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#3- Symbol of Survival

(In which IzuOcha get stranded in the mountains. Takes place before Day Of Love)

"Deku-kun? Deku-kun?! Deku-kun, wake up!"

Groggily, Izuku Midoriya opened his eyes. His head hurt like someone had set it on fire, and as for the rest of him… it hurt. He felt sore. Lucky for him, nothing was broken. At least, he thought so. Experimentally, he moved an arm. When he had confirmed he was alright, he sat up, and looked around. In front of him stood a worried Uraraka, who was currently shaking him.

"Deku, I swear, if you don't wake up-"

Izuku shook his head, and scowled. "Ow. Yeah, I'm awake. What's wrong?" Looking around, he suddenly realised the stupidity of his question. "Never mind. So, what happened? Last thing I remember, we were flying over Nevada, but I might have fallen asleep…"
"Damn right," Uraraka answered grimly. "The plane crashed."

Instantly, Izuku was on alert. "Where are we, then?"

"Well… that's the complicated part." Uraraka said. "You see, while most of us got out okay, I wouldn't leave you behind. And by the time I found you… the rescue helicopter had up and left."

Izuku let out a loud groan. "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit."

"Yeah," Uraraka nodded, "Not good."

"So we're stuck here… until someone realises they left us behind?"

"That's inevitable. More like, until they send out a rescue team."

"Also inevitable?"

"You know what I mean." She sighed, but by then, Izuku was running through several scenarios. At least, one half of him. The other half of him couldn't stop thinking, This is really happening, I'm stuck in the mountains with Uraraka-san, over and over again.

After a few minutes, Uraraka spoke. "Something on your mind?"

Izuku sighed. "Where to begin… I don't know. How do I feel about the fact that my best friend was so focused on looking for me she missed the rescue helicopter? Also, how do I feel about being stuck with said best friend in the mountains? I mean, not that it's a bad thing or anything…"

Uraraka giggled, "Could be worse." Then, she got serious. "Okay, first we need a fire. Then we can plan out what to do."

Izuku nodded; that made sense. As he got up, he noticed that there was a cave behind her, and there was already a place for a campfire to be lit; but also that there were multiple failed attempts. Uraraka noticed, and blushed.

"Yeah, I tried, but I didn't get anywhere… thought you might be able to help."

Izuku smiled kindly. "That's fine. Did you get our backpacks?"

Uraraka smacked herself on the forehead. "I totally forgot! Now I understand why we were supposed to bring lighters and stuff with us!" And before Izuku could get in another word, Uraraka had grabbed his hand and was practically dragging him to the campsite. He was extremely red, and was stuttering, when Uraraka tripped, and nearly fell into the nearby river that Izuku just noticed. He unconsciously activated Full Cowling, and before either of them knew it, he had moved at lightspeed, and was currently standing before the campfire, carrying her. But when he did come to his senses, he nearly dropped her.

"I-I, uh, it was reflex, I-i-i didn't mean to, I promise-" But Uraraka cut him off, putting a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.

"It's fine. At least I'm safe now."

Poor Izuku. He flushed more, setting her down and examining her handiwork- the fire pit was built well, and his All Might backpack was set next to her Thirteen-themed one.. And beside them, a red bag that he recognized- the emergency supplies bag. She probably nabbed it from the wreckage. Smart idea. He nodded, while Uraraka inhaled.

"So," she said after a moment, "this is our humble abode for now. Until the rescue teams come for us."

"I like it. Simple and effective," Izuku responded, eliciting a giggle from Uraraka.

"Glad you do," she replied, "but we need to get a fire going."

By which time, Izuku had already found the lighter and was holding it to the arrangement of twigs. Uraraka was only mildly surprised, but she quickly pushed it down, and started rummaging for food. Which she found a moment later. When she turned around, Izuku had already gotten the fire going, and sat down, leaning against his bag with a sigh.

"Now all we need to do is to wait," he sighed.

"Yeah," Uraraka replied as she sat next to him, "But maybe we should get a signal fire outside."

"We can work on that… tomorrow… but.. I just want… to-" Izuku had fallen asleep mid-sentence, but Uraraka didn't mind. While he dozed comfortably, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, have some rest. Because I'm here."

And although he couldn't hear her in the real world, because he was already dreaming, Izuku knew he could rest. Because she was there.

Come back next sunday for more!