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Deku looks from a tree branch high above the rest of his class as they play around, drunk on the high of simply being together and enjoying each other’s company. It makes him smile, just a small one, fondly to see his fellow classmates getting along so well. Hero training is demanding, especially so from a teacher like Aizawa, but he knows, they all know, that it will definitely be worth it.
Everyone is outside to watch the fireworks that are meant to start soon for the new year. Deku admires fireworks a lot. The patterns and colors they show off in the air are just so breathtakingly gorgeous, even if they are so loud and flashy.
Just like someone else he knows…
Deku scans his eyes over his class for the fiftieth time since climbing up the tree, looking for the familiar head of ashy blonde hair he’s seen for all of his life. He wouldn’t have been surprised if Kacchan hadn’t come out with everyone else, actually. Despite appearances, he’s the kind of person who prefers to go to sleep at a more reasonable time, whether there are classes the next morning or not. It’s…cute, a little sweet, even, to think that the school’s bad boy is nothing more than a giant nerd. Deku’s heart races in his chest and he buries his flushing face into his knees for mere seconds before looking back up and finding Kacchan manning the grill.
He looks...good. Beautiful, to be exact, as always. Kacchan is only wearing baggy pants and a tank top, as per the usual, but he wears them well. The lamps of the dorm exterior combine with the light of the moon to give him this ethereal, heavenly look and Deku is absolutely devastated because there is no reason why somebody should be that gorgeous. Muscles bulging with every movement needed to flip and move the meat, and whatever else the class decided to eat. Deku isn’t very sure of what there is, to be honest. He’s been stuck in his head, even more than usual, all day.
Deku...he’s in love with Kacchan. Just like they attend a school for people with quirks. Just like the moon is big and round. Just like Kacchan doesn’t love him back. He’s always been in love with Kacchan, and that’s okay. He’d rather have fallen for Kacchan than any other person in the world, especially these days. Kacchan is much more tame? That feels like the right word to describe it. He isn’t exactly nicer, but he does appear more coolheaded than he was when they started attending U.A. Deku’s chest swells with pride and fondness as he stares down at his childhood companion, proud of how far he’s come in only a year.
Not that Deku would say that out loud to Kacchan, though. He might get too defensive.
Deku realizes he had zoned out only when he blinks and notices that Iida had taken over manning the grill, Kacchan nowhere to be seen, and he pouts before staring at the moon in all of its massive glory.
He thinks...he’s finally going to confess to Kacchan tonight. Deku’s chest is filled with so much love for the taller boy that he thinks he’s just going to overflow if he doesn’t let Kacchan know already. He doesn’t really expect much to come from it, because there’s no way someone as out of his league as Kacchan is going to return his feelings no matter how far their friendship has come, and he’s not going to lie, it hurts a little. It hurts Deku inside to know that he won’t be able to be with Kacchan the way he wishes to be, but at least telling the boy will be a weight off his own shoulders.
“Oi,” A raspy voice says, “Deku. You gonna stay up there all night like a fucking cat or something?”
Deku cranes his neck downwards to see Kacchan standing there, buff arms crossed over his chest and red eyes starting into his soul. Deku forces away his rising blush and pouts. “So what if I am?”
Kacchan rolls his eyes and begins to climb up towards the green-haired boy. Deku smiles.
He likes little moments like this, where Kacchan is peaceful around him. It’s nice and comforting, but also like Deku is seeing a side of Kacchan that nobody else is allowed to see. He hopes he is the only one able to see him like this. Deku thinks he deserves to see this more than anyone, and then scratches at his cheek in embarrassment for having that thought and proceeds to send a silent apology to the rest of his class just as Kacchan manages to sit on the branch beside him. It’s sturdy enough for the both of them, thankfully, but the way Kacchan shuffles around to get more comfortable on the piece of wood sparks a bit of worry.
“What are you so quiet for?” Kacchan questions, staring up at the moon with Deku. “I thought you’d been down there with everyone else, trying to sneak pieces of meet from the grill. Or at least talking about something dumb, I guess.”
Deku shrugs lazily, barely glancing at the blonde from the corner of his eyes. “I just felt like having some space, I guess. I love everyone, but…”
“Yeah,” Kacchan nods, and then there’s silence between them.
“Hey, the fireworks are going to begin soon!” Kaminari cheers from his spot, hanging over Iida without even attempting to snatch a piece of meat away. Deku thinks there might be some redness to both his and Iida’s cheeks, but it’s honestly none of his business. He has his own feelings to worry about.
There’s a collective cheer from the class, those who are actually cheering overwhelming those who aren’t. There’s a light breeze that ruffles Deku’s green curls and he closes his eyes as he burrows his face into his knees yet again, breathing heavily with nervousness.
“Kacchan,” Deku begins with a light voice crack, and then clears his throat. The blonde boy hums a gentle tune, not taking his eyes away from the moon, and he looks so beautiful. He nearly smiles to himself.
Deku is going to do it. He’s finally going to tell Kacchan how he feels. There is no backing out now. If he doesn’t do it right here, right now, he will never do it. This is the perfect moment.
“Kacchan...I...I like you.”
Deku’s eyes snap open, immediately darting to the sky where the fireworks have just begun to go off. His face goes pale and he looks at Kacchan by his side for a few seconds, the blonde boy didn’t seem to hear him at all. “Seems like Class President finished up the meat.” He prepares to jump down and meets Deku’s eyes. Deku is still partially frozen with shock and Kacchan stares at him in bemusement before speaking up. “You coming, Deku?”
Slowly, Deku shakes his head and hugs his knees to his chest. His face is red and his heart is racing and his eyes are wide and screaming to be left alone. Kacchan opens his mouth to say something, but eventually thinks better of it before jumping down to the ground to rejoin the class. Deku closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and smiles sadly.
Just as he predicted, it seems that it isn’t meant to be.