Chapter Text
Summer had flown by, Shouto’s mind occupied by nothing but their upcoming trip – the first holiday he and Touya had ever been on, the first time the two of them would be stuck together all day long for three whole weeks.
Sorting the formalities hadn’t been easy, but Endeavour had taken care of most of it after Shouto had presented their traveling plans to their father. He didn’t know how to feel about the fact that the police and the HPSC (thanks to Hawks once again) were willing to make an exception only because of Endeavour.
There were a few conditions, as expected. Shouto would have to have his phone on his person at all times with location sharing turned on, allowing the police access to this data in order to prove that he and Touya would at least remain in each other’s vicinity throughout the trip. He wouldn’t bear responsibility for his brother’s actions since he wasn’t going to act in his capacity as a pro hero for these three weeks. All legal responsibility would instead remain with Endeavour as Touya’s adult guardian.
His brother would be allowed to skip his mandatory therapy for that timeframe, but Ieiri-san had instead ordered him to write daily diary entries that they would discuss after his return. The police and HPSC would arrest Touya immediately if it became clear that he’d broken any of the new or existing rules.
None of it had sounded unreasonable or exaggerated to Shouto. His brother had complained about the mandatory diary entries for about five days straight, but he’d eventually agreed to all the conditions. A new contract had been signed by all involved. Shouto had taken one week off in order to plan the trip. He’d stuck with Yaoyorozu’s itinerary for the most part, but he’d made some adjustments.
He’d tried to involve Touya, had asked him to look up things that he’d be interested in, which would’ve been possible even without online access, but his brother had refused several times, stating that he didn’t care. It had been hurtful, but he’d accepted it anyway, hoping that actually spending time in different places for three weeks would spark Touya’s interest in something, even something that would otherwise seem insignificant such as choosing a location to visit.
And so he’d taken care of everything, had planned the route, had booked various hotels and ryokan, had added a few places to visit, had chosen a rental car company, had picked a car, had looked up the weather forecasts so he could tell Touya what kind of clothes to bring, had printed the itinerary with all dates and planned stops and had handed it over to his brother.
They day of their departure had arrived.
It was a Monday afternoon when the two of them met up in front of the rental car pickup site with their newly bought suitcases (neither of them had actually owned any). Shouto had dealt with the car pickup process while Touya had stayed outside, hood pulled up, mask and gloves on, seeming very uncomfortable with being out in public. He’d received the keys, had bowed his thanks to the staff, had walked to the parking spot, had admired the pitch black vehicle with its bronze wheels, had unlocked it, had started the engine and left the rental car property.
He’d stopped right next to his brother, getting out of the car to help him with their luggage. Touya circled the vehicle with wide eyes before getting in on the left side.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit much?”
“What do you mean?”
“You could’ve picked something that’s a bit more… subdued? Never thought you’d go for a car like this.”
Shouto shrugged as he got back in on the driver’s side after tossing their suitcases into the boot, putting his seatbelt on.
“I like it. I could’ve gone for a Ferrari instead, you know.”
Touya snorted while taking off his gloves.
“Is my little brother secretly drifting on Fukushima’s mountain roads every other weekend?”
He blinked slowly.
“No. That would be irresponsible.”
His brother sighed.
“It was a joke.”
“I know.”
Both of them sat in silence, listening to the soft sound of the engine’s rumbling.
Shouto moved first, tapping the map icon on the car’s integrated multi-purpose display, entering their first destination. Getting to Kinugawa Onsen would take them a little under three hours.
He did feel apprehensive about navigating Tokyo on his own. He hadn’t driven at all since receiving his license some nine months ago. His lessons had taken place within the city, meaning that he was somewhat used to the chaos of the dense and busy roads from a driver’s perspective, but this would be his first time without an instructor. Touya couldn’t drive, he’d never gotten his license, which meant that Shouto would have to be responsible for the driving part.
He could’ve accepted the old man’s offer and asked one of the drivers to chauffeur them around, but he was starting to feel very sick of accepting Endeavour’s help. He wasn’t fifteen years old anymore, he earned his own money, plenty at that, he wasn’t going to rely on their father forever.
He looked over to his left after double-checking the GPS.
Touya had already slid down in his seat, arms folded, legs crossed, the sole of one boot pressed against the pristine dash in front of him, prompting Shouto to frown.
“Put your foot down.”
His brother sighed, but he did put his foot down.
“And put your seatbelt on.”
“Yes, mother.”
“I’m not your mother.”
“It’s called sarcasm, Shouto.”
“I know.”
“You sure?”
“I researched the topic online on numerous occasions.”
Touya covered his eyes with one hand.
“Ready?”
One blue eye peeked out from between burned fingers.
“Yeah.”
They made it out of Tokyo without any incidents, allowing Shouto to finally relax once they’d made it into Toshigi prefecture. It had only been an hour, but he felt pretty drained already. Touya had fallen asleep almost immediately, which hadn’t surprised him at all.
He decided to take a break already since there was plenty of time to get to Kinugawa Onsen today, doing his best to tap his way to a convenience store within the car’s map app while also focusing on driving. He considered waking up his brother, but it felt unnecessary.
The GPS led him off the highway and to a Seven-Eleven. He turned off the engine in the parking lot, thinking about what he’d buy inside, throwing a glance to his left, wondering if Touya would be upset about waking up alone.
He’d be fine.
Shouto got out of the car, closing the driver’s door as softly as he could, making his way inside the convenience store. He knew that there’d be a kaiseki dinner at the inn later. Maybe he’d only grab a coffee.
There were a few books and magazines on display next to the checkout that caught his eye. He’d given Touya the itinerary on paper, but he hadn’t included a map. He found one for the northern prefectures along various regional guides. He considered buying one of those as well, but he wanted to wait and see if his brother developed any interest in the areas they visited on his own.
He walked back to the car after paying, coffee and map in one hand, feeling the cold wind on his face. Temperatures would drop the further they continued north, but there shouldn’t be any snow. He was confident that he’d brought appropriate clothing for the time ahead.
Shouto opened the driver’s door, finding his brother to be still asleep. He got back into his seat, closing the door as softly as possible once again. He dropped the folded map onto his lap, taking a sip of coffee.
He thought about all the restrictions that had been placed on Touya. He understood the suppressor bracelet, he understood the mandatory therapy, he understood the monitored phone and limited cash supply, but forcing someone to live without online access for years on end didn’t make all that much sense to him.
Why couldn’t they give him a monitored device with time restrictions? What were they so worried about? How was someone who, in a more typical case, had spent time in prison before entering the programme, supposed to inform themselves about the current state of this country, the world, the society they were supposed to re-integrate to? How were they supposed to form bonds with others if making connections the “traditional” way was either impossible or too challenging to even attempt? Someone like Touya wouldn’t be able to approach anyone in “real life” even if he wanted to, he was way too recognisable. The anonymity of online environments would allow him to at least talk to others without revealing his identity.
“What’re you thinking about?”
He almost spilled his coffee all over the pristine-looking steering wheel and the newly purchased map.
“How long have you been awake?”
He watched as Touya uncrossed his arms, pushed himself up with his hands, sitting almost properly. He hadn’t taken off his mask.
“Don’t know. But you had your ‘thinking face’ on for a while there.”
Shouto frowned.
“I have a ‘thinking face’?”
Was his brother smiling?
“Mhm.”
Definitely smiling.
“I was just thinking about all the rules from the police and the commission. It’s not fair that they still haven’t given you anything with online access.”
Touya turned to look outside the window.
“Don’t really care. It’s whatever. Wouldn’t do much with it anyway.”
He didn’t respond at first, taking another sip of coffee instead.
“But it’s not fair. They could just give you something that’s monitored. It’s about being able to access information or talking to people.”
His brother looked back at him.
“This really bothers you, huh?”
He nodded.
“Traditional media still exists, but not allowing online access just makes it harder to integrate.”
Touya frowned.
“Maybe I don’t even want to integrate myself anywhere, ever thought about that? I talk to the shrink because I have to. I don’t want to talk to outsiders, I don’t care.”
He knew this. It was frustrating, but he knew this.
“Still. It’s a matter of having the choice at all.”
The blue gaze softened.
“You don’t have to get upset on my behalf, Shouto. I could talk to that bastard Hawks if I really wanted to negotiate something.”
He sighed.
“Yeah. Guess you’re right.”
He picked up the map from his lap, having forgotten about it until now.
“I got you a map.”
He handed it over to Touya, who eyed it suspiciously before taking it with one hand.
“Why?”
“Thought you might want to see where we’re going.”
His brother shrugged, but he started unfolding the map anyway.
“I don’t really care, but sure.”
Shouto placed the cheap Seven-Eleven coffee cup in the cup holder on his side.
“You want something from the konbini too?”
“Nah.”
“Okay.”
He put his seatbelt on, turned on the engine and enabled the GPS again.
They arrived at their first hotel after about two hours. Touya hadn’t fallen asleep again, but they hadn’t talked at all during the drive, with the silence being a peaceful one. The area near the river looked incredible in the autumn twilight, the gushing waters surrounded by decade-old hotels and vibrant autumn leaves.
That previous peace seemed to dissolve quickly after Shouto handed over the car keys to the staff, who would handle both the vehicle and their luggage. He could tell that his brother was feeling agitated, gloved hands in his pockets, gaze fixed firmly onto the ground.
“What’s wrong?”
Touya shrugged, not looking up.
“Hate talking to people.”
He sighed. He knew that this part of staying in hotels and inns would be hard. He’d booked all places under their real names since their family name would open some doors (unfortunate but true), but he also knew that someone like Touya didn’t look like he belonged with all the other guests in these upscale hot spring resorts and that he’d stick out like a sore thumb.
“You don’t have to talk, I’ll get the keys. It’s fine.”
“Maybe this was a shit idea. I don’t know.”
Shouto stepped in front of his brother.
“Touya-nii.”
Blue eyes rose to meet his, reflecting the warm light coming from inside the Western-Japanese fusion hotel.
“I’m here. It’s going to be alright.”
Touya turned his gaze back down.
Silence.
The vibrant autumn leaves rustled in the cold October wind.
“Yeah. Okay.”
He smiled.
The room looked even better than the pictures with its large terrace, outdoor bath and tatami flooring. Their luggage had already been delivered.
Shouto checked the time on his phone. He’d considered trying the outdoor bath already, but he’d be able to head downstairs for dinner very soon. He decided to unpack a few things first.
His brother hadn’t said anything yet, but he’d pulled off his mask and hoodie and had poked his head inside every room once before flopping down on one of the recliners facing the terrace. He hadn’t moved since.
Shouto sat down on the second, smaller recliner, leaning into the throw pillow at his back.
It was dark outside, but he knew that the view tomorrow morning would be incredible.
Reaching out to Yaoyorozu had been a good idea after all.
He turned left to look at Touya, who had closed his eyes, one arm hanging off the recliner.
“I’m gonna head down to dinner now.”
“‘Kay.”
Silence.
“You going or not?”
“Yeah. Are you going to be alright on your own?”
Touya opened his eyes slowly.
“You don’t need to babysit me every single second, you know.”
“I know. It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Feels weird to eat dinner alone, I guess.”
His brother frowned.
“You feeling guilty?”
Shouto lowered his gaze, looking down at his hands.
“Yeah, I think.”
He heard a sigh from his left.
“Don’t. Even if I could eat all that stuff I wouldn’t be caught dead down there. You should know that.”
Silence.
“I’ll be back later. You should try the bath.”
“Nah.”
“Why not?”
“Won’t feel much anyway.”
“You should try it. Hot springs are really nice.”
“Nah.”
Shouto got up, feeling somewhat resigned, and made his way downstairs.
He was surprised to find Touya asleep on the recliner when he came back, noticing that their futons had been made next to the low dinner table. Had his brother slept through the staff coming in here and preparing the bedding?
Shouto didn’t want to wake him up to ask. Instead, he picked up one yukata and one towel from the bathroom and headed towards the outside bath area. The sun had set hours ago, but he was still looking forward to experiencing their private bath next to the terrace. He’d only been to the UA dorms bath house after all, which had been inside.
He took off his clothes and took a quick shower in the designated area before placing the folded towel on top of his head, stepping into the wooden bathtub. He was used to the feeling of getting boiled alive by his own flames without actually getting burned, but his body hadn’t forgotten the soothing sensation of being enveloped in mineral-rich hot spring waters. He felt the familiar tingling in his right side, something he’d learned to ignore during his time at UA.
Reaching out to Yaoyorozu had been a good idea after all.
Shouto listened to the sound of the river further down, to the sound of rustling leaves in front of him. The concept of an outside bath was both simple and ingenious at the same time. He’d been missing out.
He could see Touya from here, sleeping on that recliner, one arm dangling off its side. Maybe this was how his brother would spend all of their time together during the next three weeks. Asleep in the car, asleep in the hotel.
He hoped that Touya would try one of the baths at some point. It was a simple thing, but he’d be elated if his brother chose to do anything that wasn’t entirely passive. That had been his reason for making sure that almost every room he’d booked would come with a private hot spring. Touya in a public bath would be a disaster for everyone involved.
He didn’t know how much time he spent in that wooden tub, but as he walked back into the living room area, wearing the hotel’s slippers and yukata, Touya had already gone to bed, his white hair the only visible part of him with the rest covered by the puffy duvet.
Shouto noticed some paper on the low dinner table, covered in messy writing with most of it crossed out. He didn’t attempt to read any of it, knowing that this would probably be the first of Touya’s mandatory diary entries. He was very curious about his brother’s thoughts, but he wasn’t going to invade the other’s privacy to find out.
He noted that there was some space between their futons. The staff had probably set them up like this. It bothered him slightly, although he didn’t really know why.
He grabbed his phone and made his way to the recliners, sitting down on the one Touya had previously occupied. The notifications showed one text from his mum and one LINE message from the old man. He unlocked the device and opened the text app.
Mum:
How did your first day of the trip go? I hope that you and Touya can have a great time together.
Me:
Everything’s fine. I really like the hotel and the private outdoor bath. Touya-nii went to bed early.
Had Mum ever been on a holiday?
Probably not.
Maybe he could take her on a trip one day as well. He didn’t want her to be stuck in Tokyo forever.
He tapped the LINE notification.
Old Man:
Shouto, I hope that you and Touya are doing well. Do not hesitate to contact me if you require any assistance.
He wondered if their father would spend the next three weeks staring at their GPS locations.
Probably.
He selected a different contact within the app.
Me:
Made it to Kinugawa Onsen. Was dark when I arrived, but I think it’s going to look great tomorrow.
He closed the app, not expecting an immediate reply. It was quite late on a weekday after all.
He’d booked two nights in the same place at almost every location as per Yaoyorozu’s recommendation since it would supposedly allow them to settle in and enjoy the place more. He knew that she’d been right once again, thinking about the next day that they could spend however they wanted. Maybe he could convince Touya to try the bath.
Shouto got up from the recliner, put his phone next to his futon before making his way to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and changing into the latest addition to his sleepwear wardrobe, a garish Pikachu-themed “onesie” that his classmates had gifted him on his 18th birthday, three months before their graduation. He’d considered calling Recovery Girl on the day where he’d walked into the dorms’ common room in his new onesie since some of his classmates had been having difficulties breathing.
The slightly bouncy texture of the familiar tatami mats felt pleasant under his feet as he shuffled back to the living room, turned off the lights and finally crawled under the puffy duvet, exhaling slowly as he pulled it all the way up to cover his nose. Some of the rooms he’d booked would have Western-style beds, which wasn’t ideal, but he’d be fine. Even more reason to enjoy the nights he’d get to spend as part of the familiar futon-duvet-sandwich throughout their trip.
He lifted his head to look at his brother. Touya was a very quiet sleeper, his breath barely audible, but the all-white pile on the other futon rose and fell slightly every other second.
His phone buzzed next to him with a LINE notification. He quickly checked if the pile moved differently, but it didn’t seem to be the case. Shouto unlocked the screen and opened the app.
Yaoyorozu Momo:
That’s great to hear! It’s been a while since I visited, but I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. I recommend going for a walk across the bridge. There are some abandoned hotels if you’re interested in haikyo. It’s a great place for taking pictures as well.
Me:
Yeah, I’ll send you some tomorrow. Good night. And thanks again.
Yaoyorozu Momo:
I’d love to see some pictures! Good night, Todoroki-san.
He locked his phone with a slight smile on his face, dropping it onto the tatami floor before closing his eyes.
Shouto woke up before his alarm at 8.30 a.m., blinking slowly as his eyes got used to the dim light inside their room. The pile to his right looked the same as it had when he’d gone to sleep. He’d booked the breakfast slot for 9 a.m.
He sat up slowly, stretching his arms. The onesie may have posed a danger to his classmates’ respiratory health, but sleeping in it proved to have been a rather comfortable experience.
He faced the terrace when sitting up, taking in the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows outside for a few minutes, wondering about what the valley as a whole would look like during daytime.
He pushed the puffy duvet aside, lamenting the loss of its warmth already. He put on the slippers that he’d left next to his futon yesterday before making his way to the bathroom where he changed into the hotel’s yukata. A bright yellow Pikachu onesie probably wasn’t an appropriate attire to wear for breakfast in a hotel like this.
Shouto snuck back into the living room, lowering himself to his knees next to Touya’s futon. The pile was still rising and falling slowly, nothing but white hair on the pillow betraying what was actually inside.
Oh well. Time for breakfast.
He unlocked the hotel room with his key card, already looking forward to the outdoor bath. The room was also equipped with a coffee machine, which he was going to put to good use after finishing his extended soak in the wooden tub.
He walked into the living room area. Touya was outside, wrapped in his duvet, taking up most of the space on the strange round seat in the centre of the terrace. The glass doors were closed.
He slid one of them open. The cold immediately bit into his mostly exposed legs.
“Morning, Touya-nii.”
Blue eyes met his, the only speck of colour among pale synthetic skin, white hair as well as steel-coloured staples and ear piercings. The rest of his brother was wrapped in a puffy white duvet. It was a slightly different kind of pile now.
The blue eyes narrowed.
“What’s that yellow atrocity in there?”
“It’s my Pikachu onesie.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you have something like that?”
“It was a gift from my friends.”
“Do your friends hate you or something?”
“I don’t think so? It’s very comfortable.”
“Hm.”
“You could try it on. We’re the same height.”
“Fuck no.”
“It’s great for sleeping.”
“I don’t give a shit, I’m not putting that thing on.”
“Okay.”
Silence.
“How was your sleep, Touya-nii?”
The pile shrugged.
“Not too bad, I think. Was nice and warm at least.”
Shouto nodded.
“I’m going to take a bath.”
“Sure.”
“You should try it as well.”
“Nah.”
“Okay.”
Silence.
The vibrant autumn leaves rustled in the cold October wind.
“Do you like the view, Touya-nii?”
Silence.
“It’s… it’s not bad.”
He smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
“I’ll be in the bath.”
“Sure.”
Shouto ended up spending almost two hours inside the bath. He only got out because the difference between his right and left side became unbearable. His fingertips were also starting to look a little too “pruney”.
He didn’t change into the yukata this time, but into his regular clothes instead. He filled up the coffee machine with water and beans before placing one of the white mugs under it. The machine reminded him of the one he had at home. He listened to the familiar sounds of the beans being ground and the water being boiled.
Shouto stared at the dark liquid pouring into the hotel-provided mug, feeling strangely optimistic about the upcoming weeks.
The coffee was done. He eyed the big round chair-thing on the terrace, but it didn’t look like the pile had moved. He took the mug out from under the coffee machine, wrapping both hands around it for a few seconds before setting it down on the dinner table and lowering himself onto one of the chairs.
Shouto took a sip of his coffee.
He was thoroughly enjoying this place, but he was also looking forward to the next locations, especially those in the mountainous regions of Yamagata. It would be nice to explore the surrounding forests without being attacked by, well, the League and Dabi.
He probably shouldn’t tell Touya.
He finished his coffee instead. Time to do something.
Shouto stood up and walked towards the terrace, sliding the glass door open before stepping outside.
“I’m going for a walk, want to come with?”
The pile shuffled slightly. Blue eyes met his.
“Nah, go ahead.”
He frowned.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No.”
Shouto held out his hand.
“Give me your hand.”
The pile sighed, but a burned hand emerged from it nonetheless after a short struggle.
He took the fingers in his, pleased to find that they were indeed quite warm.
“Happy now?”
“Yeah.”
The burned hand retreated, disappearing into the pile once more.
“I’ll take my phone with me. I might be gone for a few hours, but I’ll be back before dinner.”
“‘Kay. Later.”
“Later, Touya-nii.”
Shouto unlocked the hotel room with his key card, already looking forward to dinner and his subsequent time in the outdoor bath. He’d spent several hours walking along the river, spotting some abandoned hotels from a distance, taking dozens of photos from different locations. He’d also crossed the bridge that Yaoyorozu had mentioned, but he’d doubted its structural integrity as the bridge shook and creaked in the cold autumn wind.
He eyed the big round chair-thing on the terrace, but it didn’t look like the pile had moved. It was almost dark outside now.
He walked towards the terrace, sliding the glass door open before stepping outside.
“I’m back.”
The pile shuffled slightly. Blue eyes met his.
“How was it?”
“Really good. I took some pictures, wanna see?”
Silence.
The vibrant autumn leaves rustled in the cold October wind.
“Sure.”
Shouto took his phone from his pocket, unlocked it, opened the photo gallery and held the device out. A burned hand emerged from the pile, taking the phone.
“I’m going downstairs for dinner.”
The blue eyes narrowed.
“Shouldn’t you take your phone with you then?”
Shouto shrugged.
“My location isn’t changing much, is it? It’s fine.”
“What if I use your phone to access the internet, Shouto? You know that’s not part of my shitty contracts.”
“What’re you going to do, order drugs off some online black market with my credit card?”
“Maybe I’ll tell your friends that I’m going to burn that yellow atrocity.”
“That’d be rude. Don’t be rude to my friends.”
The pile sighed.
“I’m not going to do anything, I’ll just look at the photos.”
He smiled.
“Later, Touya-nii.”
“Later.”
Shouto unlocked the hotel room with his key card, looking forward to his time in the outdoor bath. He eyed the big round chair-thing on the terrace, but it didn’t look like the pile had moved.
He walked towards the terrace, sliding the glass door open before stepping outside.
“I’m back.”
The pile shuffled slightly. Blue eyes met his.
“I realised something.”
A burned hand emerged from the pile, holding his phone.
“What is it?”
He took the phone. The burned hand retreated, disappearing into the pile once more.
Touya turned his gaze down.
“There’s no photos of you and me in there. Probably… probably nowhere.”
Shouto blinked. He hadn’t thought about it, but it was true. He did have some pictures of his brother seated at his dinner table, his silhouette placed against the lights of Akasaka.
“Yeah.”
Silence.
The vibrant autumn leaves rustled in the cold October wind.
Blue eyes rose to meet his, glimmering in the autumn twilight.
“I know it’s stupid, it’s some sappy shit, but maybe we could change that? Not- not now, but- I don’t know, at some point.”
He felt the corners of his mouth pull up into a small smile.
“I’d like that, Touya-nii.”
Touya turned his gaze back down.
“‘Kay.”
Silence.
“I’m going to take a bath.”
“Sure.”
“You should try it as well.”
“Nah.”
“Okay.”
Silence.
The vibrant autumn leaves rustled in the cold October wind.
“Did you go inside at all today?”
Silence.
“No.”
“Do you like the view that much, Touya-nii?”
Silence.
“Maybe.”
He smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
“I’ll be in the bath.”
“Sure.”
Shouto ended up spending almost two hours inside the bath. He only got out because the difference between his right and left side became unbearable. He wondered if his body would adjust to almost three weeks of daily soaking in the mineral-rich waters.
He walked back into the living room area, wearing the hotel’s slippers and yukata. There was more paper on the low dinner table, covered in messy writing, most of it crossed out.
Touya had gone to bed, his hair the only visible part of him with the rest covered by the puffy duvet.
He put his phone next to his futon before making his way to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and changing into the garish Pikachu onesie.
The slightly bouncy texture of the familiar tatami mats felt pleasant under his feet as he shuffled back to the living room, turned off the lights and finally crawled under the puffy duvet, exhaling slowly as he pulled it all the way up to cover his nose.
He picked up his phone, unlocked the screen and opened the LINE app.
Me:
[23 files] Here you go. Went for a walk earlier.
He lifted his head to look at his brother. The all-white pile rose and fell slightly every other second.
He locked his phone with a slight smile on his face, dropping it onto the tatami floor before closing his eyes.