Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shouto was going to marry. And he hated that.

His father had set it in stone- a princess from a powerful kingdom was to be his wife, all because of politics. He was never supposed to gain from marriage, he didn’t even like girls. It’s just the life he had to live, shouldering the will of his father for the good of his kingdom. That was the way it would be, until the two of them dropped dead.

And yet, despite both of their emotional disconnect, Enji had insisted that Shouto go out on his own to purchase a gift for the princess. Come to think of it, he didn’t even know her name, so this felt all the more absurd. Had Enji only sent him out like this to spite him? To rub salt in the wound? He wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.

Nevertheless, Shouto donned his most inconspicuous cloak and made his way out to the nearby town in the bright of day. He wasn’t unfamiliar with the general area; he often hid himself and made his way out to break up the day, so he was sure he recognised every store. Despite the similarly thatched rooves of each small building, there were little distinctions that helped point his way. The toy shops slightly crumbling chimney, the intricate windows of the jewellery shop, and the shrubbery hanging from the window of the florists.

That was a place to start, Shouto supposed. Flowers always had that air of grace and romance to them- so even if those feelings were fake, they didn’t seem a gift that could go wrong.

Satisfied that this would do, Shouto made his way to the florists and turned the wooden doorknob. The old door it was attached to creaked and caught slightly in its frame as he pulled, but it eventually gave way to the familiar room inside. Bright and beautiful flowers of every kind surrounded him, blue and yellow and every colour the eye could see. Their fragrance brought up even the air in the room, and Shouto begin to smile despite himself.

“Oh, hello! Take a look around! Or wait- could I help you with anything?”

A voice he had never heard before surprised Shouto, and he looked up to see a boy his age behind the counter. Freckles dusted his awkwardly smiling face, and short curls of green hair topped his head- green like the usual lady behind the counter, he noted. Noted alongside the fact that he was incredibly cute.

“Are you new here?” Shouto asked, and the boy visibly took time to process the disjointed reply.

“Um, well kind of? My mom works the shop, but she’s sick today and needed me to cover. So I’m not new, but she’s rarely sick, so that’s probably why you haven’t seen me!”

Shouto nodded. “That’s understandable. It’s nice of you to cover for her.”

“Nice? I mean, thank you, but we didn’t really have much of a choice. We can’t really afford to close.”

“…Right, of course. I apologise.”

“Ah, don’t worry! I appreciate it anyway! So um, what is it you were looking to buy?”

“Do you have any flowers that symbolise love?”

“Oh, of course! But it also depends on what type of love this is: there are gardenias for secret love, roses are a classic, blue violets are for faith and intuition, tulips mean perfection and regality, and oh- sorry, I probably shouldn’t dump that all on you at once!”

Shouto was almost confused. “It’s fine, I asked, didn’t I? Though you know an awful lot about flowers.”

“Ah well, I’ve spent a lot of time around them, and mom likes to teach me their meanings and how to care for them! They honestly make me happy; there’s so many hidden intricacies to them, but even those who don’t know can still love them because they’re pretty!”

Shouto smiled slightly at his excitement. “That’s very true. I may not know much about them, but I know they are truly beautiful.” Like you.

“They really are! And they’re so good for our world too! Wow, I can’t stop talking again, I’m sorry. I swear this isn’t a messed-up sales pitch-  !” He tugged at the side of his sleeve as he petered off.

“Please, don’t worry. What you have to say is interesting to me.”

“Really?”

“Of course. And could I please have a bouquet of tulips, and another of gardenias?” Was he seriously about to do this?

“Oh, you remembered! Um, and separately, right? I’ll get right on that!”

It wasn’t long until he had tied the two bouquets with colourful ribbons and handed them both to Shouto.

“Is there anything else you need today?”

Was Shouto about to do this? He could easily just leave now and give the princess both. Maybe she wouldn’t know flower meanings, wouldn’t think twice about the gardenias. And this boy is a florist, how much could he really need more flowers? No. He should do this. He’d come this far. With a rapidly beating heart, Shouto held up the bouquet.

“Please, keep this one.”

…

A beat passed before the florist’s face went bright red, and he quietly took hold of the bouquet. He stumbled over his words to the point where he could barely breathe, and Shouto found himself anxious. Was this a bad thing? Had he overstepped? Was it a stupid gift?

His thoughts were stopped short when the other hugged him.

Oh no.

He’d knocked off Shouto’s hood.

When he pulled out of the hug, the boy looked back up to Shouto and practically froze.

Voice up an octave, Izuku wheezed out “Prince- Prince Todoroki? Oh my god. Oh my god.”

Shouto instantly panicked as he pulled back up his hood. “Not a soul. Please, for everything I have, tell nobody I gave you that bouquet. It will be the death of us. I’m so sorry-”

“Don’t apologise! Please, please don’t! I’m just- you’re Prince Todoroki! And I’m just me! Oh, and I won’t tell anybody I just can’t believe this, ok since I’m here I’m just gonna say it you always looked amazing in your public appearances and I always wanted to give you a bouquet but you gave me a bouquet and I’m gonna go now!”

With not a word more, he picked up the bouquet and ran upstairs to the backrooms.

…

Did that… go well? Shouto honestly couldn’t tell. His mind was so full that he almost forgot to grab the princess’s bouquet as he left, awkwardly making his way back to the castle. He still thought only of the florist.

Maybe marriage wouldn’t be so bad, if only it was with him.

Chapter Text

Magic was a wonderous thing. You could be born with a gift that let you bring joy to others, improve the world! You could feed a village, defend a castle, tame a dragon- the possibilities of it were seemingly endless, and that’s why Izuku loved studying it so much.

But he just had to be born without it.

He still derived so much joy watching it from the sidlines, that would never change. But he couldn’t help but wonder what he could do with a magic power. Would he be strong, able to fight off evil? Flashy, able to engage those around him? Could he be graceful as he drew his glyphs, all whilst chanelling his sheer power?

Could he be like Todoroki?

It was embarrassing to admit, but the only person he admired and studied more than the ultimate sorcer, the ruler of the Kigdom of Peace, was him. Famed son of that kings sworn rival, who held himself with poise and power, born with the access to both his parents elements. And even as Izuku saw Todoroki destroy those who opposed him in duels, sketching glypys with speed and precision like no one else, Izuku had to almost fight to keep his analysis on just that. Often, instead, he would absently begin admiring him. Everything he loved about the way he fought and held himself, combined with the way the light from his fire lit his features, his perfect hair and determined eyes, it all left Izuku absorbed and stunned. Todoroki was beyond admirable.

So Izuku had dedicated an unhealthy amount of pages in his journal to every arena match he was able to witness. Even underground altercations based on hersey would get their own footnotes. He felt almost bad for anylising him to this degree, but he knew that he probably wouldn’t meet him, so it didn’t really matter. Meeting Todoroki? That was an absurdist pipe dream. Everybody his age seemed to love him, he was practically more of a celebrity than his father! Well, that was probably an exaggeration, but still. There was no way someone like Izuku would ever have a chance.

At least, that’s what he thought before today.

It had stared like any other day with an interesting match due. Izuku had packed his satchel with his journal and lunch, been kissed on the cheek by his mom, and hurried down the road to the looming battle stadium. Its walls were cracked with the impact of many intense fights from its thousand year history, but it still stood strong, perhaps even strengthened by its breaks.

Izuku made his way to the entry point, crouded with enough guests to fill the kingdom (it probably was the whole kingdom), and handed over his change. Once the person behind the booth was satisfied with the payment, Izuku squeezed his way through the archway leading to the seats. Being so squashed in the crowd was never pleasant for him, moreso than others, as it seemed to choke his very heart, static noise blurring his mind. But it was worth it for the rush he got watching matches unfold right before his eyes.

Once he finally broke free, he scanned the isles, looking for a perfect seat. Over the years, he’d found he liked to sit in the middle. It was far enough back that he wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire, but close enough that he could make all the notes he needed. It was the best! And right in the middle, he saw an unoccupied seat. Even if it was sandwiched between two other people, it was still good enough for him! So Izuku made his way there, apoligising as he squeezed past the legs of those in the way, and he sat himself down.

Before him stood the arena. Rays of miday sun beamed down on the sand floor, perfect for cushioning those who fell at the might of their oponents. And trufully, Izuku had seen that a lot. Especially at the hands of Todoroki. He’d never seen him lose, not even once, and that just brought up Izuku’s admiration for him! And he had the feeling that today wouldn’t be any different.

And so, as Todoroki emerged from the gate to the arena, the croud arrupted into thundering applause. Izuku could barely hear his thoughts, but unlike the hallway, he felt in his element. This was his safe space. His sourse of joy. He was safe, and he was ecstatic. So he cheered too.

Shouto took shaky steps into the arena, swallowing down the bile in his mouth. Enji had been furious about the near miss in his last fight, and to him, it didn’t matter who won out. Every near miss was a scar that could never be hidden. Like the one you gave me. Every failure was a sign that Shouto couldn’t handle the task, couldn’t demolish those around him. How hypocritical, who’s the Ulitmate Sorcerer again? Is it you? And every time, Shouto found himself here again, feet crunching into sand.

The crowd roared, and Shouto felt an uneasiness rise in his stomach. It wasn’t just his father he’d disappoint if he lost- the whole kingdom was watching him, teen prodigy, and the hope he brought them. His magic was the standard, the prime goal, and Shouto was left wondering how anything about his life right now was desirable.

As his opponent emerged, Shouto steadied himself. There was a difference between his anxiety showing for an apponent, rather than a crowd. For the latter, he had the grace of distance to hide his tremours, seeming poised as the king himself. But an opponent would be close enough to rip the hairs off his head, and certainly close enough to tell he was shaking. So, he swallowed his emotions, steeled his glare, and steadied his stance.

When Shouto focused and got a better look at his opponent, he felt the tension leave his shoulders. It was never wise to underestimate an opponent, he’d learned that last time, but at least he wasn’t fighting somebody who could down him with a wave of their hand. This was just a nomu, somebody lost to their magic. They were consumed by rage, but had no heart or mind- sent out to these coloseums on occasion to be made an example of. Easy fodder, he could handle this.

Then another came. And another. Soon Shouto found himself concerned, as upwards of fifteen nomu came crawling out of the gate. Had they decided he was so powerful, this was the easiest, most powerful way to send a message? Surround him? It was the last thing he needed right now- a challenge.

It wasn’t long until they lunged at him, scurrying from erratic angles. With each dodge, Shouto tried to process what to do. Never, never had he ever fought a crowd. He had to learn to crowd control, now. Ducking away from a hand lurching at his face, his mind went into rapid-fire. What could he do? What could he do? They were everywhere, and he couldn’t help but revert to his instincts. Panicking, he drew shaky glyphs and shot individual icicles into the nomu. He could do this, pick them off one by one. It was ok, he could-

Thud.

Shouto was thrown off balance by a nomu tackling him from the side, and he fell before he even realised. Immediately he cast a glyph, shooting an icicle straight though the nomu pinning him down. But now, he was cornered. The other nomu had encroached on him, and time seemed to slow as they all pounced towards him. He knew what he had to do. Something he only did when things were dire, when he couldn’t see another way out. His last resort.

Red, roaring fire filled the arena.

Arising from it stood the shaking figure of Shouto Todoroki.

Izuku was positively floored. Todoroki had just taken down a hoard of nomu! Nomu! And he did it with his flames, the rarest showstopper he had. It was a sight to behold, and the crowd agreed as they erupted all around him. But Izuku could only stare on at the sight in the arena. Todoroki, always stoic, always flawless, was different. He couldn’t pinpoint it from this distance, but his air, his stance, it all felt off. It filled Izuku with dread. For what, he wasn’t sure.

So he stayed. Even as everybody poured out of the gates, Izuku couldn’t bring himself to move. Not until Todoroki did, at least. Because even with an empty stadium, Todoroki just stood there, unmoving.

Until he fell to his knees.

Time stopped for Izuku as he watched from afar. He felt so helpless, like every waking day he spent without magic. So he had to help. But the halls to the arena floor were guarded to hell and back, there was no way he could get there. Unless…

…How deep was the sand?

This was stupid. He was stupid. He’d hurt himself and he’d regret it. He knew all this and more as he tossed himself over the arena edge.

Shouto was done for. A failure worse than the last, cornered and forced to use his fire once more? He knew what leaving the arena would bring. So, for as long as possible, he’d be here. Having a breakdown. Fuck.

What he wasn’t expecting during his breakdown was the thud he heard nearby, punctuated with a muffled groan.

The hell?

Shouto couldn’t bring himself to stand, but he just about gathered the strength to turn his head. And there, he saw what he’d never thought to see. A boy was laying there, face first in the sand. The sudden absurdity of it brought him to his feet as he ran over to him. Had he fallen? Was he dead?

Another groan. Probably not dead.

Shouto bent down and awkwardly jostled his shoulder, praying for some kind of response. Maybe he was supposed to talk to him?

“Uh, are you alive?”

Suddenly the other’s face shot up, covered in sand from his evident face-plant. “No…! I mean- I’m alive, but I was supposed to comfort you!”

“…I’m sorry?”

“You seemed really despondent, so uh, I was worried about you, and I didn’t know how to get down here, so I jumped and I am so glad for the sand-”

“You were… worried about me? So you jumped off a ledge to your potential death?”

The other’s expression turned sheepish. “Uh, when you put it like that…”

“How did you know I was different to normal?” Shouto cut in. “I didn’t think I was being that obvious.” He hoped he wasn’t.

“You probably weren’t! But uh, oh god how do I put this, ok here we go- you’re like super cool so I studied your fights a ton and I hope that’s not creepy or I might just faceplant again dear god!”

“You don’t know me.” The other flinched. “I’m not ‘cool’, my magic is. Nothing about me is admirable.”

“I… Wouldn’t say that.”

“Sorry?”

“Well, I’ve met you now, right? And I think you’re pretty cool, all things considered. So um, yeah!”

That took Shouto off guard. “Thank you. But I don’t… think you can be sure of that yet. We’ve barely talked.”

“Then, why don’t we talk more?”

“I… can’t. I have to go home to my father. But, maybe soon. It’s not everyday a fan launches himself face first into my mental breakdown.”

The other chuckled. “Fair enough! Oh, names! I obviously know yours, but I’m Midoriya Izuku!”

As he finished, the other- no, Midoriya, smiled. Shouto found himself almost smiling back.

…

“How do I get out?”

“…I’ll make you an ice ramp.”

Chapter Text

Shouto loved the forest. The air was crisp, the plant life was vibrant, and the overwhelming noise of the city was a distant memory. So he’d often take the time to come there, to walk along the old dirt path, and escape it all. Just as he was doing today.

He found himself, once again, taking practised steps across the path. Trees of all kinds broke way above to midday sun, not a cloud on the horizon. It was perfect, Shouto thought. So he walked on, through the route he knew like the back of his hand, only stopping when he’d hear a wild animal nearby.

That was something comforting about this forest too. Even if he was alone, he wasn’t alone. There were so many animals here, deer and foxes and birds and more, all living their lives like Shouto. He felt accepted here, as if he was simply one of them. Walking in the forest made him feel at peace.

Although, in this vast forest, there was one exception. One living being here that he connected with more directly, that he could talk to, that made his journeys worth that much more. Him.

And as Shouto found his favourite clearing, with a crystal clear pond surrounded by blossoms, he saw the forest spirit once again. His most distinctive feature, his antlers, were the first thing Shouto saw. But moving closer he could see his curly green hair, his freckles dusting his face and arms, and his content face as he traced his finger in the water.

“Hello again, Midoriya.” It was a name Shouto loved; they came up with it together.

Turning around, Midoriya smiled wide. “Oh, hi Todoroki! Do you want to take a seat?” He patted the ground beside him. Nodding, Shouto made his way over and sat cross-legged in the grass. Sitting beside Midoriya was always a highlight of his day, quietly basking in his presence as he looked out to the water. There was no need to constantly talk, and Shouto appreciated that. Their silence was companionable, and the one thing he needed.

Shouto found himself so relaxed that he wanted to lay down, so he simply fell to the ground back first. Midoriya looked at him in confusion for a moment, before deciding to lay down with him. Together they watched the sky through the clearing, birds of all kinds flying past. The sun was warm, but not harsh. It was like a moment out of a painting.

“It really is, isn’t it?”

Shouto turned to find Midoriya looking at him, a smile on his face, the kind that gave him perfect dimples. Shouto found himself smiling back.

“Oh, I said that out loud? Sorry.” His apology was light.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! It’s true. At least, from the ones you’ve shown me. I don’t get out much. Obviously.”

Shouto chuckled. “Sometimes I wish I was a forest spirit, I don’t really enjoy being anywhere else.”

“And I’d love to see the world! Man, why are we like this?”

“Because the world is a cruel, awful force.” Shouto said with faux dramatics. “Never will I feel the joy of having antlers.”

Izuku found himself laughing at his performance. “I still like you without the antlers, Todoroki! You’re perfect as you are.”

Shouto found himself blushing “As are you. So I suppose we’re even.”

“I suppose we are!”

Chapter Text

Izuku knew what he had to do. It was simple really- shoot his arrow through Todoroki’s heart. Shoot it through and destine his love to a creature horrible beyond comprehension. Ensure he never rivalled his mother, the Goddess of Love, with something as simple as his mortal looks again. All these things were a simple answer to a simple request. Still, Izuku found himself hesitant. Because before him stood the most beautiful boy he had ever seen.

Todoroki stood atop his balcony, mismatched eyes staring to the sky. His vibrant red hair mixed with his white as the wind brushed it this way and that, but the chaos was perfect in Izuku’s eyes. A scar lay bare on the side of his face, his lips parted in absent thought, his eyes gleamed in the midday sun; all these details and more hit Izuku like a lightning bolt. He knew, clear as day in that instant, that he could never shoot that cursed arrow at Todoroki. Instead, Izuku felt that an arrow had been lodged deep into his own heart, so far it had woven itself into his very soul.

There was no chance in hell he would curse him now.

No matter what his mother begged of him.

Chapter Text

Something was wrong. Izuku could feel it; that familiar pit in his stomach was gathering once again, a sure sign that his husband was having a nightmare. He couldn’t quite tell if it was simply a result of his powers inherent magic, or he’d instead picked up the tells through every person he’d helped. Either way, the intuition he had now was all he needed to know Shouto needed help once again. And Izuku would never, ever, hesitate to help him!

Izuku turned to lay on his side to face Shouto but frowned when he saw his face. Of course, he wouldn’t normally frown in that scenario; his face was beautiful! No, it was his expression that made Izuku worry. He was clearly distressed, and it was enough to dispel any doubt in Izuku’s mind- Shouto was definitely having a nightmare.

With practised care, Izuku placed his hand on Shouto’s forehead and channelled the constant energy of his magic. Closing his eyes, Izuku focused on Shouto’s thoughts and felt the comfort of their bedroom slipping away. Instead, a deep sense of dread enveloped him, cold air that would somehow boil and burn bit at his skin, and his ears rung with indiscernible noise. With that, he knew he was in Shouto’s nightmare. He opened his eyes.

Izuku almost thought he hadn’t, as all he was met with was pitch black. Well, all except for the flickering, distorted form of his husband in the centre of the hellish void. He was screaming, screaming so loud that Izuku felt his ears bleed, as Shouto hunched in on himself.

Izuku had to stop to steady his resolve as he felt crushing anxiety take hold. Shouto’s anxiety. These raw, horrible emotions must be tied with far greater strength to him than Izuku, and that’s what gave him the motivation to move forward in the end. The knowledge that Shouto was suffering, and that Izuku could lift that.

Deep breaths, Izuku told himself. In and out, steady his heart and shaking hands. Shouto was there, and he needed him, and by God, Izuku was going to help him. So Izuku began walking towards Shouto, still huddled in the centre of the void. As he grew closer to him, that feeling of dread grew and grew. It… it was as though it was emanating from Shouto himself. He must be in so much pain. That thought haunted Izuku through every one of these nightmares.

After what felt like an eternity, Izuku was standing by Shouto’s side. Crouching down in front of him, he gently placed a hand on his shoulder; all while Shouto’s screams rang out.  His shoulder was blistering hot, but Izuku knew that it wouldn’t hurt him. Shouto was the one that really hurt.

“Shouto. You’re safe. I’m right here.” Izuku murmured out words of comfort beside him. He’d learned by now that a sudden hug wasn’t the thing to help him, not when his nightmare was this horrible; it was best to ease him into it. “This isn’t real, you’re safe, Shouto.”

As Izuku kept repeating his reassurance, Shouto’s voice slowly began to shrink away. Soon he was barely making a sound, instead shaking where he sat.

“Shouto, I love you, ok? I’m here, and everything will be ok.”

Quietly, Shouto found himself looking up to meet Izuku’s eyes. “Is this a dream? Please,” His voice was hoarse. “I need this to be a dream.”

Izuku did his best to smile. “Yes, you’re dreaming, Shouto. When you wake up, you’ll be ok! And I’ll be there for you, ok?”

“…Thank you.” Shouto seemed tired and slowly fell into Izuku’s arms. “They were all lying when I said.”

Though the statement itself seemed slightly off, Izuku felt every bit of the sentiment. It was often that dreams warped your head, so there wasn’t much to think of it; only that Shouto had calmed. Now, Izuku felt confident to wrap his arms around Shouto, embracing him as he felt the world of the nightmare fade.

Chapter Text

Izuku wandered the street of the village, looking for nothing and nobody. Citizens were walking past him, chatting with each other as they went about their day- and the people watching was nice for Izuku. There wasn’t much for him to do as it was, so why not see what others did with their time?

There were plenty of people here today; the sun was out, and people were making the most of it! He’d always enjoyed spending sunny days with his mother, so there was something nostalgic about seeing other children do the same. They ran around and played on the streets, and as Izuku watched them he began to smile.

It was always bittersweet though. The undeniable fact that his time had passed always hung in his mind as he watched their innocent play. Before the bullying, before his life changed, before everything, he’d been just like them! He knew his past was something he had to let go of one day. But there wouldn’t be much else left for him if he did.

He always loved going to the park, visiting his friends, taking walks down the street. But it was all different now. He’d never get a word out of those he used to call his friends, and every walk felt lonely and hollow.

But he did his best to distract himself, to enjoy the little things that others got to feel. For brief moments he could pretend he was them, and their joy was his vicariously. It was all he could ask for. It was enough. Until he found what he needed, something to push him forward, he’d appreciate every small connection.

Sometimes there’d even be days that brought something new. Maybe ‘new’ was an exaggeration; it was more so just little things that would catch his attention. Like today, when he saw a boy.

The first thing Izuku noticed was his distinctive split-dye hair, falling just over his eyes as he looked down at the book in his hands. He was seated on the side of the fountain of the main square, completely absorbed in what he was reading. It was almost as if he was in a painting, the sunset mixing in the sky, water shining behind him. This was the kind of scene that Izuku wished he could photograph, but he knew it would never print the same.

Izuku couldn’t help it; he found himself walking up to him. Maybe before everything happened he would have been more socially anxious, more reserved, but it didn’t really matter anymore, right? There was literally nothing he could lose, even if there wasn’t much he could gain.

“What are you reading, I wonder? It must be good.” Izuku said to the boy. Or himself. At this point, it was hard to distinguish.

The moment seemed to hang forever as something happened Izuku could have never imagined.

The boy looked up.

“Um. Excuse me?”

Holy shit.

Holy. Shit.

“Oh my God, you can hear me?” They locked eyes. “You can see me?”

“Why… wouldn’t I be able to?”

“Maybe because I’m dead?”

…

He blinked. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m- I’m not joking! Uh, I’ll prove it!”

Izuku practically tripped over himself as he ran up to a stranger on the path. He tried waving his hands in their face, yelling straight into their ear, everything he could think of. They didn’t so much as flinch at him; their only reaction was to the other staring at them.

Still high on adrenaline, he ran back. “See! Oh my God, I just, it’s been so long-”

“Am I hallucinating? Do I have heatstroke? This, this isn’t real. You aren’t real.”

“Gonna be honest here, I really hope I’m real! But, um, I get this is probably a lot for you! Please don’t ask me for an explanation though because I don’t know what’s going on here. In the slightest!”

“You’re dead.”

“Last time I checked!”

“I am talking to a dead person.”

“I uh, I have a name! I’m Midoriya Izuku, so you don’t have to call me ‘a dead person’ anymore!”

“Midoriya. You’re dead.”

“…Ok, I think I broke you. I uh, don’t know how to comfort you here, so maybe I’ll just go-”

“Stay.”

“Huh?”

He ran a hand down his face. “This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me, and you want me to just go back to reading my book?”

“I mean, not necessarily! I just thought me being here might not be helping.”

“You probably understand more of this than I do. Midoriya, I don’t want to ask you how you died or something, but maybe just an explanation of… all this.”

“Uh, there’s not much that I can guess you wouldn’t know. It’s all typical ghost fare, I’m here till I find what I need to move on. Well, I don’t have proof. But… there’s this nagging feeling every day I spend here. That I need to do something or feel something. So, I think that’s what I need to do. But I not sure I want to leave yet.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I… I don’t know. I like to look at what everybody does without me. And… I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“I almost understand. A fear of change, of loss. That’s the thing with death.”

Izuku laughed sadly. “But that’s supposed to be for the mourners.”

“It’s fair if you’re not ready, I think. Maybe you never will be. I think you should do whatever you need.”

Suddenly, tears were spilling over, Izuku laughing with a mix of relief and bitterness. “Oh, I’m crying, aren’t I? I was always a cry-baby, I’m sorry about this.”

“Why would you apologise?”

“I… I feel like this is more baggage for you than it is for me. You’re talking to a ghost, why should I dump this on you?”

“I won’t lie, this is horrifying.” Izuku almost snorted at the stark remark. “But that shouldn’t put down how you feel. Would you want to sit with me for a while? You don’t have to dump things, and I don’t have to leave you alone to cry. It just makes sense.”

Izuku smiled. “It does. And… that would be lovely.” He sat himself down beside the other, and Izuku was in peace as they shared each other’s space.

“Todoroki Shouto.”

“Huh? Who?”

“Um, me. My name is Todoroki Shouto.”

“Oh, well, I hope that I get to use it again. Even if I don’t, thank you for telling me!”

“You’ll use it again.”

“How… how can you know that?”

Todoroki’s intensity shot through Izuku. “Because I will find you. I am not going to let meeting you be a one-time thing.”

Izuku immediately blushed. “Meeting… me?”

“Meeting a ghost. But um, yes, you in of yourself.” Todoroki began to blush back.

After that, the two lapsed into companionable silence, and it was nice; because even without words, he no longer felt alone. Somebody was here, and they saw him. It was so different to every sunset he’d seen for so long, because for once in this busy village, he could say one thing.

He wasn’t alone when he saw it.

Chapter Text

Shouto was laying in bed, and although the sun had long since set, he couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t that he physically couldn’t sleep, no. He simply had arrangements.

It was nice, the routine of it. Knowing that there was something he could do every week to help somebody. Something that required little effort, and even gave him the privilege of seeing the other.

The whole thing was simple, really. He had a large balcony thanks to his father’s income, so he only needed to leave his door unlocked; it was the one thing he had to thank him for. In all honesty, the hardest part of these nights was the waiting. Shouto just had to lay here, waiting to hear the thud of footsteps on his balcony, and that was beyond boring. So sometimes, like today, he’d make the decision to walk out to the balcony and wait there.

Slowly lifting himself out of bed, Shouto made his way towards the glass-paned doors that led outside. Grand curtains covered the view, and he left little time as he slid them aside, making way to a beautiful star-studded sky. Within the inky black hung a large moon, not a cloud in the sky. It was picture perfect.

Opening the doors, Shouto took a moment to appreciate the cold air that hit his face, helping ground him. He wasn’t particularly stressed or detached, but it was still those little things that helped remind him he was alive. Not to mention it simply felt nice on his skin.

He didn’t know how much time he spent out there, as engrossed in the view as he was, but something brought his attention back when it flew in his peripheral. A small bat was coming towards him, and Shouto’s heart jumped. He was here. Izuku.

The bat clicked in greeting as it flew down to Shouto’s side, seating itself by his feet. Izuku was so small when he was like this, Shouto could easily scoop him in the palm of his hand. It was adorable.

“It’s hard to talk to you down there, Izuku.” Shouto said light-heartedly. “Would you mind switching, just for me?"

With a small click, Izuku erupted into a cloud of smoke and Shouto had to hold back choking coughs. Even when he was psychologically prepared, his body was always going to struggle with the sudden thickness of the air when Izuku switched. Still, he waited patiently until it dissipated, and he could see Izuku’s face.

When it did part, Shouto was met with Izuku smiling sweetly, dimples forming in his freckled cheeks. He wondered, if only for a moment, what it would be like to kiss them, to hold them in his cupped hands.

“Shouto, are you sure you asked me to switch just so you could talk easier?” Izuku teased. “Because you seem to be spending less time talking and more time staring at my face.”

Shouto felt his cheeks heat up. “I-I suppose you have me there. You just have a nice face.”

It was Izuku’s turn to blush now. “You always manage to say those things without missing a beat, how are you so smooth?”

“I’m not smooth, I’m just honest.”

“See? Smooth!”

Shouto huffed. “Fine. If it makes you happy, I’m smooth. But you’re the one who talked me into being your personal juice box.”

Izuku waved his hands in panic. “You’re not my juice box! I can drink from somebody else if you’re uncomfortable! And I’ll still come to see you if you’d like that, I swear!”

“Don’t worry, Izuku.” He calmed a little at the use of his first name. “I know you care about me; I was just joking. And please, I don’t mind you drinking my blood. You always know to drink just enough that I’m barely dizzy after, and I don’t know if any other vampire would be that considerate.”

“You do know me leaving wouldn’t mean you had to meet with another vampire?”

“But how would I fill the vampire-shaped hole in my life?”

Izuku laughed. “You mean, in your neck?”

“Touché. Speaking of, there’s… something I need to ask you. Something on my mind.”

“Huh? What is it, Shouto?”

He took a deep breath. “Would you be able to turn me?”

Izuku stopped dead in his tracks. “S-Shouto, you know how big of a commitment that is, right? You’d… you’d grow old without your friends and family, everybody you love! You’d never see the sun again-”

“Izuku. I have to be honest; I don’t have many people in my life that I love.” Shouto stiffened as he spoke. “Family, friends, it hardly matters in my eyes. But I love you. You’re the only sun I could ever need, and the thought, the thought,” He felt his voice break. “of dying without you hurts. After all these years, the one thing I’m scared to lose, out of everything, is you.”

Izuku stood there, blushing, seemingly mulling hard over his words. “…You’re really serious about this, aren’t you? I… I’d never want to lose you either, but this is big. But you’re sure, right? That you’d do this for me? I’m sure you could find a human like me, without having to give up everything.”

“There could never, ever, be a human like you.”

“…You’re too good for me, Shouto.” Izuku began to tear up. “But I have to tell you, you don’t want to turn here, in the middle of town. I can bite you today to give you a few days, but when everything kicks in it’ll be hard. So, it's best if by tomorrow you come to visit me. I… I don’t exactly have a beautiful gothic mansion; I didn’t have the money. But it's nice, and it's remote! So, I could show you the way tomorrow.”

“I… I’d like that. Thank you so much, Izuku.” As he spoke, he pulled at his collar to expose more of his neck.

Izuku closed the distance between them, bending down into the nook of his neck. “No. Thank you, for everything.”

Shouto knew what he wanted, what he’d be happy with for the rest of his life.

He’d take this, arms wide, ready for whatever the future held.

Izuku bit, and Shouto smiled.