Chapter Thirty-Six: One Stop Away

The Class 1-A students have been on the road for a few hours now, the hero course students (1-B included) took large travel buses up through the cities and towards the mountain range with all of their stuff packed up and loaded. They had stopped at a nearby station to get gas and allow the passengers to get snacks, use the bathroom, whatever they needed to do.

It had been a few days since the mall incident, and Izuku had now been slowly returning to his old self more and more. He still had some ways to go, but he was recovering well. Him and Kyoka were seated next to each other during the entire trip, much to a certain brunette's annoyance, but altogether they were relaxing and just having quality time without speaking a word. However, there was one concern that was in the back of Kyoka's mind though it was a little silly. Izuku hadn't hugged her, kissed her, let alone touched her for an entire week and it bothered her. It bothered her a whole lot.

'It's not like I don't get it, but…' She thought to herself, eyeing the greenette as he stood up and stretched before her. His arms called to her, she needed to be embraced, but she knew she couldn't. Ever since the incident he was all too jumpy, always on the prowl for a sneak attack or some kind of surprise approach. Even if he knew she was coming, he might have tuck and rolled out of the way. 'I really want some affection right now… Ugh, listen to me!'

Izuku watched his girlfriend slap herself in the face and quirked a brow inquisitively, but continued to move out of the way so she could stand and they could hop off of the bus. He was thinking of grabbing a cola, and he figured he'd go with Kyoka to get some snacks too.

She then suddenly glared at Izuku, causing the boy to jump in surprise. What was she mad about? "Y-You okay? Why are you glaring at me?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." She replied, her face not relaxing at all. Izuku sweatdropped, what did he do to make her mad now? She seemed to be a bit more snippy with him, and he was worried it might have to do with the lack of contact lately. Yes, he was aware of it, but he couldn't help but still be a bit adverse to touch at the moment. He did understand however, he too felt as though he had a craving for some much needed affection, but he couldn't help being too jumpy. The incident still had its effect on him, but he would try to work past it as soon as he could. Not to tack on the fact that they were surrounded by their classmates, of course.

Kyoka huffed as she stood up and stretched her legs, quickly making her way out of the bus after Izuku as her and the rest of the class finally fully exited the bus where they were greeted by their homeroom teacher. "Alright everyone! You have an hour to do as you like, but stay within the perimeter. You cannot leave the station. Get some food, use the bathrooms, do what you gotta do, just don't cause trouble! You won't like your punishment."

Izuku could tell by Aizawa's expression that he probably planned to wrap them up and leave them with the luggage under the bus. "Well, that's not concerning… Anyway, do you think you wanna go get some snacks or something, Kyoka?"

The purple haired girl shrugged glancing around at their surrounding classmates who all seemed rather distracted and tired. Many of them had just dozed off, or sat around hardly saying anything to each other. Kyoka couldn't help but notice Bakugou and Momo who seemed to be talking to one another quietly, but then she saw something that made her a tad envious as well. Momo had grabbed the blonde's hand and dragged him along into the nearby store, and immediately Kyoka felt annoyed. "...God damnit."

Izuku overheard her mumbling, catching where she had been staring and noticing the couple hand-in-hand. The greenette was confused at first, before noticing the look on his girlfriend's face. He figured that his lack of contact with her was upsetting, but he didn't realize just how much she must have been longing for it. He gazed down at his own hands, observing them shake with anxiety unconsciously as he thought about his next move, but he balled his hands into fists as he determined that this was something that she needed… And maybe he needed it too.

"Kyoka?" He called, gathering her attention. He watched as her head snapped over to him swiftly, locking eyes with him the moment her gaze could reach him. He bit his tongue and exhaled before he held out a hand to her shakily. "Um… W-Want to find somewhere a bit more 'a-away from the group'?"

Kyoka glanced down at his hand before returning her gaze back to his eyes. She searched them for some semblance of hesitance, but she never found it. He was certain this was what he wanted, and slowly she nodded in agreement, not uttering a word as she placed her hand into his grasp carefully and shuddered as he gripped onto it so delicately. He was sweaty, a testament to his nerves at the moment. She smiled with a red color dusting her cheeks and ears.

"...About time." She joked, her smile widening as Izuku rolled his eyes with his face just as red as her own. The two then separated from the group, walking away together without being seen by any of the other students present. Aizawa took note of them walking off, but made no moves to stop them, he was almost certain of the two's relationship, but figured that his top student would never. But it never hurt to be sure, that was just the logical thing to do.

The couple found themselves walking around the perimeter, scanning the area as many different tourists and travelers had been littered around the rest stop's exterior. They walked hand-in-hand, and though at first it was nerve wracking, Izuku acclimated quickly and was able to get back into the swing of things, much to Kyoka's delight.

"I-I'm sorry." Izuku started, breaching the silence they shared as multiple conversations and individuals were sounding off around them. Kyoka glanced over at the greenette, already aware of what he was apologizing for and sighed. Some part of the blame for his apology fell onto her and she couldn't help the guilt that she felt.

"Don't be, Izu. I know it was rough for you, I was just annoyed… I guess it wasn't as easy as I thought to go without your touch. But that's on me, regardless of how I felt, you were much more important." The purplette admitted, a blush adorning her ears as she looked down at their intertwined hands. Izuku nodded in understanding.

"I appreciate it, Kyo… But I want you to know that I wanted it just as much as you." He started, squeezing her hand gently as they made a turn down another one of the rest stops many corridors. "Still do."

Kyoka then realized where Izuku had led them, it was a section of the rest stop that was completely isolated from everywhere else. Seemed to be close to some maintenance or storage area of the facility, and the greenette had brought them here so that he could do something for her. Kyoka suddenly turned around and was embraced quickly, Izuku's arms enveloped her and the girl couldn't help but shudder in his hold.

Izuku really wanted to convey his feelings for her in this embrace, he held onto her tightly as she slowly returned his hold on her. The purplette smiled shakily as she finally got the opportunity to recharge her battery. "Oh god… I didn't realize how much I needed that."

"Seriously." Izuku commented back, the two of them chuckling softly at his words. The couple rocked back and forth in the embrace, savoring the moment until Izuku's hand began to rub the small of her back causing her the jolt suddenly, snapping the greenette out of whatever trance he was in. "What? A-Are you okay?"

Kyoka snapped her attention back to Izuku and nodded quickly, "Yeah, yeah, um… It's just been awhile since you've done that. I guess I got a little sensitive to it, don't stop.."

Izuku hummed in confirmation, slowly continuing to rub her back gently before he spoke, "Right… Kyoka, can I tell you something?"

"Yeah, what's up?" She inquired. His hand paused for a moment as he chose his words carefully. She could tell he was nervous as her head laid on his chest, listening to his heartbeat she found it going a mile a minute and grew a tad concerned.

"...I really feel like you're… Well, you're the only person I think I could feel this way about. I've been thinking over this past week and when I was at my weakest you were there. I felt like if we didn't stand the test of time, I'd always be looking for you. And I know I'd never find it." He paused, thinking back on his conversation with his father. He thought back to when he realized that he had loved the girl in his arms, and how it was only cemented after a time where he felt powerless. It only made him love her more. "I don't… I don't think I could want anyone else in the same way I want you."

Kyoka was taken aback. Izuku's words touched her at her very core, and the crazy thing was… That she felt the same. It brought a smile to her face to say the least, but more than that, it reminded her why she loved him. His words, his actions, hell even his dumb face. She couldn't help but love it. She couldn't help but love him, and in this instance she couldn't have him… She'd still search for him in others.

"I think I get what you mean." She replied, her voice soft as she strengthened her hold on the greenette, burrowing her face even deeper to the point her voice became muffled. She was embarrassed. "You're the only person I've ever really let into my life like this. It's been… It's been a trip. Especially since you seem to attract danger like a magnet."

Izuku felt her giggle softly and realized she was teasing him, he let out a huff unknowingly and caused the girl in his arms to jolt again. He quirked a brow, "What was that one for?"

"You, uh…" She started, stepping out of the hug as she covered her jacks with her hands out of embarrassment. "You kinda blew air into my ear. Geez, I'm usually not this sensitive… Guess the distance had its effect, huh?"

Izuku reached for her face with one hand, cupping her cheeks as he inspected her reddened face. She looked far too stunning for him to resist; something was compelling him, and for the first time since falling victim to Shigaraki's torment, he pulled her in close for a kiss before she could even ask him what he was doing. Kyoka couldn't help but jump at first, nearly breaking the kiss at the sudden contact, but forcing that thought out of her mind as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer once more. God she needed this.

Just as they had begun to feel comfortable and ready to test their luck, a gruff voice cleared their throat, alerting the two of someone's presence and forcing them to separate as quickly as they could.

"So…" Their homeroom teacher started, revealing his presence to the two of them. Their eyes went wide with a mixture of shock and fear and the couple realized that they were in deep shit. "I guess my hunch about you two was right. Can't say I'm surprised."

Izuku had seemingly begun to tremble in panic, incapable of formulating a single sentence, let alone an excuse. There couldn't have even been an explanation, he saw them straight up. He now knew what they were doing, and what their relationship was and they couldn't remove that from his mind even if they wanted to.

"W-Wait, -" Kyoka started in an attempt to explain, but she was quickly silenced by the teacher holding up a hand to stop her.

"Stop. I don't want to hear it." He started, looking over at the catatonic greenette then back to his little girlfriend. Ugh, that sounded gross in his head. "Listen… There's no formal ruling about relationships at UA, so realistically it's none of my business. However, as your teacher, and a pro-hero, I feel like there's something I should tell you for your own good."

The two stared at their homeroom teacher in suspense, and once he was certain he had their attention he continued. The couple turned to each other in a silent panic, unsure of what to do but comply with what their teacher had in store for them.

"...It's not easy." He continued, sighing as he watched the two of them in their panicked states. "Being in a relationship, and being a hero. It's hard to balance both aspects of your life. I've been witness to too many widows and heroes who have lost loved ones because they were targets. Although, I'm sure you're aware of this, just know… If a villain figures out your weakness. That's it. Please take that into consideration when doing anything anywhere because they could very well be watching. Even more than that… It takes a strong person to watch their loved ones get injured so often."

"I'd hate to see that happen to any of my students."

Izuku and Kyoka found themselves back on the bus after their talk with Aizawa, the heroes and heroes-to-be had made their way back onto the road and everyone was now feeling a bit more lively, everyone except for the IzuJiro couple that had been deep in thought ever since their talk with their homeroom teacher. What he said had hit deep for the two of them.

What would they do? Not only was Aizawa one of the few people that knew of the two's actual relationship, but now he had dropped on them advice that was making them have a whole load of questions and concerns about their relationship. Kyoka was especially growing more and more concerned as she had been witness to the very thing that Aizawa was referring to. Izuku had been hurt countless times, she couldn't count the number of times he'd been in a hospital bed on her fingers and THAT was somewhat of an issue.

The purplette fixed her gaze on the greenette who seemed to be looking away distantly in thought. He was thinking of a lot of the same things, knowing that Kyoka had voiced how much she didn't like him being injured and wondered if one day she could end up hating him for it. It scared him, even if they could have good moments like before… What if the stress and hurt was too much for both of them?

Izuku glanced at her, noticing that her eyes were already on him with a worried expression adorning her features and he could only look to match it. They were worried, and uncertain. There was a culprit for their concerns, sure, but this was the reality of their situation. This was being a hero, it was their dream.

And maybe their dreams would tear them apart.

That was a scary thing to imagine, but before the two of them could even begin to start escalating their thoughts they were interrupted by the arrival of a certain raven haired girl, smiling at the couple. "Hey, Midoriya? Mind if I borrow Jiro for a moment? I need to talk to her."

The greenette gave Kyoka a look, who only shrugged in response before nodding in agreement. Izuku understood, standing to let her by before stealing her seat once she was gone, now finding himself alone with himself. He sighed, but was quick to notice a certain ash blonde making his way over and sitting right next to him with a grunt.

"Ah… I guess she would have taken your seat." Izuku figured, nodding to the blonde as he sat down beside him. At first he wasn't going to say much else, but it was an opportunity to start patching things up between them, and getting his mind off of Aizawa's words was just a bonus. "So… What's new with you?"

"Huh?" Bakugou questioned, giving the greenette a glaring look at his question before his expression softened and he let out a huff. "Well… Yaoyorozu has been weird. She's trying to get more involved with me, and it's kinda… Different."

That surprised Izuku, he honestly wasn't expecting a response like that. He scanned the blonde's expression and could see the eyes of someone that had been deep in thought. He must have really been thinking about her. "Different? In what way?"

"Just… Different! I don't know!" He exclaimed defensively, his eyes shifting to Izuku for only a moment before he turned his head away from him once more. "She's just kind of been… There. She's been at my side a lot more, asking me to hangout alone, and just… I don't know."

"Sounds like she likes you." Izuku stated bluntly, watching the blonde's expression change to a scowl with a blush dusting his cheeks. Izuku could not believe his eyes. "Wait… Did you just think she asked you to hangout with us for shits and giggles?"

"...I didn't want to assume anything." Bakugou replied quietly, almost bashfully. He sighed, leaning out to the aisle to glance at the two girls talking amongst themselves. Izuku watched him stare at the ponytail that peeked from the top of her seat and understood his feelings in the moment. He was nervous. "You really think she's into me?"

"You could say that, yeah. It's pretty much 100% confirmed." Izuku once again replied bluntly, watching as the blonde scowled at him once more. "She practically asked me how to get to know you better…"

"She…" He paused, getting whiplash from Izuku's revelation as he once more turned his attention to where Momo was seated. "She did?"

"Yeah, I thought you guys already talked about this. I just assumed since you agreed to go on a double date." Izuku continued, watching as the blonde turned back to him and raised a brow. No way. "Did… Did she not tell you?"

Bakugou sighed in annoyance. "I guess I should have known. At the time it was weird between me and you, I guess I was more worried about that than what her intentions were."

"Makes sense.." Izuku replied, leaning back in his chair thoughtfully. Izuku really expected them to have sorted themselves out already, but he did understand that everyone moved at their own pace and maybe Momo just wasn't ready to admit those things yet. Though now that Bakugou knew, the greenette wondered what he would do now. "S-So… What will you do? Now that you know that is."

"Doesn't matter. I'll worry about that." Bakugou replied quickly, turning to the greenette as his scowl softened. He realized for whatever friendship they wanted for themselves he needed to engage with Izuku too. "...What about you? What's up with you and ears over there. I figure you're together, but something seems off right now."

Izuku laughed, finding amusement in his perception. "I'm surprised you noticed… We kinda got caught by Aizawa a bit ago… He knows now, but when he caught us he said something that's kinda gotten to me."

Bakugou quirked a brow, genuinely surprised that the teacher could have even had anything to say about a relationship. He totally seemed like a loner, but knowing how old he was, it was likely that he had some experience if anything. Though it was weird to imagine his teacher having any kind of romantic endeavors himself.

"He said… Well, he said that heroes and relationships don't mix basically. It's made me wonder if us being heroes will inevitably tear us apart. I'm… I'm scared of that." Izuku revealed, his eyes becoming pained at the thought. Bakugou, upon hearing the greenette's words, understood almost immediately. It was a dangerous job, but what made him so scared of that?

"What's there to be afraid of? If you want it to work, you'll make it work. You just have to not be a weak bitch and be able to fight for it. Grow strong enough to make it a reality." Bakugou stated simply, not realizing that he had just given Izuku a dangerous piece of wisdom. If he wanted his relationship with Kyoka to last he had to work for it, and he would have to know just how hard it would be. He needed the realization that Aizawa gave him and that was just the beginning. Realizing the severity of the situation they were in was the first step to the path of becoming strong enough to defend her, defend himself, and still be able to be the hero that he strived to be. And it came from Bakugou of all people. Izuku blinked and stared at the blonde in surprise with only one word slipping from his lips.

"...Huh."

As Kyoka was dragged along by her raven haired friend, she couldn't help but grow uneasy. Her friend could very well have some exciting news to share with her, and yet here she was, thinking of nothing but herself and what could possibly be the doomed relationship she found herself in. Was it really doomed? Should she really take what Aizawa told them to heart? Would Izuku want to break up with her to protect her?

Momo could tell that her friend was having a moment in her own head. She grew concerned due to the purplette's expression and would quickly sit her down to speak about it, but first she needed to get Bakugou out of his seat beside her. They had been spending time with each other a lot more recently, and she was plenty glad for it. Soon enough she may find the courage to tell him how she felt as she found that with her time with him she had discovered traits within him that not even he was aware of. He was becoming compassionate, determined even further than before, and now he was even becoming more respectful to his teachers and classmates.

But now was not the time to think about that, she had a friend in need and needed loverboy to get his butt out of that seat. "Bakugou, could you trade seats with Jiro here? I wanted to talk to her.. Alone."

The blonde grunted in disapproval, yet relinquished his seat regardless without much resistance. He wasn't going to flat out reject a request from her of all people. If that's what she wanted, he'd give it to her on a silver platter. He couldn't really understand why she had begun to indulge him, perhaps she was fascinated by him and wanted to study him for some nerd research, but… He couldn't say he didn't enjoy her company.

Momo swiftly caressed his hand as he left, smiling at him gratefully before plopping down in her seat with Jiro following shortly after. Kyoka let out a huff as she sat down, shifting her eyes to her friend slowly before opening her mouth to speak.

"...What did you need?" She inquired softly, her mind too preoccupied for her to have any sort of external reaction. Her response indicated that she was mentally present, but it couldn't be further from the truth. She was distant elsewhere, her thoughts plagued with "what-if's" and the recent memory of their homeroom teacher's discovery.

"Well, I think the better question is what you need." Momo started, placing a gentle hand to her friend's shoulder, bringing her back into reality. The raven haired girl could see through her gaze, she had lived enough of a life that even she could see it. She was troubled. "What's wrong? You appear unwell.. Is something the matter? Did Midoriya do something?"

Kyoka quickly shook her head at the notion, "No, god no. If it were that maybe I could handle it better."

"Then what?" Momo replied simply, giving her friend a look of concern. Kyoka could only let out a sigh as she glanced at her friend. She never really made many attempts to get closer to anyone other than Izuku, but here presented an opportunity to get an outside perspective. Aizawa's words no doubt left her and her boyfriend uneasy about their relationship, but she had hoped- No, she pleaded with the universe to not let something so good go oh so wrong.

"I just…" She started, glancing around at all of her classmates surrounding her in their own worlds. They wouldn't hear if she spoke low enough, so she leaned in close. "Aizawa caught me and Izuku when we were uh… K-Kissing."

Momo blushed and her eyes widened in shock. Now, she knew the two were together, but to already have gotten to first base? Unbeknownst to her, they had even gotten to second, but that is none of her concern. At least, not yet. "You two? R-Really? I must say, I-I'm a bit frazzled at hearing that…"

Kyoka rolled her eyes and smiled softly at her friend's embarrassment, though she really wished she'd get over it because she seriously needed someone to talk to right now. Luckily for her, Momo cleared her throat and recomposed herself.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to get so flustered, I just hadn't expected that… Well, at least not from Midoriya." Momo commented, earning a light elbow from Kyoka as her face reddened. The raven haired girl chuckled before continuing. "So, what did he say? Are you two in any trouble?"

The purplette sighed, slumping in her seat as she brought her hands to her face and groaned. "That's the odd thing… No. What he did instead feels so much worse after the fact. He told us about the dangers of a relationship as a hero, and… And it really got into our heads. Me and Izuku haven't said a word to each other since, and it's like I don't even know what to say… Especially after I realized what he said was all true. It was a danger. To me, and… To Izuku."

"And you're even more worried because he's already been affected by this. His countless trips to recovery girl, or the hospital… Oh, Jiro, I'm so sorry…" Momo empathized, reaching a hand out to place on her shoulder reassuredly, only to have the purple-haired girl snatch her wrist silently. The ravenette scanned her friend's face only to notice that she was tense, tears had threatened to fall and she could only watch as she began to tremble softly. "Jiro?"

Kyoka released her hand without a response, scowling as a lone tear made its way down her face. "It's not fair… We were just okay after everything that happened on I-Island, and then… Here goes Aizawa, trying to give us advice and in-turn making me even more uncertain of if… If this is what I really want. For him, and for me."

"...Jiro, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Momo inquired, worry laced in her tone as she watched Kyoka wipe her eyes of their tears and sniffle, her brow furrowing deeper than before as she only shrugged.

"...I don't know. I feel like I don't know anything anymore." Kyoka replied, sitting back up in her seat as she crossed her arms and leaned her head out of her chair in order to look back at Izuku who seemed to be talking to Bakugou. His face looked… Calm. Had he already gotten over everything? Did Bakugou say something to him? What was he thinking? God she wish she could just know. "...I just know I hate seeing him hurt, but I also love that he's so selfless like that. He's so admirable, and yet so… Stupid. He's frustrating, but so patient and kind. And yet, when I see him hospitalized or injured in any way, I get mad. I get mad because he's-"

"You feel like he doesn't consider how you feel when he throws himself into danger?" Momo interjected once more, vocalizing what the purplette was trying to convey and succeeding. "Jiro, respectfully, I have to disagree. I think he takes you into consideration quite a lot. If anything, anytime he's in danger of injuring himself it's the thought of you that makes sure he comes back alive. Even if that feels like it's such a small part of it… I think Midoriya is always thinking of you."

"...How can you know that?" Kyoka questioned, turning back to her friend with a scowl and balled fists only relaxing when Momo gave her a look of genuine care for her wellbeing.

"He mumbles it about 10 times a day." She mentioned, laughing as Kyoka rolled her eyes and pouted angrily. She was right, but that didn't mean he wasn't disregarding her concerns. She voiced very often how she wanted him to try and be more careful and not destroy his own body, yet he always found himself doing it anyways.

She turned back to see Izuku looking down in thought in his seat, a frown evident on his face as he leaned back in his seat. Seemed his conversation with Bakugou had ended and now he was going to rest and think about whatever they talked about. Or maybe, he was thinking of her. He was thinking about how to go about talking to her, how to ease their worries and bring comfort back to their troubled hearts, but the scariest thing happened.

He couldn't come up with anything.

Here it is, chapter 36.

So, here in this chapter is where the name of the story begins to really take effect. This story is all about the what if, the what if this relationship doesn't work, and what if it does. This is the beginning of a long portion of the story that I was really excited to write back when I first started, though now it's less enticing to me, I feel I can better convey what I want to with my words.

Izuku and Kyoka are now confronted with the reality of their situation by someone a lot more experienced than the two of them combined. No one has had this talk with them up until now because they're young, and now that they've been forced to think about the future, many thoughts and notions are causing a rift between them. It's unintentional of course, but this is what happens when you're confronted with reality. It hits you hard, and makes you realize that some decisions, as hard as they might be, need to be made.

Kyoka is uncertain, and Izuku only wants whats best for her. But what if that's not what's best for him? What if this is the beginning of the end for them? What if things change forever?

Hope you're as scared of that as they are. I'll see you all in the next chapter.