13

Resizing gravity

For the first time since the memorial of All-Might was established. It was empty. The rain had kept most people indoors. Yui used this opportunity to visit it. She was walking down the lonely path, umbrella gently wrapped around her hand as she splashed on small puddles, making her way. She was using her summer vacation to at least pay tribute to the greatest hero.

Her shoes squealed at the last puddle. She let out a sigh of accomplishment. Her relaxed demeanor vanished as she stared ahead. Someone was here? Was she caught expressing emotions of joy? She focused on the person. She calmed but didn't show it, realizing that he was staring at the statue. Her eyes narrowed in on those red boots and his dark green hair. She walked up to him, not bothered by the presence of someone she was used too. She stood besides him. Their umbrellas were close enough for only a few droplets to landed in between. Drip. Drop. Drip.

"Hello."

As if barely realizing someone was there, he turned his head to her. "Yui? What are you doing here?" He only talked to her when she needed repairs or adjustments needed for her suit but they had developed a friendship of sorts.

"That was my question." Although she kept her head forward, staring at All-Might's statue with her empty orbs.

"Hehehe." With a weak laugh. "I, actually, don't know. I keep waiting for him to give me some advice..."

"Advice?"

"I know it's stupid but some part of me is still stuck in the past." His sorrowful eyes had a nostalgic glisten.

Yuu shifted her eyes to his, hearing the despair in his voice. She then completely turned to him. "Midoriya."

"Hm?" Nodding his head in her direction, slowly shifting to her.

Splash. Her umbrella hit the ground without a care. His eyes were wide. "Y-Yui?" Staring at her and her actions.

She had cupped his cheeks with both her hands lifting his downcast face, her arms outstretched, reaching for him. "He held it high."

"Huh?"

"All-Might kept his head held high no matter what." She noticed the confusion still in his eyes. She kept holding his face, staring up at his green orbs with her indifferent eyes. "Advice. You asked for some."

His breath caught itself as he stiffened. "I did, didn't I?" And her words were earnest and meaningful. His breath came out with a smile. "Thanks, Yui. You know, that's the longest I've ever heard you talk."

"Please forget." Yet, still deadpan.

He let out a chuckle, "Er, you can let go of me, now."

"Yes."

"...But you won't, huh?"

"No."

"Deku, Deku!" Uraraka happily cheered his name like always. They were walking home in the rain. They were always comfortable with each other. He was holding the umbrella while she had curled her arms around his free one. It wasn't in a romantic way or anything, simply two friends enjoying each other's company.

'At least that's how I want to see it.' Izuku was confused and slightly worried. Uraraka was always preppy and clingy but more often than not that it was to compensate for the times she ignored him but this... It felt honest. He furrowed his eyebrows not knowing how to take that in.

"Ne, Deku's off in his own head again." She pouted at his lack of response.

"Ah, s-sorry, Uraraka. I was just... er, thinking of when I'm going to be able to try my new air trek, this rain doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon." With everything's that happened, he didn't have an opportunity to use them.

"Hey, those things are pretty cool huh? You're really fast and amazing with those!"

"Right! They are a great piece of machinery! I can't thank Hatsume enough for these! They feel like a part of my body at this point! I don't know what I was doing before I got them." He was going off on one of his informative blabberings again. Talking about the specs, tricks and maneuvers, and how they are useful for getting from point A to B.

Uraraka giggled at the familiar action. She had a sad smile after her laugh died down." It's been a while since I've got to see you do that." She mumbled to herself.

"Hm, Uraraka what was that?" He stopped his rambling.

"Oh, it was nothing, don't worry about it." She flashed him a smile. She tugged at his arm, hugging it closer to her bosom.

"Ne, tell me more about your air trek!"

His heart was thumping in his ears. Every step he took echoed. He did his best to keep his breathing normal. 'I'm walking home with Yui!?'

She was besides him not showing any discomfort or awkwardness. She kept her nonchalant attitude throughout.

"Everyday." She whispered it for the first time, breaking the silence.

"Huh?" Izuku shifted his attention to her. She had her umbrella tilted back, staring up at the grey abyss dropping liquid shards of the sky. 'And for the first time, I saw an honest emotion in her eyes. It was a twinkle of adornment for the lonely sky.' Izuku's lips parted in wonder. A breath of condensation escaped him. He followed her action, staring up. He took in the pale view.

"Everyday, huh?"

Her cold fingers slowly reached his hand, sliding into his palm, before intertwining with his. His eyes widened, not knowing how to react. He simply squeezed, acknowledging it.

And she squeezed back.

"Warm."

"Mom, I'm home! I hope it's okay if I brought a friend, the rain is killing us out there." As they entered through the front door. They both took off their shoes and uniform blazers. He put the umbrella away and guided her inside.

"Oh, it's no problem dear! Is it Katsuki?" She called from the kitchen sink.

"Mom, you know I haven't hung out with Kacchan in forever." As they reached the kitchen.

Inko Midoriya happily turned to greet the new guest.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Midoriya! I'm Uraraka Ochaco, I'll be in your care." Uraraka bowed, introducing herself.

'Izuku brought home a young girl?!' Almost skidding back, hitting the sink. She knew she should be concerned but she was more pleasantly surprised than not, this could help her son. She began to stumble words like her son. "Th-The p-pleasure is all mine. I-If you're joining us for dinner. I-I should g-get some more groceries! I'll b-be back." As she scampered for her things and the door.

"M-Mom!? In this weather?!"

"Oh, it's fine, don't worry! Dinner might be a little late though." She rushed closing the door.

"Mom!" Confused at her actions. 'She purposely left me alone with a girl?'

Uraraka's giggle snapped him out of his thoughts. "Your mom's funny! Kinda like you, Deku."

"Ah, thanks. Um, I guess, wanna chill in my room while we wait for your clothes to dry? I'm sure I can find something that fits you."

"Sounds great."

He led them to his room. He casually opened the door. She quickly darted inside, expecting the All-Might posters and for him to freak out. "... I thought you would still have All-Might on your walls like at the dorms."

"Hm, oh yeah. I took everything down. Don't get me wrong, he's still my favorite hero, I just thought it was time." He recalled the reason but didn't mention it.

"Makes sense I guess." She glanced around the room. It was regular enough, kinda like hers. "Let's find something dry!" She huffed with her usual nature.

He was rummaging through his drawers. "I thought I had some pj's in here."

She was going through his closet like if it was hers. "Deku..!" Her eyes landing on the object of her desires.

"Yeah, Uraraka?" Turning to her and the closet.

"I want to wear this!" She yanked it out with the clothes hanger.

He paled in fear. He quickly lunged for it. She easily side stepped because he was out of range.

"Come on, please, please, please!" She pleaded as he got up. "It's so soft and warm." She pressed the fabric to her face.

"You weren't supposed to see that." He uttered in shame. Uraraka was holding the last All-Might onesie he ever got. He got it when he was thirteen. He sagged his shoulders in defeat and let her. "Yeah, go ahead."

"Hehe! I'll be right back!"

"My mom went to visit my dad. She won't be back for about a week." He informed opening the door and closing it after she stepped inside.

"Really." Not really interested.

They both slipped off their shoes and put their umbrellas away.

"Wanna watch TV or something?" He offered with his head bowed in shyness. After not hearing a reply, he lifted his head. "Eeh?!"

She had opened the door to his room. He rushed over in an attempt to stop her.

"All-Might."

'It's too late!' He tried to skid to a stop but tripped, landing face first, sliding across the floor, stopping next to her.

She tried to hide it with a cough but a giggle escaped. She easily fixed herself before he took any action. Yui guided herself to his bed. She took a seat, smoothing over the spot next to her, signifying for him to join.

He reluctantly got up. He dusted himself off before taking the spot beside her. He cleared his throat. "Y-You want something dry?"

"No." Her voice held no weight for the definition, instead, it lingered to internal want.

"Oh." Not knowing how to reply. What was even happening? How did they get here? Yui was always vague but this was...

He flinched feeling her pinky lap over his before the rest of her fingers curled over his, her thumb rubbing the end of his hand tenderly.

Deku had kept his eyes shadowed.

They tilted their heads towards each other, caught in the moment of understanding.

The raindrops merged into a delicate stream before breaking apart, sliding down the window.

"I am here!" Uraraka burst back into the room, mimicking the former number one hero.

"Oh, that was pretty good Uraraka!" Deku had also changed into something dry. Green shorts and white shirt. He was sitting on the bed, checking his phone, until she barged in. The small onsie was snug on her, easily showing her curves. He did his best not to stare. 'It looks like the zipper is gonna pop out!'

She giggled at his approval. She skipped to the bed, flopping on it besides him. "Ne, what do you want to do?" She asked staring at the ceiling. She chewed on her lip. She was trying to resolve herself to do the thing she really came here for.

"Hm, we can watch a movie or something. I got a few games we can play." He added not really focused. He was still busy looking at his phone. His thumb was at the keyboard mindlessly aiming around. He didn't know how to respond.

Izuku was going to finally reply until Uraraka got up and interrupted. "Hey, listen Deku." She placed her hand over his, causing him to lower his phone and focus on her.

"Uraraka? Is something wrong?"

"No. I mean yeah, er but not with you." She was trying to explain but it perplexed him more. She ruffled the back of her hair in ditzy annoyance at herself. She took a deep to calm down. "Look Deku, the thing is..." She kept her hand on his, even squeezing it for support. His eyes narrowed, seeing her action. He wasn't sure of what was going on but reciprocated. She glanced at him then away. "I've been trying to tell you for a while but the time just keeps feeling off." She shut her eyes, rushing out her words. "I'm sorry for how I've treated you these past few years!"

His eyes slowly grew with realization. "U-Uraraka..?" After all this time, 'why is she suddenly bringing it up?'

"I don't know if you can ever forgive me... But I want-," Her eyes were getting puffy. She broke the grip from his hands. "I want to be your friend again!" Tackling him into a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The tumbled off the bed. Izuku on his back, stunned with shock, staring at the ceiling wide-eyed. She had her face buried against his neck. Her quiet whimpers and salty droplets echoed the ones sliding down the window.

His throat grew dry and his eyes were swelling up. 'No, you can't do this to me! I, you-, this never works...' He was arguing with the heaviness in his chest. He really wanted to stop himself.

"This isn't fair." She heard him whisper. She was about to apologize again but she felt his hands slowly coil around her too. "You can't suddenly bring this up like it's always been out in the open." One arm around her back. "But..." His other curled up around her hair, clutching a few locks, clutching her with a rough embrace.

"I missed you so much..!"

Their clothes were sprawled over the floor of his room. The rain taps on the window created a fluid rhythm for them to follow.

He had her lifted, pressed against the wall, her legs were clinging to his waist, with her back arched. His fingers traced up her smooth back. She shivered in his arms. Her panting breath beat against him. Her delicate fingers were running through his hair, tangled with locks, holding his head close. Their lips would embrace and break with hot breaths, sighing moans, or rigid groans. He gripped under her thighs, walking back and turning to the bed.

He slowly laid her down. She placed her hand on his chest, stopping them for a moment. She glanced to the side and opened her mouth. "You can pretend if you want."

"Huh? Yui?" He asked slightly out of breath.

She switched her eyes to his before going back to looking away. "You can pretend I'm her."

His lips parted. His eyes grew before they were shadowed. It was quiet. The empty light of the rain clouds had crept through the window, leaving a hollow glow on her skin. He lowered himself to her and pressed his forehead against hers. His hand cupped her cheek. Her hand followed, landing over his, holding it dearly for warmth.

'And there it was again. That hidden endearment, that twinkle in her emotionless eyes...'

He tilted her head, lingering closer to her lips, she arched her neck up, letting out a sighed squeak before they touched again.

And they stayed under weather's embrace until it ended.

It had rained for the entire week.

He was waking her out of the apartment complex, passing drying puddles. He didn't know what to say, really. What happened between them felt like a dream.

She began to walk ahead of him, signaling for him that it was far enough. As she reached the crosswalk, she stopped, and lightly hopped on a puddle, she turned around back to him. It wasn't noticed to anybody but him, the smallest of smiles on her face, her lips barely raising, but he knew.

"Bye, Izuku."