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Izuku gives Monoma the paper, wincing at how the boy yanks it directly from his hands, not caring about how the page crinkles slightly.
"What is this?" Monoma asks, eyes narrowing in on Izuku.
Izuku rubs the back of his neck nervously, "It's um. A movie ticket. Class 1-A was going to see a movie sometime soon, and we had a few extra tickets. We were wondering if you wanting to come along...?"
Monoma continues to stare at him for a few moments, before he looks away with a slight flush to his face, "I don't know what you think your doing Midoriya, but I will not fall for your tricks. Find someone else to pester."
Izuku sighs, but accepts his defeat as Monoma drops the ticket to the floor and walks away. Well, there goes that attempt at trying to befriend Monoma...
He's tried to break down Monomas walls over time, but the other boy is honestly a bit more stubborn than even Izuku himself.
He's done everything from open doors for him when they walk into the same room, to inviting him for sparing matches, to even, on the rare occasion, giving him small gifts.
Despite it all, Monoma has never let Izuku in, not even a little bit.
Sighing, Izuku crouches down to pick up the ticket, not even noticing the person silently watching him from afar.
~
Neito watches Midoriya silently, trying to keep to the shadows as to not be noticed.
The boy looks sad. Disappointed. Heartbroken, even. And to Neito embarrassment, it pulls at his heart strings.
It's only when Midoriya begins to head to the dorms, that Neito begins his own path to his own room.
Midoriyas been rather casual with Neito as of late, Frustratingly so. They aren't friends, nothing of the sorts- and Neito would rather be caught dead then hanging out with a 1-A student.
And yet.
Midoriya has been so persistent, Neito can't avoid it any longer. Can't deny the truth of the boys constant pestering for attention.
He pulls open his drawer, revealing various gifts and sticky notes. He pulls them from their place, throwing them all on the bed and observing each one carefully.
A miniature cat Keychain, one with light blonde fur and a dark black suit. Gifted from Midoriya one of the times the two classes had decided to set aside their rivalry, to instead have a fun day out at the mall. Midoriya had said it reminded him of Neito.
A braclet, with light blue, black, and golden beads shaped like little stars. Given to him during a sleepover in the common room that Tetsu Tetsu had annoyingly dragged him into.
A folded peice of paper, one of many with detailed analysis on both his quirk and fighting style, Given to him right after the sports festival. Neito unfolds it, lightly tracing his thumb over the sketched out drawing of his hero costume.
He blushes, and sets the item down before nodding to himself.
He had been theorizing this, but today he's decided on it. All of these gifts, the compliments, the hang out inventions.. it's quite obvious, isn't it? At this point, Neito is just deluding himself. Shielding his mind from the truth to avoid the tragedy soon to come.
Izuku Midoriya, golden child of 1-A and possibly the most perfect person Neito has ever met, has fallen in love with him.. and the worst part?
The feeling is mutual.
It hadn't been at first, ofcourse it hadn't. Neito is apart of class 1B, Midoriya 1A- just the idea of being with one of those... fools is ridiculous. They're reckless, rambunctious show offs who constantly hog the attention that his class so deserves. He had thought Midoriya was the same.
Had thought he was just another pretentious fool, one who was trying to lure Neito into a false sense of security before crushing his heart in an act of betrayal.
Neito was wrong.
He thinks he started to realize it when he read through the first analysis paper Midoriya had given him.
The words so kind, so detailed... they hadn't been even slightly judgmental to his quirk. Hadn't called it weak or useless, had just pointed out his possible exploits and how to work around them.
Neito collapses onto his bed, face burning with a vengeance.
What a tragedy. A Romeo and Juliet esque situation, an irony that only he possess the knowledge of.
He can never let anyone know of his love, nobody but the one he shares it with. It's sick, it's devastating.
Neitos heart cannnot stop beating. He doesn't think it'll ever slow down, not in a million years. Not even as he drifts to sleep, clutching the cat Keychain is his hands.
~
Izuku stretches his arms, elbows popping as he gets ready for today's fight training.
It isn't too much, just some quirkless sparring between class 1A and 1B, but Izukus excited. He's been wanting to teach Todoroki some combat skills, (screw Endeavor for focusing so much on quirk training instead of basic combat) and today's lesson seemed perfect for that.
Just as he's about to approach Todoroki, he hears a voice behind him.
"Midoriya."
Izuku turns to see Monoma standing in his school uniform, face flushed and slightly sweaty. Izuku stops in his tracks, confused.
"Monoma... what... what are you doing still in your uniform? Are you feeling alright?" Izukus voice comes out slow and measured, bit definitely confused.
"Can we... um... would you want to..." he swallows "Would you like to spar together?"
Izukus eyes widen in surprise, but he nods excitedly, "Ofcourse! Just let me uh..." he turns to see Kacchan angrily approaching Todoroki and pointing at him, then a side of the gym and Izuku sighs in relief, "Yeah we can spar together. But you should probably change into your sports uniform your uh... not looking so well.."
Monoma seems to be confused for a moment, before he looks down and then managing to turn even redder, "Oh you- your right I should do that- I'll be right back!"
Izuku waves goodbye, before tilting his head a bit to the side.
What was that all about?
~
Neito feels like he's going to throw up.
His hearts beating so fast it might as well give him a heart attack, and his body is bumped with so much adrenaline he feels like he could run a mile.
Neito needs to calm down. He can't be so vulnerable, especially not around Midoriya. All he needs to do is recite what he was going to ask Midoriya. That should be simple and easy, shouldn't it?
He leaves the locker room, now in his sports uniform, in a state of calm unlike before. He can do this. All he needs to do is tell Midoriya he likes him back.
"Oh, Monoma!" Midoriya smiles, and Neito feels his heart skip a beat. Calm down. He needs to calm down. "You look alot better now, are still you feeling okay to spar?"
Monoma nods, "Ofcourse. Earlier was just a blunder, pardon me for how akward I was."
He shrugs in response, and gets in position, "It's alright, we're all like that sometimes. Tell me when to start."
The fight goes on for a while, and Monoma finds himself actually having fun. It's nice to actually have time with Midoriya even if this isn't the typical meetcute.
After a while, they both become exhausted and fall to the floor, breaths shallow.
"Hey Monoma...?"
"Hm?"
"Why... why did you decide to spar with me today? I'm not complaining I just... I thought you didn't like 1A students."
Neito feels his face turn red again, and he sits up slightly, meeting Midoriyas eyes.
"I... I've recently started to think you may be an exception."
Midoriyas eyes widen, "Oh.. thats.. that's nice Monoma. I appreciate it.. I think."
Neito nods, eyes shutting before he looks back up at him, "I've noticed your kindness and I understand why your doing it I... I feel the same way. I want us to be closer too."
"..." Midoriya looks confused, squinting like he's trying to figure out what Neito means exactly. Before he starts to smile tiredly, "Oh! That's great Monoma. Did you uh... think about the offer from yesterday?"
He looks nervous, fidgeting with his own fingers as he waits for Neito to respond.
Neito nods, "I would like to go. As long as your with me." He then flushes, realizing how embarrassing that sounds- "If thats okay with you.."
Izuku looks relieved, "Great! I'll tell the others.."
"Wait!" Neito squeaks out, voice shaking slightly, "It's probably not the best idea for them to know we have... connections. You should probably make up some excuse or... something.."
Midoriya looks a bit confused, then disappointed, before he nods, "Alright. I can do that, it might be for the best anyway... I think they may get suspicious of you if your suddenly super up to spending time with our class."
Ofcourse... they can't let class 1A start theorizing about things. They would never understand the bond they carry.
If they figure about Neito and Izukus relationship, what would they do? Pull the two apart? Isolate them? Kick them out of UA?!
Or, ofcourse, they might just decide to mock him for it for the rest of his time at this forsaken school. Probably the worst death sentence of them all, if Neitos being honest.
Monoma returns to his dorms feeling rather on edge from his racing thoughts, but it calls comes to a stop when he realizes what had taken place today.
He had... confessed to Midoriya.
His face turns a bright red, as he shoves it into the pillow and screams out of pure embarrassment.
~
Izuku is quietly humming to himself as he cleans the 1A kitchen. Finally, he managed to befriend Monoma! Ofcourse, it seems like he's not really willing to let go of that petty rivalry just yet...
But that's fine, Izuku can be patient. He's sure that eventually Monoma will grow to like all of 1A, just how he likes Izuku.
Izuku pauses, leaning against the counter.
What exactly is the reason Monomas so friendly all the sudden...?
It's not like Izuku is any better then the others. He's just as, if not more reckless then the rest of class 1A combined. Monoma must have seen that at the sports festival.
Maybe it's just because Izuku tries to include him. That would make sense... the rest of 1A doesn't seem to like Monoma very much. Izuku can understand why, to a degree.
It's kinda like how 1B has a grudge against Kacchan. You can only understand someone like that once you get to know them, and until then there will always be miscommunications.
Either way, Izukus glad to finally get on Monomas good side. He hopes they'll be able to be good friends by the time they all go to the movies!
Something tugs at his mind though. Something.. familiar.
Monomas behavior bugs him. He can't put his finger on it, but his phrasing and expressions seem odd to a degree.
Oh well. He'll figure it out eventually.
~
Shoto waits for Midoriya at their usual spot, picking at his soba and scrolling on his phone.
He's noticed Midoriya hasn't been spending as much time with him lately. Shoto doesn't mind too much, he's started to meet up with other friends and grow new relationships, so it isn't too heartbreaking to see Midoriya distance himself.
Though, Shoto is curious as to why this is happening.
He didn't do anything wrong, socially or otherwise. He had asked Midoriya that the other day, and Midoriya responded with frantic reassuring that it had nothing to do with Shoto.
If it had been something Shoto had done Izuku wouldn't have lied.. would he?
Something catches his eye, so narrows in at the sight.
Near the doors to the lunch room, Midoriya is chatting with a blonde haired boy. He looks vaguely familiar, likely a member of class 2B... ah. Monoma.
Shoto narrows his eyes at the boy, debating on if he should stand up and intervene. Then, out of nowhere, Monoma grabs Midoriyas sleeve and pulls him out of the lunchroom, his face tinted a bright red.
Hm.
Well, Shoto guesses Midoriya isn't joining him for lunch today. He stands up, taking his plate with him, and makes his way to where Uraraka and Iida are sitting.
"Ah! Todoroki, nice to see you! Where's Deku..?" Uraraka asks, looking around.
"He went to have lunch with someone else, I'm pretty sure."
"Oh!" Urarakas eyes widen, "I see... did you see who it was...?"
Todoroki pauses, before shaking his head. Something about that interaction seemed... strange. He doesn't know if he should tell them or not.
Eventually, Shoto asks them a question, "Iida? Uraraka?"
"What's the matter Todoroki?"
"If... if 2 people start spending alot of time with each other, and one day you see one of them talk to the other while... blushing. What does that mean?"
They are silent for a few moments, before Iidas face turns a light pink and Urarakas eyes go wide with understanding, "It probably means their dating!" Uraraka responds.
"Oh." Todoroki sucks in a breath, but nods in understanding. Midoriya and Monoma. Thats... "Weird."
~
Neito lays on the grass, watching as the clouds slowly float by. It's nice out, the sun shining warmly above the (kinda) picnic blanket he had set up.
"This is a really nice spot Monoma kun, do you have lunch here often?'
Neitos stomach flips and he nods, prideful, "I often go here when I can no longer stand the blabbering of my classmates. I hope its to your liking."
Midoriya lays down beside him, joining him as they gaze up at the sky.
"It's nice. We should have lunch here more often."
Neito feels like his heart is going to explode. Or stop. Either one, Neito might as well be shot dead right here right now with how hard his bloods bumping through his chest.
"You can call me Neito."
There's silence for a moment, before Midoriya hesitantly responds, "Are you sure...?"
"Yes I... I really like you and I want us to be closer so yes. You can call me Neito."
"Oh.." Midoriya leans in slightly closer, "Then you can call me Izuku."
"Izuku." Neito replies, voice shaky, "You have a pretty name."
They're now staring at each other, Izuku face bright red.
"Your really nice Neito."
Izuku must really want him dead, he can only take so many mini heart attacks before it gets too much for him.
~
Izuku sits at his desk, working on his most recent analysis of his new friend. He's mostly working on how he could use specific groups of quirks (fire based quirks, strength quirks, flight...) with his current fighting style.
Neito is becoming someone... Important to Izuku, he thinks.
It's a bit weird considering nobody else knows about their friendship in the first place, but Izuku doesn't exactly mind that. Sure, it makes things a bit awkward when they want to talk in person, but it isn't too hard of a secret to keep.
He does think his close friends have noticed, though. They keep bringing up Neito in conversations, asking odd questions and being strangely pushy when it comes to him and who he's been recently hanging out with.
He tries to act like their questions don't bother him. Like they don't make his face feel tingly, and his heart feel warm..
Well, atleast this weekend is when they are all going to the movies. Izukus pretty excited... he even managed to get a few people from class 1B to join them! Other then Neito, ofcourse.
Izuku finishes his analysis work, going back to work on his Neito drawing. Sometimes, this is his favorite part of analysis work. It's nice to see his thoughts visualized, made physical with a small drawing or doodle along with the text analysis.
He sketches out his costume and hair, already having drawn the facial features earlier.
Monoma has a nice face. Izuku had actually enjoyed drawing it, though it makes him feel really nervous. Like hes doing something he shouldn't. More often then not, he finds himself adding then erasing minor details that feel unimportant in the overall drawing. His curly brown eye lashes, the smile lines that show when he laughs, the way the fun bounces off his hair..
He doesn't usually put this much effort into his art but Neitos different. Izuku wants to draw him, he could sit down and draw him for hours if he was given the opportunity.
Izuku smacks his own face, shaking his head. Snap out it. Stop being a weird fanboy, that's your classmate! Sure Neito is a good hero, but he's also Izukus friend.
He needs to stop idolizing him like this, its gross and creepy. The last time he felt this way about one of his friends was with Kacchan back in middle school, and he can't have a repeat of whatever that was.
He knows how people react when they see that side of him, he knows what they'll say. What Neito will say when he finds out..
Sighing, Izuku shuts his notebook.
He'll finish the drawing tomorrow.
~
Neito stares at his face in the mirror, checking for blemishes, dirt on his face- any possible miscalculation that could ruin his first proper date with Izuku. Just to be sure he's perfect for the date, he combs his hair a few extra time and finds his best (but not overly show-offy, no no no. It's still a group hangout, he can't let anyone else notice how hard he's trying.) Dress shirt.
When he's sure he's finally ready, he heads out the door.
He's sees Izuku and feels his whole world turn on a head.
He hardly gets the chance to see Izuku in casual wear, since a majority of their hang outs take place during, or after school. The boys not wearing anything fancy, not really- but just being able to see him in something different for a change is refreshing.
Izuku smiles at him, "Oh, Neito! Good to see you. Your a bit earlier then the others.."
"I wanted to be able to properly say hello to you." Neito admits.
"Oh!" Izukus eyes widen in understanding, "I see. Well, I'm glad. Our classmates should be here in about 5 minutes, if they all come around the designated time.
Neito nods in confirmation, before stepping closer to Izuku.
"Im.. I'm a bit nervous, if I'm being honest."
"Oh? What's the matter?"
"I've never..." he swallows, "I've never gone out with someone... like this before."
"Oh..." Izukus expression turns a bit sad, "Thats alright. You know um.. for a long time i never really spoke to anyone either."
"R-Really?" Neito furrows his eyebrows.. does that mean this is Izukus first date too..? "But your so incredible!"
Izuku blushes, "Ah- not really! I mean. For a long time, nobody really liked me. I was kinda weak.. and weird. And... creepy. I never really had anyone who wanted to talk to me."
Neito gasps, and takes a step closer, grabbing Izukus hands and holding them assuringly, "Thats not true Izuku! Your not weak, or weird- and your certainly not creepy! Your the strongest and most amazing person I know!"
At this point, Izuku is so shocked he looks like he's about to faint, "Neito what are you-"
"Izuku I... I love-"
Something behind them falls to the floor, and Neito whips his head around to see Bakugou staring at the two of them, dumbstruck.
"Oh my god." He breaths, "Todoroki was actually right.."
They quickly break away from each other, flushed and embarrassed.
Things are a bit awkward after that.
~
Izuku is so confused.
Neito is weird. Very weird. He says things that make Izuku really suspicious sometimes. Like really really REALLY suspicious.
But today?
Today was a new level.
Izuku can't stop himself from occasionally glancing at Neito during the movie, looking at his hands..
They had held hands, hadn't they?
Izukus never held someone's hand before, other then his mother. Hes never understood why... couples do that, never experienced such a thing.
Neito had grabbed his hands. Izuku had held them back.
Maybe Neito got overwhelmed. Yeah, that would make sense. He got overwhelmed in his mini speech, and grabbed Izukus hands to prove a point.
It was a one time fluke, an accident that would surely not be repeated ever again!
Izuku eyes Neitos hand, resting on the arm rests and his mind stalls for a moment.
What if he...?
Izuku inches his hand closer to Neitos, until eventually they are so close Izuku can feel his skin lightly brush against the others. Neito tenses for a moment, and Izuku panics- but he feels a hand wrap around his own.
~
OhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodOhmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod
~
Izuku and Neito leave the theatre holding hands, faces bright red. Everyone's staring at them, Izuku can feel it.
All of the sudden Neito turns to Izuku, eyes wide and shiny, "Izuku I- We have to tell them."
Izukus eyes widen, and he looks around before pointing at himself, "About.. us..?" About their friendship? He supposes that would make sense.
"Yes!" Neito responds quickly, but confidently, "We can't keep this a secret any longer. Even if they shun us, it won't matter. As long as I'm with you."
Izuku blinks. Neitos being a bit.. strange again.
"Okay.. thats um. That's fine by me.. I guess?"
Neito nods, and grips Izukus hands tighter. Todoroki and a few of the class 1B students have been staring at them, at their hands.. Izuku feels his stomach flip.
"There's something me and Izuku haven't been telling you all..." Neito starts, voice shaky. "We are deeply in love, and have been in a secret relationship for weeks!"
Wait what
Izuku turns to Neito, gobsmacked, "We are!?"
Neito meets Izukus eyes, "We are!" Before he notices the confused expression on Izukus face, and he turns to everyone else. Gears start turning, and Neito let's go of Izukus hand, "aren't we..?"
Izuku steps closer, "N-No!? I didnt think you actually.."
Neito flinches and backs away, hands shaking. "Oh- Oh god I... I'm so sorry I thought.."
Izuku doesn't get even get another word in before Neito speeds away.
~
Neito clutches his coat close to him, breaths unevenly racking throughout his entire body. He's crying, most likely, but it's hard to tell with how loudly it's raining.
He had managed to find a safe spot from the rain, eventually. He doesn't even know where it is, where he is. All he can understand is the pattering rain around him and the tear inducing embarrassment that courses through his veins.
He's an idiot.
Ofcourse Izuku hadn't loved him, ofcourse Neito was making it all up.
He had created this entire story, this- delusion all on his own, latching onto the first person who's ever treated him with the bare bones amount of kindness. And how had he responded to that?
Hes so dramatic. Hysterical. Foolish. He embarrassed himself and Izuku, embarrassed his best friend. His... his crush.
Thats all it was, wasn't it?
They hadn't been in love. Izuku hadn't, atleast. Neito was the one with the crush, Neito was the one who took things too far. Izuku hadn't even been aware of it.
He's so disgusting. Deplorable. He never deserved Izuku, never deserved a friend like that. Now that friendship is gone, Izuku never going to want to talk to him again and it's all his fault...
"Neito?"
Neito looks up to see Izuku, covered in rain and hovering above where he's curled into himself. He doesn't respond, and quickly looks back down, burying his face into his knees.
He feels a warmth beside him, as Izuku kneels to sit next Neito.
"It took me a while to find you, I got pretty worried."
Neito sniffles, definitely crying at this point, "I'm sorry."
"I didn't get too soaked, don't worry about it."
"Not... not just that. I'm sorry for what I said. For what I did to you." He curls further into himself, pulling at his own hair, "Your my best friend Izuku.. and I embarrassed you infront of everyone."
He feels a something grasp at his hand, pulling it away from his head, "Stop that."
Neito looks up to see Izuku smiling at him. He holds back the comeplete awe he feels, "I'm sorry."
Izuku sighs and let's go of his hand.
"You know. When you said all of that infront our class I... I thought I was the one who had misinterpreted our relationship."
Neito furrows his brows, "... What?"
Izuku laughs, and Neito feels his head rest on his shoulder, "I'm bad with alot of social stuff. There was um.. a time back in middle school. Some kid from my class walked up to me. Told me that she liked me and.. and that she wanted to go on a date with me."
Neitos eyes widen, "Oh. What.. what did you say?"
"I told her I was gay." Izuku huffs, "And that as much as I appreciated it, as much as I appreciated her I.. I could never like her the same way."
Neito is about to respond, when Izuku continues, voice starting to get shaky, "Then, the next day I found out the truth." She shudders, "She didn't actually like me. It was a prank. There were people- people I'd never even met before filming me from nearby. Everyone knew."
Izuku hug his knees, "everyone knew I was gay. And they thought it was hilarious. They- they started asking me out constantly. Walking up to me during lunch, telling me 'their friend' had a crush on me. I felt so.. so embarrassed for thinking someone actually liked me for thinking that was even possible."
"So," Neito watches closely as Izuku picks at the hems of his uniform, freckled hands shaking slightly, "When I think someone likes me or, even when they say it directly I.. I just ignore it. I don't want... I can't have something like that happening again."
"I think I knew you liked me.. in that way. but I um. Ignored it? And I'm sorry for that. I should have realized what you meant when you said all of those things."
They are silent for a while after that.
The rain has started to die down, and Neito feels alot dryer then before. Izukus curls have even begun to go back to normal.
"Izuku.." he feels his friend move slightly, "How do you feel about me, after all of this?"
"The same as before," Izuku replies. Voice quiet.
"So you.. you want to continue being friends?"
A pause, before "You know Neito... I'm starting to think your even more socially inept then me when it comes to this stuff."
Neito blushes, and quickly whips his head around to face Izuku, "What!? What's that suppose to mean?"
Izukus hand move twoards his own, and Monoma lets him grab it, heart pounding loudly in his chest, "What it means," Izuku sighs, but Neito can see the lightest hint of blush on his face, "That even if I didn't consider our relationship romantic before.. I um.. I want to now."
Neito sits there, processing his words. Before slowly it all comes to, and his eyes widen.
"I love you!"
...
"What!?" Izuku squaks.
Neito moves to grab Izukus other hand, eyes shining with determination, "I wanted to say this earlier, but I didn't get the chance! Izuku Midoriya, no matter now dramatic I know this may sound since we've only been dating er.. not.. really dating? For like a few weeks.. I love you more then ive ever loved anything before!"
"Oh..." Izukus face is bright red, and it looks like his souls left its body, "Neito thats- thats a very strong um.. statement.."
"I am fully aware of that!" Neito beams, "But its how I feel and I'm tired of hiding it!"
Izuku stares at him for a moment, eyes wide, before he laughs and Neito could swear his heart stopped for a moment at the sound.
"I.. I love you too?"
Neito pulls Izuku into an embrace, face digging into the shoulder of his hoodie. There's a small yelp of surprise, but the hug is quickly returned.
Neito knows he'll be embarrassed later, when this all calms down.
He knows he'll feel like the biggest fool on earth explaining what happened to his classmates, to his friends.
But in Izuku arms, in the arms of the person he loves, that doesn't matter to him.