Author's Note: Seriously, guys? We're five chapters in and not even one person has left a comment? Come on. :(
- The city carved a silhouette
On the ocean after dark
Over the lonely and the holy
And the red blood beating hearts
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Up from the dirty black water
A shadow void of form
Raised itself out of the river
And it climbed upon the shore -
The Midnight, Shadows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14cb1xCY-4
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Shoto-san is so kind...
But... I'm not going to involve him in my troubles.
I'm not going to tell him about Kacchan.
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After they talk it through, both Shoto and Izuku make the decision to keep their relationship private. For the time being, at least.
Homophobia still plagues Japan in ways that are sometimes subtle, and sometimes not-so subtle.
Not to mention, neither Izuku's nor Shoto's family support homosexuality.
And not to mention, Izuku is already bullied enough for being a Quirkless loser. Having a boyfriend would only add fuel to the fire.
Or rather, to the explosions.
So. With all that out of the way.
"You seem awfully chipper today, Deku." Kacchan remarks from his desk the next morning as he, Izuku, and their classmates sit in their classroom, waiting for their teacher to come. "What, did the new episode of your favorite anime come out, or something?
"Very funny," Izuku replies dryly as he reads Plato's the Republic .
Remind Izuku why he hasn't sicced Shoto on Kacchan already, again?
Right. Because Izuku doesn't want Shoto torn to shreds.
I know you're strong, Shoto-san, but I doubt even you can handle Kacchan at his worst. Izuku thinks to himself sorrowfully.
Still. Shoto's declaration of protection from yesterday still tugs at Izuku's heart.
Maybe he shouldn't rule out the possibility of Shoto protecting Izuku completely. Just maybe...
"Or let me guess." Katsuki interrupts Izuku's train of thought, "Someone has actually decided to start dating you."
It takes all of Izuku's willpower to keep quiet and to keep a poker face.
The blond couldn't be more right, but who Izuku's dating is none of Kacchan's concern.
"What you reading there, nerd?" Izuku barely even processes Kacchan walking over to snatch Izuku's book from his hands.
"Don't even think of destroying it," Izuku snaps, "I got it just now from the school library."
"Hm. Plato." Kacchan says thoughtfully. Izuku blinks.
"You... you know about Plato?"
Kacchan snorts.
"Of course I do. What do you take me for?"
A brute, Izuku thinks to himself.
"You know it's been said that Plato inspired Hitler, right?" Kacchan says he hands Izuku's book back to him.
Of course that's what Kacchan decides to focus on. Still, Izuku's surprised Kacchan even knows something about Plato to begin with.
"I don't think that's true." Izuku states. "That's just a theory with not enough evidence to back it up."
"I think it's true. You see, it's always the philosophers who are the most unstable in society."
Izuku's eyes narrow. Idiot. Maybe you should look at yourself for a change.
"I mean, let's think about it, Kacchan starts, "Philosophers are fundamentally just a bunch of people who have way too much free time to think and not enough time to actually do something with their hands."
Kacchan pauses. Then continues; "Religion is even worse," Kacchan snorts, "Thankfully, it's not that big of a problem in Japan, but there's always still the odd person or two trying to convert you to their religion."
Shoto-san's not like that. Izuku thinks to himself privately.
"My advice, Deku? Ditch philosophy and actually develop a skill. Maybe then, you won't be so worthless."
The bell rings.
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When school ends for the day, Izuku finds himself reflecting on Kacchan's words as he packs his books and notebook.
He zones out.
There's some truth to Kacchan's words, after all.
'Philosophers are fundamentally just a bunch of people who have way too much free time to think and not enough time to actually do something with their hands.'
But...
At the same time, Izuku knows that what happened between him and Shoto yesterday was real.
The emotions Shoto and Izuku felt. The atmosphere.
The kiss.
It was all incredibly surreal, but.
It was real, nonetheless.
"You're still thinking about what I told you today, aren't you, Deku?" Kacchan then says out of nowhere.
Crap. Was it that obvious?
"No," Izuku says quickly. Kacchan snorts.
"You act like I don't know you, Deku."
Kacchan then leaves the classroom without saying another word.
