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Izuku was injured.
Now, that wasn’t uncommon, and he had already seen Recovery Girl about it. But, on top of the injury, he had a cold too.
So, Izuku was ordered to bed rest and excused from classes until he had enough energy for Recovery Girl to properly heal him. Which was bullcrap! Izuku had energy, he had heaps of it, which he told Recovery Girl, who promptly shut him down and made him return to the dorms.
Which is where Hitoshi found him, totally not moping and sniffling every two seconds. The rest of 1-A was in class at the moment, so Hitoshi felt zero guilt about rapping loudly on Izuku’s window until the boy rolled out of his bed to see his expectant face.
“Hitoshi?” Izuku asked as he opened the window. “What are you doing here?”
Hitoshi crawled through the window as soon as it was cracked enough for him to shimmy in. “How the hell did you get sick,” As he righted himself in front of the window, he crossed his arms. “ And hurt your arm, again.”
Looking far too determined for someone with a chapped nose, Izuku huffed. “It’s not really my fault, training just got a little rough today.” He dropped his gaze, a tell-tale sign of guilt.
“Sure, we’ll go with that story.” Hitoshi rolled his eyes and hid a fond expression as Izuku turned away.
The two had become closer after the joint training, both of them realizing they had more similarities than differences. Hitoshi could tell that Izuku wasn’t always truthful with him during their sparring matches when he would recount how he had worked on his physique, but he wasn’t going to push. It’s not like Hitoshi always told the truth, either, especially now that he was training with Aizawa on top of his matches with Izuku.
Izuku sat on his bed, obviously tired just from opening the window. “You never answered why you were here.”
“Just checking in,” Hitoshi said flippantly, moving to sit in Izuku’s desk chair and crossing his arms on the back rest. “Did Recovery Girl give you any medicine or anything?”
He nodded, pointing to a small bottle of decongestants behind Hitoshi. “I took ‘em already, but they must not be working yet.” As if to prove his point, he sniffed.
Hitoshi picked up the bottle and inspected it. “At least they’re non-drowsy, because I have a proposition.”
That got Izuku’s interest. “We can’t spar right now. I’m on bed rest, if you didn’t already know.” His tone was full of disdain, which just made Hitoshi more confident.
“Well obviously, I’m not going to beat a sick man while he’s down,” Hitoshi scoffed. He shoved a hand into the pocket of his blazer, pulling out his phone. “I actually had the opposite idea.” He turned his phone screen for Izuku to look at.
Izuku ended up grabbing the phone from him so he could look closer. His expression was surprised, but he was smiling. “A hot spring? Why now?” He handed the phone back to Hitoshi.
Scrolling down the web page, Hitoshi turned the screen back to Izuku, displaying the words ‘Healing Waters!’ “They claim their springs heal you, and I’m not a huge believer in that stuff, but if you wanted to…” He trailed off, putting his phone back in his pocket.
“Of course!” Izuku blurted, his face red with embarrassment at how eagerly he had responded. “But… Are we allowed to? I’m supposed to be on bed rest, there’s no way they’ll let us off campus.” Izuku put a finger to his chin, muttering to himself.
Hitoshi felt a wave of affection rise in him as he watched Izuku brainstorm, but quickly tamped it down. No distractions. “I already have our solution.” He held up a piece of paper. “A note from Aizawa-sensei allowing us to go.” He explained. Hopefully no one asked Aizawa about it, though, because Hitoshi totally didn’t forge the signature.
Izuku seemed to ponder this for exactly two seconds before caving. “If Aizawa-sensei cleared it…” He stood from the bed, grabbing some clothes and shoving them in a small duffel bag. “Then I guess it only makes sense to go!” He flashed a bright smile to Hitoshi, who stood to leave.
“It takes a while to get there, so if you wanna leave now, we can. Or, since we have permission,” Liar. “We could wait until later so you can get some rest before we go.”
“Oh.” Izuku set the bag down. “Actually that sounds like a really good idea.” He stifled a yawn, as if the word ‘sleep’ had made him realize how tired he actually was.
Hitoshi ruffled Izuku’s hair fondly, nudging him in the direction of the bed and giving him a quick goodbye as he left the dorm room, this time through the actual door.
And then he had to book it to class, which he absolutely did not skip to set all of this up.
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Aizawa definitely knew something was up after Hitoshi bolted out of their evening practice session, but he didn’t do anything other than raise an eyebrow. Which, according to Hitoshi, was only a tier one suspicion.
The sun was setting faster than Hitoshi wanted it to as he sprinted towards Izuku’s window for the second time that day. He had texted him earlier, making sure he was awake and ready to go as soon as Hitoshi got there.
Luckily, the window was already open when Hitoshi got there. “Izuku!” He whisper-yelled. “I’m here, get out here!”
There was a bustle of noise from the window before Izuku came into view, swinging his body over the window sill and onto the ground, clearly avoiding using his left arm. “Why are you whispering? There’s no one even around, Hitoshi.” Izuku rolled his eyes and followed Hitoshi towards the side gate.
Izuku looked much better than he had earlier. He wasn’t nearly as pale and he had a bit more bounce in his step as they walked along the tree line.
The setting sun made it easier for them to stick in the shadows, but if Hitoshi was right, there shouldn’t be anyone at the gate right now.
“Why are we sneaking around? Didn’t you get permission?” Izuku asked, thankfully he was whispering.
“Aizawa told me not to let anyone who didn’t need to know find out, because then he’d get hounded by your class for permission slips,” Hitoshi lied easily. Considering that was exactly what Aizawa had told him when he had initially asked for a slip, it was a simple kernel of the truth.
Izuku considered his answer. “I guess that makes sense. I know Mina has been dying to get off campus for a while.”
Hitoshi took a sharp breath as Snipe walked by the gate they were heading towards, before he dipped out of sight onto a different path. Exhaling, Hitoshi moved them faster until they passed through the gate and into the street. He could sense some suspicion from Izuku at how he had reacted to the pro hero, but they were in the clear now, so they could actually get going.
Leading Izuku towards a parking area, Hitoshi allowed himself to destress. They had done the hard part. Now to actually make it to Gotemba.
He brought Izuku to a moped rental and handed him one of the helmets. “We’re gonna have to double up.”
Izuku took the helmet and strapped it on. “You can drive, Hitoshi?”
Sliding into the moped, Hitoshi nodded. “I learned a while back. You’ll have to hold on tight, we’re gonna go fast.”
Ever brave, Izuku climbed onto the hind seat and placed his arms limply around Hitoshi’s hips. “I’ve never done this before,” He explained sheepishly.
Hitoshi snorted and grabbed Izuku’s good arm, wrapping it around his waist. “Use your other one too, if it's comfortable, and remember to lean into the turns.” With those words of wisdom, Hitoshi lifted the kickstand and started the engine, taking them rumbling through the sunset towards Gotemba Healing Hot Springs.
As soon as they left the safety of the car park, Hitoshi felt his phone buzz with a text notification in his pocket, and also Izuku’s crushing strength around his abdomen. Izuku had always been strong, but the mixture of the high speed and an unknowable experience must’ve given him extra superpower as he crushed Hitoshi’s internal organs. When Izuku inevitably loosened his grip on Hitoshi, he found himself missing it, and in the place of the pressure was an erupting volcano of butterflies. And he couldn’t stamp these down.
The uneven pressure of Izuku’s arms around his waist, his soft, sniffly breaths against Hitoshi’s jacket, the way he could sometimes feel Izuku’s hair brush against his neck… All he could feel was Izuku , and his endearment threatened to make his chest burst. He swallowed his throat back down to where it should be as he drove them into a mountain pass that led directly to the springs.
The sun was barely visible above the horizon as they ascended the mountain, and Hitoshi could feel his ears popping against the increased altitude. The late evening light seemed to make everything around them glow orange, and Hitoshi ached to look back at Izuku and see that color reflected in his eyes. But, alas, keep your eyes on the road and such.
As soon as the resort came into view, Hitoshi felt Izuku bounce excitedly in his seat, causing the moped to bounce with him. He obviously felt the vehicle move beneath him and promptly tightened his grip again. Hitoshi smiled fondly as he rounded them into the parking lot.
The resort itself was facing one of the most beautiful parts of the mountain, and promised great views and, of course, healing water. Hitoshi removed his helmet and shook out his hair before offering a hand to Izuku to help him off of the scooter.
Izuku took his hand with his good arm and removed his own helmet.
And oh.
Oh .
That was the sight Hitoshi wanted to see.
Izuku’s eyes shone with pure delight. The sun had spent its last few seconds in Izuku’s eyes as they reflected the amber hues of evening. Hitoshi was entranced.
And yeah, he definitely stared at Izuku way longer than he meant to. But everything was worth it since he had the wonderful image of Izuku’s eyes shining the way they had.
Izuku looked at him quizzically as the sun left his eyes, “Are you okay, Hitoshi?”
“What? Yeah, sorry.” Hitoshi shook his head to clear his brain. “Let’s go in.”
Izuku nodded and walked alongside Hitoshi into the springs, where they checked into a room.
The traditional springs had tatami mat flooring and a large window looking straight at the mountain’s peak. There were two futons on the ground for sleeping, pushed fairly close together. Izuku claimed the one closer to the window and Hitoshi watched as Izuku admired the view.
A muttered ‘wow’ reached Hitoshi’s ears, and he went to join Izuku by the window.
“We’re supposedly able to see the mountain from the springs too. You wanna head in?”
Izuku turned to him and nodded eagerly, grabbing his hand and making a mad dash to the springs.
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As they entered the springs, it was obvious why this place was so highly rated. The view was beautiful . Even as they got into the water, Izuku couldn’t keep his eyes off the natural beauty of the mountain.
“Hitoshi,” Izuku started, eyes still fixated on the mountain. “I know we’ve lived close to this place for so long, but I don’t think I’ve ever looked at it.” He finally turned his eyes to Hitoshi, who was watching him with adoration. “Thank you. Really.”
Hitoshi smiled, his eyes crinkling with real joy.
“Anything for you.”
And whoops.
Maybe that was too much.
Izuku was astonished, if the look on his face meant anything. “What?”
The question was simple, but Hitoshi’s voice suddenly wouldn’t work, and his mouth was too dry to form any words.
All he could do was nod.
And by god, he did not mean to double down like that.
“Hitoshi,” Izuku said, his tone held a serious timbre. “Say it again?”
Izuku phrased it like a command, but it came out like a question. And this time, Hitoshi shook his head. He would not embarrass himself.
Wading through the water towards Hitoshi, Izuku grabbed his forearms and sank back down into the water. “Say it. Please?” He whispered. Something was hidden in his voice, making it catch with an emotion Hitoshi couldn’t decipher.
This time, Hitoshi complied, that mystery emotion making him hopeful. “ Anything for you, Izuku.”
Izuku’s grip only tightened as he drew himself closer to Hitoshi. They were in the middle of the spring, and Hitoshi swore his words echoed, though they were a whisper in the running waters.
Hitoshi’s brain stopped working; Izuku’s face was far too close to his for him to be operating like a normal human being right now. So when Izuku whispered “Anything for you, Hitoshi,” he promptly broke, dropping his full weight and going underwater, accidentally pulling Izuku with him.
Izuku recovered faster than him, surfacing from the spring water and wiping his face off.
Hitoshi, however, stayed underwater until his brain defogged. Meaning he was underwater for a concerning amount of time.
Izuku grabbed his shoulder and tugged slightly, prompting Hitoshi to come back up from the water. “Are you okay?” He asked, his brows knit in concern.
“Yeah, I-” Hitoshi wiped his face, and was suddenly hyperaware of the fact he didn’t have a shirt on, and had his internal freak out once more. “I think the heat is getting to me. I’m gonna… Yeah, I’m gonna head back to the room.”
When Izuku went to follow him out, Hitoshi stopped him. “No, you should stay in. The water might heal you, after all.” He gave a weak smile and hurried his way back to the room.
Taking a deep breath, Hitoshi entered the room and flopped onto his futon, groaning into the fabric.
What was that even?
God, if he just hadn’t said that- If he had responded like a normal person! A simple ‘you’re welcome!’ would’ve been fine! Anything for you, Izuku . Jeez, why didn’t he just declare his undying love for his friend right then and there? At least then he wouldn’t have to wonder so much about what Izuku was thinking of him right now.
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The moon was high in the sky by the time Izuku returned to the room. He looked entirely exhausted in the low light of their room. “I don’t think the water actually heals you.” He offered a smile to Hitoshi, who was propped up on his elbows on his futon.
Hitoshi snorted. “I’d be more surprised if they did. The tickets weren’t expensive enough for them to actually have healing powers.”
With a small laugh, Izuku sat down on his own futon, the light of the moon illuminating his features.
“Did you mean it?”
Hitoshi cocked his head to the side. “Mean what?”
Izuku cleared his throat, that unknown emotion was back. “That you’d do anything for me.” His gaze was hopeful, something searching in his eyes, like he meant something else, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Surprised, Hitoshi choked on his own spit before recovering enough to answer.
“Yes.”
He could only bring himself to say that much before looking away from that piercing gaze.
“And that’s why we’re here, right? Sneaking out of school, miles away in the mountains, alone .”
Hitoshi went to protest that they weren’t sneaking when Izuku cut him off.
“I know Aizawa didn’t give us permission, Hitoshi. I’m not that naive.” Izuku gave him a fond smile, similar to the one that Hitoshi flashed when he thought Izuku wasn’t looking.
“Sorry…” Hitoshi swallowed, his emotions crawling up his throat again. “I’ll deal with him when we’re back, I think he knew the whole time,” He admitted sheepishly.
Izuku huffed a laugh. “Not much goes on with either of us that he doesn’t find out about pretty quickly.”
Hitoshi nodded, not knowing what else to say.
But Izuku did.
“I want to tell you something.”
Hitoshi’s head snapped up again, attention taken by Izuku once more.
“And it’s going to be… cheesy, probably.” Izuku winced at his words before continuing. “I- I want you to know that… I’d do anything for you, too. You know me better than a lot of people do, and I want to be the same for you. I- I want to be a part of your life, more than I already am, and if that happens, there will be some things that I have to tell you that might change what you think of me. And… And I don’t want to lose you, Hitoshi.
“You’re… amazing . You listen, you’re funny–even when you’re not trying to be–and I’m sorry that I scared you earlier. You just, you mean so much to me.”
Izuku looked at him with that same emotion in his eyes.
But this time, Hitoshi had a name for it.
It was the same amalgamation of emotions that Hitoshi felt for Izuku, painted clearly on Izuku’s face for Hitoshi to see.
“What… What are you saying, Izuku?” His words came out as a whisper in the quiet of their room.
Hitoshi moved closer to Izuku, their knees brushing as he placed a hand on Izuku’s arm. He felt Izuku twitch under his touch, but his eyes never once strayed from Hitoshi’s.
“I think I’m saying…
“I like you, Hitoshi. I really, really , do.”
Hitoshi answered by pressing his lips to Izuku’s.
Izuku met him halfway, cupping a hand on Hitoshi’s jaw and tracing his cheekbone with a calloused thumb. They both leaned into each other, placing chaste kiss after kiss. Lips, cheeks, nose, temple, any available place was met with a soft press of lips.
Both boys rested their foreheads against the other’s, drawing in each other’s breaths, just existing in each other’s space.
“I really, really, like you too, Izuku.”
The other boy chuckled, “I think I caught that.”
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19:32 PM
Aizawa: You’re in for it when you get back, kid. Detention for a month .
Aizawa: And no training, either!
—
20:31 PM
Aizawa: Let me know when you get to where you’re going.
Aizawa: Snipe saw you leave, we need to work on your stealth.
—
01:22 AM
Aizawa: You’d better be dead or kidnapped. Answer me, kid.
—
06:13 AM
Hitoshi: no service in the mountains, sorry
06:14 AM
Aizawa: You sure know how to give an old man a heart attack.
Aizawa: Be back before classes start, and make sure Midoriya gets into his dorm before anyone wakes up.
06:26 AM
Hitoshi: calm down, it’ll be fine
Hitoshi: also, i think im sick
06:27 AM
Aizawa: No one told you to take the sick student on a romantic getaway, Shinsou
Aizawa: I’ll make you some tea when you get back.
—
07:12 AM
Hitoshi: can izuku have tea too?
07:13 AM
Aizawa: Yes
Aizawa: Are congratulations in order?
07:15 AM
Hitoshi: dont say it like that, old man
Hitoshi: but yes