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"I don't understand" - "What is there not to understand?" - Ochako stared at him blatantly with raised eyebrows. She had been trying for several minutes to make Shoto, this naive, clumsy and awkward boy, understand the meaning of what he had told her earlier. And this particular boy stared at her just as questioningly. She was joined by Izuku, Denki and Enjiro, who were all standing together around Shoto's table, while he sat in his chair like the schoolboy he was, trying to understand what had just happened.
"Listen, it's a good thing. You should be happy," Ochako tried again, giving him an encouraging smile. - "But it's odd" - Of course it was for him. For a boy who came from such a loveless household, it couldn't be any different. For this reason, it was even more important to explain to him that such a sign of affection was something beautiful. - "That may be true, but you'll get used to it," Eijiro intervened, giving him a manly pat on the shoulder that caused Shoto to jerk forward for a second. - "I still don't understand why he's doing it. What's wrong with the one I have?" - Shoto tilted his head in that way that reminded his classmates of a lost puppy. - "Because he likes you" - Ochako leaned heavily with her hands on Shoto's desk. She didn't know how many times she would have to explain it to him before he finally understood. - "People you like, people you love, are given nicknames" - Shoto blinked several times, still with an expressionless face. - "A lot of us have them. It's like-" - Izuku tapped his index finger against his chin thoughtfully, searching for a comparison that was plausible enough for Shoto. - "It's just like when I call Kaachan, Kaachan" - Shoto's head tilted a little further to the side, as if he was trying to process a thought that had just crossed his mind.
"So you love Bakugo?" - That was his conclusion? - "W-w-w-what?" - With his head flushed bright red, Izuku stumbled a step back, waving his hands frantically and in agitation. - "N-no- I mean- yes, I do. B-b-but not- I mean-" - Ochako couldn't help but shake her head at the panic attack Izuku had just suffered. How absolutely clueless could anyone be? - "W-we are friends! Of course I like-" - Izuku swallowed hard. - "K-Kaachan" - Okay, enough of that. Whatever it was that was keeping Izuku from finally putting his money where his mouth was, Ochako certainly didn't have the nerve for it. Especially not when this was actually about something completely different. - "Whatever," she quickly dismissed it and turned her attention back to Shoto, ignoring the meaningful looks Eijiro and Denki were giving each other. - "Giving a nickname to someone you're close to, whether on a romantic or platonic level, shows great affection and connection. The fact that Ilda calls you Sho only proves that he feels comfortable with you. It's like he's giving you a pet name. And I'm sure your relationship is not far off until the first 'Baby' is dropped" - Shoto frowned. He thought about it and came to another conclusion. - "You mean, just like when Hawks calls my father 'big boy'?" - Ochako was sure that Shoto had absolutely no idea what he was saying. She was less sure what to do with this unwanted information. And the looks on the faces of the rest of her friends told her that they were equally perplexed. That and the awkward silence that had spread between them. - "Hmh" - Ochako tried not to make this situation any more uncomfortable than it already was. - "J-just like that" - Regardless of what she had just found out about Endeavor, she would banish it to the back of her mind. In a chest. With seven seals. And at least ten lost keys. Which in turn had seven seals.
And as disturbing as it was for Ochako, less so for Izuku, who was scribbling furiously in one of his notebooks, something in Shoto finally seemed to click. - "So that's good" - It wasn't a question he asked. More a statement to convince himself that he had understood. - "I think I like it" - Of course it did. And Ochako couldn't help but give him a soft smile as he stared in front of him, bashful at the thought. Remembering how embarrassed Ilda looked when he said it for the first time. And how much his tone changed whenever he said it again. - "Now that you've understood, you should-" - Before Ochako could finish her sentence, the door swung open with a much too loud clatter. - "How is it that none of you are in your seats yet?" Aizawa's voice immediately rumbled tiredly through the classroom. Without another word, each of the students who were still standing rushed startled to their seats. Their conversation was now officially over. Ochako was completely satisfied with the result. Izuku was still red-faced while staring a hole in the back of Katsuki's head in front of him and Shoto was still deep in thought about what Ochako had said. Sho. Yes, he liked that, he thought to himself and couldn't suppress a slight twitch of the corners of his mouth before concentrating on the lesson.
And yes, he could say that he liked it. He downright loved it. Whenever that nickname came up, it gave him a pleasant tingling sensation. It was such a new and strange feeling. At the same time, he longed to experience it again and again. And no matter how often Shoto heard it, this feeling never subsided. In fact, quite the opposite. Each time, it seemed to burn deeper into his veins. And it had taken him a while to understand why. Despite the fact that the answer was so obvious. Because he felt loved. Because there was someone for whom he was important. For whom he was that one special person. Shoto couldn't remember if he had ever felt like this before. And even if he hadn't, it didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was what lay ahead of him. And he could hardly wait to experience that future. Every day that Ilda called him that nickname when they were alone. And every other day even more when he did so in the presence of others. To the point where even some of his classmates would call him this nickname. And Shoto enjoyed every single moment of it. So it was that one day this strange feeling disappeared until only this pleasant tingling sensation remained.
"Take your seats!" Ilda's voice echoed loudly through the classroom, attracting the attention of his classmates who had just been involved in muddled conversations. - "We don't want Aizawa-sensei to scold us again! He should be here any minute" - And as expected, all the students returned to their seats. Some with a teasing comment on their lips, others grumbling, but in the end, behaved enough until the door to the classroom swung open not a moment later. - "Better than last time," Aizawa muttered into his scarf, closely followed by Yagi, who would be teaching the following lesson with him. The two made their way to the teacher's desk while Aizawa cast an assessing glance around the room. - "I've prepared a Pop-Quiz for today's lesson. The result will show me how much has actually stuck in your nonsense-filled heads" - Aizawa walked along the first row of students as he handed out the papers, which were passed to the back one by one. Accompanied by a reluctant murmur that went through the class. - "So don't disappoint me" - "And always remember, don't dwell too long on one question. Do your best," Yagi also joined in. His voice loud and encouraging. Clearly trying to lighten the grim mood that Aizawa was spreading. Which only earned him a snort from the latter.
Silence settled in the room, each student focused on answering the questions properly and recalling what Aizawa had taught them in tedious and nerve-wracking hours. Yagi went to flick through a well-worn book. Probably another one of his ridiculous "how-to" books, which Aizawa still eyed suspiciously whenever he saw them. But that should be one of his minor problems. As long as they worked and saved him from having to teach another person who could behave just as mindlessly and childishly as one of his students at times. Another snort escaped Aizawa's lips before he sat down in his chair, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He would much rather crawl into his yellow sleeping bag and take a long nap. But since this was supposed to be a quiz, he couldn't risk missing one of his students' inevitable cheating attempts. Knowing that he couldn't leave it to Yagi either, who would be far too soft with them in such a scenario. Because unlike him, Aizawa had no problem cracking down, expelling said student from class and leaving a negative note in the student's file. Yagi, on the other hand, would certainly leave it at a verbal and far too polite warning. Or worse, probably even help the students with their answers. God forbid, Aizawa could not allow that. So he had no choice but to open his eyes wearily and continue to observe his students in silence. Nothing could be heard, apart from the constant scratching of pens on paper. Several minutes passed and Aizawas felt his eyes begin to burn uncomfortably. Which not even his repeated blinking was going to make any better. Where had his eye drops gone?
Casting a quick glance to the side, he looked at Yagi, who was still standing in front of the blackboard, staring focused into his book. Aizawa blinked again before rubbing his right eye. It was no use. Somehow he had to get rid of the stinging in his eyes. So he grabbed his bag, which was lying on the floor next to the desk, and began to rummage through it. It had to be here somewhere. He was sure he had thrown it hastily and carelessly in there this morning. He really should start stowing another bottle in the teacher's desk. Just in case. Maybe they were further down?
"Sho?" - "Yes?" - In a split second, all hell broke loose. It couldn't have been any other way when Aizawa absent-mindedly raised his head with the intention of turning to Yagi, who had just called him. Only to realize that he wasn't the only one who had responded. Shota, who had stopped writing, also raised his head, waiting to hear what they had to say. And if Aizawa had thought the room was quiet before, it was nothing compared to the deafening silence now. Not even the students' writing could be heard anymore. Just silent stares that pierced him. Only interrupted by an embarrassed throat-clearing sound that came from Yagi. - "S-sorry, young Todoroki" - Aizawa watched an unhealthy blush spread far too quickly up Yagi's neck. - "I wanted to- Well, Aizawa-sensei, I have a question" - It was a miserable attempt at trying to overplay the matter. An abysmally pathetic attempt that resulted in a rising whisper from the class. Yagi himself tried to ignore it, still scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment as he turned to Aizawa.
For a brief moment, Aizawa's eyes met Shoto's, who silently returned his gaze. Damn. That was clearly too much. Not only was his class falling into turmoil, completely ignoring the quiz, but now he was met with a knowing look that he had expected from many, but not from Shoto. His heart was pounding in his throat. His teeth gritted painfully. And in a split second, the whole situation seemed to slip out of his hands. - "Quiet!" - Hammering his hands against the desk with far too much force, Aizawa rose from his chair in one fluid movement. His bag fell to the floor unnoticed, scattering its contents until the bottle containing his eye drops rolled against the heel of his boot. - "We're in a classroom here! And I expect better from you than to behave like wild animals!" - The students fell silent in their whispering, giving each other uneasy looks. - "Concentrate on your quiz! And if any of you get the idea to cheat, I'll know!" - Aizawa barely managed to prevent his Quirk from activating, even though his capture weapon began to shake dangerously. - "Yagi! A word!" - And without waiting for a response from either his students or Yagi, Aizawa stomped out of the classroom. - "Excuse us for a moment" - Of course, Yagi had to be awkwardly polite again. His book already tucked away and his hands folded in front of him, he followed Aizawa with silent steps before closing the door just as quietly behind him. Now completely alone with his obviously very displeased colleague, Yagi stood in the empty hallway. He wasn't sure whether he should speak first or whether he should listen to the lecture about how much unprofessionalism there could be in a person.
"I'm sorry" - Yagi opted for the former, hoping it wouldn't get him into any more trouble. - "I-I was so lost in thought. It wasn't my intention to embarrass you in front of the class" - Aizawa, who was standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest, remained silent - "I didn't want to upset you. And above all, I didn't want to give others the impression that I was belittling you by not addressing you with the appropriate politeness. Which should have been absolutely mandatory. That was disrespectful of me. I was just so engrossed in the book and I had a question about it. And I thought it would be a good idea with the students being so busy. I know it was a mistake. I should never have-" - "Enough!" - God, this man had the exact same annoying habit as Izuku. The babbling and mumbling whenever he got nervous and didn't know what he really wanted to say. But Aizawa knew how to stop this torrent of words and would do so for the sake of his oncoming headache. - "That was careless of you," Aizawa began, now in a calmer voice, but no less annoyed. - "Mistakes like that shouldn't happen to you. Not here at school" - "I'm sorry. It's just that sometimes-" - Yagi kneaded the fingers of his right hand nervously. - "Sometimes it's hard for me to pretend that you are not important to me." - Silence spread between them. And Aizawa couldn't help but relax. With a sigh, he lowered his arms and took another step towards Yagi. - "I know" - How could he not? It had been the topic of so many late-night conversations in which they had grown closer. Aizawa knew that deep down, Yagi was nothing more than an inept teenager. One who was discovering feelings for himself for the first time that he had forbidden himself for so many decades. He was excited and jittery, always trying to discover new things. New things that this feeling brought with it. It was exactly this attitude that dissolved Aizawa's anger and annoyance into thin air.
"You're lucky I've gotten so used to you," Aizawa admitted in defeat. Yagi looked down at him, his head still tucked between his shoulders. Another habit that made Aizawa despair. The unconscious way Yagi made himself small so as not to attract too much attention and not to appear intimidating because of his absurdly large height. And maybe, just maybe, Aizawa also found it very cute. But this thought would never escape his mind. Not while he was still in his right mind. And to distract himself from this very thought, he caught Yagi's gaze. There was a sparkle in them that told him everything was all right again. And most importantly, that Yagi understood what he was saying. After all, it was no secret that Aizawa was not good with his emotions. Neither was Yagi. Albeit for different reasons. Aizawa because it was difficult for him to express his feelings and Yagi because it was difficult for him to have any at all. Nevertheless, they were here. They understood each other and what it took to make what they had work. - "And I'm grateful for it every single day" - A soft smile appeared on Yagi's lips. Knowing that they could just as easily have said those weighty three words. But they weren't, and that was okay. Because they knew the meaning and it wasn't important to say it. Instead, they enjoyed the brief moment of peaceful silence between them as they stood alone in the corridor. The air between them crackled, as it always did when they looked into each other's eyes for just a moment too long. Until Yagi broke the silence between them.
"I'd really like to kiss you now" - How could it be that after so many months of sharing his time, his feelings and his bed with this man, such a confession still threw him so off balance? It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel the same way. That he didn't want to be in his arms just as much to take possession of those lips, which all too often had the slight aftertaste of iron. But they were still at school here. Shota had made it clear more than once that their relationship had no place on these grounds. And he stuck to that rule. He was really trying. Which didn't mean that they hadn't already broken that rule a time or two. Somewhere in a dark, furtive corner. In the staff room, whenever Shota went there for a nap, woken each time by fingers in his hair that were far too cold, a soft voice in his ear and a smile that blinded him just as often when he blinked his eyes open. God, how much he wanted to kiss this man. Dammit.
In a move far too quick for Yagi to prepare for, Aizawa grabbed his tie. Pulled him towards him with far too much force until their lips met. And Yagi couldn't help but let out a contented sigh into the kiss. His hands began to move on ist own. Touched the light stubble that he felt just as much on his own face. Touching the soft skin under his fingers, he reached into Aizawa's capture weapon from above to wrap his hands around his neck. Yagi pulled him closer, pressing his fingertips into the delicate skin until Aizawa's mouth opened. He knew how sensitive his boyfriend's neck was. Skin that was otherwise never touched. Neither by the air of a light gust of wind nor by other skin. And it triggered something in Yagi that he could only describe as possessive. Because it was he who was allowed to touch that incredible man there. It made heat rise in him that he knew was inappropriate. Downright dangerous. Because they were not here in the safety of their own home. Because someone could come at any moment to interrupt what they were doing here. Which didn't stop Yagi from kissing Aizawa more insistently. With more urgency. Because that was what it was. Because he needed it, because it was urgent. And the hand in his shirt, tensely grasping for a hold, crumpling the fabric under his fingers, told him that he was not alone in this feeling. His own fingers dug deeper into Aizawa's neck until his fingernails left a mark. It had to hurt, just as much as his back did. At the same time, Yagi couldn't care less. Not when he could feel Aizawa melting further and further into his arms. With almost trembling knees, he chased after the feeling that was setting his whole body on fire. Until it drew a soft moan from him.
"Don't" - Aizawa was out of breath as he broke away from Yagi with the last of the strength he could muster. He tried to put distance between them and regain his composure. - "We're at school" - He tried to sound scolding. As if he didn't have the desire to take this man somewhere where they could be alone. Because they absolutely would not do that. That was the line Aizawa would certainly not cross. Not here, not during class. Not when there was a horde of equally hormone-driven teenagers waiting for him in this class. So he cleared his throat, carefully releasing Yagi's hands from their grip, which inevitably sent a shiver down his spine. It took him several breaths and a hand in his hair to calm down again. And Yagi straightened up from his crouched position, straightening his tie, which had been cutting uncomfortably into the back of his neck due to the pressure. With a grin on his face that would make Aizawa blush if he didn't have so much self-control. - "Now that that's settled" - Self-control. - "Sorry again about the slip earlier" - Self-control, Aizawa! - "I know. And you're so going to make it up for it" - "I will" - Why did Aizawa got a bad feeling about the way Yagi said that? Maybe it was because of the way Yagi came closer again, leaning down towards him. In a fluid movement with confidence that he usually only knew from All Might. - "I'll make it up to you tonight" - Damn. Why were his knees going weak again? And why did his breath tremble when Yagi spoke these words in a whisper against his ear, his lips close to the shell of his ear, separated only by his black hair.
Aizawa took a deep breath to calm himself down. To gather the little bit of self-control that had not yet collapsed under this man's gaze. But all it did was make him smell the cologne he had once told Yagi he liked. - "School" - "What?" - Aizawa had spoken breathlessly. The only word his fuzzy mind was still capable of. - "We're at school" - Yagi broke away from him, straightened back up to his full height. And God knew how weak it made Aizawa when Yagi did that. Without the stooped gait and the insecure posture. Pure self-confidence. And if Aizawa hadn't been so busy trying to control himself, it would have made him angry. Because he knew what Yagi was doing. He shamelessly exploited what he triggered in him. He enjoyed the way Aizawa turned to putty in his hands, which only made him more self-confident. It was a vicious circle.
"We should go back. It's probably suspicious enough that they don't hear any shouting." - A short laugh escaped Yagi, who seemed much more composed than Aizawa was. And all he could manage was a nod. Taking another deep breath and adjusting his suit, he repeated the nod, almost as if to encourage himself. - "Let's go then" - Hoping to find his students as he expected them to be, Aizawa headed for the door. Yagi went ahead of him, reached for the handle and opened it before giving Aizawa one last reassuring smile and gesturing for him to enter. Of course, he held the door open for him. What a hopeless charmer, Aizawa thought to himself and went in. And sure enough, all his students were sitting quietly in their seats. A little too quiet. Aizawa cast a grim look around, stood at the teacher's desk again and started to speak. - "Listen carefully. I'm only going to say this once!" - A threatening pause in his speech should have earned him the expected, frightened looks. But he realized that there was none of that. - "None of you will say a word about this. It will never be spoken of again and it never happened!" - Instead, they grinned. Wide and knowing. And one look at Jiro showed him that hers was the biggest of them. With a raised eyebrow and the hint of a wink. Aizawa tried not to let the suspicion arise in him that she had overheard them both with the help of her Quirk. Because that thought would only give him more of a headache. - "And now back to work!" - With that, the topic was finally over. All the students returned to their quizzes, almost as if nothing had happened. Aizawa slumped heavily back into his chair. - "And Mineta, don't think I didn't know you were trying to copy from Yokoyami!" - One caught look from Mineta was enough for him to let it slide. He'd had enough drama for one day and having to go through the hassle of an expulsion was something he was not keen on. And maybe it wasn't that bad to use one of Yagi's teaching techniques from time to time. Which didn't mean that he actually approved of them. It would just save him some overtime, that was all.
This hadn't the slightest thing to do with the fact that he had grown fond of these wild animals. This was about pure convenience and the safety of his sanity. Yagi also realized that this was a lie, of course, and he liked to rub his nose in it again and again. Teasing him and driving him crazy. Just like now. With that knowing smirk on his face, while his eyes returned to his book. Aizawa barely managed to suppress a snide snort, preferring to let his gaze wander over his students again. He watched them as they diligently wrote and worked. Until his eyes met Shoto again. The only one not busy finishing his quiz, he stared stubbornly in Aizawa's direction. And before he knew it, he could see a smile. One of those rare, sincere smiles that Shoto gave his friends from time to time. Almost as if he was trying to say something to Aizawa. Congratulations. I'm happy for you. You deserve to be loved. All these words hung unsaid between them. Maybe Aizawa was just imagining it. Nevertheless, he couldn't help the grin that crept onto his lips. And when Shoto also turned his attention to the paper in front of him, the moment between them was already over.
Aizawa let himself fall against the back of his chair, crossed his arms in front of his chest again and closed his eyes. Those damn kids.