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The U. A. dorms were quiet and mellow, as was customary during this time of the year. The only sounds to be heard were the sluggish footsteps of the students as they walked to their first classes or snuck back into their dwellings after staying out too late the night before. The occasional conversation or laugh would drift out of a window here or there before quickly leaving the building shrouded in silence once more. In the room at the far end of the hall, those muffled sounds and hushed whispers seemed jarringly loud as they seeped through the last remaining unopened door and rang painfully in Shigeo's ears.
He stared at the ceiling above his bed helplessly. Maybe if he focused on the white walls long enough, he would be able to forget his aching muscles and the pounding headache that had been accompanying him since the weekend. At first, he had brushed the symptoms off as just exhaustion from too much studying and practicing, but as the week passed by, the pain only grew worse. Having a quirk that amplified his emotions wasn't working in his favor, either. It was as if his body had given up on him and left him unable to do anything aside from hazily staring into the distance as the sun crept further over the horizon and seeped in through the still shut blinds.
He had given up on getting out of bed long ago, and was now content with trying to find the most comfortable position to lie and pass the day in. His eyes were dry, and his eyelids drooped like heavy curtains. Unable to keep them awake any longer, he finally let them flutter shut. The persistent headache seemed to lessen, finally allowing Shigeo some peace. For the first time since the weekend, he felt a sense of peace as his thoughts started to slow down and the world around him became silent. To combat the biting cold creeping in from outside, he pulled his blanket up to his chin and snuggled in comfortably. He let out a long, slow breath as he finally succumbed to the much needed rest, his bed and blanket turning into a warm cocoon that would protect him from the winter morning. His consciousness slipped further away as he sank deeper into the soft mattress, the darkness of his bedroom embracing him.
"Shigeo!" The throbbing in his head abruptly returned as he heard a voice call out from the other side of the door, a fist banging rapidly against the wood. Shigeo's eyes shot open, his head slowly turning in the direction of the disruption. Despite his mind feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, he immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Izuku. Any other time, he would have been overjoyed to hear him knocking on his door, but right now, he just wanted to drift back into the blissful nothingness and slumber his fever away.
Izuku, of course, had different plans.
"Shigeo!" He kept banging, "Wake up! You're going to be late for class!"
"I can't go today." Shigeo mumbled back, his voice hoarse and dry. He tried to make it as loud and clear as possible, but his friend must still not have heard him, as the next moment the door was flung open and a harsh stream of light flooded in. Squinting his eyes, Shigeo was able to see a boy with ruffled hair and a frantic gleam in his eyes stand in his doorway, already dressed for class.
"Shigeo, you're still in bed?" He commented, his voice softer this time. "Is something wrong?"
With painstaking effort, Shigeo tried to slowly pry his stiff limbs from the bed and sit up to greet his friend.
"Whoa, slow down. You can't go to class like that." Izuku cautioned him, rushing to his side.
"I wasn't going to. You can go ahead without me." The two of them had been walking to class together every day for the past few months, their streak broken only by unusual circumstances such as this.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay on your own?" Izuku asked, taking a closer look at his friend. "You look terrible."
"Thanks?" Shigeo replied with a small, scratchy laugh.
"I'm being serious, Shigeo. I told you you'd get sick if you didn't take it easy." Izuku grumbled. You’re one to talk, Shigeo thought. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but his words got stuck in his throat when he felt his bangs get pushed out of his forehead and replaced with Izuku’s palm.
"You're burning up." He noted, his eyebrows furrowed. For a moment, all Shigeo could do was look at him as he leaned over his bed. His skin felt like it was on fire, but for an entirely different reason than before.
"Hmm, we need something to break the fever." Izuku continued, oblivious to his friend’s dumbfounded expression as he continued to stare up at him. "Hang on while I go talk to the nurse, will you?"
Shigeo studied the concerned expression on his face for a good few moments before finally remembering that he was still waiting for an answer. Hurriedly, he spat out the first jumbled words that came to mind. "I’m-- I mean, sure."
"I won't be long. You just rest up." Izuku chimed.
"What about your cla--" Before Shigeo could finish his sentence, Izuku had disappeared from his room, the door gently closing behind him. A few rushed footsteps stomped through the hall, gradually slipping further away, until he was again accompanied only by the sound of his strained breathing and the dull white of his ceiling. He leaned back and stared at the now closed door for a few moments until his dry eyes couldn't keep up any longer, and slowly shut.
***
The next time Shigeo opened his eyes, he was met with a large bowl steaming next to his face. He clumsily propped himself up on one arm, making something cold and damp slide down his forehead. He managed to catch it with his free arm and dozily inspect it. It felt nice enough, but he didn't remember putting a cloth on his face? His eyes widened in bewilderment, his long nap leaving him still unsure of where he was or what was going on.
"Hi again." A cheerful voice hummed. Shigeo's gaze lifted from the food to the boy sitting on the corner of his bed. In the short time since Izuku had left, he had prepared a warm bowl of soup for Shigeo, complete with what looked like the finest ingredients.
"How long was I asleep for?" He mumbled, rubbing his eyes awake.
"For a while," Izuku replied while stirring the liquid. As his consciousness gradually came back, Shigeo finally noticed the enticing smell emanating from the bowl. "It's okay though. You're cute when you sleep." Izuku added with a wink.
"I'm cute?" Shigeo repeated softly. "Have you been watching m--"
"Open wide now~" Izuku interrupted. A spoon with a large dollop of soup on it promptly appeared next to Shigeo's mouth. The rumbling in his stomach outweighed his bafflement at the situation, so he obediently parted his lips and leaned in, feeling the warm broth ease the soreness in the back of his throat. It was surprisingly tasty.
As another spoonful of soup approached him, Shigeo put his hand up in protest and laughed awkwardly.
"I appreciate your help, Izuku. But I can feed myself."
"Oh?" Izuku's mouth hung slightly open in confusion. His gaze switched between the spoon and Shigeo's shy smile. He continued with a chuckle, "I guess I got a bit carried away. You can't blame me for wanting to take care of my best friend."
A smile tugged at the corners of Shigeo's lips at the words best friend. He's not even sure how Izuku became so fond of some guy who more or less fell from the sky one day and stole half of his biggest idol's and mentor's attention away before barging into his school, but he felt honored any time he used that term to describe him. It reassured him that his overwhelming affection for Izuku wasn't one sided.
Truthfully, he’d sometimes get nervous about referring to Izuku that way, seeing as it hadn’t been that long since he got sent to his world and met him, and he could be forced to leave at any moment. But ever since he did, he’s felt a special pull toward the young hero. He saw pieces of himself in Izuku and fragments of what he hoped he could one day be. Gradually, he found his initial resolve to get back home as soon as he could disappear. The thought would often cross his mind about how much he'd love to stay at the academy just a little longer. Okay, a lot longer. All because of Izuku.
"Here," Izuku continued, placing the bowl on the nightstand before fumbling for something in the pockets of his blazer. "And take these afterwards. They’ll help you break the fever."
"You really went out of your way." Shigeo noted, inspecting the box of cold medicine Izuku had tossed on his nightstand.
"It’s the least I could do for you." Izuku shook his head. "And you will drink them. I won’t leave until you do."
"You don’t have to leave." Shigeo spoke quietly. He hadn't meant to, but the words came out before he could realize he was saying them. Izuku blinked a few times in surprise, making Shigeo's face flush, feeling like he'd said something wrong.
"I guess it could be lonely all alone here." He finally replied, breaking the strange silence hanging in the air. "I have to leave in a few, but I promise I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"
Shigeo opened his mouth to assure him there was no need; he just had to sleep it off, but Izuku wouldn’t hear it. Before he had a chance to argue, he had already made his decision. "I want to take care of you."
Shigeo felt his heart rate pick up. Doing his best to stay composed, he slowly nodded. "I'd like that." He wasn't sure why Izuku was being so attentive over a simple seasonal illness, but it was nice having him around. It certainly beat staring at nothing and counting the seconds they had left together as they ticked away.
Izuku patiently waited for him to drink his meds and get back to his soup before turning to leave for the morning. He said goodbye with an encouraging smile, his eyes filled with genuine care for his friend. Shigeo smiled back, trying to convey the gratitude and appreciation that he struggled to show him through words. It was strange, he realized. Everyone always seemed to be better at expressing their feelings to their friends, especially their best friends. Yet the simplest, most meaningless thoughts would always get stuck in Shigeo’s head and refuse to leave his lips when it came to Izuku. It wasn’t like he was afraid his friend would judge or reject him. He knew the thought would never even cross Izuku’s mind. But he still felt inexplicably nervous around him. About how he would perceive him. And if he would remember him when they parted ways for good. Because he sure as hell could never, ever forget Izuku. Not in a million years. Not if he wanted to. Not if he tried.
***
As promised, Izuku was back in Shigeo’s dorm a few hours later. And once again, he wasn’t empty handed. Shigeo’s senses became the sharpest they’d been all day when he walked through the door, carefully balancing a large tray of food in his hands. He had declared the soup from before as enough for the day, but as Izuku laid down the food on his nightstand, he finally felt his stomach twisting and howling. Apart from Izuku’s usual bowl of katsudon, he had brought all of Shigeo’s favorites: a generous bowl of ramen, filled with perfectly spiced vegetables and egg, accompanied by a side of savory takoyaki and a tall, warm glass of milk. As far as Shigeo was concerned, it was a meal fit for a king.
"Looks good…" He hummed, his hungry eyes and empty stomach seemingly hypnotized by Izuku’s offering.
"I knew you’d like it." Izuku said proudly. Shigeo’s eyes remained on the food as Izuku pulled the chair from his study desk out and rolled it to the side of the bed. Leaning back, he picked the katsudon off the tray and gestured for Shigeo to help himself to the rest.
They ate in comfortable silence, interrupted only by the occasional muted cough coming from Shigeo. A part of Izuku wished it would have remained that way, cozy and silent. Inevitably, though, he knew that the food would be finished and they would find themselves chatting about everything and nothing, which would eventually lead to that topic he dreaded so much.
"It's nice spending lunch like this sometimes." Izuku noted as he took the last bite of his meal. Shigeo smiled in agreement as he sipped his milk. The two of them would spend most of their lunch breaks together, but there were always other students around them, and as friendly as most of them were, the sheer number of people made it difficult for Shigeo to let loose like he could when it was just him and his friend. Today, however, it was just the two of them, which made their little moment all the more special. Shigeo didn't even mind the annoying symptoms of his illness anymore, his friend's company seemingly all he needed to feel better, if only for a short while.
"We should do this more often. When I'm not sick as well." He suggested, carefully putting the glass to the side. Izuku nodded enthusiastically.
"You might grow tired of me," He jokingly replied.
Shigeo quickly shook his head. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can. While I can."
There it goes, Izuku thought. It's been a whole ten minutes since the thought crossed his mind. He tried to keep his face from dropping and becoming solemn, but judging by the way Shigeo's lips turned down into a frown, he must have been doing a bad job at it. He frantically racked his brain for something to say to divert attention away from his undoubtedly suspicious reaction to Shigo's words. "You miss your home, don't you?"
"My family is there." Shigeo started. "My mom, my dad, my brother..." Izuku's fingers massaged the other's burning shoulder as he talked in an attempt to comfort him. Somehow, it only made the whirlwind of emotions and jumbled thoughts Shigeo had been battling more distorted, until he had to let some of them bubble to the surface. "But I would also miss you."
Izuku exhaled weakly. His eyes fell to his feet, which were digging into the wooden floor. "I'll miss you too." He confessed. He cherished every one of their moments together, and each time they parted ways, he wished that the clock would stop ticking for just a few more minutes. So he tried to make every moment count. Admittedly, he was as surprised as anyone when he realized how important the strange new student had become to him. Best friends, well, friends in general, have always been things meant for other people, not him. Now that he finally had one, he also had the constant threat of losing him looming over his head. And what a friend he was! With the exception of his mom, he'd never known anyone who understood him quite like Shigeo did. Despite generally being a man of few words, in Shigeo he found a confidante he could talk to about anything, no matter how dull and mundane or strange and out-of-the-ordinary. This made Shigeo the most precious person in his life, and this knowledge was both a blessing and a curse. No matter how hard he tried to tell himself that it was better to be prepared for the worst, the thought of such a special friendship coming to an end scared him immensely. He knew it was a selfish thought, unbecoming of a true hero, but he always found himself wishing that his days with Shigeo could go on just a little longer. Okay, a lot longer.
***
Izuku had kept on visiting his best friend’s dorm room after every class, bringing snacks, drinks, and meds, intent on keeping him cozy and well taken care of. And to make sure he was still there to keep him company, and hadn't slipped away and back to his own universe, leaving Izuku all alone again.
That threat kept plaguing him throughout the school day, making it hard to focus on anything else, up until the bell chimed to announce the end of the last class. At long last.
As usual, Izuku gathered his things and headed straight to the dorms, to see Shigeo. He wondered what he was up to right now. There wasn’t a lot he could do, trapped in his room and confined to his bed. Talking to Izuku must have been the most entertainment he had that day.
Wait, Izuku had been keeping him entertained. Realizing that was when the light bulb lit up above Izuku’s head. Instead of going right to Shigeo’s room, he quickly spun around on his heel and ran to his own dwelling. The door swung open and his bag carelessly dropped to the floor. He hurriedly changed out of his uniform to something more comfortable and rummaged to find his laptop.
His eyes became increasingly red as they lasered in on the screen. The clicking of the worn-out keys was beginning to make his ears ring. Once satisfied with his research, he closed the device and kept it safely under his arm while he made his last detour, the cafeteria, reaching it just in time for the dinner menu. A quick greeting and a few polite but hopeful requests later, he had everything he needed to fulfill his idea. With all the items by his side, he rushed back to the dorms and continued down the hall, smiling to himself about his genius plan.
"Shigeo," He chimed softly as he peered into his room, one hand keeping the laptop safe and the other holding a large, heavy-looking plastic bag. Shigeo lightly stretched as he looked up at the boy creeping in, welcoming him with a faint smile. His hair was even messier than the last time Izuku had seen him, and his eyes kept blinking lazily, trying to adjust to the light. "I didn’t wake you up, did I?"
Shigeo gently shook his head. "You’re right on time. I woke up maybe a minute ago." He explained groggily. Izuku couldn’t help but notice how cute he was, all disheveled and still under the effects of sleep. "Are classes over for the day? How did it go?" He added when he noticed Izuku’s changed attire, his voice raspy and deeper than usual.
"Went great. Although it’s boring without you." Izuku admitted.
"I’ve been bored without you, too." Shigeo replied. Izuku tried his best to keep from grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. Don't get too excited, he just said he was bored, he had to remind himself. But still! The words were so simple, but something about them and the sleepy tone Shigeo had said them in shot a bolt of lightning through Izuku's body.
He tried to mask his racing thoughts by replying as calmly as he could, "I thought so. Which is why I brought you this."
Shigeo looked at Izuku with a curious expression as he held up the laptop and waved the bag in the air. "This will keep us entertained, and this," He continued explaining as he moved closer to allow Shigeo to peer into the bag. It was filled to the brim with boxes of food and bags of snacks. Bottles of various drinks peaked out, including herbal tea and fresh milk. Shigeo thought how it was probably enough to last an entire week. "Is for when we get hungry. Or bored."
"You really think of everything..." Shigeo mumbled. His friend’s care for him, although maybe a little over the top, was one of the sweetest gestures anyone had ever done for him. Everyone around him kept emphasizing how a hero’s duty is to take care of other people, a task which he took on with great diligence and determination, but it was refreshing to allow someone else to take care of him for a change. Especially when that person was Izuku, one of the best people and most promising heroes he’s ever encountered. In a way, he was his hero today. In an admittedly cheesy but nonetheless heartwarming way.
"Got some space for me?" His thoughts were interrupted by Izuku’s voice as he lowered the bag by the nightstand, cocking his head toward the bed.
"Are you sure? I might be contagious." Shigeo replied. He would be more than happy to have Izuku stay with him for longer, but he would also feel guilty if the next day he ended up sick because of him.
"Don’t worry about me," Izuku dismissed with a wave. "I don’t get sick that easily. I told you I’d keep you company today, and I never break my promises."
Shigeo couldn’t keep the wide smile from creeping up on his face. "In that case, make yourself at home." He announced, shuffling to the side to make space for Izuku.
"You haven’t seen that many of our movies and shows, right? I have a few in mind that you might like." He giddily explained as he crawled under the blankets next to Shigeo.
"I don't think they're that different from ours," Shigeo noted. Since coming here, he hasn't had much time to kick back and binge movies, but thinking about it, their worlds weren't all that different, so he imagined the media and all of the clichés surrounding it would be similar as well. "But if you like them, I want to see them, too."
"You'll love them, trust me." Izuku said happily as he searched his library. Shigeo liked the movie marathon idea, which was a huge relief. He had scoured the internet for an entire hour to come up with the perfect list to introduce to him, carefully scanning everything from rom-coms to horror flicks, while also making sure they weren't intense enough to make the effects of Shigeo's quirk flare up.
The movies ended up being a good distraction for both of them. Shigeo watched the tiny screen laid between them intently, slowly nodding or humming in response whenever Izuku nudged him to explain a confusing detail or share an interesting fact, mostly during the hero portion of their binge.
The bag of snacks slowly emptied as the movies went on. The faint rays of light that had been peaking through the thick blinds gradually weakened before disappearing altogether, leaving the bright blue screen as the only source of light in the room. Just in time for the first horror movie on the list.
"Are you sure you're okay with this one?" Izuku asked while carefully pouring tea into a plastic cup to hand to Shigeo. "We can always skip to something lighter."
Shigeo gratefully took the drink from his hand and shook his head. "No need. I trust your pick."
"I'm flattered." Izuku replied. Then he added, half as a reassurance and half as an attempt to stir Shigeo up, "If you get scared, just remember that you have me."
Truthfully, Izuku wasn't only concerned about Shigeo getting scared. He wasn't exactly known for his strong stomach when it came to horror movies and hadn't actually watched almost any of the ones he picked. He’d start them off confidently enough, but he just couldn't bring himself to sit through any longer than the first jumpscare. At least not alone.
"Are you sure you’re not going to get scared yourself?" Shigeo asked as the movie started rolling, seemingly already aware of Izuku's squeamishness about the topic.
"Of course not." Izuku proudly proclaimed.
"In case you do," Shigeo continued. Even in the dark, Izuku could see a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Just remember that I'm here."
"Yeah, right." Izuku chuckled softly and took a sip of his own drink. The cup slightly trembled in his hand. For two completely separate reasons.
Sure enough, Izuku was no match against the movies that he himself chose. He could feel his heart race more and more with each passing second, although he was sure that it had less to do with the movies themselves and more with the boy next to him. It was his idea, one he was highly excited and confident about, but now he was scared of being alone in the dark with Shigeo and, at the same time, scared of the possibility that Shigeo didn't feel the same way he did, whatever those feelings might be. Yet, sensing his fear, Shigeo seemed to get closer and closer, until their shoulders were pressed together. In that moment, Izuku felt like nothing in the world, any world, could separate them. Like nothing could ever go wrong. Even the shadows lurking in the corners of the screen felt harmless. Almost harmless.
Sure enough, Izuku didn't last past the first jumpscare. He let out a high-pitched wince and instinctively latched onto Shigeo’s arm. In an attempt to reassure him, Shigeo patted his shoulder.
"Is the great hero scared of horror movies?" He jokingly remarked.
"I was not scared. I was just... startled." Izuku tried to justify. He doubted that it was convincing.
"Right, startled. That's what it was." The other boy exclaimed in a pretend moment of realization.
"I’m telling the truth!" Izuku insisted.
"I believe you. You're cute when you're startled." Shigeo noted casually.
"Shut up. It's not funny." The other boy mumbled, still looking away from the screen, his pride wounded and his ears hot. Shigeo’s words had a strange effect on him. They made something in his stomach twist, made his heart race even faster than the movie had. He just wanted to get back to staring at the screen to escape the burning sensation in his ears and cheeks that the other was causing.
"I think it's pretty funny. You should've seen the look on your face." Shigeo kept provoking, in his most harmless, innocent tone. After all, Izuku was cute when he was mad, too.
"Whatever." Izuku brushed off, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's your turn to be scared now. The next movie is going to be even more intense." Izuku's current goal was to get revenge by getting a reaction out of Shigeo, but as the night went on and he didn’t so much as flinch at any of the movies, his confidence in his mission dropped.
"I'm not scared. I can handle anything you throw at me." Shigeo eventually replied, clearly amused by Izuku's growing frustration.
"We'll see about that. This movie is going to be so scary, you'll be begging for me to protect you." Even as Izuku said the words, he knew the opposite was more likely to happen.
"I doubt that. But I appreciate the offer." He said with confidence as he took another sip of his drink
Turns out, Izuku had made the right pick this time. As expected, the mysterious rustles and strange shadows made his heart speed up every few scenes, but it was worth it to see the stoic Shigeo jump in his seat at the plot twist halfway through, trying his best to quickly recollect himself.
"I told you it was intense! You jumped like a little kid." Izuku victoriously pointed out as Shigeo sat frozen.
"I did not. I was just startled, that's all." He mumbled, still wide-eyed.
"Oh, startled. That’s what it was." Izuku mockingly repeated his sentence from not long ago, "Admit it, you got scared."
"I-it was a jumpscare, of course I’m going to jump." He insisted. Izuku had to admit, it was refreshing to see Shigeo try to justify his flustered reactions, instead of the other way around.
"Come on, you can tell me. I won't judge." He leaned in closer to Shigeo’s face, his confidence rising after seeing his startled reaction. When Shigeo refused to respond, he started nudging his arm, poking his cheek, gently shoving his shoulder with his, until the other finally resigned.
"Fine. I admit it, I got scared," At long last, he gave in with a sigh, "But I'm still not a little kid."
"I never said you were. You're just a big softie." He nudged him, playfully pinching his soft cheek and leaving a red mark to linger on the skin.
"Just focus on the movie." Shigeo grumbled, trying to change the topic, but Izuku could see a faint grin forming on his face, forcing him to smile as well.
The movies went on, and Izuku courageously kept latching onto Shigeo’s arm and burying his face in his shoulder. Shigeo would just stroke his arm or pat his back, staying calm and rational while Izuku clung to him like a lifeline. With each jump, his grip on Shigeo tightened a little more. Despite his own fear, Shigeo remained comforting, making Izuku feel as at ease as he could. No words were exchanged, just small gestures. It was almost like there was an invisible string connecting them. Izuku’s doubts faded, and he was now certain that neither of them wanted the night to end.
As the movies went on, the strange tension between them only seemed to build and build until it was almost too much to bear. By the time the credits of the last movie rolled, Izuku had long since stopped watching the screen and was instead just staring at Shigeo, his delicate features and focused eyes illuminated by the electric blue light. He was mesmerized by how relaxed and composed he looked throughout. He was even more mesmerized by his fluttering eyelashes, the sharp slope of his nose, that small, adorable pout on his round lips...
"Izuku?"
"Huh?" Was all he could get out in response. Blinking rapidly to bring himself back to the present moment, he at long last realized that Shigeo had been staring at him. He didn’t even want to know for how long.
"Was that the last one?" He asked when he saw that his friend had snapped out of his trance.
"That's everything I had planned." Izuku finally managed to say, double-checking his list to distract from his flustered state. "We can find more if you're up for it, of course."
"Aren't you tired, though? You've been awake for way longer than I have."
"Maybe a little," He admitted, fighting back a yawn. And a smirk. Now was the time to take his opportunity. "Say, you don't mind if I stay here, do you? I don’t have the energy to walk back." He yawned again, in an overly exaggerated fashion.
"You’re saying…" Shigeo scratched his head as he pondered, "You want to sleep with me?"
"Yes. No! I mean-- in your room, yes." Izuku rambled, chuckling weakly. His face, for some strange reason, felt unbearably hot. "We've never had a sleepover before, and that's kind of a classic best friend thing to do."
Shigeo pondered for a moment, but quickly decided, "I guess that makes sense. You can sleep with me."
"Great, this is going to be so much fun!" Izuku cheered. Then he added in a low mumble, "But please, stop wording it like that."
With that, Izuku moved the laptop to the nightstand before blindly fumbling back to his side of the bed, trying to keep his limbs from kicking Shigeo’s. The other boy shuffled further to the corner to allow him more space. His eyes watched Izuku’s as he felt around for the edge of the blanket to pull over their shoulders. "We have to keep you warm if you want to recover soon," He explained.
"It’s good that you’re here, then." Shigeo mumbled, his voice muffled by the covers as he wiggled around. To Izuku's surprise, he shifted closer toward him, so close that he could feel his breath tickle his neck. Their arms were now touching. Izuku's tensed up and frozen in place, and Shigeo's softly shivering against his.
"You're freezing." Izuku noted through a whisper.
"They need to fix the heating." Shigeo said under his breath.
"If you don't mind," Izuku started softly, slowly, unsure of whether this was the best or worst idea he'd ever had, "I can help you warm up."
Shigeo's eyes shot open. He tilted his head up to meet Izuku's gaze, his hair brushing against the other's skin. Izuku felt the need to clarify,
"I mean, I can hold you. If that's okay with you." Shigeo silently looked at him for a few seconds, which felt more like hours for Izuku. Then his head slowly fell again. He lazily pulled himself even closer to Izuku, curling into a ball under the taller boy's chin, his limbs pressing against his and his forehead touching his chest. If he were to listen carefully, Izuku was sure that Shigeo could hear his heart beating painfully against his ribs. In part, a huge part, to kep him from noticing what he was sure was a deafening sound emitting from his chest, he softly laughed as he wrapped his arm around Shigeo, alternating between stroking his shoulder and rubbing his back. Solely to keep him warm, of course.
"Is this better?" He gently asked, slightly lifting his head to see Shigeo's peaceful expression. Shigeo nodded into his chest.
"What would you do without me." Izuku jokingly replied. He expected Shigeo to reply with the same lighthearted tone, or maybe brush him off and turn around. Anything but what he actually said, the sound echoing over and over in his ears and vibrating against his bones.
"I’d be lost. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself here."
Seriously, did he have to do this to Izuku now of all times? His muddled but genuine tone as he said those words made him feel like he was going to melt into the mattress and dissolve into nothingness. It was too much. He shifted his gaze down to the tiny bit of free space between them. For some reason, looking at Shigeo felt too difficult, too disarming. He never knew friendship could be so painful. In that moment, he realized just how deeply he cared for Shigeo, and his heart ached from all the love for him he'd been holding back and living down out of some stupid, childish fear. He held Shigeo closer, wrapping him in a bear hug, as if, if he were to let his guard down, he could slip away any minute. His emotions got the best of him, and the words forced their way out of his throat.
"That’s how I’ll feel without you." With a low but clear voice, he confessed what had been weighing on his heart for so long. Izuku felt Shigeo's eyes piercing through him but didn't dare look up and meet them. He just continued mumbling into the white sheets, "I know you have a life you have to return to. People who are waiting for you. It’s just that…" He had to pause and take a deep breath, to gulp down the painful lump that had formed in his throat. "I wish it didn’t have to be that way. You're important to me too, you know. You can't just give me some of the happiest months of my life and then leave. It hurts. I don’t want to lose you, Shigeo. Ever."
The weight pressing down on his chest eased as he continued talking. As terrifying as it was, it felt just as freeing to finally share his fears, to finally let Shigeo know just how much he meant to him. He finally dared to shift his eyes back to his friend, who had been staring at him with wide pupils and parted lips.
As he took in Izuku's words, the surprised expression on his face shifted into something more solemn. He was the one looking away into the dark now, his mouth tensing up into a frown. He was aware of the uncomfortable atmosphere that had suddenly descended between them, and was just as lost as Izuku as to how to break it.
"So that's why you've been that way." He whispered to the ceiling, after a few excruciatingly long seconds. Izuku didn't reply. He didn't have to. His silence was all the confirmation Shigeo needed. So he continued instead, "This isn't easy for me either. I would have no problem returning if it weren't for you.
I never expected to..."
The seconds Izuku spent waiting for Shigeo to finish his sentence felt even longer. He clung to every word he had said, trying to predict the next ones, to brace himself once Shigeo finally said them. Those words never came. Unable to bear the silence and uncertainty, he had to interject, trying to keep his voice from stuttering. "Expected what?"
"Doesn't matter." Shigeo shook him off, his voice even smaller than before, barely audible as a whisper. He turned around, out of Izuku's grip, his back facing his frined and his head half-hidden by the covers. "We should get some sleep."
Izuku, however, was determined. "Shigeo." He asked gently. His hand reached out to touch Shigeo's shoulder, to which Shigeo only shrank deeper into the blankets.
"Shigeo." He tried again, his voice low and clear. His grip on Shigeo's shoulder tightened enough to pull him onto his back. He leaned up on his free arm, his other hand pressing into the soft mattress next to Shigeo's other shoulder. There was no way for Shigeo to ignore him now.
Izuku's plan was to continue interrogating him, to find out what it was he'd been trying to hide. But as he gazed down at him, with his tired, half-shut eyes gazing up at him and his usually prim and proper hair sticking out in all directions, something in his brain shut down, making him forget all about his initial goal. Even in the thick darkness of the night, he could see the bright flush against Shigeo's pale face, his skin irritated by sniffling all day. Except, he could have sworn he saw him becoming even redder, with heat spreading across his cheeks and tinting them a wine red. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep himself from staring. But Shigeo didn't seem to mind. He just discreetly glanced up at him out of the corner of his eye, his dark pupils gleaming with a spark Izuku hadn't seen before.
Without thinking, without realizing he was moving, Izuku's arms lowered, pulling himself down closer to Shigeo. Their noses were almost touching, and their synced breaths made the hairs stand up on the back of Izuku's neck. Can a friend really make one feel this way? Up until then, he had brushed his twisting stomach and skipping heartbeats whenever Shigeo softly smiled at him or grazed Izuku's fingers with his, as a meaningless teenage boy thing. A reaction to something he hadn't been used to. Excuse after excuse. But as the weeks went on and his flustered reactions only intensified, Izuku realized there must have been more to it. Which made him unbearably afraid. If the thought of losing Shigeo was so daunting now, he wouldn't know how to handle it if he acted on his more hidden feelings for him. But he didn't care anymore. Whatever it was he had been feeling, he couldn't bear to keep it buried any longer.
With his eyes not leaving Shigeo's face for a split second, his hand traveled up from his shoulder and cupped his chin. Reluctantly, shyly. His thumb stroked Shigeo's burning skin, ever so slightly grazing his lower lip, lingering over the plump skin. Shigeo's eyes trailed after his finger, following it as if in a trance. Without even realizing it, his lips parted. Izuku felt like there was a hurricane in his stomach. The world around them became hazy, with its colors and shapes blending together and melting away.
The cold air in the room became suffocating. No amount of oxygen could have been enough to keep up with Izuku's racing heart. His mind was blank, only able to incite him to take a sharp breath and lean in and tighten his grip on Shigeo's chin, lifting him up enough for his lips to meet Izuku's.
Izuku's lips shivered against Shigeo's, overcome with excitement and uncertainty. His hands became sweaty and shaky from the rush of emotions stirring in his head and wasps roaming in his belly. Yet he felt at peace, like he had found a missing part of himself. As overwhelming as his doubts were, they all dissipated when he felt a pair of hot, tender hands wrap themselves around his neck, urging him to come closer. Izuku leaned into the touch, his elbows buckling and collapsing onto the bed, his body pressing down on Shigeo’s, their hearts beating against each other’s chests like a pair of frantically pounding drums.
The kiss was loving and cautious, careful to convey all the thoughts Izuku'd been keeping to himself. His hands found their way into Shigeo’s hair. It felt as silky and smooth as he had always imagined. He swirled soft strands around his fingers, with the occasional gentle tug. Shigeo’s hands were just as eager to explore. They were constantly stroking Izuku’s neck, playing with the collar of his shirt, squeezing his firm shoulders. The spark budding inside Izuku turned into a large flame, spreading out from his belly and into his fingertips, engulfing his entire being. His fingers became restless, trailing from Shigeo's jaw down across his chest and to his waist. He felt Shigeo's breath hitch as he leaned into the touch. It was dizzying. Soft caresses and gentle grazing of their lips stopped being enough. The longing that had been building up in them overpowered their initial shyness, and their movements became sloppier.
Izuku bit down on Shigeo's lip, eliciting a surprised sigh. Initially, he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign, but as Shigeo's hands fingers into his back and pulled him closer toward himself, deepening the kiss, he decided it must have been the former. He obeyed Shigeo's wishes by continuing to nibble on the tender flesh, occasionally flicking his tongue over the reddened spot. Shigeo rewarded him by sinking his hands into Izuku's shoulders, needily tugging at the thin fabric of his shirt. Neither of them had ever felt something as intensely as they were feeling in that moment, and neither ever wanted it to end. Izuku's tongue on Shigeo's lips, Shigeo's hands on his back, Izuku's weight on Shigeo, their increasingly hot bodies... It all felt intoxicating. Like they were each other's drug that they couldn't quit.
So they didn't. They continued holding each other, lazily but firmly. Izuku's hands freely felt the contours of Shigeo's body, both of them growing more confident and unrestrained by the second. A mischievous fingertip traveled down Izuku’s spine, the light stroke enough to make him shudder into the kiss and arch his back, pressing his hips against Shigeo's in the process.
That was when Shigeo reached his breaking point. The unexpected stroke made him shiver and sent sparks of electricity scattering on his skin. His hands left Izuku’s back and pushed against his chest, mumbling something into his mouth. Izuku sat up and looked back at him, concern apparent on his furrowed brows and wide eyes.
"Did I do something wrong? Sorry..." He mumbled, his eyes fixed on the ruffled sheets.
Shigeo quickly shook his head. "No, it’s not that. I just…" He looked to the side, putting a hand over his red face as he tried to formulate his sentence. Feeling like he had found the right words, he continued in a low murmur, "I could... get you sick. Maybe some other time?"
Izuku’s expression softened. He exhaled loudly and laughed, relieved and endeared by Shigeo’s reaction. His body fell forward again, wrapping Shigeo in a tight, caring embrace. "If it’s you, I don’t care if I end up hospitalized." He giggled into the crook of Shigeo’s neck. He reached up to stroke his face and press a final kiss on his cheek, whispering with nothing but pure affection, "This is why I love you."
He heard a soft gasp against his ear. Then he felt a small pair of hands slowly fall on his back, squeezing him tightly. He couldn’t see Shigeo’s expression, but he just knew that he had the most adorable little smile plastered on his face. He nuzzled his chin into his neck and slowly stroked his hair, not stopping until the darkness of the night forced him to sleep. The deepest, warmest sleep of his life.