24

Empire Ants

Her adorable snoring was a soothing morning alarm. He yawned, stretching his arm, he was about to stretch his body as well, but a vibrating weight was on him.

Izuku's yawn lowered to simple lips raised with joy. Kyouka was snuggled on top of him, nose and cheek on his chest, one hand above his ribcage, and her earphones lazily sprawled out on his body and the bed.

Izuku's peaceful daze was drowned out by the tapping rain. His face steamed in a daze, recalling all of last night.

'Oh God, that means!' He gulped, realizing that he was feeling her bare body on his. Her naked flesh. Only the blankets were covering them. His face flushed. He covered his lips with his hand, stopping from gasping out and waking her up.

Her body shifted on top of him. She peeped out a small note of waking. "Morning..." She let out, sitting up on him. She was rubbing one eye and stretching her other arm.

"G-Good morning, Kyouka." He was covering his eyes now, his scarlet cheeks ashamed of the exposed view in front of him.

She tilted her head, glanced down at her body, then at his flustered expression. She smirked, grabbing his wrist, pulling his hand away from his face. "What's wrong?" She teased, her earphone tapped on his chest, climbing up like a finger, it reached his cheek, poking it for an answer.

"N-Nothing. It's just..." He peeked open an eye. He stuttered again, shutting his eye. "It's nothing!"

She rose a smug eyebrow. "Huuuh, doesn't seem like nothing." She lowered her body back down to his. Her lips grazed his ear as her bosom sloshed against his chest.

'She-She's so close! Too close!'

"What's wrong babe? You weren't like this last night." A husky deep chord.

"L-Last night was different. I was c-caught up in the m-moment! N-Not like I regret it or anything like that! It's just, it's just..."

"It's just, what, hm?" With a little perky bounce to her words. She giggled when he repeated the same phrase of words. She lifted herself with one elbow on his chest. She used her other finger to point below his waist. "Does it have to do with that?"

He opened his eyes and followed her finger. "Hieee! N-No, it's natural! It usually happens in the mornings!"

"Mhm." She absently agreed, leaning down, nibbling on his ear. "Relax, we have the whole morning together." It was the weekend. "Let's enjoy it, staying in bed."

"Kyouka..." He groaned, his body subconsciously acted like last night. He bit his bottom lip hearing her gasp slightly. She adjusted herself on top of him. Her hot breaths tickled his neck, as she began to pant and moan, like last night.

"Izuku..."

My little dream.


Izuku was staring down. Everyone was chilling around the co-ed area. They had snuck out of her room, after making sure the coast was clear.

Kyouka was next to him, unusually close. She never acted so affectionately when others were around, but now she was leaning on him, snuggled on the couch with their hands clasped. He had a permanent blush tinted on his cheeks, but she was casually hearing music, scrolling through her phone.

Nobody seemed to mind how close they were. Izuku snuck peeks at each of their expressions. He didn't want anybody to feel uncomfortable, especially not Momo.

Then their eyes met. 'She had a smile. It was simple and gentle. She didn't look confused, or upset. I knew it wasn't genuine acceptance, just understanding. Her eyes were staring back at me, glimmering something I couldn't understand. I felt this burden lift from my shoulders. I don't know why but it made me kind of sad like I lost something I never knew was there...'

Inhale and exhale.

It was during the training camp. They were separate from the rest, in a field of fireflies, they were laying on the grass. They were both on their sides, faces next to each other, their bodies sprawled out on opposite ends, legs farthest from the other pair, lips closest to the other pair.

Izuku rolled on his back, staring at the sky. "Pretty..." He whispered, staring at the floating illuminations. Fireflies, swirling and twirling.

"It is, ne?" Momo saw the reflection of the constellations in the eye she was admiring. His eye shined emerald innocence. Her temptation. She closed her eyes with a relaxed breath to calm herself.

Her face still resting on the side, staring at him, grass blades tickling her nose and cheek. She scooted closer. She opened her eyes, seeing his jaw, and those lifted lips. She sighed out weakly, curling her arm around his head, running her fingers up his hair, reaching his neck.

He felt the sudden shift in tension to the tranquil tempo.

He turned his face to hers. Given the reverse position of their bodies, he was staring at her porcelain neck. So tempting. An accidental warm breath escaped him, causing a weak whimpered shiver from the touch on her skin.

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean too... um, whatever it was I did." Izuku was about to scoot back, but she held him in a tight embrace.

"Stay... It's so peaceful right now... So please, just stay." Whispering with closed eyes, praying for his company for a little longer.

"We'll get in trouble." But didn't make any action to move, if anything he subconsciously lingered closer to her.

"That's so like you." Loosening the curled up grip on his head. She opened her eyes with a faraway gaze.

"Izuku, close your eyes." Her fingers skimmed back, combing through his hair.

"Eh, Momo?"

"Just do it." Tender and pure. She placed her hand on his cheek, keeping his face in their intimate trance. Her thumb ran along his jawline, slow and endearing.

The field twinkled a fading lullaby. Lost in a lonely music box, slowly twirling.

Parted lips and shadowed eyes. A quiet lyric and harmonizing silence, in a field of fireflies.

Inhale and exhale.

"Do you mind?" She asked.

Jirou nudged Midoriya. "Eh? Huh?" He glanced up at Momo and then at Jirou. He had an apoplectic smile. "Sorry, what was it?"

"Do you mind if I spend time with Jirou?" Momo tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and then crossed her arms with a warm smile.

"Um, sure, as long as Kyouka is cool with it."

"T-Totally cool, you know, like always!" She tried to play off. Izuku reassured her, squeezing the hand he had been holding. She settled down slightly, taking a breath. "W-What have you been feeling up to, Momo?"

Momo shook her head. "Care to take a walk? The rain is pretty timid right now."

Kyouka perked up a little. "Yo sounds cool." Heading for the door.

Momo giggled. "We should get our coats at least."

"Err, right, my bad." Kyouka ruffled her hair. Izuku chuckled at her cringy earphones and eyes. "I'm taking your sweater babe." Kyouka absently waved.

"Sure, don't even ask." He sarcastically criticized.

"Please?" Feign sincerity in her reply.

"Sure, let me go get it." He was about to stand up from the couch.

"Don't trip, it's still in my room." She walked to the elevator, waving at him with a smug victory. Momo accompanied her.

Izuku gave a half expectant smirk. "Obviously, it would be." He sighed laying back on the couch. "But she isn't aware that I have more special edition All-Might hoodies like that!" He laughed to himself.

"Oi, Midoriya, what did Jirou mean, when she said, 'it's still in my room?'" Mineta and Kaminari were looming over him with a shadow presence and glowing red eyes.

"Ara?" A huge sweatdrop, slowly opening his eyes, his smile plastered nervously on his face. "You guys heard that?"

"You bastard!" Mineta lunged for Midoriya, able to assume what happened between the two. "That's why you weren't in your room this morning!" Trying to choke the life out of Midoriya. "After you stopped me and Kaminari, you have the nerve to go through with it!"

"I... didn't... peek... on... any-... one!" He struggled out his words.

"What you did was a thousand times more perverted! Don't try to justify it, just because you're in a relationship!"

"Calm down Mineta. Damn dude, go fap or something. You're not even interested in her." Kaminari pulled Mineta off Izuku.

Mineta was still miffed but reluctantly headed to his room, insulting Jirou's bust size. 'H-How is this her fault too?' The sweatdrop Izuku had only grown. 'Wait... he's actually going to go do that?!'

"So that's pretty crazy dude?" Kaminari sat beside Midoriya.

"Kaminari, listen-"

"Stop right there, Midoriya." He rose his hand stopping Izuku's words. "She's just a friend to me. You don't need to apologize, I mean, it has got nothing to do with me." He ruffled his hair. "And you're a cool guy too."

"Th... Thanks." With anxious eyes, leaning back on the couch next to Kaminari.

"But man, I was secretly hoping you guys would break up." Kaminari exasperated.

"There it is..." Izuku had cringed eyes bulged. "Wait, you said you were secretly hoping? You're not anymore?"

Kaminari waved him off with a nonchalant smirk. "I was trying to be optimistic at first but I'm not going to involve myself or bet on something to ruin a good thing, not my style, and I mean, she's happy you know?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm sure she is." And for the first time, Izuku felt like they were friends, not just friends of friends or classmates.


"What's taking them so long?" Izuku tried to ignore the quiet taps on the window. Momo and Kyouka weren't back. He had been debating about looking for them or just staying patient.

After Kacchan started a pointless competition of board games, Izuku decided to abandon the chaos about to ensure. He headed to his room. He grabbed his All-Might sweater, it had two golden locks protruding out of the hood like rabbit ears.

He evaded questions at the main door, saying he was going out for a plus ultra jog in the rain. Iida told him to make sure he was careful and no sharp turns so not to slip and injure oneself. Other than that, nobody paid him attention. They were all competitively playing monopoly. 'Why is Kacchan already in jail... wait! They actually built a jail cell? But how? Momo isn't here!' Izuku ignored his classmates' fun.

He jogged out the door, breaking into a sharp turn. He didn't know why he took this route but that's what his intuition told him.

Will it spin, will it soar?


Knock, knock. She tried to adjust her clothes one more time. She sagged her shoulders, forcing herself, to convince herself she was perfectly fine.

A nice lady opened the door. "Hello?"

"Yes! I-Is Izuku here? Y-You must be his mother! I'm a classmate of his, I was hoping, maybe?"

"A-A friend of Izuku's?! Pl-Please come in!" Izuku's mom was more than stressed and shocked! That was the second time a girl came to visit him.

Momo clutched the notebook she was hugging over her chest. "How is he feeling? A-After All-Might's retirement speech... I don't know how Izuku is holding up?" Stepping inside.

"He's been better... You're really kind to visit him, All-Might has always been..." She choked up thinking of Izuku's dream and the emotional toll.

"Mom, who is it? M-Momo?" He had stepped into the hallway with them, slightly confused.

She tensed. He was in a simple white shirt and green shorts but regardless, it was him. She was in a natural green summer dress, with a brown tie around her ribcage, under her chest.

They ended up in his room, sitting on his bed. Sitting next to each other. "I brought this for you." Momo held out a simplistic notebook. "I-I made it for you! I noticed you were running out of pages and thought this five-hundred sheet, college ruled, notebook would help!" She absolutely refused to let him know that when she created it, it came out of her bosom, more specifically, her heart. "So do you like it?"

"Yeah Momo, it's great." He firmly grabbed it but didn't pay it much mind. Momo didn't let that affect her, she knew Izuku was hurt from everything that had happened up until this point. Breaking up with Jirou and having seen All-Might's last fight, first hand.

"Izuku, if there's anything I can do?"

"Thanks Momo, but don't worry." And he smiled.

That smile.

Momo's lips broke apart in a realizing gasp.

She tackled him into a hug, resting her chin on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around the side of his neck. "It's okay... everything is going to be fine... everything."

Izuku's eyes grew. His hand rose and clamped one of her arms, holding it dearly. A droplet or more from his orbs. "...What am I going to do, Momo?"

Their faces naturally met. Eyes naturally locked. Her body naturally climbed on him, pushing him down on the bed. Natural embrace.

"..Hold me..."

Her only reply.


Little memories marching on.

Drop... drop... splash! His boot stomped on a puddle. He was running down a trail of trees. He glanced left and right. The scenery was familiar.

He slowed down seeing her walk along the path, towards him. Away from the park. "Momo..."

Each of their steps slowed, little by little. Facing each other, Izuku stared directly at her. Her face was down, aimed at the path, although she knew who it was in front of her.

Will it spin? Will it soar?

After an inhale and exhale, she rose her head to meet his eyes.

And he knew.

He knew.

His emerald orbs grew, reflecting the grey sky and shallow drops. A vivid mirror of a shattered sky, raining little shards.

Neither let out a word. Izuku could only let out a quivered gasp with broken lips. The two golden locks on the hoody shifted, damped by the delicate fall.

She was smiling.

Her smile. It was that smile. That smile telling him that everything would be fine... The smile he always gave her, and it killed him because he knew why she was giving it back to him...

She walked past him carrying that smile throughout. Hollow steps from her boots carried away by a faint wind and scattered raindrops.

His head dropped as she left, his hood covered his eyes. Izuku clenched his fist shut, biting his bottom lip. 'Why did I even run out here for? What was I hoping to accomplish?' He felt like such a hopeless idiot.

It stung.

He wanted to rub his eyes. He wanted to get rid of this watery burry vision. He wanted to get away from this empty rain.

"...Izuku..."

He rose his dejected head, the gold rabbit ears of his hoody attempted to stand. He blinked his eyes to clear his vision.

"...Kyouka..."

She splashed him with a heartfelt hug, wrapping her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. She cried her eyes out for rejecting Momo and possibly losing her best friend.

Izuku had his arms around her, consoling her. He held her, knowing how she felt. His hand was on the green hoody over her head, rubbing it, in a soothing manner.

In a cold, fragile embrace, Izuku thought the rain was more depressing when it was desperate not to fade from the grey sky.