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“Hey guys! Did you hear?!” Mina excitedly threw herself over the couch and waved her phone at them. “A corn maze is coming to town!”
“A corn maze…?” Jiro asked curiously. “Isn’t that an American thing?”
“It’s an American thing, but other countries like the UK, have also done it.” Megumi said, looking up from her own phone. “Usually it’s family farms that set them up, and they set them up in different sizes. Smaller sections for families with small children, larger sections for bigger groups, and some people do multiple sections. Cause, well, why not? Sometimes there’s even a hayride.”
“As always, Tori-chan with the handy-dandy information.” Mina cheered, “There’s gonna be one over at the Geonosis Stadium! We should go!”
Megumi found the announcement and raised an eyebrow, “Looks like it’s a haunted one too. Very fitting for Halloween.”
“Did someone say haunted maze?” Kaminari bounded over and threw himself into the seat next to Megumi. “Whoa, actors, props, special effects…sounds like they went all out.”
“Who went all out?”
Megumi craned her neck to see Awase, Sero, and Kirishima standing behind them. Gym bags slung over their shoulder told Megumi they’d just gotten back from training. The guys huddled over around the sofa and Awase leaned over. Megumi leaned back and held her phone out for a better view. “There’s a haunted corn maze over at Geonosis Stadium. Lights, music, actors, props, and everything.”
“…Huh.” Awase took her phone, scanning the announcement. “Looks fun.”
As he handed it back, Megumi couldn’t help but notice how carefully he handed it. It wasn’t like her phone was particularly new or anything, but she’d seen the way he’d handled everyone else’s stuff. Not rough, but less care than hers. She studied him a little out of the corner of her eye.
Awase had shot up over the past year, and now matched Todoroki in height. Dark spikey hair usually held back by a headband fell loose and free across his forehead and brushed his eyes. The headband sat on his collarbone and Megumi could easily make out the lean muscles outlined in his workout shirt. He looked good. The thought made her brow furrow.
Where did that come from?
Her thoughts derailed as Awase asked, “Are you going?”
“Oh, uh, maybe?” Megumi glanced over at Mina who nodded frantically. Megumi’s brow furrowed a little, “Uh, yeah. We are. This Sunday? Er, no. Saturday.”
“You ever been to one?” Awase asked abruptly.
“No, or not a haunted one anyway. I’ve always wanted to. I think it’ll be fun though.” Megumi smiled. “Have you?”
“No.” Awase shook his head. “Didn’t have the space back home. You know a lot about them?”
“Mmm…I guess?” Megumi tilted her head in thought, “I was telling Mina about corn mazes…”
She starting rambling a bit about the different Halloween attractions while Awase listened intently. She had to force herself to keep a straight face as Awase’s stare was…well, being on the receiving end of his undivided attention was something. Clearing her throat and shifting her eyes away, Megumi fiddled with her sleeve. “Er, sorry. Probably more information than you wanted.”
“Nah, it’s fine.” Awase shrugged. “You a big fan of Halloween then?”
“Yeah, didn’t get to celebrate it much when I was a kid. But I’m celebrating it with friends now.” Megumi smiled.
“Hey guys!” Mina suddenly bounced over to them looking excited. “We’re thinking of having a movie night before! Get everyone in the mood for the haunted maze! You guys coming?”
Awase frowned, but Megumi nodded. “Yeah, horror movie night before sounds like fun. Add some atmosphere.”
Awase looked indifferent, but the tips of his ears were red. “Yeah, sure. Why not.”
He abruptly stood up, and Megumi startled a little at the sudden movement. “Gonna head up. Need to get cleaned up before dinner.”
“Alright. See you later.” Megumi waved and blinked as Awase almost ran out of the room. “…What was that?”
“…I don’t know.” Mina said in confusion.
Awase Yosetsu did not like horror. Halloween was fine, but ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, and demons? Not so much. He supposed partly had to do with growing up around superstitious folk, but it didn’t negate the fact, that it scared the hell out of him. Plus his Quirk was useless against stuff like that. So when Halloween had rolled around, he’d resigned himself to avoiding the common room where Ashido had excitedly planned for scary movie marathons or watching his classmates play horror games on the consoles. Ashido would initially pout and fuss that he wasn’t joining, but ultimately would accept his disinterest. Except all of those plans had flown out the window the second Megumi had said she’d be attending and before he’s realized it, he’d told Ashido he’d be there too.
Awase shoved his face into his pillow with a groan. His crush on Megumi had started small, and grown slowly over their first year. But it’d grown exponentially over their second year when they'd moved into the dorms and as they became better friends, to the point where he'd just agreed to two back to back horror events before thinking about it. Turning and squishing his cheek into the pillow, his eye caught the blue and bronze headband Megumi had gotten him for his birthday last year. His face flushed again and he groaned again. What the hell did he get himself into?
The week sped along to varying reactions: excitement for Megumi, and dread for Awase. Everyone did their best to concentrate, but the Halloween weekend topic leaked into all of their classes. While the class chatted about the maze and movies for the weekend, Awase tried his best to block out the conversations. He didn’t want to contemplate the upcoming horrifying weekend, but he also couldn’t help leaning in a little whenever Megumi started talking about movies and the attractions, or lingering as she and the others made plans.
“What ails you my friend?”
Awase looked up to see Tokoyami looking at him with concern. Or as much concern as his avian features would allow. Awase sighed, “Just…uh, not looking forward to the weekend. Horror’s not really my thing.”
“I understand.” Tokoyami nodded gravely, “The residents of the Abyss are not kind to all. You are wise to be wary of them.”
Even after a year and a half and living with the guy, it still took Awase a moment to decipher Tokoyami’s speech. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Although, I’m afraid I do not understand,” Tokoyami said slowly, “If the Abyss has been no friend to you, why are you partaking in a celebration surrounding it?”
“I…don’t want to disappoint the others.” Awase’s eyes unconsciously strayed over to Megumi’s back where she stood with Ibara, Mina, and Tsuyu. A tiny smile crept across his face as he watched her gesticulate and plan out the weekend.
“I see.” Tokoyami’s eyes followed Awase’s and he nodded, “Perhaps the Abyss shall bless instead of torment you this coming celebration.”
With that cryptic statement, Tokoyami swept away to join another group excitedly planning the festivities. Awase set his forehead on the desk and sighed, wondering if he could somehow land himself in Recovery Girl's office before the movie marathon.
“Hey, you alright?”
Awase nearly startled out of his chair and his head whipped up to find Megumi looking at him curiously. He felt his face flush in embarrassment and nodded, “Y-yeah, just a little tired after heroics earlier.”
“Ah, yeah…Twice-Sensei wasn’t pulling any punches today.” Megumi winced. She’d almost gotten flattened by Twice’s Sensei Parade and only managed to escape by the skin of her teeth. “I think he’s trying to get as much training in before we all stop paying attention on Friday and Saturday.”
“Iida’s gonna have a fit if we slack off.” Awase snorted.
“Yeah, but he’s gonna get overruled so...” Megumi spread her arms in a ‘what can you do’ gesture. “Are you looking forward to this weekend and everything?”
A grimace spread across Awase’s face before he could stop it and he internally winced at Megumi’s furrowed brow, “Not really. Horror’s…not my thing.”
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Megumi offered, “Not everyone’s going anyway. Katsuki, Ibara, Hitoshi, Kendo, and Tsuyu-chan aren’t going for one, and I think a couple more are on the fence about it too.”
“NO!” Awase almost shouted, and then hurried to recover as Megumi jerked back at the sudden outburst, “No, uh…it’s-it’s fine. I said I was gonna go and I’m not breaking my word. Plus Ultra and everything, right?”
His face burned in embarrassment and Megumi raised a brow, nodding slowly. “Alright…well, I look forward to seeing you there then. Later.”
As Megumi headed back to her desk, Awase resisted the urge to slam his head into his desk and scream.
---
The week sped by with Awase trying his best to psyche himself up for the horror marathon and Megumi trying to reason out why someone would subject themselves to something they disliked. Her thought process got derailed as Mina dragged the girls out for costume shopping. As she flipped through the racks, Megumi tapped Momo on the shoulder. “Uh…Yaomomo, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Shiratori-san!” Yaoyorozu smiled kindly at her, “What’s troubling you?”
“Uhhh…” Megumi suddenly felt awkward, “…If there was something you didn’t enjoy, is there a reason you’d still take part in it anyway?”
“Hmm…” Yaoyorozu tapped her chin contemplatively. “I think it depends on the activity, but I would still participate if it was something my friends really enjoyed. As long as I’m with my friends, I’ll still have a good time.”
“Oh.” Megumi frowned contemplatively.
Was that it? They had a solid friendship, but Awase’s response seemed too panicked for that. Awase wasn’t the type to shy away from stating his thoughts on things either.
“Whatcha guys talking about?” Mina suddenly popped out from behind them and Megumi almost jumped into the air.
“Jeez, Mina. Make some noise,” Megumi huffed, “And…uh…”
“We were talking about activities and participating in them.” Yaoyorozu said, “Although, why do you ask Shiratori-san?”
“Uhh…” Megumi blinked, feeling a little dumbfounded.
Why did she want to know anyway? Her social skills were still pretty terrible, and it was only through the grace of everything holy that the class would talk to her. Logically, she knew that wasn’t the case, but it sure felt like it sometimes. But, normally she’d let it slide, instead of dwelling on it. Why did this one confuse her so much?
“Ooooh, is it looooove? Does someone have a crush?” Mina teased.
Megumi blinked, as the words sunk in, and the pieces clicked together. Her face heated up so quickly, she wondered if she was suddenly on fire and Mina’s jaw dropped. “Wait…are you serious?! Who is it?!”
“I…it’s not me, but…uh…” Megumi had no idea why her words were suddenly failing her.
“Is this about Awase-san?” Yaoyorozu asked, a knowing gleam in her eye.
“I-Wait, what?” The heat abruptly disappeared from Megumi’s face and bafflement replaced it. She stared at Yaoyorozu in bemusement. “What about him?”
“Yeah, Yaomomo what about him?” Mina asked eagerly.
“Well, Awase-san dislikes horror and he avoided all activities involving the subject last Halloween.” Yaoyorozu explained. “But suddenly he’s attending our movie night and joining us for the maze after you said you wanted to go.”
“Oooh so Awase’s got a crush on our Tori-chan then?” Mina squealed, “That’s so cute!”
“We don’t know for sure,” Yaoyorozu refuted. “It’s just a guess, but some of the clues are leaning that way.”
“…Oh.” Megumi said dumbly, and then guilt washed over her. “I…didn’t realize, but I also feel a little bad, especially if he hates horror as much as you said.”
“Awase’s a lot of things, but he’s one of the few guys in our class that have common sense.” Jiro piped up from behind another rack and Megumi almost dropped the costume in her hands. “Crush or not, I doubt he’d be doing this if he really didn’t want to.”
“That’s true…”
“I guess the better question is how do you feel, Shiratori-san?” Yaoyorozu asked.
“I…don’t know.” Megumi admitted. “Never thought about it too much with all of…this.”
She gestured at the claw scars on her face and the other girls made sympathetic noises. Jiro nudged her arm, “Any guy would be lucky to have you, and anyone that makes you feel bad about your looks isn’t worth your time in the first place.”
“You should try to find out this weekend!” Mina said, “But right now, costumes!!”
💀💀💀
Saturday night came with a beautiful full moon and almost all of Class 2-A was squashed together in the common room. Megumi found herself between the couch arm on her right and a blank faced Awase on her left. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, Megumi’s thoughts drifted back to her conversation with the other girls.
Did Awase have a crush on her?
It was a nice thought, she mused. Apart from being one of the top ten in the entrance exam and class, he’d been one of the first people to unflinchingly introduce himself to her. Eyes never straying toward her scars, and endlessly straightforward about his thoughts.
“There something on my face?”
Megumi blinked and realized she’d been staring at him. Awase looked back at her, and only because of the conversation, did she notice the faint tint of red on his cheeks. Feeling a little bold, Megumi shook her head. “No, just glad you’re here, even if this stuff isn’t your thing.”
“Oh. Yeah, uh, n-no problem.” Awase quickly looked away again, the red tinge deepening.
Maybe there was something to what Yaoymomo said.
Awase couldn’t believe he was doing this. The horror movie marathon started with an old Pre-Quirk era classic Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and he winced and flinched at the blood and gore. Megumi’s warm weight kept him grounded although just barely. He slouched in his seat, and his headband shielded his eyes a little from the screen. But he tensed as he felt Megumi’s head drop onto his shoulder. A sudden scream on the TV made him flinch and he grabbed onto his pants. Except his pant leg felt strangely warm and soft. A quick peek down revealed her hand had been in the space between their legs. He froze, torn between staying there and yanking his hand away. The movie decided for him and he gripped her hand tighter.
Despite the situation, it felt…nice. Megumi’s hand was warm, and he could feel the small scars from training covering them. If it wasn’t for the rest of the class, around, it’d feel like a date. His face flushed at the thought, but the color fled as the movie villain roared and revved his chainsaw.
“Doing alright?” Megumi whispered.
Awase grabbing her hand had sent a butterfly through her stomach, but it disappeared when she saw how uneasy he looked. She felt him shrug, unwilling to admit how he felt. Running her thumb against his, she mused over her options and then leaned close to his ear. “I'm gonna grab a drink, wanna come with?”
She received a jerky nod, and they carefully got up and headed to the kitchen area. She got Mina and Yaoymomo's eyes and they sent her encouraging looks.
The sounds of the movie faded a little as they moved away and Megumi stretched, cracking her back. “I forgot how long that movie feels.”
“Yeah.” Awase shuffled over to the fridge and pulled out two waters. He handed on to her, and their fingers brushed.
Megumi kept a straight face as she drank, but felt another butterfly. “How’re you holding up?”
“…Been better.” Awase said reluctantly. “The movie’s…a lot.”
“Yeah, apparently the director originally had issues with finding someone to distribute it.” Megumi said. “Did you know that the movie was only made on, at the time, ¥31 mil budget?”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. There were also several themes that critics…”
The two sat at the counter as Megumi talked about the movie, slowly forgetting about the rest of the marathon. As she talked, Megumi slowly became aware of how Awase looked at her as she gesticulated: fond, focused, and a hint of dreamy. She pretended not to notice, if only so she wouldn’t trip over her own tongue.
It was only when someone stumbled over to the kitchen that they remembered the rest of the class. Megumi had been rambling about Hitchcock films when Sero had shuffled over with a yawn. He spotted them after a second and gave them a sleepy grin. “Hey you two.”
“Hey Sero.” Megumi quirked a smile and Awase grunted, looking away. Megumi ignored it. “Still watching?”
“Nah, we decided to wrap it up since we still have class tomorrow.” Sero stifled a yawn. “You two been here the whole time?”
“Yeah, guess so.” Megumi shrugged, “Got up to get some water and then I guess we forgot to come back.”
“Cool, cool.” Sero yawned again. “Sorry, I’m heading up. Have a good night.”
“You too.”
Sero shuffled off and Megumi glanced at n annoyed Awase. “We should head up too before it gets too much later.”
“Yeah.” Awase felt slightly annoyed at the interruption, but begrudgingly admitted that she had a point. Pushing his chair back, Awase waited for Megumi to toss the water bottles and accompanied her to the elevators. When they hit their floor, Awase paused and cleared his throat. “Uh, thanks. For, y’know, the movie explanations. Maybe…we can talk about it more tomorrow? Before the Haunted Maze.”
“Sure, I’d like that.” Megumi smiled and waved. “Goodnight.”
“G’night.”
🎃🎃🎃
The next day was about as productive as Megumi thought it would be. In other words, not at all. Everyone did their best to concentrate, but by sixth period, it was clearly a lost cause.
As soon as the bell rang, and Aizawa dismissed them, Megumi found herself getting pulled along by the other girls to get changed into their Halloween costumes. Pulling hers on, she frowned at her appearance. It felt like she was missing something. Her eyes fell on a black and red headband and an idea flickered to life.
Several minutes later, she raced downstairs and Mina, dressed in a cowgirl costume, spotted her first and a grin split her face. “Daaaamn, look at you! Instead of the Shadow Hero, you should be the Steampunk Hero! Loving the bandanna.”
“Thanks,” Megumi tightened it a little and looked around, “Where’s everyone else?”
“They’ll be down in a minute.” Mina nudged her, “I wanted to ask about last night~!”
“Oh yeah, the marathon went pretty well I think.” Megumi mused, pretending to miss the hint. “Aizawa-sensei didn’t show up so that’s good.”
“Not that! But yeah, it was a success,” Mina trailed off before shaking her head. “You can’t distract me! You and Awase! You two left last night and never came back. Get up to anything fun~?”
“What-no.” Megumi shook her head, but her ears heated up. “I needed a drink and then we just hung out and talked.”
“Uhuh…and that isn’t the headband he got you for your birthday?” Mina asked slyly.
“…Er…maybe?” Megumi averted her eyes and cleared her throat. “A-anyway you look good.”
Chatter interrupted the conversation and she spotted a steampunk engineer Awase with Spiderman Sero and she had no idea what Kaminari. was dressed as. All Might Midoriya, Crimson Riot Kirishima and Catgirl Uraraka came down with a few others. Megumi waved at them, “Over here.”
She felt Awase’s eyes on her steampunk outfit and the way they lingered on the headband around her neck. She smiled at him., “Nice costume.”
“You too.” Awase gave her a quick up and down before catching himself and looking away.
“Alright! Let’s get going before it gets too crowded!” Mina shouted excitedly.
💀💀💀
The trip was quick and Megumi found herself pressed up against Awase the entire trip over. Somehow she had a feeling Mina was behind this as every time she tried to move, someone would conveniently nudge her back into place. It wasn’t the worst position to be in at least.
Geonosis Stadium was much bigger than Megumi expected and the arena was filled with families bustling around, and children yelling excitedly. Mina quickly herded everyone toward the admission stand. “Come on, come on! We don’t have all night!”
Megumi found herself at the front of the group with Awase at her back. The zombie lady at the register smiled at them. “Good evening, how many tickets?”
“Uh-“
“Two tickets please.” Awase cut in and Megumi blinked up at him in surprise.
“Oh-uh, you don’t-“
“That’ll be 1000 yen.” The lady said and Awase handed the money over, gently pulling Megumi away by the hand.
“Didn’t think you’d want to go digging around in your pockets with everyone waiting.” Awase said.
“Ah…yeah. Thanks.” Megumi rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, “Uh, I’ll get you food?”
“Sure, I’d like that.”
They stood to the side as they waited for the others, hands never letting go of the other. The rest of the class joined them and they split off into the maze.
The atmosphere was appropriately spooky and Megumi almost danced in place in excitement. Creepy music and sounds filled the air, and despite the stadium lights, it was pretty dark. Megumi peeked down different paths, curious about what was hiding while Awase reluctantly followed. It was only the start of the maze so nothing would pop out just yet, but it didn’t make her any less excited. They’d lost sight of the others several minutes ago, as the rest of the group had charged down another path eagerly. They’d heard their classmates screaming a few minutes later.
“Already?” Awase asked, casting an uneasy look toward the sound.
“They did charge ahead after all.” Megumi said dryly. “Do that, and you’re gonna encounter all the spooky stuff real quick.”
More screams echoed through the air and Awase cringed a little. The maze so far wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it’d be, even with present company, but he still felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. His eyes fell on Megumi’s costume and he cleared his throat, “So…steampunk huh?”
“Huh? Oh, uh yeah.” Megumi’s face flushed. “I couldn’t figure out what to pick so I went with this. I…see you went with something similar?”
“…Mina suggested it.” Awase muttered, ears burning. “I couldn’t figure out what to dress as and Mina came up with the idea. I…guess I can figure out why.”
“It suits you.” Megumi said, and spotted the blue and bronze headband. “Is that-?”
“RAGGGHHHHH!!!!” A man dressed in overalls and a chainsaw jumped out at them and waved his weapon in the air. He charged at them and Awase yelled in panic. Grabbing Megumi’s hand, he took off down one of the paths, dragging her with him as the man chased them.
“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuuck!!!” Awase cursed as they ran down different paths, jumping over obstacles, and other actors leaping out at them. They ran for a good few minutes before Megumi abruptly yanked him into a hidden side section. She quickly pulled some corn stalks over them as the actors ran past them. They held their breath until the sound of footsteps faded and then Megumi huffed in relief.
“Okay, think they’re gone. But that was fun!” She smiled and looked up. The smile turned into an o as she realized she was barely inches away from Awase’s face.
She’d never been close enough to notice, but Awase’s eyes reminded her of onyx; oynx with flecks of gray and silver. She didn’t dare move as doing so threatened to break the tension between them. He was so close, she could feel minty breath against her nose. It took several seconds for her brain to process it, but he felt closer. She blinked as she suddenly registered that Awase was much closer than before, eyes fluttering closed.
“AARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!”
The moment shattered as a zombie popped out at them and Awase cursed, running out from their hiding spot. Megumi didn’t resist, face flushed as she realized what almost happened. She didn’t have much time to dwell on it as they raced through the maze and into another hiding spot. This time the spot was wide enough to sit down in and she heaved a sigh, bringing her hand up to rub her eyes, “I was not—huh?”
Her hand felt heavier than normal and she looked down in confusion. Awase still held her hand and she tried to let go only to realize that she couldn’t. “Uh…Awase? I…think we’re stuck.”
“What?” Awase stared at her in tired befuddlement. “What’re you talking about?”
“Uh…I think you welded us together.” Megumi held her out upside down and waved it. She felt a little bad as Awase’s face paled and then flushed in humiliation. “It’s not bad, at least I don’t have any objections to it.”
“I-still, sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” Awase covered his face with his free hand.
“Hey, look at the bright side, at least we won’t lose each other this way in here.” Megumi smiled. She tilted her head and listened the noises around them. “I think we’re about halfway out of the maze.”
“Any idea where the others are?” Awase asked, trying to get his composure back.
“…I think Mina, Sero, and Kaminari are back there somewhere. I heard Kaminari screaming earlier.” Megumi pointed back the way they came. “Midoriya, Uraraka, and Kirishima are somewhere up front. Everyone else is scattered around somewhere in the middle.”
“Alright.” Awase stood up and pulled her, “Let’s keep moving before something else pops out at us.”
They trekked along, dodging zombies, killers, and other spooky stuff with Awase panicking only two more times. He couldn’t’ help it, the actors just had too good of timing. He briefly berated himself for not moving fast enough earlier, but Megumi hadn’t moved away. Maybe he had a better chance than he thought?
They spent another half an hour exploring the maze, running into dead ends, and getting chased by scare actors before finally spilling out of the maze. Awase thought his heart had almost stopped multiple times, but Megumi’s laughing had kept him going. He looked down at their welded hands awkwardly, “Uh, sorry about this. Uh…”
Unfortunately, no matter how much he tried to concentrate, he kept getting distracted with how warm and how well Megumi’s hand felt and fit in his. The thought that maybe he had a shot to do this forever kept short-circuiting his brain.
Megumi smiled at him and squeezed his hand. “It’s alright. Thanks for coming along to this, I had a lot of fun.”
Before she lost her nerve, she leaned over and pecked his cheek. Awase’s face immediately turned bright red, and felt like it was on fire. She smiled sheepishly at him, “Maybe we could do this again? But…maybe without the scares.”
“I…yeah. I’d like that,” Awase pulled his headband down over his eyes, but shyly peeked back at her. “I think I’d be okay with more scares.”
“Hey! There they are!”
They looked up as Midoriya, Uraraka, and Kirishima ran up to them. Midoriya and Kirishima immediately started chattering excitedly about the maze and all the actors and Quirks they came across. Uraraka smiled as she spotted Megumi and Awase’s linked hands and nudged her in the arm. Megumi shrugged and smiled sheepishly before exchanging another glance with Awase and mouthed, “Happy Halloween.”