Izuku slung his duffle bag over his shoulders, the weight biting into his tender skin. He grumbled and shifted to carry it by the handles instead. The duffle was stuffed more than it ever had been before. Izuku worried that the worn-out bag might not last the trip.

A loud horn sounded out startling Izuku.

The ocean sparkled under the mid-morning light. Cars crowded into the parking lot as his classmates were dropped off by their parents or the bus, slowly forming a group by the dock entrance.

"Ready?" Shinsou asked, looking just as nervous as him.

"I am!" Eri said, sunglasses already in place. She stepped between them, grabbing their hands. She scowled at Izuku's wrist. "Where's your bracelet, Zuzu?"

Izuku squeezed her fingers. "It was burned off in the fire. We'll have to make another one."

Her eyes lifted to the scars on his arm. Izuku felt a squirm of insecurity, suddenly keenly aware of the sea breeze brushing against his skin and the warmth of the sun. Izuku couldn't remember the last time he'd worn short sleeves, but when he saw them in the store the night before he felt like he had nothing to hide anymore and grabbed a couple.

He tried to summon that feeling again.

Eri leaned forward, still holding their hands as she carefully looked both ways before deeming it safe and crossing the street towards the group of their classmates gathering.

Izuku had to let Eri's hand go to catch Mina. "Hey, I'm ok," he soothed, drawing a hand across her shoulder blades while she clung to him.

Mina squeezed tighter. "I know, but I still get to be scared, remember?" She pushed back like she was forcibly removing herself, lashes dark. "You look great though, so I can't be too upset." Her fingers trailed curiously down his arms.

"You and Bakugo were incredible," Uraraka said, eyes wide as she looked at Izuku. "I was watching the news as it happened. I could hardly believe what I was seeing." There were murmurs of agreement behind her.

"Line up," Aizawa ordered, cutting off further questions. Beside him, Eri readied her pen over the clipboard.

Izuku stepped into the second row next to Bakugo and did a double-take. "What's in your ears?" he whispered as Aizawa called out names.

"Earplugs," Bakugo muttered back, reaching up to touch it. "They filter out the noise of my explosions."

Izuku remembered the explosion that knocked the building back in on itself and nodded grimly.

"Do you have to wear them all the time?"

"For a few weeks while my eardrums heal, then just whenever I use my quirk."

Izuku glanced up at Bakugo as he felt those prickly emotions press into him. "So, your explosions are giving you hearing loss."

Bakugo snorted. "Shut the hell up, nerd."

"Try not to be a nuisance," Aizawa sighed, picking up his bag and Eri's. "We still have to wait for the other teachers, but we can board the ferry now."

Izuku marveled at the boat, hesitantly stepping onto it as he heard water lapping at the sides below the grate.

"Have you ever been on a boat before?" Mina asked, a suitcase dragging behind her.

"No. I've never seen the ocean either. This is amazing!" He jumped again when the horn blew.

She laughed, stepping past him to sit on the bench by the railing. How are things with Bakugo?

Izuku glanced over to where he sat next to Kirishima, chatting. He looked back to Mina as he replied, Better. . .but it's weird.

How?

He thought back to their argument in the hospital. He was pretty upset. I think he was just worried about me—being there and all—it was probably a lot.

She nodded, eyes sliding to Bakugo on the other side of the boat. "It was a lot to just see it on TV," she muttered, still looking at him. "I can't imagine actually being there."

"I don't remember most of it," he said, leaning forward on his knees.

Her eyes shifted to the warped skin on his arms. "This trip will be a nice break. Even if we get our asses kicked every day."

"Every day?" Izuku whined, wondering how much of the training he would be spared from.

She shrugged, tipping her head back to enjoy the sun. "They give us part of the last day off to just have fun, but we're usually too tired to do much but lay around."

"Laying around sounds nice."

"Do they hurt?" she asked quietly, face still turned up to the sky.

Izuku looked down at his arms. "No, just tender. The doctor said it will be a few weeks till I can start training again."

They watched as the teachers they were waiting on boarded the boat and a final horn blew. Izuku leaned against the rail when they started moving, watching curiously as water frothed at the sides and left a wake. He sat back as the mainland shrunk into the horizon and they were surrounded by seemingly endless water.

"How far is the island?"

"About an hour ride, I think," Mina said, sitting up.

Izuku stared down at the dark water rushing under them. "Have you ever done water rescue?"

"Nope," she popped. "I'm a noob. I think Tsu has the most experience. Our first year was mountain rescue and then fire rescue during our second."

"Your first year. . . That was when Kacchan was kidnapped, right?" "Yep. God, that was terrible."

Izuku looked over at Bakugo who laughed at something Kiri said, rolling his eyes, they settled on Izuku who looked away immediately.

I don't want to be your friend.

Izuku leaned back against the rail trying not to huff his frustration and just relax for the rest of the

ride.

As the island drew closer, Izuku felt his excitement spark.

"Zuzu!" Eri climbed up on the bench between Izuku and Mina. "Daddy says we're going camping!"

Izuku looked back at the island. Half of it was lush and green mountainous terrain that sloped down to sandy beaches. The dark spots among the trees slowly gained shape and structure. Houses and buildings.

Mina groaned. "I just know they're going to make us hike."

"I was promised cookies," Izuku grumbled, two miles into the hike up the mountain. "I'm sorry," Mina cried. "I ended up stress eating them all."

Izuku leaned on her, struggling to catch his breath. "How much further?"

"Six miles," Sero wheezed.

"Hurry up little heroes!" Flipper called from atop a rock further along the trail.

Izuku scowled at him and how he was completely unbothered by the near-vertical climb. "He's way too happy."

"Maybe he's a sadist."

"Denki, shut the hell up."

Izuku heaved his bag up again and started walking. He hated that the hike was so demanding. The island was pretty and the views of the ocean breathtaking. All he wanted to do was sit on one of the rocks and watch the tide roll in.

He glared at the mountain, but it gave no clue to where their destination was.

"What if," Izuku said while he pulled himself up a rock, "we have Shinsou brainwash us, so we don't have to remember the hike?"

"Absolutely not."

Izuku glared back at Shisnou. "This is why you're no fun at parties."

"You've never been to a party," Shinsou countered, taking Izuku's hand to get over the rock.

"I've been to lots of parties," Izuku huffed.

"School galas don't count."

Izuku ignored him and adjusted the duffle in his hands again, happy that the trail smoothed out. He considered dragging it behind him, but the seams were already screaming to be thrown in the trash.

"Tell us about Mirko," Mina said, coming up beside him as the trail widened enough for two.

Izuku thought for a moment, moving the bag from one tired arm to the other slightly less tired arm. Six miles would surely kill him. "She makes me fight Kacchan blindfolded."

"Seriously?" Mina gasped.

Behind them, there was a snort. "Yeah, I kick his ass every time."

Izuku glared back at him. "I'd kick your ass too if you were blindfolded," he shot back, satisfied when the smirk dropped from Bakugo's face.

"I would pay to see that," Kaminari said, raising his hand. Kiri yanked it down. Mina rolled her eyes. "How does that even work? Being blindfolded?"

"I can use my quirk to sense the moves my opponent is about to make. It has helped with my accuracy," he explained, shifting the bag again. "Maybe we can find some time and I can show you."

"Aw man," Kami whined. "I was looking forward to seeing you punch Bakugo. Kiri said it was really cool."

"He just grabbed him out of the air and threw him on the ground! I swear! You should've seen Bakubro's face!"

Izuku snickered when Kiri yelped after a smack to the head. "I'd love to, but I'm not allowed to do any physical training for three weeks." He dropped his bag and cupped his hands for Mina to step in, hoisting her up to the ledge. She rolled over the top and pulled his bag up.

"Three weeks, huh?" Mina wrapped her hand around his and hauled him up. "So, what are you going to be doing here?"

Izuku stood and brushed the dust from his clothes before bending to help Kirishima. "Aizawa said watching and participating where I can. Probably a lot of first aid."

"That's a bummer," Sero said, dragging himself over the rock with Mina's help.

"What's a bummer is that we're not allowed to use our quirks," Kaminari complained, accepting Izuku's hand.

"Your quirk wouldn't help you get up the mountain," Izuku pointed out.

Kaminari slumped. "Just let me complain, Midoriya, I don't need logic right now."

"Oh, maybe you can play the helpless victim!" Mina teased, hanging off Sero as she went limp.

Sero grinned, wrapping his arms around her and giving a fake tug. "I hope it's not you, you're too heavy."

Mina shot up with indignant scoff, smacking his chest. "I knew I should've walked with Momo. Honestly, I'm not appreciated enough here."

"I appreciate you," Izuku said, smiling when she wrapped him in a hug.

"This is why Izuku's my favorite!" She glared back, jabbing an accusatory finger at the others.

Kiri clutched his chest in mock-hurt and leaned against Bakugo like he needed support. "Oh god, she tolerates us guys," he sniffed, wiping at his dry eyes. "Mina, I thought we had something special here! What does Midoriya have that we don't?"

Mina thought for a moment before she plopped a hand on top of Izuku's head. "Soft hair." A sputter of protest ripped out of Kiri, but Mina ignored him. "Did you cut it? Shinsou said it looked terrible on the phone."

Izuku stepped out of her grasp and tried to smooth the humidity-induced poof.

"Hatsume came over and cut it last night," Shinsou explained as he passed to the front of the group. "She kept complaining about not having her babies or whatever but looks better than it did."

Izuku flattened his curls out with a scowl when Shinsou smirked at his hair. "It wasn't that bad," he grumbled.

"It was bad. I took pictures. You're lucky Aizawa took our phones for the week."

Izuku heaved out a breath and ignored their chatter as they came to another rocky outcrop. "How much further?"

Mina pulled out the GPS tracker. "The satellite gods say five miles."

They all looked up at the mountainside still towering above them. Izuku squinted at a dark structure poking out of the trees near the top. "I think I see the lodge."

"It's so far away," Mina sobbed.

Izuku grabbed her hand and pulled her along. "We can do this."

"You can barely even carry your bag, Izuku," she said, skipping beside him. "If any of us are going to die on this hike, it'll be you."

"Too soon, Mina."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Izuku groaned as they came to another rockface, glaring at the trail markers winding up it. "On second thought, maybe you're right."

She patted his shoulder solemnly. "How do you think the other groups are doing?"

"Well," Izuku said, following Mina up the rock wall, "we were the first group to start the trail and I don't hear anyone else, so they're a ways behind us."

"How much you wanna bet Flipper's already at the lodge?"

Izuku looked back at Kiri and considered it. "He did say he'd go on ahead to make sure the trail was clear, so probably."

"Guys, the trail flattens out!"

Izuku looked up, but Mina had disappeared over the ledge. He pulled himself up and sighed at the relatively smooth path twisting through the trees.

A while later, Mina slumped against a boulder and started digging through the pack Flipper had given them at the start of the hike. "Alright, Flipper said we should stop and refresh"—she squinted at the GPS—"at mile five. Drink up."

Izuku caught the energy drink she tossed him and chugged it, trying not to grimace at the lukewarm temperature. "Where's Todoroki when you need him?"

"In group 3," Kaminari said from where he laid sprawled on the ground, chest heaving. "Not far now guys," Sero mumbled, pressing the bottle to his cheek. "At least it's pretty." Izuku fell to the back of the group, walking alongside Shinsou.

Bakugo keeps looking at you.

Izuku glanced at Shinosu expecting a teasing smirk, but he looked vaguely curious. He does? Bakugo walked a few feet in front of them beside Kirishima.

You guys had a fight, right? At the hospital?

Izuku stared at Bakugo, eyes trailing along the way the sun peaking through the trees illuminated his profile. Yeah. He reached up to rub the back of his head, not in the mood to sort through the emotions twisted up in that last conversation. It wasn't really a fight.

Shinsou's brow drew together in thought as he looked ahead.

"Midoriya!" Kiri said, looking over his shoulder at him. "Could you walk blindfolded?"

"I'd only be able to see where you guys are," he said and looked down at the trail. "I'd probably trip over all the roots."

Kiri blinked at him wide-eyed. "So, you can like see our bodies moving around?"

"Well, not exactly," Izuku said, feeling heat crawl up his neck. "I just sense what you're thinking. So, like right now, your brain is telling your body to move your legs. I could imagine you walking, but I can't actually see it."

"Oh, so you must know Bakugo pretty well," he said, mouth tipped high to one side.

Izuku stumbled, Shinsou placing a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Well, he's the only one I've sparred that way with, so. . ." Izuku trailed off, finding the tree they were passing very interesting. "You think this is a maple? I think it's a maple."

Sero nodded, chin caught between his thumb and index finger. "That is definitely a black pine, Midoriya."

Izuku blinked dumbly at the pine needles hanging a foot above his head. He jumped when Kiri slung an arm around him. "You'll spar with me, right?"

"Once I'm healed, sure," Izuku said, relaxing a bit. "Probably won't get to until the new semester."

Kiri deflated. "Damn," he huffed, releasing Izuku to cross his arms. "Won't you and Bakugo be training over the summer though?"

"Yeah, we're supposed to at least three times a week."

"Then I'll just join you one day," he grinned and then looked at Bakugo. "You wouldn't mind Bakubro?"

"Why would I care?" he answered gruffly, back to them.

Izuku watched as Kiri gave Bakugo a smug look and slowed his steps, but Kiri's arms just tightened around his neck and pushed him back up to speed. He smiled wide at Izuku. "Someone recommended you to Mikro, right? Did you ever figure out who it was?"

Izuku glared at Kiri suspiciously before he looked at Bakugo. He couldn't help smiling at the way Bakugo had stiffened. "I did actually," he said, watching Bakugo from the corner of his eye as he spoke to Kiri. "Mirko told me."

"Oh, really?" Kiri asked, grinning ear to ear as he pointedly looked at Bakugo. "Who was it?" Izuku shook his head. You're terrible.

Oh, I know, but watching him squirm from doing something good is the best entertainment. "Guys, I can see the lodge!" Mina squealed as they turned a corner.

Izuku crumbled into the grass as soon as they entered the gate. He didn't even have the energy to see who had poked him in the face.

"Daddy, I think Zuzu's asleep," Eri said with a slight huff and poked him again. Izuku pushed himself up off the grass and smiled at her. "How was the sky lift?"

"I could see forever!" she gushed, stretching her arms wide. "Like we were flying!" "There was a sky lift?" Kaminari whimpered, face pressed into the grass.

"Of course, there is," Sonar said, carrying a box of supplies in her hands. "You think we bring groceries up that trail?" She handed the box off to Aizawa and then approached them, brushing her hands off. "I heard you're the group who's gonna help get dinner ready tonight."

Izuku sat with Eri tucked in his arms after dinner, watching the sunset over the ocean from the steps of the lodge. He rested his chin on the top of her head and let her trace her fingers along the lines of his palm.

"It's pretty," she whispered like speaking any louder would make it disappear.

Izuku hummed in agreement. The colors vibrant and sparkling on the water's surface. "I didn't know the world could look like this," he admitted just as quietly.

"Thought I might find you two out here."

Izuku and Eri looked up at Mina as she sat beside them. "Aren't you cold, Eri? It's getting chilly out."

"Zuzu's warm," she said and snuggled into Izuku's arms.

"They're about to start the presentation," Mina said, looking at the sunset longingly.

Izuku took one last look at the ocean and stood up, taking Eri with him. "You're Sonar and Flipper's helper, remember?" he asked Eri when she whined.

She gasped, eyes going wide before she sprinted inside.

Mina looked back at the ocean with a heavy sigh. Most of the color was gone, faded into soft pinks and dark indigos. He was amazed at how fast it changed. "Enjoy it now, Izuku, because we enter hell tomorrow."

"That bad?" he grimaced, holding the door open for her. "Well, you might be ok."

"I wouldn't be so sure. I can use my quirk just fine." He rubbed his head just thinking about the headaches he was bound to get.

Eri waved to them from where she stood next to the water rescue heroes. Izuku waved back as Mina dragged him through the crowd to the spots Sero had saved for them.

"I'm sure you're all tired after that hike, so we'll be quick!" Flipper grinned, his happy attitude dragging a groan from the students. "We start every morning at six. Breakfast is served as six- thirty, so if you want to eat, you have to get out of bed."

"As for your training schedule," Sonar said stepping forward, "we'll be going through open-water rescue, disaster rescue, and how to apply first-aid during unideal conditions, among other things. You'll also be strengthening your quirks while you're here. But don't worry, we'll be having fun too."

Izuku leaned against Mina while the hero team explained the basics of the island and the various locations on it, Eri helping hold up the map. He didn't see where fun would fit in the busy schedule.

From the shore and even the ferry, the ocean had looked beautiful. Now Izuku stared at his reflection rippling less than a foot away in dark water with no clear bottom and gripped the handles of the raft with white knuckles, rethinking that assumption. It was nothing like a pool.

"First time on the ocean, Midoriya?"

Izuku looked away from the ominous water to Flipper standing next to him. "H-How deep is it?"

He smiled as he glanced at the water gently rocking the raft. "About 250 feet here, but there's a drop off half a mile out where it's about 1,000 feet."

Izuku yelped when the boat tipped to the left, clinging to the side of the tiny raft for dear life. "Alright, everything is in place. We can start the exercise as soon as Sonar gives the signal,

Flipper."

Izuku shakily looked at Captain, the leader of the water rescue heroes, when the raft leveled out. He took a seat next to Izuku, dripping wet. Izuku marveled at the way his fins and webbing between his fingers receded against his skin.

"You swam all the way out here from the beach?" Izuku asked, happy to have something to distract him from the water.

Captain grinned, extending his arm to Izuku and flaring the fin on his forearm wide again, the sun casting a glow through the webbing. "Sure did. Great exercise in the morning. Nothing better than a brisk swim to wake you up."

"What's it like down there?" Izuku asked, eyes drawn back to the way the early sunlight danced on the top of the water.

Captain leaned closer to him as if to divulge a great secret. "There's a whole other world below us."

Izuku looked at the surface following it back to the beach where the rest of his class and Class B were gathered receiving instructions from Sonar. "Is it different?"

"Like another planet," Captain grinned, eyes crinkling tight. "You'll get to see it during the free dive lesson." He looked up at Flipper when Sonar waved her arms from the shore. "That's our cue. Hold on tight, Midoriya."

Izuku latched onto the raft, watching in amazement as Flipper raised his hands and the water began to swell around them. His jaw dropped as a wall of water cast a shadow over them, and Captain cackled as Flipper sent it hurtling to the shore. Each consecutive wave bigger than the last. Under the crash of water, Izuku could hear the shouts and screams from the other students.

"Are they going to be ok?" Izuku winced as another wave rolled onto the beach, knocking over a group that had just gotten back on their feet.

Captain clapped a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Don't fret, Midoriya, Sonar called in the cavalry in case you little heroes aren't so heroic."

Izuku peered into the water wondering what ocean creatures lurked below. "What exactly are we learning in this exercise?"

Captain held up a hand as Flipper took a deep breath and pulled up a wave fifty feet tall. "Just some simple storm surge practice." He doubled over with laughter as screams sounded from the shore. "We've asked random students to act as victims in need of saving."

Izuku relaxed as the boat settled into a gentle rock. Arms were starting to shoot out of the water calling out for help while the two classes scurried around on the beach presumably trying to come up with a plan before Flipper sent the next wave.

Even though Izuku felt entirely useless and missing out, he was happy to keep his distance from Class B. The memory of the group training lesson still left a bad taste in his mouth.

Izuku perked up when he saw Mina running along the beach. He reached out with his quirk, straining across the distance. Mina?

She stumbled to a halt, arms pinwheeling as she whipped around to look out towards the water.

After a moment she started jumping and waving her arms. You can reach this far?

It's tough but I've been practicing, he explained. What's the plan to get the people out of the

water?

You can see them? Hold on!

He watched her run over to a group of students, frantically explaining and waving towards the water.

"What are they doing?" Flipper muttered, raising his arms for another wave. Izuku sat back as the boat began to rock again. "I can still help from out here."

After Mina explained the plan to everyone, Izuku leaned over the side of the boat, letting his fingers dangle in the surface while he sent directions to the group pulling the other students out of the water.

"Alright," Captain said as he stood. "Looks like they got everyone out of the water. Not bad time either. Flipper, take us in."

Izuku leaned over the side, watching as the water shifted from dark blue to light green as the depth changed and became shallow. He hopped out of the raft, wavering on the unmoving ground.

"Thank you, friends!" Sonar called out to the water, waving to the tails that crested and splashed. She turned back to them. "Let's get started on some first-aid."

"Alright," Izuku said, adjusting the cloth wrapped around his eyes, "test me."

In front of him, Mina hummed in thought, putting her hands out with heavy suspicion. Izuku smirked as he hit her hands and she gasped. She moved her hands around faster, but Izuku hit them each time. "Are you sure you're not peaking?"

Izuku pushed up the blindfold to scowl at her. "You think I'm cheating?"

". . .Of course not."

"I can't wait till you're healed. I want to see those moves in action."

"Don't get your hopes up," Bakugo said to Kiri. "He's still pretty shit at it and he'll be rusty."

Izuku soured, knowing he was right. "Doesn't change the fact that I was beating you without it."

Mina wrapped her arms around Izuku, resting her head on his shoulder as she shot Bakugo a curious look. "Is that so? Is Deku too fast for you?"

"I will throw you in the fucking water."

She grinned and grabbed Izuku's arm, hauling him to the water's edge. "I'll throw myself!"

Izuku tugged his arm free and watched her splash into the water. Kiri rushed by him, the shirt he'd thrown off landing in a heap on the sand. Sero and Shinsou joined them, Kaminari hanging back for a moment before giving in to their taunting.

"Come on, Izuku!" Mina called, splashing at Kaminari.

Izuku pulled off this shirt and tossed it away like he'd done countless times before. The water was cool, washing away the heat from the day.

"Do they hurt?" Mina asked, looking at his chest. "No, honestly the water feels really good."

"Oh, it does, huh?"

Izuku barely managed to suck in a breath before his head was shoved underwater. He slapped his hand at the surface splashing Kiri in the face. Izuku wiped the water from his face and noticed Bakugo still standing in the sand. "Not getting in, Kacchan?" he asked, coming out of the water.

Bakugo glared at him. "I hate the water."

"Since when?" Izuku pushed his dripping wet hair up his forehead, swiping it out of his face. "You loved going to the pool during the summer when we were little."

"We were eight," he scoffed, arms folding across his chest. "The ocean is different, idiot."

"Oh," Izuku drawled, casting a look over his shoulder at their friends sorting out the rules for some

game. "I get it. You're scared. The ocean is spooky."

"The fuck did you just say, nerd? I'm not scared of the fucking ocean!"

Izuku snickered as he ducked out of Bakugo's grasp and edged back into the water, fuming Bakugo following. "I get it, Kacchan. It's deep. Lots of things in there." He sidestepped again, water up to his knees.

You're way too good at pissing him off.

He smiled over at Mina. It's like a second quirk. Izuku reached forward, catching Bakugo's wrist, and yanked him forward, catching his fall by placing a hand on his chest. Bakugo blinked up at him, sneer washed away.

Izuku felt one steady pound against his palm before he dropped Bakugo into the water. While Bakugo sputtered and seethed as he got his footing in the water, Izuku drew his hand into a slow fist. "See," he said, stretching his fingers out, "it's not that bad."

He tried to dodge Bakugo but the water slowed him and Bakugo caught him by the shoulder. Izuku yelped as he was dragged underwater, back connecting with the soft sand. He pushed back up to the surface laughing.

"I win," Bakugo taunted, grabbing Izuku's hand to pull him up.

Izuku grinned, pushing the hair off his forehead, salt burning his eyes. "I got you in the water, so who really won here?"

"Yeah, I think Izuku wins this one," Mina said, Kaminari nodding beside her. Izuku grinned wider, shoving a finger into Bakugo's soaked tank top. "I win." Bakugo smacked his hand away. "Mina doesn't matter. You didn't win shit, Deku."

Izuku noticed Kiri sneaking up from behind and fixed a glare on Bakugo. "Maybe if you weren't such a hot head you wouldn't have fallen face-first into the water."

"You litt—"

Izuku jumped out of the way of Kiri tackling Bakugo, shielding his face from the splash that followed. He crouched down as Bakugo broke the surface. Kiri stumbled to the shore wheezing with laughter.

"You are so lucky you're injured, Deku," he seethed, shoving his hair out of his face, teeth bared in a furious grin.

Izuku smirked. "Oh yeah, I'm milking this. "

Fire.

So small, it looked magical. Sending sparks into the air. Blinking embers. Curls of smoked.

Izuku tucked in closer to the log, eyes locked on the flames turning wood to ash. There were flickers of recognition. A spark of yellow would catch his breath. The heat that would hit his cool skin when the wind shifted directions.

"Zuzu, can you help me? I can't find Hoshi."

Izuku tore his eyes from the firepit to look at Eri. She smiled, one arm full of graham crackers and chocolate, the other clutching a stick. "S'mores, huh? I haven't had one of these in a long time."

She settled into the grass and speared the marshmallows onto the stick. "Papa said not to burn them," she whispered.

He took the stick from her and leveled it over the tops of the flames. "You've got to watch it. See, it's turning brown."

"That was fast!"

Izuku pulled it back, blowing out the flame that caught the edge. "Get the cracker and chocolate ready."

Eri bit into it, eyes wide as she chewed. "It's yummy."

"Eri!" Midnight sang out, coming towards them. "It's time for bed, darling!"

She sunk down behind the log trying to hide. Izuku leaned away as Midnight snatched Eri off the ground. "Traitor," she grumbled, glaring at him.

"What did I do?"

"You let her take me!" She stuck out her lower lip and turned away, letting Midnight take her inside the lodge.

"Ouch, I don't think you'll be getting out of that one."

Izuku was a little surprised to see Bakugo taking a seat beside him. "You're done sulking about earlier?"

"I'm not the one hanging out by myself," he said, pointedly looking at the crowd of their classmates gathered around the bigger fires across the yard.

Izuku watched the bright orange glow for a second before turning back to the small fire. "It was too hot," he explained quietly, wrapping his arms around his shins. "My skin is still sensitive and. . ." he narrowed his eyes at the flames beginning to die down, "there's still a vague memory there. A feeling."

"Thought so," Bakugo murmured, shifting against the log.

Izuku focused on the sound of the fire crackling. "Do. . .Do you remember it?" Bakugo was quiet for a while until he answered hesitantly, "All of it."

"I'm sorry I don't."

"That's a stupid thing to be sorry for."

Izuku looked at Bakugo and thought of the sun setting over the ocean the night before and how it didn't compare to the amber hue his eyes took on from the fire. "I know," he breathed. "Are you ok?"

Bakugo stared at him for a moment longer before looking back at the fire. "Everything turned out fine."

"That's not what I asked," Izuku muttered gently, staring at his earplugs.

Bakugo's eyes shifted across the grass to between them where their hands rested near each other. Izuku watched as his fingers neared his skin and brushed the scars. "I know what Mirko tells us," he said, voice low and strained with memory, "but I don't know how you did it. How you got up."

"I wish I knew," Izuku said, a tremor racing up his arm as Bakugo's hand reached the widest part of the scar on his arm.

"I couldn't hear anything," Bakugo said, retracting his hand and turning to look at the fire. "Just this horrible ringing. I thought I was going to be sick looking at you." His brow pinched, eyes glazing over. "The way Mirko was so frantic." Bakugo shook his head, shoving a hand through his hair. "And then you weren't getting up and I thought—" He untangled his fingers from his hair and leaned back against the log. "But you got up. . .and you walked to the ambulance."

"Of course I did," Izuku said with a small smile, knocking his shoulder against Bakugo's. "Can't get rid of me that easy." He stared into the pile of dying embers, letting the chatter of their classmates fill the silence till a thought bugged him too much to not ask. "D-Did you mean what you said at the hospital?"

Beside him, Bakugo shifted.

"About me not joining the Hero Course?"

"No," he said, frowning down at the embers and ash. "I didn't mean it. I wish I'd done it differently, but—" his eyes cut to Izuku's "—you deserve to be a hero."

Izuku took in a quiet breath, a warmth spreading through him that fought off the chill of the night. "Thank you," he said, tucking his chin between his knees to hide the smile. "For the internship too."

Bakugo snorted and leaned his head back. "When did she tell you?"

"The night we watched that movie. You were asleep."

"Figures."

"Can I ask why?"

Bakugo looked at him from the corner of his eye. "I heard you talking to Shinsou," he huffed, crossing his arms.

"So, you were eavesdropping?"

He hunched. "Shut the hell up. I just thought she could keep an eye on you."

Izuku couldn't help but grin. "Then you were worried about me?"

"Your stupid ass jumped in front of a bullet!"

"That was after I started the internship," Izuku pointed out.

Bakugo groaned and looked back to the sky, face softening. "I always forget how many there are."

"How many what?"

Bakugo sat up, a slow smile widening as he looked at Izuku. "You've never been outside the city, have you?"

"What does that—" his words fell short as Bakugo's fingers brushed under his chin, warm against his cool skin.

"You should look up more," he said and turned Izuku's chin up.

Izuku gasped, sinking back against the log when Bakugo pulled his hand away. "The lights in the city block them out."

Izuku searched the night sky unable to comprehend that the inky darkness was a sea of distant

light. "Wow," he breathed. "I just thought you had to use a telescope to see them all." He sat up and twisted around to see as much of the sky as possible.

"You can see the constellations out here," Bakugo said and Izuku squinted trying to see the shape of the Big Dipper as Bakugo pointed it out. "There are different colors too."

The chatter behind them dwindled down and Izuku watched the sparks and embers filter into the stars as the fires were put out.

"Do you think it's possible to remember something forever?" Izuku asked, wanting the feeling of wonder to last just a little longer. He splayed his fingers through the cool grass, feeling the heat of Bakugo's hand dangerously close.

Bakugo looked at him curiously. "You're the one who plays with memories." He shrugged, turning back to the sky. "But I think so."

Izuku nodded, resting back against the log. "I just never want to forget this." "The stars?"

Izuku looked at the fire, now a pile of cooling ash, and whispered, "Those too."