4: In a blizzard, Izuku sneaks into the college dorms.

The wind howled outside, biting with its frosty gale. Snow battered the windows, twisting and swirling as it bowed to its master. Stepping out for a scant few seconds would chill a man to the bone.

That was why Izuku thought he and Eijirou were lucky when they were off patrol that day, the duty left to Denki and Mineta who he imagined were shaking in their armour, huddling near the Tower for warmth.

Eijirou was in the barracks, indulging in the stew made by the college's chef, someone, Eijirou said, reminded him of his mother. Izuku had some himself before saying he was tired and heading for the bunks.

Then he wrapped himself up in several layers, snuck out the back, and made his way to the dormitories, bracing himself against the buffeting winds and using the lights in the distance as a guide. When he reached them, he went around the back of the building and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Ochako!" It was hard to shout above the wind whilst trying to remain unnoticed by the rest of the dorm. "Ochako!"

Nothing.

Izuku bent down and plunged his hand into the snow. The cold bit straight through his clothes, numbing his forearm as he searched for a stone to throw. Finally, his fingers brushed against one and he quickly fished it out, wasting no time in plinking it off Ochako's window.

"Ochako!"

The window swung open, a staff poking through the small gap. The snow halted around him as he felt his insides go light. Before he knew it, he was floating up, and he reached out to grasp the windowpane. She reached out to him, pulling him in and quickly shutting the window behind him. With the cold sealed away, the room began to heat up again, spurred on by the magically-enhanced fireplace.

Izuku sighed in relief as the warmth bathed his skin. He took off his hat and ruffled his hair as it poofed back into its uncontrollable state. Small fingers replaced his own as Ochako walked up beside him. "Hey there," she said with a smile.

"Hey," he replied, the two of them chuckling as he leant down to capture her lips. If he was cold before, he didn't notice as his body filled with warmth as Ochako huddled into his side.

After a few more seconds, they separated, goofy smiles on their faces. At this moment, they were breaking the rules; not necessarily their relationship, but the sneaking around at night. It was like something out of a court lady's romance book.

"You're freezing," she said, picking at his snow covered clothes.

"I feel like I'm melting under all this," he said as he shed his outer layers. Ochako kept her eyes on him as he stripped down to his undershirt and rope-belted pants. "See something you li-"

She closed in and kissed him, clutching onto his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Their lips met time and time again, and he couldn't complain about her hungry actions.

"I missed you," she murmured, finally separating from him.

It had been a week since they had last seen each other. The blizzard had the whole college shut down, fire mages working at all hours to keep the campus from being buried under leagues of snow. A detachment had been sent to the local village as well, providing a barrier against the storm. And the guards? They still had to keep watch. Not without warmth, however, the mages weren't that curel.

It was too bad that the enchanted rings were nowhere near as warm as Ochako's room.

"It has been a while. Been up to much?"

She shook her head, a cute pout on her face. "Just brewing homework. I don't know how many ointments I've made for sore backs today."

He laughed. "Well, at least I know who to go to if I get a training injury."

"It's not funny! I couldn't get the smell off my hands for hours!"

He laughed again and she slapped his chest. How long had it took them to reach this point? Their early interactions were full of blushes and stutters on both sides. If anything, it got even worse when he confessed to her on the night of the festival. For a month they didn't know what to do with each other, as if time had reset itself back to the first day they met. Then, one day, on the way back from the village, she took his hands and before he knew it she was kissing him. It was brief, and she ran off afterwards, but it gave him the confidence he needed to kiss her the next time he saw her.

Now, a year and a half on, they could carry a conversation with no awkwardness.

After a bit more teasing, and a few more kisses, they sat by the fire, a blanket thrown around their shoulders. Ochako snuggled into his left as they both sipped from cups of tea.

"This is nice," she sighed, somehow getting closer.

He hummed in response, basking in the warmth she gave.

"Hey, Izuku…" He looked down at her. "You ever think about the future? Like, what we'll do after this?"

In truth, he hadn't. Life in the service of the crown could change in an instant. Even tomorrow he could be transferred. The only reason he believed he was still at the college was because it was out of the way and easily forgotten.

"I'm… not too sure. Being a soldier, anything can change. There's no rumours of war, but…"

"You can never know," she finished. He nodded. "That's fair. I mean, I want us to be together here until I graduate, but I understand your not in control of everything right now."

"My service is almost up," he blurted. "I've got another year left until it's up. After that, I can sign up again, or go my own way." He wanted her to know he could be there for her, even though he knew she had two more years left until she graduated.

"You could find work in the village," she suggested. "At least until I graduate. I've… got a plan for when I do…"

She sounded nervous, unsure. He held her tighter and she continued.

"You know I don't come from much. My town is poor, and my parents are still stuck as servants for that lord. Ever since I got here, I've always wanted to go back as a fully fledged mage, set up a tower, and help everyone out. I can let my parents live with me, and use my authority to protect the people."

"That sounds like a great idea."

"It does, but… I want you to be there too, Izuku. I just don't want you to think you have to be there." She looked into her tea and he felt her shoulders tense. "I… I love you, Izu… And I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

It felt like his heart had gone into the sky. A tingle went down his spine and he felt his smile stretch from ear to ear. "You… you love me?"

She nodded, vulnerability shining in her eyes. "I - I do. With all my heart."

"I love you too." As soon as the words left his lips he felt like a cloud. The brown in her eyes seemed richer and more vibrant than before, and the blush on her cheeks was more prevalent. He cupped her cheek as she smiled toothily.

"So you'll go back with me?"

"I will."

"Forever?"

"Yes."

They curled up in bed that night, looking into each other's eyes until they fell asleep, hands together and legs intertwined.

It was hard bribing Mina to keep quiet the next morning as she bounced around the room, gushing about how romantic their 'forbidden love' was.

A/N: Thank you for reading!

Thank you for the favourites and follows. I hope you're enjoying the story! This chapter is inspired by the Siberian winds that are currently battering the UK, grinding the country to a halt. Affectionately dubbed: The Beast from the East, followed by storm Emma, outside has become extremely cold. I went for a walk until I ended up knee deep in snow. So today, I stayed in with a hot chocolate. Much better.

agustingaleano322: Thank you for the review. From our shared Latin language origins, I kind of understand what your review said. I'm glad you enjoy the story! On Ochako and Bakugo, there will not be any pairing for them, as you guessed. I think they are far too different, and I think Bakugo needs someone who won't put up with his crap. Ochako doesn't strike me as the type of person who can fight on everything all the time. However, he will show up in this story!

Amandineylan: I sent you a PM as a reply, but I'm glad you're so enthused about the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter!