In the Flames of Desire

Chapter 7- Regret

Todoroki (Two and a Half Years prior-his memory)

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I was going to tell him tonight. I was going to tell him. He had already agreed to go to the movies with me, not that it was unusual for us to hang out but tonight will be different. Because after the movies over, I'll take him to get some ice-cream and I'll tell him I like it.

  It can't be that hard. We were already close, and I thought, maybe, he could see me as more than a friend too.

  It was our last year at U.A., if I don't tell him now I'll regret it for the rest of my life. At the very least he'll know how I feel.

  "Hey Shoto!" Midoriya ran up to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. He slid his arm around my shoulder awkwardly. Despite him getting taller, I had too, standing a few inches taller than him. I laughed pushing him off me, he laughed too and my heart swelled.

  Making him laugh was something I always tried to do, hearing it was like... it was like the perfect song.  A melody i could never get tired of an adored; i could play it over and over in my head and memorize it so it never went away.

  "Hey!" I was walking towards the beach, really wanting to go for a swim. I pointed to the water, "do you want to join me?" He smiled as a breeze blew through the air.

  "Are we training?" I laughed as he said this.

  "Is that all you think about Izuku?" his face reddened and he looked away sheepishly and somehow I found the courage to bring my hand up to his face, cup his chin and turn his head so he was looking at me. "No, it's not for training, but it can be If you want."

  He didn't seem to mind my hand on his face, instead he gave me a brilliant smile.

  "We could race!" I laughed again, nodding my head.

  "Sure, we can race, but you know I'll beat you." I brushed my thumb over his cheek before I realized what I was doing. Immediately I dropped my hand, shoving it into my pockets.

  He didn't seem to notice and for some reason I was disappointed. He didn't react to me touching him at all, as if it meant nothing to him. But I didn't let it discourage me, I was still going to tell him tonight.

  I had to.

  We reached the water, it lapped over my feet. It sent shivers up my body. I saw Izuku strip off his shirt, tossing it onto the sand, I tried not to stare at him. I'd seen him shirtless countless time but it never got old. Every time I struggled not to let my desire show.

  "Well come on," he said, already walking into the water. I lifted my shirt over my head, not exactly self-conscious but very aware of him seeing my body. I knew I had the body of a hero, most of us did, but even still... did Izuku like it? "What are you waiting for?" He dove into the water, I could see him kick his legs propelling himself farther out.

  "You." I whispered to myself, knowing he couldn't hear me, "Nothing." I said as he surfaced, and I dove in after him. I opened my eyes, looking at the water around me, I kicked towards Izuku. When I came up I was standing a lot closer than I anticipated. My body was nearly touching his.

  I could feel his heat and my entire body got hotter as he smiled up at me. He didn't seem to mind our closeness, he made no move to back away. The desire to kiss him right then was stronger than it had been all day. I leaned in slightly.

  Should I just tell him now?

  Water dripped off the ends of my hair, the droplets landing on my chest.