Translation to what Hizashi can't hear, in order:
"You can't sleep"
"You need to shave"
"Close your eyes"
"Relax and float"
"What?"
"You're overthinking"
"Hey, stop"
"If you want to have a conversation we should get up"
---------------------------------------------------------
"Y-- ca-- ---ep."
I open my eyes and sit up. I reach over to my nightstand and put my hearing aids.
"Hm?"
"You can't sleep. I can tell."
"How can you tell?"
"Your breathing pattern never slowed down. Everyones breathing slowes down when they are asleep."
I sigh and lie back down beside him. He's been lying with his head on my chest, I guess just waiting for me to fall asleep. I put my arms around him.
"Shouldn't it be easier to fall asleep? Since all noises are muffled?"
"I just guess you're not used to it yet."
I turn over to my side so I can see him. I can barely see him anyways, since I'm not wearing my glasses. I hate them, they are so ugly. The hospital only had one style, of course, so I'll probably need to get a new pair soon. But that's gonna be expensive as well. I pull a hand through Shota's hair.
"You're really cute..."
"Don't ignore me. I know this is hard for you and we need to talk about it."
I close my eyes for a second.
"My face hurts. And I can't hear anything. I can't see either but that's nothing new."
He reaches out and puts a hand on the back of my neck.
"Can't be a hero without a few scars, right? It just shows you're a fighter."
"They were basically self inflicted, Shota, I wasn't fighting anyone but myself."
"Then you're showing that your voice is powerful enough to break literal glass!"
A weak smile forms on my lips.
"It's usually me who has to cheer you up. What happened with these switched roles?"
He smiles a bit as well and starts scratching my neck. It feels nice. I grab his wrist and pushes his hand a bit further up, so he can scratch my head.
"Since when did you become a cat?"
"Since now."
I close my eyes
"Let's sneak out."
I open my eyes again.
"Sneak out?"
I look at Shota. It's not like him to suggest something like this.
"Yeah, sneak out. We can get to the school pool. Since we're UA students, it shouldn't be illegal, right?"
"Shota it's 1 am!"
"I don't care! We'll take the train."
He gets out of the bed and pulls me out as well. He walks up to my closet and starts rooting around.
"Do you have any spare swim trunks I can borrow?"
"Not any black ones if that's what you want... the darkest color I have is like, a dark blue? You could borrow those..."
I walk up to the closet and pull them out. I pull out my own swim trunks as well: a turqoise pair with pineapples on them.
"Okay, great. Get a bag."
I do as he says and grab my school bag. I put the trunks in it and grab two towels as well.
"What if we get caught?"
"We run."
It takes us about half an hour to get to school. All students get a spare key to the pool, so you can access it at any time with permission. Shota is unlocking the gate and we sneak inside. We both run inside the changing room and start changing. I can tell the Shota's muscles have grown since he started the hero course. When he was transferred, he was skinny and lean. Now he looks like he could pick me up without a problem. He looks... happy. At least for the moment.
"I'm not gonna be able to wear my glasses or hearing aids in the pool, at least not if I dip my head..."
"It's okay, I'll guide you."
"Hey, I'm not completely blind. I can still see."
I remove my glasses and hearing aids.
I carefully climb down in the water. We're on the deep end on the pool, so I can just barely stand on my tiptoes without drowning. All sounds are muffled and my vision is blurry. Someone puts their arms around my waist. It's Shota, of course. He leans his head against my shoulder, and I lean my head against his.
"Yo-- ne-d t- sh--ve."
I can barely hear myself, but I don't want to yell or activate my quirk. Shota nods. The stubble on his cheeks and shin has grown longer, and it's rough against my bare skin. I myself can barely grow any facial hair. I have two tiny spots under my nose where tiny, tiny, blond hairs grow, but it's nothing I'd call a mustache. I don't even know if I'd look good in a mustache.
"Cl--se ---r ey-s."
Close my eyes? I do as he says.
"Re--x a-- -lo--t."
I focus and try to think of what he's saying. Relax and float. Once again, I do as he says. I lie down on my back and float in the water. My ears go under the surface and I can't hear anything. Shota puts his hands on my shoulders and slowly pushes me towards the shallow end of the pool. I keep floating. After a while, he stops. I guess he can stand properly here. He grabs my face between his wet hands and starts kissing my face. His stubble tickles my skin and I smile. He kisses every single wound I got from breaking my glasses, so lightly it feels like feathers. He says something, but I can't hear a single thing. I feel like I could fall asleep here at any moment, in the chilly water with the stars above me, even if I can't see them. With Shota right behind me, making sure I don't drown or anything. He kisses my lips. I want to reach up but I'm pretty sure I'd sink if I did. I open my mouth and kiss him back. I can feel his breath going heavier against my own skin. I smile wider and keep kissing him. His lips are warm, and softer than you'd think. I open my eyes as he lets go of me. God he's so beautiful. How could I be this lucky? Getting this gorgeous man as my boyfriend? To call him my own? Even in my own head I sound cheesy. All I could wish for now is to one day, some time in the future, be able to call him my husband. What ring would fit him? Would he even like a ring? Would he wear it? Would he like a necklace instead? Would he even like any jewlery at all? He says something again and I stand up. I shake out the water from my ears.
"W--t?"
"Y--r- ov--thi----g."
I'm overthinking. Yeah, I probably am. I look down at Shota's hands. His fingers are shorter and rougher than my own. How could I possibly figure out what ring size he wears? And how am I supposed to get money for a ring?
"-ey. S--p."
I roll my eyes.
"If y-- wa-t -o -ave a co----sa---n, we sho--d g-- -p."
He nods and shrugs. We both walk towards the ladder and climb up.
I'm holding Shota's hand. He's just staring at me, probably wondering what I'm doing. It's 2.30 am and we're on the train home.
"Shota?"
"Mhm?"
"Will you marry me?"
He removes his head from my shoulder and looks at me. His pale cheeks have gone red from blushing.
Wha- marry you?"
I nod.
"'Zashi, we're 18..."
"I'm 19 actually. And I didn't mean now, on the spot. In a couple of years. When we've graduated and we're real heroes. When I have enough money to get you a real ring. When we can move out and live together."
Shota looks like he can't believe his eyes. He's just staring at me, with his mouth half open.
"I-I..."
"It's okay if you don't want to... or if you don't want to decide right now..."
Before I can even finish the sentance his lips are pressed against mine again. I laugh against his mouth and put my arms around his neck. I pull away and look into his eyes.
"I'll take that as a yes?"
He nods and smiles. I don't think I've ever seen him smile that wide, like his biggest dream just came through. Who knows, maybe it did?
