the last time you got some sleep?"
"Oh, hehe, you know, usually when I can." Izuku casually replied. He scanned his eyes between Todoroki and Yaoyorozu. He glanced down at his tray, ignoring the awful pit in his stomach.
"Is something wrong?" She politely asked with that innocent voice.
Izuku's dejected eyes rose up at hers. "No... It's nothing, don't worry about it, Yaoyorozu. Todoroki has a point, I'm not getting enough sleep."
"I see." She let go of it still holding onto that simple smile.
'I should just forget about what happened.' Izuku groaned. His mind was a jumbled mess. 'I mean Yaoyorozu was acting so natural at lunch.' Izuku dropped his head on the work table. "Ugh..." He heard it placed next to him. He rolled his head to the side to glance at it. The coffee brew snuck into his nostrils.
"It's decaf." She took a sip of her own.
He smirked. "Thanks, Hatsume." He lifted himself back up and grabbed it.
"Midoriya, have you tested out my baby yet?" An excited spark in her eyes.
"Huh? N-No, I haven't-, WE haven't left the school for almost two days." It was true. He was staying late at the studio again with her. "How else am I going to finish Yaoyorozu's?"
"Although that may be true... you're not going to be efficient while preoccupied with thoughts other than your work. Go home today, clear your head and get some rest. Don't worry I'll help with the suit tomorrow." Thoughtful...
Izuku's baggy eyes narrowed as he sipped his coffee suspicious and doubtful. "You just want me to use those boots you created, huh?"
Hatsume blinked like a deer caught in headlights. "Eep." A tiny caught squeal. She vigorously rubbed the locks of her pink hair.
Izuku sighed. "C'mon, we'll both go home today, I'll walk you home. Let's close up shop."
"Midoriya-"
"Yes, I promise to use them on my way home." He smirked as they got their things.
They stepped off the train.
"I'll be okay from here, Midoriya! Besides I want to see you use my baby! The train tracks should be a perfect foothold for them."
Izuku had a fear in his cringed eyes. 'I'm gonna die...' He had read the instruction manual but still wasn't ready for this.
Hatsume's eyes narrowed at the fearful facial features. "Don't worry! Remember, I designed it especially for you! Plus ultra!"
"If you say so." He had already put on the gear. He wobbled a little bit until he felt someone push him. "Eh?" He was falling forward onto the tracks. "Eh?!" He turned his head back at the culprit. "H-Hatsume?!"
"See you tomorrow, Midoriya!" She waved.
'Ignore the ungodly anger you have towards her right now. Think, think, think! She said she made them specifically for me.' Izuku landed on the track. The wheels revved at the momentum. It blasted forward on the tracks, away from Hatsume. 'I read the instruction manual, to slow down, I need to lean my weight back!' He shifted his pressure to lower his speed. He regained control of his senses, skating along the tracks. He took in the air and noise of the bustling city wind. "This isn't bad."
And he forgot about Momo for a moment.
He started slow with the air trek Hatsume gave him. He practiced the fundamentals of moving at a park by his apartments. He jumped on a railing, learning how to grind. He grew more brave, taking more chances and building up speed.
He took a deep breath. He had been practicing since he left school. He glared at his target with a smile. He was ready for this. He leaned forward. He took off. He jumped on a fence, landing with a grind switch up, he front flipped towards the building. He drift landed sideways on the wall, skimming his legs up, he spun into it and with a final kick up twist, he reached his, "goal!"
In a handstand on the balcony of his apartment. He let out a breath of triumph and pride. He landed himself inside. He took them off and tied them to his bag strap. He pulled out his phone and started typing as he entered his household.
"Mom, I'm home!"
"An intruder!" Inko Midoriya was surprised to see someone open the door to the veranda while she was alone.
"Sorry..." Apologizing for almost scaring his mom to death. He sweatdropped, forgetting that crucial detail. 'I guess I do look like an intruder.'
Izuku: It works great Hatsume, it's really cool! Thanks!
Hatsume: (Thumbs up emoji)
"We'll probably talk about it more at school. Even at home, I bet she's working on something."
Izuku: Make sure you sleep!
Hatsume (Thumbs up emoji)
Izuku chuckled. "She's gonna walk in with bags under her eyes. He yawned at the thought of sleep. "I should shower first." He nodded to himself.
It was a long day. He ruffled his hair with a towel. He entered his room. He was wondering what he could pull off with his new gear. He did his best to ignore the lingering thoughts. He didn't want to think about how he felt during lunch. He didn't know how to feel. 'Todoroki does like her, right?' Izuku and most of the circle of friends figured it out or believed it. 'Or am I just using it as an excuse to avoid the subject.' He wanted to talk to Momo but...
Buzz, buzz. A vibration and ring tone chimed him out of his thoughts. He walked to his desk. He dropped the towel away from his head to see the phone clearly. His eyes glistened a reflection of the contact name.
Izuku: "Hey Yaoyo-"
Momo: "Izuku, about what you said!.. Did you really mean it, not being all alone..? Because you were right... Lately, I've felt lonely. So alone.
And I don't want to be any more..."