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“Are you sure this will work?” Kayama smirked as she held the sprig of mistletoe over Hizashi’s head. She could read the nerves in his eyes and it did amuse her. The way Hizashi danced around his feelings for years, and the way Shouta remained willfully ignorant of Hizashi’s feelings while suppressing his own. This was the last year she would be suffering through their painful pining at the annual faculty party.
“Why do you ask this every year Mic?” She dropped the sprig into the palm of his hand. The round, plump berries bearing quite the tradition. A kiss. Each year she watched as Mic and Eraser did their best to stay out from under the mistletoe. “Every year you and Eraser do some impressive gymnastics to avoid being under the mistletoe.” She leaned down until her lips were right by his ear. “Just imagine that in bed.” She chuckled and ducked away as he swatted at her. “For shame.” She held her hand to her face as the door slid open.
“Leave Mic alone.” The curt words had her grinning. Mic froze as Shouta ambled over to his desk with the class papers tucked under his arm. Midnight crossed her arms and huffed at the two of them. “Don’t be a pest.”
“You’re both blind idiots.” She huffed at the two of them before she headed out to her next class. Hizashi’s heart lodged in his throat as the door shut behind her, leaving only the two of them in the faculty room.
“You should know by now to ignore what she says.” Hizashi rubbed at his shoulder as the slash of pain burned in his chest. Right. He was the only one with these feelings. His eyes looked up over his glasses as he studied Aizawa’s profile. The way his brow furrowed as he read over whatever the students wrote. If Mic had to guess it was probably Kaminari. His lips parted on a sigh and Mic had to quickly look away as his bloom warmed.
“Yeah. You’re right.” Hizashi propped his elbow on his desk before resting his cheek on his fist. He looked over the English homework and did his best to ignore the nerves dancing in his gut. Neither noticed the sharp gaze studying them from the doorway.
“They’re… It’s painful to see this.” Kayama looked up as All Might joined her in watching the two idiots in love but refusing to admit it. The way Mic’s face went soft and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked over at Aizawa. When Hizashi turned back to his own work they saw Aizawa lift his head and stare in his direction. The barest turn of his lips showed his feelings. He didn’t look as exhausted when he gazed at Hizashi at his desk.
“And I’ve dealt with it for years.” Kayama whispered as she sighed. “But this is the last year I’m putting up with it. I have my own plan in place.”
“Um, shouldn’t we let them handle it on their own?” All Might hastily tugged at his tie as Kayama crossed her arms under her chest and smirked.
“I’ve let them handle it on their own for years. At the Christmas party I will make them talk.” She just wanted them happy. Ever since high school it was as if something was broken between them. In her own heart she knew that he’d be yelling at them for being idiots and being in on her plan to make them talk. The sound of his laugh was still fresh in her mind despite not being as close to him as Aizawa and Mic.
“I think I’ve got other plans that night.” All Might tried to turn to go but Kayama had a hard grip on his tie. His ears turned red as she pulled until he was a hairs breadth away from her face.
“Don’t you want your friends to be happy All Might?” Toshinori could read the writing on the wall. He sighed and nodded. “Then you’ll help me?” He nodded again and straightened with a cough as she released his tie. “You’re an amazing friend.” Kayama smiled at him before she dragged him away to explain the plan to him.
Christmas Party
“Thank you all for attending! I realize this year has been… Eventful for us here at UA. I want you all to enjoy the food and merriment as a reward for all your hard work.” Nezu announced before he hopped off the stage. Kayama sipped at the wine as she watched Hizashi chatting with Snipe and Aizawa listening to Thirteen. Hizashi’s eyes landed on Shouta and Kayama wanted to throw her wine at them. They each looked at the other when the other wasn’t looking.
“I can almost see the flowers floating by their head.” She choked on her drink and turned to look at the owner of the voice. Ectoplasm was glowering in their direction. “Another Christmas party and another failed attempt by Mic to get his feelings out? And Eraser refusing to even take a step?”
“Yes.” They both took a fortifying sip of their drinks. “But this is the last year.” Kayama murmured as she saw All Might make his appearance.
“Did you really get All Might in on your scheme?”
“Eraser’s too good. He’s sniffed out my plans every year, but not this time. He’d never suspect All Might would go along with the plan.” Kayama informed him as she loosely crossed her arms over her midsection.
“This is going to blow up in your face.” He warned her before he walked off to join the others.
Hizashi felt his heart thundering in his ears as he watched Shouta. Anytime he tried to get the words out about how he felt, his tongue decided to tie itself into knots. He could get through a three-hour radio show without any problem but the second the words meant something? They refused to come out. His ears buzzed as his heart raced in his chest. He couldn’t help but watch as Shouta talked with Thirteen. His fingers wrapped around the cup, the way his lips moved when he did speak, and he didn’t know who convinced him to pull his hair back but… His ears burned red when he heard the chuckling next to him.
“You’re both so glaringly oblivious.” Snipe patted his shoulder as he kept his words soft for Hizashi’s sake. “Would ya mind confessing this year?”
“Hah I don’t know what you’re talking about Snipe.” Nervous laughter trembled on his lips as Snipe shook his head.
“Look, I got twenty bucks ridin’ on you confessing this year.” He pointed to Mic’s chin as those hazel eyes widened in surprise. “Just sayin’, it’d be nice to collect it.”
“There’s a betting pool?” Mic hissed as Snipe chuckled.
“O’course. You two think you’re so slick but we’ve known about this since the first week we worked together.” Snipe patted Mic’s shoulder as dread weighed his stomach down. “Don’t think anything of it. Your secrets are safe with us. Though Midnight’s ready to hogtie someone if you keep stagnating.”
Mic buried his face in his hands as Snipe deftly nipped the drink out of them. “Pathetic.” Snipe tilted his head as he set the drinks down on the table.
“Nah.” Snipe waved it off. Mic looked up at him. “Look, I’m not sure what happened that made you so hesitant to say what you feel but I’m sure it’s important. But.” Snipe patted his shoulder again. “You can’t let it hold you back. Stagnating ain’t doing anyone any favors. Least of all you two. Confess. Worst case is he rejects you right?” Mic nodded as he was beginning to realize what Snipe was getting at.
“Then you can accept it and move on. Being stuck like this isn’t good for either of you. Is this really how you want to continue on? Miserable and pining after each other?” Hizashi sighed as he knew he couldn’t stay like that. His stomach twisted into knots at the thought of baring his feelings in front of Shouta. “I believe in you.” Snipe patted his back and then shoved him forward. Mic yelped as he slammed into something solid.
“You okay Mic?” That rough voice, his head jerked up as he saw Shouta staring down at him. His eyes looked up as Snipe waved before blending into the crowd. Hizashi straightened and apologized. “Accidents happen. What were you two talking about?”
Mic froze as he heard the question. Was the time upon him? No. He needed to do this without an audience to see his rejection. “Hey Shouta. Mind coming with me? Snipe reminded me I forgot something in the faculty room.” He grinned at him. “And you know ya don’t wanna stay here any longer than you need to.” Shouta glared over at him but there was truth to his statement. Mic knew Shouta wouldn’t want to remain in the party, too many people. So any excuse to ditch the crowd.
“Fine. What did you forget?” He set his drink down before he walked out with Mic. None of them noticed the several pairs of eyes following them.
The silence grew awkward and heavy between them, and even Shouta noticed. He looked over and his eyes widened at how red Hizashi was. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his hands twisted together nervously. That was more nervous energy than normal. His curiosity was piqued as they made it to the faculty room. “Did you really forget anything Mic?”
Hizashi turned and held out his hands with a grin. “Ya caught me!” Shouta sighed and shook his head. Somehow, he always knew when the crowds got to be too much. Hizashi was more observant than anyone gave him credit for. Hizashi cared for his friends. He was the one to remember when it was someone’s birthday, when it was the anniversary of someone joining the staff. He would also connect with the kids more than most assumed. He would remember the tinies detail the kids told him and would often surprise them with it if they had a rough day.
He always remembered when it was time to go to the memorial. The stones would be cleaned and fresh incense would be ready when they arrived. Hizashi would never admit it but Shouta knew he went the day or two before and cleaned it up for their visit. Going was always painful for him but seeing the stone in disrepair would make it worse. Shouta appreciated the gesture more than he could ever express. He wasn’t great at expressing his feelings or putting himself out there. There was no way Mic could feel that way about him.
“Thanks.” He chuckled and leaned against the desk. The music was thumping against the walls and the light filtered in from the outside, a mixture of moonlight and streetlight. Hizashi’s heart lodged in his throat as he watched as Shouta relaxed. The soft way his lips turned up had Mic’s heart dancing. The weight of the words once again lodged in his throat. The doubt pressed in. What if Shouta found it disgusting? What if Shouta found him disgusting? Could he risk losing his best friend? The burning lump in his throat grew as the doubts pressed in. “Mic?”
“I.” Hizashi wiped his palms against his shirt as he struggled to calm his racing heart. “I need to tell you something Shouta.” Aizawa looked up at him with that same almost bored expression. Hizashi knew it wasn’t that he was bored but rather that was just how his face settled. He was actively listening and that made the nerves all the worse. “I need to get this off my chest.” He breathed out and then looked down at his interlocked fingers. “I can’t keep on doing this.” He ran a hand over his head as he kept his eyes locked on the tile floor. “I can’t keep pretending that everything is fine. It’s not. It never has been. Not since.” The name froze on his lips but Shouta nodded as he knew what it was. “I didn’t want to say anything because I know how you felt about him.”
Shouta straightened at that. What the hell was Mic talking about? “Mic.”
“Wait. Please.” Mic held up a hand and Aizawa crossed his arms but stayed quiet. If this was bullshit, he’d have a thing or two to say to him. “I was pretty much going to just keep this inside. But I can’t.”
“Keeping quiet isn’t exactly your strong suit.” Shouta smirked as Hizashi glared at him before he sighed and just deflated. That worried Shouta.
“I.” The lump pushed against his throat but Hizashi was already this far. He could push past this. “I like you more than a friend.” Aizawa’s eyes widened as Hizashi flinched after saying the words. His eyes rolled up towards the ceiling even though his own heart was beating against his chest. Those feelings were returned. How long had they danced around each other without knowing the other felt the same? He didn’t want to think about it. He just didn’t want to risk his heart, not after losing everything he had.
“Mic.” Hizashi flinched at the cool tone. Some hero he was, getting as nervous as a high schooler. Here it comes. The rejection. “Look at me.” He cautiously looked up at him and saw the soft expression there. His eyes weren’t tired and his lips were turned up in the barest hint of a smile. His shoulders were relaxed as he unfolded his arms. “Are you sixteen?” Hizashi straightened at the question.
“What do you mean am I sixteen?”
“Look at me and say it again.” His heart lodged in his throat but his lips moved before he could stop it.
“I. I love you Shouta.” He flinched as the hand reached towards him but instead of pushing him away it gently cradled his cheek. The warmth soothed the frayed nerves and he risked looking over at Shouta. There wasn’t any rejection there. No sign of anger or hatred. Hope swelled as he saw Shouta’s lips moving.
“I do too.” Mic’s breath left in a wheezing whine.
“Say it again?” His own hands reached for Shouta. His heart thundered in his ears as he heard the words again. “You’re. You’re serious?”
“Do I look like the type of person to say this frivolously?” Hizashi shook his head. “Then there is your answer.” Tears sprang up at the corners of his eyes as he felt the laugh spilling out. He leaned in cautiously, until barely an inch separated his lips from Shouta’s. He paused to make sure it was okay when Shouta leaned in. Warm lips moved against his as Shouta sighed into the touch. His fingers curled in Shouta’s jacket as he leaned back. “Hizashi.” They both paused when they heard the scuff of boots outside the door. Shouta’s lips thinned out as he stepped away from Hizashi.
“Shouta? What?” Shouta slammed open the door and a pile of tangled limbs fell into the faculty room. “Midnight!? Snipe?” Hizashi saw a familiar head of dandelion hair. “All Might?”
“Hah! I won the office pool!” Snipe threw up one of his fists as All Might apologized over and over for interrupting them. Kayama simply smirked up at Shouta who glared down at her. He helped her up but kept the smoldering glare even as she dusted her outfit off.
“Have you two finally come to your senses?” Shouta glared at her as she pinned Hizashi with a look. He gave the barest hint of a nod and her lips turned up in a smirk. “Good. It’s about time.” She turned on her heel and strolled out of the faculty room with All Might following behind, apologizing still. Snipe had his hands locked behind his head as he headed up the rear, whistling happily at winning the bet.
“Were we really that bad?” Shouta looked over at Hizashi who shrugged in answer.