((author's note: this piece takes place within the my hero academia universe.))
Izuku's crush on Shōto starts off small.
It's the little things that catch Izuku's attention, at first. Like the way Shōto talks, and the way he conducts and presents himself.
In time, little things turn into bigger things.
Izuku starts taking note of how mesmerizing Shōto looks when in combat, using his fire Quirk. Izuku has always found fire to be an appealing element. It's been said in the ancient cosmologies that fire occupied the Empyrean; a place in the highest heaven; the dwelling-place of God. A realm only the blessed, celestial beings so divine, they are made of pure light, could enter.
And so, bigger things turn into huge things.
And then.
Unconsciously-
Izuku's whole world begins to orbit around Shōto.
Izuku starts seeing Shōto in his dreams. He starts seeing Shōto everywhere in his day-to-day life. In the little things, and in the big things.
When Izuku is sad, thinking of Shōto helps Izuku pull through. When Izuku is angry, thinking of Shōto quells his rage.
When Izuku is happy, thinking of Shōto causes flames so powerful to burn in Izuku's heart that even the Lord Himself wonders if they're Empyreal.
If they are, Izuku doesn't know. But he does know this.
He loves Shōto.
And he will love Shōto, to Empyrean, and back.
Forever, and ever.