- .My Hero Academia: Dream of the Future.-
(Segments marked with * for explicit content IzuxOcha)
Summary: Izuku never thought it was necessary to confess to Uraraka how he felt; after all, they both knew perfectly well what was between them. But over time, those carefully hidden feelings began to grow inside him, becoming impossible to ignore. How much longer can he keep his heart silent before the distance between them becomes insurmountable?
The bright, warm morning sun filtered softly through the blinds. Izuku, now 24 years old and seated at his desk in the UA teachers' lounge, glanced up briefly from the stack of exams he was diligently grading. His desk was positioned next to an open window, allowing the fresh breeze to sweep in and carry with it the distant rustle of leaves from the trees in the courtyard.
That sound had always been a source of comfort for him—a simple melody that reminded him of everything he'd fought for in his youth.
The pen in his hand paused, his fingers stilling as memories from the past rushed into his mind unbidden. Moments of joy and sorrow intertwined in a vivid tapestry. He thought of the time he had spent with his friends, each memory precious, but his thoughts lingered especially on Uraraka.
Now, those moments felt distant, fading with the passing years as they all had grown apart. The gap between them had widened slowly, largely because of his own choices. After losing his powers completely, Izuku had struggled with his confidence, often feeling unsure of how to act around his old friends when they reunited.
Lowering his head, Izuku sighed as a bittersweet feeling crept over him. He couldn't help but wonder where Uraraka was now and what she was doing.
Then, suddenly, a cheerful, familiar voice called out, breaking through his reverie.
—Deku!
Izuku's head snapped up, and to his utter astonishment, he saw Uraraka hovering outside the window, her eyes sparkling with joy, framed by the golden glow of the morning sun.
—Uraraka?! —he exclaimed, jolting so suddenly that his chair nearly toppled over. Before he could fall, though, Uraraka reached out and grabbed his wrist.
—Careful! —she said, her voice laced with soft laughter as she steadied him. The sound of her laugh filled the room, momentarily dispelling the crisp coolness of the morning. —Sorry about that! But I guess my plan to surprise you was a success!
Izuku quickly regained his balance, his cheeks flushing slightly in embarrassment.
—U-Uraraka, it's so good to see you, but… —he stammered, managing a nervous smile— What are you doing here?
—Well, I was in the area and thought I'd drop by to visit my favorite UA teacher. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important.
Izuku shook his head instantly, rising from his chair and reaching out to help her inside. Uraraka took his hand, her warm fingers brushing against his in a way that made his heart skip a beat. Once inside, she deactivated her quirk, touching down lightly on the floor.
—You should've told me you were coming —Izuku remarked, glancing at the clock on the wall—. We could've had lunch together, but I have a class in five minutes.
Uraraka's eyes sparkled as she smiled.
—Then how about dinner tonight?
...
Izuku was sitting by the fountain in the shopping mall, the same one where Class 1-A had gone shopping together in the past. He had suggested to Uraraka over text that they could make a reservation at a restaurant, but she insisted on something simple, saying she was craving a burger.
Looking around at the nearby shops, Izuku wondered if he should have bought a burger for Uraraka before the places started closing. Still, the thought of being stood up and left with the food felt more than a little depressing.
Now, he found himself watching the gentle ripples of the fountain's water, illuminated by the lights of the few stores that were still open but already being cleaned for the night.
He was still wearing the formal suit he used for teaching at UA, as he initially thought he wouldn't have time to go home and change. He had tried to pass the time by reviewing tomorrow's lesson plans on his phone and window shopping, but the wait was becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
Uraraka's call announcing her delay had sounded optimistic, and Izuku had thought it would only be a few minutes. However, now, nearly an hour later, he checked his watch again and stood up. A mix of worry and mild resignation settled in his chest as the idea of leaving began to seem reasonable.
That was when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Turning, he saw Uraraka running toward him, her cheeks flushed and loose strands of hair floating around her face. She stopped in front of him, bending over as she tried to catch her breath.
—I'm so sorry! So, so sorry! —Uraraka panted, trying to steady her breathing. Her eyes shone with a mix of apology and relief as she realized he was still there—. I can't believe how late I am! My phone... the battery died, and I couldn't let you know.
Izuku looked at her, noticing the traces of effort in her expression, and the tension that had built up within him melted away.
—Don't worry about it —he said softly, trying to ease her guilt with a gentle smile—. Are you okay?
Uraraka nodded, standing up straight and brushing a stray strand of hair away from her forehead.
—Yeah, it's just that... —she sighed, a small smile forming on her lips—. After I hung up, I came across a lost child on the street. He was so scared, so I stayed with him until we found his mom. Luckily, everything worked out, and I think they even recognized me. Can you believe it?
Izuku felt a familiar warmth in his chest. That was the Uraraka he knew—someone who would always put others before herself, even if it meant being late, inconveniencing herself, or enduring hardships. It was no wonder she had become one of the greatest heroes of their time.
—I see. I'm really glad you were able to help him —he said with a smile that felt genuinely heartfelt.
Uraraka blushed slightly and glanced around to hide it, noticing that the food stalls were already closed. Her expression shifted into a slight frown.
—I'm sorry I didn't buy you the burger you wanted —Izuku apologized, bowing his head slightly—. I wasn't sure which one you'd like. Maybe I should've just bought several for you, although...
Uraraka narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
—That doesn't matter anymore, but... I'm not giving up on my burger idea just yet —she declared, crossing her arms before turning to him with a renewed, wide grin—. I have an idea, but I'll need your help. You're not going to say no, are you?
Izuku's eyes widened slightly in curiosity and surprise.
Uraraka stepped closer and, without warning, took his hand. Izuku felt a sudden warmth rush through him, accompanied by a light blush rising to his cheeks. He felt like a teenager all over again and thought it would be embarrassing if any of his students saw him like this right now.
...
Izuku and Uraraka walked out of the supermarket, their hands full of shopping bags, their laughter blending with the sound of their steps in the empty parking lot. One of the bags revealed the neck of a wine bottle sticking out, while another held a box of premium burger patties.
Izuku stopped for a moment, a distracted smile lighting up his face as he looked at Uraraka. Noticing his gaze, she turned to him with a smile so genuine it seemed to brighten even the dark night sky.
—What is it? —she asked.
—N-nothing —Izuku replied, shaking his head as a faint blush colored his cheeks—. I was just thinking... it's nice to catch up and talk with you while helping you with your shopping.
Uraraka gave him a surprised look.
—What are you talking about? Don't tell me you think I'm eating all of this by myself!
Izuku blinked, caught off guard.
—Deku...!
Uraraka's voice trailed off as a sudden clap of thunder echoed around them, and almost instantly, the rain poured down.
—I think I forgot my umbrella —Izuku muttered, rummaging through his bag before quickly trying to shield Uraraka with his jacket.
She blushed slightly, feeling the warmth of his effort to protect her.
—M-me too —she admitted nervously, but almost immediately a light laugh escaped her lips again.
Before Izuku could react, he felt Uraraka's hand grab his arm to pull him closer, and the warmth of the accidental touch of his arm against her chest coursed through his skin like lightning, more powerful than the thunder that continued.
—This way —she said, guiding him with determination—. My apartment is just over here.
The city streets seemed empty at that hour. The streetlights cast golden reflections in the puddles, while the raindrops formed countless ripples that spread and intersected. Izuku, with his hair plastered to his forehead and a mix of confusion and nervousness in his chest, allowed himself to be led, acutely aware of his irregular heartbeat. He couldn't shake the thought that once again, he felt like an inexperienced teenager with his first love.
...
The walk to Uraraka's apartment wasn't long, but every step seemed to carry a different weight in Izuku's mind, which was busy debating what was happening. An unusual feeling stirred in his chest as he tried to steady his ragged breathing, convincing himself it was from the rush to escape the rain—not from the anticipation of something that surely wouldn't happen.
Uraraka didn't say much either, but her smile lingered as she occasionally glanced at Izuku out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't help but notice how his flushed cheeks contrasted with the raindrops trailing down his face.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance of her building. Uraraka released his arm, handed him the shopping bags, and rummaged through her bag for the keys. Meanwhile, Izuku focused on calming his nerves.
As she opened the door and they stepped into the lobby, a dense silence, heavy with unspoken expectations, settled between them. They exchanged nervous smiles, neither quite sure how to act.
—Thanks for coming. I mean, welcome. Make yourself at home —Uraraka said, her usual cheerful tone tinged with a slight, endearing timidity. Raindrops trickled down her hair, leaving dark streaks on her blouse. For a brief moment, Izuku found himself captivated by the sight, though he quickly averted his gaze, fighting to maintain his composure and not be so obvious.
—T-thanks for having me —Izuku stammered, his smile shaky as he closed the door behind him.
Uraraka handed him a towel, but before he could take it, she stepped closer and began gently drying his hair herself.
Their gazes locked inevitably. And, for reasons neither could fully process, Uraraka softly pushed him back against the wall, and he didn't resist.
Without breaking eye contact, and before they could second-guess their actions, their lips met in a tentative kiss, barely brushing against one another. It deepened gradually, evolving into something real, as if they were testing the waters of a long-awaited moment. They discovered, in that kiss, everything they had been yearning for over the years. All the unspoken emotions and delayed confessions from their teenage days as awkward and indecisive kids were right there, tangible and undeniable.
The apartment soon filled with the sound of their breaths and the friction of their damp clothes as the kiss grew more fervent.
Soft noises escaped Uraraka's lips when Izuku moved to kiss her neck, his arms tightening around her to help her slip out of her wet jacket.
As their hands explored each other, past memories and suppressed emotions surged to the surface, bursting forth like a pressure valve suddenly released. The trembling of their bodies and the long-awaited closeness wrapped around them entirely.
Their lips found each other again, urgent and unrelenting. When Uraraka finally pulled back just enough to catch her breath, their eyes met once more. It was then that she softly asked him a question:
—Do you want to take a shower? —she asked sweetly, her voice light but warm— You know… because of the rain.
Izuku didn't hesitate. His answer came without breaking her gaze, an unspoken agreement sealed in that very moment.
—Of course, I do.
...
( *)
Izuku's jacket and Uraraka's coat hung carelessly over the backs of the chairs in the living room, and a trail of abandoned clothes led the eye to the closed door of the bathroom.
The sound of water falling was now a constant echo in Uraraka's apartment. A soundtrack that promised both reconciliation and desire in equal measure.
What followed in the shower were more kisses, each one feeling desperate to make up for lost time, under the water that seemed to heal and forgive everything.
Steam filled the bathroom, wrapping their figures in a haze of warmth.
Izuku, with his heart pounding so fast it was almost painful, pressed Uraraka against the tiles with his entire body, holding her legs on either side. The kisses grew deeper, charged with longing, as if every touch was a broken promise they were trying to restore. Water droplets traced paths down their intertwined bodies, making everything seem more ethereal, more intense.
Uraraka let out a moan into his mouth, and for Izuku, that was a clear enough warning to pull back, finding himself on the edge as well. Uraraka responded by taking control, quite literally, with a touch so soft that Izuku closed his eyes tightly and clenched his jaw, trying to contain the onslaught of sensations. The steam and the warmth of the water enveloped them, making reality dissolve within that closed space meant only for them.
...
The evening continued in the kitchen, which was now a complete mess. Flour covered the floor, marked with their footprints, and scattered pans bore witness to their enthusiastic dinner preparations. But at that moment, neither of them cared in the slightest.
—So your parents live in Hawaii now? —Izuku asked, taking another bite of his burger until he finished it.
Uraraka nodded, sipping her wine with a smile. Her empty plate, now reduced to just crumbs, stood as proof of how much she had enjoyed the homemade burgers they had prepared together.
—Yeah, I miss them a lot sometimes, but I'm lucky to visit them once a month —she replied, her voice softening with a hint of nostalgia. —How's your mom? —she asked, meeting his gaze with genuine interest.
—She's doing well. I visit her whenever I can, and thankfully, she's in good health —he answered, glancing down at his wine glass with a gentle smile that spoke of deep, simple love.
—I'm glad to hear that —she replied.
Their conversation paused when Izuku, in a gesture that felt almost protective, leaned toward her and wiped a trace of sauce from the corner of her lips with the pad of his finger. The touch was light, almost imperceptible, but enough for both of them to hold their breath. Their eyes met again, narrowing slightly as if the moment itself demanded their undivided attention.
...
( *)
Izuku slid his hands gently along Uraraka's hips, removing the last piece of clothing that separated them and letting it fall to the side of the bed. The intimate dimness mingled with the subtle rustle of the sheets.
He took a moment to admire her, noticing how her breathing quickened and the blush spread across her cheeks, making her look especially cute. His eyes closed for a second, as if trying to etch that image into his memory forever.
Unable to suppress his desires any longer, he leaned down and began tracing her skin with kisses, descending to taste between her legs, guiding himself by her reactions to stimulate her. Uraraka's hands gripped the sheets tightly, as if seeking an anchor in the sea of sensations that overwhelmed her. Her cheeks flushed deeper as she kept her eyes closed, letting out soft sighs she seemed to try to hold back, though the waves of pleasure coursing through her made it nearly impossible.
Izuku, with his heart pounding wildly, continued letting himself be guided by every tremor and ragged breath until he finally brought her to climax. He was surprised to feel his own body responding again, having thought he had reached his limit after the intense, steamy shower they had shared earlier.
For some reason that Izuku couldn't quite define in that moment, a sharp pain began to rise in his chest, but he didn't let it stop him.
"May I?" Izuku asked softly, and without opening her eyes, Uraraka nodded, trembling like a leaf, sensitive to the slightest touch.
He took a moment to massage himself as he put on the condom, thinking that despite the overwhelming excitement he felt, he couldn't allow himself to finish too quickly. Unlike what had happened earlier in the shower, now he wanted to be with Uraraka in such a gentle and tender way that she would never want to leave his side again.
He parted her legs gently, sliding into her while supporting part of his weight to reach her lips.
Izuku tried to make his kisses, as well as his movements, reflect all the affection and devotion he had always felt for her.
However, when, at one moment, Uraraka slightly opened her eyes to look at him, Izuku felt the sharp pain in his chest again, and he couldn't stop the small tears that welled up in his eyes as he realized why.
...
The first light of dawn began to seep through the curtains of Uraraka's room, casting a soft glow over her tousled hair and sleepy eyes as they fluttered open.
A faint sound of movement caught her attention, and as she turned in bed, she saw Izuku standing in front of the mirror, adjusting the knot of his tie. She couldn't help but smile.
—You weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you? —Uraraka asked, her voice carrying the grogginess of someone just waking up but still tinged with her usual cheerfulness.
Izuku turned at the sound of her voice, his green eyes softening as he took in the sleepy smile she gave him from the bed. He returned her smile briefly, though a shadow lingered in his gaze, betraying a mix of emotions.
—Sorry. I didn't want to wake you, especially since you mentioned today was your day off.
—Actually—Uraraka stretched on the bed like a cat—Even though it's my day off, I have some errands to run. So waking up early feels nice.
Izuku lowered his head slightly.
—But maybe we could see each other again this weekend —she said with a smile—There's a new amusement park that just opened, and I'd really like to check it out. What do you think?
In contrast to Uraraka's cheerful demeanor, Izuku's expression remained serious. He placed a hand on his chin, then over his mouth, as if pondering something deeply, before turning away, leaving Uraraka with only his profile.
—Uraraka... about last night...
Her heart stopped abruptly, and her hand gripped the sheets tightly, trying to steady the unease that suddenly gripped her.
—Last night was amazing, but... —Izuku's voice wavered briefly before he continued—But I don't think this is going to work.
Uraraka's eyes, which had moments ago been alight with joy, began to fill with a different kind of shine—wet and trembling.
—But... why not? —she asked softly, her voice almost pleading for his attention. Yet, Izuku still wouldn't look at her.
—For years, we've gone down different paths, and I don't think it was right for us to step back into each other's lives like this.
From the corner of his eye, Izuku saw Uraraka lower her head, but he restrained himself from turning to face her.
—I also think—he continued—our lives are moving at different paces, and that will eventually pull us apart again. And honestly... I don't know if I could handle that happening all over again.
The silence that followed was so heavy they could hear the faint ticking of the clock in the living room. Neither of them moved; the words hung in the air like a knot that refused to unravel.
When Izuku finally closed the door to Uraraka's apartment behind him, the resolve he had clung to crumbled. Tears spilled from his eyes, falling quickly and uncontrollably. His heart ached so sharply that he pressed his hand against his chest, as if that could somehow ease the pain.
He knew he had done the right thing. That the best thing for her was to move on, to find someone who didn't carry so many shadows of doubt and could protect her the way she deserved. But knowing it didn't ease the sharp sting of loss, and in that moment, in the cold morning air, he felt more alone than ever.
He had always loved her. And he always would. But he wanted her to live her life with someone better than him.
...
A series of knocks on Izuku's door jolted him awake in his dorm room at UA, at just 18 years old.
The temperature had dropped considerably, and he felt the chill as he inhaled more consciously, his nose sensitive to the cold.
Opening his eyes, Izuku found traces of tears streaked down the sides of his face, and an uncomfortable weight lingered in his chest. When he spoke, his voice came out hoarse and slightly strained:
—W-who is it?
From the other side of the door, a clear and authoritative voice immediately responded, unmistakable in its intensity.
—Midoriya! It's me! I'm here to remind you that we agreed to meet in Class B's common room to celebrate this year's Christmas party together! I hope you haven't forgotten! We've all been waiting for you for several minutes to head out!
—Iida? —Izuku quickly answered, blinking as he tried to wipe the tears from his face and sitting on the edge of the bed—Of course! Sorry for worrying you! I-I'll be down in a minute!
The silence that followed from the other side of the door felt unusually long, until Iida's voice came through again, this time with a softness uncharacteristic of him.
—Are you sure you're all right, Midoriya? Your voice... it doesn't sound like it usually does.
Izuku held his breath for a moment, feeling the knot in his throat tighten. His mind raced, searching for an excuse to explain his state without raising suspicion.
—Ah? No, no... I'm fine! It's just that I was talking to my mom, and, you know how we are in my family... we end up crying a bit when saying goodbye during the holidays —he said, forcing a light laugh. The lie came out surprisingly naturally, though his heart pounded at the thought that Iida might catch on and press him further.
There was a pause before Iida's reply came, this time with a more analytical tone.
—Oh! I see! Without a doubt, you and your mother have a special bond, one where you're not afraid to show your emotions openly. That's truly heartwarming! But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Not everyone might understand.
—Y-yeah, please —Izuku replied, feeling a twinge of guilt for lying to his friend and for how easily Iida had believed him.
—Just try not to take too long, Midoriya. We can't leave without you!
—Don't worry. I'll just grab my scarf and gloves, and I'll be there in no time.
—Understood! —Iida replied before his footsteps faded down the hallway.
Despite what he'd just assured his friend, Izuku remained seated on the edge of his bed for a few moments longer, his gaze fixed on the All Might calendar hanging on the wall. Outside, the cold winter breeze rustled the tree branches, causing the window to creak softly.
He let out a deep sigh, feeling the cold air fill his lungs. For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to get up just yet. There was something in the atmosphere—a mix of loneliness and nostalgia—that seemed to have trapped him.
...
Izuku walked through the UA courtyard, trying to appear more cheerful than he actually felt. Beside him, Kacchan, Todoroki, and Iida kept him company, their voices weaving into a conversation that Izuku couldn't quite follow. Iida gestured passionately, as was his habit, while Todoroki nodded calmly. Bakugo scrolled through the news on his phone. Izuku, however, was distracted.
Almost instinctively, his gaze drifted backward, where Tsuyu and Uraraka were walking together. Their laughter and the cheerful tone of their conversation reached him. Uraraka seemed especially radiant, her eyes sparkling as she nodded enthusiastically at something Tsuyu said. For a split second, Tsuyu seemed to notice where his attention had been, but Izuku quickly looked forward again, hiding his face behind his scarf and then focusing on the ground as they kept moving.
—Is something wrong? —Todoroki's serious voice broke through his thoughts, his heterochromatic eyes studying Izuku with curiosity.
—N-no, nothing's wrong. Don't worry —Izuku answered quickly, trying not to draw more attention to himself.
Iida stepped in immediately, raising a hand between them.
—It's a personal matter that doesn't concern us! No further questions are necessary!
But Todoroki didn't seem convinced. With a pensive expression, he added:
—Do you know what's going on with him?
Before Iida could respond, Bakugo scoffed irritably.
—The class rep already said it doesn't concern us! It's probably just his usual sentimental holiday nonsense! Nothing to worry about! If something actually serious happened to this guy, I'd be the first to know!
—Kacchan... —Izuku looked at him, surprised by the statement. Bakugo, clearly uncomfortable, averted his gaze with a scowl.
—I think I'd know, too —Todoroki said calmly, bringing a hand to his chin as if deep in thought.
—HA! That's hilarious! —Bakugo snapped brusquely—. Your ability to read people hasn't improved one bit since I met you!
—I believe it has —Todoroki countered, completely serious—. And I think I'm better at picking up on subtle hints now.
—I'll believe it when I see it!
Before the argument could escalate, Tsuyu appeared beside them, her characteristic calm but direct tone cutting through.
—Excuse me. Iida, Todoroki, and Bakugo, there's something I'd like to discuss with you in private —she said, bowing her head slightly—. Midoriya, would you mind giving us a moment?
—Huh? Oh, sure! I'll just... —Izuku began to step back, ready to give them space, but Iida immediately stopped him, grabbing him firmly by the shoulder.
—What is this about, Asui? —the class rep demanded, adjusting his glasses with a serious expression—. You know Midoriya is completely trustworthy, and any matter can be discussed in his presence. I don't think there's any need to exclude him!
—And I don't think I've got any business with you, frog-face! —Bakugo growled impatiently.
Todoroki, surprisingly, pushed both of them forward by their backs.
—Please... if Asui took the trouble to ask for a moment, it must be important —he said, gesturing slightly backward with his head. Finally, both Iida and Bakugo caught the hint.
—Oh, yes. I remember now —Iida said, clearly faking—. Apologies. It'll only be a moment, Midoriya.
—Tch. Fine. But make it quick —Bakugo grumbled.
Izuku remained on the path, watching as his friends moved ahead, and couldn't help but feel a little lonely. However, when he turned his head, looking for something to distract him, he stumbled upon a sight that instantly lifted his spirits. A few meters away, Uraraka stood quietly admiring the white flowers on a pale tree, her serenity captivating.
Before he fully realized it, Izuku found himself walking toward her.
—My mom loves winter flowers too —he said when he was almost beside her—. I think she likes them even more than cherry blossoms in spring.
—They're really beautiful, aren't they? —Uraraka replied with a soft smile, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
Izuku didn't look at the flowers. He kept his gaze on her.
—Yeah. They really are.
They exchanged a brief but meaningful smile before continuing along the path, now walking side by side.
—By the way... have you guessed who you might've drawn for the gift exchange? —Uraraka asked suddenly, picking up the conversation.
—I haven't thought much about it, actually —Izuku admitted, rubbing the back of his neck—. Do you know?
—Even if I did, I don't think I should tell you —she teased, letting out a light laugh. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she mirrored his gesture, rubbing her own neck as if what she was about to admit made her a little shy—. You know, I still have the little All Might you gave me during our first gift exchange. I lost it for a while... but luckily, I managed to get it back.
Izuku's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could respond, he noticed Uraraka's gaze drift briefly toward the horizon, as if recalling something distant.
—I still have the bag of mochi you gave me back then —Izuku said, touching his chin thoughtfully.
Uraraka immediately turned to look at him, surprised.
—You do?
—Of course —Izuku replied, his tone brighter now—. It's where I keep the letters you sent me while I was abroad during the interviews two years ago.
For a moment, Uraraka's surprise gave way to confusion.
—Letters? —she asked, tilting her head—. I don't remember sending you any letters.
Izuku suddenly looked nervous and covered his mouth with one hand.
—What letters? —Uraraka pressed, narrowing her eyes slightly.
—Ah! Well... the truth is... it's nothing... forget about it! —he blurted out, waving his hands defensively.
Uraraka kept watching him, and he had to take a deep breath before he dared to tell the truth.
—It's just... I've always been afraid something might happen to the cloud, because of someone's quirk, or some mistake, or something like that. And maybe I'm being too paranoid —Izuku started explaining, pulling his scarf tighter around him—. That's why I decided to print some chats and emails from important people in my life, like they were letters. So I can always keep their words close, in case I ever need them. I guess I'm kind of weird for doing something like that.
Immediately, Uraraka frowned and said with determination:
—You're not weird! Not weird at all! You're strong, brave, smart, sweet, considerate, and your hair looks awesome when the wind blows through it!
They both stared at each other in silence for several seconds before sharing a soft laugh that made them blush, while the steam from their breath melted into an indirect kiss, rising into the sky.
Izuku noticed this and looked up, just as the first snowflakes of the season began to fall. Uraraka, beside him, reacted similarly, also turning her gaze to the sky. Her face lit up with a mix of awe and serenity, as if the snow had brought with it a perfect moment of calm. However, when she looked away from the snow to look at him, she noticed a kind of contemplative smile on his face.
Uraraka blinked, and for just a moment, she thought she saw Shigaraki as well.
With a natural gesture, Uraraka's gloved hand reached for his. The initial touch was almost shy, but Izuku, feeling her, gently closed his fingers around hers. The light squeeze was full of tenderness, and his smile, though subtle, stayed the same.
—If something's bothering you, I recommend you stop bottling up your feelings —she said, a little worried, but with a kind of smile—. That will only cause you pain later.
Izuku turned his head toward her, surprised by her words. But then something changed. His eyes briefly shifted behind her, and for a fleeting moment, the shadow of Himiko Toga seemed to form in his mind, like a dark echo of past warnings. Before he could think too much about it, he hugged her.
The movement was sudden, but not forced. Uraraka, though surprised at first, quickly relaxed and returned the embrace. Soon, her head rested softly on his shoulder.
—Now that I know, I promise I'll write to you whenever I can —she whispered, against Izuku's shoulder.
—Yeah —he replied just as softly, squeezing her hand a little tighter, the one they were still holding.
The silence between them was comfortable, as if words weren't necessary in that moment. But Uraraka couldn't help but speak again.
—I still can't believe they chose my final project to start an educational reform.
Izuku loosened his embrace a little to look at her, his green eyes closing when he smiled.
—I believe it.
The snow kept falling around them, gently accumulating under their feet. Izuku closed his eyes for a moment, and in his mind, he returned to that day when Uraraka's words in her speech for the civilians had moved him so much that he had fallen to his knees, overwhelmed by the strength of his feelings. When he opened his eyes, he lifted their hands, still joined, to the level of their hearts, looking at them as if that gesture was enough to capture everything they felt for each other. Izuku had understood it back then. Their feelings, and how mutual they were, but neither of them had said anything. It didn't seem necessary, and maybe it was better this way, now that they would have to say goodbye for a while.
They both separated a little, and though their cheeks flushed, they just smiled at each other familiarly.
...
Hatsume was standing next to Bakugo, who remained with his back to the railing on the second floor of the Class B building, pretending to be indifferent. But eventually, he asked:
—So, what do you think?
She chuckled a bit before answering.
—It's really hard to watch. I think it was a good opportunity, and they completely wasted it. And honestly, I don't understand why. They look great together.
—Tch— Bakugo grumbled—. Even if he won't admit it, that guy also has a huge ego and won't let things happen unless it's on his own terms.
—You think so? —she asked with curiosity—. Because I don't see it that way. That kind of thing isn't really my area.
Bakugo didn't answer and instead turned around to lean against the railing, facing the horizon that was starting to be covered in snow. —About what we were talking about earlier… how long do you think it'll take?
—I don't know. It's hard to say with something so elaborate— Hatsume replied with her characteristic smile—. Maybe the current technological advancements and materials will limit us for at least five years.
—That's way too long— Bakugo complained, pulling away from the railing and turning his back on her, before glancing over his shoulder—. Maybe it would be better if you worked on a time machine instead, to fix a few things.
Hatsume responded with a laugh as she followed him down the stairs from the second floor—. I warn you, never challenge a genius like me with something like that. Now, it's just going to be stuck in my head.
...
Author's notes:
Thank you so much for reading up to here. I hope to continue this story one day! Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. It always makes me smile.