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“Um, Shouto?”
“Yes?”
Midoriya fidgets from his spot on the bed.
“You know, I would have just accepted the hoodie or plushie. You didn’t have to…”
Shouto tilts his head to the side, a confused furrow between his brows.
“...Do you not like my gifts?”
“No, no! It’s not that that at all! I appreciate and love everything you’ve given me today. I just feel like…”
Midoriya scratches his cheek, tickled by the plush fur squeezing into his face. How can he put this.
“...this is kind of a lot, isn’t it?”
Shouto hums contemplatively from his spot on the floor, and accounts the scene in front of him.
Izuku Midoriya sits in front of him from between two giant plush animals; one alpaca and one sheep, both green to match the curls and colors of the boy they squished. The triple set of green contrasts yet compliments the limited edition All Might Hoodie, the one with the hair bangs on the hood and had the iconic smile when zipped up to his mouth.
Then on his lap was a limited edition All Might toaster that made an imprint of his face on the bread. And then there’s the complete Pro-Hero stationery set placed between the both of them that wasn’t meant to come out until three more months (but well, people liked to give him free stuff as a the son of Endeavour, a curse and blessing).
This does not even include that bouquets of gardenias and gladiolus on the table behind him, the flowers intertwined together in their yellow vases.
And throughout all of that, Shouto’s gaze lingered on the red and white bracelet wrapped around Izuku’s wrist. Personally, it wasn’t as finely made or detailed as he had wanted it to be, but Uraraka had insisted he at least make something himself to give to the adorable boy, something that would hold a lot of sentimental value.
The pure surprise and excitement that gleamed in his green eyes after pulling it out of the wrapped hoodie was something Shouto has captured and memorized into his head.
( “Does that mean I have the first official item of your future Hero merch?”
“Hm, you can say that. I don’t know of many heroes who make their own merchandise though. ”
A chuckle. “I guess this makes it even more rare—a first edition! ” )
So now that he can account for the physical presents-
“No, I don’t think this is a lot. Besides, we’re still going out for dinner later.”
Midoriya definitely squeaked this time, seemingly wanting to burrow himself into the All Might hoodie. “Shouto, now that is really a lot! You really didn’t have to do all of this!”
He adds, abit under his breath, “I would have been fine with just one thing, where did you even…”
Shouto scoots himself between Izuku’s legs, looking up into his slightly pink face with what looks to be a thoughtful expression.
“Well, I was told that the best gifts are usually the ones that remind you of the person receiving them.”
“You’re not wrong, but-”
“-and it just happens that a lot of things… remind me of you,” Shouto murmurs near the end. It’s now maybe occuring to him that this was a really strong approach to anyone, especially for someone he had only known for about more than a year, but if anyone deserved to be buried under gifts, it was Izuku.
An embarrassed choked off noise was made above him, and Shouto looked up to see the image of pink deepening to red, highlighting the freckles along fair tanned skin.
Oh. He must have said that out loud.
“Shouto, I don’t even… you’re so-” Izuku’s shoulders begun to shake visibly from underneath his sweater.
Shouto reached up, a worry on his lips, when Izuku grabs his hand and squeezes it between his own. His confusion dissipates by the sight of Izuku’s mirthful smile peeking over the hoodie’s fabricated teeth, and he feels his own lips curl up by the infectious amusement.
With Izuku, smiling never felt difficult or forced; Shouto never had to suppress or pretend this emotions. In this very room, he can recall the times of vulnerability of expressing his desires; to be the best hero ( with him ), to see his mom out of the hospital, to have no fear of arranged marriages in his future. Here, he could let himself think openly and speak openly, could impulsively cling to his scarred fingers or let himself collapse into welcoming arms.
Here, all he had to worry about was whether Izuku would like the restaurant he chose for their first official date.
So it is with these impulsive and unrestricted thoughts and wants that has Shouto leaning up and pressing their smiles together in a kiss; a slice of sweetness of the now, of later, and what will come.