Chapter Text
Deku’s POV:
I woke up to the sound of the waves—rolling, crashing, folding into one another beneath the hull. The boat rocked gently, a slow, constant sway that pulled me up from sleep.
My eyes opened to dim early-morning light filtering through the window.
For a moment, I just listened.
Then I reached over, fumbled for my phone, and checked the time.
5:23 AM.
“…Yeah. That tracks.”
I pushed myself upright, running a hand through my hair. No going back to sleep now—not with the ocean like this.
Might as well get ready.
It’s been six months since the war ended.
Six months since everything changed.
Now we’re third-years at U.A.—which still doesn’t feel real when I think about it too hard. Things are…calmer.
Not normal, not completely—but quieter. Enough that the teachers decided we needed a break.
A real one.
A few days ago, Aizawa-sensei told us we’d be going on a long-term class trip. No location. No details. Just—
“Pack your things. You’ll need them.”
And somehow, that turned into a plane ride… and then a boat… and now—
We’re here, somewhere in the middle of the ocean, heading toward a “secret destination.”
A few people are nervous about that.
Honestly… I get it.
But—
I trust them.
The teachers wouldn’t send us somewhere dangerous.
…Right?
After I had brushed my teeth and washed my face I went to get dressed. I threw on a simple gray hoodie with black shorts and my usual red shoes. I grabbed my phone and key to my room and walked out into the hallway. The ship had grown quieter instead of louder. The halls were nearly empty, most people still asleep.
I stepped out onto the deck—and stopped.
The horizon seemed like it was glowing. The sun had just begun to rise over the horizon, spilling soft colors of gold and pink across the water. The ocean reflected the colors perfectly, like the entire world had been painted in light.
Then I noticed someone standing at the railing
“...Of course,” I murmured, smiling to myself.
Reya.
She didn’t turn away when I approached. The wind tugged gently at her hair, dark long curls catching the morning light as she leaned against the railing. She was calm and grounded. Like she belonged here.
I stepped up beside her. “Didn’t expect to see anyone out here this early.”
She glanced at me, then smiled—small, but real. “Couldn’t fall back asleep,” she said. “Figured I’d make it worth it.”
Fair.
We fell into a quiet rhythm, both of us staring out into the horizon.
Shades of blue, orange, pink, and gold blended across the sky, reflecting over the water in rippling waves.
The different hues reflected across Reya’s face and I couldn’t help but stare.
The best way I can describe her—
Reya’s… steady. In battle, she’s sharp—focused in a way that cuts through chaos. But outside of that… she has this way of grounding things. Of grounding me. She notices when I start spiraling. Doesn’t let me hide in my own head.
We started dating two months ago, and I'm still—
I'm still getting used to that.
In a good way.
“I’m kinda nervous,” she admitted after a while.
I blinked, pulled out of my thoughts. “About the trip?”
She nodded slightly, resting her head against my shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. “We don’t exactly have a great track record with field trips.”
Okay…
That was completely fair.
I hesitated—then wrapped an arm carefully around her waist, trying not to overthink it. “I don’t think it’ll be that bad,” I said, offering a small smile. “Besides… you’re always telling me to have a little faith, right?”
She tilted her head just enough to look up at me.
There was a pause.
“…Fine,” she said, nudging me lightly. “If you say so, Zuku.”
I smiled.
We stayed just like that for a while longer.
Just watching the sunrise.
9:34 AM.
The canteen was packed. Voices overlapped, chairs scraped, someone dropped something loudly in the background—it was the usual.
Kirishima sat to my left leaning back in his chair like he owned the place and Bakugou was next to him, arms crossed, already looking irritated at everything.
On my right, Iida sat perfectly upright, posture as strict as ever, while Uraraka sat across from him looking—
…Not great.
Uraraka and Takemi had felt sick for the majority of the trip and were more than ready to get off the unsteady boat.
“T-there’s still more time, right?” she asked weakly, clutching the table slightly.
Tsu rubbed her back gently. “You’ll be okay, Uraraka-chan.”
“We should be docking around 10:30,” Yaoyorozu added calmly. “So about an hour.”
“Oh, gracias a dios,” Takemi groaned, face planted on the table. “If I stay any longer on this boat, I'm gonna pass out.”
“…We’ve only been here one night,” I pointed out.
“Exactly,” he shot back without lifting his head. “That’s one night too many.”
“...Fair.”
“As class representative,” Iida announced suddenly, chopping the air with his hand, “everyone should ensure they have all personal belongings accounted for prior to docking—”
“Dude,” Sero cut in, wincing slightly. “You don’t gotta yell. We’re right here.”
“I am not yelling, I am projecting—!”
“You’re yelling.”
Nearby, Aoyama stood dramatically. “Do you require assistance, mon ami?” He asked Takemi, hand over his chest.
Takemi slowly picked up his head. “Yes, por favor?” Takemi responded dryly, dropping his head back on the table with a thud.
Aoyama sparkled. “Of course.”
“Aoyama, before you go, can you please grab some for Uraraka too?” Hagakure added quickly.
“Oui~!” And just like that he disappeared.
“Okay but seriously,” Mina said, leaning forward. “Where do you think we’re going?”
“A luxury resort,” Kaminari said immediately.
Bakugou didn’t even look up. “There’s no way.”
“Why not? They got us on this boat, didn’t they?”
“That doesn’t mean they’re rich.
The doors burst open.
“I’M BACK~” Aoyama sang very VERY loudly.
Everyone flinched.
“SHUT UP, YOU DAMN EXTRA!” Bakugou snapped instantly.
“Katsuki,” Kirishima laughed, nudging him. “Relax, man.”
Aoyama huffed—but still handed out the medicine.
“Let’s be real,” Bakugou said after a moment, leaning back. “What are the chances this is actually a vacation?”
The table went quiet.
“…Don’t say that,” Mina muttered.
“Yeah,” Reya added, arms crossing. “Have a little faith, Bakugou.”
“Tch.”
“HEY, KIDS!” Present Mic’s voice blasted through the room. “We’re docking in about thirty minutes! Hope you’re all packed, ‘cause that ship is NOT coming back for anything you forget!”
That got everyone moving.
Fast.
Back on deck the air felt lighter. Anticipation buzzed through the group as the islands came into view—one, then another, then more stretching across the horizon.
“…Woah,” Kaminari breathed.
There were a lot of them. More than I expected.
“Midoriya,” Todoroki said, stepping beside me. “What do you think the teachers have planned? You didn’t say much while everyone was discussing it in the canteen.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “…Not really.”
Todoroki nodded in response.
Behind us the girls were loud.
Mina and Hagakure were practically vibrating while Yaoyorozu tried—and failed—to hide her face.
They were probably teasing her about her and Todoroki.
I glanced at Todoroki.
…who was very obviously staring at her.
Softly. Fondly.
“Oi, Icy-Hot,” Bakugou muttered. “Knock it off with the sappy crap. It's disgusting.”
Todoroki blinked. “...What?”
“Kacchan,” I said, grinning slightly, “you do the same thing with Kirishima.”
Silence.
Then—
He grabbed my collar instantly. “THE HELL I DO—?!”
“Kacchan—?!”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Deku!”
His face was definitely red.
Todoroki laughed quietly as Kacchan slightly blushed more.
“Are you sure about that? Cause your face says otherwise,” I smirked as Kacchan blushed hard and Todoroki laughed harder in the background.
“Both of you.” Aizawa’s voice cut through everything.
We froze.
Kacchan reluctantly let go of my shirt and took a step back scoffing quietly, a light blush still dusting his cheeks.
“…Tch.”
“Do not start anything before we even get off this ship,” Aizawa added, glaring.
“Yes, sir.”
I turned to look back out toward the ocean.
Toward the islands.
We were close now.
Something about them felt—different.
Not exactly dangerous.
But—
Unfamiliar.
Like stepping into something new.
And somehow—I had the feeling this trip wasn’t going to be as simple as the teachers made it sound.