With You.


There was zero doubts you had the worst poker face in the world. With only a few days left before the next semester began you convinced Shouta to go on one date. Well, if you were honest it took you and three other people to make him think it was a good idea.

It was supposed to be a day even a sleep loving man could enjoy, but it was somehow turning into the greatest disaster ever.

The quiet, secluded day at the park was anything but. Children and parents crowded around every inch of grass for some sort of live hero extravaganza. A popular show about the hero agencies and the fictional heroes that came from them, or so said the large pop-up screen in the middle of the stage. Some of the quirks used were clearly knockoffs of recent popular heroes. While you were lucky to get a spot to sit, it was obvious you were flustered at the bad timing of the event. Glancing at Shouta, he sat with his eyes closed and eating one of the onigiri that was supposed to be for lunch. Being surrounded by a thousand odd people wasn't his idea of a good time, but he was kind enough to not say it out loud.

Spending time with every family in a two mile radius was not your idea of a good time. Hurrying to pack up the food and drink, you balked as the show started off with a literal bang. Small fireworks caught your attention as the first character showed up to warm out the crowd.

"HEY HEY. ITS ME..."

The children all shouted back with glee.

"FUTURE MICA!" Her shiny chrome outfit and futuristic specs were not enough to hide the obvious source material. Her long blonde hair was put up in a beehive, strangely close to your blonde cockatoo friend. A strangled choke could be heard to your right, where Shouta was trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. His teeth were clenched in a lopsided grimace, eyes dancing in amusement.

The rest of the show went on without care that you were dragging your suddenly interested hero away. The two of you weaved through the sea of people, the vacated spot being swarmed instantly by another family. It was hard not to laugh.

"That's on the edge of being legal. You think Mic knows?" Walking along the loopy trail that headed away from the train station, it was much quieter. Shouta held up his phone with a clear shot of Mic's counterpart, the mischievous smirk on his face endearing.

"He does now." With a tap the text was sent, and you fell into a fit of laughter. You loved the teasing side of him, though it only came out with people he trusted. "Another reason I like being out of the spotlight." His smile was already gone, shaking his head at the thought of having a children's show double.

Soon another secluded spot was found, and he was leaning against your shoulder. At home it wasn't much different, dating consisted of him coming back late and collapsing on you until he fell asleep. But to be honest, it didn't bother you at all. In fact, it was rather nice. Closing your eyes, you enjoyed the quiet.

"Hizashi tells me your speech is going well. Both of them." Shouta's sudden words made you jump.

"Its really all him." The alternate speech was supposed to be a secret. "I... haven't decided which one to use." Although staying at UA was something you wanted, if it sounded like the media wouldn't give up then you would say goodbye. He stared, but didn't press any further.

"Then, you can try again instead." Your heart lurched in nervousness. Holding up the lunches, he placed one at the end of the blanket. "Use your quirk."

The two of you had been practicing together for a few days now. There was no problem using it to push objects, but the first time using it against midnight, was impossible. Again, you knocked away the lunchbox with ease. With a noise of approval, Shouta turned to you with calm confidence.

"Now toward me."

A wave of dizziness passed over your head, sickness coming back. You tried anyway, a weak push sparking out before familiar blood splatters and screams flashed in your head.

Shouta's face was expressionless, so when he tapped your forehead it surprised you.

"This is nothing like what happened before. So trust me." You put your arm on his, watching as his hair waved upward to remind you of his safety net. Biting through uneasiness you managed to move him backward, this time his quirk erasing your own so he wouldn't move. "Not bad."

The power wasn't important. It was getting over your fear, and although you stared trying to make sure he wasn't hurt anywhere, a part of you knew that you were ready to try again.

xXx

Nerves and fear. Looking to the reporter sitting across from you, you wanted to pass out. A statement, not just for UA to Japan, but from you to... well, everyone. The words were there; too many words and choices. Depending on how the interview went, how accusing and unforgiving the media wanted to be; it was possible that you wouldn't set foot in UA ever again.

There were three. All from reputable stations, and each one with the seal of approval from Nedzu himself. B

The questions were difficult. They took no time at all asking if you were fit to be a hero and a teacher that could be responsible for students.

What if you got out of control?

"Like every quirk user should be, I am well aware of my limits. The train station incident resulted from a – series of unfortunate circumstances." Pretending to be confident was helping. "Such a thing wouldn't happen again. And as you are well aware, constant training will make sure of that."

Can the parents trust a person like you to instill the proper values in their children? Why aren't quirks teetering on the edge of murderous regulated? Should you even be at UA still? Does a hero kill?

As though you were on autopilot, you could barely register yourself answering everything. If only you were back at the school, where your friends had promised to watch the interview on tv and support you.

You practiced this. You had help from Mic. He was a natural speaker, full of charisma and confidence. Say what you wanted to say.

Was it goodbye? Or... something else? Opening your mouth, the words seemed to click.

"Heroes have a thin line to walk on. Subduing, hurting, defending, saving. That's what UA is teaching the students. What happens when you try to take everything on by yourself, I know it first hand. Every single one of those children are amazing, but if I can teach them how to avoid the experiences I had... I'll do it. As long as the school and the students want me, then I don't regret staying."

There was no reason to doubt the principal on his choice of reporters. Still, you somehow expected more yelling. They were quiet and respectful, only scribbling your comments and thanking you for the time.

When the camera crew and reporters finally packed their things, you walked back alone to the school.

The route was a familiar one, the streets and people just as you remembered them. Only the weather cooling as Autumn drew near indicated that anything changed at all. It was quieter now then it had been for a long time, the laughter of pedestrians not quite registering in your ears.

The UA gate loomed in the distance. What once was a far away world of heroics somehow became your home, and the people in it your family. Despite everything – the flaws and mistakes you made – you still belonged. A flash of yellow caught your eye, bringing a smile to your face.

"Sleeping again?" Before he was only an interesting stop before the train station. Now the sight of your caterpillar man tugged at something in your chest. His normally grumpy face (which could still be called cute) was softer when he slept, relaxed enough to notice how long and full his eyelashes were. It was a rarity to be sure, but Shouta wasn't exactly a common man. Bending down to get a better look, you let out a soft laugh.

"What are you doing here, its the middle of the day." Cracking open an eye, he mumbled out an unintelligible comeback. You watched in amusement as he detached himself from his cocoon, yawning all the while.

"Good to see it went well."

"I haven't said anything about it yet." With a low hum, he made his way inside the school.

"It seemed obvious. But if you can handle that, your students won't be a problem either." You knew not everyone would be happy with your stay, but the worries seemed so small as you walked by Shouta's side.

"I look forward to this new semester..."

"I'm sure it will be as annoying as ever." You nudge him, calling him out on his terrible lie.

"You can't hide that soft side from me. I know you love your students." The bell rings, and he huffs at you, his walking pace suddenly increasing enough you had to jog to keep up.

"Hurry, or you'll be late for your own class."


That's it, the end!

There were a lot of points I wish I went deeper into, but honestly the story was getting much bigger than I accounted for. I know I suck at writing endings, but I hope it was satisfying. (It's what I get for following an unfinished manga).
I wanted to end on a hopeful note, with all sorts of possibilities.

Yes, there's an afterward too...
It's all smut (and not even good smut?), so any reader is happy with this fluffy ending *stop here*.
Ohohohohoho.

Thank you for all the sweet comments wishing me to better health. I know I didn't reply to any of them, but I was feeling pretty miserable. Thanks for all your support and interest in this story.
I feel like I haven't been writing well enough after a certain point, but I'm proud to keep up the plot this long.
My writing style has me plotting out every tiny detail before I start a project, and I definitely had to wing it at points. '_';;

Let me take the time to say: You guys are the loveliest people ever!
Thank you so, so much.

Here's another secret - aside from the first chapter, all of this is unbeta'd... I'm too embarrassed to ask someone to go through it. (and now you know why the quality varies!)