Mei yelped as she was pulled aside by Melissa. The girl was deceptively strong for someone of her size.
"Is there something going on between you and Izuku?" She asked the support girl, causing Mei to splutter in surprise.
The truth is, she loved Izuku. She had ever since they first met. But her being the way she was, she didn't know how to properly express it. How do you tell your best friend and borderline brother that you love them so much that it hurts? How do you tell them that they're the only thing that can willingly pull you out of their hyperfixation because you want to be around them?
Mei took a deep breath. She knew she couldn't keep these emotions in. She needed to tell someone. "...I love him." She admitted quietly. "I love him, but I doubt he feels the same way."
Melissa nodded in understanding. "But how do you know?" She asked gently. "How do you know he doesn't feel the same way? Did you ever ask?"
"Well... no." Mei admitted, looking down at the ground. "But why would he? He's the class superstar, the one who took down the Zero Pointer in one punch. I'm just... me."
"Mei." Melissa said, putting her hair on the pink haired girl's shoulders. "You will never know unless you tell him how you feel. Besides, he's wearing the costume you made for him, right? If he's willing to do that, and not even consider getting a second opinion on the costume, that tells you exactly how much faith and trust he has in you. Just... talk to him. He'll listen, I know he will."
Which is how Mei found herself standing outside Izuku's bedroom, heart hammering against her chest. This should've been easy, right? She's been in his room countless times before, so what made this so difficult?
She took a deep breath and knocked on his door, which almost immediately opened, Izuku's confused looking emerald eyes looking into her yellow cross hairs. "Mei? Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Can we talk...?" Mei asked nervously. "I have a lot I need to say to you. Just... don't say anything until I finish? Please?"
"Yeah, of course." Izuku said, letting Mei into his room and shutting the door.
Mei took a deep breath. She had to say it. She had to get it out. So why was it so hard to say? She had never been afraid to speak her mind before. Finally, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, allowing the words to just tumble out. "I love you, Izuku. I know it's weird, we've basically been siblings since we were 11, but ever since that day you've come into my life, I have loved you. I don't know what this means, or if you even feel the same way. I doubt it because you're on you're way to be this amazing superhero and I'm just... here, playing with my toys. Making things blow up nine times out of ten. I don't deserve your attention, I know I don't. You could find someone who makes better gear than me, who's prettier than me, who's more-"
She didn't even get to finish her entire speech as she felt Izuku's lips crash into hers. While it was clear that neither of them were very experienced in this department, the emotion was there. It was tender, gentle... It was everything Mei had ever wanted, to the point where when they finally broke apart, Mei felt an almost... emptiness.
"Mei... Look at me." Izuku said quietly, and Mei forced herself to look into those lovely green eyes. "I love you too. I always have, and I always will. I mean, even before the Speed Force came into my life, you were working day and night to make me an array of gear so that I could achieve my dreams. How could I not fall in love with you then? As for you not being good enough, you are, for the first time in your life, completely and utterly wrong. In my eyes, there will never be someone more beautiful than you. There will never be anyone who makes my gear as well as you do. You deserve all of my attention, you deserve my heart, you deserve all that I am and more. That lightning bolt... It didn't just hit me, Mei. It hit you, too. When I'm running, you're right there with me. There wouldn't be a Flash without you, Mei Hatsume."
If there was one emotion that Mei felt that night, it was relief. Everything that she was afraid of hadn't come to pass. Izuku had reciprocated her feelings and had made her feel far better about herself in one night than making her babies had made her feel her entire life. Hell, even telling their parents wasn't nearly as awkward as she thought it would be.
When Mom and Dad came home from work to see their two kids sitting on the couch, waiting for them while holding hands, they had known immediately. Rather than being upset though, Gosei Hatsume just sat down with them and had a long chat.
"Listen, I have watched you two be in love with each other since before you two knew what love was." He started. "Me and your mother knew that this was always going to happen eventually. I won't lie to you, it's going to be difficult. You two have practically grown up as siblings and people are going to believe that that is still the case. You are going to be judged for it, as there are people in this world who will refuse to listen to anything that isn't their own beliefs. Do you two think you can handle that?"
Neither Mei or Izuku hesitated. Their minds were made up the moment they confessed to one another. "Absolutely."
"Then you both have my and your mother's blessing. I love you guys. Please, please, please be safe, okay?" Gosei pleaded.
Mei for the first time in a long time found herself tearing up as she and Izuku embraced their father (or in Izuku's case, foster dad). "We will/Love you too." They said.
"So... what now?" Izuku asked, looking down at Mei. They had spent the rest of the night cuddled up in each others arms in Izuku's bed, watching old Pre-Quirk anime.
"I don't know." Mei admitted. "I never thought we'd get this far, to be honest. Honestly, I thought you'd have a crush on that Melissa girl."
Izuku laughed and shook his head, stealing a kiss from Mei. "She's a good friend, but there's only one girl for me."
Mei couldn't help but giggle. "Good answer. Honestly? I think we should take it slow. This is a big change for both of us. There's no doubt in my mind that we're dating, that's not what I'm saying. I want people to see us and understand 'Okay, he/she's off limits'. Other than that though? I think we should go slow. Go on a few dates so we can get used to this."
Izuku nodded. "That's a good idea, honestly. What about we have our first date next week? Aizawa mentioned something about a field trip, and knowing him, it's going to be stressful as hell. Going on a date with my girlfriend sounds like the perfect way to de-stress to me."
Mei nodded. "I'd like that. And I'm going to have to get used to you calling me your girlfriend." she giggled.
He chuckled. "Yeah, you and me both. At any rate, it's getting late and we have classes tomorrow. As understanding as Gosei and Yamada are about us dating, I'm pretty sure it doesn't extend to us sleeping in bed together. You should probably get to your room." Izuku said, stealing one last kiss from Mei.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Mei sighed as they broke away. "I love you."
"I love you too."
So, I'm not going to lie, I kinda love this chapter. I never really get a chance to write fluff chapters like this, and I knew it was going to be a big chapter to do to begin with, so let me know how you think it is! I'm always looking to improve my writing and am more than happy to take some constructive criticism when needed to improve future books.
Next time, we transition from this fluffy chapter into an action packed chapter as I write what's probably going to be my longest chapter yet: The Battle Trials! That chapter will also introduce 1-A's newest student which... let's be honest, you all probably know who it is already.
Anyway, I don't want to keep you all here for too long, y'all probably have other stories you want to read and I've just about said my piece.
Thank's so much for reading and as always, Drive the Speed Limit, Drink Some Water, and most importantly of all, love one another. PIZZA!