Popped Knuckles, Dry Eyes, and Burnt Hands

38

Aizawa was of course the one to take Hotaru home seeing as they had a lot to talk about. Or at least that's what Aizawa thought, but Hotaru remained silent for the first half of the ride until Aizawa broke, "Ok, so what happened with Endeavor?"

She smirked and looked over at him, "Was that eating you up this whole time?" She inquired with a soft giggle.

He frowned, "That and other things yes."

She sighed and looked back out the window, "He's going to try and make Toya disappear off the face of the earth. He has disowned him and to keep me quiet, he's still going to pay for my college and give me work."

"Was that his original plan?"

"No," she laughed, "he wasn't planning to keep his side of the deal so I had to convince him." She sighed and fiddled with her phone, "We don't have to talk about the other thing until you're ready."

He raised an eyebrow at her for a moment, but nodded. He knew what she meant; she knew him better than most people at that point, which was rare. So she knew why he was confused, and why he wasn't ready for that yet.

"Besides I'll be in Tokyo for 5 years learning about basic medical stuff. I won't have time for any of that." She stated honestly. It made her sad, but she had a feeling it wouldn't be too bad of a thing. Time always tended to fly faster when she was preoccupied.

He frowned hard, "I'm not gonna see you for 5 years?" He sounded upset and she sat up, looking over at him again.

"I promise to Skype, and visit whenever I possibly can," she put a hand on his arm, "you know that."

"I," he stuttered and sighed, taking one hand off the wheel to grab her hand, "I know that. I've just gotten used to seeing you every day."

She wilted and squeezed his hand, "I know, it's gonna be hard."

They made it to her house and sat there, staring at each other in silence until Aizawa finally spoke up, "We only have a few more weeks of classes."

"Yea," she responded, their words hung in the air by twisted strings of longing.

"I'm gonna miss you a lot," he whispered into the jumbled up mess and she nodded; neither of them had realized they were slowly gravitating towards each other.

"I'm gonna miss you too," she almost couldn't breathe her words were so heavy as she thought of having to stay away from him for so long.

He let his eyes flicker and wander over her face which was showing him a reflection of his own sad tired eyes, torn in half by logic and feeling; by longing and common sense. He didn't notice their noses make contact, lightly brushing.

"You are so beautiful," he breathed in a soft whisper before the gap closed and their lips touched. His brain was screaming, but his heart was melting as their lips softly melded together; unsure of how to continue, and happy to finally meet. The kiss was hesitant and gentle, not growing or lessening; it was simple.

Hotaru watched his face, indulging in her first kiss and making sure to remember how it felt. They pulled away reluctantly and looked at each other once more, quiet and awkward.

"I really should-."

"I guess-."

They had started talking at the same time and they both coughed and chuckled awkwardly, "You first," Aizawa stated softly.

"I should go ahead and get inside, it's late," she trailed off sadly before continuing again, "and dad's probably still up waiting on me."

He nodded and scratched the back of his neck, "I'll see you Monday, rest well ok?"

She didn't move and wished she could just stay in that car forever, "Sho," she reached up and stroked his cheek with her thumb, "I'll always be here."

He leaned into her hand as she pushed herself up and planted a kiss on his other cheek, "I'll see you Monday." She smiled and begrudgingly got out, making sure to grab everything before shutting the door and going inside. He watched her walk to her front door, and go inside before he shifted gears.

They kept that moment to themselves.