Chapter Text
The roar of the V6 fastback thrums through Hizashi’s nerves. From the faint tickle of a loch of sunflower gold dancing to the flow of the heat radiating out below the five-cluster instrument panel, to the heartbeat of the machine rumbling beneath his desserto knee-high boots- every part of the man is feeling in his element. The supple upholstery of the bench seat a luxury, limited, and a detail that would go over the heads of just about anyone- aside perhaps a collector- but for the non-the-wiser reason for the specifically sought out detail- the man beside him looking like the most pleased feline, curled into the synthetic leather and practically purring as he naps.
To be fair, the raven-haired vagabond had done quite a lot over the course of the weekend, working students through the subtle intricacies of survival training. Some had truly thrived, making Hizashi wonder what was in the water these days that these kids were continuing to breach expectations in arenas that should be entirely adult. Shouta had seemed unusually pleased, but it was a great look on him- that wicked grin. It did not hurt that the whole set-up was suited to every single one of his strengths. He would be insufferable in the weeks ahead with the victory of the challenges. Hizashi did not mind a single bit though. Seeing his friend excited and pleased about little things like that fueled not only some really blood-pumping competitions between them but was ultimately, just beautiful to see.
If Hizashi had maybe driven his precious 1966 Ford Mustang up for this exercise just to have an excuse to make a slow trip back home for an exhausted Shouta, that was no one’s business.
The man worked half a dozen jobs, one of which was when he should be sleeping…one which he somehow still managed to find a way to put in hours at while they were up in these remote, snow-capped mountains- miles from the nearest village and any threat of villainous shenanigans.
Hizashi had known to expect this though and had planned for it. Shouta would have slept well-enough on the travel bus with the hoodlums, but not as well as he should, as well as he deserved to for all the strings he had pulled to get them an extra few days for an unexpected holiday from classes on the down-low. He never put enough time in for himself, of course, always more concerned with others.
While the kids had a well earned goof off in a winter wonderland, skiing, snow-sledding, creating little blorbos of icy precipitation (masterpieces of ice-carving in some cases), and making raucous of a quiet little resort, genuinely experiencing some of their oft-forgotten youth- Shouta had played inconspicuous sentinel, always awake and watching for something that fortunately never showed. He was thoroughly inflexible when it came to the classes though, would not risk even a small nap, the lovely fool.
Hizashi knew if he hadn’t planned ahead, Shouta would have had to wait till every student was tucked in safe to their dorms before he would finally tend to his own needs, a fact that Hizashi would not abide. So he had been uncommonly quiet, made arrangements with other staff to ensure only the best would be available to relieve Shouta on that tin can teenaged nightmare, and maybe made a point of having them suggest the pair head back separately so they could check the route in advance of the bus. It had taken a little guilt-tripping curtesy of Midoriya’s bambi eyes- but it did the trick. Not like Shouta could refuse the kids anything if they asked sincerely. Pushover.
It had played out unexpectedly well. And now the blonde got the privilege of seeing his best friend and most cherished person completely at ease. It had been a few hours of driving, and his companion had slept a majority of the time, even the radio was no obstacle to his slumber.
Bundled in an extra soft cashmere sweater, and subtle compression gloves for his sore hands following that much use of his capture weapon- Shouta was the picture of comfort, with the ice and snow coming down hard outside not the slightest hinderance.
If Hizashi could take a snapshot of the image to keep forever, he would. He cherished these quiet moments between them, ones that showed just how much Shouta trusted him, how much he was willing to be cared for without necessarily knowing he was.
Ones Hizashi locked away in his own mind for private reflection on the person he would do absolutely anything for, even turn down his favourite song so he did not disturb the sleeping beauty.
Love spoke it’s own language- one that hardly needed words to be given, and hopefully- someday- well received.
804 Mots